1 Since 1979, the Oscar statuette has come with a little gold chain attached to its back. When the chain is pulled, the statuette says, Thank you, thank you, thank you, while shedding real tears.

2 The longest-ever acceptance speech was delivered by Desiree Bloom, after she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1967.

Having thanked 125 members of her family by name, including 29 third cousins by marriage, she proceeded to thank her household staff, her 600 high school contemporaries, 35 teachers, the cast and crew of every film she had ever worked on, and each individual in the theatre that night, including the box-office staff. Her speech lasted for a full 26 hours, 43 minutes, including two intervals.

For nearly 40 years, there was an Academy Award for Best Performance By An Animal. The inaugural prize in 1976 was won by Goldie, (not pictured) the goldfish who played the title role of the shark in the film Jaws

In 2002, a new category of Best Actress At Pretending To Be Delighted When Another Actress Wins was won by Meryl Streep. Her award was greeted by whoops of joy from fellow nominee Glenn Close, pictured, who was then strongly tipped to win the award the following year

3 Over the course of her emotional speech, Ms Bloom got through eight bumper packs of extra-strong tissues. Later that year, during a ceremony in which she was unveiled as the face of Kleenex, she made another acceptance speech, lasting just under eight hours. I thought Id better make it snappy, she explained.

4 It has become a tradition that all nominees, presenters and performers at the Academy Awards are offered going-away bags, full of goodies.

These gifts started modestly enough  back in 1934, each recipient received a ballpoint pen, a joke or riddle and a party hat.

But as time has gone on, their value has risen exponentially. This year, nominees in all of the top categories received a five-door family saloon, a designer kitchen, a 62-piece Cartier dining set, a labradoodle puppy, a pump-action shotgun, a five-bedroom holiday home in an exclusive gated development in Hawaii and a signed photograph of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

5 Actors at the annual Academy Awards ceremony regularly take the opportunity to publicise political and environmental causes. In 2017, actress Angelina Jolie called on the world to stop eating baked beans. The baked bean is an endangered species of mammal, she declared. To continue to eat it is to support mass genocide!

6 From time to time, new Oscar categories are initiated by the Academy, but some have failed to catch on and have then been abandoned. In 1993, an Academy Award was offered in the new category Best Movie Based On An Original Murder, with joint nominations for the producer and the perpetrator, who accepted his award by satellite live from his cell in San Quentin prison.

7 In 1988, Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger carried off the new award for Best Actor Under Five Foot Two Inches Tall, beating fellow nominees Tom Cruise, Al Pacino, Danny DeVito and Robert Redford.

It later emerged that Schwarzenegger had walked onstage on his knees to accept his Oscar, with the aid of specially adapted shoes and trousers. Since then, the category has been discreetly shelved.

8 In 2002, a new category of Best Actress At Pretending To Be Delighted When Another Actress Wins was won by Meryl Streep. Her award was greeted by whoops of joy from fellow nominee Glenn Close, who was then strongly tipped to win the award the following year.

9 For nearly 40 years, there was an Academy Award for Best Performance By An Animal. The inaugural prize in 1976 was won by Goldie, the goldfish who played the title role of the shark in the film Jaws.

Goldie the Goldfish had auditioned against strong competition from much bigger fish, including a cod, a tuna and a haddock. But in the final round the films director was attracted by what he called Goldies sheer drive and larger-than-life charisma.

Reviewers were ecstatic. It was an astounding performance, proclaimed the Hollywood Reporter. Fitted with a prosthetic fin and large teeth, this extraordinary young goldfish, barely five inches long, really grew into the part.

10 But after the global success of Jaws, Goldies career took a nosedive. Some blamed this failure on the goldfishs poor choice of roles. Preview audiences said he looked silly wriggling out of a victims stomach in the title role in Aliens (1986), and when he played Colonel Protheroe in Agatha Christies Murder At The Vicarage (1987), some complained that he looked daft in a moustache.

11 The category of Best Performance By An Animal was abandoned after the 2016 winner, a bear called Percy, famous for playing the leading role in The Revenant, ate the awards presenter.
Authority Magazine CEO Yitzi Weiner interviewed on 8-Second Branding Podcast on World Book Day (April 23, 2021) about How to be a Thought Leader Brand "Authority comes from the word author, which means to write. Writing a book and writing articles gives you a cache and credibility that you dont get in any other way. - Authority Magazine CEO Yitzi Weiner

In sync with the 2021 World Book Day (April 23), Goody PR Founder and Host Liz H Kelly releases the latest episode of the 8-Second Branding Podcast with a timely interview with Authority Magazine CEO Yitzi Weiner. During this educational exchange, Yitzi uncovers How to be a Thought Leader Brand  which includes the importance of being an author and writing compelling content. This timely new episode is now available on all major podcast platforms and YouTube.

World Book Day is an annual event celebrated on April 23, and is organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote reading, publishing, and copyright (Wikipedia.) With more people writing books during the pandemic, reading interest increased, and self-help book sales up by 30% in early January 2021 (Publishers Weekly), there is an even greater need for thought leaders to build brands to stand out and reach their audience.

When asked what it takes to become an authority, Yitzi explains: I think everyones experience will be different, so its hard to say this is THE way. But this is a way. So, Number 1, authority comes from the word author, which means to write. Writing a book and writing articles gives you a cache and credibility that you dont get in any other way.

During this gamechanger 8-Second Branding Podcast interview, Yitzi Weiner also explains:



Why Yitzi started Authority Magazine to specialize in sharing empowering lessons from prominent public personalities, including high-profile entrepreneurs, celebrities, and authors.

How Authority Magazines team of coast-to-coast writers has interviewed over 25,000 Thought Leaders in the past three years using a Q and A process based on Yitzis previous column, '5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me', for The Huffington Post.

What is Authority Magazines secret sauce for publishing 300-400 interviews per week based on over 200 story categories (Female Founders, Social Impact Leaders, Meet the Disruptors and more.)

Why it is so important to become an author to build your Thought Leader Brand.

The top three things needed for an author to get a column in a major publication such as Forbes, Thrive Global or Inc. magazine.

How the Authority Magazine Thought Leader Incubator teaches people to be the Interviewer and is a bootcamp to become a correspondent to increase your authority.

How to stand out by asking unique and thought-provoking questions.

Plus, what Yitzi believes is the most important quality of a leader today and type of books that he reads most.

WHERE TO LISTEN

8-Second Branding Podcast interviews can be found on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel, all other major podcast platforms, and YouTube:

How to be a Thought Leader Brand with Authority Magazine CEO Yitzi Weiner

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/130771/how-to-be-a-thought-leader-brand-with-authority-magazine-ceo

MEDIA CONTACT:

Liz H Kelly, Goody PR Founder, 8-Second PR Author and Podcast Host, 310-987-7207

ABOUT AUTHORITY MAGAZINE CEO YITZI WEINER

Yitzi Weiner is a journalist, author of five books, and the founder of Authority Magazine. He is also the CEO of Authority Magazines Thought Leader Incubator, which guides leaders to become prolific content creators. As the Managing Editor of Authority Magazine, his team publishes an online magazine that specializes in learning empowering lessons from prominent public personalities. As a Thought Leader, Yitzi is a frequent contributor to Buzzfeed and Thrive Global. He has also contributed to Forbes, Entrepreneur and The Huffington Post. In 2017, he created the popular '5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me' series that highlights the lessons learned from the experiences of high-profile entrepreneurs, celebrities and public figures. At Authority Magazine, Yitzi has conducted or coordinated more than 25,000 empowering interviews with prominent Authorities, including Shaquille O'Neal, Floyd Mayweather, Kelly Rowland, Lindsay Lohan, Cal Ripken, David Wells, Jillian Michaels, John Sculley, Matt Sorum, and Derek Hough. Hes also interviewed C-Suite executives of companies such as eBay, Kroger, American Express, MasterCard, 3M, EY, L'Oreal, Zoho, The Television Academy (Emmys), Intuit, Virgin, Campbell, Walmar, CVS, Wells Fargo, AT&T, Oracle, RedHat, GoPro, ZOOM, Udemy, Samuel Adams Beer, Zappos, and thousands of others. A trained Rabbi, Yitzi is also a dynamic educator, teacher and orator. He currently lives in Maryland with his wife and children. Follow @rabbiweiner or visit http://www.yitziweiner.com/about/ and Authoritymag.co

ABOUT 8-SECOND BRANDING PODCAST

To help brands better define their Wow Story in a clear, concise and compelling way, Goody PR Founder and 8-Second PR Author Liz H Kelly interviews successful business leaders and authors about their marketing and public relations tips. Using the same superpowers of an unstoppable superhero, the 8-Second Branding Podcast helps brands be a force for good, build loyal fans and ultimately increase sales. Tune in for new shows regularly on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel, find on all major podcast platforms (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Tune In, Player FM, Overcast and Amazon Music) or visit http://goodypr.com/8-second-branding/
VANCOUVER, BC, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Purpose-led footwear brand Native Shoes announces a limited-edition collaboration with Crayola, celebrating the brands' shared creativity. Drawing inspiration from Crayola bold and iconic colors, the spring range spans 11 of Native Shoes' best-loved styles for adults and kids, brought to life in two distinct design families.

Designed for colorful creatives, the classic Jefferson, Jefferson Child, Spencer LX and Charley sandals have been reimagined with a bright, abstract scribble print, mimicking the laydown of classic Crayola markers. An additional quirky four-scribble print sees the Jefferson Child emblazoned with different color scribbles on each side - tailor-made for tiny trendsetters.

For the bolder-is-better brigade, the Jefferson, Jefferson Child, Charley and Miles have also been reinvented in a vivid ombre block print. Available in nostalgic shades of Sunny Side Up Yellow and Navy Niblet Blue, the Jefferson and Jefferson Child bring a bright burst of sunshine to Tiny Activist toes, alongside the kids-only Green Sprout Miles and Awesome Pink Charley styles.

As with all Native Shoes, the 11 styles in the Crayola collaboration are designed to tread lightly on the planet. Fully recyclable through the Native Shoes Remix Project, the shoes can be shipped back free-of-charge once outgrown, to be transformed into colorful playgrounds for local communities in Native Shoes' hometown of Vancouver, Canada.

Kyle Housman, CEO of Native Shoes, said: "As a brand, Native Shoes is all about making it easy for all to Live Lightly. We celebrate the happy moments, bold colors and light footprints which make our world a better place. With its bright colors and boundless inspiration, Crayola is a natural partner, and we're so excited to work with them on this collaboration."

"Crayola strives to help parents and educators raise creatively-alive kids," said Warren Schorr, Vice President of Business Development & Global Licensing, Crayola. "We are thrilled to partner with Native Shoes, another mission-driven brand, to inspire kids and adults to step up each day with eye-catching, bold footwear."

The Native Shoes x Crayola collab will launch on April 27 2021 with prices starting from $32 USD. The collection will be available to purchase from NativeShoes.com, NativeShoes.com/ca and participating retail partners.

IMAGES FOR DISTRIBUTION: Download Link

About Native Shoes: It seems the heavier the world gets, the more it needs lightness. That's why we exist: designing products which help all to Live Lightly. Founded in 2009, Native Shoes fuses innovation, sustainability and curiosity to create a lighter, healthier, happier world for us all. Encouraging Tiny Activism and Kindness to all Kinds, our goal is for each and every pair of Native Shoes to be 100% life cycle managed by 2023. Our first initiative on this journey, The Remix Project recycles well-loved Native Shoes to give them new life in projects across the community.

www.nativeshoes.com

@nativeshoes

About Crayola: Crayola LLC, based in Easton, Pa. and a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Incorporated, is the worldwide leader in children's creative expression products. Known for the iconic Crayola crayon first introduced in 1903, the Crayola brand has grown into a portfolio of innovative art tools, crafting activities and creativity toys that offer children innovative new ways to use color to create everything imaginable. Consumers can find the wide array of Crayola products in the "Crayola Aisle" at all major retailers, Crayola.com and www.facebook.com/crayola .

SOURCE Native Shoes
The State Department is ordering home most remaining staff at the U.S. embassy in Kabul due to security concerns after President Joe Biden announced earlier this month a full troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021.

All personnel have been instructed, according to a Tuesday report, to depart Afghanistan unless their jobs require them to be physically located there or 'whose functions can be performed elsewhere.'

Guidance from State also says American citizens should not travel to Afghanistan and those already there 'should leave as soon as possible on available commercial flights.'

The order comes just two days after America's top general in Afghanistan Austin Miller said they already began closing down operations there. He asserted Afghanistan's security forces had to be ready to take over after a full withdrawal.

The State Department ordered most remaining staff at the U.S. embassy in Kabul leave Afghanistan after threats from the Taliban ramped up

Joe Biden's announced earlier this month a full troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021  the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks

U.S. forces began shutting down smaller bases in February 2020 and earlier this month, Biden announced troops would begin pulling out by May 1 and be fully out by the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Miller said the pullout had already begun.

The new order also comes after footage of an Afghan woman being lashed 40 times by the Taliban has emerged in a stark reminder of the state of the region as the U.S. pulls out of the country.

The Islamists, emboldened by Joe Biden's decision to pull troops out of the country, have warned the US and its Nato allies there will be 'problems' should they fail to beat a swift retreat in September.

Firefighters clean up the site of a suicide attack near the embassy in Kabul September 17, 2019

Video of the woman being whipped, for reportedly having a phone call with a man, serves to underline the power which the Taliban still holds over the country despite Washington's two decades of military intervention and trillions of dollars poured into trying to improve life for Afghans.

Dozens of local men watched the punishment being meted out as villagers turn to the Taliban to enforce justice, having no faith in the toothless government in Kabul.

Biden announced earlier this month his plan to withdraw the United States' remaining 2,500 troops on September 11, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

This appeared to be a unilateral decision which ignored the dates set down by the Taliban and Afghan government in their Doha Agreement in February last year following peace talks brokered by Washington.

The woman hunches over under her burqa as the vicious punishment is dished out before a crowd of dozens of men in the village of Haftgola, close to the city of Herat. The woman is alleged to have had 'immoral relations' with a man by speaking with him on the phone

The woman is led into the circle by one of the Taliban elders (left) before she is lashed as dozens of locals watch on (right)

One man first takes up the whipping before handing over to another who appears to lash the woman harder as she writhes under her burqa, crying out: 'I repent, it's my fault, I messed up.'

Dozens of spectators watch as the woman is beaten, several are seen filming the incident on their smart phones

The incident is believed to have taken place in late 2020 in the village of Haftgola, outside Herat, a city in Afghanistan's northwest

It was billed as an 'agreement for bringing peace' and stated that US and NATO allies would have to withdraw from Afghanistan within 14 months, by May 1, 2021, provided both parties upheld their side of the treaty.

Biden's new timeline to September infuriated the Taliban which has now sought to distance itself from the US-led push for peace.

The group said earlier this month that its delegates would no longer travel to Turkey for a peace conference intended to jump start negotiations.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said those responsible for delaying the removal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan would be 'held liable'.

Writing on Twitter two weeks ago, Mujahid said: 'If the [Doha] agreement is breached and foreign forces fail to exit our country on the specified date, problems will certainly be compounded and those whom failed to comply with the agreement will be held liable'.

The news has sparked concerns the Taliban will push its spring offensive, a rise in attacks that usually takes place as the weather gets warmer.

Politicians on both sides of the Atlantic have warned that Biden's plan to withdraw risks creating a power vacuum which the Taliban is already seeking to fill.

The Taliban has threatened the US and NATO with consequences if the promised military withdrawal from Afghanistan is not completed by May 1 after US President Joe Biden said the exit would not be completed until September 11

Taliban representatives attend the opening session of peace talks in Doha, Qatar in February. They have shunned further peace talks in Turkey as experts fear the group is preparing to fill the power vacuum which will be left when US troops leave

The US President said there will be a phased drawdown on troops until his apparently uni-lateral September 11 deadline

Critics of the military exit will point to the footage which emerged of the woman being whipped in the village of outside the village Haftgola, outside Herat, in the northwest of the country.

The footage emerged on Facebook on April 13 but is thought to date from late last year, according to France 24.

It shows the accused being led into a circle formed by dozens of male spectators to receive the punishment handed down by three Taliban elders.

One man first takes up the whipping before handing over to another who appears to lash the woman harder as she pleads for mercy.

'I repent, it's my fault, I messed up,' the woman cries as she writhes under her burqa.

The smart phone video shows the woman being led into the circle by a man with a white beard, one of the local elders.

It was he, along with two other elders, who acted as the self-proclaimed judges and passed down the sentence for the woman's 'immoral relations.'

The young man who spoke to her on the phone was also arrested and was being held in a prison cell at the time the footage was recorded, France 24 reported.

The Taliban court in Obe province meets three times a week, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, dealing with any complaints of the locals.

Experts say this is the system which is replicated throughout Afghanistan, the result of a failure of government to establish a central judiciary.

Often videos of the capital punishment emerge online as the male spectators film it on their phones and upload it to social media.

Atefa Ghafouri, a women's rights activist in Herat, told France 24: 'All of the men who attended the whipping were ordinary citizens, just people who live in the area. Lots of Afghans, especially those in rural regions, support these tribunals. In many parts of Afghanistan, the government has zero presence.

'There is no court where you can go and file a complaint. And even when there is some kind of court, the judicial proceedings are long and expensive, because you have to pay bribes so that someone actually works on your file.

'So, unfortunately, the only alternative is a Taliban court, which also happens to be rapid and free. People turn to these tribunals and find solutions for their conflicts and that builds legitimacy. The Taliban then impose their rules. The first victims of this system are women.'

The United States' nearly two decades of fighting and trillions of dollars spent on Afghanistan has done little put an end to the suffering of women in the country.

The Taliban gain more ground by the day despite the central government in Kabul, which will grow weaker as the final American troops leave the country in September.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has called Joe Biden's plan 'reckless' and 'a grave mistake. It is retreat in the face of an enemy that has not yet been vanquished and abdication of American leadership.'

Others argue that it is the only possible conclusion to a fruitless effort to bring peace to a country which has claimed thousands of American lives, as well as those of their allies in Nato including British troops.

Experts have warned a successful withdrawal of troops hinges on a strong peace deal between the Taliban and Afghan government.

But months of negotiations, launched in Doha, Qatar, in September, have failed to yield tangible results, and violence in Afghanistan has spiked as the talks have stalled.

Relations within the Afghan government have also made negotiating a slow process as President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, the government's peace talks representative, continue to bicker over policy.

An annual threat assessment by the US Director of National Intelligence released this week said the chance of a peace deal in the next 12 months 'remains low'.

It said 'the Taliban is likely to make gains on the battlefield, and the Afghan Government will struggle to hold the Taliban at bay if the coalition withdraws support'.

After withdrawing, the US aims to rely on Afghan military and police forces, which they have developed with billions of dollars in funding, to maintain security, though peace talks are struggling and the insurgency is resilient.

A key reason for a coordinated withdrawal is the fact that Nato relies on US airlift capabilities and shipping to move valuable equipment back home out of landlocked Afghanistan.

Nato also wants to avoid any hardware falling into the hands of militants, as happened after the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.
[April 27, 2021] Securus Technologies Provides More Than 340 Million Free Minutes Of Phone Connections For Incarcerated Individuals During Pandemic

DALLAS, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Securus Technologies today released its monthly update detailing the total number of free calls, video connections, JPay Stamps, news subscriptions and game downloads it has provided since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The offerings are part of an emergency program Securus deployed with its correctional partners on March 13, 2020, when the pandemic was declared a national emergency. It was developed to support re-entry efforts and help incarcerated individuals stay connected with loved ones during this challenging time. To date, those free offerings total: 41.5 million free call credits for incarcerated individuals and their families, resulting in 341.5 million free minutes of phone connections;

6.5 million free video connections to friends and families of incarcerated individuals;

25 million free JPay Stamps for electronic messaging;

297,440 free monthly subscriptions to Newsstand;

784,377 free game downloads;

Total accommodations for 419 agencies and 758 sites across the United States . In addition to this ongoing assistance, Securus is offering compassion credits designed to accommodate incarcerated individuals who fall ill with COVID-19. Those credits, which are uploaded onto prepaid cards and distributed by correctional facilities, allow additional free access to Securus phone calls and video connections throughout a individual's medical care. The company is also making free calls available to public defenders at many locations.



For those facilities enabled with Securus tablet technology, the company has introduced select free movie and game titles during the COVID-19 pandemic, which have been downloaded almost 2 million times. This expanded assistance is in addition to the no-cost resources, including educational offerings, free eBooks, podcasts and other self-help tools that are always available free of charge. "Even as restrictions start lifting and in-person visitations become available across the country, technology will continue to play a vital role when it comes to connecting incarcerated individuals to their friends and families," said Dave Abel, President and CEO of Aventiv Technologies, parent company of Securus Technologies. "At Aventiv, we remain committed to offering innovative technologies to not only connect incarcerated individuals with their loved ones, but to also provide them with the necessary resources to prepare them for re-entry. I am proud of the work we have done thus far and look forward to identifying more opportunities for our products to positively impact and support incarcerated individuals."

The program is an element of an ongoing transformation effort by Securus Technologies to improve access to its services and provide greater support for those impacted by incarceration. The company continues to work with its partners to garner feedback about the situation on the ground. All support from Securus will be in accordance with the latest public health guidelines to ensure that the support is tailored and responsive to the unique needs of the incarcerated community. ABOUT SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Aventiv Technologies serves more than 3,450 public safety, law enforcement and corrections agencies and over 1,100,000 incarcerated individuals across North America, Aventiv is committed to serve and connect by providing emergency response, incident management, public information, investigation, biometric analysis, communication, information management, incarcerated self-service, and monitoring products and services in order to make our world a safer place to live. For more information, please visit www.Aventiv.com. Aventiv is a portfolio company of Platinum Equity. Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with a portfolio of approximately 40 operating companies that serve customers around the world. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/securus-technologies-provides-more-than-340-million-free-minutes-of-phone-connections-for-incarcerated-individuals-during-pandemic-301278162.html SOURCE Securus Technologies

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The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has described claims by the MP for Ningo Prampram, Sam George, that the government acquired AirtelTigo for US$25 million as a blatant untruth.



Owusu-Ekuful questions why her fellow MP should struggle to believe that the government could negotiate such a good deal for just a dollar. She has since asked the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmaker to tell Ghanaians the source for his claim that the acquisition cost $25 million.



Some people find it very difficult to believe we can negotiate good deals for government. I signed the AirtelTigo contract. We acquired it for just a dollar. Someone, an MP, says he heard me say we paid $25 million. A barefaced lie . blatant untruth, the minister posted on Facebook on Monday 26 April.



She added: Please ask Sam George where he heard that. Then sit back and listen to long English grammar and drama . just keep your eyes on the ball. How much did we pay to acquire the company? 1 dollar, simple!!



Meanwhile, the Ningo-Prampram MP has asked the minister to prepare to account for the deal when she faces Parliaments communications committee.



Someone tell our Minister for Communications that grand posturing and arrogant clap backs would not stop us on the Parliamentary Committee of Communications and the good people of Ghana from demanding accountability from her, he responded, also on Facebook.



What does she take us for? George wrote. That she bought AirtelTigo for $1? How much is the eyebrow pencil she uses to draw her eyebrows and she thinks she can insult our intelligence?



Madam, after basking in the fake fans of your social media followers, prepare to appear before the Committee and give us details of the transactions.



We would not allow the already burdened taxpayers of our country to be saddled with poorly thought-out decisions that impose more debt or hardship on us. Our eyes are fixed on the ball and I urge you to do same. No long talk.







Source: twitter/asaase radio









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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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 KPI's to evaluate incumbent suppliers.

Request 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 Multi-Functional Devices market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Multi-Functional Devices 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.

Insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers

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 2.00%-5.00%.

Identify favorable opportunities in Multi-Functional Devices 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 Multi-Functional Devices suppliers listed in this report:

This Multi-Functional Devices procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies.

Canon Inc.

HP Inc.

Konica Minolta Inc.

KYOCERA Corp.

Ricoh Co. Ltd.

Xerox Corp.

Brother Industries Ltd.

Oki Electric Industry Co. Ltd.

Seiko Epson Corp.

Eastman Kodak Co.

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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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KYODO NEWS - Apr 28, 2021 - 02:50 | All, World, Coronavirus

Japan, Australia and India launched on Tuesday a new framework to mutually strengthen their supply chains of cars, medical equipment and other products amid the coronavirus pandemic, in a veiled attempt at relying less on key regional trade partner China.

The launch came as the three countries have been working together to address vulnerabilities in the global manufacturing system, which continues to be hit by virus-induced trade disruptions.

In a videoconference, Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama and his counterparts Dan Tehan of Australia and Piyush Goyal of India said the framework called the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative will eventually attain a "strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth in the region.

The initiative also aims to achieve sustainable growth in the Indo-Pacific region by drawing in India after the South Asian country's withdrawal from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership -- a multilateral trade pact involving 15 Asia-Pacific countries, including China and South Korea.

In a joint statement issued afterward, the ministers said the initiative will promote the enhanced utilization of digital technology and diversification of trade and investment opportunities.

They also recognized that the pandemic had revealed supply chain vulnerabilities and stressed the need for risk management and business continuity plans to avoid such disruptions.

The pandemic has affected Japanese businesses with shortages of auto and electronic parts from China while also disrupting the stable supply of medical equipment.

The statement said the initiative's initial projects include sharing of best practices on supply chain resilience and holding investing promotion and buyer-seller matching events to help businesses to diversify their supply chains.

The three ministers also agreed to hold a meeting related to the framework's implementation at least once a year, according to Japan's economy ministry.

The countries agreed in their previous videoconference in September to enhance regional supply chains and draw up measures toward such ends.
The guilty verdicts in the George Floyd murder case felt like a watershed moment to many Americans. President Biden called the verdicts a giant step toward justice. But pervasive legal roadblocks to police accountability remain firmly in place.

Most police officers who violate citizens rights get away with it because the law is heavily stacked in their favor, legal experts say. None of those legal roadblocks was removed by the guilty verdicts against Derek Chauvin.

Qualified immunity. Willful intent. Objective reasonableness. The Law Enforcement Bill of Rights. Union arbitration. Closed misconduct records. An ineffective and closed national database of police misconduct. Wandering cops who misbehave and move to a new department where they offend again.

All are escape hatches that allow abusive officers to keep their badges despite sexual assaults, excessive force, false reports, cover-ups and perjury.

In the Chauvin trial, Minnesota required the jury to apply the tough objective reasonableness standard that makes it hard to convict officers. That standard requires a judge or jury to see the police action from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene. They cant second-guess a decision made in the heat of the moment.

That objective reasonableness standard comes from the 1989 U.S. Supreme Court decision Graham v. Connor. What many people dont realize is that states and municipalities can adopt new use of force standards that hold police to a higher standard of conduct. A few jurisdictions have done that in the past year but not many.

There has been change since Ferguson but some of the fundamentals remain stuck, says David A. Harris, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh and expert on police.

One thing states and cities can do is raise the bar for the use of force, he said in an interview. What people forget is that the Supreme Court set a minimum standard for the protection of citizens from state action by police. While states cant give citizens less protection, they can create more. In the last year weve seen some movement in that direction.

Story continues

As long as the objective reasonableness standard remains in place, says Harris, few officers will be convicted. At the end of the trial, the jury is told the officer feared for his life, the suspect was reaching for a gun and dont second guess him, says Harris. And it takes only one person to hang the jury.

___

This reporting was funded by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.

___

FEW PROSECUTIONS, FEW CONVICTIONS

Abusive police are seldom prosecuted and those prosecuted usually arent convicted. Police kill about 1,000 people each year, according to a Washington Post database, but few go to prison or lose their jobs.

Philip M. Stinson, a cop turned criminal justice professor at Bowling Green State University, keeps the statistics. Since 2005, 121 officers have been charged with murder or manslaughter in nonfederal cases involving killings on-duty. Of the 95 cases that have concluded, fewer than half - 44 - resulted in convictions and then often to lesser charges.

Federal prosecutions and convictions for violating a citizens civil rights also are rare and unsuccessful because of a high burden of proof.

Between 1990 and 2019, federal prosecutors filed criminal civil rights charges against an average of 41 officers a year - even though they get referrals 10 times greater, reports the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University.

In 2019, the Justice Department filed 49 criminal civil rights cases against officers. Thats a thimbleful contrasted to the 69,000 cases for illegal border crossings.

In recent years, federal prosecutors declined to file charges in the deaths of Eric Garner in Staten Island, Michael Brown in Ferguson and Tamir Rice in Cleveland.

Only a month before Chauvin was convicted, federal prosecutors lost one of their biggest cases in St. Louis despite strong evidence. A federal jury did not return a conviction against three white St. Louis police officers who beat a Black undercover officer whom they mistook for a protester. The case was particularly strong because two police colleagues pleaded guilty and testified against the three. But defense lawyers portrayed the federal prosecutors as carpetbaggers from Washington and the federal jury, with only one Black member, refused to convict.

During the Trump administration, the Justice Department refused to use one of its most potent legal weapons, pattern-or-practice suits. After the Rodney King beating in 1991, Congress gave the Justice Department the power to conduct investigations of local police departments to look for patterns of unconstitutional policing. When they found them, as they did after the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, they entered into consent decrees to force reform.

But former President Donald Trump and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions strongly opposed that kind of federal interference into local law enforcement. There was only one such case during his entire administration. There was probably no stronger opponent in Congress to this tool than Sessions, says Pitts Harris.

Attorney General Merrick Garland reversed the Trump policy in announcing after the Chauvin verdict that he was starting a pattern-or-practice investigation of the Minneapolis police and would revitalize that legal tool in other cities.

LITTLE ACCOUNTABILITY

The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting studied the roadblocks to police accountability. A team of a dozen college journalists around the country filed Freedom of Information Act requests for data on police misconduct. Among the findings:

 Most states - 29 - keep records of police misconduct secret or difficult to access, although the number of states opening records has increased recently with New York, California, Massachusetts and Illinois opening up.

 A national database that keeps track of 30,188 officers who have lost their badges doesnt release the information to the public.

 In Illinois, 81 Chicago police officers lost their badges in the past two decades, but only after they were investigated for 1,706 prior complaints - 21 per officer on average.

 In New York, the repeal of a law blocking access to past complaints opened records to a whopping 323,911 complaints of abuse over the past 35 years.

 In Philadelphia, two-thirds of the 170 officers the police department wanted to fire for misconduct in recent decades stayed on the force through union arbitration. Former Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said, Ive had people that Ive had to fire more than once because union arbitration got them rehired.

 In St. Louis, the police unions are effectively segregated, white officers have gotten away with assaulting black colleagues, police used unconstitutional kettling techniques to trap and assault demonstrators and misbehaving officers often get jobs with forgiving suburban departments that welcome aggressive tactics like high-speed chases.

 In Portland, a federal court found that federal agents targeted journalists and court observers last summer in what it described as a shocking pattern of misconduct that violated First Amendment rights.

 In California, 630 people who had been officers since 2008 had been previously convicted of a crime. Yet the police union was powerful enough last year to defeat a bill to decertify abusive cops.

 In Florida, considered a model of police accountability, about 1,500 officers are on the street each year despite having been fired previously by Florida agencies. These officers are more likely than rookies to reoffend, according to a Yale Law Journal article on wandering officers.

A FEW BAD APPLES?

Police unions became common and powerful in the 1970s in reaction to the Civil Rights Movement, which often targeted police brutality. The police unions have argued that the nations 700,000 police should have due process protections when they are accused of wrongdoing; only few bad apples abuse citizens, they say, but the honest officer often suffers from frivolous complaints.

Reformers respond that databases show that bad apples are counted in the tens of thousands. There are more than 300,000 officers in a recently released database of complaints in New York. The national database of officers who lost their badges is 30,000-plus.

One big victory for the police unions in New York was passage of a 1976 provision of the New York Civil Right Act, 50a, which closed records of police misconduct. The argument was that the law protected the civil rights of police officers by shielding them from harassment for frivolous complaints.

In another victory in 1973, Maryland became the first of 16 states that adopted a Law Enforcement Bill of Rights, extending procedural protections to officers that made it difficult to discipline them. Typically these bills of rights delayed internal investigations, expunged old records of misconduct and required that officers instead of civilians investigate complaints. The bill of rights was blamed for hindering the 2015 investigation of the death of Freddie Gray who suffered a spinal injury in police custody in Baltimore.

Last year New York repealed 50a and this year Maryland repealed the police bill of rights.

When New Yorks records finally were opened to the public this spring, the database included 323,911 records involving 81,550 current or former New York Police Department officers. About 20,000 had five or more substantiated cases. Yet only 12 of the 20,000 were forced out of the department.

Harris, the Pitt law professor, says the release of police misconduct records is a key to reform. You cant have real accountability with the public unless you are willing to share information with the public, he said.

PROGRESSIVE PROSECUTORS V. UNIONS

Harris says one big impetus toward police reform is the election of so-called progressive prosecutors around the country, from Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston to St. Louis, Chicago and Kansas City, Mo., to San Francisco.

What they want to do, says Harris, is limit using cash bail, reduce prosecution of minor offenses like drugs and sex work, increase the use of diversion programs and establish conviction integrity units to uncover wrongful convictions.

Some of these progressive prosecutors have ended up in pitch battles with police unions, often controlled by white officers.

One practice in particular has led to conflict - the so-called Brady lists of officers whose prior conduct and untruthfulness in investigations prevent them from testifying. St. Louis has a list of 55. Philadelphias District Attorney Larry Krasner found a damaged goods file of tainted officers when he took over. Now his do not call list has been reported as 215 with another 500 in a misconduct database. Baltimores is about 300.

The head of the Fraternal Order of Police in Philadelphia complained of lost wages, damages to reputation and professional harm when prosecutors release names of officers they will not call to the stand. Are they going to be vilified forever, are they going to be blackballed forever? said John McNesby the union president. McNesby referred to Krasner supporters as a lynch mob of criminals.

St. Louis Police Officers Association business manager Jeff Roorda has called progressive St. Louis prosecutor Kim Gardner the worst prosecutor in the country who should be removed either by force or by choice.

PATCHWORK OF REFORMS

The calls to defund and abolish the police that followed Floyds death ended up backfiring politically when Trump was able to use the proposals as a political cudgel against Democrats. Exit polls showed the attack was effective.

But a handful of states have passed major reform bills in the past year and the number is growing.

Illinois passed a law ending cash bail and increasing accountability for repeat police offenders. Massachusetts passed a police decertification law, despite union opposition. Five states restricted the no-knock warrants that led to Breonna Taylors death in Louisville. Sixteen states have limited choke-holds in addition to cities such as Pittsburgh. New York City and four states recently passed laws ending qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that lets most officers off the hook. Washington passed a law requiring a state agency to create a publicly searchable database of all police misconduct.

Not all of the state reforms are as sweeping as advertised. The new Illinois law, trumpeted as one of the most sweeping, included a last-minute amendment that closed the state misconduct database to the public and even the courts. On page 669, the law says the database and documents involving misconduct shall be confidential by law and privileged, shall not be subject to subpoena, and shall not be subject to discovery or admissible in evidence in any private civil action.

Pro-police measures are passing in some redder states. Florida has stiffened penalties for crimes during demonstrations, such as mob intimidation and defacing property and monuments. Iowa, which unanimously restricted the use of choke holds after Floyds death, is passing a police bill of rights and providing police more legal protection for officers.

The U.S. House passed a bill that would roll back many of the legal roadblocks. Harris, the Pitt police expert, says that bill would be extraordinarily good across the board. It beefs up what the government can do with pattern or practice. It cuts into qualified immunity that really has to go because it lets really cruel police actions go unpunished when there hasnt been a prior court ruling about that particular cruel practice.

Prospects in the Senate are uphill, although after the Chauvin verdicts there were reports that Democrats were negotiating with Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.

Harris says, There can be change even if its not national. If Congress cant pass a federal law, he says, it will be up to state and local governments to pass reforms that limit police use of force, increase transparency and improve accountability.

___

Pulitzer student reporting fellows Kallie Cox, Sojourner Ahebee, Felicia Hou and Karen Kurosawa contributed to the reporting. Cox, from Southern Illinois University reported on Illinois. Ahebee, Hou and Kurosawa, from Stanford University, reported on Philadelphia, New York and California.
Epoch Times Reporter Stalked by Unidentified Man in Hong Kong

A reporter for the Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times says she was recently stalked in the street by an unidentified man.

Local reporter Sarah Liang went to a pro-democracy store to do an interview on the afternoon of April 26. When she stepped out from MTR Prince Edward station, she found a middle-aged man following her, wearing a hat and headsets.

Liang purposefully circled the neighborhood a few times to throw him off.

He seemed to know where my destination was, Liang said, because he directly entered that store I was scheduled to visit when he couldnt see me.

Liang confronted the man and questioned him while recording with her cellphone, saying, Why are you following me?

The man walked off, denying the accusation, saying, I dont know you.

Then why have you followed me here all the way from Prince Edward Station if you dont know me? Liang asked. Are you a reporter from Ta Kung Pao?

Ta Kung Pao is a veteran pro-Beijing newspaper, affiliated with the Liaison Office of the Central Peoples Government in Hong Kong.

After this, the man suddenly began to sprint. Liang tried to chase him, shouting her question again. The man quickly ran away.

Liang thought the man must have felt awkward about what he was doing. If I had really wronged him, he could have clarified his innocence. Why did he run away? she said.

She said, Ta Kung Pao is the mouthpiece of the CCP, adding that the newspaper had run an article calling on the Hong Kong government to ban Apple Daily on April 20.

Pro-Beijing media and government officials in Hong Kong have set their sights on shutting down local independent newspaper Apple Dailyone of the citys few remaining free media outlets.

Apple Daily was founded by Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who on April 16 was sentenced to 14 months in prison for participating in Hong Kongs anti-Beijing, pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Sarah Liang (L) and her colleague protest the CCPs suppression of press freedom in Hong Kong on April 26, 2021. (Sarah Liang/The Epoch Times)

It wasnt the first time The Epoch Times reporter has been tracked.

Two days earlier on April 24, a self-described delivery man entered Liangs apartment building after registering his name as Liao at the entrance.

The man went upstairs and knocked on the door of Liangs home, claiming that a foreign friend surnamed Cheng had entrusted him to deliver a big parcel that was downstairs.

Liang replied that she had no such a friend.

The man asked, Arent you Sarah Liang?

Liang continued to ask him who he was, what was his friend Chengs phone number, and what the parcel was.

The man kept stumbling and couldnt explain himself.

Are you a CCP spy? Liang asked. The man didnt answer directly and just said he had registered his name downstairs.

When he turned away, Liang came out and took a photo of him. She didnt find any parcel.

Liang was convinced the man just came to confirm her address.

I feel the CCP is intimidating me, saying, Youre on the radar screen. They managed to find my address. This is extremely evil. We did nothing wrong. Were just dedicated to covering the truth, Liang said.

She also mentioned incidents targeting The Epoch Times in Hong Kong.

On Nov. 19, 2019, four masked arsonists entered a print shop belonging to The Epoch Times in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, and set a fire that damaged printing equipment.

In the early hours of April 12, this year, four intruders again barged into the printing press and used sledgehammers to damage computers and printing equipment, then stole a computer as they fled.

Cheryl Ng, a spokeswoman for the Hong Kong edition, said the tactic was characteristic of the CCP and had the aim of silencing an independent outlet reporting on topics that dont fit the communist regimes narrative.

On April 27, Liang went to the Mong Kok Police Station and reported the tracking incident and requested an investigation to ensure the security of her family.

At the same time, she strongly condemned the CCPs suppression of press freedom and intimidation of reporters in Hong Kong. She said she would continue to defend the citys freedom of speech and would never back down from covering the truth as a journalist.

Zhang Xiaohui and Alex Wu contributed to this report.
Blue Origin, the space company of Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos, has filed a protest against NASA for awarding $2.9 billion contract to Elon Musk-run for landing astronauts on the Moon by 2024.

The US space agency was expected to pick two lunar lander prototypes (including one of Blue Origin's) but funding cut from US Congress led the agency to select over Blue Origin.

In a 175-page protest, Blue Origin has accused NASA of misjudging several parts of its proposal for its lunar lander called Blue Moon, reports The Verge.

"NASA has executed a flawed acquisition for the Human Landing System programme and moved the goalposts at the last minute," Blue Origin said in a statement on Monday.

Calling NASA's decision "high risk," the company said that the decision "eliminates opportunities for competition, significantly narrows the supply base, and not only delays, but also endangers America's return to the Moon. Because of that, we've filed a protest with the GAO".

NASA was yet to comment on the Blue Origin's protest.

Musk responded to Blue Origin's protest with a tweet: "Can't get it up (to orbit) lol".

The US space agency last week picked to develop the first commercial lander and take the next two US astronauts to the moon.

The contract is part of NASA's Artemis programme, which aims to return astronauts to the moon by 2024 as a stepping stone to the first human mission to Mars.

Four astronauts aboard the SpaceX's Crew Dragon-2 arrived at the Space Station this week for a six-month mission.

--IANS

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Romania is interested in resolving protracted conflicts around the Black Sea, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) has launched some initiatives at EU level, according to a statement from the Presidential Administration, sent after the meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT), which took place on Tuesday, at the Cotroceni presidential Palace.

"All these steps are able to increase Romania's security and are, at the same time, clear proof of the allied solidarity and unity. The Black Sea can become a space of stability and cooperation only to the extent that states develop freely and can follow their own options, in an unfettered manner, on the basis of mutual respect and strict observance of the provisions of the international law," reads the release.

During the CSAT meeting chaired by President Klaus Iohannis, the security situation in the Black Sea region was analyzed, in the context of the Russian Federation troop buildup on the eastern border of Ukraine and the implications for our country.

In this context, the Presidential Administration shows, "the Romanian authorities remain vigilant and will continue to monitor this unjustified mobilization around Ukraine."

Thus, as a riparian state and as one of the closest allies to the developments that have taken place in recent weeks, "Romania is extremely concerned about the security and stability of the region and has expressed its concern within the North Atlantic Alliance, because everything that happens in the Black Sea area also affects Euro-Atlantic security."

"Our country has consistently supported the need to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and the solution remains the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements and strict compliance with the ceasefire regime," shows the Presidential Administration, adding that Romania is in constant contact with allies and partners within NATO and the European Union and coordinates and exchanges evaluations with allies and partners in the region, so as to identify appropriate options for action, included.

At the same time, the message sent after the CSAT meeting draws attention to the fact that "the announcement of the Russian Federation regarding the order for its troops to return to their permanent bases, after the military exercises in Crimea and the Black Sea, was important and opportune for easing the situation, but doesn't change in any way the need to continue the analysis of the causes that led to this tense situation and to identify measures to de-escalate and defuse it, as well as to avoid similar situations in the future".

In this context, it is being recalled the Romania-Poland-Turkey Trilateral meeting, held in Bucharest, on April 22 and 23, also attended by foreign ministers from Ukraine and Georgia and which "had very good results" and "shows, unequivocally, the commitment of our country, concretely and actively promoted, for projecting stability in the region".

Another initiative undertaken in the same direction is the organization of a Bucharest Format Summit in the next period, an event in connection with which discussions take place with Romania's allies in the region and on the Eastern Flank.

Also, during the meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defense, it was decided that, on the NATO line, "Romania should continue to promote efforts aimed at further strengthening the Allied position in Romania and in the region, in a responsible manner, in accordance with international law."

"As a result of the allied decisions, we already host NATO multinational commands and structures on our country's territory and we benefit from an advanced allied presence, with major land, sea and air contributions," the quoted source points out.

The Presidential Administration also recalls Romania's initiative to set up the Euro-Atlantic Center for Resilience, which will provide assistance and expertise to stakeholders, including neighboring partners.

"At the same time, within the CSAT, it was agreed to continue supporting our partners in the Eastern Neighborhood, but also in the Western Balkans, both bilaterally and in regional formats, including in advancing their relations with NATO and the EU," the quoted source also shows.
Flagler professors book Making Sense of the Sacred investigates ethics of universalism

Our shared values as a global society can be found in the religions of the world, according to a new book by Dr. James Rowell, associate professor of Religion at Flagler College. Making Sense of the Sacred, available on May 18 from Augsburg Fortress Publishers, breaks from the conventional norms of textbooks  which focus on providing comprehensive detail  by examining in greater detail the universal message found in religious doctrines.

All religions share certain moral values, Rowell said. These are important norms that allow us to behave civilly towards one another. But not all religions emphasize or interpret these ethics in the same way.

This divergence in how values are interpreted leads to different, and sometimes conflicting practices. In Rowells book, he points to the injunction of do not kill, which exists in every major religious tradition, as an example.

Is abortion a form of murder? he asks in the book. Should capital punishment be allowed? Can war be justified? We all agree that killing is morally bad and should be avoided but disagree (ethically) in terms of specific applications of or exemptions from that rule.

It is these complex relationships between diverse belief systems that inspired the cover of Rowells book  that of a puzzle.

We all know how to make puzzles, and we look to images of the box for their construction, he said. Life, however, presents no absolute or clear image  we are not certain where we came from, why we are here, or perhaps if there is God or something sacred in the world as we know it. All of us, as we are born into certain traditions and places, inherit parts of those puzzle pieces, and we can assemble them meaningfully. Looking beyond the horizons of our own traditions and background, however, there is not a complete image for how to integrate our views with contrasting views of those about us. 

As our world grows increasingly interdependent, these commonalities matter more now than ever.

We live in a pluralist world, where we encounter people from various traditions and perspectives all the time, Rowell said. It is essential that we have a way of thinking that there are values we can hold in common, and that because someone is from a different tradition or viewpoint than we have, this does not make them our enemy. This may simply mean that they are trying to understand the puzzle of life, the essential and cosmic questions of philosophy and of religion, differently.

Rowells interests lie at the cross-section of religion, politics and morality. At Flagler, he teaches courses such as World Religions; Star Wars, Tolkien and Religion; Gandhi and Bin Laden; Buddhism and Asia; and Hinduism and India. He is also author of Gandhi and Bin Laden: Religion at the Extremes.

It is no surprise that his new book explores the connections between diverse worldviews. He hopes readers will learn from his book a similar message he discovered in his research  one of universalism. It is a theme he has admired since his days in graduate school, and one anchored in the philosophy of Mohandas Gandhi.

All too often we pride ourselves too much in our own viewpoint, religious or otherwise, and claim a monopoly on truth, he said. The deeper truth is (as I think Gandhi understood it) is that none of us have a monopoly on truth, and all of us have quite a lot we can learn from other religions, or other perspectives. What we must do is realize we do not know it all, and take other viewpoints very seriously.

Rowells book, Making Sense of the Sacred, published by Augsburg Fortress Publishers, can be purchased from May 18 at https://muse.jhu.edu/book/82211. For more, visit Rowells website at www.meaningofreligion.com and his YouTube channel.

Tagged As
Soon high school and college graduation activities will take place. We are all proud of our graduates. One caution. The virus is still lurking. The CDC has said that outside activities are safer than indoor. Consider small group activities during the day such as beaches, amusement parks, outside dining and large open campus stadiums. Take all precautions. Why? Once the celebration is over, you will return home to Mom, Dad, grandparents and other family members who still might be vulnerable. They are happy for you! They will be waiting with open arms and great gifts. Dont you want to protect them?
AKRON, Ohio  A 33-year-old woman was taken to the hospital after she was shot in the West Akron neighborhood, according to police.

Officers found the victim with a wound to the shoulder on the 500 block of Hoye Avenue at at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday. She was taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital and her wound was not life-threatening, police say.

The victim tells police she was involved in a dispute with an unknown woman when she was shot. No arrests have been made but shell casings were recovered.

Anyone with information can call detectives at 330-375-2490 or Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS. Individuals also can send tips by texting TIPSCO to 274637. Callers can remain anonymous.

More crime-related content on cleveland.com:

Mother accused of fatally shooting 6-year-old son in Brooklyn hotel, police say

Man fatally shot in Akron alley

Woman fatally shot Saturday evening on East 76th Street, no suspects have yet been identified
Seven Aboriginal people have died in custody across Australia in the last two months, following another two deaths confirmed in NSW and Victoria.

A man died at Port Phillip Prison in Melbourne's west on Monday night, Corrections Victoria said.

It is believed he suffered a medical episode. A smoking ceremony was being arranged.

Separately, NSW authorities confirmed a 37-year-old man was found dead in his cell at Cessnock Correctional Centre on Tuesday morning.

Both deaths have been reported to the coroner.

They follow the deaths of five other Aboriginal people in custody across Victoria, NSW and Western Australia since March 2.

A man died at Port Phillip Prison in Melbourne's west on Monday night, Corrections Victoria said

They include a man aged in his 30s at a NSW prison hospital, and another man and a woman, at Victoria's Ravenhall Correctional Centre and in custody in NSW respectively.

Barkindji man Anzac Sullivan, 37, died during a police pursuit in Broken Hill and a 45-year-old man died in hospital in Perth.

NSW Greens MLC David Shoebridge said the deaths were a national crisis and reinforced the urgent need for the 339 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Deaths in Custody to be implemented.

'Every First Nations death in custody is an inevitable result of the racist criminal justice system that results in First Nations people in NSW being the most incarcerated people in the world,' he said in a statement.

'The government is on notice and action is urgently required. It cannot be accepted that First Nations people routinely die in custody.'

More than 470 Indigenous people have died in detention since a 1991 royal commission report into Aboriginal deaths in custody.
[April 27, 2021] Young Leaders for Hire: Land O'Lakes Inc. Unveils American Connection Corps

ARDEN HILLS, Minn., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Land O'Lakes, Inc. today announced the formation of a new program for young leaders aimed at a boots-on-the-ground effort to boost local internet connectivity and the benefits it provides. The program, the American Connection Corps, will be led in conjunction with Lead for America (LFA) and funded through the support of Heartland Forward and 19 additional partner organizations. Applications open today for a two-year, full-time paid fellowship. Fifty Fellows will serve in local public-serving institutions in their hometowns and will be empowered to serve as community leaders focused specifically on connectivity. "Millions of families are operating day-to-day with a lack of basic infrastructure  adequate broadband access  that has become a necessity in today's world and, frankly, a fundamental right. Action cannot wait," said Beth Ford, Land O'Lakes, Inc. president and chief executive officer. "Through our years-long work on broadband advocacy and conversations with our farmers, our customers and so many others, we've seen and heard firsthand how critical digital infrastructure is to the success of communities and businesses across America. From everyday life to prospering in a global economy, investing and focusing on this issue now will pay dividends." Through their proven Homecomers model, LFA will run the American Connection Corps as a separate track under their broad Fellows program. LFA will select, train and place leaders in two-year, full-time paid fellowships with local institutions (e.g. local governments, nonprofits, community foundations) to tackle tough challenges facing the community, strengthen their hometown's civic infrastructure and join a new generation of transformational community leaders. "Our work has shown that we can change the narrative that success means leaving home for good, and instead that young leaders can create meaningful impact in their hometowns," commnted Benya Kraus, co-founder of LFA.



"We are excited to put true grassroots  person-to-person outreach  in communities across the heartland to connect their residents to high-speed internet and ensure everyone can enjoy full access to essential online services," said Angie Cooper, chief program officer for Heartland Forward, a leading partner on the American Connection Corps initiative. Ford continued, "This program would not be happening without the support of organizations joining with us; I'm so grateful to these partners who also recognize that together, we can take bold steps now to help solve these challenges, to help create the future and to benefit us all in our ever-connected world."

The American Connection Corps is launching with funding from 20 partner organizations, including: Heartland Forward, CoBank, Tractor Supply Company, Microsoft, Mayo Clinic, Ariel Investments, Scoular, CHS, Zoetis, Tillamook, Accenture, University of Minnesota, the American Farm Bureau Federation, Midwest Dairy, Purdue University, Partners for Education, CentraCare, Common Sense Media and University of Illinois Extension. Individuals interested in applying for the program are encouraged to visit Lead for America's website and select the American Connection Corps track. The deadline to apply is May 15, 2021. The inaugural class of Fellows will be announced in early June 2021. About Land O'Lakes Inc.

Land O'Lakes, Inc., one of America's premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2020 annual sales of $14 billion, Land O'Lakes is one of the nation's largest cooperatives, ranking 232 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 99 years of operation, Land O'Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands and businesses in agriculture and food production including Land O'Lakes Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition, WinField United and Truterra, LLC. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O'Lakes, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minn. About Lead for America

Lead For America (LFA) is a national nonprofit that helps outstanding young people become civic leaders. LFA seeks to direct homegrown talent where it's needed most  in towns and counties where challenges outpace resources available  often in rural and under-resourced communities. Through their flagship two-year paid Fellows program, LFA has funded and placed over 100 Fellows in over 80 communities and 30 states in newly created positions in their home communities since 2019, and plan to have 100 additional Fellows starting in 2021. Combined, LFA Fellows have leveraged more than $17 million for their communities and impacted the lives of more than 13.5 million people. Lead For America's national headquarters is located in Dodge City, Kansas. About Heartland Forward

Heartland Forward is a nonpartisan, 501c3 organization whose mission is to improve economic performance in the center of the United States by advocating for fact-based solutions to foster job creation, knowledge-based and inclusive growth and improved health outcomes. Heartland Forward conducts independent, data-driven research and programs to facilitate action-oriented discussion and impactful policy recommendations. Heartland Forward launched a multi-state, multi-year initiative called Connecting the Heartland in 2021 to support efforts to bridge gaps preventing states and municipalities from realizing their goals of universal connectivity. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/young-leaders-for-hire-land-olakes-inc-unveils-american-connection-corps-301278013.html SOURCE Land O'Lakes, Inc.

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Gina Gera is senior vice president of operations for the Syracuse Division of Wegmans. She oversees more than 4,000 employees at nine Wegmans stores, one in Auburn and eight in Onondaga County.

Gera started at Wegmans 32 years ago as a part-timer in the Auburn store. Other than a Buffalo store for a few years, her work has been in the Central New York area. She has held just about every kind of team leader or manager position imaginable in a supermarket the size of Wegmans  from the front of the store to the back rooms, from the bakery to seafood to an overall store and to being in charge of continuous improvement of customer service.

Its provided unique experiences, from the challenges of Covid-19 to the joy during her time at the Ithaca store when a couple married in the floral department.

Gera says an up-and-coming leader should lead by example, model the way, and truly listen to all concerns. Oh, and write thank you notes, too. Those traits might help explain why Wegmans routinely ranks highly on lists of Americas best companies to work for.

Were you in leadership roles growing up?

Back in high school, I was captain of the cheerleading team. (Laughter) Can I call that a leadership role?

I feel I was always a leader, not a follower, if that makes sense. At Wegmans, my first leadership role was when I was 22 years old.

I graduated from Auburn High School in 1988. I was raised to be capable and independent. I remember my grandfather always saying to me not to be an also ran. That sticks with me today.

I was fortunate to be raised in a family of strong women. I definitely looked up to my maternal grandmother. She was like the matriarch of our family. My mother was a strong woman, and my aunts were, too. Two of my aunts were nurses. Taking care of people  thats definitely a piece of being a servant leader. Youre making sure that youre taking care of your people and getting them what they need.

All these women were kind and the first to help anyone through anything. They all have strong work ethics, and they took control of their lives. They were capable and independent. Were all very close, and spending time with them I feel fortunate that they were my role models.

I have a great relationship with my parents (Sue and John Bertonica) and both of them are very proud of me. My mom worked for Wegmans for 37 years. So I grew up through Wegmans.

Oh my goodness. Tell me about her.

She was a team leader for a time and worked in the meat department and front end toward the end of her career. She retired and now she works in an elementary school as a teachers aide in Auburn. So she hasnt stopped moving.

Give me your advice to be an effective leader, especially, perhaps, for someone who aspires to follow in your footsteps.

First and foremost, you need to lead by example and model the way for others.

You need to listen to understand and not just respond. Sometimes people are so caught up in what theyre going to say that theyre not truly listening and reflecting on what the person speaking to them is trying to tell them.

As an effective leader, you need to develop and help your people to realize their full potential.

As a leader, its so important to continue to learn and grow.

What do you mean by model the way?

Im really referring to living our values. Wegmans has a core set of values and for you to be a great leader you need to live and promote those values on a daily basis. Especially being in a position like this, people watch what you say and watch what you do. I dont mean that in a bad way, by any means. I just mean that youre on stage all the time, so to speak.

At Wegmans, our values are making a difference in every community we serve. We empower our people to make decisions that improve our work and benefit our customers and our company. We care about our people. We respect them. And we have high standards in everything we do.

What qualities do you see in good leadership or in leaders you admire?

Certainly being positive. It is so huge, because people are going to take on the attitude that you have.

Expressing gratitude is very important.

As a leader, you need to be self-aware. Everyone has opportunities that theyre going to have to work on  no ones perfect. That makes humility important.

You have to be forward thinking and always have a strategy or a plan to execute. You have to think: Whats going to continue to help us to move forward and be the best that we can be?

A number of leaders Ive interviewed over the years have talked about the importance of gratitude. Can you describe a bit of what you do?

When Im visiting in the stores, I make a point to talk to as many folks as I possibly can. And I thank each one of them individually for everything that they do  for taking care of our customers, for taking care of each other. Appreciation goes such a long way. If Im not able to personally connect with people, Ill ask their leader to please relay the message.

The other thing I like to do is write thank-you notes. Maybe thats somewhat of a lost art. But I have several that Ive kept throughout the years. When people feel appreciated, theyre going to be happy, and theyre going to love to come to work, and its going to show. It creates the environment or the atmosphere in the stores.

What attributes do you see in poor leaders?

The biggest is their inability to connect with their people. Theyre not able to build or foster a positive relationship. When you have that disconnect, folks become unengaged and unhappy. Then they look to move on to something or somewhere else.

Poor communication skills is another piece of it. So is a lack of accountability. Sometimes, I call it an overvalued sense of self-worth. When folks have that, I think they cant connect with their people.

What do you think employees need from leaders?

The ability to listen  truly listen  and reflect on what is being said. They need effective two-way communication. I think without those two very important pieces, you cant build a relationship.

Give me an example of tactics you use to communicate, especially to communicate change.

We have what we call huddles. Every store has them, every department has them. Its a form of communication and a communication of getting all folks involved from your highest level of leadership down to your part-time customer service folks.

You really need to communicate the change in person. Its been a little more difficult with Covid, but huddles are done twice a day. One is in the morning and one in the late afternoon.

So, if I was store manager or an assistant store manager, Id make a page over the intercom and announce that at 10 a.m., were going to have a huddle in the back room. The department managers and team leaders would come back. For 15 minutes, I would have your attention and we would talk about the most important things to know for that day.

And then, maybe about 10:30 a.m., the department managers would hold a huddle with their respective teams to relay the most important things to know for the day. And then at four oclock, as the night folks are coming in, you would announce that youre having a huddle and follow that same process.

Tell me about a challenge you encountered in your career and how you met it.

Obviously, Covid was a very tough challenge for everyone. However, Im going to talk a little bit about a personal experience or a personal challenge, so to speak.

Being a female I wanted to pursue a career, but I had three children, and I also wanted to try to put my family first. It was important to me to work for a company that let me do both. Obviously Wegmans is that company. To have work-life balance I had to give empowerment or autonomy to my leadership team. I really feel that Ive been able to do that. And I think that makes me a role model for other women. Thats the success that came out of it.

How do you think that affects people looking up to you, especially as a role model?

I think it inspires people. I think that people feel good about being able to take the time to spend with their families. I think in some companies theres a thought process that if I take any time off or if I leave a few hours early because my son or my daughter has a big event that that would be seen as a negative. By me doing what Im doing and allowing others to do the same, I think people seem happier. I think it helps with the whole dynamic in the store  and at home.

I hope maybe Ive inspired some of that.

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 Craig M. Boise, dean of the Syracuse University College of Law. He tells leaders that its impossible to over-communicate.
New Delhi, April 27 : Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi has penned an emotional note on Facebook on the Covid pandemic saying, "we shall overcome." She alleged that the government has failed the people and abdicated its responsibility.

She said that she is writing with a heavy heart as many of you have lost ur loved ones in past few weeks and many have family members who are struggling for life, and many are grappling with the disease at home, anxious and afraid of what is to come.

"There is not a single one of us who has not been affected by this scourge. People across our country are gasping for air, struggling to access medical care or simply to get the next dose of life saving medicine," she wrote.

She said that the government has failed us all. "Even those of us who oppose and fight them could not have foreseen a complete abdication of leadership and governance at a time as devastating as this. In our hearts, we too are still hoping that they will rise up and take steps that are imperative to save lives." But even though those given the sacred task of governing this nation have let our country down at this time of great crisis, we must not lose hope, she said.

She said humanity has risen to the challenge of adversity time and again. India has seen great pain and suffering in the past as well. We have weathered cyclones and droughts, massive earthquakes, famines and devastating floods,yet our spirit has not been broken. Every time we have faced a calamity, ordinary people, people like you and me, have come forward. Humanity has never failed us.

She praised the doctors, nurses and healthcare workers across the country who are working endless hours under tremendous pressure, risking their own lives to save those who are suffering. The business community is diverting resources towards helping hospitals gain access to oxygen and other supplies.

"There are organisations and individuals in every village, district, town and city who are doing whatever they can to assist and comfort those who are in pain. This basic goodness exists within each one of us. By reaching into it at times of great anguish our spirit as a nation can rise into its true grace and power," she said.

She added that this is a turning point in our lives in which we are being asked to push beyond all limits to find our own unlimited courage. We are being challenged to set aside feelings of helplessness and fear and stay brave.

"We are together as one in this fight, regardless of our religion, our caste, our class or any other distinctions. The virus does not recognise them.

"Let us show each other and the world the compassion and resilience that makes us Indian. We will be each other's strongest support at this crossroads in our lives.

"By gathering up our strength amidst despair, by doing whatever we can to provide comfort to others, by refusing to tire and persisting with the will to carry on against all odds, we shall overcome.

"Out of the darkness that surrounds us, we will emerge into the light once again," she wrote at the end.
[April 27, 2021] Analytic Strategies to Crack World War II Enigma Machine Codes Provide Insight for Today's Decision Making

A challenge with trillions of potential combinations yet only one right answer may seem unsolvable. The challenge the Allied Forces faced in World War II was cracking the code of the Enigma Machine used by the Germans for secret messages. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005014/en/ Techniques used to crack the code of the Enigma Machine can be used to supplement today's modern risk management tools, Palisade's @RISK and the DecisionTools Suite. Before the war, the allied forces decided deciphering coded German Enigma messages was an impossible challenge. Poland tackled the challenge by initially exploring ways to simplify the challenge, reducing uncertainty at each step. Poland ultimately handed off its work to the United Kingdom, where Alan Turing created a cryptanalytic process in which information was quantified and measured through a measure called a "ban", which shares similarities to today's "bit." "The adage that a problem well defined is a problem half solved is clearly demonstrated in this challenge with the Enigma Machine," said Brendan McGrath, CFA, CPA. McGrath serves as chief risk officer and senior vice president for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. FHLBI is a U.S. government-sponsored regional bank that has serviced Indiana and Michigan financial institutions since 1932. McGrath recently shared his insights into the similar analytical approaches used to crack the Enigma machine and today's risk management challenges in a webinar, "The Enigma Machine: Creative Problem Solving with the DecisionTools Suite." McGrath said it helps to study how the Enigma decryption team creatively solved problems deemed impossible. The decisions they faced are not unlike decisions faced by risk managers every day. Does data contain enough information to make an informed decision? Should an organization wait or go forward given limited information? Should an organization deploy potentially expensive resources, or spend more to get more data? These same challenges and analytical strategies drive decisions across all industries. For example, evaluating risk at the Federal Home Loan Bank is aligned with a core mission to provide a reliable source of liquidity to member banks, credit unions, community development financial institutions, and insurance companies to support housing finance, asset-liability management, and community lending. Decisions include: Creating credit scorecards

Establising thresholds - the minimum amount of market information needed before an informed financial decision can be made

Measuring the amount of information conveyed by infrequent, or outlier financial or market results

Quantifying information embedded in financial data and real-time aggregation of market data for large datasets



Risk Analysis - Analyze risk using Monte Carlo simulation and other analysis to show a wide range of possible outcomes for any situation, and how likely each outcome is to occur.

- Analyze risk using Monte Carlo simulation and other analysis to show a wide range of possible outcomes for any situation, and how likely each outcome is to occur. Decision Tree Analysis - Visual quantitative displays showing probability and cumulative charts of different outcomes.

- Visual quantitative displays showing probability and cumulative charts of different outcomes. Sensitivity Analysis - The end results are easy-to-understand tornado charts, spider graphs, and other reports which clearly identify and rank which factors affect the bottom line the most. "If you don't think today's modern risk management and decision analysis tools can help, such as @RISK Monte Carlo simulations, it probably isn't @RISK's fault," McGrath said. "You may have defined the problem incorrectly. Can you reduce uncertainty by redefining the problem? In World War II, that type of strategic analysis helped win the war by deciphering Enigma messages."

About Palisade With more than 150,000 users globally, Palisade Company provides the world's largest comprehensive risk and decision analysis software platform. Combining over 35 years of expertise and partnerships with over 90% of the Global Fortune 100 across a multitude of verticals, Palisade Company is uniquely positioned to offer a full suite of analytics tools that includes: @RISK for Monte Carlo simulation of data

PrecisionTree for decision trees

TopRank for "what if" sensitivity analysis

NeuralTools for predictive neural networks

StatTools for statistical analysis & forecasting

Evolver for sophisticated optimization

RISKOptimizer for Monte Carlo simulation & optimization Headquartered in Ithaca, NY, Palisade Company helps companies optimize their decision making in many industries that range from finance to oil and mineral exploration, real estate to heavy manufacturing and pharmaceuticals to aerospace, as well as top business schools around the world. For more information on Palisade Company, call 800-432-7475 or visit www.palisade.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005014/en/

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Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore), in partnership with the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), today officially launched the Future Ready Food Safety Hub (FRESH) hosted at NTU.

Witnessed by Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, NTU President Professor Subra Suresh, A*STAR Chairman Ms Chan Lai Fung and SFA Chairman Mr Lim Chuan Poh, the FRESH collaboration agreement was signed by NTU Senior Vice President (Research) Professor Lam Khin Yong, A*STAR CEO Mr Frederick Chew, and SFA CEO Mr Lim Kok Thai at the opening of Food Science and Technology Global 2021 (FST Global 2021) conference.

The conference, held at the Nanyang Executive Centre Auditorium in NTU, aims to bring together food, science, and technology experts from local and overseas institutions to share their research and innovation, and nurture new partnership and collaboration.

FRESH is set up to drive food safety research for 'Food Safety Science & Innovation' under the Singapore Food Story (SFS) R&D Programme. It is also tasked with helping build local food safety science capabilities in support of Singapore's growing food innovation ecosystem.

NTU Senior Vice President (Research) Professor Lam Khin Yong said: "NTU is pleased to partner with SFA and A*STAR under the framework of Singapore Food Story on both urban farming and alternative proteins, as well as advisory role on various panels and committees on food matters. NTU has also established strong engagement with food industry which has led to a number of consumer products developed from our food tech innovations. Our researchers are increasingly engaged in broader national effort in food security. In addition, our dynamic education and research in food science and technology and expertise from various schools and colleges would also be of value for inter-agency collaborations. The ongoing vibrant collaborative culture among the leadership and researchers in the three institutions has laid a strong foundation for a successful tripartite partnership on FRESH."

NTU Professor William Chen, the organising chair of FST Global 2021 will serve as Host Principal Investigator for FRESH. Prof Chen is also Director of NTU's Food Science and Technology (FST) programme.

The executive committee of FRESH consists of Adjunct Associate Professor Joanne Chan from SFA, Professor Subodh Mhaisalkar from NTU Singapore, Adjunct Associate Professor Ralph Graichen from A*STAR, as well as other representatives from various Government agencies, Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and relevant industries.

Adjunct Associate Professor Joanne Chan, Centre Director of the National Centre for Food Science (NCFS), at SFA, said: "FRESH provides an excellent opportunity for multi-disciplinary collaborations between researchers from various research institutions such as SIFBI in A*STAR, NTU, NUS and other IHLs.

"SFA will continue to work closely with the food industry on new food developments, as well as facilitate the exchange of food safety knowledge, experience and expertise, to support our '30 by 30' goal, which is to produce 30% of Singapore's nutritional needs locally by 2030."

Adjunct Associate Professor Ralph Graichen, Senior Director, Food & Consumer, Biomedical Research Council at A*STAR, and chair of the FRESH advisory committee, said: "By tapping on R&D to improve food safety and facilitate the introduction of novel foods to the market, Singapore is well on its way to becoming a leading agri-food and nutrition hub. We look forward to working together with NTU and SFA to drive safe product innovation, for improved health outcomes and to entrench Singapore in the high-value novel food industry."

The key objectives of FRESH

(i) To close the current gap in scientific capabilities for food safety risk assessment and validation, to support industry in new product development

(ii) To strengthen Singapore's food safety ecosystem, by providing a neutral platform to foster collaboration between regulators, public research performers and industry on food safety R&D

(iii) To enable regulatory responsiveness through early exposure of regulatory scientists to novel methodology developed in the food industry, to address breaking food safety issues early, and hence accelerate product time-to-market

FRESH builds upon Singapore's Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2020 (RIE2020) Plan, in which funding of up to S$144 million was committed to the Singapore Food Story R&D Programme to drive innovation in the local food industry. The plan focuses on sustainable urban food production, future foods, advanced biotech-based protein production, as well as food safety science & innovation.

The glue that binds together expertise and teams

Talent development is key to Singapore's sustainable food security. As a platform for collaboration across institutions and disciplines, FRESH will provide new food safety support and complement existing efforts under the Singapore Food Story.

FRESH will bridge multiple disciplines, which include food science, microbiology, chemistry, toxicology, engineering, and communication sciences and will work with government, academic and industry stakeholders to build a unique collaborative tripartite R&D platform.

FRESH will also leverage expertise from the Singapore R&D ecosystem, such as A*STAR's Innovations in Food and Chemical Safety Programme, SFA's NCFS and NTU's FST.

###

Media contact:

Mr Joseph Gan

Manager, Media Relations

Corporate Communications Office

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Email: joseph.gan@ntu.edu.sg

Ms Jasmine Hoe

Media & Social Media Manager

Singapore Food Agency

Email : jasmine_hoe@sfa.gov.sg

Ms Sunanthar Lu

Assistant Head, Corporate Communications

Agency for Science, Technology and Research

Email: Sunanthar_lu@hq.a-star.edu.sg

About Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

A research-intensive public university, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has 33,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Engineering, Business, Science, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, and Graduate colleges. It also has a medical school, the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, established jointly with Imperial College London.

NTU is also home to world-renowned autonomous institutes - the National Institute of Education, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Earth Observatory of Singapore, and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering - and various leading research centres such as the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) and Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N).

Ranked amongst the world's top universities by QS, NTU has also been named the world's top young university for the last seven years. The University's main campus is frequently listed among the Top 15 most beautiful university campuses in the world and it has 57 Green Mark-certified (equivalent to LEED-certified) building projects, of which 95% are certified Green Mark Platinum. Apart from its main campus, NTU also has a campus in Singapore's healthcare district.

Under the NTU Smart Campus vision, the University harnesses the power of digital technology and tech-enabled solutions to support better learning and living experiences, the discovery of new knowledge, and the sustainability of resources.

For more information, visit http://www. ntu. edu. sg

About the Singapore Food Agency (SFA)

As the lead agency for food-related matters, the Singapore Food Agency's mission is to ensure and secure a supply of safe food for Singapore. SFA works hand-in-hand with the industry and consumers to grow our three "food baskets" - Diversify import sources, Grow local, and Grow overseas, as well as ensure food safety from farm-to-fork.

SFA also partners food businesses to strengthen capabilities, tap on technologies to raise productivity, undertake research to develop new lines of business, and catalyse industry transformation to ensure food security.

For more information on SFA, visit http://www. sfa. gov. sg .

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leaders for the wider research community and industry. A*STAR's R&D activities span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis. For ongoing news, visit http://www. a-star. edu. sg .

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(Reuters) -The space race between the world's two richest men went into hyperdrive on Tuesday after Tesla chief Elon Musk took a swipe at Jeff Bezos' attempt to challenge a major NASA contract.

The two billionaires, who have been trying to launch long-range orbital rockets, were competing for a coveted contract from the government to build a spaceship to deliver astronauts to the moon as early as 2024.

Musk won. Bezos was not happy.

Bezos' Blue Origin on Monday filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), accusing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of moving the goalposts for contract bidders at the last minute.

Musk, who also leads SpaceX, fired back with a tweet that said: "Can't get it up (to orbit) lol." (https://bit.ly/3npEc0Z)

He did not elaborate on the tweet, but pasted a screenshot of a 2019 report about Bezos unveiling Blue Origin's moon lander on the same Twitter thread.

Blue Origin has fallen far behind SpaceX and United Launch Alliance (ULA) on orbital transportation, losing out on billions of dollars' worth of U.S. national security launch contracts that begin in 2022. ULA is a joint venture of Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp.

These rocket startups mainly aim to send satellites for clients into orbit at an affordable price and reuse parts of rockets to keep costs in check.

Earlier this month, NASA awarded SpaceX the lunar contract over Blue Origin and defense contractor Dynetics. The sought-after project aims to put humans back on the moon for the first time since 1972.

"NASA has executed a flawed acquisition for the Human Landing System program and moved the goalposts at the last minute," Blue Origin said in an emailed statement.

"Their decision eliminates opportunities for competition, significantly narrows the supply base, and not only delays, but also endangers America's return to the moon. Because of that, we've filed a protest with the GAO."

Story continues

The GAO also confirmed that Dynetics had challenged the NASA contract award to SpaceX. Dynetics did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Musk's SpaceX bid alone while Amazon.com founder Bezos' Blue Origin partnered with Lockheed Martin Corp, Northrop Grumman Corp and Draper.

The filing of the 50-page protest by Blue Origin was reported earlier by the New York Times.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Subrat Patnaik in Bengaluru and Eric Johnson in Seattle, additional reporting by Akanksha Rana; editing by Jane Wardell, Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Bernard Orr)
Pep Guardiola recognised after Manchester City's Carabao Cup final victory against Tottenham Hotspur that Eric Garcia is likely to depart the club and join Barcelona.

The Catalan centre-back's contract comes to a close on June 30 and, despite City's attempts to get him to renew, he is set to leave on a free.

"Eric Garcia is one of my favourite players," Guardiola recognised after City won the Carabao Cup final, a game the defender did not make the squad for.

"I would love to have 15 Eric Garcias. He's not on the bench because I think he's going to move to Barcelona."

This is not the first time that Guardiola has admitted his love for Garcia, though.

"Eric Garcia is like a son. He was a guy last season that after lockdown was our best central defender," Guardiola said at the beginning of March.

"He never made a mistake and played in the quarter-final of the Champions League.

"He's going to play in Barcelona and that is not an average player - he is a top player. He was not selected in the last two games and it broke my heart.

"That is why it is difficult for all the managers when you have a squad. You cannot imagine what it means."

Garcia, who has continued to be called up to the Spain squad despite his lack of game time at club level, has made just 10 appearances for City this season.
President Joe Biden plans to nominate Frank Kendall, a former top Pentagon official, to be the next Air Force secretary, the White House announced Tuesday.

Defense News first reported the news of Kendall's expected nomination.

Gina Ortiz Jones, a former Air Force captain, has also been nominated to be the under secretary of the service, the White House said. Jones, an intelligence officer who deployed to Iraq and is openly gay, ran as a Democrat for Congress in 2018 and again in 2020.

Read Next: Navy May Recognize Black WWII Sailor Who Towed Wounded Shipmates Through Shark-Infested Waters

John Roth is currently the acting Air Force secretary. Barbara Barrett, who served as the fourth female Air Force secretary and succeeded Heather Wilson, was the last person to officially fill the role.

Kendall currently holds a number of positions, including senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and senior adviser to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the White House said.

Frank Kendall has deep understanding of the Pentagon and acquisition in particular. With a flat budget, tension on roles and missions, and growing competition in the Pacific, he is well prepared for the role," Wilson said.

"Frank Kendall is exactly the kind of public servant we need at the helm of the Air Force at a time when the service is navigating so many unique challenges, including effective acquisition to meet our nation's future threats," Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. "With more than 40 years of experience in defense and national security, and with a particular focus on acquisition policy during his tenure in the Obama administration, I cannot think of a better, more equipped leader to tackle these issues head on."

Smith also praised Biden's nomination of Jones, who would be "the first woman of color to serve as Under Secretary of the Air Force, marking yet another historic nomination as the Biden-Harris administration continues to prove their commitment to building a diverse Department of Defense that reflects the American population."

Kendall spent 10 years on active duty and retired as a lieutenant colonel from the Army Reserve. Under the Obama administration, he served as the under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics at the Pentagon between 2012 and 2017. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and also received a degree in aerospace engineering from the California Institute of Technology and a law degree from Georgetown University.

Kendall was instrumental in facilitating an expensive overhaul of the Pentagon's military health system in 2015. The Defense Department that year awarded a $4.3 billion contract to a team that included Leidos Inc. and Cerner Corp. to modernize the military's digital medical records system.

The program, known as MHS Genesis, is being introduced gradually across the DoD health system. The Department of Veterans Affairs later contracted with the Cerner team to use the same system. The VA launched its version last fall in eastern Washington; the program is currently on hold while the department reviews issues with the initial rollout.

Kendall at the time said he spent more time on the health IT program than any other during his tenure -- even over the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which remains the Pentagon's most expensive weapons program.

The former acquisition chief is best known for his "Better Buying Power" reform effort, aimed at streamlining and improving how the Pentagon buys equipment and weapons, including better cybersecurity protections for next-generation systems that rely heavily on software.

Kendall later joined the consulting firm Renaissance Strategies; in 2017, he became a Leidos board member.

The news of the nomination comes more than a week after the Biden administration announced it intends to nominate Christine Wormuth, a former top Defense Department official, as the first female Army secretary.

Wormuth, currently director of the Rand International Security and Defense Policy Center, served as under secretary of defense for policy during the Obama administration from 2014 to 2016. In January, she led the Biden-Harris Defense Agency Review Team.

The Biden administration has yet to name its pick for the Navy's top civilian post.

-- Stephen Losey and Patricia Kime contributed to this report.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

Related: For the First Time, a Woman Has Been Nominated to Lead the Army
These amusing exchanges reveal that sometimes unconventional methods are necessary for getting the point across.

Bored Panda has rounded up a selection of passive aggressive interactions from around the world that have gone viral on social media for a hilarious gallery that prove sometimes you have to get creative with your messaging.

Among the posts is a frustrated wife who managed to neatly make her side of the bed, while leaving her husband's side completely untouched.

Another image shows a homeowner renamed their WI-FI network to take a dig at their neighbours' noisy children.

Here, FEMAIL picks out some of the funniest exchanges...

Bored Panda has rounded up passive aggressive interactions that have gone viral on social media - including a homeowner who renamed their WI-FI network after getting frustrated with their neighbours' noisy children

Now that's a stretch! One person posted a sign telling dog walkers they should think of picking up their pet's poo as an opportunity to practice yoga

God doesn't want to hear it! Even in the sanctity of the confessional, nobody wants too much rambling

Keep it clean! A housemate who was annoyed by the hairs constantly in the communal sink made a chart to vent their frustration

Unfit for purpose: MyFitnessPal sent a user a notification that the will stop bothering them with reminders to exercise

A man took to Twitter with a snap claiming his wife only made her side of the bed after they had a disagreement

Party pooper! A London dweller received a letter from neighbours who admitted that they're jealous of their social life, along with a warning to keep the noise down

Another individual snapped the sticker on the back of a car to discourage other drivers from getting too close

Steer clear! A parking facility employee who is fed up of poorly positioned cars wrote a sarcastic note to complain about a vehicle not within the lines
Close

A new US spy satellite was launched into orbit on the United Launch Alliance's (ULA) most powerful launcher, the giant Delta IV Heavy, on Monday afternoon (April 26).

The behemoth launched from Space Launch Complex 6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 4:47 p.m. EST. It brought the classified NROL-82 satellite into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

During a webcast of the launch, launch commentator Caroline Kirk said Delta IV engineer Rob Kesselman "confirmed the successful completion of the early phase of today's flight." He added that all systems continue to work nominally.

Just four Delta IV Heavy rockets remain in ULA's fleet, a 50-50 joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing. All of them have been assigned to launch NRO missions. Two of them are launching from California (including today's mission) and the other two from Florida.

About Delta IV Heavy

The Delta IV Heavy is ULA's most powerful rocket at the moment. The mega launcher comprises three common core boosters that produce over 2 million pounds of thrust. These are powered by 465,000 gallons (1.76 million liters) of superchilled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.

The Delta II and Delta IV Medium were single-stick versions of the Delta family of rockets. Space.com said ULA previously retired the Delta II and Delta IV Medium rockets in 2018 and 2019, respectively).

Monday's launch was the 13th for a Delta IV Heavy rocket since its debut in 2004, and one of only four remaining Delta IV rockets. ULA intends to withdraw the launcher before introducing the Vulcan Centaur, its next-generation vehicle. The launcher is expected to be released later this year.

ALSO READ: ULA Obtains Military Launch Contract Awards In Time of Billion-Dollar Military Satellite Arrival





The 330-foot-tall (100-meter) shroud encasing the rocket, known as the Mobile Service Tower (MST) rolled away shortly before the launch countdown began. It revealed the gigantic spacecraft, which stands 233 feet (71 meters) tall and measures approximately 53 feet (16 meters).

NRO payloads were carried on eight of the previous 12 Delta IV Heavy missions. Other notable missions of the vehicle include NASA's Orion capsule's uncrewed test flight to Earth orbit in 2014 and the Parker Solar Probe's attempt to examine the sun.

The rocket was lifted on the pad at SLC-6 in February as part of the launch preparations. Since then, the team has conducted a wet dress rehearsal, in which they loaded the rocket with fuel and practiced launch procedures to ensure that all of the rocket's systems are operational.

The payload was mounted atop the rocket earlier this month. This was the ninth Delta IV mission to launch from SLC-6, which was originally designed to launch space shuttles from the West Coast.

ULA's first flight of 2021 was the NROL-82 mission. Suppose the remainder of the company's launch schedule goes according to plan, it will be able to complete as many as 10 missions before the end of the year. ULA is scheduled to fly six times in 2020, including the Mars Perseverance rover.

After the Delta is retired, ULA plans to launch future national security missions with its forthcoming Vulcan Centaur rocket, which is expected to launch later this year.

RELATED ARTICLE: ULA Delays Atlas V Spy Satellite Rocket Launch Again. Here's Why!

Check out more news and information on Space on Science Times.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held a teleconference on April 26 to discuss the situation in Abyei, a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan, and activities of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

The UN peacekeeping force on patrol in Abyei

The meeting, chaired by Vietnam  UNSC President for April, was attended by UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa Parfait Onanga-Anyanga.

Speakers applauded the positive progress in Sudan and South Sudan, as well as many important strides in the two countries relations in the recent past. They said the countries have made certain efforts to resume dialogue in resolving the Abyei issue but also held that they have yet to attain many substantive results.

UN Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix voiced his concern about the security situation in Abyei over the past months amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the escalation of violence among communities, and attacks on UNISFA.

He quoted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as saying that there havent been any solutions accepted by the related parties towards the withdrawal of UNISFA in the coming time. He also called on the UNSC to extend UNISFA tasks for six months so that the parties concerned can continue seeking appropriate solutions to the Abyei issue.

Meanwhile, Special Envoy Parfait Onanga-Anyanga underlined the importance of enhancing the UNs coordination with the African Union and regional countries to promote peace, stability, and communities in Abyei living peacefully side by side.

UNSC member states spoke highly of the continued improvements in Sudan-South Sudan relations but also expressed their concern about the recent developments in the security and humanitarian situation in Abyei.

They appealed to the two countries to soon seek peaceful solutions to the Abyei issue, reiterating their support for activities of UNISFA and the special envoy.

For their part, representatives of Sudan and South Sudan affirmed the two governments commitment to cooperating with UNISFA, stressing the countries recent efforts to boost dialogue to resolve the Abyei issue peacefully.

The Ethiopian representative said as the largest contributor of troops to UNISFA, Ethiopia will continue making contributions so that UNISFA can fulfill its duties.

Welcoming the strides in South Sudan and Sudan as well as in bilateral relations since the beginning of 2021, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, urged the two governments to make use of the positive momentum in bilateral ties to soon deal with the Abyei issue by peaceful means and on the basis of international law and the UN Charter.

He shared the concern about the security and humanitarian situation in Abyei, along with attacks on UNISFA.

The diplomat emphasised the importance of ensuring safety for the UNISFA force. He asked the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to create conditions for UNISFA to fully perform its tasks and to set up common institutions in line with relevant resolutions of the UNSC.

Quy also highly valued efforts by the UN, organisations, and regional countries to assist Sudan and South Sudan to peacefully handle the Abyei issue, lauding efforts by UNISFA and the UN Mine Action Service in dealing with humanitarian challenges, including those related to bombs and landmines in Abyei.

Sudan and South Sudan signed an agreement on the disputed Abyei region on June 20, 2011 under which they pledged to withdraw troops from the demilitarised zone. However, they havent obtained much substantive progress in the agreement implementation.

UNISFA, set up in 2011 under UNSC Resolution 1990, was tasked with protecting civilians and promoting demilitarisation in Abyei. It was supplemented with the duty of supporting the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) in this region under Resolution 2024 on December 14, 2011./. VNA
Tesla has released its Q1 2021 Financial Report that shows tremendous performance, growth, and revenue from the clean energy company and a stronghold for earnings as a manufacturer. Apart from its $10.39 billion in revenue, Tesla has also announced that it overcame a chip shortage, with the new Model S and Model X coming soon.

The first quarter of the year is usually a make or break for the company's annual performance and it could dictate what could happen for its popularity and patronage of its products. But for Tesla to absolutely crush it, is a big win for the electric vehicle manufacturer and clean energy company, despite the many controversies and drawbacks for them.

Recently, the company has been entangled in an issue that questions the safety of its Autopilot feature, after it has been allegedly reported to take the life of 2 passengers who allegedly went driverless with the feature. This came after the Q1 safety report of Tesla, saying that the Autopilot was safer than ever, and it features 10 times more safety than an average vehicle.

Read Also: Elon Musk Tesla to Update FSD Render with New Probability Vector Space and Look for Better Integration With System

Tesla Q1 2021 Earnings Report

Tesla has released a Q1 2021 Financial report that highlights the company's earnings for the first four months of the year, as April is coming to an end. Tesla has been through a lot, and that includes Dogecoin and Bitcoin entanglements, Texas Winter Storm, Model S release and shortage, and other happenings.

Four months in, and the company has reported a great performance in this year's beginning.

Tesla Stock

Tesla has made a massive improvement in revenue, as it achieved $10.39 billion in total, after its $438 million record-breaking net income right off the bat. This led to a surge in stock and popularity of the company, having almost 94 cents per share.

According to CNBC, the company has surpassed most of the analysis and expectations from them this year, leading to an impressive performance in both the industry and market. Tesla has also sold 184,800 electric vehicles that consisted mainly of the refreshed Model 3 and Model Y which exceeded expectations.

Tesla Bitcoin: Was It a Good Investment?

Additionally, Tesla's Bitcoin purchase during the start of the year has proven to be a great investment that is worth $101 million, with speculations that the reported $272 million revenue came from its trading. The "digital assets" of the company that resulted from trading were said to be the cryptocurrency's trading over the past months.

Tesla Model S Coming in May, Model X to Follow

On the other hand, Tesla also faced a chip shortage among other industries like the PS5 and Xbox Series X, but it has overturned it and prevailed during the first quarter. Now, the company has announced that the refreshed Model S that saw a limited release is now coming in May, and the Model X speculated to be a Plaid version, is coming later this year.

Related Article: How Can a Simple Hack Make a Tesla's Autopilot Activate Without Someone on the Driver's Seat?

This article is owned by Tech Times





Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In this Monday, March 29, 2021 file photo, a man prepares for his AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at Ndirande Health Centre in Blantyre, Malawi. Some Africans are hesitating to get COVID-19 vaccines amid concerns about their safety, alarming public health officials as some countries start to destroy thousands of doses that expired before use. (AP Photo/Thoko Chikondi, File)

Some Africans are hesitating to get COVID-19 vaccines amid concerns about their safety, alarming public health officials as some countries start to destroy thousands of doses that expired before use.

Malawi and South Sudan in recent days have said they will destroy some of their doses, a concerning development on a continent where health officials have been outspoken about the need for vaccine equity as the world's rich nations hold the bulk of shots.

Africa, whose 1.3 billion people represent 16% of the world's population, has received less than 2% of the COVID-19 vaccine doses administered around the world, according to the World Health 0rganization.

The continent has confirmed more than 4.5 million COVID-19 cases, including 120,000 deaths, a tiny fraction of the global fatalities and caseload. But some experts worry that the 54-nation continent will suffer in the long term if it takes longer than expected to meet the threshold scientists believe is needed to stop uncontrolled spread of COVID-1970% or higher of the population having immunity through vaccination or past infection.

Africa seeks to vaccinate up to 60% of its people by the end of 2022.

Achieving that goal will require about 1.5 billion vaccine doses for Africa if the two-shot AstraZeneca vaccine continues to be widely used. But safety concerns relating to that vaccine, often the main shot available under the donor-backed COVAX program to ensure access for developing countries, have left some Africans worried.

In this Wednesday, April 14, 2021 file photo, a medical team rolls a coronavirus patient from a bed onto a stretcher in the COVID-19 intensive care unit at Kenyatta National Hospital, in Nairobi, Kenya. Some Africans are hesitating to get COVID-19 vaccines amid concerns about their safety, alarming public health officials as some countries start to destroy thousands of doses that expired before use. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga, File)

Vaccine-related suspicions have been spread widely on social media, driven partly by a general lack of trust in authorities. Uganda's health minister had to refute allegations she faked receiving a shot, even posting a video of herself getting the jab on Twitter, along with the admonition: "Please stop spreading fake news!"

Some have raised the untrue claim that the shots can cause infertility on sites such as WhatsApp. Others openly question the speed with which COVID-19 vaccines have been developed.

"The world has failed to find a vaccine for AIDS all these years, but they quickly found a vaccine for COVID? I am not going to go for that vaccine," said Richard Bbale, an electrician in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, voicing fear that an experimental vaccine could be harmful. "Even if the government forces us to get the vaccine as if it's a national ID, I will not go."

Austin Demby, Sierra Leone's health minister, told reporters last week that a third of the 96,000 doses the country received in March will likely not be used before they expire, citing a lack of urgency among some people who decided that COVID-19 is "not as bad as Ebola," which ravaged the country several years ago.

"People are worried this is another public experiment they want to make on our people," he said.

In this Friday, March 5, 2021 file photo, a nurse holds a vial of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and provided through the global COVAX initiative, at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Some Africans are hesitating to get COVID-19 vaccines amid concerns about their safety, alarming public health officials as some countries start to destroy thousands of doses that expired before use. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

The World Health Organization and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have urged African governments to continue rolling out the AstraZeneca vaccine, saying its benefits outweigh any risks after European countries limited its use over concerns about rare blood clots in a small number of recipients.

"Anything you take has a risk. Any medication," Africa CDC director John Nkengasong told a briefing last week, citing some essential drugs that can cause blood clots in rare cases. "That's the way we should be looking at these vaccines."

The Africa CDC said in a statement last week it had received guidance from the Serum Institute of India recommending a three-month "shelf life extension" on the April 13 expiration date of at least a million AstraZeneca shots delivered to Africa.

Africa nations "don't have a choice," Nkengasong said, urging Malawi to use all its shots after authorities in the southern African nation said they would burn 16,000 AstraZeneca doses that expired earlier in April.

It is unclear if Malawi will follow that advice.

In this Friday, March 5, 2021 file photo, Uganda's Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, center right, and other officials greet the country's first consignment of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and provided through the global COVAX initiative, at the airport in Entebbe, Uganda. Some Africans are hesitating to get COVID-19 vaccines amid concerns about their safety, alarming public health officials as some countries start to destroy thousands of doses that expired before use. (AP Photo/Nicholas Bamulanzeki, File)

The country has administered less than half of more than 500,000 doses it received via COVAX, leading Victor Mithi, head of the Society of Medical Doctors in Malawi, to blame vaccine misconceptions.

"We are continuously assuring Malawians that the vaccine is safe and that once they feel anything abnormal beyond the usual post-vaccination symptoms, they can always come to the hospital and report," he said.

An additional 1.26 million doses expected from COVAX at the end of May may be wasted if people continue shunning the vaccine, said Shouts Simeza, president of the National Organization of Nurses and Midwives in Malawi, adding that a possible solution is making vaccinations mandatory for all who are eligible.

Trying to increase coverage, Malawi's government has relaxed vaccine eligibility rules to include everyone aged 18 and older after initially focusing on priority groups such as health workers.

The East African nation of Uganda, which also is struggling to increase vaccine rollout among priority groups, may soon act similarly, said Emmanuel Ainebyoona, spokesman for the Ministry of Health. Ugandans under age 50 have shown interest in getting vaccinated, raising hope that doses will not expire unused, he said.

In this Monday, March 29, 2021 file photo, numbers are handed out to people waiting to receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at Ndirande Health Centre in Blantyre Malawi. Some Africans are hesitating to get COVID-19 vaccines amid concerns about their safety, alarming public health officials as some countries start to destroy thousands of doses that expired before use. (AP Photo/Thoko Chikondi, File)

In this Friday, March 5, 2021 file photo, a Malawian policeman guards AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines after the shipment arrived at the Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Malawi. Some Africans are hesitating to get COVID-19 vaccines amid concerns about their safety, alarming public health officials as some countries start to destroy thousands of doses that expired before use. (AP Photo/Thoko Chikondi, File)

Uganda has received 964,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the only one available in the country. But just over 230,000 doses have been administered since March 10.

Health authorities had planned to give at least 500,000 people their first shot in a first round of vaccinations targeting front-line workers, people with underlying health conditions and those 50 and older.

But, amid a slow rollout, they are now reaching out to popular "influencers," celebrities such as a kickboxer who was photographed getting a shot last week.

"The uptake is gradually improving," Ainebyoona said, noting that "communications interventions" have proved necessary to get more Ugandans to embrace the vaccination campaign.

A few thousand people are inoculated daily at centers put up across the country, including inside regional hospitals. The local Daily Monitor newspaper recently reported that more than 280,000 doses will likely expire by July at the current average of about 6,000 shots used each day.

Vaccination teams, lacking official records of eligible residents, simply sit and wait for people who may not show up.

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A political advocacy group took to the skies April 27 to protest what it calls a financial bailout plan by the S.C. Commerce Department that would put taxpayers on the hook for a $51 million loan the agency made to Charleston-based Palmetto Railways.

Americans For Prosperity-South Carolina hired a banner plane to fly over the Statehouse in Columbia with the message "Reject Commerce Bailouts."

The group also placed advertisements in digital media and newspapers around the state urging residents to contact their legislators to "fight against this outrageous waste of taxpayer dollars."

The Commerce Department has asked legislators to earmark $51 million of a proposed $550 million bond debt to pay off an interagency loan that was made to its short-line railroad between 2015 and 2017.

The loan is currently interest-free, but if new bond debt is used to repay it, taxpayers would have to cover interest charges as well as principal. The proposal has been compared to borrowing cash from a credit card to pay off an interest-free loan from a friend.

Most of the bond proceeds would be used to pay for improvements at the Port of Charleston, including a rail yard to handle cargo entering and leaving a newly opened Leatherman Terminal at the old Navy base. The money also would fund a proposed barge operation that would move shipping containers by water to North Charleston from the Wando Welch Terminal in Mount Pleasant.

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The $51 million loan, which was supposed to have been repaid by Palmetto Railways in 2017, was made to "maintain the (rail yard) project's pace," according to state Commerce chief Bobby Hitt.

Palmetto Railways, a subsidiary of Hitt's agency, has struggled to finance the project.

Taxpayers should not be forced to a bail out a state government agency, especially when many South Carolina families are struggling due to the effects of the governments response to COVID," Candace Carroll, the state director of Americans For Prosperity, said in a statement. "We must eventually say enough is enough."

The rail yard isn't expected to open for another two years. Commerce spokeswoman Alex Clark previously told The Post and Courier that the department cannot afford to wait for it to start generating revenue to pay back the loan.

Because these funds are committed to other projects, Commerce needs the funds restored in the near term, Clark said, adding the loan was granted with the understanding that it would be repaid from whatever financing Palmetto Railways was able to obtain.

It's not clear what final form the bond proposal will take once the state budget is finalized. A Senate proposal includes $200 million toward the port improvements to be paid from general revenue funds. Gov. Henry McMaster has said he wants to pay for them by tapping one-time surplus funds and federal aid.
Israel says HRW report 'propagandistic libel' Says organisation known for anti-Israeli agenda, 'fake data'

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, APRIL 27 - Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said the report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) is "propagandistic libel, without any credibility".



"HRW has long been been known for its anti-Israeli agenda, and for years of attempts to promote the boycott of Israel," he said.



In particular, the minister found it significant that HRW did not submit the content of the report to Israeli authorities for comment prior to releasing it.



He said that in 2009 HRW founder Robert Bernstein criticised his organisation for having released reports on the Arab-Israeli conflict "in an attempt to aid those who would like to turn Israel into a pariah state".



"The report is part of that organisation's constant campaign, led by a proponent of the BDS boycott movement, without any link to the facts or the situation on the ground," he said.



"The fake data of the report are at the same time absurd and false," he said.(ANSAmed).




(Bloomberg) -- Exxon Mobil Corp.s proxy battle with a fund manager intensified after the activist investor accused the oil giant of obscuring the trajectory of its greenhouse gas emissions through disingenuous reduction targets.

Exxons chief carbon goal of cutting upstream emissions intensity -- a measure of pollution per barrel of oil produced -- by as much as 20% by 2025 is so limited it only includes about 10% of its overall carbon footprint, investment firm Engine No. 1 said Monday in a presentation. Even if Exxon achieved the goal, its emissions intensity would be 6% to 8% higher than in 2009-2010, according to its 81-page document.

Exxon Mobil has sought to obscure long-term risk by distorting its long-term emissions trajectory, the San Francisco-based firm said. Even by its own limited standards, ExxonMobil has gone backwards and aims to do worse in 2025 than 2010.

Engine No. 1 began a rare proxy contest against the Wests biggest oil company in December after a decade of poor financial returns and a strategy the firm claims fails to meet the needs of the energy transition. The fund only has a 0.2% stake in Exxon, but has won support from California State Teachers Retirement System and New Yorks state pension fund.

Exxon has resisted publishing a mid-century net zero emissions target, insisting that oil and gas have a profitable future for decades to come even if the world lowers emissions in line with the United Nations Paris Agreement on climate change. But the U.S. companys tone around environmental issues has changed significantly in recent years as calls from investors and public to tackle climate change increased.

Exxon began a dedicated low-carbon business in February focused on reducing emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sections of the economy such as heavy industry. That came just months after announcing a series of emissions reduction targets that included lowering methane intensity and eliminating routine flaring.

Still, Exxons main goal of cutting upstream emissions intensity is flawed, according to Engine No. 1. It not only excludes customer emissions, which make up about 80% of the total, but also doesnt account for Exxons non-operated assets, nor its giant refining and chemicals businesses. Furthermore, the firm said Exxon recently revised upward the targets 2016 baseline, which would make the goal easier to achieve.

Exxon supports the aims of the 2015 Paris Agreement and societys efforts to achieve net-zero emissions, the company said in a Monday statement. The pillars of ExxonMobils climate strategy, the investments the company is making in lower-emission technologies, and the actions taken to reduce emissions across its operations are consistent with these global efforts.

Exxons overall greenhouse gas emissions declined 13% from 2011 to 2020 due to energy efficiency improvements, reductions in flaring and venting, and impacts tied to the Covid-19 pandemic, the company said.

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
President Joe Biden has selected Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, who blasted ICE raids on social media, to lead the nation's Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

Gonzalez, who was elected sheriff in 2016, has sharply criticized agency practices under President Donald Trump on social media.

Sine 2017 he has served as sheriff of the most populous county in Texas. It includes Houston.

Harris County Sheriff in Texas Ed Gonzalez

In a July 2019 Facebook post, Gonzalez said he opposed sweeping immigration raids after Trump a month earlier tweeted hyperbolically that ICE would begin deporting 'millions of illegal aliens'.

'I do not support ICE raids that threaten to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, the vast majority of whom do not represent a threat to the U.S.,' Gonzalez wrote. 'The focus should always be on clear & immediate safety threats.'

He withdrew his department from a federal program focused on deporting immigrants, citing a chilling effect on immigrants who might otherwise report crimes.

Trump throughout his presidency regularly surrounded himself with immigration and border patrol agents as he sought to project a strong image while promoting a crackdown.

Some activists and lawmakers went after the agency over raids used to round up immigrants inside the country. In January, 'squad' member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reiterated her call to 'Abolish ICE.'

A Pew study last year placed it at the bottom of federal agencies ranked by popularity, with 46 per cent unfavorability, landing below the IRS, the VA, and the Justice Department.

According to a White House announcement, his office has 5,000 employees and a $571 million annual budget.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Fugitive Operations Team members on a raid in Los Angeles. ICE is doing its biggest ever fugitive operation, where agents pick up people who have already been deported or are criminal aliens . Photos taken Sept. 27, 2007 in Santa Ana

President Biden has selected Harris County sheriff Ed Gonzalez to lead ICE

Friends, coworkers and family watch as U.S. immigration officials raid the Koch Foods Inc., plant in Morton, Miss., Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019.

ICE has 20,000 employees, and operates within the sprawling Department of Homeland Security. It's budget is $8 billion per year.

The nomination would need to be approved by the 100-seat U.S. Senate, divided 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, with Vice President Kamala Harris able to break ties.

Gonzalez blasted ICE raids on people he said presented no threat

Gonzalez is a critic of former President Trump's immigration policies

Biden, a Democrat, campaigned on a pledge to reverse many of Trump's hardline immigration policies. After Biden took office on Jan. 20, his administration placed a 100-day pause on many deportations and greatly limited who can be arrested and deported by ICE.

Biden's deportation moratorium drew fierce pushback from Republicans and was blocked by a federal judge in Texas days after it went into effect.

Some career ICE officials have privately criticized the new enforcement priorities, saying they prevent agents from arresting some criminals.

Biden announced on April 12 that he would tap Chris Magnus, an Arizona police chief, to lead U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Magnus had criticized the Trump administration's attempt to force so-called 'sanctuary' jurisdictions to cooperate with federal law enforcement.

Gonzalez similarly sought to limit ties between local police and federal immigration enforcement. In 2017, he ended Harris Countys participation in a program that increased cooperation between county law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. (Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington and Mimi Dwyer in Los Angeles; Additional reporting by Steve Holland in Washington; Editing by Ross Colvin, Cynthia Osterman and Peter Graff)
Posted Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:06 am

The first quarterly filings for Washingtons Third Congressional District race are in, and incumbent Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler has a strong fundraising lead among five challengers, three of whom hail from her own party.

The candidate filings released earlier this month show Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, raised close to $745,000 from January through March, according to Federal Elections Commission (FEC) data. That total is nearly $500,000 more than her next closest competitor and more than all five of her challengers combined.

Herrera Beutlers first quarterly total also eclipses the money she raised for the first filing during the 2020 election cycle. From January through March 2019 she raised close to $288,000, according to FEC data.

(Herrera Beutlers) experienced a huge influx of support from people who cited Jaimes honesty and integrity in office and who recognize that she always tries to do the right thing regardless of political pressure, Parker Truax, the Congresswomans campaign manager, said.

Her GOP challengers have stood in opposition of the incumbent following her vote to impeach then-president Donald Trump after the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Sometimes Jaimes approach to her job generates heat from hardcore partisans on either side, but in the long run we always find that it wins us more support than it loses, Truax wrote in an email to The Reflector. After the highest first quarter of fundraising weve ever had, were in a great position to run another successful campaign.

Truax said being able to appeal to a majority of constituents in the district is also necessary to win a re-election, something he said Herrera Beutler has done since she was first elected in 2010.

Southwest Washington is an independent region that values leaders like (Herrera Beutler) who are effective legislators and also willing to stand up to political pressure to do whats right for our community and this country, Truax wrote.

Joe Kent, who raised the second highest funding total by Third Congressional District competitors, had a total of more than $269,000 as of the first quarterly report, though the candidate was largely supported by a $200,000 loan he himself made to the campaign. He said the loan was a way to show he was committed to the race.

If Im going to ask people for their financial support, ask them to volunteer, and then ultimately to come out and vote for me, especially to unseat the incumbent, I want them to know that Im committed, Kent said.

He said he was glad to have some momentum going into the race, with the Army veteran likening that commitment to the declaration of duty he made when serving in the armed forces.

It was my version of pledging my fortune to this cause, Kent said.

Outside of Kents loan, fellow Republican Heidi St. John had the most contributions out of Herrera Beutlers challengers, coming in with nearly $131,000 in the first quarterly filing. In a release following the publication of the report, St. John said she was honored and deeply humbled by the amount of support she was able to receive in the first quarter. The release noted the average campaign donation was $116, which underscores the vast amount of citizens who are opening their wallets to support her campaign.

St. John took time in the release to focus on her stance against far left Democrats, reiterating points she has made in prior public appearances since she announced her candidacy.

They want to take away our guns, are opening our borders, want to further erode our public education system, implement government-run health care and job killing energy mandates, and they want to undermine election integrity, St. John stated in the release.

She further called out Herrera Beutler, saying the incumbents constituents feel betrayed and are no longer being represented.

Herrera Beutlers third GOP challenger, Wadi Yakhour, a former Trump administration chief of staff for the Selective Service System, raised about $35,000, according to the quarterly filing. That includes a $25,000 loan he made to his campaign. Yakhour, St. John, and Kent have made appearances in candidate forums, sometimes together, more than 18 months ahead of the November 2022 election.

Though Republican challengers to Herrera Beutler have taken the top spots behind the incumbent in terms of fundraising, two Democratic hopefuls have begun to raise funds, though not at the levels the GOP candidates have at this point.

According to FEC data, Brent Hennrich raised about $1,779 from January through March, while Lucy Lauser raised roughly $254.

Absent among the FECs list is Herrera Beutlers two-time Democratic challenger Carolyn Long, who has not announced if she will seek a third attempt to unseat the Congresswoman.
The Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) has urged young Members of Parliament (MPs) nominated for ministerial appointments to give their best to lift the image of the forum.



To our colleague young MPs, ministers and deputy ministers designate, you are proof that good things come to those who are willing to sacrifice to achieve higher goals, as this new portfolio would be a good match for your skills and dedication.



Remember, to whom much is given, much is expected. Leadership and Members of the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) are hopeful that this opportunity given to our young men and women would go a long way in strengthening and increasing the quantitative and qualitative participation of the Ghanaian youth in order to eradicate poverty, foster growth and ensure that the youth remain the most critical and influencing stakeholder in national development, a statement issued in Accra and signed by the Vice-President of YPF, Ms Betty Nana Afua Krosbi Mensah, who is also MP, Afram Plains North, said.



Presidents confidence



The statement said the Presidents nomination of young people demonstrated his certainty in the young MPs and also buttressed his resolve in building a better future with deserving youth ambassadors.



While congratulating the appointees, it also commended the President for following the example of his predecessors.



Nominees



Some of the young MPs nominated and subsequently assuming various ministerial portfolios after Parliamentary approvals include: Sarah Adjoa Safo, MP for Dome Kwabenya and Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, MP for Ofoase-Ayeribi and Minister for Information, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, MP for Damongo and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Francis Asenso-Boakye, MP for Bantama and Minister for Works and Housing.



The group was elated that President Akufo-Addo also nominated Mr George Mireku Duker, President of YPF and MP for Tarkwa- Nsuaem as Deputy Minister Designate for Lands and Natural Resources.



It said Mr Mireku Dukers versatility, dedication and exemplary leadership qualities earned him several successes in his political career which they were proud of.



Other members of the YPF nominated by President Akufo-Addo include Ms Mavis Nkansa Boadu, MP for Afigya Sekyere East, Deputy Minister Designate for Roads and Highways, Nana Dokua Asiamah-Adjei, MP for Akwapim North, Deputy Minister-Designate for Trade and Industry, Rev. John Ntim Fodjour, MP for Assin South, Deputy Minister Designate for Education among others.











Source: graphiconline.com









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Tom Vilsack speaks after being nominated to be agriculture secretary by President-elect Joe Biden, in Wilmington, Del., on Dec. 11, 2020. (JIM WATSON/AFP)

Trump-Tied Group Sues Biden Administration Over Racial Bias in Farm Subsidy Program

A newly formed legal group tied to former President Donald Trump sued the Biden administration on April 26, seeking to block the implementation of a farm subsidy program that overtly excludes white farmers.

America First Legal, headed by former senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller, filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, against Tom Vilsack, Bidens secretary of agriculture.

The lawsuit argues that the program, enacted as part of Bidens pandemic stimulus package, discriminates against white farmers by limiting financial aid to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers based on their race.

The Department of Agriculture lurches America dangerously backward, reversing the clock on American progress, and violating our most sacred and revered principles by actively and invidiously discriminating against American citizens solely based upon their race. This is illegal, it is unconstitutional, it is wrong, and it must stop, the lawsuit (pdf) states.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) website currently defines a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher as belonging to groups [that] include, but are not limited to African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asians, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, refugees, immigrants.

The America First Legal lawsuit cites a different definition of socially disadvantaged that appears on a fact sheet (pdf) by the USDA. That fact sheet limits the definition of socially disadvantaged to six races and leaves out whites.

The relevant section of the pandemic stimulus bill points neither to the fact sheet nor to the USDA website. The act says that the definition of the term is in the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. That act says that the term socially disadvantaged farmer or ranchers means a farmer or rancher who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group. The act further defines a socially disadvantaged group as a group whose members have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities.

Stephen Miller, senior adviser to the president, attends a joint press conference with President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in the East Room of the White House on Sept. 20, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

The legal action is the first brought by America First Legal, a pro-Trump legal outfit modeled on the legal warfare model that the Democrats deployed to thwart Trumps agenda. The organization says its mission is to oppose the radical lefts anti-jobs, anti-freedom, anti-faith, anti-borders, anti-police, and anti-American crusade.

The White House and the Department of Agriculture didnt immediately respond to requests by The Epoch Times for comment.
New Delhi:

Three Naxals were killed in a joint operation by in a joint operation by ITBP and Chhattisgarh police in a forest of Chhattisgarhs insurgency-hit Rajnandgaon district at around 10 pm on Wednesday, police said.

While speaking to news agency PTI, Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police Prashant Agrawal said that the skirmish took place at around 10 pm in the forest of Kopenkadka village under Khadgaon police station limits when a joint team of security forces was out on an anti-Maoist operation.

The joint operation was launched in the interiors of Manpur, around 200 km away from the state capital, Raipur.

When the patrolling team was advancing through the jungles of Kopenkadka, it came under heavy fire that led to gun-battle between the two sides, Agrawal said.

ALSO READ: CoBRA troopers returning from Naxal operation save life of road accident victim

However, ultras soon escaped into the deep forest on finding security personnel zeroing on them, he added.

Bodies of three ultras along with three automatic weapons, including one AK 47 rifle, one Insas rifle and one SLR rifle, were recovered from the sport during a search operation.

The Naxals were identified as Mahesh, an area committee member (ACM), Rakesh, ACM and Pallemadi LOS Commander and Ranjit, Pallemadi LOS deputy commander, the SP said.

Mahesh and Rakesh were carrying rewards of Rs 5 lakh each on their heads, while Ranjit was carrying Rs 3 lakh reward.

They all hailed from Bastar region of the state and more details are awaited, he added.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ: Ex-army man arrested for training Naxals in Odisha

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PORTLAND, Ore.  A 62-year-old Hillsboro man faces charges in federal court for allegedly assaulting police officers during the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., according to federal prosecutors.

Reed Knox Christensen was charged and arrested earlier this month for federal offenses that include "forcibly assaulting, resisting, impeding or interfering with law enforcement; engaging in an act of physical violence in a Capitol building; and entering or remaining on restricted grounds without lawful authority," the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon said in a statement.

According to court documents, Christensen was on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol grounds where officers from U.S. Capitol Police were holding a cordon around the building. Body cam and security footage showed Christensen hitting and pushing officers, as well as beginning the "aggressive" removal of metal bike racks that were set up as barriers.

Around 2:20 p.m. on January 6, the court documents say, Christensen tried to breach the barrier when a Metropolitan Police officer sprayed him with pepper spray. Christensen continued charging through the perimeter, hitting a Capitol Police officer with his fists.

Christensen made his first appearance in federal court on Monday afternoon.

The FBI listed photos and video of Christensen as "BOLO #191" in their campaign to track down rioters. Prosecutors say that Christensen was one of 10 assaults featured in FBI videos released in March, and the first to be arrested.

Within 100 days of the January 6 insurrection, authorities have arrested and charged over 400 people for crimes related to the breach 1 more than 100 for alleged assault or impeding law enforcement.
To BJ of Hazel Crest, Im almost positive you have never considered ever voting for someone other than a Democrat. The Democrats used to be the party of the working person but that is not the case anymore. People who were part of the riot on Jan. 6 were people who made up their own minds to show the world they were not happy. President Trump did not encourage them to do what they did. And, unfortunately what was reported was not totally correct but you will not hear the whole truth from our media because of Bidens radical socialist agenda.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Reflecting a significant improvement in consumers' assessment of current conditions, the Conference Board released a report on Tuesday showing U.S. consumer confidence reached its highest level since February of 2020 in the month of April.



The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index jumped to 121.7 in April after spiking to a revised 109.0 in March.



Economists had expected the consumer confidence index to rise to 112.0 from the 109.7 originally reported for the previous month.



The much bigger than expected increase by the headline index came as the present situation index soared to 139.6 in April from 110.1 in March.



The percentage of consumers claiming business conditions are 'good' rose to 23.3 percent from 18.3 percent, while the percentage claiming conditions are 'bad' fell to 24.8 percent from 30.1 percent.



Consumers' assessment of the labor market also improved, with those saying jobs are 'plentiful' surging up to 37.9 percent from 26.5 percent. The percentage claiming jobs are 'hard to get' also slid to 13.2 percent from 18.5 percent.



Meanwhile, the Conference Board said consumers' optimism about the short-term outlook held steady, with the expectations index inching up to 109.8 in April from 108.3 in March.



The percentage of consumers expecting business conditions to improve over the next six months crept up to 40.5 percent from 40.3 percent, while the percentage expecting conditions to worsen was relatively unchanged at 11.9 percent.



The outlook for the job market was slightly less upbeat, as consumers expecting more jobs in the months ahead dipped to 34.5 percent from 35.9 percent and those anticipating fewer jobs ticked up to 15.5 percent from 14.4 percent.



'Consumers' perception of a strengthening labor market bodes well for another robust non-farm payroll gain in April,' said Kathy Bostjancic, Chief US Financial Economist at Oxford Economics.



'However, the jobs-plentiful measure remains below its pre-pandemic level and underscores the labor market is still far from full employment,' she added. 'This helps keep the Fed in a very dovish stance.'



On Friday, the University of Michigan is scheduled to release its revised reading on consumer sentiment in the month of April.



The consumer sentiment index for April is currently expected to be upwardly revised to 87.5 from the preliminary reading of 86.5, which was up from 84.9 in March.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Oil prices edged higher in range-bound trading on Tuesday after OPEC and its allies projected a strong recovery in global oil demand this year. The upside was capped by growing concerns about fuel demand. Brent crude for July settlement rose 0.2 percent to $65.17 per barrel, while WTI crude futures for June settlement were up 0.2 percent at $62.05. OPEC and its allies led by Russia will meet today to discuss production policy as downside risks mount amid concerns about new coronavirus spikes in countries like India, Brazil and Japan. On Monday, OPEC+ kept its forecast for global oil demand growth for this year unchanged, projecting it to rise by 6 million barrels per day (bpd) for 2021 after the biggest ever fall of 9.5 million bpd due to the pandemic. The OPEC+ joint technical committee (JTC) is concerned about the growing coronavirus case numbers in some substantial oil importers, Reuters quoted sources as saying. India continues to report over 3 lakh new cases daily and more than 2000 deaths due to the virus, putting a strain on the medical infrastructure of the country. 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.
Singapore:

Singapore has the world's "most powerful" passport, according to a global ranking topped for the first time by an Asian country with India figuring at 75th position, three notches better than its previous ranking.



According to the Global Passport Power Rank 2017 by global financial advisory firm Arton Capital, Germany is ranked second, followed by Sweden and South Korea in third place.



Paraguay removed visa requirements for Singaporeans, propelling Singapores passport to the top of Passport Index most powerful ranking with a visa-free score of 159, the company statement said.



Historically, the top 10 most powerful passports in the world were mostly European, with Germany having the lead for the past two years. Since early 2017, the number one position was shared with Singapore, which was steadily going up, it said.



"For the first time ever an Asian country has the most powerful passport in the world. It is a testament of Singapores inclusive diplomatic relations and effective foreign policy," said Philippe May, managing director of Arton Capitals Singapore office.



India, which was listed 78th last year, has improved its ranking, figuring at 75th position with a visa-free score of 51.



Coming in at last place on the list is Afghanistan, ranked 94 with a score of 22, followed by Pakistan and Iraq at 93 with a score of 26, Syria at 92, having a score of 29 and Somalia at 91 with a score 34.



"Visa-free global mobility has become an important factor in todays world," said founder and president of Arton Capital Armand Arton at the recently held Global Citizen Forum in Montenegro.



"More and more people every year invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in a second passport to offer better opportunity and security for their families," Arton added.



While Singapore quietly climbed the ranks, the US passport has fallen down since President Donald Trump took office. Most recently Turkey and the Central African Republic revoked their visa-free status to US passport holders, the statement said.



Passport Index has become the most popular interactive online tool to display, sort and rank the worlds passports.



The index ranks national passports by the cross-border access they bring, assigning a "visa-free score" according to the number of countries a passport holder can visit visa-free or with visa on arrival.

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TORONTO - Torstar Corp. says CEO John Boynton has been appointed vice-chair as well as digital president for its holding company owner, NordStar Capital.

The Toronto Star building is shown in Toronto, Wednesday, June 8, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Eduardo Lima

TORONTO - Torstar Corp. says CEO John Boynton has been appointed vice-chair as well as digital president for its holding company owner, NordStar Capital.

The publisher of the Toronto Star as well as other daily and community newspapers says Boynton, president and CEO of Torstar since 2017, will work with NordStar co-owners Jordan Bitove and Paul Rivett on a number of digital growth initiatives.

Torstar says its chief investment officer, Lorenzo DeMarchi, takes over as CEO on an interim basis. He was chief financial officer of Torstar from 2009 to 2020.

Ian Oliver, president of Metroland and executive vice-president of Torstar, will become CEO and co-owner of a new group of companies based on Metroland Parcel Services and will report directly to the chair of NordStar.

Metroland Parcel Services was launched in November to provide final-mile delivery of parcels for major retail clients in Ontario.

Torstar says Pary Bell, senior vice-president of commercial products and sales operations, is the new president of Eyereturn Marketing, a provider of digital marketing solutions.

"We are excited to have John Boynton join us at NordStar," said Bitove. "From this new position, John will focus on NordStar's many current and future digital initiatives."

"Both Ian Oliver and Pary Bell have chosen to branch out as owners and operators," said Rivett. "We encourage their entrepreneurism and look forward to the creation of additional businesses."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2021.

Torstar holds an investment in The Canadian Press as part of a joint agreement with subsidiaries of the Globe and Mail and Montreal's La Presse.
HAMILTON, Bermuda, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Seadrill Limited ("Seadrill" or the "Company") (OSE:SDRL) (OTCQX:SDRLF) has secured a four year firm contract with four one year options, for the West Saturn drillship with Equinor Brasil Energia Ltda for work on the Bacalhau field in Brazil.

Total value for the firm portion of the contract is expected to be approximately $380 million (inclusive of mobilization, upgrades, and integrated services revenue) with a performance bonus providing meaningful incremental opportunity. The total contract value is contingent on the final investment decision by the partnership for Bacalhau. Commencement is expected in 1Q 2022.

The West Saturn has Seadrill's existing, bespoke, managed pressure drilling (MPD) system already installed and in conjunction with Equinor and our partners, will receive further upgrades and enhancements in safety, efficiency, and environmental control.

Human factor safety enhancements to red zone management will be automated through the use of our AI-enabled safety technology Vision IQ. The efficiency of the drillship will be further enhanced through Seadrill's Plato Performance solution, driving continuous improvement in repetitive drilling activities whilst delivering consistent process execution and optimization of the drilling program with improved safety.

In line with our efforts to reduce emissions, the fuel consumption of the West Saturn is expected to be reduced by between 10-15% with the introduction of a combined hydrogen and methanol injection system along with other energy efficiency upgrades. Emissions of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) are expected to reduce by between 10-15%, and Nitrous Oxide (NOx) by between 30-80%.

This award, in collaboration with Equinor and their partners, demonstrates our commitment to reducing our overall carbon footprint whilst setting the standard in drilling through industry leading technological upgrades.

Seadrill's Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Jackson commented, "This further broadening of our long-standing relationship with Equinor is a testament to the experience and consistent operational excellence of our team. The West Saturn's planned upgrades are a key development in Seadrill's innovation pipeline, as the adoption of new technologies will improve drilling efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint of Seadrill and our clients'."

About Seadrill

Seadrill is a leading offshore drilling contractor utilizing advanced technology to unlock oil and gas resources for clients across harsh and benign locations across the globe. Seadrill's high quality, technologically advanced fleet spans all asset classes allowing its experienced crews to conduct its operations from shallow to ultra-deep-water environments. The company operates 43 rigs, which includes drillships, jack-ups and semi-submersibles.

Seadrill is listed on the Oslo Brs and OTCQX. For more information, visit https://www.seadrill.com/

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes forward looking statements. Such statements are generally not historical in nature, and specifically include statements about the Company's plans, strategies, business prospects, changes and trends in its business, the markets in which it operates and its restructuring efforts. These statements are made based upon management's current plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risks described from time to time in the Company's regulatory filings and periodical reporting. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of these factors. Further, the Company cannot assess the impact of each such factor on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward looking statement.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

For further information, please contact:

[email protected]

020 3745 4960

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

SOURCE Seadrill Limited
Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who was recently shifted from a Punjab Jail to a highly-secured isolation barrack in the District Jail in Uttar Pradesh's Banda, has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA from Mau, Ansari along with other inmates were tested for the viral infection by jail authorities on Saturday after which Ansari's rapid antigen test report came positive.

Following this, Ansari's RTPCR test sample was collected which also came back positive.

According to jail authorities, The BSP MLA is not showing any symptoms of the infection and has been kept in isolation inside the jail.

UP Police on April 7 brought Ansari to Banda prison. He had spent over two years in Punjab prison.

According to the Police, around 52 cases are registered against Ansari in and other states

Earlier in February, the UP government accused the Punjab government in the Supreme Court, alleging that the latter (Punjab) was colluding with Ansari who is wanted in UP in relation to various criminal 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.)
US Representative Val Demings, Democrat from Florida and former chief of the Orlando Police Department, said the officer who fatally shot 16-year-old MaKhia Bryant last week in Columbus, Ohio responded as he was trained to do. In an interview with CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday, Demings recalled her 27 years as a cop, saying her time as police chief informed her perspective on the killing.

Val Demings, Official Portrait, 115th Congress (Source: Wikimedia)

Demings, an African American congresswoman who was vetted in 2020 as a potential Vice President for Joe Biden, echoed an argument often used to defend officers that use excessive force, stating police do not have the benefit of hindsight and must make split-second decisions.

Everybody has the benefit of slowing the video down and seizing the perfect moment. The officer on the street does not have that ability. He or she has to make those split-second decisions and theyre tough, Demings said.

But the limited information that I know in viewing the video, it appears that the officer responded as he was trained to do with the main thought of preventing a tragedy and a loss of life of the person who was about to be assaulted.

Demings was asked what she would say to police who believe they are being unfairly judged because of an increased focus on accountability. Demings said that when she speaks with officers, she reminds them to use compassion and remember their training.

The overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers in this nation are good people who go to work every day to protect those, protect and serve our communities. I remind them of that. Always stand on the right side, speak up and be professional and do the job that youre paid to do, she said.

Bryant, who was black, was shot four times by white Columbus police officer Nicholas Reardon last week, minutes before former police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty in the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In a video of the incident released by police, Bryant appears to be swinging a knife at another individual before Reardon fatally shoots her. Hazel Bryant, MaKhias aunt, told the Dispatch that her niece got into an altercation with someone else at the foster home she lived at.

Franklin County, where Bryant was killed, has one of the highest rates of police killings in America. From 2015 to 2020, police in the county killed 38 people, according to an analysis by The OHIO Alliance for Population Health. An average of 4.81 per million people were killed in Franklin County, the 18th highest rate of fatal police shootings in Americas 100 most populous counties. Columbus is the deadliest city in Ohio for police killings in the recent period, with 35 recorded fatalities since 2015.

Demings comments contain a grim truth: Reardon was following his training when he killed Bryant. Rather than being trained as peacekeepers that uphold the sanctity of life, police are groomed to shoot first and ask questions later. This is doubly true for Reardon, who is an active-duty US Air National Guardsmen trained as an expert marksman.

Chicago police officer Eric Stillman, who fatally shot 13-year-old Adam Toledo last month, also served in the US military. Before he became a police officer, Stillman joined the US Marines. His service included a deployment to Afghanistan. Stillmans attorney, Tim Grace, has also claimed that his client was following his training when he shot Toledo and consequently would not face criminal charges.

With the recent Chauvin conviction as a rare exception, the police are granted impunity to beat and kill. The police kill an average of 1,000 people every year in the USclaiming victims of every race and ethnicitywith the rate continuing at three deaths every day so far in 2021.

In Elizabeth City, North Carolina, authorities declared a state of emergency Monday as the local sheriffs office is expected to release body camera footage from the killing of Andrew Brown Jr., a 42-year-old black man, last Wednesday in his driveway.

It seems likely that the video and audio footage will be released in the very near future. In order to ensure the safety of our citizens and their property, City officials realize there may be a potential period of unrest within the City following the public release of the footage, a city proclamation read.

City police also announced road closures surrounding the county courthouse and sheriffs office, stating the streets were closed for citizens exercising their constitutional right to a peaceful protest.

According to the Pasquotank County Sheriffs office, Brown was fatally shot by deputies after they attempted to serve him with an arrest warrant for drug-related charges.

An eyewitness said deputies fired at Brown when he tried to drive away, and a car police removed from the scene had multiple bullet holes and its back windshield shattered. Since then, peaceful protests throughout the city of 18,000 residents have called for officials to release the police body camera video of the shooting. Seven sheriff's deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave.

Attorneys for the Brown family viewed body camera footage Monday and said deputies shot Brown in the back of the head when he had his hands on his steering wheel. Attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter said Brown was not a threat to officers as he tried to back out of his driveway and described the killing as an execution.

There was no time in the 20 seconds that we saw where he was threatening the officers in any kind of way, she said at a news conference.

Lassiter said deputies were already shooting and shouting let me see your hands when the short clip started. She said she counted as many as eight deputies in the footage, some wearing tactical uniforms and some in plainclothes, all armed with rifles and handguns.

Attorney Harry Daniels stated the video shows deputies shot Brown while he was sitting in his car in his driveway and drove away after officers started shooting at him. When asked if Brown was shot in the back, Daniels said he was shot in the back of the head.

The familys lawyers told reporters Pasquotank County Attorney R. Michael Cox treated them rudely and criticized his decision to only share 20 seconds of video from a single body camera. Browns family has demanded the county released all footage related to the killing.
As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offered on Tuesday new guidance about when masks should be worn outdoors, people across the United States are living under an often confusing patchwork of limits, one that could continue for some time.

Before the C.D.C.s changes on Tuesday, 25 states had some form of statewide mask mandate, as did the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, according to a New York Times tracker of coronavirus restrictions across the country. In 24 other states there was no statewide mask mandate, while in Colorado masks could be required depending upon the number of cases diagnosed in a county.

But even within a state, mask mandates can vary based upon county or city. Kansas has no statewide mask mandates, but a number of cities and counties have their own orders. In Colorado, masks must always be worn in specific indoor locations  like schools, hospitals and government buildings  but in some counties with a high rate of new cases, they must also be worn in all public indoor settings with 10 or more people.

After the C.D.C.s announcement on Tuesday, a handful of governors said they would relax their outdoor mask mandates. In Massachusetts, masks wont be required unless it is not possible to social distance. Maine recommends wearing a mask outdoors when its difficult to stay distanced, and Gov. Gavin Newsom of California said on Tuesday that if youre fully vaccinated, outdoors and not in a large crowd  you do not need to wear a mask.
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The Lagos State Government says it is completing modalities for the award of contract for the Fourth Mainland Bridge.

The government gave an assurance on Tuesday that by December, the reserved and preferred bidders would be known.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olus Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Aramide Adeyoye, made the disclosure during a ministerial press briefing to mark the second anniversary of the Sanwo-Olu administration.

Mrs Adeyoye said the government was transparent to ensure investor confidence in adopting private sector partnerships to ensure that the project would take off smoothly.

She said that in February, 32 firms were shortlisted, adding that bids of 10 applicants were currently being evaluated.

The official said that names of successful pre-qualified bidders would soon be announced.

She said that technical and legal issues: right of way recovery and compensations for property, were being addressed to ensure seamless take-off.

She listed the different stages for selecting the different categories of bidders, assuring that the project would be awarded for take-off by November and December.

By December, we should be able to come to close on the reserved and preferred bidders.

By the grace of God, there is no reason we should not get financial closure by the end of the year so that you know who the preferred bidder is and the reserved bidder.

All the technical studies such as geological surveys, biometric surveys and enumerations have all been done in the data room, she said.

On dilapidated roads on Gowon Estate in Alimosho Local Government Area and some other government estates, she said that road rehabilitation had been a continuous project of Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC).

She said the state government had a package where private estates could pay a token for the LSPWC to repair their roads to ensure smooth motoring experience across the state.

She said the infrastructure gap was a global phenomenon but Lagos State Government was doing its best to bridge the deficit.

Meanwhile, the General Manager of the LSPWC, Olufemi Daramola, gave statistics of government/public estate roads that had been rehabilitated in 2021.

Williams Estate has just recently been completed, Santos Estate and other estates in Alimosho would be touched, he said.

(NAN)
Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, say goodbye to law and order Joe.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Two months on from the winter freeze that paralyzed Texas and sent electricity and gas prices soaring, another big winner has emerged.

BP said Tuesday its gas trading unit had an exceptional first quarter, helping to drive profit well above pre-pandemic levels. While executives didnt spell it out, all signs point to large gains from the frigid weather in Texas.

It was a very exceptional quarter in gas trading, Chief Executive Officer Bernard Looney said in an interview. We were well-positioned for colder-than-normal weather in the U.S., as well as in Asia.

The London-based oil major doesnt disclose trading results, but its quarterly earnings suggest the gas and power unit easily topped $1 billion, according to Citigroup Inc. analyst Alastair Syme. Although not mentioned by name, we think positioning around the February storm in Texas -- Storm Uri -- has been the biggest driver of these gains.

During one of the most remarkable weeks in the markets history, BP, the biggest physical gas supplier in the U.S., took advantage of prices that skyrocketed 300-fold in some areas.

The next-biggest supplier, Macquarie Group Ltd., also enjoyed a windfall from gas and power price swings, pocketing $210 million. Other companies to profit included pipeline operator Kinder Morgan, which reported a $1 billion gain, and more may emerge as earnings season progresses.

Yet among BPs oil peers, some have already flagged that their results will suffer from the deep freeze. Royal Dutch Shell has warned its adjusted earnings will take a hit of about $200 million, while Exxon Mobil expects profit to be curtailed by as much as $800 million.

BP benefits from having one of the largest in-house trading units in the industry. Last year, the company offered a glimpse into just how profitable the secretive trading operation is: it boosts returns on average capital employed by around 2 percentage points, suggesting it brings in as much as $2.5 billion a year.

On Tuesday, BPs executives batted away repeated questions from analysts calling for more details on the scale of the trading wins.

I dont really want to give up commercial advantage, Chief Financial Officer Murray Auchincloss said. I dont think Im going to go any further in describing what we do commercially. Its just not helpful to our traders.
Man cited after multivehicle crash

POTTSVILLE  Pottsville police investigated a crash that happened at Mill Creek Avenue and Route 61 around 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Police said Cpl. Brian Reno determined that Richard Barskey, 30, of Minersville, was driving a 2011 Ford Escape north on Route 61 and made a left turn onto Mill Creek Avenue and collided with a 2013 Hyundai Velostar being driven south on Route 61 by a 24-year-old Pottsville man.

The initial collision caused the Hyundai to hit a Chevrolet Traverse that was stopped on Mill Creek Avenue facing east, pushing that vehicle into a 2009 Hyundai Sonata driven by 28-year-old Pottsville woman, who was also stopped.

Police said Barskeys SUV and the Velostar began smoking from the engine compartments, resulting in Pottsville firefighters being called to assist.

Barskey and two passengers in his vehicle, the 28-year-old Pottsville woman and her passenger, and the 24-year-old Pottsville man and his passenger all escaped injury.

Police said Barskey and a 13-year-old passenger also escaped injury while another 13-year-old was treated by Schuylkill EMS and then taken to a hospital for additional treatment.

All three vehicles were towed from the scene and, police said, Reno will be citing Barskey for a left hand turn violation as a result of the crash.

Woman says BB shot through windowPINE GROVE  State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a criminal mischief incident that happened at 3725 Sweet Arrow Lake Road in Washington Township between 7:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 p.m. Friday.

Police said a Pine Grove woman reported someone shot a BB through her front bay window and then fled the area.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-754-4600.

Police investigate broken door

TREMONT  An attempted burglary that happened on West Laurel Street between 5 and 5:30 a.m. Saturday is being investigated by state police at Schuylkill Haven.

Police said someone broke the door latch on a residence but did not enter and subsequently fled the area.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-754-4600.

Police: Scrap metal stolen in Pine GrovePINE GROVE  A theft of scrap metal from the Pilot Travel Center in Pine Grove Township that happened between 2 and 8 p.m. Friday is being investigated by state police at Schuylkill Haven.

Police said someone accessed a private junk and scrap metal storage area and stole a black mini refrigerator, dryer pieces and an ice maker valued at about $10.

All of the items were broken, inoperable or in pieces, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Schuylkill Haven at 570-754-4600.

Man: $3,000 shed stolen from propertyMOUNT CARBON  State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a reported theft that happened on South Centre Street between 4:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. April 2.

Police said a 51-year-old Pottsville man reported a 12-foot by 20-foot storage shed valued at about $3,000 was taken from his property.

The investigation revealed the issue is a civil matter between the property owner and a family member tenant of the property, police said.

Woman not injured after striking deer

SUMMIT STATION  A Schuylkill Haven woman escaped injury when the vehicle she was driving struck a deer on Route 183, just north of Blue Mountain Heights in Wayne Township, around 8:25 p.m. April 8.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Mandy Bixler, 39, was driving a 2018 Subaru Legacy south in the right lane when a deer entered the roadway and into her path.

Police said Bixler attempted to avoid hitting the deer but was unable to and hit it, causing disabling damage to her vehicle.

Police seeking runaway teens

HAMBURG  State police at Hamburg are investigating the disappearance of two 15-year-olds that happened around 5:35 p.m. Sunday.

Police said the teens, a Bernville girl and a Gilbertsville boy, ran away from a home at 348 Bloody Spring Road in Upper Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, possibly traveling on foot to Wyomissing.

The girl, Hailey Waller, was last seen wearing a gray Penn State hoodie, black leggings and black sneakers. The boy, Chase Toscano, was last seen wearing a gray hoodie, a black T-shirt with a Texas Longhorns logo, bluejeans and brown boots.

Toscano also has his hair dyed bright red, police said.

Anyone with information on the teens is asked to call state police at Hamburg at 610-562-6885.
Gunmen killed at least five officers in Nigeria's southeastern Imo state, according to police and witnesses, the latest casualties in a wave of attacks targeting security forces in the region

Abuja, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Apr, 2021 ) :Gunmen killed at least five officers in Nigeria's southeastern Imo state, according to police and witnesses, the latest casualties in a wave of attacks targeting security forces in the region.

Tensions were high in the state capital, Owerri, where gunmen clashed with security forces late on Monday just hours after the attack on the police station in the nearby city of Okigwe.

"I can confirm an attack on Okigwe South Area Command Headquarters by yet to be identified gunmen, five officers have been killed, while one is yet to be accounted for," police spokesman Orlando Ikokwu told AFP late Monday.

Eye witnesses said six were killed in the attack.

"Around evening time on Monday, we saw some people in a bus approach the police station, shoot the gate open, and killing all the six officials who tried to resist them," said Festus Okoye.

Another resident, Ugochukwu Amaraizu, had a similar account.

"People started running for their safety. I think they killed six police officers.

I think I saw them leaving with one person from the cell." Dozens of security personnel have been killed and police stations burnt in a wave of assaults by gunmen in the region.

In Owerri, gunmen clashed wish security forces late on Monday.

"There were gunshots... last night, but we are still investigating the matter," Ikwoku said, without confirming any casualties.

Three eye witnesses told AFP there was a face-off in Owerri between gunmen and security forces.

In Port Harcourt, in nearby Rivers state, five security officers including two soldiers were killed at the weekend by suspected IPOB separatists.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has not responded to the claim, is an outlawed movement that wants an independent state of Biafra for the Igbo people, indigenous of southeast Nigeria.

Separatist calls are a sensitive subject in Nigeria, after a unilateral declaration of independence in 1967 sparked a brutal 30-month civil war.

More than one million people, mostly Igbo, were killed in the war.
Restaurants to drop off the list since then include Arami, True Food Kitchen, Fat Rice (which is closed, but says on its website it has new things in the works), TWO (which appears to be closed and whose phone has been disconnected) and Pacific Standard Time and Passerotto (which have announced permanent closures).
The U.S. State Department has said a vote by the Moldovan parliament to dismiss the head of the Constitutional Court was a "blatant attack on Moldova's democratic norms and its constitutional order."

The State Department said in a statement that parliaments targeting of the Constitutional Court, "which only recently asserted its independence after years of state capture," was of particular concern.

It also said parliament's vote on April 23 was an attempt to replace Constitutional Court President Domnica Manole with a candidate of its own choosing.

The vote came after the court backed a call by President Maia Sandu to dissolve parliament, paving the way for early elections.

It appears likely to complicate a standoff between Sandu and a parliament still dominated by lawmakers aligned with her pro-Russian predecessor.

Sandu, who came to office in November on a pro-European Union ticket, has accused the Socialist-dominated parliament of sabotaging her reform agenda and repeatedly pushed for snap elections in order to acquire a working majority in the 101-seat legislature.

"We urge Moldova's leaders and representatives to respect the rule of law, safeguard its democratic institutions, and work together to resolve the challenges facing the country, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic," the statement said.

The EU earlier said the vote was an attack on Moldova's constitutional order.

The nonbinding vote to remove Manole must be agreed by the court itself.

Based on reporting by Reuters
Arlene Foster could face a DUP leadership challenge amid growing internal party unrest over her handling of Brexit.

Sky News reported that three quarters of the DUP's Northern Ireland Assembly members had signed a letter calling for a leadership contest.

Meanwhile, the BBC also said DUP assembly members were being asked to sign a letter of no confidence in her leadership.

It came after the First Minister of Northern Ireland had earlier today dismissed suggestions that her leadership of the party was in peril.

She said that 'these stories come up from time to time' and she intended to 'deal with it and move on'.

The DUP has now responded to the reports that a significant number of elected representatives have signed a letter of no confidence in Mrs Foster.

The party said its internal democratic electoral processes were a matter for its members and declined to make further public comment on Mrs Foster's future.

Arlene Foster could face a DUP leadership challenge amid growing internal party unrest over her handling of Brexit. Mrs Foster is pictured during a visit to a youth centre in Belfast today

'The Democratic Unionist Party conducts its business in accordance with its constitution and rules,' the party said in a statement.

'The Officers of the Party oversee the conduct and organisation of its internal democratic electoral processes.

'Whilst understanding that there will be from time-to-time public interest in party processes, these issues, in the first instance, are matters for members of the party and we are not able to make any further comment at this time.'

There has been growing discontent among DUP members about Mrs Foster's leadership in recent months.

The primary source of their concern is her handling of the Brexit process.

The DUP is facing anger from the wider loyalist and unionist community over the rollout of the Northern Ireland Protocol which critics argue has created an economic and trade border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Critics have accused Mrs Foster of failing to use the party's influence in Westminster  particularly during its confidence and supply deal with the Conservatives  to secure a Brexit deal that saw Northern Ireland leave the EU on the same terms as the rest of the UK.

Poor polling numbers have exacerbated the discontent among the party faithful.

Responding to reports of internal party unrest, Mrs Foster said: 'Stories on leadership come up from time to time, and it's one of those times.

'So we'll just deal with it and move on because I've bigger things to do, including getting us through this Covid pandemic, including listening to the concerns of working-class communities.

'These stories come up from time to time. This is no different.

'I haven't received any letters from constituency associations so I'm not going to get into a running commentary on these issues, they come up from time to time. I think it's important to note that there is the big job of work to do. We have a year left of this mandate.

'It's important that we lift our eyes and continue the work of rolling out of the restrictions, deal with the Northern Ireland Protocol.'
A Bay Area patient of unknown age is the first man to develop a rare, dangerous blood clot after getting the Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine.

It comes just two days after U.S. regulators lifted an 11-day pause that was placed on the shot amid fears it might the potentially life-threatening blood clots coupled with a low platelet count condition reported in 15 people.

However, all of those cases were in women. The San Francisco area man is the first male to develop the condition. No details of his age or exact residency were disclosed.

One of his physicians told the San Francisco Chronicle that the man is 'doing beautifully,' and expects him to leave the hospital within a few days.

If confirmed by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the man will be the sixteenth U.S. case of a condition referred to as TTS, out of more than eight million people who have gotten the shot.

The addition of the San Francisco man would bump up the national incidence of these clots only slightly, to two per every million in the overall population.

Last week, an advisory committee recommended that the pause on J&J's vaccine be lifted without issue a warning specific to women or young women or placing an age restriction on who should get the one-dose vaccine.

A patient at University of California, San Francisco has become the first man to develop a rare form of blood clot after getting J&J's vaccine. He is hospitalized and doing well, but his appears to be the same kind of clot that led US regulators to pause the rollout of the vaccine, which resumed just two days ago

Four members of the 15-person panel voted against this unrestricted reauthorization of the J&J shot because rates of the rare clotting condition appeared so much higher among women, and could pose very real risks.

During clinical trials, for J&J's shot, one young man developed a blood clot, but his was ruled to be a separate issue, not involving the same low platelet counts.

Outside trials, 15 women developed the likely vaccine-linked condition. Three have died of the condition.

However, the San Francisco patient is confirmation that the clotting condition is not unique two women, but remains rare.

He received the J&J shot on April 8 - before the FDA and CDC jointly issued a pause on it on April 13.

Eight days after getting the one-dose shot, on April 16, the man developed lower back and leg pain that only got worse with time.

When he got to the University of California, San Francisco's hospital, his blood work revealed telltale low levels of platelets combined with high levels of fibrinogen, a clotting factor made by the liver - hallmarks of a condition known as thrombocytopenia seen in the other 15 patients.

Scientists aren't sure exactly why a rare few people develop this sequence of events after vaccination with J&J shot - it appears to be the same progression as happens after vaccination with AstraZeneca's vaccine in rare case - but it does appear to be triggered by the shot.

Prior to the UCSF man, no men had developed TTS during the rollout. That makes the rate of the rare but dangerous reaction about seven per million for women under 50, and less than one in a million for women 50 or older

Six out of fifteen women who developed blood clots with low platelet counts (known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome) were between ages 34 and 40. All were women

But the current theory is that in a very, very few people, the shot triggers an antibody that attacks a protein in platelets, a part of the blood involved in clotting when you get a cut or develop internal bleeding.

As platelets drop, fibrinogen - a second clotting factor - spikes, trying to make up the deficit.

However, there isn't actually a wound that needs clotting, so blood clots form instead.

For three women who developed this complex and rare form of clot, the condition proved fatal. At the time of Friday's regulatory review, seven of them were still hospitalized.

But fortunately for the San Francisco man, it does not appear the condition will be life threatening.

'I would expect him to leave the hospital in the next few days,' Dr Andrew Leavitt, a hematologist who supervised the care of the UCSF patient told the San Francisco Chronicle.

'I saw him today, and he was doing beautifully. When I saw him he was in good spirits chatting with his dad.'

Dr Leavitt plans to document the UCSF patient as a case study in an effort to discover why these clots happen in a rare few vaccine recipients.

Despite treating a patient who developed the rare clot condition, Dr Leavitt said he was pleased that health regulators had lifted the pause on J&J's vaccine.

The patient remains unidentified, and not statement from his was included by the hospital, which did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.
Romania ranks second to last in the European Union (EU) in terms of the gender equality index, with 54.4 points out of 100, President of the Romanian Senate, Anca Dragu said in an online conference on Tuesday, reports agerpres.

"We have a lot to say about gender equality and we have to look in terms of the surrounding countries, the European Union, the wide world. If we make more comparisons we will do better in some areas, less well in others. Indeed, the European Union as a whole is on the economic and social axis the most advanced in terms of gender equality, but within the Union things are quite different. I was looking at the gender equality index for 2020 where out of 100 Romania has a little more than half, 54.4 points, and we are in the penultimate place, followed by Hungary and Greece. The European average is 68 points, so, much higher. We have made progress in gender equality in 2020, compared to 2010, with an increase of more than four points, but we still have a lot to do to reach our neighbours. Of course, the most advanced countries are Sweden, Denmark, France. In fact, France has made great progress compared to 2010. In 2015, they had specific legislation for gender equality, including the feminization of certain functions," said Dragu.

She mentioned that she hopes that the feminization of trades in Romania will become a normal thing at some point.Dragu emphasized that women do not go to the political zone, because "they are not very welcome" and because "there is a mentality that we have to fight with."Future Energy Leaders (FEL) Romania, the youth program of the Romanian National Committee of the World Energy Council organizes on Tuesday the conference on "Women in Energy: gender diversity in the energy sector."
Experts warn Australia must use the next three weeks without flights from India to reset the fragmented national hotel quarantine program and acknowledge that airborne transmission between rooms is a risk.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Australia would pause all direct flights from India until May 15 as that country grapples with a wave of COVID-19 cases. Australia will also urgently send millions of pieces of personal protective equipment and 500 non-invasive ventilators to India, as well as 100 oxygen concentrators, tanks and consumables.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne announce a pause on direct flights from India to Australia. Credit:Rhett Wyman

The decision to temporarily stop flights was based on health advice prompted by an increase in the number of coronavirus cases among people in hotel quarantine and the high proportion of those originating in India. In the past week, the number of quarantine cases jumped from 90 to 143.

In the Howard Springs facility in the Northern Territory, where people on repatriation flights are quarantining, 95 per cent of cases are among arrivals from India. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates India will hit a peak of 13,300 deaths a day in mid-May, when Australia is due to re-evaluate the flight ban.
President Moon Jae-in poses with Novavax CEO Stanley Erck during the latter's visit to Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps





By Kang Seung-woo







President Moon Jae-in met Novavax CEO Stanley Erck, Tuesday, to discuss vaccine cooperation between Korea and the U.S. biotechnology company, including the supply of its coronavirus vaccine here and the expansion of their vaccine production partnership, according to Cheong Wa Dae.







Their in-person meeting at Moon's office came three months after the two held a video conversation in January, during which they agreed to produce 40 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine for the nation through Korean contract manufacturer SK Bioscience.







The meeting also comes as the Korean government is going all out to secure as many vaccines as possible amid mounting concerns over supply challenges and slow progress of the vaccination program in the wake of the fourth coronavirus wave.







"Korean people have high hopes for the Novavax vaccine as it showed solid immunological effects in clinical trials  in particular against the U.K. and South African coronavirus variants," Moon said during the meeting.







The President also said the vaccine carried extra significance given that it will be manufactured locally, pledging the nation's full support for uninterrupted production including securing raw materials for vaccines and an early use of the vaccine.







According to presidential spokeswoman Park Kyung-mee, President Moon told Erck that the government will set up a team in charge of assessing the Novavax vaccine at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for rapid approval of the vaccine.






Storm Lola will continue to wage war on the south coast of Spain in the next few hours this Tuesday, 27 April.

After leaving a trail of destruction in coastal areas at the weekend, a yellow weather warning remained in place for the Antequera and Ronda regions on Monday.

And this Tuesday, Spains State Meteorology Agency, Aemet, has extended the warning for heavy rain to the Costa del Sol, Axarquia and Valle del Guadalhorce areas so it now covers the entire province. The yellow alert will remain active until 8pm in most areas and 9pm in the Axarquia.

Accumulated rainfall of 20mm in an hour is expected in the Costa del Sol, Guadalhorce, Axarquia, Antequera and Ronda areas. And up to 40mm in 12 hours on the Costa del Sol, Guadalhorce and Axarquia, explains the weather expert Jose Luis Escudero in his SUR blog 'Storms and Lightning. "The storm will affect Malaga province to a greater extent, leaving heavier rain than these past days," he says.

Aemet has said the probability of rain is 100 per cent, which could be accompanied by storms on a day in which temperatures will rise.

The likelihood of rain falls on Wednesday and Thursday with a probability of 50 per cent and 35 per cent respectively.

The picture will tend to improve from Friday and the weekend.
[April 27, 2021] Cambridge Savings Bank's Waltham Office Named First Platinum WELL v2 Pilot Certified Project in New England

Cambridge Savings Bank (CSB), a full-service mutual bank with a customer-first approach and more than $5 billion in assets, today celebrates that its operations center located in Waltham, MA, is now the first building in New England to earn Platinum level certification by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI); the most prestigious designation given by the IWBI. The WELL Building Standard (WELL) is a global benchmark for advancing and certifying health and well-being in buildings. The operations center also achieved LEED Platinum certification for Core and Shell by the U.S. Green Building Council in July 2020. CSB is the first financial institution to earn both designations. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005285/en/ Movement, Mind and Community were the three characteristics of 81 Wyman Street in which the CSB facility excelled and achieved high-performance scores from the IWBI. (Photo: Business Wire) Located at 81 Wyman Street in Waltham, the newly renovated, three-story, 76,000 square-foot office building houses 350 CSB employees, including its executive team and operations staff. A people-first organization, CSB is focused on creating and maintaining an environment that promotes social and emotional well-being of employees, team communication and collaboration, and culture-building and connectedness. "We are excited to come back together in person when we are able to safely do so; there is a creative and collaborative energy in this environment that elevates diversity of thought and execution," said Wayne Patenaude, President and CEO at CSB. "Earning WELL v2 pilot Platinum certification is a high honor, and I'm very thankful to all of our local partners for their hard work to design and outfit our offices into a place that the CSB team loves calling home."



The Waltham operations center is designed by CSB client and Cambridge-based architecture, engineering, and interior design firm Symmes, Maini & McKee Associates, Inc. (SMMA). The entire project team behind CSB's operations center renovations consisted of local firms, consistent with CSB's ethos of supporting local communities. Contributing companies included: Adtech Systems (AV Solutions) - Outfitted the facility's conference rooms and event space with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and sound masking systems to provide the technology needed for seamless team collaboration.

- Outfitted the facility's conference rooms and event space with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and sound masking systems to provide the technology needed for seamless team collaboration. Healthy Buildings (Performance Verification) - Consulted on best practices for providing a healthy building environment for CSB employees.

- Consulted on best practices for providing a healthy building environment for CSB employees. Metro Sign & Awning (Commercial Signage) - Created custom exterior signage as well as fabrication and installation of interior graphics to reinforce CSB's corporate identity.

- Created custom exterior signage as well as fabrication and installation of interior graphics to reinforce CSB's corporate identity. Union Office Interiors (Workplace Architecture) - Supplied and installed office furniture, workstations, collaboration areas, and moveable office partitions to create a comfortable workspace for employees.

- Supplied and installed office furniture, workstations, collaboration areas, and moveable office partitions to create a comfortable workspace for employees. The Green Engineer (Sustainable Design) - Served as the WELL consultant to ensure the project team met IWBI qualifications and appropriate deadlines. "Working with CSB is a designer's dream," said Sarah Sopelak, NCIDQ, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C, Interior Designer, SMMA. "WELL v2 pilot Platinum certification is a huge achievement and represents the cultural values of our client, their forward thinking, and the responsibility they have demonstrated to their people and community at large. Environments like CSB's new Waltham space prioritize the health, safety and well-being of their employees. In combination with providing these beautiful and highly functional spaces, it represents the future of workplace design and planning."

Movement, Mind and Community were the three characteristics of 81 Wyman Street in which the CSB facility excelled and achieved high-performance scores from the IWBI. Key building concepts included a central staircase that is aesthetically designed with access to daylight, enhanced air quality and air filtration systems, a modern fitness center and yoga studio, restorative spaces for employees to take breaks and practice mindfulness, designated eating spaces featuring nutrition consultants, an outdoor patio located off the central stairway, and comfortable amenities for new mother support. CSB is committed to making investments into its facilities to improve employee well-being and making a positive impact on its communities. To learn more about CSB's culture, employee benefits and career opportunities, please visit cambridgesavings.com/careers. About Cambridge Savings Bank Cambridge Savings Bank is a full-service banking institution with over $5 billion in assets. As a mutual bank, CSB is committed to improving the quality of life of our employees, customers and the communities we serve. One of the oldest and largest community banks in Massachusetts, Cambridge Savings Bank offers a full line of individual and business banking services across a robust Massachusetts-based branch network and through digital banking solutions for commercial, small business and consumer customers. To learn more about how we can meet your needs, visit us at cambridgesavings.com, or better yet, come meet us to help you make the most out of your banking relationship. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005285/en/

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Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers has imposed curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. at all entry and exit points with neighbouring states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Imo.

Mr Wike announced in a state broadcast on Tuesday that the curfew, which will take effect from Wednesday night, was necessitated by recent security breaches and deadly attacks.

The Government of Rivers State has decided to restrict night movements in and out of the state from the land borders of the state.

Consequently, a night curfew is hereby imposed and no person or vehicle is allowed in and out of Rivers State from 8.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. from Wednesday, 28 April until further notice.

We wish to advise that those who have any legitimate need or reason to come into or go out of the state must do so before 8.00 p.m. when the curfew shall come into force daily, the governor said.

He stated that security agencies had been posted to monitor and enforce strict compliance with the curfew at all borders, entry and exit points with Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Imo states.

He said on April 24, innocent officers of Customs, Police and Civil Defence on duty along the Port Harcourt  Owerri expressway were ambushed and gruesomely murdered in cold blood by armed attackers.

Similarly on Sunday, the state witnessed another deadly attack and killing of officers and men of the Nigerian Army right at Abua town in Abua Odual Local Government Area, he said.

Mr Wike stated that the security agencies were investigating these attacks with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice, adding that nobody knew where and when the next attack would take place.

Neither do we also know the motives of the deranged characters or groups behind these senseless assaults on our state and the lives of security operatives working to keep us safe and secure.

However, what is obvious is that the attackers and their sponsors are people who came from outside Rivers State.

As a government, we are determined to doing everything within our powers to prevent re-occurrence of such murderous acts aimed at creating an atmosphere of gross insecurity and panic among citizens.

In view of its implications on the security of the state and citizens, and in discharge of our constitutional responsibility, the government has decided to impose restrictions.

ALSO READ: Wike condemns attack on security personnel in Rivers

The restrictions would affect movements into and out of the state from the land borders of the state, he said.

The governor urged all citizens of the state to be vigilant and report every useful intelligence or suspicious movements to the security agencies for immediate action.

He also advised the people to understand that these are strange times and nothing could be more paramount than their collective safety and security.

Several police officers and other security officials have been killed lately in what appeared to be a coordinated attack against security agencies in Nigerias South-east and South-south regions.

Two days ago, some gunmen suspected to be IPOB, a pro-Biafra group that has been proscribed by the Nigerian government, attacked the country home of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.

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The South-east governors and other leaders hurriedly called a meeting to discuss the security challenges in the region after the attack on Mr Uzodinmas home which was partly set ablaze.

(NAN)
The US decision to pull out of its longest war is an admission of the wars hopelessness. Announcing the end to 20 years of allied occupation of Afghanistan, Joe Biden said as much himself: We went to Afghanistan because of a horrific attack that happened 20 years ago. That cannot explain why we should remain there in 2021.

So why should the US and its allies remain? Not sure, really, the US President suggested: We delivered justice to bin Laden a decade ago, and weve stayed in Afghanistan for a decade since. Since then, our reasons for remaining in Afghanistan are becoming increasingly unclear, even as the terrorist threat that we went to fight evolved.

The US switches its military resources to the Indo-Pacific to prepare for any potential conflict with China. Credit:AP

So what was everyone waiting for? We cannot continue the cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan, hoping to create ideal conditions for the withdrawal, and expecting a different result.

Putting it all together: We dont really know why were in Afghanistan; its not going to get any better; so we may as well leave now. This amounted to a thoroughgoing admission of strategic pointlessness after the deaths of more than 3500 coalition troops including 41 Australians, an estimated 100,000 Afghans and a total bill of well over $US2 trillion.
Opalesque Industry Update - Neuberger Berman, a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager, has announced that the NB Private Equity Impact Fund held its final close with nearly $280 million of commitments. The successful fundraise demonstrates the growth of Neuberger Berman's private equity impact investment strategy and the manager's active role in the market. Neuberger Berman manages $429 billion in AUM with over $96 billion of committed capital to private markets. The Impact Fund primarily invests in direct and fund investments that seek to achieve positive social and environmental outcomes that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and that also meet NB Private Equity's traditional underwriting standards. The Fund invests in opportunities that are aligned with broader investment themes such as improving health outcomes, addressing climate change and energy needs, and improving sustainable growth and employment. Dominique Drenckhahn, Principal at Neuberger Berman noted, "The Fund structure is designed to access best-in-class impact investments. The direct investments help increase overall capital efficiency and mitigate the J-curve. We seek to mitigate risk through diverse exposure to top-tier managers and companies. Additionally, we track and share the Fund's impact metrics with our Limited Partners." As of March 31, 2021, the Impact Fund has committed $132 million to direct investments (co-investments), primary fund commitments and secondary transactions; each representing a compelling impact and investment thesis. Investments include market-leading businesses that we believe have sound capital structures and that are generally focused on essential products and services that contribute to social and environmental solutions and therefore are less cyclical than the broader market. Examples include a point of use water filtration and dispenser company that is displacing plastic water bottles, a next generation broadband technology platform and an online tutoring solution that delivers both high-quality and affordable tutoring to K-12 students. The Fund will be deployed by a global team of over 60 investment professionals. Additionally, ~35% of the Fund's senior leadership team is comprised of women and underrepresented minority backgrounds, bringing a perspective uncommon in the industry. Jennifer Signori, Managing Director at Neuberger Berman stated, "We believe that the Impact Fund's focus on more essential products and services has enabled the portfolio to perform even during market turmoil. We benefit from the scale and strength of the Neuberger Berman Private Equity platform and invest selectively as we look to make a positive impact with our capital." ESG investing is core to Neuberger Berman and the firm builds upon this commitment with sustainable and impact investing solutions in partnership with clients. Neuberger Berman's commitment to ESG investing is reflected in the firm's A+ rating for 2018, 2019 and 2020 PRI Assessment Report on ESG Strategy & Governance as well as Private Equity (most recent assessment). The firm was named to the 2020 PRI Leaders Group, a designation awarded to fewer than 1% of investment firms for excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices). The Impact Fund is backed by a global investor base that includes public and private pension plans, insurance companies and other financial institutions, endowments, foundations and family offices. Investors are represented across a broad geographic range including North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Maura Reilly Kennedy, Managing Director at Neuberger Berman stated "We are honored to partner with world-class investors across geographies who share our vision that one can create real and lasting value by investing in companies that seek to provide solutions for the world's most pressing needs."
[April 27, 2021] Sift Streamlines Platform to Protect Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source Merchants Against the Fraud Economy

SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sift , the leader in Digital Trust & Safety, today announced several new enhancements to its Digital Trust & Safety Suite that allow Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source merchants to confidently grow their e-commerce businesses with improved protection against payment fraud and account takeover (ATO). Building on the Sift extension currently available in the Magento Marketplace, new Workflows Replay, Security Notifications, and Chargeback Management integrations enable merchants to optimize operations, minimize losses, and maximize revenue.

Fraudsters are capitalizing on the explosive growth of digital commerce in the wake of COVID-19, leveraging both new and proven tactics to extract, sell, and use payment information to steal from merchants and consumers. This vast, crowded, and interconnected network is known as the Fraud Economy, and its impact on businesses and their customers is staggering .



Yet fraud teams are often stretched thin, with limited resources, disparate systems and technologies, and ineffective operations, leaving massive blind spots in their fraud monitoring and prevention approachesand revealing opportunities for fraudsters to attack. Sifts new capabilities provide merchants using Sifts Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source extension with higher levels of accuracy, automation, and orchetration required to mitigate risk and drive revenue.



At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, online merchants were already facing an array of threats from bad actors looking to steal from them, said Geoff Huang, VP of Product at Sift. Now, amid the e-commerce boom, the Fraud Economy has become more robust and sophisticated. The new capabilities in Sifts Digital Trust & Safety Suite provide Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source merchants with the visibility and control they need to prevent fraud and enable growth. New features include:



Workflows Replay: Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source merchants can easily visualize the effectiveness and impact of business logic to make more informed decisions. Without needing to leave Workflows in the Sift Console, users gain the visibility required to ensure accurate automation stops fraud, minimizes unnecessary manual review, and reduces friction to increase conversions. Later this year, analysts will also be able to test hypothetical changes, comparing the impact of those changes against historical data before modifying a live workflow.





Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source merchants can easily visualize the effectiveness and impact of business logic to make more informed decisions. Without needing to leave Workflows in the Sift Console, users gain the visibility required to ensure accurate automation stops fraud, minimizes unnecessary manual review, and reduces friction to increase conversions. Later this year, analysts will also be able to test hypothetical changes, comparing the impact of those changes against historical data before modifying a live workflow. No-code Security Notifications: This industry-first feature allows teams to confirm if a risky login event was an account takeover (ATO) attempt. As an addition to Sifts Account Defense product, Security Notifications provide a built-in email solution that leverages Sifts global network to identify ATO cases, and prompts password resets for compromised accounts. Through notifications, the feature builds user trust, protects accounts, and trains customers ATO models at scaleall without requiring customers to write a single line of code.





This industry-first feature allows teams to confirm if a risky login event was an account takeover (ATO) attempt. As an addition to Sifts Account Defense product, Security Notifications provide a built-in email solution that leverages Sifts global network to identify ATO cases, and prompts password resets for compromised accounts. Through notifications, the feature builds user trust, protects accounts, and trains customers ATO models at scaleall without requiring customers to write a single line of code. Chargeback Management Integrations: Available via the Sift Connect App Gallery, merchants on Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source can automate chargeback disputes via pre-built integrations with leading chargeback management vendors. By leveraging these integrations, businesses are able to eliminate the manual processing of chargebacks and increase revenue recovery without increasing operational costs.

More information on Sifts Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source extension can be found here: https://sift.com/magento . About Sift

Sift is the leader in Digital Trust & Safety, empowering digital disruptors to Fortune 500 companies to unlock new revenue without risk. Sift dynamically prevents fraud and abuse through industry-leading technology and expertise, an unrivaled global data network of 70 billion events per month, and a commitment to long-term customer partnerships. Global brands such as Twitter, Airbnb, and Twilio rely on Sift to gain competitive advantage in their markets. Visit us at sift.com and follow us on Twitter @GetSift. Media Contact

Victor White

Director of Corporate Communications, Sift

vwhite@siftscience.com



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Actress Youn Yuh-jung accepts the Oscar for the Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role as "Soonja" in the film "Minari," during the live ABC Telecast of the 93rd Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, local time. Reuters-Yonhap



'I didn't smell him. I'm not dog,' says Youn when asked how Brad Pitt smells like



By Park Ji-won



Award-winning "Parasite" director Bong Joon-ho stressed that actress Youn's historic win at the Academy Awards  for Best Supporting Actress for her role as "Soonja" in the film "Minari," a story centering on a Korean immigrant family who seeks the "American Dream" on Sunday, local time was "Youn's personal triumph, not that of the Korean film scene." Nevertheless, the news still excited many Koreans and international media outlets, not only because Youn was the first Korean national to win an Oscar, breaking through the glass ceiling of what some consider a conservative Western-centric awards event, but also as a result of her warm acceptance speech, filled with life wisdom.



Youn, the 73-year-old veteran actress who started her acting career in 1966 as an actress for stage plays and TV series, experienced a resurgence in popularity after appearing in tvN's variety shows, such as "Sisters Over Flowers" and "Youn's Kitchen," directed by star producer Na Young-seok in the 2010s. In addition to her skilled acting, her humorous but therapeutic, off-the-cuff comments have captivated many Koreans.



Critics said that the reason behind the popularity of Youn's remarks is that she breaks the stereotype of the "elderly Asian actress."



"I think American people evaluated her highly because they like humor. Youn broke the ice at the awards ceremony by joking with Brad Pitt. The audience seem to be impressed and find it refreshing that an old actress from an Asian country does that. Also, her attitude of being humble and taking other nominees into consideration during her acceptance speech made her shine," culture critic Ha Jae-geun told The Korea Times on the phone Tuesday.



"In Korea, people, especially those who are young, think the older generation tend to be oppressive and self-centered. But Youn is seen as being frank, democratic and considerate. That is one of reasons that the young generation like her remarks."



This time, her remarks appear to have been received as delightfully fresh to many people outside of Korea, as many international media outlets highlighted her remarks made during the Academy Awards.



Under the title, "Brad Pitt fan and Oscars-winner Yuh-jung Youn has been a bright light of award season," CNN wrote, "One of the most 'stars are just like us' moments at Sunday's Academy Awards happened while Yuh-jung Youn was on stage becoming a winner among them."



In an article entitled, "Big Moments From the 2021 Oscars. Here's What You Missed," The New York Times wrote that, "She didn't repeat her BAFTA roast, but she did offer a kindly zinger Sunday night." Referring to her acceptance speech, AP wrote, "Youn was as charmingly candid as her character in 'Minari.'"



The Atlantic wrote that, "For some, like the supporting-actress winner Youn Yuh-jung, this meant cheekily berating Brad Pitt for not visiting the set of her film, 'Minari'  which was made through his production company, Plan B  while others simply read a longer-than-usual laundry list of people to thank." Even WMagazine wrote that, "Yuh-jung Youn's Best Supporting Actress Acceptance Speech Won the Oscars."





Frances McDormand, left, winner of the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for "Nomadland," and Youn Yuh-jung, winner of the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for "Minari," pose in the press room at the Oscars, in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, local time. Reuters-Yonhap

Youn Yuh-jung, winner of the Best Supporting Actress Award for "Minari," poses in the press room at the Oscars, in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, local time. Reuters-Yonhap



Here are some excerpts from Youn's memorable remarks in English and Korean during her acceptance speech and post-ceremony press conferences. Some remarks were edited for clarity.



Starting with, "Mr. Brad Pitt. Finally! Nice to meet you. Where were you when we were filming? As you know, I'm from Korea and my name is Yuh-jung Youn. Most European people call me Yuh-youn, and some of them call me Yu-jeong. But tonight, you are all forgiven."



"I don't believe in competition. How could I win over Glenn Close? I've been watching her many performances. All of my five nominees, we're winners for different movies, we play different roles. Tonight, I just have a little bit of luck, I think, maybe I'm luckier than you."



"I'd like to thank my two boys who made me go out and work. This is the result of mommy having worked so hard."



After her win, when asked by a reporter what Brad Pitt  who announced Youn as the winner and handed the Oscar statuette to her  smelled like, Youn said, "I didn't smell him, I'm not a dog."



On the topic of Asian cultural diversity in film, she said, "It's about time. It's very nice to understand each other, and we should embrace each other, because without choosing to or categorizing ourselves, we ourselves are categorized as 'Black,' 'white,' 'yellow,' 'Brown,' something like that. And that's just not a nice way to divide people. If we put diverse colors together, the whole becomes prettier  like a rainbow... Color doesn't matter. Gender doesn't matter. I don't like to divide like this; man and woman, black and white, yellow, brown, gay, straight, or something like that. I don't want that kind of thing. We are equal human beings who all have the same warm heart."



During the press conference for the Korean press after the ceremony, she said, "I didn't expect that I would win. I really wanted Glenn Close to win the Oscar. I have been watching her get nominated eight times at the Academy Awards for many years. In the year 2000 or 2001, when I visited the U.K., I saw her performance of Blanche, the lead role in the play, 'A Streetcar Named Desire.' I thought that the role has usually been played by young actresses. But she, who was the same age as me, was playing it."



"When people around me said that I might win the award, I didn't believe it, because I have been betrayed by many, having lived this long. So I didn't expect this would happen. But I feel embarrassed as my English was poorer during the acceptance speech than I can normally speak."



"I asked Brad Pitt, who was in charge of the production of 'Minari' to spend more money on the next film. But he slipped away. He didn't say that he would spend a lot, but he said he would spend a little bit more."



When she was asked whether winning an Academy Award was the best moment of her life, Youn said, "There will be no one best moment. I hate such words. I don't know if it's the best moment, but the Academy isn't everything. It's too bad for us right now. The walls of the Academy are so high for Asian people. They are even higher than Trump's Wall."



"Let's not try to be the best, I think. You just have to be the 'best middle.' Can't we all just live equally? Does this remark make me a socialist?"



When asked why she chose the "Minari" script, Youn said, "I decided to live a luxurious life after the age of 60. If a colleague was a good person to me, I would work with them. When I first received the script, it was so genuine. It is not skillfully written, but it had some authenticity, which moved me, and I am old enough to know. But most of the time I don't buy other scripts. So I met the director, and he was so genuine, unlike other directors who brag about themselves."



When asked about her future plans and the reasons why the film was so highly recognized, she said, "I don't know, because I am not a psychic. As an actress, I just study how to perform. I didn't know how things would go. If I had known that, I would have ran a business. I don't have a plan."



"But I made up my mind a long time ago. As I get older, it gets harder for me to memorize lines. I don't want to become a burden to others. So I would be happy if I could do this job as long as I do not become a burden for others."




[April 27, 2021] MDxHealth Announces its Ordinary and Extraordinary General Shareholders' Meetings

NEWS RELEASE  REGULATED INFORMATION 27 April 2021, 7:00 a.m. CET IRVINE, CA, and HERSTAL, BELGIUM  27 April 2021  MDxHealth SA (Euronext Brussels: MDXH) (the "Company" or "MDxHealth") a commercial-stage innovative molecular diagnostics company, today invites the holders of securities issued by the Company to its ordinary and extraordinary general shareholders' meetings that will be held on Thursday 27 May 2021 at 10:00 a.m., Belgian time. The items on the agenda of the ordinary and extraordinary general shareholders' meetings include the proposed approval of a number of resolutions relating to the financial year ended on 31 December 2020, as well as the issuance of a new share option plan called the "2021 Share Option Plan" and the renewal of the authorisation to the board of directors to increase the share capital within the framework of the authorised capital. Exceptionally, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures imposed by the Belgian government to deal with this pandemic, which may still be in effect on the date of the Company's ordinary and extraordinary general shareholders' meetings, the board of directors of the Company recommends that the holders of securities issued by the Company that wish to participate to the general shareholders' meeting make use, as much as practically possible, of the right to vote through voting by mail or by means of a written proxy to the chair of the board of directors. The Company will grant access to the meeting to security holders, proxy holders and other persons only to the extent permitted in light of the measures taken or to be taken by the authorities as applicable on the date of the meeting, and always taking into account the recommendations of the authorities, and safety and health considerations. In order to participate to the ordinary and extraordinary general shareholders meetings of the Company, the holders of securities issued by the Company must comply with Article 7:134, 2, first indent of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code and the articles of association of the Company, and fulfill the formalities described in the convening notice. The convening notice, forms and other documents relating to the ordinary and extraordinary general shareholders meetings can be consulted on the Companys website. As postal services could be disrupted, the Company recommends the holders of its securities to use e-mail for all communication with the Company regaring the general shareholders' meetings. The Company's email address for such communication is: agsm@mdxhealth.com .



About MDxHealth MDxHealth is a commercial-stage, innovative healthcare company that provides actionable molecular diagnostic information to personalize the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The Companys tests are based on proprietary genetic, epigenetic (methylation) and other molecular technologies and assist physicians with the diagnosis of urologic cancers, prognosis of recurrence risk, and prediction of response to a specific therapy. The Companys European headquarters are in Herstal, Belgium, with laboratory operations in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and US headquarters and laboratory operations based in Irvine, California. For more information, visit mdxhealth.com and follow us on social media at:

twitter.com/mdxhealth, facebook.com/mdxhealth and linkedin.com/company/mdxhealth. For more information: MDxHealth info@mdxhealth.com Important information The MDxHealth logo, MDxHealth, ConfirmMDx and SelectMDx are trademarks or registered trademarks of MDxHealth SA (the "Company" or "MDxHealth"). All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners. This announcement contains forward-looking statements and estimates with respect to the anticipated future performance of MDxHealth and the market in which it operates. Such statements and estimates are based on assumptions and assessments of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which were deemed reasonable but may not prove to be correct. Actual events are difficult to predict, may depend upon factors that are beyond the Company's control, and may turn out to be materially different. MDxHealth expressly disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements in this release to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based unless required by law or regulation. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of MDxHealth only as of the date of this announcement. Attachment MDxHealth Press Release



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This month, I flew for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic for a family matter, and here's my main takeaway from the experience: Travel is back, planes are generally packed and anyone about to step inside an airport should be prepared for crowds, unless you're flying in and out of San Francisco International Airport or just about any other West Coast hub.

Case in point: At Denver International Airport, the Starbucks line was a quarter-mile long, while you could order a latte on the spot at SFO.

That said, I felt surprisingly at ease in a flying aluminum box with everyone wearing masks, the vaccine rollout well underway, and knowing experts agree travel is generally safe when safety precautions are followed, even if the science is incomplete.

West Coast airports are quieter than those in the Midwest

Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

Data from the Transportation Security Administration shows that the number of travelers passing through airports is at its highest level since March 2019, and Kevin Williams, a Yale economist who analyzes air travel data, said airports are becoming increasingly busy.

"Demand is up," Williams said. "Prices are up."

The busiest airports in the country right now are in Florida, Puerto Rico, Colorado and Arizona, according to TSA data that Williams monitors.

"Generally, heavy tourist destinations (beaches, warm, outdoors) are seeing a surge in demand," he wrote in an email. "There are more passengers flying to San Juan [Puerto Rico] now than there were pre-pandemic."

Large airports, including Salt Lake City, Chicago Midway, Phoenix and Fort Myers, Florida, are at 80% to 90% of 2019 levels, he added.

SFO has seen the slowest recovery among all the major U.S. airports, and air travel is down 68% from 2019. The lack of international flights is a significant factor, Williams explained. On the West Coast, travel isn't only down at SFO. Almost all West Coast airports are trailing the rest of the country in terms of air travel recovery. "In general, the coasts have been the most affected due to being international gateways," Williams wrote. "SFO is only slightly worse than Boston, Washington (IAD), and New York (JFK)."

The middle seats on planes are occupied again

My travels between the West Coast and East Coast, which put me on four flights and brought me to four airports, generally reflected this data. On the flight from San Francisco International Airport to Chicago Midway, I sat next to an empty middle seat. This helped ease my anxiety about traveling after being holed up at home for a year  where the closest I came to travel was watching "Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy" on CNN.

But on the flight from Midway to Boston Logan International Airport, every seat was taken. Same thing on our return flights from Boston to Denver and Denver to SFO. I sat with my mask strapped on tight and my arms squeezed against my body like an anxious sardine.

At the height of the pandemic, airlines started to block middle seats to maintain distance between travelers. Airlines have stopped this practice despite an April 23 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kansas State University revealing that leaving the middle seat vacant can reduce exposure to coronavirus particles by 23% to 57%, compared with full aircraft occupancy, depending upon the aircraft model.

Delta Airlines is the only U.S. airline continuing to block middle seats and will end their system on May 1, according to a statement from the airline.

Masks are a must and required on planes and in airports

Everyone wore a mask on my four flights, a handful of people were double-masked, and on one flight a person was extra-prepared with a plastic face shield. Nobody on the plane refused to sport a face covering, but the flight crew made very clear that federal law requires everyone to wear a mask in flight as there's a large body of research revealing masks stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The CDC requires both people who are unvaccinated and vaccinated to wear face coverings on planes.

The CDC advises against travel until you're fully vaccinated

I was three days shy of my Johnson & Johnson vaccine going into full effect when I flew from San Francisco to Boston, and I followed the Massachusetts guidance for unvaccinated travelers and got tested 72 hours before arrival in the state. At Boston Logan, nobody asked me for proof of my negative test, but I was glad I followed the recommendation. Knowing that I was COVID-free put me at ease.

On my return to San Francisco, I was past the two-week waiting period after my injection and considered fully vaccinated. A test wasn't recommended by the California Department of Public Health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends against travel until you're fully vaccinated, but unvaccinated travelers can still legally board planes.

"If I was unvaccinated, Id be trying to get vaccinated as soon as possible  and if I was going to get vaccinated, then Id try to wait on flying until I was fully vaccinated (or at very least several weeks after shot 1)," Dr. Bob Wachter, a COVID-19 expert and chair of UCSF's department of medicine, wrote in an email. "If I wasnt ever going to get vaccinated (which, of course, is a terrible decision), Id want case and test positivity rates in both the source and destination cities to be very low, which would likely mean that the probability that people sitting around me on the plane are not infected. So today, if unvaccinated, I might be OK flying SFO-LAX (both very 'cool' (COVID-wise) but would not be comfortable flying to Michigan or Florida (case rate is 5x as high)."

Planes are serving drinks on planes, but experts advise caution

Many airlines stopped drink service but they're now bringing it back, and Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert at UCSF, said it's fine to pull down your mask to eat and drink. "Out of respect for those unvaccinated, please keep your mask on at other times," said Gandhi.

Wachter advised unvaccinated people to skip the drink on airplanes. "I would minimize the amount of time with my mask off, particularly if I was unvaccinated," he wrote. "But even for the vaccinated, I try very hard to keep my mask on for the entire flight, taking it off very briefly and trying to do so while others have their masks on."

On my flights, Southwest Airlines had a nifty system for ordering drinks where a flight attendant shows you a laminated card with images of drinks, each given a number 1 through 4.

I opted to get a drink on the first leg of my travels when the plane wasn't full. When the flight attendant took my order, I held up four fingers that corresponded with water. I quickly pulled down my mask and drank my water in less than a minute.

Vaccinated and masked, I was generally relaxed and felt safe during my travels  although after so many months of socializing outdoors with a limited number of people, the neurons in my brain may have been thrown into a state of chaos as they processed the more than 100 strangers surrounding me on the plane.

And experts agree that it's safe to travel if you take health precautions. "I have flown on a plane a few times since getting vaccinated," said Dr. Monica Gandhi. "I feel safe after vaccination from contracting severe disease or giving the infection to others, but I continued to mask of course and kept the ventilation on above my seat. I would advise those flying to stay masked as is the rules on planes, know that the ventilation is excellent on airplanes, and try to group with their party or distance from others as much as possible."

One thing I would have done differently in my travels is pack my own food to eat on the layovers. The lines were long at all food outlets in Denver and Chicago, and there's no food beyond the free bag of salty snack on planes. I would have preferred to escape to a quiet corner of the airport and eat a sandwich from home than wait in line for a soggy slice of pizza. Any line for decent food, say Shake Shack, would have taken more than 30 minutes.
Acker, the worlds largest fine and rare wine auction house and Americas oldest wine shop, has announced the first-ever, NFT-accompanied Burgundy wine lots to be featured in the companys upcoming Delaware auction of fine wine on May 12th.

Acker will debut sixteen, single bottle lots from the yet-to-be-released 2019 vintage of every wine produced by the highly acclaimed, Comte Louis-Michel Liger-Belair of Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair. Each bottle will be accompanied by a unique, one-of-one NFT showcasing the Comtes description of each particular vineyard and its expression in the outstanding 2019 vintage. Payment for these lots will be accepted either in traditional US dollars or in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and more.

The lots will be auctioned on Ackers proprietary platform and transferred to the buyer on Ethereum via OpenSea. Never to be recreated, these first-of-their-kind NFTs are lifetime keepsakes for NFT collectors, Burgundy aficionados, and history buffs alike. Files will be available for viewing on Ackers website on Tuesday, May 4th.

Each NFT of the Comte describing these wines will never be duplicated  something akin to the first email, the first telegram, the first phone call captured in time, forever, remarked Acker Chairman, John Kapon. Imagine owning a unique keepsake today of Louis-Michels ancestors discussing the legendary 1919 vintage wines as they were being bottled. Thats when the family still owned La Tache! The inimitable Comte Louis-Michel Liger-Belair is on the short-list of the greatest wine producers in the world. We are honored to work with him on this innovative endeavor by creating slices of history for both the wine lover and the burgeoning tech collector. This is sure to be an exceptional sale and a groundbreaking moment for the entire world of wine, technology, and finance.

The legend of the Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair began after the Napoleonic wars when General Louis Liger-Belair acquired Chateau de Vosne in Burgundy and assembled over 60 hectares of fabulous vineyards including La Tache and La Grande Rue, but, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the laws of inheritance and other uncertainties stripped the Domaine of many of its holdings, which have been slowly reclaimed this century by current proprietor Louis-Michel Liger-Belair, the 7th Comte Liger-Belair of the Domaine.

The Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair portfolio ranges from multiple bottlings in Nuits St. Georges and Vosne Romanee, to Grand Cru holdings in Clos Vougeot, Echezeaux, and, its flagship, La Romanee. Over the last twenty years, the reputation of this storied Domaine has grown tremendously under the deft touch of the Comte. Having studied with the late, legendary winemaker Henri Jayer, Louis-Michel is now considered one of Burgundys most elite producers. Very few Domaines have as strong and loyal a following as Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair.

The auction season continues for Acker in Delaware on May 12th and 13th and in Hong Kong on May 28th and 29th. Acker is currently accepting wines for its summer live online wine and spirits auctions, with weekly web auctions closing every week. For more information, email info@ackerwines.com.

About Acker

Established in 1820, Acker is the oldest wine shop in America and the worlds largest fine and rare wine auction house. Since third generation wine merchant John Kapon, Chairman of Acker, started the auction business in 1998, the house has gained worldwide recognition. Acker offers a vast array of services, including cellar consultations, a deep retail inventory of fine and rare wine for immediate sale, first class wine education amenities, and fine and rare wine auctions.
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India's smartphone industry grew 23% in Q1; Xiaomi leads, Samsung second

India's smartphone shipments grew by a robust 23 per cent in the first quarter of calendar year 2021 at over 38 million units, the latest research report by Counterpoint's Market Monitor has said. This was the highest ever first quarter shipment in the country which was boosted by new product launches, promotions and financial schemes, as well as pent-up demand from last year.

30 vaccines to battle COVID by Dec; 5 from India

Indian authorities may be worrying how to inoculate all its citizens above the age of 18 due to COVID-19 vaccine shortage, but there is good news. While 11 COVID-19 vaccines, including India's Covaxin, have already reached the market, at least 17 new COVID-19 vaccines are in the final stage of trials, including two from Indian vaccine makers. The World Health Organisation (WHO)'s data on 'Landscape of candidate vaccines in clinical development' says a total of 91 vaccine candidates have reached the clinical development stage.

Reliance Foundation scales up COVID operations in Mumbai, to manage 875 beds

The Reliance Foundation (RF) on Monday, April 26, said it has scaled up its operations in Mumbai to tackle the growing need for COVID-19 management in the city and "strengthen the government's fight against the pandemic". Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), has undertaken four more initiatives to battle COVID-19 in Mumbai in coordination with the Maharashtra government and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

RBI caps bank MD, CEO tenure at 15 yrs, puts upper age limit of 70 yrs

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday capped the tenure of MD, CEO and whole-time director (WTD) of private sector banks at 15 years and said the upper age limit for these posts will be 70 years. The central bank's directive is part of the instructions issued by RBI regarding chair and meetings of the boards of banks, composition of certain committees of the board, age, tenure and remuneration of directors, and appointment of WTDs. RBI said it will also issue a Master Direction on Governance for banks.

DGCA extends fare capping on domestic flights, 80% seating limit to continue

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced on Monday that it has extended fare capping on domestic flights till May 31. The DGCA has also decided to continue with the 80 per cent limit on domestic flight capacity till May 31, 2021. These announcements have come at a time when the nation is dealing with an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases.

US to deliver oxygen equipment, other medical supplies to India 'within next few days', says Pentagon

The Pentagon is working on a war footing to begin delivery of essential medical supplies to India in the next few days, an official said, noting that prominent among these include oxygen-related equipment, rapid testing kits, and personal protective gear. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and US president Joe Biden had a "fruitful" telephonic conversation over the coronavirus situation in both countries.

India to be fastest-growing FMCG ad spend market with 14% growth, says report

India will be the fastest-growing market for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) food and drink brands' advertising expenditure over the next three years, with ad spend rising 14 per cent per year, according to a report by media agency Zenith, owned by Publicis Groupe. It said the FMCG food and drink brands, which include packaged foods and soft drinks brands, will increase their advertising expenditure on digital channels by 7 per cent per year to 2023 and the digital advertising expenditure will rise from $12.3 billion in 2020 to $14.9 billion in 2023
Ecuadors President-Elect Guillermo Lasso has sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking him to help the South American country purchase COVID-19 vaccines.

"I have sent a letter to the president of Russia, where I asked for assistance with vaccines," Lasso said in a video address published on his Facebook page.

The politician noted that he also asked the authorities of China and the United States to boost the supplies of required drugs to Ecuador, TASS reported.

According to the latest data, Ecuadors total COVID-19 case tally has hit 374,775, and the death toll has reached 13,198. The first COVID-19 case in the country was registered on February 29, 2020.
Proper Dental Care Needs to Start Early

Over the past two years, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Oral Health Program determined the prevalence of oral disease among kids by screening over 10,000 children enrolled in Los Angeles County public schools. One of the major findings from this study is that by the time they enter kindergarten, nearly half of children in Los Angeles County will have experienced cavities (tooth decay) and by the time they enter third grade, more than 60 percent will have had dental disease.

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We also found that cavities are much more common in children from socioeconomically disadvantaged households, especially among children from Asian, Black/African American, and Latinx backgrounds. Children from families with low incomes are almost twice as likely to have treated and/or untreated cavities compared to those from families with higher incomes. More than 60 percent of Latinx children and more than 50 percent of Black/African American children have had a cavity in their lifetime, compared to only 32 percent of non-Latinx white children.

When not treated by a dentist, cavities can be painful and only get worse, reducing a childs wellbeing and academic development. Children experiencing toothaches may not be able to concentrate in class or while taking an exam. They may also have a hard time preparing for school and doing homework.

Untreated cavities can lead to health problems including increasing pain, poor nutrition, and infections which if left untreated could become life threatening. Poor oral hygiene is also associated with health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and pregnancy complications later in life.

Not only is untreated dental disease bad for kids health and wellbeing, but the delay is also likely to require more costly care. Children covered by the Medi-Cal Dental Program who went to the dentist by age one had 40% lower dental costs over their next four years compared to children that did not see a dentist by age one.

One reason for these extremely high rates of cavities is that many parents dont understand the importance of preventing dental disease from an early age. There is a misconception that cavities in young children are not important because baby teeth will fall out anyway. Parents think there is no need for dental hygiene at an early age, but studies show that the best predictor of cavities in permanent (adult) teeth is the presence of cavities in baby teeth. What this tells us is that so they can have good oral health as an adult, we need to start taking care of our babys mouth as soon as they are born.

That is why Public Health has launched an awareness campaign to encourage parents to take three simple actions to safeguard their babys dental health from day one:

 Even before the first tooth comes in, clean your babys gums with a washcloth after feeding to remove leftover milk which acts as a feeding ground for bad bacteria;

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 Brush your babys teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush and just a smear of fluoride toothpaste, the size of a grain of rice; and,

 Start visiting the dentist every 6 months by the time your baby turns one or when their first tooth appears.

Parents may be concerned about taking their child to the dentist right now during the COVID-19 pandemic, but visiting the dentist is safe. Dentists wear personal protective equipment and dental offices are required by the Dental Board of California and the Cal/OSHA to meet safety measures to keep people safe. If a parent of caregiver is feeling anxious about making an appointment, they should call the dental office in advance to learn about what procedures they have implemented.

Dental health is essential to overall health. Preventive habits at home and access to a dentist put kids on track for a lifetime of healthy smiles. We encourage parents to visit our website at ChooseHealthLA.com/Teeth or by calling 211 to find a low or no cost dentist. The website features a wide variety of tips and advice for parents of children of all ages, as well as for women who are pregnant. We need to start caring for their baby teeth from day one.
The Parliamentary Ad hoc Committee set up to probe the collapse of Unibank Ghana Limited and UT Bank has directed the petitioners to submit all the necessary documents relating to the collapse of the banks.



In a letter addressed to the Member of Parliament of Bawku Central, Mr Mahama Ayariga, who presented the petition on behalf of the petitioners, the committee is asking that it receives the necessary documents before April 30, 2021.



At the first meeting of the committee held on Thursday, April 22, the committee in furtherance of its mandate determined that it would require all relevant documents pertaining to the takeover, the appointment of an official administrator, the subsequent revocation of licenses of the banks of the petitioners and any other information necessary to assist the committee in the determination of the matter, the letter, which was signed by the Clerk to the Committee, Mr Eric Owusu-Mensah, noted.



In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Ayariga said he would sit down with the petitioners and provide all the necessary documents to the committee before the deadline.



Committee



On March 22, 2021, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, set up a nine-member committee to probe the collapse of the UT Bank and the uniBank Ghana Limited,



It followed a petition presented to Parliament by the founders of the two banks - Mr Prince Kofi Amoabeng of UT Bank and Dr Kwabena Duffour - over the collapse of the banks.



The committee, chaired by the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, will commence work while Parliament is on recess, and is expected to submit its report to the House at the commencement of the second meeting of Parliament on May 18 this year.



Other members of the committee are the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin; the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Essikado, Mr Joe Ghartey; the NPP MP for Okaikwei Central, Mr Patrick Yaw Boamah and the NPP MP for Abuakwa South, Mr Samuel Atta-Akyea.



The rest are the Deputy Minority Leader, Mr James Klutse Avedzi; the NDC MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson; the NDC MP for Bolgatanga Central, Mr Isaac Adongo, and the NDC MP for Techiman North, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare.



Petition



The NDC MP for Bawku Central, Mr Mahama Ayariga, presented the petition on the matter from the two founders, on the floor of Parliament.



On March 22, 2021, when the petition was laid before the House, a number of MPs from the Majority side, including the Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, raised objections as to the appropriateness of the procedure adopted by the Speaker in admitting the petition.



They also questioned the reasons by the Speaker to allow the House to consider the petition since the cases involving the two banks were pending in court.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
President Joe Biden enters his 100th day in office Thursday having checked off a number of commitments to try to rein in the coronavirus and institute his 'build back better' economic plan  even while struggling to set forth his immigration agenda amid a surge at the border.

Biden organized his campaign around a pledge to focus on the coronavirus with a campaign to heal the 'soul of the nation' with a focus on racial justice and economic inequality.

And while he was occasionally thrown off course by foreign policy and immigration in particular, Biden returned to the virus whenever possible  as he planned to do Tuesday with yet another speech on the nation's response.

Biden exceeded his goal of getting 100 million shots into Americans' arms  but has fallen short of some of his immigration pledges

Introduces immigration plan with path to citizenship but faces record migrant surge the border

It is on immigration where Biden has visibly struggled to implement his policies while facing political problems seeking to contend with the crisis at the southern border. The setbacks have had outsized influence in part because they have provided fuel to critics and occasionally thrown Biden off his preferred message of focusing on his efforts to stem the virus.

Biden followed through on a pledge to introduce legislation with a pathway to citizenship for millions of estimated illegal immigrants  but getting it enacted is another matter.

His push to provide permanent protections for so-called DACA recipients faces a court challenge.

He promised to stop child separation at the border, but the administration has still faced a surge of unaccompanied minors. The administration has admitted it is not always able to keep up with a law mandating transfer of immigrants out of Customs and Border Protection Custody to Health and Human Services Department custody

The crush has been such that the administration has asked for volunteers for other agencies, put migrants in hotels, and reopened a tent-type facility used during the Trump administration.

His administration faced blowback when it left intact a Trump administration 15,000 cap for refugees, then moved off it. Biden had planned on 62,500.

He has gotten rid of a Trump administration policy of having asylum-seekers wait in Mexico. But he has kept in place a Trump policy that uses the pandemic as a justification for expelling people. He and Vice President Kamala Harris have pledged to focus on 'root causes' driving the surge in migration Central American countries.

But in a sign of how charged the issue is, neither has yet to visit the border for a look since taking office.

Biden has stopped new border wall funding, to the consternation of former President Trump, although work is continuing for sections where contracts were already out.

Sometimes, courts have gotten the way of his plans, as with Biden's freeze on deportations for 100 days.

In this March 30, 2021, file photo, young unaccompanied migrants, from ages 3 to 9, watch television inside a playpen at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley, in Donna, Texas. For the third time in seven years, U.S. officials are scrambling to handle a dramatic spike in children crossing the U.S.-Mexico border alone

Biden has stopped new border wall funding, to the consternation of former President Trump, although work is continuing for sections where contracts were already out

Effort to control coronavirus with vaccine shots and masks

Biden has delivered on his pledge to get 100 million shots vaccine shots into Americans' arms  doubling up the amount to 200 before hitting the date.

His team has deployed the Defense Production Act, pushed out vaccines through a nationwide pharmacy program, and worked with manufacturers to procure sufficient vaccine.

Critics have posited that Biden deliberately tamped down his goal to make it achievable, but the country has overcome setbacks nonetheless to hit a consistent mark of 3 million shots per day during peak distribution. The country now has enough vaccine on-hand that it was able to overcome a setback with Johnson & Johnson's one-shot vaccine, and an contemplate shipping out Astra Zeneca doses that have not yet been approved for use in other countries.

Biden issued a federal mask mandate as he said he would, and sought to set an example with his own mask usage  even donning one during a zoom meeting with world leaders who were thousands of miles away during a climate summit.

It remains to be seen how successful the administration can be overcoming vaccine 'hesitancy,' having committed billions to a PR campaign. The administration has boosted access to testing, and is using funds from a $1.9 trillion coronavirus package Biden pushed through to increase DNA analysis to track virus variants.

Biden has said masks should not be a political statement, but mandates have drawn vocal opposition in viral town hall meetings and a prime time rant Monday where Tucker Carlson compared child mask wearing to 'abuse.'

Biden set a goal of having half of K-8 schools open in his hundred days, and the administration says it is on track to meet the goal. Biden's team touted new three-foot social distancing guidance as a tool for reopening despite resistance from teachers' unions on reopening amid virus variants.

More than 200 million Americans have received coronavirus vaccine shots

Gets his $1.9 trillion coronavirus plan through Congress as economy sees job and stock gains

It won't be known for some time whether Biden can fulfill many of his top economic promises. He has taken early executive actions to set the tone  pushing through major programs in his $1.9 trillion coronavirus package and pitching others to Congress and the nation.

The market has been on a tear throughout his term, brushing off ongoing Wall Street worries about the impact of his proposed tax hikes as the overall economy rebounded.

The S&P 500 is up about 24 per cent since Biden took office, exceeding the 11 per cent boom of Trump's first hundred days (Trump repeatedly insisted he deserved credit for stock gains from the day after the election).

The economy added a robust 900,000 jobs in a March, even with millions still facing unemployment amid pandemic fallout.

Biden has made efforts to roll back Trump's tax cuts. He is proposing a corporate tax hike to fund his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan, although his pitch for a 28 per cent bracket has already encountered resistance. The administration is leaning in to a proposed hike in the capital gains rate for those earning more than $1 million a year  but its fate also is uncertain.

Getting those tax hikes through the 50-50 Senate will be a challenge, and though Biden has met his promise of seeking to lower the temperature and make outreach to Republicans, there are no signs yet that a group of relative GOP moderates would go along with his tax and spending plans.

Biden got the $2,000 direct payments to Americans he was seeking. But part of it came in $600 payments to taxpayers before he took office. His coronavirus bill included $1,400 payments, but that happened under 'reconciliation' legislation without GOP support.

His coronavirus law also extended unemployment, with millions of Americans still off work rolls, and Biden has also taken executive actions like one to pause student debt payments.

Guns and racial justice

Mass shootings have returned as a national phenomenon. Biden has spoken about the toll of these events, but has been unable to get Congress to act on his call for expanded background checks and an assault weapons ban.

He hasn't yet directed the FBI to issue a report on delays in background checks on gun purchases.

Biden spoke to the nation after a jury convicted Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd. Lawmakers from the two parties have yet to reach agreement on a legislative response that could clear the Senate.

The White House has abandoned the idea of a police oversight board, saying there are other mechanisms for it. Biden hasn't yet gotten Congress to extend the Voting Rights Act.

Minorities and women have suffered an outsized share of job losses during the pandemic.

On another rights issue, Biden has ended Trump's ban on military service for transgender people.
A Moms Research (Part 4): Why Are Many Elites Leftists?

Commentary

Why are all successful people leftists? my daughter said, challenging me with a smile.

I knew she meant Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Dorsey, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, Bill Gates, and other powerful people who are trying to change the world to match their imagination.

Not all of them. Those leftists are just very loud, I replied.

However, its true that many among the ultra-wealthy are leftists. Why? I have to find the answer, because many young people look up to them and believe that their beliefs are in line with the truth.

Im also curious about one thing: Why do these elites support communist radicals, while the radicals do things like smashing their stores and even putting up a guillotine outside of Bezoss home?

After reading quite a few insightful books, I learned that whats happening now is nothing new. Since the late 19th century, Western elites have been fascinated with communism and supported its cause. In the pursuit of such utopian ideals, traditional values have been trashed; America has been brought to the brink of socialism; and hundreds of millions of people around the world have been thrown to the bloodthirsty communist beast.

Even now, this pursuit is ongoing.

Alliance of Western Elites and Russian Communist Revolutionaries

Antony C. Sutton (19252002) was a British-American economist, historian, professor at California State University, and research fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. His books Wall Street and the Bolshevik Revolution and Western Technology and Soviet Economic Development detailed Western elites seemingly incomprehensible support of Soviet Bolsheviks. In a 1987 interview, Sutton summarized his findings:

They [Lenin and Trotsky] created a revolution with no more than about 10,000 revolutionaries. They needed assistance from the West, and they got assistance from Germany, from Britain, and from the United States.  In 1918, the Bolsheviks really only controlled Moscow and what was Petrograd, which is now Leningrad. They could not have beaten off the White Russians, the Czechs who were in Russia at that time, the Japanese who entered. They could not have beaten it off without assistance from the United States and from Britain.

After the revolution  they [the Bolsheviks] could not operate the plants. So what do we do? With Averell Harriman and the Chase National Bank and all friends on Wall Street, they go in there.  We have these 250300 concessions with which American companies went into Russia, and they started up the idle plants.  All these top capitalists went in and they got Russia going on behalf of the Bolsheviks, because the Bolsheviks either shot or kicked out all the people out of Russia who would run the plants.

In his book National Suicide: Military Aid to the Soviet Union, Sutton quoted U.S. State Department Decimal File 033.1161, a June 1944 statement by Averell Harriman, a Wall Street financier and the U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union at the time:

Stalin paid tribute to the assistance rendered by the United States to Soviet industry before and during the war. He said that about two-thirds of all the large industrial enterprises in the Soviet Union had been built with United States help or technical assistance.

Trade and technology exports continued during the Cold War, including the eras of the Korean and Vietnamese wars. Sutton quoted Shirley Sheiblas writing in Barrons Weekly on Jan. 4, 1971: The United States has been the arsenal for communism in the Soviet Union. Most weapons, tanks, and trucks of North Korean and North Vietnamese communists were provided by the Soviet Union, and were produced in plants erected and equipped by American and European companies.

Since the presidency of Woodrow Wilson, trade with the USSR had been promoted as a way to mellow the Bolsheviks and relax their totalitarian control. Obviously, it didnt work. The world was on the brink of nuclear war between the Soviet Union and the United States throughout the Cold War. Nevertheless, this policy has lasted for more than 70 years. Why?

Why Did Western Elites Support Communism?

With the rapid development of science and technology since the 18th century, people started to drift away from belief in God and believe that humans could take care of everything. With certain arrangements or planning, some people thought, humankind could get rid of all their suffering and build a paradise on earth. Different socialist and communist thoughts mushroomed from this way of thinking.

According to the 1966 book Tragedy and Hope by professor Carroll Quigley of Georgetown University, it was an Oxford professor named John Ruskin who first began instilling socialist thoughts into his students, in 1870. After graduation, these students entered high society in the UK and its colonies, spreading Ruskins thoughts far and wide.

Meanwhile, in the United States, a man named Richard Ely was hired as the director of the Department of Political Economy at Johns Hopkins University, where he also served as a professor, in 1881. He was trained in Germany and was enthusiastic about the welfare state idea. According to financial researcher Stephen Soukups book The Dictatorship of Woke Capital: How Political Correctness Captured Big Business, Elys thoughts would change American politics dramatically, especially through his disciple, Woodrow Wilsonthe 28th U.S. president.

By the early 20th century, socialist ideas had conquered the minds of those at the top of the financial, industrial, academic, and political realms. The elites never saw communism as an enemy due to holding similar utopian obsessions. Instead, communist radicals were considered a force that they could harnesslike a wrecking ballon their way to tearing down old structures and building a new world.

Through interlocked organizations and foundations supported by Wall Street, the elites have had a direct influence on government policies for some time. Take, for example, two of the organizations: the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the Institute of Pacific Relations (IPR).

A September 1961 article in the Christian Science Monitor indicated that almost half of the Council [CFR] members have been invited to assume official government positions or to act as consultants at one time or another. Rene A. Wormser, general counsel of the 83rd U.S. Congresss Reece Committee, pointed out that CFR became virtually an agency of the government when World War II broke out and overwhelmingly propagandize[d] the globalist concept.

The IPR was established in many Pacific nations in 1925. According to Quigley:

Most of these awards for work in the Far Eastern area required approval or recommendation from members of IPR.  And, finally, there can be little doubt that consultant jobs on Far Eastern matters in the State Department or other government agencies were largely restricted to IPR-approved people.

The IPR was found by Congress to be virtually an organ of the Communist Party of the United States, according to Wormser.

The power of CFR and IPRaside from the influences posed by other Wall Street organizations and foundationsexplains why the appeasement policy toward the Soviet Union lasted for decades. This is also the reason why China and Eastern European countries were conceded to the communist grip after World War II, according to the book The Naked Capitalist by W. Cleon Skousen.

Another Similarity Between Elites and Communist Radicals

To understand better the relationship between elites and communists, we have to set aside the influence of Karl Marx.

Marx used simplified categories to characterize people and make every relationship a class struggle. To him, the bourgeoisie, or capitalists, and proletarians, or working-class people, are innate enemieslike day and night or black and white. This is quite misleading. Not all proletarians are the same, and not all bourgeoisie are the same. Most capitalists compete honestly in the market, while a small number of themthe monopolistsgo political and make society work for them, according to Sutton.

To monopolists, laissez-faire entrepreneurs and free-market capitalists are quite annoying. According to Suttons book Wall Street and FDR, Wall Street financiers use words like destructive, dog-eat-dog, and blind to describe competition. They prefer enforced cooperation or economic planning, while they serve as the planners or rule-makers themselves.

Frederic C. Howe described the monopolists mentality vividly in his 1906 book The Confessions of a Monopolist:

These are the rules of big business. They have superseded the teachings of our parents and are reducible to a simple maxim: Get a monopoly; let Society work for you; and remember that the best of all business is politics, for a legislative grant, franchise, subsidy or tax exemption is worth more than a Kimberly or Comstock lode, since it does not require any labor, either mental or physical, for its exploitation.

In an economic sense, we can see a common characteristic between elites and communist radicals: They both want to get something for nothing through political control, either by robbing and killing to take other peoples property or by using political means to gain huge wealth through monopoly.

In other words, although their success was gained in free societies, the elites prefer political systems with tight government control, be it Soviet socialism or national socialist regimeslike Nazi Germany or the current Chinese Communist Party (CCP)because totalitarian nations have something unavailable in liberal democracies: mighty powerbrokers with whom the elites can ally to gain monopolies.

In his book Wall Street and the Rise of Hitler, Sutton used detailed evidence to show how Wall Street paved the way for Adolf Hitler, fueled World War II, and gained huge profits.

The appeasement policy toward the Soviet Union has also been extended to the CCP regime since the 1970s. This policy likely would have continued had it not been stopped by President Donald Trump, despite the CCP being perceived as the No. 1 threat to the United States.

From the Past to the Present

Time flies. In the 21st century, huge asset-management companies seem to be more powerful than the hereditary banking dynasties. The recently wealthy technology company leaders overshadow the CEOs for Ford or General Motors. People change. Companies change. But the leftist ideology that many of them embrace remains the same, thanks to a century of brainwashing through education and media.

A popular concept nowadays is the idea of a new world order. However, its nothing new. It was talked about at the end of both world wars and the Cold War, and again in 2008. Establishing a new world order has always been a lucrative target of those international elites, as mentioned in Tragedy and Hope:

The powers of financial capitalism had another far-reaching aim, nothing less than to create a world system of financial control in private hands able to dominate the political system of each country and the economy of the world as a whole.

The rising power of the Chinese communist regime is the driving force to replace the current rule-based world order built upon liberal democracy. The prestigious World Economic Forum (WEF) has talked about the necessity of change for years. While admiring the spectacular rise of China, it dismissed democracies as lack[ing] the incentive systems to address higher-order and longer-term imperatives.

The COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020 was seen by some elites as a rare opportunity to reshuffle the cards. A new sloganThe Great Resethas been used as the theme in WEFs 2020 and 2021 annual meetings. Klaus Schwab, founder of WEF, put it this way:

To achieve a better outcome, the world must act jointly and swiftly to revamp all aspects of our societies and economies, from education to social contracts and working conditions. Every country, from the United States to China, must participate, and every industry, from oil and gas to tech, must be transformed.

In short, we need a Great Reset of capitalism.

Sounds scary, right? The Green New Deal proposed by radical leftists fits perfectly within this vision, as one of the justifications for the Great Reset is global warming.

You may ask, why do the elites push for the Great Reset? How would they benefit from it?

Remember, when the world order is revamped, old structures will be dismantled, new industries will be established, and new markets will be explored. Those with ties to the higher echelons of power have ample opportunity to profit handsomely from the process, though countless others will fall between the cracks in the restructuring, such as the workers of the Keystone XL pipeline.

According to Justin Haskins, the editorial director of The Heartland Institute, the general idea of the Great Reset is that we need a form of socialisma word the World Economic Forum has deliberately avoided using, all while calling for countless socialist and progressive plans. Isnt that a leftist elitists dream come true?

Ida Auken, a WEF Young Global Leader, depicted the future society the WEF has in store for the world:

Welcome to the year 2030. Welcome to my cityor should I say, our city. I dont own anything. I dont own a car. I dont own a house. I dont own any appliances or any clothes.

It might seem odd to you, but it makes perfect sense for us in this city. Everything you considered a product, has now become a service. We have access to transportation, accommodation, food, and all the things we need in our daily lives. One by one all these things became free, so it ended up not making sense for us to own much.

Shopping? I cant really remember what that is. For most of us, it has been turned into choosing things to use.

Once in a while, I get annoyed about the fact that I have no real privacy. Nowhere I can go and not be registered. I know that, somewhere, everything I do, think, and dream of is recorded.

A typical utopian picture with a contemporary twist, wouldnt you say? Its the same dream that leftists have pursued for over a century, and the same dream that has been used to justify the killings of millions of people.

The scary part is, its no longer a dream, but something ready to be forced down everyones throats. With a new standard proposed by the WEFenvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) metricspowerful investment funds in Wall Street are using their leverage to force Western public companies to conform to their values. Soukup captured its essence brilliantly:

Why, the utopian investor asks, should we measure the success of a company exclusively in terms of the number of smartphones it sells every quarter, multiplied by the cost of a smartphone, minus the costs associated with making and distributing those smartphones? Why shouldnt we define success to include our beliefs and our values? Why shouldnt we add another variable to the equation, one that measures the footprint associated with the manufacture and distribution of the smartphones? Why shouldnt we demandgiven the power our control of capital grants usthat our values be reflected in the investment of that capital? Why shouldnt we insist that our valuesreligious in nature and unpopular in the voting boothsbe the standard for participation in our system?

That, in a nutshell, is the ESG movement.

To young people who hold the same leftist beliefs and values: If you are moved to tears by the promises the elites make, think twice. They dont mean it.

Morality or Ambition?

The leftists usually measure others with the moral standard they define. They sneer at conservatives for their clinging to God, guns, and the Constitution. In reality, theyre not very serious about their own moral standard.

Soukups book dissected the words and actions of the CEOs of the worlds most powerful companies. Some of them might be utopian fundamentalists, but they wouldnt hesitate to break or even reverse their commitments if their interests required them to do so. I would like to provide some examples listed in his book, as well as other sources:

BlackRock is the worlds largest asset-management company and the leader of the ESG movement. Its CEO, Larry Fink, imposes his social ideals on a lot of companies through the companys incredible capital power.

However, please note that while BlackRock manages that capital, it doesnt own it. Soukup pointed out in an interview with Epoch Times reporter Joshua Philipp: Its your money, its my money, its the guy who invests in his 401K at work, the guy who invests in his IRAits their money that BlackRock is using to control the market and to try to impose its beliefs about where business should go, and how it should operate politically. Its our money that theyre using to impose their will on the markets, and, essentially, on the American people.

While BlackRock forces American companies to fulfill its sustainability standard, it imposes no such requirement on Chinese companies. This is because China will be one of the biggest opportunities for BlackRock over the long term, according to Fink.

Soukup also pointed out that BlackRock is the largest shareholder of PetroChina, a state-owned Chinese petroleum company that is not only un-green, but also funded by Sudans Omar al-Bashir regime, which practices modern-day black slavery and has been termed a State Department-sanctioned state sponsor of terrorism.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple Inc., is an ardent advocate for racial justice and equality. However, according to a New York Times report on Nov. 30, 2020, Apple is one of a few multinational companies that lobbied to weaken the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Uyghur Muslims in China are suffering genocide by the CCP, according to a State Department report released on March 31. Apple is one of 82 companies that have potentially benefited from Uyghur forced labor, according to the Australian Strategic Policy Institutes March 2020 report. In addition, the cobalt used in the batteries of Apple products are mainly mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which uses child labor.

As for Zuckerberg of Facebook and Dorsey of Twitterwho have been so harsh when it comes to Trump and so righteous in defending social justicethey dare not raise an eyebrow toward Secretary General Xi Jinping of the CCP. In fact, in order to please the Chinese communist regime and gain access to the vast Chinese market, Zuckerberg jogged in smoggy Tiananmen Square, had a pleasant meeting with the CCPs propaganda chief, Liu Yunshan, and approached Xi personally to ask him to name his unborn child.

Dorsey is no better. Reports show that Twitter removed some Chinese dissidents accounts right before the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre in 2019. While Chinese state-affiliated media accounts claimed that the origin of COVID-19 was frozen food products from Europe and received no warning from Twitter, tweets from Rudy Guiliani and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro mentioning the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in treating the disease were removed. They were accused of spreading misinformation.

Google is a similar hypocrite. With the motto Do no evil, it shows no hesitation in working with Chinas top state-sponsored university, Tsinghua University, on its artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Some departments of Tsinghua are under the direct leadership of the CCPs Defense Science and Industry Committee. Peter Thiel, the co-founder of Paypal, once asked the employees in Googles AI division if its technology would be used against Uyghurs. The answer he received was Well, we dont really know, and dont ask any questions. However, the U.S. Department of Defense was the recipient of completely different treatment by the tech giant. In 2018, the year Google partnered with Tsinghua, the company halted its contract with the Pentagon to prevent its AI technology from being used for military purposes.

Hollywood studios and companies set themselves up as the leftist standard-bearers and orchestrate all kinds of protests against conservative legislation. However, they are happy to follow any of the CCPs demands in order to gain access to the Chinese market. The Walt Disney Co. didnt mind working with the propaganda departments and public security bureau in Xinjiang Provincethe region where Uyghurs are detained, tortured, and enslavedfor its movie Mulan.

As for the mainstream media, they have become activists working to serve leftist narratives. Sharyl Attkisson, a five-time Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter and a former TV anchor at CBS News, CNN, and PBS, wrote these sad comments in her book Slanted: How the News Media Taught Us to Love Censorship and Hate Journalism:

In [the novel] 1984, the governments Ministry of Peace conducts war. The Ministry of Love deploys cruel punishment. The Ministry of Truth falsifies historical records.

In 2020, we have our own versions: Fact-checkers codify slanted opinion. Myth busters dispel truth. Online knowledge is shaped by agenda editors. Free speech is controlled by censorship. The newsisnt the news. And you arent the consumer; youre the product.

Theres no need to go on and on. The takeaway message I wish to convey is, dont blindly trust those successful people and their mouthpieces.

What Do I Tell My Daughter?

In 1983, at the Templeton Prize award ceremony in London, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, a survivor of the Soviet gulag system, began his remarks with the following memorable words:

More than half a century ago, while I was still a child, I recall hearing a number of older people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: Men have forgotten God; thats why all this has happened.

Since then, I have spent well-nigh 50 years working on the history of our revolution.  But if I were asked today to formulate as concisely as possible the main cause of the ruinous revolution that swallowed up some 60 million of our people, I could not put it more accurately than to repeat: Men have forgotten God; thats why all this has happened.

Many prophecies in history predict the dominance of communism and loss of faith before the arrival of the Creator. The communist specter is very deceptive. Not only does it play upon and draw energy from human vices, but it also appeals to peoples compassion with fallacious narratives.

I told my daughter that its important for her to know right from wrong in this chaotic period. What you read, watch, and believe will impact your life decisions. But at the end of the day, it is yourself who is responsible for everything you do and every decision you make. Therefore, be smart, instead of becoming a pawn of those with self-serving motivations, because you cannot blame anyone else when you are judged in this human realm, and beyond.

Jean Chen is originally from China and writes under a pen name in order to protect her family members there.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
NEW DELHI: Amid the COVID-19 outbreak in India, the Australian government has decided to suspend incoming flights from India until the middle of May.

Leading Australian newspapers and journalists reported that Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that flights will be suspended immediately until at least May 15 to prevent COVID-19 transmission from crossing borders.

Australian media reported that all direct passenger flights from India have been suspended for the next three weeks due to the unprecedented spike in COVID-19 cases, citing Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Melinda Farrell, a presenter/journalist/commentator, said in a tweet, "Scott Morrison says the Australian govt is suspending passenger flights from India to Aus. Suspension is initially until May 15. Indirect flights - via Doha, for example - are also suspended.

Scott Morrison says the Aus govt is suspending passenger flights from India to Aus.  Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) April 27, 2021

Repatriation flights for Australians still in India are being organised, said reports. Chris O'Keefe, a political reporter, also tweeted, "Prime Minister confirms passenger flights between India and Australia will be suspended until May 15.''

He added that "ventilators, masks, gowns, goggles, gloves and face masks, as well as oxygen tanks will be sent to India as part of an initial aid package."

Ventilators, masks, gowns, goggles, gloves and face masks, as well as oxygen tanks will be sent to India as part of an initial aid package. @9NewsAUS  Chris O'Keefe (@cokeefe9) April 27, 2021

According to Reuters, Queensland state has urged the federal government to halt all flights from India due to the high risk of potential COVID-19 outbreaks from highly contagious virus variants in Australia`s hotel quarantine system.

"I sent a letter to the Prime Minister at the end of last week asking for the suspension of flights coming in from India ... and I know that the federal government is considering it today," Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told the Australian Broadcasting Corp on Tuesday.

Australia`s national security committee will meet later on Tuesday to consider halting flights from India and will also unveil measures including sending medical supplies to help India, Australian media reported.

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan said he has "enormous sympathy for India at the moment" but urged the federal government to suspend flights from the country after the state reported four new cases, all returned travellers from India in quarantine."

"India, there needs to be a suspension ... there is huge pressure now on all our quarantine facilities as a result of people coming from India," McGowan told reporters in Perth.

Last week, Australia announced it would cut the number of its citizens able to return from India and other red-zone countries to contain the risk of more virulent strains of COVID-19 spreading.

India has ordered its armed forces to help tackle the COVID-19 crisis, as nations including Britain, Germany and the United States pledged urgent medical aid to try to contain an emergency overwhelming the country`s hospitals.

India is second only to the United States for total COVID-19 infections at 17.3 million. It may be noted that several nations, including the UK, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand, have temporarily suspended travel from India in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases.

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Police Seek Gunman Following Fatal Anaheim Shooting

One man is dead and another is on the run following a fatal gang-related shooting at an Anaheim apartment complex, police say.

The shooting happened April 25 in the courtyard of an apartment complex on the 200 block of E. Clifton Street, police said.

The victim, an unidentified man, died about 7 p.m.

Police are now looking for 39-year-old Fernando Garcia in connection with the killing.

It was Anaheims seventh homicide of the year.

Police spokesperson Sgt. Shane Carringer said it wasnt immediately clear how this years toll compared to previous years.

Were not a big city so even if we have a small increase in the amount of our homicides, like two or three extra a year, for us thats a 20 percent increase, he told The Epoch Times. We dont want to say anything thats going to be concrete because we might not have another homicide for the rest of the year.

Police said Garcia is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to call 714-321-3669 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.
A man was shot dead inside his home in the Upper 9th Ward and the killer fled with the victims car, according to New Orleans police, who on Tuesday were investigating an exceptionally bloody start to the week.

The slain man was one of nine people who were shot in the city on Monday. Three children, including an infant, were among the other victims.

New Orleans has tallied at least 66 killings this year, an increase of about 27% when compared to the same date in 2020, according to Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson. Non-fatal shootings have also spiked this year, increasing by 65%, City Council statistics show.

The Upper 9th Ward shooting occurred just after 6:25 p.m. Monday, when a 30-year-old man was gunned down in the 2200 block of Bartholomew Street. According to a law enforcement source, the shooter left the scene in a car belonging to the victim, who died after being taken to University Medical Center.

Meanwhile, the source said, witnesses told police that another car left outside the home belonged to the shooter.

Police said they have identified a suspect in the case but didnt release a name or discuss details Tuesday.

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Among the others wounded Monday were a teenage girl and an baby boy who were riding in a car. A shooter in another vehicle opened fire on the vehicle around 8:40 p.m. while it was traveling on westbound Interstate 10, near the Louisa Street exit. The driver brought both children to the hospital, police said. Their conditions were not available.

+9 Infant, teen injured in double shooting on I-10 near Franklin Avenue exit, NOPD says An infant boy and teenage girl were shot on Interstate 10 in Gentilly on Monday night, New Orleans police said.

Another child was shot about 11:55 a.m. Tuesday in the 3700 block of Benefit Street in the Desire area, police said. In that case, a 12-year-old was out for a walk and hit by a bullet when a shootout between two different cars broke out, police said.

Elsewhere, a 29-year-old man was shot in his back in the 1000 block of South Peters Street in the Central Business District about 1:30 a.m.

A shooting at the Upper 9th Ward intersection of France and North Villere streets about 2:30 p.m. sent a 44-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man to the hospital.

And a 38-year-old man and a 39-year-old man landed in the hospital after being injured in separate shootings that, respectively, erupted at the corner of Laine Avenue and Grant Street in New Orleans East about 6:20 p.m. and in the 1500 block of South Liberty Street in Central City about 7:20 p.m.

Police have not named suspects in any of the shootings or said if they believe any of the incidents are related.
[April 27, 2021] Huawei CloudCampus 3.0 Solution Contributes to the Success of HDC.Cloud 2021 at the University Town of Shenzhen

SHENZHEN, China, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Huawei Developer Conference 2021 (HDC.Cloud 2021) was held from April 24 to 26 in the University Town of Shenzhen, China. This annual ICT developer event brought together the industry's best minds, including thought leaders, Huawei scientists, top technical experts, respected opinion leaders, and highly-skilled developers, who actively explored and gained hands-on experience with the latest ICT innovations and best practices across various industries. As the main venue for HDC.Cloud 2021, the University Town of Shenzhen was integral in ensuring the event's success, capitalizing on the advantages of Huawei's CloudCampus 3.0 Solution for a stable and reliable campus network. Founded in 2000, the University Town of Shenzhen is the only research-intensive university group in China that is approved by China's Ministry of Education and jointly managed by the local government and top universities. It fosters full-time graduate students and currently has approximately 20,000 students and faculty members. The University Town of Shenzhen is the first academic institution in China to have built a smart science and education campus with Wi-Fi 6 networking at scale. The university based its strategy on the philosophy - "one number, one code, one network, and one screen" - creating the ideal ICT platform that efficiently shares resources and flexibly meets the unique needs of universities. This new platform, enabled by a high-quality campus network, ensures that teachers and students alike enjoy borderless services and consistently good user experience throughout the campus. The same underlying network also contributed to the success of HDC.Cloud 2021. Thanks to its powerful performance, every participant enjoyed convenient, high-speed, and stable network experience at all times, from indoor activities with over 1000 participants to outdoor hands-on labs. Keynote speech & summit venues: Fully wireless access and intelligent networking at scale fully meet developers' network requirements for online and offline activities. The keynote speeches and carnival activities were held at the stadium, while multiple summits took place in a lecture hall with over 1000 seats. These on-site events were also broadcast live online, offering participants an exceptional online and offline experience. The key to making these massive activities run smoothly is a campus network that features fully wireless coverage, ultra-broadband speeds, and intelligent application experience assurance. Huawei's CloudCampus3.0 Solution delivers just that.



Specifically, the University Town of Shenzhen draws on Huawei's unique 3D wireless network planning tool - WLAN Planner - to quickly model wireless networks and simulate signal coverage, intuitively reflecting the real onsite environment. The end result is optimal deployment and flexible adaptation to complex environments. Comprising the high-performance Wi-Fi network are Huawei's CloudEngine S12700E, the industry's most powerful ultra-broadband core switch, and Huawei's flagship triple-radio APs, including AirEngine 8760-X1-PRO and AirEngine 6760-X1. This new network is ideal for many scenarios, such as stadiums, lecture halls, and classrooms, offering the ultimate experience for each user, even when there are over 1000 users online all at once.

Hands-on labs: Outdoor high-speed Wi-Fi delivers superior network experience to developers. Dozens of tents were arranged outdoors as hands-on labs, where developers could learn about cutting-edge technology first-hand and experience Huawei's open ICT capabilities in person. Huawei's CloudCampus 3.0 Solution ensured the stable and reliable network necessary for such cloud service-based capabilities. In particular, Huawei's AirEngine Wi-Fi 6 APs with unique smart antennas deliver over 20% more coverage distance than the industry average. This capability enabled continuous wireless networking outdoors, making sure that every developer could experience the latest tech without interruptions. Lounge area: The IoT-powered smart Library makes a difference. The University Town of Shenzhen repurposed its library's open reading space, creating a fully wireless lounge area. During breaks, developers could browse a catalogue of over 700,000 books through the waterfall-stream electronic book borrowing system. This was possible thanks to the Huawei AirEngine series APs, which provided full Wi-Fi 6 coverage for smart library applications. For example, the library's robots can pinpoint bookshelves and scan books using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based on the IoT network; they also use the Wi-Fi 6 network to report information of misplaced books in real time, efficiently counting available books. O&M assurance: Intelligent O&M makes the network easier to use. Efficient and intelligent network O&M is another key success factor for HDC.Cloud 2021. Huawei iMaster NCE-CampusInsight, a campus network analyzer, greatly helps the administrators in the Network Information Center of the University Town of Shenzhen. To elaborate, administrators can predict wireless network problems and obtain network optimization suggestions by using the big data analytics module and expert experience library. They can also quickly adjust the network, for example, performing AP load balancing, adjusting the transmit power, and optimizing channels. iMaster NCE-CampusInsight ensures the optimal application experience for developers by enabling fine-grained O&M, including application visibility, quality awareness, and fault demarcation. "Since its founding, the University Town of Shenzhen has nurtured a vast number of high-tech innovative talents for Shenzhen's reform and development," said Sun Tao, Director of the Network Information Center, Management Office, University Town of Shenzhen. "Our smart science and education campus has already entered the 2.0 era, with digital innovation, intelligent management, and granular services in full swing. This offers high-quality campus network services and scientific research environments for campus developers, thereby empowering them with higher skills for innovation." Learn more about Intelligent IP Pioneer: https://e.huawei.com/en/case-studies/leading-new-ict/digital-city/2020/higher-education-center SOURCE Huawei

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People covered by Blue Cross plans between February 2008 and October 2020 could be eligible for part of a historic $2.7 billion settlement approved in Alabama last year as part of a long-running antitrust case.

Attorneys could receive about $700 million from the settlement, which leaves about $1.9 billion for people covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield plans during that time. Subscribers have until November 5, 2021 to make a claim online or by mail. Some of those eligible to file a claim may have received postcards notifying them of filing deadlines.

Claims can be filed online at the Blue Cross settlement website, which also offers additional information about who qualifies.

U.S. District Judge David Proctor in Birmingham approved the settlement late last year. Its one of the largest health care settlements in U.S. history. In addition to the monetary amount, the agreement could change the way Blue Cross plans operate in the future.

Plaintiffs in the case claimed that Blue Cross plans divvied up territories to reduce competition in violation of antitrust laws. The lack of competition allowed some plans to charge higher rates for insurance coverage. Blue Cross plans involved in the case deny all allegations of wrongdoing.

Members of the class covered in the lawsuit have four options. They can file a claim as part of the settlement, opt out of the settlement and maintain the ability to file a separate lawsuit, object to the settlement in a letter to the court or do nothing and receive no payment. Those who wish to object must postmark their letters by July 28, 2021.

Proctor will hold a fairness hearing on October 20, 2021 where some affected members will be allowed to speak. The settlement could be finalized later this year.
He also offers parents advice on how to discuss these challenging times with their children

Joshua Dela Cruz is the first Asian American Pacific Islander to host a major childrens show  Nickelodeons Blues Clues & You!

Singing and dancing with an animated dog isnt a stretch for the 32-year-old actor, who studied theater and appeared in Aladdin on Broadway (as well as being a real-life dog dad).

But like many AAPI performers, Dela Cruz downplayed his Filipino heritage for years just to land roles.

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When I graduated college, all I wanted to be was ethnically ambiguous so that I could work, Dela Cruz told TheWraps Lawrence Yee. I would walk into auditions and say to myself, Please dont see me as Asian, please dont see me as Asian. Because I knew that there were only like five shows that were for people like me on Broadway, and which were written by white men. And I knew that if it werent those shows, I dont have a great chance.

It wasnt until he got involved in the Asian theater community that he began to change his thinking about himself and, more importantly, how he represented himself. After joining Here Lies Love  the story about former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos  at the Public Theater and working with other Filipino actors did the actor have a breakthrough.

[The Asian theater community] are actors that were not ashamed of who they were. And thats when I realized, Oh, I have been ignoring and suppressing who I am in order to fit into this world. That is the status quo, Dela Cruz admitted. As an actor, youre supposed to be emotionally available. Youre supposed to be as honest as possible in the moment. And how could I be emotionally available and as honest as possible if I was telling myself, Dont see me as Asian, just be ethnically ambiguous?'

Then going into Aladdin and being in a diverse cast that was unapologetically Black, Latin, and Asian and everything that I realized, Josh, you look the way that you look You are Asian. You are Filipino American. That was a huge moment in my life because then things really began to unfold, he added. I realized the power in identity, and celebrating who you are, and what that is, and how that can unlock a greater power.

Story continues

The turning point came when he landed the lead in Nickelodeons 2018 Blues Clues revival. In the debut episode, Meet Josh, Dela Cruz is introduced as the cousin of former hosts Steve and Joe, played by white actors Steve Burns and Donovan Patton, respectively (Burns actively participated in finding a host among thousands of hopefuls).

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Dela Cruz credits both the change in his personal perspective and the colorblind casting process to landing this role.

I never saw myself as a TV actor, Dela Cruz recalled. Even when I went into school, I was like, Im going to study theater, Im going to be in musicals. Why? Because I knew about Lea Salonga. I knew about BD Wong, I knew about Lou Diamond Phillips. I didnt see that on TV. I never saw things people that I identified with that werent a foreigner or a villain.

As I started to figure out who I am as an Asian actor, I started realizing that the box [media] created is screwed up. So why am I going to try to fit into that box? I should just be myself and pursue film and television, right?

The opportunity to become the host of Blues Clues & You! was something that I never saw in a million years because its such an influential, huge show, he added. I used to watch the show with my little sister, I remember sitting on my aunts pink rug, watching every morning and playing along with her. Its such a huge show that I never thought that I would ever be in this position. But then to do so as an Asian man is incredible. Because I didnt see that on TV.

The unfettered way his character was brought in, the introduction of his grandma or lola (veteran Filipina actress Carolyn Fe) and the support of the production (which recently wrapped a third season) have encouraged him further.

But Dela Cruz also recognizes that his audience  young kids  are lacking encouragement and going through unprecedented times with the coronavirus pandemic and movements in support of Black lives and against Asian hate.

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Racism is such a difficult conversation but such an important conversation to have. I think there was a study where kids at the age of 4 and 5 start to have biases. And then on the other side of that, they also feel discrimination for the way that they look, he explained.

As much as we would like to think that we are filtering that what our kids see there, its so easy to walk in on a conversation or seeing something on the news or a phone or on an iPad. Thats unavoidable. Somebody is going to be talking about it. And I think one of the best things that you can do is look at your own biases, look at your own actions, because there are a lot of things that we do and say that, at the surface seem harmless.

Watch more of TheWraps interview with Dela Cruz in the video above.

Season 2 of Blues Clues & You is airing on Nick Jr. and streaming online.

Read original story How Blues Clues & You Host Josh Dela Cruz Found His Identity and Inspires a New Generation of Viewers At TheWrap
Chads new military junta on Monday appointed a transitional prime minister, who called for a nationwide effort to speed the return to civilian rule, suspended after the shock battlefield death of veteran leader Idriss Deby Itno.

The so-called Transitional Military Council (TMC) led by Debys 37-year-old son Mahamat named Albert Pahimi Padacke, a distant runner-up in April 11 presidential polls, as prime minister.

He was the last premier under Deby, and heads a government whose members will be named or revoked by the younger Deby, according to a 95-article Transition Charter published last Wednesday that supersedes the constitution.

I call on the entire Chadian population to join in a sacred union to save our nation, Pahimi Padacke said in an interview with AFP.

I call on all Chadians to not delay, to not lose time, to join together right away to lay the groundwork for free and transparent elections within the timetable, he said, referring to the 18 months pledged by the junta.

The United States voiced cautious optimism over his appointment, with Robert Godec, the acting top US diplomat for Africa, calling it potentially a positive first step.

The TMC groups 15 generals close to the late president, who won praise abroad for his leadership fighting jihadists in the vast and volatile Sahel.

Pahimi Padacke was credited with just over 10 percent of the vote in the April 11 election, whose landslide victory by Deby was in little doubt.

Opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo also cautiously welcomed the appointment, saying: We are in an unusual political situation we wish him a lot of success.

All Chadians must come together in this difficult period, Kebzabo said.

We should have had a civilian president first, followed by the appointment of a civilian prime minister, said Succes Masra, head of The Transformers opposition movement.

His organisation called for Chadians to come out en masse on Tuesday to demand the TMC step down and to protest at Frances negative interference in Chad.

But the junta moved swiftly to ban the opposition protests.

All demonstrations without a permit and likely to disturb public order are strictly banned throughout national territory, a military decree said.

 Army offensive 

Pahami Padacke had presented himself during the campaign as independent, calling for Debys departure while praising the veteran leaders bravery.

The only courage he lacks is that of accepting a peaceful transfer of power, he said at one campaign rally.

Deby had led the former French colony with an iron fist for three decades, winning six successive elections.

Pahimi Padacke was his prime minister from 2016 to 2018, when the president eliminated the post as part of moves to consolidate power.

The opposition has branded the accession of Debys son as head of a military council an institutional coup.

The junta has gone on the offensive against Libya-based northern rebels, vowing to root out their leader Mahamat Mahadi Ali and seeking help from neighbouring Niger to track him down along with his fighters.

 War crimes 

Junta spokesman Azem Bermandoa Agouna accused the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) of killing several dozen Chadian soldiers and said Ali was sought for war crimes by Tripolis prosecutor general, adding that his assets had been frozen for financing terrorism.

According to the army, several columns of heavily armed vehicles rolled in from Libya on April 11  election day in Chad  attacking a customs post in Tibesti province of Tibesti, some 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) from the capital NDjamena.

FACT, which has a pact with Khalifa Haftar, the military strongman of eastern Libya, emerged in April 2016.

On Saturday the rebels said they were prepared to observe a ceasefire, but Agouna said the two sides were at war.

They are rebels, which is why we are bombing them. We are waging war, thats all, Agouna said.

The time is not for mediation, nor for negotiation with outlaws.

Reached by telephone, Ali told AFP he was still in Chad, in the northern province of Kanem, adding that his forces had been bombarded.

If they want to make war, we will make war, he said. If they attack us we will respond.

Deby himself came to power in 1990 at the head of a rebel force that rolled in from neighbouring Sudan.

He was buried last Friday in a state funeral attended by French President Emmanuel Macron.
(CNN)  In February, it seemed like India had gotten COVID-19 under control, with daily cases falling nearly 90% from the peak of the first wave last year.

Now, the country is experiencing the world's worst outbreak. Daily cases have been rising continuously for the past 10 days; on Monday, India reported 352,991 new cases, breaking yet another record for the highest single-day figure globally.

On the ground, these numbers translate to heart wrenching tragedy. Photos show grieving families dressed in full protective suits at mass cremations, performing last rites surrounded by dozens of other burning funeral pyres. Hospitals have run out of basic medical supplies, with many patients dying due to oxygen shortages. Family members are driving from clinic to clinic, frantically searching for open ICU beds for their loved ones.

The government has been scrambling to respond to the crisis, with countries around the world offering aid. But for now, the outbreak shows no signs of letting up, and experts warn it could get even worse.

"I'm afraid this is not the peak," said Dr. Giridhara R. Babu of the Public Health Foundation of India on Monday. "The kind of data that we see, (we are) at least two to three weeks away from the peak."

Others say India may be approaching the peak now, sooner than Babu's estimate  but with so many ill and so few supplies available, the country will see many more deaths before the second wave subsides.

Here's what you need to know about the crisis in India.

How did it get so bad?

Cases began creeping upward in early March, but accelerated rapidly  the number of daily cases by the end of the month had jumped six times higher than at the start of the month. That exponential rise has only continued with increasing speed and severity.

The second wave hit so much harder because people were unprepared, experts say. The first wave peaked in September and daily cases declined steadily in the following months; the apparent recovery seemed so successful that the country's health minister declared in early March they were "in the endgame" of the pandemic.

And the country's vaccination drive, among the world's largest and most ambitious, got underway in January.

Residents relaxed Covid-safe practices like social distancing, and authorities were looser in their enforcement. Although some states stayed cautious and made preparations for a second wave, none of it was enough  and nobody foresaw the massive coming wave.

"No one saw the extent of the surge," said K. VijayRaghavan, principal scientific adviser for the Indian government. "As the previous wave came down, there was in all of us a feeling that this was something which had been dealt with substantially. We saw signs of a next surge, but the scale and the intensity of it was not clear."

The crisis was made worse by a slow response from the central government. Though some state ministers and local authorities began taking action since February, there appears to have been a vacuum of leadership within the central government, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi staying largely silent on the situation until recent weeks.

Modi finally broke his silence last week, acknowledging the urgency of the situation in an address to the nation, and launched a number of emergency measures to relieve the burden on states and hospitals. But by then, some critics say, the damage was done.

Where is it happening?

New Delhi, the national capital, has been badly hit by the second wave. The union territory of Delhi, where New Delhi is located, was placed under lockdown on April 19. The lockdown has since been extended until May 3.

Hospitals across Delhi are reporting fatal oxygen shortages. On April 23, 20 critically ill patients died at the Jaipur Golden Hospital in Delhi after its supply of oxygen was delayed by seven hours, according to the hospital's medical director.

"Everything we had was exhausted," said Dr. DK Baluja. "The oxygen was not supplied on time. It was supposed to come in at 5 p.m. but it came around midnight. People who were critically ill needed oxygen."

The western state of Maharashtra has also been hard hit, with a number of restrictions in place. Public gatherings have been capped at four people, and public transit across districts and within cities has been limited to essential services and "unavoidable events" like funerals. The entire state is imposing weekend lockdowns through the end of the month.

Several other states also reporting the highest number of active cases include Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

Who's being affected?

Though current Covid patients span nearly every age group, this second wave appears to be infecting young people more than before, experts say.

"The virus and its second wave is hitting the younger people, and even children, in a way it had not in its first wave," said Barkha Dutt, an author and journalist based in New Delhi. "We've met 18-day-old babies that are fighting for their lives inside ICUs."

Part of it could have to do with India being a young country, said Dr. Lancelot Pinto, a consultant pulmonologist at P.D. Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai. The median age of the population is 27, which means that when there's a virus affecting the whole country at such a high speed, "there are bound to be a lot of young people coming to the hospital."

There is the possibility that the higher number of younger patients during this second wave could be related to the virus itself, or its variants  but there simply isn't enough information or data yet to point to a specific cause.

The highest mortality, however, is still seen among patients aged 70 and above, said Babu of the Public Health Foundation of India  "which means that we need to be protecting the elderly by providing critical care."

What about the variants?

There is a correlation between the current surge and the rise of the "Indian variant," according to the country's top epidemiological experts.

"In Maharashtra we saw (the variant first identified in India) go up, we saw an outbreak. We are seeing it go up in Delhi, we are seeing an outbreak," said Anurag Agrawal, director of the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, at a webinar on Friday. "These are very important epidemiological correlations."

"It's also important to keep in mind that these variants have spread a lot," said VijayRaghavan. "They constitute, by some estimates, about 60% in one state, Maharashtra." The proportion of variant cases could be similar in Delhi, as well as other regions in the coming weeks, he added.

Scientists are still studying the Indian variant and conducting genome sequencing to determine what effect, if any, the mutation has.

But some experts warn the new variants pose a clear risk, observable even before formal data has been collected.

Crowded areas in hard-hit cities that saw nearly 50% antibody levels during the first wave are now still reporting positivity rates of more than 25%, said Babu. "Clearly, it means that any protection against the earlier variant is not really useful because of the newer variant spreading faster."

What's happening with vaccines?

India is administering two vaccines domestically: the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, known as Covishield in India, and its homegrown Covaxin, developed jointly by Bharat Biotech and the government-run Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). In mid-April, India also approved Russia's Sputnik V vaccine.

The country started its vaccination program in January for health care workers and priority groups  and marked its 100th day on April 25  with the goal of fully inoculating 300 million people by August. But the program had a sluggish start, facing logistical issues as well as vaccine hesitancy among the population, especially towards Covaxin, which was approved for emergency use before the efficacy data of its third phase trial were released.

As of April 25, India had administered 140.9 million doses of vaccines against COVID-19, according to the health ministry.

Despite administering the most number of coronavirus vaccines in the world after the United States and China, India ranks lower than many countries in per capita vaccination, according to CNN data.

Earlier in April, the central government said it would fast-track emergency approvals for vaccines already approved by the World Health Organization or authorities in the US, Europe, Britain and Japan. Companies still need to apply for approval in India, but they will be exempt from having to conduct local safety trials, expediting the process.

Starting May 1, all residents over the age of 18 will be eligible for vaccination. Private vaccination providers will also be able to sell and administer vaccines.

But state ministers have criticized the new measures, pointing out there simply aren't enough vaccines even if more people become eligible. The chief minister of West Bengal called the decision "hollow, without substance and a regrettable show of evasion of responsibility by the central government at a time of crisis," adding it could lead to "unscrupulous mechanisms" regarding pricing in the market.

What is the government doing?

The central government leaped into action in late April as the extent of the crisis became clear.

On April 20, in his address to the nation, Modi said the government was working to deliver 100,000 new oxygen cylinders to states, and that it was suspending all oxygen use for industrial purposes to free up supply for medical use.

Work is underway to increase the number of hospital beds, and to build dedicated Covid hospitals in some cities, he said.

In his address, Modi urged states to avoid imposing lockdowns if possible, calling such measures the "last option."

India's health minister said on April 24 that the central government has provided Delhi with more oxygen "than they had asked for," and urged people not to seek hospitalizations "with the slightest panic  this is not required."

The next day, Modi expanded on the ongoing efforts, saying his administration would set up 551 oxygen generation plants "in every district to ensure adequate oxygen availability."

The government is now exploring how to use railways and the Air Force most effectively so that oxygen tankers reach local centers as soon as possible.

How has the world responded?

Countries around the world have stepped up to offer critical aid.

The Biden administration and the US Defense Department will deploy supplies and support to India, including sending ventilators, PPE, rapid diagnostic test kits, and therapeutics, according to the White House and senior officials.

"The United States also is pursuing options to provide oxygen generation and related supplies on an urgent basis," according to a readout of a call between the two countries' national security advisers.

The US has a temporary ban in place on exporting raw materials critical for vaccine production  but the White House announced it would partially lift it by identifying "specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacture of the Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India."

On Monday, the White House said it could share up to 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine  which the US currently has stockpiled  with other countries in the coming months, assuming the US Food and Drug Administration issues an emergency use authorization for that vaccine.

However, a senior Biden administration official said that Modi did not make a specific request for vaccines when he spoke with President Biden on Monday, and it remains unclear if the unused AstraZeneca doses will be sent to India. Multiple world leaders have pressed Biden to share doses as other countries have struggled to ramp up vaccinations.

The United Kingdom is also sending 600 pieces of medical equipment to India, including oxygen concentrators and ventilators, the government announced Sunday. The aid follows a direct request by Modi to the UK.

India is also importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants and containers from Germany, which will be airlifted and arrive in India within a week. The supplies will be deployed to military hospitals treating COVID-19 patients, said India's defense ministry on Friday.

Neighboring Pakistan, which has a long and hostile history with India, announced it would provide "relief support" including ventilators, PPE and other medical assistance.

"I want to express our solidarity with the people of India as they battle a dangerous wave of COVID-19," said Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in a statement Saturday. "Our prayers for a speedy recovery go to all those suffering from the pandemic," said Khan. "We must fight this global challenge confronting humanity together."

This story was first published on CNN.com "India is spiraling deeper into Covid-19 crisis. Here's what you need to know"
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 08:56:00|Editor: huaxia

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ISLAMABAD, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that his country will follow China's footsteps in the field of agriculture and get benefit from China's high-yield seed development technology.

Addressing a ceremony to give away "farmer card" to farmers in the country's east Punjab province on Monday, the prime minister said that his government had taken an important step to make the agricultural sector a vital part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to uplift the sector and lives of the farmers.

He said that Pakistan's own research institutions on seed development will also be revamped to produce good quality seeds at home.

He said that unlike China, Pakistani farmers are still using old techniques of agriculture, which needs a major transformation, and with the government's efforts, the farmers will gradually shift to modern agricultural modes.

Khan said that under the "farmer card," the local farmers will get subsidized fertilizers, seeds and pesticides besides low-interest loans and compensation for damaged crops in case of any natural calamity. Enditem
The immigrant experience is an essential element in the ongoing story of theUnited States. In his latest portrait collection, former President George W. Bush tries to capture the images and stories of some of those who came to America and found a new way of life.

One of the subjects of his new collection is Kim Mitchell, a U.S. Navy veteran who was born in South Vietnam and orphaned as a baby. Her extraordinary story is one of hard work and dedication that would lead to a lifetime of service, first to her country and later to her fellow veterans.

When Mitchell first came to the United States, she was just 10 months old. Her adoptive father was Air Force Tech. Sgt. James Mitchell, an airman deployed to Vietnam in 1972. He brought Kim home from an orphanage in Da Nang in what was then South Vietnam.

"My mother and father didn't have any children prior to my dad being deployed to Vietnam," Kim Mitchell tells Military.com "I think they just mentioned that if the opportunity came up to adopt a child, they would, and it didn't care if it was a boy or girl."

Tech. Sgt. Mitchell would regularly drop off clothes and supplies to the local orphanage. Many service members did, Mitchell recalls. But one day, the nuns in the orphanage put little Kim in his arms.

"I was fortunate enough for him to say that day, I'm gonna adopt this one. I'll take this one," she says.

From the start, her American experience was an exceptional one. Some of her earliest memories came in New Mexico while her father was stationed at Cannon Air Force Base. At just four years old, she was flying in an airplane belonging to a friend of her fathers, a fellow airman. Another early memory has her in a photo with then-Governor of New Mexico, Jerry Apodaca.

Kim Mitchell as a baby with her adoptive father, U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant James Mitchell, in Danang, South Vietnam, in 1972. (Courtesy Kim Mitchell)

Mitchell spent much of her younger years on the family farm in Solon Springs, Wisconsin. Where many immigrants live with a family who are also immigrants, young Kim was one of two people of Asian descent in her family. One of her cousins was also adopted from Vietnam -- but none of that really mattered in her community.

"We were clearly not born down the road, like everybody else was in Northern Wisconsin," she says. "It wasn't until my Naval Academy days that I even met other Asians. Though I did have a cousin, we were the two Asians in the family and we both considered ourselves Americans just like everybody else. We didn't think anything about it."

Young Kim's father pushed her to consider the Air Force Academy after high school, but a chance encounter with a Navy Admiral took her career in a different direction. She was selected to represent her school at a Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership conference and was asked to introduce him as a speaker. He convinced her to also look at the Naval Academy. When she got the brochure, she said, the decision came quickly.

"I started getting pamphlets about the Naval Academy and the programs that they had. Everything was in color and everyone was smiling," Mitchell says with a laugh. "And I was like, 'this looks like a lot of fun. I think I'm going to shift my focus to the Naval Academy.' In the pictures of the Air Force Academy, there wasn't a whole lot of smiling."

Kim Mitchell's family looks on as she takes her oath with the U.S. Navy on May 7, 1990, before attending the Naval Academy Preparatory School. (Courtesy Kim Mitchell)

But her entry into Annapolis was rocked by the sudden death of her father. The academy allowed her to resign to take care of things back home and rejoin for the class of 1996. She would spend 17 years in the Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer, earn a master's degree from George Washington University and spend her last years under Adm. Mike Mullen, the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. She left the Navy in 2012 as Lt. Cmdr. Kim Mitchell.

While her Navy service was important to her, she saw the opportunity to continue serving. This time it was for a cause she cared about on a deeply personal level: veterans.

"The armed forces is a big melting pot of people who just want to serve," says Mitchell. "That call to serve is something greater than yourself. Some of them have some very interesting background stories and challenges that they overcame. I think it's just a great thing about America that our armed forces are able to bring in anybody who wants to serve."

Upon leaving the Navy, Mitchell embarked on a career of continued service as a civilian. Her first stop was the nonprofit Dixon Center, working with Adm. Mullen, the George W. Bush Institute and other community organizations, connecting veterans with the services they need to thrive in post-military life. She then took over as President and CEO of Veterans Village of San Diego, dedicated to providing housing and other services to homeless veterans.

Kim Mitchell poses with Admiral Michael Mullen during her time with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (Courtesy Kim Mitchell)

Today, she's the Senior Vice President of Military and Government affairs at a non-profit online university aimed at the military-veteran community, National University.

In 2019, Mitchell returned to the Bush Institute as a member of the 2019 Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program. That's where the former president discovered her and her story. The staff told her Bush wanted to paint her portrait for his next book about the American immigrant experience.

"I'm an adopted, naturalized citizen, but sometimes I don't think of myself as an immigrant," she says. "The president's not going to paint a portrait of me, Kim Mitchell. I grew up on a farm in Northern Wisconsin."

But Bush did paint her, one of 43 portraits he created and put into his latest book, "Out of Many, One: Portraits of America's Immigrants." The book aims to put a spotlight on inspiring immigrant stories and the contributions they've made to their lives and the United States.

"I am deeply honored that the president chose my story to be one of the stories highlighted in this book," Mitchell says. "Being able to hear him talk about immigration and the contributions that immigrants bring to the United States and to America is a great discussion."

-- 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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A Portland-area school district has canceled Tuesday and Wednesday classes as staffers work to fix a ransomware attack that may have affected the districts technology systems.

Centennial School District staff discovered Monday that certain digital files had been encrypted by an unknown actor, the district said in a statement.

The district took its technology systems offline as a precaution so hackers could not access any more information.

The district also reported the breach to federal investigators, hired a cybersecurity firm and launched its own investigation into how the system could have been hacked.

Ransomware attacks on school systems have increased recently, according to the Associated Press.

There have already been at least 21 ransomware attacks in the U.S. education sector this year, Brett Callow, a threat analyst for the anti-malware company Emsisoft, told the Associated Press on April 21.

The attacks have disrupted 550 schools, Callow said.

The Centennial School District serves more than 6,100 students in the Southeast Portland and Gresham area.

Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR
A man was killed Tuesday when fire swept through his Midfield home.

Midfield firefighters, assisted by Fairfield Fire and Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service, responded to the home on 12th Street North shortly before 11:30 a.m. When they arrived, there was heavy fire coming the from the basement, and that quickly spread to the rest of the home.

There were three people inside the home when the fire broke out, but two were able to escape. The remaining resident, a disabled man in his 50s, was pronounced dead on the scene.

The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined. That Alabama State Fire Marshals Office is investigation, along with Midfield fire officials.
The state Senate has approved a bill introduced by Sen. Steve McClure of Springfield intended to make it easier for teachers to leave private schools to work in the public sector and not take a loss on their retirement accruals.

The bill would allow teachers to pay into the system to cover both employee and employer pension contributions, plus the assumed rate of interest, for up to two years of private teaching. The private school would have to be certified by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has suggested social media could be used by the evil one to undermine Australian society, telling Christian leaders they are what the country needs right now.

Speaking at the Australian Christian Churches national conference at the Gold Coast last week, Mr Morrison also called out identity politics for being corrosive to society, and revealed he used the Pentecostal practice of laying on of hands while meeting people at disaster relief centres.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison receives a blessing at the Australian Christian churches conference.

The speech gave a rare insight into the deep Pentecostal Christian faith Mr Morrison has and its impact on his political leadership. It was uploaded to YouTube on Sunday by secular advocacy group Rationalists Australia.

Mr Morrison said young people were being damaged by social media, and said it could be used by the Devil as a weapon.
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment (NABITA) is excited to announce a key piece of legislation has been proposed to increase the safety of our students nationwide.

Introduced in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, Behavioral Intervention Guidelines Act (BIG Act) requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop best practices for schools and higher education institutions. The BIG Act will help to establish behavioral intervention teams comprised of small groups of school officials who meet regularly to collect and review concerning information about at-risk community members and develop plans to assist them.

Sponsored in the House by Rep. Drew Ferguson (GA-3rd-R) with Rep. Michael Burgess (TX-26th-R), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-20th-D), and Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52nd-D), and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. John Cornyn (TX-R) and Sen. Angus King (ME-I), the Act's launch was announced today. Ferguson's public statement can be found here.

The BIG Act will also help to connect experts who develop and implement behavioral intervention programs with the SAMHSA and other federal agencies, which in return helps to promote the most effective behavioral intervention practices throughout the country.

"As an organization that supports the practitioners who work every day to support their students and make their schools safer, we are excited by the resources this Act will represent to NABITA's members," stated Makenzie Schiemann, M.S., President of NABITA.

The BIG Act is critical legislation for student support and safety because it will provide best practices for schools to establish Behavioral Intervention Teams (BITs), mandate that schools receive training in BIT best practices, and require technical assistance to be provided to higher education and K-12 schools to assist them in implementing these best practices.

According to Aaron "Chip" Reese, Ed.D., the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs at Columbus State University and a NABITA Advisory Board member, "the BIG Act will be a gamechanger for student affairs professionals across the country because, I truly believe, it will provide a more holistic approach in our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of our campuses and our students."

The National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment is committed to making our campuses, schools, and workplaces safer environments by fostering and encouraging development, education, and caring intervention. As the leading organization in the field of behavioral intervention teams (BITs), threat assessment, and case management, NABITA provides education, best practice recommendations, and ongoing professional development through an annual conference, multiple certification training opportunities yearly, and a weekly newsletter. NABITA serves as a best practices clearinghouse for over 2,000 members by providing BIT and case management-related model policies, training tools, and templates. For more information, visit www.nabita.org.

Media Contacts:

Cathleen Parsons-Nikolic

NABITA

M: (215)-907-1646

E: [email protected]

SOURCE NABITA
Hyderabad: Cometh the hour, rises a leader. The ever-increasing Covid-19 cases, particularly those requiring hospitalisation with severe symptoms, has driven up the demand and scale of requests for plasma donors.

Gudur Narayana Reddy, himself a Corona patient who fought the disease and recovered successfully, has been leading an effort for about a year now to help provide plasma from Covid-19 recovered patients to those undergoing treatment and need it.

He set up www.telanganaplasmadonors.com to encourage donors and connect them with Covid-19 patients. He has been seeing a lot of requests during the second Covid wave too.

January and February were months when there was not much of a demand but it has now picked up as the disease began spinning out of control, he said. This may even erupt into a bigger crisis, Narayana Reddy said.

He said his group of volunteers are also getting requests from Visakhapatnam,Vijayawada, Guntur and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh but in that state, there are no organised efforts.

We are guiding individual volunteers coming forward to donate plasma and encouraging them to get in touch with the district collectors who could connect with hospitals, he added. Narayana Reddy said that any Covid-19 recovered person willing to donate plasma should do so within 90 days from the day he or she tested positive but only after full recovery.

Those without symptoms typically do not have enough antibodies but those with moderate or severe symptoms have more antibodies. He also said that the state government which promised a centralized plasma collection and distribution system, has not kept its word.

Back in Telangana, he said we have been able to cater to a majority of requests in Hyderabad, from Karimnagar, and Warangal districts. He said when possible, the group has been also trying to help patients find doses of Remedesivir injections.

I am not speaking here as a BJP leader but as a social worker. The government should not have been hiding the truth about Covid numbers. People have become careless because they think it is not much. Had the truth been told, people would have had an element of fear and taken more care of themselves and their families, he said.

Gudur is a busy man as his efforts have led to a viraling of his phone number on social media. His phone is constantly ringing or buzzing, with requests for plasma from patients family members or friends, and also encouragingly, from volunteers.

Across the country now, Gudur is constantly spending time, and money, to connect donors with patients and help.

Gudur is the Sonu Sood for plasma seekers, messaged the son of a plasma recipient. When systems fail or falter, society looks up to individuals. He has been the icon of hope.

Gudur smiles and moves to the next call, saying, there is a long way before we emerge out of the Covid pandemic as a country. Till then, we have to stand for each other.

He is doing just that and people are grateful. I am doing my little bit, he says modestly. What I have done is little more than nothing compared to the frontline warriors, doctors, nurses, para-medics, and volunteers. And the scientists who have made the vaccines.
There also are what are known as community field projects, in which solar panel fields can be built anywhere, and the power is put into the overall electric grid. The entity that creates the field then gets credits on its bill for the power.
The International Space Station will be crowded a little longer after NASA and SpaceX announced a delayed return for the Crew-1 mission.

Astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Soichi Noguchi were set to undock from the orbiting laboratory on Wednesday, but poor weather has now pushed the departure back to Friday, April 30.

This means the Crew Dragon spacecraft, named Resilience, will splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida Saturday, May 1.

There are currently 11 astronauts living on the ISS, which typically hosts six at a time, but the US portion has only four beds and there are currently nine people within this part of the station.

Scroll down for video

Astronauts (left to right) Shannon Walker, Victor Glover, Michael Hopkins and Soichi Noguchi were set undock from the orbiting laboratory April 28, but poor weather has pushed it to April 30 and splashdown is now scheduled for May 1

Crew-2 mission brought the latest batch of astronauts to the ISS Sunday, which overlapped Crew-1 that was set to head home to Earth a few days later.

However, NASA released an official statement Tuesday announcing a delay due to poor weather conductions in the splashdown zones off the coast of Florida, which currently predict wind speeds above the recovery criteria.

Resilience is scheduled to undock from the ISS at 5:55pm ET Friday, April 30 and splashdown at 11:36am ET Saturday, May 1.

The returning astronauts, Crew-1, launched to the ISS on November 15, 2020, which was the first to follow the historic Demo-2 mission in May 2020.

There are currently 11 astronauts living on the ISS, which typically hosts six at a time, but the US portion has only four beds and there are currently nine people within this part of the station

It was only the second time that SpaceX, which is owned by Elon Musk, sent people into orbit in its Dragon capsule via its Falcon rocket.

The crew led by Hopkins, an Air Force colonel, includes physicist Walker and Navy Cmdr. and rookie astronaut Glover, who is the first black astronaut to spend an extended amount of time on the space station.

Noguchi also became only the third person to rocket into orbit aboard three different kinds of spacecraft.

The team of four named their capsule Resilience given all the challenges in 2020, most notably the global pandemic.

The returning astronauts, Crew-1, launched to the ISS on November 15, 2020 (pictured) and the team of four named their capsule Resilience given all the challenges in 2020, most notably the global pandemic.

The crew led by Hopkins (front right), an Air Force colonel, includes physicist Walker (back left) and rookie astronaut Glover (front left), who is the first black astronaut to spend an extended amount of time on the space station. Noguchi (front right) also became only the third person to rocket into orbit aboard three different kinds of spacecraft.

But it seems 2021 has brought a little bad luck with poor weather on their set return date, which means the crew will have to find creative places to sleep.

The ISS has hosted as many as 13 people, but the feat seems to be challenging each time the ship becomes crowded and astronauts have been sleeping in temporary beds.

NASAs Mike Hopkins and Shane Kimbrough  commanders of Crew-1 and Crew-2,  have been sleeping in their docked Crew Dragon capsules.

Three crew members have made Crew Alternative Sleep Accommodations, which is dubbed CASA that also means house in Spanish.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Soichi Noguchi and fellow Crew-1 astronauts Shannon Walker and Victor Glover, both of NASA, are among those in CASA beds.

Noguchi is getting shut eye in the astronaut gym, Walker is in the Columbus module and Glover sleeps in the airlock.

The newest occupants are NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide.

Two of the Crew-2 members are sleeping in the docked capsule, dubbed Endeavor and the other two can pick wherever they want to call home, NPR reports.
Former president Donald Trump jumped into a competitive Senate primary on Saturday night in North Carolina, endorsing Rep. Ted Budd for a hotly contested seat in the 2022 election. Trumps surprise endorsement  which he said he told the congressman about 15 minutes before taking the stage at a convention center here  came minutes after his daughter-in-law Lara Trump said she was not going to be running for the seat in North Carolina. Rumors had circulated for a month about a potential Senate bid by Lara Trump, which she had fueled. She said Saturday night that she was no for now after being called to the stage by her father-in-law, explaining that her decision was made largely because she has two young children.





Budd is running against at least two other prominent Republicans: U.S. Rep. Mark Walker and former North Carolina governor Pat McCrory, and the former presidents nod is likely to give Budd a boost.
Britain's HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier will lead a flotilla of Royal Navy ships through Asian waters on port visits to Japan and South Korea on its maiden deployment, the British embassy in Tokyo said on Monday.

The high-profile visits, aimed at bolstering security ties in East Asia, come amid tensions in the region as concern grows in Japan over any threat posed to neighbouring Taiwan by China.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and U.S. President Joe Biden issued a joint statement this month addressing China's growing assertiveness and the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait following their first face-to-face meeting in Washington since both became leaders of their countries.

Including the Queen Elizabeth with 18 F-35B stealth fighters, two destroyers, two frigates and two support ships, the British carrier strike group will have to sail through the contested East Vietnam Sea, parts of which are claimed by China and Southeast Asian countries, on its way to East Asia. The ships will also stop in India and Singapore.

It will be joined by vessels from the United States and a frigate from the Netherlands and will carry out exercises with forces from Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, the UAE, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Israel, India, Oman and South Korea, the British government said in a news release.

Other foreign ships currently in Asian waters include a French amphibious carrier and two U.S. navy aircraft carriers, one of which, the USS Ronald Reagan, is based in Japan. A close Washington ally, Japan hosts the biggest concentration of U.S. military forces outside the United States, including warships, planes and thousands of marines.

The latest, and so far most conspicuous, visit to Japan by British forces follows earlier deployment of warships, jet fighters and troops for joint training exercises as London and Tokyo look to strengthen defence ties.
SPRINGFIELD  About a quarter of the 2021 Illinois corn crop is now in the ground, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Illinois Crop Progress and Condition Report.

As of Sunday, 23% of the corn crop had been planted in Illinois. That compares to the five-year average of 28 percent.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 28)  The Chinese Foreign Ministry is urging the Philippines to respect their sovereignty, rights, and interests in the South China Sea, and to stop any action that will complicate the situation in the area.

We urge the relevant side to respect China's sovereignty and rights and interests, and stop actions complicating the situation and escalating disputes, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday.

This was his response when asked to comment about the maritime exercises being conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea.

Wang also reiterated Chinas sovereignty over Nansha Islands, or the Spratly Islands, as well as the Zhongye Island (Pag-asa Island) and Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) which is part of what they call the Zhongsha Islands and their adjacent waters, and that they exercise jurisdiction in relevant waters. This is despite an arbitral tribunal ruling in The Hague in 2016 affirming the Philippines sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone, which the other party has consistently refused to recognize.

Filipino officials, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. and a number of senators, took exception to Chinas statement. They asserted the Philippines sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, citing the 2016 Hague arbitral ruling which also invalidated Chinas expansive "nine-dash-line" claims over virtually the entire sea.

On Sunday, members of the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources began their intensified maritime training in the disputed waters. Authorities said eight capital ships have been deployed in Bajo De Masinloc and Pag-asa Island.

These will also be used to perform drills in the Batanes Group of Islands, Benham Rise, as well as in the southern and eastern portions of the Philippines.

Exercises will include navigation, small boat operations, maintenance, and logistical operations.

Last month, authorities reported the presence of around 200 Chinese vessels at Julian Felipe reef, which is located close to Bataraza, Palawan, well within the Philippines 200-mile exclusive economic zone in the Kalayaan Island Group.

The Philippines has lodged at least 78 diplomatic protests against China since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016. Locsin has recently ordered the filing of daily protests until China removes its vessels from the West Philippine Sea.

However, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said these protests are not being taken seriously due to a verbal fishing agreement made by President Rodrigo Duterte with China.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque already denied such agreement, stressing that Duterte does not condone "unlawful" fishing by any state in the country's waters.

RELATED: Palace says Duterte to pursue bilateral ties with China despite territorial disputes
If widely adapted in the wild blueberry sector, a new artificial intelligence application could mean millions of dollars in agrochemical savings each year. Credit: Dalhousie University

The wild blueberry market has developed into a multimillion-dollar industry in North America, with consumers pushing up demand as they seek out the prized berries for a range of health benefits.

Growing and harvesting the fruit can, however, be complicated by weeds that infest commercial fields, compete with blueberry plants for nutrients and interfere with harvesting equipment. To stem the spread of unwanted plants, farmers often rely on broadcast applications of herbicides to eliminate the weeds, some of which have become resistant to the chemicals because of repeated use.

The Mechanized Systems Research Team at Dalhousie University is addressing that problem through the use of deep learning convolutional neural networks (CNNs)an emerging smart technology that can identify weeds and give farmers the information they need to apply agrochemicals in a more targeted fashion.

Travis Esau, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Agriculture Department of Engineering, recently published a paper on this topic with his Ph.D. student, Patrick Hennessy. This research determined the technology could detect sheep sorrel and hair fescuetwo common weeds that affect Nova Scotia blueberry cropsin images of almost 60 wild blueberry fields in the province.

"With this research we discovered how CNNs can very accurately detect the presence of hair fescue and sheep sorrel when herbicides are being applied," said Dr. Esau.

"As a result, we can incorporate the trained CNN into smart applicators to allow for spot treatment of agrochemicals and save significant amounts of input from being needlessly wasted, resulting in more sustainable and environmentally conscious management decisions."

How it works

CNNs can intelligently identify visual features and find patterns associated with the target plant with minimal input from the user, making them easily adaptable for new targets. They are trained to detect new targets by repeatedly showing a computer many labeled pictures of the desired target, in this case particular weeds.

The technology has been used to indicate stages of ripeness in blueberries and estimate potential yields. CNNs have also effectively detected weeds interfering with strawberries, potatoes, Florida vegetables, and other crops. They have been used for detecting diseases on tomatoes, apples, strawberries and various other plants.

Eight digital cameras captured thousands of color pictures of wild blueberry fields containing hair fescue and sheep sorrel in central and northern Nova Scotia. The CNNs trained with these images identified hair fescue and sheep sorrel with accuracies of up to 97 percent and 90 percent, respectively. The results of this study indicated that CNNs provide a high level of accuracy for weed identification in wild blueberry fields.

Dr. Esau says the technology could make farming much more efficient and inexpensive if used with smart sprayers to precisely target the unwanted plants. Unlike previous technologies, CNNs can distinguish between different weeds.

"Future work will involve testing the CNNs for use on a smart sprayer and the development of an application to provide growers with field-specific information," the paper states.

"Using CNNs to improve agricultural efficiency will create major cost-savings for wild blueberry producers."

Millions in savings

Recent figures bear out the crop's economic importance. In 2016, there were more than 86,000 ha of fields in production in North America, yielding approximately 119 million kg of fruit. Wild blueberries contributed more than $100 million to Nova Scotia's economy in 2017, including $65.9 million in exports.

More than 100 weed species, however, limit yields by taking soil nutrients from the wild blueberry plants and snarling harvesting equipment.

In 2019, Scott White, weed scientist at Dalhousie found sheep sorrel and hair fescue to be the first and fourth most common weeds in Nova Scotia wild blueberry fields. They are typically managed by applying a uniform application of liquid herbicide with a boom sprayer fixed to an agricultural tractor.

Velpar was used to manage an array of weeds in wild blueberry fields beginning in 1982, but is no longer used for hair fescue because it developed resistance from repeated use. Kerb SC, which is now used to manage hair fescue, is more than twice as expensive to apply.

"If widely adapted in the wild blueberry sector, it could mean millions of dollars in agrochemical savings each year. This research can also be expanded to benefit other important cropping systems in Nova Scotia and Canada," says Dr. Esau.

In future, Dr. Esau says CNNs will be trained for additional target weeds and one will be selected for use on a smart sprayer to selectively apply herbicides on wild blueberry fields. The selected CNN will be used in an application accessible on smartphones to help growers in field-management decisions.

"This is the first instance deep learning CNNs have been incorporated for use in wild blueberry for weed detection," he says.

Explore further New study reveals Down East wild blueberry fields warming faster than Maine as a whole

More information: Patrick J. Hennessy et al. Hair Fescue and Sheep Sorrel Identification Using Deep Learning in Wild Blueberry Production, Remote Sensing (2021). Patrick J. Hennessy et al. Hair Fescue and Sheep Sorrel Identification Using Deep Learning in Wild Blueberry Production,(2021). DOI: 10.3390/rs13050943
ANTRIM COUNTY, MI  The Michigan State Police are seeking information about a trio of missing miniature goats.

Troopers from the MSP Gaylord Post are investigating the larceny of the animals from a property in Mancelona in March.

Also known as pygmy goats, the animals have become increasingly popular pets in recent years because of their friendly nature and good milk.

Anyone with information regarding the goats are asked to contact the MSP Gaylord Post at 989-732-2778.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Tuesday asked the Centre and AAP government as to why there was Remdesivir drug scarcity in the national capital when the medication was being widely prescribed for COVID-19 patients whose numbers have surged hugely in the past few days.

On being told by the Centre that Remdesivir can only be administered at hospitals, the high court observed that when oxygen and beds were not available in hospitals for coronavirus patients, then how will they get the drug.

Justice Prathiba M Singh made the Health Ministry and the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) a party in the matter and asked their lawyers to come with instructions on why there was a scarcity of the drug in Delhi.

A similar direction was issued to additional standing counsel Anuj Aggarwal, appearing for the Delhi government, and the matter was listed for hearing post lunch by the court.

"Entire city is suffering as they are not getting this drug. Entire procurement is done by the government. Then why is this happening," the court asked Aggarwal when the hearing commenced.

Aggarwal said that Delhi does not have the facilities to manufacture the drug and it is obtained from other states who sell it only after meeting their own demands.

He also told the court that a large stock of the drug had expired in February this year as it was not being actively prescribed by doctors.

The high court, however, did not agree with the submission regarding the medicine not being prescribed, saying the drug was being prescribed by doctors everywhere.

The court also asked, "Was it not permitted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)?"

The court was hearing a plea moved by a lawyer who is suffering from COVID-19 and was able to get only three out of the six doses of Remdesivir required by him.

In his plea, he has sought directions to the Delhi government to provide him with the remaining doses of the drug.

During the pre-noon hearing, the central government told the court that the drug can only be administered in a hospital setting and therefore, how were people getting it from pharmacies.

Live TV
ADT has filed a lawsuit against Ring for using blue octagon signs to promote the Ring Alarm Outdoor Siren. The US home security company said over 6.5 million customers in the country are using its blue octagon lawn signs and window stickers to show that their houses are protected by its offerings. Its trademarked sign is "iconic in the security market," the company argues, adding that Ring copied it "seeking to tout a reputation for trust to potential customers that it has not earned."

In the complaint it filed accusing the Amazonowned company of willful trademark infringement and unfair competition, ADT wrote that by using a similar-looking sign, "people will believe that Ring is providing a security service on par with ADT  or, worse, that Ring is providing its security service in partnership with ADT." The security company also noted the first time Ring used blue octagon signage in its lawsuit.

Apparently, Ring signed an agreement not to use trademarks or names that may confuse it with ADT in 2016, but it started offering a blue octagon yard sign that says "Protected by Ring" a few months later. After ADT reached out to Ring, the latter agreed to make the sign less blue. ADT backed down and didn't take any more action against it until these newer, bluer signs emerged.

That's not the only time the two companies clashed with each other. In 2017, ADT accused Ring of stealing and using the platform it developed in the Ring Protect DIY home security system. As Bloomberg notes, they settled in 2018, around the time Amazon purchased Ring for over $800 million. Amazon worked with ADT prior to that acquisition, but now ADT is backed by Google, which recently invested $450 million in the company to get its Nest products in more homes.

ADT is now asking a federal court in Florida to stop Ring from using blue octagon signs and for an unspecified amount of cash in compensation.

Here's a comparison of the two signs provided by ADT in its lawsuit:
The European Union is reversing its yearlong stance on American tourists and this summer will welcome vaccinated U.S. passport holders, The New York Times reported.

[This] is going to lead to a flurry of new bookings this week...because folks feel a much greater sense of confidence that they will be able to take that trip to Paris or Barcelona this summer, Scott Keyes, founder and chief flight expert at Scotts Cheap Flights, told Yahoo Money.

Read more: Top 4 travel destinations for summer 2021

The details and timeline remain unclear on when vaccinated Americans will be allowed to visit the 27-nation bloc and what vaccine documentation will be required of tourists, but the decision comes after the successful vaccine rollout in the U.S., according to Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, in a statement to The New York Times.

The European Union is reversing its year-long stance on American tourists and this summer will welcome vaccinated U.S. passport holders, The New York Times reported. (Photo: Getty)

Already United Airlines reported searches to Europe are up 19%, according to a CNN report. That's despite the State Department's move to reclassify the worlds countries using CDC guidance last week, designating 153 out of 209 countries as Level 4: Do Not Travel, its highest and most severe travel advisory level.

Since the pandemic defaulted all American travel to stateside, the EUs reopening is going to go a long way in spreading out where people are taking summer vacations, Keyes said. Crowds at certain U.S. vacation hotspots like national parks and beaches  which were inundated with visitors last summer  may thin and return to pre-pandemic volume.

Read more: 5 hottest destinations for Memorial Day weekend

As more countries start to open their borders again, especially for Americans who have been vaccinated, I think you're going to see more and more people start to spread out rather than feeling more funneled and confined to the lower 48 [domestic] destinations, he said.

Perennially popular European capitals like Athens, Paris, and Rome are primed to see Americans this summer, per Keyes. After a year of social distancing measures, U.S. tourists are daydreaming about that treat yourself spot.

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People are going to be wanting to make up for lost time, he said, and not settle for destinations midway down their bucket list.

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The Central Adelaide Local Health Network has worked with health mobile platform Personify Care to digitise its operations, drastically improving healthcare for patients while reducing administrative burden to hospital staff workers.

The Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) has partnered with Adelaide-based patient management platform Personify Care to develop digital health pathways at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

This partnership was part of CALHNs strategic focus on shaping the future of health in South Australia with world-class care. According to Personify Care, it delivered Telehealth Pathways during COVID-19 restrictions, which enabled SA Dental to triage patients remotely and streamlined communication for patients requiring urgent care via Telehealth video calls.

Paul Lambert, Executive Director for Digital Design at CALHN, describes the early results as favourable given the speed of implementation.

We plan to continue the roll out of digital pathways to inform our patients and provide intelligent care. Personify Care has enabled us to rapidly implement new patient pathways within four weeks without needing to change existing clinical protocols, he says.

These pathways are already freeing up our teams to deliver high-value care, identify risks earlier, and implement new models of care for better health outcomes for South Australians in the future, he adds.

The launch of digital pathways at the Royal Adelaide Hospital has simultaneously provided patients better access to healthcare while reducing the administrative burden on health workers.

The first of the new patient pathways allows front-line staff to support elective surgery patients at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and was live within four weeks of approval. According to CALHN, feedback from staff has been positive and over 90% adoption rate from patients.

Ken Saman, CEO and Founder, Personify Care, enthuses: Were delighted to be partnering with the teams at Royal Adelaide Hospital and CALHN. Our focus is on connecting patients to best possible care and allowing healthcare staff to do what they do best care for their patients."

We're just getting started and were really excited about the opportunity to support our frontline healthcare staff to positively influence the health outcomes for South Australians into the future, he adds.

With Personify Cares strong focus on usability and keeping clinical teams in control of clinical workflows, it helped staff to manage the pre-admission preparation of elective patients seen at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

The registered nursing team at Royal Adelaide Hospital, Technical suites, claims, Personify Care is easy to useit allows us to rapidly screen our patients before admission. We have just started, and its saving us time.

According to Personify Care, it helps healthcare teams to deliver the best possible care without the burden of processing forms and time-consuming phone calls, by converting their patient pathways into a convenient digital patient experience.

This collaboration was supported by the Go2Gov program established by the Government of South Australia, Department for Innovation and Skills, to encourage and support local companies and businesses to bring innovative solutions to government agencies.
Here's what you need to know: Tuesday, April 27
In June and July, the Netflix queue will feature the cartooned feature America: the Motion Picture, along with Guillermo del Toros Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans. Some of the titles scheduled for August include The Kissing Booth 3 and Hes All That, a gender-swapped remake of the 1999 teen rom-com Shes All That.
House Bill 346 by state Rep. Randal Gaines, D-LaPlace, is redemptive at its core. His proposal would establish a remedy in Louisiana for the approximately 1500 citizens who have been convicted by a nonunanimous criminal jury verdict.

Its an act of redemptive justice because it seeks to restore, even at this late date, the protection of a unanimous jury verdict to those deprived of this foundational principle of constitutional law in our state for almost 150 years.

The legislation proposed would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to provide an additional ground for post-conviction relief for a person who has been convicted by a nonunanimous jury verdict.

Louisiana inmates convicted by split juries would get new trials, parole hearings under this bill While the U.S. Supreme Court considers handing new trials to about 1,500 Louisiana inmates who were convicted years ago by non-unanimous jurie

HB346 would also require a parole hearing for anyone serving a sentence for a conviction by a nonunanimous jury within 180 days of providing acceptable documentation of the nonunanimous jury verdict to the Department of Corrections.

One of the great moments of recent Louisiana history was the unprecedented bipartisan support for Senate Bill 243 adopted by the Legislature in 2018, and the subsequent statewide ratification of Amendment No. 2 (by an almost 2-1 margin), which restored unanimous criminal jury verdicts in Louisiana.

However, Amendment No. 2 was prospective only and did not apply to anyone charged with a crime committed prior to Jan. 1, 2019. For those people, the nonunanimous jury law was still in effect.

Yet change was on the horizon, and on March 18, 2019, a petition for writ of certiorari challenging Louisianas nonunanimous jury law was granted by the U.S. Supreme Court, and on Oct. 7, 2019, oral argument was heard in the case of Ramos v. Louisiana.

On April 20, 2020, the Supreme Court held that the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial requires a unanimous verdict, thereby striking down Louisianas nonunanimous jury law, which had been enshrined in our state constitution since 1898.

The Supreme Court, however, did not address the question of the retroactivity of Ramos for those currently serving a sentence for a conviction by a nonunanimous jury. This issue will be decided later this spring in the Edwards v. Vannoy case currently pending before the high court.

Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules, the Louisiana Legislature can complete the work begun by the citizens of our state in 2018.

HB346 would establish an orderly and fair process to review the cases of all those affected by Louisianas unconstitutional law, and help our state close this shameful chapter of our history.

By passing HB346, the Legislature can vindicate the cause of liberty and restore the fundamental constitutional right to a unanimous jury verdict to those denied that right under a law that was unconstitutional, unfair and unjust.

As a former district attorney myself, I am well aware of the hard work facing the judges, prosecutors, defense counsel and others who work in our criminal justice system, as they meet the challenge of reviewing the cases of all those affected by nonunanimous jury verdicts.

Nevertheless, let us not shrink back from seeking justice, and in the words of Justice Neil Gorsuch in Ramos, perpetuate something we all know to be wrong only because we fear the consequences of being right.

We are more than equal to the task. Lets pass HB 346.

Ed Tarpley is the former district attorney of Grant Parish.
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. - The family of a Black man fatally shot by sheriff's deputies in this coastal North Carolina city decried a lack of transparency by law enforcement authorities Monday, saying they were shown only a "snippet" of police body-camera footage of the shooting, which has sparked protests.

Authorities have shared few details about the shooting of Andrew Brown, 42, leading to calls to release the full video, which the family and its attorneys say shows that Brown was unarmed and complying when he was killed by Pasquotank County sheriff's deputies Wednesday. The deputies were conducting a search with an arrest warrant on drug charges at his home. After days of protests, the family was allowed to watch a clip of about 20 seconds from a body-worn camera of one of the deputies at the scene, according to civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who shared what he saw with the family at a news conference outside the sheriff's office Monday.

"Let's be clear, this was an execution," Crump said.

Elizabeth City is about 45 miles south of Norfolk, Va.

Brown's death, which triggered peaceful demonstrations by hundreds of people over several nights, came at a critical moment for policing in America: one day after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder in the killing of George Floyd, and 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant was fatally shot by a police officer in Columbus, Ohio. The high-profile deaths, according to protesters, exemplify police disregard for Black lives.

On Monday evening, amid a state of emergency ordered by city officials, more than 100 people gathered to protest after the Brown family's remarks, chanting "Stop killing us," "Enough is enough" and "Release the tape."

Officials had delayed the viewing of the video for the family because of redactions to "protect an active internal investigation," according to Pasquotank County Attorney Michael Cox.

Family members and their attorneys who were shown the video Monday afternoon said they were distressed by what they saw.

Chantel Cherry-Lassiter, one of the attorneys representing Brown's family, said the clip showed Brown with his hands "firmly" on the steering wheel of his car as deputies blocked his driveway with a police vehicle. Seven or eight deputies swarmed his car with their guns drawn, shooting at him while yelling, "Let me see your hands," Cherry-Lassiter said.

Trying to evade the bullets, Brown backed his car into a tree, "avoiding" deputies, she said.

"There was at no time in the 20 seconds that we saw when he was threatening the officers in any kind of way," she said.

Like Crump, Brown's son, Khalil Ferebee, called the shooting an execution.

"My dad got executed just trying to save his own life. . . . He got executed," Ferebee said. "It ain't right. It ain't right at all."

The attorneys pleaded with journalists gathered outside the sheriff's office to demand the full video's public release.

It is unclear when a judge will make the video public. The Washington Post is part of a coalition of media organizations that have filed a request with the court to have the video released.

Protesters gathered at the news conference, some wearing shirts that said "Black Lives Matter." Others brought chairs and patiently spent the day there, hoping to learn more about Brown's killing.

Levora Todd, a second-grade teacher, said she heard the shots from her classroom at a nearby school, where she was teaching virtually. In the days that followed, she marched with other protesters seeking details about what led to Brown's death. On Monday, after listening to the family and lawyers recount what they saw in the short clip, she said she was furious at how little was publicly known.

"This is injustice for sure," she said. "We got nothing out of it. We waited five days for a 20-second clip."

Anticipating a potential "period of civil unrest" when the video is released, Mayor Bettie Parker declared a state of emergency for Elizabeth City, the county seat, Monday morning.

The Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office has shared little about how deputies killed Brown. Seven deputies at the scene, who have not been named, have since been placed on administrative leave.

In a video statement, Sheriff Tommy Wooten did not say whether Brown was armed, complying or fleeing when authorities tried to serve the warrant.

"What I will say is that if evidence shows that any of my deputies violated the law or policies, they will be held accountable," Wooten said.

Chief Deputy Daniel Fogg said in the same statement Thursday that the issue at stake was whether the deputies had reason to believe that Brown's actions put them at risk "for serious injury or death," adding that Brown was "a convicted felon with a history of resisting arrest."

Court records show that Brown had been convicted of misdemeanor drug possession and had pending drug charges.

Wooten and Fogg did not immediately respond to requests for comments Monday after the family's news conference.

Hours after the family spoke, the two officials released a video statement, announcing that the county attorney filed a motion Monday to release the video. The sheriff said body-worn cameras "only tell part of the story," referencing the brevity of the video the family watched. "The tragic incident was quick and over in less than 30 seconds," Wooten said.

The North Carolina Bureau of Investigation is investigating Brown's death. Pasquotank County District Attorney Andrew Womble said the investigation would provide "accurate answers and not fast answers."

On Wednesday morning, the sheriff's office said, deputies arrived at the 400 block of Perry Street to arrest Brown.

Those who watched the encounter told local media that Brown got into his car and started to drive away from law enforcement officers. That's when, neighbors say, the sheriff's deputies started shooting at Brown, firing six to eight shots. The News & Observer newspaper reported that one neighbor said she found 14 shell casings.

Immediately after the shooting, first responders said Brown was shot in the back, according to police dispatcher audio.

Neighbor Demetria Williams told The Associated Press that Brown's car skidded from his yard and hit a tree. She told WITN that the deputies tried to resuscitate Brown after the shooting but that it was too late.

"When they opened the door, he was slumped over already," Williams said, adding that Brown "wasn't a threat."

"I knew he was gone," Williams said.

When authorities removed Brown's vehicle, the car was riddled with bullet holes and had a broken rear windshield, the AP reported.

- - -

Villegas and Kornfield reported from Washington, and Bella reported from Houston. The Washington Post's Joyce Lee in Washington contributed to this report.
Syracuse, N.Y.  A Syracuse police policy of paying officers who were sent home to avoid work during the pandemic cost taxpayers nearly $300,000, according to a city audit.

The department at the same time paid other officers overtime to fill shifts that could have been filled by officers who were paid to stay home, the audit found. How much overtime was spent this way couldnt be determined because the citys record-keeping is so antiquated, the audit found.

The audit was sparked by a Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard investigation in September that reported on the practice of sending officers home to avoid work but paying them for those hours to be on call.

Police department officials refused to say how much the practice cost, so Syracuse.com estimated it and found that the policy cost taxpayers at least $225,000. The audit found the policy cost $293,423.

After the article, city lawmakers requested Auditor Nader Maroun to review the policy.

Marouns audit, released Monday, found:

While officers were paid to be home on call, other officers were called in to fill overtime shifts.

Auditors found it was not possible to efficiently find out how often officers were paid overtime to fill shifts. It would have cost 150 hours of police department employees time to figure out the cost because of the departments antiquated time-keeping system.

The policy of paying people to stay home was never put into writing and still hasnt been written down.

There is no evidence the mayor or the deputy mayor were consulted on the policy change.

The Common Council, which was not told about the policy change, should have been informed before the policy was implemented.

The police chief was remiss in not developing other socially distanced assignments for officers instead of sending them home.

There is no evidence that the policy was any more effective in preventing the spread of covid than other available changes in the workplace.

The police department needs to consult with the Onondaga County Health Department and/or other health experts on public health issues.

With all weve learned about COVID-19 in the past year, it is now clear this practice should have been handled differently, Mayor Ben Walsh said in a statement Tuesday.

Walsh in September declined to answer questions from Syracuse.com and instead released a statement supporting the chiefs decision, saying Buckner made smart decisions to limit the risk of exposure to Covid-19.

Police Chief Kenton Buckner said Monday night he agreed in part with some of the findings of the report.

COVID was by far the number one killer of police across our nation in 2020, the chief said. We had several officers test positive for the virus, and many more quarantined during the pandemic. We were blessed not to lose an officer during this crisis.

We made many decisions while flying in the dark during unprecedented times in our nations history, he said. Our lessons learned coupled with this complete report will serve as a roadmap to assist our agency in making adjustments to our operations.

For more response, both the mayor and chief referred Syracuse.com to a statement in the audit by the mayors office.

In that response, Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens wrote that the mayors office agreed the department should not have handed out overtime while officers were on call and that the department should have had a written policy.

Owens, however, disagreed the department should have found more creative ways to use officers and that the department needed to consult with the county Health Department to come up with its pandemic response.

Maroun also recommended the department modernize its timekeeping system, a process thats already under way. The current system has been in place since the 1980s and the new system is expected to be put in place by this summer.

Buckner approved the policy of paying officers when they were not working at the same time more than 100 other city employees were furloughed because of a budget crisis caused by the coronavirus shutdown. None of those furloughs included sworn officers; the chief has said the contract with the police union prohibits furloughs.

For nearly two months, officers in the police departments patrol division were sent home and allowed to be on call for a shift once every two work weeks. Officers were paid for those shifts whether they worked or not.

The department has maintained in Syracuse.coms initial article and in answering Marouns questions that it did not track how often officers were called in. Deputy Chief Richard Trudell told Syracuse.com he could remember at least three times officers were called in.

In all, officers were paid to be on call for 1,057 shifts, according to the audit.

Police officials have said the policy was designed to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus. It was possible to send officers home because call volume dropped 18% year over year at the start of the pandemic.

The practice likely provided minimal benefit in stopping the spread of the coronavirus, according to Brooks Gump, a Syracuse University public health professor.

Walsh confirmed Tuesday in a statement that he was informed about the policy by Buckner. The chief had previously told Syracuse.com in September he informed Walshs office of the policy.

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Chris Libonati via the Signal app for encrypted messaging at 585-290-0718, by phone at the same number, by email or on Twitter.
Nodoguro, a by-appointment-only Southeast Portland sushi counter and one of the finest Japanese restaurants in America, will not reopen in its current home after failing to come to terms on a lease extension, chef-owner Ryan Roadhouse told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

The departure also means Roadhouse is walking away from Tonari, the long-awaited Nodoguro spin-off that opened last June after a $300,000 remodel.

Tonari never had a chance, Roadhouse said of the more casual second restaurant. It was born in survival mode. We put years worth of thought and development into it. And on opening night at the theater the place catches on fire.

Roadhouse, who trained under chef Toshi Kizaki in Denver, worked in Japan buying fish directly from the market, and did a stint at at Los Angeles ultra-luxe Urasawa, launched his first pop-up with wife Elena in April, 2014. That year, Nodoguro became one of the stars of Portlands Year of the Pop-Up, a new finer dining cohort including Langbaan, Holdfast and Coquine that used underutilized restaurants, bars, close-in farms and events spaces to present their creative vision to the public.

The pop-up didnt stay mobile for long. By 2015, the restaurant had taken over the former Evoe sandwich counter at the Southeast Portland Pastaworks and was serving what The Oregonian/OregonLive was first to call Portlands best sushi. In those days, Nodoguro was best known for serving themed menus inspired by Haruki Murakami novels, Hayao Miyazaki films or Twin Peaks, a meal that the Roadhouses once served to director David Lynch himself at Los Angeles famed Chateau Marmont Hotel.

Nodoguro took over Southeast Belmont Streets former Genoa space in 2016, pushing the long-time fine-dining hub into a new era with exquisite, expensive and extremely exclusive meals served around a gorgeous bamboo counter. In the back, the Roadhouses hosted occasional Peter Cat pop-ups, serving a risotto-ish rice bowls infused with uni and other delights. Some of those dishes would eventually appear on the menu at Tonari, which expanded into the old Accanto space next door at the height of the pandemics first wave.

During the pandemic, Nodoguro and Tonari played the hand they were dealt, rolling out bento boxes and chirashi sushi (the latter at an eye-popping $110, and filled with the same kind of top-quality fish you would find at the restaurants Hardcore Omakase nights, plus miso soup and dessert, all presented in high-end packaging). Those pivots were hits, Roadhouse said, but werent enough to justify spending the rent on two full-sized restaurants.

Dashi-injected tomato with egg yolk and marigold at Nodoguro. The restaurant will not reopen on the other side of the pandemic after failing to come to terms on a lease extension.The Oregonian

So its a pandemic, and were all going to switch to to-go food. Ok, but you dont need to be paying all the overhead for the dining room and all the extra square footage, Ryan Roadhouse explained. All you really need is a commissary kitchen and a point of sale system and bam, you have your restaurant, and thats going to cut your expenses down by 600-700 percent. Chirashis are a great pivot because theyre like picnic food. But theyre not going to pay the bills.

I was able to try Tonari in its earliest days, and my favorite dish, the purple potato salad with Russian-style pickles, was pure Roadhouse -- personal, precise, unassuming and utterly delicious. I was just gearing up to grab some to-go food and write one of the Takeout Diaries-style reviews Ive been working on during the second shutdown, when I found out both restaurants were closing.

Going forward, the Roadhouses plan to go back to their pop-up roots, holding events at wineries, B&Bs and at out-of-town restaurants. Ryan Roadhouse is toying with a cookbook proposal while looking forward helping out with Eleusis, Elena Roadhouses wellness-focused home and bodycare company. Nodoguro has already booked its first event, serving crab onigiri and albacore sashimi for a rose release party at Domaine & Fils winery in Dundee on Saturday, May 15.

The lucky thing about Nodoguro is it was never really about a place, Ryan Roadhouse said. We started as a virtual restaurant, so its easy for us to do that again.

-- Michael Russell, mrussell@oregonian.com, @tdmrussell
Non-acceptance of Governor-General nomination

The Observer newspaper in London was prominently reporting that the Australian Prime Minister Mr. Scullins nomination of fellow Australian Sir Isaac Isaacs for the Governor-Generalship of Australia had not been accepted, noting, This has created a most embarrassing situation because of the Infringement of the Royal prerogative. Moreover, the name of a particularly high personage from Britain would have been submitted already.

Police escort needed for arrested insurance officials

Following the arrest of three officials of the Federal Life and General Assurance Company, Ltd. there were exciting scenes in Macquarie Place, with only the presence of police officers preventing some 300 infuriated shareholders from attacking one of the principals as he made his way from the building to a waiting car. Indignant policyholders invaded the detective office at police headquarters, many with harrowing tales to tell of loss of their lifes savings.

Death at the circus
Posted Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:12 am

La Centers two existing cardrooms will have a chance to catch their proverbial breath as the citys council OKed another deferral of taxes over the summer to help them build back their business in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During its April 14 meeting, La Center City Council voted unanimously to defer taxes owed by its two cardrooms from March through August, with payments on those taxes starting in September and paid in full by the end of the year. The deferral was the second such granted by the city. The city council previously approved a similar deferral for taxes in February and March of 2020, which according to council documents has been fully performed and the deferred taxes paid in full.

La Center Mayor Greg Thornton said the deferral was an opportunity for the cardrooms to get their feet back under them as they recover from being shuttered for most of the past year. Councilor Randy Williams said the deferral was a cash flow issue, saying the city and the cardrooms were business partners.

Sometimes you have to flex and I dont think its going to cost us anything here, Williams said.

La Center currently has two cardrooms  the Last Frontier and the Palace. Last Frontier General Manager Chris Swindell said other than the tax deferral, the cardroom has utilized the Paycheck Protection Program to help stay afloat during a prolonged time of closure, adding La Center has generally been a good partner in aiding their business  and one of the citys largest sources of revenue  when it was needed.

La Center has been good for helping support businesses, Swindell said.

Since March 11, (2020) to February 25 (of this year), we (had) been open for 23 days, Swindell said.

With the most-recent ability to reopen, he said a number of would-be customers are still reluctant to come back into the establishment, but those who do return have grown accustomed to having their temperatures read and wearing masks.

Swindell explained the cardroom has focused on adherence to distancing and mask usage, the utilization of plexiglass barriers and hand sanitizer stations, ultraviolet light sanitizers, and a disinfectant fogger, among other precautions.

We feel like were taking every measure that we think is necessary and required to serve as safety for everybody, Swindell said.

He added some of the practices were likely to continue post-pandemic given the overall health safety they provide.

Is it costly, does it use manpower? Absolutely. But those (measures) are necessary, and we dont want to close down again, Swindell said.

Swindell has worked for the Last Frontier and when it was open, the New Phoenix, for the past 22 years, beginning his tenure following duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. He said there was legitimate fear of having to close up operations given Cowlitz County to the north was one of the first counties to roll back in the states reopening plan

Swindell remains optimistic the worst of the pandemic is behind him and his business.

Today with the shots coming out, kids going back to school full-time, I think everybody is learning to live with this, Swindell said. It seems to be all heading in the right way. Its starting to feel like theres some normalcy coming.
YEREVAN, 27 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 27 April, USD exchange rate down by 0.17 drams to 520.29 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.82 drams to 627.78 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.01 drams to 6.94 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.91 drams to 722.47 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 151.09 drams to 29664.08 drams. Silver price down by 0.39 drams to 436.76 drams. Platinum price down by 240.99 drams to 20575.08 drams.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A liquor store robbery Saturday night in Port Richmond ended with the arrest of a 25-year-old New Jersey man, who authorities have tied to a string of scary holdups at mom-and-pop businesses on Staten Island.

Police say Elijah Parker, of Bayonne, N.J., brandished what appeared to be a firearm just after 8 p.m. inside the Jewett Liquor and Wine Boutique, located on the 200 block of Jewett Avenue.

A 56-year-old male at the store told police that an unknown suspect made off with nearly $1,200 cash and a $58 bottle of Casamigos Tequila, according to police and the criminal complaint.

Moments later, officers pulled over a red, 2017 Hyundai Sonata, operated by Parker, within a few blocks of the Bayonne Bridge, an NYPD spokesman said.

In a subsequent search of the vehicle, police seized an imitation pistol and a bottle of Casamigos Tequila, the complaint alleges.

The defendant also was charged with three other similar incidents in March and April, all occurring within a few miles of each other in Port Richmond, Elm Park and Mariners Harbor.

Parker faces charges Tuesday that include two counts of first-degree robbery; two counts of second-degree robbery; one count of unlawful sale, possession or use of an imitation pistol; fourth-degree grand larceny and four counts of second-degree menacing.

An attorney with the Legal Aid Society representing Parker declined to comment.

EVENING STICKUPS

Investigators on Staten Island have charged the defendant in connection with the following robberies or attempted robberies:

On the evening of March 2, Parker entered Post Candy and Grocery at 927 Post Ave. in Port Richmond, where he removed approximately $50 from the hand of a male victim while brandishing what appeared to be a handgun, the complaint alleges.

On April 15, at about 8 p.m., the defendant entered Papa Joes, the Uncommon Deli at 280 Morningstar Road in Elm Park, where he allegedly attempted to steal property while in possession of what appeared to be a firearm.

On April 22, at about 5:20 p.m., he entered N and M Grocery and Deli at 202 Simonson Ave. in Mariners Harbor, where he allegedly tried to steal cash from the register while appearing to be armed.

Parker is being held on $75,000 bond and is due back in Criminal Court on April 30.



RELATED COVERAGE: Crime on Staten Island
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic arrived at Brussels' European Council building on Monday for talks with European Council President Charles Michel.

Vucic is in the Belgian capital to discuss his country's efforts to join the European Union.

The visit comes days after Germany's foreign minister called for the resumption of negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo on normalizing relations between the former war foes.

The European Union-mediated talks have been stalled since September, in part because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The EU has told both Serbia and Kosovo they must normalize bilateral relations to advance in their applications to join the bloc.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The OPEC+ group will not hold a full ministerial meeting on Wednesday as planned, delegates at the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) agreed at their meeting on Tuesday, signaling confidence in the current plans to ease the production cuts as of May despite surging COVID cases in major oil importer India.

Oil prices rose on Tuesday morning on the news coming out of Vienna that shows OPEC+ believes the market will be able to accommodate the higher oil supply as of May 1, despite the worsening of the COVID situation in the worlds third-largest oil importer India.

As of 9:52 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, WTI Crude was up 0.94 percent at $62.51 and Brent Crude was trading up 0.69 percent at $66.12.

On Tuesday, all delegations at the meeting of the JMMC, which was moved ahead one day before the original schedule, agreed that there would be no need for the ministers of the pact to meet on Wednesday, Amena Bakr, Deputy Bureau Chief and Chief Opec Correspondent at Energy Intelligence, reported.

At the previous ministerial meeting in early April, OPEC+ decided to gradually return over 1 million barrels per day (bpd) on the market between May and July. Saudi Arabia will also start reversing its extra unilateral cut of 1 million bpd, starting by raising production by 250,000 bpd in May. Related: Oil on Guard over Yemen as Saudi, Iran Meet in Secret

The JMMC recommended no changes in the planned OPEC+ production policy for May, although reports emerged on Monday that the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) was concerned about the growing case numbers in India, Japan, and Brazil.

At the JMMC meeting on Tuesday, OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo said that the oil market continues to reap the benefits of the DoCs support for sustainable oil market stability and providing a platform the global economic recovery.

The secretary general highlighted the positive trajectory of the global economy, coupled with stimulus measures, progress on vaccinations and the summer travel season, as driving forces for the improving oil demand outlook in the second half the year, OPEC said.

After forgoing this months meeting, the ministers from the OPEC+ group are set to hold their next meeting in early June.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Monetary Authority of Singapore appoints Kai-Niklas Schneider to co-lead new funds development group

Clifford Chance Singapore Managing Partner Kai-Niklas Schneider has been appointed to co-lead the newly formed Singapore Funds Industry Group (SFIG), a partnership between Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the funds industry to position Singapore as a global funds hub.

Together with co-chair Gillian Tan, MAS Assistant Managing Director (Development & International), Kai will bring together senior leaders from across various sub-sectors of the funds industry to contribute their experience and perspectives to identify emerging industry trends, recommend industry standards and lead developmental initiatives.

Commenting on his appointment to the SFIG, Kai said, "As Singapore continues to solidify its position as the premier funds centre in Asia, the SFIG will play a critical role in coordinating efforts of the MAS and private sector stakeholders to continue to drive sustainable development and growth of the Singapore funds industry. I am honoured to be appointed as a co-chair of the SFIG Exco and look forward to working with Gillian and the team on this important initiative."

Kai adds, "Singapore has emerged as the leading asset management hub for global and regional managers making investments into Asia and beyond, with 76 percent of assets under management sourced from investors outside of Singapore and two-thirds invested into Asia. With a business-friendly environment, robust regulatory framework, extensive double taxation treaty network and an ecosystem of experienced service providers, Singapore is uniquely positioned to benefit from the current trend for funds to be domiciled alongside their managers in onshore jurisdictions with substance."

Global Managing Partner Matthew Layton commented, "Kai's expertise in this space will no doubt benefit the SFIG as it looks to strengthen Singapore's proposition as an international funds hub. This wonderful news reflects Kai's capabilities and our long track record of advising the global financial investor community on their most critical and complex matters. This recognition from MAS follows Kai's appointment to our firm's Executive Leadership Group where he will lead our global focus on financial investors, such as private equity firms and asset managers, to ensure we remain a trusted advisor to the world's preeminent investors now, and in the future."

Clifford Chance's financial investors clients include the world's leading private equity firms, asset managers, alternative capital providers, insurers, real estate and infrastructure funds, pension and sovereign wealth funds, and family offices. The firm supports organisations on the full range of their business needs from fund structuring and formation, to financing and deal execution, restructuring and disputes, as well as regulatory, ESG, antitrust, tax, tech and employment matters.

Further information on the SFIG is available on the MAS website.
Almost 12,000 Victorian businesses that were denied $10,000 COVID-19 grants will be able to reapply for support after an Ombudsmans probe found applications were overlooked due to the complex application system and small errors.

The COVID-19 grants scheme was announced in March 2020 as part of the Victorian governments $500 million economic support package to support small businesses affected by lockdown restrictions.

Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass released her report into the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions administration of the Business Support Fund on Tuesday. Credit:Penny Stephens

But within weeks Ombudsman Deborah Glass was flooded with complaints from businesses trying to access government support. By September the Ombudsman received more than 627 complaints, prompting a seven-month probe into the scheme.

In a scathing final report into the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, Ms Glass found understaffing, a complicated application process and minor errors meant thousands of applications werent assessed when the deadline expired.
India is already in talks with UAE to airlift the high-capacity oxygen. On the other hand, France has also extended their support and will be sending 8 high capacity oxygen generator. Even after the hostile relationship between India and Pakistan, Islamabad has also offered their help in order to fight Covid.

Nations from all over the world have turned up to give humanitarian assistance to India in its fight against a coronavirus outbreak that has pushed the countrys infection rate to a new high. India has added nearly 38 lakh new cases in the last two weeks, bringing the total number of cases to over 1.73 crores. Singapore has already donated four cryogenic oxygen tanks to India. They have been airlifted by the Indian Air Force.

The USA has finally come forward and said that it will send rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and personal protective equipment to the affected areas (PPE). In addition, the US stated that it has identified sources of specific raw material urgently needed for Indian manufacture of the Covishield vaccine that will be made available to India immediately.

The first shipment from UK of Covid aid including ventilators reached Delhi on Tuesday morning. Earlier, the UK announced that it will provide 600 pieces of vital medical equipment to help India fight COVID-19. Which includes 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators, and 20 manual ventilators. Australia will also be sending oxygen, ventilators and personal protective equipment (PPE) kits to India as part of an immediate support package.

In collaboration with the Adani group and the British multinational company Linde, Saudi Arabia is shipping 80 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen to India. India is already in talks with UAE to airlift the high-capacity oxygen. On the other hand, France has also extended their support and will be sending 8 high capacity oxygen generator. Even after the hostile relationship between India and Pakistan, Islamabad has also offered their help in order to fight Covid.

Read More: #NoLessonsLearnt: Oxygen plants set up across India but unhindered interstate movement yet to be achieved
A shocked family had dinner interrupted by their house and car being sprayed with bullets by a lone gunman.

A hunt is underway for the brazen shooter after bullet casings and holes were found in the front of the Hunters Hill home and a car in the driveway.

Police were called to a home on Gaza Avenue near Barons Crescent about 7.15pm on Tuesday after reports shots had been fired.

Police are investing a shooting at a home in Hunters Hill on Tuesday night (stock image)

A man, 50 and two women aged 49 and 22 were home at the time and were just finishing dinner when they heard the shots outside.

They all escaped injury despite several of the bullets going through windows and lodging in an internal wall.

Police located bullet casings and a vehicle with holes in the driveway.

The front windows and an internal wall inside the home were also damaged.

A man was seen running down Gaza Avenue (pictured) and getting into a vehicle near High St

Specialist forensic police spent the night examining the crimes scene as detectives commenced an investigation into the incident.

A search of the surrounding area was conducted with assistance from the helicopter and the dog units.

Initial inquiries suggest a man was seen fleeing from the scene on foot before getting into a car intersection of Gaza Avenue and High Street.

Anyone with CCTV, dashcam or any information that could assist detectives is urged to contact Ryde Police.
Three suspects have been arrested and another has been identified in connection to more than two dozen home burglaries committed against Asian American business owners in Colorado in 2019, the Fort Collins Police Department said Tuesday.

Santiago Hoyos-Gaviria, 24, Yenny Rodas-Florez, 30, and Carlos Florez-Molina, 34, have been charged with conspiracy, pattern of racketeering/participating in an enterprise, 24 counts of second-degree burglary and 20 counts of theft and/or criminal mischief.

The fourth suspect, 28-year-old Jhon Florez-Molina, remains at-large and is believed to be evading arrest in Colombia.

Todays announcement highlights the increase in crimes against Asian Americans, Attorney General Phil Weiser said. We in Colorado wont tolerate it. Those who commit crimes against an individual or community because of their ethnicity or cultural background must be held to account.

The suspects are accused of stealing between $1.3 million and $1.4 million worth of property from 26 Asian American families throughout Colorado and Wyoming, according to police.

Police led the investigation after five Asian American business owners had their homes burglarized in Larimer County in four months.

The 26 burglaries took place between January 2019 and July 2019. In each case, the suspects would go to the homes in broad daylight, knock to make sure no one was home, then forcibly enter through a door or window. The suspects ransacked each home, stealing cash, jewelry and safes.

The suspects in this international case brazenly victimized members of our community and beyond, and they will finally be held accountable, police spokesman Tim Doran said. Every crime is wrong, but one focused against a particular race or ethnic group is particularly reprehensible.

Police said every family targeted were Asian American small business owners and that the crimes were being carried out by organized criminal groups with ties to South America.

The four suspects are believed to be members of the organized criminal group.

All four suspects are from Miami and the three arrestees were apprehended in Florida in partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI. They were then extradited to Colorado and booked at the Larimer County Jail.

The case will be handled through the Eighth Judicial District Attorneys Office.

The Eighth Judicial District Attorney's Office is thankful to Fort Collins Police, the FBI, and the Attorney General's Office, said District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin. "Citizens across Larimer County, Colorado, and the country will be safer due to their partnership and commitment.
Florists are starting to see more customers come by compared to a year ago when the coronavirus pandemic started.

We spoke with a florist in Madison County about the increase in customers.

More people are coming into the store for weddings, proms and funerals. More people are coming into the store for weddings, proms and funerals.

Jessa Harris is the manager at The Flower Shoppe of Providence. She says more people are coming into the store because they're not as worried about coronavirus.

They're seeing a steady stream of brides come in and ask questions.

Harris says they're also seeing more orders for proms, too, because students are able to get together this year.

Even though The Flower Shoppe has more customers coming in, coronavirus is still impacting shipments of flowers.

"My only concern is the availability of flowers because a lot of our other countries where we get our flowers from are shutting down due to COVID and they're not getting...like, I had a phone call this morning. Some of the flowers I've had on pre-book months ago, I'm not going to get after all," said Harris.

Harris said seeing customers come in everyday gives them hope that we're starting to get back to normal.
By roping in Carester SAS, the company said it is taking a key step toward launching a fully integrated "mine to market" US rare earth supply chain

Carester's scoping work will include an evaluation of the mill's monazite leaching process, preparation of an REE separation flow sheet, capital and operating expense estimates

Energy Fuels Inc (NYSE:UUUU) (( ) said it has engaged Carester SAS to prepare a scoping study for the development of a solvent extraction rare earth element (REE) separation circuit at its White Mesa Mill, in Utah.

Frances Carester has expertise in designing, constructing, operating and optimizing REE production facilities.

The US-based uranium mining company said Carester has been engaged to support the firms planned development of REE separation capabilities at the White Mesa Mill to create a continuous, integrated and optimized rare earth production sequence.

READ: Energy Fuels receives another US$1.75M from US Department of Energy for rare earth feasibility study

The consultants scoping work will include an evaluation of the Mill's monazite leaching process, preparation of an REE separation flow sheet, capital and operating expense estimates, and recommendations on equipment vendors.

Energy Fuels and Neo Performance Materials have recently launched a US-Europe rare earth supply chain. Energy Fuels said it is now taking another key step toward launching a fully integrated "mine to market" US rare earth supply chain in the coming years.

The firm currently buys nearly 2,500 tons per year of natural Monazite sands from Chemours' Georgia heavy mineral sand operations. It is also in the process of securing additional Monazite domestically and internationally, with a goal of processing around 15,000 tons of Monazite per annum for the recovery of REEs and uranium.

In late-March, Energy Fuels began processing Monazite at the White Mesa Mill to produce a clean, mixed REE carbonate, and an intermediate REE product ready for separation. The firm plans to sell the intermediate product to an REE separation facility in Europe owned by Neo.

Energy Fuels said it is weighing the option of producing separated REE oxides, REE metals, REE alloys, and other value-added REE products at the mill.

Carester's REE separation and purification techniques utilize liquid-to-liquid SX extraction processes that have been successfully deployed to produce REE products from feeds including Monazite.

"Energy Fuels is absolutely focused on building fully integrated rare earth supply capabilities at our White Mesa Mill in the coming years, and we are pleased to have Carester on the team to support our efforts," Energy Fuels CEO Mark S Chalmers said in a statement.

The Carester team is recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities in producing separated rare earth oxides and other value-added rare earth products. Rare earth extraction, separation and purification can be complex.

Chalmers noted that as clean energy technologies are deployed, more rare earth products will be required.

An electric vehicle is not 'green' if the raw materials that go into the vehicle are not responsibly produced, added Chalmers. Energy Fuels is working towards establishing a 'clean' and 'green' US option for manufacturers who demand the highest standards in their rare earth raw materials."

Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive
Press Release

April 27, 2021 15 senators seek censure of Parlade

'Progressive thinking is not communism,' senators tell Parlade Fifteen senators led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon filed on Tuesday Senate Resolution No. 709 which censures Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., for his disrespectful, derogatory and demeaning statements against senators and questions the continued stay of the controversial lieutenant general as spokesperson of the government's anti-insurgency task force, which violates the Constitution. It was Drilon who authored the resolution. Apart from Sotto, the other senators who co-authored the resolution include Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri and Senators Nancy Binay, Pia Cayetano, Grace Poe, Sherwin Gatchalian, Leila de Lima, Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Aquilino Pimentel IV, and Joel Villanueva. "The Senators' reprimand of Lt. Gen. Parlade is justified and scrutiny of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict's use of its budget is warranted, in light of the deplorable acts and pronouncements of Lt. Gen. Parlade as NTF-ELCAC Spokesperson," they said in the resolution. "Instead of engaging in a constructive debate, Lt. Gen. Parlade has chosen to demean and disparage the Senators, through statements that display his limited grasp of Congress' role in the budget process and show his lack of respect not just for the Senators as duly-elected representatives of the people but also for the Senate as an institution," the stressed. The 15 senators also defended the rise of community pantries in the country, which were subjected to red-tagging by NTF-ELCAC, as they stressed that that "progressive thinking is not communism." "Contrary to the assertions of Lt. Gen. Parlade, progressive thinking is not communism and expression of opinions or criticisms and purposeful involvement in humanitarian community efforts do not constitute rebellion, sedition, or terrorism," they said. They added: "If Parlade's pronouncements and profiling of community pantry organizers were done pursuant to NTF-ELCAC's policy direction, then the agency has clearly departed from its mandate and members of the Senate have basis to realign its funds to more worthy causes that would make better use of taxpayers' money, such as providing much-needed aid to people suffering from the effects of the pandemic." In an interview Tuesday, Drilon said he is certain that the resolution will be adopted when session resumes on May 17. "This is as good as adopted when we resume session on May 17. It is a certainty that Parlade will be censured by the Senate for this kind of conduct when we resume session," he said. "I have been in the Senate for almost 24 years. This is the first time I hear of a member of the armed forces who called the senators stupid," he said. Senate Resolution 709 also questions Parlade's continued stay as NTF-ELCAC's spokesperson despite the Senate's adoption of Committee Report No. 186 that recommends that Parlade "be immediately relieved of his duties as spokesperson of the NTF-ELCAC" and to "engage a spokesperson who does not hold concurrent mandates in the security forces" to "prevent a potential conflict between the policies of the NTF-ELCAC and the mandate of the security sector. Article XVI, Section 5(4) of the 1987 Constitution provides that "No member of the armed forces in the active service shall, at any time, be appointed or designated in any capacity to a civilian position in the government, including government-owned or controlled corporations or any of their subsidiaries, said Drilon, a former justice secretary. "It should be emphasized that members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines should always remain apolitical while in active service, otherwise, it threatens the democratic principle of civilian supremacy over the military," they added. The senators likewise asserted their "power of the purse" in the resolution. "Under the Constitution, the power of the purse is exclusively lodged in Congress, whose role does not end with the passage of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) but extends to budget oversight, with Congress duty-bound to ensure that funds are judiciously and efficiently spent for the appropriated purpose, considering that budgeting involves the allocation of scarce resources for various competing demands and needs of the public," they emphasized.
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A rare pink supermoon created a halo around the Statue of Liberty's crown and lit up the night sky over Miami in one of the brightest and biggest displays expected this year.

Night owls were treated to a stunning sight Monday night with the supermoon 30 percent more dazzling and 14 percent larger than the average full moon.

In the city that never sleeps, it loomed large above the Empire State Building and the rest of the iconic skyline casting a golden glow over New York City.

From the other side of the Hudson River, New Jersey residents could enjoy the view of Lady Liberty under the moon's spotlight from Liberty State Park in Hoboken.

NEW YORK CITY: The pink supermoon sets behind the Statue of Liberty in New York City on Monday night with the moon 30 percent more dazzling than usual

NEW YORK CITY: The full moon, known as the 'Super Pink Moon', rises over the skyline of New York and the Empire State Building, as seen from West Orange, New Jersey

MIAMI: The Carnival Vista cruise ship is seen sailing out to sea under the full Pink Super moon in Miami Beach in Florida

NEW YORK CITY: A rare pink supermoon created a halo around the Statue of Liberty's crown Monday night as seen from Liberty State Park in Hoboken, New Jersey

Despite its name, the lunar surface did not actually glow pink, with its name actually deriving from the early springtime blooms of certain flowers native to eastern North America that are commonly known as creeping phlox  but have been referred to as 'moss pink.'

Stunning photos captured the breath-taking display from different parts of the United States as the supermoon was visible from sunset before reaching peak illumination at 11:32pm ET.

Off the coast of Florida, the Carnival Vista cruise ship was seen sailing out to sea under the glow of the full moon in Miami Beach.

Over in Kentucky, a jet was seen silhouetted by the rising moon on its approach into Louisville International Airport.

In Washington DC, the golden moon was pictured sitting in the purple sky above the Jefferson Memorial while it shone down on the Nubble Lighthouse on Cape Neddick, in York, Maine.

WASHINGTON DC: The moon rises over the scaffolding surrounding the entrance to the Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC

MAINE: The supermoon rises behind the Nubble Lighthouse on Cape Neddick, in York, Maine, Monday night

From the other side of the Hudson River, New Jersey residents could enjoy the view of Lady Liberty under the moon's spotlight

LOUISVILLE: In Kentucky, a jet was seen silhouetted by the rising moon on its approach into Louisville International Airport

The super full moon earned its name as it is at the point in its monthly orbit that it is closest to Earth at the same time that it is full.

At its farthest point, the moon is about 253,000 miles (405,500 kilometers) from Earth, according to NASA.

At its closest it can be just 226,000 miles away from Earth and so it appears far larger than a normal full moon.

While the moon will appear full for nearly three days around the same time - 11:32pm ET - starting Sunday through Wednesday morning, Monday evening was its peak brilliance.

It is the first of two supermoons this year, with a second expected to make an appearance on May 26.

This makes the pair the closest to appear together this year.

And space enthusiasts will be excited to know that the second will be a little closer - and therefore brighter and bigger - too.

NEW YORK CITY: The full moon is seen over the Hudson River in New York. The super full moon earned its name as it is at the point in its monthly orbit that it is closest to Earth at the same time that it is full

NEW YORK CITY: The pink glow is seen behind the Statue of Liberty Monday night. While the moon will appear full for nearly three days starting Sunday through Wednesday morning, Monday evening was its peak brilliance

CHONGQING, CHINA: A supermoon rises over buildings in Chongqing, China for what was the first of two supermoons this year

LONDON, UK: The full moon loomed over Central London Monday night. A second pink moon is expected to make an appearance on May 26

REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA: The Super Pink Moon rises behind the stork in a nest in the village of Rzanicino

NEW YORK CITY: The Empire State Building and the iconic New York City skyline are set against the backdrop of the moon

However, if you miss the Pink Moon, the Flower Moon will rise May 26 and be 98 miles closer to Earth.

The name pink moon harks back to the Maine Farmer's Almanac in the 1930s which gave each month a different name for its moon.

Meanwhile, space also putting on a show overnight Monday with the peak of the stunning Lyrid meteor shower that is set to see up to 18 shooting stars streaking across the sky every hour from about midnight onwards.

While the shooting stars can be seen anywhere on Earth, people in the Northern Hemisphere were told to prepare for the best views, especially rural areas away from city lights.

The Lyrid meteor shower received its name because of the trails that follow stars, which seem to radiate from the constellation Lyra (the Lyre).

NEW YORK CITY: From Liberty State Park in Hoboken, the moon is seen behind the Statue of Liberty Monday night

INDIANA: A man watches the moon rise from an observation tower in New Albany, Indiana, Monday night

MICHIGAN: The moon rises behind the 55-foot 'And You, Seas' welded stainless steel sculpture by sculptor Richard Hunt, in St. Joseph

NEW YORK CITY: The phenomenon, known as the 'Pink Moon', earns its name from the flowering of the brightly-coloured herb 'moss pink,' which typically coincides with its arrival

LONDON, UK: The pink supermoon casts an orange glow on the Tower Bridge over the River Thames in London

NEW YORK CITY: The Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge in Queens, New York, is seen Monday night with the super moon in the sky

The debris actually comes from the orbit of the comet Thatcher.

Although Thatcher is quite far from Earth, orbiting the Sun only once every 415 years, it sprinkles cosmic detritus far and wide along its path.

As they burn up the meteors streak through the sky at speeds of about 110,000 miles per hour.

Though the Lyrids aren't the brightest shower the Perseuds and Geminids both outshine them  they are one of the first observed by humans.

They were first spotted by Chinese astronomers in 687 BC.

While meteor showers can be seen from Earth, the meteoroids that cause them are actually no bigger than pebbles.

OHIO: the Super Pink Moon rises behind construction equipment in use for a new housing development off Seasons Road near State Route 8 in Cuyahoga Falls

NEW YORK CITY: The pink moon name comes from the Herb moss pink phlox, or 'wild ground' phlox, which blooms in early spring in the US and Canada

NEW JERSEY: People watch the Super Pink Moon rise above lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center in New York City on as seen from Jersey City

NEW YORK CITY: In the Northern Hemisphere, the April full moon lines up with the blooming of one of spring's earliest-flowering plants  wild ground phlox, or 'moss pink'

NEW YORK CITY: People gather in Hoboken, New Jersey to gaze at the moon from across the Hudson River
Amanda Burke covers Pittsfield City Hall for The Berkshire Eagle. An Ithaca, New York native, she previously worked at The Herald News of Fall River and the Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise. Find her on Twitter at @amandaburkec.
Assisting India in its fight against COVID-19, the European Union (EU) on Tuesday announced that its Member States were sending an urgent shipment of oxygen, medicine and equipment through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The critical support is being sent to India through a coordinated effort by the EU to pool resources from countries like Ireland, Belgium, Sweden etc in the wake of the second wave of Coronavirus in India. The body also stated that more help from countries like France and Germany was expected in the following days.

"The EU stands in full solidarity with the Indian people and is ready to do our utmost to support them at this critical time. I would like to thank our Member States that came in numerously with generous offers of help, showing that the EU is a trusted partner and a friend at times of need. The reach of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism goes well beyond the EU's borders. Our Emergency Response Coordination Centre is facilitating the logistical arrangements and the EU will cover the brunt of the transport costs," said Janez Lenarcic, Commissioner for Crisis Management.

As per an official release, the offers of support from EU Member States via the Mechanism include-

Ireland: 700 oxygen concentrators; 1 oxygen generator; 365 ventilators;

Belgium: 9,000 doses of antiviral medicines Remdesivir;

Romania: 80 oxygen concentrators and 75 oxygen cylinders;

Luxembourg: 58 ventilators;

Portugal: 5,503 vials of Remdesivir; 20,000 litres of oxygen per week.

Sweden 120 ventilators.

Nations rush to India's aid

Over the last week, several friendly nations have stepped up to aid India in its battle against COVID-19. French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson have already pledged support and have promised to dispatch medical aid to India at an urgent basis.

The US has also avered support to India and said that it has not only identified the essential equipment but stressed that it would be made available immediately. Further, the United States is also deploying a team of experts from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and USAID to work collaboratively with US Embassy, India's health ministries, and India's Epidemic Intelligence Service staff.

India reported 3,23,144 fresh cases of Coronavirus on Tuesday which took the total tally of cases in India to 1,76,36,307. As of April 27, there are 28,82,204 active cases in the country which has witnessed 2,51,827 recoveries and 2,771 deaths in the last 24 hours.
The personal account of expecting a baby and becoming a mother during the coronavirus emergency in Rome.

By Theresa Potenza

Everyone has that one defining moment. That day or event when the weight and reality of the pandemic comes crashing down on them. It could be the day that all museums or schools closed. Or when there was a flour shortage in the supermarket. One of the most exciting but daunting moments for some could be, a positive pregnancy test. Or even, a positive covid test. During the pandemic, I experienced both.

In November, we were eight months into the pandemic and I was 34 weeks pregnant. I fell asleep in the car as I parked before unloading the groceries. That evening while cooking dinner, cutting an onion, I realised I had lost my smell. I put the onion close up to my nose and tried desperately to get my olfactory working with anything I could find in the house... perfume, soaps, onions, garlic... nothing. Thats when I knew, I wasnt just tired. I had covid. Despite not going to work and isolating myself from friends at a time when I needed them the most, with a weakened immune system due to pregnancy, I got the virus.

The next 24 hours, as my energy levels weakened and my taste and smell disappeared, my mind raced with so many questions. The primary concern: where could I get prenatal care being covid positive, and since I was close to my due date, where can I deliver my baby?

A string of phone calls led to the conclusion that in Lazio there are two hospitals that have a covid maternity centre: Policinico Gemelli and Policlinico Umberto 1. These hospitals are evolving daily to meet the needs of pregnant women with the coronavirus. I had planned my delivery at a different hospital but now my labour was taking an unexpected and unfamiliar turn.

My husband dropped me off outside the maternity ward of Ospedale Gemelli where I subsequently waited in a makeshift tent with cement flooring, canvas walls and a portaloo, in the car park while a team of nurses came out in hazmat gear over a span of 12 hours to provide a series of covid tests, blood tests and sonograms.

I arrived at noon and a room in a special ward in the hospital finally opened up for me at midnight. After sitting in a plastic chair in the November cold in the parking lot of the hospital for half a day, I was never so happy to be in a hospital bed. A place designed specifically to care for someone like me, a designated covid maternity centre.

A wide range of emotions swept through me during my stay. On one side, overwhelming isolation caused by language barriers and physical barriers with all the doctors and nurses in hazmat gear. Through all the gear, I couldnt hear or recognise any care-giver or doctor that I had met. There was no distinction between the cleaning staff and the medical staff so I mistakenly often asked the cleaner about the results of my last medical exam, or the doctor if she could provide more toilet paper in the bathroom. I felt not only alone and apart from any single person in my support circle, but apart from a recognisable face. Did I meet this doctor yesterday or do I have to reintroduce myself and my concerns?

Despite all that, I felt incredible gratitude. At Gemelli they were thorough with my care and did not release me for five days while they continued to run tests for mine and the babys safety. They even sent me home free of charge in an ambulance since I was covid positive and nobody could pick me up and I couldnt take a taxi.

After being discharged, for the next three weeks, my husband and daughter and I isolated ourselves at home. The hospital, after all their thorough tests, told me just to call them if I didnt feel the baby moving. Otherwise to come back in three weeks when Id be full term and hopefully negative from the virus. Every day for three weeks, I thought to myself, is today going to be the day that I take a turn for the worse? Am I going to survive? Is my baby going to survive?

Three weeks later, I went back to Gemelli Hospital, tested negative for covid and delivered a healthy boy. Gemelli offers the opportunity for husbands to attend labour, but since I was negative and he was positive, I did it alone. The alone factor would have been more tolerable if the pain factor could have been mitigated.

One important detail was that on the day of delivery, an epidural was not available to me. An appointment with an anesthesiologist is required in advance to have an epidural during labour. At Gemelli, since it is a busy hospital, these appointments need to be booked at least six weeks in advance. Therefore, I suggest that any expecting mother have a back-up plan and book your anesthesiologist appointment not only at the hospital or clinic where you plan to deliver, but also at one of the covid maternity hospitals aforementioned just in case you have the misfortune of being in that situation.

I was given another covid test during delivery and put in isolation with the baby until I received a second negative covid result so they knew safely where to put us. I still wasnt allowed visitors nor my husband, but after 24 hours I could finally be visited by doctors, and leave the confines of my hospital room, if only to go to the anagrafe to register the babys birth.

Looking back, it was a powerful experience. At a time when it seemed all my power had been taken from me, and when so many people were dying, I did a powerful thing in providing life, thanks also to the medical care available to me.

Responsively, as the pandemic rages on, science, legislation, and organisation are advancing to keep up. In Gemellis covid maternity centre, most of the rooms are private. And recent scientific studies have confirmed that covid antibodies can pass through breastmilk, so I was fortunate at Gemelli to have a private room in theirsection and to not be separated from my baby so that I could begin breastfeeding and bonding with him.

Useful information for expectant mothers in Rome



More advancements at Gemelli include the opportunity for pregnant women that are covid positive to get a sonogram at a reserved time on Saturday mornings. For information tel. 3425049023.

In addition to the medical care I experienced at Ospedale Gemelli, there are many resources available for extra support through Bellies Abroad, a non-profit company designed to help international families have a safe and positive birth experience, all more necessary in the time of a global health crisis. The website provides assistance in English for pregnancy, postnatal care and parenting, including a list of service providers.

You can book an online consultation with its founder, 'Mombassador' Kiersten Pilar Miller, for information on any of the multitude of questions you may have about pregnancy and delivery during this challenging and changing time. She can assist with how to find the most up-to-date information, including legislation regarding maternity care and delivery in Rome hospitals as it relates to covid, suggest various support networks, and help plan a home birth.

Along with a midwife, she leads a weekly online birth course in English that serves as a guided tour for giving birth in Rome with information about Roman hospitals, home birth, how to care for your newborn and education about labour and delivery. The course runs on Wednesday evenings and is pay by suggested donation. Also, post-birth courses on topics such as pelvic floor, baby wearing (slings), and working and pumping are available.

The website also allows you to choose from and book an appointment with a plethora of multilingual, culturally sensitive service providers available for telemedicine, such as midwives, gynecologists, counsellors, family psychologists and pediatricians. Some of the service providers on the website who have already been vaccinated are also available for necessary at-home visits for covid positive patients struggling to find the right care at a critical time in their pregnancies, such as at-home blood tests or vaginal exams. There is also a vaccine research specialist on the team who will be hosting a vaccine questions webinar and is available for individual consultations. The website also provides helpful information regarding doulas and home birth, an ever increasing choice nowadays during a global health emergency.

For assistance and support with breastfeeding, check out your local La Leche League for information about virtual meetings and private consultations, also available in English.

For mothers interested in donating breast milk, you can find information in English on the Bellies Abroad website. The donation process involves contacting the Banca del Latte Umano Donato at Ospedale Pediatrico del Bambino Gesu where you will be given a blood test and questionnaire about your lifestyle habits before donating. See website.

For financial support, the Italian state offers a few bonuses for new mothers. Check with your local CAF (Centro di Assistenza Fiscale) office for information about the Bonus Mamma, Bonus Bebe, and Bonus Asilo Nido. Finally, for information about transportation and getting to medical appointments and hospitals safely, check out My Safe Taxi at www.mysafetaxi.it.

This article was published in the online April edition of Wanted in Rome magazine.
ABUJA (Reuters) - The United States should consider moving its military headquarters overseeing Africa to the continent, from Germany, to better tackle growing armed violence in the region, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said on Tuesday.

Nigerian security forces face multiple security challenges including school kidnappings by armed gangs in its northwest and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea as well as the decade-long insurgency by Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which also carries out attacks in neighbouring Niger, Cameroon and Chad.

West Africa's Sahel region is in the grip of a security crisis as groups with ties to al Qaeda and Islamic State attack military forces and civilians, despite help from French and United Nations forces.

Buhari, in a virtual meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, said U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), should be relocated to Africa itself.

"Considering the growing security challenges in West and Central Africa, Gulf of Guinea, Lake Chad region and the Sahel, weighing heavily on Africa, it underscores the need for the United States to consider re-locating AFRICOM headquarters... near the theatre of operation," said Buhari, according a statement issued by the presidency.

He spoke a week after the death of the longtime president of Chad, Idriss Deby, in a battle against rebels.

Deby was an important Western ally in the fight against Islamist militants and under him Chadian soldiers formed a key component of a multinational force fighting Boko Haram and its offshoot, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

"The security challenges in Nigeria remain of great concern to us and impacted more negatively by existing complex negative pressures in the Sahel, Central and West Africa, as well as the Lake Chad Region," said Buhari, a retired major general.

AFRICOM did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Felix Onuah in Abuja; Additional reporting and writing by Alexis Akwagyiram in Lagos; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 23:00:21|Editor: huaxia

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BEIRUT, April 27 (Xinhua) -- A total of 40 Lebanese trucks loaded with fruits and vegetables are stranded at the port of Jeddah as Saudi Arabia banned agricultural imports from Lebanon, Elnashra local news website reported.

Farmers will lose 2 million U.S. dollars if these products fail to reach their destination and are destroyed instead, said Ibrahim Tarshishi, head of the farmers' association in Lebanon's Bekaa.

Saudi Arabia announced on April 23 a ban on the entry of Lebanese vegetables and fruits after the Saudi Customs foiled an attempt to smuggle Captagon narcotic pills at the port of Jeddah from Lebanon.

This has prompted Lebanese top officials to urge Saudi Arabia to reconsider its decision amid Lebanon's current tough economic conditions while vowing to crack down on smuggling networks.

Meanwhile, Saudi ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari announced on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia has seized 57,184,900 drug pills smuggled from Lebanon to the kingdom from the beginning of 2020 until April 2021.

Bukhari tweeted that drug pills were being smuggled in shipments of pomegranates, grapes, apples and potatoes. Enditem
Europe has leverage and, if it wants to, will achieve the release of Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan. This was stated by Member of the European Parliament, Francois Xavier Bellamy (Republican Party), addressing the European Parliament during debates with the chair of the European Council and the European Commission.

"I was in Yerevan on the day of your visit to Ankara. I visited a hospital where the victims of the recent [Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)] war are being treated. Meeting their gaze, I was ashamed to come from Europe. Shame on Europe for compromising on [Turkish president] Erdogan's actions! (). For the friendly Armenian people of Europe, who have to resist alone against Erdogan's aggression, his jihadist mercenaries, cluster bombs.

I was at Yerablur [Military Pantheon in Yerevan], where thousands of young Armenians are buried, who died just because Erdogan decided that, for achieving success, violence is better than diplomacy. This in itself is a great crime committed by the head of state who denies the [Armenian] Genocide. This should already be enough to realize that this is a terrible precedent already, as we allow, without objection, NATO's second army to violate international law with impunity. And the only thing that worries Europe after what happened is the empty seat.

And Europe has the leverage to finally demand the return of all the [Armenian] captives in Baku, to end this crime. If Europe wants, it can achieve it. The time has come to realize that problems require solutions," Bellamy noted in particular.
A police officer reacts after an explosion at a luxury hotel in Quetta, Pakistan (Reuters)

A car blast in front of a luxury hotel where the Chinese ambassador was staying in Pakistan has killed five people and injured 12.

The explosion outside the Serena Hotel in Quetta took place late Wednesday night local time in the city, which is the capital of Balochistan province, which has witnessed a decades-long insurgency by separatists.

Footage and images from the scene show thick smoke from the blast as vehicles can be seen ablaze in the hotels car park.

According to officials, rescue work and investigation is ongoing.

This incident occurred after Iftar (breaking of fast). The car was parked in the parking lot of the Serena Hotel, said Balochistans provincial home minister, Ziaullah Lango, according to Reuters. One of our police constables is among the injured.

Two people who died in the attack reportedly worked as security guards at the hotel. According to officials quoted by local media, all guests at the hotel were safe.

Soon after the bomb attack, the Taliban, a militant group known as Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), issued a statement taking responsibility and stating that their target were police officials.

However, initial reports claimed Chinas ambassador, Nong Rong, was the target.

He was staying at the hotel but was not present at the time of the blast, Pakistans interior minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, said, according to Reuters.

The Pakistani Taliban did not mention the Chinese ambassador in its statements.

Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson in a statement condemned the bombing and confirmed there had been no reports of casualties or injuries among Chinas delegation in the region, Reuters reported.

Balochistans provincial home minister, Ziaullah Lango, also told reporters that Mr Nongs visit in Quetta would continue on Thursday and he was in high spirits.

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Quarterly Activities Report

Sydney, April 27, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Board of BetMakers Technology Group Ltd ( ASX:BET ) ( FRA:T07 ) is pleased to release its Quarterly Cash Flow Statement and Quarterly Activities Report for Q3 FY21, the quarter ending 31 March 2021.QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS- $5.2 million in receipts from customers for the quarter (+31% vs Q2 FY21, +206% vs Q3 FY20)- Matt Tripp agrees to strategic partnership and subscription for $25m placement- Completion of $10 million Share Purchase Plan- Completion of $50 million institutional placement- $125 million of cash as at 31 March 2021- Nearing completion of acquisition of the Sportech Racing and Digital AssetsThe Board is pleased to report a strong quarter of growth. The Company reported $5.2 million in receipts from customers, which is an increase of 31% on Q2 FY21 cash receipts, and an increase of 206% on Q3 FY20 cash receipts.As highlighted previously by the Board, the Company is focused on executing on a number of global strategic initiatives and had a historical quarter in enhancing its position for success. This was underpinned by entering into a strategic partnership with online wagering industry leader Matt Tripp, and securing an additional $85 million in funding from existing and new investors. The Company reported in excess of $125 million of cash as at 31 March 2021.BetMakers CEO Todd Buckingham said:"We have delivered another strong performance for the quarter, demonstrating significant growth in our underlying business as the Company accelerates its strategy to capitalise on international opportunities, particularly in the US. The increase in cash receipts and revenues for the quarter was able to offset the investment into the US market along with extra costs for our acquisition.""The Company is well placed with $125m cash at bank and is on track to complete the acquisition of Sportech's Racing and Digital Assets in Q4 FY21. With our strategic partnerships, including with Matt Tripp, and our first-class team and technology assets, we believe the Company is extremely well positioned for substantial growth."STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH MATT TRIPPOn 17 February 2021, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement with online wagering industry leader Matt Tripp to partner exclusively with BetMakers to accelerate growth of its B2B wagering strategy.BetMakers is engaged with a number of parties in relation to opportunities which leverage BetMakers' scalable technology and data platform. The Company believes Mr Tripp can provide assistance with these initiatives.Tripp Investments Pty Ltd as trustee for the Tripp Investment Trust ("Tripp"), an entity controlled by Mr Tripp, also subscribed for $25 million of new BetMakers shares as part of a strategic placement. This placement was approved by shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting held on 26 April 2021, with the shares to be issued to Tripp, and $25 million in subscription funds to be paid to the Company, in the coming days.COMPLETION OF $50 MILLION STRATEGIC PLACEMENTIn addition to the strategic placement to Tripp, the Company also undertook a $50 million institutional placement in February 2021. This was corner-stoned by several existing, supportive institutions. All funds raised are intended to be used to accelerate growth, specifically in pursuing and executing strategic opportunities.COMPLETION OF $10 MILLION SHARE PURCHASE PLANAs part of the Sportech Racing and Digital assets acquisition, BetMakers completed a $10 million Share Purchase Plan ("SPP"). As announced on 20 January 2021, the SPP was oversubscribed with the Company receiving applications from eligible shareholders totaling approximately $26.3 million.ACQUISITION OF SPORTECH PLC RACING AND DIGITAL ASSETS PROGRESSThe Company entered into binding agreements to acquire Sportech's Racing and Digital assets in the United States, United Kingdom and Europe, for consideration of GBP30.9million (the "Acquisition") and received Sportech shareholder approval in December 2020 (which satisfied the last condition precedent for Sportech's benefit, required for completion of the Acquisition).BetMakers is working with Sportech and the relevant industry regulators with the intention to ensure continued compliance during completion of the Acquisition and to finalise the necessary regulatory approvals and authorisations in relation to the licences held by the Sportech assets, being the last condition precedent to completion of the Acquisition. This process is proceeding well, with completion expected in Q4 FY21.NEW JERSEY FIXED ODDS PROGRESSWe expect the legislative process to conduct Fixed Odds betting on horse racing to progress during Q4 FY21 to the next stage of the process.As previously announced to the market, the next step in the legislative process is for public hearings before the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.The Bill is required to be approved by a majority of both the Senate and the General Assembly before it can be sent to the New Jersey Governor for his consideration and, if approved, receive his signature to become law.BetMakers CEO Todd Buckingham said:"The New Jersey legislative process has made progress and has created the pathway for Fixed Odds to come to reality in the United States. To bring Fixed Odds into the United States has been a key goal for BetMakers, and the agreements we have in New Jersey along with the progress of the legislative process in the State puts us in a strong position to pioneer this betting option, which has worked so successfully in the Australian market. With the Acquisition of Sportech's tote and digital assets, which perfectly complement BetMakers', we believe we are now well placed to capitalise on the US market and we continue to invest in this strategy to ensure this becomes a reality."OTHER COSTS INCLUDED IN QUARTERDuring the quarter, BetMakers spent approximately $1.0 million in developing its US strategy across content, advisors and general operations along with costs associated with its acquisition.The Company paid Directors $140,000 for services during Q3 FY21. This included payment to the Chief Executive Officer for employment services as CEO. During the quarter, BetMakers spent approximately $2.3 million in associated fundraising fees (as noted in items 2.1(b) and 3.4 of the attached Appendix 4C, respectively).To view the quarterly report, please visit:About Betmakers Technology Group Ltd

Betmakers Technology Group Ltd (ASX:BET) (FRA:T07) is an ASX-listed holding company and a global provider of online wagering products and services to both wholesale and retail markets through its various wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company operates a retail wagering business, offering consumers wagering, fantasy tournament and content products and services.
Wise Health Plans Signs as Partner To Deliver Affordable Healthcare for All

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / MediXall Group, Inc. (OTCQB:MDXL), an innovative healthcare solutions provider, announced today that its subsidiary, Health Karma, is signing up agencies and brokerage firms as part of its new Health Karma Partner Program geared toward building a multi-tiered sales channel to accelerate market adoption. WISE Health Plans, an insurance brokerage firm located in Utah, has completed the onboarding process, and is preparing to launch a Health Karma marketing campaign to support its mission to deliver affordable healthcare for all.

WISE Health Plans, located in the second most populated county in the State, services large and small employers as well as individuals who are seeking healthcare solutions. The mission of WISE Health Plans to locate affordable healthcare for all has grown even more critical as the pandemic has heightened the urgency to deliver alternatives to traditional health plans. Employers who are struggling have been forced to drop healthcare benefits and individuals have found themselves without having insurance options that they can afford. Through the Health Karma Partner Program, WISE Health Plans can now offer Health Karma to the growing list of employers and individuals that need access to healthcare. Stated Pam Sitterud, CEO of WISE Health Plans, "There are millions of uninsured people out there that don't qualify for Medicaid but can't afford high insurance premiums and deductibles. Employers want to offer healthcare benefits while keeping their doors open in these challenging times. We hear these stories every day and we want to make a difference in our community. Health Karma makes this possible as it gives us the ability to offer an affordable alternative to provide healthcare even for those individuals who do not qualify or cannot afford traditional insurance. We are excited to partner with Health Karma and eager to get started."

The Health Karma Partner Program provides employer groups, insurance agencies, associations, community groups, municipalities, and other organizations and individuals the opportunity to offer the Health Karma product. The Company credits the fast deployment and successful launch of the Partner Program to the Health Karma operations team and its dedicated Board of Advisors. Stated Travis Jackson, Advisory Board Member and Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for Beacon Health Options, "The Health Karma product fills a void in the marketplace. I genuinely believe that it is a game changer. I think we often take for granted things as basic as going to see our primary care provider for an allergy or an ear infection. The fact is that many people do not have primary care physicians because they simply cannot afford one. Health Karma is a platform that gives consumers healthcare access regardless of socio-economic status. The new Health Karma Partner Program is another just in time solution that provides companies, many of whom have taken hits throughout this past year, with an opportunity to build additional revenue streams while simultaneously being able to take advantage of the benefits that Health Karma can provide to their own companies and their employees."

For more information on the Health Karma Partner Program, please visit www.healthkarma.org/partners or reach out to partnerprogram@healthkarma.org

About WISE Health Plans

WISE Health Plans is an insurance agency located in Pleasant Grove, Utah. The Company was founded with a vision to "insure" dignity in healthcare for all members on the community. WISE Health Plans utilizes private and government programs to customize a solution for every person in need of quality healthcare. For more information regarding the Company, please contact them at (801) 441-6466.

About MediXall Group, Inc.

MediXall Group, Inc. (OTCQB:MDXL) is a technology and innovation-driven organization purposefully designed and structured around delivering products and services to make it easier for consumers to learn, decide and pay for healthcare. The mission of MediXall Group is to revolutionize the healthcare industry by improving communication; providing better technology and support services; and enabling more efficient, cost-effective healthcare for the consumer. By approaching the entire healthcare ecosystem, MediXall creates, invests and incubates companies that embody its mission statement.

About Health Karma, Inc.

Health Karma, a wholly owned subsidiary of MediXall Group, is a data-driven healthcare technology company whose mission is to continually raise the bar of the healthcare experience by empowering people to understand and manage their entire health care journey anywhere, anytime, whether they have insurance or not. For more information, please visit www.gethealthkarma.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. Specifically, the company's ability to raise additional capital, execute its business plan and strategy, sustain or increase gross margins, achieve profitability and build shareholder value are forward-looking statements. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT:

Investor Relations

(954) 908-3481

SOURCE: MediXall Group, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642434/Partner-Program-Fuels-Medixall-Group-Subsidiary-Sales
[April 27, 2021] United States 1st Commercial Testing Cannabis Lab, Steep Hill, Announces Major Expansion

Steep Hill, the United States' first commercial cannabis testing lab, expands with a new licensee partner into the state of Mississippi. Mississippi is the 36th state to pass a comprehensive medical cannabis program when voters gave their approval this past November election. Steep Hill will be one of the first testing labs to license its technology in Mississippi. Steep Hill, CEO, Nigel Stobart, made the announcement today, "Steep Hill Mississippi, our new licensee partner, is a sophisticated operations group. We are excited to partner with them to bring high quality, reliable compliance testing and customer service to Mississippi's forthcoming medical market. Their group boasts an exceptional leadership team with deep experience in various industries within the state. They will seamlessly integrate the lab processes into the Mississippi state program to provide best in class support to their testing customers." Leading the Steep Hill Mississippi management team will be Mark Henderson, founding partner & CEO. Mark is a native Mississippian, who has been committed to leading edge entrepreneurial work since 2005. Having started Mississippi's first legal brewery, Mark has been actively engaged in the processing, analysis, and quality control related to moving raw materials from agricultural production to consumer goods for nearly 20 years. Mark Henderson announced, "Steep Hill has been a leader in developing analytical processes and procedures for ensuring the safety nd quality of cannabis. It was critical for us to team up with a partner that is as committed to quality and consistency as we are and a partner that has been at the frontlines of this cannabis industry since the beginning."



Joining the Steep Hill Mississippi Board of Managers is cofounder Cliff Osbon, R.Ph. Cliff refers to Mississippi as his "adopted home state" having lived and worked in Mississippi for almost three decades. Cliff is a registered pharmacist and healthcare entrepreneur and has led several previous healthcare ventures successfully. Cliff currently consults for various healthcare industry stakeholders. He is a past president of the Mississippi Pharmacists Association and is a board member of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association. Cliff said, "Having seen firsthand the suffering of patients who could not legally obtain medical marijuana, I am eager to help ensure a safe and reliable supply of this important product for the citizens of Mississippi." Steep Hill Mississippi will be available to support production activities in the third quarter of 2021. "Our laboratory will be strategically located in central Mississippi giving us the ability to support cultivators and processors throughout the state with timely pickup and quick turnaround analysis," confirmed Mark.

For information, please contact Steep Hill Mississippi at: info@ms.steephill.com or call: (601) 910-3001. ABOUT STEEP HILL Steep Hill is a leading cannabis science company with significant footprints in lab testing and research and development. Steep Hill's foundation was built on testing and analyzing medical and recreational cannabis to ensure compliance with current safety standards. In 2008, Steep Hill opened the first commercial cannabis lab in the United States. Steep Hill is currently expanding throughout the United States, and globally. With the goal of helping the rest of the world adopt "best practices" in cannabis testing, the company also provides expert consulting services to many regions around the world. Steep Hill: "Globally Driven. Locally Focused." For more information about Steep Hill visit: www.steephill.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005111/en/

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President Joe Biden will talk turkey with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogen, a snake continuing to wrap himself around a once-democratic nation, squeezing out the spirit from freedom-loving citizens.

One main topic will be getting Turkey to recognize its responsibility for perpetrating genocide on its Armenian citizens a century ago, the same way our nation  albeit a work in progress  recognizes its original sin of slavery and Germany recognizes responsibility for executing the Holocaust. Such examples will continue on and on as mankind ascends toward its lofty goal of colonizing the cosmos.

Turkey has morphed into a dictatorship ruled by a narcissistic autocrat, as have numerous other nations. America has avoided this infamous journey to date. However, its wounds still fester, infected by Make America Great Again groupies, QAnon followers, white nationalists energized by an ex-president refusing to accept the ex affixed to his undeserved title, and others emerging from extreme ends of the political spectrum.

An experienced Joe Biden will not appease Erdogens maniacal self-interest, reading him the riot act if he must, for reducing Turkeys allegiance to NATO, and instead cuddling up to Russias kleptocratic czar. This will bolster our presidents credentials with European allies.

Farther east, Xi Jinping, Chinas president for life, will view Biden as a worthy opponent and think more than twice concerning any potential invasion of Taiwan, as he realizes that a Biden-led America again begins to kick autocratic butt.

Furthermore, Vladimir Putin, no longer pulling the strings of his puppet who sat recently in the Oval Office, will see in Biden a real leader wielding more stick than carrot. This will not be a walk in Gorky Park for Putin, as Biden thrashes him for election interference, hacking our agencies and companies, and allegedly putting prices on the heads of our intrepid troops.

Lawrence Uniglicht, Galloway Township

The real problem is not complying with cops commands

There is a real problem in our country. Its the systemic non-compliance of law and with law enforcement.

This is a pathological problem caused by the psychological phenomenon of groupthink, which can trigger decisions that arent ideal or that ignore critical information.

When a group of people get together and start to think collectively with one mind, the group is more concerned with maintaining unity than with objectively evaluating the situation and alternatives or options. The group as a whole tends to take irrational actions or overestimates its positions or moral rightness. The members firmly believe in one particular ideal. They watch only news reports that support their ideal and associate only with people who agree with them.

People affected by groupthink generally come to hate and distrust anyone who disagrees. This has created cognitive dissonance and a false narrative that law enforcement is not to be trusted and somehow enforces the law disproportionally, taking action against only certain groups of people  ignoring that those within these groups might break the law disproportionately.

This has created serious consequences, including instigation of death and destruction not only by griup members, but by others in supportive groups.

Unfortunately, those who could actually help end this problem by promoting civil discourse have only enabled it by legitimizing the groupthink agenda. This is even more of a problem for society.

Steve Cupani, Elmer

The writer is a retired Atlantic City police sergeant.

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Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

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Syracuse University alumnus and free-form radio pioneer Bob Fass is dead at 87.

The New York Times reports Fass died Saturday in Monroe, North Carolina. His wife Lynnie Tofte said he had been hospitalized with Covid-19 earlier this month but he died of congestive heart failure.

According to NPR, Fass was a popular voice of the 1960s counterculture scene, helping found the Yippies and hosting the influential radio show Radio Unnameable on New Yorks non-commercial, listener-supported Pacifica Radio station WBAI-FM for more than 50 years. He featured interviews with Youth International Party activist Abbie Hoffman, poetry by Allen Ginsburg, and early performances by dozens of major folk artists like Bob Dylan, Richie Havens and Arlo Guthrie.

Id put anyone on, because the idea was if you didnt like what I was doing, three minutes later Id be doing something else, Fass once said, according to the Times.

He began each broadcast with the greeting Good morning, cabal!  a reference to his cabal of conspirators who opposed the Vietnam War and marched for civil rights.

The show aired five nights a week for five hours, but did not follow a traditional format like Top 40 radio stations. He mixed records, tapes, live musicians and phone callers, sometimes several at the same time, and staged community events like a fly-in, where 3,000 loyal listeners showed up at JFK Airport in 1967 simply to greet people arriving after midnight.

Larry Josephson, another WBAI radio personality who followed in Fass footsteps, told NPR that Fass more or less invented what we call live radio.

No structure, no script, all improvised. And there was nothing like Bobs program on the radio at the time, Josephson said.

Fass graduated from Syracuse University in 1955.

The brothers of Tau Delta Phi at Syracuse University mourn the loss of our beloved frater, an obituary notice said.

The Times reports Fass briefly pursued an acting career after college, appearing in the original Off Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera in the 1950s. But he fell in love with radio while serving in the Army, listening to a transistor radio in his bunk; his friend, poet Richard Elman, helped him get a a job as an announcer in the early 1960s. He eventually became the overnight host at WBAI from midnight to 5 a.m. and spent most of his career there.

According to NPR, Fass left New York in 2019 but continued doing a show from his home in North Carolina once a week.

A documentary about Fass, also called Radio Unnameable, was released in 2012.
As of Aug. 1, Gov. Charlie Bakers office said Tuesday, all industry restrictions in Massachusetts will be lifted, capacity will increase to 100 percent across industries and gathering limits will be rescinded.
NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambridge International today announced that Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS), and Volusia County Schools (VCS) were selected as recipients of its District of the Year awards for U.S. school districts for the 2020-2021 school year.

The District of the Year award recognizes districts that have consistently strong student performance in their schools and who have also continued to expand their offering of the Cambridge Pathway. Each year, Cambridge International awards one district in each of the following segments (based on enrollment in public schools):

Large size districts - Districts with over 20,000 students enrolled in high school.

Medium size districts - Districts with between 10,000 and 20,000 students enrolled in high school.

Small size districts - Districts with less than 10,000 students enrolled in high school

"We are excited to recognize BCPS, CCPS, and VCS as the recipients of our 2020-2021 District of the Year awards. Each of these districts has demonstrated their commitment to providing all students with access to coursework that prepares them for their future," said Mark Cavone, Regional Director of Cambridge International, North America. "Congratulations to each of the districts, their students, educators, and families on this success."

BCPS, which received the District of the Year award in the large district category, has partnered with Cambridge International for more than 10 years, offering innovative programs at three elementary schools, 11 middle schools and 21 high schools, as well as Cambridge Magnet Programs at one middle school and one high school.

CCPS received the District of the Year award in the small district category. Since 2017-18, CCPS has expanded access to Cambridge International exams by well over 100% and has achieved a phenomenal pass rate..

"We are honored to be selected for this national recognition," said VCS Superintendent Dr. Scott Fritz, "Volusia County Schools' vision is to 'create life-long learners prepared for an ever-changing global society,' and the Cambridge International program's broad, international curriculum provides a strong foundation for our students as they prepare for college and careers." VCS, which received the District of the Year award in the medium district category, introduced the Cambridge program four years ago at three high schools. Today, nearly 1,700 VCS students are taking Cambridge courses at five high schools.

Each year, nearly 1 million students study in Cambridge programs worldwide, making more than 2 million exam entries. First introduced in the U.S. in 1995, the Cambridge International program has grown rapidly in popularity. Over the past decade, Cambridge Advanced exams in the U.S. have grown by over 200%. More Cambridge Advanced coursework and exams are now taken in the US than in any other country, and Cambridge International partners with schools across 35 states and the District of Columbia.

Cambridge International AS & A Levels are part of an internationally benchmarked program that allows students to earn college-level credit in high school. Cambridge International uniquely provides an instructional system across four stages (Primary through Advanced) aligning rigorous curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment for all students in grades K-12. More than 800 U.S. colleges and universities now accept Cambridge exams for credit and placement.

About Cambridge Assessment International Education

Cambridge Assessment International Education prepares school students for life, helping them develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. We are part of the University of Cambridge.

Our Cambridge Pathway gives students a clear path for educational success from age 5 to 19. Schools can shape the curriculum around how they want students to learn  with a wide range of subjects and flexible ways to offer them. It helps students discover new abilities and a wider world, and gives them the skills they need for life, so they can achieve at school, university, and work.

Cambridge International is the short name of Cambridge Assessment International Education.

Learn more! Visit www.cambridgeinternational.org

SOURCE Cambridge International

Related Links

http://www.cambridgeinternational.org


Search of Lyon Home Nets Two Drug Arrests

By West Kentucky Star Staff

LYON COUNTY - A search of a home in Lyon County Sunday led to the arrest of two people on drug and other charges.Sunday afternoon, deputies and Kentucky State Police troopers responded to a home on KY 93 South.Authorities said a strong odor of marijuana was coming from the home, leading them to detain 29-year-old Alexandria D. Reddick of Cadiz and 39-year-old Benjamin Trafford of Eddyville.A search of the home yielded suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, three firearms, and drug paraphernalia.Both Reddick and Trafford were arrested and charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance (meth), possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.They were lodged in the Crittenden County Jail.
Mumbai, April 27 : Actor Arjun Kapoor recalls being bitten by a doberman while shooting with the dog, Barood, on the set of "Sardar Ka Grandson".

"We were filming a dog biting sequence and Barood ended up biting me! To give you some background, we had to set up a scene with a lot of chaos when I finally return home after years to meet Sardar, in which the dog comes and attacks me assuming I'm an intruder. So, I spent enough time with our main hero of the scene -- Barood -- off-camera for a day or two, putting him at ease with me," recalls Arjun.

"Cut to the day of the shoot, a regular long day where we had retakes with Barood and me, and yet a lot of work was left to finish and (there was) the general shoot madness. Some assistant during the take on the mic decided to shout the word 'kato' -- which means 'bite' -- and considering that as an order, he snapped out of his leash, charged towards me and bit me on the leg!" the actor says.

"A second later when I said 'heel', he obediently let go and stood beside me! I still have a scar from the incident for life to remind me of 'Sardar Ka Grandson' and 'Sardar Ka Barood'," says Arjun.

"Sardar Ka Grandson" is all set to release on May 18 on Netflix. The ensemble cast includes Neena Gupta, Rakulpreet Singh, Kanlwajit Singh, John Abraham, Aditi Rao Hydari and Kumud Mishra.
In 2003, four years into President Vladimir Putins tenure and with liberal politics at a nadir, I visited the Moscow office of the center-left Yabloko Party. There, among the 50-something inveterate anti-communists who dominated the party, sat a 27-year-old staff member. It was Aleksei Navalny.

We quickly became friendly. We were members of the same generation and the same culture, we had the same views about good and evil, we spoke the same language. Though we didnt always agree, I felt that he and I were  to quote Rudyard Kipling  of one blood.

It was obvious that such a man would feel cramped in a stuffy old party, and so it turned out. But it was not at all obvious that Mr. Navalny would rise to be the undisputed leader of the opposition, his challenge to Mr. Putins rule so profound that it would lead to the regimes efforts to silence him  through attempted assassination, imprisonment and illness that last week threatened to tip over into death  and to thousands of Russians, across the country, taking to the streets to protest his mistreatment. Russia now has two national leaders: Mr. Putin in the Kremlin and Mr. Navalny in prison.

When we first met, such a future  if someone had beamed back from 2021 to tell us of it  would have seemed far-fetched. At the time, an opposition movement was slowly taking shape. And at comings together of opposition figures, united in their disagreement with Mr. Putin if little else, I would often see my old acquaintance Aleksei Navalny. He understood that real political life was there, not in his own party, and he rapidly became one of the notable figures of the opposition.
(Natural News) Britain-based biotech company Oxitec has received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to release genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes in the Florida Keys this spring. The firm claims that the technology is safe and effective at eradicating dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases in the area  a claim that scientists and residents dispute.

Oxitec, which is U.S.-owned but U.K.-based, says that its OX5034 mosquitoes are designed to combat the transmission of mosquito-borne illnesses by thinning out local Aedes aegypti populations. The GM mosquitoes carry a self-limiting gene that makes females dependent on the antibiotic tetracycline. Without this drug, they will die.

Eggs from these genetically modified organisms (GMO) will be shipped to the Keys. Though the eggs will hatch both male and female insects, the firm claims that the GM females will die during the early larval stages due to the self-limiting gene, and therefore will not be able to reproduce.

The male mosquitoes, on the other hand, will survive into adulthood and carry the gene. When they mate with wild females, they will pass the gene to their offspring, which, in turn, will gradually reduce local female mosquito populations, according to Oxitec chief development officer Kevin Gorman. Over time, the number of wild male mosquitoes will also decrease.

The firm says that it is confident in the effectiveness and safety of its technology. It has previously conducted a trial in Brazil and has released more than a billion of an earlier version, called OX513A, in the country and other locations over the past decade. Oxitec claims that its OX513A releases show the approach effectively reduces a targeted mosquito population.

The company also insists that their mosquitoes are friendly because only the males will survive, which, unlike females, do not bite humans or transmit disease. Moreover, Gorman notes that the EPA and other regulators have found no risk in using tetracycline in breeding their GM mosquitoes. (Related: Mmmmm, fresh, organic streptomycin and tetracycline in every bite.)

But bothj experts and local residents remain concerned about its potential risks. Some are also criticizing the EPA for its lack of transparency and lapses in the approval process.

Dangers of GMO mosquitoes

A study published in 2019 in the journal Scientific Reports showed that some of the offspring of Oxitecs GM mosquitoes that were supposed to die survived into adulthood and mated with their native counterparts. A team led by Yale University researchers arrived at this conclusion after examining the firms 2015 release of OX513A mosquitoes in Brazil. Their analysis indicated that 10 to 60 percent of the native mosquitoes around sites of deployment contained Oxitec genes.

Jennifer Kuzma, co-director of the Genetic Engineering and Society Center at North Carolina State University, who was not part of the study, also raised concerns about Oxitecs use of antibiotics. She said that tetracycline was commonly used in Florida to combat bacterial disease in agriculture and contamination in sewage plants. As such, the GM female mosquitoes might be able to survive through the water contaminated with the antibiotic. (Related: GMO mosquito experiment CATASTROPHIC failure, breeds super mutant insects.)

Though the company did not plan to release mosquitoes near areas where tetracycline was used, Kuzma mentioned that the EPAs risk assessment failed to include testing of any standing water for the antibiotic. This, she said, would have been easy enough to do for good due diligence.

In an opinion piece for The Boston Globe last June, Kuzma and molecular biologist Natalie Kofler also criticized the EPAs lack of transparency and approval process. The pair were concerned that the agency did not convene an independent scientific advisory to review the firms claims. They also mentioned that the EPA only publicly released its risk assessment after making the approval.

Kuzma and Kofler called on the EPA to improve its approval process for new biotechnologies. They wrote that the American public needs to be assured that these decisions are made free of conflicts of interest.

In 2018, nonprofit GeneWatch UK made a running list of what it saw as Oxitecs offenses since it first began its experimental releases. The list included the firms lack of disease monitoring in the countries where mosquitoes were set loose; the unknown price of the technology; and complaints that the firm overstated the success of some of its trials.

Local residents also expressed concerns about GM mosquitoes, with many saying they were not given a chance to consent before the project was green-lit.

Guy Reeves, a genetic researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Germany, underscored the importance of public trust and enthusiasm. If the population in Florida Keys becomes so sensitized to this issue that they can no longer cooperate with each other, thats good for the mosquitoes, not good for the people.

Follow GMO.news for more stories about genetically engineered organisms.

Sources include:

GlobalResearch.ca

BostonGlobe.com
Four entrepreneurs among Forbes Vietnams most inspirational women

Forbes Vietnam's list of the 20 most inspirational women includes four entrepreneurs, Tran Thi Le, To Thuy Diem Quyen, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, and Van Dinh Hong Vu.

From left to right: co-founder and CEO of ELSA Van Dinh Hong Vu, chairwoman and CEO of NutiFood Tran Thi Le, founder and CEO of InnEdu To Thuy Diem Quyen, Vietjet CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao. Photo designed by VnExpress/Dat Nguyen.

Le, 48, is the vice chairwoman and CEO of dairy company NutiFood Nutrition Food JSC. She was formerly a doctor and nutritionist at the HCMC Nutrition Center.

Founded in 2000 by experts from the center, NutiFood is now one of the largest dairy producers in the country, making products for a range of age groups, pathologies and special needs.

It has six plants in Vietnam, a dairy farm in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, a coffee farm in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, and a factory in Sweden, and a total of 5,300 employees.

At the 2020 Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA), Le won the Corporate Excellence Award, Inspirational Brand Award and the Master Entrepreneur Award.

She was also included in Forbes list of 25 most powerful businesswomen in Asia in 2019.

To Thuy Diem Quyen, 54, is an educationist and the founder and CEO of InnEdu Education Development and Consulting Company, which specializes in teacher training and providing STEAM educational programs for Vietnamese schools.

The acronym refers to science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics as access points for guiding students inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking.

Once an autistic child with dyslexia, Quyen has now become an inspirational woman with an innovative approach to teaching, bringing happiness into learning for children, according to Forbes Vietnam.

She was formerly a teacher and Vietnams sole representative at the World Education Forum in Spain in 2014.

She became the first Vietnamese to be certified as a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert in 2013.

She founded InnEdu in 2012 to provide training to teachers in teaching methodology. It had trained over 60,000 teachers from around the country by the end of 2020.

InnEdu started providing STEAM educational programs and supplies to schools in 2017.

Last year it introduced the Bright Ideas Challenge project, a STEAM educational program, at a number of schools in HCMC.

Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, 51, is the chairwoman of conglomerate Sovico Group, one of the founders and CEO of budget airlines Vietjet and vice chairwoman of HDBank.

She is Vietnam's first self-made woman billionaire, according to Forbes Vietnam. She has a Ph.D in economic cybernetics from Russias Mendeleev Institute.

France conferred its highest award, the Legion of Honor, on her for her contributions to promoting ties between Vietnam and France.

She was named in Asia's Most Influential List by British magazine Tatler in 2020 and in Business Insiders list of 100 persons who changed the Asian economy in 2020.

In 2019 she was named among the worlds 100 most powerful women by Forbes.

Van Dinh Hong Vu, 38, is the co-founder and CEO of ELSA, an AI-powered language platform designed to help non-native English learners improve their speech and pronunciation.

Vu has an MBA and a master of education degree from Stanford University in the U.S.

She was an assistant general manager at container shipping company Maersk in Denmark and senior project manager at management consultancy Booz and Company.

In 2015 she launched ELSA.

The startup raised $7 million in a series A round from U.S. investors including Googles AI fund, Gradient Ventures, in 2019.

It wrapped up a $15-million investment in a series B round from private equity firm Vietnam Investment Group and U.S. technology firm Susquehanna International Group last year.

ELSA currently has over 13 million users worldwide.

The startup aims to expand to the Latin American market and develop its business-to-business service by providing enterprises with English courses for their non-English speaking employees.

In 2017 it was listed by Forbes as one of the top four AI-powered companies in Asia that use artificial intelligence to change the world.

The 20 most inspirational women list seeks to honor women who are "energetic and manage to overcome the obstacles hindering womens advancement."
African waters have been contributing to the global supply of fish for years, with three of the four most productive marine ecosystems in the world near the continent. African countries' Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) contributed over 6 million metric tons of fish to the world's food supply, supporting food security and livelihood in the continent, while generating $15 billion to the African gross domestic product in 2011. Every sovereign state has an EEZ, an area of ocean adjacent to their shores in which they have special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources.

Industrial fleets from countries around the world have been increasingly fishing in African waters, but with climate change and increasing pollution threatening Africa's fish stocks, there is a growing concern of the sustainability of these marine fisheries if they continue to be exploited by foreign countries.

A new study used Automatic Identification System (AIS) satellite data from Global Fishing Watch to describe and characterize the spatial characteristics of African and foreign industrial fishing activities within these African EEZs. Mi-Ling Li, assistant professor in the University of Delaware's School of Marine Science and Policy in the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment (CEOE), served as the lead author on the paper, which was published in the Fish and Fisheries scientific journal.

Industrialized foreign fishing

Countries in Africa have a short-term economic incentive to grant foreign countries access to fish in their waters. Those foreign countries have to make direct payments to acquire permits to fish in a country's EEZ.

"There has been controversy over foreign fishing in African waters, but there hasn't been a quantitative assessment of how they act," said Li. "It's difficult because a lot of the African countries do not have good surveillance of their fisheries."

The study described spatial and temporal characteristics for both African and foreign industrial fishing activities -- examining boats that were large enough to carry AIS trackers.

"African fisheries desperately need better information and data for management," said David Kroodsma, Director of Research and Innovation at the Global Fishing Watch and a co-author of the paper. "It is exciting to be able to use vessel GPS data to help solve this challenge and reveal fishing activity across the continent."

The paper highlights where and how long the boats spent most of their time and what fish they reported catching in those locations.

The EEZs fished by a large number of countries were generally located in West Africa, with the EEZs of Western Sahara and Mauritania fished by the highest number of foreign countries.

The resources of specific fish stocks could determine where vessels would fish. Vessels from Japan, for instance, spent most of their time fishing in eastern Africa for tuna, with an estimated 75% of total reported Japanese catches coming from the waters of Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, and Seychelle.

"This paper shows that fisheries and their management in Africa are globally interconnected, highlighting the need for international cooperation to address the challenges that fisheries in the continent are facing," said William Cheung, professor at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia who is a co-author of the study. "We demonstrate the importance of having accessible data, including those from new technology, to generate knowledge that is necessary to address these challenges."

One puzzle piece

While the AIS data can show where and how long the vessels were fishing, there is a reliance on the reporting data from the vessels themselves to confirm what they are catching. Sometimes, the data does not always correlate, pointing to the possibility of illegal, unreported or unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The study used Namibia, an African country in that region, as a case study.

Unlike some other African countries, Namibia requires fleets in their EEZ to land their catches in their domestic ports. Not all fishing fleets followed that regulation, however. While 20 fishing entities were identified by AIS as being in Namibian waters, not all of the vessels recorded having caught fish in those waters.

"Namibia has a relatively good surveillance system, and they require every fleet who fishes there to land in their docks," said Li. "But even with those regulations, we find a big discrepancy in who reported fishing and catch there and who we detected by AIS. This is a big issue with regards to illegal fishing in African waters."

###

The authors said the AIS system can be utilized to help detect and characterize unreported activities in these EEZs, which can help with the response to IUU fishing.
She often puts on a sensational display in glamorous outfits.

And Eve Gale looked stunning in a tiny green skirt and crop top as she headed for a night out with her glamorous twin Jess.

The Love Island stars, 20, commanded attention in the revealing outfits as they went to Maddox roof bar in London on Monday.

Stunning: Eve Gale looked stunning in a tiny green skirt and crop top as she headed for a night out at Maddox roof bar in London with her glamorous twin Jess on Monday

Eve put her svelte pins on display in the skirt which drew attention to her slender waist with a belt detail which draped across her front.

She matched the skirt with a white long-sleeved crop top which flashed a glimpse of her taut midriff.

The reality star added height to her frame with some white heeled sandals and proved she had expensive taste as she carried a tiny Fendi bag.

Wow! The Love Island star, 20, commanded attention in the revealing outfit as she put her svelte pins on display in the skirt which drew attention to her slender waist

Jess, meanwhile, looked typically gorgeous in a black bustier which showcased her incredible curves.

She paired her look with some casual chic jeans and clear heeled sandals as she stepped out with her sister.

The pair both drew attention to their pretty features with a heavy make-up palette and styled their golden tresses in stunning curls.

Last month, Eve told fans that she was pining for sunnier climes as she shared a throwback swimsuit snap, before slipping into tiny hot pants.

Sizzling: Jess, meanwhile, looked typically gorgeous in a black bustier which showcased her incredible curves as she paired it with some casual chic blue jeans

The blonde beauty flaunted her ample cleavage and underboob in a skimpy orange swimsuit. She captioned the snap: 'Oh to be this tanned again #June2020.

Jess and Eve recently returned to the UK following their 'work' trip to the UAE.

The TV twins were just two of many celebrities who jetted to Dubai throughout the pandemic.

They joined many other Love Islanders including Joanna Chimonides, Hayley Hughes and Francesca Allen.

Beauties: The pair both drew attention to their pretty features with a heavy make-up palette and styled their golden tresses in stunning curls

After Dubai joined UK's travel ban list, celebrities then began flocking to Mexico's bars and beaches as it established itself as the next COVID getaway destination.

Many stars insisted their trips were for 'work purposes' after criticism from Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Several influencers were forced to hit back at fans after they were criticised for jetting off on holiday during the global pandemic.

Jess and Eve rose to fame on the first ever series of winter Love Island back in 2020.

While Eve was booted off after less than a week, Jess made it to the final with Ched Uzor - with the pair going their separate ways shortly afterwards.
Now that Derek Chauvin has been found guilty, want to address something: I keep hearing, in the media and from elected officials that the criminal justice system is on trial in the Derek Chauvin trial. No, it's not.

I have heard this so much over the last couple of weeks. It might sound nice because if the system were on trial, there would be a resolution, there would be accountability for 500 years of genocide, slavery, cruel policing laws, atrocious immigration laws, and more. But it's not.

During the trial, evidence was heard relating to one murder. The court was subject to the same set of standards and laws that have always systemically favored white people with money, and police officers especially so. The court did not hear arguments about the system in general or relating to other cases. The judge has the purview to make a statement after the trial which indicts the system, but the judge has no authority to sentence anyone other than the accused or change the system in any way other than the case itself setting any precedent that it might.
Ghaziabad: A joint team of special weapons and tactics (SWAT) and Kotwali police have arrested three men, including a doctor working in Lucknow's King George's Medical University, for allegedly hoarding Remdesivir injections here, police said.

Mohammad Altamash (42), a resident of Delhi's Nizamuddin, had earlier worked at AIIMS Delhi and regularly delivered lectures to medical students in various medical colleges.

His two accomplices -- Kumail of Kaila Bhatta in Ghaziabad and Jazim Ali of Bara Hindu Rao in Delhi -- have been nabbed along with the doctor as the trio were searching for family members who were in dire need of the life-saving injection for COVID-19 patients and charged between Rs 30,000 to 40,000 per injection.

Altamash was black-marketing Remdesivir injections after procuring vials from medical stores on doctors' prescriptions and selling these drugs to needy patients. A big nexus was involved in it and everybody was getting his own share in profit, City Superintendent of Police (1st) Nipun Agarwal told media.

He added that police have recovered 70 vials of Remdesivir injections along with cash over Rs 36 lakh earned by hoarding the drug. Police have seized a car and two motorbikes used in the crime, Agarwal said, adding that police teams are interrogating the accused for further information about more such gangs.

During the interrogation, Altamash said that he holds a MBBS degree from KGMU Lucknow and has pursued DNB/DM in Neurology from Vivekananda college in Lucknow. He was a visiting physician at New Delhi's AIIMS Hospital. At present, he was working as a CEO of Hyatt Health Insurance Corporate Sector. He told police that being from the medical field, he had many contacts through which he was selling Remedesivir in Delhi and Western Uttar Pradesh regions. He said that he was selling Remdesivir injections for 20,000-40,000 and Actamera injection for Rs 1-2 lakhs.

The police has recovered the cash earned through black marketing of Remdesivir injection from him. The police team has been awarded a prize of Rs 25000 for busting the racket.
Season four of The Handmaids Tale: the same upbeat, cheery series its always been! Photo: Courtesy of Hulu

When The Handmaids Tale debuted on Hulu in April of 2017, the parallels between the misogynistic, religious conservatism of Gilead and the misogynistic, conservative politics of the new Trump administration were hard to ignore, so much so that the show almost immediately bled into the political rhetoric and protests of the time. Even though the project got a straight-to-series order well before the 2016 presidential election was decided, its arrival seemed perfectly timed to match the moment.

Four years later, the fourth season of The Handmaids Tale, which begins Wednesday, also seems like it was designed to reflect the current American climate. Picking up where season three left off, with June (Elisabeth Moss) stuck in Gilead (again!) and a plane filled with 86 children and numerous women from Gilead landing in Canada, the new episodes explore the challenges of starting over after experiencing intense trauma. The question that acts as a common thread this season is this: When a person has focused for so long on escaping an oppressor, what do they do when they finally emerge and get to breathe real, liberating oxygen again? That quandary taps right into the what now? vibe of 2021, when the Trump era is (at least in theory) behind us and were starting to see signs of light at the end of our pandemic tunnel.

In seasons two and three, The Handmaids Tale got stuck in a bit of a hamster wheel in which June would face off with her adversaries  principally her former masters Serena and Fred Waterford (Yvonne Strahovski and Joseph Fiennes) and brutal handmaid minder Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd)  over and over, almost get out of Gilead, and then be compelled to stay at the last minute. Thankfully, season four finally regains some momentum and forward motion. Based on the eight out of ten total episodes made available to critics, this is the best The Handmaids Tale has been since its first season.

As created by Bruce Miller and adapted (at this point, very loosely) from Margaret Atwoods 1985 novel, The Handmaids Tale hasnt altered its sensibility. Its directorial style is still deliberate and a bit conspicuous. The shows love affair with high overhead shots and images of its characters overpowered by massive spaces continues, but is still sometimes used to great effect. In episode four, theres a striking scene in which Rita (Amanda Brugel), the former Martha to the Waterfords now free in Toronto, is filmed at an angle that makes it look like walls are quite literally caving in on her.

The feminist rage that fuels The Handmaids Tale is still omnipresent, as is the harrowing depiction of the torture inflicted by the authority figures of Gilead. In the third episode, the first of three this season directed by Moss, June is subjected to some especially intense punishments that avoid tipping over into torture porn, but just barely. If the relentless nature of The Handmaids Tale has occasionally motivated you to seek, um, external substances to help take the edge off, please know that for this episode at least, youre going to need a bigger edible.

Its challenging to explain what specifically makes the Hulu drama more compelling this season without walking into spoiler territory. But the key difference is that the stakes feel higher and more urgent. There are twists this season that will genuinely catch viewers by surprise, and some moments weve been waiting to see since the beginning of The Handmaids Tale that finally arrive. While the last two seasons meant sitting through a lot of ugly conflict with no relief, this season brings some truly emotional rewards.

Moss has always been an absolute powerhouse as June, but this season, she does some work that is next-level in its ferocity. As Junes best friend Moira, still based in Toronto and helping to raise Nichole, the baby June gave birth to in Gilead, Samira Wiley gets to show a wider and deeper spectrum of emotion. There is also more deserved screen time devoted to both Rita and Janine (Madeline Brewer), with the latter appearing in an extensive flashback sequence that provides new insight into her seemingly fragile personality.

Every story line in season four of The Handmaids Tale is a testament to the idea that some experiences leave such a deep imprint that they change a person forever. The past remains a companion, welcome or unwelcome, no matter where you travel. Thats a hard thing for the characters in this series to reckon with, as hard as it is for all of us in this real, uncertain world to reckon with, too.
In the letter they write in part: If confirmed, she will be the only judge of color on the court, and first to join since Judge Ann Claire Williams retired from the court in 2017. Again, this diversity of experience is critically important to reflect on the bench. And although we do not know Ms. Jackson-Akiwumi personally, her record and career reflect the commitment to the law and range of legal experience that will serve her well on the court.
In its very first year, Masters' Union Business School's inaugural cohort of 65 students has found placements in over 40 top firms, with the most popular sectors being consulting, private equity, venture capital, product management, data sciences and marketing.

In its first ever internship report, the B-School's Careers Department stated that top recruiters coming to the B-School for the placements include Mckinsey, BCG, Tata IQ, PWC, EY and KPMG among the consulting firms.

This is the first time that such illustrious companies have hired from a B-School other than the old IIMs and ISB. Masters' Union CEO, Rupesh said "It is due to the quality of the cohort, the tech focussed curriculum, the deep industry immersion, and the practitioner led classes that our students achieved tremendous placement success, at par with the old IIMs"

In a rather rare occurrence among B-Schools, students have also cracked private equity and venture capital jobs at Softbank JV, L & T Private Equity, Orios Venture partners and Antler India. Many students have also scored unique Chief of Staff roles at top funded startups like FtCash (500 Start-ups), Simpl (IA Ventures), Park+ (Sequoia) and Aanswr.

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Fintech was also a rather popular choice for product management roles with the recently announced Unicorn - Razorpay taking the most number of students. Bosch and Virtusa recruited students for their international offices in Germany and US respectively, while other domestic product management recruiters included Juspay, Mobikwik, Freecharge and IndiaMart.

In Finance, students found roles at BMW Finance, HDFC, ICRA, ICICI, IndusInd and Axis Bank. In Digital and Marketing, popular companies included bOAt, ITC, Volvo, ABP, Virtusa and Case Insurance. Some students also opted for long-term consulting projects with Coke and Bobble AI.

About eight students were also awarded the Masters' Union Innovation Lab's equity free seed grant to pursue their own ventures over the summer. Select students were also granted fellowships in blockchain platforms and data research.

The inaugural cohort of 2021 represents diversity in terms of academic training, professional experience, age, gender, geographies and even growth aspirations. It has a significant representation from engineering and chartered accountancy, apart from lawyers and humanities graduates. The average age of the cohort members is 25.7 years. Its youngest and oldest members are 21 and 39 years old respectively.

(https://aniportalimages.s3.amazonaws.com/media/details/WhatsApp_Image_2021-04-27_at_4.20.29_AM.jpeg)

With academic training from elite institutions such as the IITs, BITS Pilani, St Stephen's, Shri Ram College of Commerce, most come with significant work experience in a range of industry verticals, from consulting to manufacturing, having worked with companies like Goldman Sachs, KPMG, EY, Amazon and Mu Sigma, ringing in an average incoming salary of Rs 10.5 lakh per annum.

Masters' Union is the first B-School in India to have marquee recruiters like McKinsey, BCG, EY, HDFC, Tata, Softbank and BMW hire from its inaugural cohort placing it in the league of older and established institutions like IIMs and ISB.

This story is provided by Kaizzen. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to decide whether the government can block a detainee at Guantanamo Bay from obtaining information from two former C.I.A. contractors involved in torturing him.

The U.S. government argued that releasing the information would expose state secrets.

The detainee, known as Abu Zubaydah, sought to subpoena the contractors, James E. Mitchell and Bruce Jessen, in connection with a Polish criminal investigation. The inquiry was prompted by a determination by the European Court of Human Rights that Mr. Zubaydah had been tortured in 2002 and 2003 at so-called black sites operated by the C.I.A., including one in Poland.

Mr. Zubaydah was the first prisoner held by the C.I.A. after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, to undergo so-called enhanced interrogation techniques, which were based on a list of suggestions drawn up for use on him by Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Jessen, both psychologists.

Dr. Mitchell has testified that he and Dr. Jessen, who had experience with an Air Force program that taught pilots how to resist torture, were hired by the C.I.A. to consult on the interrogation of Mr. Zubaydah. They were ultimately assigned to carry out the techniques on him in the summer of 2002.
All federal and state facilities should be assessed for use in Australias COVID-19 quarantine system to end the back and forth between politicians and address hotel ventilation issues, according to a public health expert who has advised several governments during the pandemic.

Public Health Association of Australia president and former West Australian chief health officer Professor Tarun Weeramanthri believes the biggest risk to the existing hotel quarantine system is airborne transmission of the virus after 14 outbreaks in five states from hotels since November.

Respected health expert Professor Tarun Weeramanthri, who has consulted and led reviews on hotel quarantine, has called for a consensus between the states and federal government on a better system. Credit:Peter de Kruijff

I dont think theres any other plausible explanation for all of these hotel outbreaks that weve seen over the last five months or so, he said.

Dr Weeramanthri said the Infection Control Expert Group  which advises the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, made up of the nations chief health officers  should take another look at its advice to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in hotel quarantine specifically.
When I first encountered critical race theory (CRT) in the early 1980s, I considered it an interesting, albeit flawed, part of a larger interesting but flawed academic movement  critical legal studies. Nowadays, however, I consider CRT to be superstructure built to cover the fact that Blacks, to a disproportionate degree, have not done what it takes to succeed in a society where barriers to their advancement have largely been removed (and where Blacks sometimes are treated more favorably than Whites due to their skin color).

CRT has produced a war on standards  standards like grades, test scores, rules of school conduct, criminal laws  that are supported by common sense and vast experience, and that wouldnt be questioned if Blacks were meeting them to the same degree as Whites and Asian-Americans. That war is destructive. America cant be a great country if it discards important, time-tested standards. I doubt it can even be a well-functioning society.

But the war on White identity and American history seems even more dangerous than the war on standards. A nation that teaches children to hate its history and to demonize a plurality of its population is probably doomed.

Fortunately, as John Murawski at RealClearInvestigations documents in detail, CRT is under challenge in courts. Here are some of the legal actions he describes, along with my tentative, off-the-cuff thoughts about the cases:

*[A] California suit filed last year by the two white men alleges that the state hosted a discussion series in 2020 in which speakers stated that any disparate outcomes in society must be the result of white supremacy.

This statement is CRT in a nutshell. Its blindingly stupid. However, its also an expression of opinion. Im not sure California violated the law by airing this rubbish.

*A pair of lawsuits filed in 2019 by four white women against the New York City public school system allege that a diversity trainer told employees, White colleagues must take a step back and yield to colleagues of color, and that they should recognize that values of White culture are supremacist.

Under the law, Whites need not take a step back and yield to colleagues of color. In fact, it is a violation of the law to require them to do so.

It seems problematic for an employer to sponsor such a demand or exhortation. Certainly, an employer who sponsored a speaker who told Blacks they need to yield to Whites would be in trouble.

Telling employees to recognize that the values of White culture are supremacist seems to border on racial harassment, which is prohibited under employment law. An employer that sponsored the view that Black culture is problematic might have difficulty defending a racial harassment suit. The same difficulty should obtain here.

However, in both scenarios  a suit by a White or a suit by a Black  the employer might be able to defend a harassment suit by arguing that the harassment wasnt severe or pervasive.

*A 2019 complaint filed by an Illinois public school teacher led to a finding that as part of a year-long course on equity and diversity, seventh- and eighth-graders participated in a white privilege awareness exercise that required them to remain in silence and with eyes lowered as they responded to a facilitators prompts.

This is obvious racial harassment. The direct victims are students, not employees. However, the teacher might be deemed an indirect victim, depending on the facts.

As for the students, I would hope that the Constitution prohibits the government from singling them out for harassment to which fellow students of different races are not subjected.

*A 2020 lawsuit filed by a 12th-grade biracial student and his African American mother says that a civics class in a Nevada charter school taught that reverse racism doesnt exist and that people of color CANNOT be racist.

As doctrine, this is nonsense on stilts. However, its expression of an opinion. Without more, Im not sure theres a legal case here (but I might be missing something).

Murawski presents a defense of the CRT rot by Margaret Burnham, a law professor at Northeastern University and a former Massachusetts state judge. She argues:

Anything that is about the education of the person so that they can do a better job is fair game. Just like you have to learn new technologies, new languages, I consider this part of being an employee, part of being in a public space where youre going to interact with other people.

Fortunately, neither the Constitution nor the relevant employment law statutes considers learning dogma about race, or being harassed because of ones race, the equivalent of learning new technologies or languages.

Murawski also quotes Douglas Seaton of the Upper Midwest Law Center, which is planning to file lawsuits challenging the imposition of CRT, on the stakes of the legal battle ahead. Seaton says:

You cant have a country as diverse as ours without equality before the law. Its a recipe for communal violence, tribalism. You cant simply proceed that way. Youd be doomed to internecine battles between groups.

I agree.
Richard Dick Barton, who was Director of Engineering at Free TV predecessor Federation of Australian Commercial Television Stations, has died.

He died last Wednesday, according to a Free TV Australia statement.

Free TVs Chief Executive Officer, Bridget Fair said: Dick Barton loved television and devoted his career to ensuring that every Australian could enjoy a world class service. He was a formidable champion for the industry over many years at the national and international level. He was admired and respected by his colleagues and was a true gentleman. His significant impact on the Australian broadcast industry will not be forgotten.

Free TVs Director of Engineering, Roger Bunch said Dick Barton set a great example of the high values for accuracy required in science and technology to ensure standardisation achieved the intended scope and objectives for the end users. He displayed great insight from his foresight displayed in the intense debates on the Australian proposal for the global HDTV picture format.

He will be remembered internationally as an excellent ambassador for Australia in his ITU activities and a dear friend to many in the broadcasting industries in many countries, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.

Mr Barton held the position of Director of Engineering at the Federation of Australian Commercial Television Stations (FACTS) from 1981 to 2001. His broadcast engineering career commenced only three years after the Australian launch of television, during which time he worked as a broadcast engineer at NSW 9 Adelaide and TNQ 7 and FNQ 10 in North Queensland. His time at the coalface of television production and transmission spanned the rapid expansion of this new medium across Australia and many technical advances, most notably the conversion to colour television in 1975.

Dick Barton demonstrated deep technical knowledge and industry leadership during his time with FACTS, where he was instrumental in guiding the industry through some major developments, most notably regional licence aggregation, the introduction of the new Broadcasting Services Act in 1992 and planning for the transition to digital television. He was deeply respected in the Australian media sector, and received recognition for his many achievements within the broadcasting industry including the Paul Marlan Engineering Award in 1997 for his significant contribution to commercial television engineering.

Mr Bartons expertise in the area of digital television standards was critical to Australias move from analogue to digital broadcasting and his capability was internationally recognised in many forums, including being requested by the United Nations International Telecommunications Union to Chair the 1999 preparatory meeting for the World Radio Conference in 2000.

Mr Barton is remembered as a very knowledgeable Engineer and will be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues.

Related
 "Slamming the Courthouse Door: 25 years of evidence for repealing the Prison Litigation Reform Act" | Main | "Handling Aggravating Facts After Blakely: Findings From Five Presumptive-Guidelines States" 

April 26, 2021

Some death penalty news and notes from around the USA

I have noticed a number of notable recent new press pieces about death penalty issues, and I figured a round up was in order:

From the AP, "MO Supreme Court continues death penalty trial despite positive COVID-19 cases"

From the Canton Repository, "Canton man's new mission: Eliminating Ohio's death penalty"

From CNN, "Biden vowed to end the death penalty. Activists are demanding action as he nears the 100-day mark"

From Nevada Public Radio, "Will Nevada Abolish The Death Penalty?"

From the Tennessean, "Tennessee legislature: Courts allowed to reconsider death sentences over intellectual disability appeal"

April 26, 2021 at 08:59 PM | Permalink

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High costs bar Ugandan fishermen from Lake Kyoga

by Tobbias Jolly Owiny

April 27,2021 | Source: Monitor

On a stretch on Namasale Road, between Alyecmeda Trading Centre and the junction to Kitwe Landing Site in Amolator District is the home of Mr Francis Okello. He is among hundreds of residents of Alyecmeda parish, Agwingiri Sub-county, who rely on fishing as a livelihood. Every morning, these fishermen head to their respective landing sites to collect and sell fish from Lake Kyoga.



In 2004, at 29, Mr Okello abandoned his meat business in Dokolo Town for his current occupation until May 2019 when government slapped a ban on commercial fishing at the lake over illegal fishing methods. These include using less than five-inch fishing nets for tilapia and less than seven-inch fishing nets for Nile Perch. They also entail fishing boats less than 20 feet, especially canoes. Following the ban, Mr Okello says he relocated his family back to Dokolo to begin farming. The Fisheries Protection Unit destroyed at least 137 canoes and more than 1,400 fishing nets from Kitwe Landing Site, where Mr Okello was registered. So when government lifted the ban on July 27, 2020, only 11,000 boats have been cleared to operate, a decline from 23,000 before the restriction.



Back on the lake



Of the 142 fishermen who operate from the site, only Mr Okello and 32 others have resumed business. Many fishermen were kicked out of business after their equipment was destroyed. Previously, we used canoes and other small boats that cost between Shs280,000 and Shs300,000, but these were banned. It is hard for one to afford Shs1.7m to buy standard boats, he says. When the ban came, we were already running a savings group (VSLA) and that money helped me get a standard boat and a few nets, he adds. Mr Okello owns a motorised boat that earns him between Shs160,000 and Shs200,000 per day. The group still runs and every Saturday, I save Shs50,000 just like the rest of the members, he says. Mr Patrick Okwir Ogang, the secretary of Kitwe Fishing Community Group, says one has to part with at least Shs8m to get all the gear to resume business.



He lost 12 fishing boats and 40 nets (considered to be substandard and illegal). He says the situation worsened following the outbreak of Covid-19 in March last year. The disease messed up everyone, including potential fishermen who ploughed their capital into other businesses that collapsed before the ban was lifted, Mr Okwir says. He attributes his comeback to the Shs4.7m that he had accumulated with the saving group. I think the most important thing that helped us was the VSLA savings group. It was functioning even before the lake was closed. Even after the closure, we continued to save. When government [lifted the ban], some of us had saved and it made it possible for us to acquire boats and nets, he says.



The group, which started in 2019, saved Shs110m that year. But Mr Nelson Jumbero, the group chairman, said their savings sharply fell to Shs36m in 2020 due to the ban and the impact of the pandemic. When fishing resumed, we start lending the funds to ourselves (members) between Shs100,000 and Shs3m to enable us acquire the recommended gear. We hope to realise more than Shs130m this year, he says. Although the site has a total of 24 standard boats, only six have engines. But Mr Jumbero says their target is to ensure that the rest of the boats secure engines in the next year through soft loans dispensed to members.



In Awelo Sub-county, only Nakasara, Odyedo and Akukuru landing sites in Akongomit Odyedo parishes out of the seven landing sites in the area resumed fishing. Mr Nelson Alika, the assistant fisheries development officer in Awelo Sub-county, says many landing sites collapsed due to the ban on fishing and the negative effects of the Covid-19. People abandoned the sites and are returning slowly. We have encouraged and made the few groups work to form VSLA groups to promote savings and generate loanable income that members can use to support themselves, for example Akukuru Fishing Association, Mr Alika says. Ms Mary Acen, a boat owner and fish dealer at Bangladesh Landing Site, says despite the challenges, their daily fish harvests and revenue has grown. Although we had a slow start, the harvests are good with the bigger nets. We have caught only mature fish and since a few fishermen are operating, the prices have risen. Fish is now weighed in kilogrammes, not stacked in buckets like in the past, Ms Acen says. In November last year, she borrowed Shs7m, part of which she used to buy a standard boat, five nets, and a life jacket. I now earn between Shs170,000 and Shs220,000 on a good day, and I have started to build a three-roomed home, besides paying school fees for my children, Ms Acen says.

Theme(s): Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods, Others, Post Harvest Technology and Trade, Communities and Organisations, Landing Centres, Coastal Ecosystems and Threats, Freshwater ecosystems and threats, Fisheries Development and Aquaculture, Fisheries Resources.
"The unmatched power of the Delta IV Heavy again demonstrated its role as the nation's proven heavy lift vehicle precisely delivering this critical NRO asset to its intended orbit," said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. "We are honored to support National Security space and thank our mission partners for their continued trust and teamwork."

The Delta IV Heavy is recognized for delivering high-priority missions for the U.S. Space Force, NRO and NASA. The vehicle also launched NASA's Orion capsule on its first orbital test flight and sent the Parker Solar Probe on its journey to unlock the mysteries of the sun.

This was the 42nd launch of the Delta IV rocket, the 13th in the Heavy configuration and ULA's 31st launch with the NRO.

This Delta IV Heavy was comprised of three common core boosters each powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne (AR) RS-68A liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine, producing a combined total of more than 2.1 million pounds of thrust. The second stage was powered by an AR RL10B-2 liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine.

ULA's next launch is the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) GEO Flight 5 mission for the U.S. Space Force, scheduled for May 17, 2021, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

With more than a century of combined heritage, ULA is the nation's most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 140 missions to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, deliver cutting-edge commercial services and enable GPS navigation.

For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321).

Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch.

SOURCE United Launch Alliance (ULA)

Related Links

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At least six people died Tuesday during banned protests against Chad's new military junta, with its leader pledging national dialogue as generals take charge following the shock battlefield death of his father and veteran ruler Idriss Deby Itno.

Deby's 37-year-old son Mahamat, who heads a Transitional Military Council (TMC), pledged an "inclusive national dialogue" after violent protests in the capital N'Djamena and the south of Chad, a country seen as crucial in the fight against jihadists in the Sahel region.

The government said at least six people had died in the protests but a local NGO reported nine fatalities -- seven in the capital and two in the south.

Police were deployed in N'Djamena to break up demonstrations that were called by the opposition and civil society groups.

They used tear gas in the capital to disperse small groups of demonstrators, some of whom burned tyres, AFP journalists saw.

A woman died when anti-junta protesters attacked a bus in N'Djamena's Dembe district, prosecutor Youssouf Tom told AFP.

Separately, a man died in protests in the southern city of Mondou, some 400 kilometres (250 miles) south of the capital.

"We do not yet have the exact circumstances of the death, he is a young man of 21," Mondou prosecutor Ali Kolla Brahim told AFP.

But a high-ranking state media official, Ahmat Malloum, told AFP by telephone from Moundou that police had fired live ammunition at a student who had stoned a police car.

"The student died instantly," Malloum said.

- 'Govern in blood' -

The Chadian Convention for the Defence of Human Rights (CTDDH) said that in addition to nine deaths, 36 people were wounded and about 12 arrested.

"We denounce and condemn this massacre... (and) the disproportionate use of weapons of war against protesters," it said.

French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned "with the greatest firmness the repression of demonstrations and the violence that took place this morning in N'Djamena".

Story continues

France, the former colonial power, has been a key ally in Chad's battle against a jihadist revolt that has swept across the Sahel, though Macron has said he intends to eventually reduce the 5,100-strong Barkhane force Paris has deployed in the region for nearly a decade.

Mahamat Deby's move to ban protests against the junta appeared straight from the playbook of his father, who ruled with an iron fist for three decades until his death last week.

The new junta leader has promised to hold "free and democratic" elections within 18 months, while also pledging Tuesday to "fight terrorism and respect all its international obligations".

On Tuesday a protesters who gave her name only as Sarah, told AFP: "We are fed up, fed up, fed up with the monarchical dynasty in Chad," referring to the Deby family rule.

Behind her, a crowd ran in the streets shouting "police, police", as security forces approached in a vehicle.

"The military has revealed its true colours: govern in blood. The security forces fired live bullets on youths to break up a peaceful march," tweeted Saleh Kebzabo, a veteran opposition figure.

"The Chadians have risen, we will no longer back down," added Succes Masra, another prominent anti-regime figure.

- 12 soldiers killed -

Also on Tuesday, 12 Chadian soldiers were killed in the northern Lake Chad region used as a rear base by jihadist groups including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a regional governor said.

Mahamat Fadoul Mackaye said 40 Islamist fighters were also killed in the fighting.

On Monday, the military junta appointed Albert Pahimi Padacke as transitional prime minister. He called for a nationwide effort to speed the return to civilian rule.

According to the army, Idriss Deby Itno died this month after he was injured on the frontlines in the country's north, where the army has been fighting Libya-based rebels.

The elder Deby came to power in 1990 at the head of a rebel force that rolled in from neighbouring Sudan.

He was buried Friday in a state funeral attended by Macron.

ah-dwi-dyg/wai/lc
Lucknow, April 27 : The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has taken a fresh initiative to overcome the shortage of empty oxygen cylinders in the state.

The state government has ordered Bharat Pumps and Compressors Limited (BPCL), a closed public sector unit in Prayagraj that manufactured oxygen cylinders, to restart and manufacture 3,000 cylinders.

Additional Chief Secretary, MSME, Navneet Sehgal said that the Oxygen cylinder making unit will be able to meet the demand of shortage of cylinders in hospitals.

"With the opening of the unit, employment opportunities will also be created for the youth," he said.

Bharat Pumps and Compressors Limited, a public sector unit at Prayagraj, has been closed for a long time now.

After the initiative of the government, this work will start in this unit this week.

The Yogi government is taking steps to deal with the lack of oxygen in the state.

The chief minister has also issued orders for installation of oxygen plants in most of the districts of the state, especially in hospitals with more than 100 beds.

In order to avoid any kind of problem for the patients, MSME units are also being directly linked to hospitals and these are supplying oxygen there.

Apart from this, the state has also received an offer of oxygen supply from Tata and Reliance groups.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The agri-food sector could play a major role in Vietnam's recovery

Commissioned by the Food Industry Asia (FIA) to better understand the challenges and economic impact of the agri-food sector faced in 2020, The Economic Impact of the Agri-Food Sector in Southeast Asia report highlighted that the agri-food sectors role is pivotal in driving Vietnams economic recovery, creating employment, and putting food on the table at stable prices.

According to the reports Economic Recovery Matrix, Vietnam placed second across 10 countries when it comes to the sectors expected economic recovery, with a score of 6.6 out of 10, coming in just behind Singapore. This is in part due to Vietnam having contained the COVID-19 virus relatively early and minimised the economic fallout. The sector had remained resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing a 4 per cent growth in 2020, or a $3.7 billion increase in GDP contribution.

Pre-pandemic, Vietnams agri-food sector demonstrated strong contributions to the national economy. Findings from the report show that in 2019, Vietnams agri-food sector made a GDP contribution of $86.4 billion. The sector is also responsible for half of the entire workforce with 27.5 million jobs, making it the single most critical source of employment in the economy. The sector also contributed a total of $13.2 billion in tax revenue.

This was largely driven by Vietnams dominant agricultural industry, which contributes over $55.3 billion in GDP, which is nearly two-thirds of the entire sector. However, the agri-food industry saw greater diversification over the years as both food and beverage manufacturing and distribution saw double-digit growth between 2015 and 2019.

Commenting on the findings, Mary Tarnowka, executive director of AmCham Vietnam, said that while the local agri-food sector has demonstrated great resilience against the challenges of the pandemic, further developments on the COVID-19 virus, supply and demand risks, and fiscal risks still have great potential in disrupting Vietnams growth.

The effects of the pandemic have been felt widely and deeply across all sectors, including agri-food, but as a significant pillar of our national economy, the sector demonstrated its resilience by achieving robust growth throughout last year. The crisis can be an opportunity for Vietnams agri-food sector to drive our economy to greater heights, promoting food security and sustainable growth, while continuing to support over half of our countrys entire workforce," said Tarnowka.

We should continue the diversification of the sector that weve seen pre-pandemic, where we deepen our capabilities in higher value-adding roles in ag-tech, manufacturing, and services, she added.

FIA's executive director, Matt Kovac, shared the same sentiment on a need to understand the current and future risk landscape to future-proof Vietnams agri-food sector.

Kovac said, The report highlighted a range of substantial short-term and long-term challenges facing the agri-food sector in Vietnam, and that it remains crucial for policymakers to recognise and work around these risks, given the scale of the sectors contribution to Vietnams jobs and GDP. With strong headwinds projected for 2021, it is imperative for the Vietnamese government to remain mindful of this with any policy that could impact the industry.

Echoing this, James Lambert, director of Economic Consulting Asia for Oxford Economics said, As Vietnam looks to continue its trajectory of being one of the fastest growing economies in the world, it is important that policymakers provide the most conducive conditions for the agri-food industry to grow and thrive, and that any fiscal policy implemented is carefully planned, designed, and communicated. That will allow the industry to continue to provide the economic benefits it has delivered over recent decades.

Lambert notes that fiscal adjustments can include sales tax hikes, which could potentially dent demand and household wellbeing, given that more than a third of household spending in Vietnam is accounted for by food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Ghislaine Maxwell has accused prison guards of intimidating and humiliating her following a visit from her attorneys on Saturday

Ghislaine Maxwell has accused prison guards of intimidating and humiliating her by standing over her while she used the toilet after she was 'falsely accused' of being in possession of illegal documents behind bars.

Just weeks ago, she was called out by guards for not flushing the toilet, a claim she adamantly denied blaming rotting pipes for causing the stench.

In a letter submitted to a judge on Monday by attorney Bobbi Sternheim, the British socialite, 59, claimed a senior guard at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn stood 'knee to knee' with her while 'she sat on the commode' on Saturday.

Moments earlier, guards had confiscated some documents from Maxwell which they claimed she had obtained by her lawyers during a visit in breach of prison protocol.

In court papers obtained by DailyMail.com, Maxwell's legal team denied the violation and claimed that the guards waited until her lawyers were gone and 'took undue advantage of her.'

Ghislaine Maxwell (pictured in a court sketch from her latest court appearance last week) has accused prison guards of intimidating and humiliating her following a visit from her attorneys on Saturday

The 59-year-old British socialite claims a senior guard stood knee to knee with her as she sat on a commode as punishment for an alleged infraction. Pictured: A typical combination toilet and sink fixture found at MDC cells

The incident occurred days after Maxwell's first in person court appearance after nine months in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center (pictured)

It marks the latest twist in the increasingly bitter row over Maxwell's conditions in the federal prison where she is being held until her trial for allegedly procuring underage girls for Jeffrey Epstein.

Her lawyers and prosecutors have previously argued about whether Maxwell can wear an eye mask and whether or not she is flushing the toilet in her cell.

In Monday's filing, Sternheim said she and fellow attorney Leah Saffian attended a scheduled two-and-half hour in-person legal conference with Maxwell on Saturday during which they were under 'constant watch of four to five guards.'

After the meeting, she received an email from MDC legal counsel Sophia Papapetru, who claimed had Maxwell 'received paperwork that was not in her possession upon entering the legal visiting area.'

Papapetru cited MDC rules which ban lawyers from giving clients materials during a legal visit and said the documents had been confiscated and would be given back to Sternheim during her next visit.

Sternheim, who denied the breach, said 'guards seized all of Ms. Maxwell's legal papers, consisting of multiple letter-sized manila folders containing documents and a composition notebook within a Redweld folder.

'The guards told Ms. Maxwell they believed she improperly retained documents given to her by her attorneys and that this was a very serious offense.'

Maxwell is being held in the federal prison until her trial for allegedly procuring underage girls for Jeffrey Epstein

Ghislaine Maxwell pleaded not guilty to new sex trafficking charges added to an indictment three weeks ago. Pictured: A courtroom sketch of Maxwell from her appearance last Friday

According to Sternheim the guards told Maxwell: 'We want you to know that what you did was a very serious infraction.

'It was so serious that it is worthy of an incident report and a disciplinary. It has been decided this time you will receive a caution.'

After the incident, Maxwell requested and was given permission to use the bathroom.

'But unlike any other occasion, the guard team leader stood knee to knee with Ms. Maxwell while Ms. Maxwell sat on the commode in the small area containing one toilet and a sink,' Sternheim wrote.

'In addition to denying Ms. Maxwell any privacy, the guard confronted her in a confined space off-camera.

'Although Ms. Maxwell was ultimately informed that she would not receive a disciplinary infraction for the incident, being falsely accused of "a very serious offense" and having a guard standing over her while she used the commode caused Ms. Maxwell to feel intimidated and humiliated.'

A padlocked black sedan with dark tinted windows believed to be carrying Maxwell was seen driving to the Brooklyn prison

Padlocks were seen on the dark Dodge Caravan that is believed to have driven Maxwell back to prison

As a result of being 'falsely accused' Maxwell feels a 'heightened insecurity under the control of her officious handlers,' Sternheim added.

The incident has put a 'chill' on attorney-client communication because Maxwell feels she can't bring legal documents to meet her lawyers.

In an emailed response to Papapetru, Sternheim claimed the 'accusation is inaccurate as is the information reported to you by your staff.

'Nothing in Ms. Maxwell's legal papers was given to her by me or by Leah Saffian, Esq,' she said.

Sternheim has claimed that the conduct of the guards was 'reprehensible' and said they 'took undue advantage' of Maxwell by waiting until her lawyers had left the prison.

Maxwell fears the confidentiality required to prepare her defense has been 'irreparably breached' and worries her confidential documents have been copied and disseminated, though Sternheim provided no grounds for such a claim.

The attorney wrote that in future Maxwell is 'fearful that she will be subject to retaliation, baseless allegations, and unwarranted and unprovoked discipline.'

Maxwell's complaints about the conditions inside the MDC have been a recurring issue in her ongoing bid for bail.

Her lawyers have alleged that she is being woken up every 15 minutes with a flashlight by guards to check on her.

They claimed Maxwell has lost weight, her hair is thinning out and that she is a 'shell of her former self.'

They also allege the water coming out the taps is brown and that Maxwell's food has melted into its microwave packaging, making it inedible.

Maxwell is currently appealing her third bail denial and during a hearing earlier this week her lawyer David Oscar Markus revealed that she doesn't have an eye mask to cover her eyes from the flashlight.

He said that she is using a sock as a makeshift face mask or a towel.

Earlier this year officials at the MDC claimed that Maxwell leaves her cell messy and doesn't flush the toilet which causes it to smell.

Sternheim fired back that Maxwell 'flushes frequently to avoid plumbing problems' and said that if she doesn't then 'gases escape from the drains' which cause the odor.

Maxwell, 59, denies sex trafficking and perjury among other charges.

She is due to go on trial in July though a judge is set to rule soon if it will be delayed.
The National Youth Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye has called on Ghanaians to help the Regional Minister for Greater Accra, Henry Quartey to succeed.



The support according to him includes praying for him (Minister) against "evil eyes and hands".



Speaking during a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Nana B commended Henry Quartey who is poised to give his region a facelift.



"Accra is a hot place and already people are criticizing him here and there; with the evil eyes and hands pointing at him, he really needs our prayers. Now, look at Madina . . . "



Listen to him in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Germany is considering buying the Russian-made vaccine Sputnik V, Chancellor Angela Merkel said.

However, she noted that would depend on when the European Medicines Agency approves the shot for use in the European Union.

"The documentation isn't yet sufficient for authorization. If this authorization is received very soon, then it will of course still make sense to buy doses of Sputnik. If this only happens in several months then we'll already have enough vaccine," Reuters cited Merkel as saying.

She also noted that Germany will open up COVID-19 vaccinations to all adults in June, based on projections that the country will receive 80 million doses from manufacturers in the second quarter of the year.
Six priceless war medals have been lost after a veteran boarded a train in Brisbane on the way to march on Anzac Day.

Glen O'Brien lost six medals belonging to his father after he drove to Kippa-Ring station and got on a train to Brisbane's Central Station at about 8.30am on Sunday.

The veteran was preparing to march with his regiment wearing his father's, grandfather's and his own medals in the Anzac Day service.

Mr O'Brien is a third generation serviceman who served in Papua New Guinea, while his father serving in Malaysia and his grandfather fought in WWI and WWII.

Glen O'Brien lost his father's medals (pictured) on his way to march with his regiment on Anzac Day

Mr O'Brien (pictured) had planned on marching with three generations of war medals including his own

Because of the ordeal he missed the chance to march with his regiment altogether because he was hastily reporting the loss at the police station, he told 7News.

'I was busy at the police station reporting the loss, so by the time I got back my regiment had marched off,' he explained.

Mr O'Brien said the medals may not mean much to other people but said they held great significance to his family.

The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads posted to Facebook asking the public for help to locate the 'priceless' missing medals

'They're just metal and ribbons, but the significance of them belonging to your family is really, really deep,' he added.

The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads has posted to Facebook asking for the public to contact the Queensland Rail Lost Property Office at Central Station if they see the medals.

The post received a flood of responses from well-wishers and locals making helpful suggestions.

'So sad for the owner,' one wrote.

'Hope they get them back real soon,' another concerned person commented.

Mr O'Brien said he lost the medals when he boarded a train from Kippa-Ring Station (pictured) to Brisbane's Central Station

Some also shared helpful information to try and reunite the owner with their medals.

'I saw yesterday somebody had found some and was handing them into the RSL,' one wrote.

'A set was handed into Redcliffe RSL!' another confirmed.

The Redcliffe RSL was contacted and confirmed that the medals handed in were not the same medals lost on the train.

The post has since been shared more than 1,500 times as people continue to search for the medals.


Norfolk nurse puts Kenyan children in families Norfolk nurse puts Kenyan children in families

Kelly Strong, a Registered Nurse living in Dereham, is leading a project to move Kenyan children out of institutions and into families.

Kelly worked at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and attended Norwich Family Life Church before she and her husband Jono left for Africa in 2013. They spent many years investing in the team before returning to Norfolk with their three boys. Kelly continues to work alongside this team most days, from her room in Dereham.



The Kenyan Childrens Project was founded in 2005 by two couples - Chloe and Stuart Glassborow, and Chris and Cathrine Lane. The Glassborows were previously at Fakenham Baptist Church and went on to become founding pastors of Catch the Fire London.



Over the last six years the charity has moved from an orphanage model to a community and family restoration model of care. It has learnt from like-minded organisations and pioneers in Kenya, incorporating best practice from the broader child development sector.



The charity believes that most children across the world living in an orphanage or institute do have a family to return home to. Since 2014 it has reunited 243 children with families. The majority are still being followed up.



The project now only provides accommodation at its centre on a short-term basis. This is especially when a child is extremely vulnerable, or in the rare cases where family restoration is not possible. The normal pattern is strengthening families to care for their own children.



Currently the project is developing a 21-acre site near Kakamega Town which will enable the rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of up to 2500 children over the next five years.



You can find out more about the charity from their website here .



Image from Kenyan Childrens Project





















Eldred Willey, 26/04/2021
A lot has changed since early 2020, when countries around the world first realized the potential threat of a highly contagious, and still mysterious, flulike virus.

In the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, no one knew for sure how the virus spread. People were scrubbing their groceries. Governments urged people to stay home, to wash their hands frequently and to avoid touching their faces.

Masks quickly emerged as a point of confusion, as public health officials at first discouraged people from wearing them, citing shortages, and then endorsed them. Mask mandates became a flash point in the culture wars as states, counties and cities across the country adopted a patchwork of policies.

On May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that Americans who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus may stop wearing masks or maintaining social distance in most indoor and outdoor settings, regardless of size.
Dhaka: Bangladesh on Monday (April 26) decided to extend its ongoing lockdown for another week to contain the spread of coronavirus.

"The decision was taken in line with suggestions by public health experts and considering the global COVID-19 situation," said the State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain.

Shops and malls will remain open from 10 am to 8 pm, the Dhaka Tribune reported, quoting public official Hossain.

However, the final decision will be taken at another meeting on Tuesday (April 27), officials further said.

Officials from different ministries including health, home, foreign, public administration, and civil aviation were present at the inter-ministerial to discuss the COVID-19 situation.

On a previous day, Bangladesh decided to close its border with India for the next 14 days following a sharp rise in the country`s COVID-19 cases and deaths.

The country has registered a total of 748,628 COVID-19 cases with 3,306 people tested positive for coronavirus and 97 deaths in the last 24 hours.

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Americans breathed a collective sigh of relief last week after Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd. The crime was heinous, the verdict just, the moral neat. If you think that systemic racism is the defining fact of race relations in 21st-century America, then Chauvins knee on Floyds neck is its defining image.

But what about a case like that of MaKhia Bryant, a Black teenager who was shot and killed last week by Nicholas Reardon, a white police officer in Columbus, Ohio, at the instant that she was swinging a knife at a woman who had her back against a car?

Ben Crump, the Floyd familys lawyer, accused the Columbus police in a tweet of killing an unarmed 15yo Black girl. Valerie Jarrett, the former Obama adviser, tweeted that Bryant was killed because a police officer immediately decided to shoot her multiple times in order to break up a knife fight. Jarrett wants to Demand accountability and Fight for justice.

An alternative view: Maybe there wasnt time for Officer Reardon, in an 11-second interaction, to de-escalate the situation, as he is now being faulted for failing to do. And maybe the balance of our sympathies should lie not with the would-be perpetrator of a violent assault but with the cop who saved a Black life  namely that of Tionna Bonner, who nearly had Bryants knife thrust into her.
In a show of solidarity, CEOs of some 40 top American companies have come together to create a global task force to mobilise resources to help India fight the battle against COVID-19.

A collective initiative of the US-India Business Council of the US Chambers of Commerce, and the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum and Business Roundtable, the task force during its meeting here on Monday committed to get 20,000 oxygen concentrators to India in the next few weeks, Deloitte CEO Puneet Renjen told PTI.

The new US public-private partnership to provide India critical medical supplies, vaccines, oxygen and other life-saving assistance amid an unprecedented surge in cases is called the Global Task Force on Pandemic Response: Mobilizing for India.

The first-of-its-kind country-specific global task force to address a public health crisis in another country was addressed by US Secretary of State Tony Blinken.

The conversation showed how the United States and India can leverage the expertise and capabilities of the US private sector towards solutions for India's COVID-19 crisis, Blinken said in a tweet.

"A number of American companies have come together over the weekend. We are focused on doing our very best to help in any way that we possibly can. As the prime minister said, we were very confident, our spirits were up after successfully tackling the first wave, but this storm has shaken the nation. It is up to us to help in any way possible," Renjen said in response to a question.

Observing that the first issue is around oxygen and its concentrators, Renjen said they have commitments to get 20,000 oxygen concentrators to India in the next few weeks.

The first 1,000 will arrive in the middle of this week, he said, adding that by May 5, they expect another 11,000 oxygen concentrators to reach the country.

"Our goal is to get 25,000, and maybe even a number higher than that," he added.

The second issue is to look at oxygen cylinders with 10-litre and 45-litre capacity and to get other supplies like monitoring kits, Renjen said.

"I am very pleased with the fact that these companies have come together. We're working with the USISPF, as well as the USIBC and with the Business Roundtable to coordinate this effort to help India in any way that that is required, he said.

Welcoming the call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden and the decision of the US to urgently send supplies to India, the Deloitte CEO reiterated that the two countries are natural allies.

"I'm very heartened by the fact that the US government is going to step up and do its part," he said.

The fight against COVID-19 is personal for him. Several family members of Renjen, who comes from Rohtak in India's Haryana, have contracted the disease.

Around 2,000 of Deloitte's employees in India have been infected, he said.

"We are facilitating individuals getting the vaccines. We are providing them medical assistance, home testing kits. This is being consistently done by all entities that have big footprints in India. That is really important to do," Renjen said.

"We will do everything on our part to take care of our employees, like I believe every one of the multinationals that were on the call with me are committed to doing. But they have really stepped up," he said.

"This is a real kudos to Indian talent," Renjen said.

The task force also comprises representations from retail sector, e-commerce, pharmaceutical, technology industry and large manufacturing entities.

"This global crisis requires a global response, and the American business community could not be better positioned, or more determined, to help lead the way, said Suzanne Clark, president and chief executive officer of the US Chamber of Commerce.

It was wonderful to see everybody focused on making sure that they do their part, that they contribute. Out of that discussion, the first step that we came up with was these oxygen concentrators, Renjen said.

Our point to the US government is to provide assistance (to India), wherever it's requested, he added.

These US companies are coordinating with the Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

Earlier in the week, he gave us the list of items that are of critical need, Renjen said.

The list includes oxygen concentrators, oxygen generators, two critical medicines that he wanted to see if the US government can release, monitoring kits, and encouraging the US government to ease supply of critical materials for vaccines.

Responding to a question, Renjen exuded confidence that India would overcome this.

This too shall pass. I am very confident in my Indian brothers and sisters; we will overcome this, he said.

I don't think we need to panic. We listen to the scientists and listen to the people that are managing this in the country. I think we just have to navigate through it. We will have two or three weeks of very difficult times.

"It is a tragic situation, particularly for people that have COVID or who have lost loved ones. My heart goes out to them, but we are going to do our part, Renjen 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 movement is gaining steam to recognize a heroic Black sailor from World War II, who towed a raftload of wounded shipmates through shark-infested waters after their ship was sunk in 1942.

Social media posts over the weekend began highlighting the story of Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Jackson French of Foreman, Arkansas, who became a national hero after the destroyer Gregory was sunk Sept. 5, 1942, by Japanese warships near Guadalcanal.

Author and Navy veteran Malcolm Nance got the service's attention Sunday when he tagged several official accounts in a Twitter post about French. Navy Chief of Information Rear Adm. Charles Brown retweeted the post, thanking Nance for highlighting French's "heroic story" and promising to work with Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday to see whether the service could do anything more to recognize the sailor.

Read Next: Booze, a Strip Club and a Major Gone Missing: How a 101st Airborne Unit Went Off the Rails in Poland

A Change.org petition also was started Monday, urging Congress and President Joe Biden to posthumously award French the Medal of Honor.

Roughly 15 survivors of the Gregory, some injured, were gathered in a life raft. If they floated ashore, an ensign on the raft later said, they would be taken as prisoners of war, according to an article on the International Swimming Hall of Fame's website.

That's when French -- a 22-year-old sailor in the racially segregated messman branch -- volunteered to tow them to safety, the article states. The ensign told French the plan was crazy, that they were surrounded by sharks and he would only get himself killed.

But French said he wasn't afraid. He pulled off his clothes, had his shipmates help tie a rope around his waist, and dove into the water. He was a powerful swimmer and towed the raft for somewhere between six and eight hours throughout the night, until a landing craft discovered and rescued them.

After he began swimming, he soon encountered sharks. "I got the hell scared outta me," French told Chester Wright, author of the 2009 book "Black Men and Blue Water," in an interview after the Korean War. "I nearly peed on myself when one of them sharks [touched] my feet. I [just] froze and tried to surface and float, [get] my feet outta the water."

After the rescued ensign recounted the story to The Associated Press and on the radio, French became nationally known as the "Human Tugboat." He received a hero's welcome in his sister's hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. His story was retold in comic strips and trading cards, and he traveled the country to help sell war bonds before enthusiastic crowds.

But the only official recognition he received came in the form of a 1943 letter of commendation from Southern Pacific Fleet commander Adm. William Halsey, according to the Swimming Hall of Fame article.

Halsey's letter praised French for his "meritorious conduct in action," which he said "was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service."

Though the survivors felt French deserved a Medal of Honor or at least a Silver Star, the Swimming Hall of Fame story states, he never received either.

In his interview with Wright, French described the intense racism he encountered, even after he helped save his shipmates. After they were rescued, French said, the master at arms at a rest camp tried to order him to stay in a segregated section with other Black troops.

But French said white shipmates from the Gregory, including some of the sailors on the raft he had towed, objected and said, "He ain't going nowhere!"

French's white shipmates engaged in a nearly five-minute standoff with the master at arms and his subordinates, making it clear they weren't going to let them take French away.

"He is a member of the Gregory's crew, and he damned well will stay right here with the rest of us," French said one of his shipmates demanded. "Anybody who tries to take him anywhere had [better] be ready to go to 'general quarters' [ready to fight] with all of us."

The master at arms looked at the crew of the Gregory -- still filthy, covered with oil and grime, and looking like "wildmen," French said -- and backed down.

As he spoke years after the incident, French was still overcome by emotion at the memory, Wright wrote.

"French's shoulder shook, [and] tears coursed down his cheeks," he wrote. "And all the author could get from him was, 'Them white boys stood up for me.'"

According to Wright, French suffered from alcoholism during his later years. He died in 1956 in San Diego, at age 37.

"From close questioning of friends, it would appear that he returned from the Pacific Wars 'stressed out' from seeing too much death and destruction," Wright wrote.

-- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey.

Related: Soldier Awarded Medal of Honor on Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks That Inspired Him to Fight
Tamil Nadu: Fishermen seek increased dole during ban period

April 27,2021 | Source: The Hindu

Various fishermen organisations have urged the government to increase the dole given during the 61-day long annual fishing ban, which is currently on. The amount is provided since fishermen are usually without work during the ban, which is meant for mechanised boats.



The ?5,000 given is not enough to run a family for 61 days. The government is asking us to stay away from fishing, which is why it began giving us the dole. Families that are below the poverty line, are members of fishermen cooperative societies and live in fishing villages are given the assistance, said Nanjil Ravi, Akhila Indhiya Meenavar Sangam.



K. Bharathi, South India Fishermen Welfare Association, said the amount was not enough. The current amount barely helps cover food expenses. With no income whatsoever, workers and other labourers, who get work due to the mechanised boats, depend on this amount, he explained. A former official of the Fisheries Department said not many States provided such a dole. A section of mechanised boat workers are questioning the rationale behind giving this assistance to those fishing using country craft since they are in no way affected by the ban, he said. An industry expert suggested that instead of giving them this amount for free, some kind of work could be provided like under the 100-days rural guarantee scheme being given in the agriculture sector, he said.
MIDDLETOWN  Groups of young, male thrill seekers are stealing unlocked automobiles for joy rides in suburban areas, and taking valuables the owners leave inside, according to Mayor Ben Florsheim.

In most of the cases, the cars are not being stripped or sold or disappearing, he said. Theyre turning up intact a few days later.

Most of these larcenies have taken place in the Westfield area of the city because of its easy access to Interstate 91, said Florsheim, who is urging people to be vigilant and practice measures that will avoid them becoming victims of these crimes, which have escalated over the last month.

However, incidents have decreased a bit, the mayor said, due to increased police presence and authorities alerting people widely about the threat. Once these groups have been in one town for a few weeks, theyll switch to another town, Florsheim said. Theres been a little bit of a downward trend there.

These thieves are taking advantage of the opportunity to easily and swiftly ransack and steal vehicles  even in the daytime, said the mayor, who called the perpetrators audacious.

People leave their doors unlocked and keys in the car, maybe to save a few extra minutes in the morning. The thieves want to take the path of least resistance. Theyre not going to break a window and get caught trying to start a car, Florsheim said.

Throughout the entire city, there were 125 thefts from motor vehicles between April 2020 and January 2021, Public Information Officer Lt. Brian Hubbs said, adding that doesnt account for cases that officers classified as straight larcenies. The lieutenant said he suspects the actual rate is much higher.

Many times, the victims are unaware the larceny took place until they leave the house the following day, Hubbs said of cars stolen during the night. Even in cases where victims report the crime in progress, suspects are often in and out of the area quickly and are gone prior to police arrival.

Typically, theyll canvass about a half-dozen vehicles in a neighborhood, eventually find success and escape, the mayor said.

The culprits take advantage of a general feeling by residents that these quiet neighborhoods are safe, as well as having a low density of population, the mayor said.

Criminals, looking for money, credit cards, electronics and other items of worth, sometimes have access to a homeowners garage because keys left inside the vehicles have remote door openers on them, Florsheim said.

In many cases, the vehicles turn up within a few days later in another town. Florsheim addressed the issue Monday night in a Facebook Live session with Middletown police Detective John Stroud.

Its something were taking very seriously, Florsheim said Tuesday. However, these larcenies are difficult to prosecute since its very difficult to identify the perpetrators.

COVID-19 precautions have also provided some measure of protection from their identity, since their face is often covered in video footage obtained from residents, Hubbs said.

Preliminary data from 2020 shows there was an increase in motor vehicle thefts in Connecticut compared to the previous year, mirroring national trends, according to a March 19 article in the Connecticut Mirror.

Nationwide, auto thefts took a dramatic leap upward in 2020 compared to 2019, reversing two years of auto theft declines, a National Insurance Crime Bureau study found.

Victims, many of whom have doorbell cameras or surveillance systems, wonder why when police arrive on the scene cant pursue the suspects, the mayor said. In such situations, laws prevent police officers from doing so, he said.

The most effective tactic is prevention, Florsheim said.

Two automobiles were stolen in broad daylight March 22  an Audi from a home on Westfield Terrace and a Land Rover from Country Club Road, Middletown police wrote on their Facebook page at the time.

Video footage shows a dark-colored sedan stopping at the base of a driveway where three vehicles are parked. A person gets out of the passenger seat and heads to the homeowners car, gets inside and both drivers take off at a high rate of speed.

No one has been injured during these acts, the mayor said. In some instances, a weapon was displayed. Its terrible. People should feel safe in their own neighborhood and own homes, he said.

To report a crime, call Middletown police at 860-638-4000.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Onondaga County health officials are preparing for a Covid-19 vaccine roadshow' to bring the shots into pockets of the county that have lagged in vaccinations, County Executive Ryan McMahon said today.

The next such neighborhood clinic will be Friday at the Fabius Community Center, where officials will administer the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The J&J shot was recently re-approved for use after a pause during which federal officials evaluated reports of a rare blood clot disorder that affected 15 females who got the shot. Dr. Indu Gupta, the county health commissioner, said she recommends the J&J vaccine for any adult.

It is a good vaccine,' Gupta said.

McMahon said the J&J vaccine might be helpful in areas where there is hesitancy because it only requires one dose. The county plans more pop-up neighborhood clinics beginning next week.

The county also will hold a vaccine clinic Friday at the downtown Oncenter, where it will administer first doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which requires a follow-up shot after three weeks.

In addition, the county is sponsoring Pfizer vaccine clinics this week at all the high schools that have not yet had one. Students from some smaller schools will be handled at neighboring schools, McMahon said. Pfizer is the only vaccine approved for 16- and 17-year-olds.

Increasingly, the virus is infecting young people as high percentages of older residents are vaccinated, McMahon said. None of the 44 new cases confirmed since Sunday occurred in people over 70, he said. Two out of every five of the new cases occurred in people under 20.

Older patients still face the most risk from the disease, however. An 86-year-old woman died of the virus over the weekend, McMahon said.

Certainly, a reminder the virus is still here,' McMahon said. Its still deadly.'

There were 43 Covid-19 patients in local hospitals today. Nine were in intensive care. County officials did not provide an age breakdown of the patients requiring hospitalization, but Gupta said they are not seeing any increase in younger patients.

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.
Idaho's State Senate has banned critical race theory in schools after Republican lawmakers claimed its teachings 'indoctrinate' students.

The state Senate passed a controversial bill Monday banning teachers and other staff at public schools, charter schools and universities from discussing with their students belief systems that claim racism or sexism are responsible for past actions in history.

Monday's vote sailed past the Republican-controlled Senate with 28-7 in favor of the bill, reported Idaho News.

One Republican, Senator Dan Johnson, broke rank and joined Democrats in opposing the bill.

It had passed the House Thursday with a 57-12 vote split down party lines Democratic support.

The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Carl Crabtree, will now be sent to Idaho's Republican Governor Brad Little.

Crabtree insisted the bill does not hamper discussion.

The Idaho Senate has banned critical race theory in schools after Republican lawmakers claimed its teachings 'indoctrinate' students. Pictured the Senate Monday

'This bill does not intend to prohibit discussion in an open and free way,' he said.

'It is a preventative measure. It does not indicate that we have a rampant problem in Idaho. But we don't want to get one.'

But state Democrats accused Republicans of holding crucial education budget bills hostage while they focus on passing this agenda and argue the bill runs contrary to First Amendment rights.

Senator Janie Ward-Engelking said the bill is 'not needed' and called the idea that schools are 'brainwashing' children with 'a liberal leftist indoctrination' false.

'Our universities and school districts districts already have procedures in place that will deal with any problem we have in curriculum,' she said, according to the Idaho Press.

'What's happening is we have a group that's put out for public release comments that our teachers are brainwashing our children with a liberal leftist indoctrination. And that's simply not true.

Idaho's proposed measures prohibits teachers from forcing students into belief systems that claim a group of people as defined by sex, race, ethnicity or religion are inferior or superior to others.

It would also prevent educators from making students 'affirm, adopt or adhere to' belief systems claiming individuals are responsible for past actions done by people of the same race, sex, ethnicity, religion or national origin.

It also bans the State Board of Education, any entity under the State Board of Education's jurisdiction, or any school district, public charter school, or public institution of higher education of spending any funds on any of these banned teachings.

The bill was put forward by Republican state lawmakers who argued critical race theory 'indoctrinates' students amid concerns that the federal government will force the topic onto school curriculum.

They claim critical race theory is 'contrary to the unity of the nation and the well-being' of the state.

Around 100 students protested against the bill outside the statehouse Monday (pictured)

Lawmakers in other states including Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Missouri have proposed similar bans on teaching CRT in schools.

But Idaho looks set to be the first to get such a rule on its statute books.

Idaho's ban comes amid a nationwide reckoning on race and racial justice in the wake of the murder of George Floyd last year and a string of police killings of black people across America.

But the teaching of critical race theory, which examines the ways in which race and racism influence American politics, culture and the law, in the nation's education systems has divided opinion.

Democrats have typically expressed favor for the subject, while many Republicans vehemently oppose it.

Last week, the Biden administration proposed using taxpayer money to incentivize critical race theory lessons in schools.

Meanwhile, there has been a growing backlash at some elite New York City prep schools where some parents and teachers have complained about the 'woke' antiracism ideology being taught to children.

The state Senate passed a controversial bill Monday banning public schools, charter schools and universities teaching critical race theory

'And we need to call that out. If that were true we would not be the reddest state in the nation.'

She added: 'I just think it's time that we recognize it for what it is, it's a hostage situation to get our budget going through and I think that's a dangerous path for us to be going down when we're passing policy that isn't needed because we can't get our appropriations through, and that is our job as a Legislature, that is our top priority for being here.'

A group of around 100 students held a protest against the bill at the Statehouse Monday.

Yvonne Shen, an eighth grader at North Junior High and a member of the Idaho Asian American Pacific Islander Youth Alliance, which organized the protest, told Idaho Press critical race theory is 'self-awareness' of the past.

'Many people seem to think that teaching our students about the cruelty and suffering of our country's past is some form of self-hatred for our own country. But, make no mistake, this is self-awareness,' said Shen.

'If we aren't able to recognize our own flaws, we will never be able to progress beyond them.'

The state's move comes after Biden announced an executive order in January titled Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities.

The bill will now be sent to Idaho's Republican Governor Brad Little (pictured)

The bill was sponsored by Republican Senator Carl Crabtree (left). Senator Janie Ward-Engelking (right) said the bill is 'not needed' and called the idea that parents are 'brainwashing' children with 'a liberal leftist indoctrination' false

Last week, he then followed up on it by proposing two new funding priorities to 'incorporate racially, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse perspectives' into the curriculum and improve 'information literacy' in schools across the country.

Some parents and teachers are also pushing back with several controversies in elite NYC schools in recent weeks.

In one incident, math teacher Paul Rossi was 'relieved of his teaching duties' at the $57,000-a-year Grace Church School in Manhattan after he penned an essay accusing the school of indoctrinating students.

The elite school in NoHo is where celebrities including Brooke Shields have sent their children, with fees costing $57,000 a year.

Rossi slammed his employer in a public blog post, saying the students at his school were being told that they were representatives of a racial group, and were not treated as free individuals.

He said he could no longer stay silent while 'witnessing the harmful impact' that anti-racism instruction was having on children.

Last week Rossi released a recorded phone call in which the head of the school George Davison admitted to him that 'we're demonizing white people for being born.'

Last week, Biden proposed two new funding priorities to use taxpayer funds to incentivize schools to teach the theory

Meanwhile has been a growing backlash at some elite NYC prep schools with parents and teachers complaining about the 'woke' antiracism teachings including at the $57,000-a-year Grace Church School in Manhattan (above)

In one incident, math teacher Paul Rossi (above) was 'relieved of his teaching duties' after he penned an essay accusing the school of indoctrinating students last week

Meanwhile, the head of Manhattan school Dalton announced he is stepping down this year after being slammed by parents for pushing an 'obsessive', antiracism agenda on students.

Jim Best said he would see out the year at the $50,000-a-year institution then step down to pursue 'other opportunities'.

His resignation came after Dalton parents penned an anonymous open letter to the school last week describing an 'obsessive focus on race and identity'.

This came as a New York father hit out at the anti-racism teachings at another New York City school.

Gutmann, 45, revealed in an April 13 letter also shared by Weiss that he has chosen not to reenroll his daughter in the all-girls Brearley school.

Gutmann said he was pulling his daughter from the NYC school, where annual tuition is $54,000 and students include the daughters of Chelsea Clinton, Tina Fey, Drew Barrymore and Steve Martin, over its woke antiracism 'obsession.'

He told the New York Post on Saturday that he sent the 1,700-word letter to 650 different families because 'someone had to speak out.'

'She hasn't been brainwashed yet by the school - but she's had me at home. I'm not so sure that's true of the other kids,' Gutmann told the outlet, referring to his daughter.

'Someone had to do it. Someone had to light the match. Everyone's so afraid of cancel culture. We're going to destroy the city, we're going to destroy the country.'

Another father told Fox News Monday he had pulled his daughter out of $43,000-per-year Heschel School because he said its 'woke' curriculum 'teaches children to feel bad about the color of their skin'.
Toronto, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RTOERO is calling on the federal government to increase action to address national pharmacare, a national seniors strategy and geriatric health care, which were missing from the federal budget released April 18. RTOERO is also calling for a public inquiry into the long-term care situation experienced with COVID-19 in Canada.

The organization applauds the investments made in Old Age Security and national childcare. The complete response to the 2021 Canadian federal budget is available on the RTOERO website.

Quotations

Rich Prophet, Chair of Board, RTOERO:

In looking at these three broad issues, it is clear that the infrastructures that support Canadians as they age must be redesigned and re-engineered. This wont happen overnight. Still, we can immediately put plans in motion to truly provide dignity and quality to the lives of older Canadians. The federal government cannot let them down.

The conditions that have allowed this have been presented to governments over the past decades. If the same number of people who have died in LTC had died in daycare, the institutions would have shut down. The government responses would likely have been very different. Indifference or inaction is a reflection of ageism at its worst. We call for a public inquiry into the LTC situation weve experienced with COVID-19.

Jim Grieve, CEO of RTOERO:

RTOERO wants to ensure that our members, and all seniors, can live their best life as they age. Thats why we were pleased to see how the budget will improve benefits via Old Age Security. We also applaud the intention to invest in affordable and accessible child care. Its vital to create systems that support people in need  at any age.

Pharmacare is now fragmented across the provinces and territories. The solution demands a national initiative. We support a national health plan, and efforts to assist financially-strapped older adults  so they neednt choose between purchasing the necessities of everyday life or their medical prescriptions.

Gaps in our healthcare and social policies are creating barriers  to seniors independence, and to their essential role in vibrant, healthy communities and economies. Tackling these issues independently wont give us the results we need. We need a national seniors strategy.

Facts

Canada is the only developed country in the world that has universal health but lacks universal drug coverage.

Ten per cent of citizens dont have adequate coverage to meet their needs. One in four households cant afford to fill their prescriptions.

Seniors are Canadas fastest-growing demographic. Today Canadians age 65 or older account for 17 per cent of the population. Statistics Canada predicts this will rise to 20 per cent  one-in-five Canadians  by 2024.

A report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information indicated that by spring 2021, more than 14,000 residents of long-term care had died from COVID-19, making up 69 per cent of all COVID-related deaths in Canada.

About RTOERO

RTOERO is a bilingual trusted voice on healthy, active living in the retirement journey for the broader education community. With 81,000+ members in 51 districts across Canada, the organization is the largest national provider of non-profit group health benefits for education retirees. Members work in or are retired from the early years, schools and school boards, post-secondary and any other capacity in education. RTOERO believes in a better future, together.

Relevant links

Attachments
WILLIAMSTOWN  While reviewing proposed articles for the town meeting warrant, the Select Board declined, in a 4-1 vote, to endorse a proposal from the Planning Board to allow outdoor cultivation of marijuana for recreational use in South Williamstown.

No regulations in town yet govern outdoor cultivation of marijuana. The proposal would allow cultivation with certain restrictions.

Board member Jeffrey Thomas voted against the Planning Boards proposal because he felt it was too restrictive. Members Jane Patton, Hugh Daley and Andrew Hogeland voted against it, largely because it allowed marijuana cultivation too close to Mount Greylock Regional Middle/High School.

Anne OConnor voted in favor of it because it would have allowed local farmers another option for making their land more productive.

It seems like this is trying to solve a problem that doesnt exist, Patton said. And I just cant get past the issue of proximity to the high school.

The issue will be decided by voters.

Stipends for top Williamstown board would promote inclusion, member says WILLIAMSTOWN  An idea floated this week in Williamstown might wend its way to a wider debate: Would paying a stipend to serve on the Select B

In other business, the Select Board declined a proposal to appropriate $19,000 to allow for annual stipends to Select Board members.

Members felt that it was more appropriate to get town meeting to authorize a study on the matter, with the results of the study to be reported back to town meeting next year.

Hogeland felt that he didnt have enough information on the proposal and wanted more time to look at the idea and evaluate how residents feel about it.

I dont think its right for me to have this in the warrant when its not fully thought out, he said.

The idea to seek voter authorization to study the plan was suggested by Daley.

I personally feel a little awkward, he said. This was a public service when I took it on. If our bosses close down the idea of a study, then theyre not OK with it and we have our answer.

Meanwhile, the search for a permanent town manager is starting to take shape as the town moves closer to beginning that process by appointing an advisory board from among interested residents. During Monday nights remote meeting, board members reviewed the parameters and tentative schedule for the search.

The town has hired GovHR USA to conduct the nationwide search to replace departing Town Manager Jason Hoch. An interim town manager, Charles Blanchard, has started working to handle day-to-day operations until a permanent manager is hired.

The 12-member advisory committee will identify candidates and recommend them to the Select Board for final selection. Committee members will be chosen from among interested town residents by Patton and Daley.

Patton said the appointment will be made by early next week. The advisory committee will operate under Massachusetts Open Meeting Law requirements.

Some meetings will be in executive session in certain instances, such as in discussing individual candidates, which is compliant with the meeting laws. Candidate interviews will be accessible to the public via Zoom and Willinet.

The tentative schedule for the search shows that the next step, after appointing the committee, is to start communicating with the search consultants about what the community wants in the next manager and to set candidate criteria.

A survey of community members, if authorized, would be launched in early May. The committee will decide how to compose outreach to candidates, such as advertising and social media efforts.

Advertising and outreach by the consultancy is projected to begin in the second week of May. A recruitment profile then would be composed and launched on the consultants website and sent to potential candidates.

The search committee would start screening applicants for the interview stage in mid-July, with interviews beginning in late July.

During the first week of August, a candidate forum might be held. Final interviews are expected in mid-August, with a new town manager starting work in mid-September.

Chief search

OConnor, the liaison for the search committee for an interim police chief, said there will be a fifth candidate interviewed this week, with a potential decision next week.

The police chief and the town manager both resigned as the result of allegations in a lawsuit alleging racial and sexual harassment in the Police Department.
(Newser)  Scientists said Tuesday they've switched on a new telescope at the European Southern Observatory as part of an effort to create an automated network for spotting asteroids that might pose a risk to Earth, per the AP. The 22-inch TBT2 telescope that's now seen "first light" at the La Silla Observatory in Chile will work together with a twin in Cebreros, Spain, to test whether the same object in space can be detected with one device and then tracked by another. The tests are a precursor to a planned network of automated telescopes being developed by the ESO and the European Space Agency. The project, called Flyeye, will survey the night sky for fast-moving objects and flag those that could become a threat to human researchers for further investigation.

story continues below

More than 900,000 asteroids have been cataloged in the solar system, and about 25,000 have an orbit that brings them close to Earth. The European Space Agency keeps a risk list of more than 1,000 such objects that are closely tracked. A meteor that crashed near Chelyabinsk, Russia, in 2013 caused hundreds of injuries due to flying glass and splinters. While such events are rare, scientists say there are large numbers of such objects in space that haven't been detected and could cause significant damage if they struck populated areas. Astronomers are keeping a particularly close eye on an asteroid called Apophis.

(Read more asteroids stories.)
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SpaceX had launched its voyage on Friday, Apr. 24, but the four astronauts have reportedly reverted to wearing their spacesuits due to an alleged collision that happened which produced space junks.

It was believed that while they are orbiting, there was a threat of the debris that came out due to the incident. However, the US Space Command said on Monday, Apr.26 that the said warning was false since there was no threat and object detected within the location.

SpaceX Junk is Bogus

Currently, the combatant command is now conducting a review regarding the case. Space Command spokeswoman Lt. Col. Erin Dick said that previously, they believed that there was something that collided with the SpaceX capsule on their way to the International Space Station.

In an email, she wrote that they have immediately recognized the report as a false alarm. No collision took place in space since, in the first place, the object that should have collided with the SpaceX was absent.

Read Also: SpaceX 'GuinGuin' Zero G Indicator is Crew-2's Fifth Member, Also a Flying Penguin Plushie

When she was asked about the additional details concerning the incident, she refused to answer. Instead, Dick stated that they will provide the follow-up details later this week after they have completed the assessment on the situation.

Previously, Daily Mail reported that four astronauts had a close encounter with the space junks. By the time that they are preparing to sleep, an unrecognized object was seen heading their way.

45 minutes before the possible crash, the Johnson Space Center officials said that the 18th Space Control Squadron of the Space Command has tapped NASA.

Moreover, the astronauts have received notifications from NASA and SpaceX in just minutes after they reported the soaring junk floating around the spacecraft.

They responded accordingly by wearing the suits and adjusting their helmet visors. However, they could not manage anymore to control the capsule to change its way.

The 'What If' in the SpaceX's False Collision

Local10 reported that before the flight, there was a practice being carried out by the Japanese, US, and French astronauts on their space voyage.

According to Kelly Humphries, a spokesman from NASA, they are happy to hear the news that it was only a false alarm. Regardless if it was an error, he was glad that they have applied the necessary procedures in case the collision was real.

If the threat has happened, it would have belonged to the list of the worst space collisions that occurred since 1986 when the Challenger exploded in space. The accident has resulted in seven deaths onboard.

On Saturday, Apr. 24, the astronauts riding the Dragon capsule successfully touched down at the space station. In the next six months, they will spend their lives venturing there.

At the moment, the 18th Space Control Squadron is continuously detecting over 32,000 debris in orbit. The majority of them include worn-out satellites and some parts of a spacecraft.

There are reports that the debris could be as small as four inches, but even such a tiny size could have an impact on the capsule when it is traveling at a lightning-fast speed. These pose a huge risk in the space station due to its irregular size.

Related Article: 1,200 SpaceX's Starlinks Satellites Could Become Space Junks, Launches 14th Mission

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Former housing minister Eoghan Murphy says he has "mixed emotions" about his decision to resign his seat as a TD for Dublin Bay South.

The Fine Gael TD, who has served in the Dail since 2011 as a TD, minister of state and as a Cabinet minister, wrote to the Ceann Comhairle this morning to confirm his resignation.

He is resigning to pursue a career in international development and said it was a personal decision to stand down.

His resignation will mean a by-election will need to be held in the Dublin Bay South constituency.

Speaking to the Clare Byrne show, Mr Murphy said the decision brought with it "mixed emotions" and that it was "daunting".

He said that he has spoken to Tanaiste Leo Varadkar about his resignation, but insisted that not being appointed to a ministerial brief did not colour his feelings towards his role.

"Before I was in politics, I was in international arms control and since Christmas, I've been thinking about these last 12 years in politics and I decided I wanted to get back into international politics."

Mr Murphy said that it would not be right to "take a very generous salary" to do a job that he was "not 100% committed to".

The TD said he did not have a job lined up and has "not been applying for jobs" but would do so now.

Mr Murphy said that his time in Housing had been a "challenging brief" but said that "criticism was absolutely fair".

Abuse suffered by politicians

He said that the personal abuse he had received was "tough", but said he understood if people took issue with his policy choices.

He said that a conversation was needed on the wider issue of abuse suffered by politicians, particularly women.

I understood the criticism at the time. It wasn't nice, but it was part of the job.

Mr Murphy said that an incident in last year's election campaign, which saw a homeless man injured by an industrial machine under a lampost bearing one of his posters made him "extremely angry".

"You think 'what the hell? How can one person do this to another'?"

Mr Murphy said that he had "fixed some things" but said that he "regrets" not solving the emergency accommodation crisis.

He said he had been approached by a woman whose child had not developed motor skills because of the cramped nature of hotel rooms.

He said his reaction to that was "not on my watch" but the problem was not fixed in his tenure, something which he regrets.

He said that his frustrations were with "bureaucratic hurdles" and the speed with which the State can move.

'Foot in mouth syndrome'

Mr Murphy said that his comments that co-living was "like living in a trendy boutique hotel" were "pure foot in mouth syndrome".

He said that after he made those comments he was "kicking himself".

He said that he had asked Mr Varadkar for "a breather" after last year's general election, having had a "long run" of major work. He said that he is "not unhappy" as a TD, but wants to take on another challenge.

A protest march against homelessness in 2019. Eoghan Murphy said not resolving the emergency accommodation crisis during his tenure was one of his deepest regrets. Photograph: RollingNews.ie

The former minister said that he will support the Government, saying that Micheal Martin is a "good and honourable man".

Prior to entering Leinster House, Mr Murphy was elected a Dublin city councillor in 2009 for the Pembroke-Rathmines constituency.

Having served as Housing Minister in the last Dail, he was controversially snubbed from even a junior ministerial role this time around.

In a statement, Mr Murphy said: "It has been a huge privilege to serve the Dublin Bay South constituency, first as a councillor and then as a TD.

Leaving frontline politics is not something that I am doing without having considered the matter fully.

"In my late 20s, I worked in the UN system before I returned to Ireland to get involved alongside many other people looking to play their part in the national recovery at the time.

"And now, after 12 years of service and having reflected upon things, I have made the decision to return to international affairs.

I have resigned my seat today, not to leave politics entirely, but to pursue a career in the area of international co-operation, human rights and democracy.

I want to thank all who I have worked alongside in Fine Gael, in the Oireachtas, in various government departments, in Dublin City Council and numerous other agencies and bodies who serve the Irish people so well.

It has been an honour and I wish you all every success in the future.

I finally want to thank all in my constituency who put their faith in me so many years ago and have stood by me ever since. I will be eternally grateful.
More than 26,000 Pennsylvanians have lost their lives to COVID-19 since the global pandemic hit the state in March 2020.

The 84 deaths reported Tuesday by the Pennsylvania Department of Health bring the states death toll to 26,072 people, according to the daily report. The majority of those who have died were over 65.

The 3,333 new coronavirus infections also reported Tuesday bring the total to 1,139,390 people sickened since the first case was detected almost 14 months ago.

This comes as the rate of new infections and hospitalized patients is slowing, but deaths are still rising.

(Cant see this map? Click here.)

About 48% of Pennsylvanians have at least one vaccine dose. And today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new rules for mask wearing by vaccinated people outside and unvaccinated folks.

If you still need an appointment, Lehigh Valley Health Network is still trying to fill appointments at a mass vaccination clinic Thursday at Northampton Community College.

Here are your coronavirus updates for Tuesday, April 27, 2021.

Coronavirus in Pa. and the Lehigh Valley

Pennsylvania became the fifth state in the nation to report more than 26,000 COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, joining California, New York, Texas and Florida. On a per capita basis, Pennsylvania ranks 11th in the nation.

The pace of new deaths is still much slower than the peak of the winter surge when 1,000 lives were being lost every five to six days. It took 30 days to go from 25,000 people to Tuesdays grim milestone.

While the states infection and hospitalization rates are declining, the Keystone States current per capita death rate is currently the fourth highest in the nation behind only New Jersey, Kentucky and Michigan.

The state in now averaging 3,646 new cases a day over the last seven days, a 24% decline from two weeks ago. Pennsylvania is seeing 44 new deaths a day over the last week with the 82 new deaths reported Tuesday, some a backlog from low reporting over the weekend. The daily death rate is up 30% from two weeks ago.

(Cant see this map? Click here.)

There are currently 2,448 patients hospitalized with the virus. While the seven-day average is up from two weeks ago, it is starting to drop.

In the Lehigh Valley, 176 new cases were reported Tuesday by the state, bringing the local total to 71,905 cases. Five new deaths were reported. The toll stands at 1,521 people.

The vaccination rollout

The CDC reports that 48% of Pennsylvanians, or 6.15 million people, have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and 60% of the population 18 and up has at least one shot.

The state ranks 10th in the nation for the percent of the population with at least one dose, according to CDC rankings that reflect data from the state, Philadelphia and federal vaccine providers. Pennsylvania ranks fifth nationwide for total doses administered.

Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam has set a goal of vaccinating 80% of Pennsylvanians.

Currently, half of all Northampton County residents have one shot and 48% of Lehigh County residents have at least one shot.

Vaccinated Americans learned on Tuesday that the federal health officials now say they dont need to wear masks outdoors anymore unless they are in a big crowd of strangers, and those who are unvaccinated can go without a face covering outside in some cases, too.

The change comes as more than half of U.S. adults have gotten at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, and more than a third have been fully vaccinated.

(Cant see this map? Click here.)

The CDC guidance says that fully vaccinated or not, people do not have to wear masks outdoors when they walk, bike or run alone or with members of their household. They also can go maskless in small outdoor gatherings with fully vaccinated people.

But from there, the CDC has differing guidance for people who are fully vaccinated and those who are not.

Unvaccinated people  defined by the CDC as those who have yet to receive both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson formula  should wear masks at outdoor gatherings that include other unvaccinated people. They also should keep using masks at outdoor restaurants.

Fully vaccinated people do not need to cover up in those situations, the CDC says.

However, everyone should keep wearing masks at crowded outdoor events such as concerts or sporting events, the CDC says.

Demand for vaccinations is softening nationwide after weeks of high demand.

Lehigh Valley Health Networks mass vaccination clinic Thursday at Northampton Community College still has appointments available.

The free, drive-thru clinic is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bethlehem Township, Pa., college. The clinic with 3,500 doses is open to anyone 18 and up as the Moderna vaccine is being distributed. Appointments are required and can be booked via your MyLVHN account or at LVHN.org/appointment. You can also call the COVID-19 vaccine hotline at 833-584-6283.

The Allentown Health Bureau is offering walk-in vaccination at its mass clinic Wednesday and Friday.

St. Lukes University Health Network announced Tuesday it will this week offer a four-day walk-in vaccination event at its Lehighton campus. The clinics will be held in a tent in the employee parking lot across from the hospitals main entrance. Walk-ins are only for first-dose shots and booster appointment will be made before you leave.

Clinic info:

* 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Moderna shots for anyone 18 and up.

* 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Pfizer shots for anyone 16 or older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for consent.

* 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 2, Pfizer for anyone 16 or older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for consent. Free hot dogs, chips and sofas for vaccine recipients while supplies last.

* 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, May 3, Pfizer for anyone 16 or older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for consent

Our goal this week is to get as many vaccines into arms as possible throughout the county, said John Nespoli, the St. Lukes president for its Lehighton and Carbon campuses. The vaccination process is as easy as possible for the community and no appointment necessary.

(Cant see this chart? Click here.)

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com.
After years of rumors, confirmation and vague descriptions, Spotify has finally made its first piece of hardware available to select users. Even though the company revealed the full details on Car Thing earlier this month, its only a limited release right now. Ive spent two weeks with Car Thing in my car (obviously), and can tell you one thing  this dedicated Spotify player is really more of a controller for the app on your phone.

The backstory

Spotify first tipped its hand on an in-car music player in 2018. It offered a few Reddit users the opportunity to try a compact device that reportedly featured voice control and 4G connectivity. The company didnt comment at the time, and its unclear if any units of this first circular device ever made it out into the wild.

In 2019, reports indicated Spotify was ready to ship an in-car player. All the details from those rumblings turned out to be an accurate description of the Car Thing released this month. The Financial Times report mentioned voice control features, but added new info about preset buttons for playlists and Bluetooth connectivity. Around the same time, the company began adding Car View to its apps: a feature that switches to a simplified player interface when it detects your phone is connected to your vehicle over Bluetooth.

An image of Spotify's Car Thing the company released in 2019. Spotify

A few months later in May 2019, the company officially revealed the name Car Thing along with renders of a device with an updated design. Spotify explained that testing for its first piece of hardware was underway, and on top of confirming previously reported specs, added that Car Thing would be powered by your vehicles 12-volt outlet and would connect to your phone. The company was pretty much silent on the project until it popped up again in January. Car Thing made an appearance at the FCC with a very different design in early 2021. And while we didnt know it at the time, this would be the device that (some) users would finally get the opportunity to use.

Design

Billy Steele/Engadget

Car Thing is a device thats slightly smaller than an iPhone 11, in almost every dimension. Its a thin display with a sizable dial on the front. The dial serves as an alternative to navigating the touch screen, allowing you to scroll through menus by rotating it. Pressing the large round button shows tracks in an album, playlist or podcast. Just below the dial is a back button that takes you back to the Now Playing interface, returns to the Home screen or closes the audio player  depending on where youre starting.

Four preset buttons line the top edge for quick access to playlists, albums and podcasts. These can be set with a press and hold or by asking the on-board voice assistant to do it for you. Hey Spotify, save this to preset (1-4) does the trick. Ditto for playing one of the saved slots. You can either press the appropriate button or make the request with your voice. When you save a podcast, Car Thing will automatically play the most recent episode when you tap the preset button or ask for it to be played. Four microphones are positioned beside the preset buttons to hear those commands when the music is blasting or you have the windows rolled down. There's also a Settings button on the far right of the top that gives you access to a very limited menu. One handy tool it does offer is the ability to disable the microphones.

Billy Steele/Engadget

Around back, theres a single USB-C port for the power adapter. Its located in the middle of the device rather than along the edge like your phone, so I always needed to plug in the cable before attaching it to any of the mounts. It would be very difficult to try and do so if Car Thing was already in place on the dash.

The Car Thing definitely reminds me of the XM Radio receiver I used in my 99 Pontiac Grand Am. That was long before the Sirius-XM merger. Back then, you used a radio frequency to connect the satellite radio receiver to your car and affixed a magnetic antenna somewhere on the outside. Just like Car Thing, these compact devices offered a way to get new content streams without having to upgrade your stereo deck. Plus, the overall design and size is similar. Of course, what Spotify offers with voice control and a touchscreen is better-suited for 2021 than the physical buttons and monochrome displays of the early 2000s.

Initial setup

Billy Steele/Engadget

There are a few steps to get Car Thing up and running, but the entire process takes less than five minutes. First, I had to select which mount to use. Spotify includes three options in the box for the dash, air vent and the CD slot. The choice will depend on your preference and the design of your cars interior. I went with the CD slot since it put Car Thing closer than the other two options, and situated it in clear view.

As you can see from my images, this nearly blocks the small display in my 2006 Honda Element  most notably the clock. It also looks a bit cumbersome having a secondary device mounted in front of your built-in stereo. In the end, I decided easily glanceable and reachable was better than having to reach around the wheel to get to a vent or using adhesive to stick something on the dash.

If you opt for a location thats near an air vent, Car Thing will alert you to potential interference. When the device detects air blowing near its microphones, both a spoken and visual prompt let me know that I might have trouble using voice features. The device will also recommend trying another location or a different mount. I didnt have any issues with Car Thing not hearing my commands  even if I had air blowing right at it.

The next step is to plug Car Thing into a power source. For me, this meant the 12-volt outlet. From there, I navigated the Car section of the Settings menu in the Spotify app to proceed. The software will guide you through the process of connecting Car Thing to your phone via Bluetooth. This is an essential step since the player will always need to connect to your phone to get any data. Your phone is the brains behind everything Car Thing does, including providing connectivity.

The setup asked if I was connecting to my car via Bluetooth or an aux cable. But even after chose one, I didnt have to change anything if I moved from a 2021 Honda Pilot, where my phone was connected via Bluetooth, to the older Element where aux cable is my only option. Once things are connected and in sync, the music can begin. From this point on, whenever I got in my car and connected my phone via Bluetooth or cable, Car Thing would automatically turn on and do its thing since if I left it plugged into the power source.

Old car, new tricks

Billy Steele/Engadget

When it comes to content, theres no setup aside from assigning the four preset buttons. Since Car Thing relies on your phone, everything from your Spotify account automatically shows up. Just like in the app, the Home screen displays recommendations based on recent activity. At the top of the screen, there are tabs for voice search (and recent search results) and Your Library.

This main interface places emphasis on album and show artwork, giving you a side-scrolling collection of squares as your main navigation. Again, you can move through these and any other menu with either swipes or by rotating the physical dial. Each section of the Home screen only shows five items before moving to the next section. Theres an option to show more before going to the next area, so youre not just stuck with a few of the most recent items.

Spotify has offered voice search for a while inside of its apps, so its no surprise that it's more robust voice control on Car Thing works well. The four microphones along top did a great job picking up my voice, and they did so with music playing as promised. I didnt encounter any issues with playing specific albums, songs, playlists or podcasts. I did however have some trouble with commonly mispronounced or weirdly spelled artists like Sunn O))), PVRIS and Bon Iver.

Oddly, the Car Thing showed PVRIS as the spelling of what I asked for, but began playing a French song with Paris in the title. As for Bon Iver, the voice assistant mistook my North Carolina accent as Boney Bear and played Boy & Bear the first five tries. Eventually, I got it. No issues at all with Gotye, HAIM or SBTRKT though. As is the case with other voice assistants, it helps to be specific, and some of my frustrations were because I was admittedly vague.

I also had issues when multiple artists had the same name (Knives vs. NYVES) in addition to when the spelling and pronunciation varied. Perhaps it would help if Spotify could realize that Ive listened to the latter and never the former. In some instances like  (Crosses), the artist's name is in parenthesis, which probably helped with the voice search when the written moniker is just symbols. I dont think any of my annoyances were a hardware issue and are more likely to do with Spotifys voice assistant. And that technology can be easily updated to catch some of these more obscure pronunciations.

Just like Car View, the player interface on Car Thing is simple. Theres album/podcast artwork with the artist and title along with larger controls along the bottom for shuffle, skip, play/pause and save from left to right. Album and playlist menus are also basic, with emphasis on song and episode titles.

Wrap-up

Billy Steele/Engadget

Ill admit that I was ready to dismiss Car Thing at first blush. It seemed unnecessary, even in my Honda Element, when I already had my phone that works just fine as a music player  and it has its own virtual assistant. Heck, Spotify's own app has voice control. But once I began to use the device, I started to understand its purpose. While it seems only Spotify die-hards would be interested in something like this, it does offer an upgrade for older cars. Im never getting built-in voice control in the Element, and the ability to keep Waze on my phone and Spotify on another display definitely reduced the need to fiddle with either while driving. If youre OCD about cords and clutter, Car Thing will take some extra planning, but there are tidier solutions than what Ive been testing.

The bigger question is if Spotify will even make this available to the masses. The company hasnt said exactly how many people will be included in this limited release  an invite-only period where users can sign up for a chance to get a unit. Spotify did explain that you can expect to pay around $80 for one if it ever does go on sale, and that it would like to open up wider availability in the future. For now, Car Thing remains an exploration and an intriguing proposition as the companys first foray into making hardware.
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The Nigerian Air Force has stated that it has launched an investigation into an alleged airstrike on ground troops in Borno State.

The air force stated this on Monday, in reaction to reports that its personnel killed at least 20 officials of the Nigerian Army in an airstrike in the crises ridden town.

The airstrike reportedly took place at Mainok, where terrorists sacked a military base on Sunday. The air force had been called in to support the ground troops during the Boko Haram attack.

In a tweet on its verified handle, the air force said it has already launched an investigation and would update the public as soon as it is concluded.

The attention of the @NigAirForce has been drawn to reports alleging How NAF Killed over 20 Nigerian Army Personnel by Accident in Air Strike at Mainok which is about 55km to Maiduguri.

The NAF wishes to state that visuals and reports circulated are being investigated and the general public will be duly updated on the alleged incident. All enquiries should please be directed to the Office of the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force.

Not the first

The latest incident appears to be recurrent as a similar case was reported in 2017 when several people were feared dead after a military plane mistakenly dropped a bomb inside the Rann IDP camp in Borno State.

A total of 234 people were killed and buried after the unfortunate incident.

The then Chairman of Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State, Babagana Malarima, said 234 persons were buried in Rann village, which is in the local government, after the January 17 bombing.

A military investigation into the Rann incident blamed poor communication as the reason for the grave error.
Elon Musk's big move in cryptocurrency has paid off big time. According to the companny's quarterly earnings report, his company Tesla has profited about $101 million in the Bitcoin department. The company is also fighting for dominance in the EV market.

Musk, a centibillionaire and one of the richest people in the world, is the brain behind Tesla, Inc. The company had earned big profits as one of the largest EV manufacturers in America. Elon's influence extended to other industries as well, including his companies SpaceX, The Boring Company and OpenAI. More recently, he jumped on the Bitcoin bandwagon and never looked back.

Elon Musk Bitcoin Investment Brings $101 Million Profit

In a report by Cnbc, Tesla Chief Financial Officer Zachary Kirkhorn said: "Elon and I were looking for a place to store cash. Bitcoin has proved to be a good decision, a good place to put some of our cash that's not being used for daily operations...and be able to get some return on that."

Musk had been a long supporter of the cryptocurrency movement. The latest earnings report of the company was concluded with their intent to go long-term with cryptocurrency investments. To further support this, Tesla is currently accepting Bitcoin payments from their customers.

As Cnbc reported, after investing $1.5 billion to purchase liquidity in Bitcoin last February, $101 million was contributed on "positive impact, net of impairments, in 'Restructuring and Other.'" It is interpreted that the company has converted $101 million to Bitcoin as its value rose during Q1.

Read Also: NFT Digital Art Trend: How Cryptocurrency Is Making Millionaires Out of Digital Artists

Tesla Stocks Decline

The global chip shortage continues to affect many technological industries, including Tesla's automotive manufacturing. Bloomberg reported that the EV maker fell 3.1 percent in stock shares. Most of their production was delayed, and these problems would only continue through Q1 until Q3.

EV manufacturers also continue to rise against Tesla. With the Toyota Tundra and Audi Tron series coming out, Tesla is in aggressive competition. Tesla, however, plans to continue pushing for dominance, especially with the EV demand higher now more than ever.

With the rapidly expanding EV market, Tesla predicts more consumers will get more confidence in EVs and might start making their switch anytime soon. The company also reported that it has gotten better and more efficient at building cars. The industry is said to have an automotive gross margin of 26.5 percent.

The company is faced with many challenges and concerns on the shift and merging of interests in both the cryptocurrency and EV industry. The system currently in place gives the company a boost in profits, but many critics are skeptical about how long these positive profits will last.

It is not clear how the cryptocurrency industry could support Tesla's journey to "accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy." However, it remains certain that the cryptoccurency industry and Tesla EV investments are here to stay for the long run.



Related Article: Dogecoin Price Reaches $50 Billion Total, But Decreases by 20% After Massive Surge
[ST. PAUL, MN]  Today, Governor Tim Walz announced that Minnesotans can now use the Vaccine Connector to directly schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the states Community Vaccination Program locations.

To end this pandemic, we need as many Minnesotans vaccinated as possible, as quickly as possible, said Governor Walz. To drive that goal, Minnesotans can now book appointments at our Community Vaccination locations directly and at their convenience. The sooner we get shots in arms, the sooner we can get back to the things we love and the people we miss. Hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans have been able to find their COVID-19 vaccine through the Vaccine Connector, and today, that is easier than ever.

The Community Vaccination Program is a key component of our vaccination network, ensuring Minnesotans around the state are able to easily get their shots in trusted and familiar locations, said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. Today, everyone will be able to directly sign up for an easy, free, and safe appointment at these locations. Were working hard to make getting vaccinated as easy as possible, and now we just need you to roll up your sleeves, get your shot, and help end this pandemic.

Minnesotans can visit VaccineConnector.mn.gov to directly schedule appointments at Community Vaccination locations around the state. If all appointments are full, Minnesotans can also sign up to be informed when they are able to book a Community Vaccination Program appointment and be notified about other vaccination opportunities near them.

Community Vaccination Program locations are strategically located around the state to give Minnesotans another option to get their COVID-19 vaccine. There are currently locations in Saint Paul, Bloomington, Oakdale, Mankato, Duluth, Rochester, Lino Lakes and St. Cloud. A federally-supported Community Vaccination Program location at the State Fairgrounds specifically serves residents of socially vulnerable zip codes in and around Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Minnesota continues to lead the nation and make strong progress vaccinating everyone 16 years of age and older. The state has now administered more than 4 million doses to nearly 2.5 million Minnesotans. More than 56% of Minnesotans 16+ and 85% of adults 65+ have received at least one dose. Nearly one-third of all Minnesotans have completed the COVID-19 vaccination series.

How Minnesotans Can Get Their Shot:

 Make an appointment through the Vaccine Connector at one of the states COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program locations: https://mn.gov/vaccineconnector.

 833-431-2053

 Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.  7 p.m. & Sat, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

 Use the states Vaccine Finder Map to find the closest vaccine provider: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp.

 Contact their primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.

 Employers may also reach out with information about vaccination opportunities.

How Minnesotans Can Get a COVID-19 Test at No Cost:

 Walk in or schedule an appointment for a test at one of the states community testing sites across Minnesota: https://mn.gov/covid19/get-tested/testing-locations/community-testing.jsp .

 Order a test through the states at-home COVID-19 testing program: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/testsites/athome.html
The questions raised by protests against SpaceX's lunar lander win

No surprise here: Dynetics and Blue Origin have filed protests against NASA's award of the lunar lander contract to SpaceX.

In their protests at the Government Accountability Office, Dynetics (a subsidiary of Leidos) and Blue Origin argue NASA didnt conduct a proper evaluation. If it had, one of their proposals would have been selected.

The contract that went to SpaceX is worth $2.89 billion, but the bid by Blue Origin came in at $6 billion, according to the first report by the New York Times. Blue Origin claims NASA went back to negotiate with SpaceX over the pricing but didnt give them the same opportunity.

Blue Origin also argues NASA misjudged the advantages of its proposal and downplayed the technical challenges SpaceX faces, the company told the NY Times.

In a statement, Dynetics said it has issues with several aspects of the acquisition process and technical evaluation that GAO should address. Dynetics also emphasized the need for continuing competition to ensure the success of the program.

Until it made a single award to SpaceX, NASA had given strong indicators it would make two awards to keep that element of competition -- to drive innovation and lower costs -- as part of the program.

But all prices including SpaceX's were higher than NASA anticipated and the agency said at the time of award that it couldnt afford to make two awards.

The interplay of the technical solution, competition and price is what I find interesting here. I hope we learn more about all of those when GAO issues a decision in 100 days. Unless of course there is a corrective action ahead of that. Either way, I think well learn something significant.

I think about the arguments that floated around the JEDI cloud infrastructure contract -- one provider versus multiple providers. The Defense Department has argued there will be plenty of competition and that it believes that there will always be multiple cloud providers. But why pick just one?

JEDI of course remains mired in a lawsuit filed by Amazon Web Services. (By coincidence, Blue Origin is led by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.)

In its solicitation, NASA said it valued competition and wanted to pick two prime contractors. By picking just SpaceX, NASA didnt go against the letter of its solicitation. It never promised two winners, just that it would pick up to two. Now that NASA has picked one, it says there will be future competition that others can bid on.

NASA is trying to send the message that no one is locked out. But just think of the first mover advantage that SpaceX now has if the single award holds. That will be hard for anyone to overcome.

Some of the challenges to SpaceXs technical solution also will be interesting because a moonshot is a heavier lift (pun intended) then delivering astronauts to the International Space Station. I cant judge the technical solutions, but the reasoning over the pick will be informative.

Then there is price. It goes right back to the story of the first astronauts getting ready for lift-off and they joke they are in a rocket built by the lowest bidder. We need to see more on how NASA weighed price into the decision.

Itll be interesting to about NASAs reasoning when GAO comes out with its decision. I dont have an exact date, but 100 days puts the date in early August. Itll be here before we know it.
MASON CITY, Iowa  A trial is set for a man allegedly found with meth and pot in Mason City.

Kevin Lynn Nitcher, 35 of Mason City, is charged with possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and possession of marijuana-3rd or subsequent offense. He was stopped around 2 am on April 12 in the 600 block of S. Garfield Avenue and law enforcement says he had 22 grams of meth and zip lock baggie of marijuana.

Nitchers trial is scheduled to begin on June 15.
Of all the balancing acts a president must execute, the most difficult may be serving the country without forsaking the world.

It represents a moral quandary that, while profoundly vexing, is a hallmark of the job.

President Joe Biden is living this in real time.

Statistics show the tragic gap in vaccine access between rich and poor nations, with the United States among the countries enjoying an abundance of vaccines, especially as we hit a discomforting wall of vaccine hesitancy. Meanwhile, COVID-19 rages in India.

With the vaccine gap between wealthy and developing nations so apparent, resentment, like the virus, is in the air, fueling a rage born of frustration and impotence.

African nations have denounced the vaccine apartheid, while other global leaders have called for changes in trademark and intellectual property laws that favor rich nations and profits over sharing the tools and materials to manufacture vaccines amid a global pandemic.

Consider the numbers: 29 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated, while 1.6 percent of the population has reached that same status in India.

COVID-19 cases are rising throughout the world, but India is especially on fire  323,144 cases were reported Tuesday. Thousands of people are dying there each day.

As the virus spreads, a hospital in New Delhi was running dangerously low on oxygen, with staff members calling police, vendors and other hospitals in a desperate search for a fresh supply, according to the Washington Post.

It was as if the entire city was looking for oxygen, said Ravinder Kumar, who has worked at the Jaipur Golden Hospital for almost 30 years. I have never felt so helpless in my whole life.

Responding to the crisis  and the backlash  Biden said Sunday the U.S. would send medical equipment, protective gear and raw materials for COVID-19 vaccines to India immediately.

Along with resources to help India manufacture the vaccines, the U.S. will send therapeutics, ventilators and test kits. Additionally, the Biden administration announced plans to share up to 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine with other countries, but the vaccine must first clear federal safety rules.

The U.S. is doing the right thing, both morally and practically. And the nation needs to continue to do more on the global stage. No longer can we look inward about this crisis. Yes, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has utterly failed in his governments response to COVID-19. But what impacts one nation can impact another. Variants that emerge elsewhere can spread here, and vaccines offer an opportunity to build goodwill and diplomacy.

Americans have been distressingly nonchalant about this crisis. In North Carolina, for example, spring break meant a break from any sense of urgency regarding the pandemic as vaccine doses sat on shelves, unused, while millions in other countries pleaded for help. The vaccine inequality is both cruel and unnecessary.

Lets use the U.S. military and get as much oxygen and AstraZeneca doses to India as fast as we can, U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, the Democratic vice chair of the Congressional India Caucus, said, according to Reuters.

We second this notion. The United States has more than enough other vaccines to cover every American. Our efforts must also reach beyond our borders. Certainly, we can combat vaccine hesitancy at home and shore up vaccine supply abroad.

Other nations are joining the U.S. in sending aid, including England, France and Germany. The help is more than welcome. It is imperative  for the good of India and its global partners.
A black man shot multiple times in an apparent 'execution' by cops last week was described by law enforcement as a drug dealer with a long rap sheet dating back to 1988, according to a report.

Andrew Brown Jr., 42, had a 180 page criminal record and had been filmed selling narcotics in the weeks leading up to his death last Wednesday, Fox News reported Monday.

Brown was shot and killed by Pasquotank County sheriff's deputies Wednesday morning. He was inside his car in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, when the officers were serving him an arrest warrant.

Brown's family have described his death as an 'execution', saying he had his hands on the steering wheel of the car and was shot in the back of the head as up to eight deputies opened fire.

Calls are mounting for authorities to release the bodycam footage of the incident with his family finally granted their request to watch video of the incident Monday - only for them to reveal they were allowed to watch just 20 seconds of footage from just one of at least eight officers on the scene.

Seven deputies have been placed on administrative leave following the shooting, two others have resigned and one deputy has retired, but none of their identities have been released.

While law enforcement have released few details of the fatal shooting and questions continue to mount over the lack of transparency around their part in Brown's death six days on from the shooting, the force instead released court documents Monday about the search warrant that brought them to Brown that day.

It's a move that has sparked more outrage with the family's attorney Ben Crump accusing authorities of protecting the officers while they 'assassinate the character' of Brown.

Brown's death came just one day after white cop Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of black man George Floyd in a moment that many had hoped was a step forward in the fight against police brutality and systemic racism across America.

Andrew Brown Jr., 42, (pictured) - who was shot multiple times in an apparent 'execution' by cops last week - had a long rap sheet dating back to 1988, according to a report

According to the search warrant released Monday, investigators had recorded Brown selling small amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine to an informant.

The informant had told Agent R.D. Johnson of the Dare County Narcotics Task Force they had bought drugs including cocaine, 'crack' cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine from Brown several times over the course of more than a year, reads the warrant, seen by Fox.

The unidentified individual described Brown as a 'drug dealer' in the Elizabeth City/Pasquotank County area, the warrant reads.

It was requested by Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office Investigator D. Ryan Meads and was signed off by North Carolina Superior Court Senior Resident Judge Jerry R. Tillett on April 20 to allow the search of Brown's home on Perry Street in Elizabeth County.

It said that an investigator in nearby Dare County was told by the informant that the person had been purchasing crack cocaine and other drugs from Brown for over a year.

The informant described purchasing drugs at the house that was the target of the search and claimed to have seen crack cocaine in the property in the 14 days leading up to Wednesday's shooting.

They also claimed to have met Brown at other locations including hotels and motels and locations in Dare County to complete the exchange.

In one incident on March 17, narcotics officers used the informant to conduct a controlled purchases of cocaine from Brown that was recorded on camera and audio devices, according to the warrant.

Protesters march in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Monday night as officers are still to release bodycam of the footage six days after Brown's death

Calls are mounting for authorities to release the bodycam footage of the incident with his family finally granted their request to watch video of the incident Monday - only for them to reveal they were allowed to watch just 20 seconds of footage

Hundreds of demonstrators, including Rev. Raymond Johnson, protested on Monday night

Later that month, on March 29, the informant was used to carry out a purchase of methamphetamine from Brown, the warrant says.

The search warrant says investigators believed Brown was storing, packaging and distributing drugs out of his home and two BMWs.

They believed Brown was using the home as a 'secure location' to store drugs, money and records of sales, it states,

Investigator Meads and other members of the drug task force were 'familiar with Brown and know him to be a source of supply of 'crack' cocaine, cocaine, heroin/fentanyl and methamphetamine to the Elizabeth City/ Pasquotank County area,' the warrant says.

Two arrest warrants released last week charged Brown with possession with intent to sell and deliver 3 grams of each of the drugs.

The court document, which indicated the search was not completed, did not list that anything had been found.

And Brown's aunt Betty Banks said cops had told the family they did not find any drugs or weapons in neither his cars or home, reported CNN.

Andrew Brown, a 42-year-old father of 10, was shot in his car on April 21 by sheriffs

Brown was shot and killed by Pasquotank County sheriff's deputies Wednesday morning. He was inside his BMW (above) in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, when the officers were serving him an arrest warrant

Crump has argued that authorities have released the warrant information to 'assassinate' Brown's character while they are refusing to release bodycam or the details of the officer-involved shooting.

'Now, you all may have noticed that they released a warrant saying all kinds of things about Andrew Brown, but they want to redact the face of the... officers that killed Andrew Brown,' he said.

He added that law officials blurring deputies' faces are 'going to protect them and not show their face and not say their names... because what they want to do is assassinate the character' of Brown.

Pasquotank County Attorney Michael Cox showed Brown's family and attorneys a 20-second clip from one deputy's body camera Monday.

Attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter said it showed an 'execution'.

She said it shows deputies shot Brown as he sat with his hands on the steering wheel of his BMW.

The black man was shot in the back of the head, according to his death certificate.

'They are trying to hide something,' Crump said. 'They don't want us to see everything.'

Attorney Ben Crump holds the arm of Khalil Brown, who called his dad's death an execution

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bodycam cover-up: Fifth night of unrest in North Carolina as protesters demand authorities release the full footage showing Andrew Brown shooting

Protesters took to the streets of Elizabeth City on Monday night for the fifth night, as anger mounted at the failure to release the full footage showing the killing of Andrew Brown.

Brown, 42, was shot and killed by police in Elizabeth City at 8:30am on April 21.

He was at the wheel of his car at the time; police have said they were carrying out an arrest warrant for drugs offenses, but his family have said he was 'executed'.

On Monday night more than 200 people marched through downtown, carrying signs and shouting: 'Release the tape! The real tape!'

Some reports suggested rocks were thrown, Fox News said, while others said it was eggs that were hurled.

Twice, The Raleigh News & Observer reported, they stopped to confront police officers who blocked traffic for them to pass, yelling: 'Say his name! Say his name!' before moving on.

Under North Carolina law, body camera footage can only be released with a court order, but critics are accusing the authorities of a cover up - suspicions that increased after the family were allowed to watch just 20 seconds of the fatal shooting on Monday.

A demonstrator yells in the air from her car on Monday night during Elizabeth City protests

Protesters in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, on Monday night demanded the release of footage

Activists were on the streets of Elizabeth City for the fifth night in a row on Monday

Two men fist bump amid smiles as they peacefully protest against Brown's shooting

Ben Crump, the high-profile civil rights attorney who now represents the family, said outside the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office: 'They are trying to hide something. They don't want us to see.'

Attorneys for the family said he was shot in the back of his head and had his hands on the car steering wheel as up to eight officers fired at him.

Andrew Brown, 42, was shot and killed by sheriffs in North Carolina on Wednesday morning

They said the clip they saw began as shots were already being fired, adding that Brown complied with officer commands throughout.

After watching the footage, Brown's son Khalil told reporters: 'My dad got executed just trying to save his life. It is messed up how this happened. He got executed.'

Court documents released on Monday show deputies obtained the search warrant that brought them to Brown after investigators recorded him selling small amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine to an informant.

Seven deputies have been placed on leave amid indications, including emergency scanner traffic and an eyewitness account, that Brown was shot in the back as he tried to drive away.

The city's mayor earlier had declared a state of emergency over the shooting.

County officials indicated that showing family the clip had been delayed because they were working on blurring some faces in the recording.

Andrew Brown's grieving relatives are seen outside Pasquotank County Public Safety building

Andrew Brown's youngest daughter (left) listens to attorney Benjamin Crump on Monday. Harry Daniels (right), who is representing the family of Andrew Brown, speaks outside the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office in Elizabeth City

Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, center left, joined the Brown family on Monday

Describing the footage in more detail on Monday afternoon, attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter said Brown had been in his driveway when he was blocked in by officers who were in a marked police vehicle.

She said they 'lost count' on how many shots were fired.

She also said deputies 'rode up to his car while shooting'.

When Brown 'finally tries to get away to get out of danger' he backs out, away from officers who were allegedly shouting obscenities at him.

The attorney added: 'At no time was he threatening officers.'

When his car runs into a tree, Cherry-Lassiter said the officers continued shooting at him, leaving his vehicle 'riddled with bullets'.

The family noted that despite multiple officers being at the scene they were allowed to see just one clip - from an officer who was farthest from the scene.

Gunfire already had started in the clip they were shown, they said, and it was unclear what had happened in the moments before the shooting.

Cherry-Lassiter, who watched the video multiple times and took notes, said some deputies were wearing tactical uniforms and some in plainclothes.

'They're shooting and saying let me see your hands at the same time,' she said.

Crump confirmed that he would hold a press conference on Tuesday at 11am to discuss autopsy results.

'It's clear to us there is something bad on that bodycam video,' he said.

'Transparency is essential.'

Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten II has said that multiple deputies fired shots.

Elizabeth City police were not involved in the shooting.

Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools are operating remotely until at least Friday 'due to the continuously evolving state of civil unrest'.

Wooten has said 'only a judge can release the video', adding: 'That's why I've asked the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to confirm for me that the releasing of the video will not undermine their investigation.'

He said he hopes to file a motion for its release Monday.

Brown's death spurred an outcry from community members who demanded law enforcement accountability and the immediate release of deputies' body camera footage.

Chief Deputy Daniel Fogg (left) and Sheriff Tommy S. Wooten issued a video on Monday night

Protestors block an intersection after an emergency city council meeting on Friday evening

The arrest warrant released on Monday was obtained by the Pasquotank County sheriff's office and signed by a local judge, to allow the search of Brown's Elizabeth City home.

It said that an investigator in nearby Dare County was told by the informant that the person had been purchasing crack cocaine and other drugs for over a year from Brown.

The informant described purchasing drugs at the house that was the target of the search.

The warrant said that, in March, local narcotics officers used the informant to conduct controlled purchases of methamphetamine and cocaine from Brown on two separate occasions.

It says both drug transactions were recorded using audio and video equipment.

The search warrant said investigators believed Brown was storing drugs in the home or two vehicles.

The document, which indicated the search wasn't completed, did not list anything found.

The arrest warrants, which were released last week, charged him with possession with intent to sell and deliver three grams of each of the drugs.

Racial justice advocates had joined Brown's relatives on Saturday demanding the footage

On Saturday, Brown's family was joined by the local clergy and civil rights leaders including the Rev. William Barber II in Elizabeth City as they put further pressure on officials to make the videos public.

Barber said at the news conference attended by several of Brown's children and other family members: 'America, here is the issue: A warrant is not a license to kill, even if a suspect supposedly drives away.

'A warrant is not permission to shoot someone.

'We're sick and tired of all these deaths happening that don't have to happen.

'Release the tapes!'

Keith Rivers, president of the Pasquotank County branch of the NAACP, also spoke at the conference to call for Wooten's resignation.

On Friday, the state's governor, Roy Cooper, a Democrat, issued a statement calling for the swift release of the footage.

'Initial reports of the shooting in Elizabeth City and death of Andrew Brown, Jr. this week are tragic and extremely concerning,' Cooper tweeted.

'The body camera footage should be made public as quickly as possible and the SBI should investigate thoroughly to ensure accountability.'

Police described Brown as someone who was well known to police, with a criminal history dating back to the 1990s, including past drug convictions.

Neighbor Demetria Williams, who witnessed part of the shooting, said she never saw Brown carry a gun, and that deputies fired into his car as he was trying to get away from them.

He crashed his car moments later, with Williams saying she saw Brown 'slumped' in his vehicle as he died of his gunshot wounds.
San Francisco-based Safehub, which builds sensors and analytics software to deliver real-time, building-specific earthquake damage information, has raised $9 million of Series A financing led by A/O PropTech, Europes largest proptech VC, headquartered in London. Additional backers are Hannover Digital Investments (HDI Group) and JLL Spark, the strategic investment arm of commercial real estate services firm JLL. Existing investors Fusion Fund, Ubiquity Ventures, Promus Ventures, Bolt, Blackhorn Ventures, Maschmeyer Group Ventures, and Team Builder Ventures also contributed to the round.

Safehub has built the worlds first IoT-based analytics platform to reduce business interruption losses from catastrophic events for enterprise customers by remotely monitoring real-time structural damage. As seen during COVID-19, business interruption is a significant challenge for businesses of all types. Catastrophic events like earthquakes and hurricanes cause significant disruption to operations and supply-chains, resulting in major long-term impacts. According to an industry survey by Allianz, business interruption is the most important business risk of 2021, with a third of respondents fearing the impact of natural disasters the most. This is understandable given that 2020 economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to be $268 billion.

To address this need, Safehub employs a combination of proprietary sensors, analytics, and third-party data to provide real-time, building-specific structural damage information, with an initial focus on earthquakes. Their low-cost, easy-to-install sensors measure earthquake ground motion and building response, as well as changes in building natural frequencies, which can indicate damage. Safehubs cloud-based platform analyzes the data and deploys actionable information through a web-based dashboard, text messages, and email alerts. The information generated is used to estimate damage to individual buildings and portfolios, gauge related business interruption losses, and inform customers within a matter of minutes. A New York-based pharmaceutical company, for example, with a distribution center in California and facilities in Mexico and Japan, can check the status of their facilities on their smartphone from anywhere in the world in real-time.

The end result is the ability to safely continue operations. Major technology and third-party logistics firms are among Safehubs early adopters. Companies recognize the significant savings in reducing or eliminating downtime, and also the significant risk in not knowing if a building is safe to occupy.

Never before have businesses had this level of information at their fingertips, allowing them to quickly assess damage resulting from catastrophic events, often on the other side of the world, said Andy Thompson, Co-Founder and CEO of Safehub. Our vision is to use IoT building sensors and advanced data analytics to provide real-time risk insight for all global commercial buildings, for multiple hazards. We are transforming the entire risk ecosystem, including emergency response, business continuity, structural engineering, and insurance.

As COVID-19 and Suez have demonstrated, supply chain and business interruption can have catastrophic effects on our economies and businesses, said Gregory Dewerpe, founder of A/O Proptech. Extreme weather and natural-disaster-related interruptions have the potential to be just as devastating to companies around the world, regardless of their location. In a globalized world, having real-time access to valuable data and insights has become critical to understand, assess and make fast paced decisions impacting lives, costs and operations. Technologies that enable businesses to better evaluate building structural performance in real-time have become critical, not just to mitigate the economic impact of extreme weather, but for response to the wider climate crisis. At A/O, we are committed to helping real-estate harness technology to help tackle Environmental, Social, and Governance related pain points. Safehub is a perfect addition to our growing family of companies, getting us closer to our mission and vision as a firm.

Our mission drives us to seek out technologies that digitally transform both insurance and reinsurance for the benefit of our clients. Safehubs solution for delivering real-time building-specific earthquake damage information fits well within that mission, said Ulrich Wallin, head of Hannover Digital Investments, the investment arm of HDI Group, and former CEO of Hannover Re. Safehub will be a value-add for our corporate insurance clients, and can potentially be at the forefront of innovation for advances in reinsurance solutions, including parametrically-triggered products.

Safehubs technology-based approach to business continuity solves a challenge facing many companies today. Its cost-effective solution is easy to install across an entire portfolio of buildings and dramatically reduces the risk of business interruption from seismic events, said David Gerster, Vice President at JLL Spark. Were excited to partner with this innovative proptech startup to transform how companies around the globe, including JLL clients, manage seismic risk.

About Safehub

Based in San Francisco, Safehub provides organizations with real-time, building-specific earthquake damage information to expedite emergency response and recovery. Through its cloud-based Safehub platform, business continuity and resilience managers are able to prioritize building assessments and resources while resuming operations as quickly as possible.

Safehub was founded by Andy Thompson and Doug Frazier, catastrophe risk management veterans. Andy is a globally renowned earthquake and extreme events expert, has 25 years of experience, and is co-author of Peace of Mind in Earthquake Country, recognized as the bible of earthquake risk. Prior to Safehub he led the Catastrophe Risk & Insurance practice at the global engineering consultancy Arup. Doug is the former CEO & Chairman of EQE International and EQECAT, growing the organization to 750 people, the worlds largest catastrophe risk management organization.

For more information, please visit http://www.safehub.io.

###
TARAZ, Kazakhstan -- A court in Kazakhstan's southern Zhambyl region has handed down sentences to 51 defendants in a case over deadly ethnic clashes that shocked the Central Asian country in February 2020.

The court on April 27 sentenced eight defendants to prison terms of between 15 and 20 years after finding them guilty of murder and taking part in mass disorder.

Another defendant was sentenced to 11 years in prison, one to seven years in prison, and seven men were sentenced to five years in prison each. One defendant was acquitted while the remainder were handed parole-like "freedom-limitation" sentences for periods of between two and six years.

The defendants, according to their roles in the clashes between Kazakhs and Kazakh citizens from the ethnic Dungan minority -- a Muslim group of Chinese origin -- were found guilty of various crimes including murder, organizing and participating in mass disorder, illegal arms and ammunition possession, robbery, separatism, threatening the lives of military personnel, armed mass disorder, and hooliganism.

The high-profile trial started in December and was held inside a detention center in the regional capital, Taraz.

The violence in the villages of Sortobe, Masanchi, Auqatty, and Bulan-Batyr that erupted in early February 2020 following a road-rage brawl left 11 people dead and dozens injured, including 19 police officers.

In September, seven ethnic Kazakhs were tried separately in the case and sentenced to prison terms ranging between three years and four years.

Four of them were released from prison in November after a military court in Almaty replaced their prison terms with freedom-limitation sentences.

In April 2020, an ethnic Dungan involved in the case was found guilty of hooliganism and inflicting bodily harm and sentenced to 30 months in prison. Another Dungan was handed a suspended prison sentence on the same charges.

More than 30 houses, 17 commercial buildings, and 47 vehicles were destroyed or damaged in the clashes, and more than 20,000 people, mostly Dungans, fled the villages where the violence erupted.

Many of the Dungans who fled the violence ended up in the neighboring Kyrgyz region of Chui, where the majority of Central Asia's Dungans reside.

Kazakh officials said at the time that the majority of the displaced Dungans returned to Kazakhstan several days later.

Many senior regional officials, including the Zhambyl region's governor, Asqar Myrzakhmetov, and local police chief, were fired by the central government in the aftermath of the clashes.

Dungans, also known as Hui, are Sunni Muslims who speak a dialect of Mandarin that also uses words and phrases borrowed from Arabic, Persian, and Turkic.

Their ancestors fled China in the late 19th century after the Chinese government's violent crackdown of the Dungan Revolt of 1862-77, and settled in Central Asia, then part of the Russian empire.

The total number of Dungans now living in former Soviet republics is about 120,000.

Most reside in Kyrgyzstan's northern region of Chui and Kazakhstan's neighboring region of Zhambyl.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received his second dose of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine on Tuesday in Pukovac.

After receiving the vaccine, Vucic urged citizens to get vaccinated, adding that vaccines save lives.

Some 1.9 million of Serbia's 7 million people have received at least one dose of a vaccine so far.

Most people have received the Sinopharm vaccine, followed by the Pfizer-BioNTech, Russia's Sputnik V and AstraZeneca.

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said Monday that they expect to have around 37 percent of the adult population vaccinated by the end of April.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
[April 27, 2021] Terra View Homes Celebrates 30th Anniversary as Changemaker in Canada's Residential Home Building Industry

At a time when the meaning of home is more important than ever, Terra View is privileged to have welcomed thousands of families to its communities over the past 30 years GUELPH, ON, April 27, 2021 /CNW/ - Terra View Homes, an award-winning builder of new, custom and Net Zero homes in Guelph and Southwestern Ontario, known for its innovative approach to green building and superior customer service, celebrated its 30th year in business on Friday. On April 23, 1991, Terra View Homes' founder Andrew Lambden established the company's mission to develop communities that will stand the test of time, with an emphasis on architecture, quality craftsmanship and energy efficiency  a commitment that continues to propel Terra View and its team of 15 professionals forward today. "The past 30 years have been an incredible journey and I couldn't be more proud of the Terra View team for what we have been able to accomplish," said Andrew Lambden, Founder and CEO. "The significance of this milestone is a testament to the combined efforts of our forward thinking leadership, long-tenured employees and dedicated trade partners in ensuring that we are always exceeding expectations for our homeowners while creating sustainable and resilient communities." For three decades, Terra View Homes has been pioneering green home building practices in Canada  one of its key differentiators in the industry. As one of the first area home builders to build exclusively ENERGY SAR homes beginning in 2006, including the construction of one of the first Platinum LEED certified homes in Canada, the builder garners industry awards nearly every year for its leadership towards sustainable and environmental initiatives.



Most recently in 2021, Terra View was recognized by the Guelph and District Home Builders' Association Awards of Distinction as a winner in the following categories: Green Builder of the Year, Most Outstanding Production Home Design and Most Outstanding Custom Home Design. Further, the builder was awarded the 18th Avid Gold Award for highest customer ratings in Ontario in the Small Volume builder category. Terra View's vast portfolio of residential and commercial projects in premier communities spans from the redevelopment of the award winning Seagram Lofts in Uptown Waterloo to constructing Terra Condos  a modern, socially responsible condo building that leaves zero carbon footprint. The company is also proudly building two of Guelph's most advanced Net Zero Ready communities at the Hart Village and NiMa Trails developments.

As Terra View looks ahead to the next 30 years, it will continue to build upon its unique strengths, including embracing sustainable construction and green building practices to help combat climate change, maintaining exemplary homeowner and customer relationships, implementing innovative building solutions and technologies and living its vision of building homes, not houses  and communities, not subdivisions. "Today more than ever, home is a place to be celebrated. The real meaning of home has never been more clear  it's where we live, work, play and raise our families. The entire Terra View team is immensely grateful to each of our homeowners for allowing us to be a part of their story  30 years and counting," said Lisa Schuett, Vice President of Terra View Homes. For more information, visit www.terra-view.com. ABOUT TERRA VIEW HOMES

With a 30 year history building award-winning homes in premier communities, Terra View Homes has built a solid reputation as a highly regarded builder of new, custom and Net Zero homes in Guelph and Southwestern Ontario. A pioneer in green home building, Terra View Homes is dedicated to keeping the needs of home purchasers and commitment to the planet at the forefront of each new home they build. Website: www.terra-view.com

Twitter: @terraview_homes

Instagram: @terraviewhomes

Facebook: @terraviewhomes

Linkedin: Terra View Homes SOURCE Terra View Homes

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Scranton School Board directors will wait to receive a full districtwide facilities report before again voting to close George Bancroft Elementary School.

The board met virtually Monday for a policy committee and work session, where they discussed the ongoing issue. On April 12, directors delayed voting to permanently close Bancroft, citing more questions and a desire for additional time to make a decision. Closing the school, which will remain shut down until at least January because of inoperable ventilation units, is part of the districts reconsolidation plan. For now, students from the Albright Avenue school have moved to Isaac Tripp Elementary School.

DHuy Engineering is conducting a districtwide feasibility study, which estimates Bancroft needs $7.5 million in improvements. Director Ro Hume asked district Chief Recovery Officer Candis Finan, Ed.D., when the board could expect a complete facilities report.

Finan said, according to her last discussion with the engineering firm, the report would be ready by mid- to late May.

Hume suggested delaying the vote, scheduled for the May 3 meeting, until after directors receive that report. No directors expressed opposition to delaying the vote on Monday.

Its going to enable us to look at priorities and other things and it will enable us, I believe, to make a much more informed decision about closing George Bancroft Elementary School or not and about implementing the remainder of the building reconfiguration plan, said Hume. And its a month. We will have the entire report. We will be able to consider the entire report and we will be able to look at the data in completion.

The district cannot afford to fix Bancroft, but shutting down the school isnt all about money, which board President Katie Gilmartin reiterated Monday. The recovery plan calls for the district to reconfigure and consolidate its schools.

Certainly we are in financial recovery, we are board directors, we are running a big machine with a $168 million budget, finances have to be part of every discussion and every decision but we have capacity in our buildings, said Gilmartin, and the recovery plan dictates that we are reconfiguring and reconsolidating to decrease the footprint in our district.

Hume later added that the engineers will most likely suggest the district must spend money to upgrade every single school.

If we have that information we can then look much more closely at the entire picture of which buildings and which schools need to be consolidated to reduce our footprint, she said. I personally do not believe that just closing George Bancroft is going to reduce our footprint enough.

Gilmartin asked solicitor Shawn Lochinger if the district delayed the vote until after receiving the facilities plan if they had enough time to notify the Pennsylvania Department of Education about the closure.

The law says 60 days before the start of the next school year, he said. The 2020-21 school year is scheduled to start after Labor Day.

She also asked Superintendent Melissa McTiernan if the district had enough time to notify teachers, according to their contract.

The district will put out tentative schedules for employees before the June meeting with either Tripp or Bancroft listed, she said. Bancroft will not be open for September regardless of the vote.
LINCOLN, Neb., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Class Intercom, a leading provider in social media management for schools has partnered with International Education Solutions (IES) to extend its student driven social media tools to schools internationally. The expansion of Class Intercom services helps to solve a global educational issue, creating collaborative, valuable and secure social media content

Founded in 2017, Class Intercom was the first social media management tool established exclusively to support individual schools and districts in creating collaborative social media content through the engagement of students and staff. First launched in the US, districts across the country began connecting to Class Intercom to provide systematic, secure and collaborative content throughout their schools, activities and classrooms.

With the success in the US, Class Intercom partnered with IES to expand the social media management solutions internationally. "It doesn't matter where you are at in the world, social media content creation is an incredibly valuable tool in communicating with a school's community and can be an excellent learning opportunity for students. Every school has this need." says Class Intercom co-founder Ben Pankonin.

In partnering with IES, Class Intercom was able to connect with schools internationally, filling the global need to improve social media communications processes in educational environments. Class Intercom proved to be incredibly valuable to schools in 2020 with virtual learning and communications. The tools offered by Class Intercom foster collaboration in a digital environment through secure workflows supporting content creation, scheduling, moderation, monitoring and archiving of social media.

"Class Intercom has helped IES to fill a large communications gap that we have observed in our school communities throughout Asia," shares Vincent Jansen, IES Director  Hive Social. "It has enabled our international network of schools to more effectively develop and moderate engaging social media content to their audiences."

To learn more about Class Intercom and how they have helped to advance social media communications and curriculum, visit www.classintercom.com

About Class Intercom

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Last summer, Black Lives Matter protests in the United States after the murder of George Floyd echoed around the world.

Evoked by the worldwide visibility of the brutal killing on video, this solidarity also reflected visceral anger against police violence in a host of other countries  including African countries like Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria.

Millions across the world, not just the U.S., watched the trial of Floyds killer, Derek Chauvin, in Minneapolis. The celebration and relief at Chauvins conviction wont just be felt here.

Todays global crises  police violence, a global pandemic, the climate emergency, and many more  require action wherever we live. But they also require global collaboration on a scale never seen before.

Despite President Joe Bidens pledge to build back better after the destructive Donald Trump era, the new president still appears reluctant to take these global obligations seriously.

For example, the Biden administration has moved aggressively to roll out vaccines here in the United States. But it has rejected global appeals to waive patent rights for vaccines, to share vaccine technology, and to require transparency from pharmaceutical companies about their pricing.

The result is vaccine apartheid on a global scale. As of early April, 20% of the population in North America had received at least one dose of a vaccine, compared to less than 1% in Africa.

Global inequalities play out on so many issues like these that it is no exaggeration to talk of a more general global apartheid.

This global system is structured not only by race, but also by class, gender, and national origin. There are many different levels of privilege and vulnerability. But similar patterns are repeated from the local to the global levels.

African countries are among the most vulnerable. And, although its power is waning, the United States is still among the most privileged  and resistant to change. U.S. policy on global issues will not change fundamentally without widespread public demand.

Can we as U.S. citizens be inspired to join global movements for justice and see them as linked to, rather than competitive with, action on pressing issues at home?

It will definitely not be easy. But my experience says such solidarity is possible. We can learn from the transnational movement against South African apartheid, when the movement won U.S. sanctions against South Africa over the veto of President Ronald Reagan.

Thirty-one years ago, on April 16, 1990, I sat in Londons Wembley Stadium with 70,000 others celebrating Nelson Mandelas release. I heard a familiar accent nearby, and it turned out to be several folks from Pikesville, Maryland.

I was born and raised in nearby Baltimore. Pikesville was a majority-white suburb of families that fled the city in response to desegregation efforts. Nonetheless, there we were, together in London celebrating the success of a transnational solidarity movement led by black and brown South Africans.

The obstacles to global solidarity may seem overwhelming. But we can redefine the possible, argues Varshini Prakash of the Sunrise Movement, the youth movement that has put the Green New Deal on the political agenda in the United States. In your demands and your vision, she says, dont lead with what is possible in todays reality but with what is necessary.

Imani Countess is the founder and director of the U.S.-Africa Bridge Building Project. This commentary was distributed by OtherWords.org.
Big Ben will not chime again until 2022 as the restoration of Parliament's Elizabeth Tower has been further delayed by the coronavirus crisis.

The refurbishment of the Westminster landmark, which began in 2017 and has already spiralled to at least 80 million, was originally expected to be finished this year but was delayed when the Covid-19 lockdown held up work.

The 'complex task' of installing the restored clock mechanism will begin this summer, UK Parliament authorities said in a statement.

It added: 'The Elizabeth Tower conservation project is due to complete in the second quarter of 2022, and Parliament has revealed a number of important milestones that are expected on the project over the next twelve months.

The refurbishment of the Westminster landmark, which began in 2017 and has already spiralled to at least 80 million, was originally expected to be finished this year but was delayed when the Covid-19 lockdown held up work. Pictured, Big Ben

'These include the removal of further scaffolding, the re-installation of the Great Clock and the return of Big Ben's world-famous chimes.'

It said the clock hands, which are 'resplendent in their original Victorian colour scheme', will be added to the dials and returned to the Tower later this year.

'Following years of painstaking conservation work, the clock hands, now resplendent in their original Victorian colour scheme, will be added to the clock dials, with the restored mechanism returning to the Tower later in the year.'

The original colour scheme was changed early in the 20th century because the clock face became difficult to read due to soot.

The 'complex task' of installing the restored clock mechanism will begin this summer, UK Parliament authorities said in a statement. Pictured, Elizabeth Tower covered in scaffolding

Big Ben's clock face is getting a blue tinge as the refurbishment works are returning the historic landmark to its original Victorian colour

Workers are seen on scaffolding on Elizabeth Tower at the Houses of Parliament in central London on April 22

History of Big Ben After the Palace of Westminster was destroyed by a fire in 1834 those in charge of planning the new building decided to create a tower and clock. The bell necessary for the giant clock had to be large, and John Warner and Sons at Stockton-on-Tees' first attempt cracked irreparably. in 1858 the metal was melted down and the bell recast in Whitechapel. It first rang across Westminster on May 31, 1859 but just months later cracked again. A lighter hammer had to be fitted and the bell was turned around so an undamaged section could be rung. Source: visitlondon.com Advertisement

Early next year the bells, including Big Ben, will be reconnected to the original Victorian clock mechanism 'and will ring out across Westminster once again'.

Then the gantry, which has protected the Palace of Westminster throughout the works and supported the complex scaffolding structure, will be removed before the site is fully cleared ahead of summer next year.

The famous bell has been largely silent since 2017 due to repairs on the clock and Parliament's Elizabeth Tower which houses it, only being reconnected for significant occasions.

In February repair work on Big Ben suffered a major setback after estimated costs soared by more than 18million to almost 80million.

It also emerged specialist timekeepers on site could not repair the historic Elizabeth Tower clock.

The revelations threatened to plunge the project, which had already doubled in cost, into crisis.

The House of Commons Commission said it needed another 18.6million to repair the clock, bell and tower, taking the total to 79.7million.

It blamed the discovery of extensive Second World War bomb damage, pollution and asbestos in the Elizabeth Tower for the price increase.

Specialist craftsmen have been replacing the gold leaf on the clock face, pictured

An interview with site boss Andrew Dobson shows the blue clock figures in the background

The Elizabeth Tower, housing the Big Ben bell, is seen clad in scalffolding, over the Houses of Parliament, in central London in 2017

The body led by the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said that the tower was in worse condition than realised when the last estimate of 61.1million was made two years ago  more than double the original cost of 29million.

The commission said at the time it still expected work to be finished by the end of this year - but the completion date has now been pushed back by at least six months.

The full scale of the conservation was only revealed once the project team was able to begin intrusive surveys for the first time on the 177-year-old structure, the Commission said.

The last extensive conservation work on the UNESCO World Heritage site were completed between 1983 and 1985.

The tower was designed by architects Charles Barry and Augstus Wellby Pugin.

An important part of the tower's restoration is to improve fire prevention standards.

Parliaments team of clock mechanics temporarily disconnected Big Ben and the quarter bells from the clock mechanism and lowered the weights to the base of the tower in order to provide a safe environment for the people working in the Elizabeth Tower.

A bespoke electric mechanism has been built to power the 200kg striking hammer which allowed the bell to sound on New Year's Eve and Remembrance Sunday.
In what officials said was not a surprising development, more than 5 million people nationwide did not show up for their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC said 88% of people came back for their second doses within the recommended three or four week interval. But 8.6% of people who received their first COVID vaccine dose but had not shown up for their second shot were still within the six-week allowable timeframe, it said.

In New Jersey, the rate of compliance is slightly better than the national average, state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said at the states coronavirus briefing on Monday.

Persichilli said 91% of New Jerseyans who received a first dose came back for their second dose at the recommended three or four week interval. And 93% of people got their second shots within six weeks of getting the first, she said.

The commissioner said there are many reasons why someone may have missed a second vaccine appointment, including being out of state or being in the hospital unexpectedly.

Vaccine hesitancy, there is an element of that and we encourage people to seek out guidance from health care professionals, call the call center and try to talk it through, Persichilli said. Its so important that you fulfill all the vaccine regiment.

Medical experts say its important to get the second dose even though the first will give you some protection.

A recent study conducted in Scotland and published in the Lancet said the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine was 91% effective against hospitalization for about a month.

A second study of 375,000 people in the United Kingdom said that both the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines lowered symptomatic infections by 72%.

And last month, a CDC study of health care workers found one dose of Pfizer or Moderna was 80% effective in preventing infections.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Bidens chief medical adviser, said in a CNN interview on Sunday that he wasnt surprised some people were missing their second doses

Obviously whenever you have a two-dose vaccine, youre going to see people who for one reason or other  convenience, forgetting, a number of other things  just dont show up for the second vaccine, Fauci said.

But theres also vaccine hesitancy among some populations, something that was spotlighted after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was put on pause because of rare reports of serious blood clots.

Four in 10 Americans in a recent CBS News poll said they would not get any COVID vaccine or they werent sure.

Of those who said no, more than half said it was because Its still too untested/Im waiting to see what happens, while 40% said they were worried about side effects or allergies. Thirty percent said they were concerned about problems with the vaccines.

If you missed your appointment and even if youre outside of the 21-day window or 28-day window, you can go as long as six weeks between doses, Persichilli said.

You should contact the place where you received your first dose for a new appointment or you can call the vaccine call center at (855) 568-0545 for help with a second appointment, she said.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report.

Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com.
Armenias acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Ara Aivazian today received the delegation led by President of the Central American Parliament Fanny Carolina Salinas Fernandez, as reported the news service of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Aivazian highly appreciated Fernandezs visit to Armenia to attend the events dedicated to the 106th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and her support to the Armenian people, which is the clear stance of the Central American Parliament on fundamental human rights and universal values.

The parties attached importance to the start of cooperation between the National Assembly of Armenia and the Central American Parliament which will also help foster Armenias mutually beneficial cooperation with Central America.

The interlocutors touched upon a broad range of regional stability and security issues. Aivazian highly appreciated the Central American Parliaments principled position on Azerbaijans aggression against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).
New Delhi:

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday in the national capital.

While issuing a joint press statement, Sushma Swaraj said Pakistan needs to act on safe heavens and supporters of terrorism as recent attacks in Afghanistan are proof of the same.

She said President Trumps policy on terrorism can only thrive when Pakistan takes action on terror groups.

Swaraj said she also discussed the important contribution of Indians working in the USA on H1B visa.

We also discussed the important contribution of Indians working in the USA on H1B visa: EAM Swaraj after meeting with Rex Tillerson  ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2017

Tillerson said India and US are natural allies and both nations stand shoulder to shoulder against terror.

India and USA are natural allies. Stand shoulder to shoulder against terror: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson pic.twitter.com/dFJkxrR1VK  ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2017

He said safe havens of terrorists will not be tolerated.

Terrorist safe havens will not be tolerated: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson  ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2017

India is crucial to USA-Afghanistan strategy, back India as a leader in the region, Tillerson said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Two Spanish journalists who were reported missing on Monday were found dead today in the eastern region of Fada N'Gourma-Pama, according to the authorities in Burkina Faso and Spain.

44-year-old David Beriain, a veteran newspapers' journalist and founder of 93 Metros and cameraman Roberto Fraile were in a convoy carrying both security forces and civilians, which came under attack from unidentified gunmen near the Pama reserve. The journalists, reportedly accompanied by an Irish conservation worker who was also killed, had travelled to the region as part of their production about the protection of natural parks.

In a statement, the Communications Minister of Burkina Faso called the attackers terrorists who opened fire on the convoy, injuring three while four were missing including the three Westerners.

The Spanish Foreign Minister today confirmed the killing of the two Spaniards and was quoted by media as praising them for carrying out "courageous and essential journalism from conflict zones."

The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ/EFJ) joined their Spanish affiliates (FAPE, FESP, FSC-CCOO, ELA-GIZALAN and FESMC-UGT) in condemning these killings and paying tribute to the victims.

"They gave their lives to the investigative journalism with professional dedication in defending the right of their fellow citizens to access information," said FAPE President Nemesio Rodriguez.

The two federations urged the authorities in Burkina Faso to identify and bring to justice those behind this attack.

"This attack by an organised armed group to the convoy which was protected by security forces, was clearly planned. We demand that the authorities in Burkina Faso investigate this attack and identify those responsible as soon as possible, so that they can be arrested and brought to justice," said EFJ General Secretary Ricardo Gutierrez.

"Once again this appalling incident shows the danger to which journalists are exposed while gathering information for the benefit of the wider public, " added IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger. "The best tribute we can pay them is to deliver justice for them and their families and we urge both Spanish and Burkinabe governments to cooperate in ensuring this happens."
New Delhi, April 27 : The Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) has written to acting Vice Chancellor P.C. Joshi and Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan to expand the Covid facility at the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI).

The VPCI is located on the main campus of the University of Delhi.

DUTA President Rajib Ray said that the second wave of the pandemic has claimed scores of lives in the national capital.

"Such tragedies have taken place only because of the lack of preparedness. For the last few days, many teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as students of the Delhi University, have been battling similar crunch. So, the current situation demands all the public healthcare facilities to explore all their possibilities for expansion," Ray said.

The letter said that VPCI's Covid facility should be scaled up as it is equipped with all the necessary infrastructure.

According to DUTA, the move will not only bring relief to the teaching and non-teaching staff and their kin, but will also prove beneficial for the residents of the city's north-west region.

DUTA quoted several reports, saying the health crisis might deepen in the days to come.

In such an alarming situation, such an initiative will be effective for the students and staff of DU, the letter said.

Besides, the teachers have also appealed to the administration to provide a compensation of Rs 2.5 crore for the teachers who have lost their lives in fighting the deadly virus.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
John Kerry denies that he confided in Javad Zarif what Zarif told his interlocutor in the recording leaked to the New York Times (tweet below). The Washington Examiner reports Kerrys denial here.

I can tell you that this story and these allegations are unequivocally false. This never happened  either when I was Secretary of State or since. https://t.co/BTOdFE1khW  John Kerry (@JohnKerry) April 26, 2021

Now in assessing the relative credibility of Kerry and Zarif we confront something like the paradox formulated in the statement by the Cretan Epimenides: All Cretans are liars. Both Kerry and Zarif are proved liars many times over.

Here I draw on my long experience of Kerry going back to my college days. Kerry came up to speak at Dartmouths Hopkins Center in the first flush of his fame in 1971. In his remarks at the Top of the Hop Kerry reiterated the absurd lies of his Winter Soldier investigation that he had just retailed under oath before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. As a gullible student, I ate out of Kerrys hand.

However, it wasnt long before I wised up. Ive got that much going for me. Kerry has only kerried on. In this case I think the circumstances lend credibility to Zarifs story.

Seth Lipsky raises the question of credibility in the New York Sun editorial A Fitting Coda to John Kerrys Career. Seth calls on Congress to get Kerry to testify on the subject. Alluding to the events underlying my own first exposure to Kerry, Seth writes: The first time he testified before the Foreign Relations Committee, after all, he echoed Viet Cong emissaries hed met with in Paris. So putting Mr. Kerry under oath on this matter would be a fitting coda to his career. This is an observation that returns us to the paradox posed by Epimenides.
In this Monday, June 22, 2020, file photo, Metropolitan Police Department bicycle division officers stand guard after police closed the area around Lafayette Park near the White House after protesters tried to topple a statue of Andrew Jackson in the park in Washington. On Monday, April 26, 2021, the Washington, D.C., police department said that its computer network was breached, and a Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate claimed to have stolen sensitive data, including on informants, that it threatened to share with local criminal gangs unless police paid an unspecified ransom. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)

The Washington, D.C., police department said Monday that its computer network was breached, and a Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate claimed to have stolen sensitive data, including on informants, that it threatened to share with local criminal gangs unless police paid an unspecified ransom.

The cybercriminals posted screenshots on their dark web site supporting their claim to have stolen more than 250 gigabytes of data.

The District of Columbia's Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement that it had asked the FBI to investigate the "unauthorized access." There was no indication that any police operations were affected, and the department did not immediately say whether it had been hit by ransomware.

The Babuk group, a relatively new ransomware gang, said on its website that it had "downloaded a sufficient amount of information from your internal networks" and gave the police three days to contact it or "we will start to contact gangs in order to drain the informants."

Screenshots it posted suggested it has data from at least four computers, including intelligence reports, information on gang conflicts, the jail census and other administrative files. One of the images, apparently of network locations accessed by the criminals, showed a text document on one computer entitled "How To Restore Your Files."

Such documents generally include instructions on how to contact the ransomware criminals, whose standard operating procedure is to exfiltrate sensitive data from networks they infiltrate as they sow malware that, once activated, encrypts data. Only after receiving payment do the criminals provide software keys that unscramble the data.

So far this year, 26 government agencies in the U.S. have been hit by ransomware, with cybercriminals releasing online data stolen from 16 of them, said ransomware analyst Brett Callow of the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft. Ransomware victims don't always pay, often preferring the arduous task of rebuilding networks from backups.

The D.C. police department said it was taking the threat seriously.

"We are aware of unauthorized access on our server. While we determine the full impact and continue to review activity, we have engaged the FBI to fully investigate this matter," the department statement said. An FBI spokeswoman had no immediate comment.

A worsening global epidemic of ransomware attacks is considered a national security threat by many, doing tens of billions of dollars in damage. U.S. law enforcement is relatively powerless to counteract it as most of the criminals enjoy safe harbor in Russia and other nations with weak rule of law.

Explore further Large Florida school district hit by ransomware attack

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Dublin, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Peptide Based Cancer Therapeutics Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Drug Type; By Cancer Type; By Mode of Mechanism, By Distribution Channel, By Regions; Segment Forecast, 2020-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global peptide based cancer therapeutics market size is expected to reach USD 17.18 billion by 2027.



Peptides are compounds that are created by natural or artificial biological linking of amino acid monomers. Peptides are being widely used in therapeutics to treat several ailments, including cancer owing to their precision based nature, targeting solid tumor cells in the body. Peptide based cancer therapeutics have shown effective results against cancer as opposed to conventional cancer treatments, without much side effects.



Peptide based therapies in the treatment of cancer are majorly classified as pure play peptide therapy, vaccines based on peptide, and peptide conjugate nanomaterials. These therapies possess several advantages over others such as easy administration, specificity in targeting tumor tissues, fewer side effects as compared to drugs, and low cost of peptides.



The factors propelling the market growth are the increasing prevalence of cancer across the world, cancer screening programs in emerging countries, and the high specificity of peptide based cancer vaccines. In 2016, according to analysis by NCA (National Cancer Center), 1,010,200 cancer cases were recorded, with 576,100 male patients and 434,100 women cases. The mortality rate in 2016 recorded a high with more than 374,000 cancer deaths in the country, particularly deaths associated with the most common colorectal cancer followed by gastric, lung, prostrate and breast cancers.



Market participants such as AstraZeneca PLC, Abbott, Allergan plc, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical, Amgen, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie Inc., and Valeant Pharmaceuticals Inc., are some of the key players operating in the concerned market. In January 2020, Sony Brook University (SBU) extended its funding on FABP5 inhibitors to 2025 by demonstrating novel approach to treat last stage prostate cancer. According to the researchers of the SBU specific fatty acid binding protein (FABP) may be help in stopping cancer.



In June 2017, AstraZeneca along with National Cancer Institute Eleven entered into cooperative research and development agreement with Eleven Biotherapeutics to develop Vicinium in combination with AstraZeneca's immune checkpoint inhibitor, Imfinzi to treat non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.



The analyst has segmented the peptide based cancer therapeutics market report on the basis of drug type, cancer type, mode of mechanism, distribution channel, and region.



Companies Mentioned

Story continues

AstraZeneca PLC

Abbott

Allergan plc

Teva Pharmaceuticals

Pfizer Inc.

Takeda Pharmaceutical

Amgen Inc.

Johnson & Johnson

AbbVie Inc.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals Inc



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3mztif

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.

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Imagine a state government with the worst credit rating in the nation borrowing money to pay off the personal debts of individuals with six-digit incomes buying homes that cost as much as $500,000.

Make much sense? Nope. But thats exactly what the state of Illinois is doing.

Two years ago, Illinois lawmakers passed the $45 billion Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan. It was a bipartisan proposal negotiated behind closed doors and designed to pay for repairing highways, building bridges and erecting public buildings. But the plan also set aside $25 million to forgive student loan debt.

The SmartBuy program pays off as much as $40,000 in student loans if the debtor buys a home in Illinois and holds it for three years. Another $5,000 is available as a no-interest loan for a down payment or closing costs.

Student loan forgiveness sounds magnanimous until you figure out it really means folks who either didnt go to college or who have already paid for college will end up footing the bill for someone elses college education.

The last I checked, two-thirds of Americans dont have bachelors degrees. Its not fair to expect them to pay for the college educations of those who are better educated and often better off than they are, said Lindsey Burke, director of education policy at the Heritage Foundation.

In case you are thinking Illinois program targets hard-luck cases struggling to survive under crushing debt, think again.

Folks earning $109,200 a year can qualify for loan forgiveness.

That is 65% higher than the median household income in Illinois of just under $66,000.

The program is expected to pay off the debts of about 1,000 people. But former state Rep. Jeanne Ives notes that about 2 million Illinoisans have outstanding student loans.

This means that the other 1.99 million Illinois taxpayers with student loan debt are not only paying for their own college education  but someone elses.

Its not fair to them or the students who worked through college, earned scholarships, went into the military, chose less expensive schools or whose parents sacrificed to send them.

I reached out to Kristin Faust, executive director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, which administers the SmartBuy program. But neither she nor her staff immediately responded.

Let me acknowledge that a ridiculous amount of debt is being taken on to pay for college.

But who are the bad guys in this mix? Well, college administrators.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says on average the price of college tuition has increased 31 percent during the last decade.

But that is not the case at all schools.

For example, Purdue University hasnt raised its tuition for 10 years. Not only has tuition remained flat but room and board rates have dropped during that period from second highest in the Big Ten to the most affordable.

But most college presidents havent followed the Boilermakers lead,

After all, students are able to borrow and pay whatever schools charge. So, colleges maximize revenues by driving those they are supposed to serve deeper into debt.

And colleges use much of that money to create more administrative positions. Since 2001, administrative positions on college campuses have grown at a rate 50 percent faster than teaching posts, Burke said

Its also important to remember that colleges are competing with each other to recruit students. They feel the need to add more frills and amenities like climbing walls, lazy rivers and nicer buildings. And this too drives up costs, Neal McCluskey, an education policy analyst at the Cato Institute, added.

Our current student loan system is like giving 18-year-olds credit cards and telling them to charge whatever they like and worry about how to pay for it later.

And until this blank check mindset is addressed, our young people will be going deeper and deeper into debt.

Scott Reeder is a veteran statehouse journalist. Contact him at Scottreeder1965@gmail.com
Courtesy of the 18th Seoul International Eco Film Festival





By Ko Dong-hwan







The Seoul International Eco Film Festival, an annual film festival that screens movies about contemporary environmental issues across the world, released its promotional poster and slogan on April 26.







An official statement from the 18th Seoul International Eco Film Festival (SEFF) said they dubbed this year's event "ECOvolution," a compound of "eco," "revolution" and "evolution." The statement said that the slogan reflects, "Global society currently, where people's daily lives have been brought to a standstill due to the unprecedented global pandemic. It implies that the current pause can be a turning point. The slogan contains the message that efforts to achieve an immediate and large-scale transformation of the environment are needed."







"We wanted to convey the message that, although people everywhere are suffering in various ways amidst both the current pandemic and the global climate crisis, this situation could also become a motivating force for us to move forward and make their future better, especially if our awareness and attitude about the environment changes," an SEFF official said.







The SEFF also created a cartoon poster that tries to reflect the dangerous current situations for wildlife under the threat of the climate crisis. A polar bear, a seal and an otter next to a girl looking listless, but whose eyes are fixed on something, meant, according to the festival, "how humanity is reflecting on the present moment, but at the same time is contemplating how to move forward with a strong sense of purpose."







Running from June 3 to 9, the SEFF  Asia's biggest environmental film festival and one of the world's three most prestigious eco film festivals  this year is co-hosted by nonprofit environmental organization Korea Green Foundation and broadcaster MBC. The Ministry of Environment and the Seoul Metropolitan Government are sponsoring the event.







From left, 18th Seoul International Eco Film Festival Organizing Committee President Lee Myung-sae, MBC President Park Sung-jae and Korea Green Foundation President Choi Yul pose at the MBC building, Mapo District, Seoul, on April 15, after signing an agreement to co-host the event this year. Courtesy of the 18th Seoul International Eco Film Festival





MBC President Park Sung-jae, Korea Green Foundation President Choi Yul and 18th SEFF Organizing Committee President Lee Myung-sae met at the MBC headquarters in Seoul on April 15 to sign an agreement to co-host the event.







"It is my pleasure to co-host this year's SEFF," Park said at the signing event. "Despite anticipated difficulties due to safety measures regarding COVID-19, we will provide all the support we can to make the event safe for all audience members."









This year's SEFF has invited 60 movies from 25 countries on the topics of ecological destruction, climate change and marine pollution, among other pressing environmental issues. Having begun to screen movies online last year, this year's SEFF films will also be viewable via its homepage (

) and via MBC. It was undecided at the time of publication whether or not the festival will proceed with in-theater movie screenings.







Taking place alongside the movie screening during the 18th SEFF is an offline campaign titled, "No More Plastic," that encourages visitors to use less plastic through an exhibition and eco-friendly bazaar. The campaign will showcase videos introducing fashion and other items that were made using recycled plastics, and hold a bazaar selling eco-friendly products made by small-to-medium enterprises committed to sustainable businesses.







"All of the materials to be distributed prior to and during the event, such as pamphlets and other information booklets, will only be in digital format, while all waste produced will be minimized as much as possible," an organizer said.







The last version of SEFF was held in July 2020 under the slogan, "Eco Us, Eco Earth." It screened 57 films from 27 countries.


By Benjamin Jumbe

Private sector players in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene sector have called on government to consider increasing the sector budget.

Speaking at a stakeholders engagement in Kampala, the chairperson of Uganda Water and Sanitation Network (UWASNET) Jeremiah Nyaga said government must increase the sector funding to meet its ever growing needs.

He proposes a 9 fold addition to the current sector budget for the next 13 years if it is to be transformed and meet the desired targets.

The overall objective of the half day meeting is to enable the WASH and Environment CSOs understand the NDPIII, its new programmatic modalities, its implications on their way of the working and what ministries have so far done.
Scores of millions of Americans sense that something terrible has been happening in our country recently. Democracy has been steadily slipping away for years, but never faster than in the catastrophic year of 2020. Meanwhile, the process continues at an ever-increasing rate under the administration of the cognitively declining man in the White House. Incompetent tyrants at the federal, state, and local level rule the American people. Who knew that anonymous local health officials could violate our property rights by shutting down small businesses and that governors could restrict our rights to freedom of association and of worship? Who knew that social media corporations could censor our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech?

Leading American corporations publicly embrace the radical agenda of the far left while holding in contempt much of the population whom they seem to regard as white supremacists. It would be hard to find a major American corporation with an international presence that does not think of itself in global rather than national terms. This should not be surprising. Globalism is the antithesis of nationalism -- or should I say, patriotism.

CEOs of major corporations act like oligarchs who can do as they please as long as they have government on their side. So, they donate hundreds of millions of dollars either directly or indirectly to the party of government and tilt the electoral process toward their friends in high places. Whats more, many of those big corporations have gone woke in an effort to please their Democrat allies. In the aftermath of the recent intervention by much of corporate America into the controversy about Georgias election law, many conservatives are awakening to the magnitude of this problem. Scores of millions of Americans feel helpless in the face of this overwhelming threat posed to our liberty.

What most Americans dont know -- because we dont teach history very well anymore -- is that we faced a very similar dilemma before and that Americans charted a path to overcome the corporate oligarchy of another era. Our ancestors even gave us many of the tools we need to bend our modern oligarchs to the popular will. Ironically, given the behavior and ideas of their contemporary namesakes, they were known as progressives.

The corporate oligarchs of the past had names like Rockefeller, Morgan, and Carnegie. Along with scores of lesser tycoons, they ran trusts which used their monopolistic power to crush competitors and undermine the free market system of business enterprise. Money bought them enormous influence in the courts, statehouses, and even in Congress. Through their enterprise they created much of modern America, but they did it in such a manner as to rouse enormous hostility. Though it did not always seem so at the time, they did a great deal of good and gradually raised standards of living throughout much of the nation, and ultimately the world. The problem was that their unrestricted power and influence threatened to destroy both the free enterprise system and democracy itself.

In response, agrarian populists, and urban progressives, the reformers of their time, organized, agitated, and enlisted the assistance of friendly members of the press in a crusade to use the power of government to subject private power to the public will. Over the course of many years, they successfully established two major tools to deal with the threat of monopoly created by big business. One was the use of the government power to regulate business activities. The other was the employment of government force to break up enterprises that became so big and powerful as to threaten the ability of the people to govern themselves. The latter was anti-trust action. During the course of the twentieth century, anti-trust action was used intermittently in a handful of high-profile court cases while ongoing regulation of big business on a day-to-day basis by government agencies became routine. It is time to revive the use of anti-trust action to deal with the oligarchs of our time.

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has recently introduced a bill into Congress called the Trust-Busting for the Twenty-First Century Act. In promoting his legislation Hawley rightly said that a small group of woke mega-corporations control... the information Americans can receive, and the speech Americans can engage in. Although Americans of the early twentieth century had never heard of a woke mega-corporation, and monopolistic control of the flow of information in a free society was inconceivable, otherwise the language in that sentence could have been lifted almost verbatim from the political debates of one hundred-twenty years ago.

Two of the progressive reform leaders and presidents of the era were Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, one a Republican and the other a Democrat. Roosevelt earned a reputation as a trust-buster, because his administration conducted a number of high-profile anti-trust suits against the likes of John D. Rockefellers Standard Oil Trust, and the financial magnate J.P. Morgans Northern Securities Company, but his preferred course of action was to deal with malefactors of great wealth through regulation rather than by breaking them up. This eventually led, during the 1912 presidential campaign, to an ongoing debate between TR and Wilson, who feared that federal regulation of the type TR advocated, would eventually lead to partnership between the government and big business. This in turn Wilson thought would create such a powerful combination that the common man would have little chance to compete and succeed. Accordingly, he championed the more aggressive use of anti-trust action to break up powerful monopolies and re-establish free market conditions. In Wilsons vision, the fragments that remained after the trusts were broken up would be compelled to compete against one another, thereby creating greater opportunity for entrepreneurs to challenge their dominance.

Ironically, while in office Wilson came around to TRs position and used regulatory action more aggressively than TR ever did. Indeed, during the First World War he went so far as to use the power of the federal government to temporarily seize and run a wide variety of war industries. Although the government takeover was abandoned after the war, the idea of government-business partnership inspired the establishment of the second Roosevelts National Recovery Administration (NRA) during the Depression. In a final irony, it looks as though Wilsons fears of business-government partnership have been realized in our time. But even he never imagined that a woke tyranny of the selfloathing would take root in American corporations and hijack the federal government.

Early twentieth-century progressives provided citizens with yet additional tools to fight despotism. Reformers in some states, California prominent among them, made provision in their state constitutions for the initiative and referendum and the recall of incompetent or tyrannical officials. This makes it possible for citizens to override the state legislatures when they are unresponsive to the public will. It also makes it possible to recall recalcitrant public officials such as Governor Gavin Newsom. The initiative process could be used to restrict the powers of local health officials to order destructive and unconstitutional lockdowns.

Unfortunately, there is little chance that Hawleys legislation will be passed before a new conservative administration takes over in Washington and a friendly majority is in control of Congress. Nevertheless, American citizens can make use of some of these tools established by progressive reformers over a hundred years ago to make it more difficult for tyrants to trample on their liberties.

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The ambassadors of the Baltic countries and Slovakia will be summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, the ministry told reporters

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th April, 2021) The ambassadors of the Baltic countries and Slovakia will be summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, the ministry told reporters.

"The ambassadors of the Baltic countries and Slovakia have been summoned to the foreign ministry on Wednesday," the ministry said.
Egypt is expecting to generate between $6 billion and $7 billion in terms of tourism revenues this year as direct flights between the Arab republic and Russia are set to resume soon.

Deputy tourism minister Ghada Shalaby in a statement to the media early this week said the country envisions to attract this around 60 per cent of the number of visitors who visited the Arab country in 2019.

In 2019, 13.1 million people visited Egypt, generating a total revenue estimated at $13.03 billion. 2020 figures were much lower as the number of visitors stood at 3.5 million due to the pandemic. To reach the $7 billion target, Egypt is counting on Russian holidaymakers. Shalaby indicated that more than one million Russian tourists are expected this year.

Both Egypt and Russia, Cairo said early this week, have agreed to resume all flights between the two countries. Russia has suspended flights to Egypts resort destinations Sharm al-Sheikh and Hurghada after a Russian passenger jet was brought down in October 2015, in the Sinai, with 224 people onboard.

The Islamic state group claimed responsibility for the attack.
MONTPELIER  A single human error, without adequate controls in place to catch it, likely led to the errant mailing of thousands of tax forms to the wrong unemployment insurance claimants earlier this year, according to a report issued Monday by State Auditor of Accounts Douglas Hoffer.

The mistake led to the state Department of Labor recalling thousands of 1099-G forms over concerns that personally identifiable information, including names, addresses and employee identification numbers (such as Social Security numbers), were sent to the wrong Vermont addresses. The state recalled the first batch of forms and sent out new, corrected forms, and offered identify theft protection to persons who were affected by the error.

Vermont unemployment recipients to get identity theft coverage due to data breach MONTPELIER  The state, in response to a data breach that led to personally identifying info

The audit, requested of Hoffers office by Gov. Phil Scott, was conducted by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. The firm has been under contract with Hoffers office for the past three years.

A second part of the audit, focusing on how the Department of Labor handles personally identifying information, has yet to begin, Hoffer said, as the department has sought a delay while it deals with a pair of federal Labor Department audits.

In the report, the Department of Labor said it agrees with each of CLAs five findings.

As a result of multiple federal and state COVID-19 unemployment benefit programs, the Department of Labor faced a larger than usual task in printing tax forms for claimants, as the funds needed to be accounted for in state and federal income taxes. These included the Lost Wages Assistance Program (LWA) and Vermont Short Term Supplemental benefit program. In order to meet the increased demand, the Department of Labor got help from the state department of Building and General Services for printing the forms.

Scott names adviser deputy labor commissioner as state ramps up data breach response Readers: Information from the state Department of Labor on what to do with an affected Form 

While the auditors could not recreate the mistake, which they traced to an Agency of Digital Services employee, they concluded that manual data extractions from master records to create Excel files, as well as additional manual procedures to pre-sort the data by zip code and prepare the print file, were the source of the error.

Furthermore, while the Department of Labor validated the data, validation procedures ... mirrored those in place for UI program, where VDOL controls the entire process, and did not account for additional manual steps necessary for the new programs.

Therefore, while validation procedures did occur, they were applied to print files generated from the master record, and they were not applied to the actual data files used in the printing process, after the manual procedures occurred. Hence, the error was not identified prior to print.

According to the audit, the manual print run included 39,125 LWA recipients and and 34,042 VSTS claimants. But not all of those claimants were affected, as the Department of Labor discovered the error before all the forms were mailed.

Furthermore, according to the audit officials found a workaround to sort the forms for mailing after printing and stuffing.

Data breach from Vermont Department of Labor raises concerns about identify theft BENNINGTON  The Vermont Department of Labor is scrambling to repair the damage caused by th

The audit also evaluated controls put in place after the error, including the generation of read-only Excel files to prevent changes anywhere but the master files on the departments mainframe computer.

Discrepancy logs were created for any errors identified and random checks were instituted to assure quality, the audit found.

Last, the auditors recommended that the Department of Labor retain the recalled and undeliverable statements to provide for a full accounting of impacted persons.
Stephen Graham was seen on the set of Peaky Blinders' sixth and final series for the first time at Bramley Moore Dock in Liverpool on Monday.

The former Line Of Duty star, 47 - whose character on the show is currently a mystery - joined Tommy Shelby actor Cillian Murphy as he kicked off his duties in the period crime drama.

The newcomer was due to shot scenes for his role last year before the pandemic, previously sharing: 'I was supposed to be starting Peaky Blinders but that has been put on hold indefinitely.'

New addition: Stephen Graham was seen on the set of Peaky Blinders' sixth and final series for the first time at Bramley Moore Dock in Liverpool on Monday

'My agent spent a lot of time putting that together', the Lancashire native added on the Pound For Pound podcast last year.

Stephen, who recently featured in Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight's A Christmas Carol, looked sharp in a striped shirt, a waistcoat and a straight-leg trousers during filming.

The This Is England star appeared to fit right in with his fellow castmates as he rolled up his sleeves and rounded off his look with sturdy boots.

White House Farm actor Stephen was in great spirits as he chatted with crew members in between takes.

In good company: The former Line Of Duty star, 47 - whose character on the show is currently a mystery - joined Tommy Shelby actor Cillian Murphy (pictured centre)

Retro: Stephen looked sharp in a striped shirt, a waistcoat and a straight-leg trousers during filming

In his element: The This Is England star appeared to fit right in with his fellow castmates as he rolled up his sleeves and rounded off his look with sturdy boots

Cheery: The White House Farm actor was in great spirits as he chatted with crew members in between takes

The show's lead Cillian, 44, cut a typically dapper figure in his trademark flat cap, a dark suit and a longline coat.

The cast also filmed for the first time since former co-star Helen McCrory passed away from cancer aged 52.

Late actress Helen, who played Aunt Polly on the crime drama, was recently honoured by the programme's showrunners.

They said a statement, saying: 'Helen's performance as Polly Gray was inspirational, joyous, transgressive, hilarious and incredibly moving.

Impressive: Stephen is following in the footsteps of a whole host of other famous faces who have featured in the BBC1 show including Tom Hardy and Adrien Brody

Creating a scene: Images of the set saw extras stroll across a car park

Classic: The show's lead Cillian, 44, cut a typically dapper figure in his trademark flat cap, a dark suit and a longline coat

Plot: Peaky Blinders centres around its eponymous gang which is run by the ruthless Tommy and his family

Iconic: The cast also filmed for the first time since former co-star Helen McCrory passed away from cancer aged 52 (pictured)

'As a person she was off-the-scale charismatic, and deeply caring. We feel so privileged to have worked with her over the last decade. All our thoughts and love are with Damian and family.'

Earlier this year, Peaky Blinders creators revealed the fate of Oswald Mosley (Sam Clafin) 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.

The sixth series will pick up where the fifth series left off on 7 December 1929, the morning after a rally led by Oswald.

The final tweaks were made to the Manchester-based sets in February after the cast had been filming in Scotland.

Changes: The final tweaks were made to the Manchester-based sets in February after the cast had been filming in Scotland and Liverpool

Fictional: The locations are portraying Birmingham - the actual setting of the hit gangster drama

Continuation: The sixth series will pick up where the fifth series left off on 7 December 1929, the morning after a rally

Step back in time: A retro car was also pictured on set

The locations, however, are portraying Birmingham - the actual setting of the hit gangster drama.

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.

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.

Past role: The Greyhound star played undercover officer DS John Corbett during the fifth series of BBC's much-talked-about series Line of Duty in 2019 (pictured)

Throwback: The performer rose to fame for his portrayal of Andrew 'Combo' Gascoigne in This Is England (pictured) and its television sequels

Production on the show was delayed last year by the Covid-19 crisis, but shooting was able to begin in February with cast and crew adhering to strict coronavirus restrictions.

The BBC show 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'.

Creator Steven Knight recently hinted Peaky Blinders could continue without Cillian's pivotal character, telling Birmingham Live: 'There may be worlds that are part of the Peaky world that are about someone else.'
New Delhi, April 27 : Automobile manufacturer Kia on Tuesday relaunched its brand in India, and will now be known as Kia India, instead of Kia Motors India.

"This is a proud and historic moment for us as India becomes the first country to transition to the new brand identity after our headquarters in South Korea. Our decision to increase the production capacity stems from our deep customer understanding where a faster delivery of our products can enhance their buying experience tremendously," said Kookhyun Shim, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kia India.

"We are confident that this transformation will accelerate our growth by not only strengthening our premium positioning in the market but also making us one of the most aspirational brands for consumers." Till date, Kia India has launched three vehicles for Indian market - the Seltos, the Carnival, and the Sonet, and has become the youngest brand to be the 4th largest automaker in India with class-leading product offering, service quality and reliability.

Kia India became the fastest automaker to reach the historic milestone of registering 2.5 lakh unit sales in just over one and half years of its operation.

-- Syndicated from IANS
MARTAKERT, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan pulled back its troops near the Nor Ghazanchi village in Martakert region after having advanced its positions for 400 meters, the Martakert regional governor Hayk Bashkhyan told ARMENPRESS.

He confirmed that the Azeri troops had indeed moved forward for 400 meters in the direction of Nor Ghazanchi, but on April 27 they retreated to their starting positions as a result of the Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyans interference and negotiations of the Defense Army and the Russian peacekeepers.

President Harutyunyans spokesperson Lusine Avanesyan confirmed that the Azeri troops pulled back as a result of the implemented relevant work.

Reporting by Van Novikov

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
EAST MEADOW, N.Y., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomas Gallagher and Michael Litzner, leaders in New York real estate brokerage and owners of Century 21 American Homes, today announced a strategic acquisition on Long Island and Queens, New York.

The two co-broker owners will acquire the assets of Coldwell Banker Realty on Long Island, a leading residential brokerage operation in New York, owned and operated by Realogy Brokerage Group. Litzner and Gallagher will combine the newly acquired brokerage operations with the brokerage operations of its East Meadow-based company, Century 21 American Homes.

The combined operation, which accounted for nearly $2.7 billion in sales volume and more than 5,000 closed transaction sides in 2020, intends to do business under a newly launched banner of Coldwell Banker American Homes, as the newest member of the Coldwell Banker global franchise network.

Together, they intend to operate on Long Island and Queens, New York boasting more than 1,350 affiliated independent sales professionals with 23 offices. The company will serve Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties. The combined organizations will be the second leading residential real estate company in sales volume and units sold in the region.

Co-Broker Owners Gallagher and Litzner will remain with the newly launched company in leadership roles.

Coldwell Banker Realty's Long Island operations accounted for more than $1.7 billion in closed sales volume and closed 3,255 transaction sides in 2020. At the time of the acquisition, the Coldwell Banker Realty Long Island operation will have 13 offices and more than 715 affiliated independent sales associates.

In 2020, Century 21 American Homes closed 1,885 transaction sides worth more than $947 million in total sales volume. The company has 10 offices and more than 650 affiliated independent sales professionals. As a long-time leader within the CENTURY 21 network, the firm is proud to continue to serve Brooklyn, New York under the banner of Century 21 American Homes.

Quotes:

"The unification of these two premier companies is a testament to our commitment to rapid growth and an example of the power of one Coldwell Banker. We are confident that with the superior support and services offered by the Coldwell Banker network, Michael, Thomas and our affiliated agents are well positioned to achieve marked success and market share with this newly united company." - M. Ryan Gorman, president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC

"Together with the Coldwell Banker brand, we will substantially grow our footprint on Long Island, which will greatly benefit our affiliated agents and ultimately their clients. We look forward to expertly and successfully guiding people home under the North Star brand for decades to come." - Michael Litzner, future broker owner of record of Coldwell Banker American Homes

About Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC

Powered by its network of over 96,000 affiliated sales professionals in approximately 2,900 offices across 40 countries and territories, the Coldwell Banker organization is a leading provider of full-service residential and commercial real estate brokerage services. The Coldwell Banker brand prides itself on its history of expertise, honesty and an empowering culture of excellence since its beginnings in 1906. Coldwell Banker Real Estate is committed to providing its network of sales professionals with the tools and insights needed to excel in today's marketplace and is known for its bold leadership and dedication to driving the industry forward. The brand was named among the 2021 Women's Choice Award Most Recommended brands for customer experience and overall quality. Blue is bold and the integrity and values of Coldwell Banker give the Gen Blue network an unbeatable edge. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. To join Coldwell Banker Real Estate and unlock the possibilities of Gen Blue, please visit www.coldwellbanker.com/join .

About Realogy Holdings Corp.

Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY) is the leading and most integrated provider of U.S. residential real estate services, encompassing franchise, brokerage, relocation, and title and settlement businesses as well as a mortgage joint venture. Realogy's diverse brand portfolio includes some of the most recognized names in real estate: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate , CENTURY 21 , Coldwell Banker , Coldwell Banker Commercial , Corcoran , ERA , and Sotheby's International Realty . Using innovative technology, data and marketing products, high-quality lead generation programs, and best-in-class learning and support services, Realogy fuels the productivity of independent sales agents, helping them build stronger businesses and best serve today's consumers. Realogy's affiliated brokerages operate around the world with approximately 190,700 independent sales agents in the United States and nearly 130,000 independent sales agents in 115 other countries and territories. Recognized for ten consecutive years as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies , Realogy has also been designated a Great Place to Work three years in a row and one of Forbes' Best Employers for Diversity. Realogy is headquartered in Madison, New Jersey.

Media Contact:

Kevin Guhl (973) 407-5916 [email protected]

SOURCE Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC

Related Links

www.realogy.com


A restaurant owner is demanding a 2,000 payout after 'feeling bullied' into closing for a day for the filming of a new BBC thriller.

Bosses of Bianchis in Bristol made the last minute call to close after producers set up cameras for the upcoming drama 'Chloe' - starring The Crown's Erin Doherty.

Owners of the York Road trattoria said producers for the 'audacious' new series had visited weeks earlier to inform them filming would take place.

They say they were originally offered 800 in compensation and so decided to stay open during filming on Sunday - on the promise customers would be allowed through.

But bosses say customers, and even one of the co-owners, were stopped from reaching the restaurant - and so they decided to close.

Now the owners are demanding compensation from the company behind the new series, Mam Tor Productions.

Dominic Borel, who is one of the co-owners of the restaurant, said: 'We missed out on takings of around 2,000 by having to close, and that's on top of food wastage and staff costs

Bosses of Bianchis in Bristol made the last minute call to close after producers set up cameras for the upcoming drama 'Chloe' - starring the Crown's Erin Doherty

'We were told there would be no interruption to our business but that wasn't the case at all.

'It might not sound like a huge amount to miss out on, but after the year we've had the margins are incredibly tight and every penny counts, so it's hugely damaging.'

Mr Borel said the restaurant was initially offered 800 by the site manager when she first visited, as well as the promise of refreshments purchased by crew members.

But he said that this would not have been enough to cover the disruption.

'A few coffees and an 800 fee would have been nowhere near enough to cover the amount of disruption,' Mr Borel said.

After discussions the fee was increased to 1,000, but this would not have sufficed either.

When the crew prepared the shoot at around 8am on Sunday, Mr Borel said it became instantly clear that the restaurant - which is currently operating as a pop-up shop and deli until it welcomes customers inside from late May - could not be accessed by customers, forcing him to close.

When the crew prepared the shoot at around 8am on Sunday, Mr Borel said it became instantly clear that the restaurant could not be accessed by customers, forcing him to close

Mr Borel said a crew member tried to reassure him on the day by saying customers could be 'funnelled through' to the shop at certain moments.

But he said this would not have been viable as the majority of customers would have assumed the business was closed.

The 37-year-old added that even restaurant co-owner Ben Harvey was denied access to the restaurant by a crew member at one point in the day, which he slammed as 'completely out of order'.

Mr Borel is now calling on the company to fully compensate his business.

He said: 'Our baker started work at 3am to make the focaccia for Sunday and our chefs had come in early, so that's a big expense already.

'To be honest we felt like we were bullied into closing for the day by a big company who thought they could do what we want as we're a small independent business.'

Chloe is a new series being filmed at various locations across Bristol and is described as an 'assertive, audacious thriller' exploring obsession, identity, grief and truth.

It stars some of the UK's hottest young acting talent including Erin Doherty - who won critical acclaim for her portrayal as a young Princess Anne on The Crown.

Billy Howle, from The Serpent, Pippa Bennett-Warner, from Gangs Of London, and Jack Farthing, from Poldark, are also set to feature.

The six hour-long episodes are a co-production between BBC One, Mam Tor Productions and Amazon Studios.

Chloe is a new series being filmed at various locations across Bristol and is described as an 'assertive, audacious thriller' exploring obsession, identity, grief and truth. It stars some of the UK's hottest young acting talent including Erin Doherty (centre) who starred in The Crown. Pictured: The cast of new BBC hit drama Chloe

A spokesperson for the production said: 'It's of the highest priority for the Chloe production team to ensure Bristol, local businesses and residents are well looked after and informed during the filming of Chloe.

'Production started official consultations with businesses that were in the area a month prior to filming.

'All businesses were made aware of filming plans and any disruptions this may cause; all businesses were offered compensation.

'It's of the utmost importance to the Chloe production team to work hand in hand with the local community.

'We want to ensure we're celebrating Bristol as a fantastic location to film and we're aware we can't do this without the support of the local community.

'We want to thank everyone for their generosity and co-operation.'

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: 'Permission to film at Picton Street was granted by Bristol Film Office following application and production consultation with residents and businesses.

'In such instances, the film office works closely with the production team to ensure residents and businesses are kept informed.

'We're working to get a better understanding of the unforeseen issues experienced by Bianchis and local residents during filming and will raise these with the production team.'
Galits advocacy and leadership, inside and outside the firm, is truly exceptional. Her dedication to the legal profession and community is inspirational to all those around her," said Philip R. Sellinger and David Jay, co-managing shareholders of the firms New Jersey office.

Galit Kierkut, a shareholder in the New Jersey office of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, has been recognized as a 2021 Leader in Law by NJBIZ. Kierkut and the other honorees will be celebrated at a virtual event on May 13.

We are thrilled to congratulate Galit on this well-deserved honor, said Philip R. Sellinger and David Jay, co-managing shareholders of the firms New Jersey office. Galits advocacy and leadership, inside and outside the firm, is truly exceptional. Her dedication to the legal profession and community is inspirational to all those around her.

According to NJBIZs website, honorees were chosen by a panel of independent judges, with experience in the justice system, following an open nomination period. Honorees are legal professionals whose dedication to their occupation and to their communities is outstanding.

Kierkut focuses her practice in the areas of restrictive covenants, privacy, and trade secret counseling and litigation, as well as in matters relating to employment discrimination, harassment, whistleblowing, employee leave and accommodation. She represents national and international employers in their U.S. operations in the pharmaceutical, medical device, manufacturing, financial services, hospitality, food service, retail and health care industries in state and federal courts, as well as before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and various Departments of Labor. Kierkut also trains and counsels employers in virtually all employment compliance areas. She is a member of Greenberg Traurig's Health Emergency Preparedness Task Force, a multidisciplinary, collaborative team drawn from the firm's offices around the world that provides clients with up to date counseling on all COVID-19 related matters.

In addition to her employment/trade secret practice, Kierkut has wide-ranging experience in complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts and serves as outside general counsel to certain of her clients. She is a strong advocate for womens advancement in the law, and has been honored for her leadership in this area by a variety of organizations. Kierkut is a past president of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association and is an active member of the National Association for Women Lawyers. She also leads the Greenberg Traurig New Jersey Offices Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com

About Greenberg Traurigs New Jersey Office: Established in 2002, Greenberg Traurigs New Jersey office has grown into a team of nationally recognized attorneys who provide legal advice to international, national, and local business and technology clients. The New Jersey offices practice areas include Complex Commercial and Class Action Litigation; Hatch-Waxman Litigation; Pharmaceutical, Medical Device & Health Care Litigation; Product Liability & Mass Torts; Corporate; Restructuring & Bankruptcy; Construction Law; Franchise & Distribution; Immigration & Compliance; Intellectual Property & Technology; Labor & Employment; Real Estate; Tax; and Private Wealth Services. As a significant contributor to the firm's international platform, the New Jersey team offers clients both the know-how and geographic reach of a global law firm combined with the dedication and responsiveness of a local firm.
Vietnam has kept a close watch on COVID-19 situation in India and is willing to support the Government and people of India in this hard time, Foreign Ministrys Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said on April 26.

Foreign Ministrys Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang

In reply to reporters' query on the COVID-19 situation in India and citizen protection measures of Vietnam, Hang said that the Vietnamese Embassy in India had reported that the pandemic is developing complicatedly and causing negative impacts to locals living conditions.

The Government of India is mobilising resources and rolling out measures to respond to the pandemic such as increasing medical equipment and medicine and speeding up COVID-19 vaccination, she said.

We believe that with efforts by the Indian Government, the situation will soon be controlled and become stable, Hang stated.

Regarding the protection of Vietnamese citizens living, studying and working in India, Hang said that Vietnam's Foreign Ministry and representative agencies in India have worked closely with authorised agencies at home and in the host country as well as airlines to organise flights to bring nearly 1,000 Vietnamese citizens home safely.

Currently, there are about 100 Vietnamese citizens in India, she said, adding that Vietnamese representative agencies in India are coordinating closely with authorised agencies at home and in India to keep a close watch on the pandemic, maintain a contact channel with the Vietnamese citizens and to be ready to conduct necessary citizen protection measures.

In case of seeking support or report information on Vietnamese facing difficulties, citizens can contact the embassy via its citizen protection hotline at 91-7303-625-588 or the citizen protection switchboard at 84-981-848-484, she added./.VNA
The New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division affirmed the the 2018 conviction of a Pagan biker who plotted the murder of popular radio host April Kauffman in order to protect a pill-dealing scheme he had set up with her husband, authorities said.

Three judges handed down the ruling on April 20 that the trial of Ferdinand Freddy Augello, 65, of Petersburg, was fair and impartial, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office announced Monday.

Our ability to earn a conviction on this case has restored confidence in the office of the Atlantic County Prosecutor to solve cases when others failed to try, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner said in a statement. To think that this case was referred to as cold and that this defendant and his coconspirators who orchestrated the murder of April Kauffman were permitted to walk around free among us is troubling.

Augello was found guilty on Oct. 2, 2018 of murder, murder conspiracy, racketeering and drug charges after only a few hours of jury deliberations.

April Kauffman, 47, was found dead in the master bedroom the second floor of her home in Linwood at around 11:30 a.m. on May 10, 2012 after her husband James M. Kauffman reported finding her there, the office said. She had sustained multiple gunshot woulds, authorities said.

An investigation by the office found that a long-term deal between James Kauffman, a former doctor, and members of the Pagan Outlaw Motorcycle Gang to use his medical practice for illegal drug distribution, authorities said.

James Kauffman would give free prescriptions to people sent by Augello, who had at least two others recruiting for him to obtain the scripts, the office said. In turn, they recruited additional people to receive the OXY scripts. Augello would receive either a cash payment of $1,000 per script or a predetermined number of pills once the script was filled, authorities said. Those without insurance were required to pay $100 per visit. Those that would receive the scripts would either resell them or use them.

By the summer of 2011, James Kauffman solicited Augello to murder his wife, the office said. This was likely motivated by her threats of divorce and Kauffman stated he would sooner kill April than grant the divorce and lose half his empire, authorities said.

After he objected to a divorce settlement, April Kauffman threatened a number of actions to obtain divorce, officials said. In addition to her attempt to spend as much money as she could until a divorce was granted, April also threatened to expose the fraudulent and unlawful practices taking place at her husbands medical office, authorities said.

Augello propositioned a number of Pagans, former Pagans or people associated with the Pagans to murder April Kauffman and was unsuccessful for almost a year, authorities said. James Kauffman was getting restless until Augello found Francis Mullholland, authorities said.

Ultimately, Mulholland was driven to the Kauffman home on May 10, 2012, the prosecutor said. The doors were open and someone gave him a gun, with which he shot April twice in her bedroom, he said.

Mulholland later died of a drug overdose in 2013 at 46. Augello placed the blame on him during a speech he gave when he was sentenced to 55 years in state prison in December 2018.

The pill ring continued for five years after April Kauffmans death. But in June 2017, James Kauffman was arrested after a standoff with police, who had attempted to serve a warrant for a weapons charge.

Augello started talking about having Kauffman killed in jail, becoming suspicious of him after seeing a letter from Kauffmans attorney urging the investigation of Augello and Mulholland, prosecutors said.

Kauffman was later transferred to the Hudson County Jail after authorities became aware of threats on his life. He later hanged himself in his cell when his cellmate was in court for the day.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Though Clubhouse, the drop-in audio chat app co-founded by Rohan Seth, is the newest social media craze, the Indian American engineers passion project is Lydian Accelerator, a nonprofit platform to help accelerate customized genetic treatments for children suffering from genetic diseases, like his daughter Lydia. (Rohan Seth/Twitter photo)
HOUSTON and BEIJING, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NUPROBE GLOBAL, a molecular diagnostics company based in Shanghai, China and Houston, Texas, has reached a strategic collaboration agreement with AcornMed Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (AcornMed). The two companies have agreed to work together to develop products for minimal residual disease (MRD) detection in genitourinary tract cancer and hematological cancer using NuProbe's blocker displacement amplification (BDA) technology.

NuProbe's patented BDA technology is a unique and novel PCR-based enrichment method. Through innovative thermodynamic design in the PCR amplification cycles, BDA technology effectively reduces the wild-type amplification efficiency and enlarges low frequency mutation signals. As a result, the BDA technology allows for the selective amplification of low abundant sequence variants (such as SNVs and indels) in a background of wildtype DNA, thereby substantially improving mutation detection sensitivity. BDA technology is broadly compatible with various molecular diagnostic platforms including PCR, first-generation capillary sequencing, next-generation high-throughput sequencing, third-generation single-molecule sequencing, and mass spectrometry of nucleic acids. For more information on BDA, visit NuProbe's website.

"BDA technology enriches low-abundance variants by preferentially amplifying variants against wild-type DNA, which remarkably reduces data on wild-type sequences when using methods such as NGS. Therefore, the number of reads needed is decreased by over 50-fold, leading to a significant cost reduction for clinical genetic testing while improving detection sensitivity," said Dr. Junfeng Luo, Vice President of R&D at NuProbe. "BDA technology has wide applications including liquid biopsy testing, rejection monitoring after organ transplantation, and microbial infection. It has been validated in clinical laboratories in China and the United States."

Dr. Feng Lou, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of AcornMed, commented, "AcornMed is one of the few companies in China that ranks top in both the solid tumor and blood cancer industries. We have introduced more than 30 products for hereditary cancer testing, companion diagnostics for targeted treatment and immunotherapy, and tumor diagnostic stratification. Furthermore, we are actively engaging in the fields of early diagnosis and screening, prognostic evaluation, and real-time monitoring for multiple cancer types. NuProbe's technology can increase the NGS mutation detection sensitivity by 100-fold, which is very suitable for MRD detection products."

The two companies plan to collaborate on developing testing methods for mutation detection using repeatedly collected urine or plasma samples to monitor treatment efficacy and guide further treatment strategies.

"AcornMed is the only company with both a proprietary genomic database in genitourinary tract tumors and the most comprehensive genomic database of blood malignancies in China," Yingshuang Chai, Chief Executive Officer of NuProbe, added. "Combining their resources with our highly sensitive BDA technology, we expect to bring revolutionary products to the oncology field."

"We look forward to collaborating with NuProbe to explore more translational applications. This collaboration will support us to apply our sequencing technology to broader areas of clinical oncology," stated Dr. Shanbo Cao, Chief Executive Officer of AcornMed.

About NuProbe Global

NuProbe is a cutting-edge genomics and molecular diagnostics company with revolutionary molecular diagnostic technologies to improve the sensitivity of sequencing mutations and copy number variations by over 10-fold. NuProbe has sites in Houston, USA, Shanghai, China and Suzhou, China. NuProbe's vision is to offer affordable, timely, and accurate disease state information to enable precision medicine and improve patient outcomes.

Official website: http://www.nuprobe.com.cn and http://www.nuprobe.com

About AcornMed

AcornMed, also known as AcornMed Biotechnology Co., Ltd., is a high-tech enterprise guided by principles of full-process system innovation. Headquartered in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, AcornMed has established two testing and R&D centers in Beijing and Tianjin, with a total area of 5,000 square meters. With an independently developed genomic big data analysis platform, the company provides precision medical solutions for clinical oncology with genomics as its core. As one of the few NGS medical service companies leading both the solid tumor and blood cancer industries, AcornMed has established unique brand advantages in lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, genitourinary tract cancer and hematologic malignancies. They have been endorsed by many clinical oncologists and laboratory professionals and have served more than 500 hospitals.

Official website: http://www.acornmed.com/

CONTACT: Rachel Reed, [email protected]

SOURCE NuProbe

Related Links

https://www.nuprobe.com


Signs posted behind the counter at a Winnipeg Tim Hortons instructing workers to speak English are being called out as insensitive, and have since been removed, the company says.

Signs posted behind the counter at a Winnipeg Tim Hortons instructing workers to speak English are being called out as insensitive, and have since been removed, the company says.

The notices posted in at least two places behind the counter at a location on Henderson Highway said "We are an English-speaking place of work. Please speak English at all times," according to photos taken by a customer and posted to social media.

To read more of this story first reported by CBC News, click here.

This content is made available to Free Press readers as part of an agreement with CBC that sees our two trusted news brands collaborate to better cover Manitoba. Questions about CBC content can be directed to talkback@cbc.ca.
New Delhi: The search operation for workers who went missing after the avalanche in Sumna near the India-China border in Chamoli district continued on Tuesday (April 27). So far, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) recovered 15 bodies of BRO workers, all hailing from Jharkhand, from the site of the incident.

After a post mortem of the bodies in Joshimath, they were sent to Shrinagar Garhwal Hospital for embalming by the district administration. All the bodies recovered so far have been identified, Chamoli District Magistrate Swati S Bhadauria said. They were all BRO workers from Jharkhand, she said.

Talks have been held with the Jharkhand government for handing over the bodies to their families and it is likely to be done by Wednesday through the BRO, she said.

The road from Malari to Sumna is being cleared of snow. The avalanche hit Sumna on Friday last week after which BRO workers engaged in a project there went missing.

"Meanwhile, three people are still missing and efforts are on to locate them," Chamoli Disaster Management Officer N K Joshi told to PTI.

Sumna, where the avalanche occurred on Friday, is located near the confluence of the Girthigad and Kiogad, two streams that originate from the Dhauli Ganga river, which witnessed a calamitous avalanche in February, killing 80 people and leaving 126 missing.

Seven people injured in the incident are undergoing treatment. Five of them are receiving treatment at Joshimath Army Hospital while two were taken to Dehradun.

Live TV
[April 27, 2021] VTG Awarded $116M NIWC-PAC Prime Contract for C4ISR Engineering and Production

CHANTILLY, Va., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- VTG, an industry-leading provider of force modernization and digital transformation solutions, announced today that it has won a prime contract from the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific to provide C4ISR engineering and production services to its Network Integration Engineering Facility. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity NIEF Production Services contract has a potential value of $116 million over a five-year performance period. "For more than 50 years, VTG has provided the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command and NIWC-PAC with C4ISR installation and integration support both afloat and ashore," said John Hassoun, VTG president and CEO. "We're proud of that longstanding partnership and excited aout this new opportunity to leverage our growing C4ISR production capabilities in support of the NIEF's mission."



The NIWC-PAC NIEF, located at NAVWAR headquarters in San Diego, California, specializes in the rapid design and integration of commercial and government off-the-shelf products for military applications. It also provides environmental qualification testing services for those products, and limited- and full-rate production. The facility was modernized in 2019 to better support the design and delivery of advanced information warfare capabilities to the fleet. VTG will provide the NIEF with procurement, fabrication, and integration of C4ISR end items, including production units, ancillary kits, sub-systems, assemblies, sub-assemblies, modules, and spares. These end items include a full spectrum of C4ISR systems for surface ships, submarines, and shore-based applications.

About VTG

VTG delivers force modernization and digital transformation solutions that expand America's competitive advantage in the modern battlespace. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, VTG provides full lifecycle engineering for naval, aerospace, network, and digital requirements. Whether at sea, in the air, on land, or in cyberspace, VTG delivers Tomorrow's Transformation Today. For more information, visit us at www.VTGdefense.com.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vtg-awarded-116m-niwc-pac-prime-contract-for-c4isr-engineering-and-production-301277351.html SOURCE VTG

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This article contains general spoilers about the sixth episode of 'The Falcon and Winter Soldier.'

The finale of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier had all the action and drama youd expect from the last act of a Marvel film. It also featured a lot of the place-setting thats become increasingly common as the Marvel Cinematic Universe has gotten bigger. Just as the end of Age of Ultron introduced us to new Avengers like Scarlet Witch, Vision and Falcon, episode six of the Disney+ show had Sam claiming the mantle of Captain America and Bucky finally achieving some kind of emotional closure, among other plot developments.

However, with very few exceptions, the majority of the episode was really just tying up plot threads introduced in the series itself. The Flag Smashers are gone, Zemos back in jail and John Walker is no longer Captain America. If someone were to skip this series and move straight into the next Cap movie, they wouldnt have missed a beat; the last time they saw Sam Wilson, Steve had given him the shield and all it stands for, with Bucky happily supporting this choice. So what if Sam doubted his choice, passed on the shield, got Bucky super pissed off at him, and there was another dude filling the role for a while? The end of The Falcon and Winter Soldier put almost all of the characters back where they were at the end of Endgame, with a little more character development under the hood. Plot-wise not much has changed (with the exception of Sharon Carter).

Eli Ade / Marvel Studios

It has always been a curse of transmedia projects that you could never guarantee your audience has seen all the content. The first X-Files film came out in the gap between seasons five and six, but the new episodes couldnt really acknowledge much had happened in the intervening time as the film was still in theaters and not on home video, meaning there was a significant chunk of the audience who was still out in the cold. Star Trek films always came out after their respective series had ended; even though there were still two shows on the air after the end of The Next Generation, we didnt see any of the DS9 or Voyager characters in a TNG film until 2002s Nemesis. (The EMH appearing in First Contact doesnt count, nerds.)

When the Marvel Cinematic Universe first started to emerge, it felt like we were promised something different. The movies would tie into each other, sure, and it was assumed people were going to see each and every one of them in order. It was only when the MCU made its way to television that it really got interesting as a transmedia project. Agents of SHIELD was going to show us what life was like day-to-day for ordinary SHIELD agents, fill in the gaps between films and flesh out the universe but then it didnt. What we got was a fairly standard threat of the week show with the occasional appearances of B-list film characters and, while the events of some of the movies trickled down into Agents of SHIELD from time to time (like the Hydra reveal), the show ultimately had no impact on the films. If you never watched Agents of SHIELD, Phil Coulson is still dead to you.

Justin Lubin via Getty Images

With that precedent set, future Marvel shows didnt even bother with the pretense. Sure, all of the Marvel Netflix shows were set in the MCU and would occasionally reference things like the Battle of New York (from the first Avengers), but the heroes were still roped off in their own distinct corner where they only interacted with each other. Hulu series like Runaways, Cloak and Dagger and Helstrom also occupied their own standalone places. And, despite the fact that it made sense plot-wise to have all of the television characters appear in the big battle in Endgame, the Russos made the decision to leave them out as to not confuse the audience (though James DArcys Jarvis from Agent Carter made a brief cameo earlier in the film).

The practice of keeping things standalone made a lot of sense when the various MCU shows were scattered between networks and services. But thats why the Disney+ announcement was so exciting: Not only could Marvel assure that every show and film would live in the same place, but the programs were no longer beholden to licensing restrictions that limited characters to one show or the movies only. The Marvel Disney+ shows were touted as bringing the movie heroes and their respective big budgets to the small screen.

Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel Studios

Thats been true so far for WandaVision and The Falcon and Winter Soldier, which revolved around significant supporting players from the tentpole films. No, we werent going to see Thor or the Hulk charging into battle, but characters that were previously second-fiddle got a lot of character development, stepping up into more prominent roles in the Marvel Universe. At least, it was supposed to be that way.

If you look at the upcoming slate of Marvel films, theyre all focused on heroes that have yet to make a TV appearance and probably never will: Black Widow, Shang-Chi, Spider-Man, Thor and Captain Marvel. The Scarlet Witch is supposed to make an appearance in the next Doctor Strange movie, but it still operates somewhat independently from WandaVision, with even star Elizabeth Olsen saying she was unaware of the films plot while shooting the Disney+ show.

While all the Marvel films and the new shows will share a home on Disney+ going forward, it seems theyre still going to be segregated for the same reason that transmedia always has: You cant assume your audience has seen everything. One would hope that means the movies will become more standalone as well, since were nearing 30 films in the franchise and its a lot for a newcomer to take in. If they dont and the shows continue to be self-contained, the promise of a TV universe on par with its cinematic counterpart will remain unfulfilled.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 09:06:02|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday promised to support India hit hard by COVID-19 in a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House said.

Biden pledged "America's steadfast support for the people of India who have been impacted by the recent surge in COVID-19 cases," the White House said in a statement. (US-India-COVID-19)

- - - -

TEHRAN -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that the economic war waged by the United States against Iran has failed.

"Today, with the resistance of the nation and in line with the guidelines of Iran's supreme leader and the efforts made, the entire world and the United States itself confesses to the defeat in the economic war," Rouhani told a group of economic agents and businessmen, cited by the semi-official Mehr news agency. (Iran-Nuke Talks-Sanction)

- - - -

RAMALLAH -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will "most likely" postpone the upcoming elections, according to well-informed sources on Monday.

The sources, who declined to be named, said Abbas may decide to postpone the elections in light of Israel's no response to the Palestinian request to allow holding the elections in East Jerusalem. (Palestine-Elections)

- - - -

ABUJA -- At least nine persons were killed by gunmen who invaded a village in Nigeria's southeastern state of Anambra on Monday, said the police.

An unknown number of people were wounded during the attack in the village of Ukpomachi of the Oyi local government area of the state, said Tochukwu Ikenga, a spokesman for the police. (Nigeria-Attack) Enditem
Vietnam is taking tough measures to prevent another Covid-19 outbreak after months without locally transmitted cases.

One of the top priorities is to urge people to strictly comply with the 5K message: [Khau trang (face mask)- Khu khuan (disinfection) - Khoang cach (distance)- Khong tu tap (no gathering)  Khai bao y te (health declaration)].

Many provinces, and cities like Hanoi and HCM City, have tightened monitoring over the wearing of masks and keeping social distance in public.

However, many people in Vietnams metropolises like Hanoi and HCM City are neglecting to take preventive measures against Covid-19, including wearing a mask at public sites.

Some photos taken by VietNamNet in Hanoi:













Around the Hoan Kiem Lake.

On Tay Son road. A pavement tea shop.

Ha An
This article is part of a year-long reporting project focused on redistricting and gerrymandering in Pennsylvania. Its made possible by the support of Spotlight PA members and Votebeat, a project focused on election integrity and voting access.

By Marie Albiges of Spotlight PA

HARRISBURG  A group of Pennsylvania Democrats is asking a state court to make preparations to take over congressional map-making duties, betting the divided government in Harrisburg wont come to an agreement in time for the 2022 elections.

The lawsuit, filed Monday by 16 Democratic voters represented by an arm of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, asks the Commonwealth Court to prevent the states current congressional map from being used in the 2022 elections and to put in place a schedule the judges must follow if they have to step in.

The legal challenge comes just one day after the U.S. Census Bureau confirmed Pennsylvania will lose one of its 18 congressional seats because of sluggish population growth, setting up a battle to protect incumbents.

Pennsylvanias congressional map is drawn by the 253-member General Assembly and must be approved by the governor. In 2011  when the last decennial census required lawmakers to redraw the boundaries  both branches were controlled by Republicans.

But this year, the GOP-majority state House and Senate will need to win the blessing of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who can veto any map the legislature presents.

Republican legislators and Wolf have agreed on little in the past few months, with GOP leadership backing proposed constitutional amendments that seek to take away the governors power to extend disaster declarations like the one Pennsylvania is currently under because of the pandemic.

Members of the majority party have also been critical of the Department of State, both for its administration of the 2020 election and for its botching of a proposed constitutional amendment that would have temporarily allowed survivors of decades-old child sexual abuse to sue the perpetrators.

These partisan differences are highlighted in the suit, filed by Marc Elias, a Democratic elections lawyer representing the 16 voters in Pennsylvania. Hes leading similar challenges in Louisiana and Minnesota, where divided governments also control the redistricting process.

These lawsuits  ensure that there is a backstop if and when the normal process in the states breaks down or if there is a deadlock between the legislature and the governor, as is more than likely to be the case, Elias told reporters Tuesday.

The U.S. Census Bureau is months behind schedule because of the pandemic and legal battles brought by President Donald Trumps administration. As a result, block-level population data needed to redraw the congressional, state House, and state Senate maps will not be released until mid-August.

That gives lawmakers just a few months to finish the job before the March 9, 2022 deadline for major party candidates to file to run in the primary.

We think its important that state courts  where it is likely they are going to be drawing the maps  have a case in front of them that can kick off that process so that we do not end up in the unenviable position in which the litigation starts too late, courts are not prepared for it, and then we are up against filing deadlines, candidate qualification deadlines, [and] primary elections, Alias said.

In 1991  the last time there was a split in party control  the government failed to enact a congressional map, and the state Supreme Court appointed a Commonwealth Court judge to pick one of the maps submitted by the political parties, according to the good-government group Committee of Seventy.

During that redistricting cycle, justices also established a revised schedule for primary candidates to collect signatures and file petitions, which lawmakers indicated could happen again in 2022 because of the census delays.

Pennsylvania is no stranger to legal redistricting fights. In 2018, the Democratic-controlled state Supreme Court threw out Pennsylvanias 2011 congressional map, saying it was gerrymandered to advantage Republicans, who held 13 out of the 18 seats. The court adopted a new map which resulted in a 9-9 split after the 2018 elections.

Since then, Republicans have sought to tamp down on the Supreme Courts power, filing bills to impeach Democratic justices and force them to run in regional, partisan districts that would be drawn by the legislature.

Sen. David Argall (R., Schuylkill), whose State Government Committee will consider the congressional map before it gets to Wolfs desk, said in an April 13 interview with Berks Community Television that hes still hoping for bipartisanship in the redistricting process.

I would much rather us work on this in a bipartisan spirit than for us to just throw our hands up and say, Lets let the Supreme Court do it, he said.

WHILE YOURE HERE... If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
At the invitation of WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WCO Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya met with her at WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday 26 April 2021. They agreed on further cooperation between the two Organizations in a wide range of areas.

Dr. Mikuriya congratulated Dr. Okonjo-Iweala on her recent appointment and expressed his eagerness to work with her, noting that she had acquired a good insight into Customs during her professional career, including her tenure as Nigerias Minister of Finance. He discussed the long-standing and successful cooperation between the two Organizations and expressed his wish to continue the good working relationship.

Director-General Okonjo-Iweala expressed her appreciation and thanks for the useful recommendations provided by Secretary General Mikuriya during a recent WTO event, and also shared her desire to further enhance the cooperation between the WTO and the WCO.

The two leaders touched upon a number of broad areas of mutual interest, including the traditional fields of Harmonized System, Valuation and Origin, as well as Trade Facilitation and E-Commerce. They also explored ways to jointly address the urgent challenge of facilitating the cross-border movement of COVID-19 vaccines while monitoring and securing global supply chains in order to combat the circulation of dangerous, sub-standard or counterfeit medicines and vaccines.
Man arrested after drugs raid carried out at Caia Park property

A man has been arrested following a drugs raid in Caia Park.

Police say a sophisticated cannabis factory with plants ranging in size and maturity was found at the property on Deva Way.

One male has been arrested as a result.

Wrexham Town Inspector Luke Hughes, said: I wish to be clear that this was not simply growing a few plants.





This was a determined effort to make considerable amounts of money by exploiting the community by an organised criminal gang, that will no doubt be involved in many other aspects of crime.
YEREVAN.  The 4.4km section of the Katnajur motorway is being repaired as part of the second additional funding program to improve the vital road network of Armenia.

This motorway is located in Spitak town area of Lori Province, the Ministry of Territorial Administration informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Also, the public facilities of Katnajur town will be renovated within the framework of this project.

The repair of the aforesaid motorway is expected to be completed this year.

The project is co-funded by the World Bank and the Armenian government.
HOUSTON, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- A retired couple from Mexico is requesting up to $500K plus interest and costs from J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC over losses they suffered from investing in a Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) variable annuity. Because the carrier, Northstar Bermuda, is located off-shore in Bermuda, the policy that the investors purchased was not protected in the same way as those sold by US-based carriers.

Now, the claimants are alleging the following: misrepresentations & omissions, unsuitable recommendations, failure to supervise, breach of contract, overconcentration, negligence & gross negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty, and other violations that resulted in their significant investment losses.

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm at investorlawyers.com) are representing these Mexican investors in their case against J.P. Morgan Securities. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration hearing will take place in Houston, Texas.

These senior investors specifically travelled to Texas to set up a US bank account. They wanted protection for their assets from Mexico's fluctuating currency that was being negatively affected by government and economic instability.

While it was reasonable for their J.P. Morgan Securities broker to recommend that they invest in a variable annuity  typically a safe and suitable investment for most retail investors seeking principal protection  it was unsuitable to recommend a variable annuity from Northstar Bermuda.

The fact that this was an offshore carrier automatically exposed the claimants to undue risk.

According to SSEK Law Firm attorney, Luis J. Acevedo-Bengoechea, "People from Latin America bring their assets to invest in the US seeking stability. It is reprehensible that a licensed financial advisor would then recommend a product that is held off-shore when reasonable US investments were available."

Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) has offered variable- and fixed-rate annuity investment products to investors, many of whom were drawn to these products because of the tax benefits offered in Bermuda.

SSEK Law Firm is looking into similar complaints brought by customers of Ocean Financial Services, Bankoh Investment Services, J.P. Morgan Securities, Truist Investment Services and other broker-dealers who may have unsuitably recommended these products to their customers.

Contact:

Kirk Smith

[email protected]

Toll Free: 800-259-9010

Mexico Toll Free: 800-283-3403

WhatsApp International (Text Only): 713-224-2400

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/334439/shepherd_smith_edwards___kantas_llp_logo.jpg

SOURCE Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas LLP

Related Links

http://www.sseklaw.com


Update: The European Commission has issued Apple with a Statement of Objections after concluding that the company may be in breach of EU competition law regarding streaming apps.

The ongoing battle between Apple and Spotify may yield a resolution this week. The EU's competition watchdog is expected to issue antitrust charges against Apple in the coming days as part of its investigation into the company's App Store policies, according to sources who spoke to the Financial Times.

Since last June, the regulator has been probing Apple's mandatory use of its own payment system for in-app purchases and the 30 percent commission it applies to apps sold on the store. A separate EU probe is scrutinizing Apple's approach to mobile payments.

Upon launching the investigation, the EU's competition chief Margrethe Vestager said Apple had "obtained a gatekeeper role when it comes to the distribution of apps and content" on its devices. The probe was initiated in the wake of a complaint lodged by Spotify in 2019, accusing Apple of using discriminatory practices to sideline the music streaming service as a competitor to Apple Music.

In the span of a year, a long list of companies as diverse as Epic Games, Match Group and Tile had joined Spotify in an alliance designed to pressure Apple and Google into changing their App Store rules. Apple, however, has rubbished the assertions. It argued that Spotify was driven by "financial motivations" and wanted to benefit from the App Store without making any contributions of its own. Nonetheless, the company has tried to address the backlash by halving the App Store commission to 15 percent for smaller developers that make up to $1 million in sales per calendar year.

The looming EU decision will likely be closely watched by other regulators who are wary of Big Tech's sway over the digital economy. In March, the UK launched its own antitrust investigation into Apple's App Store policies. A US senate committee is also looking into competition issues related to mobile app stores and recently summoned Apple, Google and their critics to testify before it.
ICHAM will organise the Italian Standard Table Event in Ho Chi Minh City in September to close the chain of True Italian Taste events in 2021

True Italian Taste 2021 includes five events organised with creativity in content and form.

In early 2021, ICHAM kicked off with the first event with the Pasta Master Class that took place at the end of January at Hotel Metropole Hanoi with the participation of companies in the field of importing and distributing Italian food, representatives of restaurants, hotels, chefs, and individuals in the F&B industry.

After that, a series of special events is taking place in three consecutive weeks from April 20 to May 22. The True Italian Taste project will close with the Authentic Italian Table event scheduled to take place in September.

Following the success of previous events, the next event of the project will be held in the form of a contest with the theme of Italian Kitchen Style until May 22 in Hanoi.

The contest promises to have new, creative changes from form to participants while retaining the purpose of introducing and promoting the rich Italian menu and cuisine, providing information and knowledge for consumers to distinguish the standards of Made in Italy products from counterfeit products and Italian-sounding products.

The highlight of the next series of events is the combination of two events devided into three rounds of competition.

For the first qualifying round, the organisers will integrate the Master Class sessions with the participation of professional Italian chefs to provide information and knowledge to contestants, and contestants can directly exchange and learn together.

In the semi-finals, players will rely on the knowledge gained from the Master Class to cook at home and record the process, take photos, and send them to the organisers.

The final round will include excellent individuals overcoming the first two rounds to try their best to complete a menu for the Authentic Italian Table.

Compared to previous events, this competition is expected to be much more diverse as participants can be anyone aged 18 and over who have a passion and ability to cook Italian food.

In the past five years, Italy's export turnover to Vietnam has increased by 78 per cent, reaching $1.5 billion in 2020. Of this, exports of agricultural products and foodstuffs increased by 86 per cent, accounting for 6.7 per cent.

In order to further promote the promotion of food and beverage products originating from Italy to Vietnamese consumers as well as culinary and cultural exchanges, the national culinary promotion True Italian Taste project is implemented by the Italian government in 40 countries and territories. The project has been operating in Vietnam since 2019. ICHAM has been appointed by the Italian government as the implementing agency for this project in Vietnam.
GARNER, Iowa  Stealing vehicles and trailers full of scrap metal in Hancock County is sending a man to prison.

Dustin Daniel Harris, 33 of Fort Dodge, has pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree theft. Authorities say stole a pickup truck in rural Kanawha on January 24, then spray painted the truck a different color. Harris was then accused of stealing a truck and two trailers full of scrap iron in Corwith on February 4.

Harris has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the Kanawha theft and another five years for the Corwith thefts. Those sentences will be served one after the other and Harris must serve at least three years before becoming eligible for parole.
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Latin America

Buenos Aires teachers strike against return to in-person classes

Members of the Education Workers Union (UTE) and Medium and Superior Teaching Association (Ademys) held the fifth day of a strike on April 23 in Buenos Aires opposing the return to in-person instruction.

The UTE claimed that only five percent of teachers were engaged in in-person instruction. In a press release, it denounced the Buenos Aires government for not respecting sanitary measures for protecting health in the midst of a second wave of the pandemic. It also blasted a local court ruling that overruled a decree ordering virtual instruction for two weeks due to a surge in COVID-19 infections.

Educators say there is no reason to put childrens and professors health in danger as Buenos Aires experiences a brutal increase in COVID-19 cases, especially impacting children younger than 10.

Chilean Congress pension withdrawal vote highlights crisis of Pinera government

On April 23 Chiles Congress voted overwhelmingly119 to 17 with three abstentionsto allow citizens to withdraw a portion of their pensions in response to the suffering millions of Chileans are facing as the pandemic continues to ravage the nation. It was the third time that the legislature has approved withdrawals from the private Pension Fund Administrators (AFP) system in response to the crisis gripping the country.

Before the vote, Chiles billionaire President Sebastian Pinera repeated his opposition to the legislation and said that he would challenge it in the courts. His declarations were met with nationwide protests, and his feigned concern for the well-being of the working class was justifiably derided. Most members of the right-wing Chile Vamos coalition defied his orders and voted for the motion.

The AFPs, brainchild of the free market Chicago Boys, were established during the Pinochet dictatorship. They have brought fabulous profits to the companies administering the funds while providing littleon the average around US$315 a monthto those Chilean workers who contribute to the system. Those who have worked in the low-wage informal, temporary and part-time sectors fare even worse and often have to keep working into their 60s and 70s due meager pensions. Meanwhile, the police and military have significantly better retirement packages.

The pension legislation will provide at best a temporary respite for the working class while the ruling class continues its drive toward dictatorship.

Guyanese sugar workers continue strikes and protests for wage increases

Angered by years of foot-dragging on overdue wage increases, sugar cane growing, harvesting and processing estate workers in Guyana have engaged in protests and strikes in recent months. On April 19, factory and field workers struck the Blairmont and Albion estates operated by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to press for wage increases promised in 2019.

The workers have not had a raise since 2014. In 2020, GuySuCo agreed to a five percent retroactive increase for 2019 and further discussions with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) regarding 2020. The CEO told GAWU reps at a March 9 meeting that he would discuss the increase with the government and get back to the union by the end of the month, a promise he did not keep.

The majority of workers at the two estates2,488 out of 3,477opted to strike, while other estates were the object of pickets. Workers belonging to the National Association of Commercial and Industrial Employees (NACIE) did not participate in the strike since, according to a Guyana Times report, Those employees say they do not think they are getting the kind of support they should from their Union.

GAWU and GuySuCo have traded recriminations while the government has declared that it does not interfere in labor-management conflicts. On April 24, the government approved a retroactive pay hike for 2019 of five percent of six months earnings for 2019.

The GAWU said that the payments would be disbursed soon. In the meantime, the union and GuySuCo have set up a meeting for May 4.

Antigua and Barbuda: Hospital workers strike for payment of risk allowance

Nurses and other health care workers at the Mount St. Johns Medical Centre (MSJMC) in St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda walked out last week to demand overdue risk allowances adding up to 3.7 million East Caribbean dollars (US$1.37 million). On April 19, over 70 nurses and other workers protested to demand resolution of the problem. The last payment, about 1.96 million East Caribbean dollars (US$725,500), was made in March 2020.

MSJMC administration claimed that the funds are the governments responsibility and that the medical centre is doing everything we can while having to face challenges and make very tough decisions regarding escalating health care costs and all of the other pressures associated with operating a health care facility especially during this time.

Protesting nurses countered that management continues to hire new people and voiced disgust at the disrespect meted out to them.

Following a meeting on April 21, Joan Peters, president of the Antigua and Barbuda Public Service Association, told workers that MSJMC has promised to pay the overdue risk allowance by the end of April and ordered them back to work.

Haitian teachers strike to protest crime, insecurity

Teachers in Haiti struck from April 19 to 23 to demand action against rampant violence. A group called Referans (for Group of Fundamental Teachers for Renovated Education through New and Solidarity Actions) issued the strike call. The demand was for the government of Jovenel Moise to take measures to create a climate of security.

The strike call followed the murder of a teacher on his way to work the week before in a suburb of Port-au-Prince and takes place amid a rash of gang violence, including rapes, armed attacks and kidnappings. One of the demands of the strike was the release of a dozen people kidnapped on April 11 by a local gang.

Teachers have also held protests to demand the distribution of debit cards promised by the government and never delivered, official recognition of teachers, payment of overdue salaries and raises. Students have protested to demand the right to an education and have accused the US-backed Moise of financing violent gangs.

Belizean public workers protest proposed wage cuts

Teachers in Belize held protest actions against a proposed cut in their wages being debated in the national legislature. Early on the morning of April 19, some teachers, members of the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU), drove their cars onto the Haulover Bridge, which spans the Belize River, stopped and blocked traffic. Similar traffic blockages took place in other areas of the country.

The next day, the Public Service Union (PSU) members joined by BNTU members marched around the old capital, Belize City, during their lunch break. On April 22, the first day of the fiscal year 2021-2022 budget debates, the PSU and BNTU were joined by the Nurses Association of Belize and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) at the periphery of the National Assembly Building. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gatheringswith contingents of police ostensibly there to enforce themthe crowd was modest, wearing masks and social distancing.

The government of Prime Minister Johnny Briceno claims that austerity measures are needed to get the nations fiscal house in order, but the NTUCB, unions and good governance organizations blame corruption for the fix that Belize is in. They also say that taking 80 million Belizean dollars (US$40 million) out of circulation in the country of around 420,000 would cripple the economy.

The BNTU informed the Ministry of Education April 23 that it would go on strike April 26, and union officials said that they would stay out as long as necessary.

United States

Exxon issues lockout notice at Texas refinery

Exxon Mobil issued a lockout notice to workers at its Beaumont, Texas refinery after the company and United Steelworkers Local 13-243 failed to come to an agreement on April 23. The lockout will commence on May 1.

Exxon complained that the union would not submit its latest contract proposal to workers after weeks of negotiations, and the union has declined to comment on the status of negotiations. In a statement to KFDM/Fox 4, Local 12-243 President Darrell Kyle simply said that our issues are very complex, and neither side would divulge its negotiating positions.

No doubt the present deadlock involves concession demands that would provoke opposition from the 600 workers involved in the current stalemate.

The previous six-year contract at the Beaumont plant expired on February 1. That agreement was to cover a period in which Exxon would add a 250,000 bpd (barrel-per-day) distillation unit that would increase the refinerys capacity to 619,000 bpd. However, the pandemic has slowed the process on the expansion and now it is not expected to be completed until 2023.

Workers strike two Missouri distribution plants after four-year wage freeze

Some 24 workers at N.H. Scheppers Distributing plants in Columbia and Jefferson City, Missouri walked off the job April 19 after almost four months of negotiations failed to provide workers with the wage demands they were seeking. Four years ago, Teamsters Local 833 pushed through a concessions agreement and wage freeze after the companys revenues fell off.

Scheppers claims the current wage proposal is the highest offer in the history of the company. But clearly, after a four-year freeze, it is not mollifying workers. Scheppers distributes beer, wine and other nonalcoholic beverages across mid-Missouri.

Looming threat of strike wave against Connecticut nursing home industry

Fearing rising militancy among chronically underpaid staff, a Connecticut nursing home association projects that the state could see strikes at some 52 of its assisted living facilities in the next period. Matt Barrett, CEO of Connecticut Association of Health Care Facilities/Connecticut Center for Assisted Living, fears, We would have in Connecticut a very different type of public health emergency on our hands if we were to have a large-scale labor action.

Barrett said he worried that nursing home owners might find it difficult to find replacement workers to withstand a major wave of strikes. The financial situation of nursing homes has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Current occupancy rates are at 73.4 percent, down from 87 percent in January 2020. Both figures are under Medicare and Medicaid Services recommendations that nursing home facilities maintain a 95 percent occupancy rate.

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) held informational pickets on April 14 at several nursing homes announcing workers demands for a $20 an hour wage, better health care insurance and increased personal protective equipment. The union is seeking state support for increased Medicaid reimbursements to bail out the owners.

Canada

British Columbia gas plant strike in second month

Energy workers at the Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNRL) liquefied natural gas processing plant at Chetwynd in northeastern British Columbia are in the second month of a strike for a new contract. Members of the Unifor union, the workers are demanding a settlement that reflects wage and benefit provisions in the national energy pattern agreement. The companys rejected offer falls well below industry standards.

CNRL has made a $7.5 billion profit over the past three years on the backs of its workers. The company is the largest natural gas producer in Canada and a major energy player on the international market.

The dispute follows a watershed struggle by 750 oil refinery workers at the Regina, Saskatchewan Federated Cooperatives Ltd. facility last year. That almost seven-month lockout was the opening shot among energy employers across the country in an effort to shred benefit provisions, pensions and working conditions.

Employing scab replacements, police and ultraright-wing gang violence and with the full-scale backing of the courts and the provincial government, FCL was able to impose massive concessions. Over the course of the dispute, Unifor insisted on keeping the struggle bottled up within narrow collective bargaining parameters even as the company employed every political measure against them. Ultimately isolated and virtually left to starve on the picket line, the workers were roundly defeated.
Saudi Arabia today (April 27) destroyed an explosive-laden boat off the Red Sea port of Yanbu after it was intercepted by maritime security forces in the early hours of Tuesday, said media reports, citing the kingdom's defence ministry.

"A bomb-laden Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) was intercepted and destroyed at (0640) this morning (Tuesday, 27 April 2021)," said the ministry's official spokesman Brigadier General Turki Al Maliki.

"Naval units were able to detect and monitor the activity of the bomb-laden USV in the Red Sea waters off the shores of (Yanbu). The explosive USV was engaged in accordance with the Rules of Engagement, Al Maliki was quoted as saying in the Saudi Gazette.

The ministry also cited "unconfirmed reports" of an attack on a vessel in the area.

A Saudi defence ministry statement on state media did not say whether there had been any damage as a result of the operation by the Saudi navy to intercept and destroy the remote-controlled boat.

Security firm Dryad Global had earlier said it received "unconfirmed reports" that a vessel, possibly the oil tanker NCC Dammam owned by a unit of Saudi firm Bahri, had been attacked off Yanbu.

Chief executive Abdullah Aldubaikhi told Reuters that no vessels owned by National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) had been attacked.

British maritime security company Ambry also cited reports of an incident and said smoke was seen rising from a vessel.

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it was aware of reports of an incident approximately 2 nautical miles from Yanbu and that investigations were ongoing, it added.

The Saudi defence ministry said it was investigating who was behind Tuesday's "hostile attempt".
France joins other countries such as Germany, Britain and the United States in coming to the aid of India. France plans to offer India "significant" extra oxygen capacity in the coming days to help the country cope with a record surge in Covid-19 infections, the French presidency said on Sunday, reported AFP.

France president Emmanuel Macron wrote on his official account today, France will send medical equipment, ventilators and oxygen and 8 oxygen generators to India. Each generator can make a hospital self-sufficient for 10 years by producing oxygen from the ambient air.


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What is the meaning of security of the person and right to liberty in a state of emergency (SoE)?

The security of the person is a basic and most fundamental of all human rights (as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights), and involves the liberty of the person, the right not to be unlawfully detained, or the right to be detained only with due cause or with due process.
Everything was always so dark, said Ms. Goldstein, an inclusion and diversity consultant. These kids are thriving and no one is telling their stories.

The announcement of the books comes against a backdrop of anti-trans sentiment and legislation in states including South Dakota, Arkansas, Arizona and Mississippi. In some states, the issue has led to conflict between Republican lawmakers pushing bills and Republican governors calling for changes to them.

Join Michael Barbaro and The Daily team as they celebrate the students and teachers finishing a year like no other with a special live event. Catch up with students from Odessa High School, which was the subject of a Times audio documentary series. We will even get loud with a performance by the drum line of Odessas award-winning marching band, and a special celebrity commencement speech.

In Arkansas this month, after Gov. Asa Hutchinson vetoed a bill that would have made it illegal for transgender minors to receive gender-affirming medication or surgery, the Republican-led State Legislature overrode his decision. A few weeks later, Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona vetoed legislation that would have restricted education about sexual orientation and gender identity.

One gender studies expert said the books arrival is timely.

As legislators work on passing laws that attempt to police and punish trans kids, such as the recent spate of scrutiny around trans kids participation in sports, its crucial that trans kids themselves have a platform, said Jason Ruiz, an associate professor of American studies at the University of Notre Dame.

These books provide one, he said. Social media and various public relations campaigns play parts, too, but longer form books will allow them to go more deeply and hopefully beyond just tolerance.

He added that theres a lot of potential in listening to trans kids tell their own stories.

In her book, Ms. Parr described coming out as transgender before starting the eighth grade. She and her parents first told teachers and faculty and then sent a letter to the rest of the school.

I got so many text messages from my friends saying, I love you for who you are. That meant everything to me, Ms. Parr recalled. I could finally be myself for what felt like was the first time.
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.
To hear more audio stories from publications like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android.

The chef Blaine Wetzel first came to Lummi, a tiny island near the San Juan archipelago of Washington State, in 2010. At age 24, he was fresh off a two-year stint at the vaunted Copenhagen restaurant Noma. He could have found a job in any kitchen in the world.

Instead, hed answered an ad on Craigslist, posted by a chicken farmer who owned a century-old inn on Lummi Island, 100 miles north of Seattle and reachable only by ferry. Sight unseen, Mr. Wetzel had fallen for the islands ravishing isolation  fewer than 1,000 people live there full-time  and its unspoiled forests, farms and fisheries.

Since he took over the kitchen at the Willows Inn, it has become a global destination, fully booked nearly every night of its annual season, from April to December. Culinary pilgrims come for multicourse dinners of foraged dandelions, custards infused with roasted birch bark and salmon pulled from Pacific waters they can see from the dining room. After dinner, they float up to one of the luxe-rustic bedrooms, and wake up to wild blackberries and long-fermented sourdough.
Hayden Hess, PhD. Credit: Hayden Hess

Exposure to extreme heat (95 degrees Fahrenheit and above) and humidity for eight hours raises the core body temperature and causes dehydration, resulting in an increased risk of acute kidney injury, according to a new study. The researchers, from the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington and University at Buffalo Center for Research and Education in Special Environments in New York, will present their findings virtually at the American Physiological Society's (APS) annual meeting at Experimental Biology 2021.

Acute kidney injury, which is defined as a sudden decline in kidney function, is a major cause of hospitalization during heat waves, especially in vulnerable populations such as older adults and obese individuals. This disorder is expected to worsen as the frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves expand in the U.S. due to climate change, according to study co-author Hayden Hess, Ph.D. As a result, there is concern the public health burden during these extreme hot weather events will be exacerbated.

The study was conducted in a group of adult men who were subjected to a heat- and humidity-controlled environmental chamber. The findings also indicate the risk of acute kidney injury was only evident when environmental conditions outpaced the ability of study participants to maintain core body temperature when cooling and hydrating were not permitted.

Researchers say this information will help lay a foundation for additional studies that improve understanding of the causal mechanisms that lead to a higher risk of acute kidney injury induced by extreme heat exposure. The findings will also be used to develop treatment and prevention measures such as cooling strategies and hydration recommendationsto reduce the risk of acute kidney injury in vulnerable populations.

Explore further Why older people should chill when it's hot out

More information: Abstract title: "Acute kidney injury risk is exacerbated during prolonged exposure to uncompensable heat"

Provided by Experimental Biology
New Delhi, April 27 : Amid lot of international organisations coming forward to help India in fight against Covid-19, the government has exempted customs duty of foodstuff and medicines and has detailed what all can be gifted to whom and who all can do so.

The government has exempted custom duty on import of foodstuff, medicines, medical stores of perishable nature and blankets from charitable organisations, Red Cross Society and US based Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE) and government itself.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section A(1) of section 25 of the Customs Act, 1962, the Central government being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest, do, hereby exempts goods of the description specified," the government stated.

For Red Cross Society, the government said, the goods imported to India for free gift from abroad or purchased out of donations received abroad in foreign exchange by it should be for free distribution to the poor and the needy without distinction of caste, creed or race.

The importer at the time of importation produces a certificate to the Assistant Commissioner of Customs from the state government concerned or from person or institution specified by the Central Board of Excise and Customs certifying that it is for the organisation engaged in relief work and in the distribution of the supplies to the poor and the needy without any distinction.

The government also stated that the orgainsation otherwise satisfies the Assistant Commissioner in this regard to the activities bona fides of the importing organisation, the areas of its operations; its financial sources; the status of the donor, the nature, value and quantity of the goods imported; the food and sartorial habits of the people amongst whom the imported goods are to be distributed; that the goods are bona fide gifts for free distribution to the poor and the needy without any distinction of caste.

The government has allowed woollen fabrics and woollen apparels received as gifts by the Indian Red Cross Society apart from drugs, medicines and medical equipments.

For CARE, the government stated that the importer at the time of import gives an undertaking that the gift commodities are meant for free distribution.

The importer, at the time of import, has to give an undertaking that the supplies and the equipment, when no longer required for the purposes for which they were imported, will be exported out of India and that the imported supplies and equipment are not meant for the personal use of the officers of CARE or its distributing organisation and, further, that any of the supplies or equipment shall not be passed on to third party by way of sale or otherwise in contravention of the said agreement.

For goods imported into India for the purpose of relief and rehabilitation, the said goods should be imported in accordance with the terms of any agreement in force between government of India and any foreign government providing for duty free entry of such goods into India.

The goods so imported shall not be sold or otherwise disposed off in India except with the prior approval of, and on, fulfilment of such conditions as may be imposed, by the government in this regard.

For articles of food and edible material, the goods should be supplied as free gifts to the government of India either by the agencies approved by the United Nations organisations or by European Economic Community.
Singapore has overtaken New Zealand as being the best place to live during the pandemic thanks to a rapid vaccine roll-out, new analysis shows.

Brazil, which has one of the highest per capita death rates in the world and a glacial vaccine programme, was ranked the lowest in Bloomberg's Covid Resilience table.

The United Kingdom, which has a worse per capita death toll than Brazil, was ranked 18th in the list, behind the US in 17th.

Like Israel (4th), Britain and the US, which gained seven and four places respectively last month, have benefited from successful vaccine roll-outs.

Singapore's status as the best country to live in has been cemented by a rocketing vaccine drive after it curbed the spread with tough border restrictions and a test and trace system which ensures cases remain isolated.

Scroll down for full rankings.

SINGAPORE: People walk along a bridge next to the financial business district in Singapore on the weekend. Those living in the city state are able to go about normal life again, with concerts and even cruises permitted.

NEW ZEALAND: A crowd without masks attends a Crusaders v Blues match in Christchurch on Sunday

BRAZIL: Aerial view of graves of COVID-19 victims at the Nossa Senhora Aparecida cemetery in Manaus, Amazon state, on April 15

INDIA: Bodies of Covid victims are burned in funeral pyres at a cremation ground in Mumbai last week

Singapore, New Zealand and Australia, the top three ranked countries, are given high scores as their populations are able to enjoy pre-pandemic quality of life, save for the ability to travel.

New Zealand and Australia lost out to Singapore because of their slow vaccine roll-outs.

More than 23 per cent of Singaporeans have now been inoculated, whereas just 3.8 per cent of Kiwis and 0.6 per cent of Aussies have had a first dose.

European countries like Germany (26th) and France (42nd), have also struggled to get their vaccine programmes going amid the EU's vaccine row with AstraZeneca, which has been hit by supply woes and crippled by scaremongering over blood clots.

India was ranked 30th, one of many poorer countries which does not have enough vaccine doses, and which is also battling a new variant which some medics say is more infectious and more deadly.

Bloomberg's analysis uses ten scores to decide the countries' ranks, including measures of social and economic disruption, the infection and death rates, as well as access to vaccines.

It scores countries with economies of more than $200 billion every month.

Their most recent analysis showed that the vaccines which were becoming widespread throughout much of the world were not a silver bullet.

Countries like France and Chile (36th), which have relatively good access to vaccines, slipped back in the rankings due to new variants ripping through their populations.

The Brazilian variant has wreaked havoc in Chile, while the British variant in France has spread through a population which is broadly unwilling to take the AstraZeneca jab which Emmanuel Macron claimed was 'quasi-effective.'

BRITAIN: The United Kingdom has started a gradual reopening of outdoor hospitality venues amid one of the most successful vaccine programmes in the world, with half the population vaccinated (pictured: ladies drinking in the Cowgate, Edinburgh)

Poland which has administered enough jabs for 13 per cent of its population started unlocking too soon and the British variant has since taken hold, accounting for 90 per cent of new cases and driving a surge in deaths.

Experts fear that as long as the world is unable to get vaccines to developing countries, where many of the new variants are appearing, then lockdowns and social-distancing will have to continue.

'This is not over by any means,' Ali Mokdad, Chief Strategy Officer for Population Health at the University of Washington, told Bloomberg.

'The longer this drags on, the more likely it is that we will see new variants. Then there is a need for a new vaccine or a booster vaccine, and we start all over again.'
One big lingering question for theater fans following the news that the prolific producer Scott Rudin will step back from his stage projects: What will happen to his shows in development, notably the Stephen Sondheim musical Bunuel, which at last report was slated to be produced Off Broadway at the Public Theater?

Rudin, who is facing a reckoning over decades-long accusations of bullying, had been a commercial producer attached to the musical.

But the Public now says: It isnt happening.

In the wake of reports about Rudin, the Public on April 22 put out a statement saying it had not worked with him in years. Responding to a follow-up question, Laura Rigby, a spokeswoman for the Public, said last week that Sondheim had informed the theater last year that he was no longer developing the musical. (The Public clarified that its cancellation had nothing to do with Rudin.)

Sondheim, who turned 91 at the end of March, did not respond to emailed questions about the projects status.
WASHINGTON  A perk of the presidency is the chance to deliver a speech to Congress, and millions of Americans, soon after taking office.

On Wednesday, President Biden will finally do just that, giving his first address to a joint session of Congress, which had been delayed by his administrations early push to confront the coronavirus pandemic.

Part victory lap and part sales job, the speech will let Mr. Biden mark the nearly 100 days he has spent in the Oval Office by describing his efforts to vaccinate Americans and revive the economy, aides said. But he also plans to seize the moment to pitch a broader agenda, laying out his proposals to upgrade the nations infrastructure and expand public benefits.

Because of the pandemic, Mr. Biden will deliver his speech to a pared-down, socially distanced group of lawmakers and administration officials  a far cry from the tightly packed House chamber of previous years. But the goal will be similar: Make your pitch to the public with the bully pulpit of the presidency.
The move provides Valens with immediate entry into the US market with a leading CBD health and wellness brand that has an established manufacturing and distribution platform

Inc ( ) ( ) said it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire CBD company Green Roads and its majority-owned manufacturing subsidiary in a cash and share transaction worth US$40 million, plus up to US$20 million more in milestone payments.

The move provides Valens with immediate entry into the US market with a leading CBD health and wellness brand that has an established manufacturing and distribution platform, the company said.

Green Roads, based in south Florida, is the largest privately-owned CBD company in the US. The company produces an award-winning lineup of health and wellness products using hemp-derived CBD, including hemp flower coffee and line of functional gummies that target sleep, stress, and immune support. Valens plans to introduce Green Roads' formulations to the Canadian market.

"After analyzing over a hundred companies across the US CBD market, we clearly recognized the value in the Green Roads platform with its best-selling brand, Valens CEO Tyler Robson said in a statement. Our complementary businesses, culturally aligned teams, and shared 'it's personal' mission to provide consumers with high quality, innovative cannabis products led to an undeniable combination that we believe will disrupt the industry ... Together, The Valens Company and Green Roads make a formidable team, and the combined entity will be primed for significant growth as the global market develops."

Green Roads boasts an extensive distribution network of more than 7,000 retail stores along with an eCommerce and marketing platform with more than 30,000 five-star reviews, the company said. Green Roads is also currently one of a small number of US CBD companies that produce their products in their own cGMP facilities, a testament to their dedication to integrity and excellence.

"Since its inception, Green Roads has led the US CBD industry with a people-first philosophy, producing what we view as the highest quality products while putting consumer protection and education at the forefront, Green Roads COO Dale Baker said. With this transaction, we are able to further this mission and grow our community by reaching new markets, consumers and partners both north of the border and globally with one of the most trusted leaders in the cannabis consumer packaged goods manufacturing space."

The Green Roads deal is just the beginning of Valens US ambitions, CEO Robson said. With increased American exposure, Valens plans to expand its partnership network and actively pursue complementary business lines, with the ultimate goal of finding a pathway to enter the legal cannabis market if and when permissible by US federal law.

Specifically, the US$40 million deal includes the issuance of US$25.4 million in Valens shares. Future milestone payments could be made in cash or stock. On a pro forma basis, the combination of Valens and Green Roads creates a company that would have generated total revenue of C$111.6M in 2020, the company said.

The combined company's US distribution capabilities are expected to grow as consumer acceptance of CBD for wellness increases with additional FDA guidance and as incoming larger players add legitimacy to the sector, Valens said. The idea will be to replicate Green Roads' brand success in the Canadian market as it begins manufacturing and distributing these branded products across its newly strengthened domestic distribution network.

Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel
The LPGA Tour is headed to Asia for an abbreviated two-event schedule in Singapore and Thailand for the first time in 18 months and minus several tournaments because of continuing concerns over COVID-19.

The HSBC Womens World Championship begins Thursday at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, followed by the May 6-9 Honda LPGA Thailand at Chonburi near Bangkok.

A third tournament was scheduled in China  the Blue Bay LPGA on Hainan Island  but the LPGA canceled that event three weeks ago because of pandemic travel restrictions.

The pandemic severely disrupted the LPGA Tours 2020 schedule, as it did to other major sporting events around the world. The LPGA played two tournaments in Australia in February 2020  they were canceled this year  and was expected to head to Bangkok, Singapore and Blue Bay until the emergence of the coronavirus meant those tournaments and some 15 others were shelved.

In Singapore, 69 players will tee off Thursday in the no-cut event at Sentosa for the 13th edition of the tournament, including world No. 1 Jin Young Ko, No. 2 Inbee Park and defending champion from 2019 Sung-hyun Park, all of South Korea.

There will be limited spectator access to the course. Singapore has had only 30 deaths attributed to COVID-19 and most of the current virus cases are those who have arrived from overseas and are in quarantine.

Players will have to undergo COVID-19 testing before they leave for Singapore and once they arrive, quarantining in their rooms until a negative test is returned, tournaments organizers said in a statement to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Players and officials will also be required to remain mostly at their hotels and wear masks and maintain social distancing on the golf course.

Other top 10 players at Sentosa will include No. 5 Danielle Kang of the U.S., Lydia Ko of New Zealand, whose win in Hawaii a week ago moved her up to No. 7, No. 9 Hyo-joo Kim of South Korea and No. 10 Nasa Hataoka of Japan.

Story continues

Jin Young Ko said it'll be tough not being able to go out much, but she has that covered.

I have a friend in Singapore, so he delivered lots of food yesterday, lunch and dinner," she said Tuesday. I ate lots of dumplings, and I had chilli crabs for dinner, so Im full still."

Lydia Ko said she slept for 13 hours on the 17-hour flight from Los Angeles to Singapore, beating Jin Young Ko's slumber time by an hour on the same flight. Lydia Ko says she accepts all the extra COVID-19 rules in effect during her stay.

Obviously if those werent there, we wouldnt be able to come and play," the New Zealander said. Everyones got the same playing field and everyone is going to go through the same process. I think you just have to adjust."

ANA Inspiration winner Patty Tavatanakit will make her Singapore debut after receiving a sponsor invitation. The 21-year old from Bangkok, who played college golf at UCLA, won the first major championship of the year in her rookie season on tour.

She is joined by fellow Thai players Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, Jasmine Suwannapura and Pornanong Phatlum, all of whom are expected to be playing again the following week near Bangkok.

Im feeling good about where my game is right now, Tavatanakit said after receiving her sponsor exemption. The win at the ANA Inspiration hasnt really sunk in yet. Ive always followed the (Singapore) tournament from home in Thailand, and Ill be familiar with the conditions.

After the Thailand tournament, the LPGA Tour returns to the United States for the Pure Silk Championship at Williamsburg, Virginia.

Current plans are to have the LPGA return to Asia later this year  from mid-October to early November  for four tournaments in Shanghai, Busan, South Korea, Taipei, Taiwan and Shiga, Japan. All four tournaments were last played during the same period in 2019.

___

More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Footage of an Afghan woman being lashed 40 times by the Taliban has emerged in a stark reminder of the state of the country as the US withdraws its troops.

The Islamists, emboldened by Joe Biden's decision to pull troops out of the country, have warned the US and its Nato allies there will be 'problems' should they fail to beat a swift retreat in September.

Video of the woman being whipped, for reportedly having a phone call with a man, serves to underline the power which the Taliban still holds over the country despite Washington's two decades of military intervention and trillions of dollars poured into trying to improve life for Afghans.

Dozens of local men watched the punishment being meted out as villagers turn to the Taliban to enforce justice, having no faith in the toothless government in Kabul.

The woman hunches over under her burqa as the vicious punishment is dished out before a crowd of dozens of men in the village of Haftgola, close to the city of Herat. The woman is alleged to have had 'immoral relations' with a man by speaking with him on the phone

The woman is led into the circle by one of the Taliban elders (left) before she is lashed as dozens of locals watch on (right)

One man first takes up the whipping before handing over to another who appears to lash the woman harder as she writhes under her burqa, crying out: 'I repent, it's my fault, I messed up.'

Dozens of spectators watch as the woman is beaten, several are seen filming the incident on their smart phones

The incident is believed to have taken place in late 2020 in the village of Haftgola, outside Herat, a city in Afghanistan's northwest

Biden announced earlier this month his plan to withdraw the United States' remaining 2,500 troops on September 11, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

This appeared to be a unilateral decision which ignored the dates set down by the Taliban and Afghan government in their Doha Agreement in February last year following peace talks brokered by Washington.

It was billed as an 'agreement for bringing peace' and stated that US and NATO allies would have to withdraw from Afghanistan within 14 months, by May 1, 2021, provided both parties upheld their side of the treaty.

Biden's new timeline to September infuriated the Taliban which has now sought to distance itself from the US-led push for peace.

The group said earlier this month that its delegates would no longer travel to Turkey for a peace conference intended to jump start negotiations.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said those responsible for delaying the removal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan would be 'held liable'.

Writing on Twitter two weeks ago, Mujahid said: 'If the [Doha] agreement is breached and foreign forces fail to exit our country on the specified date, problems will certainly be compounded and those whom failed to comply with the agreement will be held liable'.

The news has sparked concerns the Taliban will push its spring offensive, a rise in attacks that usually takes place as the weather gets warmer.

Politicians on both sides of the Atlantic have warned that Biden's plan to withdraw risks creating a power vacuum which the Taliban is already seeking to fill.

The Taliban has threatened the US and NATO with consequences if the promised military withdrawal from Afghanistan is not completed by May 1 after US President Joe Biden said the exit would not be completed until September 11

Taliban representatives attend the opening session of peace talks in Doha, Qatar in February. They have shunned further peace talks in Turkey as experts fear the group is preparing to fill the power vacuum which will be left when US troops leave

The US President said there will be a phased drawdown on troops until his apparently uni-lateral September 11 deadline

Critics of the military exit will point to the footage which emerged of the woman being whipped in the village of outside the village Haftgola, outside Herat, in the northwest of the country.

The footage emerged on Facebook on April 13 but is thought to date from late last year, according to France 24.

It shows the accused being led into a circle formed by dozens of male spectators to receive the punishment handed down by three Taliban elders.

One man first takes up the whipping before handing over to another who appears to lash the woman harder as she pleads for mercy.

'I repent, it's my fault, I messed up,' the woman cries as she writhes under her burqa.

The smart phone video shows the woman being led into the circle by a man with a white beard, one of the local elders.

It was he, along with two other elders, who acted as the self-proclaimed judges and passed down the sentence for the woman's 'immoral relations.'

The young man who spoke to her on the phone was also arrested and was being held in a prison cell at the time the footage was recorded, France 24 reported.

The Taliban court in Obe province meets three times a week, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, dealing with any complaints of the locals.

Experts say this is the system which is replicated throughout Afghanistan, the result of a failure of government to establish a central judiciary.

Often videos of the capital punishment emerge online as the male spectators film it on their phones and upload it to social media.

Atefa Ghafouri, a women's rights activist in Herat, told France 24: 'All of the men who attended the whipping were ordinary citizens, just people who live in the area. Lots of Afghans, especially those in rural regions, support these tribunals. In many parts of Afghanistan, the government has zero presence.

'There is no court where you can go and file a complaint. And even when there is some kind of court, the judicial proceedings are long and expensive, because you have to pay bribes so that someone actually works on your file.

'So, unfortunately, the only alternative is a Taliban court, which also happens to be rapid and free. People turn to these tribunals and find solutions for their conflicts and that builds legitimacy. The Taliban then impose their rules. The first victims of this system are women.'

The United States' nearly two decades of fighting and trillions of dollars spent on Afghanistan has done little put an end to the suffering of women in the country.

The Taliban gain more ground by the day despite the central government in Kabul, which will grow weaker as the final American troops leave the country in September.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has called Joe Biden's plan 'reckless' and 'a grave mistake. It is retreat in the face of an enemy that has not yet been vanquished and abdication of American leadership.'

Others argue that it is the only possible conclusion to a fruitless effort to bring peace to a country which has claimed thousands of American lives, as well as those of their allies in Nato including British troops.

Experts have warned a successful withdrawal of troops hinges on a strong peace deal between the Taliban and Afghan government.

But months of negotiations, launched in Doha, Qatar, in September, have failed to yield tangible results, and violence in Afghanistan has spiked as the talks have stalled.

Relations within the Afghan government have also made negotiating a slow process as President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, the government's peace talks representative, continue to bicker over policy.

An annual threat assessment by the US Director of National Intelligence released this week said the chance of a peace deal in the next 12 months 'remains low'.

It said 'the Taliban is likely to make gains on the battlefield, and the Afghan Government will struggle to hold the Taliban at bay if the coalition withdraws support'.

After withdrawing, the US aims to rely on Afghan military and police forces, which they have developed with billions of dollars in funding, to maintain security, though peace talks are struggling and the insurgency is resilient.

A key reason for a coordinated withdrawal is the fact that Nato relies on US airlift capabilities and shipping to move valuable equipment back home out of landlocked Afghanistan.

Nato also wants to avoid any hardware falling into the hands of militants, as happened after the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.
Thai police inspect the remains of a pickup truck that assailants burned after shooting three family members in Sai Buri district in Pattani province, Thailand, April 24, 2021.

Five people have died in a spate of violence in Thailands insurgency-ridden Deep South, including three members of a family slain when attackers sprayed their truck with bullets and then set it aflame in Pattani province, army officials said.

Officials claimed the gruesome attack was in retaliation for the killing of a suspected insurgent and the arrest of two others in an encounter in Narathiwat two days earlier.

Officers said the Saturday attack took place in Sai Buri district, and the victims were identified as a businessman, Suporn Kittiprapanan, 58, his daughter Jiraporn, 26, and his nephew Santipattana Kittiprapanan, also 26.

According to the investigation, four men on two motorbikes pursued their pickup truck, firing a rifle and a 9 mm handgun at them for about a hundred meters until the pickup fell into a ditch, Col. Yanapong Ubolbarn, commander Pattani Police Bureau, told reporters on Saturday.

The family members were traveling from Had Yai district to Narathiwat province to deliver foam and plastic products, police said.

The assailants kept firing at them. Jiraporn was dead inside. Suporn was dragged out of the truck and shot dead in the head and body. Santipattana was severely injured, but he pretended to be dead, Yanapong said.

Lt. Capt. Kittichart Sungkaew, an investigator at Sai Buri police station, told reporters that more than 30 shell casings were found at the scene.

Another police officer said Jiraporn was burned beyond recognition.

Other police sources said Santipattana died as he was being transported to the Somdej Prayupparaj Hospital in Sai Buri district.

Retaliations

On Sunday evening, motorcyclists attacked a police squad at a check point in Raman, a district in Yala, according to a senior police officer.

There were two teenagers riding a motorcycle that stopped about 15 meters away from them and hurled a pipe bomb which was followed by gun fire, killing one and injuring another, Lt. Gen. Tinakorn Rangmart told reporters as he inspected the attack site on Monday.

Neither of these alleged assailants were caught and the spokesman did not say why he identified them as teenagers.

The commander of the southern army said these attackers likely were exacting revenge for their losses on Thursday.

These increased attacks could be the insurgents retaliation for the killing of one and the arrest of two of their comrades in Narathiwat, said Lt. Gen. Kriangkrai Srirak, the commander of the 4th Army Region that oversees the Deep South.

Officials have to be careful with their change in tactics, especially during Ramadan in which some insurgents believe they make good deeds by attacking targets during this holy time, he said referring to the Islamic month of fasting.

Another task force commander said a combatant leader in Sai Buri district identified as Abdullah masterminded Saturdays attack.

When we have clear evidence we will make an arrest, Maj. Gen. Komkrit Rattanachaya, the commander of Pattani Task Force said Sunday.

The Deep South encompasses Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala provinces and four districts of Songkhla province. It has been the flash point of armed conflict between government troops and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional, Thailands largest separatist insurgent group, over several decades.

Since violence reignited in January 2004, more than 7,000 people have been killed, according to Deep South Watch, a think-tank based in Pattani.
[April 27, 2021] City of Arlington, TX Water Utilities Saves $900k in Annual Operational Costs with Invoice Cloud's Online Payment Solution

Invoice Cloud, an EngageSmart solution for online bill payment services, announced that it has saved the Arlington Water Utilities Department $900k on average in operating expenses each year since launching the organization's online bill payment platform in 2018. Now in its fourth year since implementation, the utility has seen a steady increase in online payment adoption and paperless billing registrations. In year one alone, the utility saw a 60% decrease in payment-related service center calls, giving employees more time to focus on higher priority issues and giving utility customers the flexibility to pay and manage their accounts independently. For a utility company servicing over 100,000 accounts in a city of 400,000 residents, having an online payment option for customers has made a significant impact in a short period of time. With Invoice Cloud, Arlington Water Utilities was able to give customers more self-service payment options online, resulting in greater savings overall and increased customer satisfaction. Not only did service center call volume decrease exponentially in the first year of implementation, but so did in-person visits to the payment center, cutting down on the time spent per bill for both city employees and customers themselves. "The avoided costs Arlington has seen each year since implementing Invoice Cloud translates into significant benefits for our city, whether that is helping keep water rates some of the lowest in North Texas or providing extra funds to replace critical infrastructure like aging water and sewer mains," says Craig M. Cummings, director of Arlington Water Utilities. "It also gives ou customers the communication options they prefer, such as texts sent directly to their phones to let them know when a payment is due."



While crisis scenarios are not often top of mind when considering online payment providers for a city utility, the added peace of mind and multi-channel communication options integrated into the Invoice Cloud platform are a definite benefit. "We are big believers in the power of digital experiences to drive customer engagement and even customer delight all in one platform," says Invoice Cloud President Tom Griffin. "Our medium just happens to be online payments, which for city utility providers is probably the most frequent touchpoint with their customers. By ensuring that the most routine transactions are dependable, simple, and seamless, we are also helping city utility providers to establish trust in their operations and building an additional line of communication for when a critical situation demands extra resources."

To bring home that point, Cummings pointed out that the call center that serves Arlington Water Utilities customers also manages the general city line, provides essential information to citizens, and is currently a centralized source for COVID-19 vaccine information. Reducing payment-related calls means that resources can more quickly be allocated to sharing vital information and handling critical issues. To pay a bill or register for paperless billing, Arlington Water Utilities customers can visit www.ArlingtonTX.gov/KnowYourH2O. About Invoice Cloud:

Invoice Cloud, an EngageSmart solution, is the leading provider of online bill payment services. Founded in 2009, the company has grown to be one of the leading disruptors in the cloud-based electronic bill presentment and payment (EBPP) space, helping legacy institutions put customer experience first. By switching to Invoice Cloud, clients improve customer engagement, loyalty, and efficiency while reducing churn and missed payments in the process. With over 2,100 clients across the US and over 50 million payments processed annually, Invoice Cloud is one of the most secure, innovative, and inclusive fintech solutions in the market. To learn more, visit www.invoicecloud.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005459/en/

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Albania: 90% votes counted, Rama headed towards third term Socialists of prime minister get 73 out of 140 seats

(ANSAmed) - TIRANA, 27 APR - Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama is headed for a third term after Sunday's elections, with 90% of the vote counted and Rami's Socialist Party garnering 73 out of the 140 seats in the Albanian Parliament.



The opposition - made up of the Democratic Party (PD) of Lulzim Basha, the main centre right party; and the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI) of Monika Kryemadhi - gained a total of 64 seats overall (59 PD and five LSI).



Rama could also gain three seats by surprise from the Social Democratic Party (PSD), which said it is willing to work with the socialists. (ANSAmed).




gettyimagesbank



By Lee Min-hyung



Commercial banks here are in a quandary over whether to renew or sign partnerships with cryptocurrency exchanges in the face of ever-toughening pressure from financial regulators.



For now, three Korean banks  Shinhan, NongHyup and K bank  issue real-name accounts for digital currency exchanges they have partnered with. But they also have to renew these partnerships before September in line with the introduction of the Special Financial Information Act.



The act gives banks more autonomy in picking and choosing their exchange partners once the latter registers for business licenses with the Financial Services Commission (FSC).



But with regulators issuing warnings about the speculative nature of cryptocurrency transactions, the banking industry has found itself in a dilemma with regard to their position on digital assets.



Officials from the industry are reserved about enhancing their investments into the burgeoning cryptocurrency market.



"Many developed countries, such as the United States, are identifying the digital currency industry as one of the next major financial growth areas, but in Korea, we still need to take a wait-and-see approach to its growth potential due to lingering risks surrounding regulations," a banking industry source said.



"After the act takes effect, banks would be responsible for any possible financial fiasco incurred by their cryptocurrency exchange partners, and this comes as a major risk for banks at a time when they need to be wary about a variety of other issues regulators are looking at amid financial uncertainties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic."



An official from one of the lenders in a partnership with a cryptocurrency exchange here said the bank does not have any immediate plans to cut ties to its exchange partner.



"Even if authorities keep issuing warnings, we have not received any direct or specific guidelines on the exchange partnership," the official said.



Last week, FSC Chairman Eun Sung-soo said his agency will not protect cryptocurrency investors. He also said virtual currencies were without inherent value. Some cryptocurrency prices have since experienced huge volatility following his verbal assessment of such transactions.



A cryptocurrency investor filed an online petition on the Cheong Wa Dae website demanding Eun's resignation, which has drawn more than 100,000 signatures in less than four days.


U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken may pay an official visit to Ukraine in May ahead of a meeting between United States President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which could happen as soon as early summer.

This was reported by CNN with reference to "a Ukrainian government source close to the ongoing negotiations," Ukrinform reports.

"The Biden administration is preparing to send Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Ukraine next month," the report notes.

As noted, the fact that the Biden administration would deploy its most senior diplomat to Ukraine in the weeks before a potential summit sends a clear signal that Washington stands with the Eastern European nation [Ukraine] and values it as an ally.

Ukrainian officials hope that Biden will find time to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of any talks with Putin.

As Ukrinform reported, on April 2, the presidents of Ukraine and the United States had their first phone conversation since Biden took office on January 20. During the call, Biden expressed support for Ukraine's progress in gaining NATO membership.

ish
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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
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP)  With lowered flags and somber ceremonies, Alabama paused Tuesday to mark the 10th anniversary of a horrific tornado outbreak that killed more than 250 people statewide, caused billions in damage and reshaped entire communities.

Gov. Kay Ivey issued an order for flags statewide to be lowered to half-staff and proclaimed a Day of Remembrance for a horrible event that has impacted the state of Alabama forever. Unlike a decade ago, skies were mostly clear and breezes light for a series of events.

In Tuscaloosa, where more than 50 people were killed and entire neighborhoods were demolished, three new memorial plaques were dedicated during ceremonies to honor victims and recall the horrors of April 27, 2011. Kip Tyner, who represents a particularly hard-hit area on the City Council, recalled the sounds of destruction and the smell of natural gas from broken lines after the storm passed.

I've never seen such desperation in my entire life, Tyner said.

The University of Alabama tolled its 25-bell carillon, Denny Chimes, 53 times to honor each of the people who died in the city starting at 5:13 p.m., the time to twister hit.

Tornadoes plowed across the Eastern U.S. over four days, killing more than 320 people in six states and causing an estimated $12 billion in damage. Thousands were injured in hardest-hit Alabama, and thousands of homes, businesses, churches and other structures were destroyed. Cleanup costs exceeded $100 million in Tuscaloosa alone.

To help document the outbreak, the National Weather Service created an extensive online archive with details about the more than 60 twisters that hit Alabama.

The Jefferson County city of Fultondale held a ceremony to dedicate a new storm shelter. In tiny Hackleburg, which still lacks sufficient housing and retail businesses because an EF-5 twister wiped out most of the town businesses and many homes, killing 18 people, dozens of residents bowed in prayer while gathered on a road in an intersection in the shape of cross.

Story continues

I hope everyone can make it out and take a moment to remember the friends and family members we lost that tragic day, but also recognize the hope, strength and resilient attitude weve shown as a Town and Community to continue to come back stronger, Mayor Darryl Colburn said in a message on social media.

In the small town of Phil Campbell, where 27 were killed in the same tornado, the high school band planned an evening concert that will conclude with a special piece written to commemorate the anniversary. A community group in the tight-know Shoal Creek Valley, where a dozen were killed, sold commemorative T-shirts with the words: Strength is what we gain from the trials we survive.

To help document the 2011 outbreak, the National Weather Service created an extensive online archive with details about the more than 60 twisters that hit Alabama, which was hardest-hit among the states.

In northeast Alabama's DeKalb County, where nearly three dozen people died, a community service was held Saturday in Rainsville to remember the outbreak.
 Investment to support the global expansion of leading manufacturer of precision medical components and devices



UTRECHT, The Netherlands and FREIENSTEINAU, Germany, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Private Equity fund of Gilde Healthcare, a specialist healthcare investor, has acquired Acti-Med, a leading international developer and manufacturer of high-quality medical components and devices for the medical and pharmaceutical industries.

Founded in 1997, Germany-based Acti-Med focuses on tailor-made, highly-regulated, cannulas and cannula systems for pharmaceutical and medical applications, jointly developed with international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Headquartered in Freiensteinau (Germany) and with operations in Kozerki (Poland), Acti-Med has attracted clients from all around the world by combining the highest development and engineering capabilities, offering superior quality and operational flexibility. Recent expansions into promising adjacent end markets, supported by innovative best-in-class products highlight the companys ambitions for growth.

Gilde Healthcare will collaborate with Acti-Med to further strengthen and expand its product portfolio in both the Ready for Market and Ready for Clean room segments, as well as further expand its manufacturing and design capacity to serve its increasing demands from its Pharma and Medical Device customers.

Andreas Schwalb, Founder and CEO of Acti-Med added: Acti-Med has had a truly exciting journey over the last 24 years and I am proud to look back on how we have grown our company from scratch into a global leader in our field. I would like to thank everyone at Acti-Med for their invaluable contributions. Now is the right time in our development to bring significant new investment and competencies to support our growth. We are pleased to have attracted Gilde Healthcare, who bring deep sector knowledge and a constructive, collaborative mindset. I look forward to working with Gilde Healthcare for Acti-Meds successful future.

Rafael Natanek, Partner at Gilde Healthcare, added: We are pleased to complete this acquisition of Acti-Med, a highly regarded contract manufacturer of tailor-made cannula and cannula systems with promising growth opportunities. The company has, through its design-skills, high-quality manufacturing, and ability to adapt been able to achieve rapid growth with current and new customers. We are excited to be investing in the companies continued growth and look forward supporting the management as we consider additional options, such as strategic acquisitions.

The shareholders of Acti-Med have been advised by DZ BANK Corporate Finance as exclusive M&A advisor.

Media contacts:

LifeSci Advisors

Frank Schwarz  fschwarz@lifesciadvisors.com / +49 17 26 15 31 60

Gilde Healthcare

Rafael Natanek  natanek@gildehealthcare.com / +31 61 18 44 63 0

About Acti-Med

Acti-Med is one of the leading manufacturers in the field of medical technology. Headquartered in Freiensteinau, Germany Acti-Meds competence lies in the development and production of cannulas and cannula systems. Acti-Med develops, produces and sells high-quality medical components and devices for medical and pharmaceutical industries. Our customers are located throughout a wide range of industries, including oncology, pain therapy, the pharmaceutical industry and veterinary medicine. For more information, visit the companys website at www.acti-med.de.

About Gilde Healthcare

Gilde Healthcare is a specialized healthcare investor managing over 1.4 billion across two fund strategies: Private Equity and Venture & Growth. The Private Equity fund of Gilde Healthcare participates in profitable European lower mid-market healthcare companies with a prime focus on the Benelux and DACH region. The Private Equity fund targets healthcare providers, suppliers of medical products and service providers in the healthcare market. The Venture & Growth of Gilde Healthcare invests in medtech, healthtech and therapeutics in Europe and North America.

For more information, visit the companys website at www.gildehealthcare.com.
The centerpiece of the Muon g-2 experiment at Fermilab is a 50-foot-diameter superconducting magnetic storage ring, which sits in its detector hall amidst electronics racks, the muon beamline and other equipment. Credit: Fermilab

In 2001 at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York, a facility used for research in nuclear and high-energy physics, scientists experimenting with a subatomic particle called a muon encountered something unexpected.

To explain the fundamental physical forces at work in the universe and to predict the results of high-energy particle experiments like those conducted at Brookhaven, Fermilab in Illinois, and at CERN's Large Hadron Collider in Geneva, Switzerland, physicists rely on the decades-old theory called the Standard Model, which should explain the precise behavior of muons when they are fired through an intense magnetic field created in a superconducting magnetic storage ring. When the muon in the Brookhaven experiment reacted in a way that differed from their predictions, researchers realized they were on the brink of a discovery that could change science's understanding of how the universe works.

Earlier this month, after a decades-long effort that involved building more powerful sensors and improving researchers' capacity to process 120 terabytes of data (the equivalent of 16 million digital photographs every week), a team of scientists at Fermilab announced the first results of an experiment called Muon g-2 that suggests the Brookhaven find was no fluke and that science is on the brink of an unprecedented discovery.

UVA physics professor Dinko Pocanic has been involved in the Muon g-2 experiment for the better part of two decades, and UVA Today spoke with him to learn more about what it means.

Q. What are the findings of the Brookhaven and Fermilab Muon g-2 experiments, and why are they important?

A. So, in the Brookhaven experiment, they did several measurements with positive and negative muonsan unstable, more massive cousin of the electronunder different circumstances, and when they averaged their measurements, they quantified a magnetic anomaly that is characteristic of the muon more precisely than ever before. According to relativistic quantum mechanics, the strength of the muon's magnetic moment (a property it shares with a compass needle or a bar magnet) should be two in appropriate dimensionless units, the same as for an electron. The Standard Model states, however, that it's not two, it's a little bit bigger, and that difference is the magnetic anomaly. The anomaly reflects the coupling of the muon to pretty much all other particles that exist in nature. How is this possible?

The answer is that space itself is not empty; what we think of as a vacuum contains the possibility of the creation of elementary particles, given enough energy. In fact, these potential particles are impatient and are virtually excited, sparking in space for unimaginably short moments in time. And as fleeting as it is, this sparking is "sensed" by a muon, and it subtly affects the muon's properties. Thus, the muon magnetic anomaly provides a sensitive probe of the subatomic contents of the vacuum.

To the enormous frustration of all the practicing physicists of my generation and younger, the Standard Model has been maddeningly impervious to challenges. We know there are things that must exist outside of it because it cannot describe everything that we know about the universe and its evolution. For example, it does not explain the prevalence of matter over antimatter in the universe, and it doesn't say anything about dark matter or many other things, so we know it's incomplete. And we've tried very hard to understand what these things might be, but we haven't found anything concrete yet.

So, with this experiment, we're challenging the Standard Model with increasing levels of precision. If the Standard Model is correct, we should observe an effect that is completely consistent with the model because it includes all the possible particles that are thought to be present in nature, but if we see a different value for this magnetic anomaly, it signifies that there's actually something else. And that's what we're looking for: this something else.

This experiment tells us that we're on the verge of a discovery.

Q. What part have you been able to play in the experiment?

A. I became a member of this collaboration when we had just started planning for the follow-up to the Brookhaven experiment around 2005, just a couple of years after the Brookhaven experiment finished, and we were looking at the possibility of doing a more precise measurements at Brookhaven. Eventually that idea was abandoned, as it turned out that we could do a much better job at Fermilab, which had better beams, more intense muons and better conditions for experiment.

So, we proposed that around 2010, and it was approved and funded by U.S. and international funding agencies. An important part was funded by a National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation grant that was awarded to a consortium of four universities, and UVA was one of them. We were developing a portion of the instrumentation for the detection of positrons that emerge in decays of positive muons. We finished that work, and it was successful, so my group switched focus to the precise measurements of the magnetic field in the storage ring at Fermilab, a critical part of quantifying the muon magnetic anomaly. My UVA faculty colleague Stefan Baessler has also been working on this problem, and several UVA students and postdocs have been active on the project over the years.

Q. Fermilab has announced that these are just the first results of the experiment. What still needs to happen before we'll know what this discovery means?

A. It depends on how the results of our analysis of the yet-unanalyzed run segments turn out. The analysis of the first run took about three years. The run was completed in 2018, but I think now that we we've ironed out some of the issues in the analysis, it might go a bit faster. So, in about two years it would not be unreasonable to have the next result, which would be quite a bit more precise because it combines runs two and three. Then there will be another run, and we will probably finish taking data in another two years or so. The precise end of measurements is still somewhat uncertain, but I would say that about five years from now, maybe sooner, we should have a very clear picture.

Q. What kind of impact could these experiments have on our everyday lives?

A. One way is in pushing specific technologies to the extreme in solving different aspects of measurement to get the level of precision we need. The impact would likely come in fields like physics, industry and medicine. There will be technical spinoffs, or at least improvements in techniques, but which specific ones will come out of this, it's difficult to predict. Usually, we push companies to make products that we need that they wouldn't otherwise make, and then a new field opens up for them in terms of applications for those products, and that's what often happens. The World Wide Web was invented, for example, because researchers like us needed to be able to exchange information in an efficient way across great distances, around the world, really, and that's how we have, well, web browsers, Zoom, Amazon and all these types of things today.

The other way we benefit is by educating young scientistssome of whom will continue in the scientific and academic careers like myselfbut others will go on to different fields of endeavor in society. They will bring with them an expertise in very high-level techniques of measurement and analysis that aren't normally found in many fields.

And then, finally, another outcome is intellectual betterment. One outcome of this work will be to help us better understand the universe we live in.

Q. Could we see more discoveries like this in the near future?

A. Yes, there is a whole class of experiments besides this one that look at highly precise tests of the Standard Model in a number of ways. I'm always reminded of the old adage that if you lose your keys in the street late at night, you are first going to look for them under the street lamp, and that's what we're doing. So everywhere there's a streetlight, we're looking. This is one of those placesand there are several others, well, I would say dozens of others, if you also include searches that are going on for subatomic particles like axions, dark matter candidates, exotic processes like double beta decay, and those kinds of things. One of these days, new things will be found.

We know that the Standard Model is incomplete. It's not wrong, insofar as it goes, but there are things outside of it that does not incorporate, and we will find them.

Explore further How we found hints of new particles or forces of nature  and why it could change physics
New Jerseys attorney general is accusing Jackson Township of discriminating against Orthodox Jews, the second lawsuit the Ocean County municipality is facing in less than a year over the issue.

The complaint filed Tuesday accuses a number of public officials of selectively enforcing local rules, and creating new ones to discourage the Orthodox from living or worshiping in town.

Weve filed this lawsuit because bias and hate have no home in New Jersey, and we will not allow some vocal residents intolerance to drive local government decisions, state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said in a statement. Like all public servants, municipal officials have a duty to uphold the law, not weaponize it against specific groups because of what they believe or how they worship.

Terence Wall, Jacksons Business Administrator, said he was surprised to learn about the filing. The municipality had given state investigators thousands of documents a year ago but hadnt heard anything since, he said.

Before one level of government decides to sue another, we would think it would be in the best interests of the taxpayers for the parties to at least sit down and attempt to resolve any issues or review any facts which may be in dispute, he wrote in an email. Jackson Township is a community of over 60,000 residents, including members of nearly every faith and the Township will defend itself appropriately.

Township Council Vice President Martin Flemming and an attorney for the zoning board declined comment. Messages left with Mayor Michael Reina, the other four council members and the planning board were not immediately returned.

Tensions have been rising for years between the Jewish Orthodox community and other residents. Jackson borders Lakewood, home to tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews and one of the worlds largest yeshivas, a type of religious school.

The U.S. Department of Justice sued the township and planning board last May, over local ordinances investigators said were designed to keep out Orthodox Jews.

The states lawsuit, filed in Ocean County Superior Court, goes further.

Residents first pressured local officials about an extremist religious group seeking to take over our town and destroy our neighborhoods, according to the complaint.

In response, officials scoured code books for ways to selectively cite Orthodox Jews for a range of alleged offenses, even staking out homes to see if too many people were gathering to pray, the complaint alleged.

The home monitoring never uncovered significant violations and the Township did not conduct a similar surveillance campaign for suspected religious gatherings hosted by anyone other than Orthodox Jews, according to the lawsuit.

It also cited other recent incidents of bias, including a now-defunct Facebook page accused of anti-Semitism.

The complaint seeks to overturn the zoning ordinances and to have Jackson Township pay a fine.

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Is it sex discrimination to require only men to register for the draft?
All residents of disability care homes with complex needs, regardless of age, will receive Pfizer vaccines as the nations rollout strategy pivots away from AstraZeneca as the main COVID-19 vaccination of choice for many Australians.

Pfizer will also be used for whole-of-community Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs, the parliamentary COVID-19 committee heard on Tuesday night.

Disability care residents will get Pfizer vaccines, a parliamentary committee has heard. Credit:Bloomberg

Doctors groups would also like a reset to distribution, with the GP vaccine allocation labelled bizarre, the parliamentary committee heard.

Federal Department of Health associate secretary Caroline Edwards said on-site vaccinations in disability care homes began on Tuesday in the Northern Territory and the ACT.
GE Gas Power has announced the opening of the Samawa Power Plant in the Iraqi governorate of Al Muthanna.

For the first phase of the project, four GE 9E gas turbines have been installed and commissioned at the plant, thus helping the facility to generate up to 500 MW in simple cycle operations.

GE Gas Power had led the construction of the Samawa Power Plant, which is the first new utility scale power facility to be built in the governorate since 1975. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister of Iraq Mustafa Al Kadhimi.

At present, electricity is supplied from the plant through the 132 kilovolt (kV) grid to the city of Samawa, as well as surrounding areas.

According to GE, it had helped strengthen power infrastructure from the north to the south of Iraq. In the north, the technology giant's teams have helped power liberated areas with the rehabilitation of Mosuls Al Qayara Power Plant.

In central Iraq, the company is helping to equip, operate and maintain the countrys largest combined cycle power plant - the Besmaya Power Station - which is also central Iraqs first independent power plant (IPP).

Ahmed Al Abadi, the spokesperson of the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, said: "Our top priority is to deliver reliable power across Iraq. By setting up the Samawa power plant, GE played a significant role in providing much-needed electricity, helping to ease a part of the electricity shortages experienced in the province."

"Looking ahead, we know that Iraq still needs to add more power capacity. To that end, we are in process of commencing work on the second phase of the Samawa project, under which it will be converted to a combined cycle power plant and be able to generate up to a total of 750 MW," he stated.

Joseph Anis, President & CEO of GE Gas Power Europe, Middle East, and Africa, said: "At GE, we work resolutely to deliver results that improve the lives of the Iraqi people."

"Today, I am delighted to share that all four gas turbines at the Samawa plant have been commissioned and handed over to the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity," noted Anis.

"However, we realize that a lot more work still needs to be done to meet Iraqs growing energy needs and we are committed to help power the country forward with industry-leading technologies, global experts, talented local employees, and investments in community development efforts," he added.

According to him, GE has helped strengthen power infrastructure from the north to the south of Iraq. In the north, GEs teams have helped power liberated areas with the rehabilitation of Mosuls Al Qayara Power Plant.

In central Iraq, the company is helping to equip, operate and maintain the countrys largest combined cycle power plant - the Besmaya Power Station - which is also central Iraqs first independent power plant (IPP), he noted.

In the south, GEs Advanced Gas Path (AGP) upgrade solution is allowing the MOE to decrease the downtime of gas turbines, improve availability, enhance performance, and lower annual operations and maintenance costs at the Najibiya Power Plant.

Working closely with the Iraqi Ministries of Planning, Finance, and Electricity, GE has also collaborated with various private and public financial institutions from around the world to help secure over $2.4 billion in financing since 2015 for energy sector projects across the country, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Former NRL star Alex McKinnon and his wife, Teigan, have welcomed twin girls.

Teigan, 26, announced their daughters' arrival on Tuesday, revealing they'd been born the previous afternoon just six minutes apart.

They've called their little girls Audrey Jill and Violet John.

Double celebration: Ex-NRL star Alex McKinnon and his wife, Teigan, have welcomed twin girls

Teigan shared several photos to Instagram of the couple - who have been together since high school - cradling their newborns in hospital.

'Two little precious girls have entered the world and have stolen our hearts: 26/04/21. 3:13pm and 3:19pm,' she wrote.

'Audrey Jill McKinnon - 2.5kg and length 48cm. Violet John McKinnon - 2.4kg and length 47.5cm.'

Parents: Teigan, 26, announced their daughters' arrival on Tuesday, revealing they'd been born the previous afternoon just six minutes apart. Pictured: Alex McKinnon, formerly of the Newcastle Knights, cradling his baby girls in hospital

Growing family: They've called their little girls Audrey Jill and Violet John. The McKinnons are pictured at their twins' gender reveal party in November with their older daughter Harriet, two

The McKinnons had announced they were expecting twins in November last year.

Former Newcastle Knights star Alex, 29, who became a quadriplegic after a horror tackle seven years ago, posted a photo to Instagram of himself with Teigan and their daughter Harriet holding out balloons spelling out their big surprise: 'Twins.'

The couple later revealed they'd been left speechless when their GP broke the news to them following a scan.

'We're extremely grateful - with a million different emotions,' Alex said.

'I'm still trying to get my head around all that stuff like two baby seats, two cots, two high chairs it's amazing how the rollercoaster of life works.

'I'm an only child and so we always wanted a big family. I guess we've got our wish, that's for sure.'

Wonderful: Alex and Teigan had announced they were expecting twins in November last year

He and Teigan confirmed they were having girls days later, sharing a video on social media from their gender reveal party.

Alex had proposed to his high school sweetheart from his hospital bed just days after his promising NRL career was cut short in March 2014, when he suffered a devastating spinal cord injury during a round-three match against Melbourne Storm.

He suffered fractures to his C4 and C5 vertebrae after a dangerous tackle close to half-time and was left a quadriplegic.

Alex and Teigan tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in the NSW Hunter Valley in October 2017 and welcomed their first child, Harriet Anne, one day before their first wedding anniversary the following year.

Teigan previously spoke of the couple's dreams of becoming parents.

Injury: Alex had proposed to his high school sweetheart from his hospital bed just days after his promising NRL career was cut short in March 2014, when he suffered a devastating spinal cord injury during a round-three match against Melbourne Storm (pictured)

'One of the first things Alex wanted to know after the accident was whether we could have kids one day, because he didn't want to miss out on that,' Teigan said.

'So we went to see a fertility specialist and it seems there's a great chance, because he still creates sperm.'

Alex played 49 games for St George Illawarra and Newcastle before his career was abruptly cut short.

He has previously opened up about the long-carried 'hate' and 'frustration' over the on-field incident, but had moved on from the matter as he continued his physical rehabilitation.

Life-changing accident: He suffered fractures to his C4 and C5 vertebrae after a dangerous tackle close to half-time and was left a quadriplegic. Alex and Teigan went on to marry in 2017

He revealed in October last year he had forgiven Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith for his actions in the aftermath of the sickening tackle.

Smith came under heavy fire at the time for arguing with the referee as McKinnon lay motionless on the ground following the tackle by Jordan McLean, who was later suspended for seven games.

The Storm captain was heard saying: 'I don't want to see that happen to anyone in our game but, if he [Alex] doesn't duck his head that doesn't happen'.

'I have forgiven everything that happened straight after the tackle, his response  I have forgiven him. It's hard to hold on to hate. It really is. It's wasted energy. It's blinding,' Alex told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'At its worst, it can consume you and I'll admit it did for a while there. There is no positive to being like that and, for that reason, I have moved past it and I hold no hard feelings at all.'

'The hard thing was for my family, my dad, to let it go. But I told them it didn't do any of us any good at all to keep the hate. I talked with them about how it does not help anyone. And the family has been able to put it all to one side.'
Chennai, April 27 : DMK President M.K. Stalin on Tuesday faulted the Tamil Nadu government for failing to forcefully put forth its view about its need for the oxygen to be produced at Vedanta Ltd's plant in Tuticorin.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday permitted Vedanta to operate its oxygen plant at its copper smelter plant to produce 1,000 tons. It said that the oxygen produced at Sterlite Copper will be given to the Central government which would decide on its allotment.

Stalin said the state government failed to tell the apex court the demand of the opposition parties in the state, based on which a resolution was passed to allow production of oxygen at Sterlite Copper.

On Monday, an all-party meeting chaired by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami unanimously decided to allow operation of the Vedanta's oxygen plant temporarily for four months.

The parties also agreed that the oxygen produced at Sterlite Copper will first be used to meet Tamil Nadu's needs and the excess be sent to other states.

Stalin also said when the DMK comes back to power in the state, the Sterlite Copper plant will be sealed when the permitted period for oxygen production ends.

MDMK General Secretary Vaiko also said the Tamil Nadu government did not place its arguments with the Supreme Court properly.
New Mexico lifted the capacity restrictions on houses of worship in the state, allowing more Christians to come together to worship in churches.

In the "Public Health Order" released by Health Secretary Tracie C. Collins dated April 23, the state announced its permission to hold religious services in churches without capacity limitation but encouraged certain limits on indoor services according to a county's risk level.

Counties are categorized in four levels, including turquoise (low risk), green (medium risk), yellow (high risk) and red (very high risk).

The order "strongly encouraged" limiting church attendance to 75% for turquoise, 50% for green, 33% for yellow and 25% for red.

The order further advised citizens to take "preventive precautions," including staying at home and only taking "outings" that are "absolutely necessary," avoiding crowds and non-essential travels such as plane trips and cruise ships.

The office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham released a statement through its Press Secretary Nora Meyers-Sackett, captured by Las Cruces Sun News.

"This change was made in light of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that enjoin states from enforcing capacity limits on churches that are more restrictive than other entities like factories and schools. Nonetheless, houses of worship are strongly encouraged to protect their congregants and communities by enacting social distancing measures to bolster public health and minimize risk of viral spread of their own accord," Meyers-Sackett said.

In the Supreme Court's latest decision, the conservative justices lifted the restrictions on holding Bible studies and prayer meetings in homes, citing violation of the First Amendment's protection for religious freedom "whenever they treat any comparable secular activity more favorably than religious exercise".

The update was welcomed as "great news" by a minister, Albuquerque Journal wrote.

In his video posted the very day of the announcement, Calvary Church's Pastor Skip Heitzig invited congregants to attend services that weekend.

"We've been waiting a long time to hear this great news," he also said.

Calvary Church was fined $5,000 last December for its violation of the public health order after pictures during the Christmas Eve circulated. The images showed large crowd of church attendees and only a few wore masks. Another megachurch, the Legacy Church, was fined likewise for the same reason.

Legacy Church sued the state in April last year, accusing that its health orders violated religious freedom. But a federal judge sided with the state, saying that it had the right to limit mass gatherings during a public health crisis.

On the other hand, Rabbi Harry Rosenfield of Congregation Albert stated that the synagogue would continue to organize its services virtually until Bernalillo County moves to "green" or "turquoise" level, citing the rise of virus cases in the state.

As of April 27, New Mexico already has 196,844 positive cases and 4,027 fatalities.

In a press release dated April 26, it said that the state has recorded 177,866 cases of recoveries.

As of Friday, 57.5% of the state residents have already taken their first dose of vaccines while 40.4% have been fully vaccinated.

The order is valid until May 21.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has hosted consultations with the participation of Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhenii Yenin and his Cuban counterpart Anayansi Rodriguez Camejo, with both parties discussing topical issues of cooperation in the political and trade spheres, the ministry's press service has reported.

"Yevhenii Yenin noted Ukraine's interest in developing cooperation with Cuba in the aviation, engineering, energy, pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors. In this regard, the diplomats paid attention to steps to facilitate bilateral trade," the report reads.

The deputy foreign ministers also discussed the prospects for expanding the legal framework between the two countries, including the conclusion of an agreement on promotion and mutual protection of investments and a memorandum between the National Police of Ukraine and the Ministry of the Interior of Cuba in the fight against crime.

A separate topic of the consultations was cooperation between Ukraine and Cuba within international organizations.

Yenin informed the Cuban delegation about the security situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and the massing of Russian troops near Ukraine's borders.

In 2020, the trade between the two countries amounted to $5.83 million. Exports of goods from Ukraine to Cuba stood at $4.69 million and imports amounted to $1.14 million (the trade surplus for Ukraine was $3.54 million).

op
CROM Employee Experience drives Financial Performance. This award is a direct result of CROM's dedication to measuring and improving their Employee Experience.

The National Business Research Institute (NBRI) is pleased to welcome CROM to the NBRI Circle of Excellence. The NBRI Circle of Excellence Award recognizes organizations with high levels of Employee Experience (EX). 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 5 or more percentiles at the Total Company level. It is no small feat to move an entire Companys EX score 5 or more percentiles, or to reach Stretch (75th) or Best in Class (90th) Performance levels within six to twelve months!

CROM is benchmarked against their industry, defined as NAICS Code 238110 - Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors from within NBRI's Big Data of 10.5 billion responses. Benchmarked against millions of industry scores, CROM is performing at the 82nd percentile of their industry, achieving Stretch Performance! Best in Class organizations like CROM continually assess EX, and target for improvement the variables that drive EX, including job satisfaction, management style, culture, and fairness.

CROM demonstrates their dedication to their employees 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, CROM can have high levels of confidence in their targeted responses which have proven to be highly effective. NBRI commends the leadership of CROM for their commitment to the Continuous Improvement Process and recognizes their achievements with the Circle of Excellence Award.

"Employee Experience drives Financial Performance," says Dr. Jan G. West, Ph.D., CEO & Organizational Psychologist at NBRI. "This award is a direct result of CROM's dedication to measuring and improving their Employee Experience."

About CROM

CROM is a TEAM focused on safely designing, building, and restoring essential infrastructure while being committed to professional integrity. Our Culture of performance is built on a foundation of Core Values. Our team members choose to foster an environment of respect, consideration, and compassion to make good things happen for our CLIENTS and OUR TEAM.

At CROM, we believe that trust, experience and respect are the keys to making good things happen for you. With over 67 years of experience and impactful relationships worldwide, our focus is always on providing services and solutions that will add value to you. With the ever present need for water quality enhancements, there is no question that building and restoring infrastructure is at the forefront of the critical needs of our Nation. Our design, construction and infrastructure repair teams are equipped and trained to inspect, assess, and customize solutions and services for even the most complex structures and systems.

About NBRI

NBRI conducts psychological Employee, Customer, and Market Research for businesses, and uses this data to help organizations leverage these human factors 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. NBRI's 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.

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(CNN)  Google's Sundar Pichai and Microsoft's Satya Nadella are rushing aid to India as the country battles an onslaught of coronavirus cases.

The Indian-born CEOs pledged in statements Monday to help tackle a critical shortage of medical oxygen, provide technical expertise and deploy corporate resources as the country continues to set world records for daily infections.

"I am heartbroken by the current situation in India," Nadella wrote on Twitter.

"I'm grateful the US government is mobilizing to help. Microsoft will continue to use its voice, resources, and technology to aid relief efforts, and support the purchase of critical oxygen concentration devices," he added.

Nadella was joined hours later by Pichai, who said in a Twitter post that he was "devastated to see the worsening Covid crisis," and announced 1.35 billion rupees ($18 million) in aid from Google and its employees.

Google said in a blog post that it would provide a grant to UNICEF for urgent medical supplies, including oxygen and testing equipment. Give India, an online donation platform, will receive a grant for families hit by the crisis. The company is also contributing $15 million in free advertising for public health information campaigns.

Nadella and Pichai are two of India's most successful global executives. Nadella, who is originally from the southern city of Hyderabad, has worked at Microsoft since 1992 and became chief executive in 2014.

Pichai was born in Tamil Nadu. He famously didn't have a computer growing up until moving to the United States to study at Stanford University, and joined Google in 2004. Pichai was named CEO of the firm in 2015, and later assumed the mantle at parent company Alphabet in 2019.

The executives' commitments come as India's second wave, which began in mid-March, devastates communities and hospitals across the country. Everything is in short supply  intensive care unit beds, medicine, oxygen and ventilators. Bodies are piling up in morgues and crematoriums.

"Right now India is going through our most difficult moment in the pandemic thus far," Sanjay Gupta, Google's head of India, wrote in the company's blog post.

Gupta said that the company was working to improve how people found information about "where to get testing and vaccines" across the company's platforms, including its search engine, Google Maps and YouTube.

"We're asking ourselves what more we can do as a company to ensure people get the information and support they need to keep their families and communities healthy and safe," he added. "Our Google community and their families are feeling the devastating impact, too."

India reported 352,991 new cases of coronavirus on Monday, bringing the total to more than 17.3 million cases, according to a CNN tally of figures from the Indian Ministry of Health. It is the most cases recorded in a single day anywhere in the world.

The country's death toll also continues to reach new highs, with 2,812 deaths reported, marking the tenth day in a row of rising figures. The total number of deaths stands at more than 195,000.

 Jessie Yeung and Swati Gupta contributed to this report.

This story was first published on CNN.com Google and Microsoft's Indian-born CEOs pledge support to the country over coronavirus crisis
For a few years now, NASA has been working hand in hand with teams all over the world to further the development of the Artemis program. One team in specific, Texas-based ICON , is looking to 3D print some of the first settlements and structures to be found on the Moon.Honestly, NASA needs no introduction, but very few people have heard of ICON. To understand why NASA chose to work with this company to further space travel and occupation, understand that at this moment, ICON is selling 3D printed homes.Seriously, you read that just fine. To do this type of work, this team developed a 3D printer named the Vulcan. The Vulcan is simply a machine that can be adjusted to print up to a height of 8.5 feet (2.6 meters), width of 28 feet (8.5 meters), and length of 70 feet (21.3 meters). Oh, and itll print your home with a speed of around 7 inches (17.78 cm) per second. If this isnt the future, I dont know what is.With the announced Project Olympus meant to be building structures on the Moon, a few problems also arise. One of the main issues is that of building materials . What the hell is there to use on the Moon? Well, dust, and plenty of it.The Vulcan is currently using a material known as Lavacrete, which is basically a type of flowing concrete that hardens quickly to create a wall layer by layer. But imagine what it would be like to transport millions of pounds of concrete to be used for building. Thats a big no-no.So to figure out how to get to printing on the Moon , ICON and students from ten colleges across the U.S. have been hard at work figuring out how to print in space. Back in October 2020, ICON, partner MMPACT, and a group of students got together and built a prototype landing pad that is built exactly from materials found on the Moon. What!? Does that mean it's friggin official, we can now build on the Moon? Theoretically, yes. Practically, there are still a few hurdles to overcome. One of which is the necessity of water.This is the first milestone on the journey to making off-world construction a reality, which will allow humanity to stay - not just visit the stars, states Michael McDaniel, ICONs Head of Design, about the progress so far.A few weeks ago, on the other hand, the three groups reunited to create another 3D printed rocket pad, this time to test the construction under static fire from a rocket motor.The pad concept, called Lunar Plume Alleviation Device, focuses on solving problems caused when an engine exhaust meets a dusty lunar surface . To do that, the pad is set up in a two-layer design. The first layer acts as a landing pad for a rocket, while the second layer helps divert exhaust flow towards the structure's exterior while keeping the dust contained in a determined parameter.During the tests, the teams used instrumentation to measure temperatures, strains, and exhaust flow to determine if any changes or improvements can be made. The results are yet to be published.Honestly, I feel humans are now closer than ever to fulfilling their dream of colonizing other planets and moons. With a few more trials such as these, I feel that I might see a moon colony in my lifetime. Keep up the good work, young minds!
BRIDGEWATER, N.J., April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanofi has entered into an agreement with Moderna, under which Sanofi will help manufacture Modernas COVID-19 vaccine, supporting the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine supply needs.

Sanofi will leverage its established infrastructure and manufacturing expertise at its site in Ridgefield, NJ, to perform fill and finish of up to 200 million doses of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, starting in September 2021.

"Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been mobilizing on multiple fronts and we showed solidarity across the industry", said Paul Hudson, Chief Executive Officer, Sanofi. "We are one of the few pharmaceutical companies to leverage many industrial partnerships to improve global supply and access to COVID-19 vaccines, while in parallel, also continuing to develop our two COVID-19 vaccine programs. I would also like to acknowledge the contributions of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Biden administration, to facilitate this new partnership."

This marks Sanofi's third commitment to provide manufacturing support. Earlier this year, Sanofi announced the company will provide support to BioNTech for 125 million doses for the European Union. In February, Sanofi announced one of its manufacturing site in France would support Johnson & Johnson for the production of its COVID-19 vaccine at a rate of approximately 12 million doses per month. Sanofi is the only large manufacturer to support all three vaccine efforts.

Sanofi continues to be actively involved in discussions with governments and organizations to identify additional areas of pandemic response where the company can make a meaningful impact.

Sanofi continues to prioritize development of its two COVID-19 vaccine candidates

Sanofi is collaborating with GSK on a COVID-19 vaccine candidate using the same recombinant protein-based manufacturing technology as one of Sanofi's seasonal influenza vaccines, combined with GSK's established pandemic adjuvant platform.



On February 22, 2021 , Sanofi and GSK announced the beginning of a new Phase 2 study with an improved antigen formulation. Enrollment of total 720 participants was completed on March 8 and results are expected in Q2 2021. This vaccine is anticipated to be available in Q4 2021 pending Phase 3 outcomes and regulatory authorizations.



This effort is supported by the United States' Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response under contract W15QKN-16-9-1002.



On , Sanofi and GSK announced the beginning of a new Phase 2 study with an improved antigen formulation. Enrollment of total 720 participants was completed on and results are expected in Q2 2021. This vaccine is anticipated to be available in Q4 2021 pending Phase 3 outcomes and regulatory authorizations. This effort is supported by Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response under contract W15QKN-16-9-1002. In addition to the recombinant protein-based vaccine in collaboration with GSK, Sanofi is developing a messenger RNA vaccine in partnership with Translate Bio. In March 2021 , Sanofi and Translate Bio initiated a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of their mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidate, in order to assess safety, immune response and reactogenicity, after preclinical data showed high neutralizing antibody levels.

Find out more about our COVID-19 vaccine candidates.

About Sanofi

Sanofi is dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. We are a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. We prevent illness with vaccines, provide innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering. We stand by the few who suffer from rare diseases and the millions with long-term chronic conditions.

With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe.

Sanofi, Empowering Life

Media Relations Contacts Investor Relations Contacts Paris Ashleigh Koss Eva Schaefer-Jansen Tel: +1 (908) 205-2572 Arnaud Delepine [email protected]



Investor Relations Contacts North America Nicolas Kressmann Felix Lauscher Tel.: +1 (732) 532 53-18 Fara Berkowitz [email protected] Suzanne Greco





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Sanofi Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "plans" and similar expressions. Although Sanofi's management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors 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 Sanofi, 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 among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis, including post marketing, decisions by regulatory authorities, such as the FDA or the EMA, regarding whether and when to approve any drug, device or biological application that may be filed for any such product candidates as well as their decisions regarding labelling and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of such product candidates, the fact that product candidates if approved may not be commercially successful, the future approval and commercial success of therapeutic alternatives, Sanofi's ability to benefit from external growth opportunities, to complete related transactions and/or obtain regulatory clearances, risks associated with intellectual property and any related pending or future litigation and the ultimate outcome of such litigation, trends in exchange rates and prevailing interest rates, volatile economic and market conditions, cost containment initiatives and subsequent changes thereto, and the impact that COVID-19 will have on us, our customers, suppliers, vendors, and other business partners, and the financial condition of any one of them, as well as on our employees and on the global economy as a whole. Any material effect of COVID-19 on any of the foregoing could also adversely impact us. This situation is changing rapidly and additional impacts may arise of which we are not currently aware and may exacerbate other previously identified risks. The risks and uncertainties also include the uncertainties discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by Sanofi, including those listed under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in Sanofi's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020. Other than as required by applicable law, Sanofi does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements.

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Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has boasted that his plan for Muslim-majority countries to unite and force Western governments to criminalise insulting the Prophet Mohammed will work.

The 68-year-old leader said lobbying Western nations, the EU and UN to adopt blasphemy laws with a warning of a trade boycott if they do not do so will be 'effective' in achieving their goal.

He said leaders of Muslim-majority countries should call on the West to 'stop hurting the feelings' of Muslims across the world with their current freedom of speech laws, reports Pakistani newspaper Dawn.

Khan said insulting Islam's Prophet should be treated in the same way as questioning the Holocaust, which is a crime in some European countries.

Pakistan's prime minister Imran Khan has boasted that his plan for Muslim-majority countries to unite and force Western governments to criminalise insulting the Prophet Mohammed will work (file photo)

'My way is to take heads of all Muslim countries into confidence,' Khan said in an address on Monday.

'Together we should ask Europe, the European Union and United Nations to stop hurting the feelings of 1.25 billion Muslims like they do not do in [the] case of Jews.'

'I want the Muslim countries to devise a joint line of action over the blasphemy issue with a warning of trade boycott of countries where such incidents will happen,' Khan continued. 'This will be the most effective way to achieve the goal.'

Khan said Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has already discussed the plan with four foreign ministers from Muslim-majority countries.

Britain's former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind told MailOnline that trying to force Western countries to bring in such a ban would be 'foolish'.

'That is a pretty foolish decision. It is not countries that insult the Prophet Mohammed, it's individual citizens. However distasteful that might be, as in Pakistan it is the law of the United Kingdom or any other country to determine whether they are allowed to do that or not,' Sir Malcolm said.

Britain's former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind told MailOnline that trying to force Western countries to bring in such a ban would be 'foolish' (file photo)

He said it should be for the courts to decide whether insulting the Prophet breached the law.

'We already have laws about hate crimes, which apply regardless of a particular religion. I do not think there should be a separate law for one religion.'

Sir Malcolm added: 'The comparison with the Holocaust doesn't really carry weight. If the Holocaust happened elsewhere, something similar, the reaction should be exactly the same as the reaction has been to the Holocaust during the Second World War.'

The veteran Tory also suggested that Khan's approach was motivated by his own fading domestic popularity.

'I suspect, I don't obviously know, but I suspect this is being done more for domestic consumption within Pakistan, because it is a point of view that might command quite considerable support there from what we've seen in the past, and Imran Khan is not as popular today as he was when he first became PM.

'It is entirely likely that he is not terribly interested in the reaction in Britain or America or France or Germany  he's interested in the reaction in Pakistan.'

Khan's address on Monday comes after the Pakistani government opened negotiations last week with radical religious group Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) over anti-blasphemy protests against France.

The TLP had led violent nationwide anti-France protests demanding that Pakistan expel the French ambassador in retaliation for the publication in France of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.

The address came after the government opened negotiations last week with radical religious group Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) over anti-blasphemy protests against France. Pictured: Pakistani traders burn of French President Emmanuel Macron during the protests on April 19

The TLP had led violent nationwide anti-France protests demanding that Pakistan expel the French ambassador in retaliation for the publication in France of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed. Pictured: TLP protesters gather in Lahore, Pakistan on April 20

Khan said in his address yesterday that the banned group's approach to get the ambassador expelled by putting the government in a corner was not an effective solution to the blasphemy issue.

He had previously warned that Pakistan risked paying a price if it expelled the French envoy, as half the country's exports are sold to the European Union.

Last week on Monday, Khan had called on the countries to lobby Western nations in a televised address.

'We need to explain why this hurts us, when in the name of freedom of speech they insult the honour of the prophet,' Imran Khan said in a televised address on Monday.

'When 50 Muslim countries will unite and say this, and say that if something like this happens in any country, then we will launch a trade boycott on them and not buy their goods, that will have an effect.'

The address came on the same day that the government opened negotiations with TLP over the protests with left four police officers dead.

A day later, TLP called an end to the violent protests after the government called a parliamentary vote on whether to expel the French ambassador and said it would halt criminal cases against the group's members.

Khan had previously warned that Pakistan risked paying a price if it expelled the French envoy, as half the country's exports are sold to the European Union. Pictured: TLP supporters throw stones at security forces in Lahore on April 12 [File photo]

Pakistan arrested the leader of the group Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) on April 12 and banned the group two weeks ago after its members blocked main highways, railways and access routes to major cities, assaulting police and burning public property.

Four police officers were killed, 11 taken hostage and more than 800 wounded, many seriously, during week-long clashes.

The police officers were abducted during clashes outside TLP headquarters in the eastern city of Lahore, which according to the group also killed three of its members. The TLP later freed the 11 officers abducted during the protests.

Photographs of the police officers, with their heads, legs and arms heavily bandaged, were posted on social media by their captors.

'They've released the 11 policemen they had held hostage,' Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said in a video statement, adding that negotiations with the TLP were under way.

'There have been two rounds of the talks and there will be another later in the evening,' Religious Affairs Minister Noor-ul-Haq Qadri told parliament.

'We believe in negotiations and reconciliation to sort out issues.'

The government outlawed the TLP two weeks ago after it blocked main highways, railways and access routes to major cities, assaulting police and burning public property.

Four police officers were killed and more than 500 wounded in the fray.

The government outlawed the TLP after it blocked main highways, railways and access routes to major cities, assaulting police and burning public property. Four police officers were killed and more than 500 wounded in the fray. Pictured: TLP supporters in Lahore on April 12

Pictured: A water cannon is used to disperse TLP protesters in Lahore, Pakistan on April 12

The TLP has presented four main demands in the talks with the government, officials from both sides said. They included expulsion of the French ambassador, release of the TLP leader and around 1,400 arrested workers, lifting the ban on the group and the dismissal of the interior minister. Pictured: TLP supporters in Lahore on April 12

The violence erupted after the government detained TLP leader Saad Hussain Rizvi ahead of a planned countrywide anti-France campaign to pressure the Islamabad government to expel the French ambassador in response to the publication of cartoons in France last year depicting the Prophet Mohammed.

The TLP had presented four main demands in the talks with the government, officials from both sides said.

They included expulsion of the French ambassador, release of the TLP leader and around 1,400 arrested workers, lifting the ban on the group and the dismissal of the interior minister.

Khan said expelling the French ambassador would only cause damage to Pakistan, and diplomatic engagement between the Muslim world and the West was the only way to resolve disputes.

'When we send the French ambassador back and break relations with them it means we break relations with the European Union,' he said in Monday's televised address.

'Half our textile exports go to the EU, so half our textile exports would be gone.'

Pictured: Police patrol the streets of Karachi on Monday during a clash with supporters of the TLP

Pictured: TLP supporters clash with police in Karachi on Monday after a nationwide shutdown was announced to show solidarity with the banned religious group

Relations between Paris and Islamabad have worsened since the end of last year after President Emmanuel Macron defended freedom of speech while paying tribute to a French history teacher who was beheaded by an 18-year-old man of Chechen origin for showing cartoons of the Prophet during a lesson.

Protests erupted in several Muslim-majority countries over France's response to the killing of Samuel Paty. The Prophet cartoons were re-printed elsewhere as well.

At the time, Khan's government signed a deal promising to present a resolution in parliament by April 20 to seek approval for the expulsion of the French envoy and to endorse a boycott of French products.

Blasphemy is an extremely sensitive subject in Pakistan, where forms of the crime can carry a mandatory death sentence.

At least 78 people have been murdered in relation to blasphemy accusations since 1990, according to an Al Jazeera tally.
[April 27, 2021] Analytic Index Selects OneStone to Expand Managed Service Capabilities

SANDY, Utah, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Analytic Index, a leading provider of e-commerce data solutions for retailers and consumer goods manufacturers, today announced a strategic partnership with OneStone to enhance its managed service capabilities in correlation with its disruptive ecommerce analytics platform. OneStone, a full-service, multi-platform e-commerce management company that specializes in white glove e-commerce services for brand manufacturers, will work with Analytic Index to enhance the e-commerce experience for Analytic Index customers. The partnership with OneStone accelerates Analytic Index's strategic objective to provide an end-to-end software and services solution that helps brand manufacturers achieve superior e-commerce growth. OneStone is recognized as retailer agnostic and maintains a large presence on the Walmart.com e-commerce platform. The Rogers, Arkansas-based company offers e-commerce merchants and consumer packaged goods providers a broad range of strategic and tactical services designed to increase sales, expand profit margins, and build customer loyalty. According to Nathan Rigby, co-founder of Analytic Index, OneStone's multi-retailer approach fits perfectly with its plans to expand the platform to over a dozen digital retailers by the end of the year. "OneStone adds tremendous value to our organization, and will play a major role in our ability to serve our customers," said Rgby, co-founder of Analytic Index. "When we combine our disruptive analytics with OneStone's seasoned e-commerce experts to interpret data and make recommendations, our customers will clearly see they have the data and insights that can help quickly outperform their competition."



In addition to the managed services partnership, OneStone will also be utilizing the Analytic Index Software to help their customers get more transparency into shelf, search, and sales data from Amazon and Walmart's e-commerce sites. Armed with this data, OneStone will be equipped to make more meaningful changes to customer product listings and sponsored search programs to provide superior sales at lower costs. "The insights that Analytic Index delivers will be transformational for how manufacturers evaluate and navigate the health of their digital presence vs competition," said Bill Waitsman, CEO of OneStone. "We are delighted to partner with this innovative team of industry leaders, and look forward to jointly bringing solutions to market that will benefit the entire e-commerce ecosystem."

About OneStone OneStone is a team of ecommerce experts that manage manufacturers' multi-platform ecommerce business. By pairing with clients' ecommerce goals and providing action with supply chain, content creation and management, platform advertising, margin protection, & insights expertise. To learn more about OneStone, visit www.onlyonestone.com. About Analytic Index Analytic Index helps brand manufacturers who seek superior e-commerce growth by providing comprehensive digital retail coverage with actionable recommendations for Sales, Search, and Digital Shelf. Analytic Index provides a holistic and retailer-comparative solution across all major Digital Retail sites with Category, Competitor, and Keyword intelligence at an affordable price. To learn more about Analytic Index, visit www.analyticindex.com Press Contact: Tim Stocks, 8018229055, https://www.analyticindex.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/analytic-index-selects-onestone-to-expand-managed-service-capabilities-301277407.html SOURCE Analytic Index

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Two of Trumps former top aides have a new pet project: arguing that part of the Biden administrations COVID-19 relief bill is racist against white people.

A lawsuit filed in Texas by America First Legal, a new group formed by former Trump senior adviser Stephen Miller and former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, argues that aid earmarked for non-white farmers is discriminatory. The group is representing Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller in the suit, who is suing in his capacity as a private citizen and a farmer.

The complaint, filed Monday against Bidens Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, hinges on the claim that the Department of Agriculture is being discriminatory by interpreting socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to mean members of racial minorities such as African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, Asian-Americans, and Pacific Islanders.

The lawsuit cites a dizzying array of examplesfrom Martin Luther King Jr.s I Have A Dream speech, to Sid Millers allegedly 2% African-American ancestryto argue that the interpretation is patently unconstitutional.

Cheers Erupt as Dems $1.9 Trillion COVID Relief Bill Passes Final House Hurdle

The suit argues that targeting only non-white farmers for federal aid ignores the racial prejudice historically experienced by Irish, Italian, German, Jewish, and Eastern European peoples. These groups, the complaint says, should be included in the Department of Agricultures definition of socially disadvantaged.

It also claims that excluding farmers like Miller, who claims to have marginal African ancestry, from receiving aid relies on a blood-quantum cutoff that lacks legal foundation. The Department of Agriculture did not immediately return requests for comment on the lawsuit.

The lawsuits references to Martin Luther King Jr., as well as its description of modern America as a beautiful, complex, and increasingly interwoven fabric of racial backgrounds may raise some eyebrows, given that Miller pushed immigration policies in the Trump administration that were often accused of being racist.

Story continues

The Biden administrations initiative to help farmers from historically marginalized groups is part of the White Houses wider racial equity agenda as well as its $1.9 trillion COVID relief package.

The lawsuit refers to funds estimated to be as much as $5 billion set aside for farmers and ranchers who belong to these marginalized groups. That $5 billion is part of at least $10.4 billion earmarked for agricultural support and recovery in Bidens massive stimulus package passed in March, dubbed the American Rescue Plan.

Earlier this month, Stephen Miller told The Wall Street Journal that the idea for America First Legal came out of seeing litigation groups like the American Civil Liberties Union be extraordinarily effective at slowing down White House initiatives during the Trump administration.

Theres no counterpoint to that on our side, Miller said. The immediate aim of America First Legal, he said, is to challenge Biden administration initiatives that run contrary to the values of the Trump administration, though Miller said hes set his sights on taking on Big Tech and supporting police officers. This lawsuit is the first filed by America First Legal.

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Over the weekend in Portland, Oregon, Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler issued a series of right-wing measures and statements encouraging residents to report anyone who they suspect could be affiliated with Antifa to help the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) crack down on left-wing protests.

They want to burn, they want to bash, they want to intimidate, they want to assault, Wheeler stated on Friday, following his extension of the state of emergency order declared earlier last week before the guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. Together we can make a stand, Wheeler declared, and take our city back.

Federal agents pepper spray and beat a protester in Portland. (Image Credit: Screenshot from video by Zane Sparling)

The mayor encouraged city residents to share any information about rioters to the police, record acts of vandalism, take down license plate numbers and report groups of individuals who are all dressed in all black.

Our job is to unmask them, arrest them and prosecute them, Wheeler exclaimed. I want to personally thank neighbors, family and friends who have come forward with vital evidence. People know who these criminals are. In an attempt to provide this anti-democratic order with some semblance of a liberal facade, he tried to leverage the inter-organizational conflicts that emerged last summer when official Black Lives Matter activists denounced the tactics of anarchistic elements: If BLM leaders can show the courage to stand up to this mob, then we all should.

In the midst of a global pandemic that has reached record-breaking rates of infection and continues to kill over 700 people a day in the US, Wheeler also denounced protesters for preventing the full reopening of the citys economy: Our community needs to resume their lives. People need to go back to work. Employers need to be able to reopen.

The mayors recent comments seized upon scattered instances of minor property damage during limited protests over the past week. Demonstrations began on April 12, following the latest string of police killings, including Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, Adam Toledo in Chicago, Illinois and Ma'Khia Bryant in Columbus, Ohio. Popular outrage was further stoked by the Portland police murder of Robert Delgado on April 16. Delgado, who was white, appeared to be suffering a mental health crisis when he was killed by the police in a public park.

The protests continued until Friday at 9 p.m., when the Portland Police Bureau declared the protest of a mere 75 individuals to be a riot. None of the demonstrations involved more than 100 protesters. Two protesters were arrested on Tuesday, and two more were arrested Friday. The violence of the police was on full display. A police officer repeatedly punched one protester in the head during Tuesdays protest.

A small minority of protesters damaged property. Some spray paint was daubed on property between Tuesday and Friday. Property at the Portland Boys and Girls Club was damaged on Tuesday, and a fire was started at the Portland Police Association building. Windows were broken at a downtown Starbucks on Friday.

These isolated acts of petty crimes, emerging from a swell of anger and opposition against unending police violence and inequality, are being seized upon as a pretext to label all left-wing protesters as violent criminals and build up the repressive powers of the police. While starting with small groups of young anarchistic protesters, Wheeler is driven by deeper motivations to prepare the state for the repression of mass social unrest and renewed class struggle.

Wheeler viciously attacked the democratic right to publicly assemble in his statement, declaring, I support our police using all legal strategies, including kettling, when the appropriate circumstances and resources are available to do so without putting officers at risk of physical harm. This comes after The Oregon Justice Resource Center, the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Oregon and the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon all condemned the polices actions during protests last month as illegal, especially the use of kettling.

Extraordinary resources are being implemented to carry out Wheelers demand to unmask them, arrest them, and prosecute them [protesters]. This includes the use of the FBI and police to infiltrate anti-police violence protests. A plainclothes officer or FBI agent singled out 19-year-old Alma Raven-Guido to be arrested on April 13. There can be no doubt that provocateurs are being utilized by the police in an effort to discredit the protests.

Wheelers latest statements have been received favorably by right-wing media outlets like the New York Post, far-right figures in the Portland region, such as independent journalist Andy Ngo and Trump supporters. Wheelers comments are indistinguishable from Trumps tirades against radical left extremists in 2020, in which the former President sought to label the amorphous body of Antifa protesters a major organization of terror.

During the demonstrations last year in the aftermath of the police murder of George Floyd, Wheeler had tried to present himself as sympathetic to protesters. The mayor protested against the Trump administrations deployment of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Portland, which had thrown numerous protesters into unmarked vans. However, after the election and inauguration of President Joe Biden, DHS forces were deployed against protesters in early March without any objection.

The effort to suppress the growth of left-wing opposition, in whatever form it assumes, through the attack on democratic rights is the bipartisan policy of the ruling class. Wheelers latest law and order proclamation came after the enactment of Floridas anti-riot bill, which was signed into law by Republican governor Ron DeSantis on April 19. DeSantis described the bill as the strongest anti-rioting, pro-law enforcement piece of legislation in the country. The anti-democratic bill has been described by Kara Gross, legislative director at ACLU Florida, as so overbroad and vague...that it captures anybody who is peacefully protesting at a protest that turns violent through no fault of their own.
A group of Chattanooga-area bluebird enthusiasts has formed the Tri-State Bluebird Society, a new Chapter of the Tennessee Bluebird Society, to encourage bluebird conservation by educating the public, constructing and monitoring bluebird nest box systems and developing healthy habitats where bluebirds can thrive.



The Tri-State Bluebird Society will present How to Create a Bluebird Nest Box this Saturday at 2 p.m. as part of Reflection Ridings 2021 City Nature Challenge.

For more information, visit the Societys Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/142403114502463.



Lisa Lemza, a founding member of the Tri-State Bluebird Society said, "Everyone loves our beautiful native bluebird, but many may not know that they are under threat, although they have been making a comeback in recent years. Our mission is to increase nesting habitat for North American cavity nesting birds, with emphasis on bluebirds.

"On May 1 we are holding a public event at Reflection Riding where we will demonstrate how to install a bluebird box system, including the box, pole and predator guard. We encourage the public to join us and learn how to attract and protect bluebirds, along with other native, cavity-nesting birds: the lovely tree swallow, spunky chickadee and diva house wrens.

"We will meet at the Welcome Center/Bonfire Pit at 2 p.m. and then walk the short distance to the demonstration site.
The security agencies, led by the Ghana Police Service, last Sunday rounded up about 500 foreigners in a dawn swoop at various locations in the Bolgatanga municipality in the Upper East Region.



Preliminary investigations showed that 18 of the foreigners were Burkinabes, while the rest were Nigerians.



The two-hour swoop was led by personnel from the Upper East Regional Police Command, with support from the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).



The Public Affairs Officer of the Upper East Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr David Fianko-Okyere, who made this known to the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga last Sunday evening, said the foreigners were being taken through further levels of screening to ascertain the veracity of their claims to various nationalities.



Police investigations



ASP Fianko-Okyere further explained that during interrogation, some of the suspects had said they were working at some places they claimed as their offices or place of work, while those who were arrested in homes said those places were their permanent places of residence.



He indicated that the police would conduct further investigations to find out those who were residing in the country legally and illegally, saying those found to be illegal residents would be handed over to the GIS for possible repatriation to their respective countries.



Porous borders



The Public Affairs Officer observed that although Ghanas borders remained closed as part of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions, investigations showed that some people were likely to be using unapproved routes to get into the region, and for that matter the country.



He stressed that the approved routes were being manned effectively by the security agencies and so it was unlikely that people would use those routes to get into the country.



He advised residents of the region to do background checks on foreigners who wanted to rent their houses or apartments by liaising with the police.



Advice



ASP Fianko-Okyere advised residents of the region not to harbour criminals or people with suspicious backgrounds, as those residents would not be spared if found out.



He stressed that the Regional Police Command had begun an operation to weed out criminals and curb crime in the region and would carry out unannounced swoops as part of the operation.



Let me remind residents that our robust operational strategy is still in force and so you will continue to see snap checkpoints, 24-hour patrol by uniformed men and plainclothes intelligence-gathering personnel in the streets and everywhere in the Upper East Region," he stressed.



Curbing crime



Last week, the Regional Police Command began an exercise as part of efforts to curb the increasing rate of crime in the region, which was also getting violent.



The crimes include armed robbery at particularly mobile money vendors and the snatching of motorbikes at gunpoint.



Records at the command show that perpetrators of about 75 per cent of violent crimes, particularly robbery, used unregistered motorbikes to commit those crimes.



In last weeks operation, 107 unregistered motorbikes were impounded, out of which only nine owners have presented their genuine documents and their motorbikes subsequently released to them.



GIS caution on jail breakers



Also, the GIS has cautioned Ghanaians living in communities along the countrys land borders to be vigilant and careful about their interactions with foreigners, advising them not to help such people enter the country illegally, as they could be fugitives.



That follows news of a massive jail break in Nigeria where 1,800 people escaped a fortnight ago, a situation that has also seen the GIS trigger high-alert surveillance at the borders.



In a statement to alert and caution both GIS staff at the regional borders and border community members, the GIS said there was the possibility that some 1,800 convicts who escaped from the Owerri Custodial Centre in Nigeria might seek to cross into Ghana to avert recapture.



More than 1,800 prisoners are on the run from southeast Nigeria after they had escaped when heavily armed gunmen attacked their prison, using explosives and rocket-propelled grenades, the authorities said.









Source: graphiconline.com









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Space is big business once again, Mars rovers and putative moon landings aside, there is an enormous need for geostationary satellites. With increasing traffic there is also a need for new sites for spaceports that might offer reduced energy costs and simpler launching of new satellites. Writing in the International Journal of Aerospace System Science and Engineering, a team from the Obasanjo Space Center in Abuja, Nigeria, suggest that African spaceports offer a scientifically and economically viable option.

Rocket propellant is the main constituent of launch weight largely irrespective of payload. Indeed fuel accounts for 90 percent of the launch cost. As such, any measures that might be put in place to reduce fuel requirements can offer substantial savings. A launch site close to The Equator would offer several benefits in terms of reducing fuel costs. Obviously, a stationary object on the equator is moving at almost 1700 kilometers per hour relative to a "fixed" reference in space because of the rotation of the earth. If you launch from north or south of the equator, this boost is lower. Halfway to the pole and the speed boost is only 1200 km/h. Launch from the poles and the boost is negligible, it's also very cold, which is problematic for many other reasons.

Sesugh Nongo, Ngunan Ikpaya, and Ikpaya Ikpaya of the National Space Research and Development Agency explain that the global space launch services market is projected to reach more than 30 billion dollars by 2025 with a 15% compounding annual growth rate. The demand comes from governments, scientists, as well as commercial concerns looking to launch small satellites and "constellations." Africa has several spaceports that could be revived to meet this growing launch demand.

The team points out how spaceports, specialized ground-based facilities built to launch and receive launch vehicles, were largely the preserve of the major industrialized nations until the early 2000s . At that time many developing nations such as Nigeria, India, and South Africa saw the cosmic potential of launching satellites for security and economic development. With the advent of miniaturization in electronics and engineering, the cost of building the devices to be launched fell considerably, there does, however, remain a need to reduce launch costs. An equatorial spaceport could be part of the solution.

Explore further Russia launches UK telecom satellites into space

More information: Sesugh Nongo et al. Prospects of siting a spaceport in Africa, International Journal of Aerospace System Science and Engineering (2021). Sesugh Nongo et al. Prospects of siting a spaceport in Africa,(2021). DOI: 10.1504/IJASSE.2021.114151
Jims keen focus on compassionate care of survivors and their families was a cornerstone of the archdioceses response to this crisis. His hand can be seen in the structure of our Office for the Protection of Children and Youth and its healing and preventive activities, Cupich added.
A look at some of the major movers in London on Tuesday

AVEVA Group PLC ( ) shares dived 5.0% to 3,711p after its chief executive Craig Hayman signalled his intention to quit.

Hayman will return to the US for personal reasons after the companys annual general meeting in July following three years at the helm, with his employment formally ceasing at the end of his notice period on January 31, 2022.

The FTSE 100 firm said Peter Herweck, the current executive vice president of industrial automation at Schneider Electric, with which AVEVA merged in 2017, will be seconded on request of the board to the chief executive role effective from May 1.

PLC ( ) fell out of bed on Tuesday, shedding a third of its stock market value after a disappointing trading update.

The developer and manufacturer of rapid diagnostic tests said it was taking longer than expected to convert sales prospects to firm orders.

Given the level of uncertainty on the timing of orders for its AbC-19 test and subsequent delivery within the financial year, the board now anticipates fiscal 21 revenue will be in the range of 11.4mln to 17.0mln, with an adjusted underlying earnings (EBITDA) range going from a loss of 3.3mln to break-even.

12.40pm: Whitbread counts the cost of lockdowns

( ) was 4.1% lower at 3,270p after it posted an eye-watering 1bn full-year loss on the back of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The hotels anr restaurants group expects strong demand for 'staycations' in the UK, where 92% of its hotels are open and leisure customers will be allowed to check-in from May 17.

In Germany 18 of its operational 30 hotels are open, with six of the temporarily closed hotels being refurbished and rebranded to Premier Inn; however, Germany has recently tightened COVID-19 restrictions again, though the hotel operator said it is in a strong position to win market share when demand returns.

11.45am: Blackbird flying high as directors top up their stakes

( ) shares were flying high at 27.45p, up 7.7%, after its chief executive officer, Ian McDonough, bought a pile of shares.

McDonough bought 300,000 shares at 29.925p, and along with his wife, he now holds around 2.49% of Blackbirds issued ordinary share capital.

The cloud-based video editing platform also revealed that its chief financial officer, Stephen White, bought 27,194 shares at an average price of 25.685p, taking his holding up to 0.11%.

The announcement of the share purchases came a day after the company issued an upbeat trading update.

10.50am: Vast Resources tops the risers as it makes progress on level 19 at Baita Plai

( ), up 39% at 0.1075p, was the top riser in London after an encouraging update on its Baita Plai project.

The company said the decline project to Level 19 is progressing on schedule and the company has commenced mining fresh higher grade ore at the polymetallic mine in Romania.

Mining and concentrate production has and will continue uninterrupted during this development phase at Baita Plai, with underground production currently focused on Levels 17 & 18 in addition to the new mining area on Level 19, the company said.

9.55am: ValiRx's quarterly cash burn running at around 350,000

( ) hardened 5.4% to 21.62p in the wake of its full-year results announcement.

The clinical stage drug development company said its cash balance at the end of March stood at 1.5mln, versus a balance of 1.85mln at the end of 2020, implying a quarterly cash burn of 350,000.

The pre-reenue company saw its loss before tax narrow to 1.54mln in 2020 from a loss of 2.72mln in 2019.

9.05am: New leading light in the cast at Chamberlin

( ) saw its share price jump 12% to 9.275p after it announced changes at the top.

The specialist castings and engineering group said it has made good progress with its restructuring and as part of this process Kevin Price, currently the operations director of the groups foundry and machining facility, will take over chief executive officer (CEO) duties.

The current CEO, Kevin Nolan, will retain responsibility for key projects and client accounts.

( ) has been one of the more volatile stocks of 2021 and that does not look like changing anytime soon, with the shares up 7.6% this morning after another operations update.

The company told investors the findings of the analysis of sidewall cores, cuttings, mud gas and fluid samples from the Merlin-1 well are expected in the next two to ten weeks.

The oil producer detailed a series of results scheduled over the period including core photography and geological descriptions in two to three weeks, along with isotope analysis of mud gas in up to four weeks and similarly VAS for cuttings in up to four weeks.

Proactive news headlines

( ) said it has hugely increased the number of products it can potentially produce with a new printing technique for the textile market.

( ) reported that earnings more than doubled in its full-year as the company saw its revenues boosted by orders related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

PLC ( ) said its business performed relatively well in 2020 and it expects to see a big improvement in revenues this year.

( ) said the strong momentum it enjoyed last year has continued into 2021, with the company trading marginally ahead of expectations.

( ) has reported that revenues grew by a quarter during the year despite what it said was the toughest economy in recent memory.

Scotgold Resources Ltd ( ) has resolved the various outstanding technical issues that had been affecting the processing plant at the Cononish gold project in Scotland, saying the plant is now operating consistently and the current focus is on ramping up to full design capacity.

( ) has announced that the Petroteq Energy oil sands plant at Asphalt Ridge is now back online in Utah, after new equipment was installed.

( ) told investors the findings of the analysis of sidewall cores, cuttings, mud gas and fluid samples from the Merlin-1 well are expected in the next two to ten weeks.

( ) said it has begun a collaboration with the University of Manchester to explore the use of bacteria, including its own breakthrough lysate, SkinBiotix, in oral care.

( ) has begun the next phase of its exploration work at its Eclipse gold project, located 55km north-east of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.

( ) gave an encouraging update on its Baita Plai project, saying it has begun mining fresh higher grade ore at the polymetallic mine in Romania and that the decline to Level 19 is progressing on schedule.

IronRidge Resources Limited ( ) said it has raised 12mln in an oversubscribed fundraising that it said will primarily be used to fund the development of its lithium and gold projects in the African nations of Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire and Chad.

(NASDAQ:TLSA, ) said its chief executive Dr Kunwar Shailubhai and the chair of its scientific advisory committee, Dr Howard Weiner, will take part in what is described as a fireside chat at the Virtual Neuroscience Investor Conference at which they will provide updates on the company. The two will present on Wednesday (April 28) from 10.30 EDT.

( ) confirmed the admission of its shares to trading on AIM after moving from London's main market. Following the retirement of non-executive chairman Mark Connelly, direoctor James Kelly has taken up the role as of today.

( ) has announced that Mustang Energy PLC (LON:MUST) is acquiring an indirect interest of 11.05% in Enerox GmbH, a vanadium redox flow battery manufacturer providing grid scale and micro-grid energy storage solutions, in which Bushveld holds an indirect 25.25% stake.

Ltd ( ) has appointed Andrew Neale as general manager for the KSK copper project in Indonesia. Neale is a highly experienced metallurgist. He has worked on numerous copper and gold projects in Indonesia and globally with Freeport McMoran, Merdeka Copper Gold and Resources.

Ltd has hired Brendan Mueller as Head of Greater China to help develop its business in the region.

( ) announced the launch of a new corporate website (www.unionjackoil.com), which contains new features, including educational videos, a world oil and gas consumption meter and several other state-of-the-art aspects. "The board of Union Jack hopes that the new website will turn web searchers into visitors and those visitors into new shareholders."
Community News Editor / Librarian

Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989. She can be reached at jmaschino@berkshireeagle.com.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas has sought help from the US to make up for the shortage of Covid-19 vaccines in India as the nation fights a shocking second wave of infections.

The 38-year-old actor urged the US to share AstraZeneca jabs as it has ordered 550,000,000 more than needed.

She wrote on Twitter: My heart breaks. India is suffering from Covid-19 and the US has ordered 550,000,000 more vaccines than needed @POTUS @WHCOS @SecBlinken @JakeSullivan46. Thx for sharing AstraZeneca worldwide, but the situation in my country is critical. Will you urgently share vaccines with India?

On Sunday a White House spokeswoman said the US will immediately provide raw materials for antibodies, medical equipment and protective gear to help India respond to the surge in infections.

United States has identified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacture of Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval.

US has identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and PPE that will immediately be made available for India. US is also pursuing options to provide oxygen generation & related supplies on an urgent basis. an official statement issued by Mr Sullivan read.

The US Development Finance Corporation is funding a substantial expansion of manufacturing capability for BioE, the vaccine manufacturer in India, enabling BioE to ramp up to produce at least 1 billion doses of covid-19 vaccines by the end of 2022.

Additionally, the United States is deploying an expert team of public health advisors from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and USAID to work in close collaboration with the US Embassy, Indias health ministries, and Indias Epidemic Intelligence Service staff.

Meanwhile, Chopra Jonas has been using all her social media platforms to amplify information about hospital beds availability, oxygen tanks refilling, and other Covid-related requirements.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the top online programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 1,280 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Online RN To BSN Degree Programs.

Intelligent.com analyzed 136 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 66 making it to the final list for Online RN To BSN Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-rn-to-bsn-online-programs/

2021 Online RN To BSN Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Adventist University of Health Sciences

Allen College

American Public University

Anna Maria College

Arizona State University

Austin Peay State University

Bethel University

Bethel University, McKenzie

Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing

Boise State University

California University of Pennsylvania

Campbellsville University

Chamberlain University

Clarkson College

Colorado Christian University

Columbia College

Columbus State University

Concordia University, St. Paul

Delta State University

Drexel University

Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Mennonite University

Farmingdale State College

Fitchburg State University

Fort Hays State University

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University

Frostburg State University

Georgia Highlands College

Indiana University

King University

Liberty University

McNeese State University

Minot State University

Mississippi College

Mississippi University for Women

Nevada State College

New England Institute of Technology

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Old Dominion University

Penn State World Campus

Rivier University

Rutgers University

Sam Houston State University

Slippery Rock University

Southern New Hampshire University

Stanbridge University

State University of New York at Delhi

The College of St. Scholastica

The University of Akron

University of Arkansas

University of Central Missouri

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

University of Louisville

University of Massachusetts Amherst

University of Missouri

University of Nebraska Medical Center

University of North Alabama

University of North Carolina Wilmington

University of North Georgia

University of Saint Francis

University of South Carolina

University of South Florida

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Washburn University

Western Governors University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
"The Secretary-General...reiterates his call for all Somali stakeholders to refrain from further violence and resolve their differences through dialogue and compromise," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.

United Nations, April 27 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday voiced deep concern over the recent armed clashes in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, said his spokesman.

Guterres urged all Somali stakeholders to resume negotiations immediately and forge an agreement based on the September 17, 2020, electoral model and Baidoa technical committee proposals, said the statement.

The latest political crisis came on April 12 when the Somali lower house of parliament voted to extend the terms of the executive and the legislative arms of government, despite stiff opposition from the upper house leadership and opposition leaders.

Efforts to reach an agreement on how to carry out presidential and parliamentary elections, which were originally scheduled for February, have been stalled for months.

The opposition has refused to recognize Mohamed Farmajo as president since his four-year term expired on February 8 without planned elections taking place.

--IANS

int/rs
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 10:40:14|Editor: huaxia

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BRUSSELS, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Ursula von der Leyen, the first female president of the European Commission, said on Monday that she was denied a chair during a high-level meeting in Ankara, which underlined the urgency to continue the career to fight for gender equality.

On April 6, von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel met with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on EU-Turkey relations. There were only two chairs for the three of them, and she eventually had to sit on a nearby sofa.

Von der Leyen argued that there was no justification for being poorly treated just because she was a woman.

"I felt hurt, and I felt alone, as a woman, and as a European," von der Leyen said with a disappointed tone when addressing a plenary of the European Parliament. "This shows how far we still have to go before women are treated as equals."

She added the incident left her more resolute than before to continue fighting for equality.

Following the meeting in Ankara, von der Leyen reiterated her "deep concerns" about Turkey's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention which combats violence against women and children, prohibits psychological violence, sexual harassment and stalking.

However, Turkey has rejected the accusations that it snubbed von der Leyen because of her gender, insisting that the EU's protocol demands were met. Enditem
After Human Rights Watch formally accused Israel of committing the crime of apartheid against Palestinians, we look at the legal definitions of the hotly disputed term.

 South Africa 

Apartheid was a system of racial segregation enshrined in law in South Africa and what is now Namibia from 1948 onwards to institutionalise white supremacy.

With laws covering almost every aspect of life from work, marriage, education, housing and travel, it ensured the complete domination of the minority white populations over everyone else.

Its racial laws created a complex system of social classification based on skin colour, with whites at the top enjoying the highest status and privileges and blacks at the bottom.

One of the most hated aspects of the laws  which were not repealed until 1991  were the pass laws, which placed severe restrictions on the movement of black people.

 UN creates the crime 

The UN began labelling apartheid as a crime against humanity in 1966.

But it was not until 1973 that it formally declared it to be criminal with the Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid.

The convention, which came into operation three years later, was intended not just to deal with South Africa but with similar discrimination elsewhere.

However, it has never had its own court  though one was discussed in 1980  and leaves it to states to prosecute on the basis of universal law.

No country  not even South Africa  has ever been charged with the crime of apartheid under it.

 International Criminal Court 

In 2002 the International Criminal Court defined the crime of apartheid in its Rome Statue, which has since been furiously contested by Israel.

It says it is a crime against humanity committed in the context of an institutionalised regime of systematic oppression and domination by one racial group over any other committed with the intention of maintaining that regime.

It has yet to charge any individual or state with the crime.

 Myanmar accused 

Amnesty International accused Myanmar of apartheid in its treatment of its Rohingya minority in 2017.

It said the Rohingyas were kept segregated and cowed in a dehumanising system of apartheid trapped in a vicious system of state-sponsored, institutionalised discrimination.

The following year the UN called for Myanmars top generals to be prosecuted for genocide over the 2017 massacres of the Muslim minority.
MOSCOW -- Journalists and activists are under pressure in Moscow for being at a rally earlier this month demanding the immediate release of jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny.

Police on April 27 detained Aleksei Korostelyov, a reporter for Dozhd television, for questioning regarding his presence at the protest.

After Korostelyov's editors arrived at the police station with documents confirming that he was covering the April 21 rally as a reporter, police released him but ordered him to come back for questioning on April 30.

Meanwhile, police visited Oleg Ovcharenko, a correspondent for the Ekho Moskvy radio station, on April 27 and ordered him to produce documents for the police proving that he was at the rally in question as a reporter.

The day before, police detained professor Aleksandr Agadzhanyan from the Russian Humanitarian University for questioning and charged him with taking part in the unsanctioned April 21 demonstration.

They also detained for questioning opposition politician Leonid Gozman, and visited the homes of several activists, including human rights defender Anna Borzenko.

Writer Dmitry Bykov said he was summoned for questioning, and police reportedly switched off electricity at the apartment of artist Daniil Dvinsky after they were unable to reach him at home.

Thousands of people participated in the April 21 rallies in Moscow and other Russian cities organized by Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) to express concerns over his deteriorating health in prison.

The number of demonstrators arrested by police was estimated at almost 2,000 by OVD-Info group, which monitors the detention of political protesters and activists.

On April 23, Navalny stopped the three-week hunger strike that he had launched to demand proper medical treatment for acute pain in his back, legs, and arms. Doctors had urged Navalny to end the strike, fearing his life was at risk.

Navalny was arrested on January 17 upon his return to Russia from Germany, where he received life-saving treatment for a poisoning in Siberia in August 2020.

He has insisted that his poisoning with a Soviet-style chemical nerve agent was ordered directly by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin has denied any role in the incident

In February, a Moscow court ruled that, while in Germany, Navalny had violated the terms of parole from an old embezzlement case that is widely considered to have been politically motivated.

Navalny's 3 1/2-year suspended sentence from the case was converted to a prison term, though the court said he will serve 2 1/2 years in prison given time already served in detention.
Hagens Berman: Samsung Sued Over Widespread Defect Causing Shattered Camera Glass in Galaxy S20 Phones

Consumers today filed a class-action lawsuit against Samsung accusing the electronics giant of concealing a widespread defect that causes rear camera glass in Samsung (News - Alert) Galaxy S20 smartphones to shatter unexpectedly during normal use, according to attorneys at Hagens Berman.

If you own a Samsung Galaxy S20, find out more about the lawsuit and your rights. Affected products include: Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy S20+ 5G, Galaxy S20 5G, Galaxy S20 Ultra/LTE, Galaxy S20 FE and Galaxy S20 FE 5G.

The lawsuit was filed Apr. 27, 2021, in the U.S. District Court of the District of New Jersey, and accuses Samsung of fraud, breach of warranty and violations of several consumer-protection laws. The phones, sold with "professional" camera quality were made and sold with a defect affecting the back camera module's glass covering that "shatters - spontaneously, with no external force applied - and even when the phone is encased in a protective case," according to the lawsuit.

It took no more than four days after the Samsung Galaxy S20 went on sale for a purchaser to report the defect on Samsung's community website, and the complaint details many consumer reports.

Bang for Your Buck: Defect Leaves "Bullet Hole" Shattered Glass

The lawsuit states that the shattering is a known defect that has also plagued other previously released Samsung phone models. The shattering leaves behind a tell-tale "'bullet hole' pattern."

"Samsung sold its Galaxy S20 as a high-end option for consumers, with a 'professional' grade camera, charging upwards of $1,600 per device, only to have them suddenly lose a major aspect of their functionality," said Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Brman and attorney for consumers in the class action. "During a time of social-distancing and increased use of online access, consumers are especially in need of a reliable mobile device, yet Samsung has refused to deliver the reliability it promised its customers."







Consumers say that despite having paid a premium price for the Galaxy S20 and the significance of the defect, Samsung refuses to cover the issue under its warranty, forcing them to pay $400 to send the phone back to Samsung to investigate the issue, or $100 under purchased Samsung care device insurance to repair the shattered glass. Often consumers do so only to have the defect reoccur, leaving them doubly harmed. Other consumers report having paid hundreds of dollars out of pocket at third party repair providers.

Samsung's revenue in 2020, when it released the Galaxy S20, was more than $200 billion dollars. In the first quarter of 2020, Samsung captured 20 percent of the global smartphone market share.

What Samsung Knows About the Galaxy S20 Glass Defect

Following hundreds of online reports of the spontaneous shattered, cracked and broken rear camera glass in the Galaxy S20, Samsung acknowledged the defect and admitted consumers were not at fault.

In a Samsung consumer forum, a Samsung Care Ambassador stated: "This happened to one of our ambassadors. After many complaints about the issue, we found out that it has to do with pressure buildup underneath the glass and not customers banging it against something."

After this post by Samsung acknowledging the issue was rooted in a single identifiable cause, and attributable to Samsung, Samsung still failed to initiate a recall, and continues to deny customer warranty claims. Samsung also continues to offer no meaningful solution to the issue, according to attorneys.

Consumer Reports: The Samsung S20 Camera Glass Defect

The lawsuit details many consumers complaints regarding the shattered glass defect:

"I set it down on a wood table and picked back up and the something happened. I called Samsung and the wanted me to send my phone in and they would fix it but that would take up to 2 weeks. I bought the protection plan on it but they are giving me the runaround and still haven't done anything"

"Out of nowhere I looked at my camera and the glass is cracked. In the case at that. I didn't even drop it."

"With in less than a week my glass on the camera has broke. Phone (News - Alert) has always been in a case and not dropped There is absolutely no reason this should of happened. The camera is the reason I decided on the S20 plus. This will be my last S phone"

Consumers seek repayment for the repairs and other damages they suffered due to Samsung's widespread design defect and warranty breaches. The suit also seeks compensation for affected consumers regarding a loss of value in the product.

Find out more about the class-action lawsuit against Samsung for cracked camera glass in its Galaxy S20 models.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is a consumer-rights class-action law firm with 10 offices worldwide. The firm's tenacious drive for plaintiffs' rights has earned it numerous national accolades, awards and titles of "Most Feared Plaintiff's Firm," MVPs and Trailblazers of class-action law. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427006071/en/
DENVER, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reunion Rehabilitation Hospitals, a new state-of-the-art system of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, announced today the grand opening of its first Denver location, which cares for people with debilitating illnesses and injuries such as stroke and brain injury, as well as other complex neurological and orthopedic conditions.



At Reunion Rehabilitation Hospital Denver, our interdisciplinary team of physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and specialized rehabilitation nurses, as well as our hospital support team, have planned and prepared for this hospital opening for months, said Anis Sabeti, Chief Operation Officer of Nobis Rehabilitation Partners, the management company for all Reunion Rehabilitation Hospitals. With access to advanced technologies and innovative therapies, such as virtual reality simulation and computerized technologies, our treatment teams are committed to creating a stellar patient experience by offering best-in-class, individualized care.

Reunion Rehabilitation Hospital Denver has 40 private inpatient bedrooms in addition to amenities such as two large hi-tech therapy gyms, an outdoor courtyard for relaxation and therapy activities, and spacious common areas for family and friend visitation. This mindful and unique design emblemizes Reunion Rehabilitation Hospitals dedication to upholding a high standard of personalized care for all patients.

At Reunion Rehabilitation Hospital Denver, we understand that each patients rehabilitation journey is unique to their condition, said Sabeti. Every patient at our hospital will receive comprehensive care and support specific to their needs so they can make a smooth transition from rehabilitation to the everyday life they love. We are honored to be part of the Central Park Boulevard community and we look forward to serving those in need of medical rehabilitation.

With a goal to implement industry-leading programs and activate top caregivers in the area, Reunion Rehabilitation Hospital Denver is a results-driven hospital dedicated to creating lasting outcomes for its patients so they can return to their communities with confidence. To learn more about Reunion Rehabilitation Hospital Denver, please visit reunionrehabhospital.com/denver.

About Reunion Rehabilitation Hospitals

Reunion Rehabilitation Hospitals is a group of hospitals developed by Reunion IRF, a partnership between America Development & Investments, Brandon Holdings, and Nobis Hospital Investments, LLC to develop and operate inpatient rehabilitation facilities in select markets across the United States. Reunion Hospital Denver marks the second opening of Reunion Rehabilitation Hospitals. Visit reunionrehabilitationhospital.com to see all of our locations and find us on LinkedIn or Facebook.

About Nobis Rehabilitation Partners

Nobis Rehabilitation Partners brings together hospitals, developers, and investment partners to develop, operate, and manage inpatient rehabilitation facilities. The patients at Nobis-managed hospitals will receive the best care by the finest caregivers in the most uniquely designed and efficient hospital. For more information, visit nobisrehabpartners.com, find us on LinkedIn, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

About America Development & Investments

ADI was founded in 2001 with a primary focus on healthcare real estate development. Nationally, the ADI team has developed approximately 2 million square feet of real estate across a range of commercial product types including, medical office, mixed-use office and residential, assisted living facilities, athletic clubs, and specialty medical including hospitals. The ADI team has completed more than 80 projects at a value of over $2 Billion. The Company manages all development activities from market analysis to site selection and entitlements, design team coordination, construction management, development, financing, and disposition of properties. For more information, visit www.americadevelopment.com.

Contact:

Katie Eng, katie@reunionrehabhospital.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ace9aa01-2843-4549-bc05-b0fcd6da65fe
Human Rights Watch said Tuesday that Israel is committing the crime of apartheid by seeking to maintain Jewish domination over Palestinians and its own Arab population, an explosive allegation Israel firmly rejected.

Currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, Israel blasted HRWs accusations as preposterous and false, accusing the New York-based group of having a long-standing anti-Israeli agenda.

Palestinian Authority prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh welcomed the remarkable HRW report and said he hoped it might lead the international community to bear its responsibilities and hold Israel accountable for its crimes.

The 213-page report finds that the Israeli government is the single authority with primary control over the area between the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea.

That area includes the occupied West Bank, the blockaded Gaza Strip, annexed east Jerusalem as well as all the territory within Israels 1948 borders.

Within that territory, there is an overarching Israeli government policy to maintain the domination by Jewish Israelis over Palestinians, HRW said.

The rights group pointed to Israeli policies targeting Palestinians that include movement restrictions, land confiscation, forcible population transfer, denial of residency rights and suspension of civil rights.

 Threshold crossed 

Human Rights Watch said that while apartheid was initially coined with respect to institutional persecution of black people in South Africa, it is now a universally recognised legal term.

An apartheid system is defined by inhuman acts committed for the purpose of establishing and maintaining domination by one racial group of persons over any other racial group of persons and systematically oppressing them, according to the Apartheid Convention.

Omar Shakir, HRWs Israel and Palestine director, told AFP there have been warnings for years that apartheid is around the corner.

I think its quite clear that that threshold has been crossed, Shakir said from Jordan.

A US citizen, Shakir was the first foreign national deported by Israel for allegedly supporting an international boycott against Israel, an accusation he denied.

 Propaganda pamphlet 

Israels foreign ministry told AFP the HRW report amounted to a propaganda pamphlet from an organisation that has been actively seeking for years to promote boycotts against Israel.

Israel maintains it is a democracy where the 20 percent Arab minority enjoys full rights, including voting, but Arab citizens complain of systemic discrimination.

The HRW report argues that inequities faced by Arabs inside Israel reflect state policy that privileges Jewish Israelis at the expense of Palestinians in all areas under Israeli control.

Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza and annexed east Jerusalem following the 1967 Six Day War. It withdrew from Gaza in 2005 but severely restricts the flow of goods and people from the enclave.

Israeli governments have said they could withdraw from parts of the West Bank depending on the terms of a peace deal with the Palestinians.

But nearly half a million Jewish Israelis live in settlements on West Bank land Palestinians hope will be part of their future state.

Settlement expansion has accelerated over the past decade, while the peace process has stalled.

HRW called on nations to stop viewing the occupation as temporary, and foster accountability by reconsidering their Israel ties, including military cooperation.

The group also called on the Palestinian Authority to cease some forms of security coordination with Israel to avoid facilitating apartheid.

The PA did not comment on the call to withdraw cooperation.

 Sanctions call 

The report comes as Israel faces an investigation by the International Criminal Court, primarily expected to focus on alleged war crimes committed during the 2014 war against Hamas Islamists in Gaza. Israel has said it will not cooperate with the investigation.

Hamas  considered a terrorist group by most Western states  is also being probed by the ICC.

HRW said the ICC should conduct additional investigations into those credibly implicated in committing the crimes of apartheid and persecution.

It called on nations to impose individual sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on officials responsible for committing these crimes.

While HRW is the first major international organisation to level the controversial apartheid charge against Israel, Palestinian rights groups have used the term for years.

Earlier this year, Israeli civil society group BTselem made a similar accusation; the latter said Tuesday it welcomed the HRW report, calling it essential reading.
The Republican governor and her aides have rejected any suggestion that her supporters received favoritism and say they are proud of their work making testing available to the private sector to keep factories and workplaces open. She said in January that roughly 60 companies requested testing assistance and that all were accommodated, although the records show the majority werent sent strike teams.
OXFORD, England, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Enesi Pharma ("Enesi"), an innovative biotechnology company developing next-generation vaccination products targeting infectious diseases and emergent threat pathogens enabled by its ImplaVax technologies, announces that its CEO, David Hipkiss will give a presentation at the upcoming World Vaccine Congress 2021 Virtual meeting (WVC 2021, 4-6 May 2021), which this year is free to attend.

The presentation, entitled "Logistics, last-mile, and innovations to ensure successful deployment of next-generation COVID-19 vaccines," will also look at the development and application of Enesi's needle-free, unit solid-dose, thermally stable ImplaVax platform and how it is enabling a number of vaccines of potential global significance. The presentation will take place at 14:30 EST on Thursday 6 May.

In addition, Enesi expects to announce key progress at WVC 2021 from several important collaborations it has underway with leading international partners across multiple diseases. This progress provides further validation to support the potential of Enesi's ImplaVax technology as an effective route of vaccination.

The World Vaccine Congress is the leading forum for the presentation and discussion of cutting-edge research and technology, and how these efforts can be integrated with pharma, biotech, academia and government to bring and produce better vaccines to the market in a sustainable, added-value fashion, while maximising impact, reach and equitable access worldwide.

About Enesi Pharma

Enesi Pharma is developing next-generation vaccination products targeting infectious diseases and emergent threat pathogens enabled by its ImplaVax technologies. These diseases affect millions of people around the world. We work in partnership with global companies, government agencies, leading academic institutions and non-governmental organisations with the goal of making a material and lasting positive impact on global health.

Our award-winning ImplaVax-enabled vaccination products leverage our innovative unit solid-dose formulation and needle-free delivery technologies and are applicable across all vaccine formats. ImplaVax products are designed to enhance the immune response and offer significant benefits for patients, care givers, healthcare professionals and payers through enhanced effectiveness, safety, ease of use, reliability and stability, and a strong subject preference over administration using needle and syringe. They can be administered with minimal training and are also rapidly deployable while eliminating the need for cold-chain storage.

Our pipeline targets a range of common and emerging infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases and allergies, and has been established through collaborations with world-class organisations, including BARDA DRIVe*, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Innovate UK, the University of Oxford, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Sementis and the University of Adelaide.

We are also advancing a number of collaborations with leading organisations in animal health, including The Pirbright Institute and the UK's Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which have generated positive results demonstrating the potential of our ImplaVax formulation and needle-free delivery technologies.

Enesi's experienced leadership team has a proven track record in the successful development and commercialisation of innovative products delivering high value outcomes for all stakeholders and is supported by a world-renowned Scientific Advisory Board.

*This project has been funded in whole or in part with US Federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, DRIVe, under Contract No. 75A50119C00032.

CONTACTS

Enesi Pharma

David Hipkiss, CEO

Tel: +44 (0) 7968 707072

Email: david.hipkiss@enesipharma.com

Citigate Dewe Rogerson (for Enesi Pharma)

Mark Swallow, Nathaniel Dahan

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7638 9571

Email: enesipharma@citigatedewerogerson.com

For more information visit and or follow us at:

Web www.enesipharma.com | LinkedIn @EnesiPharma | Twitter @Enesi_Pharma
The Indian government has ordered Twitter to block dozens of tweets criticizing its handling of the pandemic amidst a recent surge in cases that have set a grim world record.

Reuters reported that a Twitter representative confirmed that the social media company had removed several tweets  including some by local lawmakers - in response to a legal request from the Indian government.

In a post on Harvard Universitys Lumen database, Twitter revealed that the censorship was the result of an emergency government order. India's Information Technology has not thus far provided any comment on the claims.

The request mentioned by Lumen was made on 23rd April. Indias government reportedly invoked the Information Technology Act of 2000 to demand 21 tweets be taken down, including messages from lawmaker Reynath Reddy, West Bengal minister Moloy Ghatak, and filmmaker Avinash Das.

Indias government has previously used the IT Act to prevent the spread of information online in the interests of protecting the sovereignty and integrity of India as well as ensuring public order. One example occurred in June 2020, when the Act was invoked to ban a number of Chinese apps on the grounds that they threatened the "security of state and public order".

Twitter has not always complied with such requests. In February this year it notably refused to take down over 1,100 accounts that the government claimed were spreading misinformation over high profile protests by Indian farmers against new agriculture legislation. However, Reuters quoted an IT ministry source as saying that the majority of the accounts were eventually blocked.

In a statement regarding the recent request, Twitter said: When we receive a valid legal request, we review it under both the Twitter Rules and local law. If the content violates Twitter's rules, the content will be removed from the service. If it is determined to be illegal in a particular jurisdiction, but not in violation of the Twitter Rules, we may withhold access to the content in India only.

The social media firm added that the relevant account holders had been informed that their messages would be blocked as a result of a legal order. According to technology news site TechCrunch, other social media platforms received similar orders from Indias government.

A devastating second wave of Covid-19 infections has resulted in a terrible death toll in India, with New Delhi a particular hotspot as its health system struggles to deal with the vast number of cases. The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi  as well as state governments  have come under fire for their perceived complacency and inadequate preparation for the disaster.

Across the winter, India appeared to have cases under control, with a relatively low average of around 10,000 daily. However, this resulted in authorities relaxing restrictions and allowing mass gatherings such as religious festivals and political rallies. Indias health minister has stated that such large-scale activities have played a major part in bringing about the current second wave.
A New York City corrections captain has been charged with negligent homicide, accused of having waited 15 minutes before she issued orders that could have prevented the death of an inmate who killed himself.

The inmate, Ryan Wilson, died in his cell Nov. 22 at the Manhattan Detention Complex.

He was upset after Department of Correction Capt. Rebecca Hillman ordered him to be moved to another housing unit following an argument with an inmate, according to a news release from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

Court documents and statements allege that while the move was pending, Wilson threatened to take his own life if Hillman did not let him out of his cell, the release said.

Image: Manhattan Detention Complex (Lev Radin / Sipa USA via AP file)

An officer, who was not identified, tried to calm Wilson and asked that Hillman immediately come to the housing unit.

"Instead, Hillman went into the control room, where she began filling out paperwork," the news release said.

After about 10 minutes, Wilson began a countdown and then killed himself. The officer asked for Wilson's cell door to be opened so he could help, but prosecutors alleged that Hillman said that Wilson was "fine" and that he "was playing."

"Then, Hillman signaled to the officer in the control room to open the cell. When the door opened one minute later, Hillman ordered the officer not to enter and said that Mr. Wilson was faking it because he was still breathing," the news release said.

Hillman eventually called for nonemergency backup and ordered the cell to be closed. She "then left the area to go on her usual rounds," prosecutors alleged.

It was not until 15 minutes had passed that Hillman ordered the cell door to be opened again and called for a medical team, prosecutors said.

Wilson had a faint pulse, according to the district attorney's office , but by the time medics arrived minutes later, he was dead.

An attorney for Wilson's family did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Story continues

Hillman, 38, was charged Monday in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with criminally negligent homicide and making false statements in a written account of what happened. The Supreme Court is New York's main trial court.

Prosecutors alleged that Hillman falsely said in her written account that Wilson had asked to be moved and that she had "immediately" ordered officers to help him.

Hillman pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Monday. Her attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, did not immediately respond to a phone call and an email seeking comment.

Montgomery told The Associated Press that Hillman is a "hardworking mother and employee who did her best in a very difficult job that is defined by trauma and tragedy" and that they "look forward to defending the serious charges against her."

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
ANN ARBOR, MI -- Nahal and Sasha Meshinchi fled Iran because of religious persecution and hope people everywhere in the world can start to accept their Bahai faith.

The Meshinchis, who now live in the Ann Arbor area, both grew up in Iran but crossed paths and wed soon after moving to Michigan. The two grew up as Bahais, a religious minority in Iran that authorities deem as infidels to society. Throughout their childhood, they witnessed torture, confiscations of family assets, harassment and restrictions on their education, all because of their religious affiliation, according to the Meshinchis.

Nahal studied at the Bahai Institute for Higher Education, which was known as an underground university for Bahais who were denied access to other schools.

We knew that there is no higher education for us, because there is a memo written that says if any person in university was identified as Bahai, they need to be expelled, they are not supposed to say in any university, meaning public or private, anytime, Nahal said.

The faith is historically connected to Islam, adherents say, and there are similarities in the sense that God is the creator of all and Baha'ullah was the latest messenger, who taught the oneness of God, human family and religion, according to the Bahai Center of Washtenaw County.

Iran recognizes Islam as the main religion, along with Christianity and Judaism as minorities, but Bahais have faced harassment, discrimination, job losses or denials, arrests, violence and more, according to the United States Institute for Peace. The faith initially developed in Iran, but anyone can accept it and it has since spread in the Western world.

Fleeing religious persecution

Nahal entered the country through Seattle to pursue an education before moving to Ann Arbor in 2004, when she attended the University of Michigan. Her husband Sasha went to Austria as a refugee before arriving in Michigan in 1997 through a visa sponsorship, and eventually pursued degrees at Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University.

While they feel comfortable and welcome among the Bahai community in Washtenaw County, the Meshinchis reflect on old, often dark moments from back home.

I dont think there is any Bahai in Iran that did not suffer at all, like the terror that you had all the time, that you might be arrested, your property might be confiscated, your job will be taken, you will be in prison, Nahal said. It was always presented in every second of your life. So thats something that is experienced with any Bahai in Iran, nobody is exempt.

Sasha and his family were financially secure and living well before the 1979 revolution. But afterward, everything took a turn.

His parents were let go of their jobs and their belongings were confiscated, he said. His grandparents lost their farmland and multiple properties they owned. His father worked 28 years at a bank and was told to return the money he made because that money belongs to Muslims, Sasha said. But he didnt have anything left to give, and he was arrested and told he could only be let out of prison if he denied his faith and converted to Islam.

We lost everything, Sasha said.

He and his fellow Bahais were also harassed in school. There were moments when teachers would call the few Bahais infidels in front of the class after they chose not to participate in an obligatory prayer.

He was nine years old at the time.

After finishing high school, that was the end for us, as the supreme leader said that no Bahais can pursue higher education  they ignored or denied our application for universities. I didnt have any other choice. The only choice I had was, ironically, to go and serve in the military service in Iran.

Despite serving for 27 months, Sasha still couldnt land a higher-paid job. Instead, he was given a passport that allowed him to leave the country. Its when he began his journey to America.

A look into the Bahai faith

Bahais gather through spiritual assemblies, each with an elected body of nine members to govern the affairs of their local community. Washtenaw Countys spiritual assemblies are in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti Township and Pittsfield Township.

Any Bahai 21 years old and older can join a spiritual assembly or vote to elect the body, said Paul Harrison, member of the Ann Arbor locality.

Theres no ... electioneering. Theres no primaries. Theres no endorsement or encouragement of any kind to to elect people, Harrison said. We have to be aware of the people in our community who have shown themselves to have the qualities that would be helpful or necessary to be in a leadership position, and they are elected every year.

Jose Uribe, a member of the Ann Arbor assembly, said the faith doesnt have a clergy or religious professional.

The organization is carried out by these local spiritual assemblies. The functions are around funds of the faith, so Bahais do anonymous voluntary contributions to the fund. Theres a local fund. The local assembly administers that money and decides what that money is for, Uribe said.

Uribe said Bahais believe God sends messengers for all time throughout humanity.

The Bahai faith believes that Baha'ullah was the latest of these messengers to bring the same message of humanity, Uribe said.

The belief is that God will send some new messenger. Bahai faith sees itself as a continuation of all these divine religions with the most recent being Islam, Uribe continued.

The Bab was a precursor to Baha'ullah, one of his former followers, Uribe added.

The Bab was the first to proclaim Hes a messenger to God. Baha'ullah was one of his followers from a noble family, Uribe said. Baha'ullah merged as the figure the Bab promised to humanity.

One of the strongest forms of worship is through acts of service to others. And a strong tenant of the faith, especially for those wanting to pursue it, is independent investigation, said Parvin Keller, member of the Ypsilanti Township assembly.

When you grow up in a religion, sometimes you just dont question it, Keller said. You always have to be questioning ... we see religion as a living, evolving thing. Our relationship to God is something that evolves as our understanding and technology evolves. Spiritually, we have to evolve as well. These revelations, we consider them as a pure mirror that reflects the light of God. As humanity evolves, the next messenger will update the teachings to match our material and physical growth.

More on the faith is available here.

Pushing for federal change

June Thomas, a retired University of Michigan professor and member of the spiritual assembly of Bahais of Ann Arbor, has urged federal leaders to speak out against Irans treatment of Bahais through a House resolution condemning state-sponsored persecution, which was co-sponsored by Reps. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, and Haley Stevens, D-Rochester Hills.

The state regards them as unprotected infidels, according to the resolution, and bans Bahais from specific professions, schooling and burial of deceased individuals in a Bahai cemetery in Kerman.

Instead of protecting us the way Christians and Jews are protected in Iran, they call us unprotected infidels, and then they say Bahai worship and religious practices are deemed heresy, Thomas said.

Her grandchildrens other grandfather was an Iranian who lost his job as an engineer due to his beliefs and was told to either recant his faith or leave.

We just think that this is this is something that the people of Ann Arbor need to know about. That people are living in their midst who belong to this religion that is protected here in the U.S., Thomas said. And yet, we are finding that these atrocities are being committed and all over the world, government leaders are rising to condemn these atrocities.

Thomas has previously gathered the community, Bahais and non-Bahais, to write letters to congressional leaders, watch films at the UM library on the suppression of higher education and for other grassroots support to encourage federal representatives to defend the community, she said.

We want people to help defend us, Thomas said We have lots of things that we can hand out to people just to elevate the level of conversation about the need for protection of this particular minority.

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Hyderabad: AIMIM chief and Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad Asaduddin Owaisi have launched a scathing attack on the Modi government after the second corona wave went out of control in India. Owaisi said only PM Narendra Modi and only PM Narendra Modi are responsible for not being able to control the corona epidemic in the country. Owaisi further said, "You told people last year to play the plate, clap. What happened to him. Did you run away from the country to corona?"

Why did PM Modi not increase facilities in hospitals? Was the Central Government sleeping since then, why is there a shortage of oxygen in the national capital, Delhi? If we are a self-reliant India, why are we taking help from Saudi Arabia, Russia, and other countries.' Owaisi added, 'The dead are being buried. Bodies are being burnt and the Modi government smells of blood. The Modi government has disappeared'. Owaisi said that if we had an MP fund, we could have given oxygen or medicines to people, but now there is nothing.

He demanded that the Modi government should withdraw money from the PM Cares Fund and give it to the state governments so that they could get corona vaccination done expeditiously. Owaisi questioned that there is talk of a shortage of corona vaccines in the country these days. If so, why was Pfizer company not allowed to launch the vaccine in India earlier?

Indian flights banned till May 15, Australian PM Morrison announces

Fight is not with congress, it is against corona: Rahul Gandhi

Youth shot in Bihar during harsh firing, police engaged in investigation
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27)  Eleven senators filed a resolution urging the upper chamber to condemn in the strongest possible terms the illegal activities of China in the West Philippine Sea.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon filed Senate Resolution no. 708, along with Senators Ralph Recto, Nancy Binay, Leila De Lima, Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Manuel Lito Lapid, Francis Kiko Pangilinan, Grace Poe, Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr., and Joel Villanueva on April 26.

They said the continued presence of Chinese vessels in the countrys exclusive economic zone and other parts of the West Philippine Sea violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of The Sea and the 2016 Award by the Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration in favor of the Philippines.

China should not be allowed to rewrite or nullify the UNCLOS, which was painstakingly negotiated and ratified by various States, as such blatant disregard of established international law not only has serious ramifications on a rules-based international order but likewise deprives Filipino fishermen of livelihood, the senators said, adding that their presence in the Philippine waters causes irreparable damage to the marine environment due to pollution and destruction of coral reefs.

The lawmakers further explained that Chinas actions clearly violated Article 60 of the UNCLOS that says, in the exclusive economic zone, the coastal State shall have the exclusive right to construct and to authorize and regulate the construction, operation, and use of artificial islands, installations and structures.

Furthermore, close diplomatic and political ties, as well as promise of donations or loans, should not be taken as the Philippines accepting such actions from China, they said.

In March 2021, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea reported the presence of around 200 Chinese vessels at the reef. Also known as the Whitsun Reef, it is located close to Bataraza, Palawan, well within the Philippines 200-mile exclusive economic zone in the Kalayaan Island Group.

The country filed twin diplomatic protests against China as the latters vessels remain in the disputed waters. China has consistently refused to recognize the ruling in The Hague in 2016 in favor of the Philippines.

Despite such, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the countrys top executive will pursue bilateral ties with the other party on issues both countries can agree on.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 01:01:55|Editor: huaxia

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HARARE, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe has received 75 million U.S. dollars from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to help it fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Tuesday.

The funding is for three years from 2021 to 2023, Mutsvangwa said during a post-cabinet media briefing.

"It should, however, be noted that the government continues to provide resources from its own coffers for the COVID-19 response program, with 11 billion Zimbabwean dollars having been released since the onset of the outbreak," she said.

Apart from receiving 400,000 vaccine doses that were donated by China, Zimbabwe has also purchased 1.2 million doses of vaccines from the Asian country.

The country launched its vaccination campaign in February, and a total of 353,834 people have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 57,776 their second as of Monday. Enditem
The plant-based product for toddlers is now available at Sprouts Farmers Market, Big-Y, and online on iHerb, Thrive Market, amazon.com, and elsenutrition.com

Since the launch of the product, Else has been receiving a growing stream of positive endorsements from parents and healthcare professionals'

( ) (OTCMTKS:BABYF) (FRA:0YL) said that its just launched Else Plant-Based Complete Nutrition for Toddlers is seeing high market acceptance and positive customer reviews as initial sales of the product take off.

The Israel-based food and nutrition company, which develops innovative plant-based food products for infants, toddlers and children, said Complete Nutrition for Toddlers is now available at Sprouts Farmers Market, Big-Y, and online on iHerb, Thrive Market, amazon.com, and elsenutrition.com.

It will soon be on the shelves of Raleys and Natural Grocers (Vitamin Cottage), a total of 750 doors. Initial sales indications from Sprouts are very encouraging, said the company.

READ: Else Nutrition expands US distribution of its Plant-Based Complete Nutrition for Toddlers into 159 Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

Else noted that the extremely fast-paced retail market penetration is starting to generate revenues, a stream that will grow as the product rolls out to more store shelves.

The company has driven customer awareness and sales by leveraging key influencers, including integrated programs with Alicia Silverstone (vegan mom and actress), Hilaria (vegan mom and celebrity influencer) and Jade Roper Tolbert and Ali Fedotowsky, both from ABC's hit show "The Bachelor."

Else kicked off US online sales in August 2020 on www.elsenutrition.com and in late September last year, on amazon.com. Initial online sales on these two channels demonstrate a good growth trajectory and are expected to double every 3-4 months, said the company. Average monthly sales on amazon.com has more than doubled since December 2020, growing at more than 20% month-over-month.

Else and its retail brokers are in discussions with dozens of independent natural food, grocery, and drug retail chains, that together represent more than 5,000 doors, said the company.

Else is shipping products to the two largest natural food distributors in North America  UNFI and KeHE Distributors. Else has also shipped products to Imperial, a local distributor in the North East that serves Big-Y and other retailers in the area.

In May this year, Else will launch a new product line  Plant-Based Complete Nutrition for Kids, 3 years and older  in vanilla and chocolate, in 16 oz powder cans. The new product line will offer a plant-based, low sugar, delicious alternative to milk and soy-based products, said the company.

In the second half of 2021, Else plans to launch a series of plant-based complementary nutrition products for babies 6 months and older in different flavors. These new SKUs will grow Else's product range and are expected to further accelerate sales in all channels, said the company.

Early next year, Else plans to launch liquid ready-to-drink versions of its Complete Nutrition for Kids products in the US and in Europe. It is moving towards a distribution deal in France with H&H Group. In addition, Else is in discussions with H&H about distribution through its H&H cross-border China platform.

Meanwhile, Else said it has completed six commercial manufacturing runs since July 2020 and is building inventory to service the online and retail expansion in the US.

"We streamlined and stabilized our supply chain and manufacturing processes to consistently produce a high quality easily dissolved tasty product," said Else Nutrition co-founder and CEO Hamutal Yitzhak. "Our products for kids dissolve easily when mixing the powder in cold water, something we are certain both kids and parents will love."

She added that since the launch of the product in the companys e-store and other online platforms, Else has been receiving a growing stream of positive endorsements from parents and health care professionals."
There is in Postman's Park in the City of London a humble yet remarkable memorial. It's a small walkway that houses 54 elegantly inscribed ceramic tablets, decorated in the Art Nouveau style of the late-1800s.

Each commemorates an act of selfless bravery by a member of the public, one that ultimately cost them their life.

It was the idea of George Watts, a painter and sculptor who was inspired by the story of Alice Ayres, a bricklayer's daughter who, in 1885, 'by intrepid conduct saved three children from a burning house in Union Street, Borough, at the cost of her own young life'.

Jimi Olubunmi-Adewole (pictured) died as he tried to save a woman  a total stranger  from the Thames at London Bridge, writes SARAH VINE

All the plaques tell similar stories, seemingly ordinary people who ended up doing something extraordinary out of bravery, losing their own life in the process.

A surprising number of them record people who died trying to save others from drowning, including one G. Garnish, a young clergyman 'who lost his life endeavouring to rescue a stranger from drowning at Putney' in 1885.

More than a century later, on Saturday night, another name was added to that roll-call of gentle, tragic heroism: 20-year-old Jimi Olubunmi-Adewole, who died as he tried to save a woman  a total stranger  from the Thames at London Bridge.

Hearing her cries, he and another man dived into the river to rescue her. The woman and the other man were eventually picked up by the Metropolitan Police's marine unit  but they couldn't find Jimi.

A search operation was launched, and his body was found several hours later.

A campaign has now been launched to add Jimi to the memorial in Postman's Park.

There is in Postman's Park in the City of London a humble yet remarkable memorial. It's a small walkway that houses 54 elegantly inscribed ceramic tablets (some pictured), decorated in the Art Nouveau style of the late-1800s. Each commemorates an act of selfless bravery by a member of the public, one that ultimately cost them their life, writes SARAH VINE

There is no question in my mind that he deserves to be included. Because people like him don't just save one person; they save all of us  spiritually, mentally and emotionally.

Think of Darryn Frost, a civil servant at the Ministry of Justice, who, as Usman Khan launched his knife attack in Fishmongers' Hall in 2019, grabbed a narwhal tusk off the wall and pursued the terrorist across London Bridge, wielding it like a broadsword with no thought for his own safety.

Or Patrick Hutchinson, a fiftysomething fitness fanatic, father and grandfather, who strode into the crowd at a Black Lives Matter march last summer to emerge with an injured Bryn Male  a retired transport police officer and Millwall FC fan  slung over his shoulder.

Male and his mates had been drinking and stirring up trouble at the protest, but that didn't matter to Mr Hutchinson, who said later: 'Some people have asked me why I bothered saving him, and I understand their frustration. But my natural instinct is to protect the vulnerable.'

A surprising number of them (some pictured in 1930) record people who died trying to save others from drowning, writes SARAH VINE

It's people like this, a rare and special breed, who restore our faith in the power and goodness of the human heart. And that is something that cannot help but inspire us.

What Jimi Olubunmi-Adewole did as he walked home from work with his friend, led to tragedy. But it came from a place of true goodness. His bravery and moral altruism shine like a beacon in the dark.

Such selflessness, such nobility of instinct, are not virtues that seem common in the modern age, and yet this young man clearly possessed them both.

I can't even begin to imagine the grief his parents must be feeling. But the very least they deserve is to see his name honoured alongside others like him. And to know that in centuries to come, his sacrifice  like all those others  will be remembered.

What Jimi Olubunmi-Adewole did as he walked home from work with his friend, led to tragedy. But it came from a place of true goodness. His bravery and moral altruism shine like a beacon in the dark, writes SARAH VINE. Pictured: Emergency services on The Thames

An affront to all women

'Cruel, inhumane and wholly unjustified' is how the Prime Minister has described the treatment of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has been sentenced to another year in prison on trumped-up charges by the regime in Iran, having already served five years.

It's a regime that  in a turn of events even Franz Kafka himself might have felt were somewhat implausible  was earlier this month elected as a member of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, whose mission is the 'promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women'.

Call me old-fashioned, but locking up a defenceless young mother, removing all her rights and preventing her from seeing her young daughter seems an odd way of going about achieving that goal. Or am I just being picky here?

'Cruel, inhumane and wholly unjustified' is how the Prime Minister has described the treatment of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe (pictured with her daughter), who has been sentenced to another year in prison on trumped-up charges by the regime in Iran, having already served five years, writes SARAH VINE

Daniel should have kept mum

Well done to Sir Anthony Hopkins and Emerald Fennell on their Oscars.

But my real congratulations go to the mother of Daniel Kaluuya (Best Supporting Actor).

Daniel was clearly so overwhelmed by it all that he ended his speech by blurting about her sex life. 'My mum met my dad. They had sex . . . it's amazing!' he said, as cameras filmed the look of disbelief on her face (inset left).

The things we mothers put up with for the sake of our kids. Still, a proud moment, I'm sure. And one she certainly won't forget any time soon.

Well done to Sir Anthony Hopkins and Emerald Fennell on their Oscars. But my real congratulations go to the mother of Daniel Kaluuya (pictured), writes SARAH VINE

Reward Ben's sacrifice Paratrooper Ben Parkinson's account of his journey back from the brink, after he became the most seriously injured British soldier to survive Afghanistan, is truly inspiring. Serialised this week in the Mail, it's a sobering reminder of the sacrifices our Armed Forces make  and of what the nation owes them. Parkinson lost both legs above the knee, suffered a broken pelvis and spine as well as brain injuries in a bomb blast  he will need to be supported 24 hours a day for the rest of his life. And yet all he has for his troubles is a measly 24,000 a year on top of his Army pension. Some people get more than that just for sitting at home on their backsides. Talk about adding insult to injury. I'm not saying he should live in a palace and be fed peeled grapes by servants all day, but surely as a nation we should be able to do better than that? Advertisement

I thought Jon Snow was looking wearier than usual as he read the Channel 4 news the other day. Now I know why: the 73-year-old has a new son, born via a surrogate, with wife Precious, 46. It seems to be a family tradition. Snow once wrote that his grandfather had fathered his mother at 73. Still, a new baby is a challenge  especially since his daughter by a previous partner had a son in late 2019. So: a grandfather and a father in almost the space of a year. No wonder he looks shattered. What I can't work out is how the babies are related. Uncle and nephew? Half-uncle and half-nephew? Forget Call The Midwife, it's a genealogist we need.

I thought Jon Snow was looking wearier than usual as he read the Channel 4 news the other day. Now I know why: the 73-year-old has a new son, born via a surrogate, with wife Precious, 46 (pictured together), writes SARAH VINE

A new study claims earning a degree does not, as once thought, protect you against brain shrinkage. I can't say that comes as a great surprise. Indeed, I'd say the fastest way of reducing one's intellectual options is to sign up to university and spend three years being brainwashed into joining the woke armies  while paying more than 9,000 a year for the privilege.

I don't have much sympathy for Ghislaine Maxwell, awaiting trial in the U.S. on sex trafficking charges. But the fact she had to sleep with a sock over her eyes to stop herself being woken every 15 minutes by guards shining a light into her cell is a shameful indictment of America's legal system. It's the kind of thing you'd expect from Putin's Russia, not the 'land of the free'.

There's been a bit of a hoo-ha after the Truro Sainsbury's put up a poster of some scones with the cream spread first. This caused outrage among locals who, as is the Cornish way, favour a jam-first approach. Devonians prefer the Sainsbury's method. If you ask me, the cream, being dairy, acts in loco butyrum, and so should be applied first  problem solved.
The Indian Embassy on Tuesday advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Nepal for the purposes of onward journeys to third countries.

Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification on Monday banning all foreign nationals from using the Tribhuvan International Airport as a transit point for third countries. The alert comes after Kathmandu banned all foreign nationals from using the Himalayan nation as a transit point as part of its effort to combat the surge in coronavirus cases.

The restriction will be effective from April 28 midnight till further notice, the Department of Immigration of the Home Ministry said.

The Indian Embassy in a travel advisory asked its citizens to avoid travel to Nepal for the purposes of onward journeys to third countries because of restrictions after Wednesday. It also noted that the ongoing services provided to travellers arriving in Nepal as final destination and departing from Nepal will be continued as usual.

The embassy is in contact with Nepalese authorities to facilitate the travel of bona fide Indian nationals already in Nepal, it said. Meanwhile, Nepal has so far recorded 304,000 cases and 3,176 deaths due to the disease.

India is battling with a second wave of the pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new cases being reported in the past few days, and hospitals are want of medical oxygen and beds. With 3,23,144 people testing positive for the coronavirus in a day, the country's infection tally climbed to 1,76,36,307 on Tuesday. The death toll mounted to 1,97,894 with 2,771 new fatalities, according to the union health ministry data.

Tamil Nadu Government worked with CII for oxygen production in large capacity

Central govt assures to do action against Rajasthan govt who seized 4 oxygen tankers

Sichuan Airlines suspends cargo flights to India
An aircraft seen at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. Photo by Shutterstock/EQRoy.

Aviation authorities are set to take away airport flight slots from airlines that fail to utilize them to ensure a level playing field for all players.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) requires airlines to keep the rate of unused slots below 20 percent, but low-cost carrier Pacific Airlines had a rate of 38.4 percent during the two weeks from March 28 to April 11 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCMC, while newbie Vietravel Airlines had a ratio of 23.8 percent.

At Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam Air Services Company, a subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines, has 33.3 percent of its slots unused.

Flight slots that are unused for five weeks in a row would be taken away, CAAV has warned.

It has also seized unused slots from foreign carriers and distributed them to domestic airlines since international services are still suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tan Son Nhat has 984 flight slots a day and Noi Bai has 708.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 00:05:19|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a food-processing zone for local specialty Luosifen rice noodles in the city of Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

NANNING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Last year, Huang Jihua, a 36-year-old bamboo grower in Baile village in the Chinese city of Liuzhou, saw surging sales in bamboo sprouts, an essential ingredient for Luosifen, a local specialty rice noodle.

"The price of bamboo sprouts soared as Luosifen also became popular elsewhere in the country," said Huang, adding that bamboo sprouts brought his family revenue of over 200,000 yuan (about 30,850 U.S. dollars) in 2020.

President Xi Jinping on Monday visited a food-processing zone for Luosifen rice noodles during his inspection of Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

It is not an easy task to develop a small rice noodle business into such a large industry, said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

As a local signature dish, the magic of Luosifen lies in its broth, which is made by stewing river snails for hours with several seasonings and spices. The noodle is usually served with pickled bamboo, dried turnip, fresh vegetables, and peanuts.

Food booths selling Luosifen are everywhere in Liuzhou. Now the inexpensive street food has become a national delicacy.

Instant Luosifen noodles are even exported to over 20 overseas markets and had an output value of over 10 billion yuan last year.

The rise of Luosifen has triggered an "industrial revolution" in the local rice noodle industry. It boosts local rural vitalization as over 200,000 Liuzhou farmers plant and cultivate raw materials for Luosifen like rice, beans, snails, bamboo shoots, and fungi.

Farmers in Guangxi also rely on other industries to strive for a prosperous life.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a food-processing zone for local specialty Luosifen rice noodles in the city of Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

On Sunday, Xi visited Maozhushan village in Guilin to inspect the local grape-growing industry. He called for efforts to pursue rural vitalization based on local specialty industries and make better use of science and technology in promoting the agricultural sector.

As the grape blossom season approaches, Wang Shirui dives into his busy days tending the family's vineyards in Maozhushan village.

Wang told Xinhua that agricultural technicians invited by the local government would come now and then, providing technical support to grape growers.

The 63-year-old farmer has kept his routine for over 20 years. Like most fellow villagers, Wang lives a relatively affluent life with his grape plantation. Last year, his family earned over 100,000 yuan from the 13 mu (about 0.87 hectares) grapes his family planted.

"In August and September each year, merchants from Guangxi and the neighboring provinces of Hunan and Guangdong swarm into the village to buy our grapes," said Wang.

Wang Junrong, Party chief of Nanyi village, which administers Maozhushan, said the village churns out a great variety of high-quality grapes with over 21 hectares of vineyards.

Grape planting has vastly increased the locals' income, and their per capita disposable income reached 30,000 yuan last year, said the village official.

"Inspired by our success, other villages nearby gradually joined the industry and have plowed over 1,300 hectares of vineyards," he said. 
New Delhi, April 27 : Nations across the world have come forward to help India in its fight against the raging second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, which is extremely virulent and has ravaged the country in the past few weeks.

As per official sources, the US, the UK, France, Ireland, Australia, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, the UAE, Kuwait and Russia have assured medical aid to India with much of the support on its way.

The UK is sending 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators this week. Out of these, 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators have already arrived on Tuesday.

France is sending relief material in two phases. In the first phase, eight large oxygen generating units that can be installed quickly, liquid oxygen, 28 respirators and their consumables and 200 electric syringe pushers are arriving this week. In the second phase, five liquid oxygen containers will arrive next week.

Similarly, Ireland is sending 700 oxygen concentrators this week.

Sources said that Germany is sending a mobile oxygen production unit which will be made available for three months along with 120 ventilators and 80 million KN95 masks.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Tuesday that his government will send 500 ventilators, one million surgical masks, 500,000 P2 and N95 masks, 100,000 goggles, 100,000 pairs of gloves and 20,000 face shields to India.

Kuwait and Russia have also committed to send medical supplies.

Some of the medical supplies are also coming through private channels from various countries. For example, Singapore is sending 500 BiPAPs, 250 oxygen concentrators, four Cryogenic oxygen containers and other medical supplies.

Saudi Arabia's aid of 80 MT of liquid oxygen is enroute via the sea route, Hong Kong is sending 800 oxygen concentrators, while Thailand is sending four Cryogenic oxygen tanks. India will also get six Cryogenic oxygen containers from the UAE.

Also, India's Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) is importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany.

After US President Joe Biden spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over phone on Monday, the US has committed to provide a range of emergency assistance, including oxygen-related supplies, vaccine materials and therapeutics.
Not everything needs to be turned into a themed bar.

Houston is getting its own trailer park-themed bar called Fat Boots Trailer Park Bar, opening May 5, and right off the bat, it seems like a bad idea.

I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY: A new '80s-themed club in downtown will bring back all the nostalgia

The "drinkertainment" experience, headed by three Las Vegas nightlife industry veterans, is "an ode to trailer park chic" with about "2,000 sq. ft. of endless Polaroid opportunities for the Tik-Tok and selfies generation  only we call them trail-fies," according to the Fat Boots website.

I'm already out.

Themed pop-up bars and "Instagrammable" experiences have become ultra-trendy in the past few years, offering the opportunity to snap the profile pic of your dreams for the low price of $35 admission into a room filled with balloons or whatever.

And this latest offering is just cosplaying poverty while slapping a filter on it to make it more palatable for the "selfies generation."

Everything about it feels patronizing. The staff will perform and encourage patrons to dance on the bar, you know, like in your regular small-town bar. Menu items reportedly include Twinkies and Cheez Whiz with crackers that will almost definitely cost no less than $25. And cocktails will be served out of Spam and SpaghettiOs cans (why why WHY).

(Everything aside, why would I ever want to drink anything out of a Spam can? Even if that $15 drink doesn't taste like ham, it's going to taste like ham.)

People's lives and struggles aren't for gawking at and turning into an opportunity for a colorful Instagram photo  there's a reason Twinkies and SpaghettiOs are "trailer park food," and it has everything to do with income inequality and food deserts and nothing to do with wanting to be "trailer park chic."

And as gentrification runs rampant, some Las Vegas nightclub creators stepping into Houston and selling "trailer park chic" back to you for a very expensive bar tab feels really gross.

LIVE MUSIC IN HOUSTON: All the Houston concerts you'll want to jam to this post-pandemic summer

Palatable poverty isn't a co-optable theme for a bar. It's demeaning and condescending and patronizing.

And I would never pay to eat a Twinkie outside of the comfort of my home anyway.
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Using coupons is free and can save you an average of $30 to $50 per week. Thats an extra $1,560 to $2,600 per year you can invest or put toward debt. So if you dont currently clip coupons, you should definitely start.

The Sunday newspaper and grocery circulars are decent places to look for coupons. But youll usually save the most money by contacting companies that send out free coupons in the mail. Believe it or not, many big brands like Chobani and Crayola will give you a big stack of high-value coupons with long redemption windows if you ask for them.

Here are ten companies that are known to give coupons and free product vouchers to loyal customers on request.

SC Johnson

SC Johnson owns over a dozen popular brands including Glade, Ziploc, Scrubbing Bubbles, and Windex. So if you want to save on cleaning supplies and other household essentials, then fill out their contact form and request some coupons. Theyre usually pretty generousone blogger received a stack of a dozen $1 off coupons for various SC Johnson brands like Off! and Shout, plus $2 off any product from Kiwi.

Unilever

Unilever owns 400 brands including Hellmans, Lipton, Dove, Klondike, and Ben and Jerrys. Just like SC Johnson, they might send you a dozen $1 off coupons if you reach out and tell them how much you love their products.

Horizon Organic

Organic products are better for your family, but buying them can get expensive. Luckily Horizon Organic will send you some coupons to offset the cost of their delicious, healthy dairy products if you ask.

Hostess

If you have a sweet tooth and love Hostess desserts like Twinkies and Donettes, then youll be happy to know theyre one of the companies that send out free coupons in the mail. Theyve been known to give coupons and vouchers for free products to their loyal customers on request.

Hot Pockets

Sadly Hot Pockets doesnt issue coupons very often. But they may send you some if you email them and tell them that youre a big fan of their products.

Crayola

School supplies arent cheap, especially if you have multiple kids you need to shop for. Before you stock up on crayons and art supplies, ask Crayola if theyd be willing to send you some coupons.

Chobani

Chobani sells delicious coffee drinks, Greek yogurt, non-dairy creamers, and more. If you ask them for a discount, they might send you coupons or even a voucher for a free product.

Cottonelle

If you have a big family that goes through toilet paper fast, ask Cottonelle for a discount. They often send out $2 off coupons to customers on request.

Kings Hawaiian

Another one of the companies that send out free coupons is Kings Hawaiian. They usually send a couple $1 off coupons alongside a handwritten note and some helpful recipe cards.

Mrs. Ts

If you tell Mrs. Ts how much you enjoy their pierogies, they might send you a couple of coupons, a voucher for a free product, and some cute stickers.

Although it takes some work to email companies individually and ask for coupons, it might just pay off. Some companies will not only give you coupons but also vouchers for free products and company swag like stickers. So if you want to save a lot of money on your grocery bill, start emailing your favorite companies and ask them for discounts.

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[April 27, 2021] TytoCare Brings Telehealth to Ukraine Through GIVA Care Partnership

The launch will give physicians and consumers throughout the country access to TytoCare's leading, AI-powered remote examination solution, replicating in-person visits from the comfort of home during the pandemic and beyond NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TytoCare, the global healthcare industry's first all-in-one modular device and examination platform for AI-powered, on-demand, remote medical exams, today announced the launch of its telehealth solution in Ukraine. The launch is taking place via an exclusive partnership with GIVA Care Group, a leading healthcare distribution company, who will introduce TytoCare to the Ukrainian healthcare industry. This marks the first time such an advanced telehealth device and platform will be available to Ukrainian physicians and consumers. The COVID-19 pandemic has heavily impacted Ukraine, with over 37,000 fatalities and over 400,000 people currently infected with the virus. As a result, the Ukrainian healthcare ecosystem is seeking digital health solutions that will help physicians provide the best possible care both for coronavirus patients as well as the general population seeking ongoing care and looking to avoid hospitals and clinics. TytoCare is the only all-in-one telehealth solution enabling physicians to remotely connect with patients for clinic-quality physical examinations. The handheld examination device enables users to perform comprehensive physical examinations of the heart, skin, ears, throat, abdomen, as well as lungs and body temperature, which are key for monitoring COVID-19 and many other conditions. The solution fully replicates an in-person visit from any location, any time, for primary and chronic care situations, and helps to stem the spread of the virus by providing remote care for both quarantined patients in hospitals and isolated patients at home. This allows doctors to gain the vital clinical data they require to monitor and treat patients from a safe distance and prevents unnecessary urgent care and clinic visits. Following Ukraine's validation of TytoCare's CE Mark certification, TytoCare and GIVA Care are together developing the Ukrainian telehealth market. As the sole distributor of TytoCare in Ukraine, GIVA Care is making the solution available to local physicians and healthcare systems across the country as well as selling it directly to consumers. Physicians will be reimbursed for each TytoCare telehealth visit they conduct, and consumers will have access to top-of-the-line healthcare at their fingertips.



The partnership with GIVA Care will mark the first implementation of the TytoCare solution in Eastern Europe. Globally, TytoCare has partnered with over 150 major health systems, health plans, and strategic partners in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Israel, including American Well, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Teladoc Health, Cleveland Clinic, Ochsner Health, and many others. In 2020 alone, TytoCare has performed over 650,000 telehealth examinations around the world. "Telehealth is an increasingly vital component of every country's healthcare ecosystem and we are proud to introduce our industry-leading solution in Ukraine through our partnership with GIVA Care," said Dedi Gilad, CEO and co-founder of TytoCare. "As a fully certified, all-in-one virtual examination platform replicating in-person physical examinations from the comfort of home, TytoCare is providing accessible and quality remote care to families, the elderly, those with chronic illnesses, people who live in remote areas, and more, which has proven critical both during the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to prove essential during more routine times."

GIVA Care is supporting the adoption of TytoCare in Ukraine by both health systems and consumers, ensuring that healthcare providers receive the proper training to best utilize the solution and that all users receive local technical support 24/7. Consumers can contact their medical providers directly for more information about purchasing the TytoCare solution. "We are thrilled to partner with TytoCare to introduce a state-of-the-art telehealth system to Ukrainian physicians and consumers," said Kirill Lewin, General Manager of GIVA Care Group. "TytoCare's unique solution will not only help in our fight against COVID-19, but it will also ensure that even after the pandemic is behind us, Ukrainians will have access to safe, clinic-quality care without having to leave their homes. GIVA Care will provide technical support to all physicians and consumers who use the device, ensuring the seamless integration of TytoCare into the Ukrainian healthcare system." For more information about acquiring TytoCare in Ukraine, please click here. About TytoCare TytoCare is a telehealth company using AI to transform primary care by putting health in the hands of consumers. TytoCare seamlessly connects people to clinicians to provide the best virtual home examination and diagnosis solutions. Its solutions are designed to enable a comprehensive medical exam from any location and include a hand-held, all-in-one tool for examining the heart, lungs, skin, ears, throat, abdomen, and body temperature; a complete telehealth platform for sharing exam data, conducting live video exams, and scheduling visits; a cloud-based data repository with analytics; and built-in guidance technology and machine learning algorithms to ensure accuracy and ease of use for patients and insights for healthcare providers. Co-founded by Dedi Gilad and Ofer Tzadik in 2012, TytoCare has FDA and CE clearances and has partnered with over 100 major health systems, health plans, and strategic partners in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Israel. To watch a demo video, click here. For more information, please visit https://www.tytocare.com/. TytoCare Press Contact Sarah Schloss

Headline Media

sarah.schloss@headline.media

+ 1 914 506 5105 About GIVA Care Group GIVA Care Group is the development of the Ukrainian medical technology industry. The company develops technological products in Ukraine for private and public medical institutions and ordinary users. When working with telehealth solutions, GIVA Care Group provides effective training and support for doctors, as well as full technical support for Ukrainian users 24/7 anywhere in the world. GIVA Care Group is providing a new level of telehealth service available to everyone. Founded in 2019, GIVA care Group already offers a range of high level services in various fields of medicine. For more information, please visit https://www.doc4people.com GIVA Care Press Contact

Tatyana Tretyakova

inform@doc4people.com

0-800-331-975

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The immediate past Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has called on stakeholders in the countrys electoral process to find ways to end election violence and deaths.



He said incidents of violence recorded in the 2020 general election tainted the countrys bragging rights as the bastion of democracy on the continent.



Dr Chambas, therefore, urged the Electoral Commission (EC), the security agencies, the government and other stakeholders to work towards averting such incidents in future polls.



The former Special Representative was speaking at the opening of a three-day post election stakeholders review workshop on the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections in Ada in the Greater Accra Region yesterday.



It was organised by the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).



In attendance were representatives of political parties, the EC, the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), the media, the police, the European Union, among others.



Discussions centred on the voters register, nomination processes, results collation and management, election violence and security, electoral litigation, gender, campaign financing and the role of the media.



Regrettable deaths



Dr Chambas said the violence and deaths that occurred during the elections should not have happened, stressing that a life lost was one too many to be lost in elections.



He said the reported death of five persons in the elections should be a source of concern to all.



"Never again will we see any loss of life in elections in the country," Dr Chambas said, adding that Ghana must go back to the good practices of the past when, no matter the shortcomings of electoral processes, disagreements were resolved through dialogue and not killing.



Commendation



Dr Chambas, meanwhile, commended the people, saying despite the challenges encountered during the polls, they once again demonstrated their political maturity and love for the country by ensuring a peaceful conclusion to the electoral process.



He said internal conflict prevention and dispute resolution mechanisms remained one of the reliable tools for arriving at amicable settlements during elections.



According to him, the commitment to democratic values by stakeholders in the elections was indicative of the high level of political maturity and understanding of the tenets of democracy by all parties.



Review



The acting Chairman of CODEO, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, said although the conduct of the 2020 elections was generally successful, there was the need for a holistic assessment of the election process to identify gaps, challenges and opportunities that existed to improve on the conduct of future polls.



The Deputy Director of the Democracy and Governance Office of USAID Ghana, Mr Emmanuel Ackman Mensah, expressed the hope that the outcome of the workshop, as well as its recommendations, would go a long way to improve on political development in the country.

Source: graphiconline.com









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Manchester United have trebled security at their training base and increased protection around senior executives amid concerns over anti-Glazer protests.

Sportsmail revealed that United players and staff were shocked at how easily protesters were able to breach security at Carrington on Thursday before confronting manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Fans also demonstrated against the Glazers outside Old Trafford and flew a banner over Elland Road before Sundays 0-0 draw at Leeds calling for the American owners to go following the collapse of the European Super League.

Manchester United have tripeld their security presence at their training ground amid concerns over anti-Glazer protests

Supporters stormed Carrington last week to protest at the ownership of the club

The security company used by the club, Controlled Solutions Group, now has three times as many personnel on duty at Carrington as before, carrying out more stringent checks on staff and visitors around the complex.

It is understood that increased protection has also been offered to senior figures based in London.

Meanwhile, Eric Bailly has signed a new contract at United that ties him to the club until 2024, with the option for another year.

The Ivory Coast defender was believed to be concerned over his lack of playing time, with boss Solskjaer preferring Victor Lindelof as a defensive partner for Harry Maguire.

Bailly has struggled with injuries again this season and tested positive for Covid earlier this month, limiting him to just seven Premier League starts. But the 27-year-old is happy to have resolved his future, saying: A new contract is like a new challenge and Im ready for this.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 12:54:50|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, April 27 (Xinhua) -- As the United States is hoarding COVID-19 vaccines, many developing countries are still struggling to get access to doses, with exacerbating inequality of vaccine access, according to U.S. media.

"In India, just 1.4 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated, and overwhelmed hospitals have been running short of oxygen. Meanwhile, in the United States -- where one in four Americans are fully vaccinated and more than 40 percent have gotten at least the first dose," said a report published by the Washington Post on Sunday.

Countries in dire need of vaccines are calling for policy changes in Washington, and African nations such as Namibia and Kenya are denouncing a "vaccine apartheid," the report said.

Maria Van Kerkhove, an epidemiologist with the World Health Organization (WHO), described global vaccine inequities as "outrageous ethically, morally, scientifically."

"We have all the kindling to start fires everywhere," she said in an interview. "We're siting on a powder keg."

Countries with high inoculation rates are seeing declines in COVID-19 infections, while globally, the number of new cases per week has nearly doubled since February, WHO data showed. Enditem
A group of Democrats from across the state of Texas were in Beaumont on Monday to launch an effort lobbying for the passage of the George Floyd Act and against what they described as potential acts of voter suppression before Texas lawmakers.

The group, which included representatives from the Beaumont and Brazoria chapters of the NAACP; 100 Black Men of Greater Beaumont; 100 Plus Black Women Coalition of Beaumont; and the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, is conducting a series of news conferences this week calling on Texans to join them in Austin on Saturday for a Call 2 Action.

We need to send a message that we will not take this sitting down, said TCBD Accountability Chair Candice Matthews.

The Enterprise reached out to local representatives Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, and State Rep. James White, R-Hillister, all of whom could not be reached for comment Monday.

Specifically at issue for the groups is the lack of passage of the George Floyd Act and the potential passage of House Bill 6 and its companion, Senate Bill 7.

Related: Floyd killing has prompted state reforms, but not everywhere

The George Floyd Act would ban chokeholds across the state and require law enforcement officers to intervene or render aid if another officer is using excessive force while on the job.

Matthews said policing is one of the most easily justifiable roles of government because it is intended to uphold personal freedoms.

However, in the process of carrying out this role, numerous incidents have occurred involve police brutality, she said, later referring to the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derick Chauvin in the death of George Floyd. Now is a new dawn in policing. We got a conviction. We need a law.

However, another provision in the bill, which would address qualified immunity by allowing some civil lawsuits at the state level, seems to be a problem for the Republican-led Legislature. Advocates for keeping qualified immunity say its removal would prompt a mass exodus of police officers and blame individual officers for wrongdoing, regardless of whether they were following city policies.

While gathered at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park on Monday, the group also raised issue with House Bill 6 and Senate Bill 7, which they characterized as voter suppression.

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

The bills would ban county officials from sending unsolicited applications for mail-in voting to registered voters, make it a felony to use public money to help a third party send vote-by-mail applications not requested by a voter, require those seeking to vote by mail because of a disability to prove said disability and require each polling place in a county to have about the same number of voting machines, regardless of population density, among other provisions.

Republican lawmakers have said that the efforts are not designed to make it harder to vote. Instead, its supposed to reduce the potential for voter fraud and make residents more confident that the system is safe.

However, Mondays group called it unnecessary voter suppression.

Brazoria County NAACP President Eugene Howard specifically noted that in the more than 30 years hes been alive, the Republican party has been running Texas.

So, he said, either elections have been fair or the party has been running fraudulent elections.

Related: Asked to read the damn bill, Texas civil rights groups rally against voter suppression

We, the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, believe voting should not require overcoming so many barriers, Matthews said. We have fought these battles before and won. If we work together, we can win them again and make sure every American has not just the right, but also the ability, to vote.

Mondays gathering isnt the only one planned to speak out against the election-related bills in the Texas Legislature.

The Jefferson County Democratic Party on Wednesday morning plan to gather outside the County Courthouse to speak out against House Bills 6, 530, 2293 and 1927.

Although it is imperative to protect the integrity of our elections, we must be careful not to undermine free and fair access to the ballot in the name of preventing the occasional and inconsequential occurrence of voter fraud, a news release announcing the gathering said. The actions taken by various officeholders in Texas will undermine the very spirit of voting and negatively impact all voters regardless of political affiliation.

kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/KaitlinBain
MONTPELIER  The Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday unanimously approved its version of the states Fiscal 2022 budget.

The spending plan is expected to be presented by members of the committee to the full Senate later this week. The Houses $6.99 billion version of the bill, H. 439, passed unanimously in March.

Vermont House passes $6.99 billion budget for fiscal 2022 MONTPELIER  The House on Friday gave unanimous approval to its version of the fiscal 2022 b

The Senate Appropriations committee passed its version by a 7-0-0 vote, following weeks of hearings, and an intense effort over the weekend by the Legislative Joint Fiscal Office. Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint, D-Windham, and Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, are both on the panel.

This might have been most difficult and complicated budget to assemble, Appropriations Committee chairperson Sen. Jane Kitchel, D-Caledonia, said. I want to thank everybody for getting us to where we are today. Its quite an accomplishment.

The Senate spending plan makes a few changes from the House version, but Senators emphasized that one of the bigger changes  reducing the proposed outlay of funds for broadband expansion to $100 million from $150 million  is only a reflection on about how much money can realistically be spent on the effort in a fiscal year, and not its importance. They emphasized theyd be delighted to allocate more funds if needed.

If, by budget adjustment, they have spent $100 million, I will be perfectly happy to appropriate $50 million and then some, Kitchel said. I want to make it clear what we are appropriating is what can go through the pipeline in a fiscal year.

Another area of change is how the Senate approached the transformation of the Vermont State Colleges System. Kitchel clarified that the Senate left the $20 million in transformation funding and $5 million increase in the systems base appropriation intact.

What were doing is saying, we, out of all those ways that you would provide education or training to Vermonters, were selecting some but not the whole list, because we want to fund a broader range of training opportunities, Kitchel said. So I want to be clear, the transformation money is intact.

Its likely that the House and Senate will form a conference committee to hash out differences in the two editions, and then present that compromise to both bodies. Conference committee reports must be voted up or down without amendment.

Gov. Phil Scott has voiced concerns over the Legislatures use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the budget. Scott has put forward his own plan for the federal relief dollars, focusing on one-time investments, while the House and Senate have used those dollars to backfill the budget, allowing for General Fund dollars to be applied to other needs.
Pentagon (File Photo)

Washington [US], April 26 (ANI): The regrouping of terrorist groups would be a major problem for Pakistan after the US pulls out its troops from Afghanistan, said a top US general.

General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., Commander US Central Command (Centcom), gave this warning at a recent Pentagon briefing. He said withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan could lead to the regrouping of Al Qaeda and IS militants.

"That's very concerning to all the neighboring states, biggest concern to Pakistan," Gen McKenzie said at the briefing, reported Dawn.

Gen McKenzie also said that his command and American diplomats were working with nations surrounding Afghanistan on agreements to base troops and aircraft for countering terrorists after the US pullout, according to a transcript released by Pentagon.

Gen McKenzie said, "he was now figuring out how the US will be able to conduct counter-terrorism activities in the area without being in Afghanistan."

The Centcom chief also said that militants regrouping was a threat not just to the US or Pakistan.

"It's a concern of all the Central Asian states to the north. It is even of concern to Iran in the West, I believe. Everyone has a vested interest in a stable Afghanistan," he added. (ANI)
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Because of the pandemic, the handle on the 2020 Kentucky Derby dropped significantly from the previous year. Handle on America's signature horse race fell 49.8% from 2019. Churchill Downs didn't run the race until September 5, four months after Derby's traditional race day on the first Saturday in May.

PayPerHead agents are hopeful the 2021 Triple Crown results in a racebook revenue bounce back. The 2019 Kentucky Derby set a record handle of $165.5 million. 2019's handle was 10% higher than 2018's $149.9 million, which had been the previous record.

This year's race lost star power after winter book favorite Life Is Good became injured. But Essential Quality is undefeated, owned by Godolphin, and trained by Brad Cox, who has ranked in the top ten in wins and earnings in the past four years.

The 2020 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner won't be the only undefeated horse in the race. Rock Your World, who won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, has victories over grass and dirt. Known Agenda, the Florida Derby winner, and Hot Rod Charlie, who won the Louisiana Derby, will also enter.

Although three races comprise the Triple Crown, for agents, the Kentucky Derby is the most important. Per Nate Johnson, PayPerHead's product development manager, the Derby attracts more betting action than any other thoroughbred event.

"The Kentucky Derby may be the most popular horse race in the world. In 2019, Japan saw $4.1 million wagered on the Derby. It's also the one race that should produce action for almost all of our agents," Johnson said.

PayPerHead agents see most revenue from the sportsbook, live in-game betting platform, and products like the digital casino and live dealer. Johnson said few agents rely on horse racing revenue but that all see horse racing action on the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

When asked about betting action on the Belmont, Johnson said it was hit or miss. "Everyone wants to see if the Derby winner can take the Preakness. If there's a Triple Crown at stake, the same horse won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, the Belmont could attract more action for our agents than the Derby."

Johnson added, "Our agents count on the Kentucky Derby for racebook revenue followed by the Preakness. If different horses win the Derby and Preakness, the Belmont becomes just another horse race."

About PayPerHead:

Founded in 1997, PayPerHead is the leading choice for serious bookies. The company's Agent Payment Solution (APS) is the only platform in the PPH sportsbook industry that allows for online collections and payments. Bookies can offer their players a racebook, a digital casino, a sportsbook with over 80+ leagues, and an in-game betting platform. The option exists for bookmakers to add a Premium Casino, Premium Live Dealer, Premium Player Props, and the Live+ betting platform with game trackers and video streams. PayPerHead also has a best-in-industry referral program so agents can add to their profitability. The company prides itself on providing industry-leading, top-class customer service with over 20 years of experience.

SOURCE PayPerHead
(Newser)  While many schools are encouraging staff to get the COVID vaccine, one private school in Miami is doing the opposite. Per CBS4, the Centner Academy, which charges up to $30,000 per year for students in pre-K through eighth grade, emailed a letter to employees Monday citing debunked anti-vaccination theories, warning them they shouldn't get the vaccine. Among the not-credible concerns cited in the email, penned by co-founder Leila Centner, who runs the school with husband David: "It appears that those who have received the injections may be transmitting something from their bodies," causing "adverse reproductive issues" in others. The letter cites three women "among our own population" who saw their "menstrual cycles impacted," per the New York Times. The Washington Post notes there's no evidence the COVID vaccines OKed in the US have negative effects on women's reproductive health, or that anything is "transmitted" from those who've been vaccinated.

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Per the letter, teachers who've already been vaccinated have to let higher-ups know ASAP, so they can be kept distanced from students. For those yet to get the vaccine, they have two choices: Wait until the school year is over, or inform the school if they get it before then, "as we cannot allow recently vaccinated people to be near our students until more information is known." Teachers who get vaccinated over the summer won't be allowed back until the "experimental" vaccinescurrently administered under an FDA Emergency Authorization Use ordercomplete all clinical trials (and that's if a teaching position is even still available). Leila Centner has put up anti-vaccination posts on social media in the past, and the Centners brought anti-vaccine activist Robert Kennedy Jr. to speak to students in February. An infectious diseases specialist tells CBS4 she's "devastated" about the misinformation in the letter, and that it's especially "egregious" for an educational institution to be spreading it. (Read more coronavirus vaccine stories.)
An international rights watchdog accused Israel on Tuesday of pursuing policies of apartheid and persecution against Palestinians  and against its own Arab minority  that amount to crimes against humanity.

New York-based Human Rights Watch published a 213-page report which, it said, was not aimed at comparing Israel with apartheid-era South Africa but rather at assessing whether specific acts and policies constitute apartheid as defined under international law.-

Israels foreign ministry rejected the claims as both preposterous and false and accused HRW of harbouring an anti-Israeli agenda, saying the group had sought for years to promote boycotts against Israel.

Just weeks ago the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced it would investigate war crimes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, with the Israeli military and armed Palestinian groups such as Hamas named as possible perpetrators.

In its report, HRW pointed to Israeli restrictions on Palestinian movement and seizure of Palestinian-owned land for Jewish settlement in territory occupied in the 1967 Middle East war as examples of policies it said were crimes of apartheid and persecution.

Across Israel and the (Palestinian territories), Israeli authorities have pursued an intent to maintain domination over Palestinians by exercising control over land and demographics for the benefit of Jewish Israelis, the report says.

On this basis, the report concludes that Israeli officials have committed the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution, as defined under the 1973 Apartheid Convention and the 1998 Rome Statute.

BOYCOTT ACCUSATIONS

Israeli officials fiercely object to apartheid accusations.

The purpose of this spurious report is in no way related to human rights, but to an ongoing attempt by HRW to undermine the State of Israels right to exist as the nation state of the Jewish people, Strategic Affairs Minister Michael Biton said.

Israels foreign ministry said HRWs Israel programme was being led by a known (BDS) supporter, with no connection to facts or reality on the ground, referring to the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

The reports author, HRW Israel and Palestine Director Omar Shakir, was expelled from Israel in 2019 over accusations he backs BDS.

Shakir denies that his HRW work and pro-Palestinian statements he made before being appointed to the HRW post in 2016 constitute active support for BDS.

Shakir told Reuters that HRW would send its report to the ICC prosecutors office, as we normally do when we reach conclusions about the commissions of crimes that fall within the Courts jurisdiction.

He said HRW also sent the ICC its 2018 report about possible crimes against humanity by President Mahmoud Abbass Palestinian Authority and the Islamist militant Hamas.

ICC PROBE

The International Criminal Courts prosecutor said in March that she would formally investigate war crimes in the Palestinian territories, after ICC judges ruled that the court had jurisdiction there.

The Palestinian Authority welcomed the ruling but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced it as anti-Semitism and said Israel does not recognise the courts authority.

HRW called on the ICC prosecutor to investigate and prosecute individuals credibly implicated in apartheid and persecution.

HRW also said Israels 2018 nation state law  declaring that only Jews have the right of self-determination in the country  provides a legal basis to pursue policies that favour Jewish Israelis to the detriment of the countrys 21% Arab minority, who regularly complain of discrimination.

Palestinians seek the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, areas captured in the 1967 conflict, for a future state.

Under interim peace deals with Israel, Palestinians have limited self-rule in the West Bank; Hamas runs Gaza.

SOURCE: REUTERS
Once again, Montgomerys Loveless Academic Magnet Program landed the top spot among Alabamas high schools in the U.S. News & World Reports 2021 rankings.

Huntsvilles New Century Tech High School and Mountain Brook High School remained in second and third, as well.

Many of the schools also were highly-ranked last year. Most also are in cities and suburbs and have higher numbers of white students than the state average population.

Families can use the Best High Schools rankings to see how schools compare at the national, state and local level on factors like graduation rates and college readiness, said Anita Narayan, managing editor of education at U.S. News. The rankings also provide insight into academic performance among underserved groups showing how well schools are supporting these students.

Alabamas top high school, known as LAMP, is a magnet school with selective admission requirements and is one of five magnet schools in the state to land in the top 25. LAMP ranked 14th among all high schools nationwide and took the number seven spot in the national ranking of magnet schools.

Read more education coverage: Alabama district sees overwhelming need for English language summer camp

Twenty-one of the top-ranked schools made the list last year, but there are four new additions. Scroll down to see the full list.

U.S. News rankings focus on six factors:

College readiness (30%), which includes the proportion of seniors who took and earned a qualifying score on Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate exams at some point during their high school career,

Reading and math proficiency (20%), from testing in the 2018-19 school year

Reading and math performance (20%), calculated as expected performance given a schools student body characteristics,

Underserved student performance (10%), evaluating how well an underserved subgroup scored on state assessments compared with the average for non-underserved students among schools in the same state,

College curriculum breadth (10%), calculated as the percentage of seniors in 2018-19 who took and passed multiple AP/IB exams, and

Graduation rates (10%) based on the 2018-19 school year.

Alabamas Education Report Card, created by the Alabama State Department of Education, calculates grades based on many of the same indicators, but makes no considerations for the expected performance of students based on race and socioeconomic characteristics.

Each of the top 10 schools earned As on the states report card for the 2018-19 time period. State school report card grades were not given for the 2019-20 school year.

In addition to overall ranking, U.S. News ranked top STEM, charter, and magnet schools.

Mountain Brook High School is the only Alabama school on the national STEM list, coming in at number 141. Alabama has only one public charter high school, and it was not ranked on the national charter school list.

Nine Alabama schools identified as magnet schools were ranked nationally, with LAMP taking the number 12 spot nationwide. Huntsvilles New Century Technology High School is ranked 48th nationwide.

In addition to national rankings, U.S. News ranked high schools within each state, and schools ranked in the top 25 are shown below.

Three of Montgomery Countys schoolsall magnet schoolsare in the top 25, the most of any Alabama school district.

Hoover City, Huntsville City, Madison City, and Shelby County each have two high schools in the top 25.

Alabamas top 25 schools have many things in common:

All but four of the schools were in the top 25 last year,

The percentages of students in poverty--measured two different ways (explained in the data sources at the end of the article)--varied from 0% to 63% in the top 25 schools.

White students make up the majority of students in 20 of the top 25 schools,

Twenty-two of the top 25 earned an A on the most recent state report card, and three earned Bs,

The smallest high school on the list has 319 students, and the largest has nearly 2,900,

Nine of the 25 schools spent less than the state average of per-student funding ($10,102 for the 2019 fiscal year)

Eighteen of the 25 are located in cities or suburbs,

Ten are located in and around the Birmingham area, 10 are in north Alabama, and

Five of the top 25 are magnet schools with selective admission requirements.

Here are Alabamas top 25 high schools, counting down to number one. All figures are for the 2018-19 school year. An asterisk (*) indicates the school is new to U.S. News top 25 ranking for 2021.

Rankings of all Alabama high schools can be found at this link.

#25 - Helena High School, Shelby County schools

2019 report card grade: 87/B

Student poverty level: 7% Direct Certification/23% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 1,312

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $8,579

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $1,375

Rank in 2020: #16

#24 - *Muscle Shoals High School, Muscle Shoals City schools

2019 report card grade: 90/A

Student poverty level: 12% Direct Certified/25% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 857

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $10,216

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $2,785

Rank in 2020: #27

#23 - *Athens High School, Athens City schools

2019 report card grade: 87/B

Student poverty level: 25% Direct Certified/46% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 1,042

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $13,356

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $5,286

Rank in 2020: #29

#22 - *Glencoe High School, Etowah County schools

2019 report card grade: 90/A

Student poverty level: 13% Direct Certified/38% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 319

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $11,339

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $1,009

Rank in 2020: #81

#21 - *Russellville High School, Russellville City schools

2019 report card grade: 90/A

Student poverty level: 25% Direct Certified/63% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 721

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $11,416

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $2,153

Rank in 2020: #28

#20 - Hewitt-Trussville High School, Trussville City schools

2019 report card grade: 95/A

Student poverty level: 5% Direct Certified/7% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 1,530

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $11,143

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $3,420

Rank in 2020: #17

#19 - Brewbaker Tech Magnet High School, Montgomery County schools

2019 report card grade: 96/A

Student poverty level: 18% Direct Certified/33% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 539

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $9,573

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $1,727

Rank in 2020: #10

#18 - Huntsville High School, Huntsville City schools

2019 report card grade: 89/B

Student poverty level: 16% Direct Certified/20% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 1,788

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $7,531

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $865

Rank in 2020: #15

#17 - Hoover High School, Hoover City schools

2019 report card grade: 92/A

Student poverty level: 10% Direct Certified/23% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 2,859

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $11,758

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $3,847

Rank in 2020: #22

#16 - Cullman High School, Cullman City schools

2019 report card grade: 93/A

Student poverty level: 13% Direct Certified/29% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 935

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $10,356

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $2,526

Rank in 2020: #19

#15 - Ramsay High School (magnet), Birmingham City schools

2019 report card grade: 91/A

Student poverty level: 28% Direct Certified/61% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 801

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $11,746

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $3,802

Rank in 2020: #13

#14 - Arab High School, Arab City schools

2019 report card grade: 91/A

Student poverty level: 14% Direct Certified/28% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 751

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $10,984

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $2,394

Rank in 2020: #14

#13 - Oak Mountain High School, Shelby County schools

2019 report card grade: 94/A

Student poverty level: 6% Direct Certified/13% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 1,552

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $9,326

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $2,398

Rank in 2020: #9

#12 - Auburn High School

2019 report card grade: 93/A

Student poverty level: 10% Direct Certified/20% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 1,875

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $10,361

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $3,452

Rank in 2020: #18

#11 - Hartselle High School, Hartselle City schools

2019 report card grade: 93/A

Student poverty level: 12% Direct Certified/21% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 1,037

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $10,312

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $2,487

Rank in 2020: #25

#10 - James Clemens High School, Madison City schools

2019 report card grade: 94/A

Student poverty level: 7% Direct Certified/16% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 1,983

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $9,387

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $1,976

Rank in 2020: #7

#9 - Fairhope High School, Baldwin County schools

2019 report card grade: 91/A

Student poverty level: 12% Direct Certified/45% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 1,689

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $8,721

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $1,769

Rank in 2020: #12

#8 - Spain Park High School, Hoover City schools

2019 report card grade: 94/A

Student poverty level: 8% Direct Certified/19% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 1,597

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $13,243

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $4,770

Rank in 2020: #11

#7 - Booker T. Washington Magnet High School, Montgomery County schools

2019 report card grade: 97/A

Student poverty level: 21% Direct Certified/30% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 403

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $12,530

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $3,232

Rank in 2020: #5

#6 - Bob Jones High School, Madison City schools

2019 report card grade: 95/A

Student poverty level: 7% Direct Certified/19% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 1,812

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $9,356

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $1,671

Rank in 2020: #8

#5 - Homewood High School, Homewood City schools

2019 report card grade: 93/A

Student poverty level: 10% Direct Certified/21% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 1,231

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $14,426

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $6,260

Rank in 2020: #4

#4 - Vestavia Hills High School, Vestavia City schools

2019 report card grade: 97/A

Student poverty level: 3% Direct Certified/8% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 2,008

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $12,105

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $5,560

Rank in 2020: #6

#3 - Mountain Brook High School, Mountain Brook City schools

2019 report card grade: 98/A

Student poverty level: 0% Direct Certified/0% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 1,059

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $16,839

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $9,025

Rank in 2020: #3

#2 - New Century Tech High School (magnet), Huntsville City schools

2019 report card grade: 98/A

Student poverty level: 14% Direct Certified/49% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 473

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $6,847

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $770

Rank in 2020: #2

#1 - Loveless Academic Magnet Program (LAMP) High School, Montgomery County schools

2019 report card grade: 100/A

Student poverty level: 6% Direct Certified/13% FRL eligible

Enrollment: 513

Total school-level spending per student (2019): $9,652

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above (2019): $1,992

Rank in 2020: #1

For more education coverage from the AL.com team, follow The Alabama Education Lab here. To get alerts about future stories and events, sign up for its newsletter, Ed Chat.

Data sources: 2019 report card grade: Alabama Education Report Card; Student poverty level includes two measures: Direct Certification percentages reflect Community Eligibility Provision data for school year 2019-20 that reflects the percentage of students whose families qualify for certain forms of financial assistance as of April 2019, FRL eligible percentages are from the Common Core of Data which reflects the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches for the 2018-19 school year; Enrollment: Alabama State Department of Education enrollment data; Spending data: Alabama Education report card.
MEDFORD, Ore.  A Beaverton-based real estate firm is finishing up the purchase of a fourth hotel in Medford, promising to convert the buildings into long-term housing. Some of these sites are currently occupied by people displaced by the September wildfires.

Fortify Holdings purchased Inn at the Commons from the locally-owned Neuman Hotel Group early this year, with plans to transition the building into a 123-room apartment complex.

Inn at the Commons was just the beginning for Fortify Holdings in the Medford area. The company purchased America's Best Value Inn on N Riverside Avenue and Econo Lodge on S Riverside Avenue at the end of February. Sale of the Ramada on Biddle Road to Fortify was finalized on Friday.

The housing shortage created by the wildfires is crisis for local families and communities," Ziad Elsahili, president of Fortify Holdings, told NewsWatch 12. "We specialize in quickly converting and improving older motels into housing that is practical and affordable. We look forward to working with non-profit and government housing providers to be part of the housing solution for Southern Oregon."

For the Ramada and Econo Lodge properties, however, there is an added wrinkle  they are currently occupied by victims of the September wildfires.

Elsahili said that he has been working directly with Representative Pam Marsh on the topic of housing for wildfire victims, and displaced individuals will be able to continue living at the properties until there's a viable alternative. Rep. Marsh's office confirmed that they've been working closely on the issue.

"We are proudly partnering with the state of Oregon in providing shelter to fire victims in the interim for as long as needed, with the ultimate goal of creating long term housing solutions for these communities for the future," Elsahili said.

Elsahili clarified that not all of Fortify's properties will be made into affordable housing, depending on buy-in from organizations willing to lease and manage the buildings as such. At least some of the apartment buildings will be leased at "market rate" through property management or rental companies, like most apartments.

The Ramada sale includes the attached Denny's and convention center. For the time being, Denny's will continue to operate as-is, though the fate of the convention center is currently undetermined.
[April 27, 2021] 4ways Healthcare embraces cutting edge AI Diagnostics-Aid Tools from Aidoc

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, England, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 4ways Healthcare, a leading UK private teleradiology company, announced today that it is rolling out Aidoc's AI radiology solutions across its urgent reporting services to further enhance patient safety, reporting accuracy and clinical outcomes. Processing studies in the background of the radiology workflow, Aidoc's Always-on artificial intelligence algorithms automatically detect and alert radiologists of potential medical conditions in minutes, allowing for faster diagnosis and treatment. "Patient safety is at the core of what we do at 4ways and adopting Aidoc's cutting edge AI technology is part of our ongoing commitment to the highest quality standards in our reporting," said Dr. David Grant, Lead, AI and Emerging Technologies at 4ways. "As well as being a safety net to our out of hours reporters, Aidoc's tools augments their substantial skill and experience and will ultimately help them to save lives." 4ways provides routine elective and urgent radiology reporting services through its panel of over 250 UK based consultant radiologists to over 70 NHS Trusts and numerous private organisations across the UK. West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is the first of 4ways' clients to benefit rom the introduction of these AI tools. Dr. Roshdy Guirguis, Lead Consultant Radiologist at West Suffolk Hospital said: "As we start to look beyond COVID-19, our attention is shifting to the secondary impacts of the pandemic with the looming backlog of patients, missed appointments and Health Checks. These AI tools could help to save the lives of patients presenting at advanced stages of cardiovascular diseases that are being increasingly seen in ED & acute reporting such as strokes."



Aidoc's Always-on AI solutions help to detect acute abnormalities by automatically highlighting them directly in the radiology workflow, expediting patient treatment and improving quality of care. The company has industry-leading 6 FDA clearances and 9 CE marks for life-threatening pathologies and is used in over 500 medical centers worldwide. Aidoc's impact on efficiency and positive patient outcomes has been proven across various facilities including a reduction of 36.6% in turnaround time, 2.8-day reduction in inpatient length stay and 10.4% reduction in ED length of stay. Extensive trial runs on 4ways datasets have shown high levels of accuracy and ease of use. "Aidoc is proud to be working with an innovative teleradiology partner like 4ways, empowering their radiologists and providing them with an 'Always-on' AI," Elad Walach, CEO of Aidoc says. "With an ever-growing demand for teleradiology in the United Kingdom, we are fully committed to delivering the highest quality healthcare-grade AI to enhance radiology decision support," Walach adds.

"Having recently become Europe's first organisation to upgrade to IBM Watson Health's latest AI ready Merge PACS 8.0 platform, this partnership with Aidoc continues our journey to embrace AI by working with best-in-class technology providers. As AI develops globally 4ways will continue to adopt the latest technologies to the benefit of our clients and most importantly their patients," said Ajay Bh. Chadha, CEO of 4ways. 4ways Healthcare:

Greg Fox

Marketing Manager

Email: greg.fox@4waysdiagnostics.co.uk Aidoc:

Marlee Ravid

Product Marketing Manager

Email: marleer@aidoc.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/4ways-healthcare-embraces-cutting-edge-ai-diagnostics-aid-tools-from-aidoc-301277620.html SOURCE Aidoc; 4ways Healthcare

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LAS VEGAS, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- When you think of children/young adult authors, names like Judy Blume, JK Rawling, Rick Riordan and Jeff Kinney come to mind. Few in literary circles, prior to early March 2021, had ever heard the name Ileana Drobkin. But, a request from her daughter for a particularly themed birthday cake ignited a tiny spark and the COVID-19 lockdown provided the fuel, turning it into an inspirational firestorm.

After a year of writing and editing, Ileana published her story  The Pirate Queen: In Search of the Orbs.

Ileana Drobkin was born in San Luis Obispo, California, but grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she became a well-known businesswoman, political consultant, Nevada State Supreme Court appointed foreclosure mediator during the housing crisis and appointed by the Governor of Nevada as Chair of the regulatory body for all the taxicab companies in Clark County. Becoming an author was the last thing she would have ever imagined in her successful career.

"I draw, for my kids mainly and that transitioned into making birthday cakes, so my daughter asked for a girl pirate themed birthday cake for her 11th birthday and what I didn't know at the time was that cake would be the beginning of one Captain Sofia Bonny Rose," stated Ileana.

The story centers around Captain Sofia Bonny Rose, an impulsive warrior of the high seas. She leads a colorful crew of pirates and has help from some powerful allies as she finds herself traversing the globe in search of the all-powerful orbs; the key to unlocking mysteries of her past and saving the future of an entire people all while battling her maniacal enemies. This is a swashbuckling tale with a twist.

"I started writing and I wrote and wrote then deleted it all and started again and again and again. Then one day, something happened, I wrote a paragraph I really liked and that became the new beginning," concluded Ileana.

She is hoping her experience will inspire others to reach beyond their normal and strive for what could be. She is currently writing a sequel to the Pirate Queen.

The book is available on Amazon Pirate Queen Book Here.

Website: https://ileanadrobkin.com

Video Link: Author Interview

For additional information

or an interview with the author Contact: [email protected]

or call Tom Letizia at 702-545-8777

SOURCE Success Marketing

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Recent murders of eight people at a FedEx processing center in Indianapolis revealed the need to enforce red flag laws and to adopt them in other states, including Pennsylvania.

Red flag laws empower courts to remove guns from the possession of people who are found, through due process in legal proceedings, to be a danger to themselves and others.

In 2020 Indiana State Police seized a shotgun from suspected FedEx shooter Brandon Hole after his mother reported that he wanted to commit suicide by cop. Police did not seek a red flag order against Hole, however, which later enabled him to legally acquire the weapons that he allegedly used in the FedEx massacre.

Mass murders draw the most attention, but the greatest benefit of red flag laws might be in preventing suicides. Multiple studies have shown that proximity to a gun increases the likelihood that a person contemplating taking his own life actually will do so.

Red flag laws are not foolproof. But there is little doubt that they help in individual cases.

Colorado, for example, passed a red flag law after four Douglas County sheriffs deputies were shot, one fatally, while serving a warrant in a Denver suburb in 2017.

According to Tony Spurlock, the sheriff there, said use of the red flag law has clearly saved those individuals lives. Those people are still alive, and their family members are still alive, and theyre not in custody for homicide. I do think it keeps my officers safer, and it keeps our community safer.

That, of course, is the objective. The state Legislature should pass a red flag law, which do not preclude anyone from legally and safely owning firearms.
Education Minister Alan Tudge speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on Sept. 4, 2020. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

Increased School Funding Does Not Lead to Better Performance: Education Minister

Australias education minister is playing down calls for an increase in education funding as a way to boost student results.

Alan Tudge is pushing for better recruitment practices to hire more qualified teachers, pointing to the United Kingdom (UK) as an example to follow.

Over the last 10 years, the UK has cut spending, while achieving better results in reading, maths, and science.

In the past decade, the UK has cut per-child school funding by 9 percent in real terms, while also giving principals more freedom over management decisions such as setting staff pay, Tudge told The Age.

Meanwhile in Australia, Tudge said results from the countrys latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) fell, despite a 38 percent increase in funding over the last decade. PISA is an international assessment measure of student performance across the world.

The government however had no plans to cut spending, saying federal education funding was locked-in until the end of the next decade.

A teacher education review launched in April is looking at how to bolster the ranks of the teaching profession.

The recommendations of this review will help ensure we attract high-quality, motivated candidates into teaching and develop them into teachers with the skills our students need, Tudge said.

We want the finest students choosing to be teachers, and we also want to make it easier for accomplished mid and late-career individuals to transition into the profession, bringing their extensive skills and knowledge into our school classrooms, he said. The first public discussion paper will be released in June.

Jenny Gore, director of the University of Newcastles Teachers and Teaching Research Centre, said this focus was not enough.

Gore said that ongoing professional development and respect for the work of existing teachers was just as vital as training and development.

It is the refinement of teaching practice through professional development, the building of teaching capacity, that is the most important element of reform, she wrote in The Australian Financial Review.

Just as supporting learners in classrooms is often about building their confidence, the same can be said for teachers, even experienced ones.
CHICAGO, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The disruptions wrought by COVID-19 made the eighth annual Kearney Reshoring Index a unique barometer for tracking US manufacturing competitiveness, according to an analysis released today by Kearney, the global management consulting firm that conducts the annual study. The index tracks whether America is reshoring manufacturing back from Asia, where so many US factory jobs have been offshored over the past several decades.

A positive index number indicates net reshoring versus the previous year, while a negative index indicates net offshoring; the Reshoring Index fell from a record high of +98 in 2019 to -87 in 2020, Kearney announced today.

Global Pandemic Roils Trade

In pure mathematical terms, the latest figures would suggest a resumption of the mostly negative Reshoring Index results from 2011 to 2018. But a month-by-month analysis reveals that the Reshoring Index took many twists and turns during 2020, sinking deepest in the 2nd quarter, when the pandemic shuttered much of US manufacturing capability; rebounding solidly into positive territory over the summer, when US production resumed; then ending the year down in decidedly negative territory.

US manufacturing imports from China, specifically, took a similar roller-coaster ride, albeit on a different timetable. COVID struck first in China, and US manufactured-product imports from the country dipped in the first quarter, then rose even more sharply in the second quarter, when many US facilities were idled by the pandemic, raising their reliance on imports. Later in the year, as demand recovery favored supply from Asian low-cost countries, US manufactured-product imports from especially Vietnam, Taiwan, and Thailand surged, while US manufactured-product imports from China flattened to end 2020 at roughly the same volume as in 2019.

US Manufacturers Actively Weighing Their Options

Despite this Reshoring Index plunge, in a sister study conducted by Kearney many US manufacturing executives expressed favorable views toward reshoring as part of the actions they're taking in response to a year of global turmoil, but also noted several challenges to increasing US manufacturing in the short to medium term. Specifically:

52% of the US manufacturing executives surveyed by Kearney say they had started increasing the sourcing of products from the US in response to COVID-related disruptions, while 17 percent increased the sourcing of manufactured products from nearshore countries (e.g., Mexico and Canada ).

and ). 47% said their company will strive to reduce dependence on a single country source or manufacturing location over the next three years, with 41% saying they will specifically strive to reduce dependence on China for manufacturing.

for manufacturing. However, 60% of survey participants found that COVID significantly disrupted the labor productivity gains that many US facilities had achieved in recent years and that are required to stay globally competitive.

56% also reported that it is actually more difficult to find and hire the right workers now than it was before COVID caused widespread employee furloughs and layoffs.

From Reshoring to Right-Shoring

"American manufacturers appear to have absorbed the harsh lessons of 2020 and many have taken decisive action as a result," said Kearney partner Patrick Van den Bossche, who leads the annual benchmark study of US manufacturing competitiveness. "What was once largely a binary choiceoffshore to save costs or manufacture domesticallyhas now become a more complex set of decisions to factor in risk and resilience. This new approach, which some call 'right-shoring,' entails much more nuanced consideration of where to source products."

"US companies are moving toward more comprehensive and sophisticated decision frameworks," agreed Yuri Castano, Kearney manager and co-author of the annual study. "To absorb unexpected shocks with minimum disruption, while also sustaining a highly competitive cost structure, they need to effectively balance a wide range of economic, political, geographic, and ecosystem considerations as they weigh various sourcing options."

How the 2020 Reshoring Index Was Calculated

US imports of manufacturing goods from 14 Asian low-cost countriesChina, Taiwan, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, and Cambodiaequaled 12.95% of US domestic gross manufacturing output in 2020, up from 12.08% in 2019. This resulted in a 2020 Reshoring Index of negative 87 (12.08 manufacturing import ratio [MIR] in 2019 to 12.95 MIR in 2020 = -.87).

Read the full report here.

About Kearney

As a global consulting partnership in more than 40 countries, our people make us who we are. We're individuals who take as much joy from those we work with as the work itself. Driven to be the difference between a big idea and making it happen, we help our clients break through. For more information, visit www.kearney.com.

Contact: Ryan Dicovitsky / Ellie Johnson

Dukas Linden Public Relations

[email protected] / [email protected]

212-704-7385

SOURCE Kearney

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Mahanoy City, you totally missed my point. My point was that in all those deaths, there had to be thousands that matter of fact were registered Republicans. Therefore, the reckless Republican politicians who condemned Wolf for keeping us safe should care more about the people dying who voted for them. You do know elderly people vote, dont you? When COVID spread to nursing homes, it came from outside sources who did not wear masks in public. Trump was criminal when he said the COVID deaths were less than they were and lied about.

Mahanoy City



America, see what happens when you elect a politician to be president. You get a three-ring circus. It is time for a new regime to put America first and stop playing games with American lives.

New Ringgold



I agree with Miss Bartholomew that we do need infrastructure. What we dont need is the socialist programs that are tagged on to the bill. You can cut that bill down by at least two-thirds and still fix every road and bridge in the country. Lets get rid of the Green New Deal nonsense and start taking care of the real world problems.

Frackville



Do people realize that President Biden has taken away more jobs in his short term in office than they did in the Great Depression? I think it is time he thinks about the American people, not some kind of utopia world that he lives in.

Ashland



Is there any possibility that our government is going nuts? They want to do all these things all at once, make all these changes. Dont you think it is too much to be done at one time? People get a little bit confused on what they are supposed to do and what they do do. It is unreal.

Tamaqua
Researchers from the Boston University School of Public Health in the United States say there is no evidence to support a correlation between ABO blood group and the risk of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The teams systematic review of studies assessing the correlation between the ABO blood group and COVID-19 risk found that the majority are of low quality and subject to major methodologic flaws.

Furthermore, the few higher-quality studies that do exist found no association between ABO blood type and COVID outcomes adds Eleanor Murray and colleagues.

A large proportion of COVID-19 research has focused on trying to identify markers of high-risk individuals, and one suspected risk indicator that has been repeatedly investigated is ABO blood type.

Given the ease of measuring this biomarker, it is an appealing target for identifying high-risk individuals, writes Murray and the team.

However, the researchers say they found no evidence to support the use of the ABO blood group as a marker for COVID risk or severity.

The team recommends that clinicians, public health officials, and science communicators advise patients and the general public to adhere to infection control measures, irrespective of their ABO blood group.

A pre-print version of the research paper is available on the medRxiv* server, while the article undergoes peer review.

The problems with risk factor epidemiology

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an unprecedented burden on healthcare and public health systems globally.

In efforts to improve the response to the pandemic, researchers worldwide have been striving to identify potential biological characteristics that could serve as markers for SARS-CoV-2 infection and the risk and severity of COVID-19.

This so-called risk factor epidemiology is appealing since the ability to identify or predict which individuals may become ill, require hospitalization, or die could lead to more targeted public health measures and relieve the burden on overwhelmed systems.

However, this research often fails to consider basic epidemiologic concepts to prevent bias in the design, selection, and analysis of observational data, says Murray and colleagues.

Despite this, several high-profile studies have reported a positive association between blood group A and COVID-19 risk and a negative association between blood group O and COVID-19 risk.

This has led to the (incorrect) belief among some members of the public that individuals with blood type O are not at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19.

Importantly, several additional studies of ABO blood type and COVID risk have found no association between blood type and risk, says Murray and colleagues. This suggests that a deeper look is needed to understand whether a true relationship exists or whether the relationship should be attributed to bias.

What did the researchers do?

The researchers used PubMed and Google to identify studies published before November 2020 that assessed the correlation between ABO blood group and COVID incidence, hospitalization, and mortality.

After reviewing the titles, extracts, and full text of each article, 24 epidemiologic studies (seven retrospective cohort studies, 13 case-control studies, two ecological studies, and three cross-sectional surveys) were selected for the final analysis.

Each of these studies was assessed using the ROBINS-I (Risk of Bias In Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions) tool to determine the risk of bias level in each article.

Nineteen studies reported a significant association

Overall, 19 (79%) of the 24 studies reported a significant association between at least one ABO blood group and at least one COVID-19 outcome.

Four (17%) studies found no such association, and one generated conflicting city-specific results.

Fifteen (63%) of the 24 studies reported improved outcomes such as no infection, decreased severity, or no death among Type O individuals, while 13 (54%) reported worse outcomes (infection, increased severity, death) among Type A individuals.

Only eight (33%) studies reported both improved outcomes for Type O individuals and worse outcomes for Type A individuals.

Most studies had an overall risk of bias

The researchers found that 12 of the 24 articles had an overall severe risk of bias, while 10 had a moderate overall risk, one a low overall risk and one a low risk of bias for the primary outcome but the moderate risk for all other outcomes.

Furthermore, the two studies with the most negligible bias reported no association between ABO blood type and primary COVID outcomes.

Overall, the researchers identified several common methodologic flaws in the data collection or analytical procedures that could reduce the validity and generalizability of the findings and lead to inaccurate or misleading conclusions.

Murray and colleagues identified seven potential sources of bias that may have generated spurious associations between ABO blood type and COVID risk or severity. These included confounding, selection bias, inappropriate selection of control group, missing data, inappropriate statistical analyses, insufficient sample size, and misclassification.

No evidence to support that COVID-19 risk can be determined by ABO blood group

The researchers say that overall, the review findings suggest that there is no actual relationship between ABO blood type and SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 severity or mortality.

The evidence does not support the claim that COVID-19 risk is determined by ABO blood group, they write. We urge clinicians, public health officials, and science communicators to council patients and the general public to take infection control precautions, regardless of their ABO blood group, concludes the team.

*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.
Justen Michael Watkins, the self-proclaimed leader of the white nationalist group known as The Base, is facing additional charges in Huron County for one count of breaking and entering.

A pretrial was held in district court April 22 on the case.

According to court documents, Watkins is accused of breaking into a garage of a property on Sullivan Road in Bad Axe.

The home is the same location where Watkins was arrested on Oct. 29, 2020, when the FBI and Michigan State Police executed an arrest warrant for him.

At the time of Watkins original arrest, the home was owned by Eric Webb, and was reportedly the Huron County location for The Base. However, according to county tax data the property was sold late last year.

Watkins was previously charged in Huron County with one county of possessing a controlled substance. That case has been bound over to circuit court where he is expected to be arraigned May 10.

Watkins and his co-defendant Alfred Gorman were charged in Washtenaw County last year by Attorney General Dana Nessel for events that reportedly occurred in Dexter. The drug possession charge against Watkins was also issued by the attorney general.

The suspects are linked to a December 2019 incident in Dexter, in which a family was terrorized at their home after the men allegedly used intimidation tactics on the premises and posted messages to other The Base members targeting the home, an attorney general press release reads.

According to the release, on Dec. 11, 2019 around 11:30 p.m. the victims reportedly witnessed Watkins and Gorman around their home, shining a light and taking photos from the front porch of the home.

The photos were then uploaded to The Bases channel on the social media platform Telegram with the caption: The Base sends greetings to Daniel Harper of the Antifa podcast I Dont Speak German, the release reads.

According to the release, Watkins and Gorman intended to threaten and intimidate Harper, but mistakenly believed he resided at the victims home.

The Base is reportedly a white supremacy organization that openly advocates for violence, according to the attorney generals office.

Gorman is reportedly an associate of Watkins and The Base, and is claimed to have assisted Watkins in the alleged crimes. Because of such, the court have linked the two cases together.

Watkins was reportedly using a Bad Axe home as a recruiting location for The Base.

At the time of Watkins arrest in October 2020, his address was listed as Bad Axe. However, according to paperwork filed on the drug possession charge, he was listed as residing in Kinde and on the breaking and entering charge his address is Chesterfield.

Watkins and his co-defendant are scheduled to appear in 14A-1 District Court in Washtenaw County for a probable cause conference May 6.

Watkins is scheduled to appear in Huron County again on May 10 for both of his charges.
[April 27, 2021] Outlast and Outplay the Competition With the Razer Orochi V2

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers (Hong Kong Stock Code: 1337), today announced the Orochi V2, a compact, ultra-lightweight wireless gaming mouse capable of over 900 hours of use from a single AA battery. Equipped with ultra-low-latency Razer HyperSpeed Wireless technology and 2nd-gen Razer Mechanical Mouse Switches, the Orochi V2 combines performance and comfort in a compact design, ideal for notebook gamers. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005131/en/ The Orochi V2 wireless gaming mouse, designed for maximum portability. (Photo: Business Wire) For laptop and notebook gamers, transporting high-performance gaming gear can be a challenge, with limited space for peripherals and accessories. The Orochi V2 was designed to deliver gamers a portable, high-performance gaming mouse that is small enough to slip into the pocket or in a carry bag. Razer HyperSpeed multi-device support allows gamers to connect their Razer Orochi V2 and wireless keyboard to a single USB dongle, saving up an additional USB port for other purposes. Ultra-lightweight universal design for all grip styles Weighing less than 60 grams (excluding batteries), the Orochi V2's ultra-lightweight design has been created by Razer's expert engineers and honed with the feedback from mouse enthusiasts, to give a symmetrical design, making the Orochi V2 a natural fit for many different grip styles. The tapered ends on the Orochi V2 provide a solid grip for quick, controlled flicks, while a raised back arch ensures a secure palm fit for less fatigue in extended sessions. Topped with a thumb-groove contour for stronger thumb grip and optimized side buttons for ease of access, the Orochi V2 allows users to dial in their focus on both work and play. "Gamers shouldn't have to sacrifice performance for portability," said Alvin Cheung, Senior Vice President of Razer's Peripherals Business Unit. "The Orochi V2 uses state-of-the-art gaming grade components combined with unique lightweight design features, making it the ideal portable gaming mouse." Performance that lasts Requiring only a single AA or AAA* battery, the Razer Orochi V2 features a hybrid battery slot, optimally positioned for balanced weight distribution. The Orochi V2 lasts over 900 hours of continuous usage in Bluetooth mode, ideal for mobile computing. Alternatively, gamers can select Razer HyperSpeed Wireless, fr up to 425 hours of uninterrupted, lag-free connection.



*AAA battery not included with purchase. A first-class travel companion

The Orochi V2 features the 2nd-gen Razer Mechanical Mouse Switches, with new gold-plated contact points that are less prone to degrading and have a longer lifespan of up to 60 million clicks, delivering a consistent, crisp click with every press. Additionally, the Orochi V2 features 100% PTFE mouse feet and an ultra-responsive 5G advanced optical sensor, resulting in a mouse that is the perfect add-on to any laptop-user who wants the best mouse for both productivity and performance. Available in Black, White, or make it your own via Razer Customs The Orochi V2 is available as standard in either Black or White colors. Those who seek to add a personalized touch and display their passion and personality will be able to choose from over 100 different designs available through Razer Customs. With a wide variety of possibilities, including multiple designs, stickers and colors, or even game-specific designs, users can utilize the many options to customize the design of their Orochi V2 to match the rest of their gaming setup. For more information on the Razer Orochi V2, check here. Also recently announced is Razer's Universal Grip Tape, for players that demand ultimate control at all times. Using a highly textured, polyurethane contact surface, the Universal Grip Tape is sweat absorbent, to provide maximum grip in even the most intense of gaming sessions. The Razer Universal Grip Tape is supplied in a variety of pre-cut, self-adhesive patches, for use on mice, keyboards or controllers, or anywhere needing a secure, reliable grip. ABOUT THE RAZER OROCHI V2 Approximate size: 108mm (Length) x 60mm (Width) x 38mm (Height)

Approximate weight: <60g / <2.2oz (mass centralized)

Symmetrical right-handed design

Razer HyperSpeed wireless technology with dual-device support on single dongle

Dual-mode wireless (2.4GHz and BLE)

Battery life: Up to 425 hours (2.4Ghz), 950 hours (BLE) with included Lithium AA battery

2nd-gen Razer Mechanical Mouse Switches rated for 60M clicks

AA/AAA battery slot (only one type at a time)

Six independently programmable buttons

Gaming-grade tactile scroll wheel

True 18,000 DPI 5G optical sensor with 99.4% resolution accuracy

Up to 450 inches per second (IPS) / 40 G acceleration

Undyed PTFE mouse-feet

On-The-Fly Sensitivity Adjustment (Default stages: 400/800/1600/3200/6400)

On-board DPI and keymap storage

Razer Synapse 3 enabled PRICE & AVAILABILITY Razer Orochi V2: $69.99 / 79.99 MSRP Razer Orochi V2 Customs Edition: $89.99 / 99.99 MSRP Razer.com and authorized resellers: April 27th, 2021 PRODUCT ASSETS Please find the Razer Orochi V2 press kit here. ABOUT RAZER Razer is the world's leading lifestyle brand for gamers. The triple-headed snake trademark of Razer is one of the most recognized logos in the global gaming and esports communities. With a fan base that spans every continent, the company has designed and built the world's largest gamer-focused ecosystem of hardware, software and services. Razer's award-winning hardware includes high-performance gaming peripherals and Blade gaming laptops. Razer's software platform, with over 125 million users, includes Razer Synapse (an Internet of Things platform), Razer Chroma RGB (a proprietary RGB lighting technology system supporting thousands of devices and hundreds of games/apps), and Razer Cortex (a game optimizer and launcher). Razer also offers payment services for gamers, youth, millennials and Gen Z. Razer Gold is one of the world's largest game payment services, and Razer Fintech provides fintech services in emerging markets. Founded in 2005 and dual-headquartered in Irvine (California) and Singapore, Razer has 17 offices worldwide and is recognized as the leading brand for gamers in the USA, Europe and China. Razer is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 1337). Razer - For Gamers. By Gamers. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005131/en/

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[April 27, 2021] BitTitan Acquires Perspectium, Expands Portfolio to Address Growing Market Demand for IT Transformation Solutions

BitTitan, the developer of MigrationWiz, Voleer and a global leader in migrations and managed services automation to enable the modern workplace, today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Perspectium, the global innovator in packaged integration processes for ServiceNow (News - Alert)  customers. With this significant investment in data synchronization and workflow technology, BitTitan is increasing its global footprint to deliver new IT solutions. The deal is expected to close in 30 days. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005049/en/ Perspectium employs more than 75 employees across North America and Europe, and its customers include approximately 20% of Fortune 500 companies in the U.S. The company's CEO, David Loo, will join BitTitan as Chief Product Officer. Perspectium's solutions address a large and growing segment of the IT service management (ITSM) market, enabling the seamless adoption of ServiceNow functionalities by eliminating information and data silos. These solutions help customers synchronize tens of millions of records every day, allowing ServiceNow data to be the system of record across systems. By coming together, the transaction will enable both companies to address several key aspects of the ITSM market, which is expected to grow to $12.2 billion by 2025, according to MarketsandMarkets Research. At the same time, BitTitan will continue to serve customers in the growing Microsoft (News - Alert) , Google and Amazon ecosystems. "Perspectium pioneered synchronizationas a service, and is a remarkable company with talented employees, dedicated customers, and a commitment to providing best-in-class packaged integration products," said Geeman Yip, BitTitan founder and CEO. "This acquisition is a major step toward achieving our vision of serving as the world's IT gateway, enabling the next generation of IT operations management, and offering the full continuum of market-leading IT solutions. We couldn't be more thrilled to unite with such an amazing company and look forward to serving a broader range of IT professionals across the globe."



The acquisition brings a host of benefits to both companies. BitTitan, which currently operates in 188 countries and has migrated more than 25 million users to the cloud for 46,000 customers, will expand its offerings into a new ecosystem that includes ServiceNow customers and technologies. For Perspectium, BitTitan brings additional resources and experience as a global organization to continue its aggressive growth. Together, the combined companies will be positioned to map the future of IT service delivery, operations, and management. Both companies tout strong market share and high customer-satisfaction ratings. The acquisition enables them to develop additional technologies and go-to market strategies to service their combined customer base in the IT services sector, leading to enhanced customer service and accelerated time to market.

"By joining BitTitan, our company will immediately increase its global footprint and enable the further innovation and growth of our data and process synchronization technologies," said David Loo, CEO of Perspectium. "It's a natural fit. Our customer base is complementary, enabling joint customers to benefit from an expanded suite of SaaS (News - Alert) -based products that address today's IT problems through technology and automation. We share a customer-first philosophy and we're excited for the opportunity ahead of us." Last year, BitTitan successfully grew its revenue and profits, despite the significant challenges of a global pandemic. The prospects for 2021 look even more robust as BitTitan has cemented its importance to the IT market and as cloud adoption continues to accelerate. The acquisition is a critical step in the company's growth strategy and its commitment to serve the growing customer base of managed service providers and internal IT teams. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. About BitTitan BitTitan empowers IT service professionals to successfully deploy and manage cloud technologies through automation. MigrationWiz is the industry-leading SaaS solution for mailbox, document, public-folder and Microsoft Teams migrations between a wide range of Sources and Destinations. Voleer is a solution that centralizes and automates IT tasks, helping empower IT service professionals to streamline daily operations and eliminate redundancies. Since 2009, BitTitan has moved over 25 million users to the cloud for 46,000 customers in 188 countries and supports leading cloud ecosystems including Microsoft, Google (News - Alert) and Dropbox. The global company has offices in Seattle and Singapore. To learn more, visit www.BitTitan.com. About Perspectium Service management as an enterprise-wide best practice is often limited by data being stuck within individual departments and applications. Perspectium eliminates data and process silos by getting service data to the right place at the right time, without impacting performance. Our always-current integration solutions for ServiceNow automate data transfers for analytics, backup/restore, migrations, or archiving, and extend ServiceNow workflows to other key applications or external service providers. Best of all, the solutions are fully managed by us, providing security, scalability and performance without consuming valuable developer resources to build or constantly maintain integrations on your own. That's why data-driven enterprises and leading service providers choose Perspectium to solve their integration challenges. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005049/en/

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Republican Doug Burgum speaks during at a debate in Bismarck on March 3, 2016. (Will Kincaid/The Bismarck Tribune via AP)

North Dakota Declared a Second Amendment Sanctuary State

North Dakota has been designated a Second Amendment sanctuary state after its governor signed a proclamation reiterating the states support for gun rights.

The proclamation signed by Gov. Doug Burgum on Monday declares the states intention to combat any attempts by the federal government to limit the ability of its residents to own or use firearms as protected by the Constitution. Calls to pass gun control measures escalated in recent weeks following deadly shootings at a supermarket in Colorado and a FedEx facility in Indiana.

President Joe Biden and Democrat lawmakers have announced plans to introduce measures seeking to control the sale and use of guns and firearm parts such as magazines across the country.

Biden in an announcement on April 8 declared shootings a public health crisis. He directed the Justice Department to issue a proposed rule aimed at curbing the spread of so-called ghost guns, or guns that are made from build-it-yourself kits.

The government will also in the next two months issue a proposed rule declaring that a pistol equipped with a stabilizing brace will be labeled a short-barreled rifle, and will publish model red flag legislation for states.

Other actions include investing in community violence interventions meant to curb the spike in murders and shootings across the county; issuing an annual report on firearms trafficking; and nominating David Chipman as the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

Burgum said that the proclamation sends a message to the White House and Congress that North Dakota will firmly resist any attempts that they say would infringe on the right to keep and bear arms.

Both the U.S. Constitution and North Dakota Constitution recognize our citizens inalienable right to keep and bear arms, and designating North Dakota as a Second Amendment Sanctuary State sends a strong message to Congress and the White House that we will firmly resist any attempts to infringe on those rights, the governor said in a statement.

The White House did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times request for comment on the proclamation.

Along with the proclamation, Burgum said he had also signed into law several bills passed by the state legislature seeking to protect the rights of North Dakotans to possess and carry firearms. Some of the bills seek to expand constitutional carry and hunting rights in the state; make North Dakota a Stand Your Ground state; protect residents access to gun businesses; and provides local fire and EMS employers an option to have an armed responder for defensive purposes.

Burgums announcement comes on the same day Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law a bill that would render it a Second Amendment sanctuary state. Meanwhile, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts earlier this month signed a similar proclamation.

A proclamation is a public or official announcement by a senior government executive that seeks to raise awareness of an important issue or celebrate a milestone.

North Dakotas action also comes on the same day the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take up a major National Rifle Association (NRA)-backed lawsuit that challenges a New York law restricting individuals from carrying concealed handguns in public.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
VIENNA, N.Y. -- Fire crews were called to a fully involved structure fire in Vienna early Tuesday.

Calls were made to 911 around 3 a.m. reporting a fire at 3081 Powell Road, in Vienna.

A number of fire departments, including McConnellsville, Taberg, Vienna, North Bay, were assisting on-scene for a few hours with several water tankers.

NEWSChannel 2 is awaiting word from fire officials to find out if anyone was injured, or if a cause of the fire has been determined.

Medical personnel from AmCare were also at the scene.

This story will be updated as more details are released.
were on roll on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday with National Aluminium Company, Hindalco, Welspun Corp, Adani Enterprises, and Tata Steel rallying up to 6 per cent. The Nifty Metal index, meanwhile, surged 4.6 per cent to 4,654.5 levels in the intra-day deals and was the top performing index on the NSE. In contrast, the benchmark Nifty was up 0.7 per cent at 11:40 AM. In the past two months, the index has rallied 19 per cent at the bourses as against a 0.03 per cent decline in the Nifty50 index.

Individually, Hindalco rose 6.2 per cent, Nalco (6 per cent), Adani Enterprises (3.4 per cent), and Welspun Corp (3 per cent). That apart, APL Apollo, Vedanta, Tata Steel, NMDC, and Ratnamani Metals and Tubes were up between 1.4 per cent and 3.4 per cent. SAIL, JSPL, Jindal Steel, Moil, and Hindustan Zinc added up to 1 per cent.

Investors have warmed up to the sector after a pick up in global demand. For the fortnight ended April 18, China's steel exports rose 16 per cent YoY to 7.5 million mteric tonne in Mar-21, from 6.48 mnt in March 2020. They were also up 53 per cent MoM. "The rise in exports is backed by ~13 per cent YoY growth in global steel production (155mnt) over Jan-Feb 2021, as well as a rise in export prices from $690/t to $840/t in a month. Production further rose 19 per cent YoY to 94.02mnt in Mar-21, compared with 78.98mnt in Mar-20, highlighting even stronger growth vs

Jan-Feb 2021," noted analysts at Nomura.

Given this, the brokerage observed that Indian HRC and cold rolled coils (CRC) prices have been hiked for the second time for April 2021 deliveries and currently stands at Rs 63,000-64,000/t for HRC and Rs 74,000-75,000/t for CRC. "However, the prices are still below imported steel price. We see scope for further hikes with export offers rising to $927/t (up $37/t w-w), and expect Jun-21 deliveries to be further higher at $940-950/t," it said.

Meanwhile, the World Steel Association (WSA) has projected India steel demand for CY21 at 106.1mnt (or up 19.8 per cent YoY), up from 88.5mnt in CY20. The level in CY21 is similar to CY20, and WSA projects further 5.9 per cent growth for CY22 to 112.3mnt.

Prices of other base metals such as copper and aluminum are also at decade high levels given huge demand-supply mismatch. According to a Bloomberg report, copper prices climbed to the highest in almost a decade on Monday as the global recovery from the pandemic extended a rally in metals Aluminum is surging and iron ore jumped to a fresh high as commodities advance toward the highs of the last supercycle. READ ABOUT IT HERE
The Babes-Bolyai University (UBB) in western Cluj-Napoca occupies the first position in the top of Romanian universities and the 595th place in the World Ranking of Universities - Round University Ranking (RUR).

"The University of Babes-Bolyai of Cluj-Napoca occupies the first position in the country and is the 595th university at an international level in the RUR ranking (https://roundranking.com/), accredited by IREG Observatory on Academic Ranking and Excellence (https://ireg-observatory.org/en/) and included in the University Metaranking, given to the public on Tuesday, April 27, 2021," says a press release sent on Tuesday by UBB.

"I am glad to see the very good performance of our university and in this ranking, especially that the academic analysis is a complex one (education/research/international relations), is doubled by rigorous administrative-financial indicators, and the scientific result is based on the state of the art Web of Science system (through Clarivate Analytics). Beyond the main role of academic diagnosis which these rankings have, in order to support academic policies based on proof, I am reminding UBB students that in this context, alongside other prestigious universities in the country, it can be an excellent alternative, through quality/costs reports, to foreign universities, where they can form here as good specialists and good citizens, in a context characterized in these universities also by mobility and numerous international collaborations," the rector of UBB, Daniel David, declares.
Iranian president says U.S. economic war against Iran failed

Xinhua) 09:20, April 27, 2021

TEHRAN, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that the economic war waged by the United States against Iran has failed.

"Today, with the resistance of the nation and in line with the guidelines of Iran's supreme leader and the efforts made, the entire world and the United States itself confesses to the defeat in the economic war," Rouhani told a group of economic agents and businessmen, cited by the semi-official Mehr news agency.

"The Vienna talks show a high level of Iran's power, and today the world has accepted that there is no other way but to reach an agreement with Iran and lift sanctions," he added, referring to the previous nuclear meetings aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Meanwhile, after the beginning of nuclear talks, the world realized that it is possible to hold negotiations with Iran and reach a deal on the basis of dialogue, Rouhani was quoted as saying.

Representatives from Iran and the remaining signatories to the Iran nuclear deal, namely Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany, are set to resume talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna on Tuesday.

Iran gradually stopped implementing parts of its JCPOA commitments from May 2019, one year after former U.S. President Donald Trump's administration unilaterally withdrew from the agreement and re-imposed sanctions on Iran.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
How Colorado can get rural broadband right this time
Approximately 42 line kilometres of moving loop EM (MLEM) is planned for the initial stage with any resultant anomalies to be infilled to define targets for subsequent follow-up with surface geochemical sampling or drilling.

Massive sulphides in drill hole TOR05 from Thor prospect within the South West Nickel-Copper-PGE Project.

Venture Mining Limiteds ( ) ( ) partner ( ) has started a program of ground EM surveying on the South West Nickel-Copper-PGE Project in Western Australia over selected areas of the Julimar lookalike magnetic anomaly and other interpreted mafic-ultramafic intrusions.

A total of around 42-line kilometres of moving loop EM (MLEM) is planned for the initial stage with any resultant anomalies to be infilled to define targets for subsequent follow-up with surface geochemical sampling or drilling.

The program is expected to be completed within 4-6 weeks subject to weather constraints and is part of the first stage of the JV earn-in through which Chalice may earn up to 70% by spending $3.7 million on exploration over four years.

Two main prospects within the project are Thor and Odin and both contain areas of potential nickel-copper-PGE prospectivity.

Proprietary knowledge to select targets

Managing director Andrew Radonjic said: The company looks forward to seeing the outcomes from Chalices first on-ground exploration program.

The Chalice exploration team has used its proprietary knowledge to select areas from Ventures previous early-stage exploration work for follow-up ground EM, aiming to repeat their success at Julimar by targeting a very similar geological setting.

The South West Project, which covers 256 square kilometres, is 240 kilometres south of Perth hosted within the Balingup Gneiss Complex.

Thor is a 20-kilometre-long Julimar lookalike magnetic anomaly associated with chromium-rich rocks indicative of mafic-ultramafic intrusions.

A recent airborne EM survey identified 13 highly conductive anomalies within the southern 6.5 kilometres of the magnetic anomaly, of which only two have been tested by single holes in the maiden drill program.

The last hole drilled at Thor intersected 2.4 metres of massive sulphide averaging 0.5% copper, 0.05% nickel, 0.04% cobalt and anomalous gold and palladium.

At Odin, in the only hole drilled, nickel and copper sulphides were intersected within a highly prospective mafic-ultramafic unit that extends over 10 strike kilometres.

This was further supported by surface sampling returning strong nickel and copper geochemical anomalies.
Jaipur, April 27 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to acquire tankers from all over India as he has been acquiring oxygen plants and allot them to states.

Without tankers, oxygen cannot be sent to states, Gehlot stressed.

"You should allot tankers too the way you are allowing oxygen. This will help redress the grievances of states, no matter if it is Delhi or Rajasthan or any other state," he told Modi.

Also requesting the PM to allot medicines and oxygen in accordance to the patients' number in the state, he said: "Rajasthan has a higher number of patients. People have started facing the challenges now." Earlier, Gehlot spoke to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and presented her the detailed report of the state which left her worried, said Congress officials.
The first life-saving assistance package to help India meet the urgent need for ventilators and oxygen concentrators in its devastating second wave of the covid-19 pandemic has been dispatched by the UK and is due to arrive in New Delhi in the early hours of Tuesday.

Further shipments, paid for by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), are being organised over the course of this week and will include nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators. The focus at the moment is on expediting a constant flow of the equipment required immediately on the ground in the most efficient way, UK government sources said.

In the longer term, discussions are ongoing to coordinate the response across government departments, the High Commissions of both countries and Indian diaspora groups in Britain to address the needs and requirements in India, where hospitals continue to struggle with supply shortages as the country recorded over three lakh coronavirus cases for the fifth day on Monday.

Over the weekend, the FCDO had announced that following discussions with the government of India, more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment will be sent to India to support the country in its fight against COVID-19.

"Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus," said Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who said the UK stands side by side with India as a "friend and partner" during a deeply concerning time.

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who also referred to India as a "very important partner", held talks with external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Monday. "Discussed our cooperation to address different aspects of the COVID challenge. Also reviewed progress in our bilateral agenda," Mr Jaishankar said in a Twitter statement following the call.

The FCDO has said the equipment on its way to India will be crucial in helping to save the lives of many vulnerable people. The oxygen concentrators can extract oxygen from the air in the atmosphere so that it can be provided to patients, taking the strain off hospital oxygen systems and allowing oxygen to be provided in situations where hospital oxygen supplies have run out.

The UK government said its Department of Health and Social Care worked closely with the National Health Service (NHS), as well as suppliers and manufacturers in the country, to identify reserve medical equipment from surplus stocks that can be transported to India.

The UK has categorised the assistance package as the latest example of UK-India collaboration throughout this pandemic, to the benefit of both countries and the world. Its delivery coincides with the week set aside for Boris Johnson's visit to India during which his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi were to pave the way to an Enhanced Trade Partnership.

Also read: US to deliver oxygen equipment, other medical supplies to India 'within next few days', says Pentagon

Also read: COVID-19: Burj Khalifa lights up with tricolour, says #StayStrongIndia
So now, as we reach the end of this session and I look to the legislature for their proposal for a redistricting map, Ill be looking to it for its fairness. And thats something thats vitally important for our state, has an effect on the next 10 years and representation throughout the state, he said.
BINGHAMTON, N.Y.  Starting Thursday, all eligible New Yorkers can walk into a clinic and get a vaccine without having to make an appointment first. Most people can go to any site, but those who are 16 or 17 years old can only go to clinics offering the Pfizer vaccine.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the announcement while in Binghamton Tuesday, saying this will apply to all state-run mass vaccination sites. Other local sites also have the option to open some or all sites to walk-ins.

Beginning Thursday, April 29, all State-operated Mass Vaccination Sites will accept walk-in appointments for anyone age 16 and up. All you have to do is show up.#VaccinateNY  Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) April 27, 2021

"The more New Yorkers who get vaccinated, the faster we will defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild a new and better state and economy for everyone," said Cuomo. "That's why it's critical for us to make the vaccine as accessible as possible and provide more opportunities for New Yorkers to get vaccinated. This new accommodation means any eligible adult will be able to walk into any mass vaccination site and walk out with a shot in arm, eliminating the need to make an appointment online or by phone. We'll continue to work 24/7 to get the vaccine to communities across the state so everyone can benefit."

Nearly 45% percent of New York residents have at least one vaccine shot so far, and just over 31% are fully vaccinated.

Cuomo says less people are making appointments, even though they are widely available. He says this is due in part to whats been coined vaccine hesitancy, which the World Health Organization defines as the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccines. The WHO says this stems from inconvenience in accessing vaccines and a lack of confidence in their effectiveness.

Were all part of a community and were all part of a society, and your actions affect me, and my actions affect you, said Cuomo. Sometimes its not just about me, its about we, and whats in our joint collective best interest.

Below is the vaccination breakdown in the Mohawk Valley based on data from the state health department:

Oneida County

75,305 People with completed vaccine series

94,707 People with at least one vaccine dose

41.3% of Population with at least one vaccine dose

229,577 total county population

Herkimer County

17,877 people with completed vaccine series

22,764 people with at least one vaccine dose

36.8% of population with at least one vaccine dose

61,833 total county population

Otsego County

20,551 people with completed vaccine series

26,551 people with at least one vaccine dose

44.4% of population with at least one vaccine dose

59,749 total county population

Local clinics are located at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, SUNY Oneonta, MVHS, drugstore pharmacies as well as several across Oneida County, which are listed at ocgov.net.
Made In Chelsea's Paris Smith gives her approval on cast mate Sophie Hermann's new relationship with Tom Zanetti and added that 'opposites really do attract'.

Paris, 22, says she feels Sophie, 34, and Tom, 31, are a great match together and called the pair 'electric'.

The couple got together on Celeb's Go Dating, with Northern DJ Tom joining the Made In Chelsea to be with his beau.

She approves: Made In Chelsea's Paris Smith, 22, says cast mate Sophie Hermann's new relationship with Tom Zanetti proves 'opposites really do attract'

Model Paris, who joined the E4 show last year, said the pair seem 'really well suited' and attributed Tom's 'abundance of confidence' to him fitting in well.

She told The Sun: 'They seem really well suited, I think it's interesting to see that opposites really do attract. They're electric together and I think it's fun to watch.'

The TV star insisted the cast weren't a 'judgemental group of people' and joked only Tom's Leed's accent was the only potential problem.

Smitten: Paris says she feels German beauty Sophie, 34, and DJ Tom, 31, are a great match together and called the pair 'electric'

She continued: 'We're not really that much of a judgemental group of people. As long as you have confidence, which he clearly had an abundance of, then you will get along just fine.

'I don't think there's really much of the barrier that people would have thought between us all - besides an accent!'

Earlier this month, Sophie and Tom discussed taking their relationship to the next level as he appeared on the show.

The DJ reflected on the status of his relationship with the German beauty during a fishing trip with her pals.

Friends: Paris (right), who joined the E4 show last year, said the pair seem 'really well suited' (Sophie, pictured centre, with cast mates Gareth, left, and Ollie Locke, back centre, and Robbie Mullett)

Tom said: 'We're having a great time, I think she likes that I'm just me and I'm not trying to impress her. Underneath she's very soft', before Ollie Locke hinted that she'll like to advance their romance.

Insisting he's on the same page, Tom replied: 'I want the same thing! My boy [son Deaconn] is 14, I had him when I was 16. I can't cuddle him like I used to. [I'd like to think] I'm a good dad.'

He also told Sophie: 'I've had such a nice time. I'm really happy with what pace we're going at. Who knows where it could go?'

Tom recently revealed that he has not become part of the series long-term, and that he was brought in for just a few scenes with Sophie.
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev and his immediate family members visited the Kovsakan and Vorotan regions that are now under the control of Azerbaijan. They hugged the plane tree and took a respective photo, which has become a subject of discussion on the Internet.

A number of community leaders of Armenias Syunik Province claim that it is the Plane Grove, which was handed over to Azerbaijan back on December 18 last year.

The Ministry of Environment issued a statement in this regard noting that the area depicted in the photo is not the Plane Grove state sanctuary, but the continuation of the plane tree habitat continuing along the Tsav River valley and located in Azerbaijan.

But Shikahogh village mayor Nare Ghazaryan told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the tree which was hugged by the Aliyev was in the Armenian territory. "The plane tree is an ancient Armenian tree. Such a tree grows only in the territory of Armenia. The river in the picture, which flows under that tree, wherever they were photographed, is also of Shikahogh. (). Aliyev probably crossed the border, was photographed in the Armenian territory. It is definitely handed over. If they think it is an Armenian territory, they interpret it that way, then it turns out that Aliyev violated the border," Ghazaryan said.

She claimed that the river in the photo was of Shikahogh. "But of course I cannot say exactly which tree Aliyev was photographed with," added the village mayor.
PHOENIX  Native people across Turtle Island  an Indigenous name for North America  logged onto the video-sharing app for different reasons, but they stayed for the community, for the culture and to fulfill their sacred duty.

In recent months, TikTok has become wildly popular with Generation Z, especially given the extended time spent at home in the year since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. Communities of all sorts have sprouted up on the app, and one in particular has been especially empowering and important to its members.

Native TikTok  also known as RezTok or Indigenous TikTok  has fostered important conversations around Native American issues and identities through a mixture of humor, education and the sharing of dancing, beadwork, poetry, storytelling and other artforms sacred to Indigenous people.

TikTok user @indigenousicon, a 19-year-old Dine woman whose preferred name is Yang, has built an audience of nearly 32,000 followers. She posts videos that represent Indigenous life, from traditional foods to dances in traditional Native clothes to raising awareness of racism against Native American people.

Yang said her use of TikTok as an Indigenous megaphone comes from a place of utilizing the technology and platforms at the fingertips of Native youth.

Right now, theres a lot of resources that can help us learn our culture, she said. And I think its interesting how we use these media outlets to spread that message of hope, resilience, love and most of all, I think its a healing component for our people.

And this resilience, Yang said, comes in the face of the attempted genocide not just of of Indigenous people but their languages and traditions as well. As children and grandchildren of people who were put into assimilation boarding schools, she said, young Native people still grapples with the trauma.

We cannot just get over it  its something we have to heal from, something we have to get through as a community, Yang said.

For Yang, that means using currently available resources and technology, including TikTok, to come together and invest in future generations by preserving Indigenous traditions and healing through community and camaraderie.

Theres a lot of people out there like me, he said. And I see that Im not the only one that dealt with this. And hopefully it encourages them.

Beyond that, she said, creating Indigenous spaces like Native TikTok is important and more powerful than people may realize.

When we hold those spaces, we reclaim our identity, we claim our cultures, Yang said. Were still here to this day, were still living, were still practicing our traditions, were still maintaining our cultures, whether it be through video or whether it be through any kind of expression of healing.

Yang sees hope in this.

When I started to see other Indigenous kids representing their culture and turning their talents into art, into something beautiful  that gave me hope. It gave me hope that were still here.

Brett Mooswa uses humor to further that quest for Indigenous hope, love and joy. He posts videos that poke fun at the Indigenous stereotypes perpetuated by centuries of racism and oppression. Laughter is good medicine, his TikTok bio reads, just below an impressive 381,000 followers and 5 million likes.

I love doing takes on how the main community on social media thinks of us in a certain way, said Mooswa, a Cree who lives in central Canada. So I turn it into a cartoon in a sense just to show that were just normal people, doing the same thing as everybody else.

This is a way, he said, to point out how outrageous and harmful the stereotypes and stigmas surrounding Native Americans are. Living on the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation Reservation, Mooswa is no stranger to stereotypes and racism. When watching one of his videos, one cant help but laugh at the absurdity of the caricature of Native people.

They only like us in the 1800s, he said. When people think about us, they think about us dancing around a fire. Its so primitive, and people say OK, this is whats going on, this is what I see in the movies, these guys are novelties.

And though a majority of his content is humorous, Mooswa said he likes to post more serious videos to highlight issues important to the Indigenous community. And in highlighting these issues with an air of seriousness, Mooswa finds support and community within what he calls the RezTok family.

But along with this community and this power to encourage people, Mooswa said, comes a responsibility to do the right thing and set a good example.

I cant be out there recklessly mocking my own way of life, he said. I have a responsibility to show people that they can be proud of who they are and be proud of their culture and where they came from.

Nasheen Sleuth, a Dine mother and grandmother, started making TikToks just as the world locked down to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Her videos range from raising awareness around Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women to encouraging Indigenous youth to teaching the differences between appreciation and appropriation when it comes to Native culture. In 2016, the Urban Indian Health Institute found 5,712 Indigenous women had been reported as missing or murdered throughout the course of the year, and activists have been calling for more attention to these deaths.

Sleuth said her journey to becoming a star of Native TikTok started with a video she posted explaining the Dine practice of going into the snow as a form of blessing and renewal.

At that point, I had some other people that were Native and Dine and then other people from around the world saying that they do something similar, Sleuth said. So that was kind of what sparked this, but as time went by, there were other Native creators that were bringing up really sensitive and tough subjects.

By acknowledging these issues, she said she found solidarity and community in Native TikTok, and she began speaking out on such issues herself.

As an aunt, a mother, grandmother, educator and mental health counselor, Sleuth considers it her duty to bring these issues to light and offer a safe space to not only her students, but Indigenous youth everywhere.

I want (them) to know that I am someone that they can connect to, that its a good thing for them to share their voice, for them to share their experiences if they want to, she said.

And Sleuth said she sees hope and opportunity for those young Natives she is trying to reach.

They have the added advantage of having these rapid connections with other Native people, and theyre going to be able to use this to continue to share our stories, to continue to share our history and to learn from it, she said.

Santana Rabang does just that. As someone who was disenrolled from the Nooksack Tribe (her fathers tribe in northwestern Washington) and therefore ineligible to enroll into her mothers tribe, the Lummi Nation (just across Bellingham Bay from the Nooksack Tribe), Rabang uses TikTok to talk about the colonial roots of blood quantum laws and the damage they do to Indigenous people and their identities.

Blood quantum laws, originally put into place by the federal government, were used as a way to limit who could be adopted into a Native American tribe based on how much Native blood they had. Rabang, and many others, see this as a harmful way to judge how Indian someone is. She sees a better vetting process in ensuring that the person in question has sufficient tribal knowledge.

She has seen firsthand the harm done by blood quantum laws and works hard to decolonize this part of tribal government and policy.

Did our ancestors identify through blood quantum? Rabang asked, or did they identify through their place-based knowledge and traditional ecological knowledge?

Along with this fight against blood quantum, Rabang  who is Native, Mexican and Filipino  advocates for Native Americans who are multiracial. She wants to make sure that people like her dont feel alienated or separated from their Native identity and culture.

There are people out there who want to reconnect, she said. But there are these barriers of Natives that make them feel like theyre not welcome or that they dont deserve to learn that side of themselves.

Rabang said this is something she has seen even on Native TikTok. When she posted about her disenrollment from the Nooksack, some comments made her feel ashamed and outcast. All this did was fuel her mission and her fight against blood quantum.

If we dont take the time to challenge these societal norms that have been pushed on us through colonization, we are going to get booted off, she said. If I dont fall in love with someone who is a full-blooded Native, my child is not going to be able to be enrolled, so it doesnt just affect us, it affects our future children and our future grandchildren. Its just sad.

But she doesnt want young multiracial Natives to feel discouraged by this systemic failure. She urges them to embrace who they are to the extent theyre comfortable with, and to fight the self-doubt that sometimes rises within multiracial people.

You dont need to ration your cultural identities out by percentages to make other people comfortable with your ambiguity, she said. You need to take the initiative yourself, to go out and learn your culture and do what you need to do to reconnect.

For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.
Each hospital in Boone County will provide a daily report of either green status, yellow status or red status.
A funeral parade to honour two pilots and a technician who died in a helicopter crash in Goromonzi last week will be held by the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) on Friday.

The pilots are Wing Commander Thomas Tinashe Manyowa and Flight Lieutenant Anita Mapiye while the aircraft technician is Flight Sergeant Tinodiwanashe Chikamhi.

The AFZ yesterday said Wing Commander Manyowa will be buried in Chinhoyi, while Flight Lieutenant Mapiye will be interred at Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare, with Flight Sergeant Chikamhi will be buried at Mucheke Cemetery in Masvingo.

The helicopter crash also claimed the life of an 18-month-old toddler, Jade Fenyere, who was sleeping with her twin sister, Jada, when the Agusta Bell 412 (AB 412) helicopter crashed into their house.

Jade will be buried today in Bocha, Manicaland Province. President Mnangagwa mourned the pilots, technician and Jade following the horrific crash, and wished a speedy recovery to Jades twin sister, Jada and her mother, who sustained injuries.

Commander AFZ, Air Marshal Elson Moyo over the weekend, paid tribute to the deceased pilots and technician.

He said one of the key factors for the successes scored by the AFZ in military and humanitarian assistance operations within and outside Zimbabwe, was training and the fact that the pilots and technicians died on a training mission was ample testimony of their determination to attain excellence in the execution of flying tasks in defence of Zimbabwes airspace and territorial integrity.

Air Marshal Moyo said AFZ was mourning the sad loss of the pilots and technician, it was also a moment to reflect and celebrate the achievements of the deceased officers and member as well as to draw valuable lessons from their exemplary service to the AFZ and the nation at large. Herald
A group of Greater Houston Partnership members is urging the regions largest chamber of commerce to oppose voting bills in the Texas Legislature that critics say will make casting a ballot more difficult in Harris County, especially for residents of color.

The dispute comes weeks after several major Texas corporations denounced the proposed legislation and nearly a year after the GHP committed to fighting racial inequality in the wake of George Floyds killing by police.

The 10 business leaders sent a letter to GHP President Bob Harvey and Board Chair Amy Chronis on Monday with a proposed statement condemning Senate Bill 7 and House Bill 6 as currently written.

New election legislation in Texas should expand, instead of limit, options for civic participation, the statement reads in part. Certain provisions of these bills are contrary to these objectives and should be eliminated or modified. We stand ready to work constructively to effect necessary changes in these bills.

Harvey said in a statement that we should be working towards an election system that offers every Texan unfettered access to the polls and instills confidence in everyone that the system is fair. He declined to comment about ongoing discussions about the voting bills.

The letters signatories  Tony Chase, Paul Hobby, Carrin Patman, Gerald Smith, Donna Sims Wilson, Mia Mends, Wayne McConnell, Jim Postl, Claudia Aguirre and Ann Stern  declined to comment beyond the letter or did not respond.

The Republican legislators who proposed the legislation say the bills are necessary to make elections more secure, though there is little to no evidence of voter fraud in Texas elections. Several of the provisions are specifically aimed at scaling back efforts Harris County made in 2020 to make voting easier.

Certain parts of both bills are highly objectionable and greatly disadvantageous to communities of color and further impose unnecessary and overreaching burdens on Harris County voters, the GHP members wrote in the letter.

In particular, the members said they were concerned about proposals that would reallocate polling machines away from inner Houston, limit extended voting hours and ban drive-through voting options that were popular with Black and Latino voters in 2020. They also opposed a provision that would allow partisan poll watchers to record voters, given historic voter intimidation practices by political groups.

The group said proposals that create criminal penalties for poll workers and elections officials who violate the Texas Election Code are onerous and unnecessary.

Other provisions address valid concerns, the members said, including prohibiting counties from mailing absentee ballot applications to all registered voters regardless or eligibility, as Harris County attempted in 2020.

The Greater Houston Partnership regularly issues statements on issues of public policy. The GHP urged Gov. Greg Abbott to oppose the so-called bathroom bill in 2017 over fears it would discourage businesses from investing in the state. The group lobbied legislators to approve Houstons pension reform deal a year earlier.

It has yet to take a public position on S.B. 6 and H.B. 7, which have not reached the governors desk. The group issued a broad statement on voting laws April 1, urging the Legislature to maintain confidence in elections while ensuring ballot access to all voters.

Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said he is unsure how the partnerships tepid approach so far follows the commitment to fighting racial injustice it made after the death last year of Floyd, who grew up in Houston.

In a statement this past June, the GHP said that while systemic racism is not unique to Houston, we have an opportunity as Houstonians to lead the way in reforming broken systems, building up communities, offering support and removing barriers.

During this period of racial reconciliation, equity has to be more than a six-letter word, said Ellis, who also urged the partnership to speak out against the voting bills in a letter April 19.

The GHP members who wrote Mondays letter echoed that point, arguing that publicly denouncing the bills would show that the partnership is serious about following its recently adopted Principles of Racial Equity.

Opposing discriminatory impediments to voting could not be more important to the commitments in the principles of reforming systems of bias, strengthening underserved communities, advocating inclusion and removing barriers to achievement, the group wrote.

The partnership, which has 136 board members, has yet to schedule a meeting to discuss the groups proposed statement.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner criticized the proposed legislation as discriminatory toward minorities, while Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has called on business leaders to rally against the bills. She commended the GHP members who wrote the letter.

Harris County residents showed the nation in the last election that we can have secure and convenient elections so Im not surprised that our Harris County business leaders also treasure fair access to the ballot box, Hidalgo said. More and more business leaders are speaking out because they recognize democracy is good for business.

Texas corporations, including American Airlines and Dell Technologies, have also publicly opposed the bills.

zach.despart@chron.com
SPRINGFIELD  A proposal unveiled Tuesday by U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal for universal paid family and medical leave, guaranteed access to child care and for the child-tax credit to be made permanent offers a path back from the lingering economic troubles of the pandemic, the congressman said in an interview.

I think that the pandemic alerted us to the new realities of workforce participation, Neal, D-Springfield, said amid a national rollout of his proposal, called the Economy for Families Act. At the same time we still have lost 8 million jobs that have not returned. Four million people who were looking for work and are not looking for work.

Neals plan was released a day before President Joe Bidens address to Congress Wednesday night.

Elements of the proposal involving child care and support for those caring for sick family members were designed to address a phenomenon reported by employers around the country: theyre hiring, but theyre not getting the applicants they need.

Many have blamed extended unemployment benefits passed by Congress through the CARES Act authored by Neal last year, which continued via the American Rescue Plan passed in March.

I dont agree with all of it. I suspect it might be some of it, Neal, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, said Tuesday when asked if more generous unemployment benefits were to blame. Those benefits will run out in September. He said the stronger argument at this stage is that COVID-19 and the pandemics disruptions to child care networks are keeping people, especially women, on the sidelines of the labor market.

Thats why child care also factored into President Bidens infrastructure proposal, which calls for funding for child care facilities.

Its not just the road we pave that gets us to work. Its the child care that keeps us confidently at work, Neal said.

Meanwhile, the child tax credits in the American Rescue Plan  which start in two months, and which some experts say will cut child poverty rates in half  will expire at the end of the year.

Neals plan calls for an annual tax credit of $3,000 per child, and the figure rises to $3,600 for young children. The credit is fully refundable, meaning the recipient receives a monthly payment.

On Wednesday, according to the Washington Post, Biden is expected to announce plans to extend the child tax credit for five years.

Lets see what the president has to say, Neal said, adding that he consulted with the White House on Monday.

Another provision of Neals proposal is a fully refundable child and dependent care credit, providing up to $8,000 for qualifying child care expenses of up to $16,000. A proposed earned income tax credit would nearly triple the maximum credit for workers without dependents.

Other proposals include a new refundable payroll tax credit for child care providers to raise wages of essential child care workers, and Child Care Information Network for parents and caregivers to access information about available child care slots.

Neals proposal is part of a pattern of congressional Democrats pushing the Biden administration to take bigger steps toward reshaping the economy. The Post cited calls for an expansion to Medicare.

Neal said he supports an expansion of the Affordable Care Act, the so-called Obamacare legislation, which would make coverage more portable and include expanded subsidies. Neal said Biden largely embraces the plan.

Neal said his proposal fits generally with White House thinking and finds common ground with a GOP proposal already put forth by Republican Senators Mitt Romney of Utah and Marco Rubio of Florida.

Lets have a conversation about what we are desirous of, Neal said. Then lets talk about how to pay for it.

Neal said the total cost of the proposal wont be public until it is scored by the Congressional Budget Office. Details of how to raise any money will be the subject of negotiations in the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee.

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by Shafique Khokhar

Despite the wounds of the past, Pakistanis send messages of closeness to India. Pakistani authorities are worried about the rising numbers of cases at home. The Pakistani military is enforcing protection measures in cities. Schools and offices have already been closed in Sindh province.

Karachi (AsiaNews)  Following the latest upsurge of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, Pakistan is showing a sense of solidarity that is stronger than past historic wounds.

In the last few days, the show of support has taken many forms with the hashtag #PakistanstandswithIndia trending among Pakistanis, while individually, many of them have posted messages saying that they are praying every day for an end to the pandemic.

Pakistani celebrities, activists and government officials have also publicly expressed their closeness to the Indian people.

On Twitter, Prime Minister Imran Khan said: Our prayers for a speedy recovery go to all those suffering from the pandemic in our neighbourhood & the world. We must fight this global challenge confronting humanity together.

In India, developments are getting worse, and the viral upsurge is not stopping. In the last 24 hours, 323,144 new coronavirus cases were reported with 2,771 deaths.

The main problem is that oxygen is in short supply for intensive care treatment. Oxygen equipment is set to arrive in New Delhi from France and Thailand.

In the United States, the Biden administration announced its intention to provide India with vaccine components, meeting a request Indian manufacturers have been making for weeks.

In Pakistan solidarity with India comes with added concern that the upsurge in the pandemic might cross the border. In fact, the positivity rate is rising alarmingly, above 5 per cent in 51 cities, with close to 90,000 active cases.

About 570 patients are on ventilators while another 4,300 are in critical condition, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director-general Major General Babar Iftikhar.

The Pakistani military is mobilised in all cities to enforce coronavirus measures. Reinforcements have been sent to 16 cities where the positivity rate is particularly high.

In Sindh province, the anti-COVID task force chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has banned inter-city transport as well as access to government buildings and prisons.

The provinces schools and universities will also remain closed, said provincial government spokesman Murtaza Wahab.

In Punjab, reports indicate that provincial authorities might announce a total lockdown this week if the situation does not improve.

Kashif Anthony, a Christian human rights activist, thanked the Pakistani army for its pandemic efforts, saying that he is praying for all health workers and those who help those in need, urging everyone at this time of suffering to follow health rules, not only for themselves but also for others.
The chairman of the House Education Committee shelved his own bill Tuesday that would ban colleges and public schools from teaching "divisive concepts," including that Louisiana or the United States is racist or sexist or that students should be made to feel guilty about their race.

"The problem is politics in the classroom," said Rep. Ray Garofalo, R-Chalmette, chairman of the committee and sponsor of the legislation. "It is important that we address the issue."

But Garofalo said at the outset of an acrimonious hearing that he would delay a vote on the bill until "another time" after House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, expressed concerns, including whether the Legislature can tell colleges what they can teach.

The plan sparked opposition from the Legislative Black Caucus, the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and others during a nearly five-hour hearing.

Rep. Gary Carter, D-New Orleans, a committee member, narrowly failed in his unusual effort to kill the bill despite the chairman's plea to let him keep it alive in hopes he can work out a compromise.

The vote was 7-7, which meant Carter's motion failed and the measure remains alive for the session, if barely.

The proposal is House Bill 564.

Sandy Holloway, president of BESE, said the legislation would encroach on curriculum that is best left to educators closest to the students. "It threatens the ability of our teachers to be honest and tell the truth to our students," Holloway told the committee.

Rep. Aimee Freeman, D-New Orleans, a member of the committee, said she would oppose the measure. "I cannot imagine not teaching all of the facts about history," Freeman said.

She said she has not heard of any Louisiana students who have been the targets of politically biased instruction in the classroom.

The legislation stems in part from a panel discussion at LSU earlier this year called "White Rage" targeting Black people.

+2 There's a 'White Rage' discussion at LSU, and one legislator says he's concerned The Louisiana lawmaker who oversees all legislation affecting LSU raised pointed concerns about an academic panel discussion, slated to begin 

Garofalo wrote a letter to Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed at the time asking whether she or the state Board of Regents had taken a position on "White Rage."

LSU officials said then that the discussion was about an academic study, entitled "White Rage," and was one presentation in a series that cover the political spectrum.

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Garofalo said changes are needed because classrooms are being filled with ideologies promoted by teachers, including critical race theory that he said stems from Marxism and a view that "furthers racism and fuels hate."

"Critical theory weakens the family, the education community and the work environment," he said.

The lawmaker said he has heard from countless parents and students complaining about what is being taught but they are reluctant to say so publicly because of concerns about retribution.

"This bill does not say anything about teaching facts," Garofalo said.

"You can teach the good, the bad, the ugly," he said. "But you cannot say that theories are facts. You can teach facts as facts. You can teach theories as theories."

In one exchange, Garofalo said there could be a classroom discussion of slavery, for instance.

"You can talk about everything dealing with slavery. The good. The bad. The ugly."

Said Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, R-Metairie: "There is no good to slavery, though."

Replied Garofalo: "You are right. I didn't mean to imply that. And don't believe that."

In a statement, the Legislative Black Caucus said HB564 "intentionally hinders the type of open, fair, authentic and truthful dialogue that is critical to our educational institutions that are meant to teach."

"Our schools are meant to cultivate the critical thinking skills that our young people need to make well-informed decisions about their lives and their future," the group said. "How can they do this if bills that are passed through the sacred halls of this legislative body that purposefully silence the voices of our students?"

Others who took part in the parade of opponents were leaders of public schools in New Orleans, Stand for Children, an advocacy group, and the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools.

The proposal was backed by two members of the Heritage Foundation, which calls itself the leading voice of conservatives, and Claston Bernard, a Republican and a Gonzales businessman who made an unsuccessful bid for the 2nd congressional district seat.

Garofalo said the bill is based largely on legislation in Florida and Iowa.
(Newser)  George Floyd's family is requesting a posthumous pardon for his 2004 drug arrest by a former Texas police officer now charged with felony murder. Floyd was arrested by former Houston cop Gerald Goines for selling $10 worth of crack that February, before pleading guilty and spending 10 months in jail. But in recent years, more than 160 drug convictions tied to Goines have been thrown out, per the AP. He was found to have lied to obtain a "no-knock" warrant for a 2019 raid on a couple's home that ended with both suspects dead and several officers injured, per CNN. The 35-year veteran claimed a confidential informant had bought heroin at the home, but prosecutors say there was no informant and Goines himself bought the drugs. Allison Mathis of the Harris County Public Defender's Office argues the same thing happened in Floyd's case.

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Goines "made up the existence of a confidential informant who provided crucial evidence to underpin the arrest," she writes in the application submitted to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Monday on behalf of Floyd and his family, per CNN. It's backed by Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, who says Floyd was convicted "on the lone word of Gerald Goines," per KHOU. CNN reports an attempt was made to contact Floyd in Houston after Goines' arrest, though he'd by then moved to Minnesota. He'd pleaded guilty in 2004 because he might otherwise have faced a 25-year sentence. A counselor who worked with Floyd in 2012 said he couldn't understand why Goines "would lie about innocent people," per the AP. But Goines' lawyer maintains the conviction was "legitimate" and the pardon request is based only on "pending accusations," per CNN. (Read more George Floyd stories.)
Jaipur, April 27 : As Rajasthan starts feeling the Oxygen and Remdesivir crunch in both government and private hospitals, a three-member team of ministers from the state including Health Minister Raghu Sharma and two others, B.D. Kalla and Shanti Dhariwal, have been sent to Delhi on Tuesday to demand a higher allocation of medicines and oxygen from the central government.

The ministerial delegation, formed on the instructions of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, will be accompanied by senior officer Sudhanshu Pant.

They will meet Union health ministers Harsh Vardhan, Piyush Goyal, Nitin Gadkari and Mansukh Mandaviya in Delhi.

Gehlot said that the ministerial delegation is going to Delhi to share the plight of people with the union ministers and to demand essential resources from them to save the lives of people in Rajasthan.

A fortnightly review meeting of public discipline was held here on Monday night where it was informed that Rajasthan is also been hit by an Oxygen crisis both in Government and private hospitals. CM Gehlot is in touch with the central government as well as with other state CMs. He has also spoken to many CMs of other states and is discussing the modalities to arrange for tankers to supply oxygen.

Gehlot said that the shortage of Remdesivir and Oxygen was discussed with the Prime Minister during video conferencing, however, the demand is yet to be fulfilled which is a worrying factor.

This is for the first time when three ministers from any state will reach Delhi demanding the supply of Oxygen and medicines for the state.

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-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
[April 27, 2021] Headset Introduces the First Full Market Read for Pennsylvania's $909.4M Medical Cannabis Market

SEATTLE, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Headset , the leading provider of data and analytics to the cannabis industry, announced today the launch of its competitive intelligence tool, Headset Insights Premium , in Pennsylvania. This will be Headset's tenth retail-derived cannabis market read based on aggregated Point of Sale data at the receipt level for the U.S. and Canadian markets. Headset Insights Premium is also currently available in California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Michigan and Massachusetts currently only have Insights Pulse available today. The expansion of Headset Insights into Pennsylvania will provide the state's first full market read consisting of consumer insights and real-time market data. The platform will help cannabis businesses develop effective strategies, identify opportunities, monitor the competitive landscape, and understand the overall state of the market, all in real-time. Pennsylvania is the 5th largest state by population and is expected to be a big market with rapid growth. "With close to $1B in sales in the last 12 months and growing at an incredible pace, we are thrilled to bring unprecedented insight into this exciting market, " said Cy Sctt, Founder and CEO of Headset. "As cannabis operators continue to make significant investments into Pennsylvania having access to extensive analysis, forecasts and a comprehensive understanding of this complex market as it continues to grow will be critical to success."



For the past twelve months, Pennsylvania's medical cannabis sales have escalated, and between April 2020 and March 2021, Pennsylvania's medical markets brought in $909.4M. Pennsylvania stands out among other U.S. markets with the largest average basket sizes so far this year, at $123.88 per basket; Pennsylvania's average basket size was 2x as high as Michigan's and 1.5x as high as Oregon's. In addition, concentrates had the highest average item price at $61, and tinctures, flower and vapor pens followed closely behind with an average item price of more than $50. Headset Insights will help companies track Pennsylvania's cannabis medical market growth, product category sales and shares, basket size and make more accurate projections for the U.S. medical cannabis market. To learn more about Headset Insights, please click here . For more Pennsylvania market insights, please read the recent industry report, "A High-level Overview of the Pennsylvania cannabis market" here .

About Headset:

Headset is a data analytics company in the cannabis industry with a mission to help businesses make better-informed decisions through data. Headset focuses on collecting and analyzing consumer transaction information. Headset's models and dashboards help cannabis retailers better optimize their day-to-day operations. In addition, product manufacturers, processors and distributors leverage the aggregated, standardized and anonymized receipt-level sales data in real-time to identify trends and opportunities, stay competitive and collaborate with retail customers. Learn more at https://www.headset.io/. Contact:

Renee Cotsis

renee@mattio.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/headset-introduces-the-first-full-market-read-for-pennsylvanias-909-4m-medical-cannabis-market-301277634.html SOURCE Headset

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Rosemond Alade Brown, aka, Akuapem Poloo, has appealed to the youth to desist from posting pictures depicting nudity and indecent behaviour, while expressing remorse about her own actions.



Poloo, who was serving a 90-day jail term for splashing nude pictures she took with her seven-year-old son on Instagram, was last Wednesday granted bail by an Accra High Court,

pending an appeal against her sentencing.



The actress, at a press conference on Saturday, said she did not know that her actions would lead her to jail.



It was important, she said, that our cultural values, which shunned obscenity and indecent exposure would be respected by the youth, she said, pledging to champion the campaign.



Amid sobs, Poloo expressed gratitude to her family, fans and all those who stood by her during her prosecution.



"It's God's grace that I am here today because I should have been in jail by now because the 90 days is not yet due.



"First and foremost, I want to thank the Almighty God who has been kind and merciful to me...I say a big thank you, President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for receiving petitions from well-meaning Ghanaians to intervene in my situation and bringing in the Attorney-General to assist, she said.



Poloo was also thankful to Ghanaian and Nigerian celebrities who rallied behind the hashtag, Free Akuapem Poloo, appealing for her freedom.



On Friday, April 16, this year, an Accra Circuit Court, sentenced Poloo, who had pleaded guilty, on all three counts of charges against her.



Poloo was charged with the publication of obscene materials, engaging in domestic violence namely, a conduct that in any way undermines another persons privacy or integrity.



The Court presided over by Mrs Christina Cann, delivering the sentence, noted that apart from canker, such as rape and defilement, the act of posting obscene pictures was becoming rampant in the country.



The Court said Poloo did not respect the right of her son in posting the pictures, and that it would hand down a sentence that would deter other like-minded persons.



However, on Wednesday, April 21, Poloo was admitted to bail after a High Court upheld her application for bail.



Her lawyer also filed the substantive appeal.



The High Court ordered Poloo to report to the case investigator every two weeks.



She is also to deposit her passport with the High Court Registry.



The Court, presided over by Mrs. Justice Ruby Aryeetey, ordered Poloo to seek the permission of the Court any time she wanted to travel outside the country.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Drew Arrieta, a photojournalist based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, described the tense moments he spent waiting to hear how the jury would rule on Derek Chauvin as the most nervous hour ever. Over the past year Arrieta, who is thirty-one, has spent considerable time at Black Lives Matter protests and related events on water protection, immigration rights, gun violence, and police reform and abolition. In that time, he has cultivated relationships with the organizers he documents and has shared in a commitment to keeping fellow community members safe. As a result, his photographstightly framed shots of Black women embracing, a curb cluttered with half gallons of milk and Gatoradeare stunningly intimate, as if from a family photo album. The images offer a careful, meditative depiction of his neighbors, what happened to them, and what they are doing about it.

Arrietas photography differs from many of the images Id seen recently in national news outlets and wire serviceseven where they published searing, beautiful portraits of grief-fueled unrest, Arrietas shots seemed closer to earth. His work felt particularly powerful during the past few weeks, as I watched Chauvin, the white former Minneapolis police officer who murdered George Floyd, stand trial through the eyes of helicoptering reporters. Things intensified when, before the jury had reached a verdict, Kim Potter, a white police officer in nearby Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, shot and killed a twenty-year-old Black man named Daunte Wright, a father, at a traffic stop. (Wright had been pulled over for expired registration tags.) Potter, an officer for twenty-six years, claimed that she had mistaken her gun for her Taser. It goes without saying that we had been there beforeand indeed, even as Arrieta awaited word on Chauvins case, there we remained.

Arrieta, who was born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, arrived in Saint Paul about four years ago; hed relocated for his job, at Effect Partners, where he works in social impact consulting, mostly on campaigns related to climate change. (His current focus is the availability of plant-based food in oppressed communities.) At the time, he was taking photos as a hobby, using a basic point-and-shoot camera. But after Floyds murder, he began to delve into journalistic work.

It started from a place of just documenting what was going on, Arrieta said. As he shot, he noticed journalists coming in and out of town. I realized that this parachute style of journalism exists, especially as the Twin Cities has become the epicenter for the largest racial justice movement in America. Their efforts often seemed to amount only to a prelude. Ive been on the ground, intimately knowing the facets of this movementfrom those who want to abolish police to those who want community control to those who want to reform to individuals who have lost loved ones, he explained. Theres a lot of distrust in media and press overall because of that parachute style of journalism. And a lot of people I connect with dont feel journalists are invested enough in the story, that theyre looking for headlines or the sensational photo.

After Wrights death, Arrieta went to Brooklyn Center to document the demonstrations calling for accountability. Law enforcement, dressed in riot gear, met protesters with aggression, using rubber bullets and chemical irritants. At one point Arrieta was hit in the face with a rubber munition. His vision went white, and he stumbled backwards, unable to see. But soon he had help: frontline activists recognized him and came to his aid. Arrieta told me this was common, in his experience; in recent months hed received lots of help from people on the ground. Most of his gear was donated by members of the communities he shootsincluding his combat helmet, protective goggles, and bulletproof vest. His camera is on loan from Ben Solomon, formerly of the New York Times.

I dont put calls out for funds, but they ask if I need supplies, Arrieta said. People have Venmoed me money; other bipoc photojournalists have donated money to me to make sure Im protected. Ive had people deliver food for me, Reiki therapy sessions, and deliver plants. Hes appreciated the support. This work has been extremely challenging to my physical and mental health, he explained. The shot to his face by police in Brooklyn Center had given him a minor concussion. Its challenging, and I havent received any monetary returns or riches, but thats not my guiding compass, he told me. Theres a major need in storytelling to provide a more bottom-up perspective.

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When, at last, Chauvin was declared guilty of all charges, Arrieta was outside the courthouse, alongside a thousand others. People were waving flags outside their cars, a lot of celebrations, he said. Afterward, he went to George Floyd Squarenear Cup Foods, where Floyd took his last breathcamera in hand. Theres a lot of people who immediately shared photos and videos. But there was such a spectrum of emotions, from confusion to happiness to joy to people crying, he told me. People feeling as if this wasnt justice, just accountability, and that theres a lot more to be done, and no reason to be celebrating, because this was the bare minimum required. He documented the scene, then went home to sit with what hed witnessed. I want to cover all those nuances of the movement, of this moment, he explained. It wasnt just joy. There was sadness. There was anxiety. People are still grieving for other loved ones.

Arrieta shared with me a series of photos hes shot in the Minneapolis area and in Washington, DC, over the past several months, chronicling the movements to eradicate racial oppression in the United States. What follows is his description of the images.

Theres a church by the Brooklyn Center Police Department, and a line was being created by state troopers. What I found to be really interesting was that a lot of communities that consider themselves victims of police violence, like Black Americans and brown people, really use it as an opportunity, like therapy sessions, where they try to get troopers to renounce police violence. And the police are completely silent; they dont respond, or theyll lock eyes with the people having conversations with them. Its very intense. I caught this moment where a young Black man is trying to have a conversation with a state trooper who is shining a light in his eyes. Hes saying how he feels scared, and the trooper isnt doing anything but gazing intently back into his eyes. This happens very often in Minneapolis and other cities. It sort of exemplifies a larger theme that a lot of Black Americans feel when theyre trying to communicate with law enforcementthe feeling of not being heard. Ive always wondered, What would it be like if an actual conversation started, if there was actually dialogue there? I feel like theres something larger here thats representative of a lot of people feeling unheard when they speak out about police violence, particularly when theres someone trying to have a conversation with someone they deem as an oppressor. I never shoot with flash. I tried to use the lampposts, people using their flashlights; very often, I use the flash of other photographers cameras when it comes to lighting. It was raining and the rain was falling on the plastic shield. He had that constant look, eye level, looking directly, a very forceful gaze. No other emotions. There are protesters out there cracking jokes about police, and youll sometimes see officers react, but this trooper kept his gaze and was unmoved by anything that was said to him and didnt reply back at all. He was just there, frozen.

Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli is an Aztec dance group thats a mainstay at any march around police violence or state violence. Theyre a dance group that is a collection of different individuals from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spanish-speaking countries. They perform Indigenous music and dances, typically at the beginning of a protest, but they also march along the route. Ive seen them doing a dance for five-to-ten-mile marches around the Twin Cities. Theyve also done a really incredible job of interconnecting a lot of the struggles that oppressed individuals in Minnesota have felt, by connecting immigration with police brutality, but also creating a space for dance and celebration and ritual. Theyve been a dance troupe since 2007, and theyve been very active in the movement-building that has been part of the Twin Cities from Philando Castile to Jamar Clark and others killed by police in Minnesota. Im familiar with their dance style; I know where to set up and position myself. At a lot of events and rallies, I know the routing of the march before the march begins. So that allows me to position myself in interesting places, and I also get a bit closer to a lot of the dancers. They typically form a circle and the drummer is in the middle. Im allowed to get really close in on their faces. Other photojournalists have gotten in trouble for it or been told to please back up. Me knowing them personallyIve been to their gallery. Ive documented some of their openings. They have given me a tour of their space, and theyve been really generous and kind to me. I understand their work and respect it and how much effort and timefrom being outside in freezing cold to the hot, sweaty summer, theyre always there. They appreciate others who show that commitment as well.

Its really important to capture all facets of this movementnot just trauma, but joy, resilience, celebrations. New Black City is an all bipoc, femme, nonbinary, trans dance troupe that performs throughout the Twin Cities. This was taken at Peoples Power Love Fest at George Floyd Square. Peoples Fest was gathering signatures to get specific language about community control of police on the ballot in November. They do such an incredible job of creating a safe space for Black, brown, bipoc bodies of all shapes and sizes and genders and identities to dance and have fun. When you think about social movements overall, you think about tension, aggression, trauma. But theres also a lot of joy and resilience. George Floyd Square has become this safe space for that type of community-building that didnt really exist elsewhere. Theres definitely been organizations and galleries or community spaces, but now there is an intersection that is representative of the reasons that brought everyone there, a space for people, maybe not a part of the movement, to come visit. Theres certainly tourists coming by to stop to visit, but also a lot of people who dont consider themselves activists, dont consider themselves part of the movement, or who are not necessarily putting up Black Lives Matter signs outside their home, but will come visit George Floyd Square and, while there, get to see another side of this moment that isnt typically portrayed.

The Twin Cities are historically liberal and vote Democrat, but the suburbs lean Republican and conservative. Throughout the summer, there would be Blue Lives Matter rallies at the same exact time that there were Black Lives Matter rallies. These were always very delicate, highly intense situations. At this one, there was a Black Lives Matter rally starting at a school three blocks away from a library that was hosting a Blue Lives Matter rally. It started to pour this awful rainand thunderstormthe moment we were meeting the Blue Lives Matter rally. A shouting match began. A lot of the Blue Lives and pro-Trump crowd carry semiautomatic weapons and they make sure folks know. The man who is directly in front of the camera, wearing the number eight on his shoulder, was a Blue Lives Matter supporter talking about how All lives matter and not only Black lives. He was yelling, saying Black Lives Matter is a terrorist movement, calling them antifa. The term folks use is trolling. He was antagonizing this individual into some level of altercation. He wanted him to get angry, to rile him up. This individuals name is Tino, and he just positioned himself as fearless, not scared of this man and what he was saying. His partner holding his face was letting him know, You dont wanna get into an altercation, its not worth it. Tino wanted to show he was willing to stand up for himself. Theres also police there on the scene, standing on the side, not getting involved at all. This is one of a couple photos I have where people are trying to de-escalate.

This was when the tactics of the law enforcement officers were a bit more violent and aggressive. In the first photo, you can see four different pepper spray canisters being sprayed on a crowd directly in front of them. The second photo is tear gas and a flash-bang being used. I really wanted to show the level of aggressiveness versus a bunch of people just holding umbrellas as makeshift shields. Theyre not on the same level in terms of intensity. Especially in the second photo, it really shows the officers positioned very far back from the gate where people are located. Officers were shooting rubber bullets and tear gas off the roof of the building at individuals who were largely peaceful. Through the week, some nights, the police would back off and not do anything, and allow people to hold space there, and there wouldnt be any violence. But whenever tear gas, pepper spray, or rubber bullets were used, it would escalate the situation and get people angryand give them additional reason to come back. It wouldnt deter the people, it would cause them to double down. The people holding space there are protesting against police violence and brutality and, at the same time, thats exactly how police are reacting, only compounding the narrative. I was hit in the head and had to deal with a ringing headache throughout the week. A lot of it wasthis is my personal opinionlargely unnecessary. On nights when chemical irritants were not used, people were allowed to be there and then they went home. Theres something to be said about giving people space to grieve and come together. I think thats the importance of George Floyd Square in de-escalating a lot of the unrest that was happening in the city. When that space is interrupted by violence, especially by police, it only escalates and enrages individuals more, and they come back the day after stronger.

This is a rally that occurred outside the Minnesota state capitol, around the military coup occurring in Myanmar. Since the uprising and Black Lives Matter in Minnesota, theres also been a recharge, or an ignition, of other solidarity movements of other communities in Minnesota that arent typically outspoken and dont have a presence among protesters occupying streets and rallying. The Burmese community in Minnesota is fairly small, but I think they are pulling from the energy of Black Lives Matter that exists here. Theres also the Oromo community, an ethnic group based in Ethiopia, that has started holding rallies and marches very similar in style, even the chants, to the Black Lives Matter movement. This was around the time the countrys prime minister began jailing political opponents, especially those from the Oromo community. It was essentially ethnic genocide, so the community here in Minnesota started to stand up and demand accountability from the US government, saying that their lives matter, using similar language to the Black Lives Matter movement. It was the same for this Myanmar event, where individuals not typically a part of the social political activist landscape in Minnesota were taking space and demanding more from American leadership and leadership abroad. Its been interesting to see these movements cross-pollinate. A lot of the youth activists from the Burmese rally were standing with protesters in Brooklyn Center last week, and the same with the Oromo community.



There was a Dia de los Muertos event at George Floyd Square. Its a holiday immortalizing and praying for people who have passed awayand, for this event, folks killed due to police violence from across Minnesota. People were dressed up, and there were these steel benches that were placed upright. It was at this moment when there was a lot of anxiety and witnessing of kids in cages, and how immigrants, especially those from Latin America who were coming through Mexico, were being treated at border facilities. This photo, for me, creates a sort of caged effect using that bench. I use this photo to bring light to the disasters happening at our detention facilities. As of October 2020, there were five hundred migrant children unable to reunite with their parents after being separated at the border. This photo is representative of that, and in the background you can faintly see a fist at George Floyd Square. I think its important to show that everyone, from the families demanding more at the border to the Myanmar communitytheyre all people who are raising their hand right now and saying, We are unable to live a thriving, equitable life. And we need more.

This is an action where a caravan of water protectors popped up at a construction site for the Line Three pipeline, and one had this mirror that said American traitor and was putting it in the face of a lot of the construction workers. This movement itself has been largely led by the Indigenous community that is based in north Minnesota and have been consistently trying to slow down construction. The governor is supportive of the site, and rural Minnesota, where this pipeline is being built, is very economically depressed. This is probably the biggest job creation in Palisade, Minnesota, and the surrounding area. Even though this is about four hours away from the Twin Cities, a lot of Line Three activists are constantly down in the Twin Cities supporting Brooklyn Center, trying to help pass police accountability bills.

After the election, I was honestly expecting something similar to what happened January 6 to happen, so I decided to go to DC for a couple days. It was very telling. This event itself scarred me from going back to DC again. It was about fifty thousand Trump supporters who didnt believe in the election results. Anyone who was a member of the media, or of a small opposing faction of protesters, were treated as enemies of the state. When I was covering this, I had food thrown at me, I had seven or eight people threaten to beat the shit out of me, explicitly using those words. Everything from a twelve-year-old boy to a thirty-year-old white man to a sixty-year-old woman threatening to fight me. I had someone toss a bike in my direction to hit me. I had lots of individuals pointing at me and using the white power hand sign that the Anti-Defamation League has considered a hate sign. It was a really scarring event. What was fascinating was the moment that riot police showed up and formed a line in front of a small group of press and Black Lives Matter protesters, while we received death threats and things were hurled at us and white power hand signals were being pointed at individuals of color. This photo really struck me. This Black male, he was a DC police officer wearing the Malcolm X iconic sunglasses, standing in front of these Trump supporters. It has stayed with me. One thing that has been alarming covering Trump rallies in Minnesota and DC was that the Black Lives Matter supporters were treated as the agitators and violent threat. Behind this man is tens of thousands of Trump supporters yelling heinous things at a small group of people, but the riot police are facing us. In 2020, I was threatened by more men with semiautomatic weapons than I ever imagined. I felt like I lost a piece of my humanity. It was terrifying, and I feel like its something Im still working through. The only reason I felt safe out there was because the frontline activists from DC looked out for me. The presence of the police didnt make me feel safe. It only terrified me. Even now, at Brooklyn Center, when police with riot gear show up, in my head, theyre there to brutalize people; they arent there to protect. That was the scene I witnessed. This moment has changed my relationship with police overall; I think my subconsciousness has changed. Just the sight of them, its different.

Ive been fascinated by people who decided to join the movement, who didnt consider themselves activists before. Kaia Hirt chained herself to a fence outside the Hennepin County courthouse. Kaia is like, a middle school teacher in a suburb in Minnesota who wasnt involved until Floyds murder, when she started to hear stories from families who have lost loved ones to police violence. She is just like, a middle school teacher, very warm and kind, and she took this militant stance. She swapped out with someone after two days.

Editors Note: This story has been updated to correctly identify Arrietas employer.

ICYMI: What it looks like to decenter the official story

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Alexandria Neason is CJR's Staff Writer and Senior Delacorte Fellow. Previously, she was a reporter at the Village Voice and covered education for the Teacher Project, a partnership between Columbia Journalism School and Slate. A team she worked on won the 2016 Education Writers Association award for news features. Follow her on Twitter @alexandrianeas.
The hope generated by the first meeting between the nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital and Tenet Healthcare in nearly two months quickly evaporated Monday evening as each side appears to be no closer to accepting a resolution.

Mondays meeting represented the first between the two sides since the strike began on March 8. Tenet Healthcare, the Dallas-based parent company of Saint Vincent Hospital, came to the table with an offer after the nurses last proposal was shot down when the two met in early March.

Tenets latest offer retained its wage increases from the past but also included the creation of an audit committee to hold the hospital accountable to the staffing ratios. The offer didnt directly increasing staffing which is what the Massachusetts Nurses Association has highlighted as a main demand.

The MNA said it reviewed the hospitals proposal with its membership via Zoom. Members voiced strong opposition and declined the offer.

The strike will continue, the MNA said. Moving forward the union will be in contact with the mediator to see if they can find a path forward.

In a statement, Saint Vincent Hospital said it will not concede on staffing ratios, meaning the strike has no immediate end in sight.

Before going back to the table, we reiterated what we have been saying for months, that we will not concede to across the board 4:1 staffing, the hospital said in a statement. This proposed ratio was defeated by voters in the Commonwealth in 2018 70 to 30, a fact the MNA seems to be incapable of accepting.

The statement refers to a 2018 ballot question in Massachusetts which would have implemented strict staffing ratio requirements for nurses at hospitals. The ballot question was soundly defeated by a margin of 70 to 30.

Pressure has been applied to Tenet Healthcare from political leaders throughout the city from all levels of government. The entire Worcester City Council, the Worcester state legislative delegation, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Edward Markey, Congressman Jim McGovern and Attorney General Maura Healy have all visited the nurses strike line.

Warren, Markey and McGovern sent their own letter to Tenets CEO in Dallas urging the company to negotiate with the nurses.

On Tuesday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan, a Democrat representing Massachusetts 3rd District, will be the latest official to visit the nurses strike line. On Wednesday, Worcester Interfaith and its coalition of 21 faith-based organizations are scheduled to hold their third candlelight vigil to support the nurses.

The MNA represents 800 nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital. According to the hospital, about 15% of those nurses opted not to participate in the strike.

The MNA said last week that it projected Tenet has spent about $40 million to prolong the strike. The numbers are based on replacement nurses pay and police details.

The total is likely a bit inflated, though. According to the Boston Business Journal, the hospital is spending between $3 million to $3.4 million on replacement staff salaries alone in the first three weeks. Even at a projected $3.4 million a week, including the $5.4 million Tenet said it spent on the first week, the costs are likely closer to $30 million including police details.

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ROME, APR 27 - Italian police on Tuesday arrested 51 people who allegedly ran what officials called an "open-air drugs supermarket" at Tor Bella Monaca on the outskirts of Rome. The arrests were made in Rome and other parts of Italy, police said. Police said the 'supermarket' was similar to those operated in other notorious areas of Italian cities like Scampia in Naples, with lookouts, runners and delivery boys. They said it had a turnover of more than 600,000 euros a month. The alleged gang has been charged with using mafia methods. The bust came on the information provided by two informants who had been part of the alleged gang, police said. (ANSA).
A private school in Florida is barring teachers who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 from coming into contact with students, arguing against all evidence that the educators pose a health risk.

Critics have held up the move by the Centner Academy as a particularly glaring example of the dangers of misinformation as the US works to get its population inoculated.

In an email to parents on Monday, co-founder Leila Centner wrote that vaccinated people "may be transmitting something from their bodies" that could harm others, in particular the "reproductive systems, fertility, and normal growth and development in women and children."

Centner acknowledged that the assertion, which is false, "is new and is yet to be researched."

The school urged faculty and staff who have not yet been vaccinated to wait until the end of the school year to do so, saying they should hold off "until there is further research available on whether this experimental drug is impacting unvaccinated individuals."

The claims, which have been circulating on social media, have previously been debunked by experts and fact-checkers.

"There's no evidence to suggest that vaccination will cause a person to shed the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In fact it's an impossibility, since all of the vaccines cause cells to produce only the spike protein, and no other components of the virus. So there's no way the virus can be produced by the vaccine," said Jamie Scott, professor emeritus and former research professor of molecular immunity at Simon Fraser University in Canada.

Dasantila Golemi-Kotra, associate professor of microbiology at York University, said that "no spike protein gets shed when we get vaccinated. This is skewed science."

US health regulators and the World Health Organization have said that the three vaccines being used in the US on an emergency basis are safe and effective.

The Centner Academy was founded in 2018, has about 300 students and charges some $30,000 a year in tuition for middle school, according to its website.

Story continues

Centner founded the school with her husband David Centner, a former tech and electronic highway tolling entrepreneur.

The couple donated heavily to Donald Trump's re-election campaign and the Republican Party, while giving smaller amounts to local Democrats, said The New York Times, which first reported the school's email to parents.

Parents at the school were divided on the letter.

"We support the decision of the school 100 percent," one, who gave his name only as Fabio, told AFP.

"Because there is not too much information about this experimental vaccine, so we don't trust it," he explained.

Another parent, who gave her name as Lidia, told a local NBC affiliate: "They're very pro- 'my body, my choice,' and yet, it's the complete opposite of that is what she's actually telling these teachers. It's your body, but it's her choice."

- 'No scientific evidence' -

The United States has so far administered more than 232 million vaccine doses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), enough for more than half of all adults in the US to have gotten at least one shot.

New Covid-19 cases are falling, according to CDC numbers, and the agency said Tuesday that Americans vaccinated against the coronavirus no longer need to wear masks outdoors, as long as they are not at crowded events.

But vaccine hesitancy is becoming a greater barrier to the country's inoculation campaign.

Centner also claimed in the letter that "thousands" of women have reported their menstrual cycles have been affected by the vaccine, and that it has caused a 366 percent increase in miscarriages.

The only citation she gave for the figure was an article published on The Daily Expose, a website branded as "conspiracy-pseudoscience" by the mediabiasfactcheck.com.

AFP fact checkers have refuted the claim, and the CDC says there is no evidence for it.

Aileen Marty, a physician and infectious disease specialist at Florida International University, described the Centner email as "sad."

"(T)here's not one citation, there's not one physician or scientist whose name is spelled out in there. There's no references. There's nothing. There is no scientific evidence provided," Marty told the Miami Herald.

dw/ft/caw/st
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Seven people were injured when gunfire erupted at a vigil for a man who was shot and killed a day earlier in the same location, Oregon police said.

Alejandro Barajas, 22, was killed Sunday in Gresham.

The next night, a vigil was held for him on Stark Street, where he was shot. A dark SUV approached at about 11:30 p.m., and the people inside and those at the vigil began shooting at each other, police said.

Seven people were hurt and are expected to survive, according to police.

Officials said they are looking for the occupants of the SUV.

The gun violence that unfolded in Gresham on Monday shows the urgent need for more community-based programs that work to prevent gun violence and that respond to the emotional trauma left behind, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said in a statement. The outcome of this shooting could have been much different. We acknowledge the paramedics and hospital staff across the metro who are still helping the victims recover from the physical injuries resulting from this brazen act of violence.

On Tuesday, police arrested a man in connection to the death of Barajas. Omar Cibiran Gongora was taken into custody without incident, police said.
Photo: VPD

Vancouver Police are warning the public about a sexual assault on a child by an art instructor who operates in South Vancouver.

On March 22, 50 year-old Shao Zhai Chen was teaching art classes out of his home near East 64th Avenue and Prince Edward Street, when he allegedly sexually assaulted a nine-year-old student.

This is a very disturbing incident where a child was left under the care of an adult and that adult allegedly took advantage of her, said Constable Tania Visintin, VPD.

Chen was described in a recent press release as Asian, five feet eight inches tall with black and white hair and wears glasses.

Chen is charged with one count of sexual assault, one count of sexual interference and one count of invitation to sexual touching.

Chen has a condition not to have any contact with persons under the age of 16 unless in the presence of their parents or in the presence of another adult approved of by the bail supervisor.

Investigators are concerned there may be other children that have attended Chens residence and could have more information or be of assistance to this investigation, added Visintin.

Anyone with information is asked to call VPD investigators at 604-717-0604.
The PaceDocs team, under the guidance of Professor Maria Luskay, always does remarkable work. This year, they did something extraordinary, persevering through a pandemic to create a truly inspiring, thought-provoking, and poignant documentary. -- Marvin Krislov, president of Pace University.

After much hard work, dedication and anticipation, Pace Universitys documentary film team  PaceDocs  recently premiered Bee Aware, a film focusing on the environmental threats facing one of the most important pollinators for humankind.

The film aptly debuted online on Earth Day as it spotlights the vital role bees play in our food supply; their importance to the environment; and some of the challenges facing the insect and the environment. It was followed by a virtual Q&A with the filmmakers via Zoom.

The PaceDocs team, under the guidance of Professor Maria Luskay, always does remarkable work, said Marvin Krislov, president of Pace University. This year, they did something extraordinary, persevering through a pandemic to create a truly inspiring, thought-provoking, and poignant documentary. Bee Aware is a wonderful example of Pace students commitment to hard work, hands-on education, and environmental conservation. I couldnt be prouder of this group of young filmmakers.

The film was shot on location at bee farms throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts, and can be viewed here.

Initially, the class -- made up of 20 graduate and undergraduate students from around the country -- was set to embark on a trip to Paris, France last spring to spotlight the rooftop bees that survived the historic Cathedral of Notre Dame fire. But the global pandemic halted all international travel, and the university, like most others around the world, immediately pivoted to remote learning.

Professor Luskay, whose Producing the Documentary course is part of the Department of Media, Communications, and Visual Arts, knew the show must go on. Luskay, assisted by Professor Lou Guarneri and the PaceDocs team scrambled and came up with Plan Bee.

This years lessons were ones of endurance and adaptation, said Professor Luskay. The students really learned how to adapt, change and solve problems as the world around them changed. I couldnt be more proud of them. They produced a great film.

The popular class is part of Pace Universitys highly regarded film program, and as part of it, students have been introduced to documentary filmmaking, teamwork, problem-solving, and organization. Theyve also been introduced to different areas of the world where theyve experienced firsthand a number of important environmental and humanitarian issues -- and have been challenged to document them in remote locations around the globe.

In recent years, Pace filmmakers have produced documentaries about the earthquakes in Hawaii (2019); the endurance of the people of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria (2018); Cuba at a cultural crossroads (2016); reviving Curacaos coral reefs (2015); as well as many other poignant films.

Every year, Dyson Colleges student filmmakers travel abroad to produce a documentary that shines a light on an important issue, educating us all, said Tresmaine R. Grimes, dean, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education. I am so very proud of this years team, as they not only produced a compelling, informative film, but also rose to overcome the unique challenges posed by the pandemic. Congratulations to them and Professors Luskay and Guarneri for another stellar PaceDocs production.

Although difficult at times, students say the experience was invaluable, and gave them a real dose of what its like to make a film under challenging circumstances.

We had a special experience, said Austin Braun, a graduate student from Stockholm, New Jersey. We learned how to produce a film online. We learned that we can make a powerful film with all of the technology we have  Its the future of filmmaking.

While it may very well be a sign of things to come in the industry, getting there was no small accomplishment. In addition to finding new locations to film and experts to speak with over the summer, the class had to learn how to edit together while working remotely across the region.

We worked our tails off, Braun added. Through hard work and determination, we got it done.

For Cory Kinchla, a graduating senior from Tewksbury, Mass., the journey has been wild. A digital cinema and filmmaking major, he chose Pace specifically for its documentary program. Clearly it was upsetting to start over, and chaotic at times but the endgame was worth it.

It was a real life experience, Kinchla said. The whole experience was about adapting, improvising and overcoming. We can say we produced a documentary through a pandemic and made it happen. We were able to pull it together. Thats the reward.

You can also view Plan Bee, a behind the scenes look and interview with the students about making the film during the pandemic.

About Pace University: Pace University has a proud history of preparing its diverse student body for a lifetime of professional success as a result of its unique program that combines rigorous academics and real-world experiences. Pace is ranked the #1 private, four-year college in the nation for upward economic mobility by Harvard Universitys Opportunity Insights, evidence of the transformative education the University provides. From its beginnings as an accounting school in 1906, Pace has grown to three campuses, enrolling 13,000 students in bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs in more than 150 majors and programs, across a range of disciplines: arts, sciences, business, health care, technology, law, education, and more. The university also has one of the most competitive performing arts programs in the country. Pace has a signature, newly renovated campus in New York City, located in the heart of vibrant Lower Manhattan, next to Wall Street and City Hall, and two campuses in Westchester County, New York: a 200-acre picturesque Pleasantville Campus and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains. Follow us on Twitter or on the Pace News website.

About Dyson College of Arts and Sciences: Pace Universitys liberal arts college, Dyson College, offers more than 50 programs, spanning the arts and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and pre-professional programs (including pre-medicine, pre-veterinary, and pre-law), as well as many courses that fulfill core curriculum requirements. The College offers access to numerous opportunities for internships, cooperative education and other hands-on learning experiences that complement in-class learning in preparing graduates for career and graduate/professional education choices. http://www.pace.edu/dyson.


Fully vaccinated Americans dont need to wear a mask outside, except in crowded settings, under new guidelines released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

During a White House briefing, public health officials said fully vaccinated individuals can unmask while walking, running, hiking, or biking outdoors alone or with members of their household.

Vaccinated people also dont need to wear a mask during small outdoor gatherings with fully vaccinated family and friends, or at gatherings with a mixture of vaccinated and unvaccinated people, they said.

In addition, fully vaccinated individuals dont need to wear a mask at outdoor restaurants with friends from multiple households, the guidance said.

Today is another day we can take a step back to the normalcy of before, said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. If you are fully vaccinated, things are much safer for you than those who are not yet fully vaccinated.

The CDC still recommends fully vaccinated people wear masks in indoor public settings and at outdoor public settings or venues where masks are required.

Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after receiving the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The CDCs announcement represents a slight shift in public health messaging, from drilling pandemic restrictions to encouraging vaccinations by providing tangible benefits to those who have gotten their shots.

The bottom line is clear, if youre vaccinated you can do more things more safely both outdoors as well as indoors, President Joe Biden said in a later White House briefing Tuesday. For those who havent gotten their vaccination yet, especially if youre younger or thinking you dont need it, this is another great reason to go and get vaccinated now.

As of Tuesday, CDC data showed nearly 30% of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated and more than 42% have received at least one dose.

Story continues

The agency's guidance previously said masks may not be necessary when you are outside by yourself away from others or with people who live in your household, but it continued to recommend masks in public settings, and noted local outdoor mask orders should be followed.

Some states already had begun to relax outdoor mask requirements. Kentucky residents are no longer required to wear masks at outdoor events with fewer than 1,000 people. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker told reporters last week he wanted to lift some restrictions in the state by the end of April.

Health experts have said throughout the pandemic the risk of transmitting the coronavirus outdoors is much lower than indoors. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White Houses chief medical adviser, told George Stephanopoulos Sunday on ABC News This Week the risk for vaccinated people outdoors is minuscule.

How long will masks be required on planes? Flight attendants say mandate should be extended

Masks in schools: Florida education commissioner tells schools to make masks optional for 2021-22 school year

A November report published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases found the odds of indoor transmission was 18.7 times higher than outdoors. Researchers looking at five studies discovered less than 10% of COVID-19 infections occurred outdoors.

The virus rapidly disperses in air outdoors due to wind currents, so the risk of inhaling aerosols of viral particles from people walking by or running is quite low, said Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

However, he said masks should still be worn during large outdoor gatherings where people are in close proximity for prolonged amounts of time such as sporting events, protests, or rallies.

In the newly released masking guidelines, the CDC recommends people continue to wear masks at crowded outdoor events such as a live performance, parade, or sporting event. They also recommend mask-wearing at a barbershop or hair salon, an uncrowded indoor shopping mall or museum, a small indoor gathering with unvaccinated individuals, an indoor movie theater and in a house of worship.

Contributing: Associated Press. Follow Adrianna Rodriguez on Twitter: @AdriannaUSAT.

Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CDC updates mask mandates, rules for vaccinated people outdoors
Editors note: CT also offers a collection of tributes by leaders and friends of Padilla.

C. Rene Padilla, theologian, pastor, publisher, and longtime staff member with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, died Tuesday, April 27, at the age of 88.

Padilla was best known as the father of integral mission, a theological framework that has been adopted by over 500 Christian missions and relief organizations, including Compassion International and World Vision. Integral mission pushed evangelicals around the world to widen their Christian mission, arguing that social action and evangelism were essential and indivisible componentsin Padillas words, two wings of a plane.

Padillas influence surfaced most prominently at the Lausanne Congress of 1974, where he gave a rousing plenary speech. Nearly 2,500 Protestant evangelical leaders from over 150 countries and 135 denominations gathered in Lausanne, Switzerland, at a meeting funded primarily by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). One influential magazine called Lausanne a formidable forum, possibly the widest-ranging meeting of Christians ever held. When Padilla ascended the stage, he carried the hopes and dreams of many evangelicals from the Global South who sought equal footing in the decision-making of worldwide churches and mission organizations.

Padilla specifically called American evangelicals to repent for exporting the American way of life to mission fields around the world, devoid of social responsibility and care for the poor, making the case for mision integral.

A term drawn from his homemade whole-wheat bread (pan integral), it referred to a synthesized spiritual and structural approach to Christian mission, originally translated as a comprehensive mission.

Jesus Christ came not just to save my soul, but to form a new society, he said at Lausanne.

Padillas life story was surprising in its global reachfrom an impoverished childhood in Colombia and Ecuador to sharpening evangelicals throughout the world. He ministered with American missionaries Jim Eliot, Nate Saint, and Pete Fleming before their untimely deaths outside Quito in 1956; he translated for Billy Graham crusades across Latin America in the 1960s; he shared intimate friendship and speaking tours with John Stott in the 1970s; he bridged a growing divide between a younger generation of evangelicals from the Global South and leaders in the United States and Great Britain in the tumultuous 1960s and 1970s; and he led global evangelical organizations. He also was published widely in theological journals and student publications such as that of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF).

Much of Padillas legacy remains within Latin America among pastors, theologians, and lay leaders. While he was often offered positions in the United States, Padilla chose to remain in Latin America, pastoring among the poor, leading the Kairos Center for Integral Mission, and publishing hundreds of first-time Latin American authors through his Ediciones Kairos publishing house. Padilla also co-founded the Latin American Theological Fellowship (FTL) and the International Fellowship of Evangelical Mission Theologians and served as president of Tearfund UK and Ireland and the Micah Network.

Carlos Rene Padilla was born in Quito, Ecuador, on October 12, 1932. Padilla came of age alongside the American missionary community in the region, pioneering evangelism projects and translating US radio programs as a young teenager for the HCJB radio ministry. As a child, Padilla knew he was different, marked by a religious identity that was marginalized and excluded by a broader Latin American culture. Padillas father was a tailor to pay the bills but an evangelical church planter at heart. Both his parents became evangelical Christians before he was born, through the influence of Padillas uncle, Heriberto Padilla, who according to Padilla was one of the first evangelical pastors in Ecuador.

Church planting was a dangerous endeavor in the staunchly Roman Catholic Colombia, where his family moved in 1934. Their homes were firebombed, and multiple assassination attempts were made upon him and his father as they planted churches and performed open-air evangelism. Padilla bore scars from stones thrown at him as a seven-year-old as he walked down the streets of Bogota, attempting to attend the local school.

Looking back, Padilla noted this was part of being a faithful evangelical Christian: In Colombia you had to identify yourself as an evangelical Christian, and if you did, you had to pay the consequences.

As an economic migrant and as a member of a religious minority community, Padilla was shaped by a context of violence, oppression, and exclusion. The relationship between suffering and theology was an organic one for Padilla. As a young person, he recalled longing to understand the meaning of the Christian faith in relation to issues of justice and peace in a society deeply marked by oppression, exploitation, and abuse of power. The question for Padilla was not whether the gospel spoke to a challenging Latin American context, but how. These questions drove Padilla to seek answers in theological education and practical ministry among college students.

As a teenager, Padilla flew in American missionary pilot Nate Saints plane over the Ecuadorian Andes. Saint, along with Jim Elliot and Pete Fleming, had recently organized an evangelical childrens Bible camp in a small town outside of Quito. As Padilla peered through the cockpit at the Amazonian jungle below, he recalled Saints advice: Youre going to study theologybe careful not to take theology undigested. When the three missionaries were killed by indigenous Waorani people in a failed evangelization attempt in 1956, Padilla was a student at Elliots alma mater, Wheaton College. Their sudden deaths made, in his words, an enormous impact on him at Wheaton.

After arriving on campus in fall 1953, Padilla sought out the help of the schools president, Victor Raymond Edman, who had served as a missionary in Quito, working alongside Padillas parents with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Edman supported his new studentwho barely spoke English and was in debt from his plane fareby helping him find a job and connect with campus resources. By 1959, Padilla had earned a bachelors degree in philosophy and a masters in theology. But he graduated in absentia, as he was already on staff with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students movements in Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador. (IFES is the global body that arose out of national movements such as the US-InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship in Britain.)

From Latin America, Padilla also proposed marriage to his longtime American friend, fellow Wheaton graduate and InterVarsity staff worker Catharine Feser. He described his marriage proposal as explicitly twofoldto marry him and to marry Latin America. Her commitment to Latin America as a mission field would play a major role in their shared ministry. (She would ultimately reject the US and vow to never return.) Catharine edited nearly everything Rene wrote, including his Lausanne 1974 speech. She provided a crucial bridge between English language proficiency and native fluency.

Padillas new role came six months after Fulgencio Batistas regime was toppled in Cuba by Communist forces loyal to Fidel Castro. The uprising woke up the regions young people to the reality that American imperialism was not inevitable, and its success amplified nationalistic tendencies, casting widespread doubt on foreign ideas. Most evangelical theological materials in Latin America had little to say about the pull of Marxist ideologies. Returning from the American suburbs to Latin Americas tumultuous political context shocked the young Ecuadorian and threw into question his theological categories, particularly those imparted by his education at Wheaton.

Padillas discontent with existing approaches to ministry, mixed with student demand for social engagement, pushed him to explore innovative solutions in mission and theology. His widespread contact with universities and students within Cold War Latin America gave him a unique perspective. But practical ministry experience was not his only expertise. His evangelical education credentials gave him wider credibility to speak into theological debates, such as those at Lausanne.

From 1963 to 1965, Padilla completed his PhD at the University of Manchester under F. F. Bruce, Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis, the most prominent conservative evangelical biblical scholar of the post-war era, as historian Brian Stanley later described him. Studying with Bruce made Padilla trustworthy to the broader evangelical world, ultimately leading to a speaking invitation at Lausanne and a partnership with John Stott, which would prove crucial to the later inclusion of social elements in the Lausanne Covenant.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, Padilla began to speak of Latin Americas theological poverty, lamenting that local questions were being met with foreign answers. Padilla joined forces with IFES colleagues Samuel Escobar and Pedro Arana, as well as missionary Orlando Costas, creating an eclectic coalition of restless theologians. Together, they shared experiences of living in unjust and unequal contexts during the Cold War and a frustration with how many evangelical organizations treated Latin Americans.

One such frustration occurred at the 1969 BGEA-sponsored First Latin American Congress for Evangelization, better known for its Spanish acronym, CLADE. The event was an attempt to help Latin American pastors and theologians see the dangers of Marxist-inflected theologies and to impose US theological categories upon the region. The BGEA had observed the seemingly unchecked advance of radical theological movements by prominent, first-generation liberation theologians, and commitment to traditional Protestant evangelistic mission had started to wane. But for the embryonic Latin American Evangelical Left, CLADE represented a resurgence of American evangelical paternalism and imperialism. Padilla called the conference made in the USA and said paternalism was typical of the way in which work was done sometimes in the conservative sector.

In response, Padilla, Costas, Escobar, and others founded Fraternidad Teologica Latinoamericana (FTL). The organization pushed Padilla to publish and produce answers to gnawing missiological questions, and its early years provided some of the most significant contextual theology for Latin American Protestant evangelicals, including Padillas book Mission Between the Times: Essays on the Kingdom.

Padilla was already gaining prominence and sharpening his critical voice even prior to Lausanne. In a 1973 article for Christianity Todaythe magazines first article to directly address liberation theologyPadilla warned conservative evangelicals to address their own ideological biases before critiquing liberation theology. He also rejected liberation theology itself, while concluding, Where is the evangelical theology that will propose a solution with the same eloquence but also with a firmer basis in the Word of God?

In July 1974, Catharine Feser Padilla gathered her children around a world atlas in their home in the barrio of Florida Este in Buenos Aires. Her daughter, Ruth Padilla DeBorst, later recalled, The tone of her voice had a certain unaccustomed urgency: Today, when he gives his talk here, in Lausanne, Switzerlandpointing to the city on the mapPapi will say some things that not everyone is going to want to hear. Lets pray for him and for the people listening to him.

At the Lausanne Congress of 1974, for the first time, leaders from the Global South gained a place at the table of the world's evangelical leadershipbringing their emerging brand of social Christianity with them. Latin Americans spoke with a particularly strong voice, having honed their critique as a religious minority community. The editor of Crusade Magazine wrote that Padillas remarks really set the congress alight, and received the longest round of applause accorded to any speaker up till that time. Even Time highlighted Padillas speech in its coverage, calling it one of the meetings most provocative speeches.

Seizing momentum from his and Escobars plenary papers, Padilla, alongside John Howard Yoder, rallied an ad hoc group of 500 attendees they called the Radical Discipleship gathering that sought to further sharpen the social elements in the drafted Lausanne Covenant. After the congress, Padilla recalled their radical discipleship document as the strongest statement on the basis for holistic mission ever formulated by an evangelical conference up to that date. He also declared the death of the dichotomy between social action and evangelism in Christian mission.

Padillas presentation caused a stir. Stott, for instance, had previously rejected this view, but publicly reversed himself in his 1975 book Christian Mission in the Modern World. But it made many other evangelical leaders nervous, not only in North America and Britain, but also in the Global South. InterVarsitys general secretary Oliver Barclay took issue with the heart of Padillas Lausanne presentation and later that year warned him of reaction to his paper in the media and attempted to rein in the young leader.

At Lausanne, Padilla had connected the mission of the church to the content of the gospel message itselfcontent that contained social realities. In doing so, he challenged the prevailing theology of mainstream Protestant evangelicalism that social action was an implication of the gospel messagenot inherent to it. But for some, calling social ethics part of the gospel message unnervingly smacked of the social gospel and theological liberalism.

But for Padilla, embracing the wider gospel message was crucial for Christian mission. The lack of appreciation of the wider dimensions of the Gospel leads inevitably to a misunderstanding of the mission of the church, he said. The result is an evangelism that regards the individual as a self-contained unita Robinson Crusoe to whom Gods call is addressed as on an island.

In the following decades, Padilla helped shape the trajectory of the Lausanne Movement, leading colloquiums and conferences across the world. He continued to sharpen his message, including critiquing the role of the United States as a global power. His missiological legacy is perhaps most clearly seen in the documents of the Lausanne Congress in Cape Town in 2010. For the first time, integral mission was included in the official documents of the Lausanne movement.

Today, it is standard language for many evangelicals to speak of a wider gospel messagefor individual, for neighbor, for creation. Beyond global gatherings, Padilla spent much of his time carrying out integral mission theological formation with pastors and lay leaders throughout Latin America through the Centro de Estudios Teologicos Interdisciplinarios (CETI), founded with Catharine in 1982.

Padilla was preceded in death by his lifelong colleague and first wife, Catharine Feser Padilla, in 2009. He is survived by his second wife, Beatriz Vasquez, and his five children with Catharine, Daniel, Margarita, Elisa, Sara, and Ruth, along with many grandchildren.

[ This article is also available in espanol, Portugues, and Francais. ]
Jammu, April 27 : A soldier reportedly shot himself dead on Tuesday in an army centre in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district.

Police sources said the slain soldier was identified as Asangeppa Madar belonging to Karnataka. He reportedly used his service rifle to shoot himself inside an army centre in Banihal area.

"After hearing gunshots, his colleagues rushed to the spot where he was lying in a pool of blood.

"He was immediately shifted to the hospital where doctors said he was dead on arrival.

"An FIR has been lodged and investigation started to ascertain all the facts," police sources said.
President Joe Biden is going to beef up the budget of the Internal Revenue Service to help the agency crack down on wealthy individuals and powerful corporations who try to evade his proposed tax hikes.

Biden will give the IRS an extra $80 billion and more authority over the next 10 years, The New York Times reported, to help enforce the higher income tax on the rich and capital gains tax he's proposed to pay for his $1.8 trillion American Families Plan.

The president plans to pay for his 'human infrastructure' bill by raising the top marginal income tax rate on wealthy Americans to 39.6 per cent - up from 37 per cent - and raising capital gains tax rates for those who earn more than $1 million a year.

The new enforcement power to the tax collection agency will include new disclosure requirements for people who own businesses that are not organized as corporations and for other high worth individuals who could be hiding income from the government.

Administration officials also believe cracking down on tax avoidance by corporations and the rich could raise at least $700 billion over the next 10 years.

The IRS estimates it only collects 84 per cent of the money its owned in taxes each year, which results in a loss of $406 billion per year. That amount is a combination of $458 billion not paid and $52 billion not collected from those who are delinquent, according to the watchdog group Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Most of that tax gap comes from under reported personal income, underreported pass-through business income, small corporation income, and the self-employment payroll tax.

President Joe Biden wants to give IRS an extra $80 billion to crack down on wealthy individuals and powerful corporations who try to evade his proposed new tax hikes

The additional funds to the IRS will help enforce the higher income tax and capital gains tax President Biden has proposed to pay for his $1.8 trillion American Families Plan

White House officials have emphasized Biden's proposed tax hikes will only affect a small number of people and they portray it as a way to level the play field between ordinary tax-paying Americans and the wealthy who use sophisticated methods to avoid paying their faire share of taxes.

Brian Deese, the director of the National Economic Council, emphasized about three-tenths of 1 per cent - or about 500,000 people - would be affect by Biden's tax increases.

Joe Biden's tax hikes targeting the rich: Who will have to pay Capital gains tax on investment sales for those earning more than $1million a year: Current law: 20% Proposal: 39.6% With an effective rate of 43.4% when the Medicare surcharge is added. Investors currently pay 23.8% as the top capital gains rate along with the 3.8% net investment income tax, known as the Medicare surtax. Around 500,000 people in the US, or 0.32% of the population, have recorded a gross income of over $1million. For those earning more than $1 million in high-tax states, the total rate will be even higher given the combined federal and state tax capital gains. In New York it could be as high as 52.22% and for Californians it could be 56.7% Wealthy residents pay Capital Gains on the growth in value of investments when they are sold. They are mainly placed on profitable stock trades and real estate deals. They can also apply to sales of collectible cars, art, businesses, gold. Investors are taxed on the difference between what they paid for the asset and what they sold it for. Investments held for at least one year tops out at 20% and those held under a year are taxed the same as salaries and wages. An additional 3.8% tax applies to those earning at least $200,000. The US rate ranks in the middle of countries around the world. Investors generally support lower capital gains tax because they say it rewards entrepreneurship and encourages people to sell what they own. Corporate taxes Current top rate: 21% Proposed top rate: 28% These hikes have already been proposed in the first part of his infrastructure plan. He is also targeting US firms' profits overseas and companies who use offshore businesses. Biden has still vowed that no one earning under $400,000 a year will pay more taxes in his administration. Advertisement

'This change will only apply to three tenths of a percent of taxpayers, which is not the top 1 percent, it's not even the top one half of 1 percent. We're talking about three tenths of a percent, that's about 500,000 households in the country,' he said Monday at the daily White House press briefing. 'So, for the other 997 out of 1000 households in the country, or the other 150 million households in the country, this is not a change that will be relevant.'

The hikes would have top earners paying up to 43.4 per cent, when an existing investment surtax is included. For those earning more than $1 million a year in high-tax states like New York and California, their total rate could be above 50 per cent.

California, New York, Minnesota, and Oregon would have the highest top capital gains rates of 56.7 percent, 54.3 percent, 53.3 percent, and 53.3 percent, respectively, according to analysis from the Tax Foundation.

Roughly 75 percent of stock investors wouldnt be subject to an increase in the capital gains tax rate due to the types of accounts they own, according to UBS.

The announcement is expected to come Wednesday night, when the president makes his first address to Congress, where he will outline his American Families Plan and how he'll use tax hikes to help pay for the multi-trillion proposal.

His latest plan to help the US economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic focuses on social issues - education, labor programs, universal pre-K, free college tuition for certain income levels, and other programs.

Currently, people earning more than $200,000 pay a capital gains rate of about 23.8%, including the 3.8% net investment tax which helps fund the Affordable Care Act. Under the new plan, wealthy Americans could face an overall federal capital gains tax rate of 43.4% including the Obamacare tax.

'We need to do something about equalizing the taxation of work and wealth in this country,' Deese noted. 'And that's why the reforms that the president will lay out are focused on this top sliver of people.'

Republicans have criticized the tax hike, charging it will cut down on investment and cause unemployment.

One point of confusion is whether the tax hike would apply to households or individuals. Deese said 'households,' noting the tax raise affects the 'top sliver of households.'

The issue of household versus individuals is of particular interest to high-income households in cities like New York and San Francisco, where the cost of living is higher than the rest of the country. For those earning more than $1 million a year in high-tax states like New York and California, their total rate could be above 50 per cent.

Those areas are also mainly represented by Democrats, who would have to explain the tax hikes to their constituents.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki declined to answer whether individuals or households would be impacted.

'I am not going to get into more specifics,' she said, 'but we've been quite careful about not getting head of the president.'

And she stood firm on Biden's campaign pledge not to raise taxes on those earning more than $400,000 per year and noted: 'He believes that the burden should be on the backs of corporations and high level income people.'

California, New York, Minnesota, and Oregon would have the highest top capital gains rates of 56.7 percent, 54.3 percent, 53.3 percent, and 53.3 percent, respectively, according to analysis from the Tax Foundation

In his address to the Joint Session of Congress on Wednesday evening, Biden will tout his accomplishments in his first 100 days in office and expand his vision for the next stage of his presidency.

The speech will be a fraction of its traditional size - only 200 people in the House chamber as opposed to the usual 1,600 due to coronavirus restrictions - but will be large in scope.

American Families Plan American Families Plan may include the following items but White House aides stress it is subject to change: $300 billion in education funding, which includes funding to make two-year community colleges tuition-free $225 billion in child-care funding $225 billion for paid family and medical leave $200 billion for prekindergarten instruction $200 billion to extend more enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies $400 billion to extend the child tax credit until 2025 - The Washington Post Advertisement

He'll cover a range of topics - COVID-19, police reform, and immigration. But the main focus will be the next phase in his plan to help the US economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic - his $1.8 trillion families plan.

'He will lay out the specific details of the American Families Plan,' Psaki said Monday. "He will also talk about a range of priorities that he has for the upcoming months of his presidency.'

The American Families Plan remains a work in progress with some items becoming a point of contention among Democrats.

Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill, for example, wants to include lowering the cost of prescription drugs, a move opposed by the pharmaceutical industry. The White House was looking to cut it but Speaker Nancy Pelosi is among those lobbying for it to stay in.

Deese refused to preview whether or not it would be in Biden's speech.

'Right now, I am not going to confirm whether or not that is in. I can say that the president has long focused on the issue of rising cost of prescription drugs for American consumers and American families,' he said. 'It's something that he continues to focus on and prioritize but I'm going to let him speak to those issues in the speech.'

There is also an internecine battle over health care. Progressives want additional funds to expand Medicaid. Moderate in the Democratic Party want to expand the Affordable Care Act.

Republicans are expected to oppose the entire package, which follows Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID relief measure.

Additionally Biden has a $2 trillion infrastructure package that is working its way through the legislative process.

Republicans have already offered a scaled back counter proposal for a fourth of the cost and keeps the focus on traditional infrastructure items.
Will Continue to Manage Flue Gas Desulfurization Operations at Miami Fort Power Plant in Ohio Through Expected Plant Retirement in 2027

LOUISVILLE, KY / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / Charah Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:CHRA) (the "Company"), a leading provider of mission-critical environmental services and byproduct sales to the power generation industry, today announced that it has been awarded a 7-year contract extension to provide operations and maintenance of the flue gas desulfurization (FGD) plant at Luminant's 1,020-megawatt Miami Fort Power Plant in North Bend, Ohio, through the plant's expected retirement in 2027. Charah Solutions has been onsite managing the plant's FGD operations since 2018.

"Charah Solutions is nationally recognized in the power generation industry as a total solutions company, providing unparalleled service and innovation to meet the evolving and increasingly complex needs of our partners," said Scott Sewell, Charah Solutions President and CEO. "Many companies, like Luminant, are retiring their older generating assets while improving the environment. We have been proud to partner with Luminant on their sustainability efforts for many years and are delighted to extend our relationship at this site for the next 7 years."

At the Miami Fort Power Plant, Charah Solutions provides comprehensive operations and maintenance for FGD plant and processes, including limestone delivery management and unloading from barges, limestone crushing, gypsum dewatering, wastewater treatment, and gypsum loadout onto barges for beneficial use. 100 percent of the gypsum from the Miami Fort plant is beneficially used in the manufacturing of wallboard. High volume management techniques and close collaboration with plant management provide maximum value to the utility partner. Because of the sophisticated nature of FGD equipment coupled with Charah Solutions' deep experience with the unique handling characteristics of FGD material, Charah Solutions can provide the optimum program for plant operations and maintenance.

As a sustainability leader in utility services for over 30 years, Charah Solutions is dedicated to preserving our natural resources in an environmentally-conscious manner through ash marketing projects. Sustainability is a core value at Charah Solutions and our business is focused on developing innovative solutions to complex environmental issues for the betterment of the planet, the communities in which we operate and our customers. The beneficial use of gypsum in drywall offers product benefits including fire resistance, sound control, versatility, quality, convenience and cost-effectiveness. In addition, it eliminates the need to for utilities to dispose of FGD material in landfills or ponds while reducing water and energy consumption and preserving natural resources.

About Charah Solutions, Inc.

With 30 years of experience, Charah Solutions, Inc. is a leading provider of environmental services and byproduct sales to the power generation industry. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Charah Solutions assists utilities and independent power producers with all aspects to sustainably manage and recycle ash byproducts generated from the combustion of coal in the production of electricity. The Company also designs and implements solutions for ash pond management and closure, landfill construction, fly ash sales, and structural fill projects. Charah Solutions is the partner of choice for solving customers' most complex environmental challenges, and as an industry leader in quality, safety, and compliance, the Company is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions for a cleaner energy future. For more information, please visit, please visit https://charah.com/.

About Luminant

Luminant, a subsidiary of Vistra (NYSE: VST), is a competitive power generation business, including mining, wholesale marketing and trading, and development operations. Luminant has approximately 39,000 megawatts of generation across 12 states, powered by a diverse portfolio of natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar, and battery storage facilities. The company operates in six of the seven competitive markets in the U.S. Vistra is a premier, integrated power company based in Texas, combining an innovative, customer-centric approach to retail with a focus on safe, reliable, diverse, and efficient power generation. Visit luminant.com and vistracorp.com for additional information.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "may," "expect," "estimate," "project," "plan," "believe," "intend," "achievable," "anticipate," "will," "continue," "potential," "should," "could," and similar terms and phrases. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company based on management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, anticipated future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. See the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and other periodic reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for further information regarding risk factors.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Investor Contact

Roger Shannon

Charah Solutions

(502) 245-1353

ir@charah.com

Media Contact

Keaton Price

Charah Solutions

(502) 593-4692

media@charah.com

SOURCE: Charah Solutions, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642180/Charah-Solutions-Awarded-7-Year-FGD-Operations-Contract-Extension-from-Luminant
PORT WASHINGTON, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / Systemax Inc. (NYSE:SYX) today announced that it will release financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021 on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 after U.S. market hours.

Management will host a conference call and question and answer secession on the Company's first quarter results at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 4th. To access the call please dial 412-317-6347 five minutes prior to the start time. The call will also be available via webcast on the Company's website at www.systemax.com in the investor relations section.

If you cannot listen to the call at its scheduled time, the webcast will be archived on www.systemax.com for approximately 90 days.

About Systemax Inc.

Systemax Inc. (www.systemax.com), through its operating subsidiaries, is a provider of industrial products in North America, going to market through a system of branded e-Commerce websites and relationship marketers. The Company's primary brand is Global Industrial (www.globalindustrial.com).

Investor/Media Contact:

Mike Smargiassi / Ryan Golden

The Plunkett Group

212-739-6729

mike@theplunkettgroup.com / ryan@theplunkettgroup.com

SOURCE: Systemax, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642543/Systemax-Inc-To-Report-First-Quarter-2021-Results-On-May-4-2021
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

More than 500 health workers have died in Venezuela since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a nongovernmental organization said Monday.

"The number of deaths in the health sector with criteria for COVID-19 is accelerating. Information is received of 14 new deaths to reach 513," Medicos Unidos de Venezuela said on Twitter.

Since the first cases were reported in March 2020, health care unions and NGOs have decried precarious conditions in public hospitals and limited access to personal protective equipment for treating infected patients.

Even before the pandemic, the Venezuelan healthcare system and facilities were short of supplies and equipment due to a prolonged economic crisis in the former oil power, which is now in its eighth year of recession.

Medico Unidos de Venezuela said in their tweet, which was accompanied by a photo of a health worker's funeral, that they are often told they have to buy supplies that have run out and sometimes have to resort to asking for medicines on social media.

President Nicolas Maduro's administration has reported 192,498 cases of the coronavirus with 2,065 deaths thus far. But NGOs and health organizations say the official figures hide a much worse reality in the country of about 30 million inhabitants.

In early March, Maduro warned about the spread of the more infectious Brazilian variant of the virus, which he blames for a second wave of COVID-19 that has strained public and private healthcare facilities beyond capacity.

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

 2021 AFP
A new batch of anti-COVID vaccines, shipped by the Moderna company, consisting of 87,600 doses, will arrive in Romania on Wednesday, by land, according to the National Committee of Coordinating Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 (CNCAV).

According to the CNCAV, the vaccines will be stored in the National Storage Center, and will be distributed to the existing regional centers, at a national level.

Until now, 637,200 Moderna vaccine doses were received, and 425,857 were already used for immunizing the population.
There would not be protests if police didnt continue to murder people, Ms. Raiford said. I wish we cared about life as much as we care about property.

Protests erupted in thousands of communities around the country after Mr. Floyds death, but most gradually petered out. Portland, by contrast, had nightly protests for months, with a broad swath of the community demanding changes to confront racism and inequality in the criminal justice system. The Police Bureau exacerbated tensions, using force and tear gas in ways that have drawn the ire of judges and the Justice Department.

But the crowd sizes have waned, and figures such as Terry Porter, the former Portland Trail Blazers player, have called for an end to destructive demonstrations. Mr. Wheeler seemed to use last weeks conviction of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who murdered Mr. Floyd, as an opportunity to bring the most raucous of the protests to a close.

As people around the country went into the streets to cheer the conviction, some businesses in Portland boarded up their windows once again. That night, a small group of activists wearing black approached a group of journalists, threatening to smash the cameras of those who remained on scene. The group later shattered windows at two Starbucks stores. One man was arrested after throwing a punch at a police officer.

The crowds the city has seen are often made up of amorphous groups of people who come for different reasons. Chris Davis, the deputy police chief, estimated there were 150 to 200 people among the regular protesters who were prone to engage in property destruction, although the demonstrations often feature smaller numbers.

Those protesters often seen in identity-concealing black apparel and engaging in vandalism are a mix of anarchists and police abolitionists, said David Myers, an activist who has joined many of the citys protests. He said that while he was OK with those who engaged in property damage to apply pressure on city officials unwilling to impose change, he bemoaned that some of those demonstrators seemed to be sidelining the original Black Lives Matter message and harming the cause. In some cases, he said, businesses owned by Black people or which support the Black community have been attacked.

I think everybody in that mix wants to say they are B.L.M., but their actions show otherwise, Mr. Myers said.
Apple's push to require app developers to request permission before they're able to track you across the internet is here. On Monday, the company released iOS 14.5, the update that includes what Apple has positioned as an effort to protect users' data.

Over the past few months, Facebook has mounted a full-court press in an attempt to sway public opinion about the change. It has accused Apple of harming small businesses, and even threatening the open internet. At one point, Facebook's criticism got to the point that even the company's employees thought it went too far.

On Monday, Apple finally released iOS 14.5, and, I checked, Facebook still opens on my iPhone. The world didn't come to an end for digital advertisers, small businesses, or anyone else. In fact, no one really knows how much of a difference the change will make to anyone.

I suppose we'll find out soon. AppsFlyer, an ad attribution measurement firm, says that the average opt-in rate in its testing is around 26 percent. That means that almost three-quarters of users are likely to opt out of allowing Facebook and other apps to track their activity.

Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, told The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern that the company's goal is to "give users a choice." Those four words are at the core of the problem with the position Facebook has taken since Apple announced the changes last year at its developer conference.

"These devices are so intimately a part of our lives and contain so much of what we're thinking and where we've been and who we've been with that users deserve and need control of that information," said Federighi. "It wasn't surprising to us to hear that some people were going to push back on this, but at the same time, we were completely confident that it's the right thing."

That's an important distinction. Apple thinks that giving users a choice over how their data is used is "the right thing."

Apple thinks you should have a choice because that's the best thing for users. Facebook, on the other hand, is worried that if you have a choice, you'll choose not to let it track you, which would be bad for Facebook. The social media giant literally doesn't want you to have a choice because it's more concerned about what's good for Facebook than what's good for users.

Federighi's comments come after a piece from The New York Times this week that details how the relationship between the companies' CEOs, Mark Zuckerberg and Tim Cook, became so sour. Cook reportedly told Zuckerberg in 2019 that the only way for Facebook to contain the fallout from a series of privacy concerns was to "delete any information that it had collected about people outside of its core apps."

Clearly, Facebook wasn't interested then in letting go of the information that is the lifeblood of its business model, and the same thing is true now. Every user that opts out of tracking is a user whose data Facebook is no longer able to collect in order to prove the value of its personalized ads.

Even if you believe that personalized advertising is good for small businesses, it has to concern you that Facebook's primary motivation has always been to do what's best for Facebook, even if that's bad for its users. Every business makes decisions based on what is best for the bottom line and stakeholders, but Facebook has shown that it's willing to do it even if it's problematic for users.

Facebook argues that personalized ads are better for those users. Except, if that were true, Facebook would have nothing to worry about. If people genuinely felt that exchanging their personal information for ads about the things they look at online was a good deal, they wouldn't opt out.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Justice Barbara J. Vigil, the longest-serving member of the current New Mexico Supreme Court, will retire at the end of June, the Administrative Office of the Courts announced Tuesday.

Vigil joined the court in 2012 and was chief justice from 2014 to 2016.

She previously served as a judge in the 1st Judicial District Court of Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos counties from 2000 until her election to the state's highest court.

It has been a tremendous honor to serve as a judge and justice over the past 21 years, Vigil said in a statement. I am hopeful that my service to the people of New Mexico over the past two decades in this honorable role will endure long after my tenure on the Court comes to an end.

A nominating commission is scheduled to meet June 17 to interview candidates for Vigil's post, said Barry Massey, Administrative Office of the Courts spokesman. The commission then will recommend a replacement to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who will appoint a new justice.

Earlier this year, Vigil appealed to lawmakers for approval of a court-backed measure to improve legal representation for children and parents in abuse and neglect cases.

She also led a comprehensive review of New Mexico's juvenile justice system in 2017, heading a task force of judges, prosecutors and lawmakers who held meetings and focus groups around the state.

Those efforts led to a continuum-of-care model for juvenile justice that allocates grant funding for services intended to address the needs of vulnerable youths.

Vigil also played a key role in forming the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative that stresses rehabilitation rather than detention for youthful offenders.

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Firm Partners Shannon Knight and Sara Siegall Accepted the Award

At its 42nd Annual Alumni Awards Celebration, IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law recognized Chapman Spingola, LLP with the Institutional Partner Award. This annual Alumni Awards Celebration is a program of the Chicago-Kent Alumni Board of Directors, which recognizes outstanding alumni for their contributions to the profession, the law school and the community.

We were honored to accept the award on behalf of the firm and are proud of Chapman Spingolas contributions from mentorship to employment of fellow Chicago-Kent students and graduates, said Shannon Knight, Partner and Chicago-Kent College of Law Class of 2011. Over the last decade, I feel fortunate to have built my career at Chapman Spingola, where I focus primarily in the areas of complex commercial, intellectual property, and technology-related litigation.

Since the firms inception in 2004, Chicago-Kent students and graduates have helped shape the firm and worked in various roles.

We look forward to working with our 2021 Summer Associate, and our incoming 2021 Associate class, said Chapman Spingola partner, Sara Siegall, who began with the firm during her second year at Chicago-Kent in 2007. It has been exciting to help build the firm, from a small handful of attorneys in 2007 to a team of more than twenty by August of this year. Our growth is built on the results we have achieved for clients, often in difficult and complex matters, with some of the most preeminent large firms as opposing counsel. The talent drawn from Chicago-Kent, myself, Shannon and Peter Spingola included, is an important part of the firms success story.

Headquartered in Chicago with a national presence, Chapman Spingola attorneys provide sophisticated legal services in the areas of commercial litigation, intellectual property litigation, technology & IP transactions, cybersecurity & information privacy, and business counseling & transactions.

About Chapman Spingola:

Founded in 2004, Chapman Spingola provides top-notch legal services expected of the nations largest firms, but with a small-firm attitude and approach. The attorney roster brings best-in-class experience gained from top law schools, premier law firms, and serving as in-house counsel. Learn more about the firm at http://www.chapmanspingola.com.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - If you walk into Daddy Petes BBQ, and you meet owners Tarra and Cory Davis, the passion for what they do is evident. They smile, take orders and dish out some of the best tasting BBQ and side dishes in Michigan.

Theyve come a long way from backyard barbecues with friends to catering special events, and from running a food truck to opening a BBQ restaurant on the southeast side of Grand Rapids.

Now, the husband and wife team is getting some national recognition.

Kingsford announced Monday that Daddy Petes BBQ will receive a Preserve the Pit Fellowship, which is worth $16,000. It gives barbecue entrepreneurs an exclusive opportunity for immersive training and one-on-one mentorship with some of the industrys most well-known barbecue leaders throughout 2021, said Kingsford reps.

Cory and Tarra are a great example of what Preserve the Pit is all about, said Shaunte Mears-Watkins, vice president of strategy and marketing for Kingsford.

They come from generations of pitmasters, are passionate about preserving its history and are eager to create a legacy with their business that will inspire future generations. Were so happy to be able to support them throughout their journey.

Tarra and Cory Davis are one of only three BBQ restaurants in the country to receive the honor.

The others include Chef Shalamar Lane of Carson, Calif., who is the head chef and owner of My Fathers Barbeque, and uses her delicious barbecue as a way to bring people together. And Ronald Simmons of Kenansville, N.C., who owns Master Blend Family Farms, LLC, which provides whole hogs and premium pork products to restaurants and private owned businesses in his community.

This is the second time Kingsford has recognized a Michigan BBQ joint in the last year. In April of 2020, it recognized Saddleback BBQ in Lansing and Okemos with a $10,000 grant for its community work through the pandemic.

READ: Kingsford gifts $10K to a mouthwatering Michigans Best BBQ pick

Nearly 1,000 applications were received for the 2021 fellowship, Kingsford reps said.

It is an absolute honor and privilege to get this once-in-a-lifetime experience with Kingsford, Tarra Davis said in an email to MLive.

They received nearly 1,000 applications, and we keep pinching ourselves in amazement that we were one of only three who were chosen. That fact has not been missed by us.

With the fellowship they are hoping to improve operations side of the business.

Since our inception, we have been doing our best to ensure the customer-facing experience was the best we could provide, Tarra Davis said. We strive for every customer to receive the best Daddy Petes Experience, which includes great hospitality and an excellent meal.

The couple also wants to build a stronger foundation for their business operations to ensure their restaurant continues to successfully operate beyond their generation.

They want their legacy to endure. And thats what Kingsford is hoping to do for business all around the country.

Through the mentorship process, the fellows will learn new skills with industry training and develop tangible goals for their business, all guided by the help of our Mentor Network, Kingsfords Shaunte Mears-Watkins said.

The mentor network is the cornerstone of the program because the relationships that will be fostered between the mentors and the fellows will be instrumental to their future success.

The Mentor Network includes industry leaders Kevin Bludso, Dr. Howard Conyers, Devita Davison, Bryan Furman, Rashad Jones and Amy Mills. It is designed so training and mentorship takes place virtually several times a month, Kingsford reps said.

Our hope is to conduct an in-person meetings with their mentors at some point this year, but only if we can ensure the safety and comfort of all parties, Shaunte Mears-Watkins said.

The Davis are excited about the opportunity. And inspiring others.

It is our hope that as people see us get even better as we grow and strengthen our business that it will inspire and motivate others to keep pushing forward, never forgetting to look back at the challenges weve all overcome, as a reminder that we can prevail over almost anything, Tarra Davis said.

Daddy Pete's BBQ in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offers about four smoked meats, as well several side dishes on its plant-based menu. They all are offered different days of the week. A dedicated smoker is used by pitmaster and co-owner Cory Davis.John Gonzalez

MLives Michigans Best recently featured Daddy Petes plant-based BBQ menu.

READ: Plant-based BBQ? Its a growing trend at this award-winning Michigan BBQ spot

In addition, Daddy Petes BBQ was a finalist for Michigans Best BBQ in 2018 and one of our picks for restaurants to visit in 2021.

READ: 40 of Michigans Best BBQ restaurants you must visit

READ: The Top 21 Michigan restaurants to visit in 2021

Also, the Michigans Best team featured Daddy Petes BBQ in a video with Pure Michigan and MEDC to support Black History Month. See the video below and read the story here.

Co-owner Cory Davis at Daddy Pete's BBQ in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has a dedicated smoker for his plant-based menu items, like smoked jackfruit, Impossible meats, Beyond brats and even sweet potatoes.John Gonzalez

IF YOU GO

Daddy Petes BBQ

2921 Eastern Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508

616-426-8439

Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and noon-5 p.m. Sunday

More info: daddypetesbbq.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/DaddyPetesBBQ

Co-owners Cory and Tarra Davis at Daddy Pete's BBQ in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The couple added plant-based menu items in February 2019. Today it makes up about 40 percent of sales.John Gonzalez

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Gonzo and Amy visited Short's production facility in Elk Rapids in 2019. With them are Joe Short, owner, and Tony Hansen, chief innovation officer.

Follow our Michigans Best adventures on social media:

@mlivemibest on Twitter

@mlivemibest on Instagram

Facebook at MLiveMIBest.

Join in by using the hashtag #mibest. Our current search is for Michigans Best Vacation Spot.

In addition:

Amy Sherman is on Twitter @amyonthetrail, as well as Facebook and Instagram @amyonthetrail.

John Gonzalez is on Twitter @michigangonzo, as well as Facebook and Instagram @MichiganGonzo.
By Rami Ayyub

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -An international rights watchdog accused Israel on Tuesday of pursuing policies of apartheid and persecution against Palestinians - and against its own Arab minority - that amount to crimes against humanity.

New York-based Human Rights Watch published a 213-page report which, it said, was not aimed at comparing Israel with apartheid-era South Africa but rather at assessing "whether specific acts and policies" constitute apartheid as defined under international law.

Israel's foreign ministry rejected the claims as "both preposterous and false" and accused HRW of harbouring an "anti-Israeli agenda," saying the group had sought "for years to promote boycotts against Israel".

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the report.

Just weeks ago the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced it would investigate war crimes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, with the Israeli military and armed Palestinian groups such as Hamas named as possible perpetrators.

In its report, HRW pointed to Israeli restrictions on Palestinian movement and seizure of Palestinian-owned land for Jewish settlement in territory occupied in the 1967 Middle East war as examples of policies it said were crimes of apartheid and persecution.

"Across Israel and the (Palestinian territories), Israeli authorities have pursued an intent to maintain domination over Palestinians by exercising control over land and demographics for the benefit of Jewish Israelis," the report says.

"On this basis, the report concludes that Israeli officials have committed the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution," as defined under the 1973 Apartheid Convention and the 1998 Rome Statute.

A statement from Abbas said: "It is urgent for the international community to intervene, including by making sure that their states, organizations, and companies are not contributing in any way to the execution of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Palestine."

Story continues

BOYCOTT ACCUSATIONS

Israeli officials fiercely object to apartheid accusations.

"The purpose of this spurious report is in no way related to human rights, but to an ongoing attempt by HRW to undermine the State of Israel's right to exist as the nation state of the Jewish people," Strategic Affairs Minister Michael Biton said.

Israel's foreign ministry said HRW's Israel programme was being "led by a known (BDS) supporter, with no connection to facts or reality on the ground," referring to the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

The report's author, HRW Israel and Palestine Director Omar Shakir, was expelled from Israel in 2019 over accusations he backs BDS.

Shakir denies that his HRW work and pro-Palestinian statements he made before being appointed to the HRW post in 2016 constitute active support for BDS.

Shakir told Reuters that HRW would send its report to the ICC prosecutor's office, "as we normally do when we reach conclusions about the commissions of crimes that fall within the Court's jurisdiction."

He said HRW also sent the ICC its 2018 report about possible crimes against humanity by Abbas's Palestinian Authority and the Islamist militant Hamas.

ICC PROBE

The International Criminal Court's prosecutor said in March that she would formally investigate war crimes in the Palestinian territories, after ICC judges ruled that the court had jurisdiction there.

The Palestinian Authority welcomed the ruling but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced it as anti-Semitism and said Israel does not recognise the court's authority.

HRW called on the ICC prosecutor to "investigate and prosecute individuals credibly implicated" in apartheid and persecution.

HRW also said Israel's 2018 "nation state" law - declaring that only Jews have the right of self-determination in the country - "provides a legal basis to pursue policies that favour Jewish Israelis to the detriment" of the country's 21% Arab minority, who regularly complain of discrimination.

Palestinians seek the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, areas captured in the 1967 conflict, for a future state.

Under interim peace deals with Israel, Palestinians have limited self-rule in the West Bank; Hamas runs Gaza.

(Reporting by Rami Ayyub;Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah; Anthony Deutsch in Amsterdam and Stephanie van den Berg in the Hague;Editing by Stephen Farrell and Howard Goller)
The lesson plan for Ms. Trujillos class at Hebard Elementary School could have read 1,2, Tree! this week. Her third and fourth graders were chosen to participate in the city of Cheyennes annual Arbor Day celebration.

Mayor Patrick Collins issued a proclamation declaring April 20 as Arbor Day in Cheyenne. He told the class that he had done his homework about Arbor Day, and that he had learned that the Cheyenne Department of Urban Forestry takes care of 15,000 trees in the city.

When Cheyenne was founded in 1869, there were just twelve trees in the area. Today there are more than 250,000.

The City of Cheyenne became the first Tree City USA recipient in Wyoming in 1982. Mark Ellison, the manager of the Cheyenne Urban Forestry Division, said there were three requirements to earn that designation. The city had to have an urban forestry department, a budget specifically for tree care and maintenance and celebrate Arbor Day,

Its a requirement of Tree City, USA that we have an Arbor Day celebration with a proclamation from the Mayor. April 20th is officially Cheyennes Arbor day and were celebrating it with third and fourth graders from Ms. Trujillos class here at Hebard, Ellison said.

Pam Trujillo said the snows in Cheyenne had disrupted the class schedule, but she was able to teach the kids about the importance of trees.

Theyve learned a lot about what trees do. They talk a lot about the shade, so if you walk down our hallway youll see some pictures theyve drawn and colored, she said.

Love Potter won an award for designing the best 4th grade poster, and Scarlet Rios won the award for 3rd graders.

The kids saw chain saws up close and learned about tree rings and tree health. They were also given small bur oak trees to take home, and vouchers for a screening of the movie Wall-E this weekend at the Cheyenne Civic Center.
(CNN)  There has been a major coronavirus outbreak among US diplomatic staff in India with two locally employed staff dying and more than 100 people testing positive in recent weeks as the country struggles to cope with a dramatic surge of the deadly disease, two sources familiar with the situation told CNN.

Reported COVID-19 case rates in India have hit global highs for the past five consecutive days, hospitals have run out of beds, medicine, ventilators and oxygen, and thousands have died amid a devastating second wave, which began last month.

The sources did not provide details where in the country the staff died and tested positive but the US operates five consulates in different cities and an embassy in the capital of New Delhi.

US personnel, family members and locally employed staff in India only began receiving their Covid vaccines within the past two weeks, one of the sources said. Within the past six weeks -- even as India's case rates were ticking up and staff had not yet been vaccinated -- there were two high-level trips by Biden administration officials to the country.

Sources told CNN that some staff were frustrated because they felt that they were not given clear information about when the US diplomatic mission would receive vaccines and they felt they were not being prioritized because many diplomatic staff in Europe and the US had already received their shots.

One source told CNN that the State Department had worked to get vaccines to locations where personnel live on campus -- including in Kabul and Baghdad -- which may have contributed to the Mission being so late in the queue. However, as one source noted, the vaccines "came too late for the two people who died ... it's horrible."

There were frustrations earlier this year from diplomats overseas about the pace at which they got the vaccines, which Secretary of State Tony Blinken acknowledged in remarks in February. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said earlier this month that as of April 18, the "department (had) completed deployment of vaccines to all of our posts abroad."

Much of the workforce is working from home due to the pandemic, sources said, and last week, the Embassy in the Indian capital of New Delhi moved to have even fewer staff work in person.

The embassy referred CNN to the State Department for comment.

A State Department spokesperson said that the "Department has no higher priority than the safety and security of its employees."

"We are closely monitoring the situation and we will take all necessary measures to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees, including offering vaccines to employees," they said.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price would not confirm the outbreak, claiming that "privacy considerations limit what we can say."

"India is enduring a deeply concerning outbreak and the entire country has been affected. We obviously do have a large diplomatic presence within India, it is tantamount to the deep engagement and partnership we have with India, but I'm not in a position to speak to any cases within our staff or embassy community," Price said at a briefing Monday.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived on March 19 and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on April 6, meaning both officials visited before the State Department had provided embassy or consulate personnel who handled their visit with any vaccines.

Sources said there was some consternation around the visits, because at the time of the officials' arrivals, there were already surging cases in parts of India and warnings about an increased risk of transmission from the spring holidays. Although personnel involved in the trips might have been working in the office already, such high-level visits involve in-person meetings with Indian officials both while the VIPs are on the ground and in the planning phase. While sources said there were anecdotally reports of positive Covid cases in the wake of the trips, it is unclear if they were directly linked to the visits.

Now, there are questions about the plan in place in case of medical emergencies as the healthcare infrastructure in India is pushed to a breaking point. There are concerns about access to emergency services, not just for Covid, as hospitals are filled to capacity as well as fears about the potential suspension of international flights back to the United States.

At the outset of the global coronavirus pandemic, the State Department "authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of US personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19," and once that was revoked for posts worldwide, it was issued on a country-by-country basis. As of Monday, the State Department had not authorized departure for personnel from India.

On Monday, the US Consulate in Chennai said in a tweet that, "Considering current COVID-19 conditions, all routine services at @USAndChennai are canceled from April 26 through May 15th, including all routine non-immigrant visa interview appointments, interview waiver appointments, and routine American Citizen Services appointments." The Embassy in New Delhi said Friday that "in-person visa appointments and interview-waiver appointments are cancelled from April 26 -- May 9 in light of current pandemic conditions." On April 9, the consulate in Mumbai said it would "provide only essential consular services until further notice."

As yet the United States has not provided India with coronavirus vaccines to help combat the outbreak in the country. On Monday. President Joe Biden spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi "committing that the United States and India will work closely together in the fight against COVID-19," according to a White House readout.

"The President pledged America's steadfast support for the people of India who have been impacted by the recent surge in COVID-19 cases," the readout said. "In response, the United States is providing a range of emergency assistance, including oxygen-related supplies, vaccine materials, and therapeutics."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Two die and more than 100 test positive in coronavirus outbreak among US diplomatic staff in India."
About 57% of Illinois residents have received at least their first dose of the vaccine and 37% are fully vaccinated as of Monday, officials said. But a recent survey of 800 Illinois residents shows that about 22% are still hesitant to get the vaccine. The survey also said one in five residents said they were not able or unsure of their ability to tell the difference between scientific facts and misinformation on the internet.
The appellate court issued its ruling on Agpawas eligibility Thursday. On Monday, the court denied an emergency motion that sought to void votes cast for Agpawa in the April 6 election, in which Agpawa prevailed with 81% of the vote over Coles. A representative of Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough said Tuesday Agpawa would be certified winner of the Markham mayoral election despite the courts ruling that he is ineligible to hold the office.
DALLAS, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Securus Technologies today released its monthly update detailing the total number of free calls, video connections, JPay Stamps, news subscriptions and game downloads it has provided since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The offerings are part of an emergency program Securus deployed with its correctional partners on March 13, 2020, when the pandemic was declared a national emergency. It was developed to support re-entry efforts and help incarcerated individuals stay connected with loved ones during this challenging time.

To date, those free offerings total:

41.5 million free call credits for incarcerated individuals and their families, resulting in 341.5 million free minutes of phone connections;

6.5 million free video connections to friends and families of incarcerated individuals;

25 million free JPay Stamps for electronic messaging;

297,440 free monthly subscriptions to Newsstand;

784,377 free game downloads;

Total accommodations for 419 agencies and 758 sites across the United States .

In addition to this ongoing assistance, Securus is offering compassion credits designed to accommodate incarcerated individuals who fall ill with COVID-19. Those credits, which are uploaded onto prepaid cards and distributed by correctional facilities, allow additional free access to Securus phone calls and video connections throughout an individual's medical care. The company is also making free calls available to public defenders at many locations.

For those facilities enabled with Securus tablet technology, the company has introduced select free movie and game titles during the COVID-19 pandemic, which have been downloaded almost 2 million times. This expanded assistance is in addition to the no-cost resources, including educational offerings, free eBooks, podcasts and other self-help tools that are always available free of charge.

"Even as restrictions start lifting and in-person visitations become available across the country, technology will continue to play a vital role when it comes to connecting incarcerated individuals to their friends and families," said Dave Abel, President and CEO of Aventiv Technologies, parent company of Securus Technologies. "At Aventiv, we remain committed to offering innovative technologies to not only connect incarcerated individuals with their loved ones, but to also provide them with the necessary resources to prepare them for re-entry. I am proud of the work we have done thus far and look forward to identifying more opportunities for our products to positively impact and support incarcerated individuals."

The program is an element of an ongoing transformation effort by Securus Technologies to improve access to its services and provide greater support for those impacted by incarceration. The company continues to work with its partners to garner feedback about the situation on the ground. All support from Securus will be in accordance with the latest public health guidelines to ensure that the support is tailored and responsive to the unique needs of the incarcerated community.

ABOUT SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Aventiv Technologies serves more than 3,450 public safety, law enforcement and corrections agencies and over 1,100,000 incarcerated individuals across North America, Aventiv is committed to serve and connect by providing emergency response, incident management, public information, investigation, biometric analysis, communication, information management, incarcerated self-service, and monitoring products and services in order to make our world a safer place to live. For more information, please visit www.Aventiv.com. Aventiv is a portfolio company of Platinum Equity. Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with a portfolio of approximately 40 operating companies that serve customers around the world.

SOURCE Securus Technologies
(Photo : Flickr/letsgain more) Apple EU antitrust lawsuit

The ongoing battle between Apple and music streaming service Spotify may finally get a resolution this week.

The European Union's competition watchdog is expected to issue antitrust charges against Apple in the coming days as part of its investigation into Apple's App Store policies.

Apple's Antitrust Charges

According to Financial Times, since June 2020, the regulator has been probing Apple's mandatory use of its own payment system for in-app purchases and the 30% commission it applies to apps sold on the store. A separate EU probe is scrutinizing Apple's approach to mobile payments.

Upon launching the investigation, the EU's competition chief Margrethe Vestager said that Apple had obtained a gatekeeper role when it comes to the distribution of apps and content on its devices.

Also Read: Apple Antitrust Complaint: French Users Accuse Company of Running Personalized Ads Without Consent in New iOS 14.4

The probe was initiated in the wake of a complaint lodged by Spotify in 2019, accusing Apple of using numerous discriminatory practices to sideline the streaming company as a competitor to Apple's very own music streaming service, Apple Music.

In just one year, a long list of companies as diverse as Epic Games, Match Group, and Tile, had joined Spotify in an alliance made to pressure both Apple and Google into changing their App Store rules.

However, Apple has assertions presented.

The company argued that Spotify was driven by financial motivation and only wanted to benefit from the App Store without making any contributions of its own. Nonetheless, Apple has tried to address the backlash by giving 15% of App Store commission to smaller developers that make up to $1 million in sales every year.

The EU decision about the case will be watched by other watchdogs who are wary of massive tech company's influence over the digital market.

In March, the UK launched its own antitrust investigation into Apple's App Store policies. A senate committee in the United States is also looking into competition issues that are related to mobile app stores and recently called on Apple, Google, and other companies to testify.

Apple's Refusal to Testify

As reported by Bloomberg, Apple was unwilling to take part in the Senate hearing earlier this month. The hearing was about the anti-competitive app store practices.

Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, wrote a letter addressing Senators Amy Klobuchar and Mike Lee, the chair and leading Republican on the Senate Judiciary's antitrust subcommittee.

Apple declined to send a witness just 16 days before the scheduled start of the hearings.

Cook cited ongoing litigation as the reason for its decision to not testify. Apple is currently entangled in a highly public legal battle with Epic Games over its App Store policies.

Senator Klobuchar and Senator Lee pointed out that Apple has found way to make witnesses available in the past, yet can't do it for the hearing.

The Senators also reference testimony the company provided in the North Dakota Senate and Arizona House of Representatives when the two states considered their recent app store reform bills, and an interview Tim Cook did with The New York Times in which he talked about Epic Games and the App Store.

According to Engadget, on Apr. 11, Apple sent a letter to Senators Klobuchar and Lee and told them that an executive will testify, with Chief Compliance Officer Kyle Andeer who testified at the Apr. 21 hearing.

Related Article: Spotify, Match Accuse Apple at App Store Antitrust Hearing: 'Nothing More Than an Abusive Power Grab'

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
TOKYO (Reuters) - Private sector advisers to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga warned on Monday that Japan's birth rate is declining at a faster pace amid the coronavirus crisis, saying that society should have a "sense of crisis" about it.

The four advisers in the 11-member Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy (CEFP), Japan's top economic advisory panel, cited the possibility that the world's third-largest economy may see fewer than 800,000 births this year, 10 years ahead of a projection by a government research institute.

The advisers called on the government to strengthen support for children and child-rearing households, such as for securing sufficient revenues for raising support to levels comparable to that of other countries.

The council is comprised of Suga and key economic ministers, as well as Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda and the four advisers, including the head of Japan's biggest business lobby.

Proposals by the advisers tend to provide the foundation for the government's mid- to long-term policy roadmap, to be drawn up by the CEFP.

(Reporting by Daniel Leussink; Editing by Catherine Evans and Mark Heinrich)
W.W. Norton, publisher of two books by Blake Bailey, is taking the writer's new Philip Roth biography and a 2014 memoir out of print. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

W.W. Norton is taking out of print the polarizing "Philip Roth: The Biography" and the 2014 memoir "The Splendid Things We Planned," both by Blake Bailey, after recent allegations of sexual misconduct against the writer.

"Norton is permanently putting out of print our editions of 'Philip Roth: The Biography' and 'The Splendid Things We Planned,' Blake Bailey's 2014 memoir," a spokeswoman for Norton said in a statement Tuesday to The Times. "Mr. Bailey will be free to seek publication elsewhere if he chooses."

The publisher also said it would make a donation in the amount of Bailey's six-figure advance for the Roth biography to organizations that "fight against sexual assault or harassment and work to protect survivors."

Bailey's New Orleans-based attorney, Billy Gibbens, strongly criticized Norton's decision.

"Norton made the drastic, unilateral decision to take Mr. Baileys books out of print, based on the false and unsubstantiated allegations against him, without undertaking any investigation or offering Mr. Bailey the opportunity to refute the allegations," Gibbens said Tuesday in a statement to The Times. "Mr. Baileys European publishers wisely have not taken such a rash course of action, and Nortons knee-jerk reaction is troubling and unwarranted."

The publisher announced last week that it wouldn't ship an additional 10,000 copies of the Roth book and would halt promotion of it after a number of women who had been students in Bailey's eighth-grade honors English class at New Orleans' Lusher Middle School accused him of grooming them when they were underage for future sexual encounters when they came of age.

Bailey, via email and through his attorney, has denied all allegations, categorizing them as totally false.

Two women accused the 57-year-old of rape in stories reported by the New Orleans Advocate / Times-Picayune and the New York Times, which first reported Norton was taking Bailey's books out of print. One woman said the alleged assault occurred when she was in her early 20s, after she and Bailey stayed in touch over the years. The other woman wasn't a Lusher student; a publishing executive, she accused Bailey of coming into her room and assaulting her when they were both houseguests of a book critic in 2015.

Story continues

Bailey, whose previous works include biographies of John Cheever , Richard Yates and Charles Jackson , was dropped by his agency, the Story Factory, the weekend the allegations went public.

I never thought that a biography of Philip Roth was going to please everybody, and I have not been disappointed, Bailey told The Times in March, in an interview about his book. People tend to love him or hate him. And if you are in the latter category ... then I cannot be hard enough on Philip Roth.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Italian police have carried out raids across the country, arresting some 30 people suspected of operating for the Nigerian Black Axe mafia syndicate.



Police say they face about 100 charges including drug and people trafficking, prostitution and internet fraud.



The gang allegedly used the Bitcoin cryptocurrency to carry out clandestine financial transactions on the dark web.



Black Axe emerged from Nigeria in the 1970s, where they carried out rape, mutilation, and ritual murders.



They went on to build a powerful international network.



"There is evidence that the members had a direct connection with the Nigerian gang, drawing on the same vocabulary, symbols and affiliation rituals," Italian police said.



Those arrested are accused of using Bitcoins on the dark web to buy the details of cloned credit cards, which were used for online shopping sprees.



The arrests took place in 14 provinces across the country and included the Black Axe's alleged leader in Italy - a 35-year-old man who lived in L'Aquila, in the central Abruzzo region, Reuters news agency reported.



"This proves the ability of the judiciary and police forces to fight against old and new mafia groups which are trying to extend their criminal reach and expand their business," Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese said in a statement.



Who are the Black Axe?



They are one of the most notorious secret societies to have emerged from Nigeria.



The Black Axe surfaced in the 1970s and were originally known as the Neo Black Movement. Its founders said the group's aim was to "liberate" the black race.



But at universities, the group no longer seems to be driven by any political ideology. Instead, Black Axe members are accused of numerous killings and sexual attacks.



Other Nigerian secret societies, also referred to as confraternities and campus cults, have names like Vikings, Eiye (a word in the local Yoruba language for bird), and the Buccaneers.



They have a chain of command similar to militia groups, use code words and have insignia bearing the favourite weapon of the cult, along with its colour.



Members are promised protection from rival gangs, but it is mostly about power and popularity.



These secret societies are banned in Nigeria, and hundreds of members have been arrested and prosecuted over the years. Nevertheless, they continue to operate in the country, especially on university campuses, where they still attract new members.

Source: BBC









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In 1994, as 800,000 mostly Tutsi people were beaten, hacked to death or shot dead in a 100-day bloodbath in Rwanda, the United States hesitated to call it genocide, eventually using the watered-down phrase acts of genocide.

This year, in a matter of months, the United States has unreservedly made two such declarations  first accusing China of genocide against the Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim Turkic people, and last week, defying years of pressure from Turkey, recognizing the Ottoman Empires 1915-17 killings of Armenians as genocide.

The moves have heartened many rights advocates but experts doubt the US government is entering a new era of consistency over what is often seen as humanitys greatest evil  or that statements will translate into action.

These are steps forward in calling out atrocities for what they are, said James Waller, director of academic programs at the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities.

I dont know, though, that they signal a shift toward more universally wanting to make statements about events that may be interpreted as genocidal, said Waller, also a professor at Keene State College.

I still think its going to be a case-by-case basis that is going to be informed by political decisions.

Former secretary of state Mike Pompeo made the genocide determination on Chinas Xinjiang region on his final full day in office, capping off a tenure in which he boasted of ramping up pressure on Beijing.

President Joe Bidens declaration on the genocide fulfills a longstanding promise to Armenian-Americans, which went unfulfilled by Barack Obama when Biden was his vice president, and came at a time that relations with NATO ally Turkey were already fraught.

 Alternative terms 

The United States has not used the genocide term over the Rohingya, a mostly Muslim people in Myanmar of whom some 750,000 have fled to Bangladesh with accounts of razed villages, widespread killings and mass rape.

Waller tied the reluctance to expectations the United States could work with Myanmars nascent democratic government  which was overthrown by the military in February.

The United States has instead spoken of ethnic cleansing in Myanmar, and more recently in Ethiopias Tigray region.

Ernesto Verdeja, an expert on genocide at the University of Notre Dame, said that general conceptions of genocide remained firmly tied to the specifics of the Holocaust, even though the legal definition is more universal.

Theres still a tendency to just see genocide as a really well laid-out plan of intentional destruction  you dont have camps but you have something that looks like it, Verdeja said.

When violence does not fit the paradigm, many simply brush it off  its not genocide, its something else.

In Rwanda, they talked about tribal hatred. In Bosnia, they talked about ethnic ancient hatreds,' he said.

There is an idea that this is what those people do. It has a lot of racist undertones to it, and colonial assumptions baked into it.

 Never again? 

Another legacy of the Holocaust and the Genocide Convention signed in 1948  that the world will never again let it happen.

If you recognize it, presumably you have an obligation to do something about it, Verdeja said.

US officials so far see limited leverage on Xinjiang, imposing sanctions but downplaying calls to boycott the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Clinton did not want to be forced to intervene in Rwanda, with the United States haunted by images of US servicemen dragged through the streets a year earlier in Somalia.

But more recently, pressure campaigns have succeeded in bringing declarations on genocide.

Former president George W. Bush described Sudans scorched-earth campaign in Darfur as genocide and Obama said the Islamic State extremist group was carrying out genocide against Christians, Yazidis and Shiite Muslims.

The Xinjiang declaration came after a push by US lawmakers across party lines who pointed in part to reports Beijing was limiting births among the minority  one part of the Genocide Conventions definition.

Some critics say the Xinjiang declaration shows politicization as there is no evidence of mass killings.

While the Chinese have severely repressed the Uyghurs, the scale of atrocities just doesnt begin to approach what the term genocide means in historical and conceptual and common-sense terms, said Michael OHanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, who by contrast said there was a clear case to recognize the Armenian genocide.

Moreover, the US-China relationship doesnt need gasoline thrown on it today. We should be resolute and firm but not incendiary.

Waller, who like Verdeja sees genocide in Xinjiang, said the key issue was not defining genocide but preventing it.

He voiced hope that Biden would strengthen an Atrocity Prevention Board set up under Obama to identify emerging crises.

I do think that the US government is now coming back to the recognition of the role we can play in helping build strong societies that would be resistant to genocide, rather than simply responding to the fire once its started.
ARCHBALD  After discovering the source of a massive water leak that flooded two businesses in the Sugarmans Plaza, officials believe there could be sinkholes beneath the building.

Plaza General Manager David Kurtz began investigating a potential water main break somewhere around the roughly 500,000-square-foot building at 600 Business Route 6 in Archbalds Eynon section in January when the water bill, normally about 150,000 gallons per month, shot up to 8 million gallons. The plaza lost up to 228,000 gallons of water per day and more than 22 million gallons total from December through April 16  the day water burst through the floor of Kost Tire & Auto Service, flooding the tire shop and the adjacent P&R Discounts grocery store. Kost and P&R lease space in the plaza.

Preliminary studies indicate there are two sinkholes under Kost Tire, which shares a wall with P&R Discounts, Kurtz said Friday night.

Its so close to the common wall of P&R, theyre concerned, he said.

Project Engineer John Mandarano of KBA Engineering said initial investigations using ground-penetrating radar showed underground voids primarily under Kosts waiting room, but they need to investigate further to determine the size of the voids. The rest of the building is thought to be fine, Mandarano said, and he believes the voids could be repaired. Smaller voids could be filled with concrete grout, but larger voids would require them to open up the floor and fill them from the surface, he said.

After ruling out the possibility of broken water meters, crews struggled to find the source of the leak, Kurtz said, explaining they brought in multiple leak detection contractors. He also sent an emergency request to Pennsylvania American Water for assistance, although the water main is a private line and not Pennsylvania American Waters responsibility. The utility company sent its leak detection group to the site, but they were unable to find the leak, spokeswoman Susan Turcmanovich said.

It wasnt until sometime overnight April 15 into April 16 that they were able to narrow down the source of the leak when water shot through the concrete floor of Kost Tire, filling the 20,000-square-foot business with two feet of standing water, Kurtz said. P&R Discounts also had about 2 to 3 inches of water inside, he said.

Had the water not burst through the floor of Kost, everybody was giving up, Kurtz said.

About a week prior on April 10, P&R Discounts posted on Facebook that its Eynon store had to close due to a water main break. They cut water to the building following the Kost Tire flooding, Kurtz said. An official from P&R Discounts declined to comment.

They traced the leak to a water main about 9 feet underground below the wall shared by Kost Tire and P&R Discounts.

Mine maps show a honeycomb of old mine shafts 1,000 feet below the businesses, Kurtz said.

They were unable to find water coming to the surface prior to the Kost Tire flooding, so they believe it was going into the mines, Mandarano said. The water burst through Kost Tires floor when a small leak became a massive one and couldnt flow into the mines fast enough, he said. Debris could have also clogged the channel into the mines, he said.

That flowing water would have caused the voids to form, Mandarano said.

Kurtz and Mandarano attributed the difficulty in finding the leak to both the location of the broken water main and a lack of maps or drawings showing where the pipes were located underground. Previous owners had installed water lines throughout the property, Kurtz said. He thought the lines were intended for additional development on the premises.

Sugarmans, spelled Sugermans at the time, kept growing and expanding, and at some point, they built on top of the water main, Mandarano said, noting a lack of records. Normally, businesses would either relocate a main or avoid building over it, he said. 600 Scranton LLC, the plazas current owner, purchased the property in 2017.

The concrete and rebar in the floors, along with pipes crossing above the broken water main, prevented their equipment from detecting it, Mandarano said.

On Friday afternoon, Kost Manager Doug Jordan pointed out a jagged hole with long cracks on either side in the shops concrete floor. He gestured toward the 15-foot ceiling, explaining the water shot so high into the air it nearly touched it. The flooding left the floors covered in dirt and sediment, tires filled with water and a dirty waterline circling the interior.

It was a mess, Jordan said.

Its too early to estimate the total costs for damages, Kurtz and Jordan said.

Jim Schroeder, a newspaper carrier for The Times-Tribune, was delivering the paper at the plaza just before 4 a.m. April 16 when he noticed water outside Kost Tire. At first, he thought they were testing fire hydrants. Then, he saw water shooting out of Kost Tires walls and pouring from the flooded garage. He called 911.

The water kept getting deeper and deeper, Schroeder said.

Although Kost and P&R remained closed over the weekend, Tractor Supply, the flea market and a warehouse in the plaza were able to open, Kurtz said. They restored water service to the building Thursday and received the greenlight to reopen Friday.

Kurtz expects an update on the sinkholes today.

In the meantime, Jordan has his employees at Kost working at other locations as he waits for more information until they can reopen.

We lose a lot of money being closed, thats for sure, he said.
In the late 90s of the previous century and early years of this century, Egypt in collaboration with international partners started the development of its LNG sector. This resulted in the Idku and Damietta plants with a capacity of 7.2 and 5.3 mtpa, respectively. However, the availability of feed gas evaporated overnight when domestic demand rose strongly until 2012 and the two LNG plants came to a standstill. Egypts fortunes have improved markedly the last couple of years resulting in Idku's restart. Now, also, Damietta has started working after almost nine years of inactivity. Despite the positive signs, challenges remain.

The discovery of several major offshore gas resources during the past decade, of which the supergiant Zohr gas field is the biggest, improved Egypts energy outlook. The Idku plant has been exporting since 2018 when production at Zohr started. Furthermore, Egyptian Dolphinus Holding and Israeli Delek Drilling struck a landmark agreement and started importing additional gas from Israel's Leviathan and Tamar offshore fields in 2020. The deal is worth an estimated $19.5 billion for the purchase of 85 bcm over 15 years. The majority of the gas is exported through the Idku plant to international markets.

The restart of the Damietta is another major achievement for Egypt which intends to become an energy hub and exporter. There are also plans to transport Cypriot feed gas from its offshore fields through subsea pipelines to the two Egyptian liquefaction plants. Furthermore, several bids were announced to expand exploration activities in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and the Western Desert to further increase the countrys domestic production capacity. Related: EU Admits It Cant Go Net-Zero Without Natural Gas

However, the Covid-19 pandemic dealt a heavy blow to Egypts gas industry which strongly affected exports. Last year, the Idku plant processed 60 percent less than the year before. The preliminary figures this year, however, are much rosier with Cedigaz reporting three times higher exports year on year due to prices above $30 MBtu. The spot market was hitting record prices in the winter due to a combination of winter weather in North Asia, production issues in other regions, and bottlenecks through the Panama Canal.

The restarting of Damietta is the effect of high prices and strong demand. According to Ramadan Abu al-Alaa, professor of petroleum engineering at Sue Canal University, "being a hub for gas exports, Egypt will have a great political weight in the region, not to mention positive economic impact amid the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic. Egypt will benefit from traffic fees and a cut on LNG [passing through its territories], given its unparalleled infrastructure in the Middle East."

Whether Egypt succeeds in becoming an energy hub and major exporter, depends on domestic factors and international markets. The internal market still consumes vast amounts of gas which could, again, mean that the country wont be able to export LNG somewhere after 2025 due to rising demand. Cairo is still grappling with the reform of the domestic subsidy system. According to Justin Dargin, There is a bit of a divergence when we compare the investment terms that Egypt provides for its upstream market, and the prices for its downstream domestic market and LNG exports.

Also, prices on the international market could impact the profitability of Egyptian exports as some of the feed gas comes from expensive deepwater fields which cost in the range of $5-7 MBtu. Rystad expects Egypt to meet domestic demand while exporting some surplus gas up until 2024. According to Pranav Joshi, a senior analyst at Rystad, "Considering that Israeli pipeline exports to Egypt also started last year, there will be extra gas from Tamar and Leviathan. But we are looking at the export potential to be very short-lived, maybe half-a-decade."

Cairo is aiming to increase its exploration successes in similar basins and geologies to improve its export potential. Also, the existing Idku and Damietta facilities are important assets. However, the challenges are significant and success is not guaranteed.

By Vanand Meliksetian for Oilprice.com

More Top Read From Oilprice.com:
Apple watchOS 7.4 is now available. This means that Apple Watch users can now expect new exciting features that will further enhance their smartwatch experience.

Also Read: Mobvoi TicWatch GTH Might Have theTwo Biggest Features But it is Still Not a 'Doctor' on Someone's Wrist

The new smartwatch software is Apple's fourth version of its current watchOS 7, which was released in September 2020. On the other hand, the most important feature that the new watchOS 7.4 brings is its ability to allow users to unlock their iPhone's FaceID even when they are wearing face masks.

You can use this new feature by connecting your Apple Watch to your iPhone with a run-in on iOS 14.5. To give you more idea, here are other major features that you should know about:

Apple WatchOS 7.4's Key Features

According to Gadgets Now's latest report, the Apple wearable gadget's new system offers some new improvements, enhanced features, and bug fixes to improve users' Apple Watch experiences.

Here are the new updates:

New option to classify Bluetooth device type in Settings. This will allow you to have the correct identification of headphones for audio notifs.

Support for irregular heart rhythm notifications in Vietnam and Australia.

Apple watchOS 7.4 offers support for the ECG app. This is only applicable for Apple Watch Series 4 or later versions in Vietnam and Australia.

Can unlock FaceID even when the user is wearing a face mask

WatchOS 7.4 can now stream video and audio content offered by Apple Fitness+ workouts.

Fixing Apple Watch's Update Issue

If you want to have the new features of Apple watchOS 7.4, all you need to do is install it from your device's Settings section. However, there are some users who are suffering from the update issue.

This system problem sends out a "Not Enough Space" warning message. If you are one of them, here's how you can fix the said system issue.

Screen Rant explained that this error message is sometimes a bug. This means that your device has enough storage, but the message is preventing you from updating its system. One method you can do is restarting your Apple Watch. Once your device successfully starts again, all you need to do is go to Settings and update the system to watchOS 7.4 again.

For more news updates about Apple and its upcoming new device systems, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: New Study Rules Apple Watch to be 'Clinically Trusted' Over Heart Beat Disease Detection from Data

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by: Griffin Davis

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The United States says boats from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) harassed two U.S. Coast Guard ships in the Persian Gulf early this month, in what the U.S. Navy described as the first such incident in a year.

The U.S. Navy said on April 27 that the tense, April 2 encounter resulted in no injuries or damage.

Iran did not immediately acknowledge the incident, which occurred as Washington and Tehran announced they would conduct indirect negotiations aimed at reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

The talks between Iran and world powers began in Vienna earlier this month and are to resume in the Austrian capital on April 27.

U.S. Navy officials said that three Iranian fast-attack craft and a support vessel known as Harth 55 swarmed two Coast Guard ships while they were patrolling international waters in the Persian Gulf.

The Harth 55 ship repeatedly crossed in front of the bows of USCGC Monomoy and USCGC Wrangell, forcing the Coast Guard vessels to come to make defensive maneuvers to avoid collision, the officials said.

"The U.S. crews issued multiple warnings via bridge-to-bridge radio, five short blasts from the ships' horns, and while the Harth 55 responded to the bridge-to-bridge radio queries, they continued the unsafe maneuvers," according to Commander Rebecca Rebarich, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet.

"After approximately three hour of the U.S. issuing warning and conducting defensive maneuvers, the [Iranian] vessels maneuvered away from the U.S. ships and opened distance between them."

The interaction marked the first "unsafe and unprofessional" incident involving Iranian warships since April 15 last year, Rebarich added.

It followed a series of incidents across the Middle East attributed to a shadow war between Iran and its foe Israel, which included attacks on cargo ships and alleged sabotage at Iran's Natanz nuclear site.

With reporting by AP and The Wall Street Journal
OTTAWA - With the help of the NDP, Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal government has survived the last of three confidence votes on its massive budget.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau bump elbows after she delivered the federal budget in the House of Commons in Ottawa, Monday, April 19, 2021. With the help of the NDP, Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal government has survived the last of three confidence votes on its massive budget. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA - With the help of the NDP, Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal government has survived the last of three confidence votes on its massive budget.

The House of Commons approved Monday the government's general budgetary policy by a vote of 178-157.

Liberals were joined by New Democrat MPs in voting for the budget, in accordance with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's vow not to trigger an election in the midst of a deadly third wave of COVID-19.

Conservative, Bloc Quebecois and Green MPs voted against the budget.

Votes on the budget are considered confidence matters; had all opposition parties voted against it, the government would have fallen, plunging the country into an election.

The government survived two other confidence votes on the budget last week, on Conservative and Bloc Quebecois amendments to the budget motion.

The budget, introduced last week, commits just over $100 billion in new spending to stimulate the economic recovery, on top of an unprecedented, pandemic-induced deficit of $354 billion in the 2020-21 fiscal year.

The government must eventually introduce a budget implementation bill, which will also be a matter of confidence.

Prime Minister Trudeau last week insisted the big-spending budget is not a launching pad for an election. He would not rule out an election this year, noting that he leads a minority government and saying it will be "up to Parliament to decide when the election is."

While that sounded like Trudeau doesn't intend to pull the plug himself on his government, it didn't preclude the possibility that the Liberals could try to orchestrate their defeat at the hands of opposition parties. Nor did it preclude the possibility that Trudeau could at some point claim that a dysfunctional minority Parliament requires him to seek a majority mandate.

Some Liberal insiders believe Trudeau may pull the plug this summer, provided that the pandemic is relatively under control and vaccines are rolling out smoothly.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 26, 2021.
SALT LAKE CITY, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sundance, a premier lifestyle retailer of women's and men's apparel, jewelry, footwear, accessories, home furnishings and art, announces the opening of its newest retail location in the Greater Detroit Area. The 4,120 square feet Sundance store will open on April 29th and is located in The Village of Rochester Hills, metropolitan Detroit's premier outdoor lifestyle destination. The new Sundance store will be the retailer's first location in Michigan, and will complement the center's fashion-focused retail selection and outstanding dining options. A formal grand opening event, inclusive of ribbon-cutting and charity events, are planned for the Fall. A soft opening on the weekend of April 29 will be limited attendance for social distancing purposes.

Guests at The Village will immediately feel Sundance's heritage and artistic character, while experiencing the brand's authentic and creative style with the craftsmanship of the store design and beautiful merchandise mix. One-of-a-kind pieces and items exclusive to Sundance will be the cornerstone of the product offering. Sundance CEO Matey Erdos comments "We are very excited to continue our retail expansion with the debut of our Rochester Hills store, the first Sundance store in Michigan. We were attracted to this location with its distinctive and rich history, thriving economy, and support of the arts, a key tenet of the Sundance mission. Rochester Hills was a natural choice and we look forward to bringing the Sundance lifestyle to this beautiful community and to the greater Detroit area."

Erdos continues, "The Rochester Hills store brings the natural beauty of the Sundance lifestyle to life. Through our curated store design and use of reclaimed materials, we offer a delightful experience that is quintessential Sundance; an experience that is personal, warm and aspirational, surrounded with a sense of discovery. The store is thoughtfully curated with the exclusive and quality product that the brand is known for. We are confident that our loyal supporters will make it a great success."

"We are thrilled to welcome Sundance to The Village of Rochester Hills. Our center serves as a vibrant location for retailers who are expanding into the Michigan Market, and we are proud to partner with Sundance as they debut in Michigan." said Bruce Aikens, Vice Chairman of Robert B. Aikens & Associates. "We are committed to providing our shoppers exciting new retail concepts, fitness, and enhanced dining destinations, as we continue to transform The Village."

The Sundance Store at The Village of Rochester Hills is one of three new stores to open across the country for the retailer this year. For over 30 years, Sundance Catalog's commitment to the spirit of creativity and individuality has served as a guiding principle for artists and designers to reach their creative vision, ultimately leading to the retailer's commercial success across all channels.

About Sundance

Sundance Catalog was founded in 1989 by famed actor, environmentalist, director and visionary of independent filmmaking, Robert Redford, to promote the works of artists and craftspeople from across the country and around the world. Celebrating over 30 years of commitment to inspire creativity and individual style and design since its inception, Sundance has become one of the preeminent lifestyle retailers offering a thoughtfully curated mix of unique, premium-quality women's and men's apparel and footwear, jewelry, accessories, art and home decor. Sundance elevates the traditions of authentic American heritage into a classic and creative style.

Sundance Catalog is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company's unique product selection is available through its catalog, 18 retail stores throughout the US (see list below), and online at www.sundancecatalog.com .

Sundance Store Locations

Alamo Quarry Village, San Antonio, TX

Avalon, Alpharetta, GA

Bridgeport Village , Tigard, OR

, Deer Park Town Center, Deer Park, IL

Galleria Edina , Edina, MN

, Kenwood Towne Centre, Cincinnati, OH

Kierland Commons, Scottsdale, AZ

La Encantada, Tucson, AZ

Leawood Town Center Plaza, Leawood, KS

The Mall at Green Hills, Nashville, TN

Mosaic District, Fairfax, VA

NorthPark Center, Dallas, TX

Park Meadows Mall, Lone Tree, CO

Southlake Town Square, Southlake, TX

University Town Center, San Diego, CA

University Village, Seattle, WA

The Village of Rochester Hills , Rochester Hills, MI

, Salt Lake City Outlet Store, SLC, UT

SOURCE Sundance Holdings Group, L.L.C.
Excavation Company Will Soon Increase Trenching Hazard Training for Employees

Wagner Construction Inc. signs a settlement agreement with OSHA.

A Minnesota-based excavation company will now begin to train employees on excavation hazards, trenching and developing detailed site-specific safety plans. Wagner Construction Inc. employed a full-time safety manager to protect workers from deadly excavation hazards.

Following three North Dakota job site inspections in both 2019 and 2020 that found employees exposed to excavation hazards, Wagner construction committed to changing its safety procedure and training in a settlement agreement with OSHA.

According to an article, the agreement requires the company to pay a $380,000 penalty to provide immediate training on excavation hazards to employees, supervisors and managers, hire a third-party safety consultant, provide OSHA with addresses of its 2021 job sites for inspections, hold weekly supervisor meetings and form a corporate safety committee. The companys safety and compliance manager will purchase new safety equipment this season.

Excavation and trenching are some of the most hazardous operations in construction. OSHA worked with Wagner to address safety issues found on their North Dakota job sites, said OSHA Area Director Scott Overson in Bismarck, North Dakota.Preparing and executing job site safety plans that include sloping, shoring and shielding trenches can prevent cave-ins and worker injuries.

OSHA is collaborating with the National Utility Contractors Association and the North American Excavation Shoring Association for the annual Trench Safety Stand Down Week from June 14-18, 2021.
Some of the 2.1 million ballots cast during the 2020 election, are brought in for recounting at a 2020 election ballot audit ordered by the Republican lead Arizona Senate at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 22, 2021. (Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo)

Maricopa County Judge Lets 2020 Election Audit Continue for Now

A judge in Arizona on April 27 allowed a 2020 election audit in the states largest county to continue, at least until another hearing on April 28.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Daniel Martin said he wouldnt extend a temporary restraining order that would have halted the audit on April 23 if Arizona Democrats had posted a $1 million bond.

I think this was a very productive and useful hearing. I still have some thinking to do about the requested relief from the plaintiffs. I will do that between now and tomorrow morning, Martin said.

Democrats last week filed a last-minute lawsuit seeking to block the audit, hours before it was slated to start. They claimed contractors hired by the Arizona Senate, which ordered the election review, were not properly securing ballots and equipment.

The audit of more than 2 million ballots and dozens of electronic tabulators started on April 23.

Arizonas Senate subpoenaed the election documents and machines in January and a judge the following month ruled the subpoenas were valid and must be obeyed.

Defendants, including the Senate, say that since the process is already underway, along with an alleged lack of standing and substantive claims, means the judge shouldnt stop the audit.

An injunction of even a day may derail this audit, Alexander Kolodin, an attorney for Cyber Ninjas, one of four firms conducting the process, told the court.

Kory Langhofer, an attorney for the Senate, told Martin that the Senate has always intended to follow the law but that the case raised the question of what the law requires.

The Senate believes everything plaintiffs want either doesnt apply or is already being done, he said, adding: There is no need for an injunction at all.

Roopali Desai, an attorney for the Arizona Democratic Party, put forth what she said were serious allegations regarding security at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, where the audit is being done. A local news reporter claimed to have been able to walk around the arena where the audit is taking place, on four different days unbothered, including getting close to both tabulators and ballots.

Just because the audit started before the parties were prepared to put into place proper security procedures is simply not a reason we shouldnt hold, take a pause, for the time being, until we have absolute certainty that the laws are being followed, Desai argued.

Doug Logan, left, owner of the Florida-based consultancy Cyber Ninjas, talks about overseeing a 2020 election ballot audit ordered by the Republican-led Arizona Senate at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, as a Cyber Ninjas IT technician demonstrates a ballot scan during a news conference, in Phoenix, on April 22, 2021. (Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo)

Ballot scanning equipment is set up by Cyber Ninjas, a Florida-based consultancy, overseeing an audit at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, on April 22, 2021. (Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo)

Similar arguments were made in a prehearing memorandum Desai filed. The Senate, meanwhile, had asked the judge to dismiss the case outright because of the alleged lack of any cognizable legal claim.

Martin ultimately sided with the defendants, but kept open the possibility of changing his mind at the next hearing, which will take place on April 28.

The next hearing will also include oral arguments on a motion by Cyber Ninjas to keep some of its submissions under seal. The company argues the filings contain sensitive information detailing its security and chain of custody procedures and operations.

Martin also granted a flurry of motions: motions to file amicus briefs by Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat who opposes the audit; a motion to intervene from Hobbs; a motion to intervene by the First Amendment Coalition of Arizona, a nonprofit that represents journalists and is represented by Perkins Coie; and a joint motion to file amicus curiae from the We the People AZ Alliance and the Maricopa County Libertarian Party, which say they are in favor of the audit.

He also rejected a motion to intervene by Staci Burk, who has said she has obtained a confession that election fraud occurred in Maricopa County.

Martin, a Democrat-appointed judge, took over the case after Judge Christopher Coury recused himself over a link to an attorney involved in the case.

Martin used to work for the law firm Brown & Bain before it merged with Perkins Coie, a heavyweight law firm that often represents Democrats and Democratic groups.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  For the first time since statehood, New Mexicos population growth slowed to a trickle in the federal census, dipping to just 2.8% since 2010, according to numbers released Monday.

It was by far the weakest growth the state has ever recorded in the count used to reapportion congressional seats every 10 years.

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New Mexico will keep its three representatives in the U.S. House, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, but its growth rate trailed that of every other Western state except Wyoming and was less than half the average for the nation as a whole.

The new census numbers are a dramatic reversal for a state used to rocketing growth in each census. New Mexico grew by 13.2% between 2000 and 2010, for example, and by 20.1% in the 1990s.

Mondays census count puts the state population at 2.1 million residents in 2020, a net increase of just 58,000 people since 2010.

New Mexicos population growth has basically stagnated over the past decade, Brian Sanderoff, president of Research & Polling Inc., said in an interview. The little growth weve had is due to natural growth  more births than deaths  not the net migration of more people in than out.

The 2.8% growth over the past 10 years is the smallest rate recorded for New Mexico since statehood in 1912. The next-lowest rate was reflected in the 1970 census, which found growth of just 6.9% for the preceding decade.

Aging population

Analysts for state legislators plan to release their own report later this week examining New Mexicos population changes over the past 10 years.

The states growth was largely concentrated among adults over 65, in urban areas and throughout the Permian Basin, where an oil boom brought workers to southeastern New Mexico, according to analysts for the Legislative Finance Committee.

The under-18 population, by contrast, shrank by 8%, according to the analysis.

Given the status quo, New Mexico is heading toward having more, older New Mexicans using relatively expensive public services (e.g., Medicaid and Medicare) and fewer, younger New Mexicans in school and working, the report says.

Detailed data for new congressional and legislative districts isnt yet available. State lawmakers expect to meet late this year  perhaps in a December special session  to approve new maps.

But the LFC analysts say its clear the state population is growing more diverse  with 10% growth in the Native American population, a slight increase in Hispanic residents and a decline in non-Hispanic white residents, according to their report.

Hard state to count

Sanderoff, whose Albuquerque-based firm works on redistricting for public agencies, said New Mexicos sluggish population growth wasnt enough to endanger its three congressional seats.

But its disconcerting, he said, to see how little the population changed compared with surrounding states.

People will follow the jobs, Sanderoff said.

Mondays census numbers show that Texas grew by 15.9%, Colorado by 14.8% and Arizona by 11.9%.

New Mexico is traditionally among the hardest states to count.

State legislators last year heard testimony that people of color, children, Native Americans and rural residents tend to be undercounted in the census. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the Legislature subsequently authorized $8 million in emergency spending for census outreach efforts.

Oriana Sandoval, CEO of the Center for Civic Policy, a nonprofit advocacy group based in Albuquerque, said Mondays results validate the hard work that went into boosting census participation in New Mexico, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The campaign included telephone calls, text messages and mailers to households throughout the state, she said.

Today we see the fruit of our hard work by keeping our three congressional seats to represent every family in our nations capital, said Sandoval, a member of the state committee dedicated to a complete count.
Seven congressional seats will shift among 13 different states across the country.

Many feared Alabama would lose a seat. However on Monday, the U.S. Census announced that was not the case.

The state population grew from 4.8 million people in 2010 to just over 5 million, allowing the state to keep its seven congressional seats.

"I would say that Alabamians should have a sigh of relief we did not lose a congressional seat. I was fearful that they would," political science professor Dr. Waymon Burke said.

Alabama has lost two congressional seats in the past, but has been able to maintain the seven seats for the last 50 years.

"There was fear because even though Alabama grew, it did not grow as fast as other states," Dr. Burke said.

Dr. Burke says Alabama could soon be gaining seats in Congress.

"Especially with the massive growth that's taking place in the Huntsville and North Alabama at this time and in the Mobile area," Dr. Burke explained.

He adds Alabama has historically had very strong congressional leaders, allowing funding and opportunities to come to the state. However, Dr. Burke says the situation is about to become more competitive as Alabama gets ready to elect its second new U.S. senator along with a new U.S. congressperson for Alabama's 5th Congressional District.

"Alabama is in an unusual position of having a younger delegation at least in years of experience," Dr. Burke said.

Dr. Burke says the changes in seats could have an impact on who controls the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2022 midterm elections.

Right now, there's one open congressional seat in North Alabama after Mo Brooks announced his U.S. Senate run. So far, only a handful of people have announced their runs for the seat, including Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong.

As for what's next, the state legislature is expected to meet this fall to discuss redistricting congressional maps in the state. That's because each congressperson will need to represent an equal amount of people.

Dr. Burke says it's possible the 5th Congressional District will get smaller as the population in Huntsville grew.
BOSTON, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm, and Coin Metrics Inc., the leading provider of crypto financial intelligence, today announced a new customer for their combined offering, FARUM. Strix Leviathan , a crypto investment manager powered by a sophisticated proprietary trading platform, will integrate FARUM into its trading technology.

FARUM is a new way to approach blockchain network risk management. Through its enterprise-grade API, FARUM allows customers to get a streaming data feed on the health of individual blockchains.

Strix Leviathan's proprietary algorithmic trading strategies are already optimized for volatile market conditions to mitigate against risk and market drawdowns. Now, Strix Leviathan can further mitigate risks by monitoring abnormalities across the underlying blockchains of individual assets in all fund investment vehicles.

"The frontier market of digital assets is replete with trading opportunities but features unique risks and challenges. We see the FARUM solution as a risk management tool that will help us with early identification of technical risks like network attacks, double spends, blockchain forks, or other abnormalities," said Nico Cordeiro, Strix Leviathan Chief Investment Officer.

Following FARUM's recent momentum, including a partnership with BitGo, Strix Leviathan marks its first customer in the hedge fund space. With over three years of experience actively managing a portfolio of digital assets and a heavy focus on compliance and transparency, Strix Leviathan can benefit from the insights FARUM provides into these markets.

"The digital currency asset class continues to move at a breakneck speed and investment managers need to keep pace with the change," said Tim Rice, Coin Metrics Chief Executive Officer. "FARUM harnesses key data and over 40 key risk indicators to help firms like Strix Leviathan better protect client capital through a holistic and real-time network risk management approach."

"The cryptoeconomy requires trusted data and insights for adoption. FARUM presents a new level of public blockchain intelligence that is transforming institutional risk management in public blockchain. It is of no surprise that it is gaining momentum with hedge funds like Strix Leviathan," said Sam Wyner, co-lead KPMG Cryptoasset Services.

For more information on FARUM, please visit: https://coinmetrics.io/farum/ .

About Coin Metrics, Inc:

Coin Metrics is the leading provider of crypto financial intelligence, offering network data, market data, index and network risk solutions to the most prestigious institutions touching crypto assets.

Coin Metrics was founded in 2017 as an open-source project to determine the economic significance of public blockchains. Today, we expand on that original purpose to empower people and institutions to make informed crypto financial decisions. We aim to usher the world's premier financial institutions into crypto with the most trusted data and insights.

FARUM and ATLAS are the newest offerings in Coin Metrics' crypto intelligence suite.

About Strix Leviathan

Strix Leviathan is a cryptocurrency investment manager that provides actively managed exposure to the digital asset markets. The firm applies machine learning to develop proprietary algorithmic trading strategies, which are optimized for volatile market conditions to mitigate against risk and market drawdowns. Through Strix Leviathan, investors can gain secure and diverse exposure to digital assets. For more information visit strixleviathan.com and follow @strixleviathan .

About KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP is the U.S. firm of the KPMG global organization of independent professional services firms providing audit, tax and advisory services. The KPMG global organization operates in 147 countries and territories and has more than 219,000 people working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients.

KPMG is widely recognized for being a great place to work and build a career. Our people share a sense of purpose in the work we do, and a strong commitment to community service, inclusion and diversity, and eradicating childhood illiteracy. Learn more at www.kpmg.com/us.

Some or all of the services described herein may not be permissible for KPMG audit clients and their affiliates or related entities.

The data and information presented are for informational purposes only. Nothing contained herein constitutes investment, legal, tax or other advice nor is it to be relied on in making an investment or other decision. The information provided should not be viewed as a current or past recommendation or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy.

Media Contacts:

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Coin Metrics Inc

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https://coinmetrics.io/


Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, today announces the promotion of Kerry Carr to the companys Global Leadership Team. In her expanded role as SVP Global Performance Management she adds Revenue Growth Management and Bacardi Enterprise Services to her existing portfolio which already includes strategic projects, global reporting and metrics to drive business performance. She reports to Bacardi Limited Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Tony Latham.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005164/en/

Kerry Carr, SVP Global Performance Management at Bacardi. (Photo: Business Wire)

Kerry, who joined Bacardi in 2014, has been responsible for spearheading global performance management. From building analytical tools and frameworks, to understanding drivers of performance, to driving year-end results, Kerry has helped ensure dynamic resource allocation, which was particularly valuable while managing the business during a global pandemic. She was also integral in the integration of Patron, following the 2018 acquisition of the super-premium tequila.

Kerrys track record for understanding the needs of our company, delivering transformational finance and business performance programs, along with her embodiment of our unique culture and values makes her a leadership role model across the business, says Tony Latham. Her ingenuity in problem-solving, collaborative approach to managing change, and results-driven leadership make her a valuable addition to our Global Leadership Team at Bacardi.

She is no stranger to the shared services model as she previously helped launch the function at Bacardi with a focus on improving productivity while delivering quality service for internal customers. Over the years, the team has grown from one site in Costa Rica, dedicated to financial transactions, to centers across the globe supporting a growing portfolio of services.

It has been such a rewarding journey at Bacardi to help build the foundation for programs and services that best leverage the skills of our people while driving business effectiveness. I get tremendous energy from engaging with others in the service of delivering for our shareholders, our company, and our people, says Kerry Carr. Every day, I am humbled by the opportunity to contribute to this iconic, family-owned company and am excited to be part of the next chapter.

A 30-year veteran of consumer goods companies, Kerry brings expertise in operations, supply chain, organizational design and finance with global brands including The Walt Disney Company and Avon Products at the local, regional and corporate levels. She spent much of her career executing programs across international operations in Latin America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, as well as at the global level.

Kerry joined Bacardi in 2014 and will continue to be based at the Bacardi global headquarters office in Hamilton, Bermuda.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, produces and markets internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited brand portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDI rum, GREY GOOSE vodka, PATRON tequila, DEWARS Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, MARTINI vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSONS Scotch whisky, ST-GERMAIN elderflower liqueur, and ERISTOFF vodka. Founded nearly 160 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs more than 7,000, operates more than 20 production facilities in 11 countries, and sells its brands in more than 170 countries. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram. Enjoy Responsibly.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005164/en/
San Francisco, April 27 : After Google and Microsoft, Apple CEO Tim Cook has extended its support to India as the Covid-19 crisis in the country is deepening.

"Amid a devastating rise of Covid cases in India, our thoughts are with the medical workers, our Apple family and everyone there who is fighting through this awful stage of the pandemic. Apple will be donating to support and relief efforts on the ground," Cook said in a tweet.

This comes soon after Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced to help Covid-ravaged India.

Google has announced Rs 135 crore ($18 million) to help get urgent medical supplies, including oxygen and testing equipments, for India that is currently going through a devastating Covid wave.

The donation includes two grants from Google.org, Google's philanthropic arm, totalling Rs 20 crore.

Pichai tweeted: "Devastated to see the worsening Covid crisis in India. Google & Googlers are providing Rs 135 Crore in funding to @GiveIndia, @UNICEF for medical supplies, orgs supporting high-risk communities, and grants to help spread critical information".

On the other hand, Nadella said that the company is mobilising its resources to help the Covid-ravaged nation.

In a tweet, Nadella said that he is grateful the US government is mobilising to help.

"I am heartbroken by the current situation in India. I'm grateful the US government is mobilising to help. Microsoft will continue to use its voice, resources, and technology to aid relief efforts, and support the purchase of critical oxygen concentration devices," Nadella tweeted.

India is going through its most difficult moment in the pandemic thus far.

Daily Covid-19 cases continue to set record highs, with hospitals filled to capacity and in need of urgent supplies to cope with the increasing number of patients.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
HUNTINGTON, Ind., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Northeast Indiana Bancorp, Inc., (OTCQB: NIDB), the parent company of First Federal Savings Bank, has announced that the Corporation will pay a cash dividend of $0.28 per common share. The dividend will be payable on May 27, 2021 to shareholders of record on May 13, 2021.

Northeast Indiana Bancorp Inc. was named to the "Dividends Champions" list in 2020 by Dividendvaluebuilder.com. This prestigious list recognizes public companies who have increased their cash dividend every year for twenty-five consecutive years or more. Northeast Indiana Bancorp, Inc. is one of only eighteen banks to make the list out of approximately 880 public companies. The complete list can be viewed at https://dividendvaluebuilder.com/dividend-champions-list/.

Northeast Indiana Bancorp, Inc. held its twenty-sixth annual shareholders' meeting April 27, 2021. The shareholders selected Michael S. Zahn and Kyle D. Koob as directors of the company for terms to expire in 2024.

The book value of NIDB's stock was $38.22 per common share as of March 31, 2021. The last reported trade of stock at the close of business on April 26, 2021 was $42.10 per common share and the number of outstanding shares was 1,202,985 as of the same date. The annualized dividend yield is currently 2.7% when annualizing the current quarter cash dividend of $0.28 per common share against the April 27, 2021 closing price of $42.10 per common share.

Northeast Indiana Bancorp, Inc. is headquartered at 648 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, Indiana. The company offers a full array of banking and financial brokerage services to its customers through its main office in Huntington and five full-service Indiana offices in Huntington (2), Warsaw and Fort Wayne(2). The Company is traded on the OTC Markets Group, Inc. (www.otcmarkets.com) utilizing the OTCQB platform under the symbol "NIDB". Our web site address is www.firstfedindiana.bank.

SOURCE Northeast Indiana Bancorp, Inc.

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DALLAS, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bottlecapps, the fastest-growing full-service e-commerce developer for the beverage alcohol industry, announced today the expansion of its offerings with its free alcohol delivery platform, BottleRover. BottleRover is the first of its kind to offer free delivery with zero costs for both the end-users and participating liquor stores.

BottleRover Logo

"Bottlecapps' mission is to develop technology and data-driven solutions to advance the beverage alcohol industry while creating a more seamless experience for customers, retailers, distributors and brands," said Dr. Prashant Desai, Executive Chairman & CEO of Bottlecapps. "Our new platform, BottleRover, stays true to our mission, and we are proud to be the first company to offer free alcohol delivery to our liquor store partners and customers."

In comparison to BottleRover, other marketplace platforms such as Drizly, ReserveBar and Instacart fees are exercised upon both the retailers, or liquor stores, as well as users. Fees for stores are generally a transaction percentage of 10-15% on each order, while users incur a delivery fee that varies between $1.99-$5.00 flat rate or a percentage of the order of up to 30%.

In addition to the free delivery feature, BottleRover's interface creates a seamless experience on the users' end, allowing for customers to shop for spirits, wine, beer and mixers in one place. The platform also has customized features that track orders and save order histories for easier check-out. A BottleRover user deemed the app as the "Best Alcohol Delivery App By Far," further stating, "Super quick, super courteous, one-stop shop for a party or a night in. Most delivery apps have high delivery fees or strings attached. This one is easy as pie and doesn't leave you feeling ripped off. Love it!"

Through its innovative technology, BottleRover arms distributors and retailers with high-touch data points, providing them deeper insights into customer behavior to help them increase sales and overall growth. "Consumers are in control, and they want to make educated decisions before and while they shop, which makes an online shopping experience like BottleRover such a vital piece of the alcohol buying journey," stated Corey Laney, Marketing Director, Republic National Distributing Company.

BottleRover is currently available in 35 states and over 500 cities nationwide and is rapidly expanding into new markets. BottleRover has seen a tremendous 50% increase in orders on average month over month.

To learn more about BottleRover and to download the app through the Apple App Store or Google Play, visit https://www.bottlerover.com/.

About Bottlecapps:

Based in Irving, Texas, Bottlecapps is a rapidly growing, cloud-based smartphone application company that builds branded liquor store apps for iOS and Android platforms. Bottlecapps allows liquor store owners and operators to sell their products effortlessly while providing consumers with the ability to purchase beer, wine and spirits from their favorite liquor establishments anytime, anywhere. More than 1,000 liquor stores across 35 states and five countries are successfully using Bottlecapps solutions that range from the app to web console, CRM, digital intelligence and loyalty programs. Bottlecapps was recently selected as one of the 2019/2020 Best Tech Startups by Tech Tribune. For more information, visit http://www.bottlecapps.com. Follow them on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

Press Contact

Taylor Foxman

[email protected]

609-432-2237

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SOURCE Bottlecapps
Australian athletes destined for the Tokyo Olympic Games will be prioritised for vaccination.

National cabinet on Tuesday agreed about 2050 athletes and support staff would be vaccinated under priority group 1b, which includes health care workers, Indigenous Australians aged over 55 and elderly people over 70.

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Richard Colbeck said the measure would not come at the cost of vulnerable Australians.

Australian athletes destined for the Tokyo Olympic Games will be prioritised for vaccination. Pictured: Volleyball stars Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho posing in the Australian Olympic Team Tokyo 2020 uniform

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Richard Colbeck (pictured) said the measure would not come at the cost of vulnerable Australian

'While vulnerable Australians remain an absolute priority as the vaccine rollout continues, National Cabinet understands the pressure our high-performance athletes have been facing as the Tokyo Games draw closer,' he said in a statement.

'We want to see our athletes head to Tokyo to compete and then return to Australia safely,' Health Minister Greg Hunt added.

Some 1,969,337 vaccine doses have been administered in Australia, 205,203 of which were doled out in aged and disability care facilities.

Members of the team aged over 50 will receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, while those under 50 will be jabbed with Pfizer.

The Tokyo Olympics will run from July 23 to August 8, after they were postponed in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Athletes headed to the Paralympic Games, which will run from August 24 to September 5, will also be jabbed early.
Graphic Shows Oil Tankers Last Movements Before Collision Outside Chinese Port

Chinas Shandong Maritime Safety Administration said on Tuesday (April 27) that the tanker A Symphony, carrying around 1 million barrels of oil, has spilled oil in the Yellow Sea.

The Suezmax tanker was last seen near the Qingdao port, live shipping data on Refinitiv Eikon showed.

Managers of the oil tanker Goodwood Ship Management told Reuters the bulk carrier Sea Justice collided with the oil tanker A Symphony when the latter was at anchor at Qingdao anchorage in China.

The collision happened at around 08:50 local time on April 27, the company added.

The force of the impact on the forward port side caused a breach in way of No. 2 Port ballast tank, with a quantity of oil lost into the ocean. All of the crew have since been accounted for, and there are no injuries, the firm said in an email response.

The tanker last called at Linggi International Transhipment Hub, near Malacca in peninsular Malaysia, earlier this month, the data showed.

The 892 foot-long and 150 foot-wide oil tanker was sold in May 2019 to its new owners Symphony Shipholding SA and NGM Energy, Equasis data showed.

Symphony Shipholding SA, NGM Energy, and Goodwood Ship Management, the technical manager of A Symphony, could not be immediately reached for comment.

By Helena Williams and Malgorzata Wojtunik
TCI has long been paying attention to climate change and spared no effort to participate in international carbon reduction actions. In addition to being the first company in Taiwan to be invited to join RE100, this climate-ambitious biotech manufacturer has also been attending major international climate summits since 2018 to advocate the importance of sustainability, including the 2018 United Nations Climate Change Conference and the 10th New York Climate Week in 2019 (Climate Week NYC). In 2020, TCI became the first company in Taiwan to actually complete the procurement of green power and successfully passed the SBTi review on April 22, Earth Day of 2021. The Taipei-based company is committed to reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 51% and Scope 3 emissions by 15% in line with the SBTi's criteria while pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5C to honor its commitment to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 in line with RE100.
Bushveld is a major player in vanadium production in South Africa

( ) announced Mustang Energy PLC (LON:MUST) is acquiring an indirect interest of 11.05% in Enerox GmbH.

Enerox is a vanadium redox flow battery manufacturer providing grid scale and micro-grid energy storage solutions. Bushveld holds an indirect 25.25% stake in Enerox.

Mustang is special purpose acquisition company which intends to acquire interests in energy storage and stationary battery assets.

Mustang has invested approximately US$7.5mln to subscribe for a 22.10% stake in VRFB-H, which directly controls Enerox.

Mustang has funded its investment by issuing of US$8mln of unsecured convertible loan notes at a 10 per cent coupon.

On 31 March 2021 Bushveld Energy invested US$5mln into VRFB-H and has invested approximately another US$2.7mln to retain its 50.5% holding of VRFB-H.

In turn, VRFB-H has invested US$15mln into Enerox to fund its part of a total US$30mln investment into Enerox.

The investment of VRFB-H into Enerox is in line with Bushveld Minerals' strategy to mobilise capital to scale up growth and capacity of vanadium reflux flow battery manufacturers, either through self-funding mechanisms or through funding sharing arrangements such as this agreement with Mustang.

"We are pleased to complete the investment into Enerox by VRFB-H of the US$15mln announced on 1 April 2021 as part of a US$30mln financing to scale up Enerox's manufacturing capacity, said Bushvelds chief executive Fortune Mojapelo.

As previously mentioned, we believe that this additional capital will place Enerox on the path to becoming a major player in the stationary energy storage industry, while further cementing VRFB technology in this rapidly growing sector. We are also pleased to welcome Mustang as a shareholder in VRFB-H. Its listing on the London Stock Exchange and consequent access to public equity capital markets combined with its strategy to invest in the stationary energy storage value chain and renewable energy projects, make them an especially attractive partner for VRFB-H."
CPI FIM SA

Societe Anonyme

40, rue de la Vallee

L-2661 Luxembourg

R.C.S. Luxembourg B 44.996

(the Company)

CONVENING NOTICE

OF THE COMPANYS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

TO BE HELD ON 28 MAY 2021

Dear Shareholders,

You are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the shareholders of the Company (the Meeting) to be held at the registered office of the Company at 40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, on 28 M ay 2021 at 1 4 :00 CET , to discuss and to vote on the agenda indicated below.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic the shareholders are required to opt for a distance voting by using the Attendance and Proxy Forms available on the Companys website at www.cpifimsa.com (further details below).

The Meeting is convened in accordance with article 450-8 of the Luxembourg law on commercial companies dated 10 August 1915, as amended from time to time (the LCA) and article 3 of the law dated 24 May 2011 on the exercise of certain rights of shareholders in general meetings of listed companies, as amended from time to time, with the following points on the agenda:

AGENDA

Presentation of the reports of the Board of Directors and of the approved auditor (reviseur dentreprises agree) of the Company on the statutory annual accounts and on the consolidated annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ended 31 December 2020. Presentation and approval of the statutory annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2020. Presentation and approval of the consolidated annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2020. Allocation of the financial results in relation to the financial year ended 31 December 2020. Discharge to be granted to the members of the Board of Directors in respect of the performance of their duties during the financial year ended 31 December 2020. Discharge to be granted to the approved auditor (reviseur dentreprises agree) in respect of the performance of its duties during the financial year ended 31 December 2020. Decision to appoint with immediate effect Mr. David Greenbaum to the Board of Directors of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021. Decision to appoint with immediate effect Mr. Edward Hughes to the Board of Directors of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021. Decision to appoint with immediate effect Mrs. Anita Dubost to the Board of Directors of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021. Decision to appoint with immediate effect Mr. Scot Wardlaw to the Board of Directors of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021 Subject to approval of item 7 of the agenda, decision to appoint Mr. David Greenbaum as the Managing Director (administrateur delegue) of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021. Decision to appoint Mr. Martin Nemecek as the Managing Director (delegue a la gestion journaliere) of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021. Decision to appoint Ernst & Young S.A., Luxembourg as the approved auditor (reviseur dentreprises agree) of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021.





ATTEND ING THE MEETING

In the context of the present sanitary situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic and in accordance with the law of 23 September 2020, implementing measures concerning the holding of meetings in companies and other legal entities, as amended (the "Law of 23 September 2020"), the board of directors of the Company has decided as a temporary measure to ensure both the safety of the participants to the Meeting and the business continuity of the Company during the pandemic to hold the Meeting remotely without physical presence of participants.

In accordance with the Law of 23 September 2020, the Company requires that ( i ) the Meeting be held without any participant attending in person, and (ii) shareholders and other participants participate to the meeting and exercise their rights exclusively by a vote in writing or by appointing a special attorney designated by the Company.

Therefore, i n order to participate to the Meeting, shareholders must provide the Company with the following three items as explained in greater detail below: ( i ) Record Date Confirmation, (ii) Attendance and Proxy Form, and (iii) Proof of Shareholding.

Record Date Confirmation : This document shall be provided to the Company by a shareholder at the latest by 23:59 CET on the Record Date. The Record Date is 1 4 May 2021 (the Record Date, i.e. the day falling fourteen (14) days before the date of the Meeting).

The Record Date Confirmation must be in writing and indicate that a shareholder holds the Company shares and wishes to participate in the Meeting. A template form of the Record Date Confirmation is available on the Companys website at www.cpifimsa.com.

The Record Date Confirmation must be sent to the Company by post or electronic means so that it is received by the Company at the latest by 23:59 CET on the Record Date, i.e. 1 4 May 2021 , to:

CPI FIM SA

40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg

Fax: + 352 26 47 67 67

email: generalmeetings@ cpifimsa .com

Attendance and Proxy F orm: A template form is available on the Companys website at www.cpifimsa.com and is to be duly completed and signed by shareholders wishing to participate or be represented at the Meeting.

Proof of Shareholding: This document must indicate the shareholder's name and the number of Company shares held at 23:59 CET on the Record Date. The Proof of Shareholding shall be issued by the bank, the professional securities' depositary or the financial institution where the shares are on deposit. Please note that Proof of Shareholding is not necessary for those shareholders whose shares are still recorded as registered shares in the Companys shareholders register.

Shareholders wishing to participate to the Meeting must send the Attendance and Proxy form together with the relevant Proof of Shareholding by post or electronic means so that they are received by the Company at the latest by noon (12:00 noon CET) on 2 4 May 2021 , to: CPI FIM SA

40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg

Fax: + 352 26 47 67 67

email: generalmeetings@ cpifimsa .com

Please note that only persons who are shareholders at the Record Date and have timely submitted their Record Date Confirmation, Attendance and Proxy F orm, and Proof of Shareholding shall have the right to participate and vote at the Meeting.

Documentation and information: The following documents and information are available for the shareholders on our website: www.cpifimsa.com and, in particular, in the "Shareholder Corner":

the present convening notice;

the total number of shares and the voting rights in the Company as at the date of this convening notice; the documents to be submitted to the Meeting (in particular the reports of the board of directors and of the approved auditor (reviseur dentreprises agree), the statutory annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2020 and the consolidated annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2020);

the draft resolutions of the Meeting. Any draft resolution(s) submitted by shareholder(s) shall be added to the website as soon as possible after the Company has received them;

the Record Date Confirmation Form; and

the Attendance and Proxy Form.

The above documents may also be obtained by shareholders upon written request sent to the following postal address: CPI FIM SA, 40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg.

For further information, visit our website: www.cpifimsa.com and, in particular, the "Shareholder Corner".

Quorum Requirement: The Meeting shall validly deliberate regardless of the corporate capital present or represented. Resolutions, in order to be adopted, must be carried by a majority of the votes cast. Votes cast shall not include votes attaching to shares in which the shareholder has not taken part in the vote or has abstained or has returned a blank or invalid vote.

Right to add new items on the agenda : One or more shareholders together representing at least five per cent of the share capital has the right to (i) put one or more items on the agenda of the Meeting and (ii) table draft resolutions for items included or to be included on the agenda of the Meeting.

Such requests must:

be in writing and sent to the Company by post (at the following address: CPI FIM SA, 40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg) or electronic means (at the following email address: generalmeetings@ cpifimsa .com ) and be accompanied by a justification or draft resolution to be adopted in the Meeting;

) and be accompanied by a justification or draft resolution to be adopted in the Meeting; include the postal or electronic address at which the Company may acknowledge receipt of the requests;

be received by the Company at least twenty two (22) days before the date of the Meeting, i.e. 6 May 2021.





The Company shall acknowledge receipt of requests referred to above within (forty-eight) 48 hours from receipt. The Company shall prepare a revised agenda including such additional items on or before the fifteenth (15th) day before the date of the Meeting.

If you need further assistance or information, please contact: CPI FIM SA, 40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg, Tel: + 352 26 47 67 1; Fax: + 352 26 47 67 67; email: generalmeetings@ cpifimsa .com .

Luxembourg, 26 April 2021

Yours faithfully,

The Board of Directors of the Company

Attachment
Kathmandu, April 27

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to hold a group meeting with his Nepali counterpart Pradeep Kumar Gyawali on Tuesday.

Concerned officials say Wang is going to host a virtual meeting with his foreign affairs ministers of Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh later today.

An official says the availability of Covid-19 vaccines among other issues about the Covid-19 control in the South Asian region will be discussed during the meeting.

The rate of infection has increased in all these countries of late. China has been stressing regional cooperation for Covid-19 control.

Meanwhile, many think China is using the public health crisis in South Asia as an opportunity to increase its interference in the region.
Agra, April 27 : With Agra reeling under an alarming pandemic situation, several families of Covid victims were seen at loggerheads with the healthcare workers over shortage of beds, medicines and oxygen supply.

On Tuesday, one such family members of a Covid victim, attacked the security personnel of a private facility here at the Civil Lines area, while the city's other parts have also witnessed a series of tussles between doctors and victims' kin for Oxygen.

Agra CMO R.C. Pandey, however, said that the district health officials and doctors are doing their best in these trying times.

District Magistrate P.N. Singh sought help from the Indian Air Force (IAF) to transport a compressor here from Ahmedabad for starting an Oxygen plant.

Officials rebuked the families for such commotion and said that they are scrambling for the Oxygen cylinders and there will be an improvement in the supply of Oxygen in the coming days.

However, families of Covid victims continued to flag shortage of beds, medicines and Oxygen.

"The system has collapsed and there is no accountability. The phone numbers circulated by the government do not respond," said Ram Ratan of Bodla, after his father was allegedly refused a bed in a nursing home.

Agra has recorded 487 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours, even as the number of recoveries rose to 460, health officials said on Tuesday.

However, the government has been accused of fudging the data.

Meanwhile, many voluntary groups have been providing medicare facilities as well as distributing food packets to the Covid victims.

The state health department is gearing up for the mass vaccination of all persons above the age of 18 from May 1.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The proposed consolidation of six state universities into two institutions could result in the projected four-year loss of 871 positions by 2023, according to a study released on Tuesday.

The study projects that would not only have a negative impact on employees but students and the communities that host those campuses.

The report prepared by three University of Massachusetts-Amherst professors projects the proposed consolidation of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities alone would result in a fifth of their faculty positions being cut. It indicates a proposed consolidation of Clarion, California and Edinboro universities would result in a loss of almost 30% of faculty.

Additionally, cuts in unionized staff positions at those universities could be as high as 29%, according to the report commissioned by the liberal-leaning Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center and its partners.

The report urges a larger state investment in the system as a better path forward to avoid the potentially negative consequences consolidations could have on students, employees and communities. Previously, faculty in the universities slated for consolidation have said they oppose the move.

State System officials, however, see positives emerging from the proposed consolidations.

The integration plans under consideration, if approved, mean these institutions can better serve students, can continue their historic missions, and can better support regions where theyve operated as economic drivers for more than a centurydoing more together than any one institution can do alone, according to a statement from system spokesman Dave Pidgeon.

Given the negative consequences of consolidations that the report identifies, Kathryn Morton, a spokeswoman for the faculty union, said, We hope the State System will heed this data as it considers consolidation plans and continues to push for higher student/faculty ratios.

The State System of Higher Educations governing board will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday to consider Chancellor Dan Greensteins recommendation to move forward with developing plans for the university consolidations, or integrations as the system refers to them.

An affirmative vote by the board will trigger a 60-day public comment period. Final action by the system board on moving forward with the consolidation could come as early as July, with the first group of students enrolling in the consolidated universities in fall 2022.

The proposal is to consolidate the two sets of three universities into one institution that would operate under one leadership team and faculty, with the same array of academic programming and on a single budget. Each of the six campuses would remain open and continue to offer residential education.

Greenstein concludes the university consolidations set the stage for long-term viability focused on the students and regions these universities serve while improving access to affordable, high-quality education that our students need to continue driving the regional and statewide economies.

Michael Ash, an economics and public policy professor at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, co-authored a report critical of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education's proposed state university consolidations. April 27, 2021 Screenshot from virtual news conference

But Michael Ash, an economics and public policy professor who co-authored the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center report, said he doesnt see any upside to the systems proposed budget reductions that are derived primarily from personnel cuts.

We know the effect of reducing investment. It is very unlikely that you can deliver improvements while investing less in a system that is already strapped, Ash said. If you want systems to deliver effectively, it is essential to invest in them.

The report, which is based on system budget documents released in the fall, projects a reduction of 661 full-time equivalent positions at eight other universities in the system, for a total cut of 1,531 jobs as of 2023.

That would drop the size of the workforce from 11,048 positions in 2019 to 9,517 in 2023. Women, who hold a disproportionate share of the untenured positions, would be disproportionately impacted, the report states.

The cuts, amounting to 14 percent of overall PASSHE employment, are of a magnitude equivalent to the largest private-sector plant closings and mass layoffs decade in Pennsylvania, the report states.

Greenstein told senators last month the university consolidations were the only viable option he could see unless the General Assembly decided to up the systems annual funding by $250 million above the $477.5 million it currently receives. Greenstein warned that barring that or if the proposed university consolidations didnt move forward, he would recommend dissolving the system.

He said the only way the system, a single corporation, is staying afloat now is by financially challenged universities borrowing from universities that are in better financial shape. But he said it is only a matter of a few years before that cross-subsidization practice drained all universities.

Ash described the projected 369 job cuts at the Bloomsburg-Lock Haven-Mansfield consolidation and 502 cuts at the western group of consolidated universities as having a devastating impact on students, employees and the communities where these universities sit.

If youre reducing the workforce by substantial shares, it does not come as a surprise that the classes will be larger, classes will be less accessible, waits will be longer, Ash said. Therell be fewer services available, services that make university possible will be less available.

Furthermore, the report suggests the student-faculty ratio across the system will rise from 17.9 students per faculty member in 2019 to 20.5 per faculty member.

At the universities proposed for consolidation, Mansfield, for example, which had a 12:1 student-faculty ratio in 2019 would see that rise to 20.2:1 in the proposed consolidation with Lock Haven and Bloomsburg by 2023. California, which had a 20:1 student-faculty ratio in 2019, would see that rise to 22.9:1 by 2023, if combined with Clarion and Edinboro.

The sharp increases in these ratios will undermine the capacity of the {system] universities to provide the affordable, career-relevant, post-secondary education that Chancellor Greenstein himself states will be the engine of social mobility and economic development, the report states.

These changes will undermine the critical project of preparing the people of Pennsylvania for the economy of the coming decade that will rely on people with post-secondary credentials, it states.

Ash also spoke of the negative economic impact on the communities that host a state university, which are among the largest employers in those regions.

These universities are located across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. They are not in areas that are necessarily economically thriving, Ash said. These are disadvantaged areas.

To those points, Pidgeon, the system spokesman, said, Successful integrations will mean students would have access to the expertise, guidance, and insights from more faculty than they now have as they pursue their degrees at an integrated university.

Further, he said, Because the integration plans preserve on-campus classes, housing, student activities, and other operations at all six campuses, we are confident their host communities will continue to benefit from a positive economic impact.

The reports states that the public sector jobs that will be cut are largely in professional occupations that pay higher than the statewide median annual wage of $41,760. That, in turn, will result in reduced economic activity as well as lost annual tax revenue that the report estimates could amount to more than $11.6 million.

Here are numbers that show the negative effects that retrenchment and other layoffs would have on students and university communities, said Morton, of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties. The effect on women is especially concerning.

Marc Stier, director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, attributes the financial challenges the system faces to the underfunding of the system by the commonwealth. As a result, tuition has risen to a point where it is out of reach for low- and middle-income families.

This plan is a response to a long-term disinvestment in the [State System], he said. The state has just received $7 billion from the federal government as part of our effort to recover and to build back better from the pandemic, investing in higher education would be a very good way to spend some of that money. We very much encourage it.

* This story was updated to include faculty union spokeswoman Kathryn Mortons comments.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy.
Shocking figures show more than 1.2 million people in the UK are estimated to have an eating disorder, and hospital admissions for those severely affected have risen by more than a third in recent years.

Meanwhile, Britains leading eating disorder charity, Beat, has reported an 80 per cent surge in calls to its helpline since the first Covid-19 lockdown in March last year.

As well as the emotional strain of the pandemic, the increase in figures is thought to be caused by a combination of factors  including the effect of social media on self-esteem and body image.

Britains leading eating disorder charity, Beat, has reported an 80 per cent surge in calls to its helpline since the first Covid-19 lockdown in March last year

But the question of why some people develop eating disorders in the first place has so far proved difficult to answer.

Three-quarters of those affected are women, who are thought to be more likely to experience negative perceptions of their body.

Known risk factors include having been criticised for your body shape, and having low self-esteem or an obsessive personality.

Another is having a family history of eating disorders. And now compelling new research shows the chances of developing major eating problems, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating disorder, could be much more heavily dependent on our genes than previously realised.

Whats more, the research suggests our genetic predisposition to being overweight or slim also dictates what type of eating problem we might experience.

For example, anorexia nervosa  where those affected starve themselves or exercise excessively  is much more common in those with slim genes.

But those who are genetically more inclined to be overweight are more prone to bulimia and binge eating disorder, both of which involve gorging on food.

The findings come from a team of researchers from the UK, U.S. and Switzerland, who studied the genetic profiles of more than 20,000 UK adults (just over 600 had eating disorders) to compare the DNA.

Previous studies had hinted that anorexia was more likely in those who are naturally slim. But it wasnt clear if bulimia and binge eating disorder were more common in people genetically predisposed to being heavier.

As well as analysing DNA samples, scientists examined data on everything from volunteers weight to their history of mental health problems, such as depression, and if they had genes linked to obesity or slimness.

The team used this data to calculate the polygenic risk score  an individuals chance of developing certain illnesses compared to someone with a different genetic constitution.

The results, published recently in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, revealed those who had higher polygenic scores for anorexia tended to be already slim and had skinny genes, but those scoring highly for bulimia and binge eating disorder generally weighed more and had genes predisposing them to being heavier.

Researchers stress this does not mean being overweight alone increases the risk of bingeing-related disorders, or being slim means you will develop anorexia. Those risks only rise in people who also have a higher polygenic score for mental health problems.

The findings are another important piece in this jigsaw, says researcher Dr Christopher Huebel, from Kings College London.

We didnt know those with bulimia or binge eating disorder are genetically more likely to weigh more. This means that if you have a high genetic liability to being fat, you have a higher risk of these disorders if you also have a greater genetic risk of mental illness.

Dr Huebel adds that, in future, the findings may be used to identify youngsters most at risk of developing eating disorders.

Meanwhile, UK researchers are spearheading another major study, the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI), recruiting tens of thousands of people with eating disorders to provide saliva samples so we can better understand how genes might affect risk.

But some experts are unconvinced that genes are the main driver for eating disorders.

Dr Max Pemberton, a London-based NHS psychiatrist and Daily Mail columnist, says external influences, such as social media, are a much bigger problem.

He points to a landmark study on the Pacific Island of Fiji in the 1990s, when researchers from Harvard University scrutinised self-esteem and body image in a country where a fuller figure had traditionally been admired.

They didnt find a single case on the island of anybody with an eating disorder, says Dr Pemberton.

Three years later, they found an increase in anorexia and bulimia. All that changed was the introduction of U.S. TV channels. Suddenly, the islanders were comparing themselves with each other and with skinny TV personalities.

Dr Pemberton adds: This latest genetic research is interesting and adds to our understanding of eating disorders. But it makes no difference to the way they are treated.

To take part in the EDGI study, go to edgiuk.org
Candidates will face off for their party's nomination in the upcoming May 18 municipal primary election with several hotly contested races, including a special election for the vacant 22nd state Senate seat.

Registered Lackawanna County Democrats and Republican voters will choose their party candidates in local races, including for county Court of Common Pleas judge, county Sheriff, county Register of Wills, Scranton mayor, city council and school board, as well as borough councils, township supervisors, school directors and more. In judge and school board races, candidates can cross-file for both the Republican and Democratic parties. State Supreme Court and Superior Court races will also be on the ballot.

All registered county voters, including those registered with third parties or as non-partisan, can cast a ballot in the special election for the 22nd state Senate seat in which Marty Flynn, a Scranton Democrat who represents the 113th House District, faces Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak, a Republican; Marlene Sebastianelli, a Green Party candidate; and Nathan Covington, a Libertarian. The seat was left vacant by former Sen. John Blakes March 8 resignation.

All voters also may vote on four statewide ballot questions.

The last day to register to vote is May 3. Voters can vote in person at polling sites, or by mail-in or absentee ballot.

The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is May 11, though election officials recommend that voters request ballots much sooner than that, to ensure they are received in time.

The county board of elections must receive absentee and mail-in ballots by 8 p.m. May. 18. There are six drop box locations in Lackawanna County for mail-in ballots: the county Government Center at 123 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton; Carbondale City Hall; the Clarks Summit, Dickson City and Moosic borough buildings; and the Roaring Brook Twp. Municipal Building.

Applications for mail-in and absentee ballots can be requested through the Lackawanna County Department of Elections website, here. The site also has more information about the election, including polling places and sample ballots.

Polls are open May 18 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Police are investigating after a black apprentice electrician in New York found two nooses hung in his work area that he says were put there by his white colleagues.

Kyrin Taylor, 23, says he was working for Cooper Power & Lighting Corp in Long Island's Farmingdale neighborhood on April 20 when he found the nooses.

One noose was fully tied and the second looked like it had been attempted, according to Taylor.

Both were hanging in a work area that Taylor frequents on a daily basis.

'It was a really hard day for me,' Taylor told WABC.

Police are investigating after Kyrin Taylor, 23, a black apprentice electrician in New York, found two nooses hung in his work area that had allegedly been put there by his white colleagues

Kyrin Taylor, 23, says he was working for Cooper Power & Lighting Corp in Long Island's Farmingdale neighborhood on April 20 when he found the nooses

'I instantly felt anger. I felt scared. I felt like my life was in danger. I didn't know what to really do to be honest.'

Taylor said he called police and his union to report the incident but was scolded by his boss for involving authorities.

'I couldn't believe he didn't show any compassion, didn't say sorry or have my back,' Taylor said.

'He made it seem like I was wrong for calling the police and asking for help.'

Taylor, who has worked at the company since December, said he is the only black employee.

He claimed it was not the first time he had been targeted because of his race.

'Plain and simple, this noose was a threat of lynching aimed at me for daring to speak up and refusing to be disrespected,' he said.

One noose was fully tied and the second looked like it had been attempted, according to Taylor

Both of the nooses were hanging in a work area that Taylor frequents on a daily basis, the apprentice electrician said

'I should not have to worry about my safety, but now I do. I should not have to lose sleep, but now I do.'

Taylor's attorney, Frederick Brewington, said it was not possible that his client mistook the nooses for some type of rigging work.

'It is not a rigging, which is used the electrical work process,' Brewington said.

'There is no need for a hangman's noose to be used.'

The Suffolk County Police Department's hate crimes unit is investigating the incident.

Taylor's union has since helped Taylor find a new job in the wake of the incident.

It was not immediately clear if Taylor and his attorney were planning legal action against the company.

Cooper Power & Lighting Corp or Taylor's former boss have not commented on the incident.
Mumbai, April 27 : Actress Sara Khan travelled to her hometown Bhopal recently after a decade, to be with her family during the month of Ramzan.

"I came to Bhopal after almost 10 years to spend some quality time with my family. This Covid-19 pandemic is a very difficult time, but I took all the necessary precautions and made sure I take the blessings of my elders and my maternal grandmother during this holy month of Ramzan," says Sara.

As far as the festivities go, Sara has been experimenting in the kitchen with recipes for iftaar and sehri. The actress says it's not tough to fast when you are surrounded by your family members.

"Fasting and celebrating can never be tough when you have family around," she says.

On the work front, Sara is currently seen in the TV series "Santoshi Maa: Sunayein Vrat Kathayein". She is also hosting a cookery show titled "Annapurna Rasoi" on an OTT platform. Sara has also wrapped up her latest project "Cyanide Mohan" alongside Sharib Hashmi that will soon be released digitally.
State authorities on Tuesday accused a lieutenant and a sergeant of lying on official documents about the brutal beatings of inmates at New Jerseys womens prison, bringing the total number of sworn law enforcement officers accused of assaulting women or aiding in the coverup to 10.

The charges are the latest development in a widening scandal at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, which was singled out for violence, sexual abuse and exploitation of inmates by staff in a scathing report from the U.S. Justice Department last year.

They stem from a Jan. 12 incident, in which teams donning riot gear marched into the prisons restorative housing unit and began forcibly removing prisoners.

Lt. Eddie Molina, 42, of East Brunswick, and Sgt. Andraia Bridges, 44, of North Plainfield, supervised the extraction teams sent to conduct prisoner removals from cells to search for contraband.

The pair failed to prevent and report the excessive use of force and assaultive conduct by other corrections officers, according to state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, whose office is leading the criminal probe into the conduct of prison staff.

As a lieutenant, Molina is the highest-ranking officer charged so far in the inquiry. His attorney, Steven D. Altman, declined to comment on the accusations.

Multiple inmates involved in the forced extraction told NJ Advance Media that prison administrators and medical staff were also present during the violent encounter. Grewal said in a statement Tuesday that the investigation is ongoing and more charges could follow.

We are far from done, he said.

The accusations against Molina and Bridges stem from the beating of two prisoners. Authorities have not named the women, but NJ Advance Media has identified them as Desiree Dasilva and Emmalee Dent after speaking with the prisoners and their families.

Charging documents allege Bridges looked on as one extraction team beat a handcuffed and compliant Dasilva as she cried in pain. Dasilva suffered a broken orbital bone from the attack.

Bridges attorney, James Pomaco, disputed the attorney generals account, calling his client a 14-year veteran of the force with an unblemished record.

She was involved in two extractions, which she did report. This particular one (cited in charging documents) she was not involved and did not believe she had any duty to report it and were confident that she will vindicated at trial.

Molina is similarly accused of failing to intervene or report excessive force in the removal of Dent from her cell. State prosecutors claim the officers pepper-sprayed the woman without giving her appropriate time to comply with their orders.

As she was removed from her cell, (Dent) is observed in video images with visible facial injuries and is clearly heard informing those present about her injuries, the charging documents state. Despite his presence during (Dents) extraction, Molina did not intervene to stop the officers improper use of force.

The forced extraction controversy follows years of complaints from Edna Mahan inmates of sexual and physical abuse that have led to charges against dozen of correctional police officers.

The failures of state authorities to reign in criminal behavior by staff at Edna Mahan has cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, from a $21 million settlement over claims of sexual and physical abuse to millions paid to outside law firms and consultants, according to public records reviewed by NJ Advance Media.

The prison will likely face scrutiny from a federal monitor, pending a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice.

The January incident has led to demands for the ouster of state Corrections Commissioner Marcus Hicks. After a contentious public hearing before state lawmakers, the prison systems ombudsman, Dan DiBenedetti, announced he would resign.

Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, said he was sickened by the allegations and commissioned an outside investigation into what happened after details of the beatings became public but has said little of the incident since.

Grewal, the attorney general, has pledged to release video of the forced extraction, but has yet to do so more than three months after the incident.

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S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter.
Members of the Maplewood High School team Hazardous try to fix their bot, Toxic Waste between battles during Saturdays RoboBOTS competition. The bot would not start due to damage it sustained during its first loss in the double elimination tournament.
As if losing out on $2.9bn dollars wasnt enough.

Elon Musk trolled Jeff Bezos on Twitter on Monday, joking that the Amazon CEO cant get it up (to orbit), after Mr Musks SpaceX rocket company beat out Mr Bezos own space venture, Blue Origin, in a contest for a $2.9 billion NASA contract to build a next-generation Moon lander.

That same day, Blue Origin lodged a 50-page protest of the decision with federal auditors at the Government Accountability Office. The company argued that NASA misjudged Blue Origins proposal in the three-way competition to build the new Moon lander, which also involved a bid from the Alabama-based defence firm Dynetics.

Its really atypical for NASA to make these kinds of errors, Bob Smith, chief executive of Blue Origin, told The New York Times. Theyre generally quite good at acquisition, especially its flagship missions like returning America to the surface of the moon. We felt that these errors needed to be addressed and remedied.

NASA told The Independent it could not comment on the matter due to pending litigation.

The three companies were competing to build the landing craft that would be used in NASAs Artemis programme, which aims to land the first woman and next man on the surface of the Moon by 2024. Its the first time in decades, since the famous Apollo programme of the late 1960s, that NASA has directly funded human landing craft for the Moon or other planets.

NASA is returning to the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspiration for a new generation, the space agency said in a statement last year, announcing the final competition for building the lander. On the surface, the agency has proposed building a new habitat and rovers, testing new power systems and much more to get ready for human exploration of Mars.

Both Mr Bezos and Mr Musk have argued that given the precarious state of Earths climate and natural resources, the future of the human race lies in colonising space.

I think there are really two fundamental paths, Mr Musk once said. History is going to bifurcate along two directions. One path is we stay on Earth forever, and then there will be some eventual extinction event. I do not have an immediate doomsday prophecy, but eventually, history suggests, there will be some doomsday event. The alternative is to become a space-bearing civilisation and a multiplanetary species, which I hope you would agree is the right way to go.

The Amazon CEO made a similar argument at a 2019 Blue Origin event.

We will run out of energy, Mr Bezos said. This is just arithmetic. Its going to happen.

Both mens space plans have been criticised for their perceived elitism, and for directing massive amounts of resources to space travel that could be put to funding other efforts on Earth.
They were already financing the subtler and more sophisticated variety of mid-budget films that were struggling to find a place on the big screen and they gathered strength during the lockdowns.

But other factors have weighed in. In 2018, the box-office success of the comedy Crazy Rich Asians suddenly alerted Hollywood to the potential offered by its Asian audiences; last year, COVID-19 put the spotlight on the streaming services.

The #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements have both helped to accelerate the diversification push begun six years ago when restive members of the Academy took to social media with the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite.

Chinese director Chloe Zhaos Best Director award for Nomadland points to the influence of a string of dramatic changes undergone by the film industry in the past few years.

Big-name actors and directors gravitated to them and the stories they told grew bolder and less conventional. There is still a long way to go. Three of this years eight Best Picture nominations  Nomadland, Minari, and Judas and the Black Messiah are by directors of colour but only two of the eight films are by women: Zhao and Promising Young Womans Emerald Fennell, winner of this years award for Original Screenplay.

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Even so, given the glacial pace at which the Academy makes changes, this is revolutionary. It took 46 years to nominate a female director for an Oscar. This happened in 1975 when it looked kindly on the flamboyant Italian filmmaker, Lina Wertmuller, for her work on Seven Beauties.

It was to be another 35 years, however, before it bit the bullet and voted for a female winner. The prize went to Kathryn Bigelow, whose reputation was based on her flair as an action director. For some of us, her victory with The Hurt Locker was made all the sweeter by the fact that she prevailed in a field that included Quentin Tarantino and her ex-husband, James Cameron, two directors renowned for their macho style.

After that, Oscar retreated from any further signs of reform until 2015 when hashtag #OscarsSoWhite was born. In the wake of that campaign, the Academys membership gradually enlarged and became more diversified but the basics remained the same.
Samsung is working on the Galaxy S21 FE, that should be the successor to the successful Galaxy S20 FE from last year, and launch at some point in the next few months. The S20 FE was a sort of 'flagship killer' device from Samsung itself, and it looks like the company will want to reprise its success.

It turns out, however, that it plans on doing that with the exact same battery capacity. Rumor has it the Galaxy S21 FE's battery has the model number EB-BG990ABY, which is what you'd expect given that the phone's model number should be SM-G990B.

Galaxy S21 FE render

The rated capacity is 4,370 mAh, which means its typical capacity (and the advertised number) will be 4,500 mAh. That's exactly the same as the cell inside the Galaxy S20 FE.

Compared to the rest of the Galaxy S21 line, the FE will get a bigger capacity than the S21, but smaller than both the S21+ and S21 Ultra. According to a previous rumor, the S21 FE should have a 6.4" flat screen (or thereabouts), and on that metric too it would sit in between the S21 and S21+.

The selfie cam is allegedly going to be 32 MP, and the colorways on offer will be gray/silver, green, purple, and white. The unveiling event for the Galaxy S21 FE is said to be taking place in August, so there's still plenty of time for all the other details to leak. And we'll let you know when they do.

Source (in Dutch) | Image source
FILE PHOTO: A student studies in the sunshine at Georgetown University in Washington, U.S., March 9, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Biden administration on Tuesday said it was easing restrictions on Chinese and other students travelling to the United States this fall, potentially helping colleges whose enrollments declined during the coronavirus pandemic.

The U.S. State Department said it was expanding its national interest exemptions to cover students and academics from around the world from Aug. 1. It made the change for European students in March.

Around 372,000 Chinese accounted for 35% of international students in the United States in the 2019-20 school year, according to the International Education Exchange (IEE), nearly twice as many as the second-highest, students from India.

Overall enrollments in tertiary education fell 2.5% in autumn 2020, nearly twice the decline reported in fall 2019, according to the National Student Clearinghouse.

In January 2020, then-president Donald Trump barred nearly all non-U.S. citizens who were in China from entering the United States.

"I'm really glad the Biden administration is restoring at least some level of normalcy after the disruption by the pandemic and the horrible policies of Trump," said Zhang, 23.

The Beijing native said he planned to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley.

The American Council on Education (ACE) had pressed the administration of President Joe Biden to act quickly, saying in a letter last month it could "deliver a welcoming message to current and prospective international students, which can help restore the U.S. as a destination of choice, as well as supporting an important economic activity as the U.S. economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic."

"This is a positive step by the United States," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters on Wednesday.

"We hope the U.S. can make proper arrangements for Chinese personnel going to the U.S. and create favourable conditions for the resumption of personnel exchanges."

It is still unclear whether U.S. colleges or the U.S. government will recognize vaccinations received by Chinese students that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Some U.S. schools are requiring students to be fully vaccinated before classes resume.

Another big issue has been the requirement that first-time student visa applicants have in-person interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates. The State Department said on Tuesday it "continues to seek ways to process more visa applications, in line with science-based guidance from health authorities."

ACE cited a study saying that the economic benefit generated by international students had declined by some $2 billion during the 2019-20 academic year to around $39 billion.

In the 2019 school year, Chinese students brought an estimated benefit of $16 billion to the United States, the IEE report said.

Jessica Yuan, 20, a sophomore at the University of Southern California, said she hoped to return before mid-August.

"I'm really looking forward to going back and meeting everyone," said the mechanical engineering major.

"I can't believe it's been an entire year!"

($1 = 6.4860 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by David Shepardson and Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Grant McCool and Kevin Liffey)
Photo: SOPA Images/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

The White House announced Monday that the United States would soon share its entire stock of the one-dose AstraZeneca vaccine with countries that need the shots.

Given the strong portfolio of vaccines that the U.S. already has and that have been authorized by the FDA, and given that the AstraZeneca vaccine is not authorized for use in the U.S., we do not need to use the AstraZeneca vaccine here during the next several months, White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said in a press conference. Therefore the U.S. is looking at options to share the AstraZeneca doses with other countries as they become available.

Already, 10 million AstraZeneca doses have been produced in the U.S. but have not received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration; some 50 million more are in various stages of production, and could be ready to ship as early as May or June. According to Zients, the U.S. has not yet determined which nations will receive its AstraZeneca supply once the shots pass a safety review. Though the shot is in wide use throughout the world, it has not been approved for use in the U.S., where regulators are concerned about outdated information in their trials. (In Europe, the vaccine was briefly paused over rare blood clots like those seen in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.)

Through two presidential administrations, the United States has focused on securing enough shots to vaccinate every American adult willing to get one. Now that the White House is confident that the supply of the Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Moderna vaccines is more than big enough to get the job done, the Biden administration has begun to cooperate with global vaccination efforts  but only after facing harsh criticism for hoarding doses. The day before the announcement of the AstraZeneca reallocation, the White House agreed to ship vaccine materials and other pandemic resources to India, which is facing an unprecedented spike in coronavirus cases. Last month, the U.S. agreed to loan around 4 million AstraZeneca doses to Mexico and Canada.
The United States plans to share 60 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines with the world as they become available, US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy said in Washington.

The vaccine is widely in use around the world but has not yet been authorised by the US Food and Drug Administration.

"US announces plan to share COVID19 vaccine doses with the world. Sixty million doses to be shared as they become available," Murthy said in a tweet on Monday.

A similar tweet also came from Andy Slavitt, White House Senior Adviser, COVID Response.

Last month, the White House had shared roughly four million doses of the vaccine with Canada and Mexico.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki clarified that these doses would be available in the coming weeks. "Just to be clear right now we have zero doses available of AstraZeneca," she told reporters at her daily news conference.

"We're talking about what the FDA needs to go through a review to ensure the safety and it's meeting our own bar and our own guidelines. And we expect there to be approximately 10 million doses that could be ready if or when the FDA gives its concurrence, which could happen in the coming weeks. So this is not immediate," she explained.

There is an estimated additional 50 million doses that are in various stages of production. These could be completed in stages across May and June, Psaki said.

"But our team, our national security team, our COVID team, working with the State Department and others, we are going to assess a range of requests, a range of needs around the world, but that's the timeline," she added.

Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a member of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, in a statement, expressed the dire need for sharing these unused vaccines with India, Argentina, and other hard-hit countries as they experience massive and deadly surges of COVID-19.

"I'm very glad the White House listened to us their reported plan to share unused AstraZeneca vaccines with countries in need, such as India, is a big move that will save lives provided we execute this plan quickly," Krishnamoorthi said.

The AstraZeneca vaccine does not currently have FDA authorization in the US and will not be used to save lives here in the near future, so it only makes sense to share our stockpile to curb this deadly virus with countries like India who have recorded over one million COVID-19 cases in the last three days alone," he said.

Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera commended the Biden Administration for its decision to share the AstraZeneca vaccine with other nations.

COVID-19 is a global virus that will require global cooperation, driven by American ingenuity and leadership, he said.

A day earlier, Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna had urged the White House to give India America's stockpile of AstraZeneca vaccines that won't be used in the US.

"I applaud the administration for releasing these doses to ensure people throughout the world can be vaccinated," Senator Bob Casey said.

Indian-American political advocacy group IMPACT has launched an online petition campaign urging the Biden Administration to send at least half of the US' stockpile of approximately 60 million surplus vaccines to India.

(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.)
An international collaboration of astronomers led by a researcher from the Astrobiology Center and Queen's University Belfast, and including researchers from Trinity College Dublin, has detected a new chemical signature in the atmosphere of an extrasolar planet (a planet that orbits a star other than our Sun).

The hydroxyl radical (OH) was found on the dayside of the exoplanet WASP-33b. This planet is a so-called 'ultra-hot Jupiter', a gas-giant planet orbiting its host star much closer than Mercury orbits the Sun and therefore reaching atmospheric temperatures of more than 2,500 C (hot enough to melt most metals).

The lead researcher based at the Astrobiology Center and Queen's University Belfast, Dr Stevanus Nugroho, said: "This is the first direct evidence of OH in the atmosphere of a planet beyond the Solar System. It shows not only that astronomers can detect this molecule in exoplanet atmospheres, but also that they can begin to understand the detailed chemistry of this planetary population."

In the Earth's atmosphere, OH is mainly produced by the reaction of water vapour with atomic oxygen. It is a so-called 'atmospheric detergent' and plays a crucial role in the Earth's atmosphere to purge pollutant gasses that can be dangerous to life (e.g., methane, carbon monoxide).

In a much hotter and bigger planet like WASP-33b, where astronomers have previously detected signs of iron and titanium oxide gas) OH plays a key role in determining the chemistry of the atmosphere through interactions with water vapour and carbon monoxide. Most of the OH in the atmosphere of WASP-33b is thought to have been produced by the destruction of water vapour due to the extremely high temperature.

"We see only a tentative and weak signal from water vapour in our data, which would support the idea that water is being destroyed to form hydroxyl in this extreme environment," explained Dr Ernst de Mooij from Queen's University Belfast, a co-author on this study.

To make this discovery, the team used the InfraRed Doppler (IRD) instrument at the 8.2-meter diameter Subaru Telescope located in the summit area of Maunakea in Hawai`i (about 4,200 m above sea level). This new instrument can detect atoms and molecules through their 'spectral fingerprints,' unique sets of dark absorption features superimposed on the rainbow of colours (or spectrum) that are emitted by stars and planets.

As the planet orbits its host star, its velocity relative to the Earth changes with time. Just like the siren of an ambulance or the roar of a racing car's engine changes pitch while speeding past us, the frequencies of light (e.g., colour) of these spectral fingerprints change with the velocity of the planet. This allows us to separate the planet's signal from its bright host star, which normally overwhelms such observations, despite modern telescopes being nowhere near powerful enough to take direct images of such 'hot Jupiter' exoplanets.

Dr Neale Gibson, Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin and co-author of this work, said: "The science of extrasolar planets is relatively new, and a key goal of modern astronomy is to explore these planets' atmospheres in detail and eventually to search for 'Earth-like' exoplanets - planets like our own. Every new atmospheric species discovered further improves our understanding of exoplanets and the techniques required to study their atmospheres, and takes us closer to this goal."

By taking advantage of the unique capabilities of IRD, the astronomers were able to detect the tiny signal from hydroxyl in the planet's atmosphere. "IRD is the best instrument to study the atmosphere of an exoplanet in the infrared," adds Professor Motohide Tamura, one of the principal investigators of IRD, Director of the Astrobiology Center, and co-author of this work.

"These techniques for atmospheric characterisation of exoplanets are still only applicable to very hot planets, but we would like to further develop instruments and techniques that enable us to apply these methods to cooler planets, and ultimately, to a second Earth," says Dr Hajime Kawahara, assistant professor at the University of Tokyo and co-author of this work.

Professor Chris Watson, from Queen's University Belfast, a co-author on this study, continues: "While WASP-33b may be a giant planet, these observations are the testbed for the next-generation facilities like the Thirty Meter Telescope and the European Extremely Large Telescope in searching for biosignatures on smaller and potentially rocky worlds, which might provide hints to one of the oldest questions of humankind: 'Are we alone?'"

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ETPL Approved & WIOA Eligible Career Training

The Kentucky Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) contains a list of programs that have been approved for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding. To qualify, the program must provide occupational skill training. Priority consideration is given for training programs that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials that align with in-demand industry sectors or occupations.

Individuals who qualify can receive funding to pay for these eligible training programs. More information is available through the Kentucky Career Center and individuals should contact their local Kentucky Career Center office to apply.

We are happy to provide a referral to assist with this process. Use the webform to the right to request a referral.

Western Kentucky University has an extensive list of programs on the ETPL. WKU Continuing & Professional Development (CPD) provides career training that leads to industry-recognized certifications. (Individuals should contact the appropriate academic department regarding WKU courses/programs that lead to university degrees.)

Dont see the training you want on this page? We can submit additional courses from our full career training catalog for ETPL list approval.



Follow the links to detailed descriptions of each WKU CPD approved course:



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New Delhi: Amid the gloom of the coronavirus havoc in India this viral video of an ambulance driver in a PPE kit dancing to a 'baarat' is winning hearts online.

The incident took place in Uttarakhand's Haldwani outside the Sushila Tiwari Medical College on Monday night. The 'baarat' witnessed a man in PPE kit breaking into an imprompou jig with the wedding guests. The dancing man, an ambulance driver, ditched the gloom and despair for a moment and tried to spread cheer among the attendees as well as he shook a leg to the music.

Initially, the baaratis" were left clueless but soon they realised who the person in the PPE kit was and relaxed a bit. The nearly 40-second video of the dancing ambulance driver, shot by one of the wedding guests, has been widely shared on the social media.

As per reports, there is a curfew imposed in the state and the baarat" (wedding procession) was passing thorugh the medical college maintaing all COVID-related protocol.

Uttarakhand reported 5,058 new COVID cases and 67 deaths on Monday. The most number of cases of 2,034 was reported from Dehradun district, 1,002 from Haridwar, 767 from Nainital, 323 from Pauri, 283 from Udham Singh Nagar, 135 from Almoda, 104 from Champawat, officials said.

The total number of coronavirus caseload in the state is now at 1,56,859, while 1,12,265 patients have recovered. There are currently 39,031 active cases in the state and the death toll is 2,213.
A man who stole a drill and jig saw from a Naas store used to have a significant drug habit, it was stated at Naas District Court on April 7.

Glen Keegan, whose address was given as 85 Cushlawn Dale, Tallaght, was prosecuted. It was claimed that he took the tools, worth 87, at the Woodies DIY store, Naas, on December 13, 2018. The court heard he had previous convictions.

Barrister Sarah Connolly said the defendant had a significant drug habit around this time but has since got on the straight and narrow.

She said much of the defendants offending related to his drug habit. Ms Connolly added the defendant has three children and a grandchild. Ms Connolly also said that he is working part time in a chipper van in the Tallaght area.

She added he is still on methadone, sometimes prescribed to tackle a heroin addiction.

Judge Desmond Zaidan imposed a 600 fine.
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State Rep. Carolyn Partridge, D-Windham-3, welcomes emails at cpartridge@leg.state.vt.us. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Brattleboro Reformer.
Pune, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Latex Gloves ASP not Likely to Fall off a Cliff Anytime Sooner

The global latex gloves market is growing profusely since the onset of COVID 19 . With the pandemic ever-increasing across the globe, the market demand is rising substantially. The onslaught of the pandemic has still been hovering despite stringent vaccination measures by Governments worldwide. With newer strains emerging regularly, it is expected that the latex gloves market would witness significant traction during the years to come.

According to Market Research Future (MRFR), government initiatives to promote public health safety create vast growth opportunities for the latex gloves industry. MRFR, in its recent study report, asserts that the global latex gloves market is projected to witness significant gains by 2027, growing at an 9% CAGR during the review period (2020-2027).

COVID-19 disruptions seem to have impacted the global latex gloves industry positively. Of course, the pandemic posed several challenges to industry players such as broken supply chains, logistic issues in delivering end products, and attracting workers from quarantines, wreaking havoc on the demand-supply dynamics. However, on the other side, it significantly increased the demand for latex gloves across the private and commercial healthcare sectors.

The market is rapidly returning to normalcy post the lockdown mandates getting relaxed. COVID 19 crises are virtually posing a greater challenge to healthcare authorities across the globe. Countries are proactively lending a helping hand to one another, and geographical barriers are no longer hindering in getting help. Latex gloves manufacturers are taking up various research and development activities exclusively to improve their product lines.





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Overview

The latex gloves market has been witnessing several developments over the past decade due to the adoption of industrial safety solutions in various verticals. Currently, many factors are favoring the setting up of glove production factories, more preferably latex gloves production units. New setups must conduct a proper cost-benefit analysis and provide a product that is affordable yet uncompromised in terms of quality.

Also, the reusability of latex gloves can facilitate price savings and boost product demand, nurturing market growth. More stringent laws relating to workers' safety and hygiene across many end-user industries have further boosted the global demand for latex gloves. Spurring growth in the global economy and healthcare sectors boosts the latex gloves industry.

Besides, factors such as rapid industrialization, urbanization, and population worldwide, act as major driving forces. Growing safety concerns across the industrial landscape escalate market growth. Rising adoption of industrial safety products led by stringent industrial safety regulations fosters the latex gloves market size. Moreover, increasing product developments and customization complying with stringent OSHA requirements and standards drive the demand in the market.

Segmentation

The latex gloves market forecast is segmented into form, sterile type, end-users, and regions. The form segment is sub-segmented into powdered gloves and non-powdered gloves. Of these, the non-powdered gloves segment holds the largest market share, witnessing extensive applications of these gloves in surgeries and other sensitive procedures.

The sterile type segment is sub-segmented into sterile gloves and non-sterile gloves. Among these, the sterile gloves segment holds the largest market share, witnessing higher demand for these gloves from healthcare providers to avoid contamination.

The end-users segment is sub-segmented into hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, diagnostic imaging centers, rehabilitation centers, and others. Among these, the hospital segment holds the largest market share due to the vast consumption of latex gloves in various healthcare setups. The region segment is sub-segmented into the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and rest-of-the-world.





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Regional Analysis

North America holds the largest share in the global latex gloves market mainly due to the presence of well-developed healthcare infrastructures and major industry players in this region. Besides, the rising prevalence of diseases and the rising demand for sterile gloves drive the market growth.

Major latex gloves manufacturers in the region closely work with major safety industry standard-setting groups and trade associations to improve product productivity, providing enormous growth opportunities. The North American latex gloves market is anticipated to maintain its market position throughout the assessment period.

Europe holds the second position in terms of latex gloves market revenues globally. The market growth is driven by the rising use of latex gloves due to widespread awareness of health safety and favorable government policies. Moreover, increased R&D investments to improve the productivity of latex gloves in the region substantiate the market size.

The rising demand for latex gloves from the healthcare sectors in the region escalates the growth rate of the market. Additionally, the resurging economy plays a causal role in influencing the region's current latex gloves market share, increasing per capita healthcare expenses.

The Asia Pacific region is witnessing a spurring rise in the latex gloves market value. With its raw material advantage and the ample availability of cost-competitive workforces, the region attracts major foreign investors. Furthermore, advancements in manufacturing techniques and improved technical infrastructure drive regional market growth. The APAC latex gloves market is expected to register significant growth during the forecast period.





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Competitive Analysis

The latex gloves market is estimated to witness several strategic partnerships, alongside other strategic initiatives such as expansion, collaboration, mergers & acquisitions, and product & technology launches. Latex gloves manufacturers are making significant investments to foster research and development activities and expansion plans.

For instance, recently, on Mar 31, 2021 ---- The SRAM & MRAM Group (the UK), a leading global conglomerate at the forefront of providing solutions to COVID-19, announced its partnership with the leading players to sell its own brand of gloves across the globe.

Goldmark Limited (Hongkong), a longtime distributor of the group and JV Partner, has taken the onus to market and distribute Walletz4u products worldwide. SRAM & MRAM has also associated with multiple partner manufacturers in order to strengthen the manufacturing capability and is currently looking to create a big foothold on the gloves, rubber, and latex products across the globe.

Key players active in the market are Hartalega Holdings Berhad (Malaysia), Ansell Healthcare (US), Cardinal Health (US), Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd (Malaysia), Top Glove Corporation Bhd (Malaysia), Supermax Corporation Berhad (Malaysia), MREPC Marketplace (Malaysia), Clean Q Grip (Malaysia), SHIELD Scientific (The Netherlands), UG Healthcare (Malaysia), Rubberex (Malaysia), and Valutek (US), among others.





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Global Medical Nitrile Gloves Market : By Type (Powdered, non-Powdered Gloves), By Usage (Reusable, Disposable), By Application (Medical & Healthcare, Food Industry, Cleaning Industry), By Distribution Channel (Direct Selling, Medical Store) By End User (Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Diagnostic Centers, Rehabilitation Centers, Others) and Region (Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa) - Forecast to 2027





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Businesses pump out content at a staggering rate these days  and as that volume increases, more inconsistencies are bound to creep in. Whether due to lack of clarity about the style in which you'd like to write or disjointed communication across the multitude of content creators in your organization, failure to decide upon and document accepted editorial guidelines is a recipe for inconsistent messaging.

That's why at some point, most companies accept that they'll need to develop a writing style guide.

What is a writing style guide? A writing style guide is a document that sets standard writing, grammar, and punctuation conventions for a particular organization in the effort of maintaining a consistent tone and style regardless of how many content contributors are on the team.

In short: a document that indicates the basic rules of writing we'll all agree to follow to ensure consistency across all our content  like whether I should've capitalized the "a" after the colon in this sentence.

Answer: If you write content for HubSpot, you should not capitalize the "a."

But wait... if that's the case, why would I capitalize the "If" in that last parenthetical? Because "If you write content for HubSpot, you should..." is a complete sentence, thus warranting the capital "If."

These conventions are specified in our writing style guide.

If you found that train of thought terribly banal, you might think writing style guides are the most boring things in the world and have a burning desire to click away right about now. Au contraire, mon frere.

Why Writing Guides Are Important

The existence of a writing style guide is what saves you from finding yourself embroiled in a debate about whether there should be spaces before and after an ellipses, whether you capitalize "for" in a title, or when a number must be written out in full.

If the writing style guide bores you, just imagine how insipid that debate will be. The existence of a style guide means you can simply have the style guide handy as your little writing rulebook without having to sit through debates about blockquotes.

Writing Style Guide Example

If you want to see a writing style guide in action, check out the one created by HubSpot Partner Yokel Local. Their writing style guide (or "editorial style guide" as they call it) was made to keep both their in-house contributors and their freelancers on the same page when writing and editing marketing content for clients.

Source: Yokel Local

You'll notice that they didn't go too far in the weeds, either. The whole guide is 15 pages in large, attractive lettering, and anything not explicitly stated in the guide is left up to the AP Stylebook and the Merriam-Webster dictionary. The simplicity is effective, and they clearly had fun designing the document to be cohesive with their brand guidelines.

In an effort to help you get started with your own style guide, this blog post will walk you through the essential elements of a brand writing style guide so you can create one for yourself.

What to Include in Your Writing Style Guide

Style Manual

Style manuals are reference books that tell writers how to handle grammar, punctuation, and any special use cases. Most businesses adopt either the AP Stylebook or the Chicago Manual of Style. It's up to you to decide which manual you'd like your company to follow.

You can purchase online subscriptions to these manuals for your employees to reference, the login for which you should also include in this section of the editorial style guide to make access simple. You might find employees are more likely to reference these tools when provided with an online subscription that contains a search function instead of a paper book through which they have to flip to find their answers.

While these style guides provide a good reference point for basic grammar rules, you'll probably want to make some exceptions to the rules therein for the sake of branding, tone, and style. Use this section of your editorial style guide to outline those exceptions and also to highlight some of the rules that commonly arise when writing for your company that people should commit to memory  regardless of whether it is aligned with or against house style. For example:

What do you capitalize? Do you capitalize the name of your product? Are there certain prepositions you want capitalized in your title despite your stylebook's recommendations?

What do you abbreviate? How do you punctuate those abbreviations? Would you type "a.k.a." or "aka"? "Okay" or "O.K."? Or "OK"?

Do you use an Oxford comma?

Listing answers to common questions like these in the first part of your editorial style guide will give people an easy resource to reference that will save you time and encourage consistency. Feel free to continue adding to this list as more confusions arise and get resolved during the content creation process. You're creating your own style guide, so feel free to borrow different rules from different style guides. The important thing is that you use the same rules consistently throughout all the content you create.

Commonly Troublesome Words

Most companies have terminology that's specific to their industry, and not all of that terminology has a universally agreed-upon spelling. For instance, if you write a lot about digital marketing like we do here at HubSpot, you'll find a lot of inconsistency around the spelling and capitalization of words like these:

ebook vs. Ebook vs. e-book

ecommerve vs. e-commerce

internet vs. Internet

website vs. web site

Facebook Like vs. Facebook like

Retweet vs. re-tweet vs. reTweet vs. ReTweet

... And on and on and on. Instead of debating how to spell, capitalize, or hyphenate these words, include a section in your style guide called "Commonly Troublesome Words" so writers can easily look up the proper spelling of these words according to your house style guide.

Advice for Global Companies

If you have global readership and create content for specific, same-language markets, you should include notes on whether you change spelling for those markets or retain your house style.

For example, if marketers from HubSpot's Dublin office write a blog post, should American editors change their spelling of "favour" to "favor"? "Internationalise" to "Internationalize"? These questions should be answered in your style guide, and the "Commonly Troublesome Words" section is a logical location to do that.

Similarly, if you are creating content in different languages, style guides should be created for each different language.

Style and Tone

This section of the editorial style guide should address something less concrete than grammar rules but arguably more important: how your content should sound to the reader.

Can writers use the first person? How do you feel about the use of industry jargon? Think about the words you would use to describe your content in an ideal world. Which of these adjectives do you want your content to evoke?

Conversational?

Educational?

Academic?

Funny?

Controversial?

Irreverent?

Artistic?

Objective?

Sophisticated?

You might think you want your content to be all of the above, but force yourself to prioritize just a few. Explain why it's important to achieve this style and tone in your content, and provide examples of content (excerpts are fine) that are successful in doing so  particularly if those excerpts exist on your own site already. If there are stylistic characteristics your content absolutely should not have, this is the section in which to include that information, too. Again, examples of what not to do are helpful here for the sake of comparative illustration.

When deciding on style and tone, be sure to consider your target audience and buyer personas in the process. Which style and tone would resonate best with them? This brings us to our next section...

Personas

Buyer personas are inextricably tied to style and tone, so it's important to include this section either before or after the "Style and Tone" section of your style guide. Why is it so important to include personas? Because the style and tone you adopt should be informed by your target audience, i.e. the people that will be reading all this stuff you're writing.

That being said, the personas in your editorial style guide don't need to go as in-depth as the personas created by your sales and marketing teams. (Those might include detailed information like objections that arise in the sales process and how to overcome them, or tips on identifying these personas "in the wild" or when you get them on the phone.)

The personas in your editorial style guide should be more brief, simply pulling out the highlights that concisely explain who your target audience is, their pain points, how they like to be communicated with, the value your company provides, and a picture to give writers a visual to keep in mind when creating content.

Including personas in your style guide really comes in handy when you're working with freelance writers. If you're doing a good job with freelance writer management, you'll provide ample context to inform the content they're writing. A persona, and how that informs tone and writing style, should always be included when kicking off a new freelance writer engagement.

Graphics and Formatting

I know, I told you earlier not to get into the nitty gritty with visual guidelines. This is still true. Your design team or agency should create a separate brand design style guide that addresses more nuanced visual... things. (Can you tell I'm not a designer?)

You should, however, add a little information to your written style guide if your writers are ever responsible for creating visual assets and/or copyediting visual assets created by designers. Here are some common questions that may come up that will impact writers or editors:

Where can writers source images, and how do they properly attribute them?

When should images align to the right, to the left, or in the center?

Should text wrap around images?

What are the RGB and hex codes for your text and headers?

What typefaces can be used?

Can writers use italics, bold, or underlining? If so, is usage limited to certain occasions, like bolding headers and hyperlinks?

Which kind of bullets should be used (square, round, or other), and how should they align with the rest of the text?

How should numbered lists appear: "1", "1." or "1.)"?

Many of these graphical elements can be preset in your content management system, but they can be easily overridden when writers copy and paste content from elsewhere with formatting attached  or by an overzealous writer with a flair for design. Outline these expectations in your editorial style guide, and refer those with more advanced needs to your brand style guide.

Approved and Unapproved Content



Great content often cites research and data from third party sources. Make your writer's job easier by providing approved industry resources from which they can draw  and, even more importantly, resources from which they cannot draw. Break up this section of your editorial style guide into two sections: recommended and approved industry resources, and "do not mention" resources.

The information in the "do not mention" section should include competitors and unreliable resources, and it should also mention controversial topics and opinions that should be avoided at all costs. For example, many companies strictly prohibit any mention of politics or religion in their content, or have provisions that explain when it is acceptable to include and how to frame the discussion. Similarly, many companies work within certain legal restrictions, in which case this section of the style guide might provide instructions for receiving legal approval before publishing a piece of content.

This is the section of your editorial style guide to explain the intricacies of such controversies as they relate to your brand so you can prevent reputation management catastrophes.

Sourcing

With great research comes great responsibility... and a lot of choices, unfortunately. Clear up the confusion around how to properly cite research by deciding on one methodology and documenting it in your editorial style guide. Explain how to create footnotes, references, links to external sites, or even bibliographies if they are relevant to your company.

This section of your editorial style guide doesn't need to be long. Just write down the rules and provide some examples of proper citations so writers can easily attribute their sources properly.

Examples to Show What's Right and Wrong



Every section of your editorial style guide can benefit from real life examples of the concepts you're explaining, whether you include those examples on the same page or as an appendix at the end of the guide.

For example, when talking about proper formatting, include a visual example of a well-formatted blog post with callouts that detail why the elements therein are successful. If you're discussing grammar usage, provide an incorrect example, and then mark it up to show how a writer could fix it to align with your editorial style guide.

Bridging your requirements with proper executions from your actual website will help illustrate these concepts more clearly and cut down on follow-up questions and instances of exceptions to the rules you've laid out.

What Not to Include In Your Style Guide

It can be tempting to create the most comprehensive style guide of all time. But when documents get incredibly long, it can become a little hard to use on a day-to-day basis. Aim for "comprehensive, yet usable" by intentionally cutting some sections. The most common sections that people are tempted to include, but which I recommend exist in another document, are:

Notes on content operations. Things like submitting content to your editorial team, requesting a slot on the editorial calendar, or revision cycles.

Things like submitting content to your editorial team, requesting a slot on the editorial calendar, or revision cycles. Recommendations for creating SEO-friendly content.

Nitty gritty rules around logo usage or other visual style guide elements. With some basic exceptions, these would be saved for a separate brand or visual style guide.

Your editorial style guide will simply guide writers by providing a set of standards to which they must adhere when creating content for your website. It eliminates confusion, guesswork, and debates over what boils down to a matter of editorial opinion among grammar and content geeks. If you're ever unsure whether something should or should not exist in your written style guide, fall back on usage to inform your decision. If it's too long to be usable, cut it down; if it's too short to answer the most common questions, beef it up.

How to Get Others to Use Your Style Guide

If you put in all this work to create a comprehensive style guide, it'd be a real bummer if no one used it.

Here's the truth: Some people just aren't going to use it, no matter how easy you make it for them to do so. So just... accept that. But after you're done grieving, there are a few things you can do to increase the likelihood of adoption:

1. Involve other people in its creation from the get-go.

No one wants to be the Grammar Czar. And if you do, I promise you no one you work with thinks its cute. Instead of mandating the rules your entire company must use when writing, get a few people together to help create the style guide as a group. Ideally, this little committee will span more than one department to increase the likelihood of widespread adoption.

2. Make it easy to find and use.

Our style guide is available on our internal wiki so it's easy for people to find, bookmark, and Ctrl+F to get answers to questions quickly. Make yours similarly easy to access and use.

3. Keep updating it.

Your style guide is intended to be a living document. As new questions arise, make it easy for writers to ask questions about proper usage and get a resolution  and make sure that resolution is reflected in an updated version of the style guide.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in May 2015 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
YEREVAN.  The systematic destruction of the Armenian heritage in the occupied territories is like a civilizational revenge against the Armenians in general. Secretary General of the Armenian National Commission for UNESCO, Arman Khachatryan, told this to reporters.

The issue has been raised by the aforesaid commission since September 28, 2020.

According to Khachatryan, Baku claims that the Armenian churches in question are supposedly Albanian, but it is obvious that these churches have nothing to do with Azerbaijan.

He recalled that after the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war in Fall 2020, the UNESCO executive director sent a mission to Karabakh. "This proposal has been approved by Armenia, Karabakh and the international community, but Azerbaijan is trying in every way to hinder the implementation of this initiative," Khachatryan added.

He stressed the importance of applying the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

In his turn, Gagik Gyurjyan, head of the ICOMOS/Armenia NGO, noted that not only UNESCO, but also other organizations and conventions to which both Armenia and Azerbaijan have joined should be engaged in resolving this problem.
Australians can now order cosmeceutical skincare products online to be delivered to their door based on their skin type and concerns.

Husband and wife team Daniel Rubinstein, 50, and Dr Ginni Mansberg, 52, launched Evidence Skincare (ESK) in 2017 after Dr Mansberg had difficulty finding suitable products.

The Sydney founders worked with dermatologists to formulate a skincare range containing active 'evidence-based' ingredients to provide efficient results.

'We wanted to create a list of products for the average person as well as skincare tailored to specific skin issues,' Dr Mansberg told Daily Mail Australia.

Before ordering online, shoppers must complete a short quiz to determine what products are ideal for their needs.

Dr Mansberg, who is a resident health expert on Channel Seven's Sunrise, (pictured) and her husband Daniel Rubinstein launched Evidence Skincare in 2017

'We wanted to create a list of products for the average person as well as skincare tailored to specific skin issues,' Dr Mansberg told Daily Mail Australia

Before and after images shared on Instagram demonstrate how well the skincare products work in as little as three weeks

The quiz only takes a few minutes to complete to determine which 'evidence-based' ingredients are right for your concerns and skin type.

After completing the quiz, the ESK team will email you their product recommendations and regime suggestions.

Dr Mansberg, who is a resident health expert on Channel Seven's Sunrise, said the business aims to simplify the daily skincare regime while satisfying a person's requirements and target concerns.

'Cosmeceutical products differ from standard retail products because the ingredients used penetrate deeper layers of the skin to impact cell development and create positive changes,' she said.

In addition to acne, wrinkles and redness, the couple said customers who have experienced rosacea, pigmentation, eczema and perioral dermatitis have also opted to use their products.

Dr Mansberg said customers have noticed changes to their skin in as little as three weeks

Before ordering online, shoppers must complete a short quiz to determine what products are ideal for their needs

This customer used the regular pigmentation kit to reduce her skin pigmentation

The skincare bottles are numbered to make it easier for customers to remember the order in which the products need to be used.

Some of the active ingredients include zinc, retinol (vitamin A), salicylic acid and l-ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

All formulas in the ESK range contain proven ingredients documented in The National Library of Medicine.

Available in full size kits, travel packs and individual units, the products are manufactured in Australia under the guidance of local doctors, dermatologists and scientists, and covered by a full money back guarantee.

Common skin concerns and skin types: Skin issues: Acne Pigmentation Redness Eczema Perioral dermatitis Rosacea Skin types: Oily skin Dry skin Sensitive skin Combination skin Advertisement

Mr Rubinstein said the brand's professional customer service allows the business to differentiate from others.

The self-developed customer service model bridges the gap between online and offline retail by personally connecting ESK representatives with customers 12-days after their initial purchase.

The follow-up call serves to personalise each customer's experience with the brand by discussing their individual results, providing expert tips and advice and answering any skincare-related questions.

Due to the unpredictable nature of online retail, each call is designed to ensure optimal customer satisfaction and complete peace of mind following a transaction.

Through this concept, the brand has achieved a 62 per cent customer retention rate, a measurement more than double the global industry average of 26.9 per cent for skincare.

Customers can take the skin quiz by visiting the Evidence Skin website.
1619 Projects Nikole Hannah-Jones to Teach Journalism at University of North Carolina

Nikole Hannah-Jones, the leading author of the New York Times highly controversial 1619 Project, will be teaching journalism at the University of North Carolina (UNC) this summer.

While remaining at the New York Times, Hannah-Jones will join the faculty at the UNC-Chapel Hills Hussman School of Journalism and Media in July as a Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism, the school announced Monday.

This is a full-circle moment for me as I return to the place that launched my career to help launch the careers of other aspiring journalists, Hannah-Jones, who earned her masters degree at UNC Hussman, wrote on Twitter. Im so excited to continue mentoring students from the classroom and for all I will learn from them.

In May 2020, Hannah-Jones was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for her work on the 1619 Project, which aims to reframe American history by presenting the United States as an inherently racist nation founded on slavery. The project consists of a collection of essays that argue, among many other controversial claims, that the real reason for the American Revolution was to preserve slavery, and that slavery was the primary driver of American capitalism during the 19th century.

The idea that racism remains deeply embedded in todays America, as Hannah-Jones claims in her essays, gained prominence during last years nationwide unrest. After a New York Post op-ed, Call Them the 1619 Riots, associated the widespread looting, statue-toppling and flag-burning with the 1619 Projects flawed history narrative, Hannah-Jones said it would be an honor that the mobs carried out violence under the 1619 banner.

The integrity of the 1619 Project has been questioned by a variety of scholars, most notably the Trump administrations advisory 1776 Commission. In its its first and last report, the commission criticized the project for promoting a historically inaccurate account about the nations founders, and called for a return to patriotic education focusing on how generations of Americans fought to live up to their founding ideals.

Hannah-Joness return to UNC as a professor of journalism comes as the Biden administration seeks to prioritize funding education programs that incorporate the ideas of the 1619 Project. In a proposed new rule released April 19, the Education Department cited the project as a leading example for the kind of content it wants to use federal dollars for to promote history and civics classrooms throughout the country.

There is growing acknowledgement of the importance of including, in the teaching and learning of our countrys history, both the consequences of slavery, and the significant contributions of Black Americans to our society, the proposed rule reads. This acknowledgement is reflected, for example, in the New York Times landmark 1619 Project and in the resources of the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History.
New Delhi:

Protesting against the linking of Aadhaar with mobile phones, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday refused to link Aadhaar with her phone and said that if the authorities want to disconnect her phone then let them do it.

Banerjee added that the Trinamool Congress will observe 8th November as 'Black Day' and conduct rallies throughout the state carrying black flags.

It was on the same day in 2016 that the Modi government had announced demonetisation of high denomination currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000.

Earlier on Tuesday, Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said 18 opposition parties would observe November 8 as Black Day to mark their protest against demonetisation which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year on the very same day.

While addressing a press conference in the national capital, Azad said demonetisation is a scam of the century. He said Congress president Sonia Gandhi has constituted a coordination committee of six parties.

Azad said the government made 135 changes since demonetisation was implemented and several people lost their lives.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O Brien said that all opposition parties will question the government, and would observe November 8 as Black Day.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
OTTAWA, ON, April 27, 2021 /CNW/ - COVID-19 has affected all Canadians, but women have been disproportionately impacted. In the labour market, women were hit earlier and harder, and their jobs continue to recover more slowly. Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience is a plan to drive economic growth, increase women's participation in the workforce, and offer each child in Canada the best start in life.

Today, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, met with over twenty women entrepreneurs from Atlantic Canada to discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on their lives and investments from Budget 2021 that will help drive an economy recovery in their sectors. Minister Jordan heard from a wide range of business owners such as those in in the construction industry, retail and tourism sectors, service industry and multiple members of Atlantic Chambers of Commerce, all from various regions across Atlantic Canada.

Canadian women entrepreneurs are important to Canada's economic success, but women still face unique and systemic barriers to starting and growing a business, and they remain underrepresented in the economy. Budget 2021 makes a generational investment to build a Canada-wide early learning and child care system. This plan will aim to reduce fees for parents with children in regulated child care by 50 per cent on average, by 2022, with a goal of reaching $10 per day on average by 2026, everywhere outside of Quebec. Budget 2021 will invest almost $30 billion over the next five years and provide permanent ongoing funding, working with provincial and territorial, and Indigenous partners to support quality, not-for-profit child care, and ensuring the needs of early childhood educators are at the heart of the system.

To provide affordable financing, increase data, and strengthen capacity within the entrepreneurship ecosystem, Budget 2021 proposes to provide up to $146.9 million over four years, starting in 2021-22, to strengthen the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy. Women entrepreneurs would have greater access to financing, mentorship, and training. Funding would also further support the Women Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Fund and the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub. The government will also work with financial institutions to develop a voluntary code to help support the inclusion of women and other underrepresented entrepreneurs as clients in the financial sector.

Canada entered the pandemic in a strong fiscal position. This allowed the government to take quick and decisive action, supporting people and businesses, and put it in the position to make historic investments in the recovery.

Quote

"Budget 2021 is a plan to get even more Canadians back to work. That means building an inclusive, feminist economy where more women can join  and stay in  the workforce. Through Budget 2021, our government will strengthen the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, launch the Feminist Response and Recovery Fund and introduce affordable childcare for parentss. Through the smart, targeted investments, we will continue to dismantle barriers and inequalities across Atlantic Canada and our entire country to ensure every woman can participate fully in Canada's workforce."

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan and Member of Parliament for South Shore St. Margaret's.

Quick Facts

Budget 2021 includes $101.4 billion over three years in proposed investments as part of the Government of Canada's growth plan that will create good jobs and support a resilient and inclusive recovery. Key measures include:

over three years in proposed investments as part of the Government of growth plan that will create good jobs and support a resilient and inclusive recovery. Key measures include: Establishing a Canada -wide early learning and child care system, in partnership with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners, which will help all families access affordable, high-quality, and flexible child care no matter where they live, and no longer shoulder the burden of high child care costs. The budget proposes new investments totalling up to $30 billion over the next five years and $8.3 billion ongoing to support this vision.

-wide early learning and child care system, in partnership with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners, which will help all families access affordable, high-quality, and flexible child care no matter where they live, and no longer shoulder the burden of high child care costs. The budget proposes new investments totalling up to over the next five years and ongoing to support this vision.

Extending emergency supports to bridge Canadians and Canadian businesses through to recovery, including:



Extending the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support until September 25, 2021 .

Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support until .



Extending important income support for Canadians such as a 12-week extension of the Canada Recovery Benefit and 4-week extension of the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit.



Enhancing Employment Insurance sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks.



Supporting small and medium-sized businesses through several transformative programs, such as:



A new Canada Digital Adoption Program that will assist over 160,000 businesses with the cost of new technology. And it will provide them with the advice they need to get the most of new technology with the help of 28,000 young Canadians who will be trained to work with them.





Allowing Canadian small businesses to fully expense up to $1.5 million in capital investments in a broad range of assets, including digital technology and intellectual property. This represents an additional $2.2 billion investment in the growth of Canada's entrepreneurs over the next five years.

in capital investments in a broad range of assets, including digital technology and intellectual property. This represents an additional investment in the growth of entrepreneurs over the next five years.

Supporting women, Black Canadians, and other underrepresented entrepreneurs who face barriers to launching and owning businesses through $300 million to enhance initiatives like the Black Entrepreneurship Program and the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy.

to enhance initiatives like the Black Entrepreneurship Program and the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy.

Establishing a $15 federal minimum wage.

federal minimum wage.

Enriching the Canada Workers Benefit, which will support about 1 million more Canadians and lift nearly 100,000 people out of poverty. This will result in additional support of $8.9 billion over six years for Canada's low-wage workers.

Related Links

Associated Links

SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada

For further information: Media may contact: Jane Deeks, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 343-550-9594, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca


Dangerous Uptick in Illegal Immigration Attempts by Train: CBP

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in El Paso, Texas, have noted a significant increase in attempts to illegally enter the United States by train in the past year. The border control agency has warned hopeful aliens not to do so because the practice is highly dangerous.

It is happening almost every time CBP officers in El Paso process an arriving freight train from Mexico, a CBP release states. Migrants are discovered attempting to use the railroad system to enter the country undetected.

The illegal aliens come mainly from Mexico and Central America.

Officers working at two downtown rail crossings say they have found and removed 292 illegal aliens from trains since the start of the current fiscal year on Oct. 1, 2020. The figure is up more than 60 percent from the same period last year, when they found 181 illegal aliens.

For the entirety of the 2019 fiscal year, only 50 illegal aliens were found trying to illegally enter the United States without inspection via the rail crossings.

We cannot stress how dangerous of a practice this is and we encourage any considering this to not proceed with their plans, Hector Mancha, the CBP director of field operations, said in a statement. People are climbing on rail cars and hiding in places not designed to accommodate human beings.

Fortunately, we have yet to encounter anyone who has been maimed while attempting this but I am afraid that at some point we will.

The crossings often take place when it is dark, bringing added danger, the CBP noted.

The potential for a misstep is greater when it is dark and visibility is limited, Mancha said.

About 6,500 rail cars enter El Paso from Mexico every month. CBP officers are responsible for processing railcars that arrive south of downtown El Paso, at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific crossings on either side of the Paso Del Norte international bridge.

Officers use non-intrusive x-ray technology to check every rail car and also inspect the rail cars visually as they slowly enter the country from Mexico. Canine teams often support the inspection efforts.

During these checks, officers have found migrants riding on top of rail cars, in naturally occurring voids, holding onto the undercarriage, within brand new vehicles that are being shipped north, and other locations on and within the rail cars.

Those who are arrested are generally immediately processed to go back to Mexico. There are sometimes exceptions that require other consequences to the illegal alien, such as if the person is someone who is wanted for a crime, or was previously formally removed from the country but was found trying to reenter.

CBP officers remain vigilant in their efforts to stop this practice. We are also in regular communication with the rail companies and our counterparts in Mexico to work together to stop this dangerous practice, Mancha said.

Despite our best efforts it does not appear to be slowing down at all. We hope that through publicity people will realize that they are risking their lives and in turn will not consider this as an option.
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. - The FBI launched a civil rights probe Tuesday into the death of Andrew Brown Jr., a Black man killed by deputies in North Carolina, as his family released an independent autopsy showing he was shot five times, including in the back of the head.

Mallory Thornton, of Durham, leads chants on a bullhorn while demonstrators marched peacefully in Elizabeth City, N.C., on Monday April 26, 2021, after family viewed 20 seconds of police body camera video of the shooting death of Andrew Brown Jr. Brown was killed the week before by Pasquotank County Sheriff's deputies serving a warrant. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP)

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. - The FBI launched a civil rights probe Tuesday into the death of Andrew Brown Jr., a Black man killed by deputies in North Carolina, as his family released an independent autopsy showing he was shot five times, including in the back of the head.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper called for a special prosecutor while pressure built on authorities to release body camera footage of last week's shooting. A judge scheduled a hearing Wednesday to consider formal requests to make the video public.

The FBIs Charlotte field office, which opened the civil rights investigation into Browns death, said in a statement that its agents planned to work closely with the Department of Justice to determine whether federal laws were violated."

The independent autopsy was performed Sunday by a pathologist hired by Brown's family. The exam noted four wounds to the right arm and one to the head. The states autopsy has not been released yet.

A demonstrator yells from her car as protesters took to the streets in Elizabeth City, N.C., on Monday, April 26, 2021, to protest the killing of Andrew Brown by police and to demand the full body camera footage be released. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)

The family's lawyers also released a copy of the death certificate, which lists the cause of death as a penetrating gunshot wound of the head. The certificate, signed by a paramedic services instructor who serves as a local medical examiner, describes the death as a homicide.

Brown was shot last Wednesday by deputies serving drug-related search and arrest warrants at his house in the North Carolina town of Elizabeth City, about 160 miles northeast of Raleigh.

The autopsy results come a day after Brown's relatives were shown a 20-second clip of footage from one deputy's body camera. One of the Brown family lawyers, Chantel Cherry-Lassiter, who viewed the video, said Monday that officers opened fire on Brown while he had his hands on the steering wheel of a car. She said the video showed Brown trying to drive away but posing no threat to officers.

Brown's son Khalil Ferebee questioned why deputies opened fire.

Yesterday I said he was executed. This autopsy report shows me that was correct," he said Tuesday at a news conference. Its obvious he was trying to get away. Its obvious. And theyre going to shoot him in the back of the head?

Hundreds of demonstrators, including Rev. Raymond Johnson, took to the streets in Elizabeth City, N.C. on Monday, April 26, 2021, to protest the killing of Andrew Brown Jr. and to demand the full body camera footage be released. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)

The pathologist, North Carolina-based Dr. Brent Hall, noted a wound to the back of Browns head from an undetermined distance that penetrated his skull and brain. He said there was no exit wound. Two shots to Browns right arm penetrated the skin. Two others shots to the arm grazed him.

The shooting prompted days of protests and calls for justice and transparency. Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten II has said multiple deputies fired shots but released few other details. Seven Pasquotank County deputies have been placed on leave.

Local clergy members who called a news conference outside of an Elizabeth City church welcomed the FBI's announcement.

Amen. Because the people here are inept, incapable and incompetent," said the Rev. William Barber II, who leads the Poor Peoples Campaign, referring to local authorities.

Brown's lawyers also welcomed the federal agency's involvement: We have great faith that this calibre of an investigation will prevent any obscuring of the facts released to the Brown family and public and will overcome any local bias that may prevent justice from being served.

Rev. William Barber II speaks as the North Carolina NAACP and clergy urge state attorney general Josh Stein to take over the investigation into the police shooting death of Andrew Brown Jr. during a press conference at the Mt. Lebanon AME Zion Church, Tuesday, April 27, 2021, in Elizabeth City, N.C. The FBI launched a civil rights probe Tuesday into the death of Andrew Brown Jr., a Black man killed by deputies in North Carolina, as his family released an independent autopsy showing he was shot five times, including in the back of the head. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP)

The State Bureau of Investigation began a probe of the shooting shortly after it happened. It initially said that it would turn its findings over to the local district attorney, as is standard under state laws and procedures.

But the governor, a Democrat, urged the appointment of a special prosecutor to handle the state's case.

This would help assure the community and Mr. Browns family that a decision on pursuing criminal charges is conducted without bias, Cooper said in a statement.

State Attorney General Josh Stein said state law puts control of criminal prosecutions in the hands of the local district attorney, so his office cannot intervene unless asked. He said he has offered assistance to the local prosecutor, but has only received an acknowledgment.

For my office to play a role in the prosecution, the District Attorney must request our assistance, Stein said.

District Attorney Andrew Womble, who oversees Pasquotank County, issued a statement noting that state law gives him the power to decide on prosecuting crimes in his district and he stands ready willing and able to fulfil my statutory obligations.

Wednesday's court hearing on the video will consider petitions to release the footage, including filings by a media coalition and by the county attorney on behalf of the sheriff. A North Carolina law that took effect in 2016 allows law enforcement agencies to show body camera video privately to a victim's family, but it generally requires a court to approve any public release.

It's not clear how soon a judge could rule or how quickly the video would be released if the release is approved. In similar cases, it has sometimes taken weeks for the full legal process to play out.

The slow movement has prompted an outcry from protesters, the family's lawyers and racial justice advocates, who noted that law enforcement agencies in other states have moved faster. In Columbus, Ohio, the day before Brown was shot, body camera footage was released within hours of an officer fatally shooting a 16-year-old Black girl who was swinging a knife at another girl.

Democrats in the North Carolina General Assembly filed a measure this month proposing that body camera video be released within 48 hours unless a law enforcement agency asks a court to delay its distribution. But the legislation faces long odds with the GOP controlling both chambers of the Legislature.

A key Republican lawmaker, state Sen. Danny Britt, issued a statement saying GOP lawmakers are open to considering improvements to the current law. But with a hearing set for Wednesday, he said, the process has had little time to unfold.

Drew reported from Durham, North Carolina. Associated Press Writer Gary D. Robertson in Raleigh contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 20:55:18|Editor: huaxia

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NANNING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping called for more efforts to break new ground in promoting high-quality development in ethnic border regions.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his inspection trip to south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from Sunday to Tuesday.

Xi called on these regions to better serve and integrate into the country's new development pattern, make new progress in advancing green development, and be more committed to consolidating and developing ethnic unity, social stability and border security.

During his inspection tour, Xi went to Guilin, Liuzhou and Nanning, visiting a local revolutionary memorial, ethnic museum, villages and enterprises to inspect the localities' work in implementing the country's 14th Five-Year Plan.

On Sunday morning, Xi visited a memorial park dedicated to the Battle of the Xiangjiang River during the Long March in the 1930s in the city of Guilin. He presented a flower basket in memory of the martyrs in the battle and made three bows in their honor.

Noting that the battle was a life-or-death event in China's revolution history, Xi stressed the importance of CPC members staying true to their ideals and convictions.

Xi then visited Maozhushan village in Guilin to inspect the local grape growing industry. He called for efforts to pursue rural vitalization based on local specialty industries and make better use of science and technology in promoting the agricultural sector.

He also stressed measures that can ensure farmers benefit more from the development of rural industries.

Xi walked through the village, dropping by the home of villager Wang Deli and chatting with the family.

He said that as the CPC is about to celebrate its centenary, the country has scored a complete victory in its fight against poverty. However, he said promoting rural vitalization on all fronts will be no easier than the anti-poverty battle, allowing no letup or sluggishness.

On Sunday afternoon, Xi went to a dock on the Lijiang River in the city of Guilin. He called for more efforts in ecological restoration and pollution prevention and control to improve the environment, the ecosystem, and the overall function of the river basin.

On Monday, Xi visited a scenic park in Guilin. He lauded the city as a treasure bestowed on the Chinese nation by nature and called for efforts to improve its protection.

In the afternoon, Xi went to the city of Liuzhou. Inspecting machinery manufacturer Guangxi Liugong Group Co., Ltd., Xi said the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry is the top priority in promoting China's high-quality economic growth.

He urged efforts to keep a firm hold on the initiative in pursuing innovation-driven development and uphold the overall leadership of the Party in state-owned enterprises.

Xi then went to a food-processing zone for local specialty Luosifen rice noodles. He praised the role of local signature industries in developing the real economy and called for more support for private enterprises to help them grow and tackle challenges.

On Tuesday morning, Xi visited the Anthropology Museum of Guangxi in the regional capital city of Nanning.

As the country's demonstration zone of ethnic unity and progress, Guangxi should continue to play its exemplary and leading role, Xi said.

In the morning, Xi also heard the regional Party committee and government of Guangxi report their work. Enditem
BRUXELLES, 27 APR - The implementation of strict surveillance and monitoring programs is a viable way to prevent the spread of the Xylella fastidiosa plant pathogen in the EU, scientists have said. "Data show that the bacterium has been in Europe since the 1990s, its evolution is slow and mutations are not as frequent as we thought in the beginning, so reinforcing surveillance can prevent the spread of the bacterium, before it settles permanently, as happened in Puglia and Spain", said Donato Boscia from the Italian IPSP-CNR Institute. Scientists from all over the world are taking stock of the results of studies carried out as part of the XF-ACTORS project, the first EU-funded research project entirely devoted to Xylella fastidiosa. Final data on resistant varieties, which was presented by the XF-ACTORS Coordinator Maria Saponari (IPSP-CNR), "show that good management practices in the field improve the resistance traits of the olive cultivars" naturally, said Marie-Agnes Jacques, from the French INRAE Institute, in her concluding remarks. For real progress on the understanding of Xylella fastidiosa's interactions with hosts such as olive trees, European researchers should make wider use of agricultural biotechnology, said Pasquale Saldarelli (IPSP-CNR). (ANSA).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children generally appear to be less severely impacted by COVID-19 than adults. But a new study from Children's Hospital Los Angeles shows that the pandemic could be affecting children's health in unexpected ways. The study reveals a surge of patients presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis, a severe complication of type 2 diabetes. Published today in Diabetes Care, these data offer additional insights into how the pandemic may be impacting the nation's children.

Diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, is life-threatening. "DKA happens when insulin levels in the blood drop too low for too long. Insulin helps the body utilize glucose. So when there's not enough insulin, the body starts breaking down fat as a source of energy." Lily Chao, MD, MS, Interim Medical Diabetes Director at CHLA

This process, she says, causes dangerously high levels of acids in the blood. If untreated, this can lead to cerebral edema, coma, or even death. "Kids are coming in with dehydration and DKA. But DKA is preventable and reversible if we treat it early and appropriately," says Dr. Chao, who is lead author on the paper.

Dr. Chao and her colleagues noticed back in March of 2020 that more and more patients were coming in with DKA and type 2 diabetes. "We used to see a few DKA cases in type 2 diabetes a year," she says, "and all of a sudden we were seeing a spike, so we began keeping track. Now we have the numbers to confirm that there are more children with type 2 diabetes who present with this very serious complication of DKA."

Yet the question remains: What is the cause of the increased incidence of Type 2 diabetes with DKA?

A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, many children are used to wearing masks and attending online classes. But other changes have affected them, too. Fewer children may be making it to the doctor's office for their routine well-child exams, possibly due to the fear families may feel about exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

"Parents are worried about going outside of the house," says Dr. Chao. "Some families have to take public transportation to go the pediatrician and they are hesitant to do so during the pandemic."

This, she says, may be one of the reasons for the shift she and her colleagues have seen.

In addition to missing doctor visits, other factors may be involved, such as less physical activity during lockdown or reduced access to fresh, healthy foods. But there may also be a biological relationship between exposure to the virus and diabetes.

"There is definitely a link between COVID-19 and diabetes," says Senta Georgia, PhD, an investigator in The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles and senior author on the paper. Dr. Georgia runs a basic and translational research program aimed at understanding the cellular biology of diabetes and developing novel therapeutics. "We don't know whether SARS-CoV-2 infects insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas," she says. "There are some reports of a link between COVID-19 and diabetes in adults, but no pediatric studies have been published to date."

As a physician scientist and a laboratory scientist, respectively, Dr. Chao and Dr. Georgia come with unique perspectives--but their objectives converge on getting answers to help children diagnosed with diabetes.

"Our work together at Children's Hospital Los Angeles allows us to address pediatric health on multiple levels," says Dr. Georgia. "I help Dr. Chao design her clinical studies and she works with me on our basic and translational research. So we're coming at the problem of increased incidence of diabetes with both a clinical and a scientific perspective."

Future translational and clinical studies may determine whether increased DKA in patients could be caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2. But for now, the data clearly point to an emerging trend toward more severe diabetes complications during the global pandemic.

The team hopes that these findings will increase vigilance. "It's critical for pediatricians to recognize that when a child presents with symptoms of diabetes, the child needs to be evaluated right away," says Dr. Chao. "The sooner we see these kids, the better chance we have to prevent DKA."
New Delhi: The COVID-19 pandemic has once again highlighted the need to have a regular investment and the importance of insurance.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis, the demand for insurance has also been on the rise. In a bid to tap on this changing trend, mutual fund houses have also changed the strategy to attract investors by offering the benefit of free insurance cover to those who start a new Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), a Live Hindustan report said.

Some select mutual fund houses of the country have started offering free insurance cover with SIP while the prominent among them include ICICI Pru. Mutual funds SIP Plus, Nippon India Mutual Fund, SIP Insurance and Aditya Birla Sunlife Century SIP. Investors who are investing with these SIP plans can get insurance cover without undergoing any medical examination.

The insurance cover given with SIP is actually group term insurance. Mutual Fund houses are offering the benefit of term insurance to investors aged 18 to 51 years. Presently, select mutual fund houses are offering insurance cover 10 times more than the SIP amount in the first year. In the second year they are giving 50 times the investment amount and in the third year they are giving 100 times more cover. At the same time, Nippon India is providing 120 times the cover of SIP amount, the Live Hindustan report said.

If you invest Rs 1000 per month in an SIP scheme with insurance cover, then you will get a cover of Rs 10,000 in the first year, a cover of Rs 50,000 in the second year and a cover of Rs 1 lakh in the third year. This means, the nominee of the SIP investor in the case of an unforeseen death in the third year will get Rs 1 lakh along with the mutual fund corpus. However, the fund houses are only giving this benefit to new investors. Older investors will have to start a new SIP to avail of this scheme.

If an investor has availed insurance cover with SIP, then he will have to make regular investment for at least three years. Termination of SIP before three years will end the benefit of term insurance. At the same time, after running the SIP for three years, he will continue to get the benefit of term insurance. However, the amount of cover will be reduced when the investment is stopped, the Live Hindustan report added.

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Emirati international energy company, Mubadala Petroleum signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Delek Drilling to acquire 22 per cent of the Israeli companys participation in Tamar natural gas field offshore in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The deal pending approval of Israeli government which is expected in May, is valued at $1.1 billion.

The acquisition if completed will be one of the most significant milestones in the history of the two countries since establishing full diplomatic ties last year.

Operated by Chevron, the Tamar natural gas field, is one of Israels primary energy sources and is able to produce 11 billion cubic meters of gas each year, Reuters reports.

Both countries in line with last years agreement vowed to develop several areas of collaboration and to promote investments.
Talks aimed at bringing the United States back into the 2015 Iran nuclear deal will resume in Vienna on April 27.

It will be the latest round of talks to revive the deal and to convince Tehran to end its breaches of the deal.

"Participants will continue their discussions in view of a possible return of the United States [to the accord] and on how to ensure the full and effective implementation" of it, the European Union said in a statement on April 26.

Discussions in Vienna between Iran, China, Russia, France, Britain, Germany, along with the indirect participation of the United States, are being chaired by the EU.

The parties are trying to agree on steps that would be necessary if the agreement is to be revived.

A U.S. delegation is in a separate location in Vienna, enabling representatives of the other five powers to shuttle between both sides because Iran has rejected direct talks with the United States.

The EU said after a round of talks last week that participants "took stock of progress" made in the talks, but also said that much more work was needed.

The talks have been complicated by Iran's announcement earlier this month that it was enriching uranium to 60 percent, up from the 20 percent it had achieved previously.

The announcement came after an incident at its Natanz nuclear facility, which Tehran blamed on Israel.

Iran has said it will not return to strict observance of the agreement unless all sanctions reimposed or added by former President Donald Trump, who withdrew the United States from the deal in 2018, are rescinded first.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has said it is ready to remove "all sanctions that are inconsistent" with the deal, though it has not spelled out which measures it means.

Based on reporting by Reuters
True or False? Governments, in several nations, have violated the right to free speech by censoring writers and healthcare personnel who dissented from the mainstream narrative reporting on COVID-19 virus. This effectively hampered successful information regarding the virus's development and eroded public confidence in government decisions.

Since July 10, 2020, a vast range of foreign scientists and researchers have gathered to find answers to concerns about the "corona crisis" that are being raised by an increasing number of people around the globe, Charisma reported.

Dr. Reiner Fuellmich (born 1958) and Kassandra Mouzis Brudenell, along with their colleagues from the German Corona Investigative Committee, testified regarding the "Corona Scandal," Charisma Magazine reported.

The summary of the committee's conclusions states:

"The corona crisis, according to all we know today, must be renamed a 'Corona Scandal' and those responsible for it must be criminally prosecuted and sued for civil damages ... the corona fraud scandal has meanwhile unfolded into probably the greatest crime against humanity ever committed."

Such a big and serious allegation from a group of experts must go through a judicial investigation. In his testimony, Fuellmich posed the following questions:

"Is there a corona pandemic, or is there only a PCR-test pandemic? Specifically, does a positive PCR-test result mean that the person tested is infected with COVID-19, or does it mean absolutely nothing in connection with the COVID-19 infection?" "Do the so-called anti-corona measures, such as the lockdown, mandatory face masks, social distancing and quarantine regulations, serve to protect the world's population from coronavirus, or do these measures serve only to make people panic so that they believe-without asking any questions-that their lives are in danger, so that in the end the pharmaceutical and tech industries can generate huge profits from the sale of PCR tests, antigen and antibody tests and vaccines, as well as the harvesting of our genetic fingerprints?"



Fuellmich also said: "More and more scientists, but also lawyers, recognize that, as a result of the deliberate panic-mongering, and the corona measures enabled by this panic, democracy is in great danger of being replaced by fascist totalitarian models."

Note that this was in July 2020 and note that they did not deny the existence of a coronavirus. Their beef was on the questionable declaration of a 'pandemic' by WHO and the many unhelpful policies levied widely on the public which not only devastated the economy, but also crushed many people's hopes.

Millions of unnecessary deaths would have also been avoided as poignantly pointed out by Dr Michael Yeadon. (At present, Yeadon and the committee were either shadow banned or flagged by the Big Tech).

But was Fuellmich right about his claim that there's an attempt to replace democracy with totalitarian rule? Are some governments officials and politicians using the coronavirus pandemic to tighten their grip over people? People only need to look at the successive events that unfolded.

According to Human Rights Watch, minorities were blamed of deliberately spreading the virus in countries like India and United Kingdom.

Journalists and others have been jailed and imprisoned in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Turkey, and Venezuela for commenting on or sharing views about COVID-19 on social media.

In Bolivia, authorities have used COVID-19 as an excuse to punish political rivals with up to ten years in jail for distributing "misinformation."

In Uganda, the government imposed absurdly high payments on individuals who were subjected to mandatory isolation.

Authorities in Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina have quarantined migrants in camps due to COVID-19 concerns, but the lack of health controls suggests the virus could quickly spread.

In Myanmar, internally displaced Rohingya with inadequate health care facilities need approval from authorities to get urgent treatment beyond the camps.

Police abuse of citizens found to be breaking curfew or stay-at-home instructions has also attracted condemnation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Kenya, the Philippines, South Africa, and Uganda.

What about people's privacy?

China, Iran, and Russia use digital monitoring measures in their COVID-19 response, endangering individuals' rights to privacy, free speech, and association.

Armenia and Israel enacted broad regulations that jeopardize privacy by forcing telephone providers to hand over phone call logs and location details to authorities.

Current laws in South Korea encourage officials to transmit anonymized details regarding individuals' movements to the general public, but the amendments have provided such specificity that citizens are concerned about their private lives being revealed.

Although data security assurances differ depending on the situation, France, Germany, India, Italy, Poland, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States are either investigating or have even begun utilizing mobile phone location data or facial recognition.

What about religious freedom?

In Canada, a church in Edmonton was shutdown and its pastor jailed for holding worship services beyond the allowed capacity. One was reportedly harassed twice by the authorities during their services. To the authorities, these violation of health orders must be gravely dealt with it even if it means ignoring the citizens' charter rights.

In Ireland, in-person religious meetings were now considered a criminal offense.

In China, the CCP has intensified its assault on churches, as well as the arbitrary detention of Christians and other minorities.

In the U.S., the cancelling of religious rights and beliefs through legislation, tech censorship, banning of books, and the targeting of individuals have spiked throughout the pandemic.

There are more to cite, but these examples should be enough to demonstrate that the announcement of a 'pandemic' in response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus was exaggerated which enabled anyone with an axe to grind to manipulate citizens to their hearts' content. Naturally, the woke media and political machine would attempt to conceal incompetence while exaggerating accomplishments.
UN chief launches Cyprus talks, joined by Greece, Turkey, UK View Photo

GENEVA (AP)  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held brief meetings late Tuesday with leaders of war-divided Cyprus in the Swiss city of Geneva in an effort to revive talks toward a settlement.

Guterres met with Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Ersin Tatar, leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot republic in the north of the island, ahead of more detailed discussions planned for Wednesday.

The Mediterranean island was split along ethnic lines in 1974 when a coup aimed at union with Greece triggered a Turkish invasion.

The three-day meetings in Geneva are aimed at gauging willingness to resume formal peace negotiations that have been stalled since 2017.

The foreign ministers of Turkey, Greece and the former colonial ruler Britain, which retains military bases on the island, will also be present at the talks.

European Union governments hoping to improve relations with Turkey after months of tension are likely to watch the process for signs that Ankara is willing to engage in the talks.

Turkey is also at odds with NATO ally and neighbor Greece over boundaries and mineral rights in the eastern Mediterranean. The Geneva meetings could provide an opportunity to continue fence-mending consultations between the two countries despite generally low expectations over the Cyprus talks.

Turkey is backing a two-state model for the island  a notion that Greek Cypriots say they would never accept as it would legitimize the countrys partition.

The secretary-general is realistic. This is an issue that he knows well, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said of Guterres. He has participated in discussions before. So he is realistic.

After arriving in Geneva late Tuesday, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tweeted: The U.K. will work for the resumption of negotiations aiming at a fair and lasting settlement to the Cyprus issue.

___

Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten reported this story in Geneva and AP writer Menelao Hadjicostis reported from Nicosia, Cyprus. AP writer Derek Gatopoulos in Athens, Greece, contributed to this report.

By JAMEY KEATEN and MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS

Associated Press
Cartessa Aesthetics We at Crestline have been extremely impressed by the Cartessa leadership team as well as their explosive growth, even through challenging times. The company has a resilient business model and has proven their commitment to offering a better business model to aesthetic providers and their patients

Cartessa Aesthetics is pleased to announce the recent closing of a $35MM capital raise to support its rapid expansion as one of the leading aesthetic device companies in North America. Cartessa Aesthetics, incorporated in 2017, has quickly established a leadership position in the robust domestic market for aesthetic equipment. Were excited at the opportunity to accelerate our expansion plans which include enhanced distribution, marketing endeavors, and continued rollouts of new technology to the North American marketplace, says Founder and CEO Gabe Lubin.

Crestline Investors Inc. out of Fort Worth, Texas, offers direct lending services to high performing companies like Cartessa Aesthetics. We at Crestline have been extremely impressed by the Cartessa leadership team as well as their explosive growth, even through challenging times. The company has a resilient business model and has proven their commitment to offering a better business model to aesthetic providers and their patients, cites Marc Strauss, Managing Director of Crestline Inc.

The completion of the transaction offers Cartessa Aesthetics additional financial resources to expand its distribution network, increase marketing spend, as well as continue to innovate new and relevant technology to the North American market space.

About Cartessa Aesthetics, LLC.

Cartessa Aesthetics, LLC sources leading aesthetic medical devices for distribution to dermatologists, plastic surgeons, cosmetic physicians and medical spas.

Cartessa selects the most cutting-edge technologies that offer clinically proven efficacy, patient safety, and the best possible investment for patients and professionals.

Cartessa is the exclusive US and Canadian partner for Quanta Systems. The companys portfolio also includes VirtueRF and PHYSIQ, Deka manufactured Motus AX & Motus AY, Tetra CO2 with CoolPeel and Luxea as well as Subnovii Advanced Plasma Technology and Skinwave. For more information visit: http://www.cartessaaesthetics.com or email the company at info@cartessaaesthetics.com.

About Crestline Investors, Inc.

Crestline Investors, Inc. founded in 1997 and based in Fort Worth, Texas, is an institutional alternative investment management firm. Crestline specializes in credit and opportunistic investments, including financing and restructuring solutions for mature private equity funds. In addition, the firm manages a multi-PM equity market-neutral hedge fund, and provides Beta and Hedging Solutions for Institutional clients. The company maintains affiliate offices in New York City, London, Toronto and Tokyo. For more information visit http://www.crestlineinvestors.com.
STOCKHOLM, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hygiene and health company Essity has signed an agreement today to acquire the remaining 25% of the shares in the Swedish medical solutions company ABIGO Medical AB. Essity acquired 75% of ABIGO Medical in February 2020. Following the acquisition, ABIGO Medical will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Essity in the product category Medical Solutions. The shares are being acquired from founder and chairman of the board Jan G. Smith at a valuation of SEK 900m for 100% of the company on a debt-free basis.

"We are very pleased with this acquisition, which is a natural step in our ambition to strengthen our positions in medical solutions. ABIGO has unique expertise and innovation capacity that will contribute to accelerating Essity's growth in advanced wound care," says Magnus Groth, President and CEO, Essity.

ABIGO Medical AB is a Swedish medical solutions company with its head office in Gothenburg, Sweden, and was founded in 1989 by the brothers Jan G. and Leif Smith. The company has about 170 employees. ABIGO Medical AB develops, manufactures and markets products including the Sorbact technology, which is a clinically established innovation for advanced wound care. In the first quarter of 2021, Essity's organic net sales in wound care increased 2.1%.

In parallel with the acquisition, a process is under way to streamline ABIGO Medical's operations. The parties have concluded an agreement in principle under which Jan G. Smith will, in the near future, acquire the pharma business comprising products such as ear and eye care as well as vitamins.

"I have had a close relationship with Essity for many years and I am very confident that this is the right step in ABIGO's journey of growth," says Jan G. Smith.

Essity's acquisition will be finalized in May 2021.

For further information, please contact:

Per Lorentz, Vice President Corporate Communications, +46 8 788 52 51, [email protected]

Johan Karlsson, Vice President Investor Relations, +46 8 788 51 30, [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

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Michael Kovac/Getty; Samuel Goldwyn Films/Moviestore/Shutterstock Leonardo DiCaprio (L); Mads Mikkelsen in Another Round

Leonardo DiCaprio is stepping into Mads Mikkelsen's shoes for a remake of Another Round.

Deadline reports that DiCaprio, 46, will take on the lead role in the Thomas Vinterberg-directed dramedy that recently won an Oscar for Best International Feature Film.

According the the outlet, rights to the English-language version of the Danish film generated quite the buzz, eventually being won by Endeavor Content, Makeready and Appian Way  the latter production company founded by DiCaprio  after an auction.

Also in the running were Nine Stories (Jake Gyllenhaal and Riva Marker's production company) and a bid by Elizabeth Banks alongside Universal Pictures, Deadline reports.

Another Round follows Mikkelsen's character, a disillusioned high-school history teacher who confronts his midlife crisis through day drinking.

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Samuel Goldwyn Films / Everett Another Round movie poster

RELATED: Oscars 2021: The Complete List of Winners

Vinterberg, 51, accepted the Oscar for Best International Feature Film at Sunday's show. He dedicated the award to his late daughter Ida, who was killed in a car accident in 2019 at age 19.

The director, who also co-wrote the script, grew emotional, first holding back tears before allowing them to fall as he recalled Ida's talent and help in perfecting her father's screenplay.

"If anyone dares to believe she's here with us now, you'd be able to see her clapping and cheering with us," he said in part of Ida. "We ended up making this movie for her as her monument."

He added, "So, Ida, this is a miracle that just happened, and you're a part of this miracle. Maybe you've been pulling some strings somewhere, but this one's for you."

Story continues

ABC Thomas Vinterberg

RELATED VIDEO: PEOPLE in 10: 2021 Oscars Highlights, Surprises and Hottest Trends

Mikkelsen's upcoming projects include a turn as wizard Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3, a role he is taking over from Johnny Depp.

The Danish Hannibal actor, 55, also recently landed an undisclosed role in the fifth installment of the Indiana Jones series, according to Deadline. The announcement came after Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge was revealed as the archaeologist's new partner in the upcoming film.

Harrison Ford, who played the original Indiana Jones since the first film was released in 1981, will return alongside legendary composer John Williams, who has scored every movie in the series.
SANDVIKEN, Sweden, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandvik AB's Annual General Meeting was held on 27 April 2021.

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Annual General Meeting was conducted without the physical presence of shareholders, representatives and third parties, and shareholders were only entitled to exercise their voting rights by postal voting before the Meeting. The Company arranged an on-line event the day before the Annual General Meeting to give shareholders the possibility to listen to presentations by President and CEO Stefan Widing and Chairman of the Board Johan Molin and ask them questions. A recording of these presentations will be made available on the Company's website home.sandvik.

Adoption of the profit and loss accounts and balance sheets

The General Meeting adopted the profit and loss account and balance sheet for the parent company as well as the consolidated profit and loss account and consolidated balance sheet for 2020. The Board members and the President were discharged from liability for the financial year 2020.

Dividend

The General Meeting resolved on a dividend of SEK 6.50 per share (which, as previously communicated, consists of an ordinary dividend of SEK 4.50 and an extra dividend of SEK 2). The record day for payment of the dividend was set at Thursday, 29 April 2021. The dividend is expected to be paid by Euroclear Sweden AB on Tuesday, 4 May 2021.

Board of Directors

The General Meeting decided pursuant to the Nomination Committee's proposal to elect Andreas Nordbrandt new member of the Board and to re-elect Board members Jennifer Allerton, Claes Boustedt, Marika Fredriksson, Johan Molin, Helena Stjernholm, Stefan Widing and Kai Warn. Johan Molin was re-elected Chairman of the Board.

The employee unions have appointed Tomas Karnstrom and Thomas Lilja as members of the Board and Thomas Andersson and Erik Knebel as deputy members.

Resigning Board member Johan Karlstrom and deputy employee representative Mats W Lundberg, who left the Board in December 2020, have both been thanked for their services.

Fees to the Board

The General Meeting resolved pursuant to the Nomination Committee's proposal on fees to the Board, distributed as follows: SEK 2,625,000 to the Chairman of the Board, SEK 710,000 to each other Board member not employed by the Company, SEK 310,000 to the Chairman of the Audit Committee, SEK 175,000 to each other member of the Audit Committee, SEK 150,000 to the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, SEK 118,000 to each other member of the Remuneration Committee, SEK 200,000 to the Chairman of the Acquisitions and Divestitures Committee and SEK 150,000 to each other member of the Acquisitions and Divestitures Committee.

Auditor

The General Meeting resolved pursuant to the Nomination Committee's proposal to re-elect PricewaterhouseCoopers AB as auditor for the period until the end of the 2022 Annual General Meeting.

Remuneration report

The General Meeting resolved to approve the Board's remuneration report for 2020.

Long-term incentive program (LTI 2021)

The General Meeting approved the Board's proposal on a long-term incentive program in the form of a performance share program for about 350 senior executives and key employees in the Group (LTI 2021).

Participation requires that an investment in Sandvik shares be made. Each acquired Sandvik share entitles the participant to be allotted, after a period of three years, a certain number of Sandvik shares free of charge, provided that certain performance targets with respect to earnings per share are met. The program is based on substantially the same terms and conditions as the 20142020 incentive programs.

LTI 2021 comprises up to 2.3 million shares. The delivery of these shares will be secured through a share swap agreement with a third party. The total cost of LTI 2021 is estimated at up to SEK 334 million based on a Sandvik share price of SEK 135, and at up to SEK 346 million based on a share price of SEK 185.

Authorization on acquisition of the Company's own shares

The General Meeting approved the Board's proposal to authorize the Board of Directors to, for the period until the 2022 Annual General Meeting, resolve on acquisitions of the Company's own shares, however no more than 10 per cent of the total number of shares in the Company.

Amendments to the Articles of Association

The General Meeting approved the Board's proposal to amend the Articles of Association, by adding the possibility of postal voting before a General Meeting as well as making some editorial changes due to changes in legislation.

Wilhelm Haglund Medal and the Sandvik Sustainability Award

At the on-line event, Tim Tacionis, Gary Davies and Gene Kleinschmit (Sandvik Materials Technology) were named product developer of the year and awarded the Wilhelm Haglund Medal. Their innovation of coated ultra-thin wires under the product name Exera has, in close cooperation with customers, enabled unique solutions for a wide variety of medical applications that help people living with, for example Parkinson's disease or diabetes. The innovation has also resulted in near exponential top line sales with a retained high-level profitability.

The Sandvik Sustainability Award in Memory of Sigrid Goransson was awarded to Jorgen Petersson and Anders Akesson (Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions) for their innovative process of producing manganese wear parts for cone crushers with more than 90 percent recycled raw material.

By establishing international collaborations with customers and other Sandvik business areas their product has been able to deliver a strong circular performance and reduced COemission by over 16,000 tonnes per year.

Stockholm, 27 April 2021

Sandvik AB

About Sandvik Group

Sandvik is a high-tech and global engineering group offering products and services that enhance customer productivity, profitability and sustainability. We hold world-leading positions in selected areas  tools and tooling systems for metal cutting; equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining industry and rock excavation within the construction industry; products in advanced stainless steels and special alloys as well as products for industrial heating. In 2020 the Group had approximately 37,000 employees and revenues of about 86 billion SEK in more than 160 countries within continuing operations.

Contacts:

Sandvik

World Trade Center, Kungsbron 1 (section G, 6th floor), 111 22 Stockholm, Sweden

+46 8 456 11 00

http://home.sandvik

[email protected]

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SOURCE Sandvik
Schools across the UK have all reopenedin England since March, in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland since mid-April. The return to class is the centrepiece of the Johnson governments bid to end lockdown restrictions, even as the virus spreads unchecked in Europe and across Asia and the Americas.

In London, the R (Reproduction) rate is above 1 and more lethal variants from India and Brazil have been detected. Schools have proven to be a major vector for the spread of a virus that has claimed more than 3.12 million deaths worldwide.

Survivors of COVID-19 spoke to World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) reporters last week about the debilitating effects of the post-viral syndrome known as Long COVID. Months after being infected, they are still suffering.

Parents take children to a primary school in Bournemouth, UK following the reopening of schools nationally. March, 2021 (credit: WSWS media)

Rachel Shawe, 37, has a busy life, bringing up three children aged three, four and nine, while employed as a support worker at an independent school in North West England.

I work in a grammar school, in an area with a huge diversity in terms of finances which has barely been out of tier 4 [stay at home rule where possible], she said.

In March 2020, as the pandemic spread like wildfire across Britain, COVID struck her family.

We hosted an Italian au pair who developed a bad cough, she was very sick, explained Rachel. She had travelled through northern Italy to Bergamo airport, which had 500 [coronavirus] cases.

At this point the world watched in horror as hospital staff across Italy battled a wave of patients stricken by the new disease. We werent responding, continued Rachel. There was no talk about symptoms or shutdown of travel. There was no recognition it could possibly be in the UK.

Despite the World Health Organization alerting the worlds governments on January 30 to the presence of a global health emergency, they took no action to protect lives.

After the au pair left, continued Rachel, I developed symptoms, headaches for two weeks, before it developed into struggling for breath and a cough. After six or seven weeks, I phoned the GP (general practitioner). I was light-headed with coughing fits, but because it was not continuous, there was no testing. They did a swab, and my right lung was inflamed, basically pneumonia, I couldnt walk far, and my heart rate was raised. I was put on antibiotics and steroids.

At the same time, my three-year-old son was being seen by Manchester Childrens Hospital. He stopped being able to pee, he was struggling with motions, his stuttering was worse. I know it can cause further neurological problems besides loss of taste and smell.

Rachels illness persisted, I was sent to hospital for a CT scan. They said they thought I had COVID but refused to run an antibody testit was very difficult to get a test then. They told me your heart rate is 145, its through the roof.

There will be a lot [of unrecorded cases], not just me, said Rachel.

All the family had symptoms during the first infection. In January, we had symptoms again. It exacerbated my asthma. I didnt realise [the virus] was doing internal damage. Back at the GP, they measured my heart rate, and it was 150 beats per minute.

Nine, ten months on, I have multiple inhalers, multiple times a day. My lungs and heart never recovered. Im seeing a cardiologist. My sons still struggling with urine, hes not fully recovered. My daughter has a barking cough, three times a day. My husband still hasnt got his sense of smell fully back.

Its been awful. Im back at work. Its a struggle.

Asked where responsibility for the pandemics spread lies, Rachel said, The advice from Public Health England was if you did test positive, ask a friend or neighbour to take your children to school! Thats an active decision to spread the virus. There was a decision to let this spread and see how we go with it. The government should be blamed for social murder.

They want to protect businesses. Theres probably lobbying from the aviation industry. Ive seen in the press about [Health Secretary] Matt Hancock and the organisation his sister has shares in; theres too many fingers in pies. Their interest is to make money and not protect the public.

Support and advocacy group, Long-COVID Kids UK (LCK), promotes studies of Long COVID in children. LCK cites recent Office for National Statistics figures showing 74,126 children with symptoms at five weeks post-infection and 45,618 after 12 weeks.

In January 2021, LCK conducted an online survey of 510 children, mean age 10.3 years, infected between January 2020 and January 2021. These included 351 from the UK and 94 from the United States. Most of the children were physically active before infection.

The survey, published last month, revealed the top 10 symptoms and their prevalence in order: gastrointestinal issues, chest pain, headaches, fatigue, joint muscle pain and weakness, sore throat, dizziness, rashes, mood changes and nausea.

The survey found neurological symptoms, including poor concentration, difficulty remembering and processing information and short-term memory problems.

Frances Simpson, a lecturer in psychiatry at Coventry University, Scarborough, and co-founder of LCK, has endured the effects of Long COVID for over a year, along with her two children. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, she explained the frustration parents face getting care for their children: Its a really difficult place to be in. Quite often parents are ill themselves, and to have children who are ill, and their illness is denied. Parents feel they are being gaslighted.

Sixteen-year-old Claire told the WSWS she faces similar problems. Claire attends a high school in Manchester and suffers from Long COVID that she contracted when schools reopened last September.

I got COVID twice when I was in school, and when I wasnt in school, I didnt get it. The first time I got it was in September, and the next time was in October. We do PE inside; we use the same equipment that isnt washed down. In the changing room there is a small window, but its never been opened, and we dont have to wear masks.

Every time he [Prime Minister Boris Johnson] opens the schools, the infection rate goes up. A third of my year was off self-isolating. We have classrooms with 20 to 30 pupils in itits not a safe space. One of the lunch ladies got COVID and no one was sent home and yet they feed over a thousand people.

Im having a lot of heart problems, heart arrythmias [irregular heart-beat], when I walk, I cant breathe easily. I have to slow down. I am tired all the time, especially after heart arrythmias. I usually feel really sick right before [an attack], it just doesnt feel right. Everythings out of rhythm. You feel really weak. Its scary, you have to get down and not move or do anything.

Afterwards, I get extremely tired. The rest of my day ruined!

No matter how much I sleep, after a few hours Im drained again. I have to have time off. They ask for a doctors note, but the GP wont see you. Youre really isolated in general.

Im worried going back [to school]. I could get it again because its the only place I got it.

Rebeccas and Claires experience, like many families cited in the LCK study and on their website, shows the urgent need to protect students, parents and teachers from COVID-19 and its debilitating long-term impacts. For some children who develop Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome, the disease proves fatal.

In October, the government announced the opening of a network of Long-COVID clinics. A recent survey found 90 percent of people who tried to access the services were unable to do so.
[April 27, 2021] REFORM Alliance Launches 'Give Life Back' Campaign To Engage Support For Probation And Parole Reform In The U.S.

NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- New REFORM Alliance CEO Robert Rooks today announced Give Life Back, a campaign to inform, inspire, and activate people to become part of the growing movement to transform the parole and probation system in the United States. As part of the campaign, a thought provoking 90-second film titled Technically Illegal* was released, providing a look into the 'probation trap.' Every four minutes, someone on supervision is sent to prison, not for committing a new crime, but because of a technical violation of a parole or probation term. The current system allows people to be locked up for the most minor and non-criminal violations of those rules, such as being broke and not able to pay a bill, picking up kids from school or an event in a different county, seeing a loved one who is also on probation or parole, or running an errand past curfew. The launch of Give Life Back marks the three-year anniversary of REFORM's co-chair Meek Mill's release from a controversial prison sentence. The Grammy-nominated recording artist was given a 2-4 year sentence in November 2017 for popping a wheelie -- deemed a technical violation of his probation rules -- sparking the #FreeMeek movement and later the formation of REFORM Alliance. "The probation system isn't designed to rehabilitate, it's intended to reincarcerate," said Meek Mill. "For our team at REFORM, it's important to educate the public about these issues because no one should ever be sent back prison for non-violent, technical probation offenses like being late to a meeting with a probation officer or being unable to pay a fine." "To create meaningful change to our criminal justice system, we must also reform the cultural perception of probation," said Michael Rubin, co-chair of REFORM Alliance. "Our hope is that REFORM's Give Life Back initiative will continue to raise awareness to the flaws within our probation system and pave the way for a collaborative, bipartisan solution." The campaign kicks off a summer of activism for probation and parole reform. In the coming weeks, REFORM Alliance and its partners also plan to introduce legislation to reform policies at the federal level. "Transforming the failed and costly parole and probation system to provide people with a meaningful and effective pathway to take care of themselves and their families would give life back to millions of people throughout this country," said Mr. Rooks, who has dedicated his life to social justice as co-founder of the Alliance for Safety and Justice and former Criminal Justice Director for the NAACP. "The outcome of replacing the current broken system with one that is restorative, accontable and focused on making the right investments will mean increased stability, stronger families and safer communities," Mr. Rooks said.



Probation and parole systems were originally created to avoid sending people to prison, and meant to hold people accountable while redirecting them back to work, school, family, and community. Unfortunately, in practice probation and parole have become a revolving door to prison that excludes people, families, and entire communities from wellness and stability. The current system fails to prepare people for a life outside. Of the approximately 6.6 million Americans in the criminal justice system, more than 4.5 million are currently on probation and parole. Nearly 25% of all state prison admissions each year are results of supervision violations. This broken and failed probation and parole system costs taxpayers 2.8 billion dollars annually.

Developed in partnership with creative agency Droga5 and directed by acclaimed cinematographer Malik Hassan Sayeed, the scenes in Technically Illegal* have been informed by the lived experience of people in the justice system and highlight examples of the everyday things considered technical violations of probation or parole terms that can send people back to prison.. The film gives audiences a chance to witness the difficult web of rules and the impact these systems have on mental health, families, and communities. To build on the stories included in the film, REFORM is using Instagram to highlight the stories of real people who are on or have been on probation or parole, and have had to deal with the effects of the flawed system. "I used to think, what if I'm at the supermarket and come across somebody I know? What if they had been convicted of a felony? Do I have to constantly be reporting this to my probation officer and do they have to report it too? And what happens then?" said Judith , who is one of the profiles featured by the campaign. "I remember one particular case where the person had become so exhausted by the restrictions of their probation rules that they decided to come back to prison and finish the term, because that was the easier option. You tend to want to just crawl in bed and stay there because of fear of being violated for whatever reason, and having your life turned upside down maybe out of your control." Over the coming weeks, REFORM will also introduce an augmented reality experience that will help people begin to grapple with the impossible choices people on probation and parole face everyday. To be part of the movement that will Give Life Back to millions of people trapped in a failed and costly system, go to www.reformalliance.com and sign up to become a Reformer. About REFORM Alliance:

REFORM is committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States by changing laws, systems, and culture. The organization is working to replace America's criminal justice system with a restorative approach that is fair, accountable and invested in rehabilitation. Our goal is for people to reenter society with dignity, create meaningful pathways to work and equip them with the tools to succeed all while making families and communities safer and stronger. The nonprofit organization was founded in the wake of the #FreeMeek movement by award-winning recording artist Meek Mill; Philadelphia 76ers partner and Fanatics executive chairman Michael Rubin; Arnold Ventures co-founder Laura Arnold; entrepreneur and business mogul Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter; Kraft Group CEO and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; Galaxy Digital CEO and founder Michael E. Novogratz; Vista Equity Partners founder, chairman, CEO Robert F. Smith; Brooklyn Nets co-owner and philanthropic investor Clara Wu Tsai; and CNN host and activist Van Jones. Veteran criminal justice advocate Robert Rooks leads the organization as CEO. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/reform-alliance-launches-give-life-back-campaign-to-engage-support-for-probation-and-parole-reform-in-the-us-301278125.html SOURCE REFORM Alliance

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The Chinese public is growing increasingly satisfied with the country's protection of intellectual property rights (IPR), according to the latest survey released by the industry watchdog on Monday.

The results of the survey on social satisfaction with China's IPR protection last year show a record high of 80.05 out of 100 points, 1.07 points higher than the figure in 2019.

The survey was based on responses from 12,000 respondents, including IPR holders, professionals and the general public.

It contains several sub-indexes to gauge the level of social satisfaction, and the sub-index for law and policy protection scored the highest with 82.8 points. Nearly 97 percent of respondents thought China's legal system of IPR was further improved.

Among rights holders, enterprise satisfaction exceeded 80 points.

Zhang Zhicheng, head of the protection department of the National Intellectual Property Administration, attributed the high satisfaction to stronger legislation.

China promulgated a series of laws, regulations and IPR protection guidelines last year, including amendments to the patent law and copyright law, which have won the recognition of right holders, said Zhang at a press conference in Beijing.

The survey results are also consistent with those of global surveys, such as the International IP Index released in March by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
MCKINNEY, Texas, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Globe Life Inc. (NYSE: GL) announces the live audio webcast of its 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. CDT.

To register online to attend the meeting:

Go to register.proxypush.com/GL.

You will need the latest version of Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer 11, Edge or Firefox. Registered and beneficial shareholders - Enter the control number found in the upper right-hand corner of your proxy card. Guests may register to attend and listen to the meeting.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email and another email approximately one hour prior to the start of the meeting with a unique link to access the virtual meeting.

Globe Life Inc. is a holding company specializing in life and supplemental health insurance for "middle income" Americans marketed through multiple distribution channels including direct to consumer, and exclusive and independent agencies.

For additional information contact: Mike Majors

Executive Vice President  Administration and Investor Relations

Phone: 972/569-3627

FAX: 972/569-3282

[email protected]

Website: https://investors.globelifeinsurance.com

SOURCE Globe Life Inc.
Mark Grenon, sons sold $1M worth of toxic Miracle Mineral Solution: DOJ

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A Florida father of eight and fake church leader who marketed toxic bleach as a Miracle Mineral Solution to cure ailments including COVID-19, cancer, Alzheimers, diabetes, autism and HIV/AIDS, sold more than $1 million worth of the product to desperate followers.

And for that, along with defying federal court orders, Mark Grenon, the 62-year-old father who serves as leader of the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing (not a Christian church), and his three sons  Jonathan Grenon, 34, Jordan Grenon, 26, and Joseph Grenon, 32  were all indicted by a federal grand jury in Miami the Department of Justice announced Friday.

While they marketed Miracle Mineral Solution as a godsend cure, the indictment described it as a toxic "chemical solution containing sodium chlorite and water which, when ingested orally, becomes chlorine dioxide, a powerful bleach typically used for industrial water treatment or bleaching textiles, pulp, and paper."

The Grenons, according to the indictment, claimed that ingesting MMS could treat COVID-19 despite warnings from the Food and Drug Administration.

Even though the FDA had not approved MMS for any use, the Grenons allegedly sold tens of thousands of bottles of MMS nationwide, including to consumers throughout South Florida, under the guise of Genesis II Church of Health and Healing.

Genesis II, which is a non-religious entity, was allegedly used as a cover to avoid government regulation of MMS and shield the Grenons from prosecution, according to charging documents.

 ... Defendant Mark Grenon, the co-founder of Genesis, has repeatedly acknowledged that Genesis has nothing to do with religion, and that he founded Genesis to legalize the use of MMS and avoid going [ ] to jail, the release from the DOJ said.

Authorities also noted that donations to acquire MMS were effectively just sales prices because orders were set at specific dollar amounts. The Grenons are further charged with criminal contempt, according to the indictment, for violating a court order in a civil case to stop distributing MMS.

The Grenons also allegedly threatened the federal judge presiding over the civil case, and threatened that, should the government attempt to enforce the court orders halting their distribution of MMS, the Grenons would pick up guns and instigate a Waco, the DOJs release on Friday said.

Mark Grenon argued in an interview with Natural News in 2020 that his family has been fighting with federal authorities about their support for MMS for about 10 years, but admitted that things only escalated a year ago when they were sent a warning to stop distributing their MMS sacraments.

The FDA said we should stop giving our sacraments to the world and we just basically said No, we have the First Amendment, Grenon said. It says we have the free exercise of religious beliefs, despite being a non-religious church, as was noted on his website at the time.

Grenon explained that when he started Genesis in 2010 in the Dominican Republic, he was contacted by U.S. authorities within a week.

He said he believes in using MMS because it cured his Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus  also known as MRSA  infection he developed years ago while working as a missionary pilot. Other family members suffered from the infection and it cured them, too, he said.

That really motivated us to tell the world; we cannot stop telling people what happened to us, he added.
The attack marks the 30th against CNRP members and their families by unknown assailants.

Unknown assailants attacked the teenaged autistic son of a jailed member of the Cambodia National Rescue Party with a brick Tuesday, leaving him with a fractured skull, in the latest of several assaults on people connected to the countrys opposition party over the past year.

Kak Sovannachey, the 16-year-old son of former senior CNRP member Kak Komphear, was assaulted by two men on a motorbike while traveling with his mother, Prum Chantha, to a hospital in the capital Phnom Penh for treatment. The men immediately fled the scene of the attack, which left Kak Sovannachey in need of 20 stitches, Prum Chantha told RFAs Khmer Service.

A member of the Friday Wives group of women who hold weekly protests demanding the release of their husbands jailed on incitement charges for expressing views critical of Prime Minister Hun Sens leadership, Prum Chantha said that she believes the assailants meant to hit her but missed. Kak Sovannachey had composed songs for her to sing as part of her campaign.

If our country has rule of law and our leader is a good man, [the authorities should] please take action, she said.

Dont allow them to get away with this kind of inhumane and vengeful attack. [The ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP)] asked me to defect and I felt intimidated by them, but I did not agree, so they attacked us. Why would they attack the family members of a politician? Its disgusting.

Following the attack, Prum Chantha said she went to a local police station in Phnom Penh and filed a complaint, but officers there refused to accept it, saying they lacked the resources to work on the case.

To date, some 30 CNRP activists have been attacked by unknown assailantsmostly in Phnom Penh and usually by men on a motorbike targeting their heads. So far, only two suspects have been arrested related to an assault in Kampong Chhnang province.

Phnom Penh Municipal Police spokesman San Sokseiha told RFA he had yet to receive any information about Tuesdays attack. He encouraged the victim to file a complaint so that police can investigate the incident. But he dismissed the notion that the assault was politically motivated.

As long as the case has not been investigated, we cant make an assumption, he said.

We cannot assume that all of these cases are assassination plots, he added, noting that the victims mother has been involved in incitement to provoke social chaos in the past.

Ny Sokha of local rights group Adhoc told RFA that police need to investigate the incident, even if the victim doesnt file a complaint. He said that in order to avoid any accusation of double standards, the police must provide justice to the victim.

[In the past, people didnt file complaints] because they lost confidence in the police, he said.

We urge the police to do their jobs and avoid any discrimination in order to bring the perpetrators to justice and gain back the trust of the people.

Kak Sovannachey is treated at a hospital in Phnom Penh, April 27, 2021. RFA

Opposition members targeted

Cambodias Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP in November 2017, two months after leader Kem Sokhas arrest, for its role in opposition leaders alleged scheme. The ban, along with a wider crackdown on NGOs and the independent media, paved the way for Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) to win all 125 seats in parliament in the countrys July 2018 general election.

Since then, the partys members have fled into self-imposed exile to avoid what they say are politically motivated charges, or faced intimidation, arrest, and unprovoked attacks.

In October last year, Kak Sovannachey told RFA that he was beaten by police while in custody after being arrested for entering the CNRPs abandoned headquarters to collect flags.

He was arrested by local police after entering the partys old headquarters in Phnom Penhs Chak Angre Leu district by climbing over a fence, according to the authorities, who later released him without charge after being forced to sign a letter confessing that he had been wrong to illegally enter a prohibited place and vowing to refrain from doing so in the future.

In November 2020, Prum Chantha told RFA that five unidentified men on motorbikes had been harassing her and ordering her to defect to the CPP to secure her husbands freedom, as well as to abandon her protests calling for her husbands release.

In December last year, she was among a group of family members of detained opposition activists, environmental campaigners, and musicians who met with the U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia W. Patrick Murphy to discuss weekly crackdowns by authorities on protesters, prompting rights groups to welcome Washingtons show of concern.

Prum Chantha said at the time that Murphy vowed to follow up on family issues and concerns related to the political detainees. She said he also expressed concern for their safety, citing a series of incidents that included the violent dispersal of their peaceful protests by authorities.

Following the meeting, Prum Chantha went to Phnom Penhs Prey Sar Prison, where Kak Komphear is being held, to discuss the meeting with him, and said that his health had become much worse since being interned.

Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
When Ed Gonzalez took over the Harris County Sheriffs Office, he tossed a controversial program aimed at training deputies to screen jailed suspects to find those in the country without legal permission.

He blasted the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement program  known as Section 287(g) as dangerous, expensive and a perpetrator of illegal racial profiling.

Now, the Democratic lawman has been tapped to head the same federal agency he challenged under former President Donald Trump.

President Joe Biden announced plans Tuesday to nominate the second-term sheriff first elected in 2016. If the U.S. Senate approves the nomination, Gonzalez will replace the federal agencys acting director, Tae Johnson.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, whose agency oversees ICE and from whom Gonzalez would take cues, called Bidens pick a strong choice.

With a distinguished career in law enforcement and public service, Sheriff Gonzalez is well-suited to lead ICE as the agency advances our public safety and homeland security mission, Mayorkas said in a statement. I hope the Senate will swiftly confirm Sheriff Gonzalez to this critical position. Democrats hold a slim advantage in the Senate.

Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

The White House highlighted Gonzalezs leadership at Texas largest sheriffs office and noted that he started his career at the Houston Police Department. Gonzalez earlier served three terms with the Houston city council.

Sheriffs office officials declined to comment at this time and referred questions about the nomination to the White House. Among the sheriffs last public appearances prior to the nomination was a Monday night reaction to the wounding of a 3-year-old girl struck by a stray bullet. Last week, the sheriff pledged changes to how body-worn camera footage is shared after a deputy shot and killed an armed man during an apparent mental health crisis.

The nomination prompted a cascade of applause from Harris County officials, with District Attorney Kim Ogg saying Gonzalez would be a great asset to the Biden Administration.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo called Gonzalez her friend.

Ill be sad for him to leave us, but President Biden will gain a compassionate, thoughtful and courageous leader, Hidalgo said in a tweet.

Under state law, Harris County Commissioners Court, which Hidalgo leads, will appoint Gonzalezs replacement, who would then serve until the winning candidate from the November 2022 election is sworn in.

Gonzalez would be the second head of a major Houston law enforcement agency to leave this year. Former Houston Police Department Chief Art Acevedo is now chief of the Miami police department.

Challenging ICE leadership

Gonzalez took office after defeating Republican Ron Hickman, his predecessor and a Commissioners Court appointee. The seat was vacated when former sheriff Adrian Garcia resigned to run, unsuccessfully, for Houston mayor.

Garcia, now a Commissioners Court member, will be among the county government leaders to pick Gonzalezs replacement.

He brings with him such a wealth of experience  the wealth of experience coming from the fact that he is a long-time law enforcement leader, Garcia said.

Past immigration enforcement leaders, Garcia said, have not brought that experience to the table. Garcia pointed to Gonzalezs decision in 2017 to end the contested ICE partnership amid the Trump administrations immigration crackdown.

I supported him in abolishing that policy, Garcia said.

The office saved at least $675,000 by reassigning 10 deputies to other law enforcement duties, the sheriff said at the time. Ending the partnership, however, would not stop ICE officials from screening jail inmates themselves to determine their immigration status. If an immigration detainer was requested, the county would honor it, allowing the inmate to be held for deportation.

In 2019, Gonzalez also condemned ICEs plan to arrest large numbers of immigrant families living without legal permission in Houston and other large cities. Gonzalez, who opted not to participate in the raids, argued that local involvement would drive undocumented families further into the shadows and damage community safety.

It silences witnesses & victims & (would) further worsen the challenges law enforcement officials face, Gonzalez tweeted at the time.

Immigrant advocates expressed guarded optimism about the Biden administrations ICE choice.

We can attest to the fact that he has been and continues to be a man who listens to and takes input from the community, Cesar Espinosa, FIEL executive director, said in a statement. We understand that the role he is about to undertake is a huge and controversial role and we wish him well in this endeavor.

Espinosa listed changes he would like ICE leadership to consider, such as ending immigration raids and the use of the 287(g) program elsewhere. Such a decision would now be in Gonzalezs power should he be confirmed. The program  listed either as a jail enforcement model or warrant service officer model  is still in operation in 26 Texas counties, including Galveston and Montgomery, according to ICEs website.

Cesar Cuauhtemoc Garcia Hernandez, a law professor at the University of Denver focused on immigration, noted Gonzalezs complicated history with ICE, given his decision to end the 287(g) agreement.

It will be interesting to see how much that decision is reflected in his work as head of ICE, assuming he confirmed by the Senate, he said.

He also noted that while Gonzalez, if confirmed, would take over a significantly larger agency, his role would no longer be the top decision maker or policy setter. He would instead be taking direction from the White House or Mayorkas.

Andre Segura, legal director for the ACLU of Texas, said Gonzalez has a large task ahead of him.

Gonzalezs decision to end 287(g) was a good move but it didnt go far enough. The Texas Legislatures passage of SB4  requiring local governments and law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration officers  tied the hands of departments that might have preferred to avoid such collaborations.

As the head of ICE, Gonzalez now would have the opportunity to end such requests, he said.

Were calling for an end to all collaboration with ICE by local law enforcement, he said, arguing that immigration enforcement by local police agencies encourages racial profiling and breeds distrust with immigrant communities.

Segura also noted that Gonzalez fought to improve conditions in the Harris County jail, and that COVID-19 had taken a significant toll on immigrants currently in ICE detention facilities.

There are lots of things he will have the authority to improve, he said, Well see how he deals with that.

Those seeking tighter enforcement were disappointed.

Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a group that advocates for stiff restrictions, called Gonzalez a staunch opponent of our interior immigration enforcement and said his nomination was part of Bidens unrelenting assault on the integrity of our immigration enforcement system.

He understands people

During Gonzalez first sheriffs office run, the Harris County Deputies Organization backed his opponent. Once elected, he won rank-and-file support, union President David Cuevas said.

The sheriff made traffic safety a top priority during his tenure, frequently dashing to fatal crash scenes at all hours of the night and calling on local agencies to tackle the number of DWI deaths plaguing the region.

And he attracted national attention when he testified in federal court against the countys bail system  even though he was one of the defendants named in the suit.

He has the attributes of a strong leader, Cuevas said. I think in this role or any role he chooses to undertake, hes going to do well, because he understands people.

Former Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske also remarked on Gonzalezs compassion for inmates at Harris Countys jail, which holds about 8,000- 10,000 people on any given day. That trait would prove useful tackling in his new job, should he get it, running ICEs detention operations, he said.

Kerlikowske noted that Gonzalez adopted new treatments for inmates struggling with substance abuse during his five years in office.

Hes got excellent experience running one of the largest jails in the country, he said.

The confirmation process would require senate approval. In a statement, a spokesperson for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said he would consider Gonzalezs nomination.

Sen. Cruz takes every nomination under serious consideration, based on the merits of the individual, and will continue to do so with nominees moving forward, the statement read.



Jasper Scherer contributed to this report.



nicole.hensley@chron.com

st.john.smith@chron.com

The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Attorneys for the family of Andrew Brown Jr., at an emotional Tuesday news conference in Elizabeth City, said a private autopsy showed that he died when Pasquotank County sheriffs deputies fired a kill shot to the back of the head.

Brown, 42, was killed in his car outside his home in Elizabeth City last Wednesday as deputies were serving search and arrest warrants related to felony drug charges.

After hearing the autopsy results, Browns son Khalil Ferebee discouraged violence Tuesday as he addressed the crowd of about 100 people that stood outside the public safety building downtown.

To my pops  yesterday, I said he was executed, Ferebee said. This autopsy report showed me that was correct.

The autopsy also showed an additional four gunshot wounds to Browns arm.

That wasnt enough? Ferebee said. Theyre going to shoot him in the back of the head? ... Thats not right at all.

Man, stuff gotta change. Its really gotta change for real.

The press conference drew angry shouts from spectators, especially when mothers of other police violence victims spoke.

All Black men are not terrorists, said Tamika Thatch of High Point, whose son was killed in a church in November.

Motioning to Browns son, she said, If his daddy killed them, he would never walk the streets again. We need to hold them to the same accountability. They need to be locked up today. Yesterday. Last week.

Elizabeth City officials on Tuesday announced an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in the town starting Tuesday night.

Members of the New Black Panther party from Washington, D.C., stood in the parking lot for the news conference and called Browns death an assassination and sought the immediate release of footage.

Members of the New Black Panther Party from Washington DC and Raleigh chapters rally as attorneys for the family of Andrew Brown Jr. hold a press conference outside the Pasquotank County Public Safety building Tuesday, April 27, 2021 to announce results of the autopsy they commissioned, which they said showed five bullet wounds including one to the back of the head. They accused Pasquotank County officials of hiding information and keeping justice from being served in Elizabeth City.

As attorney Ben Crump spoke, some members called him a boot-licking ambulance chaser, insisting the streets would get justice.

And while Ferebee urged against violence, attorney Bakari Sellers said calls for peace are not the familys responsibility.

Story continues

If we want calm, if we want justice, Sellers said, that onus is not on family. That onus is on people who are hiding information.

A call to action from ministers

On Tuesday afternoon in Elizabeth City, the Rev. William Barber II, flanked by dozens of NC clergy, called for the state attorney general to take over the case, calling local authorities inept, incompetent and incapable.

Barber, local pastors, attorneys and NAACP leaders met privately Tuesday afternoon at Mount Lebanon AME Zion Church to declare a moral emergency in the country following Browns killing.

Following the meeting, Barber said the Pasquotank district attorney should request North Carolina Attorney General Josh Steins aid. Barber called for such a request in the face of what he called poor handling by the sheriff and district attorney.

These are not the days in the South when we put up with law officials and DAs that are inept, incompetent and incapable, Barber said, repeating the three words to a chorus of church leaders. Inept! Incompetent! And incapable! Because of that, babies are crying.

Barber said he and the other pastors gathered in Elizabeth City will march to the scene of Browns death Wednesday.

A warrant is not a license to kill, he said. No police have the right to carry out an execution. A warrant does not give someone with a badge and a gun to be a bigot.

A private autopsy report

Sellers said the family arranged an independent autopsy because the medical report we got just said, shot to the head, and we wanted to make sure that it was clearly denoted that he was shot in the back of the head.

Attorneys Wayne Kendall and Crump described the details of the autopsy report with diagrams showing five bullet wounds, with the fatal shot killing Brown within minutes, they said. It caused him to lose control of his vehicle and crash into a tree, they said.

The bullet went into the base of his neck and perforated and penetrated his skill and his brain, Crump said.

The states official death certificate for Brown, which was filed Tuesday, also said the cause of death is penetrating gunshot wound of the head and that he died in minutes.

Attorneys for the family of Andrew Brown Jr., including Harry Daniels, center, and Ben Crump take questions from reporters during a press conference outside the Pasquotank County Public Safety building Tuesday, April 27, 2021 to announce results of the autopsy they commissioned, which they said showed five bullet wounds including one to the back of the head. They accused Pasquotank County officials of hiding information and keeping justice from being served in Elizabeth City.

Chantel Cherry-Lassiter, an Elizabeth City attorney who has worked with the family, said it was an assassination of this unarmed black man.

That is painful, Lassiter said. We are tired. Mothers are tired. Sisters are tired. Fathers are tired. Communities are tired.

She said people need to hear that pain and not tune it out and justice will be served.

Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner, who was killed by a New York Police Department officer, stood at the podium in solidarity with Browns family. She said theyve joined a club that no one wants to be part of.

Dont only have sympathy, have empathy. Put yourself in that position, Carr said. What would you do if you saw your child, your mother, your father, whomever being executed.

A tear rolls down Eric Garners mother, Gwen Carrs face as attorneys for the family of Andrew Brown Jr. hold a press conference outside the Pasquotank County Public Safety building Tuesday, April 27, 2021 to announce results of the autopsy they commissioned, which they said showed five bullet wounds including one to the back of the head. They accused Pasquotank County officials of hiding information and keeping justice from being served in Elizabeth City.

Carr said she knows what this family is going through because she had to watch her sons killing over and over again. She said police kill Black and Brown men in their communities and then its swept under the rug.

Its horrible what they do to us, Carr said. And it has to stop.

FBI conducting investigation

Also Tuesday, the FBI said that it has opened a federal civil rights investigation into Browns death. The FBI will work with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina and the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice.

As this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further, FBI spokeswoman Shelley Lynch said.

Stein, the state attorney general, tweeted support Tuesday for the State Bureau of Investigations work on the case.

A number of people have asked me to take over this prosecution. I want to clarify that under North Carolina law, the District Attorney, not the Attorney General, controls the prosecution of criminal cases, Stein tweeted. For my office to play a role in the prosecution, the District Attorney must request our assistance. My office has reached out to District Attorney Andrew Womble to offer that assistance, which he has acknowledged.

A court hearing for body-cam footage

Lassiter was allowed to view a 20-second snippet of the video on Monday with Browns son Ferebee and Ferebees mother, Mia Ferebee. Lassiter said the video showed Brown was shot multiple times while he sat in his vehicle with his hands on the steering wheel, calling it an execution.

Lassiter said she watched the video more than 10 times, taking notes.

I didnt sleep very well last night, she said Tuesday. I had nightmares. The images from that video stayed with me.

Though the family has seen the 20 seconds of body-worn camera footage, it has not been released publicly, despite pressure from lawmakers and civil rights leaders. Law enforcement agencies cannot release officers body camera footage, so its up to a judge in this case, per North Carolina law.

There is a hearing scheduled for Wednesday morning at the Pasquotank County Courthouse regarding a petition for the release of the footage.

Lassiter said the familys legal team believes that detectives had been observing Brown for a year, in part through the use of a camera mounted to a pole near his house.

Attorneys have said officials should release footage from that camera in addition to officers body cameras and a dash camera in a police van.

Peaceful protests expected

Protesters have been marching in Elizabeth City nightly since Browns shooting, sometimes for hours, always with distanced police escorts.

Lassiter said Tuesday that despite the occasional business in town that has boarded up its windows this week, the marches and protests have been peaceful.

Thats how you know, if something happens, if there is violence, its not us, Lassiter said.

Elizabeth City remains in a state of emergency, which was declared in anticipation of protests surrounding the body-cam footage.

Around noon Tuesday, word about the curfew had reached Kirk Rivers, who has been among the community leaders of the protests in town. Rivers brother Keith is the local chapter president of the NAACP.

The city officials have to do what they feel is the best interest of the city, Kirk Rivers said. And we the people have to do whats in the best interest of the city. And so right now were in  we feel that the protests have been very effective, in terms of first of all making sure that weve sent direct actions on what weve been requesting.

During the nightly protests, Kirk Rivers, 48, often plays a vocal role  directing marchers and reminding them of their purpose to gather in the streets. At the forefront, that purpose has been to pressure authorities to release the complete police footage of Browns killing. In another way, though, the purpose has to been to place a brighter spotlight on police killings of Black people throughout the nation.

Were glad that the media has come in, Rivers said after Tuesdays media conference. Because it brings attention to what has taken place here, that could have taken place any place. This could have been in Seattle, Washington; Murphy, North Carolina.

But wherever it takes it place, its an injustice for all, this whole country.

Members of the New Black Panther Party from Washington DC and Raleigh chapters rally as attorneys for the family of Andrew Brown Jr. hold a press conference outside the Pasquotank County Public Safety building Tuesday, April 27, 2021 to announce results of the autopsy they commissioned, which they said showed five bullet wounds including one to the back of the head. They accused Pasquotank County officials of hiding information and keeping justice from being served in Elizabeth City.

Release the tape!

More than 200 people marched through downtown Monday demanding officials Release the tape! The News & Observer reported. Nearly every restaurant downtown was closed that night.

During Monday nights march, Mallory Thornton of Durham used a bullhorn to call chants, and at least twice stopped to challenge police officers blocking traffic for the crowd.

At one intersection, Thornton and the crowd stopped and faced an officer sitting in her car and from 20 feet away, shouted, Say his name: Andrew Brown! Say his name: Andrew Brown.

The officer remained in her car but appeared to laugh, and Thornton said, Its not funny, sister. That could have been your brother.

Seven Pasquotank County sheriffs deputies were placed on leave following Browns death. And three others resigned, but a spokesperson has said the resignations werent linked to the shooting.

Officials have not publicly released the names or the race of the deputies who shot Brown.
Millie Mackintosh says having larger breasts as a new mum has been a challenging 'adjustment' and she felt her lowest post-pregnancy when 'nothing fitted.'

The former Made in Chelsea star, 31, admitted she 'never had to dress for boobs' before welcoming daughter Sienna last year and joked her new cleavage is an 'obstruction.'

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Millie revealed she varied between being in awe of her body after giving birth to feeling 'stressed and self-conscious' over nothing fitting her post-postpartum.

'They just wouldn't fit in anything': Millie Mackintosh says having larger breasts has been a challenging 'adjustment' and she felt her lowest post-pregnancy when 'nothing fitted'

She said: 'I never had to dress for boobs before! It has definitely been an adjustment. Milk boobs, they get bigger in pregnancy and then when your milk comes, that's literally a whole other thing.

'They're just like obstructions! They just wouldn't fit in anything. Then they started getting hard and leaking, it was a whole thing in that heatwave of last summer.'

Millie, who's married to former Made in Chelsea co-star Hugo Taylor, 34, recently confessed to being 'ashamed' of her postpartum body.

But she insists those negative feelings came when she was at her lowest and frustrations about her clothes not fitting took over.

'They started leaking': The former Made in Chelsea star admitted she 'never had to dress for boobs' before becoming a mum to Sienna and joked her new cleavage is an 'obstruction'

She explained: 'I said at the time I did find it really hard having a baby and there were moments I did feel ashamed about my postpartum body. That is how I felt on a low day, not all the time.

'I was trying to emphasise I would go between being in awe of my body and like "wow I created this baby" and having all this appreciation for myself and "I'm making milk and feeding her and it's amazing" and other days I felt like  "argh, nothing fits, I feel uncomfortable and when I leave the house someone's taking my picture."

'I had that stress to think about, that made me feel more self-conscious  but I didn't feel like that all the time.

'I do massively appreciate my body. As time went on, it got easier but I think it's really important to be honest about these feelings and not to lie and say "I love my postpartum body every day!" I wanted to be honest about my reality but it's not like that for everyone.'

'I do massively appreciate my body': Millie revealed she varied between being in awe of her body after giving birth to feeling 'stressed and self-conscious' over nothing fitting

'Good for her!' Emily Ratajkowski caused controversy for photos she shared of her body after giving birth but Millie believes there needs to be less focus on how a woman looks postpartum

Actress Emily Ratajkowski, 29, caused controversy for photos she shared of her body on Instagram less than two weeks after giving birth to son Sylvester.

The model had a flat stomach in the pictures, causing some critics to say her 'perfect' body will have a negative impact on other women whose figures don't have the same ability to 'bounce back.'

Millie believes there needs to be less focus on how a woman looks postpartum, though she understands why some new mothers will have reacted with rage towards Emily's flawless appearance.

She said: 'People find it hard if that really wasn't something that happened to them. It's easy to feel angry. Like "why isn't that possible for me?"

'I have come into myself more': Millie admitted something finally clicked in her life after she became a mum to Sienna in May last year and she's enjoying 'twinning their looks'

'But comparison is really unhealthy and everyone has a different genetic makeup and different body and that was possible for her because it was just in her genes.

'She's an amazing mum and that was part of her journey. That's great, amazing, and good for her!

'People shouldn't judge like that, why the hate? We shouldn't have negative things to say, we should empower women, but that's just one of the pitfalls of social media isn't it?'

Millie, who was first famed for throwing drinks on Made in Chelsea, attending glamorous parties and being part of the west London set alongside close pal Caggie Dunlop, admitted something finally clicked in her life after she became a mum.

She said: 'It has changed me a lot. It has taught me a lot of lessons and I feel like I have come into myself more. I always wanted to be a mum. Things have clicked for me.

'Family time together': Millie said she's grateful lockdown restrictions gave husband Hugo Taylor the chance to be present during Sienna's first year

'There are tough days and tough times but I really love it and Sienna's amazing and I actually feel really fortunate to have had her during a lockdown because for us there have been a lot of benefits like having all the family time together with Hugo off work because he was on furlough, we had basically a year, the three of us, which was really amazing.

'It has taught me to live more in the moment and take it one day at a time. Having a child has taught me to be more patient and she's just the sweetest little thing, I'm so obsessed with her.'

Millie has collaborated with Disney and their new storybook collection that features 14 never-before-told princess stories.

The influencer, who's a self-confessed Disney fan, said she jumped at the chance to support the new series, which is being made available for free to help inspire a kinder world.

'I've been so excited': Millie has collaborated with Disney and their new storybook collection that features 14 never-before-told Disney princess stories

Disney's new collection of stories are being dedicated to children who have exhibited extraordinary acts of courage and kindness, and include five youngsters aged 9-14 from the UK.

Millie said: 'I've been so excited to work on this project because Disney for me was such a big part of my childhood and I love all the different princess stories and the books and films, it means a lot to me, so when the opportunity came in I was thrilled.

'I absolutely love the campaign and giving back and delighted they're launching their storybook collection today which is called Tales of Courage and Kindness.

'It's a digital storybook collection of 14-never-before-told stories with beautiful illustrations of the different Disney princesses. The stories are basically based on each princess but it's not a story you'll be familiar with, they're short stories and each tale is focussed on the themes of courage and kindness, which is so lovely.

'They're being gifted to children around the world for free with the aim to inspire a kinder world, which is a beautiful message.'

Good cause: Disney's new collection of stories are dedicated to children who have exhibited extraordinary acts of courage and kindness, and include five kids aged 9-14 from the UK

Millie also recorded a version of mermaid Ariel's story for the digital collection, which can be viewed via the Disney Junior YouTube channel.

She added: 'It's such a lovely thing to be able to do and also really good practice for me because I do read Sienna stories, she's almost one, so has only been read short stories so far, but it was good for me to get some practice in and tell the story really well.'

Millie Mackintosh has partnered with Disney to launch a new, digital Princess story collection 'Tales of Courage and Kindness', as part of Disney's Ultimate Princess Celebration, a global campaign championing the qualities of courage and kindness.

The digital story collection is being gifted to children for free and is available at DisneyPrincessStories.co.uk. Millie has recorded a reading of Ariel's story, which can be found at Disney Junior UK YouTube channel'
Everest Group's PEAK Matrix is one of the most trusted, data-driven assessments of global service providers, locations, products, and solutions within various market segments. It evaluates leading organizations around the globe on factors such as vision, capabilities/functionality, talent availability, market success/impact, and cost. The PEAK Matrix assessment enables organizations to gauge and calibrate their offerings against their peers, which ultimately helps them to do better.

Everest Group assessed various companies offering software engineering services on the basis of varied factors. This included market adoption (number of clients, revenue base, YOY growth, new client wins, pricing models, etc.), portfolio (diversity of client/revenue base across geographies, vertices & type of client), and value delivered to the customers.

Daffodil Software's positioning in the list is accounted to its early adoption of modern technologies, such as AI, CloudOps, IoT, etc., and a diverse clientele including Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Siemens, Samsung, etc. Daffodil has built its reputation as the preferred technology partner for hundreds of companies globally, assisting them with enterprise solutions, software engineering & digital transformation services.

"PEAK Matrix is one of the most reputable recognition and having an acknowledgment from them for our software engineering services is like a feather added to company's cap," says Yogesh Agarwal, CEO, Daffodil Software.

Speaking about portfolio diversity and value delivered to the customers, the CEO further says: "Being into an industry where technology is the key to evolve, we keep ourselves equipped with modern technologies. In the recent past, we had our focus on projects on the latest tech such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotic Process Automation, Internet of Things, etc. This has led to a diverse portfolio, which makes our clients trust our tech potential, quite easily. Moreover, customer experience and value delivered to them have always been our priority. That is why we have different pricing models and business practices for their satisfaction."

About Daffodil Software:

For more than 20 years, Daffodil Software has been a trusted software technology partner to organizations across the globe. For more information, visit https://www.daffodilsw.com

Media Contact:

Kartik Kakar

[email protected]

SOURCE Daffodil Software
Arnold Schwarzenegger said his daughter Katherine 'freaks out' over his granddaughter Lyla on Monday during a talk show visit.

The 73-year-old actor while appearing remotely on Jimmy Kimmel Live opened up about becoming a grandfather for the first time after Katherine, 31, and husband Chris Pratt, 41, welcomed their baby girl Lyla last August.

'Fantastic,' Arnold said of being a grandfather.

Expert gatekeeper: Arnold Schwarzenegger called his daughter Katherine an 'expert gatekeeper' of his granddaughter Lyla on Monday during a talk show visit

'The only thing is it makes me feel old,' he added.

'It's really great having a grandchild. It's a beautiful, beautiful baby. Baby Lyla. I'm very proud of Katherine and Chris and they're doing really great together as parents,' Arnold said.

Jimmy, 53, noted that Arnold has farm animals roaming around his house with his mini donkey and horse and predicted that Lyla was going to go 'crazy' when she realizes her grandfather lives in a 'petting zoo'.

'Oh, she has already been over here several times at the house and she's sat on top of Lulu and Whiskey and I think she's going to be a great horseback rider,' Arnold said referencing some of his animals.

New grandfather: The 73-year-old actor while appearing remotely on Jimmy Kimmel Live opened up about becoming a grandfather for the first time after his daughter Katherine, 31, and husband Chris Pratt, 41, welcomed Lyla last August

New addition: Katherine Schwarzenegger and Chris Pratt, shown in April 2019 in Los Angeles, welcomed daughter Lyla in August 2020

Jimmy then asked Arnold if he's done any baby-sitting or changing diapers with Lyla.

'I did all of that when I had kids. When my kids were growing up, I participated and it was a lot of fun to do that. But I have never changed diapers on Lyla because I think that Katherine is the expert gatekeeper,' Arnold said.

'Whenever you touch the baby she says, ''Oh my god, oh my god, don't hold her like this''. I say, ''Katherine, come on now. I've held enough children in my hands.'' I say ''I know exactly what I'm doing, I'm an expert at that stuff''. She just freaks out. I think it's natural,' Arnold said.

Freaks out: 'Whenever you touch the baby she says, ''Oh my god, oh my god, don't hold her like this''. I say, ''Katherine, come on now. I've held enough children in my hands.'' I say ''I know exactly what I'm doing, I'm an expert at that stuff''. She just freaks out. I think it's natural,' Arnold said

Doting mother: Katherine is shown on a beach walk with Lyla in February on Instagram

'It's fun,' he added.

Jimmy also brought up Caitlyn Jenner, 71, recently announcing her campaign to become California governor and said she was 'no doubt' inspired by Arnold's successful win in a 2003 special recall election to become governor.

'Do you think Caitlyn Jenner has any chance of winning this election?,' Jimmy asked.

Celebrity candidate: Jimmy also brought up Caitlyn Jenner, 71, recently announcing her campaign to become California governor and said she was 'no doubt' inspired by Arnold's successful win in a 2003 special recall election to become governor

'Anyone has a chance because I think that people are dissatisfied with what's going on here in California and I hope that as many people as possible are jumping in the race and going for it,' Arnold said.

He said the key for Caitlyn or anyone else was to have a clear vision of where they want to go, know the changes they want to make and explain why they are qualified to become governor.

Jimmy also showed an old photo of Arnold with Tommy Chong, 82, from the 1970s and the former bodybuilder admitted they used to smoke pot together after meeting in Venice Beach.

Smoked pot: Jimmy also showed an old photo of Arnold with Tommy Chong, 82, from the 1970s and the former bodybuilder admitted they used to smoke pot together after meeting in Venice Beach

'He actually taught me to not smoke a whole joint and just have a few hits to work out that way. So I started working out with a few hits before we went to the gym and worked out this way. And it was really fantastic, actually,' Arnold said to applause.

He added that he stopped smoking pot after winning his sixth Mr. Olympia title in 1975 because he wanted to complete a business degree and pursue acting and hasn't smoked a joint since.

Arnold was on the ABC talk show promoting his new animated series Stan Lee's Superhero Kindergarten that debuted Friday on Kartoon Channel.
Fast turnaround of COVID-19 test results for healthcare workers is critical. Investigators have now developed a COVID-19 testing strategy that maximizes the proportion of negative results after a single round of testing, allowing prompt notification of results. The method also reduces the need for increasingly limited test reagents, as fewer additional tests are required. Their strategy is described in the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, published by Elsevier.

There is an urgent need to reduce the spread of COVID-19 transmission in hospitals and care facilities and to maintain adequate levels of staffing. Group testing strategies with pooled samples have been proposed to increase capacity; however, the currently used strategies are slow.

One of the main hurdles to initiating a comprehensive hospital staff testing program is the large number of staff requiring testing and the rapid turnaround times that would be required to make any screening strategy successful. Using the method we have developed, any laboratory could adapt their testing scheme based on the current throughput and the current prevalence of infection in the population, facilitating a data-driven testing strategy." Graeme Black, DPhil, and John Henry McDermott, MD, Lead Investigators, Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

Traditional Dorfman sequential (DS) pooling combines multiple samples and, if a pool test returns positive, all of the constituent samples undergo further testing. In a healthcare setting, this means that even individuals who ultimately test negative for COVID-19 will have to isolate. The investigators developed a nonadaptive combinatorial (NAC) pooling approach that tests the same sample in several simultaneously assayed pools. The algorithm assumes initially that each sample is positive. It then attempts to disprove this assumption by finding a well in which the sample has been placed that has tested as negative. Then another algorithm is used to find positive wells that contain a single sample on the list of the remaining potentially positive samples. Indeterminate samples are retested.

To establish a suitable limit of detection for pooling, nasopharyngeal samples of known SARS-CoV-2 status were placed in two pools, each containing 14 SARS-CoV-2 negative samples and one SARS-CoV-2 positive sample, with the positive samples at differing viral loads. Pooling matrices were generated for 700, 350, and 250 samples, with each sample assigned to 2, 4, and 5 wells, respectively. The samples were also tested in a DS testing scheme. The efficacy of each matrix was tested under different SARS-CoV-2 prevalence levels of 0.1 percent, 3 percent, 7 percent, and 10 percent of the population.

All NAC matrices performed well at low prevalence levels, with an average of 585 tests saved per assay in the 700 sample matrix. In simulations of low-to-medium prevalence levels (0.1 percent - 3 percent), which is the prevalence expected in an asymptomatic healthcare worker population, all the NAC matrices required fewer retests than the DS testing scheme. However, as the population prevalence increased, the performance of each matrix deteriorated.

"Pooling becomes increasingly useful as the population prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 decreases," Prof. Black and Dr. McDermott observed. "Initially the most conservative matrix, 250 samples, should be used to determine the prevalence level. As the prevalence falls, the use of less tolerant but higher throughput assays could be used, such as the 700 sample pool."

The matrices and system to decode the results are freely available (http://www. samplepooling. com) and laboratories can choose the matrix that best suits their current population prevalence and sample size, facilitating a context-specific, relatively low cost data-driven testing approach.

"Many high-throughput testing schemes for SARS-CoV-2 detection have been developed over the past year. We illustrate the potential power that adaptable automated, innovative mathematical approaches have to increase COVID-19 diagnostic capability in a safe manner. Such an approach could reach far greater numbers, save lives, and be delivered in a sustainable way. Undoubtedly, this has considerable relevance to other future population-based screening approaches," Prof. Black and Dr. McDermott concluded.
A former San Francisco security guard who was injured on the job has filed a lawsuit against pro skateboarder Jesse Vieira, Thrasher magazine and the owners of 555 California, which includes the Trump Organization.

Dan Jansen, now 57, suffered permanent brain damage due to an altercation on Nov. 25, 2018 outside the downtown skyscraper. Security camera footage captured the incident: Seven skateboarders were using the plaza when Jansen, then a security guard for 12 years, came outside to move steel barriers in front of where they were attempting to perform tricks.

"With its low, stone walls and steps lined with steel banisters, the plaza has served as an ideal stage for the skateboarding videos that proliferate on the internet, attracting skaters from across the region to a spot where skateboarding is prohibited," the New York Times wrote in 2019.

The skaters then tried to move the barriers, prompting Jansen to grab one skateboard and throw it into the street. In the melee that followed, Jansen was pushed to the ground. He fractured his skull, suffered brain swelling and needed emergency surgery. Health records viewed by the Times said "all medical teams agreed that without surgery, this patient will die."

According to the suit Jansen filed Monday, he was in a coma for over a week and needs "lifelong medical care and treatment."

Named in the suit is Vieira, who was arrested by San Francisco police on Dec. 10, 2018 and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury and battery with serious bodily injury. Vieira's defense claimed at trial he acted in self defense. The jury deadlocked in May 2019, forcing a mistrial.

Jansen is also seeking unspecified damages from Thrasher, a popular skateboard lifestyle magazine. The lawsuit alleges Vieira was an associate of the San Francisco skateboard crew GX1000, which has a massive social media presence and its own clothing line. The trademark for GX1000 belongs to High Speed Productions, the parent company of Thrasher.

In addition, the suit names the owners of 555 California. The Trump Organization owns a share in the building, its only property in San Francisco. Vornado Realty Trust owns the majority of the property. According to Jansen, the operators of the building knew about a prior incident with trespassing skateboarders and failed to inform Jansen on the day of his shift.

Jansen is requesting a jury trial.
DALLAS (AP)  Not long after he began posting advice last year for people facing eviction during the pandemic, Mark Melton found himself inundated with phone calls and messages.

It became apparent really quickly that this was going to be too much of a job for one person, said Melton, a Dallas tax attorney who decided to study up on eviction law as COVID-19 began taking an economic toll on Texas residents.

Since then, Melton has recruited over 175 attorneys who have assisted more than 6,000 people. His team has helped renters understand the protections put in place to temporarily stop evictions and how to access government funds to pay rent. They've found themselves doing everything from negotiating with landlords to representing renters in court to helping them get groceries.

Melton's efforts come as more than 4 million people in the U.S. said they faced eviction or foreclosure in the next two months, according to the Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey. In Texas, that number is more than 250,000.

A federal moratorium on evictions that was extended through June by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aims to protect most tenants but is being interpreted in different ways from state to state. Additionally, tenant advocates say landlords are still finding ways to evict tenants, and many renters often show up in court without any legal representation or sometimes unaware of their rights.

Related: Giant landlords pursue evictions despite CDC ban

Without representation, the majority of tenants lose their cases and ultimately are evicted, said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

In Dallas, Marcus Douglas, 26, was one of the tenants who turned to Melton.

Hed been just settling in to his $1,700-a-month downtown apartment when his real estate business began drying up due to the pandemic. As the months wore on, he worked a side job delivering food, began draining his savings and turned to family for help making ends meet.

Story continues

Eventually, he ended up representing himself in court during eviction proceedings. The judge suggested he call Melton.

It kind of felt like it was a weight lifted off my back, Douglas said. He now can stay in his place till July and hes applied for rental assistance.

A review of data from over 20 cities and states found that about 81% of landlords had attorneys while only 3% of tenants did, according to the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel.

The pandemic has shone a spotlight on this legal disparity, and more cities and states are trying to address it.

States like Michigan have set aside millions to provide legal assistance, and as many as eight cities now have passed laws requiring a right to counsel  moves driven by studies that show greater legal representation saves cities and states tens of millions of dollars on homeless shelters.

Meltons project, now a nonprofit named the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center, doesn't turn away anyone based on their income level.

The more people that we have that are helping these tenants from being evicted, the better, said KLisha Rutledge, a Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas attorney whose caseloads have jumped in the pandemic.

Melton said he can identify with the helplessness those facing eviction feel: Hes been there himself.

Melton, who grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, said he went straight to work after high school, married and had kids. Hed worked his way up to being a manager at a large collection agency when he found himself without a job after the company filed for bankruptcy. The bank foreclosed on his house and, thinking a bigger city would offer more opportunities, he moved to Dallas.

He started putting himself through college while working often two jobs at a time, and eventually graduated with a law degree from Southern Methodist University. He said his success was possible because of the help he got along the way.

I relate to that sense of just complete and utter desperation and the necessity to rely on the charity of others just to get the most basic of things, Melton said. It truly breaks my heart.

___

One Good Thing is a series that highlights individuals whose actions provide glimmers of joy in hard times  stories of people who find a way to make a difference, no matter how small. Read the collection of stories at https://apnews.com/hub/one-good-thing
1. If you are selected by Pinkbike (defined below) as one of the ten (10) participants of the reality-based program currently titled Pinkbike Academy (the  Academy ), you must be willing to travel to British Columbia, Canada at a time to be scheduled by Pinkbike in its sole discretion.



2. You must be available and willing to participate in the Academy for a period of approximately fourteen (14) days, on such dates to be determined by Pinkbike in its sole discretion, with nine (9) other participants. If you are chosen to participate in the Academy, it is your responsibility to make any necessary personal and financial arrangements with your employers and family in anticipation of your extended absence from work and home.



3. If you are required under federal, provincial, municipal or other local government requirements or directives to self-isolate or self-quarantine prior to your participation in the Academy, you must be willing to self-isolate or self-quarantine in British Columbia, Canada during such period and at such place to be determined by Pinkbink in its sole discretion. You must be willing to comply with all federal, provincial, municipal or other local government requirements or directives related to COVID-19 while participating in the Academy, including without limitation, requirements related to hand sanitation, social and physical distancing and use of face coverings and safety equipment. You must be willing to follow all instructions, recommendations and cautions of Pinkbike at all times throughout the duration of the Academy.



4. The Academy will consist of a number of physical challenges that may involve elements of surprise. If you are chosen to participate in the Academy, you will be videotaped, filmed, portrayed, photographed and otherwise have recordings of you and your actions broadcast and exploited throughout the duration of the Academy and broadcast and exploited in perpetuity in any language, manner, communication, and/or media whatsoever, in all forms whether current or developed in future (whether or not foreseeable), at the sole discretion of Pinkbike.



5. You must be willing and legally be able to travel within Canada, on such dates and at such locations as Pinkbike shall designate in its sole discretion.



6. One participant will have the chance to win a Cdn$25,000.00 cash prize, a professional contract with Orbea and/or other such prizes ( Prize(s) ) as may be available in Pinkbikes sole discretion. Prizes will not be awarded until after the broadcast of the final episode of the show and in accordance with the procedures established by Pinkbike in its sole discretion.



7. You must be between the ages of nineteen (19) years and thirty-nine (39) years at May 11, 2021.



8. You must possess a valid passport and any necessary or appropriate visa(s) or waiver(s) to enable you to enter and remain in Canada to participate in the Academy, by July 1, 2021, that is valid for at least six (6) months from that date.



9. You must be in good health and be able to withstand the physical and mental rigour of the Academy.



10.If you are selected as one of the ten (10) participants of the Academy, you may be given, and must complete and return, any further materials (including, but not limited to, medical history forms, psychological and health questionnaires, waivers and releases, confidentiality agreement), or submit further documentation as may be required by Pinkbike in its sole discretion for purposes of determining if you are physically and mentally capable of completing the Academy, for casting, and other such similar decisions in connection with your participation in the Academy.



11. By applying to participate in the Academy, you authorize Pinkbike to conduct civil, criminal, financial and any other types of background checks deemed necessary by Pinkbike.



12. Employees, officers, directors and agents of Fireroad Holdings Inc. ( Pinkbike ), Boombox Group Inc. ( Boombox ), any sponsor of the Academy, and/or any of their respective parents, affiliated and subsidiary companies and the immediate family (spouse, mother, father, sister, brother, daughter or son, regardless of where they live) or members of their same households (whether related or not) of such employees, officers, directors and agents are not eligible to be participants in the Academy or participate in the application process. Additionally, Pinkbike and Boombox reserve the right to render ineligible any person who either of them determines, in eithers sole discretion, is sufficiently connected with the production or distribution of the Academy (including, through a connection to any sponsor of the Academy or a contest or prize related thereto), such that his/her participation in the Academy could result in or create the appearance of impropriety.



13. During the application and casting process, applicants will be chosen by Pinkbike in its sole discretion to create a pool of finalists. Pinkbike reserves the right to change any of the application terms and process at any time or to select or not select anyone at its sole discretion.



14. Pinkbike is looking for a dynamic group of participants who are articulate, interesting and exhibit enthusiasm for biking and the Academy. In addition, Pinkbike is looking for participants who are outgoing, competitive and adventurous. The group of participants, while meeting the technical requirements of the program, must also have sufficient emotional, physical and psychological capacity to endure approximately fourteen (14) days in any number of conditions, environments and climates.




[April 27, 2021] Insights from ABC Business Conference 2021: Broad Opportunities for the Smart Home Market in Turkey

DUSSELDORF, Germany, April 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tuya Smart (NYSE: TUYA), a leading global IoT cloud platform today held the ninth event in its virtual conference series, AI+IoT Business Conference Europe. This event, focusing on Turkey's smart home market, is the second to last in the ten-part event series with the previous eight events focusing on Italy, Russia, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, France, Britain, and Greece. Industry experts shared presentations on industry trends and outlooks for the market in Turkey. Leon Hu, Head of Turkey, Eurasia from Tuya Smart, shared data from Statista in his presentation, showing that more than 60% of respondents in Turkey do not own any smart home devices. This means that there is enormous market potential in Turkey. With its favorable geographical location, products and services, Turkey is well positioned to cover the Eurasia egion.



Candas Aycicek, IoT Product Manager at Vestel, a major Turkish appliance and electronics company, suggested that a home equipped with lighting, heating, and electronic devices, remotely controlled via smart phones or tablets, is only feasible with strong data security. In terms of smart home products today, security is still the biggest concern for consumers. Yasin Akin, R&D Director at SEGMENT, a Turkish electronics and multimedia company, shared his views on smart home, including that a smart home scenario is achieved by connecting various smart devices, and the smart home scenario needs to support Zigbee, Wi-Fi, and other connectivity protocols to provide maximum convenience for users.

Selda Kale, Head of IoT Import at Cata, a Turkish lighting company, shared her views from the perspectives of enterprises and consumers. In her opinion, smart bulbs, LED belts, smart sockets and other smart devices have already entered the daily life of consumers. Only by enhancing cooperations can enterprises continue improve and provide consumers with high-quality and cost-effective smart products. To view the conference presentations, please register at https://www.tuya.com/event/abc/eur. The final event of the AI+IoT Business Conference Europe series will be held on April 29 with a focus on the German smart home market. For more information, please visit Tuya Smart's website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube. SOURCE Tuya Smart

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[April 27, 2021] Actall Corporation and 1Huddle Join Forces to Gamify Training, Upskilling Across Actall's North American RTLS Network

Actall Corporation, a leading provider of real-time locating system (RTLS) technology for complex physical environments, and B2B mobile technology firm 1Huddle are proud to announce a partnership that enriches Actall's training capabilities. 1Huddle, which uses its mobile platform to deliver quick-burst games for onboarding and advanced training, will deploy digital resources to Actall integration affiliates, end users, design partners and team members. The Actall network covers Canada and the United States, with RTLS solutions that serve diverse industries, from health care to corrections. "Together, we are leveraging 1Huddle's platform to gamify how we currently train our workforce," said Bob Hampe, Actall CEO. "Our goal in using this innovative technology is to fire up our workers and network, and empower them with actionable knowledge." A centralized training, upskilling and onboarding platform helps to increase prtner knowledge and confidence in the field. 1Huddle's science-backed method, featured by CNN, Bloomberg (News - Alert), NBC and others, is proven to increase information retention, boost employee morale and improve revenue.



"Our mobile game platform is the fastest way for companies to get their people ready to work," said Sam Caucci, 1Huddle CEO and Founder. "Using 1Huddle, you can quickly convert existing training manuals, videos, certifications and communications into quick-burst mobile games that create competition and can be played anytime, anywhere." About Actall Corporation

Actall Corporation, which has locations in Denver, Colorado; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Vancouver, British Columbia, provides patented dual-band RTLS technology to mental health, mainstream medical and corrections facilities to assist in staff and asset tracking, duress, efficiency and more. ATLAS, the company's flagship product, is a scalable, complete RTLS line of products and technology built to thrive in environments hostile to RF signals and tracking. Actall was founded in 1997. About 1Huddle 1Huddle is a workforce tech company that onboards, upskills and fires up employees through the use of science-backed quick-burst mobile games. With a mobile-first approach to preparing the modern worker, a library of skill games, and the option for personalized content, 1Huddle is changing the way organizations think about their training-from a one-time boring onboarding experience to a continuously used motivation tool. Key clients include ESPN (News - Alert) , Novartis, Audible, PIMCO, and Loews Hotels. To learn more about 1Huddle and its platform, please visit http://1huddle.co/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005341/en/

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Hoteliers on Georgias Black Sea Coast hope huge discounts can revive Batumi's decimated tourism industry. Its safe to say there is something for every travelers budget in Batumi, the shiny city on Georgias Black Sea coast. Along the most premium stretch of pebbled shoreline, beachfront apartments are available for $12 a night. If thats too pricey, backpackers can walk inland a few hundred meters and score a hostel bed for just $2.

Yet the tourists are barely coming. Batumi had been enjoying a stratospheric rise as a holiday destination for low- and medium-budget travelers, mostly from Russia. But a one-two punch has knocked tourism cold. First, a diplomatic spat with Russia in the summer of 2019 led to the Kremlin imposing a flight ban between the two countries. Then, in early 2020, Georgias borders were sealed in an attempt to snuff out the coronavirus.

Mary Emiridze of the Ajara Tourism Department, which oversees Batumi, says the region welcomed more than 1.6 million tourists in 2019. In 2020, just 306,000 arrived -- a drop of some 81 percent. Emiridze says she has never seen anything like the lowering of prices for the accommodations that exist in Batumi. Many guesthouse owners are advertising rooms for a fraction of what they once cost as they vie for the attention of tourists.

A guesthouse owner who asked to go by his anglicized name, Archie, is renting out apartments in Batumis old town for around one-third of his 2019 price. He estimates tourist numbers are down 90 percent from what they would usually be at this time of the year. The Batumi local says he hasnt been this hard up since the 1990s, when Georgia was wracked by a civil war and economic turmoil after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Archie says some Batumi locals had to rely on family links to the untamed highlands that loom above the city to survive the past year: A lot of people have relatives that live up in the mountains who own cows and sheep. In the mountains, they always have food. They dont need the government. They can live by themselves.

Georgia is currently allowing flights from Turkey, Israel, and Ukraine, but if visitors are not vaccinated they need a fresh, negative COVID test to board their plane. On their third day in Georgia, they need to take a second COVID test. Children and babies are also required to undergo the uncomfortable nasal swab necessary to be tested, though some officials are ignoring this requirement. Georgia remains under a curfew, meaning restaurants are closed by 8 p.m. and anyone on the street after 9 p.m. risks receiving a large fine. Food-delivery services are operating throughout the country.

Israelis are among the most numerous tourists in Batumi these days, but Archie says the money those tourists are spending is mostly being circulated in the multinational chain hotels with adjoining casinos and high-end restaurants that line Batumis waterfront. Most forms of gambling are illegal in Israel and there are no public casinos. A receptionist at Batumis Hilton, which has a casino on its second floor, told RFE/RL the hotel was fully booked for much of April, though even that hotel had dropped its prices by some 25 percent compared to 2019.

The effects of Batumis shrunken tourist economy can also be felt away from the citys waterfront. In the Batumi Bazaar, Malkhaz sells crisp bushels of herbs, lettuce, and spring onions. The Batumi native says that before the summer of 2019 a large part of his business were the budget-conscious, long-term vacationers who ventured to the bustling market for their weekly grocery runs. The vegetable seller says he used to load around half a ton of vegetables from local growers into his truck every morning, but says he now barely has use for the truck and instead packs a few dozen kilos of produce into his car to take to the market.
SEATTLE (dpa-AFX) - Home security company ADT Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Amazon Inc.'s (AMZN) subsidiary Ring LLC alleging that the latter's designs are a direct copy of ADT's octagonal blue logo. According to reports, ADT has requested a federal judge in Florida to immediately stop Ring from using its logo and also pay an undisclosed amount as compensation. In its lawsuit, ADT has claimed that the blue octagon logo has confused customers who think that the companies are affiliated or connected. The company claimed that 'the striking similarity' is evidence that Ring is trying 'to reap the benefit of the goodwill associated with ADT's brand and reputation.' ADT says that it had asked Ring to stop using the logo in 2016, following which Ring removed the blue color but kept the octagon shape. 'This type of confusion seriously undermines the goodwill that ADT has cultivated in its Famous Blue Octagon and irreparably harms ADT,' the company added. ADT also said in the filing that it is the owner of the 12 trademarks for the shape, color and look of the blue octagon logo. 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.
A group of white men have been accused of mocking Aboriginal culture by mimicking traditional dances at a party.

Footage from the social event in Mossman, Far North Queensland, was posted to TikTok by Indigenous Australian Sari-Ella Thaiday, who urged others to share the vision around.

The video, which was originally filmed on Snapchat, showed revellers stand around a dancefloor in front of Mossman Boat and Fishing Club, as different men performed in the middle of the space.

The partygoers are seen holding drinks, clapping and laughing as the music blasted.

A group of white men have been accused of mocking Aboriginal culture by mimicking traditional dances at a party

At least three men were filmed performing moves that appeared to copy traditional Aboriginal dances.

One of the men pretended to be an emu, while another impersonated lighting a fire by hand.

'Literally what's white peoples problem? They always have the need to put down other people/cultures. Is it a projection?' one person commented on the video.

'None of these people look enjoyable to be around, imagine thinking this party looked fun enough to brag about,' another wrote.

Former Bachelor star Abbie Chatfield re-shared the TikTok video on her Instagram page.

'If you know any of these people, have a chat to them. Repulsive,' Chatfield wrote on her Instagram story.

The video, which was originally filmed on Snapchat, showed revellers stand around a dancefloor in front of Mossman Boat and Fishing Club, as different men performed in the middle of the space

The reality star then filmed herself speaking about the footage after someone accused her of 'perpetuating hate' because the people in the video had allegedly received threats.

'On every single level there is a race issue in Australia and s*** like this only perpetuates it,' Chatfield said.

'It is racist, it is disgusting and they [the people in the video] don't deserve protection because they ''made a mistake''.'

Traditional Aboriginal Dance has been a part of the culture of First Australians for thousands of years.

Dance is often tied to the spirituality of Indigenous Australians and their tribes, as they would express their customs through performance.

Aboriginal Australians also use dances to tell stories, which have been passed down through the generations.

The stories often feature the land, animals, dreamtime, and Aboriginal people and it is common for Aboriginal people to imitate animals while performing.

At least three men were filmed performing moves that appeared to copy traditional Aboriginal dances. One of the men pretended to be an emu (left), while another impersonated lighting a fire by hand (right)

Last year video footage emerged of two young women appearing to mock Indigenous Australians while out for dinner at a packed Thai restaurant.

The women were filmed ridiculing a traditional dance as they dined in Wollongong, south of Sydney, even pretending to play a didgeridoo.

The pair - both 20 - laughed and giggled as they pulled faces and made mocking noises with little regard to the scores of diners sat around them.

Other customers are seen staring at the friends in horror as another girl filmed the scene and posted it on Snapchat - writing 'I'm dying' and a series of laughing emojis.

Giggling as they made mocking noises, one of the pair is heard saying 'this is in Aboriginal'.

It soon provoked outrage from the local community and was removed, with friends of the group saying they were 'disgusted' by the footage.
Microfinance industry portfolio showed outstanding (POS) growth: 16% from Dec 19 to Dec 20

Banks witnessed the highest Y-o-Y growth in POS of 23% across all the lenders from Dec 19 to Dec 20

Disbursement by amount grew by 84% and number of loans disbursed grew by 97% in OND'20 quarter as compared to previous quarter

0K-10K ticket size loans have registered highest Y-o-Y growth of 240% from OND19 to OND20 quarters

Industry 1+ delinquencies show a peak in Dec 20 at 21%

Top 5 states contribute 55% to Pan India portfolio (West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Karnataka & Maharashtra)

West Bengal is contributing highest at 15% towards total portfolio outstanding

On the launch, Shri KM Nanaiah, Managing Director, Equifax Credit Information services Ltd. and Country Leader, Equifax India and MEA said, The eighth edition of Microfinance Pulse report in collaboration with SIDBI provides cutting edge analysis to address key questions of practitioners and policymakers. In a tough year, the Microfinance industry stood its ground, by growing the portfolio by 16% YoY. Banks led this growth story with the highest growth across lenders."
The first plenary session, attended by most of the opposition MPs who have entered the parliament following last year's elections, is taking place in the Georgian parliament.

In particular, 107 MPs, including 13 opposition MPs, who had previously refused to participate in the work of the parliament, entered it today, Sputnik Georgia reports.



The first issue on today's agenda is the election of the chairman of the parliament; the ruling party has nominated Vice Speaker Kakha Kuchava to this position.



It should be noted that the support of more than half of the parliament seats, that is, 76 votes, is sufficient to elect the speaker of the parliament. As of today, Georgian Dream has 84 seats in parliament.



In the morning, activists and representatives of the former ruling United National Movement party held a protest action in front of the parliament building.
During the virtual meeting with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris stated that the United States will be releasing $310 million in aid to Central America.

The funds will be allocated to help the region as it struggles to curb and address the huge waves of migration to the North.

A statement released by the Office of the Vice President after the meeting said that an additional $310 million worth of humanitarian relief will be given by the U.S. government to address food insecurity. This is to lighten the burden and suffering of millions in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.

Harris is currently leading the White House's efforts in addressing the sudden increase of migrants trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico Border.

According to The New York Post, the vice president convened with Giammattei in a virtual meeting on Monday where they discussed the efforts taken to mitigate the crisis, including the $310 million humanitarian relief.

Harris also stated that she is planning to visit the Central American region in June.

Additional $310 Million Aid

The White House press office stated that the $310 million aid will include $125 million for mitigating the impact of food shortages, the drought, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The said problems have also greatly affected the worsening migration issues, Al Jazeera reported.

ALSO READ: Biden Signs Order Promoting Labor Organizations, Harris to Lead Pro-Union Task Force

The U.S. will also allocate $104 million in aid for the safety and protection of asylum seekers and refugees. It will also help those who are displaced internally in the region.

Also, the U.S. will be giving $25 million to farmers in Guatemala, and another $30 million will be allocated for literacy programs and daily meals of school children.

Aside from these, Biden has also asked Congress to reserve $861 million to help address the causes of the sudden immigration influx from Central America. This is also part of the $4 billion plan of the administration for the region.

Biden's proposal is part of the budget for next year, which still needs to be discussed and approved by lawmakers.

Meanwhile, it was also agreed that the two parties will work together to tackle criminal organization activities that also affect migration. They also discussed opening migrant resource centers to establish legal and safe migration, Stars and Stripes reported.

Harris also gave Giammattei her word that the U.S. is planning to increase the aid in the region and that the White House is looking to strengthen cooperation to manage the situation properly. This will ensure that migration happens in a secure, effective, and humane manner.

Giammattei also agreed that these steps taken by the government may address the need to create hope in Guatemala and other countries in the region. He added that Guatemala is ready to work with the government to address the problems in the country.

The Guatemalan president also mentioned that he is looking forward to Harris visiting the country in June.

RELATED ARTICLE: Kamala Harris Virtually Meets With Guatemala's President as U.S. Sanctions Other Officials From the Country

WATCH: U.S. to increase direct aid to Central America - CGTN America
New York, April 27 : A senior US official has said that the government was diverting its own supply of Covid-19 vaccine-manufacturing materials to India "as the most effective and rapid step" to help it.

The official said that since President Joe Biden's administration did not have the power to force US companies to fill the order from the Serum Institute of India, it was instead sending to India what had been contracted to it.

The official clarified that there was no ban as such under the Defence Production Act on exports of material related to the Covid-19 pandemic but US companies were required under the law to first fill US government contracts before others.

Since there is a global shortage of vaccine raw materials, the companies did not have enough to meet the orders for India as they had to fill US contracts, according to the official.

"Given that there is not enough of the supply for the entire global manufacturing effort and in light of the current crisis, we, the United States, are diverting our order to India," the official said.

"As requested by the Government of India, we will be providing raw materials for the production of the AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine at the Serum Institute of India," the official added.

One of the products identified by the official is the 36 millipore filter that would have been used in the US to make AstraZeneca vaccines, the official said.

The official said, "I want to be clear here that we did not intervene with the manufacturer to make them fill the Serum Institute's order; we don't have that power. Instead, what we are doing is diverting our own order of our own supplies to the Serum Institute for their manufacturing." "Because of the scope of the current situation in India and the state of our own production here at home, this was the most effective and rapid step we could take at this stage to provide support at scale," the official said.

The US is in a comfortable position with 200 million -- or nearly two-thirds of its population -- having received at least one dose of a vaccine.

The official said that since there was only a prioritisation of supplies to the US government under the law and no formal export ban or embargo, US companies could -- and have exported -- Covid supplies after meeting US official contracts.

Under the Defence Production Act invoked by former President Donald Trump to meet the Covid-19 crisis, raw materials were contracted by the government, which then supplied them to vaccine manufacturers to enable them to meet their commitments to the US government.

Senior US officials briefed the media on condition that they not be named.

"We remember India's generosity to the United States in the early days of the pandemic, when India offered medications to us as our hospitals were strained," an official said.

Despite domestic criticism, India had sent about 50 million doses of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) last April when Trump personally asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lift his ban on its exports. Some physicians said that in the desperate initial phase of the pandemic that HCQ could be a cure for Covid-19 or at least lessen its severity.

The official said, "As Americans, we have felt the devastating impact of rising Covid cases in India -- this recent surge -- among our family and friends. And, you know, the US and India have had the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the world. Our two nations have suffered greatly." While the US was ready to share its supply of AstraZeneca vaccines once the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirms they meet its standards, the official said that India has not asked for ready-to-use vaccines from the US.

About 10 million of the doses are on hand but they are not ready for sending abroad as the FDA was still reviewing the plant where they were made, the official said.

That plant made both the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines and accidentally both were mixed while making some batches and 15 million doses were reported discarded. The rest are being scrutinised to ensure they are safe.

The official said that oxygen was a high priority for India and the Defence Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) were working on options to help India with it. "We might be in a position to reroute shipments," the official said.

The Defence Department was also looking at providing field oxygen generation systems like those used in the US that can service 50 to 100 beds, the official said.

The State Department was working on options for contracting oxygen and cylinders, the official added.

The officials said that a "strike team" with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Epidemic Intelligence Service officers and laboratory leadership service officers, is being deployed to India.

The team will work with India's experts in areas like surveillance and epidemiology, sequencing the virus variant and vaccines rollout, officials said.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis)

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan received today member of the House of Lords of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Baroness Caroline Cox, who visited Armenia for participation to the Armenian Genocide commemoration events, the Armenian Parliament reports.

Speaker Mirzoyan said its a great honor for him to host one of the best friends of the Armenian people in the National Assembly.

Ararat Mirzoyan and Caroline Cox discussed issues relating to the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the improvement of humanitarian situation in Artsakh, the return of Armenians prisoners of war from Azerbaijan. An agreement was reached to unite the efforts in the works with the international partners.

At the end of the meeting Ararat Mirzoyan thanked Mrs. Cox for standing by Armenians for over 30 years and for conducting fair fight during those years.

April 24 marked the 106th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
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[April 27, 2021] Engage Technologies Group Raises $15 Million in Series A Funding to Transform Patient Journey BOISE, Idaho, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Engage Technologies Group, Inc. today announced it has raised $15 million in Series A financing to complement their previous seed round of $5 million. Engage, the creator of the innovative "Human Experience Platform" (HXP), plans to use the proceeds to enter new markets and create rich video content that aligns the patient journey from diagnosis to recovery. Engage's funding has been fueled by healthcare professionals and manufacturers who recognize the value of innovative patient-facing branded content that leverages mobile-centric technologies as a patient education and protocol compliance tool. Engage raises $15 Million in Series A funding remotely, during a pandemic and 99% from physician and surgeon customers. The introduction of Engage's HXP has not gone unnoticed. With support across the healthcare Industry, 99% of Engage's Series A investors consist of individual healthcare professionals who are customers. In concert with today's announcement, Engage has introduced a number of medical professionals to the board of directors including W. Grant Stevens, MD, FACS, Chairman of Cle' Global Aesthetics and Clinical Professor of Surgery at USC-Keck School of Medicine, Division of Plastic Surgery; Dr. Jerry Sude, Co-founder, President of Novus Clinic and Co-founder of OD Excellence; Robert J. Cionni, MD, former surgeon at The Eye Institute of Utah and former President of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery; Lon McRae, DDS, Founder and President of McRae Dental ad Founding Member of Smiles for Life Foundation.

"In my 40 plus years raising capital, launching emerging technologies, and operating business divisions at Apple, VeriFone, and HP, I have never interacted with such a passionately committed group of investors," said C. Lloyd Mahaffey, EVP & Chief Operating Officer, Engage Technologies Group, Inc. "The uniqueness here is the simple fact that 99% of our investors are Engage customers who believe so passionately in the positive impact our mobile-infused storytelling is having day in and day out with each and every one of their patients." Engage is capitalizing on the convergence of three macro consumer trends: rapid adoption of mobile technologies, voracious consumer appetite for relevant short form video content, and the simplicity of text-based messaging distribution. Established in 2016, Engage combines proprietary mobile intelligence technology with potent short form "Story Living Video Content" that engages directly with the patient and end customer. Accessed directly from the end customer's cell phone, Engage delivers quality 90-second episodic, drip or event-based content that is white-labeled for clinic or manufacturer branding. Engage's "zero friction" mobile experience streamlines patient knowledge and education at the precise moment where height of interest and time of need converge. This is notably true with patients who are facing check-ups, consultation, and surgical procedures from specialists in Aesthetics, Ocular, Dental, and Health/Orthopedic (spine, hip, knee, mobility, etc.) health care disciplines. "I am drawn to innovative ideas that have positive impact on my patients, friends and family. Engage is a team of seasoned storytellers, technologists, and collaborators who are changing the world. I am proud to be an early customer, investor and board member of Engage and I am thrilled be a contributor in as many ways as possible to the company's success," states W. Grant Stevens, MD , FACS, Chairman, Cle' Global Aesthetics, Clinical Professor of Surgery at the USC-Keck School of Medicine, Division of Plastic Surgery and Director and Founder of USC Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship. Engage Technologies Group, through its four divisions: Aesthetic Innovations, Ocular Innovations, Dental Innovations and Health Innovations, is ushering in a new era of patient, manufacturer and consumer engagement. Engage's ability to deliver relevant, short-form video content to end users without use of an app, email, password, or login creates consistent messaging and patient engagement, empowerment, and confidence while delivering frictionless improvements in care delivery. Engage's platform capabilities, including robust data analytics that provide visibility and value of the patient experience, extend the clinical brand with scheduled virtual patient interactions throughout their recovery including a patient CareCart stocked with recommended products curated and recommended by their physician and clinical experts. "Today's funding announcement is a significant milestone for the company," Michael Boerner, CEO and Founder of Engage. "Our breakthrough in mobile intelligence storytelling, coupled with the recent capital milestone, enables us to further equip providers with a solution they have always wanted for their patients; a just-in-time, friction free, anxiety relieving, journey describing, 'yellow brick road' to seamlessly follow. We can finally help physicians, surgeons and their clinical teams streamline and measure every step across the patient care continuum, without portals, apps, email and logins. Simple is finally possible." Engage Technologies Group, Inc., has closed the loop on previously friction-filled, disconnected, and inconsistent patient communications that have plagued the health care delivery spectrum for years. Engage's formula is specifically designed to optimize the patient/customer journey in partnership with America's pre-eminent medical practitioners, clinical and administrative staff and health industry manufacturers. The Engage HXP platform is simple to use, customizable and practice branded which results in cohesive patient-to-provider and manufacturer-to-provider interactions. Engage clients are able to elevate and simplify the patient/customer communication experience by driving lead generation, lead capture, conversion, education and retention over the life of the recipient. About Engage Technologies Group, Inc.

Engage, a privately-held company based in Boise, Idaho, is working with leading subject matter experts on next-generation mobile video engagement technologies in multiple healthcare market verticals including, but not limited to, Dental, Ocular, Aesthetics and Health/Orthopedic. In addition to some of the top medical practitioners in their respective fields, current Engage Technologies Group, Inc. product manufacturer clients include leading brands across Aesthetics, Ocular, Dental and Health sectors. Engage's cloud-based SaaS solution enables a significantly simplified workflow, primarily focused on improving and accelerating the pathway-to-purchase and end-to-end customer/patient experience. Related Links

http://www.engagetg.com Media Contact:

Steve Inch

SVP, Chief Marketing Officer

stevei@engagetg.com

208.850.7058 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/engage-technologies-group-raises-15-million-in-series-a-funding-to-transform-patient-journey-301277892.html SOURCE Engage Technologies Group, Inc.

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George Russell is a "super driver" who "deserves a chance" to race for the works Mercedes team.

That is the view of former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, who gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport on the occasion of his 40th birthday.

When asked about Valtteri Bottas, who is struggling to match up to Lewis Hamilton this year, Massa said he thinks the Finn's "performance is connected to the spiritual side".

"It is not easy when comparing yourself to a champion like Lewis Hamilton," the Brazilian said.

On pole position to succeed Bottas is 23-year-old George Russell, who had a high-profile crash and confrontation with the current Mercedes driver at Imola.

"George is a super driver, even though he made a mistake in Imola," said Massa. "I appreciate the fact that he apologised after calming down. It was a sign of him growing up.

"He deserves a chance, and I hope Mercedes gives him that chance at some point," said Massa.

(GMM)


Across the country, schools for children of all ages are reopening. Asian American families are struggling with making a decision whether to send their children back into classrooms. Their concern is based on increasing anti-Asian behavior.

A Chinese American mother in a town outside Boston is sending her sons to in-person classes this month. Earlier, another student made a racist "slanted-eyes" movement with his hands to one of the boys.

In the Dallas area, a Korean American family is keeping their middle school aged child in online classes for the rest of the year. They made the decision after they saw a question filled with racist Chinese stereotypes on one of her tests.

Asian American students have the highest rates of at home learning more than a year after the coronavirus pandemic closed school buildings. Earlier this month, the federal government released a report that found just 15 percent of Asian American nine to ten-year-olds were attending classes in-person as of February. More than half of white children that age are attending in person.

Those rates appear to be rising in some cities, but are still far lower than those of Black, Latino and white students. Sacramento, Boston and Chicago public schools, for example, expect that about 33 percent of Asian American students will return to in-person classes this month. In comparison, they expect some 70 percent of white students to return.

In Quincy, a small town near Boston, Kim Horrigan said she and her husband have struggled with their decision to keep their 8-year-old son home this year.

Horrigan said she has never really considered racism a threat to her family, even though the Asian-American population of the town has grown to 25 percent, and there are some racial problems in the community.

She is worried about exposing her household, including her aged parents and her two young children, to COVID-19.

Weve taken so many precautions, she said. Why would we drop our guard now, with just a few weeks left?

Anti-Asian behavior has affected many Asian American children. A September report by Stop AAPI Hate found that about 25 percent of Asian American children said they had experienced discrimination. That includes spoken words, social shunning, and physical attacks during the pandemic.

Family support systems

Concerns about virus spread and rising racism are reasons for the in-person learning differences. Peter Kiang is director of Asian American Studies at the University of Massachusetts in Boston. He says that at-home learning is often a better choice for many Asian families who live in multi-generational households.

"These ethnic-defined support systems have been operating for more than a year already while parents are out working long hours, Kiang said.

It is important to note that many Asian Americans live in and around large cities like Boston. Schools there have just begun to re-open, said Robert Teranishi. He is a professor of education and Asian American studies at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, in San Francisco, more than 30 percent of public school students are from Asian families, and there is no plan for the return of students 12 and older.

Feeling trapped at home

Grace Hu is a 16-year-old in Sharon, Massachusetts. She has been learning at home all school year. She found it easy to decide to go back to in-person classes later this month.

"I'm feeling trapped at home," Hu said. "I just want to see my classmates again."

Meanwhile, in Needham, Massachusetts, Denise Chan said she is not concerned about placing her three young sons back in classes full-time in recent weeks, even after the "slanted-eyes" incident.

She said her son talked with his teacher about the racist comment. His teacher had the other student apologize, and she promised to talk about racism in the classroom.

Im Jill Robbins.

And Im Caty Weaver.

Philip Marcelo wrote this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor.

Quiz - Virus, Violence Influence Asian Americans Decision to Send Children to School Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story



slanted  adj. angled; to not be level

stereotype  n. an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic

teenager  n. someone who is between 13 and 19 years old

bigotry  n. behavior of someone who hates or refuses to accept the members of a particular group (such as a racial or religious group)

shun - to avoid (someone or something)

discouraging  adj. causing loss of hope or confidence

cruel  adj. used to describe people who hurt others and do not feel sorry about it

positive  adj. thinking that a good result will happen; hopeful or optimistic

What do you think of the worries of the Asian American parents? Are there similar problems where you live? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.
The ultra-consistent pacing mare Lyons Sentinel was even sharper in her qualifying win at Harrahs Philadelphia Tuesday than she was last week, coming her own last half in a hot :53.3 to win in a 1:53.4 mile.

The four-year-old millionaire daughter of Captaintreacherous, among the best of her class at two and three, looks ready to take on more seasoned competition, knocking two seconds off her qualifying win time of last week for driver Tim Tetrick, trainer Jim King Jr., and Threelyonsracing.

Fastest winner of the morning session at the southeast Philadelphia oval was the Bettors Delight gelding Gardys Legacy A, who missed a nose in a 1:53.2 mile in his first qualifier, then went in 1:52.1 here as he prepares for his North American pari-mutuel career. Andrew McCarthy sent the import scurrying home in :54.3 on the engine for trainer Andrew Harris and the ownership of Bowie Racing LLC and A Harris Racing LLC.

Two seasoned trotters turned in impressive qualifying wins for trainer Tom Fanning and owner Joseph Smith. No Drama Please was victorious in 1:57.2 for driver Tim Tetrick, while Fashion Creditor came home first in 1:57.4 for driver Andrew McCarthy.

The McCarthy brothers won six of the mornings qualifiers  Andrew four and Todd two  while a pair of Hall of Famers  David Miller and Tim Tetrick  also combined for sic victories with each winning three times. Trainers who sent out two winners include Nik Drennan, Tom Fanning, Andrew Harris, and Roland Mallar.

(PHHA / Harrah's Philadelphia)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 00:10:05|Editor: huaxia

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NEW DELHI -- The local government of India's capital Delhi said Tuesday that it will import 21 ready-to-use oxygen plants from France to help address the shortage of medical oxygen amid the surge in COVID-19 cases.

"We are importing 21 ready-to-use oxygen plants from France. They can be brought to use immediately. These will be installed at different hospitals and this will help us in resolving the oxygen crisis in those hospitals," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said while addressing the media. (India-France-Oxygen Plant)

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DHAKA -- Bangladesh's President Abdul Hamid on Tuesday met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe here and the two sides agreed to advance the bilateral military cooperation.

During the meeting, Hamid called on both countries to strengthen coordination in international affairs and be committed to safeguarding regional peace, stability, prosperity and development.

Wei said that China is willing to work with Bangladesh to well implement the important consensus reached between their leaders to further develop the bilateral strategic partnership of cooperation. (Bangladesh-China-Visit)

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BANGKOK -- Thailand registered 15 COVID-19 related deaths over the last 24 hours, the highest single-day number since the pandemic began, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said Tuesday.

The national death toll has reached 163, of which 69 have died since the beginning of the third wave of the outbreak in April this year, CCSA spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin told a press conference. (Thailand-COVID-19)

- - - -

MANILA -- The Philippines will impose travel restrictions from India starting on Thursday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday, adding the ban will remain in place until May 14.

"All travelers coming from India or those with travel history to India within the last 14 days preceding arrival shall be prohibited from entering the Philippines," Roque said in a statement, without stating the reason for the travel ban. (Philippines-India-Ban)

- - - -

TOKYO -- The confirmed COVID-19 cases in Japan increased by 4,950 to reach 576,610 as of Tuesday evening, according to the latest figures from the health ministry and local authorities.

The death toll in Japan from the pneumonia-causing virus currently stands at 10,080, with 55 new fatalities announced Tuesday. (Japan-COVID-19) Enditem
Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), speaks during the Democratic National Committee's summer meeting in San Francisco, Calif., on Aug. 23, 2019. (Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)

Rep. Tim Ryan Announces Run for Ohio Senate Seat

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), a 10-term representative in Congress since 2003 and a former Democratic presidential contender, announced his run for the U.S. Senate on Monday morning.

Im running for Senate because Ohioans are working harder than ever, theyre doing everything right, and they still cant get ahead, Ryan wrote on Twitter. Its time to hit the reset button.

Ryan is running for the seat to be vacated by Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), who announced on Jan. 25 that he wouldnt seek his third-term reelection in 2022.

Originally from Ohios blue-collar Mahoning Valley, Ryan stressed his focus on workers and jobs, in the video accompanying his announcement.

We need to invest in the businesses so they can create more jobs for even more workers. We need to step up our training and science and technology, so the clean energy jobs come to Ohio today, Ryan said in the video.

We need to make huge investments into our public infrastructure, our roads, our bridges, our airports, broadband, we can actually revitalize manufacturing, secure U.S. supply chains, and make things here, Ryan continued.

Ryan, 47, launched his presidential run in April 2019 and withdrew five months later. He also famously ran to replace House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in November 2016, following former President Donald Trumps surprising win.

Democratic presidential candidates Marianne Williamson, (L-R), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), former Texas Congressman Beto ORourke, former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, former Maryland Congressman John Delaney, and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock take the stage at the beginning of the Democratic Presidential Debate at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, Mich., on July 30, 2019. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Bob Paduchik, chair of the Ohio Republican Party, said in a statement that Ryans support of radical left-wing policies does not represent the values of Ohios working men and women.

Mr. Ryan himself says he is in lockstep with progressives on open border policies, supports the job-crushing Green New Deal, and has been a vocal proponent of the Biden-Harris $2 trillion infrastructure plan, Paduchik wrote.

Former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, a Democrat, recently told the Associated Press that Ryan has raw political talent and the skill necessary to run a winning campaign.

He can appeal to blue-collar workers, any part of Ohio, and any constituent group, the former governor said. Hes eloquent, and he has the ability to express the Democratic message in a compelling way.

Ryan is the first Democratic candidate to officially announce his bid for Ohios Senate seat. Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes and Franklin County Commissioner and former Ohio Treasurer Kevin Boyce have also publicly expressed interest in the race.

At least four Republicans have already declared their intentions to run, including former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, former Ohio GOP Chair Jane Timken, tech company executive Bernie Moreno, and investment banker Mike Gibbons.

At the end of last month, Trump met the four candidates face-to-face during a fundraiser at his gold club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

All four candidates talked about their support of the former president during the meeting, apparently trying to gain Trumps endorsement. Trump won Ohio by 8 percent, both in 2016 and 2020.

Gibbons mentioned that he had given six-figure donations to Trumps campaign through the Republican National Committee in 2016 and 2020. Moreno said his daughter worked for Trumps 2020 campaign. The Epoch Times verified the details with two people close to the attendees.

In official campaign statements, Timken and Mandel said they were running to fight for Trumps agenda in Washington.

On April 15, Trumps former senior counselor Kellyanne Conway joined Morenos campaign as a senior advisor. Richard Grenell, Trumps ambassador to Germany and acting director of National Intelligence, also chairs Morenos national steering committee.

The Associated Press and Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report.
A leader in the growing cryptocurrency merchant payment sector

Seeing record transaction volume growth

Developed a universal cryptocurrency payments infrastructure

What Technology does:

Rapidly-growing Technology Inc ( ) ( ) (FRA:26N) has developed a blockchain platform designed for merchants and consumers looking for a better way to transact online with cryptocurrency.

The Vancouver, British Columbia-based digital payments specialist says its platform allows businesses to "seamlessly integrate cryptocurrency processing into their payment model without taking on the risk or volatility of the crypto market".

In simple terms, the group's tech allows merchants and firms to accept cryptocurrency payments from customers by providing them - the recipients - with instant settlements. The platform is divided into three interrelated components: the user portal, the merchant portal, and the firm's own proprietary digital exchange platform.

The platform is ' own proprietary payment processing software and the company holds intellectual property (IP), which includes copyright in the development of its technology.

The platform allows users to set up their own wallet; transfer monies - Fiat currency: namely legal tender whose value is backed by the government that issued it - from their bank account to their user account; transfer cryptocurrency from an external wallet to their NetCents Wallet; choose to either buy products and/or services online or in-store; transfer monies to other parties, and buy or sell cryptocurrencies.

NetCents Technology is led by CEO Clayton Moore, an entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in the payments space. Before joining NetCents Moore founded Cybux, a payment platform focused on the service industry that is still being used today in many top Canadian restaurants and chains.

How is it doing:

In April, NetCents said it hired Marcie Verdin as its Executive Vice President of Card and Solutions Development, who will focus on accelerating the company's growth and scale to service customer needs globally and lead and expand new product development.

The company added that as it continues its rapid growth and international expansion, the executive team has similarly evolved to meet growing customer demand and optimize internal operations.

Earlier in the month NetCents reported that it processed a record $19 million in cryptocurrency transactions in March, its largest monthly transaction volume, topping its February volume of $6.7 million by 172% and its January volume of $8.2 million by more than 122%.

It attributed the transaction growth in part to an omnichannel marketing campaign that it said drove 507 conversions in March with an average cost per click of $1, a cost per action of $34 and a conversion rate of 9%. NetCents also noted that volume has been lifted by the companys activation of the European market and an increase in processing European merchants through its German subsidiary.

Previously, the company revealed it had fielded 10-to-15 new partner leads a week over the last two months with a close rate of 30%.

Meanwhile in March, NetCents announced it has made progress in its entry into the Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) space. The company said it is working with its partner The Human Interest Group on large consumer product opportunities to tie in with branded athletes or products in developing tokens that assist in verifying authenticity or official ties into celebrity athletes.

Given the size of the opportunity at hand, Netcents said its board of directors has recently decided that the Non-Fungible Token opportunity is so massive and essential to the company's strategic direction that it will be creating a specific internal division around the product.

In early February, the company announced that it has agreed to white label the NC Exchange in a move it says will increase its market share and future growth by providing vendors with a cost-effective business solution.

The company said the white label product will allow its partners to connect and distribute cryptocurrency products more competitively to their users and clients by providing a platform to trade and manage their digital assets using highly secure infrastructure with advanced user interfaces and order types, as well as a user-friendly mobile app for convenience and easy access to markets.

The news and targeting of expanded market share follows comments made in January by CEO Clayton Moore, who noted that that the cryptocurrency payments company is in a stronger position for growth than at any point in our history as the firm plans to launch what it is calling the NetCents Card Program, which would let users add a NetCents card to their Google and Apple wallets and use it virtually.

Inflection points:

More deals/ partnerships

Greater transaction volumes

What the boss says:

Commenting on the companys record cryptocurrency transactions volume in March, NetCents Technology CEO Clayton Moore said in a statement: "I'm especially proud of the strong growth in the last month of Q1 in 2021, which sets us up for continued growth in Q2 2021."

Moore added: "The uptick in global merchants, partner growth, and success of our partner and marketing campaigns demonstrate the legwork that we put into the market in 2020 is starting to pay dividends."

Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com
Tata Steel Ltd is quoting at Rs 960.95, up 2.15% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The stock is up 251.29% in last one year as compared to a 55.77% gain in NIFTY and a 178.74% gain in the Nifty Metal.

Tata Steel Ltd rose for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 960.95, up 2.15% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is up around 0.88% on the day, quoting at 14612.8. The Sensex is at 48827.09, up 0.91%. Tata Steel Ltd has added around 20.12% in last one month.

Meanwhile, Nifty Metal index of which Tata Steel Ltd is a constituent, has added around 16.87% in last one month and is currently quoting at 4536.3, up 2.1% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 140.25 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 260.5 lakh shares in last one month.

The benchmark April futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 961.6, up 1.98% on the day. Tata Steel Ltd is up 251.29% in last one year as compared to a 55.77% gain in NIFTY and a 178.74% gain in the Nifty Metal index.

The PE of the stock is 17.17 based on TTM earnings ending December 20.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Boats partake in the 73rd annual Newport Beach to Ensenada Boat Race, in Newport Beach, Calif., on April 23, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Parkinsons Disease Sufferer Takes on Sailing Regatta

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.The 73rd Annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race (N2E) saw vessels large and small setting sail to either Dana Point, San Diego or Ensenada, Mexico.

Among the boats on the water was 4U, a 16-foot RS Venture, owned and skippered by Christian Buhl of Lido Island Yacht Club in Newport Beach, California.

Dwarfed by the huge racing yachts swirling for starting positions around them, 4U stood out in the crowd during the April 23 start with its bright orange sail and crew donning similarly fluorescent orange caps.

4U, which made its N2E race debut, is a specially-designed and outfitted sailboat that enables sailors with disabilities to participate in sail races such as the N2E Newport to Dana Point Sprint.

Buhls crew of three included JP Van Houden, who was able to participate despite having Parkinsons Disease, which he contracted 20 years ago. Peter Phillips from Challenged Sailors San Diego assisted in crewing the small-but-mighty vessel as it made its way down the coast of California.

Challenged Sailors San Diego was founded by a group of disabled sailors and experienced sailing volunteers, and provides therapeutic and recreational adaptive sailing opportunities for people with disabilities.

With smooth seas and winds blowing 10-to-12 knots, 4U made good time, coming in at 3 hours, 14 minutes and 2 seconds, taking second place in its class.

N2E is really about the people who participate, and everyone has a different story about their sailing experiences and memories, NOSA representative Laurie Morrison told The Epoch Times.

Referring to the 4U race crew she said, I think their participation is a good representation of the sailing community in general, were used to overcoming the challenges of the sport, the difficulties are sometimes what make it so much fun in the long run.

Morrison said that one of the reasons N2E organizers decided to fold the other races in with the international race was to expand inclusivity for sailors of all boat size, age, ability and experience.

Its about getting people out on the water, learning and having fun, Morrison said. It opens sailing to those who may have a barrier of disability, who might not otherwise be able to participate in longer races like Newport to Ensenada.
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AA Pharma is collaborating with Inter Medico, a distributor of medical devices, to place Sight OLO analyzers in labs across Canada. "There is significant underutilization in this patient population because of barriers to treatment, including the requirement for regular blood monitoring," said Geoffrey Johnson, AA Pharma's Director, Sales & Marketing. "We are pleased to help bring Sight OLO to Canadian patients which requires less blood than traditional methods and delivers lab-grade results rapidly, enabling health care providers to make quick and informed treatment decisions."

The results can be securely transferred to healthcare providers and both Electronic Health and Medical Records. Results can also be securely shared with AA Pharma's patient registry, a Health Canada requirement, to ensure ongoing monitoring of patients' health while taking clozapine. AA Pharma's AASPIRE Patient Care Network, also provides tools and resources to further support Canadian Schizophrenia patients and their caregivers.

About AA Pharma

AA Pharma is a Canadian company focused on legacy pharmaceutical products. Legacy pharmaceuticals are drug products with well-established efficacy and safety profiles and years of real-world experience. AA Pharma manufacturers over 80 treatments in a range of therapeutic areas. Learn more at www.aapharma.ca

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SOURCE AA Pharma Inc.

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THE Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) could have been prejudiced of about US$71,5 million in special projects undertaken with a number of questionable and dubious contractors between 2012 and 2015, according to the Public Accounts Committee.

The Committee, whose report was presented before Parliament last week, has also revealed that during the same period, Zinara was prejudiced of about ZAR31,5 million through shoddy deals.

According to the committee, Zinara has no authority in terms of the Roads Act (Chapter 13 :18) of entering into any special contracts with any contractors.

Zinara executed special projects with many questionable and dubious contractors, which cost the organisation the sums of US$71 487 896, 21 and R31 452 102, 53.

The Committee makes the finding that Zinara has no authority in terms of the Roads Act [Chapter 13:18] of entering into any special contracts with any contractors, said the Committee.

It highlighted that Zinara was a Road Fund whose sole function is to distribute resources to road authorities who are in fact local authorities.

In this context, the committee concluded that the huge amounts of US$71,5 million and ZAR31,5 million that were spent in respect of the said contracts were done illegally and outside the laws of Zimbabwe.

The Committee said it further established that in a majority of the special projects, there was no delivery, performance and oversight by the Zinara board.

The special projects were nothing other than looting of resources by the executive of Zinara in connivance with corrupt contractors, it said.

The Committee recommended that Zinara, on a case-by-case basis, with the assistance where necessary of experts, must endeavour to recover any amounts paid to contractors who did not perform or render services in terms of their contracts.

The recoveries must be made within a period of 12 months from the adoption of this report; Zinara must recover all payments made without any underlying contractual basis, without any Interim Payments Certificate (IPC), for instance the payments to MADZ Construction of US$3,650 million and ZAR1,192 million;

Zinara must evaluate and assess the involvement of all its employees during the period covered by the audit report and take appropriate disciplinary action within three months of the adoption of this report, it said.

On the Plumtree-Mutare Highway upgrading project, the Committee noted that the project covered by the Development Bank of Southern Africa Limited (DBSA) and Infralink (Private) Limited was a proper Public Private Partnership (PPP).

The Committee makes the finding that Zimbabwe must express gratitude to the Republic of South Africa and to DBSA for providing a loan of US$206 million at a time no other country was willing to provide Zimbabwe with any resources.

Zimbabwe must, therefore, honour its contracts in respect of the Plumtree to Mutare Highway project. However, to the extent that some of the conditions of this contracts are now too onerous for Zinara, the Committee makes the finding that Zinara must renegotiate these contracts to suit the limited scope and capacity, it said.

The Committee has also directed Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona to, within three months of the presentation of its report to Parliament, present a report to Parliament on the Plumtree-Mutare Highway project and all other incidental issues including the result or status of the renegotiation process.

As part of its routine work, the Committee said it received and analysed the 2017 and 2018 Auditor Generals Report for State Enterprises and Parastatals.

In the process of its work on Zinara, the Committee said, was then alerted of the existence of a March 2017 Special Forensic Audit Report that was carried out by Grant Thornton on behalf of the Auditor General at the special instance and request of the then Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. Chronicle
The Balearic Government is relying on tight restrictions to make keep infection at bay and make it on to the UKs coveted Green List, whereas countries all over Europe are coming up with new incentives to draw in tourists and get on the Green List at the same time.

Greece has just announced that British tourists will be allowed to go on holiday with their NHS Covid Vaccination cards, according got the Sun newspaper.

The Greek Tourism Minister, Harry Theocharis told the tabloid that his country was happy to accept the handwritten NHS card so that Brits dont have to pay for expensive PCR tests when they go on holiday.

We have seen the paper cards with the two vaccine appointment dates and we are recognising them until the UK has a digital passport. They can be used on the ground and at the borders, he said.

British tourists who havent been vaccinated are welcome in Greece if they have a negative PCR test and there will be random testing at airports.

But Portugals Secretary of State for Tourism, Rita Marques has warned that the NHS cards could easily be forged.

A piece of paper with some handwriting on it is not considered to be as secure as we would like, it is very important that we avoid fraud, she said. An integrated digital pass with a QR code is the way forward and we are working with the European Commission to have a system in place that will allow us to welcome holidaymakers safely."

Mallorca needs to have a successful summer season this year to get the Tourism Sector and local businesses back on track, but the President of the Balearic Government, Francina Armengol seems reluctant to pull out all the stops to make sure that happens.
Q. My current husband and I both previously had divorces before we got married. Hes from Nicaragua and divorced his wife from here, but now Im told that he needs to get divorced in Nicaragua because his U.S. divorce isnt valid there. Were afraid if he goes there to visit his son he could get arrested for bigamy. His ex was served with divorce papers. Whats correct?

 Concerned

A. It can be very complicated to reconcile different laws in different countries.

Your husbands concerns are very valid.

If your husband obtained a divorce from his former wife, to whom he was married in Nicaragua, and the divorce was entered in the United States, it may be that Nicaragua does not recognize the final judgment of divorce until it has been processed through certain document legalization services, said Jeralyn Lawrence, a family law attorney with Lawrence Law in Watchung.

For example, she said, many foreign countries require that a United States divorce decree be authenticated and often translated from the English language to the language of the foreign country where it is to be offered in order for the document to be recognized.

Nicaragua is, in fact, a member of the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961, Lawrence said.

Any official document issued in the United States offered for recognition in Nicaragua requires an apostille  a form of authentication  from the secretary of state, she said. Only the state wherein the divorce was granted may issue the apostille.

However, Lawrence said, it is important to note that not every divorce decree will qualify for an apostille.

Several states have strict time limits on how old a divorce decree may be in order for it to be eligible for an apostille, she said. Because of the unique requirements of every state, it is important that you speak with an experienced family lawyer to understand if your divorce decree qualifies for an apostille, and to obtain further instruction on how to have your divorce decree authenticated so that Nicaragua can acknowledge the dissolution of your husbands prior marriage.

As to the concern that your husband could be arrested for bigamy if he were to return to Nicaragua to visit his son without Nicaragua having recognized his divorce, she recommends you discuss this with a Nicaraguan criminal lawyer to avoid any possibility that your husband may commit a crime under foreign law.

Email your questions to Ask@NJMoneyHelp.com.

Karin Price Mueller writes the Bamboozled column for NJ Advance Media and is the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Follow NJMoneyHelp on Twitter @NJMoneyHelp. Find NJMoneyHelp on Facebook. Sign up for NJMoneyHelp.coms weekly e-newsletter.
Lagos, April 27 : Gunmen killed two more students abducted from a university in the northwest Nigerian state of Kaduna, local authorities said.

Greenfield University, a private institution in the state, was attacked by gunmen on April 20, with an unspecified number of students kidnapped, the Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday.

"On a sad note, security agencies have just reported to the Kaduna state government the recovery of two more dead bodies of Greenfield University students, killed by armed bandits," said Samuel Aruwan, the commissioner for internal security and home affairs of Kaduna, in a statement.

The death toll of the abducted students has risen to five so far.

On Friday, the state government confirmed the discovery of the bodies of three students among those kidnapped in a place close to the school.
[April 27, 2021] PIABA: FINRA's Extended Delay of In-Person Arbitration Hearings Leaving Investors No Access to Justice

In a letter sent yesterday to the head of FINRA Dispute Resolution Services, Public Investors Advocate Bar Association (PIABA) President David P. Meyer states that individual investors are being unfairly victimized by FINRA's ongoing decision to bar face-to-face arbitration proceedings. The letter to FINRA Executive Vice President Richard Berry objects in strong terms to FINRA's decision to further extend the nationwide postponement of in-person hearings for all 69 of FINRA's hearing locations. Meyer points out that trial courts around the country and two major private arbitration forums resumed face-to-face proceedings some time ago or are doing so now. "PIABA conducted an analysis of the 20 largest FINRA hearing locations (by population) to learn whether courts in those jurisdictions were holding in-person civil jury trials. The results are overwhelming -- every single jurisdiction either is currently conducting in-person trials or will be doing so by July." Meyer also points out that the single health consultant FINRA is using to justify its shutdown has not provided any public report or metrics for the deision.



But the biggest problem with the FINRA arbitration shutdown is that it unfairly benefits brokers and firms on the other side of the cases and prevents injured investors from seeking justice. The PIABA letter states: " the indefinite delay in FINRA in-person hearings benefits the FINRA-member brokers and brokerage firms defending the arbitration claims brought by their customers in this forum." "Investors do not have the option to take their disputes to court, so they are at the mercy of FINRA to timely administer its arbitration cases. As a result, aggrieved investors over the past thirteen months have had three options: 1) wait for FINRA to lift its indefinite and repeated postponements; 2) seek voluntary agreement from all the parties and arbitrators to appear in-person; or 3) file a motion for a hearing to proceed virtually via Zoom, and hope that the motion is granted by the arbitration panel."

The PIABA letter continues: "It is unsurprising that respondent firms and brokers are happy to let the cases they are defending linger on an indefinite hold under the FINRA postponements. They have no incentive to proceed with the case if they can push off a determination indefinitely. In those cases where a respondent firm has not joined the motion for a Zoom hearing, Claimants are left to petition the arbitration panel to permit the case to proceed by Zoom. More than one-third of those requests have been denied by arbitration panels. For these cases, the claimants are left with no access to justice." FINRA is now the only nationwide dispute resolution forum in the country that has refused to make plans to restart in-person hearings. The American Arbitration Association (AAA) will restart in-person hearings on May 15, 2021. JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution services worldwide, has been holding in-person arbitrations with new safety procedures in 22 out of its 24 hearing locations since June 2020. ABOUT PIABA The Public Investors Advocate Bar Association is an international bar association whose members represent investors in disputes with the securities industry. Currently, there are members from 44 states, Puerto Rico, and Japan. The mission of PIABA is to advocate for equal access to justice for investors in all forums. PIABA works to promote fairness in the rules governing dispute resolution for investor claims against securities and commodities brokerage firms, registered investment advisory firms, and their associated representatives. PIABA also works toward creating, improving, and enforcing statutes, rules, regulations, case law, and policies designed to promote investor rights and to prevent misconduct by those who sell investments to the public. www.piaba.org @piabanews View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005804/en/

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China Mandates Vaccination of All Military Personnel Amid Reports of Vaccine-Related Deaths, Low Vaccine Efficacy

Chinese authorities have ordered all members of the military to be vaccinated, amid rising reports of deaths caused by Chinese vaccines in Hong Kong and the mainland.

The death of a Chinese soldier who received Chinas Sinovac vaccine, and other vaccine-related death cases, are hotly discussed on Chinese social media.

On April 15, a Weibo user in Shenzhen, using the handle Wild Foothill Flowers, said her brother, a soldier, died after receiving the Sinovac vaccine.

My brother was a 28-year-old soldier with no medical history. The troop arranged for everyone to receive the Sinovac inactivated vaccine produced in Beijing. The first dose was given on Jan. 11. The second dose was given on Feb. 8, at Shenzhen Binhe Avenue Womens and Childrens Social Health Center.

The woman said her brother developed fatigue, subcutaneous bleeding, and bleeding gums. On March 24, he had a headache and was hospitalized after a sudden cerebral hemorrhage. He died on April 15, and the doctor diagnosed the death as cerebral hemorrhage caused by severe aplastic anemia.

Why does vaccination cause aplastic anemia? the woman asked.

According to the woman, she was threatened to delete her post. Later the same day, she said she had received calls from the head of her brothers office as well as the Futian Health Bureau, asking her to be aware of the impact. Two days later, on April 17, all of her posts about the incident were deleted, but screenshots had already been shared on overseas social media.

In another case, a Korean citizen living in Shanghai died three days after getting the Sinovac vaccine. In an April 22 report, the Yonhap News Agency quoted information from the Korean expatriate community in Shanghai saying the female Korean expat suffered from nausea and other abnormal reactions after receiving the Sinovac vaccine in a Shanghai hospital on April 19. She was found dead in her home in Shanghai on the morning of April 22. The report said the woman was in her 40s and had no underlying medical conditions.

Chinese Authorities Suppress Chinese Vaccine Death Reports

As of April 20, 15 deaths from the Sinovac vaccine were reported in Hong Kong, a city of about 7 million people, according to an Epoch Times tally. However, mainland China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has not reported a single domestic vaccine related case resulting in severe symptoms or death.

A woman from Penglai City, Shandong Province, with the surname Tang, told NTD that there have been a number of vaccine injury cases in China. But related information has been suppressed by the authorities in such a timely manner that not even medical staff have had a chance to learn about them. Only family members know about them, she said.

According to Tang, The CCP handles the epidemic and vaccine-related matters in a confidential manner. If a person is brought to the hospital because of a vaccine injury, the hospital will immediately send special personnel to deal with it. These things are hidden from the common people, Tang said.

Still, there are some cases that have been spread through overseas social media or citizens media. For example, on March 27, a netizen posted on Twitter that a worker at a Beijing Sany Heavy Industry workshop was given the Sinovac vaccine on March 21 and died on March 23.

Another netizen said in the comment section of a self-media channel that a person from Tianjin No. 1 Hospital died suddenly two days after receiving the vaccine.

Sound of Hope Radio received a report on April 14 from a mainland Chinese saying that at the end of March, Wang Dajun, a 43-year-old villager from Dalian City, Liaoning Province, died the same day he had been vaccinated. Family members contacted the authorities, who promptly blocked the information.

As of April 18, 192 million doses of vaccine were administered in mainland China, according to Chinas National Health Commission. Its unclear how many people have developed abnormal symptoms because Chinese authorities have been clamping down on this type of information and cracking down on leakers. For example, on April 20, the Weibo account Nanjing Internet Police Patrol and Law Enforcement revealed that Pan, a netizen in Nanjing City, had been detained for 7 days for posting comments on a short video platform about vaccines killing people.

Chinese Vaccine Given Multiple Negative Reviews

The CCP has used vaccine diplomacy and made it easier for foreigners to get visas in order to receive Chinese made vaccines. But in many countries, the rate of COVID-19 infections have increased rather than decreased after the use of Chinese vaccines.

In Chile, for example, 35 percent of the population was vaccinated with Sinovac, but the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased. As of April 22, more than 1.14 million people have been diagnosed in Chile, which has a population of 18 million.

A recent study by the University of Chile found that a single dose of Sinovac vaccine is only 3 percent effective in the 28 days between the first and second doses, meaning that the first dose has almost no effect, and people who received the first dose were just as vulnerable to infection as those who didnt receive any vaccine.

According to the study, within the first two weeks of getting the second Sinovac shot, the vaccines efficacy was only 27.7 percent. Two or more weeks after the second dose, the efficacy rate rose to 56.5 percent.

In Brazil, the Instituto Butantan published results of a Sinovac phase 3 clinical study on April 11, showing an efficacy rate of only 50.4 percent, which is similar to the Chilean study.

And according to a Peruvian media, the efficacy of Sinovacs two vaccines were only 33 percent and 11.5 percent in a local phase 3 clinical trial.

Meanwhile, in Asia, Pakistan, which has close ties to the CCP, started administering Chinese vaccines beginning in February. But the countrys recent infection rate jumped to 11 percent, the highest level since the outbreak began in 2020. Pakistans President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan both tested positive for the CCP virus after receiving the Sinovac vaccine.

Top Chinese Health Official Admits Low Efficacy of Domestic Vaccines

On April 10, Gao Fu, director of the CCPs Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publicly admitted that the protection efficiency of Chinas existing vaccines is not high while attending a seminar in Chengdu. He said they are investigating two solutions. One is to increase the dose or adjust the inoculation time interval. The second is to consider mixing vaccines developed with different technologies.

The following day, in an interview with the CCPs mouthpiece Global Times, Gao tried to correct his statement, saying that the hype resulting over his admission that Chinese vaccine protection rate is low was a complete misunderstanding. However, Wang Huaqing, the chief expert of the CDCs immunization program, didnt deny Gaos initial statement when answering reporters questions at a State Council press conference on the same day.

Officials Claim to Correct Compulsory Vaccination, But Entire Military Must Still Be Vaccinated

The efficacy and safety of Chinese vaccines are widely questioned, and Chinese people are reluctant to take them. However, the CCP has used a carrot-and-stick approach to push domestic vaccines. They promise people free eggs, flour, coupons, and even cash to entice them to get vaccinated. Those who refuse to take vaccines face various disguised punishments.

Faced with public pressure at home and abroad, Mi Feng, spokesperson for the CCPs National Health Commission, felt obliged to respond on April 11, saying, Compulsory vaccination for all people must be resolutely corrected. Its an indirect acknowledgement of the CCPs efforts of making vaccination compulsory.

Back in June 2020, Chinese armed forces received approval from the CCPs military commission for emergency use of a special vaccine called Convidecia. This is an adenovirus vector vaccine developed by the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences and CanSino Biologics Inc. Only one dose is said to be required. On Feb. 25 of this year, Convidecia received official approval from the CCP for conditional use. After 14 days of one-dose injections, without providing any clinical data, officials claimed that the vaccine had an overall efficacy of 68.83 percent.

A few days after Mi Feng made his statement about compulsory vaccination for all people needing to be resolutely corrected, the Chinese military announced that all troops should be vaccinated. An article published on April 16 by the Peoples Liberation Army Daily quoted military prevention and control experts as saying that military personnel, as a group that needs to perform various tasks at any time, should have all personnel vaccinated, except for certain contraindications.

In a recent interview with The Epoch Times, Li Yanming, a U.S.-based commentator and China expert said, Even the CCPs top health officials have publicly acknowledged that Chinese vaccines are ineffective and their safety has been questioned, with deaths and forced injections reported at home and abroad. Now they are asking all the troops to be vaccinated. Chinese lives are indeed worthless.
Power prices will fall for hundreds of thousands of people from July 1 as energy generation costs continue to fall.

The default market offer for NSW households will fall by $102 a year, $116 in South Australia and $53 in south-east Queensland.

Retail power prices are set to fall following a determination by the Australian Energy Regulator to reduce the default market offer for NSW households by $!02 a year. Credit:Paul Rovere

The Default Market Offer is a cap on prices retailers can charge customers. While many retailers also have cheaper deals, there are 727,000 electricity customers on a standing offer in NSW, Queensland and South Australia who will benefit from the rate reduction. Victoria is not covered by the determination and sets its own default market offer.

The reduction comes on the back of falling wholesale electricity costs, which make up around a third of household energy bills. In Victoria, wholesale prices fell 68 per cent, from $79 per megawatt-hour in the first quarter last year to $25/MWh for the same period this year. NSW prices fell 55 per cent over the same time, from $86/MWh to $38/MWh.
A woman in Illinois has been found guilty in a case of 'revenge porn' where she showed off inappropriate pictures of another woman to prove her fiance was cheating.

Bethany Austin, 43, of Island Lake was found guilty of the nonconsensual dissemination of sexual images, a Class 4 felony that violated state law, on Monday in McHenry County Court.

The woman, free on bond, could be sentenced to either probation or one to three years in prison on June 24.

In 2016, Austin was engaged to a man, Matthew Rychlik, who she had dated for more than seven years.

Bethany Austin, 43, has been found guilty of nonconesensual dissemination of a sexual image, which could result in a jail sentence of up to three years when she is sentenced in June

One day, however, Austin discovered text messages and illicit photos sent by another woman to her fiance on their shared Apple iCloud account.

'I was doing my quizzes for school on the iPad and pictures started popping up,' Austin said during testimony.

Rychlik denied having an affair after being confronted, which led to the couple breaking up and calling off their wedding.

Rychlik allegedly called Austin 'crazy,' which led her to share the photos months after the break-up, along with a four-page letter, to family members and friends.

Austin admitted to sending the photos, but testified in the trial-by-judge last week that she was not aware she had broken the law.

'I decided to tell people the truth,' Austin said in Friday's testimony, according to the Daily Herald.

Judge Michael Coppedge said that 'exposing a persons body against her will fundamentally denies that person of their right to privacy' in his ruling

'I wanted them to know that I wasn't crazy,' she added.

After discovering the letter and photos, Rychlik filed a report with the Crystal Lake Police Department.

The victim told the police that the pictures were only intended to be seen by the man she sent them to.

Austin's defense attorney argued that there was reasonable doubt as to who the person was in the photos she allegedly shared.

He also argued that Austin had the 'right to defend her reputation' against her fiance's character assailing.

'The state apparently thinks that [Austin] has to sit by and not let anybody know what he was doing to her,' defense attorney Wayne Giampietro said during Monday's closing arguments.

The judge, however, ruled that Austin violated the anonymous woman's expectation of privacy and could've sent the letter without including the illicit pictures.

'It is wrong because exposing a persons body against her will fundamentally denies that person of their right to privacy,' Circuit Judge Michael Coppedge said, according to the Chicago Tribune.

'She could have said exactly what she wanted to say in the letter,' added McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney Kyle Bruett.

A different judge originally threw out the charge against Austin in 2018, claiming the state's law criminalizing the dissemination of private sexual images violated free speech laws.

The Illinois Supreme Court overruled that decision later in the year, however, before it wound its way back through the courts, according to the Daily Herald.
An employee of a quarantine hotel in northern Vietnam tested positive for the novel coronavirus after having direct contact with four Indian COVID-19 patients who had arrived in the country earlier this month.

The 63-year-old Vietnamese man works for Nhu Nguyet 2 Hotel, which has been functioning as a quarantine facility for international arrivals.

He came into direct contact with four Indian nationals who were then confirmed as COVID-19 patients No. 2,786, 2,811, 2,812, and 2,831, according to the provincial Department of Health.

Patients No. 2,786, 2,811, 2,812, and 2,831 are among a group of Indian experts and their family members who landed in Vietnam on April 18.

This group included 11 people.

All of them were quarantined at Nhu Nguyet 2 Hotel upon their arrival by plane.

As of Monday, the remaining seven members of the group had tested negative for the novel coronavirus four times.

The hotel employee, along with a Vietnamese health worker, underwent their second COVID-19 tests on Monday.

The results showed that the hotel employee was positive for the novel coronavirus, while the health worker tested negative.

The hotel staff has been brought to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi for treatment.

The Ministry of Health, however, has yet to confirm him as a COVID-19 patient.

The Yen Bai health department advised residents to remain calm as all patients and their direct contacts have been strictly quarantined in accordance with regulations.

Vietnam has documented 2,852 COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday morning, with 2,852 recoveries and 35 deaths, according to the health ministry.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
As unpredictable developments of COVID-19 transmission in neighboring countries pose an immense threat to Vietnam, Nguyen Thanh Long, the Southeast Asian nations Minister of Health, called for escalation of epidemiological measures as well as strict maintenance of COVID-19 prevention protocols in public.

The statement was made by Minister Long during a meeting with the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control of the southern city of Can Tho on Monday.

Looming outbreak threat

The minister reinforced the intensity of the current COVID-19 situation, especially for southwest areas that adjoin Cambodia, a neighboring country that on Sunday saw its daily death toll from the virus rise to an all-time high of 10 victims.

In light of the emerging threats, the Ministry of Health has sent five cohorts to southwest provinces and cities to guide and fortify coronavirus prevention work on site.

The ministry has warned that the possibility of a fourth outbreak cannot be taken off the table, with the third starting to hit the country in January this year and the remaining happening last year.

For Can Tho City, a hotspot area where many paths for cargo transportation and passenger travel cross, Long also suggested strict compliance with the 5K recommendations, namely 'Khau trang' (face mask donning) - 'Khu khuan' (disinfection) - 'Khoang cach' (distancing) - 'Khong tu tap' (no gathering) - 'Khai bao y te' (health declaration).

After Phnom Penh and other locales of Cambodia reinstated social distancing, Can Tho is recommended to pre-empt a large wave of Vietnamese repatriates coming to the city via both legal and illegal routes.

They may carry the pathogen back into Vietnam and trigger another outbreak, the ministry cautioned.

Hence, the city is prioritizing fending off illegal entrants via diligent border monitoring.

As per the Ministry of Healths observation, a concerning number of residents, as well as officials, are negligent of the COVID-19 prevention guidelines, forming big crowds in public and failing to wear face masks.

Transmission risks also come from inbound travelers who arrive at Can Tho International Airport as foreign experts or Vietnamese returnees.

For this reason, the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control is required to reassess all scenarios, while outlining high-risk areas correctly to perform mass testing if needed and avoiding disruption of civilian business operations.

The city should augment the capacity of quarantine centers by both expanding current facilities and introducing new ones at commune and ward levels.

Reintroducing fast responses

Reporting to the minister, Nguyen Phuoc Ton, deputy managing director of the Can Tho Department of Health, affirmed that the city is rolling out urgent measures in response to the complicated developments of the pandemic in Cambodia, which shares a border with the locale.

The local health authority has reactivated the fast response system, which was first introduced during the earlier outbreaks in 2020 and involves teams of doctors, public health experts, and officers who take charge of contact tracing, fumigation, and other on-site tasks to curb transmission in high-risk areas, Ton said.

Since the virus first hit Vietnam in January 2020, the city has implemented screened and tested 12,605 cases at high risk of infection, using the real time-PCR technique, he added.

Can Tho only has as yet recorded ten cases of coronavirus infection, all of whom have fully recovered.

In another prevention effort, the city has founded 2,833 community-based prevention teams, which enlists local dwellers as watchdogs of COVID-19 threats from within the community and newcomers in their residential areas.

The municipal Department of Health is striving to maintain other operations, including contact tracing, area outlining, quarantining, and testing for cases at risk of transmission.

Raising test capacity

Luong Ngoc Khue, director of the Administration of Medical Examination and Treatment under the Ministry of Health, requires Can Tho to scan all medical facilities and close those unqualified as per COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

Hospitals must strictly comply with medical screening and testing to identify the pathogen in the community, as well as assisting other provinces in the region when necessary.

Phan Trong Lan, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute, commended Can Tho for their progress in medical screening, with three facilities qualified to confirm COVID-19 test results.

However, the city should continue to boost their proficiency in testing and set up more quarantine centers.

Can Thos capacity for COVID-19 testing is floating around 700 samples per day.

As of Tuesday morning, Vietnam has documented 2,852 cases, with 2,516 recoveries and 35 deaths.

Meanwhile, the pandemic situation in neighboring countries has become increasingly complicated.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Cambodia has surged to nearly 10,000, with daily spikes recorded in the hundreds, while its fatalities have risen to 74.

Thailands tally has increased to 55,460, with 140 deaths, whereas Laos has locked down its capital to prevent transmission.

In light of these developments, the Ho Chi Minh City administration has called off all fireworks displays that were previously planned for the celebration of this years Reunification Day (April 30).

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
his is not Communism, it is Technocracy. Technocrats in China are spreading their web of control into every nation where they can get away with it. Now Western Canada has succumbed and allowed the tyrannical surveillance systems to infiltrate its social fabric.  TN Editor

By

Chinas Orwellian social credit system that records the social and financial behaviour of individuals and corporations across China, using a vast surveillance system, has expanded globally, and is now openly operational at the renowned Haidilao hot pot restaurant, in Western Canada.

Ryan Pan, a manager with Haidilao Hot Pot in Vancouver confirmed that over 60 surveillance cameras have been installed in the restaurant at the request of the Haidilao corporation, as part of the social credit system in China. He said that the Vancouver location has 30 tables with two cameras assigned to each table.

When asked specifically why Haidilao required so many cameras to monitor staff and patrons, Ryan Pan said that the cameras were installed to punish staff if they didnt adhere to corporate standards and to people track. Pan also said that the video is sent back to China but declined to say why this was, other than to say the reason for this was secret.

Founded in Sichuan, China, the Haidilao opened up at two locations in the Vancouver region, the most recent of which was opened in 2018 in a former Swiss Chalet restaurant in the trendy Kitsilano district of Vancouver. The location is within walking distance of the home rented by Huawei for staff temporarily re-located to Vancouver to assist Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer (CFO) of the telecom giant. Following her arrest and hearing over a provisional US extradition request for fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud in order to circumvent US sanctions against Iran. The Haidilao location is no more than 10 minutes to Meng Wanzhous mansion and the Peoples Republic of China Consulate. Haidilao has over 935 locations around the world and more than 36 million VIP members and 60,000 plus staff.

We reached out to Ivy Li, with the Canadian Friends of Hong Kong, who is a well-known public speaker, writer and activist on matters related to China and pro-democracy, to ask why Canadians should be concerned that Chinas social credit system is now operational in Canada.

Ivy, who was born and raised in Hong Kong, had this to say in response: Not only ethnic Chinese Canadians and residents, and businesses with Chinese ties are put at risk, but the privacy and safety of all Canadians and our society are compromised. Customers at a popular ethnic cuisine restaurant, especially in an upscale area, could be diplomats and politicians entertaining their guests, CEOs discussing their business strategies, professionals talking about company projects, journalists conducting interviews, etc., etc. Dinners discuss a wide range of subjects, especially after a couple of wine. The dining table in a popular restaurant is one of the best places to eavesdrop on someone and to get the pulse of a society.

CHINAS SOCIAL CREDIT SYSTEM

Chinas social credit system was officially rolled out nationwide in 2014 with a plan to build trust in the marketplace and broader society. According to a report by USA Congressional Research Service (CRS) in 2020, Chinas social credit system has developed into two connected but distinct systems: a system for monitoring individual behaviour, still in early pilot stages, and a more robust system for monitoring corporate behaviour.

The deadline for implementing Chinas social credit system was 2020 when it became mandatory for all Chinese citizens to be enrolled in the national database and rated with a social score based on different behaviours; these social scores are then used to punish or reward. Praise the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on social media and you will be given a higher score, potentially leading to benefits such as priority for school admissions, free gym services, shorter wait times at hospitals and other benefits. Illegally protest against the CCP, forget to pay your utility bill, or knowingly associate with another individual who has a low score, and you might be restricted in accessing public services, excluded from taking transportation, or perhaps your children will be denied entry into the best schools.

A similar model is applied to businesses in China called the Corporate Social Credit System (CSCS) designed to create a single, standardized reputation system for local and foreign firms alike. The system touches on virtually all aspects of a companys business operations in China by assessing company performance, making sure they pay their taxes, uphold standard of service and other market entities. Based on their rating, Chinese authorities will reward or punish businesses that can result in penalty fees, higher inspection rates and possibly even blacklisting. Companies receiving a high corporate social credit score could result in better tax rate, market access and possibly being placed on what is known as a redlist.

That is inside China. What isnt clear is how Chinas social credit system impacts overseas Chinese living in Canada who work for companies with ties to China who are required to be a part of CSCS. Will the behaviours and actions taken by individuals working in Canada for Chinese companies impact the score of relatives or other employees inside China? Its not inconceivable that a person protesting in Canada about human rights abuses in China, may not be hired by a Chinese owned company because they have been blacklisted by Chinas social credit system, even if they live in Canada. What about the impact of Chinas social credit system on Canadian employment laws, privacy, and human rights laws?

We know that China has already started to move forward with the creation of an English language corporate social credit system version by Xinhua Credit for non-Chinese firms.

International brands are already punished if they step out of line in and out of China. They must either stay silent or actively support Chinas policies if they want future access to the Chinese market. We saw the NBAs Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted in support of the Hong Kong protests and ultimately was forced to apologize. More recently, the boycott of H&M and other Western brands in China after they spoke out against forced labour in the cotton industry in the Xinjiang region of China. There is already a punishment-based system for corporations that dont comply with the CCP regime regardless of compliance with Chinas CSCS.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Standing side by side as a friend and partner, Bahrain has joined international efforts to help India in its fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19). As the country suffers critical oxygen shortages amid a devastating surge in COVID cases, the Kingdom is sending medical equipment and oxygen to India.

The Cabinet, during yesterdays weekly remote meeting chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, expressed Bahrains support to India in its time of need.

In a show of solidarity with the people of India, the Cabinet extended sincere condolences to its government and citizens following the deaths of COVID-19 patients.
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A former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has decried the alleged complacency of the Nigerian government in its handling of bandits and kidnappers.

Mr Abubakar spoke in reaction to the abduction of some students of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue state, Sunday night.

According to students who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES, their colleagues were abducted at gunpoint. Two of the students are from the department of electrical electronics and department of science education.

The school authorities and the police in the state have both confirmed the attack.

In a series of tweets on Tuesday, the former vice president, who lost the presidential tussle to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, said kidnapping of students must not be allowed to become our new normal.

Darkness Awaits Us If We Do Not End The Attacks on Our Citadels of Learning. The abduction of yet an unspecified number of undergraduates of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, is one abduction too many.  Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) April 27, 2021

It is time for us as a nation to face the reality that we have an emergency on our hands. A catastrophe that must be decisively dealt with before it snowballs into an existential crisis, he wrote.

We must stop treating these acts of criminality with kid gloves. Enough is enough! There must be the safety of lives and property in our citadels of learning.

Without it, there would be a loss of confidence in the sector, which will result in low enrolment rates in a country that is already the world headquarters for out of school children.

This is all the more reason why I have maintained in the past that impunity must give way to punitive measures. When criminals profit from their criminality, crime will increase.

The only response from all governments in Nigeria to acts of abduction, kidnapping and unlawful detention of persons ought to be to bring the full weight of the law on the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.

Once these criminals have clarity on what awaits them should they toe such evils paths, then their audacity to commit evil will be weakened, and gradually, this ugly chapter in our national life will become a thing of the past.

State of emergency

He also renewed his earlier call for a state of emergency to be declared in the education sector and for 24 hour armed guards to be posted at all schools in the affected states.

This newspaper reported how 239 were killed, 44 kidnapped in separate incidents last week.
Vaccination registration for anyone older than 16 will open on Thursday

Russians ask for samples of Sputnik V vaccines for testing.

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Our paywall policy: The Slovak Spectator has decided to make all the articles on the special measures, statistics and basic information about the coronavirus available to everyone. If you appreciate our work and would like to support good journalism, please buy our subscription. We believe this is an issue where accurate and fact-based information is important for people to cope.

Anyone older than 16 years of age will be able to register for Covid vaccination from Thursday, April 29, said Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky (OLaNO nominee) during the political talk show Na Telo Plus.

People will register via the virtual waiting room. Currently, the system allows for the registration of people older than 40, plus some special groups including healthcare employees, nursing homes staff, in-field workers and people working at mobile testing sites.

The vaccination strategy originally stipulated that the bottom limit for vaccination will be 18 years, but Lengvarsky said that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has already approved the administration of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines also to people older than 16.

New ordinance in pipeline

Warnings sounded over low vaccination uptake among elderly Read more

People who register via the online system will receive an appointment based on their age or disease.

It will not be possible to choose the vaccine yet, mostly given the current state of supplies, Lengvarsky explained. Slovakia should receive 1 million Pfizer vaccines by the end of May.

The minister has previously said that anyone who wants to be vaccinated should be able to get a jab by the end of June.

Slovakia is currently administering vaccines by Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca. Although the Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been delivered to Slovakia as well, the roll-out has not started.

The ministry is working on a new ordinance that will allow for the vaccination of people who accompany those older than 70 to vaccination.

People suffering from various chronic diseases should also be given preference in the system. The changes are expected to become effective on May 1, though they have not been approved.

Sputnik V returning to Russia for more tests

Slovakia has also received the batches of the Russian vaccines Sputnik V, which have not been registered by EMA, but Lengvarsky does not expect them to be administered for at least fanother month.

Will the agreement on Sputnik V be published? Producer has no objections Read more

The reason is that the Russians have asked for the return of the vaccines samples currently in Slovakia, so that they can be checked in their own labs.

Russia will take altogether 600 vaccines samples, 300 from the first batch and 300 from the second one, on April 29, Lengvarsky added.

The final decision on administering the vaccines will be made only after these tests are completed, he said.

Read more about the coronavirus developments in Slovakia:

27. Apr 2021 at 17:56 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Statement by Ambassador Byrne Nason at UNSC Briefing on The situation in Abyei/UNISFA

Statement

Thank you very much indeed Mr. President.

And I want to Thank you Under-Secretary-General Mr. Jean Pierre Lacroix and Special Envoy for your briefings this morning.

Mr President

Ireland welcomes the continued improvement in bilateral relations between Sudan and South Sudan. South Sudans contribution to the conclusion of the Juba Peace Agreement was a welcome recent bright spot in a turbulent period for the region, and it is evidence also of how good relations between South Sudan and Sudan can contribute to peace and security in the Horn. I very much welcome that both representatives of both countries are here with us today. And I also want to welcome Ambassador Taye of Ethiopia amongst us.

Mr President

However, this progress now needs to be felt in Abyei. A key aim for both parties must be to ensure the protection and security of the people of Abyei and their access to the basic public services. Political engagement on the establishment of joint interim institutions such as the Abyei Police is critical.

Were worried about the incidents of local level violence and disruptions to humanitarian assistance, as set out this morning by Under Secreary General Lacroix. impact but there have been positive signs. But there have been positive signs.. That both the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities took part in the February 2021 Peace Conference shows that on the ground, some progress is possible.

We strongly welcome the participation of women from both sides in the Forum. It was powerful to see that they crossed community lines in order to stand together to denounce violence and call for peace. As those with experience of building peace know, peace is a process not a moment and I will never tire of saying it, the participation of women is fundamental and critical. I also believe that the commitments by both communities to engage further on peaceful transhumance is very important.

In the context of improving bilateral relations, it is regrettable that we have not seen a stronger engagement in the joint structures and mechanisms. These are key for an agreement on the final status for Abyei and the demarcation of the border. Steps such as holding a meeting of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee and forming the joint team to investigate the attacks in Nai-Nai and Kolom in January 2020 would help.

Mr President,

We thank Ethiopia for its contribution to the peacekeeping mission. Of course, we cannot simply view the situation in Abyei in a vacuum. Relations between Ethiopia and Sudan are at a sensitive moment. We urge calm and restraint and for Ethiopia and Sudan to resolve their differences through dialogue.

As the Secretary General has indicated, the security situation in Abyei is tense and unpredictable. The reports of intercommunal violence are troubling. In that context, any dramatic shift in the make-up of the UNISFA force would not be in the best interests of the people or stability of Abyei.

As always, the role of the region is crucial in Abyei, as it is on the Al Fashaga border, in the GERD disputes and elsewhere. The communique of the African Union Peace and Security Council last November on the situation in Abyei is a welcome one. Enhanced efforts by the African Union to promote political mediations will be very important.

Ireland echoes, Mr President, the three key calls of the UNSG. First, we call for the appointment of a civilian deputy head of mission for UNISFA. Second, we call on Sudan to grant outstanding visa requests for UN police personnel; the UNISFA police component currently operates with less than 8 percent of its authorised strength. While the recent granting of some visas is welcome, short of the setting up of the joint police force, more visas will need to be granted. Third, we call for the operationalisation of the Athony airstrip, which is crucial for MEDEVAC. We also support the Secretary-Generals recommendation to deploy more human rights expertise to UNISFA.

Finally, Mr President, let me reiterate, a longer term more sustainable solution in Abyei is needed and we call on all parties to strive to continue to achieve that. We commend UNISFA for the work it is doing, in extremely challenging circumstances and we support the extension of UNISFAs mandate for a further six months.

 Previous Item | Next Item 
By Lee Seong-hyon





"Democracy is not Coca-Cola that promises the same taste everywhere in the world," Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said (Xinhua, April 24). In short, Wang is calling for a "pluralism" of democracies, departing from the universal norm that China sees essentially as constructed by the West. When China says "the West," it is often an indicator of the United States. This narrative is part of China's recent campaign to undermine the U.S.' hitherto indomitable soft power to define universal values, institutions and normative discourses.



One of the ways to read China's strategic direction to establish a new world order toward the "Chinese Dream" (zhongguo meng) is to explore China's national discourse and its slogans, like the aforementioned one. We should pay attention, read between the lines and contextualize the lexicon within the Chinese political landscape and according to what we know of Chinese statecraft.



For example, during the reign of Xi Jinping's predecessor Hu Jintao, China's national strategy slogan was "Peaceful Rise" (heping jueqi). But the Chinese government and the state media quietly revised it to "Peaceful Development" (heping fazhan), when some observers raised the question of whether the term "rise" implies "seeking hegemony."



"Peaceful Rise" is a discourse widely known to be part of China's external strategy. But there is one somewhat less discussed: the expression "democratization of international relations." This expression warrants study because it has been used widely during Xi's era.



The term "democratization" is a very familiar term in South Korea's public discourses, as the nation has literally been undergoing a "democratization" transition since 1987, after decades of military dictatorships. Yet it is also necessary to know how China has been using this expression strategically.



For example, when Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the U.S.-China conflict in September 2020, he said that the U.S. should comply with the trend of the "democratization of international relations," and should resolve the bilateral conflict. Here, the same phrase, "democratization of international relations," was used.



During a recent phone conversation with Joe Biden, Xi Jinping also said that the U.S. side should comply with the "global trend" (Xinhua Feb. 11), short of explicitly describing what he meant by that. Thus, there were debates among Chinese pundits over how to interpret Xi's words.



Eventually, the Communist Party's publication, The Guangming Daily, came forward to settle the dispute. The newspaper placed Xi's words immediately after the part that described the "democratization of international relations" (Mar. 24). It's a subtle yet clear marker for how to contextualize Xi's otherwise somewhat abstract expression. If we connect the dots, it means that, "The U.S. should accept the democratization of international relations, which is a global trend."



The "democratization of international relations" is a challenge to the existing international order led by the United States and a demand for change. In a speech at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in June 2018, Xi also stressed that the "democratization of international relations has already become an unstoppable trend."



As we peruse the Chinese government literature, we come to realize that this expression shows up in a consistent manner. Chinese state think tank scholars argue that the U.S. should accept the premise of the "democratization of international relations" in order for U.S.-China relations to be stabilized.



The term is also in line with another Chinese international relations term, "new type of major power relations" (xinxing daguo guanxi), which Xi Jinping proposed in 2013 to Barack Obama during their "no-tie" summit in California. At the summit, Xi famously declared that the Pacific Ocean is big enough to contain both the U.S. and China. It took a while for U.S. officials (even though some of them were seasoned sinologists) to realize that what Xi actually implied was that the U.S. should give up half of the Pacific.



Essentially, the terms, the "democratization of international relations" and a "new type of major power relations," insinuate that the U.S. should recognize China as an "equal" power, denying the sole supremacy of U.S. global hegemony. These terms are used to weaken the U.S. power to define international norms and standards, and to promote instead Chinese "discourse power" (hua yu quan) globally.



Some U.S. analysts believe that China is using these terms as a means of psychological warfare. Like China's other frequently used official phrases such as, "a community with a shared future for mankind," according to the argument, these innocuous expressions are used to bolster the communist-led ideological conformity that seeks to promote China's influence and discourse both domestically and abroad.





Lee Seong-hyon (sunnybbsfs@gmail.com), Ph.D., is the director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the Sejong Institute.


Australia is now witnessing the popularity of XAG drones on farms and grazing lands, with the aim to relieve the economic and environmental loss inflicted by weeds. While climate change and herbicide resistance might contribute to rampant growth of weeds, the traditional tools of managing weeds are starting to fail and even cause harm to earth.

New Hope of Beating Invasive Plants

African Lovegrass (ALG) is one of the invasive weed species originated from South Africa and introduced to Australia in the 20th century. They can rapidly take over a pasture and render the land worthless by wiping out native plants and animals. The invasion of lovegrass not only degrades the natural ecosystem, but also threatens the livelihood of farmers because livestock cannot survive without palatable grasses to eat. Controlling these competitive weeds remains a top challenge for Australia.

This March, XAG Australia has established partnership on an African Lovegrass (ALG) control program with the Australian registered charity Upper Snowy Landcare. A fleet of XAG Agricultural Drones were deployed to provide innovative solution on spraying the weeds with better precision and seeding the ALG-infested pasture in inaccessible areas. The project aims to leverage autonomous robots to minimise the use of herbicide, as well as restoring a healthy landscape against the regrowth of ALG.

Three trial sites, heavily invaded by ALG, have been set up in the Monaro region of New South Wales, Australia. Drone pilots from XAG mapped the fields on the smartphone with a remote sensing drone to identify all patches of ALG. At the first site, XAG agricultural drones loaded with herbicides were used to selectively spray isolated patches of African Lovegrass. The second site were treated by drones spraying between rows of tree plantation to remove weeds that would otherwise compete for water and nutrients.

At the third site where ALG was mechanically scalped, drones fitted with a special broadcast attachment evenly spread native grass seeds and shrubs to revegetate the bare ground. This helps to establish healthy pastures and further suppress the regrowth of hardy weeds.

"These trials demonstrate how drones can be used in difficult, inaccessible areas where traditional vehicles or helicopters are not suited," said Margaret Mckinnon, Chair of Upper Snowy Network. Previously, farmers heavily rely on boom sprayers to apply herbicides over a large area. This has led to chemical overuse and the development of herbicide-resistant weeds.

Drone could be a safe, cost-effective, and sustainable method of weed control to reduce the negative impacts of yield loss and land degradation. In trials with African Lovegrass, XAG's agricultural drones carried a 16L liquid tank and flew very low to accurately spray the selected target area in appropriate dose. Only patches infested with lovegrass were sprayed to greatly cut down the use of herbicides.

Outcomes would be measured in terms of ALG regrowth and vegetation recovery rates with on-ground surveys over the ensuing six months.

Robots Come to Farmers' Rescue

In Australia, weed is the most economically destructive type of invasive species. In addition to causing biodiversity loss, it has wreaked havoc on grain crops and posed major risks to food security. According to Australia's Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, the annual cost of weeds incurred by the agricultural industry is estimated at $4 billion.

New technologies such as autonomous drones and AI are expected to enhance the country's capacity to manage weeds cheaper and more effectively. With the enforcement of Australian Weeds Strategy 2017-2027, it has become a strategic priority to seek for innovative solutions to reduce the detrimental impacts of weeds.

Since 2013, XAG has been promoting the use of drones in agriculture to help farmers manage their fields with less manual labour. Its Australian team has dived deep to test the accuracy of drones on spraying weeds, as the recklessness of using herbicides sprayed by a boom brings up national concerns.

Herbicide is the most commonly used effective way for controlling weeds. But the incident of spray drift, also referred to off-target hazard, could happen when applying chemicals onto the weeds. This would contaminate the neighbouring crops and put native plants and animals at risks of poison.

The selection of equipment matters when it comes to reducing spray drift. The autonomous drones developed by XAG has demonstrated its ability to follow predetermined flight route and precisely spray weeds on the target. Compared with ground vehicle and helicopter, drone is a much more lightweight, sophisticated type of robot for killing weeds without crops being damaged.

As the benefits of this versatile flying robot unfolded, more and more Australian farmers are embracing new technology for their pasture and grain fields. Agricultural drone is making its way as a sustainable approach to counter the increasing threat from weeds.

About XAG

Founded in 2007, XAG is a technology company and the world's largest agricultural drone maker. It is devoted to advancing agriculture that can sustainably feed the world's growing population with positive social impact on earth. XAG's vision is to build the infrastructure of agriculture for the next 100 years, that will provide the world with sufficient, diversified, and safe food. To grow more nutritious food with minimal ecological footprint on earth, XAG has designed the three-pillar smart agriculture solutions that innovatively integrate drones, unmanned ground vehicles, internet-of-things, and artificial intelligence.

Read more: https://www.xa.com/en/news

SOURCE XAG

Related Links

www.xa.com


New Delhi: A curfew has been imposed in Uttarakhand's Haridwar, Roorkee, Laksar and Bhagwanpur from Wednesday (April 28) till 5 am of May 3.

Only essential services will be allowed for the duration of the 'corona curfew', soon after the last 'Shahi Snan' of the Kumbh Mela was over.

Uttarakhand | In view of the current COVID19 situation, 'corona curfew' to be imposed in Haridwar, Roorkee, Laksar, Bhagwanpur from tomorrow till 5am of 3rd May: DM Haridwar  ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2021

On Tuesday, the last 'shahi snan' at Haridwar's Kumbh Mela was a subdued affair with seers keeping the ritual 'symbolic' in view of a nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases.

Till the conclusion of the royal bath, nearly 2,000 seers of 13 'akhadas' took a dip in the Ganga at Har Ki Pairi ghat which was reserved for them, PTI reported.

Meanwhile, 96 people succumbed to the coronavirus infection in the state even as 5,703 cases were reported on Tuesday. It is the highest single-day count since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.

The infection has killed 2,309 in the state, which has reported 1,62,562 so far, a Health Department bulletin said.

There are 43,032 active cases in the state while 1,13,736 people have recovered from the infection so far, the bulletin said.
Washington: The US Department of Justice in Puerto Rico has announced a record-breaking cocaine bust after officials seized a submarine in Caribbean waters.

Officials captured a 15.8-metre-long, 2.4-metre-wide semi-submersible carrying 2500 kilograms of cocaine worth about $US75 million ($96 million), US Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico Stephen Muldrow said.

US Coast Guard members board a self-propelled semi-submersible in international waters in 2019. A new narco sub has been intercepted on its way to Puerto Rico. Credit:US Coast Guard/AP

The vessel had allegedly left Colombias northern coast with the goal of unloading its cargo in Puerto Rico. The submersible and three Colombian crewmen were detained by the US Coast Guard about 24 kilometres north of South America on April 8 and the men were indicted April 14. But the Department of Justice announced the bust Monday (Tuesday AEST).

Semi-submersible and fully-submersible drug-trafficking vessels are captured off the Pacific Coast of Central America frequently, but its unusual for such a craft to be intercepted in the Caribbean, Muldrow said.
Boris Johnson has launched a Whitehall savings drive as he looks to shore up the UK's creaking public finances and learn the lessons from the coronavirus crisis.

The Prime Minister has fired the starting pistol on a cross-Government 'savings and efficiency review'.

He has instructed all of his Cabinet ministers that they must take part, asking them to identify where their departments can save cash.

It comes after official statistics published last week laid bare the damage done by the pandemic to the UK's finances as national debt continues to climb above 2.1trillion amid record borrowing.

Boris Johnson, pictured in Llandudno in Wales yesterday, has launched a Whitehall savings drive as he looks to shore up the UK's creaking public finances and learn the lessons from the coronavirus crisis

Mr Johnson set out his plans for the efficiency review this morning as he held his weekly Cabinet meeting.

The findings will feed into the official Spending Review which is due to take place later this year.

Downing Street said: 'The Prime Minister highlighted that departments are being asked to take part in a savings and efficiency review ahead of the Spending Review later this year.

'The purpose is to learn the lessons from the last year in how we can run services more efficiently and ensure that we focus our high levels of spending on our key priorities. This is a standard part of the Spending Review process.'

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman told reporters that departments are not being given targets as part of the savings drive.

The spokesman said: There isnt a specific amount being requested from departments.

But there is a letter that is being sent from the Prime Minister which has been sent to the Cabinet.

The review comes after the Office for National Statistics revealed last week that public sector borrowing was more than 300billion in 2020/21, hitting a level not seen since the end of the Second World War.

Public sector net debt continues to climb above 2.1trillion - maintaining levels last seen in the early 1960s

Public sector net borrowing in the year ending March 2021 reached a level last seen at the end of World War Two

The net borrowing figure of 303.1billion is some 246.1billion more than was borrowed in the previous financial year.

It is the highest number recorded for any financial year since records began back in 1947.

Meanwhile, the data put the UK's public sector debt at 2.141trillion at the end of March this year.

That equates to almost 98 per cent of UK gross domestic product, keeping debt at levels not seen since the early 1960s.
At first glance, it seems clear that the organizers of Cal State Bakersfields new COVID-19 Vaccine Hub are deadly serious about stopping the 
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Mogadishu, Somalia (PANA) - The UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) issued a statement on Tuesday, alongside international partners, strongly condemning an outbreak of violence in the capital, Mogadishu, and urging all sides to exercise maximum restraint, resume dialogue, and avoid unilateral actions that may lead to a further escalation
Farooq Ishaq Ahmed, 57, was jailed for two and a half years at Leeds Crown Court after admitting two counts of assisting an offender

A father has been jailed for trying to help his two sons try to flee the country - hours after they stabbed a rival to death in a revenge attack over drugs.

Farooq Ishaq Ahmed, 57, attempted to help his sons, Omar Ishaq and Kearon Barker, escape the country on a ferry after the attack.

Five hours earlier, Ishaq, 34, and Barker, 31, stabbed a man to death in the street in a revenge murder relating to a dispute over drugs.

A court previously heard how Barker distracted the victim, 40-year-old Keith Harrower, while Ishaq approached him from behind and thrust a knife into his neck.

Harrower, 40, died within an hour of the attack in Beeston, Leeds, in December 2019.

The brothers were jailed for a combined total of 44 years in February following a trial. Their father was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

During a three-week murder trial, the court heard that Barker had been in charge of a drug supply line in Leeds and that Mr Harrower told friends he had robbed people involved in the supply of hundreds of pounds.

The father-of-five contacted Barker and was lured to an area believing he was going to buy drugs.

The two brothers lay in wait for Mr Harrower before launching their fatal attack.

It was heard that in the immediate aftermath of the attack in Leeds on December 12, 2019, the father drove his two sons to Hull, East Yorkshire, to escape the country by ferry.

As Ahmed drove, Barker and Ishaq made frantic internet searches for last-minute journeys across the North Sea, including 'Hull to Amsterdam ferries tonight' and 'how can I get to Amsterdam?'

Automatic number plate recognition cameras picked up the trio's vehicle entering King George Dock in Hull at 10.41pm but returning from the area within minutes.

Ahmed, 57, attempted to help his sons, Omar Ishaq (left) and Kearon Barker (right), out of the country on a ferry just hours after they had stabbed a man to death in a dispute over drugs

They had arrived at the dock too late for the ferry, it was heard, and Ahmed dropped his sons off in the city before returning home alone.

Barker's phone was used to make internet searches for accommodation near the ferry port and the pair were seen on CCTV entering a hotel.

The internet searches changed after the brothers realised that one of them did not have a passport, prompting one of them to search 'is provisional licence ID okay for ferry to Amsterdam'.

The brothers eventually abandoned the plan to flee the country and returned to Leeds by taxi in the early hours of the morning.

Barker was arrested at his partner's home in Leeds around 6am that day and Ishaq was arrested at his father's home, also in Leeds, two days later.

Ahmed was yesterday sentenced to two and half years behind bars after pleading guilty to two counts of assisting an offender.

Sentencing Ahmed, Judge Rodney Jameson QC said: 'It is not suggested that you had any connection of any kind with the murder of Keith Harrower, which seems to have been something to do with drug dealing.

'Your sons contacted you within about 35 minutes of the killing and within a couple of hours you had met up.'

Barker distracted Keith Harrower (pictured) while Ishaq stabbed him in the neck from behind

Judge Jameson told Ahmed he was sentencing him on the basis that his offending was carried out over a period of around five hours after the killing.

He added: 'It was only five hours from end to end, essentially, but the other side of that particular coin is that your assistance did not need to be for long.

'If your sons had managed to get on a ferry that night it would have achieved results.'

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Emma Winfield, of West Yorkshire Police, said: 'Farooq Ishaq Ahmed was involved in determined efforts to help his sons flee the country and escape justice over the murder of Keith Harrower.

'There can be absolutely no justification for his actions.

'His sons are both serving life sentences for the murder, and we hope that his conviction and sentence will provide some further reassurance to Keith's family and serve as a warning to others.'
Today, being very aware of the continuing affliction of institutional and structural racism as well as the daily realities of all forms of bias, prejudice and bigotry in my own life, I take this pledge, I pledge to look deeply and continuously in my heart and in my mind to identify all signs and vestiges of racism; and to expand my consciousness to be more aware and sensitive to my use of overt and subtle expressions of racism and racial stereotypes, the pledge reads in part.
For Pennsylvania, the official word that its population growth continues to lag behind the nations marks the 10th consecutive decade the Keystone State has lost clout in Congress and presidential contests.

The state has become one of the most important presidential battlegrounds but will have one fewer electoral vote to offer candidates in the next election  from 20 to 19  and it will have one less representative in the U.S. House, setting up the usually bare-knuckled political exercise of redrawing district boundaries.

The U.S. Census confirmed Pennsylvanias loss of a seat Monday, and released figures showing that Pennsylvanias resident population crept to just over 13 million last year  13,002,700 to be precise  from 12.7 million in 2010, a gain of 2.4%

Thats far behind the nations population growth of 7.4%. The lagging population growth relative to other states also could mean Pennsylvania will see a reduced share of federal money for Medicaid, social programs and infrastructure.

Thats particularly bad news for the states growing transportation needs amid a deepening stalemate over financing its highways and public transit.

Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed phasing out Pennsylvanias gasoline tax, the second-highest in the nation, as his Department of Transportation looks to impose tolls on up to nine major bridges to help close a construction and maintenance budget gap that is roughly $8 billion per year  and growing.

That gap is more than half the $15 billion that is needed annually to keep Pennsylvanias highways and bridges in good condition and ease major traffic bottlenecks, PennDOT says.

While Pennsylvania will likely remain a valuable jewel for presidential nominees, it will lose some of its shine to Sun Belt states.

In Congress, Pennsylvania will have 17 U.S. House seats for 18 incumbent U.S. House members when next years elections roll around. That raises the question of whose district will disappear and whose political career could be upended.

A new map of districts must win approval from the Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, and the districts they draw could have a dramatic effect on the political careers of the states 18 U.S. House members.

If each of the 18 wants to run for another term in Congress, two of them will have to run against each other.

A new map is necessary before it is time to circulate petitions to get on next years primary ballot. If Wolf and lawmakers cant agree on one, the state Supreme Court will do it for them.

What makes Republicans nervous is that the state Supreme Court has a 5-2 Democratic majority. The most practical place to eliminate a district is where the population is stagnant: largely Republican areas in northern and western Pennsylvania.

Redistricting data necessary to draw districts that are equal in population  they include counts of population by race, Hispanic origin, gender and housing at geographic levels as small as neighborhoods  isnt expected to be released by the Census Bureau until late August, at the earliest.

Of particular interest is speculation that a member of Congress  if not several  will run for higher office and thus reduce the number of incumbents lobbying state lawmakers for favorable district lines.

In next years election, Pennsylvania has two attractive lures for ambitious politicians: an open U.S. Senate seat and a wide open governors race, with Wolf termed out.

So far, second-term Republican Rep. Dan Meuser of Luzerne County has said he is interested in running for governor, while Democratic Reps. Conor Lamb of Allegheny County and Chrissy Houlahan of Chester County have said theyll consider running for U.S. Senate.

Typically, partisan map drawers strive to give each incumbent of their party a district where they live and have at least a reasonable shot at winning another term.

If an incumbent decides to retire or run for higher office, map drawers become far more likely to eliminate that district, or at least substantially change it to accommodate the wishes of incumbents who plan to run again.
A representation of virtual currency Bitcoin is seen in front of a stock graph in this illustration taken (Photo : REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)

Bitcoin posted a record weekly outflow, with overall sentiment on cryptocurrencies turning cautious as the digital asset's searing rally hit a wall, data from digital currency manager CoinShares showed on Monday.



Outflows for bitcoin hit $21 million for the week of April 23, the largest weekly outflow on record. Total weekly inflows for the sector were just $1.3 million, the lowest weekly figure since October 2020.



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That said, CoinShares said outflows last week were 0.05% of the crypto sector's assets under management, while weekly inflows this year averaged 0.6%.



Total assets under management were $54.3 billion as of last week, down from $64.2 billion in mid-April.



"We saw investors shifting funds away from bitcoin amid some idiosyncratic developments last week, prominently including the temporary power outage in mining mecca Xinjiang," said Matt Weller, Global Head of Market Research at Forex.com and City Index.



Amid serious coal mine accidents in China's Xinjiang, Shanxi and Guizhou provinces, the Chinese government directed local coal-based power stations to conduct inspections of security measures. Data centers in Xinjiang, including bitcoin mining farms, had to shut down due to subsequent power cuts, according to media reports.



After hitting a record high just under $65,000 in mid-April, bitcoin has plunged nearly 25%. On Monday though, the world's largest cryptocurrency in terms of market capitalization rallied as much as 10% and last traded at $54,031, highlighting the asset's extreme volatility.



The second largest cryptocurrency ethereum, meanwhile, showed strong inflows of $34 million. So far this year, inflows were $792 million, or 8% of total AUM, reflecting renewed positive sentiment among investors.



"Cryptoasset investors continued to accumulate ethereum as the highly-anticipated July launch of EIP-1559, which will cut the new supply of ETH dramatically, approaches," said Forex.com's Weller, referring to the blockchain's planned upgrade.



Grayscale remains the largest digital currency manager, with $41 billion in assets as of April 23, down from $49.5 billion the previous week. CoinShares, the second biggest and the largest European digital asset manager, oversees about $5.2 billion, slightly down from $5.7 billion in assets as of the mid-April.


Definitely. Because people get invested in the ever-growing conspiracies and in supporting the people who spread them, theyre incentivized to keep coming back to learn more and continue to subscribe and donate.

Ill share a quote from Joan Donovan, a Harvard University researcher I spoke with for this article. She said that the audience can sometimes have a negative effect on the content creators, because theyre continuing to demand wilder falsehoods and crazier ideas to further the story theyre being spun. So the creator feels the need to keep raising the bar.

Its a really difficult phenomenon to watch, she said. You find people who are now financially dependent on making new content every day that is somehow more salacious, more inciting, more hateful than the day before in order to compete with other content creators that are now coming into that space.

Last year, Twitch actually took the lead on moderating President Donald Trumps public posts, temporarily suspending him for hateful conduct well before Twitter and Facebook kicked him off their platforms. But now, Twitch actually houses a number of creators who are no longer welcome on those social networks. Twitch hasnt established a clear policy on misinformation, so how is it moderating content these days?

Its a good question, especially because Twitch has been so clear that it is not a free speech platform, according to its chief executive, Emmett Shear. I know that Twitch is working on a misinformation policy. Absent that, the service is using its hateful conduct policy, which is pretty broad, and recently rolled out a new policy that lets it take action against people who commit violence or crimes in real life, or are members of hate groups.

Despite all this moderation, though, dozens of these channels are still online. Twitch does have algorithms that can filter inappropriate language in streamers chats, and streams have human moderators as well, but Twitch still relies on users and streamers to report misconduct.

Also, the live, spontaneous and fleeting nature of Twitch streams probably makes them tougher to police than something like Twitter (and, as Twitch noted to me, those qualities also make misinformation broadcast on Twitch less likely to go viral).
Lewis University students perform the roles of the five characters, including Sylvette (Kyra Savage of Romeoville) and Percinet (Lukas Roy of Palos Park), young lovers who do not think their rival parents should keep their love apart. The falsely feuding parents include Monsieur Pasquinot, Sylvettes father (Austin Jones of Steger). Strafrofel, the hired rogue, is played by John Kladis of Palos Hills. Locals working behind the scenes include Bolingbrooks Alex Schedel (stage manager), Chicagos Katie Szymkiewicz (properties assistant/puppeteer) and Worths Matthew Vinny Vineyard (body microphone operator).
Madrid (Spain) April 27, 2021 (SPS) - The aggression orchestrated by the Kingdom of Morocco against Spain for the reception of the president of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Brahim Gali, for health reasons has been described by the Saharawi representative in Madrid , Abdulah Arbi, as one more demonstration that responds to the provocation, blackmail and manipulation that Rabat always uses in his bilateral relations.

Arabi has regretted that the African neighbor "does not understand the concept of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries", referring to the attack by the Moroccan official and media apparatus against Spain for a sovereign decision. "Morocco cannot determine to the Government of Spain who it can or cannot receive for medical treatment," he added.SPS

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In Englewood, about 60 percent of the residents have a high school diploma or equivalency or less, and 57 percent of households earn less than $25,000 a year. Streeterville, on the other side of Chicagos chasm, has a median income of $125,000. The vast majority of residents there have at least a college degree; 44 percent have a masters degree or higher. And, predictably, Englewood has long shouldered an unequal burden of disease. It has among the citys highest rates of deaths from heart disease and diabetes, as well as rates of infant mortality and children living with elevated blood-lead levels, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. These differences all lead up to that irrefutable racial gap in life spans.

It is very clear that life expectancy is most influenced by geography, said Dr. Judith L. Singleton, a medical and cultural anthropologist who is conducting an ongoing study at Northwestern University about life expectancy inequality across Chicago neighborhoods. Her father came to Chicago from New Orleans in the 1930s and settled in Bronzeville. In 1960, her parents bought a home on the far South Side. After her mother died, she finally moved her dad out of his home after 40 years because of a lack of services, including nearby grocery stores, and fear for his safety. If you live in a neighborhood with lots of resources and higher incomes, your chances of a longer life are better  and the opposite is true if your community has few resources, she said. Theres something really wrong with that.

Historically, there has been a damning explanation of why poor communities have crumbling conditions and a dearth of services: not that something is wrong that needs to be fixed, but that something is wrong with the people and the community themselves. Its their fault; they did this to themselves by not eating right, by avoiding medical care, by being uneducated. Nearly every time former President Donald Trump opened his mouth to speak about Black communities in Detroit, Baltimore, Atlanta and, yes, Chicago, he parroted the underlying assumption that Black communities in America are solely to blame for their own problems. In 2019, during sworn testimony before Congress, Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen claimed that his boss had characterized Black Chicago with disdain and blame: While we were once driving through a struggling neighborhood in Chicago, Trump commented that only Black people could live that way. In 2018, the American Values Survey found that 45 percent of white Americans believed that socioeconomic disparities are really a matter of not trying hard enough  and that if Black people put in more effort, they could be just as well off as white people.

What really happened was more sinister. On the South Side of Chicago, a pattern of intentional, government-sanctioned policies systematically extracted the wealth from Black neighborhoods, bringing an erosion of health for generations of people, leaving them to live sick and die young.

Like mine, Dr. Eric E. Whitakers family traveled a path up North from Mississippi to the South Side of Chicago. I met Whitaker, a physician and former director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, in 1991, when I was a health-communications fellow at what is now known as the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He was in medical school at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, taking a year off to earn his masters in public health. After we became friends, we discovered that his maternal grandparents had owned a three-flat building around the corner from our family home on South Vernon Avenue.

He recalls the area as a thriving mixed-income neighborhood, a place of comfort, full of life and energy, though all that remains of his grandparents building is a memory and a pile of rubble. What I remember of my grandparents home was the vitality, said Whitaker, who would meet his close friend Barack Obama during the year he spent at Harvard, when Obama was at Harvard Law School. There would be people on porches, kids playing in the streets. It was aspirational. Now you drive through communities like Englewood and see empty lot after empty lot after empty lot. Every once in a while I take my kids to see where Dad came from. When I show them the vacant lot where Grandmas house used to be, they think, Wow, this is sad.

But what Whitaker and I remember with a warm glow wasnt the whole story. Even as our relatives were starting their hopeful new lives in the 1930s, the government-sanctioned practice of redlining arose in response, enforcing segregation, lowering land and property values and seeding disinvestment and decay for more than 30 years.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 11:22:59|Editor: huaxia

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BELGRADE, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic welcomed another batch of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccines together with Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo at the Belgrade Airport on Monday.

Together with the latest shipment, vaccine doses that have been delivered from China will help Serbia reach the target of vaccinating 37 percent of its population by the end of April, said Brnabic.

So far, 1.3 million people have received both doses across Serbia, which helped to lower the number of new cases, said Brnabic, adding that most people in Serbia were inoculated with Sinopharm vaccines.

The first batch of the Sinopharm vaccine doses arrived in Serbia in mid-January, followed by three more deliveries in February, March and April.

For his part, Chen expressed his delight for the contribution of Chinese vaccines to the inoculation program in Serbia, where the epidemic remains under control.

"The mass vaccination in Serbia is giving results, the number of new infections has been decreasing," Chen said.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 680,000 cases have been confirmed in Serbia and 6,257 people have died. To date, 5,318 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, of whom 183 are on ventilators. Enditem
Scotland would face difficult policy choices if it split from the UK because its financial position has worsened, a leading think-tank says today.

A report by the Institute for Government (IfG) warns that Covid will have increased the countrys deficit.

It then concludes that the larger the deficit that they have, the harder the case for breaking away from the Union becomes.

A report by the Institute for Government (IfG) warns that Covid will have increased the countrys deficit. Pictured: Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

It also says uncertainty and disruption caused by breaking away from the UK could drag on growth.

It is the latest dire warning on the economics of independence, after the Institute for Fiscal Studies said earlier this week that the virus had blown a hole in public finances and a separate Scotland would now face even more austerity.

The IfG report, published today, found that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would all face sizeable fiscal deficits if they opted to leave the UK.

Although the report does not estimate the precise impact the pandemic has had on the deficit an independent Scotland would face, it highlights that the UK public sector deficit rose from 1.8 per cent of GDP in 2018/19 to 16.9 per cent in 2020/21.

Gemma Tetlow, the IfGs chief economist, said nationalists must address the reality of the nations current fiscal imbalances and the difficult policy choices these would necessitate after secession.
By Andrew MacAskill

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour Party called on Tuesday for an investigation into whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson's press secretary "knowingly misled" journalists over the refurbishment of his official Downing Street flat.

Dominic Cummings, who was Johnson's key adviser on the Brexit campaign and helped him to win an election in 2019 before a bust-up last year, said on Friday that Johnson wanted donors to secretly pay for the renovation and he told the prime minister such plans were "unethical, foolish, possibly illegal".

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner wrote to Simon Case, the head of the civil service, asking him to investigate Johnson's then-press secretary's answers to reporters about the affair earlier this year. Allegra Stratton, an ex-BBC journalist, was Johnsons press secretary from October until last week.

At a briefing for journalists last month, Labour said Stratton said: "Conservative Party funds are not being used to pay for any refurbishment of the Downing Street estate." But it has since been reported by British media that the refurbishments were funded via a loan from the Conservative Party.

"As a special adviser, Allegra Stratton is bound by the Civil Service Code, which sets out standards of integrity and honesty required from public officials," Rayner said in a letter to Case.

"I would urge you to build into your review an investigation into whether the former press secretary knowingly misled journalists and the public, or was misled herself by senior members of the government who seem intent on a cover-up."

A spokesperson for Johnson said money from the Conservative Party is not currently being used to pay for the refurbishments - without saying if it had been used in the past.

"Any costs of wider refurbishment this year beyond those provided for by the annual allowance have been met by the prime minister personally," the spokesperson said. "Conservative Party funds are not being used for this."

(Reporting by Andrew MacAskill; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
The State of Oklahoma, joined by the U.S. Trotting Association, Hanover Shoe Farms, the State of West Virginia and others, filed a federal lawsuit in the Eastern Division of Kentucky U.S. District Court challenging the constitutionality of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act on Monday (April 26).

Other plaintiffs in the complaint filed for a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief are the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, West Virginia Racing Commission, Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association and three Oklahoma racetracks  Remington Park, Will Rogers Downs and Fair Meadows.

The U.S. Trotting Association has been pressing these unconstitutionality objections for more than four years and we have been ignored, said USTA President and Hanover Shoe Farms President & CEO Russell Williams. Instead, Senator McConnell sneaked HISA through at the last minute, without any hearing or debate, in the middle of a 5,500-page, must-pass omnibus funding measure.

Now two states are challenging HISA in federal court alongside the USTA, and more states are considering joining us. HISA must be struck down.

Along with the National Association of Racetrack Veterinarians, the National Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association, and legal counsel, the USTA has prepared a draft federal bill named the Racehorse Health and Safety Act that does not violate the U.S. Constitution and does protect the health and welfare of the horse for all racing breeds, added Williams. This is the bill that should have been introduced in Congress years ago, but the Jockey Club had other ideas.

The American Quarter Horse Association, the Association of Racing Commissioners International, the state racing commissions, and even the recently-formed harness racing industry round table will be studying this legislation in order to have a legal and appropriate regulatory plan ready to introduce as legislation once HISA has been declared unconstitutional and is out of the way, said Williams.

A press release issued by Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunters office on Monday stated that, HISA disregards foundational law within the Constitution, including the Tenth Amendment. Congress cannot force a state legislature to either appropriate dollars for a private corporation, like the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, or be banned from passing legislation imposing certain taxes or fees. That puts Congress in control of state branches of government, which violates the law.

To read Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunters press release, click here.

Defendants named in the lawsuit are the United States of America, Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, Inc., Leonard S. Coleman, Jr., Nancy M. Cox, Federal Trade Commission, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter (as Acting Chair of the FTC) and three others in their capacities as Commissioners of the FTC  Noah Joshua Phillips, Rohit Chopra and Christine S. Wilson.

To read the complete lawsuit, click here.

(USTA)
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the opening ceremony of Exhibition of Achievements on China International Development Cooperation and delivers a speech in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

[ Editor: WXY ]
In brief: Microdosing, the act of taking a tiny amount of psychedelics to improve focus and creativity, has been popular among Silicon Valley execs for years, despite drugs such as LSD being illegal in the US. One CEO of a $2 billion startup experimented with this practice. Unfortunately, it cost him his job.

As reported by Bloomberg, Justin Zhu was the CEO of marketing startup Iterable Inc, valued at around $2 billion, before being ousted over violations of company policy. Zhu said his dismissal was because he took a tiny amount of LSD before a meeting in 2019 in an effort to boost his focus.

Company co-founder Andrew Boni told staff in an email that Zhu violated Iterables Employee Handbook, policies and values.

Zhus behavior also undermined the boards confidence in Justins ability to lead the company going forward, Boni wrote, noting that his vision, creativity and passion will remain a core part of our culture. The board has appointed Boni as the companys new CEO.

Microdosing usually involves taking one-20th to one-tenth of a recreational dose of psychedelics such as LSD or magic mushroomsnot enough to see God and start listening to Pink Floyd albums, but its claimed that tiny amounts boost focus, creativity, and mood. It started gaining popularity in Silicon Valley about ten years ago, though its still pretty controversial and illegal, of course, as psychedelics are schedule 1 drugs.

Sadly for Zhu, his attempts to become more focused might have been in vain, meaning he lost his position for nothing. Imperial College London researchers recently carried out the largest placebo-controlled trial of psychedelics, and while they did find that small doses of LSD boosted the psychology, the placebos worked equally as well as the drug.

This suggests that the improvements may not be due to the pharmacological action of the drug but can instead be explained by the placebo effect, said lead author Balazs Szigeti.

Image credits: Microgen, The Guardian
KELOWNA, British Columbia, April 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allied Corp . ("Allied" or the Company) (OTCQB: ALID) an international medical company focused on creating and providing health solutions to address todays medical mental health issues is pleased to announce that it has now received clearance from the Colombian authorities to export cannabis-based products to a second international market.

Following the press release of April 20, 2021 announcing Allieds approval to export to the first international market, Allied has now successfully received approval to export to a second international market. This second market being the largest in North America.

This is a newly achieved milestone for Allied since the acquisition of Allied Colombia and respective licenses in Colombia in February 2020. Since Allieds entrance into Colombia, it has developed the production center in Colombia, registered its genetics, successfully produced the test harvest, presented to the Colombian Ministry of Agriculture and gained the approval to go forth with commercial cultivation. Following the first commercial harvest, Allied obtained signed sales off-take contracts with international buyers and lastly applied for clearance to export to several markets. The clearance for export to the first international market was granted during the week of April 20, 2021. Approval for export of cannabis based products destined for a second international market has now been granted.

This accomplishment of being able to export to another market will vastly expand our sales reach. The team is preparing product for transport. This is a business goal that has taken many months of hard work, diligent adherence to regulatory standards and the Allied high quality approach to production. said Calum Hughes CEO of Allied.

About Colombian Producers

According to publicly available information from the Colombian Ministry of Health and Department of Agriculture (ICA), as of December 2020, there are 650 companies with license for the production of Cannabis derivatives in Colombia. All companies are at different stages and many are not moving forward. Approximately 10% of these companies have passed their ICA seed evaluation and only a handful of companies have been cleared to export product. Allied Colombia is now one of the Colombian companies cleared to export to more than one international market.

About Allied Corp. - https://allied.health/

Allied Corp. is an international heath company with a mission to address todays medical issues by researching, creating and producing targeted health solutions. Allied Corp. uses an evidence-informed scientific approach to make this mission possible, through cutting-edge pharmaceutical research & development and innovative plant- and mushroom-based development of therapeutic products.

Investor Relations:

ir@allied.health

1-877-255-4337

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada or forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, forward-looking information). Forward-looking information may relate to the Companys future outlook and anticipated events, plans or results, and may include information regarding the Companys objectives, goals, strategies, future revenue or performance and capital expenditures, and other information that is not historical information. Forward-looking information can often be identified by the use of terminology such as believe, anticipate, plan, expect, pending, in process, intend, estimate, project, may, will, should, would, could, can, the negatives thereof, variations thereon and similar expressions. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is based on the Companys opinions, estimates and assumptions in light of managements experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that management currently believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. Forward looking statements in this press release include the following: that Allied is leveraging the conditions in its Colombia grow operation and future Kelowna location to support its Research and Development efforts; that Allied is making important strides forward to position itself as a leader in the medical cannabis space, that Allied intends to make a series of proposed trademark and other intellectual property protection filings, as part of the Companys Intellectual Property and Pharma Development (IP&PD) Strategy, statements respecting the joint development, manufacturing, and introduction of TACTICAL RELIEF branded products, and the use of proceeds from the offering of convertible notes.

There can be no assurance that the underlying opinions, estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information in this release include: the Companys exposure to legal and regulatory risk; the effect of the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Canada and Colombia on the medical cannabis industry is unknown and may significantly and negatively affect the Companys medical cannabis business; that the medical benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, dosing and social acceptance of cannabis are not as currently expected; that adverse changes or developments affecting the Companys main or planned facilities may have an adverse effect on the Company; that the medical cannabis industry and market may not continue to exist or develop as anticipated or the Company may not be able to succeed in this market; risks related to completion of the greenhouse construction in Colombia, risks related to market competition; risks related to the proposed adult-use cannabis industry and market in Canada and Colombia including the Companys ability to enter into or compete in such markets; that the Company has a limited operating history and a history of net losses and that it may not achieve or maintain profitability in the future; risks related to the Companys current or proposed international operations; risks related to future third party strategic alliances or the expansion of currently existing relationships with third parties; that the Company may not be able to successfully identify and execute future acquisitions or dispositions or successfully manage the impacts of such transactions on its operations; risks inherent to the operation of an agricultural business; that the Company may be unable to attract, develop and retain key personnel; risks resulting from significant interruptions to the Companys access to certain key inputs such as raw materials, electricity, water and other utilities; that the Company may be unable to transport its cannabis products to patients in a safe and efficient manner; risks related to recalls of the Companys cannabis products or product liability or regulatory claims or actions involving the Companys cannabis products; risks related to the Companys reliance on pharmaceutical distributors; that the Company, or the cannabis industry more generally, may receive unfavourable publicity or become subject to negative consumer or investor perception; that certain events or developments in the cannabis industry more generally may impact the Companys reputation or its relationships with customers or suppliers; that the Company may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage in respect of the risks that it faces, that the premiums for such insurance may not continue to be commercially justifiable or that there may be coverage limitations and other exclusions which may result in such insurance not being sufficient; that the Company may become subject to liability arising from fraudulent or illegal activity by its employees, contractors, consultants and others; that the Company may experience breaches of security at its facilities or losses as a result of the theft of its products; risks related to the Companys information technology systems; that the Company may be unable to sustain its revenue growth and development; that the Company may be unable to expand its operations quickly enough to meet demand or manage its operations beyond their current scale; that the Company may be unable to secure adequate or reliable sources of necessary funding; risks related to, or associated with, the Companys exposure to reporting requirements; risks related to conflicts of interest; risks related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; risks related to the Companys potential exposure to greater-than-anticipated tax liabilities; risks related to the protection and enforcement of the Companys intellectual property rights, or the intellectual property that it licenses from others; that the Company may become subject to allegations that it or its licensors are in violation of the intellectual property rights of third parties; that the Company may not realize the full benefit of the clinical trials or studies that it participates in; that the Company may not realize the full benefit of its licenses if the licensed material has less market appeal than expected and the licenses may not be profitable; as well as any other risks that may be further described in and the risk factors discussed in the Company's continuous disclosure including its Management's Discussion and Analysis sections in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed under the Company's profile at www.sec.gov.

Although management has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information in this presentation, there may be other risk factors not presently known to the Company or that the Company presently believes are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information in this presentation. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers and viewers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date made. The forward-looking information contained in this release represents the Companys expectations as of the date of this release or the date indicated, regardless of the time of delivery of the presentation. The Company disclaims any intention, obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws.
A recent coronavirus outbreak that pushed Fiji into lockdown has been identified as the Indian variant, prompting the countrys health authorities to fear a Tsunami of COVID-19. The archipelago had successfully avoided community transmission of the infection, but the efforts were thwarted after an outbreak emerged at a quarantine centre in the city of Nadi. The city hosts the countrys international airport.

Speaking at a televised address, the countrys permanent secretary of Health and Medical Services James Fong said that they cannot let the nightmare happen in Fiji." Describing the intensity of the outbreak further, he said that they still had the time to stop the infection surge in the country.

Fiji has largely contained the virus through strict isolation measures and border controls, recording 109 cases and just two deaths in a population of 930,000. There are currently 42 active cases, 18 of them detected at the border and 24 locally transmitted, as per the country's latest tally.

Fiji's capital under lockdown

On Monday, Fijis capital Suva entered a 14-day lockdown as the Pacific island nation is battling to contain the coronavirus spike. According to New Zealand Herald, about 100,000 residents of the city have now been asked to stay in containment zones and the officials have closed non-essential businesses. The permanent secretary for health and medical services, James Fong, informed that Fiji has detected 12 new cases as part of a growing outbreak in the country.

The officials have been able to determine the source of the mystery transmission. They informed that the contact tracers have established that a woman from the Suva neighbourhood of Makoi caught the virus from her husband, who is a soldier. He works in Fijis Broder Quarantine facility and had tested negative for the virus on April 10.

Fong said that the soldier, however, had close contact with another soldier who tested positive and he likely got infected shortly after swabbing. Further, the official said that five other family members have also tested positive for the virus. Fong said that they were in the community for several days and they had a large number of contacts and moved around extensively.

(Image Credits: Pixabay)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / Every business professional in the small business or corporate world, that generates sales and revenue for their company, have all come close to, or even completely lost sales deals in their careers. Even worse, losing a high-ticket or enterprise level sale. That is exactly what happened with a B2B Sales Executive who was faced with losing a $380,000 sale and the $87,000 commission check that went along with it. Getting strategic, the deal was saved by sending two-dozen roses from 1-800-Flowers.

Sales Executive celebrates after closing a large deal. Image Credit: 123rf.com / DMBaker.

"My executive client had closed a $380k deal on a Friday afternoon, it was a 'done' deal. He literally told me how over the weekend he started looking at what he was going to purchase with his $87k commission. The following Monday morning, my client called me frantic and in complete shock about how he just lost the $380k sale and the $87,000 commission," said Marty Stewart, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Campaign Writer, and Host of Inside Sales TV.

An $87,000 Sales Commission Check was at Risk

When you think of sending roses, usually Valentine's Day, Mothers Day, or other special gift occasion comes to mind. In the business world, it is rare, if not unheard of, to send roses to a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a company.

"He (my client) had absolutely nothing to lose at this point. The deal was already lost. The only thing he could do now was to try and save the deal, and more importantly, save his $87,000 commission," said Stewart.

1-800-Flowers.com Inc. is the company behind some of the most popular gift-giving retailer websites on the internet. Their company brands consist of 15 different websites specializing in floral and food gifts. Known most for their popular flower website, their motto is "Smiles Guaranteed."

"Part of the three-part strategic approach I came up with to try and save that deal for my client was sending two-dozen yellow roses from 1800Flowers.com. Yellow roses, because they matched the company's logo. They were sent same-day delivery that Monday afternoon."

Stewart continued, "The roses were meant to be a physical, tangible, and an in-hand diffuser to the whole good situation that turned bad. My thought was that everyone in their C-Suite Executive Office would be talking about this. They would be wondering 'who' sent the CEO flowers."

A $380,000 Enterprise Sales Deal was Revived and Saved by Sending Roses

Screenshot close-up of the actual 1800Flowers.com email receipt from Marty Stewart. An investment of $133.26 in roses and some strategic-thinking saved a $380,000 deal and an $87,000 sales commission. Note: certain information was redacted for privacy. Image Source: 1800Flowers.com / Marty Stewart.

"Two days later, on a Wednesday morning, my client calls me and is screaming in the phone: 'It worked, it worked! I can't believe it, it really worked!' He said there was no mention of the CEO blow-up on Monday morning. It was like it never happened. The deal was back on and fully engaged," said Stewart.

The CEO's Response to Receiving Two-Dozen Roses?

"By the way, thanks for the flowers," said the CEO that received the roses.

To see the complete story, watch the full episode of Inside Sales TV titled "B2B Sales $380k Deal + $87k Commission LOST?" You can also view directly on YouTube by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkmmOSYDiBY. You can also read the full story on Medium titled " ."

About Inside Sales TV:

Inside Sales TV is a video-based show written and produced by the team at Campaign Writer, and hosted by Marty Stewart. Featuring weekly video episodes on email marketing, lead generation, content marketing, and news media PR (public relations), that will help companies growth hack and shortcut their way to sales success. The slogan is: "Tips, Tools + How-to Growth Hacks to Help You Generate More Leads + Sales with Less Effort."

Created for B2B Sales and Marketing Professionals, B2B + B2C Companies, Entrepreneurs, Founders, Chief Executive Officers (CEO's), C-Suite Executives, SaaS Companies, SMB's, Small Businesses, Business Development, Managers, VP of Sales, and Sales Teams looking to increase sales and revenue, and to close more deals quickly.

About Campaign Writer:

Campaign Writer is a leading sales and marketing copywriting firm working with Top Companies, Professionals, Executives, and Leaders in their field, to help increase sales and revenue through its content writing Team of Award-Winning Copywriters, Wordsmiths, and Ghostwriters for sales, marketing, public relations, direct response, and email marketing campaigns. Campaign Writer is led by Chief Strategy Officer Marty Stewart.

For a strategic exploratory conversation on how your company can increase sales, visit https://CampaignWriter.com. Or, call toll-free +1-877-463-9777 within the United States, or +1-702-997-1222 if calling Internationally.

SOURCE: Campaign Writer

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642455/Executive-Lost-380k-Sale-Then-Won-After-Roses-Sent-to-CEO
NORWALK  About 30 restaurants statewide are part of an anticipated growing list of restaurants offering a free alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink to customers with proof of coronavirus vaccination.

Seven Fairfield County restaurants are already registered for the initiative, including Match on Washington Street in South Norwalk. Both Match and its partner location, Match Burger Lobster in Westport, are participating in the free drink program, according to the campaigns website.

The initiative is a partnership between the governors office and the Connecticut Restaurant Association called #CTDrinksOnUs. Gov. Ned Lamont announced the program, which will run May 19-31, during his daily coronavirus update Monday.

Match co-owner Matt Storch said the restaurant association reached out to Monday and word of the program quickly spread.

The restaurant association has been quite good to us throughout this pandemic and prior to so when they ask me to do things I try to say yes, Storch said.

Each restaurant will decide what drinks they want to include on the set list of free beverages. Customers must purchase food to receive the free drink and the offering is limited to one drink per vaccinated customer, according to the DrinksOnUs website.

We are still working out the details of exactly what we are doing and how, Storch said. I dont know if its going to be a draft or a glass of wine or a shot.

To participate, customers must show they received either one or both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, likely by showing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccination card, at which point they may choose an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink from a set list determined by the restaurant.

Restaurants may include as many different offerings on the free drink list as they choose, according to the website.

Storch said he is not concerned about a potential loss of revenue from the free beverages, and instead hopes it will prompt Connecticut residents to go out to eat and stimulate the local restaurant economy.

I dont see a loss, I see it as a good thing of people coming out and an extra inventive, Storch said. Its a drink, but the purchase of food helps revenue and people tend to get another drink as well.

Separate from the governors free drink initiative, a Norwalk bakery is offering a similar vaccination incentive for those with a sweet tooth. From now through the end of May, Forever Sweet Bakery on Main Avenue is offering one free cupcake to people who present their COVID-19 vaccination card, bakery manager and part-owner Sky Mercede said.

Mercede and his wife, Frances, the baking brains behind the operation, opened the business eight years ago and moved to their current Main Avenue location two years ago, Mercede said.

The idea for the free cupcakes originally came about a week ago but didnt end up formalizing until Monday, coinciding with Lamonts DrinksOnUs announcement.

Mercede first posted about the free cupcake campaign Monday afternoon and as of Tuesday afternoon, three customers arrived seeking their free sweet treat, he said.

In addition to the free cupcake, the name and phone numbers for cupcake recipients will be entered in a raffle for a free cake from the bakery. Depending on the number of entries, the free cake drawing may be weekly until the end of May, or just once during the month.

Unlike the DrinksOnUs campaign, no purchase from Forever Sweet is necessary to receive a free cupcake, Mercede said.

The hopes that maybe it would encourage some people that are on the fence a little bit they should get the vaccine, Mercede said. Maybe it will sweeten their day a little bit and maybe other businesses will do the same too.

As of April 22, more than 1.7 million Connecticut residents have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Department of Public Health. A full list of restaurants offering free drinks in Connecticut can be found at ctvisit.com/articles/DrinksOnUs.

abigail.brone@hearstmediact.com
April 27, 1976

Mother Teresa visits Scranton to find help

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, founder of the Missionaries of Charity, paid a visit to Scranton as part of her nationwide tour to seek support for the orders work in India.

She arrived in the Electric City shortly after 5 p.m. at the Diocese of Scranton Chancery Building. There she was greeted by the Most Rev. J. Carroll McCormick, bishop of Scranton, Russian Orthodox Bishop Archimandrite Herman of South Canaan Twp. and local government officials.

At this meeting, Scranton Mayor Eugene Peters presented her with a key to the city, and McCormick presented her a donation from the diocese to help with expenses running her missions.

Also on hand at the meeting was Indira Srivastava, wife of a University of Scranton professor, who presented Mother Teresa with a garland of pink roses.

Following the Chancery meeting, Mother Teresa spoke at the prayer service at the University of Scranton Long Center. More than 4,000 people attended.

During the service, she spoke about her work with the poorest of the poor in India and asked those gathered not to forget the poor and lonely in their communities.

On April 28, she was honored with a mass and luncheon at the University of Scranton. At the luncheon she was awarded the La Storta Medal for Human Service by the university.

YWCA votes to sell

At a membership meeting of the YWCA held April 26, Karen Riviello, YWCA president, announced that the YWCAs membership voted 374-83 to enter into a lease-purchase agreement with the University of Scranton.

The university would lease the residential space in the building for student housing while the YWCA would continue to offer its programs in the other parts of the building. The university would purchase the entire building once the YWCA either moved to or built a new building.

Riviello said the organization was considering purchasing the former YMCA site on Mulberry Street as a possible new home. She said that the YWCA planning committee would be meeting with the United Way to develop a plan for their future in downtown Scranton.
(Natural News) American researchers examined the effects of an ethanol extract derived from Kaempferia parviflora, also known as Thai ginseng, on erectile function in healthy middle-aged and older men. Their findings were published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine.

Sexual health positively correlates with overall well-being.

Current strategies that are meant to enhance male sexual health are limited by many factors, such as responsiveness, adherence and adverse effects.

Researchers understand the need for safe and effective interventions that could help preserve male sexual function.

K. parviflora, a plant from the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family, has been found to support cardiovascular health and has shown signs that it could ameliorate erectile dysfunction.

To investigate this, the researchers conducted an open-label, one-arm study involving 14 generally healthy males aged 50 to 68 years with self-reported mild erectile dysfunction.

The participants received 100 mg of an extract obtained from the rhizome of K. parviflora daily for 30 days.

Primary efficacy analyses included the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), while secondary efficacy analyses included the Global Assessment Question about erectile function.

The researchers reported that 13 of the 14 participants completed the study. Supplementation of the K. parviflora ethanol extract induced statistically significant improvements in erectile function, intercourse satisfaction and total scores on IIEF questionnaire.

The extract was well-tolerated by the participants and exhibited an excellent safety profile.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that K. parviflora can improve erectile function in healthy middle-aged and older men.

Journal Reference:

Stein RA, Schmid K, Bolivar J, Swick AG, Joyal SV, Hirsh SP. KAEMPFERIA PARVIFLORA ETHANOL EXTRACT IMPROVES SELF-ASSESSED SEXUAL HEALTH IN MEN: A PILOT STUDY. Journal of Integrative Medicine. July 2018;16(4):249-254. DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2018.05.005
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The COVID-19 pandemic may be facilitating the spread of HIV, but combined screening programs could reduce the spread of both viruses, according to recent research.

Worst-case estimates by North American researchers suggest that disruptions in HIV prevention and care during the pandemic may result in a 9% increase in new HIV infections over the next few years.

In Chicago, HIV screening sites reported an overall 49% drop in testing during the "chaos" of the first months of the pandemic, said Dr. Kimberly Stanford, an emergency physician at the University of Chicago Medicine (UCM). "Everything that wasn't essential medical care kind of fell by the wayside."

However, by incorporating HIV phlebotomy into a rapid COVID-19 testing program, UCM's emergency department was able to maintain pre-pandemic screening volumes, performing more than 14,200 HIV screens in 2020, up from 11,861 in 2019. The combined screening program did not require extra personnel and the hospital's HIV care program handled test review and follow-up.

"Not only were we finding more HIV the proportion of our diagnoses that were acute HIV was much higher [than in previous years]," said Stanford who led a study of the program published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Acute HIV infections accounted for 12 of 46 new HIV diagnoses at UCM during the pandemica significant increase compared to the past four years. Meanwhile, other local emergency departments saw a 25% drop in diagnoses of acute HIV infection, although this was not a statistically significant reduction.

Detecting HIV during the acute stage when viral loads are highest is "extremely important," said Stanford. "You are the most contagious that you will be throughout the entire time that you have HIV."

Earlier treatment also leads to better outcomes for people with HIV, as well as reducing their chances of infecting others, "which is huge from a public health standpoint," she said.

According to Stanford and her colleagues, the uptick in diagnoses of acute HIV infection at UCM may be linked to increased screening, more people seeking care for the flu-like symptoms of acute HIV because of concern about COVID-19, or increased transmissions due to pandemic disruptions in HIV prevention. As such, "HIV screening programs, particularly in emergency departments, should incorporate or even link HIV screening to COVID-19 testing."

These findings echo those of an earlier modeling study by American and Canadian researchers which estimated that combined testing for HIV and SARS-CoV-2 had the potential to reduce new HIV infections by up to 17% over five yearsso long as 90% of people are offered the tests and about 60% accept. That study estimated that a scaled-up program would cost US$20-220 million. However, the authors argued the investment would be "cost-saving in the long-term."

Canada has not released data on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected HIV screening and care. However, Dr. Ameeta Singh said she is "absolutely certain testing rates have declined."

"I would not be at all surprised if testing overall for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections have gone down," said Singh, an associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of Calgary. She noted that it's tough getting anyone to undergo HIV testing during the pandemiceven people who are taking pre-exposure prophylaxis because of their higher risk for HIV. "They don't want to go to the lab."

Social distancing policies limit the number of people allowed inside HIV testing sites, and outreach teams that once offered testing at various community organizations have stopped, Singh said. Appointments may be scarce or require advance booking, which presents a barrier for some patients. And, although Canada recently approved the sale of self-testing kits for HIV, the cost (about $35) may be another barrier.

Singh said incorporating HIV and COVID-19 testing would make sense in Canada, especially in areas with populations at higher risk of HIV.

Dr. Nitika Pant Pai, an associate professor of medicine at McGill University, said people who are marginalized, displaced or unable to socially distance would particularly benefit from such a strategy.

Combining screening for HIV and COVID-19 could also help Canada reach its goal of diagnosing 95% of all people living with HIV, treating 95% of all those diagnosed, and achieving viral suppression among 95% of those treated.

Even before the pandemic, Canada fell short of these targets, and pandemic disruptions will likely continue until the end of the year, Pant Pai said. But given the opportunity, "many affected by HIV would like to be tested if they suspect exposure."

Explore further COVID-19 pandemic responsible for decrease in hepatitis C testing

More information: Kimberly A. Stanford et al. Incorporating HIV Screening With COVID-19 Testing in an Urban Emergency Department During the Pandemic, JAMA Internal Medicine (2021). Journal information: JAMA Internal Medicine Kimberly A. Stanford et al. Incorporating HIV Screening With COVID-19 Testing in an Urban Emergency Department During the Pandemic,(2021). DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.0839
Berta Caceres, Isidro Baldenegro, Cristina Bautista, Paulo Paulino Guajajara, Yolanda Maturana, Homero Gomez... the long and macabre list of environmental leaders assassinated in the line of their work in the region has led Latin America to formulate a treaty that for the first time offers protection to those trying to protect the natural world. Following years of negotiations and despite the absence of key nations including Colombia, Brazil and Chile, the Escazu Agreement came into effect on April 22.

The agreement has the potential to reverse a spiral of violence against ecologists that has made Latin America the deadliest region in the world for environmental activists. But the accord also runs the risk of becoming a worthless piece of paper if the 12 countries that have ratified it, including Mexico and Argentina, do not take the necessary measures to implement it. In that case, says Mexican environmentalist Leydy Pech, April 22 will become simply a photo opportunity for posterity.

There are a lot of interests behind the occupation of indigenous lands. We cannot say: the agreement is now in place and now all of our problems are solved. We have to work to ensure it is turned into reality, says the courageous Mayan beekeeper, who last year received the Goldman Environmental Prize, the Nobel of ecological activism. Pech has plenty of first-hand experience of having laws and treaties on hand only to see them violated with impunity.

Her fight to halt the planting of transgenic soybeans in the Mexican state of Campeche by agrochemical giant Monsanto resulted in an unprecedented victory in the courts in 2015, which led to the cancellation of Monsanto contracts in seven Mexican states. However, the illegal planting of these crops continues on land bordering her communities. What is missing? Why do they continue planting? What loopholes are they using? she asks. The same thing can happen with the Escazu Agreement.

Trees felled by illegal logging in the State of Mexico. Recless Media / Getty

In one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, and one replete with socio-environmental problems, the Escazu Agreement faces huge challenges. The text of the accord not only seeks to protect environmental activists but also to dampen potential conflicts by obliging private companies and governments to allow freedom of access to information and public participation in any project that could potentially have an impact on the environment.

Even if the path to its full implementation and adherence will be a difficult one, both Pech and the civil society organizations that drove the treaty have applauded its entry into force. It is a partial celebration, one that is still under construction, but the important thing is that happened, because it could well have been that there was nothing to celebrate at all, says Astrid Puentes, co-executive director of the Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense.

The Escazu Agreement began to take shape in 2012 and negotiations went on for six years. Puentes recalls how the clause that demanded protection for environmental activists was on the verge of being omitted from the text due to the reticence of some countries. However, the outrage caused by the 2016 murder of activist and indigenous leader Berta Caceres in Honduras achieved the necessary pressure for it to be included. The tortuous process for the treaty to come into effect continued for three years after it was signed in 2018, as national congresses deliberated ratifying it. Eventually, the 11 necessary seals of approval were gathered by January 2021.

There was a region-wide campaign in the industrial and private sectors to cause a stir. There have been many lies told about the Escazu Agreement, such as that it includes new rights that will hinder development, says Puentes. This was the case with such notable absentees as Chile, Peru and Costa Rica, who were initially among the principal backers of the accord but later declined to approve the text. Of the 24 countries that signed the Escazu Agreement, only 12 national governments went on to ratify it.

Alicia Barcena, executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL), says that there is fear among some companies in the region over the agreement. But that should not be the case, because a better economy is constructed through transparency and providing information to the people. A project will perform better if it is carried out with the backing of local communities.

Among the countries that have refused to sign up to the agreement, Colombia and Brazil - who account for the highest number of assassinations of ecologists in the region - stand out. Barcena hopes that now the accord has come into effect, it will act as an appeal to persuade other countries to ratify it and lend it the necessary weight to bring an end to the dangerous existence led by environmental leaders in the Latin American region.

English version by Rob Train.
Just over a week after it lost out on a high-profile and lucrative contract to build the next spacecraft that would land astronauts on the moon, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin filed a protest over NASA's decision, saying it was flawed.

NASA awarded Elon Musk's SpaceX a $2.9 billion contract to build the lunar lander, a huge victory that surprised many in the space industry. Blue Origin had vigorously pursued the contract, building what it called a "national team," including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Draper, to compete.

It won the largest award in the initial round and was seen by many as the team to beat for what NASA calls the Human Landing System. The selection of SpaceX as the only contract recipient was a huge blow to Blue Origin and an embarrassment for Bezos, who was personally involved in the project and has talked openly about his lifelong fascination with the moon. (Bezos owns The Washington Post.)

In a statement, the company said that "NASA has executed a flawed acquisition for the Human Landing System program and moved the goalposts at the last minute. In NASA's own words, it has made a 'high risk' selection. Their decision eliminates opportunities for competition, significantly narrows the supply base, and not only delays, but also endangers America's return to the Moon."

NASA said it had hoped to award two contract to ensure competition and redundancy in case one of the providers faltered. But it said it didn't have the funding from Congress to pay for two contracts, and is pushing to return astronauts to the moon quickly for the first time since the last Apollo mission in 1972.

It said SpaceX's contract was for the first lunar landing only and that there would be additional competitions for future missions. At his confirmation hearing last week, former senator Bill Nelson, President Joe Biden's pick for NASA administrator, said he endorsed that approach.

"Competition is always good," he said.

Blue Origin's bid, the protest said, was $6 billion, or more than double SpaceX's. Bob Smith, Blue Origin's CEO, told the New York Times that he objected to the fact that NASA allowed SpaceX to update its payment schedule so that it fit "within NASA's current budget."

"We didn't get a chance to revise and that's fundamentally unfair," Smith told the Times.

In the protest, filed with the Government Accountability Office, the company said NASA did not allow the competitors "to meaningfully compete for an award when the Agency's requirements changed due to its undisclosed, perceived shortfall of funding for the multi-year program lifecycle." It also alleged that NASA "changed the weight accorded to evaluation factors to make price (cost to the Government) the most important factor because of perceived funding limitations."

NASA declined to comment "due to the pending litigation."

In a statement to The Post, Musk, using Blue Origin's initials, said: "The BO bid was just way too high. Double that of SpaceX and SpaceX has much more hardware progress." He added that Bezos, who said this year that he would step down as CEO of Amazon, should be more involved in Blue Origin. "I think he needs to run BO full-time for it to be successful. Frankly, I hope he does."

In making the award earlier this month, NASA officials hailed it as a watershed moment that would allow the space agency to put the first woman and the person of color on the moon. "As the first human lunar lander in 50 years, this innovative human landing system will be a hallmark in space exploration history," Lisa Watson-Morgan, NASA's lunar lander program manager, said.

Bezos and Musk have battled over government resources before. In 2013, Blue Origin protested NASA's decision to allow SpaceX to use launchpad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. Given the fact that Blue Origin didn't have a rocket capable of getting to orbit or flying people, Musk said the protest was ridiculous, and Blue Origin lost the challenge.

And he didn't think Blue Origin had much of a chance of creating a human-rated rocket any time soon. "I think we are more likely to discover unicorns dancing in the flame duct," he told SpaceNews at the time.

SpaceX recently launched its third human spaceflight mission from 39A. Blue Origin recently said that New Glenn, the big orbital rocket it's been working on for years, would be delayed another year.

In response to the news, Musk wrote on Twitter: "Can't get it up (to orbit) lol."

Bezos has long been enthralled by the moon and has said that watching Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the moon when he was 5 years old was "a seminal moment" for him.

Blue Origin has been pitching its landing system, known as Blue Moon, since 2017, and Bezos, often described as the world's richest man, has said he would invest in it heavily himself. In 2019, Bezos said that the program is "so ambitious that it needs to be done with partners. This is the only way to get back to the moon fast. We're not going back to the moon to visit. We're going back to the moon to stay."
If you don't know, the USA has issued "Do Not Travel" advisories for nearly all the world. While it doesn't mean US citizens can't travel to those countries it is an unusual step.

While official said to be related to high COVID cases in those countries, I suspect and now hear of the "rest of the story." In large part it is about resentment and worse in countries that are not so well vaccinated (often relying on less effective Chinese vaccines) and still under significant restriction. US international travelers don't have the best reputation for consideration and courtesy so I can understand the logic.

I suggest ALL travelers to Turkey and other countries that open themselves be particularly courteous, considerate and empathetic in their dealings with hotel and other tourist related workers. Be a jerk and at worst boast about your ability to travel and you face a "Yelper's Special." (Look up the South Park reference--it's a good song.)
Ancient tools found in a 'miracle' cave in South Africa suggest our earliest ancestors set up camp there more than 1.8 million years ago, according to palaeontologists.

Experts from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem examined the Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa's Kalahari Desert, delving down to ancient layers within the historic site.

Few places in the world preserve a continuous archaeological record spanning millions of years, but this is one such site. Its name means 'miracle' in Afrikaans.

The new study, including work by geologists and archaeologists, confirms the existence of human-made stone tools dating back 1.8 million years.

This marks it as the earliest cave occupation in the world and the site of some of the earliest indications of fire use and tool making among prehistoric humans.

Ancient tools found in 'miracle' cave in South Africa suggest our earliest ancestors set up camp there more than 1.8 million years ago, according to palaeontologists

The team explored layers deep within the ancient cave and were able to successfully establish the shift from Oldowan tools, sharp flakes and chopping tools, to early handaxes (pictured) over one million years ago

WONDERWERK CAVE: ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SITES FOR EARLY HUMAN STUDY Wonderwerk cave is an important archaeological site for studying ancient humans. It is an ancient solution cavity in dolomite rocks in the Kuruman Hills in South Africa. It extends horizontally fo 460ft into the base of a hill and has been studied extensively since the 1940s. Wonderwerk means 'miracle' in the Afrikaans language and among the discoveries in the cave is the earliest evidence of controlled fire. Scientists believe the earliest human evidence dates back 1.8 billion years. Advertisement

'Wonderwerk is unique among ancient Oldowan sites, a tool-type first found 2.6 million years ago in East Africa, precisely because it is a cave and not an open-air occurrence,' explained lead author Professor Ron Shaar.

The team explored layers deep within the ancient cave and were able to successfully establish the shift from Oldowan tools, sharp flakes and chopping tools, to early handaxes over one million years ago.

They were also able to date the deliberate use of fire by our prehistoric ancestors to one million years ago, around the time they started using handaxes.

The latter is particularly significant because other examples of early fire use come from open-air sites where the possible role of wildfires cannot be excluded.

Moreover, Wonderwerk contained a full array of fire remnants: burnt bone, sediment and tools as well as the presence of ash.

Dating cave deposits is one of the greatest challenges in paleo-anthropology, the study of human evolution, requiring extensive research to overcome the issue.

The team analysed an 8ft thick sedimentary layer that contained stone tools, animal remains and fire remnants using two methods: paleomagnetism and burial dating.

It is an ancient solution cavity in dolomite rocks in the Kuruman Hills in South Africa

Few places in the world preserve a continuous archaeological record spanning millions of years, but this is one such site. It's name means 'miracle' in Afrikaans

The new study, including work by geologists and archaeologists, confirms the existence of human-made stone tools dating back 1.8 million years

'We carefully removed hundreds of tiny sediment samples from the cave walls and measured their magnetic signal,' described Shaar.

Magnetisation occurred when clay particles, that entered the cave from outside, settled on the prehistoric floor, preserving the direction of the earth's magnetic field at that time.

'Our lab analysis showed that some of the samples were magnetised to the south instead of the north, which is the direction of today's magnetic field.

'Since the exact timing of these magnetic 'reversals' is globally recognised, it gave us clues to the antiquity of the entire sequence of layers in the cave,' added Shaar.

The team explored layers deep within the ancient cave and were able to successfully establish the shift from Oldowan tools, sharp flakes and chopping tools, to early handaxes over 1 million years ago

They were also able to date the deliberate use of fire by our prehistoric ancestors to 1 million years ago, around the time they started using handaxes

Co-author of the study, Professor Ari Matmon, used a secondary dating method to further confirm when the earliest 'humans' may have occupied the site.

'Quartz particles in sand have a built-in geological clock that starts ticking when they enter a cave,' he explained.

'In our lab, we are able to measure the concentrations of specific isotopes in those particles and deduce how much time had passed since those grains of sand entered the cave.'

The dating of prehistoric human activity at Wonderwerk Cave has far-reaching implications, the study authors said.

'With a timescale firmly established for Wonderwerk Cave, we can continue studying the connection between human evolution and climate change, and the evolution of our early human ancestors' way of life.'

The findings have been published in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews.

Dating cave deposits is one of the greatest challenges in paleo-anthropology, the study of human evolution, requiring extensive research to overcome the issue including creating a 3D scan of the excavated cave (pictured)

Co author of the study, professor Ari Matmon, used a secondary dating method to further confirm when the earliest 'humans' may have occupied the site
We would like to highlight the release of two special issues this month. First, Critical Public Healths second issue of the year is dedicated to Public health activism in changing times: re-locating collective agency, edited by Catherine Campbell and Flora Cornish. The papers call for a radical expansion of the gaze of public health to take account of new, and also pre-existing but previously unrecognised, forms of health activism.



Second, a special section of this months issue of Medicine Anthropology Theory, under the stewardship of Adriana Petryna and Sara Randell, focuses on the theme of the COVID horizon. Authored by physician-anthropologists engaging with what Petryna calls horizoning work, the Position Pieces describe vital searches for liveability in domains of emergency response.

Critical Public Health

Public health activism in changing times: re-locating collective agency (open access)

Catherine Campbell & Flora Cornish

How is public health activism adapting to changing times, which often seem increasingly hostile to human rights and social justice claims? The study of collective agency by vulnerable groups and their allies, to advance the health-enabling redistribution of material resources and social recognition, has often regarded the social movement as gold standard. This special issue challenges this one size fits all template for activism with 15 case studies of contemporary state-of-the-art public health practice in seven countries (Australia, Britain, China, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Spain, and Zimbabwe, nested within wider global contexts). Exploring assumptions about power and social change, the papers call for a radical expansion of the gaze of public health to take account of new, and also pre-existing but previously unrecognised, forms of health activism.

Taking the National(ism) out of the National Health Service: re-locating agency to amongst ourselves

Hannah Cowan

Campaigns against the privatisation of healthcare in the UK have often focused on saving, or preserving, the post-war National Health Service (NHS) of the 1950s. They talk of it as a national treasure, which has long given the UK some moral high ground over countries such as the United States. I argue that seductively simplified campaign slogans can also be blunt  they can carry with them more opaque messages such as those that encourage the maintenance of a patriarchal healthcare system. As a result, campaigns to save the NHS of the 1950s also preserve the nationalism, as well as the class and gendered staffing hierarchies, which (as I illustrate) come to reproduce inequalities in the care that is delivered. Through a multi-cited ethnography focused on the delivery of hip replacements in the NHS, I argue that a more complex form of political activism is needed to bring about the equality in healthcare that the NHS promises. In this paper, I flatten assumed hierarchies of power, to highlight some ethnographic examples of how everyday actions can come to reshape antiquated power structures. I conclude by suggesting we look to how power is pieced together across networks  and how we can re-locate collective agency to within and amongst ourselves to bring about a more equal, and less nationalistic, healthcare service.

Advocating for diamorphine: Cosmopolitical care and collective action in the ruins of the old British system (open access)

Fay Dennis

Britain was the first country in the world to prescribe diamorphine (pharmaceutical-grade heroin) to heroin users as a treatment for opioid dependency. Known and admired internationally as the British System, Britain has a somewhat more ambivalent relationship to its own invention. Where patients were once prescribed diamorphine and other injectable opioids on an unsupervised basis, new patients are no longer initiated in this way and those existing old system patients are under threat. Carrying out ethnographic research at an advocacy service for people who use drugs, I explore this threat as an onto-epistemological concern and the advocates work to sustain these old ways of knowing and being with diamorphine as a collective matter of care and action. Accounting for advocacy as a non-objective emboldening of the individual to speak, the advocates draw our attention to the inequity of knowledge production and the collective act of speaking in an environment that is increasingly hostile towards these patients. As neoliberal political economies interact with stigmatising forces against people who use drugs, the article highlights the advocates work as essential in allowing these patients concerns to be heard where a threat to their prescription becomes a threat to their very way of living.

The corporate killing movement in South Korea: a critical realist analysis of social structure and collective agency

Juyeon Lee, Myoung-Hee Kim & Erica Di Ruggiero

South Korea has one of the highest occupational injury fatalities among the OECD countries over the past decades. It was in this context that the Corporate Killing Movement was initiated in the early 2000s with the aim of radically reframing recurring fatal workplace injuries as a social problem by claiming that a workers death is a corporate killing. By drawing on Roy Bhaskars dialectical critical realism in combination with framing literature, this paper aims to trace the emergence and development of collective agency in the Corporate Killing Movement in Korea, paying particular attention to the implications of the formation of a united front of labour and a labour-civic alliance. We conducted in-depth interviews with 10 key informants from multiple sites of action, including civil society, organized labour, political party, and governments, all of whom have engaged in the Corporate Killing Movement over the past years. Drawing on Roy Bhaskars dialectical critical realism, this study identifies structural constraints affecting the collective agency of workers against fatal workplace injuries, and specifies the emancipatory, liberating power of collective agency to transform the very structures in which they were embedded. The research findings are also expected to inform future public health activism of how collective agency in a relatively narrow area of activism can gain momentum through the formation of an alliance with heterogeneous groups of agents. This is achieved by establishing a shared understanding of a common causal mechanism at the structural level that cuts across different issues.

Decolonising the safe space as an African innovation: the Nhanga as quiet activism to improve womens health and wellbeing

Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Farirai Gumbonzvanda & RochelleAnn Burgess

Contemporary power and decolonisation discourses reflect how Eurocentric and Western analysis has shaped our understandings of the world. Decolonisation efforts within Global Health and feminist studies (including what counts as valid forms of womens organising) also require a reclaiming of praxis developed within historically oppressed countries lost through erasures of knowledge-production. Our work contributes to these efforts through an analysis of a form of collective activism for womens health and development in Zimbabwe: the Nhanga. This traditional cultural practice is anchored to intergenerational women only safe spaces, a praxis pre-dating second-wave feminist theorising on such ideas. Currently, Nhangas are used by the Rozaria Memorial Trust across community, national and global advocacy spaces to promote womens health. Using collaborative autoethnography, each authors personal accounts of engagement in the Nhanga interrogate the processes that promote change in womens lives. Our analysis suggests that the Nhanga fractures systemic, institutional and relational power through leveraging culture, emotions and narrative, in spaces where such dynamics are often overlooked. We conclude that the method offers a valuable form of collective organising: fully engaging with the complex relational, political, social, and cultural environments that impact on health, through a quiet activism anchored to emotion, connection, and re-imagining of culture to promote change at individual, community, and global levels.

Health movements in the age of austerity: rescaling resistance in Spain and the United Kingdom

Olatz Ribera-Almandoz & Monica Clua-Losada

Since the outbreak of the global financial crisis that started in 2007/8, austerity measures have been promoted in many European countries. Frequently justified as a form of crisis-management, these measures have been used to further privatise and deregulate welfare systems, as well as to reinforce the isolation of certain decision-making arenas from democratic processes. At the same time, they have also generated new strategic opportunities for resistance to different forms of anti-austerity disruptive agency. The paper analyses the rescaling strategies implemented in public health services in Spain and the UK during the current economic crisis, and contributes to the understanding of the scalar dynamics and strategies of two social struggles against the privatisation of hospitals and health centres in these two contexts: Marea Blanca (White Tide) in Madrid and Keep Our NHS Public in Greater Manchester. It argues that social movements are more successful when they exploit scale shifts to transform institutions into centres of resistance.

Patient advocacy, news coverage, and policy change: Constructing hepatitis B as a social problem in Chinas newspapers

Dong Dong & Jianfeng Zhu

Patient advocacy and media coverage are important strategies for changing health policies. China is no exception. Through 31 interviews and content analysis of 1,136 news stories related to hepatitis B, this study revealed how members of Chinese health advocacy groups strategically built a coalition with the news media, actively played the role of policy entrepreneurs, and successfully affected the framing of hepatitis B. As a result, Chinas grassroots civil societies not only successfully attracted public attention to the previously ignored problem of discrimination against people affected by hepatitis B but also impacted on the states rewriting of public policies on this disease.

Im not an activist!: digital self-advocacy in online patient communities (open access)

Allegra Clare Schermuly, Alan Petersen & Alison Anderson

For patient communities, digital media have dramatically transformed the options for action. This includes working collectively to change policies in ways that would have been difficult, if at all possible, before the internet. Yet, to date, the impacts of patients growing use of digital media on their sense of collective agency have been little explored. Drawing on the findings from an Australian study on patients use of digital media to access treatments (involving 50 interviews with participants from HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and neurodegenerative communities) and using a governmentality lens, this article sheds light on the changing character of patients sense of agency in an age of digital media. We identify a shift in patients conceptions of their agentic selves associated with the growing use of these media  from activists to advocates  and consider the implications for critical public health. As we argue, this digital self-advocacy is manifest in patients accounts of how they use digital media to achieve their goals and reflects the responsibilisation that is a hallmark of neoliberal governance. We suggest that digital self-advocacy offers a restricted vision of patient agency that limits rather than facilitates actions needed to respond to crises and to advance health justice. In our conclusion we consider whether the context and the nature of a condition or disease may also have a bearing on patients sense of agency in an age of digital media, making reference to patient responses to a new illness phenomenon dubbed long COVID-19.

Forging compromiso after the storm: activism as ethics of care among health care workers in Puerto Rico

Jessica M. Mulligan & Adriana Garriga-Lopez

Puerto Rico was hit by a category 4 hurricane that severely damaged power, water, and communications systems on the 20th of September 2017. Based on 56 qualitative interviews, this article documents how health care workers created a new ethics of care after Hurricane Maria and engaged in novel forms of health activism to both repair past damage and imagine a different future. Many doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals went to work after the storm treating patients, fixing their workplaces, and resolving logistical problems. Health care workers responded emotionally to the event by finding meaning and purpose in their work, forging a sense of solidarity, and valuing their ability to help others. Our respondents used the term compromiso to describe their determination and sense of purpose, and we borrow this term to label the specific ethics of care generated from their experiences after Maria.

The PrEP response in England: enabling collective action through public health and PrEP commodity activism

Alvaro Martinez-Lacabe

Drawing on testimonies from oral history interviews with HIV/AIDS community activists and PrEP users, this paper analyses new forms of collective action in relation to the efforts to implement PrEP in England. The analysis of this PrEP response, delivered by an assemblage of independent actors and public health-related agents exposes three important aspects in relation to the lived experiences of first-wave PrEP users and HIV activists: (i) the negotiation of PrEP as a medical commodity, (ii) the use of gay dating apps as enabling technologies in regard to peer support, and (iii) the fact that access to PrEP was not equally distributed and differed between gay communities. This paper concludes that although this response was effective in decreasing HIV infection, it was only partially transformative in terms of social/health justice. However, the response featured forms of collective action that contrasted with the individualistic paradigm of the biomedicalisation of HIV prevention, pointing to a shift in future HIV prevention interventions.

Clinician-led evidence-based activism: a critical analysis (open access)

Piyush Pushkar & Louise Tomkow

We introduce and critique a previously unexamined form of evidence-based activism (EBA): clinician-led evidence-based activism (CLEBA). In recent years funding of, and access to, the UKs National Health Service (NHS) have been depleted through cuts, privatisation, and the reduction of universal healthcare. In these austere and hostile times, the legitimacy of those drawing attention to resultant health inequalities is eroded. One tactic that doctors have adopted while advocating for the delegitimized has been CLEBA: strategic use of clinical authority in the production and mobilization of knowledge for the governance of health issues. To illustrate the concept, we analyse two cases of CLEBA in the NHS in which we have participated. The first resisting cuts and privatisation of the NHS, the second resisting the charging of forced migrants for healthcare. By analysing CLEBA as a tactic, we show how doctors work to effect progressive goals by lending legitimacy to their allies, who are delegitimised by opponents as loony-left, shroud-waving health tourists. This approach to the problem of legitimacy separates CLEBA from EBA. Whereas EBA seeks to rebalance unequal social relations within a doctor-patient collective, CLEBA capitalizes on the symbolic power of doctors to contest unequal social relations out with the collective. By lending clinical authority to activist discourses, CLEBA consolidates forms of collective agency in which certain actors remain illegitimate. In contrast with EBA, where the rebalancing of legitimacy itself is prioritized, CLEBA reinforces a hierarchy of legitimacy that places clinicians on top.

Medicine Anthropology Theory (Open Access)

The COVID Horizon: Introduction to the Special Section

Adriana Petryna & Sara Rendell

Prompted by long-standing realities that have recently erupted during the pandemic and ongoing protests against racial injustice in the US, this Special Sections essays evolved out of conversations around the theme of the COVID Horizon. Authored by physician-anthropologists at various stages of their training, the Position Pieces describe vital searches for liveability in domains of emergency response. Moving beyond the walls of the clinical, they track medicine as an institution embedded in and shoring up other institutions linked to human rights, carceral detention, reproductive unfreedoms, and/or pandemic biocontainmentall of which define the scope of democratic freedoms and determine who exactly is afforded said freedoms. Within institutions of deferred or dislocated responsibility, the essays probe tensions between action and abstention, distance and proximity, futility and hope, and containment and freedom with the objective of dismantling forms of demission (Fanon 1952) or abdication and locating an actionable otherwise allowing for accountability and solidarity. The contributors horizoning work (Petryna 2018) imagines a different ground from which to anticipate the role of medicine in the 21st century.

What Could Be, But Never Has Been: Horizons of Human Rights and Racial Justice

Michelle Munyikwa

The USs authority as chief enforcer of human rights grows increasingly illusory as civil unrest brings the quotidian nature of racialised human rights violations in the US into a frame shared by authoritarian regimes. This reality animates my analysis of how an organisation I call Doctors for Humanity (DfH) finds its footing in a terrain of human rights enforcement that is shifting from a global to a domestic focus. The US is not an actual space of freedom but often represents the limit of possible freedoms. This horizon evokes something that always could be but never has been and unmasks what I analyse as a constitutive unfreedom at the heart of liberalism in American empire. To attend to human rights violations in the US is to undermine American authority and its right and responsibility to make claims about the actions of other nations. As a future physician and human rights advocate invested in racial justice, I illuminate the paradoxes of ethical action within a context where the possibility of freedom for some depends upon the unfreedom of others. To effectively police human rights from this perspective necessitates the deconstruction of the US as a space of freedom, pointing instead towards a praxis of global human rights which lives up to the concepts aspirational universality.

Dis/Avowing Masks: Culture, Race, and Public Health between the United States and Taiwan

Alex Chen

COVID-19 brought masking, a practice that was largely confined to certain technical occupational settings in the US, into the heart of a national controversy. As with prior emerging infectious diseases (such as HIV, SARS, and Ebola), US public health experts and governmental agencies positioned themselves as authoritative producers of emerging scientific knowledge, including best practices for public masking. US epidemiological outcomes, however, have sorely lagged behind many other countries. The US leads the world in confirmed cases of and deaths from COVID-19, undermining presumed hierarchies in global health authority today. In this essay, I compare US and Taiwanese masking policies, delineating how social relations of care in the US become sites of political conflict within a hierarchical global ecology of scientific knowledge and medical supplies. Drawing upon my experience as an MD/PhD in anthropology trainee studying emerging infectious diseases and as a Taiwanese American immigrant, I explore conflicts over mask acquisition and usage across borders and time, illuminating global inequities of scientific knowledge production and pandemic containment and underscoring racialised disavowals that persist in US public health. These racialised disavowals illustrate the structural limits that circumscribe possibilities of containment during an uncontained pandemic.

Density and Danger: Social Distancing as Racialised Population Management

Caroline Hodge

A ubiquitous facet of collective social life in the age of COVID-19, social distancing (that is, the set of practices that aims to reduce the number of people in public spaces and maximise the distance between them) works to suppress viral spread by de-densifying public spaces; it redistributes people who are vectors for the virus by pushing them into their own domestic spaces. While the scale of these manoeuvres is in some ways unprecedented, the toll that the virus and its primary means of mitigationsocial distancingextracts along racial lines is at once unequal and deeply familiar. In this Position Piece, I examine social distancing as de-densification within a larger history of family planning and racialised population management in the context of ongoing fieldwork on the material and affective implications of contraceptive use in the American Midwest. In probing the grammar of social distancingits distinctions between essential and non-essential workers, services, and spaces and the ways in which such distinctions unequally distribute the labour of de-densification and its impacts on family planningI elucidate how COVID-19 managements do not simply reveal existing racial disparities, but make them anew at a time when the fabrics of social reproduction are increasingly under strain. The dynamics of social distancing can thus be understood as continuous with ongoing attempts at racialised population management. Such an understanding opens a space for political action foreclosed by a narrow view of social distancing as crisis response.

Social distance forever? Or, What is a Horizon for Being near, Together with Others?

Sara Rendell

In light of COVID-19 infection control measures, which establish a minimum distance of 6 feet between bodies, many have emphasised the need to maintain social closeness despite physical distance. This Position Piece considers the flip side of this concern: in key spaces that structure social interactions in the US today, physical closeness does not equal social closeness. This country is like a prison, one of my interlocutors told me, pointing to carceral histories of social distancing that predate COVID-19. Moreover, in the co-constituted spaces of criminalisation and justice, punishment and care, distance and proximity, and carceral freedom, the physical closeness of people that could have registered as social closeness is precluded, culminating in deadly disregard. Drawing on my medical training and on fieldwork documentation of medical harms in the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention apparatus, I consider how non-responsiveness spreads within and beyond institutions of immigration enforcement. I suggest that medical providers are implicated in what I call contagious containmentthat is, the impulse to distance oneself from harmful realities in which ones clinical practice is complicit. This distancing reinforces the idea of humanity being a scarce resource, especially when the racialised stratification of economic and political resources is preserved in and through institutions like ICE detention. Contagious containment offers the fantasy of separating ones clinical work from the apparatus of harming and, so long as such reservoirs of life-threatening disregard remain, such contagion can (and does) spread.

Following Tanyas Lead: The Mirage and Hope of Social Medicine Research

Joshua Franklin

Entrenched structural inequalities raise challenging questions of how socially-oriented research initiatives are likely to improve health for marginalised people. The recent inclusion of transgender women in the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS), an ongoing initiative funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to study the HIV epidemic in the US, is designed to redress the exclusion of transgender people from past HIV research and to confront the disproportionate burden of HIV on transgender women through the production of specific knowledge about HIV risk factors in this population. The hope is that such research will ameliorate the burden of HIV among transgender women. Building on a decade-long ethnographic engagement with transgender activists and health practitioners, I delve into tensions between the health research that sustains this horizon of hope and what I call the mirage of social medicine research. My interlocutors call out this mirage of scientific optimism in which all the answers are already known, suggesting that health research oriented towards social justice simply begets more research. Nonetheless, my interlocutors engaged with me, a physician-anthropologist trainee, in order to insist on the ethical necessity of including transgender people in health research even as they exposed the limits of such inclusion and, more broadly, the limits of medicines power to redress social injustice. We should follow their lead, embracing neither futility and hopelessness nor the mirage of medical salvation, in order to build collaborative relationships in the service of a more caring social medicine.

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New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said it has not made any request for creating COVID-19 facilities for its judges, staff and their families in a five-star hotel.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the news reports which said that 100 rooms of Ashoka Hotel in national capital have been converted into a COVID health facility for judges of Delhi High Court on its request, a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said, "No communication has been made to anyone in this regard".

"We have not made any such request for taking over facilities of a five-star hotel," the bench said and directed the Delhi government to "take corrective steps immediately".

In an order issued by the sub-divisional magistrate of Chanakyapuri on April 25, it was stated that the COVID facility at Ashoka Hotel will be associated with Primus Hospital.

The order also said that the facility was being set up at the request of the Delhi High Court.

Terming the order as "wrong", the bench said the image being projected as a result of it was that the Delhi High Court judges have taken it for their benefit or that the Delhi government has done it to appease the court.

The high court also did not agree with senior advocate Rahul Mehra's claim that the media played "mischief", saying "the media is not wrong".

It said that the media only pointed out what was wrong in the order and it was the SDM's order which was wrong.

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(Natural News) Commentary  The oligarchy that sucks its money, power, and prestige from America will never forgive the America First president for exposing its corruption. And since they are outnumbered and unloved, the U.S.-based elite comprising big tech, corporate media, the intelligence bureaucracy, and senior Democratic Party officials must stay on offense as long as possiblewhich is why they continue to hunt Donald Trump and his allies.

(Article by Lee Smith republished from TheEpochTimes.com)

On Friday, the Washington Posts David Ignatius reported that former Trump administration official Kash Patel is facing Justice Department investigation for possible improper disclosure of classified information. The 40-year-old lawyer from Queens, New York served in several senior posts under Trump, including National Security Council senior director for counterterrorism, senior advisor to the Director of National Intelligence, and Pentagon chief of staff.

Patel was first forced into the spotlight in 2017 after he joined Congressman Devin Nunes investigation of crimes and abuses committed during the FBIs operation targeting the Trump campaign. An aggressive former federal prosecutor, Patel knew where to look for evidence of FBI and Department of Justice wrongdoing at the top levels. As he began to document their illegal activities, Democratic Party operatives leaked his name to the press in an effort to intimidate him. Fridays story is a continuation of a four-year offensive against a patriot who helped uncover the scandal underlying Russiagate, the Third-World-style combined media and intelligence operation smearing Trump and his aides as Russian agents in order to spy on them.

The Washington Post served as the chief platform for the Trump-Russia collusion conspiracy theory, and Ignatius was one of its chief promoters. He helped get Russiagate rolling in January 2017 by publishing a leak of a phone call between Trumps national security advisor (ret.) Gen. Michael Flynn and the Russian ambassador to Washington. Ignatius then was the face of a wide operation designed to destroy a combat veteran who had served his country for more than three decades. It led to Flynns departure from the White House and a long court battle that ended when Trump pardoned him in December. The Biden DOJ closed the investigation of the leakit is a felony to leak foreign intelligence interceptswithout bringing charges. It appears that Ignatius anonymous sources are repurposing the tactics used against Flynn to go after Patel.

I interviewed Patel for two books dealing with the Nunes teams investigation into the FBIs illegal espionage and propaganda operation. He and Nunes found that the Bureau had used classified information as its sword and shield against Trump. Leadership and senior agents obscured the illegal nature of their activities by hiding them behind a wall of classified programs. This not only ensured that the agents and other senior U.S. officials involved in the operation would be free from oversight, but also gave their actions an air of legitimacy.

For instance, the FBI re-defined spying on Trumps presidential campaign, transition team, and White House as a counterintelligence investigation, which it named Crossfire Hurricane. To get a courts permission for its illegal spying, the FBI cloaked a political opposition research project funded by the Hillary Clinton campaign in the guise of a foreign intelligence surveillance act warrant. To collect information on Trump aides, they re-categorized political operatives as confidential human sources. Crossfire Hurricane used classifications as an offensive weapon as well. To drive the anti-Trump operation, they repeatedly leaked classified information to the press that was edited to implicate Trump aides as Russian spies. The FBI then used its own leaks as pretexts to further investigate the Trump circle.

Even after Patel and Nunes showed that Crossfire Hurricane was nothing but political warfare, U.S. spies used classifications to hide the facts. Patel asked the dozens of former Obama officialsincluding Susan Rice, Loretta Lynch, James Comey, and so onwho testified before Nunes committee if they had any evidence of collusion, and all affirmed they did not. Although the transcripts conclusively cleared Trump and his aides, then-Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats refused to release them. It was only when Patel went to DNI with acting director Richard Grenell that the transcripts were finally declassified and the American public could read the truth for themselves.

U.S. officials are zeroing in on Patel because he exposed their rot. Now theyre employing the same tactics with which they prosecuted the Crossfire Hurricane operationleak to the press to kick off a politicized investigation during which they will manufacture evidence to vilify, or even prosecute, an adversary. And so American intelligence and federal law enforcement continue their tragic spiral downwards, through corruption and toward irrelevance.

Maybe its just a coincidence that the allegations against Patel that Ignatius cites echo those made against Hillary Clinton in the summer of 2015. After news of her private server broke, the FBI opened an investigation to see whether the former secretary of state had improperly handled classified intelligence. The Bureau acknowledged that Clintons private server had been compromised by foreign powers, but rather than fulfilling its law enforcement mission, it cleared the Democratic candidate and began to spy on her opponent.

To date, no one has been held accountable for the crimes Patel helped uncover. That hes instead been targeted is further evidence that the American justice system has been weaponized by an oligarchy that may come to regret testing the patience and liberality of the American public.

Read more at: TheEpochTimes.com and Corruption.news.
The Latitude 7320 Detachable is Dells answer to the excellent Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ tablet, but with Thunderbolt in place of the Surface Connector, and a hidden, optional fingerprint reader to supplement the Windows Hello depth camera. Its integrated pen cubby looks virtually identical to the one on the Surface Pro X.

Microsofts Surface Pro 7+ tablet represented an enormous step up in graphics performance, but we knew there were competitors on the horizon. Dells business-oriented tablet is slightly larger at 13 inches and brighter at 500 nits maximum, but slightly lower-resolution compared to the Surface Pro 7+. Dell has also recognized that the work-from-home movement continued, so its built in an improved user-facing 5MP camera that contains an integrated image processor.

However, its possible that the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable will be substantially more expensive than Microsofts Surface Pro 7+. Microsoft sells the Surface Pro 7+ for as little as $850, while the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable will go on sale on April 27 for $1,549. Moreover, both the external keyboard as well as the tablets pen will be sold separately: $150 for the keyboard, $80 for the pen, and bundled together for $200.

Dell Both then Latitude 7320 Detachable Pen and Keyboard are optional and are sold separately.

Internally, the two competing tablets have a lot of overlap. Dells Latitude 7320 will use Intels 11th-gen Tiger Lake processor, beginning with the Core i3 and working up to the Core i7, with vPro. Dell will also use Intels integrated Iris Xe GPU for graphics rather than a discrete GPU. Dell said that memory options will range up to 16GB of LPDDR4X memory, as well as a range of M.2 SSD options from 128GB on up to a full terabyte. WWAN options will be available, tapping into Qualcomms X20 LTE-A modem with support for AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint.

At 1920x1280, the Latitude 7320 Detachables display is slightly higher-resolution than the 1080p displays that were included in earlier tablets. Dell is also touting a technology it calls Comfort View Plusa way of eliminating the harmful 460-465nm range of blue light which can disrupt sleep. Dell believes it can shift the visible range of light the tablet produces away from these wavelengths, butusing color correctionwithout the yellowish tinge that usually accompanies the night light mode.

Dell Dells new Latitudes (including, Dell says, the 7320 Detachable) share a new dual-opposite outlet cooling technology that Dell says will increase air flow and keep the system cooler. Air is sucked in through the bottom and forced out through the top. Here, the DOO system is shown using a traditional clamshell PC.

Accompanying the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable is what Dell calls the Detachable Keyboard, a spill-proof premium metal and faux-suede keyboard that does for the 7320 what the Signature Type Cover does for the Surface. Interestingly, Dell has also built a charging cubby into the keyboard specifically for its Detachable Active Pen, which charges almost instantaneouslyin thirty seconds!while docked inside the cubby, using capacitor technology.

One of the larger points of differentiation between the Surface Pro 7+ and the Dell Latitude 7320, however, is the latters use of Thunderbolt ports on either side of the tablet. Microsoft, too, uses external portsthe Surface Connectorwhich was years ahead of its time, offering both power and high-speed I/O through a single proprietary connector that has remained constant through generations of product. The Latitude 7320s two Thunderbolt 4 ports, however, offer everything that the Surface Connector does, tapping into a growing ecosystem of Thunderbolt docks, while the Surface remains restricted to one of two generations of proprietary Microsoft Surface Docks.

Dell

Dells Latitudes also include what Dell calls the Dell Optimizer, a set of apps which taps into what the tablet knows about you to optimize charging, prioritize your most important apps, and lock and unlock the tablet based on your proximity.

Finally, Dells Latitude 7320 Detachable responds to Microsofts Surface cameras with its own 5MP user-facing camerathe same resolution as Microsofts own Surface cameras, which allow for 1080p video while videoconferencing. Dell says the camera includes an Intel Image Processor (IPU 6) which enhances colors and contrast. Latitude cameras also include temporary noise reduction to reduce the grainy images that can occur in low light.

Can Dells Latitude 7320 Detachable stand up to the Surface? From a pricing perspective, it looks a bit doubtful. If youre interested in a Surface-like tablet that uses Thunderbolt alongside some other interesting features, though, Dells new tablet may be worth a look.

Dell

Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable basic features:

Processor: Intel 11th-gen Core (up to Core i7 vPro)

Intel 11th-gen Core (up to Core i7 vPro) Display: 13-inch touch (1920x1280), 500 nits; Corning Gorilla Glass DX Touch

13-inch touch (1920x1280), 500 nits; Corning Gorilla Glass DX Touch Memory: Up to 16GB LPDDR4X SDRAM

Up to 16GB LPDDR4X SDRAM Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB M.2 PCIe/NVMe SSD

128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB M.2 PCIe/NVMe SSD Graphics: Iris Xe (UHD for Core i3)

Iris Xe (UHD for Core i3) Ports: 2 Thunderbolt 4 (Power Delivery 3.0, DisplayPort); optional: 1 microSIM

2 Thunderbolt 4 (Power Delivery 3.0, DisplayPort); optional: 1 microSIM Security: IR/depth camera (Windows Hello); Optional: 1 smartcard reader, 1 fingerprint reader

IR/depth camera (Windows Hello); Optional: 1 smartcard reader, 1 fingerprint reader Camera: User-facing: 5MP (1080p); world-facing: 8MP (1080p), no flash

User-facing: 5MP (1080p); world-facing: 8MP (1080p), no flash Battery: 40Wh

40Wh Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax, 2x2), Bluetooth 5.1. Optional: Snapdragon X20 LTE-A WWAN

Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax, 2x2), Bluetooth 5.1. Optional: Snapdragon X20 LTE-A WWAN Operating system: Windows 10 Home / Windows 10 Pro

Windows 10 Home / Windows 10 Pro Dimensions: 11.35 x 8.2 x 0.33 inches

11.35 x 8.2 x 0.33 inches Weight: 1.82 pounds (tablet only), 2.59 pounds with keyboard

1.82 pounds (tablet only), 2.59 pounds with keyboard Color: Silver

Silver Price: Starting at $1,549

Starting at $1,549 Optional accessories: Detachable Keyboard, Detachable Active Pen
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is planning to establish a chemical laboratory in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to combat the scourge of illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.

This is contained in a statement by the commissions spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren.

Mr Uwujaren said the Port Harcourt zonal head of the commission, Aliyu Naibi, a chief detective superintendent, disclosed this at his office on Tuesday while hosting the executives of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), System 2E Eastern Zone.

According to Mr Naibi, the commission currently relies on the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) for its product analysis.

He added that establishing a fully- integrated chemical laboratory for the commission would help to reduce the time of waiting for the result of product analysis from DPR in the investigation of illegal oil bunkering which he said was rampant in the Niger Delta region.

Read statement in full:

EFCC Press Release

EFCC Floats Chemical Laboratory to Fight Illegal Oil Bunkering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is set to establish a fully- integrated Chemical Laboratory in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to combat the scourge of illegal oil bunkering in the Zone.

This was disclosed by the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of the Commission, Chief Detective Superintendent (CDS) Aliyu Naibi on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 in Port Harcourt, while hosting the executives of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, System 2E Eastern Zone, who paid him a Courtesy Visit.

According to him, the issue of illegal oil bunkering is rampant in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and the EFCC had been relying on the Department of Petroleum Resources for product analysis, in the investigation of such cases. To reduce the time of waiting for product analysis and improve on the investigation of cases of illegal oil bunkering, the Commission is setting up a Chemical Laboratory to that effect.

I want to use this opportunity to inform you of the establishment of a Laboratory in the Port Harcourts Zone. With the Laboratory in place, the waiting time for report of product analysis will be reduced and the investigation of cases of illegal oil bunkering will gain more speed, he said. He explained the efforts of the EFCC in boosting he economy, stressing that the EFCC is working tirelessly to provide enabling environment for businesses. We are committed to support the genuine business aspiration of every Nigerian, he said.

Earlier, PERTOANs Zonal Chairman, System 2E Eastern Zone, Prince Sunny Nkpe expressed delight with the EFCC in its synergy and support for his Association, especially the intervention of the Commission in ensuring that our members illegally arrested by the Joint Task Force were released. He explained that PETROAN was concerned about illegal refining, bunkering and adulteration of petroleum products in Rivers State and had taken practical steps to ensure quality control of products.

If there are issues of product adulteration, we will trace such a product to where it was loaded. Movements of trucks and drivers are now being tackled through our Quality Control Unit, he said. He expressed the support of PETROAN for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery saying that, if we have local production, foreign exchange fluctuation will be handled.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

27 April, 2021
Last month, Rubio did support the union drive by some Amazon workers in Bessemer, Ala., framing it explicitly as payback for Amazons cultural liberalism. If Amazon thinks that conservatives will automatically rally to do its bidding after proving itself to be such enthusiastic culture warriors, it is sorely mistaken, he wrote in a USA Today essay.

But the union drive, which Amazon opposed ferociously, failed, and Rubio isnt willing to back the kind of legislation that would make unionization easier. Too often, he wrote in USA Today, the right to form a union has been, in practice, a requirement that business owners allow left-wing social organizers to take over their workplaces. The most Rubio is willing to do is to make a temporary rhetorical alliance with workers driven by spite.

This is what most Republican populism looks like. (A possible exception is the shameful insurrectionist Josh Hawley, who has a genuine trustbusting plan.) Rubio is following a model pioneered by Trump: Rail against big corporations, occasionally bully those that defy you, but ultimately put their profits and influence first.

On issues of race and sex, the disjunction between the values of the Republican Party and those of big corporations is a function of our countermajoritarian politics.

Because of gerrymandering and the small-state bias in the Senate, Republicans can afford to antagonize young people, people in cities and most people of color. Consumer businesses cannot. The Republican Party doesnt have to care what the majority of Americans think. Public-facing corporations largely do. This creates a tension between Republicans foundational economic interests and ideology and their cultural grievances.

Republicans no doubt find this incredibly frustrating, but not frustrating enough to ally even momentarily with Democrats. After all, Republicans are angry at corporations in the first place because they think corporations should be on their side in political fights. Democrats would love to have Republican support for reining in corporate power, even if Republicans were motivated by revenge.

But Republican threats are empty. No matter how much they hate what they call woke capital, they know they cant own the libs by teaming up with them.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com.

Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "realistic" as he prepares to host what is expected to be three days of talks on the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus, a spokesperson for the U.N. chief said Tuesday.

Stephane Dujarric made the comments to reporters as delegations that include both the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities as well as the foreign ministers of Greece, Turkey and Britain  a former colonial ruler in Cyprus  were set to take part in the talks.

Dujarric appeared to play down expectations of the "informal" meetings and said no press conferences were immediately planned.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The number of positive cases of Covid-19 identified across County Derry's postal areas has fallen for the first time in three weeks.

This is despite there being an increase in the number of tests carried out.

A total of 6,123 tests were carried out within the county over the last seven days, with 185 testing positive for the virus, representing a 13.1% fall in cases.

Derry's rate per 100,000 of population also fell to 74.6 but remains almost double the overall NI figure of 36.7, while the county's positive case percentage dipped again to 3%.

Maghera's BT46 postal area now has the highest rate per 100,000 of population after 17 identified cases saw it rise to 149.1, the fourth highest rate across Northern Ireland for the last seven days.

The lowest rate per 100,000 of population was recorded in BT47 (21.0), where case numbers almost halved in the last week.

There were three Covid-related deaths in the county's local government districts over the last week; two in Mid Ulster and one in Derry City and Strabane. There were none in Causeway Coast and Glens.

Fourteen patients are being treated for the virus in Altnagelvin Hospital, an increase of five from the previous seven days, while there are 12 in Antrim Area Hospital, a decrease of six.

A total of 912,444 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have now been administered in Northern Ireland, representing 48.2% of the population.

A total of 347,034 second doses have also been given, meaning 18.3% of the population are now fully vaccinated against the virus.

As restrictions related to the virus begin to recede, the vaccination programme has now opened to those in the 35-39 age group.

Health Minister Robin Swann urged those in the younger age groups to protect themselves against the virus.

I know this will be welcome news for those in this age group and I would urge people to book a vaccination appointment as soon as possible, he said.

This week we will see further easing of restrictions with the re-opening of non-essential retail, gyms, leisure facilities and some tourist accommodation.

These easements have only been possible because of the success of the vaccination programme, coupled with the actions of the general public.

I know there are some younger people that think they dont need the vaccine but we have seen what this virus can do.

"So please protect yourself and get the vaccine.

Vaccination is absolutely vital in helping us move through this pandemic.

There is no doubt that there are people in Northern Ireland alive today because they have been vaccinated.
The lift in production is due to an increase in rate from the Ungani 5 well as well as the stabilisation of rates from Ungani 7.

Buru Energy Limited ( ) (OTCMKTS:BRNGF) (FRA:BUD) has increased production from the Ungani Oilfield JV onshore in the Canning Basin in the southwest Kimberley region of Western Australia to in excess of 1,000 barrels of oil a day (bopd).

Field rates were previously averaging 800 bopd with all wells on production.

The 25% boost is attributable to an increase in rate from Ungani 5 as well as the stabilisation of rates from Ungani 7.

Water handling system upgrade

This rate increase and higher fluid volumes have been accompanied by a recent upgrade to the produced water handling system.

The upgrade has increased water handling capacity to that expected to be required for the continuing upgrades to the Electric Submersible Pumps (ESPs) in the existing wells and the planned Ungani 8 well life cycle.

Ungani 8 well is planned to be drilled as a horizontal well into the potentially undrained fault block originally targeted by the Ungani 6H well using the rig being mobilised for the upcoming exploration drilling program.

Electric Submersible Pump installed

At Ungani 5 well Buru has completed the installation of an ESP to replace the beam pump.

This work was carried out to enable the fluid production from the well to be increased which, as expected, has succeeded in lifting oil production.

The produced water injection facility has been upgraded.

The installation was carried out using the Buru Jacking Platform which provides an innovative, safe, and cost-effective way to optimise and maintain the completions in the Ungani wells.

READ: Buru Energy secures rig contract for major Canning Basin drilling campaign

These developments following the end of the northern Australia wet season coincide with Buru gearing for its 2021 Canning Basin drilling program.

This will include a three-well drilling program as well as an extensive 2D seismic program with more than 1,100 kilometres of data acquisition.

The two well exploration drilling program is on conventional oil prospects (Rafael and Kurrajong), targeting large prospective resources and will also include the Ungani 8 development well on the Ungani Oilfield that is expected to increase production rates and recover additional oil volumes.

Buru executive chairman Eric Streitberg said: We are very pleased with the way the program is coming together in what will be a very big year for Buru in the Canning.

We are drilling two of the largest onshore conventional oil prospects in Australia and success will be transformational for Buru, for the Kimberley and for Western Australia.
Over 32,000 participants from various countries converged online to discuss strategies and solutions for equitable healthcare solutions as well as define interventions to break the stigma around infertility and to support girl education as ambassadors of "Merck Foundation More Than a Mother" campaign.



The annual conference but for the COVID-19 pandemic would have been held in Zambia. Nonetheless, the President of Zambia, H.E. Edgar Chagwa Lungu inaugurated the 8th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary via zoom. The theme was together we can make a Difference



The Chairman for the Conference, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation said due to the global pandemic of covid- 19 we couldnt conduct the annual conference of Merck Foundation in Zambia as planned, therefore, we are pleased to conduct it online as a Videoconference, where more than 32,000 participants from more than 70 countries can meet and discuss strategies and solutions for health challenges in their countries with that aim to contribute to improving access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions and building healthcare capacity in many critical and underserved medical fields such as; Diabetes, cardiovascular, endocrinology, Cancer, Research, Fertility Care, Women Health, Sexual & Reproductive care, Respiratory Medicines, and Acute Medicines.



Scholarship for Doctors



According to Dr Kelej, over 1100 doctors from 42 countries have benefited from Merck Foundation scholarship in the above fields, and more will join in the next few years to benefit from more scholarships in more specialties such as: Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Mental Health, Orthopedic Trauma, Paediatric, Emergency Medicine, Dermatology, Neonatal Medicine, Pain Management, Psychiatry, Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Ophthalmology, Urology, Trauma and orthopedics.



She further appreciated the efforts and sacrifices of our everyday heroes, our medical workers during the coronavirus pandemic, and we will celebrate our joint achievements and your dedicated contribution to ensure our programs have a significant impact in your countries.



The First Lady of Zambia who co-chaired the conference noted that Merck Foundation has been a long-term partner in building capacity for health workers, in improving access to healthcare, information and breaking the silence, stigma, and discrimination associated with infertility.



We are indebted to Merck Foundation for selecting Zambia to host this important knowledge platform where we will discuss cross-cutting issues to address various health and social challenges besides finding solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of our nations.



The day was also to celebrate the 4th anniversary of Merck Foundation.



About Merck More Than A Mother campaign



Merck More Than A Mother initiative aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and health and by changing mindsets. This powerful initiative supports government in defining policies to enhance access to regulated, safe and effective fertility care. It defines interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raises awareness about Infertility, prevention and management. In partnership with academia, ministries of health and international fertility societies, the initiative also provides medical education and training for healthcare providers and embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries.



Merck More Than A Mother, has initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility on all levels: by improving awareness, training the skills of local experts, building advocacy in cooperation with decision-makers and by supporting childless women in starting their own small business. Its all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child.

Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/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
Myanmar soldiers from the 77th light infantry division walk along a street during a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, February 28, 2021.

Soon after Myanmars military ousted the democratically elected government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi and installed a general as the countrys leader, Lt. Chan Mya Thu started to become disillusioned with life as a soldier in the army, called the Tatmadaw in Burmese, because he saw the coup as illegitimate. Immediately after the military takeover, citizens took to the streets in protest, and the military deployed troops to quell opposition. Since the coup, the regime has killed more than 750 protesters, including 80 in the central city of Bago on a single day. News of the juntas brutal crackdown on protests reached Chan Mya Thus 431st Light Infantry Battalion, stationed near the Thai border in Kawthaung on the countrys southern tip. It prompted him and another officer to leave the base on April 16 to join the pro-democracy movement. In an interview with Khin Maung Soe of RFAs Myanmar Service, Chan Mya Thu talked about why he left his post and Myanmars prospects of restoring democratic rule. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

RFA: Why did you leave the military?

Chan Mya Thu: One reason was because of the peoples overwhelming opposition to the coup. Another reason is that I am no longer happy in the military service because I dont agree with the current situation. I dont think that I should have to take part in such violence.

RFA: Where were you stationed before the coup?

Chan Mya Thu: I was at a border post in Kawthaung near the Thai border. We oversaw the security in that area, and we were getting all kinds of information about the protests. We heard all about the brutal crackdowns.

RFA: What are your personal thoughts on the military coup?

Chan Mya Thu: It should not have happened. The military should be protecting the civilian population. I dont think it is right to shoot at civilians. I told my friends in the military not to shoot if they could help it. A friend told me he didnt want to shoot at the people, but soldiers were somehow coaxed or coerced into doing it. Their anger was stoked by the higher officers. He said he could not exactly tell me the details. It seems a type of psychological warfare has been launched. The military units and are not given the complete news.

RFA: What do you think about the daily atrocities committed by the military in various parts of the country?

Chan Mya Thu: Even though I am a soldier, I am a human being, and it was painful to hear about the deaths of young people and even children in some cases. What happened in Bago was unthinkable. Also, all the looting is horrible. These kinds of incidents shouldnt happen at all. They are unacceptable.

RFA: How many do you think there are in the military who want to escape like you did?

Chan Mya Thu: I think maybe about 80 percent are not happy in the service right now. They want to leave but they cannot do so for many reasons. Some cannot leave because of their families. It is easier for us single people. Others do not know what they will do or where they will go after leaving. I think a lot of them would leave if they had assurances for their future.

RFA: What are your future plans? Will you join the Federal Army that is being planned?

Chan Mya Thu: I am now in the Civil Disobedience Movement. I will do whatever I can to help the people. I will surely join the federal army if it comes into existence.

RFA: Do you have a message for the people of Myanmar?

Chan Mya Thu: It is important that we become united. If everybody strives in earnest, with a strong conviction, the goal of forming a true democracy that they want to see will not be too far ahead.

Reported by Khin Maung Soe for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Students returned to the classroom full time Tuesday at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School, after the completion of an asbestos-cleanup project.
The kids in Christine Gappas kindergarten class sat cross-legged on the rug, enraptured by a reading of the days story-time selection, Mrs. Wishy Washy and shouting along farm animal onomatopoeia.

When they moved on to their next activity and students shifted to a semi-circle formation around their tables, a classroom aide reminded students to space out. No mention of three feet versus six feet, the updated CDC guidance thats allowed for classrooms nationwide to increase enrollment  just a reflexive command obediently obeyed.

Especially this age group, its hard to switch back and forth, so if we just stick with something that they know and its consistent, theyre more likely to adhere to it, Gappa, a kindergarten teacher at Irving Primary School in Highland Park, told NJ Advance Media on a recent visit to the classroom.

Irving School in Highland Park. Tuesday, April 20, 2021 Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

The new three-foot-rule, issued in March and loosening a year of CDC guidance that called for physical distancing (at least 6 feet) to be maximized to the greatest extent possible has allowed Highland Park Schools to increase enrollment.

And yet, the much-clamored-for update, a central demand of protesting parents who rallied for Gov. Phil Murphy to take action and bring students back for in-person instruction, hasnt made much of a difference in Highland Park.

We really didnt make a big shift when we went to three feet, Superintendent Scott Taylor told NJ Advance Media. Moving to three-foot distances didnt magically create more space  yeah, we were able to fit a few more students into our classes, but we found it didnt make a huge difference in enrollment.

Pre-K teacher Victoria Zarra works with students during class at Irving School in Highland Park. Tuesday, April 20, 2021 Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

While six more students were able to switch from virtual to in-person instruction at Irving Primary School and 18 came back to Bartle Elementary School, an overwhelming majority of Highland Park students are still learning from home. Districtwide, about 60% of students have opted for remote instruction, citing health and safety concerns, Taylor said.

As of Tuesday, New Jersey reported 254 in-school coronavirus outbreaks, which have resulted in 1,125 cases among students, teachers and school staff this academic year, according to state data.

In-person learning has continued to increase across the state, hitting a new high again this week with 30% of schools offering fully in-person education. At the start of the school year, only 9.5% of districts were fully open.

But the reason more elementary schoolers havent rushed back into classrooms in Highland Park is a straightforward one: it would require switching teachers after nearly a full school year spent with a different one.

Almost all of Irvings virtual learners have been paired with teachers leading instruction from home. About 35% of teachers in the district are currently virtual with Taylor allowing accommodations for those with medical documentation much more liberally than many of his fellow superintendents.

William Roberts works on his school work in his first grade classroom taught by Val Poli and Lauren King at the Lillian Drive elementary school in Hazlet, N.J. April, 15, 2021Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Meanwhile, a 30-minute drive down the Parkway to a different district revealed a slightly different employment of distancing guidelines.

In Hazlets Lillian Drive Elementary School, where students have had the option to be in-person for five half-days a week since September, the three-foot rule didnt have an effect on enrollment numbers. While in-person enrollment is up to 94% from 87% in September, the building had been able to accommodate all 238 students on the roster from the beginning of the year.

Still, teachers have begun rearranging classrooms or using the three-feet rule simply to make instruction and group activities easier.

Since we have more students coming in, it is a nice flexibility to have, Principal Kathleen Matsutani told NJ Advance Media.

Boa Yahara get help from teacher Val Poli in first grade at the Lillian Drive elementary school in Hazlet, N.J. April, 15, 2021Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Lillian Drive assigned an extra teacher to second, third and fourth grade this year, allowing students to be split more sparsely among classrooms.

Regardless of six feet versus three, students in both districts demonstrated total adherence to the rules. Children dutifully wore their masks, stayed in their seats when asked and adhered to class contracts pinned to the wall which included rules like wear a mask, and practice social distancing along with use inside voices and always try your best.

Even the antsiest of pre-K students, constantly jumping up and down from his chair with a raised hand, knew to stay within his own personal radius, an act of restraint not typically associated with fidgety preschoolers.

Pre-K students Naseem Farouki listens during class at Irving School in Highland Park. Tuesday, April 20, 2021 Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

We have not had one problem with a child not wearing a mask, Irving Principal Megan McNally told NJ Advance Media. But we also spent a lot of time teaching the kids through videos and through age-appropriate activities what it means to social distance, why mask-wearing is important teaching them what a pandemic is.

Gappa, whose kindergarten class featured rectangular tables separated by decorated plexiglass barriers adorned with patterned paper, said she reminds students to stay a wingspan apart. Students learned about bats earlier in the year and she said the concept helps them conceptualize what a safe distance looks like.

This whole thing is very scary for them, and were trying to make it as comfortable as possible, Gappa said.

And while they might be unaware of a change in CDC guidelines, what students do notice is having new friends in the classroom, teachers said.

Kindergarten teacher Christine Gappa, works with children as they play out a book during class at Irving School in Highland Park. Tuesday, April 20, 2021 Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

Even if it only included a handful of students, offering that change to enrollment and allowing students to come back to school, was important for Taylor.

We want to do as much as we can, particularly at the Primary level, to transition students into the next school year as effectively as possible, he said. We would rather not have kids come in September and really for the first time in a long time all of a sudden be interacting with their peers, not having been exposed to that environment.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Josh Axelrod may be reached at jaxelrod@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
Monday, April 26, 2021

Can grief be a good thing? Recently, I participated in the Toastmasters International Speech Competition. The title of my speech: Good Grief!

With all of the losses we all have incurred during the pandemic, we may not recognize we are grieving  a lot. Using Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross model of the Five Stages of Grief, I talk about how to recognize grief. The key is that we need to allow ourselves to feel what many consider negative emotions.

Heres the speech, followed by the text. I hope it helps you understand and feel better about all the challenges we are facing.

[embedded content]

Good Grief! Speech Text

What words describe 2020 for you? Closed. Cancelled. Isolated. Youre muted.

Remember when we used to get dressed up to go out? Good times. Are you wearing pajamas right now? How about slippers?

Fellow Toastmasters, if you didnt have a loved one get sick or die, you may not recognize our society is grieving enormous losses.

You may have heard of Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and The Five Stages of Grief. Its been part of popular culture for decades. Early in her career, she interviewed dying patients to find out how they felt about their impending deaths.

She found their reactions fell into five categories: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. These reactions may not happen in any specific order. Not everyone experiences all of these reactions.

But Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance are common grief reactions to almost any kind of loss. For example, have you ever lost your keys?

My husband Dave and I were in Austin, Texas pre-pandemic for a bar mitzvah. My parents, who cant drive anymore, needed a chauffeur for the event. We rented an SUV to drive my folks around.

On Sunday, we dropped my parents off at the airport. We stayed an additional day to visit downtown Austins fun funky shops. We planned meet a friend outside of town the next day. Back at the hotel, we walked over to the next-door shopping mall for lunch.

We had plans to go out to dinner with some of my cousins that evening. But, when it came time to find the key for the rental car, it had disappeared.

Denial. How could this car key be missing? I know I put it in my purse.

Dump everything out of the purse. Look in the backpack, look in all the pockets of my jackets, look in the suitcases, we looked everywhere in that hotel room  nothing. How can this key be missing?

Anger. I call up the car rental company to tell them the key is lost. It will cost $250 to replace the key and you must pay for the tow company to return the vehicle to the airport.

Im angry, because my plans to drive out to the Texas countryside the next day are shot. Im supposed to pick up a friends cremated remains and take them back to New Mexico to scatter. And now, I cant fulfill that commitment.

Bargaining. I dont usually pray to a higher power to help find a car key, but I was desperate. I said to my guardian angel, Oh great universal spirit, please, please help me find this missing key. I will thank you forever.

Didnt help. Depression.

Instead of going out for Chinese food with my cousins, Dave and I walked to a nearby grocery store. I bought a bottle of wine, cheese and crackers, nuts  and dark chocolate. Dinner was not a Happy Meal.

Finally, I said, Oh well. Well just pay the 250 dollars and the bill for the tow. Well have Petes ashes mailed to Albuquerque. That is Acceptance.

I washed my face, brushed my teeth and got into my jammies. As I slid under the covers, I felt something move. Plink, the key fell on the floor. Hallelujah! Did I hear the rustling of angel wings? (thank you, thank you!)

Losing a key is nothing compared to losing a loved one. The dead dont miraculously return  usually. And even after this incredibly tough year, you are not dead.

What words describe your life now? Anxious? Exhausted? Overwhelmed? Overweight? I know about pandemic poundage. Took me three months to drop eight pounds. But I did it!

Loss is endemic during this pandemic. Hoarding toilet paper doesnt help. But feeling our feelings does.

Are you angry or depressed? Are you muting yourself, denying your grief? Emotions are meant to be expressed. When suppressed, they fester. Scientific studies show when we express our emotions, even the so-called negative emotions, we feel happier.

Recognize we are all grieving losses in many different ways. Healthy grief is good. Be present. Listen, understand, and share.

Are you muted? Unmute yourself.

About Gail Rubin

Gail Rubin, CT, The Doyenne of Death, is a pioneering death and grief educator. A speaker who uses humor and film clips to get end-of-life conversations started, shes the author of the award-winning books A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Dont Plan to Die, Kicking the Bucket List: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die (Rio Grande Books), and Hail and Farewell: Cremation Ceremonies, Templates and Tips. She is also the coordinator of the award-winning Before I Die New Mexico Festival, which won the ICCFAs KIP Award for Best Event in 2018.

A doyenne is a woman whos considered senior in a group who knows a lot about a particular subject. The CT after Gails name means Certified Thanatologist. Thanatology is the study of death, dying and bereavement. A fellow CT dubbed Gail The Joan Jett of Death Education. Her TEDx talk, A Good Goodbye, focuses on the importance of starting end-of-life conversations before theres a death in the family. Albuquerque Business First named her one of their Women of Influence in 2019.

Related
(Natural News) One day after the Derek Chauvin trial came to a close, Philadelphia Public Schools introduced new curriculum for kindergarteners that tells them George Floyd was killed by a police officer, and that the United States is built on a pyramid of hate culminating in genocide.

The lesson plan, created by the Philadelphia Office of School, Climate, and Culture, urges teachers to discuss with five-year-old children what happened to George Floyd and the goals of the Black Lives Matter movement. There is also plenty of anti-white sentiment peppered throughout the curriculum.

Ask students  if / what they know about George Floyd (and) if / what they know about the news regarding Derek Chauvins trial, a document about the curriculum explains to teachers.

The document also tells teachers to ask their five-year-old students how they are feeling about Floyd and Chauvin and if they have anything they want to share about their feelings.

After teachers get done traumatizing these little ones with fake news propaganda about the Floyd and Chauvin false flag, the Philly school system then wants them to have students sit and process the information for a few minutes before drawing a picture, writing something down, or record[ing] themselves talking about their feelings.

Remember, the document stresses, students do not owe us an explanation for their trauma; allow them to process the information you just shared in a way that is healthy for them.

Once the indoctrination process is complete, the next order of business will be to encourage young students to talk to their friends and family members about things like systemic racism and become activists in their communities.

The document also suggests encouraging the little children to learn more about bias and talk together about how our biases may show up, especially on the lower levels of the Pyramid of Hate (i.e., biased attitudes, acts of bias).

Parents: You must remove your children from the public school system

To ensure that kindergarteners still in natural development understand the propaganda, Philadelphia Public Schools even created a sample pictorial lesson showing a photo of George Floyd along with a cartoon rendering of a police officer, as well as images of bricks and other black people.

Mr. Floyd was African American, the officer was white, the lesson states. For many years, some police officers have hurt African Americans.

Other inflammatory buzzwords embedded within the lessons include things like systemic discrimination and bias-motivated violence, which are always caused by evil white people against black people.

If white people, and especially white police officers, ever try to hold a black person accountable for committing a crime, this could lead to genocide, the Pyramid of Hate suggests.

Philadelphia Public Schools launched similar anti-white crusades in the past, including a program that taught children to glorify black communism while simulating black power rallies.

Meanwhile, in some schools, 87 percent of students fail to achieve basic literacy, notes Christopher F. Ruto, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

Jaimie Piotrowicz and Lauren Thomas from the Philadelphia Public Schools Social Emotional Learning Team are credited with coming up with the new Floyd-centric curriculum. Both of them are light-skinned females.

Parents are the primary educators of their own children, not the schools and the government, wrote one Citizen Free Press commenter, making a case for homeschooling. Communism is not compatible with a country whose Constitution is based upon Christian morality, nor is it based upon narcissistic immoral behavior.

All funding should be stopped to public schools, commented another. Their job is to teach math, English, science, etc. Using billions upon billions of tax money to foment hate against taxpayers is not their job.

To learn more about how some of Americas failing public school systems are replacing reading, writing and arithmetic with social justice propaganda, visit CampusInsanity.com.

Sources for this article include:

CitizenFreePress.com

NaturalNews.com
Yves here. This post indirectly raises a critical problem with renewable energy sources, that they are intermittent and not hugely reliable. And thats before getting to another issue that this article does not address head on: the need for load-shifting even within a day, since peak energy production for solar (the favored clean source for residential energy) is mid-day, when peak consumption is late afternoon-early evening. So users in theory need a combination of storage or a different source to provide base load requirements.

This piece puts too much emphasis on cost, as opposed to what ought to be the first line of attack, radical conservation. But it does in the end acknowledge that the stakes are too high to consider only consumer desires.

By Irina Slav, a writer for Oilprice.com with over a decade of experience writing on the oil and gas industry. Originally published at OilPrice

When Texas literally froze this February, some blamed the blackouts that left millions of Texans in the dark on the wind turbines. Others blamed them on the gas-fired power plants.

The truth isnt so politically simple. In truth, both wind turbines and gas plants froze because of the abnormal weather.

And when Warren Buffets Berkshire Hathaway said it had plans for additional generation capacity in Texas, it wasnt talking about wind turbines. It was talking about more gas-fired power plantsten more gigawatts of them.

While the Texas Freeze hogged headlines in the United States, across the Atlantic, the only European country producing any electricity from solar farms was teeny tiny Slovenia. And thats not because Europe doesnt have any solar capacityon the contrary, it has a substantial amount. But Europe had a brutal winter with lots of snow and clouds. Despite the often-referenced fact that solar panels operate better in cooler weather, sub-zero temperatures are far more drastic than cool. This is not even to mention the cloud cover that, based on the Electricity Map data above, did not help.

If we go back a few more months, there were the California rolling blackouts of August that state officials and others insisted had nothing to do with the states substantial reliance on solar and wind power. The states own utilities commission disagrees.

This is what the California Public Utilities Commission and the states grid operator, CAISO, said in a joint letter to Governor Newsom following the blackouts:

On August 15, the CAISO experienced similar [to August 14] supply conditions, as well as significant swings in wind resource output when evening demand was increasing. Wind resources first quickly increased output during the 4:00 pm hour (approximately 1,000 MW), then decreased rapidly the next hour. These factors, combined with another unexpected loss of generating resources, led to a sudden need to shed load to maintain system reliability.

Further in the letter, CPUC and CAISO also had this to say:

Another factor that appears to have contributed to resource shortages is Californias heavy reliance on import resources to meet increasing energy needs in the late afternoon and evening hours during summer. Some of these import resources bid into the CAISO energy markets but are not secured by long-term contracts. This poses a risk if import resources become unavailable when there are West-wide shortages due to an extreme heat event, such as the one we are currently experiencing.

These lengthy quotes basically say one thingand it is a well-known thing: wind and solar power generation are intermittent, and this intermittency is a problem. This problem continues to be neglected in the mainstream renewable energy narrative with only occasional talk about storage capacity. The reason? Battery storage is quite expensive and will increase the cost of solar and wind generation. Hence the blackout risk as renewable power capacity continues to rise.

People wonder how we made it through the heat wave of 2006, said CAISOs chief executive Stephen Berberich last August. The answer is that there was a lot more generating capacity in 2006 than in 2020. We had San Onofre [nuclear plant] of 2,200 MW, and a number of other plants, totalling thousands of MW not there today.

In a recent article for Forbes, environmentalist Michael Shellenberger cited both the Texas Freeze and the California August 2020 outages as examples of why there should be less solar and wind capacity added to the grid, not more: because the more renewable capacity there is, the higher the risk of blackouts.

Solar and wind are weather-dependent sources of electricity and, as the events in Texas and California show, they are unreliable, Shellenberger, who is the founder and president of Environmental Progress, a research nonprofit, wrote. He also pointed to Germany, where an audit of the countrys energy transition plans showed that some of the projections were overly optimistic, while others were outright implausible.

People in Germany, like people in California and New York, by the way, are paying more for electricity than people in places that are less dependent on renewable energy. While some may be perfectly fine with paying more for cleaner electricity, not everyone can afford it over the long term. And affordable energy is crucial for civilization, Shellenberger notes.

Affordability is one essential requirement for energy if it is to contribute to the improvement of living standards, even if we take economic growth out of the equation since it appears to be very passe these days amid the fight against climate change. Yet affordable energy is one of the driving forces of equality among different communities across the world. And so is reliable energy.

Affordability and reliability, then, are the two things good energy sources need to be. Solar and windunlike hydropower, which is also a renewable sourcecan only be one of these two things, and thats if there is no storage included. They can be affordable, as we are often reminded. Yet, sadly, they cannot be reliable.

This means that the more billions are poured into boosting renewable capacity, the greater the risk of further blackouts. Perhaps at some point, if wind and solar become the main sources of electricity, authorities will need to institute planned outages.

The author of this article grew up in the 1980s in Bulgariaa time when the countrys socialist government exported so much electricity for hard currency payments that blackouts were a part of life. It wasnt a particularly convenient life, but millions of people lived that way in both Bulgaria and Romania. Its worth mentioning, though, that back in the 1980s, people were not constantly online. Our energy consumption has soared since then.

To be fair, the limited availability of electricity would have an incredibly positive effect on greenhouse gas emissions. That is, if the limitation comes from the limited amount of energy generated rather than from excessive exports. In the end, from an environmental perspective, an overwhelming reliance on wind and solar, and the planned blackouts that are quite likely to result from this reliance, would go a long way towards the Paris Agreement targets. Of course, it would cost people certain inconvenience and loss of economicand scientific, and medicalactivity. But if priority number one is fighting climate change, then the end must surely justify the means.
Vice President Kamala Harris listens while holding talks with Guatemala's President Alejandro Giammattei via videoconference, at the White House in Washington, on April 26, 2021. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)

US to Help Train Guatemalan Border Task Force, Increase Aid to Northern Triangle

Vice President Kamala Harris in talks with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei Monday proposed that the United States helps train members of a Guatemalan task force in charge of protecting the countrys border.

In a virtual meeting, Harris offered to send 16 Department of Homeland Security employees to assist in the effort, amid a recent spike in unaccompanied minors arriving at the southern bordermany of them Guatemalan.

The vice president also said that the United States will increase aid to the region and will assist Guatemala with the construction of shelters for returned migrants.

The U.S. government will provide $310 million in assistance for humanitarian relief and to address food insecurity in the Northern Triangle, Harris said.

Harris and Giammattei also agreed to open Migrant Resource Centers in Guatemala to provide services for people seeking lawful pathways of migration as well as those in need of protection, asylum referrals, and refugee resettlement, the White House said.

Guatemalas President Alejandro Giammattei looks on during a news conference in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on Feb. 7, 2020. (Reuters/Luis Echeverria)

President Joe Biden, who has moved away from predecessor Donald Trumps hard-line immigration approach, gave Harris the job of leading U.S. efforts with Mexico and Central Americas Northern Triangle countriesHonduras, El Salvador, and Guatemalato stop migrants from crossing into the United States.

The United States is planning to strengthen its cooperation with the region to better handle the influx of illegal border crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border, Harris told Giammattei in their second conversation in less than a month.

We want to work with you  in a way that will bring hope to the people of Guatemala, that there will be an opportunity for them if they stay at home, Harris said during the virtual meeting.

The U.S. effort to train Guatemalan task force members will be led on the Guatemalan side by the Division of Border Ports and Airports.

She highlighted the need for the United States and Guatemala to better cooperate to manage migration in an effective, secure, and humane manner.

President Giammattei said Guatemala is looking forward to the vice presidents visit but wants to reach an agreement on issues before she travels.

I believe that we should build a roadmap between governments  so that we can reach an agreement  [and] can work on this very hard road that we have ahead of us, he said.

Harris announcement marks a stark contrast to policies under the Trump administration, which in June 2019, withheld hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign aid from the Northern Triangle countriesthe main source of mass illegal migration into the United States.

Trump made the call after the State Department determined that the three countries werent doing enough to curb migration to the United States.

The apprehensions of people crossing the border illegally have substantially increased in recent months.

Border Patrol agents detained more than 150,000 immigrants last month, former Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan said on March 30, citing internal data.

While the Biden administration has said that the border isnt open, Biden reversed or altered a number of key Trump-era immigration enforcement policies such as the Remain in Mexico program, which contributed to the surge, experts have told The Epoch Times.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 11:36:28|Editor: huaxia

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A health worker takes a nasal swab sample from a migrant from Indian state Maharashtra for rapid antigen test for possible COVID-19 infection at a railway station in Patna, the capital city of India's eastern state of Bihar, on April 19, 2021. (UNI via Xinhua)

NEW DELHI, April 27 (Xinhua) -- India has, in the past days, witnessed a resurgence of COVID-19 cases, overwhelming the populous country's already crumbled healthcare system.

Here is a timeline of the development of India's epidemic situation over the past week.

April 19:

-- India's COVID-19 tally surpassed the 15 million mark, reaching 15,061,919, according to the country's federal health ministry.

With an increase of 273,810 cases during the past 24 hours, the country had witnessed a daily spike of over 250,000 new cases for three days straight.

-- All persons aged 18 years and above would be eligible to get COVID-19 vaccination with effect from May 1, said India's federal government. This would be the Phase-III of India's COVID-19 vaccination drive.

People are seen at the Bangalore City Railway Station during coronavirus pandemic in Bangalore, India, April 20, 2021. (Str/Xinhua)

April 20:

-- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ruled out a lockdown amid the second wave of COVID-19 in the country.

Addressing the nation on TV for the first time amid the second wave of COVID-19, Modi also appealed to state governments to consider lockdown as a "last resort."

-- Hospitals in the Indian national capital territory of Delhi reported in the evening that their oxygen supplies will last for just a few hours, officials said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hence urged the federal government to replenish their oxygen supplies.

-- India's Bharat Biotech announced its COVID-19 vaccine capacity would be scaled up to 700 million doses annually, said a company statement.

Wailing relatives of a COVID-19 victim console each other as they reach to collect the body outside the mortuary of Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, India, April 21, 2021. (Str/Xinhua)

April 21:

-- India recorded 295,041 new cases and 2,023 more deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the caseload to 15,616,130 and the death toll to 182,553, according to data released by the health ministry.

There were still 2,157,538 active cases in the country, while 13,276,039 people had been cured and discharged from hospitals.

-- At least 22 patients died due to low oxygen supply after a leakage in the oxygen supply tank of a civic hospital in India's Nashik town, 167 km from the country's financial capital Mumbai.

-- India's federal government announced that it had waived off the import duty on Remdesivir, a broad-spectrum antiviral drug, to provide affordable medical care for the COVID-19 patients, officials said.

-- India's indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin neutralises multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 and effectively works against the double mutant strain as well, said India's top health research body Indian Council of Medical Research.

A worker fills liquid oxygen to an oxygen tank at a hospital to meet the demand amid the continued rise in COVID-19 infections in Ahmedabad, India, on April 22, 2021. (Str/Xinhua)

April 22:

-- A record single-day spike of 314,835 new cases was recorded in the country. It was the first time that more than 300,000 cases had been registered in a single day.

-- As the demand for oxygen grew in the worst-hit COVID-19 states, India's federal health ministry announced an increase in quota for several states, officials said.

The decision had been taken in view of an exponential rise in the number of COVID-19 patients that in turn had increased demand for oxygen in the hospitals.

-- India's national carrier Air India has announced that all its scheduled flights between India and Britain from April 24 to 30 had been cancelled in the wake of the recent restrictions announced by Britain.

-- The sixth phase of local elections in India's eastern state of West Bengal was underway amid a huge spike in COVID-19 cases, officials said.

Workers spray disinfectant on a street in Kolkata, India, on April 23, 2021. (Str/Xinhua)

April 23:

-- India's daily new cases and deaths reached 332,730 and 2,263 respectively in the past 24 hours, both hitting historic high, the government health ministry said.

The total tally surpassed the 16 million mark, reaching 16,263,695, and the death toll increased to 186,920.

-- At least 25 critical patients admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi had died in the last 24 hours, hospital authorities said. Besides, at least 13 COVID-19 patients had been killed after a fire broke out at a private hospital near Mumbai, hospital officials said.

-- Indian drugmaker Zydus Cadila said the Drugs Controller General of India had approved its antiviral drug Virafin for emergency use in the treatment of moderate COVID-19 infections in adults.

-- India's Armed Forces Medical Services was importing mobile oxygen generation plants to address the ongoing oxygen crisis, officials said.

An ambulance is seen at Jaipur Golden Hospital in New Delhi, India, April 24, 2021. (Str/Xinhua)

April 24:

-- India witnessed 346,786 more infections and 2,624 deaths, the government health ministry said. Both figures were at historical high in the country.

-- The government decided to exempt basic customs duty on imports of COVID-19 vaccines, medical grade oxygen for a period of three months, said a senior official.

-- Twenty COVID-19 patients at a hospital in New Delhi died due to a shortage of oxygen, officials said.

-- Mumbai would set up 16 plants at 12 hospitals to produce 43 metric tons of oxygen from atmospheric air daily, said the city's civic authority BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation. The move was expected to cost 12 million U.S. dollars.

A partially deserted road is seen during a weekend lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against COVID-19 in Bangalore, India, April 25, 2021. (Str/Xinhua)

April 25:

-- The lockdown in New Delhi had been extended by another week till May 3 due to surging cases, announced Kejriwal.

-- The ongoing second wave of the pandemic in India was projected to come to its peak in the middle of May, with the northern state of Uttar Pradesh likely to be a major hotspot with over 190,000 daily new cases, local media reported.

-- As many as 551 new medical oxygen generation plants would be set up across India in a bid to address the shortage of oxygen, said an official statement issued by the prime minister office.

A COVID-19-positive patient gets primary treatment on a motor tricycle as she waits for admission into a hospital in Ahmedabad, India, April 26, 2021. (Str/Xinhua)

April 26:

-- The country's COVID-19 tally surpassed 17 million with a fresh high of 352,991 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said.

It was the fifth consecutive day that more than 300,000 cases had been registered in a single day.

-- India's federal government directed states to ensure that liquid oxygen is exclusively used for medical purposes only. It also urged all manufacturing units to maximize the production of liquid oxygen, officials said. 
Federal health officials said on Tuesday that they were directing nearly all drugstores and grocery-store pharmacies to offer second doses of Covid-19 vaccines to people who received their first shot from a different provider.

Growing numbers of Americans who received a first shot of the two-dose Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna vaccine are not getting their second shots, in part because of challenges with access. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 5 million people, or nearly 8 percent of those who were partially vaccinated, have missed getting their second dose.

Though that is not a high rate compared with those seen for multidose vaccines against other conditions, some states have been taking steps to prevent it from rising.

The new federal directive is aimed especially at encouraging college students who got their first shots on or near campus to get their second doses at home, according to Andy Slavitt, the White Houses senior adviser for Covid-19 response. To accomplish that, he said, pharmacies participating in a federal vaccine distribution program will set aside any residency requirements for vaccine recipients.
Central New York native Mickey Meyer has won an Oscar for the short film Two Distant Strangers.

The Observer-Dispatch reports Meyer, who was born and raised in Clinton, N.Y., was an executive producer for the live-action short starring rapper Joey Bada$$ as a Black man stuck in a time loop and forced to relive a deadly run-in with a cop (Andrew Howard).

Writer-director Travon Free and co-director Martin Desmond Roe received the award for Best Live Action Short Film at the 2021 Academy Awards on Sunday. Free, who wore a black-and-gold blazer with the names of Eric Garner, Philando Castile, Tamir Rice, Daunte Wright and others written on the jackets inside lining, spoke out against police shootings during his acceptance speech.

Police in America every day kill three people. Which amounts to about 1,000 people a year, Free said. Those people happen to be disproportionately Black people. I just ask that you please not be indifferent. Please dont be indifferent to our pain.

Travon Free arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, April 25, 2021, at Union Station in Los Angeles.AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool

Meyer, president of California-based Group Nine Studios, told the Observer-Dispatch he was not able to attend the Oscars due to Covid-19 restrictions that limited in-person attendance. He said hes known Free for a long time and thought his short film had a powerful message.

When Travon brought that script, it was just so clear that this was a way to use the firepower that we have to get behind something that could help build empathy, Meyer said. Empathy is really, in my opinion, the best chance we have of changing anything like this.

This is Meyers first major Hollywood award. He was previously nominated for an Emmy as an executive producer for Sarah Silvermans 2017 Netflix special A Speck of Dust. Meyers credits also include Norm Macdonald Live, Epic Rap Battles in History, and music videos for Reggie Watts and Tyler, the Creator.

Other films with Upstate New York ties at this years Oscars include Crip Camp, nominated for best documentary with the story of a Catskills retreat for disabled people; Trial of the Chicago 7, written and directed by Syracuse University alumnus Aaron Sorkin; and Judas and the Black Messiah, which featured a score mixed by Auburns Valhalla Studios. Sorkin was nominated for best picture and best original screenplay, but did not win. Judas was not nominated for sound mixing, but won two Oscars for best supporting actor (Daniel Kaluuya) and best original song (Fight for You by H.E.R.).

Two Distant Strangers, also executive produced by Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant and hip-hop mogul Sean Diddy Combs, is currently streaming on Netflix.
Fiscal Y-T-D Sales Total $12.0 Million

CHICO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / AmeraMex International, Inc. (OTCQB:AMMX), a provider of heavy equipment for logistics companies, infrastructure construction and forestry conservation, announced that it has received a $200,000 equipment order. This order pushes year-to-date sales over the $12.0 million mark.

The order is for a refurbished Taylor THDC-955 loaded container handler shipping to an off-dock container yard by the end of this month. An Off-Dock Container Yard (ODCY) refers to a container yard situated outside of the port premises. Containers are moved to the ODCY via a truck. They go through Customs and are then released to the receiver. This procedure can decongest ports and save up to 40% in storage fees.

About AmeraMex International

AmeraMex International sells, leases, and rents heavy equipment to companies within multiple industries including construction, logistics, mining, and lumber. AmeraMex, with a US and international customer base, has over 30 years of experience in heavy equipment sales and service. Follow AmeraMex on Twitter @ammx_intl and visit the AmeraMex website, www.AMMX.net or www.hamreequipment.com for additional corporate information, online heavy equipment inventory/ pricing and videos.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "potential," "continue" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects the Company's current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

Investor and Media Relations

McCloud Communications, LLC

Marty Tullio, Managing Member

Office: 949.632.1900

Marty@McCloudCommunications.com

SOURCE: AmeraMex International Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642446/AmeraMex-International-Receives-200000-Equipment-Order
BlackRock Latin American Investment Trust (BRLA) has become a more concentrated fund since the appointment of Sam Vecht and Ed Kuczma in late December 2018. Although Latin America has more recently been negatively affected by COVID-19, the managers are positive on the region's prospects. They suggest that it is 'under-owned, under-researched and undervalued' and will benefit from an improvement in the domestic and global economy. In recent months Vecht and Kuczma have identified several new investment opportunities across a range of industries, and while stocks are selected on a bottom-up basis there are a series of themes represented in the portfolio such as structural growth stocks.

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.
YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. A stable operational situation with no incidents has been maintained along the Armenian-Azerbaijani line of contact of the Armenian state border overnight April 26-27, the Defense Ministry of Armenia told Armenpress.

According to the information provided by the Armenian National Security Service, the situation has also not changed in Vorotan-Davit Bek section of the Goris-Kapan inter-state road which is under the responsibility of the NSS border troops.

The Armed Forces of Armenia and the NSS border troops control the border situation along the entire length of the border zone and fulfill their tasks.
Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL) has sold off its thermal power business to Worldone, a company owned by the promoter group of

has divested 96.42 per cent stake in Jindal Power (JPL) to Worldone.

Industry sources said the estimated deal size is close to Rs 12,000 crore, which includes Rs 6,500 crore debt, Rs 7,000 crore redeemable preference shares and Rs 3,015 crore equity infusion. It also includes Rs 4,400 crore of an old loan, which JPL had taken from

The is in line with JSPLs strategic objective to continuously reduce its debt, focus on its India steel business and significantly reduce carbon footprint by almost half as part of its ESG (environmental, social, and governance) objectives, JSPL said in a statement.

It further said that the equity value is an all-cash offer of Rs 3,015 crore for 96.42 per cent stake in JPL. This includes 3,400 Mw coal-fired power plants in Chhattisgarh and other non-core assets owned by JPL.

JSPL has two coal-fired power plants in Raigarh and Tamnar totaling 3400 Mw. JPL had earlier tried to sell the units to JSW Energy but the deal did not close.

This is in line with our ESG objectives to be among the top 10 lowest Co2 emitting steel of the world. It is yet another step towards our vision to reduce debt substantially and create a robust balance sheet for our investors and stakeholders, said V R Sharma, managing director, JSPL.

He said the company will now focus on steel production and double the output of its Angul steel plant to 12 million tonne per annum (MTPA).

The is subject to requisite approvals, including approval from shareholders of JSPL, lenders of JPL and JSPL, and such other statutory approvals.

JSPL added that Worldone is a private company owned by the promoter group. It manages and holds investments across various listed and unlisted
India has experienced an explosive increase in covid19 deaths, largely because India, like many nations with a high poverty rate are unable to handle epidemics. Despite that, India has the largest and fastest growing economy in the region and attempts to impose widespread covid19 related lockdowns could not be sustained long enough to halt the spread of the disease or prevent significant economic damage. There was major opposition to shutdowns in many high-poverty areas. In these areas if you dont work you dont eat. The government can handle small numbers of hungry unemployed and avoid starvation deaths. Disease is another matter. Shutdowns that were imposed during 2020 caused the GDP to shrink nine percent for the year. Until recently recovery and 11 percent growth was expected for 2021. That has since been lowered to ten percent and if India can vaccinate most of its population quickly enough, the growth rate after 2021 should return to 6-7 percent a year for the rest of the decade. Like many nations in the region, most of India has no modern health system.

The prime targets of covid19 are those whose immune systems are already weakened by old age or chronic disease. Healthier adults and children have a death rate similar to what is experienced when the annual influenza outbreak occurs. In less affluent nations the spread of covid19 is not really noticed in areas which already suffer higher death rates because of the absence of health care and more numerous deaths from natural causes. In all countries the wealthy and senior politicians tend to be older and more vulnerable to covid19 but have access to modern medical care. For these groups, the rapid development of covid19 vaccines is literally a lifesaver. For India, the population is too large (over a billion) and the current world vaccine supply too small to quickly vaccinate the most vulnerable Indians. The first vaccines were approved (by government drug safety agencies) in late 2020. The United States, the leader in quick development of covid19 vaccines, had paid for the manufacture of millions of vaccine doses before approval. This was expensive and risky as many believed it impossible to develop safe and effective vaccines this fast. The Americans took a chance on new vaccine development technologies and it worked. Once vaccines were approved for widespread use, production could be vastly increased. Even that would require months because there was only so much vaccine production capability worldwide. In late December people were warned that it would take at least three or four months to produce enough vaccine for the vulnerable populations in developed countries, and until the end of 2021 to manufacture enough vaccine for the rest of the world. That meant covid19 would continue to spread, and that is what is happening to India. Despite this, India has not suffered from the virus as badly as other nearby nations.

Iran is considered the epicenter of covid19 infections in the region and the source of infection for most of its neighbors. This was because the arrival of the virus was deliberately downplayed by the Iranian religious dictatorship, which 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. Currently Iran reports 747 deaths per million and internal reports indicate death rates are of more than twice that. Other nations in the region report much lower death rates. India has had 142 deaths per million so far, which is up sharply from 110 deaths per million three weeks ago. Afghanistan has 66 admitted deaths, Turkey reports 455, Iraq 374 and Pakistan 77. Further away Saudi Arabia has 196 deaths per million, Tajikistan 9, Uzbekistan 19 and the UAE 157. In Europe Spain has 1,662, Britain 1,869 and Sweden 1,372. The U.S. rate is 1,764. The world average is 402 deaths per million.

Afghanistan Complications

The United States has changed its Afghanistan departure deadline from May 1st to September 11, 2021. This new departure date us symbolic as it is two decades after the al Qaeda terror attacks in the United States that triggered the invasion of Afghanistan and hunt for al Qaeda leaders and Islamic terrorists in general.

The departure might still be delayed or cancelled, but it has been underway for over a year and the heavy equipment of the last 2,500 American troops in Afghanistan is already being packed up and shipped out. The remaining American troops have closed their bases and are now living in Afghan bases. The Afghan Taliban are confident that they will be able to overthrow the current elected Afghan government and once more have an opportunity to conquer the entire country. While those ambitions are not a sure thing, nations adjacent to Afghanistan are taking measures to protect themselves.

Pakistan, Iran, India, China and Central Asian nations all have different plans for handling another Taliban attempt to take over Afghanistan. Pakistan believes they still have sufficient clout to compel the Taliban to follow orders and not create another Islamic terrorist sanctuary. 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 Afghan Taliban is trying to play Iran and Pakistan against each other, but that has proved difficult because Iran considers the Taliban a Pakistan controlled operation. China seeks to use Pakistan to protect China and Chinese in Pakistan from Islamic terrorists. This is done with economic pressure as China is 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. Similar situation in Iran where 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.

Meanwhile the local coalition that prevented the original 1990s Taliban from conquering the entire country is now stronger and more determined. This Northern Alliance (of northern non-Pushtun tribes) were the first to publicize, before 2001, the presence of Pakistanis in the Taliban and the control Pakistan always had over the Taliban. That support became more obvious after 2001 when Pakistan provided sanctuary for the Taliban leadership in southwest Pakistan (Baluchistan), something the Taliban were unable to hide given the number of prominent Taliban living openly in the Baluchistan capital. In 2021 the Afghan Taliban are seen as dependent on Pakistan and the Afghan drug gangs to survive. One thing most Afghans can agree on is that Pakistan and the drug gangs are not good for Afghanistan.

April 26, 2021: Pakistan has been unable to halt the more radical of the many Islamic political parties from disrupting or shutting down life in the capital and other large cities because of government refusal to take strong action against any perceived disrespect for Islam or enforcing any law that these parties deem hostile to Islam.

Most of these demands revolve around false accusations that someone committed blasphemy against Islam. The government has to respond and regularly sentences people to death for posting comments on the Internet deemed anti-Moslem or making similar comments while teaching in college, where such discussions have long been allowed. The death sentences are appealed and usually overturned but that process takes years. Since the 1980s about a hundred of these accused blasphemers have been murdered by Islamic vigilantes before the courts were done. Pakistan has severe blasphemy laws that are mostly used by Moslems against innocent Christians or other non-Moslems. Efforts to repeal these laws, or at least limit their misuse, are violently resisted by Islamic political parties. When Pakistani blasphemy laws are used against Moslems it is usually for revenge or political reasons. The laws are unpopular with the majority of Pakistanis. But the minority who do support the laws, are willing to use lethal force to keep the laws on the books. These blasphemy laws were enacted in the 1970s at the behest of the military. The opposition to repealing these laws is violent and fearless. In 2011 the Punjab province governor Salman Taseer was shot dead by one of his own bodyguards because Taseer had openly opposed the blasphemy laws.

The current violence is about the French government, which once again reaffirmed its opposition to these blasphemy charges against anyone in France. The Pakistani government pressured the French government but also pointed out to Pakistanis that if these anti-French efforts succeeded Pakistan would lose a lot of economic and diplomatic support from European nations. This is something Pakistan cannot afford, because Europe is a major trading partner. Most Pakistanis understood this but the religious parties declared it irrelevant. For them no price was too high when it came to defending Islam and punishing blasphemers.

April 23, 2021: In Pakistan the army was ordered to send troops to major cities to enforce covid19 lockdown. There is a similar problem in Bangladesh and India. After more than a year of lockdowns and now the availability of effective vaccines, more younger people are gathering together. While they are not much at risk, because fatalities for them are similar to the annual influenza outbreaks, the deaths among the elderly and sickly are as much as ten percent.

April 21, 2021: In southwest Pakistan (Baluchistan province) a car bomb went off outside a luxury hotel in Quetta, the provincial capital and main sanctuary for the Afghan Taliban. The bomb killed four and wounded thirteen. Security is heavy around targets like this because the hotel is popular with foreigners and wealthy Pakistanis. A few days later the Pakistan Taliban took credit for this attack, which is the 33rd Pakistan Taliban attack so far in 2021. Initially Pakistan blamed India and explained that there was a parade nearby celebrating the decades of Pakistani efforts to gain control of Indian Kashmir. The Pakistani Taliban claim made more sense but also made the Pakistani military look bad. Since 2014 the army has been openly at war with the Pakistani Taliban, which had to move to Afghanistan. For several years after the 2014 army offensive, which is still underway, but at a lower intensity, the Pakistani Taliban was much less active.

In mid-2018 Pakistani Taliban lost their ineffective leader Mullah Maulana Fazlullah to an American UAV missile attack against a camp in eastern Afghanistan. The new leader was Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud. From the beginning most of the leaders of the Pakistani Taliban have come from the Mehsud tribe, which is prominent in South Waziristan. This tribe was instrumental in forming the Pakistani Taliban in 2007. In late 2013 an American UAV used a missile to kill Hakimullah Mehsud, the man Mullah Maulana Fazlullah succeeded as head of the Pakistani Taliban. That attack took place in North Waziristan and in light of the subsequent (2014) Pakistani army offensive into North Waziristan the Pakistani Taliban moved their headquarters across the border into Afghanistan. At the same time there was a civil war within the Pakistani Taliban over the selection of Fazlullah as leader and strategy in general. Fazlullah was effective initially in getting many Pakistani Taliban, and their families into eastern Afghanistan. Fazlullah was less effective is preventing the Pakistani Taliban from splitting into many factions.

By mid-2020 the UN declared Mehsud an international terrorist and subject to arrest if he shows up in an area where that is possible. With a Mehsud back in charge of the Afghan Taliban, the organization became more effective and by 2021 that became obvious as the Pakistani Taliban carried out a record number of attacks.

Earlier in 2020 the Pakistani Taliban released a video honoring former leader Hakeemullah Mehsud, who led the Pakistani Taliban at its peak, before the 2014 Pakistani military operation. The video made some interesting points that are not usually emphasized in the media. For one thing the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban actually get along rather well, despite the Afghan Taliban being largely Afghans and beholden to the Pakistani military for sanctuary and support. Both Talibans are largely Pushtun and that counts for something in this part of the world. Both Talibans work with al Qaeda and both hate ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant). Both Talibans also get along with the Haqqani Network, another Pushtun Islamic terror group from that formed during the 1980s Russian occupation of Afghanistan. Haqqani has since gone gangster and still works for the Pakistani military. That means that sometimes Haqqani hitmen are ordered to kill Afghan or Pakistani Taliban personnel. This is not frequent because both Talibans and Haqqani are Pushtun and the Pakistani military has found there are limits to what it can pay or coerce Pushtun to do to each other.

April 20, 2021: In the Pakistani capital a journalist critical of the military survived an assassination when his attacker wounded his target, who was walking in a park full of potential witnesses. No one took credit for the attack but thats how the military operatives work. If an effective critic of the military is attacked anonymously it is usually the military. The identity of the shooters are often later discovered. These attacks have been going on for decades.

April 8, 2021: In northwest India (Ladakh State) Chinese forces have not only slowed their agreed withdrawal from disputed territory in Ladakh but have quietly moved in HQ9 air defense systems. HQ9 is roughly comparable to the American Patriot system but based on tech China stole from Russia and the United States. Introduced in the late 199s, HQ9 has undergone several updates and is now used on warships as well. By the end of 2020 India and China were bringing more troops to the area along the shore of Pangong Lake, where they had been confronting each other for over a year. In September 2020 both agreed to halt their operations on the Indian border and continue negotiations. Both sides declared victory but China was the actual winner because now a thousand square kilometers of additional Indian territory along Panglong Lake is under Chinese control. By the end of 2020 the two sides had agreed to pull most of their forces back because of the frigid weather in the high mountains surrounding Pangong Lake. China has been slow to carry out all those withdrawals. China has also quietly built fake villages in recently occupied territory in remote, and largely uninhabited portions of the border. When India discovers these villages, inhabited by Chinese civilians paid to be there, China insists the village has long existed and threatens force to defend their remote and economically unsustainable Chinese village.

All these Chinese lies and subterfuge was not unexpected and was another example of the Chinese SSSN (Shove, Stop, Stands Fast) tactics, which have once again prevailed, as they have many times in the recent past. China initially expressed no interest in retreating but was willing to negotiate. With the cold weather approaching last September India was in no position to refuse the Chinese offer. China believes they will prevail by repeating their SSSN and push Indian forces out of all the disputed areas along their common border. SSSN is slow and it would take decades to grab all the Indian territory claimed by China. As long as China maintains a stronger military than India and can keep more troops near the disputed border areas, India will not feel confident to defend forcefully and risking a large-scale battle on the border.

India feels more capable in opposing China because of growing Indian economic power. Indian GDP nearly doubled in the last decade; from $1.7 trillion to the current $2.9 trillion. This made India the fifth largest economy, recently surpassing Britain and France. The rest of the top five are the U.S., China, Germany and Japan. Chinese GDP growth is slowing although in the last decade it more than doubled from $6.1 trillion to $14 trillion. Over three decades of spectacular economic growth in China resulted in the Chinese GDP becoming over fourteen times larger than it was in 1989. In that same period the U.S. GDP doubled. After World War II India had a larger GDP than China and never felt the same urgency as China to modernize and expand the economy. But India has not been as effective in keeping up with the Chinese military in terms of modernization. Indian threats to oppose Chinese military moves carry little weight with the Chinese or anyone else who analyses the situation. Actions have consequences and, in this case, it means China can push India around on their mutual border.

Another reason for this is that India is still haunted by the last battle between Indian and Chinese forces back in 1962. In a month of fighting that began on 20 October 1962, India lost 7,000 troops (57 percent prisoners, the rest dead or missing) compared to 722 Chinese dead. China declared a ceasefire that India accepted. China actually advanced in two areas, a thousand kilometers apart and ended up taking 43,000 square kilometers of Indian territory.

The source of the 1962 war and current border disputes are a century old and heated up again when China resumed control over Tibet in the 1950s. From the end of the Chinese empire in 1912 up until 1949 Tibet had been independent. But when the communists took over China in 1949, they sought to reassert control over their "lost province" of Tibet. This began slowly, but once all of Tibet was under Chinese control in 1959, China had a border with India and there was immediately a disagreement about exactly where the border should be. Thats because, in 1914, the newly independent Tibet government worked out a border (the McMahon line) with the British who then controlled India. China considers this border agreement illegal and wants 90,000 square kilometers back. India refused, especially since this would mean losing much of the state of Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India and some bits elsewhere there and all along the new northern border.

India, as a democracy with a free press, has a public discussion of Chinese tactics and possible Indian responses. China also tries to take advantage of the Indian media freedom by buying favorable coverage in the Indian press. This is done via bribes, offers of investments or loans as well as economic concessions within China. Military strategy in China, since ancient times, has placed emphasis on having a powerful military but using it mainly as a threat and giving enemies an incentive to accept bribes and allow China to get what they want. Yet India has rarely been seen as an enemy of China. There is nothing valuable on their mutual border which for thousands of years has been along high mountains and thinly populated lowland jungles. Neither India nor China had any incentive to raise large armies to threaten each other.

Because of this background, the border disputes since the 1960s are seen by Indians as inexplicable and by Chinese as overdue restitution for centuries of humiliations inflicted by Western invaders. India, ever since it emerged from centuries of British colonial rule in 1947, insisted that India and China shared a background of oppression by the West. China sees India as trying to perpetuate Western crimes against China. To most Chinese, Indians look and sound like Westerners therefore India must be an enemy of China. India has come to accept that the Chinese are obsessed with making India pay for real or imagined wrongs inflicted by Western imperialists and see nothing wrong with using ancient Chinese imperialist methods to get their way. Suddenly British imperialism is not the worst thing that could ever happen to India. China is seeking to provide something much worse and much closer.

April 7, 2021: In Pakistan the parliament approved a law that made it a crime to criticize the Pakistani military. Maximum punishment is two years in prison and fines of up to $3,300. There was a lot of opposition to the new law, but the military now controls most members of parliament as well as the current prime minister.

April 3, 2021: Pakistan is trying to regain access to loans from international donors like the World Bank. So far, the World Bank terms have been unacceptable, or at least to the Pakistani military, which is largely responsible for financial crises Pakistan is trying to deal with. The World Bank points out many problems with how the Pakistani government spends, or misspends, money. One obvious problem is how Pakistani military spending takes more and more of the government budget. Over the last few years the military share of the budget has grown from 15 percent to 19 percent. In contrast, India has seen declines from 17 percent to less than 14 percent.

While China will invest in Pakistan, there are no loans, cash gifts or binding alliances of any type. For that Pakistan has to rely on wealthy Arab oil states. Large loans also come from international financial institutions like the World Bank. That credit line has been exhausted and the Arabs are unhappy with Pakistani criticism of Moslem states making peace with Israel. Pakistan feels no need to make peace with Israel because that would anger neighboring Iran. The Persians are an ancient foe of the Indian subcontinent. Times change and while India was always on good terms with 20th Century Iran, Pakistan has to work at it. A lot of Pakistani Islamic conservatives hate Shia Iran. After all, Pakistan literally means land of the pure and that means conservative Sunni Moslem, like most Arabs in the Arabian Peninsula. Pakistan is in a difficult situation here and hopes that everyone appreciates how hard Pakistan is trying to anger the fewest potential enemies. That is not working well, especially when it comes to Afghanistan and India.
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The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, will pay a virtual visit to Nigeria and Kenya on April 27.

During the visit, Mr Blinken is expected to meet with Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari and Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported, U.S. President Joe Biden invited President Buhari and 39 other world leaders to a virtual summit to galvanise efforts in tackling the climate crisis.

The two-day summit marked Americas return to the frontlines of the fight against human-caused climate change, after former President Donald Trump disengaged from the process.

According to the statement released by the States Spokesperson, Ned Price, on Monday, the purpose of Mr Blinkens visit is to engage with young people from across the continent.

Mr Price said, Secretary Blinken will begin his virtual travel to Africa meeting with Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) alumni. In a Ten Questions with Tony event, YALI alumni will have an opportunity to engage with the Secretary on a range of topics, including the role of youth in the future of Africa, economic development, democracy and good governance, climate change, and health.

Through YALI, the United States works with public, private sector, and civil society partners across the continent to develop initiatives and economic opportunities to support the creativity, innovativeness, and energy of Africas youth.

He further said, Secretary Blinken will then travel virtually to Nigeria, where he will underscore our shared goals of strengthening democratic governance, building lasting security, and promoting economic ties and diversification. People-to-people connections, underpinned by the dynamic Nigerian diaspora in the United States, amplify and strengthen our relationship.

During his visit, Secretary Blinken will meet with President Buhari and Foreign Minister Onyeama to reiterate the value of our bilateral relationship and discuss issues of shared importance. Secretary Blinken will also participate in a health partnership event to underscore our collaboration to combat the pandemic as well as long-term U.S. investments in combatting infectious diseases. He will meet with a beneficiary of a PEPFAR program and a Nigerian health care worker.

The Secretarys virtual trip to Kenya will celebrate our 57-year bilateral relationship. Secretary Blinken will meet with President Kenyatta and Cabinet Secretary Omamo to reaffirm our strategic partnership, discuss future cooperation to promote democracy and expand trade, and explore avenues to address global challenges, including climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement said the Secretary of State will also visit Kenyan-based renewable energy companies that, thanks in part to U.S. government engagement, are a model of innovative clean energy alternatives in Africa.

Finally, as part of our solidarity with Kenya amid the global pandemic, we will highlight a U.S.-donated Mobile Field Hospital to which the United States is providing essential COVID-19 medical supplies through AFRICOM and the Massachusetts National Guards State Partnership Program, it said.
Adds to previous recoverable resource estimate of approximately 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent

Expect to have at least six floating production storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) on the Stabroek Block by 2027

Potential for up to 10 FPSOs to develop the current discovered recoverable resource base

Hess Corporation (NYSE: HES) today announced another oil discovery offshore Guyana at the Uaru-2 well on the Stabroek Block, which will add to the previously announced gross discovered recoverable resource estimate for the block of approximately 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

Uaru-2 encountered approximately 120 feet (36.7 meters) of high quality oil bearing sandstone reservoir, including newly identified intervals below the original Uaru-1 discovery. The well was drilled in 5,659 feet (1,725 meters) of water and is located approximately 6.8 miles (11 kilometers) south of the Uaru-1 well.

"The Uaru-2 discovery will add to the discovered recoverable resource estimate of approximately 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent," CEO John Hess said. "We expect to have at least six FPSOs on the Stabroek Block by 2027, with the potential for up to 10 FPSOs to develop the current discovered recoverable resource base."

Production from the Liza Phase 1 development on the Stabroek Block utilizing the Liza Destiny FPSO reached its nameplate capacity of 120,000 gross barrels of oil per day in December 2020 and remained at this level during the first quarter of 2021. In mid April, production from the Liza Destiny was curtailed for several days after a minor leak was detected in the flash gas compressor discharge silencer. Production has since ramped back up and is expected to remain in the range of 100,000-110,000 gross barrels of oil per day until repairs to the discharge silencer are completed in approximately three months. Following this repair, production is expected to return to, or above, nameplate capacity.

Startup of Liza Phase 2 remains on track for early 2022 utilizing the Liza Unity FPSO with production capacity of approximately 220,000 gross barrels of oil per day. A third development at the Payara Field was sanctioned in September 2020 that will utilize the Prosperity FPSO with production capacity of 220,000 gross barrels of oil per day; first oil is expected in 2024. The hull for the Prosperity FPSO is complete, and topsides construction activities have commenced in Singapore.

A fourth development, Yellowtail, has been identified on the Stabroek Block with anticipated startup in 2025, pending government approvals and project sanctioning. This project will develop the Yellowtail and Redtail fields, which are located approximately 19 miles (30 kilometers) southeast of the Liza developments.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres. ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45 percent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 percent interest.

Hess Corporation is a leading global independent energy company engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. More information on Hess Corporation is available at http://www.hess.com.

Cautionary Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "guidance," "could," "may," "should," "would," "believe," "intend," "project," "plan," "predict," "will," "target" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are not historical in nature. Our forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, the expected number, timing and completion of our development projects and estimates of capital and operating costs for these projects; estimates of our crude oil and natural gas resources and levels of production; and our future financial and operational results. Forward-looking statements are based on our current understanding, assessments, estimates and projections of relevant factors and reasonable assumptions about the future. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our current projections or expectations of future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The following important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements: fluctuations in market prices or demand for crude oil, NGLs and natural gas, including due to the global COVID-19 pandemic or the outbreak of any other public health threat, or due to the impact of competing or alternative energy products and political conditions and events; potential failures or delays in increasing oil and gas reserves and in achieving expected production levels, including as a result of unsuccessful exploration activity, drilling risks and unforeseen reservoir conditions; inherent uncertainties in estimating quantities of proved reserves and resources; changes in laws, regulations and governmental actions applicable to our business, including legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding environmental concerns, such as measures to limit greenhouse gas emissions and flaring; the ability of our contractual counterparties to satisfy their obligations to us, including the operation of joint ventures which we may not control; unexpected changes in technical requirements for constructing, modifying or operating exploration and production facilities and/or the inability to timely obtain or maintain necessary permits; potential disruption or interruption of our operations due to catastrophic events, including the global COVID-19 pandemic; and other factors described in Item 1A-Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and any additional risks described in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As and when made, we believe that our forward-looking statements are reasonable. However, given these risks and uncertainties, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements since such statements speak only as of the date when made and there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will occur and actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement we make. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.

We use certain terms in this release relating to resources other than proved reserves, such as unproved reserves or resources. Investors are urged to consider closely the oil and gas disclosures in Hess Corporation's Form 10-K, File No. 1-1204, available from Hess Corporation, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036 c/o Corporate Secretary and on our website at www.hess.com. You can also obtain this form from the SEC on the EDGAR system.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005660/en/

Contacts:

Investor:

Jay Wilson

(212) 536-8940

jrwilson@hess.com

Media:

Lorrie Hecker

(212) 536-8250

lhecker@hess.com
The ceremony was watched by a record-low 9.9 million people. Yeah, 9.9 million. Thats like taking everyone who watched Mank and adding 9.8 million.  JIMMY FALLON

I guess most people thought the show was a little sluggish and, at times, a bit uncomfortable. It was as if the whole ceremony had just gotten its second Pfizer shot.  JIMMY FALLON

This was the Oscars that finally answered the question, What happens when you dont cut off acceptance speeches? Turns out, they go on for a very long time.  JIMMY KIMMEL

For whatever reason, the awards were held at Union Station downtown, which is the closest many of these stars have ever been to public transportation.  JIMMY KIMMEL

Well, I guess the train station made sense cause I fell asleep 30 minutes in. When I woke up, I had no idea where I was.  JIMMY FALLON
[April 27, 2021] DCM and Habitat for Humanity Canada Announce Partnership to Benefit Communities

DATA Communications Management Corp. (" DCM (News - Alert)") (TSX: DCM) and Habitat for Humanity Canada ("Habitat Canada") are pleased to announce a new partnership that will see the two organizations join forces, bringing private sector capabilities and expertise to a national not-for-profit organization. DCM will offer a wide range of in-kind services to Habitat Canada, including but not limited to brand strategy, communications, retail design, technology solutions, and comprehensive commercial print. DCM's primary focus will be optimizing the operations, messaging, and customer experience of Habitat ReStore's unique network of stores, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005325/en/ The Habitat ReStore network, featuring 109 locations across Canada, accepts and sells donated home furnishings, appliances, and renovation materials, giving eco-conscious Canadians a concrete way to reduce their carbon footprint and keep items out of landfills. All of the proceeds from Habitat ReStore sales go directly to Habitat for Humanity, funding home builds and enabling the financial independence and sustainability of the charity. Habitat for Humanity's model of affordable homeownership helps families who need a safe and decent place to live, buy their own home. Habitat Homeowners volunteer up to 500 hours and pay an affordable mortgage geared to their income, allowing them to build a strong foundation and the financial stability to plan for their futures. Both Habitat Canada and Habitat ReStore will receive the brand-building solutions DCM brings to market for hundreds of top tier private and public sector clients across Canada. "Leveraging the power of external partnerships is an important part of our vision for the future-and we couldn't be more thrilled to be embarking on this journey with DCM," says Julia Deans, President and CO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. "Working with DCM gives us a valuable opportunity to materially improve the way we tell our story and the way our brand comes to life."



For DCM, the collaboration offers employees the opportunity to create meaningful impact in their communities. "This isn't about simply 'showing our support' or writing a cheque," says Richard Kellam, President and CEO of DCM. "It's a very meaningful and real partnership for us because we're all going to have the chance to roll up our sleeves and dig in, impacting everything from Habitat's day-to-day operations to their national messaging. And we're going to see the outcomes of this great work reflected in our own communities." About DCM

DCM is a communication solutions partner that adds value for major companies across North America by creating more meaningful connections with their customers. We pair customer insights and thought leadership with cutting-edge products, modular enabling technology, and services to power our clients' go-to-market strategies. We help our clients manage how their brands come to life, determine which channels are right for them, manage multimedia campaigns, deploy location-specific and 1:1 marketing, execute custom loyalty programs, and fulfill their commercial printing needs all in one place. Our extensive experience has positioned us as experts at providing communication solutions across many verticals, including the financial, retail, healthcare, consumer health, energy, and not-for-profit sectors. Thanks to our locations throughout Canada and in the United States, we are able to meet our clients' varying needs with scale, speed, and efficiency - no matter how large or complex the ask. And we can do it all with advanced data security, regulatory compliance, and bilingual communications, in digital or print. Additional information relating to DATA Communications Management Corp. is available on www.datacm.com, and in the disclosure documents filed by DATA Communications Management Corp. on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com. About Habitat for Humanity Canada Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, charitable organization working towards a world where everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home. Habitat Canada brings communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. With the help of volunteers, Habitat homeowners and 50 local Habitats working in every province and territory, we provide a solid foundation for better, healthier lives in Canada and around the world. Habitat for Humanity Canada is a member of Habitat for Humanity International, which was established in 1976 and has grown to become a leading global non-profit working in more than 70 countries. For more information, please visit www.habitat.ca View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005325/en/

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Menopausal symptoms - hot flushes and night sweats  experienced by women with breast cancer can be reduced through group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered by breast care nurses, a new clinical trial reveals.

Up to 85% of women with breast cancer suffer from hot flushes and night sweats due to chemotherapy and hormone therapy treatments. These side effects are often more extreme and can last longer for women with breast cancer than for women who experience them due to natural menopause. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be offered to relieve menopausal symptoms, but is not usually recommended for women with breast cancer because it may increase their risk of the disease returning, therefore safe and effective alternatives to reduce side effects and ensure quality of life are urgently needed.

Researchers funded by Breast Cancer Now have found that women with breast cancer, who received six weeks of group CBT from a breast care nurse, reported that their menopausal symptoms became significantly less distressing and less problematic. Their frequency also reduced by over a quarter (28%). This more than doubles the reduction of symptoms reported by women receiving standard care, and often ad hoc advice (11%). Furthermore, for the women who received CBT from a nurse, these life-changing benefits lasted several months.

For many women with breast cancer, menopausal side effects can have a devastating impact on both their quality of life and mental health; consequently, some women stop treatment that could help prevent their breast cancer returning. However, in the study women reported that after receiving CBT from a nurse their night sweats and hot flushes were almost twice as easy to cope with. They also experienced significantly improved quality of sleep and reduced levels of depression and anxiety.

Led by Professor Deborah Fenlon from Swansea University, in collaboration with Southampton Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Southampton and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at Kings College London, the trial involved 127 women from six UK hospitals. All participants had primary breast cancer or DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), an early type of the disease, and were experiencing severe and frequent hot flushes or night sweats.

The participants attended six 90-minute sessions, delivered by 11 different breast care nurses who had been specially trained by a clinical psychologist to deliver CBT. The sessions covered topics including stress management, paced breathing, improved wellbeing and strategies for managing the specific side effects of hot flushes, night sweats and disrupted sleep.

Once the pressures on the NHS start to ease, and capacity and resource has been considered, Breast Cancer Now would like to see Trusts and Health Boards across the UK support breast care nurses to deliver group CBT to patients suffering with these menopausal side effects of treatment. Where this intervention is possible it will improve quality of life, and critically, help women to continue treatment that helps reduce the chances of their cancer coming back.

Professor Myra Hunter from Kings IoPPN, who developed the group CBT and trained the nurses in the trial, said:

In previous trials we have found that group CBT delivered by clinical psychologist is an effective way to alleviate menopausal symptoms for women who have undergone breast cancer treatment. There are clear advantages for women to access this support from nurses who they may already know, so it is a considerable step forward to demonstrate that this therapy is just as effective when delivered by trained breast care nurses. We have a published treatment manual and a training course with the British Menopause Society, so that this therapy is available for health professionals to access and can reach more women who might benefit from it.

Menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes and night sweats, can profoundly impact quality of life for women with breast cancer. Its hugely exciting to see that CBT delivered by a breast care nurse can help to spare women, whove already had the difficult experience of a breast cancer diagnosis, this further anguish. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown us into unprecedented times. But one thing that remains the same is the critical need for us to strive, through research, to find ways to prevent breast cancer and save lives, and equally to make discoveries that mean the 600,000 people currently living with the disease live as well as possible. We appreciate that the NHS is working tirelessly under immense strain right now, but hope that when pressures on breast care nurses begin to ease the findings of this innovative study lead to CBT being made available to help women affected by breast cancer to enjoy a better quality of life. Our world-class research is only possible thanks to public support. Due to the impact of COVID-19 our fundraising income is projected to drop by 43% in this financial year, meaning we are less able to fund new research that could transform the lives of people affected by breast cancer. We need your support now more than ever. For more information and to donate please visit www.breastcancernow.org/donate. Dr Simon Vincent, Director of Research, Support and Influencing at Breast Cancer Now

Natalie Richards, 39, mum-of-two, from London, who was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in April 2019 and experienced intense hot flushes and night sweats during chemotherapy. She said:

I was shocked to be told I had breast cancer. Treatment began pretty quickly and as soon as I started chemotherapy my periods stopped. I hadnt been aware of the side effects Id experience.

I had hot flushes all through the day and night. It felt like every half an hour. I was breaking out into full sweats no matter the time or weather, on top of all the other side effects of my chemotherapy, yet this side effect had never been mentioned or discussed with me. When I explained I was struggling with hot flushes I felt this was dismissed, without any advice around how I could try to ease this distressing side effect.

I became very down and anxious with my hot flushes and night sweats being all-consuming and overwhelming. I was so embarrassed when it happened in public. I dont know how I managed, but I just tried to take one day at a time and focusing on my daughters helped me push through. It was the best part of a year before these symptoms eased off.

I knew less about these menopausal symptom side effects and they seemed overlooked; yet for me they were just as distressing as hair loss, perhaps more so because they were so unexpected. I had such a wonderful breast care nurse, and I think if shed been able to provide me with some support specifically for my menopausal symptoms that couldve made a huge difference.

Other ways of managing hot flushes and night sweats can be found on Breast Cancer Nows website here.

Anyone seeking information and support can speak to Breast Cancer Nows expert nurses by calling the charity's free Helpline on 0808 800 6000.

Breast Cancer Now is grateful to Walk the Walk for their generous financial support of Professor Fenlons project.
Chad's new military junta on Monday named a transitional prime minister, appointing a distant runner-up in presidential polls a week after veteran leader Idriss Deby Itno died fighting rebels

N'Djamena, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Apr, 2021 ) :Chad's new military junta on Monday named a transitional prime minister, appointing a distant runner-up in presidential polls a week after veteran leader Idriss Deby Itno died fighting rebels.

Albert Pahimi Padacke was the last premier under Deby, whose shock death triggered the creation of a so-called Transitional Military Council (TMC) headed by his son, 37-year-old Mahamat Idriss Deby.

Pahimi Padacke will lead a government whose members will be named or revoked by the younger Deby, according to a 95-article "Transition Charter" published last Wednesday that supersedes the constitution.

The government will oversee a transition period of 18 months leading to "free and democratic elections," under the charter.

The TMC groups 15 generals seen as the closest to the late president, who won praise abroad for his leadership fighting militants in the vast and volatile Sahel.

Pahimi Padacke was credited with just over 10 percent of the vote in the April 11 elections, whose landslide victory by Deby was in little doubt.

Opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo cautiously welcomed the appointment, saying: "We are in an unusual political situation... we wish him a lot of success." "All Chadians must come together in this difficult period," Kebzabo said.

"We should have had a civilian president first, followed by the appointment of a civilian prime minister," said Succes Masra, head of The Transformers opposition movement.

His organisation called for Chadians to "come out en masse" on Tuesday to demand the TMC step down and to protest at France's 'negative interference" in Chad.

Pahami Padacke had presented himself during the campaign as independent, calling for Deby's departure while praising the veteran leader's "bravery".

"The only courage he lacks is that of accepting a peaceful transfer of power," he said at one campaign rally.

Deby, who was 68, had led the former French colony with an iron fist for three decades, winning six successive elections.

Pahimi Padacke was his prime minister from 2016 to 2018, when the president eliminated the post as part of moves to consolidate power.

The opposition branded the accession of Deby's son as head of a military council an "institutional coup".

The junta has gone on the offensive against Libya-based northern rebels, vowing Sunday to root out their leader Mahamat Mahadi Ali, seeking help from neighbouring Niger to track him down along with his fighters.

- 'War crimes' - Junta spokesman Azem Bermandoa Agouna accused the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) of killing several dozen Chadian soldiers and said Ali was "sought for war crimes by Tripoli's prosecutor general", adding that his assets had been frozen for "financing terrorism".

According to the army, several columns of heavily armed vehicles rolled in from Libya on April 11 -- election day in Chad -- attacking a customs post at the border in the province of Tibesti, some 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) from the capital N'Djamena.

Agouna appealed to Niamey "to facilitate the capture and bringing to justice of these war criminals." FACT, which has a pact with Khalifa Haftar, the military strongman of eastern Libya, emerged in April 2016.

On Saturday the rebels said they were prepared to observe a ceasefire, but Agouna said the two sides were at war.

"They are rebels, which is why we are bombing them. We are waging war, that's all," Agouna said.

"The time is not for mediation, nor for negotiation with outlaws." Reached by telephone, Ali told AFP he was still in Chad, in the northern province of Kanem, adding that his forces had been bombarded.

"If they want to make war, we will make war," he said. "If they attack us we will respond." Deby himself came to power in 1990 at the head of a rebel force that rolled in from neighbouring Sudan.

He was buried last Friday in a state funeral attended by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Deby was a linchpin in the fight against the insurgency, and Macron pledged at the ceremony: "France will never let anyone, either today or tomorrow, challenge Chad's stability and integrity."
EAST HARTFORD  Katrinna Greene stood on the runway at Rentschler Field a few minutes after noon on Monday and shouted out, Anybody need a vaccine?

A couple of dozen high school students milled around, ambling toward the school buses parked nearby. No one answered Greene, an EMT now working as a vaccinator for Community Health Center Inc. at the Rentschler Field mass vaccination site.

They had all had their first shots of Pfizer doses as part of what Gov. Ned Lamont jokingly called Ferris Buellers Day Off Vaccination Incentive  the latest scheme to move anti-COVID-19 serum into more Connecticut arms. By the end of the day, about 1,000 students from four Capital Region Education Council schools and East Hartford High School had arrived in buses and sat at tables on a breezy, sunny day for their inoculations.

Greenes call-out pretty much summed up where Connecticut stands. Demand for vaccinations has slowed dramatically, with more than 1 million state residents age 16 and over  all of them eligible  yet to see their first shots. Thats far from where the state needs to finish if anyone wants to even think about herd immunity.

As of Monday, Middletown-based Community Health Center opened its four large-scale, outdoor vaccination sites in East Hartford, Stamford, Danbury and Middletown to drive-ups without appointments. Ditto its nine fixed-site clinics and of course, its mobile vans delivering juice through needles wherever CHC can find a crowd.

This is an important moment for Connecticut, said Mark Masselli, founder and CEO of CHC, at the start of the school bus parade Monday. We want to make it as easy as possible for anyone needing the vaccine to get it without any barriers.

Fear was the main barrier for Nikela Walker, an East Hartford High School senior, who made an anguished face that might have won an Oscar Sunday night. Im scared of needles, Walker said afterward, adding that it hurt a little, but it stopped.

Speaking of Hollywood, CHC even had a celebrity backdrop for photos. The Rentschler Field site, dubbed Vaccine Village when it opened over the winter, has done just under 2,200 shots a day in typically busy times, which might be ending.

Were really efficient here, we get em in, we get em out, Greene said, explaining why no more students needed her services.

Some wrote on a white board that CHC staff had put out, marked I Got My Shot Because..... Answers included the sincere  To be safe, East Hartford High School senior Emmanuel Richardson wrote  and the snarky, as some wrote that their mothers made them do it.

dhaar@hearstmediact.com
Highlights Telegram has introduced payments 2.0 that will let users pay merchants from within the app.

Telegram will also enable admins of groups and channels to schedule a voice chat for a particular date and time.

Telegram for the web is also supporting animated stickers, dark mode, chat folders among other features.

Telegram has introduced a payment 2.0 wherein merchants can create bots to send invoices to customers. Customers can then make payments by clicking on the Pay button that will come with the invoice through their credit cards, debit cards, or Google Pay. Telegram notes that it does not collect payment information and takes no commission.

"We first added support for payments in 2017. Payment bots allowed users to securely pay for goods and services without leaving the app -- anything from ordering a pizza to hailing a taxi, to replacing winter tires when you're tired of winter," the company said in a blogpost on Monday. "Starting today, merchants can natively accept credit card payments in any chat, relying on 8 integrated third-party payment providers such as Stripe," it added. Stripe's support page notes that users in India can accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit cards.

For the Telegram payments method to work, merchants or services have to create a bot that offers goods and services to Telegram users. These merchant bots can then send invoice messages to the customer. Telegram notes that these invoice messages include a photo and description of the product with a prominent button.

Merchants can enable the bot to offer several shipping options for physical goods based on the delivery address. When ready, users enter their credit card info or choose a saved card  and pay for the product. Telegram notes that it supports Apple Pay and Google Pay. Once the transaction is done, the merchant bot can send a receipt message with payment details, shipping, and delivery information.

Telegram in its blogpost has mentioned the 200 countries where the feature is available and the minimum and the maximum currency required to make the payment. The list mentions the Indian National Rupee with the minimum currency of Rs 74. 78 and a maximum currency of Rs 747, 875.

Telegram will also enable admins of groups and channels to schedule a voice chat for a particular date and time instead of creating one right away. This feature is aimed to give members of a group or channel catch up first before they tune into a broadcast with millions of users. Before the voice chat goes live, users will see a colourful countdown at the top of the chat. Users can also opt to receive a notification when the voice chat starts.



Now, Telegram will also enable users to change their profile picture and edit bios without leaving the chat. The company also said that they are adding two new, fully-featured Telegram web apps -- both supporting animated stickers, dark mode, chat folders, and more. With the new web versions, users can get instant access to chats on desktop or mobile. Moreover, it will let users expand photos from within the chat by zooming in the photo without having to open it. Further, Telegram for the web is also supporting animated stickers, dark mode, chat folders among other features.






Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) have moved the RBI (Reserve Bank of India), seeking loan restructuring for a second time. The NBFCs have also solicited fresh liquidity support for on-lending to smaller companies.

The Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC), a representative body cum self-regulatory organisation for NBFCs, has written to the central bank seeking fresh relief measures.

The request has been raised in the wake of the massive uptick in COVID-19 cases across the country and the subsequent lockdowns announced by state governments. The main demands of the NBFCs comprise permitting restructuring of loans for retail borrowers of shadow lenders, regardless of whether such accounts have been restructured on previous occasions or not.

Also Read: NBFC crisis and its domino effect on Indian economy

"Considering the severe second wave of Covid-19, retail borrowers, including MSMEs, as well as the retail and wholesale trader industry, will be in urgent need of support from the lenders to revive their economic activities. In this challenging environment for borrowers and lenders, in general, it will be helpful, if the RBI extends the August 6, 2020, notification on one-time restructuring till at least March 31, 2022," FIDC stated in a letter to RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, the Business Standard reported.

The body also noted that borrower accounts, despite the fact that they were restructured during the first COVID wave, and if they are standard as of March 31, 2021, should be recast without any downgrade in asset classification.

Also Read: NBFCs seek MSME restructuring scheme extension till March 2022

FIDC has also sought restructuring for small NBFCs with an asset size of less than Rs 500 crore, and those who rely on banks for financing, else it may create an asset-liability incongruity for such institutions.

".....these small NBFCs may be given the benefit of getting their loans restructured (one time) from banks and FIs. This shall ensure that these small NBFCs remain eligible for further bank finance, there is no mismatch in their asset-liability position and thus help them support their wholesale and retail borrowers with fresh credit", FIDC stated.

Seeking liquidity cushion for the shadow banking sector for on-lending to MSMEs, the industry body has also sought an increase in RBI's outlay for AIFIs (All India Financial Institutions) from Rs 50,000 crore to Rs 75,000 crore.

"While the existing allocation for other sectors may continue at their prescribed limits, additional Rs 25,000 crores may be made available exclusively to medium and small NBFCs, through SIDBI for a period of 3 years", FIDC said.
CLEVELAND, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NACCO Industries, Inc. (NYSE: NC) will release its 2021 First Quarter financial results and will file its First Quarter 2021 Form 10-Q after the close of the market on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.

In conjunction with this release, the Company will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 6, 2021 to discuss its results for the 2021 first quarter.

To register for this conference call, please use the following link: https://www.incommglobalevents.com/registration/client/7462/nacco-industries-first-quarter-earnings-call/. After registering, a confirmation will be sent via email, including dial-in details and unique conference call access codes required for call entry. Registration is open throughout the live call. To ensure you are connected prior to the beginning of the call, the Company suggests registering a day in advance or a minimum of 15 minutes before the start of the call.

The call will also be webcast live on NACCO's Investor Relations website at https://ir.nacco.com/home. For those not planning to ask a question of management, the Company recommends listening via the webcast. Please allow 15 minutes to register, download and install any necessary software.

Following the conference call, a replay will be available at (929) 458-6194 (U.S.) or (44) 204 525 0658 (International). The replay passcode is 160053. An archive of the webcast will also be available on the Company's website two hours after the live call ends.

About NACCO Industries, Inc.

NACCO Industries, Inc., through a portfolio of mining and natural resources businesses, operates under three business segments: Coal Mining, North American Mining and Minerals Management. The Coal Mining segment operates surface coal mines under long-term contracts with power generation companies and an activated carbon producer pursuant to a service-based business model. The North American Mining segment provides value-added contract mining and other services for producers of aggregates, lithium and other minerals. The Minerals Management segment acquires and promotes the development of oil, gas and coal mineral interests, generating income primarily from royalty-based lease payments from third parties. In addition, the Company's Mitigation Resources of North America business provides stream and wetland mitigation solutions. For more information about NACCO Industries, visit the Company's website at www.nacco.com .

****

SOURCE NACCO Industries, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.nacco.com


Cirque Du Soleil's Luzia will return to the Royal Albert Hall in January, it has been revealed.

Starting on 12 January, the piece is part of the Royal Albert Hall's 150th anniversary season, and is written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, in association with Brigitte Poupart.

The piece was previously seen at the venue in 2020, where it earned a sturdy four-star review from WhatsOnStage, being praised for its "captivating moments and big stunts".

Luzia is the circus company's 38th show and features a cast of 44 artists. It first opened in the company's specially designed big top tent in 2016, and is currently touring north America.

Watch a trailer here:

Tickets go on sale on Thursday.
A hotel employee who made contact with a group of Indian experts quarantined at the hotel earlier this month has been recorded as Vietnam's latest Covid-19 case.

The 63-year-old man made contact with the group as they came to the Nhu Nguyet 2 hotel in the northern Yen Bai Province on April 18. He has been quarantined since.

After testing positive for the coronavirus on Monday, he was transferred to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi. After confirmation tests, the Health Ministry recorded him as a Covid-19 patient Tuesday evening, raising Vietnam's infection tally to 2,857.

Among the group of 11 Indian experts who came to the hotel, four had been confirmed as Covid-19 cases earlier.

Vietnam has not recorded any new Covid-19 community transmission for more than a month.

India has seen a recent surge of coronavirus cases that has put immense pressure on its healthcare system. On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi admitted the "storm" of infections had shaken India as the country set a new global record of the most number of Covid-19 infections in a day. The number of cases in India surged by 349,691 in the past 24 hours, the fourth straight day of record peaks, Reuters reported.

Hospitals in Delhi and across the country are turning away patients after running out of medical oxygen and beds. As of Tuesday, the country of 1.3 billion people has recorded more than 17.8 million infections and 199,388 coronavirus deaths, after 1,508 more died overnight.
GUANGZHOU, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Apr, 2021 ) :A prototype space mining spacecraft was sent into its planned orbit on Tuesday from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province.

The spacecraft NEO-01, developed by Chinese commercial aerospace company Origin Space Co., Ltd., was among a total of nine satellites sent into space by a Long March-6 rocket on Tuesday.

Su Meng, founder of Origin Space, said experiments will be carried out to test the spacecraft's capabilities in asteroid mining and space debris removal.

Su added that NEO-01 will serve as a prototype of future space mining robots, which can use rich mineral resources on asteroids to support the development of the space industry.

Founded in 2019 and based in the southern Chinese tech hub Shenzhen, Origin Space has been dedicated to exploring and utilizing space resources, according to the company.
Opinion Article

27 April 2021

Summer is right around the corner, and with it comes hope of a rebounding hospitality industry. With people now vaccinated, properties now adopting enhanced cleaning policies, and social distancing practices and contactless technologies now in place, hoteliers are focusing on hiring and training employees. But finding help is not as easy as it used to be. Those struggling to get people back to work must do everything possible to ensure that the right security measures and safety technologies are in place to protect everyone against threats of violence and sexual harassment.

While we remain optimistic that business can only get better from this point on, we must not ignore the fact that criminals are still trespassing and breaking into hotel rooms. Over the last 45 days, crimes against hotel workers continue to make headlines: "Police Say Man Attacked Housekeeper at Strip Hotel, Committed Lewd Acts at 3 Others," "Cops: Man Attacks Motel Workers with Broom After Asking for Toilet Paper," "Husband Finds Wife Brutally Beaten in Venice Motel Room; Guest with Violent Past Charged with Murder," and "Man Faces Assault Charges after Allegedly Strangling Female Hotel Housekeeper."

In the hotel business especially, operators must be vigilant and always looking for signs of sex trafficking, drug trade, and mental illness. 8 out of 10 housekeepers report they have been assaulted in some way, whether verbally or physically. So, as properties reopen their doors  many of which will continue to operate with learner staff and therefore more employees will be working on floors alone  management must have the right protections in place, and that starts with transforming the way people call for help in emergencies by way of employee safety devices (ESDs).

At the 2021 ALHA Virtual Safety Summit this month, it was announced that nearly 60 hotel companies representing an estimated 20,000 hotel properties have made the pledge to equip their workers with employee safety devices by the end of 2022 as part of the AHLA's 5-Star Promise. This means that soon an estimated 1.2 million employees will be better protected on the job. Nearly all 20,000 hotels have implemented four of the five pillars of the AHLA pledge; the fifth pillar  to add ESDs  has been implemented at an estimated 5,000 hotels, and that number is growing exponentially month over month.

Our message to the remaining 15,000+ hotels that have yet to comply with the ALHA's 5-Star Promise is this: "Don't Wait."

As an approved vendor of panic button solutions to several hotels, React Mobile already has a back log of ESD installations on the pipeline, and there are just over 18 months remaining to equip these hotels with the technology needed to be compliant with brand commitments. This backlog will only continue to grow. We understand that properties are just beginning to reopen with slim budgets. But know this  the brand has already made a commitment to technology deployment, and therefore they will authorize adding EDSs to the budget. Waiting till the last minute not only puts the property at risk of noncompliance, and worse, it puts your people at a personal safety risk that can be avoided.

In 2020, at a time when occupancy was down and many hotels closed their doors, more than 250 hotels installed React Mobile state-of-the-art employee safety solution to place the well-being of employees above all else. As such, our annual recurring revenue grew by 40 percent. Today, React Mobile has more hotel deployments than any other vendor in the hospitality space, with 100,000+ rooms installed at some of the largest brands and hotels in the world. Even more impressive, no one on our installation team contracted COVID-19. We take the safety of our employees and our customers' employees and their guests very seriously. The recent $6 million round of funding from our strategic partner Brady Corp. (NYSE: BRC), combined with our new installation partnership with Best Buy for Business, and our new leadership hires has put React Mobile in an enviable position of stability and growth in 2021 and beyond.

For those concerned with bringing outside installers onto the property, remote training and configuration of the React Mobile safety solution can be provided. Many properties have opted to do the technology installations themselves or are working with our installer services teams at Best Buy to reduce the risk.

As we collectively work to reassure travelers that hotels are COVID clean and that they will be protected on the "Coronacation" they are longing for, it's critical that we cooperatively give the same assurances to staff  especially at hotels that are struggling to attract workers. When hotel management shows empathy, invests in its employees' personal safety, and acknowledges its social responsibility through industry initiatives, it has a positive impact on job retention. New candidates will be drawn to a property or brand for its integrity and social conscience, while existing employees will find it difficult to leave.

Don't Wait. It's time to react to your employee's safety concerns. No hotel can afford to put its employees at risk, and no one wants guests coming to the rescue. By simply pressing a panic button worn by an employee, security teams can be summoned and dispatched instantly to respond to the emergency.
Former Capcom producer Yoshinori Ono has been named president and COO of Fate/Grand Order developer Delightworks.

The Japanese company announced the move in a press release (via Gematsu), and explained Ono will be replacing current president Akihito Shouji who'll be taking on the role of chairman and CEO.

Prior to joining Delightworks, Ono worked at Capcom for almost three decades, initially joining the company as a sound programmer and composer in the early '90s before eventually going on to produce the Street Fighter franchise. He left the Japanese studio in August last year.

The veteran developer will officially join Delightworks on May 1, 2021, when Shouji transitions into his new roles.

"I'm going to be working at a studio that is a little different from the one I'm used to. I'm also going to be looking at development from a different perspective than in the past," commented Ono on Twitter. "My past experiences have been very exciting, but I'm looking forward to more growth in my new position."
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - CARLYLE COMMODITIES CORP. (CSE: CCC) (FSE: 1OZA) (OTC Pink: DLRYF) ("Carlyle" or the "Company") is pleased to release the second batch of results from the drill program at the Cecilia Project in Sonora, Mexico, where work is on-going with our partner Riverside Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RRI). Following the first batch of results announced April 15, 2021, Carlyle and Riverside are now reporting 7 additional anomalous intercepts in the last two drill holes of the Phase 1 drill program, including 3.3 m of 3.37 g/t Au at the North Breccia Target (CED21-006) and 3.05m of 0.67 g/t Au at the Central Target (CED21-007).

Riverside is the operator on the project as part of the option agreement with Carlyle Commodities (see press release July 15, 2020). Data and geological insights reported in this news release have been supplied to Carlyle by Riverside's field personnel. Surface and shallow sub-surface expression of the mineralization and alteration in drill holes are interpreted to be evidence for the top of a robust hydrothermal system, which could expand at depth, where there is potential for a more developed gold and silver system, based upon the geologic modeling and logging of these holes. All the efforts from field work to drilling have led to advanced interpretation, expectation and decreased risk moving forward for a future drill program. The drilling has found gold in structural controlled feeder zones which could continue and broaden to depth.

Table 1: Summary of intercepts for hole CED21-006 and CED21-007.

Hole_ID From (m)

To (m)

Down hole width (m) Grade (g/t Au)

RESULTS CED21-006 CED21-006 34.50 40.15 5.65 0.39 including 34.50 36.50 2 0.78 CED21-006 47.50 49.00 1.5 0.60 CED21-006 70.20 70.70 0.5 0.20 CED21-006 106.70 110.00 3.3

(True width) 3.70 including 106.70 108.00 1.3

(True width) 8.82 RESULTS CED21-007 CED21-007 35.35 37.65 2.3 0.19 CED21-007 45.75 48.90 3.15 0.31 CED21-007 60.75 63.80 3.05

(True width) 0.67 including 62.3 63.8 1.5

(True width) 1.18

Notes: cut-off grade used for calculating intervals is 0.2 g/t Au. All values unless otherwise stated are downhole thickness.

Carlyle's President and CEO, Morgan Good, commented, "Carlyle is excited to yet again receive positive drill results from the Cecilia Phase 1 campaign. In particular, hole 6 returning high-grade gold with its intercept into the North Breccia target further confirms the presence of something potentially very exciting. We are more confident by the day that a subsequent Phase 2 drill campaign is warranted and optimistic that the results, especially drill testing to depth, will prove successful and continue to provide added value to all shareholders."

Riverside's President and CEO, John-Mark Staude, stated, "We are pleased to see this program working with Carlyle Commodities Corp. where we are shareholders and delighted to see the property exploration developing. These new results, continue to build upon the historic work by Cambior and others, combined now with the 2021 drilling campaign is beginning to show new target ideas, new gold mineralization controls, and widening the perspective for discoveries. We look forward to additional drilling and bringing more discoveries out of the Cecilia Project with our partner Carlyle."

The mineralization at the Cerro Magallanes dome appears to be strongly related to silicification and oxidation. Fault margins are defined by metric-scale wide zones of stockwork to breccia with large amounts of hematite, goethite and oxidized pyrite. The matrix can be partly infilled with chalcedonic or milky white quartz, which in hydrothermal systems is well known to be shallow in the system features (Figure 1). Additionally, in hole CED21-001 and at the surface, fluorite and grey quartz are present additional evidence for the upper-part of the system.







Figure 1: Sample RRI-8237 - 1.05 m at 0.45 g/t Au; Core pictures of the breccia bounding a fault. Sample taken in hole CED21-003, from 31.15 m to 32.20 m.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6130/81796_93b8961a84757842_001full.jpg

Those observations are leading Riverside's team to think that surface evidence, as well as results from the first drill program are a strong expression of a possible larger system at depth (Figure 2). Those hints of mineralization are following major faults, which could also be the migration path for the dome formation, in which case could lead to a major deposit as seen at the SSR Mining's Pitarrilla deposit recording over 526 Moz Ag (measure + indicated), located approximately 900 km to the northwest of Cecilia, in Durango state, Mexico1.







Figure 2: Interpretative cross section of the Cerro Magallanes dome, highlighting potential mineralized targets with holes CED21-006 and CED21-007 from this news release for which alteration and gold mineralization are intersected in various holes during the Phase 1 drill campaign of Riverside and Carlyle. The targets appear open beneath these shallow initial intercepts for possible further delineation.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6130/81796_93b8961a84757842_002full.jpg

Drill hole CED21-006 is perpendicular to hole CED21-005 which was announced earlier this month with 22m @ 1.5 g/t Au and thus the holes are beginning to develop different dimensions and are open for further drilling as all intercepts have been shallow so far. The CED21-007 is the first hole drilled into the Central Target area and further follow up will now be warranted as gold have been found on structures and previous small-scale mining has been developed along various trends. The Carlyle and Riverside exploration program is on track and plans are to continue with more drilling and building upon these positive results from the Phase 1 program at the Cerro Magallanes dome, as well as over the entire district, which includes at least 6 additional targets.

Qualified Person

Harrison Cookenboo, Ph.D., P.Geo., is a Qualified Person as defined in Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed and is responsible for the technical information presented in this news release.

QA/QC

Riverside completed a QA/QC program as part of the drilling program with about 10% of the samples assayed being control samples. Standards and blanks were inserted approximately every 20 samples and duplicates every 30 samples. Drill samples were taken to the Bureau Veritas Laboratories in Hermosillo, Mexico for fire assaying for gold. The rejects remained with Bureau Veritas in Mexico while the pulps were transported to Bureau Veritas laboratory in Vancouver, BC, Canada for 45 element ICP/ES-MS analysis. A QA/QC program was implemented as part of the sampling procedures for the exploration program. Standard samples were randomly inserted into the sample stream prior to being sent to the laboratory.

About Carlyle

Carlyle is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties. The Company has an option to earn a 100% interest in the Cecilia Gold-Silver Project located in the State of Sonora, Mexico. Carlyle owns 100% of the Newton Gold Project in the Clinton Mining Division of B.C, as well has formed a strategic partnership with HDI (The Hunter Dickinson Group) and has formed a 50-50 joint venture with HDI affiliate United Mineral Services Ltd. on the Mack Project located in B.C. The Company also holds an option to earn a 100% interest in the promising Sunset property located in the Vancouver Mining Division near Pemberton, B.C. Carlyle is based in Vancouver, B.C., and is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") under the symbol "CCC".

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

CARLYLE COMMODITIES CORP.

"Morgan Good"

Morgan Good

Chief Executive Officer

For more information regarding this news release, please contact:

Morgan Good, CEO and Director

T: 604-715-4751

E: morgan@carlylecommodities.com

W: www.carlylecommodities.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian legislation. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations and orientations regarding the future including, without limitation, the exercise of the Company's option on Cecilia Project, the expected results of the Program, and any plans for further exploration of the Cecilia Project. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable and reflect expectations of future developments and other factors which management believes to be reasonable and relevant, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will exercise its option on the Mack Project and form the joint venture with UMS (or its assigns), that the results of the work to be conducted on the Cecilia Project will be satisfactory to warrant further exploration, that market fundamentals will support the viability of gold and other precious mineral exploration of the Cecilia Project, the availability of the financing required for the Company to carry out its planned future activities, and the Company's ability to retain and attract qualified personnel.

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 information. Such risks and other factors include the inability of the Company to exercise its option on the Cecilia Project, execute its proposed business plans, and carry out planned future activities. The novel strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, also poses new risks that are currently indescribable and immeasurable. Other factors may also adversely affect the future results or performance of the Company, including general economic, market or business conditions, future prices of gold or other precious metals, changes in the financial markets and in the demand for gold or other precious metals, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting the mineral exploration industry, and risks related to the Company's investments and operations in the mineral exploration sector, as well as the risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis and other filings made by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly, are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements.

These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, 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 these forward-looking statements.

Historical information contained in this news release cannot be relied upon as the Company's Qualified Person, as defined under NI 43-101 has not prepared nor verified the historical information.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release).

____________________

[1] https://www.ssrmining.com/_resources/Pitarrilla_Technical_Report_Dec_14_2012.pdf

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81796
BSD Crown Ltd.

(The "Company")

(LSE: BSD)

BSD Crown Ltd (The "Company")

27 April 2021

Results of Extraordinary General Meeting

At an extraordinary general meeting of the Company, held earlier today, all resolutions as set out in the notice of an extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Company dated 22 March 2021 (the "Resolutions") were approved in accordance with Israeli law.

The results will be available tomorrow on the company's website: http://bsd-c.com/general-meetings.

A copy of the Resolutions will be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for viewing online at the following website: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

Further to the passing of the Resolutions, and in accordance with the circular dated 22 March 2021 issued by the Company, it is proposed that the cancellation (the "Cancellation") of the listing of the Company's ordinary shares of NIS 0.01 each on the Official List will take effect from 8.00 a.m. on 31 May 2021.

A further announcement confirming the proposed Cancellation will be released by the Company in due course.

For further information please contact:

Joseph Williger

Active Chairman of the Board
SPRINGFIELD  Student loan borrowers would receive additional information about their financial aid options before taking out private loans under legislation led by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville.

House Bill 2746, introduced by Stuart, received near unanimous approval in the Illinois House of Representatives and is now awaiting Senate action.

Current students are graduating with higher levels of debt than in the past, and not all student debt is created equal, said Stuart.

While federal student loans offer deferment options, forgiveness programs and income-based repayment plans, these are not always available through private lenders, she said. My bill would ensure students exhaust their federal options first, helping them avoid expensive, often unnecessary, private loans.

Stuarts Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act aims to help potential borrowers make informed student loan decisions. Under the measure, private lenders would be required to confirm with a students school that their tuition, housing and other expenses are not already covered by another source of financial aid.

Additionally, the bill requires universities and colleges to notify students about any remaining federal loan eligibility before certifying private loans.

This bill ensures students are only using private loans as a last resort to fund their education, said Stuart. We still have a lot of work to do to get student debt under control, but this is one step we can take to help borrowers make smart choices and protect their financial future.
This year, California has recorded 1,379 cases of coronavirus infection in people who were fully vaccinated, the state Department of Public Health said Tuesday.

These so-called breakthrough cases  recorded from Jan. 1 to April 21  make up about 0.1% of the roughly 1.4 million cases reported in California in that period.

The state had not previously made this data available, though Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a news briefing earlier this month that public health officials were tracking breakthrough reports and would release more information to the public.

Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in mid-April that it had recorded about 5,800 breakthrough cases in fully vaccinated people.

Breakthrough coronavirus cases are not unexpected, infectious disease experts said. The vaccines used in the United States are between 75% and 90% effective at preventing mild illness from the coronavirus, and they provide even stronger protection against serious illness and death. But that means 10% to 25% of people who are fully vaccinated remain vulnerable to illness.

Such cases are important to track for several reasons, including helping scientists understand how long vaccines protection lasts and how well vaccines hold up against emerging variants. The data may also bolster public health decisions to loosen pandemic restrictions, assuming that the people who get infected after vaccination dont become seriously ill or die.

The state defined breakthrough cases as anyone who tested positive for the virus more than 14 days after completing their one- or two-dose vaccination series. The cases were found by comparing confirmed case reports with immunization records.

State public health officials did not list breakthrough cases by county. In the Bay Area, counties have reported dozens of confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases in vaccinated people.

As of Tuesday, 30% of Californians had received two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one shot of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday
Griffin Mining Limited  Transaction in own shares

Posted by Publisher Internet

Griffin Mining Limited (https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/griffin-mining-ltd/ ) announces that on 26 April 2021 it purchased 34,951 ordinary shares of $0.01 each (\Ordinary Shares\) on the London Stock Exchange through Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited, in accordance with the terms of its share buy-back programme (the ?Buy-back?) announced on 25 February 2021 (the ?Programme?). The purchased shares will be held in treasury.

Date of purchase:?26 April 2021

Aggregate number of ordinary shares purchased:?34,951

Lowest price paid per share (pence per share):?142

Highest price paid per share (pence per share):?144

Volume weighted average price paid per share (pence per share):?143.1445

The total number of ordinary shares of the Company (including treasury shares) following the purchase is 174,492,894. The Company now holds 817,451 shares in treasury. The total voting rights of the Company following the purchase is 173,675,443.

The total voting rights figure (173,675,443) may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in Griffin Mining Limited under the FCA\-\-s Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation), the schedules below contain a summary of and detailed information about the purchases made by the Company\-\-s broker, Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited on behalf of the Company.

Further information

Griffin Mining Limited

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7629 7772

Mladen Ninkov ? Chairman

Roger Goodwin ? Finance Director

Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7886 2500

John Prior

Joanna Langley

Berenberg

Telephone: +44 (0)20 3207 7800

Matthew Armitt

Jennifer Wyllie

Deltir Elezi

Blytheweigh

Telephone: +44(0)20 7138 3205

Tim Blythe

Swiss Resource Capital AG

info@resource-capital.ch

Jochen Staiger

Griffin Mining Limited?s shares are quoted on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange (symbol GFM).

The Company?s news releases are available on the Company?s web site: www.griffinmining.com
The government of Washington DC is paying out $1.6m (1.1m) to protesters who were wrongly arrested at Donald Trumps inauguration in 2017.

The city agreed to settling two lawsuits on Monday, brought by the the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and attorney Jeffrey Light, more than four years after the arrests and the inauguration of the former president.

It was alleged that the city of DC and the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia (MPD) falsely arrested over 200 people on the day of Mr Trumps inauguration in a mass operation, and with force.

The department was accused of violating the constitutional rights of journalists, legal observers and protesters  and of violating the First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments, and DC law.

Pepper spray, flash-bang grenades, concussion grenades, and stingballs were also allegedly targeted at anti-Trump protesters.

In the lawsuit filed by the ACLU of the District of Columbia, a group of six protesters was awarded $605,000 (434,000) together, the ACLU said.

And in a class-action lawsuit brought by 100 others, almost $1m (719,055) in damages was awarded after they were falsely arrested and detained for up to 16 hours without food or water during the 2017 inauguration.

ACLU legal director Scott Michelman said in a statement: MPDs unconstitutional guilt-by-association policing and excessive force, including the use of chemical weapons, not only injured our clients physically but also chilled their speech and the speech of countless others who wished to exercise their First Amendment rights but feared an unwarranted assault by DC police.

Mr Light, who brought the class action lawsuit, added: It speaks volumes that the District has chosen to settle rather than defend MPDs obviously unconstitutional actions in court.

Todays settlements provide some measure of compensation for all the people who were unconstitutionally arrested and confined for exercising their rights on Inauguration Day four years ago, said Mr Light.

As part of the settlement, the MPD will issue a formal directive modifying the procedures for processing of arrestees to avoid subjecting them to long waits for basic necessities such as access to restrooms and water, the ACLU said.

Peter Newsham, the former MPD chief, told The Washington Post that the he believed the arrests were lawful and disagreed with the settlements.

For those folks to get a financial windfall after legitimately getting arrested says something about our civil litigation in the courts, said Mr Newsham.
A car blast in front of a luxury hotel where the Chinese ambassador was staying in Pakistan has killed five people and injured 12.

The explosion outside the Serena Hotel in Quetta took place late Wednesday night local time in the city, which is the capital of Balochistan province, which has witnessed a decades-long insurgency by separatists.

Footage and images from the scene show thick smoke from the blast as vehicles can be seen ablaze in the hotels car park.

According to officials, rescue work and investigation is ongoing.

This incident occurred after Iftar (breaking of fast). The car was parked in the parking lot of the Serena Hotel, said Balochistans provincial home minister, Ziaullah Lango, according to Reuters. One of our police constables is among the injured.

Two people who died in the attack reportedly worked as security guards at the hotel. According to officials quoted by local media, all guests at the hotel were safe.

Soon after the bomb attack, the Taliban, a militant group known as Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), issued a statement taking responsibility and stating that their target were police officials.

However, initial reports claimed Chinas ambassador, Nong Rong, was the target.

He was staying at the hotel but was not present at the time of the blast, Pakistans interior minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, said, according to Reuters.

The Pakistani Taliban did not mention the Chinese ambassador in its statements.

Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson in a statement condemned the bombing and confirmed there had been no reports of casualties or injuries among Chinas delegation in the region, Reuters reported.

Balochistans provincial home minister, Ziaullah Lango, also told reporters that Mr Nongs visit in Quetta would continue on Thursday and he was in high spirits.
Mr. Regev added: To allege that Israeli policies are motivated by racism is both baseless and outrageous, and belittles the very real security threats posed by Palestinian terrorists to Israeli civilians  whose fundamental human rights to live in freedom and security are callously ignored by H.R.W.

Israels ambassador to the United States, Gilad Erdan, said the report bordered on anti-Semitism.

When the authors of the report cynically and falsely use the term apartheid, they nullify the legal and social status of millions of Israeli citizens, including Arab citizens, who are an integral part of the state of Israel, he said.

Human Rights Watch does not draw a direct comparison with the notorious South African regime that segregated and subjugated people according to their skin color. Instead, it cites international laws that define apartheid as a crime against humanity in which one racial group dominates another through intentional, systematic and inhumane acts of oppression. Race is interpreted broadly to apply to ethnic groups.

While Human Rights Watch argues that these policies persist, to varying degrees, across the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and within the state of Israel itself, it points to the occupied West Bank as exhibit A. There, the group says, Israel has created a two-tier system with some Palestinians living under military rule and Israeli settlers under a civil legal system with greater freedoms, an inequity that H.R.W. said amounts to the systematic oppression required for apartheid.

Israel fully governs over 60 percent of the West Bank, and uses checkpoints and a permit system to regulate Palestinian movement between areas of nominal Palestinian self-rule and to Israel. H.R.W. also cites the forcible transfer of thousands of Palestinians out of their homes, denial of residency rights to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and their relatives, and the suspension of basic civil rights to millions of Palestinians as policies that meet the definition of apartheid.

These policies, which grant Jewish Israelis the same rights and privileges wherever they live and discriminate against Palestinians to varying degrees wherever they live, reflect a policy to privilege one people at the expense of another, Mr. Roth said.
Former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii is encouraging Americans to oppose the "racialization of everyone and everything" because it only steers a nation to a "dark and divisive path."

"We're all children of God and are, therefore, family in the truest sense, no matter our race or ethnicity. This is Aloha. This is what our country and the world need," she pointed out in her video post to Twitter on Sunday morning.

The former legislator went on to say that there is a "propaganda" to provoke citizens to perceive others differently based on their skin color. The mass media is actively promoting a myth of 'race' in order to achieve financial and political advantage.

"Aloha means respect and love for others. It's what enables us to see beyond our skin color and see the soul, the person within," reminded Gabbard while urging Americans to do their utmost to foster this Aloha in their souls.

Please, let us stop the RACIALIZATION of everyone and everything. We are all children of God, and therefore family in the truest sense, no matter our race or ethnicity. This is aloha - love & respect for others. This is what our country & the world need. pic.twitter.com/W8wqqMj1jf  Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) April 25, 2021

"Please let us not allow ourselves to be led down this dark and divisive path of racialism and hate," she added.

The remarks made by the former congresswoman on Sunday fell on the heels of film billionaire Tyler Perry's influential Oscars address, in which he urged the audience to "refuse hate."

Perry explained that the internet and social networking bots as well as the 24-hour news broadcast are all trying to condition people to think a certain way. He wishes for all parents to teach their children to not only remember, but to simply reject hating anybody.

"I refuse to hate someone because they are Mexican or because they are black or white or LGBTQ," he said. "I refuse to hate someone because they are a police officer. I refuse to hate someone because they are Asian. I would hope we would refuse hate."

During an interview on Fox News in March, Gabbard denounced cancel culture, claiming that the movement's "final expression" could be equated to Islamic terrorism.

She clarified that in cancel culture, certain individuals think their ways are superior to those of others. The self-entitlement brings on the belief that they need to be seen by everyone no matter what and that they are justified to silence anyone they think is wrong.

Her suggestion then was that, instead of suppressing ideas and ideas and beliefs by means of governmental or societal force, in the marketplace of ideas, it would be better to quash ideas deemed as incorrect, or dangerous with superior ones.

However, in Cancel culture, it does the opposite, which is exactly the reason the former congresswoman won't endorse it. Aside from her spiritual conviction, she believes that this harmful ideology is also diametrically opposed to the central tenets of democracy. She urged individuals to stand up against the perpetration of hate and division using the race narrative.

"Life is short, death can come at any time," she said and added that she is "happiest" when she is trying to live her life in a way that pleases God. She invited others to do the same.
Former President Donald Trump mocked the Oscars for receiving the lowest ratings in history, suggesting the failure was intertwined with Hollywood promoting the Democratic Party.

In a statement sent out mid-day Tuesday, Trump also said the Oscars should revert to the classier name, the Academy Awards.

'What used to be called The Academy Awards, and now is called the "Oscars" - a far less important and elegant name - had the lowest Television Ratings in recorded history, even much lower than last year, which set another record low,' Trump wrote.

Former President Donald Trump mocked the Oscars for receiving the lowest ratings in history in a statement Tuesday

Trump sent out a statement through is PAC that mocked the Oscars' low ratings, said the name should always be the Academy Awards and a host should be brought back

The 'OSCARS' sign is on display outside Union Station in Los Angeles, the art deco gem where this year's Academy Awards took place. In his statement, Trump said the show should be called the Academy Awards and not the Oscars

This year's Oscars (pictured) received the lowest ratings in show history, which Deadline said represented a 58 per cent drop from the already low ratings of last year

'If they keep with the current ridiculous formula, it will only get worse - if thats possible,' the ex-president continued.

The Nielsen ratings for Sunday night's 93rd Academy Awards showed only 9.85 million tuned in - an all-time low for the movie awards show.

That's a 58 per cent drop in terms of audience compared to the 2020 Oscars, which also suffered from low ratings, according to Deadline.

In the key demographic for advertisers, viewers ages 18 through 49, the ratings fell 64.2 per cent since the 2020 show.

'Go back 15 years, look at the formula they then used, change the name back to THE ACADEMY AWARDS, dont be so politically correct and boring, and do it right,' Trump urged.

'ALSO, BRING BACK A GREAT HOST,' he encouraged.

Since 2019, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hasn't had a host at the show.

'These television people spend all their time thinking about how to promote the Democrat Party, which is destroying our Country, and cancel Conservatives and Republicans,' Trump concluded. 'That formula certainly hasnt worked very well for The Academy!'

The ex-president sent out the statement about the Sunday night show to his Save America PAC press list on Tuesday.

Trump has long grumbled about the Oscars and used to take to Twitter to air out his gripes, before being removed from the platform in January on the heels of the MAGA riot on Capitol Hill.

In 2019, for example, he tweeted about the 'lowest rated Oscars in HISTORY.'

'Problem is, we don't have Stars anymore - except your President (just kidding, of course)!'
Chennai, April 27 : Tamil Nadu's Public Works Department on Tuesday announced that it will provide oxygen pipelines to an additional 12,370 beds Covid beds across the state.

The PWD, in a statement, said that the additional facilities will be created at all medical college hospitals, district headquarters hospitals and taluk hospitals across the state.

This includes an addition of 2,895 Oxygen pipelines for hospital beds in Chennai including which is reeling under the Covid surge, including 550 beds for Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital in the city.

The press release said that this will not only help to support against the second wave of Covid but also provide quality medicare to the affected.

Oxygen lines for beds in other districts like Chengalpettu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Madurai, and Tiruchirapalli are also being set up on a war footing, the PWD release said.

In March 2020, PWD had established 27,806 beds at 138 government hospitals throughout Tamil Nadu including Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at an estimated cost of Rs 282.51 crore.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
A junkie who went on a stealing spree at Bunnings to fund his drug habit was caught after fleeing the scene of a car chase and mistakenly leaving his ID for police to find.

Christopher Pike, 36, pleaded guilty to traffic offences, breaching his bail and stealing - which included a car, batteries, chainsaws and heaters - to Dandenong Magistrates Court in an online hearing on Monday.

Pike's thieving seemed to mainly target suburban Bunnings outlets in Melbourne - crimes the chain's loss prevention team responded to by creating a store-wide alert, the Herald Sun reported.

Christopher Pike, 36, pleaded guilty to traffic offences, breaching his bail and stealing - which included a car, batteries, chainsaws and heaters - to Dandenong Magistrates Court in an online session on Monday.

First Pike walked out of Springvale Bunnings with a chainsaw worth $379, then he took two heaters valued at $1,200 from the chain's Scoresby outlet, then tool batteries costing $468 from the Prestons store.

The hardware heists took place over several months in 2019 and 2020.

He was arrested in August 2020 after trying to fleece his local Bunnings at Frankston.

Staff there recognized him from the alerts and confronted him as he tried to leave with more batteries, worth around $1,000.

Pike tried to flog various goods stolen from Bunnings on Facebook Marketplace to pay for his drug habit - apparently not attempting to hide his face in the posts.

He also stole a rental van and drove without a licence.

His spree ended after he led Victorian police on a car chase and when caught, he fled the scene leaving his wallet and methadone behind.

Pike's lawyer told Dandenong Magistrates Court her client was an intravenous drug user and stole to support his using.

Pike ripped off Bunnings so many times the staff were on the look out for him when he tried to again steal expensive tool batteries from the Frankston store

She claimed he was clean and working fulltime and trying to get his life back on track.

Magistrate Andrew Halse ordered that Pike sent for a community order assessment to prove his claims of being abstinent.

He is due to be sentenced on April 30.
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What to do if someone is at risk of dying by suicide
To the Editor:

Re Why Were Retiring the Term Op-Ed, by Kathleen Kingsbury (Opinion, April 27):

People and opinion pages should be called whatever they want to be called, but your decision to rename Op-Eds the pedestrian guest essays seems wrongheaded. It is an argument against etymology.

So what if Op-Ed is a relic of a fading print presence? Words and phrases often betray their origins: Someone on an even keel is not necessarily on a boat. A person can be sinister and not left-handed.

Of course, Ill continue to avidly consume your guest essays, but Ill miss the term Op-Ed.

Jack Sherman

Northport, N.Y.

To the Editor:

I understand your wish to retire the term Op-Ed and replace it with something more in tune with how articles in todays Times are published. But the term guest essay doesnt sing. I wish you had instead chosen guest opinion, which rolls off the tongue more easily. It also invites shortening to guest-op, which would have appealed to us nostalgics who will miss the old name.
A growing body of research indicates that children exposed to COVID-19 face significant and long-term health threats.

Earlier this month, researchers in the United Kingdom released a report showing that about half of the kids who have developed a mysterious, COVID-related complication called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) later experienced neurological symptoms ranging from hallucinations to impaired brain functions.

Its the latest bit of research challenging the notion that the virus poses a low risk to children. Pfizer and Moderna are currently running clinical trials on children younger than 16, the current age cutoff for vaccinations, per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

That most of the nations children are unable to be vaccinated is worrisome, one Houston-based doctor said, given the prevalence of new coronavirus mutations that are more dangerous and contagious for children than the original strain.

On HoustonChronicle.com: After COVID vaccine Hunger Games, providers say Houston demand has crashed

We already know this UK variant is much more contagious and is affecting younger people much more, said Dr. Janak Patel, director of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Texas Medical Branch. We have to be very cautious. We cannot just say that because children have in the past done well, that will be the scenario in the future.

Experts are still studying MIS-C, which causes inflammation in the heart that can be deadly.

In the U.S., at least 3,100 children have contracted MIS-C and 36 have died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 50 cases have been recorded in Texas, though local physicians say the number is likely much higher, in part because children who may have had MIS-C did not show signs of having COVID previously.

At Texas Childrens Hospital alone, one physician estimated theyd seen at least 100 cases.

The CDC reports that most cases have involved boys younger than 14 who are non-white, which is consistent with numbers provided by the Houston Health Department regarding the two dozen or so cases theyve recorded.

The recent study from London researchers found similar disparities, with 80 percent of affected children being non-white.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Shes found vaccine appointments for 500 people. For free.

Those who t the disease say its likely very underreported, affecting 1 to 3 percent of children who contract COVID-19  including those who were asymptomatic. About 3.7 million American children who have been diagnosed with COVID, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Its uncommon, for sure, but its something to pay attention to, said Dr. Kristen Sexson Tejtel, pediatric cardiologist at Texas Childrens Hospital. A lot of these kids dont have a lot of COVID symptoms, and its worthwhile to have in the back of parents minds, because we do think early treatment tends to portend better outcomes.

That makes it crucial to continue with mask wearing or social distancing, she added.

About 12 percent of the children who have contracted COVID had to be hospitalized, according to a CDC study released earlier this month. Of those children, nearly one-third required ventilation or had to be placed in intensive care, the report found.

Meanwhile in Michigan, where cases have recently skyrocketed to record highs, doctors are pushing back against claims that downplay the threat posed to children.

On just one day earlier this month, 45 children in the state were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Health experts have for months warned about the potential risk posed to children by MIS-C and COVID-19 more broadly.

Weve got to be careful that we are not cavalier and thinking that children are completely immune to the deleterious effects, Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the nations top immunologists, told a Senate panel last month.

That much was made clear in another study published earlier this year by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine. In it, they found extensive evidence that COVID-19 and other coronaviruses clearly affect the nervous system of children.

One of the reports authors said there are likely many more complications that are unknown to researchers at this time.

One has to think that this is a spectrum, and we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg, said Dr. Sarah Risen, a neurologist at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Childrens Hospital who co-authored the study.

The findings, she said, prove the sneaky and detrimental threats posed by COVID-19 to children.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misattributed comments made by Dr. Sarah Risen.

robert.downen@chron.com
Former Labor leader Bill Shorten will use a major speech to call on the federal government to restore trust with the disability sector by dumping several proposed changes to the $25 billion National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The government has temporarily paused plans to implement the most controversial of the reforms  independent assessments  amid a fierce backlash from community groups and the schemes original architects.

Bill Shorten is set to make his first National Press Club of Australia address since losing the May 2019 election. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Several states and territories, including the NSW Liberal government, have warned the planned changes are moving too fast and dont have the support of the disability community, adding to pressure on new NDIS Minister Linda Reynolds to scrap the changes.

In his first National Press Club of Australia address since losing the May 2019 election, Mr Shorten will compare the Coalitions efforts to properly manage the NDIS to expecting a duck to be able to play a Stradivarius [violin].
Now the family has once again been thrown into turmoil, unsure if Ashlyns flight will be affected. When we are calling the agents, we are not getting answers. This is life-shattering for me, honestly, Ms Romana says. Its so hard, believe me, being the mother away from a child for such a long time. I dont have words to explain to you honestly. These are her development years and shes thinking that shes being neglected because we have another baby. She doesnt know the situation, whats going on. She just knows that shes away from her parents. In January Anitha Parthasarathy, a software developer from Croydon North, and her nine-year-old daughter Chaitra were granted an exemption to fly to Bangalore in southern India after her father died.

My wife is the only child they have, says Ms Parthasarathys husband, Madhujith Venkatakrishna. Her mother was extremely sick as well  shes had a heart problem. If my wife werent there, definitely nobody would take care of her. It was a desperate, desperate situation. She did not go there for a holiday or to have fun. Ms Parthasarathy and her daughter are booked on a repatriation flight home on May 22, but her husband says the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has warned it may not go ahead. Madhujith Venkatakrishnas wife and daughter are stranded in India after visiting in January when his father-in-law died. Credit:Justin McManus I feel very helpless to be honest, Mr Venkatakrishna says. He says he and his family swore allegiance to Australia when they became citizens and relinquished their Indian citizenship.

We are not asking the government to pay us anything, fund anything, support, discount, nothing. We are ready to pay everything in full. All were asking them is to just allow people to come back in. I almost feel discriminated against, to be honest. Mr Venkatakrishna says hospitals and crematoriums in Bangalore are overrun and the city is in lockdown, with residents allowed to leave their homes only to shop for necessities between 6am and 10am. Public transport has shut down and police patrol the streets. Right now the case numbers are scary. To say that Im not worried would be lying. Ritika Shah with her daughters Sara and Kiyara and her husband Sid. Ritika Shah was forced to part with her howling three-year-old daughter Kiyara, from whom she had never been separated, at Melbourne Airport in March.

Her father, who lived in Mumbai, was critically ill, and she had applied for an exemption to travel to India to support her mother. He passed away when I reached India, Ms Shah says. Now after settling my mum here and getting her fully vaccinated I am looking at my return, but my heart is sinking hearing about the ban. Ms Shah believes the suspension of flights was inevitable after the political and media furore following revelations the snap three-day lockdown in Western Australia had been sparked by someone who went to India for a wedding. The whole thing has been portrayed in a very insensitive and negative manner by the WA Premier for political gains, she says.

Loading Canada has suspended all commercial and private passenger flights from India and Pakistan for 30 days from April 22. Some countries, such as Germany, Italy and the UK, have also banned travel from India but are allowing their own citizens to return home. I can just see a disparity, Ms Shah says. When the suspension is lifted, Ms Shah is looking at paying $10,000 to get home, including flights and hotel quarantine. Many people like me have endured so much to get to India. No one would want to spend that much money and emotional distress to go from a COVID-safe country to a hotspot if they want to have a nice time, which is how it has been portrayed in the media and by the government.

Ms Shah says friends in Melbourne are rallying around her husband Sid, Kiyara and her seven-year-old sister Sara, with a WhatsApp group set up to co-ordinate the delivery of meals. Its very difficult. The children ask every day when I am coming home. Kiyara has been so traumatised she doesnt let my husband get out of sight because she thinks he will leave as well. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Kim Sharma also went to Mumbai in January to support her family after her father died. She had been planning to return in May but she and her husband Pankaj panicked when Mr Morrison last week announced a 30 per cent reduction in flights. We will do everything what you want us to do, we will pay by taking our credit cards or loans or borrowing money to come back. But if you shut the doors, what youre doing is killing hope, Mr Sharma says.

Loading The couple run a food truck and social enterprise in Perth called Toast My Curry, which donates some of the profits to food and education in Mumbai. We came here eight years ago, we are taxpaying Australian citizens, Mr Sharma says. Ive never faced racism, but now if you go into any social media group Im seeing people go like, Oh, let them stay there, we dont care, just close the borders. And if anyone says, We have family there, we had to be there, you should see the shit they are facing. These are regular individuals so if a government body doesnt stand up and show a compassionate side people say, Great decision, you just stay where you are. And these are citizens. Australia is our home.
CHANTILLY, Va., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Teaching Company, the nation's leading developer and marketer of premium-quality media for lifelong learning and personal enrichment, announced today that it will debut Wondrium early this summer, the next generation of its global streaming platform, rebranded from The Great Courses Plus.

Wondrium also announced it has signed new licensing agreements with Kino Lorber, MagellanTV, and Craftsy to provide trusted informative content for the ad-free, subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service at launch. Altogether, they will help fill the service's library with more than 7,500 hours of streaming video including award-winning, international documentary and independent films, docuseries, short-form series, featurettes, courses and tutorials. The Great Courses titles will remain available to members, along with materials from existing partners A&E Television Networks, Scientific American, National Geographic, Smithsonian, and The Culinary Institute of America.

The Great Courses, best known for featuring the world's leading professors and experts, has been a well-regarded and trusted resource for lifelong learners to pursue their passions and expand their knowledge of academic subjects. In 2015, the launch of the brand's streaming service, The Great Courses Plus, opened the door for a broader audience and a new range of topics. Wondrium takes the learning experience to the next level, offering the best in entertaining, engaging, and educational content, and will provide a resource that complements people's daily media habits, allowing them to pursue their passions, dig deeper into subjects, hone their habits, and find something they will love to learn about.

"We are passionate lifelong learners and believe that nothing compares to the feeling of satisfaction and excitement that comes with learning something new. We've spent the last 30 years crafting moments and experiences that have given our members those 'Aha!' moments. Now, we're expanding that notion even further beyond the format factor we are best known for and diversifying our content offering to include a wider variety of resources, formats, and experiences for our members to enjoy when they want, where they want, and how they want," said Paul Suijk, President & CEO of The Teaching Company. "We're so excited to introduce Wondrium to the world and partner with great providers of nonfiction programming to bring our members a robust collection that both enriches and quenches their thirst for knowledge."

Wondrium will be available across mobile, web, and connected TV platforms, including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, iOS, and Android with the same three pricing options as The Great Courses Plus: a Monthly Plan at $20/month, a Quarterly Plan at $15/month (billed $45 every 3 months), and an Annual Plan at $12.50/month.

About The Teaching Company

Creating unique learning experiences since 1990, The Teaching Company is the nation's leading developer and marketer of premium-quality media for lifelong learning and personal enrichment. The Great Courses and The Great Courses Plus are the premier, consumer-facing brands of The Teaching Company. Delivered in engaging, expertly produced video and audio formatsin convenient online, digital, video-on-demand, and DVD formatsthese carefully crafted content experiences provide access to a world of knowledge from the most accomplished experts, instructors, and storytellers. The content-rich, proprietary library spans over 1,200 titles with more than 26,000 lectures designed to expand horizons, deepen understanding, and teach new skills in subject categories such as the arts, science, literature, self-improvement, history, music, philosophy, theology, economics, mathematics, business, professional advancement, photography, cooking, personal development, and more. The Teaching Company of Chantilly, Virginia is owned by Los Angeles-based Brentwood Associates. More information can be found at www.TheGreatCourses.com and www.TheGreatCoursesPlus.com .

Media Contact:

Lindsay Colker

Elevate Communications

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Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Mr. Nguyen Van Nen (R) and Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Mr. Jaya Ratnam (Photo: SGGP/Viet Dung)



On the occasion, he also shared the Singaporean ambassador about the socio-economic situation of Ho Chi Minh City as well as the goal of developing Ho Chi Minh City into a hub for the economy, finance, commerce, science - technology and culture of Southeast Asia. To get the achievements, Ho Chi Minh City is making its efforts to build a smart city, innovative urban and financial centers. The newly-established Thu Duc City is expected to become the new driving force for HCMCs economic development.

This was a statement of politburo member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Mr. Nguyen Van Nen at a yesterday meeting with Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Mr. Jaya Ratnam.At the reception, the city Party chief congratulated the ambassador for his new working term in Vietnam; and he informed that both sides not only have supported each other against the Covid-19 pandemic but also tried to seek new economic development opportunities and strengthen coordination with ASEAN countries against the global pandemic outbreak.The partner country is currently ranked the first in a list of Ho Chi Minh Citys largest countries and territories with investment capital of more than US$11 billion and 1,370 projects. For this reason, Mr. Nen hoped that the Singaporean ambassador and the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City should enhance connectivity to raise the relationship in all fields; and he affirmed that the city authorities would always create favorable conditions for the Singaporean businesses and investors.
GET THE niggers, was their slogan, / Kill them, burn, them, set the pace. / Let them know that we are white men. /Teach them how to keep their place. AJ Smitherman, The Tulsa Race Riot and Massacre (1922).

I had just left Harvard University as an assistant professor and was doing Time to Talk, a series of interviews for T&T Television.
An infamous New Jersey serial killer known as the 'Torso Killer' admitted that he kidnapped, raped and drowned two teenage girls in a bathtub 1974, closing the cold-case deaths.

Richard Cottingham, 74, who is serving a life sentence for prior murder convictions, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to killing 17-year-old Mary Ann Pryor and 16-year-old Lorraine Marie Kelly in a motel room in August 1974, just days after abducting them.

The two friends left their North Bergen homes on August 9, 1974, for a shopping trip 13 miles north to a Paramus mall. They had planned to take a bus there to buy bathing suits for a trip to the Jersey Shore.

At a New Jersey Courts virtual hearing Tuesday, convicted serial killer Richard Cottingham, center, known as the 'Torso Killer,' pleads guilty to two 1974 murders

Cottingham admitted to killing 17-year-old Mary Ann Pryor (left) and 16-year-old Lorraine Marie Kelly (right) in a New Jersey motel room in August 1974

Cottingham, who has claimed responsibility for 100 murders but so far has been linked to 11, appeared in prison garb at a court hearing on Tuesday with his attorney and Bergen County prosecutors in their office.

Cottingham is already serving a life sentence for killing six women, and he has been linked to at least five other murders, including those of Pryor and Kelly

Cottingham admitted he kidnapped Pryor and Kelly, brought them to a motel room, tied them up and raped them. He said he killed both girls by drowning them in the motel room's bathtub.

Cottingham is currently in state prison on a life sentence for a half-dozen other murders between 1967 and 1980.

He has said he murdered up to 100 people, but authorities in New York and New Jersey have linked him to 11 so far - including the two in 1974 - though they believe the death toll is higher.

Cottingham has been in prison since 1981 but confessed to three of the murders, including the killings of 13-year-old Jackie Harp, 18-year-old Irene Blase and 15-year-old Denise Falasca between 1968 and 1969.

He earned the moniker 'Torso Killer' for brutally cutting off victims' limbs and heads.

In 2020, Cottingham admitted to murdering 13-year-old Jackie Harp (left) in 1968, and 15-year-old Denise Falasca (right) in 1969. Both girls were strangled to death

Kelly and Pryor were found five days after they disappeared - their nude, battered bodies discovered facedown in the woods of North Jersey.

Kelly was reportedly found with a beaded bracelet and a necklace that read 'Lorraine and Ricky,' a reference to her boyfriend. Pryor was discovered with a gold cross, a gift from her godfather.

Cottingham, pictured in court in 1982, first drew the attention of the police in 1980, when he was arrested for the attempted murder of a sex worker

Cottingham first drew the attention of authorities in late May 1980, when he was arrested for the attempted murder and rape of an 18-year-old prostitute at a Quality Inn motel in Hasbrouck Heights, reported The Record.

A maid heard screams coming from a room, where police found a woman with handcuffs on her ankles, bite marks on one breast and a knife wound below it.

The surviving victim later testified at trial that Cottingham told her during the attack, 'You have to take it. The other girls did, you have to take it too. Youre a whore and you have to be punished.'

Two weeks before his arrest, police found the body of 19-year-old Valerie Ann Street at the same Quality Inn motel.

The woman, whose body covered in bite marks and bruises, died of asphyxiation.

The subsequent investigation linked Cottingham to the savage murders of Deedeh Goodarzi, 22, and an unidentified woman, whose bodies - missing their heads and hands - were found inside a burning hotel room near Times Square in December 1979.

Cottingham eventually was convicted of two murders, the kidnappings and assaults of three other women in Bergen County, New Jersey, and the murders of three prostitutes in New York.

Cottingham killed Nancy Schiava Vogel, a 29-year-old married mother-of-two, in 1967. In 1979, he murdered and mutilated 22-year-old Deedeh Goodarzi inside a hotel room in Manhattan

Cottingham earned the moniker the 'Torso Killer' for brutally dismembering his victims by cutting off their limbs and heads

In 2010, Cottingham pleaded guilty to the 1967 slaying of Nancy Schiava Vogel, a 29-year-old married mother-of-two who was strangled to death inside her car.

She had been last seen three days earlier, when she left home to play bingo with friends at a local church.

As part of the plea agreement on Tuesday, prosecutors said Cottingham is expected to get two life sentences in July, to be served concurrently with the time he's already serving.

Cottingham didn't make a statement during Tuesday's hearing, but offered one- and two-word answers to questions posed by state Superior Court Judge Keith Bachmann and prosecutors.
With Delhi facing a crippling shortage of life-saving oxygen, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said his government will import 18 cryogenic tankers from Thailand and 21 ready-to-use oxygen plants from France.

He said the scrambling for oxygen witnessed last week has been addressed and the situation has improved significantly in the past two days.

In the next month, the Delhi government will set up 44 oxygen plants at various hospitals, including 21 that will be imported from France. The Centre will install eight oxygen plants by April 30, Kejriwal said during an online briefing.

He said the Centre has provided five oxygen tankers to Delhi.

The Delhi government has urged the Centre to provide Indian Air Force aircraft for bringing the oxygen tankers from Bangkok. The tankers will start arriving in Delhi from Wednesday, he added.

Kejriwal, who had sought the help of chief ministers of other states and the country's top industrialists to resolve the oxygen crisis in the national capital, said "tremendous" cooperation has been received, with many of them urging not to be named for their contribution.

(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.)
Mumbai, April 27 : Sparking worries, the Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) has informed the Maharashtra government that it can supply Covishield vaccines to the state only after May 20, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said here on Tuesday.

Tope said the availability of vaccines remains an uphill task and the state needs at least one week's quota delivered at one go in order to inoculate the maximum number of people.

"The SII has informed the state government that it can supply the Covishield vaccines only after May 20," Tope told mediapersons, even as the state has only 72 hours left before rolling out the vaccination drive for people in the 18-45 age group from May 1.

Expressing concern over the development, the state spokesperson of the Congress, Sachin Sawant, said that SII's stance that it cannot supply the vaccines till May 20 since all stocks have been booked by the Modi government would put question mark on the upcoming inoculation drive for the 18-45 age group.

Slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sawant said that this is not the time to discuss lack of availability of vaccines.

"Where is your strategy? Modiji has no clue about supply of vaccines. The Centre has restricted the supplies to only two companies, and now it wants the states to buy from these two companies for the 18-45 age group," Sawant pointed out.

Since vaccines are in short supply and the Centre will take care of the 45-plus population, he sought to know whether the PM can set a target date for completing the vaccination drive in India.

On revised prices announced recently by the SII and the government-run Bharat Biotech International Ltd (BBIL), Tope said that the Centre's intervention asking them to slash the prices may help.

While SII's Covishield will be sold to the states at Rs 400/dose, BBIL will sell its Covaxin for Rs 600/dose, and the prices shall be even higher for the private hospitals.

Tope said that the state has an estimated 5.71 crore people in the 18-45 age-group and needs around 12 crore vaccines over the next several months.

"At the prevailing rates, the state will have to shell out around Rs 7,500 crore for inoculating the entire 18-45 age group population. In this situation, the state government will bear the cost of vaccinating the economically weaker sections of society," Tope said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Health Secretary Pradeep Vyas sent letters to the two companies wanting to know how many doses they can supply each month for the next six months for the massive inoculation drive scheduled to begin from May 1.
In a milestone for the social justice movement in Oregon, state representatives on Monday approved a package of bills to weed out people who arent fit to wear a police uniform and then work to regulate the actions of officers once on the job.

One measure would require police agencies to ask applicants about their opinions on race and diverse cultures and then rigorously evaluate them.

Others call on police to investigate potential gender-based hate crimes, require officers to report misconduct by colleagues, and train officers to perform CPR and call for emergency medics if someone suffers medical distress while restrained.

Still others would restrict how police use the charge of interfering with an officer and limit the public release of booking photos.

Some of the changes are already in place in larger departments. Portland police, for example, already must report a fellow officers misconduct, perform CPR and summon medical help for someone in distress.

Some of the bills arose from complaints during last summers mass social justice protests in Portland, including the Police Bureaus removal of officer names from uniforms. Under a bill approved by the House, officers doing crowd control in cities of more than 150,000 people must have their names visible on their uniforms so they can be easily identified.

The legislation largely sprang from bipartisan work done by the House Judiciarys Equitable Policing Subcommittee, led by Reps. Janelle Bynum, D-Clackamas, who served as chair, and Ron Noble, R-McMinnville, who was vice chair.

The bills together are intended to improve the professionalism of policing in Oregon and build trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve, Bynum and Noble said.

Bynum thanked Noble, a former police chief in McMinnville, for sharing his expertise in helping to craft the legislation.

She said she hopes the package will make it abundantly clear that policing power comes from the community, justice, accountability and transparency.

One of the bills condemns membership or participation by officers in hate groups, racial supremacy organizations or militant groups and outlines new principles that the state expects in law enforcement for the first time and in clear language, Bynum said.

Bynum read from the bill: The Legislative Assembly finds that number one, racism has no place in public safety. Number two, law enforcement officers hold a unique position in our community and must demonstrate principles of equity, transparency, honesty and trust with all members of society.

Noble said he hopes the slate of bills will encourage true community-based policing and a society that values everyone.

Community policing -- when an officer feels safe to engage with the public, to walk a beat, to drive a car and to engage in communication -- in many areas in our state that doesnt happen anymore, Noble said. Im hoping this package of police reform bills will encourage that to happen.

Heres a rundown of the nine bills passed by the House. They now head to the Senate:

-- House Bill 2513 requires police officers to be trained in airway anatomy and certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and to request an emergency medical response immediately, if tactically feasible, after encountering someone who is restrained and suffering from respiratory or cardiac ailments. It requires at least three hours of training in the states basic police academy and biannual continued education.

-- House Bill 2936 requires the state Department of Public Safety Standards & Training to create a uniform background checklist and a personal history questionnaire for use by police or sheriffs agencies hiring officers or deputies. It must include a psychiatric or psychological evaluation of the applicant and an assessment of their tendencies, feelings and opinions toward diverse cultures, races and ethnicities and differing social, political, economic and life statuses.

It also requires police agencies to adopt policies that set standards for officers speech and expression in and outside of work, including material posted on the Internet, shared in a video or private speech.

This is the bill that spells out police values that Bynum read aloud.

No one bill can help us defeat racism or clean up our policing structure, Bynum said. But House Bill 2936 is an important step forward.

-- House Bill 2929 is the so-called Duty to Report legislation. It requires an officer to prevent or stop misconduct by another officer or reserve officer unless the witness officer cant intervene safely.

An officer who witnesses misconduct must report it no later than 72 hours later to a direct supervisor, a person in the officers chain of command or to the state police standards and certification agency.

The agency receiving the report should complete an investigation within three months. The agency must report a finding of misconduct to state Department of Public Safety Standards and Training but doesnt have to report violations of the states minimum physical, emotional, intellectual or moral fitness standards for officers.

-- House Bill 2986 requires the Oregon Board on Public Safety Standards and Training to make sure officers are trained to investigate, identify and report crimes motivated by prejudice based on the perceived gender of a person, as well as race, color, religion, national original, sex or political beliefs.

-- House Bill 3047 creates a civil cause of action for improper disclosure of personal information, known as doxing.

Plaintiffs would have to show by a preponderance of evidence that someone disclosed their private information with the intent to stalk, harass or injure them, knew the plaintiff didnt consent to the disclosure or that the disclosure led to the plaintiff being stalked, harassed or injured. Plaintiffs could seek economic, noneconomic, punitive damages and injunction relief.

Doxing has been used as a tool to silence people who are trying to make their voices heard, said Rep. Wlnsvey Campos, D- Aloha. We are giving these people the tools they need to protect themselves and hold those responsible accountable.

State Rep. Bill Post, R-Keizer, said the bill was personal to him because a Dallas-based journalist posted Posts personal information online after Post made public personal information about supporters of an initiative to ban assault weapon sales in the state.

I need this because my family went through hell, he said.

-- House Bill 3059 modifies Oregons unlawful assembly law, removing the requirement that officers shall go among people assembled to may go among a crowd to order dispersal. If people refuse to leave, officers may make arrests but no longer would be required to do so. And if they make an arrest, it must be for a specified unlawful offense.

Too many folks have found themselves injured, traumatized and arrested simply for exercising their First Amendment rights,' said Rep. Andrea Valderrama, D-East Portland.

-- House Bill 3164 restricts the crime of interfering with an officer by removing refusal to obey officers order as part of the offense. It also restricts the charge from being added if a person is arrested on other criminal allegations.

-- House Bill 3273 prohibits law enforcement agencies from releasing booking photos, except in certain circumstances. They could release the photos to the public only if determining a law enforcement purpose for the release, including to capture a suspect or identify additional crimes.

Those photos that are published can ruin a persons life who has not yet been found guilty of any crime, said Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Lake Oswego. They can linger on and impact peoples lives for years to come. This legislation helps protect those people from having one bad day damage their future.

-- House Bill 3355 specifies the type of identification officers must wear during crowd control events in cities of more than 150,000 population. Oregon State Police are excluded.

An officers first initial and last name, or another unique identifier issued by the agency, must be on the front and back of the uniform and on the back of a helmet if worn. The name of the agency and the word POLICE, SHERIFF or TROOPER must be on the front and back of the uniform.

Agencies must adopt policies, prohibiting the intentional obscuring of any of the information.

Knowing an officers name allows community to view them as a real person, rather than just a uniform, said Rep. Mark Meek, D- Gladstone.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian
The Pan-Yoruba Socio-Cultural Organisation, Afenifere, has decried rising insecurity in the country, even as it turned 70 years today. The...

The Pan-Yoruba Socio-Cultural Organisation, Afenifere, has decried rising insecurity in the country, even as it turned 70 years today.

The body said the insecurity in the land has forced it to reschedule its programmes for the anniversary.

The body directed Muslim members and well wishers across the federation to observe worships on Friday, April 30 in mosques while the Christian counterparts were enjoined to attend service at designated churches determined by state chapters on Sunday, May 2.

It revealed this plan in a statement its Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan co-signed with Chairman of Afenifere Organising Committee, Chief Supo Shonibare; Chief Korede Duyile; Dr. Femi Balogun; Chief Kole Omololu; Hon. Lekan Alabi and Mr. Tijani Babatunde yesterday.

While it observed its 70th anniversary called for grand celebration as already scheduled, it said what it did not plan took over its programmes outlined to commemorate the birth of progressivism in Southwest.

Afenifere stated that the second wave of COVID 19 and the mayhem by herdsmen and the spate of kidnapping in Yorubaland in particular and Nigeria in general have made us to reappraise the programme in the light of present realities.

According to the body, as a responsible organisation, it could not afford to undertake all the events scheduled for the 70th anniversary, thus enjoining all its chapters to observe Moslem worships in mosques on Friday, 30th April 2021.

Likewise, it noted that Christians are enjoined to attend service at the designated Churches determined by state chapters on Sunday, 2nd May 2021 to pray for peace and a restructured nation and for the health of mind and body for our people. Well-wishers are also enjoined to join them.

At a more auspicious time in the not too distant future, when the security and health challenges must have abated, we shall announce the dates for the other programmes such as colloquium and lecture, essay competition for undergraduates & anniversary dinner and cultural festivities.

The organisation, also, commended the Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and other founding fathers for establishing a powerful political movement that changed the face of politics in Africa forever.

Giving background to its establishment, Afenifere explained how its founding fathers publicly the Action Group, now defunct, met at a press conference that took place in Ibadan, Oyo State on the 21st March 1951

Although many were invited, According to the organisation, those who turned up apart from the Convener were Chief Abiodun Akerele, Chief S.O. Shonibare, Chief Ayo Akinsanya, Chief Olatunji Dosunmu, Mr Samuel Akinsanya, Chief J.O. Adigun and Chief S.T. Oredein.

It said: These eight men, led by Chief Awolowo, were the founding fathers of Action Group (Egbe Afenifere). The party was inaugurated in Owo, on the 28th April 1951 with leaders from 22 out of the 24 administrative divisions in Western Region in attendance.

Today, being the 28th April is the 70th anniversary of that epic event. We are most indebted for the enduring legacy bestowed upon the progressive political strand in the Southwest by the efforts of these founding fathers and all the other leaders in attendance at Owo on the 28th April 1951.

Just after its establishment, Afenifere noted that the party called for an immediate end to British rule and for the development of several social welfare programs.

In 1951, according to the organisation, the party won the Western Region election and instituted revolutionary programmes like free education and health.

It, therefore, commended the efforts of the founding fathers upon whose shoulders the succeeding leaders now stand to gaze at a better future to bequeath to the coming generations. With its motto as life more abundant, Afenifere turned Western Nigeria to a model of development.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 18:56:49|Editor: huaxia

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FUZHOU, April 27 (Xinhua) -- With a super SIM card and app, some Chinese smartphone users will soon be able to make phone calls protected by quantum encryption.

Unlike traditional encryption methods that rely solely on algorithms, quantum encryption is protected by the laws of quantum physics and has ultra-high security.

Phones equipped with super SIM cards are expected to be rolled out by June this year, said Li Wei, a solutions manager with Anhui-based QuantumCTek Group, the quantum firm that developed the phone.

China's scientific and technological workers in this area have made a number of significant, internationally influential innovations over recent years. In 2020, Chinese scientists developed the quantum computer prototype "Jiuzhang."

Two 5G quantum phones, along with other eye-catching tech innovations like unmanned cars and AI-powered drones, were displayed at the fourth Digital China Summit in Fuzhou, capital of east China's Fujian Province, which closed on Monday.

The summit, which was first held in 2018, serves as an important platform to advance the construction of digital China.

The development of cybersecurity and informatization should contribute to China's drive to develop a modernized economy and achieve high-quality development, and to the new model of industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural modernization, President Xi Jinping said at a national conference on the work of cybersecurity and informatization in April 2018.

Efforts should also be made to develop the digital economy, promote deep integration between the internet, big data, artificial intelligence, and real economy, and make the manufacturing, agriculture, and service sectors more digitalized, smart, and internet-powered, said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, chairman of the Central Military Commission, and head of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, at the conference.

RESHAPING THE ECONOMY

According to a report released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, the scale of China's digital economy reached 39.2 trillion yuan (about 6 trillion U.S. dollars) last year, accounting for 38.6 percent of the country's GDP.

On a pig farm in the suburban Fuqing City of Fujian, an AI-powered overhead camera moves along a rail, counting numbers of pigs and collecting data on their body lengths and temperatures.

The smart solution can finetune the food and water intakes of pregnant pigs at different stages of gestation.

"We feed them more food in the early stage, and reduce their intake in the last stage to make the delivery process easier," said Wu Feilong, deputy general manager of the husbandry company Xingyuan.

Sensors and cameras also detect nitrogen and carbon dioxide levels in the farm's shed, and the ventilation systems are activated as soon as these levels reach a certain threshold.

Robot assistance, AI and other digital technologies are transforming China's pig-rearing industry, altering the image of odorous, messy pig farms.

Digital technologies are also transforming China's manufacturing sector. Some factories in China have already seen their entire production processes undergo intelligent transformations, and are solving deep-seated problems in their respective industries.

In the ceramic toilet fixture industry, for instance, manual glazing-induced occupational health issues can be reduced with 5G-assisted robots.

Fujian-based firm JOMOO has replaced humans entirely in the toilet-glazing process at its smart factory. Robots can glaze products evenly and lower the chance of employee health impairments.

PEOPLE-CENTERED DIGITALIZATION

In a congratulatory letter to the first Digital China Summit, Xi said digitalization, networking and the application of intelligent technologies, which have been greatly developed, are playing more and more important roles in promoting social and economic development, modernizing China's governance system and capacity, and meeting the people's ever-growing needs for a better life.

Digital technologies are revamping the ways companies and individuals access government services, making services including medical care, transportation and housing available to everyone at all times.

Assisted by AI technology developed by iFlytek, a leading voice-recognition company in China, a "24/7" government service map in Anhui Province can direct users to the services they need based on vague descriptions.

For instance, if a user searches "I'm giving birth," the system will display options like "Issuance of delivery service registration card," or "Birth insurance record inquiry."

Integrating online and offline resources, the system provides both online and offline options. If one chooses offline options, it can direct him/her to the best location based on distance, service time and ratings.

So far, the service map has collected information on more than 20,000 government service locations and basically cover all government services frequently used by the people. The map has been visited more than 14 million times and has handled requests and inquiries for 1.7 million users.

The application of 5G in the medical field has become a reality. A 5G-connected computer sits quietly in the summit's exhibition hall, demonstrating how doctors use 5G technology to examine and diagnose patients from a distance.

"Through 5G transmissions, we are able to control the CT scanners in remote hospitals on a real-time basis," said Shi Qingke, director of the IT department of the West China Hospital, Sichuan University.

Shi said that with its large bandwidth and low latency, 5G allows doctors at high-level hospitals to adjust the parameters of CT machines and the doses of radiation directed at patients so as to obtain better images for patients in less developed areas.

China has built more than 1,100 internet hospitals nationwide, and the integration of the internet and healthcare has greatly enhanced people's sense of fulfillment. Enditem
New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday (April 27) said that his government will import 18 cryogenic tankers from Thailand and 21 ready-to-use oxygen plants from France. He said the scrambling for oxygen witnessed last week has been addressed and the situation has improved significantly in the past two days.

After facing a crippling shortage of life-saving oxygen, the Delhi government has decided to set up 44 oxygen plants at various hospitals, including 21 that will be imported from France. The Centre will install eight oxygen plants by April 30, Kejriwal said during an online briefing.

Arvind Kejriwal said the Centre has provided five oxygen tankers to Delhi, adding that the Delhi government has urged the Centre to provide Indian Air Force aircraft for bringing the oxygen tankers from Bangkok. The Delhi CM added that the tankers will start arriving in Delhi on Wednesday.

He further said that "tremendous" cooperation has been received, with many of them urging not to be named for their contribution. Notably, Kejriwal also sought the help of chief ministers of other states and the country's top industrialists to resolve the oxygen crisis in the national capital.

Centre raps Kejriwal govt for failure to resolve logistical issues to procure oxygen

Meanwhile, the Centre has rapped the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government for its alleged failure to arrange tankers for transportation of oxygen for the city's hospitals and said pro-active actions by it could have "avoided tragic incidents".

In a hard-hitting letter to Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also claimed that the Delhi government's efforts to resolve logistical issues for procuring oxygen have "not been up to the mark" at a time when other states and union territories have been making earnest and professional efforts on the matter. The letter was written on April 25.

Highlighting various steps taken by the central government like stopping oxygen supply to industries, uninterrupted movement of oxygen tankers, airlifting of tankers from abroad, the home secretary said all state governments and UTs have been making diligent and continuous efforts at their level for the last few days to arrange tankers for the allocated quantity of medical oxygen and a specially designated virtual group was formed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for facilitation.

The home secretary said presently, there is no shortage of medical oxygen supply and Delhi had been allocated 480 MT on April 21 after consultation with officers of the Delhi government.

(With Agency Inputs)

Live TV
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.
Twelve new cases of Covid-19 in the community were confirmed in Fiji overnight.

This is the country's biggest number of cases in a single day since the virus returned to the community following breaches at a managed isolation quarantine (MIQ) facility in Nadi last week.

The Health Ministry says eight of the cases are close relatives including the husband of the 29-year old female from Makoi, a suburb north east of the capital Suva, whom authorities had earlier announced was infected from an unknown source.

Health Secretary Dr James Fong confirmed at a press conference on Monday night that the woman's husband, who is a soldier, shared a room with case 73 another soldier who was infected while handling the luggage of two Fijians who returned from India on April 10.

Four other cases were close contacts of a 53 year-old maid who was also infected while in close contact in the room of the initially-infected soldier at the quarantine facility in Nadi.

"Between the negative test result on April 10 and returning home on April 12, he had close contact with case 73, the border quarantine soldier who had also tested negative on 10 April and likely got infected shortly after swabbing.

"Unfortunately, this soldier, who is the husband of the Makoi case, came into contact with case 73, before case 73 was found to be positive.

"The current information indicates that the lady from Makoi caught the virus from her husband."

Dr Fong says given the timeline of infection, the Makoi woman is now confirmed to be the first local transmission of the virus.

Tempering the news, Dr Fong says initial investigations indicate the Makoi family had a large number of contacts in the community.

He has made a plea for people who attended a church service in Nadi on April 18 or had travelled from the main island, Viti Levu, to any of the outer islands including Vanua Levu from Monday April 19 to contact the health authorities.

"Our likely window of transmission for the family, starting with the husband extends from Monday April 12 to Sunday April 25.

"So of now, there are 36 active cases in isolation, 14 of which are border quarantine cases, with 22 locally transmitted cases."

Meanwhile, containment zones and escalated restrictions which began in the central eastern division on April 25 remained the same.

The Central Division including the capital Suva, Lami, Nasinu and Nausori are in lockdown effective on Sunday for the next 14 days.

Dr Fong says beginning at 4am Monday local time, the greater public will not be allowed in or out of the following containment zones of Lami, Suva, Nasinu and Nausori areas.

"For a period of 14 days, we will be closing off exits at the following checkpoints starting from 4am on 26 April: from Wainadoi to Tamavua-i-Wai to the 8 Miles bridge, and to Logani Village on the Kings Road.

"Similarly, the Nadi-Lautoka area will be divided into two zones - Nadi Zone will begin from Momi Junction to Lomolomo Police Post and from Lomolomo Police Post to Nacilau.

"The current free movement between Lautoka to Nadi will no longer be allowed for the next 14 days beginning 26 April.

"Again, I want to urge all Fijians to stay the course and follow the measures that are necessary to contain this outbreak and get us back to normal," Dr Fong says.

"Our containment areas are necessary and unavoidable because they are the only way to stop this infection from spreading.

"Please remain at home and try to take care of all necessary business-such as shopping for groceries and other necessities-in your immediate neighbourhoods."

Fiji now has had 103 Covid-19 cases, 36 active (22 in the community and 14 in MIQ) with 65 recovered and two deaths reported.

-RNZ/Lice Monovo.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Brands today announced it has launched GiveSmart for Salesforce on Salesforce AppExchange, empowering customers to access GiveSmart's integrated fundraising platform with configurable, mobile-friendly campaigns, peer-to-peer giving, auction and event management, and secure payment processing. With the GiveSmart fundraising management system, organizations can accelerate fundraising and nurture lasting relationships with donors and sponsors all year round.

Built on the Salesforce Platform, GiveSmart for Salesforce is currently available on AppExchange at: https://appexchange.salesforce.com/appxListingDetail?listingId=a0N4V00000GXFFhUAP

GiveSmart for Salesforce

GiveSmart customers can benefit from enhanced data syncing through this integration on AppExchange, providing a centralized view of fundraising and donor success. Clients will have access through the full GiveSmart fundraising management system as well as access to GiveSmart's services, expertise, and community resources.

Comments on the News

" Launching our GiveSmart for Salesforce app brings another powerful feature for customers to diversify and grow their fundraising to exceed goals and spread their mission. We are proud of another successful product enhancement to support our shared customers across the country." Susan Gilmartin , Executive Vice President of Nonprofit and Education Solutions

Launching our GiveSmart for Salesforce app brings another powerful feature for customers to diversify and grow their fundraising to exceed goals and spread their mission. We are proud of another successful product enhancement to support our shared customers across the country." , Executive Vice President of Nonprofit and Education Solutions " GiveSmart for Salesforce is a welcome addition to AppExchange, as they power digital transformation for customers by making fundraising data available and easy to analyze," said Woodson Martin , GM of Salesforce AppExchange. "AppExchange is constantly evolving to enable our partners to build cutting-edge solutions to drive customer success."

About Salesforce AppExchange

Salesforce AppExchange, the world's leading enterprise cloud marketplace, empowers companies, developers and entrepreneurs to build, market and grow in entirely new ways. With more than 6,000 listings, 9 million customer installs and 98,000 peer reviews, AppExchange connects customers of all sizes and across industries to ready-to-install or customizable apps and Salesforce-certified consultants to solve any business challenge.

Additional Resources

Like Salesforce on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/salesforce

Follow Salesforce on Twitter: https://twitter.com/salesforce

Become a fan of GiveSmart: https://www.facebook.com/givesmartusa

Follow GiveSmart on Twitter: https://twitter.com/givesmartusa

Salesforce, AppExchange and others are among the trademarks of salesforce.com, inc.

About GiveSmart

GiveSmart is a fundraising management system that enables organizations to accelerate fundraising through configurable, mobile-friendly campaigns, peer-to-peer giving, auction and event management, and secure payment processing. Our mission is to help nonprofits and organizations reach their fundraising goals while creating an engaging, exciting, and easy giving experience for their donors. Learn more at www.givesmart.com or follow us on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , and, Pinterest .

About Community Brands

Community Brands is the leading provider of cloud-based software and payment solutions to associations, nonprofits, K-12 schools and faith-based groups. Through innovation and technology, the company empowers more than 120,000 clients and partners to succeed faster, grow stronger and achieve social good. Organizations adopt Community Brands software to manage memberships, career centers, learning, accounting, mobile giving, peer-to-peer fundraising, donations, admissions, enrollments and events. Using these engagement platforms, customers of all sizes create meaningful and lasting experiences for their members, donors, volunteers and families. Headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA, Community Brands serves the social good community in nearly 40 countries. To learn more, visit communitybrands.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Alison McCall

Branded

[email protected]

404-725-7455

SOURCE Community Brands

Related Links

https://www.communitybrands.com/


Rohde&Schwarz partners with UNH-IOL to enhance high-speed Ethernet and InfiniBand compliance testing

Posted by Publisher Telecommunication

By combining the UNH-IOL?s expertise in cable assembly and backplane compliance tests with Rohde & Schwarz test solutions, both partners are paving the way for automated compliance tests in line with the latest IEEE 802.3 Ethernet and InfiniBand standards.

Test and measurement specialist Rohde & Schwarz and the University of New Hampshire Interoperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) extend their ongoing collaboration to expand Ethernet and InfiniBand compliance testing. Both have pooled their expertise to provide methods of implementation (MOI) for precise, fast and error-free compliance testing of high-speed cables and backplanes in line with IEEE 802.3 (up to IEEE 802.3ck) and InfiniBand standards (up to rate designator HDR), using vector network analysis test equipment from Rohde & Schwarz.

Data rates and data traffic grow faster than ever. The high data rates need to be transported between computer modules or high-speed data networks. The latest specifications planned to be published in fall 2021 for Ethernet IEEE 802.3ck will allow data rates up to 800 Gbps. InfiniBand, a communications standard to address very low latency and very high throughput rates, opts in the extension planned for 2021 even for throughput rates up to 1200 GB/s when combining several links. Long-distance transmission in both standards is handled via optical links. But to bridge short distances, high-speed copper cables are used. To secure reliable data transmission with these extremely high data rates, cable compliance tests are highly encouraged to provide confidence in the products.

UNH-IOL is a worldwide reference for cable compliance tests, and cable manufacturers turn to the interoperability laboratory for their testing services. During a period of time in 2020, Rohde & Schwarz, provided UNH-IOL with a state-of-the-art R&S ZNBT40 multiport vector network analyzer with 16 integrated test ports, covering up to 40 GHz, to support efficient testing.

UNH-IOL has created the methods of implementation (MOI) for IEEE 802.3 Ethernet and InfiniBand based on their superior experience. The MOI describe exactly how to perform compliance test measurements on high-speed cables and backplanes to fulfil the corresponding specifications.

Martin Stumpf, Market Segment Manager High Speed Digital Design Test at Rohde & Schwarz, says: \The MOIs along with the included state files provide excellent guidance for the industry and describe the test steps as well as the calculations of channel operating margin (COM) and effective return loss (ERL). Later this year, we plan to provide automatic scripts based on our R&S ZNrun test sequencer software that will further simplify compliance tests. We are excited to pursue this goal together with the UNH-IOL.\

Bob Noseworthy, principal engineer, at UNH-IOL, says: \After a successful collaboration with Rohde & Schwarz to develop this MOI, we look forward to further collaboration to extend UNH-IOL high speed cable conformance testing capabilities in the near future.\

To access the Methods of Implementation, go to http://www.rohde-schwarz.com/appnote/GFM356 for IEEE 802.3, and to http://www.rohde-schwarz.com/appnote/GFM357 for InfiniBand.

Rohde & Schwarz is a leading supplier of solutions in the fields of test and measurement, broadcast and media, aerospace | defense | security and networks and cybersecurity. The technology group\-\-s innovative communications, information and security products help industry and government customers ensure a safer and connected world. On June 30, 2020, Rohde & Schwarz had about 12,300 employees worldwide. The independent group achieved a net revenue of EUR 2.58 billion in the 2019/2020 fiscal year (July to June). The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany, and has subsidiaries in more than 70 countries, with regional hubs in Asia and America.
Financier Lex Greensill's appointment to a role in Downing Street was a 'screaming, glaring conflict of interest', a top Whitehall official admitted yesterday.

Mr Greensill was given a pass and security clearance to enter No 10 when he was advising David Cameron's government.

He had Downing Street business cards calling himself a 'senior adviser', but officials have been unable to find a job contract for him.

Financier Lex Greensill's appointment to a role in Downing Street was a 'screaming, glaring conflict of interest', a top Whitehall official admitted yesterday. Greensill is pictured above

Darren Tierney, director general of propriety and ethics in the Cabinet Office, was giving evidence to MPs. He told the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee: 'He wasn't a special adviser  his exact status is unclear.'

He added: 'We've been unable to find a contract.' Tory MP David Jones said Mr Greensill was in the business of selling services to the Government  yet was in a position to acquire important commercial information from inside the administration.

He asked Mr Tierney: 'Doesn't it look a screaming, glaring conflict of interest?' Mr Tierney replied: 'Yes, it does.' Britain's top civil servant, Cabinet Secretary Simon Case agreed that he was 'alarmed' by the arrangement. An appointment letter for Mr Greensill setting out confidentiality conditions has been found and it was said that his role was signed off by then minister Francis Maude.

Mr Greensill was given a pass and security clearance to enter No 10 when he was advising David Cameron's government

Links between the financier's firm Greensill Capital, the Government and Mr Cameron have come under scrutiny after the former prime minister worked for the firm following his departure from No 10. Greensill Capital went bust last month despite Mr Cameron lobbying ministers and senior figures at the Bank of England over access to Government-backed loans on its behalf.

Meanwhile, it was revealed yesterday that nearly 100 top mandarins have paid second jobs, with some working as yoga instructors and tutors in their spare time.

Mr Case insisted none of the roles raised concerns about conflicts of interest. A probe was ordered after a former Government procurement chief advised the Greensill Capital board while working in Whitehall.
New Delhi, April 27 : The relatives of a 67-year-old woman assaulted the doctors at a Delhi hospital on Tuesday morning after the elderly lady died in the emergency ward apparently because the hospital did not have any vacant ICU beds.

The video of the incident has gone viral on social media.

As per reports, many hospital staff, including doctors, were injured in the scuffle outside the Apollo Hospital on Tuesday morning. The situation was later brought under control by the police.

Southeast Delhi DCP Rajendra Prasad Meena told IANS, "There was a scuffle between the family members of the deceased and the hospital staff that broke out at around 9 a.m. The deceased person's family lives in Madanpur Khadar. However, no complaint has been received from either side and the situation at the hospital is under control now." The staff have been asked by the hospital to rejoin duty, because of the sheer number of patients requiring medical treatment and care owing to the Covid crisis in the national capital.

In the video, a masked man in a grey shirt could be seen attacking another person with a stick as three-four others, who seemed to be security personnel, tried to restrain him. In another shot, two men could be seen trading punches and kicks amid utter chaos reigning in the hospital premises.

A woman could be heard saying in the backgroung: "Maaro usko, sahi baat hain (hit him, serves him right)."
Tsinghua University celebrates 110 years of glorious existence

Xinhua) 14:55, April 27, 2021

BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- China's esteemed Tsinghua University on Sunday celebrated its 110th anniversary.

Speaking to over 1,000 teachers, students and alumni at the anniversary celebrations, Qiu Yong, president of Tsinghua, said the university was established in an era when the Chinese nation suffered greatly, which pushed the institution to strive for saving the nation and making it strong.

"This year marks the centennial anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Tsinghua should improve the level of academic innovation and international exchanges, and make new and greater contributions to fully building a modern socialist China, pursuing the national rejuvenation and promoting the progress of human civilization," said Qiu.

Listed by Forbes as one of the world's most beautiful college campuses, Tsinghua boasts both traditional Chinese architectures and Western-style edifices.

Over the past 110 years since its inception, Tsinghua has cultivated pioneers in the fields of science, engineering, business, culture and politics.

In 2020, Tsinghua led 30 of China's key scientific research projects, ranking first among universities nationwide for five consecutive years.

Over the past three years, Tsinghua set up 25 rural vitalization work stations in 15 provinces and municipalities, which convened more than 1,500 teachers and students nationwide introducing science and technology to assist rural development programs.

Over the past 20 years, more than 360 Tsinghua alumni volunteered to teach in China's less-developed regions such as the Tibet Autonomous Region, and Qinghai and Gansu provinces, helping tens of thousands of rural students.

Liu Zhizhen, one of more than 50,000 Tsinghua students on campus, said the university emphasizes physical exercise and social practice, adding that he had participated in the National Day parade in 2019 marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

"Today we celebrate Tsinghua's 110th birthday, and soon we will celebrate the centenary of the Communist Party of China. A hundred years of relay and I am a part of it," Liu said.

Professor Stephen J Toope, vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, sent a video message wishing Tsinghua on its 110th anniversary.

"From its earliest days, Tsinghua has served as a bridge between East and West," said Toope, adding that he hopes the institution will continue to spread its wings of knowledge.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
 

First assembly meeting of International Chernobyl Co-Operation Account

New fund to develop comprehensive plan for next steps in decommissioning process

EBRD and IAEA heads agree to continue institutions cooperation

The international community stands united to support Ukraine in the next steps towards transforming the site of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

On the occasion of the first assembly meeting of the new International Chernobyl Co-Operation Account (ICCA), the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud-Basso, and the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, agreed the following:

Having reviewed the support that each organisation has provided Ukraine in the past 35 years, and the progress achieved so far, they confirm their continuous support to Ukraine in the coming phase of decommissioning of Chernobyl. They congratulate Ukraine on reaching two important milestones in the decommissioning process: the completion of the New Safe Confinement and the start of operation of the Interim Spent Fuel Storage Facility. They agree to continue their work, focusing on the next steps required to achieve the next goals. In this connection, they recognise the need to develop a comprehensive plan for the site to ensure coherence, optimisation and complementarity between the different tasks. They agree to work together in the framework of the International Chernobyl Cooperation Account in close cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities towards the delivery of safe and cost-effective solutions for the decommissioning of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and in managing the radioactive waste in the exclusion zone. In doing so, they will draw on the IAEAs technical mandate, knowledge and experience, and its network of international experts, and the EBRDs project and fund management experience.

ICCA was established in November 2020 by the EBRD at the request of the government of Ukraine. It was set up as a multilateral fund to support the development of a comprehensive plan for Chernobyl, to consolidate existing planning as well as optimise and integrate all approaches to radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. Commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an order making his country a contributor to the new fund.

Balthasar Lindauer, EBRD Director, Nuclear Safety Department, said: Despite an unprecedented level of international cooperation in the transformation of Chernobyl over the past decades, the decommissioning of the nuclear power plant and the management of radioactive waste in the exclusion zone remain the most challenging nuclear safety operations in the world. ICCA will aim to support capabilities that address these challenges. The EBRD stands ready to provide its services as a project and fund manager.

The ICCA assembly meeting happened as Ukraine marked the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident in the early hours of 26 April 1986. Since 1995, the EBRD has been engaged in securing and transforming the site as a fund manager on behalf of the international community and as a donor. Under the Banks leadership the Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant, the New Safe Confinement and the Interim Storage Facility-2 have been built.
A Justice Department investigation is waiting for the Louisville Police after Breonna Taylor was killed in her apartment when they served a "no-knock" warrant. The announcement came after DOJ said it will investigate Minneapolis Police Department.

"Today, the Justice Department is opening a civil investigation into the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government and the Louisville Metro Police Department," Attorney General Merrick Garland was quoted in an NBC News report.

The investigation was said to determine whether the Louisville Police engages in practices that violate federal law.

Louisville Police has faced criticisms 13 months after the death of Breonna Taylor.

Garland said the DOJ will review whether the police department had conducted the practice of using unreasonable force.

In addition, the Attorney General added that it will also identify if Louisville had unconstitutional stops, searches, and seizures.

Garland said that they will follow facts and the law wherever they lead.

READ MORE: West Coast Cities Show Outrage on Breonna Taylor's Death Anniversary

Breonna Taylor

Breonna Taylor was a 26-year-old Black woman who was killed last year by Louisville Police officers.

Police had entered her apartment and fired 32 bullets, according to a CNBC report.

Meanwhile, Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired a shot at officers, saying that he believed they were intruders.

Taylor's death is considered to be one of the most high-profile police killings in recent years. It has spurred calls to control the use of no-knock warrants and other controversial practices.

In addition, Taylor was neither the subject of the warrant nor was the suspect at her home, according to an NPR report.

The police department had fired one of the officers involved in Taylor's killing last year, saying that former officer Brett Hankinson had shown an "extreme indifference to the value of human life."

Meanwhile, Garland said the DOJ will consider the terms of a $12 million settlement reached between Louisville and Taylor's family last year.

Police Brutality

At least 950 incidents of police brutality against civilians and journalists during anti-racism protests have been recorded the previous year, according to a Bellingcat and Forensic Architecture data.

It also includes more than 1,000 violations, with more than 500 occurrences of police using less-lethal rounds, pepper spray, and tear gas.

Sixty incidents of officers using unlawful assembly to arrest people, and 19 incidents of police being permissive to the right, which shows double standards, according to The Guardian report.

On top of that, there were also five incidents of attacks on medics and 11 happenings of kittling.

More than 200 incidents happened in Portland, where police spent over $117,500 on teargas and less-lethal munitions in a period of six weeks from late May.

Heather-Lynne Van Wilde, a Portland-based journalist, said most practices had been used mostly on peaceful protests.

Wilde covered the demonstrations. She was working for the Raindrop Works news site.

The journalist added that it feels like a disproportionate use of force.

Last July, Donovan La Bella was shot in the head with a less-lethal munition during a protest.

He spent two months in and out of hospital after suffering a fractured skull.

READ NEXT: Breonna Taylor Documentary Debuts on Courier-Journal and ABC News

WATCH: Justice Department opens probe of Louisville police after Breonna Taylor death - from Los Angeles Times






TUESDAY: PARTLY SUNNY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY, INCREASING CHANCE FOR SCATTERED SHOWERS AND STORMS

A stationary front stuck in North Iowa Tuesday morning has been acting as the focus for scattered thunderstorm development in Southern Minnesota, and will continue to do so for the rest of the day before the risk of thunderstorms expands into North Iowa late Tuesday as well. Storms will not be terribly strong or widespread, but instead pose a risk for a brief heavy and isolated downpour with a risk for hail and lightning. A marginal risk (1/5) for severe weather is in place across our area Tuesday for this risk of hail. A severe storm around 1am in Winona Minnesota reported hail stones over 1 inch in diameter. Another storm in Truman, MN around 7:45am also had radar indicated hail to a level that required a severe thunderstorm warning. Chances for storms increase throughout the day as temps rise again. Highs are forecast to be in the mid to upper 50s in Rochester, and near 70 degrees in Mason City.

WEDNESDAY: MORNING CHANCE, MOSTLY CLOUDY

The chance for scattered showers and storms last through the first half of Wednesday before the front moves away from our area completely. Wednesday will be cooler again with around 60 degrees and mostly cloudy skies for most of the day.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: MOSTLY SUNNY, HIGHS IN THE LOW-MID 60S

Winds pick up to 20mph out of the NE Thursday and sunny skies move in. Despite the NE winds, sunshine will still be able to boost temps back up to the mid 60s Thursday, which is about average for this time of year. The sunshine and mid 60s stick around through Friday.

THE WEEKEND: BACK TO 70

There are some lingering uncertainties concerning this weekend's forecast, but for now we are set to warm back up to around 70 degrees. There is also a boosted chance for rain showers on Sunday as more warm air moves in. It seems likely that there will be some cloud cover. All in all the weekend looks good for outdoor activities, but stay tuned to the forecast for changes.
There can be no doubt that the drive-by media are pure propagandists. "Orange Man Bad" was just the latest installment in the slander campaign against patriots by those who have mostly achieved little, built little, and hate those who actually work to build better lives. Their campaign began as early as Woodrow Wilson's tenure, with early (1913) moves to concentrate power in D.C. through the income tax and in big banks with the Federal Reserve.

This profound opposition became obvious after the departure of Dwight Eisenhower. With each succeeding Republican, new language was employed. Ronald Reagan was demeaned as an "amiable dunce." The Bushes proved themselves to be swamp-dwellers but were similarly slimed, with W's verbal malapropisms splattered all over the headlines. When that became passe, the vocal assault accelerated, causing rational observers to wonder how far the left can go. (Hint: There is no limit!) Trump Derangement Syndrome led to an explosion of "racist," "homophobic," and similar slurs, attempting to paint patriotic Americans as evil.

Along the way, various "news" outlets such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC, and others dropped any pretense of being purveyors of news. As Project Veritas has shown on multiple occasions, these entities are literally propagandists  comrades of the Democratic Party. This leaves us with a problem. How are concerned Americans to get their hands and eyes on the truth of what's happening? I propose that there are several moves we can make immediately.

First, never use Google to search. It does two evil things. First, it mines your searches to use them for saleable purposes. You become the product. Second, it rarely allows you to find anything by any conservative source. Breitbart News has been a frequent victim of Google's bias. Dr. Robert Epstein of the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology showed how Google manipulated its search results and messages with the effect of switching around six million votes from Trump to Biden. If you use Gmail, stop. Reagan.com is just one of many email providers available for you.

I know of two non-tracking and non-censoring search engines: DuckDuckGo and StartPage. Both are excellent, and neither sends a single byte of data to the Masters of the Universe.

The next task is finding news. The gorilla in the room is Breitbart. It has two problems. The first is that, while it is generally a good source, it clearly pushes its product in the conservative direction. The second is that its website is formatted like a tabloid. If you want straight news, try Just the News or One America News Network. Newsmax and Fox are generally good, but neither sticks to straight news very well. The Epoch Times or the Wall Street Journal may also suit you. You may have to search for what you want. News aggregators such as The Liberty Daily, Citizen Free Press, Populist Press, and Conservative Playlist may have what you're looking for.

Once you leave pure news, you'll be looking at commentary. If you want all sorts of viewpoints, RealClearPolitics is without peer. You'll find the whole spectrum there, including the insane left. You pick and choose. There are also the three commentary sites I write for: American Thinker, Townhall, and NOQReport. There are lots of others, and as you follow hyperlinks in articles on those sites, you'll discover more than you can possibly read. Particularly good ones are The Federalist, Reason Magazine, American Greatness, Daily Wire, and American Spectator. And while I'm on this list, two of the very best legal commentary sites are Res Ipsa Loquitur, the legal blog of Jonathan Turley, and the Volokh Conspiracy, hosted by Reason. They explain legal issues of public interest in language we can understand.

Understanding the issues of the day requires a good factual foundation. Sites that provide that are the Manhattan Contrarian, Rational Ground, Foundation for Economic Education, Get the Facts Straight, Mises.org, Gatestone Institute, and the American Institute for Economic Research.

At this point, I must turn to the elephant in the room: COVID. Everywhere you turn, you find people "following the CDC recommendations." We should note that the CDC is a political organization under a veneer of medical language. Its flip-flops are worse that a dying fish on deck. Its credibility is worse than the WHO's. When we know that there have been zero super-spreading events outdoors, yet the CDC has just declared that children, who are minimally affected by COVID, must wear masks at all times at summer camp, it's clear that the CDC is not following the data. So we must look to outside experts who are willing to actually look at evidence.

Because COVID is spread by aerosol, we need the two best aerosol scientists: Linsey Marr (Twitter @LinseyMarr) and Jose-Luis Jiminez (Twitter @jljcolorado). They deal with mechanisms. Epidemiologic data is found at Rational Ground; the Oxford University Center for Evidence-Based Medicine; and works by numerous individual researchers such as Carl Heneghan, Jay Bhattacharya, Scott Atlas, Michael Levitt, Sunetra Gupta, and Martin Kuldorff. I've linked long form interviews with them. You can look up their research. UnherdTV has excellent long discussions with them and others. And if you want a bit more, you can watch my YouTube channel or my new Rumble channel.

By now you've seen a host of arrows pointing toward a number of useful ways to get good information. This list just scratches the surface. As you continue, you'll find that there are wonderful American patriots who are working to get the truth out on a number of subjects. You just have to steer clear of GooFaTwit. The MOTU will do all they can to keep you from the facts. Don't let them.

Ted Noel, M.D. posts on numerous social media sites as DoctorTed and @vidzette.

Image via Pixnio.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Serbias Commission for the Protection of Competition has approved an infrastructure sharing agreement between Telekom Srbija (MTS) and Telenor Serbia that will allow the latter to begin offering fixed broadband services.

CommsUpdate reports that the deal allows MTS to provide Telenor with wholesale Ethernet bitstream services as well as lease its fibre-optic infrastructure. The companies have reportedly also signed a distribution deal relating to MTS broadcast content.

Approval from the commission was required as Serbias competition rules prevent cooperation between competitors within a market segment unless an exemption has been granted  as was the case for previous agreements that Telenor had signed with SBB and A1 Serbia (as VIP Mobile).

Local media had previously indicated that MTS intended to transfer control of various infrastructure assets to Telenor, or even that a merger would take place between the units.

United Group has persistently opposed the deal, claiming that leaked internal correspondence from MTS shows that the move is aimed at damaging the market share of its ISP unit SBB (Serbia Broadband). The unit is the Serbian governments main rival in the media sector, and is the countrys second largest ISP.

Telenor stated that its proposed distribution agreement with United Group has not been accepted, saying: Telenor has not yet received the rights and permission to distribute the content produced or owned by the United Group, such as H1, Nova S, Sport Club and others, a total of 22 channels. We are sorry that United Group made such a decision, and we remain open to further negotiations on channel distribution, convinced that they will recognise the importance of this cooperation for all  citizens of Serbia, companies operating in the same segment and society as a whole.

Nonetheless, Telenor has confirmed that it is planning to invest EUR300 million (US$363 million) into Serbia across the next five years, and aims to launch fixed broadband services before the end of 2021.
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Prosecutors have asked the Moscow City Court to hand down prison terms ranging between 7 years and 16 years to five former police officers suspected in the illegal apprehension of investigative journalist Ivan Golunov in 2019.



One of the defendants' lawyers, Aleksei Gubkin, said on April 27 that the prosecutor in the high-profile case asked the court to sentence the former chief of the Moscow police's illegal drugs department, Igor Lyakhovets, to 16 years, his ex-subordinates Maksim Umbetbayev, Roman Feofanov, and Akbar Segaliyev to 12 years, and Denis Konovalov to 7 years in prison.



The trial is being held behind closed doors.



The five ex-police officers were arrested in late January 2020 and charged later with the abuse of service duties, the falsification of evidence, and the illegal handling of drugs.



In September, the suspects were additionally charged with "committing a crime in an organized group," which carries stricter penalties.



Golunov, 38, who works for the Latvia-based information outlet Meduza, was arrested in June 2019 in Moscow for allegedly attempting to sell illegal drugs.



He was released several days later after the charges were dropped following a public outcry.

The case sparked an investigation into Golunov's detention and also into why he suffered bruises, cuts, a concussion, and a broken rib during the ordeal.



The police officers who detained Golunov were later fired along with their supervisor for violating the journalist's rights.



After Golunovs release, Russian President Vladimir Putin fired Major General Yury Devyatkin, the head of the Moscow police department's drug control directorate, and Major General Andrei Puchkov, the police chief in Moscow's West administrative region, over the case.

Authorities announced in November 2019 that the case had been classified, a decision harshly criticized by Golunov's lawyers, who called the move an attempt to cover up the "wrongful arrest" of their client.



In a rare move, the Prosecutor's Office of Moscow's Western District apologized to Golunov in February 2020 for his illegal prosecution.

With reporting by TASS and Interfax
SAN DIEGO - Marine scientists say they have found what they believe to be as many as 25,000 barrels that possibly contain DDT dumped off the Southern California coast near Catalina Island, where a massive underwater toxic waste site dating back to World War II has long been suspected.

In this 2011 image provided by the University of California Santa Barbara, a barrel sits on the seafloor near the coast of Catalina Island, Calif. Marine scientists say they have found what they believe to be as many as 25,000 barrels that possibly contain DDT dumped off the Southern California coast near Catalina Island. (David Valentine/UC Santa Barbara / RV Jason via AP)

SAN DIEGO - Marine scientists say they have found what they believe to be as many as 25,000 barrels that possibly contain DDT dumped off the Southern California coast near Catalina Island, where a massive underwater toxic waste site dating back to World War II has long been suspected.

The 27,345 barrel-like" images were captured by researchers at the University of California San Diegos Scripps Institution of Oceanography. They mapped more than 56 square miles (145 square kilometres) of seafloor between Santa Catalina Island and the Los Angeles coast in a region previously found to contain high levels of the toxic chemical in sediments and in the ecosystem.

Historical shipping logs show that industrial companies in Southern California used the basin as a dumping ground until 1972, when the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, also known as the Ocean Dumping Act, was enacted.

Resting deep in the ocean, the exact location and extent of the dumping was not known until now.

The territory covered was staggering, said Eric Terrill, chief scientist of the expedition and director of the Marine Physical Laboratory at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Underwater drones using sonar technology captured high-resolution images of barrels resting 3,000 feet (900 metres) below the surface all along the steep seafloor that was surveyed. They also were seen beyond the dumpsite limits.

In this March 2021 image provided by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, the research Vessel Sally Ride is seen off the coast of Santa Catalina Island, Calif. Marine scientists say they have found what they believe to be as many as 25,000 barrels that possibly contain DDT dumped off the Southern California coast near Catalina Island. (Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego via AP)

It really was a surprise to everybody who's worked with the data and who sailed at sea, he told reporters Monday.

The survey provides a wide-area map of the barrels, though it will be up to others to confirm through sediment sampling that the containers hold DDT, Terrill said. It's estimated between 350 and 700 tons of DDT were dumped in the area, 12 miles (20 kilometres) from Los Angeles, and 8 miles (12 kilometres) from Catalina Island.

The long-term impact on marine life and humans is still unknown, said Scripps chemical oceanographer and professor of geosciences Lihini Aluwihare, who in 2015 co-authored a study that found high amounts of DDT and other man-made chemicals in the blubber of bottlenose dolphins that died of natural causes.

These results also raise questions about the continued exposure and potential impacts on marine mammal health, especially in light of how DDT has been shown to have multi-generational impacts in humans, said Aluwihare, who was not part of the survey expedition.

Diana Aga, a chemistry professor at University at Buffalo who is not affiliated with the study, said the findings were shocking if the barrels are proven to contain the toxic chemical. That's a lot of DDT at the bottom of the ocean," she said.

If the barrels haven't leaked, they could be moved to a place where disposal is safer, Aga said. If they leaked, scientists could take samples from the water, sediment and other marine life to gauge the damage.

Scientists conducted the survey from March 10-24 following a Los Angeles Times report last year about evidence that DDT was dumped into the ocean.

Unfortunately, the basin offshore Los Angeles had been a dumping ground for industrial waste for several decades, beginning in the 1930s. We found an extensive debris field in the wide area survey, Terrill said.

Scientists started the search where University of California Santa Barbara professor David Valentine had discovered concentrated accumulations of DDT in the sediments and spotted 60 barrels about a decade ago.

High levels of DDT have been detected in the area's marine mammals, and the chemical has been linked to cancer in sea lions.

The Los Angeles Times reviewed shipping logs from a disposal company supporting Montrose Chemical Corp. of California, a DDT-producing company. The logs showed 2,000 barrels of DDT-laced sludge were dumped in the deep ocean each month from 1947 to 1961 off Catalina, and other companies also dumped there until 1972.

Scripps researchers say they hope their survey will support clean-up efforts.

The expedition on the Sally Ride research vessel included a team of 31 scientists, engineers, and crew conducting 24-hour operations and two autonomous underwater vehicles.

Associated Press writer Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.

This version corrects the spelling of Lihini Aluwihare's last name in the story's 10th paragraph.
ALBANY  Social justice leaders expressed disappointment in the citys response to last Thursdays forceful clearing of protesters outside the police department's South Station, saying in a press conference on Tuesday that Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Chief Eric Hawkins actions and words throughout the past two weeks have shown what they called a clear crisis in leadership, causing an erosion of trust between police and the community.

Its particularly disturbing and infuriating to see our community suffering a grave crisis, said Alice Green, executive director for the Center for Law and Justice. Our current predicament is due in large part to the irresponsible and inexcusable actions and the flawed leadership of our mayor and our police chief, and their failure to appreciate the impacts of systemic racism.

The press conference was attended by several leaders in the area, including former Albany Common Council member Barbara Smith, Albany NAACP President Debora Brown-Johnson, Community Police Review Board Chair Nairobi Vives and other area activists.

Standing in front of a photo showing how police officers moved to physically clear the protesters encampment last week, they said Albany's leaders are failing to uphold their promise of improving policing in the city. It was a promise given more weight last year in the wake of George Floyds murder, which sparked nationwide protests, including across the Capital Region, and provoked city officials to denounce systemic racism in press releases and speeches. The denouncing of systemic racism through action and policy, however, is whats been missing in Albany, they said.

Green said city officials have been blind to the bias inherent in their decision-making, allowing systemic racism to flourish by permitting mostly white officers to forcefully clear out protesters  most of them Black  who had been stationed outside of South Station for nearly a week. The protesters demanded a meeting with city officials and the firing of an officer who pushed on a protester's megaphone on April 14 outside South Station, causing the woman to fall to the pavement. The situation had escalated after an officer grabbed at a protester's light and a protester broke a window in the station. Officers then pepper-sprayed the small crowd and pushed others to the ground.

The shooting of Ellazar Williams and the events at South Station are only two of the most recent rejections of redress, Green said, adding that Sheehan tried to demonize protesters by comparing them to the predominantly white insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, comments which she apologized for a day later after a backlash.

Sheehan recently said that she did not consider meeting with protesters while they remained in their encampment for six days. On Friday, Sheehan told the Times Union that once the protesters began to deface South Station's outer walls  with many of the chalked words insults to police officers  "it was a signal to me that there was not going to be a productive conversation." The Albany Police Officers Union was also pushing back on city leaders hard, saying that they were putting officers in a dangerous situation.

But community leaders said on Tuesday that Sheehan shouldve honored the protesters request for a meeting.

Community engagement and conversation should have been employed to remedy a situation, yet what we saw was the same and usual response of police force, Brown-Johnson said. If Albany leadership really desires a better relationship with the community  leadership must take the bold step to reimagine their approach in difficult and challenging situations.

Smith, who served on the Common Council for eight years, said the city is facing a crisis in policing and public safety.

As of last Thursday, that crisis has become an emergency, Smith said, adding that community leaders efforts to build trust between the community and police over the years has been eroded during the past two weeks. We cannot go on like this.

Vives, chair of the Community Police Review Board, said she asked Hawkins to not advance on the protesters at South Station. Amy Jones, who had been acting as the liaison between protesters and the city, said her pleas to not deploy officers to remove protesters were also ignored by Hawkins and Sheehan.

The Capital City Mission said in a letter to the city that the protesters were disrupting the nonprofit's operations and that "public urination and defecation" was taking place on their property and nearby streets.

Frank Zeoli, the deputy commissioner of the department of general services, said police told them there was human waste inside one of the tents, and that the department "did find human waste" in a tent.

But Lexis Figuereo, a local Black Lives Matter leader, told the Times Union that claims of human waste being inside a tent are untrue because protesters camping out in front of the building had multiple options for using a restroom, including having an Airbnb nearby and having permission from the Center for Law and Justice to use their restroom.

"They're just trying to make us look dirty and paint this narrative of us being gross protesters," Figuereo said. "We're not dirty. We're organized."

Figuereo also noted that protesters took shifts and had many opportunities to use their own restrooms back home.

Smith said since Jim Crow, there has been a long history of painting Black people as dirty.

"Being accused of being dirty is one of the stereotypes that is attributed to people of color, particularly to Black people. ... Whether that was what was in their mind, I have no way to know," she said.

Local activists also condemned the police officers who did not have their badges and names visible. Sheehan said on Friday that she asked Hawkins to investigate why some officers covered their badge numbers, but no update has been provided since by the city or police.

Albany County Legislator Sam Fein, whose district includes the South Station, said he didnt receive any complaints from constituents about the encampment.

What I have heard since then is a huge backlash to the use of force and the approach that the police took to clearing the encampment, he said.

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the number of years that Barbara Smith served on the Common Council. Smith served for eight years.
France and Germany together laid out plans for billions in spending from the European Union s pandemic recovery fund aimed at fighting climate change and boosting the use of digital technology across the economy.

The finance ministers of the EU's two biggest economies on Tuesday underlined their joint determination to use the spending to transform Europe s economy and get the continent growing again as it lags behind the U.S. and China in rebounding from the pandemic recession.

Under the fund's formula, France should get around 40 billion euros ($48 billion) while German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said his country planned about 30 billion euros ($36 billion) in spending. Scholz said that half the money would go to environmentally friendly projects and a quarter to spreading the use of digital technology. He said the fund would build on domestic relief and stimulus measures already passed by the German government

He called the fund a groundbreaking step for Europe.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire urged the European Commission, the EUs executive branch, to quickly evaluate the plans so that money can start flowing to members states from the 750 billion euro ($906 billion) fund as early as July, noting that the U.S. and China have recovered faster. He said that since the fund was approved we have lost too much time and that Europe must remain in the race.

Spains Cabinet also approved its proposal for how it wants to invest the recovery funds. Spain which has suffered heavily from the pandemic, is set to receive 140 billion euros ($166 billion)  half in direct payments and the other half in loans  from the EU's recovery plan, second only to Italy. In line with EU priorities, Spains left-wing government has placed a heavy emphasis on creating a greener economy while boosting productivity for an economy that shrunk by 11% last year.

The money comes with pressure from Brussels to address problems identified by the European Commission's review of members states' economic policies. Spain, for instance, is being asked to overhaul labor laws, tax practices and pensions. Countries with low tax regimes such as Ireland or Cyprus are under pressure to discourage aggressive tax planning by multinational companies.

Italy's 221.1 billion euro ($267.3 billion) recovery plan includes steps to reduce its backlog of court cases, considered a drag on businesses that can't get commercial disputes resolved quickly.

___

Sylvie Corbet reported from Paris.
LONDON and NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fospha Marketing has announced the product release of Fospha Attribution 2.0, a major upgrade to its market-leading marketing measurement product.

Designed for a privacy-safe world, uncompromised by increasingly limited user-level data availability, this release gives Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) brands the toolkit to measure the effectiveness of impressions, clicks and Above-the-Line advertising. Fospha Attribution 2.0 combines 1st party data, aggregated data from advertising platforms and cutting-edge machine learning to identify opportunities to increase return on advertising spend, reduce customer acquisition cost and grow revenue.

The release, available now to new and existing Fospha clients, is especially timely following the latest iOS14 updates and their detrimental impact on in-platform measurement in social channels like Facebook. While legacy measurement solutions built on 3rd party cookies are becoming obsolete, this release gives Fospha clients better, deeper measurement of their top-of-funnel marketing. The update attributes up to 500% more revenue to impression-led channels like Paid Social and Display than a Last-Click attribution model.

Sam Carter, Fospha's CEO, said: "iOS14 is the latest in a long line of disruptions to digital advertising, with consumer privacy rightly taking centre stage in the conversation on how brands advertise online. For measurement, while the data 'goalposts' moving again might feel challenging to marketers, at Fospha we believe it's ultimately liberating. Instead of obsessing over joining user-level data at every step of the customer journey, these changes clear the path for marketers to focus on whether money spent is actually driving business performance, rather than just appearing in a lot of Instagram feeds.

"Tim Cook hit the nail on the head recently, saying "technology does not need vast troves of personal data stitched together across dozens of websites and apps to succeed. Advertising existed and thrived for decades without it, and we're here today because the path of least resistance is rarely the path of wisdom." Fospha Attribution 2.0 is built on this philosophy, and we're delighted it's delivering great results for clients while also protecting them from disruptive data privacy changes."

Lauren Abraham of DTC brand CUUP said "Fospha is an integral part of our marketing stack. The ability to properly measure our Paid Social channels has been instrumental for CUUP for the last 9 months."

Fospha operates globally in the US, UK and Europe, with customers including Huel, Pangaia and Octopus Energy. Find out more at www.fospha.com.

Contact:

Jamie Bolton

+44 (0)7790 804 881

SOURCE Fospha Marketing

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SEATTLE  The Crista Ministries property at 10056 Renton Ave. S. sold for $3.8 million, according to King County records.

Crista acquired the property in 2018 for $3.6 million.





. . .
[April 27, 2021] Leidos Partnership Delivers MHS GENESIS Health Record to 12 New States

RESTON, Va., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Leidos Partnership for Defense Health today announced it successfully delivered the MHS GENESIS electronic health record to an additional 10,000 clinicians and other providers as part of its most recent Wave deployment with locations in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. "We are gaining momentum and improved efficiency with each Wave deployment," said Liz Porter, Leidos Health Group president. "Our team continues to be impressed by the hard work and dedication demonstrated by the staff at each of these locations. They are the driving force behind our success to date." The Leidos Partnership for Defense Health (LPDH) developed MHS GENESIS, the Military Health System's new electronic health record, and has been providing program management and technical expertise to the Program Executive Office Defense Healthcare Management Systems (PEO DHMS) since 2015. MHS GENESIS is currently live and operational across more than 600 military treatment facilities with more than 41,000 total active users. "The staff at these locations worked tirelessly to adopt a new electronic health record system, while continuing to battle a global pandemic," said Holly Joers, acting PEO DHMS. "We applaud their focus on the mission and partnership in this important transformation." MHS GENESIS is being deployed across the continental United States and overseas through a total of 23 waves. Each Wave will target a specific region over one year, with an average of three hospitals and numerous physical locations for each Wave. This approach enables the DOD to take full advantage of lessons learned from prior Waves to maximize subsequent Waves' efficiencies. Full deployment of MHS GENESIS is expected by the end of calendar year 2023. About Leidos Leidos is a Fortune 500 information technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company's 39,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $12.30 billion for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2021. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com. About LPDH The Leidos Partnership consists of four core partners - Leidos, Cerner Corporation, Accenture and Henry Schein One - along with approximately 30 supporting businesses. Together, they deliver an integrated, modern, secure health information system that includes an electronic health record system, a dental system, identity management capability, Cybersecurity, and other supporting components. MHS GENESIS will serve as the system of record, providing a single, integrated solution for managing the health and military readiness of the force for DOD and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Statements in this announcement, other than historical data and information, constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 1, 2021, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.







Contact: Melissa Duenas

(571) 526-6850

Melissa.L.Duenas@leidos.com





Thomas Doheny

(571) 474-4735

Dohenyt@leidos.com





Brandon VerVelde

(571) 526-6257

Brandon.p.vervelde@leidos.com

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Jessica Hayes has paid a touching tribute to her stillborn son Teddy by writing his name on the sand at the beach on what would have been his due date.

The former Love Island contestant, 27, took to Instagram to share the snap of her with her first born Presley, 19 months, on Tuesday.

She suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage at 19 weeks pregnant last year, and revealed the news in December, explaining she and fiance Dan Lawry had named their son Teddy.

Touching: Jessica Hayes paid a touching tribute to her stillborn son Teddy by writing his name on the sand at the beach on what would have been his due date on Instagram on Tuesday

Jessica cuddled her firstborn in the snap as she turned her face away from the camera while standing behind the writing of her second son's name.

She sported a pair of jeans in the touching snap and added a green and white jacket and a pair of white trainers.

The TV star penned: 'Happy due date teddy darling. What i would do to be having those newborn cuddles. Always loved, never forgotten'.

Tragic: The Love Island contestant, 27, shared the snap after she suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage at 19 weeks pregnant last year

Heartbreaking: Jessica shared the snap with her followers and wrote: 'What I would do to be having those newborn cuddles'

Earlier this year, Jessica spoke of how she feared for her life while going through the unbearable ordeal.

The reality personality admitted that the past couple of months have been the 'hardest of her life'.

Jessica told Ok!: 'Although I had Dan with me, I really wanted my mum. So she swapped over and was there with me during the labour.

'It's not that I didn't want Dan but I could only pick one person and I felt like I needed my mum. They also didn't know if I was going to be OK as you can get really sick and I lost a lot of blood.

Family: Jess pictured with her fiance Dan and son Presley (pictured in August)

'My life was in danger as well as the baby's.'

Jessica also revealed that she went to say goodbye to Teddy with Dan in the hospital's bereavement suite because she felt she 'owed' it to him to see him.

She added that she feels like he is just as much her son as her first born Presley who she admitted has been her reason to carry on.

Jessica first shared the tragic news alongside a picture of her baby's hand and footprints, a knitted blanket and a teddy bear.

She said: 'To Our little Teddy. I'm so sorry I couldn't keep you safe for a little while longer. I'm sorry I couldn't take you home.

Family: She added that she feels like he is just as much her son as her first born Presley (pictured), 19 months, who she admitted has been her reason to carry on

'I'm sorry we had to say goodbye this way it wasn't supposed to be like this. The pain is unbearable and I feel like I'm drowning in grief.

'My mind spinning thinking of all the what ifs and questions of who you would of grown up to be. When will I wake up From this awful nightmare?

'I look at the clock and count the hours of how old you are time is moving but your not here your not getting older it's not fair. No first times, smiles or laughter.'

Tragically, Jessica had only revealed that she and Dan - who announced their engagement in August 2018 - were expecting their second child the week before.

Heartbreaking: Jessica revealed the heartbreaking news via her Instagram page, explaining she and fiance Dan Lawry had named their son Teddy

She won Love Island in 2015 alongside Max Morley in the first season of the rebooted show, but they parted ways just 40 days after the final aired.

Afterwards, Jessica didn't minced her words about her ex, saying that she 'would never go near him' again because he's 'vile'.

He went on to date Charlotte Crosby, Love Island 2016 contestant Zara Holland, and ex Love Islander Laura Anderson.

The Sands National Helpline provides a safe, confidential place for anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby

Call the Sands Helpline on 0808 164 3332 helpline@sands.org.uk
Population shifts mean five states that voted for Joe Biden will lose seats in the House when congressional districts are redrawn later this year, new Census numbers released Monday show, but will gain seats in two other states. Only two Trump-voting states will lose a seat.

Why it matters: Apportionment and redistricting  the process of redistributing political power among and within the states comes as Democrats hold slim majorities in both congressional chambers and Republicans have a strong grip on the process of re-drawing district lines.

By the numbers: California  the nation's most populous state  is losing a seat for the first time in history.

Other states losing one: Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The shifting  but still very red  state of Texas will pick up two of the reapportioned seats. Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon will also gain one seat each.

A census official said if New York had counted 89 additional people, the state would not have lost a congressional seat.

What they're saying: Although Biden states will lose out during this round of apportionment, Brookings Institution demographer William Frey told Axios the overall gains in western states and Texas reflect, at least in part, people moving out of one Democrat-leaning state: California.

So, "politically, many of these Electoral College-seat gaining states may be trending 'bluer' politically because of the movement into them from Democratic-leaning states," he said.

Between the lines: Apportionment, which happens every ten years, is the process of dividing up the 435 House seats according to the latest population counts for each state. That's measured by the Census, held the first year of each decade.

The full Census data that will be used for redistricting  the process of drawing new electoral districts in states  will not be publicly released until the end of September.

The delay was caused by the coronavirus and the Trump administration's attempts to exclude unauthorized immigrants from the Census count, which they believed would benefit Democrats.

Democrats are bracing for GOP-friendly district lines, since Republicans have unified control of the congressional redistricting process in 18 states as opposed to seven for the Democrats, according to the Brennan Center.

"Redistricting could likely determine who controls the House of Representatives in 2022, but also going into the next decade," Stanford Law School's Nate Persily, a redistricting expert, told Axios.

The big picture: The newly released data also underscores America's slowed growth and aging population, according to Frey.
Doubts World Bank unit's liability for pollution in India says a D.C. Circuit Judge

by Khorri Atkinson

April 27,2021 | Source: LAW360

A D.C. Circuit judge on Monday said U.S. Supreme Court precedent obliges him not to hold a private-sector lending arm of the World Bank responsible for environmental damage caused by a coal-fired power plant, which a proposed class of fishermen and others in Gujarat, India, alleged it has negligently funded. U.S. Circuit Judge David S. Tatel asserted this view as a three-judge panel examined the Indian nationals' bid to undo a lower court order from August that found the Washington, D.C.-based International Finance Corp. was immune from being sued. The plaintiffs allege that they've continued to experience devastating environmental damage from the Tata Mundra Power Plant, including the killing of marine life, because the construction and operation of the project did not comply with the environmental standards initially set out. The complaint dating back to April 2015 also alleged that the IFC, which helped finance the project with $450 million in loans, provided the funding that allowed it to go forward. It also claimed that the organization neglected its obligation to supervise the project and failed to comply with its own policies to protect the environment. The IFC is composed of 184 member countries, including the U.S., and was designed to encourage private enterprise in developing countries.



"It approved all of the design of this plant that harms the plaintiffs," Richard Herz of Earth Rights International, an attorney for the Indian nationals, told the panel. "And it did so knowing the design it approved, and the plant going forward, would pollute the air, destroy the fisheries and  cause a series of other harms to plaintiffs' communities." But Judge Tatel, the most vocal jurist on the panel, repeatedly suggested that the IFC has immunity. Because the alleged injuries did not occur in the U.S., they do not fall under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act's commercial activity exception, the judge said. Ignoring where the injuries actually occurred, Judge Tatel emphasized, would also conflict with the Supreme Court's 2015 ruling in OBB Personenverkehr AG v. Sachs.



In that case, the high court said a California resident couldn't sue Austria's national railway, which has sovereign immunity under the FSIA, for personal injuries that ultimately necessitated the amputation of both her legs above the knee. Since her lawsuit was based on her injury rather than the ticket she purchased in the U.S., the case didn't fall under the FSIA's commercial activity exception, the court unanimously ruled. Judge Tatel said Monday that the appellate court must apply this same reasoning in the current dispute. "There's nothing wrongful about IFC's decision-making," the judge said. "It just seems that this case is totally controlled by Sachs." Still, Herz maintained that the organization cannot escape liability because its allegedly tortious conduct occurred in the U.S.



Senior Circuit Judge A. Raymond Randolph, who seemed skeptical of the plaintiffs' argument, stated at one point that they cannot allege that the IFC is solely responsible and has final approval authority over the design of the coal power plant. The judge expressed this view after Herz acknowledged that the plaintiffs don't have access to the loan agreements for the other lenders involved in the multibillion-dollar Indian project. But the attorney insisted that the IFC provided key funding and signed off on the project's design, and that none of the other lenders would have provided funds without the organization's involvement. Judge Tatel, unpersuaded by Herz's argument, said he could not find any "material difference" between Sachs and the current case.



In Sachs, the California resident claimed, among other things, that the railway must face strict liability for its failure to warn her about the design defects in the train and platform when she bought her train ticket through a Massachusetts-based online travel agent. In their D.C. Circuit petition, the proposed class said the IFC failed to adequately supervise the power plant project, Judge Tatel explained. Sidley Austin LLP partner Jeffrey Green, an attorney for the IFC, reiterated Judge Tatel's reasoning and said the current case is controlled by Sachs because, as the current complaint also itself alleged, the construction and operation of the coal power plant is the source of plaintiffs' injuries. U.S. Circuit Judge Judith Rogers asked the attorney whether there's any avenue "to get at the defendant's action" even if the evidence shows the IFC offered the loan despite knowing that the project's design would be environmentally disastrous. Green replied in part that because the IFC is not a "private actor," it is immune from foreign liability claims. He added that the project's design was significantly modified by Coastal Gujarat after the IFC reviewed the proposal and handed over the loan.



Monday marked the second time the appellate court heard the case. The Supreme Court revived the dispute in February 2019, concluding that international organizations do not enjoy broader immunity than foreign governments. In a 7-1 decision, the high court reversed and remanded a D.C. Circuit order, which upheld the district court's initial dismissal and held that international organizations have virtually absolute immunity to U.S. lawsuits under the International Organizations Immunities Act. The justices said the IFC, like foreign governments, has immunity equivalent to what is offered to foreign sovereigns under the FSIA. Justice Brett Kavanaugh took no part in that decision, having considered the case while he was on the D.C. Circuit.



The plaintiffs are represented by Richard Herz, Jonathan Kaufman, Marco Simons and Michelle Harrison of Earth Rights International. IFC is represented by Jeffrey Green and Joshua W. Moore of Sidley Austin LLP, and Dana Foster and Maxwell J. Kalmann of White & Case LLP. The case is Jam et al. v. International Finance Corp., case number 20-7092, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. --Additional reporting by Jimmy Hoover. Editing by Rich Mills.

Theme(s): Post Harvest Technology and Trade, Others, Landing Centres, Freshwater ecosystems and threats, Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods, Fisheries Resources, Fisheries Development and Aquaculture, Communities and Organisations, Coastal Ecosystems and Threats.
A 16-year-old girl has been charged after another girl, 15, was stabbed in the arm during a wild brawl at a train station.

Emergency crews rushed to Merrylands Railway Station in western Sydney about 4pm on Tuesday following reports of a melee.

Police arrived at the scene and found the 15-year-old girl with a stab wound to the arm.

A 16-year-old girl has been charged after another girl, 15, was stabbed in the arm during a wild brawl at a western Sydney train station. Pictured: Police tend to the girl's injury

Three teenage girls  a 14-year-old and two 16-year-olds  were arrested at the train station and taken to Fairfield and Auburn Police Stations. The trio were later released

Paramedics treated the girl and she was then taken to the Children's Hospital at Westmead in a stable condition.

Officers established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic police.

Three teenage girls  a 14-year-old and two 16-year-olds  were arrested at the train station and taken to Fairfield and Auburn Police Stations.

The trio were later released.

Police then arrested another 16-year-old girl at a home in Hoxton Park about 11.30pm.

She was taken to Liverpool Police Station where she was charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and larceny.

The teenager was refused bail and will appear before a Children's Court on Wednesday.
Special Commemorative Meeting of the General Assembly on Chernobyl

On April 26, 2021 the UN Headquarters in New York hosted Special Commemorative Meeting of the General Assembly in observance of the thirty-fifth Anniversary of the explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, dedicated to the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day.

Background Information: International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day proclaimed at the initiative of Belarus by the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/71/125 entitled Persistent legacy of the Chernobyl disaster.







The Chef de Cabinet to the United Nations Secretary-General, Maria Luiza Viotti, , on behalf of the UN Secretary-General recognized the recovery efforts led by the Governments of Belarus, Russian Federation and Ukraine.

During the meeting, the Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations, Valentin Rybakov, delivered a statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Vladimir Makei.

The input from international community into recovery and development of the affected regions as well as a leading role of the United Nations in strategic partnership strengthening, attraction of innovations and investments for economic and social sustainable development of territories were noted. Belarus called to enhance International Chernobyl Cooperation to promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the regions affected by the Chernobyl accident.

President of the General Assembly announced one minute of silent prayer or meditation for the victims of the Chernobyl catastrophe.



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Bijnor, April 27 : A year ago on April 13, when Bijnor saw its first Covid-19 diagnosis, the district hospital did not have a single ventilator. Over the course of the next few months, the Uttar Pradesh government sent 24 ventilators to Bijnor to help severe Covid patients, but the officials sitting in Lucknow forgot that anesthesiologists are needed to hook up patients to these ventilators. District authorities were not even asked if there were enough specialist doctors available to operate them.

Anuj Chaudhary Bijnor, April 27 (101Reporters/IANS) A year ago on April 13, when Bijnor saw its first Covid-19 diagnosis, the district hospital did not have a single ventilator. Over the course of the next few months, the Uttar Pradesh government sent 24 ventilators to Bijnor to help severe Covid patients, but the officials sitting in Lucknow forgot that anesthesiologists are needed to hook up patients to these ventilators. District authorities were not even asked if there were enough specialist doctors available to operate them.

There have been 7,735 Covid cases in Bijnor till April 25 this year but until this weekend none of them could benefit from these ventilators. Over the past year, doctors here were forced to refer hundreds of serious Covid patients to the Teerthanker Mahaveer University (TMU) Hospital in Moradabad, more than 80 km away.

Now, with Bijnor one of the worst affected districts in UP and the increase in the number of patients in TMU, it is feared that getting admissions there will become difficult. Nearly half of the total number of cases reported in the district were diagnosed since the beginning of April. The positivity rate has increased by 73 times since April 1 when only 5 out of the 1,916 tested emerged positive, while 495 positive cases emerged out of the 2,584 tested on April 24.

Resources lying in waste The district hospital in Bijnor has a dedicated L-2 Covid ward in operation since last year (to deal with complicated and critical cases), but despite the availability of resources, it is only able to admit either asymptomatic patients or those with mild symptoms. There are 98 beds available in the facility out of which 10 beds have pipeline supply of oxygen, and 40-45 beds can be equipped with oxygen cylinders.

So the hospital does have the infrastructure to be able to admit serious patients.

According to hospital sources, in June 2020, four ventilators were sent by the state government and later a few more were sent in batches until the hospital had 24 ventilators in total.

Of these, 14 had been kept in the storeroom and 10 have been set up in the L-2 Covid ward. But until this weekend, they were nothing more than display pieces because there were no anaesthesiologists working here who could operate them.

In Covid-19 care, the anesthesiologist has one of the riskiest jobs. When a patient is no longer able to breathe on their own, an anesthesiologist is called on to intubate them. They insert a breathing tube, or an endotracheal tube, through the mouth and into their air passage. The patients need to be anaesthetized during this process so that they don't feel like they are choking. The tube is connected to a ventilator, which pushes air into the lungs to help patients breathe.

Until April 25, not a single anesthesiologist was working at this L2 Covid ward. At least three anesthesiologists must on the hospital's roll so that they can each work 8-hour shifts and ensure the ventilator is continually in operation for 24 hours. Additional specialist doctors are needed to relieve these doctors after a few days in order to give them a break. Last year, after demands from the district authorities, a specialist doctor was sent by the government, but he was only here temporarily and wasn't of help anyway because he didn't have enough anesthesiologists to support him.

There isn't even a ventilator technician available on hand for maintenance and repair of the machines. Apart from this, there is no cardiologist where at least one is required, there is only one physician handling the duties of three, there is no chest doctor and no medical officers though at least two are required.

'My father could have been saved' Waseem Ahmad, 32, son of the deceased Azimuddin (he goes by one name only) told us that his father tested positive for Covid on July 19 last year. His situation turned serious but he couldn't be treated at the district hospital and was referred to TMU Moradabad the same day. Unfortunately, the 60-year-old Azimuddin, a retired nazir (registrar) at Bijnor tehsil, could not make it to Moradabad and died on-route. Waseem believes that if the facilities available at the district hospital's L2 ward could have been properly utilised, his father could have been saved.

Officially, 72 Covid patients have died in the district since the start of the pandemic. According to government data, there have only been 7 deaths in the second wave but this number is highly suspect.

People familiar with the matter were of the view that if the government cannot afford the staff to operate the ventilators, the machines should at least be sent to places where they can be used. At a time when there is a huge shortage of resources, two dozen ventilators sitting idle makes no sense. Maybe these could be used to save the lives of people in some other hospital.

Dr Gyan Chand, the Chief Medical Superintendent at Bijnor district hospital, admits that until recently they did not have a single anesthesiologist to operate the 10 ventilators that have been set up. "Last year, one Dr Radheshyam Swamy was sent by the government, but to run the ventilator continuously for 24 hours, at least three anesthesiologists are required to work in three shifts. Also, we have no ventilator technician. Therefore, it is our compulsion to refer serious patients to TMU Moradabad." Ramakant Pandey, District Magistrate, Bijnor, told us that they know two anesthesiologists who can take up duty but that is still not enough. "Because once you start the ventilators, they cannot be stopped. All efforts have been made to recruit another expert anesthesiologist. We are also willing to hire a private anesthesiologist at any cost," he said.

"Lucknow has its own needs," he said when asked why the government can't appoint the appropriate doctors to Bijnor on an emergency basis. "After the beds go full at TMU Moradabad, arrangements will be made at Pulkit Memorial for serious patients," he said. It is worth noting that Pulkit Memorial, a private hospital in Bijnor that was designated an L-2 COVID-19 hospital last year, has not admitted a single coronavirus patient since the pandemic began.

The latest update from Bijnor is that 10 of these ventilators have been shipped to Moradabad on April 25, according to the DM, and some "private staff" were finally roped in to start the ventilators at the L2 facility this weekend.

(The author is Bijnor-based freelance journalist and a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.)

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MindTickle , the leader in Sales Readiness technology, today announced the appointment of Chris Lynch as the company's new CMO. Lynch brings a deep background in leadership roles at companies whose products serve and support sales and marketing teams, including Oracle and Cision. A marketing leader in high-growth environments, he's been responsible for go-to-market strategies, category development, product marketing, demand generation, communications, and growth marketing. With the addition of Lynch, Gopkiran Rao will shift his focus full-time to new markets, building partnerships and alliances as Chief Strategy Officer. With this new leadership in place, MindTickle can scale its next phase of growth following the recent raise of $100M in funding from Softbank Investment Advisors.

Lynch brings a wealth of experience from both B2B and B2C companies, where he led teams driving business and revenue growth through product positioning and messaging, go-to-market strategies, and the alignment of marketing with sales. Before joining MindTickle, Lynch was the CMO at the direct-to-consumer apparel brand KUIU, building a team and organization focused on data-driven marketing strategies and customer engagement. Previously, Lynch was the CMO at public relations and social media software provider, Cision, where he led a global marketing team and pioneered a new approach to messaging and campaign development to help grow the business, culminating in Cision's IPO in 2017. Prior to Cision, Lynch was head of the global product marketing function for the Oracle Marketing Cloud business unit. There, he authored and developed the company's vision messaging for chief marketing officers, while leading a team of product marketers that focused on the core components of the Marketing Cloud portfolio. Before Cision, Lynch was a product marketing director at Badgeville, a leading provider of software to measure and influence user behavior.

"Chris's marketing experience and deep understanding of the relationship between sales readiness, enablement and sales performance, and his expertise in corporate and product messaging and positioning make him an invaluable asset to MindTickle," said Krishna Depura, co-founder and CEO of MindTickle. "Throughout his career, Chris has demonstrated an ability to successfully execute innovative marketing campaigns and drive results. In his role at MindTickle, he'll use this experience to capitalize on our momentum and help bring the MindTickle Sales Readiness value proposition to life for revenue and enablement leaders around the world."

"I could not be more excited to join MindTickle at this time of significant growth and market opportunity," said Lynch. "Over the course of my career, I've personally experienced and lived the challenge of preparing sales teams to perform and carry relevant messages to market across a globally dispersed workforce. In that time, I saw that content-only approaches didn't drive true knowledge transfer or the skills necessary for winning behaviors. MindTickle is taking an innovative approach that helps drive true sales readiness. I'm looking forward to partnering with revenue leaders around the world to help them make their customer-facing employees ready to win in the 21st-century economy."

Gopkiran Rao shifts to chief strategy officer role after year of significant growth

Lynch's addition comes during a time of significant growth at MindTickle, as an increasing number of enterprise organizations make readiness a strategic priority. In fact, in the last year, MindTickle doubled the number of Fortune 500 and Forbes Global 2000 companies it can count as customers. The investor community took note, prompting $100 million in funding from Softbank Investment Advisers late last year that propelled the company's forward momentum.

To capitalize on MindTickle's exceptional growth this year and beyond, Gopkiran Rao, who has served as chief strategy and marketing officer since 2018, will now take on the chief strategy role exclusively. In this role, he will focus his efforts full-time on new markets, and building an ecosystem of partnerships and alliances enabling customers to align and maximize readiness programs with revenue strategy and technology investments.

"This is a natural move for Gopkiran, who has been instrumental the last few years in developing strategic partnerships and cultivating strong executive relationships in core and emerging growth areas for MindTickle," said Depura. "We look forward to his continued leadership and guidance as we embark on our next phase of growth."

About MindTickle

MindTickle provides a comprehensive, data-driven solution for sales readiness and enablement that fuels revenue growth and brand value for dozens of Fortune 500 and Global 2000 companies, and hundreds of the world's most recognized companies across technology, life sciences, financial services, manufacturing and service sectors. With purpose-built applications, proven methodologies, and best practices designed to drive effective sales onboarding and ongoing readiness, MindTickle enables company leaders and sellers to continually assess, diagnose and develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to effectively engage customers and drive growth. MindTickle has been recognized by leading industry analyst and research firms and has been ranked on G2's Best Software 2021 lists as the #1 Enterprise Software Product and the 5th ranked software product for sales. For more information visit www.MindTickle.com or find us on LinkedIn , Facebook and Twitter .

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 11:11:44|Editor: huaxia

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MONTEVIDEO, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou on Monday received his second dose of China's CoronaVac vaccine against COVID-19.

After getting the jab at the Maciel public hospital in Montevideo, the president thanked "the team of vaccinators" via Twitter, calling them the "pride of the nation."

Lacalle received the first dose at the end of March, the worst month of the epidemic in Uruguay.

Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, Lacalle said that "what is most worrying" is "the loss of classes for children" as a result of school closure at the end of March, adding that officials will soon announce whether they plan to prolong the closure.

Uruguay's immunization plan, which mainly applies CoronaVac vaccines, began on March 1 and has so far vaccinated more than 32 percent of the population.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak on March 13, 2020, Uruguay has registered 184,865 cases and 2,326 deaths. Enditem
By Ni Haining

Both US President Joe Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced recently that their troops stationed in Afghanistan would start returning home from May 1, and all troops will be pulled out by September 11.

Biden and some American politicians are racking their brains to deliver the message that American troops in Afghanistan have completed their mission; and they chose to complete the withdrawal by the special and symbolic date of September 11 as a solace for the American people. Yet the indisputable fact is that the nearly-20-year-long Afghan war is the longest that America has waged and fought overseas. It has dragged the US and its allies deep into the Graveyard of Empires and thrown the Afghans into excruciating misery and suffering.

The American troops, having paid a heavy price in Afghanistan, cannot wait to leave this land. The protracted war has claimed the lives of more than 2,000 soldiers and injured about 20,000, and cost more than USD1 trillion, including over USD 170 billion in medical and nursing bills for veterans fighting in Afghanistan. Biden admitted in his speech that no amount of US forces on the ground can deter the Taliban or end the war.

Americas plan for duplicating democracy in Afghanistan also proves a total failure. Ever since the presidential election in 2014, the country has been hanging on the brink of ethnic turmoil. To make things worse, the US slashed a USD 1 billion aid to it in 2020 on the grounds that Kabul failed to form an inclusive government. How sarcastic for the human rights preacher!

The US opened the Pandoras box in Afghanistan and let it run amuck for about 20 years, bringing an inestimable humanitarian disaster for the Afghan people. It is reported that more than 30,000 Afghan civilians have been killed by American troops or died from the chaos and battles they caused, with another 60,000 injured and 11 million or so left homeless.

Now the US is eager to pack up and pull out, leaving nothing but ruins and messes for the Afghan people, who have paid an unbearable price for a war imposed upon them by the unscrupulous hegemony.

Despite all its big talk about counterterrorism, America has seen terrorism on the rise in Afghanistan. The American-style democracy is unable to give birth to a powerful government there because it is out of place in a country where family and tribal cohesion is just too strong. In recent years, the Taliban has made a comeback, controlled about half of the national land, and grown into an important force that can sway the future political situation in the country  topped by the booming morale that it now has the initiative to fight for a legitimate position. The current Afghan government, which has got used to relying on the US troops when fighting and on tariffs for finance, will be left helpless in front of the Taliban and strong local factions once external military support is gone. People in Afghanistan are worried that the country, troubled by poor, if any, governance and various vying forces, may once again become the hotbed for terrorist organizations, or worse, fall into the abyss of aggravated civil war and national secession.

The US has always been half-hearted about boosting the economic and social development in Afghanistan. Washington Post reported in December 2019 that of the USD 133 billion that Washington had spent on Afghanistans reconstruction  more than what was spent on Europes post-WWII reconstruction under the Marshall Plan  USD 87 billion went to training local security troops and police force rather than developing production and normalizing the society. Due to constant battles and turbulence, the countrys industrial foundation remains weak, with the output value accounting for only 1/3 of GDP, and agriculture and animal husbandry make up the main part of the national economy. Not much is left of the education system, with a general illiteracy rate of 65% and up to 96% among females, leaving the uneducated young generation more vulnerable to terrorist indoctrination.

Since American troops set foot on its territory 20 years ago under the pretext of counterterrorism, Afghanistan has been going down a path to hell. Now the country that has created all this chaos is turning its back because it finds it more important to deal with other overseas priorities and dedicate all resources to responding to more pressing threats and challenges. Seeing Afghanistan as a burden now, Washington feels no qualms about leaving it high and dry in an embattled environment and asking the international community to pay for what it has done.

The question is, having ravaged and abandoned one country after another, who is the US going to devastate next?
A man landed behind bars for attempting to smuggle approximately $1.9 million in methamphetamine, according to an arrest affidavit.

Erik Estiben Alonso Martinez, a U.S. citizen, was arrested and charged with import, attempt to import, and conspire to import the meth.

Alonso Martinez arrived in a 2010 Chevy Malibu at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge at about 7:19 a.m. April 23. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers referred Alonso Martinez to secondary inspection.

Authorities said they discovered anomalies in the vehicles gas tank following an X-ray scan. CBP officers examined the gas tank and discovered a substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. The contraband weighed about 98.59 pounds and had an estimated street value of $1,971,800.

Homeland Security Investigation special agents responded to investigate the alleged meth smuggling attempt. In a post-arrest interview, Alonso Martinez stated he traveled from North Carolina to Houston, where some people gave him spending money, according to court documents.

On April 20, Alonso Martinez traveled to Monterrey, Mexico to visit some individuals to have a good time with the money. While in Monterrey, Alonso Martinez was given the Malibu to drive back to Houston. The Malibu was insured under his name, court documents state.

Alonso (Martinez) thought there could have been drugs somewhere in the Malibu but stated he might as well drive the vehicle back to Houston anyways, states the affidavit.
U.S. Rep.-elect Troy Carter started his acceptance speech Saturday night by thanking his family, as candidates usually do. It was what he said next that put the election hed just won in the proper context: Give a big round of applause, Carter urged his supporters, to "the leader of the progressive movement, D.A. Jason Williams."

Williams was at Carters side as a key supporter. But in that moment, he also served as a fact-check, undermining a popular national narrative that the race between Carter and fellow Democratic state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson had been a referendum on political progressivism versus moderation  and that so-called wokeness lost, as consultant James Carville put it in this paper.

+6 'Voters voted against wokeness:' How Troy Carter defeated Karen Carter Peterson On his first day as a congressman-elect on Sunday, Troy Carter slept only 90 minutes, attended seven Black church services in the New Orleans 

If voters had rejected progressivism, and if Carter was running away from it, then why was Williams there? And what was City Council President Helena Moreno, another of the citys leading progressive politicians, doing on stage with him? Clearly, something else was going on here.

A lot else, a more comprehensive appraisal of the race would suggest.

These days, congressional contests often become proxies for how voters feel about national politics. That mostly happens, though, when the balance of power between the two parties is at issue, or in districts such as Louisianas 2nd that are dominated by one party, when the race lines up neatly with an existing intramural skirmish.

But while Carter and Peterson varied slightly on some issues, their personalities, relationships, and history all complicated the moderate-versus-progressive framing. These are two well-known pols who've been in public life for decades. Neither outsiders nor national storylines were going to define them.

Yes, progressive movement figures such as U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, of New York, and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, of Massachusetts, backed Peterson, the abortion rights group Emilys List spent a ton on her behalf, and the contests third-place primary finisher, Baton Rouge social justice activist Gary Chambers, endorsed her. But she also had her own backstory, which included years at the helm of the state Democratic Party  not exactly an insurgent role  and strong support for Williams less disruptive rival in last years big D.A. race, Keva Landrum.

Stephanie Grace: For 2nd Congressional District, it's a question of tone over issues Theres an age-old debate when it comes to voting, whether its better to pick a candidate on the issues or to decide based on more personal q

Carter had Williams and Moreno to suggest the differences werent so clear cut, as well as enthusiastic support from some notable criminal justice reformers and gay rights advocates who knew him as an ally from way back.

He also had backing from some moderates and even Republicans, plus every other sitting Black state senator other than Peterson. Thats not the result of picking sides; its how a politician builds a broad coalition, the kind that comes together when the issue distinctions arent decisive.

There were some differences, to be sure. Both candidates favored a list of Democratic planks such as raising the minimum wage, forgiving student debt and decriminalizing marijuana, but Peterson also came down to the left of Carter on health care  she backs a single-payer system while he favors a public option for insurance  and the speed at which the shift from old energy sources should take place. Still, they agreed far more than they disagreed. If Carter was the more Bidenesque of the two choices, well, youve got to admit that the president has moved pretty far in the progressive direction lately.

Stylistically, Carter positioned himself as someone who would remain attentive to his constituents (who backed him in greater numbers than Petersons backed hers), work with others  no matter the party  and accept incremental gains as progress. Politicians who know him say that is indeed how hes worked in the past.

Peterson called herself a fighter for the causes she supports, but shes also more inclined to simply pick fights  such as when, while she was state Democratic chair, she used her senatorial privilege to kneecap her own partys governor by torpedoing some of his high-profile political appointments.

So if Carter was the more moderate choice, it was as much for his manner as for his politics. He came out on top not because he rejected "wokeness"  just ask Williams  but because many voters didnt see it on the ballot in the first place.
(Natural News) More people died from fentanyl overdose than coronavirus (COVID-19) in San Francisco last year, a microcosm of a larger nationwide problem coinciding with the pandemic.

Data from San Franciscos Office of the Chief Medical Examiner shows that 708 people were killed by fentanyl in 2020, an astonishing 118 times more since the introduction of the drug in the city just five years earlier.

That figure nearly tripled the 254 COVID-19 deaths recorded in the city for the whole of last year. More than 8 in 10 deaths were male, and just under half were white. People aged 55 to 64 made up nearly a quarter of the fatalities. Nearly 40 percent of the deaths occurred in open-air drug markets such as the Tenderloin and South of Market.

The number of overdose deaths in the city could have been far worse as more than 3,000 addicts suffering from an overdose were administered with naloxone, the lifesaving medication that reverses overdoses.

San Franciscos death rate from fentanyl overdose continues to rise this year as 135 died by overdose in January and February, putting the city on pace for more than 800 deaths by the end of the year.

The city has become a significant part of a larger trend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data on Wednesday, April 14, showing that more than 87,000 Americans died from drug overdose over the 12-month period that ended in September last year  the highest since the opioid epidemic began in the 1990s.

Lockdowns lead to more cases of drug overdose

The surge represents an increasingly urgent public health crisis that may be correlated to the governments monotonous battle plan against the COVID-19 pandemic. (Related: Death toll from drug overdose soars during pandemic.)

On March 19 last year, California became the first state in the U.S. to implement a stay-at-home order. It subsequently endured the longest lockdown of any state in the country.

The pandemic and accompanying lockdowns are believed to be partly responsible for the soaring number of drug deaths for obvious reasons. Lockdowns have badly disrupted the social services in the city, including drug addiction treatment. Drug experts say the isolation of the past 12 months is causing vulnerable residents to turn to opioids.

We see the death and devastation getting worse right in front of us, said Matt Haney, San Francisco Board of Supervisors member. Its an unprecedented spiraling, directly connected to the introduction of fentanyl in our city.

Fentanyl first appeared on the streets of San Francisco in 2015. There were just six deaths from the synthetic opioid that year, 12 deaths in 2016 and 37 deaths in 2017. The figure skyrocketed when the drugs became widely available in the city in 2018.

Kristen Marshall, manager of the national drug harm reduction DOPE Project, noted the grim irony that while social isolation could save lives from COVID-19, it had undoubtedly contributed to the number of overdose deaths.

Isolation is also the thing that puts people at the absolute highest risk of overdose death, she said.

Pandemic exacerbates rise in deaths from drug overdose

The number of deaths from drug overdose started rising in the months leading up to the coronavirus pandemic, making it hard to gauge how closely the two phenomena are linked. But the pandemic unquestionably exacerbated the trend. The biggest jump in overdose deaths took place in April and May when fear and stress were rampant, job losses were multiplying and the strictest lockdown measures were in effect.

Many treatment programs closed during that time while drop-in centers, which provide support, clean syringes and naloxone, cut back services.

The data released by the CDC shows a 29 percent rise in overdose deaths from October 2019 through September 2020 compared with the previous 12-month period. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl and other synthetic opioids were the primary drivers, although many fatal overdoses have also involved stimulant drugs like methamphetamine.

Unlike in the early years of the opioid epidemic, when deaths were largely among white Americans in rural and suburban areas, the current crisis is affecting Black Americans disproportionately.

The highest increase in mortality from opioids, predominantly driven by fentanyl, is now among Black Americans, Dr. Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, said at a national addiction conference last week.

And when you look at mortality from methamphetamine, its chilling to realize that the risk of dying from methamphetamine overdose is 12-fold higher among American Indians and Alaskan Natives than other groups.

Dr. Volkow added that more deaths than ever involved drug combinations, typically of fentanyl or heroin with stimulants.

Dealers are lacing these non-opioid drugs with cheaper, yet potent, opioids to make a larger profit, she said. Someone whos addicted to a stimulant drug like cocaine or methamphetamine is not tolerant to opioids, which means they are going to be at high risk of overdose if they get a stimulant drug thats laced with an opioid like fentanyl.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) supported Dr. Volkows claim, saying that transnational criminal organizations cause a spike in overdoses by mixing fentanyl into illicit narcotics.

According to the DEA, Mexican cartels often purchase the drug components in China and use human mules to smuggle the narcotics to lucrative drug markets north of the border. (Related: Chemicals supplied by China play a big role in Americas illegal drug trade.)

The surging death rate eclipsed the modest gains made during former President Donald Trumps term against the nations addiction epidemic. The CDC reported that deaths from overdoses in the country slightly dropped in 2018, the first time it has happened since 1990.

During his administration, several billion dollars in grants to states allowed more drug users to get access to the three Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for opioid addiction  methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone. Naloxone also became widely distributed during Trumps term.

Follow Addiction.news for more news and information related to drug overdose.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NYTimes.com

MedicalXpress.com
New Delhi, April 27 : Automobile major Maruti Suzuki India on Tuesday reported a decline of 9.7 per cent in profit during Q4FY21.

Accordingly, the company's net profit declined to Rs 1,166.1 crore from Rs 1,291.7 crore reported for the same period of previous fiscal.

The automobile major cited lower non-operating income owing to mark-to-market loss on invested surplus as one of the key reasons for the decline.

However, during the quarter, the company's net sales increased by 33.6 per cent to Rs 22,958.6 crore compared to the same period previous year.

Besides, the company reported a total sales of 492,235 vehicles during the quarter which was higher by 27.8 per cent compared to the same period previous year.

Furthermore, sales in the domestic market stood at 456,707 units, growing by 26.7 per cent.

Similarly, exports were at 35,528 units, higher by 44.4 per cent.

It may be recalled that in Quarter 4 (FY 2019-20) of the previous year there was a significant decline in the sales volume largely owing to Covid-19 lockdown.

On a fiscal year basis, the company's net profit declined by 25.1 per cent to Rs 4,229.7 crore from Rs 5,650.6 crore reported for the same period of previous fiscal.

According to the company, the decline happened on account of lower sales volume, increase in commodity prices, adverse foreign exchange movement, and lower non-operating income partially offset by lower operating expenses, and cost reduction efforts.

The company's performance for the full year FY 2020-21 is to be seen in the context of Covid-19 related disruptions.

In terms of sales, the company sold a total of 1,457,861 vehicles during the period, lower by 6.7 per cent compared to the previous year and lower by 21.7 per cent compared to FY 2018-19.

As per the company, net sales during FY21 stood lower by 7.2 per cent to Rs 66,562.1 crore compared to that in the previous year.

In line with the financial performance of the year and considering uncertain business environment, the Board of Directors recommended a dividend of INR 45 per share (face value of INR 5 per share) for FY 2020-21.

-- Syndicated from IANS
An oral antiviral drug to stop the virus that causes COVID-19 from replicating could be ready next year "if all goes right," Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told CNBC on Tuesday, adding that the drug should work against all variants of the virus.

Why it matters: Antiviral drugs can be a key pandemic-fighting tool, since not everyone will get a vaccine and it may take years to fully vaccinate people in certain countries around the world, Axios' Alison Snyder reports.

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

Of note: So far, remdesivir  a drug investigated earlier to treat Ebola and other diseases  is the only antiviral approved in the U.S. for COVID-19.

What they're saying: Bourla said Pfizer is working on two antiviral drugs, one injectable and the other oral.

"Particularly, the attention is on the oral," Bourla said,"because it provides several advantages. One of them is you don't have to go to the hospital to get the treatment, which is the case with all of the injectables so far. You can get it at home. That would be a game-changer."

He said the antiviral drug should be "way more effective against multiple variants."

What's next: Bourla said the company would have more news about the drug around summer.

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IRVINE, Calif., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest International, Inc. announced today their acceptance as a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact initiative, a platform dedicated for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible business practices, increasing corporate sustainability and advancing broader societal goals. With this announcement, Quest International, Inc. is proud to join the United Nations Global Compact as committed participant to taking responsible business action to create the world we all want.

The United Nations Global Compact is the world's largest corporate social sustainability initiative with the objective of mobilizing a global movement towards supporting UN goals. The UN Global Compact is a principle-based framework for businesses, stating ten principles concerning the Human Rights, Labour, The Environment, and Anti-Corruption.

Quest International has historically been and continues to be dedicated to social responsibility, this includes implementation of the ISO 14001 Environmental standard covering environmental management systems and sustainability best practices. Quest began pursuing ISO 14001 in 2010, and has held the certification since, further aligning itself with the objectives of the UN Global Compact.

"We are honored to be accepted into the UN Global Compact. Their mission and goals are consistent with what we've been practicing for decades, and we look forward to learning new ways to enhance sustainability for our company and our customers around the world." - Shawn Arshadi, President and CEO

To learn more about Quest's participation in the UN Global Compact please click here.

About the UN Global Compact

Founded in July 2000 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, this non-binding pact encourages businesses worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies. The United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. With more than 12,000 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and 69 Local Networks, the UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative  one Global Compact uniting business for a better world.

About Quest International

Quest International is a leading global post sales service support partner for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across multiple industries including healthcare, industrial, aviation and government as well as IT managed services provider for businesses both large and small. Having served Fortune 500 companies since 1982, Quest is dedicated in meeting the needs of its customers with a comprehensive suite of services and solutions.

Media Inquiries:

[email protected]

SOURCE Quest International, Inc.

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In support of World Immunization Week, News-Medical talks to experts in different areas of the medical sector on why immunization week is so prevalent in 2021 and the importance of global access to vaccination.

2021 will be a big year for vaccination. What has the COVID-19 pandemic taught us about immunization?

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought vividly both the unique and transformational promise vaccines hold in ending pandemics and enabling societies to function, as well as the massive, systemic inequities that hinder that promise. It has also shown us that the mere existence of vaccines is insufficient without efforts to ensure that systems to supply, deliver, and communicate about vaccines are in place to ensure equitable access for all. Well before the COVID-19 pandemic we were seeing evidence of waning vaccine acceptance in many countries, and many of those same dynamics are playing out with COVID-19 vaccines. With vaccines as our most important tool to end this pandemic, we need a far better understanding of why individuals and communities make decisions to delay or forgo vaccinations, and how the information they receive from various platforms (social media, community leaders, etc.) impacts their confidence in vaccines." Kaitlin Christenson, Vice President for Vaccine Acceptance and Demand at the Sabin Vaccine Institute

The year 2021 will see millions more people being able to access the COVID-19 vaccine, individual actions that will help protect all of us. But the more people that are vaccinated, the safer we all will be. That is why we at the ICRC believe that all populations must have equitable access to the vaccine. That includes the more than 60 million people living in areas controlled by armed groups. That includes migrants who are on the move. And it includes people in places of detention. The more people who are vaccinated, the less of a chance we have of a significant mutation that again increases the risk for everyone." International Committee of the Red Cross

Vaccine awareness is high in 2021 because of the Covid pandemic. The public and politicians have gotten a first hand look at the complexities involved in developing and licensing vaccines. It is a complex process and one that should be carefully messaged. The principal lesson for me was the importance of the connection between political leadership and scientific expertise. Throughout 2020 there were regular disconnects in messaging that greatly complicated the public health response in the US and other countries. On the positive side the pandemic clearly showed the speed with which effective vaccines can be developed using novel methods." F Marc LaForce, Director of Technical Services at Serum Institute of India

Image Credit: Viacheslav Lopatin/Shutterstock.com

What does the theme "Vaccines bring us closer" and global and equal access to vaccination mean to you?

With the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, we are seeing the promise of health and wellbeing, and the potential to come back together as societies, on the horizon, and many have renewed hope about the future. Despite this optimism, there are gross inequities in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccine supplies, with low- and middle-income countries receiving only a small fraction of the number of doses reserved for high-income countries. At a minimum, high-income countries should share their excess doses of vaccines. Without equitable distribution, vulnerable populations around the world including health workers on the frontline of COVID-19 care effortsremain at risk, and the future of a world which comes back together remains in the distant future." Kaitlin Christenson, Vice President for Vaccine Acceptance and Demand at the Sabin Vaccine Institute

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into focus the inequities inherent in the global health system. Notably, many countries in conflict have very basic or even no health care available for all the families living there. The world is rightly focused now on acquiring and distributing COVID-19 vaccines to help keep us all safe. But this is also a moment to realize and understand that what some people might consider routine immunizations simply arent available for others around the world. At least 80 million children under age 1 are at risk of diseases with significant mortality such as measles, diphtheria and polio, per data from UNICEF. For populations in humanitarian settings, COVID is but one of many vulnerabilities and risks. Whilst a COVID vaccine is urgent, other vaccines are also most needed and must be provided." International Committee of the Red Cross

There is little question that vaccines when considered as global products do bring us closer. The eradication of smallpox in the 1970s was a global effort that resulted in a huge public health success, a dangerous disease was eradicated. Invasive pathogens know no geographic boundaries and the control of infectious diseases must be viewed globally, not only for ethical reasons, but because it is the only was of surely dealing with these problems. WHO has played a key role in ensuring that affordable quality vaccines are available globally. WHO along with partner organizations have worked with member countries to developed surveillance systems in order to recognize problems while ensuring that potent vaccines are available to better control those infections where effective vaccines are available. This massive effort which is now over 50 years old has saved millions of lives and has transformed international public health by emphasizing the important roles played by all partners." F Marc LaForce, Served as Director of the Meningitis Vaccine Project partnership between WHO and PATH

Immunization week 2021: Vaccines bring us closer to a healthier future Play

About Sabin Vaccine Institute

Our mission is to make vaccines more accessible, enable innovation and expand immunization across the globe.

We seek a future free from vaccine-preventable diseases.

We deliver sustainable, evidence-based solutions that extend the benefits of immunization to everyone, everywhere.

About International Committee of the Red Cross

Established in 1863, the ICRC operates worldwide, helping people affected by conflict and armed violence and promoting the laws that protect victims of war. An independent and neutral organization, its mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We are based in Geneva, Switzerland, and employ over 20,000 people in more than 100 countries. The ICRC is funded mainly by voluntary donations from governments and from National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

About Serum Institute of India

Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. is now the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by number of doses produced and sold globally (more than 1.5 billion doses) which includes Polio vaccine as well as Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hib, BCG, r-Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccines. It is estimated that about 65% of the children in the world receive at least one vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute. Vaccines manufactured by the Serum Institute are accredited by the World Health Organization, Geneva and are being used in around 170 countries across the globe in their national immunization programs, saving millions of lives throughout the world.
Help Wanted signs can be found on almost every local business around town as places struggle to find and retain employees during the pandemic.

The unemployment rate in New Braunfels dropped from 5.7% to 5.4% as of last week, but local stores, restaurants and other businesses are still hit hard.

The pandemic forced many places to close and layoff staff and some have been shuttered forever.

The DownTowner Bar & Kitchen was closed from March 17, 2020 to March 19, 2021.

+7 Comal County tourism businesses scramble to find workers With the summer season just around the corner, some Comal County tourist destinations are sc

They have hosts, bartenders, waiters and bussers but need more back of house staff like cooks and dishwashers, owner Chad Niland said.

Niland said he doesnt want to overwork his current kitchen staff, who are doing a great job given the circumstances.

He pays experienced kitchen staff at minimum $15 an hour while prep cooks make a little lower.

Customers are like Just make them work more but I like these people, you know? I want them to show up the next day and the next day, Niland said. We are paying and offering that amount of money, we have higher than average wages for the town.

The DownTowner shortened its menu and hours, and Niland said most customers were understanding of the changes, but some thought it was hindering their business.

Opinions vary on whats causing the employee shortage.

A lot of people left the industry  who are smart and intelligent kitchen people  have just left, Niland said. Theres a lot of misinformation out there and people are politicizing and rationalizing why places cant get employees.

Many businesses are doing special bonuses to keep staff on, such as how The DownTowner is doing a signing bonus if they stay on for 60 days.

They are also offering $100 gift cards to patrons who refer someone who stays on staff.

Niland said he spent more than $2,200 on employment advertisements but has gotten no responses and no one shows up for interviews.

We just need hands in the kitchen and we can train them, Niland said.

To accommodate employee pay, the restaurant and bar has adjusted and increased its prices.

Restaurants are pretty used to fluctuating commodities and goods, Niland said. Our prices change week to week with beef, chicken, milk, but were not used to the labor issue.

Over at The Phoenix Saloon, general manager Mark Joiner said their Help Wanted sign has been up since it opened again in October after shutting down around St. Patricks Day.

The kitchen before the pandemic had four staff members, but now three kitchen staff positions are open.

We went through a few changes because people wanted to work and then didnt really want to work, Joiner said. The kitchen started off good but then finding help for backup for two original employees became really difficult. Its been a kind of ongoing thing.

Kitchen staff start at $13 an hour, and he said minimum wage is no longer viable in this market.

Theres no doubt that the old hourly wage from a year ago is gone, Joiner said. The demand for good people has created that.

He said he thinks unemployment benefits and the instability of the restaurant business has made it more difficult to find employees.

I think people are living off the government and the other is a lot of people after a year or so moved on to a different industry, Joiner said. Just a year or so of restaurants or bars being shut down, people just got scared and started going elsewhere.

Calahans Pub and Pizza owner Jay Beringer said they have been lucky, but still need a few more kitchen staff.

More people working in New Braunfels and Comal County Unemployment rates in New Braunfels and Comal County fell in March compared to the previous 

The pub switched to serving pizza and did curbside pickup, creating new positions such as curbside runner.

The pub starts pay at $12 an hour and goes up. Beringer said keeping wages competitive has helped keep on staff.

We never pay minimum wage, we cant even pay $10 an hour, Beringer said. Its bringing minimum wage up, which is fine as long as its all across the board. Were having to compete for jobs and in its own way, it kind of brought it to what they wanted to bring it to anyways.

He said the pub is lucky it has been busier inside the building after switching to serving pizza.

Were fortunate to be in a position where were actually excelling and doing better, Beringer said. But its tough to keep up at the same time. Were just asking people for a little patience.

Jolt Coffee and Beverage also needs more staff as they prepare to open another location, said owner-operator Kim Fenimore Scholer.

They have gone through 123 people, and Scholer said oftentimes people move away or realize the environment is too fast-paced when becoming a barista.

She said they pay $10 an hour plus tips, which on average are never lower than $7 an hour. Once team members are trained to open or close, they are moved up a dollar an hour.

Shift leads, trainers and managers do pay steps above this scale as well. Team members also get bonuses every now and then, she said.

Scholer said in her case, raising their wages would not make much of a difference retaining employees and getting them to come in.

This is the most money theyre making, Scholer said. They kind of get complacent because I can take the day off and Ill call in 15 minutes before my shift. So theres a fine line in there somewhere and I dont know where that line is, but really in our case it hasnt made a difference.

Scholer said in her experience, many applicants are trying to meet a quota for unemployment or are intimidated by the fast-paced environment of a coffee shop.

I go to all the places we say that were hiring and I tell them the next step is to go to our website and fill out that application, Scholer said. Out of every 50, I get maybe three or four that actually apply from there.

Similar to The DownTowner, they are also offering a cash bonus to team members who refer someone who goes through the training process. She said they need more staff but have been lucky overall during the pandemic.

Its a really great team we have, Scholer said. We have five more people coming on and hopefully thats enough people for a while before we open the next shop.

Niland said hopefully as more people get vaccinated more will come out to support local businesses.

Weve had a lot of issues to deal with already and this is thrown on top of it, which is very difficult to deal with, Niland said. Small places like mine make little on food. This is not a get rich quick scheme.


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 

The notorious Emotet botnet software began uninstalling itself from some one million computers Sunday.

According to SecurityWeek, the uninstall command was part of an update sent to the infected computers by law enforcement servers in the Netherlands after Emotet's infrastructure was compromised in January during a multinational operation mounted by eight nations.

The poisoned upgrade cleans the Windows registry key that enables the botnet's modules to run automatically, as well as stop and delete associated services.

"The threat posed by Emotet was already neutralized by the takeover of its entire network infrastructure by law enforcement last January," explained Jean-Ian Boutin, head of threat research at Eset, an information technology security company based in Bratislava in the Slovak Republic.

"Our continuous monitoring of Emotet shows that the operation has been a complete success," he told TechNewsWorld.

"On Sunday, a cleanup procedure was activated on compromised systems that connected to the infrastructure controlled by law enforcement," he continued. "The update removes Emotet's persistence mechanisms, effectively preventing the threat from reaching out to any command and control servers in the future."

According to the U.S. Justice Department Emotet infected 1.6 million computers globally from April 1, 2020 to Jan. 17, 2021 and caused millions of dollars of damage to victims worldwide.

In the United States, the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Agency estimates that Emotet infections cost local, state, tribal and territorial governments up to US$1 million per incident to remediate.

Machines Still At Risk

Although Emotet has been neutralized, the machines it infected remain at risk.

"Emotet itself wasn't known for many malicious behaviors, especially in its last iterations," observed Chet Wisniewski, principal research scientist at Sophos, a network security and threat management company based in the UK.

"It was known for bringing along other malicious software, which it is likely to have done before the acquisition by police of the command and control infrastructure," he told TechNewsWorld. "Its removal has no effect on other malicious software it may have brought along."

Boutin noted that in the last two years, Emotet actively distributed at least six different malware families: Ursnif, Trickbot, Qbot, Nymaim, Iceid and Gootkit.

"Once installed, the malware families run independently from Emotet," he said. "Hence, both must be eradicated in order for the system to be malware free."

"The gap between the network infrastructure takedown and Sunday's cleaning operation was to allow affected organizations to find these different malware families and take the necessary steps to clean their network," he explained.

Deactivating Emotet can be seen as a first step in recovering these machines, but it is far from the only step," added Christopher Fielder, director of product marketing for Arctic Wolf, a maker of cloud SIEM software.

"These machines should still be considered compromised and assessed using an effective incident response plan," he told TechNewsWorld.

Whether the owners of the infected machines are being notified about the possibility of further infections is unclear, noted Dirk Schrader, global vice president of New Net Technologies, a Naples, Fla.-based provider of IT security and compliance software.

"It would certainly be helpful to alert the system's owner that further forensic analysis is needed," he observed.

Significant Achievement

Removing Emotet from the threat landscape is a great achievement, Wisniewski maintained. "It was one of the most dangerous and prolific email threats in the world," he said.

"I think the initial takedown and acquisition of the command infrastructure was fantastic and something we would love to see more of," he added.

"This latest action, however, seems like it isn't as useful and is more of a PR move than anything that will keep the public safe," Wisniewski pointed out.

"The takedown is very significant," added Vinay Pidathala, director of security research at Menlo Security, a cybersecurity company in Mountain View, Calif.

He noted that across Menlo Security's global customer base, Emotet was the top malware that it protected customers against in 2020.

"Emotet was also responsible for a lot of ransomware infections, so taking down such a pervasive malware distribution platform is good for the internet," he added.

As gratifying as the takedown of Emotet is, the havoc it wreaked across countless networks over seven years is alarming, declared Hitesh Sheth, president and CEO of Vectra AI, a provider of automated threat management solutions based in San Jose, Calif.

"We must aspire to have more international cooperation for cybersecurity plus better response time," he told TechNewsWorld.

"None of us know how many malware cousins of Emotet are doing more damage right now," he said, "but if each takes seven years to neutralize, we will remain in lasting crisis."

One reason it took so long to take down Emotet was the complexity of its network infrastructure.

"Through our long-term tracking of the botnet, we identified hundreds of command and control servers, organized in different layers and spread out throughout the world," Boutin explained. "To be successful, the operation needed to take down all these C&C servers at the same time, a very difficult task."

Privacy Concerns

Security experts generally praised law enforcement for taking down Emotet, although some had concerns about the action.

"I think takedowns are critical and law enforcement agencies are important in being able to expedite and also put the right number of resources to do something at scale. These actions are commendable," Pidathala observed.

Boutin noted that the takedown was not limited to shutting down a botnet's infrastructure but went further with the arrest of individuals suspected of being involved with Emotet.

"Pushing the uninstall routine on infected systems was the icing on the cake," he said. "Hopefully this action will serve as a reference and make future takedown operations easier and more efficient."

However, Austin Merritt, a cyberthreat intelligence analyst at Digital Shadows, a San Francisco-based provider of digital risk protection solutions, noted that takedowns can raise some privacy issues.

"People targeted by Emotet may be concerned that involving the FBI could allow them to indiscriminately go into victims' computers and see what is there," he told TechNewsWorld. "Consequentially, there may be concerns of law enforcement obtaining nonpublic information from them."

While automatically removing malware seems to be a great answer to these infections, especially in large deployments such as Emotet, there are some ethical issues with the approach, added Erich Kron, security awareness advocate at KnowBe4, a security awareness training provider in Clearwater, Fla.

"Part of the issue is that law enforcement is actively deleting files from privately owned devices," he told TechNewsWorld. "Even with the best of intentions, this has the potential to become an issue."

Coding errors could potentially cause outages and loss of revenue or services in future automated malware removal activities, he explained.

"In addition," Kron continued, "there may be a lack of notification to the affected organizations. This could become an issue if the automated removal process happens at the same time the device administrators are doing their forensic data collection or removing the malware themselves. Without coordination, this could become a significant issue for an organization."

"This trend, while beneficial in the short term, is a topic that should be discussed further within the cybersecurity industry, with an emphasis on how to manage notifications to those whose devices have been modified, managing oversight, and potentially the option to opt out of these law enforcement actions altogether," he added.

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.


Hyderabad, April 27 : Veteran Congress leader and former Andhra Pradesh minister M. Satyanarayana Rao passed away early Tuesday at a hospital in Hyderabad, his family members said.

Popularly known as MSR, he was 87. He is survived by wife, two daughters and two sons.

MSR, who also served as a member of Parliament for three terms, had tested positive for Covid-19 and was admitted to Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) on Sunday.

He was kept on ventilator after his condition turned critical. He breathes his last at 3.45 a.m. on Tuesday.

Hailing from Vedira village of Karimnagar district, MSR played a key role in Telangana movement in 1969. He was elected to Lok Sabha from Karimnagar in 1971 on the ticket of Telangana Praja Samithi. He was re-elected from the same constituency in 1977 and 1980 as the Congress party candidate.

MSR, who had a long stint as an All India Congress Committee general secretary during Indira Gandhi's stewardship, headed the Congress party in undivided Andhra Pradesh between 2000 and 2004.

He was elected to Andhra Pradesh Assembly in 2004 and joined the Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy's cabinet as a minister.

In 2006, he had challenged Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao to resign from his Karimnagar Lok Sabha seat and seek re-election on separate Telangana issue. He had offered to quit the ministerial post and Assembly membership to contest against Chandrasekhar Rao. He had also put forth the condition that whosoever lost the polls must take political retirement and stop talking about separate Telangana state issue again.

After Chandrasekhar Rao accepted the challenge and won the by-election against Congress party's T. Jeevan Reddy with a huge majority, MSR kept his word and resigned from the cabinet.

The senior leader twice served as the chairman of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC).

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has mourned the death of Satyanarayana Rao. He conveyed his condolences to the family members of the bereaved family.

"As a Telangana supporter, MP, minister in the joint state and chairman of the RTC, MSR has shown a special style and is known as a straight man in politics," the CM recalled.

Chandrasekhar Rao instructed Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to make arrangements to conduct MSR's cremation with the official honours.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed grief over the death of MSR and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family members.

"Saddened by the passing away of Sh M.Satyanarayana Rao Garu. MSR Garu will be remembered for his insightful knowledge on matters of Telangana development," tweeted Congress party's incharge for Telangana, Manickam Tagore

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
China's top Spy agency unveiled moves to combat interference by "hostile powers" of corporations and other agencies, in the latest indication of firms being entangled in the competition between Beijing and Washington.

China's New Measure To Prevent Infiltration

According to the official Xinhua News Agency, which cited a senior official with the Ministry of State Security, the new regulations enable Chinese security authorities to compile a list of companies and institutions deemed vulnerable to foreign intrusion and compel them to take security steps.

In a recently published article on Bloomberg, the news agency Xinhua reported that "Overseas espionage and intelligence agencies and hostile forces have intensified infiltration into China, and broadened their tactics of stealing secrets in various ways and in more fields, which poses a serious threat to China's national security and interests."

The rules were released amid growing tensions between China and the West, as Washington attempts to fight Beijing's growing economic and security clout, according to a published report in The Straits Times,

The influential Ministry of State Security has played a key role in this battle, most notably by high-profile detentions of foreign nationals such as Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who are facing verdicts in espionage courts.

Former Pres. Donald Trump Reportedly Moving Operations From Florida to New Jersey

Since at least 2019, state-owned companies have increased counterintelligence oversight on workers going abroad, according to a separate study Monday by the Global Times, quoting an unnamed team member in charge of international affairs at the headquarters of a central SOE in Beijing.

Business Trips to Foreign Countries Known as Five Eyes

In a recently published report in Biz News Post, staff traveling on business to foreign countries, such as the Five Eyes alliance countries of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, have been instructed to strictly declare their travel destinations, agendas, and interactions with foreign personnel, and they must obtain permission from their immediate bosses before the applications are checked by the headquarters.

According to the state enterprise employees, the enterprise has also reinforced pre-departure anti-spying education by seminars and short films that depict instances of international intelligence work.

Before traveling overseas, employees "involved in sensitive fields or those carrying valuable files" are forced to leave their electronic devices or gadgets such as cell phones, tablets, and USB drives at home.

One of the staff said, "For visits to countries that have been categorized as high-risk in terms of spying activities, we will evaluate if the trips are necessary and would advise against going if they are not essential."

US Troops Afghanistan Withdrawal: It Has Began, Top General Says

What Industries or Companies are on the List?

According to the Global Times, the legislation did not determine which sectors or businesses would be on the registry, but it stated that the list would be drawn up depending on the extent of secrecy that the sector entails, the degree of international participation and if there had been recent events that threatened national security.

The law also grants national security organs access to premises, internal materials, electronic kits, services, or computers and information systems of the organizations involved to carry out anti-espionage missions and eradicate the secret dangers of international espionage, according to the paper.

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Monday urged Australia to abide by the one-China principle and prudently handle Taiwan-related issues.

Wang stressed at a daily news briefing that abiding by the one-China principle is an inherent requirement of developing China-Australia relations, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory.

The Taiwan issue is purely China's internal affair and involves the country's core interests, and no external forces are allowed to interfere, he said, adding that the root cause of the current tension in cross-Strait relations is that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority refuses to recognize the 1992 Consensus that embodies the one-China principle, and colludes with external forces to continuously seek "independence."

"China must and will be reunified. We stand ready to do our utmost to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification, but we will never leave any room for any form of 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities," Wang said.

He said it is hoped that the Australian side will fully recognize the high sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, abide by the one-China principle, prudently handle Taiwan-related issues, and refrain from sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and do more that is conducive to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and China-Australia relations.
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EAST HADDAM  State police said an ultralight aircraft was unoccupied and idling on a runway at the Goodspeed Airport Tuesday when a gust of wind lifted the plane off the ground.

The incident was initially reported to fire and EMS personnel as a plane crash into a house, but state police said there was no impact made to any building in the area.
[April 27, 2021] ProcessUnity and HCL Technologies Partner to Modernize Third-Party Risk Management Services

CONCORD, Mass., April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProcessUnity, a leading provider of cloud-based applications for risk and compliance management, today announced that HCL Technologies will leverage the ProcessUnity Vendor Risk Management platform to power its third-party risk managed services program for its global clients. The combination of HCLs 3PAS (3rd Party Assessment and Management Services) and ProcessUnity VRM will create a mature and complete service to help organizations proactively identify, manage and mitigate risks while implementing proper governance, risk and compliance processes.

HCLs Vendor Assessment-as-a-Service will provide customers with a centralized view of their entire third-party risk landscape. The unique pay-per-assessment approach will provide cost and resource flexibility for both large and mid-size enterprises, allowing them to reduce assessment backlog and employ HCLs subject-matter experts for harder-to-assess vendors. The ProcessUnity VRM platform will provide HCL customers with real-time insights into the state of third-party risk as work is completed. Since the start of the pandemic, businesses have relied more on third parties for operational efficiencies, requiring a laser focus on these providers risk and compliance practices. This partnership enables HCL to enhance the third-party risk services that we provide under our 3PAS model to our global clients with availability of our pre-built process frameworks combined with the finest SaaS based VRM platform from ProcessUnity, said Renju Varghese, Fellow & Chief Architect, Cybersecurity & GRC Services at HCL Technologies. As companies continue to outsource more of their key business functions and face more regulatory pressures, its getting harder to keep pae with the sheer volume of vendor assessment work that needs to be done to ensure the organization is protected, said Todd Boehler, Senior Vice President of Strategy at ProcessUnity. Our partnership with HCL gives organizations scalable options for reducing the assessment workload and taking advantage of vendor risk management experts that may not be available inside the company.



ProcessUnity Vendor Risk Management protects companies and their brands by reducing risks from third-party vendors and suppliers. ProcessUnity helps customers effectively and efficiently assess and monitor both new and existing vendors from initial due diligence and onboarding through termination. Through automation and standardization, ProcessUnity customers reduce busy work, streamline regulatory reporting and improve overall visibility into vendor performance. About HCL Technologies

HCL Technologies (HCL) empowers global enterprises with technology for the next decade, today. HCLs Mode 1-2-3 strategy, based on its deep-domain industry expertise, client-centricity and entrepreneurial culture of Ideapreneurship enables businesses to transform into next-gen enterprises. HCL offers its services and products through three business units: IT and Business Services (ITBS), Engineering and R&D Services (ERS) and Products & Platforms (P&P). ITBS enables global enterprises to transform their businesses through offerings in the areas of applications, infrastructure, digital process operations and next generation digital transformation solutions. ERS offers engineering services and solutions in all aspects of product development and platform engineering. P&P provides modernized software products to global clients for their technology and industry specific requirements. Through its cutting-edge co-innovation labs, global delivery capabilities and broad global network, HCL delivers holistic services in various industry verticals, categorized as Financial Services, Manufacturing, Technology and Services, Telecom and Media, Retail and CPG, Life Sciences and Healthcare and Public Services. As a leading global technology company, HCL takes pride in its diversity, social responsibility, sustainability and education initiatives. For the 12 months ended December 31, 2020 HCL had consolidated revenue of US$ 10.02 billion. Its 159,682 Ideapreneurs operate out of 50 countries. For more information, visit www.hcltech.com. About ProcessUnity

ProcessUnity is a leading provider of cloud-based applications for risk and compliance management. The companys software as a service (SaaS) platform gives organizations the control to assess, measure, and mitigate risk and to ensure the optimal performance of key business processes. ProcessUnitys flagship solution, ProcessUnity Vendor Risk Management, protects companies and their brands by reducing risks from third-party vendors and suppliers. ProcessUnity helps customers effectively and efficiently assess and monitor both new and existing vendors  from initial due diligence and onboarding through termination. ProcessUnity is used by the worlds leading financial service firms and commercial enterprises. The company is headquartered outside Boston, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.processunity.com.

ProcessUnity Contact: Sophia Corsetti ProcessUnity, Inc. 978.364.3892 sophia.corsetti@processunity.com

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Speed is at the heart of everything we do here at Paysend, and the partnership with Plaid will play a big role in how we make our transfers even faster in the future.

Global FinTech Paysend today announced a collaboration with Plaid, a leading open finance platform and financial data network, to provide customers with a more streamlined experience in connecting and transacting from their bank accounts to Paysends money transfer app.

Paysends global money transfer service allows users to pay and send using bank or card details, and with 90% of transfers arriving in 15 seconds or less, maintaining fast and seamless interaction between the users bank account and Paysend account is essential. Paysend has been fast growing to 3.5 Million customers thanks to its secure, instant and convenient service.

The introduction of Plaids Open Banking capabilities into Paysends platform paves the way for new products and services that will increase the speed of the payment process even further and reduce customer friction points which could otherwise result in abandoned transactions.

The collaboration between Paysend and Plaid cements a new milestone in Paysends mission to develop the next generation of integrated global payment ecosystem to save time, save money and serve millions of customers all around the globe. Plaid will provide instant authentication when customers are redirected to third-party banking providers to speed up Paysends transactions. This will eliminate the need for Paysend customers to enter their online banking login details or conduct manual bank transfers, reducing the time it takes to connect accounts and make transfers by 80%.

Speed is at the heart of everything we do here at Paysend, and the partnership with Plaid will play a big role in how we make our transfers even faster in the future, Ronnie Millar, Paysend CEO said. The Open Banking solution provided by Plaid will reduce friction in the payment process, providing our 3.5 million customers with an even smoother Paysend experience. Moving forward, the collaboration with Plaids Open Banking service will help us to gain more insights into what our customers want by enabling them to safely and securely share their transaction data. In the future we will be better-positioned to provide personalised recommendations to customers based on real-time, data-based insights.

In the face of economic challenges Covid-19 has brought on, fintech companies like Paysend provide an easier, more convenient, and lower cost alternative for people to send money to friends and family abroad, said Keith Grose, Head of International at Plaid. With Plaids Open Banking payments, Paysend can offer a solution that keeps costs low and improves the user experience. Ultimately, that means their customers can send money with less hassle and get to keep more of it in their wallets.

About Paysend

Paysend is a global FinTech company born in 2017, based in UK and regulated by the FCA. Servicing over 3.5 million customers in 50+ countries and multiple currencies, Paysend enables instant cross-border transfers, card processing and merchant acquiring as well as local payments in a way which is simple, smart and secure.

As a global end-to-end payment platform Paysend has its own global network of banks, international and local payment systems, and has partnerships with the major international card networks Visa, Mastercard and China Union Pay as a principal member and certified processor. Paysend recently opened its US and Canada operations and secured a partnership with Alipay in order to grow its global footprint.

Paysend is money for the future.
New Delhi/Lucknow, April 27 : Top gold smuggling syndicate, using specially designed bras and panties to smuggle gold paste in the country, has been busted. The syndicate had hired women couriers, wearing these special undergarments to smuggle gold in form of paste. One of the key couriers, a 39-year-old woman, was arrested at Lucknow airport on Monday with 1,259 grams of yellow paste, hidden in specially designed bra and panty.

Top sources in Customs (Preventive) unit of Lucknow revealed to IANS that a young woman, originally hailing from Turkman gate, Delhi, travelling from Dubai, landed from flight no FZ 8325 on April 26, 2021. On specific input, she was intercepted while trying to exit from the airport. "When the ladies staff searched her, yellow paste was recovered from the bra and panty worn by the courier. The yellow paste, packed in black polythene and stitched in her bra was recovered," revealed a Customs source.

The accused was produced before the Special Chief Judicial Magistrate (Customs), Lucknow on April 27, wherein she was remanded to judicial custody.

Revealing the unique modus operandi of the syndicate, sources informed that women couriers, in form of passengers were sent to Dubai from where they carried consignments of yellow paste, cleverly hidden in undergarments. The couriers were frequently flying to UAE and returning to India through different airports. For instance, the woman bearing passport M6779486, arrested at Lucknow on April 26, had flown to Dubai several times. Before landing at Lucknow, she in her earlier journey to UAE, had returned through IGI airport in Delhi on 6 January, 2021. "We are trying to ascertain the kingpin of this syndicate and also the number of women couriers engaged in smuggling activities," source added.

Earlier on January 14, this year two passengers, who boarded an Air India Express flight, IX 1384 from Sharjah were arrested at Mangalore International airport. Both passengers were carrying gold paste, worth over Rs 1 crore hidden in their undergarments. "Wherever one hides the gold, in whatever form, liquid or paste, he/she should be clear that we will trace it finally. Some smugglers have hidden gold paste packets in rectum, but we recovered it," said a Commissioner rank officer of the Customs.

A confidential report of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) says that big-time crime syndicates operating across India are smuggling gold in a paste form to dodge metal detectors and hi-tech X-ray machines installed at all international airports. DRI report reveals that these syndicates, through this method, smuggle gold by converting the yellow metal into powder and compounds in a paste form. Once the consignment is smuggled, approximately 700 gm of gold per 1,000 gm of paste is retrieved from a chemical procedure. The gold, in pure form, is then handed over to the concerned party.
TUNISI - A hidden camera show called "Angelina 19" is stirring up controversy in Tunisia, in a time in which the country is facing a new phase of Covid infections with hospitals at their limits.



The show airs every evening in prime time on the private network Nessma TV during the month of Ramadan, when families gather together in front of the TV after breaking their daily fast.



The series is made up of 30 episodes of 15 minutes each and is based on the idea of inviting a famous person to a TV debate on the health crisis and the difficulties that emerging countries are having in terms of obtaining the vaccine in the necessary quantities and reasonable timeframes.



At a certain point an Angelina Jolie impersonator comes on, dressed as a World Health Organization ambassador, and announces that she has come to Tunisia in order to deliver thousands of vaccine doses in a burst of solidarity with the government against the virus.



The fake Angelina then proposes to the guest and the team accompanying the guest to get vaccinated in advance, but the guest becomes aware of a series of side effects through actors who pretend to be sick after getting a vaccine jab, which sets off strange, and in theory, "comical", reactions.



This type of comedy wasn't appreciated by the Tunisian delegation of WHO.



Despite the disclaimer at the start of the show that invites all citizens to get vaccinated, WHO sent a letter to the country's health ministry asking it to suspend the broadcast of Angelina-19.



It expressed "serious concerns" and said the programme inappropriately uses the WHO and UN logos.



The Order of Tunisian Doctors expressed indignation and denounced, in a statement, the spread of the hidden camera show.



It said the programme "could have a negative impact on performance of the national vaccination campaign and confuse citizens".



The Order also invited "its own members to not take part in such shows and to avoid in all media statements that could damage the image of health workers".
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Several gunshots were heard at the popular Ama Hausa area, a settlement of many northerners in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Gender and Vulnerable Groups  Northern Affairs (Men), Suleiman Ibrahim, confirmed this through a telephone call in Owerri on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident took place shortly after the Okigwe zonal area command headquarters located at Ehime Mbano Local Government Area was attacked with about five police men reportedly killed.

Mr Suleiman said that anxiety gripped the residents when unknown gunmen attacked the large settlement at about 10 p.m. Monday, shooting indiscriminately.

He said that no casualties were recorded as residents were already in their abodes before the arrival of the gunmen.

He also said that authorities of the settlement had already alerted security agencies in the state and called for calm.

We suddenly heard gunshots and everyone took cover as there was palpable fear. It lasted for about thirty minutes before they withdrew.

No casualties were recorded and no injuries sustained. Security agencies in the state have been put on notice and we believe that the situation is under control, he said.

However, NAN reports that efforts made to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to several phone calls and messages made to his phone line.

(NAN)
On Thursday, April 29, at 11.30, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host an online presentation of the project of the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure - a geoportal that combines all data on land, water, forests, natural resources, infrastructure of Ukraine. Participants include Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Roman Leshchenko, First Deputy Chairman of the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Anatoliy Myroshnychenko, leading researcher of the Research Institute of Geodesy and Cartography Andriy Cherin (8/5a Reitarska Street). The press conference will be available on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine.

During the period the restrictive measures introduced in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic in Kyiv are in effect, the presence of media representatives is not allowed in the press center of the agency, only speakers are present in the hall. During the broadcast, it is possible to follow the event and ask questions to the speakers in the broadcast chat.
Press passes available; get the latest nutrition news from top experts in the field

How has the field of nutrition changed how we eat and live? What new discoveries and advances may be just over the horizon? Get the latest insights from leading nutrition scientists and practitioners at NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE, the flagship online meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.

Complimentary press passes are available for the meeting, to be held virtually June 7-10, 2021. Explore the meeting program for scientific sessions, special events and featured speakers, including the following renowned individuals:

Rafael Perez-Escamilla, PhD, Professor at Yale School of Public Health, has contributed to important improvements in breastfeeding and other maternal, infant and young child nutrition outcomes. His work has also advanced efforts to address household food security and health disparities. Perez-Escamilla will receive the Kellogg Prize for Lifetime Achievements in International Nutrition. He will deliver remarks on Monday, June 7 from 6-7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4).

Richard Mattes, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Nutrition Science at Purdue University, focuses on the areas of hunger and satiety, taste and smell, food preferences and the physiology of how our bodies respond to and regulate food intake. Mattes will receive the USDA Agricultural Research Service's W.O. Atwater Memorial Award. His lecture, "Atwater Factors at the Biology-Behavior Interface," will be delivered on Tuesday, June 8 from 10-11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4).

Christos Mantzoros, MD, DSc, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, has made seminal contributions to understanding the genomics, physiology and molecular biology of obesity, diabetes and related disorders. He has also advanced translational and clinical applications to improve treatments for these conditions. Mantzoros will deliver an address titled "Current Issues in Adult Nutrition: From Research to Practice" on Wednesday, June 9 from 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4).

Edward Frongillo, Jr., PhD, is Professor and Director of Global Health Initiatives at the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health. His global public health research focuses on improving nutrition and development and addressing food insecurity among infants and young children. Frongillo will receive the E.V. McCollum International Lectureships in Nutrition Award. He will deliver remarks on Thursday, June 10 from 10-10:45 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4).

Hussein Yassine, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, specializes in how changes in lipid metabolism and nutrition affect cognition and the risk of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Yassine will lead a session on nutrition and the brain and deliver a talk titled "Brain Transport and Omega-3 Fatty Acids" on Thursday, June 10 from 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4).

Register for a press pass

Qualifying journalists are invited to attend and receive:

Full, complimentary access to all virtual meeting sessions

24-hour access to four days of live and pre-recorded content

Opportunities to connect with a global community of nutrition experts

Early access to embargoed materials featuring high-impact research

Personal introductions for one-on-one interviews with featured scientists

To apply for a press pass, please check our Media Policies and submit a Press Registration Form.

Stay in the know

Join the discussion and get the latest nutrition news.

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Contact:

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About the American Society for Nutrition (ASN)

ASN is the preeminent professional organization for nutrition research scientists and clinicians around the world. Founded in 1928, the society brings together the top nutrition researchers, medical practitioners, policy makers and industry leaders to advance our knowledge and application of nutrition. ASN publishes four peer-reviewed journals and provides education and professional development opportunities to advance nutrition research, practice and education. http://www. nutrition. org

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New Delhi, April 27 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved temporary hiring of additional contractual staff in 51 Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) polyclinics to cater to the veterans and their dependents during Covid-19 surge.

The contractual staff, including one each of medical officer, nursing assistant, pharmacist, driver and chowkidar for identified ECHS polyclinics, will be hired through Station Headquarters for night duty, beyond normal working hours, for a period of three months.

The move will ensure availability of immediate medical attention even during night hours to acute cases in these areas to the veterans and their dependents. The validity of this sanction is up to August 15, 2021.

On Monday, the Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat during briefing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stated all medical personnel from armed forces who have retired or taken pre-mature retirement in the last two years are being recalled to work in Covid facilities within proximity of their present place of residence.

Modi held a review meeting on Covid-19 preparations and operations being undertaken by the Armed Forces to deal with the pandemic.

Other medical officers who retired earlier have also been requested to make their services available for consultation through medical emergency help lines.

Prime Minister was also informed that all medical officers on staff appointments at Command headquarters, Corps headquarters, Division headquarters and similar headquarters of Navy and Air-Force will be employed at hospitals.

The CDS informed the Prime Minister that nursing personnel are being employed in large numbers to complement the doctors at the hospitals. Prime Minister was also briefed that oxygen cylinders available with armed forces in various establishments will be released for hospitals.

The CDS also said that they are creating medical facilities in large numbers and where possible military medical infrastructure will be made available to civilians.

Modi also reviewed the operations being undertaken by IAF to transport oxygen and other essentials in India and abroad.

He also discussed with the CDS that Kendriya and Rajya Sainik Welfare Boards and Officers posted in various headquarters in veterans cells may be instructed to coordinate the services of veterans to extend the reach to maximum extent possible including in remote areas.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, April 27 : UK India Business Council (UKIBC), an advocacy group that works with businesses and governments in the UK and India with an objective to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties, is hoping for great synergy between the two countries in the upcoming virtual meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Boris Johnson.

In an exclusive interview with IANS, UKIBC CEO Jayant Krishna explains why a mega trade deal is on the anvil.

Excerpts from the interview: Q: In the post-Brexit world and amid the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, where major economies are increasingly trying to be self-reliant (Aatmanirbhar) for basics, how do you envisage the UK and India strengthening their bilateral trade?

A: We believe that international cooperation remains crucial for any country to have global business footprints. It is pragmatic to be self-reliant in certain essential products and services, but no country can grow to maximum effect by keeping its economy isolated from the rest of the world. India, like all countries, needs international support and collaboration to leverage strengths from across the world, including the UK.

The Government of India clearly agrees to this logic as concurrently it is shaping the country's self-reliant goals while the bilateral relationship has gone from strength to strength in recent years with more engagement and greater enthusiasm from Ministers than in recent history. So, far from being a protectionist step, we believe that Aatmanirbhar Bharat can boost India's integration and leadership in global supply chains and strengthen the bilateral UK-India relationship.

In fact, the UKIBC's own 'Doing Business in India' survey found that the majority (77 per cent) of UK companies surveyed think that Aatmanirbhar is an opportunity for more business with India.

On the other hand, India is really an important part of the UK's post-Brexit world. In the last 12 months alone, the UK's Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss, has met with her counterpart, India's Minister for Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal, several times. The ensuing Enhanced Trade Partnership and 10-year roadmap are important stepping stones on the way to a stronger bilateral relationship and eventually a free trade agreement. Our areas of mutual interest include commerce, investments, health, education, and sustainability and we expect the bilateral relationship to strengthen dramatically in this decade.

Q: Even as UK PM Boris Johnson has cancelled his trip to India, there are reports that large bilateral trade deals are in the pipeline. Do you have any idea what the deals would look like? A: Like everyone else, we will have to wait for the full details until Prime Ministers Johnson and Modi meet virtually. However, our interactions with businesses as well as both governments suggest that the agreement will cover all aspects of trade and investment. The Enhanced Trade Partnership was announced earlier by Liz Truss and Piyush Goyal, covering several sectors, and the expected 10-year road map will complement the trade and investment partnership as we also work together on areas of shared responsibility like climate change, sustainability, healthcare, and education.

Q: Which sectors and areas do you think can the two countries have an agreement over? A: Several sectors were highlighted for focus at the Joint Economic and Trade Committee of July 2020 (where the Enhanced Trade Partnership was announced), in which the UK India Business Council serves as UK secretariat. They include food and drink, ICT, life science and healthcare, chemicals and services.

I think manufacturing is a key area, as both countries have notable strengths, the UK in innovation, technology and R&D in particular, and India in its sheer manufacturing capability and cost arbitrage. British technologies could be leveraged to manufacture in India for domestic and export markets. UK like JCB, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Diageo, GSK, Perkins and many others are shining examples of this.

Success of banks like HSBC and Standard Chartered in India and the increase in FDI limit for the insurance sector to 74 percent throws opportunities for the BSFI sector. Good experience of firms like PwC signals opportunities in India for assurance, advisory and tax services. De La Rue is keen to invest in the production of high security features enabled currency notes in India, including polymer substrate ones, which are greener, cleaner and safer.

UK's defence capabilities are well-renowned, and India stands to gain from them in an increasingly uncertain world order. In 2020, India raised the FDI cap from 49% to 74% through the automatic route which is an opportunity to be leveraged by UK firms.

Recent acquisitions in the UK of sporting motorcycle Norton by TVS and two-wheeler firm Classic Legends by Mahindra & Mahindra are indeed interesting developments. Essar is investing in an ambitious hydrogen project in the UK. Large investors like Tata are expanding in the UK. These examples augur well for more UK investments in India.

Q: What are the prospects of Indian businesses in the UK and British investments in India? A: India is already the second largest investor into the UK, behind only the US. The UK has been the second fastest growing G20 investor into India in the last decade.

By making more investments, businesses in both countries stand to gain a lot. The UK is one of the world's largest economies, home to many of the world's greatest universities and research centres, and world class legal and regulatory institutions. An Indian business interested in the UK could thus gain access to the UK's world class workforce, regulatory and legislative environment, and large market if it were to act upon its interest.

In particular, the UK remains a leading financial centre. Expertise in the STEM areas is also a great opportunity for collaboration and partnerships in engineering, manufacturing, and infrastructure, both for industry and academia and research. The UK also has the lowest corporate tax rate amongst the G7, and the new points-based immigration system launched in 2020 has made it easier for Indians to come to the UK to live and work.

While for UK companies looking to enter or expand in India, the opportunities are enormous. India is already one of the world's largest economies and is set to grow the fastest of any major economy in coming years, eventually becoming the world's third largest economy. Therefore, there is a huge untapped potential for investment. And the ever improving ease of doing business in India and between our two countries will help to underpin the opportunities available.

Q: What are the challenges you are foreseeing for the economies of India and the UK, and also for the bilateral trade between the two countries? How can they overcome these challenges? A: The most obvious challenge is the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit both economies hard. The pandemic is striking in waves and while the UK is currently coming out of its second wave, India is on the face of it approaching the peak of its second wave. It is heartening to see PM Boris Johnson's offer of support to India. Relatedly, vaccine rollout is a challenge because as we know there are currently not enough vaccines for the world's population. India's challenge is more daunting given its population and expanse. So, working together to help both our countries to get vaccinated is a challenge that can be overcome through perseverance and shared trust.

Making it easier to trade and invest and do business in both our countries will help by enabling businesses to utilise their proficiencies. That means having moderate tariffs, simplifying bureaucratic processes, having a stable tax regime and ensuring regulatory certainty, protecting the intellectual property, getting into data adequacy agreements, for instance.

Beyond COVID recovery, climate change is going to be an ever-present challenge for decades and will shape not only the types of energy and processes we use but investment behaviour for example. There are solutions available to make a difference now, like electric vehicles and related charging infrastructure, waste to energy, renewable energy, and green bonds and financing. Maximising rollout of these sorts of products and services will help both countries' economies to grow sustainably, by making use of shared innovation, entrepreneurship, and manufacturing capabilities.
Chinese Eatery Denies Sending Footage to China (April 26)

A popular Chinese restaurant chain denies sending surveillance footage from overseas locations back to China. But some are doubting whether thats true.

The United States is stepping up to help India, coming after the White House faced criticism in the past for not doing enough to aid the ally.

Five-hundred American scientists are under investigation over concerning ties with foreign regimes. Over 90 percent of those investigated last year had been receiving undisclosed funding from Beijing.

A Chinese priest urges Pope Francis to speak up for Chinas orphans. At the same time, Beijing is ramping up its suppression of Catholics in the country.

And Germany has approved stricter rules for its 5G networks. The move boosts politicians power to block foreign gear that could endanger national security.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more first-hand news from China.

For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter.
A man pulled his daughter from a New York City private school due to its woke curriculum.

The Abraham Joshua Heschel School in Manhattanwhich charges parents up to $51,420 for tuition depending on their childs gradewas reportedly teaching students about white privilege, prompting Harvey Goldman to take his nine-year-olds education elsewhere.

Fox News reports how Goldman learned about what his daughter was learning through a school newsletter announcing a change in curriculum. Little children dont need to feel bad about the color of their skin, stated Goldman. Thats what theyre teaching them, to feel bad about who they are.

He also detailed how the school was teaching children about the Black Laves Matter movement and George Floyd. While many other parents and teachers were allegedly too scared to say something, Goldman wrote to the school back in September outlining his grievances.

First and foremost, neither I, nor my child, have white privilege, nor do we need to apologize for it, wrote Goldman. Suggesting I do is insulting. Suggesting to my nine-year-old child she does is child abuse, not education.

Fox News further reports that, upon receiving Goldmans letter, Heschel administrators suggested that he remove his daughter from their school. He obliged.

The Heschel School responded to Goldmans story in a statement, claiming that the man had previously notified administrators how he and his family were moving for financial reasons. He responded to the response, confirming that the curriculum was the last straw.

The New York Post points out how Goldmans situation is becoming a more prominent phenomenon in New York City schools: Another father pulled his daughter from an all-girls school for similar reasons and a teacherwho was later fired for criticizing his schools policiesrecorded his boss on tape admitting that that the elite school he was the principal of was demonizing white people for being born.

Goldmans daughter now attends a public school in Florida.
Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick is among the witnesses listed to give evidence in the misconduct case involving former Moreton Bay mayor Allan Sutherland.

Mr Sutherland was charged with two counts of misconduct in relation to public office in December 2019. His case returned to the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday, but he did not attend.

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick speaking about the State Budget in December 2020. Credit:Attila Csaszar

According to real estate records, Mr Sutherland and his wife, Gayle, spent $700,000 on a two-hectare block at Paradise Road in Burpengary, 35 kilometres north of Brisbane, in September 2010.

It is alleged Mr Sutherland influenced Moreton Bay councillors or council employees to change the scope of a Paradise Road upgrade to ensure the roadwork included the stretch relevant to his property and the upgrade was completed before the end of his mayoral term.
NASA plans to send a probe where no probe has been before, flying to the edge of the heliosphere by the early 2030s to understand how the solar system formed.

The heliosphere is the bubble of space surrounding the sun and enclosing all the planets, from Mercury to Neptune and is affected by solar winds.

So far Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, launched in 1977, are the only probes to venture outside the heliosphere, currently 14 and 11 billion miles from Earth respectively.

The Voyagers discovered the edge of the bubble but left scientists with many questions about how our star interacts with the local interstellar medium.

The twin Voyagers' instruments provide limited data, leaving critical gaps in our understanding, so NASA and partners are planning a more ambitious mission.

Currently dubbed the Interstellar Probe, NASA wants to send the spacecraft out to 1,000 AU (astronomical units) in the 2030s, that is 1,000 times further than the distance between the Earth and the sun, or about 92 billion miles.

Along the way to that 1,000 AU, marking the inner edge of the Oort Cloud, a 100,000 AU stretch of ancient comets and icy rocks, it will examine the heliosphere, planets and more.

The probe will venture as far as the edge of the Oort Cloud at 1,000 AU or 92 billion miles from the Sun, observing the Heliosphere and Kuiper Belt on the way

Simply named Interstellar Probe, NASA and John Hopkins University plan to send it out further than any probe sent from Earth before it

HELIOSPHERE: A SOLAR SYSTEM BUBBLE If you could leave the Earth and travel vertically through its atmosphere, you may expect eventually to reach empty space - a void of darkness where nothing exists. The space around the Earth, however, is far from empty. Charged particles (electron and ions) streaming away from the Sun envelop our planet and its neighbours in a magnetic bubble. The heliosphere is the bubble this solar wind blows out into the local interstellar medium. It defines the volume of space over which our Sun's influence predominates. That influence reaches way beyond what we normally think of as the solar system. The closest boundary of the heliosphere is thought to extend about 100 AU out from the Sun. That is 100 times the distance of the Earth from the Sun and at least twice as far out as the Kuiper belt, which contains the most distant objects in the solar system. SOURCE: ESA Advertisement

The 'Interstellar Probe' will go into unknown local interstellar space where humanity has never reached before, according to probe lead Elena Provornikova.

John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab are working with NASA on the probe proposal, with Provornikova explaining that 'for the first time, we will take a picture of our vast heliosphere from the outside to see what our solar system home looks like.'

Provornikova and her colleagues will discuss the heliophysics science opportunities for the mission at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2021.

There are about 500 scientists, engineers and enthusiasts involved in the project on both a formal and informal basis from around the world.

'There are truly outstanding science opportunities that span heliophysics, planetary science, and astrophysics,' Provornikova says.

Some mysteries the team hopes to solve with the mission include how the sun's plasma interacts with interstellar gas to create our heliosphere; what lies beyond our heliosphere; and what our heliosphere even looks like.

The mission plans to take 'images' of our heliosphere using energetic neutral atoms, and perhaps even 'observe extragalactic background light from the early times of our galaxy formation - something that can't be seen from Earth,' Provornikova says.

Scientists also hope to learn more about how our sun interacts with the local galaxy, which might then offer clues as to how other stars in the galaxy interact with their interstellar neighborhoods, she says.

The heliosphere is also important because it shields our solar system from high-energy galactic cosmic rays.

The sun is traveling around in our galaxy, going through different regions in interstellar space, Provornikova says.

The sun is currently in what is called the Local Interstellar Cloud, but recent research suggests the sun may be moving toward the edge of the cloud, after which it would enter the next region of interstellar space - which we know nothing about.

Such a change may make our heliosphere grow bigger or smaller or change the amount of galactic cosmic rays that get in and contribute to the background radiation level at Earth, she says.

This is the final year of a four-year 'pragmatic concept study,' in which the team has been investigating what science could be accomplished with this mission.

NASA plans to send the probe out to 1,000 AU, that is a thousand times further than the Earth is from the sun

The mission will fly by and explore the various planets of the solar system during its journey beyond the edge of the solar system

At the end of the year, the team will deliver a report to NASA that outlines potential science, example instrument payloads, and example spacecraft and trajectory designs for the mission.

'Our approach is to lay out the menu of what can be done in such a space mission,' Provornikova says.

The mission could launch in the early 2030s and would take about 15 years to reach the heliosphere boundary - a pace that's quick compared to the Voyagers, which took 35 years to get there.

The current mission design is planned to last 50 years or more, exploring as much of the region as possible before it runs out of power.

Details of the proposed mission are being presented at the EGU General Assembly 2021.
Mission Healthcare at Renton - CNA School Location This program provides a wonderful opportunity for anyone looking for a career in the health care industry, said David Feeney, Chief Executive Officer

Careage, a leading provider of senior-focused construction, management, and health care services announced today that they will be launching a CNA program in June 2021 to offer opportunities for Washington residents seeking a career in the health care field.

Careage, which operates two skilled nursing facilities, and two senior living communities in the Puget Sound area, will provide this education for entry-level candidates/unit aides seeking a Certified Nursing Assistant license. Upon completion of the program, students will have an opportunity to be placed into a full-time or part-time CNA role based on their schedule needs at either Mission Healthcare at Bellevue, Mission Healthcare at Renton, Patriots Glen, or Patriots Landing.

This program provides a wonderful opportunity for anyone looking for a career in the health care industry, said David Feeney, Chief Executive Officer, We have been working diligently to get this school up and running, and it is exciting to see it come to fruition.

Careage employees earn a competitive pay and benefits, including flexible working schedules, comprehensive health insurance, additional career advancement opportunities and more.

To apply for admissions, please visit https://careagecnaschool.com
Flagging novel questions of law that will require at least a monthlong trial, lawyers for a Chicopee man abused by a former Catholic bishop want the states chief justice to assign the case to a single judge, one from outside Western Massachusetts to avoid undue influence.

In a recent filing in Hampden Superior Court, the lawyers say the man, identified in court documents as John Doe, faces the risk of being further traumatized by the legal process as he seeks to prove not only his sexual abuse by the late Christopher J. Weldon in the early 1960s, but that employees of the Springfield Diocese, including former Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, blocked his attempts to bring the molestation to light.

Further, the plaintiffs legal team says that because of the complex story it seeks to present, a judge specially chosen to preside will be able to master its details, over the course of a trial that is expected to hear from 20 to 30 witnesses for the plaintiff.

Plaintiff has been traumatized and re-traumatized by having to relive his allegations of abuse from 2013 to the present, the filing says.

The nine defendants in the civil lawsuit oppose the request for a special judge, according to a court filing.

Clergy abuse survivor claims former Springfield bishop, others engaged in cover-up The former altar boy who accused a legendary bishop of rape  an account deemed unequivocally credible by a retired judge last summer  want

The Chicopee man brought the lawsuit seven months after Peter A. Velis, a retired judge hired by the diocese in 2019 to review the abuse claims, found them to be unequivocally credible.

The 373-page report issued by Velis determined that the diocese repeatedly had failed the former altar boy as he sought, in his 60s, to expose the abuse. Those findings found their way into the lawsuit filed Jan. 28, which names a variety of diocesan employees, as well as the churchs longtime lawyer, John J. Egan, as defendants.

In their request for the appointment of a specially assigned judge, the plaintiffs attorneys point to conduct ferreted out by Velis. Even after an internal diocesan review upheld the survivors claims, employees of the church worked to block that information, in part through misstatements to The Eagle.

According to the Complaint, when the [Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfields] review board ultimately found plaintiffs complaint to be credible, the RCBS and the individual defendants undertook a concerted effort to knowingly create a false narrative and publicly branded the victim as a liar, further revictimizing him, the filing states.

Along with Rozanski and Egan, defendants include Patricia McManamy, Monsignor Christopher Connelly, Jeffrey Trant, John Hale, Kevin Murphy and Mark Dupont. The action also names as a defendant the legal entity known as the Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield, a Corporation Sole.

The plaintiff is represented by Nancy Frankel Pelletier and David S. Lawless of Robinson Donovan P.C. in Springfield.

The complaint lists 14 counts against the defendants. Pelletier and Lawless predict a long period of discovery ahead of a trial with extensive documentary evidence  and expert witnesses that could take four to six weeks.

Novel issues

Already in the case, the defendants have moved to have the complaint dismissed, arguing, according to the plaintiffs filing, that at the time Weldon was bishop and the abuse occurred, the diocese would have been covered by common law charitable immunity.

Defendants have asserted common law charitable immunity from all claims arising from the alleged sexual abuse of plaintiff by Weldon and others in the 1960s, the filing states.

That immunity was done away with through passage of a law in 1971. Pelletier and Lawless argue in their filing that the state Supreme Judicial Court never has considered whether that concept of charitable immunity can be applied to the kind of case outlined in their complaint.

In short, this action involves novel issues of law arising from an antiquated common law defense, the attorneys write.

One such issue stems from the fact that the complaint names the Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield, a Corporation Sole as a defendant. That organization consists of one person at a time  the sitting bishop. Before he departed last year to become the archbishop of St. Louis, Rozanski held that position.

Legal influence

Having one judge from outside the area, the plaintiffs lawyers say, also will help ensure that any legal influence stemming from the churchs association with Egan, its attorney, does not affect the proceedings. A former law partner of Egan, Edward McDonough, sits on the Hampden Superior Court, according to the filing.

The attorneys note that Velis, who worked with the diocese while it was represented by Egan, could be a witness. And they point out that another retired judge, Daniel A. Ford, of Pittsfield, serves as chair of the Bishops Independent Task Force on the Response to Sexual Abuse with the Diocese of Springfield.

The plaintiffs attorneys propose that Judge Janet Kenton-Walker be named to oversee the case.
TD Jakes on how Christians can best use social media to 'shed light,' not 'generate heat'

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In an increasingly polarized society, Bishop T.D. Jakes has encouraged Christians to use discretion when posting on social media, stressing the power of content that sheds light rather than generates heat.

When you're broaching a sensitive subject, a controversial subject, a subject where you have an opinion ... but may not have necessarily done your research on, I think it's better to start a conversation with a trusted friend and almost use him as a focus group to make sure that you're looking at it holistically, and not just narrowly through the lens of your own point of view, so that when you make a statement, it sheds light rather than generates heat, Jakes, founder of The Potter's House, told The Christian Post on Thursday when asked about best practices when it comes to posting on social media.

If you go through that litmus test prior to typing, it will save you a lot of grief and pain, and perhaps in certain cases, finances, trying to rectify a ship that has gotten off course because you're exposing it to millions and millions of people around the world without the benefit of the kind of process that normal people would go through, he added.

Jakes recently released his latest book, Dont Drop the Mic: The Power of Words Can Change the World. In it, The New York Times bestselling author highlights why effective, God-glorifying communication matters more now than ever before, particularly as everyone has a platform thanks to social media.

Jakes, who also serves as the CEO of TDJ Enterprises, spanning film, television, radio, publishing, podcasts and an award-winning music label, explained that before creating a film or documentary, creators typically go before focus groups  they dont simply throw ideas into the public domain."

I think that would be a very, very helpful practice to do, Jakes said, adding that platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are bad places to start a relationship with other groups and entities if you don't have the prerequisite of a personal real relationship that causes you to share what you have learned.

It's better to say what you have learned or what you're thinking or what you're wondering about rather than stated as a fact and become an authority without credentials, he said.

During the interview with CP and other reporters, the Dallas-based pastor also reflected on why good communication is important for building connection and community and ultimately, furthering the Gospel.

He shared how, growing up in West Virginia, he was surrounded by a predominantly white community, compelling him to build relationships across many different platforms, races and cultures.

When America started finally having a real, open conversation about race, it was quite inflamed and difficult and awkward because most Americans, and Christians in particular, think that silence equates to unity. But it's really just like a bad marriage where communication has eroded [and that] doesn't mean that the people are happy in the relationship, he said.

As difficult as this conversation is, I think it's a critical conversation to have, he said. I have gone out of my way to talk to several white pastors who got backlash from the black community because of the way they phrased or said certain things. ... And what I said at every turn, is, Keep talking, don't withdraw into a shell and become silent and stop talking.'

We must continue to communicate about this because it's not going to go away by us going back into our tribalism in our silos. We have to keep talking. And get it right.

One of the most influential communicators of today, Jakes shared how there have been times in his own life and ministry where hes gotten it wrong  and been forced to admit his wrongdoing and make changes going forward. Making mistakes  and then being corrected  doesnt mean to stop talking, Jakes emphasized.

We need your voice. We all need each other's voices in order for us to be the human race that we were meant to be, he said.

The bishop stressed that effective communication and ongoing dialogue will help promote unity in a society that seems increasingly divided.

In order to survive as a society, as an entity, we must recognize our own unity, and not allow the color of the coats of skin that's placed on our backs to ignore the fact that my kidney will work in your body, your blood will work in mine, and it doesn't take away from anything that I have.

We are one species, and we need to be more proficient at accentuating our oneness and acknowledging our differences in a way that brings wholeness.
The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday that federal databases do not indicate any link between COVID-19 vaccines and heart inflammation.

But the CDC is "working with DoD to understand" what may have happened to 14 military health system patients who developed myocarditis after receiving either the Pfizer or Moderna messenger RNA vaccines, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said.

The cases, along with 45 incidents of myocarditis across the U.S. reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System, or VAERS, since January, were first reported by Military.com.

Read Next: How the Air Force Moved Gear, Trained Recruits and Kept Air Force One Flying Amid COVID-19

Walensky said that 200 million COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to Americans, but the federal monitoring systems do not indicate a "signal" that would flag the issue for further investigation.

"We've intentionally looked for the signal," she said.

"So, not enough data yet. Early," added Andy Slavitt, acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Last week, Israeli news outlets reported that the Israeli Health Ministry is exploring a possible link between the Pfizer vaccine and myocarditis in patients, primarily young men between the ages of 20 and 40.

According to information provided to Military.com from the Defense Department, the Pentagon is tracking 14 cases in heart inflammation in the military health system following COVID-19 vaccinations.

Reports of illnesses or health problems following a vaccination do not mean the vaccine caused or contributed to the problem, only that the health condition occurred in conjunction with receiving the vaccine.

Of the 14 cases, one patient, who had tested positive for COVID-19 three months previously, developed myocarditis after their first dose of vaccine. The remaining 13 patients developed myocarditis after their second vaccine doses. Eleven received the Moderna vaccine; three got Pfizer.

Walensky said she would not comment on the DoD's ongoing review of the cases but added that the center hadn't seen the reports before.

According to the VAERS database, at least five cases of myocarditis in individuals who received their vaccines were reported between Jan. 1 and April 8: three men and two women, four of whom were between the ages of 20 and 30. One patient was 40.

The first report occurred Feb. 3; the most recent military case was reported March 15.

"Those have since been reported to us, and so those investigations are ongoing," Walensky said, referring to the DoD cases. "It is a bit of a different demographic than we normally see, and we will be working with DoD to understand what is happening in those 14 cases."

A Food and Drug Administration spokeswoman said Monday that the FDA has also not seen "any safety signals for myocarditis following administration of any authorized COVID-19 vaccines."

Myocarditis is usually caused by a virus and has been linked to the COVID-19 illness.

DoD spokesman Peter Graves praised the military, civilian DoD and contractor physicians who thought to refer their relatively young patients for cardiac evaluations after they sought medical care for symptoms following their vaccines.

"We applaud Military Health System medical professionals for considering cardiac evaluations in otherwise healthy, fit, and young individuals presenting with chest discomfort or shortness of breath following COVID-19 vaccination, given their familiarity of cardiac risk associated with the ACAM2000, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved smallpox vaccine," Graves said.

In 2003, at least 10 military personnel and several civilians developed myocarditis after receiving the vaccine; two died of heart attacks. The CDC took steps to recommend that people with known heart disease avoid the smallpox vaccination.

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

Related: Navy Pulls Ahead of Other Services in Race to 100% Vaccination
PLEASANT HILL, Iowa (AP)  Police say a central Iowa man faces a bevy of charges after being accused of attacking several officers as they tried to arrest him on suspicion of driving drunk with his young child in the back seat.

Des Moines station WHO-TV reports that 33-year-old Christopher Greenwood was confronted Monday afternoon after witnesses reported his truck hitting curbs and driving into a ditch.

Pleasant Hill officers soon found his truck crashed into a pole and noticed a young girl in a booster seat in the back seat.

Police say when officers tried to arrest Greenwood, he head-butted, kicked and spit on the officers. Greenwood faces charges of assault causing injury to an officer, child endangerment and other counts.
Lawton, OK (73501)

Today

Showers and a few thundershowers. Low 67F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Showers and a few thundershowers. Low 67F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Kenya Secretary General Francis Atwoli has urged the Safaricom Board of Directors to relieve the telcos CEO Peter Ndegwa of his duties terming him dangerous over his managerial style.

The outspoken COTU boss was reacting to news in the local dailies that Peter Ndegwa has caused anxiety among more than 6,000 Safaricom employees by them to reapply for their current jobs.

In a statement on Monday, April 26, Atwoli claimed Ndegwas managerial style seeks to maximize profits at the expense of its employees through a managerial restructure.

He cautioned the Safaricom boss against axing employees saying the move goes against ILO Conventions particularly on the protection of jobs.

It has come to our attention that Safaricom PLC is on a mission to restructure its mode of management whilst at the same time doing away with some of its employees.

Even though, as COTU (K), we dont have control over the management style employers adopt from time to time, we are highly concerned about the prospects of job security with the implementation of certain management styles, Atwoli said in part.

The Trade unionist further noted that COTU was alive to the fact that Safaricom has refused several attempts to unionize their workers and that Ndegwa while serving as the CEO for Guinness Nigeria PLC faced off with unions as he forcefully reduced the workforce by nearly 45 percent.

Its insensitive and inhuman for Ndegwa to bring drastic changes at Safaricom PLC while infringing on the rights of workers who have built Safaricom to what it is today with more than 30 million subscribers. It is also shocking that even though Ndegwa is the first Kenyan Safaricom CEO he remains the most dangerous CEO in the company has ever had when it comes to protecting workers rights, Atwoli said.
Bude Cliff Walk and Secluded Pebble Beach Tour in VR 360 - Cornwall UK Holidays 2021

The virus means it's unlikely most of us will be able to travel abroad for holidays 2021, still there are plenty of beauty spots in the UK, such as CORNWALLS beaches. Here after a long 6.5 hour drive down to Bude on the North coast of Cornwall and a restful night at a local caravan park it's time to hit the beaches, starting with Bude beach just north of Bude town, a small secluded pebble beach surrounded by high cliffs. Next it's off on a 2.5 hour drive down to Lands End for a couple of hours before we stop off at Newquay on the way back to Bude to cut Eliza's birthday cake on the beach.

Please subscribe to our youtube channel for new videos about travel and holidays in Cornwall and visit http://www.walayatfamily.com for even more.

By Anika Walayat

http://www.walayatfamily.com

Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes.

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




SUV

4WD

The World Car Awards can be considered the automotive version of the Oscars in terms of prestige. Every year, a jury comprised of 82 international automotive journalists from 24 countries get together and hand out several prizes, the most coveted of which is, of course, World Car of the Year This year that title went to Volkswagens ID.4 while the Porsche 911 Turbo was crowned the best performance car. The trophy for the best urban car went to the Honda e, and the one for the luxury car of the year was lifted by Mercedes-Benz for its 2021 S-Class.A fifth prize was handed out for the best design to the Land Rover Defender , which triumphed over the Honda e, Mazda MX-30, Polestar 2, and Porsche 911 Turbo. This award doesnt just go to the prettiest vehicle but recognizes those that are practical, versatile, and demonstrate the highest standards of technical innovation as well as design.The judges ruled in favor of the Britishsignaling out its gorgeous design, on- and off-road capabilities, along with its customer appeal.Visually, the Defender's distinctive shape makes it instantly recognizable and appreciated by everyone. The exterior is a beautiful reinterpretation of its long-running predecessor that blends a retro-futuristic style with practical elements like the side-hinged rear tailgate and externally mounted spare wheel.The interior emphasizes simplicity and practicality without compromising overall refinement. Five-door 110 models offer 5, 6, or 5+2 seating configurations, while three-door 90s provide room for 6 occupants in a vehicle the length of a compact family hatchback.Moreover, structural elements and fixings usually hidden from view have been purposefully exposed, paying homage to the original Defender However, the most fitting tribute to the legendary 4x4 is its modern counterparts off-road capabilities. The minimal overhangs provide excellent approach and departure angles, while the stiff D7x aluminum platform, along with the advanced all-terrain tech and state-of-the-artpowertrains, ensure that the new SUV lives up to its name.Entry-level 90 models with coil springs have a ground clearance of 8.9 inches (226 mm), while the 90 and 110 with air suspension have a maximum ground clearance of 11.5 inches (291 mm).While these traits make it a dependable off-roader, the vehicle also provides a comfortable ride and smooth handling on paved roads.Depending on the market, it comes with a wide range of diesel and gas-powered engine choices, including a 518-hp supercharged V8 . Additionally, those who want a more efficient and environmentally friendly version can go for a mild or plug-in hybrid variant.All these characteristics make the new Defender very appealing for those who want an elegant and capable SUV. Since its launch at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, it has been met with universal acclaim by both the public and the automotive press.While the shortlist for the design of the year award featured some excellent vehicles, we can all agree that none of those are as well-rounded as the Land Rover Defender, which deservedly earned the prize.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi(L) and US President Joe Biden(R). Biden promised emergency assistance to Covid-ravaged India in a telephone call on April 26, 2021 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two countries said. (AFP)

New Delhi: Recalling that India had sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic during the first global wave last year, US President Joe Biden on Monday pledged that his country was determined to help India in its time of need, even as 318 Philips Oxygen Concentrators were transported from New York to New Delhi on Monday on an Air India flight.

Meanwhile, in a summit telephone talk with Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga on Monday that lasted 25 minutes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked him for providing assistance to India for combating the pandemic. New Delhi also said the two leaders highlighted the need for close India-Japan cooperation to overcome the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, such as by working together to create resilient, diversified and trustworthy supply chains, ensuring reliable supply of critical materials and technologies.

Prime Minister Suga wished for Indias early recovery from the current spread of Covid-19 under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, and the two leaders concurred that they would work in closer cooperation towards containing the pandemic, the Japanese foreign ministry said.

US defence secretary Lloyd J. Austin, meanwhile, said he had directed his department to use every resource at our disposal, within our authority, to support US inter-agency efforts to provide Indias frontline healthcare workers with the materials they need.

This came hours after US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told Indias NSA Ajit Doval on Sunday evening that the US has identified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacture of the Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India, and that the US has also identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and personal protective equipment (PPE) that will immediately be made available for India. The US is also pursuing options to provide oxygen generation and other supplies on an urgent basis, Mr Sullivan said, adding the US was working around the clock to deploy available resources and supplies.

US President Joe Biden tweeted: Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need.

US vice-president Kamala Harris tweeted: The US is working closely with the Indian government to rapidly deploy additional support and supplies during an alarming Covid-19 outbreak. As we provide assistance, we pray for the people of India -- including its courageous healthcare workers.
In the world of motor vehicles, Honda is a relatively young company, launching its first mass-produced motorcycle in 1949 and the first passenger car 14 years later. Since then, it quickly grew into one of the most important manufacturers in the industry, revolutionizing both racing machines and road-going vehicles.When we think about Honda cars, the first thing that probably comes to mind is VTEC (variable valve timing and lift electronic control), a technology that fundamentally changed engine design.However, years before VTEC came into being, the Japanese company introduced other innovative designs that transformed the automotive industry. One of the most important yet often overlooked is the universal key.Back in the early 70s, all cars required two keys: one for the ignition and another for the doors, trunk, and gas cap. Honda changed that by introducing a single key that could be used to open everything and start the car. Moreover, it was bidirectional, which made it easier to insert, especially at night.This groundbreaking design became an inspiration for the entire industry which adopted it as a standard in the following years.Another inspirational idea that eventually translated to many carmakers was the companys "Man Maximum/Machine Minimum" philosophy. This approach increased the cabin space of early compact Hondas by reducing the space required for mechanical elements.Along with the technical advancements of the last decades, the interior design of our vehicles has evolved dramatically. We now have countless advanced features accessible with a push or touch of a button, yet in some cases, their layout can be distracting.To make things as simple as possible for drivers and passengers of their future vehicles, the carmaker has revealed a new design philosophy entitled "simplicity" and "something," inspired by the human-centric approach made famous by the classic models.In a video posted on the companys website, Johnathan Norman, creative lead for Honda interior design in the U.S., explains that the "simplicity" concept will be the main focus of the next generation of Honda interiors, while the "and something" viewpoint will define the unique personality and appeal of each model.This new design language is set to debut on the eleventh-generation Honda Civic . The first official image of its exterior has been revealed recently, and in the aforementioned video, were given a glimpse of what is likely the 2022 Civic's revamped cabin.As we can see in the revealed sketch, every element has been slimmed down to give out an air of spaciousness without compromising the elegance of it all. The steering wheel seems thinner than the one on the previous model, while the traditional shift lever hasnt been replaced by the pushbutton transmission controls found on some other models. Also, an infotainment display sits atop the dashboard, but its placed in a seemingly ideal position that doesnt obstruct the drivers field of view. It will come with a single physical volume knob, something thats missing from the current model.Underneath the display, designers have fitted a slim honeycomb element that runs across the dashboard, replacing the conventional vents.Overall, the interior of the upcoming Civic is a huge improvement that flawlessly reflects the new design philosophy. We can't wait for more details and official images of what Honda calls the most fun to drive and technologically advanced sedan in model history.
A Hanoi man has complained that a restaurant in a famous beach city in Vietnam fleeced him for seafood dishes he had there, making the eatery subject to an inspection by local authorities.

The complaint was raised by Le Anh Van in a post he published on the Nha Trang tourism forum using his Facebook account 'Le Van' on Sunday.

In his post, Van alleged that Thap Ba 86, a seafood restaurant located at 29 Pham Van Dong Street, Nha Trang, a touristic city in coastal Khanh Hoa Province, charged exorbitant prices of VND1.8 million (US$78), VND380,000 ($16.5) and VND450,000 ($19.5) per kilogram for sweet snails, elongated cockles, and jump snails, respectively.

Van said the incident happened on April 23 evening, when he and his wife came to the restaurant to eat seafood.

When we arrived, I asked the restaurant owner [a man of about 30-40 years old] what snails he had," Van wrote in his post cited by Khanh Hoa online newspaper on Sunday.

"After he introduced a lot, I chose three of them.

"Their prices were VND200,000 [$8.6], VND350,000 [$15] and VND420,000 [$18] per kilogram, respectively.

After the meal, Van asked for the bill and found that exorbitant prices were charged for the seafood he had ordered.

The wife [of the restaurant owner] gave me a bill of VND1.46 million [$63]," Van narrated in his post.

"I asked her why the prices the owner had told me were different from those in the bill.

"The woman affirmed that the prices of the seafood were those shown in the bill and she then went away."

Van recounted that he had footed the bill when the woman returned to his table.

We are not locals, so we do not dare to strongly respond, Van wrote.

Thap Ba 86 seafood restaurant in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. Photo: Minh Chien / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Van Vuong, the restaurant owner, said that his place offers a variety of seafood, including snails of many species and sizes, at different prices.

The type of sweet snail Van and his wife ate is the largest one that was caught naturally from Vung Tau City, Vuong claimed, adding that 18-19 snails of this kind weigh one kilogram in total.

The price for such snails is VND1.8 million per kilogram and the rate is not exorbitant, Vuong affirmed.

In the handwritten price list at the restaurant, the price of small sweet snails is VND480,000 ($21) per kilogram while that of large ones is between VND1.2 million ($52) and VND1.8 million, depending on their size.

The restaurant claimed to have offered 2.4 kilograms of sweet snails, among others, to another customer at VND1.7 million per kilogram on April 23.

The price was VND100,000 less than that calculated for Van because that eater ordered a far larger amount, the restaurant explained.

Regarding this case, the chairman of the Peoples Committee of Khanh Hoa Provinces Nha Trang City, Nguyen Sy Khanh, said on Monday morning that he would order an inspection of this restaurant to clarify Vans allegation.

Nguyen Thi Le Thanh, deputy director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism, said her department had yet to address this case because the tourist concerned did not report it through its telephone hotline set up to support travelers.

Meanwhile, Van said he called the numbers intended for supporting travelers both on the night when the incident occurred and on the following morning but nobody answered his calls.

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The Queen's stoic spirit shone through today as she returned to work with a beaming smile in her first photographed engagement since the funeral of her beloved Prince Philip.

No longer dressed in a black mourning outfit, the monarch, 95, was seen via videolink from Windsor Castle while welcoming dignitaries to Buckingham Palace.

Appearing on screen dressed in a pale blue floral dress with pearls, she held a virtual audience to receive Her Excellency Ivita Burmistre, the Ambassador of Latvia, at Buckingham Palace.

She also received Her Excellency Sara Affoue Amani, the Ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire, during the virtual meeting.

It comes 10 days after the funeral of her husband Prince Philip, who died at the age of 99 earlier this month.

The Queen has returned to work as she today conducted her first engagements since Prince Philip's funeral

She appeared on screen with a beaming smile during a virtual audience to receive Her Excellency Ivita Burmistre, the Ambassador of Latvia, at Buckingham Palace

She also received Her Excellency Sara Affoue Amani, the Ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire, at Buckingham Palace

It comes after the funeral of her husband Prince Philip, who died at the age of 99 earlier this month. Pictured: The Queen at the funeral of her beloved husband Prince Philip on April 17

Though it is the first time the Queen has been photographed working since the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, on April 17, it is not the first time she has been back to work since his death.

The Queen returned to royal duties just four days after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh on April 9.

On that occasion she attended retirement ceremony for the former Lord Chamberlain Earl Peel on Tuesday.

Then, in her second official engagement since Prince Philip's death, she welcomed her new Lord Chamberlain to his post.

Notably, in her most recent appearance today the Queen was pictured no longer in a black mourning outfit.

She was dressed in a pale blue floral dress which featured large purple, white and yellow flowers, with a three-string pearl necklace and a diamond brooch as accessories.

Two weeks of royal mourning in memory of the Queen's husband of 73 years ended for the monarchy and their households on Friday April 23, meaning the Windsors were allowed to go back to work full-time.

The royal family gathered for a poignant final farewell to Philip on April 17 at a socially-distanced funeral service in St George's Chapel, with the Queen pictured sat alone as she grieved for her consort.

The Queen turned 95 just 12 days after the duke died and used her birthday to release a message thanking well-wishers for their tribute to Philip.

She said she and her family were in a 'period of great sadness' but were comforted by words of praise for the duke.

'We have been deeply touched and continue to be reminded that Philip had such an extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life,' she added.

The Queen appears on a screen by videolink from Windsor Castle, where she is in residence, during a virtual audience to receive Her Excellency Sara Affoue Amani, the Ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire

It was all smiles for both the Queen and Her Excellency Ivita Burmistre, the Ambassador of Latvia during the virtual meeting at Buckingham Palace today

Ivita Burmistre, ambassador from the Republic of Latvia, presented the Letters of Recall of her predecessor and her own Letters of Credence at the audience, as did Sara Affoue Amani, ambassador from the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire.

Earlier this month, and just four days after the death of Prince Philip, the Queen bid farewell to Earl Peel - a key royal aide who retired after 14 years of service.

Earl Peel was the Lord Chamberlain - the most senior officer role in the royal household.

He had overseen arrangements for the duke's funeral before handing responsibility to his successor, former MI5 spy chief Baron Parker, just over a week before Philip died peacefully at Windsor Castle.

While the Queen has returned to work following her husband's death, she is unlikely to return to her hectic schedule of busy meetings, garden parties and receptions, and may only go to Buckingham Palace two days a week for meetings. The Queen and Prince Philip are pictured in Windsor Castle's quadrangle in June 2020 to mark the Duke's 99th birthday

Baron Parker officially took up his new role on April 1, following the Earl Peel's retirement after more than 14 years in the post.

After saying goodbye to Earl Peel, days later the Queen welcomed Baron Parker into the role in her second official engagement since Prince Philip's death.

It comes as a former BBC royal correspondent claimed the Queen is now set to step back from royal duties as she prepares for a future without Prince Philip.

The Queen is expected to let her children take on more responsibility within the firm.

Speaking to the New York Times, Peter Hunt, who worked as at the BBC until 2017, said: 'Fundamentally, the Queen will fade away gracefully.

'Covid has helped in the sense that it has accelerated what any sensible 95-year-old woman would want to do, which is not stand on your feet all day long'.

He added that while the Queen has returned to work following her husband's death, she is unlikely to return to her hectic schedule of busy meetings, garden parties and receptions, and may only go to Buckingham Palace two days a week for meetings.

Instead she is likely to stay at Windsor Castle, where she has been in quarantine for most of the last year.

Prince Charles will likely take on more duties, including joining his mother in the state opening on parliament next month.

The monarch has overseen every one of the constitutional set pieces since taking the throne in 1952, apart from in 1959 and 1963 when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward respectively.

While the Duke of Edinburgh only missed the event once, 12 months before he retired in 2018, when he was hospitalised.

It comes as a royal expert claimed Prince Charles wants to slim the monarchy down in order to save money.

Royal biographer Angela Levin said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - who currently live in an 11million mansion in California with their son Archie could be 'cut' from The Firm, with a shrunk down version just including Charles, Camilla, William, Kate Middleton, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte as senior royals.

The Queen will attend the State Opening of Parliament in May accompanied by her son Prince Charles, who has supported her at the ceremonial event since his father retired in 2018

Other royals could be encouraged to take on paid work to help support themselves - and may lose their titles and patronages.

Ms Levin said on talkRADIO: 'Prince Charles has wanted for a very long time to cut the monarchy down to save costs and to make people be worth the money that they got from the taxpayer.

'I imagine that might be when Harry and Meghan are ditched from being members of the Royal family.

'I think the outer edge, which the Queen has wanted to keep together for a very long time for sentimental reasons, which at her age she didn't really particularly want change which I think is understandable.

'But he wants to change and I think he will do that.'

Sophie Wessex praises Queen for taking a 'personal interest' in all her family's projects and says her mother-in-law 'loves when people get together and make things happen'

By Jessica Green for MailOnline

The Countess of Wessex has said the Queen 'loves it when people get together and make things happen' as she celebrated The Gambia's achievement of becoming trachoma free.

Sophie, who is a global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), held a video call last month ahead of the official announcement, and described the news as 'wonderful'.

The Countess of Wessex has said the Queen (pictured together in 2019) 'loves it when people get together and make things happen' as she celebrated The Gambia's achievement of becoming trachoma free

The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed last week that The Gambia had successfully eliminated trachoma - which is a type of bacterial eye infection and the world's number one infectious cause of blindness.

Sophie (pictured), who is a global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), held a video call last month ahead of the official announcement, and described the news as 'wonderful'

Sophie, 56, also praised the Queen, who is now mourning the loss of the Duke of Edinburgh, for her support for tackling avoidable blindness across the Commonwealth.

She said the monarch had taken a personal interest and 'loves it when people get together and make things happen'.

The countess revealed: 'Her Majesty is so supportive of this kind of work. For her to have chosen sight as the main pillar of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust Fund during its time was so reaffirming.

'She has genuinely taken a personal interest in that work.

'When I was travelling on her behalf to be able to come back and tell her what I've seen, what I've learnt, the work that was going on ... she loves collaboration; she loves it when people get together and make things happen.'

What is trachoma? Trachoma is a type of bacterial eye infection and the world's number one infectious cause of blindness. The bacterial infection can, if left untreated, cause irreversible blindness. Some 137million people are at risk of trachoma globally. It is a public health problem in 44 countries, and responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9million people. The disease is caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Advertisement

Commenting on the news, the countess added: 'In our lifetime, to see something that has been so prevalent and has destroyed so many lives actually being beaten is wonderful.'

She continued: 'Without the commitment from the top down and the bottom up, none of this would have come about. We stand in awe of what has been achieved.'

In October, the Queen and her daughter-in-law joined a call with eye health professionals throughout the Commonwealth to mark World Sight Day.

At the end of March, Sophie spoke with key representatives from The Gambian government, including vice-president Isatou Touray, and the international community, who have collaborated for decades to fight the disease.

The country's ministry of health has worked with organisations including the International Trachoma Initiative, WHO, the Medical Research Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Unicef and Sightsavers.

The bacterial infection can, if left untreated, cause irreversible blindness. Some 137million people are at risk of trachoma globally.

It is a public health problem in 44 countries, and responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9million people.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex, with their daughter Lady Louise Windsor, during a television interview at the Royal Chapel of All Saints, Windsor, following the announcement on Friday April 9, of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh at the age of 99

Meanwhile, Sophie is one of four loyal, discreet and utterly trustworthy women of the Queens inner circle who are offering crucial support as she faces life without her beloved Prince Philip, who died on April 9, aged 99.

Sophie is like another daughter to the Queen, they are that close, said a royal source. She is trusted and relied on like few others.

The pair are said to speak at least once a day and enjoy regular Saturday movie afternoons when they watch old films together.
The victim of the Canning Town murder was named locally as Junior Jah, who had just turned 18

An 18-year-old was killed and boys of 17 and 18 injured yesterday in three separate stabbing attacks less than an hour apart on another day of bloodshed in London.

In Canning Town, east London, an 18-year-old, named locally as Junior Jah, died after being knifed shortly before 2.45pm.

At around 3.30pm police were called to nearby Poplar after reports that a 17-year-old male had suffered stab injuries.

And at 3.40pm officers were called to Redbridge where an 18-year-old boy was found with leg injuries.

No arrests have been made over any of the incidents, which police were not linking during initial investigations.

A section 60 order, which allows officers to search anyone without reasonable grounds amid a risk of serious violence, has been put in place for the entire borough of Newham.

At the scene of the Canning Town attack, Junior's aunt Yvette Goodhew, from Stratford, said: 'We always knew him as Junior. He was a beautiful quiet boy. He had just turned 18.

An 18-year-old was stabbed to death in Canning Town, east London, yesterday, with police being called out at 2.45pm

Emergency services arrived at the site of the stabbing in Canning Town and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene

'We didn't see the family often but I remembered he was a good boy.'

Witnesses said emergency services rushed to the scene and fought hard to save him but he was pronounced dead on the street.

A young man was seen with his head in his hands, crying on a curb next to the crime scene where Junior was killed.

This is not the first time tragedy has hit the victim's family.

Junior's brother Ahmed Jah was also stabbed to death in 2017 on neighbouring Freemasons Road.

Police are also calling on anyone with information in yesterday's attack to come forward.

A spokesperson said: 'Anyone with information that could assist the investigation at this early stage is asked to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 4050/26April. Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.'

Monday's carnage comes after a weekend that saw other unrelated incidents of knife crime across the capital

On Sunday, two teenage girls aged 16 and 17 were stabbed in broad daylight in West Norwood, south London.

Police officers at the scene yesterday after two girls were stabbed in West Norwood, south London on Sunday

Police officers at the scene in West Norwood yesterday following the stabbing of two teenage girls on Sunday

Following the attack at around 4.30pm, the girls were taken to hospital where the 16-year-old remains in a critical but stable condition.

The older girl was taken to hospital by air ambulance which landed on the roof of a nearby B&Q. Her condition was initially life threatening but she is now serious but stable.

Fares Maatou, 15, (pictured) died after being stabbed in Newham on Friday

The younger girl did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

Both girls appeared to have been stabbed in the torso below the shoulder.

Scotland Yard said four boys, aged between 16 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. One has since been released with no further action, while the other three remain in custody.

In another incident, Fares Maatou, 15, was killed in the borough of Newham on Friday.

A 14-year-old boy, who has appeared at youth court charged with his murder, has been remanded in custody at a youth detention centre and told to appear at the Old Bailey tomorrow.
GEICO Indemnity Co.s refusal to settle a bodily injury claim for $30,000 will cost it more than $2.7 million, under a ruling last week by the Georgia Supreme Court.

The high courts 7-0 decision answered three certified questions posed to it by a federal appellate court, effectively finding that GEICO is liable for bad faith under Georgia insurance law. The ruling clears the way for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to order GEICO to pay a jury award in favor of an injured bicyclist.

In February 2012, Bonnie Winslett struck Terry Guthries bicycle while driving her friend Karen Griffis Ford Explorer to a store, causing back and neck injuries. GEICO insured Griffis vehicle. The insurer wrote a letter to Winslett stating that she was insured by the policy and that GEICO was responsible for the accident, but didnt give her any other instructions.

Guthries attorney demanded that GEICO settle his clients claim by paying the $30,000 limit of Griffis policy. GEICO offered $12,409.

Guthries lawyer never responded to that offer. Instead, he filed a lawsuit against Winsett. A paralegal for the lawyer told her to notify GEICO about the suit, but Winslett never did. She discarded the summons and failed to appear in court.

That decision set in motion a series of events that brought Guthries bodily injury claim right back to GEICO.

The Muscogee County Superior Court entered default judgment of $2,916,204 against Winslett. Guthrie filed a petition that forced Winsett into involuntary bankruptcy. The bankruptcy trustee, Fife Whiteside, filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that GEICO negligently or in bad faith failed to settle Guthries claim against Winslett.

A jury for the U.S. District Court in Columbus found that GEICO acted in bad faith by failing to pay Guthries $30,000 settlement offer and assigned 70% of the liability for the default judgment to the carrier. Winslett was blamed for the remaining 30%.

Under Georgia law, a carrier that refuses to accept a reasonable settlement offer can be held liable for damages in excess of the policy limit. With interest, the judgment in favor of Winsletts bankruptcy estate is worth $2.7 million, according to the Supreme Courts opinion.

GEICO appealed, which prompted a panel of the 11th Circuit to ask the Georgia Supreme Court three questions. In summary, those were:

When an insurer has no notice of a lawsuit against its insured, does Georgia law relieve the insurer of liability from a follow-on suit for bad faith? If the notice provisions do not bar liability for a bad-faith claim, can an insured sue the insurer for bad faith, when after the insurer refused to settle but before judgment was entered against the insured, the insured lost coverage for failure to comply with a notice provision? Does a party have the right to contest actual damages in a follow-on suit for bad faith if that party has no prior notice of or participation in the original suit?

GEICO argued that it should not be held liable because it received no notice of the lawsuit against Winslett, but the Supreme Court said the carrier should have paid better attention.

GEICOs adjuster did not advise Winslett to notify it of any legal documents she received, even though its claims manual advises adjusters to do so, the court said. Whats more, the carrier could have foreseen that Winslett was unstable. She had been cited for driving without a license and was living in an apartment with no electricity and no furniture, other than a mattress on the floor.

The Supreme Court answered the 11th Circuits first and second questions with a qualified yes. The court said the the questions may have been answered differently under a different set of facts.

The Supreme Court answered the third question with a firm no. Georgia law clearly makes insurers that wrongfully refuse to settle a claim liable for damages equal to the amount of any judgment, regardless of whether that amount exceeds policy limits, the opinion says.

The ruling allows the 11th Circuit to issue a final ruling in the lawsuit filed by Winsletts bankruptcy estate, which was filed by Columbus attorney Fife Whiteside. Whiteside declined to comment on the ruling.

Topics Georgia Berkshire Hathaway
Ever since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first emerged with devastating ferocity, the emphasis has been on interrupting its spread until effective, safe and targeted antivirals and vaccines become available. The chief focus has been on non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), including school closures, social distancing and shelter in place orders.

School closure  necessary or not?

Much controversy has surrounded the closure of educational institutions, in particular, because of the feared impact of sudden and profound isolation of school-age children from their schoolfellows. Some studies have failed to confirm these fears, showing, indeed, a beneficial effect from the increased time spent with family and less negative peer pressure.

However, the primary aspect remains the epidemiological ramifications of this policy. A recent study published online in the journal JAMA Network Open explores the difference in incidence of infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative virus of COVID-19, between lockdown and the reopening of schools in November.

The Israel experience

Israel was badly affected by the pandemic, but its schools reopened as usual after the summer vacation, on September 1, 2020. At that point, active spread of the virus was occurring, and the incidence of COVID-19 was among the highest in the world.

The current study used daily case data from the Israeli Ministry of Health, the number of diagnostic reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) tests for the virus, and the test positivity rate (TPR). This was used to estimate weekly incidence by age group, according to the number of tests.

The researchers compared the adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRR) and the TPR for the last week of August 2020, before schools reopened, with those of the first three weeks of September. They also compared the months of November and December 2020, with the last week of October 2020, similarly.

The data came from over 47,000 children between the ages of 0 and 9 years, over 100,000 between 10-19 years, 151,000 adults 20-39 years of age, and 103,000 aged 40-59 years. The oldest age group contained 63,000 adults of 60 years or over.

The data was based on infected individuals.

What are the findings?

The findings show that the IRR increased least in the youngest age group, as did the TPR, in both September and November-December 2020. The values of the adjusted IRRs varied between 1.1% to 3.2% in the different age groups, with the highest increase being in those aged 10-59 years.

The TPR for this period varied between a low of 0.77 in the youngest participants to a high of 1.5 (or 1.6) in those aged 10-59 years.

With the November-December period, the IRRs were lowest, at 1.34, in the 0-9 years age group. With the rest, it varied from 2.5 to 3, for the most part, except for the 10-19 year age group.

The TPR varied between 0.75 in the youngest children, to nearly 1 in the 10-19-year-olds, through 1.3 from 20-39 years, and 1.5 in the oldest patients.

Small increase among young children

The adjusted IRRs in children showed significantly lower rates of increase, indicating a slow increase in the number of new cases, in the period immediately after schools reopened. Relatively, the slope was higher with increasing age.

In fact, from a slope of 26 in the age group 10-19 years, it increased sharply to 66, 88, and 92, in the succeeding age groups, before declining to 64 in those aged 60 years or more.

What are the implications?

The very low increase in IRR and TPR in the youngest children during both periods of school reopening, as well as the very low slope of adjusted incidence, indicate that the rate of infection among 0-9-year-olds in school is very low. This agrees with earlier studies that show the very low rate of infection and even of viral transmission among and by very young and primary-school-aged children.

The study was an observational study, making causal inferences difficult. Moreover, there is not much difference in the IRRs and TPRs in pre-teens, adolescents and young adults, relative to those aged 20-59 years. In short, those aged 10-59 years show relative homogeneity in their rates of infection and test positivity.

If children aged 0-9 years are neither infected readily, nor play a major role in transmitting the virus to their peers at school, school closures for this age group appear meaningless. Therefore, resuming school for this age group when lockdown was released appears to have been safe for them.

The same cannot be stated with confidence for older children and adolescents or young adults. They would probably be better off with online instruction until the pandemic situation resolves and after proper protocols have been set up to minimize viral transmission among older students in schools.
[April 27, 2021] AIM ImmunoTech Announces Positive Safety Data in Second Cohort of Phase 1 Clinical Study Investigating Intranasal Administration of Ampligen as a Potential Prophylaxis or Treatment for COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Viral Diseases

OCALA, Fla., April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE American: AIM) today announced that it has completed dosing of Cohort 2 in a Phase 1 clinical study to assess the safety, tolerability and biological activity of Ampligen as an intranasal therapy, reporting no serious adverse events (SAE). AIM also reported no SAEs in Cohort 1. The study will proceed with enrollment into Cohort 3.

The clinical study is crucial for the companys ongoing efforts to develop Ampligen as a potential prophylaxis or treatment for COVID-19 and other respiratory viral diseases. The Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR), an independent institute located in Leiden in the Netherlands, is conducting the clinical study AMP-COV-100 (CHDR2049), titled A Phase I, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Activity of Repeated Intranasal Administration of Ampligen (Poly I:Poly C12U) in Healthy Subjects. AIM is sponsoring and funding the clinical study. The study protocol calls for a total of 40 healthy subjects to receive repeated administration of either Ampligen or a placebo. Subjects in Cohort 1 received 75 g of Ampligen, while subjects in Cohort 2 received 200 g of Ampligen. The dosage will escalate to 500 g in the next cohort, Cohort 3, with the highest level of 1250 g planned for Cohort 4. AIM will continue to provide interim updates on the clinical trial.



About AIM ImmunoTech Inc. AIM ImmunoTech Inc. is an immuno-pharma company focused on the research and development of therapeutics to treat multiple types of cancers, immune disorders, and viral diseases, including COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Cautionary Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the PSLRA). Words such as may, will, expect, plan, anticipate and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Many of these forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among other things, for those statements, the Company claims the protection of safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the PSLRA. The Company cannot assure that the CHDR study will be successful or yield favorable data and trials are subject to many factors including lack of regulatory approval(s), lack of study drug, or a change in priorities at the institutions sponsoring other trials. Significant additional testing and trials will be required to determine whether Ampligen will be effective in the treatment of COVID-19 as an intranasal therapy or otherwise, and no assurance can be given that this will be the case. There is the potential for delays in clinical trial enrollment and reporting because of the COVID-19 medical emergency. We do not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof. Contacts: Crescendo Communications, LLC

Phone: 212-671-1021

Email: aim@crescendo-ir.com AIM ImmunoTech Inc

Phone: 800-778-4042

Email: IR@aimimmuno.com



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New Delhi: France has announced that it will provide India with eight high capacity oxygen generators, liquid oxygen for 2000 patients for five days, as well as 28 ventilators and equipment for ICUs.

"In the next few days, France will deliver to India not only immediate relief but also long-term capacities:- 8 high capacity oxygen generators, each providing yearlong O2 for 250 beds - Liquid O2 for 2000 patients for 5 days - 28 ventilators and equipment for ICUs," French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain said in a tweet.

#FranceStandsWithIndia

In the next few days, France will deliver to India not only immediate relief but also long-term capacities:

- 8 high capacity oxygen generators, each providing yearlong O2 for 250 beds

- Liquid O2 for 2000 patients for 5 days

- 28 ventilators & equipment for ICUs  Emmanuel Lenain (@FranceinIndia) April 26, 2021

The announcement comes as India is witnessing a deadly COVID-19 wave. The increasing cases have led to the storage of hospital beds and medical-grade oxygen in the country.

Lenain said that the massive solidarity mission, initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron, aims to both respond to the emergency and boost the long-term resilience of India`s healthcare system. This comes as the pandemic situation in India deteriorated with over 3 lakh infections being reported in a day.

"This massive solidarity mission, initiated by Prez @EmmanuelMacron `s request, is supported by French companies present in India and the EU. It aims to both respond to the emergency and boost the long-term resilience of India`s healthcare system," Lenain further tweeted.

Coordinated by the Ministry`s Crisis and Support Centre and carried out by the Embassy of France in India, the mission will involve shipping by air and sea freight by the end of this week said a statement issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Eight medical oxygen generators, manufactured by a French SME, each of which can make an Indian hospital autonomous in oxygen supply for approximately 10 years.

These oxygen production units are durable installations that can produce medical oxygen from ambient air yearlong. Each unit can uninterruptedly supply a 250-bed hospital. Its oxygen output can fulfil the needs of 15 critically ill COVID patients in an ICU (or 30 patients in the ICU of a conventional hospital) or 150 patients on oxygen therapy in a conventional hospital facility.

These oxygen generators also include ramps for filling oxygen cylinders; containers of liquid medical oxygen - 5 being sent in the first instalment - each capable of supplying medical oxygen to up to 10,000 patients per day; specialized medical equipment, notably including 28 ventilators and their consumables, as well as 200 electric syringe pumps.

On Sunday, the French presidency said Paris plans to help India with medical oxygen capacity in the coming days to help the country combat the record surge in COVID-19 cases.

On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that France stands ready to provide its support to India in its fight against COVID-19."I want to send a message of solidarity to the Indian people, facing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. France is with you in this struggle, which spares no-one. We stand ready to provide our support," French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenin tweeted Macron`s message on Friday.

The worsening COVID-19 situation in India has seen a surge in the demand for medical oxygen and beds for the COVID-19 patients and many states are reporting an acute shortage of essential medical supplies.

Availability of oxygen is a key element in the treatment of certain medical conditions in the COVID infection. Besides France, several others countries including the United Kingdom, the US and Germany have also announced plans to support India.

(With ANI inputs)

Live TV
Indian market is likely to open higher today. On Monday, Sensex closed 508 points higher at 48,386 and Nifty jumped 143 points to 14,485. The market ended in the green even as the COVID-19 cases in the country rose to a record 3,52,991 with 2812 deaths in last 24 hours.

Here's a look at stocks to watch out for in trade today.

Tech Mahindra: Net profit rose 34.6 per cent YoY to Rs 1,081 crore in Q4. Sequentially, net profit declined 17.4 per cent from Rs 1,309 crore in December quarter. Revenue rose 2.5 per cent YoY to Rs 9,730 crore in March quarter, while it rose 0.9 per cent on a quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) basis. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 44.5 per cent YoY to Rs 1,948 crore.

Maruti Suzuki India: The carmaker plans to increase production by 200 cars per day from May as it bets that demand for personal mobility will continue amid the resurgence of the pandemic.

Tata Motors: The automaker said the lockdown enforced in various parts of the country is expected to impact vehicle demand temporarily. The company has set in motion a comprehensive 'Business Agility Plan' to protect and serve the interests of its customers, dealers and suppliers, it said.

Bajaj Finance: The non-bank finance firm will report its March quarter earnings on Tuesday. The lender had reported a 29% year-on-year decline in consolidated net profit at Rs 1,145.98 crore for the three months to December, on account of higher losses and provisions.

Axis Bank: The private sector bank will declare its Q4 results on Tuesday. It reported a 36% fall in quarterly profit from a year ago to Rs 1,117 crore due to higher provisions for bad loans. Provisions in the quarter-ended 31 March rose 33% to Rs 4,604 crore from a year earlier.

Vedanta: Tamil Nadu government allowed its shuttered copper smelter plant to produce oxygen for four months. The decision was taken in an all-party meet in Chennai on Monday. The 400,000 tonnes per annum Sterlite copper plant was shut in March 2018, after 13 people were killed during a protest against Sterlite Copper.

HDFC Life Insurance: HDFC Life Insurance reported a 2.3 percent year-on-year (YoY) rise in its Q4 consolidated net profit at Rs 319.06 crore. The life insurer collected new premiums of Rs 434.47 crore in Q4 against Rs 298.40 crore in the year-ago period. HDFC Life sold about 9.8 lakh new individual policies during the quarter under review, clocking a YoY growth of 10 percent in FY21.

Jagran Prakashan: The firm bought back 19,23,537 equity shares at Rs 57.84 per share on the NSE, bulk deals data showed.

Wipro: The company announced implementation of a digital experience platform for Bristol Water to modernise critical infrastructure.

SBI Cards and Payment Services: The company reported a profit of Rs 175 crore in Q4 FY21 against Rs 84 crore in Q4 FY20. Revenue declined to Rs 2,308.68 crore from Rs 2,433.24 crore in the year-ago.
Booker T. Washington formed an incredibly productive partnership with Sears magnate Julius Rosenwald dating to 1911. It started with Rosenwalds donations of shoes and hats for industrial school students in the South. In 1913 Washington recruited Rosenwald to join the board of the Tuskegee Institute. As Robert Norrell writes in Up From History: The Life of Booker T. Washington (2011), By that time, Rosenwald and his wife were enamored of Tuskegee and persuaded that black education in the South should be a particular concern of theirs.

Washington sought Rosenwalds support for the building of primary schools throughout the South. Rosenwald initially offered prefab buildings then being sold by Sears, but Washington had a better plan. Black residents of the benefited communities had to be involved in the construction process. Norrell recounts that Rosenwald agreed to underwrite six schools at a cost of $2,800.

Upon completion Washington sent Rosenwald photographs of the buildings and accounted to Rosenwald for every penny spent. Washington also reported to Rosenwald: You do not know what joy and encouragement the building of these schoolhouses has brought to the people of both races in the communities where they are being erected.

The Rosenwald schools project continued in 1914 with Rosenwalds commitment of $30,000 to build 100 schools in three Alabama counties. Indeed, the project continued long after Washington had left the scene, as Norrell puts it.

With Washingtons exit from the scene, however, Norrell leaves the story there. For the rest of the story one must go to the 2015 Aviva Kempner film Rosenwald (official trailer below). I could not believe that I had never heard of the story before we saw the film at the local arthouse theater in Edina. It is a moving and inspirational story.

The film rightly tells the story and more or less leaves us to draw our own conclusions. Mine was that true philanthropy requires genius every bit as much as business success does. There is in any event much to be learned from the story.

Now Andrew Feiler picks it up and documents it in A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools that Changed America, published by the University of Georgia Press and in an exhibition of photographs that opens on May 22 at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. Feiler too only learned of the story in 2015 and, like me, could not believe he hadnt heard of it before.

Feiler provides a brief account of his journey with accompanying photographs in the Wall Street Journal Review column The 4,978 Schools That Changed America. Feiler writes:

Inside the small white clapboard Cairo School in Sumner County, Tenn., brothers Frank and Charles Brinkley stand under the watchful gaze of a once towering figure in American business. The portrait of Julius Rosenwald, who led Sears, Roebuck & Company for almost three decades at the start of the 20th century, has hung in the schoolhouse since it opened in 1923. The building, now a community center, is a surviving testament of one of the most dramatic and effective philanthropic initiatives the U.S. has ever seen. From 1912 to 1937, a collaboration between Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington of the Tuskegee Institute built 4,978 schools for Black children across 15 Southern and border states. Today, at a moment when America seems torn along racial and regional lines, when debates around opportunity, infrastructure and the American Dream ripple across the country, the remarkable success of the Rosenwald-Washington partnership is a reminder that people from divergent experiences can come together to effect real and lasting change. The Brinkleys bear witness to the multigenerational impact of this program. The brothers attended the one-teacher school in the late 1940s and early 1950s. They went on to college and graduate school, and both became educators. They have four sisters, each of whom also attended the Cairo School and college; the siblings 10 children all went to college. Without this schoolhouse, that legacy may not have happened. Born to Jewish immigrants, Julius Rosenwald led Sears from 1908 until his death in 1932. He helped turn the company into the worlds largest retailer, and he became one of the earliest and greatest philanthropists in American history. Booker T. Washington, born into slavery, became an educator and was the founding principal of the Tuskegee Institute. Rosenwald and Washington met in 1911. At that time, Black public schools in the South were usually in terrible facilities, with outdated materials and a fraction of the funding provided for educating white children. Many communities did not even have schools for Black students. The two men, forging one of the earliest collaborations between Jews and AfricanAmericans, brought together Black communities and white school boards to create this transformative program. I first learned about this partnership from a preservationist in early 2015 and was shocked that I had never heard of it. I am a fifth-generation Jewish Georgian and civic activist. The pillars of this story are the pillars of my life. I set out to document it with black-and-white photographs that paid homage to the programs history. Of the original 4,978 Rosenwald schools, about 500 survive. Over three and a half years, I drove 25,000 miles across all 15 program states and photographed 105 schools. The photographs include interiors and exteriors, schools restored and yet-to-be restored, and portraits of people with compelling connections to these structures. The Rosenwald schools program was a watershed moment in the history of philanthropy, and not only because of its mission, scope and impact. It was also an early example of challenge grants, public-private partnership and a benefactor mandating that all funds be expended within a set period after his death. Perhaps the most enduring legacy of these schools was their graduates, many of whom went on to become foot soldiers in the civil rights movement. Medgar Evers, Maya Angelou and John Lewis attended Rosenwald schools. As the late Rep. Lewis wrote of his experience: I was curious. I was hungry to learn. I was absolutely committed to giving my all in the classroom. My parents would describe education in almost mythical terms, that it offered the keys to the kingdom of America, the keys to a better life and to opportunity so long denied our race. Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington reached across divides of race, religion and region and together created a pathway for a generation of children who might not otherwise have had one. In the process, they changed the country they loved.

The Journal story includes Feilers photograph below with the caption: Elroy and Sophia Williams hold a portrait of Sophia Williamss grandparents, former slaves who acquired and donated land for a Rosenwald school.
The California Secretary of State's office reported Monday that the petition to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom has officially passed the 1.5 million signature mark necessary to qualify for the ballot.

The report dated April 19 shows that the petition has 1,626,042 valid signatures, a mark well over the 1,495,709 threshold. There are still roughly 136,000 signatures that need to be vetted by county officials.

It was clear for some time that the petition would qualify, with Newsom admitting as much during media appearances. Here's a guide to what happens next.

The very next steps

County officials have until April 29 to verify signatures and report results back to the secretary of state's office. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber has until May 9 to formally announce that the recall election has qualified.

Once Weber's announcement is made, anyone who signed the petition will have the opportunity to withdraw their signatures in the period between May 10 and June 21.

The long summer

In the unlikely event enough people who signed the petition withdraw, the election is called off. If enough valid signatures remain, counties have until July 6 to notify the secretary of state's office of this fact.

Then, per the state's recall laws, two separate groups of officials will "analyze costs" for over two months.

Between July 6 and Aug.17, the state Department of Finance will review the costs of the recall, then pass the same task to the state legislature from the time period between Aug. 17 to Sept. 16.

Finally, on Sept. 17, Secretary Weber will certify the signatures and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis will set an election date. Politico reports that experts in the state expect the election to fall "somewhere between October and late November."

How recall election day works

On the designated election day, voters will receive one ballot with just two questions on it.

The first question will be something along the lines of, "Should Gavin Newsom be recalled?"

The second question will then ask voters to pick a candidate to replace Newsom.

If a majority of voters choose to keep Newsom, the second question is mooted and Newsom will remain in office. If a majority of voters choose to remove Newsom, he is immediately disqualified from office and whichever candidate on the bottom of the ballot receives the most votes will become governor. The winner only needs a plurality, and not a majority of votes.

So far there are four major candidates in the race to replace Newsom  Kevin Faulconer, John Cox, Doug Ose and Caityln Jenner  all of which are Republicans.

Regardless of the outcome of the recall, the 2022 gubernatorial election will continue as planned, meaning it is possible a candidate is elected governor in November 2021, then has to turn around and run for re-election the very next year.
Oregon Health and Science University has agreed to pay $585,000 to settle a federal lawsuit brought by a social worker who accused a former anesthesiology resident of sexually assaulting her and the school of failing to take action.

The university also issued an apology to the woman in a statement released Tuesday and said she will be invited to participate in former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holders independent investigation of OHSUs handling of sexual misconduct and discrimination complaints.

She alleged that Dr. Jason Campbell harassed her from January through March last year, sending her a pornographic photo of himself and sexually charged text messages and then creeping up behind her in her office and forcibly pressing against her so she could feel his erection.

Campbell had gained fame on social media, becoming known as the TikTok Doc for his dance videos in hospital scrubs that went viral during the pandemic.

OHSU offers sincere apologies to the plaintiff and others who have been harmed, the universitys statement said.

OHSU recognizes the need to address systemic structures that allow inappropriate and damaging behavior to exist, and is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment that is free of harassment and discrimination.

The woman had complained to OHSU last April and provided a written summary of her allegations with screenshots of text messages exchanged with Campbell.

Later that month, the university instructed Campbell to have no contact with her, according to OHSUs lawyers. By the end of the month, OHSU had removed Campbell from clinical duties and excluded him from campus, a university spokeswoman said.

The woman works at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center next to OHSU on the universitys Marquam Hill campus. Campbell was a second-year resident at OHSU and had a pass to access the the VA center.

An OHSU investigation concluded last August that Campbell had violated its harassment policy and code of conduct with unwanted touching and inappropriate electronic and text messages, including an unsolicited picture of his erection through his scrub pants.

Campbell was referred for dismissal but resigned from his residency in lieu of discharge on Oct. 23, according to the university.

The social worker filed suit against Campbell and OHSU this past February in U.S. District Court in Portland, seeking $45 million in damages. She isnt named in the suit.

The settlement, reached through mediation led by retired U.S. District Judge Michael R. Hogan, encompasses the suits allegations against both the university and Campbell.

OHSU released this negotiated statement announcing settlement of the federal lawsuit.

John Kaempf, a former lawyer for Campbell, initially wrote to the plaintiffs lawyers that Campbell denied liability and was deeply in debt, including about $367,000 in school loans, $17,500 in credit card debt with a total about $5,600 in the bank.

Since the lawsuit was filed, two more women have submitted sworn statements in court that Campbell also came up from behind them and forced his body against theirs at work in the fall of 2019. A third woman said Campbell followed her around during his rotation in her unit in 2019, asking her for free hugs.

The suit led to national fallout for TIMES UP Healthcare, a group formed to combat sexual harassment in the medical field.

More than a dozen of its founding members resigned, criticizing what they said was the groups inadequate response to allegations in the social workers lawsuit that another founding member, OHSUs Dr. Esther Choo, failed to formally report the harassment accusations to the schools Title IX coordinator.

Instead, the suit says, Choo offered to have a sit down with Campbell or have his manager do so.

Choo, through a spokeswoman, has said she wasnt a mandatory reporter because the social worker wasnt an OHSU student and Campbell wasnt under her immediate supervision.

OHSU also denied that Campbell was acting in the course and scope of his employment as an OHSU doctor at the time of any alleged contact with the social worker.

Campbell left OHSU and was to start a residency at the University of Florida Health but the school then announced it was placing Campbell on paid leave pending its own investigation.

OHSU has hired Holder to examine how the university responded to the complaints against Campbell but also to do a broader review of other cases and his handling of sexual harassment and discrimination complaints.

The universitys statement said it welcomes the social workers participation in the independent investigation, while acknowledging that doing so may be re-traumatizing.

The investigation by Holders Washington, D.C.-based firm Covington & Burling is expected to last six months. Holders payment  he agreed to give OHSU a 10% discount on his $2,295 hourly rate -- has drawn outrage from alumni, faculty and lawyers across the state.

Michael Fuller and Kim Sordyl, the attorneys who represented plaintiff A.B. in her suit, along with Karen OKasey, attorney for OHSU, and Courtney Angeli, attorney for Campbell, submitted a stipulated dismissal of the case to the federal court Tuesday morning.

The social worker who brought the suit said in a joint statement: Plaintiff would like to thank those who supported her during this process.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian
Burger King has delighted fans by finally launching a vegan version of their famous Chicken Royale.

Following months of speculation and buzz, the Burger King Vegan Royale launched nationwide yesterday, and is made from a pea-protein chicken imitator.

The chain says the 4.79 burger has been years in the making and is set to be the crowning glory of the restaurant's plant-based menu at stores.

Burger King say their aim was to match the same level of flavour of its chicken counterpart and could be enjoyed by vegans, flexitarians and anyone who loves a delicious burger.

Burger King has delighted fans by finally launching a vegan version of their famous Chicken Royale

Consisting of a crispy coated, plant-based chicken, ingeniously derived by The Vegetarian Butcher; the Vegan Royale is topped with iceberg lettuce, creamy vegan mayo and crowned with a toasted sesame seed bun.

Strict cooking processes, which ensure it's kept completely separate from meat, dairy and egg products, have earned the new burger Vegan Society certification.

Last year, the chain launched a Rebel Whopper for Veganuary, which is made from soy, but is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians prompting an outpouring of anger from non-meat eaters online.

Burger King said at the time the burger is aimed at 'flexitarians'  people who eat meat but are cutting down on the animal-based food they eat - but vegans said the chain 'shot itself in the foot' and called the product a 'missed opportunity'.

In February, they bought back their Halloumi King burger as a permanent fixture on their menu - but the meat-free dish also isn't strictly vegetarian as it's cooked in the same fryer as meat products.

Following months of speculation and buzz, the Burger King Vegan Royale launched nationwide yesterday, and is made from a pea-protein chicken imitator

Meanwhile, in January it launched a bean burger with two signature veggie patties on a toasted sesame bun, topped with fresh-cut lettuce, juicy tomatoes, ketchup and vegan mayo.

Soco Nunez, Marketing Director of Burger King UK told FEMAIL, 'At Burger King UK we're all about delivering great tasting food for our customers, so we've purposefully taken our time with the Vegan Royale to make sure it's the best on the market.

'In fact, we would go as far as to say it's an identical taste experience to the original Chicken Royale.'

The exciting news doesn't stop there for the meat-free masses. The Burger King brand's fries are also certified by the Vegan Society, which means that the restaurant chain will be able to offer the Vegan Royale, or the Vegan Bean Burger, as part of a great-value meal.

Burger King has finally launched a vegan burger a year after the chain caused fury after revealing their plant-based Rebel Whopper was cooked on the same grill as meat. The UK branch of the US fast food giant will sell a 100 per cent vegan bean burger from 11th January.

The Vegan Royale with fries and any soft drink of choice will be just 6.79. Vegan Society approved drink options include bottled water and Capri Sun. All vegan Certified options will be labelled with the Vegan Society logo.

Ericka Durgahee, Marketing Manager at The Vegan Society told FEMAI: 'We're delighted to be working closely with Burger King. It's fantastic to see that not only are they expanding their range to cater to vegan customers, but are going above and beyond by offering them delicious options that have been certified by the highly-trusted and sought-after Vegan Trademark.

'Customers can rest assured that when they order items displaying the Vegan Trademark they're free from animal products and animal testing and that cross contamination has been minimised.

'Thank you for coming along with us in your journey to provide vegans across the country easily accessible and affordable options.'

Burger King is also declaring 'Meat Free Mondays' nationwide for all app-users.

Last year, the chain launched a Rebel Whopper for Veganuary, which is made from soy, but is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians prompting an outpouring of anger from non-meat eaters online

This means that at the start of every week, those with the Burger KingUK app can get their hands on the new meat-free burger for just 1.99.

Many other great deals on the app will also have the option to go meat-free this month, meaning fans will have the chance to grab the Vegan Royale for as little as 2.49.

Dawn Carr, Director of Vegan Corporate Projects for PETA said, 'PETA applauds Burger King for offering its customers three flavoursome plant-based burgers. From bun to mayo to patty, all the ingredients in the new Plant-Based Whopper and Vegan Royale are completely animal-free, so they're sure to be a hit with the UK's growing number of vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians.'

Millie Powell, Head of Brand at The Vegetarian Butcher said: 'We're on a mission to help people make easy and tasty plant-based switches, and by re-creating the taste of the Whopper and the Royale with our plant-based patties we're ensuring everyone can enjoy the taste, texture and satisfaction of these Burger King classics  but without sacrificing a thing.'

The vegan and plant-based menu additions come after Burger King UK recently announced its plans for lowering carbon emissions.

The restaurant chain has committed to reducing emissions including those from purchased goods and services, capital distribution and waste generated in operations and franchises by 41%, at each restaurant by 2030.
A Lehigh University alumnus and the current provost of Darmouth College has been named as Lehighs fifteenth president.

Joseph J. Helbe will succeed John D. Simon as president of the South Bethlehem university starting Aug. 16, Lehighs Board of Trustees announced Monday.

Helbe graduated from Lehigh in 1982 with a bachelors degree in chemical engineering. He was selected after a global search process that bean last fall, when Simon announced he would step down June 30. Lehighs Nathan Urban, who is provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, will serve as interim president.

I cant wait to get started. I have been at Dartmouth for 16 years and never thought I would leave. But to have the opportunity to return, as president, to my alma mater, to the university that changed my view of whats possible in life, Helbe said in a press release.  I cant even begin to describe how special this is for me.

Helbe is the second Mountain Hawk in Lehigh history to be appointed president. Lehighs fifth president, Henry Sturgis Drinker, graduated from the university in 1871 and served as president from 1905 to 1920.

Helbe believes Lehigh is equipping students to lead in a complex world.

I see Lehigh as an institution that is perfectly positioned to provide exactly what the country, and, quite honestly, the world needs from higher education, he said. Lehigh has all of the essential academic pieces. It has outstanding residential and co-curricular components to support the idea that so much of learning happens outside of the classroom. It has a faculty and staff who are deeply committed to the individual student experience.

In his role at Dartmouth, Helbe is the colleges chief academic and budget officer and oversees all of its professional and graduate schools. He also still teaches engineering at the school. Hes played a critical role guiding Dartmough through the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release.

Lehigh Board of Trustees Chair Kevin Clayton said Helbes impressive achievements and leadership at Dartmouth distinguished him from the diverse and talented candidate pool.

The presidential search committee included trustees, staff, administrators, faculty and undergraduate and graduate students. It sought feedback from the Lehigh community early in the search process via six virtual town hall sessions, which were well attended.

Helbe became a Lehigh trustee on July 1, 2020 and recused himself early on in the search when he became a candidate, according to the news release.

Before becoming Dartmouths provost in 2018, Helbe served as dean of the Thayer School of Engineering, where he nearly doubled enrollment, oversaw a record increase in research funding, introduced new majors and minors and increased the number of tenure-track faculty, according to a news release.

Under his tenure, the school saw a major increase in the number of female engineering graduates. In 2016, it was the first research university in the country to have more women graduate with bachelors degrees in engineering than men.

Joe is the personification of calm leadership, said Philip J. Hanlon, Dartmouth president. As provost, he has steadily guided Dartmouth through the unprecedented turbulence of the last year. His data-driven approach and exacting standards, his willingness to listen and learn, produced decisions that were as wise as they were empathetic. Joe is a leader, a scholar, and a teacher who is leaving Dartmouth a better place than when he arrived 16 years ago.

Helbe said he looks forward to meeting with and hearing from the Lehigh community.

I plan to spend time walking the campus, walking South Bethlehem, talking to people and, mostly, listening. I think thats one of the best ways to get to know a community better: to understand why everyone whos there is there, to learn what they value most in the community, to just step back and listen and hear their stories, he said. I also look forward to spending time with the alumni to hear their stories and help me understand even better the impact Lehigh has had on so many over many, many years.

After graduating from Lehigh with the highest honors, Helbe earned a PhD in chemical engineering, with a minor in Spanish, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1987. He then worked as a private sector research scientist at Physical Sciences, Inc., and also spent several months on leave as a science policy fellow with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Helbe was a professor and chair of engineering at the University of Connecticut before arriving at Dartmouth. Hes authored more than 100 publications and holds three U.S. patents.

He and his wife Rebecca Dabora plan to move to Bethlehem and live in the presidents house. They have three grown children. Dabora is the chief technology and manufacturing officer at Adagio Therapeutics, a biotechnology firm developing best-in-class monoclonal antibodies that broadly neutralize SARS-CoV-2, SARSCoV and additional pre-emergent coronaviruses.

He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a co-recipient of the National Academy of Engineerings 2014 Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education for the design and implementation of Dartmouths Engineering Entrepreneurship Program, which includes a PhD Innovation Program.

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Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com.
Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie and the districts top lawyer Barbara Myrick said Tuesday night they would resign following their respective statewide grand jury indictments earlier this month.

Runcie, 59, said, however, that it was not specifically the felony perjury count in which hes been charged that led him to resign, but rather the continued blame hes received for the events leading up to the Feb. 14, 2018, mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, which left 17 students and faculty dead and another 17 injured.

I will step aside so you can have the peace you are looking for, Runcie told School Board Member Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter Alyssa was killed in the shootings when she was only 14.

Broward School Board Chair Rosalind Osgood, along with a yet-to-be-appointed attorney, will negotiate a separation agreement with Runcie and Myrick, which could be voted on during the School Boards meeting Thursday.

The School Board held a special meeting Tuesday to discuss the situation of Runcie and Myrick, 72, who were both arrested last Wednesday related to a statewide grand jury investigation. Runcie was charged with a perjury count stemming from his testimony to the grand jury on March 31 and April 1, and Myrick with sharing information about the grand jury proceedings.

Broward Schools attorney Barbara Myrick hides her face as she is released from the Broward County main detention center in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.

The grand jury, authorized by Gov. Ron Desantis shortly after he was sworn into office in January 2019, was investigating whether school districts were complying with state school safety laws. The Legislature passed the laws after the shootings at Stoneman Douglas.

State prosecutor RIchard Mantei, who works for Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, said in a court filing Monday that Runcie contacted at least one witness in another case the grand jury was investigating and lied to the grand jury about that contact. Runcies attorneys have contended the charge is politically motivated.

That case, which is pending, resulted in the indictment of Tony Hunter, the districts former technology chief, in January on charges he steered lucrative contracts to a friends business without seeking other bids.

Story continues

Mantei said Myrick also contacted at least one person on the Hunter cases witness list, and he said she discussed it with another person. Grand jury proceedings are led by a prosecutor and conducted in secret. Records are sealed.

After Runcie said hed step down, Myrick told the board she would as well.

I, too, cannot continue under the scrutiny of every time we have a board meeting each of you send me an email telling me of every mistake I made, Myrick said.

During the meeting Tuesday, most of the nine board members discussed finding a way for Runcie to step down or have him suspended with pay while his legal case played out.

Michael Burke, a labor attorney hired by the board, however, said he could not find any clause for suspension in Runcies contract.

Rather, the three ways he could leave the districts employ are termination without cause, termination with cause and a through a mutual agreement with the School Board, Burke said.

Terminating him without cause would require the district to pay Runcie 20 weeks of his $356,000 annual salary as severance, plus compensate him for any unused sick or vacation time. Myrick makes $220,000 a year.

Board Member Debra Hixon  whose husband Chris, Stoneman Douglas athletic director, was killed in the shootings  said she at least wanted Runcie and Myrick to temporarily step down while they concentrated on their legal defenses.

She said their jobs were too busy to do with such a distraction hanging over them. Following Runcies announcement, however, Hixon told Runcie she did not blame him for Parkland, and she said others shouldnt either.

Because, we as a district have to move forward, Hixon said, beginning to cry. We cant keep going back to that day, its so hard.

Alhadeff declined to say any more after Runcie agreed to resign. Before, however, she said the indictment was enough for her to recommend his termination.

I cannot and will not sit idly by as the superintendent and the general counsel contact witnesses in a criminal case and lie about it, according to the criminal prosecutor, Alhadeff said.

Board Member Ann Murray stood by Runcie and Myrick, agreeing with those saying hes being targeted for political reasons.

One way or the other, when powers that be go after you, eventually youll fall, Murray said. Thats not just here in Broward County, but in all of the state of Florida.

Alhadeff and several other Parkland parents have blamed Runcie for creating the conditions that led up to former Stoneman Douglas student Nikolas Cruz opening fire at the school.

Earlier Tuesday, Runcie released a video statement saying he would be vindicated following his April 15 grand jury indictment on the perjury charge.

I am confident that I will be vindicated, and I intend to continue to carry out my responsibilities as superintendent with the highest degree of integrity and moral standards as I have done for nearly 10 years, said Runcie on the video.

Runcie also repeated what his attorneys have been saying, that the grand jury indictment was politically motivated.

Its a sad day in Broward County and across Florida when politics becomes more important than the interests of our students, Runcie said in the video.

Runcies supporters have contended that DeSantis, who authorized the grand jury in February 2019, a month after he was sworn into office, wanted Runcie removed as a result of the Parkland shootings. Shortly after becoming governor in January 2019, DeSantis said the law prohibited him from removing Runcie since he was hired by the Broward School Board and was not an elected official.

About 20 people signed up to speak at Tuesdays School Board meeting, almost all in favor of Runcie keeping his job.

Runcies supporters criticized the board for discussing Runcies employment based solely on the indictment. The group included a wide swath of interests, from clergy, local government and business groups. They praised Runcies leadership and the improvements made under his guidance.

On Friday, political, business and religious leaders held a press conference in Fort Lauderdale, supporting Runcie.

Sidney Calloway, chairman of the Urban League of Broward County, spoke in favor of Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie at Tuesdays Broward School Board meeting, April 27, 2021.

Bob Swindell, chief executive officer of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, an economic development organization that, among other things, works to train students for the working world, said Runcie has been more active with the group than any of his predecessors.

We need Superintendent Runcie to remain at the helm of our schools on behalf of our children, Swindell said.

Likewise, Dan Lindblade, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, urged the board not to take any action against Runcie this early in the legal process.

Let this play out in the court of law, Lindblade said.

Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness said there has been an effort to get rid of Runcie, a Harvard graduate, since he was hired in 2011. The School Board extended his contract in 2017 to 2023, his second contract extension by the board.

This wasnt just about Parkland, Holness said.

Holness noted that the grand jury wasnt impaneled until after DeSantis publicly said in the month he became governor that he could not by law remove Runcie because he was a School Board-appointed official, not elected.

Do you wonder why the public thinks theres something sinister in the charge? Holness said.
Irvine, Calif., April 27, 2021 -- University of California, Irvine biologists have developed a new genetically engineered mouse model that, unlike its predecessors, is based on the most common form of Alzheimer's disease. The advance holds promise for making new strides against the neurodegenerative disease as cases continue to soar. Their study appears in the journal, Nature Communications.

Link to study: https:/ / www. nature. com/ articles/ s41467-021-22624-z

While over 170 Alzheimer's mouse models have been in use since the 1990s, those models mimic early-onset AD, also known as "familial AD," which accounts for less than 5 percent of total AD cases. Until recently, scientists introduced mutations found in familial risk human genes, such as the amyloid precursor protein and presenilin 1, into the mouse genome to generate the mouse models. The UCI team decided to take a new approach by developing a mouse model better positioned to analyze causes of late-onset AD. Also called "sporadic AD," this new model encompasses the remaining 95 percent of cases.

"We believed models developed on the rare familial type might be a reason therapies have worked in the lab but haven't translated into clinical trial success," said Frank LaFerla, professor of neurobiology & behavior and the study's co-senior author; he is also dean of the UCI School of Biological Sciences and director of the UCI Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. "We decided it was time to begin developing a model that embodies the far more common late-onset form of AD."

"The existing AD models have been invaluable to the field by helping provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease." said David Baglietto-Vargas, assistant research professor of neurobiology & behavior and the study's first author. "Unfortunately, many of those same models have unique physiological alterations that have led scientists to misinterpret some experimental findings."

Rather than introduce mutations from familial-AD risk genes into the mouse, the UCI team generated the new model by using genetic engineering to switch three amino acids in the mouse amyloid precursor protein to make it more closely mirror its human counterpart. The result is what the researchers are calling a "platform model" for late-onset AD.

While the mice don't display the more advanced brain plaque and tangle pathology linked with the disease, the model manifests AD-associated conditions that precede and likely underline more advanced pathology. These AD-related conditions include age-related alterations in cognition, inflammation, brain volume and others consistent with human changes.

"This model can be used to understand very early events in the brain that may be relevant," said Kim Green, professor and vice-chair of neurobiology & behavior and co-senior author of the study. "We can use environmental and genetic factors to examine which aspects of aging are important in developing late-onset AD."

"This mouse is a foundational step toward modeling late-onset AD with its hallmark features of plaques and tangles," said Grant MacGregor, professor of developmental & cell biology and study co-author. "It will take a lot more time and inclusion of additional subtle AD-associated genetic changes to achieve it, but the result of this study suggests we are on the right path and that our approach may bear fruit."

Unless there are medical breakthroughs, the number of Americans 65 and older with Alzheimer's could rise from 6.2 million currently to 12.7 million by 2050, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

###

Support for this research was initiated by the generosity of Mr. Harry Bubb through the Cure Alzheimer's Fund. Additional support was provided by the Alzheimer's Association, the Larry L. Hillblom Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the BrightFocus Foundation, Minister of Science and Innovation, Carlos III Institute of Health, the American Federation for Aging Research, UCI and the UCI Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders.
NTT Research and Tokyo Institute of Technology Target Two Applications for CIM

NTT Research, Inc., a division of NTT (TYO:9432), today announced that it has entered into a joint research agreement with Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) to develop applications for the Coherent Ising Machine (CIM). The two targeted applications for the CIM, an information processing platform based on quantum oscillator networks, are compressed sensing and drug discovery, both of which require extremely high levels of processing on existing computers. Two agreements, signed in 2020, call for collaboration between NTT (News - Alert) Research's Physics & Informatics (PHI) Lab and independent research groups in Tokyo Tech's School of Computing, directed by Drs. Yukata Akiyama and Toru Aonishi. NTT Research will lead the five-year project, which will involve approximately ten researchers working in Tokyo and Sunnyvale.

Tokyo Tech, the largest institution for higher education in Japan devoted to science and technology, is a national research university funded primarily through the government. In its School of Computing, Professor Akiyama specializes in bioinformatics, including genome information processing, drug design and parallel applications; and Associate Professor Aonishi specializes in inforation science, mathematical physics and statistical mechanics. Drug discovery and compressed sensing are considered appropriate applications for a CIM because of their requirements of solving large scale optimization problems. The search for effective drugs involves an astronomical number of potential matches between pharmaceutically appropriate molecules and target proteins responsible for a specific disease. In fields such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), compressed sensing, also known as sparse sampling, can deliver highly efficient results by discarding large amounts of data with no useful information. The CIM is purpose-built to solve combinatorial optimization problems, which is a viable approach to both drug discovery and compressed sensing.







"Previous work has focused mainly on understanding how quantum oscillator networks solve combinatorial optimization problems," said Dr. Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Director of the PHI Lab. "Through this new application-oriented work undertaken in collaboration with Professors Akiyama and Aonishi, we believe that we will be able to explore new ways to use the networks by better understanding the requirements of a CIM."

A CIM is a network of oscillators programmed to solve problems that have been mapped to an Ising model, which is a mathematical abstraction of magnetic systems composed of competitively interacting spins, or angular momentums of fundamental particles. (For a visual representation of how a CIM solves a combinatorial optimization problem, see this video from the MIT's (News - Alert) Lincoln Laboratory.) The near-term goals in this joint research include formulating the essential part of the intensive computation required for a CIM to screen drug candidate compounds via combining their functional fragments and developing a CIM-based L0 norm reconstruction algorithm of distorted images. (The L0 norm relates to non-zero elements in a matrix.) Broader expectations are to demonstrate the advantages of a CIM and its related technology in addressing real-world problems and to explore new ways of computing.

"We are very pleased to have entered into these agreements with NTT Research and look forward to exciting results over the next five years resulting from the collaboration between Professors Akiyama and Aonishi, their groups and their NTT Research counterparts," said Osamu Watanabe, Executive Vice President, Director of the Office of Research and Innovation, Tokyo Tech.

As part of its long-range goal to radically redesign artificial computers, both classical and quantum, the NTT Research PHI Lab has already established joint research agreements with seven universities, one government agency and one quantum computing software company. The other institutions of higher education are Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, California Institute of Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, the University of Michigan and the University of Notre Dame. The government entity is NASA Ames Research Center, and the private company is 1QBit. In January 2021, NTT Research entered a second agreement with Caltech to develop an extremely fast, miniaturized CIM. The PHI Lab's research partners include more than a dozen of the world's leading quantum physicists. In addition to its PHI Lab, NTT Research has two other divisions: its Cryptography & Information Security (CIS) Lab and Medical & Health Informatics (MEI) Lab.

About NTT Research

NTT Research opened its offices in July 2019 as a new Silicon Valley startup to conduct basic research and advance technologies that promote positive change for humankind. Currently, three labs are housed at NTT Research facilities in Sunnyvale: the Physics and Informatics (News - Alert) (PHI) Lab, the Cryptography and Information Security (CIS) Lab, and the Medical and Health Informatics (MEI) Lab. The organization aims to upgrade reality in three areas: 1) quantum information, neuro-science and photonics; 2) cryptographic and information security; and 3) medical and health informatics. NTT Research is part of NTT, a global technology and business solutions provider with an annual R&D budget of $3.6 billion.

NTT and the NTT logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION and/or its affiliates. All other referenced product names are trademarks of their respective owners.  2021 NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005240/en/
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Halma plc (HLMA.L) said it acquired North Carolina, USA-based PeriGen Inc. for US$58 million in cash, which will be funded from Halma's existing facilities. The deal consideration was on a cash and debt free basis. PeriGen's unaudited revenue for the 12 months to the end of March 2021 was about US$20 million, with return on sales slightly above Halma's target range of 18% - 22%. PeriGen's advanced technology protects mothers and their unborn babies by alerting doctors, midwives and nurses to potential problems during childbirth. Its software solutions use artificial intelligence to provide an automated early warning platform during labour, enabling healthcare professionals to assess complex data more easily and allowing them to spend more time on direct patient care. Andrew Williams, Group Chief Executive at Halma, said, 'We are excited by the opportunities offered by PeriGen's digital technology in helping clinicians protect the health of mothers and babies during childbirth, while achieving better clinical outcomes in the increasing proportion of complex births. PeriGen is highly aligned with our purpose, broadens our presence in patient assessment and monitoring into the US perinatal care market, and further extends our artificial intelligence and analytics capabilities.' 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.
Chandigarh, April 27 : Taking a tough stance, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh categorically said on Tuesday that if his former Cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu "wants to contest against him, then he is free to do so but that would only lead to Sidhu meeting the fate of General J.J. Singh who had lost his security deposit".

In an interview to a private channel, the Chief Minister challenged Sidhu to clearly spell out whether he is a member of the Congress party.

"If yes, then his continuing rant against his Chief Minister and the government amounts to gross indiscipline," said Amarinder Singh, adding that the Congress dissident ought to choose the side he is on because "he is indulging in breaking the discipline of the party, and the BJP won't take him back and as far as the SAD is concerned, they are also peeved with him".

Without mincing words, the Chief Minister lauded Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) President Sunil Jakhar and said that he "is doing a good job and discharging his responsibility well so there is no question of Sidhu being appointed in Sunil Jakhar's place".

"It has been just four years since Sidhu joined the Congress and as such there are many people who have started their career with the Youth Congress who are much senior to him. So how can he be given the post of Deputy Chief Minister or PPCC President," Amarinder Singh asked.

On the issue of Cabinet minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Jakhar tendering their resignations over the state government's handling of the 2015 sacrilege cases, the Chief Minister said that he had rejected the same.

Referring to the recent high court verdict quashing the Special Investigating Team (SIT) probing the Kotkapura firing, the Chief Minister said that a new SIT has been approved which would take the case to its logical conclusion.

However, he also said that the judgement has gone beyond its brief and it is not a judicial but a political judgement.

On the issue of delay in the case, Amarinder Singh clarified that the recent judgement of the high court had nothing to do with the sacrilege cases and was related to the firing at Kotkapura.

The sacrilege cases are going on and already a number of arrests have been made, he said.

The Chief Minister said it was the previous SAD government which had handed over the cases to the CBI and the present Congress government had to approach the Supreme Court to get back the case files.

Coming to the issue of oxygen supply in the state in view of the Covid pandemic, Amarinder Singh said that Punjab needs 300 MT oxygen daily, but there has been no positive response from the Central government.

He further said that the state government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure best possible medical care for the Covid patients and it has adequate number of L2 and L3 beds and is in the process of preparing 2,200 more.

"On the vaccination front, we have only one day of stock left and that is why the health department has been directed to order 30 lakh doses of Covishield for the 18-45 age group," the Chief Minister said.
Jim McGovern waited outside an apartment at 9 May St. in Worcester on Tuesday wearing a black mask that read End Hunger Now.

To personify the words written on his mask, the congressman representing Worcester held a half-gallon of milk in one hand and a plastic bag filled with food in the other. The meals he provided to the family inside represented one of about 1 million served in the last year by the YMCA in Worcester to children who were learning remotely and normally relied on school meals.

Ive met too many kids in this city and in my district who are hungry, McGovern said. It keeps me awake at night. It just shouldnt be.

On Tuesday, McGovern helped deliver meals in Worcester, but on Wednesday, as chair of the rules committee, hell start a nationwide campaign aimed at encouraging the Biden Administration to do a White House Conference on food, nutrition and hunger.

Over the next several months, McGovern said, the rules committee will conduct a series of hearings talking to people with lived experiences relating to food insecurity.

Hunger is a political condition. We have the food. We have the money. We have the infrastructure. We have the know-how. We have everything but the political will, McGovern said. We are going to build that political will and were going to use what is happening here in Worcester as an example to the rest of the country.

Congressman Jim McGovern was in Worcester on Tuesday to help the YMCA celebrate delivering 1 million meals since the start of the pandemic.

In New Englands second-largest city, the YMCA pivoted once the pandemic struck. The vans that once transported children now carried thousands of meals daily. The organization began delivering meals to students in the area who needed it.

In a little more than a year, the YMCA delivered about 1 million meals. The math breaks down to about 2,700 families receiving food daily.

The meals provided what many in the community take for granted each day, said Tim Garvin, the president and executive director of the United Way of Central Massachusetts.

Garvin said he woke up Tuesday put a pot of coffee on and poured milk over his cereal.

I took all that for granted, Garven said. Because of the YMCA, because of my friend Jim McGovern, because of Worcester Public Schools, close to 3,000 families, every day have that same take-it-for-granted ability.

McGovern referred to the meals as essential items for any student on par with textbooks and computers.

We need to understand the link between learning and nutrition as well as the link between nutrition and healthcare, McGovern said. We are way behind as a country in appreciating the importance of nutrition and making sure everyone has enough to eat.

McGovern said more than 40 million Americans are affected by food insecurity - a number the congressman called shameful.

When it comes to finding a tax cut for big corporations, all of a sudden the political will is there. When it comes to building a new missile system, the political will mysteriously appears, McGovern said. The political will needs to appear to end hunger in the country once and for all.

McGovern said anyone not moved by the moral compass of solving hunger can find solace in the financial sense it makes to rid the country of food insecurity.

He said students, as well as employees at jobs, work more efficiently when they arent hungry. Solving hunger problems would also avoid certain healthcare costs, McGovern said.

The national campaign McGovern will help launch on Wednesday will include plans and possible solutions that connect the entirety of the issue of hunger in the United States from SNAP to school lunches.

I dont just manage the problem, McGovern said. We need to find a holistic way to approach it and end it. So we can learn from success stories all across the country. The way this community came together to respond to a crisis in the pandemic, its inspirational.

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With Vietnam entering a four-day holiday after a month without local transmission of Covid-19, health experts warn of a possible India-like scenario.

This weekend a four-day break marks Reunification Day on April 30 and Labor Day on May 1.

With a month just passing without a single case of Covid, many people are expected to go on tours and to places of amusement, resulting in mass gatherings.

This is worrying health experts, who fear a new outbreak could occur just as happened in India.

Earlier this year India apparently became complacent with just 10,000 new cases a day and vaccines becoming available, and authorities allowed the resumption of big gatherings, including major festivals and political rallies for elections.

The Hindu Kumbh Mela festival, where vast crowds gather to take a holy dip in the Ganges River in the city of Haridwar, was permitted to proceed.

Millions attended the event for weeks in April.

There were the election rallies in late March in the state of West Bengal, which too gathered huge crowds.

It was only on April 17 that the organizers of the Kumbh Mela exhorted people not to congregate in large numbers in Haridwar.

The two events emerged as super spreaders with the number of daily cases seeing a 6,000 percent rise between March 1 and April 22 in West Bengal, and by over 450 percent between April 1 when the Kumbh Mela started and April 17 when it was called off, the Indian media reported.

Now India is experiencing the world's worst outbreak. The number of cases daily has been rising for the past 10 days.

In this picture taken on April 26, relatives and friends of a victim who died of Covid-19 cremate the person's body in New Delhi. Photo by AFP/Jewel Samad.

On Monday there were 352,991 new cases, and the World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the Covid situation in India is now "beyond heartbreaking."

Reuters reported there is at least one Covid death in less than four minutes in the capital Delhi as an underfunded health system buckles. The media has been reporting a drastic shortage of hospital beds and oxygen cylinders for patients in distress.

Crematoriums and cemeteries are also overwhelmed.

Tran Dac Phu, senior advisor at the Public Health Emergency Operations Center, said Vietnam has to learn the lessons from India and other countries in the region like Cambodia and Thailand to avoid neglecting vital health protection measures such as wearing masks in public places and calling off events that gather big crowds.

Border risks

Though Vietnam has been free of community transmissions for one month now, its neighbor Cambodia has been in the grip of a spread since late February.

Its caseload has crossed 10,000, with 580 new cases reported on Monday alone, after there were just around 400 cases in the whole of last year.

Laos and Thailand are also facing a surge and community transmission.

With Vietnam sharing a long border with Cambodia and Laos and situated not far from Thailand, experts said it is time for Vietnam to bolster its efforts to keep out the coronavirus.

"The traveling, meeting and gathering during the upcoming holidays would create opportunities for the virus to spread widely once it enters the nation," Phu said.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son (2nd, R) inspects Covid-19 prevention activities at the Cambodian border in An Giang Province on April 26. Photo by VnExpress/Tuan Dung.

It is crucial now for everyone to fully comply with the Ministry of Health-mandated protocols to prevent the pandemic, including wearing masks, disinfecting hands, social distancing, avoid gathering in big crowds, and completing health declarations while traveling, Phu said.

During the upcoming holidays, people would come into close contact with one another, and no one would be able to tell for sure who has the virus, he pointed out.

Therefore, health declarations are really important to enable authorities to trace all F1 and F2 should any outbreak occur, he said.

During a visit to An Giang Province on the border with Cambodia on Monday, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son said pandemic prevention efforts must be raised to the highest levels for now.

"At festivals where there are mass gatherings, anyone without a face mask will be penalized."

With Vietnam sharing a 1,137-kilometer border with Cambodia in the Mekong Delta, near HCMC and in the Central Highlands, protecting border areas now means protecting Vietnam from the pandemic, he said.

He urged border forces and local authorities to remain on high alert to prevent people from illegally sneaking into Vietnam with the virus.

Everyone entering the country is quarantined for 14 days and tested at least twice, but recently there have been several instances of people entering unnoticed through unmanned trails or through the sea from Cambodia and later testing positive.

Vu Minh Dien, deputy director of the pandemic prevention and vaccination center at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, said it is understandable that many people want to travel during the holidays and what needs to be done is to exhort everyone to follow pandemic prevention protocols, especially avoiding mass gatherings.
Jackson said she learned about the shooting Monday night because she got a call from the hospital. She recognized the hospitals number because her father has sickle cell disease, so she thought he was back at the hospital. Instead, they told her that her son was there, and the seventh grader had given the medical staff his mothers name and phone number before he went unconscious.
MIDDLETOWN  City resident and attorney Kelly A. Scott, a member of the family law practice at Pullman & Comley of Hartford, has been named to the Connecticut Bar Foundation James W. Cooper Fellows Class of 2021.

The honor is bestowed upon outstanding Connecticut lawyers, judges and teachers of law, according to a press release.

Kelly is a talented and tireless lawyer who devotes her time and expertise to best serve her clients needs, Campbell D. Barrett, chairperson of Pullmans family law practice said in a prepared statement. To be recognized as a James W. Cooper Fellow is a great honor, and it further solidifies Kelly as a rising star in the legal community.

Representing clients in all areas of matrimonial and family law, including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, dissolution, custody and visitation petitions and post judgment matters, Scott works with clients to understand and implement their goals from the outset, according to the news release.

She is actively involved in the legal community and is chairperson of the Professional Responsibility Committee of the Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Executive Committee. She is also a past cochair of the CBA Family Law Committee.

Scott is a member of the Gala Committee for the Childrens Law Center and a special master for family matters in the Fairfield Judicial District, the agency said. She has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star each year since 2018. Kelly received her law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law, with honors, and her bachelor of arts degree from Fordham University.

The Fellows Program is named in honor of Cooper, who was a prominent New Haven attorney and president of the CBF from 1973-75 and the CBA in 1957-58, the release said.

The mission of the fellows is to develop programs that enhance understanding of the legal profession, the legal system, and the role of law in society; explore ways to improve the administration of justice for the benefit of all; and promote the highest ideals of the legal profession.

For information, visit ctbarfdn.org.
NASA and other partner agencies are now working on a new Interstellar Probe that would help the international space company to explore unknown interstellar space. Aside from this, the upcoming spacecraft is also expected to capture the actual appearance of the Solar System.

It's been a long time since NASA developed an aircraft that have the proper capabilities to explore interstellar space.

NASA launched its first interstellar spacecraft, specifically Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, way back in 1977, mere days in between each launch. This means that it's been four decades ever since the space agency launched interstellar space probes. And now, NASA confirmed that it is working on a more advanced space probe.

The US space agency claimed that its upcoming Interstellar Probe has the capability to reach a distance of 1,000 astronomical units from the Sun.

NASA's Interstellar Probe's Goal

According to SlashGear's latest report, the upcoming spacecraft from NASA is currently being developed by more than 500 space engineers, enthusiasts, and scientists.

Also Read: US Space Command Says SpaceX Junk is a False Threat--What Could Have Happened if It is Real?

NASA explained that once its new Interstellar Probe is complete, it will go to unknown local interstellar space, specifically those that are not yet visited by humans. After that, NASA's Interstellar Probe will take a picture of the so-called heliosphere, which is critical to human life on earth.

On the other hand, the space agency also explained that the heliosphere protects the solar system from high-energy galactic cosmic rays. Once NASA's new Interstellar Probe captures the photo of the heliosphere, it will also allow them to see the real appearance of the solar system.

NASA's Other Space Innovations

Gizmodo also reported that NASA has also funded the development of an advanced space-based neutrino detector and a radio telescope built inside a crater. This can be located on the far side of the moon.

"Neutrinos are a tool to 'see' inside stars, and a space-based detector could offer a new window into the structure of our Sun and even our galaxy," said Jason Derleth, the program executive of NIAC (NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts).

If you want to know more details about these space innovations of NASA, all you need to do is click here.

For more news updates about NASA and its upcoming Interstellar Probe, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Nokia's 4G Project on the Moon Now Ongoing: Lunar Rover Makes the Next-Age Space Communication Possible

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by: Griffin Davis

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ben Lacy, Austin Bowers, Erica Bennett and several of their fellow musicians helped provide a soundtrack of gratitude Monday afternoon at USC Aiken, with dozens of university boosters on hand for a salute to the chancellor.

Dr. Sandra Jordan, who has been at USCA's helm since July 2012, was the guest of honor at an event outside the Student Activities Center, and the university's jazz ensemble and Lacy (as a soloist) set the occasion to music, with a "traveling" theme, as one observer noted.

Jordan, who was seated with her husband, Michael, addressed the gathering, and borrowed a concept from President Theodore Roosevelt. "He said something to the effect of, if you can do work that you find meaningful, then that's how you built a really rich life," Jordan said. "My life has been so enriched by being here with you at USC Aiken."

High-profile visitors for the occasion included Bob Caslen, president of the University of South Carolina, who readily acknowledged Jordan's experience and wisdom. He has been at his current post since August 2019.

"I was not going to be teaching. I was going to be learning," he recalled, with a laugh. "Sandra  was the one that knew everything, and I recognized that right away."

Caslen cited such recent USCA accomplishments as being named by U.S. News and World Report as the South's best regional college, and having undergone an enrollment increase of 20% since 2012 and a 22% increase in "the number of underrepresented students."

He added, "Sandra, I envy what you have accomplished, and one of these days, we want to be like that, so thank you so much."

Caslen, a retired Army officer who was in the Pentagon during the terrorist attack on 9/11 and served for five years as the superintendent of West Point, also expressed his appreciation for USCA's steps to improve services for "veterans and military students."

The chancellor's husband, Michael (an architect), also spoke to the gathering, expressing his appreciation for Aiken.

"It has history. It has economy. It offers a great place for worship and jobs and making a career, and we have truly enjoyed being here," he said.

He acknowledged his wife's track record at the university and also expressed thanks for "so many fine people who've gotten behind the locomotive and been involved and pushed to make it all successful."
Line of Duty fans have been sharing dozens of theories on everything ranging from who Jo Davidson thinks her father was to the identify of the final H.

And now some attentive viewers have suggested that DS Chris Lomax might have dropped a huge clue that he's working for the OCG during Sunday night's episode.

At the end of the latest instalment of series six, Lomax [Perry Fitzpatrick] was seen talking to a crime scene investigator- with some fans saying they recognised the very familiar pub name, The Red Lion, he wanted to head too.

Could it be? Line of Duty fans have suggested that DS Chris Lomax (middle) dropped a huge clue that he's a bent officer during Sunday night's episode

In the scene, Kate Fleming [Vicky McClure] and Steve Arnott [Martin Compston] are shown walking towards the unit on an industrial estate where Lomax is standing.

As they approach Lomax can be heard telling his colleague, who is wearing a full white crime scene suit, they could 'be in the Red Lion by 8pm'.

He then updates Fleming and Arnott, who gives him a funny look, on what's been discovered, saying: 'There's strong evidence of workshopping a firearms...

'A preliminary report of matches between machinery here and markings on the firearms used in the Jimmy Lakewell ambush.'

Theory: Lomax [Perry Fitzpatrick] was seen talking to a crime scene investigator- with some fans saying they recognised the very familiar pub name, The Red Lion, he wanted to head too

Fleming and Arnott then order Lomax to arrange for the floor to be dug up, which he doesn't seem very happy about sorting out.

Although a passing comment, many fans have suggested that Lomax's mention of the Red Lion was actually a big clue placed to tip viewers off that he's bent.

Sharing the theory on Reddit, user u/ross-stew wrote: 'During the telephone call Chris Lomax was on before Steve and Kate approached him at the industrial unit, Chris finished the called by saying "meet you at the red lion at 8pm".

'Isn't this the same pub Carl Banks boasted about the murder of Gail Vella before he was killed? Might be a OCG meeting ground.'

Considering the theory, one person replied: 'Oooh I didn't catch that. He seemed reluctant to get the floors dug up too.'

Trying to avoid? Fleming and Arnott then order Lomax to arrange for the floor to be dug up, which he doesn't seem very happy about sorting out

Theory: Reddit user u/ross-stew pointed out that the Red Lion is the 'same pub Carl Banks boasted about the murder of Gail Vella' in before he was killed earlier in the series

Avid fans on Twitter also clocked the 'Red Lion' reference, with many saying something shady seemed to be happening with Lomax's character.

One viewer penned: '52:07 Lomax: "be in the red lion by 8"... So he's a regular at the pub the CHIS was last seen alive in, and the same pub that they found the "witness" who was incriminating Terry Boyle... Definitely bent! #LineofDuty

Another wrote: 'Lomax said "Meet you at the Red Lion".....is that the same pub someone was boasting about killing Gail Vella at? An OCG haunt? #LineOfDuty'

While a third penned: 'Also Chris Lomax is a bad 'un. Drinking in the Red Lion where he found that dodgy Devereux to falsely ID Terry.

Jumping on the bandwagon: Dozens of other avid viewers agreed that it was strange for Lomax to be mentioning the pub that was already part of the murder investigation

'Also also, Ryan's mum was the one who dropped the charges against Devereux. Also also also, season 7 will be these 3 legends leading the new AC team'.

Adding to the debate, someone else tweeted: 'Do we think Chris Lomax is a dodgy cop? Cause Kate and Steve left him to dig up what under the concrete in the ocg lockup!! Idk I just think he's not as straight as we think #LineofDuty'

Others on Reddit weren't 100 per cent convinced, with one person penning: 'On the one hand, "The Red Lion" is the most common pub name in the UK.

'On the other hand, Jed could've picked any other name for this line. Personally, I think Lomax isn't bent and this line is just to get the hardcore sleuths discussing amongst themselves.'

Is it just a Jed Herring? Other viewers thought the Red Lion theory was too easy a giveaway and didn't 100 per cent buy that Lomax is bent

And some viewers also gave Lomax the benefit of the doubt, suggesting he might just have been looking forward to an evening off work.

One person replied: 'It's more work isn't it, he thought he was done for the evening and suddenly someone wants to dig the floor up.'

'He says 'could be in the Red Lion by eight, nice work'. To me this indicates they were expecting to finish up forensics and be off to the pub before 20:00,' added another.

In episode three, Lomax discovered that CHIS Alastair Oldroyd was last seen in the Red Lion pub which lead him to witness Deborah Devereux (Kerri McLean).

In character: In episode three, Lomax discovered that CHIS Alastair Oldroyd was last seen in the Red Lion pub which lead him to witness Deborah Devereux

Part of the team: Lomax has been heavily involved in the Gail Vella investigation (pictured second left with Kate Fleming, DCI Ian Buckells and DCI Jo Davidson)

Lomax was then told to interview Devereux, with her telling the officer Oldroyd was involved in a confrontation and pointing them towards Terry Boyle (Tommy Jessop), who has Downs Syndrome.

Terry, who has been used by the OCG and bent officer Ryan Pilkington [Gregory Piper] for years, is bought in for questioning about allegedly being at the pub.

Fleming later becomes suspicious about Devereux as a witness and discovers that DCI Ian Buckells, who is also potentially bent, managed to get charges against her dropped years earlier, meaning she would have owed him and is not reliable.

The new theory comes after a trailer released on Monday teased a very action-packed final episode this weekend.

Interview: Lomax's investigations lead to Terry Boyle (Tommy Jessop) being interviewed

The trailer starts off with Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), who is facing imminent retirement, state: 'All of these suspicious deaths were orchestrated by one officer in particular, H. The fourth man.'

Hastings' powerful words went alongside flashbacks of the deaths of solicitor Jimmy Lakewell, police officer Lisa Patel, journalist Gail Vella and former Detective Inspector Marcus Thurwell- whom fans believe is still alive.

The trailer then shows acting Superintendent Jo Davidson (Kelly MacDonald) leaving the high-security prison in handcuffs, only to end up alone in a van with a corrupt prison officer who previously injured Lindsay Denton in series three.

Jo says: 'What's going on?', before the camera flashes a sinister look from the prison officer.

A handwritten note is also teased in the trailer, with the word definite misspelt to mirror what viewers have seen previously.

Bring it on: Line Of Duty will be back on Sunday night and fans are eager to find out whether AC-12 will finally crack the case on the elusive H

Shock: And in a teaser released on Monday, viewers can be certain of an action-packed finale episode with a police standoff, the return of balaclava men and that 'definately' misspelling

AC-12: The trailer starts off with Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), state: 'All of these suspicious deaths were orchestrated by one officer in particular, H. The fourth man'

A huge clue of the identity of H began to emerge in series five, when the OCG communicated with 'H' through a computer.

Eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice H spelling definitely as 'definately', and this misspelling has been repeated in subsequent episodes. Will this handwritten report be the breakthrough AC-12 need to close in on 'the fourth man'?

It certainly seems Hastings and his team are on to something as police cars sped down the road, with armed officers closing in on a residential area during the trailer.

The Superintendent briefs DI Kate Fleming, DI Steve Arnott and DC Chloe Bishop as they arrive at the scene.

Hastings says: 'AFO's will secure the suspect down', while the words 'Every investigation has led to this... H'.

And it only gets more dramatic as balaclava men jump out of vehicles armed with guns themselves. Kate opens the police van, brandishes her gun and shouts: 'armed police' before the screen fades to black.

Fall from grace: The trailer then shows acting Superintendent Jo Davidson (Kelly MacDonald) leaving the high-security prison in handcuffs
Mayor Bill de Blasio and other New York City leaders are pushing a controversial plan to drastically restrict hotel development, a move that the mayors own experts fear could endanger the citys post-pandemic recovery and cost billions in lost tax revenue.

The mayor wants to require City Council approval for any new hotel, anywhere in the city  a layer of scrutiny otherwise reserved for neighborhood-altering projects such as airports, helipads, racetracks, large stadiums and drive-in movie theaters. He has said hotels create more traffic and activity than ordinary buildings, and he has defended the policy as good for both organized labor and community residents.

The Council is expected to approve the plan in time for Mr. de Blasio to see it become law before he leaves office this year. Once it is in place, developers fear that few, if any, new hotels would be built. Similar requirements have been imposed in a smattering of neighborhoods dating to the Bloomberg administration; in those districts, no new hotels have been built under the stricter rules.

City budget officials have calculated that the move could eventually leave New York with insufficient hotel capacity, potentially costing $350 million by 2025 and as much as $7 billion by 2035 in lost taxes, according to a confidential budget office report drafted in February and shared with The New York Times.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has supported the draft law on conviction in absentia at the second reading.

Bill No. 2164 on amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code on improving certain provisions in connection with the implementation of a special pretrial investigation at the second reading was supported by 258 MPs, an Interfax-Ukraine agency correspondent reported.

According to the bill, the absentee conviction procedure can be applied only to persons who are in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine or in the Russian Federation - a state that is recognized as an aggressor country, and/or who are placed in the international wanted list.
Georgia mom's rant at school board meeting against mask mandate goes viral: 'It has to stop'

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A Georgia moms emotional plea at a school board meeting this month in the metro-Atlanta area to end a mask mandate has made waves nationwide.

A mother of three, Courtney Ann Taylor, petitioned the Gwinnett County Board of Education to take these masks off my child in a video that is circulating widely on social media.

Every month, I come here and hear the same things  social, emotional health, Taylor said. If you truly mean that, you would end the mask requirement tonight.

Taylor is the mother of a 2-year-old, a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old kindergarten student who complains about wearing a mask.

Its April 15, 2021, and its time. Take these masks off of my child, Taylor said as applause broke out in the meeting.

Taylor said it is no longer March 2020, and there are now three vaccines available that every adult in the state of Georgia is eligible to receive.

Every one of us knows that young children are not affected by this virus  and thats a blessing, she said. But as adults, what have we done with that blessing? Weve shoved it to the side and said, we dont care, youre still going to wear a mask every day, 6 and 6-year-olds. You still cant play together on the playground like normal children  we dont care.

'Were still going to force you to carry a burden that was never yours to carry, she continued. Shame on us.

Though children can develop COVID-19, most of them have no symptoms or mild symptoms, Harvard Health Publishing reported.

Taylor said they did not elect the leaders at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], the federal agency that has provided COVID-19 guidance. However, the residents of the county did elect the five school board members to make difficult decisions for our children.

We chose you to make decisions that would be in our childrens best interest and forcing 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9-year-old little children to cover their noses and their mouths where they breathe for seven hours a day every day for the past nine months for a virus you know doesnt affect them, Taylor said.

That is not in their best interest and this has to stop, she pleaded. Defend our children.  It has to stop. Take these off of our children.

Gwinnett County Public Schools, Georgias largest district, mandated face masks for all students, staff and visitors last summer for the current school year, according to Patch.

Georgias Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed three executive orders last month to roll back many COVID-19 restrictions.

One of the orders encourages but does not require Georgians to wear masks in public.

Five parents in Cobb County, Georgia, sued their school district over the districts mask mandate and asked the judge to overturn the rule, citing Kemps executive order, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

During an interview with Fox News, Taylor said people have reached out to her from across the country to thank her for speaking up stand in solidarity with her about fighting the mask mandate.

Taylor, who attends every school board meeting, said it is essential that parents become involved in their childrens education to be their voice, which prompted her to speak on behalf of her daughter.

Month after month, I have been waiting for this mask requirement to end, or at the very least, ease up. And there is just no end in sight and nobody is even having the discussion about [when] this is going to stop, she said during the Fox and Friends interview.

Forcing children to wear masks inhibits their social development, especially at such a young age, she argued.

Kindergarten is supposed to be fun, she added. They play together, they learn how to play together, they learn social norms and how to solve conflict among themselves and how to read facial expressions from their peers and their teacher. I dont see how any of the children can really do that and have a childhood right now. I think its very difficult.

Its not okay to put our children through something we disagree with like this, Taylor said.

The mother said the next step is a lot of prayer and attending each board meeting.

She also launched a change.org petition calling on Gwinnett County Public Schools to make masks optional for K-12 students. The petition has over 2,600 supporters as of Monday.

We stand firmly together to defend our most vulnerable, Taylor wrote on the online petition. We stand to say NO MORE MASK REQUIREMENTS on our children.

Thirty-two Republican lawmakers sent a letter to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky to question how the agency determined children over 2 years old should wear masks to stop the spread of the virus.

This is one of the strictest face mask age requirements globally, the lawmakers wrote, urging the CDC to update its current guidance and the age requirement by May 6.
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Last week, just a day after the guilty verdict was announced in the Derek Chauvin trial, Andrew Brown Jr was gunned down by Pasquotank County sheriff deputies serving a warrant. On Monday the county attorney showed the victim's family a short redacted clip that one family attorney described as an "execution".

Of the seven or eight officers who were at the scene, presumably each was wearing a body camera, the family was only shown video from just one. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump condemned the lack of transparency saying "They are trying to hide something. They don't want us to see everything."

Police body camera video shows Andrew Brown Jr was not a threat

Pasquotank County Attorney Michael Cox showed Brown's family and attorneys a 20 second clip of the fatal encounter between Brown and deputies on Monday afternoon. Both the family and attorneys said that it was clear he was not a threat before deputies started shooting. Family attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter said "Andrew had his hands on his steering wheel. He was not reaching for anything, he wasn't touching anything." She labeled the police actions an execution

Cherry-Lassiter said the video showed Brown in his vehicle as it was blocked in by law enforcement vehicles when officers came running up to Browns car and began firing. After the first shots Brown put the vehicle in reverse and backed out of the driveway while officers continued shooting before he crashed into a tree. A copy of his death certificate says he died as a result of a gunshot wound of the head according to CNN.

Release of the video delayed

The family was originally set to be shown the footage at noon on Monday but the viewing was delayed several hours until the afternoon. The need to blur the deputies faces, which was sought by the county attorney, was part of the delay in showing the family the video. In a statement Cox said that this is allowed under state law and the process takes time.

This added insult to injury for the family since the police had released the search warrant affidavit detailing allegations against Brown to justify why deputies sought to arrest him. "They released a warrant saying all kinds of things about Andrew Brown but they want to redact the face of police officers that killed Andrew Brown?" said Crump. Authorities said that procedure to apprehend Brown was considered higher risk as he was a convicted felon with a history of resisting arrest.

Officers put on leave others resign

Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten has informed that while an investigation takes place, seven deputies have been placed on administrative leave following last weeks shooting. Three other deputies have resigned in the wake of the shooting but those resignations are unrelated to fatal encounter according to a sheriff's office spokesperson.

Elizabeth City Mayor Bettie Parker hours before the video was shown to Browns family and attorneys declared a state of emergency. According to Parker this will clear the way for the city to receive state and federal assistance ahead of a possible "period of civil unrest."


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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Southern Silver Exploration Corp. (TSXV: SSV) ("Southern Silver") reported today that further assay results from the Mina La Bocona target area continues to extend both shallow gold-silver enriched oxide mineralization and high-grade polymetallic sulphide mineralization laterally and at depth at its Cerro Las Minitas project, Durango Mexico.

Newly released polymetallic sulphide intercepts from the Mina La Bocona target area include:

a 8.6 metre interval (7.5 metre est. TT) averaging 261g/t Ag, 0.1g/t Au,7.0% Pb and 1.7% Zn (559g/t AgEq) including a 5.1 metre interval (4.5 metre est. TT) averaging 324g/t Ag, 0.2g/t Au, 8.8% Pb and 2.4% Zn (706g/t AgEq) from drill hole 21CLM-140;

from drill hole a 7.1 metre interval (4.0 metre est. TT) averaging 161g/t Ag, 0.2g/t Au, 3.1% Pb and 0.4% Zn (293g/t AgEq) from drill hole 21CLM-143; and

from drill hole a 4.2 metre interval (2.4 metre est. TT) averaging 335g/t Ag, 0.2g/t Au, 0.3% Cu, 5.3% Pb and 2.4% Zn (638g/t AgEq) including a 1.4 metre interval (0.8 metre est. TT) averaging 636g/t Ag, 0.4g/t Au, 0.5% Cu, 10.5% Pb and 2.8% Zn (1147g/t AgEq) from drill hole 21CLM-143;

The mineralization identified in drill holes CLM-140 and -143 are extensions of the thick mineralized intercepts previously identified in the Muralla chimney and continue to extend these high-grade lenses both laterally and down-dip from previously reported drill holes 21CLM-125 (33.2m of 435g/t AgEq; see NR-01-21) and 15CLM-078 (including 3.9 of 1093g/t AgEq and 16.5m of 325g/t AgEq; see NR-10-15).

Additional assay results from drilling at the Bocona chimney extend mineralization laterally toward Muralla Chimney and include:

a 3.6 metre interval (2.9 metre est. TT) averaging 174g/t Ag, 0.6g/t Au, 4.3% Pb and 5.0% Zn (568g/t AgEq) from drill hole 21CLM-144;

While deeper drilling beneath the Bocona chimney continues to demonstrate strong copper-enrichment in the lower part of the zone and returned:

a 20.4 metre interval (12.5 metre est. TT) averaging 51g/t Ag, 0.9% Cu, and 0.1% Zn (166g/t AgEq) from drill hole 21CLM-141;

The Company also reports that it has identified additional gold-enriched intercepts within the near-surface oxide-gold zone in the upper part of drill hole 21CLM-143 which returned:

a 7.1 metre down hole interval (4.0 metre est. TT) averaging 57g/t Ag, 2.2g/t Au, and 2.3% Pb (358g/t AgEq) in oxide starting from 110.4 metres down hole in drill hole 21CLM-143.

Drilling on the oxide-gold target continues to extend the lateral projection of this shallow mineralized zone eastward and confirms the depth projection of the zone to about 150 metres below surface where it transitions into sulphide mineralization.

Drilling in the Mina La Bocona target area continues to extend the two polymetallic sulphide zones and the near surface gold-enriched mineralization identified earlier in the 2020-21 drilling. Mineralization can now be traced laterally for over 150 metres strike and up to 450 metres depth and drilling between the two main high-grade lenses has returned positive assays resulting in increased continuity between the two lenses. Four additional holes have been completed on the Mina La Bocona target and a further two holes have been completed in the South Skarn target with assays pending.

Figure 1: Plan Map of the Area of the Cerro showing the distribution of the CLM deposits and the location for new drill targeting, at the Mina La Bocona, South Skarn and Las Victorias targets.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5344/81844_9eaf2454d48f3b4c_002full.jpg

Exploration on the property continues with two drills targeting the east side of the Cerro and has now completed 38 core holes totaling 14,759 metres since restarting drilling in September 2020. Assay results from 6 drill holes are pending and are anticipated over the coming weeks.

Southern has now tested over 650 metres of strike length along the east side of the Cerro to depths of up to 500 metres. Three bonanza grade mineralized zones have been identified with over 250 metres of strike-length remaining to be tested.

The CLM Project remains one of the largest undeveloped silver-lead-zinc projects in the World and is wholly owned, unburdened by royalties, fully financed and fully permitted.

Table 1: Select Assay intervals from Mina La Bocona and South Skarn target area.

Hole # From To Interval Est. Tr. Thck. Ag Au Cu Pb Zn AgEq ZnEq Notes (m) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (%) (g/t) (%) 21CLM-140 329.4 338.0 8.6 7.5 261 0.1 0.0 7.0 1.7 559 14.2 Muralla Chimney inc. 331.8 336.9 5.1 4.5 324 0.2 0.0 8.8 2.4 706 17.9 21CLM-141 397.4 417.8 20.4 12.5 51 0.1 0.9 0.0 0.1 166 4.2 Bocona Chimney inc. 399.5 412.4 12.9 7.9 60 0.2 1.2 0.0 0.1 207 5.2 21CLM-142 346.5 348.0 1.5 0.7 47 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.7 131 3.3 Muralla/Skarn Front 21CLM-143 110.4 117.5 7.1 4.0 57 2.2 0.1 2.3 0.9 358 9.1 Oxide Au 21CLM-143 137.5 138.0 0.5 0.3 770 0.2 0.1 17.9 11.1 1789 45.4 Upper Muralla 21CLM-143 159.7 168.0 8.3 4.7 58 2.2 0.0 1.7 1.6 361 9.2 Upper Muralla inc. 162.8 165.8 2.9 1.7 108 5.2 0.0 3.2 3.3 773 19.6 21CLM-143 275.3 282.4 7.1 4.0 161 0.2 0.0 3.1 0.4 293 7.4 Muralla Chimney inc. 281.9 282.4 0.5 0.3 594 0.0 0.0 10.5 1.6 985 25.0 21CLM-143 368.9 373.1 4.2 2.4 335 0.2 0.3 5.3 2.4 638 16.2 Skarn Front inc. 371.7 373.1 1.4 0.8 636 0.4 0.5 10.5 2.8 1147 29.1 21CLM-143 390.4 393.6 3.2 1.8 167 0.3 0.3 4.0 3.3 484 12.3 Endoskarn inc. 391.8 392.2 0.5 0.3 696 1.3 1.9 20.6 11.0 2083 52.8 21CLM-144 363.0 366.5 3.6 2.9 174 0.6 0.1 4.3 5.0 568 14.4 Bocona Chimney inc. 363.0 363.9 0.9 0.8 361 1.5 0.3 8.9 11.7 1256 31.9 21CLM-145 Hole was Lost 21CLM-146 236.4 240.3 3.9 1.5 118 0.1 0.0 1.8 0.8 221 5.6 38.5% Dulition and inc. 239.8 240.3 0.5 0.2 528 0.6 0.0 9.3 4.5 1038 26.3 21CLM-146 349.7 352.9 3.2 1.2 49 0.1 0.9 0.5 0.7 197 5.0 inc. 351.0 351.9 0.9 0.3 106 0.2 2.3 1.0 1.9 486 12.3

Analyzed by FA/AA for gold and ICP-AES by ALS Laboratories, North Vancouver, BC. Silver (>100ppm), copper, lead and zinc (>1%) overlimits assayed by ore grade ICP analysis, High silver overlimits (>1500g/t Ag) and gold overlimits (>10g/t Au) re-assayed with FA-Grav. High Pb (>20%) and Zn (>30%) overlimits assayed by titration. AgEq and ZnEq were calculated using average metal prices of: US$20/oz silver, US$1650/oz gold, US$3.25/lbs copper and US$0.9/lbs lead and US$1.15/lbs zinc. AgEq and ZnEq calculations did not account for relative metallurgical recoveries of the metals. Ore-grade composites are calculated using a 80g/t AgEq cut-off in sulphide and 0.5g/t AuEq in the oxide gold zone Composites have <20% internal dilution, except where noted; anomalous intercepts are calculated using a 10g/t AgEq cut-off.

Cerro Las Minitas Project

The Cerro Las Minitas project is an advanced exploration stage polymetallic Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu Skarn/CRD project located in southern Durango, Mexico.

The Cerro Las Minitas project as of May 9th, 2019 contains a Mineral Resource Estimate, at a 175g/t AgEq cut-off, of(1)

Indicated - 134Moz AgEq: 37.5Moz Ag, 40Mlb Cu, 303Mlb Pb and 897Mlb Zn

37.5Moz Ag, 40Mlb Cu, 303Mlb Pb and 897Mlb Zn Inferred - 138Moz AgEq: 45.7Moz Ag, 76Mlb Cu, 253Mlb Pb and 796Mlb Zn

A total of 150 drill holes for 67,375metres have been completed on the CLM Project with exploration expenditures of approximately US$27.0 million equating to exploration discovery costs of approximately C$0.09 per AgEq ounce to the end of 2020.

About Southern Silver Exploration Corp.

Southern Silver Exploration Corp. is an exploration and development company with a focus on the discovery of world-class mineral deposits. Our specific emphasis is the 100% owned Cerro Las Minitas silver-lead-zinc project located in the heart of Mexico's Faja de Plata, which hosts multiple world-class mineral deposits such as Penasquito, Los Gatos, San Martin, Naica and Pitarrilla. We have assembled a team of highly experienced technical, operational and transactional professionals to support our exploration efforts in developing the Cerro Las Minitas project into a premier, high-grade, silver-lead-zinc mine. The Company engages in the acquisition, exploration and development either directly or through joint-venture relationships in mineral properties in major jurisdictions. Our property portfolio also includes the Oro porphyry copper-gold project located in southern New Mexico, USA.

The 2019 Cerro Las Minitas Resource Estimate was prepared following CIM definitions for classification of Mineral Resources. Resources are constrained using mainly geological constraints and approximate 10g/t AgEq grade shells. The block models are comprised of an array of blocks measuring 10m x 2m x 10m, with grades for Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn values interpolated using ID3 weighting. Silver and zinc equivalent values were subsequently calculated from the interpolated block grades. The model is identified at a 175g/t AgEq cut-off, with an indicated resource of 11,102,000 tonnes averaging 105g/t Ag, 0.10g/t Au, 1.2% Pb, 3.7% Zn and 0.16% Cu and an inferred resource of 12,844,000 tonnes averaging 111g/t Ag, 0.07g/t Au, 0.9% Pb, 2.8% Zn and 0.27% Cu. AgEq cut-off values were calculated using average long-term prices of $16.6/oz. silver, $1,275/oz. gold, $2.75/lb. copper, $1.0/lb. lead and $1.25/lb. zinc. Metal recoveries for the Blind, El Sol and Las Victorias deposits of 91% silver, 25% gold, 92% lead, 82% zinc and 80% copper and for the Skarn Front deposit of 85% silver, 18% gold, 89% lead, 92% zinc and 84% copper were used to define the cut-off grades. Base case cut-off grade assumed $75/tonne operating, smelting and sustaining costs. All prices are stated in $USD. Silver Equivalents were calculated from the interpolated block values using relative recoveries and prices between the component metals and silver to determine a final AgEq value. The same methodology was used to calculate the ZnEq value. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves until they have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral resource estimates do not account for a resource's mineability, selectivity, mining loss, or dilution. The current Resource Estimate was prepared by Garth Kirkham, P.Geo. of Kirkham Geosciences Ltd. who is the Independent Qualified Person responsible for presentation and review of the Mineral Resource Estimate. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and therefore numbers may not appear to add precisely.

Robert Macdonald, MSc. P.Geo, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and supervised directly the collection of the data from the CLM Project that is reported in this disclosure and is responsible for the presentation of the technical information in this disclosure.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Lawrence Page"

Lawrence Page, Q.C.

President & Director, Southern Silver Exploration Corp.

For further information, please visit Southern Silver's website at southernsilverexploration.com or contact us at 604.641.2759 or by email at ir@mnxltd.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.

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Southern Silver Exploration Corp. 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 to the extent required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81844
NEW YORK, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/-- Planet Green Holdings Corp. (the "Company") (NYSE American: PLAG) announced today that the Company has entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with three investors (the "Transaction"). Pursuant to the agreement, the Company will receive gross proceeds of $7,600,000 in the aggregate, in exchange for the issuance of an aggregate of 4,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock, representing a purchase price of approximately $1.90 per share. The Transaction will be closed on customary closing conditions of this type of transaction.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "estimate", "plan", "outlook", and "project" and other similar expressions that indicate future events or trends or are not statements of historical matters. These statements are based on our management's 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 of our control and all of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements can be found in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available, free of charge, on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

For more information please contact:Ms. Lili HuChief Financial Officer Phone: 718 799 0380Email: hulili@planetgreenholdings.com

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/planet-green-holdings-corp-entered-into-financing-transaction-301277105.html

SOURCE Planet Green Holdings Corp.
WASHINGTON, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's SpaceX Crew-1 mission with NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Shannon Walker, and Soichi Noguchi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is now targeting a return to Earth at 11:36 a.m. EDT Saturday, May 1, in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. The Crew Dragon spacecraft, named Resilience, is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station at 5:55 p.m. Friday, April 30, to begin the journey home.

NASA and SpaceX agreed to move Crew-1's undocking and splashdown from Wednesday, April 28, following a review of forecast weather conditions in the splashdown zones off the coast of Florida, which currently predict wind speeds above the recovery criteria. Teams will continue to monitor weather conditions for splashdown ahead of Friday's planned undocking.

The return to Earth  and activities leading up to the return  will air live on NASA Television, the NASA App, and the agency's website.

Crew-1 is the first of six crewed missions NASA and SpaceX will fly as part of the agency's Commercial Crew Program, which worked with the U.S. aerospace industry to return launches with astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil.

In advance of departure from the space station, Crew-1 astronaut and station Commander Shannon Walker of NASA will hand over command of the station to JAXA astronaut and Crew-2 member Akihiko Hoshide during a change of command and farewell event.

The Crew Dragon will undock autonomously and depart from the space station with the capability to splashdown at one of seven targeted landing zones in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. Resilience also will return to Earth important and time-sensitive research. For normal crew rescue and recovery operations, the NASA and SpaceX teams select two primary splashdown locations from the seven possible locations about two weeks prior to return, with additional decision milestones taking place prior to crew boarding the spacecraft, during free flight, and before Crew Dragon performs a deorbit burn.

NASA and SpaceX closely coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard to establish a 10-nautical-mile safety zone around the expected splashdown location to ensure safety for the public and for those involved in the recovery operations, as well as the crew aboard the returning spacecraft.

NASA's SpaceX Crew-1 return coverage is as follows (all times are Eastern):

Tuesday, April 27

1:25 p.m.  Change of Command and Crew-1 farewell remarks aboard the International Space Station

Friday, April 30

3:30 p.m.  NASA TV coverage begins for 3:50 p.m. hatch closure

5:30 p.m.  NASA TV coverage begins for 5:55 p.m. undocking

Saturday, May 1

11:36 a.m.  Splashdown (NASA TV will provide continuous coverage from undocking to splashdown)

1:30 p.m.  Return to Earth news conference at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, with the following participants:

Kathy Lueders , associate administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters

, associate administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters Steve Stich , manager, Commercial Crew Program, Kennedy Space Center

, manager, Commercial Crew Program, Joel Montalbano , manager, International Space Station, Johnson

, manager, International Space Station, Johnson Holly Ridings , chief flight director, Johnson

, chief flight director, Johnson Hans Koenigsmann , senior advisor, Flight Reliability, SpaceX

, senior advisor, Flight Reliability, SpaceX Hiroshi Sasaki , vice president and director general, JAXA's Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate

Media wishing to participate in the Return to Earth news conference by telephone must call Johnson's newsroom at 281-483-5111 to RSVP no later than 12 p.m. Saturday, April 28. Those following the briefing on social media may ask questions using #AskNASA.

NASA's Commercial Crew Program has delivered on its goal of safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station from the United States through a partnership with American private industry. This partnership is changing the arc of human spaceflight history by opening access to low-Earth orbit and the International Space Station to more people, more science, and more commercial opportunities. The space station remains the springboard to NASA's next great leap in space exploration, including future missions to the Moon and, eventually, to Mars.

Learn more about space station activities by following @space_station, and @ISS_Research on Twitter, as well as the ISS Facebook and ISS Instagram accounts and the space station blog.

Learn more about splashdown locations, weather criteria, and recovery logistics, at: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-s-spacex-crew-rescue-and-recovery/

See full mission coverage, NASA's commercial crew blog, and more information about the mission at: https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

SOURCE NASA

Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov


An Army officer in protective clothing guides trainees entering the Republic of Korea Army Training Center in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, in this Dec. 28, 2020 photo. Yonhap



By Jung Da-min



A controversy is arising over the military's alleged excessive COVID-19 quarantine measures, which critics say violate the basic human rights of service members.



According to the Center for Military Human Rights Korea, a human rights civic group, conscripts at the Republic of Korea Army Training Center are being treated poorly under the center's measures.



They are allegedly banned from brushing their teeth and washing their face for three days after arriving at the center and are not allowed to take a shower for eight to 10 days under the name of "anti-virus measures," according to a report by the group released Monday.



"We have confirmed that trainees enter the training center every Monday, and all of the admitted trainees undergo preventive quarantine.  They receive a first PCR test on Tuesday and they are not allowed to brush their teeth nor wash their face until the results come out Wednesday," the report said, adding trainees were only allowed to go to the toilet at specific times and taking a shower was impossible.



"In addition, the training center conducts a second PCR test before releasing trainees from preventive quarantine. Once the second test results come out, trainees are then allowed to take a shower, brush their teeth, wash their face and use the toilet without restrictions. But it takes about eight to 10 days."



The Army said such measures were inevitable in order to prevent COIVD-19 from spreading at the Army Training Center in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, the largest training institution for the entire military with over 120,000 conscripts entering annually.



"Bottled water is provided and gargling is allowed for trainees to rinse out their mouth for three days, while those with dental-related diseases are allowed to brush their teeth. Taking a shower is allowed from the third day if the first PCR test is negative," the Army said in a statement. "If a trainee urgently needs to use the toilet, he is allowed to go to the toilet in another building after we disinfect it."



The Army said its strict preventive measures have been effective so far, with only 27 coronavirus infections confirmed at the center since last year, as of April 21.



But some people say such measures are too harsh considering other conditions at the training center where many trainees have to share space.



"It's been more than a year since the COVID-19 pandemic situation started but the military is still using the old accommodations for soldiers and trainees. I don't see it as a rational decision," said Lee, 26, from Seoul. "Even if the military could prevent COVID-19 from spreading with such excessive measures, I'm concerned that trainees could get sick in such a poor state of hygiene."



But Koo, 25, also a Seoul resident, said there appeared to be no other choice for the Army center with its current facilities where conscripts inevitably come into contact with each other while showering or using the toilets.


UN chief voices concern over armed clashes in Somali capital

Xinhua) 13:41, April 27, 2021

UNITED NATIONS, April 26 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday voiced deep concern over the recent armed clashes in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, said his spokesman.

"The secretary-general ... reiterates his call for all Somali stakeholders to refrain from further violence and resolve their differences through dialogue and compromise," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.

Guterres urged all Somali stakeholders to resume negotiations immediately and forge an agreement based on the Sept. 17, 2020, electoral model and Baidoa technical committee proposals, said the statement.

The latest political crisis came on April 12 when the Somali lower house of parliament voted to extend the terms of the executive and the legislative arms of government, despite stiff opposition from the upper house leadership and opposition leaders.

Efforts to reach an agreement on how to carry out presidential and parliamentary elections, which were originally scheduled for February, have been stalled for months.

The opposition has refused to recognize Mohamed Farmajo as president since his four-year term expired on Feb. 8 without planned elections taking place.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
Saudi authorities have officially started work on the second phase of the 800,000-sq-m venue for the mega World Defence Show in Riyadh  featuring the worlds first purpose-built runway for a defence event.

Founded by Saudi Arabias General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), the World Defence Show is the global stage for defence interoperability across five domains: land, sea, air, security, and satellite.

The world-class event will take place between March 6 to 9 next year and reoccur biennially in Saudi capital, said the event organisers.

World Defense Show will enable the industry to keep pace with developments across defence and technology. By connecting key defence contacts, primes, SMEs, and buyers, World Defense Show has laid the foundations to advance the defense industry and launch an industry-wide front against the challenges presented by ever-deeper defense systems integration.

Giving a project update, GAMI said more than one million tonnes of earth have been processed in the first week of works in preparation for the construction of the flagship events exhibition halls, access roads and car parking areas.

According to organisers, the first of two halls is on track for completion by October this year. By December 2021, the second hall will be completed along with a new access road, land forces demonstration area and courtyard - a central point of access for dozens of hospitality suites playing host to high-level meetings between suppliers and buyers.

All runway clearing and excavation activities were finalised in Phase ONe of construction, with 89% of grading works completed  paving the way for state-of-the-art demonstrations of the latest military aircraft during the four-day event from 6-9 March 2022.

Hundreds of construction vehicles have been part of the construction efforts, including 75 bulldozers, 53 tipper trucks, 15 excavators and 12 roller compactors.

Shaun Ormrod, CEO of the World Defense Show, said: "World Defense Show is the first event to be dedicated to tech-integration across the industrys five domains, showcasing true interoperability at the greatest level  a topic that has become a growing challenge for defense decision makers around the world."

"A central part of that is our venue, which is equipped with 800,000 sqm of unrestricted area and purpose-built facilities for equipment demonstrations, conferences and exhibition halls," he noted.

"The exhibition area will use interactive technologies for product displays, simulations, and engaging seminars on an unprecedented scale," stated Ormrod.

"We are also proud to be the worlds first defense event to host a runway on site for live military aircraft demonstrations," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
AUSTIN, Texas, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Supreme Court of the United States announced on April 26 that it will let stand a 2020 decision by the Supreme Court of Texas that limits workers' compensation air ambulance payments to what is "fair and reasonable."

Texas Mutual has been opposing the drastic increase in air ambulance prices since 2012 when large private equity companies that had acquired air ambulance operations began increasing their billed charges dramatically. At the same time, these companies argued in courts in Texas and around the nation that a federal law requires state-regulated workers' compensation insurers to pay any price they demand. Texas Mutual, the Attorney General of the State of Texas and other insurers disagreed and fought back.

Last year, in a strongly worded opinion, the highest court of Texas held that PHI Air Medical may receive fair and reasonable payments in the system, not whatever price it unilaterally chooses to charge. The average billed charge today exceeds $50,000 for a single transport.

The Supreme Court of Texas also emphasized that if PHI Air Medical were right about their federal law argument, then it would be "substantially worse off" because insurers "would no longer have any obligation to reimburse at all." Texas workers' compensation law forbids medical providers from billing injured workers for anything.

PHI Air Medical, not content with fair and reasonable payments, petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the decision made by the Texas Supreme Court. After reviewing the arguments filed by both sides, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the Texas holding, assuring that the workers' compensation system remains protected from this unwarranted expense.

"The issue has now been fully and fairly litigated," said Mary Nichols, senior vice president and general counsel for Texas Mutual. "Without regulation, air ambulances would drain tens of millions of dollars from the workers' comp system and ultimately from Texas employers and injured workers. These rulings affirm the role of the states in regulating their own workers' compensation systems, as a matter of federalism and sound regulatory policy."

About Texas Mutual Insurance Company

Austin-based Texas Mutual Insurance Company, a policyholder-owned company, is the state's leading provider of workers' compensation insurance. Texas Mutual provides coverage to 42% of the market, representing 72,000 companies, many of which are small businesses. Since 1991, the company has provided a stable, competitively priced source of workers' comp insurance for Texas employers. Helping employers prevent workplace accidents is an important part of Texas Mutual' s mission.

Media Contacts:

Kelsey Stevens or Danielle Kaigler

[email protected] or [email protected]

(512) 494-2876 or (617) 8401689

SOURCE Texas Mutual Insurance Company

Related Links

http://www.texasmutual.com


Set in the idyllic but fragile beach paradise of sunny 1980s San Diego, Physical is a half-hour dark comedy following Sheila Rubin, a quietly tortured, seemingly dutiful housewife supporting her smart but controversial husbands bid for state assembly. But behind closed doors, Sheila has her own darkly funny take on life she rarely lets the world see. Shes also battling a complex set of personal demons relating to her self-image that is, until she finds release through the unlikeliest source: the world of aerobics.At first hooked on the exercise itself, Sheilas real road to empowerment comes when she discovers a way to merge this newfound passion with the burgeoning technology of videotape to start a revolutionary business. The series tracks her epic journey from a stifled, overlooked enabler to a powerful, confident economic force, as Sheila transforms into someone we take for granted today (but was entirely radical at the time)  the female lifestyle guru.Coming SoonDramedy10Tomorrow Studios
Buyers of energy efficient homes can earn 500 cashback with a Nationwide mortgage.

Most homes sold in the UK need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which tells you how green your home is.

The score is calculated using the Government-approved Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). The higher the number, the more efficient the property.

Green incentive: Nationwide building society is offering up to 500 cashback for mortgage customers buying energy efficient homes

Nationwide's 'Green Reward' is available on properties with an SAP rating of at least 86. This is equivalent to an EPC rating of B.

Those purchasing a property with an SAP rating of 92 or above will get 500, while those with a score from 86 to 91 will receive 250.

You must fill out the EPC document, which is on the Government's online register, within two weeks of your mortgage completing.

NatWest also offers a 'green mortgage' for properties with an EPC rating of A or B. A two-year fix is available at 1.13 per cent for those with a 40 per cent deposit.

Fees are 995 with 250 cashback. Based on a 150,000 mortgage, Defaqto calculates this would cost 577.99 a month.

To get an EPC you will need to have your property assessed. If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland you can book it here: getting-new-energy-certificate.digital.communities.gov.uk/ or use scottishepcregister.org.uk/ for homes in Scotland.

a.murray@dailymail.co.uk
The Dundalk Chamber of Commerce have organised a webinar that will help local firms find new supply chain solutions, as Brexit continues to effect the way businesses trade.

Post-Brexit, more and more Irish companies have looked to the continent for supplies previously sourced from the UK. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) the value of goods sent from Britain to the Republic dropped by 47% during January 2021, the largest fall for any destination.

To counteract the consequences of Brexit, Ireland has increased its direct shipping routes to the continent from 12 to 42 per week, or six a day. It is therefore in a stronger position to utilise the sea bridge, and consequently lessen its reliance on the UK land bridge.

In a report commissioned by the German Irish Chamber, Prof. Edgar Morgenroth from DCU notes that 61% of products that were imported into Ireland from the UK had a German alternative and were often cheaper.

With those statistics in mind, the German Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce, in collaboration with the Dundalk Chamber, will host a Free webinar on Post-Brexit supply chain solutions.

This event will be an opportunity for Irish companies to learn more about the new supply chain service offered by the Chamber and Quality Freight which will offer a door-to-door service via the sea bridge as well as introducing Irish companies to German suppliers.

The free event takes place on Wednesday the 19th of May, with those wishing to book a spot asked to call Brenda in Dundalk Chamber on 042 9336343 or email brenda@dundalk.ie.
AUSTIN, Minn- Pacelli Catholic Schools is returning to distance learning after seven positive cases of COVID-19 were found there. The last case affected all elementary schools and some high school students. Students had the day off from learning on Monday to allow teachers to prepare for the next couple of weeks.

"Part of this is just being on a precautionary level," said principal Kane Malo. "We know it's a burden for our families and we're doing our best to meet the needs of our families, keep our students as healthy as possible, and give our seniors a positive way to finish the year."

According to Malo, There are students who've been in contact with a positive case but have not been in close contact therefore, they will not need to quarantine.

"It's tough. This my first year being a principal in any school so you have difficulties in trying to manage, level , and weigh out the needs of the students along with being proactive and safe with the COVID," said Malo.

Distance learning will run until May 7th with an in-person return date of May 10th. Prom and extracurricular activities will also go on as planned. Parents are urged to monitor their children for symptoms and have them tested if they have any.
Actor Randy Quaid says he is 'seriously considering' running for California governor against Caitlyn Jenner.

The 70-year-old actor tweeted Tuesday afternoon, 'Im seriously considering running for governor. The prosecutorial corruption in California (esp Santa Barbara & the Bell scandal) is rampant; and I promise that if elected I will clean up the District Attorney Offices throughout the state.'

Quaid, the older brother of Dennis Quaid who is also known for his role in National Lampoon films, followed up with a hashtag, '#RandyQuaid4CAGOV'.

This comes after former athlete and reality star Caitlyn Jenner announced her bid to run for governor last week.

And on Monday, organizers of the recall effort against California Gov. Gavin Newsom collected enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.

Actor Randy Quaid tweeted Tuesday that he is 'seriously considering' running for California governor

'I promise that if elected I will clean up the District Attorney Offices throughout the state,' the 70-year-old actor said

Quaid has yet to file paperwork to launch an official campaign.

Early in his career, Quaid was known for dramatic roles in such films as The Last Detail (1973), which garnered him an Oscar nomination, and as a prisoner in the highly acclaimed drama Midnight Express (1978), alongside co-stars Brad Davis and John Hurt.

Quaid, known for his role in National Lampoon films, followed up with a hashtag, '#RandyQuaid4CAGOV'

But in the 1980's he endeared fans with quirkier comedic roles like Cousin Eddie in the National Lampoon franchise that began with Vacation, starring Chevy Chase in 1983.

He would reprise the over-the-top character in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989), Vegas Vacation (1997) and Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure (2003).

His long Hollywood resume also includes A Streetcar Named Desire (1984), LBJ: The Early Years (1987), Caddyshack II (1988), Parents (1989), Independence Day (1996) and Brokeback Mountain (2005).

Over the last decade, the actor has been known more for his legal issues, conspiracy theories and attempt to seek asylum in Canada, stating that he and his wife feared for their lives in the US.

The couple, who have been married for 30 years, were first arrested in 2009 for leaving a Santa Barbara, California hotel without paying.

The arrested again the following year for living in and damaging a guest house on the property of a home they once owned.

There were also multiple missed court appearances and arrest warrants along the way in both the US and Canada.

Eventually Evi was granted Canadian citizenship in 2011, but Randy's request was denied.

They were eventually detained in 2015, while trying to drive across the Canadian border into Vermont, one week before his deportation date.

Caitlyn Jenner is running for Governor of California. The 71-year-old filed paperwork to launch her campaign and is formally announced her run Friday, according to Axios

The California secretary of state's office announced Monday that more than 1.6 million signatures had been verified, about 100,000 more than needed to force a vote on the first-term Democrat Gavin Newsom.

An election is likely in the fall where voters would face two questions: Should Newsom be recalled and who should replace him? The votes on the second question will only be counted if more than half say yes to the first.

The Democrat, who is deemed a star of the party and was once tipped for the White House, has seen a fall in approval ratings because of the state's oppressive lockdowns and bungled vaccine rollout.

More than a third of voters said they would oust Newsom at the ballot box if the recall qualifies, a survey by UC Berkeley found in February.

And on Friday, 71-year-old Jenner filed paperwork to launch her campaign and formally announced her run on social media, revealing her new slogan - Caitlyn For California.

Jenner is a registered Republican. She voted for Trump in 2016 but not in 2020, in protest against his position on transgender issues. In an announcement on Instagram, she did not indicate whether or not she'll run as a Republican or Independent.

If a Republican wins, it will be the first time since 2003, when Arnold Schwarzenegger won.

Organizers of the recall effort against California Gov. Gavin Newsom collected enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot

Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, former U.S. Rep. Doug Ose and businessman John Cox, who lost to Newsom in the 2018 governors race, are also running.

A member of Jenner's team - which includes many prominent former Trump White House figures - told Axios: 'She's running as someone that's socially liberal and fiscally conservative.'

She has hired Tony Fabrizio, a pollster who worked on both of Trump's campaigns, and Brad Parscale also helped her in an informal role.

In the Instagram statement, Jenner said: 'I'm in! California has been my home for nearly 50 years. I came here because I knew that anyone, regardless of their background or station in life, could turn their dreams into reality.

'But for the past decade, we have seen the glimmer of the Golden State reduced by one-party rule that places politics over progress and special interests over people. Sacramento needs an honest leader with a clear vision.

'I have been a compassionate disrupter throughout my life, from representing the United States and winning a gold medal at the Olympics to helping advance the movement for equality.'
Ursula von der Leyen today warned Boris Johnson the European Union 'will not hesitate' to take action against the UK if it breaches the terms of the Brexit trade deal.

The President of the European Commission said the Trade and Cooperation Agreement has 'real teeth' and 'unilateral remedial measures' will be deployed 'where necessary'.

She stressed that she and the commission 'do not want to have to use these tools' as MEPs prepared to finally vote for the trade agreement which was struck by the two sides in December.

Her warning shot came amid a rumbling row between the UK and the EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol which was agreed as part of the original Brexit divorce deal.

Ursula von der Leyen, pictured today addressing the European Parliament in Brussels, warned Boris Johnson the EU 'will not hesitate' to take action against the UK if it breaches the terms of the Brexit trade deal

MEPS will today finally vote for the Trade and Cooperation Agreement which the EU agreed with Mr Johnson on Christmas Eve last year. The PM is pictured in Llandudno yesterday

Addressing the European Parliament, Mrs von der Leyen said: 'This agreement comes with real teeth. With a binding dispute settlement mechanism and the possibility for unilateral remedial measures where necessary.

'Let me be very clear: We do not want to have to use these tools. But we will not hesitate to use them if necessary.

'They are essential to ensure full compliance with the TCA and with the Withdrawal Agreement.'

Mrs von der Leyen noted concerns in the EU that the UK had not yet fully complied with the terms of the Brexit divorce deal and stressed that 'vigilance' would be required in future when it comes to sticking to the terms of the trade deal.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached with Mr Johnson on Christmas Eve governs the way the UK and the EU deal with each other.

The deal has been applied provisionally since January 1 but requires the approval of MEPs  who are not expected to oppose it when they vote today  before it can be formally ratified.

Mrs von der Leyen said: 'We know it will not always be easy and there is a lot of vigilance, diligence and hard work ahead.

'But, while today's vote is obviously an end, it is also the beginning of a new chapter.

'The choice is now whether today's vote will be the high-water mark of the EU-UK relations for the next decades, or whether we see this as the foundation of a strong and close partnership based on our shared values and interests.

'Only history will tell what road is taken  although I hope for the latter.'

Relations between the UK and EU have been strained over the application of the Northern Ireland Protocol which governs the post-Brexit arrangements aimed at preventing a hard border with Ireland.

Much of the disruption and controversy created by the protocol relates to the fact that Great Britain has left the Single Market for goods, while Northern Ireland remains in the EU regulatory zone.

That necessitates a significant number of documentary checks and physical inspections on agri-food goods arriving into Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

The UK has unilaterally extended grace periods covering areas of the economy including supermarket supplies and parcel deliveries to Northern Ireland from Great Britain, meaning post-Brexit checks are not yet fully applied  which has triggered a legal dispute with Brussels.

Mrs von der Leyen said there was a need for 'joint solutions' as 'unilateral decisions will get us nowhere'.

She said there had been 'some progress' in talks on improving the protocol between commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic and the UK's Brexit Minister Lord Frost.

'In recent days and weeks, we have seen a new, constructive dynamic and we will continue to work closely with the UK to find constructive solutions that respect what was agreed,' she told MEPs.

'The next step is to mutually agree on compliance paths, with concrete deadlines and milestones.'

Michel Barnier, who led the EU's negotiations with the UK, said Brexit was a sign of political failure for the bloc. He is pictured in Brussels today as MEPs prepared to vote on the Brexit trade deal

She added: 'We need solutions, not soundbites, if we are to make the protocol work for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.'

Michel Barnier, who led the EU's negotiations with the UK, said Brexit was a sign of political failure for the bloc.

'This is a divorce. It's a warning, Brexit, and it's a failure  a failure of the European Union,' he said.

'And we have to learn lessons from it as politicians here in the European Parliament, in council, in the Commission, in all of the capitals.

'Why did 52% of the British vote against Europe? There are reasons for that  social anger and tension which existed in many regions in the UK but also in many regions of the EU. Our duty is to listen and understand the feelings of the people.'
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27)  The Department of Energy is not seeing demand-driven energy shortage in the summer season but said the country needs power reserves to address unplanned outages.

During the hearing of the Joint Congressional Energy Commission on Tuesday, lawmakers repeatedly asked officials if there would be brownouts or blackouts from April to June. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, said there should be unimpeded power supply especially for the cold storage facilities of COVID-19 vaccines.

"Sa ngayon po wala tayong nakikitang high risk na magkakaroon tayo ng shortage (As of now, we are not seeing high risks for shortage)," Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

Cusi stressed the need for ancillary services or reserves saying these would work like a "spare tire" to address outages and guarantee reliable energy supply. He said this is in line with the Electric Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA. He admits the reserves will have additional cost to consumers, but one that is necessary.

"The cost of no power or lack of power or intermittent power is higher than the cost of reserve," Cusi said.

He said the government is also monitoring the preventive maintenance of power plants to avoid breakdowns.

Mario Marasigan, director of the DOE's Electric Power Industry Management Bureau, said Luzon is not expected to hit the peak demand of 11,841 megawatts. There are also no major issues in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Gatchalian, however, raised the alarm over unplanned outages, saying there have been 49 incidents this year involving around 2,400 megawatts of power. Citing an internal analysis, Gatchalian said nine power plants that had unplanned outages did not comply with the Energy Regulatory Commission's reliability index. He called for accountability.

ERC chair Agnes Devanadera said the commission even found more possibly erring power firms "about 15 or 16."

"We have to go into the analysis as to the real causes and the validation of those things," Devanadera said. "When we are done with this, the most logical thing for us to do is really implement and impose penalties where they are needed."
MILAN, APR 27 - A 15-year-old boy was taken to a Milan hospital in serious condition Tuesday after reportedly throwing himself out of a second-storey window at his school in the northern Italian city, local sources said. Police said they could not confirm that the boy deliberately threw himself out of the window at the school, the Istituto Salesiano Sant'Ambrogio in via Copernico. They are quizzing staff and schoolmates to see if they saw what he did. (ANSA).
About three blocks from the Pearl, a drab warehouse and a pile of dirt sit on a lot between two clusters of luxury townhomes.

Most of the site between East Locust and West Grayson streets was once occupied by Flasher Equipment, a manufacturer of traffic signs. It was purchased several years ago by SOJO Urban Development, a local group that built the townhomes on one side.

Houston-based real estate company Urban Genesis is now proposing apartments on the 1.17-acre site, which is within a stones throw of several other planned residential projects. This one has drawn criticism from residents of Tobin Hill, the surrounding neighborhood of single-family homes thats attracted more interest from developers in recent years due to the Pearls success.

Urban Genesis project and the other nearby developments add more housing in the increasingly expensive neighborhood. It also provides an alternative for housing in San Antonio, a sprawling city that keeps spreading outward with new subdivisions. Among the reasons people desire the downtown-area neighborhoods is that in car-centric San Antonio, they are within walking or biking distance of restaurants, stores, hotels, bars, the headquarters of Credit Human and the future corporate offices of Jefferson Bank.

But in historic neighborhoods around the urban core, its not uncommon to hear concerns about proposals being too big and not in keeping with an areas character. The inner city is slowly adding more apartment buildings, but density is still an alien concept here and the opposition to Urban Genesis pitch reflects that.

William Luther /William Luther

The number of units  113 one-bedrooms of about 650 square feet  is relatively low. The developments height would reach four stories in the center and three stories next to the townhomes on either side, which are also three stories.

Parking is often a headache in urban neighborhoods, and Tobin Hill representatives and townhome residents voiced concerns about tenants taking spots along East Locust, attorney Ashley Farrimond told the Zoning Commission at its April 20 meeting. The complex would include a parking garage with 122 spaces and tenants vehicle access would be limited to West Grayson.

It also would not include a pool, business center or common area.

Weve heard some rumors that people think that there's going to be crazy pool parties or loud noise coming from this project, and I just want to clarify that that is not going to happen, Farrimond said. The amenity for this project is the area. Its the neighborhood, its the Pearl, its the walkability.

But some neighbors balked at the proposal, which requires the property to be rezoned. Forty-five notices about the rezoning request were mailed to nearby property owners. Eight were returned in favor and 17 in opposition. The Tobin Hill Community Association has not yet taken a position; Urban Genesis and a developer with SOJO did not respond to inquiries.

In voicemails played during the meeting, two neighbors complained the site had been rezoned several times, with the number of units permitted steadily increasing. The complex would include too many apartments, they said, and create traffic problems.

The project shouldnt necessarily be squashed but the Zoning Commission should reign in the number of planned units to something thats more acceptable and in keeping with the neighborhood size, neighbor Joseph Cook said.

The complex and the other nearby residential developments would add more than 900 dwelling units within a short distance of each other over the next 48 months, said neighbor Basel Murad.

In aggregate, the immediate density of this area is one that will ultimately rival larger metropolitan cities such as New York City or Chicago, Murad said. Developer economics should not dictate public policy, but public policy should dictate developer economics.

(As someone who lived in New York City for several years, I did a double-take.)

Due to the push-back, Commissioner Summer Greathouse, who represents District 1, suggested postponing a decision to May 4. The location and proximity to single-family homes was different from the other project nearby, she said.

I do have some concerns about the density here and the precedent that we're setting, she said. I would like to ... give the opportunity for the developer and the neighbors to work together, because there was quite a large number of folks in opposition. Id like to see if there's something we can do to get everyone on the same page.

It remains to be seen whether Urban Genesis will alter its plan and the Zoning Commission will recommend approval to the City Council, which has the final vote on zoning decisions. But opposition to a project like this is a worrying sign for adding density in San Antonios urban core, where it is needed.
Property owners on the Big Island who were affected by the 2018 Kilauea volcanic eruption can apply to have Hawaii County buy back their land starting next week.

Hawaii County said the first phase of its Kilauea Disaster Recovery Voluntary Housing Buyout Program will address properties used as a primary residence during the eruption. The program will begin accepting applications on April 30.

The 2018 eruption upended the lives of lower Puna residents, and many who lost a home are still needing help with finding secure, permanent housing. This federally funded program will help them get back on their feet and address an urgent need following the disaster while reducing risks from future eruption, said Douglas Le, a disaster recovery officer.

The program is funded by $84 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grants to purchase eruption-damaged land for up to $230,000.

The Hawaii County Council unanimously voted in March to provide funding for recovery projects. About $78 million will be used for the voluntary housing buyout program and another $1.6 million will go toward a program to help qualified residents who were displaced by the eruption find permanent housing. The remaining $4 million will cover administrative expenses.

These programs will help Puna residents displaced by the eruption secure stable housing and recover financially, Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth said in a statement last month.

Le said he expects the recovery team to accept about 300 applications in the first phase. Officials said 294 of the 612 homes destroyed during the eruption were primary residences in Hawaii Islands Puna district.

Owners of secondary residences will be able to apply for the program from Nov. 1 through Jan. 31, 2022, under the second phase. The third phase will begin May 2, 2022, through July 29, 2022, and include owners of undeveloped properties.

People eligible under the first phase will still be able to apply in subsequent phases, Le said. However, he recommended people apply when they are first eligible to ensure there is enough funding to cover properties. The sales price of the properties will be determined by its value before the eruption.

Le said the entire process from application to the final buyout is expected to take about six months. Once complete, all structures on properties purchased through the program will be demolished.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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A groom-to-be who fatally stabbed his brother days before he was due to get married should be acquitted of murder because he was acting in self-defence, a Brisbane court has heard.

Bernard John Robbins is on trial charged with murdering Gregory Robbins, 61, at a home in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast on June 2019.

Bernard Robbins, 59, admitted he stabbed his brother seven times after a night of drunken arguments, but says he was being held in a headlock, unable to breathe from being choked.

He grabbed a knife from a nearby massage table, fearing his brother would injure him or do serious harm, defence barrister Damian Walsh told the Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Bernard John Robbins is on trial charged with murdering Gregory Robbins (pictured), 61, at a home in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast on June 2019

Bernard Robbins told the jury last week the knife was on the table from cutting boxes because they had moved house weeks earlier.

'Put yourselves in Bernie's spot and ask yourselves this: If you're being strangled and you think it's going to happen again or there's a potential for it to happen again ... you don't think of everything you're doing, you just lash out as Bernie said he did, and he got him five times,' Mr Walsh added.

'If someone attacks you and strangles you, you can't breathe, then you're entitled to use such force that is reasonably necessary to defend yourself.'

Mr Walsh said the jury could also find Bernard Robbins was provoked by his brother's taunts in the 'heat of passion'. In that case, they would find him not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.

But the Crown argues self-defence and provocation don't apply.

Prosecutor Christopher Cook told the jury Bernard Robbins was the aggressor who calmed down after earlier arguments, but 'the trigger' really setting him off was thinking his bride-to-be was 'turning on him' and going to call off the wedding.

The trial heard the altercation occurred three days before Bernard Robbins and Sally Doring were to get married.

Gregory Robbins had arrived from Perth on the day he died to attend the wedding.

He first 'arced up' in response to a comment about mending the relationship with his daughter, his brother told the court earlier in the trial.

In response Gregory Robbins referred to their mother as a 'stunned mullet'.

Bernard Robbins, 59, admitted he stabbed his brother seven times after a night of drunken arguments, but says he was being held in a headlock, unable to breathe from being choked. Pictured: the home where the stabbing occurred

The name-calling and swearing continued, with neighbours hearing Bernard Robbins saying, 'You've got no idea what's coming to you' and 'I'm done, I've had enough,' the trial heard.

It was after saying this that 'Bernard Robbins acted with extreme violence,' Mr Cook told the jury on Tuesday.

He said Bernard Robbins was the aggressor who armed himself before stabbing his brother seven times, intending to kill him or cause grievous bodily harm.

'This was not a murder with premeditation over a great length of time, Mr Cook added.

'It's a crime of passion.'

Bernard Robbins may have immediately regretted his actions, but one 'may conclude vengeful rage was still present' from his yelling during a triple-zero call and while in a police van after being arrested, Mr Cook said.

Gregory Robbins received four life-threatening stab wounds, eight to 12 centimetres deep, to his heart.

He was also stabbed twice in the back and once in the stomach, dying in hospital in the early hours the next day.

Police later estimated Bernard Robbins had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.182 at the time of the stabbing, while his brother's BAC level was 0.217.

The trial continues before Chief Justice Catherine Holmes.
Top Muslim political leader arrested for allegedly aiding 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings Former cabinet member calls arrest 'unjust'

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A prominent Muslim political leader in Sri Lanka and his brother were arrested over the weekend due to their suspected connection to the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings of three churches and three hotels in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa that killed over 269 people.

Rishad Bathiudeen, a former cabinet minister and the leader of an opposition party in Parliament, and his brother, Reyaj Bathiudeen, were arrested in pre-dawn raids due to circumstantial and "scientific" evidence connecting them to the attacks, according to a police spokesperson.

Police spokesperson Ajith Rohana said the brothers allegedly aided and abetted those who committed the Easter Sunday carnage, The Associated Press reports.

On April 23, Bathiudeens post on Facebook called the arrest unjust, saying his brother had already been arrested.

The CID has been standing outside my house in Boudhaloka Mawatha since [1:30 a.m.] today attempting to arrest me without a charge, the leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress Party wrote. ... I have been in Parliament, and have cooperated with all lawful authorities until now. This is unjust.

Bathiudeens lawyer, Rushdhie Habeeb, called the arrests politically motivated and said there was no reason given.

Habeeb argued that the purpose of the arrest was to punish the political leadership of the Muslims, which had nothing to do with 21/4, for the dastardly acts of some Muslim youths who were widely alleged as having been used as pawns by foreign powers, he said in a statement.

No one has been charged with the suicide bombings, though nearly 200 people were arrested in the days following the bombings by Islamic extremists, according to Agence France Presse.

The arrests came three days after Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the head of Sri Lankas Roman Catholic Church, accused the government of allowing investigations of the attack to be stalled.

During a commemoration of the second anniversary of the attacks on April 21, Ranjith joined with Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim leaders at St. Anthonys Shrine in Colombo, the location of the first bomb explosion during the Easter service, AP reported.

The cardinal claimed players in global geopolitics use religious extremism as a way to achieve their goals. The Catholic Church suspects a larger foreign involvement is to blame.

Sri Lankan Muslims have disowned the attackers and refused to allow the bodies of the suicide bombers to be buried in their cemeteries.

President Gotobaya Rajapaksas government came to power in 2019 and faces pressure to find the mastermind responsible for the attack.

We are surprised that even after two years, answers to the questions of who and why and what of these attacks have not been found by the relevant authorities, Ranjith was quoted as saying. We often see that there are political reasons behind some of the investigations stalling.

Even though we wish to forgive all these things, we would like to know what really happened, he continued.

Nearly 300 lives were lost and over 500 were injured in the 2019 Easter morning suicide bombings. Of those killed, 39 were tourists, including five American nationals and a fifth-grade student from a Washington, D.C., private school.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the multiple, simultaneous bombings, one of the largest coordinated terrorist attacks since Sep. 11, 2001.

Days after the attack, the government announced Islamic terror cell Nations Thawahid Jaman was involved in the attacks and suggested the attackers likely had assistance from international terror organizations, such as al-Qaeda or the Islamic State, due to the sophistication of the attacks.

Not long after the attack, Sri Lankas minister of defense said the attacks were carried out in retaliation for the shootings at two New Zealand mosques that killed 50 people a month before.

In January, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that three Sri Lankan citizens were charged with conspiring to provide material support to a group called ISIS in Sri Lanka that is believed to be responsible for the 2019 Easter attacks. The department announced that a total of five U.S. nationals were killed, including a Department of Commerce employee who traveled to Sri Lanka on official business.

According to these charges, the defendants were committed supporters of ISIS, recruited others to ISISs violent cause, purchased materials for and made IEDs, helped to prepare and trained others who participated in the attacks, and murdered in the name of this deadly foreign terrorist organization, a statement from the department reads. They are in custody in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan government was reportedly warned of possible attacks against Christians in early April, weeks before the bombings occurred through information received from foreign intelligence.

This has caused many to question why the attacks were not prevented if the government was warned weeks in advance.

Violent attacks were common in Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka during its Civil War, which lasted from 1983 to 2009.

In recent years, there has been increased tension between Muslim groups and the majority Sinhalese, the largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka.

Buddhists make up about 70% of the Sri Lankan population.
Leading Organizations Reduce Complexity and Unlock Innovation with Red Hat Managed Cloud Services

Red Hat (News - Alert) , Inc., the world's leading provider of open source solutions, today announced that leading organizations from around the world are using Red Hat managed cloud services to build, deploy, manage and scale cloud-native applications across hybrid environments. As fully hosted and managed offerings, these services provide opinionated configurations based on years of experience and shift operational responsibility and support to Red Hat, enabling organizations such as Andreani, Audi, Japan Research Institute, Pelayo and VINCI Energies to drive new innovation, quickly scale to meet demand, reduce complexity and cost, and accelerate time-to-value.

Red Hat's managed cloud services provide fully-managed Kubernetes across leading public clouds. This enables Red Hat customers and partners to quickly respond to change, accelerate their move to the cloud and build an open hybrid cloud strategy-all based on Red Hat OpenShift, the industry's leading enterprise Kubernetes platform-regardless of infrastructure, cloud or operational staffing.

Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated, Red Hat OpenShift on IBM Cloud, Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS and Microsoft Azure Red Hat OpenShift are all available as jointly-managed and supported OpenShift services, accessed as native cloud console offerings from the respective cloud providers.

These services are designed to reduce operational overhead and enable customers to quickly deliver applications that provide more value to the business. Leading organizations are already discovering the power of a managed services approach to better meet customer needs, including:

Andreani : Andreani provides logistic services to the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, technology and telecommunications industries in Argentina and Brazil. Facing new challenges related to the growing demand for shipped goods as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the company turned to Red Hat to help accelerate its planned transition to the cloud. Andreani deployed Microsoft (News - Alert) Azure Red Hat OpenShift, a managed Red Hat OpenShift service jointly delivered and supported by Red Hat and Microsoft. Moving to a managed cloud service has enabled the company to effectively scale its operations to meet the surge in customer shipping demand, reduce the strain on IT management through automated monitoring and patching, and simplify its deployment process.

: Andreani provides logistic services to the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, technology and telecommunications industries in Argentina and Brazil. Facing new challenges related to the growing demand for shipped goods as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the company turned to Red Hat to help accelerate its planned transition to the cloud. Andreani deployed Microsoft (News - Alert) Azure Red Hat OpenShift, a managed Red Hat OpenShift service jointly delivered and supported by Red Hat and Microsoft. Moving to a managed cloud service has enabled the company to effectively scale its operations to meet the surge in customer shipping demand, reduce the strain on IT management through automated monitoring and patching, and simplify its deployment process. Audi : As a central partner for all business divisions within the Audi Group, Audi IT is a major driver of digital transformation throughout the company, and provides support along the entire process chain in the development of intelligent, reliable and more secure IT solutions. The team's mission is to be at the forefront of enriching the developer experience, enabling businesses to scale their applications without relying on a physical infrastructure. To better support this mission, Audi IT worked with Red Hat to develop its Kubika O solution, a fully managed Kubernetes platform with operator capabilities. It is based on Azure Red Hat OpenShift and Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS, and supplies other platforms, applications and projects with multitenant Kubernetes endpoints as a service, including Audi Open Source (News - Alert) Diagnostics, Group Measurement Data Management, and its CO2 Fleet Emission Optimization Service. With the managed platform in place, Audi IT has fully automated its workload provisioning system, and gained the ability to move between cloud platforms as needed without being bound by the operating dependencies of a native system.

: As a central partner for all business divisions within the Audi Group, Audi IT is a major driver of digital transformation throughout the company, and provides support along the entire process chain in the development of intelligent, reliable and more secure IT solutions. The team's mission is to be at the forefront of enriching the developer experience, enabling businesses to scale their applications without relying on a physical infrastructure. To better support this mission, Audi IT worked with Red Hat to develop its Kubika O solution, a fully managed Kubernetes platform with operator capabilities. It is based on Azure Red Hat OpenShift and Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS, and supplies other platforms, applications and projects with multitenant Kubernetes endpoints as a service, including Audi Open Source (News - Alert) Diagnostics, Group Measurement Data Management, and its CO2 Fleet Emission Optimization Service. With the managed platform in place, Audi IT has fully automated its workload provisioning system, and gained the ability to move between cloud platforms as needed without being bound by the operating dependencies of a native system. Japan Research Institute : Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporatio Group (SMFG) is a Japanese banking and financial services organization that operates in more than 40 countries around the world. To support the group's overall business strategy and better enable future transformation and growth, SMFG and its IT subsidiary, Japan Research Institute, engaged with Red Hat Consulting to implement a managed cloud services offering that could help streamline operations and accelerate the development and deployment of new applications. The group adopted Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated, enabling its developers to focus on delivering greater value through new or expanded services instead of spending time to configure and manage the supporting infrastructure.

: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporatio Group (SMFG) is a Japanese banking and financial services organization that operates in more than 40 countries around the world. To support the group's overall business strategy and better enable future transformation and growth, SMFG and its IT subsidiary, Japan Research Institute, engaged with Red Hat Consulting to implement a managed cloud services offering that could help streamline operations and accelerate the development and deployment of new applications. The group adopted Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated, enabling its developers to focus on delivering greater value through new or expanded services instead of spending time to configure and manage the supporting infrastructure. Pelayo: Pelayo is a Spanish mutual insurance company with more than one million customers. Monolithic application architectures were taking a toll on the company's ability to respond to market risks and opportunities quickly. The company developed a cloud strategy that would provide a more agile architecture, full continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) capabilities, and enable it to more easily grow and integrate with future data architectures. Additionally, the company wanted to use Java as the core programming language, and Kubernetes as its container management platform. Taking into account these objectives and requirements, the company chose Microsoft Azure Red Hat OpenShift, which enabled them to bring the solution into production quickly and with minimal impact on its operations team. Today, the company has a hybrid infrastructure in place, running its legacy systems on-premises, integrated into the new Azure Red Hat OpenShift environment, and has successfully accelerated its application deployment, increased developer productivity, and better scaled its business while keeping operational costs low.







Sathish Balakrishnan, vice president, Hosted Platforms, Red Hat

"Being able to easily consume OpenShift as a managed cloud service is an important need for customers-not only so they can run OpenShift anywhere, but also to shift the expertise of running OpenShift to Red Hat while they focus on their business applications. With Red Hat's managed cloud services, customers are able to accelerate their ability to build next-generation applications, regardless of which cloud they run those apps on."

Sebastian Sarasate, Infrastructure Manager, Andreani Logistics Group

"The logistics industry at large has been through an extraordinary transformation in recent years as technology has played an increasingly important role in satisfying the growing demand of customers. This is particularly true of cloud technologies. Moving to a managed cloud solution has opened the door for us to further transform our IT systems into an area that adds value to the business. With Azure Red Hat OpenShift, we've been able to accelerate the implementation of new services and improve the flexibility and scalability of our operations, enabling us to better serve our customers throughout Argentina and Brazil."

Sebastian Kister, team lead and platform owner, Kubernetes and Public Clouds, Audi AG

"We believe Red Hat is uniquely positioned as a company who both helps build the infrastructure software, provide the platform and provide software packages. Working with a diverse partner has enabled us to fully automate our workload provisioning and adopt a cloud agnostic system, giving us the ability to move more seamlessly between cloud platforms without being bound by the operating dependencies of a native system."

Takdir Chowdhury, chief digital strategist, general manager, Digital Transformation Systems Department, The Japan Research Institute, Limited

"With Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated as our application development platform, SMFG and Japan Research Institute can quickly deliver new digital services and continuously update them with new features. We have adopted agile development methods as the standard way of delivering these services, which enables us to offer value-added solutions to customers while ultimately helping to promote the group's future growth with the support of IT."

Oscar Rivas Sendin, head of Architecture, Pelayo

"When we started our transformation project, we knew that it would be no small feat to move from a strictly on-premises infrastructure to a hybrid cloud environment. It is a decision that we did not take lightly, but one that we were able to make confidently, knowing that we had Red Hat and Microsoft behind us the entire time, ready and willing to provide the support and help we needed throughout the process. Azure Red Hat OpenShift has enabled us to focus our efforts on advancing business priorities and investing in innovation at a faster pace."

Jan Govert Kemps, IT director, VINCI Energies Netherlands

"At VINCI Energies NL, we have been focusing on a 'cloud first' strategy for several years to help newly acquired companies to integrate quickly by connecting their local operational systems with our ERP system. By integrating local systems with the ERP system, they can continue their operational processes to serve local customers. With Azure Red Hat OpenShift, we are able to accelerate the implementation of these integrations without worrying about the underlying operations or management of our platform. The combined expert engineering and support from Microsoft and Red Hat give us confidence that we can scale efficiently and cost-effectively as our business continues to grow."

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About Red Hat, Inc.

Red Hat is the world's leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to deliver reliable and high-performing Linux, hybrid cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies. Red Hat helps customers integrate new and existing IT applications, develop cloud-native applications, standardize on our industry-leading operating system, and automate, secure, and manage complex environments. Award-winning support, training, and consulting services make Red Hat a trusted adviser to the Fortune 500. As a strategic partner to cloud providers, system integrators, application vendors, customers, and open source communities, Red Hat can help organizations prepare for the digital future.

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Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company or its parent International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE: IBM (News - Alert) ) may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Red Hat, the Red Hat logo, JBoss and OpenShift are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005307/en/
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The new government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) led by Prime Minister Sama Lukonde Kyenge was approved by the National Assembly and was sworn in on Monday.

A total of 410 deputies voted in favor of the new government's program, which was presented to the 500-member National Assembly earlier. Two deputies abstained.

The new government, dubbed the "Sacred Union of the Nation", has 57 members including 14 women.

In February, Kyenge succeeded Sylvestre Ilunga Ilunkamba, then-Prime Minister deposed by the parliament in late January following a crisis within the coalition formed and shared by the Congolese president Felix Tshisekedi and his predecessor Joseph Kabila.

After winning the 2018 presidential elections, Tshisekedi was forced into a ruling co-partnership with Kabila, which led to a power struggle over the last two years.

After announcing the break up with Kabila last December, Tshisekedi's proposed "Sacred Union of the Nation" gained support from 391 deputies out of 500 at the National Assembly.
Oedipus Rex and the Natural Theater

Sophocless Oedipus Rex predates us by approximately 2,500 years. By todays standards, it should have little, if anything, to teach us. After all, it does not speak to the realities of contemporary life. And if we go by todays realities, almost anything cultural or philosophical has the shelf life of a cellphone: We must trade it in every year in order to remain relevant.

The fact is, however, that like the inalienable rights that Thomas Jefferson outlined in the Declaration of Independence, which the founders believed were guaranteed by Natures God, Oedipus Rex has stood the test of time by exemplifying what I am calling Natural Theater. This is theater that understands the permanence of human nature and seeks to portray humanity with all its flaws, countered by all its joys, with the ever-present hope of redemption.

Thomas Jefferson included in the Declaration of Independence the idea of inalienable rights. (Rick Grainger/Shutterstock)

Despite a nearly 2,300-year difference, the American experiment looked back to the ancient world for an understanding of what it means to be human. Using this knowledge, the Founders were able to create a government and societal construct unequaled in history. Oedipus Rex, then, contains the necessary elements of both the Natural Theater and the American founding, making it a play that should resonate strongly with American audiences.

Bust of Sophocles. Pentelic marble, first to second century. Uffizi Gallery. (Yair Haklai/CC-BY-SA-4.0)

Natural Theater Versus Theater of Misery

The Natural Theater celebrates life as worth living. How surprising it is to reflect upon the horrors that Oedipus endures and come to the same conclusion!

One great difference between the Natural Theater and the Theater of Misery (the latter is the common contemporary theater formula that presents unrelenting doom and gloom as the norm of everyday life) is that the Natural Theater shows suffering as being, first, natural to the human condition and, second, redemptive, as opposed to unnatural and decidedly one-sided as in the Theater of Misery.

The way in which Oedipus, the man, defines himself shows us the distinction between a Natural Theater hero and a Theater of Misery antihero. Oedipus defines himself with the simple I am Oedipus twice: once at the very beginning of the play when he is asserting his fame and prestige, and again at the end of the play when he has discovered his own terrible destiny (Oedipus the King, Robert Fagless translation). His first boast exemplifies the Theater of Misery: I am a person of infinite value; his second proclamation illustrates the Natural Theaters stance on worthy human character: I am responsible.

It is this latter realization that allows us to sympathize with yet still admire Oedipus. Any protagonist who accepts himself or herself as the primary reason for his or her own downfall is at home in Natural Theater.

Robert Fagless translation of The Three Theban Plays.

The Founders and Free Will

The question that not only permeates Oedipus Rex but also remains a dilemma through the ages is that of destiny versus free will. There is no question as to where the founders, particularly Jefferson, stood on the issue. They were followers of John Locke, who believed that men and women are free in a state of nature and that by way of our inborn reason are able to decide the direction of our lives, unimpeded by government. Our freedom is endowed to us by Natures God, but God, like the government envisioned by the founders, neither intrudes nor directly controls, allowing human beings to set upon a course of action and determine our fate. It is governments job to secure these natural rights.

At first blush, this is not the way Oedipus Rex operates. The populace, represented by the chorus, looks to Oedipus (that is, the government) to save it from the plague raging in Thebes. In this respect, the play closely resembles the way many people today, unfortunately, think the government should operate.

Oedipus is shackled by the Oracles prophecy, even though he does not realize it at first. Ultimately, he is not able to escape his predetermined fate, and yet he is afforded one act of free will: He decides to blind himself rather than commit suicide when he understands that he is the murderer of Laius, the former king and his father. Thus, he exercises his free choice while acknowledging that which is beyond his control:

Apollo, friends, Apollo

He ordained my agoniesthese, my pains on pains!|

But the hand that struck my eyes was mine,

mine aloneno one else

I did it all myself!

The chorus challenges this decision: How can I say you have chosen for the best/ Better to die than be alive and blind. And Oedipus, as is typical of him, scolds them: What I did was bestdont lecture me.

Louis Bouwmeester as Oedipus in a Dutch production of Oedipus Rex, circa 1896. Photo by Albert Greiner. (Public Domain)

His ability to choose his destinyeven while accepting the natural order (as exemplified by the Oracles prophecy)becomes a badge of honor in Natural Theater. Imagine a modern-day Oedipus as depicted by a practitioner of the Theater of Misery: He would blame all his misfortune not on God (because God doesnt exist) but rather on the political machinations of a world mired in hatred, bigotry, and meaninglessness. In that world, Oedipus is the innocent victim irrespective of his crime of murder.

This is, of course, not the world Sophocles is depicting at all. Rather, he is portraying a world order that has temporarily lost its way and must be set back on its natural path, much like our American Founding Fathers encountered when their natural right to liberty was being threatened by the mother country, which had become a hostile and invasive government.

Oedipuss fatea combination of the laws of the divine and his own free willculminates not in hopelessness but in redemption of societys greater good. With his destiny fulfilled, the plague upon Thebes ends, and order is restored under the level-headed rule of Creon. With the world righted and the design of the universe confirmed, the play concludes with the chorus both praising Oedipus (Who could behold his greatness without envy?) and showing empathy for him (Count no man as happy till he dies, free of pain at last).

As is typical of Natural Theater, there is sadness, terror, and struggle (or else, truthfully, would we have theater?). But there is also the sense that the world can be set right, just as Jefferson assumed in the Declaration of Independence when he noted that human beings are naturally entitled to the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Natures God entitle them.

The founders of America used their recognition of human frailty as the foundation for our republic, lest we forget James Madisons assessment in Federalist 51 that if men were angels, no government would be necessary. So, too, do the great plays of Natural Theater acknowledge the imperfections of humankind as well as the ability for it to thrive despite those imperfections. This recognition is the gift that Natural Theater bestows upon us, and it is all the more precious when we realize that our founders looked at humanity in a very similar way.

Kelvin Roston Jr. as Oedipus (C) and the cast of the 2019 Court Theatres production of Oedipus Rex. (Michael Brosilow)

We must, therefore, enshrine Oedipus Rex in the canon of Natural Theater. The world in which Socrates wrote looked nothing like the world of our founding and certainly not at all like our contemporary world. Yet we have not been able to cast off the relevance of Oedipus Rex, nor should we. It remains a valuable teacher whose lessons cannot be dismissed unless and until humanity somehow breaks the hold that Natures God has on it. Dont expect that to happen anytime soon.

Robert Cooperman is the founder of Stage Right Theatrics, a theater company dedicated to the preservation of the founders vision through the arts. Originally from Queens, New York, he now lives in Columbus, Ohio, where he earned his doctorate at The Ohio State University.
Western Australias community COVID case, known as patient 986, continued working at a warehouse in Perths south-east while he unknowingly had the infectious disease.

The man was working at the AMCAP Automotive Distribution Centre in Welshpool while infectious, but the warehouse has not been on WA Healths list of potential exposure locations.

AMCAP warehouse in Welshpool where patient 986 worked while infectious. Credit:AMCAP Facebook

Late Sunday evening a text message from WA Health went out to dozens of workers at the automotive warehouse saying it had identified a case of COVID-19 who worked in the offices of AMCAP Distribution Centre, Welshpool whilst infectious between the hours of 7:30-16:45 on 20/4/2021-23/4/2021.

The message instructed workers who entered the warehouses Office Area 3 during those times to go into quarantine.
Kasoa, Central Region//-The Awutu Senya District Education Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in collaboration with the Ohenewa Human Rights Advocacy has organised a five day human rights advocacy programme to educate over six thousand students in selected schools in the district.



The first of the five day programme focused on laws on domestic and sexual violence was held in Kasoa in the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly in the Central Region.



The event which was held at a school park on 23rd April 2021 attracted over 1,364 students from clusters of schools-Akwekey Nkwanta St. Marys Anglican Basic B; Akweley St. Marys Anglican Primary and JHS D; Akweley St. Marys Anglican Basic A; and ICODEHS Basic Schools in the area.



The purpose for the Advocacy in Kasoa was as a result of the recent gruesome murder of the 10 year old boy for ritual purposes by his friends of similar ages.



Speaking at the event, Human Rights Lawyer and Founder of the Advocacy, Mary Ohenewaa Afful said: This Advocacy Project, dubbed Ohenewaa Advocacy in Schools and Free Books Distribution is designed to create awareness and educate school children, help them to report cases of abuse and prevent future offenders from committing acts of criminality by knowing the jail terms associated with these types of crimes as outlined in the book.



She added: We want to send the right signal of helping the fight against all forms of abuse, by encouraging school children to report all cases of abuse to their teachers, head teachers, parents, neighbours, family members, among others.



These people can as well assist them to report such cases to the nearest police station to effect arrests, and possible prosecution of all acts of violence or criminal conducts, according to her.



Touching more on the topic- Laws on Domestic & Sexual Violence & Cycle of Abuse, Lawyer Ohenewaa Afful, lamented that there is an alarming rate of domestic and sexual violence cases across the country.



This she said has resulted in many children and older people being constantly abused on a daily basis.



According to the data from Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, more females continue to suffer from rape and defilement in the country.



However, the figures keep going higher and higher. Furthermore, records from the countrys court systems and prisons also show a high rate of criminal offenders from ages 19 to 26 who end up being jailed for committing various criminal offences.



To this end, Lawyer Ohenewaa Afful called on the government and the Ghana Police to implement Sector 8(3) of the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (ACT732) which specifically states: A victim of domestic violence who is assisted by the Police is entitled to free medical treatment from the STATE but that law has never been implemented.



Since the passage of the Act, this section has never been implemented. So, we are calling on the government to provide the budget for that. So that when children are defiled, abused or their human rights are being contravened. It is only when the matter comes in the media that the government rushes there and takes care of the victim(s) and their family like what happened in Kasoa recently, she said.



What about those that are not reported? What about the many girls that have been defiled and they (families) have to spend almost GHC1,000 on treatment alone, so section 8(3) has to be implemented, Lawyer Ohenewaa Afful maintained.



At the end of the event, free booklets on Laws on Domestic and Sexual Violence and Cycle of Abuse written by Lawyer Ohenewaa Afful; were shared them among the over thousand students. Also, Kalyppo drinks, exercise books and nose masks donated by Aquafresh Company Ltd were shared to them as well.



Subsequent events will be organised in the selected schools provided by the Ghana Education Office, Kasoa in the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly, so Lawyer Ohenewaa Afful is appealing for sponsorship to make them a success.







Source: African Eye Report









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Amid rising COVID-19 cases, Head of Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, PGIMS Rohtak & Haryana Dr Dhruv Chaudhary urged everyone to wear double masks. Citing the latest studies he asserted that double masks- a surgical mask and a cloth mask together prevents COVID-19 infection by 85 to 88 per cent.

The latest research shows that wearing a double mask- a surgical mask and a cloth mask together prevents COVID19 infection by 85% to 88% Urge people to wear a mask: Dr Dhruv Chaudhary, Head, Dept of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, PGIMS Rohtak & Haryana Nodal Officer-COVID pic.twitter.com/K50WXXiosM  ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2021

Ways to protect yourself from COVID-19

Controlling the number of cases in the country, state, district or area might not be an individual's cup of tea, but keeping themselves safe by strictly following some of the measures when roaming around in public places or simply sitting at home, sure is. Some of the measures that one can follow besides wearing a double mask are:-

Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap, or else sanitize them with a hand sanitiser that contains more than 60 per cent alcohol.

Maintain a safe distance from people, preferably 6 feet or more.

Avoid touching things like knobs, buttons and switches in public places and coming in physical contact with people.

Drink hot beverage, gargle and take steam on a regular basis.

Avoid going out if not needed.

COVID-19 situation in India

Since April 15, India has been witnessing a steep rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. On April 4, the country recorded over 1 lakh cases, which doubled in a span of ten days and has been seeing a rise ever since, with now for the fourth consecutive day, over 3-lakh cases have been reported. In these few days, the contribution of the country to the world figure has risen from 9 percent to 35 percent, which is the highest ever figure by any country. Keeping this in mind, many countries have either closed their borders or cancelled flights from India. The countries include Bangladesh, Germany, Iran, United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates

(Credit-PTI/Unsplash)
It took us 233 years, but we have managed to turn Australia back into a penal colony.

This nation is all but shut to international arrivals and its citizens cannot leave without government permission. The fiat circumscribing overseas travel is, like all things in this pandemic, inconsistently applied, subject to arbitrary mood shifts and, of course, nowhere near tough enough for some.

Emotional arrivals at Auckland airport on April 19, 2021. Credit:Nick Moir

Australias governments have been remarkably successful at locking coronavirus out of the country and preventing its spread inside our borders. For this, they deserve credit, and some have already been richly rewarded at the ballot box.

But our safety is a chimera, a short-term fix. We have slammed the jail doors and are safe inside. Excellent. So now what?
On Thursday, April 22nd, the Illinois State University (ISU) Graduate Workers Union (GWU) affiliated with the Service Employee International Union (SEIU) Local 73, voted overwhelmingly to authorize strike action with 98 percent of graduate workers voting yes.

Milner Library, Illinois State University (Photo: Wikipedia)

Workers demands include increasing the graduate students 9 month stipend above the obscenely low rate of $9,441, full access to health care and dental, and increased protection for international students who are often charged more in fees every semester. The elimination of mandatory administration fees taken from students paychecks every semester is also a key demand.

The results of the vote were delayed due to technical problems and the final vote count was not released until last Thursday. Almost immediately after the results of the vote were announced the GWU called for delaying the strike until the fall semester. On Friday, the GWU leadership held an online meeting open to all Teaching Assistant (TAs) to discuss the outcome of the vote. At the meeting, the union revealed to the graduate workers that, in fact, the strike was already in the process of being postponed until the fall.

The union leadership stressed to members that the strike authorization vote was not actually a vote to initiate a strike. Rather, it is a vote that allows the union to begin bargaining for a better contract with the university administration and allows them to call an actual strike vote if the bargaining committee deems it necessary. While this is technically true, the results of the vote authorization are quite clear: the rank and file are ready to strike for their demands, now.

The GWU claimed that with the pandemic still in effect, an immediate strike is not in the best interest of graduate student workers. The union leadership told the rank and file that delaying the strike to the fall will allow a reset to better organize members into a collective strike effort.

The reality is that the GWU-SEIU is allowing the university administration to secure the critical grading labor of Teaching Assistants at the end of the semester when it is most valuable. No doubt that there is a real effort underway to prevent simultaneous graduate student strikes across campuses around the country.

Graduate workers at Columbia University (CU), and New York University (NYU) are currently in the middle of strikes over similar issues. The CU and NYU graduate student workers are up against powerful political and financial interests in the university administrations. They are also in a struggle against elements in their own unionaffiliated with the United Auto Workers (UAW)which has done everything to starve the workers and keep their struggles isolated.

These struggles come on the heels of a significant strike of graduate workers last fall, the graduate students at the University of Michigan who waged a struggle over unsafe working conditions. The strike at U-M last fall was one of the earliest organized oppositions to the homicidal policy of the ruling class to force the reopening of schools during the pandemic. It was shut down eventually by the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO) under the pressure of its parent union, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the Democratic Party-controlled university administration.

There is no doubt that SEIU will seek to play the same role as the UAW at NYU and CU, and the AFT at the University of Michigan: to isolate, starve and sell out the graduate student workers it claims to represent. In order to carry their struggle forward, graduate workers at ISU must arm themselves with an understanding of the immense political interests that they are up against, including within their own union.

There are already many indications of the real interests of the SEIU. For example, on Thursdays general membership call, ISU grad student leaders raised the demand to have a contract free of no strike clauses. It was not mentioned, however, that SEIU Local 73 has negotiated contracts for Northwestern University and University of Illinois-Chicago that contain a no strike clause in their finalized agreements.

This is a common occurrence among graduate student unions. In fact, in 2018, the UAW negotiated a secret deal with the Columbia University administration, unbeknownst to the members of the GWC, to block any strike actionthe most powerful tool at workers disposalfor two whole years. Columbia is again seeking a no strike clause for the current contract in negotiation.

At another point in Thursday's discussion, a student raised the question of the strike fund. GWU leaders proposed that the students, who make hardly above the minimum wage, simply save their money to prepare in the event of a strike or host a fundraiser. It was never mentioned that, like all the major trade unions today, the SEIU sits on top of a strike fund of hundreds of millions of dollars. The UAW provided Columbia strikers a meager $275 a week --a starvation wage for any worker, let alone those who live in New York City, one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Graduate workers at ISU and at all other universities deserve to have their basic demands for living wages and health care met immediately. However, in order for the struggle to be taken forward, the necessary political conclusions must be drawn. Unions like SEIU and others are not working in the interest of these grad students and other workers. The union bureaucracies serve as little more than the labor police who intervene to keep any workers struggles within an acceptable framework and to end them when profits are at stake.

A new political strategy and perspective is required. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality calls for the immediate linking up of graduate students across campuses. Above all, student workers must fight to expand their struggle into the working class more broadly, which confronts mass unemployment and social misery.

Right now, there is a continuing strike wave not only among grad students at ISU, NYU, Columbia University, and elsewhere, but among the international working class as a whole. In Brookwood, Alabama, 1,100 Warrior Met Coal miners are continuing to strike for fair wages after receiving massive pay cuts when the company declared bankruptcy five years ago. Hospital workers in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania are striking against unsafe work conditions and continuing to work without a contract as a third surge of COVID-19 cases threatens their lives. These workers are also represented by the SEIU, which has failed to deliver on a fair contract. In fact, the union has announced they would end the strike before the weekend after a total of three days.

If the struggles of graduate workers are to succeed, their struggles must develop into a broader industrial and political mobilization of the entire working class. This will not happen through, but must be independent of, the corrupt union apparatus.
Maya Jama has revealed that growing up without her father present was not something she 'sat at home and cried about' in a new interview with Marie Claire.

The TV presenter's dad spent much of her childhood in and out of prison for various sentences but Maya told how anything that seemed sad in her life, she would make a joke out of.

She said: 'Anything that seems tragic or could make people feel sorry for me, I make a joke out of. I guess it's because I'm OK with it. I've accepted it and I don't want you making me feel like you're sorry for me.

Honest: Maya Jama has revealed that growing up without her father present was not something she 'sat at home and cried about'.

'If people said, 'Where's your dad?' I'd say, 'Oh, he's in jail' and I'd laugh about it. It wasn't something I sat at home and cried about.'

Maya added that she enjoys a good relationship with her stepfather and is grateful she got to see a 'loving relationship' play out between him and her mother Sadie.

She said: 'When I was 10, my mum met my stepfather and he is the loveliest man. So I got to see a loving relationship, which I think is what can affect young women growing up without a dad  not experiencing love first-hand and seeing how a healthy relationship should be. Dad wasn't around, but I had all the love I needed from elsewhere.'

Having been in the public eye since her late teens, Maya has had to deal with trolling in the past which she has learned to 'have a laugh about'.

Childhood: The TV presenter's dad spent much of her childhood in and out of prison for various sentences but Maya told how anything that seemed sad in her life, she would make a joke out of

She said: 'Someone called me 'Michael Jackson nose'. I'd never ever thought about my nose before, but then after hearing that I was in the mirror for a week, like, 'Does it look like Michael Jackson's?'

'Strangers can make you question things you've always been sure about before. Now I can have a laugh about it because I'm used to it and nobody's ever said anything horrible to my face, luckily.

'I can see online comments and think, 'The person saying that wouldn't say this to my face and they're probably not happy because nobody happy attacks somebody they don't know'.

'That thought process helps you understand it and feel sorry for the person, rather than sad about yourself.'

She said: 'If people said, 'Where's your dad?' I'd say, 'Oh, he's in jail' and I'd laugh about it. It wasn't something I sat at home and cried about'

Stunning: Maya sported colourful eye make-up and a couture outfit in the stunning shoot

Strike a pose: Maya wowed in a chic outfit with padded shoulders as she posed

Maya also discussed sexism in the work place, saying she never noticed any difference between how she and her male colleagues were treated until she discovered some were paid more than her for the same job.

She said: 'When I got interviewed in the early days, people were like, 'Do you notice sexism in the workplace?'. I was like, 'No, not at all, I get treated exactly the same as my co-hosts'.

'Then, not long into it, I'd find out they actually got paid more than me for exactly the same job. And me being like, 'What?!' I know companies and channels have to make more of an effort to make everything equal now, but back then it wasn't like that.'

Maya said she has asked her male co-hosts in the past what they were earning, however in some cases she noted a person's 'platform' can affect their pay.

Thick skin: Having been in the public eye since her late teens, Maya has had to deal with trolling in the past which she has learned to 'have a laugh about'

She said: 'If I've got a co-host and it's a man, I'll just ask [how much he's being paid]. If it's someone I'm working with I'll say, 'How much are you getting paid for this?'.

'I've definitely asked good friends like Will Best [her co-host on 4Music]. I haven't asked anyone else recently, but if I thought it was going to be a complete landslide and we were doing the same job, I'd ask.

'Why not? In some cases there's someone with a bigger platform and that makes sense. But when the only difference is your sex and somebody's getting paid differently? That's not OK.'

Born and raised in Bristol, Maya told how she had a group of older boys that her mother used to babysit who would look out for her.

She said: 'Every woman in my family is super-strong and a go-getter. Because my mum used to babysit boys in our area, I had older boys who would look out for me.

Maya said: 'Strangers can make you question things you've always been sure about before. Now I can have a laugh about it because I'm used to it and nobody's ever said anything horrible to my face, luckily'

'If they saw me out, they'd be like, 'Maya, we're dropping you home'. It was a community and that really impacted who I was as a person growing up, especially with men.'

The TV star became a millionaire at the tender age of 24 and purchased a house in the same year.

She said: 'It wasn't a life goal of mine  maybe because I didn't think it was in reach. People don't think about buying houses where I came from until you're like 45.

'But I think I'm smart with money and I don't really spend on anything other than food and travel. And I work my bloody arse off, so I save loads.'

To read the interview in full, visit MarieClaire.co.uk.
Chinese flags and American flags are displayed in a company in Beijing, China, on Aug. 16, 2017. (Wang Zhao/AFP/Getty Images)

US Legislation on China to Be Delayed, Lawmakers Say

WASHINGTONA U.S. legislative proposal to allocate $112 billion for basic and advanced technology research and science in the face of rising competitive pressure from China will be delayed by at least two weeks, U.S. Senate Republicans and staffers said Monday.

The bipartisan Endless Frontier measure was scheduled to be debated by the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday, having been formally introduced on April 21. But with more than 230 amendments filed for consideration, Senate Republicans said the markup would not go forward until after a one-week Senate recess ends May 10.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the top Republican on the Commerce Committee, told reporters that lawmakers needed more time for some consensus to develop.

A spokesman for Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), the primary Republican sponsor, told Reuters the bill will not be heard in committee this week but we expect it to happen after the recess.

The measure, sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Young, and others, would also authorize another $10 billion to designate at least 10 regional technology hubs and create a supply chain crisis response program to address issues like the shortfall in semiconductor chips harming auto production.

A spokesman for Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), who chairs the Commerce Committee, did not immediately comment Monday night.

Many lawmakers want to use the legislation to advance other priorities and attach additional proposals. Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) want to use the bill to speed the deployment of thousands of self-driving cars.

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), another sponsor, said U.S. superiority in science and technology is at risk. The Chinese Communist Party has used decades of intellectual property theft and industrial espionage to close this technological gap in a way that threatens not only our economic security, but also our way of life.

Schumer said separately last week he will push for emergency spending to implement semiconductor manufacturing provisions in last years defense bill.

By David Shepardson
Australia security official warns staff of drums of war View Photo

CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  A senior Australian security bureaucrat warned his staff that free nations again hear the beating drums of war, as military tensions rise in the Asia-Pacific region.

Department of Home Affairs Secretary Mike Pezzullos message to all department staff on Australias veterans day on Sunday, known as Anzac Day, was published in The Australian newspaper on Tuesday.

In a world of perpetual tension and dread, the drums of war beat  sometimes faintly and distantly, and at other times more loudly and ever closer, Pezzullo said.

Today, as free nations again hear the beating drums and watch worryingly the militarisation of issues that we had, until recent years, thought unlikely to be catalysts for war, let us continue to search unceasingly for the chance for peace while bracing again, yet again, for the curse of war, he added.

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said she had approved of the wording of Pezzullos message.

He is absolutely at liberty to prepare such a speech, a document, and to have that published, Andrews said. The overarching message from government is that we need to be alert but not alarmed.

Senior opposition Labor Party lawmaker Bill Shorten described Pezzullos reference to drums of war as pretty hyperexcited language.

Im not sure our senior public servants should be using that language because Im not sure what that actually helps except to cause more anxiety, Shorten said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison did not directly answer when asked at a news conference whether he agreed with Pezzullo that the drums of war were beating.

My goal as prime minister  is to pursue peace, Morrison said. Thats what were doing. Were pursuing peace for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Morison said his government had increased defense spending to ensure that Australias national interests can always be protected.

Defense Minister Peter Dutton raised the prospect of conflict between China and Taiwan in his own comments on Anzac Day.

Nobody wants to see conflict between China and Taiwan or anywhere else in the world, Dutton said. I dont think it should be discounted.

In response to Duttons remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Monday that Taiwan was part of Chinese internal affairs that do not tolerate external interference.

Its hoped that the Australian side will fully recognize that the Taiwan question is highly sensitive, abide by the one-China principle, be prudent in its words and deeds, avoid sending any wrong signals to the Taiwan independence separatist forces and act in ways beneficial to peace and stability, Wang said.

Western Australia state Premier Mark McGowan  the Labor government leader of the state that exports Australias most lucrative export, iron ore, to China  called on the federal government to tone down its language on military tensions.

I just urge the Commonwealth (government) and people in this position, elected and otherwise, to tone it down. Tone it down, McGowan told reporters, referring to Pezzullos drums of war reference.

What good does that do, saying things like that? Its totally unnecessary, McGowan said, adding that diplomacy should be conducted diplomatically.

Pezzullo noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of Australias defense treaty with the United States. He cited U.S. wartime generals Douglas MacArthur and President Dwight Eisenhower.

Let us remember the warnings of two American generals who had known war waged totally and brutally: we must search always for the chance for peace amidst the curse of war, until we are faced with the only prudent, if sorrowful, course  to send off, yet again, our warriors to fight the nations wars, he said.

Australia must reduce the likelihood of war, but not at the cost of our precious freedom, Pezzullo said.

Australia last week provoked an angry response from Beijing by cancelling two Chinese Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure deals with the Victoria state government on national interest grounds.

The Chinese Embassy in Australia said in a statement the decision would bring further damage to bilateral relations and will only end up hurting Australia.

By ROD McGUIRK

Associated Press
LONDON  Prime Minister Boris Johnson has long had a weakness for a funny line, even in the face of an unfunny problem like the pandemic. When coronavirus cases first spiked last spring, he promised that a lockdown would squash the sombrero. When he spoke to businesspeople about an emergency plan to manufacture ventilators, he joked that it could be called Operation Last Gasp.

Now, Mr. Johnson stands accused of something darker: declaring at a tense meeting last fall that he would not bow to pressure to impose yet another lockdown, even if it meant letting the bodies pile high in their thousands.

He has denied the claim, made by anonymous sources to multiple British newspapers. But the papers, as well as the BBC, are not backing down from their reporting. The dispute has called into question not just Mr. Johnsons credibility, which is regularly in doubt, but also his humanity, which is usually not.
New Haven has long been a city that celebrates multicultural cuisine, and Kevin McGuire and Seth Wallace are happy to add one more entry into the exciting food scene. On May 3, theyll debut Kawit!, a Filipino concept, as a ghost kitchen offering delivery to the Elm City and surrounding towns.

It feels really good to add one more element of diversity to the landscape here, McGuire said. It almost feels like an important cultural mission for me.

Kawit!, named for the city in the Philippines where McGuires family lives, started as a pop-up in 2019. McGuire, a chef whos worked for Caseus and its successor, Olmo, introduced his food at special events throughout the city, popping up at Ordinary and High George at The Blake Hotel and joining forces with Sherkaan Indian Street Food for a Filipindian feast.

Kawit! joins just a handful of spots for Filipino fare in Connecticut, including Zul Cafe in Norwalk and Kayumangi in Wallingford, a specialty Filipino grocery store with prepared meals. The food incorporates indigenous tropical ingredients with influences from Spain and China. Items like lumpia (fried spring rolls filled with pork and vegetables) and pancit (noodle dishes), for example, bear resemblance to Chinese cuisine.

It's a fusion of different colonial influences of the past, McGuire said.

McGuire said his take on the food has a similar fusion approach. His mother is Filipino and his father is white, so his take on barbecue is more American, with Filipino influences. Kawit!s meat dishes, including smoked adobo-rubbed ribs and chicken, are easily approachable vehicles for the Filipino flavors Ive been using, he said.

The ribs and chicken are topped with spicy banana and coconut sauce and served with atchara (sweet pickled vegetables). Sides include bibingka (gluten-free rice and coconut-based bread) and garlic fried rice.

Hes also focused on making his food as accessible as possible, he said, modifying several dishes to be vegan without sacrificing flavor. Vegan chicharrons are crafted with tapioca and mushrooms; sawsawan roasted eggplant is prepared with red onion, scallion and cilantro; and pancit bihon features cornstarch noodles sauteed with onion, carrots, green beans and soy sauce.

Kawit! will start off as a ghost kitchen, and McGuire and his team will work out of a kitchen space on Olive Street, preparing orders for GrubHub delivery drivers. Ghost kitchens, which offer takeout and/or delivery-only meals without seating or indoor service, became increasingly popular across the country over the past year as COVID-19 disrupted normal restaurant operations.

For McGuire, the ghost kitchen model worked well for him, saving money on startup costs. Hes renting the space for two nights a week, Monday and Tuesday, to start. In time, he expects to add traditional takeout pickup, and he would eventually like to open a full restaurant storefront.

Its just a way to eliminate a lot of that overhead that I would with a traditional restaurant setup, he said. I was able to self-fund this instead of taking out [thousands] in loans.

McGuire also credits his valuable, enriching experience with the Food Business Accelerator, a partnership between CitySeed and Collab, for connecting him with like-minded food entrepreneurs and providing access to key resources and tools to help build his concept.

It'll be my first time working for myself, he said. It feels really good to be the one in charge and steering the ship.

Kawit! will be available on GrubHub Monday and Tuesday nights from 4 to 9 p.m., or until sellout. The delivery radius serves the city of New Haven and beyond, from Milford to North Branford and parts of North Haven and Hamden, McGuire said. For more information and a link to the GrubHub menu, visit kawitfood.com.
Jeannie Mai and Jeezy recently got married and we're learning more details about their wedding day, which was March 27. The newly-married couple discussed what caused them to decide to tie the knot after a year-long engagement. At a time when COVID is still an issue, a wedding is the perfect opportunity to rent a photo booth instead of hiring a photographer.

Who are Jeannie Mai & Jeezy & Where Did They Get Married?

Jeezy is not only a Grammy-nominated rapper, but he's also a philanthropist and entrepreneur. Meanwhile Jeannie Mai is known for being both an activist and co-host of "The Real" talk show. The couple married on March 27 at the home of Jeezy in Atlanta, Georgia, after a year-long engagement.

Their wedding was bittersweet due to a few unfortunate circumstances as of late. The wedding was originally supposed to be in Vietnam, but COVID forced the cancellation, and then Jeezy's mom suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. These events led to the couple deciding that they just wanted to be husband and wife and life is too short to wait for the perfect wedding day.

All About the Small Wedding Held for Jeezy & Jeannie Mai

You'd think that they would want a photo booth rental in Los Angeles, but plans changed and that became impossible to make a reality. Instead, immediate family and some close friends were at the Georgia location to celebrate the wedding.

The couple required guests take a COVID test two days before the event and it had to be negative. Another test was administered to all attending the wedding the day of the event and it also had to be negative in order to be shuttled to the wedding ceremony.

Mai wore a beautiful dress that was designed by Galia Lahav and Jeezy wore a pastel-pink suite. A pink rose was placed on the empty chair where Jeezy's mother Denise would have sat to see her son marry the love of his life. Mai is of Chinese and Vietnamese heritage so a tea ceremony was integrated into the wedding with Mai's brother in charge of that aspect.

What Other Wedding Details We Know About Jeezy & Jeannie Mai

We learned that the couple had specific songs that they wanted as they walked down the aisle, which isn't all that odd but it makes for moments that stand out for a celebrity wedding. Mai chose "How Deep is Your Love" by the Bee Gees while Jeezy chose "I Can't Stop Loving You" by Kem.

Tyrese showed up as a surprise to Mai that was planned by Jeezy and he sang "Sweet Lady" as the couple had their first dance. Mai had a huge smile on her face and was completely taken aback by such a huge surprise guest. A unique wedding reception followed in the lounge that included all of the guests wearing their pajamas.

Not only were the guests wearing pajamas, but both Mai and Jeezy wore their own silk pajamas to celebrate. Everyone was dancing and having a good time all night long after the wedding ceremony. That would have been a great opportunity to use a photo booth to capture those memorable moments with the guests.

Mai Hopes This Marriage Stands the Test of Time

While the couple had been dating since 2018, Mai has been down the aisle before and hopes that this marriage is the one that stands the test of time. Mai was previously married to Freddy Harteis but the marriage only lasted from 2007 until 2017. Jeezy has never been married before, but he does have three children he's bringing into the marriage.

Had the couple been married in California, they could have used photo booth rentals in Los Angeles to capture the events of the day. They documented and took pictures of their wedding in Georgia including behind-the-scenes looks at getting dressed, hair and makeup, and the reception with their friends and family.

From the looks of the smiles on their faces, it seems the ceremony was filled with laughs and cheer. It was also bittersweet due to it not being exactly what they had in mind initially on how their big day would go and the loss of Jeezy's mom shortly before the wedding took place.

See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles
With spring in full swing and many out enjoying some of our most loved beauty spots, a competition celebrating the natural beauty of British spring-time has crowned its winner, beating hundreds of amazing entries from across the UK.

Holiday home park operator, Park Leisure, asked Brits to submit their best spring-time photographs to be in with the chance of winning a family getaway, and the entries did not disappoint, with 625 photos in total.

Taking the top spot is Eirian Parr, 39, from North Wales, whose photo showcasing Llyn Padarn in Llanberis, featuring a cheeky, photogenic duck getting in on the action, really stood out amongst the entries.

From sunsets, to buzzy bees, to fields of flowers, it's safe to say that spring truly is a beautiful season:

The winning photograph was taken by Eirian Parr, from North Wales. She said: 'After such a difficult year with juggling studying, home schooling and working from home this prize means the world to myself and my family. We have missed out on so many opportunities this year it will be great to be able to finally getaway, relax and enjoy what our beautiful country has to offer'

Charlotte McDermott,24, Isle of Wight, has captured a stunning photograph of a bumblebee at work in a pastel-coloured flower

Hayley Severn, 31, from Basingstoke, commented: 'During the first lockdown, a local farmer opened up their poppy fields for everyone to go and see for free. It was lovely to walk around and take in the beauty - I took a lens ball to play around with photos and snapped this photo. I'm so grateful to have such beautiful places on my doorstep!'

These little fluff-balls could bring a smile to any face! Such a cute entry from Lynne Brooks, 60, from Wales

Commenting on this perfectly-timed shot, Allan Fullarton, 41, from Washington, Tyne & Wear, says: 'I enjoy a walk along our local river Wear. I spotted the King Fisher several times over a period of only a few weeks - so decided to bring my camera while walking. With a lot of patience and luck I managed to capture this shot'

David Dunn, 57, from Berwick, took this photo at the Royal Border Bridge over the Tweed at Berwick, a stunning shot featuring the rainbow that has been the symbol of hope to so many over the last year

A majestic swan enjoying the sunset at Crosby Marina, Merseyside. This photo by Clare Forster, 38, from Warrington, looks so peaceful, the perfect spring evening

Jumping for joy! A fantastic photo from Jenny Gunnell, 41, from Thanet, Kent, taken during the sunrise at Viking Bay, Broadstairs

Tanya Wightman, 59, from Warrington, took this photo in a Winwick village which is an area within her town of Warrington. She was driving past and was stunned by the Rapeseed colours
[April 27, 2021] Minister Ng highlights Budget 2021 investments in clean technology

BURNABY, BC, April 27, 2021 /CNW/ - Budget 2021 is the Government of Canada's plan to finish the fight against COVID-19 and ensure a robust economic recovery that is sustainable and inclusive of all Canadians. Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, met with Jeanette Jackson, CEO of Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre, to discuss Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth and Resilience, opportunities for women in clean tech, scaling ventures, as well as accelerating trade and exports to international markets. The COVID-19 recession has disproportionately affected low-wage workers, young people, women and racialized Canadians. For businesses, it has been a two-speed recession, with some finding ways to pivot and succeed but manyespecially small businessesfighting to survive. Budget 2021 is a historic investment to address the specific wounds of the COVID-19 recession, put people first, create jobs, grow the middle class and set businesses on a track for long-term growth. Budget 2021 will ensure that Canada's future will be healthier, more equitable, greener and more prosperous. The discussion between Minister Ng and Ms. Jackson focused on the measures proposed in the budget to help clean technology companies realize their full potential in providing a greener future for Canadians, increase the number of women in clean tech and help these firms export their products. Minister Ng highlighted that Budget 2021 will make significant investments in Canada's clean tech sector and further invests in the success of women entrepreneurs. Budget 2021 is a plan to bridge Canadians and Canadian businesses through the crisis and towards a robust recovery. It will support almost 500,000 new training and work opportunities, including 215,000 opportunities for youth, and accelerate investment and digital transformation at small and medium-sized businesses. Budget 2021 is a plan that puts Canada on track to meet its commitment to create 1 million jobs by the end of the year. Quote "We need to invest now to ensure Canada has a strong recovery and is set up for long-term, sustainable and inclusive growth. Canada is a world leader in clean technology. Budget 2021 supports our world-leading clean technology sector and the success of entrepreneurs, including women, Indigenous peoples and racialized groups, and boosts the country's venture capital ecosystem, all of which are critical for innovation-based companies. Throwing our full weight behind Canadians and Canadian businesses with this budget is the most responsible action we can take for our economy and our future."

 The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade Quick facts Budget 2021 includes $1 billion to support large-scale, transformative clean technlogy projects.

to support large-scale, transformative clean technlogy projects. Budget 2021 includes $101.4 billion over three years in proposed investments as part of the Government of Canada's growth plan that will create good jobs and support a resilient and inclusive recovery. Key measures include:

over three years in proposed investments as part of the Government of growth plan that will create good jobs and support a resilient and inclusive recovery. Key measures include: Extending emergency supports to bridge Canadians and Canadian businesses through to recovery, including:



Extending the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support until September 25, 2021 .

Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support until .



Introducing the new Canada Recovery Hiring Program for eligible employers that continue to experience qualifying declines in revenues relative to before the pandemic.





Extending the number of weeks for important income support for Canadians, such as the Canada Recovery Benefit and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit.



Supporting small and medium-sized businesses through transformative initiatives, such as:



Launching the new Canada Digital Adoption Program that will directly help over 160,000 businesses adopt new technology and get online. It will provide them with the advice they need to get the most of new technology with the help of 28,000 young Canadians who will be trained to work with them.





Allowing Canadian small businesses to fully expense up to $1.5 million in capital investments in a broad range of assets, including digital technology and intellectual property. This represents an additional $2.2 billion investment in the growth of Canada's entrepreneurs over the next five years.

in capital investments in a broad range of assets, including digital technology and intellectual property. This represents an additional investment in the growth of entrepreneurs over the next five years.



Enhancing the Canada Small Business Financing Program:





Increasing annual financing by $560 million , supporting approximately 2,900 additional small businesses.

, supporting approximately 2,900 additional small businesses.





Amending the Canada Small Business Financing Act and its regulations by:

and its regulations by:





Expanding loan class eligibility to include lending against intellectual property and start-up assets and expenses.









Increasing the maximum loan amount from $350,000 to $500,000 and extending the loan coverage period from 10 to 15 years for equipment and leasehold improvements.

to and extending the loan coverage period from 10 to 15 years for equipment and leasehold improvements.







Expanding borrower eligibility to include non-profit and charitable social enterprises.









Introducing a new line of credit product to help with liquidity and cover short-term working capital needs.





Supporting diverse entrepreneurs through additional investments to make our economy more inclusive, including further investments in the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and the Black Entrepreneurship Program, and investments to support Indigenous entrepreneurs.





Renewing the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative with a $450 million investment, $50 million of which will go to the Inclusive Growth Stream to increase access to venture capital for underrepresented groups, such as women and racialized communities.

investment, of which will go to the Inclusive Growth Stream to increase access to venture capital for underrepresented groups, such as women and racialized communities.

Investing $30 billion over the next five years to establish a Canada -wide early learning and child care system, in partnership with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners, which will help all families access affordable, high-quality and flexible child care, no matter where they live.



Related products Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience

Budget 2021 Support for Small Business Backgrounder

Budget speech Associated links

Fall Economic Statement 2020: Supporting Canadians and Fighting COVID-19

Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan Stay connected Follow @CanadaBusiness on social media for business-related news: Twitter, Facebook SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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Illinois will lose one congressional seat in 2022, from 18 to 17, following the release of preliminary U.S. census numbers on Monday. This should come as no surprise. In fact, if you want to uncork the bubbly, go right ahead. It could have been worse.

While we dont know drill-down numbers yet  we dont know, for example, which parts of the state grew while others shrank  we know Illinois was one of seven states that will lose one representative in Congress. Our company in congressional shrinkage includes California, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, all of which will lose a seat in the U.S. House. The fastest growing state during the last 10 years was Utah, home of mountains and Mormons.

The data does not include numbers that will help determine how Illinois 177 General Assembly seats will shift. Those numbers arent expected until September, though lawmakers are pushing ahead anyway with questionable population estimates. The party in charge, the Democrats, dont want to include the GOP in the mapmaking process. So theyre flying blind to meet a June 30 constitutional deadline, drawing districts that will favor incumbency and continued one-party rule in Springfield.

Which Illinois lawmakers committed to an independent map-drawing process but now are allowing a partisan map, drawn by them, to proceed? We named some of them in a recent editorial that can be found here: chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/.

Meanwhile, the loss of one seat in Congress is not as bad as some predicted. Census data released in December showed that since 2013, more than 223,000 residents had moved out of Illinois. The number leaving has not made up for the number arriving.

Those are people who wont be paying taxes here in income, property, sales, alcohol, cigarette, cannabis, parking or gasoline. They wont be renting apartments, shopping here, buying homes, dining out or sending their kids to school. Just about every sector of the Illinois economy is affected when we lose population. And being in the category of less desirable state for those who are moving here means depressed market values for those selling.

Story continues

________

Editorials reflect the views of the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board. The board operates independently of the newsroom.

________

Why are so many people departing? Certainly some leave because they dont like winter weather. The Sunbelt states have been growing for decades. Thats not new. But in 2014, Illinois domestic migration shortfall jumped from 68,204 to 93,704. The negative number jumped again in 2015 to 106,544.

It went up again in 2016 to 109,941. In 2017, more exodus: 114,779. In 2018, another 114,154 people. The losses have not kept up with birthrates and those moving to Illinois.

Why? Depends on where you live, but many left because they felt their city and Illinois were headed in the wrong direction. Taxes are high, violence in Chicago has been rising, and our leaders have failed to implement the necessary policy changes to attract businesses and lower local property taxes.

Illinois once boasted 27 seats in the U.S. House. Were now down to 17.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently said the problem has been college students leaving or not coming back, as if that in itself isnt a problem. It is. Every resident who leaves because they dont see a future here is a problem. The overall population drop might seem small given were still a big state. But focusing on the percentage misses the larger point  were not growing. Were not even staying steady.

And families, especially now that more parents are working from home, can do the math on what they pay in taxes, on what might be required of them if the states pension funds officially dry up or if all the governments charging them in taxes keep up their clip of spending. They want out. Who could blame them?

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Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
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The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed grave concern over the dangerous clashes that occurred over the past days in East Jerusalem, as a result of provocations and prosecutions by settlers and extremist right-wing groups, which resulted in the injury of scores of civilians.

The Ministry affirmed its rejection of hate speech and incitement which contradicts religious values and principles.

It also called upon the Israeli government to work to reduce tension in East Jerusalem and other Palestinian cities to protect the region from threats to its security and stability.
Scott Distler: Finding a way out of 'the cave'
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced U.S. President Joe Biden's "unfounded" statement on the events of 1915, saying it is "contrary to the facts."

Addressing a news conference in Ankara, Erdogan said "U.S. President Biden made a statement that is unfounded, unjust and contrary to the facts about the painful events that took place more than a century ago."

The Turkish leader calls U.S. counterparts recent remarks on events of 1915 unfounded, contrary to facts

Expressing his and the Turkish nation's "immense" distress over Biden's statement, Erdogan once more stated that the U.S. president's remarks "have no historical and legal basis."

On a proposed joint history commission on Armenian claims, Erdogan said Turkey is yet to receive a response to its offer. "We have assured researchers of the commission of access to our archives, but other parties have not responded," Anadolu Agency cited him as saying.
Bidens Green New Deal

Joe Biden came to power as the 46th US president expecting to spend more on green energy and clean technology. Just how much more is starting to be revealed.

Doubles down on emissions

This week Biden fulfilled a campaign promise in convening a global climate summit within his first 100 days in office. The two-day virtual meeting, attended by the leaders of a number of US allies and two of its adversaries  China and Russia  appears like many of these gatherings to be mostly a talking shop.

But a decision on Thursday is substantive, and therefore bears examination. The president committed the US to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 to 52% below its 2005 emissions levels by 2030, without revealing any details as to how this would be achieved.

The announcement also brings GHG reduction targets 20 years forward from what is set out in Bidens $2.3 trillion infrastructure/ clean energy proposal unveiled in March. That plan commits to net-zero emissions by 2050 (net-zero refers to balancing the amount of emitted greenhouse gases with the equivalent emissions that are either offset or sequestered).

Though non-binding, Bidens promise is more than double what the country agreed to at the 2015 Paris climate conference, showing that his administration is serious about taking aggressive steps to combat climate change.

Annual climate spending would rise to $5.7 billion annually, assuming he can get Congress to agree. A big IF.

Bloomberg notes the summit ended months of speculation over how Biden would bring the US back into the international fold after four years of inaction on climate policy.

The site also quotes Niklas Hohne of NewClimate Institute stating, Its clear the U.S. is back in the climate game, and, for the first time, is lining up to be a leader.

Progressives revive Green New Deal

Weve been saying, ever since Biden began stumping for president in 2020, that he is being heavily influenced by voices on the Democratic Partys left, the so-called progressives.

So far, Bidens environmental decisions havent gone as far as the Green New Deal proposed by left-leaning Democrats, but they are coming closer to achieving the lefts objectives.

On Tuesday this week, just before the Leaders Summit on Climate, Democratic wing-nuts, imo, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, and Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, revived their push for a Green New Deal mooted two years earlier.

Were going to transition to a 100 percent carbon free-economy, that is more unionized, more just, more dignified and guarantees more health care and housing than we ever have before, Politico quoted AOC at a press conference overlooking the National Mall in Washington. Do we intend on sending a message to the Biden administration that we need to go bigger and bolder? The answer is absolutely yes.

Markey, asked whether lawmakers wanted to go beyond what Biden has already proposed, said, Yes. We believe that this is the moment that requires us to act big, think big, have a program that matches the magnitude of the problem that were confronted with.

First introduced in 2019, the 14-page Green New Deal seeks to eliminate US greenhouse gas emissions within a decade and transition the economy away from fossil fuels.

New aspects of the plan include authorizing up to $1 trillion for cities, tribes and territories to fund their own localized versions of the Green New Deal; and up to $172 billion on public housing over 10 years, more than quadruple what the Biden White House is proposing.

Re-introducing the Green New Deal is seen as a way for progressives to stake out their position, as Congress prepares to embark on a massive infrastructure spending push.

There are reportedly 103 House lawmakers who have co-sponsored the resolution.

However, converting any of the non-binding proposals into laws will be a daunting task, considering Republicans fierce opposition to the plan.

The Green New Deal is a socialist super-package which will only saddle hard-working taxpayers with debt and displace millions of Americans from their jobs, said Kentucky Republican James Comer, a member of the House Oversight Committee, in a statement. Democrats will stop at nothing to push their progressive pet projects on the American people.

In addition to the promise of a carbon-free economy, the first iteration of the Green New Deal called for 100% of power generation to be met by renewables, meaning the elimination of all fossil-fuel energy production and nuclear power; a phase-out of all combustion engine vehicles including trucks, planes, boats and 99% of cars; cutting carbon emissions from manufacturing and agriculture; retrofitting buildings to make them more energy-efficient; and replacing air travel with high-speed rail.

The proposal lost credibility by claiming all of the above could be accomplished within a decade.

The plan also included a number of frankly socialist items, including affordable housing for everyone, a guaranteed job with a family-sustaining wage, free college tuition and high-quality [free] health care for all Americans.

An economic safety net would be created for communities affected by climate change and shifting away from fossil fuel use, including guarantees of health care, jobs and training.

The Green New Deal references President Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal of the 1930s, which tried to help Americans suffering from the Great Depression through government-led infrastructure projects.

The right-leaning National Review notes when AOCs office released the Green New Deal proposal in 2019, The plan was met with so much derision that Ocasio-Cortez claimed her office had accidentally released a working draft to the public  and most of the media went along with the charade.

Two questions come out of the re-emergence of the Green New Deal. The first is whether it has fundamentally changed (it hasnt), and the second is how much of the plan has the Biden administration adopted in legislation that could actually be drafted into law?

We can address the second question by comparing what is in Bidens $2.3 trillion infrastructure package that is currently before Congress, to the Green New Deal which, as NPR notes, goes back at least a decade, to Obamas financial crisis stimulus package that included around $90 billion worth of environmental initiatives.

Infrastructure plan vs New Green Deal

The first thing to notice is that, while the 2019 resolution does not break down spending line by line, the THRIVE Act does have a budget. The Thrive Act was crafted following the Green New Deals introduction in 2019. It is slated to be brought forward this month by a group of Democrats in Congress, to advance the goals of the resolution.

Over 10 years, the THRIVE Act would spend about $9.5 trillion, nearly four times more than Bidens $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan (aka the infrastructure bill) proposes.

Moreover, THRIVE would spend about 10 times more on clean energy, and adds $1.6 trillion to support carbon-reduced farming. Although the recently passed stimulus law provides about $5.6 billion in aid to farmers and rural communities, there are no funds dedicated to green farming.

The American Jobs Plan is similar in intent to the THRIVE Act, but far narrower in scope and scale, The Austin-American Statesman quotes Ryan Schleeter, a spokesman for Greenpeace USA, in an article that fact-checks Republican claims that Bidens infrastructure plan is the Green New Deal. It finds the claim to be mostly false.

The publication summarizes the plan as a blend of money for traditional brick-and-mortar infrastructure  roads, water supplies, broadband, etc.  clean energy and improved manufacturing, and social service infrastructure, meaning caregivers for seniors and the disabled.

One of the main differences is the fact that Bidens $2.3T infrastructure bill does not contain any of the social-spending directions outlined in the Green New Deal such as a living wage, free college education and universal health care.

Another key distinction is the carbon-neutrality targets. Whereas the Green New Deal aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, thought to be way too soon, the American Jobs Plan stretches net-zero out to a more realistic 2050.

Progressive politicians and climate groups have criticized Bidens plan as falling short of enough money necessary to head off the negative impacts of climate change.

A 2018 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned there is only a dozen years left for global warming to be kept to 1.5 degrees Celsius  the tipping point after which the risk of droughts, floods and extreme heat could considerably worsen.

Conclusion

President Biden is clearly pushing forward on climate-oriented programs that distance himself from his predecessor and are a nod to the Democratic left that supported his bid for president.

Pro-environment actions so far include re-joining the Paris climate agreement (so far the US has only fulfilled $1 billion of a $3 billion pledge to support developing nations efforts to address climate change); canceling the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta to US Gulf Coast refineries; the $2.3T American Jobs Plan which, as explained, contains some elements of the Green New Deal but whose total budget is about a quarter less; and Bidens commitment to the Leaders Climate Summit, cutting in half US emissions below 2005 levels by 2030.

What comes next is a very interesting question.

Biden obviously needs the support of both the House and the Senate to pass his infrastructure bill, which contains many climate-focused proposals. The Dems currently have majorities in both chambers  barely. Vice President Kamala Harris is needed to break a tie in the Senate.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, who chairs the Senate Budget Committee, has vowed to use the Democrats razor-thin majority to pass legislation, including trillions in new spending favoring the partys progressive-left agenda, by simple majority  a tactic known as reconciliation.

If Sanders (and Patrick Leahy, another Democratic senator, who heads the Senate Committee on Appropriations) decide to make the THRIVE Act a reconciliation bill, it would almost certainly pass, meaning a quadrupling of climate-related spending beyond what Biden has already committed to.

The fact that Biden has just doubled down on the amount of emissions the US plans to reduce in the next nine years, is proof that he is listening to the eco-conscious wing of his party. How far is he willing to go to push through his climate change mitigation agenda?

That has yet to be decided but we do know that even without THRIVE, Biden has committed the United States to a path of big government, big spending on decarbonization and electrification.

The adage of if it cant be grown it must be mined serves as a reminder that electric vehicles, transitional energy, and a green economy start with metals.

Can the United States and the other major economic powerhouses, who are also pledging to reduce their carbon footprints, find enough raw materials to carry out their plans? Finding the metal is one thing, but how much would it cost?

We will tackle these questions in a follow-up article.

By Richard (Rick) Mills

www.aheadoftheherd.com

rick@aheadoftheherd.com

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Barely a week after Apple unveiled a paid subscription program for podcasters, Spotify is now launching its own, complete with sweeter terms andeventuallya larger base of potential subscribers. The only downside? Listeners will have to jump through more hoops to hit the subscribe button.

Available through its Anchor podcasting platform, Spotifys paid subscription service lets podcasters charge either $2.99, $4.99, or $7.99 a month for their shows.

More enticingly, content creators will be able to keep 100 percent of their subscriber revenue for next two years, although theyll be on the hook for transaction fees. Spotify says it will start collecting 5 percent of podcast subscription revenue in 2023.

Apples competing podcast subscription program lets podcasters set their own prices, starting at 49 cents a month, but Apple is also demanding a 30 percent cut of subscriber revenue for the first year that a podcaster uses their platform, followed by 15 percent thereafter.

With Apples familiar, heavy handed piece of the action, its easy to imagine podcasters turning to Spotifys more lucrative subscription terms. That said, Apple has an ace up its sleeve: a subscribe button right there within the Apple Podcasts app, making for a seamless, one-click sign-up process.

Spotify users, on the other hand, will have to navigate to a podcasters Anchor page to sign up for a subscription. There will be links to podcaster Anchor pages within the Spotify app as well as on other podcast platforms, but still, the extra step could turn off potential subscribers.

While Spotifys more than 150 million paid subscribers dwarfs the 60 million (at last count) for Apple Music, Apple has historically enjoyed more podcast listeners than its massive rival. But according to a recent forecast, Spotifys number of podcast users is set to surpass Apples starting next year, with 33.1 million and rising Spotify podcast listeners versus a flat 28 million for Apple.

Spotify says its kicking off its paid podcast subscriber platform, which it first announced during its Stream On event in February, with a dozen independent podcasters who will offer subscriber-only bonus content in their existing podcast feeds.

Starting on May 4, NPR will be serving up a selection of ad-free shows on Spotify for paid subscribers, including How I Built This with Guy Raz, Short Wave, Its Been a Minute with Sam Sanders, Code Switch, and Planet Money.

Its worth noting that Spotifys most popularand exclusivepodcasts will remain free for now, including The Joe Rogan Experience, Crime Show, the Bruce Springsteen/Barack Obama-hosted Renegades, The Michelle Obama Podcast, and Internet Urban Legends.
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The Nigerian Army has pledged to protect all orientation camps and corps lodges of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the South-east amidst current insecurity in the zone.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu State, Taoreed Lagbaja, gave the assurance in Enugu on Monday when the Director of the South East Area Office of NYSC, Ngozi Nwatarali, visited him.

Mr Lagbaja requested that NYSC State Coordinators in the South-east should update and compile addresses of all Corps lodges in the region and liaise with the various Brigade Commanders for effective security strategy.

The GOC observed that the security challenge in the South-east was still at the lowest spectrum of insurgency.

He further noted that criminal elements were attacking national asset at the moment and that the condition might degenerate to kidnapping if not nipped in the bud.

However, the military commander assured the NYSC management that they were working assiduously to ensure the security of corps members at all times.

He equally promised to post more armed military personnel to protect the camps and to ensure synergy between NYSC and the Nigerian Army in the South-east.

On her part, Ms Nwatarali called on the GOC to join hands with other security agencies to achieve the goal of effective security of corps members and NYSC orientation camps.

The regional director also called for an urgent and timely response by security personnel in case of any threat to the lives of corps members. (NAN)
China's National Intellectual Property Administration (NIPA) on Monday launched a registration-information inquiry system for trademarks registered in the European Union.

The system, named EUTMS, is the first official inquiry tool of international trademark information in China, and is capable of handling 100 active users simultaneously, according to Wang Peizhang, head of the administration's public service department.

The general public may search with keywords, such as trademark name, application number and applicant, to browse and download trademark information.

The system was developed following an agreement signed on Sept. 25, 2020 on the mutual exchange of trade mark information between the NIPA and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

By the end of March, the EUIPO had offered nearly 2 million pieces of trademark information to the NIPA, and China had shared more than 31 million pieces of information to the TMview database of the EUIPO, said Wang at a press conference in Beijing.

The NIPA will further optimize the functions of the EUTMS, striving to provide better and more efficient trademark information services, according to Wang.
[April 27, 2021] MetLife Increases Common Stock Dividend By 4.3%

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a second quarter 2021 common stock dividend of $0.48 per share, an increase of 4.3% from the first quarter common stock dividend of $0.46 per share. MetLife has increased its common stock quarterly dividend at a 10.0% compound annual growth rate since 2011. The dividend will be payable on June 14, 2021, to shareholders of record as of May 11, 2021. "We are pleased to increase our common stock quarterly dividend by 4.3%," said MetLife President and CEO Michel Khalaf. "Thanks to our financial strength, we are a source of steady and growing income for millions of people. By executing on our Next Horizon strategy, we are generating strong free cash flow that enables us to return capital to our shareholders while also inesting to drive profitable growth now and into the future."



About MetLife MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("MetLife"), is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements in this news release, such as "will" and "into the future," are based on assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, including the "Risk Factors" MetLife, Inc. describes in its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. MetLife's future results could differ, and it has no obligation to correct or update any of these statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005798/en/

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Since 2006, economist and former Bush-era White House adviser Greg Mankiw has been encouraging economists and policy makers to join the Pigou Club, which advocates for a tax on carbon. The idea goes back to economist Arthur Cecil Pigou, who, in 1920, proposed to tax market activities that generate externalitiescosts that are not included in a product's market price, such as the healthcare costs of using tobacco. In the case of carbon, such a tax would raise revenue for the government while making sure those who choose to burn fossil fuels (say, when you drive your car to work) adequately take into account that choice's damage to the environment and the health and safety of others.

Although fundamentally a good idea, carbon tax proposals have repeatedly failed to gain political momentumand they may not even be the best solutions available. Maybe it's time to retire the Pigou club.

A carbon tax is an idea with some consensus from economists on both the right and the left. It's an easy sell for most Democrats, since it increases government revenues while working to fix climate change, but it's also appealing to Republicans because the revenue it raises would allow the government to cut taxes on things we want more of, like income and investment. Also appealing to free market types, no bureaucrat or congressional lobbyist would be picking which companies win or lose in the marketplace. The government simply sets a price that allows consumers and firms to make the right choice when deciding how much to polluteit lets the market decide. Little wonder this idea has gotten support from prominent Republicans.

Despite its advantages, the U.S. has seen little progress in passing a carbon tax. Some conservatives dislike the imposition of a tax that would likely produce a massive (e.g., trillions of dollars) source of new government revenues that might be used poorly. Conservatives also worry about the harm it would cause to workers in fossil fuel industries and the increased prices faced by consumers. Liberals also object to the higher prices, which could disproportionately harm those with the lowest incomes.

In 2018, a tax designed to fight climate change in France led to weeks of violent "yellow vest" protests against rising fuel prices, among other concerns, causing the French government to back down. A plan for an E.U.-wide carbon tax has never been successful. Recent referenda in Washington State have failed again and again. In fact, no U.S. state has successfully passed a carbon tax (although many U.S. states and the E.U. have passed cap and trade policies).

Because for all of their vaunted benefits, carbon taxes have substantial drawbacks. I suspect that a carbon tax would be less transformative than its advocates promise. Economists Kenneth Gillingham and James Stock find we already have dozens of existing policies that place high implicit prices on carbon reductions: e.g. renewable portfolio standards that regulate electricity (with an implicit carbon price of $0-$190/ton), tax credits for solar power ($140-$2100/ton) or wind ($2-$260/ton), fuel economy standards ($48-$310/ton), corn ethanol standards ($-18 to $310/ton), or subsidies for electric cars ($350-$640/ton). The additional impact of a carbon tax at say the $51/ton social cost of carbon recently adopted by the Biden administration could have a smaller effect on these specific sectors relative to the policies already in place. It is true that a carbon tax would incentivize reductions in other sectors, but there are few major sources of carbon emissions in the U.S. that aren't already regulated by existing policies.

A carbon tax on its own isn't even the first best policy option because it doesn't target other externalities that are potentially more important than the direct damage of climate change. In particular it doesn't do enough to encourage the benefits that come when new technologies are invented, such as the innovations that have brought the price of solar down by 90% or more in the past 10-20 years. It also does little to address the infrastructure needed for a low carbon economyinfrastructure like a smarter grid, or a network of electric vehicle charging stations. Perhaps we should be focusing on those market failures first. For example, the innovation and network benefits associated with buying an electric car today is far greater than the direct benefit from reduced use of fossil fuels. Buying an electric car today does have a direct effect on reducing emissions, but the indirect effect of making electric cars affordable to all may be far more important.

In many ways, the types of policies that politicians tend to favorpolicies that heavily target innovation and then phase out (such as subsidies for solar electricity or electric vehicles) or infrastructure projects like power grid upgradesare preferable to Pigouvian taxes. Especially since the biggest political hurdle is getting international buy-ingetting countries like India, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to adopt climate-friendly policies as well. Yes, passing a U.S. carbon tax might encourage other countries to pass similar policies of their own, but a more effective way to get other countries to go green could be to spur innovations like the ones that have made solar one of the cheapest forms of energy in much of the world and electric cars a viable alternative to gasoline-powered ones. While these seemed like pipe dreams not long ago and advocates were derided as techno-optimists, these goals now seem readily within reach (for example, GM just announced it plans to end production of gasoline powered cars by 2035 in favor of electric). Maybe it's time to redouble our efforts.

It's not that a carbon tax is a bad idea; in an ideal world, Pigouvian taxes are still part of a first-best policy solution. A uniformly applied carbon tax has benefits that the current hodge-podge of targeted government programs just doesn't. A clear price on carbon would encourage innovation in areas the government has never heard of, and create a much more efficient channel for government revenues than distortionary taxes on income and capital. It's just that there are other externalities with higher potential impact that maybe we should be focusing our attention on, especially since there are political costs that make subsidies and infrastructure projects more attractive than a massive tax increase. I am still a supporter of the Pigou club, but maybe it's time for the club to rethink its plan of action.

Explore further Want to cut emissions that cause climate change? Tax carbon

This story is republished courtesy of Earth Institute, Columbia University http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu.
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More details of how some unknown gunmen shot dead two soldiers on Monday night at a security checkpoint in Ebonyi State, Nigerias South-east, have emerged.

The army officials were on a stop-and-search duty at the checkpoint, in an area called Timber Junction, Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, when the gunmen inside a white bus opened fire at them, killing two of the soldiers.

A private security personnel attached to a nearby filling station was also shot dead, while several persons sustained injuries.

The gunmen were said to have carted away rifles belonging to the slain soldiers.

The attack threw the two busy towns of Amasiri and Afikpo into panic, as residents, especially petty traders hurriedly packed their goods and went home.

The area is as quiet as the graveyard. These villages used to be very busy and people here are farmers and traders.

But the moment that happened, people started going home. Nobody is seen outside as I speak to you. Every place is calm. There is fear here, the world is about to end, a resident said.

The Nigerian Army was yet to comment on the killing as of the time of filing this report.

The police authorities in the state have refused to comment on the killing.

The attack is coming barely 10 days after three policemen were shot dead by gunmen in the state.

Targets

Security officials in Nigeria have been the target of deadly attacks by unknown gunmen in the countrys South-east and South-south regions.

In one of such attacks on Sunday, four soldiers attached to an oil company, Starling Global Ltd, were gunned down at a hotel in a community in Rivers State, Nigerias South-south.

Also, soldiers were said to be among eight security officials killed on Sunday by gunmen along the Omagwa/Isiokpo/Elele Owerri Road in Rivers State.

In Imo State, Nigerias South-east, gunmen suspected to be IPOB members attacked and set ablaze the country home of the state governor, Hope Uzodinma.

IPOB, a pro-Biafra group proscribed by the Nigerian government, has been accused of being behind the attacks on security agencies, but the group has denied the allegation.

There is concern by government officials, security experts, and ordinary Nigerians that the ongoing attacks on security agencies in the South-east and South-south, which appeared to be coordinated, is getting worse by the day, and has already worsened the security challenges in the two regions.

With Boko Haram insurgency raging in the North-east, and banditry, kidnapping, and the ongoing bloody conflict between herders and farmers in different parts of the country, Nigerias security agencies seem to be losing ground, while the country bleeds.
Strong start to the year

Orders $7.8 billion, +6%; comparable 1 +1%

+1% Revenues $6.9 billion, +11%; comparable +7%

Income from operations $797 million; margin 11.5%

Operational EBITA 1 $959 million; margin 1 13.8%

$959 million; margin 13.8% Basic EPS $0.25; +41% 2

Cash flow from operating activities $543 million; cash flow from operating activities in continuing operations $523 million

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex):

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005972/en/

KEY FIGURES CHANGE ($ millions, unless otherwise indicated) Q1 2021 Q1 2020 US$ Comparable1 Orders 7,756 7,346 6 1 Revenues 6,901 6,216 11 7 Gross Profit 2,268 1,910 19 as of revenues 32.9 30.7 +2.2 pts Income from operations 797 373 114 Operational EBITA1 959 636 51 40 %3 as of operational revenues 1 13.8 10.2 +3.6 pts Income from continuing operations, net of tax 551 326 69 Net income (loss) attributable to ABB 502 376 34 Basic earnings per share ($) 0.25 0.18 41 %2 Cash flow from operating activities4 543 (577 n.a. Cash flows from operating activities in continuing operations 523 (396 n.a.

"After a busy year of creating the right set-up for the Group, we are now starting to show the real potential of our underlying businesses. Through greater accountability, transparency and speed, we increasingly create value for our stakeholders."

Bjorn Rosengren

CEO

CEO summary

Market activity continued to recover from its lowest point during the summer 2020. Demand was especially strong in the short-cycle business, beyond our expectations. The increased customer activity, in combination with the impact from previously implemented cost measures, resulted in double-digit growth in Operational EBITA, and a very high first quarter margin of 13.8%. I am pleased to see good performance also in cash flow, which was high for a first quarter at $523 million. That said, while there was no material impact on results in the period, the progressively tighter supply of certain components such as semiconductors and plastics, is a concern. We anticipate prolonged delivery lead-times to customers in parts of our businesses in the coming quarter. On a separate note, we made the important launch of our new collaborative robot families. Through this expansion of our offering, we aim to unlock customer groups with currently a low level of automation.

In total, we registered order growth of 6% (1% comparable), supported by a broad recovery in most of our short-cycle businesses. To some extent, demand is likely to have been driven by a stock build-up related to supply chain concerns. On the downside, growth was hampered by a weak development in the cruising and oil gas segments albeit initial signs of stabilization were noted. Overall, orders increased slightly in Europe and AMEA, with the latter supported by a stellar growth in China. Underlying business momentum improved in the Americas, driven by the US, although the region faced high comparable numbers in the previous period, which put pressure on growth rates.

I am pleased about the progress toward our 2023 margin target, with all business areas increasing operational EBITA margin by more than 100 basis points. That said, we are taking actions to further improve operational performance in Process Automation, which should also benefit from an anticipated improvement in end markets during the latter part of the year.

We made good progress with the divestment process for the three previously announced divisions and I expect us to sign the first deal during the second half of the year. Furthermore, we have turned our E-mobility business into a separate division and initiated a carve out into a separate legal structure. These steps will allow us to prepare for a possible public listing, creating a platform for accelerated growth and value creation in this business.

We held the Annual General Meeting at which the proposed dividend of CHF 0.80 was approved. Furthermore, we announced an additional share buyback program of up to $4.3 billion, whereby re-confirming the intention to return $7.8 billion of cash proceeds from the Power Grids divestment to shareholders.

Bjorn Rosengren

CEO

Outlook

Based on the current market situation, ABB anticipates growth rates in the second quarter of 2021 to reflect the low level of business activity in Q2 2020. Comparable orders and revenues are expected to grow >10%, with orders growing more than revenues.

The Operational EBITA margin for the Group is expected to significantly improve year-on-year, to approximately 14%.

As announced in the recent trading update, ABB anticipates comparable revenue growth of ~5% or higher for full-year 2021, with the process industry related part of the business expected to recover during the second half of the year.

In 2021, ABB expects a steady pace of improvement from 2020 toward the 2023 Operational EBITA margin target of upper half of the 13%-16% range. This excludes the combined adverse impact related to the Kusile project and stranded costs, which weighed on margin in 2020.

The complete press release including the appendices is available at www.abb.com/news

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB's success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries.

1 For a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures, see "supplemental reconciliations and definitions" in the attached Q1 2021 Financial Information. 2 EPS growth rates are computed using unrounded amounts. 3 Constant currency (not adjusted for portfolio changes). 4 Amount represents total for both continuing and discontinued operations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005972/en/

Contacts:

ABB Ltd

Affolternstrasse 44

8050 Zurich

Switzerland

Media Relations

Phone: +41 43 317 71 11

Email: media.relations@ch.abb.com

Investor Relations

Phone: +41 43 317 71 11

Email: investor.relations@ch.abb.com
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A member of the NYPDs Highway Patrol was struck and killed by a woman allegedly driving drunk early Tuesday morning on the Long Island Expressway.

Officer Anastasios Tsakos, a 14-year veteran of the force, was directing traffic away from a fatal, single-car crash at about 2 a.m. in Queens, when police say the woman veered into him with a 2013, red Volkswagen Passat.

Earlier, we updated NYers on last nights tragic events. pic.twitter.com/IFsPguIs1c  Commissioner Shea (@NYPDShea) April 27, 2021

The suspect  a 32-year-old Hempstead woman with a history of traffic violations  was driving with a suspended license when she struck Tsakos, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said at a joint press conference Tuesday with Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The woman kept driving and was arrested soon after about a mile away on charges that include vehicular manslaughter, the New York Daily News reported.

Tsakos, a 43-year-old husband and father of two children, was transported to New York Presbyterian-Queens Hospital where he ultimately was pronounced dead.

Shea described the tragedy Tuesday as a senseless and completely avoidable chain of events.

We stand here devastated and trying to pick up the pieces of what is now a shattered home and a shattered NYPD family.

Law enforcement officials on Staten Island reacted to the tragedy.

We join the entire NYPD family and all New Yorkers in mourning the death of P.O. Tsakos. Our prayers go out to his wife and family as they confront this terrible loss. #FidelisAdMortem https://t.co/UFT32vsVMU  Michael E. McMahon (@StatenIslandDA) April 27, 2021

We mourn the loss of P.O. Anastasios Tsakos, who died this morning after being struck by a car on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. He served the NYPD for 14 years and leaves behind a wife and two young kids. #FidelisAdMortem@NYPDHighway pic.twitter.com/0K7n07jiZp  NYPD Staten Island (@NYPDstatenIslnd) April 27, 2021
Rieke Office Interiors (ROI) President and Owner Melissa Kehl wins a 2021 Enterprising Women of the Year Award. "In my years as ROIs president and owner, Ive learned that female entrepreneurs need three things to succeed: risk-taking abilities, confidence and a good support system to help as owners like myself share the successes with my team and tackle the challenges that the company may face."

Elgin, Illinois-based Rieke Office Interiors (ROI) is proud to announce that President and Owner Melissa Kehl has won a 2021 Enterprising Women of the Year Award. Presented by Enterprising Women Magazine, these prestigious awards are an annual celebration and tribute to the worlds top women entrepreneurs.

For several years, Kehl has been overseeing the multimillion dollar business which has been designing functional office environments and manufacturing custom office furniture for the past 27 years. Kehl was one of 15 women business owners recognized in the category of over $10 million and up to $25 million in annual revenues.

I am truly excited to be honored with this beautiful award, Kehl said. In my years as ROIs president and owner, Ive learned that female entrepreneurs need three things to succeed: risk-taking abilities, confidence and a good support system to help as owners like myself share the successes with my team and tackle the challenges that the company may face. These awards are great examples of celebrating womens strengths and creative processes to be business leaders in their own right.

The magazine will recognize these honorees during the 19th Annual Enterprising Women of the Year Awards Celebration & Conference, to be held from Sunday, Nov. 14-16 at the Wyndham Grand in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

For women to be considered honorees, they need to demonstrate that they have fast-growth businesses, mentor or support other women and girls involved in entrepreneurship, and stand out as community leaders.

Kehl described how she always had passion for helping people along with her desire for success and winning. Those things help her lead her business in a positive direction.

I like my success, but it fills me up when the people around me are also succeeding, she said. I enjoy it when I can help and celebrate their successes. That is what gives me energy and gets me going every day. It is one reason why I am fiercely committed to our business.

For information about ROI, visit Rieke.com.

About Rieke Office Interiors

Rieke Office Interiors (ROI) has an impressive, state-of-the-art, 150,000 square foot, office furniture manufacturing facility in Elgin, Illinois. As a certified WBE business in its 27th year, ROI provides innovative products and services that are fully customizable, a unique capability that isnt found anywhere else in the office interior industry. This flexibility allows ROI to create a big impact for any budget, streamlining the project process to make each vision come to life. For more information, visit Rieke.com.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on April 27 showcased solidarity with India in its tolling fight against the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed her serious concern with the present situation. As India logged a record-breaking daily surge of coronavirus infection for consecutive days this week, Tsai said that Taiwan stand with India during this difficult time while offering to provide help. Since the crippling wave of COVID-19 began engulfing India, support has poured in from across the globe with messages and gestures of solidarity.

Taiwan President said, On behalf of all Taiwanese people, I would like to express my serious concern over the rapid spread of COVID-19 in India. Taiwan stands with India in this difficult time, & we are ready to provide help.

Earlier, US State Department spokesperson Jalina Porter on April 23 reiterated Washingtons support for India as the nation battles the crippling second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. During a press briefing, the United States official said that the US will work closely with India to facilitate the movement of essential supplies during the challenging times and even provided an update on Indias request regarding Americas position of the lifting of raw materials for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Meanwhile, Bhutans Foreign Affairs Minister Tandi Dorji offered deepest prayers and pledged complete solidarity with the Indian government. As per news agency ANI, he also noted that India is currently facing the most difficult phase of the pandemic and prayed for a speedy recovery. Dorjis remarks came on April 24 when India recorded 3.46 lakh new COVID-19 cases which is the worlds highest one-day surge in coronavirus infections for the third consecutive day.

Our deepest prayers and complete solidarity to the government and people of India in this most difficult period of the pandemic. Praying and hoping for quick relief and recovery, said Tandi Dorji.

COVID-19 in India

As of April 27, India logged more than 3.23 lakh fresh cases of coronavirus marking an 8.4% decrease from yesterdays toll. However, in the last 24 hours, it also recorded at least 2,771 casualties related to COVID-19. India's total tally of COVID-19 cases has climbed to 1,76,36,307 while active cases have crossed the 28.8-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on April 27. The death toll increased to 1,97,894. Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to 28,82,204.

Image credits: PTI/AP
Rare-earth minerals produced by Australia's Lynas Corp from its Mount Weld operations are displayed near Laverton, Western Australia, on Aug. 23, 2019. (Melanie Burton/Reuters)

Lawmakers Urge Biden Administration to Reduce Reliance on China for Critical Minerals

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.) led a bipartisan group of lawmakers on April 26 in calling on the Biden administration to establish a rare-earth metallurgical cooperative to reduce the nations reliance on Beijing for the specialized minerals used to build electronics, military weapons, and other high-tech equipment.

In a letter (pdf) addressed to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the lawmakers, alongside 12 others, urged the establishment of the cooperative to end the nations dependence on China for this critical supply chain.

China is currently the top global producer of rare earth elements. Last year, 80 percent of rare earths imported by the United States came directly from China, which sees its dominance as leverage that can be used against the West.

Rare earths are an obscure group of 17 minerals found in applications such as precision-guided missiles, smart bombs, and military jets, and there are no known substitutes for them.

Providing a safe space for American industry to innovate by establishing a rare earth metallurgical cooperative could change the lives of Americans by fostering the innovation of new technologies, helping the United States regain its status as a center for industrial manufacturing, and creating American jobs, the lawmakers wrote.

As the President seeks ways to promote American technological innovation, including in advanced clean energy technologies, establishing a rare earth metallurgical cooperative should be a top-of-mind effort for nurturing such innovation.

Citing President Joe Bidens Feb. 24 executive order on Americas supply chains, the lawmakers told Austin that having the president promote critical domestic supply chains, including rebuilding U.S. manufacturing capacity, is a matter of national security.

Chinas monopoly of the rare earth value chain is a significant vulnerability that threatens the ability of the United States, as well as our allies, to readily procure numerous defense systems and innovate in multiple economic sectors, including the development of advanced energy technologies, they wrote.

Former President Donald Trump last year signed an executive order to expand and strengthen domestic mining of rare earths and other critical materials.

The United States now imports 80 percent of its rare earth elements directly from China, with portions of the remainder indirectly sourced from China through other countries, Trump stated in the executive order. In the 1980s, the United States produced more of these elements than any other country in the world, but China used aggressive economic practices to strategically flood the global market for rare earth elements and displace its competitors.

Last year, a bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers also introduced proposals aimed at reducing U.S. dependence on China by providing tax incentives for the rare-earths industry.

The global pandemic has highlighted our reliance on China to meet our demand for critical minerals that are used in products such as electric and hybrid cars, computers, and military equipment, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) told The Epoch Times.

The lawmakers said in their letter that the United States must act immediately to free our innovators from Chinas parasitic industrial policies.

As the President seeks ways to promote American technological innovation, including in advanced clean energy technologies, establishing a rare earth metallurgical cooperative should be a top-of-mind effort for nurturing such innovation, they wrote.

The White House didnt immediately respond to a request from The Epoch Times for comment.
When the owners of 190 Emmett Court near Precita Park took on the down-to-the-studs renovation of their 1,200-square-foot home, they had a lot of practical decisions to make. The cottage condo, which is part of a two-unit HOA on a quiet cul-de-sac, needed a seismic upgrade, a new kitchen and bathroom and a whole new yard. They also upgraded the HVAC system by adding solar panels and air conditioning.

But some of the updates were purely for fun, like the one-of-a-kind attic, which has a zebra-print rug, a silk-draped ceiling from travels to Thailand, and Moroccan-inspired lighting. This top level of the home is "the Casbah, a posh lounge, sublime creative space, a traveler's retreat at home," according to listing agent Wendy Storch, who listed the two-bedroom for $1.15 million.

"Potential buyers absolutely love it," Storch added. "A lot of creatives have come to see it and the reaction is really positive."
They have seven days to leave Slovakia.

Slovakia will expel three Russian diplomats, PM Eduard Heger announced together with Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad and Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan Korcok on April 22.

Slovakia cannot tolerate if the activities of representatives of foreign diplomatic missions do not respect agreed principles, Heger told the press. Ensuring the security of citizens is one of the biggest tasks of the state.

Slovakia has taken this step in reaction to the probable sabotage by Russian agents that caused the explosion of an ammunition warehouse in the Czech village of Vrbetice in 2014.

Related article Czechia is our closest ally. Slovak officials support diplomatic actions against Russia Read more

Slovakia came to the decision to expel diplomats after a thorough evaluation of information provided by Slovak intelligence services that are in close operation with services of allied countries, Heger said.

Slovakia confirms its interest in building a relationship with the Russian Federation based on mutual respect, Heger said, adding that Slovakia expects representatives of the Russian diplomatic mission to respect principles based on international agreements.

The PM also added that Slovakia continues to express solidarity and full support for the Czech Republic.

Seven days to leave

The diplomats have to leave the country in seven days. It is expected that Russia will take similar steps and will probably send three Slovaks home from the Slovak Embassy in Moscow.

I expect a reaction from the Russian part, but I expect an adequate reaction, Korcok said.

Related article Russian agents also operated in Slovakia. Expulsion would make things harder for Moscow Read more

Experts have pointed out the disproportion of Slovak and Russian diplomatic missions before.

The Russian Embassy in Bratislava reported they had 28 Russian diplomats working in Slovakia as of April. Other coworkers were not listed on the so-called diplomatic list, the official list of members of diplomatic missions in Slovakia.

Korcok added that the Russians have been notified about the expulsion in advance, as it is standard in such cases.

This decision came based on the evaluation of the activities, but it is also an expression of solidarity with the Czech Republic, Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan Korcok told the media.

Moscow disappointed

The Russian Embassy in Slovakia refused the allegations against its staff members. The embassy says Slovakia's decision to expel the Russian diplomats contradicts the historically good relations between the two nations.

Charges against employees of the Russian Embassy in Slovakia of any illegal activity, all the more so against any activities against Slovakia, are absolutely unfounded," the embassy wrote on Facebook.

The Russian government is disappointed with the actions of the Slovak Republic.

"Traditionally, a mirror-like response will follow," the diplomatic agency reported, as quoted by the TASS newswire.

Slovakia took a similar step last August when three Russian diplomats were asked to leave in the wake of a scandal involving Slovakia's consulate in St. Petersburg.

22. Apr 2021 at 17:06 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 14:00:04|Editor: huaxia

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MANILA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- A Philippine Air Force (PAF) helicopter crashed into the waters off Getafe town in central Philippine Bohol province on Tuesday morning, a military spokesman said.

Lieutenant Colonel Maynard Mariano said the MD520MG attack helicopter was on maintenance flight when it went down around 9:30 a.m. local time.

The aircraft took off from an air force base on nearby Mactan Island in Cebu province, he added.

Mariano said an investigation is underway and will issue an official statement later Tuesday. Enditem
100 years ago  1921

The Girardville National Bank was at 1 oclock this afternoon robbed at $10,000 by three masked bandits who held up the cashier and the teller, forced them into a vault and then escaped in a green touring car. When hotly pursued by Edward Miller of Girardville in another car, they dropped off several bags of money and then abandoned the car and ran towards the hills. State policemen coming from Ashland captured one of them near Homesville and recovered $3,000.

75 years ago  1946

Pottsville High Schools mile relay team in event No. 36 at the Penn Relays this afternoon finished in seventh place in a field of nine schools.

50 years ago  1971

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS  Gov. Milton Shapp said Monday night that he supports tightening of strip mine laws, and he reaffirmed his opposition to elaborate school construction projects. The day is past when mining can be conducted at random, Shapp told members of the Schuylkill County Manufacturers Association at the Fountain Springs Country Club.

25 years ago  1996

You may have seen him as a karate-trained cook in Under Siege or a street tough in Hard to Kill. Now, movie star Steven Seagal may apply his rockem, sockem acting skills to a film about the Centralia mine fire. Filming could begin as early as July on Fire Down Below, according to Mark T. Major, executive director of the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau. This week, the phone rang at the Pennsylvania Film Bureau in Harrisburg: It was Steven Seagal Productions seeking historical photographs of the nearly abandoned coal town just across the Schuylkill line in Columbia County. Centralia native Deborah Gownley, press secretary for the Department of Commerce, which oversees the film bureau, said such calls are very common, although not necessarily for that area.
Minister of Labour and Social Protection Raluca Turcan signed on Tuesday a funding agreement for the establishment of the first electronic public services hub in Romania that will integrate all information on services and social benefits, according to information published by the relevant ministry on Facebook, reports agerpres.

"The first electronic public services hub to integrate all the information on social services and benefits will be implemented in Romania throughout 2023. Today [Tuesday] we signed a funding agreement for the beginning of the project worth 133 million lei, a project that will benefit over two million citizens and providers of public and private social services. The interaction of the beneficiaries with the ministry and the subordinated and coordinated institutions will thus be achieved through a single point of contact, on the ministry's portal," according to Turcan.

She pointed out that after the implementation of the project, the applicants for social services will no longer have to go to physical counters."People will no longer need to come up to the counter to submit their applications for social assistance and social services benefits, as paper files will become electronic files and can be viewed online at any time. Moreover, the implementation of the Services Hub means the creation of an interconnection platform between the ministry and its subordinate institutions, thus laying the foundations for a modern and efficient public administration, which has the role of increasing the quality of electronic services offered to citizens and reducing the time for solving requests," Raluca Turcan pointed out.Turcan emphasised that citizens will thus be able to find out in real time the specific status of their application."The new platform will provide the necessary tools for cross-checking of data, providing mechanisms for prevention, automatic reporting of suspected fraud and providing accurate data. At the same time, citizens and businesses will be able to find out in real time, at submission time, which is the specific status of the application (if they previously qualified, if there are overlaps with other benefits, conditions related to legal rights, etc.). The services hub also secures interoperability of information systems at a national and European level (with similar systems at European level, with European registers), so as to ensure a uniform management of the information on the beneficiaries of social security rights granted from public funds. This is so far the most important digital transformation project started at the level of the Ministry of Labour. We intend to attract European funds for the digitalisation of all the bodies related to the Ministry of Labour," concluded Turcan.
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The Nigerian Army has condemned the circulation of pictures of its soldiers and officers killed in the line of duty.

Army spokesperson Mohammed Yerima made this known in a statement on Tuesday.

He described the act as insensitive and improper for families of victims to get to know about the death of their loved ones on social media posts.

The statement from the army comes two days after Boko Haram terrorists sacked an army base in Mainok, Borno State.

The gory pictures of the slain soldiers have since gone viral on social media.

In its reaction, the army threatened to take legal action to protect troops who die in action from what it described as social media ridicule.

Read full statement:

PROTEST AGAINST INDISCRIMINATE AND INSENSITIVE SHARING OF GRAPHIC PICTURES OF KILL-IN-ACTION SOLDIERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The Nigerian Army condemns in the strongest term possible, the indiscriminate sharing on social media of graphic pictures of personnel who paid the supreme price in the cause of defending and protecting the country from its adversaries.

This act is not only unpatriotic but very insensitive and utterly reprehensible.

Officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army deployed to various theatres of internal security operations are on legitimate duties and are in the harms way to defend and protect the country from those who are intent on destroying it.

In the course of carrying out this constitutional mandate, troops put their lives on the line to ensure that innocent citizens and institutions of the state are protected from violent criminals. In some cases, these gallant officers and soldiers are meted with the worst form of savagery by the heartless adversaries whose intent is to instill fear on of the citizenry.

While the Nigerian Army and its personnel understand the nature of the noble calling and are ever ready to confront any danger of adversity on the way, what is most unfathomable is the glee with which some people share the gory pictures of officers and soldiers who are either killed-in-action or Wounded-in-action in the media.

These unpatriotic acts are often done without any modicum of consideration for the memories of the departed personnel or their family members. In some cases, their loved ones do find out about their unfortunate death in such callous manner before they are even contacted by the military authorities. One can only imagine the trauma and pain such families go through waking up to see the gory pictures of their loved ones splashed on the social media.

The Nigerian Army consider this despicable and unpatriotic act totally unacceptable and will henceforth take legal actions to protect troops who die in action from being ridiculed on social media or any platform.

Mohammed Yerima

Brigadier General

Director Army Public Relations

27 April 2021
Relatives perform last rites of a victim who died of the Covid-19 coronavirus at a cremation ground in New Delhi on April 26, 2021. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)

Australia Stops Flights From India Amid CCP Virus Emergency

Australia is cutting off all direct and indirect passenger flights from India as CCP virus cases surge in the country, with locals performing mass open-air cremations to keep up with the number of deaths.

In a single day, on April 25, India reported more than 2,800 deaths and 325,000 new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

This has followed a tragic five-day trend where the total infected cases have also surpassed 17 million, and at present, 195,123 people have lost their lives in India.

A priest who helps to perform last rites runs while covering his face amid the multiple burning funeral pyres of patients who died of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, on April 24, 2021. (Anindito Mukherjee/Getty Images)

As India grapples with the emergency, the Australian government has announced that direct passenger flights from India that fly into Sydney have been stopped for the next 18 days, until May 15.

Likewise, repatriation flights that fly into Darwin have also been paused. Morrison said the move is expected to impact around 500 arrivals.

Further, indirect flights from India via Doha, Dubai, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur have been paused by the authorities in those jurisdictions.

The restrictions will be reviewed before May 15 to determine whether an extension is needed.

The move comes as India ordered its armed forces to help with the overwhelming outbreak, and after Australia pledged to send aid, including oxygen and PPE.

Dr. Shaarang Sachdev from the Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital told Sky News UK that doctors on the ground expect the next two weeks to be hell.

Doctors and nurses are working back to back shifts while some of their own family are in hospital as patients but they cant see them.

We dont even have time to go and visit them, Sachdev said. Theyre exhausted, physically and emotionallyand many are angry.

Sachdev was speaking from his emergency room, which had more patients than beds. A young woman on a ventilator had been there for two days instead of the ICU where there are no beds.

The hospital has set up a tent city on the grounds to treat patients. All of them need oxygen, which is in very short supply, with the countrys military being mobilised to bring in oxygen tanks from neighbouring countries and allies.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison arrives at Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan, on Nov. 17, 2020. (Reuters/Issei Kato)

The scenes that were seeing in India are truly heartbreaking, Morrison told reporters on Tuesday. India is a great friend of Australia, a comprehensive strategic partner. We share so much in common as peoples, as democratic nations.

We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences and support to the nation of India and the people of India, he said.

Morrison has pledged to immediately send an initial package of support which will include 500 non-invasive ventilators, 1 million surgical masks, 500,000 P2 and N95 masks, 100,000 surgical gowns, 100,000 goggles, 100,000 pairs of gloves, and 20,000 face shields.

The prime minister said Australia has also agreed to commence procurement of 100 oxygen concentrators along with tanks and consumables.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will handle the shipment of these urgent supplies over the next week.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne. (Andrew Taylor/AFP via Getty Images)

Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said there were over 9,000 Australians in India, with 650 of those registered as vulnerable.

This number will certainly increase in the coming days and weeks as peoples circumstances change, she said.

Her department, DFAT, had eight flights scheduled for May, which have now been cancelled. Since March 2020, DFAT facilitated 38 flights out of India, helping around 5,000 Australians come home.

Those repatriation flights will resume after May 15, if circumstances allow.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who has been calling for regional containment hubs, has said that pausing the flights is the right decision in the current circumstances.

I welcome the Federal Governments decision to increase aid to India. We stand united to help, she wrote on Twitter.

I know the decision to suspend flights will be difficult for families, but it is the right decision at this time.

Palaszczuk had early on Tuesday called for all inbound flights from India to be suspended to protect Australia from the strain of the virus ravaging the country.

People carry oxygen cylinders after refilling them in a factory amidst the spread of the CCP virus disease (COVID-19) in Ahmedabad, India, on April 25, 2021. (Amit Dave/Reuters)

The United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) are also sending ventilators, other medical equipment, and medicines.

The UKs and EUs announcements came after the Indian government requested aid to help it fight a massive surge in COVID-19 cases as hospitals across the country turn away patients after running out of medical oxygen and beds.

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock called the scenes in India heartbreaking and said that the UK is determined to support the people of India through this very difficult time.

Australians can call consular posts for information on 1300 555 135 (within Australia), and +61 62 613 205 (outside Australia.)
SPRINGFIELD -- The City Council has not yet acted on a special permit for a proposed expanded two-lane drive-up the McDonalds on 809 Boston Road in Pine Point, waiting for the fast food franchise to address a neighbors complaints about noise and litter.

For the second consecutive meeting, the council on Monday voted to continue the public hearing, as requested by McDonalds with the stated purpose of having further discussions on the complaints.

The owner, McDonalds Real Estate Co., is seeking to amend its 2007 permit to expand from a single-lane drive-up to a reconfigured drive-up for two ordering stations, as done at many of its restaurants, officials said.

The abutter, Erica Headley on Etna Court, said the restaurant has been a neighborhood nuisance for years, including loud noise outside late at night and trash that blows under the business fence and onto her property. In addition, she said at the first hearing in March that the restaurant was unresponsive to her complaints and she was opposed to any change that would the business any closer to her property.

I have lived at my home for over 20 years, Headley said in a letter submitted to the council. Throughout that time, my quality of life has been constantly affected by this business. From the time I wake up until the time I go to sleep, I have to hear the noise that comes along with a 24-hour drive-thru in my yard.

Company representatives had said at the first hearing on March 29, that they would discuss and address the concerns raised by Headley, but on Monday asked for additional time to work out the issues.

Headley also complained about people hanging out late at night, and alleged drug activity outside.

An engineering company representative for McDonalds at the March hearing said the issues would be shared with the company.

In other action, the council continued a public hearing, as requested by the company seeking a special permit for a proposed medical treatment facility at 281 Cottage St., in East Springfield.

The permit is sought by Recovery Connection Centers of America Inc. The center would not have overnight stays, according to the special permit request.

The site is currently vacant, and is within and industrial park zone.

Recovery Connection Centers operates substance use disorder treatment centers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, according to a summary.

A company representative said officials wanted additional time ahead of the hearing to show they will be a good neighbor.
An 11-mile ditch responsible for moving floodwaters across Orange County to the Sabine River could be getting an upgrade.

The Orange County Drainage District recently was granted $1.5 million from the Texas Water Development Board to study the Sabine River Relief Ditch for the first time. District General Manager Don Corona said the project could be a poster child for the multi-jurisdictional flood planning that the state has been encouraging local governments to pursue.

Whats somewhat unique about this project is it involves the Cow and Adams bayou watersheds above us, and it affects those counties as well, he said. If were successful in diverting a significant amount of water to the Sabine River to the east instead of the south, that will not just help Orange County, but it will help Newton and Jasper counties, too.

In addition to funding the study, the grant and $500,000 local match also is expected to cover preliminary engineering, project design and feasibility assessments for the ditchs extension and expansion.

Related: State plans for future floods

Corona said the district isnt far enough in these processes to be able to give a specific amount of water that would be diverted by expanding the ditch, but he said it would significantly improve the drainage by taking on a much greater quantity of stormwater coming from Orange Countys northern neighbors.

The ditch dates back to at least the 1930s  long before the Orange County Drainage District was formed, he said. Its been significantly improved in that time, but Corona said its existed largely unchanged in its current condition for several decades.

It was originally constructed to divert water from Orange Countys northern neighbors to the Sabine River to the east without having to make its way through all of Orange County. It originates east of Texas 62, near the Orange County line, and dumps into the Sabine River just before it takes a turn and dumps into Sabine Lake.

This project can actually impact a significant portion of Orange County because we have watersheds that originate in Vidor, for example, that travel in a southeast direction until they flow into Cow Bayou. The condition of Cow Bayou affects drainage all over our county. Its the same for the Adams Bayou watershed.

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

And the more water thats diverted from these watersheds straight to the river, the less they are stressed during extreme weather events.

Corona said he didnt yet have a timeline for the study, but he said the district wants to start as soon as it receives a formal record of award from the Texas Water Development Board.

The Orange County Drainage District wasnt the only local agency recently granted funding from the Water Development Board.

The Sabine River Authority will receive more than $1.9 million, which the Authority will match with just over $600,000 of local funding, to study about one-quarter of the Sabine River Basin.

Authority Assistant General Manager over Operations Travis Williams said the study will use newer technology advances to update existing studies and go into greater detail on flooding risks in urbanized areas.

He said studies exist for the Lower Sabine River Basin watersheds, but the region hasnt previously been analyzed in this detail.

Related: Phelan: Texans ready to do something different

Well identify areas of risk for roadway flooding and identify any mitigation measures that may be needed for those, he said. Really, its a planning-level estimate to identify issues so that, in the future, when funding becomes available, we have projects identified so we can apply for those grants.

He said he expects the study to be complete within the next 18 to 24 months.

The money for both projects is coming from the Flood Infrastructure Fund, which was created by lawmakers last session and funded by voters in 2019. The fund is, in part, the brainchild of now-Texas House of Representatives Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont.

The program encourages regions to work together, largely by river basin, when planning flood mitigation measures instead of allowing projects to be based primarily on political boundaries.

kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/KaitlinBain
The High-level Forum for RCEP Economic and Trade Cooperation under the theme of "Sharing Opportunities for Recovery and Development" opened in east China's port city of Qingdao on Sunday.



Co-hosted by China Chamber of International Commerce and Qingdao Municipal People's Government, it invited government officials, diplomatic envoys, representatives of trade and investment promotion institutions, experts and scholars, and heads of enterprises from China and other RCEP member countries to discuss how to facilitate trade and share the development dividends of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.

At the opening ceremony, Gao Yan, chair of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said the RCEP would help realize zero tariffs of about a third of China's trade and significantly reduce the operating costs of enterprises in the region by facilitating trade and improving the business environment.

"It's estimated that by 2025, the RCEP can create additional growth of exports, foreign investment stock and GDP respectively by 10.4%, 2.6% and 1.8% in member countries," she added.

The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dato Lim Jock Hoi, via a video link, pointed out that the increasingly integrated global economy meant no single country could individually emerge unscathed from the devastating impact brought about by the COVID-19 epidemic.

Recovery could only be achieved through strong economic cooperation, he stressed.

Thailand's Vice Minister of Commerce Sansern Samalapa stressed in his video message the importance of RCEP in dealing with new trade issues such as e-commerce and intellectual property protection.

Some chapters and provisions of RCEP "aim to create a conducive environment for e-commerce including protection of personal information and online consumers as well as cooperation on cyber security," he pointed out.

Ramon M. Lopez, Secretary of Philippines Department of Trade and Industry, highlighted RCEP as a catalyst for his country's economic development. "RCEP participating countries account for 50% of the Philippines' export market and 68% of import sources.

"It provides not only enhanced market access for our key products but also a platform to invite more investments. These investments are in vital sectors such as manufacturing, research and development, financial services, game development, e-commerce, and IT-BPO."

At the end of the opening ceremony, the Qingdao Initiative on Jointly Promoting RCEP Regional Economic and Trade Cooperation was launched with a view to supporting an open, inclusive, transparent, non-discriminatory, and rules-based multilateral trading regime.

The following two plenary sessions focused on higher-level opening-up for trade internationalization and facilitation as well as a better business environment featuring openness, fairness, convenience and rule of law.



In the afternoon, three panel discussions were held to pool wisdom on topics of facilitating opening-up and development of trade in services, reshaping global supply and value chains, and promoting global cooperation on the marine economy.

Wang Jian, professor from the University of International Business and Economics, told China.org.cn that differences among the RCEP members were actually a great opportunity rather than barriers for members to cooperate for mutual complementarity, which is conducive to the restructuring of industrial, supply and value chains.

During the two-day event, participants also visited Qingdao Beer Museum, Qingdao International Design Center, Qingdao Port and Qingdao AI International Lounge.

China and Singapore have taken the lead in ratifying the RCEP agreement. All members are planning to ratify the deal before the end of this year, and push for it to become effective on Jan. 1, 2022, Yu Benlin, an official from China's Ministry of Commerce, informed an online training activity on RCEP.

The RCEP agreement is the world's biggest trade pact covering a market of 2.2 billion people with a combined GDP of $26 trillion, representing about 30% of global GDP.

Signed among the 10-member countries of ASEAN along with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, the RCEP agreement constitutes a monumental achievement in East Asian regional cooperation and a victory of multilateralism and free trade.
Many voters in the poll are united in refusing the possibility of Kamala Harris becoming the next U.S. president due to her dismal performance in the first 100 days. She is widely seen as the Democratic "Trojan Horse" if President Biden will not be able to finish his term.

Kamala Harris inspires no confidence

A Rasmussen Report revealed that many voters do not know what Harris stands for and have a shared dislike for Biden's vice-president. As far as respondents are concerned, she is not presidential material.

The poll results reflect what most Republican voters think, that Harris does not deserve to become the 47th president of the United States, reported Newsmax.

As far as the numbers go, a small 25 percent of GOP voters think that she cannot handle becoming president, while 80 percent of the Dems and 36 percent independents agree. Some 51 percent think Harris is incapable, another 43 percent are highly dismissive and could not even imagine her becoming the chief executive.

When it comes to qualification for the Oval Office, the vice president got an overwhelming 50 percent vote that she has no capabilities, with 41 percent saying she lacked the right qualifications. Overall, the numbers indicate an opposition to the idea of her becoming the next president of the US.

Still, a very insignificant number of 46 percent approved, while 28 percent of the respondents can imagine her as the next president.

The poll had 48 percent of women voters who thought that Kamala Harris is okay, compared to 44 percent of men, but a statistic of 32 percent of women are likelier than 24 percent of men to agree that Vice President Harris is good enough.

Kamala Harris Plagiarized MLK Jr., According to His Niece in a Recent Interview

Voters under the age of 40 (64 percent), Black voters (62 percent), and all those making more than $200,000 a year gave the vice president top grades (54 percent ).

More data showed that 55 percent of 65 and older said she was not very favorable, including 42 percent of White voters and most middle-income voters in the polls.

The poll seemed to imply that supporters of Biden had extended the same support to Harris, despite her less than stellar first 100 days, with 94 percent saying the VP did well despite the criticisms.

However, many had a lot to say, like the GOP that scoured her lack of an action at the US Border. Same as the president who has not done anything right in solving the border crisis. Some 96 percent disapproved of Harris' border performance.

According to Rasmussen, Harris's approval numbers were lower than former Vice President Mike Pence's four years ago. In April 2017, 63 percent of voters, with 86 percent Republicans, 40 percent Democrats, and 65 percent unaffiliated, said that Pence could be a far better president.

One major conclusion of the poll is that Kamala Harris has been less effective as the vice president. The poll of 1,000 likely US voters was from April 19-20, with a factor of 95 percent for confidence, a marginal error plus-minus three percentage points.

Presidential Role Taken by Kamala Harris, Calls Heads of State

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Sally Stenton is a retired Air Force judge advocate general who served as the legal adviser to the Afghan Air Force from 2010 to 2011. Dr Forrest Marion served twice as 438th Air Expeditionary Wing historian, in 2009 and 2011.

Lt. Col. Frank Bryant sat at his desk in the makeshift headquarters building of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing at Kabul International Airport in April 2011. Finishing paperwork after a staff meeting, Bryant was slated to finish his yearlong deployment a month later and was speaking about his beautiful wife, Janice, and their baby boy, Sean, who'd been only two weeks old when Bryant deployed.

The emotions on Bryant's face were easy to read. The love he felt for Janice, the pride when he said Sean's name, and the excitement and relief to be going home in a few weeks were obvious.

Earlier that day, Maj. Raymond Estelle had arrived at the 438th -- Day 1 of his 365-day deployment, the "safe" deployment to Afghanistan, as an adviser to the Afghan Air Force, or AAF. Ray had left at home his wife, Air Force Maj. N'Keiba Estelle; their nine-year-old daughter, Shayla; and 6-week-old son, Raymond III.

Less than 24 hours after Estelle's arrival and Bryant's conversation about going home, both men were dead -- along with six other U.S. airmen and an American contractor.

The NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan advisers -- or "NATC-A Nine," as they are known -- were killed in action on April 27, 2011. Also killed were Majors Jeffrey Ausborn, Charles Ransom, Philip Ambard and David Brodeur; Capt. Nathan Nylander; Master Sgt. Tara Jacobs Brown; and retired Army Lt. Col. James McLaughlin, who was working as a contractor. They died in an insider attack, the worst in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom combined.

It has been 10 years since this massacre, the greatest loss of U.S. airmen in a single incident since the 1996 Khobar Towers attack. But the search for truth and justice for them remains elusive. The most important questions remain from day 1: Who, besides the shooter, planned and executed this attack? Will they be brought to justice? Why have U.S. and Afghanistan governments covered up what happened?

It was a beautiful spring morning in Kabul, where the 438th taught and advised the fledgling, and often corrupt, AAF. The day began normally with U.S. advisers and Afghans performing their mission in the Air Command and Control Center, or ACCC. But by 10:45 that morning, nine advisers lay dead or dying and the shooter was dead. Fourteen other Afghans, some armed, who had been in the ACCC, walked out unscathed, and Afghan media was spinning a tale.

The narrative, which continues to this day, was that a lone, crazed gunman turned Rambo with his service handgun and killed the eight armed U.S. airmen and an unarmed contractor; McLaughlin had no weapon. The number of bullets in the bodies of the fallen proved the shooter changed magazines at least twice. Yet no one fired a shot or even drew their weapon. What happened?

The shooter, Afghan Col. Ahmed Gul, left the ACCC and entered the hallway. There, he confronted Nylander and another adviser. Two firefights ensued.

In the first, Gul went down, appearing to be wounded. The second adviser called to Nylander to leave the building. In the chaos and confusion, the adviser, unable to hear over the gunfire, thought Nylander was behind him, but he was not. For reasons we will never know, Nylander did not leave.

In the second firefight, the gunman was wounded twice. An Afghan Quick Reaction Force was shooting into the building. Wounded in both legs, Nylander tried to return fire, but his weapon jammed. There was only one door through which to escape. As Nylander tried to reach it, Gul shot him in the head. For his heroic and courageous actions, Nylander earned a posthumous Silver Star.

The advisers' mission was to work with their Afghan counterparts to develop a professional AAF. But cultural ways of doing business were difficult to overcome. At times, AAF pilots sold seats on aircraft or helicopters. Passenger manifests -- which the advisers tried to implement -- were unwelcome. Some AAF missions were flown with all-Afghan crews and accepted unidentified cargo or passengers at the last minute to fly to locations unknown to the advisers. Training sorties were the priority but, often, Afghan senior leaders called an AAF commander or the pilot of the aircraft to redirect him elsewhere. Advisers called the practice "cell phone command and control," or cell phone C2.

To many advisers, the AAF's operations seemed tantamount to a charter airline used for nefarious purposes, making lots of money for certain individuals.

Among those killed, Bryant, Brodeur and McLaughlin worked with their ACCC counterparts daily. In a nutshell, the ACCC was intended as the national-level C2 nerve center for the AAF. There, AAF personnel might ensure that every flight was properly scheduled, flown and monitored -- and for legitimate purposes.

In mid-April 2011, a new C2 directive went into effect, by order of the Afghan Army's senior general. The directive ended the "cell phone C2" operations. Some Afghan senior leaders greatly resented this and resisted its implementation.

Evidence points to the advisers' anticorruption efforts in the ACCC and AAF as the reason behind the massacre, but the initial U.S. Army report of investigation, or ROI, in 2011 failed to mention the well-known existence of a Criminal Patronage Network functioning within the AAF. Complaints to congressmen and a report by "dirty money expert" Thomas Creal on The Blaze's For The Record news program resulted in a subsequent ROI in 2013 that referred repeatedly to the presence of Criminal Patronage Networks.

Creal said he traced $250,000 paid to Gul by the Criminal Patronage Network before the massacre. Despite this evidence, the 2013 ROI could not link Gul to the network.

The 2013 investigating officer, Marine Col. Jim Turner, disputed the two key findings from the original ROI by Army Col. Dale Buckner. Buckner found the advisers had died because of a "lack of warrior ethos" -- meaning they lacked courage. Secondly, he found that Gul had killed himself.

While the first finding was refuted by evidence, the second was ridiculous even according to Afghans. A senior Afghan officer acknowledged the Afghan Quick Reaction Force had killed the badly wounded Gul -- which, if true, constituted a war crime. Gul was killed in the outer office of an Afghan two-star, where Gul had dragged himself after being wounded.

Buckner retired shortly after completing his 2011 investigation, then immediately founded and became the CEO of Global Guardian -- a lucrative executive security firm with close ties to the military, State Department and other alphabet agencies.

Turner debunked Buckner's findings. Based on Turner's revised scenario of what might have transpired at the ACCC, however, he offered something nearly as offensive: The advisers had died due to "overwhelming surprise and their inability to react" to the attack of a lone gunman.

The advisers' families were left disappointed, disgusted and distraught over another report replete with falsehoods and coverups. In October 2018, "Flight Risk: The Coalition's Air Advisory Mission in Afghanistan, 2005-2015 (History of Military Aviation)," was published, discrediting Turner and Buckner's "lone gunman" findings. (Disclosure: the book was written by op ed coauthor Forrest L. Marion.)

Sadly, in December 2018, Turner died by suicide without ever fully disclosing what he knew about the massacre -- one more victim in this terrible tragedy waiting for the government, after 10 years, to tell the truth and bring to justice all involved in the massacre of the NATC-A Nine.

-- The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration.
Some workers will go back to the office after the pandemic, but not enough to save central business districts from permanent drops in spending that will permanently remake American downtowns.

That is one of the worrisome findings of a new working paper on remote work, which reports 11 months of survey data on more than 30,000 Americans shifting arrangements with their employers.

Sifting through various data points about remote work has been a little confusing. Some CEOs say the practice has been productive during the pandemic and are ready to give up their expensive office space. Others say its bad for company culture and innovation and are ready to get employees back into their cubicles. As for workers, some have happily settled into country life, while others claim to miss the camaraderie, gossip, and professional synergy of office life.

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The Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes, as the research led by the economist Jose Maria Barrero is called, brokers no such ambiguity: Workers whose jobs dont explicitly require their presence really want to be able to work remote at least some of the time. Most would take a pay cut to do so.

Their bosses, by and large, want them back in the officebut are willing to compromise on three or four days a week. As a result, Barrero and his co-authors conclude, the share of work done remotely will level off at about 20 percent after the pandemic restrictions end. Thats about half as much work as is happening remotely right now, but four times the pre-pandemic remote work rate of 5 percent.

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This future is far from certain. Its possible that attitudes will change quickly once pandemic restrictions end. Still, the researchers believe that remote work will stick. Why? Nearly every white-collar office took the leap at the same time. Workers have invested in their new setups. Technology aimed at remote workers is improving rapidly. And finally, the perception of working from home as code for slacking off has vanishedpossibly for good.

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The degree to which workers expect to be occasionally called to the office may explain why no major new geographical migration between regions has come out of the pandemic: Many still want to be close to the workplace. But not as close as before. The paper predicts post-pandemic consumer spending will fall by 13 percent in Manhattan and 4.6 percent in San Francisco as workers spend more of their budgets for desk salads in their own neighborhoods.

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That spells trouble for downtown spillover economies, including barbers, shoe repair shops, bars, and restaurantsas well as for the transit systems that have long been designed toward serving peak-hour commutes.

In total, the new level of remote work that the paper forecasts would add up to 435 million fewer hours spent traveling to and from work. Unfortunately, under the new pandemic arrangement, a third of that time is now spent on work, and the other two-thirds spent on other worklike activities such as chores and child care.

In the research, a gender gap opens up for college-educated workers with young children: Women are almost 10 percentage points more likely than men to say they want to work from home full time. That may mean mothers who might have left the workforce decide not to, but it could also wind up exacerbating workplace inequities between men and women. One pitfall of the hybrid approach is, if women pick to work from home and men dont, they may be punished later on in terms of future promotions, Barrero observed when we spoke on the phone. We think HR departments should worry about that.

It will be a tough balance for companies: Let workers do as they please and the inequalities of child care will assert themselves in the companys own hierarchy. Force everyone back and your most talented employees may get poached by companies with more favorable arrangements. Keep everyone remote? There goes the company softball team.
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.
Russia has fined Apple $12 million, alleging monopolistic activities. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) said Tuesday that Apple was gaining an unfair advantage over other companies through its app store.

"Apple was found to have abused its dominant position in the iOS distribution market... which resulted in a competitive advantage for its own products," the FAS said in a statement.

The ruling was sparked by a complaint from Russia-based cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab, which said a version of its Safe Kids app had been rejected by Apple.

"We worked with Kaspersky to get their app in compliance with rules that were put in place to protect children," Apple said in a statement. "They now have 13 apps on the App Store and we have processed hundreds of updates for them."

Apple reportedly said it "respectfully disagreed" with the FAS decision, which it plans to appeal.


Press Release

27 April 2021

Next month, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) is bringing back its Club Summit after a one-year hiatus. Relatively new to HFTP's slate of events (est. 2018), this conference has quickly become a key program for the association's club segment offerings. The Summit delivers a vital opportunity for high-level club professionals and industry experts to directly address the topics that are most compelling and important to this specialized segment of hospitality. Coming up this May 24-25 at the Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach  a Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; HFTP is seeing great interest in the event as attendance is nearing capacity.

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"This past year we have all missed the personal engagement unique to networking; and combining this with the extraordinary circumstances clubs faced this year, the Summit fits as a solution to meet the current needs of our stakeholders  which the strong registration demonstrates," said Linnet Baskett, HFTP Director of Club Engagement and Regionals. "The event will be an opportunity to hear from fellow professionals with a variety of experience on how they have weathered the pandemic and where they are headed."

The education program will offer a combination of current topics and ongoing concerns in club finance and technology operations. Recovering from the pandemic, sessions include coverage of unique tax legislation and government-led financial assistance programs, as well as HR considerations. Also on the slate are presentations on cybersecurity and IT strategic planning; real-world best practices straight from expert club professionals; and a look at the potential / risk for future smart technologies and cloud solutions. Concluding the two-day program is an open forum for all attendees to ask questions and share ideas.

Pairing with the education program are table-top exhibits featuring representatives from several club solution provider companies. This offers attendees an opportunity to explore services and products available to them in relation to what they learn about in the education sessions. The exhibits will be open during the networking breaks, providing a relaxed setting to visit with company representatives.

Making the decision to return to face-to-face professional development requires a great deal of thought and planning, especially after the turmoil brought on by the global pandemic this past year. HFTP understands the importance of planning ahead for your health and safety. The association has implemented several measures to properly protect attendees and provide a safe space for learning and networking engagement. These protocols (which are fully outlined in this document) include use of face coverings in public, maintaining social distancing where possible, refraining from direct contact with other attendees, encouraging hand-washing and use of hand sanitizer, and self-screening for Covid-19 symptoms.

The venue has also introduced its own safety measures through the Hilton EventReady with CleanStay program that introduced a new standard of hotel cleanliness and disinfection.

HFTP is also producing three HITEC events in 2021. First is HITEC Europe Sessions, a five-week series of virtual education, every Wednesday from May 26 June 23. The program centers on themes of hospitality technology, business resilience and operating in a post-pandemic world, and will offer breakout rooms in English, French, Spanish and German. In addition, HITEC Dubai is co-locating with The Hotel Show Dubai on May 31June 2 at the Dubai World Trade Center in Dubai, UAE. HITEC North America will be held in-person in Dallas, Texas USA from September 2730, and will be the largest event from the HITEC brand. Co-located with HITEC in Dallas, will be the HFTP Annual Convention, running over the same dates.
It is hoped that it wont be much longer that the disappearance of a 5-year-old South Jersey girl prompts twice-yearly observances of waiting, prayer and solemnity  as well as the need for a spark of optimism that must be increasingly difficult for family, friends and civic-minded neighbors to summon.

It was on Sept. 16, 2019, that Dulce Maria Alavez was apparently abducted from a Bridgeton municipal park, a short distance from where her mother and another relative were sitting in a car. Their last glimpse of her was while she was on a jungle gym. A transaction in which she buys ice cream from nearby gas station, captured on security video, is still the last confirmed image of the little girl.

Sunday, April 25, was Dulces 7th birthday, the reason for last weekends attention. Previously, commemorated were Dulces 6th birthday, on April 25, 2020, and the one-year anniversary of her mysterious disappearance on Sept. 16, 2020.

There are people, of course, who think of Dulce not twice a year, but every day or more often. They certainly include her parents, her mother in Bridgeton and her father in Mexico. Presumably, they include the professional investigators who receive public dollars and have the publics confidence to keep searching for the youngster.

But, its been a while since the community has heard much of an update on the status of the search. Its been months since pieces of so-called evidence emerged on a daily or weekly basis. There were cryptic letters that mentioned or alluded to Dulce, some known to have originated in Ohio. There were unconfirmed, then denied, reports that detectives and/or the FBI know that she is still alive, or know that she isnt, or that an arrest had been made in the case.

Authorities may now need to do more to convince the public that this is not a cold case. Multiple reports say they are working on a model or image of what she should look like, now that it has been a year and a half since that ice cream video. For a missing adult or older child, thats not much time for a person to age and have a different appearance, but changes come quickly to a growing 5-year-old. All who hope for Ducles reappearance can only hope that the modified image will help.

The newest nugget of information, reported Sunday by CBS3 in Philadelphia, is a video from Dulces father, Edgar Perez, who states, Im really, really sad and hurt. He adds, I dont know if my baby girl is OK. Perez, though, seemingly should have been ruled out by now as having any connection to the abduction. One former spokesperson for Dulces family in Bridgeton finds little comfort in Perezs declaration from Mexico, apparently wanting to believe the little girl is with her dad and in safe hands.

One wonders if Dulces brother, who was 3 at the time of her disappearance, or her niece, then 8, can remember anything more about what happened than they could at the time. Both were said to be playing with Dulce in the park that day. If they recall having seen or heard something significant, it may provide the best active chance to discover where Dulce is right now.

Keep the faith. It barely needs to be said how good it would be if Sept. 16, 2021  about five months away  were to pass as just another day on the calendar, and does not mark the date of another vigil or of a memorial. Finding Dulce alive before that date would ensure that April 25, 2022, is notable only because someone in Bridgeton who is happily with her loved ones is celebrating her eighth birthday.

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Chen Yinghua embroiders at her Suzhou Embroidery studio in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 14, 2021. Chen Yinghua, an embroidery artist, has brought her own "universe" created with needles and silk threads, to the opening ceremony of the Space Day of China held here on Saturday. Based in Suzhou, a city with time-honored embroidery arts in east China's Jiangsu Province, Chen's studio outshines its peers with a series of cosmos-themed artworks. The dreamy celestial bodies in her studio are skillfully knitted with the help of multiple silk threads and a needle, just like pictures captured by satellites in the outer space. Chen has created 26 pieces of universe embroideries since 2006, including the Milky Way galaxy, sunspot, Neptune and the Leonid meteor shower. [Xinhua/Li Bo]

NANJING, April 24 (Xinhua)  Chen Yinghua, an embroidery artist, has brought her own "universe" created with needles and silk threads, to the opening ceremony of the Space Day of China held here on Saturday.

Based in Suzhou, a city with time-honored embroidery arts in east China's Jiangsu Province, Chen's studio outshines its peers with a series of cosmos-themed artworks.

The dreamy celestial bodies in her studio are skillfully knitted with the help of multiple silk threads and a needle, just like pictures captured by satellites in the outer space.

Chen has created 26 pieces of universe embroideries since 2006, including the Milky Way galaxy, sunspot, Neptune and the Leonid meteor shower.

"The Crab Nebula is the most difficult one. It took me six months to knit the nebula with over 4,000 kinds of silk colors," Chen said.

It is no easy task for Chen to use traditional stitches to bring out those heavenly bodies in the art featuring hazy sketches and irregular lines. She has to keep looking for new stitching skills.

"I embroidered and took out stitches again and again. I even lost my appetite in the beginning," she said.

After several months of painstaking trials, Chen gradually developed her own approach to creating a miniature universe. She even split a normal thread into 64th of its width in order to accurately present color gradations of heavenly bodies.

"Science and art are as inseparable as two sides of the same coin. In Chen's work, we can see how the interaction of the two helps catalyze interest in each other," said Pang Zhen, secretary general of Suzhou Association for Science and Technology.

The artist fell in love with mysterious stars and space since she was young, sitting in the yard and listening to fairy tales about the faraway Milky Way galaxy during starry summer nights.

In 2006, Chen happened to meet astronomer Mei Bao from the Purple Mountain Observatory under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The researcher showed her pictures of various galaxies and asked her if she could depict the images in real artworks. And that was when Chen's childhood dream began to turn into reality.

Suzhou Embroidery, one of China's four famous embroidery varieties, has always focused on themes of figures, animals and landscapes, while Chen opened up a whole new world for the old craftsmanship.

"The universe-themed embroidery employs innovative stitches and patterns and is a modern interpretation of the intangible cultural heritage," Chen said.

Recently, Chen completed her latest work based on a star chart carved in stone from the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The circular inscription from 1247 displays about 1,440 stars in nearly 300 constellations as well as the Milky Way.

"I plan to bring this embroidery work to various international exhibitions in the future, so that I can show the world the past achievements and ingenuity of ancient Chinese people in exploring the cosmos," Chen said.

Chen Yinghua embroiders at her Suzhou Embroidery studio in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 14, 2021. [Xinhua/Li Bo]

Combo photo provided by Chen Yinghua, an embroidery artist based in Suzhou in east China's Jiangsu Province, shows some of the cosmos-themed Suzhou Embroidery artworks created by her. [Xinhua]

Chen Yinghua embroiders at her Suzhou Embroidery studio in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 14, 2021. [Xinhua/Li Bo]

Chen Yinghua (3rd R) demonstrates the technique of the Suzhou Embroidery for tourists at her studio in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 14, 2021. [Xinhua/Li Bo]

Chen Yinghua embroiders at her Suzhou Embroidery studio in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 14, 2021. [Xinhua/Li Bo]

Chen Yinghua (R) receives a certificate as a series of her cosmos-themed Suzhou Embroidery artworks win a special award in the International Space Exploration & Art of Imagination Award during the event of "Space Day of China" in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 24, 2021. [Photo by Cui Xiao/Xinhua]

Chen Yinghua embroiders at her Suzhou Embroidery studio in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 14, 2021. [Xinhua/Li Bo]

Chen Yinghua threads a needle at her Suzhou Embroidery studio in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 14, 2021. [Xinhua/Li Bo]

(Source: Xinhua)
A journalist and publisher of Power Steering magazine, Oga Uhia, has lost his N110 million fundamental rights enforcement suit he instituted against the Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, and police authorities, following his last years detention.

Mr Uhia was detained by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja for close to one month between October and November last year based on a petition sent to the police by Mr Jedy-Agba.

He alleged in his suit that his arrest and detention were illegal and accused both the minister and the police of violating his rights.

A judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, Peter Affen, in his judgment delivered on February 4, dismissed the suit for lacking in merit.

In a copy of the judgment seen by PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, the judge held that contrary to the applicants contention, his detention from October 13, 2020 till November 9, 2020 was backed by remand orders issued by a Senior Magistrate Court, Mararaba Gurku, Nasarawa State, thus, does not constitute an infraction of his fundamental rights as alleged.

The judge also held that Mr Jedy-Agba did not run afoul of any law by reporting to the police to investigate the allegations levelled against him in the June 2020 edition of Power Steering magazine complained about by the minister.

Mr Uhia had, through the June 2020 edition of his Power Steering magazine, accused Mr Jedy-Agba of orchestrating the June 2012 Dana Air crash to cause the death of some officials of the Nigeria Nigerian Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to cover his alleged fraud as then a senior manager at the corporation.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Uhia was arrested on October 13, 2020, following a petition dated July 1, 2020 by Mr Jedy-Agba, denying the allegation and requesting an investigation into the allegation by the 73-year-old publisher.

Mr Uhia subsequently, on October 20, 2020, sued the minister and the Nigeria Police Force along with its officials involved in his arrest and detention, accusing them of illegally detaining him from his time of arrest till his arraignment in November, and in the process, violating his right to personal liberty, freedom of movement, privacy, and property.

Minister acted right by reporting to police

In his judgment, however, Mr Affen ruled that Mr Jedy-Agba could not be said to have violated the rights of the journalist for lodging a complaint to the police to unravel the veracity or otherwise of the weighty allegations levelled against him in the publication.

The judge stated, While the correctness vel non of the said publication is not in issue in these proceedings, the point to underscore is that a report in the nature of Exhibit JDA 1/NPF 9 alleging that the 1st respondent (Mr Jedy-Agba) was behind the ill-fated Dana Air crash of June 2012 that led to the death of prominent Nigerian citizens in order to cover up his fraud is undoubtedly a weighty one imputing the commission of a heinous crime which could constitute an offence under extant laws (notably sections 391 to 396 of the Penal Code) if the same is untrue and unfounded.

The judge said the minister had every reasonable and probable cause to lodge a complaint with the 2nd to 6th respondents to launch an investigation with a view to unravelling the veracity or otherwise of the said publication.

He added, It occurs to me that inviting and/or effecting the arrest of the publisher is a crucial first step in investigating the 1st respondents petition and the applicant ought to demonstrate by credible evidence what the 1st respondent did beyond instructing his lawyer to lodge the petition dated July 1, 2020 (Exhibit JDA1/NPF 1) with the police that constitutes an infraction of his fundamental rights.

He added that the applicant failed to prove that Mr Jedy-Agba deployed his high and influential position as a serving minister to conspire with the police officers to keep him beyond the time prescribed by law.

Detention backed by court order

Mr Affen also held that the detention of the applicant from October 13 till November 9, 2020 when he was arraigned in court was backed by a court order and thus, was not a violation of his rights.

Upon a careful and insightful consideration of the peculiar facts and circumstances of the applicants arrest detention as alleged in these proceedings, especially against the backdrop of the remand orders issued by the Senior Magistrate Court, Mararaba Gurku, Nasarawa State on October 14, 2020 and October 27, 2020, it would seem that the arrest and detention of the applicant (Mr. Uhia) by the (2nd-6th) respondents from October 13, 2020 till November 9, 2020 when he was formally arraigned in court does not constitute an infraction of his fundamental rights as alleged in these proceedings, the judge held.

Mr Affen similarly dismissed the plaintiffs contention that the police lacked the powers to obtain a detention warrant against a suspect without an arraignment.

Quoting Section, 297(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA), the judge said, Crucially, an application for remand shall be made ex-parte and the powers conferred on the court shall be exercised suo motu or upon application by the person in charge of the prison or other place of custody where the person remanded is detained whether, the suspect remanded is present in court or not.

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Thus in the light of clear evidence that the Magistrate Court holden at Mararaba Gurku, Nasarawa State issued an order for the applicants remand from October 14, 2020, October 27, 2020 and extended same from October 27, 2020 to November 9, 2020, when the applicant (Mr. Uhia) was arraigned in court as aforesaid, the detention of the applicant by the 2nd-6th applicants during the interregnum cannot be said to constitute an infraction of his fundamental human rights alleged in these proceedings, Mr Affen added.

On the applicants claim that his property was illegally seized when arrested by the police, the court ruled that since Mr Uhia had been formally arraigned before the FCT High Court, he is at liberty to apply to the court for the release of any property that is not relevant to his trial.

In the premises of everything that has been said in the foregoing, the present application for enforcement of fundamental right fails, and the same will be and is hereby dismissed, the court concluded.

The police had in November 2020 arraigned Mr Uhia on 15 counts of defamation and injurious falsehood.

Efforts by our reporter to find out from Mr Uhias lawyer, Alex Oketa, if he would appeal the judgment, were unsuccessful.

Calls made to his known telephone line failed to connect and a message sent to him had yet to be replied as of the time of filing the report on Monday.

Backstory

Mr Uhia had in the June 2020 edition of Mr Uhias Power Steering Magazine accused the minister of orchestrating the June 2012 Dana Air crash in which some officials of the Nigeria Nigerian Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and some prominent Nigerians died.

He alleged that Mr Jedy-Agba, who was then a senior manager at the NNPC, had orchestrated the crash in order to cover up his alleged fraud which one of the NNPC staff aboard the ill-fated flight had vowed to expose a few days before the crash.

Following the publication, Mr Jedy-Agba briefed his lawyer, Obi Nwakor, who petitioned the police, and Mr Uhia was subsequently arrested on October 13, 2020.

Uhias suit

Displeased with his arrest and detention, Mr Uhia, through his lawyer, on October 20, 2020, filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the F.C.T High Court alleging that the minister and the police had violated his rights to personal liberty, privacy, property and freedom of movement.

Mr Uhia sued Mr Jedy-Agba as the 1st defendant, while the rest of Michael Ogbizi, a deputy inspector-general of police of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, Tahir Usman, an assistant commissioner of police, Gabriel Elaigwu, another assistant commissioner of police, Rojas Elebel, and the Nigeria Police Force, as the 2nd to the 6thdefendants.

He alleged that the police invited him to meet with them on October 15, 2020, but wrongfully arrested him two days earlier on October 13, 2020.

He added that they granted him bail on October 14, 2020.

But he said despite meeting the bail conditions on October 15, 2020, the police continued keeping him in their custody beyond the reasonable period prescribed by the constitution without bringing him before a court of law in violation of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement guaranteed under sections 35 and 41 of the constitution.

He added that the police authorities and the officers equally trampled upon his fundamental rights to privacy, and to own property under section 37 and 43 of the Constitution when they searched his name on October 14, 2020 and seized property therefrom without any search warrant.

He urged the court to declare his arrest, detention, and the searching of his house at Gwarinpa, Abuja on October 14, 2020 by the police as violations of his rights.

He also prayed the court to make an order directing the respondents to tender an unreserved apology to him and have it published in two national dailies.

He also asked for a total of N110million damages for the alleged violation of his rights.
Arts Faculties currently tend to cater to a large number of students and relative to other faculties, their student body is more diverse and likely to have differing challenges and require greater support in transitioning to university education.

by Farzana Haniffa

A recent report on higher education published by the National Audit Office (2020) attempted to make a connection between graduate unemployment and Arts education. Todays Kuppi Talk is derived from a response that we, a group of university academics formulated to the report. When education policy is increasingly being driven by inadequate research, misplaced priorities, and flawed analyses, some of the reports claims are worth a second look.

At the outset it must be acknowledged that there is much that can be improved about Arts Education in Sri Lanka. However, it must also be acknowledged that there are many misconceptions regarding graduates of state universities and their abilities that have little or no resemblance to how universities function or the quality of the degree programmes on offer.

Underserving the Arts

While acknowledging the need for creative Arts to enrich society, the report suggests that as a developing country, we cannot afford to spend resources (that could be spent on Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) Education on Arts education. A vibrant Arts scene is the hallmark of a thriving society. It is unfortunate that wein our quest for economic development are considered underserving of creative Arts. The lack of greater government support for Arts is probably a reflection of this sensibility. Unfortunately, such narrow and shortsighted positions inform much education policy today.

Arts Faculties also provide degrees in the social sciences, such as sociology, psychology, economics and geography, and in applied or professional fields such as education, archeology, and library sciences, as well as humanities subjects such as history, philosophy and literature. The skills and perspectives provided by these sectors are essential to a holistic understanding of any social problem, such as poverty or education, or even any technical problem, such as water scarcity. The ability to understand the philosophical and ideological bases of such problems, and identify the social, cultural, and human consequences of proposed solutions, is provided by the skillset cultivated by an Arts Education. In fact, this is the very reason that multidisciplinary perspectives are frequently called upon for research.

It is important then that we recognize the contribution that a good quality Arts education can offer to society. We as a country are suffering today from a lack of attention to the perspectives that social science and humanities education can provide. This is also why those with little or no exposure to the above fields feel qualified to drive policy in various sectors that have substantial social consequences. This situation does not bode well for our future.

Leaving no one behind?

Our free education system, enshrined with the goal of providing upward social mobility, is failing today due to neglect. That students from under-privileged communities are compelled to attend under-resourced schools is a factor that needs much greater attention in any conversation regarding higher education and employability.

The audit report points to the many problems with secondary education and argues that students from underprivileged schools have often no option but to follow the (less demanding) Arts streams for A-levels and University Education. The report claims that Arts faculties are therefore the locus of such under-prepared students. Despite identifying the education system as the problem (and not the ability of students), the report goes on to suggest that such students do not deserve higher education and should be directed elsewhere.

If Arts programmes are, in fact, where many students who have had weak secondary education end up by default, then these arts programmes must offer remedial support. Arts programs are not currently designed to do this. There is support for English language learning but little support to address weaknesses in other kinds of essential cognitive skills. The student population that enters university today emerges, by and large, from a badly resourced education system, and a tuition culture that produces exam-oriented rote learners.

Education policy must address the mismatch between the requirements of a degree programmes and the competencies with which students enter university. The solution here is not to dismantle Arts programmess or to add-on English training and IT skills to compensate for a lack of a good foundation, but to channel more resources to the education system, and provide additional remedial catch-up time prior to the degree programme.

Lacking insight

The report sweepingly suggests that Arts programmes that draw these weak students are themselves weak and are of little societal value. For one, not all Arts programs are the same across the countrys university system. There are internal and external degree programes, three-year general Arts degree programmes following different subject combinations and Study Stream degree programmes that offer specialisation within a three-year period, and four-year honours degree programmes involving a research component. While the subject areas covered by Arts programmes are also diverse, the content of programmes across the many universities differ as well. Thus, Arts students demonstrate a wide and disparate range of abilities and skills. Addressing Arts Education as a non-disaggregated whole is unhelpful when analysing the skills and capabilities of Arts graduates. Disaggregating between Arts programmes is essential in order to recognise and develop the stronger programs and provide support for the areas that require reforms .

The report assumes that academically-oriented programmes are somehow antithetical to employment-oriented programmes. Such a perspective mischaracterises both the nature of academic engagement and the essence of job-oriented education. A strong academic programme that focuses on critical thought, substantive engagement with course material, independent learning, good writing, presentation and debate skills, will produce graduate that are able to think independently, express themselves and work towards creating meaningful change in whatever surrounding they find themselves in, including their jobs. An effective programme of this nature would simultaneously result in the development of English skills, soft skills, and IT skills as part of the curriculum. The World Bank loan funded AHEAD programme currently being implemented across the university system has integrated elements of such a perspective.

Arts Faculties currently tend to cater to a large number of students and relative to other faculties, their student body is more diverse and likely to have differing challenges and require greater support in transitioning to university education. Their student to staff ratios are larger, they tend to offer a greater number of degree programmes that are delivered in different language media, and their per student funding is less than for other degree programs. This creates a number of unique difficulties for arts faculties. These problems require systematic investigation in order for universities to provide the type of enriching education that an Arts graduate requires. The state must recognise the unique contribution that Arts faculties can make due to these very conditions and not dismiss themas is sometimes done todayas breeding iniquity alone.

Revisiting unemployment

For most university graduates, employment means to be employed in the government sector. When graduates report unemployment, they do not necessarily mean they are not engaged in other income-generating activities or a private sector job. Defining a job as a government job alone may be understood as part of a cultivated culture of patronage and entitlement. Such a position also draws from a realisation that the working conditions, job security, and benefits of a government position far outweigh those in the private sector, regardless of claims to creativity, job satisfaction, higher pay, etc. The report recognises many of these issues and recommends raising awareness on the benefits of private sector jobs among undergraduates and urges the government to address the working conditions in the private sector.

The report points out that the majority of unemployed Arts graduates are women, but does not explore the gendered reasons as to why university educated women may be unemployed or opt out of employment. The Labour Demand Survey of 2017 provides insights on this matter. According to the Survey results, employers expressed negative attitudes towards hiring women owing to their family commitments, security concerns, and maternity leave.

Employers reluctance to accommodate womens unpaid care responsibilities and fear of sexual harassment and violence point to yet another societal malaise that is not reducible to a factor of university education alone. Recent discussions on the unpaid care economy and womens unaccounted labour at home are relevant here. Many women opt out of formal employment or engage in informal work to accommodate the demands of care work in the home. Additionally, work place sexual harassment and risk of the same when traveling home late after work are factors that contribute to womens low labour force participation. These issues must be taken in to account to arrive at a complete picture of graduate unemployment.

The governments education policies are not always based on rigorous analysis, and often exacerbate rather than ameliorate the crises in the education sector. It is important therefore that policy interventions are made after consultative and thought-through processes that are themselves not mere box ticking exercises.

(Farzana Haniffa teaches in the Department of Sociology at the University of Colombo.)
The worlds largest oil companies are widely expected to start reporting this week profits for the first quarter of 2021 after a nightmare 2020 that forced some of them to cut dividends and saddled most with increased debt loads.

BP, Shell, Total, Exxon, and Chevron are all forecast to report strong cash flows this week thanks to the higher oil prices in Q1 compared to the average price last year.

Despite the expected significant improvement in cash flow generation, many investors are not convinced that Big Oil is a sound investmentneither in the short term nor in the long run.

The past year has shown how fragile the industry could become in case of sudden plunges in oil pricesfor the second time in half a decade. The biggest international oil companies booked some of their largest quarterly losses, laid off tens of thousands of workers, and most European majors cut their dividendsin Shells case the first cut since World War II.

In 2020, the plunge in oil prices hit the upstream businesses, but the massive plunge in global fuel demand also hit the downstream businesses at the integrated oil majors, which couldnt offset losses at one division with profits from the other. One of the few profitable businesses was oil trading during the highly volatile prices last spring.

As a result, debt levels rose at both those companies that cut dividends and at the few companies that maintained their dividend payoutExxon, Chevron, and Frances Total. Related: Oil on Guard over Yemen as Saudi, Iran Meet in Secret

This years performance is forecast to be in stark contrast with last years losses. Big Oil is set for a cash flow bonanza, probably at record levels, as massive cost cuts in the wake of the 2020 crisis have significantly lowered the corporate cash flow breakevens for many firms, Wood Mackenzie said in research in February 2021.

But investors are concerned whether the worlds top international oil firms could keep the strong cash flow generation, considering the volatile oil prices, the uncertainties over long-term demand, and, of course, the impact of the energy transition and net-zero pledges on Big Oils returns on investment.

The expected extra cash flows this year are set to go to debt reduction first and increased shareholder returns next, the companies have signaled in recent communications to the market.

Shell, for example, said in February that it would target to reduce its net debt by around $10 billion to $65 billion.

On reducing net debt to $65 billion, Shell will target total shareholder distributions of 20-30 percent of cash flow from operations and will aim to increase shareholder distributions through a combination of progressive dividends and share buybacks.

BP said earlier this month it was on track to reach ahead of schedule its goal to cut net debt to $35 billion.

Very briefly  the acceleration comes down to two things  money coming in from divestments earlier than we had expected and very strong business performance in the quarter. The strong performance is driven by trading, the price environment and resilient operations, BPs chief executive Bernard Looney said. Related: Brazil Reports 6% Oil Output Decline In Q1

BP is committed to returning at least 60 percent of surplus cash flow to shareholders via share buybacks, on which it will update the market as soon as on Tuesday, April 27, he added.

Some investors, however, question how long Big Oil could keep consistent shareholder policies given the track record from the past year and the fact that the companies financial fortunes are still closely tied with the price of oil.

The key is consistency. We havent had any, Christyan Malek, JPMorgan Chases head of EMEA oil and gas, told Bloomberg last week.

Others question the scale, commitment, and future returns from the numerous pledges of European oil majors to become net-zero energy businesses by 2050 or sooner.

BPs Looney himself said earlier this year that investors were still coming to grips with the net-zero and green shift strategies of the major oil companies.

Some investors may never come to grips with how Big Oil could slash emissions and at the same time deliver shareholder returns from the still not-so-profitable low-carbon energy businesses.

But JPMorgan Chases chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon had a different message in his letter to shareholders with the annual report for 2020.

We can agree on the need to make our energy system much less carbon intensive. But abandoning companies that produce and consume these fuels is not a solution. Furthermore, its economically counterproductive. Instead, we must work with them, Dimon said.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

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A petition has been launched to allow the foreign grandparents and parents of Australians into the country to visit their loved ones.

Under the Covid travel ban, only a spouse, de facto partner, child or legal guardian of an Australian citizen or permanent resident can enter via hotel quarantine.

Australians have been banned from leaving the country since March 2020 meaning tens of thousands of citizens and permanent residents have been unable to see their parents for more than a year.

A petition has been launched to allow the foreign grandparents and parents of Australians into the country to visit their loved ones. Pictured: A family re-union at Sydney Airport

A petition to parliament, which has gained more than 9,000 signatures, requests that parents and grandparents be included as immediate family and let into the country.

According to the 2016 census, half of Australians were either born overseas or have at least one parent who was born overseas.

The petition, started by Stacey Johnson, states: 'Parents are essential and connection with family is equally as important to migrants as it is to families living in Australia.





'Australians have not seen their parents for a significant amount of time due to the travel ban and a strict exemption criteria which prevents people from obtaining exemptions unless they have a compelling reason.





'Covid-19 has impacted many Australians, however, being apart from parents for an extended period of time without an indication of when they will be reunited puts unrealistic expectations on those desperate to see family.





'This has had a profound impact, mental health has significantly declined, children have not met grandparents, people have had to give up work due to limited support and families are having to re-evaluate their lives in Australia and have had to leave despite being here for many years.'

A woman arriving from New Zealand, right, is hugged by her stepmother at Sydney Airport

Unlike other parliaments, the Australian parliament does not have a signature threshold at which petitions must be considered.

The government is currently seeking to restrict rather than expand the number of people entering Australia as the virus rages around the world.

Scott Morrison last week cut the number of flights from India by 30 per cent and is expected to on Tuesday halt all commercial flights.

The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 3.1 million people worldwide out of at least 147 million infected.

New case numbers have been rising for nine weeks straight, with almost as many cases globally last week as in the first five months of the pandemic.
Acclaimed legal scholar and social justice advocate Darren Lenard Hutchinson will join the Emory Law faculty July 1 as the inaugural John Lewis Chair for Civil Rights and Social Justice. Photo courtesy of University of Florida Levin College of Law.

Acclaimed legal scholar and social justice advocate Darren Lenard Hutchinson has been named the Emory University School of Law inaugural John Lewis Chair for Civil Rights and Social Justice. He will join the faculty July 1, 2021.

Civil rights and social justice are the central focus of Hutchinsons research, teaching, administrative work, and community engagement. He is currently the Raymond & Miriam Ehrlich Eminent Scholar at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and is widely known among legal academics and scholars in other fields for the rigor of his work and his sustained commitment to analyzing and remedying inequality.

Throughout his years of groundbreaking research, Professor Hutchinson has explored the intersection of law, social justice, and civil rights and developed solutions to systemic failures that have impacted marginalized communities, says Emory President Gregory L. Fenves. His expertise aligns perfectly with Emorys mission to serve humanity and our strategies to support social justice research and prepare the next generation of leaders."

As our nations communities continue to grapple with the racism and social and civil justice issues Congressman Lewis dedicated his life to solving, it seems especially fitting to announce Professor Hutchinsons appointment to our faculty, says Emory Law Dean Mary Anne Bobinski. We look forward to providing a home in Atlanta, one of the birthplaces of the civil rights movement, for Professor Hutchinsons work and supporting him in creating a center for civil rights and social justice where he may conduct research, promote teaching, convene the community, invite collaboration, and offer policy solutions on the many challenging issues facing our society.

The John Lewis Chair for Civil Rights and Social Justice is intended to serve as a lasting tribute to the legacy of good trouble advocated by the late congressman from Georgias Fifth District and establish Emory Law as a leader in teaching, research and community activism related to civil rights and social justice.

Emory offers an exceptional platform for my work on social justice, says Hutchinson. Its excellent reputation and location in Atlanta will allow me to collaborate with many institutions and individuals committed to social justice research and policies. I am particularly excited that Emory has provided resources to build a center for the study of civil rights and social justice. Doing this work in the name of John Lewis, a legendary civil rights hero, is deeply inspiring and humbling.

Hutchinsons pioneering research crosses many academic disciplines and looks at the impact of law on a wide range of civil rights and social justice issues. His scholarship emphasizes the importance of viewing inequality as a multidimensional concept. I launched my academic career publishing a series of articles that examine the implications of intersecting racism and heterosexism for social justice policy, he says. In order to understand the magnitude of harms racism causes, we must also examine sources of subordination that are intertwined with race, such as class, sexual and gender identity, and gender.

Hutchinsons current research continues to shine light on the complexity of subordination. My scholarship uses social science theories of racism and judicial behavior to demonstrate how legal rules and institutions perpetuate racial inequality. Interdisciplinarity has always been and will remain a vital component of my research.

Hutchinsons scholarship has appeared in many prestigious journals, including the Yale Law Journal, California Law Review (forthcoming), Cornell Law Review, UCLA Law Review, and Washington University Law Review.

Before joining Levin College of Law, Hutchinson held tenured faculty positions at American University Washington College of Law and Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. He was also a visiting professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. He received a JD from Yale Law School and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania. Following law school, he was a litigation associate at the New York City office of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton. He also served as law clerk to the late Honorable Mary Johnson Lowe, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The creation of the John Lewis Chair for Civil Rights and Social Justice was made possible by an anonymous $1.5 million gift to Emory Law in 2015. The law school then successfully raised an additional $500,000 to fully endow the chair.

We are thrilled that Professor Hutchinson will be joining Emory Law, says Jan Love, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. Professor Hutchinsons appointment and the endowment of the John Lewis Chair for Civil Rights and Social Justice come at a pivotal time for our university, our city and beyond. His leadership and contributions will help further distinguish Emory Law as a center for racial and social justice and aid our community as we further engage to examine our past, reckon with our history and model change for the future.

Emory Law Associate Professor Fred Smith led the national search to find the inaugural chair and described Hutchinson a rigorous and courageous scholar.

In the fields of equal protection, LGBTQ rights and critical race theory, he has authored creative, nuanced works that have come to be regarded as classics, Smith says. He is an ideal person to help connect social justice debates in legal scholarship with urgent questions in public policy. As the inaugural John Lewis Chair of Civil Rights and Social Justice, I have no doubt that he will contribute mightily to the creation of the Beloved Community.

Smith was assisted by other members of the law schools Appointments Committee, comprised of professors Melissa Carter, Richard Freer, Rafael Pardo, Joanna Shepherd, Jonathan Nash (fall), and Kristin Johnson (spring), and Emory Law student Thuy My Do 22L. A special Recruitment Committee was formed to give broad input into the search process and support making connections across the university and the community. Members included Michael Collins, former chief of staff for Lewis and distinguished faculty from across Emory: Carol Anderson, Charles Howard Candler Professor of African American Studies, chair of African American studies; Robert Franklin, James T. and Berta R. Laney Professor of Moral Leadership, senior advisor the president; Michael Leo (Milo) Owens, associate professor of political science; and Kathy Yount, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Global Health.
New Delhi:

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that the classified government documents about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy will be released on Thursday.

"The long anticipated release of the #JFKFiles will take place tomorrow. So interesting!" Trump tweeted.

However, it is still not clear that whether the President will allow the entire set of documents to be released or block some files from public view.

The question arises as the Trump administration was urged by the elements of the intelligence community not to release some of the documents.

The long anticipated release of the #JFKFiles will take place tomorrow. So interesting!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 25, 2017

Kennedy had served as the President of the United States (POTUS) from January 1961 until his assassination on November 22, 1963.

ALSO READ | John F Kennedy Assassination: In an astonishing development, Donald Trump allows public release of secret files

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Schools were shut down across the state in March 2020 when there were only dozens of estimated cases. Now, Oregon is averaging more than 600 daily. A mass re-entry of students into high schools seems extremely unsafe, even as more individuals get their vaccines.

Distance learning has been far from ideal for most students. Instruction via a screen can never match the instruction we would receive in person, especially for students who have trouble focusing or need one-on-one interaction with their teachers and peers. But returning to in-person instruction would be far worse.

Lincoln High School is part of the Portland Public Schools district, which has had many previous incidents of mismanagement, such as the lead-in-water crisis of five years ago. In this current crisis, I am skeptical of PPSs ability to ensure safety district-wide. On top of that, the physical Lincoln building can be described as subpar, at best, and a major health violation, at worst. Crumbling walls and a basement lacking proper ventilation have defined Lincoln for a generation of students. The building doesnt have what is needed to keep returning students safe amidst a pandemic.

Returning to in-person instruction this school year is not worth it. Just one students death is not worth it. Worrying about the health of myself, my friends and my family is not worth it.

I want to go back to school. But the return cannot be hastily done. It must be done safely and conservatively, with thought and care, or we run the risk of more loss in this year of unimaginable losses.

Cate Bikales, Portland

Bikales is a senior at Lincoln High School and a member of Oregon Student Voice.
When Ulrich von Schroeder came to Nepal in the summer of 1965, he was instantly drawn by the stone sculptures in the Kathmandu valley.

He had come to Kathmandu overland from Switzerland. Having passed India on the way to Nepal, Schroeder had already started to notice all the stone sculptures in the subcontinent. But, when he came to Nepal, he was captivated by them.

Id rent a bicycle and roam around the streets of Basantapur, Patan and Bhaktapur, recalls Schroeder.

Schroeder at the Golden Temple in Patan during his first visit to Nepal in 1965. Photo: Ulrich von Schroeder

A visual-oriented person who was into photography, Schroeder, went around the valley clicking pictures of these stone sculptures especially those from the Lichhavi era. He was deeply interested in them and he wanted to study them. But, with no one to help him, he left Nepal knowing he would come back.

Since then, he has come to Nepal over 50 times to gain additional knowledge about these stone sculptures and in turn document them. As a result, Schroeder has published an over-1,500-word comprehensive book about the stone sculptures in Nepal, both Hindu and Buddhist, titled Nepalese Stone Sculptures.

Documenting past, for the future

This is my gift to Nepal and its people, Schroeder, who is currently in Kathmandu at an invitation of the Museum of Nepali Art, says. This might not be relevant now, but in 50 years or a century, it will be and thats when people will realise its importance.

Schroeder is not new to the documentation of ancient sculptures. He has been writing about them since the 1980s. His first book was Indo-Tibetan Bronzes written in 1981. He claims this to be the first monograph on the stylistic and iconographic development of metal statues in the Indo-Tibetan cultural region. Then, in 1990, after seven years of research, he published Buddhist Sculptures of Sri Lanka.

Schoroeder has been documenting Asian art since 1981. Photo: Shankar Giri

His work continued as, in 2001, after nine years and 14 expeditions in Tibet, he published Buddhist Sculptures in Tibet, illustrating in two volumes more than 1,100 previously unpublished sculptures discovered in Tibet. The first volume documents sculptures from India and Nepal in Tibetan monasteries. The second volume illustrates Buddhist sculptures made in Tibet and China.

Ive always liked doing this. Im fascinated by them, but my primary goal has always been documenting them.

Works on Nepal

During the visits to Tibet, Schroeder always passed through Nepal meeting the likes of artist Lain Singh Bandel, archaeologist Surka Sagar Shrestha and photographer Sunil Dongol. These people gave him more information about the sculptures he asked about and also told him about more.

As a foreigner, I could not go to Hindu temples. In Tibet, I got into the Potala and Jokhang, but here, I knew I had to respect the people and their faith, which is why I owe a lot to Sukra Sagar, to whom these two volumes are dedicated.

Shrestha also helped him take photographs of some of them. As a result, the two volumes have nearly 2,000 illustrations of sculptures, most of which have been reworked.

Some pictures I received were so bad I had to pay a good amount to work on them.

His books, which has over 2,000 illustrations, will come in handy to anyone who wants to study Asian sculptures. Photo: Shankar Giri

Apart from the 2,000 illustrations in the book, there is an SD card at the end of the second volume, and it has over 15,000 photographs of stone sculptures, which, he says, are in the public domain as he wants everyone to have access to them.

The reason he says is he wants to make things easy for the future generation so that they will have the difficulties researchers like him had.

For those who want to do research or write a book on a specific stone sculpture, they can go through the book and start their research. Im sure itll be helpful for them.

On stolen artworks and their recovery

But, what makes him sad is when he revisits some of the places he visited in 1965 as some of the stone sculptures are missing. They have been stolen and taken away from Nepal. He says that it was a regular occurrence as sculptures, both bronze and stone, were taken to the West right under the nose of officials at the airport.

No one did anything about it. No one cared.

But, through his books, he wants to change that. Also, he is positive that documentation of the sculptures will help everyone.

With this book, the market for Nepali stolen art is dead, he says. The sculptures listed on this book will not sell anywhere. No auction house or museum will buy them because they will know where it came from originally.

The reason he is so confident is most of the museums in the West will have to do provenance research to trace how the piece entered the museum.

When that happens, things will come back naturally.

His next project is about bronze sculptures in Kathmandu valley. Photo: Shankar Giri

This is why Rajan Sakya, the founder of the Museum of Nepali Art, has called the two volumes of Nepalese Stone Sculptures the best documentation in the history of Nepal.

This book is like the Ramayana and he is Valmiki, says Sakya. We need to recognise and appreciate people like him. His legacy will outlive him.

Schroeder is also giving the book to a few Nepali scholars and government bodies as he wants Nepalis to use it as well. In return, he wants nothing because this is what he likes doing.

This is my legacy.

Schroeder is also gifting the book to a few Nepali scholars and government bodies as he wants Nepalis to use it as well. Photo: Shankar Giri

Even at 78, he is still working, this time on Nepali bronze statues. Even though he knows a lot has already been stolen, he is aware that there are a lot in Kathmandu valley that are interesting and are worth documenting. And having done the book, he knows where they are.

I cant do it during Covid. But, Ill be back. There is a lot of work that needs to be done and Im already excited about it.
New Delhi: In a bid to move towards Competency Based Education (CBE), the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked schools to adopt NCERT Learning Outcomes and made changes in the examination and assessment practices.

The Board has written a letter to heads of all affiliated schools recommending the new practices that are in line with the National Education Policy 2020.

The National Education Policy 2020 has affirmed the need to move from rote to competency-based learning in order to help in developing creative and critical thinking capacities of students to meet the challenges of the 21st century, the letter from CBSE said.

While the overall marks and duration of the exams remain the same, changes have been made in the composition of assessment tasks.

Heres the new Examination/Assessment pattern:

According to the new composition of year-end or Board exams for Class 9 and 10 students, 30% marks will be allocated for Competency Based Questions. These can be in form of MCQs, Case-based questions, Source-based Integrated questions or any other types. Apart from this, 20% marks will be for Objective-type questions and the remaining 50% marks for short or long answer questions as per the existing pattern.

For Class 11 and 12 students, Competency Based Questions will make up for 20% marks, 20% for Objective-type questions and the remaining 60% marks for short or long answer questions as per the existing pattern.

Read the CBSE notification here:

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Memorial ceremonies reflect on April 27, 2011 Smithville tornado (copy)

THOMAS WELLS | BUY at PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM Scott Cox takes a moment to touch the name of his father, Jesse, at Sundays memorial service for the 16 residents who were killed in the EF-5 tornado that struck the town on April 27, 2011. THOMAS WELLS | BUY at PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM Former Smithville Mayor Gregg Kennedy recounts April 27, 2011 and the days after the EF-5 tornado destroyed the town and claimed 16 lives. THOMAS WELLS | BUY at PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM William West struggles to recount his story of April 27, 2011 at Sundays memorial service, where he was the only one to survive the destruction of his home and spent the next days in the North Mississippi Medical Center. THOMAS WELLS | BUY at PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM Karen Knight wipes tears from her eyes during Sundays Spirit of Smithville service remembering the EF-5 tornado that claimed 16 lives from the town on April 27, 2011. THOMAS WELLS | BUY at PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM Family members and guests at Sundays Memorial service received forget me not flower seeds to show those who lost their lives in the April 27, 2011 storm will not be forgotten. THOMAS WELLS | BUY at PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM Karen Knight covers her face during Sundays Spirit of Smithville service remembering the EF-5 tornado that claimed 16 lives from the town on April 27, 2011. Knight lost her mother, Mildred Elam, to the tornado 10 years ago. THOMAS WELLS | BUY at PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM Eric Holloway plays Amazing Grace at Sundays Memorial Service for those who lost their lives in the April 27, 2011 EF-5 tornado in Smithville. THOMAS WELLS | BUY at PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM The American Flag flies high over the memorial honoring those who were killed in the April 27, 2011 EF-5 tornado in Smithville on Sunday. THOMAS WELLS | BUY at PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM Holloway plays Amazing Grace at Sundays Memorial Service for those who lost their lives in the April 27, 2011 EF-5 tornado in Smithville. THOMAS WELLS | BUY at PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM Smithville High School Principal Chad OBrian gathers his thoughts before he speaks at Sundays Spirit of Smithville service at the schools gym. THOMAS WELLS | BUY at PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM Smithville Mayor Earl Wayne Cowley places his hand over to heart to compose himself during Sundays Spirit of Smithville service at Smithville High School. THOMAS WELLS | BUY at PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM Eric Holloway walk away playing Amazing Grace at Sundays memorial service for those who lost their lives in the April 27, 2011 EF-5 tornado in Smithville. THOMAS WELLS | BUY at PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM The memorial for those who were killed in the EF-5 tornado on April 27, 2011 in Smithville.

SMITHVILLE  It's been 10 years since a tornado ripped through the small town of Smithville, claiming the lives of 16 people and reshaping the very town itself.

Ten years later, and the survivors of that horrific day are still wondering, "Why?"

On Sunday, residents of Smithville gathered at the school's dome for Spirit of Smithville, a remembrance service commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the April 27, 2011, tornado that changed the town forever.

The program was both somber and celebratory, a chance for the community to look back at what was lost in a single day and what they've rebuilt in the 3,649 days since then.

Throughout the event, people described the "spirit of Smithville," and what the past decade has meant to them.

The spirit of Smithville is a feeling that I cant describe. Its family, said Smithville Attendance Center Principal Chad OBrian. Its one thing they had before the tornado, and especially the last 10 years, is being able to stay together. Ive seen tragedy come but Ive seen this community stick together like family. The spirit of Smithville is also a fight. Theres a lot of fight in the people of Smithville."

As part of the event, the Smithville High School Band performed as a slideshow depicted scenes before and after the tornado during the program, while Jacob Robertson and Leah Rose performed songs. A ceremony followed at Memorial Park honoring the 16 who died during and after the storm  Maxine Chism, Jesse C. Cox, Courtney Danielle Easter, Mildred Elam, Mavis Jean Manley, Betty Lou Newkirk, Allen Scott Morris, Hazel Noe, Jessica Leigh Pace, Ruth Estis, Roy Lee Peanut Estis, Celia Fay Jackson, Karla Jones, Lucille Parker, Laverne Patterson and Elvin Ray Patterson. The bells at First Baptist Church rang at 3:47 p.m. for each of them.

Former mayor Gregg Kennedy reflected on the tragedy, the times that followed and those who passed away.

I really do think even though we lost 16 of the most precious assets of our community," he said. "That on April 27, 2011, at approximately 3:47 p.m., it changed the outlook for our town forever and it changed the families lives forever."

William West fought back tears as he shared his personal tornado story at Memorial Park. West was thrown 300 yards from where he was, requiring treatment at two hospitals for numerous injuries.

After I woke up, all I could feel was the stillness and quietness," he said. "It wasnt until the next day I learned just how bad it had been. I lived in a complex going out of town with two other people and I was the only one who made it.

Kennedy spoke about the number of volunteers and local, state and federal agencies that came to help following the tornado and the heroics of the immediate response, including staff from Access Family Health Services caring for victims minutes after the tornado passed.

He described scenes of injured people being loaded onto flat surfaces such as doors and into pickup truck beds to be transported for medical treatment before ambulances could arrive.

This has been the fastest 10 years in my life," Kennedy told the crowd. "It doesnt seem like 10 years; it seems like it was yesterday. When I sit down and ponder the last 10 years and you have children to get married, you lose your mother and you have seven grandchildren, you realize time goes on."

WTVA Chief Meteorologist Matt Laubhan relocated to Mississippi to start his job weeks before the April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak, and Smithville keeps playing in his mind 10 years later in instances of severe weather.

He noted listening to coverage of that day on his drive to the ceremony for the first time in nearly a decade.

It was too painful. I didnt live here. I didnt know any of these people. I didnt know the town. I had no connection, but I knew that God was involved and I didnt like how that made me feel because I believe in a loving God and a God that saves," Laubhan said. "I believe in a God that does everything for a reason and I always struggled with, Why do people have to die and what is the good that comes from that?'"

Even after a decade, he said the Smithville tornado has made people throughout the region more conscious of severe weather, prompting them to realize the importance of taking safety precautions.

The countless lives that were saved because of what happened here  its impossible for me to wrap my brain around it, he said.

Laubhan added WTVA meteorologist Chelsea Brown of Bigbee and former WTVA intern Alexandria Kent, who lived in Aberdeen and now works for the National Weather Service in North Dakota, were both inspired to be meteorologists because of the Smithville tornado.

He said both of them will work to save lives because of the Smithville tornado.

God has a purpose for everything. Everything, Laubhan said. As we look back over the last 10 years, before have we not seen a way where God uses all things together to work for our greater good. It is my prayer that we continue to see the good and be thankful for that.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 11:21:27|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a scenic park in the city of Guilin, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

NANNING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that efforts must be made to take proper care of Guilin's beautiful landscape.

Xi made the remarks on Monday when visiting a scenic park in the city of Guilin, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Describing the scenery of Guilin as world-renowned, Xi said that the city's natural endowments are a treasure and must be cherished.

Xi called on the city to be committed to a people-centered approach, improve its tourism service and strive to build itself into a world-class tourist city with a pleasant living environment. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 14:03:39|Editor: huaxia

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Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, holds talks with the president of Venezuela's national assembly Jorge Rodriguez via video link in Beijing, capital of China, April 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu on Tuesday held talks with the president of Venezuela's national assembly Jorge Rodriguez via video link, and the two sides agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between legislative bodies.

Li, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that China's NPC is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Venezuela's national assembly and implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries as well as bilateral cooperation deals.

He called for advancing exchanges at all levels, approving, revising or introducing legal documents conducive to bilateral ties in a timely manner, and learning from each other in legislation, supervision and national governance.

Hailing the two countries as "reliable good friends and good partners," Li said that the two sides have supported each other on issues concerning their core interests and effectively safeguarded their national sovereignty, dignity and development rights.

China is willing to work with Venezuela to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, maintain exchanges at all levels and in various ways, enhance policy coordination and exchanges, and advance the construction of the Belt and Road, he said.

Li also pledged to promote all-around pragmatic cooperation, step up exchanges in culture, education and technology, and beef up cooperation to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

"No matter how the international and regional situation changes, China will maintain its solidarity and cooperation policy with Venezuela and support the country in exploring a development path that suits its own national conditions," he said.

China appreciates the firm support from the Venezuelan side on Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Tibet and other issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns, said Li.

On the relationship between China and Latin America, Li said that China always regards the ties from a strategic aspect with a long-term view, and stands ready to further upgrade bilateral cooperation and work to build a community with a shared future through joint efforts.

For his part, Rodriguez extended congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and hailed the profound friendship between the two countries and peoples.

Rodriguez expressed gratitude for China's support and assistance in the fight against the pandemic. He also pledged to firmly support China in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and opposing moves to interfere in China's internal affairs.

Venezuela's national assembly stands ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China's NPC so as to contribute to the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership, he said. Enditem
LEXINGTON, Mass., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- From a major Boston research university to a community college on Cape Cod, Christie Campus Health, the Lexington based student mental health services company, is partnering with a diverse group of Massachusetts schools to deliver a platform of services that helps them better support their students' mental health. Christie's services include 24/7/365 access to a clinician support line and telehealth services as well as mental health "navigators" and therapy visits in the community.

While the company serves dozens of schools throughout the country, including the entire state university system in Georgia, its early customers have all been from Massachusetts. Currently, Christie is operating at Northeastern University, Merrimack College, Emmanuel College, Wentworth Institute of Technology, New England College of Optometry, Cape Cod Community College, with Babson College and other schools currently scheduled for fall implementations.

"As a Massachusetts company, it is so gratifying to see more and more schools in the state turn to us for help in supporting their students' mental health," said Fred Chicos, of Belmont, Chair and founder of Christie Campus Health. "The versatility of our mental health service platform is reflected in the diversity of the schools we serve."

Christie customers say the student-centered options for mental health support is what led them to partner with the company which was launched as a start-up in 2018 by a team with extensive experience in young adult mental health, higher education and health care delivery.

"Our students need help navigating the behavioral health system, getting connected to in-the moment crisis support followed up with extensive wrap-around services from our Student Wellness Office," said Christine McCarey, Dean of Enrollment Management & Advising Services, Cape Cod Community College. "Joining with Christie has enabled us to provide students with this access to support anytime from anyplace."

"The primary reasons we chose Christie were service, cost and tracking," said Dr. Brenda Hawks, Director and Licensed Psychologist of the Emmanuel College Counseling Center. "What we did not plan on and were surprised by was the excellent marketing and psychoeducational efforts by the marketing team of Christie. They developed social media campaigns, posters, and cameos to support the Center's efforts to promote the 24/7 after hours support line."

The demand for wrap-around mental health services like those offered by Christie is higher education's response to the college student mental health crisis, made worse by the pandemic and recent racial injustices. According to a recent study from the Healthy Minds Network, 47% of college students surveyed screened positive for clinically significant symptoms of depression and/or anxietyup from 44% last year and the highest since the survey was started in 2007.

By partnering with on-campus counseling teams and administrators, Christie offers customizable services, that focus on the needs of all students. The services appeal to students who may be reluctant to access the college counseling service due to concerns about stigma, or who are looking for additional counselor diversity. Since Christie's services have no out-of-pocket cost to the student, they increase access for lower-income students, a critical benefit given growing concerns about income and health inequities.

The full-service option includes the following:

A 24/7/365 clinician-staffed support line that can be reached by students whether they are on campus, off-campus, or abroad

In-person or video therapy sessions at no cost to the student

Personal Navigators who provide referral and care coordination for students

A self-directed online emotion training supported by Personal Navigators

Student mobile App and Wellness Information Hub website

Virtual Psychiatric Prescribing Clinics to offer students dedicated access to psychiatric assessment and medication management

About Christie Campus Health

Based in Lexington, Massachusetts, the management of Christie Campus Health (Christie) has decades of experience in college student health and is solely focused on partnering with colleges and universities to deliver efficient, high-quality behavioral health services to students. Its multi-component platform was created by clinicians and student health experts.

CONTACT: Mark Deasy, (781) 686-8420, [email protected]

SOURCE Christie Campus Health

Related Links

https://www.christiecampus.com


A patient breathes with the help of oxygen provided by a Gurdwara, a place of worship for Sikhs, under a tent installed along the roadside amid Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic in Ghaziabad on April 26, 2021. (Sajjad Hussain/Getty Images)

Australia Looks to Aid Virus Stricken India

Australia is considering sending medical aid, including ventilators and oxygen supplies, to India as the country grapples with the record-breaking surge in COVID-19 cases.

For the fifth day in a row, India has set a global record for daily new cases with 352,991 new cases and 2,812 deaths in the past 24 hours. The total infected cases in the country have also surpassed 17 million, and at present, 195,123 people have lost their lives.

In this aerial picture taken on April 26, 2021, burning pyres of victims who lost their lives due to the Covid-19 coronavirus are seen at a cremation ground in New Delhi. (Jewel Samad/Getty Images)

Greg Hunt, the federal Health Minister, confirmed that the National Security Committee would meet on Tuesday to discuss how Australia can aid India and minimise the risk of spreading the virus to Australia.

India is literally gasping for oxygen, Hunt said. And while we can assist with the national medical stockpile, their particular request is for assistance with regards to the physical supply of oxygen.

The federal government will also reach out to the states and territories to see if any oxygen supplies can be donated to India, while the federal government can donate non-invasive ventilators from the national stockpile.

We are in a position to be able to supply non-invasive ventilators. We are in a strong position on that front because we dont need them at this point in time. We will still keep a reserve, said Hunt, who described the situation of the worlds second-most populous country as a health crisis on an unimaginable scale.

Currently, the hospital is in beg-and-borrow mode, and it is an extreme crisis situation, a spokesman for a hospital in New Delhi, Indias capital, told SBS.

People stand in a queue to receive free food being distributed by a Hindu voluntary organisation amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in Hyderabad on April 26, 2021. (Noah Seelam/Getty Images)

The U.K., the U.S., Germany, and France have already pledged medical equipment, including ventilators and oxygen concentrators, to India. Meanwhile, the U.S. has promised to export more raw ingredients for vaccine production.

Australias national cabinet announced last week a 30 percent reduction in flights, both commercial and repatriation flights, from India, with about 8,000 Australians still in the country, according to Barry OFarrell, Australias High Commissioner to India.

The National Security Committee will also consider if more travel restrictions to and from India are needed, Hunt said.

We will take them with the heaviest of hearts but without any hesitation, he said.

Our Indian Australian community has also suffered. Their friends and families and loved ones are in extremis; many are contracting the disease and sadly dying every day.

Four new cases from India were recorded overnight in hotel quarantine in Perth, which just went through a snap lockdown. All four returned last Saturday, April 24. Mark McGowan, the premier of Western Australia, believes that there can be more new cases from that flight, with 79 passengers from India.
The global fruit & vegetable processing enzymes market has grown steadily in the last few years. The market size is projected to reach USD 41.39 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of around 6.7% from 2016 to 2022. The high specificity of enzymes in biochemical reactions is the major driving factor of this market.

The global market based on sources has been segmented into bacteria and fungi. This is because bacteria is largely used to increase the shelf-life of fruits & vegetables for a prolonged time. Moreover, bacteria contributes to the easy genetic transformation for enzyme, which has led to the dominance of bacteria compared to other microorganisms in the fruit & vegetable processing enzymes market.

Download PDF Brochure:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=253649892

The global market, based on type, has been segmented into amylase, pectinase, protease, and cellulase. The amylase segment accounted for the largest share of the fruit & vegetable processing enzymes market in 2015. Amylases are mainly used in industries, such as food & beverages due to its cost effectiveness, and less time-consuming methods, and therefore the demand is high. Microorganisms are considered as the best source of these enzymes. Alpha-amylase, beta-amylase, and gluco-amylase are the major types of amylases. Out of the three types, a-amylase and gluco-amylase are used in a wider range of products in the food & beverage industry.

In the form segment, the market has been segmented on the basis of liquid and powder. The liquid form accounted for the largest share in 2015. The liquid enzyme is used directly in its liquid form or sprayed and absorbed onto a solid carrier. The liquid formulation of enzyme is supplied as a liquid solution, which is sprayed on the pellets. The growth in this segment is attributed to three major components, such as enzymatic, physical, and microbial stabilities are considered by manufacturers during the production stage which has resulted in the increased demand.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to surpass Europe as the second-largest consumer of fruit & vegetable processing enzymes. This is due to the rising demand from India and China, which has contributed to the industrial growth for food & beverages. More than two-thirds of the fruit & vegetable processing enzymes market in the Asia-Pacific region is import-dominated. Therefore, enzyme manufacturers have investment opportunities in new product developments across the Asia-Pacific region.

This report includes a study of marketing and development strategies, along with the product portfolio of leading companies. It includes the profiles of leading companies such as E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (U.S.), Associated British Foods Plc (U.K.), Koninklijke DSM N.V. (The Netherlands), Novozymes A/S (Denmark), and Group Soufflet (France).

Speak to Analyst:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=253649892

Target Audience:


Boorara Resource Update Increases Gold Grade by 34%

Perth, April 27, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Horizon Minerals Limited ( ASX:HRZ ) is pleased to announce an updated independent Mineral Resource estimate for the Boorara gold project located 15km east of Kalgoorlie - Boulder in the Western Australian goldfields (Figure 1*).HIGHLIGHTS- Highly successful grade control drilling, trial mining and toll milling completed at the Boorara gold project, 15km east of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in the Western Australian goldfields- Over 18,000m of grade control drilling completed in 2019 on a 4m x 10m pattern at Royal and 5m x 10m pattern at Regal and Crown Jewel to a depth of 54m- Trial mining and toll milling in 2016 and 2020 produced 8,100oz at a reconciled grade of 1.44g/t Au and a 94% calculated gold recovery- Extensive pit mapping and review of structural geology at all trial pits completed to improve geological confidence and de-risk the larger scale development- Trial in 2020 generated $3.6M in free cash flow after all costs and enabled an extensive assessment of the geology, mining parameters, metallurgy and processing parameters- Key learnings include the demonstrated presence of multiple flat lying vein arrays in addition to the main contact lode and excellent metallurgical performance- Optimal development pathway for Boorara is bulk mining the entire orebody and ore processing onsite which avoids additional haulage and toll milling costs- New geological and trial data enabled compilation of a new independent open pit April 2021 Mineral Resource estimate (after depletion) which now stands at:o 11Mt grading 1.26g/t Au for 448,000 oz at a 0.5g/t Au cut-off grade- Importantly, over 77% of the resource is in the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource JORC Categories with resource grade increasing 34% in line with the trial results- The mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth with a significant quantity of unclassified material outside the current resource envelope- Open pit mining optimisation and design studies well advanced for generation of Ore Reserves in the September Quarter 2021 as part of the consolidated Feasibility StudyCommenting on the updated Boorara Mineral Resource, Horizon Managing Director Jon Price said:"The highly successful trial has added to an extensive body of work completed at Boorara over many years. We now have a much greater understanding of the deposit which will significantly de-risk the larger scale development being assessed as part of the consolidated Feasibility Study. Mine optimisation and design work is well advanced and we see the potential for Boorara to provide long term baseload feed for the proposed mill at site avoiding additional haulage and toll milling costs."Boorara is one of five core advanced development projects being assessed as part of the consolidated Feasibility Study aimed at delivering an initial five-year mine plan to underpin the establishment of a stand-alone processing plant at the Boorara mine site.The project comprises three deposits (Royal, Regal and Crown Jewel) along 1.5km strike length with the potential to provide long life, baseload feed and has been subject to extensive drilling, metallurgical, geotechnical and approvals work in addition to the recent large-scale trial mining and processing campaign.Boorara Project Summary and GeologyThe Boorara gold project is located on granted Mining Leases 1km southwest of the Nimbus zinc-silver-lead mine site where established offices are connected to mains power and a production water supply from the Stoneville bore field.The deposit is hosted in a typical quartz dolerite comprising a sheeted quartz vein array system with bounding shear zones and late-stage cross faults. Mineralisation occurs as:1. Northwest dipping sheeted and stockwork quartz-carbonate vein arrays within the quartz dolerite host rocks2. Steeply dipping zones along sheared geological contacts trending to the north-northwestA significant amount of RC and diamond drilling has been completed at Boorara over the last 10 years with the project hosting a previous 2018 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) prepared by Cube Consulting totalling 16.45Mt grading 0.96g/t Au for 507,000oz.Gold mineralisation is associated with pyrite and arsenopyrite with alteration halos of iron carbonate, sericite and bleaching. The current resource covers a strike length of over 1.5km and widths of over 250m and remains open along strike to the south and north and at depth. Depth of weathering can vary from less than 10m in the northern area and over 60m in the southern area.A small-scale trial pit to 20m depth was mined in the Royal area at Boorara in 2016, with ore up to 15m wide mined on 2.5m high flitches. A close spaced grade control program undertaken prior to mining yielded planned trial pit grades well above the global resource grade of 0.96g/t Au. Ore mined from the trial pit was processed at FMR Investments' Greenfields Mill in Coolgardie which reconciled at 30,239 tonnes at 1.73g/t Au of high-grade ore, with an additional 13,095 tonnes at 0.68g/t Au of low grade still stockpiled at Boorara.The aim of the 2020 grade control program was to further test the grade uplift potential on a larger scale and enable a new geological model to be compiled for mine optimisation, design and economic analysis. In 2020, the decision was made to toll treat up to 150,000t through the Lakewood Mill, 7km to the west, to further de-risk the larger scale development and confirm metallurgical recoveries, reagent consumptions and optimal processing parameters for plant design.Results from the 2020 trial were positive with ore mined (high and low grade) totalling 267kt of ore at a mine claimed grade of 1.23g/t Au. Milling of the higher-grade component reconciled at 1.45g/t Au at an excellent calculated recovery of 94.5%. Testing of a low-grade parcel was also completed to assess the grade allocation process with the low-grade reconciling 6% higher than the modelled grade of 0.85g/t Au. Milling performance was in line with expectations with respect to grind size, viscosity and reagent consumption.In addition to testing all ore zones through a mill in real time, an extensive pit mapping and geological review was undertaken to demonstrate the presence of multiple flat lying cross structures within the orebody as identified in the drilling and the 2016 trial. The 2018 MRE only included the main contact lodes and the trial and mapping has enabled these new vein arrays to be incorporated into a new independent Mineral Resource Estimate.To view tables and figures, please visit:About Horizon Minerals Limited

Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed.

Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline.

Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage.
Centner Academy, a private school with campuses in the Design District and Edgewater founded by two wealthy parents, has warned its staff against taking vaccines that prevent COVID-19 and said it would not employ anyone who has taken the vaccine.

Parents of the Pre-K through eighth-grade school received a notice Monday letting them know of a policy in place among teachers and staff that left some parents, teachers and medical experts aghast.

Founder Leila Centner asked employees who have not taken what she terms the experimental COVID-19 injection to wait until the end of the school year. She also asked faculty and staff to hold off on taking the injection until there is further research available on how the experimental drug impacts individuals who did not receive the vaccine.

It is our policy, to the extent possible, not to employ anyone who has taken the experimental COVID-19 injection until further information is known, Centner wrote in the email to parents.

An emailed statement to the Herald lists concerns related to the vaccine and does not back up claims with scientific proof, only links to unofficial websites that track deaths related to the vaccine.

We know not everyone agrees on this topic, but this is our philosophy at Centner Academy, one in which many of our teachers and parents share, the statement read. Leila Centner did not return direct requests for comment.

Centner last week told faculty and staff in a letter that she made that decision with a very heavy heart. She listed reasons rooted in misinformation about why the vaccine is dangerous. She added that she was compelled to take action.

I believe strongly in Health Freedom and my body, my choice and for that reason, did not prevent employees from choosing to take the COVID-19 vaccine prior to April 21, 2021, she wrote. However, reports have surfaced recently of non-vaccinated people being negatively impacted by interacting with people who have been vaccinated.

Centner asked staff who had already taken the vaccine to report that to the school and maintain physical distance from students. She also required all employees provide their confidential response by completing a confidential form.

Dr. Aileen Marty, an infectious disease specialist with Florida International Universitys Wertheim College of Medicine, said Monday she was aghast at the statements in the letter.

Marty said that because the schools co-founder issued the letter, parents might assume the statements are supported by science when there is no evidence that individuals who receive a COVID vaccine pose a risk of transmitting something from their bodies that would harm others.

It gives the illusion that shes basing it on facts, Marty said of the letter, but theres not one citation, theres not one physician or scientist whose name is spelled out in there. Theres no references. Theres nothing. There is no scientific evidence provided. Rumor is the only thing thats there, and if you look at the reality, theres zero, zero science behind those allegations.

Marty added that unfounded statements such as those circulated in the letter can create a ripple effect of ignorance with the potential to undo much of the work that public health officials are doing to control the spread of the virus.

If they believe it, and they then share this big lie, it has a horrific impact on our entire community, she said.

A former teacher at Centner Academy told the Miami Herald in September that there was very little social distancing and wearing of masks, if any, among staff members while a mandatory mask order was in place in Miami-Dade County. The teacher said Leila Centner circulated misinformation about coronavirus and masks in group chats among teachers.

According to the emailed statement, Centner Academy opened for in-person learning Sept. 8. Since then, the school has experienced a shakeup among teachers and administrators.

Leila and David Centner moved from New York back to Miami, Davids hometown, to raise their two daughters. David Centner, who graduated from Coral Park Senior High and worked at Frankies Pizza, and his wife Leila, a businesswoman, made their fortune by selling their company, Highway Toll Administration, for an undisclosed amount.

Unsatisfied with the schooling options available locally, they opened Center Academy in the Design District in 2019 as the first " Happiness School. The schools website prominently displays: MEDICAL FREEDOM FROM MANDATED VACCINES.

The couple said several students from the surrounding neighborhood attend the school on scholarship. The school also offers teachers a chance to live in homes near the school and owned by the Centners for reduced rent.

The school has a chiropractor on staff to give adjustments to students and staff and practices mindfulness among students with the use of crystals.

___

Colleen Wright and Daniel Chang of The Miami Herald wrote this story.

(c)2021 Miami Herald

Visit Miami Herald at www.miamiherald.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Containers piled high on giant vessels carrying everything from car tires to smartphones are toppling over at an alarming rate, sending millions of dollars of cargo sinking to the bottom of the ocean as pressure to speed deliveries raises the risk of safety errors.

The shipping industry is seeing the biggest spike in lost containers in seven years. More than 3,000 boxes dropped into the sea last year, and more than 1,000 have fallen overboard so far in 2021. The accidents are disrupting supply chains for hundreds of U.S. retailers and manufacturers such as Amazon and Tesla.

There are a host of reasons for the sudden rise in accidents. Weather is getting more unpredictable, while ships are growing bigger, allowing for containers to be stacked higher than ever before. But greatly exacerbating the situation is a surge in e-commerce after consumer demand exploded during the pandemic, increasing the urgency for shipping lines to deliver products as quickly as possible.

The increased movement of containers means that these very large containerships are much closer to full capacity than in the past, said Clive Reed, founder of Reed Marine Maritime Casualty Management Consultancy. There is commercial pressure on the ships to arrive on time and consequently make more voyages.

After gale-force winds and large waves buffeted the 364-meter One Apus in November, causing the loss of more than 1,800 containers, footage showed thousands of steel boxes strewn like Lego pieces onboard, some torn to metal shreds. The incident was the worst since 2013, when the MOL Comfort broke in two and sank with its entire cargo of 4,293 containers into the Indian Ocean.

In January, the Maersk Essen lost about 750 boxes while sailing from Xiamen, China, to Los Angeles. A month later, 260 containers fell off the Maersk Eindhoven when it lost power in heavy seas.

The need for speed is creating precarious conditions that can quickly bring disaster, according to shipping experts. The dangers range from stevedores incorrectly locking boxes on top of one another to captains not deviating from a storm to save on fuel and time as they face pressure from charterers, they said. One wrong move can put cargoes and crew at risk.

The chances for mishaps are increasing as exhausted seafarers face deteriorating conditions during the pandemic. Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty estimates that human error contributes to at least three-quarters of shipping industry accidents and fatalities.

Almost all the recent incidents have occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a region where the busiest traffic and the worst weather collide. The sea route connecting Asias economies to consumers in North America was the most lucrative for shipping companies last year. Chinas exports have gone on a tear as the pandemic fuels demand for all the stuff people need to work, learn and entertain from home.

The journey has always been rough, but its become more perilous due to changing weather patterns. The rise in traffic from China to the U.S. this past winter coincided with the strongest winds over the Northern Pacific since 1948, increasing the likelihood of rougher seas and bigger waves, said Todd Crawford, chief meteorologist at The Weather Company.

With 226 million container boxes shipped each year, the loss of 1,000 or more can seem like  well  a drop in the ocean. Thats a very small percentage lost, said Jacob Damgaard, associate director of loss prevention at Britannia P&I at a conference in Singapore on April 23. But its almost 60% of the monetary value of all container incidents.

At an average of $50,000 per box, the One Apus was estimated to have lost $90 million in cargo alone, the highest in recent history, according to Jai Sharma, a partner at maritime law firm Clyde & Co. in London. Losses so far this year have totaled an estimated $54.5 million, Bloomberg data show.

The issue is also gaining attention as last months grounding of the 400-meter vessel Ever Given in the Suez Canal threw a spotlight on the vulnerability of the shipping industry. The mega ship blocked traffic through the vital waterway for nearly a week, and the impact on global trade is still being felt.

So far, none of the recent container accidents has been directly attributed to safety lapses. The International Maritime Organization said it is still awaiting results of investigations into the latest incidents, and cautioned about making any conclusions before that.

But many experts say the situation has grown more dangerous because of pressure on supply chains since the pandemic. When ships approach heavy weather, captains have the option to steer away from the danger. But the attitude is dont go around the storm, go through, said Jonathan Ranger, head of marine Asia Pacific at American International Group Inc.

When you combine that with potentially poor maintenance of twistlocks and cabling required to secure these boxes, then its an accident waiting to happen, he said at the industry conference in Singapore.

Top Heavy

With boxes stacked ever higher, a ship can become more unstable in a storm  wave after wave can cause the vessel to roll at steep angles, putting strain on the securing of containers. The situation becomes even worse if the stack is top-heavy. That can happen when theres incorrect weightings on the bills of lading for containers, which many in the industry say happens too often.

You cannot see inside the containers, said Arnaldo B. Romero, a captain who sailed from Japan to South America late last year. So when the cargo is heavy and the officer in charge of cargo planning puts it high up, during the rolling of the ship, we may not have control anymore.

Overworked crews also heighten the risks. Reduced manpower onboard with an increased number of containers on deck make it increasingly difficult for crews to check every single bar and screw effectively, said Neil Wiggins, managing director of Independent Vessel Operations Services Ltd.

Theres also the health and safety of the seafarers at stake. The toppling of multiple tiers of 40-foot containers during a raging storm is one of the most terrifying experiences for a captain and crew. Post-traumatic stress disorder among crew members is common, according to Philip Eastell, founder of Container Shipping Supporting Seafarers.

Concern is growing for the industry to address the situation.

Traffic on the seas is different from what it was 10 years ago, said Rajesh Unni, founder of Synergy Marine Group, which provides services to ship owners. How do we adapt as an industry? Its convenient to blame the captain, but we need to look at how the port infrastructure needs to change, how ships transit.

The IMO, which is the United Nations agency responsible for shipping regulations, says countries whose flags the ships are sailing under are responsible for issuing safety certificates for vessels, while ports that the vessels call at are responsible for ensuring rules on loading containers are followed.

AIGs Ranger says companies should be prepared to go around storms and maintain vessels properly. These vessels are designed to carry the boxes, and to have these losses is  dare I say it  unacceptable.

Copyright 2021 Bloomberg.
New Delhi, Apr 27 (UNI) The government of Maldives has temporarily barred Indian tourists from staying at local inhabited island hotels and guesthouses.

Indian tourists are also required to have negative PCR test for COVID-19 prior to entry into Maldives, the Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC) said in a press release. These steps are temporary and have been taken "in relation to the rising COVID-19 cases in India", the press release added. Restrictions have come into effect from April 27 itself.

"Indian travelers arriving in the Maldives are restricted from staying at guesthouses and hotels located in local inhabited islands. The restriction does not apply to resorts and liveaboards," MMPRC said. The restriction does not apply to guesthouses and hotels that are located in secluded areas of the Inhabited Islands.

Indian tourists who are already checked into hotels and guesthouses will be allowed to stay at the facilities until the completion of their booking duration. Tourists are able to spend their holiday in Maldives at resorts as normal.

Indian travelers arriving in the Maldives from India including travelers exceeding 24 hours transit periods must hold a negative PCR test for COVID-19 prior to entry into Maldives. The restriction also applies for tourists who have completed the prescribed dose(s) of a COVID-19 vaccine. The PCR test must be conducted not more than 96 hours prior to the travelers scheduled time of departure from the first port of embarkation en-route to the Maldives from India. In addition, travelers must undertake a PCR test for COVID-19 maximum 72 hours prior to departure from Maldives.

Maldivian citizens and work permit holders to Maldives from India are required to undertake a PCR test for COVID-19 within 24 hours of arrival to Maldives and must complete a mandatory 10-day quarantine period followed by a negative PCR test result at the end of this quarantine period. Children below one-year-old are exempted from the aforementioned requirement.

UNI AKJ SHK1728
I really enjoyed it. So then in 2019, I took the class, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class, passed, got my license. I did it because I felt there are more people who dont do things and regret not doing them, Petersen said. I wanted to step out of my box and try something new.
MUNICH and PFORZHEIM, Germany, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Due to the pandemic, The smarter E Europe and its four concurrent energy exhibitions Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe and EM-Power Europe will no longer take place from July 2123, 2021. Instead, The smarter E Europe Restart 2021 will be staged at Messe Munchen from October 68. The smarter E Industry Days, including the award ceremony for The smarter E AWARD, Intersolar AWARD and ees AWARD 2021, will be held online from July 2123, 2021 when the in-person event should have taken place.

Due to the pandemic, the organizers of The smarter E Europe  Solar Promotion GmbH and Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH & Co. KG (FWTM)  have decided that the event can no longer take place in July 2021. Despite the current developments surrounding vaccinations and rapid testing in Europe and the progress expected by the end of the second quarter as well as the professional and comprehensive health and safety plan prepared by the organizers, there are no indications from policymakers at present that the event can feasibly go ahead. "We came to this decision in close coordination with the industry's international associations. We knew that everyone involved  from exhibitors, visitors and conference attendees to speakers, sponsors and ourselves as organizers  was in the process of making their final arrangements and that, in the interests of planning, we couldn't delay making a decision," explains Markus Elsasser, CEO of Solar Promotion GmbH.

The smarter E Europe Restart 2021 in October

Due to a slot becoming available at short notice, we are now able to hold The smarter E Europe Restart 2021 at Messe Munchen from October 68. "We are confident that this newly scheduled event in October 2021 will give members of our dynamically growing industry the much-desired chance to still be able to present themselves to others and share ideas in person this year," says Daniel Strowitzki, CEO of FWTM.

The smarter E Industry Days and online award ceremony

The smarter E Industry Days, including the AWARD Ceremony, will take place online from July 2123, 2021, the dates on which the in-person event should have been held. The online event will include exciting keynote speeches on the latest industry trends, product presentations, panel discussions, interactive workshops and digital factory tours from exhibitors. The winners of The smarter E AWARD, Intersolar AWARD and ees AWARD 2021 will also be honored on a virtual stage during the Industry Days.

The smarter E Europe is open 365 days a year

All throughout the year, we are offering various formats and platforms for anyone interested in the topics, products and technologies of the new energy world to learn and share information. And we are already busy planning The smarter E Europe 2022, which is scheduled for May 1113, 2022.

The smarter E Europe, which encompasses the four individual exhibitions Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe and EM-Power Europe, will take place at Messe Munchen as The smarter E Europe Restart 2021 from October 68.

For more information, please visit:

www.TheSmarterE.de/en

The smarter E Europe

The smarter E is the innovation hub for events and topics that drive the new energy world. Renewable energy, decentralization and digitalization are bringing lasting changes to the energy world. This development demands cross-sector, intelligently integrated concepts and solutions for the efficient generation, storage, distribution and use of energy, so that we can ensure a secure and sustainable energy supply around the clock in the future. Under the motto "Creating the new energy world," The smarter E Europe unites four exhibitions and conferences that take an in-depth look at these topics. In doing so, it is now Europe's largest platform for the energy industry.

Intersolar Europe, the world's leading exhibition for the solar industry, has been dedicated to solar energy for 30 years and has established itself as the industry's most important meeting point. The exhibition focuses on the areas of photovoltaics, solar thermal technologies and solar power plants.

ees Europe, the continent's largest and most international exhibition for batteries and energy storage systems, will take place for the seventh time in 2021, presenting the entire value-added chain of innovative battery and energy storage technologies.

Power2Drive Europe, the international exhibition for charging infrastructure and e-mobility, focuses on solutions and technologies for clean transportation.

EM-Power Europe is the international exhibition for energy management and integrated energy solutions. It focuses on the efficient distribution and use of electricity and heat generated from renewable sources of energy, smart energy management, and sector coupling in buildings and districts. Other key topics are smart grids and microgrids, grid infrastructure, energy services and operator models.

For more information on The smarter E Europe, please visit: http://www.thesmartere.de/en

The smarter E Europe is organized by Solar Promotion GmbH, Pforzheim, and Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH & Co. KG (FWTM).

Contact:

Solar Promotion GmbH | P.O. Box 100 170 | 75101 Pforzheim, Germany

Horst Dufner | Tel.: +49 7231 58598-0 | Fax: +49 7231 58598-28

[email protected]

Press contact:

fischerAppelt, relations | Otl-Aicher-Str. 64 | 80807 Munich, Germany

Robert Schwarzenbock | Tel.: +49 89 747466-23 | Fax: +49 89 747466-66 | [email protected]

SOURCE The smarter E Europe
The leaders of 10 Southeast Asian nations attend an ASEAN summit on the Myanmar crisis, in Jakarta Indonesia, April 24, 2021.

Despite gaining widespread support among the people of Myanmar, the newly formed National Unity Government (NUG) is struggling to attain international recognition as it takes on the junta, overcoming a setback dealt by the 10-member ASEANs welcome of military leader Min Aung Hlaing last weekend.

The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), a group of lawmakers ousted in the Feb. 1 coup, three months after winning elections, formed the NUG on Apr. 16. The 26-member parallel government includes 13 representatives of ethnic parties and eight women.

Deposed State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint were named leaders of the NUG, although they both are under house arrest and face various charges brought against them by the junta.

Susanna Hla Hla Soe, the NUGs minister for women, youth, and childrens affairs, has urged the leaders of countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to recognize Myanmars parallel government, instead of the military regime, as a legitimate government of Myanmar.

Please, the ASEAN member states, must not recognize the coup, she said during a virtual press conference held on Apr. 22 by the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) and the Altsean-Burma (Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma) NGO advocacy group.

Please recognize and hear the cry of Myanmars people who are longing for democracy, equality, unity, prosperity by collaboration, supporting, or recognizing the National Unity Government of Myanmar, she said.

NUG officials say that they constitute the legitimate authority of Myanmar and have called for international recognition.

They also had insisted  to no avail  that NUG representatives be invited to attend last Saturdays special ASEAN meeting on the crisis in Myanmar in place of junta ruler Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who oversees the countrys armed forces and was sanctioned for human rights abuses long before the latest coup.

Despite criticisms from NUG and human rights groups, Min Aung Hlaing attended the ASEAN meeting during which the grouping issued a five-point consensus calling for an immediate end to the violence in Myanmar, constructive dialogue among all parties to seek a peaceful solution, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate mediation of the dialogue process, the provision of humanitarian assistance through ASEAN, and a visit by the special envoy and a delegation to Myanmar to meet with the concerned parties.

Myanmar anti-coup protesters display a banner and signs calling on ASEAN not to admit junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to a regional meeting, during a rally in Yangon, April 20, 2021. Credit: Associated Press





Cooperation over recognition

The ASEAN consensus did not include the release of political prisoners as Malaysias president and Indonesias prime minister had demanded in their speeches during Saturdays three-hour summit. The proviso was included in a draft a day before the meeting, but left out of the final version, Reuters reported.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a Thailand-based rights group, said that as of Tuesday, 755 people had been killed in the violence in Myanmar since Feb. 1, while nearly 4,500 people had been arrested and about 3,450 were still being detained.

While political observers in Myanmar viewed Min Aung Hlaings attendance at the meeting and his inclusion in the consensus as a blow to the NUGs legitimacy, Dr. Sasa, NUGs minister of international cooperation and government spokesman, welcomed the five-point consensus.

We welcome the encouraging news that ASEAN leaders have reached consensus that the military violence in Myanmar must stop and political prisoners be released, he said last weekend before the final version of the five-point agreement was issued. This is what the National Unity Government has been calling for.

During an interview with RFA the previous day, the NUG spokesman said that international recognition of Myanmars parallel government could be measured by the level of cooperation it is starting to enjoy.

In terms of recognition, the public announcements are not important, he said. Instead, you should look for the level of collaboration that countries have with the NUG government. For example, the more collaboration the U.S. government has with us, the higher degree of recognition well have.

So far, no country or government has publicly announced its recognition of the NUG as the legitimate government of Myanmar.

The UK government, however, has invited NUG officials to attend the upcoming G7 summit on June 11-13 in Cornwall, England.

Isnt this a kind of recognition? Dr. Sasa said about the invitation, after holding a videoconference with Nigel Adams, the UKs minister for Asia, on April 20.

During the meeting with the UK minister, he called for the withdrawal of the military coup, Dr. Sasa said. So, I want to say that the definition of recognition should come from the level of collaboration undertaken.

Adams also stressed that the UK would continue calling for the military regime to respect the NUG and to ensure a return to democracy, according to a post on the Facebook page of the British Embassy in Yangon.

The UK, European Union, and United States have sanctioned Myanmar military leaders responsible for the coup and their business interests.

Myanmar anti-coup protesters hold leaf branches and signs to welcome the National Unity Government as they march in Yangon, April 17, 2021. Credit: Associated Press





U.S. senators take NUGs advice

On Tuesday in Washington, a group of U.S. senators called on the Biden administration to stop money from flowing from American businesses to the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), a major source of revenue for the military, and to freeze all foreign currency revenues and foreign exchange reserves held in state accounts outside the country.

Our request to cut off revenue to the MOGE echoes the clear call from over 440 civil society organizations in Burma and representatives of the movement to form a National Unity Government, who have asked for international assistance in cutting off revenue flows to the military regime, said the senators in a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Instead of paying MOGE, we propose that the joint ventures involving multinational oil and gas companies pay revenue into a trust or protected account which is either held until such time as Burma has a legitimate and democratically-elected government or used for humanitarian purposes, the lawmakers added.

RFA queries of the foreign affairs departments of the U.S., EU, UK, and Australia about the possibility of their governments recognizing the NUGs legitimacy elicited positive words about the parallel government but no clear-cut replies.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson said in an email response that the U.S. commends the CRPHs efforts to work in the interest of the Myanmar people, but stopped short of recognizing the NUGs legitimacy.

We understand that the CRPHs Federal Democracy Charter aims to espouse democratic principles, including separation of powers, and human rights, including for members of ethnic minority groups, the statement said.

We appreciate that this effort has brought together people from a wide range of groups across Burma, including members of ethnic minority groups, it said. We support an inclusive vision for Burma in which all people are represented and voices are heard.

Nabila Massrali, an EU spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also refrained from an outright acknowledgement of the NUG.

Clearly this is an important development, since it establishes a body that could play an important role in devising a solution to the current crisis, she said in an email response. The EU is already engaging with the National Unity Government.

Tun Myint, a Myanmar associate professor of political science at Carleton College in Minnesota, said international recognition of the NUG could lead to positive developments in his home country.

If the NUG gets international recognition, then there would be divisions within the military leadership, and some of the hard-line leaders would be eliminated, he said. This could lead to positive developments.

But on the other hand, if the military is mindlessly stubborn about continuing to avoid negotiations, then it could lead to bloodshed, he said. It could lead to a full-blown civil war.

Reported and translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung for RFAs Myanmar Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Hundreds of thousands of NHS patients face waiting weeks for crucial scans and X-rays due to a staffing crisis among radiologists, medics warned today.

Official figures from the NHS for February show 327,663 patients were waiting more than six weeks for a key diagnostic test such as an MRI scan or ultrasound.

But the Royal College of Radiologists warned the crisis could get even worse unless the staffing shortage is urgently fixed.

Experts fear the crisis may put lives at risk by delaying diagnoses for cancer or other life-threatening diseases.

The college's report said the NHS needs almost 2,000 more consultants to meet safe staffing levels and pre-pandemic demand. Thirty-three per cent of roles are currently empty.

The RCR's poll of radiology bosses from 164 trusts found 58 per cent feel they do not have enough staff to keep patients safe.

Hundreds of thousands of patients are waiting six weeks for crucial NHS scans and X-rays due to a staffing crisis among radiologists

A Royal College of Radiologists poll of radiology leaders at 164 UK trusts found 58 per cent feel they do not have enough diagnostic and interventional radiologists to keep patients safe

Unless more consultants are trained and there is better retention and recruitment, by 2025 the UK's radiologist shortfall will amount to 3,613 consultants (44 per cent).

The Department of Health and Social Care have been approached for comment.

The appeal comes less than a week after NHS unions called for billions of pounds to hire more staff and stop a 'chronic undersupply' of health workers across the board.

Where are the biggest radiologist shortfalls in in England? East Midlands North East Yorkshire North West East of England West Midlands South West South East London 43 per cent (162) 43 per cent (102) 37 per cent (168) 35 per cent (265) 35 per cent (172) 35 per cent (170) 30 per cent (137) 28 per cent (184) 18 per cent (152) Source: Royal College of Radiologists Advertisement

Leading medical organisations, including NHS Confederation and the British Medical Association, say there are nearly 90,000 empty job posts.

In an open letter to Boris Johnson, they warned there will be a 'haemorrhaging of doctors, nurses and other frontline health workers' if staff rosters aren't filled up to ease the workload.

The Prime Minister last week pledged the NHS would get 'all the funding it needs' to get back on track after the Covid pandemic and No10 has promised to boost doctor and nurse numbers.

Professor Mark Callaway, radiology workforce lead at the RCR, said: 'Our new report has found the NHS needs thousands more radiologists to ensure patients get the safe and effective treatment they deserve, amplified by the first-hand experience of frontline doctors who witness the impact of consultant shortages on patient care on a daily basis.

'The staffing forecast for 2025 makes grim reading but, even more worryingly, swathes of demoralised radiologists are imminently looking to work less or leave the NHS.'

The college said radiologists are working hard to clear the backlog of work caused by the pandemic, but are having to scan at a slower rate due to the need for enhanced infection control and social distancing.

Half of trusts and health boards (47 per cent) in the UK reported not having the staff or transfer arrangements needed to run safe 24/7 interventional radiology services, meaning patients are potentially missing out on life-saving procedures.

Some radiology bosses admitted they cannot deliver adequate services for patients and can no longer provide cancer and acute care safely.

The RCR said the UK has reached a 'tipping point' when it comes to staffing, with shortages posing a serious threat to NHS recovery. As a result, it said patients are facing 'long, anxious and inevitable' waits for diagnosis and surgery.

The RCR's report noted that the UK has 4,277 radiology consultants, equating to 3,902 doctors working full-time, an increase of 170 full-time consultants compared with 2019.

But while consultant numbers are increasing, it is not fast enough to keep up with patient demand, and the shortfall in staffing ranges from 24 per cent to 38 per cent across the UK, it said.

Furthermore, a poll of 1,089 UK radiology consultants at the start of April found 41 per cent were 'moderately or severely' demoralised in their jobs post-pandemic and 48 per cent are planning to work less after the past year.

More than a fifth (22 per cent) are now considering leaving the NHS and 12 per cent are considering leaving in the next 12 months.

Professor Callaway said: 'The coronavirus pandemic has bluntly contrasted the everyday heroism of NHS teams with the chronic underfunding of services, and the cracks in radiology, as elsewhere, are becoming undeniable.

'Unless hospital imaging capacity is massively improved, the UK will continue to lag behind other countries on cancer survival rates and patients will face worse outcomes for trauma care and all kinds of conditions.

'The need for investment is urgent.'

Breast Cancer Now said around a quarter of breast radiologists (24 per cent) are due to retire in the next five years.

Its chief executive, Baroness Delyth Morgan, said: 'Today's census paints a bleak picture of vast shortages in breast radiologists across the UK at a time when a fully resourced imaging and diagnostic workforce is needed more than ever.

'The already over-stretched NHS is facing unparalleled pressures due to the pandemic, and a frightening consequence is that some women with breast cancer may not receive an early diagnosis which is critical to their chances of survival.'

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth, said: 'Years of underfunding and cutbacks meant we entered the crisis with waiting lists growing and targets for cancer treatment missed and these have only continued to grow during the pandemic.

'It is now crucial that there is an NHS rescue plan that includes a proper plan to recruit and train the NHS staff we need to bring down waiting lists and leave services fully staffed for the future.

'Leaving patients in limbo waiting for tests and treatment risks their condition worsening leading to permanent disability, loss of livelihood and tragically for some loss of life.

'Ministers must put patients first and do all they can to bring down these spiralling waiting lists.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'The NHS has faced huge challenges during the pandemic and we have continued to support our incredible health and care staff who are working tirelessly to keep vital services open for thousands of patients.

'There are record numbers of NHS doctors and nurses in England and the number of doctors in clinical radiology has risen by over 25 per cent in the past five years alone.

'We are investing an additional 260million to increase staff numbers further and ensuring that cancer patients benefit from the extra 1billion of funding we have provided to tackle the elective backlog.'
Two people have died and more than 100 have tested positive for coronavirus in a major outbreak among US diplomatic staff in India, it has been reported.

The outbreak among the locally employed staff comes as the country continues to struggle with one of the largest outbreaks of Covid-19 the world has seen since the start of the pandemic.

India has broken global records with over 300,000 new infections being reported daily, hospitals have run out of beds, oxygen and ventilators, and thousands have died as the devastating second wave shows no sign of slowing.

Citing two sources familiar with the situation, CNN reported there has been a major outbreak of the virus among US diplomatic staff in the country leading the deaths of two, but did not say where in the country the deaths and cases occurred.

The US operates five consulates in different cities and has an embassy in India's capital of New Delhi, which has been one of the country's worst afflicted regions.

News of the outbreak came as the US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy spoke of how he has lost family members in India to the coronavirus.

'I happen to also have a lot of family in India, and staying in touch with them and also understanding from their perspective how bad it is has been really concerning,' Murthy said during a call on Monday.

'Several of my family members in India have died as a result of Covid-19 and many more have actually gotten sick, so this is serious for me personally.'

Two people have died and more than 100 have tested positive for coronavirus in a major coronavirus outbreak among US diplomatic staff in India, it has been reported. Pictured: The American Embassy in New Delhi, India, shown in 2014 [file photo]

Speaking during a Health and Human Services Department Community Corps call, the Surgeon General said countries doing well with their vaccination programs - such as the US - should be concerned about the Covid spread in other countries too.

'We know that this is a global pandemic, which means that the solution is not just to get our population vaccinated, but it's to make sure that we are reducing rates of infection globally,' he said.

'When cases are running unchecked, and growing at high rates in other countries that means is a greater chance of variants to develop. No country will be ultimately safe if we have ongoing uncontrolled spread of virus in other parts of the world.'

US personnel, their family members and staff employed locally in India only began to receive their coronavirus vaccines within the past two weeks, according to CNN's sources.

Even as India's second wave - that begun last month - began to take hold and staff were yet to be vaccinated, there were two high-level trips by Biden administration officials to the country within the past six weeks.

The sources told the network that there was frustration among the staff because they felt they were left in the dark over when the US diplomatic mission would receive Covid vaccines.

Pictured: U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy in December 2020. Murthy as spoken of how the Covid crisis in India has affected him personally, saying he has family who have died

They felt they were not being prioritised - despite the alarming rise in cases - when many diplomatic staff in Europe and within the US had already received their shots.

The State Department had worked to get the vaccines to locations where personnel live on campus, one source told CNN, including Kabul and Baghdad. This may have contributed to the diplomatic mission in India being late in the vaccine queue.

However, one source told the network that the vaccines 'came too late for the two people who died ... it's horrible.'

In February, frustrations from diplomats overseas over the speed at which they received the vaccine was acknowledged by Secretary of State Tony Blinken.

Speaking earlier this month, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that as of April 18, the 'department (had) completed deployment of vaccines to all of our posts abroad,' according to CNN.

Much of the diplomatic's mission in India is now working from home, the sources reportedly said, and that last week the Embassy in the Indian capital moved to have even fewer staff working in-person.

In this aerial picture taken on April 26, 2021, burning pyres of victims who lost their lives due to the Covid-19 coronavirus are seen at a cremation ground in New Delhi

In a statement given to CNN, a State Department spokesman said: 'Department has no higher priority than the safety and security of its employees.

'We are closely monitoring the situation and we will take all necessary measures to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees, including offering vaccines to employees,' they said.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that 'privacy considerations limit what we can say' and would not confirm the outbreak to the network.

Speaking during a State Department press briefing on Monday, April 26, Price said: 'India is enduring a deeply concerning outbreak and the entire country has been affected.

'We obviously do have a large diplomatic presence within India. It is tantamount to the deep engagement and partnership we have with India. But I'm not in a position to speak to any cases within our staff or embassy community.'

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in India on March 19 and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry arrived on April 6, meaning both were there before the State Department had given vaccines to staff.

A patient wearing an oxygen mask is wheeled inside a COVID-19 hospital for treatment, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease in Ahmedabad, India, April 26

CNN's sources said there was some anxiety around the officials' visit because at the time of their arrival, India was already experiencing surging cases.

Such high level visits involve in-person meetings with Indian officials ahead of and during the visit. While the sources said there were anecdotal reports of positive cases following the visit, it is unclear if they were directly linked.

There are now concerns over the medical treatment US diplomatic staff will be able to receive - for both Covid and non-Covid issues - as the healthcare infrastructure has been left if tatters by the second wave of coronavirus.

Hospitals are filled to capacity, and international flights back to the US could be suspended over fears of a new 'double mutant' variant.

On Monday, the US Consulate in Chennai tweeted that, 'Considering current COVID-19 conditions, all routine services at @USAndChennai are cancelled from April 26 through May 15th, including all routine non-immigrant visa interview appointments, interview waiver appointments, and routine American Citizen Services appointments.'

The Embassy in New Delhi said on Friday that 'in-person visa appointments and interview-waiver appointments are cancelled from April 26 to May 9 in light of current pandemic conditions.' The consulate in Mumbai said it would 'provide only essential consular services until further notice,' on April 9.

India's health ministry reported another 2,771 deaths in the past 24 hours, with roughly 115 Indians succumbing to the disease every hour. The latest fatalities pushed India's fatalities to 197,894, behind the U.S., Brazil and Mexico. Experts say even these figures are probably an undercount.

On Monday, officials announced that the US will send doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, dispatch a strike team and offer other supplies to India, as President Joe Biden pledged to 'be there' for the nation in its hour of need.

The United States will send doses of the AstraZeneca COVID1- vaccine, dispatch a strike team and offer other supplies to India, officials announced Monday, as President Joe Biden pledged to 'be there' for that nation in its hour of need

'We're prepared to provide therapeutic, personal protective equipment, and tests,' a senior administration official said on a briefing call with reporters.

'In the United States we've identified US commercial suppliers of remdesivir that are immediately available to help relieve the suffering of COVID-19 patients in India, and we've identified rapid diagnostic testing supplies as well as personal protective equipment that will be available to be transferred to India immediately.'

The US also announced its intention to send supplies and AstraZenec, which is not authorized in the country and will likely not be required to vaccinate Americans given the US has enough doses of the other options to inoculate its citizens.

'We will be providing raw materials for the production of the AstraZeneca,' the official said on the call.

Critics have accused Washington of 'hoarding' the British-developed vaccine.

'U.S. to release 60 million Astra Zeneca doses to other countries as they become available,' tweeted Andy Slavitt, senior advisor to the White House on Covid response.

An administration official told reporters the first 10 million doses could be available 'in the coming weeks' after they pass a quality inspection by the Food and Drug Administration.

'Further, there's an estimated additional 50 million doses that are in various stages of production, and these could be completed in stages across May and June,' she added.

India will receive some doses, officials said after Biden held a telephone call with his counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pledging US support to fight the surge.

'Today, I spoke with Prime Minister @narendramodi and pledged America's full support to provide emergency assistance and resources in the fight against COVID-19. India was there for us, and we will be there for them,' Biden tweeted.

The vaccine announcement greatly expands a US action from last month to loan four million AstraZeneca doses to Mexico and Canada.

It also comes as US domestic supply appears increasingly assured, making it unlikely AstraZeneca will be required.

Pfizer and Moderna say they are on track to deliver 600 million doses between them by the end of July. Both are two-dose regimens.

The country has also resumed vaccinations with the Johnson & Johnson single shot, the third authorized injection, after a brief pause over suspected links to a rare form of clotting.

More than 53 percent of adults in the United States have so far received at least one dose of vaccine, according to official data, and domestic demand has begun to taper off as many people who wished to get vaccinated have already done so.

The rate of new daily Covid cases in the United States is also in decline, dipping below a seven-day average of 60,000 for the first time in a month.

In this aerial picture taken on April 26, burning pyres of victims who lost their lives due to the Covid-19 coronavirus are seen at a cremation ground in New Delhi

A man performs the last rites of his relative as pyres of Covid-19 deceased people burn at a crematorium in New Delhi

People carry oxygen cylinders after refilling them in a factory amid a shortage of medical supplies due to the surging second wave

Fury as Twitter removes 50 tweets critical of India's pandemic response Twitter has been criticised for the removal of dozens of tweets seen to be critical of the Indian government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic is putting people's health at risk and quashing dissent. Lawmakers and human rights activists blasted the social media company on Monday after it withheld some tweets after a legal request by the Indian government, These included tweets from a lawmaker, a minister in the state of West Bengal, and a filmmaker. 'Suppression of information and criticism of government is not only dangerous for India but it is putting people around the world at risk,' said Mirza Saaib Beg, a lawyer whose tweets were among those withheld. 'Freedom of inquiry is an intrinsic part of freedom of speech and expression. These restrictions are further reflective of the weakening of all institutional spaces in India,' said Beg, who is studying at Britain's University of Oxford. India's ministry for information technology did not respond to a request for comment. The country's new coronavirus infections hit a record peak for a fifth day on Monday, rising to about 353,000 cases. There is mounting criticism that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and state authorities let their guard down earlier this year, allowing big religious and political gatherings to take place when cases fell to below 10,000 a day. 'Questioning the government of India's decision to allow mass gatherings ... where people from all across the country gathered and violated COVID safety protocols ... cannot be called to be violating any laws of the country,' said Pawan Khera, a spokesman for the opposition Congress party, whose tweets were also withheld. The law cited in the government's Twitter request is the Information Technology Act, 2000, which allows authorities to order blocking of public access to information to protect 'sovereignty and integrity of India' and maintain public order. Requests from the government are reviewed under Twitter's rules and the local law, a spokeswoman for Twitter told Reuters. There is a 'lack of transparency' in the government's order, said the Internet Freedom Foundation, a digital rights group in Delhi. 'What is clear is there are more directions being issued across social media platforms in India,' it said in a statement. Twitter has about 17.5 million users in India. Advertisement

A doctor at the heart of India's coronavirus outbreak warned that the next two weeks 'are going to be hell'.

Dr Shaarang Sachdev, from the Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital in the hard-hit capital of Delhi, said the country is experiencing its worst point of the pandemic so far and described the current situation as 'critical'.

For five consecutive days until Monday, India was reporting global record one-day Covid cases figures that topped out above 350,000 cases. Tuesday's figure is 323,144, though experts warn that is likely the result of less testing at the weekend and not a sign that the wave of infections is slowing.

Indian health authorities also reported another 2,771 deaths from the virus today - slightly lower than Monday's count but again amid warnings that many deaths are going uncounted.

Other nations like Germany, Israel, France and Pakistan have also promised medical aid to India. The countries have said they will supply oxygen, diagnostic tests, treatments, ventilators and protective gear to help India at the time of crisis which World Health Organization's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday called 'beyond heartbreaking.'

The surge, spurred by insidious new variants of coronavirus, has undermined the Indian government's premature claims of victory over the pandemic.

The country of nearly 1.4 billion people is facing a chronic shortage of space on its intensive care wards. Hospitals are experiencing oxygen shortages and many people are being forced to turn to makeshift facilities for mass burials and cremations as the country's funeral services have become overwhelmed.

Meanwhile, in a bid to tackle the shortage of beds, Indian authorities are turning to train carriages, which have been converted into isolation wards. India has also started airlifting oxygen tankers to states in need. Special trains with oxygen supplies are also running in the country.

France was sending breathing machines, ICU gear and eight oxygen generators in a shipment expected to be sent later this week. Each generator can equip a hospital of 250 beds for several years, French President Emmanuel Macron's office said.

France will also send breathing machines, pumps and containers of liquid medical oxygen aimed at helping up to 10,000 patients per day, according to the French Foreign Ministry. That first oxygen shipment is expected to arrive from Europe to India next week.

The White House was moving to share raw materials for the production of the AstraZeneca vaccine with India by diverting some U.S. orders to the vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India.

White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients told The Associated Press that the Biden administration was working to satisfy other 'key requests' from the Indian government, namely for personal protective equipment, tests, therapeutics and supplies of oxygen and respiratory assistance devices.

Epidemiologists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were also expected to soon travel to India to assist with its virus response.
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Pro-democracy demonstrators Tuesday took to the streets of Chadian capital NDjamena and its second-largest city, Moundou, demanding a return to civilian rule after the military took control following President Idriss Debys death on the battlefield last week.

According to Reuters, at least two people have been killed and 27 injured as police fired tear gas and protesters burned tyres in several neighbourhoods of NDjamena.

Reuters said a health official at a hospital in NDjamena said 28 people had been brought to its emergency ward with injuries, one of whom had died and witnesses also reported the death of another protester in Moundou.

The police came, they fired teargas. But we are not scared, a protester, Timothy Betouge, 70, told the news media.

The military council had Monday banned protests, saying no demonstrations that could lead to disorder were allowed while the country was still in mourning.

Tension has spiked in Chad since Mr Debys death and the military seized power after a coup last week. The agitation for democracy underscores citizens weariness of three decades of monolithic, autocratic rule of the former strongman.

So too has as anti-French sentiment risen after France pulled its weight behind the coup, saying it was needed to stabilise the country which is battling to fend off threats from rebel forces and terrorists.

The military has been unable to consolidate power as opposition politicians have rejected the 18 months transition period announced by the junta now led by Mr Debys son, Mahamat.

The announcement of Albert Pahimi Padacke as prime minister of a transitional government on Monday has also been met with strong opposition.

We do not want our country to become a monarchy, Mbaidiguim Marabel, a 34-year-old protester, said. The military must return to the barracks to make way for a civil transition.

Concerns have also been raised over the implication of the unrest in Chad to neighbouring countries like Nigeria as the battle against terror groups continue.
And while Google Play Music was the service that so many people loved on Android Auto, the experience with YouTube Music was far from flawless, and this is how some ended actually making the switch to Spotify.On the other hand, Spotify is already the number one music service out there. As of December 31, 2020, Spotify has 155 million subscribers, 345 million monthly active users, over 70 million tracks, and more than 4 billion playlists. And it keeps growing and growing, with the service now available in no less than 178 markets across the globe.But while Spotify is growing, its also getting more expensive.A recent email sent to European subscribers reveals that all Spotify plans would become more expensive starting April 30.In the United Kingdom, for example, most prices will be increased by 1, except for the Family plans, which will now cost 2 more. So after April 30, students will have to pay 5.99 for Spotify Premium, while for individual subscribers, the ad-free service will carry a price tag of 10.99.Some users are also provided with one extra month at the current prices, so the new cost of Spotify Premium will come into effect in June.In the meantime, Spotify is also investing in hardware products. The company has recently announced the so-called Car Thing , a device whose purpose is to enhance the multimedia experience behind the wheel with exclusive access to Spotify.Mind you, theres little that Car Thing does and the CarPlay or Android Auto version of Spotify doesnt, so itll be interesting to see how this device improves over time. For the time being, Spotifys Car Thing is only available for a limited number of Premium subscribers in the United States.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Hes done it again. The American Conservative Union says Rep. Jim Jordan, a Champaign County Republican, earned his 14th straight 100 percent rating on its yearly voting record rating of Congress members, an all-time record for a member of Congress over the 50 years it has issued ratings.

To come up with its ratings, the organizations Center for Legislative Accountability examined votes it considered critical on issues relating to fiscal, tax, regulatory, education, environment, Second Amendment rights, election security, life, and government integrity.

In addition to recognizing Jordan, the organization said it will also give awards to members of the Ohio congressional delegation who achieved scores of 80 percent or higher. The members of Congress it will honor not-so-coincidentally represent some of the states safest Republican districts, according to a Cook Political Report rating of how much more Democratic or Republican a district performs compared to the nations average. The political report rates Jordans district R+14.

The group gave Ohios Republican U.S. Senator, Rob Portman, a 70 percent rating and Ohios Democratic U.S. Senator, Sherrod Brown, 9 percent.

Heres how every U.S. House of Representatives member from Ohio was ranked by the American Conservative Union, and how Cook Political report ranks their districts.

Warren Davidson of Miami County - 93 percent from ACU - R+17 district.

Bob Latta of Bowling Green, 89 percent from ACU, R+11 district.

Brad Wenstrup of Cincinnati, 86 percent from ACU, R+9 district.

Bob Gibbs of Holmes County, 85 percent from ACU, R+12 district.

Steve Chabot of Cincinnati, 75 percent from ACU, R+5 district.

Rep. Bill Johnson of Marietta, 71 percent from ACU, R+16 district.

Rep. Steve Stivers of Columbus, 68 percent from ACU, R+7 district.

Rep. Troy Balderson of Zanesville, 61 percent from ACU, R+7 district.

Rep. Mike Turner of Dayton, 57 percent from ACU, R+4 district.

Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Rocky River, 57 percent from ACU, R+8 district.

Rep. Dave Joyce of Bainbridge Township, 52 percent from ACU, R+5 district.

Former Rep. Marcia Fudge of Warrensville Heights, 4 percent from ACU, D+32 district.

Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Toledo, 0 percent from ACU, D+14 district.

Rep. Joyce Beatty of Columbus, 0 percent from ACU, D+19 district.

Rep. Tim Ryan of the Niles area, 0 percent from ACU, D+7 district.

Read more:

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan announces run for U.S. Senate

Jim Jordan seeks answers from Major League Baseball on decision to move All-Star game

HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge cancels Trump administration move to deny service to homeless transgender people

Ohio anti-fracking activist joins Greta Thunberg to decry fossil fuel subsidies at Earth Day congressional hearing

Dont hold your breath on passing marijuana banking legislation, says Senate banking chair Sherrod Brown

Sen. Sherrod Brown hopes Biden package will extend Medicare buy-in option to people 50 and over

Rep. Anthony Gonzalez resumes push to let college athletes make money from their names and images

Rep. Dave Joyce introduces bill to let VA prescribe medical marijuana

U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez has double the campaign war chest of Trump-backed challenger Max Miller

Rep. Jim Jordan clashes with Anthony Fauci over freedom at House hearing

Rep. Jim Jordan joins effort to cancel Major League Baseballs antitrust exemption after its decision to move the All-Star game

Cleveland nonprofit gets federal grant to help local manufacturers respond to the coronavirus pandemic
DALLAS, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CLS by BARBRI is proud to announce an important new way  a digital badge -- that students can verify their achievement and market their skills upon course completion. These digital badges, issued through the Credly platform, provide an additional representation of a learning outcome, experience, or competency.

CLS is the leading provider in training paralegal and legal support professionals through online and live legal studies courses, with a history of success for more than 40 years. Its core mission  to provide students with the most affordable, flexible, and effective legal education possible  is achieved by delivering courses in partnership with more than 150 colleges and universities.

The new badges offer professionals seeking employment an additional way market their skills-based training and tell their professional story in a complete and accredited way. Widely recognized by today's employers to represent achievement and value, these digital badges position legal professionals for success and advance job candidacy.

"Any prospective employer who views a badge can click on it to view all the details of your achievement and understand the skills you possess and value you can provide to their organization," explained Stephanie Elio, CLS by BARBRI Director of Business Development. "Digital badges can help differentiate your skills from others and solidify your credibility. This is a game-changer for students looking to shift into a new career or move up in a current role."

Upon completion in any of the CLS courses, students will be able to claim their badges and share them on personal and professional social media profiles, websites, email, and more. Verified online by the Credly worldwide network, digital badges are just one more way that CLS ensures today's professionals' success on Day One.

The next session of courses  including the paramount paralegal certificate course, specializations in key areas of law such as estate planning, family law, bankruptcy, intellectual property, ediscovery, and others; legal nurse consultant training, victim advocacy, and more -- all start on May 3. Enroll today for the most flexible, job-ready legal education on the market.

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The Federal High Court Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigerias South-east, has been set ablaze by unknown gunmen.

The building is located along the Enugu/Abakaliki Highway, opposite the Peoples Democratic Party office in the state.

The attack was carried out on Tuesday by hoodlums using petrol bombs, a source told our correspondent.

The fire which began in the early hours affected the library and the security post of the court building.

However, fire fighters were said to have later mobilised to the scene to put out the fire before it could cause more damage.

No casualty was recorded in the attack which destroyed court records in the library.

The police spokesperson in the state, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident.

She said the attackers came in their large numbers to carry out the attack.

Most states in the South-east and South-south, have been grappling with severe security challenges, including the spate of attacks on security agencies.

The motive for attack on the Federal High Court, just like the attacks on security officials, is possibly to weaken state institutions that are in-charge of law and order, so as to create fear and confusion.

In Imo State, another South-east state, gunmen recently attacked and set ablaze the country home of the state governor, Hope Uzodinma.

With Boko Haram insurgency raging in the North-east, and banditry, kidnapping, and the ongoing bloody conflict between herders and farmers in different parts of the country, Nigerias security agencies seem to be losing ground, while the country bleeds
KYODO NEWS - Apr 27, 2021 - 22:10 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

A health ministry panel may decide as early as May 20 whether to approve Moderna Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine for use in Japan, government sources said Tuesday, possibly paving the way for a second type of shot to be available in the country after the one developed by Pfizer Inc.

Japan has a supply agreement with Moderna for 50 million doses of the vaccine, enough for 25 million people or about one-fifth of the entire population. Their delivery would help speed up the country's rollout ahead of this summer's Tokyo Olympics.

The U.S. biotechnology firm's Japanese partner Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. said on March 5 it had filed for approval from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to import and distribute the vaccine.

If the panel greenlights it on May 20, health minister Norihisa Tamura could give formal approval the following day.

Unlike the Pfizer vaccine, which must be stored in specialized freezers at around minus 75 C, the Moderna shot can be stored at around minus 20 C, making it easier to handle. Both require two doses, but the Pfizer vaccine is taken 21 days apart while Moderna's is taken 28 days apart.

Japan began its vaccination program in mid-February but lags behind other advanced countries such as Israel, Britain and the United States. Just over 1 percent of its population of 126 million has received at least one shot, mostly health care workers.

In a shift from the government's stance of having municipalities deal with administering shots, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday instructed Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi to set up a large-scale vaccination center in downtown Tokyo staffed by Self-Defense Forces doctors and nurses.

The center will launch on May 24 and will be able to inoculate about 10,000 people aged 65 or older per day, with residents of the capital and neighboring Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama prefectures being eligible.

A total of about 900,000 people, 10 percent of the elderly in the area, are expected to use the facility by the end of its three-month run.

According to people familiar with the plan, the vaccination center will use the Moderna vaccine rather than Pfizer's to avoid eating into supply intended for municipalities.
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ExxonMobil and its partner Hess announced on Tuesday a new oil discovery in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana that would add to the already announced 9 billion oil-equivalent barrels in more than a dozen discoveries in the block.

The latest oil discovery was made at the Uaru-2 well, which showed high-quality oil-bearing reservoirs, including newly-identified intervals below the original Uaru-1 discovery, Exxon said in a statement.

The Uaru-1 discovery was announced in January 2020 and was the 16th discovery in the Stabroek Block.

The Uaru-2 discovery will add to the discovered recoverable resource estimate of approximately 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent, Hess Corporations chief executive John Hess said, commenting on the discovery at Uaru-2.

In less than five years, Exxon and its partners in the Stabroek Block made more than a dozen quality discoveries on the block, making Guyana the newest oil-producing nation in December 2019.

Exxon and Hess expect at least six projects online by 2027 and see the potential for up to 10 floating production storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) to develop the current recoverable resources offshore Guyana.

The Liza Phase 1 offshore projectGuyanas first oil-producing project led by ExxonMobilhas reached its full planned production capacity of some 130,000 barrels per day (bpd), Guyanas President Irfaan Ali said last month.

The Liza Phase 2 Project is designed to pump up to 220,000 bpd with a floating, production, storage, and offloading vessel (FPSO), with start-up expected in the middle of next year, Exxon says.

Guyana is one of the top priorities in the U.S. supermajors strategy to focus on high-return and cash-generating projects that would allow it to grow its dividend through 2025.

Last September, Exxon said it had made the final investment decision on the Payara offshore field in Guyana, expecting Payara to yield up to 220,000 bpd of crude when commercial production begins in 2024.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
MAIN opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa says his party has tightened the criteria used to select parliamentary and local authority candidates to avoid infiltration by fortune seekers who defect to the ruling Zanu PF party once they win elections.

In an interview with online news agency, CITE, at the weekend, Chamisa said the recent defection of elected MDC Alliance representatives, among them top party executives, to Zanu PF had taught them hard lessons and forced them to tighten screws in the selection process.

Chamisa, who narrowly lost to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Zanu PF leader, in the disputed 2018 harmonised elections, said the MDC Alliance would now settle for change agents committed to the struggle ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections.

What has happened is that a lot of our MPs and a lot of our councillors are people who are looking for opportunities, he said.

In fact, I have learnt from what has happened that instead of having people coming across as change seekers, change agents and change makers, they are actually job seekers, and so the preoccupation is to preserve a job as an MP or councillor, said the youthful opposition leader, who has lost over 40 MPs and about 80 councillors in recalls orchestrated by the rival MDC-T party led by Douglas Mwonzora and Lucia Matibenga of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Following the mass recalls, several other MDC Alliance legislators and councillors also crossed the floor to the ruling party to safeguard their jobs.

Chamisa described the defections as a survival strategy as well as a great betrayal of the struggle for democracy.

He accused Zanu PF and the MDC-T of conniving to decimate his party by dangling trinkets to elected MDC Alliance representatives.

That is why I am now apologising to the people of Zimbabwe to say that we had not thought through the processes of our candidate selection, and that is why we have to go back to the drawing board to say we dont have a party candidate, but a community candidate, a collective ethic and converged process run by community and opinion-makers as opposed to a political party because these processes produce candidates who do not have their loyalty in communities and to the people, Chamisa said.

Most of the MPs and councillors who have remained in Parliament on account of allegiance to a counter party formed by Mnangagwa have not shown loyalty to the people and we are going back to the drawing board.

The MDC Alliance leader said communities and stakeholders would now lead the candidate selection process as opposed to using party structures.

There will be a radical shift and change to the current candidate selection process in this organisation to allow the community to lead the process, he said.

But MDC-T spokesperson Witness Dube scoffed at Chamisas claims, saying the MPs had dumped him after realising that the MDC Alliance had low regard of constitutionalism.

There were no defections and the MPs only decided to stand on the side of their party constitution and the countrys Constitution. It is misleading for long-time comrades like Chamisa to believe in the lie he started himself that there is money involved or buying of people involved. He cannot be the only paragon of political correctness, he said. He must not trivialise issues to that extent. It is very regrettable and insulting to people who made this party to be what it is.

Chamisa also accused the Zanu PF government of engineering the arbitrary arrests of MDC Alliance activists, but the State has denied the charge.

All the elected people were elected on the MDC Alliance ticket, but what we have seen is lawfare, the abuse of the courts in this case by Mr Mnangagwa to recall by his created surrogates whom you know, to then say all MDC Alliance MPs now belong to the MDC-T, he said.

The MDC Alliance leader said the takeover of the party headquarters by Mwonzoras MDC-T was a temporary setback, adding that his party would soon reclaim the property. What we have seen is authoritarian consolidation, an escalation of tyranny and we have seen the panic mode by Zanu PF and Mr Mnangagwa on account of our strength. We have remained steadfast, we have remained very strong and thats why you have seen that they are in sixes and sevens. If we were such a non-factor in the politics of this country, they would have simply ignored us, but they cant ignore us. They have discovered that we are too strong on the ground and want to weaken us, decimate our structures but they will not succeed, Chamisa said.

Recently, Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo told NewsDay that his party was not involved in opposition party fights. Newsday
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Monday published a new joint advisory as part of their latest attempts to expose the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) adopted by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) in its attacks targeting the U.S and foreign entities.

By employing "stealthy intrusion tradecraft within compromised networks," the intelligence agencies said, "the SVR activitywhich includes the recent SolarWinds Orion supply chain compromiseprimarily targets government networks, think tank and policy analysis organizations, and information technology companies and seeks to gather intelligence information."

The cyber actor is also being tracked under different monikers, including Advanced Persistent Threat 29 (APT29), the Dukes, CozyBear, and Yttrium. The development comes as the U.S. sanctioned Russia and formally pinned the SolarWinds hack and related cyberespionage campaign to government operatives working for SVR.

APT29, since emerging on the threat landscape in 2013, has been tied to a number of attacks orchestrated with an aim to gain access to victim networks, move within victim environments undetected, and extract sensitive information. But in a noticeable shift in tactics in 2018, the actor moved from deploying malware on target networks to striking cloud-based email services, a fact borne by the SolarWinds attack, wherein the actor leveraged Orion binaries as an intrusion vector to exploit Microsoft Office 365 environments.

This similarity in post-infection tradecraft with other SVR-sponsored attacks, including in the manner the adversary laterally moved through the networks to obtain access to email accounts, is said to have played a huge role in attributing the SolarWinds campaign to the Russian intelligence service, despite a notable departure in the method used to gain an initial foothold.

"Targeting cloud resources probably reduces the likelihood of detection by using compromised accounts or system misconfigurations to blend in with normal or unmonitored traffic in an environment not well defended, monitored, or understood by victim organizations," the agency noted.

Among some of the other tactics put to use by APT29 are password spraying (observed during a 2018 compromise of a large unnamed network), exploiting zero-day flaws against virtual private network appliances (such as CVE-2019-19781) to obtain network access, and deploying a Golang malware called WELLMESS to plunder intellectual property from multiple organizations involved in COVID-19 vaccine development.

Besides CVE-2019-19781, the threat actor is known to gain initial footholds into victim devices and networks by leveraging CVE-2018-13379, CVE-2019-9670, CVE-2019-11510, and CVE-2020-4006. Also in the mix is the practice of obtaining virtual private servers via false identities and cryptocurrencies, and relying on temporary VoIP telephone numbers and email accounts by making use of an anonymous email service called cock.li.

"The FBI and DHS recommend service providers strengthen their user validation and verification systems to prohibit misuse of their services," the advisory read, while also urging businesses to secure their networks from a compromise of trusted software.
SALEM, Ore.  Governor Kate Brown announced on Tuesday that more than a dozen Oregon counties will be placed on the state's highest level of COVID-19 restrictions effective April 30. The state passed a hospitalization threshold on Monday that officials put in place earlier this month.

Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath are among the 15 Oregon counties that will be on "Extreme Risk" status Friday. Curry County will remain at Moderate, and Lake County at Lower Risk.

If we dont act now, doctors, nurses, hospitals, and other health care providers in Oregon will be stretched to their limits treating severe cases of COVID-19, said Governor Brown. Todays announcement will save lives and help stop COVID-19 hospitalizations from spiking even higher. With new COVID-19 variants widespread in so many of our communities, it will take all of us working together to bring this back under control.

According to Brown's statement, the 15 counties will be placed on Extreme Risk for "a maximum of three weeks," and will be able to move to a lower risk level sooner if county COVID-19 case rates drop, or if the state's hospitalization numbers decline.

However, Brown's office said that the Oregon Health Authority would re-evaluate the plan if hospitalizations or case rates remain high after three weeks, making recommendations to the Governor's office for next steps.

Brown and state officials put the Extreme Risk category on hold April 6, instead invoking a new statewide hospitalization metric that spared counties from returning to the state's highest restriction level even if their case rates would have otherwise qualified them under Oregon's county risk level framework.

The threshold identified by state officials is 300 or more COVID-19 patients in hospital beds at a given time, in addition to a 15 percent increase in the seven-day hospitalization average over a week's time.

Brown foreshadowed last week that twelve Oregon counties could be placed under Extreme Risk status as both cases and hospitalizations in the state continued to rise. However, the state did not immediately rise about the 300-patient threshold over the weekend.

On Monday, the Oregon Health Authority's daily report listed 319 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state, crossing the line demarcated by Governor Brown.

Alongside the news of renewed Extreme Risk restrictions, Governor Brown said that she is working with state lawmakers on a $20 million emergency relief package aimed at impacted businesses within Extreme Risk counties through an existing commercial rent relief program.

After conversations with legislative leaders, I am confident we can move quickly to bring relief to businesses and their employees in Extreme Risk counties," Brown said. "The vast majority of Oregon businesses have followed our health and safety guidance to protect Oregonians from COVID-19, even though doing so has come with an economic cost. This emergency aid will help businesses in Extreme Risk counties.

The relief funding is accompanied by slight adjustments to Extreme Risk restrictions on restaurants. While indoor dining remains prohibited in these areas, Brown's office said that outdoor capacity has been raised from 50 to 100 people when physical distancing guidelines are observed.

We know that the risk of COVID-19 transmission is lower outdoors," Brown continued. "I am urging all Oregonians, if you choose to gather with others, keep it outdoors. Indoor transmission is a key driver in the COVID-19 surge that is making renewed health and safety restrictions necessary.

Brown urged Oregonians to seek out COVID-19 vaccines, calling it the fastest way to lift health and safety restrictions.

"I recognize the burden these restrictions place on Oregon businesses and working families," the Governor said. "My goal is to lift these restrictions as soon as it is safely possible, and keep Oregon on the path for lifting most health and safety requirements by the end of June so we can fully reopen our economy. But we will only get there if enough Oregonians get vaccinated. There are appointments available right now all across the state.
The negative results of growing up in single-parent homes, whether on society or on children, are too often ignored by the media. (Gerd Altman/Pixabay.com)

Single-Mother Household Facts Suppressed by Liberal Media

Commentary

In todays woke cultural climate, there are certain things you cant say. You cant say that chromosomes, and not surgery, hormones, and clothes, determine gender. You cant say that 38,000 illegal immigrants are currently in U.S. prisons, according to The Associated Press. And you cant say that children from single-mother households have issues.

Twelve years ago, in her 2009 book Guilty: Liberal Victims and Their Assault on America, conservative author Ann Coulter proposed exactly that in a chapter called Victim of a Crime? Thank a Single Mother and received immediate and lasting media black eyes.

It wasnt that Coulter didnt do her statistical homework. She documented that children raised in single-mother homes are five times more likely to commit suicide, nine times more likely to drop out of high school, 10 times more likely to abuse chemical substances, 14 times more likely to commit rape (for the boys), 20 times more likely to end up in prison, and 32 times more likely to run away from home.

It wasnt that Coulter blamed divorced, separated, and widowed women, who often are victims of circumstance, in her indictment; she confined her wrath to those who choose to be a single mother.

No, Coulters problem was that stating the truth was a micro-aggression. It was mean and hurt peoples feelings, yelled the women on The Viewin unisonwhen she appeared on the show.

Yet, Coulter wasnt alone in her sociological audacity and its result.

Mentioning the cultural catastrophe brought about by single-parent households may be insensitive, read an editorial in the News and Record, but ignoring the source of the problem will solve nothing. The problem? Like Coulter, the editorial cited about 70 percent of the perpetrators hail from single-parent households.

Scientific research confirms some of the correlations. Growing up in single-parent families is associated with an elevated risk of involvement in crime by adolescents, the authors of a study published in June 2020 wrote in the journal Psychology, Crime & Law. More research is needed to determine the effects of the different constituting events of single-parent families.

Growing up in a single-parent family also has negative effects on childrens emotional well-being, cognitive development, and school performance, and correlates with poor school adjustment, the authors add.

Children, notably boys, who grew up in a single-parent household commit the highest number of high-profile gun crimes says author and activist Warren Thomas Farrell.

Theres common denominators among mass shooters, the most obvious is that theyre male98 percent are male. A second common denominator is that theyre almost all dad-deprived males, Farrell told The Epoch Times in April.

These young criminals are deprived of their dads and likely feeling neglected and depressed, said Farrell, the chair of the Coalition to Create a White House Council on Boys and Men.

As a reporter, Ive also noted negative emotional consequences, such as feelings of guilt, in people who grew up in single-parent homes.

My mother was always telling me what sacrifices she made for me and how she had given her whole life to me, Michael, who sought recovery from addiction, told me. She was all alone and it was difficult, almost impossible, for me to find my own partner in life. I felt so responsible for her. I still do.

The negative results of growing up in single-parent homes, whether on society or on children, are too often buried.

Martha Rosenberg is a former advertising copywriter who knows a lot about marketing. She began as an investigative journalist and since has been on TV and radio as a health expert. Martha has taught about drug marketing tactics at a Chicago medical school and is part of the FDA press corps. Her book Born with a Junk Food Deficiency: How Flaks, Quacks, and Hacks Pimp the Public Health, exposes what goes on behind the scenes in the food and drug industries.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
China has apparently asked South Korea several times if it intends to join the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or "Quad," an informal anti-China alliance with Australia, India and Japan. The U.S. hopes to expand the group into a "Quad Plus" to include South Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam and said recently that it has been closely consulting with South Korea, which is "always welcome." But Seoul has refused to comment, claiming that it has yet to receive a "formal invitation." That prompted to China to identify it, once again, as the weakest link and start pressuring it to stay away from the alliance. Once again the government is trapped between the U.S. and China and unable to make up its mind. This brings back memories of the deployment of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery here, which resulted in a yearlong Chinese boycott of Korean goods and services.

The U.S. said in 2014 that the THAAD battery was necessary to thwart North Korean nuclear and missile attacks. THAAD remains the only effective defense against North Korean ballistic missiles that descend at high speeds, but it took the government two years to reach a decision on the issue, finally deciding in July of 2016, when the North Korean nuclear and missile threat became too big to ignore, to let the U.S. station it here. If the government had led the U.S. deploy the battery earlier, China would have taken little notice. But the dithering exposed Seoul's weakness, and China is a bully that is always ready to pounce on any advantage. As a result, South Korean businesses suffered huge losses.

The Moon Jae-in administration then effectively ceded its military sovereignty to China by agreeing to the "three no's" -- no additional THAAD deployment, no participation in the U.S.-led missile defense network and no establishment of a formal trilateral military bloc with the U.S. and Japan.

The Quad idea materialized in 2017, which was a bad time for everyone. Donald Trump was in the White House, and the other members were also led by rightwing chauvinistic governments. But South Korea values its alliance with the U.S., and both countries share the values of freedom and democracy. As long as the U.S. set its strategic sights on containing China's rising power, Seoul cannot keep looking the other way. It could easily find itself excluded from major U.S.-led security and economic alliances. In the realm of diplomacy, it is difficult to take sides, but the government needs to set priorities and cannot look weak. If it had acted in synch with the U.S. during the early stages of Quad, it would not be faced with the current dilemma. But it looks like it already lost its window of opportunity.

The Quad summit presented as its principle a free and democratic Indo-Pacific region. Those are values South Korea can in principle share. Moreover, the group is not just an ordinary military alliance but is expanding to include innovative technologies and even vaccine distribution. In other words, the Quad has everything to do with the country's future. Even the Philippines and Singapore are moving in the direction of joining. If South Korea does too, China will have less of an excuse to single it out for retaliation. Already the country was hit hard by Chinas THAAD retaliation because it looked weak and indecisive. With strong partners by its side, that need not happen again. The president and his government must make a decision and take responsibility.


Registration for the vaccine will take place on the CoWIN portal and the Aarogya Setu App. Beginning May 1, all adults will be eligible for coronavirus vaccines under a "liberalised and accelerated" Phase 3 programme, as per the Centre.

Following an increase in Covid-19 infections, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan convened a high-level meeting on Saturday to counsel states and UTs on how to successfully implement the new Phase 3 vaccination plan. According to the centre, beginning May 1, all adults will be eligible for coronavirus vaccines under a liberalised and accelerated Phase 3 programme. Were about to enter 3rd phase, but do we know where vaccine doses are and when theyll be available? Lets find out:

Registration for the vaccine will take place on the CoWIN portal and the Aarogya Setu App. Vaccine manufacturers will supply the government of India with 50% of their monthly Central Drugs Laboratory-released doses and be able to sell the remaining 50% to state governments and the open market. Before May 1, manufacturers must make a transparent advance announcement of the price for 50% supply, which would be applicable to state governments and in the open market. State governments, private hospitals, commercial institutions, and others will be eligible to purchase vaccine doses from the manufacturers at this expense.

Bharat Biotech, the manufacturer of the COVID-19 vaccine, announced on Tuesday that it had increased its production capability to 700 million doses a year. At an event, Bharat Biotech CMD Krishna Ella said that the company will manufacture 30 million doses of Covaxin next month, up from 20 million this month and 15 million last month.
Hugh Jackman has reached out to fellow Hollywood heavyweight Tyler Perry in a new Instagram post.

The X-Men actor, 52, took to social media on Tuesday to directly address the Gone Girl star, 51, who on Monday urged Oscars viewers to start 'meeting in the middle' and to 'refuse hate'.

Jackman enthused: 'I'm telling you now on social media, thank you for your inspiration, thank you for all you do, thank you for your leadership.'

Inspired: Hugh Jackman has reached out to fellow Hollywood heavyweight Tyler Perry in a new Instagram post

The Oscar-nominated actor continued his address to Perry: 'We are literally, hopefully, going to meet in the middle.

'Let's break bread, which I will bake, and let's talk about how we can get stuff done, because dude, it's astonishing what you're doing and you're an inspiration.'

The Australian actor also acknowledged the firsts achieved in one of the most progressive Oscars ever.

'There were just so many great moments at the Oscars last night, [including] Chloe [Zhao] the first woman of colour [to win the Best Director Oscar].'

Jackman hosted the Academy Awards in 2009.

Hero: The X-Men actor, 52, took to social media on Tuesday to directly address Perry, 51

Powerful speech: Perry (pictured) on Monday urged Oscars viewers to start 'meeting in the middle' and to 'refuse hate'

Tyler Perry told audiences to 'refuse hate' while being awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 93rd annual Academy Awards.

The filmmaker was emotional as he accepted the honour from Atlanta, Georgia, where he reflected on how he learned the power of compassion from his mother, who rejected resentment even as she grew up in the segregated South.

'She taught me to refuse hate and blanket judgment,' Perry said, while urging everyone to start 'meeting in the middle' to let 'healing begin'.

Changemaker: Tyler sent a powerful message about compassion while accepting the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 93rd annual Academy Awards

'In this time, with all of the internet and social media and algorithms that want us to think a certain way,' the Madea mogul explained.

'The 24-hour news cycle. It's my hope that we teach our kids, refuse hate. Don't hate anybody.'

'I refuse to hate someone because they're Mexican or because they are black or white. Or LGBTQ,' he said. 'I refuse to hate someone because they're a police officer or because they're Asian. I would hope we would refuse hit hate.'

Perry also asked audiences to think about compromise more, saying: 'I want to take this humanitarian award and dedicate it to anyone who wants to stand in the middle.

'Because that's where healing, where conversation, where change happens.

'It happens in the middle. Anyone who wants to meet me in the middle to refuse hate and blanket judgment, this one is for you, too.'

Rising above: Perry told viewers to 'refuse hate', a lesson he learned from his mother

Middle ground: He also urged people to find the 'middle' and let 'healing' begin

The actor/director/producer's generosity has been unparalleled during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This past Thanksgiving Perry donated 5,000 boxes of holiday meals to families in need.

And in April, the billionaire partnered with a local Atlanta hospital to turn his studios into a vaccination site, covering all the costs himself.

Unity: 'It happens in the middle. Anyone who wants to meet me in the middle to refuse hate and blanket judgment, this one is for you, too'

Giving: This past Thanksgiving Perry donated 5000 boxes of holiday meals to families in need. Car stretched for miles to the donation site, seen above

In addition to his Oscar, Perry's philanthropy was recognized by the Television Academy, who bestowed him with last year's Governors Award.

He also received the People's Champion award at E!'s People Choice Awards.

There have been 39 Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Awards given since 1957, with recipients including Bob Hope, Oprah Winfrey and, most recently, Geena Davis.

Its namesake, Jean Hersholt, served as MPTF president for 18 years, from 1938 until his death in 1956.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 09:53:49|Editor: huaxia

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A man shows his certificate of vaccination after he received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a hospital in Taiz province, Yemen, on April 25, 2021. The country is pushing forward its vaccination campaign against coronavirus. (Str/Xinhua)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 26)  The current lack of vaccines is making it difficult for the country to achieve herd immunity.

"For now I can honestly say it is still not possible based on the supplies," said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, in an interview with CNN Philippines' News Night on Monday.

Vergeire said the global vaccine supply shortage contributed to the issue, but that the country could still ramp up local vaccination efforts because of the scheduled arrival of doses in the coming months.

"If we say that we can speed up and scale up in the next coming months, yes. I can say that because there would be vaccines that are coming in these coming months although it is not going to be sufficient for us to say that we'll reach herd immunity in two or three months. But we can already cover the classification of priorities of government like A4 and A5," she added.

Epidemiologist Dr. John Wong, who is part of the national COVID-19 task force's subgroup on data analytics, said in a Palace briefing on Monday that 350,000 people should be inoculated daily for the country to reach its target.

"The basis for the 350,000 is if we started (the vaccine rollout) March 1, and we hope to achieve 70% vaccination of the population after a year, let's say February 28, 2022, that's the rate that we should be doing it," Wong said at a Palace briefing.

The government earlier eyed up to 1 million vaccine recipients weekly by April, but it hit a snag when the vaccine supply dwindled.

Around 4 million additional doses from different brands are expected to arrive next month, while some 7 to 8 million are seen to arrive in June. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. previously said they hope to ramp up weekly vaccination capacity to 3 to 5 million in June and July to keep up with the year-end goal.
A church based in Puyallup, Washington was reported to receive terrorist threats after inviting conservative activist Charlie Kirk over.

The Christian Headlines said that Motion Church Senior Pastor Roger Archer announced last Friday through a video posted in their YouTube Channel that the church received "threatening declarations" after announcing that Kirk will be coming over for an event entitled, "An Afternoon With Charlie Kirk," on May 2.

"Upon hearing that Mr. Kirk was coming to our church, radical terrorist mobs like the ones that rallied on Capitol Hill in Seattle, they sprung into action. They sprung with threatening declarations," Archer revealed in the video.

"They vowed to not only burn our properties to the ground, but also brought threats of physical violence against our church leadership, our neighbors, their properties, and basically wreak havoc in our community, this precious community that we love. Therefore, it is for the safety of my precious city and our precious church people that I have heartbreakingly cancelled our event with Mr. Kirk," he stressed.

"Our deepest apologies go out to Mr. Kirk and his organization. He deserves much better from our state leadership, but, unfortunately, this is where we are. I will not put soft targets in harm's way," he added. "I will not subject our community to destruction. And since our governor will not protect us, we must take this course of action."

As of writing, Archer's more than three-minute video entitled "An Important Message" was viewed 11K times since it was uploaded on Friday. In the video, the pastor emphasized that his church stood "for the purpose of loving God and loving people" over the 23 years it was established and identified their programs in helping and loving their community.

In addition, Archer explained that Kirk, whom he described as an "ardent patriot," was invited to help their church "to help them give guidance on how to reclaim our state." The threats of violence then went against what their church was established for and led to his decision to cancel the event.

Although the pastor did not give specifics on who the threats came from, KTTH Radio Host Jason Rantz tweeted that the threat came from "Antifa radicals."

"DEVELOPING: Antifa radicals from Seattle threatened to burn a church & harm staff after learning @charliekirk11 was coming to speak in Puyallup, Wash. The event was cancelled under the threat of violence," Rantz announced.

The Christian Headlines cited a tweet from the Indivisible Puyallup that praised "local activists" for putting "enough pressure on Motion Church to cancel the Charlie Kirk event." The Indivisible Puyallup claim to protect "our nations values and principles through grassroots political action to resist Trump."

Kirk is identified with former President Donald Trump because he supported him in 2016 and even spoke in the Republican National Convention held in that same year.

The Washington Times reported that local Puyallup Police Department did provide assistance to Motion Church as per Archer's video announcement but since the church had multiple locations "they have limited resources to completely shut down a terrorist threat."

The Times also quoted the pastor in saying that state level leadership has an "apparent lack of interest" in protecting "decent taxpaying citizens" as they have experienced in the past, such that "terrorist mobs know that there is no consequence for their lawlessness" and had "nothing to fear."
YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a telephone conversation with Azerbaijani FM Jeyhun Bayramov. ARMENPRESS reports the sides discussed issues referring to bilateral relations, including high-level contacts in the near future.

The sides exchanged views on the implementation process of November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021 agreements between the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the process of activities of the working group co-chaired by the Deputy PMs of the three countries on unblocking economic and transport communications in the region.
Both the new Roku Express Plus and the Chromecast with Google TV have gained HDR10+ certification. Making them both really great and inexpensive options for watching 4K HDR content.

Paramount Plus is also adding support for HDR10+, which will work on both of these devices. Among many other streaming devices on the market right now.

HDR10+ hasnt been widely adopted, yet

HDR10+ is the latest HDR standard, and it hasnt yet been widely adopted by the industry. But that will change in the coming months and years. So its good to see both Google and Roku making their devices future-proof, with support for HDR10+.

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It will work on select apps on the Chromecast with Google TV. This includes Paramount Plus, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. That list will expand as more streaming services opt to support HDR10+.

Google also works with it on the Play Movies app, but Roku is actually new to the HDR10+ party. In fact, the Express Plus (which was just announced recently) is the first Roku device to get HDR10+ support. But it definitely wont be the last. Roku does plan to upgrade all of its HDR10-capable devices to support HDR10+ in the future.

Its important to note that while HDR10+ is available on these two devices, it wont make a big difference unless you have a TV that also supports HDR10+. Most newer Samsung and LG TVs do support HDR10+. But if you have an older TV, you likely dont have HDR10+ available on your TV. But lets not forget that your next TV will likely have HDR10+. And your streaming device will be ready for that.

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This is a big deal for Chromecast and Roku customers, but they likely wont notice a difference right away. Unless they have a HDR10+-compatible TV, and are watching content that is supported by HDR10+.
A STRATEGY to develop Tullamore as a remote working hub in the post-Covid environment has been mooted by the newly elected President of Tullamore and District Chamber of Commerce, Anthony Hanniffy.

The ACETECH director predicted Tullamore's biggest employers within the next ten years will be some of the world's technological giants.

I intend that the Chamber will work closely with Offaly County Council and the IDA to bring that dream to fruition, said Mr Hanniffy following his election at the body's AGM on Tuesday night last.

The new Chamber chief said he will also prioritise the plan for the old Grand Canal Harbour site in Tullamore and identified it as an ideal location for remote workings hubs.

He stressed one of his key initiatives for the coming year is the establishment of a new retail group to assist with the relaunch of the town for the post-Covid era.

Mr Hanniffy, who grew up on a farm at Endrim near Ferbane, has been involved with the Chamber for the past number of years and succeeds outgoing President, Roger Guiney who steered the business group through the choppy waters of the Covid pandemic.

He moved to Tullamore in 2006 and three years later he joined ACETECH which has grown from a small workshop operation to a global organisations with an annual turnover in excess of 10 million and employing 50 staff in the town.

A Chartered Accountant, Mr Hanniffy is married to Sinead, who works in Tullamore Credit Union, and the couple have four children, Orla, Emer, Sarah and Cian.

Mr Hanniffy, speaking at the AGM held on zoom, said it was a great honour to be the incoming President of such a great organisation. I have been part of the Executive for the past four years and through it there has been nothing only positive things for myself and the company that I work for.

He paid tribute to the three past Presidents he has served under, Niall Mulligan, Anne Starling and Roger Guiney, each of whom, he said, had a major influence on him.

The new Chamber chief also thanked those members of the executive who had stepped down  Rena Lynam, Maurice Conway, Noel McCann, Karen Flanagan and Gerry Buckley and welcomed new executive members Ciaran Stewart, Supermacs; Ronan Berry, Midlands 103 and Polar Ice; Caroline Collins, Tullamore Credit Union and Barry Kilroy, General Manager of the Bridge House Hotel.

Mr Hanniffy also welcomed John Leavy on board as his Deputy President and said the Centra operator has played a key role in the Team Tullamore and Christmas Lights projects over the past number of years.

Looking to the future he said: This town finds itself in the midst of an event that has been unbelievable in scale. I dont want to go on too much about the negatives  we hear them everyday but rather focus on where we are at and plan for the future. There is no doubting that this has been catastrophic especially for our retail colleagues. I can only say that were nearing the end and were all looking forward to getting out and about and supporting you going forward.

He predicted there is no doubt that working in Ireland is going to change substantially over the next few years. I fully believe that remote working is going to become the norm. By remote working I dont always mean working from home but working from serviced hubs with up to date modern facilities. I think that the towns that plan for this will move ahead and the towns that keep their heads in the sand will continue to fall behind. I believe that Tullamore is ideally situated to take advantage of this. By the end of my term I would like to see a strategy in place and being actioned to cater for this new norm. It wouldnt surprise me in the least if in 10 years time the biggest employers in Tullamore were some of the major tech giants that only a year ago we would have dreamed of them operating here.

The new President revealed the Chamber has been planning a new website for Tullamore and said he hoped it would be launched in the near future. Obviously the world has changed since we originally started planning this site so well have to move on and cater for our present circumstances.

Continued Mr Hanniffy: It is one of my key items for the year to setup a new Retail group to assist us with the relaunch of the town after Covid. I was watching the UK news this morning and it was great to see people getting haircuts, people having a few drinks and out and about doing some shopping. Were not too far away and whilst it will be slow & steady to start with I think that closer to the end of the year well be able to fully relaunch. I would like to see a executable plan around this  well need to spend some monies around this but I think that itll be a great investment into our town.

There is no doubt that the present circumstances have been challenging and some of these challenges are going to persist. The growth in on-line shopping has been fueled during this pandemic. Going forward we are going to have to challenge our beliefs and work in ways that would have been alien to us only a year or two ago. Businesses are going to have to work together to keep / attract customers to our town. It might be alien to some that if there is a product / service that they cannot offer that they refer the customer onto a competitor but thats what well all have to do to keep consumers in our town rather than driving them to other towns or to online. It is my intention that the Chamber will act as a facilitator of greater business co-operation and hopefully with the seeds we sow this will become a part of everyday business life and Im sure our town will thrive on it.

Mr Hanniffy stressed businesses will also have to be adaptive  in fairness most have with the example of development of click and collect services, but innovation will need to be considered on an annual basis rather than during a time of crisis. I mention innovation as it is something that we in ACETECH embrace  over two thirds of our workforce in Tullamore are engaged in R&D activities. We feel that this approach is going to set us up as a business for many more years to come.

The new Chamber President also issued a call on the young business people of Tullamore and its surrounds to join the body.

I think that this will serve two purposes  for the Chamber to give us a lead and bring new ideas and energy to the table. And also for the individuals as a networking and social aspect. Going forward with remote working becoming more common this will be vital to keep these young people engaged.

Turning to the charity sector in Tullamore, Mr Hanniffy congratulated Chamber colleague James OConnor on the great work he has done with ACT. I would urge all businesses that if they can spare a few bob if they could show some support to our amazing charities, he added.

Concluding Mr Hanniffy promised his role is not to be a dictator but to bring everyone together to generate ideas.

 I fully believe that the only thing that is going to hold us back is a lack of ambition and vision. We shouldnt be afraid of the size of tasks and projects. Im looking forward to working with you all and Im sure with the great group that weve drawn together there are many successes ahead for our wonderful town.
Amazon is in the process of setting up another last-mile distribution centre in Winnipeg after announcing its first one in October.

Amazon is in the process of setting up another last-mile distribution centre in Winnipeg after announcing its first one in October.

Construction is underway at the old Coldstream building at 1001 Regent Ave. W. and according to the City of Winnipegs listing of construction-related building permits, Amazons name is on a number of jobs related to that property.

When that building was listed for sale a few years ago it was characterized as a 160,000-square-foot building.

But one Winnipeg real estate professional said that part of the building was taken down and the permits includes one for "partial demolition (including) removal of 3,379 square metres including two sections of the building".

Although Amazon officials did not respond to requests for comment and a number of real estate professionals have signed non-disclosure agreements, it is not the best-kept secret. There have been several mentions of the project on social media and elsewhere.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Amazon has been on a torrid pace opening distribution and fulfilment centres around the world, perhaps as many as 100 last year and just as many scheduled around the world for this year.

When Amazon announced its first Winnipeg distribution centre  in a 113,000-square-foot building on Plymouth Street in the Inkster Industrial Park -- there was plenty of chatter that the company was not finished in Winnipeg.

At the Innovation and Economic Development Committee at City Hall on Monday, Dayna Spiring, the CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg, said EDW was supporting "two Amazon distribution facilities."

"This is great news for our airports growth in cargo and also solidifies our central location advantage," she said.

The company has been on a torrid pace opening distribution and fulfilment centres around the world, perhaps as many as 100 last year and just as many scheduled around the world for this year.

In September it announced that it would be building two fulfilment centres creating 2,500 jobs -- and five distribution location in southern Ontario. That would bring the number of larger fulfilment centres to 16 in Canada. Those larger operations in Hamilton and Ajax are 855,000- and one-million-square feet respectively. A distribution centre in Nova Scotia has also been reported in the past week.

"They seem to be moving in and planning to have a good investment in the community. Anytime we have that, it is a welcome thing especially given the potential longterm effects of COVID."  Transcona councillor Shawn Nason

Sources say that the Transcona operation  like the one in Inkster Industrial Park  will likely create around 300 jobs split about half and half between inside workers and independent contractor delivery people.

Amazons strategy is to locate the centres in areas that would allow for delivery times of between 35 and 40 minutes and to be situated close to customers and a potential work force.

Shawn Nason, the Winnipeg city councillor who represents Transcona, acknowledged that he has spoken to Amazon officials and is excited about the development in his ward.

"They seem to be moving in and planning to have a good investment in the community," Nason said. "Anytime we have that, it is a welcome thing especially given the potential long-term effects of COVID."

There are already job postings for operations manager and human resources business partner, presumably for the new centre.

"I do look forward to them joining our community," Nason said. "I look forward to the opportunities that our local business may see... and to our residents for employment."

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Construction is underway at the old Coldstream building at 1001 Regent Ave. W.

According to past discussions with provincial government officials, the province tries to encourage large retailers and distributors to consider setting up distribution operations in the city because of assets like CentrePort, the presence of a number of large trucking firms and a 24-hour airport that is able to accommodate increasing cargo plane traffic.

Amazon has been in the news lately about workplace conditions at some of its large distribution centres. Workers at one location in Alabama recently voted against forming a union and two fulfilment centres in Ontario were partially closed over the weekend by health officials to control COVID-19 outbreaks at those workplaces.

After the union battle in Alabama, company founder Jeff Bezos acknowledged that Amazon has to do better for its workers and vowed to make Amazon a safer place to work.

Bezos made the promise two weeks ago in his annual letter to shareholders. He said he didnt take comfort in the outcome of the recent union election in Bessemer, Alabama, even though workers there overwhelmingly rejected a union.

"I think we need to do a better job for our employees," said Bezos, who will be stepping down as CEO later this year and will become executive chair of the online shopping giant.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca

- with files from Joyanne Pursaga and Associated Press
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The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has announced the reinstatement of the institutions Students Union activities.

This was made known in a statement by the Dean, Division of Student Affairs, Isiaka Aransi, on Tuesday.

The decision is coming four years after its proscribed the students body, citing security reasons.

As a follow up to the Senate approval at its meeting held on Friday, 16 April 2021 and the Vice-Chancellors commitment to reinstate the suspended Students Union, the Dean of the Division of Student Affairs hereby request the Dean of each Faculty to immediately organise a Faculty wide election to select two student representatives to serve as members of Electoral and Petition Commission that will midwife the new Students Union Executive members.

This is expected to be done between today, 26 April 2021 and 31 May, 2021. We hereby implore the Dean of each Faculty to kindly make this arrangement in the interest of a credible and peaceful transition into a mature Students Union government in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

While soliciting for the required attention to this memo, the Division of Student Affairs appreciate the anticipated cooperation of all concerned, Mr Aransi said in his state.

Background

The management of OAU in 2017 suspended union activities on the argument that it had plunged the school into embarrassment following students incessant protests.

Since then, the students had lacked a body to engage the management on their behalf in the event of concerns over poor delivery of services.

Reacting to the reinstatement, the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in South-west Zone said they were elated that the management adhered to the agreement reached at the meeting between the Zonal body and the Division of Students Affairs alongside the Chief Security Officer of the University on April 14.

The coordinator of the students, Kowe Amos, said at the meeting, it was agreed upon that the University management through the DSA shall communicate to each faculty head in meeting the recommendation of the zonal body that students should be made to elect those that will constitute the Electoral Commission and Petition that will usher in a new leadership of the Students Union in fulfilling the principle of participatory democracy.

Reading through the content of the letter that was issued a few minutes ago, we make bold to say that the University management is really determined to restore Union activities as agreed upon.

On a final note, we call on the students of the university to sustain the tradition and principle of Great Ife Students Union which are; equality, solidarity and fraternity.
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- My Alarm Center ("MAC"), a leading provider of residential security, is proud to celebrate Megan Hubbard's recognition in this year's "40 under 40" class by Security System News. Hubbard has been with the Company for almost 15 years and currently serves as Dealer and Compliance Manager, reporting to Elizabeth Blair, Vice President of Compliance and Dealer Relations.

Hubbard joined the Company in 2006 as a temporary, part-time employee in the Records department. After her first summer with the Company, she was offered a permanent position and excelled as a dealer relations and security industry expert. In her role as Dealer and Compliance Manager, she is responsible as the liaison between the Company's dealer partners and internal teams, focused on ensuring successful relationships and facilitating communication. She also oversees the Company's nationwide permitting process, researching regulations and adhering to ordinance and enforcement changes. At MAC, Hubbard communicates and works effectively with all of MAC's internal departments, supporting their staff and serving their customers. In the article, Hubbard says of her role, "It isn't hard to want to work in an industry where the mission is simple, but also so rewarding; keeping people and the places that matter to them most protected. On a personal level, it has been inspiring to work around so many strong and accomplished women at ACA, who are truly leaders in the industry."

Elizabeth Blair, Vice President of Compliance and Dealer Relations, commented on the achievement, saying, "Megan has worked on my team for almost ten years, and she never ceases to impress. Megan is bright and motivated and devotes herself to the Company with a high degree of diligence and perseverance. She is responsible, accountable, and just an absolute pleasure to work with." During her career at My Alarm Center, Hubbard has received other recognitions, including the Alarm Capital Alliance award for Attitude, Character, and Accountability and has also won multiple Above and Beyond awards. Hubbard graduated Magna Cum Laude from Temple University in 2010 with a BA Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business Studies and was a Kappa Tau Alpha Honor Society member.

To read the article about Megan Hubbard in this year's "40 Under 40" please visit: https://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/40-under-40-megan-hubbard-alarm-capital-alliance.

About My Alarm Center

My Alarm Center is a leading provider of security and smart home automation to residential and small business customers throughout the United States. With a primary focus on providing best-in-class security and alarm monitoring, My Alarm Center offers a range of services to help protect customers. In addition to intrusion, fire and carbon monoxide protection, My Alarm Center delivers smart home integration, expanding security services to a total lifestyle solutionand keeping customers connected to home and family from anywhere. Ranked as the 7th largest residential security provider in the United States, regional brands for My Alarm Center include Hawk Security Services in Texas, ACS Security in Los Angeles, Alarm Monitoring Service Of Atlanta (AMSA), and My Alarm Center in WA, PA, NJ, and DE. For more information, visit www.myalarmcenter.com.

CONTACT: Maddie Haurin

Vice President, Marketing

(610) 872-4800 ext. 8600

[email protected]

SOURCE My Alarm Center
As many as over 1.27 million investors of PACL Ltd, with a claim of up to Rs10,000, have received more than Rs438 crore, says market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

The Justice Lodha committee is supervising the SC-ordered process of selling PACL's assets across the country and refunding Rs49,100 crore collected from over 55 million investors.

"As on 31 March 2021, the committee has successfully effected refunds in respect of 12,70,849 eligible applications (with claims up to Rs10,000) aggregating to Rs 438.34 crore," SEBI says.

SEBIs investigations had earlier revealed that PACL, which had raised money from the public in the name of agriculture and real estate businesses, collected more than Rs60,000 crore through illegal collective investment schemes (CISs) over 18 years. Moneylife had extensively reported on the PACL scam and you can read it here

In February 2019, a committee headed by retired justice Lodha had initiated the process of refunds in phases for investors, who had invested in PACL. PACL (or Pearls) is one of the largest Ponzi schemes in India which had been allowed to run for decades amassing over Rs60,000 crore. The committee had asked PACL investors to submit online applications for refund.

The Lodha committee has been processing applications received from investors in a phased manner, slab-wise and, currently, applications with claim amount up to Rs10,000 have been processed and payments have been made in respect of eligible claim applications.

The documents uploaded by the PACL investors are verified and then payment amount is calculated, applications processed and subsequently payments are processed.

The committee had also granted investors, having claims up to Rs10,000 and whose applications were found deficient, an opportunity to check status/ deficiencies in their applications and rectify the errors so that the applications could be processed till 31 March 2021.

Now, the opportunity to rectify errors in the claim applications is not available and investors may await further notification from the committee in this regard, SEBI says.

Further, SEBI says, "The applications where investors have indicated marked land allotted field as 'Yes' or where land has been allotted to the investor as per records provided by PACL, have been kept on hold and will be taken up for consideration at a later stage.

SEBI also clarified that the processing of cases where 'deferred/ endorsed' has been mentioned on the PACL certificate has been kept on hold.

The mobilisation of funds by PACL goes back prior to 1997. Upon receipt of a complaint, SEBI on 30 November 1999 and 10 December 1999 issued letters asking PACL to comply with the provisions of the collective investment scheme (CIS) regulations.

In September 2018, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed a charge-sheet against PACL and its chief Nirmal Singh Bhangoo in connection with a Ponzi scam involving over Rs49,100 crore, which was collected allegedly by two companies from millions of investors. The ED, which started the probe after lodging an first information report (FIR) in 2015 based on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s case, had, in January 2018, attached Australia-based assets of the Pearls group and Mr Bhangoo worth Rs472 crore.

Mr Bhangoo, his companies PACL and Pearls Golden Forest Ltd (PGFL), as well as several thousands of his commission agents were accused of cheating 55 million investors on the pretext of sale and development of agriculture land.

The companies made false allotments of land to investors. However, the companies never owned any land in their own name.

Mr Bhangoo and his companies promised the investors that allotment would be done on their investment between 90 and 270 days and, if not, handsome returns would be paid.
A former Sinn Fein councillor has been charged at the Special Criminal Court with the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016.

Mr Byrne was shot dead at the hotel in Swords, Co Dublin, in February 2016 after five men, three disguised as armed gardai, stormed the building.

Mr Jonathan Dowdall (43), a former north inner city councillor, with an address at Navan Road, Cabra, Dublin 9, appeared at the brief hearing this morning when the registrar read the single charge to him.

Mr Dowdall is charged with the murder of David Byrne, contrary to common law, at the Regency Hotel in Whitehall, north Dublin, on February 5, 2016.

Mr Dowdall appeared in the court after meeting with detectives in the body of the court this morning where he was charged with the murder.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt remanded Mr Dowdall in custody to June 14 for service of the Book of Evidence.

His father, Patrick Dowdall, is already before the court alongside two co-accused charged with involvement in the murder.

Patrick Dowdall (64) with an address at Navan Road, Cabra, Dublin 7, is accused of participating in or contributing to activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit the murder of David Byrne, by making a room available at the Regency Hotel, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 for that criminal organisation or its members, within the State on February 4, 2016.

Co-accused Paul Murphy (59) is charged with supplying logistical support to a six-man team suspected of carrying out the murder on February 15, 2016.

He is charged with participating in or contributing to activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit the murder of David Byrne, by providing access to individual motor vehicles to that criminal organisation or its members, within the State on February 5, 2016.

Finally, Jason Bonney (50), of Drumnigh Wood, Portmarnock, Dublin 13, is charged with participating in or contributing to activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit the murder of David Byrne, by providing access to individual motor vehicles to that criminal organisation or its members, within the State on February 5, 2016.
Blue Origin, the space rocket company backed by billionaire Jeff Bezos, is formally challenging the $2.9 billion moon lander contract awarded by NASA to rival Elon Musk's SpaceX.

The two richest men in the world have been sparring in a tightly fought global space race, vying for contracts from government agencies and businesses.

Blue Origin said on Monday it had filed a protest with the federal Government Accountability Office, accusing NASA of moving the goalposts for contract bidders at the last minute.

Musk fired back with a tweet that said: "Can`t get it up (to orbit) lol."

He did not elaborate on the tweet but pasted a screenshot of a 2019 report about Bezos unveiling Blue Origin`s moon lander on the same Twitter thread.

Blue Origin has fallen far behind SpaceX and United Launch Alliance (ULA) on orbital transportation, losing out on billions of dollars worth of US national security launch contracts that begin in 2022. ULA is a joint venture of Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp.

The company was dealt another blow earlier this month, when NASA awarded SpaceX the contract to build a spaceship to deliver astronauts to the moon as early as 2024, choosing Musk`s company over Blue Origin and defense contractor Dynetics Inc.

The sought-after project aims to put humans back on the moon for the first time since 1972.

"NASA has executed a flawed acquisition for the Human Landing System program and moved the goalposts at the last minute," Blue Origin said in an emailed statement.

"Their decision eliminates opportunities for competition, significantly narrows the supply base, and not only delays but also endangers America`s return to the moon. Because of that, we`ve filed a protest with the GAO."

Musk's SpaceX bid alone while Amazon.com founder Bezos` Blue Origin partnered with Lockheed Martin Corp, Northrop Grumman Corp, and Draper.

The filing of the 50-page protest by Blue Origin was reported earlier by the New York Times.

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India on Tuesday reported a net increase of 68,546 in active cases to take its count to 2,882,204. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 15.41 per cent (one in 6). The country is second among the most affected countries by active cases. On Tuesday, it added 323,144 cases to take its total caseload to 17,636,307. Among the most affected states and Union Territories, Delhi on Monday say its test positivity rate zooming to over 40 per cent, implying that more than one in every three people tested in the city turned out to be positive. And, with 2,771 new fatalities, Indias Covid-19 reached 197,894, or 1.12 per cent of total confirmed infections.

With 3,359,963 more Covid-19 vaccine doses being administered on Monday, Indias total count of vaccine shots so far reached 145,271,186. The count of recovered cases across India, meanwhile, reached 14,556,209  or 82.54 per cent of total caseload  with 251,827 new cured cases being reported on Tuesday.
Australia on Tuesday suspended all direct passenger flights from India for the next three weeks due to the unprecedented spike in COVID-19 cases, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

The pause on arrivals would be reassessed before May 15, Morrison said.

The decision was taken during a meeting of Cabinet's national security committee to consider the move to temporarily restrict flights from India along with what equipment and assistance could be sent.

The flight suspension is expected to affect direct flights to Sydney and two repatriation flights scheduled to arrive in Darwin, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

There are about 9,000 Australians in India who are registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as wanting to return home, the report said.

India is struggling with a second wave of the pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported in the past few days, and hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds. On Monday, the country recorded 3,52,991 cases on Monday, the highest so far.

Also read: Second COVID-19 wave: Italy imposes travel ban on India to avert spread of new variant

Also read: United Airlines resumes flights from Delhi to US

Also read: COVID-19 surge: Iran bans flights from India, Pakistan

Also read: Second COVID-19 wave: List of countries that have banned flights from India
An international team of scientists has recovered and analyzed partial mitochondrial genomes from 1,300-1,400-year-old specimens of Voay robustus, a recently extinct species of horned crocodile that lived in Madagascar. Their results indicate that this endemic represented the sister lineage to true crocodiles (Crocodylus) and that the ancestor of modern crocodiles likely originated in Africa.

The arrival of modern humans in Madagascar between 9,000 and 2,500 years ago preceded the extinction of much of the islands vertebrate megafauna including giant tortoises, elephant birds that ranged to enormous size, dwarf hippos, and several lemur species.

One lesser-known extinction that occurred during this period was the demise of Voay robustus.

Early explorers to the island noted that Malagasy peoples consistently referred to two types of living crocodiles on the island, a large robust crocodile and a more gracile form with a preference for rivers.

This suggests that both types persisted until very recently, but only the gracile form, now recognized as an isolated population of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), is currently found on the island.

Voay robustus was hiding out on the island of Madagascar during the time when people were building the pyramids and was probably still there when pirates were getting stranded on the island, said Dr. Evon Hekkala, a researcher at Fordham University and the American Museum of Natural History.

They blinked out just before we had the modern genomic tools available to make sense of the relationships of living things. And yet, they were the key to understanding the story of all the crocodiles alive today.

Despite nearly 150 years of investigation, the position of Voay robustus in the tree of life has remained controversial.

In 1872, French naturalists Alfred Grandidier and Leon Vaillant described it as a new species and placed it within the true crocodile group, which includes the Nile, Asian, and American crocodiles.

Then, in the early part of the 20th century, it was thought that the specimens simply represented very old Nile crocodiles.

And finally, in 2007, a study based on physical characteristics of the fossil specimens concluded that the horned crocodile was actually not a true crocodile, but in the group that includes dwarf crocodiles.

Teasing apart the relationships of modern crocodiles is really difficult because of the physical similarities, Dr. Hekkala said.

Many people dont even realize that there are multiple species of crocodiles, and they see them as this animal thats unchanging through time. But weve been trying to get to the bottom of the great diversity that exists among them.

To fully examine the place of Voay robustus in the evolutionary tree, Dr. Hekkala and her colleagues made a number of attempts to sequence mitochondrial DNA from fossil specimens.

This project weve tried to do on and off for many years, but the technology just hadnt advanced enough, so it always failed, said Dr. George Amato, emeritus director of the Institute for Comparative Genomics at the American Museum of Natural History.

But in time, we had both the computational setup and the paleogenomic protocols that could actually fish out this DNA from the fossil and finally find a home for this species.

The results place Voay robustus right next to the true crocodile branch of the evolutionary tree, making it the closest species to the common ancestor of the crocodiles alive today.

This finding was surprising and also very informative to how we think about the origin of the true crocodiles found around the tropics today, Dr. Amato said.

The placement of this individual suggests that true crocodiles originated in Africa and from there, some went to Asia and some went to the Caribbean and the New World. We really needed the DNA to get the correct answer to this question.

The results appear in the journal Communications Biology.

_____

E. Hekkala et al. 2021. Paleogenomics illuminates the evolutionary history of the extinct Holocene horned crocodile of Madagascar, Voay robustus. Commun Biol 4, 505; doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-02017-0
In a normal year, Dupont resident John Cardoni would have had the honor of accompanying U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright to President Joe Bidens joint address to Congress on Wednesday.

But, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cardoni will be Cartwrights virtual guest for Bidens speech to mark his 100th day in office.

Cartwright, D-8, Moosic, said he would honor Cardoni by submitting his story into the Congressional Record and presenting him with a copy.

At the onset of the pandemic, Cardoni was laid off from his job as facility director for the Scranton Cultural Center. He has since been brought back part time, got his COVID-19 vaccine and credits the Cartwright-backed American Rescue Plan with helping him keep up with expenses.

(One hundred) days into our work with this administration, we are finally turning a corner in our fight against this pandemic. Were not out of the woods yet, but we are making important strides with the American Rescue Plan helping to deliver shots in arms, money in pockets, children in schools and people in jobs, Cartwright said. So many Americans have experiences from this pandemic like John does. Americans like him are the true heroes of this recovery, and I am proud to name him as my virtual guest to the presidential address.

Cardoni said stimulus payments and enhanced unemployment assistance from the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan helped him and his wife keep up with their mortgage and meet out-of-pocket medical expenses in recent months.

It wasnt easy going from having a steady salary for so long to being suddenly laid off overnight. Fortunately, the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan made it possible for us and the Scranton Cultural Center to survive, Cardoni said. Now that most of the administrative staff and I at the center are on their way to being fully vaccinated, Im optimistic we will again be the vibrant cultural hub that we were before the pandemic. Im grateful for the work Congressman Cartwright is doing for our area and Im honored to be his virtual guest for the presidents joint session speech.

Cardoni plans to watch the speech at home in Dupont.
Farmers markets help Stohrs introduce goat dairy products to SD

Stohr Diary invests in the dairy goat industry. Helps grow awareness to the benefits of goat dairy within South Dakota.
This article was updated at 8:13 p.m. with comment from attorney Tyrone Bynum.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  The Grand Rapids police officer who punched a man seven times in the head during a struggle wrote in his report that he feared the man was reaching for his service pistol and would have used it to shoot officers.

Diabate Hood, 25, was punched multiple times in his head on March 26 after a traffic stop for littering, according to a Grand Rapids police report. Hood, who is Black, was allegedly tugging on Officer Michael Reeds duty belt and then his service pistol holster, the report said.

If Hood was successful in taking my gun, he would have likely shot and one of us, Reed wrote in his March 27 police report.

To try and stop this, I delivered what I believe was 5-6 straight punches to the right side of Hoods face  I struck around his eye socket and I believe his lips  I stopped striking him when I saw one of his hands covering his face and I knew he was no longer trying to take my firearm.

Related: Body camera video shows Grand Rapids police officer punching man after traffic stop

Upon hearing the first half of the quote, Hoods attorney Tyrone Bynum said he didnt want to hear any more.

I cant even listen to you anymore, Bynum said. Thats a bald-face lie, youll see it in the tapes. The fact is, if you watch the tapes, he never reached for anyones gun.

Body camera footage of the officer punching the man during the March 26 traffic stop surfaced a week ago and has since made national headlines. Police pulled the car over for littering, as one of the passengers tossed what appeared to be a wad of napkins out of the car when it was parked, according to the police report.

Police spotted the alleged littering while conducting surveillance in the 100 block of Hall Street SW as part of Operation: Safe Neighborhoods, an effort to stop crime and get illegal guns off the streets.

Many violent crimes have recently occurred in the parking lot and the general area of 110 Hall Street SW, a report said.

In all, four guns were confiscated during the stop. In addition to Hood, two people were arrested. Hood was the only one to struggle with police.

In an April 21 press release addressing the incident, Grand Rapids Police Department officials said Hood was trying to disarm an officer and that force was deemed necessary to stop the threat and get him handcuffed.

I could feel what Im certain was Hoods hand grabbing my holster, Reed wrote in his report.

Two angles of the body camera footage reviewed by MLive/The Grand Rapids Press offered no clear picture of whether Hood was reaching for Reeds gun. The video does show Reeds hand reach back, touching his gun holster, just before he begins punching Hood.

In the video, an officer states he felt like Hood was grabbing for his gun. Another officer responded: Well, he was grabbing at your side, I guess.

In his report, Sgt. Sean McCamman stated he saw Hood reaching for and grabbing at Reeds gun belt, which he noted holds Reeds firearm, Taser and more.

When a Black man is getting the hell beat out of him and does what is naturally instinctive, Bynum said. He was trying to put his hand up over his face. But if a white cop says, Oh he was trying to grab my gun, or, He was resisting, everyone takes it as thats what he was doing. Who in their right mind is going to pull out a gun with eight or nine cops right there?

After punching Hood, Reed looked down and saw his pistol was still in the holster, he wrote. Hood was still fighting the three officers and allegedly pulled the hair of another officer, the report says.

A sergeant yelled at Hood Dont pull his hair! which is how Officer Justin Kotecki knew Hood was doing it, he wrote in his report. Kotecki then used both hands to perform a hypoglossal pressure point, the report said.

The pressure point is used to gain compliance, Sgt. John Wittkowski said in an email. Beyond that he said, GRPD has no additional information to release.

During the pressure point maneuver Hood stated he could not breathe, Kotecki noted in his report. Kotecki wrote he could see Hood actively breathing, his airway was unobstructed and the pressure was not being directed at his trachea.

Reed was able to put Hoods right arm behind his back and then put handcuffs on him. A pistol dropped from Hoods waist as he was walked away, Reed wrote.

Bynum said he watched about 20 different body camera perspectives from police after Hood was handcuffed and he hasnt seen a single one that shows the gun belonged to Hood.

Reed then wrote his flashlight was on the ground. He said he keeps it on the left side of his body, where he felt Hood tugging, and that the flashlight is stiff in its holster and doesnt fall out on its own.

No ambulance was requested because Hood said he did not want one and McCamman said he did not see a need for one, according to his report.

Hood still has issues with balance and vision, which is common with head injuries, Bynum said.

A GRPD officer can be heard in body camera footage telling Hood, Youre lucky youre not dead.

Reed has destroyed his credibility by lying and saying the Hood reached for his gun, Bynum said. He said every case Reed has been involved in needs to be reevaluated.

That is a lie, Bynum said. You can watch the film. Theres nothing to indicate my client reached for his gun or reached for a gun.

Related: Its very, very disturbing: Community leaders call for discipline after police officer punches man 7 times

Bynum said he will file complaints with the city of Grand Rapids, the U.S Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Civil Rights over the stop, after he has all of the evidence.

Some community leaders have called for Police Chief Eric Payne discipline one or more of the officers involved in the stop.

Hood is scheduled for a preliminary examination May 27 in Grand Rapids 61st District Court. He is charged with attempting to disarm a police officer, carrying a concealed weapon and resisting arrest.

Read more:

Grand Rapids apartment proposal draws pushback over displacement of antique shops

Grand Rapids puts $62K toward nine community projects celebrating culture, assisting youth

Grand Rapids extends application window for youth summer jobs program
15 million EBRD loan to support Uludag, one of Turkeys leading soft drinks producer

R&D investments to enhance product quality and support growth

Uludag a long-standing EBRD client in Turkey

Uludag, one of Turkeys leading beverage producers, will expand its operations with a 15 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The loan will finance research and development (R&D) investments that will enhance the companys competitiveness at home and abroad.

A firm with a century-long history, Uludag is run by the third and fourth generations of the founding family. It operates two modern facilities in Turkeys northwestern province of Bursa where it bottles soft drinks and mineral water. Named after a picturesque nearby mountain, Uludag is a household name in Turkey but also popular abroad, including in the Middle East and North Africa and in Central Asia.

Committed to continuous modernisation, Uludag will use the EBRD loan to invest in R&D and production upgrades, in working capital needs and in the refinancing of short-term debt. The new funds will also help the company boost its export potential and emerge stronger from the coronavirus pandemic.

The EBRD has previously provided a 30 million loan to Uludag. Enhancing the competitiveness of successful Turkish companies is among the Banks priorities in Turkey.

The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Turkey and to date has invested almost 13.5 billion in the country through about 340 projects, with 96 per cent of these in the private sector. In 2021, the Bank will focus on investments that support a sustainable and inclusive post Covid-19 recovery.
A California legislator has come under fire this month for saying that being told she has to wear a mask is comparable to Rosa Parks being forced to sit in the back of the bus.

Temecula council member Jessica Alexander made the comments in an April 13 virtual meeting; she compared her disagreement with public health measures to Parks civil rights struggle, as first reported by the Press-Enterprise.

I think something we can all understand and agree with is that look at Rosa Parks, she was accommodated to the back of the bus, but she finally took a stand and moved to the front, because she knew that that wasnt lawful ... It wasnt true, Alexander said, according to a video of the meeting posted on YouTube (watch at 2 hours, 55 minutes). So she took a stand. At what point in time do we? Im getting to the point in time where Im getting accommodated in my office. Im getting pushed to the back of the bus. This is what Im telling you I feel like. At what point in time do I come out and say enough is enough?

At the meeting, members discussed whether to begin meeting in person and if that would be with or without masks, especially after June 15 when Gov. Gavin Newsom has said the economy will be fully reopened and more restrictions lifted. They were split on how to proceed with meetings and some cited safety concerns and the need to follow public health guidelines, while others said in-person meetings would be hindered by masks.

Alexander made clear she will not put on a mask.

Local civil rights leaders have criticized Alexander for her remarks. Being asked to choose between wearing a mask or the privilege of sitting comfortably in your office during public meetings is not at all the same as the incredibly difficult sacrifices Rosa Parks and so many others made to fight for the rights to vote and live free of institutionalized segregation, Tisa Rodriguez, chairwoman of the Riverside County Democratic Party, told the Press-Enterprise.

Parks was an American activist who refused to give up her seat to a white man on a bus in Montgomery, Ala., in 1955. Her actions sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott led by the Baptist minister Martin Luther King, Jr.

Alexander didnt respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.

___

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Communications software and cloud infrastructure provider Symbio Networks has undertaken a major brand update, including a new logo, to reflect what it says is the companys Asia Pacific growth strategy and expanded product portfolio.

The brand update sees Symbio Networks shortened to Symbio, alongside an updated logo and website, in a strategic move to differentiate the companys capabilities from those of legacy telecom networks.

CEO of Symbio parent comany MNF Group, Rene Sugo, said: Customers no longer see us as just a local voice network operator. Thats where we started, but today, our product portfolio is much wider. Weve chosen to drop networks from our name to remove that limiting definition and showcase the platform for growth.

The update comes after the addition of a range of new products and capabilities, such as High Definition (HD) voice calling and API-powered number porting, which Symbio says have fuelled major customer wins and business growth.

Founded in 2002, Symbio has grown as a leading VoIP network operator in Australia and expanded into New Zealand in 2018, with the company saying its customers run from large global software vendors through to local telecom and ICT providers.

Sugo says that today, Symbios product portfolio spans multi-regional call termination, virtual phone numbers and white label voice, mobile and wholesale NBN services, and also provides APIs and online tools to streamline service delivery and service management.

Weve been working with communication innovators for almost 20 years. This brand update is a commitment to our customers that well be their trusted partner for the next 20 years. Our customers want to execute on opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, and well continue giving them the capabilities which help them do so said Sugo.

The rebrand, effective from Tuesday, is part of Symbios wider business strategy that the company says will focus on bringing the its communication software and cloud platforms to Southeast Asia and will include an official launch of its services offering in Singapore later this year.

The past 12 months have reiterated how critical reliable communications services are for business performance. The increased demand for IP communications presents an exciting opportunity for both local service providers, as well as global providers looking to enter this region, to benefit from the comprehensive range of solutions Symbio can offer, said Sugo.

Our main priority remains helping our customers compete and win in an increasingly competitive UCaaS market and enabling service providers to successfully deliver communication services at scale.
Antiseptic throat spray and a malarial drug were found to be effective in curbing the spread of coronavirus, reveals a new study.



The six-week long study, led by researchers from the National University Hospital (NUH) in Singapore, involved more than 3,000 migrant workers from India, Bangladesh, China and Myanmar living in Tuas South dormitory, the Channel News Asia reported.

Antiseptic Throat Spray and Malaria Drug may Curb the Spread of Covid-19



The results showed that among those who used throat spray thrice a day, only 46 percent contracted the disease. This is compared to 49 percent among those who took hydroxychloroquine and 70 percent who took vitamin C.



Povidone-iodine throat spray and oral hydroxychloroquine reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection among quarantined individuals living in a closed and high exposure setting.

International Journal of Infectious Diseases, the report said.



"We concluded that povidone-iodine throat spray was associated with a statistically significant reduction in infection by an absolute risk of reduction of 24 percent while oral hydroxychloroquine was associated with a statistically significant reduction in infection by an absolute risk of reduction of 21 percent," lead author Raymond Seet, Associate Professor at the NUH was quoted as saying.



However, the researchers stressed that the drugs are not meant to be used for Covid-19 prevention in the general community if it is a lower-risk setting, the report said.



"This is a very simple intervention with virtually minimal side effects where we could actually cut the transmission rates in a meaningful way," Mikael Hartman, Associate Professor from the NUH was quoted as saying.



"This is the first study to demonstrate the benefits of prophylactic, or preventive therapy with either oral hydroxychloroquine or povidone-iodine throat spray in reducing SARS-CoV-2 infection among quarantined individuals living in a closed and high exposure setting," Seet said.







Source: IANS The two drugs were chosen because they are easily available, said Seet, adding that they protect the throat, the "key entry" for viruses. A The findings are published in thethe report said."We concluded that povidone-iodine throat spray was associated with a statistically significant reduction in infection by an absolute risk of reduction of 24 percent while oral hydroxychloroquine was associated with a statistically significant reduction in infection by an absolute risk of reduction of 21 percent," lead author Raymond Seet, Associate Professor at the NUH was quoted as saying.However, the researchers stressed that the drugs are not meant to be used for Covid-19 prevention in the general community if it is a lower-risk setting, the report said."This is a very simple intervention with virtually minimal side effects where we could actually cut the transmission rates in a meaningful way," Mikael Hartman, Associate Professor from the NUH was quoted as saying."This is the first study to demonstrate the benefits of prophylactic, or preventive therapy with either oral hydroxychloroquine or povidone-iodine throat spray in reducing SARS-CoV-2 infection among quarantined individuals living in a closed and high exposure setting," Seet said.Source: IANS The results showed that among those who used throat spray thrice a day, only 46 percent contracted the disease. This is compared to 49 percent among those who took hydroxychloroquine and 70 percent who took vitamin C.

Recommended Reading Shift Working: New COVID-19 Risk Factor People who work shifts are at an increased risk to end up in hospital with COVID-19 than people who have regular work patterns. READ MORE Smokers and Vegetarians: You are 'Less' Vulnerable to Covid-19 Smokers and vegetarians are less likely to contract Covid-19 infection. Smoking may be protective due to its role in increasing the mucous production and vegetarian food rich in fiber may have a role to play in providing immunity against COVID-19 ... READ MORE Multivitamins Put Women at Lower Risk of Covid-19 Taking supplements like multivitamins, omega-3, probiotics or vitamin D may lessen the risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in women. READ MORE Obese People More at Risk for Severe Covid-19 Covid-19 patients who are overweight or obese are more likely to be more at risk for severe infection. Also, they require oxygen and invasive mechanical ventilation more often. READ MORE Difficulty in Swallowing or Lump in the Throat (Dysphagia) Symptom What are types of lumps in throat and what causes them? Can they be a sign or symptom of something more sinister? Understand these lumps better. READ MORE Drug Toxicity Drug toxicity is an adverse reaction of the body towards a drug that results as a side effect of a drug, reaction to a drug or drug abuse. READ MORE Drugs Banned in India Several drugs are either banned or withdrawn after introduction in the market. READ MORE Fever Fever or Pyrexia is an elevation in normal body temperature. Causes of fever include infections, injury, cancers, inflammation, hormonal, metabolic and genetic diseases. READ MORE Laryngeal Cancer Laryngeal cancer is also called cancer of the larynx or throat cancer or laryngeal carcinoma. It usually affects men over the age of 55 years. READ MORE Malaria Malaria is caused by a parasite that enters blood through the bite of an infected mosquito. It is characterized by fever, vomiting, shivering, sweating and other symptoms. READ MORE Mosquito Diseases Mosquito-borne diseases, like malaria, filaria, dengue, etc are common in places conducive of mosquito breeding. Swamps, ponds and stagnated drainage provide optimal breeding ground for mosquitoes. READ MORE Strep Throat Strep Throat is a bacterial infection caused by Group A beta hemolytic streptococci. It affects most commonly infants and elderly people but adults and older children can also be affected. READ MORE
More than 200 employees at publisher Simon & Schuster have signed a petition calling on the company to stop publishing books by authors connected to former president Donald Trump.

Employees handed over the petition to executives on Monday. The petition demands that Simon & Schuster not publish a memoir by former vice president Mike Pence. A letter aimed at senior leadership asks that the publishing house doesnt treat the Trump administration as a normal chapter in American history, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Aware of the then-circulating petition, chief executive Jonathan Karp sent a letter internally at the company shooting down the demands last week.

The 216 employees who signed the petition make up about 14 per cent of the companys workforce. According to the letter sent with the petition, it has 3,500 outside supporters with several prominent writers of colour among them.

The letter and petition were sent to Mr Karp and Dana Canedy, who succeeded Mr Karp as publisher in July 2020.

The petition argued that Mr Pence has pushed for racist, sexist, and anti-LGBTQ+ policies. The appeal included a call for Simon & Schuster to end its distribution agreement with Post Hill Press, which publishes conservative books.

Post Hill Press publisher Anthony Ziccardi told The Wall Street Journal: Were proud of our publishing program, thats what were focused on.

The petition highlights the tightrope some publishers walk, balancing releasing books that hold commercial value, but which may also be politically sensitive. While publishers, in general, want to boost authors coming from different perspectives and espousing a range of views, they also want to avoid antagonising their workers and customers.

As one of the leaders in publishing books in the field of politics, Simon & Schuster last year published Live Free or Die by Fox News host Sean Hannity and The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir by former national security adviser John Bolton.

When pushing back on his employees demands last week, Mr Karp said in his internal letter that the purpose of the company includes publishing a diversity of voices and perspectives.

Former US vice president Mike Pence (AFP via Getty Images)

The letter from employees said: When S&S chose to sign Mike Pence, we broke the publics trust in our editorial process, and blatantly contradicted previous public claims in support of Black and other lives made vulnerable by structural oppression.

Simon & Schuster has chosen complicity in perpetuating white supremacy by publishing Mike Pence and continuing to distribute books for Post Hill Press, including predator Matt Gaetzs FIREBRAND, the employee statement said.

By choosing to publish Mike Pence, Simon & Schuster is generating wealth for a central figure of a presidency that unequivocally advocated for racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, anti-Blackness, xenophobia, misogyny, ableism, islamophobia, antisemitism, and violence. This is not a difference of opinions; this is legitimizing bigotry, they added.

A statement from Mr Karp said: We come to work each day to publish, not cancel, which is the most extreme decision a publisher can make.

Mr Pence signed a deal with Simon & Schuster earlier this month to publish two books, with the first expected to come out in 2023.

In a statement, Mr Pence said: I am grateful to have the opportunity to tell the story of my life in public service to the American people, adding that he will take readers on a journey from a small town in Indiana to Washington.

Ms Canedy said Mr Pences life and work, his journey as a Christian, the challenges and triumphs he has faced, and the lessons he has learned, tells an American story of extraordinary public service.

The Independent has reached out to Mr Pence for comment.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Lane County connects volunteers with children in situations of abuse and neglect. CASA's volunteers complete an extensive 10-week training, and work to prevent children from being re-abused by facilitating their move through the court and child protective services systems as quickly as possible into safe, permanent homes. CASA's over 200 volunteers each care for two children, meaning the organization reaches approximately 400 children in Lane County. PenFed donated $10,000 to CASA in support of its mission of providing a voice for abused and neglected children in Lane County, an area in Oregon with one of the highest rates of children in foster care.

"CASA of Lane County greatly appreciates the support from the employees of PenFed," said Heather Murphy, CASA's executive director. "As children emerge from the isolation of the last year, we anticipate a surge in requests for CASA advocacy. We have worked hard to prepare for this demand by training many new CASA volunteers who take cases from our waiting list as soon as they are sworn in. Thanks to the generosity of our community  including this wonderful gift from the employees of PenFed  we continue to grow and advocate for more vulnerable children."

United Way of Lane County (UWLC) is invested in the lives of Lane County's children and families, bringing people together to give, advocate, and volunteer. UWLC has been serving the Lane County community since 1946 through a variety of programs meant to create social change and impact the health, education, and financial stability of families. PenFed donated $5,000 to support one of UWLC's recent initiatives, which is to inspire a love of reading within the rural areas of Lane County. UWLC plans to use these funds to support 36 kids through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library , which provides free books on a monthly basis to children from birth to age 5. Today, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program spans five countries and gifts over 1 million free books each month to children around the world.

"Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a beloved program in our community, and we're so grateful for PenFed's contribution," said Noreen J. Dunnells, president and CEO of United Way of Lane County. "Thanks to these funds, more families will be able to enroll in the program, increasing the number of books in children's home libraries and helping nurture their love of reading. It takes all of us, working together, to really improve outcomes for kids in our communitiesthank you, PenFed, for investing in children's success."

Ophelia's Place is a prevention-based nonprofit organization based in Eugene that is dedicated to helping girls ages 10-18 make healthy life choices through empowerment, education and support. PenFed donated $5,000 to further the mission of Ophelia's Place to encourage a healthy community of girls in Eugene and ensure that all girls are safe, valued and empowered. Throughout the pandemic, Ophelia's Place was able to support girls with individual and group virtual counseling sessions, as well as creating a YouTube channel with videos of activities, crafts and lessons on self-care. Ophelia's Place has increased its reach after going virtual and now supports girls as far north as Vancouver, Washington.

"We are thrilled that the employees of PenFed Credit Union nominated Ophelia's Place for this incredibly generous gift," said Hadee Sabzalian, vice president of development at Ophelia's Place. "Creating space and offering resources for girls to explore interests, build healthy friendships, and learn the tools they need to be empowered is important work for every girl and their community. Empowered girls change the world, and it begins with partners like PenFed."

As of this month, PenFed's Eugene Service Center employees have completed 2,420 volunteer hours and donated $603,330 to charity since its founding in 1996.

About PenFed Credit Union

Established in 1935, Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) is America's second-largest federal credit union, serving over 2.2 million members worldwide with over $27 billion in assets. PenFed Credit Union offers market-leading certificates, checking, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and a wide range of other financial services. Our mission is to empower members of our community to achieve their financial well-being. PenFed Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender. To learn more about PenFed Credit Union, visit PenFed.org, like us on Facebook and follow us @PenFed on Twitter. Interested in working for PenFed? Check us out on LinkedIn. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

SOURCE PenFed Credit Union

Related Links

http://www.PenFed.org


Portugal to produce space launcher systems

Xinhua) 10:45, April 27, 2021

LISBON, April 26 (Xinhua) -- A joint venture formed by the German Rocket Factory Augsburg AG (RFA) and the Portuguese Engineering and Development Center (CEiiA) will develop and produce space launcher systems in Portugal, according to a joint press release of RFA, CEiiA and the AICEP Portugal Global, a government trade and investment agency, on Monday.

The project, with a total investment of 9 million euros (10.9 million U.S. dollars) over three years, includes the production of primary structures for micro launchers, as well as support structures for the propulsion system.

According to Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education Manuel Heitor, the initiative opens a "new phase in the Portuguese strategy for space."

According to him, the development of space micro-launchers is a critically relevant step to foster European autonomy and resilience in space, as well as to promote qualified employment and new markets aiming at the green and digital transition, which are fundamental objectives of the European Union.

Marco Fuchs, chief executive officer (CEO) of RFA, presented the new venture at the weekend to Portuguese Minister of State, Economy and Digital Transition Pedro Siza Vieira, and officially announced it this Monday.

"We are going through a very exciting phase in the European space sector, with new markets and startups. I am convinced that it will be highly profitable and Portugal is an emerging country," the press release quoted Fuchs as saying. (1 euro = 1.21 U.S. dollars)

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
The Governors Official Program is comprised of a wide range of constitutional and legal duties and ceremonial and community engagements. Each year, the Governor hosts thousands of visitors to Government House to take part in investiture and award ceremonies, Open Days, receptions and meetings, and travels widely throughout Queensland to support the activities of Patron groups. View a chronological record of the Governors daily program below.

On Sunday, in the morning, at the Shrine of Remembrance, ANZAC Square, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC attended the 2021 Anzac Day Dawn Service, addressed guests and laid the first wreath.

Following, at Government House, His Excellency hosted breakfast for senior defence and service representatives.

Following, at the Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane, His Excellency and Mrs Kaye de Jersey attended the Anzac Day Mass.

Following, at King George Square, Brisbane, His Excellency and Mrs de Jersey attended the Anzac Day Parade, where the Governor read the First Resolution and reviewed the Parade.

In the afternoon, at the United Service Club, Spring Hill, His Excellency attended the Anzac Day Lunch.
The president of the Central Japan Railway Company, or JR Tokai, says the estimate of the total cost of constructing a high-speed maglev train line has been revised upward by 1.5 trillion yen, or nearly 14 billion dollars.

Kaneko Shin told reporters on Tuesday that the cost of the line connecting Tokyo and Nagoya is now estimated to come in at over 64 billion dollars. The company plans to begin maglev train services in 2027.

The president said the construction of terminals in Shinagawa and Nagoya stations will be more difficult than first expected. He also cited the need to further strengthen seismic countermeasures, as well as a rise in the cost of removing soil generated by the construction work.

He said the company plans to secure necessary funds from fiscal 2024 through 2028, as it expects revenue from railway operations to gradually recover to pre-pandemic levels during the period.

However, the government of Shizuoka Prefecture, which is located between the two terminals, refuses to approve the construction work, citing a possible impact on local water resources.

The president said this makes it hard to forecast when construction can be wrapped up.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

New research by UniSA suggests when workers are given control over shaping their own role and responsibilities, they not only enjoy their jobs more, but may also deliver better results.

Wednesday 28 April is World Day for Safety and Health at Work, and while that may bring to mind high-viz vests and hard hats, University of South Australia (UniSA) research suggests that for many people, the most significant risks at work are psychological, not physical.

UniSA's Center for Workplace Excellence (CWeX) engages in world-leading research on the 'psychosocial safety climate' of the workplacethe policies, practices, and procedures an organization adopts that contribute to the mental and emotional wellbeing of its employees.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, psychosocial safety has come under sharper focus, as organizations and employees have been forced to adapt to new work practices, often under drastically different social circumstances.

CWeX researcher, Dr. Silvia Pignata, is an expert in psychosocial safety and organizational strategies that promote employee wellbeing. She says that while the pandemic has brought about many challenges in the workplace, it has also ushered in practices that may ultimately have long-term benefits for employees and organizations.

"With all the challenges of last year, there was this huge realization that people's wellbeing is so important, and I think people are now a lot more conscious of that," Dr. Pignata says.

"I think if organizations can move with that momentum and keep encouraging and pushing that wellbeing message, that is a very positive thing."

At the height of the pandemic in Australia, Dr. Pignata and CWeX colleagues, Dr. Amy Zadow, Professor Kurt Lushington and Professor Maureen Dollard, conducted a research study of workers in the higher education sector while many of them were working from home.

The research examined the concept of 'job crafting," exploring how the ability for an employee to shape their own work responsibilities and goals helps improve their psychosocial wellbeing.

"We're looking at how we can increase people's autonomy at work, their decision making at work, how to make work more fun and more challenging while trying to reduce the things that may hinder people within their work," Dr. Pignata says.

"And we found that being able to work from home gave people more autonomy as to how they were going to schedule their day, and this in turn gave them a new sense of ownership over their job.

"And from that, we've got some really positive data that there were high percentages of people who were actively trying to improve their work situation during COVID."

Dr. Pignata says the team's research suggests that, when people are given more autonomy over their work, they also assume more responsibility for their performance, and are more inclined to take on new challenges and push themselves to learn new things.

"So, people may have realized that they need more professional development, or choose to do some online courses, further training, further reading, even just decided to immerse themselves in digital communication platforms to learn the potential of those resources," Dr. Pignata says.

"That type of self-directed learning has taken place when people feel they have the autonomy to make those decisions, to shape their job, and then that leads to them enjoying their job more, which flows into more enjoyment in their life in general."

In addition to the apparent wellbeing benefits for the employee, Dr. Pignata says research suggests that organizations that foster a culture of job-crafting may see an uplift in productivity, as workers are happier and more engaged.

"If people are happier, if they're more satisfied in their job, then that's a positive for the individual, but it's also a positive for the organization," Dr. Pignata says.

"So, the next phase of our research is to explore the relationship between those who reported high levels of wanting to craft their own positions, to make more a positive contribution, and see if it's had an impact on the organization.

"It appears the benefits of job-crafting don't just have an impact on the individual, it can have a big impact on the team, the department, and hopefully, the organization."

Explore further New Workplace Barometer measures mental health of employees
Environmentalists are worried that a recent discharge of wastewater into Tampa Bay could exacerbate a new outbreak of the dreaded red tide algal blooms.

An estimated 215 million gallons of wastewater from the old Piney Point fertilizer plant grounds was discharged earlier this month into Tampa Bay. About 11 miles away, red tide was found in water samples off Manatee County.

Piney Point loaded the gun, and then that first red tide positive count, they slammed the hammer back on the gun, said Brian Rosegger, co-founder of nearby Lost Coast Oyster Company.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection doesnt believe the recent red tide is a direct result of the discharge from Piney Point, but it could make the problem worse, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Elevated nutrients have the potential to exacerbate these algal blooms, and increased sampling is ongoing, the Department of Environmental Protection said in a statement.

A low concentration of the organism in red tide can cause breathing problems for people along the shore, lead to fish kills and force shellfish harvesting closures, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

No fish kills had been reported in Tampa Bay as of Friday afternoon, according to state officials.

Ed Sherwood, executive director of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, said the wastewater from Piney Point is estimated to have put in a couple of weeks as much nitrogen into a section of lower Tampa Bay as the area would typically see in a year.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Montevideo, April 27 : Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou on Monday received his second dose of China's CoronaVac vaccine against Covid-19.

After getting the jab at the Maciel public hospital in Montevideo, the president thanked "the team of vaccinators" via Twitter, calling them the "pride of the nation," the Xinhua news agency reported.

Lacalle received the first dose at the end of March, the worst month of the epidemic in Uruguay.

Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, Lacalle said that "what is most worrying" is "the loss of classes for children" as a result of school closure at the end of March, adding that officials will soon announce whether they plan to prolong the closure.

Uruguay's immunisation plan, which mainly applies CoronaVac vaccines, began on March 1 and has so far vaccinated more than 32 per cent of the population.

Since the Covid-19 outbreak on March 13, 2020, Uruguay has registered 184,865 cases and 2,326 deaths.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
JOHANNESBURG (AP)  The 16-nation Southern African Development Community is considering a proposal to deploy more than 2,500 regional troops to help battle extremist rebels in northern Mozambique.

The proposed military support to Mozambique will be considered on Thursday at a summit meeting of regional leaders in Mozambique's capital, Maputo.

The regional group should provide ground soldiers as well as air and naval support to help Mozambique defeat the insurgency in its northern Cabo Delgado province, recommended a SADC military mission that visited northern in a report seen by The Associated Press.

Mozambique needs help with logistics, intelligence, and boots on the ground to retake territory currently held by the extremist rebels, including the strategic port town of Mocimboa da Praia, which has been under insurgent control since August 2020, says the report. The missions proposal is signed by Botswanan Brigadier Michael Mukokomani, chief of staff of the SADC Standby Force whose deployment is being recommended.

The deployment would include a light infantry brigade of three battalions of 620 soldiers each, plus a 90-strong staff for the brigade headquarters. Two 70-strong special forces squadrons are also called for, as well as a 100-strong engineer squadron and a 120-strong signal squadron.

Mukokomanis team recommends that special forces go in first to conduct targeted operations, in parallel with naval assets  including two surface patrol ships, each with 180 crew, and two submarines each with 45 crew  to eliminate maritime crime in the area of operation.

In terms of air support, the report calls on SADC to deploy six helicopters, four transport aircraft, two maritime surveillance aircraft, and two unmanned aerial drones. The report also calls for a 100-strong logistics company to go in, and four air intelligence personnel.

The SADC force would use the northern port city of Nacala as its headquarters, from where resources would be distributed to strategic points in Cabo Delgado through a logistics base in Pemba, the provincial capital of Cabo Delgado. The recommendations say bases should be established in the towns of Mueda, Ibo, Palma and Mocimboa da Praia once the area is cleared of terrorists.

___

Bowker reported from Uzes, France.
Cho Hee-yeon, superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, speaks during a press briefing in this Jan. 5 photo. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education



By Bahk Eun-ji



Seoul's education chief is facing calls for resignation following accusations of abusing his power in hiring teachers.



The calls come after the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) requested police to investigate Cho Hee-yeon, superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE), for violating the law on public servants.



Through a special hiring process in 2018, Cho ordered the reinstatement of five former teachers who had retired after being convicted of violating the Public Official Election Act, according to the BAI.



Four of them were former members of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union (KTU), a liberal teachers' group, who were convicted of raising illegal funds during a 2008 election to choose a regional education chief. The other one was jailed for spreading false information about a candidate in the presidential election in 2002.



The five people helped Cho's election campaign in 2018. Cho was elected as the Seoul education chief in 2014, and re-elected in 2018.



According to the BAI, Cho pushed to re-hire them as teachers at the request of the KTU's Seoul branch, despite protests from SMOE officials in charge of personnel affairs. The five were appointed as teachers at middle and high schools in Seoul in January 2019.



The BAI said Cho decided to have them hired, infringing on the rights of other applicants to be hired. According to the law, those interfering with exams or the employment of public servants are subject to one year in jail or a 10 million won fine.



However, Cho has denied the allegations, saying, "The hiring process was carried out according to the laws and principles within the discretion of a superintendent."



"After fair screening by the judges, applicants with the highest scores were appointed among the various candidates," he said in a statement.



"I will ask the BAI for another review and will do my best to explain why I am not guilty," he said.



In response to Cho's explanation, three education-related civic groups held a joint press conference in front of the SMOE, Monday, saying Cho damaged the value of fairness through the special recruitment aimed at rewarding the five people for helping his election campaign.



"Cho, the head of the Seoul metropolitan office of education, damaged fairness and justice. He is unqualified to take responsibility for children's education so he should immediately resign," said Park So-young, the head of a civic group that led the press conference.



Shin Hyun-wook, policy director of the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations, said, "Although his corrupt practices during the hiring process were clearly revealed in the audit, Cho is consistently making excuses that he is without fault."


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THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014, INCLUDING AS IT FORMS PART OF DOMESTIC LAW IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018. IN ADDITION, MARKET SOUNDINGS WERE TAKEN IN RESPECT OF THE MATTERS CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, WITH THE RESULT THAT CERTAIN PERSONS BECAME AWARE OF SUCH INSIDE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THE INSIDE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER OF SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION.

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / The Board of Directors of SolGold plc (LSE:SOLG), (TSX:SOLG) is pleased to announce its intention to conduct a placing (the "Placing") of new ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the capital of the Company (the "Ordinary Shares") (the "Placing Shares") to both existing and new institutional investors in the Company to raise approximately US$50 million (36.0 million), before expenses.

In addition to the Placing, the Company intends to raise up to US$6.0 million (4.3 million) by way of an offer made via PrimaryBid of new Ordinary Shares (the "Retail Shares") at the Placing Price (the "Retail Offer"), to provide retail investors with an opportunity to participate in the equity fundraise. A separate announcement will be made shortly regarding the Retail Offer and its terms.

Together, the total number of Placing Shares and Retail Shares will be no more than 10% of the Company's existing issued share capital.

The Placing will be conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the Appendix to this announcement (which forms part of this announcement, such announcement and the Appendix together being this "Announcement") through an accelerated bookbuild process (the "Bookbuild") which will be launched immediately following release of this Announcement. The price at which the Placing Shares and Retail Shares are to be placed (the "Placing Price") will be determined following the close of the Bookbuild. Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation ("Cantor"), H&P Advisory Ltd ("H&P") and Peel Hunt LLP ("Peel Hunt") (together, the "Joint Bookrunners") are acting as joint bookrunners in connection with the Placing.

The net proceeds of the Placing will enable the Company to make a significant investment into Ecuador and its mineral assets in the context of an improved outlook in the country. The goal of the Company is to drive value for stakeholders via the exploration and ultimately development of its exciting prospective targets already identified within its Regional Portfolio and to seek to discover another highly prospective mineral system such as that at the Company's flagship Alpala project. The Company has a proven track record of applying its exploration blueprint of systematically evaluating its exploration assets, which are held in four wholly owned subsidiaries across the country. With 76 concessions covering over 3,000km2 in Ecuador, SolGold is the largest and most active concession holder in the country.

SolGold's Alpala (85% owned) world-class copper-gold porphyry project, hosts 9.9Mt Cu, 21.7Moz Au and 92.2Moz Ag, making it one of the most significant copper-gold discoveries of the last decade. The Alpala deposit is the main deposit in the Cascabel concession, located in northern Ecuador. After several investments from BHP and Newcrest Mining, the Company secured a US$100 million royalty financing from Franco-Nevada Corporation ("Franco-Nevada") in the first half of 2020. These proceeds are ring-fenced for the Alpala project and work on the c.50km Cascabel concession.

The Company believes the Placing will allow the Company to continue to pursue its strategy as an integrated explorer and developer, maximising value for all shareholders by further exploring this highly prospective and gold-rich section of the Andean Copper Belt.

Key Highlights

The Company intends to raise approximately US$50 million (36.0 million) by way of an accelerated bookbuild.

A majority of the directors of the Company also intend to participate in the Placing.

The Company believes that the newly elected president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, will offer continued support for responsible mining activities which recognise the importance of the environment and the interests of communities.

SolGold is encouraged to expand its regional activities and commence working on a multi-party project financing solution for Alpala in the second half of this year.

The focus at Alpala is the delivery of a Preliminary Feasibility Study (" PFS ") by year-end and a seamless transition into the delivery of a Definitive Feasibility Study (" DFS ") shortly after this.

") by year-end and a seamless transition into the delivery of a Definitive Feasibility Study (" ") shortly after this. In May 2020, the Company secured US$100 million royalty financing from Franco Nevada. This funding is ringfenced and will specifically be deployed for the advancement of the Alpala project and related expenses, as well as further exploration efforts on the Cascabel concession.

The discovery of the Cacharposa copper/gold porphyry system on the Porvenir concession generated strong shareholder returns in late 2020. Following encouraging drill results, SolGold intends to use a portion of the Placing proceeds to invest further at Porvenir in order to better understand the geology and structure of the deposit and to work towards obtaining a maiden mineral resource estimate for Cacharposa.

SolGold also intends to use the Placing proceeds to commence drilling at three additional 100% owned projects: Rio Amarillo ~30km south-east of the Cascabel concession in Northern Ecuador Sharug in southwest Ecuador Cisne Loja in southern Ecuador



The net proceeds will also allow SolGold to continue drilling at Blanca Nieves ~8km north-west of the Cascabel concession.

The Company is committed to proactive and informed engagement with its stakeholders and has been actively supporting local communities. 98% of our employees are Ecuadorian and the Company employs 35 full time staff in our community engagement team in the villages we work with.

In our conduct SolGold aims to align with international standards such as the UN Global Compact and follows IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles in the Alpala project design.

The Company expects that the Placing will help to ensure the expansion of this work, will fund the investment in local initiatives and partnerships and support SolGold's social licence to operate.

The Company believes it has made material improvements in strengthening its Corporate Governance and building an organisation well suited for the challenges ahead.

Over the last 12 months the Company appointed Mrs Maria Amparo Alban, Mrs Elodie Grant Goodey, Mr Kevin O'Kane, and Mr Keith Marshall as Independent Non-Executive Directors, with Mr Marshall subsequently assuming the role of Interim CEO. Former CEO Nick Mather retired on 31 March 2021 but remains on the board as a non-executive director.

Details of the Placing

SolGold intends to issue the Placing Shares to certain institutional and other investors by way of a non-pre-emptive cashbox placing. The Company also intends to respect the principles of pre-emption as far as practicable by extending the offer to participate in the Placing to holders of a majority of shares and, as far as practicable, allocating to existing Shareholders at least up to what would have been their pre-emptive entitlement.

The Placing structure has been chosen because of its flexibility, reduced timeframe to completion and to minimise the price risk to participants. As a result of the withdrawal of the standard disapplication of pre-emption resolutions following limited shareholder support for the same at the Company's AGM in 2020, the directors of the Company consider the use of a cashbox structure to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole, particularly when combined with the Retail Offer which allows smaller shareholders to participate in the Placing. The Directors have reached this decision in this particular circumstance and after consulting with and taking into account the views or concerns of certain shareholders and receiving external advice. The Company plans to adhere to the Pre-Emption Group Statement of Principles (the "Principles") in respect of the combined size of the Placing and the Retail Offer, limiting the issuance to a maximum of 10% of the Company's existing issued share capital (5% unrestricted + 5% related to specified capital investments). In addition, the Company has taken into account certain other provisions of the Principles in implementing the Placing, in particular as regards prior consultation with shareholders, that the Placing is being undertaken on a soft pre-emptive basis and that the Company's management will be involved in the allocation process. As noted above, the Company has also given consideration to the effect of the Placing on retail shareholders and will enable them to take part in the issuance of new shares by way of the Retail Offer. The use of this financing structure is intended as a one-off.

The Bookbuild for the Placing will open with immediate effect following release of this Announcement and is expected to close no later than 7am on 28 April 2021. However, the Placing Price, the final number of Placing Shares and Retail Shares, the timing of the closing of the Bookbuild and allocations are at the discretion of the Joint Bookrunners and the Company. Confirmation of the Placing Price and the number of Placing Shares and Retail Shares will be announced as soon as practicable after the closing of the Bookbuild. The Placing is not underwritten.

The Placing Shares and Retail Shares, when issued, will be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with each other and with the existing Ordinary Shares, including, without limitation, the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid after the date of issue.

The Placing is also subject to the conditions and termination rights set out in the placing agreement between the Company and the Joint Bookrunners (the "Placing Agreement") including, among other things, Admission becoming effective and the Placing Agreement not being terminated in accordance with its terms. Further details of the Placing Agreement can be found in the terms and conditions contained in the Appendix to this Announcement.

The Placing and the Retail Offer do not require shareholder approval. Applications will be made for the Placing Shares and Retail Shares to be admitted to the standard listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA") and to be admitted to trading on the main market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange plc (together, "Admission"). The new Ordinary Shares will also be admitted to trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX"), conditional upon receiving TSX approval. It is expected that settlement for the Placing Shares and Retail Shares and Admission will take place at 8.00 a.m. on or around 30 April 2021.

Your attention is drawn to the detailed terms and conditions of the Placing described in the Appendix to this Announcement. By choosing to participate in the Placing and by making an oral and legally binding offer to acquire Placing Shares, investors will be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement in its entirety (including the Appendix) and to be making such offer on the terms and subject to the conditions in it, and to be providing the representations, warranties and acknowledgements contained in the Appendix. In particular, investors should read and understand the information provided in the 'Important Information' section of this Announcement.

The Retail Offer is not made subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Appendix to this Announcement and instead will be made on the terms outlined in the separate announcement to be made shortly regarding the Retail Offer. The Placing is not conditional on the Retail Offer.

Subject to the successful completion of the Placing, it is the Company's intention not to exercise the option to upsize the Franco-Nevada facility by a further US$50 million to US$150 million.

The person responsible for arranging this announcement on behalf of SolGold plc is Ingo Hofmaier - Executive General Manager, Corporate Finance.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

For further information, please contact:

SolGold plc +44 (0) 20 3823 2130 Keith Marshall (Interim CEO) Ingo Hofmaier (Executive General Manager, Corporate Finance) Website: www.solgold.com.au Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation - Joint Bookrunner Graham Moylan / Craig Warren / James Mazur +1 (0) 416 350 1203 H&P Advisory Ltd - Joint Bookrunner Andrew Chubb / Ernest Bell +44 (0) 20 7907 8500 Peel Hunt LLP - Joint Bookrunner Investment Banking - Ross Allister / Alexander Allen ECM/Syndicate - Al Rae / Sohail Akbar +44 (0) 20 7418 8900

Background to SolGold

SolGold is a leading exploration company focussed on the discovery, definition and development of world-class copper and gold deposits. SolGold, with 76 concessions covering over 3,000km, is the largest and most active concession holder in Ecuador (based on exploration expenditure reported by SNP Global) and is aggressively exploring this highly prospective, underexplored and copper-gold-rich section of the Andean Copper Belt which is currently responsible for c40% of global mined copper production (according to Wood Mackenzie). Ecuador is one of the most important new mining jurisdictions and is endorsed by major mining companies.

ESG and CSR is a key consideration and the Company believes it has made material improvements in strengthening its Corporate Governance and has committed to continue to build on recent advances. Following the new non-executive directors' appointment, gender diversity on the SolGold Board has increased to 22% and the Company is committed to continuously diversify and improve its Board and Management teams. SolGold also announced the formation of the Alpala Project Committee and the Health, Safety, Environment and Community ("HSEC") Committee. Further improvements were made to SolGold Board Committee structure as part of the wider Corporate Governance enhancement programme, with each committee now chaired by an independent non-executive director.

On the ground, the Alpala deposit is the main target in the Cascabel concession, located on the northern section of the heavily endowed Andean Copper Belt. The project area hosts mineralisation of Eocene age, the same age as numerous Tier 1 deposits along the Andean Copper Belt in Chile and Peru to the south. The project base is located at Rocafuerte within the Cascabel concession in northern Ecuador, an approximate three-hour drive on a sealed highway north of Quito, close to water, power supply and Pacific ports.

The Company's current activities are focussed on progressing a PFS study at its Alpala project and regional exploration as the Company continues to pursue its strategy as an integrated explorer and developer, based on preservation of value for all shareholders. The Company maintains its plan of applying its blueprint of systematic evaluation and exploration across its regional exploration portfolio of 75 concessions, having created the successful blueprint at the company's Tier 1 Alpala project.

The Alpala deposit comprises 2,663 Mt at 0.53% CuEq in the Measured plus Indicated categories and contained metal content of 9.9 Mt copper, 21.7 Moz gold and 92.2 Moz silver. The Company is of the view that the Alpala resource is one of the most significant copper-gold porphyry discoveries of the last decade. The Company further believes that it has the potential to become a key source of future copper supply amid an expected growing medium-term market deficit, reflecting limited new project development, a declining base production and growing demand supported by the shift towards electrification and decarbonisation.

The Company is making good progress studying potential Alpala mine plans while addressing a number of mine development and metallurgical enhancements as well as potential upsides. The Company is optimistic that the revised mine plan currently being studied as part of the PFS process could deliver similar metal production while mining significantly less material with anticipated benefits of the revised approach being studied including lower potential execution risks, lower potential pre-production capital and the potential for significantly reduced time to first production, all of which is expected to enhance project economics. Key considerations of a superior revised approach include:

Near surface drilling

Earlier access to the resource and shorter time to first production

Mining of higher head grades in the earlier years to seek to maximise the NPV

Optimal size of underground footprint and two extraction levels

Similar metal production with significantly lower mined material

Lower execution risks and potential for lower capex and cost savings

A significant part of SolGold's success to date in driving shareholder value growth has been through its successful exploration programmes across Ecuador's highly prospective and under-explored section of the Andean Copper Belt. Whilst this has resulted in the discovery and the proposed development of the world class Alpala project, the board of directors believes that the best way to continue to drive shareholder value at present is through further exploration success at priority projects. The goal of the Company is to drive value for stakeholders through this exploration programme by the assessment and study of exciting prospective targets already identified within the Regional Portfolio and to seek to discover another highly prospective mineral system such as that at the Company's flagship Alpala project.

Following encouraging drill results since late-2020, SolGold intends to invest further at Porvenir in order to better understand the geology and structure of the deposit and work towards obtaining a maiden mineral resource estimate at Porvenir's Cacharposa target. The Company also intends to continue to advance its exploration portfolio through investment in diamond drilling campaigns and regional fieldwork across its asset base. This Placing will allow the Company to continue this work.

SolGold also intends to use the Placing proceeds to commence drilling at three additional 100% owned projects:

Rio Amarillo ~30km south-east of the Cascabel concession in Northern Ecuador

Sharug in southwest Ecuador

Cisne Loja in southern Ecuador

The net proceeds will also allow SolGold to continue drilling at Blanca Nieves ~8km north-west of the Cascabel concession in Northern Ecuador.

Use of Proceeds

The net proceeds of the Placing are intended to fund (i) a minimum of 40,000 meters of diamond core drilling, (ii) related technical services and staff expenses and (iii) CSR initiatives related to the Company's Regional Portfolio.

SolGold intends to invest c.US$50 million into its highly attractive regional exploration portfolio between April 2021 and June 2022 and international exploration and corporate overheads. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Placing to:

Fund a minimum of 40,000 meters of diamond core drilling across key priority Regional exploration targets including: Up to c.20,000 meters at the recently discovered Porvenir project, targeting a maiden resource estimate during 2021 up to c.17,000 meters at Rio Amarillo up to c.7,000 meters at Sharug up to c.7,000 meters at El Cisne up to c.5,000 meters at Blanca Nieves The amount of drilling conducted at each of these targets will be adapted as drilling is undertaken to reflect the success of the drilling programme;

Fund approximately US$8.5 million for community initiatives, partnerships and environmental monitoring at Cascabel and approximately US$5.8 million for social programmes and environment management throughout the Regional Portfolio;

Fund further expansion of other Regional fieldwork across Ecuador;

Excess cash will be used for the DFS and related workstreams related to the Alpala Project; and

Be available for general corporate purposes and working capital.

This Announcement should be read in its entirety. In particular, you should read and understand the information provided in the "Important Notices" section of this Announcement.

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/7643W_1-2021-4-27.pdf

SOURCE: SolGold plc

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642497/SolGold-PLC-Announces-Proposed-Placing-and-Retail-Offer
[April 27, 2021] Brixey & Meyer and RiskVersity Form a Joint Venture to Fill Cyber Risk Gap

CINCINNATI, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Brixey & Meyer is pleased to announce it has formed a joint venture with RiskVersity effective April 2021. The new company, CyberSure LLC, is a minority owned cyber risk advisory firm that provides experts to assist clients in identifying, quantifying and mitigating cyber risks. CyberSure's services include Fractional CISO, IT Audit and Compliance, Incident Planning & Response, Vendor Cyber Risk Management and more. The company has extensive experience with public entities, healthcare, manufactuing and financial services.



"We are excited to create this joint venture with RiskVersity. Brixey and Meyer is focused on driving value for our clients and there is an increasing demand for these services. Our team has worked with Laurence in many capacities over the years and admire his tenacity and passion. I am very excited to partner with him and Chris on this joint venture to have a positive impact in the region." - Doug Meyer | CEO, Brixey & Meyer "We share the excitement and are thrilled about working with Brixey & Meyer. We think this partnership is going to be an accelerant to CyberSure's growth because of our companies' existing client base." - Christopher Holmes | CEO & Co-Founder, RiskVersity

"Cyber risk is growing exponentially with more devices connected to the internet and employees working from home. We want to help our clients better communicate to their brokers and insurance underwriters so they are financial protected in the event of cyber incident." - Laurence Jones | President, CyberSure LLC and President & Co-Founder, RiskVersity About Brixey & Meyer Brixey & Meyer is a CPA and consulting firm that continues to offer a strategic mix of value-added services. Each service line is focused on growing your business & moving it forward. To learn more about the services that Brixey & Meyer provides, please visit www.brixeyandmeyer.com. About RiskVersity RiskVersity is a minority-owned risk management consulting firm. They help clients identify, embrace and/or transfer risks. RiskVersity enables organizations to proactively manage exposure to risk which promotes long-term growth and stability. To learn more about the services RiskVersity provides, please visit www.riskversity.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brixey--meyer-and-riskversity-form-a-joint-venture-to-fill-cyber-risk-gap-301277822.html SOURCE Brixey & Meyer; RiskVersity

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SILVER SPRING, Md., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The work of the International Leadership Association (ILA) is made possible by the power of our members' curiosity, creativity, and desire to make an impact. Each year, we recognize a select group of expert members who have a desire to give back to the field of leadership as ILA Fellows.

International Leadership Association 2021-2022 Fellows (L-R) John Heiser (Executive in Residence), Gill Robinson Hickman (Scholar in Residence), Scott J. Allen, Keith Grint, Maureen Metcalf, Stella Nkomo, Erwin Schwella, Katherine Tyler Scott.

Fellows engage with ILA's mission across sectors and disciplines to do worthy work at the intersection of leadership research and practice. They contribute to special initiatives that help to drive our mission of advancing leadership knowledge and practice for a better world.

This year's Fellows include the new Fellow roles of Executive in Residence and Scholar in Residence.

ILA Executive in Residence

John Heiser is a transformational, global, and relational executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience in multimillion-dollar pharmaceutical, technology, and manufacturing organizations. Most recently, John was CEO of LabVantage Solutions, Inc., a laboratory informatics technology company. In addition to being an ILA Fellow, John serves on ILA's Board of Directors. He has an MBA from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Business and a PhD in Values-Driven Leadership from Benedictine University. John will turn his considerable skill to enhancing ILA programs that engage members of the business community. "As a C-suite leader," John shared, "I was drawn to the ILA because it is the one organization I have found to be committed to the ideal of bridging theory and practice. I am excited to serve this year with the goal of catalyzing innovative, practical, and value-based leadership insights and frameworks that can have a positive impact on members of our business community."

ILA Scholar in Residence

Gill Robinson Hickman is Professor Emerita of the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond, one of the first institutions with a multidisciplinary faculty devoted to the study of leadership. As an inaugural faculty member, she helped build the program from the ground up, including writing textbooks that became standards in the field such as Leading Organizations: Perspectives for a New Era and Leading Change in Multiple Contexts. Her most recent book is When Leaders Face Personal Crisis: The Human Side of Leadership. Gill has been a member of the ILA since its inception and served as Vice President of the board: "I am honored to be selected as the ILA Scholar in Residence and look forward to serving in this new capacity through my work on ILA's Global Leadership Project where we'll be assessing how well we are helping to make sense of our complex world through global leadership and how successfully we are supporting its development."

ILA Fellows

ILA's 2021-2022 Fellows include thought leaders from around the world. Together they will share their knowledge and expertise, explore today's challenges in dialogue with other leaders, and apply their practical wisdom to inform and inspire. They are:

Scott J. Allen , Standard ProductsDr. James S. Reid Chair in Management, John Carroll University

, Standard ProductsDr. James S. Reid Chair in Management, Keith Grint , Professor Emeritus, Warwick University

, Professor Emeritus, Maureen Metcalf , Founder, CEO, & Board Chair, Innovative Leadership Institute

, Founder, CEO, & Board Chair, Innovative Leadership Institute Stella Nkomo , Professor of Human Resource Management, University of Pretoria

, Professor of Human Resource Management, University of Erwin Schwella , Dean, School of Social Innovation, Hugenote Kollege

, Dean, School of Social Innovation, Hugenote Kollege Katherine Tyler Scott , Principle, Ki ThoughtBridge

Maureen Metcalf, returning for another term as an ILA Fellow, will continue her partnership with ILA to produce a series of 12+ podcasts on global leadership, part of her weekly Innovating Leadership show. The ILA adds another podcaster to its Fellows group with Scott Allen, the host of Phronesis: Practical Wisdom for Leadership. Scott will work with ILA to produce weekly episodes of Phronesis under the banner of "ILA's official podcast." Scott shared his excitement for the partnership writing: "ILA has played a central role in my growth and development as a leadership educator and scholar. I have moderated the listserv, chaired a member community, and served on the board. As an ILA Fellow, I'll have the opportunity to engage in a new and exciting way! I am thrilled to partner with ILA to bring inspirational and thought-provoking content to people all over the globe."

ILA Fellows, Keith Grint, Stella Nkomo, Erwin Schwella, and Katherine Tyler Scott will share their insights via blogs looking at the challenges of today through a leadership lens. Grint, Schwella, and Tyler Scott are experienced bloggers, having contributed several pieces to ILA's blog in 2020 including, "Leadership in Times of Crisis;" "The Fire Next Time;" and "The Global Pandemic: A Trigger for Deeply Systemic Disruptive Social Innovation? Or an Inevitable Global Apocalypse?" Echoing other fellows, Katherine affirmed that "ILA has been instrumental in my professional development, leadership and service as a scholar practitioner. I have been privileged to serve as Chair of Leadership Development, Conference Weaver, Vice-Chair and Chair of the ILA Board." She added, "The honor of being selected as an ILA Fellow is another opportunity to contribute to this special community of learners."

"We are thrilled to be working with this year's group of outstanding Fellows," noted Cynthia Cherrey, CEO & President of the ILA. "Their commitment to ILA and contributions to the field of leadership are unparalleled and will be appreciated for years to come."

Learn more about ILA's Fellows online and bookmark the association's blog and podcast pages to stay up-to-date on the latest offerings from ILA Fellows and other contributors.

The International Leadership Association is a worldwide professional association committed to advancing leadership knowledge and practice for a better world. We accomplish our mission through the creation of trusted leadership resources and via the synergy that occurs by bringing people together in the trusted space of our conferences and events, collectively having a multiplier impact on leadership and change. For more than twenty years the ILA has convened extraordinary talent across sectors, cultures, disciplines, and generations. Learn more at https://ilaglobalnetwork.org/.

Media Contact:

Debra DeRuyver, Communications Director

[email protected] | 1.202.470.4818 x 102

International Leadership Association

8601 Georgia Avenue, Suite #1010

Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA

SOURCE International Leadership Association
Tara Reade, the former Senate staffer who claimed Joe Biden sexually assaulted her in 1993, has slammed Nancy Pelosi for claiming Congress 'stands with survivors'.

The 57-year-old alleged last year that Biden attacked her in a Capitol Hill office building when she was a staff assistant in his office.

Biden vehemently denied the claim that he pushed her against a wall and carried out the assault.

On Monday, House Speaker Pelosi shared a statement to commemorate Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which ends this week.

She wrote: 'As we close out Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we recommit to combating sexual violence & demanding accountability.

Tara Reade (pictured), the former Senate staffer who claimed Joe Biden sexually assaulted her in 1993, has slammed Nancy Pelosi for claiming Congress 'stands with survivors'

On Monday, House Speaker Pelosi shared a statement to commemorate Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which ends this week

'Congress stands with survivors and will honor their strength by working to advance a future that is free from violence & assault for all. #SAAM2021.'

But Reade replied accusing her of trying to silence survivors instead of supporting them and their allegations.

She wrote: 'Do you really @SpeakerPelosi stand with survivors?

'I was a former Senate Aide that was sexual assaulted by a member of the Senate who is now POTUS. I was silenced and denied justice by you and the Congress.

'You Madam Speaker did not stand with me. You are complicit with rape.'

Reade replied accusing her of trying to silence survivors instead of supporting them and their allegations

During last year's election, Pelosi backed Biden after Reade's allegations, saying she was 'satisfied' with his account.

She told CNN at the time: 'You know, it's a matter that he has to deal with, but I am impressed with the people who work for him saying that they absolutely never heard one iota of information about this.

'Nobody ever brought forth a claim or had anybody else tell them about such a claim.'

Last month, Reade blasted 'arrogant' Biden for calling for an investigation into sexual harassment claims made against Gov. Andrew Cuomo - while flatly dismissing the allegations she made against him.

When discussing the multiple sexual harassment allegations against Gov. Cuomo during an ABC interview, Biden stated: 'A woman should be presumed to be telling the truth and should not be scapegoated and become victimized by coming forward. There should be an investigation to determine whether what she says is true.'

Biden added that Cuomo - with whom he has been friends for decades - could also be criminally prosecuted if an investigation yields evidence that the claims are true.

When discussing the sexual harassment allegations against Gov. Cuomo during an ABC interview, Biden stated: 'A woman should be presumed to be telling the truth and should not be scapegoated'

Cuomo has been accused of sexual harassment by at least eight different women

Reade said Biden was being hypocritical - because he has never said her claims should be investigated and he has never asserted that she should be 'presumed to be telling the truth'.

'The trauma I experienced by Biden was very real,' Reade told Fox News.

'The fact he is calling for another official's investigation and possible criminal sanctions for similar charges is showing the height of arrogance about never being accountable for his own.'

Reade also vowed that there will one day be a 'reckoning' and that 'the truth will prevail'.

Speaking with Fox, Reade also accused the mainstream media of a cover-up, claiming they failed to take her accusations seriously.

'The alarming deflection and compliance of the media to allow Joe Biden to negate his own sexual misconduct is predictable but still shocking as a survivor to be so publicly erased,' she stated.

Reade's public resurfacing comes after radio host Charlamagne Tha God claimed it was hypocritical for people to be calling for Cuomo's resignation after voting for Joe Biden.

Cuomo has been accused of sexual harassment by at least eight different women.

Reade is pictured in 1993 - the year she claims she was sexually assaulted by Biden

Reade was one of several women who came forward in 2019, claiming Biden had touched them inappropriately.

In March last year, she offered a new allegation, claiming Biden stuck his hand down her skirt and penetrated her in a Congressional hallway when she worked for him as an aide in 1993.

Biden denied the claims, and Biden staffers at the time say they can recall no such incident.

Reade had previously claimed that Biden liked her legs and wanted her to waitress at a Capitol Hill cocktail party while she was on staff. Reade also complained that he was touchy-feely, putting his hands on her shoulders, neck and hair.

Despite the allegations, media networks largely ignored her story and did not push for the opening of an investigation.
Hundreds of Indigenous people in Alberta crossed into Manitoba for 15 minutes last week to get a COVID-19 vaccine. But when an Indigenous man from Kelowna tried the same thing on Saturday, he was fined $3,450 when he returned to the Osoyoos border crossing.
Kolkata, April 27 : Anticipating violence, the Election Commission of India on Tuesday restricted the movement of Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal, the president of the party's Birbhum district unit.

In an order, the Commission asked the West Bengal chief electoral officer to put Mondal under "strict surveillance" of the executive magistrate and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), starting from 5 pm on April 27 till 7 am on April 30, to ensure the conduct of free and fair polls.

The poll panel took the decision after receiving complaints and feedback from "various sources" ahead of the eighth and final phase of the Assembly elections on April 29, when the Birbhum district will go to the polls.

"I am directed to state that in view of the serious complaints and feedback received from various sources and as per the report of the DEO and SP Birbhum, the Commission has directed that Anubrata Mondal, District President of AITC, Birbhum, should be kept under strict surveillance of the Executive Magistrate and CAPF round the clock from 5 am on April 27 to 7 am on April 30 for ensuring free and fair elections, as was done during the Assembly elections in 2016 and the Lok Sabha polls in 2019. Videography to be arranged with date time stamping. The team constituted for this purpose should comprise CAPF personnel under a local magistrate," the EC order said.

The development comes on the heels of a summon issued to Mondal by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday, asking the Trinamool leader to appear before it for questioning in connection with the agency's probe into cross-border cattle smuggling.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, at a party meeting, said that she had asked Mondal to appear before the CBI after the polling gets over, according to reports.
Somalias president drops bid for extended term after chaos View Photo

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP)  Somalias president early Wednesday bowed to growing opposition to his extended stay in office, urging a return to negotiations on the countrys delayed election and vowing that the sight of rival soldiers clashing in the streets of the capital would not happen again.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed delivered the national address after midnight following fast-moving events that saw two key regional states object to his two-year extension and the prime minister welcome their action.

The president did not resign, as some expected, but he said he will speak to parliament on Saturday to inform them of developments. He had faced growing opposition after the lower house of parliament approved the extension of his mandate and he signed it into law, to the fury of Senate leaders who called the move illegal. Now he is ready to go ahead with elections based on the Sept. 17 agreement between his government and regional states, which the international community had emphasized.

The president had not commented publicly since hundreds of soldiers opposing his mandate extension took up positions in the capital on Sunday and clashed with other security forces. Alarmed by the extraordinary sight, the United Nations, African Union, United States and others on Tuesday warned against the emerging fragmentation of the Somali National Army along clan lines.

Some residents fled, worried that Somalia was against collapsing into conflict after years of trying to rebuild.

Soon afterward, the regional states of Hirshabelle and Galmudug turned against the presidents stance and called for a return to talks on the national election that had been meant to take place in early February.

Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble backed that joint statement and called on security forces to return to their barracks. He also urged opposition leaders to stop any actions that could harm Somalias stability.

In his brief speech, the president early Wednesday blamed unnamed foreigners for the recent troubles and accused unnamed political leaders of trying to use the blood of young Somalis to seek positions of power.

Somalias election has been delayed amid disputes between the federal government and the states of Puntland and Jubbaland along with the opposition. The U.N. and others have warned that the uncertainty jeopardizes a country rebuilding from three decades of conflict, and that the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group could take advantage of the chaos.

The president, a former U.S. citizen who gave up that status while in office, tried to defend his actions on the election standoff in a recent interview with his former local newspaper, The Buffalo News, asserting that Somalia cannot afford a power vacuum and the extra time would allow officials to organize the first one-person-one-vote direct election in decades. He added, Who can lead, if we leave?

The goal of a direct election in Somalia remains elusive. It was meant to take place this time. Instead, the federal government and states agreed on another indirect election, with senators and members of parliament elected by community leaders  delegates of powerful clans  in each member state. Members of parliament and senators then elect Somalias president.

An alliance of opposition leaders, along with civil society groups, has objected, arguing it leaves them no say in the politics of their own country.

The president in his interview with The Buffalo News called the current election model undemocratic. But when asked if he would peacefully hand over power if someone else is elected, he replied, Absolutely, without any hesitation.

By HASSAN BARISE

Associated Press
Rockville, Md. (April 27, 2021)--Exposure to extreme heat (95 degrees Fahrenheit and above) and humidity for eight hours raises the core body temperature and causes dehydration, resulting in an increased risk of acute kidney injury, according to a new study. The researchers, from the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington and University at Buffalo Center for Research and Education in Special Environments in New York, will present their findings virtually at the American Physiological Society's (APS) annual meeting at Experimental Biology 2021.

Acute kidney injury, which is defined as a sudden decline in kidney function, is a major cause of hospitalization during heat waves, especially in vulnerable populations such as older adults and obese individuals. This disorder is expected to worsen as the frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves expand in the U.S. due to climate change, according to study co-author Hayden Hess, PhD. As a result, there is concern the public health burden during these extreme hot weather events will be exacerbated.

The study was conducted in a group of adult men who were subjected to a heat- and humidity-controlled environmental chamber. The findings also indicate the risk of acute kidney injury was only evident when environmental conditions outpaced the ability of study participants to maintain core body temperature when cooling and hydrating were not permitted.

Researchers say this information will help lay a foundation for additional studies that improve understanding of the causal mechanisms that lead to a higher risk of acute kidney injury induced by extreme heat exposure. The findings will also be used to develop treatment and prevention measures-- such as cooling strategies and hydration recommendations--to reduce the risk of acute kidney injury in vulnerable populations.

###

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: To schedule an interview with a member of the research team, and/or request the abstract, "Acute kidney injury risk is exacerbated during prolonged exposure to uncompensable heat," please contact the APS Communications Office or call 301.634.7314. Find more research highlights in the APS Newsroom.

About Experimental Biology 2021

Experimental Biology is the annual meeting of five societies that explores the latest research in physiology, anatomy, biochemistry and molecular biology, investigative pathology and pharmacology. With a mission to share the newest scientific concepts and research findings shaping clinical advances, the meeting offers an unparalleled opportunity for global exchange among scientists who represent dozens of scientific areas, from laboratory to translational to clinical research.

About the American Physiological Society

Physiology is a broad area of scientific inquiry that focuses on how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function in health and disease. The American Physiological Society connects a global, multidisciplinary community of more than 10,000 biomedical scientists and educators as part of its mission to advance scientific discovery, understand life and improve health. The Society drives collaboration and spotlights scientific discoveries through its 16 scholarly journals and programming that support researchers and educators in their work.
New Delhi:

Diwali has been celebrated all over India with much grandeur and zeal, but the festive season in Northern India is yet to be ended. Chhath Puja is one of those much famous festivals which will carry out the fervour and passion of festivity in some of the North Indian states.

Chhath Puja is celebrated mainly in Bihar and some parts of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Nepal.

Markets across Bihar are now garnished with a bunch of traditional items like earthen lamps, clay stoves, mango trees, soop, tokri and others.Devotees all over North India have been seen going for market hopping and are busy celebrating the four-day-long Chhath parv or Mahaparv.

Chhath Puja is generally performed to thank Lord Surya and Chhati Maiyya (Usha, Lord Surya's wife), for sustaining life on earth and to request for granting certain wishes.

Chhath means sixth because it falls on the sixth day of the month of Kartika (October/November) or simply on the sixth day after Diwali. God Surya is worshiped very passionately for the well being of their family and near and dear ones.

Also Read: Chhath Puja 2017 | Day 1: All you need to know about 'Nahay Khay'

This year Chhath Puja begins on 24th October and will continue till 27th October.

The Shashthi Tithi is said to be started at 9:37 am on October 25 and will culminate at 12:15 pm on October 26.

According to Mahabharat and Ramayan, Draupadi along with the Pandavas, upon advice from the noble sage Dhaumya, performed Chhath Puja.

Here we bring you some important facts regarding one of those rituals namely 'Kharna', performed in the second day of puja.

Also Read: Chhath festival begins, ghats in Delhi decked up for devotees

Kharna:

The second day of Chhath is known as Kharna. On this day fasting without water is observed from the sunrise to the sunset. The fast is broken just after sunset after making the food offering the Sun God.

The third-day fasting begins after having Prasad on the second day.

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The Lithuanian Seimas has adopted Resolution No. XIVP-435, in which it called on Russia to stop aggression, provocations and propaganda against Ukraine, to immediately withdraw its troops from the Ukrainian border on the basis of international law and mutual respect.

"The Seimas strongly condemned the unprovoked military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and other aggressive unilateral actions that grossly violate bilateral and multilateral agreements and international law and pose a threat to European security," a press release posted on the website of the Lithuanian Seimas on Tuesday reads.

The resolution was supported by 102 members of the Seimas, while one deputy abstained.

Also, the Lithuanian parliament called on the Russian Federation to accept international organizations providing humanitarian assistance to the local population to the temporarily occupied territories in the East of Ukraine, to close illegal detention centers, to release illegally detained Ukrainian citizens, and to stop passportization in the occupied territories.

In addition, the resolution of the Lithuanian parliament calls on the EU member states not to support the implementation of energy projects that weaken the Euro-Atlantic unity, such as Nord Stream 2.

The Seimas called on the international community to support the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, to strengthen targeted economic and personal sanctions against Russia and its representatives in connection with the aggression against Ukraine, as well as to coordinate sanctions policy against individuals involved in corruption in Russia and Ukraine.

"For our part, we call on Ukraine itself to continue reforms, especially in the judicial system, prosecutor's office and the financial sector, of course, in the fight against corruption, which will be the topic of the fourth major international conference on Ukraine in Vilnius on July 7-8," the press service of the Seimas quoted Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Ygimantas Pavilionis as saying.

The resolution confirms Lithuania's strong and consistent support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within the borders recognized by the international community, as well as for the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. The document also emphasizes that the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia will never be recognized.
WASHINGTON  Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced on Monday a sweeping Justice Department investigation into the Louisville, Ky., police and the county government there, the second time in a week that the department has opened a civil investigation into a police force that prompted national furor over the killing of an unarmed Black person.

The Louisville police came under scrutiny after officers shot to death a Black medical worker named Breonna Taylor in March 2020 during a botched raid of her home. Her killing helped fuel nationwide racial justice protests, but an investigation elicited no charges in her death, only an indictment on a lesser count against one detective.

Louisville has already taken some steps towards reform through its settlement with the family of Breonna Taylor, as well as through other measures, Mr. Garland said in brief remarks at the Justice Department, where he was joined by the deputy attorney general, Lisa O. Monaco, and the associate attorney general, Vanita Gupta. We commend those measures, and our investigation will take them into account.

Last week, Mr. Garland announced a similar Justice Department investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department, a day after the former officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder in the death of George Floyd.
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana and his wife director Tahira Kashyap have recently made contributions to Maharashtras CM relief fund amid the COVID-19 pandemic.



Ayushmann took to Instagram and issued a statement about his donation. He wrote, We have been in the eye of the storm since last year. This pandemic has broken our hearts, made us endure pain and suffering like never before, showed us how solidarity with one another can make us handle this humanitarian crisis. Today, again, this pandemic asks us to show fortitude, resilience and mutual support. People, across India, have stepped forward to do as much as possible for each other and Tahira and I thank each and every individual who have inspired us to do more."

"We have been constantly doing our bit to help as many people as possible and have now contributed to the Maharashtra Chief Ministers Relief Fund in this hour of need. This is the time when we should come together as a community and care for each other. People need as much help as possible and we can all look to do our bit as we deem fit," he added.



Check out the post here-

Tahira Kashyap also shared the same post on Instagram. Many celebrities on Instagram including Huma S Qureshi, Nimrat Kaur, Archana Vijaya Puri and Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh praised them for their contribution.

Not only this, even fans showered the couple with a lot of love. Heres what people have to say about it-

 Instagram/Ayushmann Khurranna

 Instagram/Ayushmann Khurranna

What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below!


[April 27, 2021] Wreckage of COVID-19 sparks age of anxiety for enterprise buyers, Momentum survey finds

LONDON, SEATTLE and BOSTON, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The real impact of COVID-19 on enterprise buying behaviour has been laid bare in new research from the growth consultancy Momentum. The Momentum Customer Buying Index, a survey of global C-suite leaders responsible for IT purchases over $3 million at organisations with revenues over $30 billion, discovered that the majority (92%) of large-scale technology investments in the past year were made in direct response to the coronavirus pandemic. The rushed decision to commit to a large tech purchase while scramblng to deal with the impact of the pandemic means many enterprise buyers are suffering from post-purchase anxiety around the issue of security.



More than half (56%) of decision-makers admitted they didn't fully consider or understand the potential security risks when implementing their new technology. A skills shortage is compounding angst around security at large enterprises. 51% believe their organisation lacks the internal ability to deal with a security breach if one happened.

As well as outlining the anxieties and challenges keeping enterprise leaders awake at night, the report provides some compelling food for thought when it comes to honing sales and marketing messages in the post-COVID-19 world. Half (51%) of enterprise buyers say that "open and honest" communication that "fosters deep trust" has become more important in the last 12 months, as has authenticity, cited by 39% of respondents. Reassuring buyers has become more important, particularly through demonstrating transparency and shared values around environmental, social, and governance (ESG), and diversity and inclusion. "Soft" skills like active listening and empathy are also highly desirable traits as 57% of buyers shy away from engaging new partners, rising to 75% of US companies. Alisha Lyndon, founder and CEO of Momentum, said of the research: "The Momentum Customer Buying Index has once again unearthed a host of practical insights to guide sales and marketing engagements going forward. Sales and marketing teams should take note of enterprise buyers' new values and employ more human methods to quell their anxiety." For more information visit www.wearemomentum.com/customer-buying-index. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1496782/Momentum_Consumer_Buying_Index.jpg Contact:

Alex Koenig

alexandra.koenig@wearemomentum.com

+44 (0)203 858 0808

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DNV awards first merchant vessel SILENT-E notation

ONEX Peace, an Aframax tanker built by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries and delivered to its owner ONEX, has become the worlds first merchant ship to receive DNVs SILENT-E notation.

DNV is the first classification society to offer an underwater noise notation. The SILENT-E notation ensures ships do not exceed average-to-moderate Underwater Radiation Noise (URN) levels. Vessels with this notation can minimize their impact on marine life and document noise performance for authorities, or those requiring proof of noise emissions for transit through vulnerable areas. ONEX Peace is a competitive ship that can operate in waters with strict regulations without disrupting the seas ecosystem, said Gemma McQueen, Director of Corporate Communications at ONEX DMCC Dubai UAE. This proven low noise technology will create the capability to deliver improved operational performance, expand operational routes, and enhance environmental management of the ship. In a highly competitive market, HHI has proved its capability to build a high-quality ship with improved fuel efficiency while satisfying eco-friendly underwater noise standards, said Won-Ho Joo, Senior Executive Vice President, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). We will strengthen research and development on low-noise and green ships to ensure our continued competitiveness in the future eras of eco-friendly ships. "We are very pleased to achieve the world's first DNV SILENT-E notation certification for a merchant ship with our technical support, said Booki Kim, President of Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO). We will actively support the industry by continuously developing eco-friendly and low-noise ship-related technologies that proactively respond to IMO environmental regulations and take the lead in the development of marine environment protection technologies. DNV, HHI and KRISO are conducting a joint research project on measuring and evaluating underwater radiation noise. As part of the study, the parties carried out the underwater noise measurement and analysis of the ONEX Peace. Subsequently, DNV granted the SILENT-E notation, verifying that it meets the requirements of certification. By receiving the notation, ONEX and HHI are demonstrating that they are looking to stake a step ahead in working to minimize the impact of shipping on the environment, said Vidar Dolonen, DNV Regional Manager for Korea and Japan. This is becoming increasingly important for stakeholders at all levels of the value chain, and we hope that the awarding of this notation is another important milestone that will help to raise standards in shipping to the next level.




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The global medical drones market size is expected to reach USD 947.6 million by 2027 according to a new study by Polaris Market Research. The report Medical Drones Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, Drone Type (Fixed Wing, Rotor Drone and Hybrid Drones); By Application (Blood transfer, Drugs/Pharmaceutical Transfer, Vaccination Programs), End-Use (Emergency Medical Services, Government Organizations, and Blood Banks), By Regions; Segment Forecast, 2020 2027 gives a detailed insight into current market dynamics and provides analysis on future market growth.

Medical drones refer to the aerodynamic pods that are being deployed to transport key medical supplies that comprises of primary medical aids, vaccines, and drugs. Through the development of highly advanced technology has resulted in notable adoption of medical drones across the hospitals and military bases.

Theres continuous ongoing research in this field to develop new products with superior accuracy and speed in delivery of medical supplies to the targeted location. These drones can be either operated manually or they can be strategically programmed for performing long-distance flights and following the designated route precisely. In addition, they also have several key benefits such as they dont require any landing space and can be programmed to drop the supplies by flying near to the ground.

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Further, the impressive capability of these drones to make a flight over the closed zones and that too without any requirement of crew is the key reason for their high demand. Some other major benefits include, transporting blood samples or other lab samples to remote and small hospitals and clinics; medical support or telemedicine including, drugs, diagnostics, or key medical tools that include, portable ultrasound to remote locations or tough military terrain.

Apart from this, this technology also offer benefits such as medical supplies that include, anti-venom or vaccines to the disease exposed or disaster relief regions, providing medical supplies and prescriptions to people who are hard to reach such as those at home or at sea. Moreover, providing defibrillators to patients suffering from cardiac arrest and offering organs required for transplantation are some major applications of medical drones.

Market participants such as Zipline, DJI, DHL, TUDelft, Flirtey, Embention, Matternet, Vayu, and EHang are some of the key players operating in the global market. Zipline drones, the frontrunner in the market, have cumulatively flown more than 1 million kilometres in Rwanda with more than 13 thousand deliveries. In the outskirts of Kigali, drones carried 35% of blood samples to be transfused. The Ghana the company is also started delivering COVID-19 testing kits.

Players in the market have primarily adopted partnership strategy to strengthen their position in the global market. For instance, in June 2020, TechEagle has partnered with Zomato to boost the delivery of medical supplies via drones all across the regions in India that are facing floods and due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation.

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The UK based research firm Nesta in its report titled Flying High in collaboration with NHS discussed the possibilities of rapid transportation of medical necessities in between the UK hospitals based in London. This move could bring faster delivery, reliable cost cutting, and improved timely patient care, even to the accident areas. It is being estimated that the use of medical drones could result in saving USD 21 billion in the annual cost to the countrys economy.
A high-stakes effort to move a closed Bossier City casino to Slidell suffered at least a temporary setback Monday when the legislative sponsor had to postpone having a Senate committee hear her bill.

One of the yes votes has 102 (degree) fever, state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, sponsor of Senate Bill 213, told a crowd of ministers opposing her, in a hallway conversation.

Maybe its Gods way of telling you something, one of them rejoined.

An observer later identified the missing senator as Mike Fesi, R-Houma.

The votes probably going to be close, Hewitt said.

This state senator casts a tie-breaking vote for Slidell casino. His wife is one of the lobbyists. A controversial proposal to move a casino boat to Slidell cleared its first hurdle Monday when a Senate committee chairman, whose wife is a lo

The news that the Senate Finance Committee would not hear SB213 on Monday cleared a Senate hallway filled with the ministers and paid lobbyists on both sides of the issue.

Brent Stevens, the founder and chairman of P2E, the Los Angeles-based company that wants to move the casino and its license, says he wants to spend up to $250 million to build a casino in Slidell that would create hundreds of jobs and keep Louisiana gamblers in state who now head to casinos on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Stevens has hired an extraordinary 19 lobbyists to push through the Legislature either SB213 or House Bill 497 by state Rep. Mary DuBuisson, R-Slidell.

One of Stevens lobbyists is Katherine Smith, and her husband, state Sen. Gary Smith, D-Norco, cast the tie-breaking vote last week to advance SB213 out of the Judiciary B Committee on a 4-3 vote.

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That development has riled up supporters of the Louisiana Family Forum in St. Tammany Parish, Gene Mills, the groups president, said Monday.

+2 Slidell casino approval vote 'screams ethically unacceptable,' faith-based group challenges The head of the states most important faith-based lobby in Baton Rouge wants a do-over on a state Senate committee vote Monday that advanced 

Senate President Page Cortez, R-Lafayette, decided that the Finance Committee had to approve SB213 before the full Senate could vote on the measure. Hewitt said she may have to wait as long as a week before another hearing on it. DuBuisson said she thought her bill might be heard in a House committee next week.

Hewitts bill would authorize St. Tammany Parish to hold a parish-wide referendum in October to reverse a 1996 public vote that opposed casino gambling there. Her bill also would add the planned location  just off Interstate 10 in Slidell  to the approved list of waterways from the 1991 law that legalized riverboat gambling. In 2018, the Legislature allowed the boats to move onto land, just off the water, but any new location has to be on an approved waterway.

The Slidell City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday night on whether to express its support for holding the referendum, although the proposed site is beyond city limits.

Joining the ministers in opposing the proposed move to Slidell are lobbyists for Penn National Gaming, which owns the Boomtown casino in Harvey and the Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis, Miss.; and Boyd Gaming, which owns the Treasure Chest in Kenner and the IP Casino Resort Spa in Biloxi. Owners of the Harrahs casino in New Orleans also oppose the move.

The lobbyists represent owners of casinos that dont want to lose business to a new gambling hall in Slidell and dont want to set a precedent that would allow casinos on new waterways, a development that might threaten revenue at their existing facilities.

+5 Lazy river, water slide, huge amphitheater among new features touted for Slidell casino The developers of a proposed $250 million casino resort in St. Tammany Parish made another pitch to a crowd in Slidell Monday night, touting a

Hewitt said the opposition from the ministers to the proposed move to Slidell has put her in a tough spot.

These are folks I pray with and fight with on other issues, she said. But this is an economic development opportunity for St. Tammany Parish.
People protest outside of the Courthouse during the trial of former Minneapolis police officer charged with murdering George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 19 April, 2021 (AFP via Getty Images)

A new report by human rights experts has said the killing and injury of Black people at the hands of police in the US amounts to crimes against humanity that should be investigated under international law.

The 188-page report, which sees human rights experts from 11 countries evaluate violence against Black people in the US, says that their findings from a number of cases warrant investigation by the International Criminal Court.

The Commissioners find an alarming, national pattern of disproportionate use of deadly force not only by firearms but also by Tasers against people of African descent, the report says.

It adds: Many Black people are killed in broad daylight to intimidate communities and because officers dont fear accountability.

The report concludes that the experts found violations of the rights to: life, security, freedom from torture, freedom from discrimination, mental health, access to remedies for violations, fair trial and presumption of innocence, and to be treated with humanity and respect.

Experts say that their evaluation of a number of cases show that murder, severe deprivation of physical liberty, torture, persecution of people of African descent, and other inhumane acts have occurred as part of a widespread or systematic attack against Black people in the US.

The Commissioners find that, within the cases they examined, a disproportionate use of excessive force by police led to the deaths of the 43 Black people in the cases they examined, the report reads.

They conclude a prima facie case of crimes against humanity and ask the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to initiate an investigation into their findings.

This finding of crimes against humanity was not given lightly, we included it with a very clear mind, Hina Jilani, one of the 12 commissioners who led the inquiry, told The Guardian.

We examined all the facts and concluded that there are situations in the US that beg the urgent scrutiny of the ICC.

Story continues

The Commission of inquiry was composed of distinguished human rights experts from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

There are 12 Commissioners, including prominent judges, lawyers, professors, advocates and UN special rapporteurs, the report says.

The evaluation, first reported byThe Guardian, came following the civil unrest that swept the US following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020.

In addition to their findings, the Commissioners also say that cis- and transgender Black women, girls, and femmes are disproportionately killed by police in the United States.

They accuse the US of disproportionate use of excessive force by police, saying it led to the deaths of the 43 Black people in the cases examined.

I was taken aback that this country, which claims to be a global champion of human rights, itself fails to comply with international law, Ms Jilani told the newspaper.

Read More

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Pune, India., April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Natural Gas Vehicle Market: Key Insights

According to our new research study on Natural Gas Vehicle Market to 2027  COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis and Forecast  by Fuel Type, Application, and Vehicle Type, the Natural Gas Vehicle Market Size was valued at US$ 17,100 million in 2019 and is projected to reach US$ 28,805.75 million by 2027; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% during 20192027.

Natural Gas Vehicle Market: Competition Landscape and Key Developments

The Ford Motor Company, AB Volvo, General Motors, and Nissan are the key players in the global natural gas vehicle market. The listing of key players is based on parameters such as overall revenue; brand image; current natural gas vehicle solutions portfolio; technology integration and product enhancements; geographic reach; and new product/feature launches, market initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, and other market-related activities. Agility Fuel Solutions LLC, America Honda Motor Company, CNH Industrial N.V., Cummins Westport, Navistar Inc., Paccar Inc., and Volkswagen AG are among the other notable natural gas vehicle companies studied and analyzed during this market study.

In 2020, Agility Fuel Solutions urged the Indian automotive and fleet industry to implement long distance travel solutions with CNG. The Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas of India launched the countrys first long distance, CNG-powered bus under a strategic program led by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), the largest CNG distribution company in the country.

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In 2019, Miratorg, one of the largest producers and distributors of meat products in Russia, selected the Stralis NP 460 to leverage its environmental performance, which is consistent with the companys sustainable policy. The Stralis NP 460, with a CNG configuration, is a long-haul transport vehicle.

Natural gas is popularly being used as an alternative fuel to leverage established distribution networks, easy domestic availability, and low cost and emissions. With the notable spike in the prices of gasoline in various countries, vehicle fleet managers and consumers seek alternative fuel for their vehicles. According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), the US imported 3% of its petroleum needs from other countries in 2019; the transportation industry in the country accounts for ~30% of its total energy needs and 70% of its petroleum consumption. Using natural gas as an alternative fuel, along with advanced technologies, to lower fuel consumption is reinforcing national energy security and decreasing transportation energy costs for consumers and businesses. Natural gas also reduces overall maintenance costs as it does not react with metals and is less corrosive than diesel. Besides, several heavy-duty natural gas vehicles are capable of running for one million miles or more without overhaul.

APAC led the natural gas vehicle market in 2019. The market growth in this region is mainly attributed to the rising production of commercial vehicles and passenger cars. Surge in disposable income of individuals, along with growing economy, has resulted in surge in the sales of passenger cars and commercial vehicles in the past few years. APAC has become a global manufacturing hub with the presence of robust automotive and transportation sectors. Moreover, government initiatives such as Made in China 2025 and Make in India bolster the growth of these sectors in APAC countries.

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In Southeast Asian countries, developing infrastructure, increasing domestic consumption, and low labor costs are the key factors attracting automotive and transportation companies. With lower pollutant emissions than diesel vehicles, natural gas vehicles, especially heavy commercial vehicles, perform exceptionally well. The concerns regarding optimizing air quality is a significant factor boosting the popularity of natural gas in various APAC countries, such as India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Moreover, the proliferation of gas markets and public transportation infrastructure are other factor contributing to the growth of the natural gas vehicle market in APAC.

The global automotive and transportation industry is one of the major industries that is suffering serious disruptions such as supply chain breaks, technology events cancellations, office shutdowns etc. as a result of this outbreak. For instance, China is the global hub of manufacturing and largest raw material supplier for various industries and it is also one of the worst affected countries. The lockdown of various plants and factories in China is affecting the global supply chains and negatively impacting the manufacturing, delivery schedules, and sales of various electronic goods. In addition to this, the global travel bans imposed by countries in Europe, Asia, and North America are affecting the business collaborations and partnerships opportunities. All these factors are anticipated to affect automotive and transportation industry in a negative manner and thus act as restraining factor for the growth of various markets related to this industry in the coming months.

Energy security signifies the constant availability of cost-effective energy sources. It has numerous features, such as long-term energy security, chiefly handle timely investments to supply energy in line with environmental needs and economic developments. Short-term energy security revolves around the ability of energy systems to react quickly to unexpected changes in the supply-demand balance. The government of Pakistan has encouraged the introduction and development of CNG applications in the transportation sector through various policy measures. A huge number of natural gas vehicles, i.e., ~2 million vehicles, are running on road in Pakistan, which consume 2.5 billion cubic meters (BCM) of natural gas every year. Various Asian countries, especially India, have introduced crucial energy pricing reforms in oil, gas, coal, and electricity industries, which are essential to further open the energy market and improve its financial conditions. The country has taken substantial steps to strengthen its energy security by fostering domestic production of natural gas vehicles. Such government initiatives in various countries are supporting the natural gas vehicle market growth.

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Natural Gas Vehicle Market: Segmental Overview

Based on fuel type, the natural gas vehicle Market is segmented into CNG and LNG. The compressed natural gas (CNG) is a natural gas under pressure, which remains clear, odorless, and non-corrosive. It is a cheaper, greener, and more efficient alternative to gasoline and diesel. It can also be used as an alternative to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Natural gas is stored in a fuel tank or cylinder, mostly at the back of the vehicle. The CNG fuel system transfers high-pressure gas from the fuel tank through the fuel lines, wherein a pressure regulator reduces the pressure to a level that is compatible with the engine fuel injection system. Further, the fuel is introduced into the intake manifold or combustion chamber, where it is mixed with air and then compressed and ignited by a spark plug.













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This afternoon, a S.C. House subcommittee will meet to review H.3976. This bill would allow students living in households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level to apply for education scholarship accounts, or ESAs, which would be funded by taking about $6,500 per student from the public school district a student is zoned to attend. The funds could then be spent on a range of educational services, including private school tuition.

There are many reasons H.3976 would be bad public policy. In the first year, this new entitlement program would remove more than $32 million from public schools; that number could exceed $500 million per year by 2025. And based on the S.C. Supreme Courts recent ruling in Adams v. McMaster, the legislation also could violate our state constitution.

Supporters call education scholarship accounts a path to increased educational choice in our state. This is an argument I'm very familiar with after serving in the policy office of the U.S. Department of Education in 2016 and 2017. During that time, I heard countless arguments in favor of vouchers and ESAs as tools to expand choice or educational freedom. Regardless of the rhetoric, the program that would be created by H.3976 would not lead to greater choice for South Carolina students; it is simply one step toward our states privatization of public education.

True educational choice must meet three criteria: affordability, accessibility and accountability. The proposed education scholarship accounts fail on each count.

For individuals to have a real choice, they have to be able to afford all options. A $6,500 ESA will not enable all S.C. families to send their children to private schools, some of which have annual tuition bills in excess of $20,000. To truly provide choice for all families, educational options must have the same price tag required by our state constitution for public schools: free. In addition, the loss of funding this bill would create for public schools would lead to diminished choice for students within those schools, as districts will be required to cut positions or programs to balance budgets.

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Individuals also lack choice if options are not accessible. Due to their First Amendment freedom of association, private schools may deny admission to students on the basis of their disability status, religion or sexual orientation. Public dollars should only go to programs available to all S.C. families.

Finally, true choice requires adequate information. In our public schools, such information comes through our school accountability system. Recently, the states Education Oversight Committee has argued for the need for all students to take common assessments to provide easily comparable information across schools, so surely no member of the EOC would favor a bill that does not require this type of data.

However, under H.3976, private schools receiving education scholarship account funds would not have to administer the same assessments given in public schools. This means families couldn't make an informed comparison between educational options, and the public wouldn't be able to ensure that public funds are being spent wisely and effectively.

In spite of the shortcomings of H.3976, we should not abandon efforts to expand the real educational choice programs that currently work for thousands of families in our state. Many districts have robust intradistrict choice programs, and these could be enhanced with more state funding for student transportation. Our state also has a growing network of public charter schools that are fully affordable, accessible and accountable. To enhance choice further, the state should return to 2019 efforts to revise the state educational funding formula, a formula that currently does not include dedicated annual funding for public charter schools.

As our state works to expand educational opportunities for all students, choice has an important role to play  but only through programs that deliver options instead of privatization.

Patrick Kelly is the director of governmental affairs for the Palmetto State Teachers Association and has taught in South Carolina schools since 2005.
New Delhi, April 27 : Keeping in view the surging Covid cases, the Delhi government has decided to set up 500 ICU beds at historic Ramlila Maidan to treat Covid patients. This facility will be ready in the month of May, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said here on Tuesday.

Kejriwal on Tuesday visited two major government hospitals of Delhi - Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital (GTBH) and LNJP Hospital. He said, "We are preparing a 500-bed ICU facility at Ramlila Maidan right in front of LNJP Hospital. This facility is being built for Covid patients only and will be ready soon." Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain was also present with the Chief Minister during the visit.

The Chief Minister also paid a visit to GTB Hospital in East Delhi on Tuesday morning. He said that 500 ICU beds are getting ready here too. This temporary facility is expected to be completed by May 5, he said.

In view of the rising Covid cases in Delhi, the government has also decided to set up a 1000-bed temporary facility at Burari Maidan to treat Covid patients. Oxygen will also be provided to patients at this temporary facility, Kejriwal said.

Covid positivity rate in Delhi has increased to more than 35 per cent with record 380 people dying due to the disease in Delhi in the last 24 hours. A total of 1,435 people have died of Covid in Delhi in the last 4 days.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Jewish actor Mandy Patinkin broke down in tears on television after learning some of his relatives were killed in the Holocaust.

The revelation came as part of an episode of the PBS celebrity genealogy show 'Finding Your Roots' which will air on Tuesday night.

In it, presenters prove to Patinkin some of his relatives were killed in the Holocaust, despite the actor's long-held belief that was not the case.

Jewish actor Mandy Patinkin has broken down in tears on television after learning some of his relatives were killed in the Holocaust

The revelation came as part of an episode of the PBS celebrity genealogy show 'Finding Your Roots' which will air on Tuesday night. In it, presenters prove to Patinkin some of his relatives were killed in the Holocaust, despite the actor's long-held belief that was not the case

Presenters give the Jewish actor documents which prove his family members were killed at Treblinka, a concentration camp in north-eastern Poland.

Patinkin, 68, cries as the revelation that his family were rounded up in Bransk, a town in northeastern Poland, and sent to Treblinka, dawns on him.

'According to the evidence', Patinkin reads. 'All the Bransk Jews, men and women separately, breathed their last in the Treblinka gas chambers on the 10th of November 1942, at four o'clock in the afternoon. Their bodies were burned in the crematorium in Treblinka.'

'I don't have words', the Jewish actor says as he sheds tears on the program, which premiered on the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

'Oh my god', Patinkin says. 'You know, I went there and I would say to people, I've been interviewed so many times. I would say, I don't think any of my relatives died in the holocaust. I was never given this information.'

Born in Chicago, Patinkin was raised in an upper-middle class, conservative Jewish family in the city. His father ran two metal factories and his mother was a homemaker.

He attended religious school daily "from the age of seven to 13 or 14" and sang in synagogue choirs.

The program builds to the reveal as Patinkin is given a series of documents detailing what happened in his relatives' final days.

'The gendarmes appear when it is time to light the candles, and report on that Shabbos morning at seven o'clock, everyone must report as families at the entrance of the ghetto', he reads.

'They are told to bring only bread and water. There is terrible crying in the ghetto.'

The Jewish actor goes on to tell host Henry Louis Gates Jr. that he can't imagine the holocaust.

'My job is to imagine, that is my profession. I have never been able to get ahold of that', he says.

Patinkin's relatives were rounded up in Bransk Ghetto in November 1942 and transported to Treblinka concentration camp, where they were killed
[April 27, 2021] Farfetch to Announce First Quarter 2021 Results

Farfetch Limited (NYSE: FTCH), the leading global platform for the luxury fashion industry, announced that the company's first quarter 2021 financial results will be released after the U.S. market close on Thursday, May 13, 2021. Farfetch will host a conference call to discuss its results at 4:30 p.m. ET the same day. The live webcast of the call, along with the company's earnings press release, can be accessed at the Farfetch Investor Relations website at www.farfetchinvestors.com. Following the call, a replay will be available at the same website. About Farfetch Farfetch Limited is the leading global platfrm for the luxury fashion industry. Founded in 2007 by Jose Neves for the love of fashion, and launched in 2008, Farfetch began as an e-commerce marketplace for luxury boutiques around the world. Today the Farfetch Marketplace connects customers in over 190 countries and territories with items from more than 50 countries and over 1,300 of the world's best brands, boutiques and department stores, delivering a truly unique shopping experience and access to the most extensive selection of luxury on a single platform. Farfetch's additional businesses include Browns and Stadium Goods, which offer luxury products to consumers, and New Guards Group, a platform for the development of global fashion brands. Farfetch offers its broad range of consumer-facing channels and enterprise level solutions to the luxury industry under its Luxury New Retail initiative. The Luxury New Retail initiative also encompasses Farfetch Platform Solutions, which services enterprise clients with e-commerce and technology capabilities and innovations such as Store of the Future, its connected retail solution.



For more information, please visit www.farfetchinvestors.com.

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Activated Agent, a marketing agency specializing in creative brand design, website development, IDX home search, and strategic marketing, created a branding package designed to help agents of all levels propel their careers and immediately attract new clients.

The branding package is for professionals looking to develop a modernized brand or revamp their current image, using a streamlined process that includes a custom-designed logo, business cards, email banners, open house signs, and yard signs.

Real Estate Creative Agency - For The Real Estate Professional

"Everyone has a unique story to tell and a way of doing business; by sharing your brand's true value, you are creating direct pathways to your ideal client. We thrive by creating long-lasting relationships," says co-founder Joshua Kassel.

Once the Agent receives their fresh new brand package, Activated Agent also provides online services utilizing the latest techniques to develop interactive, user-friendly Real Estate websites. Every website has the capability to add an effective online home search, CRM software and is fully customizable to your needs.

"Run your business as a business," says co-founder Colby Kassel. The agency looks at real estate agents as a business, not just an employee under the brokerage; they train and add value by helping their clients every step of the way to treat their real estate career just like any other business.

Joshua & Colby Kassel created Activated Agent in 2016 with one goal in mind; offering a one-stop-shop for Real Estate agents to get all their creative marketing solutions to separate themselves from the competition.

Activated Agent has assisted one of the fastest-growing residential Real Estate brokerages in the country. Named "A fastest-growing company" by Inc 500 five years in a row, MyHomeGroup closed over 20,000 transactions and $7 billion in sales in 2020. The brokerage is currently ranked No. 2 in Arizona in volume.

Activated Agent is now positioning themselves into the broker world, creating a counterpart called Activated Broker. Activated Broker is poised to provide the same creative services but custom-tailored solutions & marketing strategies that will define the brokerage.

"We accomplish this by understanding your specific goals and culture, then we ''go to work'' and create a plan that works for you." says owners Joshua & Colby Kassel.

Media Contact:

Dustin Capp

[email protected]

Ph: 480-613-8175

SOURCE Activated Agent

Related Links

http://www.activatedagent.com


During an almost four-hour questioning by the parliament's constitutional committee over the country's handling of the corornavirus pandemic, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven firmly denied that herd immunity has ever been part of the government's strategy.

"I want to firmly reject all speculation that I have heard for a long time, that herd immunity was part of any strategy. Never ever", was Stefan Lofven's answer, according to national broadcaster SVT.

Stefan Lofven said that while the government has had and still has a strategic focus on measures against coronavirus, no formal government decision on the strategy has ever been made.

"The government has chosen a direction for how the government should work, such a need doesn't need to be expressed through government decisions", Lofven said.

He emphasised that the strategic direction that has been followed throughout has been to limit the spread of infection, protect people's lives and health, and manage healthcare.

"It has been about judging according to the situation, which measures are best at a given time. Knowledge and proven science have been the guidelines", Lofven said.

Lofven was also asked about the position of the Swedish Public Health Agency, including whether the agency was given an all too prominent role when dealing with the pandemic.

The prime minister replied that it is an "expert authority" with "prominent experts", suggesting that it would be direct misconduct not to listen to them.

Lofven also emphasised that the government takes full responsibility for Sweden's COVID-19 strategy.

Conflicting Messaging

Over the course of last year, however, the Swedish medical authorities and politicians at various levels came up with conflicting messaging about the pandemic.

State epidemiologist Anders Tegnell himself denied that Sweden's strategy was herd immunity, but ventured it was the only way to stop the pandemic. Instead, however, he described Sweden's official strategy as "spreading as slowly as possible, so that the healthcare system has time to take care of all those who fall ill".

At a press conference last year, Norrbotten County infection control doctor Anders Nystedt said that herd immunity would be achieved "calmly and quietly", venturing that all Norrbotteners will eventually have to go through the infection. At the same time, a page of his presentation said "Goal => Flock immunity".

According to former head of the National Board of Health and Welfare's infection control unit Peet Tull's book "The Herd", which features excerpts from e-mail correspondence, the Swedish Public Health Agency initially contemplated several approaches, and chose the path to hypothetical herd immunity.

The first alternative was a total shutdown of society for four weeks. The second was tracking infections on a large scale, finding the infected, and putting them in a two-week quarantine. The third option involved "allowing the spread of infection, slowly or rapidly, to achieve a hypothetical 'herd immunity'".

Tull by his own admission advocated alternative two and pointed out that alternative three appeared to be a headless strategy. To this, Anders Tegnell allegedly replied: "Yes, but we have walked through this and after all landed at three nonetheless", the newspaper Aftonbladet reported.

Harsh Criticism

The Swedish corona handling has received harsh criticism, not least because it took such a long time to get mass testing started, but also for the initial lack of protective equipment in healthcare and elderly care, which was later rectified. The government also came under fire for failing to duly protect the elderly and allowing the virus to spread in nursing and retirement homes, bringing the death toll up.

To date, Sweden, which has consequently steered clear of any lockdowns, remains an outlier among its neighbours, with more COVID-19 cases and deaths than the rest of Scandinavia combined. Sweden, a nation of over 10 million, is edging toward a million COVID-19 cases, with nearly 14,000 fatalities.

(SPUTNIK)
Clothing manufacturer will invest $15 million

Company has operated in Rhea County for 94 years

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Robinson Manufacturing officials announced today that the clothing manufacturing and distribution company will expand its operations, creating 91 new jobs in Rhea County.

Robinson Manufacturing will invest $15 million to increase its manufacturing and distribution capabilities. The company manufactures, decorates, warehouses and distributes apparel for customers around the world. Due to increased demand, it has constructed a new warehouse and distribution space at its existing location at 1140 Broadway St. in Dayton, Tenn.

Robinson Manufacturing has remained family owned and operated since it was founded in 1927. Throughout its history, the company has manufactured apparel for a wide range of distribution, including nearly 90 percent of its production on World War II efforts in the 1940s.

Those interested in applying can go to https://www.robinsonmfg.com/careers to learn more, or apply in person at 798 Market Street in Dayton.

Over the last five years, TNECD has supported 80 economic development projects in Southeast Tennessee, resulting in 10,500 job commitments and $3.2 billion in capital investment.

QUOTES

I congratulate Robinson Manufacturing on its expansion in Rhea County and am proud to partner with a company that has had roots in Tennessee for nearly 100 years. Job creation in rural communities is crucial to our states economic success, and I thank Robinson Manufacturing for creating these 91 new jobs.  Gov. Bill Lee

Supporting projects in our at-risk and distressed counties is a priority for TNECD, and Robinson Manufacturings investment is an indicator of healthy growth in Rhea County. Companies have invested more than $9.5 billion in our rural counties over the last five years, and we are fortunate to add this additional investment in Rhea County. Were grateful to Rhea Economic Tourism Council, the city of Dayton and Rhea County who helped bring this project to fruition.  TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe

Robinson Manufacturing Company is proud to be able to expand our operations in Rhea County where it all started in 1927. Our deep roots in the generations of the people of Rhea County is the foundation of our success. We certainly look forward to our future as well as continuing to provide jobs for our great community.  Patrick Robinson, president, Robinson Mfg. Company

TVA and City of Dayton Electric Department congratulate Robinson Manufacturing on its decision to expand operations in Dayton. Its always an exciting day when we can celebrate a companys continued commitment to job creation and investment in the region. We are proud to partner with Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and Rhea Economic and Tourism Council to celebrate this announcement and support Robinson Manufacturing in its continued business success in the Valley.  John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development

We could not be more excited for Robinson Manufacturing and Rhea County. These new jobs will make a tremendous difference and will have a very positive spillover effect on our communities. Governor Lee, the General Assembly and our county officials have worked diligently to attract investment and break down barriers to job growth and it is producing results. It is also testament to the great people who make up our local workforce. Thank you to Governor Lee, Commissioner Rolfe, and our local officials for helping to secure these jobs. It is a pleasure to partner with them to bring new and better paying jobs to this region.  Sen. Ken Yager (R-Kingston)

Robinson Manufacturing is a valued employer in our community, and I congratulate them and their employees on their remarkable success. I am grateful to our local leaders who work hard to promote and advance our existing industries in Rhea County.  Rep. Ron Travis (R-Dayton)

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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Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) signed a bill into law on Tuesday banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected.

Why it matters: Fetal heartbeats can be observed as early as six weeks into pregnancy, before many women even know they are pregnant, per AP.

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Of note: "The bill contains a 'trigger provision,' which means it wouldnt go into effect unless a federal appeals court somewhere in the country upholds similar legislation from another state," AP writes.

The big picture: The law states that doctors who perform abortion procedures after a fetal heartbeat is audible could face up to five years in prison.

It does allow for exceptions in cases of rape, incest or medical emergency.

But, but, but: The exceptions may only be applied if "the woman has reported the act of rape or incest to a law enforcement agency and provided a copy of such report to the physician."

Idaho law does not allow police reports to be released during active investigations, per AP.

What they're saying: Planned Parenthood tweeted after Little signed the measure on Tuesday, saying: "Let's be clear: Nothing changes today or in the future. Abortion is still legal in Idaho, even after six weeks."

"This is a trigger law that would ONLY begin IF a similar ban is upheld in a separate court. And, of course, we'll sue to stop it then."

Zoom out: Other states are pursuing similar legislation.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed several abortion-related bills on onday, including one stating that doctors who perform abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected can be charged with homicide, The Hill reported.

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We have zero tolerance for those who traffic drugs in our community, Sheriff John Idleburg said. This case was the culmination of great teamwork between the members serving in our Special Investigations Group and our federal partners, which will prevent nearly three kilos of cocaine from making it into our community.
The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) is not "a political toy" and there is no option it be rejected by Brussels, said, on Tuesday, President Klaus Iohannis.

"Until the end of May we will have a buttoned-up plan, agreed by the European Commission, which may then be submitted. The deadline for the end of April was not a final deadline, it was a provisional one," showed the head of state, during a press conference at the Cotroceni Palace.

He said that the chances for the plan's approval are "one hundred percent".

"We will have a good plan, good for Romania, accepted by the European Commission and we will put it into practice. There is no question mark here. All sorts of stories peddled by the opposition are just that, stories, because they're upset they're in opposition, but the plan goes forward," said the head of state.

Iohannis stated that the negotiations regarding the PNRR will continue "until it reaches the form to be implemented."

"It's not like a Baccalaureate exam, where you either get accepted or rejected. It's a national plan, it's not a political toy. This National Plan reflects Romania's objectives. The Commission has its own expectations in regards to objectives, procedures, investment plans and the complications arising from the very short time frame in which it has to be implemented, but there is no option for this National Plan to be rejected. It can be negotiated fast or less fast. In the end, it will exist and it will be implemented. It's certain," Iohannis explained.
KALAMAZOO, MI  A woman facing charges in a Kalamazoo County double homicide is heading toward trial.

Tonesha Taylor-McMillon, 19, of Kalamazoo, had her case bound over April 27 to Kalamazoo County Circuit Court. She faces two felony counts of open murder and one count of first-degree home invasion.

Taylor-McMillon was arraigned Feb. 24 in Kalamazoo County District Court on the charges tied to the Dec. 29 fatal shooting deaths of Katoya McPherson, 33, and Floyd Brahsers, 36. McPherson and Brahsers were killed in the 3700 block of Parkside Drive, police said, at the Oak Tree apartment complex.

Taylor-McMillons brother Dangelo Davis, 24, of Kalamazoo, is also facing charges connected to the deaths. He was arraigned March 31 on two felony counts of open murder, three counts of felony firearm and one count of first-degree home invasion.

Davis and Taylor-McMillon are brother and sister, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in District Court.

Related: Two people charged in double homicide in Kalamazoo County

Taylor-McMillon told police she drove Davis and her younger brother to an area near the apartment complex on the night McPherson and Brahsers were killed, the affidavit said.

She said she stayed in the vehicle while Davis and her younger brother went to the apartment. They came back and she drove away, while her brothers were talked about how to get rid of the gun, emptying the clip and the look on the victims faces as they were dying, the affidavit said.

Davis went to the Kalamazoo Township Police Department on March 29 to voluntarily confess, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in District Court. He confirmed much of what Taylor-McMillon said, according to the document.

Davis told police the killing was about his pride, because McPherson and Brahsers had taken his vehicle earlier, the affidavit said.

Taylor-McMillion was scheduled for a preliminary examination in District Court Tuesday, April 27, but she waived the hearing. Her case was bound over and will be heard by a Circuit Court judge at a future date.

Davis is scheduled for a preliminary examination May 21, court records show. They are both being held without bond.

More from MLive:

2 school proposals on Kalamazoo County ballots in May 4 election

Deaths of Michigan father, 2 young children is now murder investigation, not murder-suicide, police say

Increase Kalamazoo River sludge removal, lawmakers urge dam owner
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 21:03:52|Editor: huaxia

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MANILA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines will impose travel restrictions from India starting on Thursday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday, adding the ban will remain in place until May 14.

"All travelers coming from India or those with travel history to India within the last 14 days preceding arrival shall be prohibited from entering the Philippines," Roque said in a statement, without stating the reason for the travel ban.

India is battling an exponential surge of COVID-19 infections driven by a new COVID-19 variant. The travel ban is a precautionary measure to prevent the entry of a highly virulent variant detected in that South Asian country.

Roque said the travel ban could also apply to travelers from countries that reported the new variant detected in India.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told reporters in an online briefing that the Philippines has not detected the variant raging in India.

The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported on Tuesday 7,204 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 1,013,618. Enditem
South Carolina reported 362 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus and three new deaths April 26.

Here's the latest on the pandemic in South Carolina.

Two-thirds of SC's 65 and older population have been vaccinated against COVID-19 In the nearly four months since shots first became available to South Carolina's oldest residents, about two-thirds of state residents 65 and older are fully vaccinated, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows.

1:30 p.m.  About four months since shots first became available to South Carolina's oldest residents, about two-thirds of state residents 65 and older are fully vaccinated, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. Read more.

1 p.m.  As the 2020-21 school year nears its end, a group of parents are asking that the Charleston County School District remove the requirement for students to wear masks on campus. Read more.

CDC says many Americans can now go outside without a mask The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased its guidelines Tuesday on the wearing of masks outdoors, saying fully vaccinated Americans don't need to cover their faces anymore unless they are in a big crowd of strangers.

12:52 p.m.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased its guidelines Tuesday on the wearing of masks outdoors, saying fully vaccinated Americans don't need to cover their faces anymore unless they are in a big crowd of strangers. Read more.

Georgetown County to let mask mandate expire, points to vaccination numbers Georgetown County's mask mandate is set to expire Tuesday night after being in place since July 3, 2020.

6 a.m.  Georgetown County's mask mandate is set to expire Tuesday night after being in place since July 3, 2020. Chairman Louis Morant said council didnt add the ordinance to the agenda, therefore paving the way for its expiration, because of high vaccination rates in the county and a lack of outward support for extending it. Read more.
PUNE, India, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ReportnReports provides a comprehensive overview of the size of the SARS-CoV-2 COVID Vaccine market, segmentation of the industry (by geography and vaccine technology), key players and the vast potential of vaccines that are in clinical trials. Kelly Scientific analysis indicates that the global COVID vaccine market was worth $59 billion in 2021. However, our forecast indicates that an initial drop in 2022 will occur due to a number of factors including single booster shots as opposed to two shot vaccines and reduced prices in vaccines due to competition.

The COVID vaccine industry is expected to then grow significantly at a CAGR of over 9% and reach $47.5 billion by 2026. This is due to an opening up of the market from a closed government dominated space to one in which private healthcare providers and companies can purchase vaccines. There will also be a continued significant un-met need for vaccine boosters in an endemic situation.

Get a Free Sample Copy of Global SARS-CoV-2 COVID Vaccine Market Research Report with Top Key Players Analysis and 137 Pages Report at https://www.reportsnreports.com/contacts/requestsample.aspx?name=4186838

This report describes the evolution of such a huge market in 8 chapters supported by over 74 tables and figures in over 137 pages. The report focuses on the following:

An overview of the SARS-CoV2 virus that includes: genetic and structural analysis, mutation and variant characterization

Global COVID vaccine market, global landscape analysis, vaccine technology breakdown and leading market players

Advance purchase agreements, marketed/pipeline products, financial analysis and business strategy of the major companies in this space

Focus on current trends, business environment, pipeline products, clinical trials, and future market forecast for COVID vaccines to 2026

Clinical trial timelines for major vaccines in the pipeline

Insight into the challenges faced by stakeholders, particularly manufacturers and governments

Insight into the emergence of variants and their impact on vaccine effectiveness and the overall market

Financial market forecast through 2026 with CAGR values of all market segments - vaccine technology, geography (US, EU, UK, Japan , RoW) and major players

, RoW) and major players Influence of the molecular diagnostics, PCR testing and POC testing landscapes

Numbers of vaccine doses available by each manufacturer per annum

Geographical analysis and challenges within countries with respect to advance purchase agreements and distribution channels

Global SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak - Pandemic to Vaccine Discovery

Since an initial outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan at the end of 2019, to a pandemic of over 110 million infections and 2.41 million deaths in 2021, a global effort has been made to structurally elucidate this virus and develop new vaccines to reduce its transmission. Currently, Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Gamelaya, J&J, Novavax, Sinovac and Curevac have developed the most prominent vaccines in the pipeline. At the time of writing, 234 million people have been vaccinated globally, the majority being in the US, China and the EU.

Challenges of Mutations and Threats of Future Variants

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutations globally have enabled the virus to become more infectious. Sequencing thousands of samples have enabled the identification of the most common mutations thus far including B.1.1.7 (UK), B.1.351 (South Africa) and P1 lineage (Japan/Brazil). Mutations such as these give the virus an evolutionary advantage for selection as they allow for protein structural changes in the spike protein.

This is most notable in Ireland which had a 5% prevalence of the B.1.1.7 strain in December 2020, which increased dramatically to 90% prevalence by February 2021. The B.1.1.7 strain contains numerous mutations in the spike region which give it a higher affinity to attach to human cells. Studies to date estimate that this variant is between 30-50% more infectious than the original strain.

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Will this Have an Effect on the Efficacy of Vaccines?

Mutations arising in the spike protein of variants pose a potential problem for the efficacy of vaccines. This is due to the fact that vaccines to date target the spike protein, and so neutralizing antibodies and the T cell response are primed against the original spike protein structure. With regards the South African B1.351 variant, serum from individuals who received the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine were shown to have lower neutralization ability in in vitro assays. However, even though neutralization ability was lower, it was still significant.

A similar study demonstrated that neutralization of a virus containing three mutations from the South African variant from sera from individuals vaccinated with Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2 was lower than the UK variant. However, the study indicated that differences in neutralization was very small. This study indicates that the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine still works against the South African strain, but is slightly less effective. Similarly, the AstraZeneca, Novavax and J&J vaccines also show slightly less protection.

A recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine evaluated a study group of 596,618 vaccinated people (matched to unvaccinated controls) in Israel for BNT162b2 COVID vaccine effectiveness. Their results indicated that BNT162b2 vaccination is highly effective in a real world population, and mirrors clinical trial results thus far.

Vaccines Penetrating the Market

Currently, there are a range of vaccines penetrating the COVID market, most notably using mRNA technology (Pfizer/BioNTech/Moderna/CureVac), recombinant proteins (Novavax), viral vectors (AstraZeneca/J&J/Gamaleya) and inactivated virus (Sinovac/Sinopharm/Bharat Biotech).

SARS-CoV-2 will continue to exist as influenza and RSV does, and so it will become an endemic virus in the future. It is forecast that we will always potentially be fighting a variant of the original virus and vaccines will adapt to this over time. Regulatory pathways will also need to adapt in concert.

Data Sources and Methodology

Based in Locations in Europe, our analyst team are all PhD-level experts and industry-experienced professionals. They pool resources, contacts, business acumen and technical experience to provide cutting edge insights for all of Kelly Scientific reports. Our senior analysts have at least ten years' experience in major strategic corporations. Our methodologies are clearly defined from the outset. Initially a number of clear objectives are set, e.g., to identify the market size, segmentation, key players, SWOT analysis, influential technologies, and business and economic environments:

By Company (e.g., Pfizer. BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Novovax, J&J)

By Geography (US, UK, EU, Japan , RoW)

, RoW) By Segment (vaccine technology - mRNA, Recombinant Protein, Viral Vectors, whole inactivated virus)

Key Strengths, Weaknesses and Threats Influencing Leading Player Position within the Market:

Technologies Driving the Market

Top Fastest Growing Market Segments and Emerging Opportunities

Top Pharmaceutical Companies within the by Market Share and Revenue

Comprehensive Product Portfolios, R&D Activity and Pipeline Therapeutics

M&A Activity and Future Strategies of Top Pharmacos

Following this, we determine key financial data & business strategy information to give clients the most accurate information required to identify areas of profitable growth and what technical advantages are required in a competitive landscape:

Company Financials, Sales & Revenue Figures

Government advance purchase agreements (ADA's) and funding

Business Model Strategies for Diagnostic, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies

Get 20% Discount on Global SARS-CoV-2 COVID Vaccine Market Research Report Direct Purchase at https://www.reportsnreports.com/purchase.aspx?name=4186838

Market analysis is initiated using primary research tools such as speaking directly with end-users, identifying their needs and any un-met needs in the market place. This exploratory research identifies any specific requirements in the market, and is tailored specifically to niche markets such as COVID vaccines, immunotherapy, personalized medicine, targeted therapeutics and companion diagnostics, drug delivery systems, cosmetic surgery and services, and cancer biomarkers. At Kelly Scientific, we have a wide range of contacts within these niche areas that provide us with cutting edge insights to a marketplace that is beyond the reach of many. We also travel to a wide range of international conferences quarterly to source new data and trends from global experts.

Secondary research performed by Kelly Scientific is meticulously scrutinized and analysed prior to integration into a final report. We only use validated and confirmed sources of information from company specific corporate websites, annual reports, press-releases, government publications, international scientific and medical journals and research reports. All graphical and numerical data included in our reports are referenced and sourced accordingly. Specific websites are consulted and referenced throughout the including that of the Food and Drug Association (www.fda.gov), the National Cancer Institute, World Health Organization, PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov and other government agencies worldwide. Kelly Scientific utilises the most recent statistical and numerical data available.

Together both primary and secondary research and also unique insights from the chief analysts and editor alike provide the client with a report that exceeds its competitors. We strive to out-perform our competitors, just like our clients.

The senior editor of the SARS-CoV-2 COVID Vaccine market analysis report obtained a Ph.D. in Medicine/Genetics/Immunology from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, a M.Sc. in Biotechnology (NUIG) and an honours degree in Biochemistry from Trinity College Dublin. With many years of medical writing, publishing, market analysis and forecasting, the senior editor also has extensive knowledge of immunology, vaccine development, infectious diseases, diagnostic testing and molecular biology.

Countries Covered

North America, Europe, Japan, UK, RoW

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Banagher College on behalf of Hooves 4 Hospice is organising a raffle of a calf to aid the fundraising effort to reach their goal of raising vital funds for Offaly Hospice.

The latest school's latest fundraising effort will go towards the cost of building the planned Midlands Regional Hospice in Tullamore.

The midlands (including Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath) is the only region in Ireland that doesn't have a level 3 hospice.

One year after the launch of Hooves 4 Hospice in January 2020, over 420 animals are now being reared by farmers participating in the project. When the animals are reared and sold, the entire proceeds will be donated to our project. Cash donations totalling over 100,000 have also been received. You can donate HERE. Further information can be found at Hooves 4 hospice.
An immigration investigation is underway after a travelling has been found to have left Perth during lockdown, making their way to New Zealand.

In a statement released this afternoon, the Ministry of Health says Immigration New Zealand has alerted the Ministry of Health to a person who travelled from Perth to Auckland, via Sydney, on April 26, during the Perth/Peel lockdown period.

The person arrived in Auckland and travelled on to Northland.

"Immigrations Border Operations became aware of this persons arrival during routine passenger screening checks after they arrived in Auckland," says the Ministry.

"The person is currently self-isolating.

"Any person who enters New Zealand who is ineligible for Quarantine-Free Travel is required to isolate for 14 days and is subject to penalties.

"While the public health risk has been assessed as low, it serves as an important reminder that our public health response relies on accuracy and people fully complying with the safety measures that have been put in place by both countries.

"The actions of one person could jeopardise Quarantine-Free Travel with Australia for everyone.

"An Immigration NZ investigation is underway as to how the person was able to come into the country.

New Zealand health officials remain in contact with their Australian counterparts and are closely monitoring the situation in Western Australia.

"The current risk to New Zealand has been assessed as low. A further update will be provided this afternoon."

Information for anyone who is in New Zealand and has been in Perth or Peel since April 17 is on the locations of interest page on the Ministry of Health website, and on the Western Australia Department of Health site.

If you have been to a location of interest you should stay at home, or in your accommodation, get a test, and contact Healthline 0800 358 5453.

All people who have been in Perth or Peel between April 17 and April 26 should watch for symptoms for 14 days after leaving these areas and if symptoms develop they should stay home and get a test.

As per our framework, travel to the rest of Australia will continue.

If you're booked to travel between New Zealand and Western Australia in the next few days, check what you need to do with your airline.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is once again reporting that there are no new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today.

However, there are eight new cases detected in managed isolation since the Ministry's last update on April 25.

"The seven-day rolling average of new cases detected at the border is two," says a spokesperson in a statement released today.

"Five previously reported cases have recovered."

The total number of active cases in New Zealand today is 36.

The total number of confirmed cases is 2253.

Since January 1, 2021, there have been 49 historical cases, out of a total of 437 cases.

The total number of tests processed by laboratories to date is 2,004,818, reports the Ministry.

On Monday, 2079 tests were processed.

The seven-day rolling average up to yesterday is 3829 tests processed.

For testing locations in Auckland, visit Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS).

For all testing locations nationwide visit the Healthpoint website.

New border cases details

Arrival date From Via Positive test day/reason Managed isolation/quarantine location 12 April Pakistan UAE Day 12 / contact of a case Auckland 12 April Pakistan UAE Day 12 / contact of a case Auckland 22 April Germany UAE Day 3 / routine Auckland 22 April USA Day 3 / routine Auckland 23 April Pakistan Qatar Day 1 / routine Auckland 24 April Pakistan UAE Day 0 / routine Auckland 25 April Japan Day 0 / routine Auckland 25 April Japan Day 0 / routine Auckland



April airport case update

All 39 close contacts of the border worker who tested positive last Tuesday have returned negative test results, reports the Ministry.

"The close contacts will continue to self-isolate and they will be retested.

"Public health officials are in daily communication with all contacts to monitor their health and confirm any upcoming testing dates."

Wastewater

A very weak positive Covid-19 result has been detected in a wastewater sample Eastern Interceptor (Central and Eastern Auckland).

"It is the same area where 10 recovered people have recently returned, after spending time in the Auckland quarantine facility," says the Ministry.

"Seven of these people were released within 1-2 days prior to the sample being taken. Another sample is being taken today with results expected later this week.

"The recovered cases are no longer infectious and there is no evidence that the wastewater is infectious.

"We know that people who have recently had Covid-19 may continue to shed fragments of the virus for some weeks after they have recovered, without being infectious to others.

"Wastewater sampling can detect these fragments, which are not infectious and their presence is not considered a risk to the community.

"Wastewater testing in New Zealand is being increased, and when unexplained detections occur this will help support prioritisation of surveillance and testing of potentially infectious individuals."

NZ Covid Tracer

NZ Covid Tracer now has 2,799,440 registered users.

Poster scans have reached 256,621,661 and users have created 9,604,457 manual diary entries.

There have been 537,362 scans in the last 24 hours to midday yesterday.
After a long year and a lot of anticipation, getting the Covid-19 vaccine can be cause for celebration, which for some might mean pouring a drink and toasting to their new immunity. But can alcohol interfere with your immune response?

The short answer is that it depends on how much you drink.

There is no evidence that having a drink or two can render any of the current Covid vaccines less effective. Some studies have even found that over the longer term, small or moderate amounts of alcohol might actually benefit the immune system by reducing inflammation.

Heavy alcohol consumption, on the other hand, particularly over the long term, can suppress the immune system and potentially interfere with your vaccine response, experts say. Since it can take weeks after a Covid shot for the body to generate protective levels of antibodies against the novel coronavirus, anything that interferes with the immune response would be cause for concern.

If you are truly a moderate drinker, then theres no risk of having a drink around the time of your vaccine, said Ilhem Messaoudi, director of the Center for Virus Research at the University of California, Irvine, who has conducted research on the effects of alcohol on the immune response. But be very cognizant of what moderate drinking really means. Its dangerous to drink large amounts of alcohol because the effects on all biological systems, including the immune system, are pretty severe and they occur pretty quickly after you get out of that moderate zone.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 04:01:12|Editor: huaxia

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Claudia Laurenzo (L) and Silvia Verticelli, co-workers at a coffee bar, pose for a photo in Rome, Italy, on April 26, 2021. Most of Italy reopened for business on Monday after the government dramatically eased coronavirus health restrictions. For many Italians, the change was welcome even if nervousness about the pandemic remained. (Xinhua) TO GO WITH Feature: As most of Italy reopens, residents are thankful but aware of pandemic risks

ROME, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Most of Italy reopened for business on Monday after the government dramatically eased coronavirus health restrictions. For many Italians, the change was welcome even if nervousness about the pandemic remained.

As of Monday, 14 of Italy's 20 regions have been classified as "yellow", the second least-restrictive level in Italy's four-color-coded system of regional coronavirus health restrictions. Among them are Lombardy, the region that includes the country's financial capital of Milan, and Lazio, which includes Rome. Five regions are classified as "orange", the second most restrictive category, and the island region of Sardinia would remain "red", the most restrictive category.

Until Sunday, all of Italy had been classified as "orange" or "red".

Just last month, Sardinia had been the first Italian region declared a "white" zone, virtually restriction-free -- an illustration of how quickly circumstances can change in a given region. That was a point brought up by Michela Puddu, a native of Sardinia living in Rome, where she is an administrator in a veterinary clinic.

"I don't know how long these looser restrictions will last, but I am happy to have some extra freedom for a while," Puddu told Xinhua. "I don't think we are near the end of the pandemic. My family in Sardinia can attest to that. But I want to enjoy this while I can."

In the "yellow" regions, bars and restaurants can re-open as long as customers are seated outside. Museums, archeological sites, cinemas, and theaters can reopen with social distancing rules in effect, and in the case of museums and archeological sites, with advanced reservations. Travel outside of cities and between regions under the "yellow" category will be allowed. But the national 10 p.m. curfew remains in place.

The restrictions are being eased as overall indicators such as the coronavirus infection and mortality rates improve compared to their recent highs in February and March, though they remain far above the levels from last summer -- the last time the level of restrictions was so low in so much of the country.

According to expert observers, the move to reopen most of the country is a calculated risk by Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

"The loosening of the restrictions can work as long as people obey the rules that remain in place, like mask rules, social distancing, avoiding big crowds, and so on," Massimo Galli, head of the infectious disease section at Sacco Hospital in Milan, told Xinhua. "My big fear is that too many people will think all those means the crisis is over and it's not. If that happens, we will be under lockdown again within a few weeks."

For Marco Canali, a sanitation worker in Rome, the eased restrictions will be a chance to see friends he hasn't seen in weeks or months. He said he knows the risks, and vows to obey health rules, but for him the situation still feels like a breath of fresh air.

"Under the restrictions, the city felt like it was sleeping," Canali told Xinhua. "It makes me happy to see it waking up a little with these new rules."

For Silvia Verticelli and Claudia Laurenzo, co-workers at a coffee bar in Rome's historical center, there are social, psychological, and economic implications that come with the eased restrictions. Before Monday, the bar where they work had been shuttered for more than a month, meaning that neither had a source of income.

"Before, I was at home every day and it was monotonous," Verticelli, a cook, told Xinhua. "Now at least my time can be split between home and work."

Laurenzo, a barista, shared the view: "It's nice to see people again and to have work to do," she said in an interview. "But it's also been a very difficult period economically. I have to say it's good to be earning money again." Enditem
As a new study shows the strength of the luxury home market nationally, Connecticut continues to see a surge of homes priced at $5 million or more  and not all in the prime stomping grounds of Greenwich, where dozens are available above that threshold.

A day after a backcountry Greenwich home on Round Hill Road went on the market for $11.9 million, a spread in the heart of Litchfield County topped that asking price by $50,000  with more than 100 acres of land and amenities that include a Greek amphitheater.

The same day, another Round Hill Road property hit at nearly $5.5 million  along with an Old Saybrook listing that topping that price by exactly $1 million, a shingled colonial on Fenwick neck fronting Long Island Sound, near the entrance to the Connecticut River.

On Wednesday, Redfin reported that luxury real estate sales nationally are running more than 40 percent above their levels of a year ago, compared to gains of 7 percent or less for homes it categorizes as mid-priced or affordable.

In Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, it is a trend that dates back to the pandemic exodus from Manhattan as companies kept workers in home offices during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some opting for the suburbs or countryside.

Alexander Soule / Hearst Connecticut Media

With inventory so sparse, it is diffusing all over the place said Paul Breunich, CEO of William Pitt Sothebys International Realty, which lists the Litchfield Hills and Old Saybrook properties. People cant choose, Well, Im going to live in Rye (N.Y.) or Im not going to move. Well no  if they want to move, they are going to be looking in Rye, they are going to be looking in Greenwich and Darien,  theyre going to be looking in Ridgefield.

Like many Connecticut listings, 2021 was not the market debut for the Senff Road home in Washingtons Litchfield Hills, which had been on the market at varying points in the past five years.

But emboldened by a continuing real estate boom in Connecticut and parts of New York and New Jersey, property owners are putting listings back on the market that failed to command their asking prices in prior years.

As of Thursday morning, Zillow listed about 200 Connecticut homes priced at $5 million or more. Two Norwalk listings went online on Wednesday priced above $5 million, and homes hit the market between $4 million and $5.5 million in Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Fairfield and New Fairfield.

Alexander Soule / Hearst Connecticut Media

Greenwich continues to dominate the Connecticut luxury market; mansions priced at $32 million and $25 million went into their second week on the open market, and a $55 million listing now creeps into its third week.

Earlier this month in the Greenwich Streets blog authored by Mark Pruner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties, Pruner theorized that New Yorks decision to raise taxes on top earning residents could push some to explore Connecticut as an alternative residence among those choosing to stay in the orbit of Manhattan.

I expect youll see some rather impressive high-end sales later in the year, Pruner wrote.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
Industry veteran brings more than 25 years of experience to AmTrust Title

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AmTrust Title Insurance Companys New York Agency Division today announced that Margaret T. Ling, Esq. has joined as Business Development and Underwriting Counsel. Lings focus will be on the continued support, development and growth of the New York State Agency Division.

Prior to joining AmTrust, Ling held the role of Senior Counsel at Big Apple Abstract Corp. She also previously served as Senior Underwriting Counsel at MacGregor Abstract Corp, New York Title Services and First Nationwide Title Agency, LLC. In her more than 25 years in the industry, Ling has also worked at companies including First American Title National Commercial Services, Fidelity National Title Group and Stewart Title Insurance Company. She began her career as an attorney in private practice specializing in residential and commercial real estate law and business and corporate transactions.

James Thanasules, Esq., manager of AmTrust Titles New York Agency Division, stated, Margaret has a wealth of real estate knowledge with over 25 years of experience in the title insurance industry, both working for title insurance underwriters and title agents. She understands the needs of title agents and how to best service them.

According to Jason Gordon, President of AmTrust Title, Margaret is a tremendous asset to our agency base. She organizes and presents many vibrant continuing legal education and networking events on the latest important topics in real estate and she continues to be involved and engaged with the New York bar associations and real estate community.

Ling currently serves as the Development Director and Co-Chairperson of the Real Estate Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of New York; Board of Director and Co-Chairperson of the Asian Practice Committee at the New York County Lawyers Association; Member of the Executive Council of the New York State Network of Bar Leaders; Board of Director of the Asian Real Estate Professional Association; Board of Director of the Brooklyn Real Estate Board; Board of Director of the Queens Chamber of Commerce Foundation; Chairperson of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Queens County Bar Association; Member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the New York State Bar Association; Member of the National Diversity Council.

Ling received her Bachelor of Arts degree in History, Cum Laude from Barnard College-Columbia University and her Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School. She is admitted to practice in the State of New York.

About AmTrust Title Insurance Company

AmTrust Title is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AmTrust Financial Services, Inc., an insurance holding company headquartered in New York, which offers specialty property and casualty insurance products, including workers' compensation, business owner's policy (BOP), general liability and extended service and warranty coverage. AmTrust Title is headquartered and domiciled in New York, New York, and is licensed in forty-two states and several jurisdictions internationally. AmTrust Title utilizes advanced technology, supported by the financial strength of AmTrust Financial, to support real estate clients of all sizes. For more information about AmTrust Title, visit www.amtrusttitlegroup.com

About AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc., a multinational insurance holding company headquartered in New York, offers specialty property and casualty insurance products, including workers' compensation, business owners policy (BOP), general liability and extended service and warranty coverage. For more information about AmTrust, visit www.amtrustfinancial.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005153/en/

AmTrust Title Insurance Company

Anuska S. Amparo

646-386-2655

anuska.amparo@amtrustgroup.com

Source: AmTrust Title Insurance Company
By Thiam Ndiaga

OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) -Two Spanish journalists and an Irish citizen were killed in an armed ambush on an anti-poaching patrol near a nature reserve in eastern Burkina Faso, the Burkinabe and Spanish authorities said on Tuesday.

The three foreigners and a member of the Burkinabe armed forces went missing on Monday after a morning attack on a convoy of security forces, forest rangers and expatriates, according to Burkina Faso's government.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the two journalists - David Beriain and Roberto Fraile - had been filming a documentary before they were killed. "The worst of news is confirmed," Sanchez posted on Twitter.

Ireland's foreign ministry said it had been in contact with the family of the Irish citizen as well as with European Union and Spanish colleagues. "The situation is complex and officials are working with relevant actors on the ground," it said, without commenting further.

Spanish media producer Movistar+ paid tribute to those killed including Beriain, who had worked on a number of documentaries for the company. It named the Irish citizen as Zambian-born Rory Young, head of anti-poaching organisation Chengeta Wildlife.

The Burkinabe government reported an increase in violence elsewhere in the past 72 hours, with around 10 civilians killed in a spate of armed raids on villages.

Burkina Faso, like much of West Africa's Sahel region, faces a deepening security crisis as groups with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State step up attacks on the army and civilians despite the presence of French and U.N. forces.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the ambush on the anti-poaching patrol, which took place on a road to the vast forested reserve of Pama. The government said it had not identified the assailants, whom it described as "terrorists".

Abundant vegetation and the poor condition of the backcountry roads would have made it easy for the assailants to take the convoy by surprise, said Burkinabe police superintendent and security expert Rachid Palenfo.

Story continues

"It happened where the road is deteriorated, it means that you can't drive fast," he said.

The unit that was ambushed was part of a new joint army, police and forestry unit that had just gone through six months of training and was starting operations in conservation areas around Pama on the border with Benin and Togo.

The region's worsening security has led to one of the world's most acute humanitarian crises, U.N. agencies said on Tuesday. Twenty-nine million Sahelians - an all-time high - are in need of aid and protection, 5 million more than last year, they said.

(Reporting by Thiam Ndiaga; Additional reporting by Conor Humphries in Dublin, Isla Binnie, Inti Landauro and Belen Carreno in Madrid and David Lewis in Nairobi; Writing by Bate Felix and Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Alison Williams, Jonathan Oatis and Grant McCool)
(CNN)  Apple is rolling out a major privacy feature on Monday that will allow iOS users to decide how they want their personal data handled  a move that has worried some companies, including Facebook.

iOS users must now give explicit permission for apps to track their behavior and sell their personal data, such as age, location, spending habits and health information, to advertisers. While many apps have allowed people to manage or opt-out of this for years, it's typically buried deep in user settings and wordy privacy policies.

The new App Tracking Transparency feature, now available as an iOS 14.5 software update, will usher in a wave of privacy awareness, especially as permission requests start coming in from apps people never thought were tracking them.

Developers are now required to ask users via a pop-up alert if they can "track your activity across other companies' apps and websites." People who opt-out will see fewer personalized ads. The app developer controls when the prompt appears. And once a user makes their choice, they can change their mind in the settings.

Although some data can help users map their runs, tag photos or track locations so a store nearby can offer up discounts, "some apps have more trackers embedded in them than they need," Apple said in a video posted to YouTube on Monday. "They collect thousands of pieces of information about you to create a digital profile that they sell to others. These third parties use your profile to target you with ads, and they can also use it to predict and influence your behaviors and decisions."

"This has been happening with your knowledge or permission. Your information is for sale. You have become the product," Apple said in the video.

Apple's effort has roiled some businesses that rely on data tracking to target users with personalized advertising. Facebook, which makes almost all of its revenue from advertising, warned investors in August that Apple's software changes could hurt its business if people start opting-out of tracking.

"People are going to have a bit of a fire inside them and jump to opt-out of Facebook selling their data," Mike Audi, founder and CEO of TIKI, a service that allows users to see what data and how companies are tracking them online. "The result is that brands we'd actually want to share our data with may no longer get the data they rely on to provide you with a seamless, hyper-personalized customer experience."

In December, Facebook took out ads in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post framing its objections around how the change will cause "devastating" harm to millions of small businesses that advertise on its platform, many of which are grappling with the fallout from the pandemic. It also held a press event to trot out small businesses opposed to the change and debuted a new hashtag to discuss it.

Apple teased the requirement at its Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference in June. The company has worked to position itself as a defender of consumer privacy, describing the changes as stemming from its belief that "privacy is a fundamental human right."

Apple added new labels in December to its App Store that explain what kind of user data is collected and shared for each app, from financial and location information to browsing and purchase history.

The business impact

Data experts say large companies like Facebook and other well-known brands will have to work to navigate the changes, but it's the small to medium-sized businesses that may not have certain resources, such as dedicated analytics teams and engineers, that could struggle more to reach potential customers.

"Many small businesses take advantage of data sharing to target and measure ads on Facebook and Instagram," said Eric Schmitt, senior director analyst at market research firm Gartner. "It is fair to say that the benefits of digital advertising to some of these businesses will decline."

Facebook has tried to tout the benefits of data collection ahead of Apple's privacy change. "Agreeing to these prompts doesn't result in Facebook collecting new types of data. It just means that we can continue to give people better experiences," it wrote in a blog post in February.

Meanwhile, Google announced changes to its ad policies ahead of Apple's new feature earlier this year, noting it will no longer use certain identifiers for advertising -- such as showing you an ad for a bike that you've previously searched for. "We are working hard to understand and comply with Apple's guidelines for all of our apps in the App Store," the company said at the time.

Various studies show that when given the opportunity to opt-out of their data being sold or shared, many people will take that route. But companies will likely adapt.

"I'm confident businesses, especially Facebook, will come out just fine after the app tracking transparency functionality roles out," said Daniel Barber, CEO of data management firm DataGrill. "Change spurs innovation, and I expect Facebook, ad-tech companies, and any other businesses impacted by this to find innovative new ways to communicate with their audiences.

He said heightened awareness around data privacy could also put more pressure on government officials to develop a federal bill to protect user privacy.

Still, Apple's iOS change marks the start of a more transparent future, as consumers will be even more aware about how apps handle their data. "The most exciting part is users will start to expect and demand more control over their data," said Audi. "The fastest way to get a company to make a change is for their users to get upset."
Nobody could have known, not even Elzire Dionne, that she was going to give birth to quintuplets. Already a mother of five, the shock of giving birth to five more baby girlsAnnette, Emilie, Yvonne, Cecile and Marieknocked her out for two hours. What will I do with all them babies? she reportedly screamed.

Elzire suspected she was carrying twins, but the possibility of quintuplets didnt cross her mind. And why would it? Doctors say that the odds of naturally occurring quintuplets is about one in 55 million, but the odds of identical quintuplets is incalculable. The Dionnes are the only identical quintuplets ever recorded and the first ever quintuplets known to survive infancy.

The five baby girls were born on May 28, 1934, two months prematurely, near the village of Corbeil in northern Ontario, Canada. Together they weighed only 13 pounds, six ounces (just over 6 kg), with the largest weighing 2-and-a-half pounds, while the smallest was 1 pound, 8-and-a-half ounces. They were barely alive, with serious respiratory problems, and the conditions of the farmhouse, without heat and electricity, were not helping their survival.

Local doctor Allan Roy Dafoe, who was present for the births, did an amazing job keeping the five premature babies alive under difficult circumstances and with no access to medical equipment. He sterilized the farmhouse, kept the babies warm in a wicker basket using hot water bottles or the open oven, and recruited nurses to massage them with olive oil. Before supplies of breast milk could be organized, Dafoe ordered the babies to be fed cows milk, sterilized water and corn syrup, mixed with one or two drops of rum for a stimulant.

As news about the miraculous birth spread across North America, reporters and photographers poured into the small town, followed by spectators in thousands. They gathered outside the farmhouse and peeped through the windows for a glimpse of what was already becoming a freakshow. Some ridiculed the parents for creating a litter of humans. Others provided monetary assistance. One couple offered to buy the bed where the girls were born for a thousand dollars. A hospital sent two incubators.

Elzire Dionne with her five girls shortly after their birth.

Eventually, an exhibitor at the Chicago Worlds Fair contacted the father, Oliva Dionne, seeking to put the babies on display. Oliva was desperate and needed the money, but he despaired. He approached the village priest for guidance. The priest not only advised Oliva to take the offer, but offered himself as his business manager.

Oliva regretted signing the deal almost immediately. He tried to get out of the contract but the Chicago Fair promoters refused. On the advice of his attorney, Oliva and Elzire Dionne signed custody of the quintuplets over to the Red Cross for a period of two years to protect them from exploitation. In return, the Red Cross built a nursery just across the street from the farmhouse for the girls to live.

Inside the house, the girls were treated like princesses. But Elzire and Oliva never felt welcome. They were shadowed wherever they went, and they were never allowed to be alone with their babies.

Months later, the government passed a bill that stripped the parents of all custody making the girls wards of the state, until they turn eighteen. Pretty soon, their nursery had became a veritable baby zoo. An outdoor playground was designed surrounded by a covered arcade, which allowed tourists to observe the sisters behind one-way screens while they played. The girls were taken care of by a staff consisting of three nurses, a housekeeper and two maids. Three policemen guarded them at all times. The entire property was surrounded by a seven-foot tall barbed wire fence. Disquieting signs hung all around:

Please Cooperate; Silence Is Requested.

No Photographs Allowed To Be Taken Of The Children.

The girls were raised with strict discipline. They woke up at 6:30am, had orange juice and cod-liver oil, and then went to have their hair curled. They then said prayers and ate breakfast. After breakfast, they played in the sunroom for thirty minutes, took a fifteen-minute break, and at nine o'clock had their morning inspection with Dr. Dafoe. Dinner was served at precisely six o'clock. Before bed, then went into the quiet playroom to say their evening prayers.

As the girls became older, they began to appear in ads endorsing all sorts of productsHeinz ketchup, Quaker oats, Lifesavers candy, Palmolive soap, Lysol, typewriters, bread, ice cream, sanitized mattress covers, and more. Souvenir shops sold framed photographs, cups, plates, plaques, candy bars, books, postcards, and dolls. Oliva himself ran a souvenir shop opposite the nursery. The girls also appeared in three Hollywood movies. In the nine years they spent in Quintland, the quintuplets brought in more than $50 million in total tourist revenue to Ontario. During this short period, Quintland was Ontario's biggest tourist attraction, surpassing Niagara Falls.

In 1943, after a nine-year-long legal battle, Oliva and Elzire Dionne got back the custody of their children. But the reunion was not a happy one. Wealth had transformed the family. Elzire treated them harshly, screamed insults and hit them. Their father started abusing them sexually.

The Dionne Quintuplets accompanied by their father, Oliva Dionne, right, aboard a New York Staten Island Ferry boat on Oct. 21, 1950.

They didnt treat us as children, Annette and Cecile told The New York Times in 2017. [We were] their servants, slaves. It was not human.

Once they turned 18, the five girls left for school in Quebec and settled there. Emilie died young, at the age of 20, when her untreated epilepsy gave her a lethal seizure. Marie died in 1970 from a blood clot in her brain. By then the sisters had received their share in their trust $183,000 each (equivalent to $1.3 million today). In 1998, the three remaining quints, sued the government for their exploitation and received $4 million Canadian dollars.

Yvonne died in 2001.

In 2012, Ceciles son emptied his mothers bank account and disappeared, leaving her once again a ward of the state and now lives in a state-run nursing home. Annette lives in Montreal.

Dr. Allan Roy Dafoe with the quintuplets.

The Dionne quintuplets in 1943, a few weeks before their ninth birthday.

The Dionne quintuplets in 1952.

The last two remaining Dionne quintuplets, Cecile and Annette. Photo: Aaron Vincent Elkaim

References:

# Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dionne_quintuplets

# New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/02/world/canada/ontario-dionne-quintuplets.html

# NY Post, https://nypost.com/2019/08/24/how-the-worlds-first-quintuplets-were-exploited-in-a-human-zoo/

# Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/11/03/dionne-quintuplets-exploitation-five-girls-raised-baby-zoo/
Following the Jan. 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol, many rioters took to Facebook, posting incriminating selfies and bragging about their exploits in the building.

It may have appeared as a reckless decision  the FBI have used those posts as evidence to charge rioters  but experts studying extremism say it makes sense, since social media like Facebook is where many were radicalized leading up to the attack.

Megan Squire, a a professor at Elon University in North Carolina who tracks online extremism, said supporters of former President Donald Trump who were motivated to stop the steal were exposed to a flood of political ads, posts and videos in the weeks before Jan. 6.

Facebook banned groups on its platform connected with militias and conspiracy networks like QAnon last year, but an internal report obtained by Buzzfeed News found extremists successfully used the social media platform to share misinformation and incite violence. The internal review reportedly found Facebook became aware of an online movement that normalized delegitimization and hate in a way that resulted in offline harm and harm to the norms underpinning democracy.

Squire said individuals posting to their own pages flew under the radar. Users in loose online communities shared their own political content, elevated each others posts and learned how to perform Trumpism on Facebook.

The natural extension of that is to continue performing Trumpism when they go to D.C and start engaging in that behavior in the real world, Squire said. The question, to me, is how did they forget that that behavior wasnt normal?

Sam Jackson is a professor at the University at Albany who studies anti-government paramilitary groups like the Oath Keepers, a militia that was instrumental in planning the Jan. 6 siege and encouraging others to follow them, according to federal prosecutors. Jackson said devout Trump supporters, who spent months falsely claiming the election was stolen, saw themselves as citizen watchdogs instead of domestic terrorists.

I think a lot of it has to do with the folks who participated feel like they werent doing anything wrong, probably combined with a sense that they thought they were doing something historic, Jackson said. They wanted to document their involvement in that.

Several men from Michigan who were arrested for allegedly storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 were tracked down with evidence they posted to Facebook. The FBI included Facebook posts, some publicly available and others obtained through search warrants, in five of eight federal criminal complaints tied to Michiganders. The posts show alleged rioters posing inside the Capitol, drinking a beer outside the building and bragging about their participation.

Related: 10 years ago, a Michigan militia dodged sedition charges. Prosecutors have a better chance with Capitol rioters.

Squire has criticized major social media platforms for not doing enough to prevent their websites from allowing extremist rhetoric from flourishing.

She collected Facebook data that cross-referenced people who were arrested by the FBI with extremist pages that were active in 2017. Squire found a profile matching a Robert Schornak, who was a member of an anti-immigrant group called for Make Them Listen #NoAmnesty.

Schornak, a Roseville resident, was arrested in March for allegedly entering the U.S. Capitol and faces four criminal charges. The anti-immigration group he was involved in remains active with 3,500 members as of late April. Users shared posts claiming the election was stolen before and after the Jan. 6 riot.

We could blame algorithms and all that kind of stuff, but at the end of the day the platform is where they learned about this stuff and then continued to share their acting out of that behavior on the platform, Squire said.

Schornak posted a selfie from inside the Capitol, according to the FBI. An image provided in the criminal complaint shows Schornak posing with another person wearing tactical gear making a hand gesture associated with white supremacists.

The FBI complaint includes Facebook messages between Schornak and Daniel Herendeen, another man charged for entering the Capitol, discussing their plans to attend the Jan. 6 rally in Washington, D.C.

Herendeen, a Chesterfield Township resident, allegedly recorded a 17-second video of himself inside the U.S. Capitol Crypt and uploaded it to Facebook, according to court records. The video was posted with the caption Front line, and the FBI said other Facebook users praised Herendeen for standing up for our American rights.

Josh Pasek, a professor at U-M who studies how new media and psychological processes shape political behavior, said Facebook posts show rioters were proud of what they were doing.

The people who went to the Capitol trying to stop the steal, by and large, expected that they were going to succeed at that and thought that they would really push the government to make different decisions, Pasek said. Some of them didnt realize the seriousness with which storming the Capitol would be taken.

Calumet resident Karl Dresch created multiple posts before Jan. 6 equating the effort to stop the steal with the American revolution. A federal criminal complaint shows Dresch posted, 7-4-1776 = 1-6-2021.

Three days before the riot, Dresch posted that he was preparing to go to Washington, D.C. and was prepared for chemical attacks and whatnot. Dresch also urged others to participate, writing, NO EXCUSES! NO RETREAT! NO SURRENDER! TAKE THE STREETS! TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY!

Related: Accused Capitol rioter from Michigans UP expressed anti-government sentiments on social media

Dresch posted photos of protesters gathered outside the Capitol throughout the day, including one photo inside the Capitol Crypt with the caption we are in. Dresch said antifa did not take the Capitol, that was patriots in another post from the Capitol Visitors Center, adding we the people took back our house ... now those traitors know whos really in charge.

Later in the day, Dresch sent another person a Facebook message with a selfie that showed him outside the Capitol and another photo of himself raising a Trump flag next to a statue inside the building. He also responded to comments on his posts and claimed total victory in another post, according to a federal criminal complaint.

Hancock resident Jeremy Sorvisto was arrested as part of an investigation into Dresch. The FBI identified Sorvisto, who allegedly traveled to Washington, D.C. with Dresch, through Facebook messages obtained through a search warrant.

Sorvistos Facebook account shared two photos showing him inside the Capitol to another person who wasnt identified by the FBI.

Facebook information obtained by the FBI show Sorvistos fiancee discussed shared messages with other users about their activities on Jan. 6, including how they drank beer on the steps of the Capitol. She shared a photo of Sorvisto, wearing the same clothes he had on while inside the building, holding a green glass bottle.

Southgate resident Anthony Williams used Facebook to show off photos and videos of himself inside the U.S. Capitol, which gave law enforcement officials enough evidence to arrest him. Williams discussed plans to storm the swamp on Facebook weeks before he traveled to Washington, D.C., according to a federal criminal complaint, and later said it was the proudest day of my life lol. Williams called himself an Operation Swamp Storm Veteran in a Facebook post three days after the violent riot.

Christian Davenport, a professor at the University of Michigan who studies political violence, said the people who didnt think their behavior on Jan. 6 was illegal might be prone to double down on that belief if they feel persecuted in the aftermath.

If youve engaged in some activity that was violent or threatening, but you didnt think that you did anything wrong, you can act like everything is fine; you can act like everything is normal, Davenport said. You become more committed to the thing that you did because the people that are criticizing you werent with you when you made that initial decision to do the thing.

Williams was back on Facebook after he was released on an unsecured bond of $10,000. He posted a political cartoon depicting a Trump supporter opening the dome of the Capitol building to yell Can you hear us now? at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Vice President Mike Pence and Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

READ MORE ON MLIVE:

Michigan man arrested by FBI allegedly stormed the Capitol, then drank a beer

Michigan man arrested after bragging about storming the Capitol on Facebook

Accused Capitol rioter from Michigans UP expressed anti-government sentiments on social media

FBI: Trump-supporting friends donned tactical gear, took photos inside U.S. Capitol at Jan. 6 riot

Federal judge denies bond for Michigan man charged with assaulting police at Capitol riot

Michigan man arrested for allegedly participating in Capitol riots, FBI says
Mumbai: Amid the unprecedented surge of COVID-19 infections in the country, India on Tuesday (April 27) recorded the highest single-day rise in its COVID-19 death toll, for the fifth consecutive day.

The horror of the deadly coronavirus in the nation has pushed most individuals in aghast of the single thought of hospital premises. The rising death toll has increased the worry of the people, especially in families with senior citizens.

Similarly, a family in Maharashtra's Katgaon Tanda village, who was tested COVID positive, following which two of its eldest members had to be hospitalised in ICU COVID wards, was warned by their neighbours not to visit hospitals in the wake of the COVID outbreak.

But Suresh Chavan decided to take his 105-years-old father and 95-years-old mother to the hospital. The elderly couple was hospitalised for nine days in ICU of Vilasrao Deshmukh Institute of Medical Sciences in Latur. Both the senior citizens had tested positive of coronavirus. Due to the old age everybody feared for their lives.

We live as a joint family. Other than my parents, the three children had tested positive too. My parents were running high temperatures and my father had a severe stomachache as well, and so I decided to admit them both to a hospital, Suresh told The Times of India.

My parents were very scared and so was I, but I knew that keeping them at home would be a wrong decision, said Suresh.

The doctor treating the elderky couple revealed that, they had a CT (computed tomography) score of 15/25, which was a concern due to their age. They were on oxygen support and were also given five doses of the antiviral , said Dr Gajanan Halkanche.

He would always ask me if they would ever get better and would see our village again. And every day I kept telling them they will be discharged tomorrow, Suresh told TOI. Suresh also added that everyday he used to visit the hospital, while maintaining distance, and used to see his parents from a small window.

The doctors involved in the treatment revealed that early diagnosis and timely treatment helped them beat the coronavirus. We are appealing to the public to ensure they get tested as soon as they see any symptoms. Timely detection and treatment will ensure complete recovery, said Dr Halkanche.

When they were discharged, people from across the district told me that it is his good deeds that have helped him fight the virus, said Suresh.

Live TV
New Delhi: The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to postpone the class 10 and class 12 board examinations in the state due to steady increase in coronavirus cases. The government did not announce any new date for the conduction of the exams. And although the revised date has not been announced by the eduation board yet, it is expected that the state government will take the final call on Madhya Pradesh board exams after it reviews the COVID-19 situation across the state.

The board examinations of class 10 and 12 Madhya Pradesh Board were scheduled to begin from April 30 and May 1 respectively. The MP Board has postponed the High School, Higher Secondary, Higher Secondary (Vocational), Diploma in Pre-School Education and Physical Training examinations by a month.

The board is considering alternative ways for Class 10 and Class 12 exams and will announce any decision with respect to conducting the Class 10, 12 board exams soon, an official statement released by the government said.

School Education Department, Madhya Pradesh took to social media to announce the decision and wrote, "Various options are being considered in relation to the 10th and 12th examinations conducted by the Board of Secondary Education. Decision will be conveyed soon."

The state government will promote the students of Class 1 to Class 8 to their next classes on the basis of class project. The board has also cancelled the final exams of Class 9 and Class 11 in view of the rising COVID-19 cases. The students will now be evaluated on the basis of their performance in the tests held in the academic session.

Earlier, the Madhya Pradesh government declared summer vacation for state school students studying in Classes 1 to 8 from April 15 to June 13, keeping in mind their safety and health. The vacation was announced for the government and state-aided schools.

On April 14, the MPBSE had deferred board exams for Class 10 and 12 in view of the rising COVID-19 cases in the state.

Earlier, the CBSE had announced to cancel class 10th exams and postponed class 12 board exams. The board announced to promote class 10th students on the basis of internal assessment whereas the final decision on class 12 board exams would be taken in the first week of May.

Live TV
By Juliet Nalwooga

The Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) has revealed that 30 people have been arrested so far over examination malpractice during the PLE, UCE and UACE exam process.

Jennifer Kalule, the boards principal spokesperson says school based offences range from impersonation, copying, collusion and provision of extern assistance to candidates.

She says suspects who committed the offence after 1st April shall be tried in court under the new UNEB Act 2021 which has sanctions ranging from five years imprisonment or a fine of Shs5m, or both.

This week, UACE candidates are sitting their papers which will end on 3 May.
Jacksonville Police

THEFTS, BURGLARIES

 A license plate was stolen from a vehicle in the 300 block of South East Street, according to a report filed at 1 p.m. Sunday.

 Five $100 bills were stolen between April 20 and Saturday from a man in the 1600 block of West Walnut Street, according to a report filed at 12:12 p.m. Sunday.

ACCIDENTS

 Michael C. Stewart, 21, of Jacksonville was cited on a charge of failing to yield while turning left after the car he was driving and one being driven by Scott Cleveland of Jacksonville collided at 1:05 p.m. Monday at Church Street and Beecher Avenue.

 Devlyn D. Downs, 47, of Jacksonville was cited on a charge of improper lane use after the car he was driving and one being driven by Kyle R. Baumgartner, 36, of Eldred collided at 12:40 p.m. Monday in the 300 block of West Morton Avenue. Downs later was arrested on a Menard County warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court on a traffic offense.

 Brittany R. Hardman, 36, of Jacksonville was cited on a charge of operating an uninsured motor vehicle after the car she was driving and one being driven by Dwonique P. Armstrong, 35, of Jacksonville collided at 1:52 p.m. Sunday in the 1200 block of Lincoln Avenue.



Brown County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Raymond A. Summers, 29, of Winchester was arrested at 1:24 p.m. Monday on charges of theft, possession of a stolen vehicle and driving while license is suspended.

 Cory J. Dobson, 29, of Jacksonville was arrested at 1:24 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of a stolen firearm, having no valid Firearm Owners Identification, possession of a stolen vehicle, illegal transportation of alcohol and fleeing or eluding police.



Jersey County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Cody L. Wells, 28, of Colfax was arrested April 14 on charges of possession of a weapon by a felon and possession of methamphetamine.

 Rochelle K. Maltimore, 29, of Jerseyville was arrested April 12 on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.

 Bruce A. Day, 55, of Jerseyville was arrested April 12 on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

 Alexander G. Moulton, 37, of Jerseyville was arrested April 15 on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

 Tracy L. Baker, 44, of Jerseyville was arrested April 14 on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

 Charles L. Adcock, 45, homeless, was arrested April 12 on charges of retail theft and criminal trespass to property.



Pike County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Hugo C. Bautista, 63, of Louisiana, Missouri, was arrested at 6:29 p.m. Friday on charges of having no drivers license and operating an uninsured vehicle.

Compiled by David C.L. Bauer and Scott Cousins
NORTHFIELD, Ill., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) today reported:

First Quarter Highlights

Reported net income was a record $40.6 million , or $1.74 per diluted share versus $27.5 million , or $1.18 per diluted share, in the prior year. Adjusted net income* was a record $42.4 million , or $1.82 per diluted share versus $24.2 million , or $1.04 per diluted share, in the prior year. Total Company sales volume increased 6% versus the prior year.

, or per diluted share versus , or per diluted share, in the prior year. Adjusted net income* was a record , or per diluted share versus , or per diluted share, in the prior year. Total Company sales volume increased 6% versus the prior year. Surfactant operating income was $53.2 million versus $36.2 million in the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by improved product and customer mix and higher global demand in the agricultural and oil field end markets, partially offset by lower North American sales volume into the consumer product end markets due to supplier force majeures following the severe weather in Texas . The Company also experienced lower supply chain expenses in the current year quarter due to the non-recurrence of the Q1 2020 Millsdale plant power outage. Total global Surfactant sales volume was flat versus the prior year.

versus in the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by improved product and customer mix and higher global demand in the agricultural and oil field end markets, partially offset by lower North American sales volume into the consumer product end markets due to supplier force majeures following the severe weather in . The Company also experienced lower supply chain expenses in the current year quarter due to the non-recurrence of the Q1 2020 Millsdale plant power outage. Total global Surfactant sales volume was flat versus the prior year. Polymer operating income was $18.0 million versus $7.5 million in the prior year. This increase was primarily attributable to a 32% increase in global sales volume. Global rigid polyol volume was up 32% versus the prior year largely due to the INVISTA polyester polyol acquisition. Global rigid polyol volume, excluding the INVISTA acquisition, was up 8% versus the prior year. The Company also experienced lower supply chain expenses due to the non-recurrence of the Q1 2020 Millsdale plant power outage.

versus in the prior year. This increase was primarily attributable to a 32% increase in global sales volume. Global rigid polyol volume was up 32% versus the prior year largely due to the INVISTA polyester polyol acquisition. Global rigid polyol volume, excluding the INVISTA acquisition, was up 8% versus the prior year. The Company also experienced lower supply chain expenses due to the non-recurrence of the Q1 2020 Millsdale plant power outage. Specialty Product operating income was $2.6 million versus $4.0 million in the prior year. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower margins, resulting from raw material shortages and manufacturing challenges, within our medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) product line.

* Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP measure which excludes deferred compensation income/expense, cash-settled stock appreciation rights (SARs) income/expense as well as other significant and infrequent/non-recurring items. See Table II for reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share.

"The Company had a good start to the year and delivered record quarterly income. Both adjusted net income and adjusted EPS were up 75% versus the prior year first quarter which was negatively impacted by the Millsdale plant power outage," said F. Quinn Stepan Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Surfactant operating income was up 47% primarily due to improved customer and product mix. Our Polymer operating income was up 139% on the strength of 32% global sales volume growth. The Polymer volume growth was driven by both the INVISTA acquisition and organic market growth. Our Specialty Product business results were down due to lower margins within our MCTs product line. From a balance sheet perspective, the Company exceeded $1 billion of equity for the first time."

Financial Summary





Three Months Ended March 31

($ in thousands, except per share data)

2021



2020



% Change

Net Sales

$ 537,740



$ 449,987





20 % Operating Income

$ 53,914



$ 40,004





35 % Net Income Attributable to Stepan **

$ 40,611



$ 27,545





47 % Earnings per Diluted Share

$ 1.74



$ 1.18





47 %

























Adjusted Net Income *

$ 42,372



$ 24,158





75 % Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share *

$ 1.82



$ 1.04





75 %



* See Table II for reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted net income and earnings per diluted share. * * Net Income Attributable to Stepan = Net Income - Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests.

Summary of First Quarter Adjusted Net Income Items

Adjusted net income excludes non-operational deferred compensation income/expense, cash-settled SARs income/expense and other significant and infrequent or non-recurring items.

Deferred Compensation: The current year quarter includes $1.5 million of after-tax expense versus $2.9 million of after-tax income in the prior year.

The current year quarter includes of after-tax expense versus of after-tax income in the prior year. Cash Settled SARs: These management incentive instruments provide cash to participants equal to the appreciation on the price of specified shares of Company stock over a specified period of time. Because income or expense is recognized merely on the movement in the price of Company stock it has been excluded, similar to deferred compensation, to arrive at adjusted net income. The current year quarter includes $0.2 million of after-tax expense versus $0.8 million of after-tax income in the prior year.

These management incentive instruments provide cash to participants equal to the appreciation on the price of specified shares of Company stock over a specified period of time. Because income or expense is recognized merely on the movement in the price of Company stock it has been excluded, similar to deferred compensation, to arrive at adjusted net income. The current year quarter includes of after-tax expense versus of after-tax income in the prior year. Business Restructuring: The current year quarter includes $0.1 million of after-tax decommissioning expense related to the Company's Canadian plant closure versus $0.3 million of after-tax expense in the prior year.

Percentage Change in Net Sales

Net sales in the first quarter increased 20% year-over-year due to higher selling prices, mainly attributable to improved product and customer mix and the pass-through of higher raw material costs, a 6% increase in global sales volume and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation. The increase in sales volume was predominantly due to Polymer sales growth of 32%.





Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

Volume



6 % Selling Price & Mix



13 % Foreign Currency Translation



1 % Total



20 %

Segment Results





Three Months Ended March 31

($ in thousands)

2021



2020



% Change

Net Sales























Surfactants

$ 370,936



$ 327,071





13 % Polymers

$ 150,385



$ 106,491





41 % Specialty Products

$ 16,419



$ 16,425





(0) % Total Net Sales

$ 537,740



$ 449,987





20 %











Three Months Ended March 31

($ in thousands, all amounts pre-tax)

2021



2020



% Change

Operating Income























Surfactants

$ 53,210



$ 36,156





47 % Polymers

$ 17,951



$ 7,516





139 % Specialty Products

$ 2,633



$ 3,984





(34) % Segment Operating Income

$ 73,794



$ 47,656





55 % Corporate Expenses

$ (19,880)



$ (7,652)





160 % Consolidated Operating Income

$ 53,914



$ 40,004





35 %

Total segment operating income increased $26.1 million, or 55%, versus the prior year.

Surfactant net sales were $370.9 million for the quarter, a 13% increase versus the prior year. Selling prices were up 13% primarily due to improved product and customer mix and the pass-through of higher raw material costs. The effect of foreign currency translation was negligible year-over-year and sales volume was flat versus the prior year. Higher demand for products sold into our functional product end markets, principally agricultural and oilfield, offset lower North American sales volume into our consumer product end markets due to supplier force majeures following the severe weather in Texas. Surfactant operating income for the quarter increased $17.1 million , or 47%, versus the prior year primarily due to improved product and customer mix and lower supply chain expenses in the current year quarter due to the non-recurrence of the Q1 2020 Millsdale plant power outage.

for the quarter, a 13% increase versus the prior year. Selling prices were up 13% primarily due to improved product and customer mix and the pass-through of higher raw material costs. The effect of foreign currency translation was negligible year-over-year and sales volume was flat versus the prior year. Higher demand for products sold into our functional product end markets, principally agricultural and oilfield, offset lower North American sales volume into our consumer product end markets due to supplier force majeures following the severe weather in Texas. Surfactant operating income for the quarter increased , or 47%, versus the prior year primarily due to improved product and customer mix and lower supply chain expenses in the current year quarter due to the non-recurrence of the Q1 2020 Millsdale plant power outage. Polymer net sales were $150.4 million in the quarter, a 41% increase versus the prior year. Total sales volume increased 32% in the quarter primarily due to 32% growth in rigid polyol demand. Global rigid polyol volume, excluding the INVISTA acquisition, was up 8% versus the prior year. Phthalic anhydride sales volume was also up versus the prior year quarter due to the non-recurrence of the Millsdale power outage which resulted in the Company declaring force majeure within this market in 2020. Selling prices increased 7% and the translation impact of a weaker U.S. dollar positively impacted net sales by 2%. Polymer operating income increased $10.4 million , or 139%, primarily due to the strong sales volume growth and lower supply chain expenses due to the non-recurrence of the Q1 2020 Millsdale plant power outage.

in the quarter, a 41% increase versus the prior year. Total sales volume increased 32% in the quarter primarily due to 32% growth in rigid polyol demand. Global rigid polyol volume, excluding the INVISTA acquisition, was up 8% versus the prior year. Phthalic anhydride sales volume was also up versus the prior year quarter due to the non-recurrence of the Millsdale power outage which resulted in the Company declaring force majeure within this market in 2020. Selling prices increased 7% and the translation impact of a weaker U.S. dollar positively impacted net sales by 2%. Polymer operating income increased , or 139%, primarily due to the strong sales volume growth and lower supply chain expenses due to the non-recurrence of the Q1 2020 Millsdale plant power outage. Specialty Products net sales were $16.4 million for the quarter, flat versus prior year. Sales volume was up 4% between quarters and operating income declined $1.4 million , or 34%. The operating income decrease was primarily attributable to lower margins within our MCTs product line.

Corporate Expenses





Three Months Ended March 31

($ in thousands)

2021

2020

% Change

Total - Corporate Expenses

$ 19,880

$ 7,652



160 % Less:



















Deferred Compensation Expense/(Income)

$ 2,694

$ (7,323)

NM

Business Restructuring Expense

$ 81

$ 357



(77) % Adjusted Corporate Expenses

$ 17,105

$ 14,618



17 %



* See Table III for a discussion of deferred compensation plan accounting.

Corporate expenses, excluding deferred compensation and business restructuring costs, increased $2.5 million , or 17%, versus the prior year quarter. This increase was primarily due to higher acquisition-related and incentive-based compensation expenses.

Income Taxes

The Company's effective tax rate was 23.6% in the first quarter of 2021 versus 22.5% in the first quarter of 2020. This increase was primarily attributable to a less favorable geographical mix of income that was partially offset by higher tax benefits derived from stock-based compensation awards exercised or distributed in the first quarter of 2021 versus the first quarter of 2020.

Shareholder Return

The Company paid $6.9 million of dividends to shareholders and repurchased $1.0 million of Company stock in the first quarter of 2021. The Company has 167,574 shares remaining under its Board of Directors' share repurchase authorization. The Company has increased its dividend on the Company's common stock for 53 consecutive years.

Selected Balance Sheet Information

The Company's net debt level increased $248.9 million versus prior year-end and the net debt ratio increased from -18% to 9%. The increase in net debt was mostly due to a $199.2 million cash reduction which primarily reflects cash paid to purchase INVISTA's aromatic polyester polyol business and associated assets in the first quarter of 2021. The Company also experienced higher working capital requirements which is typical for the first quarter. Total debt increased $49.7 million primarily due to borrowings against the Company's $350MM revolving credit agreement.

($ in millions)

March 31, 2021



December 31, 2020

Net Debt















Total Debt

$ 248.4



$ 198.7

Cash



150.7





349.9

Net Debt

$ 97.7



$ (151.2)

Equity



1,002.3





986.7

Net Debt + Equity

$ 1,100.0



$ 835.5

Net Debt / (Net Debt + Equity)



9 %



-18 %

The major working capital components were:

($ in millions)

March 31, 2021



December 31, 2020 Net Receivables

$ 380.6



$ 301.3 Inventories



235.1





218.8 Accounts Payable



(264.2)





(236.8) Net Total

$ 351.5



$ 283.3

Capital spending was $37.6 million versus $33.2 million in the prior year quarter. For the full year, capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of $150 million to $170 million.

Outlook

"The Company delivered record quarterly earnings in the first quarter of 2021," said F. Quinn Stepan, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Looking forward, we believe our Surfactant volumes in the North American consumer product end markets should recover following the supply chain disruptions caused by the severe weather in Texas. We believe that heightened consumer demand for disinfection, cleaning and personal wash products will continue. We anticipate that demand for surfactants within the agricultural and oilfield markets will improve versus 2020. Global demand for rigid polyols continues to recover from pandemic-related delays and cancellations of re-roofing and new construction projects. This gradual recovery, combined with our first quarter 2021 acquisition of INVISTA's aromatic polyester polyol business, should position our Polymer business to deliver growth versus prior year. We believe the long-term prospects for rigid polyols remain attractive as energy conservation efforts and more stringent building codes are expected to continue. We anticipate our Specialty Product business results will improve slightly year-over-year. Despite current raw material price increases and some supply constraints, we are cautiously optimistic about the remainder of the year."

Conference Call

Stepan Company will host a conference call to discuss the first quarter results at 8:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. CT) on April 27, 2021. The call can be accessed by phone and webcast. Telephone access will be available by dialing +1 (800) 909-4756, and the webcast can be accessed through the Investors/Conference Calls page at www.stepan.com. A webcast replay of the conference call will be available at the same location shortly after the call.

Supporting Slides

Slides supporting this press release will be made available at www.stepan.com through the Investor/Presentations page at approximately the same time as this press release is issued.

Corporate Profile

Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals used in a broad range of industries. Stepan is a leading merchant producer of surfactants, which are the key ingredients in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection compounds and in agricultural and oilfield solutions. The Company is also a leading supplier of polyurethane polyols used in the expanding thermal insulation market, and CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) industries.

Headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, Stepan utilizes a network of modern production facilities located in North and South America, Europe and Asia.

The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol SCL. For more information about Stepan Company please visit the Company online at www.stepan.com

More information about Stepan's sustainability program can be found on the Sustainability page at www.stepan.com

Contact: Luis E. Rojo 847-446-7500

Certain information in this news release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include statements about Stepan Company's plans, objectives, strategies, financial performance and outlook, trends, the amount and timing of future cash distributions, prospects or future events and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, Stepan Company's actual financial results, performance, achievements or prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "guidance," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "will," "would," "should," "illustrative" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Stepan Company and its management based on their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry, are inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and stockholders should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond Stepan Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among other factors, the risks, uncertainties and factors described in Stepan Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports and exhibits to those reports, and include (but are not limited to) risks and uncertainties related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; accidents, unplanned production shutdowns or disruptions in manufacturing facilities; reduced demand due to customer product reformulations or new technologies; our inability to successfully develop or introduce new products; compliance with laws; our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates and successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; global competition; volatility of raw material and energy costs and supply; disruptions in transportation or significant changes in transportation costs; downturns in certain industries and general economic downturns; international business risks, including currency exchange rate fluctuations, legal restrictions and taxes; unfavorable resolution of litigation against us; maintaining and protecting intellectual property rights; our ability to access capital markets; global political, military, security or other instability; costs related to expansion or other capital projects; interruption or breaches of information technology systems; our ability to retain executive management and key personnel; and our debt covenants.

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and Stepan Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Tables follow

Table I

STEPAN COMPANY

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

(Unaudited  '000s Omitted)





Three Months Ended March 31





2021

2020 Net Sales

$ 537,740

$ 449,987 Cost of Sales



428,760



370,718 Gross Profit



108,980



79,269 Operating Expenses:











Selling



14,504



13,532 Administrative



22,638



18,872 Research, Development and Technical Services



15,149



13,827 Deferred Compensation (Income) Expense



2,694



(7,323)





54,985



38,908













Business Restructuring



81



357 Operating Income



53,914



40,004













Other Income (Expense):











Interest, Net



(1,524)



(1,230) Other, Net



746



(3,262)





(778)



(4,492)













Income Before Income Taxes



53,136



35,512 Provision for Income Taxes



12,525



7,973 Net Income



40,611



27,539 Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests









6 Net Income Attributable to Stepan Company

$ 40,611

$ 27,545 Net Income Per Common Share Attributable to Stepan Company











Basic

$ 1.77

$ 1.20 Diluted

$ 1.74

$ 1.18 Shares Used to Compute Net Income Per Common Share Attributable to Stepan Company











Basic



22,974



23,023 Diluted



23,330



23,285

Table II

Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Net Income and Earnings per Diluted Share*





Three Months Ended March 31

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

2021

EPS

2020

EPS

Net Income Reported

$ 40,611

$ 1.74

$ 27,545

$ 1.18





























Deferred Compensation (Income) Expense

$ 1,501

$ 0.07

$ (2,858)

$ (0.12)

Business Restructuring



61

$ 0.00



263

$ 0.01

Cash Settled Stock Appreciation Rights



199

$ 0.01



(792)

$ (0.03)

Adjusted Net Income

$ 42,372

$ 1.82

$ 24,158

$ 1.04



* All amounts in this table are presented after-tax

The Company believes that certain measures that are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), when presented in conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, are useful for evaluating the Company's operating performance and provide better clarity on the impact of non-operational items. Internally, the Company uses this non-GAAP information as an indicator of business performance and evaluates management's effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. These measures should be considered in addition to, and are neither a substitute for, nor superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Reconciliations of Pre-Tax to After-Tax Adjustments





Three Months Ended March 31



($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

2021

EPS

2020

EPS Pre-Tax Adjustments























Deferred Compensation (Income) Expense

$ 1,975







$ (3,760)





Business Restructuring



81









357





Cash Settled Stock Appreciation Rights



261









(1,042)





Total Pre-Tax Adjustments

$ 2,317







$ (4,445)





Cumulative Tax Effect on Adjustments

$ (556)







$ 1,058





After-Tax Adjustments

$ 1,761

$ 0.08

$ (3,387)

$ (0.14)

Table III

Deferred Compensation Plan

The full effect of the deferred compensation plan on quarterly pre-tax income was $2.0 million of expense versus $3.8 million of income in the prior year. The accounting for the deferred compensation plan results in operating income when the price of Stepan Company common stock or mutual funds held in the plan fall and expense when they rise. The Company also recognizes the change in value of mutual funds as investment income or loss. The quarter end market prices of Company common stock were as follows:





2021

2020





3/31

12/31

9/30

6/30

3/31 Stepan Company

$ 127.11

$ 119.32

$ 109.00

$ 97.10

$ 88.46

































The deferred compensation income statement impact is summarized below:





Three Months Ended March 31

($ in thousands)

2021



2020

Deferred Compensation















Operating Income (Expense)

$ (2,694)



$ 7,323

Other, net  Mutual Fund Gain (Loss)



719





(3,563)

Total Pre-Tax

$ (1,975)



$ 3,760

Total After Tax

$ (1,501)



$ 2,858



Table IV

Effects of Foreign Currency Translation

The Company's foreign subsidiaries transact business and report financial results in their respective local currencies. As a result, foreign subsidiary income statements are translated into U.S. dollars at average foreign exchange rates appropriate for the reporting period. Because foreign exchange rates fluctuate against the U.S. dollar over time, foreign currency translation affects period-to-period comparisons of financial statement items (i.e., because foreign exchange rates fluctuate, similar period-to-period local currency results for a foreign subsidiary may translate into different U.S. dollar results). Below is a table that presents the impact that foreign currency translation had on the changes in consolidated net sales and various income line items for the three-month period ending March 31, 2021 as compared to 2020:

($ in millions)

Three Months Ended March 31

Change

Increase Due to Foreign Currency Translation



2021

2020







Net Sales

$ 537.7

$ 450.0

$ 87.7

$ 4.2 Gross Profit



109.0



79.3

29.7

0.2 Operating Income



53.9



40.0

13.9

- Pretax Income



53.1



35.5

17.6

-

Table V

Stepan Company

Consolidated Balance Sheets

March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020





March 31, 2021

December 31, 2020

ASSETS













Current Assets

$ 797,653

$ 905,651

Property, Plant & Equipment, Net



746,379



682,667

Other Assets



283,907



164,018

Total Assets

$ 1,827,939

$ 1,752,336

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY













Current Liabilities

$ 464,089

$ 416,554

Deferred Income Taxes



29,876



20,745

Long-term Debt



160,847



160,812

Other Non-current Liabilities



169,181



165,860

Total Stepan Company Stockholders' Equity



1,002,282



986,693

Noncontrolling Interest



1,664



1,672

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

$ 1,827,939

$ 1,752,336



SOURCE Stepan Company

Related Links

http://www.stepan.com


Crown Casino has been fined a record $1 million by Victoria's gambling regulator for its junket operations.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) on Tuesday confirmed it had fined Crown Melbourne for failing to comply with regulatory requirements in relation to junkets at its Southbank casino.

The regulator had been investigating the casino after 2019 media reports alleged junket operators who brought in high-rolling gamblers had links to organised crime and money laundering.

VCGLR Chairman Ross Kennedy said it is the first time that Crown has been fined $1 million, which is the maximum fine available to the regulator.

'That fine reflects the seriousness of this matter, and the fact that Crown's failure to implement a robust process occurred over an extended period,' he said in a statement.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) on Tuesday confirmed it had fined Crown Melbourne

'Robust processes must be implemented to ensure that Crown's Melbourne casino remains free from criminal influence and exploitation. These are strict and legislated regulatory requirements, and this is an area where Crown has repeatedly failed.'

The VCGLR has issued a letter of censure to Crown, prohibiting the company from recommencing junket operations until 'processes and procedures have been improved to the satisfaction of the commission'.

They also want Crown to report back regularly on the progress of its 'reform agenda'.

The regulator also confirmed it is assisting Victoria's royal commission into Crown with its inquires.

The royal commission will investigate whether money laundering is still taking place at Crown Melbourne and whether the company had broken the law or its contract with the state government.

Public hearings are expecting to begin within months.
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A group of tourists celebrating a bachelors party in Barcelona. Albert Garcia

An announcement from the European Commission recommending that EU member states allow vaccinated visitors from the United States to enter Europe has created shockwaves through the tourism sector of Barcelona. Before the pandemic, the Catalan capital received more American travelers than from any other country, only outstripped by domestic tourists. They also spend the most money on their stays. Turismo de Barcelona, the citys tourist board, has announced new projects to promote the city in the US at a time when a number of European destinations are also announcing they are reopening and are competing among themselves.

Reports from the Barcelona tourism observatory are clear: 16.9% of all tourists who visited the city and stayed in a hotel in 2019 (the last full year before the pandemic was declared) were from other parts of Spain  a total of 1,612,487 visitors. In second place, at 11.6%, were Americans (1,103,996), followed by the United Kingdom at 8% (763,627). In terms of the number of nights spent in hotels, Americans came first, with 2,393,284 nights in 2019 (12% of the total).

We believe that it will not just be the Americans who will be able to travel, but rather all of those citizens from third countries who are vaccinated Marian Muro, the general director of Turismo de Barcelona

These figures, along with the announcement by the EC, have activated a series of mechanisms aimed at bringing back these visitors and trying to put the brakes on the crisis in the tourism industry. This is excellent news for the sector and for the economy in general, Marian Muro, the general director of Turismo de Barcelona, told EL PAIS this week. We believe that it will not just be the Americans who will be able to travel, but rather all of those citizens from third countries who are vaccinated.

Last week, Muro headed up the first post-covid in-person promotion mission to Moscow and Saint Petersburg seeking Russians with high purchasing power who want to spend their vacations in Barcelona. At the start of April, the Barcelona tourism director was very clear: This is a race. After a year of pandemic, all [destinations] are now going to seek visitors.

The plan was to try to attract French, English and US visitors. But the announcement from the EC has prompted a course change. We have to go out and promote to recover confidence and visibility, Muro explained.

In 2019, 19 routes run by different airlines operated out of Barcelonas El Prat airport between the Catalan capital and the United States. After months with traffic shut down, on March 28 a single route to Miami reopened. The sector is hoping that this will be the first such step of many.

No we know the timescales, explains Muro. First the approval, as soon as possible, of the Green Passport, in reference to the EU document that will prove someone has been vaccinated. This should be ready, at the latest, at the start of June. Simultaneously, there should be European Commission agreements with third countries so that vaccinated tourists can come. In September we have in-person meetings in the US such as the IGLTA [International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association] summit of LGBTQ+ tourism in Atlanta and a few promotional events in California, the tourism director explained, expressing her hopes that her board will be able to promote Barcelona among US tourists.

English version by Simon Hunter.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

A steady light rain early...then remaining cloudy with a few showers. Thunder possible. Low 69F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

A steady light rain early...then remaining cloudy with a few showers. Thunder possible. Low 69F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
In the future, WELLE Group will continue to consolidate its main business of wet garbage treatment, and strengthen technology research and development to increase economic benefits, said Li Yao, vice president of the company, during the IE EXPO CHINA 2021 ended last Thursday.

WELLE Group will continue optimism about the huge opportunities brought by nationwide promotion of waste sorting. With the gradual implementation of waste sorting policies in more cities in China, the market potential will continue to be released, Li said.

With more and more large-scale investment projects launched, WELLE Group has developed strategic cooperation with many state-owned enterprises to better combine the advantages of both sides. In the past two years, the company has signed strategic cooperation framework agreements with SDIC Ecology and Changzhou Hi-tech Group, Li introduced.

At the same time, WELLE Group will vigorously make research on how to deepen the resource utilization of wet garbage and how to better integrate it with agriculture, so as to improve the economic benefits of the project in small towns and rural areas with the economics of the project as one of the important considerations.

In addition, digital transformation is also one of the company's priorities of development. WELLE Group actively promotes the establishment of its own data center, big data cloud platform, and intelligent system.

As the intensity of law enforcement increases, environmental protection requirements for enterprises have become stricter. WELLE's rich experience in the treatment of landfill leachate can be transferred into the industrial water treatment industry with a lower cost, which will be attractive to customers. In the future, the industrial sector may become a strong support for the company's profit growth, Li added.

See the original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/321173.html

SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road
Denton, TX (76205)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this evening, then cloudy with rain likely late. Low 69F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening, then cloudy with rain likely late. Low 69F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
WORCESTER, Mass., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The nurses of St. Vincent Hospital and Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare held the first round of negotiations since the nurses launched their strike on March 8 for a new contract that the nurses believe must include needed staffing improvements to ensure safer care for all the patients at the facility to end the strike. Unfortunately, Tenet came to the table without addressing the nurses call for safer staffing standards that the nurses had raised prior to the strike, and which had been communicated to the mediator on Friday when the negotiations were scheduled.

The only change to Tenet's pre-strike proposal was to call for the creation of a "committee" to review the current insufficient staffing levels every quarter, with no commitment to actually improve conditions to ensure safer patient care as proposed by the nurses prior to the strike at the last negotiating session on March 3.

After the session the nurses reviewed the hospital's proposal with the membership via zoom and the members voiced strong opposition to what was offered. The nurses responded that they have no interest in another committee. They need actual, safe and enforceable limits on nurses' patient assignments on the medical surgical floors, the addition of resource nurses and other staff on a variety of units to provide the care that reflects the level of illness of today's hospitalized patients.

The strike will continue. Moving forward the union will be in contact with the mediator to see if they can find a path forward.

The strike began on March 8, after Tenet had refused to negotiate with the nurses over improvements the nurses are seeking to improve unsafe patient care conditions in the hospital. The decision followed earnest and painstaking efforts over the last two years by the nurses to convince Tenet to improve the patient care conditions at the facility, poor conditions that have only been exacerbated by the pandemic.

The nurses' strike and their stand for safer patient care has galvanized support from a variety of public officials, labor, faith-based organizations and community advocates, including the entire Worcester City Council, the Worcester state legislative delegation, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Edward Markey Congressman Jim McGovern and Attorney General Maura Healy who have all visited the nurses strike line. Senators Warren, Markey and Congressman McGovern sent their own letter to Tenet's CEO in Dallas urging Tenet to negotiate with the nurses to address the nurses' concerns over needed staffing improvements to ensure safe care.

On Tuesday, April 27, Congresswoman Lori Trahan will be visiting the nurses strike line at 11:45 a.m. to voice support for the nurses, and on Wednesday, April 28, Worcester Interfaith, and its coalition of 21 faith-based organizations will be holding their third candlelight vigil to support the nurses at 7 p.m.

As 800 nurses enter their eighth week on strike, Tenet recently reported more than $97 million in profits and revenues in excess of $4.7 billion for the first quarter of the year, following the posting of $400 million in profits for 2020. To date, Tenet is projected to have invested more than $45 million* to prolong the St. Vincent nurses' strike  all to avoid providing the safer patient care conditions the nurses are seeking.

In the last year alone, nurses have filed more than 600 official "unsafe staffing" reports (more than 110 such reports have been filed since January 1, 2021) in which nurses informed management in real time that patient care conditions jeopardized the safety of their patients. The nurses also report their patients in Worcester have experienced an increase in patient falls, an increase in patients suffering from preventable bed sores, potentially dangerous delays in patients receiving needed medications and other treatments  all due to lack of appropriate staffing, excessive patient assignments, and cuts to valuable support staff.

Staffing Improvements Sought by the Nurses

As evidenced by its own report of massive profits, Tenet can well afford the additional positions necessary to implement the MNA staffing proposal that could end this strike. The money being spent to prolong the strike could easily address the proposed staffing improvements the nurses are seeking, which are staffing standards on a par with other hospitals in Worcester and across the state, including:

Improvements to the current staffing guidelines to ensure all nurses have safe patient assignments and support staff to ensure safe patient care. Throughout the hospital Tenet has forced nurses to consistently care for too many patients while it has cut essential support staff positions. The nurses' staffing proposal calls for improved limits on the number of patients nurses are assigned on many units, including a resource nurse (to coordinate care on the unit and provide support with complex cases) and a commitment to provide support staff positions across all units. A critical aspect of the staffing proposal is a safer patient assignment on the medical surgical floors, which is consistent with the standard of care provided at UMass Memorial Medical Center and a number of other hospitals in the state.

Creation of a pool of nurses who are experts in caring for critically ill patients, which is essential to support nurses in the emergency department who in addition to taking care of five or six patients, are also expected to care for patients in need of ICU level care, who are waiting for a bed to open in the ICU. ICU and trauma patients must have a nurse dedicated to no more than one or two patients, which is the safe standard of care for these patients.

The addition of what are called "STAT and Rapid Response" nurses, which are nurses who would be available to respond to urgent and critical situations when a patient is suffering a code or other serious decline in their condition on the medical/surgical floors. When needed these nurses assist in stabilizing and caring for the patient until they can be transferred to the ICU. They are especially important to support newly graduated nurses, who most often work on the off shift where there are often fewer experienced nurses working. Again, UMass Memorial Medical Center provides this level of support to its nurses.

For a more detailed review of the staffing crisis, efforts by nurses to convince Tenet to address the crisis, as well as proposals nurses are seeking to improve patient care, click here to view a previous press release on the matter.

MassNurses.org  Facebook.com/MassNurses  Twitter.com/MassNurses

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association
EDWARDSVILLE  Thanks in part to his hundreds of sketches over the years on the chalkboard outside 222 Artisan Bakery in downtown Edwardsville, Chris Conant has made a name for himself in the local art community.

But the current display of Conants art at Sacred Grounds Cafe, 233 N. Main St., offers an opportunity for people to see and buy his work in a different setting.

Conants show, which started on April 9 and continues through May 30, will include a question-and-answer session from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

We didnt have a formal opening or closing because of COVID, Conant said. Usually they have something with drinks after hours on Friday night and we couldnt do that, so I figured the best I could do was to appear by myself.

It will be a presentation of what I make, how I make it and why I do it. Ill have some sketchbooks Ive done in the past, plus some newer work. Its a lot of art that the public hasnt seen yet.

Conant has been part of the downtown art scene for more than a decade, but his current show at Sacred Grounds is his first there in 10 years.

I came to SIUE 10 or 12 years ago and graduated about six years ago, said Conant, who earned a bachelors degree in geography in 2014. After I graduated, I started doing the chalkboard at 222 Bakery, but I had one show at Sacred Grounds in 2011 and it was the last before the Gogh-Getters took over the wall there.

Between then and now, Ive probably made 800 chalkboards at 222 and I also earned a deferred masters degree from EIU (Eastern Illinois University) Studio this year. I feel like Ive done some solid work and now I have some things that people can take home with them. For a long time, I wanted to do a show, but I had nothing framed.

The show is presented by the Gogh-Getters, who manage the art gallery at Sacred Grounds.

Kerry Smith and his friends are approaching their 10th anniversary with Gogh-Getters and theyve produced a show every six weeks since 2011, Conant said. Im very thankful to them and Im very thankful to Sacred Grounds, especially the new owner, Kate Baumgartner. Shes a longtime friend of mine.

Smith manages the gallery at Sacred Grounds along with Gogh-Getters partners Steve Hartman, Jim Harper and Dave Thomas.

Were all artists and we know how valuable wall space can be, Smith said. Most of us were involved with the Edwardsville Art Center when we managed the wall there. In 2011, we took over the wall at Sacred Grounds and expanded on it by having openings and things of that nature.

Were in year 10 with the Gogh-Getters and in non-COVID times, we would bring in artists like Chris and tried to tie in the opening night by having people come to Sacred to have some food or have dinner somewhere downtown or see a show at the Wildey (Theatre). We love putting these things together and giving artists the chance to show their work.

Smith feels that Sacred Grounds is an ideal location for Gogh-Getters art shows and for the groups artists.

Sacred Grounds is a fabulous space and in normal times, several hundred people a day walk through there, Smith said. At a normal gallery, once the opening is done, you dont have the traffic flow, but at Sacred, the traffic flow continues.

For many years, we were pleased to work with the previous owner (Jenn Courtney). Then in December, we thought it was shutting down, so we were wondering if we were even going to have any wall space. But Kate Baumgartner bought it and asked us if we would continue our role and were thrilled to do that.

Baumgartner officially acquired Sacred Grounds Cafe from Courtney on Jan. 15 and reopened the business on Feb. 5.

Im so grateful to do it and it works here, Baumgartner said of the art shows. This is a unique space and Im happy to support the artists mission. The Gogh-Getters have so much to offer and they do good things here.

Most of the art that Conant creates has a personal meaning for him.

A lot of times, something happens in my life and I translate it into the chalkboard on a 20 x 15 (-inch) surface, Conant said.

Art is not the only passion for Conant. For the past five years, he has also worked several months a year for the U.S. Forest Service.

Im leaving on May 1 for my next gig this summer, Conant said. Between the geography degree and being a trail runner, those two interests led me to wanting to work in the wilderness.

This year Im going to be in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and Carson Ranger District in Nevada. Edwardsville has kind of been my de facto home. I use it as my storage site and kind of a base, but every time Ive come back here, Ive had a different place to live. With my gig for the Forest Service, I have barracks to live in. Ive also lived in Salt Lake City and I spent last fall and spring in Charleston, Illinois, when I was going to grad school at EIU.

For Baumgartner, being the new owner of Sacred Grounds has given her a chance to build on her relationships with Conant and Smith and other local artists over the years.

I moved to Edwardsville in 2009 when I was a freshman in college and I started forming these relationships, said Baumgartner, who first entered Sacred Grounds at the age of 12 with her mother. I had always gravitated towards downtown and the culture and the feel of the community here.

As a function of that, I met Chris and we became friends. He always has a sketchbook out when hes in town and he travels a lot during the summer. Sacred used to be next door to Afterwords Books and I worked there for years when I was in college. I would see Kerry when he came into the bookstore or the bakery, so I became friends with him as well.

Baumgartner is looking forward to Conants Q & A session on Wednesday afternoon, but she is also thrilled with his shows response from Sacred Grounds customers.

Chris is a wonderfully talented artist and hes known locally for his sketches outside of 222 with the chalkboard, but its great to come into Sacred and look at his other artwork, Baumgartner said. People stop and ask, who is this artist? and Im so proud of him.

For more information about Conants show, visit Instagram.com/ChrisRConant or Goghgetters.com/
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 18:36:47|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a message of condolences to Indonesian President Joko Widodo over the sinking of an Indonesian navy submarine recently.

In his message, Xi said he is shocked to learn that an Indonesian navy submarine has sunk in the sea, leaving many crew members aboard dead.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people as well as in his own name, Xi expressed deep condolences over the victims and extended sincere sympathies to the bereaved families. Enditem
At first glance, one will see a sporty, Swiss Made timepiece with a two-pusher compax chronograph and a high degree of finishing. At its heart beats a high-precision movement - in fact, more precise than any mechanical watch ever made, as the new Alpiner Chronograph is equipped with a quartz caliber.



This is a new line for Alpina. Never, until now, had the Geneva-based company offered a Quartz Chronograph version of its famous Alpiner. It is a new offering that follows in the footsteps of the legendary Alpiner4, born in 1938 - a watch that is antimagnetic, shock-resistant, water-resistant and made of stainless steel.

Alpiner Quartz Chronograph  Alpina

A common watchmaking heritage

Quartz movements have long since acquired the respect of watch connoisseurs and sportsmen alike. The technology was mastered 50 years ago, during the golden age of watchmaking and the birth of its greatest chronographs. Today, quartz is still appreciated on all continents, from Japan to Switzerland, for its reliability and precision, two of the essential qualities that have forged the power of Swiss watchmaking, to which Alpina has been contributing for over a century.

Three new authentic Alpiner models

Strengthened by this heritage, the three new Alpiner Quartz Chronograph timepieces feature a large 42 mm steel case, luminescent hour and minute hands (central as well as for the chronograph), and a seconds counter at 3 o'clock with a red hand, recalling the sporty vocation of the piece. As always, the discreet Alpina logo, symbol of the Alpine summits, stands out in the form of a red triangle as a counterweight to the central chronograph hand.

Alpiner Quartz Chronograph  Alpina

The power of quartz

As for the movement, the choice of a quartz calibre offers the new Alpiner Quartz Chronograph some exclusive advantages. The first: an exceptional longevity, with an autonomy of four and a half years, depending on its usage. Laid down for a day, a weekend, a month or even a year, the Alpiner Quartz Chronograph will always be perfectly operational, ready to climb new heights. Secondly, quartz offers almost total resistance to shocks. The AL-373 calibre is the latest quartz movement to be integrated into Alpinas collections. As such, it benefits from the company's long experience in this field, guaranteeing a chronometric precision far superior to that of a mechanical movement, for a fraction of its price. Finally, this movement offers a date at 6 o'clock. This functional and useful addition gives it a modern aesthetic, while opening up the horizon of daily use, at home or in the office, where the date is indispensable.

A line with subtle variations

Alpina already offers three variations of its new Alpiner Quartz Chronograph. The first two are offered on a black sunray dial, with either black or grey counter highlights. The third model adopts a silver sunray dial with black counter highlights. All share the same 42 mm steel case, water-resistant to 100 m, with a steel bracelet, as is customary for a watch initially dedicated to alpine sports. In addition, the piece is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Crossing into the United States Illegally is big business in Central and South America. For many people fleeing violence and poverty in their home countries, getting across the U.S. border forces them to put their money and their lives in the hands of dangerous people.
Like many of the most explosive political bombshells, the Downing Street flat scandal had a long fuse.

It was fourteen months ago  back in February 2020  that officials first became alarmed by renovations to the No 11 flat.

They had good reason not to pay too much attention to decorators who had been at work there since the New Year. A dozen or so cases of Covid had been reported in Britain, and the possibility that it could endanger the UK was starting to be taken seriously by some Downing Street officials.

It was fourteen months ago  back in February 2020  that officials first became alarmed by renovations to the No 11 flat. Pictured: Lulu Lytle's collection

Mr Johnson was still on a high from his election triumph in December 2019 and had had a Christmas holiday in Mustique in the Caribbean with partner Carrie Symonds  they were still to become engaged.

The couple were overjoyed to learn she was pregnant, though they had not yet shared the news with the rest of the world.

As is now well known, at this stage life-long libertarian Mr Johnson was among those who were less alarmed about the risk of a pandemic.

But he was suddenly alarmed by signs of a political problem closer to home.

They had good reason not to pay too much attention to decorators who had been at work there since the New Year. Pictured: Lulu Lytle's collection

The cost is totally out of control  shes buying gold wallpaper! he is said to have raged to aides.

It is not clear if this was classic Johnson hyperbole  or whether the wallpaper really is gold. In fact, the upmarket interior eco designer Lulu Lytle  whose Soane Britain company was commissioned by Miss Symonds  sells Yellow Gold and Old Gold wallpaper.

When aides asked him how much it was costing, he said: Tens and tens of thousands  I cant afford it.

The Cabinet Office, which is in charge of maintaining the Downing Street estate, told him there was a 30,000-a-year publicly funded allowance for refurbishing the flat.

Mr Johnson would have to pay the rest  58,000.

The cost is totally out of control  shes buying gold wallpaper! he is said to have raged to aides. Pictured: Lulu Lytle's collection

It led to friction between Miss Symonds and Helen MacNamara, Director General of Propriety and Ethics in the Cabinet Office.

Miss Symonds is said to have urged Mr Johnson to sack Miss MacNamara after she refused to sign off extra money for the flat.

Despite his 150,000-a-year salary as Prime Minister, he is said to struggle to make ends meet as a result of losing an estimated 250,000 a year from his journalistic career as well as an expensive divorce with ex-wife Marina.

By March, Mr Johnson was having to take time out from crisis meetings on the pandemic to deal the issue his advisers called Wallpaper-gate  after the 1970s Watergate political scandal in the US that brought down President Richard Nixon.

It is not clear if this was classic Johnson hyperbole  or whether the wallpaper really is gold

They started discussing who was going to pay Miss Lytles bill  and how.

Tory chairman Ben Elliot, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, is more noted for his political connections than his political achievements.

Like Mr Johnson he is an Old Etonian; he is best friends with another Old Etonian Lord (Zac) Goldsmith  more of whom later  and pals with Miss Symonds.

He is also a nephew of the Duchess of Cornwall.

Unlike famous Conservative chairmen of the past such as Norman Tebbit, Mr Elliot prefers to operate behind the scenes in No10 and Tory HQ.

Which is where he began to grapple with Wallpaper-gate.

In fact, the upmarket interior eco designer Lulu Lytle (designs pictured)  whose Soane Britain company was commissioned by Miss Symonds  sells Yellow Gold and Old Gold wallpaper

Mr Johnsons first idea was to ask Tory donor Lord Bamford, boss of the JCB construction giant, to pay off the 58,000.

Lord Bamford and his companies have given more than 10million to the Conservatives over the years  and wife Lady Bamfords Daylesford farm shops delivered healthy meals to No10 after Mr Johnson recovered from Covid.

The Bamford option was dropped, though it is unclear why.

By early June, it is believed the Cabinet Office had paid the entire bill, including the excess 58,000.

But it had to be paid back.

Mr Johnsons team came up with another wheeze: a blind trust modelled on the White House Trust used to maintain the US Presidents Office.

Despite his 150,000-a-year salary as Prime Minister, he is said to struggle to make ends meet as a result of losing an estimated 250,000 a year from his journalistic career as well as an expensive divorce with ex-wife Marina

The official aim was to preserve Downing Street for posterity including the State Rooms.

In fact, it seems the real aim was to recoup the 58,000.

The advantage of the blind trust would be that the prime minister of the day would not know who had given money to the trust so there could be no conflict of interest.

The proposal was soon abandoned as impractical.

Undeterred, Mr Johnson resolved to set up a different, more open, form of Downing Street trust.

Another multi-millionaire Tory donor, Lord Brownlow, was asked by Mr Johnson to set up the new trust.

It emerged yesterday that former Labour Chancellor Lord (Alistair) Darling turned down an offer in July to lead the trust.

So Lord Brownlow took on the job.

It was around this time that Tory HQ paid 58,000 to the Cabinet Office to clear the debt.

But after being told it could fall foul of Electoral Commission rules which say party funds should be used for political campaigning, the party appears to have panicked.An extraordinary apparent attempt to disguise the payment was launched.

This newspaper has been told that in early October Mr Johnson also discussed his financial woes in No10 with Lord Goldsmith.

Miss Symondss appointment in January as head of communications for the Aspinall Foundation, a wildlife charity, was a welcome boost to her and Mr Johnsons income. A leaked email obtained by the Daily Mail showed that on October 23, Lord Brownlow told Mr Elliot that he had made a 58,000 donation to Tory HQ.

He made it clear it was to cover the same sum paid by the party to the Cabinet Office.

He added the 58,000 was to be attributed to the soon-to-be-formed Downing Trust  headed by Lord Brownlow himself. Six months later the trust is no nearer to being established.

Cabinet Secretary Simon Case said this week that it could not be used to pay to refurbish either of the two Downing Street flats at numbers 10 and 11  either now or in the future.

Bearing in mind that was its real, albeit unstated, purpose all along, insiders say the trust will now be quietly dumped. Meanwhile, Downing Street now says the refurbishment costs have been met by the Prime Minister personally, but has not explained how Mr Johnson paid the 58,000.

It is not clear where he got the money from  nor who he has paid it to.

Miss Lytle? The Cabinet Office? Tory HQ? Lord Brownlow? The money trail is not just murky, it is dizzying. Opposition by Mr Johnsons former chief of staff Dominic Cummings to using donors to pay for the flat was one of the reasons of his acrimonious exit from Downing Street in December.

But this newspaper has been told that when his successor, ex-banker Dan Rosenfield joined No10 in January, he was similarly shocked.

He couldnt believe anyone had allowed such a crazy arrangement to go ahead in the first place  or that so much time had been spent on trying and failing to sort out the mess, said a source.

Former Cabinet Secretary Lord ODonnell said yesterday: Prime ministers have to set an example and should abide by the rules which are there for a good reason. He needs to concentrate on issues like Covid and the way to do that is to abide by the rules.

In his blistering attack last week Mr Cummings said he told Mr Johnson early last year that the funding of flat makeover was unethical, foolish and possibly illegal.

Whether you think Cummings is a genius or the devil incarnate, it is hard to disagree that Mr Johnson is guilty on at least one of the three counts.
The IYSSE at NYU will be hosting a meeting, A socialist perspective for Columbia and NYU graduate students, on Wednesday, April 28, at 7 p.m. We encourage graduate students, undergraduates and workers from the New York City area to attend.

On Monday, 2,000 graduate students at New York University began a strike on the eve of the finals period. The students are organized under the Graduate Student Organizing Committee (GSOC), which is affiliated with the United Auto Workers (UAW). The graduate students are demanding higher wages and better health care and child care benefits. They also demand that the New York Police Department (NYPD) be removed from campus and that international and immigrant students receive better protection.

Picket line at NYU on Monday (Photo: WSWS media)

Members of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at NYU spoke to several striking graduate students on the picket line Monday who detailed the issues they are concerned about.

One teaching assistant in the sociology department said, Im out here striking for a living wage, better health care, parental benefits, protections for international students, and for the university to commit to addressing serious health and safety issues like NYPD on campus. The wage increases being proposed by the university are a joke. I make $20 per hour and am officially limited to 20 hours a week. Thats nothing. We need a living wage so workers dont have to work two or more jobs at once. Immigrant and international students usually cant get additional jobs, so they have to try to get by on nothing.

If you look at how much money comes in from course costs alone, you can already see how ridiculous it is to claim that there is no money to pay grad workers a living wage. Many students with medical problems have had to pay thousands of dollars for the simplest procedures, medication, etc... NYPD off campus is also an important issue for me. The past year has clearly brought to light that this is a major health and safety issue.

Asked about uniting with grad workers at Columbia and expanding the strike to other university campuses and into broad sections of the working class, she said, I completely agree with this perspective. Solidarity with other students and workers is the only way forward.

A research assistant in the religion department told the IYSSE, Getting the NYPD off of campus is a central issue for me. Students wont be safe until we get them off campus.

Refuting NYUs claim that there is no money to meet the demands by graduate students, he said, The fact that they decide to have loads of money tied up in infrastructure demonstrates that they are more than able to pay us a living wage. If you look at tuition costs alone its completely ridiculous that they label our demands as unreasonable.

The health care situation is terrible. I had a really bad kidney stone recently and had to bite down on the stick and ride it out because I cant afford to get it treated medically. Im graduating in May, but am out here fighting. We want to make sure that conditions are improved for ourselves and the students that come after us.

The walkout has won broad support on campus and many undergraduate students and members have voiced their support for the strike on social media.

However, NYU has made clear that it will accept nothing less than a full capitulation by graduate students on their key social demands. In an email sent to the NYU student and faculty body on Sunday, NYU president Andrew Hamilton and Provost Katherine Fleming, who make $2 million and $1 million per year respectively, denounced the strike as misguided and dismissed the demands by graduate students as unreasonable.

The letter used the recent sell-out contracts at Harvard University, where graduate students ended up with a miserable $17/hour pay, and Columbia University, as the basis for rejecting the demand for higher wages by NYU graduate workers. At Columbia University, graduate students are voting until April 30 on a contract that amounts to a pay cut in the first year. It provides for a wage of just $17 per hour, significantly lower than the inadequate $20 per hour that NYU students already receive and that provoked their strike in the first place.

One of many Columbia graduate workers who are voting no on the proposed contract explained her decision on Twitter: This is not a win The raises included hardly cover union dues for next year, let alone improve our quality of life. She added, our contract will likely set a precedent for what striking students at other schools will be able to win from their administrations (NYU workers are about to go on strike, for example. I dont intend to f*** them over.)

Universities like NYU and Columbia, which are run by multi-millionaires and billionaires, are not only unwilling to make any concession, as part of the broader restructuring of class relations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, they seek to impose massive austerity on their workers.

In this, they can count on the full support of the UAW. The UAW has systematically isolated the struggles of Columbia graduate students, refusing to unite even with the fight of graduate students at NYU a few miles downtown, let alone broader sections of the working class. Then the UAW unilaterally ended the strike before trying to push a sellout deal down the throats of Columbia grad students.

This dynamic again became clear in the last bargaining session at NYU on Monday. GSOC-UAW again made several concessions, including dropping demands for a $1,000 housing stipend and a $500,000 emergency fund for graduate students. They also accepted that bargaining now proceed through a federal mediator. Before the strike had even begun, GSOC had lowered its demands from initially $48 an hour by a whole third to just $32 an hour.

However, NYU refused to accept their proposals on Monday and said it could not continue bargaining until Thursday. In other words, the university is taking an intransigent line, counting on the union retreating on one demand after another.

Moreover, from the first day of the strike, the union has sought to promote the Democratic Party, inviting Dianne Morales, a Democratic candidate for the New York City mayoral election who was just officially endorsed by the UAW, to the picket line.

GSOC-UAW also continuously promotes identity politics around demands for protection against sexual and what they call power-based harassment. In bargaining meetings, the dropping of key social demands by the union is routinely either preceded or followed by extensive discussion of their demands on equity and inclusion.

In previous graduate student struggles, especially at the University of Michigan last fall, such demands being met by the university served as the pretext for ending the strike, under conditions where all the major social demands of graduate students were betrayed. Above all, the promotion of the Democratic Party and identity politics serves to divert from the fundamental political and class issues that graduate students are facing.

How closely the situation of graduate students is bound up with the broader social crisis was indicated by a tweet of an international NYU student. Referencing the horrific state of the pandemic in India, he tweeted, Solidarity with fellow #internationalstudents from India at NYU. unraveling in the face of unimaginable horrors at home, while preparing to strike against an institution that wont give us a livable wage in this expensive city.

To successfully carry forward their struggle grad students must break free from the confines of capitalist politics and the unions. As the struggle at NYU and Columbia demonstrates, the fight against austerity and to put an end to the pandemic requires new organizations, independent from the unions and both big business political parties and based on a socialist and internationalist perspective.

We urge graduate students at NYU and Columbia University, and all those who support their struggle, to study the statement by the International Committee of the Fourth International calling for the formation of an International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees and to sign up for the May Day rally this Saturday.
YEREVAN.  Hraparak daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: It is already being outlined who will be on the top ten of the electoral list headed by [ex-President] Robert Kocharyan [for the snap parliamentary elections slated for June 20].

In any case, comparing the information received from several sources, the list will look like this: It will be headed by Robert Kocharyan; the second number will be occupied by the representative of the ARF Supreme Body, Ishkhan Saghatelyan.

The third [on the list] shall definitely be a woman. After long fluctuations, the election of R. Kocharyans selection in the matter of the first woman candidate still stood on former Minister of Justice [and former National Assembly vice speaker] Arpine Hovhannisyan, who made the transition from the [former ruling] RPA [party] to the Kocharyan camp.

There will probably be generals[ex-defense minister] Seyran Ohanyan, [former CSTO Secretary General] Yuri Khachaturovin the fourth-fifth place.

The second woman on the list will be ARF member Lilit Galstyan. One of the conditions of the ARF is that there shall be equal representation on the list, which was accepted by Kocharyan with understanding.

Then, the list will include Vahe Hakobyan, chairman of the other allied party: Reviving Armenia.

R. Kocharyan's former employees will be next: Armen Gevorgyan, Vahe Hovhannisyan, Elinar Vardanyan. They are colleagues from the period when he worked as president, who remained loyal to the RA second president.

Vahe Karapetyanthe son of Karen Karapetyan, a former RPA MP, owner of Tashir company, [former economy minister] Karen Chshmarityan, and others will be on the second top ten.
DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran on Tuesday renewed a call for a prisoner exchange with the United States as the longtime foes continue talks with world powers over a possible U.S. return to Tehran's 2015 nuclear accord with world powers.

The powers sought on Tuesday to speed up efforts to bring Washington and Tehran back into compliance with the agreement, as the United States reassured its Gulf Arab allies on the status of the talks in Vienna.

"We want the release of all those held unjustly in U.S. jails over sanctions. Iran is pursuing this due to humanitarian and moral considerations...but this will depend on action by the American side," government spokesman Ali Rabiei said.

"Iran has announced its readiness for this but...announcing the names of prisoners may be detrimental to them. We will announce details after efforts are finalised," Rabiei told a news conference carried live on a government website.

He gave no details of any prisoner exchanges that might be in the works, but said there were more Iranians in U.S. jails than Americans held in Iran.

The Islamic Republic, which is holding a handful of Iranian-Americans, has been accused by rights activists of arresting dual nationals to try to extract concessions from other countries. Iran has repeatedly dismissed the charge.

Among the few recent exchanges, Iran in late 2019 released a Princeton University graduate student who had been held for three years on spying charges, while the United States freed an Iranian stem-cell researcher who faced charges of violating U.S. sanctions against Tehran.

Coinciding with the scrapping of the sanctions under the 2015 nuclear deal, Tehran released five Americans including a Washington Post reporter as part of a prisoner swap with the United States.

U.S.-Iranian tensions have run high since harsh U.S. sanctions were reimposed on Tehran after then-president Donald Trump took Washington out of the nuclear accord in 2018, saying it did not do enough to curb Iranian nuclear activity. Iran has since breached the deal's limits on uranium enrichment.

(Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
FORT MYERS, Fla., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cigent Technology, an In-Q-Tel-backed start-up, today introduced Cigent Data Defense, a breakthrough approach that protects companies and individuals from ransomware, data theft and malicious insider attacks, ending 30 years of failure by the cybersecurity industry.

Cigent Data Defense technology leverages Cigent's DE (Dynamic Data Defense Engine) Windows-based software solution and Cigent's self-defending Secure Solid-State Drives (SSDs). Originally developed for government/military use, Cigent Data Defense technology is now available for commercial use by individuals, small-to-medium-size businesses, corporate enterprises and government entities.

"Companies, individuals, and governments should expect to be hacked, and because of this, cybersecurity protections must evolve. We founded Cigent on this proposition," said Bradley Rowe, Cigent's CEO and co-founder. "There is a major gap in cyber protection  data is openly exposed and software-only protections are often easily bypassed by individual hackers or nation-states. This is a dirty little secret that our industry does not like to talk about, but it is the reality. We take critical data and instantaneously make it completely inaccessible and invisible to adversaries using proprietary and patented techniques originally developed for sensitive governmental use cases. Ransomware simply cannot encrypt data that suddenly ceases to exist from the operating system point of view. We make life so difficult for bad actors that they'll simply go somewhere else."

Cigent Data Defense combines DE software with Cigent Secure SSDs, and takes a different approach to protect against data theft and ransomware than previous cybersecurity technology. Cigent's DE for Windows is the first and only data defense software to rely on file-level Zero-Trust access controls to protect sensitive files against any threat. DE relies on multi-factor authentication and encryption to secure sensitive files anywhere they are shared or stored, even after a security breach. DE can be used as a standalone software solution or in tandem with Cigent Secure SSDs.

Cigent's self-defending internal and external Secure SSDs are the second half of the Cigent Data Defense solution. Cigent Secure SSDs are the world's first and only storage devices to place cybersecurity protections as close to the data as possible  inside the firmware of the device itself. This patented approach defeats data theft by keeping sensitive data inaccessible and hidden below the OS layer and defends against ransomware with machine learning algorithms built into the storage that detect and repel unauthorized attempts to encrypt data. Cigent's Secure SSDs feature "safe rooms" that protect data at all times with zero trust multi-factor authentication and hardware based encryption, even after the user logs in. They remain invisible to an attacker when not in use and disappear from the OS layer when a threat is detected. When paired or used individually, DE software and Cigent Secure SSDs provide a layer of protection that is virtually impossible to bypass.

Correcting A 30-Year-Old Problem

Cigent's multi-patented, multi-layered technology corrects what the cybersecurity industry has failed to do for three decades: protect sensitive data from any threat vector during a time when cybercrime is spiraling out of control. A Cybersecurity Ventures study predicts that cybercrime could have a multi-trillion-dollar impact on the world economy by 2025.

"With the world becoming ever more interconnected, the frequency and severity of large-scale data breaches have increased exponentially," said Tanner Johnson, Principal Analyst, Data Security, IoT Cybersecurity for industry research firm Omdia. "Cyber-criminals regularly seek to exploit any discovered vulnerability that grants access to steal, destroy, or ransom data. As a result, embedded security solutions like those from Cigent help form the most comprehensive line of data-security defense. By operating as close to the data as possible, Cigent's offerings work in tandem to provide a defense-in-depth approach that incorporates artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and respond to data theft or ransomware attempts."

From Classified To Commercial Use

A unique fusion of world-leading data recovery, cyberthreat, and storage experts originally architected Cigent Data Defense to protect sensitive data inside select U.S. government agencies. Cigent's founders handled sensitive work on behalf of key U.S. government agencies on advanced data destruction and recovery projects. They successfully retrieved data from severely damaged and encrypted media critical to assisting national security and highly publicized law enforcement actions. In the wake of the Edward Snowden insider theft of classified information, which easily bypassed software-only security layers, the U.S government-funded Cigent team explored the concept of self-defending storage to combat data theft from any vector. The multi-year research and development effort resulted in the world's first storage devices with active and embedded Machine Learning-based ransomware detection and advanced proprietary firmware-based cybersecurity protections. This approach to data security proved so effective that Cigent received additional backing from public and private sources to broadly patent its technology and develop commercially available products in the interest of national security. The result is the Cigent Data Defense family of products introduced today.

"With the rise of ransomware and data theft the ability to enforce data security further down the technology stack is an increasing necessity. Cigent's unique ability to enforce controls within the storage device provides a level of data security that is not possible with solutions deployed as software at the operating system layer, ensuring sensitive data remains protected from loss to physical or digital theft and destruction," said Bentz Tozer, Senior Member, Technical Staff at In-Q-Tel, Inc.

Additional Cigent Data Defense Capabilities

DE Software

Works with industry-leading multi-factor authentication solutions including Windows Hello Fingerprint, Facial Recognition, Custom PIN, Authenticator apps, or Cisco  's Duo Security

's Duo Security Defends against data theft and ransomware, even when and if the system is compromised

Single cloud-based management console provides easy to use, flexible, centralized deployment, configuration, and response management

Self-Defending Secure SSDs

Configurable Secure Drives keep data inaccessible and hidden at all times from the Windows File System until accessed by the user with a step-up authentication

Firmware based Keep Alive sensor locks Secure Drives and DE protected files if DE software is disabled or bypassed

Dedicated security processor utilizes Machine Learning to detect and neutralize ransomware attacks

Dual Mode allows for private/secure and non-private storage partitions independent and invisible to one another and adversaries

Firmware based Secure Access Logs detect unauthorized attempts to access sensitive files

Availability

The K2 Secure SSD and Dynamic Data Defense Engine (DE) software are available now through Cigent and several of the Company's channel partners. The Denali Secure SSD will be available in Summer 2021. For information and pricing, please contact [email protected] or 1-844-256-1825 toll-free. For partner inquiries, please contact [email protected].

About Cigent

Cigent is an In-Q-Tel-backed cybersecurity company founded by data recovery, storage, and cyber threat experts that protect businesses and individuals against any threat vector, even after a security breach. Cigent Data Defense solves more than three decades of failure by the cybersecurity industry to prevent ransomware, data theft, and insider theft by placing protection as close to the data as possible - inside the firmware of storage devices - and adds Zero Trust multi-factor authentication that protects data at the endpoint, on the network, in the cloud, or when shared with trusted users. Cigent Data Defense is comprised of Cigent's DE (Dynamic Data Defense Engine) Windows-based software and Cigent's self-defending Secure Solid-State Drives (SSDs). For more information, please visit https://www.cigent.com/.

Cigent, Secure SSD, DE, and Dynamic Data Defense Engine are registered trademarks of Cigent Technology, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other trademarks, trade names, or service marks used or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. The Cigent products mentioned in this release may be covered by one or more patents, including at least U.S. Patent Nos. 10437983, 10521611, 10282117, and 10095431 with additional patents pending in the U.S., Europe, Japan, Israel, and other jurisdictions.

Editorial Contact:

Adam Benson

VRGE Strategies

202.999.9104

[email protected]

SOURCE Cigent Technology

Related Links

https://www.cigent.com


The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing oral argument on Tuesday in a case that has pitted the oil industry and the corn lobby for yearswhether refiners can obtain exemptions from blending ethanol in gasoline and diesel under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), oil refiners are required to blend growing amounts of renewable fuels into gasoline and diesel. Refiners that dont have the infrastructure to blend biofuels must purchase tradeable blending credits known as Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to grant waivers from the RFS to refineries whose oil processing capacity is below 75,000 barrels per day (bpd) if the companies owning the refinery can prove that the credits they must buy are causing them financial hardship.

The Trump Administration has given refiners exemptions from the biofuel policies, but the Biden Administration is not expected to do so.

The case in the Supreme Court, however, could remove the Administrations discretion of granting waivers.

The court case, HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining v. Renewable Fuels Association, is set to determine whether the EPA has the authority to grant those waivers.

We dont think the Biden administration intends to give out the small refiner exemptions like the Trump administration, Height Capital Markets analyst Benjamin Salisbury told Bloomberg. But it would limit their ability to change their mind, Salisbury added.

The Supreme Court is asked to rule on a 2020 decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, which held that only small refineries that have been continuously exempt from obligations are eligible for future extensions of the compliance exemption.

EPA had exceeded its authority by creating new exemptions when the statute only authorizes the agency to extend the temporary, time-limited exemption that Congress provided to small refineries. Because none of the three refineries involved in this case still had that exemption, there was nothing for EPA to extend, four organizations comprising the Biofuels Coalition said on Monday, ahead of arguing the case at the Supreme Court.

The refiners-ethanol producers clash at the Supreme Court hinges on the meaning of a single word, extension, Emily Hammond, who is Glen Earl Weston Research Professor of Law at The George Washington University Law School, wrote in a case preview on SCOTUSblog.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
NEWS RELEASE - REGULATED INFORMATION

27 April 2021, 7:00 a.m. CET

IRVINE, CA, and HERSTAL, BELGIUM - 27 April 2021 - MDxHealthSA (Euronext Brussels: MDXH) (the "Company" or "MDxHealth") a commercial-stage innovative molecular diagnostics company, today invites the holders of securities issued by the Company to its ordinary and extraordinary general shareholders' meetings that will be held on Thursday 27 May 2021 at 10:00 a.m., Belgian time.

The items on the agenda of the ordinary and extraordinary general shareholders' meetings include the proposed approval of a number of resolutions relating to the financial year ended on 31 December 2020, as well as the issuance of a new share option plan called the "2021 Share Option Plan" and the renewal of the authorisation to the board of directors to increase the share capital within the framework of the authorised capital.

Exceptionally, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures imposed by the Belgian government to deal with this pandemic, which may still be in effect on the date of the Company's ordinary and extraordinary general shareholders' meetings, the board of directors of the Company recommends that the holders of securities issued by the Company that wish to participate to the general shareholders' meeting make use, as much as practically possible, of the right to vote through voting by mail or by means of a written proxy to the chair of the board of directors. The Company will grant access to the meeting to security holders, proxy holders and other persons only to the extent permitted in light of the measures taken or to be taken by the authorities as applicable on the date of the meeting, and always taking into account the recommendations of the authorities, and safety and health considerations.

In order to participate to the ordinary and extraordinary general shareholders' meetings of the Company, the holders of securities issued by the Company must comply with Article 7:134, 2, first indent of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code and the articles of association of the Company, and fulfill the formalities described in the convening notice. The convening notice, forms and other documents relating to the ordinary and extraordinary general shareholders' meetings can be consulted on the Company's website.

As postal services could be disrupted, the Company recommends the holders of its securities to use e-mail for all communication with the Company regarding the general shareholders' meetings. The Company's email address for such communication is: agsm@mdxhealth.com .

About MDxHealth

MDxHealth is a commercial-stage, innovative healthcare company that provides actionable molecular diagnostic information to personalize the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The Company's tests are based on proprietary genetic, epigeneticand follow us on social media at:

twitter.com/mdxhealth, facebook.com/mdxhealthand linkedin.com/company/mdxhealth.

For more information: MDxHealth info@mdxhealth.com

Important information

The MDxHealth logo, MDxHealth, ConfirmMDx and SelectMDx are trademarks or registered trademarks of MDxHealth SA (the "Company" or "MDxHealth"). All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27)  Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Tuesday recommended the reopening of salons, barbershops, and other personal care services in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine as the government discusses the lockdown classification for May.

President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to issue his decision, but most health experts  even Health Secretary Francisco Duque III  is pushing for an extended MECQ over Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

With the possibility of an extended MECQ, Lopez said allowing personal care services to reopen can greatly help those working in the sector to get back on their feet. He estimated that around 200,000 workers belong to this sector in the Greater Manila area.

"Kung mag MECQ man, sana may opening ng labor-intensive sector na pinili pang nakasara ngayong MECQ," he told CNN Philippines. "Kung gusto natin makabalik ang mas marami sa trabaho, kung gusto man mag-MECQ, at least mabuksan itong sector."

[Translation: If we will remain under MECQ, I hope we can reopen the labor-intensive sector that was closed during MECQ. If we want to stay under MECQ and we want more people to return to work, I hope we can at least open this sector.]

Lopez said he is only in favor of the de-escalation of the community quarantine status if the healthcare capacity and number of new COVID-19 cases have gone down.

Duque on Tuesday said those who have gone ill after COVID-19 exposure, as well as the ICU utilization rate of COVID-19 cases, have not yet significantly gone down despite the reimposition of stricter lockdown rules in the Greater Manila area.

The trade chief said he only wants to shift to general community quarantine because he wants to help unemployed Filipinos, stressing cross border and nonessential trips can be scrapped for now.

If the pandemic task force grants the reopening of personal care services under MECQ, Lopez suggested operations be limited to just 10% for indoor stores. He also urged local government units to find way to open outdoor services.
Supplier News

27 April 2021

Guest reviews and responding to them have always been a vital part of the hotel industry. They are a way for travelers to share their experiences with other potential hotel guests, and they can be used not only by future travelers but also by competing hotels to see what others are saying about them so that they may improve their own services.

But in today's "Covid recovery environment", there is an increasing shortage of qualified labor for hospitality-related jobs including hotel management which means there isn't enough time or manpower to respond to guest reviews as quickly as before. This can affect future hotel bookings, which is something that many hotel managers are concerned about as they strive to maintain occupancy levels well beyond the predicted booming summer season.

"Currently we see many hotel General Managers filling in as housekeepers, to get rooms cleaned and ready for the next guest," said DJ Vallauri, Founder & CEO of Lodging Interactive which operates CoMMingle, the premier guest review response, and social media marketing service for the hospitality industry. "The labor shortage means there isn't enough time or manpower to respond to guest reviews in a timely manner."

The CoMMingle team has noticed a trend with guest reviews being increasingly candid and critical of hotel experiences guests have had. It's understandable as guests have been cooped up in their homes for the last year and are looking to experience that perfect vacation and hotel stay. And when they encounter a reduction of housekeeping services, pool and spa closures, or limited restaurant hours, they're not happy and take to writing negative reviews.

"It's almost like the perfect storm, a hotel full of guests, paying the full price due to demand levels (including resort fees I might add), and receiving fewer services and amenities due to staffing issues at the property," added Mr. Vallauri. "It's no wonder properties are not keeping up with responding to the growing number of guest reviews posted on the OTA and review sites."

Over the last 90 days, the CoMMingle team has seen an alarming uptick in negative guest reviews across its portfolio of customer properties.

The CoMMingle guest review response services can assist properties in mitigating the issues of not having enough staff to promptly reply to reviews and ensure hotels are always positioned properly to capture future guest opportunities. Timely response to all guest reviews is guaranteed within 24 hours.

For more information on the CoMMingle Guest Review Response Services plans and pricing, please visit: https://commingleengage.com/contact.shtml or call 877-291-7741 extension 704.

About Lodging Interactive

Since 2001 Lodging Interactive has been a leading provider of digital marketing services to the hospitality industry.

The Company is an HSMAI Adrian Award winner and has won awards from the International Academy of Visual Arts, Interactive Media Awards, Horizon Interactive Awards, Web Marketing Association, Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts, and Travel Weekly's Magellan Awards have recognized Lodging Interactive as an industry leader.

Lodging Interactive customers include over 65 hotel management companies and nearly 700 hospitality properties worldwide. Properties include luxury independent hotels and resorts as well as branded properties from nearly every major brand.

Lodging Interactive is the parent company of CoMMingle:Engage, the Company's social media marketing, and reputation management division which serves hundreds of hotels, restaurants, spas, and management companies.

In 2020, the Company developed the hospitality industry's first Facebook Messenger-based SMERF Lead Sales System, RFPAssist, designed to drive hotel group and event business.

Additionally, the Company provides subscription-based website development and digital marketing services through its HotelSiteXPRESS offering. The subscription-based service is based on a 'pay-as-you-go' model and requires no capital investment on the part of the hotel.

Lodging Interactive's corporate office is located nearby New York City, in Parsippany, NJ and it maintains satellite offices in Sydney, Australia, and London, England.

The Company's mailing address is Lodging Interactive, 900 Lanidex Plaza, Suite 242, Parsippany, NY 07054, USA. For more information, please contact [email protected], 877-291-4411 ext. 704 or visit the company's websites https://commingleengage.com and https://lodginginteractive.com.
MEDFORD, Ore.  Despite multiple southern Oregon counties moving to Extreme Risk restrictions on Friday, state education officials say that schools do not necessarily need to reduce their current levels of in-person learning.

Local districts have been transitioning to full-time (or nearly full-time) learning in the classroom over the past several months, after Oregon officials embraced new CDC guidelines to reduce spacing requirements. The Medford School District welcomed back its final group of older students on April 12.

The long process of bringing more students into the classroom started at a time before COVID-19 case rates began rising again, in what Governor Brown has called a "fourth wave" of the virus. Jackson County Public Health said on Tuesday that there were 600 new cases over the last two weeks, marking a case rate not seen since the beginning of January.

Regardless, state education officials said that the rise in case rates won't necessarily require any changes at southern Oregon schools.

"Schools should not reduce in-person instruction or revert to [comprehensive distance learning] based on county metrics if the school can demonstrate the ability to limit transmission in the school environment," said Peter Rudy, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Education.

Even if county case rates rise to a new tier on ODE's chart, the state will not mandate any change. Instead, pausing any further expansion of in-person learning is "recommended."

Schools are also not required to change the classroom spacing requirements even in the higher case rate tiers, and they are allowed to remain with 3 feet of physical distancing instead of the prior 6 feet.

Rudy said that local public health officials can, in cooperation with school district leadership, opt to change physical distancing requirements in response to an outbreak at a particular school.
The largest congregation of the United Methodist Church in North Georgia is leaving the denomination over questions on leftist political and theological leanings.

On April 5, Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson informed Dr. Jody Ray, senior pastor of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church (UMC), that he will be reassigned. Ray will be taken out of the ministry and take a new role involving racial reconciliation at the North Georgia Conference in Atlanta, East Cobb News reported.

But Ray opposed the plan, saying that the proposal lacks the "intentional and substantive consultation."

Lindsay Hill, head of Mt. Bethel's Staff/Parish Relations Committee, also contradicted Ray's reassignment.

In a letter, Hill told Rev. Dr. Jessica Terrell, Haupert-Johnson's cabinet member, that the sudden change in leadership "will have detrimental effects to the many faithful that are employed by the church, the academy, the recreation fields, and [their] mission partners."

Ray also wrote Haupert-Johnson that it would be best for him to remain at Mt. Bethel while they are completing their "pandemic recovery and continue to build a strong and vital congregation dedicated to making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."

But Haupert-Johnson ignored their arguments and decided to proceed with Ray's reassignment.

After the service on April 18, the church's lay leadership sent a petition statement to its members, to register their opposition of Haupert-Johnson's decision. By Tuesday morning, the petition reportedly got more than 4,000 signatures from Mt. Bethel members, more than half of its 8,000 congregants.

On Monday, lay leader Rustin Parsons revealed the disaffiliation of Mt. Bethel from UMC in a press conference.

"We have begun the process to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. It's time for us to part ways with the denomination," Parsons said, reading the church's statement.

Ray also said in the press conference that he is surrendering his credentials as UMC's ordained minister, continuing as Mt. Bethel's CEO and lead pastor.

According to Faithwire, the decision came after the UMC moved to favor leftist leanings in politics and theology. The denomination is reportedly arguing over some controversial issues such as ordaining LGBT clergies.

Ray addressed the said concern in his sermon last Sunday.

"To my family ... remember this day. We are a family who lives by our faith and our values. God is Lord of our life; Jesus Christ is Lord of our life. And it's Him and Him alone who determines our future. We don't back up or back down," he said.

"And I want you also to remember this day, that your daddy didn't bow the knee or kiss the ring of progressive theology that is, in fact, no theology at all," Ray told his children.

"Be careful of secular ideologies and thoughts that often come described as biblical truth. Know and understand the Scripture in such a way that you can determine through the Holy Spirit what is right," the pastor warned his congregation.

Next year, in a process called "Protocol for Reconciliation Through Grace and Separation," the UMC reportedly plans to establish two separate denominations, the UMC and the Global Methodist Church.

Faithwire noted that Mt. Bethel has already removed references to the UMC from its website.
Sri Lanka's Cabinet today approved a proposed ban on wearing the burqa in public two years after ISIS terrorists killed 260 people in bombings of churches and hotels.

The Cabinet approved the proposal by Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera, who has said the full-face veils worn by Muslim women are a national security risk.

The proposal will now be sent to the Attorney General's Department and must be approved by Parliament to become law. The government holds a majority in Parliament and the proposal could easily be passed.

Weerasekara has called burqas a sign of religious extremism and said a ban would improve national security citing the religious garment's use by terrorists to escape authorities by concealing their identities.

Sri Lanka's Cabinet today approved a proposed ban on wearing the burqa in public two years after ISIS terrorists killed 260 people in bombings of churches and hotels. Pictured: A woman wearing a hijab walks through a street near St Anthony's Shrine in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in the days after the attack

Military arrive after explosions went off near the Roman Catholic church, the Shrine of St. Anthony, in Colombo on Easter Sunday 2019

2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Colombo Bombs were detonated in rapid succession at three churches in Colombo on Easter Sunday, one of the holiest days in Christianity. Explosions also rocked three luxury hotels, targeting foreigners who were sitting down to breakfast. The most deadly blasts were at the two Roman Catholic churches, the Shrine of St Anthony and St Sebastian's, where 171 worshippers were killed. Three five-star hotels on the beachfront were attacked around the same time: the Shangri-La Hotel, the Cinnamon Grand Hotel and The Kingsbury. The attacks killed more that 260 people, including eight British tourists and the three children of the Danish billionaire owner of ASOS, Anders Holch Povlsen. At least 45 children, including nine foreigners, were killed in the atrocity. The attacks were blamed on two local Islamic extremist groups that had pledged allegiance to Islamic State. Advertisement

'In our early days Muslim women and girls never wore the burqa,' he said last month. 'It is a sign of religious extremism that came about recently. We are definitely going to ban it.'

The burqa was temporarily outlawed in the days after the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings of three churches and three luxury hotels in Colombo, which left eight Britons dead.

The jihadist perpetrators of the attack had pledged allegiance to ISIS and Islamic State claimed responsibility in the aftermath.

Later that year, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, best known for crushing a decades-long insurgency in the north of the country as defence secretary, was elected president after promising a crackdown on extremism.

Rajapaksa is accused of widespread rights abuses during the war, charges he denies.

The Cabinet's approval of the proposed burqa ban comes despite the UN special rapporteur on freedom on religion or belief saying it would violate international law.

Ahmed Shaheed tweeted that a ban would be incompatible with international law and the right to free religious expression.

Pakistani Ambassador Saad Khattak also tweeted that a ban would only hurt the feelings of Muslims.

Last month, Weerasekera also announced government plans to ban more than a thousand madrassa Islamic schools that he said were flouting national education policy.

'Nobody can open a school and teach whatever you want to the children,' he said at the time.

Sri Lankan police inspect a blast at the Shangri-la hotel in Colombo in April 2019

Muslims make up about 9 per cent of the 22 million people in Sri Lanka, where Buddhists account for more than 70 per cent of the population.

Ethnic minority Tamils, who are mainly Hindus, comprise about 15 per cent of the population.

The government's moves on burqas and schools follow an order last year mandating the cremation of COVID-19 victims - against the wishes of Muslims, who bury their dead.

This ban was lifted earlier this year after criticism from the United States and international rights groups.
STAMFORD  In the wake of accusations on social media, King School officials apologized this month and said they are making changes to be a more inclusive and diverse institution.

A flood of anonymous posts showed up under the handle BlackAtKing starting in June of 2020, often naming staff members at the private day school directly. The campaign was one of many across the country at various schools that sought to illustrate racism in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis by police officer Derek Chauvin.

Black students told they couldnt get into prestigious universities, students using racial slurs, and double standards for Black students are some of the accusations levied against King School last summer.

School officials have declined to comment on the posts, but this month, Kings administration and board of trustees released a letter referencing the eye-opening and heartbreaking testimonies from students on social media last summer.

We deeply regret and apologize for the pain suffered by anyone within our walls, the letter read.

In response to the campaign, the Stamford K-12 private school hired a law firm to investigate the accusations, as well as identify ways to make the institution more inclusive and diverse. One of the schools initial responses to Floyds death and the social justice protests that took place across the country, was to create a task force on diversity, equity and inclusion.

The letter from Kings administration and board of trustees detailed some of the changes brought on by the task force in an effort to be a more inclusive and anti-racist school. Those changes include a greater emphasis on increasing diversity among the faculty, student body, and board of trustees, as well as more training sessions and workshops for staff and administrators on implicit bias and systemic racism.

The administrator of the BlackatKing Instagram account did not wish to speak on the record, only saying the posts speak for themselves.

The BlackatKing posts include comments from Black students such as, My friends refused to believe my grades were real.

There were a number of microaggressions listed, such as Black students being confused for other Black students, as well as teachers and students repeatedly commenting on Black students hair.

In one story, a staff member allegedly mocked students for protesting the death of Eric Garner in 2014 at the hands of a New York police officer. More than one account described a simulation of the Underground Railroad, in which white school employees acted as slave masters, and shouted racial slurs at students.

When asked about the accusations in the social media posts, the school spokesman said King School officials would not be commenting and pointed to the letter.

The painful stories that we heard from members of our school community and the social unrest that took place during the summer of 2020 led us to take a deep look within ourselves, confront the mistakes of the past, and enact change, read the letter from the school.

The schools diversity, equity and inclusion task force also implemented new affinity groups in the middle school grades, including one for students of color, and another for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer students.

After the social media posts gained traction, King School hired a law firm to investigate the accusations. The letter from the school stated that administrators cannot provide details about personnel matters, but did say that the process involved candid and frank personnel decisions and proportionate actions behind which we stand fully.

Curriculum at the school will also be updated as part of the inclusion work, as an audit is underway to revise the content taught in classrooms.

An example of this work is reflected in the English and History curricula, which have been significantly updated to include racial literacy and more diverse perspectives, read the letter from school leaders.

It continued, In addition to revising our curriculum, we are working to make our classroom libraries more diverse and culturally responsive.

ignacio.laguarda@stamfordadvocate.com
France on Tuesday announced a "solidarity mission" for India under which it will send oxygen generation plants, ventilators and other medical supplies to support the country in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said it is carrying out an exceptional solidarity mission in support of the Indian people, who have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Coordinated by the ministry's Crisis and Support Centre and carried out by the Embassy of France in India, the mission will involve shipping by air and sea freight by the end of this week," the ministry said in a statement. French ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain said the "massive solidarity mission" is being supported by French companies present in India and the European Union.

"This massive solidarity mission, initiated at Prez @EmmanuelMacron's request, is supported by French companies present in India and the EU. It aims to both respond to the emergency and boost the long-term resilience of India's healthcare system," he said in a tweet.

The French foreign ministry said the medical supplies will include eight oxygen generators, each capable of uninterrupted supply of oxygen for a 250-bed hospital for nearly 10 years.

"Each unit can uninterruptedly supply a 250-bed hospital. Its oxygen output can fulfil the needs of 15 critically ill COVID-19 patients in an ICU (or 30 patients in the ICU of a conventional hospital) or 150 patients on oxygen therapy in a conventional hospital facility. These oxygen generators also include ramps for filling oxygen cylinders," it said.

The ministry said five containers of liquid medical oxygen are being sent as part of the first instalment, adding they are capable of supplying medical oxygen to up to 10,000 patients for a day.

France is also sending to India 28 ventilators and their consumables, as well as 200 electric syringe pumps. The ministry said the supplies are being sent in response to the needs expressed by India's authorities and they are intended to not only to address the emergency but also to significantly boost capabilities of Indian hospitals to "treat the sick and fight the pandemic".

Also read: PM Modi, Biden discuss COVID-19 situation, vaccine supplies; details here

Also read: COVID-19 crisis: UK dispatches first shipment of ventilators, oxygen concentrators to India
Tucker Carlson said Americans should start asking people to remove their masks outside because science shows there isn't a reason to wear them and wearing them makes other people feel uncomfortable.

During his Tucker Carlson Tonight show Monday night, the Fox News host said the fact that Americans are being told to still wear masks outside amid the COVID-19 pandemic 'should shock us'.

The dictates are simply power grabs by overzealous liberal politicians, he said, and not based in science. Instead, they're chipping away at Americans' freedoms - unchecked.

'The next time you see someone in a mask on the sidewalk or the bike path, don't hesitate. Ask politely but firmly: 'Would you please take off your mask? Science shows there is no reason to wear it. Your mask is making me uncomfortable',' Carlson said.

'We should do that, and we should keep doing it, until wearing a mask outdoors is roughly as socially accepted as lighting a Marlboro in an elevator. It's repulsive. Don't do it around other people. That's the message we should send because it's true.'

His comments come as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are expected to issue new guidelines Tuesday on mask-wearing: The guidance could say fully vaccinated people can stop wearing masks outside, sources have told CNN.

The guidance is expected as the share of Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 approaches 30 percent, and warmer begins to spread across the nation.

Scientists and doctors, such as Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, have said the virus spreads mostly indoors - and there's 'very little transmission outdoors' except in very specific circumstances, he told NBC.

Still, some states and localities, such as New York and California, have kept their mask mandates - even for people who are vaccinated and outdoors - leading critics to charge that masks are simply theater.

Tucker Carlson said during his show on Monday night that the fact Americans are being told to still wear masks outside amid the COVID-19 pandemic 'should shock us'

Carlson said it's time to fight against that.

He suggested that some liberals have become 'aggressors' for pushing for, or enforcing, mask wearing across the country amid the pandemic.

When Joe Biden took office in January, the president urged Americans to wear masks for the next 100 days to limit the spread of COVID-19. He did not implement a national mask mandate, just as Donald Trump didn't.

Meanwhile, Carlson said the woke crowd is hypocritical about the type of protest that it accepts.

Carlson said Democrats would applaud if someone burned an American flag in public but would be upset if they burned masks.

'If you decide to burn an American flag in a public park tomorrow, how would they respond to that? Well, of course, they would applaud. That's your First Amendment right. You'd be fighting the tyranny of the people who created this horrifying country.

'How, by contrast, would they respond if you burned a pile of surgical masks in a public park tomorrow? They probably wouldn't like it. But that's your right too.'

He argued that 'power-drunk politicians' had wrecked the country by enforcing mask wearing and claims that such mandates has actually put people at risk, including children.

'There's no scientific justification for any of it. Children are not at meaningful risk from COVID. They never have been. Adults who've been vaccinated or naturally infected - and that's a huge percentage of the American population - aren't either,' he said.

Children can be infected with COVID, but they're less at risk of getting seriously ill or dying, according to the CDC. And less than 10 percent of COVID cases in the US have been among those aged 5-17.

Carlson argued Americans should start asking people to remove their masks outside because science shows there isn't a reason to wear them and it makes other people feel uncomfortable. Pictured above is New York City's Time Square in March

Carlson suggested that liberals have become 'aggressors' for pushing for, or enforcing, mask wearing across the country amid the pandemic

'At this point, there is no scientific justification for any mask mandate, anywhere. It's that simple. The idea that people are being told, being forced, to wear masks outside should shock us.'

He claimed children being made to wear masks at school was akin to child abuse.

'Your response when you see children wearing masks as they play should be no different than your response to seeing someone beat a child in Walmart: call the police immediately. Contact child protective services. Keep calling until someone arrives,' he said.

'What you're seeing is abuse. It's child abuse, and you're morally obligated to try to prevent it. If it's your own children being abused, act accordingly.'

Some conservatives, including radio host Erick Erikson, appeared to disagree with Carlson.

He tweeted: 'Conservatives don't get in other people's faces and tell them how to raise their kids. That's what the other side does and I'm not on that side and so won't behave that way.'

Elsewhere in his show, Carlson pointed to recent comments made by Dr Anthony Fauci regarding whether masks were still needed outside.

Carlson claimed Fauci has been forced to concede that there wasn't a risk of mass transmission of COVID-19 outdoors.

Fauci, in an interview with ABC on Sunday, had said he believed new mask guidance from the CDC was imminent.

'What I believe you're going to be hearing, what the country is going to be hearing soon, is updated guidelines from the CDC,' Fauci said.

'The CDC is a science-based organization. They don't want to make any guidelines unless they look at the data and the data backs it up.

He pointed to recent comments made by Dr Anthony Fauci regarding whether masks were still needed outside. Fauci said at the weekend that he believed the risk of a vaccinated person contracting COVID outside was low

Carlson went on to point out how Vice President Kamala Harris still wears a mask outside and social distances even though she is fully vaccinated. He accused Harris of carrying out a 'charade' that doesn't have anything to do with science or public health

'I think it's pretty common sense now that outdoor risk is really, really quite low, particularly - I mean, if you are a vaccinated person, wearing a mask outdoors, I mean, obviously, the risk is minuscule.'

The CDC is expected to unveil new guidance on outdoor mask-wearing for unvaccinated people on Tuesday, ahead of a planned speech by President Biden later in the day on the state of the pandemic response.

Currently, the CDC guidance recommends people wear cloth face coverings 'in public settings when around people outside their household, especially when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain'.

Carlson went on to point out how Vice President Kamala Harris still wears a mask outside and social distances even though she is fully vaccinated.

The CDC updated its guidance last month to say fully vaccinated people could gather indoors without wearing a mask or remaining six feet apart with others who have been fully vaccinated.

Fully vaccinated people can also gather inside with unvaccinated people from another household without masks or social distancing if that person, or people they live with, does not have an increase risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Carlson accused Harris of carrying out a 'charade' that doesn't have anything to do with science or public health, and questioned why Americans had to follow suit.

'We let power-drunk politicians wreck our country in exchange for promising to protect us from a virus that 99 percent of us would have survived anyway. What were we thinking?' he said.

'Masks have always been incompatible with a free society. We used to know that. Masks strip people of their identity as individuals. Mask transform people from citizens into drones. They isolate us. They alienate us. They shut us off from one another. They prevent intimacy and human contact.

'If I can't see your face, I can't know you. Masks are for the guilty. They're signifiers of shame and submission.

'Until recently, many jurisdictions had laws against wearing masks in public. Only Klansmen and armed robbers wore masks. The rest of us showed our faces. We were free people.'

Mask wearing has been a controversial issue throughout the pandemic with health authorities changing their guidance repeatedly on who should wear masks and when to wear them.

Most states issued their own mask orders, which numerous studies linked to subsequent decreases in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Some states, including Florida and South Dakota, never had any state-wide mask mandates.

As the vaccination efforts continue nationwide, real world data has increasingly suggested that fully vaccinated people are unlikely to spread the virus, and are likely protected from catching it and becoming ill.

White House officials said a focus in the coming weeks for the Biden administration will be on easing guidance for vaccinated people.
For the first decade and a half of my life, I was obsessed with animals more than ordinary children. With a fascination of creatures large and small, I was one of the first teens in the United States to advocate with the Humane Society of the United States. Preaching to State House Representatives in Washington, D.C., everything I did, lived, and breathed, inhaled, and exhaled a fascination with critters.

During the second decade of my existence, my mind was seized and captured by unhealthy means of control. In a fuzzy spiral of addiction, self-harm, and confusion, I became a place of desolation. Though those original compulsions have been mended over the years, they have often been replaced by struggles that are a bit harder to destroy completely.

While I wish that my fight with mental health could be as easy to dispose of as last week's garbage, the battles we face in life can be a fraction of the ones we quickly shovel off our plates into the disposal.

What Are You Willing to Destroy?



In 1 Samuel Chapter 15, Samuel is in a normal conversation with Saul. Crowned as King a few chapters earlier, by persuadable crowds, Israel defiantly goes against the Lord's commands to obey Him alone, noting that they want to be like all the other governed nations (1 Samuel Chapter 11, NIV). After a short period, Samuel rebukes Saul for disobedience. By chapter 15, it is inherently obvious that the Lord has not only rejected Saul as King but entirely left his presence.

Commanding Saul (via the Lord) to destroy the Amalekites and all that belonged to them for what they did to Israel while coming up out of Egypt, Samuel gives Saul a simple task of obedience. But while carrying out this task, it appears that our King's inability to fulfill his duties has less to do with his capabilities and more to do with his submission.

"Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs-- everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed. (1 Samuel 15:3,9, NIV)



While Saul was willing to destroy that which was despised and weak, but he was unwilling to kill the best of the sheep and cattle and the fat calves and lambs (good things). Not only that, but he then convinced himself he was obeying the Lord's command.

"I have carried out the Lord's instructions they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest But I did obey the Lord I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. (1 Samuel 15:13,15, NIV)

Dont Cling to Your Good and Miss Gods Best



Today, I can't help but think how much we do this, trusting God's truth to support our version or interpretation of His commands. Taking matters into our hands and thinking we know best, we twist integrity until it's a shadow of selfishness and pride. But God wants us to obey His voice for a reason.

The fact of the matter was, Saul knew he didn't obey the Lord. 1 Samuel 15:24 in the NIV states, "I have sinned. I violated the Lord's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them" (1 Samuel 15:24, NIV). Yet, when it came to obedience or sacrifice, he chose sacrifice according to his own judgment.

"Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams," said Samuel to Saul (1 Samuel 15:22, NIV).



The Hebrew translation for "completely destroy" in the context of this verse refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them. In taking a good look at your life, what are you unwilling to completely destroy and let go of right here, right now? Whatever it is, I promise that if you're holding on more tightly to it and not Jesus, it doesn't matter how much plunder, money, or sheep you have stored; you'll still be left destitute and empty.

King Saul was too afraid to let go of "good things" for even better rewards. For the truth was not that Saul really believed he was honoring God, but that he could say he was and then attempt to go his own way. Saul's fear of people persuaded him to do things I'm sure he wishes he never did (1 Samuel 15:24-25). Similarly, I'd also go so far as to say that he not only gave in to the people, but also the selfish desires of his heart (1 Samuel 15:10-12).

Dont Miss Your Chance



Because if we aren't willing to give up everything of ourselves, even good things, for the sake of the gospel and Jesus Christ, then I'm afraid we've lost everything worth having. We've not only lost everyone but the One who is most important.

Saul wasn't willing to irrevocably give in a way that he couldn't get back. What about us?

Let us entirely give up, even destroy, what the Lord asks of us. God didn't need Saul to keep the fat calves and lambs to provide Him with a sacrifice; what he wanted was the obedience of the heart in surrender to His commands.

To obey the Lord is far better than sacrifice, and all He desires is all of us.

Saul forfeited ruling a nation with God's help because he wasn't willing to forfeit everything else. He even lost God in the process (1 Samuel 16:14).

Dear friend, don't lose that chance. God wants to reign in your heart, over all of your heart, but that's only possible when everything else taking up space is wholly destroyed, not partially dissolved, or unwillingly handed over, but freely and entirely surrendered to Him.

Photo Credit:  Getty Images-AntonioGuillem

Amber Ginter is an aspiring 25-year-old writer that currently works as an English teacher in Chillicothe, Ohio, and has a passionate desire to impact the world for Jesus through her love for writing, aesthetics, health/fitness, and ministry. Hoping to become a full-time freelancer, Amber seeks to proclaim her love for Christ and the Gospel through her writing, aesthetic ministry team (Aisthitikos Joy Ministries), and volunteer roles. She is also the author of The Story I've Never Told, which is currently in the publishing process. Amber has freelanced for Daughter of Delight, Kallos, Anchored Passion, Crosswalk, No Small Life, Darling Magazine, Called Christian Writers, Southern Ohio Today News, The Rebelution, Ohio Christian University, and The Circleville Herald. Visit her website at amberginter.com.

Want more interaction with the women of iBelieve? Join our fans, writers, and editors at the iBelieve Facebook group, Together in Faith, for more videos, stories, testimonies, prayers and more. Visit here to join the community!
ST. LOUIS and DALLAS, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascent, a leading provider of customer-driven solutions in the design, engineering, construction and operations of data centers and critical facilities, and Lincoln Rackhouse, the data center division of Lincoln Property Company, announced today the combination of data center facilities management operations to create a full-service, best-in-class platform focused on meeting the complex requirements and escalating demands of enterprise and hyperscale users.

The strategic partnership, which will operate as Ascent, underscores a mutual commitment to working with clients to provide powerful, flexible and customized solutions across the full lifecycle of a data center facility. Ascent's services, which include data center operations and maintenance management, design, construction management and consulting and engineering, empower customers to reduce risk, optimize spend and gain more control over their data center environments.

Lincoln Rackhouse's data center acquisition, development and project management activities will accelerate Ascent's growth. Lincoln Rackhouse currently owns a portfolio of data centers, managing more than two million square feet of mission critical space across the U.S. and in London, England. Lincoln Rackhouse will continue to acquire and develop enterprise data center facilities and lease them to data center operators to accommodate the enterprise shift in demand for data center space and further expand its footprint. Each such acquisition and development will benefit from the expertise of Ascent.

"Partnering with Lincoln Rackhouse will be transformative for Ascent's current and future customers," said Bob Painter, President of Ascent. "The combination will allow us to continue providing and growing our industry-leading solutions and services offering and to accelerate our development and deployment of innovative technologies. This is the first step in our next decade of strategic growth, market leadership and best-in-class customer service."

Martin Peck, who oversees the Lincoln Rackhouse business, will partner with Mr. Painter and the Ascent management team to merge these facility management platforms and grow the combined operation. "As new technologies and bandwidth requirements drive the evolution and growth of the data center industry, companies are increasing the outsourcing of their data center operations and monitoring to third-party operators that specialize in those operations," stated Mr. Peck. "Ascent has top-shelf platforms and processes, but it is Ascent's talented employees that make this partnership so special. We are honored to contribute to the growth of the go-forward company."

An affiliate of Stone Point Capital LLC, an investment firm focused on the global financial services and related industries, has partnered with the Lincoln Rackhouse team, Ascent Founder Phil Horstmann, Mr. Painter and other members of Ascent's senior management team to provide the combined company with growth capital.

Ascent has established a history of improving critical facility reliability, finding customer cost-savings and implementing value-added strategies for its clients' operations. With a strong reputation for data center reliability, Ascent has served leading companies in the information technology, finance, insurance, health care, telecommunications and other industries. Ascent's proprietary Navigator Platform is a facility-focused approach to managing critical systems equipment inventory, maintenance management and performance metrics. The platform serves more than 800 critical facilities located throughout the United States and Canada, delivering 24x7 operations support, critical site services and IT site services.

"Since Ascent's inception in 1998, we have grown by expanding our strategic offerings in order to serve our clients. In partnering with a powerhouse real estate company like Lincoln and with capital and strategic support from Stone Point Capital, we are able to further advance our solutions and services offerings. This will provide expansion into enterprise, hyperscale and new development opportunities for the longevity of the business," commented Mr. Horstmann.

About Ascent

Ascent is a leading provider of customer-driven solutions in the design, engineering, construction and operations of data centers and critical facilities, partnering with customers to solve technical, operational and financial challenges of running these facilities critical to customers' businesses.

Founded in 1998, Ascent provides full life cycle support from the design and development of new, expanded or upgraded facilities to daily monitoring and maintenance management, backed by our 24x7 operations support. Ascent is a one-stop-shop for all critical infrastructure needs, and works hand-in-hand with customers to provide flexible, scalable, secure and highly available solutions to ensure their individual needs are met. For more information, please visit www.ascent-corp.com.

About Lincoln Rackhouse

Lincoln Rackhouse is the data center division of Lincoln Property Company and focuses on helping organizations of all sizes locate, analyze and secure data center space to lease or own. Dallas-based Lincoln Property Co. has earned its reputation as effective, professional managers of residential and commercial properties with more than 50 years of experience in building, owning and managing one of the largest commercial real estate portfolios in the United States. With 20 years of experience sourcing mission critical data centers, Lincoln Rackhouse offers unparalleled market and industry knowledge with an unbiased approach in fulfilling technology requirements. For more information, please visit www.rackhouse.com.

About Stone Point Capital LLC

Stone Point is an investment firm based in Greenwich, CT, with approximately $30 billion of assets under management. Stone Point targets investments in companies in the global financial services industry and related sectors. The firm invests in a number of alternative asset classes, including private equity through its flagship Trident Funds. Stone Point also manages both liquid and private credit funds and managed accounts. In addition, Stone Point Capital Markets supports our firm, portfolio companies and other clients by providing dedicated financing solutions. For more information, please visit www.stonepoint.com.

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Galveston, TX (77553)

Today

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 80F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 80F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday announced it will hear the case of Newburgh Heights and East Cleveland, which are suing the state over a law restricting how they use traffic cameras.

At issue is 2019s House Bill 62, which was the transportation budget that increased the state gas tax from 28 cents a gallon to 38.5 cents and the diesel tax from 28 cents a gallon to 47 cents.

But also in the bill were a handful of changes to how municipalities can use traffic cameras, including requiring that disputes be heard in municipal or county court, instead of in less-expensive administrative hearings; requiring law enforcement officers be present at the location of the photo-monitoring device at all times; requiring municipalities to deposit in advance all filing fees and court costs in cases they lose in court, except for violations in school zones; and requiring cities to report each year to the state tax commissioner the amount of fines collected and receive a reduction in that same amount of money from Ohios Local Government Fund, among other provisions.

Newburgh Heights sued the state in June 2019 in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, and East Cleveland joined the case shortly after. Its the latest battle in the over decade-long war between local governments, which argue the cameras are an efficient way to keep the public safe, and lawmakers in the Ohio General Assembly who believe cities use the cameras as an easy cash grab.

In October 2019, the trial court temporarily blocked the part of the new traffic camera provisions that required an officer be present at the cameras, but declined to block the parts about moving the cases to municipal or county court, requiring cities pay court fees ahead of time, and cutting Local Government Fund money, according to court documents.

The communities appealed to the Eighth District Ohio Court of Appeals. It agreed with the trial judge that that the cases can remain in municipal or county court. It reversed the trial judges ruling on the reduction of Local Government funding and the requirement to pay court fees before the case is heard.

On Feb. 22, the state asked to appeal those decisions to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Since the high court has agreed to hear the case, next comes briefings with legal arguments from each side. Then the court will set a hearing date, which could be in the coming months.

More coverage:

Ohio lawmakers pushing to make 11th grade ACT, SAT tests optional

Ohio reports 1,396 new coronavirus cases: Monday update

Ohio coronavirus vaccine demand has slumped. Now comes the long slog toward herd immunity.

Ohio vaccine providers can restart Johnson & Johnson coronavirus shots

Gov. Mike DeWine looking at changing metric for ending public health orders from case levels to vaccine levels
President Joe Biden speaks to the virtual Leaders Summit on Climate, from the East Room of the White House in Washington on April 22, 2021. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

Only 200 People to Attend Bidens Speech to Joint Session of Congress: Pelosi

Only 200 people will attend President Joe Bidens first speech to a joint session of Congress, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Tuesday.

Itll be its own character, itll be its own wonderful character, Pelosi told reporters in Washington, adding that the attendance would be down from its usual number, which she pegged at 1,600.

Thats a different dynamic, but it has its own worth, she added.

Most speeches by presidents to Congress are attended by all 535 members, their guests, and hundreds of others.

Bidens Wednesday speech in the U.S. Capitol is similar to State of the Union addresses, but the first speech of a presidency is not officially known as one.

Pelosi as speaker of the House is in charge of arranging particulars of the speech.

The White House signaled earlier that the number of attendees would be significantly lower than normal, citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

People at home are used to seeing a full Senate Chamber, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Monday.

Additionally, presidents usually invite special guests about whom they share inspiring personal stories.

Were determining how we can, of course, engage the public and ensure we highlight some of the incredible stories of people who have been helped by the presidents policies and proposals, Psaki said last week. But it will not look like or feel like, in many ways, what past joint addresses have.

Still, Biden sees the speech as an opportunity to speak directly to the American people about the progress thats been made, the work thats still ahead, his new proposals for an American Families Plan, and some of the priorities that remain central to his presidency.

Pelosi expressed confidence in security for the event, in light of the Capitol breach on Jan. 6.

The House Chamber is empty after a hasty evacuation as rioters tried to break into the chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

Michael Plati, the U.S. Secret Service special agent in charge who is heading security for the joint session, said the events that day are poignant reminders of why we need to be vigilant.

We have many options and we prepare for contingencies well in advance, Plati told the Associated Press, with a mix of U.S. Capitol Police officers, Secret Service agents, and National Guard troops manning checkpoints, metal detectors, and fencing.

Most White House staffers will be watching the speech outside the Capitol, according to administration officials.

Some members of Congress said they will not be attending the speech.

It looked like they were going to have 40 or 50 members at the most, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) told reporters after saying he would not be among them.

Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) are also not attending.

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) said that tickets to the speech were given out via a lottery and she received one.

Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will also be watching in person.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts was the only justice invited and he plans to attend, a court spokeswoman told news outlets this week.

Some Cabinet members will also be in the audience, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters in Florida.

I dont know what to expect, if I go, based upon his first 90-some days in office. I think he would propose a couple trillion more dollars, and a lot more in taxes, McCarthy said.

Id like to hear that hes going to actually focus on some of the pressing concerns of the country rather than his radical left agenda, Hawley added.
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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.

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
A key expert for prosecutors in the Capital Gazette shooting testified Friday that the gunmans methodical planning both for the attack and for after it indicate he is legally sane and criminally responsible for killing five people at the newsroom in Maryland three years ago.

Dr. Gregory Saathoff, a forensic psychiatrist and a chief consultant for the FBI, testified at a pretrial hearing before the second phase of Ramos trial, now set for late June before a jury to determine whether he is criminally responsible. Ramos already has pleaded guilty but not criminally responsible due to insanity.

Saathoff described his analysis of Ramos ability to organize and conceal plans for the attack at the newspaper office in Annapolis, as well as his flexibility to adjust as he carried it out, as primary indicators he was not insane.

The calculated, methodical efforts that were actualized in the event speak to criminal responsibility, Saathoff said.

Saathoff also underscored what happened after the rampage inside the newsroom, when Ramos called 911 and placed himself in a nonthreatening position to be arrested under a desk, as evidence he understood the consequences of what he was doing.

It indicates awareness of authority and the illegality of the planned crime, Saathoff said.

Ramos even had prepared for long incarceration: He bought a lifetime membership to the U.S. Chess Federation, four days before the shooting.

Saathoff pointed out that Ramos went so far as to consider what would be of interest to investigators after the crime. For example, he destroyed a journal he kept of his experience hiking the Appalachian Trail.

It demonstrates an interest in controlling information, Saathoff said.

Saathoff also cited Ramos hiking the trail in 2002 and 2003 as evidence he does not suffer from autism, as his lawyers contend, because it involved considerable social interaction to meet other people along the way and sometimes stay in their homes.

Employees at the detention center where Ramos has been held told Saathoff that he has been a model inmate. He has been described as polite, not sensitive to being touched when handcuffed and sitting in the middle of other inmates during transport in a van  unlikely qualities of someone suffering from severe autism.

Defense attorneys have sought to limit Saathoffs testimony as much as possible, criticizing it for lacking an interview with Ramos. Under cross examination by attorney Matthew Connell, Saathoff said out of about 20 forensic evaluations he has done, only one other lacked a direct interview.

Saathoff requested an interview with Ramos, but the court did not grant it.

However, Saathoff interviewed dozens of people with direct knowledge and experience with Ramos, including staff at the detention center where he has been held, and Ramos sister. By casting a wide net, he said he can get a fuller picture beyond what an interview would reveal.

I find that sometimes there are statements that an individual makes that are misleading, he said.

While Saathoff will be able to testify, he will not be able to directly compare Ramos to other mass shooters in an FBI report. Prosecutors say the report provides a foundation for the states theory that Ramos was not mentally ill and acted in conformity with behaviors such as having a grievance.

Ramos, 41, had a well-documented history of harassing the newspapers journalists. He filed a lawsuit against the paper in 2012, alleging he was defamed in an article about his conviction in a criminal harassment case in 2011. The defamation suit was dismissed as groundless, and Ramos railed against staff at the newspaper in profanity-laced tweets.

Dr. Sameer Patel, a psychiatrist with the state Health Department, was in court Thursday. He testified that he interviewed Ramos six times for about 20 hours for his mental health evaluation of Ramos. His report determined Ramos was legally sane.

Defense attorneys have retained their own mental health expert.

Ramos pleaded guilty in October 2019 to all 23 counts against him for killing John McNamara, Gerald Fischman, Wendi Winters, Rob Hiaasen and Rebecca Smith.

If Ramos were found not criminally responsible, he would be committed to a maximum-security psychiatric hospital instead of prison.

Related:

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- San Francisco developer Jay Paul Company's first foray into luxury residential development, 181 Fremont, has earned LEED Platinum certification from the standard-setting U.S. Green Building Council. A landmark of imagination and ingenuity, 181 Fremont is the result of the world's foremost architects, engineers and designers coming together and striving for perfection. The tower's lower 38 floors are home to Facebook's San Francisco headquarters, while the top 17 floors feature 55 luxurious and sustainable private residences. 181 Fremont is the tallest residential building on the West Coast and represents the height of refined living in San Francisco.

"We are extremely happy to know that we have achieved LEED Platinum, the goal we set for 181 Fremont," says Matt Lituchy Tweet this Jay Paul Company's 181 Fremont tower achieves LEED Platinum certification. 181 Fremont is home to the West Coast's most luxurious residences on the top 17 floors of this award winning building.

"We are extremely happy to know that we have achieved LEED Platinum, the goal we set for 181 Fremont," says Matt Lituchy, Chief Investment Officer for the Jay Paul Company. "This exceptional building is proof that it is possible to create a striking and unforgettably beautiful new landmark for the skyline of a major global city like San Francisco that is both sustainable and safe."

In an era of the COVID-19 pandemic, safety and access to healthy air and space is paramount and 181 Fremont delivers on this, meeting LEED's top requirements for certification. USGBC's certification ensures that buildings, communities and cities are more sustainable, healthy, resilient and equitable. More than two-thirds of LEED credits support human health, as the rating system addresses ventilation and filtration, daylighting, low-emitting materials, access to outdoor spaces, acoustics and other key factors.

"If we are to rebuild an economy that supports our health and our planet, we must lead with changing the way we design and build," said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of USGBC. "Last year was a stark reminder that the quality of our buildings impacts the quality of our life. Looking ahead, people want to trust that the spaces they occupy are good for them and their communities, and LEED has always been a tool to support those goals.

No other building in the U.S. has received more commendations for its engineering and design than 181 Fremont. Recognized by the esteemed international Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in 2019, Jay Paul Company's 181 Fremont holds global awards for Best Structural Engineering and Best Geotechnical Engineering. This is in addition to Awards of Excellence for Best Tall Building (200-299 meters), MEP Engineering Award, Structural Engineering Award, Fire and Risk Award, and Geotechnical Engineering Award.

Opened in 2018, the completed mixed use tower soars over 800 feet into the sky and was designed by Heller Manus Architects with structural engineering by ARUP Group. Its location at San Francisco's downtown high-tech nexus has set a new bar for luxurious residential living on the West Coast. The $850 million tower features a state-of-the-art exoskeleton designed in a saw tooth pattern, with a magnificent spire that ascends from the crown of the building. 181 Fremont's central location in the East Cut invites easy access to Silicon Valley and is surrounded by icons of technology including Salesforce, Facebook, Google and Twitter. The award-winning architecture reaffirms San Francisco as a global city on the forefront of innovation and design. It stands to redefine not only the neighborhood, but also the very definition of San Francisco living. Exclusivity at its finest, 181 Fremont provides access to the entire city all from the privacy  and security  of home. Sales and marketing for 181 Fremont are handled by Compass Development Marketing Group.

About Jay Paul Company

Jay Paul Company is one of the foremost real estate development and investment firms in California, distinguished by over 13 million square feet of trophy caliber projects in its portfolio. Since 1975, Jay Paul developments bear signature features including striking award-winning architecture, landscaping and state-of-the-art sustainable design in unsurpassed locations. Its modern, inspired campuses and towers provide the most advanced workplace environments for the world's leading technology companies including Facebook, Google, Amazon, Apple, Comcast, Instagram, Microsoft and Northrup Grumman. Jay Paul Company projects include the world-renowned 181 Fremont Tower in San Francisco, named as one of the world's best high rises by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat; Pacific Shores Center, Moffett Towers, Moffett Place and the soon to be completed 200 Park Avenue, which are all recognized as Silicon Valley's most cutting edge, large scale developments. Jay Paul Company is privately held and based in San Francisco.

For more information, visit www.jaypaul.com.

About Compass Development

From project inception to building sellout, Compass Development partners with the world's most forward-thinking developers and innovative architects through the lifespan of a project. Leveraging tenured expertise and the industry's most powerful technological resources, we provide strategic advice for record-breaking results. The company offers a comprehensive range of developer services, including research and analysis, planning and design, marketing and sales for luxury real estate. With nationwide representation in over 200 Compass offices, Compass Development empowers residential developers with an unparalleled sales footprint in the United States. Licensed as Compass.

SOURCE Jay Paul Company
MARICOPA, Ariz. (AP)  Authorities in Arizona have arrested a man who police believe severed his finger while slashing his neighbors car tires after an argument.

Maricopa Police Department spokesman Hal Koozer said Kevin Johnson was arrested and identified as the owner of the finger found on his neighbors driveway, the Casa Grande Dispatch reported Wednesday.

Francesca Wikoff told police she found the finger on April 15 after discovering her vehicle had two slashed tires on one side. Police said a trail of blood led to a nearby residence.

Authorities said Wikoff and her husband went to a neighbors home the day before.

She told police a male neighbor joined them uninvited and became drunk and aggressive. Wikoff said the neighbor pushed and threatened her and her husband before being asked to leave.

Johnson was arrested on multiple charges, including criminal damage, assault, threatening and intimidating, and disorderly conduct.

Online court records did not list an attorney for Johnson, who could comment on his behalf.

More:

Woman, 2 children were dead before their car was pushed into Alabama lake: coroner

Pickle shipment doesnt smell right, and customs officials eventually figure out why
A second basking shark has washed up on the rocks near Harbour View Beach, which is located just outside Courtmacsherry.

This latest shark which is approximately 20ft in length has appeared just days after another basking shark was found on Inchydoney Beach.

Basking sharks generally tend to feed off coastal waters between April and August every year.

Another basking shark has washed up in West Cork, The juvenile shark, which is approximately 20ft long, washed up high on the rocks due to the full moon last night. The dead shark attracted onlookers throughout the morning. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Speaking on The Opinion Line with PJ Coogan this morning, Haley Dolton, a PhD student at the Department of Zoology in Trinity College, said the appearance of two basking sharks on the coast of Cork in recent days was very unusual.

It is increasingly rare to have two animals wash up in that condition in such a short amount of time.

"We will be collecting all the data from both animals to try and see if there are any patterns emerging. We will do our best to work out what is going on, she said.

Another basking shark has washed up in West Cork, The juvenile shark, which is approximately 20ft long, washed up high on the rocks due to the full moon last night. PHD graduate in Shellfish, Kate O'Mahony, spent time taking pictures and recording details of the dead shark. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Ms Dolton who specifically undertakes research on basking sharks said the remains of the two basking sharks will help them to protect other basking sharks.

These are incredible animals. When we have these sad events it is an important opportunity to learn more about them.

"Without this knowledge, it is hard to protect them. To have two of them wash up in the condition they were in is so unusual. We are trying to learn as much about them as possible.

Despite their size, they are completely harmless. They feed on tiny microscopic animals. Their mouths are wide but their throats are relatively small. They are an incredibly impressive animal. They tend to stick to temperate waters. We tend to see them at the surface during warm and calm weather, she added.

Another basking shark has washed up in West Cork, The juvenile shark, which is approximately 20ft long, washed up high on the rocks due to the full moon last night. PHD graduate in Shellfish, Kate O'Mahony, spent time taking pictures and recording details of the dead shark. Picture: Andy Gibson.

The PhD student said they have still to determine the cause of death of the two basking sharks.

We have already done a post mortem on one of the sharks and we will have the second post mortem completed today.

"We are just collecting more knowledge on their internal workings by looking at their anatomy. We are just collecting all the data at the minute and trying to put together a picture of what might have happened.

The biggest danger to them is always man. In terms of animal predators, I dont think there has been anything documented. The only animal which might prey on a basking shark is orcas, she said.
VOX, a populist (i.e., conservative by European standards) party in Spain, sparked a furor when it created an advertisement comparing how much Spain spends on migrant minors from Africa compared to what it spends on pensioners. The socialist government is now investigating VOX for committing a hate crime  even though the information is accurate.

Breitbart has the story:

Spanish populist party VOX is being investigated over a campaign poster that compares monthly spending on migrant minors to monthly spending on Spanish pensioners.

The poster, which was launched ahead of the May 4th elections in Madrid, claims "A [migrant minor], 4,700 [4,080/$5,670] per month, your grandmother, a 426 [370/$514] pension per month" and shows a picture of an elderly woman and a young man with his face covered by a scarf and wearing a hoodie.

For those of you who are Spanish speakers, here's the tweet:

 Los espanoles no tienen por que mantener a los menas y a los ilegales que asaltan nuestras fronteras con sus impuestos.



 Tras el 4 de mayo, VOX enviara a los menas con sus padres y si han cometido algun delito, a las carceles de sus paises. #VOXenSol  pic.twitter.com/PZXlwG6Hbf  VOX  (@vox_es) April 20, 2021

Spain's socialist government is upset because, according to Breitbart, it received "several complaints." Apparently, under European Union rules, people are inciting actionable hatred when they point out that Spain, a poor country, is pouring money into immigrants, while its own citizens, who helped fund the system, struggle.

The report doesn't say whether these are immigrants or illegal aliens, but that really doesn't matter. A nation should prioritize its own people  but that's not how today's socialists roll. Whether in Europe or America, their goal is to replace educated populations with presumably docile, mostly illiterate immigrant populations. It's the weird socialist version of better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven  and it should be actionable as treason.

The socialist Spanish government isn't the only one upset. UNICEF and Save the Children are also upset by what they say isn't just "hate speech," but also "false news."

That bit about "false news" exposes the fact that, whether in America or Europe, leftists will parse information to turn truth into a lie. Again, from Breitbart:

Spanish broadcaster RTVE claimed that the figures presented in the poster are false and misleading as the minor migrants are not given a cash payment of 4,700, but noted the figures did come from a study showing the total costs of migrant minors that included their housing and other expenses.

In other words, the ad was accurate insofar as it pointed out how the socialist government was distributing taxpayer money: if you're a recent arrival from another country, perhaps illegally here, the government will give you more than ten times as much as it gives one of Spain's elderly citizens who spent a lifetime paying into the system. According to Breitbart, these Middle Eastern and African "minors" (many of whom are probably already adults) also cost French taxpayers around 4,166 ($5,030) per month.

If you're wondering where Biden is going with his open border policies, you can get an insight from what's happening in Europe.

Image: African migrants storming Spanish border, 2018. YouTube screen grab.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Paris, TX (75460)

Today

Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 69F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 69F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
The worlds largest Ketch sailing yacht is currently cruising round Mallorca and was last spotted moored off Palmanova.

The 86 m (282 ft) superyacht Aquijo was built in 2016 out of collaboration between two Dutch shipyards, Oceanco and Vitters and is owned by billionaire Kjell Inge Rkke, considered one of Norways richest businesspeople.

When he ordered the yacht, the owners brief called for a comfortable performing cruising yacht, suitable for long range world-wide sailing with long-time independence from shore.

Three key elements defined the design and build process of the project: safety, comfort and performance.

Finding the right balance between these three different, and sometimes contradicting, requirements was the most challenging part of the project.

German studio Dolker + Voges was responsible for her interior design, whilst Tripp Design Naval Architecture styled her exterior. The yacht comprises four decks and accommodates up to 12 guests across 17 cabins.

On-board, Aquijo offers space and amenities normally seen on motor yachts, comprising guest elevator, interior and exterior dining for up to 24 people, three outdoor bars and a beach club with steam room, sauna and ocean view Jacuzzi. The package of Aquijos toys and tenders includes and does not confine to 3 tender boats, 1 jet ski, 4 kayaks, 2 wakeboard, 3 water skis, 3 stand up paddle boards, 8 diving packs etc.

Featuring a mast of 90 metres, Aquijo boasts a maximum speed of 17.5 knots.

And, the vessel is available for charter from 450,000 euros per week during the winter season.

Kjell Inge Rokke owns nearly 67% of publicly traded Aker, a shipping and offshore drilling conglomerate.

He got his start selling fish off a boat in Seattle before returning to Norway where he built a fleet and a reputation as a ruthless corporate raider.

In 2016 Aker decreased its ties to the industry that made Rokke rich, selling a stake in fishing firm Havfisk to Leroy Seafood Group for $250 million

Rokke commissioned a nearly-600-foot yacht in 2017 that will spend part of its time on environmental research missions in partnership with WWF Norway.

Now recently finished, the yacht is able to accommodate up to 60 scientists and 30 crew during research expeditions.
Lucknow, April 27 : Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has accused the Uttar Pradesh government of fudging the corona virus death toll.

He alleged that the number of bodies at crematorium ground contradict the official data.

In a statement, Akhilesh said that the UP government's mismanagement and short-sightedness has turned the state into 'corona Pradesh'.

"Fake data is being given to show fewer deaths, while a rush is being witnessed at crematoriums and graveyards. It is the government's failure that even BJP MPs, MLAs are not satisfied with the current state of affairs. The number of doctors, hospitals and other facilities given by the BJP is mostly fake. Such an insensitive government was never seen in the state," he claimed.

The SP president said the BJP should shun its pride and think like family members of Covid patients and ensure availability of oxygen at their homes.

He accused the party of not paying any heed to experts' warning about the second wave.

The SP chief also demanded uniformity in rates of Covid vaccine in the entire country and appealed to his party workers to help battle the second wave of coronavirus.

"Different countries have put a travel ban on India. This has adversely impacted India's image at the global level. Even oxygen is not available... Where is the double engine government?" he asked.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The International Hospitality Day celebration kickstarted with a global celebration where international members of the International Hospitality Council were present. Prof. David Foskett, MBE, Chairman, International Hospitality Council (IHC) opened the global celebration with an inspirational address to all those associated with the Hospitality industry. "The hospitality industry is vital to the world economy. Despite the troubles of the world, there is no lockdown on friendship and hospitality. It is a wonderful industry that will surely bounce back better once it opens up completely. It provides key skills and opportunities to young people. IIHM is an institution that leads in world initiatives like IT in the hospitality industry, creating opportunities and bringing people together. IIHM is a fantastic institution that has done so much to connect the World." Adding a note of positivity and passion, Dr Suborno Bose, CEO and Convenor, International Hospitality Council and CEO and Chairman, IIHM, said, "Hospitality is very close to our heart. We live and die for hospitality On International Hospitality Day, the entire hospitality fraternity has come forward to stand next to each other and support each other. We dedicate this International Hospitality Day to all the brave hearts of this industry, who, despite difficult times have tried to put a smile on people's faces."

Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO, Indian Hotels Company, was Guest of Honour at the event. "It's a wonderful way to celebrate International Hospitality Day bringing in 50 different countries from different time zones on a single platform which has been made possible by IHC and IIHM. Hospitality has shown resilience, patience and compassion through the past year," said Chhatwal.

Padma Shri Chef Sanjeev Kapoor was also present and said, "Celebration is a feeling that comes from within and today the world has come together on International Hospitality Day to celebrate Hospitality. Congratulations to IIHM for instituting International Hospitality Council and establishing International Hospitality Day on 24th April. Hospitality industry has shown a lot of compassion in this pandemic period and has redefined its meaning. IHD has brought the world together to celebrate this compassion and hard work of individuals in this field."

Eminent personalities related to the global and Indian hospitality industries attended the online celebrations on International Hospitality Day. Michelin star chef Chris Galvin, Chef Patron, Galvin Restaurants, Chef Karl Guggenmos, Dean of Culinary Development, Johnson and Wales University, USA, Chef Garth Stroebel and Chef Shaun Leonard from BHMS, Switzerland were among the attendees of at the virtual event. Anita Mendiratta, Global Advisor and Author, Tourism and Development, Special advisor to Secretary General, UNWTO, said in her address, "I congratulate IIHM, IHC and Dr Suborno Bose and everyone for keeping the spirit of hospitality alive. The Hospitality industry is invaluable to the world and there are essentially five pillars that will bring this industry back on its feet. First of all is our commitment to the industry that we love. Second is maintaining confidence that the industry will definitely come back after this brief setback. We all know that travelling is not just a physical journey but a mental journey as well and that is where hospitality plays a key role. Third is communication. There is a need to connect with people to make sure no one is alone. Fourth is compassion which so many people in this industry are showing through this pandemic, braving the virus to take care of people. The final one is connection. Connecting hospitality to other industries will help build the new future of this industry."

The Global celebration was marked by the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards to several deserving persons from the Hospitality industry. The Lifetime Achievement Awards went to:

Nakul Anand , Executive Director, ITC Limited

, Executive Director, ITC Limited Patu Keswani, MD, Lemon Tree Hotels

Dr Rupinder Singh Sodhi , MD, Amul India

, MD, Amul India Paul P John, Chairman and MD, John Distilleries Pvt Ltd

Rajeev Samant , Founder and CEO of Sula Vineyards

, Founder and CEO of Sula Vineyards AD Singh, Founder and MD, Olive Group of Restaurants

Deepak Ohri , CEO, Lebua Hotels and Resorts

, CEO, Lebua Hotels and Resorts Ranju Alex , Market Vice President, West India , Marriott International

, Market Vice President, , Marriott International Visheshwar Raj Singh, VP and GM, The Oberoi

Veer Vijay Singh , CEO and MD, Trance Hotels

Beside the Global celebrations, IHD was celebrated at every IIHM campus across India where deserving hoteliers in the region were presented with special awards for their achievements. IHC Entrepreneur of the Year were Kapil Chopra, Founder and CEO, The Post Card Hotel, Zorawar Kalra, Founder, Massive Restaurants and a few other stalwarts who graced the occasion to accept the awards.

The IHC Woman Achiever of the Year were given to Chef Manisha Bhasin, Corporate Chef, ITC Ltd, Hotel Division, Kanika Hasrat, Area Director, UP, Uttarakhand & MP Indian Hotel Company Ltd, Ms Sherry Padda, Executive Asst Manager, The Leela Palace, New Delhi, Ms Shraddha Sharma, CEO, Your Story Digital were the few awardees from the list for the IHC Women Achiever of The Year.

IHC Rising Star of The Year was given to Sachin Talwar, Executive Chef, Hyatt Regency, Lucknow, Shaiban Hasan, Executive Assistant Manager, West Goa, Ankit Nagori, Co-Founder, Cult and Eat Fit, Tarun Seth, Hyatt Regency, Chennai, Chef Vikas Singh, Executive Chef, Hyatt Regency Kolkata were few of the awardees for the Rising Star

IHC Hospitality with A Cause was Roseate Hotels and Resorts, Sachin Maheswary, GM, Grand Mercure, Bangalore, Sonam Kapse, Owner of Terrasinne (First restaurant run by Mute/deaf) were a few from the list awarded amongst a glitterati present on the virtual platform on the International Hospitality Day.

The International Hospitality day can be seen at :- https://www.facebook.com/iihmhotelschool/videos/535695850750112

About IIHM

IIHM (International Institute of Hotel Management) is the largest chain of premier hospitality and hotel management schools across India that started its journey in 1994 at Kolkata. IIHM is a part of Indismart Group, the conglomerate that operates the Indismart Hotels. IIHM campuses are located across ten national and international cities with the associate institute IAM-IHM located in Kolkata, and Guwahati. Students passing out of IIHM are armed with an international degree from the University of West London and equipped with global hospitality skills that enable easy placements in any hospitality brand across the world. IIHM is dedicated to its pursuit of excellence in teaching and placements. Real time experience is the key to success in hospitality and that makes the institute popular. In recent years, IIHM has been instrumental in organizing the Young Chef Olympiad, a unique idea and initiative inviting young culinary talents across the world to participate in the biggest cookery reality shows of all times.

The institute has bagged several prestigious awards in the past 24 years. The list includes the Best Education Brand Award from Economic Times consecutively in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. It was also featured in Forbes Magazine as Great Indian Institute and Great Place to Study consecutively in the year 2018 - 2019 and 2019 - 2020. IIHM was also awarded as one among the World's Greatest Brands & Leaders 2015-16 by URS International (IMEA - Process Reviewer PriceWaterhouseCoopers PL) and also received the Best Institute in Hospitality Education 2017 Award by Assocham from Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Hon'ble Minister of State for HRD (Higher Education), Govt. of India.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1497039/International_Hospitality_Day.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1084107/IIHM_Logo.jpg

SOURCE International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM)
Disabled pastor, wife severely injured after radical Hindu mob broke into their home during prayer

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A disabled pastor and his wife who serve the Dalit people, formerly known as the untouchables in eastern India, were severely beaten by a group of Hindu nationalist men who broke into their home and attacked them with sticks, according to a report.

Pastor Ram Niwas and his wife, Pinky, who live in Bihar states Sitamarhi city and are converts from Hinduism, were attacked as they were praying in their home last week, Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported. The suspected attackers included the pastors four brothers and a villager who are all supporters of the Hindu nationalist group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council, or the VHP).

A church member, identified only as Narender, was praying with the pastor and his wife at their home when the men used a hammer to break into the property. The church member was also injured as he attempted to protect the pastor.

Pastor Niwas, who is disabled because of a childhood accident, had been a target of the VHP for some time and frequently accused of converting Hindus and forcing others to eat beef. Cows are considered sacred by many Hindus.

The pastor ministers to Dalit people who are considered the lowest individuals in the Hindu caste hierarchy.

Last year, a mob of about 20 people from the Bajrang Dal group (VHPs youth wing) attempted to attack the pastor.

Many states in India have anti-conversion laws, which presume that Christians use money or other fraudulent means to convert Hindus. These laws 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.

India was not named by the U.S. State Department last year as being among the countries of particular concern that have engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.

In a statement to The Christian Post, advocacy group The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America said it was deeply disappointed India did not receive the CPC designation in 2020.

The national government allowed violence against minorities and their houses of worship to continue with impunity and engaged in and tolerated hate speech and incitement to violence, FIACONA said. The Indian government headed by the Hindu nationalist BJP party continues to claim so conveniently that all such violence against Christians in India is isolated incidents and not the policy of the government.
Pennsylvanias new Move Over Law takes effect today, bringing with it stiffer penalties for drivers who fail to yield in emergency response areas.

The new law requires drivers who are unable to safely merge into a lane farther away from an emergency response area to slow to at least 20 mph below the speed limit, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

The law defines an emergency response area as a location where an emergency vehicle has its lights flashing or where road crews or first responders have lit flares or posted signs to warn travelers.

To highlight the need for the new law, state police in Wilkes-Barre said a PennDOT worker from Nanticoke was hit and injured while operating a jackhammer in a construction zone Monday.

The law establishes a $500 fine for a first offense, a $1,000 fine for a second offense and a $2,000 fine for a third or subsequent offense. A third or subsequent offense also carries a 90-day drivers license suspension.

The suspension also applies to violations resulting in the serious injury or death of another person. If the injured party is an emergency service provider or was near a disabled vehicle, the license suspension is six months.

Disabled vehicles are covered under the law when they display at least two markings: hazard lights, caution sign or other traffic control device or road flares.
CWT

CWT announces the appointment of Michelle McKinney Frymire as Chief Executive Officer



27-Apr-2021 / 14:00 GMT/BST





CWT announces the appointment of Michelle McKinney Frymire as Chief Executive Officer



Minneapolis, 27 April, 2021: CWT, the Business-to-Business-for-Employees (B2B4E) travel management platform, today announces the appointment of Michelle McKinney Frymire as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 May 2021. Incumbent Kurt Ekert will be stepping down and will take on the role of senior advisor to the company.

Michelle joined CWT in 2019 and has over 20 years' travel industry experience. Her leadership has spanned a broad range of functions with notable leadership roles as the CFO at Starwood Vacation Ownership and Delta Technology (a division of Delta Airlines), as well as Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines. In addition, she held senior executive positions at several private equity portfolio companies where she led Strategy, Technology, HR, Corporate Development and Finance. Michelle currently serves on the Board of Directors for Family Gateway in Dallas, Texas and was appointed CWT's President, Strategy & Transformation and Chief Financial Officer in October 2020. She holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Austin College, and an MBA from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas.

"I am delighted to welcome Michelle to the role of leading our company into the next phase of our development, building on the successes of recent years*, and continuing to push us into achieving our true potential," said Rick Gage, Chair of CWT's parent company, CTII Holdings, Inc. "Following a strong and dynamic performance in her most immediate role as President, Strategy & Transformation and Chief Financial Officer, Michelle's leadership skills will be key to our future accomplishments and continued development. As a natural development in our succession planning, I am also pleased that Kurt will remain an advisor to CWT, and I thank him for his leadership and impact."

*Over the past five years, CWT has won approximately US$7 billion of new business, consistently grown market share, and built and scaled multiple, industry-leading offerings including RoomIt, follow-the-sun servicing, myCWT, messaging, and the China technology platform.

ENDS

About CWT

CWT is a Business-to-Business-for-Employees (B2B4E) travel management platform on whom companies and governments rely on to keep their people connected. Anywhere, anytime, anyhow - across six continents - the company provides their clients and their employees with innovative technology and an efficient, safe, and secure travel experience.

-o0o-

Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.




Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-26 15:06:58|Editor: huaxia

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An injured man receives medical treatment at a local hospital in Asadabad, capital of Kunar province, Afghanistan, April 26, 2021. At least 15 civilians were wounded after several rockets fired by militants struck Asadabad, capital of Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province on Monday, a local official confirmed. (Photo by Emran Waak/Xinhua)

ASADABAD, Afghanistan, April 26 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 civilians were wounded after several rockets fired by militants struck Asadabad, capital of Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province on Monday, a local official confirmed.

"Several rockets fired by Taliban militants struck Asadabad roughly at 9:30 a.m. local time. One of the rockets struck the provincial government office, causing casualties. Details will be shared with media soon," Provincial Governor Mohammad Iqbal Sayyed told Xinhua.

The incident occurred when a religious ceremony was underway in the office building, he said.

Meantime, Attaullah Sapay from a provincial hospital told Xinhua that the injured, mostly religious students, were admitted to the main hospital in Asadabad following the rocket attacks in the small town.

"Some of the wounded remained in critical condition. They were receiving treatment in intensive care unit while our medical personnel were trying to save lives," he said.

In an unrelated incident, three civilian passersby were wounded in a bomb attack, which targeted a security forces vehicle in Jalalabad city, capital of neighboring Nangarhar province earlier on Monday, a local official confirmed.

The region has been the scene of heavy clashes in recent years. Enditem
April 27 : Late actor Sushant Singh Rajput's fans are overwhelmed as the actor has been mentioned in a gallery on the Oscars website. Sushant was included along with Rishi Kapoor in a larger gallery.

The late actors brother-in-law, Vishal Kirti, took to Twitter and wrote a note of thanks, as he commented, @itsSSR featured in The Memoriam gallery at the Oscars. Thanks for pursuing this @mayureshkrishna. Sushant Singh Rajput and Rishi Kapoors portraits were displayed on the Oscars official web page under the profession: Actor.

@itsSSR featured in The Memoriam gallery at the Oscars. Thanks for pursuing this @mayureshkrishna pic.twitter.com/GVlTCqyEY7  Vishal Kirti (@vikirti) April 26, 2021

Fans have still kept Sushant Singh Rajput in their hearts and showed their appreciation after he was honoured by Oscars. Irrfan sir honoured at the #Oscars and Sushant featured in the memorium gallery. That's a bittersweet feeling. Always in my heart, you two, a fan tweeted.

Irrfan sir honoured at the #Oscars and Sushant featured in the memorium gallery. That's a bittersweet feeling.

Always in my heart, you two    (@aestheticallyFM) April 26, 2021

Another fan wrote, Getting chills seeing Sushant being remembered and honored at the #Oscars ... this isnt the oscars appearance any fan ever hopes to witness. it wasnt supposed to be this way. Another tweeted, 93rd Oscars mentioned Sushant Singh Rajput with much respect 'In Memorium'. Just think, he only did 10 movies! See he had dreamt of Hollywood by 2020. Class can never be stopped or oppressed ever!

Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his home in Bandra, Mumbai on June 14, 2020. The actor starred in a number of commercially successful films such as M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, Kedarnath and Chhichhore.

Last year, Indian cinema lost not only Sushant Singh Rajput but also Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor. In the main In Memorium segment, which was telecast during the ceremony, the 93rd Academy honoured Irrfan Khan and costume designer Bhanu Athaiya, who was India's first Oscar winner. Irrfan had appeared in Oscar winning films like Slumdog Millionaire and Life of Pi. He was also Oscar nominated for his film Salaam Bombay. Irrfan Khan passed away on April 29, 2020, after battling cancer for a long time. The actors death was mourned even by the international film fraternity.

Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery
A sneaky cat was caught on camera stealing an unattended sandwich when she thought the coast was clear.

YouTuber Stefanos Softsis was editing a video at home in Thessaloniki, Greece, when he noticed his cat Koumpara poke her face out from behind his computer screen and sniff out a half-eaten sandwich on his plate.

The cat extended her paw from behind the screen before sliding the food into her grasp as Mr Softsis filmed the comical heist.

Owner Stefanos Softsis, from Thessaloniki, Greece, watches his cat Koumpara stick out her face from behind his computer screen and sniff out the sandwich

Mr Softsis said: 'My cat got behind the computer monitor so I could not see her.

'After several failed attempts to get the sandwich from my plate, I noticed her and quickly pulled out my phone to record her.

'She's constantly trying to get my food, but she is still a chill and loving cat.'

Mr Softsis later took to TikTok to share the comical footage with others alongside the post: 'Did she just?'

One user commented: 'That cat stole it so politely.'

While another wrote: 'Omg (sic) that cat is amazing.'

The feline extends her paw towards the half-eaten sandwich when she thinks the coast is clear

The cat slowly moves the savoury treat along the plate as her owner films the comical scenes

Social media users shared their amusement online, with one describing the cat as 'amazing'

Another person added: 'That was smooth.'

And one social media user said: 'Smooth operator.'

The scenes come just months after a cat became a internet sensation after learning to snatch food right off her owner's fork.

In February, footage showed two-year-old cat Eva swiping chicken, vegetables and even pasta just before they landed in owner Vincenzo Padula's mouth.

The clip, which was posted online by Mr Padula's girlfriend Gaia Garofalo, has since been viewed by more than five million people.

Ms Garofalo said: 'Eva started stealing food off Vincenzo just a few months after being born, as soon as she was old enough to climb on his shoulders.

Vincenzo Padula and his cat Eva became internet sensations this year after his girlfriend Gaia Garofalo posted footage of them having dinner at their home

Eva swipes spaghetti from Mr Padula's fork at he sits down for dinner at his home in Rome

'She started with chicken, while Vincenzo was on a diet, and from then she realised what we eat is better than what she eats.

'She's continued from there grabbing everything, from pasta to vegetables, even if she doesn't eat them all.

'Eva steals vegetables as a game, but then leaves them on the ground and Vincenzo has to pick them back up.

'She'll try and steal food from different angles. She climbs on one shoulder, then moves to the other shoulder, then gets on the table, then on the legs.

'She keeps trying until we put her down and say enough. But if she gets her first bite and likes it, she'll continue it.

'Her first love was and will remain to be chicken. It's her favourite dish, but she will try all the dishes we eat.

'She only tries it with Vincenzo. Maybe it's because they have a stronger bond or maybe it's because he is easier to target. She has tried it with me too but my shoulders are too small and uncomfortable.'
Tyrese's fans declared the actor hit an 'all time low' after he shared a crude video shaving his girlfriend's pubic hair.

The Fast & Furious actor, 42, shocked Instagram followers on Tuesday as he was filmed playing up for the camera while tending to Zelie Timothy's bikini line.

Zelie, 25, uploaded the clip as she declared: 'I will never let go of my King. But does your man shave you though?'

Is he fur real? Tyrese's fans declared the actor hit an 'all time low' after he shared a crude video shaving his girlfriend's pubic hair on Tuesday

The F9 star was heard in the clip going over procedural tasks at hand, saying he was 'going to put the creamer on it first' and 'mix it with some oil.'

Tyrese told Timothy she's 'beautiful,' to which she said, 'What's beautiful is your man hands... I know you're supposed to be shaving, but I'm thinking about something else.'

Fans were left shocked by the crude clip, which coincided with the actor holding an Oscar party attended by Jamie Foxx.

TMI! The Fast & Furious actor, 42, shocked Instagram followers as he was filmed playing up for the camera while tending to Zelie Timothy's bikini line

A sight to behold: Zelie, 25, uploaded the clip on Tuesday as she declared, 'I will never let go of my King. But does your man shave you though?'

One Twitter user wrote: 'Nah Tyrese really shaved his girls c****** on IG and hosted an Oscar viewing party in the same night and didnt even have the decency to change his shirt. Nasty with that one. A menace to society.'

Others added: 'Shaving your girlfriends pubes on IG is a all time low for Tyrese'; 'This still of Tyrese shaving his gf coochie needs to be put in the louvre'; 'Tyrese's publicist this morning when he sees why he's trending

'Have we all decided to ignore Tyrese shaving his womans coochie on IG?'; 'Im never going find out why Tyrese is trending on Twitter again, from now on Ill just assume its none of my business.'

What on earth? Fans were left shocked and confused as to why the actor and his girlfriend felt the need to share the video online

Tyrese and Zelie were first linked earlier in the year after he announced his split from wife Samantha Lee in December.

The estranged pair, who are parents to daughter Soraya, two, said in a statement that their split was an amicable one.

'Our intention is to remain the best of friends & strong coparents,' they said.

'We feel incredibly blessed to have found each other and deeply grateful for the 4 years we have been married to each other.'

Tyrese is also father to daughter Shayla, 13, with ex-wife Norma Gibson.
Update, 4:30 p.m. April 27 -- This story has been updated with additional information about the car show and festival.

MUSKEGON, MI  Downtown fireworks and a large car show and electronic music festival on Western Avenue are part of the city of Muskegons Fourth of July celebration this year.

The primary celebration will be Saturday, July 3, when Melrose Pyrotechnics plans to launch the fireworks from the back side of a Morris Avenue parking lot next to the Social Security Administration.

They will be shooting right over all of downtown, said Muskegon City Clerk Ann Meisch, who is organizing the festivities.

July 3 also will be the main day of a three-day car show and electronic dance music festival put on by Hot Import Nights and Luxury Rally Club. Cars will be parked along Western Avenue and there will be electronic dance music and food vendors, Meisch told MLive.

Muskegons Independence Day fireworks displays have been part of the RockStock Music Festival normally held at Heritage Landing. But organizers of RockStock announced in March that they were canceling the festival and fireworks display for the second straight year because of uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the wake of that announcement, the Muskegon City Commission in late March agreed to spend up to $60,000 to host its own fireworks show. In comparison, Grand Haven typically spends about $23,000 on its fireworks display.

The fireworks display, car show and music fest this year will be in the heart of the downtown social district, in which customers can move about with alcoholic beverages purchased from participating bars, breweries and restaurants.

The fireworks launch site is a departure from previous shows that were shot from a barge on Muskegon Lake near Heritage Landing park. The change was made this year to help with social distancing, allowing for spectators to spread out over a greater area, Meisch said.

Luxury Rally Club, owned by Muskegon resident Trevor Johnson, is teaming up with Hot Import Nights, for the We Discover Festival from July 2-4 that will include cars and music downtown and at Pere Marquette beach. Hot Import Nights describes itself as the worlds largest and most unique indoor/outdoor car, music, and pop-culture festivals.

Thats a huge deal, Meisch said. Were honored to have them.

The hope is that the We Discover Festival will occur each year to celebrate the Fourth of July, Johnson told MLive.

The cars parked along Western Avenue will include imports, modified imports, tuner cars and vintage and super cars, Johnson said. There will be multiple stages for EDM, including a main stage near the new convention center.

There also will be drone racing and eSports for participants, he said.

Its super progressive, just like downtown, Johnson said of the festival.

On the Fourth of July, a Sunday, there will be music at Pere Marquette, he said.

Muskegon intends to contract with Melrose Pyrotechnics of Rockford, which is planning to shoot off about 3,500 fireworks, according to its application for a fireworks display permit. It expects to begin the show at 10:25 p.m. July 3, according to the application.

Well have one of the bigger shows in West Michigan, Meisch said.

The city commission will consider the permit request when it meets Tuesday, March 27.

Shoreline Drive, as well as the bike trail that runs alongside it, will have to be shut between First and Third streets for the display.

Grand Haven earlier this month canceled its Fourth of July fireworks, expressing concern about crowds of spectators who gather at the Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium to view them.

Melrose Pyrotechnics also is planning a 600-shell fireworks display at dusk on July 2 at the Muskegon Country Club, 2801 Lakeshore Dr.

Also on MLive

Muskegon Summer Wine Up festival scheduled for June 12

Fruitport Old Fashioned Days cancels 2021 summer festival

Staffing shortage a big issue for Muskegon County businesses scrambling to fill thousands of jobs
Australias journalists union  the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance  has voted to end its decades long relationship with the Australian Press Council, citing concerns about governance and consistency of rulings at the press regulator.

Formed in 1976 as an alternative to government intervention, the Australian Press Council has been an important arbiter of media standards, adjudicating complaints from the public about material in newspapers, magazines and online news sites at publishers that belong to the Press Council.

MEAAs predecessor, the Australian Journalists Association, played a crucial role in establishing the Press Council after more than 20 years of lobbying for self-regulation. Despite not being a publisher itself, MEAA has contributed more than $A100,000 each year to the organisation within recent years.

The Press Council also draws on media academics and selected public representatives to run its adjudication processes.

In recent years, MEAA members have become increasingly frustrated by a lack of financial transparency and accountability at the Press Council and the inconsistent manner in which it has adjudicated on complaints, some of which are out of step with community expectations.

In April, delegates to MEAAs National Media Section committee, made up of rank-and-file union members, voted to formally quit the Press Council.

Under the rules of the APC, four years notice must be given to withdraw, which means MEAA will officially leave the organisation in 2025.

The decision to withdraw came after MEAA  which represents more than 5000 journalists and other media workers  consulted with its members, who overwhelmingly gave feedback that the union should leave the Press Council.

The federal president of MEAAs Media section, Marcus Strom, said there was a pervasive dissatisfaction among MEAA members about the role played by the regulator.

He said it had failed to change with the times during more than a decade of media convergence and was not effective in the contemporary industry where there is cross-over between print, digital and broadcast journalism. Australias broadcast media are regulated by a government agency, the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

The Press Council has lost credibility with journalists and even with the publishers who make up its membership. There have been too many cases in recent years where adjudications have been mocked or ignored, Strom said.

Currently our members are more concerned about being hauled over the coals on Media Watch [a weekly national television program that regularly exposes misdemeanours and unethical practices by journalists and publishers] than being called before the Press Council. Thats obviously not an acceptable situation.

MEAA Media federal vice-president Karen Percy said readers who made complaints were also frustrated with the response they received from the Press Council, which eroded trust in journalists and the media.

In order to maintain integrity in journalism in Australia, a credible regulator  where there are real consequences for breaches  is critical, Percy said.

Unfortunately, the Press Council is no longer fit-for-purpose for the modern, cross-platform media industry.

Percy said MEAAs Journalist Code of Ethics should play a more prominent role in media standards.

First established in 1944, and updated twice since, the Code of Ethics is the most enduring and best-known set of guidelines for journalists. The public are also able to make complaints about union members who breach the Code, with a range of sanctions available including termination of membership of MEAA.

The industry needs a simpler system of self-regulation that is consistent across all platforms and organisations, upholds the standards of public interest journalism, and serves the needs of members and the public who want ethical practices and accountability, Percy said.

"The status quo is serving no-one  not the industry, nor the public.

The decision by MEAA to withdraw from the Press Council coincides with an inquiry into media ownership by the Australian Senate, with the future of media regulation and questions of how to maintain trust in journalism coming under scrutiny by inquiry.

Strom said many journalists regarded the Press Council as toothless and wanted a more robust regulator to ensure standards of good journalism were maintained.

Arbitrations at the Press Council have been inconsistent, slow and are increasingly out of touch with community expectations.

He said it was time for a broad review of media regulation in Australia. MEAA has publicly stated it would like to see a one-stop-shop regulator to replace the multitude of confusing, inconsistent bodies and processes currently in place.

We want our notice to leave the Press Council to spark a serious discussion about media regulation, he said.

As part of its decision to withdraw from the Press Council, MEAA will engage with the Press Council and other industry stakeholders to discuss what shape the regulatory environment should take in future.

As the IFJ's Australian affiliate, MEAA is the largest and most established union and industry advocate for Australia's creative professionals.
Former Legal & General Investment Management CEO and J.P. Morgan's Former Head of Retirement Solutions for Global Asset Management Solutions Join Smart Founders and US CEO to Form Inaugural US Board of Directors

NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / Smart, a leading retirement technology business and one of the largest global recordkeepers with strategic investors Barclays, J.P. Morgan, Legal & General, Link Group, and Natixis, today announced its first US Board of Directors. The Board consists of prominent industry leaders Mark Zinkula and Anne Lester, alongside Smart co-founders Andrew Evans and Will Wynne, and Smart US CEO Jodan Ledford. It will provide strategic guidance as Smart launches its modern recordkeeping and retirement income solutions into the US market.

Smart is focused on improving access to retirement savings, incorporating intelligent solutions for both savings and retirement income, with the aim of maximizing outcomes for individuals as they both save for and enjoy retirement. Smart's recordkeeping solution is geared towards pooled solutions, including Pooled Employer Plans ("PEPs"), and focused on providing access to retirement savings plans for the millions of Americans who do not participate presently.

The newly appointed Board members include:

Mark Zinkula, Chairperson: Most recently, Mark served as CEO of Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM), a role he held from 2011 to 2019. During Mark's tenure, LGIM was one of the fastest-growing asset managers globally as assets under management (AUM) tripled to over $1.5 trillion, including a significant expansion across the US, Europe, and Asia. He positioned LGIM to become the largest manager in both the UK defined benefit pension market, with over 30% market share, and the UK defined contribution pension market, with over 20% market share. Mark also established LGIM as a global leader in responsible investing, developing widely recognized innovative ESG investment solutions, as well as an industry-leading corporate governance team.

Anne Lester, Non-Executive Director: Most recently, Anne served as portfolio manager and Head of Retirement Solutions for Global Asset Management Solutions at J.P. Morgan. Anne developed J.P. Morgan's SmartRetirement target-date funds and their post-retirement SmartSpending funds. She previously served on the board of Smart Pension. Anne, who joined J.P. Morgan in 1992, spent over a decade managing Public, Private, and Multi-Employer Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plan assets before focusing exclusively on Defined Contribution research, product development, and management.

Andrew Evans, Group Chief Executive, and Co-Founder, Smart: Andrew co-founded Smart to give real people simpler ways to save and access their savings throughout their lives. Previously, Andrew was an international managing director at Lloyds Banking Group and held roles with other banking and financial institutions such as Barclays. He also works with cutting-edge innovation foundations - awarding funding and offering advice to promising UK fintech companies and social entrepreneurs.

Will Wynne, Group Managing Director, and Co-Founder, Smart: After beginning his career in private equity, Will joined the digital team at eBay UK as one of the company's first UK employees. During his three years there, eBay UK grew from 3m members to 18m and acquired PayPal, Skype, Shopping.com, and Gumtree. Whilst at eBay, Will initiated and led the eBay for Charity project, raising many 100s of millions for charity in the process. Will then went on to found one of the UK's most disruptive ecommerce businesses. This profitable, innovative business has taken 25% market share in its market segment and is still growing. Will co-founded Smart in 2014.

Jodan Ledford, US CEO, Smart: Before joining Smart, Jodan was the Chief Client Officer at Legal & General Investment Management America (LGIMA), where he oversaw a team of 75-plus spanning Sales, Marketing, Investment Solutions, Product & Corporate Strategy, as well as Multi-Asset Portfolio Management. Joining LGIMA shortly after their US market entry, Jodan led LGIMA's growth in the US market from $10 billion to $130 billion in US third-party clients over 7 years. In addition to leading those areas of the firm, Jodan was focused on designing LGIMA's US DC entry strategy, including implementation of an innovative retirement income solution. Jodan was a director on the LGIMA and US Holdings board. Prior to LGIMA, Jodan held positions at UBS Global Asset Management, J.P. Morgan's Investment Banking Division, and Watson Wyatt Worldwide.

"We are honored that Mark and Anne have given their time to Smart. We are at a pivotal point in US policy that will shape the future of retirement, and to have their expertise supporting Smart's mission is huge," said Jodan Ledford, US CEO of Smart. "Having only launched last October, we've been humbled by the traction we've already seen and how the US market has welcomed us with open arms, and we look forward to forging ahead together for the benefit of American employees and retirees."

"Smart has chosen the perfect moment to enter the US and lead," said Mark Zinkula, Smart US Board Chairperson and former CEO of Legal & General Investment Management. "Their experience across numerous markets will prove invaluable to the retirement technology industry in this country, and I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with them in this capacity."

"Smart's innovative technology platform will help many more companies offer retirement plans to their workers, at a lower cost than is possible today," said Anne Lester, Smart US Board Director and former Head of Retirement Solutions at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. "I'm excited to be helping a company that is focused on improving access for millions of Americans who are currently locked out of the system."

About Smart

Smart is a global savings and investments technology platform provider. Co-founded in 2014 by Andrew Evans, Group CEO, and Will Wynne, Group MD, it is one of the UK's largest providers of retirement plans. Its award-winning master trust (UK pooled employer plan), Smart Pension, is overseen by independent professional trustees.

J.P. Morgan, Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM), Natixis Investment Managers, Barclays, and Link Group (Australia) are all investors in Smart.

For more information, please visit http://smartretire.com.

Media Contact:

Jacqueline Silva, Caliber Corporate Advisers for Smart

Jacqueline@calibercorporate.com

SOURCE: Smart

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642178/Global-Retirement-Technology-Leader-Smart-Names-Prominent-Industry-Executives-to-US-Board-of-Directors-as-Smart-Rolls-Out-its-Recordkeeping-Solution-for-Pooled-Employer-Plans
In a highly awaited reversal of Trump-era policies, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Monday that it is planning to return California's right to set its own vehicle emissions standards to fight smog and lessen harmful emissions.

Giving the Rights Back to California

The ruling, which will take several months to finalize, reaffirms California's dominant status as an environmental regulator after the Trump administration attempted to strip the state of its authority to set its own carbon requirements in 2019.

It also sets the tone for talks over how stringent federal vehicle regulations will be under President Biden's administration.

In a tweet, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said, "I am a true believer in California's long-standing regulatory authority to lead."

The decision in 2019 to revoke the state's permit to impose its greenhouse gas emission rules for cars and trucks was both technically questionable and a direct assault on the public's health and well-being.

As part of the process of reversing the Trump-era law, the EPA will welcome public comments until July 6.

Related Article: Vehicle Emission Standards to be Proposed by the EPA



California's Anti-Pollution Legacy

For decades, the populous, car-loving state has been fighting smog.

California's pollution legacy dates back to 1943 when residents first noticed outbreaks of smog causing sore eyes, burning lungs, and nausea, prompting them to wear masks while walking the city's streets to protect themselves from the thick air.

The Mulford-Carrell Air Resources Act, which established the California Air Resources Board, was enacted by a coalition of California legislators and leaders in 1967 to unify statewide attempts to combat extreme air pollution (CARB). The Federal Air Quality Act of 1967 was passed the same year, allowing California to enforce more strict air quality regulations due to its unusual geography, temperature, and population growth.

Because of this history, the EPA has long issued a waiver allowing the state to set its own automotive emissions requirements as long as they are stricter than federal rules.

California's regulations represent almost a third of the new vehicle market in the United States, allowing California authorities a significant amount of control over the auto industry.

Trump Administration Changes

As the Trump administration relaxed federal clean car requirements, it also attempted to rescind the waiver that allowed California to set a higher standard.

This sparked a legal dispute and split the auto industry, with some carmakers siding with California and accepting slightly higher vehicle carbon emissions requirements willingly. At the same time, the majority supported the Trump administration.

Fixing Past Environmental Mishaps

Following Biden's election to the White House, every major automaker ultimately abandoned their support for Trump's failed campaign.

The Environmental Protection Agency has begun the process of overturning Trump's order. Last week, the Department of Transportation recommended "wiping the regulatory slate clean," implying that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would no longer work to obstruct state pollution controls, as it had done under Trump.

Under the Biden administration, it's also unclear whether federal rules on vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency will be implemented. Any conservation organizations and democratic politicians call for the Obama-era guidelines to be reinstated, with more aggressive goals to pursue.

Also Read: All New US Vehicles Can Be Electric by 2035, If Current Sustainable Trends Continue

For more environmental action news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that the 2020 Census shows the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2020, was 331,449,281.

The U.S. resident population represents the total number of people living in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The resident population increased by 22,703,743 or 7.4% from 308,745,538 in 2010.

The American public deserves a big thank you for its overwhelming response to the 2020 Census, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said. Despite many challenges, our nation completed a census for the 24th time. This act is fundamental to our democracy and a declaration of our growth and resilience. I also want to thank the team at the U.S. Census Bureau, who overcame unprecedented challenges to collect and produce high-quality data that will inform decision-making for years to come.

ADVERTISEMENT

We are proud to release these first results from the 2020 Census today. These results reflect the tireless commitment from the entire Census Bureau team to produce the highest-quality statistics that will continue to shape the future of our country, acting Census Bureau Director Ron Jarmin said. And in a first for the Census Bureau, we are releasing data quality metrics on the same day were making the resident population counts available to the public. We are confident that todays 2020 Census results meet our high data quality standards.

The new resident population statistics for the United States, each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are available on census.gov.
The US has agreed to train members of a Guatemalan task force responsible for protecting the country's borders amid the wave of uncontrolled migration.

The offer came during Monday's video call between Vice President Kamala Harris and Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei.

The US will send 16 employees of the Department of Homeland Security to aid in the effort.

The US has agreed to train members of a Guatemalan task force responsible for protecting the country's borders amid the wave of uncontrolled migration. Pictured: Honduran migrants hoping to reach the border are stopped by Guatemalan police

Vice President Kamala Harris met virtually with Guatemala's President Alejandro Giammattei, seen on screen at left, Monday

They will also help Guatemala build shelters for returned migrants and assist their transition back to life in their home communities.

The agreement comes amid a spike in the number of migrant children arriving at the US border, man of them Guatemalan.

'On border security, what was discussed was the establishment of a joint task force for border protection,' said Pedro Brolo, Guatemala's foreign minister. 'The US government offered training.'

The effort will be spearheaded on the Guatemalan side by the Division of Border Ports and Airports.

Harris told Giammattei the US is planning to increase relief to the Northern Triangle region - Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador - and 'strengthen our cooperation' to better manage the steep increase in migration at the southern border.

The conversation marked a ramping up of Harris' diplomatic efforts to address the root causes of migration from the region, a role she was given by President Joe Biden last month.

Asylum-seeking migrants' families from Guatemala disembark from an inflatable raft after crossing the Rio Grande river

In her opening remarks, Harris spoke about what she described as the 'acute causes' of the spike in migration - hurricanes that battered the region last fall, a persistent drought and the coronavirus pandemic - as well as 'root causes' like the lack of economic opportunity in the region, extreme weather conditions and government corruption.

'We want to work with you to address both the acute causes as well as the root causes, in a way that will bring hope to the people of Guatemala that there will be an opportunity for them if they stay at home,' Harris said.

She promised an increase in aid to countries in the region and efforts to better cooperate to 'manage migration in an effective, secure and humane manner.'

Her comments come the same day the Biden administration announced sanctions against one current and one former Guatemalan government official for corruption.

'These sanctions support efforts by the people of Guatemala to end the scourge of corruption, as part of the US governments commitment to support improvements in governance in Guatemala,' Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

Neither Harris nor Giammattei referred to the sanctions in their opening statements.

Giammattei told Harris that his countrys government would like to be a 'partner' to the U.S. to address 'not only poverty, but so many evils that affect us.'

Harris said: 'The people of Guatemala have been suffering greatly because of the recent hurricanes, the persistent drought and of course the damage from covid-19.

'And as we have discussed, these are the acute factors that in many ways are causing people to live their homes despite the fact that they would probably prefer to stay. There are also long-standing issues that are often called the root causes of immigration,' she added.

She named such issues as poverty, the lack of economic opportunity, extreme weather, corruption, and 'violence against women, indigenous people, LBGTQ people and Afro-descendants.'

Harris made the comments during thevirtual meeting with the president that marked a ramping up of her diplomatic efforts to address the root causes of migration from the region, a role she was given by President Joe Biden last month.

Harris will also meet with Guatemalan community-based organizations Tuesday, and she has plans to hold a similar virtual meeting with the Mexican president next month, before heading to visit Mexico and Guatemala in June.

Harris named such issues as poverty, the lack of economic opportunity, extreme weather, corruption, and 'violence against women, indigenous people, LBGTQ people and Afro-descendants' as contributing to migration

The new role has offered Harris both a high-profile challenge to take on and sparked increased criticism from Republicans, who have questioned why neither she nor the president have made a trip down to the border to review the situation there.

Harris' talk with the Guatemalan leader comes after White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki continued that walk back on the vice president's role, claiming that Harris' focus is on 'diplomacy' in the region.

'Her focus is not on 'the border,' Psaki said during her briefing Monday. 'It's on addressing the root causes in the Northern Triangle.'

The Border Patrol picked up a record number of unaccompanied children attempting to cross the border in March, and the influx of migrants has put a strain on the federal departments tasked with detaining, housing and processing those migrants.

In her new role, Harris has thus far called both Giammattei and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on the phone, and held a number of listening sessions with experts and advocates from the region.

Asylum seeking migrants surrender to United States Border Patrol at the US Border Wall with Mexico in Yuma. U.S. Mexico Border Wall In Yuma, Arizona

In her opening remarks during the Monday meeting, she spoke about what she described as the 'acute causes' of the spike in migration - hurricanes that battered the region last fall, a persistent drought and the COVID-19 pandemic - as well as 'root causes,' like the lack of economic opportunity in the region, extreme weather conditions and government corruption.

'We want to work with you to address both the acute causes as well as the root causes, in a way that will bring hope to the people of Guatemala that there will be an opportunity for them if they stay at home,' Harris said.

She promised an increase in aid to countries in the region and efforts to better cooperate to 'manage migration in an effective, secure and humane manner.'

Her comments come the same day the Biden administration announced sanctions against one current and one former Guatemalan government official for corruption. In a statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said 'these sanctions support efforts by the people of Guatemala to end the scourge of corruption, as part of the US governments commitment to support improvements in governance in Guatemala.'

Neither Harris nor President Giammattei referenced the sanctions in their opening statements, however.

Giammattei told Harris that his country's government would like to be a 'partner' to the U.S. to address 'not only poverty, but so many evils that affect us.' Between now and their meeting in June, Giammattei said the two should create a 'roadmap' between their two governments toward an agreement 'to ensure peace, progress and development, and also so that we can secure the cooperation that we need from you.'

While Republicans have been quick to hammer Harris as absent on the migration issue, immigration experts and advocates say its too early to evaluate her work.

'We havent seen any concrete initiatives or efforts yet,' said Theresa Brown, managing director of immigration and cross-border policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center. 'Foreign policy takes some time, and it sounds like they're just figuring out what they want from these countries thats different than the last administration, and understanding the challenges and realities of the region down there.'

Her comments come the same day the Biden administration announced sanctions against one current and one former Guatemalan government official for corruption

Dan Restrepo, a senior fellow and expert on immigration at the Center for American Progress, said Harris being assigned the issue is significant because it sends the message to both other high-ranking officials in the administration and key figures in the region that 'this is a high priority issue for the White House.'

Restrepo, who has briefed Harris on the issue in private meetings, said he was heartened in particular by the vice president's plans to meet with Guatemalan community-based organizations.

'The deliberate engagement and lifting up of civil society is a really encouraging early sign that the vice president and her team understand what its going to take to move the needle on this issue,' he said.

But Brown emphasized that while Harris may be able to secure some initial agreements for greater cooperation with regional partners and aid for the region, it may take time to be able to tell whether she's achieved the goal of reducing migration to the border and addressing its root causes.

'Youre not going to change the circumstances on the ground there quickly, because they are circumstances that have been developing for years if not decades, and are exacerbated by recent events such as coronavirus,' she said.
Police said they were conducting a follow-up homicide investigation when SWAT units were called to assist in the 1500 block of South Springfield and were able to place the subject into custody  after he exited a residence on his own. Police confirmed the investigation was into the fatal shooting of a 7-year-old girl on April 18 in the 3200 block of West Roosevelt Road in Chicagos Homan Square neighborhood.
Despite the incessant killings and kidnappings across the country, the National Assembly will not consider impeaching President Muhammadu Buhari, a senator, Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), has said.

This, he said, is because now is not the time and the country should be more focused on tackling insecurity.

Mr Musa made the comment to journalists at a press briefing shortly after plenary on Tuesday.

The press briefing was sequel to the Senates deliberation on activities of Boko Haram in some local governments in Niger State.

Mr Musa, who sponsored the motion, told his colleagues that 42 communities in the state are being controlled by Boko Haram insurgents.

His motion came barely 24 hours after the Niger State government confirmed that Boko Haram has hoisted its flags in Kaure and Shiroro local government areas of the state  about 140km to the Federal Capital Territory.

When asked why no lawmaker has brought a motion to move for the presidents impeachment, Mr Musa said every part of the country is challenged with insecurity and impeachment will only lead to another crisis.

You and I know what impeachment is all about. Why do we need that now? What we need is solution.

We need this country to come back to where we were in terms of peace. Ill rather prefer a situation where all the operations of government is directed at security.

I do not subscribe to a situation whereby, because we have the legislative powers to impeach, that we are bringing a motion for impeachment. No. This is not the time for a motion on impeachment .We are just at the mid-term of this administration. What we need now is to focus and see where we go, he said.

He further said Nigerias main priority should be tackling insecurity because no one is safe.

No leader, from councillor to the president, can sleep with two eyes closed.

The lawmaker was also asked if he supports call for amnesty to bandits  and he responded in the negative.

When the Niger Delta militants asked for amnesty, they agitated for good welfare. You hardly hear them go into the villages of the people they claim to protect and kill them.

I do not subscribe to amnesty for criminals that keep killing people in the name of religion. Its not religion, its not Islam.

This is the holiest month where we supposed to be sober and reflect andwhere peasant farmers cannot go to the farm and children cannot go to school.

What do you mean by amnesty?

Earlier, the Senate mandated its leadership to meet with the president and brief him about insecurity in the country.

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They resolved to invite the Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, and heads of other security agencies for a meeting with the Senate.

The Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs and National Security were also mandated to meet with the minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Director-General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar, on the regional implications of the insecurity in the country.

The security situation across Nigeria worsened last week with over 200 people killed and 44 others kidnapped in various incidents. The victims included civilians and security operatives.

Apart from the Boko Haram insurgency, bandits routinely kill and kidnap residents of many states in the North-west and North-central states while kidnapping for ransom is also common across southern states. Armed men also routinely attack security formations in the South-east and South-south states.
AURORA, Ill., April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Joined by Governor J.B. Pritzker, the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA), in partnership with the Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA), today announced that the COVID-19 Pandemic Health Navigator Program (PHNP) is now live and Community Health Workers are available to help residents throughout the state of Illinois. The new program integrates community health centers, community-based organizations, and public health partners to coordinate Illinois resources for the most vulnerable populations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Illinois is well above the national average for getting first doses out to our residents, but making vaccines available is only half the battle," said Governor JB Pritzker. "I'm proud to announce our Pandemic Health Navigator Program is already hard at work building confidence among our unvaccinated residents, educating them on what COVID-19 is, what the vaccine can do for them, and how they can protect themselves and their families. These are local community organizations who know their peers, their students, their colleagues  people who speak their languages and know their neighborhoods. In short, our Pandemic Health Navigators are a crucial part of keeping our most vulnerable residents safe, and I'm so grateful to all of them."

"As we look toward recovering from the health, social and economic hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize the importance of providing Illinois residents with education, resources and guidance from people they trust," said Dr. Tracey Smith, Director of Programs and Community Health. "We're proud to be leading a network of Community Health Workers that are already making an impact by connecting vulnerable populations with vital education and resources - like access to food and health services - that are positioning these communities to move forward, stronger."

In 2021, PHNP began efforts to equip community-based organizations (CBOs) and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) with funding, training and resources to provide local support to Illinois residents.

To date, 65 CBOs and 23 FQHCs are participating in the program. These partnerships have helped hire more than 400 Community Health Workers and regional supervisors, with the goal to hire hundreds more in the next three months. The program has received more than 1,270 requests for resources and has a 96 percent completion rate for resource requests within 48 hours.

To better understand the views and needs of Illinois communities during the pandemic, IPHA and IPHCA recently conducted a survey of more than 800 residents. The survey results showed that Illinois residents are in need of guidance and underscored the importance of sharing accurate information and dispelling common misconceptions. The survey revealed the following data:

1 in 5 indicated they were not able or unsure of their ability to tell the difference between scientific facts and misinformation or false claims on the Internet.

21 percent said they would not get the COVID-19 vaccine, 71 percent said they were willing to get the vaccine, and seven percent opted not to answer the question.

More than half (57%) of respondents stated they would be open to working with a Community Health Worker.

"This program is an important resource to support the healthcare needs of our communities, especially diverse communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Cyrus Winnett, Interim President and CEO, IPHCA. "By leveraging local health departments, community health centers and community-based organizations, we're providing on-the-ground, trusted support to ensure Illinoisans receive the health education, outreach, and resources they need to be healthy and safe."

"Healthcare providers have been on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 from day one," said Linnea Windel, President and CEO of VNA Health Care. "The Pandemic Health Navigator Program will provide us with additional tools, resources and Community Health Workers to support our fight against this virus and help our patients and larger community get through this together."

The IPHA, in partnership with the IPHCA, was awarded a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to serve as the Regional Coordinator for regions 2-9 of the PHNP to ensure coverage for these activities through direct services and/or sub-awarding to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other community-based agencies.

IPHA and IPHCA will sub-contract with FQHCs and community-based agencies in Illinois COVID-19 regions 2-9 to recruit the navigators for local COVID-19 education and outreach, to support contact tracing as needed, and to connect cases and contacts with critical services and resources. This may include resources for meals, medicine, mobility support, immigration matters, work and income resources, mental health support, support for unsafe living conditions (e.g. domestic abuse), etc., during isolation and quarantine. In addition, the PHNP team will collaborate and coordinate across the assigned regions with the public health system, including with local health departments (LHDs), to support contact tracing efforts and ensure all communities receive needed assistance and to help reduce disparities in health outcomes.

For more information about the program and to connect to a local community health worker, visit HelpGuideThrive.org.

About the Illinois Public Health Association

The Illinois Public Health Association is the oldest and largest public health association in the state of Illinois. As one of the largest affiliates of the American Public Health Associations, IPHA is widely recognized as the leader in the field of public health advocacy, health education and promotion. For more information, visit https://www.ipha.com/.

About the Illinois Primary Health Care Association

IPHCA represents Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) or community health centersentities created by Congress to meet the health care needs of underserved communities and high-risk patients. These centers fill a void by providing care for those whom other providers often do not serve. Since FQHCs must, by law, serve the medically underserved regardless of their ability to pay, CHCs are located in geographic regions designated as having a shortage of medical providers who serve this population. In addition, the medically underserved may be low-income, uninsured, homeless, affected by HIV/AIDS, struggling with substance abuse and/or have special needs. IPHCA is committed to fulfilling its mission of helping communities help themselves by advocating and expanding community primary care services across Illinois, and assisting member organizations in fulfilling their goal of community empowerment through health care choice. By advocating on behalf of members' interests, IPHCA also advocates for underserved citizens and communities. For more information visit https://www.iphca.org.

SOURCE Illinois Public Health Association

Related Links

https://www.ipha.com


DUBLIN, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "United States Missile Defense Market 2019-2025 - Transformational Growth Energizing Vertical Market Expansion" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This research considers all the variables mentioned above as it presents an analysis of the US missile defense market on strategic and theater-level operations. It includes ballistic missile, anti-ship, and tactical missile defense systems. The primary data used to determine company market share is US defense contract data. Spending figures cited in this research refer to actual defense dollars allocated during the base year and projected expenditures according to current defense budget proposals.

The US fiscal year (FY) 2019 (October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019) is taken as the base year for this research since it has the most comprehensive and complete latest published data on contracts and budget forecasts. Market share and competitive analysis are based on government contract obligations distributed during 2019.

US officials believe adversary nations, such as China, Russia, and North Korea have been or are attempting to develop nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles capable of attacking the US and its allies.

These nations are not above selling these capabilities to rogue nations, such as Iran or Syria, creating concern among defense decision makers. Hypersonic technology continues to mature and the US is increasing efforts to both develop and quickly manufacture hypersonic missiles and counter-hypersonic technologies to defeat possible hypersonic missiles attacks.



Complicating the missile defense market is the COVID-19 pandemic heightening US lawmakers' concerns regarding the execution of ballistic missile defense (BMD) program initiatives. Delays in the Aegis weapon program, Standard Missile (SM)-3 Block IIA interceptors' further production and deliveries, and the Aegis Ashore, Poland construction have defense officials concerned about enemies outpacing the US.

Additionally, the pandemic has stalled the development of hypersonic weapons for use against incoming missile threats. Congress has been unwilling to fund programs that may lead to emplacing interceptor capabilities in space, but this reticence may be changing with the changing geopolitical and space domains.

Directed energy weapons (DEW) are also gaining traction as a missile defense solution. Testing has proven that DEWs can effectively defeat or incapacitate drones; therefore, the next logical endeavor is to amplify this capability to meet the missile threat.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

Executive Summary - Overview

Executive Summary - Trends

COVID-19 Impact on World GDP Growth

COVID-19 Impact on Key Regions

2. Strategic Imperatives

Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow?

The Strategic Imperative

The Impact of the Top Three Strategic Imperatives on the Missile Defense Market

Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine

3. Growth Opportunity Analysis, Missile Defense Market

Missile Defense Market Scope of Analysis

Missile Defense Market Segmentation

Key Competitors for Missile Defense Market

Key Growth Metrics for Missile Defense Market

Growth Drivers for Missile Defense Market

Growth Restraints for Missile Defense Market

Forecast Assumptions, Missile Defense Market

Spending Forecast, Missile Defense Market

Spending Forecast by Segment, Missile Defense Market

Spending Forecast Analysis, Missile Defense Market

Pricing Trends and Forecast Analysis, Missile Defense Market

Competitive Environment, Missile Defense Market

Defense Contract Share Analysis, Missile Defense Market

Defense Contract Share Analysis, Missile Defense Market

4. Growth Opportunity Analysis, O&M

Key Growth Metrics for O&M Segment

Spending Forecast, O&M

Spending Forecast by Activity, O&M

Forecast Analysis, O&M

5. Growth Opportunity Analysis, Procurement

Key Growth Metrics for Procurement Segment

Spending Forecast, Procurement

Spending Forecast by Activity, Procurement

Forecast Analysis, Procurement

6. Growth Opportunity Analysis, RDT&E

Key Growth Metrics for RDT&E Segment

Spending Forecast, RDT&E

Spending Forecast by Activity, RDT&E

Forecast Analysis, RDT&E

7. Growth Opportunity Universe, Missile Defense Market

Growth Opportunity 1 - Next-Generation Interceptor for BMD

Growth Opportunity 2 - Offensive Hypersonic Weapons

Conclusions

8. Appendix

Defense Contract Share of Top Participants, List of Other Companies

9. Next Steps

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dr8k62

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Research and Markets

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The White House announced Tuesday that President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden would visit with former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn when they visit Georgia on Thursday.

The Bidens were already due in the state to participate in a drive-in rally in Atlanta to mark the president's 100th day in office.

Now they're also expected to travel to the Carters' home in Plains, Georgia.

President Joe Biden (left) and first lady Jill Biden (right) will be traveling to Plains, Georgia on Thursday to meet with former President Jimmy Carter, 96, and his wife Rosalynn, 93

Jimmy Carter (center left) and Rosalynn Carter (right) missed President Joe Biden's January inauguration due to COVID-19 concerns. Here they're in March 2020, before the pandemic, with now Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (left) and his husband Chasten (center right)

At 96, Jimmy Carter is the oldest living U.S. president.

He was unable to come to Biden's January inauguration due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Ex-Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all came.

The White House has not given a reason for the trip however, Carter and Biden both lost a close friend, Carter's Vice President Walter Mondale, on April 19.

Mondale died at the age of 93.

The president and first lady put out a lengthy statement about Mondale's passing.

'It was Walter Mondale who defined the vice presidency as a full partnership, and helped provide a model for my service,' the president said.

Biden also said he was able to speak to 'Fritz' Mondale on the phone before his death.

'Today I mourn the passing of my dear friend Walter Mondale, who I consider the best vice president in our countrys history,' Carter said in a statement. 'During our administration, Fritz used his political skill and personal integrity to transform the vice presidency into a dynamic, policy-driving force that had never been seen before and still exists today.'

Carter and 93-year-old Rosalynn have been vaccinated for the coronavirus, and have started going to church in-person again, the Associated Press reported.

Both Bidens are also fully vaccinated.

The president and first lady will also attend what will likely be one of the final drive-in political rallies, which Democrats used in the summer and fall to enforce social distancing - asking most attendees to stay in or around their vehicles during the programming.

The drive-in rallies were a stark contrast to those headlined by former President Donald Trump, who allowed supporters to pack in by the thousand despite the virus threat.
They confirmed their relationship last October, but Love Island's Joe Garratt has revealed he has split from model beau Desiree Schlotz.

The former Love Island star, 23, and the American beauty, 23, broke up due to the distance between them, as Joe returned to the UK after the pair had been together in Dubai.

A source said, as reported by The Sun: 'Over lockdown Joe went to America to be with Desiree and was there a few months and then went Dubai together again for a couple of months.

It's over: Love Island's Joe Garratt has revealed he has split from model beau Desiree Schlotz who he began dating in October

'But Joe had to return back to UK for work and Desiree to America for work and just being a long distance relationship wasn't going to work.

'It's amicable and they're going to stay friends.'

The beauty confirmed the split on her Instagram page when she was asked by a fan if the couple were 'still dating'.

She replied: 'I've been getting this question a lot lately and I just want to clear things up.

Split: The TV star, 23, and Desiree, 23, broke up due to the distance between them, as Joe returned to the UK after the pair had been together in Dubai

'We recently decided to split up. We decided to give each other space to figure out our own life and really focus on learning to love ourselves first.

'We just ask you to respect our decision. We have nothing but love and respect for each other.'

Last year, Joe flew into the Maldives to see Desiree, with the pair both working with Project FOMO, a new campaign showcasing the 'world's best vacation destinations.'

Joe entered the Love Island villa in 2019 and was paired up with Lucie Donlan who he had an on-and-off again romance with before leaving the villa.

Lucie, 23, has been loved-up with fellow Love Island star Luke Mabbott, 25, as he revealed he wanted to 'marry' her when he responded to a post on her Stories.

Loved up: Joe's former flame Lucie Donlan, 23, has been loved-up with fellow Love Island star Luke Mabbott, 25, since they confirmed their relationship last summer

Wedding bells? Last month, the bombshell's boyfriend Luke Mabbott, 25, revealed he wanted to 'marry' her as he responded to a post on her Stories

The blonde had taken to her Instagram Stories to ask her followers about what their dreams were.

But among the responses was one from her partner, who simply wrote: 'To marry you', alongside an engagement ring and blue heart emoji.

The model has been loved up with Redcar native Luke ever since they went public with their romance last summer.

The Justin Bieber-lookalike was a finalist on season six of the ITV dating show in January 2020, while the sportswoman appeared on season five of the show in 2019.
During the Civil War, it is often said, New Orleans fell with hardly a shot.

When Confederate forces abandoned the city, they say, Union Gen. Benjamin Beast Butler simply waltzed in with his troops and his tyranny, and city leaders had little choice but to accept it, albeit begrudgingly.

The men of Fort Jackson might disagree, though.

The masonry fort, located south of New Orleans on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, was constructed between 1822 and 1832. It saw withering fire from Union vessels in an 1862 naval battle and subsequent 10-day siege that paved the way for Butlers troops.

Named after Andrew Jackson, who had urged its construction to protect the city, it wasnt the first fort built at Plaquemines Bend.

As early as 1742, the French first built a battery there. Later, under Spanish rule, Fort Bourbon was built on the site of what would become Fort Jackson. About that time, they also built Fort San Filipe  a predecessor to Fort Jacksons sister fort, Fort St. Phillip  on the east bank.

With the need for stronger defenses made plain in the War of 1812, construction on Fort Jackson had an ultimate cost of $554,500.

Its foundations would be made of three layers of cypress logs, atop which were laid cypress planks. From there would rise a star-shaped fort, made of bricks, protected by an outer wall and an inner moat, and lined with dozens of guns.

There was such confidence in the combined strength of forts Jackson and St. Phillip, which also received a modernization at the time, that almost no further defenses were constructed upriver between the forts and New Orleans.

That would prove to be a mistake.

A month after the attack on Fort Sumter, off the South Carolina coast, in April 1861  marking the start of the Civil War  the federal warship Brooklyn appeared at the mouth of the Mississippi. It sent word to Gen. Johnson K. Duncan, the commander of the Fort Jackson, that a federal blockade of the river was in effect.

Thus began a long, difficult year in New Orleans, marked by shortages and occasional naval skirmishes at the rivers mouth.

It all came to a head in April 1862 when Union Adm. David Farragut moved on Fort Jackson with 17 wooden vessels and 24 mortar boats.

Also there: 6,000 men under Butlers command, waiting on transport ships to invade New Orleans.

The Confederate forces had 69 guns at Fort Jackson and another 45 at Fort St. Phillip. They also had at their disposal 10 wooden ships and two ironclads, although one, the Louisiana, was unfinished and was thus used as a floating battery.

They hoped to further impede Farraguts progress by blocking the river with a string of vessels, connected by chain, stretching from Fort Jackson to Fort St. Phillip.

On April 12, Union forces fired a few test shots on the fort, calculating distances. Soon after, the siege was on. Because Fort St. Phillip was largely out of range of Farraguts fleet, the worst of the fire was reserved for Fort Jackson.

+5 Steamboat houses: Two of the city's most iconic homes recall builder's love for life on the Mississippi In a city filled with unique buildings, they are arguably among the most unusual, two handcrafted gems sitting along the river as if they had 

An account that has been attributed to Butler, but which was actually penned by James Parton for his 1864 book General Butler in New Orleans, provides this description of the siege at its height:

The mere noise was an experience unique to the oldest officers  Twenty mortars, a hundred and forty-two guns in the fleet, a hundred and twenty in the Forts, the crash of splinters, the explosion of the boilers and magazines, the shouts and cries, the shrieks of scalded and drowning men; add to this, the belching flashes of guns, blazing rafts of burning steamboats, the river full of fire, and you have a picture of the battle that was all confined to Plaquemines Bend.

By April 27, the men at Fort Jackson had enough and staged a mutiny. A day later, and 159 years ago this week, Duncan surrendered. That opened the door for the rest of the fleet to make its way toward New Orleans.

The repaired fort was used for a time as a prison during the Spanish American War and as a training ground during World War I before being decommissioned. Plaquemines Parish leaders succeeded in having it declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and having it listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1967. They then cleaned it up and turned it into a military museum.

A century after the battle, hurricanes Betsy in 1965 and Camille in 1969 inundated it with water. In August 2005, it suffered what was essentially a direct hit by Hurricane Katrina, which submerged much of the fort for more than a month.

Today, the fort is closed to visitors, although artifacts once housed inside can be viewed at a nearby museum.

Know of a New Orleans building worth profiling in this column, or just curious about one? Contact Mike Scott at moviegoermike@gmail.com.

Sources: The Times-Picayune archives; The New York Times; National Register of Historic Places; The Night the War Was Lost, by Charles L. Dufour; General Butler in New Orleans, by James Parton
While the 2021 federal budget includes historic recovery investments for national tourism and Indigenous communities, Indigenous tourism has been completely neglected in both categories

COAST SALISH TERRITORY, VANCOUVER, BC, April 27, 2021 /CNW/ - Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience, released last week, suggests that there has been federal investments allocated for rebuilding and recovering the tourism industry as well as for Indigenous communities, yet it remains unclear how the Indigenous tourism sector is specifically being supported, during a critical time for its survival.

"There's a discrepancy with the government saying that they are investing into Indigenous tourism versus funding solutions that we and the industry actually have access to," says Keith Henry, President and CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC). "Separate from ITAC's operational budget, we need to see another line item in the federal budget that recognizes Indigenous tourism as a separate sector within the overall tourism industry, where dedicated financial support for recovery is allocated to the industry and business owners, and managed through an Indigenous-led solution. This is the most effective way to provide direct support to Indigenous tourism operators who are barely hanging on as they wait for tourism's recovery."

Currently, it remains extremely vague whether the proposed budget allotments will be further broken down to provide previously promised direct support for Indigenous tourism businesses. What is clear is that past national efforts through government-led relief programs or mainstream banking institutions have not been effective and not accessible to the Indigenous tourism businesses, and that government officials are not listening to the needs of the Indigenous tourism industry.

ITAC shared their Strategic Recovery Plan ($50M), which asked for a four-year commitment to ensure the stability of the sector, as well as their COVID-19 Second Wave Response ($18.3M for emergency relief) proposals with their federal liaisons multiple times during the past months. The organization was shocked to find that despite their efforts and positive conversations with Indigenous Services Canada, the agency only recommended that $2.4M be allocated to ITAC  a 20% reduction in core funding year-over-year  and only committed to one year of support. Without this directed funding of $68.3M and the reduction in operating budget, ITAC will be incapable of meeting its contractual obligations to directly support its members, provincial and territorial partners as well as national programs and will not be able to help lead the industry toward recovery. The organization's plea is for the federal government to commit to longer-term funding and solutions that will protect Indigenous jobs and businesses in the long run.

Already several elected members of Parliament have come out in support of ITAC, raising concerns in the House of Commons that Indigenous tourism businesses have been abandoned in Budget 2021:

Gord Johns, NDP Member of Parliament in this "Are they (the Government) going to watch thousands of Indigenous jobs that are critical and fund this organization adequately so they can be a part of the critical recovery in the tourism sector, the hardest hit sector in our country?" askedin this video .

Blake Richards, PC Member of Parliament in this "They've (Indigenous tourism businesses) been begging this government for over a year for some kind of a plan to get a sense of when they're going to be able to do that (welcomes back visitors) and how they're going to be able to do that and this government has ignored them for over a year. The prime minister promised them over a year ago that there would be a plan for them, and that promise has not been kept," sharedin this video

"ITAC's programs are much more effective than government-led programs because we know and understand the community's reality, we speak the same language and we connect with members where they are comfortable. ITAC offers a more human approach without barriers and with a timeliness and urgency that's missing from traditional approaches," shares Henry.

Henry also points out a seeming lack of cultural understanding from public servants. The applications for relief programs are lengthy, rife with corporate jargon and complicated business processes, and are very challenging to navigate even for Indigenous tourism experts; not to mention that millions of Canadians are trying to access the same supports at once. Also, many Indigenous business operators only speak either English or French as a second language, making it even more complicated to understand the applications, and they often have poor phone and internet connections due to the lack of infrastructure in their communities. That's where having an Indigenous-led organization like ITAC becomes essential. ITAC provides administrative, marketing, training and financial support. They identify existing gaps and offer specialized services at a much higher success rate and at a much lower cost than traditional government bodies, saving taxpayer dollars.

"It's so shocking to me that governments in New Zealand, Australia and the United States are all increasing investment into their Indigenous Tourism yet our government is decreasing ours. Previously, Canada led the world in our development of Indigenous tourism experiences; we not only raised the bar, but set it. It's a shame and a pity that we're falling behind. It will be nearly impossible to get back on top after this giant step back, which is the equivalent of losing 30 years of progress and development," says Henry.

To arrange an interview with Brenda Holder, Chair of the ITAC Board of Directors, or Keith Henry, President and CEO of ITAC, please contact [email protected].

For more information on the federal budget, click here.

To view ITAC's 2020-24 Strategic Recovery Plan, click here.

To view ITAC's Second Wave Response, click here.

To watch ITAC's reaction to the federal budget webinar, click here.

About the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is a national non-profit Indigenous tourism industry organization established in 2015. ITAC is the lead organization tasked with growing and promoting the Indigenous tourism industry across the country. Inspired by a vision for a thriving Indigenous tourism economy sharing authentic, memorable and enriching experiences, ITAC develops relationships with groups and regions with similar mandates to enable collective support, product development, promotion and marketing of authentic Indigenous tourism businesses in a respectful protocol.

SOURCE Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada

For further information: Media Contacts: Nicole Amiel, Beattie Tartan, 416.436.5185, [email protected]; French Media Requests: Sebastien Desnoyers-Picard, Chief Marketing Officer, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, 418.655.0210, [email protected]
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged the Ukrainian military to remain on alert despite Russia's drawdown of its troops from the country's borders, saying they could return "at any moment."



Kyiv has been battling Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine since 2014, following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.



A Russian troop buildup in recent weeks near Ukraine's northern and eastern borders and in Crimea has raised concerns of a major escalation of the conflict in Kyiv and in the West.



But on April 23, Moscow announced that it had started withdrawing its armed forces.

"The fact the troops are withdrawing doesn't mean the army should not be ready for the possibility troops could return to our borders any moment," Zelenskiy said while visiting Ukrainian military positions near Crimea on April 27 .



In Moscow, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the troop pullback had nothing to do with Western pressure, adding that Moscow will continue doing what is necessary to protect itself.



Shoigu also voiced concern about the presence of NATO forces near Russia.



"Some even warned us that our activities on our own territory will have consequences," Shoigu said on April 27. "I would like to emphasize that we don't see such warnings as acceptable and will do everything that is necessary to ensure the security of our borders."



Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said this week that Washington had registered movements of some Russian troops away from Ukraine's borders, but added that it was "too soon to tell" whether Russia was pulling back all forces.



A cease-fire that took hold in July has been unravelling recently, with clashes sharply increasing between Ukrainian forces and separatists.



Around 30 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the start of the year compared with 50 in all of last year, while the separatists have reported at least 20 military deaths.



On April 27, the Ukrainian Army reported one soldier killed and three others wounded after their vehicle hit a mine.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP
New research offers an up-close view of how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can spread to the brain. The study helps explain the alarming array of neurological symptoms reported in some patients with COVID-19, as well as why some patients suffer severe neurological effects while others experience none at all.

The researchers report evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can infect both the nerve cells that power our brains (neurons), and the cells in the brain and spinal cord that support and protect neurons (astrocytes).

"Our findings suggest that astrocytes are a pathway through which COVID-19 causes neurological damage," said Ricardo Costa, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Shreveport and the study's first author. "This could explain many of the neurologic symptoms we see in COVID-19 patients, which include loss of sense of smell and taste, disorientation, psychosis and stroke."

Costa will present the research at the American Physiological Society annual meeting during the Experimental Biology (EB) 2021 meeting, held virtually April 27-30. The study is led by Diana Cruz-Topete, assistant professor of molecular and cellular biology at LSU Health Shreveport, and includes collaborators Oscar Gomez-Torres, PhD, and Emma Burgos-Ramos, PhD, from Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha in Spain.

In the respiratory system, SARS-CoV-2 is known to infect a person's cells by grabbing hold of proteins on the cell surface called angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptors. It has been unclear whether brain cells have this receptor.

For the study, Costa and colleagues examined RNA and proteins to determine whether cell cultures of human astrocytes and neurons expressed ACE2. They then exposed the cells to a version of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that had been modified to be safe for researchers to handle. The studies confirmed that both astrocytes and neurons express the ACE2 receptor and that both cell types can become infected with SARS-CoV-2, though astrocytes were less likely to become infected.

Astrocytes are the main gateway to the brain, responsible for shuttling nutrients from the bloodstream to the neurons while keeping harmful particles out. By resisting infection, astrocytes could help keep SARS-CoV-2 out of the brain, but once infected, they could easily pass the virus along to many neurons, according to researchers.

"While astrocytes display a higher resistance to infection, neurons seem to be more susceptible," said Costa. "This suggests that only few astrocytes getting infected could be sufficient for the infection to quickly spread to neurons and multiply quickly. These observations could explain why while some patients do not have any neurological symptoms, others seem to have severe ones."

Costa will present this research from 3:15-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 27 (abstract). Contact the media team for more information or to obtain a free press pass to access the virtual meeting.

Images available.

###

About Experimental Biology 2021

Experimental Biology is an annual meeting comprised of thousands of scientists from five host societies and multiple guest societies. With a mission to share the newest scientific concepts and research findings shaping clinical advances, the meeting offers an unparalleled opportunity for exchange among scientists from across the U.S. and the world who represent dozens of scientific areas, from laboratory to translational to clinical research. http://www. experimentalbiology. org #expbio

About the American Physiological Society (APS)

Physiology is a broad area of scientific inquiry that focuses on how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function in health and disease. The American Physiological Society connects a global, multidisciplinary community of more than 10,000 biomedical scientists and educators as part of its mission to advance scientific discovery, understand life and improve health. The Society drives collaboration and spotlights scientific discoveries through its 16 scholarly journals and programming that support researchers and educators in their work. http://www. physiology. org
U.S. judge says Huawei has not violated court order, but warns company lawyers

Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou leaves her home to attend a court hearing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Photo : REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier)

A U.S. judge on Monday found that Huawei did not violate a court order by sharing certain information with its chief financial officer, who is using it to help fight her extradition from Canada.



But U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly in Brooklyn, warned Huawei lawyers: "be careful with your filings."



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Lawyers for Huawei Technologies were summoned to the court in New York after U.S. prosecutors accused Huawei of improperly sharing materials the government disclosed in the criminal case against the company with chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who also is charged but considered a fugitive.



Huawei and Meng were indicted for bank fraud and other crimes, in a case that has strained ties between the United States, China and Canada. Meng was arrested in Canada on a U.S. warrant in December 2018.



Huawei has pleaded not guilty in the case and Meng has said she is innocent.



The latest dispute stems from two letters. Huawei filed a 10-page letter with the Brooklyn court in February that said recent disclosures by the government undermine the fraud charges in the case.



It also sent a letter to U.S. Department of Justice officials in April that said the prosecution had produced information that directly contradicted the government's representations in the extradition case, according to filings.



Prosecutors said the letters, despite redactions, violate the court's order about sharing sensitive materials with Meng that the government turned over.



The defense is filing the letters, prosecutor Alexander Solomon told the judge, and telling Meng to "use the documents as you see fit to obstruct the extradition proceeding."



But Huawei's attorneys said neither letter breached the court's order about sensitive information, and the judge agreed.



"I don't see that there's been a violation of the protective order," Donnelly said.



Still, the judge added that she did not want to see 10-page letters filed on a Sunday night that did not seek court action.


The cross, the suffering, the disease that surrounds us must be experienced through Christ and thus they will become precious symbols of grace and blessing, says Cardinal Lucian, Major Archbishop of the Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic, in the pastoral sermon sent to clergy and believers on the occasion of Easter.

Greek-Catholic believers celebrate Easter on Sunday.

"We are living through hard moments, of suffering, of disease. We are still in a pandemic. Black Friday seems to prolong, but we know it will not be greater than the Day of Resurrection. The cross, the suffering, the disease which surrounds us must be experienced through Christ, and thus they will become precious symbols of grace and blessing. The cross, from a sign of punishment and of shame, becomes for the apprentices of The Resurrected One a sign of glorification and of victory. Black Sunday, with the passions of the Lord, with the pain and agony of Jesus, becomes a celebration in light and and in the joyous expectation of the Day of Resurrection. And the Holy Mother, the mother of us all, the Mother of Resurrection, is that who watches and awaits us at the end of this hard trial," said Cardinal Lucian.

He shows that, in this entire extremely hard period, his thoughts and prayers "go especially towards those who were directly afflicted by the disease and suffering: bishops, priests, well-known people, doctors and our faithful believers, but also to those that left this world without being able to receive from those dear to them any comfort."

The Major Archbishop of the Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic wishes all Holy and Blessed Celebrations and the traditional "Christ has risen!."
A car struck a pedestrian in the parking lot of the Roche Bros. grocery store in Acton on Monday, leaving the person with potentially life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.

First responders were dispatched to the parking lot at 387 Massachusetts Ave. shortly before 1:10 p.m. for the report of the injured pedestrian, Acton Police Chief Richard Burrows and Fire Chief Robert Hart said in a joint statement.

The pedestrian, a 56-year-old woman, was found laying alongside the travel lane in front of the store. Police and firefighters began giving aid to her, according to the statement.

Police investigated the scene and determined the driver of the car, a 76-year-old woman, turned left at a slow speed and struck the pedestrian as she was walking across the travel lane toward the parking area, the statement said.

The injured woman was taken to an area hospital with wounds that are serious and potentially life-threatening, according to authorities.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Acton Police Department, which is coordinating with the Middlesex District Attorneys Office, officials said.
Mumbai, April 27 : The State Bank of India (SBI) on Tuesday said that the Executive Committee of its Central Board will consider raising $2 billion through bonds in the financial year 2021-22.

The committee will meet on Wednesday, April 28, the bank said in a regulatory filing.

It said the Executive Committee will meet "to examine the status and decide on long term fund raising in single/multiple tranches up to US$2 Billion under Reg-S/144A, through a public offer and/or private placement of senior unsecured notes in US Dollar or any other convertible currency during FY 2021-22".

Shares of the bank on Tuesday closed at Rs 352.90, higher by Rs 8.55, or 2.48 per cent, from its previous close.
Two Spanish journalists who were caught in an ambush in Burkina Faso have most likely died, Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said on Tuesday

MADRID/LONDON/MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th April, 2021) Two Spanish journalists who were caught in an ambush in Burkina Faso have most likely died, Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, a source told Sputnik that three people were injured, and four others, including two Spanish journalists and an Irish reporter, were missing after an armed ambush on an anti-poaching patrol in Burkina Faso's east.

"After we got in touch with Burkina Faso's authorities and the families of those missing, it was confirmed that most likely the bodies found in Burkina Faso are those of the two missing Spanish journalists. We are waiting for the final confirmation; these are sad news," Laya said at a press conference.

A representative of Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs told Sputnik that it is currently investigating the details of the disappearance of an Irish reporter.

"The Department is aware of the reports and is liaising closely with international partners regarding the situation on the ground. The Department does not comment on the details of any specific case," the representative said.

Along with that, Secretary-General of the Reporters Without Borders Christophe Deloire said that all of the three journalists reported missing were killed in the attack.

"We have learned from official sources in #burkinaFaso that three journalists (including two Spanish reporters) who were investigating poaching were killed in an attack in the east of the country yesterday. This tragedy confirms the great dangers reporters face in the Sahel region," Deloire tweeted.
Barely 72 hours before the ambitious phase of vaccination for 18-45 age groups begins from 1st May, the Maharashtra government has started scouting around for getting sufficient quantities of the COVID-19 jabs, officials said here on Tuesday.

Health department principal secretary, Dr Pradeep Vyas, has sent separate letters to Serum Institute of India chief executive officer (CEO) Adar Poonawala and Bharat Biotech International Ltd chairman & managing director (CMD), Dr Krishna M Ella, to that effect.

He said that if the Maharashtra government decides to vaccinate its 18-45 age group population, estimated at around 50 million, then it would require some 120 million vaccine doses.

Dr Vyas asked the two how many doses of Covishield (SII) and Covaxin (BBIL) vaccines the two companies could supply to the state government, per month over the next six months from May 2021 onwards.

The government has also sought details of the vaccine pricing and any other conditions the companies may have, to enable the concerned authorities take a priority decision in the matter.

Recently, the two companies had announced their revised prices for the vaccine supplies in the domestic market.

SII is supplying Covishield vaccine to states at Rs400/dose and to private hospitals for Rs600/dose, while BBIL is giving it at Rs600/dose to state governments and Rs 1,200/dose to private hospitals.

SII said that global vaccines in the private markets are available at much higher ratesRs1,500/dose (American jabs), and Rs750/dose (Russian and Chinese jabs), while BBIL said the company is exporting its vaccines at between $15-20/dose (roughly averaging to Rs1,200/dose).

Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article.
ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss voters will get final say on whether same-sex couples can marry after opponents gathered enough signatures to force a binding referendum on a 2020 law allowing them to wed.

That legislation also allowed transgender people to change their legal gender with a declaration, in a major change for a country that has lagged other parts of western Europe in gay rights.

The Swiss government certified that opponents had gathered enough support to call a referendum under the nation's system of direct democracy. It will in May set a date for the vote, which could come in September at the earliest, a spokesman said.

Opponents had decried "fake marriages" and said only a man and a woman could wed.

A survey commissioned by a gay advocacy group Pink Cross in 2020 showed more than 80% of Swiss support same-sex marriage, suggesting the law would take effect even if subjected to a referendum.

France legalised same-sex marriages in 2013, Germany followed in 2017 and the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015 ruled that the Constitution provides same-sex couples the right to marry.

(Reporting by Michael Shields and John Miller; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
[April 27, 2021] PetSmart Charities Grant Supports Animal Care & Education Opportunities at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) is pleased to partner with PetSmart Charities to enhance teaching and learning opportunities for RUSVM students and provide low-cost support for animal patients. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005953/en/ The PetSmart Charities grant provides funds to support training veterinary students to care for under-resourced populations. This $387,168 grant has been awarded to the One Health Research Foundation (OHRF), a 501(c)(3) public charitable organization that promotes and advances One Health, a trans-disciplinary approach to address societal needs. In partnership with the OHRF, RUSVM will use the funds from this grant to support the Basseterre Animal Rescue Center (BARC), a low-cost animal wellness clinic in the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis, where RUSVM is located and expose its students to the experiences of shelter and community medicine. "At PetSmart Charities, we believe that all pet parents want to provide the very best care to their pets, and we want to help them access that care," said Aimee Gilbreath, president of the national pet charity. "At the same time, we know that students pursue a career in veterinary medicine because they want to help all pets in need. Grants like this one enable us to bring those two principles together by funding community veterinary services that will help pets and their people to live their healthiest, happiest lives together." "We are grateful to PetSmart Charities for the opportunity to provide an enhanced and enriching student experience and at the same time expanding access to veterinary services within the community," said RUSVM Dean Sean Callanan, Ph.D., MVB, MRCVS CertVR, DipECVP, FRCPath. "RUSVM graduates accounted for roughly 9% of DVMs who are U.S. citizens graduating from U.S. and internationally based colleges of veterinary medicine in 2019, so it is truly special to collaborate with the leading funder of animal welfare in North America as we continue to partner with the government in providing animal care in the Federation." RUSVM works diligently along with the local and government veterinarians to ensure the health and well-being of the animals in the community. The project will help RUSVM to provide increased access to important veterinary care to pet owners while also increasing opportunities for real-life, hands-on care experience for RUSVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students. The Ministry of Agriculture is in support of the project and hopeful for the positive impact it will have on the community. RUSVM aims to provide vet wellness services to an additional 2,500 animals, while doubling the hands-on experience and exposure for current preclinical students. This opportunity will also allow for a sustainable spay and neuter program and provide an additional animal transportation vehicle to transport pets to receive veterinary care and act as a mobile care unit. To learn more about BARC and its services, click here. About Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) is an institution of Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE; member S&P MidCap 400 Index). Founded in 1982, RUSVM is committed to preparing students to become members and leaders of the worldwide public and professional healthcare team and to advance human, animal and ecosystem health (One Health Initiative). RUSVM offers ostgraduate Masters', Ph.D. and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs accredited by the St. Christopher & Nevis Accreditation Board. Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine confers a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, which is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE), 1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173, Tel: 800.248.2862. Ross Veterinary Clinic is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. For more information visit http://veterinary.rossu.edu/ and follow RUSVM on Twitter (News - Alert) (@RossVetSchool), Instagram (@rossvetschool) and Facebook (News - Alert) (@RossVetSchool).



About Adtalem Global Education The purpose of Adtalem Global Education is to empower students to achieve their goals, find success, and make inspiring contributions to our global community. Adtalem Global Education Inc. (NYSE: ATGE; member S&P MidCap 400 Index) is a leading workforce solutions provider and the parent organization of American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, Becker Professional Education, Chamberlain University, EduPristine, OnCourse Learning, Ross University School of Medicine and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. For more information, please visit adtalem.com and follow us on Twitter (@adtalemglobal) and LinkedIn (News - Alert) .

About One Health Research Foundation The One Health Research Foundation, established in 2017, is based in Miramar, Florida with a Caribbean office at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts and Nevis. The mission of the One Health Research Foundation is to improve human, animal and environmental health in the Caribbean and other tropical areas of the world through support of integrative, multidisciplinary research and innovation. The Foundation was organized for charitable research and training purposes. Its charitable activities will be both in the United States and abroad, with special focus on the Caribbean. One Health Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity organization comprised of a Board of Directors which meets at least twice a year to review and set policies, procedures and budgets and to oversee the grant making process. All program funding and philanthropic resources come from grants, gifts and contributions from publicly supported organizations, governmental units and general public. The Foundation will support Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and partner institutes' Faculty and OHRF Research Fellows and Scientists to secure externally funded research grants as well as providing grants to fulfil its mission based on donations. The Foundation utilizes RUSVM's Institutional Review Board and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and its own Scientific Advisory Board for ethical and scientific review of proposals considered for support. RUSVM contributes an office on its campus to the Foundation and donates time of its faculty and staff who serve as the Foundation's officers. For more information visit: http://www.ohreasearchfoundation.org/ 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 nearly 600,000 shelter pets each year. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to nonprofits aligned with its mission. 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 nearly $430 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 Twitter: @PetSmartChariTs

Find PetSmart Charities on Facebook: Facebook.com/PetSmartCharities

See PetSmart Charities on YouTube (News - Alert) : YouTube.com/PetSmartCharitiesInc View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005953/en/

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Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the top online programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 1,280 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Online Project Management Degree Programs.

Intelligent.com analyzed 104 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 63 making it to the final list for Online Project Management Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-online-project-management-degree-programs/

2021 Online Project Management Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

American Intercontinental University

American University

Ashford University

Ashland University

Bellevue University

Boston University

Brandeis University

Brandman University

Brenau University

Capella University

Charleston Southern University

Charter Oak State College

City University of Seattle

Colorado Christian University

Colorado State University

Colorado State University Global

Colorado Technical University

Columbia Southern University

Davenport University

DeSales University

Drexel University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Ferris State University

Florida Institute of Technology

George Fox University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Golden Gate University

Granite State College

Herzing University

Lasell College

Liberty University

Linfield College

Louisiana State University Shreveport

Maryville University

Mississippi State University

Missouri State University

National University

New England College

Northeastern University

Penn State World Campus

Post University

Purdue University

Saint Leo University

Saint Louis University

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Sam Houston State University

Southern New Hampshire University

Stevens Institute of Technology

The College of St. Scholastica

University of Denver

University of Kansas

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

University of Mary

University of Maryland

University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Michigan-Dearborn

University of Phoenix

University of Southern California

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Walden University

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Western Carolina University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.
A man arrested on suspicion of repeatedly stomping on an elderly Chinese can collector's head is a sex attacker with a lengthy criminal history.

Jarrod Powell, 49, was charged with attempted murder for allegedly attacking Yao Pan Ma, 61, and stomping on his head at least six times while he was collecting cans to recycle for extra cash in East Harlem on Saturday.

Powell, who is homeless, was taken into custody at Ward's Island men's homeless shelter on Monday night after another resident recognized him from surveillance footage. That resident notified shelter workers who held him until police arrived, the New York Daily News reported.

On Tuesday, it emerged that Powell was paroled in May 2012 after he served more than five years for felony assault, according to records obtained by the outlet. He was also conditionally released by parole In 2000 after served about two years on an attempted assault conviction.

According to WABC, Powell had allegedly kidnapped a 23-year-old woman from an apartment in the Staten Island borough of New York City on January 25, 1998 before sexually assaulting her.

Jarrod Powell, 49, was arrested and charged with two crimes for assaulting an Asian man in New York City

He was charged with kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, sexual misconduct, and sex assault but it was not immediately clear if he those were the charges he was reportedly serving time for when he was paroled in 2000.

Powell was arrested again for subway fare evasion eight times between July 2002 and December 2004 before he was busted again for assault twice at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in February 2006, WABC reported.

He was initially charged with two counts of felony assault for the attack on Ma but those charges were upgraded on Tuesday to attempted murder and assault as a hate crime, WABC reported.

Powell has been arrested 16 times and had contact with police at least 33 times since 1988 - mostly for assaults, police sources told outlets.

'He shouldn't be out in these streets,' one source told the New York Post.

Scroll down for video

He is pictured while he is walked out of a police precinct on his way to a court appearance

Yao Pan Ma was left in a medically induced coma after the unidentified attacker stomped on his head at least six times

The horrific video shows the suspect slamming his foot down on Ma's head while his shopping cart full of recyclables sits nearby

The attacker was then seen casually walking away and no arrests had been made as of Saturday evening

Powell claims he had been beaten and robbed on Thursday night by a group of Asian men that included Ma, sources told the Daily News.

Cops called Powell's claims questionable and believe he is trying to 'justify targeting Ma,' the outlet reported.

It wasn't clear if Powell, 49, had an attorney who could comment on his new charges.

He then reportedly assaulted a fellow inmate at Rikers Island with a food tray before punching them.

Ma was collecting cans when he was attacked from behind, knocked to the ground and kicked in the head. He was taken to Harlem Hospital, where he remained in a coma on Tuesday, officials said.

Police sources told the New York Post that Ma suffered a cerebral contusion and facial fractures - and a photo Chen provided the outlet shows him hooked up to medical gear in the hospital.

Yao Pan Ma and his wife Baozhen Chen Ma, who have two adult children, moved to New York from China's Guangdong province in 2019.

The horrifying moment was caught on video and released by the NYPD.

Ma, who worked in a restaurant before he was laid off because of the coronavirus pandemic, was collecting cans for extra cash in the East Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan at around 8.30pm on Friday night when he was attacked.

The horrific video shows the suspect slamming his foot down on Ma's head while his shopping cart full of recyclables sits nearby.

The attacker then casually walks away. Ma was found when a bus driver called police after seeing him unconscious, WABC reported.

Witness Armetha Knight, 37, told the New York Daily News that Ma was 'minding his business with his shopping cart' before the unprovoked assault.

'When he got to the scaffolding, an African American man attacked him from behind,' she said. 'He hit him from behind and then curb-stomped him.'

A man believed to be Powell is pictured from surveillance photos released by police before his arrest

Horrific video allegedly shows the suspect slamming his foot down on Ma's head while his shopping cart full of recyclables sits nearby

The attack comes amid a string of anti-Asian assaults across the Big Apple and the footage echoed last months assault near Times Square in which a Filipina American woman was knocked to the ground and stomped on. A parolee convicted of killing his mother nearly two decades ago was arrested in that attack.

Ma's devastated wife of 31 years has pleaded for cops to 'make him pay,' the New York Post reported over the weekend.

His 57-year-old wife Baozhen Chen told the New York Post that her husband is a 'hardworking man.'

People hold a photo of 61-year old Yao Pan Ma who was was attacked from behind, pushed to the ground, and repeatedly kicked

Baozhen Chen, the wife of 61-year old Yao Pan Ma who was was attacked from behind, pushed to the ground, and repeatedly kicked in the head is comforted by police during a press conference in Harlem on Tuesday

Police have made an arrest in the assault of a 61-year-old Asian man who is now fighting for his life

'Please capture him as soon as possible and make him pay,' Chen told the outlet in Mandarin through a translator.

She sobbed as she described hear fear after hearing news about her husband.

'I was scared. I was crying. I didn't know what to do. Why? Why did they do this to my husband? Why did this happen? It was sudden. I didn't expect this,' she said.

Chen said she was at work as a home attendant who takes care of elderly patients when police told her how her husband was attacked.

'My husband is a hard-working man. He picks up bottles to help pay the rent and the bills. He is innocent. He did not do anything wrong. He is a very kind person. He is quiet. He doesn't cause trouble to make people mad.'

Chen and her husband have two grown children who are both married and live in China, but have a 20-year-old niece in the city who was also rattled.

'We are completely in shock -- terrified and scared and frustrated,' Ma's niece told WABC.

'My uncle is a very quiet person, very hardworking. He's not the person to cause trouble.'

Chen said she has become more cautious lately since anti-Asian violence has risen across the country.

'I'm more cautious. I'm scared that someone would jump out and attack me like what they did to my husband. I look around me,' she said.

Police sources told the New York Post that Ma suffered a cerebral contusion and facial fractures - and a photo Chen provided the outlet shows him hooked up to medical gear in the hospital.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help raise money for Ma's medical bills and to support his family.

The police departments hate crimes task force is investigating the attack, which appeared to be among the latest in a troubling rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in New York and around the country.
With coronavirus vaccines now widely available, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Tuesday the end to Louisiana's statewide mask mandate, returning power to businesses and local governments to set their own face covering restrictions.

Masks will still be required at K-12 schools, early childhood education centers, colleges and universities, hospitals, nursing homes, on public transit and at some state government buildings, according to an order issued by the Louisiana Department of Health.

The loosened restrictions come as Louisiana settles into another week of near-historic lows in COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths. Meanwhile, vaccinations are steadily climbing, with more than a quarter of Louisianans fully inoculated as of Monday.

Louisiana COVID numbers: 1 in 4 Louisiana residents are now fully vaccinated One in four Louisiana residents are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the latest data from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Edwards repeatedly warned the public Tuesday not to mistake the easing of the mask mandate as a sign that the pandemic is over, hinting that restrictions could return if cases of the deadly virus once again spiral out of control.

We are not on a one-way street moving away from the pandemic. It is very much a two-way street and we do not want to go in the other direction, Edwards said.

Even as he lifted restrictions, Edwards continued to urge the public to wear face coverings and said that state government buildings under his purview will continue to require them. Other statewide officials will be able to opt their buildings out if they choose to do so.

"I will continue to wear a mask when in public when I am close to folks. I think it's the right thing to do for public health. It's also the respectful thing to do," Edwards said. "We know that masks work. The science is clear."

The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Edwards first implemented a statewide mask mandate in July 2020, after a summer surge in coronavirus cases nudged him toward more stringent restrictions. Now, 10 months later, the onus is back on private businesses and local governments to decide whether they want to implement a mask mandate.

New Orleans officials said Tuesday they're weighing changes to their own mask mandate, which requires face coverings in most public situations, but said revisions would not come for several days. Meanwhile, officials in St. Tammany parish said they wouldn't impose mandates and leaders in East Baton Rouge and Jefferson parishes said the requirement will only extend to certain government buildings.

Edwards' announcement Tuesday came hours after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that fully vaccinated or not, people can safely go maskless outdoors when they walk, bike or run alone or with members of their household. The CDC said that masks should always be worn in large crowds of strangers and that unvaccinated people should continue to wear masks at small outdoor gatherings that include other unvaccinated people.

Dr. Joe Kanter, the state health officer, said that in absolute numbers, the amount of COVID-19 circulating in Louisiana is considerably less than at any other time during the pandemic, but repeatedly noted that "low risk does not mean no risk." He added that the single best way to protect yourself and your family is to get vaccinated.

Louisiana's vaccination rate has lagged the nation in recent weeks, with 32% of its population having initiated the vaccine series compared to a countrywide average of 42%. Still, Kanter said Louisiana is doing better than most states in controlling the spread of the virus, ranking in the bottom third of all states for new cases, hospitalizations and the percentage of its tests coming back positive.

The updated proclamation, which goes into effect Wednesday, also allows large venues to open up to 75% occupancy. Those venues can up that occupancy to 100% if they require masks. Outdoor events will no longer have capacity restrictions and live music can take place if performers on stage are 10 feet away from the audience.
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TORONTO, April 27, 2021 /CNW/ - Further to the joint press release dated November 19, 2020, Halo Collective Inc. ("Halo") (NEO: HALO) (OTC: HCANF) (FSE: A9KN) and Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE: 4YX) (OTC: TRUFF) ("Red Light Holland") are pleased to announce that Articles of Incorporation have been filed with the Oregon Secretary of State to form Red Light Oregon, Inc., a 50/50 joint venture ("JV") between Halo and Red Light Holland. The JV will be capitalized with US$50,000 from each party, and its initial directors will be Todd Shapiro, Red Light Holland Director and CEO, Sarah Hashkes, Red Light Holland Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Kiran Sidhu, Halo CEO and Director, and Katie Field, Halo President. The JV will monitor ongoing regulatory updates regarding Oregon's Measure 109, appoint a management team, and develop a commercialization strategy in due course.

Red Light Holland and Halo Collective Create Red Light Oregon, Inc. - Forwarding Intentions to Enter Oregon Medicinal Psychedelic Market (CNW Group/Halo Collective Inc.)

"We are delighted to take this next step with Halo. We now have the entity and team in place to begin laying the groundwork for potential future participation in the Oregon Psychedelic Magic Mushroom market." Said Todd Shapiro, CEO, and Director of Red Light Holland. "Kiran and his team have extensive experience working with Oregon regulators, and we could not be more excited to have them as a partner! We also plan on continually monitoring other future markets opening in the USA as the movement, both socially and from a therapeutic/medicinal level promoting the acceptance of psilocybin via legal, policy and regulatory measures rapidly progress."

"We have been diligently studying the anticipated market growth for psychedelic products and the potential benefits for consumers. Now that Governor Brown appointed a board to oversee Oregon's rollout of psylocibin, Halo, and Red Light decide to take the next step towards implementing our joint venture. Todd is a visionary, and we are thrilled to be working with him and his team to make our dream of manufacturing and serving consumers with these new therapies a reality. The addition of Sarah, Red Light's CTO, to the Board will enable us to stay ahead of the curve utilizing her background in cognitive neuroscience research, immersive technology to develop psychedelic products and consumer offerings. Stay tuned for more updates."

Story continues

Further details will be announced once available and as the contours of the Oregon regulated market begin to take shape.

About Red Light Holland Corp.

The Company is an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale (through existing Smart Shops operators and an advanced e-commerce platform) of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal market within the Netherlands, in accordance with the highest standards, in compliance with all applicable laws.

About Halo Collective

Halo is a leading, vertically integrated cannabis company that cultivates, extracts, manufactures, and distributes quality cannabis flower, oils, and concentrates and has sold approximately nine million grams of oils and concentrates since inception. Halo continues to evolve its business and scale efficiently, partnering with trustworthy leaders in the industry, who value the Company's operational expertise in bringing top-tier products to market. Current growth includes expansion in key U.S. markets, the United Kingdom and Africa, with planned expansion into the Canadian retail market.

Halo is led by a strong, diverse, and innovative management team with deep industry knowledge and blue-chip experience. The Company is currently operating in the United States in California and Oregon. The Company sells cannabis products principally to dispensaries under its brands, Hush, Mojave, and Exhale, and under partnership or license with OG DNA Genetics, Terphogz (doing business as Zkittlez) and FlowerShop*, a cannabis lifestyle and conceptual wellness brand in which G-Eazy is a partner and key member of Flowershop*.

As part of continued expansion and vertical integration in the U.S., Halo boasts several grow operations throughout Oregon and California. In Oregon, the Company has a combined 7 acres of outdoor cultivation, including East Evans Creek, a six-acre grow site in Jackson County, and Winberry Farms, a one-acre grow site located 30 miles outside Eugene in Lane County. In California, the Company is building out Ukiah Ventures; a planned 30,000-square-foot indoor grow, processing, and manufacturing facility including up to an additional five acres of industrial land to expand. Recently, Halo partnered with Green Matter Holding to purchase Bar X Ranch in Lake County, developing up to 80 acres of cultivation which would comprise the largest grow in Northern California.

Internationally, the Company's subsidiary Bophelo Bioscience & Wellness (Pty) Ltd. ("Bophelo") is currently cultivating cannabis in Lesotho, which holds one of the most extensive marijuana cultivation licenses in Africa with a future capacity of up to 495 acres. To further Halo's global presence, the Company has recently acquired CBPM importation and distribution licensing in the United Kingdom via cannabis suppliers Canmart Ltd ("Canmart"). Halo expects the cultivation and manufacturing operations of Bophelo, combined with the importation and distribution capabilities of Canmart, to drive a well-positioned business to serve the U.K. market.

The Company also has acquired a range of software development assets, including technology platforms CannPOS, Cannalift, and, more recently, CannaFeels. Halo also owns the discrete sublingual dosing technology, Accudab. The Company intends to spin-off these assets along with its intellectual property and patent application into Halo Tek, which is planned to be its own public company by way of a return of capital to Halo's shareholders.

For further information regarding Halo, see Halo's disclosure documents on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Connect with Halo Collective: Email | Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. 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 Red Light Holland and Halo'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", 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". The forward-looking information and forward- looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, information the timing and other aspects of the joint venture with Halo Collective, and the proposed joint venture. Although each of Red Light Holland and Halo 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 the joint venture with will proceed, or if it does proceed it will reflect the understanding of the parties as of the date of this release. 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.

Red Light Holland Corp. is an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale (through existing Smart Shops operators and an advanced e-commerce platform) of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal market within the Netherlands, in accordance with the highest standards, in compliance with all applicable laws. Website: https://redlighttruffles.com (CNW Group/Halo Collective Inc.)

www.haloco.com (CNW Group/Halo Collective Inc.)

SOURCE Halo Collective Inc.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2021/27/c9568.html
Samuel Ayeh-Paye, former Member of Parliament for Ayensuano constituency, has cautioned the people who assist illegal miners to stop their act immediately.



Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, Samuel Ayeh-Paye reminded Ghanaians of the hazards associated with illegal mining.



Making emphatic mention of how illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, has contaminated the waterbodies and polluted communities where the activities are carried out, he advised all and sundry to join hands with t he Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor to end the menace.



The Minister has indicated that he will stop at nothing to end illegal mining in the country.



"We plead with those who help the galamseyers to stop and support the President to eradicate it," Ayeh-Paye appealed.







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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New Delhi: France on Tuesday announced that it is sending to India oxygen generators, liquid oxygen containers, ventilators and other medical supplies by air and sea to support the country in its fight against surging coronavirus cases.

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said it is carrying out an "exceptional solidarity mission" to assist Indian people following a call for support by French President Emmanuel Macron.

"France and India have always stood by each other's side in difficult times. This solidarity is at the core of our strategic partnership and the friendship between the Indian and the French peoples," it said.

India is reeling under a devastating wave of coronavirus infections and hospitals across the country are facing acute shortage of beds, medical oxygen and other supplies due to rising COVID-19 cases.

The US, Germany, Britain, Australia, Singapore, Israel and several other countries as well as the World Health Organisation and the European Union have already announced urgent medical assistance to India to help it deal with the situation.

"At the request of the President of the French Republic, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is fully mobilised to carry out an exceptional solidarity mission in support of the Indian people, who have been severely affected by the COVID-19 epidemic," the ministry said.

"Coordinated by the ministry's Crisis and Support Centre and carried out by the Embassy of France in India, the mission will involve shipping by air and sea freight by the end of this week," it said in a statement.

French ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain said the "massive solidarity mission" is being supported by the European Union and French companies present in India.

"This massive solidarity mission, initiated at Prez @EmmanuelMacron's request, is supported by French companies present in India and the EU. It aims to both respond to the emergency and boost the long-term resilience of India's healthcare system," he said in a tweet.

The French foreign ministry said the medical supplies will include eight oxygen generators, each capable of uninterrupted supply of oxygen for a 250-bed hospital for nearly 10 years.

"Each unit can uninterruptedly supply a 250-bed hospital. Its oxygen output can fulfil the needs of 15 critically ill COVID-19 patients in an ICU (or 30 patients in the ICU of a conventional hospital) or 150 patients on oxygen therapy in a conventional hospital facility. These oxygen generators also include ramps for filling oxygen cylinders," it said.

The ministry said five containers of liquid medical oxygen are being sent as part of the first instalment, adding they are capable of supplying medical oxygen to up to 10,000 patients per day.

France is also sending to India 28 ventilators and their consumables, as well as 200 electric syringe pumps.

The ministry said the supplies are being sent in response to the needs expressed by India's authorities and they are intended to not only to address the emergency but also to significantly boost capabilities of Indian hospitals to "treat the sick and fight the pandemic".

It said the package is part of the support announced on Sunday by the European Union under its Civil Protection Mechanism.

On Friday, French President Macron expressed solidarity with India and offered his country's support to it.

"I want to send a message of solidarity to the Indian people, facing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. France is with you in this struggle, which spares no-one. We stand ready to provide our support," Macron said.
The US Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai met top vaccine makers to discuss the proposed waivers to some provisions of the World Trade Organizations (WTOs) Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement in light of Covid-19. Earlier today, Ambassador Tai continued her engagement with stakeholders on vaccine production and global health issues. She met virtually with executives from Pfizer and AstraZeneca about increasing global vaccine production and the proposed TRIPS waiver. Tai emphasised her commitment to working with WTO members on a global pandemic response that addresses critical gaps in global vaccine production and distribution, a spokesperson said in a tweet on Tuesday. The development comes a day after US President said he is determined to help India in its time of need.

On Sunday, the US said it would immediately provide raw materials required for the manufacture of Covid-19 vaccines, ventilators, personal protective equipment, oxygen generation, and related supply to help India battle the second wave. Besides, business groups such as US-India Business Council and chief executives of over 40 companies announced a Global Task Force on Pandemic Response: Mobilising for India, to help provide critical medical supplies, vaccines, oxygen and other life-saving assistance. Even as several nations have offered to help India by sending medical supplies, some developed nations, including the US and UK, have continued to oppose the temporary waiver. India and South Africa, along with 57 other WTO members, have co-sponsored a proposal for temporary waiver of certain provisions of the TRIPS agreement, such that more countries get equitable access to vaccines. In the past, India had reiterated that a temporary waiver is not intended to take away protection given to pharma companies and focuses only on Covid-19 vaccines, associated medicines, and cure. The waiver, if adopted, will help nations overcome legal barriers stopping them from coming up with their own vaccines. In a telephonic conversation with Biden on Monday, Prime Minister informed him about Indias initiative at the WTO, in order to ensure quick and affordable access to vaccines and medicines for developing countries. Meanwhile, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged member nations to support India as it continues to battle the second wave of the pandemic. India unselfishly exported over 40 per cent of her vaccines. Timely for India to get this support, the WTO DG said in a tweet on Tuesday. She also called upon nations to firm up resolution of the TRIPS waiver request proposed six months ago.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 19:40:28|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a message of condolences to Iraqi President Barham Salih over the recent fire accident that caused heavy casualties in an Iraqi hospital.

In his message, Xi, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, expressed deep condolences over the victims, and extended sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and those injured. Enditem
Two people died on Sunday after a suicidal man jumped off a building in San Diego, California, and landed on top of a woman.

The San Diego Police Department said the 29-year-old woman, identified as Taylor Kahle, was only walking home with a friend after eating dinner in the city's downtown when she was struck, the Washington Examiner reported.

Police Sgt. Dave Yu said the incident happened at J. Street and Tenth Avenue near Petco park at around 7:30 p.m., The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Yu noted that Taylor Kahle was pronounced dead at the scene, while the man, who was walking with her, was not harmed.

He also said that the man who jumped off a parking structure was taken to a hospital but was later pronounced dead.

READ NEXT: Couple Commits Suicide Pact With 5-Month-Old Infant After Dad Was Diagnosed With Incurable Cancer

Woman Dies After San Diego Man Lands on Her

NBC San Diego reported that Taylor Kahle was about to celebrate her 30th birthday this weekend.

Police said Kahle had just had pizza across the street with her date, who was walking beside her when the incident occurred. Authorities noted that Kahle and the San Diego suicidal man did not know each other.

Investigators have yet to confirm from which level of the parking structure the man was when he jumped. The name of the San Diego suicidal man and age were not released.

"It's hard to believe that something so senseless could take an innocent person," Dean Williams, a co-worker of Taylor Kahle at McFarlane Promotions in the Gaslamp, told NBC 7.

San Diego Police Department officer John Buttle described the incident as an "unfortunate occurrence." A makeshift memorial was arranged in the Gaslamp Quarter, where the tragic incident occurred.

"The photo we put up for her with a smile - that's the one thing she always had, always, no matter what," said Williams, who described the incident as "a triple tragedy."

Meanwhile, Kahle's father was devastated yet grateful for the year during the pandemic because her daughter lived with him.

Suicides in California

Aside from rocky coastlines and breathtaking forests, California carries another reputation: suicides. Cal Matters noted that the pressures of the pandemic, racial tensions, mega-fires, and economic downturn are amplifying the said issue.

"We are very concerned about the layering of multiple stresses on the people of California," said Assistant Deputy Director Jim Kooler. Kooler is associated with California's Department of Health Care Services.

COVID-19 was identified to bring a "raft of intense" new stressors while removing many of the resources people have used to cope with the stress.

"Suicide is preventable," said Mark Reger, Ph.D., adding that coming up with safety plans appropriate for the pandemic and advocating for improved mental health services could mitigate the risk.

California has a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that offers support for people in distress. Call 1-800-273-8255 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

READ MORE: Psychologist Mom Killed Twin Daughters Before Committing Suicide

WATCH: Better Ways to Prevent Suicide - From American Psychological Association
BRUSSELS - EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said the deaths of 130 people in the Mediterranean in recent days is a "European tragedy".



"We have to do everything to save lives. That's why we need the New Pact on Migration and Asylum to become operational," she said, presenting the first EU strategy on voluntary repatriation and reinsertion of migrants adopted by the European Commission.



The strategy proposes practical measures based on seven pillars, including strengthening the operational and judicial framework, improving the quality of programmes, and strengthening cooperation with partner countries.



The initatives include nominating a coordinator, who will be supported by a network of representatives from EU member states.



The EU will also work on the creation of partnerships with third countries, leveraging the new code on visas.



European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas, explaining the initiative, said the EU is "building a new ecosystem on repatriations" of migrants.



"The strategy on voluntary 'removals' and reinsertion is another piece of that puzzle, which will develop a more uniform and coordinated approach among states to unlock their full potential," Schinas said.



"The European Union has not done well so far on repatriations.



Only about a third of those decided on have been carried out.



Among the reasons for this failure are the lack of readmissions," he said.



"Only about a third of people without the right to stay in the EU go back to their country of origin, and of those who do, less than 30% do so voluntarily," Johansson said.



"Voluntary repatriations are always the best option. They put the focus on the individual, they are more effective and less costly," she said.



According to the European Parliament's research service, voluntary repatriation costs less than forced repatriation.



It is estimated that a forced removal costs on average 3,414 euros, compared to 560 euros for a voluntary one, and 2,500 euros from a transit country.
International

Clashes erupt in Myanmar; junta to consider ASEAN plan

Smoke rises from a Myanmar army camp near the border of Myanmar and Thailand on Tuesday. Ethnic Karen guerrillas said they captured a Myanmar army base. (Transborder News vis AP)

Bangkok, Apr 27 (Reuters) | Publish Date: 4/27/2021 1:15:10 PM IST

Fighting erupted in eastern Myanmar near the Thai border early on Tuesday as ethnic minority Karen insurgents attacked an army outpost in some of the most intense clashes since a February 1 coup plunged Myanmar into crisis.

The clash came as the junta, in an apparent set-back for an attempt by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to end Myanmars turmoil, said it would positively consider the blocs suggestions made at a weekend meeting in Indonesia.

Southeast Asian leaders said on the weekend they had reached a consensus with the junta on steps to end violence and promote dialogue between the rival Myanmar sides.

The Karen National Union (KNU), Myanmars oldest rebel force, said it had captured the army camp on the west bank of the Salween river, which forms the border with Thailand in the area.

Villagers on the Thai side of the river said heavy gunfire started before sunrise. Video posted on social media showed flames and smoke on the forested hillside.

KNU forces had taken the outpost at around 5 am to 6 am (2230 to 2330 GMT), the groups head of foreign affairs, Saw Taw Nee, told Reuters.

He said the camp had been occupied and burned down and that the group was still checking on deaths and casualties. The spokesman said there had been fighting in other locations too, but did not give details.

The Karen Information Center media group said the army base had been overrun. It said villagers had seen seven soldiers running away.

Myanmars army made no immediate comment. It historically proclaimed itself the one institution that can keep the ethnically diverse country of more than 53 million people together, though much of Myanmar has rallied in opposition to its coup.

The army base at the Thai border had been largely surrounded by KNU forces and food had run short there in recent weeks, according to Thai villagers who had contact with the soldiers.

A Thai official in Mae Hong Son province said one person had been lightly wounded in Thailand during the fighting.

The KNU agreed to a ceasefire in 2012, ending their insurgency for autonomy that began shortly after Myanmars independence from Britain in 1948.

But their forces have clashed with the army since it seized power and cut short a decade of democratic reforms that had also brought relative peace to Myanmars volatile borderlands.

About 24,000 people displaced in recent weeks by violence including military air strikes are sheltering in the jungle, Karen goups say.

Myanmars main ethnic minority forces based in frontier regions have supported the largely urban-based pro-democracy opponents of the junta, whose security forces have killed more than 750 civilians protesting against the coup, according to an activist group.

Elsewhere in Myanmar, there have been relatively few reports of bloodshed since the weekend meeting between junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and Southeast Asian leaders to try to find a way out of the crisis.

The junta, in its first official comment on the meeting, said it would give careful consideration to constructive suggestions  when the situation returns to stability.

The suggestions would be positively considered if they facilitated the juntas own roadmap, and serves the interests of the country and was based on purposes and principles enshrined in ASEAN, it said in a statement.

The junta did not refer to one of ASEANs long-cherished principles of non-interference in each others affairs.

After the weekend meeting, ASEAN issued a so-called five-point consensus on steps to end the violence and initiate talks between the Myanmar rivals.

Activists have criticised the plan saying it helped to legitimise the junta and fell far short of their demands.

In particular, it did not specifically call for the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, 75, and other political prisoners. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners advocacy group says more than 3,400 people have been detained for opposing the coup.

Suu Kyis party won a second term in November. The election commission said the vote was fair but the military said fraud at the polls had forced it to seize power.

Myanmar media reported at least one man was shot dead in the city of Mandalay on Monday. The circumstances were unclear.

Protesters have vowed to step up action against the junta and have called on people to stop paying electricity bills and agricultural loans and to keep their children away from school.

Education staff and students are strongly encouraged to join the boycott and stand together by not attending school, protest leader Ei Thinzar Maung posted on social media.
WASHINGTON, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) today hailed the introduction of bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate that would give tens of millions of Medicare patients in medically underserved communities access to critically needed primary health care services delivered by pharmacists.

The Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Area Enhancement Act was introduced today by Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The bill would enable pharmacists to deliver Medicare Part B services that are already authorized by their respective state laws. These services may include:

Leading pharmacy groups applaud legislation to expand pharmacists' services to Medicare patients Tweet this

Medication management

Management of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, and related medications

Cholesterol testing

Point of care testing (e.g., COVID-19, influenza, strep)

Immunization screening and administration not currently covered by Medicare Part B and D

Tobacco cessation services

Transition of care services

The legislation does not expand scope of practice, but brings Medicare rules in alignment with existing authorities already granted to pharmacists by many states and health care organizations through credentialing and privileging programs.

Similar legislation, H.R. 2759, was introduced in the U.S. House last week by Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) and Rep. David McKinley (R-WV).

Pharmacists have advanced education and training to deliver these patient care services, but unlike many states in the nation, Medicare does not recognize and reimburse them for such services. Pharmacists earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree that includes six years to eight years of higher education to complete. Many pharmacists also complete one to two years of post-graduate residency training and become certified in a specialty by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties.

A strong body of evidence has shown that including pharmacists on interprofessional patient care teams with physicians, nurses, and other health care providers produces better health outcomes and cost savings. Pharmacists are one of the most accessible health care providers in the nation, with nearly 90% of Americans living within five miles of one of the nation's 88,000 pharmacies .

"A lot of people in rural Iowa have easier access to a pharmacist than a doctor," said Sen. Grassley. "Where that pharmacist is licensed to provide a service, Medicare ought to pay the pharmacist for it. That's what this bill does. It's good for pharmacists because they get paid for providing services to rural seniors. And it's good for rural seniors because they keep access to their local pharmacist and don't have to go to the doctor for straightforward medication management."

"The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has further illustrated how difficult it is for some patients living in medically underserved communities to access care and achieve optimal medication therapy outcomes," said ASHP CEO Paul W. Abramowitz, PharmD, ScD (Hon.), FASHP. "This legislation recognizes that pharmacists can play an integral role in addressing these longstanding disparities and helps ensure that our most vulnerable patients can access the care they need."

Scott J. Knoer, MS, PharmD, FASHP, executive vice president and CEO of the American Pharmacists Association, said, "Like the House's action last week, the Senate's bipartisan action today generates even more momentum to recognizing that pharmacists are already critical members of the health care team, and should be appropriately compensated for their work. It's time for Medicare to get with the program and recognize what many states have already learned  pharmacists provide great care."

About the American Pharmacists Association

The American Pharmacists Association is the largest association of pharmacists in the United States advancing the entire pharmacy profession. Our expert staff, and strong volunteer leadership, including many experienced pharmacists, allow us to deliver vital leadership to help pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians find success and satisfaction in their work, while advocating for changes that benefit them, their patients and their communities. For more information, please visit www.pharmacist.com.

About ASHP

ASHP is the collective voice of pharmacists who serve as patient care providers in hospitals, health systems, ambulatory clinics, and other healthcare settings spanning the full spectrum of medication use.

SOURCE APhA and ASHP

Related Links

https://www.pharmacist.com/


The Florida Keys will soon be buzzing with close to a billion 'fraken-squitoes'  gene-hacked mosquitoes aimed at eradicating a disease carrying mosquito.

The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) and Oxitec, a British biotech company, are starting the first-ever U.S. release of genetically engineered (GE) Aedes aegypti mosquitoes this week, which will see up to a billion over a two-year period.

The project aims to reduce the numbers of Aedes aegypti, one of several mosquito species that can carry diseases including dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever.

Floridians, however, are calling on the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to end 'this live experiment' saying they are being subjected to terrorism by the FKMCD.

The trial is set to begin this week, with the first phase releasing up to 144,000 GE mosquitoes over the next 12 weeks. Ultimately, up to a billion will be released in Monroe County.

The GE mosquitos, developed by Oxitect, have been modified to pass on a particular protein when they mate, which ensures female offspring do not survive the next generation.

With fewer females in each subsequent generation, the researchers hope overall mosquito populations in the region will decrease along with transmission rates of disease passed through mosquito bites.
Vicky Pattison has revealed she is the 'sexiest' she has 'ever felt' after overhauling her lifestyle following a year of lockdown.

The reality star, 33, admitted she became sluggish during Britain's coronavirus restrictions but has made some big lifestyle changes now life is returning to normal.

Speaking to The Sun, she said: 'I lost a real sense of myself in past year. This lockdown was definitely the hardest. Its inspired me to come out and make some changes with my life.

Confident: Vicky Pattison has revealed she is the 'sexiest' she has 'ever felt' after overhauling her lifestyle following a year of lockdown

'I feel like a sassy new woman. Its almost like I have broken up with lockdown. I am the sexiest Ive ever felt.'

Vicky was a size six eight years ago and would obsess over exercise and calories but now feels much happier at her current size, around a 10 or 12.

The former Geordie Shore star said she is naturally 'curvy' but tried to make her body into something it didn't naturally want to be.

She said: 'As someone who spent a large portion of her life calorie-counting and watching what she ate, it feels really liberating to take the stand and say, "Im 33, Im never going to be a size six, Ive got boobs and a bum and Ive got no apology about that."'

Change: Vicky was a size 6 eight years ago and would obsess over exercise and calories but now feels much happier at her current size, around a 10 or 12 (pictured in 2014)

Vicky has found love with boyfriend Ercan Ramadan, with the pair moving into their dream home together earlier this month.

In 2018, Vicky called off her engagement to fellow Geordie Shore star John Noble after a video surfaced of him flirting with another woman.

The media personality acknowledged she has been guilty of 'rushing relationships' in the past and staying in relationships that were 'toxic'.

Vicky also admitted she felt pressure to settle down and have kids when she turned 30 but wants women to know that if they are unhappy in themselves, finding a man won't make it better.

Vicky said: 'I feel like a sassy new woman. Its almost like I have broken up with lockdown. I am the sexiest Ive ever felt'

The former I'm A Celebrity winner said people must learn to embrace who they are first, which is where confidence comes from.

It comes after Vicky credited Ercan for helping her adopt a 'positive' mindset after a string of failed relationships.

The star reflected on being 'notoriously unlucky in love' in the past before she met her partner of two years during this week's PrettyLittleThing Behind Closed Doors podcast.

She said: 'I look at my life with these really, fresh excited eyes like his eyes.

Her rock: Vicky has found love with boyfriend Ercan Ramadan, with the pair moving into their dream home together earlier this month

'I think I'm that notoriously unlucky in love girl aren't I and everybody's kind of seen my relationship break downs and they have unfortunately been very public.

'So to finally see me happy with a very nice normal man is I think gives a lot of ladies hope like I don't mind being that sort of beacon for single women everything, I'll wear that crown well.

'Ultimately I just feel really happy at the minute, I do credit Ercan an awful lot for this really positive change in me. We can't help but change a little bit when we get into relationships, we become a little bit like our partner.'

Past: In 2018, Vicky called off her engagement to fellow Geordie Shore star John Noble after a video surfaced of him flirting with another woman

The influencer continued: 'There's a saying that you become very similar to the five closest people you spend time with and I've always found that whenever I'm going out with someone I adopt some of there characteristics.

'I'm obviously just a very fickle person but with Ercan I've found such an equal, he's so kind and so loyal and so hard working and just really humble. I've found myself adopting those qualities more.

'Certain partners I've had in the past were entitled and ungrateful and potentially mean so I found those qualities were exacerbated in myself and I became a version of myself I didn't like, being with Ercan has really turned things around.'
COLUMBIA  A new Senate rule requiring the public disclosure of more than $100 million in special projects is expected to liven up this week's budget fight, with legislators potentially needing to convince their colleagues their requests are worthy of state tax dollars.

Senators begin floor debate on a $10 billion spending proposal April 27 while facing a four-page list of earmarks that includes parks, civic centers, festivals and charities.

Such local funding has for years been hidden  rolled up in vaguely worded chunks of spending that few know about until months after the budget passes, if ever. But criticism from other lawmakers and the public prompted senators in January to adopt a new rule requiring the listing of any spending not requested by an agency  as well as who asked for it  before the floor debate kicks off.

Amounts in the list from the Senate Finance Committee include $19 million each toward convention center expansions in Greenville and Columbia, $300,000 for a boat ramp in Greenwood County, and $25,000 to the Phillis Wheatley Community Center in Greenville.

Most of South Carolina's 46 senators got at least one earmark in the spending package, according to the list that includes 90 earmarks in all.

"I do think its transparency, and transparency is the first step in change," said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, who pushed for the rule.

The Edgefield Republican is among just 15 senators with no earmark in the proposal. Massey said he didn't ask for any.

"I think it will lead to debate on earmarks," he said of the list. "My suspicion is it will lead to people squirming in their seats and maybe some unpleasant conversations because of it."

Questioned about which he planned to raise questions over, Massey said, "Most of the ones in there I don't like. I'm disappointed by all the pork."

Senate Finance put its proposal together after a revenue update made more than $1 billion available specifically for one-time spending. That surplus is how the earmarks are funded.

Some lawmakers defend the practice as equalizing out the needs. Sen. Thomas McElveen said earmarks are a way for rural South Carolina to get much-needed state help that otherwise largely goes to urban centers, and he has no problem explaining that.

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"I understand why folks would raise their eyebrows," he said about a $15 million earmark he co-sponsored to renovate the Sumter Opera House. Gov. Henry McMaster included that spending in his budget proposal too, he noted.

"Any request I put in is good for my constituents. It doesn't bother me in the slightest," McElveen said about the potential scrutiny. "There should be criticism. We need to be accountable."

His other earmarks in the list include $1.5 million to finish a greenway across Sumter, and $50,000 for the Black Cowboy Festival, which he said brings attention and tourist dollars to tiny Rembert.

If legislators are seeking money for the right reasons, then justifying the spending publicly upfront could actually help the item survive McMaster's veto pen, Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, said.

When McMaster vetoes a vaguely worded spending package that no one has publicly explained  and almost no one knows what's in it, including fellow senators  then it's impossible to say, "I laid out my case" when seeking an override, he said.

Davis' earmarks include $1.5 million to bring per-student spending at the University of South Carolina at Beaufort in line with the statewide average at other public colleges.

Also in the Senate Finance package is his request to send $750,000 to New Morning Foundation, which distributes free birth control to women to reduce unwanted pregnancies. Davis began championing easy access to birth control earlier this year as part of the debate over banning most abortions. While the anti-abortion law was pushed through, it's been blocked by the courts.

Sen. Stephen Goldfinch said he looks at the listing as an "advertisement to my constituents I'm doing work at home."

"I wouldn't ask for it if I didn't think it was worthy," the Murrells Inlet Republican said.

His earmarks include $250,000 to help archaeologists pinpoint in Winyah Bay a would-be-first Spanish colony, if it had lasted beyond a few short months in 1526, and $200,000 to provide field laptops to state National Guard attorneys.

McMaster spokesman Brian Symmes called the pre-floor-debate listing a step in the right direction. The governor, who consistently vetoes the rolled-up earmarks, still wants legislators to set up a competitive grant process to let the individual agencies decide which projects are most deserving. And he's skeptical the final budget that reaches his desk weeks from now will still separately list whatever makes it through House and Senate negotiations.

"Any effort to increase transparency in the budgeting process is a win for South Carolina," Symmes said, adding the governor still believes letting agency leaders make the decisions is the best way to handle such grants.
Just one in four people suffer mild side effects after taking a coronavirus vaccine, real-world data has shown.

Data from the ZOE Covid Symptom Tracking Study  a surveillance tool that tracks Britain's outbreak  showed headaches, fatigue and fever were more common with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

A third of recipients suffered mild side effects after their first dose, compared to 13.5 per cent for Pfizer's rival jab. However, Pfizer's top-up dose caused slightly more side effects (22 per cent).

King's College London scientists also found the effects peaked in the first 24 hours of being vaccinated and usually last two days before fading on their own. Headaches were the most common side effect.

The data released by this study did not include numbers for ultra-rare blood clots in the brain, which have been linked to the AstraZeneca jab.

Lead researcher Professor Tim Spector said the results of the study should 'reassure many people that in the real world, after effects of the vaccine are usually mild and short-lived'.

Just one in four people suffer mild side effects from AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines, real-world data from the ZOE Covid Symptom Study and King's College London shows - 66% less than clinical trials suggested

Pictured: Matt Willis is vaccinated by his wife Emma while volunteering for St John Ambulance today

Experimental trials for the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines last year suggested mild side effects were far more common for both company's jabs.

Pfizer's clinical Phase 3 trial showed 77.4 per cent of people experienced at least one systemic side effect after their first jab.

And AstraZeneca's trials suggested 75.8 per cent of people suffered mild systemic side effects after a first vaccination.

The MHRA says one in 10 people suffer headaches, chills, feverish symptoms and nausea after taking the vaccine.

The positive data comes as England opened up the vaccine roll-out to people aged over-42, with 1.3million more people invited to take their first vaccine.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was 'excited' to have his first jab now that people in his own age range would be receiving invitations for a vaccine.

More than 33.9million people have now had a first dose of the vaccine in the UK, with a quarter now fully vaccinated.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE-EFFECTS OF THE ASTRAZENECA COVID VACCINE? The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has listed the below as side-effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Very Common (may affect more than one in 10 people) Tenderness, pain, warmth, itching or bruising where injection is given;

Generally feeling unwell;

Feeling tired (fatigue);

Chills or feeling feverish;

Headache;

Feeling sick (nausea);

Joint pain or muscle ache. Common (may affect up to one in 10 people) Swelling, redness or lump at the injection site;

Fever;

Being sick (vomiting) or diarrhoea;

Flu-like symptoms, such as high temperature, sore throat, runny nose, cough and chills. Uncommon (may affect up to one in 100 people) Rash, excessive sweating or itchy skin.

Feeling dizzy;

Decreased appetite;

Abdominal pain;

Enlarged lymph nodes; Source: MHRA Advertisement

The ZOE study, published in Lancet Infectious Diseases today, showed that 25.4 per cent of vaccinated people reported mild systemic side effects  side effects that are not located in the area a person was injected.

Systemic effects included headache, fatigue, chills and shiver, diarrhoea, fever, arthralgia (joint pain), myalgia (muscle pain), and nausea.

Local side-effects  where the injection took place  included arm pain, swelling, tenderness, redness, itch, warmth and swollen armpit glands.

The data comes from 627,383 users of the Zoe Covid Symptom Study app who self-reported systemic and local effects within eight days of receiving one or two doses of the Pfizer vaccine or one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine between December 8 and March 10.

Headaches were the most common side effect for both vaccines, with 22.8 per cent of AstraZeneca recipients reporting it. Some 7.8 per cent of people reported suffering from headaches after the first Pfizer dose and 13.2 per cent after the second Pfizer dose.

People who had been infected with Covid before were three times as likely to have full-body side effects from the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine as those who had not suffered with a known infection before.

They were also twice as likely to experience the effects as those having a first dose of AstraZeneca's jab.

The study also showed that side effects were most common in people aged under-55 and in women.

Professor Spector said: 'The data should reassure many people that in the real world, after effects of the vaccine are usually mild and short-lived, especially in the over-50s who are most at risk of the infection.

'Rates of new disease are at a new low in the UK according to the ZOE app, due to a combination of social measures and vaccination and we need to continue this successful strategy to cover the remaining population'.

'The results also show up to 70 per cent protection after three weeks following a single dose, which is fantastic news for the country, especially as more people have now had their second jabs.'

Dr Cristina Menni, first author of the study from King's College London added the study should help 'allay safety concerns' about both companies' vaccines.

She said: 'Our results support the aftereffects safety of both vaccines with fewer side effects in the general population than reported in the Pfizer and AstraZeneca experimental trials and should help allay safety concerns of people willing to get vaccinated.'
Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) voted 7 to 2 in favor of maintaining accelerated approval of Tecentriq (atezolizumab) in combination with chemotherapy (Abraxane , albumin-bound paclitaxel; nab-paclitaxel) for the treatment of adults with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) whose tumors express PD-L1, as determined by an FDA-approved test. Today's ODAC meeting is part of an industry-wide review of accelerated approvals with confirmatory trials that have not met their primary endpoint(s) and have yet to gain regular approvals. The advisory committee provides the FDA with independent opinions and recommendations from outside medical experts, though the recommendations are not binding. The FDA has not announced when it will make its final decision for Tecentriq in this indication.

"People with triple-negative breast cancer have few treatment options, which is why today's committee decision to recognize the importance of this Tecentriq combination is significant," said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. "We are grateful to the FDA and ODAC for the open dialogue and look forward to continued collaboration to improve the lives of people with breast cancer."

The FDA's Accelerated Approval Program allows for conditional approval of a medicine that fills an unmet medical need for a serious condition, with specific postmarketing requirements (PMRs) to confirm the clinical benefit and convert to regular approval.

Tecentriq was granted accelerated approval in March 2019 for the treatment of adults with PD-L1-positive, unresectable locally advanced or mTNBC based on the positive progression-free survival (PFS) results from the IMpassion130 study. Continued approval for this indication was contingent upon the results of IMpassion131, the PMR for the mTNBC indication. This study did not meet its primary endpoint of PFS for the initial (first-line) treatment of people with mTNBC in the PD-L1-positive population. As the clinically meaningful benefit demonstrated in the IMpassion130 study remains, Genentech looks forward to continuing to work with the FDA to determine next steps with regard to Tecentriq in this indication.

Genentech remains committed to following the science to better understand cancer, including which patients may benefit most from immunotherapy treatment. Tecentriq has already demonstrated its transformational role in areas of high medical need and is a first in class medicine approved for particularly difficult to treat cancers. Tecentriq's extensive development program includes multiple ongoing and planned Phase III studies across different lung, genitourinary, skin, breast, gastrointestinal, gynecological, and head and neck cancers. This includes studies evaluating Tecentriq both alone and in combination with other medicines, as well as studies in metastatic, adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings.

Tomorrow, on April 28th, the ODAC will discuss Tecentriq's accelerated approval for the treatment of people with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC, bladder cancer) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.

About triple-negative breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. According to the American Cancer Society, close to 285,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and more than 44,000 will die from the disease in 2021. Breast cancer is not one, but many diseases based on the biology of each tumor. In triple-negative breast cancer, tumor cells lack hormone receptors and do not have excess HER2 protein. Approximately 15 percent of breast cancers are triple-negative based on the results of diagnostic tests. It is an aggressive form of the disease with few treatment options.

About Tecentriq (atezolizumab)

Tecentriq is a monoclonal antibody designed to bind with a protein called PD-L1. Tecentriq is designed to bind to PD-L1 expressed on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, blocking its interactions with both PD-1 and B7.1 receptors. By inhibiting PD-L1, Tecentriq may enable the re-activation of T cells. Tecentriq may also affect normal cells.

Tecentriq U.S. Indications

Tecentriq is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with:

A type of bladder and urinary tract cancer called urothelial carcinoma.

Tecentriq may be used in patients with urothelial carcinoma if their bladder cancer has spread or cannot be removed by surgery, and if they have any one of the following conditions:

They are not able to take chemotherapy that contains a medicine called cisplatin and their cancer tests positive for "PD-L1", or

They are not able to take chemotherapy that contains any platinum regardless of the levels of "PD-L1" status

The approval of Tecentriq in these patients is based on a study that measured response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this use may depend on the results of an ongoing study to confirm benefit.

A type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Tecentriq may be used alone as the first treatment in patients with lung cancer if:

Their cancer has spread or grown, and

Their cancer tests positive for "high PD-L1", and

Their tumor does not have an abnormal "EGFR" or "ALK" gene.

Tecentriq may be used with the medicines bevacizumab, paclitaxel, and carboplatin as the first treatment in patients with lung cancer if:

Their cancer has spread or grown, and

Is a type of lung cancer called "non-squamous NSCLC", and

Their tumor does not have an abnormal "EGFR" or "ALK" gene.

Tecentriq may be used with the medicines paclitaxel protein-bound and carboplatin as the first treatment in patients with lung cancer if:

Their cancer has spread or grown, and

Is a type of lung cancer called "non-squamous NSCLC", and

Their tumor does not have an abnormal "EGFR" or "ALK" gene.

Tecentriq may be used alone in patients with lung cancer if:

Their cancer has spread or grown, and

They have tried chemotherapy that contains platinum, and it did not work or is no longer working.

If a patient's tumor has an abnormal "EGFR" or "ALK" gene, they should have also tried an FDA-approved therapy for tumors with these abnormal genes, and it did not work or is no longer working.

A type of breast cancer called triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Tecentriq may be used with the medicine paclitaxel protein-bound in patients with TNBC when their breast cancer:

Has spread or cannot be removed by surgery, and

Their cancer tests positive for "PD-L1".

The approval of Tecentriq in these patients is based on a study that measured the amount of time until patients' disease worsened. Continued approval for this use may depend on the results of an ongoing study to confirm benefit.

Tecentriq is not for use with the medicine paclitaxel (a different medicine than paclitaxel protein-bound) in patients with TNBC when their breast cancer has spread or cannot be removed by surgery.

A type of lung cancer called small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Tecentriq may be used with the chemotherapy medicines carboplatin and etoposide as the first treatment in patients with SCLC when their lung cancer:

is a type called "extensive-stage small cell lung cancer," which means that it has spread or grown.

A type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tecentriq may be used with the medicine bevacizumab in patients with HCC if

Their cancer has spread or cannot be removed by surgery, and

They have not received other medicines by mouth or injection through their vein (IV) to treat their cancer.

A type of skin cancer called melanoma. Tecentriq may be used with the medicines cobimetinib and vemurafenib in patients with melanoma when their skin cancer:

has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be removed by surgery, and

has a certain type of abnormal "BRAF" gene. Healthcare providers will perform a test to make sure this Tecentriq combination is right for the patient.

It is not known if Tecentriq is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information about Tecentriq?

Tecentriq can cause the immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in any area of the body and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become severe or life-threatening and can lead to death. Patients can have more than one of these problems at the same time. These problems may happen anytime during treatment or even after treatment has ended.

Patients should call or see their healthcare provider right away if they develop any new or worse signs or symptoms, including:

Lung problems

Cough

Shortness of breath

Chest pain

Intestinal problems

Diarrhea (loose stools) or more frequent bowel movements than usual

Stools that are black, tarry, sticky, or have blood or mucus

Severe stomach area (abdomen) pain or tenderness

Liver problems

Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes

Severe nausea or vomiting

Pain on the right side of the stomach area (abdomen)

Dark urine (tea-colored)

Bleeding or bruising more easily than normal

Hormone gland problems

Headaches that will not go away or unusual headaches

Eye sensitivity to light

Eye problems

Rapid heartbeat

Increased sweating

Extreme tiredness

Weight gain or weight loss

Changes in mood or behavior, such as decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulness

Feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual

Urinating more often than usual

Hair loss

Feeling cold

Constipation

The voice gets deeper

Dizziness or fainting

Kidney problems

Decrease in the amount of urine

Blood in the urine

Swelling of ankles

Loss of appetite

Skin problems

Rash

Itching

Skin blistering or peeling

Painful sores or ulcers in mouth or nose, throat, or genital area

Fever or flu-like symptoms

Swollen lymph nodes

Problems can also happen in other organs.

These are not all of the signs and symptoms of immune system problems that can happen with Tecentriq. Patients should call or see their healthcare provider right away for any new or worse signs or symptoms, including:

Chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, or swelling of ankles

Confusion, sleepiness, memory problems, changes in mood or behavior, stiff neck, balance problems, tingling or numbness of the arms or legs

Double vision, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, eye pain, changes in eyesight

Persistent or severe muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps

Low red blood cells, bruising

Infusion reactions that can sometimes be severe or life-threatening. Signs and symptoms of infusion reactions may include:

Chills or shaking

Itching or rash

Flushing

Shortness of breath or wheezing

Dizziness

Feeling like passing out

Fever

Back or neck pain

Complications, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), in people who have received a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic). These complications can be serious and can lead to death. These complications may happen if a patient underwent transplantation either before or after being treated with Tecentriq. A patient's healthcare provider will monitor them for these complications.

Getting medical treatment right away may help keep these problems from becoming more serious. A healthcare provider will check patients for these problems during their treatment with Tecentriq. A healthcare provider may treat patients with corticosteroid or hormone replacement medicines. A healthcare provider may also need to delay or completely stop treatment with Tecentriq if patients have severe side effects.

Before receiving Tecentriq, patients should tell their healthcare provider about all of their medical conditions, including if they:

Have immune system problems such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupus

Have received an organ transplant

Have received or plan to receive a stem cell transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic)

Have received radiation treatment to their chest area

Have a condition that affects the nervous system, such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barre syndrome

Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Tecentriq can harm an unborn baby. Patients should tell their healthcare provider right away if they become pregnant or think they may be pregnant during treatment with Tecentriq. Females who are able to become pregnant: Should have a healthcare provider do a pregnancy test before they start treatment with Tecentriq. Should use an effective method of birth control during their treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose of Tecentriq.

Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Tecentriq passes into breast milk. Patients should not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose of Tecentriq.

Patients should tell their healthcare provider about all the medicines they take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of Tecentriq when used alone include:

Feeling tired or weak

Nausea

Cough

Shortness of breath

Decreased appetite

The most common side effects of Tecentriq when used in lung cancer with other anti-cancer medicines include:

Feeling tired or weak

Nausea

Hair loss

Constipation

Diarrhea

Decreased appetite

The most common side effects of Tecentriq when used in triple-negative breast cancer with paclitaxel protein-bound include:

Decrease in hemoglobin (anemia)

Decreased white blood cells

Hair loss

Tingling or numbness in hands and feet

Feeling tired

Nausea

Diarrhea

Constipation

Cough

Headache

Vomiting

Decreased appetite

The most common side effects of Tecentriq when used in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bevacizumab include:

High blood pressure

Feeling tired or weak

Too much protein in the urine

The most common side effects of Tecentriq when used in melanoma with cobimetinib and vemurafenib include:

Skin rash

Joint, muscle, or bone pain

Feeling tired or weak

Liver injury

Fever

Nausea

Itching

Swelling of legs or arms

Mouth swelling (sometimes with sores)

Low thyroid hormone levels

Sunburn or sun sensitivity

Tecentriq may cause fertility problems in females, which may affect their ability to have children. Patients should talk to their healthcare provider if they have concerns about fertility.

These are not all the possible side effects of Tecentriq. Patients should ask their healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information about the benefits and side effects of Tecentriq.

Report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch. Report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Please visit http://www.Tecentriq.com for the Full Tecentriq Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for additional Important Safety Information.

About Genentech in cancer immunotherapy

Genentech has been developing medicines to redefine treatment in oncology for more than 35 years, and today, realizing the full potential of cancer immunotherapy is a major area of focus. With more than 20 immunotherapy molecules in development, Genentech is investigating the potential benefits of immunotherapy alone, and in combination with various chemotherapies, targeted therapies and other immunotherapies with the goal of providing each person with a treatment tailored to harness their own unique immune system.

In addition to Genentech's approved PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor, the company's broad cancer immunotherapy pipeline includes other checkpoint inhibitors, individualized neoantigen therapies and T cell bispecific antibodies. For more information visit http://www.gene.com/cancer-immunotherapy.

About Genentech

Founded more than 40 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.

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The police officer nearly killed in the Novichok attack has revealed he felt 'overwhelming guilt' after his family were forced to leave their home because he had contaminated it with the nerve agent.

Former Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who is married to his wife, Sarah, with whom he shares two daughters, admitted he first got involved in the 'unique' case because he was 'incredibly nosey' and had heard two people had collapsed.

Giving his first full interview since leaving the force last year, Bailey opened up about the 'prolonged trauma' he still feels following the poisonings in Salisbury three years ago.

Former Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey (seen with his family; including his wife, Sarah, in 2019) admitted he first got involved in the 'unique' case because he was 'incredibly nosey' and had heard two people had collapsed

And he described how after leaving hospital for the first time, following the 'pure panic' of his experience, just going to the supermarket was an activity he struggled to cope with.

Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were left fighting for their lives after they collapsed on a bench in the Wiltshire city on 5 March 2018.

Two intelligence agents from the former Soviet state were later accused of carrying out the attack, which sparked an international outcry.

Ex DS Bailey came into contact with the deadly nerve agent when he and two colleagues searched the Skripal's Salisbury home - where Novichok had been placed on the front door knob.

He ended up in critical condition in hospital, where he was treated for more than a fortnight.

Giving his first full interview since leaving the force last year, Bailey opened up about the 'prolonged trauma' he still feels following the poisonings in Salisbury three years ago

Another woman, Dawn Sturgess, 44, was also poisoned after spraying herself with Novichok contained in a perfume bottle, which had been given to her by her partner Charlie Rowley.

She died after collapsing at Mr Rowley's flat in Amesbury, on 20 June 2018. At first, police believed they had taken contaminated drugs, but tests showed they had been poisoned with the never agent.

Recalling the day of the initial incident, ex DS Bailey said: 'I heard on the radio that there were two people semi conscious slumped on a bench in the Maltings in Salisbury and at that point it wasn't something necessarily that CID were going to be involved in.

'But I'm incredibly nosey and so I thought 'I'll have a wander down and just see'.

'It could be a whole number of factors there, a whole number of issues there, at that point we didn't have a clue what it was.

'We also had the possibility it wasn't a police matter at all it could have just been a medical emergency but you can't take that risk and you look back now and think I'm so glad we, the police, did what we did at that time because it turned into such a significant and serious and very unique incident in Salisbury.'

However, recovering from the physical effects of the attack was just the start of ex DS Bailey's journey.

Personnel in hazmat suits work to secure a tent covering a bench in the Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury in 2018, where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found critically ill

Speaking to the city's Wiltshire College as part of a student project, he continued: 'The trauma for me was a prolonged trauma that then started from the point I was admitted into hospital and all the unknowns we had from there.

'That loss of control over your life that is when it started to get very difficult. I went through a number of emotions and I have done for the last three years.

'I remember feeling pure panic and fear of the unknown because I had been poisoned by this nerve agent and you just don't know where that is going to end.'

Bailey who served in the police for 18 years left the force in October last year because he 'could no longer do the job'.

He spoke candidly about how while he was in hospital he felt 'an overwhelming sense of guilt' because he had unknowingly taken nerve agent back to his family home.

The Skripals having dinner. Bailey who served in the police for 18 years left the force in October last year because he 'could no longer do the job'

Sergei Skripal's house, where the door handle was smeared with Novichok as part of the hit

The family lost the house and everything inside and were later compensated for the loss of the property by Wiltshire Police.

He said: 'There was a lot of fear and a lot of guilt because later on down the line while I was in hospital my family were basically told they had to leave our house because I had accidentally taken nerve agent back and contaminated the house.

'They had to leave because it wasn't safe.

'There was an enormous feeling of guilt that I had unknowingly done this and unintentionally done this. I had this huge overwhelming feeling of guilt around that.'

He admitted that he is still on medication now, three years on from the attack, and initially he struggled to do simple day to day tasks.

Alexander Petrov (left) and Ruslan Boshirov, the Russian military intelligence officers accused of carrying out the poisoning

He added: 'The depression I had [led to me] taking antidepressants which I still take now to keep me on a level. I felt like I couldn't cope with anything, I couldn't cope with day to day things.

'I remember going into a supermarket for the first time after I had been out of hospital and I felt like I couldn't cope with being in there with all these people. I felt so on edge.'

Bailey says he is now looking to write a book and give talks to others who are suffering from trauma and explain how his experiences affected him.

He also offered advice to anyone thinking of joining the police and said: 'Be safe in the knowledge it is ok to be affected by the things you are going to see - you don't have to be a robot.'
The state Senate and House passed more than 750 bills between them last week, addressing isolated timeouts in schools, youth vaping, teaching Muslim history, the commemoration of Juneteenth and automatic voter registration in prisons, among other topics.

Friday was the deadline for the General Assembly to pass bills out of each chamber for consideration in the other chamber. The General Assemblys session is scheduled to end May 31.

Following are a few of the notable bills that passed one chamber last week. To become law  among other pathways  the bills still will need to receive approval from the other chamber and the governor.

Passed the Senate

Senate Bill 512 creates the Youth Vaping Act, which prohibits the use of certain harmful additives in electronic cigarettes  including vitamin E acetate  that are associated with lung illness.

It also would ban the use of deceptive advertising that encourages the use of electronic cigarettes, or vaping, to quit tobacco products, unless the product has U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to market for such use.

It also amends the Prevention of Cigarette Sales to Persons under 21 Years of Age Act to include electronic cigarettes. The bill, sponsored by Lake Forest Democrat Julie Morrison, passed unanimously, 57-0.

Senate Bill 134 creates a Local Journalism Task Force to study areas under-served by local journalism in Illinois and review strategies to improve local news access and public policy solutions to develop more sustainable business models for local media outlets.

The task force would consist of members of the General Assembly, a member appointed by the governor, members from local journalism schools and members representing press groups, including the Illinois Legislative Correspondents Association and the Illinois Broadcasters Association. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Steve Stadelman, a Rockford Democrat who was a television reporter and anchor before joining the General Assembly. It passed 57-0.

Senate Bill 564 amends the Illinois School Code to require that history education taught in public schools in eighth grade include the study of the contributions made by Muslims and Muslim Americans to society.

It also would establish Jan. 17 as a holiday commemorating the birthday of Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest American boxers and a convert to Islam. The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Naperville Democrat Laura Ellman, passed 46-3.

Senate Bill 2129 amends the state criminal code to allow a county states attorney to petition the court to have a persons prison sentence reduced if the original sentence no longer advances the interests of justice, according to the bill.

In its decision to re-sentence, the court can consider the persons disciplinary record while in prison, and whether age, time served or diminished physical condition have reduced the persons risk for future violence, among other factors.

It preserves the rights of crime victims, as afforded under the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act. Sponsored by Chicago Democrat Sen. Robert Peters, the bill passed narrowly by a vote of 31-17.

Passed the House

House Bill 219 requires the State Board of Education to create specific benchmarks for schools to reduce the use of timeout, isolated timeout and physical restraints, with the goal of eliminating the practices within three years.

HB 219 and similar bills to reduce and end isolated timeouts in K-12 public schools were filed in the previous General Assembly in response to an investigation by ProPublica and the Chicago Tribune. The investigation found elementary students were being detained in isolation rooms for minor infractions, and teachers use of these practices often violated the law.

The bill has received bipartisan support and passed out of the House unanimously, 113-0. Rep. Jonathan Carroll, a Northbrook Democrat who sponsored the bill, said HB 219 is the most important bill he has sponsored during his time in the General Assembly. A similar measure passed in the Senate.

House Bill 2928 creates the Relieve College Costs Pilot Program Act to establish a pilot program for a new four-year bachelors degree pathway called the Fundamental Issues and Texts Humanities Degree that has total tuition costs capped at $20,000.

Under the bill, a program director for the new pilot program would develop the curriculum for one high school, one community college and one university that would include foundational texts from western civilization and the Enlightenment. The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Elmhurst Republican Deanne Mazzochi, passed 112-0.

House Bill 3922 would make June 19 an observed state holiday, Juneteenth National Freedom Day, to commemorate the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, to free more than 250,000 enslaved Black people.

A 2003 state law recognized Juneteenth National Freedom Day on the third Saturday in June but did not establish it as a state holiday. The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Chicago Democrat La Shawn Ford, passed 99-0. A similar bill passed in the state Senate.

House Bill 3235 would require the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide individuals with information about obtaining a voter identification card and information about voter registration at least 45 days before being released from prison.

It also would allow the Department of Corrections to contract with the state Board of Elections to participate in the automatic voter registration program and be designated as an automatic voter registration agency. The bill, sponsored by Chicago Democrat Camille Lilly, passed by a vote of 72-42.
In an April 2, 2021, photo released by the U.S. Navy, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessel cut in front of the U.S. Coast Guard ship USCGC Monomoy in the Persian Gulf. American and Iranian warships had a tense encounter in the Persian Gulf earlier this month, the first such incident in about a year amid wider turmoil in the region over Tehran's tattered nuclear deal, the U.S. Navy said Tuesday, April 27, 2021. (U.S. Navy via AP)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  American and Iranian warships had a tense encounter in the Persian Gulf earlier this month, the first such incident in about a year amid wider turmoil in the region over Tehran's tattered nuclear deal, the U.S. Navy said Tuesday.

Footage released by the Navy showed a ship commanded by Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard cut in front of the USCGC Monomoy, causing the Coast Guard vessel to come to an abrupt stop with its engine smoking on April 2.

The Guard also did the same with another Coast Guard vessel, the USCGC Wrangell, said Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich, a spokeswoman for the Navy's Mideast-based 5th Fleet. Such close passes risk the ships colliding at sea.

Iran did not immediately acknowledge the incident in the southern reaches of the Persian Gulf, which resulted in no injuries or damage.

"The U.S. crews issued multiple warnings via bridge-to-bridge radio, five short blasts from the ships horns, and while the (Iranian) Harth 55 responded to the bridge-to-bridge radio queries, they continued the unsafe maneuvers," Rebarich said. After approximately three hour of the U.S. issuing warning and conducting defensive maneuvers, the (Iranian) vessels maneuvered away from the U.S. ships and opened distance between them."

'Unsafe and unprofessional'

The Wall Street Journal first reported on the incident, which involved the Iranian Harth support ship and three Iranian fast-attack craft. The Coast Guard units operate out of Bahrain as part of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, its biggest unit overseas.

The interaction marked the first unsafe and unprofessional incident involving the Iranians since April 15, 2020, Rebarich said. However, Iran had largely stopped such incidents in 2018 and nearly in the entirety of 2019, she said.

In 2017, the Navy recorded 14 instances of what it describes as unsafe and or unprofessional interactions with Iranians forces. It recorded 35 in 2016, and 23 in 2015.

The incidents at sea almost always involve the Revolutionary Guard, which reports only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Typically, they involve Iranian speedboats armed with deck-mounted machine guns and rocket launchers test-firing weapons or shadowing American aircraft carriers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of all oil passes.

Some analysts believe the incidents are meant in part to squeeze President Hassan Rouhanis administration after the 2015 nuclear deal. They include a 2016 incident in which I ranian forces captured and held overnight 10 U.S. sailors who strayed into the Islamic Republics territorial waters.

U.S. naval forces continue to remain vigilant and are trained to act in a professional manner, while our commanding officers retain the inherent right to act in self-defense, Rebarich said.

The incident comes as Iran negotiates with world powers in Vienna over Tehran and Washington returning to the 2015 nuclear deal, talks due to resume Tuesday. It also follows a series of incidents across the Mideast attributed to a shadow war between Iran and Israel, which includes attacks on regional shipping and sabotage at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility.
Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City, Grand Traverse County

Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City, Grand Traverse County

Last Updated: April 27, 2021

EGLE Site Lead:

Ann Emington

EmingtonA@Michigan.gov

231-429-1395

Background:

Cherry Capital Airport (Airport), located at 727 Fly Don't Drive in Traverse City, is a current Federal Aviation Regulation Part 139 certified commercial service airport that has used Class B Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). AFFF is a firefighting foam that is known to contain per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The airport received PFAS grant funding from Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to assess areas of historic AFFF storage and use. The airport identified and investigated the soil and groundwater at various locations where AFFF was stored or used for testing or areas identified as previous dumps. Soil contamination was identified at three locations. Groundwater contamination was identified at all five locations and four locations were above applicable cleanup criteria.

The direction of groundwater flow at the site is generally to the northeast. There were 18 residential drinking water wells located within close proximity to the airport. EGLE, in coordination with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD), sampled the private wells in November 2020. Nine of the 18 residential drinking water wells sampled contained PFAS exceeding the drinking water criteria. The other nine residential drinking water wells contained PFAS but all were below criteria. All residential drinking water well owners were notified of their sample results and provided water filters or bottled water from the GTCHD. Connection of the 18 residential drinking water wells to the East Bay Township municipal water system occurred from March 1, 2021 through March 19, 2021 through a $150,000 grant secured through EGLE and $85,000 from Grand Traverse County.

PFAS were discovered in a groundwater sample from a residential well located 280 feet from East Grand Traverse Bay (Bay). Additional assessment is needed to determine the risk to the Bay.

Recent Accomplishments:

On April 9, 2021 a virtual meeting was held with the Airport, the United States Coast Guard (USCG), MDOT, GTCHD and EGLE to discuss the results and the next steps in the investigation

On April 9, 2021, the Airport provided a response to the EGLE compliance communication dated March 12, 2021. The Airport indicated that they would continue with the groundwater investigation but believe they are not responsible for the contamination in the Pine Grove Subdivision for which municipal water was provided. The Airport will continue with their investigation to determine the nature and extent of the contamination. The Airport also indicated that the PFAS releases which occurred on March 10, 2020, November and December 2020 were cleaned up.

On April 14, 2021 MPART hosted a community meeting about the PFAS investigations at the Airport and the USCG and the status of the municipal water connections and well abandonments at the Pine Grove Subdivision. View the April 14, 2021 East Bay Township Town Hall Powerpoint Slides View the East Bay Township Recorded Town Hall

In April 2021, additional monitor wells were installed and were sampled.

Next Steps:

On April 30, 2021 the Airport is scheduled to submit the next Quarterly Groundwater Report.

Residential Well Testing/Alternate Water Information:

On October 21, 2020, bottled water was provided to 18 residential well owners due to PFAS groundwater contamination identified along Parsons Avenue.

November 4 and 5, 2020, EGLE, in coordination with DHHS and the GTCHD, began sampling the residential wells.

On November 13, 2020, EGLE was informed that nine of the 18 residential drinking water wells had PFAS above drinking water criteria. The other 9 residential drinking water wells contained PFAS but all were below criteria. All residential drinking well owners were notified of their sample results and provided water filters or water coolers from the GTCHD during the first 2 weeks of December.

Connection of the 18 residential drinking water wells to the East Bay Township municipal water system occurred from March 1, 2021 through March 19, 2021, through a $150,000 grant secured through EGLE and $85,000 from Grand Traverse County.

Upcoming Community Engagement:

None scheduled at this time.

Sampling Results Summary Type of Sample Date Sampled (or range) Number of Sample Results Received Number of Samples above Criteria* Residential Wells Nov 2020 - Dec 2020 18 9 Groundwater Monitoring Wells Dec 2020 - Jan 2021 18 15

*Residential well and groundwater monitoring well results are compared to EGLE Part 201 criteria for 7 PFAS compounds effective 12/21/2020: PFOS (16 ppt), PFOA (8 ppt), PFNA (6 ppt), PFHxS (51 ppt), PFHxA (400,000 ppt), PFBS (420 ppt), and HFPO-DA (370 ppt).

Sampling Notes:

Water samples were collected from the storm water retention basins and referred to as surface water samples. The retention basin is not, however, connected to any surface water body and therefore are more indicative of water that discharges to groundwater. These samples were above criteria. They are not reflected in the table above.

Historical Timeline:
Lucknow, April 27 : Zydus Cadila's new drug 'Virafin', which is considered successful in the treatment of Covid patients, will soon be available in three districts of Uttar Pradesh, namely Lucknow, Varanasi and Prayagraj.

According to the government spokesperson, the new medicine is expected to be available in one Covid hospital in each of the three districts in the next two-three days.

The Chief Minister said that amidst growing corona infections in the country, India's scientists are working overtime to find alternative treatment options in the vast world of medicine.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed authorities to ensure that the last rites of the dead Covid patients are performed at cremation grounds and graveyards in both urban and rural areas according to their religious beliefs amid strict Covid safety protocols.

People in Uttar Pradesh will no longer have to pay any fee for performing the last rites of the dead Covid-infected patients.

Taking cognizance of the complaints received from various districts in this regard and terming the practice of extorting money from the relatives of dead Covid patients as "inhuman", the chief minister has warned of stern action against erring officials.

The chief minister said that every single death resulting from Covid is unfortunate and "a loss of state".

Yogi Adityanath directed the state administration to provide vehicles to bring the body of the deceased to the funeral site. He recommended vehicle management in every district for the purpose.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
As policing in Huntsville comes under new scrutiny, a grassroots organization Tuesday called for reform as well as more transparency from the Huntsville police department as a pathway to improved relationships with citizens they serve and protect.

The press conference held outside city hall by the Citizens Coalition for Justice Reform came five days after a police citizens advisory council delivered a harsh report on police actions at protests in Huntsville last year and a day before the city council will hold a work session to discuss that report as well as recommendations moving forward.

Our group is willing to build relationships, said Claudia Mesnil, a CCJR leader. We want officers to to approach us and talk to us about their experiences because the reform that were offering isnt just away to make policing less strenuous on citizens. We want to make it better policing for citizens and for police officers so that their relationships and those gaps can be bridged in a way that is humanistic.

The CCJR began pushing for reform after Huntsville police and other law enforcement agencies released tear gas and fired rubber projectiles on peaceful protesters at two protests the week of June 1, 2020.

Related: 10 takeaways from the inquiry into Huntsvilles racial justice protests and arrests

Related: Protest review finds unprofessional behavior, policy violations by Huntsville police

The city council charged the Huntsville Police Citizens Advisory Council to review police actions and submit a report to the city council, which occurred April 22. That report said there were instances of unprofessional behavior by Huntsville police officers and that law enforcement had inadequate equipment to verbalize commands to disperse. Clear exit paths were also not evident to those who had gathered on the courthouse square in downtown Huntsville and in adjacent Big Spring Park.

Huntsville police also need new training on how to handle crowds at protests, the report found.

Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray told AL.com at the meeting that he agreed more training for his officers was needed. He also said that no officers had been disciplined or reprimanded for their actions at those protests.

So how do we expect the community to be chastised by a group that cant be chastised themselves? said Chris Harris, another CCJR leader. No matter where you work or what you do for a living, there are checks and balances. Theres a supervisor and (human resources officials) that tells you we have to stick to this protocol and you were out of line. It should be no different from the people who are out here patrolling our neighborhoods.

Members of CCJR have met with city council members ahead of the police reports release. Councilman Bill Kling has released a report on recommended changes resulting from some of those meetings, of which Harris was a part.

We have a good police department, the Kling report begins. That paragraph also ends with, We can make improvements within the police department to better serve the public, similar to the improvements that have been made in other City departments.

The Kling report spelled out four specific areas where improvement is needed:

More emphasis on mental health services and training

Community outreach

Rebuilding community trust

More aggressive use of the internet to improve transparency

The report also said that the police chief should not have nominations on the citizens advisory council.

During the two protests last June, an incorrect decision was made to use tear gas on the public, the Kling report said in conclusion. In short, public trust needs to be restored up and better communicated. This is a two-way need. Ideas include having a stronger emphasis placed on community outreach and public communication. The public needs to better understand the training and policies that police officers follow. Guidelines for protests/parade permits should be posted on the internet, so the public can understand their rights and responsibilities, such as being required to stay on sidewalks, the length of the permit, and when required to disperse. The Internet is a valuable tool that can be utilized in this area. More emphasis should be placed on mental health training and adding specialty personnel for the police department.

Harris echoed those perspectives at Tuesdays press conference.

In essence, we are asking for accountability and transparency become mainstays of how our local law enforcement operates as well as several other departments within the city, he said.
BEIJING, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from Science and Technology Daily:

Recently, the Ministry of Science and Technology organized the Xiangshan Scientific Conference on "Innovative Sci-Tech Paths to Achieve Carbon Neutrality". Nearly 100 Chinese academicians and high-level experts of carbon emission reduction and ecological carbon sink from different fields, such as energy, industry, transportation, construction, attended the conference and discussed about the innovative sci-tech paths to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.

Du Xiangwan, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, suggested that coal has dominated the energy consumption structure in China's industry sector for a long time, which makes it difficult for the transition of energy structure in China. However, more benefits can be gained through the low-carbon transition. Energy intensity is expected to fall by 40% by 2050 due to technological advances and a shift in the energy mix.

According to the plan, China will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, which is not only a demand of China for itself, but also a commitment to the world.

At a press briefing held by Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Chinese and foreign media on April 22, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said that China never shies away from coping with climate change. China made the official announcement of its goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. This major strategic decision is made based on our sense of responsibility to build a community with a shared future for mankind and our own need to secure sustainable development. It manifests the requirement of the "highest possible ambition" in the Paris Agreement, and China's utmost determination to address climate change.

Ma Zhaoxu pointed out, according to relevant institutions, China's commitment to carbon neutrality will reduce the global temperature rise by 0.2-0.3 degrees Celsius, and China will transit from carbon peaking to carbon neutrality in only 30 years. It means that in order to achieve the world's largest decline in carbon emissions and to stride from carbon peaking to carbon neutrality in the shortest time in the world's history, China needs an extensive and profound systematic revolution in its economy and society.

Zhu Min, former Vice President of International Monetary Fund, suggested that it will take Europe 60 years to transit from carbon peaking to carbon neutrality in 2050 while China only has 30 years. To achieve a decline in such a large amount of carbon emissions in only 30 years is unprecedented in the human history.

Erik Berglof, Chief Economist of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), also agreed that China's promise of reaching net-zero CO2 emissions in 2060 could be the largest contribution to the response to climate change.

SOURCE Science and Technology Daily
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The US has reiterated its grave concern about the deteriorating humanitarian and human rights crises in Ethiopia, including the growing risk of famine in Ethiopias Tigray region as well as ongoing insecurity in other parts of the country
April 27 : The team of the forthcoming film Sardar Ka Grandson has recently proved to be true nature lovers as they initiated a major tree-planting campaign in the northeast state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Kaashvie Nair's directorial debut, Sardar Ka Grandson, is a comedy film blended with emotions. It showcases the journey of a family from Lahore to Amritsar as well as the journey of two nations from unrest to peace. Premiering on Netflix on May 18, the film is the story of a US-return grandson played by Arjun Kapoor, who will go to any extent to fulfil his grandmother Neena Guptas last wish. The film is co-produced by John Abraham, who is hopeful that the film will entertain the audiences in the gloomy situation that the country is facing currently.

The entire cast and crew of the film participated in a joint campaign to save the environment. Veteran actress Neena Gupta, who is a part of the film, said in an interview that 557 trees have been planted for Sun Bears in West Siang, Arunachal Pradesh, one in the name of each member of the cast and crew. I am proud to be part of such a good cause and hope that everyone continues to do their bit in saving the environment, Neena Gupta said.

Sardar Ka Grandson brings together an ensemble cast that comprises Neena Gupta, Arjun Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh, Kanlwajit Singh, John Abraham, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Kumud Mishra.

Meanwhile, the makers of the film released a new song, a remix, Jee Ni Karda. It is a recreation of the 2012 track Dhoor by Manak-E. composer Tanishk Bagchi has kept the soul of the song intact, adding more dhol to it to make it a perfect Punjabi wedding song. The song features Arjun Kapoor and Rakul Preet Singh as they both twin in red. The song sung by Jass Manak, Manak-E and Nikhita Gandhi, is definitely a party mood booster.
Probe as woman dies shortly after Sinovac jab

THAILAND: The Ministry of Public Health has pledged to perform an autopsy on the body of a saleswoman whose relatives claimed she died two days after she received the second dose of Sinovacs COVID-19 vaccine in Samut Sakhon.

CoronavirusCOVID-19ChinesedeathVaccine

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 27 April 2021, 09:01AM

The womans family are concerned that her death might be linked to the doses of Sinovacs COVID-19 vaccine she had recently been given. Photo: AFP.

The ministrys move came after her relatives disclosed details to the media on Sunday (Apr 25), saying they were concerned that it might be linked to the doses of Sinovacs COVID-19 vaccine she had recently been given.

The 23-year-old saleswoman whose name was not disclosed yesterday received her second shot of Sinovacs COVID-19 vaccine on April 21 in Samut Sakhon where she worked.

The following day she was very ill with vomiting and a headache. Later that day she was admitted to a hospital in Pathum Thani and was pronounced dead just two days later on April 23. Her funeral rite is being held at a temple in her hometown of Ang Thong.

According to her relatives, they have received no formal explanation for her sudden death.

Chawetsan Namwat, acting director of the Emergency Health Hazard and Disease Control Division of the ministry, said at a press conference that it is too early to say whether the vaccine had been a factor.

We will perform an autopsy on her body to determine the true cause of her death, Dr Chawetsan said.

He went on to say that the case had also been submitted to the ministrys committee on Adverse-Event Following Immunisation to investigate.

We have yet to find a death we could attribute to the vaccine. There is no need to suspend the roll-out as we strongly believe it can and will help to bring the outbreak under control.

However, it is our duty to investigate and we will let the public know once the facts become clearer, he said.

The doctor also noted that two other deaths which some had blamed on the vaccine had been proven to have been the result of pre-existing health complaints  those of a monk in Bangkok and a man in Samut Prakan.

In both cases, autopsies ruled out the COVID-19 vaccine as the cause.
A black passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight has accused the company of racism after she was asked to disembark for not wearing a mask while using the bathroom.

Footage shows the woman angrily protesting after she was asked to leave the plane from Denver to Chicago on Thursday.

The woman can be seen loosely wearing a mask over her mouth, but not her nose, during the tirade.

'F*** you all, f*** Southwest, I will never fly with Southwest again', she says while seeming to leave the flight with a companion.

A black passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight has accused the company of racism after she was asked to disembark for not wearing a mask while using the bathroom

She apparently launched the tirade after she was asked to leave because she was not wearing a mask in the bathroom, though she did put the mask back on after leaving the restroom.

Flight attendants chose to remove her after another passenger complained the fact she wasn't wearing a mask was making them 'uncomfortable'.

It was not immediately clear why the apparent offence caused flight attendants to remove her from the flight.

Though it's customary for passengers not to use to the bathroom before the flight takes off, the cabin crew are allowed to let people to use the toilet at their discretion.

Despite seeming to leave the plane, the angry passenger was back on board and gave the steward a piece of her mind.

'Who's processing my refund? Because now I've got to buy another flight for no f***ing reason, so process the refund.'

As someone off camera repeatedly tries to get her to leave the plane, the passenger becomes more angry and throws her coat off the flight in protest.

'No mask?', she says. 'I have a mask on my f***ing face. Process the refund.'

The passenger then turns on someone, presumably a member of staff, standing off the flight.

'F*** you. F*** all of you because that's racist as f***. I don't like racism', she shouts as her mask slips down onto her chin.

'Everybody in here is gonna know whoever the f***ing flight attendant is, he was racist and he was mad for two seconds I didn't have a mask on because I went to a restroom.

'I put a mask on [she pulls the mask back up], I'm sitting here in compliance, and he tells me to get off the flight. So, y'all have a good flight, but this is what happens when you're black in America.'

She apparently launched the tirade after she was asked to leave because she was not wearing a mask in the bathroom, though she did put the mask back on after leaving the restroom

The woman's companion tried to lead her off the plane twice during the tirade, but to no avail

The woman's companion then tries to lead the irate passenger off the flight, but to no avail.

'No! I'm tired. I paid my money. F*** all of y'all... You're gonna come to me with a mask covering my nose and my mouth and tell me to get off the flight because the flight attendant feels uncomfortable, because he's white. F*** you.'

The passenger then pulls off her mask, throws it to the floor, and starts to be led off the plane by her companion.

'Y'all enjoy your flight. This is what happens when you're black in America. You guys all witnessed it. For the first time, when you're black in America they'll tell you to get off the flight', she says.

'A2 and A3, I paid an extra $80 for these ... I've gotta go to work tomorrow. Now I gotta find another flight when I had a mask on my face.'

She then asks passengers recording the incident to put the footage on social media because people need to see 'what happens when you're black in America and you pay your fee, pay your way.'

'Y'all have a safe flight and I love everybody on here and god bless every person on this flight', she says before being led off the flight by her companion.

The woman asked passengers recording the incident to put the footage on social media because people need to see 'what happens when you're black in America and you pay your fee, pay your way'

The footage was taken by Sergio Workman, a 29-year-old technology consultant from Redding, CA, who was on the flight.

He said the flight attendant had already decided the woman would be removed from the flight when he arrived at his seat.

The tirade took place when she returned to collect her belongings, Workman said.

He added: 'After she left the flight, there were murmurs of what had happened but no public announcement made from the crew.

'I felt the airline was discriminating only because they did not give her a fair chance to comply, simply resorted to removing her and her guest from the plane.

'There were no other passengers actively not wearing their masks but I did witness and hear multiple occasions where passengers were given a chance to correct their face covering versus being removed from the plane.'
IDEMIA, the global leader in Augmented Identity, provides a trusted environment enabling citizens and consumers alike to perform their daily critical activities (such as pay, connect and travel), in the physical as well as digital space. Securing our identity has become mission critical in the world we live in today. By standing for Augmented Identity, an identity that ensures privacy and trust and guarantees secure, authenticated and verifiable transactions, we reinvent the way we think, produce, use and protect one of our greatest assets our identity whether for individuals or for objects, whenever and wherever security matters. We provide Augmented Identity for international clients from Financial, Telecom, Identity, Public Security and IoT sectors. With close to 15,000 employees around the world, IDEMIA serves clients in 180 countries.

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 Italian government has given the green light to hunting of the European turtle dove this autumn, despite the species being listed as vulnerable to extinction since 2015.

The decision grants the countrys 500,000 licensed hunters permission to shoot a maximum of 15 doves each, which would amount to 7.5m being killed in total, according to Bird Guides.

The European Commission says there are between 2.9 and 5.6m pairs of mating turtle doves on the continent, meaning Italys cull will further decimate an already-diminishing total.

The country  an important stop on the doves seasonal migratory path to sub-Saharan Africa  made its decision after government representatives met with their regional counterparts last week to discuss the question of the species future.

While the Italian Ministry of Ecological Transition and the National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research supported a four-year ban on hunting the birds, local officials  in agreement with the Italian Hunting Federation  argued for the right to resume shooting.

Amazingly, the one official who did stand up for the doves was Calabrias representative Sergio De Caprio, a former police officer nicknamed Captain Ultimo and celebrated for having arrested notorious Sicilian Mafia boss Toto Riina in 1993, who had ordered the assassinations of prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino.

Mr De Caprio reportedly became interested in environmental issues after thwarting illegal Camorra fishing activities around Naples and has vowed to fight for the protection of the birds.

The European turtle dove has been considered in danger since 2015 when the International Union for Conservation of Nature moved their classification from least concern to vulnerable on its red list after the population was found to have declined by a shocking 78 per cent from its 1980 level.

In the UK, the birds numbers have dropped by an even more alarming 95 per cent since 1995.

But there is hope for a creature whose song is described by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds as an evocative sound of summer and who were regarded as symbols of love in Ancient Greece for towing Aphrodites chariot: a similar ruling was made in France last summer, only for Emmanuel Macrons government to face a public outcry and be forced into a U-turn.

Hunting of this species is not sustainable and will accelerate the decline until no birds are left, commented Axel Hirschfeld of Germanys Committee Against Bird Slaughter.

Driven by their selfish hobby, Italian hunters do not want to renounce their beloved prey. The Federcaccia Italia, member of FACE, the European Hunting Federation, has been lobbying strongly to continue blasting the very last turtle doves from the sky.

FACE and their national member organisations have not only done nothing to halt the decline, they have actively accelerated turtle dove declines by defending their so-called right to shoot until no bird is left. At the same time, politicians are stopping the authorities from doing the right thing and instead do everything to serve the interests of a lobby group.

The loss of the European turtle dove could be a portent of things to come for other species, environmentalists have warned.

They are the canary in the mine because there are all these other species before it and after it, Isabella Tree, author of Wilding (2018) and leader of the pioneering Knapp Estate biodiversity project in West Sussex, told Deutsche Welle in October.

It's an umbrella for all the other species that are heading that way.
The U.S. Navy fired warning shots Monday in the direction of armed speed boats from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as they harassed two U.S. patrol boats in international waters in the north Arabian Gulf, according to Navy 5th Fleet officials.

The vessels approached the Navy coastal patrol boat Firebolt and the Coast Guard Island-class patrol boat Baranoff around 8 p.m. at high rates of speed, coming into "unnecessarily close range with unknown intent," according to a 5th Fleet news release.

Navy officials said the U.S. crews issued multiple warnings to the vessels but the boats -- known as fast inshore attack craft -- continued their "close range maneuvers," pulling their vessels to within 68 yards of both boats.

Read Next: The Marine Corps Is Experimenting With a Concept That Could Reshape the Infantry

The Firebolt crew then fired warning shots, which prompted the Iranians to "move away to a safe distance."

Three Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy fast inshore attack craft approach the patrol coastal ship USS Firebolt (PC 10) in the international waters of the North Arabian Gulf, April 26. (U.S. Navy)

The Navy said the Iranian forces' actions increased risk of collision and were outside the "rules of the road" regarding maritime custom.

"The Firebolt and Baranoff crews operated with distinct professionalism, superior seamanship and dispassionate yet firm resolve," Navy officials wrote in a release. "As professional mariners, we expect the IRGCN to operate with due regard for the safety of all vessels as required by international law."

The announcement follows news reported Monday by The Wall Street Journal that three fast-attack boats and a larger support vessel harassed two U.S. Coast Guard vessels for three hours on April 2.

During that incident, the Iranian support ship crossed repeatedly in front of Coast Guard patrol boats Monomoy and Wrangell, at one point coming within 70 yards of the Wrangell and forcing the cutter to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision.

The last reported confrontation between Iranian fast attack craft and U.S. vessels was in April 2020, when 11 Iranian fast attack craft harassed U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships conducting operations in Iranian waters.

In that incident, a boat came within 30 feet of the Coast Guard Island-class patrol boat Maui and within 50 yards of the expeditionary mobile base Lewis B. Puller.

Following the event, then-President Donald Trump announced via Twitter that he had "instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea."

The latest incidents of harassment come as the U.S. is planning to hold indirect talks on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which Trump withdrew from in 2018.

According to the Navy, Firebolt and Baranoff were conducting routine maritime security operations in international waters during the time of the incident.

"The U.S. is not an aggressor; our naval forces remain postured in a non-provocative manner that exemplifies professionalism, incentivizes adherence to international law and customs, and persuades others to emulate our actions. Our forces are trained, however, to conduct effective defensive measures when necessary," wrote 5th Fleet Public Affairs.

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

Related Video:

Related: U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Heads to Black Sea Amid Rising Tensions with Russia




The foreign ministry called in a Japanese diplomat on Tuesday to protest Tokyo's repeated claims to South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo in its annual foreign policy paper.







The ministry expressed regrets to Hirohisa Soma, deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, after Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi reported this year's Diplomatic Bluebook laying claim to Dokdo to a Cabinet session presided over by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.







Choi Young-sam, the ministry spokesman, urged Japan to immediately retract its "futile" claims to Dokdo.







"We make it clear again that the government will respond sternly to any kind of provocation by the Japanese government regarding Dokdo," he said, stressing the islets are Korean territory historically, geographically and by international law.







Dokdo has long been a recurring source of tension between the two neighbors, as Tokyo continues to lay claim to the islets in its policy papers, public statements and school textbooks.







South Korea has been in effective control of Dokdo, with a small police detachment, since its liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule.







The claims to Dokdo came as the two countries are stuck in a protracted row over wartime history and trade.







Though the latest blue book retained its 2020 reference to South Korea as an "important neighboring country," it restated Japan's arguments related to the issues of Japan's wartime sexual slavery and forced labor.







Tokyo has maintained that the historical issues were already addressed under bilateral agreements, and that Seoul has failed to follow through on them.







On the sexual slavery issue, Choi demanded Japan act in line with the "spirits of apology and atonement" enshrined in the 1993 statement by then Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono and the 2015 bilateral deal on the issue.







"This is an unprecedented issue of human rights abuses against women in an armed conflict and of infringement on universal human rights," the spokesman said.







The Tokyo government has annually published the blue book on foreign policy and its stances on international affairs since 1957. (Yonhap)


Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - . Alpha Cognition Inc. (TSXV: ACOG) ("Alpha Cognition", or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel therapies with the potential to transform the lives of people with debilitating neurodegenerative disorders, is pleased to announce that Ms. Colleen Johns has been appointed Senior Vice President, Product Development as part of the Company's plan to further develop the operational and commercialization team. Ms. Johns most recently served as the Company's Director of Regulatory Affairs and prior to the Company she has an extensive history with pharmaceutical regulatory approval and commercialization with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA").

Ms. Johns has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, playing a key role in product development and regulatory strategy in support of numerous marketing applications across a variety of therapeutic fields. She has extensive experience interacting with the FDA including meetings, negotiations and authoring multi-national regulatory documents. Prior to joining Alpha Cognition, she held senior level positions in Regulatory Affairs at Dova Pharmaceuticals, Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, and Sancilio & Company, Inc. She has been instrumental in the development and approval of more than 15 New Drug Applications in various therapeutic areas. Colleen has a B.S. in Biology (cum laude with honors) from University of North Carolina Wilmington and is also RAC certified through the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (RAPS).

Ms. Johns, SVP, Product Development, commented: "I've been very fortunate to be part of the regulatory team for the Company since June 2019. As we move from drug development to regulatory approval and commercialization, I'm very excited to have Mr. McFadden appointed recently as the Company's CEO and to support the team in a new role that leverages my prior experience to move ALPHA-1062 through regulatory approval with the FDA and a successful commercial launch of a patented Alzheimer's therapy in the U.S."

Mr. McFadden, CEO of the Company commented: "Ms. Johns contributions to date have been instrumental in advancing the ALPHA-1062 program to begin the pivotal trial in Q3. We certainly could not be in the position we are without her leadership on ALPHA-1062, and both the Board and the Executive Team feel that Ms. Johns experience needed to be further leveraged and her larger role as SVP, Product Development matches our near-term regulatory and commercialization path for ALPHA-1062."

About Alpha Cognition Inc.

Alpha Cognition Inc. is a clinical stage, biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing treatments for under-served neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's Dementia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

ALPHA-1062, is a patented new chemical entity that has demonstrated safety and improved tolerability in human clinical trials. It is being developed as a new generation acetylcholinesterase inhibitor for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, with minimal gastrointestinal side effects and novel routes of administration. ALPHA-1062's active metabolites are differentiated from donepezil and rivastigmine in that they may sensitize neuronal nicotinic receptors, most notably the alpha-7 subtype, which is known to have a positive effect on cognition. ALPHA-1062 is also being developed in combination with memantine to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's dementia and in a nasal spray formulation to treat traumatic brain injury.

ALPHA-0602 (Progranulin) is expressed in several cell types in the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues, regulates cell survival and certain inflammatory processes, and plays a major role in regulating lysosomal function and microglial responses to disease. Its use for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases has been patented by the Company and granted an Orphan Drug Designation.

For further information:

Bristol Investor Relations

Stefan Eftychiou

905 326 1888 ext 6

stefan@bristolir.com

https://www.alphacognition.com/

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking Statements

The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Transaction and the expected trading date of the Company's common shares on the TSXV and expected post-closing matters. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, including with respect to the closing of the Transaction, the timing and receipt of all applicable regulatory, corporate and third party approvals, the anticipated benefits from the Transaction and the satisfaction of other conditions to closing or post-closing conditions, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statement will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. Additional disclosure regarding other assumptions and risks are included under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in the Filing Statement of the Company dated March 16, 2021 and available at www.sedar.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81751
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Pfizer became the first pharmaceutical company to appear at the top of the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) ranking of the most innovative companies . The creators of one of the Most effective vaccines against Covid-19 reached the exclusive top 10 on the list, led by Apple , Google and Amazon .

Since 2005, BCG has published the 50 Most Innovative Companies ranking, led by Big Tech for the seventh consecutive year. First up is Apple , founded by Steve Jobs ; in the second position is Alphabet , Google's parent company, and in the third place is Amazon of Jeff Bezos .

They are followed in order by Microsoft , Tesla , Samsung , IBM , Huawei and Sony . In tenth place is the American Pfizer, the first in its field to appear within the top 10 positions of the table.

It may interest you: If you were given the Pfizer vaccine 'probably' you will need a third dose, says CEO of the pharmaceutical company

More and more companies are driving innovation as one of their priorities, changing the way they set their goals and processes. The novelty is the irruption of the pharmaceutical companies  , pointed Andres Anavi , Managing Director and Partner of BCG for Argentina and Chile, quoted by El Financiero .

While Pfizer is the first drugmaker to make the top 10 in the ranking, it also includes Johnson & Johnson (number 20), Moderna (number 42) and AstraZeneca (number 49).

Image via The 50 Most Innovative Companies Over Time by BGG .

The Massachusetts-based consultancy noted that only 20% of companies implemented high-performance innovation systems to achieve their goals.

In this sense, companies that already have new platforms and practices incorporated are up to four times more likely to obtain income from new products, services and business models, compared to those that have not.

Another characteristic of the top 50 companies is that they promote greater ethnic and gender diversity in their leadership . Such is the case with Microsoft, Alibaba , Cisco Systems , Philips and Novartis , Anavi noted.

We have been analyzing, for several years, the relationship between diversity and innovation, explained the BCG executive.

In the report, we asked the question of what comes first: diversity or innovation. To do this, we turn to data from past research and detect clear evidence that diversity drives innovation, and not the other way around, that innovation attracts diversity  , he explained.

Anavi noted that the performance of the most innovative companies is also reflected in the profits they generated for shareholders .

"This profitability is maintained even if the tech giants are removed from the calculation: the main innovators outperformed the index by 13 percentage points ," concludes Anavi with reference to the MSCI World Index , a US stock index of private equity funds, debt, stock markets and other tools that measure the financial evolution of markets worldwide.

Given that much momentum is still lacking in this field, the report indicates that more than 60% of companies plan to increase investment in innovation this year.

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved


The government held a meeting Tuesday to discuss preparations for an international summit on climate change and sustainable development, which South Korea will host late next month.



Officials from the foreign, environment, finance and trade ministries and other agencies attended the sixth preparatory session for the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals (P4G) summit to be held virtually from May 30-31, the foreign ministry said.



In the meeting, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong underscored the need to implement the country's enhanced commitment to emissions reduction unveiled by President Moon Jae-in last week during a U.S.-hosted climate summit.



"Carbon-neutral goals and policies must be supported so that we can lead international discussions," Chung said. "As the president has expressed the resolve to step up climate action, we should work to materialize the action plans," he said.





Environment Minister Han Jeoung-ae speaks during a meeting on P4G summit, Tuesday. Yonhap
The Business Resource Centre (BRC) Ada office has signed up as an Agent for Fidelity Bank Ghana Ltd. in the Ada East & West Districts within the Greater Accra Region to support and offer world class banking experiences to its customers in and around these districts.



The Fidelity Bank Agency services offered by the BRC- Ada will also afford residents and businesses in and around Sogakope and its environs to also be a part of this experience.



As a Fidelity Bank Agent, customers who visit BRC-Ada will be able to perform transactions such as Interbank deposit - account option, bill payment - DSTV (account and cash options), bill payment - ECG (account and cash options), account to wallet transfers (all networks) cash to wallet (all networks) and wallet to cash (all networks).



On this laudable journey embarked upon by the BRC, the General Manager, Mr. Kweku Hammond, opined that after a careful survey of these districts, there was the need for the presence of an Agency that will afford to service the Micro, Small & Medium Scale businesses.



He also explained that the reason why BRC has 37 locations throughout the country is to provide a one stop enterprise support centre at the district level designed to provide a broad range of Business Development Services (BDS) to potential and existing entrepreneurs and enterprises. He further stated that the move is in line with its mandate to operate as a financial and investments facilitation hub and business information repository for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).



He further explained that the BRCs have been established as part of the Industrial Transformation Agenda of the Government and being implemented by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) with funding from IFAD & AfDB.



This he believed would afford and position the MSMEs to fully benefit from AfCTA



Commenting on the initiative, Head of Agency Banking at Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited, Dr. David Okyere welcomed the decision by BRC-Ada to join the Fidelity Agency Banking network. He also disclosed that BRC joins a vast network of Fidelity Bank Agents who are providing exceptional banking services to the under-banked and unbanked across the length and breadth of the country.



Dr. Okyere added that Fidelity Bank will work tirelessly to ensure that every qualified Ghanaian has access to financial services to promote improved livelihoods and financial independence.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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On Tuesday, the NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America published a pay equity study on Gannett-owned newsrooms that found significant pay inequity for women and journalists of color, as well as further evidence of an overwhelmingly white, male workforce less racially diverse than the U.S. as a whole.

The NewsGuild study comes after Gannetts pledge in August 2020 to better foster a culture of inclusion for women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups in their newsrooms. After merging with GateHouse Media in November 2019, Gannett is now the largest newspaper chain in the country, with more than 250 local daily newspapers in its portfolio. Nearly one in six newspapers across the US is owned by the publisher.

In a first of its kind report for the chain, Gannett released comprehensive data on workforce demographics across race, ethnicity, and gender last August. Gannett has pledged to update this data bi-annually. However, data on salaries is, at least for now, exclusively limited to unionized newsroom members within the company. The release of this information is required under U.S. labor laws and is why Gannett journalists involved in the study were limited to their own newsrooms earnings data.

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The NewsGuild examined 441 full-time and 25 part-time, non-managerial workers median pay from fall 2020 across gender and race demographics in 14 Gannett-owned newsrooms belonging to the union, including newspapers such as the Palm Beach Post, the Indianapolis Star, and the Florida Times-Union. All of the workers in the study were on the editorial side of the newsrooms. The report found that Gannett-owned newsrooms are whiter and generally less racially diverse than the communities they serve, with the exception of a single newsroom in the study.

There were also notable pay gaps for women and journalists of color. Women across the board earned almost $10,000 less, or 83 percent of mens median salaries each year. Women of color earned around $15,700 less, or 73 percent of white mens median salaries. These findings are in step with general news industry trends. According to a 2018 study by the Pew Research Center, newsroom employees were more likely to be white and male than US workers overall, with non-Hispanic whites making up more than three quarters of newsroom employees and males making up almost 61 percent of the total workforce.

The NewsGuild report also claims that unionizing improves pay equity across both gender and race, with a gender pay gap around $6,800 smaller and a racial pay gap about $5,400 smaller in newsrooms with longstanding contracts compared to those negotiating first contracts.

The largest gender and racial pay disparities of all the bargaining units were found at the Arizona Republic, which is also the most diverse newsroom included in the study. There, women earned only 67 percent of mens median pay and journalists of color earned a mere 63 percent of white workers median pay.

The report suggests that Gannett newsrooms have struggled to retain employees, particularly veteran women reporters and journalists of color. Many expressed concern about being driven out of the industry if pay inequity continues at its current rate. One Milwaukee Journal Sentinel journalist said they are alarmed by the lack of mid-career female representation in our newsrooms and the dismal retention of female reporting talent. I cant help but worry that I will become one of those vanishing statistics.

Other recent events at the Arizona Republic suggest that the issue goes beyond just the numbers in the NewsGuild study. According to the Republics consumer reporter and union chair, Rebekah Sanders, theres been a voluntary mass exodus of newsroom staffers from underrepresented groups over the past year. Since March 2020, the newsroom has lost twenty-one employees, sixteen of whom have been women, people of color, and LGBTQ staffers. Former Arizona Republic reporter Lorraine Longhi tweeted earlier this month that ten of the 13 newsroom employees who have left the Republic in the last six months were from those same underrepresented groups.

The data featured in the report was collected nine months ago, and is limited to non-management journalists in the bargaining units whose job titles were all standardized. Gannett took issue with this in an official comment to the Tow Center, arguing that the NewsGuild document simply lumped all newsroom positions into broad categories without consideration for geographic differences. The reports methodology does, however, acknowledge that the size of each unit should be taken into account. The Gannett spokesperson also said they strongly disagree with the [studys] methodology and its findings due to its misleading and selective use of outdated data on only a small subset of Gannetts newspapers and remains committed to ensuring equitable employment practices for all employees.

Although the study examines just over five percent of Gannett-owned newsrooms, Sanders believes this is a representative cross section of the company. The report includes newsrooms ranging from the Kitsap Suns nine person unit in Bremerton, Washington to the Arizona Republic and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, both large metropolitan legacy newspapers with more than ninety members in their respective bargaining units.

Jon Schleuss, NewsGuild-CWA President and former Los Angeles Times data journalist who worked on the newsrooms pay study in 2018, says its typical for newspaper owners to wholly deny a pay studys accuracy. I think its really unfortunate for Gannett to be run by lawyers and business hacks and not by journalists and media professionals because what youre seeing is a lawyer response, not actual accountability or solutions or specificity, said Schleuss. We have a duty to seek truth and report it and thats what the journalists that put this [NewsGuild report] together did.

Internal demands for a pay equity study for Gannett-owned papers go back to at least 2018. Sanders said that some Arizona Republic employees at the time requested Gannett executives conduct such a report. They were told Gannetts own internal analysis showed no notable inequities and there was therefore no need to release the data, according to Sanders. But a precedent has been established in recent years for such studies by guild workers in newsrooms such as the Washington Post, the New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle. The Los Angeles Times pay study even served as the basis for a $3 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit brought against Tribune Publishing alleging gender, race, and ethnic discrimination that led to earning disparities.

Sanders said Gannett journalists are willing to replicate the NewsGuild study on a larger scale if the publisher were to release anonymized pay data across all of its newsrooms. A spokesperson at Gannett twice declined to answer whether the newspaper chain will be conducting its own public pay equity study in the future, instead explaining that they already utilize a market-driven approach to compensation which ensures a fair review by role and responsibility. Gannett did not provide any further details of its internal pay analysis.

Sanders believes that newsrooms wont be able to see the kind of advances in the industry that journalists want and some newspaper chains have promisedsuch as Gannetts stated goal to increase people of color in leadership positions by 30 percent or achieve racial and gender parityif they dont reward workers with equal pay for equal work. She said, Were just going to keep hemorrhaging talent, having low morale, and losing institutional knowledge if we dont pay a living wage and pay people based on experience.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Gabby Miller Gabby Miller is a Research Fellow at the Tow Center studying newsroom cutbacks amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Artem Konstantinovich Kuznetsov, Deputy Division Head, Tax Crimes Department of the Moscow Branch of the Interior Ministry in 2007

D.O.B: 28/02/1975 Town of birth: Baku Country of birth: Former USSR, now Azerbaijan Nationality(/ies): Russia Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and Travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Kuznetsov participated in the fraud through his involvement, in particular, in seizing documents used to secure the fraudulent tax rebate. He interfered in judicial processes and benefited financially from the proceeds of the serious corruption. His actions facilitated or provided support for serious corruption.

Pavel Aleksandrovich Karpov, Investigator of the Investigative Unit of the Moscow branch of the Interior Ministry and also Senior Investigating Officer for Major Cases. Retired July 2012.

D.O.B: 27/08/1977 Town of birth: Moscow Country of birth: Russia Nationality(/ies): Russia. Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and Travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of US$ 230 million of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Karpov participated in the fraud through his role as an investigator of alleged tax fraud by the Kameya company. His actions facilitated or provided support for serious corruption, and he benefited financially from the proceeds of the serious corruption.

Stanislav Evgenievich Gordievsky, Investigator of the Investigative Department of the South Administrative District, of the Prosecutor Service in Moscow

D.O.B: 09/09/1977 Country of birth: Russia Nationality(/ies): Russia Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and Travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Gordievsky participated in the fraud through his actions during the course of a tax investigation into companies involved in the serious corruption. His actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption.

Olga Germanovna Stepanova, Previous Head of Tax Office no. 28

D.O.B: 29/07/1962 Town of birth: Moscow Country of birth: Russia Nationality(/ies): Russia Gender: Female

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and Travel ban. Other Information: Wife of Vladlen Stepanov at the time of the serious corruption UK Statement of Reasons: In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Stepanova participated in the serious corruption through her approval of part of the fraudulent tax rebate. She was responsible for and her actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption. She transferred or converted, or facilitated the transfer or conversion of, the proceeds of the serious corruption and benefitted financially from the serious corruption.

Vladlen Yurievich Stepanov

D.O.B: 17/07/1962 Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and Travel ban. Other Information: Husband of Olga Stepanova at the time of the serious corruption UK Statement of Reasons: In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Stepanov participated in the serious corruption through his involvement, in particular, owning a bank account which received misappropriated funds. His actions provided support for or facilitated the misappropriation. He transferred or converted, or facilitated the transfer or conversion of, the proceeds the serious corruption, and benefitted financially from the serious corruption. Stepanov is also associated with Olga Stepanova, his then wife, who is also a person involved in serious corruption.

Yelena Ivanovna Khimina, Head of Moscow Tax Office No. 25

D.O.B: 11/09/1953 Town of birth: Moscow Country of birth: Russia Nationality(/ies): Russia Gender: Female

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and Travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Khimina participated in the serious corruption through her approval of part of the fraudulent tax rebate. She was responsible for and her actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption. She also transferred or converted, or facilitated the transfer or conversion of, the proceeds of the serious corruption.

Andrey Alekseyevich Pavlov, Lawyer

D.O.B: 07/08/1977 Nationality(/ies): Russia Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and Travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. PAVLOV participated in the fraud through his involvement, in particular, in court processes based on fraudulent claims for damages, as the lawyer representing Rilend. His actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption.

Aleksey Nikolaevich Sheshenya

D.O.B: 16/04/1971 Town of birth: Kommunarsk, Voroshilov region Country of birth: Former USSR, now Ukraine Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and Travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Sheshenya participated in the fraud through his involvement, in particular, in court processes based on fraudulent claims for damages, as the director of Grand-Aktiv LLC. His actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption.

Gennady Nikolaevich Plaksin, Former Chairman of the Universal Savings Bank

D.O.B: 30/08/1961 Town of birth: Klin, Moscow Region, Country of birth: Russia Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and Travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Plaksin participated in the fraud through his involvement, in particular, in court processes based on fraudulent claims for damages, as the director of Instar LLC. His actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption.

Vyacheslav Georgievich Khlebnikov, Businessman

D.O.B: 09/07/1967 Town of birth: Tambov Country of birth: Russia Nationality(/ies): Russia Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and Travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Khelbnikov participated in the fraud through his involvement, in particular, in the improper transfer of ownership of the company Makhaon and the submission of applications for fraudulent tax rebates. His actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption.

Viktor Aleksandrovich Markelov, Businessman

D.O.B: 15/12/1957 Town of birth: Leninskoye village, Uzganskiy District, Osh region Country of birth: Former USSR, now Kyrgyzstan Nationality(/ies): Russia Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and Travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Markelov participated in the fraud through his involvement, in particular, in the improper transfer of ownership of the company Parfenion and the submission of applications for fraudulent tax rebates. His actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption.

Dmitry Vladislavovich Klyuev, Owner of Universal Savings Bank

D.O.B: 10/08/1967 Town of birth: Moscow Country of birth: Russia Nationality(/ies): Russia Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: In ADecember 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Klyuev participated in the fraud through his involvement, in particular in planning the fraud, and through his ownership of Universal Savings Bank. He was responsible for, and his actions facilitated or provided support for, the serious corruption. He also transferred or converted, or facilitated the transfer or conversion of, the proceeds of the serious corruption.

Oleg Vyacheslavovich Urzhumstev, Formerly Senior Investigator of the Department for Investigating Organised Economic Criminal Activity of the Investigative Committee under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.

D.O.B: 22/10/1968 Nationality(/ies): Russia Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Urzhumstev was involved in the fraud, in particular, by closing an investigation into the re-registration of companies involved in the misappropriation. His actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption.

Yulia Mikhailovna Mayorova, Lawyer

D.O.B: 23/04/1979 Town of birth: Moscow Country of birth: Russia Nationality(/ies): Russia Gender: Female

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: In December 2007, an organised criminal group was involved in serious corruption through the misappropriation of the equivalent of $230m of Russian state property via a complex scheme involving a fraudulent tax rebate. Mayorova participated in the fraud through her involvement, in particular, in court processes based on fraudulent claims for damages, as the lawyer representing Makhaon. Her actions facilitated or provided support for the serious corruption.

Ashraf Said Ahmed Hussein Ali ,Businessman

Address: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) D.O.B: (1) dd/01/1957 (2) 01/04/1957 Nationality(/ies): (1) Sudan (2) South Sudan (3) possibly United Arab Emirates Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: Ashraf Seed Ahmed Hussein Ali, widely known as Al-Cardinal, has been involved in serious corruption in South Sudan involving the misappropriation of state property to his benefit and the benefit of others. He has been the beneficiary of commitments from the State which constituted the improper diversion of significant amounts of government revenues and funds. His actions facilitated or provided support for serious corruption that has caused damage to South Sudan's public finances and contributed to ongoing instability and conflict.

Ajay Kumar Gupta, Businessperson

Address: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) D.O.B: 05/02/1956 Town of birth: Saharanpur Country of birth: India Nationality(/ies): (1) India (2) South Africa Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and travel ban. Other Information: Associated with: Atul Gupta (brother/business partner); Rajesh Kumar Gupta (brother/business partner); Salim Essa (business partner). UK Statement of Reasons: Ajay Gupta, in association with Atul Gupta, Rajesh Gupta and Salim Essa, has been involved in serious corruption in South Africa, involving the misappropriation of property. He has been responsible for this corruption by playing a key part in its organisation and has financially benefitted from it. This corruption caused serious damage to South Africa.

Atul Kumar Gupta, Businessperson

Address: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) D.O.B: 14/06/1968 Town of birth: Saharanpur Country of birth: India Nationality(/ies): (1) India (2) South Africa Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and travel ban. Other Information: Associated with: Ajay Kumar Gupta (brother/business partner); Rajesh Kumar Gupta (brother/business partner) Salim Essa (business partner). UK Statement of Reasons: Atul Gupta, in association with Ajay Gupta, Rajesh Gupta and Salim Essa, has been involved in serious corruption in South Africa, involving the misappropriation of property. He has been responsible for this corruption by playing a key part in its organisation and has financially benefitted from it. This corruption caused serious damage to South Africa.

Rajesh Kumar Gupta, Businessperson

Address: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) D.O.B: 05/08/1972 Town of birth: Saharanpur Country of birth: India Nationality(/ies): (1) India (2) South Africa Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and travel ban. Other Information: Associated with: Ajay Kumar Gupta (brother/business partner); Atul Kumar Gupta (brother/business partner); Salim Essa (business partner) UK Statement of Reasons: Rajesh 'Tony' Gupta, in association with Ajay Gupta, Atul Gupta and Salim Essa, has been involved in serious corruption in South Africa, involving the misappropriation of property. He has been responsible for this corruption by playing a key part in its organisation and has financially benefitted from it. This corruption caused serious damage to South Africa.

Salim Azziz Essa, Businessperson

Address: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) D.O.B: 15/01/1978 Town of birth: Johannesburg Country of birth: South Africa Nationality(/ies): South Africa Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and travel ban. Other Information: Ajay Kumar Gupta (business partner); Atul Kumar Gupta (business partner); Rajesh Kumar Gupta (business partner) UK Statement of Reasons: Salim Essa, in association with Ajay Gupta, Atul Gupta and Rajesh Gupta, has been involved in serious corruption in South Africa, involving the misappropriation of property. He has been responsible for this corruption by playing a key part in its organisation and has financially benefitted from it. This corruption caused serious damage to South Africa.

Oscar Ramon Najera, Congressman

Address: Honduras D.O.B: 12/12/1950 Country of birth: Honduras Nationality(/ies): Honduras Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: Najera is a Congressman in the Honduran Congress. He has been involved in serious corruption using his position to facilitate bribes that supported a major drug trafficking organisation, 'Los Cachiros', and which enabled the cartel to evade accountability. Conduct of this nature seriously undermines the rule of law and trust in public institutions in Honduras. He is responsible for, and facilitated or provided support for, serious corruption, and financially benefitted from it.

Felipe Alejos Lorenzana, Deputy and Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Congress of Guatemala.

D.O.B: 03/10/1984 Nationality(/ies): Guatemala Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: Alejos Lonrenzana is a Deputy and Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Congress of Guatemala. He has been involved in serious corruption using his position to attract clients with the offer of expediting the refund of tax credits in exchange for bribes, and benefitting from commission charges He is responsible for, and facilitated or provided support for, and benefitted from, serious corruption.

Jose Francisco Lopez Centeno, Treasurer of Sandinista Party (2) Minister (Advisory) of Production and Trade

Address: Nicaragua D.O.B: 17/09/1950 Country of birth: Nicaragua Nationality(/ies): Nicaragua Gender: Male

Sanctions Imposed: Asset freeze and travel ban. UK Statement of Reasons: Lopez Centeno was a high-ranking public official and Vice President of state-owned Albanisa. He has been involved in serious corruption by presiding over misappropriation during his leadership whereby public funds were diverted to fake companies, or inflated projects. He has been responsible for serious corruption, and facilitated or supported it. This deprived the Nicaraguan state and its citizens of vital resources for development.
WASHINGTON  It may not be the loftiest dispute the Supreme Court has ever heard, but the suit from a high school cheerleader who lashed out after being cut from the team may be one of the most relatable for anyone who's ever had a bad day.

And the case of Brandi Levy, who at 14 years old let off some steam in a profanity-laden social media post in 2017 aimed at her school, her team and "everything," may wind up as one of the court's most important decisions on student speech in a generation.

The nation's highest court, which will hear oral arguments in the case Wednesday, could decide whether schools may punish students for the things they say off-campus, including on social media sites that have become ubiquitous for American teens.

Civil liberties groups fear the court will turn schools into speech police, limiting students' First Amendment rights. School districts counter that they must be free to discipline off-campus speech that leaches into the classroom and the locker room, including to protect students from bullying that can be amplified online and miles from the schoolyard.

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The story starts when Levy, a rising sophomore at the Mahanoy Area School District in Pennsylvania, failed to make the varsity cheer squad. She took to Snapchat, exhorting her followers on the social media site to "F school f softball f cheer f everything." In case the message wasn't clear, she included a picture of her and a friend  both of whom were off-campus at the time  raising their middle fingers.

Brandi Levy wears her former cheerleading outfit as she looks at her mobile phone while sitting outside Mahanoy Area High School in Mahanoy City, Pa., on April 4, 2021. This photo was provided by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Snapchat messages disappear on their own  the posts are meant to be temporary  but another student captured Levy's message with a screen grab and showed it to the team's coaches. Levy was booted from the junior varsity squad and, after appealing to school authorities, her parents sued the district in federal court.

Story continues

"If I had to do it over again, I probably wouldn't have posted that," Levy, now a college freshman planning to major in accounting, acknowledged in an interview. "I feel like I just wouldn't have posted it but I still would have had those same feelings."

Student speech was at the heart of Tinker v. Des Moines, a landmark 1969 Supreme Court decision that involved a group of students who wanted to wear black armbands to protest the war in Vietnam. The court affirmed that students don't shed their freedoms "at the schoolhouse gate," but also ruled that schools may regulate speech in cases where it "materially disrupts" the operation of the school.

The question for the court is whether that same standard applies to off-campus speech. Attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union, who are representing Levy in the case, say that applying that standard beyond the school would give principals power to punish students even in cases when they are chatting with their friends on the weekend.

"The fear is that by extending Tinker, it will allow schools to regulate what you could call socially useful speech," said Witold "Vic" Walczak, legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania. "Anything that is critical, potentially offensive, politically incorrect, challenges the status quo, is potentially disruptive."

The Mahanoy school district declined to comment, but several groups representing teachers and school administrators pointed to "real world" consequences of not allowing them to discipline students for off-campus speech. Several noted that most school children took part in class remotely at some point during the coronavirus pandemic.

Another problem the schools raise: bullying, which happens at school, but also online.

"The concern is, how do we keep young people safe, young people that are in our charge, when the actions that we're concerned with have to do with student speech that can sadly sometimes involve bullying and harassment, with very tragic consequences?" said Francisco Negron, chief legal officer for the National School Boards Association.

"What this case is really about is how virtual reality for young people is no longer virtual in nature. It simply is reality."

A federal district court ruled for Levy in 2019, finding that  even if the Tinker standard applied off campus  the speech she used wasn't disruptive enough to trigger disciplinary action. The Philadelphia-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit took the decision a step further, finding that Tinker does not apply to off-campus speech.

The unanimous opinion found Levy's message "crude, rude, and juvenile, just as we might expect of an adolescent." But, the court said, "the primary responsibility for teaching civility rests with parents and other members of the community."

"Otherwise, we give school administrators the power to quash student expression deemed crude or offensive  which far too easily metastasizes into the power to censor valuable speech and legitimate criticism," the court wrote.

The Supreme Court is expected to decide the case in June.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court to hear arguments in off-campus student speech case
New Jersey will consider whether to drop outdoor mask mandates for vaccinated people after federal officials announced updated guidance on face coverings during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Phil Murphy said.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday that vaccinated people in the U.S. dont need to wear masks outdoors unless they are in a big crowd of strangers and that those who are unvaccinated can go without a face covering outside in some cases.

Appearing on MSNBC shortly after the CDCs announcement, Murphy said his office will review the guidance.

We will certainly, as we always do, take the CDC guidance seriously and work with that guidance and continue to open our state up, the governor said on Meet the Press Daily.

Our guidance for masking outdoors has been from the get-go in this pandemic, you need to wear a mask if you cant socially distance, he added. If you can, you dont need to. I would expect if there is then the next layer of full vaccination, that thats another step that well be able to take.

Murphy issued an order last July calling for people in New Jersey to wear face masks not just indoors but also outdoors in public if they cant practice social distancing.

He said as recently as last week he wasnt yet open to dropping the outdoor mandate. NJ Advance Media asked him Friday whether hed consider it after nearby Connecticut announced it is lifting all its outdoor safety restrictions on May 1.

Remember where we are on outdoor masks: You wear them when social distancing is not achievable. If it is achievable, right now you dont need to wear them. Thats where I think were gonna stay for the time being, Murphy said Friday.

But the new federal guidance is specific to vaccinated people, and Murphys administration has often accepted the CDCs advice. The agency released the updated guidance Tuesday after more than half of U.S. adults have gotten at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, and more than a third have been fully vaccinated.

The CDC guidance says that fully vaccinated people do not have to wear masks outdoors when they walk, bike, or run alone or while with members of their household. They also can go maskless in small outdoor gatherings with fully vaccinated people.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

More than 2.86 million people have been fully vaccinated in New Jersey as of Tuesday  about 41% of the states 6.9 million adult residents. The states goal is to fully vaccinate 70% of its eligible adult population  about 4.7 million people  by the end of June.

Stephanie Silvera, an epidemiologist and public health professor at Montclair State University, said she wouldnt be surprised if Murphy followed what the CDC is recommending because he has followed the agency in the past.

Silvera pointed to how cases went down last summer in part because the warmer weather allowed people to spend more of their time outside.

You layer on top of that that more people are vaccinated, she said. (Being outside) is a low-risk way for people to get together.

But Silvera said people should still be cautious  especially if they are not vaccinated.

What you dont want to do is go to a March or parade unmasked if you are still unvaccinated, she said.

Silvera also hopes this might encourage more people to get a vaccination shot.

This is safer for fully-vaccinated people, she said. If you are still unvaccinated and get together for a large party, you should still wear masks.

Unvaccinated people  defined by the CDC as those who have yet to receive both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine  should wear masks at outdoor gatherings that include other unvaccinated people. They also should keep using masks at outdoor restaurants.

Fully vaccinated people do not need to cover up in those situations, the CDC says.

However, everyone should keep wearing masks at crowded outdoor events such as concerts or sporting events, the CDC says.

The agency continues to recommend masks at indoor public places, such as hair salons, restaurants, shopping centers, museums, and movie theaters.

New Jersey on Tuesday reported another 1,930 confirmed cases and an additional 60 confirmed deaths, a day after Murphy announced the state will ease a series of COVID-19 restrictions in two weeks as numbers improve.

Statewide COVID-19 hospitalizations rose slightly for the first time in six days, but the states transmission rate dropped to 0.88, its lowest point in two months.

New Jerseys seven-day rolling average for new cases in the state is now 2,213  down 25% from a week ago and 35% from a month ago.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.
A family of eight was intercepted by police officers on Monday in southern Vietnam while illegally crossing the Vietnam-Cambodia border by riding a boat on the Tien River, a branch of the Mekong River that connects the two countries.

The family, with four adults and four children, was detained in a joint effort by the law enforcers of southern An Giang and Dong Thap Provinces, according to Huynh Chien Thang, an official at Vinh Xuong Border Gate in An Giangs Tan Chau Town.

More specifically, they were spotted by the border guard cohort around 2:30 am on Monday while running down the Tien River on a lightweight composite boat for leaving Kompong Chang Province in Cambodia for Vietnam.

After detecting the family, the border guard cohort forced them to turn around and head back to Cambodia.

A family of eight is spotted on a lightweight boat on a section of the Tien River in An Giang Province, Vietnam, trying to sneak from Cambodia, April 26, 2021. Video: Chien Thang / Tuoi Tre

By 3:15 am of the same day, border guards at Vinh Xuong Border Gate had detected two Cambodian porters fetching bags of cargo near a boundary stone along the Vietnam-Cambodia border, which adjoins Phu Quy Village of Tan Chau Town.

As soon as the officers arrived, the two Cambodians had fled the scene.

After probing the cargo they left behind, border guards found some 1,000 boxes of cigarettes attached to them.

The task force seized the cargo and reported the case to the Border Guard Command of An Giang Province.

As of Tuesday morning, Vietnam has documented 2,852 cases, with 2,516 recoveries and 35 deaths.

Considering the pandemic situation in neighboring countries has become increasingly complicated, Vietnamese officials, especially those in the southern provinces that share the border with Cambodia and Laos, are scrambling to fence off the risk of COVID-19 transmission from border jumpers.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Cambodia has surged to nearly 10,000, with daily spikes recorded in the hundreds, while its fatalities have risen to 79.

Thailands tally has increased to over 55,000, with some 160 deaths, whereas Laos has locked down its capital to prevent transmission.

In light of these developments, the Ho Chi Minh City administration has called off all fireworks displays that were previously planned for the celebration of this years Reunification Day (April 30).

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They claimed to be serving a court ruling which appointed a legal guardian to manage the company. The IFJ joins the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate in condemning the use of bogus legal procedures to cover its illegal confiscation of a private media company.

According to YJS, Houthi forces sealed the offices of the company on Sunday 25 April and appointed a legal guardian to manage the relations with its customers. It also appointed new security guards after preventing employees from entering the offices. Yemen Digital Media is one of the biggest media services companies in Yemen. It employs 35 staff including 15 journalists and it provides media services to major international networks including BBC Arabic, Aljazeera, Russia Today, Al Hurra and many others from its offices covering the country.

The closure came a day after a court is Sana charged Taha Almamary, a Yemeni journalist and the executive director of the company, of crimes against state security and espionage. The YJS said that the charges brought against Almamary are baseless and the court proceedings are a mockery of the law, since it all happened in secret without informing him, the company or any relevant party.

Almamary, who has been living outside Yemen since 2015, said the charges against him do not make any sense and that those behind this operation are only interested in confiscating the company to run it or shut it down so they become the only media service providers in Sana through the companies they own and control.

The de facto government in Sana is fully responsible for this use of bogus legal procedures to cover up an armed robbery and must stop it. said Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary. We urge all international media to stop using the services of the companies owned or controlled by Houthis in Sana until Yemen Digital Media is returned to its rightful owner and our colleagues are able to return to work, otherwise they will be complicit in this thuggish behavior.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 22:13:45|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on April 27, 2021 shows cultural relics unearthed from tombs at the delta province of Daqahilia, Egypt. An Egyptian archeological mission unearthed 110 tombs that date back to different ancient eras in the delta province of Daqahilia, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said in a statement on Tuesday. (Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities/Handout via Xinhua)

CAIRO, April 27 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian archeological mission unearthed 110 tombs that date back to different ancient eras in the delta province of Daqahilia, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The discovery is an important addition to our knowledge about the history of ancient Egypt as it included pieces from three civilizations," said Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Waziri referred to the three civilizations as Lower Egypt, Naqada III which is the last phase of the Naqada culture of ancient Egyptian prehistory, dating from approximately 3200 BC to 3000 BC, and the second intermediate period known as the Hyksos period when Egypt fell into disarray between the end of the Middle Kingdom and the start of New Kingdom.

He added that 68 tombs belonging to the civilization of Lower Egypt were found in oval shapes containing some crossed-leg mummies whose heads were directed to the west.

Meanwhile, many pots and makeup materials were found in 37 other tombs that belonged to the Hyksos period.

The mission also found several ovens and remains of muddy brick pillars, pottery vessels, earrings and scarabs. Enditem
The publisher of a best-selling biography of novelist Philip Roth is permanently taking the book out of print after its author  ex-Lusher Middle School teacher Blake Bailey  was accused of raping multiple women and grooming several of his former eighth-grade students for sexual encounters when they were older, the company said Tuesday.

W.W. Norton also said it would make a donation to sexual abuse organizations equaling the advance it paid to Bailey, who has denied any illegal conduct amid the wave of revelations against him. And Norton said it would pull Bailey's 2014 memoir, The Splendid Things We Planned, out of print, too.

In a statement Tuesday, Bailey's New Orleans attorney, Billy Gibbens, said Norton's knee-jerk reaction is troubling and unwarranted.

+5 New claim against Blake Bailey: Ex-student alleges he tried to rape her after Hurricane Katrina Former Lusher Middle School student Caryn Blair never viewed her eighth-grade English teacher  literary biographer Blake Bailey  as a mentor

Norton made the drastic, unilateral decision to take Mr. Baileys books out of print, based on the false and unsubstantiated allegations against him, without undertaking any investigation or offering Mr. Bailey the opportunity to refute the allegations, Gibbens' statement said. Mr. Baileys European publishers wisely have not taken such a rash course of action.

Norton said last week it would halt promotion of the Roth biography and stop shipping copies of the newly released book's second print run, though digital and audio versions had remained available.

The New York Times, which first reported Nortons announcement after obtaining an internal memo sent to the companys staff, said it was not clear Tuesday what would happen to existing print copies of his books, or if any digital and audio versions would also be nixed. In its statement, Norton said, Mr. Bailey will be free to seek publication elsewhere if he chooses.

Norton didn't say what the amount of Bailey's advance for the Roth book was, though the Times reported it was in the mid-six figures. The Times also reported that taking books out of print after they have already been published is relatively uncommon in the publishing industry.

Four former students of Bailey, who taught at Lusher for seven years beginning around 1993, said last week that he forged close relationships with them over their mutual interest in writing. They said he kept in contact after they left Lusher and then exploited their trust to pressure them for sex years later. One of them  Eve Crawford Peyton  accused him of forcible rape.

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A fifth former Lusher student, Caryn Blair, accused Bailey of trying to rape her during a chance encounter in the months following Hurricane Katrina, an assault she says she used physical force to stave off. And a sixth former student, Elisha Diamond, recounted how she rebuffed an advance from Bailey that involved him sliding his hand up her bare thigh at a meet-up during her freshman year in college.

After Peyton and Diamond spoke out, a New York publishing executive named Valentina Rice told the Times that Bailey had raped her in 2015. The executive reported the allegation privately to Norton, as well as to the Times, later, but Bailey strongly denied it, and the allegation was not aired publicly before last week.

Many in the literary world praised Baileys 900-page biography of Roth, which quickly landed on the Times best-seller list, though some reviewers felt the biographer showed too much sympathy for his subjects misogynistic behavior.

The women who spoke out against Bailey said they came forward because it was difficult to see his profile continue rising after he published earlier biographies on authors Richard Yates, John Cheever and Charles Jackson.

Blake Bailey publisher halts shipping, promotion of new book after ex-Lusher students' allegations The publisher of a bestselling biography about writer Philip Roth is pausing its promotion and shipping of the book after the former Lusher Mi

Bailey, through Gibbens, issued a statement last week saying it was absurd to suggest that he was grooming students for anticipated encounters as adults many years later. That statement also said allegations of illegal conduct by Bailey were false, hurtful descriptions of conduct between adults.

Yet at least two of the women who spoke out against him retained apologetic emails from Bailey, including one where he called his behavior deplorable and another in which he acknowledged acting disgracefully.

Bailey obtained bachelors and masters degrees from Tulane University and the University of New Orleans, according to Louisiana public school records. His teaching certificate from the state of Louisiana remains valid, records show.

Blake Bailey publisher halts shipping, promotion of new book after ex-Lusher students' allegations The publisher of a bestselling biography about writer Philip Roth is pausing its promotion and shipping of the book after the former Lusher Mi
Hunter Biden is helping teach a class on fake news at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana this fall.

The course titled 'Media Polarization and Public Policy Impacts' will include several guest speakers throughout its 10 weeks, including the president's son.

The course description, according to a copy of the syllabus obtained by DailyMail.com, says: 'America's rapidly advancing partisan divide is fueled substantially by the growing political polarization increasingly evident in our news media.'

'This course will explore the current state of the media landscape in the United States and how media polarization, fake news, and the economics of the news business impact public policymaking in Washington, D.C,' it continues.

Hunter, 51, is a Yale-educated lawyer and has never, in any capacities, worked as a journalist, reporter or in the media world.

Hunter Biden will guest teach a class on 'fake news' in the fall. The syllabus, obtained by DailyMail.com, details 10 media and political guest speakers

'Hunter Biden has no background in media,' conservative filmmaker Phelim McAleer said. 'He has never worked for a newspaper or a media outlet.'

'Hunter Biden lecturing a class on fake news is like Harvey Weinstein teaching a course to prevent sexual harassment. It shouldn't be happening. Period.' the 'My Son Hunter' producer continued.

Tulane University confirmed the course in a statement to DailyMail.com and confirmed the list of speaker, including:

Hunter Biden

Dr. Deborah Birx, White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator under President Donald Trump

Juan Williams, political analyst for Fox News Channel

Susan Glasser, columnist for The New Yorker

Margaret Sullivan, Washington Post columnist; Kylie Atwood, national security correspondent for CNN

Margaret Brennan, Face the Nation moderator

Bret Stephens, New York Times columnist

Dr. Michael Fauntroy, a professor in the Political Science Department at Howard University.

The syllabus misspells Dr. Birx's name as 'Birks.'

Donald Trump coined the term 'fake news' during his 2016 campaign for president where he insisted liberal-leaning media outlets were paining him in a false light and reporting fake stories on him  specifically regarding Russian collusion.

The 10-week course titled 'Media Polarization and Public Policy Impacts' is being hosted by Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana

Hunter is one of the 10 guests who will guest speak during the course. Most other speakers include journalists and media personalities

The course is specifically targeted 'those interested in media relations and policy.'

Hunter previously has taught a course at Georgetown, where he received his undergraduate degree in History and attended his first year of law school before transferring to Yale where he obtained his JD.

He touted teaching at Georgetown when trying to obtain a teaching position at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law in 2019.

This isn't the first time the president's son has ventured into areas that aren't his specialty.

In February 2020, Hunter opened up about his passion for art in an interview with the Times.

In December last year, it emerged that while Hunter has not professional background as an artist, he signed a deal for a solo art exhibit at Manhattan's upscale Georges Berges Gallery in SoHo for sometime later this year.

Most recently, Hunter has worked as a lawyer and investment advisor on a range of foreign deals, which have drawn scrutiny from the Justice Department.

Hunter said creating art was 'literally keeping me sane' following struggles with crack addiction, and in the midst of politically charged scrutiny over his foreign dealings.
Canadian police officers armed with guns returned to the front door of a Canadian church to issue notice that the church was breaching government coronavirus orders, only to be confronted by the pastor who told them to immediately vacate the premises.

"I do not cooperate with Gestapo," said Artur Pawlowski, pastor of The Cave of Adullam in Canada. "I do not talk to the Nazis. You came in your uniforms like thugs. That's what you are - brownshirts of Adolf Hitler. You are Nazi Gestapo Communist Fascists."

The pastor captured footage of his second standoff with the authorities. As explained in an earlier report, he does it for his protection.

"Please, you don't have to get in my personal space," the health inspection officer said. "Well, you're in my personal space," Pastor Pawlowski replied. He stood firm and held the officers outside the chapel.

The officer still attempted to initiate a dialogue to justify the "health order," but the pastor would not hear it.

"You see, this is what the Gestapo is doing...I do not cooperate with Nazis. Talk to my lawyer," he told them. "You are coming to the place of worship to intimidate. You can make an appointment on another day."

Seeing that the minister was one tough nut to crack, the officers finally decided to leave.

Turning the camera to himself, the pastor explained his tirade.

"This is what most people don't understand...You think that they are here for your health? Seriously? They could come any day of the week. They could call me. They could say, 'Hey! We wanna inspect your facility. We wanna come. No.No. They wanna do it during the church service because they have a purpose, they have an agenda," he said.

Pawloski's warning to the West

Pawlowski also went into a monologue about the methodical stripping of people's rights. As previously explained, he and his family fled their home country which had fallen into communists' rulers' hands. He grew up seeing firsthand how a government mistreats citizens. Seeing the same pattern emerging in his adoptive country, the veteran minister would rather fight than cower in fear.

"History is teaching us that those types of people will never stop," he continued while explaining that it begins with the subtle dissolution of rights.

"One cut at a time, one law at a time, and then eventually, you're going to wake up, and you will be in a concentration camp like my brother says, 'turn into a soap,'" he said.

Pawlowski added that he and his brother had been warning Westerners about what was coming but people just laughed at them. They were accused of just making it up, that they were mere conspiracy theorists, and that they were blowing it out of proportion.

"You think that this (only) happens in Russia, in China, but it's happening here in the Western Democracy," he noted.

Additionally, the Cave of Adullam pastor claimed that constraints imposed under the cover of a health emergency constitute "medical tyranny." The terrifying part is when police press their case hard and resort to harming civilians in the name of "just doing their job."

"I truly believe that they're pushing hard because they want a reaction. They want a martial law. They want a revolution," he surmised.
COVID-19 testing information for west-central Illinois counties:

Morgan County

Jacksonville

Days and times: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Drive-through testing site located at Dunlap Court and Morgan Street.

Details: No appointment necessary. Photo ID and insurance card requested but not required.



Brown County

Mount Sterling

Days and times: By appointment.

Location: Brown County Health Department, 120 E. Main St. 217-773-2714

Details: Testing eligibility determined by telephone screening.



Cass County

Beardstown

Days and times: Monday-Friday 9-11:20 a.m.

Location: Cass County Health Department, 8590 St. Lukes Drive. 217-323-2182

Virginia

Days and times: Monday-Friday 1-3 p.m.

Location: Cass County Health Department, 331 S. Main St. 217-452-3057

Details: Testing by appointment only and is limited to those who live or work in Cass County. Schedules subject to change.



Greene County

Carrollton

Days and times: By appointment. Open seven days a week.

Location: Boyd Rural Health Clinic, 800 School St. 217-942-3600

Details: Testing performed if medically indicated, pre-op with doctors order, or return to work. Must call and leave message with name and callback number.



Jersey County

Jerseyville

Days and times: By appointment.

Location: Jerseyville Community Hospital Walk-in Clinic, 903 S. State St. 618-498-2273

Details: Testing performed if medically indicated.



Macoupin County

Gillespie

Days and times: By appointment.

Location: Maple Street Clinic, 109 E. Maple St. 217-313-5078

Details: Drive-through free testing. Register by phone or online at mcphd.net.



Pike County

Pittsfield

Days and times: By appointment.

Location: Quincy Medical Group, 320 N. Madison St. 217-277-4001

Details: Testing performed if medically indicated.

.

Days and times: Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Location: Illini Express Clinic, 101 E. Washington St. 217-277-3504

Details: Testing performed if medically indicated. Register upon arrival.



Scott County

Winchester:

Days and times: Mondays and Fridays 9-11 a.m.

Location: Scott County Health Department, 335 W. Cherry St.

Details: Schedule subject to change. See Facebook page for updates.
"I am so proud to work at a company that does great work for our clients and enjoys spending time together." Tweet this

Founded in 2008, Liberty's world-class team has added an impressive $1 billion to our clients' operating incomes over the years, and been involved in 300+ mergers, acquisitions and carve-out projects. The company aims to drive future growth by continuing to align with our clients on their toughest business and IT challenges; further strengthening our collaborative, problem-solving culture; and building genuine and trusting relationships both inside and outside of the firm. In short, we will continue to grow, evolve, and improve.

Determining the Best Places to Work in Chicago involved a two-step process. The first step consisted of evaluating each participating company's workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of employee surveys aimed at assessing the experiences and attitudes of individual employees with respect to their workplace. This part was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the best companies and the final ranking. For more information on the Best Places to Work in Chicago program, visit www.bestplacestoworkchi.com

The full list of Best Places to Work in Chicago is featured in Crain's Chicago Business and is available online here.

ABOUT LIBERTY ADVISOR GROUP

Liberty Advisor Group is a goal-oriented, client-focused, and results-driven consulting firm. We are a lean, handpicked team of strategists, technologists, and entrepreneurs  battle-tested experts with a steadfast, start-up attitude. We collaborate, integrate, and ideate in real-time with our clients to deliver situation-specific solutions that work. Liberty Advisor Group has the experience to realize our clients' highest ambitions. Liberty has been named as Great Place to Work , to the Best Places to Work in Chicago- 2019, and to FORTUNE's list of Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services.

https://www.libertyadvisorgroup.com/

About Crain's Chicago Business

Crain's Chicago Business is the top source of news, analysis and information on business in metropolitan Chicago for decision-makers in the private and public sectors. Crain's publishes a weekly business magazine, providing deeper analysis, commentary, special reports and features. Crain's also produces databases, live events and sponsored content, all with the aim of deepening readers' understanding of local business. Crain's Chicago Business is the leading source of information on Chicago's economy, the companies, industries and institutions that operate here and the entrepreneurs and innovators who drive the city's growth.

SOURCE Liberty Advisor Group

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Spotlight PA is an independent, non-partisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters.

HARRISBURG  Pennsylvania will lose one of its seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Census Bureau has confirmed, setting up a high-stakes redistricting process as Democrats and Republicans battle to protect their incumbents.

The bureau released the long-awaited state population totals Monday as part of the decennial count that determines the distribution of 435 congressional seats as well as Electoral College votes.

Beginning in 2022, Pennsylvania will be split into 17 congressional districts, as opposed to the 18 currently represented evenly by Democratic and Republican representatives.

The states congressional map is drawn by the 253-member legislature and must be approved by the governor. In 2011, both of those branches were controlled by Republicans. But this time around, the GOP-controlled House and Senate will need the blessing of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.

If history is any indication, it might be a rough process.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2018 ordered the legislature to draw a new congressional map after finding the previous version clearly, plainly, and palpably violated the state constitution. That ruling stemmed from a lawsuit brought by the League of Women Voters and individual Democrats that called the map a partisan gerrymander designed to benefit the GOP.

Wolf rejected the new map drawn by Republican lawmakers, and  after the two sides failed to reach an agreement  the court imposed its own version. GOP leadership said the move would create a constitutional crisis and took its own challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to intervene.

This story will be updated.

WHILE YOURE HERE... If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
The new Sienna Woodland Special Edition, in the available exterior colors Cement (exclusive to the Sienna Woodland Edition) or Midnight Black Metallic, offers a beautifully distinctive exterior and premium interior styling with the versatile features one would expect from the fourth generation Sienna. Designed with a focus on versatility and comfort combined with class-leading projected 35 EPA-estimated combined MPG, the Sienna Woodland Edition comes standard with:

AWD w/ Added Ground Clearance  To take on dirt roads with confidence

1500W capable power outlet  To power-up most household items for a short day trip or an overnight camping excursion

Tow hitch with 3500lb Towing Capability  Perfect for bringing a 4Wheeler or Jet Ski

Roof rails with crossbars

Exclusive Cement exterior color

Black sport trimmed seats with unique stitch color

18" wheels

Dark chrome-colored accents

Black badging

Navigation with JBL 1200W System with 12 Speakers

And with the flexibility and roominess to fit people, pets and recreational gear  the Sienna Woodland Edition also comes standard with features like super-long-slide second-row captain's chairs, flexible seating and cargo layout with Split & Stow 3rd Row Seat, kick-activated sliding doors, heated front driver & passenger seats, sunshades in the 2nd row and a total of seven USB ports across all three rows.

Electronic On-Demand All Wheel Drive

The new generation Sienna is the only vehicle in its segment that combines a hybrid powertrain with AWD, and the system is available on all model grades for an exceptionally attractive price. For the 2022 Sienna Woodland Special Edition, drivers can now enjoy standard Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive System with increased ground clearance.

Instead of a heavy AWD transfer case and space-robbing driveshaft to the rear wheels, this AWD system uses a separate independent electric motor to power the rear wheels the instant additional traction is needed and at all vehicle speeds.

Like the hybrid system, the Hybrid AWD system works seamlessly and transparently. During off-the-line starts, Hybrid AWD pre-emptively sends up to 80 percent of driving force to the rear wheels to help prevent front-wheel slip. The Hybrid AWD system also enhances cornering agility by helping to reduce understeer, giving the Sienna a more confident handling feel.

Torque distribution then varies with conditions, from 100:0 in constant-speed driving to 20:80 on slippery surfaces. Torque distribution is indicated on the Multi-information Display.

Class Exclusive Safety Features

In addition to exemplary collision protection provided by the TNGA-K Platform, the 2022 Sienna Woodland Special Edition, come standard with second-generation Toyota Safety Sense (TSS 2.0), a comprehensive active safety system that includes:

Pre-Collision system with Pedestrian Detection

Lane Departure Alert w/Lane Trace Assist

Full Speed Adaptive Cruise Control

Automatic High Beams

Cyclist Detection

Road Sign Recognition

Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection is designed to provide automatic braking capability should the driver not react in time in certain emergency situations. The PCS system is not only designed to detect a vehicle ahead, but it can also detect a bicyclist and even a pedestrian in low light situations. Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) is standard on all Sienna models, as well.

Toyota Limited Warranty

Toyota's 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and against perforation from corrosion for 60 months with no mileage limitation. Hybrid-related components that require repairs needed to correct defects in materials or workmanship are covered for 8 years/100,000 miles, whichever comes first from original date of first use when sold as new. The HV battery is covered for 10 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, and is transferrable across ownership.

The 2022 Sienna Woodland Special Edition also comes with ToyotaCare, which covers normal factory-scheduled maintenance, for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, and 2 years of Roadside Assistance, regardless of mileage.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands plus our 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 47,000 in North America. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama that begins production in 2021.

Through its Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

Media Contacts

Nicky Hamila

Toyota

469-292-3596

[email protected]



SOURCE Toyota

Related Links

https://pressroom.toyota.com/


OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - Burkina Faso's government on Tuesday confirmed that three foreigners were killed in an ambush on an anti-poaching patrol the previous day.

Earlier it had reported that two Spanish citizens and an Irish national were missing alongside a member of the Burkinabe armed forces after the attack near a nature reserve in eastern Burkina Faso.

(Reporting by Thiam Ndiaga; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Josh Passman

Lansons Intermarket has named Josh Passman, who exited Prosek Partners in 2019 after a more than 12-year run, CEO of the New York financial firm that is part of UK-based Lansons.

He succeeds the leadership team & Intermarket co-founders Matt Zachowski, LI CEO, and Martin Mosbacher, president. They will continue at the firm as senior consultants.

Passman joins LI from PJ Solomon, boutique investment firm, where he was head of marketing & communications.

He told O'Dwyer's that he will better align the brand, culture and capabilities of the firms on both sides of the ocean, while serving as chief liaison between New York and London.

Passman said one way to bridge the culture between the firms is to rotate employees between London and New York, once the COVID-19 crisis has passed.

The new CEO is eager to beef up LI's service capabilities (e.g., social media, digital, content development); tap into Lanson's reputation management offerings, such as its ESG practice; and expand the senior management ranks.

LI will rebrand as Lansons by the end of the year and the firms will have a unified website. A single financial/accounting system will be in place by the end of summer.

The British firm acquired a majority stake in Intermarket in 2019. LI ranks as O'Dwyer's No. 20 financial firm with 2020 fees of $2.5M.
2021-04-26

Maeci

Today Deputy Minister Benedetto Della Vedova has met, by videoconference, with the Norwegian Secretary of State, Audun Halvorsen. The two counterparts first agreed to give continuity to the political dialogue , within the framework of the excellent bilateral relations, and deepen further economic cooperation prospects, especially in the most innovative sectors, such as green energy.

The meeting has also focused on cooperation between Italy and Norway in the Arctic, particularly in scientific research and the fight against climate change. Deputy Minister Della Vedova and Secretary of State Halvorsen have agreed that the growing international attention paid to the Arctic is associated with environmental concerns and the possibilities of greater economic exploitation connected with the progressive melting of the ice and the region's sensitivity on the international scene in terms of security.

The Deputy Minister has confirmed Italy's commitment, as Observer of the Arctic Council, to the region's governance while fully respecting the sovereign rights of the Arctic States. Deputy Minister Della Vedova has stressed that "at the core of Italian action in the area, there is a long tradition of commitment in scientific research hinging around the "Dirigibile Italia" base, in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, aimed at environmental conservation and fight against climate change.

The Deputy Minister has concluded: "In line with these objectives, the activities of the Italian companies in the region aim to ensure the utmost respect for a very delicate environmental context, through the use of advanced technologies".
A decorated US army officer has resigned after his battalion went 'off the rails' in a strip club and one officer went AWOL for 48 hours after dancers 'bit his nipples to keep him awake'.

Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Fix was commanding the 40-strong 'No Mercy' 1st Battalion Army Apache helicopter unit at the time of the incident.

They were on an official trip to the Polish seaside resort of Gdansk to visit World War II sites to improve 'unit cohesion and morale'.

Decorated US army officer Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Fix has been forced to resign after his battalion went 'off the rails' in a strip club and one officer went AWOL for 48 hours after dancers 'bit his nipples to keep him awake'

After getting heavily drunk, a group including the executive officer Major Matthew Connor (pictured) decided to go to the 'off-limits' Club Obsession strip club

The unit, part of the 101st Airborne Division, was on a nine-month rotation exercise in Europe providing air power along NATO's eastern and southern flanks.

But after getting heavily drunk, a group including the executive officer Major Matthew Connor decided to go to the 'off-limits' Club Obsession strip club.

Inside, they continued drinking. An official investigation found Connor had received multiple lap dances and that strippers 'bit his nipples to keep him awake'.

He also 'repeatedly had his credit card swiped.'

When the soldiers finally left in the early hours of the morning, Connor could not be found and he hadn't gone back to his hotel room.

When the soldiers finally left the Gdansk strip club in the early hours of the morning, Connor could not be found and he hadn't gone back to his hotel room

Lt. Col. Matthew Fix, then organised a search party to retrace the battalion's steps from the night before.

Major Connor was found the following day in a different hotel in the city.

A veteran of combat in Afghanistan, Fix was reprimanded and has now said he will retire after an investigation found that Connor had most likely been drugged and that Fix had not sought medical attention for the officer.

The unit, part of the 101st Airborne Division, was on a nine-month rotation exercise in Europe providing air power along NATO's eastern and southern flanks

The 40-strong 'No Mercy' 1st Battalion Army Apache helicopter unit were on an official trip to the Polish seaside resort of Gdansk to visit World War II sites to improve 'unit cohesion and morale'

The official investigation into the incident which took place last September but has only now been concluded said: 'Not only is it questionable whether the purpose and intent of a (battalion staff ride) was met, but during the trip, multiple individuals exhibited lapses in judgment and leadership that are not expected of senior leaders in the Army.'

Col. Joseph Buccino, spokesman for the 18th Airborne Corps, said: 'The command took immediate and appropriate adverse action against the leaders involved.

'Some officers are facing further administrative actions to determine whether they will continue to serve in the Army.'
"Satellites depend on many components in the space industry value chain. Dragonfly Aerospace's expertise in creating imaging constellations is an important step in the development of our vertically integrated space ecosystem ," commented Dr. Polyakov. " Dragonfly's advanced technology provides high quality images in a wide range of spectrums and resolutions that are critical for monitoring the health of our planet and enabling intelligent agriculture that protects biodiversity. This improves global food security and supports a healthy environment which ultimately benefits the lives of people on Earth. "

Dragonfly Aerospace was founded in Stellenbosch, South Africa, by a team of five satellite engineers led by Bryan Dean, a global specialist in microsatellites and high resolution cameras. Its compact, high performance imaging payloads have catapulted the company into the role of a trusted partner providing imaging technology. Dragonfly Aerospace announced at the International Astronautical Congress 2020 that it had struck a deal with EOSDA, a Noosphere Ventures portfolio company, to provide two of Dragonfly's large imagers for the company's satellites.

EOSDA has previously announced their plans to launch the world's first agriculture-focused satellite constellation, which will also help address global problems such as climate change, land degradation and environmental threats.

"I am incredibly proud today to see the company that I co-founded become an important part of Dr. Polyakov's space ecosystem," said Bryan Dean. "When our team started developing our camera technology in 2016 and then first demonstrated it successfully on the nSight-1 satellite in 2017, I knew that satellite imaging products would prove critical in the rapidly developing nanosatellite sphere. We have applied our extensive experience in developing and flying large microsatellite imagers to create innovative products for this exciting market segment. Our strategy is to work in partnership with satellite bus providers and in time deliver microsatellite solutions as well."

The Stellenbosch-based company emerged in January 2020 from Space Commercial Services (SCS) to lead the next chapter of South Africa's proud history of space engineering and satellite missions. Dragonfly began with a core team of fifteen people and has since expanded to over one hundred staff.

Dragonfly Aerospace has grown to supply a global clientele that includes NanoAvionics, Loft Orbital and Pixxel among others with a special focus on Europe, currently the largest market for imaging technology. Dragonfly Aerospace also plans to support the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the SA space industry to achieve its future space endeavours.

About Dr. Max Polyakov

Dr. Max Polyakov is an international space technology and IT entrepreneur, economist and community leader. He is the managing partner of Noosphere Ventures Investment Fund, and the founder of Firefly Aerospace, EOS Data Analytics, SETS Thruster Systems, Renatus, Maxpay, and others, that are part of the Noosphere Ventures portfolio of companies. He is also the founder and advisor to the Association Noosphere, an NGO focused on promoting STEM and free access to education with its prominent Vernadsky Challenge engineering startup contest.

For more information on Dr. Max Polyakov, please visit: https://maxpolyakov.com

For more information on Noosphere Ventures, please visit: https://noosphereventures.com

About Dragonfly Aerospace

Dragonfly Aerospace creates compact high-performance imaging payloads and satellites that are designed for large imaging constellations that will provide persistent views of the Earth in a wide range of spectrums enabling unprecedented business intelligence and improving the lives of people around the world.

For more information on Dragonfly Aerospace, please visit: https://dragonflyaerospace.com/

SOURCE Press Office of Max Polyakov

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https://maxpolyakov.com


Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 18:45:41|Editor: huaxia

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-- Though home to the world's most developed high-speed railway network, China still regularly operates 81 slow train services, covering 35 ethnic minority-populated regions, transporting some 12 million people annually at an average cost of no more than 0.06 yuan per km.

-- Slow train service has been operating in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, for over half a century, becoming a lifeline for generations of local people.

by Xinhua writers Cao Bin and Wu Guangyu

CHENGDU, April 27 (Xinhua) -- In an age of ever-extending high-speed rail networks and a race for efficiency, slow trains with an average speed of less than 40 km per hour are still running in the mountains and deserts in remote corners of China.

The slow trains, carrying the hope of local people, move forward steadily and surely with a unique rhythm that has not changed for more than 50 years.

OLD FRIENDS FOR HALF CENTURY

Layi Axia, 75, a Yi ethnic from Mianshan Township in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, remembered the day a train first rolled into Mianshan railway station. She and her husband took their one-year-old son and walked 7 km to see it.

"The train body was decorated with small red flags. We waved to the passengers, and they waved back," she said. "It was the most unforgettable day in my life."

She was still a newlywed when the Chengdu-Kunming Railway, a major transportation artery linking southwest China's Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, opened in 1970.

Her husband, a former soldier, took good care of her. They spent many hours toiling in the fields and keeping busy with farmwork in order to support their family. Later her husband died of illness, leaving her and three young sons behind. She struggled for years until, at 53, her children were married and she finally had a life of her own.

Layi Axia, a 75-year-old woman of Yi ethnic group, takes the 5634 train home with replenished shop stock bought from a wholesale market in Xichang in southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 12, 2021. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

She runs a small shop in Mianshan, selling hairpins, binding strings, hats, socks and the like. She takes the slow train to replenish her stock at a wholesale market in Xichang, the capital city of the prefecture, and goes to Sunday fairs. Business is slow, but she makes enough to cover household spending and beat loneliness.

Over the past half-century, trains running on the Chengdu-Kunming Railway have been speeding up with the development of national strength. The slow trains have also changed -- coal is no longer burned for power and the seats are much more comfortable.

However, the 5633/5634 train running between Puxiong Township and Panzhihua city still maintains its initial speed at an average of less than 40 km per hour. The whole journey is 376 km, with 26 stops along the way. The entire journey takes 11 hours and 4 minutes. The highest fare is 25.5 yuan (about 3.9 U.S. dollars), and the lowest fare is 2 yuan. The fares have remained unchanged for more than 30 years.

The wholesale price of potatoes, one of the most transported products on the train, has increased tenfold in the past 30 years.

TRAIN OF LIFE

Liu Wei, 46, has been working on the slow train for 28 years.

His father retired from the army and was dispatched to Tiexi Station along the Chengdu-Kunming Railway in 1968, becoming the only clinic doctor in the vast area.

Women of Yi ethnic group take the 5634 train in southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 12, 2021. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

"The time at the small station is too lonely. For the employees, families and children at the station, the most important thing every day was to go to the platform after dinner and wait for the slow train to arrive." Liu said only the sound of the train siren could cut through the loneliness and wake up the drowsy people.

The slow train is a cure for the tediousness of life, bringing stories from the outside as well as strange faces. Every time the slow train pulls into the station, workers, the old, children and dogs all stood together on the platform. The train only stayed for two minutes, but it was enough to wash away people's tiredness and loneliness.

Liu went to school by train every day. In the carriage, he listened to passengers discuss current affairs, watched peddlers bargain and observed train attendants. In his eyes, the attendant uniform was the most handsome outfit he could think of. His mother always carried potatoes and apples to sell. Several times, she almost was not able to make it on the train because she was carrying too much on her back.

He had looked forward to growing up so that he could help his mother carry heavy loads and put on the polished attendant uniform.

As soon as he graduated from middle school, he got his wish and became a train attendant."When I see children, I see what I used to be. When I see the old selling things, I see my mother," he said.

Liu recalled an old lady who used to get on at Puxiong Station every day, carrying potatoes collected from fellow villagers to Ganluo for sale, sometimes carrying more than 200 kg with the help of others.

Little passengers look out of the 5633 train in southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 11, 2021. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

For seven to eight years, she always took the same carriage and sat in the same seat. Liu often chatted with her. It turned out that her husband died early in their marriage, and she had to bring up four children by herself. The children grew up and left the mountains. The old lady still carried potatoes day after day, even though she was in her 70s.

One day, she did not get on the train. Liu asked other passengers and was told that she had passed away. Though he did not know her name, Liu felt like he lost a relative.

There is life that leaves, and there is also life that comes.

Once a baby boy was abandoned in a toilet of the train as soon as he was born but was fortunately adopted by a lady on the same train. Five years later, the old lady found Liu on the train, pointing to the child next to her and said: This is the boy from the toilet.

"At that moment, I suddenly felt that I was working on the train of life," he said.

Over the years, at least seven or eight children were born on Liu's train, and some Yi villagers even named their children "manche," meaning "slow train" in Chinese.

TRAIN TO THE FUTURE

Asu Ershi, 45, is a vice principal at a high school in Xide County along the railway. He had grown up counting the carriages of slow trains, and his favorite game was to make a train out of pebbles.

Chief conductor Liu Wei (L) helps a passenger board the 5633 train at Puxiong station in southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 11, 2021. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

In 1987, he and his childhood friends were finally old enough to take the slow train to school, and on the train, they, for the first time, heard adults talk about Chengdu and Chongqing -- the big outside world.

At the boarding school where Asu Ershi works, every two weeks, more than 700 students take the 5633/5634 train home and back to school. In the days when he went to school, girls were rarely seen on the train. But today, girls make up two-thirds of students.

People are dressing more fashionably, fewer are drinking on trains and you rarely see teenage brides, who were commonly seen taking the train to their husband's hometown to get married.

Outside the carriage window, more changes have taken place: buildings and vegetable greenhouses have "grown" in the once barren land; preschoolers are sent to kindergartens; young people who left the mountains have returned with confidence and ambition.

Though home to the world's most developed high-speed railway network, China still regularly operates 81 slow train services, covering 35 ethnic minority-populated regions, transporting some 12 million people annually at an average cost of no more than 0.06 yuan per km.

In order to ensure that these slow trains come to the people rain or shine, the Chinese government gives big subsidies every year. Not only that, but it also makes huge investments in upgrading the stations and building roads along the railways.

"No matter how much the world changes and how fast the high-speed rail is, the slow train is still some people's lifeline," Liu said. "My mission is to do my job well, which has nothing to do with the speed of the train.

(Video reporter: Xue Chen; Video editor: Zhu Cong) 


The French Film Festival (FFF) in Romania celebrates 25 years of existence with an anniversary summer edition that will take place July 1 - 11, in the cities of Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi, Timisoara, Brasov, Braila, Constanta, Sfantu Gheorghe, Sibiu and Suceava, reports agerpres.

According to a press statement released by the French Institute on Tuesday, moviegoers are invited to this year's edition to watch the newest and most remarkable French films, both in cinemas and outdoors, in compliance with the COVID-19 health regulations, as well as on line, for the first time in the history of the festival.

Organisers have designed five sections of five films each. The festival also brings a lot of novelties for this edition.A Young Talents - Feature Film competition showcases, as every year before, the new voices of French cinema, through five debut films that will compete for the Audience Award, this year consisting of a scholarship of 1,000 euros granted by the local French Institute to the winning film director, and also a financial support package granted by TV5 Monde to the Romanian distributor who will choose to bring the film to the silver screens of local cinemas.For the first time, the competing films will also be available online on the Elvire Chez Vous platform between July 5 and 9, so that they can be watched and voted on by as large an audience as possible. National first time releases already confirmed in this section include "Slalom" by Charlene Favier and "Seize Printemps" (Spring Blossom) by Suzanne Lindon, both included in the official Cannes 2020 selection and in more than 20 other selections at major film festivals around the world, along with "Au nom de la terre" (In the Name of the Land), Edouard Bergeon's debut feature film.This year, a new section is added to the feature film competition, the Young Talent Competition - Short Films, where five films with a special festival trek compete. A jury of three young film critics - Flavia Dima, Georgiana Musat and Victor Morozov - will pick the winner of this section, with the prize consisting of a creative residency at the Residence de Poche programme of the French Institute in Romania.In the Films of the Year Panorama, the classic section that brings together the recent successes of French cinema, rewarded at festivals or public plebiscites, comedies will predominate. Among the first-time releases in Romania are "Adieu les cons" (Bye Bye Morons) by Albert Dupontel and "Un Triomphe" (The Big Hit) by Emmanuel Courcol.Another new section is Carte Blanche for five Romanian filmmakers, in which Adina Pintilie, Radu Jude, Cristian Mungiu, Corneliu Porumboiu and Cristi Puiu each recommends a classical or more recent French film that has impressed or inspired them in a particular way.Running in the fifth section, The Best of FFF, are five films from previous editions of the festival, that marked the debut of some directors who have established themselves in the meantime.The films will be available before the actual festival, online, on the Elvire Chez Vous platform, for 24 hours each, viewable from all over Romania. The first is "Grand Central" by Rebecca Zlotowski, which premiered in Romania in 2014, in the 18th edition, when it also won the Audience Award.The online streaming will start on April 30, at 18:00hrs, EEST, and tickets are available on Eventbook: https://eventbook.ro/film/bilete-elvire-chez-vous-grand-central.
MEXICO CITY, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Volaris* (NYSE: VLRS and BMV: VOLAR), announces the resolutions of the general ordinary annual shareholders meeting held on April 26, 2021.

The general ordinary annual shareholders meeting of the Company authorized all the items of the agenda with the majority of the votes.

A courtesy English translation of the shareholders' meeting resolutions summary are attached as an exhibit.

The information included in this report has not been audited and does not provide any information about the company's future performance. Volaris' future performance depends on a number of factors, and it cannot be inferred that the performance of any period or its comparison with the same period of the previous year is an indicator of similar performance in the future.

I. Presentation and, if applicable, approval of the reports referred to article 28, section IV, of the Securities Market Law including the presentation of the financial statements for the year ended on December 31, 2020 and resolutions regarding the performance of the Board of Directors, Committees and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

The following were presented and approved: (i) the report of the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee in terms of article 43 of the Securities Market Law; (ii) the report of the Chief Executive Officer in terms of article 28, section IV, subsection b) and article 44, section XI of the Securities Market Law, together with the opinion of the external auditor; (iii) the opinion of the Board of Directors on the Chief Executive Officer's report; (iv) the report of the Board of Directors referred to in Article 172, paragraph b) of the General Law of Business Corporations on the principal accounting and information policies and criteria followed in the preparation of the Company's financial information; (v) the report of the Board of Directors referred to in Article 28, Section IV, paragraph e) of the Securities Market Law on the activities and operations of the Company in which said board participated; and (vi) the Financial Statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which show a net loss of MXN$4,293,791,000 (four billion two hundred ninety-three million seven hundred ninety-one thousand pesos 00/100).

Each and every one of the acts performed by the Board of Directors, by the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee, by the Compensations and Nominations Committee, by the Chairman, by the Chief Executive Officer, by the Secretary, by the Pro-Secretary and by the officers of the Company in the performance of their duties during fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 were ratified and approved and released from all liability derived from the performance of their duties, to which effect they are granted the most extensive severance payment that may be applicable in compliance with the law.

II. Resolutions regarding the allocation of the final results for the fiscal year ended on December 31, 2020.

It was resolved that the net losses of the Company and subsidiaries obtained for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which amount to MXN$4,293,791,000.00 (four billion two hundred ninety-three million seven hundred ninety-one thousand pesos 00/100), be applied to the "retained earnings account of prior years". Likewise, it was noted that the legal reserve of the Company amounts to MXN$291,178,000.00 (two hundred ninety-one million one hundred seventy-eight thousand pesos 00/100) as of the date of the meeting.

III. Resolutions of (i) the amount that could be allocated to the purchase of Companys shares in accordance with article 56, section IV, of the Securities Market Law; and (ii) the report regarding the policies and resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company, regarding the purchase and sale of such shares.

It was resolved that during the current fiscal year 2021 no resources will be allocated for the purchase of the Company shares.

IV. Appointment and/or ratification of the members of the Board of Directors, of the secretary, pro-secretary and principal officers.

(i) It was resolved to ratify Mr. Brian H. Franke as Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of the Company.

(ii) It was resolved to ratify Alfonso Gonzalez Migoya, Stanley L. Pace, William Dean Donovan, John Slowik, Jose Luis Fernandez Fernandez, Joaquin Alberto Palomo Deneke, Ricardo Maldonado Yanez, Guadalupe Phillips Margain and Monica Aspe Bernal as members of the Board of Directors of the Company, and it is acknowledged and ratified that they also continue to qualify as independent directors in terms of the established in Article 26 of the Securities Market Law.

(iii) It was resolved to ratify Mr. Harry F. Krensky, Mr. Enrique Javier Beltranena Mejicano, Mr. William A. Franke and Mr. Marco Andres Baldocchi Kriete as members of the Board of Directors of the Company.

(iv) It was resolved to ratify Mr. Jose Carlos Silva Sanchez-Gavito as alternate member for Mr. John Slowik, Mr. Jose Luis Fernandez Fernandez and Mr. Joaquin Alberto Palomo Deneke, indistinctly, and Mr. Eugenio Macouzet de Leon as alternate member for Ricardo Maldonado Yanez, and it was acknowledged and ratified that they also continue to qualify as independent in terms of the established in Article 26 of the Securities Market Law.

(v) It was resolved to ratify Mr. Andrew Broderick as alternate member for Mr. William A. Franke and Mr. Brian H. Franke, indistinctly, and Mr. Rodrigo Antonio Escobar Nottebohm as alternate member for Mr. Marco Andres Baldocchi Kriete.

(vi) It was resolved to ratify Mr. Jaime Esteban Pous Fernandez as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Company, without being a member thereof.

(vii) It was resolved to ratify Ms. Isela Cervantes Rodriguez as Pro-Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Company, without being a member thereof.

(viii) It was approved to ratify Mr. Enrique Javier Beltranena Mejicano as Executive President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

(ix) It was resolved to ratify Mr. Jose Luis Fernandez Fernandez as Chairman and Mr. John Slowik and Mr. Joaquin Alberto Palomo Deneke as members of the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee.

(x) It was resolved to ratify Mr. Jose Carlos Silva Sanchez-Gavito, as alternate member of the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee.

(xi) It was resolved to ratify Mr. Jaime Esteban Pous Fernandez as Secretary of the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee, without being a member of such Committee.

(xii) It was resolved to ratify Ms. Isela Cervantes Rodriguez as Pro-Secretary of the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee, without being a member of such Committee.

(xiii) It was resolved to ratify Mr. Marco Baldocchi Kriete as Chairman of the Compensations and Nominations Committee of the Company.

(xiv) It was resolved to ratify Mr. Rodrigo Antonio Escobar Nottebohm as alternate member of Mr. Marco Baldocchi Kriete.

(xv) It was resolved to ratify Mr. Harry F. Krensky, Mr. Enrique Javier Beltranena Mejicano and Mr. Brian H. Franke as members of the Compensations and Nominations Committee.

(xvi) It was resolved to ratify Mr. Ricardo Maldonado Yanez and Mr. Eugenio Macouzet de Leon, as Secretary and Pro-Secretary of the Compensations and Nominations Committee, respectively, both without being members of such Committee.

(xvii) It was resolved that in connection with the performance of its duties, the Company undertakes to hold harmless the members of its Board of Directors, the Secretary and the Pro-Secretary, the members and the Secretaries and Pro-Secretaries of the Compensations and Nominations Committee and of the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee, the Executive President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, its executives and officers, in connection with any claim, lawsuit, process or investigation initiated in the United Mexican States (Mexico) or abroad, including any of the countries in which the Company's shares are registered or listed, other securities issued based on such shares or other fixed or variable income securities or securities representing any kind of debt issued by the Company itself, in which such persons may be parties in their capacity as members of the Board of Directors of the Company, the Secretary and Pro-Secretary, the members and the Secretaries and Pro-Secretaries of the Compensations and Nominations Committee and of the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, their executives or officers, respectively, including the payment of any damages or losses that may have been caused and the amounts necessary to reach, if deemed appropriate, a settlement, as well as the totality of the fees and expenses of the attorneys and other advisors hired to protect the interests of such persons in the aforementioned cases, in the understanding that the Board itself is empowered to determine in the aforementioned cases, if it deems convenient to hire the services of attorneys and other advisors other than those who are advising the Company in the corresponding case.

V. Appointment and/or ratification of the chairman of the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee.

It was approved to ratify Mr. Jose Luis Fernandez Fernandez as Chairman of the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee of the Company.

VI. Resolutions regarding the compensation to the members of the Board of Directors, Audit and Corporate Practices Committee, Compensations and Nominations Committee and the secretary of the Board of Directors.

It was resolved to approve the payment of fees to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the independent directors, the other Members and Alternates and the Secretary of the Board of Directors, the members of the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee, the members of the Compensations and Nominations Committee and the members of any other working group that may be constituted to assist in the activities and functions of the Board of Directors retroactively as of January 2021, compensating the remainder not yet paid, and during the twelve months following the date hereof, for each meeting of the Board of Directors and/or the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee and/or the Compensations and Nominations Committee attended, as follows:

(i) Chairman of the Board of Directors: Fixed annual payment of USD$150,000.00 (one hundred thousand and fifty dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) and USD$2,500.00 (two thousand and five hundred dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) for every meeting attended in person or remotely.

(ii) Non-independent members of the Board of Directors: (other than the chairman): Fixed annual payment of USD$50,000.00 (fifty thousand dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America), as well as USD$2,500.00 (two thousand and five hundred dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) for every meeting attended in person, or USD$500.00 (five hundred dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) if attended remotely.

(iii) Independent members of the Board of Directors (other than the chairman): Fixed annual payment of USD$50,000.00 (fifty thousand dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America), as well as USD$2,500.00 (two thousand and five hundred dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) for every meeting attended in person, or USD$500.00 (five hundred dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) if attended remotely, as well as any other rights granted to them in terms of the shares plan they belong to.

(iv) Secretary of the Board of Directors: Fixed annual payment of USD$25,000.00 (twenty-five thousand dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America), as well as USD$2,500.00 (two thousand and five hundred dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) for every meeting attended in person, or USD$500.00 (five hundred dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) if attended remotely.

(v) Members of the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee: Fixed annual payment of USD$10,000.00 (ten thousand dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America), as well as USD$2,500.00 (two thousand and five hundred dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) for every meeting attended in person, or USD$500.00 (five hundred dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) if attended remotely.

(vi) Secretary of the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee: USD$1,000.00 (one thousand dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) for every meeting attended in person, or USD$500.00 (five hundred dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) if attended remotely.

(vii) Members of the Compensations and Nominations Committee: USD$1,000.00 (one thousand dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) for every meeting attended in person, or USD$500.00 (five hundred dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) if attended remotely.

(viii) Secretary of the Compensations and Nominations Committee: USD$1,000.00 (one thousand dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) for every meeting attended in person, or USD$500.00 (five hundred dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) if attended remotely.

(ix) Members of any other working group that may be constituted to assist in the activities and functions of the Board of Directors: USD$1,000.00 (one thousand dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) for every meeting attended in person, or USD$500.00 (five hundred dollars 00/100 legal currency of the United States of America) if attended remotely.

Likewise, it was approved that during the time that the health emergency declaration remains in effect due to force majeure generated by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus), declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, and in order to duly comply with health protocols and safe distance measures, the attendance of board members, members of committees, working groups and secretaries to meetings by telephone or other remote means, shall be considered as in person attendance for the purposes of payment of the compensation approved in this resolution.

It was approved that the aforementioned persons and their alternates be reimbursed for the expenses incurred to attend and participate in the meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees, in accordance with the Company's policies. It is understood that the alternate members of any of the aforementioned corporate bodies and the pro-secretary shall receive the compensation for attending the meetings that would correspond to the member and secretary, only when the latter do not attend and therefore, the alternate member or pro-secretary precisely alternates the member or secretary, respectively.

Likewise, the extension of up to five years of the term provided for the payment of the price of the shares granted to the independent members of the Board of Directors, in connection with the shares plan of which they are part of, and under the share purchase and sale agreements with ownership retention, entered into annually between the independent members of the Board of Directors and CIBanco, S.A., Institucion de Banca Multiple, in its capacity as trustee of the trust agreement CIB/3081, with the appearance of the Company, was also approved.

VII. Appointment of delegates who will carry out and formalize the resolutions adopted by this meeting.

The delegates of the meeting were appointed to appear, indistinctly, before any notary public of their choice to formalize all or part of the meeting minutes, to arrange, if applicable, the registration, by themselves or through the person they designate, of the corresponding instrument in the Public Registry of Commerce of Mexico City and to carry out all acts necessary to comply with the resolutions adopted by the meeting; being expressly authorized to issue the necessary certificates of all or part of these minute.

Delegates of the meeting were appointed to indistinctly subscribe and file all kinds of certificates and documents and take all kinds of actions before the National Banking and Securities Commission, the Mexican Stock Exchange, the S. D. Indeval Institucion para el Deposito de Valores, S.A. de C.V. (Securities Deposit Institution), and any national or foreign authority, as well as any other public or private company or institution, in connection with the resolutions approved by this meeting.

About Volaris:

*("Volaris" or the "Company") (NYSE: VLRS and BMV: VOLAR), is an ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC), with point-to-point operations, serving Mexico, the United States and Central America. Volaris offers low base fares to build its market, providing quality service and extensive customer choice. Since beginning operations in March 2006, Volaris has increased its routes from five to 170 and its fleet from four to 87 aircraft. Volaris offers more than 410 daily flight segments on routes that connect 43 cities in Mexico and 25 cities in the United States with one of the youngest fleet in The Americas. Volaris targets passengers who are visiting friends and relatives, cost-conscious business and leisure travelers in Mexico and in selected destinations in the United States and Central America. Volaris has received the ESR Award for Social Corporate Responsibility for eleven consecutive years. For more information, please visit: www.volaris.com.

Investor relations contact: Maria Elena Rodriguez/ Investor Relations / [email protected] / +52 55 5261 6444

Media contact: Gabriela Fernandez / [email protected] / +52 55 5246 0100

SOURCE Volaris

Related Links

http://www.volaris.com


People show support for the people living in Gaza during Solidarity Fridays at Pliny Park, in Brattleboro, Vt., on Friday, June 4, 2021.
Bay Area health officials and providers are gearing up to resume using the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine this week following a nearly two-week nationwide pause. But some  anticipating consumer wariness over rare blood clots associated with it  will offer the Pfizer or Moderna shot option as well. Others have yet to decide if they will resume using the Johnson & Johnson product at all.

Federal and state regulators over the weekend recommended that the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine could again be used safely, following review of rare but serious blood clots and low platelets in 15 cases out of the 8 million U.S. residents who have received the shot.

The scientists who reviewed the cases found there is a possible link between the vaccine and the clots, but it remains unclear what exactly that is or why most of the 15 cases were in women under age 50. UCSF on Sunday announced that a Bay Area man in his 30s also had developed a clot in his leg after getting the vaccine; he was in good condition and was expected to leave the hospital.

That means the risk of developing blood clots from the vaccine is roughly 2 in 1 million for the overall population, and 7 in 1 million for women ages 18 to 49  whereas the risk of dying after a confirmed case of COVID-19 is 1 in 56, according to a joint statement from Bay Area health officials.

All nine Bay Area counties and the city of Berkeley say they will resume using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, with most starting this week. The biggest change going forward is that clinics will make clear to people which vaccine is being offered at a given location. If they prefer a different vaccine, they can try another location or provider. This is a shift from earlier public health messaging, which urged the public to get whichever vaccine they could get first.

One major Bay Area vaccinator, Kaiser Permanente, is still reviewing the Johnson & Johnson data and has yet to decide whether it will reinstitute the vaccine.

Before we resume use of the vaccine, we will be reviewing all available data, including forthcoming interim clinical considerations from the CDC, Kaiser spokesman Karl Sonkin said in a statement. This process will ensure that physicians and patients have the necessary information for the safe and effective use of the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

Some Bay Area county officials said they were aware of the new clot case revealed by UCSF and are monitoring that news while still moving ahead to resume administering Johnson & Johnson shots. The male patient began showing symptoms 13 days after getting his shot earlier this month. He has been treated in the hospital and is recovering very well, according to UCSF officials. UCSF said this was believed to be the first case of a male in the U.S. developing a clot after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

UCSF hemotologist Dr. Andrew Leavitt helped treat the man for vaccine-related blood clots. He said Monday the patient has done beautifully, adding, His symptoms have improved with treatment and hes very happy.

Leavitt said he agreed with the CDCs pause and subsequent resumption of Johnson & Johnsons vaccine, but does not recommend one vaccine over another.

They all are providing so much benefit relative to their risk, he said. People need to make their own personal decision, but I think they all are very good vaccines.

While the known risks of developing blood clots from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are extremely low, many Americans were already reluctant to get vaccinated, and the clot development means health officials must work to rebuild confidence. Fewer than 1 in 4 Americans who have yet to be vaccinated say they would be willing to get the Johnson & Johnson shot, according to an April 18-21 Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Vaccine experts say the rare blood clot condition should not deter people from vaccination, especially since the U.S. now has two other vaccines in relatively ample supply. Those two, made by Pfizer and Moderna, have not had any reported cases of blood clots.

No vaccine is 100% free of side-effects, but the risk is extremely low and the risk of COVID is much higher, said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, an infectious disease expert at Stanford who said she absolutely agrees with the federal and state agencies decision to allow the shots to be given.

These are things people must balance on their own and if they feel this risk is uncomfortable for them,were fortunate in this country to have access to two other vaccines at this point, she said. It shouldnt stop people from getting vaccinated, but it gives us the opportunity to have them think about what choice of vaccine they may want to take.

California health officials are updating the MyTurn website, the state vaccine appointments system, to include a field to show which vaccine is being offered. The update will be completed by Thursday, said Sami Gallegos, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Public Health.

In California, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine made up a small-enough portion of the states vaccine supply  4% in the state, and roughly the same or less in Bay Area counties  that the pause did not drastically curtail vaccinations. Most counties and providers pivoted to the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

Still, because the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is more convenient to use in hard-to-reach populations, the pause did complicate efforts to reach homeless and homebound residents. Switching to Pfizer or Moderna meant vaccinators had to return a second time, using staff that could have reached other patients with a single shot. As providers return to the Johnson & Johnson product, they will be monitoring how patients feel about it and respond accordingly.

In the last week when its been on pause, people have expressed concerns, so were going to see how people feel about it this week, said Dr. Michael Stacey, chief medical officer of LifeLong Medical Care, which runs community health clinics in the East Bay.

LifeLong had been using the Johnson & Johnson shot to vaccinate a small number of homeless residents and homebound seniors prior to the pause, and plans to reinstitute the vaccine as soon as Tuesday. But it will have to see how comfortable patients are with it before deciding whether to expand its use beyond that, Stacey said.

Were going to roll it back out this week but will also be listening and seeing how people are feeling about it, Stacey said. Because Johnson & Johnson isnt our only vaccine that we have available, we want to keep the option open, particularly for those that might benefit from a one-shot vaccine, which is the real advantage of the Johnson & Johnson. But we also are going to be mindful of people that maybe dont want to get the Johnson & Johnson just because of the very small risk associated with it.

Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho
TrueLearns online learning tools have helped over 679,000 students and resident physicians prepare for and pass their high-stakes exams to become doctors and healthcare professionals. It is our passion to advocate for the student and support them along their educational journey.

TrueLearn, a leading provider of online learning and high-stakes exam preparation tools for the next generation of healthcare professionals, recently announced that the application window is now open for the inaugural TrueLearn 2021 Medical Student Scholarship. This scholarship will support the careers of five (5) medical students, who will receive a suite of support to help them reach their target score on their upcoming USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK Exam.

TrueLearn will honor five deserving USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK candidates who will be selected based on merit and involvement. Each recipient will receive $1,345 worth of online tools and financial aid, including twelve months of complimentary access to TrueLearns USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK SmartBank. In addition to these benefits, TrueLearn will pay the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK 2021 exam fee for selected candidates.

TrueLearns online learning tools have helped more than 679,000 students and resident physicians prepare for and pass their high-stakes exams to become doctors and many other healthcare professionals. It is our passion to advocate for the student and support them along their educational journey, said Dr. Joshua Courtney, founder and CEO of TrueLearn. Achieving an optimal score on USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK is an aggressive goal for any medical student, and by creating the TrueLearn Medical Student Scholarship, we are hoping to support and empower these hard-working, bright-minded students in furthering their medical careers.

The 2021 Medical Student Scholarship is TrueLearns inaugural scholarship to develop the careers of the next generation of physicians and healthcare professionals. From the content it creates to the professional organizations to which it belongs, TrueLearn is committed to looking beyond its business objectives to be a responsible and charitable participant in the communities it servesboth locally and nationwide. This commitment to corporate social responsibility has been a primary focus since the companys inception in 2007.

Students planning to take their USMLE exams in 2021 and 2022 can apply for the TrueLearn Medical Student Scholarship through May 7, 2021. All who apply will receive a 50% discount on TrueLearns USMLE SmartBanks. The winners will be announced May 17, and applicants must wait until scholarships are awarded before registering for the USMLE exam.

To learn more and to apply, please visit https://content.truelearn.com/medical-student-scholarship.

About TrueLearn

TrueLearn is the leading provider of online learning and exam preparation tools for the next generation of doctors and healthcare professionals. Since 2007, TrueLearns SmartBanks have helped over half a million students and resident physicians to perform at their absolute highest levels on their high-stakes licensure and standardized exams. The companys SmartBank portfolio spans undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate licensure and standardized examinations in the healthcare space. To learn more, please visit TrueLearn.com.

Disclaimer: The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a joint program of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). TrueLearn is in no way affiliated with the NBME, the FSMB, the USMLE, or any other governing licensing body.
Shareholders Jerry Fellows and Jordan Cowman to Present at Event

Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP will sponsor the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Dallas-Fort Worths Silver Symposium on April 29, 2021. The event will comprise both in-person attendance and virtual content. It will feature presentations given by Greenberg Traurigs Dallas office Shareholders Jerry Fellows and Jordan Cowman, made in dual tracks at 10:15 a.m. CDT.

Fellows, a member of Greenberg Traurigs Intellectual Property & Technology Practice, will give a presentation alongside Vizient, Inc., a healthcare performance improvement company, Senior Counsel Robin Bradford titled Intellectual Property (IP) Due Diligence  Overcoming Obfuscation and Finding Overvalued IP Assets in Mergers & Acquisitions. Fellows prepares and implements intellectual property protection and enforcement strategies that help clients achieve their business goals. His practice includes clearing, acquiring and enforcing United States and foreign patent rights, particularly for enterprise and process software, Internet and business methods, biomedical technologies including cardiac laser systems and therapeutic ultrasound systems, alternative energy innovations, sustainable technologies, and electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical technologies. Fellows also has experience patenting material science innovations, including superconducting materials and systems, electromagnetic containment systems, complex electronic and mechanical systems and processes, and energy storage systems.

Cowman, who is co-chair of the firms Labor & Employment Practices International Employment, Immigration & Workforce Strategies group, will give a presentation titled Top 10 Ethics Concerns for In-House Counsel. A long-time U.S. business representative to the United Nations International Labor Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland, Cowman is sought by businesses when issues arise concerning international and cross-border employment matters, corporate social responsibility, international corporate campaigns, and other international labor and employment matters that arise. He has assisted clients with business combinations, merger and acquisition due diligence, and has advised clients on supply chain issues and the eradication of forced labor.

We look forward to our upcoming Symposium, said Derek Lipscombe, Toyotas Managing Counsel and President of the ACC-DFW Chapter. More than 175 members have signed up for the hybrid event with nearly 80 who will be there in person. We could not have done this without the great assistance of our sponsors, such as Greenberg Traurig, LLP which has been a long-standing supporter of the ACC-DFW Chapter.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP  Texas: Texas is important to Greenberg Traurig, LLP and part of its history. With approximately 130 Texas lawyers in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Greenberg Traurig has deep roots in the Texas business, legal, and governmental communities. Greenberg Traurig Texas works with clients to address their interdisciplinary legal needs across the state utilizing the firms global platform. The Texas attorneys are experienced in industries key to the states future, including: aviation, chemicals, construction, education, energy and natural resources, financial institutions, health care, hedge funds, hospitality, infrastructure, insurance, media, medical devices, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, real estate, retail, sports, technology and software, telecommunications, transportation, and video games and esports.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com
Conference Call Scheduled at 9am ET

AZOUR, Israel, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ituran Location and Control Ltd. (NASDAQ: ITRN), announced that it will be releasing its first quarter 2021 results on Tuesday, May 25, 2021.

The Company will also be hosting a conference that day at 9am Eastern Time. On the call, management will review and discuss the results, and will be available to answer investor questions.

To participate, call one of the following teleconferencing numbers. Please begin placing your calls a few minutes before the conference call commences. If you are unable to connect using the toll-free numbers, please try the international dial-in number.

US Dial-in Number: 1 866 860 9642

ISRAEL Dial-in Number: 03 918 0609

INTERNATIONAL Dial-in Number: +972 3 918 0609

at:

9:00am Eastern Time, 6:00am Pacific Time, 4:00pm Israel Time

For those unable to listen to the live call, a replay of the call will be available from the day after the call in the investor relations section of Ituran's website.

About Ituran

Ituran is a leader in the emerging mobility technology field, providing value-added location-based services, including a full suite of services for the connected-car. Ituran offers Stolen Vehicle Recovery, fleet management as well as mobile asset location, management & control services for vehicles, cargo and personal security for the retail, insurance industry and car manufacturers. Ituran is the largest OEM telematics provider in Latin America. Its products and applications are used by customers in over 20 countries. Ituran is also the founder of the Tel-Aviv based DRIVE startup incubator to promote the development of smart mobility technology.

Ituran's subscriber base has been growing significantly since the Company's inception to approaching 2 million subscribers using its location-based services with a market leading position in Israel and Latin America. Established in 1995, Ituran has approximately 3,000 employees worldwide, with offices in Israel, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, Columbia, India, Canada and the United States.

Story continues

For more information, please visit Ituran's website, at: www.ituran.com

Company Contact Udi Mizrahi udi_m@ituran.com Deputy CEO and VP Finance, Ituran (Israel) +972 3 557 1348 International Investor Relations Ehud Helft ituran@gkir.com GK Investor & Public Relations (US) +1 646 201 9246

Cision

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ituran-location-and-control-ltd-schedules-first-quarter-2021-results-release-and-conference-call-for-tuesday-may-25-2021-301277594.html

SOURCE Ituran Location and Control Ltd.
[April 27, 2021] RTI Earns 2021 Great Place to Work Certification in the U.S. and Spain for the Third Consecutive Year

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Real-Time Innovations (RTI) , the largest software framework company for autonomous systems, is proud to announce its recertification in both the U.S. and Spain as a 2021 Great Place to Work by the Great Place to Work organization for the third year in a row. The prestigious award is based solely on what current employees say about their experience working at RTI. With an increase to last years outstanding ranking, 96 percent of employees surveyed agree that RTI is a great place to work, with a world-class company wide employee net promoter score (eNPS) of 81.

Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation. The extensive certification process is based on a global employee survey, a detailed culture audit and a comprehensive assessment of company benefits, policies, and philosophies. To earn certification, a company must achieve consistently high ratings across all categories. Everyone knows; this was a hard year. Despite all the forces pushing us apart politically, physically, and emotionally, we stuck together, said Stan Schneider, CEO of RTI. I couldnt be more proud of our people and the 1RTI culture. We faced the challenges, together. We grew as a culture, expanded our team, enabled even more flexibility, spent more time at home with our families, and found a way to enjoy the journey. Hard times test teams. Our global GPTW recertification, actually improving our world-class scores from previous years, is great evidence that we passed that test. The Great Place to Work survey highlights a number of key factors that make RTI truly a great workplace. Employees consistently said they feel management is honest about business practices and 100 percent of employees believe the work theyre doing is helping to achieve RTIs mission. Employees gave high praise to RTIs unique company culture, 1RTI, in which employees truly care about each other and feel that all employees, no matter the level or demographic, are treated fairly with itegrity and respect. At RTI, employees overwhelmingly feel empowered to care about their mental and physical health, especially following a year of the COVID-19 pandemic.



Great Place to Work Certification isnt something that comes easily  it takes ongoing dedication to the employee experience, said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place to Work. Its the only official recognition determined by employees real-time reports of their company culture. Earning this designation means that RTI is one of the greatest companies to work for. For more information about what its like to work at RTI and for a list of current open positions, please visit: www.rti.com/careers .

About RTI

Real-Time Innovations (RTI) is the largest software framework company for autonomous systems. RTI Connext is the world's leading architecture for developing intelligent distributed systems. Uniquely, Connext shares data directly, connecting AI algorithms to real-time networks of devices to build autonomous systems. RTI is the best in the world at ensuring our customers success in deploying production systems. With over 1,500 designs, RTI software runs over 250 autonomous vehicle programs, controls the largest power plants in North America, coordinates combat management on U.S. Navy ships, drives a new generation of medical robotics, enables flying cars, and provides 24/7 intelligence for hospital and emergency medicine. RTI runs a smarter world. RTI is the leading vendor of products compliant with the Object Management Group (OMG) Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard. RTI is privately held and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with regional offices in Colorado, Spain and Singapore. About Great Place to Work Certification

Great Place to Work Certification is the most definitive employer-of-choice recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience  specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place to Work-Certified. About Great Place to Work

Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting and insights they need to make data-driven people decisions. Everything they do is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a great place to work For All.

Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and on LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . Media Contacts:

Madeline Kalicka

Karbo Communications for RTI

240-427-8961

RTI@karbocom.com Cameron Emery

Director of Corporate Communications, RTI

cameron@rti.com



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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.
Update at 9:32 p.m.

A tornado warning for northwestern Guadalupe County, northeastern Bexar and southeastern Comal County is in effect until 10 p.m. The storm has a potential for quarter size hail.

A severe thunderstorm warning remains for southwestern Guadalupe, central Bexar and central Comal counties until 10:30 p.m.

Update at 7:55 p.m.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Southeastern Medina County in south central Texas, Northwestern Atascosa County in south central Texas and Southwestern Bexar County in south central Texas. The warning is in effect until 8:45 p.m.

Affected areas include San Antonio, Castroville, Stinson Municipal Airport, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, Lytle, Olmos Park, Somerset, Natalia, Lacoste, Noonan, Quihi, Dunlay, Pearson, Sea World, Bader, Lacklan AFB, Biry and Rio Medina.

Per the alert, motorists should not take shelter under highway overpasses. If you cannot safely drive away from the tornado, as a last resort, either

park your vehicle and stay put, or abandon your vehicle and lie down in a low lying area and protect yourself from flying debris.

The system could produce 2-inch hail.

Original story below:

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for areas west of San Antonio, including Boerne and the Hill Country until 11 p.m. Wednesday.



According to the NWS, the San Antonio area still has a shot of strong to severe storms tonight with large hail. They note the severe threat will transition to a heavy rainfall threat later Wednesday night through Thursday morning.

Parts of the area could see anywhere from 2 to 4 inches of rain. Some areas could see up to 6 inches of precipitation.

MONDAY

San Antonio is now under a slight risk for severe storms, according to the latest update from the National Weather Service.

The weather powerhouse announced Tuesday that the Alamo City faces a slight risk for excessive rainfall between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, particularly Wednesday around 9 or 10 p.m.

If so, San Antonio could face one to two inches of rain depending on the severity of the storm. Along with rainfall, the storms could also bring large hail and heavy winds as high as 60 mph. Experts from the National Weather service said a tornado in the area is possible.

READ MORE: Man pushing cannon in Texas gives new meaning to 'right to carry'

The update also indicated that isolated and scattered storms are possible Tuesday night across the Rio Grande, the southern portion of the Edwards Plateau, and portions of the Hill Country, although specific details were not provided.

Those areas are likely to get more dreary weather later in the week as well. The Rio Grande and Edwards Plateau could possibly see severe storms continue into late Wednesday afternoon, while the rains could affect the Hill Country well into Thursday morning.
Laois County Council was reminded this month of the need for a Mountmellick relief road, by local Cllr Paddy Bracken.

The N80 national road goes right through the town centre, bringing a bottleneck of heavy trucks and dangerous fumes.

Cllr Bracken said it must be addressed.

"I don't know what it takes. Mountmellick needs it if ever it needed it. There are up to 10,000 vehicles passing on the N80 24 hours a day. It's a huge volume. What do we need to push it forward? It's fundamental to the town, and the county. this is the route to the west," he said.

Director of Services over Roads Simon Walton is not optimistic, about this project or the final link for Portlaoise, the Northern Circular Route on the Mountmellick side of the town.

"Until they are listed as priorities in the National Development Plan they will not progress.

Before Transport Infrastructure Ireland give funding, the state must see fit to put it into the plan. We gave a submission to reconsider the National Development Plan and we made a strong case for Portlaoise and Mountmellick, and had a comment on Portarlington's relief road too. There is some clarity to come on it," he said.
Louisiana lawmakers Monday started advancing a proposal taking aim at the concept of mandatory coronavirus vaccines or a "vaccine passport" proving immunization, though state officials have indicated no plans to try to enact such requirements.

Without objection, the House transportation committee backed House Bill 349 to ban the state Office of Motor Vehicles from requiring someone to be vaccinated to get a driver's license or to put immunization information on that license.

The proposal heads to the full House for debate.

The bill by Republican Rep. Kathy Edmonston, of Gonzales, also would apply to state-issued identification cards overseen by the agency. It would cover all vaccinations, not just the coronavirus vaccine.

Louisiana COVID numbers: 1 in 4 Louisiana residents are now fully vaccinated One in four Louisiana residents are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the latest data from the Louisiana Department of Health.

"Vaccination records are unrelated to driving privileges," Edmonston said. "This bill keeps the driver's license for driving purposes only."

The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

The proposal appears to be moot. Staci Hoyt, deputy commissioner with the Office of Motor Vehicles, said the agency can't add anything to the license or a state-issued ID card or add requirements for getting one without lawmakers authorizing it.

Several people who objected to the concept of mandatory vaccines or vaccine requirements for activities, as have been discussed in other states and countries, said they wanted to ensure such requirements don't happen in Louisiana. They called it a violation of privacy rights.

A million COVID shots are sitting on shelves as Louisiana slips in vaccination rankings When Louisiana began its coronavirus vaccine rollout in December, state officials and hospital leaders moved fast to get shots into arms.

Some people who testified for the legislation downplayed the severity of the COVID-19 illness caused by the coronavirus and questioned the safety of the vaccine, despite medical studies to the contrary.

"It's time to stop scaring people and having them believe that it's going to be the end of the world," said Claston Bernard, a Republican who made an unsuccessful bid for Congress earlier this year.

More than 9,400 deaths from COVID-19 have been confirmed in Louisiana, according to the state health department.
Sharing her inmost thoughts, perspectives and feelings told poetic verses and lines, Jennifer Uche Juwah releases Awakening (published by AuthorHouse UK).

This book of poetry draws inspiration from the Juwahs life experiences, observations of the current world, aspirations, ideals, spirituality and raw self-expression. Each poem addresses a topic that most people know but cannot speak about. Through her words, the author and poet hopes to create a glow in the darkest and trying times.

An snippet from the poem From the Children of Africa reads:

But hush

For now, your words divide us.

Your ways justify your fears.

But throughout all our history,

we shall persevere

for we are the children of your gods.

We are the chosen ones.

Visit https://www.authorhouse.com/en-gb/bookstore/bookdetails/825819-awakening to know more and purchase a copy of Awakening.

Awakening

By Jennifer Uche Juwah

Softcover | 5 x 8in | 76 pages | ISBN 9781665586948

E-Book | 76 pages | ISBN 9781665586955

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Jennifer Uche Juwah is a 30-year-old graduate of biomedical science originally born in London, spending her teens in Nigeria. She now lives in the West Midlands.

AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industrys only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrates over 23 years of service to authors. For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.co.uk or call 0-800-014-8641.
US orders big drawdown at Kabul embassy as troops leave View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  The State Department on Tuesday ordered a significant number of its remaining staff at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to leave Afghanistan as the military steps up the pullout of American troops from the country.

The order came as the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan told lawmakers that it no longer made sense to continue the 20-year deployment of American troops there. At the same time, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said he shared lawmakers concerns that the rights of women and minorities could be jeopardized after the withdrawal is complete.

We should all remain concerned that those rights could suffer, Khalilzad told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Asked if the U.S. would retain any leverage to protect those rights once its troops are gone, Khalilzad was circumspect. He said aid and other types of diplomatic support would be not available if they did not respect the human rights of Afghan women or others.

Shortly before he spoke, the State Department said it had instructed all personnel to depart unless their jobs require them to be physically located in Afghanistan. The order was not specific as to the number of people affected, but it went well beyond the usual curtailment of staffers for security and safety reasons. Such orders normally apply only to non-essential personnel.

In an updated travel advisory for Afghanistan, the department said it had ordered the departure of all U.S. government employees whose functions can be performed elsewhere. It also said American citizens should not travel to Afghanistan and those there who want to depart should leave as soon as possible on available commercial flights.

The embassy in Kabul is heavily dependent on the U.S. military for security, and staff drawdowns had been been underway since the Trump administration had announced last year that American troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan by May 1.

The Biden administration extended that deadline until Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks, but has accelerated the pullout.

The top U.S. diplomat in Kabul said the departure order was issued due to increasing violence and threat reports, would affect only a relatively small number of employees, and there would be no reduction in services offered. Charge daffaires Ross Wilson said it ensures that American diplomacy and support for Afghanistan will be sustainable, robust, and effective.

Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, head of the U.S. Central Command, said Tuesday the administration remains committed to keeping a functioning embassy in Kabul. It is our intention to maintain an embassy in Afghanistan going forward. But well have a very, very minimal military presence there  that which is strictly necessary to defend the embassy, he said in remarks to the American Enterprise Institute.

The State Department order came just two days after Gen. Austin Miller, Americas top general in Afghanistan, said the U.S. military had begun closing down operations in the country and that Afghanistans security forces had to be ready to take over.

While the official start to the withdrawal of Washingtons 2,500 to 3,500 troops and NATOs 7,000 allied forces is May 1, Miller said the pullout had already begun.

In February last year, the U.S. military began closing its smaller bases. In mid-April, the Biden administration announced that the final phase of the withdrawal would begin May 1 and be completed before Sept. 11.

The pullout of American troops and their NATO coalition colleagues is proceeding even in the absence of a peace deal between the Afghan government and the Taliban, whose harboring of Osama bin Ladena al-Qaida network prompted the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11.

Negotiations between the Taliban and the government have been at a standstill for some time and talks wont resume until next month, raising fears that the withdrawal of foreign forces may lead to a resumption in all-out civil war.

In his testimony, Khalilzad echoed President Joe Biden and other administration officials in saying the U.S. would remain committed to Afghanistan and its development and human rights gains made since 2001 despite the withdrawal.

Khalilzad said he did not believe the withdrawal would precipitate an imminent collapse of the Afghan government or reversal of the progress the country has made.

By MATTHEW LEE

AP Diplomatic Writer
China has warned Australia it must support its policy to 'reunify' with Taiwan if it wants the trade war to end.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin gave the chilling ultimatum at a media conference in Beijing one day after Anzac Day, continuing the increasingly belligerent tone adopted by the Communist Party regime.

He accused Canberra of 'meddling' in China's internal affairs and said there is 'no room for any form of Taiwan independence'.

'Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Taiwan issue is purely China's internal affairs that involves China's core interests and allows no foreign interference,' Mr Wang said.

China has warned Australia it must fall in line with its policy to 'reunify' the disputed island of Taiwan if it wants to trade to return to normal. Pictured: Chinese Navy personal stand gaurd

Pictured: A Taiwan-made IDF jet fighter takes off from a highway in southern Chiayi county during the annual Han Kuang drill on September 16, 2014

'China must and will be reunified. We are willing to do our utmost to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification, but will never leave any room for any forms of 'Taiwan independence' secessionist activities.

'We hope the Australian side can... avoid sending any wrong signal to Taiwan independence forces, and take more actions that is conducive to peace and stability across the strait and for China-Australia relations.'

The antagonistic comments come as Australian national security leaders acknowledge the 'drums of war' are beating louder for free nations in the region who seek to resist China's quest for dominance.

China was waged a year-long campaign of economic coercion against Australia, targeting about $20 billion worth of exports with arbitrary trade tariffs and bans.

Turmoil surrounding Taiwan reached fever pitch in recent weeks after China repeatedly incurred on Taipei's airspace and maritime borders, sending 25 military aircraft into its defence 'identification zone'.

Beijing is increasingly aggressive in disputed territories, stamping out pro-democracy groups in Hong Kong and cracking down on Muslim minorities in Xinjiang under its 'One China' policy.

China has warned Australia it must fall in line with its policy to 'reunify' the disputed island of Taiwan if it wants to trade to return to normal. Pictured: Chinese troops in Beijing

Pressure is mounting on Australia and fellow 'Quad' members - Japan, India and the US - to keep Beijing's forces (pictured) at bay as tensions continue to soar over the disputed territory of Taiwan

The authoritarian state also continues to encroach on Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Brunei in the South China Sea and even had a deadly border skirmish with India last year.

There are grave fears Beijing will militarily force Taiwan to reunify with mainland China under President-for-life Xi Jinping.

'I wish to emphasise that abiding by the One China principle is one of the things that is key to China-Australia relations,' Mr Wang said.

'Taiwan is a part of Chinese territory which cannot be separated.

'The Taiwan issue is entirely China's internal affair and is related to China's core interests and we won't accept any external forces meddling or interfering in this.'

Taiwan, backed by the US and Japan, has endured a longstanding conflict with Beijing since a separate government was established on the island following the Chinese Civil War in 1949.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen (pictured) has remained staunch in the face of Chinese aggression - with many nations now at loggerheads with the communist superpower

Is Taiwan a country or a part of China? Taiwanese soldiers hoist the flag of Taiwan in Taipei on May 10. China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory, but many Taiwanese people want the island to be independent China and Taiwan have a long-standing dispute over the island's sovereignty. China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory, more precisely a province, but many Taiwanese want the island to be independent. From 1683 to 1895, Taiwan was ruled by China's Qing dynasty. After Japan claimed its victory in the First Sino-Japanese War, the Qing government forced to cede Taiwan to Japan. The island was under the Republic of China's ruling after World War II, with the consent of its allies the US and UK. The leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party, Chiang Kai-shek, fled to Taiwan in 1949 and established his government after losing the Civil War to the Communist Party and its leader Mao Zedong. Chiang's son continued to rule Taiwan after his father and began democratising Taiwan. In 1980, China put forward a formula called 'one country, two systems', under which Taiwan would be given significant autonomy if it accepted Chinese reunification. Taiwan rejected the offer. Taiwan today, with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders, is widely accepted in the West as an independent state. But its political status remains unclear. Advertisement

Taiwan's residents are more on edge than ever after watching the brutal repression of the independence movement in nearby Hong Kong.

Taiwan has democratically-elected leaders and fiercely opposes reunification and the totalitarian rule of Beijing.

But Communist Party rhetoric is growing more aggressive when it comes to annexing the island.

The island nation remains an important ally of western democratic countries for its close proximity to China and because it produces a significant supply of semiconductor microchips at a time when there is a major global shortage.

Pressure is mounting on Australia and fellow 'Quad' members - Japan, India and the US - to keep Beijing's forces at bay as tensions escalate.

Pictured: A Police officer points his shotgun at democracy advocates during a clash in Hong Kong in 2019

Hong Kong police detain a pro-democracy protester during clashes in Hong Kong, China, 18 November 2019

This month it was reported that military officials in Canberra are planning 'worst case' scenarios in which Collins-class submarines and Super Hornet fighter jets would be deployed to the Taiwan Strait to assist the US and other regional allies in the case of war.

Australian Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo said in his Anzac Day message on Sunday that though Australia should always search for peace, it must also be prepared to 'send off our warriors to fight the nation's wars'.

He added free nations 'must remain armed, strong and ready for war, even as they lament the curse of war'.

'Today, as free nations again hear the beating drums and watch worryingly the militarisation of issues that we had, until recent years, thought unlikely to be catalysts for war, let us continue to search unceasingly for the chance for peace while bracing again, yet again, for the curse of war,' Mr Pezzullo said.

'By our resolve and our strength, by our preparedness of arms, and by our statecraft, let us get about reducing the likelihood of war  but not at the cost of our precious liberty.

'War might well be folly, but the greater folly is to wish away the curse by refusing to give it thought and attention, as if in so doing, war might leave us be, forgetting us perhaps.'

A Chinese naval ship sails into Sydney Harbour in June 2019 during a secret reciprocal visit - there are now warnings of an impending war between the nations

Australian Army soldier from the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment in Queensland (pictured) amid warnings that Australia could 'be at war with China' within years

His comments came on the same day Defence Minister Peter Dutton said conflict between China and Taiwan 'should not be discounted'.

'If you look at any of the rhetoric that is coming out of China, from spokesmen particularly in recent weeks and months in response to different suggestions that have been made, they have been very clear about that goal,' he told the ABC.

'There is a significant amount of [military] activity, and there is an animosity between Taiwan and China.

'For us, we want to make sure we continue to be a good neighbour in the region, that we work with our partners and with our allies, as nobody wants to see conflict between China and Taiwan or anywhere else.'

Australia's relationship with its biggest trading partner began to drastically deteriorate in April last year when Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an independent inquiry into the origins of coronavirus, which first appeared in Wuhan at the end of 2019.

The plea for transparency over Covid-19 infuriated the Communist Party who retaliated by imposing arbitrary bans and tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Australian goods including barley, wine, cotton, seafood, beef, copper, and coal.
Daniel Kaminsky, a security researcher known for his discovery of a fundamental flaw in the fabric of the internet, died on Friday at his home in San Francisco. He was 42.

His aunt, Dr. Toby Maurer, said the cause was diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition that led to frequent hospitalizations in recent years.

In 2008, Mr. Kaminsky was widely hailed as a digital Paul Revere after he found a serious flaw in the internets basic plumbing that could allow skilled coders to take over websites, siphon off bank credentials or even shut down the internet. Mr. Kaminsky alerted the Department of Homeland Security, executives at Microsoft and Cisco, and other internet security experts to the problem and helped spearhead a patch.

He was a respected practitioner of penetration testing, the business of compromising the security of computer systems at the behest of owners who want to harden their systems from attack. It was a profession that his mother, Trudy Maurer, said he had first developed a knack for as a 4-year-old in San Francisco, after his father gave him a computer from Radio Shack. By age 5 he had taught himself to code.
A Marshfield woman accused of fatally stabbing her husband, who was a Boston firefighter, was indicted Monday on a murder charge, according to authorities.

A Plymouth County grand jury indicted 46-year-old Christine Ricci on counts of murder and assault and batter by means of a dangerous weapon in connection with the killing of her husband, Michael Ricci, Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruzs office said in a statement.

Officers received a 911 call around 4:45 p.m. on Jan. 28 reporting a medical emergency at a home at 679 Moraine St. Police and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene, found Michael Ricci with multiple stab wounds and performed lifesaving measures before taking him to South Shore Hospital in in Weymouth, where he was pronounced dead around 5:30 p.m., according to Cruzs office.

Emergency room workers reported Michael Ricci had two stab wounds, one in his chest and another in his shoulder, the district attorneys office said.

Marshfield police contacted Massachusetts State Police detectives and started the investigation into the mans death. Authorities said they learned the couple had a fight before the killing. Christine Ricci is accused of retrieving a 5-inch knife at one point and stabbing her husband.

Marshfield Woman Indicted In Husbands Murder pic.twitter.com/hfzuUJH6fE  DA Tim Cruz (@PlymouthCtyDAO) April 26, 2021

According to Cruzs office, first responders found the knife at the foot of the victim when they arrived at the home.

Christine Ricci is currently being held without bail and will be arraigned in superior court at a later date, the district attorneys office said.

At a previous arraignment in January, Christine Ricci collapsed, and the court proceeding was stopped due to a medical emergency she suffered, WCVB reported. She was due back in court in March.

In February, members of the Boston Fire Department paid their last respects to Michael Ricci, describing the 23-year veteran firefighter as a brother, a friend and a coworker.

May his legacy of friendship, respect, bravery and humbleness live on in his children, the department wrote in a tweet. Our prayers are with his family.

Today we paid our last respects to Mike Ricci, our brother, our friend, our co-worker. May his legacy of friendship,respect,bravery & humbleness live on in his children. Our prayers are with his family. pic.twitter.com/80mhdLuRfu  Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) February 9, 2021

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On April 21, the 60th anniversary of the 1961 attempted French military putsch in Algiers, 23 retired generals published an open letter to the government in the neofascist website Valeurs Actuelles . The letter is an extraordinary intervention by the army into political life. One hundred and fifty years after the 1871 Paris Commune and the massacre of the Communards by the army in the Semaine sanglante, the letter alludes to a military intervention and bloody civil war in the country, supposedly provoked by the complacency of the French.

France's President Emmanuel Macron and French Armies Chief Staff General Francois Lecointre stand in the command car, center, as they review troops before the start of the Bastille Day military parade, Tuesday, July 14, 2020 in Paris. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

The connection of these fascist threats and the growth of working class struggle is obvious. In 2019, faced with the yellow vests and the rail strike against pension cuts, retired General Pierre de Villiers demanded more firmness in police repression of protesters. As workers anger mounts against the European Unions policy of herd immunity, which has led to over a million deaths on the continent, a clique of officers is trying to intimidate workers by raising the specter of mass murder.

Addressing Macron and the parliament, the former generals demand greater patriotism and claim, France is in peril, several mortal dangers threaten it.  Know that we are ready to support policies aimed at safeguarding the nation.

The letter exudes hatred of the working class suburbs and denounces Islamism and postcolonial theories as divisive and requiring bloody repression.

Echoing Macrons proposed fascistic law targeting so-called Islamic separatism, they denounce the disintegration which, with Islamism and the suburban hordes, is leading to the separation of numerous portions of the country, transforming them into territories subject to dogmas contrary to our constitution, They add: Today, some speak of racialism, indigenous nationalism and decolonial theories, but through these terms it is the race war that these hateful and fanatical supporters want.

However, the intensity and scale of the massacre that the officers describe refute the idea that their target is a team of postmodernist academic researchers, or even a small network of Islamists threatening terrorist attacks. Their target is a broader uprising. Indeed, they write in conclusion:

If nothing is done, laxity will continue to spread inexorably through society, ultimately causing an explosion and the intervention of our active comrades in a perilous mission to protect our civilisational values and safeguard our compatriots on the national territory. We see that it is no longer time to procrastinate, or else tomorrow civil war will put an end to this growing chaos, and the deaths, for which you will be responsible, will be counted in the thousands.

The rising anger among workers at the politically criminal mismanagement of the pandemic by the ruling elites terrifies the military brass. As school teacher strikes mounted last November against the reopening of schools in the midst of the pandemic, de Villiers warned in Valeurs Actuelles about the profound changes and political crisis he feared on an international scale in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Today, in addition to the security crisis, there is the pandemic, all of this against a backdrop of economic, social and political crisis with a lack of confidence in leaders, he said. When you add up these threats, there is every reason to be worried in the short term. I fear that this pent-up anger will explode at once, he continued, before adding: We have to think the unthinkable. ... The rule of law is obviously respectable, but at some point, we also have to develop a strategic reflection.

Although de Villiers did not sign the letter of April 21, it nevertheless makes clear that cliques of the military brass are working actively on precisely such a reflection of the alternative to a parliamentary regimei.e, a dictatorship. This is evident from the identity of the signatories. Foreign Legion General Christian Piquemal, the first signatory of the letter and a supporter of the disbanded far-right group Generation identitaire, was arrested and disbarred from the army after wearing his uniform during an antimigrant demonstration in Calais in 2016.

Another, General Dominique Delawarde is campaigning against social distancing measures against the coronavirus, arguing that it is not as lethal as people want to make it out to be. Two other signatories, generals Emmanuel de Richoufftz and Philippe Desrousseaux de Medrano, are members of subsisting families of the French nobility, i.e., aristocratic families whose feudal property was expropriated in France during the 1789 revolution.

The significance of this letter cannot be understood outside the international context of the breakdown of capitalist democracy. Undermined by three decades of rising social inequality, austerity measures and imperialist wars in Europe following the Stalinist dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, it is buckling under the shock of the pandemic. Terrified of the anger of the masses and defending the vast fortunes it accumulated during the pandemic, the ruling class is veering towards fascist politics.

This trend is accelerating internationally. In the US, Trump attempted a coup in Washington D.C. on January 6 to occupy the Capitol and overturn the outcome of the presidential elections. Retired Spanish top brass declared their fascist sympathies in the face of strikes to halt nonessential production during the pandemic and called for the killing of 26 million Spaniards.

In France, it is increasingly clear that the capitalist class will use the 2022 election, whatever its outcome, to install an even more authoritarian regime. On April 23, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally, replied in an op-ed in Valeurs Actuelles, hailing the fascistic generals and calling on them to support her candidacy in 2022.

Le Pen noted the degree of concern you have in the face of the worrying deterioration of the situation in our country. She added that their concern requires, in a democracy, the search for a political solution, concretised by a project of change that must be confirmed by the vote of the French. This is the object of my campaign and my candidacy for the Presidency of the Republic, with the goal of a government of National Union.

Her decision to salute generals planning the massacre of thousands in France, with a clumsy attempt to teach them a lesson in democracy, confirms that a National Union regime led by Le Pen would be violently reactionary and bloodthirsty. The current government, which is passing fascistic laws and whose coronavirus policy has caused more than 100,000 deaths during the pandemic, does not, however, represent a democratic alternative to Le Pen.

The Minister of the Armed Forces in the Macron government, Florence Parly, reacted last night on Twitter by first trying to minimise the entire affair. The irresponsible tribune published in Valeurs Actuelles is only signed by retired military personnel, who no longer have any function in our armies and only represent themselves, she wrote.

Parly also posed as a more responsible militarist than Le Pen: Madame Le Pens words reflect a serious misunderstanding of the military institution, which is worrying for someone who wants to become head of the armed forces.  The politicisation of the armed forces suggested by Madame Le Pen would weaken our military tool and therefore France.

While pursuing collective immunity and anti-Muslim policies, the government is incubating fascist tendencies in the army. This vindicates the Socialist Equality Partys warnings in the 2017 elections: Macron is not an alternative to Le Pen. The SEP called for an active boycott of the second round of elections and the building of an independent movement in the working class against the winning candidate. The pandemic has highlighted the need for such a movement on a global scale, to fight against dictatorship and the ruling classs policy of herd immunity.
Southside Bethlehems historic review board has rejected a developers plans for a 10-story apartment building anchored by a food court on South New Street, amid concerns the proposed building is too tall for the neighborhood.

Mayor Bob Donchez recently lent his support to the project where 325 South New Street Development LLC is pitching a 10-story building of 65 market-rate apartments and affordable housing, anchored by an eclectic food court, according to documents filed with the city.

The building incorporates the Italianate facade of 321-323 S. New St., the only building deemed historic, and the building adds square footage as it rises back to East Graham Place.

The citys Historic Commission voted Monday to send the project to Bethlehem City Council with a negative recommendation. The commission is an advisory board that reviews redevelopment projects and exterior work to buildings in the South Bethlehem Historic Conservation District and the West Sides Mount Airy neighborhood. Council can disregard the commissions recommendations.

The team behind some of Main Street Bethlehems most popular restaurants  Juan and Cara Paredes and Rafael Palomino  initially planned a pub at the site of Your Welcome Inn, 325 S. New St., a favorite Southside dive bar before it closed in December 2017. The trio own numerous eateries including Tapas on Main, the Flying Egg, Cachette Bistro & Creperie.

The 325 South New Street Development LLC plan calls for the ground floor to be leased to Palomino Food Court incorporating tapas, Mexican, vegan, American and Italian food.

The first three stories of the building are designed to match the style of the historic district and building materials used. It features a rooftop patio and a gym as building amenities, according to the plans.

The commission spent months reviewing the project before its Monday vote. It is not yet known when the project will be sent to city council for its review, said Alicia Miller Karner, Bethlehems director of community and economic development.

The vote comes as the city is in the midst of a South Bethlehem Historic Conservation District study aimed at reducing heights in central business district areas from 150 feet to 90 or 60 feet on certain blocks. A 150-foot building is about 14 stories. The Wilbur Trust building, commonly known as the Flatiron building, stands at about 75 feet tall while the Fred B. Rooney Building is about 175 feet.

The mayor believes the project design aligns with the historic districts design guidelines and he notes the developer has reduced the proposed building height from 150 feet to 100 feet. While the study of the historic district does propose limiting heights in this area to 90 feet, the mayor says the extra height is a necessary tradeoff to make 10% of the units affordable housing.

I believe there are many exciting qualities in the project, Donchez wrote in his letter of support. These aspects include the redevelopment of underutilized structures, an exciting complement of food and restaurant amenities, much needed market rate and affordable housing, and an architecturally appropriate project for the Southside Historic Conservation District.

The food court meets the high demand for limited service restaurants found in a 2019 retail market analysis of the Southside. But the most important aspect for Donchez is the commitment to make 10% of the project affordable housing. Housing costs for qualified residents, based on federal guidelines, would be limited to less than 30% of household income.

The importance of the willingness of this owner to commit to affordable housing cannot be understated, as this is the first project of its kind to commit to addressing this important issue without financial incentive specific to the creation of affordable housing, Donchez writes.

Theres also significant demand for market-rate apartments in the arts district with a tight 3.5% residential rental vacancy rate, the mayor states.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com.
A jail reform activist group founded by the 'Marxist' leader of the Black Lives Matter movement spent $26,000 for meetings and 'appearances' at a luxury Malibu resort.

Reform LA Jails, chaired by BLM founder Patrisse Cullors, paid $10,179 for 'meetings and appearances' at the Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club, and a further $15,593 at the Malibu Conference Center, which is owned by the resort, between July and September 2019.

A single night in a two-bedroom 'cozy ranch chic' suite in July costs $1,200, and guests at the 200-acre resort have access to a private five acre beach on the Malibu coast.

After the spending was revealed by the Daily Caller, former Fox host Megyn Kelly Tweeted: 'BLM must stand for... Babes Lounging in Malibu? Big Loads of Money? Blatant Lies about Marxism?'

Cullors' extravagant lifestyle and spending habits have been in the spotlight recently.

A consulting firm co-founded by Cullors and her spouse and BLM co-founder Janaya Khan pulled in $191,000 during 2019 from Reform LA Jails.

Cullors, 37, recently came under fire after her multi-million property empire was revealed, reportedly founded the firm with her spouse and BLM co-founder Janaya Khan.

A jail reform group led by BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors (above left and right) spent $26,000 at an exclusive Malibu resort

The Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club in Malibu advertises its rooms and suites - which go for $1200 a night - as cozy ranch chic

Guests at the 200-acre resort have access to a private five acre beach in the exclusive California coastal resort

The revelations prompted a sarcastic tweet from TV star turned podcaster Megyn Kelly, who questioned Cullors' true aims

Campaign finance records, revealed by the Daily Caller, show the Reform LA Jails Malibu retreats took place between July and September 2019.

The payments were made by a consulting firm owned by Asha Bandele, the co-author of Cullors' autobiography: 'When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir.'

Reform LA Jails , aka Vote Yes on R, successfully supported a 2020 ballot initiative to 'effectively and independently investigate misconduct' and to 'reduce jail populations' in LA County.

It did not immediately respond to a DailyMail.com request for comment and further details about the retreats.

Social media accounts linked to the activist group show they organized a party at Jane Fonda's house in late 2019.

Peter Flaherty, the chairman of the conservative watchdog group National Legal and Policy Center, told the Daily Caller the campaign finance declarations raised 'a number of questions'.

'An audit would establish whether any campaign funds were used for personal purposes.'

Liberal activist and actress Jane Fonda hosted a party for LA Jails Reform in 2019, but no further information was available about 'meetings' at the Malibu resort

The $1.4 million home Patrisse Cullors purchased in the Topanga Canyon area of Los Angeles

Cullors' Conyers residence reportedly comes complete with its own pool and airplane hangar

In addition to the Topanga Canyon property, The New York Post reports that Cullors and her husband also purchased a 'custom ranch' on 3.2 acres in Conyers, Georgia last year

Earlier this month, Cullors raised eyebrows when it emerged that she had spent $1.4 million on a Los Angeles property - her fourth home, and her third in the city - in an overwhelmingly white neighborhood.

Cullors had reportedly also bought two other LA homes in recent years, and paid $415,000 for a 3.2 acre property in Georgia.

Cullors issued a statement on Instagram, confirming that she does not currently receive a salary from BLM Global Network Foundation.

She said criticism of her real estate was an 'effort to discredit and harass me and my family'.

Cullors said it was 'harmful and scary', noting that she regularly receives death threats.

The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, of which Cullors is a director, issued a statement saying that they had not paid for her house.

They said Cullors has been paid a total of $120,000 since the organization was founded in 2013, and said she was compensated 'for duties such as serving as spokesperson and engaging in political education work.'

She has not been paid since 2019, the group said.

Cullors has become one of the most high-profile campaigners in the United States since founding BLM in 2013, with a best-selling memoir, a follow-up on the way, and a deal with Warner Bros to produce content.

Many commenters who replied to Kelly agreed with her suggestion that Cullors' behavior seemed hypocritical, with the activist branded a 'fraud' by one tweeter.

Another claimed BLM should stand for 'Bolsheviks, Leninists & Marxists.'

Many Twitter commenters agreed with Kelly that Cullors' behavior seemed hypocritical

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, who has an estimated net worth of $14 billion, chipped in $1.5 million last year through his #startsmall philanthropy initiative

Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz his wife Cari Tuna have given the most generously, donating more than $5.5 million from 2017 to 2020

Patricia Ann Quillin (left), the wife of Netflix billionaire Reed Hastings (right), donated $250,000 to Reform LA Jails in 2020

Others defended Cullors' spending after it was called into question by Megyn Kelly

But others who replied to Kelly defended Cullors - and asked Kelly to turn her gaze to National Rifle Association spending, or highlighted how cash spent on meetings was standard for pricey Los Angeles.

Tech moguls who made their fortunes from Facebook, Twitter and Netflix have donated at least $7.5 million to groups tied to BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors, who has in turn publicly backed their policy goals, according to a new report.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, and Patricia Ann Quillin, the wife of Netflix's billionaire CEO, all gave generously to Cullors' PAC and associated charities, according to the New York Post.

Cullors for her part has strongly advocated for 'net neutrality', a policy that financially benefits online content providers such as Netflix and social media sites.

And the cozy relationship has even seen Facebook and Twitter censor perceived criticism of Cullors, with Facebook going so far as to block users from sharing a DailyMail.com article detailing a controversy over her expensive real estate holdings.

Of the donors named by the Post, Moskovitz his wife Cari Tuna have given the most generously, donating more than $5.5 million from 2017 to 2020, according to public records cited by the Post.

Moskovitz, 36, was one of the co-founders of Facebook. He left the company in 2008, but retained a 2 percent stake that puts his net worth at nearly $20 billion.

His donations went to Dignity and Power Now, a non-profit started by Cullors, and Reform LA Jails, a California PAC she co-founded to lobby for civilian oversight of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

Dorsey, who has an estimated net worth of $14 billion, chipped in $1.5 million last year through his #startsmall philanthropy initiative.

That money went to Black Lives Matter and The Movement for Black Lives, a coalition of activist groups founded by Cullors.

Quillin, the wife of Netflix billionaire Reed Hastings, donated $250,000 to Reform LA Jails in 2020.
Woman Arrested after Metropolis Disturbance

By West Kentucky Star Staff

METROPOLIS - A Golconda woman was arrested Friday after a disturbance at a Metropolis business.The Metropolis Police Department said officers responded to call from a business owner on Coburn Drive.Police said 33-year-old Rebecca Mae Crenshaw-Williams was apparently seeing things that were not happening, and she was screaming and swearing at the business owner and customers. Officers learned she had been taken to Massac Memorial Hospital for treatment a few days earlier.Crenshaw-Williams was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and lodged in the Massac County Detention Center.
BAE Systems PLC - FTSE 100-listed defence, security and aerospace company - Moody's Investors Service has affirmed its Baa2 long-term issuer rating and senior unsecured debt instruments for BAE Systems, as well as its stable outlook.

The credit agency's rating action reflects the company's strong portfolio of defence programmes which are set to expected to grow revenue and margins over the next three to five years, as well as the solid outlook for the global defence sector driven by equipment modernisation and geopolitical tensions.

"The company is likely to benefit in 2021 from the non-recurrence of certain one-off effects of the pandemic in 2020, in particular disruptions to the ship repair activities and the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle programme. BAE Systems' outlook for 2021 and beyond is strong, with 3-5% sales growth and 6-8% growth in underlying Ebita guided in 2021, and a market and programme mix to support a continued low to mid-single digit percentage increase in the medium term," Moody's stated.

Meanwhile, the outlook is based on Moody's expectations that BAE will maintain its strong record of contract execution, while its Moody-adjusted leverage will drop to around 4 times over the next 12 to 18 months.

Current stock price: 494.50 pence

Year-to-date change: up 1.1%

By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Bengaluru:

President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday hailed Tipu Sultan, saying he died a heroic death fighting the British, remarks that came in the backdrop of protests by the BJP in Karnataka against the glorification of the 18th century Mysore ruler.

The remarks by the President in his address to the joint session of Karnataka legislature amid the raging debate on Tipu Sultans legacy sparked a war of words between the ruling Congress and opposition BJP. The saffron party has opposed the Congress government's plans for 'Tipu Jayanti' celebrations on his birth anniversary on November 10.

The BJP alleged that the state government has "misused" the office of the President by getting Tipu's name mentioned in the speech while the Congress said the opposition party should be "ashamed" for levelling this charge.

The celebrations have been opposed tooth and nail by the BJP which sees Tipu Sultan as a "religious bigot" and a "brutal killer".

"Tipu Sultan died a heroic death fighting the British. He was also a pioneer in the development and use of Mysore rockets in warfare. This technology was later adopted by the Europeans," Kovind said while noting that Karnataka is a land of formidable soldiers.

The President's reference to Tipu Sultan came after he noted the contributions of various historical figures of Karnataka, including Krishnadevaraya who was the emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1509 to 1529.

As the President made the reference about Tipu Sultan in his speech to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Vidhana Soudha, the seat of state legislature, Congress members cheered by thumping of the desks.

"Congratulations to Hon. President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind for a statesman like address to the Karnataka legislature. @rashtrapatibhvn," Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tweeted on his personal twitter handle @siddaramaiah.

Tipu was a ruler of the erstwhile kingdom of Mysore, who was considered an implacable enemy of the British East India Company. He was killed in May 1799 while defending his fort of Srirangapatna against the British forces.

Opposition BJP and some outfits are opposed to Tipu Jayanti celebrations and have called him "religious bigot", "fanatic" and "anti-Kannada".

Tipu Sultan is also viewed in a negative light in Kodagu district where he is alleged to have persecuted the local Kodava population, as also the Roman Catholics of Mangaluru, on religious grounds and forced conversion to Islam.

Hitting out at the state government, Opposition BJP Leader in the Legislative Council K S Eshwarappa alleged that government has "misused" the office of the President by getting Tipu's name mentioned in the speech.

"I condemn it....it is an insult done to people of Karnataka by the state government. If we had raised objections when President mentioned Tipu, it would have lead to violation of protocol...," he added.

Reacting to the allegations, state Congress Working President Dinesh Gundu Rao said BJP should be "ashamed."

He said "by trying to say that president has just read out a speech written by somebody, they are insulting the office of the President and the President."

Suggesting that the speech was prepared by the President's office after collecting inputs from various sources, Rao said, "...such allegations shows the state of mind the BJP leaders are in."

Recently, Union minister Anantkumar Hegde kicked up a row after he requested the Karnataka government not to include his name in programme invitations for Tipu Jayanti celebrations.

"(I have) conveyed (to) Karnataka government not to invite me to shameful event of glorifying a person known as brutal killer, wretched fanatic and mass rapist," Hegde had said in a tweet.

The Congress government is all set to celebrate 'Tipu Jayanti' despite widespread protests and violence that had marred celebrations in the last two years.

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A 42-year-old Homewood mother of two young daughters was killed when a man fleeing Vestavia Hills police slammed into the Jeep Wrangler in which she was a passenger.

Robyn Naftel Herring, a nurse practitioner at UAB Hospital, was pronounced dead on Lakeshore Parkway near the Interstate 65 ramp at 6:55 p.m. Monday. The suspect who hit her remains at large.

Herrings death has raised concerns about police pursuits and the danger they pose to innocent motorists.

According to a study by a New Mexico law firm  The Fine Law Firm  there were 1,699 fatal crashes killing 2,005 people in U.S. police chases from 2014 through 2018. Fifty-six percent of those killed, according to the study, were someone other than the driver fleeing police.

Among those killed, the study reported, were 882 fleeing drivers, 337 passengers of fleeing drivers, 21 police officers, 765 occupants of vehicles not involved in the pursuit, and 75 pedestrians or bicyclists.

During that time period, the study reported, there were 65 deaths linked to police pursuits, with 17 of those being innocent bystanders.

A police chased ended in a deadly rollover crash in Homewood and sparked a manhunt for a suspect who fled the wreckage.

Mondays ordeal began shortly after 6:30 p.m. when a Vestavia Hills police officer stopped a Nissan Juke on I-65 near Alford Avenue. Capt. Shane Ware said the suspect was stopped for speeding about a quarter of a mile before the Lakeshore Parkway exit.

When the officer returned to his patrol car to conduct a wanted person check, the suspect sped away. The officer attempted to catch up to the suspect and, once exiting I-65 at Lakeshore, came across the fatal crash that investigators say was caused by the fleeing suspect.

The officer stopped to render aid to the victims. The suspect bailed from his wrecked car and fled on foot. As of midday Tuesday, no arrests had been announced. The Homewood Police Department is the lead agency on the traffic homicide investigation.

Vestavia Hills police on Tuesday released to AL.com its seven-page vehicle pursuit policy, which states that the decision to initiate a pursuit must be based on the initiating officers belief that the immediate danger to the public created by the pursuit is no greater than the immediate or potential danger to the public created by the suspect remain at large.

Officers may initiate a vehicle pursuit, according to the policy, if he or she reasonably believes the suspect to have committed or attempted to commit a felony, a sexual offense, an act involving great danger to a child, misdemeanors, violations or any other act that would lead the officer to conclude that the suspect is a danger to the public. Pursuits must be conducted with emergency lights and sirens in operation.

The decision threshold includes three degrees of risk  low, moderate and high  of continuing the pursuit. For violent felonies, sexual offenses or danger to a child, the officer may pursue but continue to assess risks along the way. The pursuit should be discontinued when risks exceed known threat to public safety if the capture is delayed.

Factors determining a high risk include poor weather and slippery streets, blind curves and narrow roads, numerous pedestrians, heavy congested traffic, speed twice the posted limit, extremely hazardous maneuvers by the suspect and special circumstances, such as a school zone.

A police chased ended in a deadly rollover crash in Homewood and sparked a manhunt for a suspect who fled the wreckage.

A moderate risk would be light pedestrian traffic and moderate vehicle traffic, speeds 20 miles per hour greater than the posted limit and some hazardous, but not extreme, maneuvers by the suspect.

A low risk would involve straight roads and a clear line of sight, few or no pedestrians, good weather, no hazardous maneuvers by the suspect and speeds at or less than 20 miles per hour over the posted limit.

For felony crimes, according to the policy, officers can continue the pursuit if the risks to others are low or moderate but should continue to assess the risks. Under moderate risk conditions, the officer should terminate the chase if the identity of the suspect is known, but the policy says vehicle registration/tag number does not constitute a positive identification. If the risks are high, officers should not pursue or should terminate the pursuit if it has already been started.

For misdemeanor crimes, officers can continue the pursuit under low-risk conditions but should terminate if the identity of the suspect is known. A chase for a misdemeanor crime should not take place under moderate and high-risk situations, the policy states.

Once notified that a chase is underway, a supervisor should assume responsibility for the monitoring and control of the pursuit as it progresses.

Authorities have not said how fast the suspect in Mondays pursuit was traveling at the time he was stopped by Vestavia Hills police, and it hasnt yet been disclosed whether he had any outstanding warrants.

Oxford Police Chief Bill Partridge, immediate past president of the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police, said theres a wide range of pursuit policies across the state. You have some cities who have very liberal policies that chase for anything, you have other agencies who dont chase for anything. Some just chase felonies,' he said. Theres a wide gamut across the state as to pursuit policies. It really depends on the agencies and their policy.

Partridge has heard the criticism of police pursuits, but he said the alternative is dangerous as well. So, we just allow people to run amok and do nothing? Once people find out that law enforcement isnt going to chase them, are they going to stop for you ever again?' he said.

Suspects put innocent lives in danger by not complying. If we had compliance, we wouldnt be talking about a lot of issues that were talking about in the press today,' he said.

We wouldnt be talking about people fleeing from police in vehicles, fleeing from police on foot, resisting arrest, trying to disarm police officers. If we had compliance, youd see a lot of this go away. Youd see all of it go away really.

Calera Police Chief David Hyche agrees.

First, I would like to express my deepest condolences and sympathy for the family of Ms. Herring,' Hyche said. When an individual chooses to flee a traffic stop that individual chooses to endanger the lives of innocent citizens as well as police officers.

Hyche said during his time as Calera chief, most suspects who have fled have been found to have pending arrest warrants and prior arrests and convictions.

It is also very common for us to recover drugs and firearms from these individuals,' he said. Calera recently had a suspect who chose to run while the officer walked back to his car to run the drivers license. This suspect was pursued and crashed his vehicle. The suspect had multiple outstanding warrants for sexual assault of minors and had a 13-year-old child in his vehicle. The suspect was arrested, and the child was unharmed.

Police departments can and will be blamed either way,' Hyche said. The key is that the decision of the suspect to break the law dictates the law enforcement response.
Zac Efron has slashed the price of his custom-built Los Angeles home, after failing to get a buyer in four months on the market.

The 33-year-old actor has been living in Australia since August when he was filming a movie, and he listed the home for $5.9 million in December.

The Baywatch star has now trimmed his asking price by $225K to $5.575 million, according to The New York Post.

Slashing prices: Zac Efron has slashed the price of his custom-built Los Angeles home, after failing to get a buyer in four months on the market

New price: The Baywatch star has now trimmed his asking price by $225K to $5.575 million, according to The New York Post

The price drop happened sometime in March, though the actor has still had trouble finding a buyer.

Even with the price drop, though, the actor will still earn a tidy profit on the home, as long as the price doesn't keep falling.

Property records indicate Efron purchased the home in 2013 for $4 million, though Efron no longer has a need for the home since he's seemingly staying put in Australia.

No need: Property records indicate Efron purchased the home in 2013 for $4 million, though Efron no longer has a need for the home since he's seemingly staying put in Australia

It was reported in December that Efron had paid $2 million for a parcel of land in Tweed Valley, as rumors circulated that he was staying in Australia permanently.

The actor was dating Vanessa Valladares at the time, while filming the movie Gold for the Australian streaming service Stan.

He is currently filming the second season of his Netflix series Down to Earth with Zac Efron in Australia, and he had started dating Valladares after meeting her at the coffee shop she waitressed at.

Dating: The actor was dating Vanessa Valladares at the time, while filming the movie Gold for the Australian streaming service Stan

There were reports that Efron was 'pulling strings' to get Valladares cast on a Netflix reality series filming in Australia's Byron Bay - where they couple met - entitled Byron Baes.

The couple split earlier this month, with reports claiming the 'final nail' in the coffin of their relationship was reports that he was trying to get her cast on Byron Baes.

Regardless, his $2 million purchase in Tweed Valley was finalized in February, though it's unclear if Efron still plans to make his move Down Under permanent.

Pulling strings: There were reports that Efron was 'pulling strings' to get Valladares cast on a Netflix reality series filming in Australia's Byron Bay - where they couple met - entitled Byron Baes

The Los Angeles home Efron is trying to sell is 5,644 square feet in the Oaks section of Los Feliz, with the gated home described as a, 'Zen contemporary compound.'

There are views from downtown Los Angeles to the ocean in every room, with the master bedroom located upstairs and three separate bedrooms downstairs.

The estate also features a separate one-bedroom and one-bathroom guest house.
Yuma News

Yuma, Arizona - Featuring dance, music, car clubs and a salsa contest, Yuma Festivals virtual Cinco de Mayo celebration will premiere for viewing at 4 p.m. May 5.

A celebration of Mexican Heritage, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the date of the Mexican armys victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 despite having fewer soldiers and less military resources.

The virtual event is the latest in a string of video productions designed to allow for celebrations of annual downtown festivals while local conditions continue to improve in the aftermath of COVID-19.

The Citys Cinco de Mayo virtual celebration starts with a narrative description of the holiday by longtime local Fernie Quiroz.

Glam Dance Studio performs with folkloric dancers. Mariachi music is provided by Jalisciense. A parade of lowrider vehicles comes from local car clubs Mi Vida and Streetwise. A feature will take viewers behind the scenes with the best margaritas in town. A salsa tasting contest rounds out the events activities.

While we wont be able to fill our Main Street Downtown District this year, were bringing the colorful celebration to your home, said Yuma Festivals Coordinator Joanne Fiser. Feel free to wear your traditional attire, grab some chips and salsa, a margarita or your favorite agua fresca and sit back and enjoy what we have prepared for you this year.

View Cinco de Mayo beginning 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 5 on the following platforms:
Digital behemoths such as Facebook and Google would be forced to pay more tax under a proposal from a Labor backbencher who wants an immediate crackdown on multinational corporations to help repair the federal budget.

Victorian MP Peter Khalil, a former security adviser to ex-prime minister Kevin Rudd, is suggesting either a tax on the revenue companies earn from selling personal data, a digital services tax or a tax on cash flow to force multinational corporate giants to pay more to the Australian government. He further believes these taxes would help pressure major corporates to support a global minimum tax rate, which could limit the use of offshore tax havens.

Peter Khalil, Member for Wills in Victoria, wants a quick crackdown on global behemoths shirking tax. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

A Labor government should have the guts and ambition to do something like this, Mr Khalil said.

Earlier this month, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the US was working with the G20 nations to agree on a global minimum corporate tax rate. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said at the time Australia would remain an active and constructive participant in these discussions.
EU Parliament strips Lagos' immunity, former Golden Dawn Sentenced to 13 years for 'leading a criminal organisation'

(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, 27 APR - The European Parliament has stripped immunity from Greek MEP Ioannis Lagos, a former member of the neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn, who was sentenced in Greece to 13 years and eight years in prison for "leading a criminal organisation".



The revocation of immunity was decided upon by a large majority: 658 MEPs voted in favour, 25 against, and 10 abstained, voting by secret ballot in a plenary session on Monday evening. (ANSAmed).




Israel has condemned a report by an international rights watchdog that accused the country of pursuing policies of apartheid and persecution against Palestinians and its own Arab minority that amount to crimes against humanity.

Israel's foreign ministry said claims made in Human Rights Watch's report were 'both preposterous and false' and accused the New York-based organisation of harbouring an 'anti-Israeli agenda,' saying it had sought 'for years to promote boycotts against Israel'.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the 213-page report, published on Tuesday.

'It is urgent for the international community to intervene, including by making sure that their states, organisations, and companies are not contributing in any way to the execution of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Palestine,' a statement from Abbas read.

HRW said the report is not aimed at comparing Israel with apartheid-era South Africa, but rather at assessing 'whether specific acts and policies' constitute apartheid as defined under international law.

The report's release comes just weeks after the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced it would investigate war crimes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, with the Israeli military and armed Palestinian groups including Hamas named as possible perpetrators.

Israel has condemned a report by an international rights watchdog that accused the country of pursuing policies of apartheid and persecution against Palestinians and its own Arab minority that amount to crimes against humanity [File photo]

In its report, HRW pointed to Israeli restrictions on Palestinian movement and seizure of Palestinian-owned land for Jewish settlement in territory occupied in the 1967 Six-Day War as examples of policies it said were crimes of apartheid and persecution.

'Across Israel and the (Palestinian territories), Israeli authorities have pursued an intent to maintain domination over Palestinians by exercising control over land and demographics for the benefit of Jewish Israelis,' the report says.

'On this basis, the report concludes that Israeli officials have committed the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution,' as defined under the 1973 Apartheid Convention and the 1998 Rome Statute.

Israeli officials fiercely object to apartheid accusations.

'The purpose of this spurious report is in no way related to human rights, but to an ongoing attempt by HRW to undermine the State of Israel's right to exist as the nation state of the Jewish people,' Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Michael Biton said.

Israel's foreign ministry claimed that HRW's Israel programme was being 'led by a known (BDS) supporter, with no connection to facts or reality on the ground,' referring to the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

The report's author, HRW Israel and Palestine Director Omar Shakir, was expelled from Israel in 2019 over accusations that he backs BDS.

Shakir denies that his HRW work and pro-Palestinian statements he made before being appointed to the HRW post in 2016 constitute active support for BDS.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the 213-page report, published on Tuesday [File photo]

Shakir told Reuters news agency that HRW would send its report to the ICC prosecutor's office, 'as we normally do when we reach conclusions about the commissions of crimes that fall within the Court's jurisdiction.'

He said HRW also sent the ICC its 2018 report about possible crimes against humanity by Abbas's Palestinian Authority and the militant and political group Hamas.

The ICC's prosecutor said in March that she would formally investigate war crimes in the Palestinian territories, after ICC judges ruled that the court had jurisdiction there.

The Palestinian Authority welcomed the ruling but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced it as anti-Semitism and said Israel does not recognise the court's authority.

Israeli officials fiercely object to apartheid accusations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced an ICC ruling in March that the court had jurisdiction to formally investigate war crimes in the Palestinian territories [File photo]

HRW called on the ICC prosecutor to 'investigate and prosecute individuals credibly implicated' in apartheid and persecution.

HRW also said Israel's 2018 'nation state' law - declaring that only Jews have the right of self-determination in the country - 'provides a legal basis to pursue policies that favour Jewish Israelis to the detriment' of the country's 21 per cent Arab minority, who regularly complain of discrimination.

Palestinians seek the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, areas occupied by Israel since their capture in the 1967 conflict, for a future state.

Under interim peace deals with Israel, Palestinians have limited self-rule in the West Bank; Hamas runs Gaza.
TORONTO - Netflix has chosen Toronto as the spot for its previously announced Canadian corporate office.

FILE - In this Thursday, June 30, 2016, file photo, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, left, poses with Ted Sarandos, chief content officer of Netflix, during a news conference in Seoul, South Korea. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Ahn Young-joon

TORONTO - Netflix has chosen Toronto as the spot for its previously announced Canadian corporate office.

A publicist for the California-based streaming giant told The Canadian Press Tuesday the company will post a content executive job for the new office in June.

Netflix said in February it planned to open an office in this country but was still figuring out the location.

It had been eyeing Toronto and Vancouver, since the streamer shoots several productions in both markets.

Toronto is also where Netflix set up a production hub two years ago when it leased studio spaces along the city's waterfront.

A representative from the company said Toronto made sense for a variety of reasons, including a plethora of talent, partners and international festivals in the city.

The representative said Netflix hasn't chosen an exact location and hopes to set up an interim office this summer before establishing a permanent shop, in accordance with COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.

Netflix adds it expects 10 to 15 employees will be based in Toronto. The first hiring priority is the content executive, who will work directly with creators on ideas and pitches for films and series.

Job postings for other Toronto positions will be announced on the careers section of its website.

Toronto Mayor John Tory said Netflix spends over $200 million a year shooting shows in the city.

"In very difficult times, this is the kind of news that gives people in this city, and gives the city as a whole, hope," Tory told reporters Tuesday.

Toronto's film and television production industry "is second to none anywhere in the world," Tory said, and he believes the new Netflix location will "become the second-biggest office next to the head office."

"They're on notice that we're going to grow this office and it's going to be a powerhouse office before too long and really cement our position yet again with this company, and others who will follow, as the place in Canada to make film and television productions," Tory said.

Netflix co-CEO and chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in an interview in February the move was "a big first step" toward content creation in Canada.

He said adding an office in Canada would allow Netflix executives to be closer to Canadian creators, so they could build relationships and field pitches.

"As we grow our business and presence all across Canada, we're excited that Toronto will be our first local office," Sarandos added Tuesday in a statement.

"We're looking forward to opening our doors and building on the great work we've started with our creative partners to bring more Canadian artists and stories to the world."

Netflix has 21 offices around the world, in cities including Amsterdam and Rome.

The company recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary in Canada and has seven million Canadian subscribers.

Sarandos said since 2017, Netflix has spent $2.5 billion on production in Canada, on titles including the Toronto-shot "The Umbrella Academy" and the Vancouver-filmed series "Firefly Lane," which is currently their No. 1 show in the world.

Other Netflix programming shot in Canada includes "Virgin River" in British Columbia, "The Adam Project" in Vancouver and "Locke & Key" in Toronto.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2021.
The Free Burma Rangers (FBR), a humanitarian relief service helping oppressed ethnic minorities in Myanmar, has called for an end to the junta regime that overthrew the elected government in early February and its subsequent violent attacks on civilians as well as ongoing attacks on ethnic minorities in far-flung parts of the country. For nearly 30 years, the FBR has worked with local ethnic pro-democracy groups to train, supply, and coordinate mobile multipurpose relief teams to provide critical emergency medical care, shelter, food, clothing, and human rights documentation in their home regions. It currently has more than 100 multiethnic, multifaith relief teams providing services across Myanmar, and separate teams in Syria, Iraq, and Kurdistan.

FBRs founder and director Dave Eubank was born in Texas and grew up as the son of Christian missionaries in Thailand. The former U.S. Army Special Forces and Ranger officer recently spoke with reporter Nandar Chann of RFAs Myanmar Service about the similarities and differences between the conflicts in Myanmar and Syria and a possible solution to the current crisis in Myanmar. The following Q&A has been edited for clarity and length.

RFA: You have years of experience assisting people amid civil wars in both Myanmar and Syria. Are there any indications that the current situation in Myanmar could lead to a Syria-like situation?

Dave Eubank: We are involved in Syria, and we lost one of our team members there. We have a team there right now. Weve been involved in Burma for over 28 years, and there are some similarities. In Syria, you have a full-on civil war. In Burma, youve had a civil war for over 72 years between the ethnics and the Burmans. Since the coup, however, the Burmese military has turned its focus and attacked the people in the cities, killing over 750, and attacked the ethnic areas. There are air strikes every day right now in Kachin state with thousands of people displaced. In Kayin state, there were air strikes, and there is an ongoing ground offensive right now. Over 25,000 people have been displaced in northern Kachin state. The difference though between Burma and Syria is that in Syria you had many large outside forces helping. You had the Turks behind one faction in northwest Syria. You had the Americans supporting and still supporting the Kurds and Arabs and others in the Syrian Democratic Forces in eastern Syria. You have the Russians and Iranians supporting Assads dictatorship in the eastern and central part of Syria. You had ISIS supported by many other groups. And the level of armaments, weapons, aircraft, bombing, and fighting was intense. Thats what we dont see in Burma. I dont see any large-scale, direct, outside help in Burma. So right now it remains a long, slow conflict.

RFA: What are the similarities and differences between the two conflicts? As weve seen, the Myanmar junta is intent on maintaining power and has turned a deaf ear to international calls to end its deadly crackdowns.

Dave Eubank: Some people have compared the situation in Burma to that of the civil war in Syria. Well, Burma has been in a civil war for 72 years, and over a million people have been internally displaced throughout that time, and millions more have fled the country. There already has been a civil war between the ethnics and successive regimes of dictators. Right now, the Burmese military, in addition to attacking the ethnics, which has increased since the coup, has turned its focus to fighting its own people, killing over 750 men, women, and children in the streets of the cities. Its a terrible situation, and I pray that they stop or that their hearts will change or that there will be intervention to make them change. Were not against the military or police. They are a needed part of this country. But the way you stop a civil war is to act in justice, in mercy, and in love.

RFA: Do you see a possible political solution to the current situation in Myanmar or is armed struggle is the only option to end military rule?

Dave Eubank: My hope for Burma is that the dictatorship will change and that wed all be reminded that the line of good and evil is between them and us, and also that these people have human hearts. Every day we get to decide whether were doing this for love or for some other reason. My idea of a solution is that the dictators hearts will change. They will step down, and then we can work together for a new Burma. In the meantime, I appeal to the international community for direct humanitarian assistance to the thousands of people displaced by new attacks since the coup began and to the people in the cities who also have been displaced, wounded, or shot. They need direct help. We also need political recognition from the international community for the ethnic groups as well as for the new National Unity Government, and for it to stand behind those people. We also need intervention, either indirect support for the people who are getting killed, or direct support. Either way, you cannot just watch people get killed and say you cant do anything, so my prayer is that the world will come together and help make a change. Ive already seen the people of Burma  the Burmans as well as the ethnics  working together in a new kind of unity Ive never seen before. Were helping displaced people. There are people, displaced ethnics, as well as people from the cities and people who want get the country back, so I see this as a great opportunity for a new Burma.

Reported by Nandar Chann for RFAs Myanmar Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
KANAZAWA, Japan, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at Kanazawa University report in the Japan Journal of Nursing Science; a study of muscle pump action in the context of chronic lower-limb edema. They found that body posture and exercise habits affect the blood pumping action of muscles in the leg, whereas age generally does not.

Chronic lower-limb edema (CLE)  the permanent accumulation of fluid in the leg  often occurs in elderly people. The condition leads to various physical and mental problems, including difficulty in walking or moving, fatigue and anxiety. One cause of CLE is the lack of physical activity, which is associated with a decrease in muscle pump action. The latter refers to the leg muscle's acting as a blood pump: when contracted, the muscle squeezes veins together, forcing blood to flow. The question whether muscle pump action systematically changes with age has not been thoroughly investigated; now, Junko Sugama from Kanazawa University and colleagues have addressed this issue. In addition, they studied how leg posture affects muscle pump action.

For their study, Sugama and colleagues recruited a total of 76 healthy volunteers in three age categories: young, middle-aged and old, with average ages of 24, 47 and 72 years, respectively. They investigated blood flow in the subjects' lower legs by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The latter is a technique enabling visualizing the morphology of muscles and veins at a given position along the leg. The scientists made MRI cross-section images at 21 positions in the calf region; combining the images made it possible to obtain information on blood flow in the leg.

To examine the effect of leg motion, subjects were asked to perform plantar flexion (moving the foot so that it becomes aligned to the leg) every 2 seconds during one minute. MRI images were recorded before and after the exercise. The procedure was performed for three different body positions: supine (lying with face and torso facing upwards), sitting and standing.

The scientists found that for all postures, blood flow increased after the exercise, implying that the latter promotes muscle pump action. The blood flow velocity increased most for the standing posture (90-135%), followed by the supine (55-90%) and sitting (30-40%) postures. Generally, no difference in muscle pump action was found for the different age groups  but Sugama and colleagues point out that the majority of their elderly volunteers had exercise habits.

The researchers suggest that measuring muscle pump action by nurses is useful for deciding whether intervention exercise is necessary to prevent CLE, but that MRI is not the most suitable tool for doing so  an easier device allowing measurement at the bedside would be required.

Although additional studies need to be done, for example adapting the measurement equipment so that it can be applied to elderly people with reduced walking ability, the scientists could conclude that for their set of subjects, "no difference was found in the changes in muscle pump action with age", and that "elderly people may be able to maintain their muscle pump action when they have exercise habits".

Background

Edema

Edema, sometimes spelt oedema, is the medical term for the accumulation of fluid in tissue, resulting in local swelling. It occurs most often in the legs or arms. General symptoms include the swollen area to feel heavy, skin feeling tight, and junctures being hard to move. The work of Junko Sugama from Kanazawa University and colleagues addresses an aspect of chronic edema in the lower limb (leg); they looked at whether leg muscle pumping capability changes with age, and whether exercise habits can prevent chronic edema in the leg.

Magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique widely used in medicine for obtaining images of physiological process and the anatomy of the body. Images are generated by applying strong magnetic fields, magnetic-field gradients and radio waves. The underlying physical principle is that certain atomic nuclei, when subject to a magnetic field, can absorb the energy from the radio waves; detecting where this absorption happens results in a mapping of the absorbing atoms. In medical contexts, the absorbing nuclei are mostly hydrogen nuclei, and MRI scans provide mappings of water and fat in the body. A main advantage of the method is that it does not involve X-rays or ionizing radiation; disadvantages include discomfort for the person undergoing the imaging procedure. Sugama and colleagues used the method to map blood flow in the leg.

Reference

Taiga Fujii, Naoki Ohno, Takuto Sawazaki, Kohei Ogura, Tosiaki Miyati and Junko Sugama. Gravity magnetic resonance imaging measurement of muscle pump change accompanied by aging and posture, Jpn J Nurs Sci. 2021; e12407

DOI: 10.1111/jjns.12407

URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jjns.12407

Link to related Figure

https://www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Figure1.jpg

CaptionT1WI with muscle and vein ROI set on the T1WI of the cross section at the center of the marker. Muscle area was measured for GAS and SOL. The vein area was measured for the PV and the GSV and SSV. PV, popliteal vein; GAS, gastrocnemius muscle; SOL, soleus muscle; GSV, great saphenous vein; SSV, small saphenous vein.

Contact details

Mr Tomoya Sato

Kanazawa University, Frontier Science and Social Co-creation Initiative

Kakuma, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-1192, JAPAN

EMAIL: [email protected]

Telephone: 81-762-645-076

About Kanazawa University

http://www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/e/

As the leading comprehensive university on the Sea of Japan coast, Kanazawa University has contributed greatly to higher education and academic research in Japan since it was founded in 1949. The University has three colleges and 17 schools offering courses in subjects that include medicine, computer engineering, and humanities.

The University is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in Kanazawa  a city rich in history and culture. The city of Kanazawa has a highly respected intellectual profile since the time of the fiefdom (1598-1867). Kanazawa University is divided into two main campuses: Kakuma and Takaramachi for its approximately 10,200 students including 600 from overseas.

SOURCE Kanazawa University
Imperial Valley News Center

Energy Department Announces Winners of Solar Workforce Development Competition

Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the Class of 2020-21 winners of the Solar District Cup, a competition that challenges college students to integrate solar, storage, and other technologies to power a group of buildings with the same electrical distribution feeder, known as a district. DOE also announced the launch of next round of the competition, which will begin in September.

Through the Solar District Cup, DOE helps to prepare students with different academic expertise, including engineering, urban planning, and finance, for careers in energy. The competition engages students across disciplines to help bridge skill gaps in the workforce and connects them with job opportunities through industry partnerships. One-third of U.S. solar companies have reported difficulty in hiring qualified workers. This competition works to prepare the next generation of energy workers.

These students are part of the clean energy future this nation is counting on, said Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Kelly Speakes-Backman. When these talented, diverse students enter the workforce, their ingenuity and skill will contribute to lower electricity costs, expanding solar energy deployment for more Americans, and the decarbonization of our energy infrastructure and economy.

Twenty-nine finalists from 28 schools created designs and financial models for systems that integrated solar, storage, demand response, and other distributed technologies for their assigned district, which was one of three college campuses. Teams competed based on the techno-economic analysis that provides the highest offset of annual energy and power.

They presented their projects to an expert panel during a live showcase on April 25. EERE Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Power Alejandro Moreno announced three winners whose systems were the most economical for the buildings and demonstrated the highest offset of annual energy consumption. The winners are:

District: City of Denver  Auraria Higher Education Center

First place: University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus

Second place: Georgia Institute of Technology

Third place: The Ohio State University

District: University of Central Florida

First place: University of Colorado, Boulder

Second place: University of California, Irvine

Third place: University of Toledo

District: University of Nebraska  Lincoln

First place: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Second place: Boise State University

Third place: Illinois State University

From among the three winners, an audience of peers, faculty, and solar industry representatives voted for a champion. Speakes-Backman announced the audience selected the University of Colorado, Boulder.

The next round of the competition has launched. Student teams can apply to join on HeroX until September.
Caprice Bourret has claimed she doesn't think Prince Harry will be able to handle the 'superficial' lifestyle of Los Angeles for much longer.

In an interview with Closer, the model, 49, who reflected on how she lived in California for more than 20 years and found it to be a 'fake, concentrated world'.

Prince Harry, 36, and his wife Meghan Markle, 39, and their son Archie, 23 months, moved to Los Angeles in March last year, following a stay in Canada after walking away from their royal duties in the UK.

Her say: Caprice Bourret has said she doesn't think Prince Harry will be able to handle the 'superficial' lifestyle of Los Angeles for much longer

Across the pond: Prince Harry, 36, and his wife Meghan Markle, 39, and their son Archie, 23 months, moved to Los Angeles last year, but Caprice says it's 'a fake world' (pictured last year)

Talking about the Los Angeles scene, Caprice said: 'I grew up in LA and spent most of my twenties there, before moving to London, where I've now lived for more than 20 years. And the two places are so culturally different, it's crazy.

'On the surface, LA seems amazing, with the gorgeous weather and incredible amenities, but it's a fake, concentrated world. The best example to use is friendships  every friendship is surface value in LA.

'You meet someone, and you're "best friends" but it's all for show and it's social climbing, Harry won't be used to that, because in the UK, I've made real friendships. From my experience, people here are more real and loyal.'

Poster pin-up: Harry had a soft spot for Caprice and had her calendar on his bedroom wall at Eton (pictured top left) (pictured in 2003)

Caprice went on to say while Harry and Meghan 'may be loving it now', the Prince will soon 'learn what it's really about'.

The model added she doesn't think Harry will be able to handle the 'fake world' for long and that she thinks the trip back to the UK recently for Prince Philip's funeral will make him miss home.

Caprice has had links with the royals in the past and was a poster pin-up on Harry's dorm room wall as a teenager.

Last year it was reported Prince Andrew dated Caprice and let her sit on the Queen's throne at Buckingham Palace during one of their dates.

The Duke of York, 61, met the American lingerie designer at a dinner party and the pair dated for two months in 2000, reports The Sun.

On one of the dates he took her to Buckingham Palace and let her take a decorative bowl without staff knowing, according to the paper.

A source close to Caprice told the publication: 'As an American, she was thoroughly entertained at the notion he was a part of the Royal Family.

'He took her to Buckingham Palace twice, and on one occasion she sat on the Queen's throne.

'She spotted a bowl she liked and asked Andrew if she could steal it and post it to her mum. She claims that he let her, and her mum loved it!'

The publication also claimed that Prince Andrew is believed to have told Caprice that his then 16-year-old nephew Prince Harry was jealous of their friendship.
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President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that the Justice laws bill drafted by Justice Minister Stelian Ion has not been debated, something that does not correspond to the "coalition's intention".

The president was asked about the introduction of a compliant opinion from the Superior Council of Magistrates (CSM) when appointing chief prosecutors.

"The introduction of the compliant opinion is given notice to the minister and not to the president, it is a detail that has not been well explained publicly. The president is not bound by any compliant or non-compliant opinion, according to the Romanian Constitution. If the CSM opinion becomes compliant, then the CSM will be able to reject the minister's proposal, but it will not be able to reject the president. (...) These issues are in the draft phase, they will be discussed, they will enter Parliament, they will enter the parliamentary debate and after that we will see in what form they will end up. Obviously I do not think that the duties of the President of Romania should be diminished and consequently, personally, I do not agree with this variant, but I do not know whether it will remain or not in the bill," Iohannis said at the Cotroceni presidential Palace.

He stressed that this issue needs to be discussed well, as should the whole bill.

"There was a public debate on a bill that was worked on while Minister Predoiu was at the Ministry of Justice. That bill of Minister Predoiu was widely discussed in various formats. The bill elaborated by Minister Stelian Ion was not debated in these formats, but was sent directly to the CSM for approval, something that does not correspond to the intention of the coalition or the spirit of the law, hence the coalition set up a committee of parliamentarians who together with the minister, of course, and other authorities, will analyze these proposals. It is clear that there was some dissatisfaction in the coalition because they were not consulted, something that has been corrected in the meantime," Iohannis said.
By: Luigino Caliaro

Edited By: Stephen Chapis

Designed in 1939 by the North American Aviation Company (NAA) and baptized in honor of Major Gen. William Billy Mitchell (1879-1936), one of the first and most prominent supporters of American air power, the B-25 production run ran from 1940 and 1945. The two facilities, that produced the B-25, Inglewood, California and Kansas City, Kansas, turned out over 10,000 aircraft.

Amongst the many versions produced, without doubt the most significant were the G and H-models. The G-model featured a 75mm M4 cannon from the Sherman tank and four 50-caliber machine guns, which made this variant effective against small vessels, particularly barges carrying troops and cargo. The cannon was effective against ships as large as a destroyer.

The subsequent H-model was a notable improvement over the G, particularly in terms of defensive armament which included a tail turret and waist guns. In order to make room for the latter, the top turret was moved to the area just behind the flight deck. The H was also fitted with the lighter and more efficient T13E1 cannon, which resulted in the variant becoming a single-pilot aircraft as the co-pilot station was refitted for the navigator, who also served as the cannon operator. The first 300 B-25Hs were equipped with a quartet of 50-caliber machine guns in the nose as well as an additional pair in a dual blister pack on the right side of the fuselage. The subsequent 700 examples featured identical blister packs on the left side. When that octet of forward firing 50s were combined with the pair in the top turret, the H-model became the most formidable strafer in the Army Air Forces. If the heavy hitting firepower of these ten guns were not enough, the B-25H could also carry eight 5-inch rockets under the wings.

BARBIE III

Of the 1,000 B-25Hs produced by NAA, only four survive today, and only one, B-25H-1-NA, USAAF #43-4106, the second H-model produced, remains airworthy. Completed at the Inglewood factory on August 25, 1943, the aircraft as delivered to Eglin Field, Florida where it was used for stress and armament tests. It was declared surplus on December 6, 1945, and relegated to storage at Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.

In May 1946, under a government program, it was passed to the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College in Stillwater, Oklahoma. In 1951, it went to the Bendix Aviation Corporation of Detroit, in Michigan, where it was used for the testing of undercarriages and automatic pilot systems for the military. In 1967, it was sold to Barbers Flying Service and just four years later, it was acquired by Richard Lambert of Plainfield, Illinois, an aviation enthusiast who had a private airstrip dubbed Lambert Field. Other than occasional taxi runs, the Mitchell languished for a decade.

After it was acquired to the Weary Warriors Squadron of Chicago, Illinois, in 1981, it was brought up to somewhat of a ferriable condition. While en route to Chicago, the aircraft suffered an engine failure and landed in Springfield, Illinois, where it was subjected to an initial restoration in preparation for a subsequent transfer by truck to Rockford, Illinois, where it would be subjected to a full restoration that would last a full decade. During the process, the center section of 4106 was replaced by that of B-25J, USAAF #44-28765 as well as components from other B-25s. The only departure with original B-25H is in the cockpit, which contains a traditional co-pilot station.

When the aircraft emerged from the restoration it was wearing the markings of B-25H USAAF #43-4380, Barbie III, as it appeared in service with the 1st Air Commando Group (ACG) while based at Hailakanidi Field, India, part of the China-Burma-India Theater, in 1944. This aircraft was the personal mount of the group commander Lieutenant Colonel Robert R.T. Smith, one of the first pilots to serve in the American Volunteer Group. In June 2009, the bomber was acquired by History Flight Inc., which used the aircraft for numerous promotional tours and participated in numerous air shows in the U.S. before it was sold to its current owner, Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison, Texas.

The paint scheme was faithfully recreated with dark olive-green upper surfaces and neutral grey undersides. Its fuselage featured the classic five diagonal white stripes, identifying it as belonging to the 1st ACG, which essentially had the function of providing visual identification of the American aircraft, but which also represented the five operational elements of the unit.

THE ORIGINAL BARBIE III

The official identity of the original Barbie III was B-25H-NA-1, USAAF #43-4380, and when it arrived in India, it was made Lt. Col. Smiths personal aircraft and as was his tradition, he named the bomber after his new wife, Barbara Bradford, who he married shortly before leaving for the CBI in June 1943. Lt. Col. Smith ultimately flew 55 combat missions at the controls of Barbie III and earned the Silver Star.

In April 2017, a dozen B-25s gathered at Grimes Field in Urbana, Ohio to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid. With World War II seven decades behind us, there are precious few veterans still with us and at Urbana that weekend there were a number of B-25 veterans in attendance, including Thomas Bristol, a tail gunner and Purple Heart recipient who flew 54 missions with the 1st ACG. So, it was quite apropos that Scott Glover flew Bristol aboard Barbie III. The original Barbie III disappeared, presumably scrapped, during or shortly after the war, but thanks to a host of enthusiasts over the decades the legend of the Air Commandos will live on for future generations.

Check out our article from 2012 about Barbie in a convenient digital format, click HERE.

A special thanks to Luigino Caliaro for helping with the drafting of the article and the photos. FOr more information about Luiginos work visit www.aerophoto.it


Kia has unveiled its new brand logo earlier this year in January, which comes as the South Korean carmaker's new identity. The completely redesigned brand logo will be debuting in India through the Seltos and Sonet SUVs, informed the automaker. The updated Sonet and Seltos will hit showrooms next month.

(Also Read: Kia Sonet SUV clocks more than 25,000 units in the first three months of 2021)

Also, Kia Motors India will be known as Kia India from now on.

A unit of the Kia Sonet compact SUV has been already spotted in India with the new brand logo, which was possibly in transit to a dealership yard.

The new brand logo will be replacing the old logo everywhere including the bonnet, tailgate, alloy wheels, and steering wheel as well. Expect the Kia Carnival premium MPV too to receive the same logo later.

Globally, Kia Motors has already unveiled several new cars that adorn the updated badge including the 2022 Kia Stinger, Kia EV6 as well as the new generation Kia Carnival too.

The South Korean auto major, which is a part of the Hyundai Group revealed its new brand slogan along with the new logo in January 2021 - Movement that inspires.

Meanwhile, Kia is reportedly working on a new seven-seater MPV or crossover for the Indian market, which will be underpinned by the same platform as Seltos.

Kia Seltos is the first car from the brand in India that has received a pretty good positive response. The Seltos became the bestseller model in the segment within a short period of time. The Sonet too has witnessed good response from the buyers.

The Kia Sonet comes with two petrol engine options. There is 1.2-litre petrol, and a 1.0-litre turbo petrol unit on offer. The 1.2-litree engine is available with a manual transmission and available in entry-level trims, while the latter can be bought with either an IMT or a DCT. Kia Sonet diesel comes available with a 1.5-litre motor that is available with both manual and automatic transmission options.
They've been dubbed the new era's Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez thanks to their adorable love story.

But rumours are now swirling that Indigenous rapper The Kid Laroi, 17, has quietly called it quits with his glamorous TikTok star girlfriend Katarina Deme, 16, thanks to a cryptic Instagram post.

Laroi, whose real name is Charlton Howard, sparked concern among his fans on Monday by uploading several photos of himself posing next to a tree, alongside the caption: 'fvcklove3'.

Have they split? Hip-hop sensation The Kid Laroi, 17, (left) has sparked rumours he's split from his TikTok star girlfriend Katarina Deme, 16 (right)

Alarmed followers flooded the post with comments asking whether Laroi had split from Katarina, with one writing: 'Your girl broke up with you or something?'

'You single now, Laroi?' asked another fan, while another added: ''Where's Katarina Deme?'

However, it seems the breakup rumour may be a false alarm, given that Laroi and Katarina still follow each other on Instagram and haven't deleted any photos of each other on social media.

Cryptic: Laroi, whose real name is Charlton Howard, sparked concern among his fans on Monday by uploading several photos of himself posing next to a tree, alongside the caption: 'fvcklove3'

Instead, it's more likely the hip-hop sensation was actually teasing the release of his third album.

Laroi's first commercial mixtape was titled 'F*ck Love', while his second album was titled 'F*ck Love (Savage)', so it's likely his next album will contain the phrase 'F*ck Love' once more.

It comes after Laroi spoke candidly to KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O Show in February about his blossoming romance with Katarina, who boasts more than 760,000 followers on TikTok, and almost 900,000 on Instagram.

Unexpected: Laroi and Katarina have been dubbed the new era's Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez thanks to their adorable love story

'Did they break up?'Alarmed followers flooded the post with comments asking whether Laroi had split from Katarina

During the interview, Jackie 'O' Henderson said: 'I've got to say, your girlfriend Katarina. She's probably the most beautiful girl I've ever seen - it's insane how beautiful she is.'

Laroi laughed and replied: 'I agree! We met through a mutual friend that I had when I came around here,'

'We met through a mutual friend that I had when I came around here,' he said.

Mystery solved? Laroi's first commercial mixtape was titled 'F*ck Love', while his second album was titled 'F*ck Love (Savage)', so it's likely his next album will contain the phrase 'F*ck Love' once more

'Around the time that I met her, I just put out the whole F*ck Love project and was not in the vibe of love. But I guess... you can't control some of that type of stuff. It was so ironic.'

Radio presenter Kyle Sandilands added: 'Once again it's proven that when you're not looking, love comes along at the strangest time.'

'100 per cent, I agree,' Laroi replied.

Young love: It comes after Laroi spoke candidly to KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O Show in February about his blossoming romance with Katarina

Popular: At the age of 16, Katrina has accumulated more than 760,000 followers on TikTok, and almost 600,000 on Instagram

Laroi and Katarina have shared several loved-up snaps of themselves on Instagram, with the first image being uploaded last month.

Alongside the photo of the pair cuddled up together, the rapper wrote: 'I know I said f**k love but... @katarina.deme.'

At the age of 16, Katrina
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To further support Nigeria in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Victims Support Fund (VSF) has donated 60,000 Rapid Test Kits to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The donation was made through the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 on Monday to support the nations response to the pandemic.

The chairperson of the VSF COVID-19 Taskforce, Toyosi Ogunsiji, said the donation is the largest single donation of test kits to the federal government since the onset of the pandemic in the country.

Ms Ogunsiji said the 60,000 test kits is worth about N210 million.

She noted that the donation is geared towards the reopening of the NYSC orientation camp on May 17, 2021.

According to her, the NYSC is one of the most crucial components in terms of high-density population environment across the country.

We will like to continue to support the efforts of the government to ensure that we reduce community-to-community transmission of the pandemic across the country, she said.

She explained that the group has supported the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) with data monitoring and tele-surveillance equipment.

We have provided food medical support to 18 states across the country specifically on the request of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19.

We have provided borehole facilities, 4000 litres of solar panels facilities and several others to support the gradual reopening of schools, she said.

While receiving the items, Chairman of PSC, Boss Mustapha, said the test kits will be administered transparently across the country.

Mr Mustapha appealed to other private organisations to continue to support the government as the country is not yet out of the woods.

VSF, a private sector led organisation, initially formed to assist victims of Boko Haram attacks, is led by Theophilus Danjuma, a businessman and former army chief.
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On April 19th, the Biden administration filed an appeal in a case that could force religious doctors and hospitals to perform potentially harmful gender-transition procedures against their conscience and professional medical judgment.

The case involves an Obama administration rule interpreting the Affordable Care Act. The rule was issued in 2016, and prohibits insurance companies and health-care providers from discriminating against people on the basis of sex. The rule anticipated that discrimination on the basis of sex would soon legally include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Biden administration has repeatedly pointed to the 2020 Supreme Court decision in the Bostock case, written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, as now legally requiring this new way of seeing categories of sex.

If this new way of reading the rule stands, insurance companies and providers may not deny access to medically necessary medications, surgeries, and other transition-related treatments for transgender people if similar servicesa hysterectomy, for examplewould be covered for non-transgender people. This would, of course, redefine the concept of medically necessary, ignoring the obvious difference between removing perfectly healthy organs and removing organs riddled with cancer.

Also, the rule contains no conscience protections for doctors or hospitals. Therefore, Catholic hospitals, which do not perform hysterectomies except to preserve the life or physical health of a woman, would be forced to violate Catholic teaching. Various legal challenges to the rule by faith-based groups, all of whom claim that the regulation violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, have been successful.

Courts did, however, block Trump administration attempts to eliminate the mandate. So, the litigation over the rule continues. In January, a federal district court in North Dakota ruled in favor of the Sisters of Mercy, a group of nuns who believe that every man and woman including transgender individuals, is created in the image and likeness of God, and that they reflect Gods image in uniqueand uniquely dignifiedways. They also believe that performing gender-transition, abortion, and sterilization services . . . [violates] their religious beliefs regarding human sexuality and procreation, and object to providing insurance coverage for abortions, sterilizations, and gender transitions.

If this case sounds a lot like the Little Sisters of the Poor case, youre right. In fact, the district court cited the Little Sisters case several times in ruling that the mandate violated RFRA. Like the Obama administration, which couldnt leave a group of nuns in peace to serve people in need, the Biden administration has decided that it cant leave this other group of nuns in peace, either. So, it appealed the district court ruling to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Sisters of Mercy, as Luke Goodrich of the Becket Fund put it, joyfully serve all patients regardless of sex or gender identity, and routinely provide top-notch care to transgender patients for everything from cancer to the common cold. They also provide millions of dollars in free and low-cost care [provided] to the elderly, poor, and underserved. Still, the Biden administration is ready to punish [the Sisters] with multi-million dollar penalties even though, as a federal appeals court wrote, There is no medical consensus that sex reassignment surgery is a necessary or even effective treatment for gender dysphoria. In fact, there is ample evidence that gender reassignment surgery makes matters worse, not better.

Given both precedent and the makeup of the federal courts, its difficult to imagine the Biden administration will prevail in this case, especially at the Supreme Court. However, that is not the primary concern. Upstream from the courts is the larger culture, one not only quick to embrace and advance observably wrong ideas about the human person, but to sacrifice religious freedom in order to do it.

Originally published at BreakPoint
WESTLAKE, Ohio -- The stately Clague House at 1371 Clague Road in Westlake, once the home of the Clague family, is marking another milestone this year: its 145th birthday.

In non-pandemic times, the Westlake Historical Society offers tours of the house and it can be reserved for special occasions, including weddings. The historical society also hosts special events there, including fundraisers.

Lysa Stanton, historical society president, and her husband, Dave Pfister, a board member, coordinate special photo opportunities at the house for holidays. Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and Uncle Sam have visited and posed with pets and people for a small fee.

Proceeds are used to help provide historical programming and for upkeep of the museum, which has been closed to the public for more than a year because of COVID-19.

The Clague House was built in 1876 by the Clague family children for their mother, who lived there until her death. The last two Clague family members to live in the house, siblings Sophrania and Walter Clague, died within months of each other in 1934.

A few pieces of the familys furnishings remain in the house, which is across the street from Clague Park, which was once part of the rambling, nearly 80-acre Clague family farm.

Dover, the historical societys wandering stuffed bear, pops up from time to time at the museum, on the historical societys website and Facebook page, or at other locations around the city. Dover began reporting for the historical society in 2011, during Westlakes bicentennial year.

His latest report is to remind people that there are limited quantities available of the new Cats Meow replica of the recently demolished Dover Elementary School. The historical society also will offer models of all past Westlake and Dover schools, including Dover High School and the old Westlake High School. Cost is $25 each. To order, call 216-848-0680 or visit westlakeohiohistory.org.

Pasta, please: The Kiwanis Club of Bay Village will have its annual spring spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. May 8 at Village Project, 27378 W. Oviatt Road, Bay Village. There will be drive-thru pickup, and walk-ups are welcome.

Dinner cost is $10 for spaghetti with Tony Dostals famous sauce -- either meat or veggie -- salad, roll and dessert. Visit bay-village-kiwanis-club.square.site to order online. Quarts of sauce can be ordered for $12 by May 7.

River library news: Rocky River Public Library is offering take-home COVID-19 tests. To ensure availability, call 440-333-7610.

The 15-minute tests require the user to have an online telehealth session with virtual instruction and consultation. The test cannot be taken without a telehealth appointment.

Those taking the test also must have a Windows or Mac/Apple laptop or computer with an adjustable webcam, microphone and speaker, email address and internet connection. For more information, visit rrpl.org.

The library also is offering an online session on senior scams at 10 a.m. May 7 as part of its senior lecture series.

Seniors 60 and older can register for the program, which will be presented on the Zoom platform. Register until two hours before the program at computer.training@rrpl.org or call 440-333-7610, extension 5, for more information.

The Lake Erie Nature and Science Center is offering special nature to-go kits that can be pre-ordered, picked up and enjoyed at home. (Carol Kovach/special to cleveland.com)

Nature center offerings: Lake Erie Nature and Science Center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free general admission visits Tuesday through Saturday for those who register. Visit lensc.org for details.

LENSC is at 18728 Wolf Road, Bay Village. Call 440-871-2900.

The popular facility offers live animal displays, wildlife rehabilitation services, a planetarium and a nature-based preschool in a park setting.

Nature to-go kits are available to allow people to engage in hands-on discovery at home. The kits, which are curated by LENSC members, must be ordered in advance. Curbside pick-up instructions will be emailed after purchasing.

The kits include a nature-themed craft or experiment, educational instructions and other activities for at-home learning.

Porter programs: Westlake Porter Public Library is announcing its early May schedule of programs. The library offers online programming and craft-to-go kits that can be picked up at the library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, Westlake.

All programs are subject to change. Check westlakelibrary.org or follow the library on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.

Repurpose book pages to create a vintage dahlia flower with a craft-to-go kit that is available for pickup beginning Saturday (May 1). Registration is required; a limited number of kits -- with supplies for one paper flower each -- are available. Crafters need tape or a glue gun and internet access to view the tutorial at https://youtu.be/IYbokQRyaaE.

Natalie Gonzalez will lead a boot camp-style fitness class at 7 p.m. Monday (May 3) on the Zoom platform. All levels can participate. Register to receive the Zoom link and instructions.

Live, half-hour family story time programs will be offered at 11 a.m. May 4, 11 and 18 and at 6:30 p.m. May 12 and 26 for families with children ages 2-6 -- siblings welcome. Register to receive the link and instructions.

Author Tim Carroll will discuss the best cartoons of World War II from Akron Beacon Journal cartoonist Web Brown during a virtual program at 7 p.m. May 4. Brown was one of the best political cartoonists in the country during World War II. Register to receive the link and instructions.

An American Red Cross Bloodmobile will visit the library from 1 to 7 p.m. May 6. Visit redcrossblood.org to register for a donor appointment.

Save the date: After last years event was canceled because of the pandemic, a date has been set for the 2021 Rocky River Fall Arts Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 18.

The festival is hosted by the Rocky River Parks and Recreation Foundation, a nonprofit group that administers the festival in cooperation with the City of Rocky River. The event takes place outdoors at the Old Detroit shopping area in downtown Rocky River. Admission is free.

Money raised from the festival is returned to the community to fund things such as playground equipment and park improvements.

Artist applications are available at rrparksandrecfoundation.com/rocky-river-fall-arts-festival. Event organizers said application fees will be refunded in case the festival is canceled again.

For more information, email Jackie at yorkj500@gmail.com.

Gift of life: A Red Cross blood drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday (May 2) in the Community Room at the Bay Village Police Department, 28000 Wolf Road, Bay Village.

To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code BVPD or call 800-733-2767.

All blood donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies.

Information, please: Readers are invited to share information about themselves, their families and friends, organizations, church events, etc. from Bay Village, Rocky River and Westlake for the West Shore Chatter column, which I write on a freelance basis. Awards, honors, milestone birthdays or anniversaries and other items are welcome. Submit information at least 10 days before the requested publication date to carolkovach@hotmail.com.

Read more from the West Shore Sun.
Nursing homes and long-term care facilities, where 182,000 Americans perished during the covid pandemic, have taken heat from government regulators, residents and their families. Now the industry is hearing it from an unexpected source: their investors.

Investors who own large shares of nursing home companies now are demanding that the operators improve staff working conditions and the quality of care.

Nearly 100 investor groups that manage $3.3 trillion in assets in the U.S. and abroad told nursing home companies in a recent letter that they should increase staffing levels, boost staff pay, offer paid sick leave, improve resident safety programs and allow staff members to unionize.

It's the latest pressure for reform of the nursing home industry, which has come under fire for an epic failure in infection control that spread covid-19 killing residents and staffers across the U.S.

The move by investors was unexpected, since it could reduce their financial returns. But they are worried about the future of the nursing home industry, which experienced a death wave inside its facilities that accounted for 34% of the nation's covid toll. That's not good for business.

"These are great principles that aren't necessarily in the best financial interest of investors," said David Grabowski, a health care policy professor at Harvard University who studies long-term care. "But it's hard to know if this has any teeth."

Nursing home industry groups themselves have called for reform, but they stress the need for higher Medicaid payment rates.

The investors' statement of expectations was sent to major for-profit companies and real estate investment trusts that own nursing homes, including Genesis HealthCare, Ventas, Brookdale Senior Living and CareTrust REIT. It was signed by large investor groups including BMO Global Asset Management, Aviva Investors and the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility.

"This is a moment to say, 'Look at what happened during covid. You don't want it to happen again,'" said Christy Hoffman, general secretary of UNI Global Union, a labor-affiliated group that organized the investors' letter. "These workers are treated so badly, and that led to so many unnecessary deaths."

Nursing home care aides, who provide most of the hands-on care, earn about $12 an hour. Mostly women of color, they often work at more than one facility to cobble together a full-time schedule. That increased covid transmission among facilities. These workers generally don't get health benefits or paid sick leave, forcing them to come to work even when ill. Few are in unions, which have pushed for stronger safety protections. Annual turnover in the industry occasionally hits 80%.

There were reports across the U.S. that nursing homes did not provide adequate personal protective equipment like face masks and gowns to their workers, had too few workers on duty to properly care for residents, and engaged in shoddy infection control practices such as putting residents with and without covid in the same rooms.

BMO Global Asset Management already has contacted 13 nursing home companies and REITs urging appropriate staffing levels, improved health and safety standards, proper use of PPE, fair wages, pandemic hazard pay and freedom to unionize, said Nina Roth, director of responsible investment at BMO.

If they fail to meet the expectations with reasonable speed, her investment group, which manages or advises on $755 billion in assets, may take shareholder actions against management and ultimately divest from the companies, Roth said.

The American Health Care Association, which represents for-profit nursing home companies, said in a written statement, "We appreciate seeing investors taking a considerable interest in the quality of care and workforce challenges." But it added that for nursing homes to offer more competitive wages and benefits, they need "more reliable resources" from federal and state governments.

While higher payments would help, said UNI Global's Hoffman, nursing home companies "have a responsibility to do right by their workers regardless of public policy. We just don't want companies to say they'll do it when the government tells them to do it."

Advocates for nursing home residents say that, if government payment rates are increased, new transparency rules should require nursing homes to show that the additional funds are used for increased staffing and improved services, not for profits or higher salaries for executives.

In line with that, the investors' statement of expectations called on nursing home companies and REITs to publicly disclose whether they are complying with the staffing and quality-of-care targets.

Grabowski said the investors' letter shows they recognize the inevitability of nursing home reform in the wake of the covid catastrophe and want to get ahead of the wave. "They're thinking, 'Why don't we be more transparent and improve quality, or else what comes from the government could be ugly.'"
Tickets for breaking COVID-19 orders were issued to two attendees of a large demonstration at The Forks on Sunday, which denounced public health measures meant to slow the spread of the virus.

Tickets for breaking COVID-19 orders were issued to two attendees of a large demonstration at The Forks on Sunday, which denounced public health measures meant to slow the spread of the virus.

Late Tuesday, a provincial spokesperson confirmed that two tickets worth $1,296 were issued for failing to self-isolate and gathering in a group larger than permitted, in the wake of the rally.

"Justice officials were present at the rally on Sunday, as they are at other large public gatherings that contravene public health restrictions," the spokesperson said in a statement to the Free Press.

"Enforcement officials were focused on surveillance and interventions. Tickets were issued, information was gathered and further tickets are pending based on video and other information collected on site.

"Winnipeg Police Service members were also present to provide support and ensure a safe and secure environment," the statement read.

Several hundred people gathered Sunday afternoon near the CN Stage at The Forks, where they spread conspiracy theories about the virus and spoke out against wearing masks, getting COVID-19 tests and vaccines.

The main draw was Canadian anti-mask activist Chris Saccoccia, also known as Chris Sky, who was on a cross-country tour and failed to self-isolate upon his arrival in Manitoba. The anti-mask agitator is also known for spreading anti-Semitic and racist rhetoric.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Church of God minister Tobias Tissen speaks at an anti-mask rally at the Forks. A group of anti-maskers gathered at the Forks for a rally in Winnipeg Sunday, April 25, 2021. Reporter: ?

The Forks Market was forced to close Sunday because of the rally.

Justice Minister Cameron Friesen said two people were fined at the event, and more fines are likely as the investigation continues.

Enforcement officers did not disrupt the event, but Friesen says they were among the crowd and collected evidence, including video footage.

The province reported that between April 19 and Sunday, 39 $1,296 tickets were issued, along with 17 $298 fines for not wearing a mask in an indoor public place (an increase of 167 per cent from a week earlier).

Provincial data show six tickets were issued for failing to self-isolate and 33 were related to gathering sizes. Ninety-two warnings were issued.

"Enforcement officials investigate all public-health order violations they are made aware of, including large gatherings and rallies, and were present at The Forks last weekend," the province said in a statement.

"The public is reminded that abusive and aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated, and criminal offences will be reported to police and investigated."

The province said security personnel from Commissionaires Manitoba are at the airport to advise arrivals about provincial self-isolation requirements, to distribute public-health information and answer questions about health orders.

 Staff, with files from The Canadian Press
Maral Najarian, who was a captive and was returned by Azerbaijan, might refuse the passport of the Republic of Armenia. This sensational situation became clear a day before deputy of the National Assembly of Armenia Naira Zohrabyan posted a comment on her Facebook page. In this regard, Armenian News-NEWS.ams correspondent addressed Najarians attorney Alexander Kochubayev.

When Maral Najarian was in captivity, she had her documents with her. After her return, Azerbaijan didnt return her passport. As Najarians attorney, I have submitted a statement to the Police of Armenia with the request to declare the passport invalid and issue a new one. The response was the most ridiculous response. The police said Maral has to personally come to the Passport Department and submit an application to obtain a new passport. This is the regulation, but this situation is exceptional. Were talking about a Lebanese-Armenian woman who was in captivity, is recovering and wants to have an Armenian passport. The government was obliged to show a different approach. Currently, Najarian and I are considering whether she needs an Armenian passport or not. Either we will apply to the Administrative Court for the passport, or Najarian will decide to refuse the passport.

Citizen of Lebanon and Armenia Maral Najarian was captured after the signing of the trilateral statement on the establishment of ceasefire by Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan, but this didnt stand in the Azerbaijani authorities way to keep the innocent woman in captivity for a few months.
New Delhi: Several European Union (EU) member states have teamed up to assist India as it deals with the covid crisis by sending Oxygen Concentrators, Oxygen Generators, Remdesivir, Ventilators. The member states are sending supplies to India under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism that was activated to send the assistance. As per an official statement issued by the EU, India had placed a request for support through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which is coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre of the European Commission.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission in a tweet-statement said," the EU stands with India. A first shipment of urgently needed oxygen, medicine and equipment will be delivered over the coming days under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism."

Indian Envoy to Brussels Santosh Jha on her tweet thanked EU leadership and member states for the assistance, highlighting, "Cooperation and solidarity has always been the hallmark of the India-EU Strategic Partnership."

Janez Lenarcic, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, said, "The EU stands in full solidarity with the Indian people and is ready to do its utmost to support them at this critical time. I would like to thank our member states that came in numerously with generous offers of help, showing that the EU is a trusted partner and a friend at times of need.

"The reach of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism goes well beyond the EU's borders. Our Emergency Response Coordination Centre is facilitating the logistical arrangements and the EU will cover the brunt of the transport costs."

Several EU member states have pledged their support with Ireland sending 700 oxygen concentrators, one oxygen generator and 365 ventilators; Belgium sending 9,000 doses of antiviral medicine Remdesivir; Romania sending 80 oxygen concentrators and 75 oxygen cylinders; Luxembourg sending 58 ventilators; Portugal sending 5,503 vials of Remdesivir and 20,000 litres of oxygen per week and Sweden sending 120 ventilators.

This support has been extended in line with the coordinated effort of the EU member states currently underway to pool their resources in responding rapidly to tackle the alarming epidemiological situation in India, the statement said. More EU support from other member states is expected to be come in the coming days, including from France and Germany.

Earlier on Monday, France announced assistance in 2 phases. Phase 1 arriving this week will have, 8 large Oxygen Generating Plants, Liquid Oxygen, Respiratory material - 28 respirators and their consumables, and 200 electric syringe pushers. Phase 2, starting next week will have 5 liquid oxygen containers.

In a Facebook post in Hindi, French President Emmanuel Macron had put a message on France's "solidarity mission" for India saying, "Solidarity is at the heart of the friendship between France and India. We will win this fight together."

Germany will send Mobile oxygen production plant that will be made available for 3 months, 120 ventilators, more than 80 million KN95 masks. A Webinar on testing, RNA sequencing of Coronavirus is also being planned. Already, the AFMS (Armed Forces Medical Services) is importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany for deployment in hospitals.

Meanwhile, as the international community pitches in to support India, a high-level Inter-Ministerial group has established procedure for "immediate clearance" of the material support. Support would be then be dispatched to recipient institutions across the country.
Instagram has partnered with a mental health charity to raise awareness of body confidence issues in men.

The Facebook-owned social media giant will work with CALM to open a conversation about how male mental health and body dysmorphia have been hit by lockdown.

A survey of 2,000 men aged 16 - 40 commissioned by Instagram reveals more than half (58 per cent) have felt negatively about their body as a result of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, 48 per cent of the respondents say their mental health has suffered as a result of how they feel about their body.

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Instagram has partnered up with a mental health charity to raise awareness of body confidence issues in men. the initiative is called CALM Body Talks

The Facebook-owned social media giant will work with CALM to open a conversation about how male mental health and body dysmorphia has been hit by lockdown (stock)

Instagram has undergone somewhat of a cultural revolution in recent times with a significant push towards body positivity.

Many of the photoshopped posts in artificial poses that have been manufactured by influencers have been replaced by a deluge of natural images, accompanied with hashtags such as #selflove.

But while women have largely embraced this change, the movement has yet to reach men.

The Instagram survey of Gen Z and millenials revealed that, just like with women, male body image issues stem from societal pressures.

Instagram is today launching CALM Body Talks, a series of interviews with famous men, in a bid to open a dialogue about how men feel about their bodies, a topic often seen as a source of banter and a taboo in many male social circles. Jamie Laing, one of the famous faces fronting the campaign, said: 'Like so many men, I have experienced a variety of body image concerns in my life'

Instagram launches new anti-bullying tools Instagram has added a raft of new 'anti-bullying tools' including a filter for abusive direct messages, and better blocking tools to prevent trolls from contacting you on new accounts. The Facebook owned social network hopes to also tackle hate speech and bullying with stricter penalties for people who send abusive messages to other users. The firm said tackling abuse, particularly in direct messages, is a 'complex challenge' with no single step that could eliminate it completely. Among the measures is a direct message filter that automatically removes messages containing offensive words, phrases and emojis before the users sees them. Another feature will allow a user to not just block an account, but also block any new accounts created by the same user as Instagram becomes aware of them. The new measures designed to limit abuse on Instagram won't be available immediately. Instead they will be gradually rolled out over the next few weeks. Advertisement

More than a third (39 per cent) of men say they feel pressure to have a perfect body, and half say this comes from the mainstream media and social media.

Instagram is today launching CALM Body Talks, a series of interviews with famous men, in a bid to open a dialogue about how men feel about their bodies, a topic often seen as a source of banter and a taboo in many male social circles.

Jamie Laing, one of the famous faces fronting the campaign, said: 'Like so many men, I have experienced a variety of body image concerns in my life.

'From worrying about my weight when I gave up playing rugby as a teenager, to stressing about my hair loss in my late 20s, these are issues I struggled to talk about at first.

'Yet so many of my friends have gone through similar struggles, so I want to help Campaign Against Living Miserably and Instagram open up the conversation to show men they are not alone.

'We all have off days when we look in the mirror, but we can either learn to love what we see or make positive changes - the key is to do it for yourself and your mental health!'

Kira Wong O'Connor, EMEA Policy Programmes Manager at Instagram, said: 'The body positivity movement has continued to build a strong community on Instagram in recent years, providing a space for all to share their experiences, encourage others to practise self-love and showcase how every-body is beautiful.

'Whilst there are some amazing men like @bopo.boy and @kelvindavis championing male body positivity online, we are excited to be working with CALM to get more men talking about how they feel about their bodies and take the conversation to the mainstream.'
But under the new law, the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board, which must approve any plans to open or close a hospital, will be allowed to put new closure applications on hold until after Pritzker lifts his statewide coronavirus disaster declaration, the federal governments public health emergency declaration ends, or July 1, whichever happens last.
For years, The Willows Inn off the coast of Washington has been a destination for foodies, who close out the restaurant nearly every night of its season from April through December.

But now, 35 former staff members have come forward to accuse the master chef Blaine Wetzel, 35, of creating a 'nightmarish' work environment at the famed restaurant, with sexual harassment and the use of racial and derogatory slurs.

In a New York Times report published Tuesday, female employees who grew up on the nine-mile Lummi Island described how kitchen workers would allegedly pressure teenage girls for sex, touch them inappropriately and provide them with drugs and alcohol so they would be compliant.

The men, they said, would constantly harass teenage employees from the island with sexual overtures and innuendos and pressured them to stay after work to party, where they would encourage them to do drugs or drink alcohol.

The workers alleged that Wetzel is to blame for the toxic atmosphere and also claimed he lied about using only locally sourced ingredients in his dishes.

Wetzel has denied these allegations, which came to light weeks after the Willows paid a $600,000 settlement last month over claims it misappropriated tips and failed to provide overtime for people working 14-hour shifts.

Blaine Wetzel (pictured), 35, started working at The Willows Inn in 2010, and took over shortly after

He had previously worked at a restaurant in Copenhagen, and has earned several awards

Sarah Letchworth (pictured), a former server at the restaurant, claimed Wetzel once refused to drive her home until she did shots with him

'Lummi Island 16 meant that you were available for sex, and that any kind of creepy and predatory behavior was fine,' said 21-year-old Sarah Letchworth, who started working at the restaurant when she was 15.

Three years later, she said, Wetzel offered to drive her home from a party but instead took her to his house.

He refused to take her home unless she did rounds of shots with him, she recounted, and she complied. Wetzel then drove her home when she was drunk.

But the sexual harassment did not stop as the teenagers got older, the women claim.

They said Wetzel and other managers would order them to lose weight and get manicures and eyelash extensions at their own expense, but then blocked them from promotions.

The New York Times reported that none of the women who worked in the kitchen had been promoted to sous-chef or chef de cuisine, and the two that Wetzel identified to the Times as having been promoted to sous-chefs said they never held that job.

Some had been promoted to managerial roles in the innkeeping and dining sides.

Wetzel repeatedly denied these claims in the New York Times article. His longtime manager, Reid Johnson, did not comment on the allegations.

'We are deeply saddened to learn that some former employees shared concerns about our business,' Wetzel said in a statement to the newspaper.

'Our goal is for anyone who works at The Willows to think of us as the most kind, caring, generous and talented people that they have ever worked with and that The Willows was the best job they ever had.'

'If we are missing that mark in any way, we must improve.'

The Willows Inn sits on Lummi Island, off the coast of Washington

It has seven guest rooms in its main building and can seat up to 40 patrons a night at its restaurant

Former employees at the restaurant claim Wetzel has created a toxic environment, with sexual harassment and racist language.

Recently, nine senior staffers at the inn resigned over the culture of the restaurant.

They said Wetzel would often scream at his employees in direct view of the customers they were serving, calling the Latino employees and Asian customers racial slurs.

He would also lie about the dishes he was serving at the Michelin-Star rated restaurant.

Wetzel advertises The Willows as only serving food produced from the nine-mile island, with his own farm, but Scott Weymiller, a longtime sous-chef at the restaurant, said it would be impossible to serve 25 different plates to up to 40 people six nights a week with only the food produced on the small island.

'You can do that for two days, but you can't do it for two weeks,' Weymiller said, 'Much less for an entire season.'

So when the locally-sourced food would run out, the former employees alleged, they would buy ingredients from the mainland supermarkets - including chickens from Costco.

Sometimes, the employees said, they would even serve guests who asked for vegetarian and vegan versions of the meals the standard dishes, which are made with chicken and seafood.

'We never misrepresent our ingredient sources,' Wetzel said in response to these allegations, adding, 'My step-mom and brother are Chinese, my wife is Mexican, and anyone that would claim I was racist is lying.'

He did not, however, deny that some of his ingredients came from supermarkets.

The employees said they decided to put up with Wetzel's offensive language, sexism and bullying because they figured a recommendation form him would help them land a better job in the future.

Employees claim Wetzel, front left, refused to promote women in the kitchen

Lummi Island is only nine-miles in area

Wetzel had worked as a chef in Copenhagen before moving to Lummi in 2010. He has previously said he wanted to return home to Washington, and found a job at The Willows, where he figured he would work until he found a 'real job' in Seattle.

He soon fell in love with the tiny island though, and took over the restaurant and inn from a local chicken farmer.

Wetzel was named the Best New Chef of 2012 by Food & Wine magazine, and in 2014, he earned the James Beard Foundation Rising Star Chef of the Year. One year later, he was awarded Best Chef of the Northwest.

He is credited with turning the island into a destination for foodies.

Employees at the restaurant, though, said they had to go to Reid Johnson, who took a hands-off approach, with any complaints. They said Johnson never acted on any of them.

Wetzel, however, denied this, saying, 'Reid Johnson records, reports and acts on every complaint in the workplace.'

He added that he had an independent Human Resources consultant available for the employees at all times, but the employees say the consultant was first hired last year.

In 2017, a federal investigation confirmed employees' accounts of wage theft, violating federal law by forcing employees to work 14-hour days for as little as $50 and hiring culinary interns for free labor.

The inn was fined $149,000 and end its internship program.

Then in March, Wetzel agreed to pay $600,000 to settle a subsequent class-action lawsuit, which was brought by 99 employees who claimed he misappropriated tips and failed to provide overtime for people working 14-hour shifts.

As part of the settlement, the Times reported, Wetzel was not required to admit to any wrongdoing.
China expects to see around 250 million domestic trips during the upcoming Labor Day holiday, with bookings of air tickets, admission tickets and hotel rooms significantly surpassing that of the same period in 2019.

As the number of cars registered across the country reached 229 million by the end of March, traffic authorities are bracing for a foreseeable surge in medium- and long-distance self-drive trips during the holiday from May 1 to 5.

The Ministry of Public Security Monday warned against road traffic safety risks, especially in popular tourist destinations and around major scenic areas.

There will be rising traffic volumes on major road networks, and congestion on expressways is estimated to increase by 10 percent from the same period last year.

The ministry advised drivers to pay attention to traffic information and safety warnings and avoid dangerous driving such as fatigued driving, drunk driving and driving without a license.
New Delhi, April 27 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday expressed its displeasure over black marketing of medical oxygen while hearing a petition on shortage of oxygen and treatment of Covid patients in the national capital.

The Court said people were forced to buy oxygen cylinders in the black market for lakhs of rupees while their original cost is only a few hundred rupees. The court said those persons indulging in black marketing of oxygen should be taken into police custody.

During the hearing, the High Court said if the Delhi government is unable to manage oxygen cylinders then they should tell the court for procuring them. The court will ask the Central government to take over the charge of managing oxygen.

The court issued contempt notices to the five oxygen refillers who were absent during the hearing on Tuesday. Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev informed the court that he has requested all oxygen refillers to furnish details of the tankers supplying oxygen in Delhi following which the quota of oxygen will be allocated for three days.

Dev said the oxygen quota has not yet been issued and will be done through an order. This information will be presented to the court. If there is a complaint filed by the hospitals, a provision will be made to resolve it.

Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing the Delhi government, told the court that he would speak to the authorities and the oxygen supply would be ensured at Venkateshwar hospital in Delhi.

The court suggested that the Delhi government get information from all hospitals and pharmacies on the supply of Remdesivir and other medicines. The court suggested the appointment of accounting officials to the Delhi government. The court's order came after it was told by the Delhi Heart and Lung Institute that they, too, were facing lack of oxygen and the nodal officials concerned were helpless.

The court told the Delhi government that it has the requisite powers to take action against those indulging in black marketing of oxygen.
State offices are closed in Alabama on the fourth Monday of April. That's in commemoration of Confederate Memorial Day.

Some Alabamians said the state should stop recognizing the holiday, and others said it's important to remember all the lives lost in the Civil War.

"The Civil War and the Confederacy were about slavery," said Camille Bennett, founder of Project Say Something.

Project Say Something is aimed at confronting racial injustice. Bennett said Confederate Memorial Day romanticizes the Civil War.

"People like to get tricky with the words and say it's about states' rights, but it was the states' rights to own enslaved Black people," said Bennett.

Others defend the holiday as a day of remembering fallen soldiers.

"The bottom line is those soldiers who fought and died," said John Scales.

Scales is a retired general. He said soldiers in the Civil War were protecting their homes, their families and those against an invading army.

Scales said the holiday isn't a racial matter. He said he sees it as a day to remember those who died in battle.

"Those numbers far outweigh any other war," said Scales.

Back in 2020, the Confederate monument in front of the Madison County Courthouse was removed. Currently, the monument lives at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville.

"Its a slap in the face. You removed a Confederate monument because it was disrespectful and offensive in Huntsville," said Bennett. "On the other hand, its still taking a little dig in saying were still going to commemorate the Confederacy."

The state has no plans to eliminate Confederate Memorial Day as a holiday. Alabama is one of three states that still commemorate Confederate Memorial Day.

The holiday dates back to 1866. Georgia's legislature passed a resolution remembering those who died in the war.

"Thats the root cause," said Bennett. "People, legislatures, lawmakers, citizens in Alabama still think its appropriate to celebrate the Confederacy."
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, places a flower basket at a memorial park dedicated to the Battle of the Xiangjiang River during the Long March in the 1930s in Caiwan, a town in Quanzhou County in the city of Guilin in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on April 25, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

During inspection, president stresses carrying forward revolutionary beliefs



President Xi Jinping has underlined the importance of staying firm to ideals and convictions as China is striving to build a modern socialist country and to realize national rejuvenation.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remark on Sunday during his inspection tour of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

Xi visited a memorial park in the city of Guilin dedicated to the Battle of Xiangjiang River during the Long March in the 1930s.

He presented a flower basket in homage to Red Army soldiers who died in the battle. He also visited a memorial hall in the park to pay his respects to revolutionary martyrs.

Xi said the Xiangjiang battle was a heroic battle of the Long March and an important historical event that determined the "life or death" of the Chinese revolution.

Red Army soldiers remained fearless in the face of death, with strong ideals and convictions, he said.

The secret to the success of the Chinese revolution is that the revolutionary ideals soared above the clouds and the soldiers stayed firm in the most difficult times, so as to continuously achieve miraculous victories, he said.

In the face of even greater difficulty, one should think about the Long March and the Xiangjiang battle, Xi said, noting that the revolutionary beliefs should be carried forward.

As this year marks the 100th anniversary of the CPC's founding, Xi has highlighted the significance of drawing strength from the past through Party history learning and education.

In recent years during his inspection tours, Xi has visited several historical sites in memory of the Long March.

He visited Zunyi, Guizhou province, in 2015, the year that marked the 80th anniversary of the Zunyi Conference, a historic Party meeting that was regarded as a crucial turning point leading to the ultimate success of the Chinese revolution.

As 2016 marked the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March, Xi visited a monument honoring the revolutionary martyrs' sacrifice, during his inspection tour in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, and called for efforts to realize the Chinese dream in "a new Long March".

Later on his Sunday trip in Guilin, Xi went to the village of Maozhushan, where he inspected progress in promoting rural vitalization and grassroots-level governance.

The village has managed to eliminate poverty by developing the grape industry in recent years, with an average output of more than 500 metric tons of grapes annually.

On Sunday afternoon, Xi also visited a section of the Lijiang River, which he described as "the one-and-only treasure of China and the world".

After learning about local efforts in ecological conservation, Xi said that quarrying creates the worst damage to the environment, and he called for efforts to protect the environment and to crack down on illegal quarrying of stone and sand.
Highlights Xiaomi may use a 200-megapixel sensor.

Samsung is developing this 200-megapixel sensor.

It is also tipped to have a 0.64-micron pixel.

Xiaomi could pull off something that not many smartphone manufacturers are planning any time soon. A new report suggests Xiaomi may integrate the massive 200-megapixel sensor on one of its future phones. The 108-megapixel sensors had just started getting mainstream, and now we hear about a 200-megapixel sensor. A fresh leak has popped up to suggest Xiaomi will be the first to feature Samsung's upcoming 200-megapixel sensor. We had first heard about this 200-megapixel a few months ago.

Digital Chat Station and Ice Universe have provided hints about this upcoming sensor 200-megapixel sensor. While they do not confirm that Xiaomi will be the first to use the same, but the ITHome report does. Ice Universe had previously claimed that this particular ISOCELL sensor is being developed by Samsung and has a 0.64-micron pixel.

200-megapixel sensor tipped to be used on Galaxy S22

Apart from these tipsters, WHYLAB had also suggested that Samsung is working on a 200-megapixel sensor that measures 1/ 1.37-inch and has 1.28-micron pixels. Further, the tipster claims that it will support 4-in-1 and 16-in-1 pixel binning technology to reduce noise in the pictures. It is also supposed to be capable of recording 16K videos.

The same tipster had also said that the sensor might debut on the ZTE Axon 30 Pro 5G. However, that device shipped with Samsung's 64-megapixel sensor.

A couple of weeks ago, Let'sGoDigital's Mark Peters shared renders of the Samsung Galaxy S22 features a 200-megapixel OLYMPUS camera. Reports had popped about Samsung partnering with OLYMPUS to develop future Galaxy phones. This leak was further confirmed by a couple of credible tipsters. However, we suggest you take this information with a pinch of salt as there's no confirmation around it.

Smartphone camera sensors have come a long way through, and it's nice to see that these sensors have started making it to mid-range phones too. The potential of the current 108-megapixel hasn't been completely harnessed yet, still, it will be interesting to find out what this new 200-megapixel sensor brings to the table.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) during the first assembly meeting of the new International Chornobyl Co-Operation Account (ICCA) have agreed to continue the institutions' cooperation and develop a comprehensive plan for next steps in the process of decommissioning the Chornobyl nuclear power plant (NPP).

The EBRD said in a Tuesday press release that on the occasion of the first assembly meeting of the ICCA, President of the EBRD Odile Renaud-Basso and Director General of IAEA Rafael Mariano Grossi agreed to continue supporting Ukraine and achieve the goals set.

Having reviewed the support that each organisation has provided Ukraine in the past 35 years, and the progress achieved so far, they confirm their continuous support to Ukraine in the coming phase of decommissioning of Chornobyl.

"They [the sides] agree to work together in the framework of the International Chornobyl Cooperation Account in close cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities towards the delivery of safe and cost-effective solutions for the decommissioning of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, and in managing the radioactive waste in the exclusion zone," the EBRD said.

The EBRD and IAEA recognised the need to develop a comprehensive plan for the site to ensure coherence, optimisation and complementarity between the different tasks.

In doing so, they will draw on the IAEA's technical mandate, knowledge and experience, and its network of international experts, and the EBRD's project and fund management experience, according to the press release.

"Despite an unprecedented level of international cooperation in the transformation of Chornobyl over the past decades, the decommissioning of the nuclear power plant and the management of radioactive waste in the exclusion zone remain the most challenging nuclear safety operations in the world. ICCA will aim to support capabilities that address these challenges. The EBRD stands ready to provide its services as a project and fund manager," EBRD Director of the Nuclear Safety Department Balthasar Lindauer said.

ICCA was established in November 2020 by the EBRD at the request of the government of Ukraine. It was set up as a multilateral fund to support the development of a comprehensive plan for Chornobyl, to consolidate existing planning as well as optimise and integrate all approaches to radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel.

Since 1995, the EBRD has been engaged in securing and transforming the site as a fund manager on behalf of the international community and as a donor.

Under the bank's leadership the Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant, the New Safe Confinement and the Interim Storage Facility-2 have been built.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)  A candidate for U.S. Senate in Alaska previously wrote articles in support of an organization that espoused gay conversion therapy, questioned the integrity of elections and described the Twilight books and movies as evil.

Many of the articles, blogs and posts by candidate Kelly Tshibaka have been deleted but some are available through archived internet pages, as first reported Tuesday by CNN.

Tshibaka said in an email to The Associated Press that the CNN article is just proof that our campaign is gaining momentum, which has Lisa Murkowski and her allies scared to death."

Nothing frightens the DC political insiders more than the thought of a strong, independent Alaskan leader in their ranks, she said.

Tshibaka formerly worked in several offices of inspector general in the U.S. government before becoming the commissioner of the Department of Administration in Alaska under Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2019. She quit last month to enter the Senate race.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican who has held the Senate seat since 2002, has filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, which allows her to raise money. Murkowski, who reported having $1.3 million available as of March 31, has not formally announced whether shes seeking re-election.

Murkowski filed the FEC statement, as a Republican, a week before state Republican party leaders censured her for voting to convict former President Donald Trump at his impeachment trial earlier this year. The party also said it did not want Murkowski to identify as a Republican in the 2022 election.

Messages sent to Murkowskis press aides were not immediately returned to the AP.

Days after major news organizations, including the AP, declared Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 election, Tshibaka posted on Instagram: Eyewitness testimony of voting impropriety, fraud, tampering or oppression in states like PA, MI, GA, NV, and AZ constitutes evidence.

Story continues

In the November election, Alaska voters approved Proposition 2, an initiative that would do away with party-run primaries and send the top four vote-getters, regardless of political affiliation, to the general election.

General elections would then use a new ranked-choice voting system. Some see this as a boost for Murkowski, who in 2010 lost her party primary but went on to win the general election as a write-in candidate.

Tshibaka also tweeted about a Texas lawsuit challenging changes to election laws because of COVID-19, which was dismissed by the U.S. Supreme Court because Texas did not have standing to sue. She said if Texas were to win, then Alaskas election laws could also be challenged.

Imagine what this could mean for Proposition 2 (where absentee ballots tipped votes in favor of the jungle primary) and for certain state Legislature races? Alaska can throw out all absentee ballots without a witness signature, for example, she tweeted.

She told the AP on Tuesday that allegations regarding voting integrity should be investigated and fully examined.

When Tshibaka was at Harvard Law School, she wrote The Right Side: Coming Out of Homosexuality, for The Harvard Law Record, an independent newspaper at the law school, in December 2001.

Today is National Coming Out of Homosexuality Day, a day dedicated to helping homosexuals overcome their sexual tendencies and move towards a healthy lifestyle, she wrote in the article under her maiden name Kelly Hartline.

In the article she touts the work of Exodus International, a group that advocated gay conversion therapy. The group a decade later closed and apologized for the harm it did to the gay community.

Homosexuals can come out of homosexuality because their preference is not biologically mandated." Tshibaka wrote in 2001. Unlike race or gender, homosexuality is a choice.

She also later apologized to readers who were upset over the article, saying she did not intend to offend.

Tshibaka said she was assigned the article by an editor as a counterpoint piece. I dont hold that view today, she told the AP.

When asked if same-sex marriage is settled law, she said: I personally believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, but the Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex marriage is the law of the land.

In blog posts, she said the Twilight vampire movies and books are evil and we should not read or watch it.

Some say this book is harmless, that it promotes Christian values, and that it does not promote anything wicked at all, she wrote. But Satan does not usually look repulsive, horrific, and evil on the outside.

She told the AP that children should read more, but the Twilight books dont hold a candle to Dr. Seuss.

I think Alaskans will care more about who will protect their gas and oil jobs than they do about young adult vampire fiction, she said.

The state elections office says others who have registered for Senate include Dustin Darden with the Alaskan Independence Party, Huhnkie Lee, who is undeclared, and Republicans Samuel Little and Karl Speights.
VICTORIA - British Columbia has introduced legislation to convert an investment initiative into a Crown corporation with the authority to make independent decisions aimed at spurring economic recovery after the pandemic.

Premier John Horgan arrives to receive a dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy in Victoria, B.C., on Friday, April 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

VICTORIA - British Columbia has introduced legislation to convert an investment initiative into a Crown corporation with the authority to make independent decisions aimed at spurring economic recovery after the pandemic.

The $500-million InBC investment fund was created last September as a way for the province to join the private sector in supporting small and medium-sized companies, which make up 98 per cent of all businesses in the province.

Premier John Horgan said Tuesday the purpose of the fund is to make investments that achieve a financial return by meeting the government's social, economic and environmental policy objectives, including building a more innovative, low-carbon economy.

The corporation is expected to be operational by the fall led by a chief investment officer who is yet to be hired and will be responsible for making decisions without interference from outside parties or the government. A board of directors appointed by the cabinet is expected to be in place by next month and will include two public servants and seven people from outside the public service.

The fund is fashioned after models in Denmark and Ireland, and it will support startups and help promising companies attract top employees to support the post-pandemic economy in all regions, Horgan told a news conference.

He said the fund sends a message for companies to put down roots in B.C. as the province establishes itself as a low-carbon, competitive jurisdiction to do business.

"Too often in the past the good ideas that have come from post-secondary institutions have migrated to other jurisdictions for a host of reasons."

Adam Pankratz, a professor at the University of British Columbia's Sauder school of business, said he's concerned about a lack of complete independence for the fund.

"I'm not saying it's a bad thing because $500 million is certainly a lot of money. I would certainly have concerns that the board of directors is appointed by cabinet and that generally the government is not that good at picking winners and losers in business."

However, Ravi Kahlon, the minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation, said the legislation he introduced makes clear that board members cannot take projects forward and any decisions made by the chief investment officer are wholly independent.

"It's similar to funds that we've seen internationally, and we've taken that advice from the private sector, which said this is the best way to structure the board," Khalon said.

An annual report on the progress of the fund will be made public online and an independent audit will be done every five years, he said.

Wendy Hurlburt, president and CEO of LifeSciences BC, said the province is home to Canada's fastest-growing life sciences sector and includes nearly 2,000 companies employing about 20,000 people.

Over the last year, she said B.C's life sciences innovation has been at the forefront of addressing COVID-19 challenges including vaccine development by University of British Columbia researchers who developed a key component for injecting the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine through a spinoff company.

Great ideas found through research have often been exported because promising startups didn't get the support to scale up, Hurlburt said.

Horgan also said businesses need support in providing employees with paid sick leave to curb COVID-19 and he's "disappointed" the federal government failed to provide a national program in its recent budget.

Horgan said he raised the issue with his counterparts across the country and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last May, but "there was no appetite for it."

British Columbia formally extended its provincial state of emergency Tuesday until May 11, allowing officials to continue using extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act.

That allows for enforcement measures including those prohibiting residents from leaving three main health authorities around the province.

Horgan said the province is expected to provide more details about enforcement later this week.

 By Camille Bains in Vancouver

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2021.
Nothing told the story of the April 27, 2011 tornadoes in Alabama better than the picture of Faye Hyde sitting atop a mattress on the site of the demolished house where she lived, hugging her granddaughter, Sierra Goldsmith, wrapping her tight in a quilt.

Sitting behind her on the mattress were her two grandsons, twins Ethan and Evan Goldsmith, who were five at the time. Walking nearby was her husband, Willie Ray Buddy Hyde.

Somehow, they all emerged from the collapsed house unharmed.

I just got the grandkids and tried to cover them up, tried to get over them, said Faye, recalling the moment 10 years ago in an interview this past week at the rental house in Pleasant Grove where she has lived since 2011. She was 69 years old then, and 79 now.

It got them all together and all I could hear was wood popping and cracking and breaking and glass breaking, she said. One of the twins started whimpering out at me and I said, Baby, itll be over in just a minute.

The one-story house had few places to go that seemed safe from the storm.

There was a closet there that didnt have a door on it, she said. We sort of got up to that door.

Somehow, the frame of the closet kept the roof from falling on top of them. Everything else collapsed in a heap of debris.

There was a mattress laying out there and we got on it, Faye said. Then it started raining. We all got wet.

There they sat, cold and wet, scared but alive, on a mattress where their house used to be, alongside Warrior River Road near Steves Grocery and gas station northwest of Hueytown.

God blessed us, Faye said. I dont want to go through it again.

Five years earlier in 2006, the rental house Faye and Buddy lived in burned down. They had no renters insurance and lost everything. They had to start over, and then the tornado made them start over again. Their landlord who owned the house destroyed in the tornado offered to rent them another house he owned in Pleasant Grove.

Standing next to Sierra in the front yard of the home where they have lived the past 10 years, Faye smiles meekly as Sierra puts a long arm around her small grandmother, whom she has now outgrown by half a foot, and gives her a hug.

For a moment, they reverse roles from 10 years ago.

Faye talks about the events that Sierra doesnt remember. She was so young when it happened, Faye said.

They still seem as close now as they were in that picture. Shes my life, Faye said.

Sierras older twin brothers, now teenagers, live with their father in Virginia. They were separated from their sister in a custody dispute. Sierra, a fifth-grader at Pleasant Grove Elementary School, talks about one day going to live with them.

One of thems got a girlfriend, said Sierra.

Theyre growing up, Faye said.

That famous picture, snapped 10 minutes after 190 mph winds destroyed the entire neighborhood in Concord, captured the complete devastation, the human desperation, the coldness of souls stranded amidst the rubble. Jeff Roberts, then a photographer for The Birmingham News, took that picture. He later took pictures of Faye and Buddy moving into the house in Pleasant Grove after spending a couple weeks in a hotel.

Roberts died the next year, Nov. 13, 2012, after a battle with cancer. I was sure sorry to hear about him passing away, Faye said. He was a good man.

His picture still hasnt been forgotten. At the time, it ran on the front page of The Birmingham News, but it also ran in newspapers and magazines worldwide, including Time magazine.

Just under two years old at the time of the tornado, Sierra will turn 12 in May. She still lives with her grandmother.

Buddy Hyde died Feb. 4 of COVID-19. I lost my husband, Faye said. Thats hard to deal with. He got COVID.

She survived the tornado, but 10 years later, there are still struggles. As long as she can hug Sierra, things dont seem too bad.

Its hard, but well manage somehow, Faye said.

See all of AL.coms April 27, 2011 anniversary coverage here.
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  A remotely piloted boat packed with explosives targeted the Saudi port of Yanbu in the Red Sea on Tuesday, the kingdom said, with the blast sending black smoke into the sky off the coast.

Saudi Arabia claimed to have intercepted and destroyed the attack boat. However, private security firms suggested commercial traffic near the port may have been hit in the assault.

Details remained scarce, but the incident comes after a series of attacks on shipping in the wider Mideast region amid a shadow war between Iran and Israel and against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations between Tehran and world powers over Irans tattered nuclear deal.

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The incident also comes amid the kingdoms yearslong war against Yemens Houthi rebels. The Houthis have in the past used bomb-laden drones and explosive-packed boats in attacks targeting the kingdom. However, the rebels did not immediately claim any assaults on Tuesday and did not respond to a request for comment.

The state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted Saudi military spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki saying the port was targeted by the drone boat.

The booby-trapped boat was dealt and destroyed according to the rules of engagement, the report quoted al-Maliki as saying, without providing evidence to support his claim.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, run by the British navy, simply said it was aware of reports of an incident and that investigations were ongoing. Private maritime security firm Dryad Global said it had reports that a ship had been attacked, without elaborating.

Maritime security firm Neptune P2P Group reported that black smoke was seen billowing near the south entrance of the Yanbu port.

British maritime security firm Ambrey reported an incident off western Saudi Arabia, between the ports of Yanbu and Rabigh. Earlier Tuesday morning, smoke was seen rising from a vessel off the Saudi oil-shipping port of of Yanbu, the firm said. Multiple tankers remain anchored or drifting in the area.

Yanbu port control broadcast a message by marine VHF radio, warning vessels to increase their level of alertness and monitor for any suspicious activity, Ambrey said.

The U.S. Navys Mideast-based 5th Fleet declined to immediately comment on the incident.

Yanbu, 870 kilometers (540 miles) west of Riyadh, serves as the end point of the kingdoms crucial East-West Pipeline. It allows crude oil pumped in its eastern fields to be shipped directly via the Red Sea, avoiding the Persian Gulfs chokepoint at the Strait of Hormuz. Yanbu is also home to an oil refinery that can process 400,000 barrels of crude per day.

In May 2019, then-U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton claimed that Yanbu had been targeted in an attack never acknowledged by the kingdom.

Meanwhile, American and Iranian warships had a tense encounter in the Persian Gulf earlier this month, the first such incident in about a year, the U.S. Navy said Tuesday.

Footage released by the Navy showed a ship commanded by Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard cut in front of the USCGC Monomoy, causing the Coast Guard vessel to come to an abrupt stop with its engine smoking on April 2.

The Guard also did the same with another Coast Guard vessel, the USCGC Wrangell, said Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich, a 5th Fleet spokeswoman. Such close passes risk the ships colliding at sea.

Iran did not immediately acknowledge the incident in the southern reaches of the Persian Gulf, which resulted in no injuries or damage.

The U.S. crews issued multiple warnings via bridge-to-bridge radio, five short blasts from the ships horns, and while the (Iranian) Harth 55 responded to the bridge-to-bridge radio queries, they continued the unsafe maneuvers, Rebarich said. After approximately three hour of the U.S. issuing warning and conducting defensive maneuvers, the (Iranian) vessels maneuvered away from the U.S. ships and opened distance between them.

The Wall Street Journal first reported on the incident, which involved the Iranian Harth support ship and three Iranian fast-attack craft. The Coast Guard units operate out of Bahrain as part of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, its biggest unit overseas.

The interaction marked the first unsafe and unprofessional incident involving the Iranians since April 15, 2020, Rebarich said. However, Iran had largely stopped such incidents in 2018 and nearly in the entirety of 2019, she said.

In 2017, the Navy recorded 14 instances of what it describes as unsafe and or unprofessional interactions with Iranians forces. It recorded 35 in 2016, and 23 in 2015.

The incidents at sea almost always involve the Revolutionary Guard, which reports only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Typically, they involve Iranian speedboats armed with deck-mounted machine guns and rocket launchers test-firing weapons or shadowing American aircraft carriers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of all oil passes.

Some analysts believe the incidents are meant in part to squeeze President Hassan Rouhanis administration after the 2015 nuclear deal. They include a 2016 incident in which Iranian forces captured and held overnight 10 U.S. sailors who strayed into the Islamic Republics territorial waters.

U.S. naval forces continue to remain vigilant and are trained to act in a professional manner, while our commanding officers retain the inherent right to act in self-defense, Rebarich said.

The incident comes as Iran negotiates with world powers in Vienna over Tehran and Washington returning to the 2015 nuclear deal, talks due to resume Tuesday. It also follows a series of incidents across the Mideast attributed to a shadow war between Iran and Israel, which includes attacks on regional shipping and sabotage at Irans Natanz nuclear facility.
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Protesters took to the streets of Elizabeth City on Monday night for the fifth night in a row as anger mounted at the failure to release the full footage showing the killing of Andrew Brown.

Brown, 42, was shot and killed by police in North Carolina at 8.30am on April 21 while he was at the wheel of his car in his driveway.

Police said they were carrying out an arrest warrant for drugs offenses and claim Brown was a drug dealer with a rap sheet dating back to 1988, but his family said he was 'executed'.

Authorities said the father-of-ten had a 180 page criminal record and had been filmed selling narcotics in the weeks leading up to his death last Wednesday, Fox News reported.

The deputies continued to shoot after Brown drove his vehicle away from them, according to Chantel Cherry-Lassiter, who said he never presented a threat to the team of officers at the scene.

On Monday night more than 200 people marched through downtown to 'disrupt commerce' as a state of emergency was declared, carrying signs and shouting: 'Release the tape! The real tape!'

Some reports suggested rocks were thrown, Fox News said, while others said it was eggs that were hurled.

Twice, The Raleigh News & Observer reported, they stopped to confront police officers who blocked traffic for them to pass, yelling: 'Say his name! Say his name!' before moving on.

Under North Carolina law, body camera footage can only be released with a court order, but critics are accusing the authorities of a cover up - suspicions that increased after the family were allowed to watch just 20 seconds of a redacted video of the fatal shooting.

Andrew Brown's grieving relatives are seen outside Pasquotank County Public Safety building as protesters took to the streets after his killing

Demonstrators gathered for a fifth night of protests in Elizabeth City on Monday night calling for answers over the shooting of the 42-year-old

Protesters occupy an intersection while marching in the evening after family members were shown body camera footage of the shooting

Activists held placards aloft saying 'Andrew Brown, say his name' in the wake of the killing which has caused unrest in Elzabeth City

Protesters lean on each other in a moment of reflection amid the demonstrations which saw more than 200 people take to the streets

A demonstrator yells in the air from her car on Monday night during Elizabeth City protests

Protesters in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, on Monday night demanded the release of footage

Activists were on the streets of Elizabeth City for the fifth night in a row on Monday

A driver wearing a Black Lives Matter t-shirt steps out of her car to join other protesters in raising a fist in solidarity with each other

Two young protesters ride atop the rear of vehicle at the end of a march held in support of the late Andrew Brown who was shot on Wednesday

Hundreds of demonstrators, including Rev. Raymond Johnson, protested on Monday night

Two men fist bump amid smiles as they peacefully protest against Brown's shooting

Protesters were demanding police to 'release the video' to 'show us the truth' as they marched on the county sheriff's building

Pasquotank County officers watch the protests unfold from the roof of the county sheriff's building on Monday

Andrew Brown, a 42-year-old father of 10, was shot in his car on April 21 by sheriffs

Ben Crump, the high-profile civil rights attorney who now represents the family, said outside the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office: 'They are trying to hide something. They don't want us to see.'

Attorneys for the family said he was shot in the back of his head and had his hands on the car steering wheel as up to eight officers fired at him.

Andrew Brown, 42, was shot and killed by sheriffs in North Carolina on Wednesday morning

They said the clip they saw began as shots were already being fired, adding that Brown complied with officer commands throughout.

After watching the footage, Brown's son Khalil told reporters: 'My dad got executed just trying to save his life. It is messed up how this happened. He got executed.'

Court documents released on Monday show deputies obtained the search warrant that brought them to Brown after investigators recorded him selling small amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine to an informant.

Seven deputies have been placed on leave amid indications, including emergency scanner traffic and an eyewitness account, that Brown was shot in the back as he tried to drive away.

The city's mayor earlier had declared a state of emergency over the shooting.

County officials indicated that showing family the clip had been delayed because they were working on blurring some faces in the recording.

Attorney Ben Crump holds the arm of Khalil Brown, who called his dad's death an execution

Andrew Brown's youngest daughter (left) listens to attorney Benjamin Crump on Monday. Harry Daniels (right), who is representing the family of Andrew Brown, speaks outside the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office in Elizabeth City

Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, center left, joined the Brown family on Monday

Brown, 42, father of 10 children, was shot and killed in his car at around 8.30am in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, while police were executing search-and-arrest warrants for drug offenses, officials said

Describing the footage in more detail on Monday afternoon, attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter said Brown had been in his driveway when he was blocked in by officers who were in a marked police vehicle.

She said they 'lost count' on how many shots were fired.

She also said deputies 'rode up to his car while shooting'.

When Brown 'finally tries to get away to get out of danger' he backs out, away from officers who were allegedly shouting obscenities at him.

The attorney added: 'At no time was he threatening officers.'

When his car runs into a tree, Cherry-Lassiter said the officers continued shooting at him, leaving his vehicle 'riddled with bullets'.

The family noted that despite multiple officers being at the scene they were allowed to see just one clip - from an officer who was farthest from the scene.

Gunfire already had started in the clip they were shown, they said, and it was unclear what had happened in the moments before the shooting.

Cherry-Lassiter, who watched the video multiple times and took notes, said some deputies were wearing tactical uniforms and some in plainclothes.

'They're shooting and saying let me see your hands at the same time,' she said.

Crump confirmed that he would hold a press conference on Tuesday at 11am to discuss autopsy results.

'It's clear to us there is something bad on that bodycam video,' he said.

'Transparency is essential.'

Witnesses said Brown got into his car (pictured) and was driving away when the deputy opened fire

Crump had said Monday: 'Now, you all may have noticed that they released a warrant saying all kinds of things about Andrew Brown, but they want to redact the face of the ... officers that killed Andrew Brown.'

He added that law officials blurring deputies' faces are 'going to protect them and not show their face and not say their names ... because what they want to do is assassinate the character' of Brown.

Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten II has said that multiple deputies fired shots.

Elizabeth City police were not involved in the shooting.

Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools are operating remotely until at least Friday 'due to the continuously evolving state of civil unrest'.

Wooten has said 'only a judge can release the video', adding: 'That's why I've asked the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to confirm for me that the releasing of the video will not undermine their investigation.'

He said he hopes to file a motion for its release Monday.

Brown's death spurred an outcry from community members who demanded law enforcement accountability and the immediate release of deputies' body camera footage.

Chief Deputy Daniel Fogg (left) and Sheriff Tommy S. Wooten issued a video on Monday night

Protestors block an intersection after an emergency city council meeting on Friday evening

The arrest warrant released on Monday was obtained by the Pasquotank County sheriff's office and signed by a local judge, to allow the search of Brown's Elizabeth City home.

It said that an investigator in nearby Dare County was told by the informant that the person had been purchasing crack cocaine and other drugs for over a year from Brown.

The informant described purchasing drugs at the house that was the target of the search.

The warrant said that, in March, local narcotics officers used the informant to conduct controlled purchases of methamphetamine and cocaine from Brown on two separate occasions.

It says both drug transactions were recorded using audio and video equipment.

The search warrant said investigators believed Brown was storing drugs in the home or two vehicles.

The document, which indicated the search wasn't completed, did not list anything found.

The arrest warrants, which were released last week, charged him with possession with intent to sell and deliver three grams of each of the drugs.

Racial justice advocates had joined Brown's relatives on Saturday demanding the footage

On Saturday, Brown's family was joined by the local clergy and civil rights leaders including the Rev. William Barber II in Elizabeth City as they put further pressure on officials to make the videos public.

Barber said at the news conference attended by several of Brown's children and other family members: 'America, here is the issue: A warrant is not a license to kill, even if a suspect supposedly drives away.

'A warrant is not permission to shoot someone.

'We're sick and tired of all these deaths happening that don't have to happen.

'Release the tapes!'

Keith Rivers, president of the Pasquotank County branch of the NAACP, also spoke at the conference to call for Wooten's resignation.

On Friday, the state's governor, Roy Cooper, a Democrat, issued a statement calling for the swift release of the footage.

'Initial reports of the shooting in Elizabeth City and death of Andrew Brown, Jr. this week are tragic and extremely concerning,' Cooper tweeted.

'The body camera footage should be made public as quickly as possible and the SBI should investigate thoroughly to ensure accountability.'

Police described Brown as someone who was well known to police, with a criminal history dating back to the 1990s, including past drug convictions.

Neighbor Demetria Williams, who witnessed part of the shooting, said she never saw Brown carry a gun, and that deputies fired into his car as he was trying to get away from them.

He crashed his car moments later, with Williams saying she saw Brown 'slumped' in his vehicle as he died of his gunshot wounds.

REVEALED: North Carolina police shooting victim Andrew Brown 'was drug dealer with 180 page criminal record dating back to 1988 and had been filmed selling narcotics weeks before his death'

A black man shot multiple times in an apparent 'execution' by cops last week was described by law enforcement as a drug dealer with a long rap sheet dating back to 1988, according to a report.

Andrew Brown Jr., 42, had a 180 page criminal record and had been filmed selling narcotics in the weeks leading up to his death last Wednesday, Fox News reported Monday.

Brown was shot and killed by Pasquotank County sheriff's deputies Wednesday morning. He was inside his car in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, when the officers were serving him an arrest warrant.

Brown's family have described his death as an 'execution', saying he had his hands on the steering wheel of the car and was shot in the back of the head as up to eight deputies opened fire.

Calls are mounting for authorities to release the bodycam footage of the incident with his family finally granted their request to watch video of the incident Monday - only for them to reveal they were allowed to watch just 20 seconds of footage from just one of at least eight officers on the scene.

Seven deputies have been placed on administrative leave following the shooting, two others have resigned and one deputy has retired, but none of their identities have been released.

Andrew Brown Jr., 42, (pictured) - who was shot multiple times in an apparent 'execution' by cops last week - had a long rap sheet dating back to 1988, according to a report

While law enforcement have released few details of the fatal shooting and questions continue to mount over the lack of transparency around their part in Brown's death six days on from the shooting, the force instead released court documents Monday about the search warrant that brought them to Brown that day.

It's a move that has sparked more outrage with the family's attorney Ben Crump accusing authorities of protecting the officers while they 'assassinate the character' of Brown.

Brown's death came just one day after white cop Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of black man George Floyd in a moment that many had hoped was a step forward in the fight against police brutality and systemic racism across America.

According to the search warrant released Monday, investigators had recorded Brown selling small amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine to an informant.

The informant had told Agent R.D. Johnson of the Dare County Narcotics Task Force they had bought drugs including cocaine, 'crack' cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine from Brown several times over the course of more than a year, reads the warrant, seen by Fox.

The unidentified individual described Brown as a 'drug dealer' in the Elizabeth City/Pasquotank County area, the warrant reads.

Protesters march in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Monday night as officers are still to release bodycam of the footage six days after Brown's death

It was requested by Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office Investigator D. Ryan Meads and was signed off by North Carolina Superior Court Senior Resident Judge Jerry R. Tillett on April 20 to allow the search of Brown's home on Perry Street in Elizabeth County.

It said that an investigator in nearby Dare County was told by the informant that the person had been purchasing crack cocaine and other drugs from Brown for over a year.

The informant described purchasing drugs at the house that was the target of the search and claimed to have seen crack cocaine in the property in the 14 days leading up to Wednesday's shooting.

They also claimed to have met Brown at other locations including hotels and motels and locations in Dare County to complete the exchange.

In one incident on March 17, narcotics officers used the informant to conduct a controlled purchases of cocaine from Brown that was recorded on camera and audio devices, according to the warrant.

Later that month, on March 29, the informant was used to carry out a purchase of methamphetamine from Brown, the warrant says.

Calls are mounting for authorities to release the bodycam footage of the incident with his family finally granted their request to watch video of the incident Monday - only for them to reveal they were allowed to watch just 20 seconds of footage

The search warrant says investigators believed Brown was storing, packaging and distributing drugs out of his home and two BMWs.

They believed Brown was using the home as a 'secure location' to store drugs, money and records of sales, it states.

Investigator Meads and other members of the drug task force were 'familiar with Brown and know him to be a source of supply of 'crack' cocaine, cocaine, heroin/fentanyl and methamphetamine to the Elizabeth City/ Pasquotank County area,' the warrant says.

Two arrest warrants released last week charged Brown with possession with intent to sell and deliver 3 grams of each of the drugs.

The court document, which indicated the search was not completed, did not list that anything had been found.

And Brown's aunt Betty Banks said cops had told the family they did not find any drugs or weapons in neither his cars or home, reported CNN.

Brown was shot and killed by Pasquotank County sheriff's deputies Wednesday morning. He was inside his BMW (above) in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, when the officers were serving him an arrest warrant

Crump has argued that authorities have released the warrant information to 'assassinate' Brown's character while they are refusing to release bodycam or the details of the officer-involved shooting.

'Now, you all may have noticed that they released a warrant saying all kinds of things about Andrew Brown, but they want to redact the face of the... officers that killed Andrew Brown,' he said.

He added that law officials blurring deputies' faces are 'going to protect them and not show their face and not say their names... because what they want to do is assassinate the character' of Brown.

Pasquotank County Attorney Michael Cox showed Brown's family and attorneys a 20-second clip from one deputy's body camera Monday.

Attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter said it showed an 'execution'.

She said it shows deputies shot Brown as he sat with his hands on the steering wheel of his BMW.

The black man was shot in the back of the head, according to his death certificate.

'They are trying to hide something,' Crump said. 'They don't want us to see everything.'
Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is reminding insurance companies of the May 6 deadline to file rating plans that comply with his emergency rule to temporarily prohibit the use of consumers credit scores.

A Thurston County Superior Court judge on April 23 allowed Kreidlers emergency rule to remain in effect by denying an insurance industry request for a preliminary injunction. Judge Mary Sue Wilson found that industry associations challenging the rule were unlikely to succeed with their two main arguments that Kreidler lacked good cause and had no authority to issue the rule.

Kreidler issued the emergency rule on March 23. Then the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Washington, the Professional Insurance Agents of Washington and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association joined together in a lawsuit to halt Kreidlers ban.

The temporary ban on the use of credit scores for insurance takes effect June 20. To comply, insurers must file rating plans by May 6 for review and approval by Kreidlers office. To date, roughly 20 insurance companies have filed the required documentation, according to Kreidler.

Its time for the insurance industry to step up and meet its obligation to policyholders, Kreidler said. The financial impacts of the pandemic on individuals and families have only exacerbated the unfairness of the use of credit scores. The industry in Washington should rely on fair factors to determine what they charge for policies. For far too long the industry has subsidized more well-off customers at the expense of those with lower incomes.

Kreidler has been working to eliminate credit scores from insurer consideration for some time. His most recent effort failed when a bill he backed, Senate Bill 5010, was gutted by an insurance industry amendment in the Senate Business, Financial Services & Trade Committee on Feb. 15.

Kreidlers office estimates 200 companies are licensed to sell policies for auto, homeowner and renters insurance in Washington.

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MOM GENES

Inside the New Science of Our Ancient Maternal Instinct

By Abigail Tucker

As a journalist and young mother, Abigail Tucker wanted scientific proof that the female of our species possesses a maternal instinct. Yet after she spoke with dozens of scientists around the world, the hope of a clear biochemical explanation for mothering crumbled like graham crackers in Tuckers hands. The researchers admitted that variation in a womans genes can  albeit to a very, very slight degree  help explain her real-world behavior toward her child, and that to study maternal genetics is to be at the base of this humongous mountain they are not sure how to climb, one researcher admitted. Not exactly the groundbreaking insight youd expect from a book titled Mom Genes: Inside the New Science of Our Ancient Maternal Instinct. Yet arguably, the book reveals something more valuable.

But first the science. While taking the reader on a traipse through various laboratories, Tucker tosses off quips like a class clown on a science field trip. Shes cutesy about her subject: I thought that unlocking the secrets of the maternal brain would mean looking for something discrete and self-contained, and maybe even helpfully labeled, like the ladies lounge in a department store. Of the brain, she opines its something of a jumble in there, like the contents of a mothers handbag.
Russian hackers breached Washington DC's police department database for a ransom, and threatened to share informants details with crime gangs, it is claimed.

The cybercriminals posted screenshots on their dark web site supporting their claim to have stolen more than 250 gigabytes of data as news of the hack emerged on Monday.

The District of Columbia's Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement that it had asked the FBI to investigate the 'unauthorized access.'

There was no indication that any police operations were affected, and the department did not immediately say whether it had been hit by ransomware.

A group of cybercriminals calling themselves Bubek claims to have hacked into the systems of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department

The cybercriminals posted screenshots on their dark web site supporting their claim to have stolen more than 250 gigabytes of data

The DC Metro Police have asked the FBI to investigate. The chief of police, Robert Contee, is seen above at the US Capitol on April 2

The Babuk group, a relatively new ransomware gang, said on its website that it had 'downloaded a sufficient amount of information from your internal networks' and gave the police three days to contact it or 'we will start to contact gangs in order to drain the informants.'

Screenshots it posted suggested it has data from at least four computers, including intelligence reports, information on gang conflicts, the jail census and other administrative files.

One of the images, apparently of network locations accessed by the criminals, showed a text document on one computer entitled 'How To Restore Your Files.'

Such documents generally include instructions on how to contact the ransomware criminals, whose standard operating procedure is to exfiltrate sensitive data from networks they infiltrate as they sow malware that, once activated, encrypts data.

Only after receiving payment do the criminals provide software keys that unscramble the data.

So far this year, 26 government agencies in the US have been hit by ransomware, with cybercriminals releasing online data stolen from 16 of them, said ransomware analyst Brett Callow of the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft.

Ransomware victims don't always pay, often preferring the arduous task of rebuilding networks from backups.

The DC police department said it was taking the threat seriously.

So far this year, 26 government agencies in the US have been hit by ransomware, with cybercriminals releasing online data stolen from 16 of them, said ransomware analyst Brett Callow of the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft. The image above is a stock photo

'We are aware of unauthorized access on our server. While we determine the full impact and continue to review activity, we have engaged the FBI to fully investigate this matter,' the department statement said.

An FBI spokeswoman had no immediate comment.

A worsening global epidemic of ransomware attacks is considered a national security threat by many, doing tens of billions of dollars in damage.

US law enforcement is relatively powerless to counteract it as most of the criminals enjoy safe harbor in Russia and other nations with weak rule of law.
The hopes, fears and doubts about getting back to normal after COVID-19 have loaded the concept with a lot of concerns, but the Mobile City Council made it seem perfectly routine Tuesday as it held its first in-person meeting in months.

It appears that the gang is all here, and in light of that we will turn it over to our city clerk, Council President Levon Manzie said at the beginning of a preliminary session. That and a few other scattered remarks were the only indication that there was anything special about the council meeting in the Government Plaza auditorium, with Mayor Sandy Stimpson and top administration officials on hand, before a widely dispersed, mostly unmasked audience of media and members of the public.

The sharp-eared might have heard Councilman John Williams crack at the end of the preliminary session that the virtual gatherings had allowed him the freedom to drink a lot more coffee and to feed his dog. Its good to be back downtown, he later said during the main meeting. I look forward to the committees in person and to the in-office meetings with the mayor and his administration, and things really getting back to normal.

Good morning everyone, I am so happy to see everybody, said Sabrina Mass, one of three public speakers to raise concerns before the council. Im elated to be back in the building, Government Plaza, Im elated to see all the city leaders, Mayor Stimpson, and the citizens.

The councils procession through the days agenda was generally routine. A few points of interest:

Waterfront development: The council approved a $72,000 contract with Moffatt & Nichol for development services on a waterfront redevelopment project. Stimpson, who has floated the idea that future improvements for Cooper Riverside Park could include a Ferris Wheel-like observation wheel, described this as a preliminary step before public discussion of the possibilities. The firms task would be to survey factors, such as the nearby tunnels and train tracks, that might rule out some options. Once they come back with a plan, at that point well really open it up to the public, Stimpson said. The ultimate goal was to activate our downtown waterfront and create what we hope will be a more active Cooper Riverside Park.

Finances: Finance Director Bob Holt presented both a Popular Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, which is now available on the citys website, and an update on current finances. Holt said that 2021 revenues were running several percent above budget projections, a fact that was a surprise to many of us. One reason for the surplus, he suggested, was that higher prices were boosting sales tax receipts.

Diversity: Councilman Fred Richardson raised questions about a longstanding concern, efforts to ensure that a fair percentage of city business goes to minority and disadvantaged businesses. Richardson said he felt that not enough was being done to guarantee that truly disadvantaged business were being helped, rather than well-off business owners who could take advantage of programs helping minority-owned or woman-owned businesses. There are rich women, there are rich African-Americans, there are rich Native Americans. They are not disadvantaged, he said. He said net worth should be a key factor.

Supplier Diversity Manager Archnique Kidd said that because every project involved a different mix of local, state and federal funding, and that because the city and various federal agencies had different standards for defining disadvantaged businesses, there was no single simple standard for diversity in contracting.

Several council members noted that Kidd was due to speak to the council on this very topic at a finance committee meeting later in the day; several praised her for her work and said they trusted her word when she said a given contract met applicable diversity standards.

Every time this comes up, we plow ground that has been plowed seven times before, said Councilman Joel Daves.

Our discussion at 1 oclock is certainly well timed, said Manzie.

Land sale: The council approved a resolution clearing the way for the city to put a 214-acre parcel of land along the Shelton Beach Road Extension up for sale. The land has been known as Megginson Park since at least the mid-1970s, according to archival Press-Register reports, but it has never been developed as a park.

The measure was co-sponsored by Stimpson and Richardson, in whose district it lies. Richardson said he had no qualms about letting the tract go. A lot of that land, theres nothing you can do with it because its swamp, he said. Its just sitting there. Were getting nothing out of it.

However, Richardson said he was sure that some of the land would generate commercial interest. He expressed the hope that some of it might be used to build new housing, which he said is needed in District 1.

Praise for police: Mass spoke before the council to say that she had previously gone to Police Chief Lawrence Battiste (who since has become executive director of public safety) with concerns about an incident in which a young man allegedly had been pulled over because of an air freshener hanging from his mirror. The issue has been a source of concern since the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright by police in a Minneapolis suburb, an incident that has prompted protests; but Mass said she believed the Mobile officer hadnt acted aggressively and that she had been impressed by the way Battiste and the Mobile Police Department had responded to her concerns.

I just want to say that Im out in the community all the time and I do try to let the young people know, and our citizens know, that we are dealing with some stuff in the United States of America, but I am very confident, living in the city of Mobile, that we have not had any unrest of this nature, said Mass. I feel confident we will not have unrest of any nature that deals with the police and our citizens, because Ive been here long enough to have faith in our police department, in our city council and in our mayor. So I would like to say my message to the police, the mayor and the city council, we just need to stay vigilant and know that this is a sensitive subject going on in America. As a minority mother, with minority sons, we do feel kind of on edge, not because its going on in Alabama, but because its going on in society.

Retirement: Stimpson honored Brad Christensen, outgoing director of the citys Real Estate and Asset Management Department, for his service over the last decade. Several council members joined in, praising Christensen for his evenhanded and even-tempered conduct. Godspeed and enjoy your retirement, said Manzie.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Campaign Solutions family of companies grew this week with the announcement that their newest member, Golden Strategic, has launched as a fully-compliant digital fundraising and strategy consulting firm servicing charitable, social welfare and other 501(c) nonprofit organizations.

Golden Strategic provides their nonprofit clients with over 20 years of expertise in digital services such as online fundraising, email & texting strategy, digital advertising, web & graphic design, social media and more.

Like their sister company Campaign Solutions, Golden Strategic's founder and principal is digital fundraising pioneer Becki Donatelli. Donatelli's group of companies have served candidates and political committees at all levels of government, including five presidential races, and supported the top targeted Senate races in 2020.

Says Donatelli, "With Golden Strategic, nonprofit organizations can now receive the same winning strategies and expertise our team has been providing to political campaigns and committees for over two decades." Added Donatelli, "As true 'believers' we've always been passionate about our clients and their missions, and we're excited to be able to serve a whole new group of great people and organizations working to make our world a better place."

"We are very excited about our new partnership with Golden Strategic," explained David Brog, Chairman of the Emergency Committee for America. "We expect them to take our online presence and fundraising to a whole new level."

Golden Strategic has offices and team members in the Washington, D.C. metro area and Southern California. To learn more about Golden Strategic and how they can help nonprofit organizations increase their online fundraising and digital reach, please visit GoldenStrategic.com.

For press inquiries, please contact Dustin Call at [email protected].

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The executive producers of Mnet's survival show, "Idol School," were indicted of manipulating the show's results. Courtesy of Mnet



By Lee Gyu-lee



Prosecutors have demanded prison terms for the two executive producers of Mnet's K-pop survival show, "Idol School," Monday, for manipulating the voting results on the show.



In a hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Southern Seoul, prosecutors called for a year-and-a-half prison sentence for the show's chief producer (CP) Kim Tae-eun, and a year for his supervisor and the network's production division head at the time, surnamed Kim.



The CP of "Idol School" was indicted last July on charges of fraud and obstruction of business, including accepting 15 million won ($13,500) raised through voting messages for the show. The former head of the Mnet division in charge of the program was also charged as a conspirator.



"The charges against the defendants cannot be treated lightly as they have resulted in a sense of loss and deprivation to both the show's participants and viewers," the prosecution said. "However, we have taken into consideration the fact that the incidents only occurred during one season."



"Idol School," which aired on the cable channel from July to September of 2017, invited 41 trainees to compete for a chance to debut as part of a nine-member girl group. The participants were ranked at the end of each episode through text message-based votes from viewers.



The reality show faced vote-rigging allegations when the "Produce" series, another audition show on the network, featuring a similar format, came under investigation for taking bribes and manipulating the rankings of contestants.



Mnet made headlines with its audition program's vote-rigging scandal in 2019. Ahn Joon-young, the producer of the mega-hit "Produce" series was sentenced to two years in prison last month, after admitting to manipulating the voting results of all seasons of the show. The series' chief producer was sentenced to 20 months.



During the hearing, the producer admitted to all charges and asked for leniency. "I committed a huge mistake. However, it was not for my personal gain, but to prevent losses for the company. So there was no bribery involved," he said. "I'm sorry to everyone who was hurt by this case. I will reflect (on my deeds) for the rest of my life."



The former division head, surnamed Kim, however, pleaded innocent, claiming that he did not know about the vote-rigging nor did he receive any reports from the producer on the matter.



"As the supervisor at the time, I do regret that such a thing happened. And I feel a sense of burden to think that I could have prevented it if I had been a little more attentive," he said. "But, I do not believe that I acted beyond the law."



The sentencing hearing for the case is scheduled to be held on June 10.


Patna, April 27 : With the health infrastructure completely collapsing in Bihar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav sharply attacked Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and said that 10 districts of Bihar do not have more than 5 ventilators each.

"The ill preparedness of Bihar government explains it all with 10 districts such that each of them do not have more than 5 ventilators. Moreover, ventilators are not operational in many district headquarters due to unavailability of operators," Tejashwi said.

"When we call bureaucrats, they do not pick up the phone. Hence, I have suggested to the chief minister for dedicated toll free numbers for common people so that they would find available hospital beds, oxygen beds, oxygen cylinders, ventilators, beds in ICU of private and government hospitals besides life saving drugs in real time," Tejashwi said.

"Unfortunately, CM Nitish Kumar did not implement any of our suggestions which we had pointed out during an all-party meeting held recently. As a result, the health mafias are active in black marketing of life saving drugs and oxygen cylinders. People are dying as life saving drugs and oxygen cylinders are beyond their reach. CM Nitish Kumar became a silent spectator "watching the deaths of common people like Dhritrashta. The Bihar government is busy managing the headlines," Tejashwi said.

"The RJD supporters are providing oxygen cylinders to common people. But they have their limitations. After a certain limit, we are unable to get oxygen cylinders or life saving drugs," Tejashwi said.
Minister of Gender Equality and Family Chung Young-ai speaks during a briefing on a five-year-plan framework of healthy families, at Government Complex Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap



By Lee Hyo-jin



Children may be allowed to take their mother's surname, as the government plans to change the current system prioritizing paternal roots when determining a child's family name, according to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Tuesday.



Under South Korean law, children must take their biological father's surname, unless the parents had agreed at the time of marriage registration to use the mother's surname.



The Minister of Gender Equality and Family released a statement Tuesday in which it indicated that such a system may lead to "discriminatory perceptions among children of various families, such as unmarried and single parents."



The gender ministry said it will improve the system through discussions with the Ministry of Justice to allow couples to choose their child's surname when applying for birth registration, so that it will be easier for them to use a maternal family name.



The surname system was a part of a five-year plan on the framework of family, which was approved during a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day.



The framework, aimed at encouraging inclusivity by recognizing unconventional forms of family, will serve as a basis in structuring family-related policies over the next five years.



According to the plan, the ministry seeks to include various types of "family units" such as single-person households and unmarried cohabitating couples into the legal definition of a family.



The move comes as the rate of one-person households in 2019 grew to 30 percent from 23 percent in 2010, whereas the share of traditional nuclear families, consisting of a married couple and their children, has shrunk gradually to 30 percent from 37 percent in 2010, according to government data.



But the current Civil Law and Family Act defines family as based on marriage, and either childbirth or adoption. Other types such as unmarried cohabitating couples, roommates and single-person households are not legally recognized as "family," making them ineligible for some government support programs and benefits.



The authorities plan to expand the definition of family to include those in various relationships based on intimacy and care for each other, and eradicate discrimination against newly emerging types of households.



"As households are expected to diversify rapidly in the post-coronavirus era, it is vital to create an environment in which all forms of families are respected without suffering social discrimination or exclusion from governmental policies," Gender Minister Chung Young-ai said during a briefing, Tuesday.


The 9,500 or so current voting members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences are largely comprised of people who work on the live-action side of filmmaking. (The Academy has an animation branch, but they represent a minority of the overall membership.) Its never been a secret that most people who work in live action dont respect animation as an equal craft, and the Academy membership expresses this disdain for animation annually through their careless voting in the animation categories.

It has been well established through anecdotal stories that many Academy members ask their children to tell them what their favorite animated film is each year and they vote based on their childrens preferences. The Academy leadership, rather than using its position to educate its membership that animation can be used to tell any type of story, actively perpetuates the stereotype that animation is a childrens genre. This year, they even asked children to interview the nominated feature animation directors and producers for an online video series, the only category they dishonored in this manner.

Then, there are the Academy members who dont even bother watching all the animated features before they vote on them, and they are proud of the fact that they havent seen all the films. We know this thanks to various sites that anonymously interview Academy members about their voting preferences.

This year, The Hollywood Reporter spoke with a member of the Academys producers branch about how he voted, and he bluntly told the publication that he had chosen Soul even though he hadnt seen a number of the nominated films:

I didnt see Over the Moon. I skipped [A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon]. Even though I thought Wolfwalkers was seriously great, I went with Soul. What great values worth voting for! Its beautifully done. It deserved it on many levels.

As someone whos been a member of many film juries over the years, all I can say is that it would be a terrific scandal if we gave awards to films while admitting we hadnt seen all of the competing films. No one expects Academy members have the time to see all the films in every category, but common courtesy dictates that someone refrain from voting in categories for which they havent seen all the contenders.

The Academy must reform its voting procedures for the animated feature category to ensure that those voting on the films have actually seen the films. Until they do so, the award will continue to lack legitimacy, and Disney will continue to be rubber-stamped as the annual winner.

While many people continue to view the Oscars as the ultimate honor in film, when it comes to animated features, its the ultimate sham.
POTTSVILLE  Schuylkill County is starting a plan to reduce pollution of its waterways, the state Department of Environmental Protection said Monday.

The community action plan will help to keep nutrients and sediments out of the Susquehanna River and its tributaries, according to DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.

The (community action plans) provide counties with the data and planning resources they need to identify projects that will help advance local community and economic development goals, McDonnell said.

Lackawanna, Luzerne and Susquehanna counties also are among the 34 counties in the state that participate in the voluntary plans, according to DEP.

DEP spokeswoman Colleen Connolly said the plan represents a chance for local involvement.

This is a good opportunity for local groups  to get involved and come up with a plan to reduce sediment in local waterways, she said.

Since DEP has aimed the effort at the Susquehanna River and its tributaries, which is part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, only part of the county, most notably the western section, will be directly involved.

The rest of the county is part of the Delaware Bay Watershed, since the most prominent river in the county, the Schuylkill, flows into the Delaware River, which flows into Delaware Bay.

The plans are voluntary and set up annually, Connolly said, although they can be, and almost always are, continued.

County conservation districts will administer the plans, according to Connolly. Jenna St. Clair, Schuylkill Conservation District district manager, was unavailable Monday for comment on the plan.

Connolly said the plans are designed to identify best management practice projects that will decrease the levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, two leading sources of pollution, in the waterways. They also give farmers tools to implement such plans on their properties.

Such projects could include restoration of stream banks and floodplains, tree plantings and culvert replacements, Connolly said.

Schuylkill County hired LandStudies Inc., Lititz, to create and manage its plan, according to Connolly. All four northeastern Pennsylvania counties are planning to carry out their plans in September, Connolly said.
Pro-democracy activist Lee Cheuk-yan (C) arrives at West Kowloon court in Hong Kong on April 16, 2021, to receive sentencing after being found guilty of organising an unauthorised assembly on August 18, 2019. (Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite Beijings Tightening Control, Hong Kongs Fight for Democratic Values, Freedom Continues: Emily Lau

The Chinese Communist Partys encroachment on Hong Kongs autonomy may mean the end of one country, two systems but its not the end of Hong Kong, says Emily Lau, former Democratic Party chair and legislator in Hong Kong.

The people will continue to fight, fight for what we believe in and fight for the values that Beijing promised under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, Lau told NTDs Focus Talk program.

As a result, more people will be arrested, charged, thrown into jailmore will make a sacrifice, Lau continued. But it is no different than many places around the world where people have and are fighting very hard for their values and beliefs, with many having paid a very heavy price.

After the recent detention and sentencing of Hong Kongs pro-democracy dissidents, more people will come to the conclusion that the independence of the judiciary is dead and that the courts are no longer able to protect the peoples freedom and personal safety, Lau said.

Media mogul Jimmy Lai, the founder of Apple Daily, arrives at the Court of Final Appeal, for hearing an appeal by the Department of Justice against the bail decision of Lai, in Hong Kong, on Dec. 31, 2020. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters)

Earlier this month, Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 14 months in prison, and nine other dissidents received jail time or suspended sentences for organizing and participating in unauthorized assemblies during mass anti-Beijing pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Among them were Martin Lee, an 82-year-old barrister who has been dubbed the father of democracy in Hong Kong, two other lawyers, and six former Hong Kong lawmakers.

(L-R) Alberto Ho and Yeung Sum leave the West Kowloon court building after being given suspended sentences in Hong Kong on April 16, 2021. (Song Pi-lung/The Epoch Times)

Unauthorized assemblies, or those without police permission, in the past were only penalized financially, Lau explained. This time, however, the judge set a precedent by handing jail sentences up to 18 months to the political dissidents for taking part in the very peaceful and nonviolent assembly, Lau said, adding, its really dreadful.

Journalists in Hong Kong are also under severe pressure. The management at publications may want them to self-censor fearing that the outlet will be shut down or they themselves may get arrested, Lau said. It also pertains to foreign media, she added.

It is a very grim picture, and it is very sad.

A CCTV screenshot showing intruders dressed in black using sledge-hammers to damage printing press equipment at the print shop of the Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times on April 12, 2021. (The Epoch Times)

On April 12, The Epoch Times printing plant in Hong Kong was attacked by hammer-wielding intruders who damaged companys computers and printing equipment. The attack was denounced and condemned by the U.S. State Department, U.S. lawmakers, as well as lawmakers, experts, and organizations from around the world.

We condemn the attack on The Epoch Times printing plant and urge the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice, a State Department spokesperson said.

Some journalists have even left Hong Kong. There may be more and more news organizations that will shut their doors but there are still some very brave journalists working there, Lau said. We all need to support them, she added.

For the place to be free and safe, one important aspect is a free press. It will help to preserve these things. And so when the authorities take action, they aimed at the press to silence them, Lau explained.

We all have to continue to fight for maximum space, she said. Some media, if they cannot function as mainstream media, use online or social media channels unless those are also cracked down on by the government, Lau continued.

They want to use every means possible to defend their values.  People just have to do it in a very wise, and in a very intelligent and creative way, Lau said.

Schools and universities are also under tremendous pressure and some politicians even suggested setting up CCTV cameras in the classroom to monitor the teachers, Lau said.

A TV screen shows Hong Kong Chief Secretary Carrie Lam as she addresses the citys legislature in Hong Kong on June 17, 2015. (Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images)

On March 30, the Chinese communist regime finalized a major reform to Hong Kongs electoral system that will cut the number of seats in the Legislative Councilthe citys parliamentthat is elected by the public.

Before the reform, Hong Kongs legislature consisted of 70 seats, half of which were directly elected by the public. The reform increased the overall number of seats in the legislature to 90 but reduced the number of directly elected seats from 35 to 20.

These changes will ensure that Beijing will have complete control over the system, over the people who are chosen to sit in the Legislative Council, Lau said.

Hong Kong is very small and has a very small population, so if Beijing wants to tighten control over it, they can do whatever they want. But people of all kinds of political views are very unhappy with it, Lau said, because our system, our safety, our freedom, [is] sort of evaporating before our very eyes.

Beijing officials said many times publicly that the protests that occurred in Hong Kong within the last few years were totally intolerable, Lau said. However, Beijing must be very upset with the Hong Kong government under the leadership of Carrie Lam because she has not been able to bring the city under Beijings control and end the unrest, Lau explained.

We have urged Carrie Lam to conduct dialogue, to conduct an independent judicial inquiry into the whole saga so as to let everybody calm down, but she refused or Beijing would not let her, Lau said.

Once Beijing saw that the Lam administration was not able to govern Hong Kong, it stepped in. But it was done in an extremely tough way without consulting the Hong Kong people, Lau continued.

Some Hongkongers will be intimidated by Beijings actions as they witness the Chinese regime doing whatever it wants in the city, be it imprisoning dissidents, and changing the political system and the electoral rules, Lau said. But others will continue to fight for freedom. I certainly hope it will be done in a peaceful and nonviolent way, she added.

There might be some Hongkongers who want to emigrate, especially those with families because they want their children to have a safe and free future, Lau said.

Lau hopes that foreign countriesespecially democratic, free, and safe countrieswill have more friendly policies and so allow Hong Kong people to emigrate there.

Lau said that she and many of her activist colleagues will stay in Hong Kong even though some of them have already been sent to prison or will face imprisonment.

After I left the Legislative Council in 2016, I have not had any paid employment, nobody has offered me anything, zero offer, none from anyone and I dont care.  If you tell them you dont care about money, you dont care about famehow can they get you? But if you are crazy about those things and youre crazy about women or men, they will get you, Lau told The Epoch Times back in 2019.

People have weaknesses and sometimes your opponents, your enemies, will like to take advantage of that and maximize it to their advantage, Lau said.

One Country, Two Systems

Then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (L) drinking with Chinese President Li Xiannian (2dL), British Foreign Minister Goeffrey Howe (2dR) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian (R), in Beijing on Dec. 19, 1984. (Pierre-Antoine Donnet/AFP via Getty Images)

Lau, who is also a journalist, asked then-British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher a question at a press conference in 1984, two days after the Sino-British Joint Declaration signing ceremony. You signed an agreement with China promising to deliver over five million people into the hands of a Communist dictatorship. Is this morally defensible or is it really true that in international politics, the highest form of morality is ones own national interest?

Thatcher said in response to her question that Great Britain had done what was best for Hong Kong. Had not the agreement been signed, Hong Kong would have automatically have returned to China [in 1997] without any assurances, without any of the advantages of the Agreement.

Most Hong Kong people were happy with the agreement, Thatcher said, adding that Lau might be the solitary exception.

Solitary exception is the definition for insanity used by George Orwell in his book Nineteen Eighty-Four, Lau explained.

The Sino-British Joint Declaration laid the groundwork for Hong Kong governance in accordance with the principle one country, two systems for the fifty years following the handover in 1997.

However, in 2017, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that the arrangements made under the Joint Declaration are now history and of no practical significance, nor are they binding on the Chinese central governments administration of the Hong Kong [Special Administrative Region].

Lau explained that she was right when asking her question about the Sino-British agreement because she understood the behavior patterns of the Chinese Communist Party throughout its history.

Jenny Chang and Frank Fang contributed to this report.
GENESEE COUNTY, MI  Lined up outside of the hospitals entrance, first responders cheered for frontline workers Monday morning at Ascension Genesys in Grand Blanc Township.

Dozens lined each side of the front entrance as nurses, doctors and other health care workers started and ended their shifts between 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. April 26 for the clap out to recognize dedication and commitment to patient care while fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its been an interesting year. Weve been thrown a lot of curveballs, but especially as frontline people and emergency medicine, you learn to adapt. You learn to make things work, to take care of patients, said emergency medicine physician Alan Janssen, who worked daily 12-13 hour shifts through the earliest months of 2020. Absolutely our world has changed.

Its incredibly encouraging to have this support. We have an outstanding team. Everybody works together, whatever their role is, and thats how we work as a team and how were successful. Im so grateful for every single person I get to work with every day. When we walk through that door, were a team. When we leave, were a team.

Hundreds of health care workers smiled  some even danced  as they made their way into work through the welcoming event.

First responders and agencies present included Grand Blanc City Fire, Grand Blanc Township Fire, Grand Blanc Township Police North Oakland County Fire Authority, MMR and Medstar Ambulance services, as well as hospital staff and administration.

Lt. Christopher Cates, who has served as a Grand Blanc firefighter for 27 years, applauded each health care worker with vigor.

He said nurses and doctors deserve the respect because their job is important within every community and specifically every individual they serve.

We want to give all of our support, and we appreciate what they do. We would have nowhere to take our patients, and they are here for us every day. Any way we can support them, thats what well do, Cates said. Seeing health care workers and the work they have to go through is nothing short of amazing. Its hard enough for us out in the field fighting fires, but we get to leave the patient at their door. They dont get that option. They have to work with (and heal) them through completion. Its a lot harder on them without anyone to pass off (responsibilities).

Joy Finkenbiner, vice president of operations for Ascension Genesys, joined in to cheer on some of the 2,900 employees at the hospital.

Its been 13 months now, and every day the struggle goes on, she said. This is just a small measure as something we can do to express our continued gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and their resiliency.

There are some days that are tough, and there are some days that are tougher than others. Individuals can have bad days, but thats where a team (mentality) comes through.  (Nurses, doctors and health care workers) come in and theyre facing life and death every single minute of the day. Theyre working under some strenuous situations, and they worry about taking COVID-19 home with them, and what that might be like with their families or as they spend time in their communities, which could further isolate them socially as well.  It is so important we show them our gratitude.

Janssen said the best way to support health care workers now and to fight COVID-19 is to get vaccinated.

Finkenbiner agreed, saying opportunities have widened to ages 16 and up, and encourages anyone who needs the vaccine to sign up on their website for the vaccine clinic at the Genesys Conference and Banquet Center, 805 Health Park Blvd., on the hospitals campus.

It is important for so many people to get vaccinated not only to help themselves, but it really will help our health care workers get through this, so they dont have to continue to work under such duress, she said. The way we get past this -- the way that we help our health care workers  is to try and get beyond this pandemic so that the hospital isnt so full of such sick, sick patients. The way we get past that is to get vaccinated.

Read more on MLive:

No appointment COVID-19 vaccines available Tuesday at Clio Road Pharmacy

With $99 million headed to Flint, mayor to host meeting on funding priorities

189 infected in new coronavirus outbreaks at 41 schools, says Michigans April 26 school outbreak report

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visits COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Flint church
Pete Davidson reportedly fell for girlfriend Phoebe Dynevor after watching her raunchy love scenes on Bridgerton.

The Saturday Night Live star, 27, is said to have told friends he thought the actress, 26, was 'hot as hell' over her character Daphne's intimate scenes with The Duke of Hastings.

A Los Angeles based friend of Pete's told The Mirror: 'Pete just loved Bridgerton and just got totally tripped out by Phoebe.

Romance: Pete Davidson reportedly fell for girlfriend Phoebe Dynevor after watching her raunchy love scenes on Bridgerton

'She was totally his type - fresh faced, youthful, innocent looking beauty.

'We all joked with him about the naughty scenes, and of course he confessed he found them hot. He binge watched the show and felt it was his destiny to meet her.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Pete Davidson for comment.

Phoebe previously told how she had to skip through watching episode six of the series with her grandparents because of her on-screen antics.

Show: The Saturday Night Live star, 27, is said to have told friends he thought the actress, 26, was 'hot as hell' over her character Daphne's intimate scenes with The Duke of Hastings

She told Conan on TBS: 'It's episode six... episode sex! Episode six is the danger red light hazard warning. Because I watched it with my grandparents, we skipped episode six. It was a no go.

'And there was a few before that as well , so I sat by the remote and fast forwarded the bits before episode six that are slightly down on the hairy side as well.

'I had to give them a down low of episode six so they were all caught up and skipped all the bad parts.'

It comes after Pete was caught breaking Britain's Covid quarantine laws while visiting his girlfriend.

The couple were pictured together for the first time on Sunday, with Phoebe showing her boyfriend around Stoke-on-Trent, where she is currently shooting new film The Colour Room.

Crush: A Los Angeles based friend of Pete's told The Mirror : 'Pete just loved Bridgerton and just got totally tripped out by Phoebe'

MailOnline revealed that Pete only flew into London's Heathrow Airport on Thursday evening, which means he should have been isolating until Tuesday at the earliest.

Passengers arriving in Britain from the US are required to quarantine at home for 10 days, though they can be released after five clear days, not counting the day they arrived, provided they test negative for Covid.

In order to comply with rules, Pete's quarantine would have begun on Friday and he would take a test no earlier than Tuesday - having to remain in quarantine until he received a negative result.

The stroll was not their only outing of the day, as pictures later emerged of the duo at a supermarket in Greater Manchester taken on the Sunday morning.

They added: 'We all joked with him about the naughty scenes, and of course he confessed he found them hot. He binge watched the show and felt it was his destiny to meet her'

A photographer who spotted him arriving at Heathrow from a Virgin flight on Thursday said the comic went out of his way to try and avoid being photographed as he walked through the Arrivals hall.

The comedian flew back to New York on Monday.

MailOnline has contacted Davidson's representatives for comment.

Its the third time the couple are said to have met up in recent months.

Relationship: Rumours of their romance took off last month when Pete was spotted out in Phoebes leafy hometown of Altrincham, Cheshire

In February, former Waterloo Road star Dyvenor, daughter of Coronation Street actress Sally Dynevor, flew to New York City where he is based.

Although she didn't share any pictures with Davidson, the Netflix star shared photos of Brooklyn on Instagram, as she penned: 'Grateful I got to be here for a hot sec .'

Rumours of their romance took off last month when Pete was spotted out in Phoebes leafy hometown of Altrincham, Cheshire.

Meanwhile, an insider told People magazine: 'Pete is telling friends he's serious about [Phoebe]', as they continued to visit each other on both sides of the Atlantic, while another source added the pair are 'really into each other.'
A bag of trash is left behind as many pavilions were used by people at Ipan Beach Park in July 2020.

Photo by Haruo Simion/The Guam Daily Post
A national study of 20,000 patients conducted by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has identified the underlying conditions that are associated with more severe outcomes from COVID-19 in an Irish setting.

The research, which has been published in The Lancet Regional Health  Europe, will help inform national public health policies and assist in future treatment and prevention strategies for people at most risk from the virus.

The study, which took place during the first wave of the pandemic between March and July 2020, is the first national surveillance study in Ireland that captures data from both hospital and community settings. Data was collected by HPSC for almost 20,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The association between underlying conditions and more severe outcomes from COVID-19 was examined, including mortality, admission to hospital or admission to ICU.

Amongst the patients studied, there were 1,476 (7.5%) deaths, 2,811 (14%) hospitalizations and 438 (2%) ICU admissions. The conditions that were identified in the study as carrying the most risk were chronic heart disease, a chronic neurological condition, chronic kidney disease and cancer. Patients who were morbidly obese (defined as a Body Mass Index equal to or greater than 40) were also identified as being at higher risk of more severe outcomes from COVID-19.

Previous studies conducted have suggested that specific underlying conditions influence adverse health outcomes among those with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. However, the majority of these studies have focused on hospital-based or local populations only. This study is the first population-based research to capture data across all settings in Ireland, including both community and hospital settings and so it gives us a better picture of the impact of the disease on patients at the population level. The findings are of particular relevance as the national vaccination program is well underway including those at very high risk and high risk from the most severe outcomes of COVID-19. Kathleen Bennett, Associate Professor, Biostatistics, RCSI

This study would not have been possible without the commitment of the staff of the HSE Public Health Departments, the HSE Contact Management Programme (CMP) and HPSC, in collecting and analyzing the data. We are also very grateful for the cooperation of the patients who were interviewed and shared their insights as part of the study. Dr John Cuddihy, Director, HPSC

In the study, non-severe cases were interviewed via the telephone by regional contact tracing centers or departments of Public Health. Data on hospitalized or severe cases was collected by Public Health or Contact Tracing teams, with some information being provided by hospital teams. Data collected included age, sex, community health organization, living in a residential care facility or not and likely source of transmission (close contact of a known confirmed case, community transmission, travel related, healthcare acquired or unknown).

The study was conducted by researchers from RCSI, supported by the Health Service Executive and Health Protection Surveillance Centre. Authors, Prof. Kathleen Bennett and Dr Maeve Mullooly were supported by funding from the Health Research Board.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland delivers the federal budget in the House of Commons as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on in Ottawa on April 19, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Federal Daycare Plan Sparks Concerns

As the federal government plans to expand taxpayer-funded daycare, some critics are taking issue with the plans exclusion of non-licensed care and lack of esteem for stay-at-home moms.

In the recent federal budget, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced $30 billion over the next five years for early learning and child-care services, with $8.3 billion becoming a permanent part of annual spending. The goal is to provide public child care that would cost a parent $10 per child per day.

The evidence from Quebecwhich began building a universal early learning and child-care system more than two decades agois incontrovertible, Freeland said. Quebec has among the highest labour force participation of women with children under 3, in the world.

Andrea Mrozek, a senior fellow with research organization Cardus Family, doubts the sizeable spending will bring about a quality system for children. She says the Quebec model is a failure that should not be adopted.

Its so cheap that people are enticed into it because its so highly subsidized. I also believe the realities of how children fare in the [Quebec] system has effectively been concealed for parents there and outside, she said in an interview.

I have been asked so many countless times, as I work on the child-care file, why dont we emulate Quebec. And when I talk about the poor child outcomes people arent aware of it.

Economists Michael Baker, Jonathan Gruber, and Kevin Milligan analyzed the Quebec example in 2005 based on the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, an ongoing data set that follows the progress of a large sample of Canadian children. They found striking evidence that children are worse off in a variety of behavioural and health dimensions, ranging from aggression to motor-social skills to illness, following introduction of the universal, highly subsidized child-care program in the late 1990s.

Their follow-up study in 2015 found that non-cognitive deficits persisted to school ages, and also that cohorts with increased child-care access subsequently had worse health, lower life satisfaction, and higher crime rates later in life.

Mrozek said an increase to the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) would be a preferable use of tax dollars because it would extend support directly to parents and other family members involved in child care.

Increasing the CCB is effective child-care policy, Mrozek said. Parents are also doing child care, family members are helping  [and] that isnt recognized by proponents of national daycare. So, if you were to give families money, then they would be able to pay for whatever theyre using with greater ease.

Mrozek also suggests other options, such as making child-care expenses a refundable tax credit, as is the case in Ontario and Quebec. That would put more money in the pockets of lower-income parents.

People who are proponents of daycare dont recognize anything other than the licensed sector. And in so doing, they pretend a whole array of care options that are available to parents are not there.

Feminist Public Policy Undervalues Motherhood: Caregiver Advocate

Freeland stated in her forward to the budget, released on April 19, that COVID-19 has created a window of opportunity, which we can open to finally build a system of early learning and child care across our country. This is social infrastructure that will drive jobs and growth. This is feminist economic policy.

Beverley Smith, creator of the Equality and Caregiving website, which provides resources to help in the advocacy for unpaid caregiving, says the federal approach doesnt consider what is best for children.

If you really want to value [children], you value them where they areyou value them with their attention spans, their interests and everythingand you are one-on-one watching that child to see what they need. And so the best people to do that are the parents. They know [their] kid very well, and they also have a vested interest in the kids thriving, Smith said in an interview.

The mother and retired teacher says second-wave feminists strove to find value for women by giving them paid work that contributed to GDP, but that feminists and policy-makers must now round out their perspectives.

The way to get equality was to enter the world where men got the value already.  So the next third wave to value womens equality is to get them recognized even when theyre home. Thats the final equality, Smith said.

Smith said unpaid mothering should count for one-third of GDP, and ignoring this contribution leads to bad policy.

What you got is a government that is still living off the avails of womens work in the home, but completely discrediting them, and also now mocking them and pushing them out of the home. And thats going to backfire because now all that free labour they got is going to have to be paid.

So, care of children will have to be institutionalized, care of the elderly institutionalized, care of the handicapped institutionalized. They wont be able to send the sick home from hospital early because they cant assume anymore theres someone home to take care of them. So, hospital costs will go up.

The myopic focus on paid work ultimately lends itself to Joni Mitchells lyrics you dont know what youve got till its gone, Smith said.

The government is kicking itself in the foot really, she said.
Based in New Brunswick, Canada, FMI is one of North America's largest operators of Pizza Hut, KFC, Taco Bell, Burger King and Panera Bread Cafes with more than 350 locations and over 7,000 employees in Canada and the United States.

FMI Group will use Algonomy's SaaS solution for Restaurant Analytics as its enterprise analytics platform, providing company decision makers with deep insights to identify and optimize business opportunities. This comprehensive solution helps drive insights in demand forecasting, inventory management, operations, ecommerce, guest experience, voice of customer, marketing and CRM, audit and compliance, associate training and productivity.

Algonomy's analytics insights promise to help FMI pursue its mission of feeding North America while offering an exceptional guest experience from inspired employees.

"In this fast-paced, digital-first world we have to make important decisions quickly to keep up with ever-changing consumer needs and preferences. We believe Algonomy will give us a strong data foundation and the insights we need to make better and more-timely decisions" said Arlene Dore, CFO, FMI Group.

"Algonomy's platform is designed to democratize the power of data across the enterprise by delivering analytics-driven actionable insights to each and every role. This culture change towards data-driven decision making is key to digital transformation in the restaurant vertical. We're proud to be FMI Group's partner in this exciting transformation journey," said Sivakumar Hariharaiyer, SVP Americas & Europe at Algonomy.

About Algonomy

Algonomy (previously Manthan-RichRelevance) empowers leading brands to become digital-first with the industry's only real-time Algorithmic Customer Engagement (ACE) platform with built-in customer activation and analytics for the retail industry. With industry-leading retail AI expertise connecting demand to supply with a real-time customer data platform as the foundation, Algonomy enables 1:1 omnichannel personalization, customer journey orchestration & analytics, merchandising analytics and supplier collaboration. Algonomy is a trusted partner to more than 400 leading retailers, consumer brands, QSR chains, convenience stores and more, and has a global presence spanning over 20 countries. Visit algonomy.com.

About FMI Group

Franchise Management Inc. (FMI) is one of the largest restaurant franchise owner-operators in North America employing more than 7,000 full and part-time team members at more than 350 Pizza Hut, KFC, Taco Bell, Burger King and Panera Bread Cafe's across 18 Canadian provinces and U.S. states. Founded in 1991 in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada, FMI aspires to feed North America while offering an exceptional guest experience from inspired employees. Visit fmigroup.ca

Media Contact:

Amit Jain

[email protected]

SOURCE Algonomy
Workers plant trees as part of the 'Green Great Wall' project in China. Credit: Ian Teh

Researchers have worked out how to improve the assessment of progress towards limiting global heating to 2 degrees C above preindustrial levels.

To reach the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global heating to no more than 2 degrees C, and ideally 1.5 degrees C, above preindustrial levels, countries must set their own targets that contribute to a global lowering of carbon output.

As well as cutting sources of carbon, such as by reducing the use of fossil fuels for energy and industry, countries can also increase the 'sinks' of carbonprocesses that take it out of the atmosphere, from planting trees to using technology to capture carbon from the air.

However, there are subtle differences in the way balances of carbon sinks and sources are calculated at the country level compared to their calculation for guidelines as to how the world should reach the Paris Agreement goals. This could lead to countries underestimating the level of action they need to take to reach their targets.

Correct calculations

Now, a team led by researchers from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, and including an Imperial College London scientist, have proposed a way to solve this problem. Their study is published today in Nature Climate Change.

Dr. Joeri Rogelj, Research Director of the Grantham InstituteClimate Change and Environment at Imperial, said: "Progress towards the Paris Agreement goals is checked periodically by a five-yearly 'global stocktake," with the first starting in 2022. This will involve adding up and comparing countries' planned climate actions with what science indicates is necessary globally to reach the agreed climate goals.

"If there's a gapand make no mistake, given where we are today it is guaranteed that there will be oneit will be expected that countries should adjust their actions, so we need to ensure the calculations are correct."

Carbon sources and sinks

The team discovered that the difference rests in the calculation of sources and sinks of carbon due to land use changes. For example, when deforestation occurs, the land can change from a sink of carbon to a source, as the trees are no longer absorbing the carbon from the atmosphere. This is a humanmade, or 'anthropogenic' contribution.

However, there are also 'indirect' contributions that are caused by human activities. For example, as carbon concentrations in the atmosphere rise because of our emissions, plants are able to take more in and grow quicker, becoming a more efficient sink.

Countries report their progress according to a framework called National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. In this framework, the direct and indirect anthropogenic contributions are treated together, and natural contributions are calculated separately. This means, for example, all forests that are aged to some degree are considered anthropogenic sources or sinks of carbon.

However, the models that map how the world must get to the Paris Agreement goals calculate direct anthropogenic contributions separately from indirect and natural contributions, which are pooled together.

Ensuring a like-with-like comparison

This leads to a discrepancy when the two values are compared in order to assess progress toward the Paris Agreement goalsa discrepancy that today adds up to more than 10 percent of annual CO 2 emissions, or five billion metric tons of CO 2 .

In the new study, the team propose a 'translation' between the two methods that would allow a more accurate comparison and therefore a better assessment of climate progress. They suggest reallocating the indirect anthropogenic contributions to better match and compare numbers between the two frameworks.

Dr. Rogelj said: "Our proposed solution ensures a like-with-like comparison. It doesn't change what needs to be done at the global level, but changes the understanding of how deeply countries must reduce their emissions in order to be aligned with the Paris Agreement goals and avert climate disaster."

More information: Giacomo Grassi et al. Critical adjustment of land mitigation pathways for assessing countries' climate progress, Nature Climate Change (2021). Journal information: Nature Climate Change Giacomo Grassi et al. Critical adjustment of land mitigation pathways for assessing countries' climate progress,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-021-01033-6
A former Boston police officer on Tuesday pleaded guilty to charges in connection with $20,000 in overtime fraud at the departments evidence warehouse.

Retired officer James Carnes, 57, of Canton, pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 10.

Carnes was arrested and charged last year along with eight other Boston officers in connection with the overtime fraud scheme, which collectively embezzled more than $200,000 between May 2016 and February 2019, authorities said.

Officials said that Carnes admitted that between July 2016 and February 2019 he submitted false and fraudulent overtime slips for overtime hours that he did not work for two overtime shifts at the evidence warehouse.

The first shift, which is called purge overtime, was a 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekday shift intended to dispose of old, unneeded evidence. The second, called kiosk overtime, involved driving to each police district in Boston one Saturday a month to collect old prescription drugs to be burned, according to a statement from the office of Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell.

Carnes admitted that during the purge shift, he claimed to have worked from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. but actually routinely left at 6 p.m., or earlier, a practice also allegedly used by other members of his unit, according to the U.S. Attorneys office.

For the kiosk shift, Carnes admitted that while he and other members submitted overtime slips claiming to have worked 8.5 hours, he and other members of the unit allegedly only worked 3 to 4 hours of those shifts, according to the statement.

From 2016 through 2018, the Boston Police Department received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Justice in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants, officials said.

Related Content:
(Natural News) Facebook has removed a popular, rapidly growing group where members would post stories about alleged negative COVID-19 vaccine side effects.

(Article by Tom Parker republished from ReclaimTheNet.org)

The group, COVID19 VACCINE VICTIMS AND FAMILIES, had over 120,000 followers when it was shut down and had been gaining more than 10,000 followers per week.

The shutdown of the page follows Facebook introducing a ban on a wide range of claims about the coronavirus vaccine in February. The list of prohibited claims includes claims that the vaccines cause blood clots and claims that the coronavirus vaccine change peoples DNA (something that even Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg told Facebook staff during a July 2020 internal meeting).

Not only is Facebook restricting a wide range of vaccine-related claims but its also adding labels to all posts about coronavirus vaccines. These labels state that vaccines are safe and direct users to sources that Facebook has deemed authoritative such as the World Health Organization (WHO).

Facebooks actions are similar to those of other Big Tech platforms which have also cracked down on vaccine-related conversations over the last few months. YouTube prohibits videos that go against the WHO consensus on coronavirus vaccines and adds information panels to some videos that direct viewers to the WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twitter also bans harmful misleading posts about vaccines.

Politicians have actively encouraged this Big Tech crackdown on vaccine skepticism. Days ago, Democrats pushed Facebook and Twitter to address 12 prominent vaccine skeptics. State Attorneys General also told Facebook and Twitter to kill vaccine skepticism earlier this month.

These crackdowns on vaccine skeptic conversations come amid mass pushes from global governments to introduce digital vaccine passports that force people to prove their vaccination or test status to enter business premises.

Read more at: ReclaimTheNet.org
The CSIRO founded deep tech investment fund Main Sequence has completed a capital raising of $250 milion for its second fund to help it continue its mission aimed at solving the worlds biggest problems in health, food, space, and industrial productivity, by turning science and research into breakthrough companies.

The oversubscribed raise was supported by returning investors including Horizons Ventures, Hostplus, Lockheed Martin and Temasek, as well as family offices and private investors from Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and Mutual Trust.



Main Sequence says it is also increasing its focus on science and engineering discoveries that address decarbonisation as part of Fund II, creating more opportunities for scientists to turn research into tangible technology to solve one of the most pressing challenges we face  reversing climate impact.



This is the second fund from Main Sequence, with the first launched in 2017 and backed by CSIRO, with the fund helping build 26 deep tech companies including Myrotia, Kasada, Gilmour Space, Q-CTRL and Baraja.

Our first fund has helped build some amazing companies that are doing everything from making healthcare more equitable, to revolutionising the way food is produced and increasing industrial productivity. This new fund will help us continue this pivotal work to solve the worlds biggest challenges through investment in science-powered companies, commented Mike Zimmerman, Partner at Main Sequence.



We are grateful for the level of support we've had from existing investors, as well as interest from a wide range of new investors in Australia and abroad. Our progress is a great testament to the impact our founders are having on the world.



Main Sequence has pioneered a venture science model, which is an approach that starts by identifying a big challenge - and brings together science, people and investment to solve it through company creation.

This approach is one of the ways Main Sequence finds and funds companies as part of this new fund.



By taking a venture science approach, which starts by identifying a problem first, and assembling the science capability, team, and investment around it, were able to create whole new industries that solve real world issues. Its an approach that not only ensures were fostering a more prosperous future for all but continues to deliver strong returns for our investors. Its a win-win, Zimmerman said.



CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall congratulated Main Sequence on its expansion.



Main Sequence was created to help take more amazing Australian science off the lab bench and out into the world to solve real problems by creating jobs and companies that grow our economy, Dr Marshall said.



CSIRO collaborates across the entire innovation system, investing significantly in commercialising great science from all Australian universities. We see this commitment continue through Main Sequences investments in great companies that have spun out of CSIRO and disrupted markets, including Coviu in telehealth, Emesent in robotics, v2food in alternative protein and RapidAIM in biosecurity.



As Australia looks to science and technology to grow new industries in the wake of COVID-19, Main Sequence is positioned specifically to drive greater commercialisation of all Australian research that will fuel our economic recovery, and make life better by solving national challenges.

Main Sequence says it has identified six challenges it seeks to solve through its Funds including:



Feed 10 billion people  planet-proofing the global food system Decarbonise the planet  reversing our climate impact Reach humanity scale healthcare  democratising health access for everyone Supercharge industrial potential  augmenting our biggest industries Enable the next intelligence leap  giving society the tools to adapt to the future Bridge the gap to space  unlocking the benefits of space for humanitys gain

The focused investment in decarbonisation will be led by Main Sequence Partner, Martin Duursma.



We are entering a transformational and critical decade for addressing climate change globally; Australia has a natural opportunity to develop the solutions that help everyone forge a path to net zero, Duursma said.

Our ingenuity and deep science background as a nation will be pivotal in building a clean hydrogen industry, adapting heavy industry, decarbonising our energy grids, and developing new ways to capture and sequester carbon. Were determined to help uncover the scientific discoveries, turn them into real, tangible technologies and accelerate their potential so we can reverse our climate impact and avoid a climate catastrophe.

David Elia, CEO at investor Hostplus, said: We are proud to participate in Main Sequences second fund at a time when the companies and technologies it backs have a critical role to play in addressing the complex problems facing the world.

The funds priorities align strongly with our commitment to investing in nation-building projects and life-changing technologies. This is not just important to us for the societal benefits that will be realised, but also the sustainable and long-term returns that will be generated and which are in the best financial interests of our members.



Our investment strategy is built for the future and thats why I am particularly pleased that there is an increased focus on technologies that reduce carbon emissions through which Hostplus will further expand our investments in climate solutions, Mr Elia added.



Ian Chambers, Head of Wealth Management Australia at Morgan Stanley, said: Main Sequences new Fund provides our Wealth Management clients with unique exposure to new technology, emerging startups and early stage innovations focused on addressing global challenges.

Founded by CSIRO, the Fund is underpinned by a research driven approach, investing in organisations driving Australias innovation agenda and creating technology solutions with the potential to transform major industries such as healthcare and aerospace, in addition to its focus on sustainability an important priority for many of our clients.



Jono Gourlay, Head of Wealth at Mutual Trust, said: Many of our clients are increasingly looking for investments which not only have positive financial returns, but also a positive impact on society or the environment.

Main Sequences model in creating a collaborative and investible fund has given these clients an exciting opportunity to support ground breaking research and emerging technology, in areas that are important to them.
Behested payments on behalf of Gov. Gavin Newsom spiked in 2020, state records show. (Associated Press)

Facebook, Google and Blue Shield of California are among the companies that contributed $226 million to government causes on Gov. Gavin Newsom's behalf last year, an unprecedented level of spending that is raising alarms about the influence large corporations are amassing in Sacramento.

State records reviewed by The Times show that so-called "behested payments" surged in 2020 compared with the year prior, when companies gifted $12.1 million on Newsom's behalf. The governor's haul last year during the COVID-19 pandemic was six times as much as that reported by former Gov. Jerry Brown during his final eight years in office combined.

With no limit on how much money can be donated by organizations or individuals at the behest of the governor, millions of dollars flowed in to prop up public services during the pandemic and fund Newsoms favored programs, including an effort to address homelessness and a public safety campaign promoting the importance of wearing masks.

The corporations say they were simply trying to help the state in a time of need. But no matter how noble the cause, critics fear the donations could allow corporations to hold more sway in state government. They noted many of the donors have other business before the governor, received no-bid government contracts over the last year or were seeking favorable appointments on important state boards, which they say creates the appearance of a pay-to-play system.

"It calls into question whether companies are getting special access and special decisions because they are giving tens of millions of dollars," said Jamie Court, president of the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog.

Under California law, a donation is considered a behested payment when an elected official or someone acting on their behalf asks an organization to donate money or services to a nonprofit or government agency for a legislative, governmental or charitable purpose, such as supplying free air time to run public health ads or giving cash to the governor's program promoting volunteerism. General requests for charitable donations not directed at any particular organization are not required to be reported as behested payments, according to the state's campaign finance watchdog agency, the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Story continues

The top donor of behested payments to Newsom in 2020 was tech giant Facebook, which gave $27 million for gift cards that went to front-line healthcare workers and for public health ads. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Dr. Priscilla Chan, gave another $3.7 million for COVID-19 related efforts such as polling services aimed at improving public health response and help with the state's public awareness campaign, as well as money for the state's wildfire recovery efforts.

More than $43 million in behested payments was earmarked in 2020 for the governor's office, including $500,000 from YouTube, $300,000 from TikTok and $227,000 from Netflix, with those donations used for public health ads. COVID-19 vaccine maker Pfizer Inc. gave $250,000 on behalf of the governor to a nonprofit providing trailers to house families in need of shelter during the pandemic.

Paramount Pictures, Amazon, T-Mobile and Bank of America Corp. were among the more than 100 donors that gave on behalf of Newsom last year.

It is the responsibility of the elected official  not the donor  to report behested payments to the FPPC. Newsom's office said the donations helped the state provide services to those hit hardest by the COVID-19 crisis and that the governor plans to continue "leveraging public-private partnerships to advance public policy, drive innovation, and save taxpayer dollars," said Kathleen Kelly Janus, a senior advisor on social innovation to Newsom.

Company officials contacted by The Times said behested payments allow the private sector to respond to calls about unmet needs in the state, which were particularly pronounced during the crisis.

Given the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, we made a series of donations to help people and provide economic relief, especially for small businesses, frontline health care workers and those in our home state of California," Facebook said in a statement.

Facebook was the top donor of behested payments to Newsom in 2020, giving $27 million. CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Dr. Priscilla Chan, gave another $3.7 million. (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press)

'Behested payments' spur calls for reform

Behested payments have been a part of state politics for years.

In 1997, the California Legislature sought to categorize payments made on behalf of an elected official that were not campaign-related or personal gifts, calling them "behested payments" and enacting reporting requirements "to inform the public of significant transactions involving an elected official, and the influence that may accompany the payments," according to an FPPC report.

In that first year, commission records show companies donated nearly $244,000 on behalf of lawmakers, with no behested payments reported for then-Gov. Pete Wilson.

"The question raised is always about whether it curries favor versus whether it benefits society or a charity?" FPPC spokesman Jay Wierenga said of behested payments. "How do you balance that? For now, this is how the Legislature has determined how to make that balance  by allowing it but requiring disclosure at a certain point."

Unlike campaign contributions, there is no monetary limit on a behested payment, and the state only requires donations of $5,000 or more to be reported to the FPPC. The practice and its reporting requirements have prompted calls for reform in recent years, with the Los Angeles City Council considering a proposal in 2019 to ban elected officials from soliciting charitable donations from companies with city contracts.

The FPPC is currently exploring issues around behested payments given on behalf of lawmakers and statewide elected officials, Wierenga said.

Politicians have been reluctant to ban the practice, arguing that charitable donations serve a valuable purpose. Others say that the level of transparency required now is enough to give the public adequate insight to what would otherwise be private dealings.

"Do I have concerns? Sure," said Jessica Levinson, a political analyst and professor at Loyola Law School. "But they aren't enough to overcome the fact that I think adding restrictions to behested payments will do more harm than good. It risks forcing money underground to less transparent places. There are so many other places for these groups to park their money that I'm not sure we should cut off this route."

This year, companies have thus far donated $2.4 million on behalf of Newsom, who is facing an effort to recall him from office, with half of those payments related to pandemic efforts. Three organizations, including Silicon Valley Bank, collectively gave $175,000 this year on behalf of the governor to the California Partners Project, a nonprofit launched by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom that focuses on promoting gender equity and understanding the impact of technology and media on children.

'Innovative public-private partnerships'

In January, Google gave $13,225, and in February the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative gave $90,000 in behested payments, with both going directly to the governor's office for a COVID-19 public health campaign. Those donations came as Newsom was set to make key appointments to the inaugural board for the California Privacy Protection Agency created under Proposition 24, which was approved by voters last year and tasked with enforcing the state's online privacy laws.

Newsom's governing powers have allowed his administration to enter into multimillion-dollar, no-bid contracts with little oversight during the pandemic. Among those receiving lucrative contracts to help with pandemic response are the deep-pocketed companies that have made campaign contributions to Newsom or behested donations on his behalf.

For example, Google gave $7 million on April 9, 2020 in a behested donation to Newsom's office for public health ads. Days later, Verily, the health-focused subsidiary of Google parent company Alphabet, was awarded an expanded no-bid contract for $13.1 million for coronavirus testing. Verily was ultimately paid more than $68 million for three testing services contracts before the state ended the agreements earlier this year.

The governor's office said there is no link between the behested payments and contracts awarded, and that the influx of donations on Newsom's behalf are the result of the companies' eagerness to help during the pandemic and Newsom's expanded use of public-private partnerships.

The governor is incredibly proud of our innovative public-private partnerships, which have been instrumental in helping our state deal with a range of issues," said Newsom spokesman Daniel Lopez. "The challenges created by this pandemic galvanized philanthropy and businesses to offer their support for those in our state hardest hit by this disease."

Google spokesman Jose Castaneda said the company wanted to help with issues identified by Newsom, just as it had when donating millions to California nonprofits.

"We've been working to help around the world during the pandemic, and we've tried to be responsive to specific community needs," Castaneda said.

Other companies that gave on behalf of Newsom last year and later received contracts include management consulting firm McKinsey and Co., which gave $250,000 in an April 2020 behested payment and received a $6-million no-bid contract three months later. McKinsey was again tapped for a contract in February of this year, signing a two-month, $13-million contract to support California's vaccine efforts.

A McKinsey spokesperson said the behested payment was for pro bono consulting to the nonprofit California Forward, which was working in tandem with the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development to assess the economic impact of the pandemic.

"We provided this pro bono support to California Forward because, like other companies, we wanted to help our community during a humanitarian and economic crisis," the company said in a statement. "Subsequently, we were retained by the California Department of Public Health and the California Government Operations Agency on different topics."

Some of the companies that made behested payments on Newsom's behalf routinely do business with California state agencies, including Bank of America, T-Mobile and Kaiser Permanente.

A top donor is tapped to help

When Newsom called for private-sector donations to help launch his initiative to combat homelessness in the state, Blue Shield of California said in a press release that it was one of the first to respond in January 2020, giving $20 million to help launch the effort.

The Oakland-based company, which has been a longtime top donor to Newsom's political campaigns, has been repeatedly tapped to help during the pandemic. Blue Shield was asked to help improve testing efforts in California after the states disastrous start , fueled by a shortage of testing supplies, long wait times for results and data glitches .

The companys chief executive, Paul Markovich, served as co-chair of the governors testing task force, with some of the companys employees also working on the effort.

And following a shaky rollout of the states COVID-19 vaccination efforts, the Newsom administration struck a far-reaching $15-million deal with Blue Shield to overhaul vaccine distribution in the state.

In an interview with The Times, Markovich said Blue Shield became involved in overseeing the state's vaccine efforts after a member of the Newsom administration called him with concerns about how best to track doses administered across the state and how to improve inoculation rates.

"My suggestion to them was that they needed to improve the performance management reporting and get better data," Markovich said. "I just gave my two cents on the subject of improving performance reporting and then they called back and said, 'Well, could you just do all of that for us?'"

Markovich said improving COVID-19 vaccine rates is a shared mission that benefits all Californians and that the contract was set up so that it was clear that Blue Shield would only recoup up to $15 million of its costs, but not make money off the deal. The company's involvement has nothing to do with past campaign donations or behested payments to Newsom, Markovich said.

"The part that I think is unfair and unfortunately, I think, can contribute to cynicism and undermining the faith that we have in our institutions, whether they're political or commercial in this case, is this accusation that there's something corrupt about it or there's something untoward in the relationship," Markovich said. "Everything about the working relationship is out in the open, and it's very clear there's no benefit accruing to Blue Shield as a result of this work."

'You have to be critical'

When Brown, the former governor, was nearing the end of his final term in office and didn't have a campaign that political donors could contribute to, donors instead made behested payments to two charter schools that the former Oakland mayor founded in that city. Prior to Brown, then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger used behested payments to cover his travel expenses and to raise millions for the After-School All-Stars program that he founded.

In most cases, the behested payments are tax-deductible, said Michael Simkovic, a professor of law and accounting at USC Gould School of Law.

"A tax deduction doesnt mean it's free, it means it's 30% off," Simkovic said.

As long as the donation isn't directly benefiting a politician, Simkovic said behested payments are generally a good thing. The donations can improve a company's brand with good publicity, particularly by helping during a crisis, which can be well worth the cost. At the same time, they provide money to charities and programs that need it.

"There are a variety of reasons it can be beneficial to shareholders, but that doesnt mean its not good for society," he said. "It can be both."

With COVID-19 infections down, and the state preparing to fully reopen the economy in June, the pace of Newsom's behested payments has slowed compared to last year. During the first three months of 2020, companies and individuals gave $7 million on behalf of the governor. This year, that total is $2.4 million. The largest donation this year has been from Sunlight Giving, which was created by WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton and his wife, Tegan Acton.

Mindy Romero, the director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy at USC, said the amount of donations pouring in last year on behalf of Newsom provided much needed help to the state during the pandemic, but she added that corporate cash can also breed mistrust.

"Going forward, if they continue there will be more of a critical eye about what the purpose is, and there should be more demand for accountability and explanation," Romero said. "Its generally a good thing if private organizations want to donate, but there are other pathways than through the government that don't give an impression  if not the reality  of an unfair advantage. I think we need to be critical: If we get the golden goose, you have to be critical of why it's being given."

Los Angeles Times staff writer Taryn Luna contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
PPP National Chairman, Nana Ofori Owusu has commended the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor over his determination to end illegal mining (galamsey).



The government, under the auspices of the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry, has held a dialogue with stakeholders in the mining sector to look at ways to streamline small-scale mining while eradicating illegal mining.



The Minister says he is fully committed to the fight against galamsey and has therefore initiated moves to end the menace.



On his working visit to the Western Region, Hon. Abu Jinapor pledged; I will stop the illegalities without fear or favour. No matter which political party is involved.



What we need now is a broad based national effort that would have our noble chiefs and community elders in a non-partisan dialogue to ensure that the countrys resources are exploited in a safe and regulated manner to the advantage of the people, he added.



Speaking on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Nana Ofori reposed confidence in the Lands and Natural Resources Minister to fight against the menace.



''This Minister appears to be bold. In order to curb this illegal mining menace, one has to be brave and act without fear or favor and I see this Minister showing such fortitude'', he said.





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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Voters wait in queues to cast votes at a polling station during the 7th phase of West Bengal Assembly elections at a village near Balurghat in South Dinajpur district, Monday, April 26, 2021. (PTI)

Kolkata/Berhampore: The seventh phase of the Assembly elections in 34 seats spread over five districts in West Bengal recorded 75.06 per cent polling that went off peacefully except some stray incidents of violence in Murshidabad on Monday.

While nine seats in Murshidabad saw voter turnout of 80.30 per cent, six constituencies in South Dinajpur of North Bengal saw 80.21 per cent polling with 78.76 per cent and 70.34 per cent voting in six seats of Malda and nine in Burdwan West respectively from 7 am to 5 pm.

However four hot seats -- Bhowanipore, Rasbehari, Ballygunge and Kolkata Port -- in South Kolkata clocked only 59.91 per cent polling during which chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her MP nephew cast their votes. A revised figure of polling is expected from the Election Commission on Tuesday.

Unlike other districts, Murshidabad remained tense since morning. At Senapara, Raninagar BJP candidate Mashwara Khatun's car was attacked and her polling agent was beaten up by armed Trinamul Congress workers. The police had to rescue her.

Allegations again surfaced against the Central paramilitary forces of ransacking Raninagar block TMC president Mizanur Rahman's residence and destroying food. When district TMC president and MP Abu Taher Khan went there, angry workers of his party shouted "Go Back" slogans at him. He was soon seen leaving in his car in face of the protest. At Gurapasla High School in Nabagram, the Central forces allegedly beat an elderly TMC worker so much that he had to be admitted at Nabagram Hospital.

Later the CM, while lashing out at the Central forces over its excessive use of force, said, "We will lodge an FIR against the CRPF in these incidents." In Farakka, an aged TMC worker, Janmejoy Mondal, was injured in an attack by the BJP workers armed with sharp-cutting weapons. He was admitted at the Farakka Hospital.

Murshidabad Congress candidate Niyazuddin Sheikh was caught by the TMC workers distributing money hidden in masks at a booth in Gudhia High School. But Mr Ahmed claimed that he distributed only masks to the voters for their protection from Covid-19. The Election Commission has sought a report of the incident.

Meanwhile, Jalangi Sanjukta Morcha candidate Saiful Islam Mollah from the CPI(M) and his three associates were attacked by the TMC workers with bamboo poles and sticks at Choanpara.
[April 27, 2021] Wayflyer and Adobe Announce Merchant Finance Solution to Propel eCommerce Industry

Today Wayflyer, a revenue-based financing platform has joined forces with Adobe (News - Alert) to launch a financial solution for businesses on Adobe's industry-leading eCommerce platform. This partnership solves a significant problem in the eCommerce industry by providing businesses with the competitive working capital they need to scale and grow. The partnership will provide eCommerce businesses on Adobe Commerce, powered by Magento and Magento Open Source (News - Alert) with access to revenue-based financing, an affordable alternative to traditional sources of funds tailored to the needs of scaling eCommerce businesses. Instead of interest fees, dilutive equity stakes or personal guarantees, eCommerce merchants will be charged a single fixed fee, and remittances as a percentage of their daily sales. The eCommerce industry is uniquely challenging for businesses to operate in due to its punitive payment terms. Merchant need to pay for their inventory in full upfront, 30% of inventory payment on the stock due date, and the remaining 70% on the shipment date, massively depleting their cash balances before any of the inventory has even been received. Through access to funds from Wayflyer, merchants will be able to afford larger inventory purchases to meet heightened product demand more easily, especially around busy holiday periods. The funding can also be used by legacy Magento 1 businesses to upgrade to the latest Magento platform, or to modernize their brand experience by working with one of Adobe's many Solution Partners.



To further optimize sales, Adobe merchants will have unlimited access to Wayflyer's complimentary analytics offering and marketing dashboard, designed to provide tailored advice on how to improve marketing inefficiencies. Ultimately, this access to capital financing facilitates higher investment into stock, inventory and analytics, and drives accelerated growth for businesses. The new channel for Wayflyer will significantly amplify its already rapid growth. Since its launch in April 2020, the fintech company has provided over $130m in funding to eCommerce businesses in North America, Europe and Australia.

Aidan Corbett, Wayflyer CEO and Co-Founder comments: "With demand for online retail at an all-time high, we're excited to be at the forefront of creating a unique solution to help businesses scale up and meet the rapidly rising demand for eCommerce. Together with Adobe, we are able to offer merchants a fresh way to tackle the working capital problem they face, allowing them to fully focus on optimizing their businesses and accelerating growth. Partnering with Adobe has provided an excellent opportunity for us to supercharge the reach of our offering - through the established Adobe platform, we can break down funding barriers for online retailers at scale, thereby boosting the eCommerce industry and ultimately helping to fuel an economic recovery." Justin Merickel, Adobe Vice President of Business Development comments: "Ecommerce became a make-or-break capability in the past year by helping businesses stay connected with their best customers. We are excited to offer Adobe merchants access to a tailored financing product to help improve and scale their online businesses." Wayflyer financing support for Adobe merchants will be fully operational by the end of the summer, and available to customers in the USA, Canada, Ireland, UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden & Australia in the first instance, with further regions to be unveiled in time. About Wayflyer Founded in September 2019, Wayflyer helps eCommerce brands worldwide reach their growth potential by bridging the working capital gap and solving common marketing problems. We provide eligible eCommerce businesses with affordable, non-dilutive, unsecured capital that allows the flexibility to secure advertising space and inventory, paving the way for growth and profitability. Wayflyer's unique free analytics platform analyzes marketing performance on a daily basis, providing eCommerce brands with world-class analytics and tangible, granular recommendations designed to improve performance. Through Wayflyer's platform eCommerce brands are provided with the working capital needed to thrive and are equipped with the data-driven knowledge to spend their capital in the optimum way. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005472/en/

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Digital and Direct Marketing Expert, Sofia, Bulgaria

Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Childrens Fund

Country: Bulgaria

City: Sofia, Bulgaria

Office: UNICEF Sofia, Bulgaria

Closing date: Friday, 30 April 2021

Digital and Direct Marketing Expert (National Consultancy open for Bulgarian nationals only)

Job no: 539176

Position type: Consultancy

Location: Bulgaria Division/Equivalent: CEE/CIS

School/Unit: Bulgaria

Department/Office: Sofia, Bulgaria

Categories: Alliances and Resource Mobilization, Private Fundraising and Partnerships

UNICEF works in some of the worlds toughest places, to reach the worlds most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, childhood.

This Private Sector Fundraising and Partnerships Plan sets out the results and strategies that UNICEF will pursue to maximize resources and leverage the influence of the private sector. UNICEF Bulgarias fundraising strategy is focused on two main income streams from the private sector - monthly individual giving and corporate partnerships with higher income potential.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant will contribute to achieving the set goals:

Acquisition of individual one-off and monthly donors through digital and traditional channels;

Improvement of supporters experience online and website conversion rate;

Implementing innovative approaches to reach and engage new audiences as supporters;

Increasing engagement of individual supporters through strengthened digital donor communication.

The consultant will be expected to:

Lead the implementation of the digital fundraising strategy in order to reach the set fundraising targets, acquire new one-off and pledge donors and drive income growth;

Plan, execute, monitor and evaluate digital fundraising campaigns and activities;

Optimize UNICEF donation page in order to increase conversion rate, maximize donor loyalty, improve retention and grow online donors value;

Support the planning, development and implementation of integrated fundraising and advocacy campaigns and events for acquisition of monthly individual donors to achieve the annual targets for individual giving;

Monitor and report on specific KPIs in the area of digital fundraising and pledge acquisition;

Keep up to date on the latest digital marketing trends and provide analysis of best practices, opportunities and trends and innovation, from UNICEF network and external organizations.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...

University degree in marketing, communications, advertising or additional training in digital marketing.

At least three years of experience in marketing and communications with specific focus on digital and integrated marketing campaigns.

Strong technical background and skills in the use of content management systems, Google Analytics, social media platforms, Google Ads, e-mail broadcasting tools (MailChimp) and mobile messaging applications.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Strong organizational, planning and coordination skills.

Strong analytical skills and solid understanding of web metrics, digital analytics, with the ability to generate, analyze and interpret data.

Attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

Creative thinking.

Drive for results.

Fluency in Bulgarian and English language.

Initiative, passion and commitment to UNICEFs mission and values.

The work assignment will be conducted for initial period of six months with possibility for extension upon satisfactory work performance, achieved results and planned fundraising activities.

The Consultant will work remotely and will have flexible working arrangement - up to 21 working per month.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEFs values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEFs values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered staff members under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEFs policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

Advertised: Apr 22 2021 FLE Daylight Time Application close: Apr 30 2021 FLE Daylight Time

Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1619125395475
A grieving daughter said yesterday that friends and relatives of her mother would have filled the church twice with standing room only if it hadnt been for Covid restrictions.

Because of the size of the crematorium, Maria Bailey could arrange for only 20 mourners to go to retired teacher Gay Kennedys funeral.

And friends and family around the world were forced to watch online as crematorium staff engaged in banter and wiped down chairs moments after Mrs Kennedys grieving family had left. The staff had forgotten to turn off the video link.

Because of the size of the crematorium, Maria Bailey could arrange for only 20 mourners to go to retired teacher Gay Kennedys funeral. (Gay Kennedy and daughter Maria Bailey on her wedding)

It came as funeral restrictions were relaxed in Scotland and Wales yesterday  but ministers in England refused to heed pleas for action.

The cap on mourners saying farewell to loved ones north of the border was increased to 50, while Wales lifted the cap on outdoor wakes to 30. But grieving families in England will have to wait until June 21 for more than 30 people to attend a funeral, while only 15 can attend a wake until May 17.

Mrs Bailey, a grief recovery specialist and mother-of-three from Paignton in Devon, said: The funeral was very difficult. I know she would have filled the church twice with standing room only.

It was upsetting to see them cleaning as soon as they left  we know it happens but people do not want to watch that.

For the friends and family that were there, it was really hard not to hug each other.

Mrs Bailey, 44, added: The Government really need to review funerals now. Do not forget people in their time of need.

It adds another layer of grief. You are missing out on this rite of passage because you are not able to have the people you want and love there.

The Mail has called for an urgent review of the cap on mourners as well as for lateral flow tests to reduce the need for social distancing and for the lifting of all limits on open-air services. Jon Levett, chief executive of the National Association of Funeral Directors, said: Our preference has always been for guidance to be consistent across all four nations.

The rule in Wales and Northern Ireland, where the maximum number is determined by the Covid-secure limit of the venue, works well and we have suggested to Government might be a sensible model for England.

Son told off for moving chair to comfort heartbroken mother during father's funeral in Milton Keynes

Grieving families in England will have to wait until June 21 for more than 30 people to attend a funeral, while only 15 can attend a wake until May 17. Meanwhile, the Government is hoping to allow up to 10,000 fans back into stadiums by May

Tory MP Sir John Hayes, chairman of the all-party parliamentary group for funerals, said the relaxation in some nations makes an even stronger argument for consistency across the UK. His committee is expected to meet today to discuss the restrictions.

A funeral director who has planned 200 ceremonies during the pandemic is at a loss about why the restrictions remain.

Jonathan Williams, who runs his own firm in Basingstoke, said: People are putting their trust in us, and they need us to shake their hand or look them in the eye, or even give them a hug, to provide the reassurance they need at such an awful time.

There have also been examples where in excess of 30 people have turned up, with staff having to tell them they cant come in  it is just heart-breaking.

A government spokesman said: Each devolved nation has its own unique set of circumstances. All restrictions on funerals and commemorative events have sought to balance the needs of the bereaved with the need to minimise the spread of Covid-19.
They're some of the most popular stars on television.

And, Gabby Allen and Sarah Jayne Dunn led the stars posing in lingerie sets as they took to social media on Tuesday to urge women to attend their smear tests as part of the DON'T MISS YOUR PAP campaign with global fashion brand Misspap.

The celebrities involved are also helping Misspap to raise funds for charity, with 100% of the sales of the underwear sets - which feature an innovative poppable crotch - going to the Eve Appeal.

Epic! Gabby Allen, (pictured) and Sarah Jayne Dunn led the stars posing in lingerie sets to urge women to attend their smear tests as part of the DON'T MISS YOUR PAP campaign

Love Islander Gabby opted to wear the hot red two-piece for her saucy shot, in which she showcased her phenomenal abs.

Hollyoaks star Sarah shared sultry snaps of herself in the black version of the charity underwear, posing with a denim skirt pulled down to reveal her intimately placed tattoo.

Upping the sex appeal of her photographs, the actress wore red lipstick and styled her blonde tresses into a glamorous blow-dry.

Geordie Shore's Holly Hagan displayed her enviable frame in the black charity lingerie set as she took to Instagram to help spread the message.

Wow! Hollyoaks star Sarah shared sultry snaps of herself in the black version of the charity underwear, posing with a denim skirt pulled down to reveal her intimately placed tattoo

Incredible! Geordie Shore's Holly Hagan displayed her enviable frame in the black charity lingerie set

Red hot! Former Love Islanders Joanna Chimonides and Jourdan Riane also shared shots of themselves wearing the red charity underwear set from Misspap

Love Island's Cara De La Hoyde, Jessica Rose Lever Joanna Chimonides and Jourdan Riane also took part in the Miss Pap campaign on Instagram.

The knicker sets include an innovative poppable crotch which provides an easier way to be examined and for women to feel less exposed and 100% of the sales will go to the Eve Appeal charity.

The Eve Appeal is the UK's Gynaecological Cancer Research Charity raising awareness & funding research into five gynae-cancers: Womb, Ovarian, Cervical, Vulval and Vaginal.

Boudoir snap: TOWIE's Nicole Bass posed in her bedroom for her underwear shot

Natural babe: Cara De La Hoyde went makeup free - save for semi-permanent lashes - to give as she shared refreshingly natural snaps of herself in the black charity underwear

Looking good: Saffron Lempriere from TOWIE stripped down to a red version of the charity set

Research has shown that around 1.5 million people miss their cervical screenings annually; in addition to this, it was estimated that 1 million missed their appointments during the first lockdown in March 2020.

Although these restarted across the UK, Misspap are using its platform to urge women to do what they can to attend screenings as it could ultimately save lives.

As well as including the important message about the campaign and charity underwear sets in their social media posts, some celebs penned their own words to support the movement.

Beautiful: Love Island's Jessica Rose Lever flaunted her tattoos as she posed in the black charity set

Beach babe: Geordie Shore's Bethan Kershaw showed off her bronzed physique as she posed for the charity campaign

Sensational: Elma Pazar put her curves front and centre in her campaign snap

Cara De La Hoyde captioned her photograph: 'If I can make one person think twice about not missing their smear test then it's a job done.'

Sarah Jayne Dunn added: 'Going for your smear test is so important and not to be missed ladies!' alongside her saucy snaps.'

Holly Hagan encouraged her fans, by telling them: 'I'm so pleased to be part of their quest in reducing the number of missed smear tests.

'I've always been scared of them and find myself putting them off. However each smear test I have had has been over in a minute and I didn't even feel my last one at all!'
In the spring of 2018, a student at the University of New Orleans told administrators biology professor Shawn Vincent asked her for sex in exchange for an A in his class.

UNO administrators suspended Vincent immediately, and days later, when the student turned over to university officials text messages and an audio recording of Vincent, UNO President John Nicklow fired him within hours.

Despite the universitys swift response to her complaint, the student argued in a lawsuit against the state of Louisiana that university officials should never have hired Vincent. Hed been arrested for using the internet to solicit an underage girl for sex eight years earlier. She said they should have fired him when they learned of that arrest.

UNO officials had been aware for 10 months that Vincent was arrested for a sex crime in 2009. He had told UNO the arrest was a mistake and that hed never been tried.

But Vincent had, in fact, been charged with underage sex solicitation, a jury deadlocked, then he pleaded guilty to a lesser offense and had his criminal record expunged. UNO was unaware of this part of Vincents criminal history and remained so during interviews with the Illuminator over the last two months.

In an out-of-court settlement reached in August, the state paid the UNO student $20,000 to pull her lawsuit, according to documents released last month in response to a public records request.

The student Googled Vincent after she said he harassed her, something UNO didnt do before hiring him, UNO administrators said in interviews. Thats how she found out about his previous arrest. At least two news articles mentioning Vincents arrest remain on the internet today.

It was the crux of her lawsuit: that school should have known about his arrest and not hired him.

Vincent denies he sought a 15-year-old for sex in 2009, and he denies propositioning the 26-year-old UNO student for sex in 2018.

When UNO and the students found out about [my 2009 arrest], they made my life a living hell, he wrote in an April 1 email to the Illuminator. I asked my chair to [let me] resign on multiple occasions but she convinced me to stay on because of the logistics of replacing me halfway [through] the semester. At that point, I began drinking heavily to cope and eventually lost touch with reality.

The students attorney advised her not to talk about the case. The Illuminator doesnt identify probable sexual harassment victims without their permission.

After the alleged sexual harassment from Vincent, the student said her studies suffered and she missed a lot of classes. When possible, she avoided classes with male professors. In 2019, according to a deposition, she took a break from UNO.

I have trouble sleeping and concentrating, trouble trusting men in general, she said.

Dealing with sexual misconduct has proven expensive for the state of Louisiana overall. Records show the UNO student was one of seven people in 2020 who received financial settlements from Louisianas Office of Risk Management after alleging sexual misbehavior by public employees. By themselves, those settlements cost the state taxpayers $118,000, but they pale in comparison to the $446,000 the state spent in 2020 on defense attorneys and other legal expenses related to 44 sets of allegations of sexual misconduct. Of those 44 cases, 32 remain open, meaning the state is likely still spending money defending them.

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The UNO case raises questions about the extent to which UNO and other public universities are vetting  or can vet  job applicants.

Vincents arrest for underage sex solicitation didnt pop up during the background check UNO ran. The background on him came back clean, said UNO spokesperson Adam Norris last week. As part of that check, he was asked the question: Have you ever been convicted of a crime? He responded that he had not.

Almost immediately after Vincents August 2017 hire, Doug Mittelstaedt, UNOs compliance officer in the schools human resources department, learned of Vincents arrest from another UNO student who found an article about it online, according to emails made public through the first students lawsuit. That was nearly a year before the first student said Vincent harassed her.

One of the online articles about Vincent, published by the Kokomo (Ind.) Tribune, identified him as an assistant professor of anatomy at Indiana University Kokomo. It quoted Toby Aguillard, who was director of Internet Crimes Against Children Division of the Tangipahoa Sheriff Office, and the article incorrectly reported that Vincent had been arrested in Tangipahoa Parish.

The Tangipahoa Sheriffs Office was one of several law enforcement agencies working with the U.S. Secret Service on sting operations to catch sexual predators. Vincent was actually arrested at Landrys Seafood on the New Orleans lakefront as part of this sting operation.

When he was asked to explain the newspapers report, Vincent told UNO officials that his arrest had been a mistake, and he didnt correct UNO officials when they started looking in Tangipahoa Parish for information about his arrest.

All UNO officials had was news reports about the arrest, which they say was not reason enough to fire him  or even not hire him.

You dont not hire somebody because of an arrest, said Nicklow, UNOs president.

What can I do for an A?

On May 1, 2018, the UNO student, who had aspirations of medical school, emailed Vincent regarding her grade in BIOS 3284 Histology and Cytology, according to documents made public through her lawsuit. Good morning Dr. Vincent, is there anything I can do to get one extra point to turn my 89.125 into a 90? :)

Vincent responded, Im already too swamped to grade anymore.

The student persisted because, according to a deposition following her lawsuit, she knew an A would look better to medical schools. She raised the possibility of cleaning the lab or Vincents office.

One point means a lot to me at this moment so I was serious if you were willing to take me up on the offer lol, she wrote.

Jeff Landry attacks credibility of those who reported sexual harassment by his top deputy Flanked by a cadre of women who work for him, state Attorney General Jeff Landry spent much of an hourlong news conference Tuesday trying to p

After asking for her phone number, Vincent sent a text message the next day telling her to come to his Metairie home to earn the extra credit.

A little after noon that day, he wrote, You understand this isnt about cleaning right?

Ok, what am I gonna be doing, she replied.

Better talk in person. Can u come now? he texted back.

Ok, she said.

Are you sure youre cool with this? he texted right before 12:30 on May 2, 2018. Just want things to be clear.

Im here, she responded.

The student said in legal documents that once she was inside Vincents home he told her to go to his bedroom where he wanted her to have sex with him. When she refused, she said he offered to change her grade if she kept quiet about his proposition. She said she no longer wanted her grade changed. But Vincent insisted, she said, and less than an hour later, he sent another text: Ill update your score later tonight.

She used her phone to record Vincent propositioning her and turned the recording over to UNO administrators. The Illuminator has not heard the recording.

Vincent did change her grade to an A, but, according to court documents, UNO complied with the students request to change it back to a B.

On June 11, 2018, she and an attorney met with Mittelstaedt in the schools human resources department and described what happened. The next day, Mittelstaedt told Vincent, then 39, that he was suspended pending an investigation. Vincent denied all the students allegations. He removed his personal items from his office and declined an invitation to return to UNO and talk to Mittelstaedt a second time about the interaction he had with the student.

On June 14, after reviewing the text messages, email messages and the audio recording provided by the student, Nicklow, at Mittelstaedts recommendation, fired Vincent.

Nicklow insists UNO did nothing wrong. In November 2017, Vincent completed the anti-sexual misconduct training required of every employee at the university, Nicklow said, and UNO never received another complaint about Vincent and sexual misconduct.

But there had been complaints arising from the online news stories about Vincents arrest, and those complaints had prompted Mittelstaedt to warn Vincent weeks before Vincent invited the student to his house.

Please be extremely cautious in your interactions with students in order to avoid any appearance of improper behavior. When you meet with individual students, it is probably best to do so in a public area or at least with your office door open, Mittelstaedt told Vincent on April 10, 2018 in an email made public through the students lawsuit.

You do not pose any danger

Also on April 10, Mittelstaedt said in an email message to Vincent that hed met with three people who expressed concerns about him teaching at UNO and that hed stuck up for Vincent. (In that email exchange with Mittelstaedt, Vincent referred to some of those people as parents of students.) I tried to carefully explain UNOs position to them and assure them that you do not pose any danger to students, Mittelstaedt wrote.

Let me assure you UNO wants to treat you fairly and reasonably, Mittelstaedt wrote to Vincent. Frankly, if we had wanted to fire you over this matter, we would have done that when we first learned of the arrest back in August.

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Vincent brought up possibly changing his name, and Mittelstaedt responded with his personal opinion (not an official UNO opinion) that it might be wise if that is the only way you can disassociate yourself from the arrest information. Otherwise, this will likely haunt you for years to come.

When Vincent wrote that hed decided to follow through with the name change, Mittelstaedt responded, Im sure that was a tough decision for you to make, but it is probably for the best.

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The next week Vincent filed paperwork in Jefferson Parish to change his name to George Budwell.

Mittelstaedt and other UNO officials were willing to defend Vincent  and werent troubled by his criminal arrest  in part because he had cleared two background checks conducted by vendor General Information Services, Inc.

When Vincent was hired in August 2017, UNO had General Information Services take a standard look at the new professor. The vendor searched criminal records in Orleans, Jefferson and DeSoto parishes from 2010 to 2017, and Vincent came up clean.

Upon reading news reports that showed a Tangipahoa Parish deputy was involved in Vincents 2009 arrest, Mittelstaedt sent General Information Services an email message instructing the company to look in Tangipahoa Parish and find out Was Shawn Vincent convicted or acquitted and what is the date of that decision?

Good news, Mittelstaedt emailed Vincent when that second search came up empty. Ive received the results of the background check conducted for Tangipahoa Parish, and it confirms you were not convicted of anything. Therefore, this matter is closed.

But neither of the background checks could have caught Vincents arrest. The one that included New Orleans only went back to 2010, but it was 2009 when he was arrested there. The second check went back to 2009, but looked only at Tangipahoa Parish. Vincent had been arrested in New Orleans.

Never left my mind

The sting operation that led to Vincents arrest involved Louisiana State Police, U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Marshals office, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office and St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriffs Office.

The operations purpose was to identify child predators that use the internet/computer-aided means to solicit minors, wrote Robert Grimes, then a sergeant with Louisiana State Police, in a 2009 report obtained through a public records request.

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On that June 24, Grimes began posing as lilbeca2012, a 15-year-old Covington girl in a Louisiana online chat room hosted by Yahoo.

A person going by tjones eventually engaged with lilbeca2012, asked how old she was and what she looked like. According to Grimes report, the conversation eventually turned sexual, even after tjones was told lilbeca2012 was 15.

According to the police report, tjones proposed going to a hotel room to have some fun and also asked are u on bc?  meaning birth control. Then, tjones suggested to lilbeca2012 that they meet and If we like each other, well go spend the rest of the afternoon f***ing our brains out.

When lilbeca2012 pushed back on a suggestion from tjones to meet outside Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter, tjones suggested the lakefront location and, according to the police report, wrote, We could f***k in my car there? They agreed to meet at the seafood restaurant that afternoon with tjones saying his real name was Jason. Grimes provided the name Beca.

Jason asked Beca, Can u wear white panties for me?

A younger-looking Secret Service agent wearing pigtails posed as Beca for the meetup later that day. Around 4 p.m. outside Landrys Seafood, a man approached her.

Hi, are you Beca? he asked.

Yes hi, she replied.

Hi. Im Jason, he said.

Law enforcement officials then swooped in to arrest the man, who was Vincent, then 31. He refused to answer law enforcements questions without an attorney present, Grimes wrote. He was booked into the Orleans Parish Prison with computer-aided solicitation of a minor.

In an email to the Illuminator earlier this month, Vincent said he wasnt looking for a minor for sex. I thought I was meeting a 26-year-old woman in a bar for a drink. Nothing more.

Vincents case didnt go the way law enforcement hoped it would. A New Orleans jury deadlocked, State Police and Vincent confirmed.

There was a hung jury and they tried to retry me for close to two years, Vincent wrote in an email message to the Illuminator.

According to sources who were directly involved with the case but not authorized to talk about it, a prosecutor and Vincent eventually reached a deal requiring Vincent to plead guilty to a lesser crime of computer fraud.

That conviction doesnt involve violence or sexual abuse, so it can be easily expunged. Vincent confirmed his record was expunged.

Toby Aguillard, former director of the Tangipahoa sheriffs internet crimes division and the deputy quoted in the Indiana news report, was frustrated at the way Vincents case ended. In a recent interview, he said, That case has never left my mind.

Weeks after the sting operation nabbed Vincent, a St. John deputy working on that operation was arrested for selling computers confiscated from arrested suspects. The deputys arrest cast doubt on whether the law enforcement team was operating in an above-board manner, said sources with direct knowledge of the case.

Vincent said his attorney argued the chat conversation between tjones and lilbeca2012 had been altered by police.

My 2009 arrest was expunged because the evidence was problematic, Vincent wrote in an email message.

While Vincent suggested, in that email, that someone else was responsible for the expungement of his criminal record, thats not the way expungement works. Vincent would have had to take steps to expunge his record himself.

Not 'law enforcement

UNO officials said Vincents job application didnt raise any red flags. Vincent had already taught at UNO part time in 2012, and there had been no complaints of sexual misconduct. Delgado Community College  one of Vincents previous employers  also didnt raise concerns about Vincents behavior, said UNOs attorneys in court documents. UNO was also leaning heavily on the background checks to turn up any troubling information.

We dont perform the function of law enforcement. We try to focus on the background check, Nicklow, UNOs president, said in an interview.

Court documents show that when Vincent was previously hired to teach part time at UNO in 2012, UNO did not conduct criminal background checks of prospective employees. The university didnt adopt its current background check policy until 2013.

Its unclear whether a commercial background check would ever have been able to pick up on an expunged arrest record like Vincents.

Louisiana state law allows certain groups  like licensing boards for medical professionals and attorneys as well as law enforcement entities  to access criminal records that have been expunged, but a private background check agency would typically not be able to see that information, according to expungement experts. Certain employers  such as K-12 schools  who hire people to work with children can also see expunged records, but that access may not extend to public universities.

UNO officials stressed several times to the Illuminator that the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission also advises against firing employees for arrests that dont result in convictions  even arrests for serious offenses. Since UNO never uncovered that Vincent was convicted of a crime  albeit a lesser crime that wasnt about sex  the university insists it wasnt in a position to terminate Vincent over the arrest.

As an institution, we cant pick and choose what arrests deserve merit and what arrests dont, Nicklow said.

Except Mittelstaedt told Vincent he could be fired over the arrest  especially if students continued to raise concerns about it.

If a significant number of complaints creates the risk of damaging publicity for UNO, we could be faced with a dilemma about how to handle this situation, Mittelstaedt wrote in an email on April 11, 2018 to Vincent before the student accused him of harassment. To be completely frank, if the number of complaints increases, we might be forced to consider ending your employment with UNO.

I do not use that name

Vincent blames UNO administrators for his troubles. He said they didnt address mental health problems he had after students and faculty discovered his arrest for a sex crime.

UNO could have accepted my resignation during the fall semester or they could have tried to get me some mental health care when it was evident I was having a psychotic break from the constant insults and physical threats from students. They did neither, Vincent wrote to a reporter.

Its not clear what Vincent has been doing since UNO fired him  or even what his name is.

A George Budwell  the same name Vincent legally took in 2018  is living in the Philippines, and writes for The Motley Fool as an expert in healthcare and biotechnology companies, according to his online profile with the website.

According to his 2017 resume, Vincent wrote for The Motley Fool as an expert in healthcare and biotechnology. Vincent also lived in the Philippines between 2012 and 2017, before he started working full time at UNO, according to email messages he sent UNO.

You have the wrong George. I do not have a U.S. visa, Budwell responded to the Illuminator, who reached out on Twitter to ask if he is also Vincent. The user then blocked the reporter from further communication.

Nicklow, the university president, said he doesnt believe UNO will face the same sort of problems with hiring a person like Vincent in the future. Nicklow said the university has learned its lesson and will pay more attention to what information is publicly available about job candidates before they hire them.

He said, I think now we do a little bit more  I guess you could call it  Googling of job candidates?

The Louisiana Illuminator is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization based in Baton Rouge.
Toyota to buy Lyft unit in boost to self-driving plans FILE PHOTO: The Lyft Driver Hub is seen in Los Angeles

By Tina Bellon and Eimi Yamamitsu

AUSTIN, Texas/TOKYO (Reuters) -Toyota Motor Corp will acquire Lyft Inc's self-driving technology unit for $550 million, the companies said, as the Japanese firm steps up its automation ambitions with the newly created Woven Planet division.

The acquisition of Level 5 automation will also provide Toyota access to the U.S. ride-hailing firm's more than 300 employees of the essentially complete autonomy technology.

"This is the first step of establishing and bringing together the people. Obviously building technology and product requires people, and that's much what this acquisition is about," Woven Planet chief executive James Kuffner told reporters on Tuesday.

It will also give Toyota a direct presence in Silicon Valley and London and expand smart-city project "Woven City" at the base of Japan's Mt. Fuji, effectively helping it ride through dramatic changes expected in the mobility industry and major centres, he said.

For Lyft, the deal will allow it to become profitable sooner and takes away the burden and risk of developing a costly technology that has yet to enter the mainstream.

Kuffner said Woven Planet, which was set up in January, intends to continue investing and growing the team, although he refrained from commenting about any timeline or future acquisition plans.

Takaki Nakanishi, analyst and chief executive of the Nakanishi Research Institute, said by expanding partnerships, Toyota is "moving a step towards realizing its goals", including self-driving technology.

Toyota, which currently offers Level 2 automation with advanced driver assistance technology, has other self-driving projects including a joint venture with SoftBank Corp and is forming a consortium with General Motors Co , suppliers and semiconductor companies.

It has also been working closely with ride-hailing firms and owns a stake in top Chinese firm Didi Chuxing and Southeast Asia's Grab. It had a stake in the self-driving unit of Lyft's larger rival Uber Technology Inc, but transferred the stake when Uber sold the unit in December to car startup Aurora.

Story continues

Toyota said in February it would develop and build autonomous minivans for ride-hailing networks with Aurora and longtime supplier partner Denso Corp.

The Japanese carmaker will likely make more deals, even if they do not ultimately lead to self-driving vehicles to "actively gather software and people who have knowledge", said Seiji Sugiura, senior analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Institute.

CASH BURNING BUSINESS

Lyft's sale allows it to offload cash-burning side businesses and focus on reviving their core divisions following a bruising pandemic year.

It will receive $200 million cash upfront, with the remaining $350 million paid over five years.

Lyft did not immediately say how it plans to invest the funds. But the sale will allow Lyft to report third-quarter profit on an adjusted basis of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization as long as the company continues to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, it said.

The sale will also remove $100 million in annual net operating costs, Lyft said.

Lyft will now focus on what it can do best with autonomous vehicles by offering services such as routing, consumer interface and managing, and maintaining and cleaning partners' autonomous vehicle fleets, which could mean added revenue, it said.

Lyft already allows consumers to book rides in self-driving vehicles in select cities in partnerships with Alphabet Inc's Waymo and Motional, the joint venture between Hyundai Motor Co and Aptiv.

It will continue to collect real-world driving data through some 10,000 vehicles it rents out to consumers and ride-hail drivers. The data is valuable for the development of self-driving vehicles that Woven Planet will have access to under the deal.

But Lyft also believes human ride-hail drivers will remain important for the foreseeable future to serve customers during peak demand periods, bad weather, or in areas that self-driving cars are unable to navigate.

(Reporting by Tina Bellon in Austin and Eimi Yamamitsu in Tokyo; Editing by Miyoung Kim & Shri Navaratnam)
Like it or not, faith based & community activists deserve credit if only because without the public pressure they're exerting, this disclosure of deets about the deadly shooting of a teen would be unlikely.

The incident was investigated by the Johnson County Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team, consisting of law enforcement officers out of other jurisdictions in Johnson County, according to the city.



The purpose of the investigation was to help the Johnson County District Attorney in making a decision about whether the use of force was lawful and whether any crime was committed.



The police department receives a copy of the investigation report when its complete.



The city said over the last three years, the police department has received numerous requests for the report and consistently denied those requests.



For the three years since the incident, the Albers family and others have continuously called for transparency to include the release of the Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team report.



The city is currently being sued for the release of the information.



As a result of this ongoing discussion, misinformation has been circulated resulting in a serious erosion of public trust over this period of time, the city said in a news release. Due to the unique circumstances presented in this case to include the challenge of the public confidence in city officials and law enforcement related to this matter, and in light of the current litigation, the City has decided to release the report that is in our possession.

Check the round-up . . .



Fox4: Overland Park to release investigation report in 2018 killing of teen by police officer

KCTV5: Overland Park plans to release investigative file in fatal 2018 shooting of unarmed teen

KSHB: Overland Park to release report in shooting death of John Albers

Developing . . .
Minister of Canadian Heritage Steven Guilbeault speaks with the media in the Foyer of the House of Commons in Ottawa on February 3, 2020.(Adrian Wyld/The Canadian press)

Impending Online Hate Speech Legislation Worries Free Speech Advocates

A federal bill to combat harmful content and hate speech online is expected to be tabled soon, but free speech advocates are concerned that it may be too restrictive. Critics are also sounding the alarm on amendments to the existing Bill C-10 that seeks to regulate video content on platforms such as YouTube and Facebook.

The hate speech bill soon to be tabled will create a new regulator with the power to levy fines and require transparency from social media outlets, including about their algorithms. The legislation will also set out a legal framework for prohibiting hate speech, terrorist content, content that incites violence, non-consensual sharing of intimate content, and child sexual exploitative content.

With the legislation we will be tabling, it wont matter whether or not the company is Canadian, Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault recently said, according to Blacklocks Reporter. It wont matter where the company is registered or where their servers are located. Once a publication is flagged, it will have to be taken down within 24 hours.

Conservative MP Brad Vis told The Epoch Times that the premise reminds him of George Orwell.

I havent read it since high school, but it seems a lot like 1984, Vis said of the dystopian novel published by the English author in 1949.

All I know is that as a new MP, I saw that and Im like, Of all the things going on in the country, the government of Canada wants to make a new administrative body to monitor what people are saying online? Whatever happened to the Criminal Code? Whatever happened to our judicial system?

Thought Police

Vis said he is concerned that the proposal will reinforce political correctness instead of dealing with real hate speech. He recalled the Liberal governments requirement in 2018 that applicants to the Canada Summer Jobs program attest their approval of abortion rights.

Conservative MP Brad Vis speaks in the House of Commons on March 9, 2021 in Ottawa. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

This government has a history of trying to get people to think a certain way in order to receive government resources. I do not believe that is appropriate, Vis said.

Im leery. Im apprehensive because of that.  We have the Criminal Code for a reason. Lets use it. I dont believe an administrative body in Ottawa, putting large fines on people for what theyre saying on the internet, is the right way to approach things.

Democracy Watch co-founder Duff Conacher expressed similar sentiments, noting that a civil remedy has a lower standard of proof compared to the rigorous criminal justice system already in place to address hate crime.

Having some other commission or board making decisions about civil penalties for hate crime is going to increase the likelihood of someone being held accountable for hate speech, because you dont have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt when youre talking about a civil fine as opposed to a criminal conviction, Conacher said in an interview.

He also expressed concern about political influence over the proposed new regulatory body.

You dont want anyone from any party being able to have the power to decide what is misinformation, or to choose the people who would decide what is misinformation, he said.

Guilbeaults announcement prompted Vis to tweet: I never thought I would have to be concerned about a Canadian thought police in my lifetime. Even the idea of this Bill makes me worried.

A spokesperson with the Department of Canadian Heritage told The Epoch Times that the governments proposed legislation is needed to ensure social media platforms remove illegal content, namely child sexual exploitative content, terrorist and violent extremist content, hate speech and non-consensually shared intimate images.

The goal is to foster a safer and more inclusive online environment so all Canadians can exercise their expressive rights online, without being subject to hateful or threatening attacks, Daniel Savoie said in an email.

Government regulations are required to ensure that platforms are more transparent in their conduct and accountable to their users.

The Great Firewall of China

Bill C-10, Guilbeaults previous bill, had already proposed to put some internet content providers under Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications (CRTC) regulation. Introduced in November 2020, it was the first legislation that has sought to amend Canadas Broadcasting Act since 1991.

A CRTC logo is shown in Montreal in a file photo. (The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes)

When YouTube or Facebook act as a broadcaster, then the legislation would apply to them and the CRTC would define how that would happen, Guilbeault told the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage on March 8.

On April 26, the committee, which is dominated by Liberal MPs, gave the greenlight to amend Bill C-10 to update the Broadcasting Act to regulate video content on internet platforms, similar to how national broadcasters are regulated.

The Conservatives criticized the move, saying it gives CRTC too much power to regulate the internet. In a statement, Conservative MP Alain Rayes, his partys shadow minister for Canadian heritage, said Tory members of the committee sought to insert an amendment so that social media users with less than $50 million revenue would be exempt from the new regulations, but their request was rejected.

There could be no clearer proof that the Liberals are not just going after large foreign streaming services, they are also targeting ordinary Canadians, Rayes said. While we support creating a level playing field between large foreign streaming services and Canadian broadcasters, C-10 is a bad piece of legislation giving too much power to the CRTC to regulate the internet and provides no clear guidelines for how that power will be used.

Guilbeault said on Twitter that he is very disappointed to see Alain Rayes and the CPC being so disconnected.

Yet again, they let down the cultural sector and refuse to stand up to web giants, he said.

Ryan Alford, associate professor of law at Lakehead University, said in an interview that the legislations supplementary documents give a fuller picture of the implications of Bill C-10.

It is the details in that draft order-in-council that provide for this massive extension of the power of the CRTC, Alford said.

You see things like the possibility that the massive fines might be levied, the idea that internet service providers are going to be required to shut down Canadians access to individual websites that the CRTC, in its regulatory opinion, [says] are hurtful or harmful, he noted. Were talking about something potentially that looks like the Great Firewall of China.

Guilbeault had told the Commons committee earlier this year that he wanted to protect Canadas world-renowned public service from online criticism. He has also said that the new regulatory agency could block postings that might undermine Canadas social cohesion, Toronto Sun reported.

Alford said that Guilbeaults past comments on the issue speaks volumes.

It appears that he doesnt understand the purpose of free speech. He doesnt understand what its for. He doesnt have any sense of its value. And eventually he turns it on its head because he sees the government as people who should be protected from hurt and harm from the public, Alford said. Its hard to imagine something more Orwellian than that.

Reasonable Limits vs Rising Censorship

Alford said Supreme Court rulings have clarified how free speech might reasonably be curtailed and other ways in which it would be unconstitutional to do so.

Whats not a reasonable limitation is a restriction that targets and regulates speech that is merely offensive to peoples dignity. And that, of course, is the very rationale for this bill, as its being promoted by Minister Guilbeault, said Alford. So hes operating against the backdrop of the highest court in the land, [which is] saying, This is precisely what you cant do. But hes attempting to do it  via the administrative apparatus of the CRTC.

Alford said undue restrictions of speech made under the new laws will be tough to overturn through Charter challenges.

The problem is that you would then need to seek judicial review in the federal court of that order of the CRTC. And the way that Canadian administrative law works, theres a lot more deference to the administrative agencies.  They somehow get this margin of error with respect to our Charter.

Cara Zwibel, director of the Fundamental Freedoms Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, told The Epoch Times that the internet is a nasty and dangerous place for some people and groups, but added that she is not sure that the kind of regulatory mechanisms that the government is looking at are the right ones to address it.

Zwibel expressed concerned that it may lead to social media companies increasing censorship.

The concern is that theres going to be a whole bunch of other stuff that will get taken down because platforms are concerned about fines, and theyre going to err on the side of taking down more rather than less, Zwibel said.
Rockville, Md. (April 27, 2021)--Although bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)--a chronic lung disease affecting newborns--is the most common complication of preterm birth, it remains difficult to diagnose and treat. Researchers from Fundacion INFANT in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, hope to address these difficulties using machine learning to inform the clinical care of preemies with BPD. The team will present their work virtually at the American Physiological Society's (APS) annual meeting at Experimental Biology 2021.

BPD affects between 20% and 40% of all infants with birthweight below 3 pounds, 4 ounces (1,500 grams). It usually subsides by age five but can extend into adulthood. Infants with BPD face prolonged hospitalization and are at risk of developmental delays and heart failure.

The research team presented an algorithm with a large data set of longitudinal clinical information for preterm infants, which the computer divided into three clusters. They then presented the trained algorithm with a second data set with comparable demographic characteristics. In this set, the computer was able to anticipate comorbidities and rehospitalizations better than the application of standard BPD diagnostic categories.

By more accurately aligning which biometrics correspond to different degrees of disease severity, these findings could enable better understanding of the underlying causes of BPD. They could also help clinicians diagnose BPD earlier and more precisely, allowing for personalized treatments.

Corresponding author Gaston Ofman, MD, says the next step is "to implement our analysis in real time and guide health care workers in their day-to-day care of preterm babies."

###

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: To schedule an interview with a member of the research team, or to request the abstract, "Machine learning discovery of lung disease trajectories in premature infants," please contact the APS Communications Office or call 301.634.7314. Find more research highlights in the APS Newsroom.

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The constitution stipulates that such elections can be held only if Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian resigns and the Armenian parliament twice fails to elect another head of the government.

Pashinian resigned for that purpose on Sunday. He made clear that he will continue to perform his duties at least until election day.

Some opposition figures and lawyers critical of the government maintain that the constitution does not allow Pashinian to remain in office after his resignation. Ter-Petrosian effectively echoed their view in a statement released on Monday.

Ter-Petrosian cited a relevant article published by Edgar Ghazarian, the former chief of the Constitutional Court staff. He said Ghazarians arguments must be taken seriously by President Armen Sarkissian, the Constitutional Court judges and Armenian political forces. Or else, he said, they would be complicit in the conduct of unconstitutional elections.

The ex-president also hit out at the two parliamentary opposition parties that have pledged to help Pashinian ensure that the National Assembly does not elect another prime minister after his resignation. He claimed that the Prosperous Armenia (BHK) and Bright Armenia parties struck an unconstitutional deal with Pashinian.

Pashinians My Step bloc insisted on Tuesday that the constitution does not require the prime minister to leave office now.

Some circles are now trying to cast a shadow over the elections, Vahagn Hovakimian, a senior My Step lawmaker, told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. The first president [of Armenia] is joining in that effort, which is a tragedy.

The BHKs Mikael Melkumian acknowledged that legal experts are divided over what Pashinians current status must be. Melkumian said only the Constitutional Court can decide which of them are right.

If we asked the Constitutional Court to discuss this issue that would drag out the [pre-election political] process, he said. We all aim to make sure that the elections take place on June 20.

Ter-Petrosian did not say whether his Armenian National Congress (HAK) party, which is not represented in the current parliament, will boycott the anticipated elections. An HAK spokesman said the party is scheduled to hold a congress on May 7.

Ter-Petrosian and his associates have been increasingly critical of Pashinian since a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement stopped the war in Nagorno-Karabakh in November. Like other opposition figures, they blame him for Armenias defeat in the six-week war.

The ex-president, who had ruled Armenia from 1991-1998, said last month that Pashinian must step down and at least temporarily leave the country to end the post-war political crisis. The prime minister reacted scathingly to that statement.
Mr. Wyden also asked that the department help him verify whether Credit Suisse executives provided false statements to the Senate in February 2014, when they testified about whether the bank had stopped helping wealthy Americans evade taxes.

Brady Dougan, then Credit Suisses chief executive, told senators that the bank had worked to be 100 percent compliant with the requirements around the U.S. taxpayer, Mr. Wyden wrote. At the same hearing, the banks general counsel, Romeo Cerutti, testified that Credit Suisse was really looking at whether someone is a U.S. person in order to root out Americans who were hiding their wealth from the I.R.S.

For nearly 15 years, Republicans and Democrats have taken part in a well-publicized campaign to weed out tax dodgers with Swiss bank accounts, focusing on UBS and Credit Suisse, both based in Zurich.

When the Credit Suisse executives testified in 2014, they were in the midst of negotiations with the Justice Department about a settlement over the bank's treatment of U.S. tax dodgers.

The two sides signed the deal in May 2014, in which Credit Suisse pleaded guilty to helping some American clients evade taxes and was fined a total of $2.6 billion. But it avoided even higher fines because it vowed to federal prosecutors that it had stopped the practice, would close any and all accounts of recalcitrant account holders, and would help the U.S. pursue other criminal investigations.

The guilty plea and steep fine were rare in 2014, and it was the first time in more than 20 years that a lender of its size had admitted wrongdoing in an American court.

But a whistle-blower emerged in July that year and told officials at the tax division of the Justice Department and federal prosecutors who had worked on the case about an account that belonged to Mr. Horsky, a retired business professor who lived in Rochester, N.Y., and amassed much of his fortune by investing in start-up companies in the 1990s, according to news accounts.
In March 2020, just weeks into the Covid-19 pandemic, the incident command center at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston was scrambling to understand this deadly new disease. It appeared to be killing more Black and brown patients than whites. For Latinos, there was an additional warning sign: language.

Patients who didnt speak much, or any, English had a 35% greater chance of death.

Clinicians who couldnt communicate clearly with patients in the hospitals Covid units noticed it was affecting outcomes.

We had an inkling that language was going to be an issue early on, said Dr. Karthik Sivashanker, then Brighams medical director for quality, safety and equity. We were getting safety reports saying language is a problem.

Sivashanker dived into the records, isolating and layering the unique characteristics of each of the patients who died: their race, age and sex and whether they spoke English.

Thats where we started to really discover some deeper, previously invisible inequities, he said.

Inequities that werent about race alone.

Hospitals across the country have reported more hospitalizations and deaths of Black and Latino patients than of whites. Black and brown patients may be more susceptible because they are more likely to have a chronic illness that increases the risk of serious Covid. But when the Brigham team compared Black and brown patients with white patients who had similar chronic illnesses, they found no difference in the risk of death from Covid.

But a difference did emerge for Latino patients who dont speak English. That sobering realization helped them home in on a specific health disparity, think about some possible solutions and begin a commitment to change.

Thats the future, said Sivashanker.

Identifying the risk

But first, Brigham had to unravel this latest example of a life-threatening health disparity. It started outside the hospital, in lower-income communities in and just outside Boston, where the coronavirus spread quickly among many native Spanish speakers who live in close quarters with jobs they cant do from home.

Some avoided coming to the hospital until they were very sick, because they didnt trust the care in big hospitals or feared detection by immigration authorities. Nevertheless, just weeks into the pandemic, Covid patients who spoke little English began surging into Boston hospitals, including Brigham and Womens.

We were, frankly, not fully prepared for that surge, said Sivashanker. We have really amazing interpreter services, but they were starting to get overwhelmed.

In the beginning, we didnt know how to act. We were panicking, said Ana Maria Rios-Velez, a Spanish-language interpreter at Brigham.

Rios-Velez remembered searching for words to translate this new disease and experience for patients. When called to a Covid patients room, interpreters were confused about whether they could go in and how close they should get to a patient. Some interpreters said they felt disposable in the early days of the pandemic, when they werent given adequate personal protective equipment.

When she had PPE, Rios-Velez said, she still struggled to gain a patients trust from behind a mask, face shield and gown. For safety, many interpreters were urged to work from home. But speaking to patients over the phone created new problems.

It was extremely difficult, extremely difficult, she said. The patients were having breathing issues. They were coughing. Their voices were muffled.

And Rios-Velez couldnt look her patients in the eye to put them at ease and build a connection.

Its not only the voice. Sometimes I need to see the lips, if smiling, she said. I want them to see the compassion in me.

Adding interpreters and tech

Brigham responded by adding more interpreters and buying more iPads so remote workers could see patients. The hospital purchased amplifiers to raise the volume of patients voices above the beeps and machines humming in an ICU. The Mass General Brigham network is piloting the use of interpreters available via video in primary care offices. A study found Spanish-speaking patients used telemedicine less than white patients during the pandemic.

Brighams goal is that every patient who needs an interpreter will get one. Sivashanker said that happens now for most patients who make the request. The bigger challenge, he said, is including an interpreter in the care of patients who may need the help but dont ask for it.

In the first surge, interpreters also became translators for the hospitals website, information kiosks, Covid safety signs and brochures.

It was really tough. I got sick and had to take a week off, said Yilu Ma, Brighams director of interpreter services. Mass General Brigham is now expanding a centralized translation service for the entire hospital network.

Inequities within the hospital workforce

Brigham and Womens analytics team uncovered other disparities. Lower-paid employees were getting Covid more often than nurses and doctors. Sivashanker said there were dozens of small group meetings with medical assistants, transport workers, security staffers and those in environmental services in which he shared the higher positive test rates and encouraged everyone to get tested.

We let them know they wouldnt lose their jobs if they had to miss work, Sivashanker said. And he, along with managers, told these employees that we realize youre risking your life just like any other doctor of nurse is, every single day you come to work.

Some employees complained of favoritism in the distribution of PPE, which the hospital investigated. To make sure all employees were receiving timely updates as pandemic guidance changed, Brigham started translating all coronavirus messages into Spanish and other languages and sending them via text, which people who are on the move all day are more likely to read. The Mass General Brigham system offered hardship grants of up to $1,000 for employees with added financial pressures, such as additional child care costs.

Angelina German, a hospital housekeeper with limited English, said she appreciates getting updates via text in Spanish, as well as in-person Covid briefings from her bosses.

Now theyre more aware of us all, German said through an interpreter, making sure people are taking care of themselves. 

Beyond the hospital walls

The hospital also set up testing sites in some Boston neighborhoods with high coronavirus infection rates, including neighborhoods where many employees live and were getting infected. At least one of those sites now offers Covid vaccinations.

No one has to be scheduled. You dont need insurance. You just walk up and we can test you, Dr. Christin Price explained during a visit last fall to a testing site in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood.

Nancy Santiago left the testing site carrying a free 10-pound bag of fruits and vegetables, which shell share with her mother. Santiago said shes grateful for the help.

I had to leave my job because of [lack of] day care, and its been pretty tough, she said. But, you know, we gotta keep staying strong, and hopefully this is over sooner rather than later.

Brigham recently opened a similar indoor operation at the Strand Theatre in the Dorchester neighborhood. Everyone who comes for a coronavirus test is asked if they have enough to eat, if they can afford their medications, if they need housing assistance and if theyre registered to vote.

Mass General Brigham leaders said theyll take what theyve learned dissecting disparities during the pandemic and expand the remedies across the hospital network.

Many of the issues that were identified during the Covid equity response are unfortunately pretty universal issues that we need to address, if were going to be an anti-racist organization, said Tom Sequist, chief of patient experience and equity for Mass General Brigham.

Brighams work on health disparities comes, in part, out of a collaboration with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

Theres a lot of defensive routines into which we slip as clinicians that the data can help cut through and reveal that there are some biases in your own practice, explained IHI President and CEO Dr. Kedar Mate.

If we dont name and start to talk about racism and how we intend to dismantle it or undo it, Mate added, well continue to place Band-Aids on the problem and not actually tackle the underlying causes.

Poverty and social determinants of health needs are not going away any time soon, and so if theres a way to continue to serve the communities, I think that would be tremendous, said Price, who helped organize Brighams testing program.

But has Brighams work lowered the risk of death from Covid for Spanish-speaking patients? The hospital hasnt updated the analysis yet, and even when it does, determining whether (or how) the interventions worked will be hard, Sivashanker said.

Its never going to be as simple as We just didnt give them enough iPads or translators and that was the only problem,' said Sivashanker.

But Sivashanker said more interpreters and iPads, and better messaging to non-English speaking employees  plus all the other steps Brigham has taken during the pandemic  have improved both the patient and the employee experience. That, he said, counts as a success, while work on the next layer of discrimination continues.
Clinical Trial Follows Publication of Two Papers Demonstrating the Effectiveness of MindRhythm Technology

LOS ALTOS, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / MindRhythm, a medical technology company focused on preventing neurological injury in stroke, today announced the enrollment of its first patient in a multicenter trial out of Wayne State University in partnership with Detroit Receiving Hospital, Henry Ford Hospital, Sinai-Grace Hospital, and Ascension St. John Hospital. The intention is to demonstrate the effectiveness of MindRhythm's proprietary technology in rapidly identifying patients with Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO) strokes prehospital for direct dispatch to a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) hospital able to treat LVO stroke.

"We are incredibly excited to now be enrolling patients in the MindRhythm trial," said Dr. James Paxton, Wayne State University. "MindRhythm's technology has the potential to save lives and change the course of stroke triage. We plan to hit the ground running in order to validate the effectiveness of MindRhythm through the multicenter clinical trial to help reduce the severity of neurological injury caused by LVO strokes."

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, and its most lethal form is termed Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO) stroke. However, there is no technology available to objectively diagnose LVO stroke in an EMS setting, often leading to delays in treatment. Further, relatively few hospitals in the U.S. possess the necessary equipment to effectively treat LVO strokes and need fully-trained critical care staffing to support the use and treatment of patients with this type of equipment. To date, EMS and paramedics don't have the means to determine the type of stroke in their patients and therefore have trouble deciding if they should transport the patient to a CSC hospital able to treat LVO stroke.

"With this multicenter trial, MindRhythm is providing a new opportunity for hospitals and EMS to more easily identify and treat one of the most debilitating types of strokes," said John Keane, President and CEO, MindRhythm. "We are proud to be working with some of the brightest minds in medicine to help solve one of medicine's most critical problems."

The enrollment of the first patient in the multicenter trial follows a successful, 64-person study completed at UC San Francisco and the publication of two peer-reviewed papers authored by MindRhythm co-founders Wade Smith, MD, PhD, Chair, Scientific Advisory Board and Paul Lovoi, PhD and CTO, alongside Kevin Keenan, MD, Vascular Neurologist to further demonstrate the efficacy of the HeadPulse measurement within the Harmony headset developed by MindRhythm.

A Unique Signature of Cardiac-Induced Cranial Forces During Acute Large Vessel Stroke and Development of a Predictive Model, published in October 2019, explores the cranial accelerometry technique in a cohort of code stroke patients to see whether a signature could be identified to aid in the diagnosis of LVO stroke. The second publication, The Neurological Examination Improves Cranial Accelerometry Large Vessel Occlusion Prediction Accuracy, published in November 2020, combined cranial accelerometry, a device-based approach to LVO prediction, with neurological examination findings to determine if this improves diagnostic accuracy compared to either alone.

MindRhythm, founded in 2019 by Keane, Smith, and Lovoi, also officially launched today as a medical technology company optimizing stroke triage in the prehospital and hospital settings. MindRhythm's Harmony device is a novel, non-invasive, diagnostic medical device that can rapidly identify patients with LVO strokes via monitoring of a specific physiology discovered by UCSF and MindRhythm. Patients who use MindRhythm's device can benefit from rapid transport to a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) that has the physicians, technologists and equipment needed to remove the clot. MindRhythm's finely-tuned, proprietary technology effectively triages patients, communicates patient data, and provides remote location status to hospital teams prior to arrival thus optimizing patient treatment and outcomes.

To learn more about MindRhythm, visit: https://mindrhythm.com

ABOUT MINDRHYTHM

MindRhythm is a medical technology company focused on preventing neurological injury primarily caused by strokes. Founded by world-renowned experts with significant commercialization experience, MindRhythm's monitoring devices provide novel and real-time visibility to life-threatening situations prehospital and in the operating room allowing clinicians to intervene and prevent brain damage. Collaborating with the healthcare community, MindRhythm looks to apply the same systematic approach to reducing time to treatment in strokes that has been successfully implemented for heart attacks with the STEMI protocol. Together, let's save lives and improve quality of life: https://mindrhythm.com.

Media Contact:

Meaghan McGrath

York IE

meaghan@york.ie

SOURCE: MindRhythm, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642187/MindRhythm-Announces-Launch-of-the-Company-Enrolls-First-Patient-in-Prehospital-Trial-on-Stroke-Triage
They wed on the very same day as Kate and Wills. And from cancer to infertility, they've weathered some storms in their first decade, too...

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge leave Westminster Abbey following their Royal Wedding on April 29, 2011

Grief could have torn us apart, but love saved us

Michelle Stevenson, 44, a financial crime investigator, married Derek, 49, (pictured together) a plumbing manager, at the parish church in St Brelade, Jersey

Michelle Stevenson, 44, a financial crime investigator, married Derek, 49, a plumbing manager, at the parish church in St Brelade, Jersey. The couple live near Glasgow with their two children, Hamish, eight, and Murron, three. Michelle says:

I only managed half an hour's sleep the night before our wedding  held like the royal couple's on April 29, 2011. I was so nervous, but I remember thinking: 'Imagine having the eyes of the world on you.' I bet Kate Middleton got even less sleep!

Our son was born a few months before Prince George and, funnily enough, Hamish was one of the names the bookies were taking bets on for the future king. Derek and I have faced our fair share of challenges, the most devastating of which was losing our unborn twins over Christmas 2015. The grief was terrible and we feared that we might struggle to conceive again. But then along came our daughter Murron, healthy and very cheeky, in November 2017.

I'm aware these sorts of hurdles can tear couples apart. I am proud to have reached this milestone, to give our children a stable home and to still love and enjoy each other.

The couple (pictured on their wedding day) live near Glasgow with their two children, Hamish, eight, and Murron, three

After leukaemia and lockdown, we take nothing for granted

Jane Witty, 45, an aircraft engineer, married Stuart, 54, a railway signaller, at Carlton Towers country estate, near Selby, North Yorkshire (pictured on their wedding day)

Jane Witty, 45, an aircraft engineer, married Stuart, 54, a railway signaller, at Carlton Towers country estate, near Selby, North Yorkshire. The couple live in Eastrington, East Yorkshire, with son Connor, seven. Jane says:

We decided to get married on a Friday thinking that way it wouldn't clash with any other major events. Then, lo and behold, a few months later the future king and queen announced their wedding would be on the very same day.

Of course, some of our 42 guests couldn't resist peeking at Kate and William's nuptials on their phones. We found the subterfuge quite funny.

Our son was born two months after Prince George, in September 2013. A month later, I nagged Stuart into getting his persistent cough checked out, and we were horrified when he was diagnosed with hairy cell leukaemia. He began chemotherapy and, although the prognosis for this type of cancer is generally good, it was a very scary time.

Fortunately, the treatment was a success. But Stuart's immune system was compromised and he has had to stay home throughout most of the pandemic, only returning to work this month.

It would have been difficult for us to have more children following Stuart's treatment, but I certainly don't envy William and Kate their three, as we're very happy with the one we've got.

Ten years into marriage, we don't take anything for granted  in a funny kind of way, Stuart's illness means we now enjoy life even more.

The couple live in Eastrington, East Yorkshire, with son Connor, seven (pictured together)

Longing for a big family like duke and duchess

Hollie McCully, 34, a dance teacher, married Paul, 41, (pictured on their wedding day) a Royal Marine and college lecturer, in Tandragee, Northern Ireland

Hollie McCully, 34, a dance teacher, married Paul, 41, a Royal Marine and college lecturer, in Tandragee, Northern Ireland. The couple live in Hartlepool, Co Durham, with their son, Foxx, three. Hollie says:

I'll be honest, I was a bit annoyed when the royal couple announced their wedding date  I thought 'Oh no, they're stealing my big day!'

Of course, I couldn't resist having a look at Kate on the television while I was getting ready.

However, mine and Paul's journey to parenthood has been much more difficult than William's and Kate's  I have endometriosis and, although we've had six attempts at IVF, we've had only one live birth, our gorgeous little boy, Foxx.

When Prince George and Princess Charlotte were born, we had to put up with people, who knew we were married on the same day, but didn't know we were struggling to conceive, saying things like: 'Ooh when is it your turn?'

The couple live in Hartlepool, Co Durham, with their son, Foxx, three (pictured together)

In February, we lost another baby, a little boy, who was born nine weeks early. We're still grieving and have had a lot of support throughout from the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia charity, CDH UK.

Thankfully, what we've been through these past ten years has made our marriage stronger and brought us closer together. We would love to try for another baby, but would need yet more fertility treatment, which is expensive and not without its stresses, so it's a big decision.

Our son's due date was this month. We'd imagined celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary with our two little boys, but it wasn't to be.

Hopefully, we'll do something lovely tomorrow, and be thankful for each other.

When they had Louis, we said no way to a third baby

Laura Cattell, 41, a university administrator, married Matthew, 47, a software engineer at St Winefride's Catholic Church in Shepshed, Leicestershire (their wedding day, pictured)

Laura Cattell, 41, a university administrator, married Matthew, 47, a software engineer at St Winefride's Catholic Church in Shepshed, Leicestershire. They live in Austrey, Warwickshire, with daughters Eva, nine, and Freya, five. Laura says:

We were thrilled when William and Kate announced they would be marrying on the same day as us, as it wouldn't just be our family and friends, but the whole nation who would be in a celebratory mood.

Of course, we knew that our 50 guests would be keeping an eye on the royal wedding via their phones, and although we missed the whole thing, we enjoyed the occasional update. Because of this connection, we've taken more of an interest in the Cambridges' lives  such as when they had children and where they set up home.

I think time speeds up when you have kids. We've made some wonderful family memories, but the past decade has flown by.

Being a parent is harder work than anyone anticipates and we weren't at all tempted to have a third child when William and Kate added one more. We'd experienced enough sleepless nights and chasing around after toddlers by the time Prince Louis came along.

Although I wouldn't swap places with them  I'd choose a quiet life out of the media glare over theirs any day  William and Kate are lucky enough to have an army of nannies, housekeepers and chefs to ease the load. I don't know how we'd have coped with three children, as well as working from home, during a year of home-schooling.

They live in Austrey, Warwickshire, with daughters Eva, nine, and Freya, five (pictured together)

Once Covid is all over, we shall reward ourselves with a celebratory anniversary dinner.

For now we'll settle for afternoon tea at the Fig & Olive in Middleton to mark our anniversary  I think the royal couple would approve.

We gave out tea towels and mugs with our photos on!

Wendy Bracey, 48, a midwife, married Andy, 50, an engineer, at High Rocks, in Tunbridge Wells, Kent (their wedding day, pictured)

Wendy Bracey, 48, a midwife, married Andy, 50, an engineer, at High Rocks, in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The couple live near Aylesford, Kent, with their son, Benjamin, eight. Wendy says:

When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced they were marrying on the same day as us, some of our relatives panicked and persuaded us to call our registrar, fearing it might mean ours would be off.

Reassured, we decided to really embrace the fact we were sharing our big day with the future king and queen and had memorabilia  tea towels and mugs  bearing our photographs made as gifts for our guests. Our nuptials were in the late afternoon, so I watched Kate and William exchange their vows while getting ready and felt so emotional that my make-up artist kept having to say: 'No more tears now!'

Benjamin was born the same year as Prince George. He is the light of both our lives.

As the restaurants won't be open for indoor meals tomorrow, we'll make do with having something nice to eat at home, with Benjamin.

The real celebration will come in June, as I've booked a table for two at Le Gavroche in Mayfair.
A Georgia park that was once a Ku Klux Klan meeting spot plans to disavow its racist past by ditching Confederate flags - but won't destroy a controversial mountainside sculpture.

Stone Mountain Park, which sits around 15 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, will remove an image of the controversial carving from its official logo.

The sculpture, which sits on the north side of the park's eponymous Stone Mountain, shows General Robert E. Lee, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and General Thomas J. Jackson. It is the largest Confederate monument ever crafted, and is protected by Georgia state law.

Stone Mountain Memorial Association CEO Bill Stephens presented the proposals to the park's board, including the removal of the carving from its logo, and Confederate flags from the park.

He said Stone Mountain needed to change to remain financially viable but said there were no plans to remove the mountain carving, explaining that he didn't want to 'cancel history.'

The board did not immediately vote on any of the proposals, which also include renaming the park's Venable Lake.

The park is a popular hiking and tourist destination but is replete with Confederate imagery.

The proposals come amid a national reckoning on race that brought down dozens of Confederate monuments in a span of weeks last year.

A massive mountainside carving depicting Confederate leaders Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson is shown on Monday in Stone Mountain, Georgia. The Stone Mountain Memorial Association, which oversees the park's design, is considering changes to the park's deeply contentious features honoring the Confederacy- but will not remove the sculpture

The park could also acknowledge that it was a favored meeting spot for the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist organization. The image above shows supporters of the Klan at Stone Mountain in May 1989

Some speakers at Monday's meeting said the changes before the board didn't go far enough.

Many of the Confederate monuments that are now controversial were erected in the early 1900s by groups composed of women and veterans.

Some honor generals or soldiers; others bear inscriptions that critics say wrongly gloss over slavery as a reason for the war or portray the Confederate cause as noble.

Stone Mountain's carving - which measures 190ft across and 90ft tall - was completed in 1972 and shows the three Confederate leaders mounted on horseback.

Confederate flag supporters climb Stone Mountain to protest what they believe is an attack on their Southern heritage during a rally at Stone Mountain Park in August 2015

The celebration of the Confederacy at the park is used to 'oppress people,' said Bona Allen, with the grassroots group Stone Mountain Action Coalition.

'You, this board, have the responsibility to the citizens of the state of Georgia - all the citizens of Georgia - to do whats right right now,' he said.

'You have the authority, you have the ability, you have the obligation to remove these symbols without delay.'

The coalition last year proposed that the association remove Confederate flags at the base of the mountain, change the names of streets and other park features with Confederate affiliations and refocus the park around such themes as racial reconciliation and justice.

Meymoona Freeman, a leader of the group, said it wanted to see the carving of Lee, Davis and Jackson transformed into a natural space.

The sculpture has special protection enshrined in Georgia law, and Stephens said it wasn't going anywhere.

Martin O'Toole, an attorney, said the law requires that Stone Mountain serve as a memorial to the Confederacy.

'It's not the purpose to contextualize it,' he said.

'It's not the purpose to talk about the Ku Klux Klan or other things like this.'

The proposals also call for the creation of a new museum exhibit at the park to relate the history of the carving and the consolidation of artifacts and monuments related to the Confederacy in one location.

Tensions between the two rival groups reached a boiling point in Stone Mountain last summer as brawls broke between protesters carrying confederate flags and anti-racism demonstrators

A counter demonstrator holding a placard calling for the removal of the Confederate monument is seen facing off with a member of an opposing group

For the first few hours of the rally, things were relatively peaceful, aside from some shoving and pushing and spirited arguments

Roads and trails would be renamed, though not any that currently have Confederate names.

Stephens said the proposals would not satisfy everybody, but he called them a 'common sense middle ground.'

The park has lost corporate sponsors and revenues are down, he said.

'Economically, we can't stay the way we are,' he said.

'Change is inevitable. We can either take charge of it or we can be defined by it.'

The board could vote on at least some of the proposals next month. Governor Brian Kemp appointed the board's first African American chair - Rev. Abraham Mosley - last week.

Mosley said after the meeting he supported the proposals but wanted to see more changes.

'I think this is a first step to a lot of good things to come hear at the Stone Mountain park. It's just going to take time to get there.'
The job of a judge is to figure out what the law says, not what he wants it to say. There is a difference between the role of a judge and that of a policy maker... Judging requires a certain impartiality.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is reported to have made this comment in in the Wall Street Journal, Conversation with Dinesh D'Souza, July 2, 1991.

Does Amazon intend to test Thomass word should a Section 230 case come before the Supreme Court; insisting he recuse himself because Amazons decision to pull, "Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words," from its site creates a conflict of interest?

The possible motives behind Amazons decision to take down from its platform the popular documentary about the prominent African-American Supreme Court Justice, especially during Black History Month, has bewildered and astounded many commentators, on the left and on the right, including Mark Paoletta.

Paoletta, served as a lawyer in the Bush 41 White House Counsels Office and worked on the confirmation of Justice Clarence Thomas. He served as General Counsel of the White House Office of Management and Budget in the Trump administration, and worked on the confirmations of Justices [Neal] Gorsuch and [Brett] Kavanaugh.

So when he speculates as to why Amazon would suppress Thomass documentary from its Amazon Prime platform, as he did in a recent Daily Caller opinion piece, he does so with a great deal of professional authority and insight.

Paoletta offers two possible motives behind Amazons action against Created Equal. Both make very good sense.

Firstly, he believes, every factor points to the ideological cancellation of one of the most important voices in America  simply because he is a black conservative voice. This might sound like a cynical and incredible explanation to assign to a corporate decision, after all, corporations, even Amazon, generally are driven primarily by profit motive.

But as Paoletta points out, Created Equal, has been a top selling DVD in Amazons documentary section therefore, Amazons decision to take this film downdespite intense consumer demand makes no sense from a market-based perspective.

Alternatively, Paoletta writes, Then-Sen. Joe Biden, who chaired the Senate confirmation hearings on Thomass nomination to the Supreme Court, comes off the worst in Created EqualAmazons owner, Jeff Bezos, also owns the Washington Post, and Amazon may be trying to curry favor with the Biden administration by canceling this film.

But, in addition to the two very probable motives Mark Paoletta surmises, there is a third, albeit more remote, more sinister, possibility: One that is more directly based on profit motive. It's one that would explain how with ease a nearly trillion-dollar corporation like Amazon would willingly endure consumer backlash and forfeit tremendous immediate gain from a well performing movie, for a chance of some even greater future financial benefit.

For Jeff Bezos, and Amazon, the mega-digital retail company he founded on a high-stakes gamble, taking down Create Equal may just be another.

The consequences may ultimately mean the preservation of a liberal interpretation of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA) of 1996. And for Amazon, the preservation of it is a key component of its business model.

Section 230 of the CDA, most notably, seeks to eliminate or greatly reduce the degree of liability any provider or user of an interactive computer service, may face on First Amendment grounds for removing digital content they may, in good faith deem to be, offensive material.

Little attention has been given to Section 230 in the 25 years since its creation. However, it has recently been widely condemned as responsible for the way social media companies like Twitter, Facebook, and Google can justify censoring content and viewpoints they disagree with, most usually conservative content, most notably Twitters permanent suspension of Donald Trumps account.

And while its these Big Three social media giants that have been given most of the attention and given most of the scrutiny by commentators and lawmakers, Section 230 doesnt just protect social media outlets. It also protects other digital platforms as Amazon; and its decision to take down, Created Equal.

And, while Mark Paoletta is very likely correct in seeing the decision to remove, Created Equal as one directly rooted in a willingness to engage in ideological cancellation, Amazon also has a less altruistic, less obvious, vital interest in protecting Section 230.

Michael Waters writes in the Modern Retail online publication, that while [f]or Amazon, Section 230 [a]t most, insulates Amazon from blame against inaccurate descriptions by third-party sellers or customer reviews posted to its site. But Amazon and other e-commerce platforms have more quietly used the law to protect themselves when a third-party product proves to be faulty.

Waters continues, [b]ecause of Section 230, theyve claimed, they cant be accountable when a product description fails to warn customers. Its a tried and true argument that eBay has been using since 2003. But, for Amazon things are more difficult. That stems from the prized Fulfillment by Amazon program, or FBA, which lets third-party sellers store their products in Amazon warehouses, Waters states.

Despite the differences, Waters notes, [h]istorically, most judges have taken Amazons side, ruling that Amazon is a mere facilitator, not a seller, of items that come from third-party vendors. But that historical interpretation of Amazons business model appears to be losing ground in the courts, most notably in Bolger v. Amazon, a product liability case brought by a customer who allegedly suffered burns from a computer battery purchased on Amazon.

According to Waters, Amazon tried to invoke Section 230, as other e-commerce platforms have before. But [t]he court dismissed the case, pointing to FBA as the key difference: Amazons own involvement in the distribution of an allegedly defective product  the fact that Amazon processed payment, warehoused the battery and shipped it to the customer  supports strict liability, it concluded.

Amazon subsequently appealed the case to the California Supreme Court; however, the Court denied the request to review the appeal, allowing the lower appellate courts decision stand. Its unknown if Amazon will find it in its best interest or not to make another appeal, this time to the U.S. Supreme Court.

And while Waters quotes, Rory Van Loo, a professor of law at Boston University, as saying, You could get rid of Section 230, and Amazon would be fine, he also quotes, Eric Goldman, a professor at the Santa Clara University School of Law, as stating, The courts are just split, and, There have been other decisions on Amazons eligibility for Section 230 throughout the nation, and theyre split as well.

Jessica Guynn reports in October of 2020, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said this month that lower courts have interpreted Section 230 too broadly, giving internet companies sweeping protections that were not intended by the statute.

And most recently, in his April 5, 2021, concurring opinion that, dismissed a lower court ruling that former President Donald Trump violated the First Amendment rights of critics he blocked on Twitter, Thomas again seemed to express strong reservations about the very broad liability protections claimed by tech companies under Section 230.

Split decisions on an element of law are precisely the types of cases the U.S. Supreme Court is most apt to accept for review, and it almost seems inevitable that a case involving Amazon and its claim to Section 230 protections may at some point come before the nations highest court. And Thomas seems to be indicating a willingess to give it careful scrutiny.

It's at this point that Amazons February 2021, decision to take down Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words may prove, intentionally or unintentionally, to pay its highest dividends.

Because that action may create for Thomas just enough appearance of a conflict of interest as to call into question his ability to remain impartial, and to generate overwhelming pressure for him to recuse himself from any future case where Amazon is a party, particularly one involving section 230.

And, although the need to rein in Section 230 boundaries is growing in support among members on both the left and the right, including within the Biden-Harris DOJ, it's uncertain in these deeply politically divided times in the U.S., where even the impartiality of the judiciary is being called into question, if the other Supreme Court Justices will be as skeptical, as Thomas seems to be, that Section 230 is inflicting serious damage by stifling free speech and deflecting corporate liability.

Furthermore, Chief Justice John Roberts is more and more frequently joining the Courts left-wing contingency as the deciding swing vote, which in case, may counter-intuitively prove to put the majority in favor of retaining liberal interpretations of Section 230 protections.

In the end, whether Amazon had as a primary motive for taking down, Created Equal, the aim of pressuring Clarence Thomas to recuse himself from any Section 230 case involving Amazon, would be very difficult if not nearly impossible to prove. And to be very clear, the author is not accusing Amazon of any wrongdoing, nor does he have any evidence to support such an accusation.

Indeed, any such Thomas recusal would more than likely turn out to be a purely unforeseen, unintended consequence from what was nothing more than intended to be an ideological cancellation of a conservative viewpoint, or a way to score political points with the president.

But at a time when Big Tech is wielding tremendous political power, and some are even accusing it of having sought to influence, if not to interfere with, a presidential election, its not beyond the realm of circumstantial speculation, to also perceive that it might also seek to influence which judges and justices hear its cases. Of course, many, maybe even Amazon, will likely dismiss this all as just yet another right-wing conspiracy theory. Amazon, of course, could easily dispel all speculation by simply providing public explanation as to why it took down the Thomas documentary.

Regardless, a Thomas recusal, based on his own words, would only seem to be increase Amazons chances of preserving its product liability protections under Section 230.

Image: Official portrait, public domain, via Wikipedia.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
COLUMBIA, Md., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Foundation Fighting Blindness , the world's leading organization committed to finding treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases, announces that it has appointed Claire M. Gelfman, Ph.D. as chief scientific officer. In her new role, Dr. Gelfman will be responsible for leading the overarching scientific strategy for the organization with a focus on research initiatives designed to accelerate new treatments and cures for inherited retinal diseases.

Additionally, Dr. Gelfman will oversee the Foundation's non-clinical research portfolio, including early translational and pre-clinical research programs. She will also serve as the primary scientific contact with the Foundation's Scientific Advisory Board, the Research Oversight Committee, academic institutions, and government science agencies.

Dr. Gelfman received her undergraduate degree in biology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and a Ph.D. in biochemistry at the University of Texas at Austin. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California at Davis, she held various research and development positions in academia and industry at the cross-section of ophthalmology and molecular genetics. Dr. Gelfman brings over 20 years of experience in drug discovery and development, and gene therapy approaches in both biotechnology companies and contract research organizations. Prior to joining the Foundation, she served as vice president, pharmaceutical development at Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc. in California. Among her many qualifications, Dr. Gelfman's extensive experience evaluating novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of human retinal diseases will be of significant benefit to the Foundation.

"I am excited to bring my extensive industry experience in ophthalmology research and development to the non-profit sector," said Dr. Gelfman, newly appointed chief scientific officer. "It is an honor to join the Foundation Fighting Blindness community, and I look forward to furthering its urgent mission to fund innovative research and develop novel treatments for patients affected by blinding retinal diseases."

Before Adverum Biotechnologies, Dr. Gelfman served as senior director, scientific services/preclinical and translational science at Ora Inc. and principal scientist, department of ophthalmology at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

"It is with great excitement that we welcome Dr. Gelfman as the newest member of our Fighting Blindness team. Her proven ability to successfully manage cross-functional teams of scientists and business professionals will be among the many assets she brings to the organization," said chief executive officer, Ben Yerxa, Ph.D. "Among her many standout qualities are Dr. Gelfman's impressive educational background, longstanding tenure in the field of ophthalmology, and thorough understanding of preclinical development efforts. We are fortunate to have her on board to lead some of the most significant initiatives the Foundation Fighting Blindness is spearheading."

About the Foundation Fighting Blindness

Established in 1971, the Foundation Fighting Blindness is the world's leading private funding source for retinal degenerative disease research. The Foundation has raised more than $816 million toward its mission of accelerating research for preventing, treating, and curing blindness caused by the entire spectrum of blinding retinal diseases including: retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, and Usher syndrome. Visit FightingBlindness.org for more information.

Media Contact:

Chris Adams

Vice President, Marketing & Communications

[email protected]

410-423-0585

SOURCE Foundation Fighting Blindness

Related Links

http://www.FightBlindness.org


TORONTO, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the latest survey from The Business Monitor, released by Modus Research, Canadian executives were asked which measures their organization has taken to help it persevere through the pandemic, and to rate the importance of each for their organizations survival.



The top three measures taken by organizations were participation in government initiatives (such as CEBA, wage subsidies, rent and tax deferrals), followed by cost cutting measures and, finally, investing in information and communications technology. Relatively few businesses responded by building/expanding online sales or moving into new lines of business.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3c0bfb17-c125-4595-944d-9f6060ce7956

Organizations that adopted these measures were then asked how important they were to their survival. Approximately half of those businesses who participated in government initiatives, cut costs or invested in technology regarded those measures as very important to their survival. Likewise, fully 50% of those building or expanding online sales regarded it as very important to survival (although fewer than a quarter of businesses adopted that measure).

For full details, please visit our website: https://modusresearch.com/pandemic_survival/

Firms that are struggling to survive are significantly more likely to participate in government support and cost cutting than more stable firms. These relatively precarious firms also rate importance of cost cutting and government support much higher than secure companies. Interestingly, they are much more critical of government support during the pandemic and especially provincial and local governments.

This survey was carried out among a representative sample of over 900 Canadian managers and executives in March 2021 using both online and mobile/text interfaces. The sample is scientific and representative of all Canadian businesses.

About The Business Monitor

The Business Monitor is Canadas B2B omnibus service. Results from The Monitor are based on scientific samples of Canadian business leaders from the Modus Business Panel  the gold standard for B2B research in Canada.

About Modus Research

Established in 2012, Modus Research is a full-service research agency that provides clients with actionable feedback from Canadian enterprises based on scientifically representative samples. We are Canadas B2B research experts.




Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams knows he has a reputation for making surprising comments, like a few weeks ago when he said Andrew Yang had never held a job in his entire life. But if you ask him, hell tell you that hes not controversial, hes bold  and thats what New Yorkers like about him.

Eric Adams resonates with New York. New Yorkers, we have an edge, Adams told City & State.

Adams has worked on behalf of New York City for most of his career, first as a police officer for more than two decades, then as a state senator and currently as Brooklyn borough president. Now the Brooklyn native is hoping to become a different kind of mayor. I am going to be the first blue-collar mayor, he told City & State in November.

Identifying as a pragmatic progressive, Adams is running to the right of many candidates in the race who are trying to appeal to the citys growing progressive faction.

Adams was a registered Republican during the late 1990s before switching to become a Democrat ahead of his run for state Senate in 2006 and overwhelming victory in the general election. From 2007 through 2013, he represented District 20, which included Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Park Slope, Prospect Heights and Sunset Park.

Regardless of how his actions and ideas differ from progressives in the mayoral race, Adams has been in second place in most of the polls to date.

I do think there is an effort congealing to not only push back on (Andrew) Yang but to push back on Eric Adams as well, Jonathan Westin, director of New York Communities for Change, which has been supporting New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer for mayor, told The New York Times. Both of them are not really aligned with the progressive movement.

Donor dilemma

Adams was first elected Brooklyn borough president in 2013 and he has used the post to tackle a wide range of issues, from health to housing. Adams has pushed for the expansion of Citi Bikes in low-income areas of Brooklyn, awarded more than $165 million to Brooklyn schools, hosted financial literacy workshops for residents and taken steps to make Borough Hall greener as well as advocated for greater storm resiliency efforts.

He has been criticized for his close ties to the citys real estate industry, from which he has received a considerable amount of campaign funds. Between 2015 and 2019, it is estimated that Adams has received $322,750 in donations that were given to either his One Brooklyn Fund or to his campaign from lobbyists or developers, according to a report from The City.

Accepting real estate money has become frowned upon in the past couple years by progressives. Left-leaning political candidates are now expected to reject such donations. At this point real estate money is toxic, Cea Weaver, campaign coordinator for Housing Justice for All, told Gotham Gazette in 2020. Its a testament to the tenant movement that real estate money has become basically a litmus test that you cant run in New York as a progressive if you take it, no ones going to take you seriously.

Adams has also taken some heat for accepting free trips (worth thousands of dollars) to nations that have a history of human rights violations, such as Azerbaijan, Turkey and China. Adams said in taking those trips he was agreeing to requests from his constituents to visit their home countries.

Another part of his record that upsets progressives is his support for new developments in Brooklyn that have contributed to gentrification and the displacement of residents.

Between 2016 and 2017, developer Two Trees Management needed the citys approval to install artificial turf at the former Domino Sugar site, right next to its new condo development that was just about to open. At the time a foundation connected to the Walentas family, which owns Two Trees, gave at least $25,000 to the One Brooklyn Fund and David Lombino, the managing director of Two Trees, sat on the funds board. The park opened in the summer of 2018, and included the artificial turf portion.

In March 2020, Adams said he supported the plan to rezone Industry City, which wouldve added more than 1 million square feet of new development to the sprawling site. However, that summer, New York City Council Member Carlos Menchaca came out against the plan and it all went downhill from there. Adams changed his position after the neighborhood made its opposition to the plan known. The sites owners scrapped the idea in September.

Aside from land use, Adams has received countless complaints for violating the citys permit parking laws, including printing out parking placards for his staff so they dont get tickets for parking in illegal spaces. Much of the criticism has stemmed from the fact that he has said hes the boroughs break-the-car-culture elected official, and thus has been seen as a hypocrite on this issue by safe streets advocates.

Adams NYPD influences

Much of Adams political career has been heavily influenced by his 22-year career in law enforcement. As a teenager in Brooklyn, Adams ended up on the receiving end of a beating from a couple of NYPD officers. The experience left a lasting impression on him and became his impetus to join the force, where he hoped to change the system from the inside. Adams joined the NYPD in 1984 and ascended to the rank of captain. While serving on the force, Adams became an outspoken advocate for police reforms, shocked by the departments treatment of people of color both on and off the force. In 1989, he became chair of the Grand Council of Guardians, an organization for black officers. In 1995, he co-founded 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, a group of a similar ilk. Both groups were very vocal about the NYPDs shortcomings when it came to protecting Black officers and civilians.

The borough president faced a lot of scrutiny from his fellow officers, as he spoke out against the injustices he was seeing while on the force  and has recently said he has suspicions that one of his fellow officers may have shot at him during the height of his involvement with these groups. When I look back, Im amazed I was able to get out of the department alive, Adams told The City.

Adams has also said he was the subject of internal investigations on four different occasions but never received a civilian complaint. In 2006, Adams retired from the department.

His tenure with the police department, along with his personal experiences, has provided Adams with some unique insights into how the department is run that other mayoral candidates do not have. While Adams has always been outspoken when it comes to police brutality, he has taken issue with the rise of the Defund the Police movement that gained a lot of attention and momentum following the death of George Floyd. Like many other Black politicians in the city, Adams fears that defunding the police could lead to a rise in crime, especially in neighborhoods prone to violent crime. Adams told The New York Times in February that he does not support taking resources away from crime fighting  especially in communities of color where shootings and other predatory crimes are on the rise.

Public safety and justice, they go together, Adams said at a virtual mayoral forum in November. And we dont have to have one without the other. And I believe there are some quick things we can do to reallocate funding in the policing to become more proactive and not reactive.

Mark Ungar, a political science professor at Brooklyn College, told City & State that Adams background as an African American officer makes him an interesting mayoral candidate at this particular time of national dialogue (regarding police reform) in which these real proposals are actually getting traction.

Ungar added: Hes mentioned he wanted to transform the anti-crime unit into an anti-gun unit. That to me sort of exemplifies a good concrete, feasible and productive change.  As we all know, unfortunately, gun trafficking and the use of firearms and possession especially, is a real problem, so that to me is striking a balance that I think would serve him well as mayor.

However, many of Adams own views on guns and gun ownership are still strikingly conservative.

In 2020, Adams said if elected mayor, he would carry a gun on him, rather than make use of the NYPD security detail typically provided for the mayor. Adams said that humorous comment was taken too seriously at the time. And after the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh that killed 11 people, Adams suggested that off-duty and retired police officers attend their houses of worship with firearms in tow, which seemed reminiscent of the National Rifle Associations approach to gun violence. New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson responded at the time by saying thats not how we heal and move forward.

This article is part of our For The Record series, examining the leading mayoral contenders professional records. You can read the rest of the series here.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the amount of money Eric Adams has awarded to Brooklyn schools over his tenure as borough president.
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Nigerian stocks halted a seven-session streak of gains Tuesday, almost entirely relinquishing the grounds gained at the previous trading session as negative sentiments towards bank stocks weighed the benchmark index down by 0.03 per cent.

The banking index contracted by 0.60 per cent, the only decliner of the five sectorial indices tracked by the Nigerian Exchange Limited, with big banks like GTB, Access and Zenith contributing the most to the decline.

A positive market breadth was reported as there were 23 gainers against 16 losers at the end of trade.

The all-share index slid 13.04 points, closing at 39,305.48, while market capitalisation closed lower at N20.570 trillion.

Year to date, the index is down by 2.4 per cent.

TOP FIVE GAINERS

Prestige led gainers, appreciating by 9.52 per cent to close at N0.46. Wema went up by 8.77 per cent to N0.62. Royal Exchange rose to N0.42, notching up 7.69 per cent in the process. Champion added 7.46 per cent to end todays trade at N2.16. Regal Insurance completed the top 5, climbing by 7.41 per cent to N0.29.

TOP FIVE LOSERS

Consolidated Hallmark led losers, declining by 9.09 per cent to close at N0.30. UPL shed 8.59 per cent to close at N1.17. Chams fell to N0.21, losing 4.55 per cent. Honeywell slumped to N1.29, recording 4.44 per cent depreciation. Sterling Bank closed at N1.53, going down by 4.38 per cent.

TOP FIVE TRADES

A total of 252.571 million shares estimated at N1.773 billion were in 3,474 deals.

ALSO READ: Nigerian stocks tick higher by N89 billion on renewed interest in consumer goods shares

Access was the most active stock, with 57.179 million units worth N410.10 million traded in 180 deals. Transcorp shares of 30.818 million units priced at N27.525 million exchanged hands in 177 transactions. Fidelity had 29.432 million shares valued at N66.795 million traded in 233 deals. GTB traded 15.891 million shares estimated at N496.428 million in 241 transactions. Zenith traded 14.778 million shares valued at N327.988 million in 362 deals.
Amid a sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Maharashtra, the state on Monday vaccinated 5.34 lakh people in a single day, informed the state health department.

5.34 lakh people were vaccinated in 4913 vaccination sessions and a total of 1,49,21,411 vaccine doses have been administered till yesterday, it said.

According to the Union Health Ministry, was among the ten states that reported 74.5 per cent of the new cases in the country and among the twelve states that displayed an upward trajectory in daily new cases, on Monday. It further stated that it was among the eight states that cumulatively accounted for 69.67 per cent of India's total active cases yesterday.

on Monday reported the highest daily new cases at 66,191, informed the ministry.

As per the ministry, was among the ten states that accounted for 79.66 per cent of the new deaths in the country. The state on Monday saw the maximum casualties at 832.

Maharashtra was also among the ten states, which accounted for 78.98 per cent of the new recoveries in the country on Monday.

As per the ministry, the state registered 61,450 recoveries yesterday.

Amidst the devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, India reported 3.23 lakh fresh cases and over 2,700 related deaths in the last 24 hours.

A total of 3,23,144 new COVID-19 cases, 2771 related deaths and 2,51,827 recoveries were reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total active cases to 28,82,204, as per the health ministry update on Tuesday morning.

The total count of positive cases now stands at 1,76,36,307, including 1,97,894 deaths and 1,45,56,209 recoveries.

As many as 28,09,79,877 samples have been tested for COVID-19 up to April 26, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) informed. Of these 16,58,700 samples were tested on Monday.

The total doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered stand at 14,52,71,186.

(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.)
Inc said on Tuesday it had partnered with five Indian generic drugmakers, including Cipla Ltd and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, to expand production and access to its experimental COVID-19 drug.

The partnership will give the companies license to supply Merck's molnupiravir to India and more than 100 low- and middle-income countries following approvals or emergency authorization by local regulatory agencies, Merck said.

Merck said the move is to help address the raging new wave of COVID-19 in India, which has reported more than 300,000 new COVID-19 cases per day over the past six days.

Drugmaker Gilead Sciences Inc on Monday said it will give India at least 450,000 vials of its antiviral drug, remdesivir, and help boost production in the country.

Merck's non-exclusive production pacts for molnupiravir are with companies including Dr.Reddy's Laboratories Ltd and privately held companies Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Hetero Labs Ltd.

Molnupiravir is an antiviral therapy Merck is developing with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics for the treatment of non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Merck has decided to focus on its drugs for COVID-19 after two vaccines failed to generate desired immune responses, prompting it to abandon the program in January.

(Reporting by Manojna Maddipatla in Bengaluru; Editing by Ramakrishnan M. And Shinjini Ganguli)
With Delhi facing a crippling shortage of life-saving oxygen, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said his government will import 18 cryogenic tankers from Thailand and 21 ready-to-use oxygen plants from France.

He said the scrambling for oxygen witnessed last week has been addressed and the situation has improved significantly in the past two days.

In the next month, the Delhi government will set up 44 oxygen plants at various hospitals, including 21 that will be imported from France. The Centre will install eight oxygen plants by April 30, Mr Kejriwal said during an online briefing.

He said the Centre has provided five oxygen tankers to Delhi.

The Delhi government has urged the Centre to provide Indian Air Force aircraft for bringing the oxygen tankers from Bangkok. The tankers will start arriving in Delhi from Wednesday, he added.

Arvind Kejriwal, who had sought the help of Chief Ministers of other states and the country's top industrialists to resolve the oxygen crisis in the national capital, said "tremendous" cooperation has been received, with many of them urging not to be named for their contribution.

Also read: SC allows Vedanta's Tuticorin plant to operate amid 'national need' for oxygen
Moncks Corner, SC (29461)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by a few showers overnight. Low 71F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by a few showers overnight. Low 71F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
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April 27th sees the hundredth anniversary of the birth of the great Christian leader John Stott, a man who helped and encouraged so many people across the world, including me.

John Stott was born in 1921 in London. He was naturally gifted, possessing a brilliant mind, an amazing memory and an extraordinary self-discipline. John was brought to a living faith in Christ at public school through the preaching of Eric Nash, and applied himself to his new faith with great commitment. At Cambridge, where he studied modern languages, John became deeply involved with the Christian Union.

He trained as an Anglican minister before becoming a curate at All Souls Langham Place, London, the church he had attended as a child. Throughout his ministry, John remained based at All Souls; he spent thirty years there as curate and rector and then for over thirty years was based there as a writer, preacher and leader. Johns passion for evangelism transformed All Souls and it became a focus for evangelical ministry in London and beyond. One notable emphasis of Johns preaching from the start was the way that he didnt simply preach the historic Gospel but also the need for Christians to apply it in their daily lives.

John had many talents and his ministry and influence soon spread beyond central London. Always having a strong interest in student evangelism, John preached at university missions across the world for a quarter of a century. He wrote extensively, producing Bible commentaries, practical guides to Christian living and also important texts on how Christians should relate to the world. He wrote over fifty books and many articles, all distinguished by his scholarship, precise language, a solid biblical basis and a contemporary application. His books were translated into many languages, the profits from which were used to support theological education across the world. Three books in particular have proven to be of enormous impact: Basic Christianity, which has led many to faith, The Cross of Christ on the atonement  one of my favorites  and Issues Facing Christians Today, which encourages Christians to engage effectively with the world they live in.

With time, John became a national and international Christian statesman with a powerful if gracious influence. In his own Anglican church, he played a major role in turning evangelicalism from being a minority belief to a mainstream element. Internationally, he planned meetings and chaired committees including those for the important Lausanne Covenant (1974). Either by quiet counsel or open support, John was involved with an extraordinary range of evangelical initiatives such as the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, the conservation organization A Rocha, Tearfund, the Evangelical Literature Trust and many others.

Johns ministry was truly global: he visited over a hundred countries speaking, preaching and encouraging and, where possible, taking the opportunity for one of his pleasures  birdwatching. He continued with his international ministry well into his eighties until, with his health fading, he retired from ministry. He died in 2011 at the age of ninety.

John was able to do so much and was helped by his own astonishing self-discipline, by Frances Whitehead (his formidable and protective secretary) and by his purchase of a rundown cliff-edge cottage in Wales  The Hookses  where he could retreat, pray and write in peace. He also saw his singleness as something that freed him to serve the church more fully.

I was privileged to meet with Uncle John on many occasions. I was particularly encouraged when, still finding my feet as an evangelist, he invited me to tea, supported what I was doing and encouraged me to deepen my knowledge of God through Bible reading and prayer. One cherished memory is how, whenever I met him, he would give me a characteristic hug, gaze at me with his blue eyes and ask, "Brother John, are you still preaching the Gospel?" to which he would inevitably add, "This is the one thing you must do!"

One of the fascinating and challenging things about John was the way that he balanced things that could have easily been opposites.

So although John was extraordinarily self-disciplined, he was also gentle. He would rise early  5 or 6 a.m.  and devote himself to prayer and Bible reading. He seemed to live life with a remarkable efficiency and never seemed to waste time. Yet there was never any sense of him being any sort of driven individual whose projects demand priority; with John you always felt that people came first.

Equally, although John was an authority, he was also humble. He was one of the very few Christian leaders to be known and respected globally; Time magazine labeled him as one of its "100 Most Influential People" in 2005. Yet you never felt any sense of superiority or self-importance with John. He listened graciously to other views and always seemed to have time for people. He lived humbly, too. Its fascinating that the only property he ever owned was that tiny cottage in Pembrokeshire. With John, the idea of being a servant of others was no cliche but the truth.

Finally, although John was a deeply spiritual man, he was also utterly relevant. He was a man who let prayer and Bible reading shape everything he said, did and was. Yet there was no sense of him being any sort of religious mystic, too holy to deal with the mess of the world. With John there was always this desire to be involved. He was a man who wanted to change the world for God.

John Stott was a remarkable man. Like many people, I look around at the Christian world today and wish that we had his wisdom and authority to guide us. But as I think that, I can hear Johns voice in gentle rebuke, reminding me that the hope of Christs church lies not in its leaders, but in Christ himself.
(Newser)  A strange thing happened on the Internet the day President Biden was sworn in. A shadowy company residing at a shared workspace above a Florida bank announced to the worlds computer networks that it was now managing a colossal, previously idle, chunk of the Internet owned by the US Department of Defense. That real estate has since more than quadrupled to 175 million addressesabout 1/25th of the current Internet, the AP reports. "That is the biggest thing in the history of the Internet," said Doug Madory, director of Internet analysis at Kentik, a network operating company. It's also more than twice the size of the Internet space actually used by the Pentagon. After weeks of wonder by the networking community, the Pentagon has provided a terse explanation. But it has not answered many basic questions, beginning with why it chose to entrust management of the address space to a company that seems not to have existed until September.

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The military hopes to "assess, evaluate, and prevent unauthorized use of DoD IP address space," said a statement from the Pentagon's Defense Digital Service, which is running the project. It also hopes to "identify potential vulnerabilities" to defend against cyber-intrusions by global adversaries, who are consistently infiltrating US networks, sometimes operating from unused Internet address blocks. The Pentagon periodically contends with unauthorized squatting, in part because there has been a shortage of first-generation Iinternet addresses since 2011. Madory said advertising the address space will make it easier to chase off squatters and allow the US to "collect a massive amount of background internet traffic for threat intelligence." What a spokesman could not explain Saturday is why the Pentagon chose Global Resource Systems, which has no record of government contracts, to manage the address space. It has no web presence, and a receptionist drew a blank when a reporter asked for a company representative at its workspace.

(Read more Internet stories.)
Chugging through Bay Denesse, Ryan Lambert's boat struggles forward, kicking up the silt and clay sitting just a few feet below the water's surface. The smell of wet earth permeates the air, wafting up from the brown, muddy water and verdant freshwater marsh.

Some patches of grass are obviously new, their green tips emerging from the water. "There wasn't a speck of anything except water three years ago," Lambert said, gesturing from behind the wheel as his engine sputtered.

Natural crevasses carved by the Mississippi River in the flood of 1973  as well as man-made cuts added in 2006  now carry heavy sediment to the marshes near historic Fort St. Philip along Plaquemines Parish's east bank. That massive flood significantly altered the landscape, scouring out marsh that was already rapidly degrading with the rest of Louisiana's coast due to subsidence, erosion, oil and gas exploration and hurricanes.

For the first 25 years, a federal study found, the crevasses compounded the other factors, and land loss accelerated as a result. But a 2019 analysis conducted by the state showed that the area gained more than 1,000 acres of land, or about 1.5 square miles, from 2008 to 2017.

On the opposite bank, the marshes of Barataria Bay have continued to degrade, converting to open water. Since 1932, the Barataria Basin has lost more than 430 square miles of land.

Now, proponents of the $2 billion Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion planned near Ironton point to the Fort St. Philip crevasses as another example of the Mississippi River's land-building power.

"When you come out here, you know that the resource can become infinite," said Chris Macaluso, a Baton Rouge-based recreational fishing advocate with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. "The river's got infinite possibilities to come out here and build habitat and establish new lands."

Scientists hope the diversion will rebuild and nourish 27 square miles over 24 years by channeling up to 75,000 cubic feet per second of sediment-rich river water across two miles into Barataria Bay during the spring floods. Unlike its dredge-and-pump marsh creation projects, Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority officials say that the diversion is the only project able to keep up with sea-level rise.

Opponents argue the diversion's harm to Plaquemines Parish's seafood industry will cripple their livelihoods. The fresh water would likely render large swaths of oyster reefs lifeless and reduce the spring brown shrimp season. The land created wouldn't outweigh the economic and cultural loss, they say. But Lambert and Macaluso view claims of fishery destruction as overblown.

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Lambert built his Buras business, Cajun Fishing Adventures, from the ground up. As a child and into adulthood, he fished all over Barataria Bay, learning all of the great spots within the marshes.

"It makes me sick to look over there now," said the 64-year-old diversion advocate.

Now, he's switched his business to focus on east bank spots around Fort St. Philip, where he takes clients to catch beloved redfish and speckled trout in the still-growing freshwater marsh, species that some recreational fishers fear will flee Barataria should the diversion come online and freshen the bay. Lambert has even secured grants to add terracing to encourage more land-building near the St. Philip crevasses. Terracing helps slow the water rushing through channels, allowing the sediment to drop out and pile up.

While the influx of river water may make fishing more seasonal, it will create a more diverse fishery, says Macaluso.

"The fresh water may change how you fish this area, may change the makeup of the fishery at times, but we're talking about opportunity," he said, while looking out at the open water from Buras Boat Harbor. On this side, there's little to slow waves stirred up by the wind. "Every time you lose more land, you lose more opportunity to have a place to fish."

That diversity goes beyond fishing, touching a large swath of species depending on Louisiana's wetlands for habitat. Over 180 bird species call the marshes around Fort St. Philip home, at least for part of the year. The shimmering blue backs of tree swallows and rusty red bellies of barn swallows flash through the air throughout the marsh as they swoop in search of insects to fuel their migration north.

Without the state's southern third, that massive annual migration of millions of birds would be destabilized, said Erik Johnson, a National Audubon Society scientist.

"Many are species you've never heard of but many are species of conservation concern," he said, "and this is the habitat they depend on."

In the past few weeks, the Plaquemines Parish Council and St. Bernard Parish Council unanimously passed resolutions opposing the state project, joined by Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. The public comment period was extended and will run through June 3.
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If theres a mother of all rabbit holes, it is surely in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Thats where a firm with no experience in elections, run by a conspiracy theorist, has been hired by the state Senate to audit more than two million 2020 election ballots to find the fraud that Donald Trump insists cost him the race against President Joe Biden. No matter how much the facts fail to back him up. No matter how incendiary this big lie has proven to be.

It is as if we are in a whole new genre called unreality TV, in a show Mr. Trump has dreamed up called The Sorest Loser. The premise: A failed presidential candidate conjures an alternate reality in which he really won the election even though the results, certified by states and affirmed by the Electoral College and Congress, prove otherwise. And millions of his fans in the Republican party, including an unhealthy number of U.S. senators and representatives and state lawmakers, go along with it.

They buy into this fiction even though Mr. Trump had every opportunity to prove his case in courts of law, yet failed in over 60 legal actions to persuade even judges hed appointed that something was amiss.

Enter Republicans in the Arizona state Senate, who profess to be deeply concerned that so many people believe their party leaders lie so strongly that its their job now to restore their faith by further indulging the fiction. So even though Mr. Trump and his followers have so far refused to accept reality, Arizonas Senate will give it one more try by bringing in an outside firm to audit the vote in Maricopa County, which not coincidentally contains the states largest city, Phoenix, and which Mr. Biden won by more than 45,100 votes  a margin so large that the likelihood of it being legitimately turned into a win for Mr. Trump is nil.

That outside firm, Cyber Ninjas of Florida, got off to a dubious start last week, initially letting television crews wander about as machines and ballots were arriving, then refusing to allow the press or the public to observe the so-called audit. Workers came with banned blue pens that could alter ballots. The firm, which has never handled an election, has refused to release its procedures, training manuals, and methods for ensuring ballot and voter secrecy, and has asked a court not only to block such transparency but to close a hearing on the matter to the public. Youll remember, of course, the furor Mr. Trump and his supporters in right-wing media staged over supposedly secret ballot counts around the country.

But were to trust Cyber Ninjas, whose leader, Doug Logan, has shared unfounded conspiracy theories claiming the official 2020 presidential election results are illegitimate. Hardly a neutral party, or a credible one.

Bear in mind Maricopa Countys results have been scrutinized before. Two auditing firms hired by the county found no malicious software, no faulty equipment, no vulnerable connections to the internet. Limited ballot recounts, by hand, found no issues. Several lawsuits filed on Mr. Trumps behalf were deemed meritless and tossed out by courts.

It doesnt matter how many times Mr. Trump says it or how convinced of his fiction this well-practiced self-promoter sounds: It is not true. It is an even bigger lie than the one he so vigorously espoused for years that former President Barack Obama wasnt born in this country  a lie he kept claiming he was on the verge of proving, only to reveal nothing. And when he finally conceded it wasnt true, there was no apology for having conned, scammed, deceived and made fools of believers for years.

Whether its to keep the spotlight on himself, keep political contributions coming in, assuage his wounded ego, or something far worse  like inciting another insurrection after the coup he and hundreds of rabid fans, right-wing militias, and members of Congress failed to pull off Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol  only Mr. Trump knows for sure.

Whatever his agenda, its a dangerous one. Mr. Trump has lately been issuing press releases calling for the patriots doing the recount to be protected from violence. Hes been attacking Arizona Governor Doug Ducey  a fellow Republican, no less  for not providing what he feels is adequate security, and hinting at some nefarious plans in the works by Radical Left Democrats.

After months of such rhetoric about a stolen election exploded in an insurrection by Mr. Trumps mob at the Capitol, it is not hard to expect that self-appointed armed militias will see this as a call by him to show up in Phoenix.

The question isnt what elusive fraud will be found. The question is how far down Mr. Trumps rabbit hole his fellow Republicans  especially leaders like New York GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy and Rep. Elise Stefanik of Schuylerville  are willing to go with him. And whether they would drag a nation trying to heal from the past four years down with them.
President Bidens recent announcement that hed keep his predecessors historically low cap on refugees admitted to the United States was more than an unforced error. It was a betrayal of his promise to restore Americas role in welcoming vulnerable people fleeing from dangerous conditions, all seemingly for no better reason than political expediency.

Yes, he changed his mind swiftly after progressives howled, and that speaks well to his capacity to course-correct when necessary. But he should have known better  and given his role in the Obama administrations efforts to stem immigration from Central America, he almost certainly did know better.

For a refugee to be admitted to the United States, he or she must have applied for that status after being forced to leave his or her homeland  but before they travel here. They are vetted overseas by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and if approved, they are given one of the slots allocated each year by federal law. The State Department arranges their travel to the United States, where they are provided short-term assistance and, usually, introduced to non-profit charities who help them get settled.

During the Obama administration, as the Syrian civil war sent hundreds of thousands of refugees toward Europe and elsewhere, the U.S. raised the caps to over 100,000 refugees to help ease the burden on our allies, who were taking in many times the number of refugees than we do. President Trump reversed that policy sharply, bringing the cap down to just 15,000 in his final year.

Biden wisely pledged during his 2020 campaign to raise it again. But once he was president, he hesitated. That he had to be convinced to do the right thing speaks to a lapse of judgment  one with consequences. His foot-dragging before eventually announcing a new cap of 62,500 has left hundreds of thoroughly vetted refugees in limbo.

What gave Biden cold feet? One reason the White House has offered up is that since the caps were so low under Trump, the nonprofits that usually do so much to help welcome refugees needed more time to ramp back up. That rings hollow, however, since those agencies, especially in big cities such as Houston, which ordinarily takes more refugees than just about anywhere in America, were already expecting the caps to be lifted and didnt need more time.

Biden knows the resources currently straining under pressure from record numbers of unaccompanied minors arriving at the southern border are only marginally involved in helping welcome refugees into the country. Yes, the Office of Refugee Resettlement helps both asylum-seekers and refugees, as well as unaccompanied minors, establish a foothold here. But for refugees, the much larger share of their assistance comes from a network of nonprofits, churches and volunteer organizations that work with new arrivals to find jobs, arrange schooling, learn English and other needs.

Its likely the administration blinked under pressure from the right, fearing that Republicans will continue to use immigration as a weapon against the president. GOP officials, including our own U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Greg Abbott, have shown no shame in using what is a humanitarian crisis of thousands of unaccompanied children arriving here to stoke fear of an out-of-control border.

The Biden administration has created a crisis at our southern border through open-border policies that give the green light to dangerous cartels and other criminal activity, Abbott said shortly after launching yet another state border security initiative in March.

Thats not true. Bidens policies dont champion an open border, and they havent given a green light to cartels. But because he has stopped clearly inhumane treatment of new arrivals, tens of thousands of unaccompanied children from Central America have decided to risk coming to the United States through Mexico in hopes of being welcomed here. As weve written before, he didnt create this situation  but it is on his him to resolve it.

To do that, Biden has increased assistance for the arriving children  steps required by our laws, but side-stepped under Trump  and strictly enforced restrictions on which adults are admitted at the border. Of the 168,195 times border authorities stopped illegal crossings in March, more than 100,000 resulted in immediate deportations into Mexico under a pandemic-related emergency order issued by Trump.

Despite these efforts, the attacks by Abbott and others seem to be working. A poll in early April by The Associated Press found only 42 percent of Americans approve of how the president is handling immigration. Thats almost a 20-point difference from his overall approval rate of 61 percent in the same poll.

Perhaps thats why Biden initially was so hesitant to keep his promise about refugees. He did the right thing by changing his mind. But were hoping when next he faces a similarly tough call, hell get it right the first time.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Vancouver, BC. David H. Brett, President & CEO, EnGold Mines Ltd., (TSXV: EGM) ("EnGold" or the "Company") reports that the Company has closed a previously announced non-brokered financing of 12,000,000 flow-through units at a price of $0.05 per unit for proceeds of $600,000. The units consist of one flow-through common share and one half of one warrant, whereby each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one non-flow-through common share at a price of $0.075 per share for a period of two years. The proceeds will be used to explore the Company's 100% owned Lac La Hache Copper-Gold Project in the Cariboo region of BC.

"EnGold is looking forward to restarting exploration activities at Lac La Hache, with drilling expected to resume the first half of June," said EnGold President & CEO David Brett. "With copper prices surging, our team is anxious to resume work."

"I'm excited to be reopening the Lac La Hache exploration office in mid-May," said EnGold VP of Exploration Rob Shives. "We'll be sharing more details of our upcoming exploration activities in the coming weeks."

Two insiders of the Company participated in the financing for aggregate subscriptions of 8,000,000 units. Participation of insiders of the Company in the financing constitutes a related party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on the exemption from the formal valuation requirements of Section 5.4 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 and the exemption from the minority approval requirements of Section 5.6 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101.

All securities issued under the financing are subject to a four month and one day hold period from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws.

About EnGold

EnGold is a Vancouver-based copper, gold, silver, magnetite exploration company focused solely on its 100% owned Lac La Hache property in the Cariboo region of BC which hosts the Spout Copper Deposit, the Aurizon Gold Deposit and the G1 Copper Deposit and other targets within a large porphyry mineralizing system. With world class infrastructure at its doorstep, Lac La Hache is a great location to be exploring.

Rob Shives P.Geo., VP Exploration and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this release.

EnGold Mines Ltd.

David Brett

President & CEO

For further info contact David Brett, 604-682-2421 or david@engold.ca

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the expected use of proceeds of the financing. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which EnGold will operate in the future. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performances or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, amongst others, the global economic climate, dilution, share price volatility and competition. Although EnGold has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause 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. EnGold does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81830
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WASHINGTON  The State Department on Tuesday ordered a significant number of its remaining staff at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to leave Afghanistan as the military steps up the pullout of American troops from the country.

The order came as the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan told lawmakers that it no longer made sense to continue the 20-year deployment of American troops there. At the same time, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said he shared lawmakers concerns that the rights of women and minorities could be jeopardized after the withdrawal is complete.

We should all remain concerned that those rights could suffer, Khalilzad told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Asked if the U.S. would retain any leverage to protect those rights once its troops are gone, Khalilzad was circumspect. He said aid and other types of diplomatic support would be not available if they did not respect the human rights of Afghan women or others.

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Shortly before he spoke, the State Department said it had instructed all personnel to depart unless their jobs require them to be physically located in Afghanistan. The order was not specific as to the number of people affected, but it went well beyond the usual curtailment of staffers for security and safety reasons. Such orders normally apply only to non-essential personnel.

In an updated travel advisory for Afghanistan, the department said it had ordered the departure of all U.S. government employees whose functions can be performed elsewhere. It also said American citizens should not travel to Afghanistan and those there who want to depart should leave as soon as possible on available commercial flights.

The embassy in Kabul is heavily dependent on the U.S. military for security, and staff drawdowns had been been underway since the Trump administration had announced last year that American troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan by May 1.

The Biden administration extended that deadline until Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks, but has accelerated the pullout.

The top U.S. diplomat in Kabul said the departure order was issued due to increasing violence and threat reports, would affect only a relatively small number of employees, and there would be no reduction in services offered. Charge daffaires Ross Wilson said it ensures that American diplomacy and support for Afghanistan will be sustainable, robust, and effective.

Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, head of the U.S. Central Command, said Tuesday the administration remains committed to keeping a functioning embassy in Kabul. It is our intention to maintain an embassy in Afghanistan going forward. But well have a very, very minimal military presence there  that which is strictly necessary to defend the embassy, he said in remarks to the American Enterprise Institute.

The State Department order came just two days after Gen. Austin Miller, Americas top general in Afghanistan, said the U.S. military had begun closing down operations in the country and that Afghanistans security forces had to be ready to take over.

While the official start to the withdrawal of Washingtons 2,500 to 3,500 troops and NATOs 7,000 allied forces is May 1, Miller said the pullout had already begun.

In February last year, the U.S. military began closing its smaller bases. In mid-April, the Biden administration announced that the final phase of the withdrawal would begin May 1 and be completed before Sept. 11.

The pullout of American troops and their NATO coalition colleagues is proceeding even in the absence of a peace deal between the Afghan government and the Taliban, whose harboring of Osama bin Ladena al-Qaida network prompted the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11.

Negotiations between the Taliban and the government have been at a standstill for some time and talks wont resume until next month, raising fears that the withdrawal of foreign forces may lead to a resumption in all-out civil war.

In his testimony, Khalilzad echoed President Joe Biden and other administration officials in saying the U.S. would remain committed to Afghanistan and its development and human rights gains made since 2001 despite the withdrawal.

Khalilzad said he did not believe the withdrawal would precipitate an imminent collapse of the Afghan government or reversal of the progress the country has made.
Pulley exited his car and got into the unlocked Jeep Cherokee, according to the release, and began to drive it away. Prosecutors said the owner of the Jeep tried to stop Pulley by jumping onto the hood of the vehicle and yelling that his daughter was inside. The girl then opened the back passenger door and jumped out of the moving vehicle, officials said.
SPRINGFIELD  Illinois will lose a seat in Congress based on the results of the 2020 census, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Illinois will move from 18 to 17 seats in the U.S. House, an expected result after some advocates had warned that an undercount could lead to the loss of two seats. The state has lost at least one congressional representative in eight of the last nine decades after peaking at 27 seats in 1910 and remaining there until the 1940 census.

According to data released Monday, Illinois has a total population of just over 12.8 million people, a drop of 0.1 percent when compared to 2010. While the population loss was not as pronounced as some had anticipated, Pritzker said he was concerned about outmigration in the state which he said has been taking place for more than a decade.

Weve got to turn that around, Pritzker said. Thats something that unfortunately before I became governor was a bit set in clay, if not stone. And now, were working very hard to make sure were going the right direction.

Pritzker attributed the population loss primarily to college students who choose not to attend school in the state. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, blamed Democrats.

Its unfortunate, yet unsurprising, that Illinois lost population over the past decade, said Davis. Democrats continue to push corruption, tax hikes, and job-killing policies, which have only made our outmigration problems worse.

Davis said Gov. J.B. Pritzker has done nothing to stem the flow of families and made it worse by encouraging the tax-and-spend habits of Democrats in the General Assembly.

As state lawmakers determine the course for redistricting, I urge the Democrats to keep their word on supporting independent redistricting, particularly Gov. Pritzker, who pledged to veto any partisan-drawn map, Davis said. The politicians in charge should not be using the census to pick their own voters and protect their own power.

Six other states  California, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York  will also lose a seat. Illinois, Mississippi and West Virginia were the only three states to lose population over the past decade. Its the first time the Census Bureau logged a decade-over-decade population loss in Illinois.

Under the state constitution, General Assembly members are tasked with drawing new legislative boundaries following the decennial census. The new legislative boundaries are then sent to the governor for approval or veto.

Census Bureau officials said specific data used for redistricting would be provided by Sept. 30. The delay in official numbers could cause complications for Illinois redistricting process, which is currently underway.

Some Democratic state lawmakers want to use American Community Survey data in place of census data to create new legislative and congressional district maps by the end of June, as required by the constitution.

But state Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, said the ACS data provides a small snapshot of population data compared to the census and could risk leaving out populations.

Weve heard witness after witness testify at our redistricting hearings that ACS data does not fully represent minority communities, that it does not fully represent rural communities, Butler said.

As weve said all along throughout these hearings, ACS data is not what you need to use to draw the maps because its not going to give you the granular data and the correct data, he said.

Illinois Republicans want an independent, nonpartisan commission to draw new legislative boundaries, a proposal which has not been entertained by members of the states Democratic supermajorities in either chamber.

The most important data for the majority is going to be the political data and peoples home addresses that they include in there, and theyre going to draw the maps how they see fit probably, Butler said.

Sen. Omar Aquino, D-Chicago, who chairs the Senate Redistricting Committee, and Sen. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, who is the committees vice chair, released a joint statement saying they were reviewing the information released by the Census Bureau.

We will not abandon our duty to craft a map by June 30 as required by the Illinois Constitution, the two said in a released statement. As others seek to delay and distract, we are focused on gathering input from communities of interest across Illinois to create a fair map that reflects the diversity of our great state.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa yesterday honoured policeman Fadhel Abdulameer Salman for rescuing a young child.

The Community Police personnel at the Northern Governorate Police Directorate rescued the boy who went near Iftar canon during the firing on Sunday evening.

The Interior Minister hailed the swift response, courage and preparedness of the policeman in dealing professionally with emergencies.

He directed to further secure the Iftar canon area to protect the safety of people. He urged the citizens and resident to follow general safety procedures and protect their children by following instructions.
Prosecutors seek long prison terms for ex-policemen accused of planting drugs on Golunov

 Moskva city news agency, Kirill Zykov

16:13 27/04/2021

MOSCOW, April 27 (RAPSI)  Prosecution on Tuesday demanded prison terms ranging from 7 to 16 years for ex-police officers charged with planting drugs on journalist Ivan Golunov, a source familiary with the matter told RAPSI.

Prosecutors seek 16 years behind bars for the former drug control police department chief for Moscow's Western Administrative District Igor Lyakhovets, who had allegedly headed the arrest of Golunov, 12 years in custody for Maxim Umetbayev, Akbar Sergaliyev, Roman Feofanov each and 7 years for Denis Konovalov, who had confessed and given testimony against the others.

Golunov case

Golunov was arrested in Moscow on June 6, 2019. On June 8, the Nikulinsky District Court of Moscow placed him under house arrest for 2 months. According to the Interior Ministrys official statement, police seized nearly 4 grams of methylmethedrone from Golunov. The journalist pleaded not guilty, insisted that the drugs were planted on him during the arrest and claimed that his prosecution is related to his journalistic investigations. According to his defense, an examination showed no drugs in his biomaterial.

On June 11, 2019, charges against Golunov were dropped because of a lack of evidence that he participated in the crime, and the journalist was released. On June 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed two generals of police on the back of the arrest of Golunov.

In late December 2019, investigators opened the case over arrest of Golunov. The journalist was recognized as an injured party. All five defendants in the case were dismissed from police. Investigators believe that they planted drugs on Golunov. Thus, they falsified the results of operative search activity that later became inculpatory evidence against Golunov in a drug dealing case; however, the drugs had been earlier illegally bought and kept by the police officers, according the Investigative Committee.

The defendants are charged with abuse of power, evidence tampering and illegal drug trafficking. Only Konovalov pleaded guilty and testified against the others. He was later released from detention and put under house arrest.
Apple's iOS tool Night Shift may make your screen darker, but it does not improve sleep, a new study claims.

US researchers from Brigham Young University found it had no effect on volunteers' ability to fall asleep and stay asleep, or the quality of their sleep.

Night Shift, which was introduced by Apple in 2016 for iOS 9.3, is built into Apple software and filters short-wavelength blue light after sunset to optimise sleep.

Blue light, which is emitted by the LED lights used in smartphones, tablet computers and laptops, is known to be particularly disruptive to a good night's rest.

Blue light, which is emitted by the low-energy light-emitting diodes used in smartphones, tablet computers and laptops, is known to be particularly disruptive to sleep

WHAT IS NIGHT SHIFT? Night Shift is an app for Apple devices. It uses the clock and geolocation of your device to determine when it's sunset in your location. Then it automatically shifts the colours of your display to warmer colours. In the morning, it returns the display to its regular settings. Night Shift is built-in to Apple devices, meaning it doesn't have to be downloaded. It can be found under 'Display & Brightness' in 'Settings'. Advertisement

'Apple's iPhone Night Shift feature purports to reduce short-wavelength light emissions and improve sleep,' the experts, from Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah, say in their paper, published in Sleep Health.

'Across our full study sample, there were no differences in sleep outcomes attributable to Night Shift.'

Night Shift filters out blue light, which is simply part of the visible light spectrum  what the human eye can see.

It's widely believed that the emitted blue light from phones and other electronic devices like computer monitors and fluorescent bulbs disrupts melatonin secretion and sleep cycles.

Night Shift adjusts the screen's colours to 'warmer' orangey-red hues after sunset by default, although users can manually select what time of the day it's activated.

For their study, researchers recruited 167 adult iPhone users between the ages of 18 to 24, who used their phones daily.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions that dictated their iPhone use during the hour preceding bedtime for seven consecutive nights.

Participants either used their phone at night with the Night Shift function turned on, used their phone at night without Night Shift, or did not use a smartphone before bed at all.

Sleep outcomes  including sleep duration and 'sleep latency (the amount of time it takes to fall asleep after the lights have been turned off)  were tracked using wrist-worn accelerometers.

Participants were asked to spend at least eight hours in bed, while the individuals who were assigned to use their smartphone also had an app installed to monitor their phone use.

Night Shift (pictured) reduces the amount of blue light emitted from your device around bedtime. It uses the clock and geolocation of your device to determine when it's sunset in your location

'In the whole sample, there were no differences across the three groups,' said study author Chad Jensen, a psychology professor at BYU.

'Night Shift is not superior to using your phone without Night Shift or even using no phone at all.'

Researchers then conducted a further analysis of the individuals who fell above and below 6.82 hours, the median for total sleep time.

They split the sample into two separate groups  one that averaged about seven hours of sleep and another that slept less than six hours each night.

The group that got seven hours of sleep, which is closer to the recommended eight to nine hours a night, saw a slight difference in sleep quality based on phone usage.

In this sample, individuals who did not use a phone before bed experienced superior sleep quality relative to both those with normal phone use and those using Night Shift.

This suggested no phone use at all was conducive to a longer night's sleep.

'Those who abstained from smartphone use before bed showed better sleep quality (more efficient sleep, less time awake during the sleep hours) compared to those who used their phones with or without Night Shift,' Professor Jensen told MailOnline.

'Night Shift was no better than no Night Shift in this regard.'

Within the six-hour group (containing people who had the least amount of sleep) there were no differences in sleep outcomes based on whether the participants used Night Shift or not.

'This suggests that when you are super tired you fall asleep no matter what you did just before bed,' said Professor Jensen.

'When you are short on sleep, it doesnt appear to matter whether you use a phone (with or without Nigh Shift) before bed, likely because the pressure to sleep is so high.

'The sleep pressure is so high there is really no effect of what happens before bedtime.'

The results suggest that it is not blue light alone that creates difficulty falling or staying asleep, according to the team.

BYU says: 'Night Shift may make your screen darker, but Night Shift alone will not help you fall or stay asleep' (stock image)

'Psychological engagement' from texting, scrolling and posting is another important factor that affect sleep outcomes, they claim.

'I wouldnt say that blue light exposure doesnt affect sleep at all  many laboratory studies would suggest that it does,' said Professor Jensen.

'Rather, the effects of blue light exposure likely act in concert with many other environmental and behavioural factors, including your habitual sleep and other stimulating components of smartphone use.

'While there is a lot of evidence suggesting that blue light increases alertness and makes it more difficult to fall asleep, it is important to think about what portion of that stimulation is light emission versus other cognitive and psychological stimulations.'

MailOnline has contacted Apple for comment.
More than a year into the global pandemic, the coronavirus has exploded across India. The spread has been fueled, in part, by possible new variants and the recent holding of mass public events, including political rallies and religious celebrations; vaccination rates, meanwhile, remain low, even as Indian manufacturers have busily churned out doses for residents of other countries. Hospitals have run low on beds and oxygen, and crematoria are overflowing; steel pipes at one such facility in Surat, in Gujarat state, melted from overuse. India has recorded more than three-hundred-thousand new daily cases for six days in a rowsmashing the daily record for a single country several times overand that figure is likely a substantial undercount. So, too, is the official daily death count, which yesterday came close to three thousanda function of factors ranging from familial shame to political pressure. Its a complete massacre of data, Bhramar Mukherjee, an epidemiologist at the University of Michigan, told the New York Times. We believe the true number of deaths is two to five times what is being reported.

News outlets, from the local to the international, have sent journalists to cremation and burial sites to try and collect more accurate death data, among other perilous assignments. Some of the best journalists in India covering the COVID devastation are not on Twitter, Insta, etc., Rana Ayyub, a prominent Indian journalist, noted overnight. Away from the din of social media, they strive to get us the truth while being vulnerable to punishment by state governments and no access to legal protection or healthcare. A growing number of reporters have themselves succumbed to COVID. Recently, Vinay Srivastava, a journalist in Lucknow, in Uttar Pradesh state, came down with COVID symptoms, but couldnt get a test or medical care. In an appeal for help, he tweeted his declining oxygen levels and tagged local officials. He died ten days ago. On Friday, Kakoli Bhattacharya, a journalist who worked as a news assistant for The Guardian, died in Delhi, at the age of fifty-one; on Saturday, Rohitash Gupta, a thirty-six-year-old reporter in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, died at home. His family said that he did not get a hospital bed. On Sunday, Amjad Badshah, a journalist in Odisha state, died at the age of forty-five. Four reporters in Mumbai died the same day. According to the Press Emblem Campaign, a media group based in Switzerland, more than a hundred journalists have died of COVID in India, in total, with forty-five of those deaths coming in the last two weeks.

New from CJR: Drew Arrietas Family Album

Journalists in India arent just confronting a national health riskthe countrys COVID surge comes amid a period of deteriorating freedoms for the press, specifically. In recent years, Indian reporters, and particularly women and minorities, have faced a rash of online abuse, as well as physical violence at the hands of officials and civilians tied to the Hindu-nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has also worked to manipulate newspaper and TV coverage via a system of financial and regulatory carrots and sticks. At the start of the pandemic, the government asked Indias Supreme Court to force news organizations to clear their COVID coverage with officials; the court said no, but directed outlets to publish the governments official line. Over the summer, dozens of journalists who criticized the official pandemic response faced arrest or other legal censure, according to The Guardian; earlier this year, authorities charged journalists covering protests against agricultural reforms with sedition and other offenses.

Since the COVID surge began, officials have similarly lashed out at independent reporting. Politicians affiliated with Modis Bharatiya Janata Party have chafed at questions about the wisdom of holding packed rallies, and at criticism of Modis handling of the crisis, including internationallyyesterday, Indias High Commission in Australia wrote to The Australian newspaper and slammed it for running an article that referred to a viral apocalypse. In at least one troubling case, the threats to public health and press freedom have interlocked. Last week, Siddique Kappana journalist from Kerala state who was detained in Uttar Pradesh, in October, while traveling to cover a high-profile gang-rape casereportedly collapsed in a prison that has seen a rash of COVID cases; he subsequently tested positive for the disease and was taken to a hospital where, according to his union, he has been chained to a cot. Amid concerns for Kappans wellbeing, Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief minister of Kerala, wrote to Yogi Adityanath, his counterpart in Uttar Pradesh (and a Modi ally), requesting humane treatment. Today, the Supreme Court demanded that officials in Uttar Pradesh hand over Kappans medical records.

As with other recent crises, the internet has become a key locus of repression, too. Modis government has repeatedly, over the years, imposed internet blackouts, and it recently tightened rules governing independent-minded news sites. During the recent farmers protests, officials ordered Twitter to take down accounts, including that of The Caravan magazine, and tweets that were critical of Modi; Twitter initially complied, then reinstated them. Now the authorities are once again ordering Twitter, as well as Facebook and Instagram, to block posts, including some posted by journalists, criticizing Modis pandemic management; as BuzzFeeds Pranav Dixit put it, with the pandemic in India burning out of control, the countrys government is cracking downon social media. In Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath has even directed law enforcement to start confiscating the property of anti-social elements who spoil the atmosphere by posting about oxygen shortages online.

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Yesterday, the editorial board of the Washington Post decried the deterioration of internet freedom in India, and urged President Joe Biden to condemn it, in addition to providing India with disaster relief. The aid pledges of Western countries and corporations are increasingly driving US coverage of Indias surge, along with ubiquitous, haunting images of mass cremation sites that are, in many respects, more visceral than the imagery that has typically illustrated stories of COVID flare-ups in Western countries. Such differences are always worth interrogating. Most of all, Western media should avoid treating Indias surge as a sad event in a distant land, as international-aid stories often become, and treat it instead as part of an interconnected, global story that we are all still living, and that is increasingly structured around international patterns of variant spread and unequal vaccine access. The same goes for Indias deteriorating media climate: An attack on press freedom somewhere is an attack on press freedom everywhereand thats especially true when the story concerns all of us.

Below, more on India, COVID, and press freedom around the world:



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: The limits of the news peg

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
Coleen Rooney was seen stepping out on Tuesday, as her WAG war with Rebekah Vardy draws to a close.

The WAG, 35, showed off her luscious brunette locks after getting a blow dry during a pampering session at a hairdressers in Alderley Edge, Cheshire.

Heading out of the shop, Coleen's tresses cascaded over her shoulders after being styled into a sleek, straight hairdo.

Pampering session: Coleen Rooney showed off her luscious brunette locks after having a blow dry at the hairdressers in Cheshire on Tuesday

Coleen kept things casual for her outing as she paired a grey sweatshirt with dark grey gym leggings.

She stepped out in a pair of black trainers, and kept her accessories minimal as she simply wore a pair of diamond earrings.

Making sure to keep to strict Covid regulations, Coleen was seen carrying a black face mask that she wore inside the store, as well as a ring-binder and her phone.

Glamorous: Heading out the shop, Coleen's tresses cascaded over her shoulders after being styled into a sleek, straight hairdo

Comfy: Coleen kept things casual for her outing as she paired a grey sweatshirt with dark grey gym leggings

Coleen's outing comes after MailOnline exclusively revealed that Rebekah Vardy is making a fresh bid to weaken rival Coleen's case before their so-called Wagatha Christie case reaches its dramatic conclusion.

Rebekah, 39, is working to have a section of evidence from Coleen's defence 'struck out' in her latest move, the section is known as 'TV Details story' and stems from a story Coleen claims she leaked in September 2019.

Meanwhile, Coleen was given just 24 hours (until 4.30pm on Friday) to add any more evidence before a new deadline, with Rebekah then given a chance to serve a reply to Coleen's evidence documents.

Claims: Meanwhile, Rebekah Vardy is making a fresh bid to weaken rival Coleen's case before their Wagatha Christie case reaches its dramatic conclusion (pictured November 2020)

The twin developments signal that the two warring Wags are further than ever from reaching an eleventh-hour agreement to prevent a lurid and hugely expensive court case from going ahead.

Rebekah, married to Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, is suing mother-of-four Coleen for libel after Coleen accused her to leaking false stories over her private life.

The long-running feud between the high-profile WAGS erupted after Coleen revealed that she had set a trap to see who was responsible for the leaks, which earned her the nickname Wagatha Christie.

Coleen famously wrote: 'I have saved and screenshotted all the original stories which clearly show just one person has viewed them. It's ................ Rebekah Vardy's account.'

Deadline time: Coleen has just 24 hours to add any more evidence before a new deadline, MailOnline has learned (pictured October 2020)

Soon after, Rebekah took to social media to deny being the person who had leaked the stories to the press, after Coleen's post went viral.

Last June, it emerged that Rebekah had launched a case to sue Coleen for 1 million.

The latest twist in the saga saw Mr Justice Nicklin, set the deadline in an order, telling both women that if they want to change any dates, they have to apply formally to the court.

He also set down a timetable to take the case forward, with both women being required to serve revised costs budgets with the court by June 18 this year.

The section of evidence which Rebekah wants to be 'struck out' in her latest move - removed as evidence from the case - is known as the 'TV Details story' and stems from September 2019.

At that point, Coleen claims to have blocked all followers from her Instagram Stories, except Rebekah, then posted a selfie alongside the text: 'Up and out!! Easing my way back into work!! TV decisions today maybe it's time for Australia' and 'Good Day' with a heart emoji.

Three days later the Sun published an 'exclusive' story suggesting that Coleen was in talks to join Strictly Come Dancing the following year and was looking 'to revive her TV career'.

According to Coleen's defence document, Rebekah could be inferred to be the source of the Sun's story, but Rebekah's lawyers reject that conclusion, and want the judge to agree with them by striking out the passage.

Post: Coleen famously wrote, 'I have saved and screenshotted all the original stories which clearly show just one person has viewed them. It's ................ Rebekah Vardy's account'

A costs and case management hearing will take place before procedural judge Master Roger Eastman on July 2, likely to last two and a half hours. The hearing will decide how the case will go ahead.

Already Coleen has described Rebekah's budget of nearly 900,000 for the case as 'grotesque' after a virtual hearing before Master Eastman in March, who said the budgets for both women were 'extraordinarily large.'

Coleen estimated her budget for legal fees at 402,312.

Efforts at mediation in the hope of settling the case are thought doomed to failure, especially since Coleen has declined to remove the posts at the centre of the libel action, which remain accessible online.

Case: The twin developments signal that the two warring WAGs are further than ever from reaching an eleventh-hour agreement to prevent a lurid and hugely expensive court case

Since Rebekah initiated the case there have been a series of legal skirmishes ahead of the planned full case.

In October 2020, Coleen 'doubled down' by filing her 55-page defence and sharing images of the Instagram posts she alleged Rebekah leaked.

The following month, Rebekah won the first round of her High Court libel battle at the 'meanings hearing'

In February, the pair attended a court-ordered mediation session on Zoom, their first meeting for years.

Time's running out! Coleen now has until 4.30pm on Friday to present evidence to oppose the striking out, and Rebekah will then get a chance to serve a reply to Coleen's evidence

Sued: Rebekah, married to Jamie Vardy, is suing Coleen for libel after Coleen accused her to leaking false stories over her private life (pictured with husband Jamie and daughter Olivia)

Zoom proceedings began with both sides reading out a statement and then breaking off into separate virtual rooms as the mediator spoke to them and their legal representatives independently.

Former columnist Coleen reportedly tried to reach out to brunette Rebekah after another round of failed talks to avoid a costly legal battle.

However, it's thought that she saw the mediation as a 'waste of time' as TV star Becky continues to demand she apologise for her fierce accusationLast February, Rebekah broke down on ITV's Loose Women, saying the feud was 'one of the worst things I had to deal with apart from being abused when I was younger'.
Thanks for bringing that up!

Do note that Indian statistics appear high due to sheer population of the country (20x of UK, 4x of US) and of course the news painted by media.

In day today life things here are running as usual. Including the hospitals. There are few hot spots in the country where there IS chaos but those are outliers than norm. But they get highlighted as they attract media and western world attention.

Of course pandemic is there, people are dying, no denying that and things could have been better, but if you look at cases / million or deaths / million statistics you will understand what I am saying, that ground situation is not as bad as made out to be.

Moreover Maldives is an expensive destination that only top 0.5% affluent of the country can afford, who are well educated, vaccinated, following COVID appropriate behavior, i.e. at relatively lower risk than rest of the population.

Probability wise there are many other countries with higher Covid positive Density in population and likelihood of spreaders.
Small-town America will start to feel the pressure as the Amazons of the world turn over every rock to find the talent they need.

According to a new study by Emsi and Visier, the already tight labor market is about to get a lot tighter. As Americas large firms increasingly opt for remote work, theyre expanding their search for talent outside of their traditional headquarter cities and beginning to scour smaller markets and rural communities to fill millions of open positions.

Current labor statistics already show a significant uptick in employees resigning from their current positions to take new jobs, many of which are remote. As this trend continues, Americas smaller cities will experience a Silicon Valley-like pressure for talent as they lose their people to big head-hunting firms.

Small-town America will start to feel the pressure as the Amazons of the world turn over every rock to find the talent they need, said Rob Sentz, chief innovation officer at Emsi. This is already putting wage pressure on smaller businesses across the nation---no matter their location. And as the talent pool continues to tighten, we expect this dynamic to increase, with many businesses losing their people to massive firms miles away.

According to the Emsi and Visier study, remote job postings are becoming more competitive, both in the amount of opportunities and advertised salary, than in-person postings. Advertised salaries increased 85% in the last three years for remote job postings.

The study also found that resignation rates are increasing for mid-career professionals (ages 25-45) as well as for managers, with many of these pursuing the more appealing remote positions outside of traditional geographic job centers.

Employers at all levels will need to adjust and adapt, concluded Sentz. Now, more than ever, employers will need to be thorough and comprehensive in how they approach their labor-force growth and retention. Small-town businesses in particular will need to focus on retaining employers more than ever.

The complete study can be found at Emsis website.

About Emsi

Emsi is an industry-leading economic data and analytics firm, specializing in labor market data, analyses, and consulting services for employers, higher education institutions, and economic/workforce development professionals. Emsi data and analytics are used by leading businesses and institutions world-wide to understand shifting talent markets and labor trends, and to promote economic prosperity in their regions.

About Visier

Visier is a market leader in workforce analytics, advising companies on identifying opportunities and risks within their organization, and helping shape resulting business strategy.

Read more at http://www.economicmodeling.com.
By Laurie Goering

LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Widespread mistrust of science and disputes over basic facts, tied to growing political polarisation and disinformation campaigns, are undermining efforts to tackle climate change globally, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry warned.

During a virtual summit organised by the Nobel Foundation and major science academies this week, Kerry said building greater public understanding and agreement on the world's "existential" challenges was crucial to addressing them.

"We have to establish a baseline of truth or we cant build consensus in a democracy," he said.

"Paid-for denial" about climate change by big polluters and political disregard by some governments of scientific warnings about COVID-19 risks are "costing us enormously", he added.

Kerry said achieving climate goals fast enough amounted to "a moonshot on steroids" - and called on scientists to help communicate to the public the urgent need for swift action.

"Scientists want to avoid the fray - but we are in a war against denial," he said. "I think we have to fight back, and I think scientists have to be at the front of that fight."

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, global emissions from fossil fuel use are still on an upward trajectory, even as scientists say they need to fall by half within just nine years to prevent the worst impacts of climate change.

The rise in emissions is happening even though renewables like solar are now the cheapest form of new energy in two-thirds of the world - and likely to be the cheapest almost everywhere within five years, said former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.

He believes the world is "right now crossing the long-awaiting tipping point" toward greater action on climate change, as social movements, innovation and falling costs help drive more net-zero emissions promises and accelerate green measures.

"We have the solutions we need, and we are gaining the political will to implement them," he said.

Story continues

But former Nobel Prize winners, scientists and activists warned changes are still happening far too slowly, with the time to turn ambitious promises into on-the-ground action very short.

Xiye Bastida, a 19-year-old climate activist who migrated to the United States after her home in Mexico was destroyed by flooding in 2015, said scientists must do more to ensure their understanding of climate threats reaches decision-makers,

"When you make the discovery of a lifetime, it must make its way to the public policy sector," she said.

Sandra Diaz, a professor of ecology at Cordoba National University in Argentina, said making large emissions cuts a reality would require governments and individuals to think much harder about their behaviour.

"What we choose to, eat, buy, burn, support or ignore every day has impacts," she said.

Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize laureate and professor of physics at Stanford University, said one huge task ahead was weaning global economic systems off continuous growth as their main aim, something incompatible with the Earth's finite resources.

"You have to design an economy based on no growth or even shrinking growth," he said, arguing "prosperity" could be maintained even if that approach was adopted.

CALL FOR COOPERATION

David Panuelo, president of the Federated States of Micronesia, told the event some of his Pacific Island nation's 607 islands were set to disappear by the end of the ceantury, a reality he described as "very profound and frightening".

He urged the U.N. Security Council to recognise the huge threats posed by climate change and called for much greater international empathy to tackle global problems - something often in short supply during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To build a safer and better world, everyone must "promote peace, friendship, cooperation and love in our humanity," he said. "It is only by pursuing those ideals that we can also pursue peace with nature," he added.

Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, one of the event organisers, said global partnerships had in the past allowed nations to overcome massive obstacles, as in the wake of World War II.

"We are a resilient species... Cooperation is our superpower," he said.

To tackle the shared problem of a heating planet, "we need, more than ever, wide alliances for change," he said.

(Reporting by Laurie Goering @lauriegoering; editing by Megan Rowling. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters. Visit http://news.trust.org/climate)
[April 27, 2021] North Texas Firms Acquire Two Class-A Buildings in Oklahoma City

Located within Oklahoma City's dominant Southwest Industrial Market, a two-building, 121,600 square-foot, best-in-class industrial facility has been acquired by Fort Worth-based Corinth Land Co. and Dallas-based Prattco Creekway Industrial ( PCI (News - Alert) ). The buildings are on 14.3 acres located at 6200 & 6220 SW 29th St. The purchase was financed by Veritex Bank with majority equity provided by Western Production Company, and closed March 29, 2021. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005170/en/ Fort Worth-based Corinth Land Co. and Dallas-based Prattco Creekway Industrial (PCI) have purchased two Class A buildings, 12,600 SF, located within Oklahoma City's dominant Southwest Industrial Market. This is the 10th partnership acquisition for Corinth Land and PCI, marking an investment of more than $50 million and approximately 700,000 SF of industrial space in their portfolio. (Photo: Troy Grant, Epic Foto Group)



"As our first JV investment in Oklahoma City, we look forward to being a part of one of the city's most dynamic submarkets," said Corinth Land Co. President and Founder Paun Peters. "This is our largest Class A acquisition to date, and we are 100 percent leased. It's a great entry point for us into this market."

Tenants include Fred Jones, Overhead Door Corporation, TireHub and Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE; SAIC (News - Alert) ). This is the 10th partnership acquisition for Corinth Land and PCI, marking an investment of more than $50 million and approximately 700,000 SF of industrial space in their portfolio. "The Southwest Industrial Market is a high growth area with unlimited potential," said Lance Bozman, PCI managing partner. "Without a doubt, it is a market we would like to expand our portfolio and grow our base." Founded by Peters in 2006, Corinth Land Co.'s initial focus was providing oil and gas surface sites and easements in the Barnett Shale. Peters sold the company's holdings in 2016 and is now focused on the acquisition, development and operation of commercial and residential real estate assets in strategic locations throughout the DFW area, Texas and North America. PCI Managing Partner Lance Bozman was formerly a managing director of a $1 Billion AIG/Lincoln portfolio that comprised 4 million SF of industrial and commercial investments. PCI Managing Partner Chad Lunsford spent 20 years at GE Capital Real Estate and has a deep background in risk management, underwriting and operations serving in various management and leadership positions. For more information, visit www.corinthland.com or www.prattcocreekway.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005170/en/

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Kaia Gerber landed her biggest job to date when she was cast in the upcoming season of FX's horror anthology series American Horror Story last month.

And now the model turned actress, 19, has been spotted on the AHS set in Burbank, California for the first time.

On Monday the daughter of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber appeared to be shooting a Halloween scene as she wore an all black outfit.

Big role: Kaia Gerber, 19, was spotted on the set for the first time after joining the cast of American Horror Story. Seen Monday in Burbank, California

She was wearing an all black ensemble including combat boots, a leather jacket over a short lacy black dress with a sheer neckline, and a long hooded raincoat.

While in costume, the model also had on several necklaces including a choker.

Kaia wore a blue surgical mask in between takes. The cast and crew around her appeared to be adhering to strict COVID-19 protocols, wearing masks and face shields during the shoot.

In character: She was wearing an all black ensemble including combat boots, a leather jacket over a short lacy black dress with a sheer neckline, and a long hooded raincoat

Safety first: Kaia wore a blue surgical mask in between takes. The cast and crew around her appeared to be adhering to strict COVID-19 protocols, wearing masks and face shields during the shoot

Details about the upcoming tenth season of the hit series have been kept mostly under wraps. However, executive producer Ryan Murphy, 55, revealed that the show would follow two different stories for the first time.

He posted a video to his Instagram account last month teasing the aptly-titled American Horror Story: Double Feature.

'Two horrifying stories... one season,' read the captions in the video. 'One by the sea... One by the sand. More to come...'

Mysterious: Details about the upcoming tenth season of the hit series have been kept mostly under wraps

Little is known about the character that Gerber will be playing or which part she will appear in but it looked like the Teen Vogue cover star's storyline will at least partly take place during Halloween.

In one photo from the set, the runway star was filming a scene outdoors under a canopy of trees with hanging paper jack-o'-lanterns.

Kaia will be joining AHS regulars including Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters and Angelica Ross alongside fellow newcomers Macaulay Culkin and Paris Jackson.

Details from set: Little is known about the character that Gerber will be playing or which part she will appear in but it looked like the Teen Vogue cover star's storyline will at least partly take place during Halloween

The daughter of supermodel Crawford, 55, started following in her mother's footsteps at the age of 10 when she landed a modeling gig with Versace.

She went on to model for other major fashion houses including Chanel, Fendi and Marc Jacobs and was named Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2018.

Gerber made her acting debut in the 2016 television movie Sister Cities. She also appeared in the pilot episode of Rich Kids of Instagram in 2017.

Step up: Gerber was also seen heading to a Pilates class in Los Angeles on Tuesday

Always exercising: To stay in top shape Kaia works out seemingly every day. She wore a black hoodie with gray leggings and brown UGG boots

However, being cast in the Emmy and Golden Globes-winning series is a huge career boost for the brunette beauty.

Kaia could ask her boyfriend Jacob Elordi, 23, to share some acting advice.

The Australian actor became an internet heartthrob after starring in Netflix's hit move franchise The Kissing Booth.

The third installment of the franchise will be out on Netflix this summer. Jacob previously dated his Kissing Booth co-star Joey King. The actor, who also appears in HBO's Euphoria, began dating Kaia about six months ago.
Authorities in Vietnams Central Highlands province of Lam Dong have seized 13 large foam boxes of strawberries, allegedly originating from China, smuggled to its capital city of Da Lat by air.

Police in Lam Dongs Duc Trong District said on Monday that they were looking for the owner of the aforementioned strawberries, whose packages carried Chinese characters.

The packets did not have stamps and labels in Vietnamese as well as expiry dates in accordance with Vietnamese law.

The 13 foam boxes of strawberries, weighing 214 kilograms in total, were discovered at Lien Khuong Airport in Duc Trong at around 10:00 pm on Sunday, when the economic police of the district coordinated with the airport security forces to inspect its arrival area.

Upon the detection, neither invoices nor proof of origin was included in the products.

Through initial investigation, local authorities determined that the buyers of the confiscated strawberries were retail strawberry traders in Da Lat.

Strawberries contained in Chinese packages were found at Lien Khuong Airport in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, April 25, 2021. Photo: Quang Thanh / Tuoi Tre

The strawberries are being checked for their pesticide content and other indicators.

This is not the first time the Duc Trong police have discovered such a large quantity of strawberries of Chinese origin smuggled to Da Lat by air.

In July 2020, officials seized 600 foam boxes of Chinese strawberries which had been transferred from Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi to Lien Khuong Airport before being transported by car to Da Lat.

The strawberries had pesticide residues three times higher than the allowable limit and remained fresh after 22 days without refrigeration.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The dairy supply chain was able to keep operating as best it could last spring thanks in no small part to the employees working at dairy processing plants. Consider this: There werent the large COVID-19 outbreaks or worker walkouts that occurred at some meat processing plants, causing tremendous backlogs of product. Things undoubtedly could have gone much differently.

Instead, people truly rallied around the concept of being an essential worker, embracing the need to show up and literally feed their fellow citizens. They took changes to their workday in stride because they knew they were being implemented for good reason.

Now the concern is getting more people to join that workforce.

Labor is extremely tight right now. There are a lot of options out there, explained Bryan Weller on the April 21 Hoards Dairyman DairyLivestream. Weller serves as the director of procurement and sourcing for the Agri-Mark co-op in the Northeast. He described how their plants are having difficulty attracting entry-level production workers away from other manufacturers offering significant benefits or even just staying home.

One of the greatest threats to our business right now is having enough people to get the product out the door, he stated. To fill that need, he shared that its not uncommon to see directors, managers, and vice presidents working on the floor with their production staff.

Weller said, Thats the kind of effort were putting forth to feed people and to add value to our members milk. Its proving much more difficult to foster that pride and sense of worth in a new employee that could easily do something else, he shared.

For years prior to the pandemic, John Umhoefer of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association said that their members had reported labor as their top business concern. Then you put COVID-19 back in the mix, the need to space people and the need to find people who feel comfortable going into a work environment just makes it that much worse, he said.

Reducing the need

To try to meet this challenge, processors are looking into several solutions. Weller said that while they are trying to be aggressive in hiring people, they are analyzing where they can automate and streamline processes to reduce the necessary number of people. The industry has done a lot of automation over the past decade, but the current challenges will probably provide a big push for those that had been hesitant, he believes.

Another option he advocates for is cross-training existing employees to add value to their skills and equip them to fill a number of the companys roles. The reality is that were going to be living with a net negative balance in terms of labor for an indeterminate amount of time, Weller stated. Having the ability to shift employees around to where help is needed makes for a more agile business that can better deal with that deficit, he continued.

Cross-training may also be more easily accepted by todays workforce than it may have been in the past. From Wellers perspective, you are giving people more flexibility and choice, and that helps your company become a desired employer. I think we live in an environment now where people crave change and challenge more so than they ever have before, he said. I think youre going to struggle to see someone that sits in a position for 10 to 15 years going forward.

Though they may not be in the same position, a dedicated worker may be more inclined to use their skills at the same company for that length of time or longer. Dairy processing employees have certainly shown that kind of commitment during this pandemic, we just hope to find more of them out there.

An ongoing series of events

The next broadcast of DairyLivestream will be on Wednesday, May 5 at 11 a.m. CDT. Each episode is designed for panelists to answer over 30 minutes of audience questions. If you havent joined a DairyLivestream broadcast yet, register here. Registering once registers you for all future events.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2021

April 26, 2021
I was a troubled kid until adulthood, Penny said. My environment was such where you saw things that no kid should have saw, especially from a mental health perspective. I can honestly say I knew I was going to engage with the justice system; it was only a matter of time. That was the norm. In my neighborhood, all the teenagers were sent off to prison, and the next batch of them was up.
Oregon Insurance Commissioner Andrew Stolfi and Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum will host a statewide virtual wildfire insurance town hall on Thursday, April 29, at noon.

Cleanup is progressing, and the arrival of spring means construction will soon be ramping up for people affected by the Labor Day wildfires.

Stolfi and Rosenblum will be joined by Oregon State University Fire Program Manager Carrie Berger and representatives from the Division of Financial Regulation to discuss insurance claims during the rebuilding process, how to avoid construction scams, and tips to prepare for the 2021 wildfire season.

Click HERE to watch the live Zoom video.

Submit questions for the panel HERE.
Former Big Brother star Skye Wheatley welcomed her second child, a son, with her boyfriend Lachlan Waugh just days ago.

And on Tuesday, the emotional mother shared a heartwarming post revealing how much she was loving being in her 'newborn bubble'.

In a caption alongside a photo of her breastfeeding, the 27-year-old - who is also mother to Forest, two - wrote: 'My hormones and emotions are insane - I literally cry looking at old videos and photos of baby Forest.

Emotional: On Tuesday, Big Brother star Skye Wheatley shared a heartwarming post revealing how much she was loving being in her 'newborn bubble', but fears that it 'goes too fast'

'It goes so so fast, and before you know it they're not your little babies anymore.'

She continued: 'Loving the newborn bubble and never want it to end. I wish I could relive Forest's new born bubble all over again!'

Skye shared the news of her baby's arrival on Friday, posting a sweet video of their older son Forest, two, meeting the newborn in hospital.

In the clip, which was posted on her stories, their family can be seen gazing affectionately at the newborn who is sleeping in his crib.

Family: Skye and her boyfriend Lachlan Waugh already share son Forest, two, together

The doting parents have yet to reveal their tot's name.

In the early hours of Friday morning, the former reality star-turned-influencer revealed that she had officially gone into labour and was having painful contractions.

Skye shared a video from her home, informing her fans she was about to head to hospital after doing a live stream from her bedroom.

Labour pains: In the early hours of Friday morning, the former Big Brother star-turned-influencer revealed that she had officially gone into labour and was having painful contractions

The waiting game: She then shared a picture of Lachlan relaxing in their birthing suite, with a waterbirth set up in the background and said she was '9cm dilated'

'Hey guys, so to anyone who missed the live, just letting you know I'm in labour and my contractions are hurting really badly,' Skye said.

'I wish I went to the hospital way earlier because oh my God, I cannot with the pain.'

Skye said Lachlan 's mother was on her way to their Gold Coast home to look after the couple's son Forest.

She then shared a picture of Lachlan relaxing in their birthing suite, with a waterbirth set up in the background and said she was '9cm dilated.'

Skye rose to fame on Big Brother Australia back in 2014. She debuted her relationship with tradesman Lachlan in November 2017.
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PHOENIX  Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Tuesday signed a sweeping anti-abortion bill that bans the procedure if the woman is seeking it solely because a fetus has a genetic abnormality such as Down syndrome.

Doctors who perform an abortion solely because the child has a survivable genetic issue can face felony charges. The proposal also contains a raft of other provisions sought by abortion opponents.

The measure passed the Republican-controlled Legislature on party-line votes over unanimous opposition from minority Democrats. The Republican governor is an abortion opponent who has never vetoed a piece of anti-abortion legislation.

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Senate Bill 1457 moved through the Legislature in fits and starts, stalling twice before moving again amid intense pressure by abortion opponents on GOP lawmakers who opposed some of its provisions. It finally passed both chambers last week.

The abortion bill as originally written made it a felony for a doctor to perform the procedure because the fetus has a genetic abnormality such as Down syndrome, and contained a slew of other provisions, including one that confers all civil rights to unborn children. Democrats call that personhood provision a backdoor way to allow criminal charges against a woman who has an abortion.

In addition to the ban on abortions for genetic abnormalities and the personhood provision, the bill bans mail delivery of abortion-inducing medication, allows the father or maternal grandparents of a fetus aborted because of a genetic issue to sue, and bans the spending of any state money toward organizations that provide abortion care.

The measure also requires fetal remains to be buried or cremated, and it forbids state universities from providing abortion care.

Theres immeasurable value in every single life  regardless of genetic makeup, Ducey said in a statement. We will continue to prioritize protecting life in our preborn children, and this legislation goes a long way in protecting real human lives.

The bill was amended twice to allay the concerns of a pair of Republicans  one worried that a woman would be forced to carry a fetus that could not survive and a second concerned that a doctors medical decisions could be overruled by a jury. That GOP-backed amendment also clarified that the personhood provision does not ban in-vitro fertilization.

The Democrats issued a lengthy written rebuttal to the bill after the final amendment.

The measure was a top priority for the social conservative group Center for Arizona Policy. Its president, Cathi Herrod, routinely backs anti-abortion bills in the Legislature. National anti-abortion groups hailed its passage.

Minutes after the governor acted, Herrod sent out a news release with the subject line Life Wins!

Today, Arizonans win. Arizona children diagnosed with disabilities prior to birth will no longer be discriminated against, Herrod wrote in the release. Arizona women will be ensured commonsense safeguards if they choose the abortion pill. Arizona taxpayers will not be forced to support abortions at public colleges and universities, and the laws of Arizona will be interpreted to value all human life.

Abortion rights groups had rallied at the Capitol on Monday, urging Ducey to veto the measure and presenting him with petitions signed by opponents of the bill.

Democrats lamented the governors action, including Rep. Diego Espinoza of Tolleson.

Gov. Duceys decision to sign SB1457 is not pro-life. It is anti-families, anti-woman, and anti-doctor, Espinoza tweeted. Im disappointed to see Arizona moving in this direction, ignoring the needs and desires of doctors, women, and families for an extreme political agenda.

Republican-controlled legislatures in Arizona and several other states  emboldened by the possibility that a more conservative U.S. Supreme Court could overturn Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 decision that found women have a constitutional right to seek an abortion  have embraced proposals this year that could completely ban abortion. An Arizona proposal doing that, however, has not advanced.

Earlier this month, a divided federal appeals court lifted the hold on a similar Ohio law that prohibits doctors from performing abortions based on a fetal diagnosis of Down syndrome.

Judges of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals narrowly reversed two earlier decisions blocking enforcement of Ohios 2017 law. A majority of the appeals court said the law doesnt impede a womans right to an abortion.

Mondays amendment to the Arizona bill also added a legislative intent clause that included much of the reasoning the appeals court used in the Ohio decision.
MASON CITY, Iowa - The investigation is complete into a fatal motorcycle accident in Mason City on March 29.

Mason City police said James Birke, of Mason City, ended up dying from his injuries in the crash.

He was riding a motorcycle northbound on N. Rhode Island approaching 11th St. when he failed to yield at the intersection. He was struck by a vehicle driven by Taylor Bublitz, of Mason City.

Police said Tuesday that the intersection has no traffic control devices or signs, making it uncontrolled. No charges will be filed.
TORONTO, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Globally Local Technologies Inc., (the "Company")(TSXV: GBLY) the parent company of Globally Local, one of the world's first vegan fast-food chains, is pleased to announce the following corporate updates.

Globally Local announced it has entered into an agreement with Sysco, a global leader in distribution and logistics, to distribute Globally Local's proprietary manufactured products (such as meat and dairy alternatives) throughout North America. The agreement enables Globally Local to efficiently supply its products to its current and future restaurants throughout Canada and the U.S.

Sysco (NYSE:SYY) is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 57,000 associates, the company operates 326 distribution facilities worldwide and serves more than 625,000 customer locations. For fiscal 2020 that ended June 27, 2020, Sysco generated sales of more than $52 billion.

Additionally, the Company has retained Edge Growth Holdings Corporation ("Edge") to provide investor relations services pursuant to an agreement entered into between the Company and Edge dated April 16, 2021 (the "Investor Relations Agreement"), subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Edge's specific duties under the Investor Relations Agreement include the creation of investor media and dissemination on Edge platforms, digital marketing campaigns, influencer management and retail investor communication on digital mediums.

Due to continuing travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has limited ability to attend in-person meetings and conferences, and will use these services to provide marketing and public awareness of the company to retail investors.

The Investor Relations Agreement has an initial term of twelve months with a six month initial period and unless terminated by either party on 30 days written notice. Pursuant to the Investor Relations Agreement, Globally Local will pay Edge a base fee of $5,000 payable on the first of each month, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. 

Subject to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and the terms and conditions of the Company's stock option plan, Kevan Matheson, Chief Executive Officer of Edge, has been granted 150,000 options to purchase common shares of the Company (the "Options") as part consideration for its services under the Investor Relations Agreement. The Options will be exercisable at $1.20 per share for a term of two (2) years. The Options will vest quarterly in equal tranches over a one year period on each of the three, six, nine and twelve month anniversaries of the date of grant. 

Edge does not currently own any shares of the Company or have any other direct or indirect interest in the Company. The fees paid by the Company to Edge under the Investor Relations Agreement are for services only.

The Company is also pleased to announced that it has changed its audit firm to MNP LLP, Chartered Accountants. MNP LLP are the historical auditors of Globally Local.

Trevor Wong-Chor has been appointed Corporate Secretary of the Company. Mr. Wong-Chor is a Capital Markets lawyer with DLA Piper (Canada) LLP, with extensive experience in Capital Markets, Governance and Mergers and Acquisitions. In connection with this appointment, Mr. Wong-Chor has been granted 100,000 stock options with an exercise price of $1.20 per share. The options vest 1 /3 on each of the 12, 24 and 36 month anniversaries of grant. 

The Company has determined that exemptions from the various requirements of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 are available for the grant of these options. The options are subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance.

About Globally Local Technologies Inc.

Globally Local is a plant-based food technology company that manufactures and distributes industry-leading plant-based protein and dairy alternatives using locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. The company distributes its products through a proprietary food service line to company owned and franchised fast-food restaurant locations. Globally Local restaurant locations operate as smart kitchens, which use state-of-the art cooking technology and automation solutions to deliver a delicious food experience to customers craving healthier and more sustainable fast food. With small store footprints optimized for delivery and takeout, advanced cooking technology, competitive pricing, a vertically integrated supply chain along with healthier ingredients, Globally Local is revolutionizing the fast-food industry. The Company currently operates a manufacturing facility and two restaurant locations in Canada, with plans to open 20 additional restaurant locations across North America in the next 12 months. The Company is traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol GBLY. For more information visit https://globallylocal.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

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 "plans", "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. 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.

Specifically, this press release contains forward-looking statements relating to but not limited to the retention of Edge and the Sysco Agreement. Such forward-looking statements of information are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect.

Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. 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 as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information 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. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. 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 as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by Canadian securities law.

SOURCE Globally Local Technologies Inc.

Related Links

https://globallylocal.ca/


The combined effect of rapid ocean warming and the practice of targeting big fish is affecting the viability of wild populations and global fish stock says new research by the University of Melbourne and the University of Tasmania.

Unlike earlier studies that traditionally considered fishing and climate in isolation, the research found that ocean warming and fishing combined to impact on fish recruitment, and that this took four generations to manifest.

"We found a strong decline in recruitment (the process of getting new young fish into a population) in all populations that had been exposed to warming, and this effect was highest where all the largest individuals were fished out," said lead author and PhD candidate, Henry Wootton, from the University of Melbourne.

Mr Wootton and his team established 18 independent populations of fish in their lab and exposed these to either control or elevated temperatures, and to one of three fisheries harvest regimes. They then followed the fate of each population for seven generations, which equates to nearly three years of lab time.

"Our study is the first to experimentally explore the joint impact of fishing and ocean warming on fish populations," Mr Wootton said.

The research is released today in the journal PNAS with researchers saying the solution is less selective fishing, which will help ensure balanced sex ratios and the persistence of valuable bigger females.

Co-author Dr John Morrongiello said: "Wild fisheries provide food for billions of people worldwide, particularly in our Pacific region where fish is the major source of animal-based protein. Past fishing practices have caused spectacular fishery crashes and so it is important that we adopt management approaches that will ensure our oceans continue to maintain sustainable fisheries."

He added: "Sustainable fisheries management in the face of rapid environmental change is a real challenge. Getting it right will not only provide food and economic security for millions of people worldwide but will also help protect our ocean's valuable biodiversity for generations to come."

Dr Asta Audzijonyte, co-author from University of Tasmania and Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation, said it was surprising to find such strong and delayed negative impact of warming on small fish survival.

"We still do not fully understand why this happens, but our findings clearly show that protecting fish size diversity and large fish can increase their resilience to climate change. While reversing climate change is hard, restoring and protecting fish size diversity is one thing that we certainly can do, and we need to do it fast," she said.

Dr Audzijonyte added: "Most experimental research on climate change impacts is done on relatively short timescales, where fish are studied for two or three generations at best. We found that strong negative impacts of warming only became apparent after four generations. This suggests that we might be underestimating the possible impacts of climate change on some fisheries stocks."

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Drago Named USM College of Arts and Sciences Alumnus of Year

Mon, 04/26/2021 - 17:44pm | By: Mike Lopinto

University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Music alumnus, Alejandro Drago, has been named the College of Arts and Sciences Alumnus of the Year for 2021. Each year, the college honors outstanding alumni, faculty and staff for their recent accomplishments in creative and scholarly research, teaching, advising and mentoring, and service.

A violinist, conductor, composer and teacher, Drago obtained his Master of Fine Arts in Violin Performance and Pedagogy at the Moscow State Conservatory, and his doctoral degree in orchestral conducting from Southern Miss.

Every time I look back at my years at USM, I return to the feeling that accompanied me all that time: USM, for me, was a place of possibilities, said Drago. I felt trusted in my potential as a student and a scholar, and challenged toward new achievements.

Drago noted the tightly knit scholarly, educational and artistic community in Hattiesburg that was set on higher standards with their accomplishments.

The dynamics of this unforgettable team of talented, driven individuals is a model and a blueprint for a good deal of the artistic and academic projects I manage, and to have been part of it is, and will remain for me, a token of pride, he continued.

As a soloist and chamber musician, he has toured extensively in Russia, the United States, China, Austria, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Switzerland, Lithuania, Taiwan, Belarus, Italy, France, Brazil, Spain, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Portugal, Mexico, Colombia, Panama, Paraguay, Ecuador and Haiti. He has appeared as a guest conductor with professional and youth orchestras in the USA, Argentina, Brazil and Romania. Presently he is the Music Director of the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra (GGFSO).

Drago conducts masterclasses, seminars and lectures extensively in Asia, Europe and the United States. He teaches and performs regularly in festivals in Latin America, the US and Europe. He has been a member of the jury of junior and senior international competitions in China, the USA and Russia.

Alejandro Drago is one of our most outstanding graduates from the School of Music, said Dr. Jay Dean, director of the School of Music and Dragos major professor during

his time at USM. From the time he arrived until the time he left, he consistently made a positive impression on everyone who worked with him. He is an extraordinary musician and scholar.

Since his graduation from USM, Dean and Drago have continued to collaborate on musical projects.

In July 2008, Alejandro joined the faculty at the University of North Dakota (UND) as the Professor of Violin and Viola and Director of the UND Chamber Orchestra.

Alejandro's many awards include a special prize in the Rodolfo Lipizer International Competition (Italy, 1992), third prize in the Petar Konjovic International Young Musicians Competition (Yugoslavia, 1993) and the first prize in the "New Talents in Classical Music" Competition (Buenos Aires, 1997). His discography includes string quartets, concertos, and avant-garde tangos distributed internationally by EMI International label and Naxos Music Library Japan.

For more information about the School of Music, visit usm.edu/music.
An Israeli cabinet meeting exploded into a shouting match today after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attempted to install a loyalist as justice minister despite the attorney generals determination that such a move was illegal.

The latest: The Israeli supreme court issued an injunction to block Netanyahu's move on Tuesday night. The court will convene on Wednesday for a hearing on the matter.

The big picture: Israel has held four consecutive inconclusive elections over two years amid a prolonged political crisis caused largely by Netanyahu's trial and his attempts to block it.

Netanyahu is on trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust, and his mandate to form Israel's next government will expire in six days. As his position grows more vulnerable, his critics are accusing him of attempting to subvert Israeli democracy.

The backstory: Under the previous coalition agreement, the justice minister must be a member of the Blue and White Party, led by Benny Gantz. That agreement remains valid until a new government is formed.

Gantz himself served as interim justice minister until that appointment expired last month.

Netanyahu initially ignored a legal opinion from Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit that the post must be filled for COVID-related decisions.

Driving the news: After the supreme court ruled that the government had to hold a vote to appoint a new minister, Netanyahu convened the cabinet on Tuesday.

He and his fellow Likud party ministers blocked Gantz's reappointment. Then Netanyahu announced his intention to appoint Ofir Akunis, a minister from his own party.

Between the lines: That's a violation of the coalition agreement, which gives Gantz a veto over appointments and is enshrined in Israeli law.

That's a violation of the coalition agreement, which gives Gantz a veto over appointments and is enshrined in Israeli law. When Mandelblit interjected to tell the ministers that the move was illegal, Netanyahu cut him off and put it up for a vote anyways.

After shouting and allegations from Gantz and Netanyahu, Gantz's party boycotted the vote, and all the Likud ministers voted in favor.

The meeting then became more chaotic still, with Mandelblit insisting that Akunis' appointment was null and void.

After the meeting, the attorney general made his position clear to the supreme court, which blocked Netanyahu's move hours later.

In another unprecedented move, Netanyahu asked that his position be represented before the supreme court not by the attorney general but by a private attorney. He also asked the court for 48 hours to reach understandings with Gantz on the issue.

What they're saying: Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who is trying to form an alternative government to oust Netanyahu, said the events prove Netanyahu must go."

Gideon Sa'ar, Netanyahus right-wing rival and also part of the attempts to form an alternative government, said the delusional saga in the cabinet meeting proves there is an urgent need to replace the government."

Naftali Bennett, the potential kingmaker who has negotiated with both Netanyahu and Lapid on forming a government, didnt attack Netanyahu but said Israel is on the brink of anarchy and a functioning government must be formed."

Whats next: The negotiations between Lapid, Bennett and Sa'ar are ongoing but still with no breakthrough. The talks will continue with hopes of reaching a deal by May 2, when Netanyahus mandate expires.

Netanyahu will try and use the time he has left to drive wedges between Lapid and Bennett and create divisions within Bennetts party, including by offering his allies positions within Likud.

Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect the supreme court's action.
Researchers working with data from the U.S. Census Bureau and U-Haul determined that 101,805 people moved to Texas in 2018  a 78 percent increase from the 57,173 people who moved to the state in 2017. The largest source of new Texans was California, with 86,164 leaving the Golden State in 2018.

That mass migration continued in 2019 and even  especially  in 2020 with the economic impact of the pandemic. U-Hauls top three destinations for migration growth last year were Tennessee, Texas and Florida. The top three states for departures were California, Illinois and New Jersey.

Its not only individuals and families who are making the move; recent notable corporate relocations from California to Texas include Oracle, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Tesla, along with Tesla CEO and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, whose businesses already have an outsize presence in the Lone Star State.

The new year brought news that Samsung is looking to build a $10 billion, state-of-the-art chipmaking plant in Texas. Such investments, relocations and expansions and their associated job creation are likely to drive migration to Texas well into the future.

People are voting with their feet  and investors and CEOs with their dollars. They are fleeing states with high personal and corporate taxes, as well as high costs of living and burdensome regulations that stifle economic development.

But what happens when these new Texans begin voting in elections? Will they make Texas look more like the states they left? Will they  along with long-term demographic changes  bring a halt to the Texas Miracle, some business leaders anxiously ask?

The answers depend, in large part, on the quality of Texas leadership. A recent poll from Texas 2036, a nonprofit organization focused on the states future as it approaches its bicentennial in 15 years, found politics, government and civility were cited as the No. 1 issue Texas must address to be successful in the future. The poll also found 81 percent of Texans believe the Legislature should address the challenges highlighted by the coronavirus pandemic before this session ends.

Greg Jefferson: No comment no longer cuts it. As polarization worsens, H-E-B, USAA and other iconic companies are under pressure to take stands on hot-button issues

At this point, its worth noting that 42 percent of the 1,021 respondents identified as Republican, 37 percent as Democrat and 21 percent as independent. Texas is an eclectic political mix of blue metropolitan areas set amid a sea of red rural counties and rapidly growing purple suburbs. Regardless of the color palette, the Texas 2036 survey demonstrates there is still plenty that Texans  old-timers and newcomers  can agree upon.

Texas business-friendly environment and entrepreneurial character are a bipartisan undertaking that precedes the Republican domination of state politics since 1994. It rests on a foundation of cooperative rather than adversarial relations between businesses, large and small, and government.

For the most part, Texas government remains focused on maintaining that business-friendly environment. When the government has overstepped its bounds  for instance, with the so-called bathroom bill in 2017  business leaders have not been shy about stepping up to put politicians back in their place. Something similar is occurring this legislative session with bills related to election integrity and transgender youth.

This is in line with the Texas 2036 poll. Texans dont want incivility; they want action on the issues that most affect them and their families. So the question is not how, or whether, migration and demography will change the body politic of Texas. They already are. The question is whether state leaders can stay Texas-friendly, focus on the issues that matter, and keep the engine of opportunity and prosperity humming.

Its also worth noting the Texas 2036 survey took place before Februarys winter storm that caused so much personal misery and business disruption. How many CEOs are re-evaluating decisions to move or expand to Texas in light of the failure of the power grid managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas with oversight by the Public Utility Commission and the Texas Legislature? As the 87th regular session draws to a close, corporate decision-makers are watching events at the Capitol, waiting to see if Texas leaders are serious about increasing the resiliency of the state.

Legend holds that when a crowd asked Benjamin Franklin, emerging from the Constitutional Convention, what kind of government had been created, he replied, A republic, if you can keep it. A variation of this could be said about the challenges and the changes facing our growing state.

What kind of economy do we have in Texas? One that routinely leads the nation in job creation, draws people and companies from across the country and would have the ninth-largest GDP in the world if Texas were a country  if we can keep it.

Jonathan Gurwitz is vice president of KGBTexas Communications.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ChannelAdvisor Corporation (NYSE: ECOM), a leading provider of cloud-based e-commerce solutions that enable brands and retailers to increase global sales, today unveiled new features to enable brands and retailers to increase product visibility, find new customers, and streamline e-commerce operations.

"Dramatic shifts in e-commerce demand solutions that can meet brands and retailers at their point of need. This release includes enhancements and new services that further demonstrate our platform's powerful capabilities and the depth of our online shopping integrations that enable sellers to discover more consumers, showcase their products at the right time, and win the sale," explains Steve Frechette, Vice President, Product Management at ChannelAdvisor.

With e-commerce accelerated by the global pandemic, brands and retailers continue to adapt their online strategies. The ChannelAdvisor platform helps make these strategies possible through efficient inventory and order management, actionable analytics, digital marketing automation, support for advertising, and over 160 marketplace integrations to enable brands and retailers to capture new audiences and connect with purchase-ready consumers worldwide.

ChannelAdvisor's expanded product offerings enable brands and retailers to diversify and reach new buyers across the most popular selling channels. "Maintaining steady growth is key to multichannel success, which is why ChannelAdvisor's expanded support for Walmart presents an exciting opportunity for brands and retailers to build upon their success in this major marketplace," adds Frechette. "From advertising to fulfillment, sellers on Walmart can take full advantage of ChannelAdvisor's comprehensive, end-to-end support, enabling them to stay competitive."

With nearly 150 million visitors to Walmart stores and digital properties every week1 combined with ChannelAdvisor's robust suite of solutions, sellers can leverage ChannelAdvisor to help coordinate and optimize their advertising, product listings, and fulfillment efforts in a single platform.

New platform capabilities and services in this release include:

Expanded Support for Walmart Sellers

Support for Walmart Connect: Walmart sellers can now save valuable time and resources by leveraging ChannelAdvisor's powerful automation tools to manage their advertising campaigns in the same platform as their listings. As a Walmart Advertising Partner, ChannelAdvisor's support for Walmart Connect enables sellers to automate campaign scheduling, bidding, and keyword selection, perform bulk actions, and apply ad rules based on performance.

Walmart sellers can now save valuable time and resources by leveraging ChannelAdvisor's powerful automation tools to manage their advertising campaigns in the same platform as their listings. As a Walmart Advertising Partner, ChannelAdvisor's support for Walmart Connect enables sellers to automate campaign scheduling, bidding, and keyword selection, perform bulk actions, and apply ad rules based on performance. ChannelAdvisor Support for Walmart Fulfillment Services: As shipping and delivery metrics more strongly tie to conversion, sellers seek out fulfillment opportunities that will meet or beat the demands of online consumers. With Walmart Fulfillment Services, sellers have a cost-effective fulfillment network expansion opportunity with a proven logistics powerhouse. ChannelAdvisor Support for Walmart Fulfillment Services is targeted for availability by June and will give sellers the ability to create inbound shipping plans, accept Walmart shipping labels, and provide all required tracking information to commence inbound processing.

As shipping and delivery metrics more strongly tie to conversion, sellers seek out fulfillment opportunities that will meet or beat the demands of online consumers. With Walmart Fulfillment Services, sellers have a cost-effective fulfillment network expansion opportunity with a proven logistics powerhouse. ChannelAdvisor Support for Walmart Fulfillment Services is targeted for availability by June and will give sellers the ability to create inbound shipping plans, accept Walmart shipping labels, and provide all required tracking information to commence inbound processing. ChannelAdvisor Image Checking Tool for Walmart: Sellers can streamline and monitor their product listings for accuracy with ChannelAdvisor's newest image-checking tool designed to help users review and validate images before adding new items to Walmart. In addition to flagging invalid images, sellers can access image details to ensure future compliance with Walmart's requirements.

Support for New Marketplace and Dropship Integrations

New Marketplace Integrations: As the shift to multichannel commerce has accelerated, competitive brands and retailers desire diversification to attract more consumers and grow online sales. ChannelAdvisor remains laser-focused on global marketplace expansions to help address the evolving business needs of brands and retailers worldwide. This ongoing commitment to marketplace expansion is evident through the broadening of existing support of Elkjp (FI, SE, and DK) and Lazada (PH, VN, SG, TH, ID, MY) in addition to new marketplace integrations with Ahlens (SE), Amazon Poland (PL), Back Market (UK), Beyond (US), Exelon (US), Joom (FR), NBCUniversal Checkout (US), PopIn Border (KR), and Zalando (CZ and IE).

As the shift to multichannel commerce has accelerated, competitive brands and retailers desire diversification to attract more consumers and grow online sales. ChannelAdvisor remains laser-focused on global marketplace expansions to help address the evolving business needs of brands and retailers worldwide. This ongoing commitment to marketplace expansion is evident through the broadening of existing support of Elkjp (FI, SE, and DK) and Lazada (PH, VN, SG, TH, ID, MY) in addition to new marketplace integrations with Ahlens (SE), Amazon Poland (PL), Back Market (UK), Beyond (US), Exelon (US), Joom (FR), NBCUniversal Checkout (US), PopIn Border (KR), and Zalando (CZ and IE). New First-Party Channel Expansions: ChannelAdvisor added support for first-party integrations with AAFES (US), Aldi (DE), Best Buy Canada (Consignment), Hofer (AT), Tractor Supply (US), Wayfair (CA), and Zappos (US).

Enhanced UX, Reporting and Analytics

Third-Party Sellers Analysis: Third-Party Sellers Analysis is a new ChannelAdvisor Brand Analytics premium feature that can help brands increase visibility of third-party sellers on retail sites and marketplaces such as Amazon and Walmart. With the ability to analyze strategies, track stock levels and identify unauthorized sellers, brands now have a more comprehensive tool for visibility of their retail partners and other third-party sellers.

Third-Party Sellers Analysis is a new ChannelAdvisor Brand Analytics premium feature that can help brands increase visibility of third-party sellers on retail sites and marketplaces such as Amazon and Walmart. With the ability to analyze strategies, track stock levels and identify unauthorized sellers, brands now have a more comprehensive tool for visibility of their retail partners and other third-party sellers. Enhancements to the Channel Health Console: Channel Health Console allows brands and retailers to better understand and gauge operational health across all channel integrations, enabling prioritization and focus on the most critical areas of their business. The most recent enhancements to the Channel Health Console save users time and effort by providing a high-level overview of the performance of their product feeds.

New Services for Online Brand Presence

Campaign Management  Video Advertising Services: With ChannelAdvisor's digital marketing and advertising expertise combined with data-driven analysis, brands and retailers can now gain services support for campaign management of video advertising campaigns. With advanced support to more effectively manage rich media experiences such as video advertising on YouTube, brands can get in position to engage digitally-savvy consumers at every stage of the shopping journey.

Additional Features for Optimization

ChannelAdvisor Extended Support for Amazon Buy Shipping: With the Buy Shipping API expansion, ChannelAdvisor offers sellers the opportunity to reach audiences in five additional countries, including Canada , France , India , Italy , and Spain . By simplifying the steps required to participate in Seller Fulfilled Prime, this feature allows sellers to meet Amazon's requirements and quickly respond to shipment notifications.

More to Explore

ChannelAdvisor will present its new set of features in a webinar planned for Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 11 a.m. EDT. Get access to expert insight, register today to explore solutions designed to:

Boost product visibility across multiple selling channels

across multiple selling channels Optimize your advertising strategy on Walmart

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The stunning scenery of the Jump Rock pools looks like it something found on a lush tropical island, but instead it is a short hike from a highway just two hours from Sydney.

The stunning rock pools have become one of the most sought after swimming spots in Australia, soaring in popularity as visitors seek the perfect envy-inducing Instagram shot.

The pools can be found via a challenging 45-minute hike down a trail which runs off the Illawarra Highway near Albion Park.

While most visitors to the area head along the Cascades walking track nearby, in-the-know adventurers take the lesser-known trail to the glistening pools instead.

Stunning rock pools (pictured) hidden in plain sight near a major highway is fast becoming one of New South Wales' most popular swimming spots

A 45 minute walk off the Illawarra Highway at Albion Park, a two hour drive south of Sydney's CBD, will take you to Jump Rock in Macquarie Pass (pictured)

Inexperienced walkers would find the trail challenging, but those willing and able to reach the beautiful pools should strap on their boots in the Cascade Falls parking lot, and head off down the path to the left of the carpark.

The track takes walkers over a green field and flowing river, past lush greenery and waterholes, through mud and over sinewy tree roots, with plenty of native wildlife to spot along the way.

The trail splits off occasionally and is not always clear, but walkers should keep close to the river and will find all tracks lead to the same place - a gush of water which hikers can pass by jumping across large rocks.

From there, adventurers stay left while passing the large boulders and climb up slippery cliffs using ropes and grips before finding themselves on natural platforms ten metres above the pools.

Wildlife in the lush ferny forest of Macquarie Pass National Park includes lyrebirds, koalas nestled in the gum trees, swamp wallabies, platypuses and water dragons.

Starting from the Cascade Falls parking lot, experienced walkers can strap on enclosed boots before starting off from the path to the left the carpark

While most travellers head along the easy Cascades walking track, bushwalkers in the know taken the path less traveled across slippery rocks to the glistening waterhole

The hike may be challenging in parts, but tourists who have reached the pools say it is very much worth the effort.

'The water is beautiful and clean and a nice way to cool off on hot days. Can't find much better,' one person wrote about the pools.

'A summer gem to help you cool off,' another added.

Locals warn the 1.5 hour return trail is for experienced walkers only, is not be suitable for young children and should not be attempted during or after heavy rain.

Those visitors wanting or needing an easier option is to walk to Cascades Fall, an easier hour-long stroll which leads to a gushing waterfall and picnic spot.

The landmarked track will take bushwalkers down a cool valley through ferns to a rest spot with a view of the waterfalls.

The destination is a two-hour drive from Sydney's CBD or the city's west, 30 minutes from Wollongong and two and a half hours from Canberra.

Tourists who have braved the trek to reach the pools called it 'beautiful' and a 'summer gem'
Orange County Universities Hold In-Person Graduation

As Orange County moves into less-restrictive pandemic guidelines, universities are opting for modified in-person commencement ceremonies.

University of CaliforniaIrvine (UCI) announced April 26 that graduatesboth classes of 2020 and 2021will be allowed to participate in an in-person component of the stage walk. Each graduate is allowed to bring two guests.

Students will be assigned specific time frames during the June 13 event, which will be live-streamed for those who cant attend.

Some faculty will be allowed to participate in person, as well.

The university will hold a virtual commencement June 12, featuring speeches from UCIs leaders.

We are disappointed that we are again unable to celebrate our graduating students accomplishments in person, but public health and safety must continue to take precedence, the university said in a statement.

Though circumstances may improve by June, it takes months of planning to prepare for our usual festivities, which draws over 70,000 visitors from around the world.

California State UniversityFullerton

California State UniversityFullerton (CSUF) will hold a limited in-person commencement June 12 for the classes of 2020 and 2021.

The university made the announcement following the states most recent public ceremony guidelines, which allow outdoor events related to graduation.

The ceremony is limited to graduates and two ticketed guests, and will be live streamed for others.

Prior to the in-person ceremonies, CSUF will hold a virtual commencement June 11, featuring speeches by campus leaders and the conferring of degrees. Afterward, each college will have a virtual celebration.

California State UniversityLong Beach

California State UniversityLong Beach (CSULB) graduates will experience an in-person commencement from May 28 to May 31 at the Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

For those unable to attend in-person, virtual celebrations will be held, along with a livestream of the commencement.

Graduates will emerge through a tunnel and walk onto the playing field, where a crowd of fans will cheer them on. The students will cross a platform and find their seats.

This procession will be displayed on the jumbo screen prior to the start of the ceremony.

There will not be a stage-walk for graduates, as students will be seated throughout the 100 to 300 level seating areas.

Due to limited ceremony time, no graduate names will be announced inside the stadium.

Each student is allowed to bring two ticketed guests into the stadium, as capacity is limited.

Virtual content for the class of 2021 will be available the week of commencement.
[April 27, 2021] Zonehaven and Intterra Announce Strategic Partnership and First Pilot Deployment with Oregon Fire Chiefs Association

Zonehaven, the #1 Provider of Evacuation Management solutions, and Intterra, the leader in All-Hazards Incident and Operational Management, today announced a strategic partnership in conjunction with a pilot installation sponsored by the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association in partnership with FM Global. The integration of the Intterra and Zonehaven Platforms will increase safety for residents by: This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005266/en/ Zonehaven-Intterra Integration (Graphic: Business Wire) 1 st responders have a "single pane of glass" to forecast incidents, order an evacuation and respond.

responders have a "single pane of glass" to forecast incidents, order an evacuation and respond. Alerting the community of an evacuation across many channels and a website with current status.

Decreasing evacuation decision and execution time so that Police and Emergency Management can facilitate the evacuation and allowing Fire Fighters to then focus on containing the incident. Intterra and Zonehaven are both map-based information tools tht simplify decision making to increase safety for residents and 1st responders. Intterra's Operations and Incident Management solutions allow fire and police to see the current status of an event, including the location of 1st responders, equipment and the status of the supplies needed to respond to any emergency effectively.



Zonehaven EVAC is the first zone-based Evacuation Management Platform that uses advanced algorithms to create effective evacuation zones, determine effective routing and traffic control points, and model events to prepare for a wildfire or other emergencies. Police, Fire and Emergency Services work collaboratively to finalize the zones and add hyper-local knowledge such as temporary shelters, temporary evacuation routes, facilities needing additional evacuation time and homeless camps. During an event, Fire and Police can share a view of an incident via a Tablet, Phone (News - Alert) or Browser, run forecasts of the event progression and determine which zones should be evacuated or placed on warning. When the evacuation is ordered, the system communicates the evacuation immediately via all available channels: Community Alerting Systems, Press Releases, Twitter, Facebook (News - Alert) , etc. Zonehaven AWARE is a community website for residents to view incident status and access emergency information.

"With this partnership, Fire and Police and Emergency Management can see the entire picture in one place," said Fire Chief Roger Johnson of the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association. "When a Wildfire or other emergency happens, our 1st priority is to move people to safety. On one screen we can see the fire progression, the Zonehaven evac zones and the location of our resources to make good decisions fast and accurately communicate an evacuation with a few clicks on a screen." "This is the next generation of public safety," said Brian Collins, CEO of Intterra. "Adding the first and best Evacuation Management Platform to the Intterra's solutions gives Fire and Police a one-stop solution to respond to an emergency and get people to safety as fast as a possible." Charlie Crocker, Zonehaven's CEO, added: "Our goal is to save lives. This partnership helps us do just that." About Intterra: Decision support for all hazards mitigation, response & recovery for over a decade at every level from federal, to state and local first responding agencies of all sizes. About Zonehaven: Empowering first responders and agencies with evacuation management tools to plan, train for and execute live evacuations and communicate status immediately to the public. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005266/en/

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Hollywood celebrity Tyler Perry urged people to "reject hate" during his award acceptance speech at the 2021 Oscars on Sunday.

Tyler Perry received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award during the Oscars ceremony that was given to him by Viola Davis, Faithwire reported. Perry was recognized for his charitable acts especially during the height of the pandemic last year when he paid for the groceries of senior citizens.

His charitable acts were mentioned during the awarding and included buying the said groceries for 1,000 neighbors, supporting a woman's shelter, and paying the tuition fee of a hardworking student.

"In this time, with all the internet and social media and algorithms and everything that wants us to think a certain way--the 24-hour news cycle--it is my hope that all of us will teach our kids, and not only remember, but just refuse hate. Don't hate anybody," Perry said after receiving the award.

"I refuse to hate someone because they are Mexican or because they are black or white or LGBTQ," he continued. "I refuse to hate someone because they are a police officer. I refuse to hate someone because they are Asian. I would hope we would refuse hate," he stressed.

"To anyone who wants to stand in the middle, that's where healing happens, change happens. So anyone who wants to meet me in the middle to refuse hate," he added, "to help lift someone's feet off the ground, this one is for you, too."

Perry attributes his charitable works to an incident that happened to him 20 years ago, when a homeless woman came up to him and asked for a pair of shoes much to his surprise, Faithwire revealed

Perry, who is a writer, actor, director, and producer, said during the awarding that he was giving the homeless woman money but when she said she wanted a pair of shoes, he allowed her to get inside his home and pick one from his wardrobe.

The woman was delighted and remarked, "Thank you, Jesus, my feet are off the ground." The woman said she actually thought he would "hate" her, to which he remarked, "How could I hate you when I used to be you?" Since then, that incident has pushed him to do charitable works.

According to his website, Perry attributes his refusal to hate from his mother who taught him to "refuse blanket judgment." This is why he hopes that every parent will teach their children to do the same, to "just refuse hate."

The website said that the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian award was given Perry for his "cultural influence extending far beyond his work as a filmmaker." The website also said it gave people "hope."

Fox News TV Host Sean Hannity commended Perry's speech as a "moment of sanity" in a tweet on Monday, as he shared a blog post that contained a video clip on the event.

"MOMENT OF SANITY: Tyler Perry Tells Oscars He 'Refuses to Hate Police Officers'," Hannity said.

New York Times best-selling author of "Mostly Sunny" Janice Dean praised Perry for his "incredible speech" that "most of Hollywood don't want to hear." She included a screenshot of Perry's speech given during the Oscars ceremony. Many netizens appreciated him, too, for his words of healing.
The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world, the leading cause for which, according to the American Heart Association, is cardiovascular disease.

Its important for use to recognize the three very important risk factors for cardiovascular disease  obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, said Dr. Lisa Hollier from Texas Childrens Health Plan. All three are increasing for women of all races and ethnicities across the state of Texas, but the highest prevalence is for non-Hispanic black women.

Hollier made her comments during a virtual panel on maternal health and hypertension hosted by the AHA, discussing the issues around Texass shockingly high maternal mortality rate (35 maternal deaths in 100,000) and potential solutions, such as increased community involvement and access to comprehensive health services. The webinar was the last in a series of the AHAs Taking the Issues to Heart panel discussions.

The panel also included Julie Stagg, Department of State Health Services; Heidi McPherson, Sr. Director, Healthcare Systems and Community Impact, AHA and Dr. Sherri Onyiego, a family medicine doctor in Houston and a member of the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity in Texas Review Committee (MMMRC).

An estimated 700 women die in childbirth each year and black and American Indian/Alaska Native women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications in comparison to their white counterparts, according to an AHA factsheet.

We know theres a great disparity, said Onyiego. Non-Hispanic black women really are quite disproportionate in those disparities, with 31 percent of the deaths being amongst non-Hispanic black women, and they only make up 11 percent of the live births in our state.

Onyiego summarized the findings of the MMMRC, whose latest study was released in December 2020. The reviewers asserted that the factors contributing to maternal mortality and morbidity were complex and occur over the life course, and framed their advice around helping expectant mothers at the individual and family, provider and facility, and community and systems levels.

(One of our) recommendations is increasing access to comprehensive health services at critical time points during the pregnancy, the year after pregnancy, throughout the preconception as well as the inter pregnancy periods, said Onyiego. The other recommendation is engagement, specifically engagement of black communities and applying a health equity framework to those engagement opportunities and services. And finally, the implementation of statewide initiatives to really reduce maternal mortality and morbidity.

The MMMRC was started in 2014, with support from the Texas Department of State Health Services, to study and improve maternal health in Texas. Onyiego was one of 16 members on this years multidisciplinary review committee.

The speakers reiterated that partnerships with community-based organizations were the key to improving womens health.

Julie Stagg discussed the TexasAIM Initiative, started by the Texas DSHS to help hospitals and clinics in Texas. The TexasAIM Initiative has bundles focusing on a specific maternal health and safety topic and offers helpful information in the from of online course modules.

Cardiovascular conditions is an area that we need to focus on  hypertension, again, another important contributor, said Hollier. So I think the key chronic conditions, if you will, would be obesity and hypertension, again, both just proportionately higher in our African American communities. And I think that focus needs to be not just on health care, but we need to be sure that we're moving upstream, and catching the social drivers of health care outcomes as well.

juhi.varma@hcnonline.com
Four Falun Gong practitioners in front of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong on April 25, 2021, to commemorated the 22nd anniversary of a historical appeal for freedom of belief in mainland China. (Song Bilong/The Epoch Times)

Hong Kong, Taiwan Commemorate a Peaceful Protest in China That Saw 10,000 People Calling for Religious Freedom

On April 25, when Liu Huiqing and three other Hong Kong Falun Gong practitioners demonstrated in front of the Liaison Office, Beijings representative office in Hong Kong, over ten police officers in plain clothes or uniforms and office security guards watched alertly.

They came to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of a historical appeal for freedom of belief in mainland China, but the current situation in Hong Konga four-person limit on public group size and the new national security law imposed by Beijingmade this years rally special.

Twenty-two years have passed since tens of thousands Falun Gong practitioners peacefully appealed on April 25, 1999, Liu Huiqing, representing the Hong Kong Falun Dafa Association, said at the front of the rally. The Chinese Communist Party continues the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.

Commemorate 22nd anniversary of the April 25 peaceful appeal, Stop the persecution of Falun Gong, and Falun Dafa is good, read banners held by the three others.

On April 25, 1999, around 10,000 Falun Gong adherents showed up at the appeals office near Zhongnanhai, the central government compound in Beijing. They asked the authorities to release the 45 Falun Gong practitioners recently arrested in the nearby city of Tianjin and to allow Falun Gong to be practiced in China without fear or harassment.

Over 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners went to appeal in Beijing, China on April 25, 1999. (Minghui.org)

The premier at the time, Zhu Rongji, met with three representatives and agreed to their requests.

But three months later, a nationwide, systematic persecution against the ancient the spiritual discipline was launched by Jiang Zemin, then leader of the Party. Millions of innocent people in China have since been fired from their jobs, expelled from school, jailed, tortured, or killed, simply for practicing Falun Gong.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, consists of a sitting meditation, four gentle standing exercises, and moral teachings focused on the core values of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

Until now, the communist regime hasnt given [Falun Gong] justice, said Cai Yaochang, a pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong.

Although Falun Gong practitioners in mainland China are not able to hold public events, adherents overseas, and even in Hong Kong, never stop, he added. They emphasize the principle of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Their persistence deserves more attention.

In the speech, Liu also condemned the violent attack on the local Falun Dafa information booths by vandals believed to be hired by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). She expressed gratification for the vandals arrest.

Hong Kong police announced that eight men related to the crime were arrested on April 22, 2021. The arrested suspects have mafia backgrounds and their motives are still under investigation.

In April, seven Hong Kong public information booths exposing the Chinese regimes persecution of the spiritual practice Falun Gong were vandalized, signs were destroyed, and practitioners were verbally and physically threatened.

Taiwan

A contrasting rally was held on the same day in Taiwan. Thousands gathered at the Taipei City Hall Plaza, in front of the Taipei government, and did Falun Gong exercises and held a press conference, with local officials voicing their support.

Falun Gong practitioners in a rally to remember the historic April 25, 1999 appeal in China at Taipei City Hall Plaza on April 25, 2021. (Chen Bai-jhou/The Epoch Times)

The communist regime chose violent suppression instead of listening to reasonable voices, said Tsai Chi-chang, the vice president of Taiwans Legislative Yuan, something not acceptable to the free world.

I believe no one could accept it, said Taiwan legislator Freddy Lim. For most governments, peaceful appeals like the April 25 event are common.

Taipei city councilor Lin Ying-meng said April 25 is significant because Falun Gong practitioners in China appealed to the communist regime for their fundamental right of freedom of belief.

The CCP promised to offer freedom of belief. But later in July, she continued, the Party launched the persecution campaign against Falun Gong.

The CCP never keeps its promise, she pointed out that the similar scenes have repeated again and againfrom Falun Gong practitioners to Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Hong Kongers.

Lets stand together against communist tyranny and [stand] with Falun Gong practitioners, she said.

Taipei city councilor Lin Ying-meng spoke at the event by Falun Gong practitioners at Taipei City Hall Plaza on April 25, 2021. (Chen Bai-jhou/The Epoch Times)

CCP, Not China

Falun Gong practitioners appeals are not related to politics. They only want freedom of belief, said Su Tzu-yun, a research fellow of the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taiwan. The communist regime had written those rights into their constitution, but the ongoing persecution reveals it is a mere scrap of paper.

The problem is not about China. Its the CCP, Su called on Chinese people to wake up.

While China was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the CCP continued the persecution, said Wang Chung-yue, the former director of the Rescue Falun Gong Practitioners Association. Eighty-three practitioners were persecuted to death, 622 sentenced to prison for their faith, and another 12,500 were harassed and arrested in 2020.

Wang Chung-yue spoke at the event by Falun Gong practitioners at Taipei City Hall Plaza on April 25, 2021. (Chen Bai-jhou/The Epoch Times)

Falun Gong practitioners have not given up during the 22 years of persecution, despite the CCP unleashing all kinds of cruel torture methods, Wang continued.

The reason is simple. Practitioners minds and bodies benefited by following the principle of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.

Liang Zhen, Wu Min-jhou, Hsu Tsui-ling, Chang Yuan-chang, Huang Yu-yan, and Hou Jyun-lin contributed to this report.
"At Schleich we know that kids are natural storytellers! And when their imaginations and creativity are nurtured through community, mentorship, and education, they become tomorrow's out-of-the-box thinkers and problem solvers," said Annie Laurie Zomermaand, co-managing director, Schleich USA. "In 4-H, we've found the perfect partner to help us follow up the story-inspiring magic of Schleich with this type of leadership."

This National Storytelling Day (April 27), Schleich and 4-H are calling upon kids everywhere to help create the year's most epic animal story! The story starts at www.createyourstorywith4H.com. What happens next is up to kids! They can write the next part of the story, snap a photo to share what comes next, shoot a video, draw a picture, etc. Ten stories will be selected for public voting, and the top two stories will be included in an epic, interactive "create your own adventure" video premiering this fall. With three opportunities to contribute stories between May and August, kids will have plenty of chances to share their creativity with the world!

"For over 100 years, 4-H has believed in the power of young people, their ability to lead and improve the world. Our partnership with Schleich will help unlock the imagination and epic stories ready to be shared by our young leaders," said Ivan Heredia, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, National 4-H Council. "This national platform will spark a passion for creativity creating endless possibilities that empower young minds and inspire fun."

Schleich fans will also be able to grow their collections while supporting 4-H throughout 2021. A series of new character bundles from Schleich and 4-H will each include a story starter, carrying pouch, and a set of characters ready for adventure. A percentage from every 4-H-inspired bundle purchased on Schleich's website will be donated to 4-H to support programming benefitting 4-H youth and their local communities. And, an exclusive display at select bricks-and-mortar retailers including Orscheln Farm and Home, Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply, and Coastal Farm & Home will direct $0.50 to 4-H for each character purchased.

For more information about the "Create Your Story" contest, as well as Schleich's partnership with 4-H, visit www.createyourstorywith4h.com . The progress of the contest and the latest details about the partnership can also be followed on Schleich's social media channels, including Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and YouTube .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Julie Stern

Brilliant PR & Marketing

[email protected]

(860-805-4988)

About Schleich

Founded more than 80 years ago by Friedrich Schleich in Schwabisch Gmund, Schleich is one of Germany's largest toy manufacturers and a leading international provider of figurines. The famous Schleich figurines are sold in more than 60 countries and are loved by children around the world. As a global player with Swabian roots, Schleich currently generates more than half of its sales outside its core market in Germany. The Company is majority owned by Partners Group, a global private markets investment management firm. Further shareholders are the management team around Managing Director Dirk Engehausen (CEO). The design of the Schleich play worlds, the manufacturing of the production tools and all quality and safety checks are carried out in Germany. Production itself takes place at the company's site in Schwabisch Gmund and in other production plants abroad.

About 4-H

4-H, the nation's largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation's Cooperative Extension System and USDA and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.

Learn more about 4-H at 4-H.org , find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/4-H and follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/4H .

SOURCE Schleich USA
Steroids should not be used to treat smell loss caused by Covid-19 according to an international group of smell experts, including Prof Carl Philpott from the University of East Anglia.

Image Credit: University of East Anglia

Smell loss is a prominent symptom of Covid-19, and the pandemic is leaving many people with long-term smell loss.

But a new study published today shows that corticosteroids - a class of drug that lowers inflammation in the body  are not recommended to treat smell loss due to Covid-19.

Instead, the team recommend smell training  a process that involves sniffing at least four different odors twice a day for several months.

The huge rise in smell loss caused by Covid-19 has created an unprecedented worldwide demand for treatment. Around one in five people who experience smell loss as a result of Covid-19 report that their sense of smell has not returned to normal eight weeks after falling ill. Corticosteroids are a class of drug that lowers inflammation in the body. Doctors often prescribe them to help treat conditions such as asthma, and they have been considered as a therapeutic option for smell loss caused by Covid-19. But they have well-known potential side effects including fluid retention, high blood pressure, and problems with mood swings and behavior. Prof Carl Philpott, Smell loss expert, UEAs Norwich Medical School

The team carried out a systematic evidence-based review to see whether corticosteroids could help people regain their sense of smell.

Prof Philpott said: What we found that there is very little evidence that corticosteroids will help with smell loss. And because they have well known potential adverse side effects, our advice is that they should not be prescribed as a treatment for post-viral smell loss.

"There might be a case for using oral corticosteroids to eliminate the possibility of another cause for smell loss actually being a confounding factor, for example chronic sinusitis  this is obviously more of a diagnostic role than as a treatment for viral smell loss.

Luckily most people who experience smell loss as a result of Covid-19 will regain their sense of smell spontaneously. Research shows that 90 per cent of people will have fully recovered their sense of smell after six months.

But we do know that smell training could be helpful. This involves sniffing at least four different odors twice a day every day for several months. It has emerged as a cheap, simple and side-effect free treatment option for various causes of smell loss, including Covid-19.

It aims to help recovery based on neuroplasticity - the brains ability to reorganize itself to compensate for a change or injury, he added.

The research was led by researchers at the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc in Brussels (Belgium) in collaboration with the Univeriste catholique de Louvain, Brussels (Belgium), the University of East Anglia (UK), Biruni University, Istanbul (Turkey), Aarhus University (Denmark), Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres (Canada), Geneve University Hospitals (Switzerland), Harvard University (USA), Aristotle University, Thessaloniki (Greece), University of Insubriae (Italy), University of Vienna (Austria), the University of Chicago (USA) and the University of Colorado (USA).

Systemic corticosteroids in COVID-19 related smell dysfunction: an international view is published in the journal International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology.
Sydney, April 27 : Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee has contributed one Bitcoin (worth about Rs 41 lakh) to Crypto Relief to help in India's fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The former Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player is the second Australian after pacer Pat Cummins to donate money to aid India's response to the pandemic.

Cummins, the most expensive buy during the IPL 2020 player auction, donated US $50,000 to the PM Cares Fund for the purchase of oxygen and medical supplies for hospitals across India.

In a letter posted on his Twitter page, Lee wrote: "India has always been like a second home for me. The love and affection that I have got from the people of this country both during my professional career and even after my retirement, holds a special place in my heart. It saddens me deeply to see people suffering due to the ongoing pandemic.

"I feel privileged to be in a position of making a difference and with that in mind, I'd like to donate 1 BTC (Bitcoin) to Crypto Relief to help with the purchase of oxygen supplies for the hospitals across India," he added.

"Now is the time to be united and ensure we do as much as we can to help the ones in need. I'd also want to thank all the frontline workers who have been working round the clock during these tough times. I request people to take care, stay at home, wash your hands and head out only if absolutely necessary." Lee also commended Cummins for his gesture saying, "Well done Cummins for the initiative yesterday."
In a city that loves to say, "Laissez les bon temps rouler," the phrase on everyone's lips Wednesday should be "Deja que los buenos tiempos pasen." Say that after a couple of cervezas or shots of tequila!

Granted, not everyone is going to "Let the good times roll" in either language, but the celebration of Mexican Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 is a reason to relish the food, beverages and fun of the neighbor to the south.

Metro-area restaurants have a cornucopia of fun planned for the day. Here's are some of the celebrations on tap:

House Fest: Tacos Del Cartel plans an inaugural event at the Al Copeland Meadow Concert Stage at Lafreniere Park. The restaurant, 2901 David Drive, Metairie, blends tacos and "house music" with face painting, bartender stage shows and masterclasses with the traditional Latin spirits tequila and mezcal. 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie. tacosdelcartel.com.

Zocalo Fest: The Metairie Road eatery Zocalo Cocina Mexicana & Cantina plans food from the restaurant, as well as Brasa Churrasqueria, Baru Bistro and Tapas and Basin Seafood and Spirits. In additional to edibles, there will be margarita specials and tequila tastings, plus live music and DJs during the day. VIP tickets are available. 11:30 a.m. to closing. 2501 Metairie Road, Metairie. zocalo-nola.com.

Cinco de Mayo Festival: Los Jefes Grill and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce partner for the fifth annual event at Fat City Park. Food, music, a taco eating contest and VIP options are all part of the fiesta, with some of the proceeds to benefit the chamber's work with DACA applicants. Bands include the Honey Island Swamp Band Otra and the La Tran-K Band, with DJs Mannie Fresh, Emotion and 2Nyce. Admission includes all-you-can-eat tacos for $30. 3215 Edenborn Ave., Metairie. losjefesgrill.com.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration: El Paso Mexican Grill gets in on the act with a family-friendly celebration with tacos, burritos, margaritas and tequila tastings, as well as music from the renown Julio & Caesar and David Jesus; DJs provide tunes from noon to 3 p.m. 601 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie. elpasometairie.com.

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Cinco de Mayo at Felipe's: All three of the locations of Felipe's will mark the general's victory with celebrations that include live music, authentic Mexican dishes and a special Cyber Cinco for those wishes to pick up their order and celebrate at home with live streaming. The fun starts at 6 p.m. 301 N. Peters St., 6215 S. Miro St. and 411-1 N. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans. felipestaqueria.com.

Margarita Mayhem: Vybes Nation hosts its seventh annual May 5 celebration, with Latin-inspired cuisine, drink specials, vendors and DJs mixing music throughout the day. Tickets start at $10. 1681 Religious St., New Orleans. (504) 323.5065.

Cinco Spring Party: Casa Borrega will host the New Orleans Mambo Kings in a concert at 6 p.m., with tickets starting at $20. Dining at the restaurant, featuring traditional Mexican food, will be the order the day. Reservations are required. 1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans. casaborrega.com.

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta: Las Maracas serves a variety of Latin cuisine and plans fun, food and festivities throughout the day at the west bank location, starting at 10:30 a.m. 27 Louisiana Ave., Westwego.

Happy Cinco de Mayo: The Hard Rock Cafe celebrates from Friday through Wednesday with tequila, limes and "good times," plus a trio of new jumbo margaritas and food and beverage promotions. 125 Bourbon St., New Orleans. hardrockcafe.com.

+15 How birria tacos keep a Metairie tortilla bakery going, and a family dream alive This story is part of an ongoing look at how New Orleans restaurants are contending with the pandemic.

+17 A New Orleans builder made its own in-house restaurant; now it's a hub of Colombian flavor The dish called patacon Gloria at Golden Gate Bistro starts with a long plank of pounded, fried plantain buried under bits of grilled steak, c
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) -QcX Gold Corp. (TSXV: QCX) (OTCQB: QCXGF) (FSE: 21MA) ("QcX" or the "Company") is pleased to share results from its targeted Induced Polarisation "IP" geophysical program on the Golden Giant Project (the "Project" or the "Property") in James Bay, Quebec. Four IP grids were completed across the property, three on Golden Giant East ("GGEast") and one on Golden Giant West ("GGWest"). The grids cover areas where significant gold values were discovered at surface during 2020's summer exploration program. Many strong anomalies were identified by the IP program and correlated well with already existing targets. Previously announced high priority targets (please see release dated March 24, 2021) on the GGEast and GGWest blocks are now 'drill ready' targets. These targets have a combination of the following: 1) surface gold values from grab sampling 2) a magnetic anomaly and 3) an IP anomaly. IP results can be viewed below in Figures 1 and 2.

Aaron Stone, Vice President Exploration of QcX, stated, "Now that we are armed with these fantastic IP results, the Company now has an established dataset to plan for our inaugural drill program on Golden Giant. It's exciting when you have multiple indicators pointing to very specific locations. Our targets have gold values from our 2020 summer surface exploration work, combined with one or both of a magnetic anomaly and IP anomaly. We are currently finalising our drill hole plan and we expect to be underway on the property in mid-May."

Induced polarization (IP) is a geophysical imaging technique used to identify the electrical chargeability of subsurface materials, such as sulphides. The dipole-dipole electrode array was used for this induced polarisation survey. The program aids in detecting the presence of sulphide mineralization below the earths surface as well as areas of increased or decreased resistivity which may indicate hydrothermal activity. Disseminated sulphides, including pyrite, chalcopyrite, and arsenopyrite, are associated with gold mineralization found in grab samples at Golden Giant.

The Golden Giant project comprises 3 properties, Golden Giant East, Golden Giant West and the Kali East block, covering 18,992 hectares and is contiguous to Azimut Exploration Inc.'s Patwon project as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 1: Satellite imagery of the Golden Giant East block overlain by IP anomaly strengths.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1791/81827_d59f3b629401380e_001full.jpg

Figure 2: Satellite imagery of the Golden Giant West block overlain by IP anomaly strengths.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1791/81827_d59f3b629401380e_002full.jpg



Figure 3: Location of the Golden Giant Project (red) with respect to neighbouring companies.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1791/81827_d59f3b629401380e_003full.jpg

Qualified Person

Maxime Bouchard P.Geo. M.Sc.A., (OGQ 1752), a Qualified Person ("QP") as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the geological information reported in this news release.

About QcX Gold

QcX Gold is exploring for gold and VMS style mineralization on its highly prospective and well-located properties in Quebec, Canada. The Golden Giant Project is located in the James Bay region of Quebec, only 2.9 km away from Azimut Exploration Inc.'s Patwon discovery on their Elmer gold project. The Fernet Project is located in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt in the Province of Quebec and is contiguous with Wallbridge Mining Company Limited's Fenelon/Martiniere property. Both properties are in close proximity to major discoveries which bodes well for exploration.

For further information, please contact:

Aaron Stone

Vice President Exploration

aaron.stone@qcxgold.com

514-235-6012

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements:

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including, without limitation, the planned exploration program, the expected positive exploration results, the timing of the exploration results, the ability of the Company to continue with the exploration program, the availability of the required funds to continue with the exploration and the potential mineralization or potential mineral resources are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "to earn", "to have', "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, failure to meet expected, estimated or planned exploration expenditures, failure to establish estimated mineral resources, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, general business and economic conditions, changes in world gold markets, sufficient labour and equipment being available, changes in laws and permitting requirements, unanticipated weather changes, title disputes and claims, environmental risks as well as those risks identified in the Company's annual Management's Discussion and Analysis. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81827
A Woolworths manager has sparked outrage after rudely texting a junior worker to 'f*** right off' in a nasty series of messages.

A casual female employee who worked at an unnamed Woolworths store texted her boss at 10am on Monday to say she couldn't attend her midday to 5pm shift later that day.

The employee shared screenshots of her boss' crude remarks on Twitter, sarcastically saying: 'Absolutely love my manager'.

A casual employee at an unnamed Woolworths store texted her boss to tell them she couldn't attend her shift before a heated text messages were exchanged

'I've tried calling the store but I can't get through, but I'm unable to do my 12-5pm today,' the Woolies worker wrote.

Her boss responded that it's 'my day off' and that the worker should call the store again as she was rostered on for the day.

'Call them again. Texting in to me or any supervisor is not acceptable,' the manager replied.

The Woolworths employee apologised and said she thought it better to let 'my manager know in any way possible' rather than not 'rocking up' at all for the shift.

Woolworths manager has told casual employee to 'f*** right off' in heated text messaged (pictured)

But her boss erupted in an expletive-ridden tirade and told the casual worker to call the store again as she starts in two hours.

'Do you enjoy working on your day off? I don't,' the manager messaged.

'I am a human being you know. I need time away from work to relax and spend time with my family.'

The manager continued to say they 'already donate enough of my time for my team' and questioned whether the employee knew 'how many breaks I don't get and how late I stay back'.

'So you can take your sassy comments and f*** right off tbh,' the manager said.

'Call the f***ing store.'

The worker was left shocked by the heated exchange.

The Woolworths manager told the casual to call the store as it was her 'day off' (pictured: stock image of Woolworths store)

'I think even you know that's an absolutely unacceptable way to speak to your team. Wow,' she responded back.

It is understood that the female employee has since quit her job at the Woolworths branch.

The messages posted to Twitter had varying reactions from others online, with some defending the casual team member.

'And there's zero excuse for language like that in any professional context,' one person said.

'OP here has made all attempts to let them know and you think letting the manager know would be the next best thing,' another said.

The casual female Woolies employee has reportedly quit her job since the text messages were posted to Twitter (pictured: stock image of Woolworths store)

Others disagreed with the team member's actions.

'Kinda seems like you're f**ing the manager over tbh,' said one person.

'If you want reliability, hire permanent staff,' another commented

Woolworths confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that they are aware of the messages and are investigating the incident.

'The safety and wellbeing of all our team is our top priority and we are conducting a full investigation so we can resolve this matter promptly,' a Woolworths spokesperson said.

'While we wouldn't comment on the specifics of this case because it's confidential, we do have a code of conduct outlining expectations and behaviours all our team members need to abide by.'

'As the matter is under investigation it would be inappropriate to make further comment.'
By Koustav Samanta, Muyu Xu and Jessica Jaganathan

BEIJING/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A tanker carrying around one million barrels of bitumen mix was involved in a collision near the Chinese port city of Qingdao during heavy fog, spilling oil into the Yellow Sea, Chinese maritime officials and tanker representatives said on Tuesday.

The collision involving the anchored Liberia-flagged tanker A Symphony and the bulk vessel Sea Justice took place at 0850 local time (0050 GMT), A Symphony's manager Goodwood Ship Management said in an e-mail.

"The force of the impact on the forward port side caused a breach in cargo tanks and ballast tanks, with a quantity of oil lost into the ocean," Goodwood said, adding all of the crew had been accounted for and there were no injuries.

Graphic: Oil tanker A Symphony leaking oil off Qingdao, China after collision - https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/ce/oakpewllgpr/ASymphonySeaJustice.png

It was not immediately possible to contact the owner of the Sea Justice and the extent of the spill was also unclear as operations to contain it were hindered by the fog.

"The oil spill came after a clash between two vessels," an official for China's Shandong Maritime Safety Administration told Reuters on condition of anonymity, confirming that no one was injured.

Heavy fog, which has hampered navigation off the Qingdao coast since Monday, led to poor visibility at the time of the collision, Goodwood said.

It said emergency procedures on board the vessel were instigated to limit any spill and the vessel's oil spill response team was mobilised.

The incident was reported to local authorities and a clean up operation has begun, although it was hindered by the port's closure because of "zero visibility," Goodwood said.

The Shandong Maritime Safety Administration has instructed other ships to stay at least 10 nautical miles from the A Symphony, but did not provide details on how much oil has leaked.

Story continues

Graphic: Bulk carrier collides with oil tanker at Qingdao Bulk carrier collides with oil tanker at Qingdao - https://graphics.reuters.com/CHINA-OIL/SPILL/qzjvqzlbapx/chart.png

Oil tanker safety has improved in recent decades - partly due to the introduction of double-hulled ships - and major spills are rare, although there are still risks with the transport of oil by sea, which has the potential to cause major environmental damage.

The A Symphony, a Suezmax tanker, was last seen near the Qingdao port, live shipping data on Refinitiv Eikon showed.

The tanker called at Linggi International Transhipment Hub, near Malacca in peninsular Malaysia, earlier this month, where it fully loaded with oil and set sail for China, the data showed.

Contacted by Reuters, an executive at Run Cheng International Resource (HK) Co said the company owned the 150,000-tonne cargo of bitumen blend on board A Symphony.

Bitumen, a mixture of hydrocarbons from residue in refining, is used for road surfacing and roofing. However, shipping sources said bitumen is typically moved in smaller vessels with specialised heating rather than suezmaxes.

The 272 metre-long and 46 metre-wide oil tanker was sold in May 2019 to its new owners Symphony Shipholding SA and NGM Energy, Equasis data showed.

Symphony Shipholding SA and NGM Energy could not be immediately reached for comment.

(Reporting by Muyu Xu in Beijing, Koustav Samanta, Jessica Jaganathan, Shu Zhang, Roslan Khasawneh and Gavin Maguire in Singapore, Jonathan Saul in London; Writing by Florence Tan, Editing by Louise Heavens and Barbara Lewis)
Burma Myanmar Military Launches Air Raid in Karen State

A Myanmar military base at Thaw Le Hta, on the banks of the Salween River, seen burning on the morning of April 27 after being attacked by KNLA troops. / Kawthoolei Today / Facebook

Myanmars military launched an air raid in Karen State near the Thai-Myanmar border on Tuesday afternoon, after ethnic armed group the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) attacked a military base on the banks of the Salween River early morning Tuesday.

A jet fighter dropped a bomb and fired a rocket at around 1.30pm in the Dah Gwe area, Phadoh Mahn Mahn, a spokesperson for the KNLAs Brigade 5, told The Irrawaddy.

We havent heard any reports of civilian casualties yet, as the villagers were already prepared to flee after the incidents last month, he said, referring to airstrikes launched by the military in March in the area occupied by the KNLAs Brigade 5.

Tuesdays airstrike followed an attack by the KNLAs Brigade 5 on Thaw Le Hta, a military border post opposite Mae Hong Son Province in Thailand, at around 5am on Tuesday. KNLA forces seized the base after 30 minutes of fighting, according to the Karen National Union (KNU), the political wing of the KNLA.

Local residents on the Thai side of the border observed that the base was on fire by 6am. Several casualties were initially reported and at least seven regime soldiers were seen trying to escape, according to reports received by the Karen Information Centre.

The gunfire was very loud. We could hear and see it clearly. We saw soldiers moving around and bullets landing at the base, said a Karen woman living on the Thai side of the border.

Phadoh Mahn Mahn said he was unable to confirm details of the attack on the border post.

Villagers on the Thai side of the border have since fled in fear of further airstrikes. Many residents of Mae Sam Laep, a Karen village, have closed their shops and left home, according to local residents.

Locals, especially women and children, arent staying in the village now. My children and I also fled our home. The Thai military have also beefed up security and are sending more troops to the border, said Naw Paw, a housewife in Mae Sam Laep.

On March 27, the KNLA seized a hilltop outpost in Thi Mu Hta held by the militarys Light Infantry Division 349. The KNLA killed 10 soldiers, including an officer, and took eight soldiers prisoner.

In retaliation, the Myanmar military launched airstrikes and fired heavy artillery in the area, displacing more than 30,000 civilians. Some 3,000 crossed the river to seek refuge in Thailand but many were later forced to return. An estimated 1,000 refugees, mostly elders, the sick, women and children, remain in Thailand, said Karen sources.

The KNU, the oldest ethnic political group in Myanmar, has denounced the militarys Feb. 1 coup and is currently sheltering over 2,000 anti-regime dissidents, including striking civil servants, who have fled the juntas lethal crackdowns.

Butho Thwee contributed to this report.



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Harmony Harrington, a member of the Park Ridge Park Board for the last four years, will be the citys next 4th Ward alderman, and Rick Biagi, who is completing a four-year term on the Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 Board of Education and previously served two terms on the park board, is the new alderman of the 6th Ward. Both Harrington and Biagi ran unopposed in the April 6 election.
"This whole summer, I have spent most of my time talking to members of the caucus, members of the lobby and, of course, the general voting population to let them see that Bill Post and The Bill Post Radio Show are two different things," he says. "Once they've seen that and they've sat down with me, they go, aYouare not like that guy on the radio.aa
The now-familiar sight of traditional propeller wind turbines could be replaced in the future with wind farms containing more compact and efficient vertical turbines

The now-familiar sight of traditional propeller wind turbines could be replaced in the future with wind farms containing more compact and efficient vertical turbines. New research from Oxford Brookes University has found that the vertical turbine design is far more efficient than traditional turbines in large scale wind farms, and when set in pairs the vertical turbines increase each other's performance by up to 15%.

A research team from the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (ECM) at Oxford Brookes led by Professor Iakovos Tzanakis conducted an in-depth study using more than 11,500 hours of computer simulation to show that wind farms can perform more efficiently by substituting the traditional propeller type Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs), for compact Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs).

Vertical turbines are more efficient than traditional windmill turbines

The research demonstrates for the first time at a realistic scale, the potential of large scale VAWTs to outcompete current HAWT wind farm turbines.

VAWTs spin around an axis vertical to the ground, and they exhibit the opposite behaviour of the well-known propeller design (HAWTs). The research found that VAWTs increase each other's performance when arranged in grid formations. Positioning wind turbines to maximise outputs is critical to the design of wind farms.

Professor Tzanakis comments "This study evidences that the future of wind farms should be vertical. Vertical axis wind farm turbines can be designed to be much closer together, increasing their efficiency and ultimately lowering the prices of electricity. In the long run, VAWTs can help accelerate the green transition of our energy systems, so that more clean and sustainable energy comes from renewable sources."

With the UK's wind energy capacity expected to almost double by 2030, the findings are a stepping stone towards designing more efficient wind farms, understanding large scale wind energy harvesting techniques and ultimately improving the renewable energy technology to more quickly replace fossil fuels as sources of energy.

Cost effective way to meet wind power targets

According to the Global Wind Report 2021, the world needs to be installing wind power three times faster over the next decade, in order to meet net zero targets and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Lead author of the report and Bachelor of Engineering graduate Joachim Toftegaard Hansen commented: "Modern wind farms are one of the most efficient ways to generate green energy, however, they have one major flaw: as the wind approaches the front row of turbines, turbulence will be generated downstream. The turbulence is detrimental to the performance of the subsequent rows.

"In other words, the front row will convert about half the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity, whereas for the back row, that number is down to 25-30%. Each turbine costs more than 2 million/MW. As an engineer, it naturally occurred to me that there must be a more cost-effective way."

The study is the first to comprehensively analyse many aspects of wind turbine performance, with regards to array angle, direction of rotation, turbine spacing, and number of rotors. It is also the first research to investigate whether the performance improvements hold true for three VAWT turbines set in a series.

Dr Mahak co-author of the article and Senior Lecturer in ECM comments: "The importance of using computational methods in understanding flow physics can't be underestimated. These types of design and enhancement studies are a fraction of the cost compared to the huge experimental test facilities. This is particularly important at the initial design phase and is extremely useful for the industries trying to achieve maximum design efficiency and power output."

###

The research Numerical modelling and optimization of vertical axis wind turbine pairs: A scale up approach was published in the International Journal of Renewable Energy (ELSEVIER)
On Sunday afternoon, a dozen friends gathered near the entrance to the Deurty Boys Gallery in the French Quarter, where artist Lance Vargas exhibits his splintery sculptures, cobbled from salvaged wood.

Vargas had invited everyone to share his bounty of 96 12-ounce cans of Miller Lite that had been presented to him by the Molson Coors Beverage Co. as a reward for his unwillingness to accept any substitute for his beloved beverage.

The sudsy party was the culmination of circumstances that began on March 11, when tech-savvy miscreants hacked Molson Coors, disrupting the availability of Miller Lite, particularly the Miller Lite that comes in 12-ounce cans. Vargas certainly could have purchased another brand of beer until the Miller Lite 12-ouncers reappeared. But he wouldnt hear of it.

According to Vargas, there is only one brew that is perfectly compatible with the Crescent Citys climate and cultural milieu, and that beer is Miller Lite. Vargas could have also slaked his thirst with Miller Lite in 16 or 24-ounce cans, but that too was out of the question.

As he explained it, the great virtue of Miller Lite is that its ethanol content is such that one can go all day, sipping from one 12-ounce can after another, without undue fatigue. To attempt to switch to another size could ruin your cadence, he warned, resulting in unpredictable, possibly undesirable effects. It wasnt something he was willing to risk.

+2 A shortage of Miller Lite in New Orleans causes consternation: 'Wow, whats next?' A shortage of Miller Lite beer has befallen the New Orleans area in recent weeks and it has had an emotional impact on Lance Vargas.

The scarcity of 12-ounce Miller Lites was no great crisis for Vargas or anyone else, of course. But the shortage was an unsettlement in an era when there had been far too many unsettlements already. When the story of the Miller Lite drought hit the paper, Vargas became the face of New Orleans thirst for continuity and normalcy.

Vargas said his notoriety paid off immediately, when a representative of a local brewery, the Faubourg Brewing Co. (formerly Dixie Beer) provided him with free samples of their own light brew. He was grateful, but unswayed. The Faubourg product, he said, was good with Chinese food, but lacked the diaphanous, weightless quality of Miller Lite. It was more full-bodied, he said, and you carry that body around with you.

Then, as Vargas put it, The mothership came and dropped off her load.

An emissary from Molson Coors phoned to say they had delivered four 24-can cases of 12-ounce Miller Lites, plus a ton of swag, including koozies, Hawaiian-style shirts, a pool mattress, a picnic blanket, a hammock and coolers to ice down the beer.

The only trouble was, the mothership had mistakenly dropped off the load at Vargas ex-wifes house.

Maybe, he said, they got my old address off of an old LinkedIn profile, or something.

Luckily, he said, his wife and he are on good terms, because she could have held the treasure for ransom.

Food and restaurant news in your inbox Every Thursday we give you the scoop on NOLA dining. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Vargas intended to leave his former wife a couple of cans of beer as a gesture of gratitude, but he drove by to pick up the treasure during a downpour and it slipped his mind. I had to run, he said.

+29 Four Seasons getting new residents: Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis buy New Orleans condos Drew Brees may have hung up his cleats, but he wont have to pine for his Saints pals Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis. In fact, he might bump i

Vargas said that there was only one thing to do with the 96-can trove: Share it with friends and social media followers.

I didnt want to just gloat about my good fortune, he said.

Like a pirate doling out plunder to his faithful crew, Vargas passed out cans from his Miller Lite ice chest on Sunday. The sun shone, white beer cans were tipped back when full and crushed when empty, and laughter regularly erupted.

Once again, Vargas said, Miller Lite allowed him to go the distance. It looked like I was going to need a nap, but we rallied, he said.

We just wanted to share a token of our appreciation with Mr. Vargas for his passion and loyalty to Miller Lite, a Molson Coors representative wrote in an email, explaining the companys generosity.

The brewery management was especially charmed that Vargas decorates some of his whimsical sculptures with Miller Lite bottle caps, collected for him by friendly bartenders.

Finally, the Molson Coors rep lauded him for his understanding that the iconic beer is the perfect beverage for iconic New Orleans celebrations.

The spottiness of Miller Lite distribution persists. Though Vargas eventually discovered that Costco and other area grocery stores had stocks of 12-ounce cans, on Sunday the walk-in cooler at the Robert supermarket in the Marigny was bereft of the properly portioned brew.

+30 The 8-foot-tall traffic cone has its own marching group: The Mystic Krewe of Conus You knew this was coming. A new Mardi Gras marching club has popped up, devoted to the giant homemade traffic cone that became a New Orleans s
Bangladeshi police shot dead six construction workers at the coal-fired SS Power Plant project at Banshkhali in Chittagong (Chattogram,), the countrys second largest city. The police shooting occurred on April 17 when about 2,000 workers were demonstrating for regular payment of wages and against harsh working conditions.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (Source: Wikipedia)

Four workers died on the spot and dozens of injured protesters were taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. One worker died later that day and another on April 21. According to media reports, about 20 workers suffered gunshot injuries. However, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development reported on April 20 that over 50 workers were injured in the police assault.

The indiscriminate character of the violence is revealed in a police statement which declared that police officers fired 332 rounds of ammunition202 rounds of rubber bullets, 68 rounds of lead-ball bullets from shotguns, 62 rounds of bullets from Chinese rifles.

The protest, which began in the morning of April 17, was over nine basic demands. These included a two-hour cut in duty time during Ramadan, a five-hour reduction in duty time every Friday, which is already a Bangladeshi national holiday, salary increases, the timely payment of wages and full disbursement other outstanding benefits. The workers were also demanding an end to harsh working and living conditions.

One construction worker, Md Rafique, told the Daily Star on April 21 that almost every worker confronted substandard and overcrowded accommodation, along with unhygienic water supplies and toilets.

A Daily Star journalist who visited the construction project after the police attack noted the terrible conditions: Accommodation was unhealthy and crammed, and the toilets used by workers so unhygienic that it would be hard to expect anyone to use them. The drain adjacent to their accommodation was seen overflowing with human waste and emitting a rancid smell.

The S. Alam Group, a Bangladeshi construction conglomerate, is building the $US2.4 billion power plant for Chinas Shandong Teijun Electric Power Engineering. The project employs about 3,500 Bangladeshis and 853 Chinese workers. Most of the local workers are hired through various subcontracting companies.

The killings further highlight the governments authoritarian response to rising militancy by workers. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given police a free hand to the police to suppress workers struggles and her political opponents.

An editorial in Daily Star stated: Firearms in the hands of police are more common these days than batons or truncheons. And the police are regrettably becoming too ready to shoot in these situations. Five years ago, in April 2016, the police shot dead four villagers protesting the forcible acquisition of their lands for the project.

As outrage erupted over the murderous attack on the construction workers, police began concocting stories about the protest.

Questioned by a Daily Star journalist, Chittagong Districts Superintendent of Police falsely claimed that protesters, tried to attack the Chinese workers on the project. They even assaulted their fellow workers and police personnel and set several project properties on fire. A police case statement has even claimed that the workers opened fire at the police.

Contrary to these fabricated claims, one investigating police officer has admitted that no police officer was shot during the clash and or any Chinese worker harmed.

Two bogus cases have been filed against the construction workersone by the Banshkhali police and the other by the chief coordinator of the project. The first case claims that between 2,000 and 2,500 unidentified people attacked the police. The other case alleges that 22 named individuals and up 1,050 unidentified people vandalised and looted the plant.

Labour hire companies have reported that the police assault was so severe that workers were resigning because they fear being arrested. Belal Hossain, an electrician who suffered bullet wounds to his right leg, told the New Age that he would never work there again.

The Chittagong District Administration has formed a four-member committee and the police established a three-member committee, to investigate the incident. These committees will be used to cover up what happened and protect those responsible for the murderous police assault.

Confronted with rising outrage over the brutal attack, the trade unions and opposition political parties, including the Stalinist-controlled organisations, have organised protests to dissipate the anger.

On April 17, the Socialist Students Front demonstrated at the Dhaka University over the attack. Two days later, the Bangladesh Trade Union Centre, controlled by Stalinist Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), rallied outside the National Press Club in Dhaka demanding the arrest of police responsible for the killings and adequate compensation for affected families.

Garment sector unions, such as Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad and Garments Sramik Odhikar Parishad, which collaborate with garment factory owners, held separate protests last Wednesday to demand a judicial inquiry.

The Left Democratic Alliance, a coalition of eight so-called left parties, including the CPB, rallied in Jashore on Sunday. Alliance coordinator Rashid Firoz demanded the government establish a judicial inquiry committee.

Ain O Salish Kendra, a leading human rights organisation, has called on the government to take legal action against those involved in the shootings and the withdrawal of the frameup cases against the construction workers.

Notwithstanding these protests, the Bangladeshi unions and the Stalinist parties have adapted themselves to Hasinas increasingly authoritarian methods and suppressed workers struggles for their rights. The Stalinist Workers Party is currently a partner in Hasinas Awami League-led regime.

The Hasina government is confronting a wave of protests by workers across a range of sectors, including the jute and garment industries, in response to low wages and rising COVID-19 infections.

Last July, Bangladeshi courts jailed two jute mill union activists amid rising demonstrations by workers following the closure of all 25 state-owned jute plants and the retrenchment of 50,000 workers.

In February, hundreds of household waste collection workers from the Dhaka North City Corporation, demonstrated in defence of threatened jobs. On April 17, about 500 rickshaw pullers marched in Barishal city to demand food rations, a $US59 monthly cash payment and free treatment for coronavirus victims.

Bangladesh is currently in lockdownfrom April 14 to April 28in response to rising coronavirus infections. The country now has more 730,000 cases and 10,600 deaths.

The Bangladeshi governments response to the pandemic resulted in 14.7 percent or 24.5 million of the countrys vulnerable non-poor people slipping into poverty, according to a recent survey by the Power and Participation Research Centre and the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development.

Last week Prime Minister Hasina responded by announcing that her government would only provide $1.24 million in financial assistance for 3.6 million of the poorest families hit by the pandemic.




178,000+ ACT Tests Have Been Taken by Tennessee Students Since June 2020; More than Any Other State

Nashville, TNToday, the Tennessee Department of Education announced that since June 2020, Tennessee has administered more than 178,000 ACT tests statewide, which is more than any other state in the country.

As a state, we are deeply committed to ensuring our students receive a great education and are ready for success after high school graduation. This accomplishment did not happen by accident, said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. We want to thank our students, families, teachers, counselors, schools and districts for making student readiness a priority even during challenging times. This shows the emphasis Tennessee students, families and educators are placing on college and career readiness.

Due to pandemic disruptions, there were lost testing opportunities in the spring of 2020, but the department, in partnership with ACT, Inc., was able to provide opportunities both during the week and on weekends, helping lead Tennessee to the nations top spot in overall tests given once ACT testing resumed in June 2020.

Tennessee students were offered more than 20 ACT testing opportunities this school year, including during the week, on the weekends, and three additional testing dates are available for students this spring.

Tennessee educators understand the importance of the ACT and see how relevant it is to opening doors and creating future opportunities for our students, said Jacob Sorrells, Director of Schools, Marshall County Schools. It is a real testament to our teachers', counselors' and school staffs' desire to see the students of Tennessee have the same opportunities for success on the ACT as their peers that came before them. I am particularly proud of and thankful to the staff here in Marshall County for always putting our students first regardless of our circumstances. Our teachers stepped up when it mattered most, and they should be applauded!

Tennessees high school juniors and seniors can take the ACT for free, through the states Basic Education Program funding for juniors. Additionally, in 2017, Tennessee instituted the high school senior retake program, paid for in full by the department as part of the states commitment to encourage college participation.

ACT results serve as a nationally-normed measure to indicate college and career readiness. Under Tennessees accountability model, earning a 21 on the ACT is one of the four ways that students can indicate that they are prepared for life after high school and a seamless entry into postsecondary education, the workplace, or the military. Tennessee ACT scores will be available later this year.

Since the pandemic began, Tennessee has tested more students with the ACT than any other state, said Catherine Hofmann, Vice President of State and Federal Programs for ACT, Inc. The tenacity and sheer drive by Tennessee educators, parents, and leaders to provide students with every possibility to be successful is to be applauded.

Information about Tennessees ACT and SAT college readiness testing can be found here.

For Tennessee Department of Education media inquiries, contact Edu.MediaInquiries@tn.gov.

###
During a tour of the West Jefferson High School with coronavirus precautions it can be seen that each desk in the classroom has a grey or red sticker on the top corner in Harvey, La. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. Each period, students will be asked to alternate their use of desks and to clean them off after each class. The school is scheduled to open on August 26. (Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021

Letter to Editor Targets Issue of True Justice for George Floyd and Victims of U.S. Sanctions

April 26 , 2021 (EIRNS)The following letter to the editor addressed a Baltimore Sun op-ed by Tricia Bishop from April 20. It was written today by Baltimorean, The LaRouche Organization activist Doug Mallouk:

Baltimore Sun opinion editor Tricia Bishop contends that the Derek Chauvin verdict, though a victory, is no cause for celebration. (The Chauvin Verdict Wont Change American Justice, Only A Recognition Of Our Shared Humanity Can Do That April 20). Shes absolutely rightbut for completely different reasons than the ones she cites.

A cynically evil adage says that one death is a tragedy, but a million deaths are a statistic. Comparing the (rightful) popular outrage at the George Floyd atrocity with the studied indifference exhibited by so many to the innumerable lives destroyed by U.S. regime change wars, and the even more deadly regimen of sanctions imposed by the successive Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden Administrations, one has to wonder how deeply corrupted our thinking has become.

On March 24, the Vatican Apostolic Nuncio to Syria Cardinal Mario Zenari charged that the U.S. sanctions have driven fully 90% of that tortured nations population to poverty and near starvation, putting Syria just behind Yemen (another victim of economic warfare emanating from Washington) in that catastrophic situation. A bevy of UN officials have testified to similar effect with respect to Venezuela, Iran and other targets on the U.S.-U.K. hit list. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo all but pled guilty to genocide in explaining that the purpose of sanctions is to impose so much privation on the civilians that they rise up against their putatively murderous rulers. Yes, you read that right: our government is perpetrating starvation, disease, and misery to save lives!

Schiller Institute President Helga Zepp-LaRouche, former Virginia State Senator (and decorated Vietnam veteran Marine aviator) Richard Black, and many others, have demanded that the barbaric form of warfare known as sanctions be suspended forthwith. Where on Earth are the protesters decrying this huge crime?

Justice for George Floyd? Absolutely! But when is the U.S. government, with its ponderous weight, going to remove its knee from the necks of the millions victimized by its bombs, and even worse, its sanctions?

Sincerely, Doug Mallouk, Baltimore, Maryland.
An ambitious multi-billion-dollar plan for COVID relief, public health, job training and programming for children including free summer camps and admission to major state attractions including the Norwalk Maritime Museum and Connecticuts Beardsley Zoo, is the focus of Gov. Ned Lamonts multi-year plan on the use of federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Our proposal places a special emphasis on equity, investments in children and families, and making our state even more prepared in the event of another public health emergency or crisis, Lamont said in a statement.

As many as 15 state agencies are involved in the planning for the influx of federal support, about $1.75 billion of which would be used to balance the two-year budget that starts July 1.

Gov. Ned Lamonts budget chief, Melissa McCaw presented the governors nearly $6.3-billion plan during an hour-long presentation Monday morning, admitting that it will become the center of negotiations with legislative leaders over the next month, with a May 16 deadline on an agreement.

McCaw said the proposal is working on a parallel track with the two-year $46-billion legislative budget that passed two General Assembly committees last week.

I do believe that the legislature will be looking to address some of their priorities through these funds, as they should, McCaw said. This is a significant amount of resources, a one-time-in-many-decades experience for the states.

The core of Lamonts attempt to help the state recover from the pandemic includes a nearly $40-million expansion of broadband internet in under-served communities; enhanced childcare opportunities; bonus payments for childcare workers and nursing homes employees; more money into the states unemployment trust fund; and summer jobs for teenagers.

Also proposed are needs-based scholarships for community college students; a wide expansion of mental health services; rental, eviction and foreclosure assistance; $10 million on top of $40 million Lamont has already freed up for local health districts; better access to contraceptives; health insurance subsidies; new community-based attempts to stop gun violence; retraining for thousands of people to rejoin the state workforce; and energy retrofitting for houses.

Its a plan that goes across policy areas that focus on the individual throughout the state, from the youngest child to the school-aged child to the college student who might be struggling, to those, whether youre young or seasoned who might have challenges with mental or behavioral health, McCaw said, adding that economic development is part of the overall strategy.

Whether it is through the lens of the individual person, the lens of a family, to the lens of a municipality, all components are critical for a transformative, equitable and healthy recovery for our state, McCaw said.

McCaw, as secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, admitted that there remain major questions on whether use of at least $2.7 billion could exceed the states spending cap, a concern that was echoed by House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford.

The spirit of the spending cap is to prevent growth in a budget cycle over what it can afford, Candelora said. While it may technically or not impact the spending cap, it certainly should, from a practical standpoint. The fact is, we are going to see a cliff two years from now. So everybody is sort of enjoying the big party, for lack of a better analogy, but there is going to be a massive hangover 10 years from now if we dont pay attention to how we are actually spending that money.

Candelora, speaking to reporters outside the House chamber, said that the governors proposal comes on the heels of last weeks Democratic budget documents approved in the both the Appropriations Committee and the Finance Committee, which plans on raising taxes by about $2 billion, including higher taxes on the states wealthiest.

We have over a billion dollars of federal surplus money to essentially apply to COVID relief, so as we march forward, we need to recognize that Connecticut has a competitive edge, said Candelora noting more than $3 billion in emergency reserves, as well as a recent improvement in the states bond rating.

We are supportive of a lot of the provisions that the governor has provided, but we hope that as it gets reconciled with the budget, we will see a very different revenue plan put forth, Candelora said, stressing that he was encouraged by Lamonts educational and mental health initiatives. He believes more money should be put in the states unemployment trust fund to make it easier on employers.

What we are concerned about is making sure that our children are appropriately assessed going into this summer, so we know how each individual child, what their needs are educationally and socially and for mental health, so not only are they attending summer camps, but they are attending the most-appropriate summer camps for their needs, Candelora said, stressing transportation services as well.

Candelora warned that the influx of federal funding could set up the state for a financial shock - and massive deficit - in the middle of the decade when the support from Washington dries up, leaving a possible $1.7-billion hole in the state budget.

Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, during a news conference with reporters before the House session on Monday, said that pending a detailed review, some initiatives proposed by the governor including child daycare and free summer cap are important. I saw money in there for housing, which I liked, including the right-to-counsel, which will be a big deal, Ritter said, noting that as the eviction moratorium is eventually lifted, more tenants will need attorneys.

Ritter expects continued increases in tax-revenue reports that should emerge from state budget experts this week. He recalled that several weeks ago, the General Assembly passed a bill that gives them an important, coequal role in the distribution of the APRA funding.

House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, supported Lamonts proposed $100-million investment in workforce training.

Also on Monday, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities announced a working group to explore ARPA issues, including the analysis of funds, the identification of possible projects, and using money to generate possible future revenue.

There is no doubt that this committee will help ensure the most effective and efficient use of these historic federal funds for the benefit of Connecticut towns and cities and their property taxpayers, DeLong noted.

Towns and cities expect to receive about $1.56 billion for general government and $995 million to schools for schools.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT
Israel update

The 'Land of Craters' program continues with the second activation from one of four craters in Israel located ins the Negev Desert. The operation will use the callsign 4X0GDL between April 30th and May 1st.

The crater is the largest called "Big Crater (HaMakhtesh HaGadol)". Reference numbers are: Holyland Square G-26-BS, WW Grid Square KM70lx and WWFF Reference 4XFF-0189.

Radio amatures working 3 of the 4 craters will receive a beautiful certificate on the program's Web site.

Operators mentioned are Amir/4X1AR, Chanan/4Z1DZ, Dan/4Z5SL, Gal/4X1KW, Gil/4Z1KD, Hilik/4X6YA, Roy/4X5IQ, Shimon/4Z1SH, Udi/4X6ZM, Zvika/4X1ZV and Zeev/4X5ZS.

QSL via 4X6ZM, direct, by the Bureau, eQSL or LoTW. For more details, see QRZ.com.

ADDED NOTES: The first crater (called Arif; on Mount Arif) was activate last November using the callsign 4X0ARF. The next two craters ("Ramon Crater" 4X0RMN and "The Small Crater" 4X0KTN) are expected to be activated

in the future during some weekends (dates have not been announced).

Online logs are available at: https://www.iarc.org/craters
A Welsh sheep farmer is harvesting wood to power a biomass boiler and to sell as woodfuel while adopting natural regeneration techniques to replace those trees.

Huw Beech has a 12.5 hectare woodland at Plas yn Ial, a 75 hectare farm near Llandegla in Denbighshire.

The woodland, part of a CADW Registered Historic Woodland and Parkland, has been unmanaged for 65 years.

Mr Beech is working with the industry's Farming Connect scheme, funded by the Welsh government, on a focus site project.

It seeks to utilise an approach to forest management where the canopy is retained while individual or small groups of trees are removed at certain times.

This technique, known as continuous cover forestry, allows light to reach the forest floor, to encourage new seedlings to grow.

This will allow him to generate an income by selling the wood as fuel locally and to meet the needs of his own boiler whilst improving the woodlands environmental benefits.

The project adviser is forestry expert Phil Morgan, director of Sustainable Forest Management and SelectFor, who has been providing support.

Mr Beech said that the driving force for him to actively manage the woodland had been the replacement of three conventional boilers in the large farmhouse with a 70kW biomass boiler.

As part of the project, areas of the woodland, known in forestry terms as stands, have been surveyed with techniques that will include drone technology.

Certain trees are being removed to allow light through. With the bigger trees removed, smaller and medium size trees will grow to replace the void.

The best quality stems need to be retained, they dont have to be the biggest. Target trees with defects," Mr Morgan advised farmers considering similar actions.

Taking out the bigger trees will create enough space for regeneration and will allow diffuse light to get in."

The effect of light being excluded from the forestry floor at Plas yn Ial is evident in a part of the woodland where stock had been excluded for 18 years but where there had been no natural regeneration.

The canopy was closed because the stand was largely populated with large beech and sycamore trees and light was unable to get through.

The canopies of big trees are so vast that they prevent light getting in," explained Mr Morgan.

The focus site project has changed how Mr Beech views his woodland - he previously regarded it as a liability.

We have learned that if you manage your woodland in the right way you increase production. We now see our woodland as an asset," he said.
Daniel Kaluuya won his Oscar for "Judas and the Black Messiah." Matt Petit/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images

Daniel Kaluuya won an Oscar for "Judas and the Black Messiah," which was directed by Shaka King.

A journalist and HFPA member asked Kaluuya what it was like to work with Regina King, instead.

Regina King directed "One Night In Miami," which starred supporting actor nominee Leslie Odom Jr.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

A journalist and member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has apologized for asking Daniel Kaluuya what it was like to work with Regina King, a director he has never worked with.

The South African journalist, Margaret Gardiner, was speaking to Kaluuya straight after his Oscar win for best supporting actor at Sunday night's 93rd Academy Awards. He won for "Judas and the Black Messiah," which was directed by Shaka King.

Regina King directed "One Night in Miami," which was also nominated for best supporting actor for its star, Leslie Odom Jr.

Gardiner asked Kaluuya "what it meant for [him] to be directed by Regina [King]."

Gardiner has now tweeted an apology for the incident: "Daniel Kaluuya I did not mistake you for Leslie Odom Jnr. I'm sorry if it seemed that way. I had wanted to ask about Regina King not being nominated as a director for 'One Night in Miami,' and your win for 'Judas and the Black Messiah' for the community at this time."

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Gardiner explained the incident further, saying that "there was a sound issue so I dropped the part about Regina King and restated my question."

"When I listed [sic] to the audio, I do understand, but there was no confusion," Gardiner said.

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Gardiner then tweeted: "This is my last tweet on my mistake. I apologize to Daniel Kaluuya for my words. I apologize to anyone else who was offended by them."

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Kaluuya, who was clearly taken aback by the mistake and asked her to repeat her question, did answer Gardiner: "It's amazing to have this honor and to be appreciated in this way."

Story continues

Gardiner then asked Kaluuya if his win meant more for "the community." This was also criticized, with film producer and founder of The Black List, Franklin Leonard, tweeting: "There's a dissertation to be written about this interaction and this interaction alone. State of the system in one minute Even mere minutes after you win an #Oscar for playing Fred Hampton. Even then."

Still, Kaluuya answered the question again: "What means something to the community is people pouring into each other and protecting each other and defending each other and guiding each other."

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This comes during a time when the HFPA, the organization that conducts the Golden Globes, has been criticized for its lack of diversity both in membership and in nominations. Last week, a leaked email showed former HFPA president Philip Berk calling Black Lives Matter a "hate movement."

Berk, 88, has now been expelled from the HFPA.

Read the original article on Insider
This illustration photo shows a Facebook app logo displayed on a smartphone in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 1, 2021. (Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images)

MP Deplatformed by Facebook Proposes New Law to Rein in Big Tech

Barely a day after being banished from Facebook, Australian MP Craig Kelly has acted swiftly to propose a new Bill that will seek to rein in the power of Big Tech companies like Facebook.

The Independent Member for Hughes is basing the Bill on a similar law passed overnight in Florida that will penalise social media companies if they remove political candidates from their platform, a practice also known as de-platforming.

According to the Florida law, tech giants like Google, Facebook, or Twitter face fines of around $100,000 per day for each day a state-wide candidate is banned from their platform, and $10,000 fines for other candidates.

The market power of the foreign controlled tech-giants and their ability to censor political speech is an immediate and direct threat to our democracy, Kelly told The Epoch Times.

We have seen in Australia Facebook acting as a media thug and bully, who believes they are above the law and are arbiters of truth. Governor De Santis of Florida has acted to hold these social-media giants to account.

Member for Hughes Craig Kelly arrives in the Media Gallery at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Feb. 3, 2021. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Kelly was de-platformed by Facebook on Monday for posting content on research proposing alternative treatments for COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

A Facebook spokesperson said, We dont allow anyone, including elected officials, to share misinformation about COVID-19 that could lead to imminent physical harm or COVID-19 vaccines that have been debunked by public health experts.

But Kelly denied that he shared misinformation saying his posts contained actual research by medical professionals and experts.

Im quoting a doctor or a medical specialist that has a different opinion from another doctor or medical specialist. That doesnt make it misinformation, that makes it an alternative opinion, he said.

A society where someone that has an alternative opinion to you is (accused of) spreading misinformation is a fascist, totalitarian society.

Kelly is hoping to receive the support of another member of Parliament so he can formally introduce the Bill to the floor during its next sitting.

In March, Liberal Senator Alex Antic moved a motion in the Senate to establish a committee for a comprehensive inquiry into the market power of the tech giants in Australia. The vote stalled at 32-32.

Google and Facebook have faced heightened scrutiny in recent months following a drawn-out, acrimonious dispute over Australian laws that would force the tech giants to pay media companies for displaying their content.

In this photo illustration reports on Facebooks news ban on Australian and International content on Feb. 18, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

In February, Facebook controversially banned news content, and news media companies, from its platform leading up to the passing of the News Media Bargaining Code.

The ban however caused major disruption and public uproar, when it inexplicably suspended the Facebook pages of non-media organisations, including trade unions, charities, the weather bureau, and government health services.

However, following 11th-hour negotiations between Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, and Communications Minister Paul Fletcher, the ban was repealed, and amendments were secured for the tech giant.

Daniel Khmelev contributed to this report.
AUSTIN, Texas, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fetch , the first and only off-site package management solution for apartment communities, today announced new expansions of its sales and operational leadership teams to keep pace with the escalating demands that e-commerce has placed on multifamily operators.

Joe Summers, founder of Synergy Multifamily Advisers and former Chief Revenue Officer at PrintWithMe, will be joining Fetch as Vice President of Sales. Summers, a self-described multifamily lifer and tech geek, brings more than 20 years of enterprise multifamily and proptech expertise to his role leading the national sales efforts to further expand Fetch's footprint. Joe currently serves on the advisory boards at both Ancillary Services Management (ASM) and Pristeem.

Also joining Fetch is Eric Reuther, who will serve as Director of Safety. Reuther most recently worked as team leader of safety services at Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney. Prior to that, he spent four years at Amazon as Regional Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Manager. Eric holds a Master's of Public Health with a concentration in occupational safety from University of South Florida.

"Fetch is in a very unique position as it is re-defining the last mile delivery process for apartment residents, which requires a unique warehouse and safety infrastructure," said Reuther. "I am excited to implement long-term, sustainable safety actions that protect all of our team members - from warehouse teams to delivery drivers."

"The e-commerce trend has required a change in the way that multifamily manages package deliveries, and we're glad to be able to meet those evolving needs with teams led by high-caliber individuals like Joe and Eric," said Michael Patton, founder and CEO of Fetch. "Their experience and expertise will be invaluable as Fetch continues to scale to match the rapidly changing package landscape faced by the apartment industry."

In addition to Summers and Reuther, Fetch also welcomed several new regional and national sales team members.

Reggie Franco was hired as National Sales Manager in San Francisco, Brooks Radla joined the Houston team as Regional Sales Manager, and Julie Elkins was named National Sales Manager in Birmingham, Ala.

About Fetch

Fetch was founded in 2016 in Dallas, Texas, and has since expanded across the country to scale with current and new clients. The last-mile package delivery company currently operates in Dallas / Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Seattle, Denver, Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, Chicago, Phoenix, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., Jacksonville and Portland with plans to expand into Raleigh-Durham this summer as well as many more. Fetch accepts deliveries at local Fetch-operated facilities and works directly with residents to schedule door-to-door delivery. The proven system solves the package problem for multifamily properties and provides residents with a convenient and time-saving amenity. With e-commerce growing rapidly, Fetch is a scalable solution for apartment owners and operators struggling to deal with the exponential growth of resident deliveries.

Media Contact:

Marlena DeFalco

[email protected]

SOURCE Fetch Package

Related Links

http://fetchpackage.com






Better known as LX, state-run company Korea Land And Geospatial Informatix Corporation filed a complaint against LG Group with the Fair Trade Commission, April 14, over LG's plan to name its spin-off entity LX Holdings. Korea Times file



By Yi Whan-woo



LG Group said this week that it has not changed its decision to name a holding company that it will "spin-off " May 1, LX, amid an ongoing dispute over "infringement of copyright" with the Korea Land And Geospatial Informatix Corporation that has used the "brand" for some time.



"We don't see any problems in our plan for the launch," an LG Group media officer said in relation to a complaint filed by the corporation against LG Group with the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), April 14.



Operating under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the state-run corporation is better known as LX to the public.



The complaint came after LG announced in March to separate four affiliates and set up a new holding company named LX Holdings.



LX Holdings will control the four affiliates  LG International, LG Hausys, Silicon Works and LG MMA  with Koo Bon-joon, an uncle of the current LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo being the inaugural chief.



The four LG affiliates will be rebranded as LX accordingly.



LX said LG's move infringed upon its trademark and warned it would take legal action if certain conditions were not met.



"From our perspective, nothing is against the law. We've consulted our lawyers in advance before coming up with the name LX Holdings," the LG media officer said.



In a separate statement, LG Group said it finds LX's move regretful, noting the two sides are in the early stages of talks to settle the dispute and that it could be resolved amicably through a one-on-one dialogue between their chiefs.



LG Group also argued the businesses of the two companies do not overlap and that sharing the same brand name should not cause any problems.





GS, the country's No. 8 conglomerate, was spun off from LG along with LS and LIG. The spun-off entities names follow an alphabetic initials-styled naming convention. Korea Times file
Current, a NYC-based U.S. mobile banking company, raised $220m in Series D funding in a round valuing it to $2.2 billion.

New investor Andreessen Horowitz led the round bringing total funding raised to date to over $400m, with participation from returning investors Tiger Global Management, TQ Ventures, Avenir, Sapphire Ventures, Foundation Capital, Wellington Management and EXPA.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its business reach and development efforts.

Led by Stuart Sopp, CEO and Founder, Current is a financial technology company providing nearly three million members with mobile banking products. In early 2019, the company launched a free basic checking account as well as a premium checking account.

Premium Checking includes a Black Premium card and features:

 Faster direct deposits.

 Overdrive, which gives qualified premium members up to $100 in free overdrafts with no fees.

 No overdraft or hidden fees.

 No minimum balance requirement and no minimum deposit required to open an account.

 The chance to earn points and get cash back.

 Instant gas hold refunds.

 24/7 member support.

 Instant spending notifications.

 Savings pods.

 Free ATMs.

 Cash deposits.

 Mobile check deposit.

 Instant, free money transfers.

 Tools for money management.

All Current accounts are FDIC insured up to $250,000.

FinSMEs

27/04/2021
Introhive and Equilar Partner to Bring Advanced Relationship Intelligence to Customers Tweet this

"Understanding the interconnectedness of business relationships beyond just who you know is an important part of the future of Enterprise Relationship Management," explained David Chun, CEO of Equilar. "It was a no-brainer for us to combine our offerings to bring more value to our customers by helping to shed light on who-knows-who, how well, and who those people know, to help teams build their network and grow their business."

With the combined offering, customers will realize:



Enhanced visibility into C-level and board member relationships that drive revenue growth, while increasing employee productivity and reducing client churn

Shorter sales cycles through connection to key decision-makers and influencers, while identifying cross-sell and upsell opportunities

Increased customer lifetime value by measuring relationship trends and visualizing insights to make data-driven decisions

Improved marketing ROI through the enhancement of quality of executive contact data and executing hyper-targeted, relationship-centric campaigns

Greater ROI from technology investments, while freeing up employee time from unreliable manual data entry

"Equilar and Introhive complement one another perfectly to bring users the most in-depth relationship mapping possible to enable teams to uncover new opportunities," said Diana Sapienza, Global Head of Strategic Partnerships and Alliances at Introhive.

Both Equilar and Introhive are longtime partners with Salesforce and bring years of experience in CRM integration, implementation, and support. Companies interested in learning more about the shared offering can request a demo or contact [email protected] .

About Introhive

Introhive is the fastest-growing AI-powered Sales and Relationship Intelligence platform, with the single largest ERM deployment in the world with customer PwC. The company has been recognized by awards programs including the 2019 and 2020 Deloitte Technology Fast 50 and Fast 500, the 2020 MarTech Breakthrough Awards, and is Great Place to Work certified in Canada. Introhive's AI-powered SaaS platform enables organisations to realise the full value of their relationships across the business and to leverage untapped data to drive revenues and increase productivity while simultaneously improving the customer experience. Introhive is trusted by some of the world's most recognisable brands: Deloitte, KPMG, Clark Nexsen, Colliers, and Plante Moran. Learn more at www.introhive.ai

About Equilar

Equilar is the leading provider of corporate leadership data solutions. Companies of all sizes rely on Equilar for their most important business decisions, including 70% of the Fortune 500 and institutional investors representing over $20 trillion in assets. Equilar offers data-driven solutions for business development, recruiting, executive compensation and shareholder engagement that bring together business leaders to drive exceptional results. Founded in 2000, Equilar is cited regularly by Associated Press, Bloomberg, CNBC, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and other leading media outlets. Learn more at www.equilar.com .

Media Inquiries:

Renee Maler

Philosophy PR + Marketing

510.499.9746

[email protected]

SOURCE Introhive

Related Links

https://www.introhive.com


Can lawmakers all just listen to the president  even for one night?

Recent history is not assuring. Republican Rep. Joe Wilson shouted you lie! at President Barack Obama when he was giving a joint speech to Congress in 2009. Eleven years later, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up a copy of President Donald Trumps State of the Union speech as she stood behind him on the House rostrum.

Partisan tensions have only deepened on Capitol Hill since Pelosis defiant act last year, which came days before the Senate acquitted Trump in his first impeachment trial. Since then, the U.S. Capitol has been through the Jan. 6 insurrection, a second impeachment of Trump and another acquittal.

Trust between the parties, and between members themselves, has cratered as Joe Biden prepares to address the House and the Senate for the first time in his presidency.

While Trump often added a reality TV stars drama to his congressional addresses, Biden  who has spent most of his adult life in government service  has the chance to play the elder statesman. Lawmakers in both parties say Wednesdays address to Congress presents an opportunity for him to push past some of the antics and anger, for a few hours at least.

I think the tension is high, but the one person who can cool the temperature in the room is Joe Biden, especially if he reaches across the aisle, said former Rep. Tom Rooney of Florida, a Republican who retired two years ago and has expressed frustration about the decline of congressional decorum and civility.

Bidens first speech to Congress  called an address to a joint session of Congress instead of a State of the Union, as is customary in a presidents first year  will already be unlike any other, as attendance will be limited due to COVID-19 safety protocols.

With the the House out of session for the week, many, if not most, House Republicans are expected to skip the event, increasing the chances that Biden will be speaking to a mostly friendly audience of Democrats. The Senate is in session, but some Republicans from that chamber are expected to skip as well  Texas Sen. John Cornyn said Monday that he's thinking of watching the speech on TV because it sounds like Speaker Pelosi doesnt want us to attend.

Other traditions have also been jettisoned for the address. Lawmakers can't bring guests, removing one source of drama and speculation. Nor will there be guests of the first lady in the gallery, depriving Biden of the ability to humanize his policy proposals and manufacture feel-good moments.

Even if there is bad behavior in the room, the White House says the presidents goal is to focus on the voters outside the Capitol.

Itll look different, but from his vantage point it still is an opportunity to speak directly to the American people, press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Monday. We are looking for ways to engage with the American public, whether its through viewing parties or ways to communicate about what the president is proposing. But it wont look or feel or sound like it has in the past.

Members of the Biden team have made no secret of their strategy to bypass GOP lawmakers and seek a solid foothold of support from Republican voters. They note that their policies are generally popular, and the result, so far, appears to be less resistance from GOP supporters. An AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs poll in March found that 60% of people approve of Bidens performance on the economy, including a relatively strong 25% of Republicans. About half of Republicans approve of how Biden has handled the pandemic.

Because Bidens team believes the policies are popular, theyve been more willing to invite public debate with Republicans. It can feel like a return to greater civility, even if Republicans are still grumbling about his proposals.

David Barker, director of American Universitys Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, said Bidens speech may not move policy, but it may help him with a few voters around the edges, putting Republicans in swing districts in a bit of a squeeze" to explain why they are voting against his plans.

Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, said he plans to skip the event and give his spot to a freshman lawmaker. But in the end, what he says is going to be important, and I hope his speech is more focused on unifying as opposed to just having a go-it-alone strategy.

Even Joe Wilson, who is still in Congress, is encouraging Biden to reach out across party lines.

Working across the aisle is essential for Congress in order to do what is best for American families, Wilson said in a statement. He noted that he apologized to Obamas White House after his 2009 outburst and has proposed bipartisan legislation since.

Still, Wilsons words a decade ago were a harbinger of a more partisan era on Capitol Hill, which increasingly attracts politicians more concerned with fame than legislation. Rude or outspoken behavior is often rewarded with popularity, TV appearances and fundraising dollars.

Rooney, who was elected the year before Wilson interrupted Obamas speech, said that respectfully listening to the president, no matter the party, used to be the norm. He recalled that he would follow party leaders signals, not even standing up to clap unless they did.

Weve gone from extended standing applause to outbursts where people might be able to make news in the room themselves, and then raise money off that, Rooney said.

Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., said the scene on the floor can feel tense, and you sort of wonder whos going to do what next. But he predicted this years speech will be calmer, not only because of the reduced numbers, but because Biden is different than his predecessors.

While Trump was combative and Obama was often cerebral, Himes said, Biden connects well with others in a way that could potentially transcend partisanship and calm tempers in Congress.

I honestly believe the best thing Joe Biden can do is to do what Joe Biden usually does, which is to speak from his heart, Himes said.

And his advice to colleagues? Tone down the Oscar-winning performances."

___

AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.
State Forest Rangers have kept busy recently dealing with wild flowers, rescuing an injured hiker and finding a lost child.

The following incidents took place between April 19-24. All information below was supplied by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Town of Lysander. Onondaga County

Illegal Fires: On April 19 at 6:30 p.m., a Forest Ranger received a call from Onondaga County 911 Dispatch about a woman setting fires in several parking lots at the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The Phoenix Fire Department responded and extinguished the fires. Ranger Chappell and Ranger Lieutenant Jackson also responded to the site to conduct a preliminary investigation and found the remnants of bonfires in the parking lots. the Ranger interviewed witnesses and identified a possible subject. The following day, the Ranger , along with an Environmental Conservation Police Officer, attempted to locate the suspect at home and were advised by the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office that its Officers had caught the subject back at the WMA tending another fire. The Ranger and the ECO responded and the individual was issued several tickets for a variety of DEC violations, including leaving a fire unattended, depositing trash on a WMA, and unlawful open burning.

Town of Sandy Creek, Oswego County

Wildland Search: On April 21 at 12:50 p.m., DECs Central Dispatch received a call from the New York State Police (NYSP) requesting Forest Ranger assistance with a search for a missing 12-year-old in the town of Sandy Creek. Two Forest Rangers Chappell and an Environmental Conservation Officer responded to assist. After almost three hours of searching, the child was located in the woods by a NYSP Trooper and NYSP K9 Rudd. This successful search is the result of great teamwork by NYSP, Forest Rangers, ECOs, State Park Police, Oswego County Sheriffs Deputies, Oswego County Search and Rescue, Sandy Creek Fire Department, and NOCA Ambulance.

Town of Fort Ann, Washington County

Wilderness Rescue: On April 24 at 12:15 p.m., DECs Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Warren County 911 reporting a 51-year-old woman from Malta with an ankle injury was approximately one mile up the Buck Mountain Trail. A Forest Ranger responded along with Pilot Knob Fire and EMS. Once on scene, the Ranger assisted with the carryout of the hiker to the trailhead where she was transferred to EMS and transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.

Town of Binghamton, Broome County

Wildland Fire: On April 24 at 8:30 p.m., a Forest Ranger responded to a wildfire in the town of Binghamton. The fire spread to heavy log slash (coarse and fine woody debris generated during logging). Ranger Oldroyd determined that debris burning was the cause of the fire, explained New Yorks open burning regulations to the individual responsible for starting the fire, and issued a ticket for illegal burning. The Binghamton Fire Department suppressed the fire and declared the fire out at 9:25 p.m. To reduce the number of spring brush fires, New York States residential brush burning ban is in effect through May 14. For more information, go to DECs website.

Town of Albion, Oswego County

A Party/Unattended Fire: On April 24, Region 7 Forest Rangers received a complaint about a large party in the Happy Valley WMA. A Forest Ranger responded and documented a large amount of trash and an unattended bonfire. The following day, Rangers received a complaint about another overnight party at the same location. The Ranger responded and found an individual still present at the site, along with several cars partially blocking the roadway. The individual was instructed to clean up the trash and the vehicles on the road were towed at the owners expense. DECs investigation is ongoing.

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DECs Hike Smart NY, Adirondack Backcountry Information and Catskill Backcountry Information webpages for more information.

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Christian group praises Biden for standing up to Turkey in recognizing Armenian genocide

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A U.S.-based Christian group has commended President Joe Biden for standing up to Turkey and becoming the first president since Ronald Reagan to recognize the 1915 Armenian genocide on Saturday, the 106th anniversary of when the Ottoman Empire (modern Turkey) began to massacre its Armenian Christian minority, resulting in 1.5 million deaths.

President Biden is the only president since Ronald Reagan to refer to this mass atrocity perpetuated by Ottoman-era Turkish authorities against Armenian Christians as a genocide, persecution watchdog group International Christian Concern said in a statement.

Bidens predecessors have chosen not to use the word genocide in annual statements on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day due to pressure from the Turkish government, ICC charged.

Biden, ICC said, discussed his decision to make the designation on a call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday, the first call between the two since Biden took office in January.

The designation is significant, ICC suggested, because the Turkish government has failed to take responsibility and has actively denied their role in this, allowing them to pursue genocidal policies against Armenians such as in Nagorno-Karabakh, a conflict that started in the 1980s when the Soviet Union began to fall apart.

The Nagorno-Karabakh region, a landlocked region in the South Caucasus, is recognized internationally as part of Muslim-majority Azerbaijan even though it has a majority Armenian population and is controlled by ethnic Armenians. Turkey supported Azerbaijans aggressions against Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh, ICC noted.

Azerbaijani troops alongside Turkish-paid Syrian mercenaries invaded the region and took control after a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement in December, ICC added. Evidence of violence against Armenian civilians and destruction of religious sites during this conflict suggests some religious and ethnic hatred towards Armenian Christians still held by many, reminiscent of the genocide over a century ago.

While Russia brokered a ceasefire in 1994, clashes reignited last September, with both sides accusing each other of targeting civilian communities. The fighting ended in November with Armenia agreeing to a peace deal brokered by Russia.

Speaking to PBS, Alex Hinton, director of Rutgers Universitys Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights, called the recognition absolutely momentous for the victims.

He added, But I think more broadly, it's something that's momentous for all of us, you know, in terms of human rights. One of the principles that guides us and guides our countries, it's centered around respect for the dignity of the person.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom also welcomed Bidens move.

As we remember and commemorate the many lives lost, we also recognize the tireless efforts of survivors, their descendants, and so many others to finally and firmly place the United States on the right side of that terrible history, USCIRF Chair Gayle Manchin said in a statement.

USCIRF Vice Chair Tony Perkins added, While we hope that this brings some solace and consolation to Armenians around the world who have fought for this day, we also hope that it will portend greater reflection and a renewed commitment to speak up and stand against the perpetration of crimes against humanity everywhere.

ICCs Advocacy Director, Matias Perttula, explained that Armenian Christians continue to suffer because of the systematic Ottoman campaign of 1915, and the United States owes it to the Armenian community to stand with them in solidarity by recognizing their suffering.

As heirs to the oldest Christian nation, Armenians are an integral part of the global community of Christians and ought to enjoy freedom from persecution, Perttula added.

Turkish officials condemned Bidens statement.

We have nothing to learn from anybody on our own past. Political opportunism is the greatest betrayal to peace and justice. We entirely reject this statement based solely on populism, Turkeys Minister of Foreign Affairs tweeted.

Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had said in a television interview Tuesday that such a declaration by Biden would only harm ties, The Wall Street Journal reported.
MALARIA DENGUE TB PLAY SECOND FIDDLE TO COVID-19

Although India has worked relentlessly towards developing innovative testing solutions for COVID-19 throughout last year, the timely detection of a number of other infectious diseases has been sidelined. In India, the range and burden of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, filariasis, leprosy, HIV infection, typhoid, hepatitis etc., are enormous. In fact, inadequate containment of the vector has resulted in recurrent outbreaks of dengue fever and re-emergence of chikungunya virus disease and typhus fever. If India can develop more than 20 different diagnostic tests or devices in a single year to fight COVID-19, many more such innovations can be brought to effectively detect other infections looming in our country.
On Sunday, news broke that a private interview that Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had with an economist had been leaked to a London-based Persian news service, which then shared it with the New York Times. There are several interesting points to the conversation, with two of the most striking being (a) Javad's acknowledging that Trump's decision to assassinate Qassem Soleimani was a powerful strike against Iran and (b) a reminder of why the Biden administration is making a terrible mistake when it politicizes the American military.

Regarding General Soleimani, Zarif effectively says Trump could scarcely have come up with a better way to damage Iran:

In the portions that were leaked, Mr. Zarif does praise the general and says they worked productively together in the prelude to the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. He also says that by assassinating him in Iraq, the United States delivered a major blow to Iran, more damaging than if it had wiped out an entire city in an attack.

Nevertheless, Zarif wasn't that sad to see General Soleimani go:

In one extraordinary moment on the tape that surfaced Sunday, Mr. Zarif departed from the reverential official line on Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, the commander of the Guards' elite Quds Force, the foreign-facing arm of Iran's security apparatus, who was killed by the United States in January 2020. The general, Mr. Zarif said, undermined him at many steps, working with Russia to sabotage the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and adopting policies toward Syria's long war that damaged Iran's interests.

The reason that Soleimani was such a problem for Zarif touches upon the second point that the foreign minister made during the conversation, which is that the government doesn't control Iran; the military does:

"In the Islamic Republic the military field rules," Mr. Zarif said in a three-hour taped conversation that was a part of an oral history project documenting the work of the current administration. "I have sacrificed diplomacy for the military field rather than the field servicing diplomacy." [snip] On it, Mr. Zarif confirms what many have long suspected: that his role as the representative of the Islamic Republic on the world stage is severely constricted. Decisions, he said, are dictated by the supreme leader or, frequently, the Revolutionary Guards Corps. [snip] Mr. Zarif acknowledged on the tape that when it comes to negotiations, he is bound not just by the directions of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but by the demands of the Guards. [snip] Mr. Zarif said he was kept in the dark on government actions  sometimes to his embarrassment.

In Iran, there is a complete fusion between the military and the government. Moreover, because the military has weapons, the government is subordinate to it in many ways. What we see as a theocracy is, in fact, a theocratic military dictatorship with civilian puppets fronting for the military.

Since its inception, America has been blessed with a nonpartisan military that answers to a civilian commander whom the American people elect. The military has stayed in its lane, focused on keeping its strength up to defend America should there be a shooting war.

Obama, though, began to turn the military into a partisan institution. He purged conservative, or non-Democrat, Pentagon officials. By the time Trump came to the White House, while the troops supported Trump, the top brass did not, and many were actively hostile.

By January, the Joint Chiefs of Staff were siding completely with the Democrats and seem to have willingly turned D.C. into a military zone. At the same time, Chairman Mark Milley groveled for taking a stand in D.C. against the incredible violence BLM activists were engaging in during the BLM protests in June.

The Biden administration has accelerated the effort to turn the American military into a partisan institution. It proudly says it's rooting out "extremism"  yet extremism doesn't look like the Fort Hood shooter. Instead, it looks remarkably like people who Trump, vote Republican, or hold values that were normative just 20 years ago. The Pentagon is also indoctrinating the military in Critical Race Theory and other "woke" ideologies. And, as noted, the military brass seems comfortable with turning D.C. into a military zone.

Currently, the Democrats think they're riding the military tiger. As Zarif discovered, though, once you let the military into the government, at best you have the tiger by the tail. The political group that's closest to the guns invariably ends up being the group in charge  and by imposing partisan values on the U.S. military, the Democrats are turning it into that dangerous armed political group.

I don't know about you, but that thought scares the living daylights out of me.

Image: National Guard Troops in D.C. YouTube screen grab.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Employers complain that young workers are distracted by tracking Bitcoin fluctuations during work hours or even quitting their jobs seeking to become full-time traders. Some businesses are looking for ways to block access to cryptocurrency trading websites during office hours.

A growing number of Koreans in their 20s and 30s are so caught up in tracking the progress of their cryptocurrency investment that it takes over their lives.

Han Jung-soo, a worker in his 20s, quit his job with a credit card company last month after three years because he made W3 billion from investing in cyber money (US$1=W1,110).

"I enjoyed working, but I realized it made more financial sense to focus on my investment considering the returns I can gain for the amount of time I put in." As his success story spread through the Internet, more and more people in their 20s and 30s are jumping on the bandwagon.

Experts warn young people are being lured by the high-risk investment because of soaring housing prices, which have only dashed their hopes of ever owning a home.

One office worker in his 30s who started investing in cyber money said, "I face the reality of being unable to afford my own home no matter how hard I save up my salary. Despite severe volatility, there is no other way than cryptocurrency investment for me to accumulate wealth."

One team leader at a start-up company in Pangyo south of Seoul said, "Most employees of IT companies in this area invest in cryptocurrency, and we're seeing workers quit after making more profits from their cyber cash investment than their jobs. This is one of the reasons that IT companies have recently rushed to give big pay rises to their staff."
Courtney A. Kemp and 50 Cents Power Universe is only getting bigger. On the heels of the original series and its first spinoff, Power Book II: Ghost, which chronicles Ghosts (Omari Hardwicks) son, Tariq (Michael Rainey Jr.), as he navigates life as a college student and a rising drug dealer, the next spinoff in the series, Power Book III: Raising Kanan is already garnering a ton of buzz.

Kanan (Curtis 50 Cent Jackson) was a major character in the original Power series. He grew up with Ghost and Tommy (Joseph Sikora) and was very close to them in his late teens and early 20s until they betrayed him, landing him in jail.

Raising Kanan is set to give us some new insight into the character, who became one of the most diabolical forces in the Power Universe, but will 50 Cent also narrate the show?

Curtis 50 Cent Jackson| Rich Fury/Getty Images

What will Power Book III: Raising Kanan be about?

Set in the 90s in Jamaica Queens, New York, Raising Kanan (portrayed here by Mekai Curtis) follows a 15-year-old Kanan before he meets Tommy and Ghost. 50 Cent called the series a window into Kanans innocence phase.

Youll see his very first fightthings that eventually turned him into the character that you see in Power, he told Deadline. It touches time periods where the music, the feel of the series is just exciting. Its in the 90s; late 80s to early 90s in hip-hop.

Kemp gave further insight into the series. Its a very different show in terms of pacing and feel, she told Deadline. It does feel like Power, you definitely feel the Power of that in that show, the capital P Power, but it also has its own small p power in the story that its telling and in its time, and you want to make sure that the audience feels that as well.

You already know how this story ended. Now see how it started. #RaisingKanan premieres Summer 2021 on @STARZ.  Raising Kanan (@RaisingKanan) December 27, 2020

When will Power Book III: Raising Kanan premiere?

In addition to Curtis, the rest of the cast of Raising Kanan includes Omar Epps, Joey Bada$$, Patina Miller, London Brown, Shanley Caswell, Malcolm Mays, Toby Sandeman, Lovie Simone, and Hailey Kilgore. Recurring stars include Quincy Brown, Natalee Linez, Ade Chike Torbert, and Annabelle Zasowski.

Raising Kanan will debut on Starz July 18, 2021.

We got another iconic theme song for the culture . Watch the official music video for the #RaisingKanan theme song Part of the Game by @50Cent, featuring @NLEChoppa1 and @RileyyLanez. pic.twitter.com/1ZL5ePYAt3  Raising Kanan (@RaisingKanan) January 4, 2021

Will 50 Cent narrate Power Book III: Raising Kanan?

In the teaser trailer for Raising Kanan, 50 Cent acts as the narrator. You already know how my sh*t ended, this is how it started, he says. This is my story. This is a Southside, Jamaica Queens story.

Now fans believe the rapper/actor/producer might narrate the entire series.

Okay, I know its not gonna happen but imagine if 50 narrates book 3 But I feel like this would add to its 90s hood film vibe, one Reddit user said via Express. Another fan added, Like how Ace narrates Paid in Full or Kane narrates Menace II Society. A third fan commented, Thats kinda a fye idea lowkey.
A senior Australian security bureaucrat warned his staff that free nations "again hear the beating drums" of war, as military tensions rise in the Asia-Pacific region. Department of Home Affairs Secretary Mike Pezzullo's message to all department staff on Australia's veterans' day on Sunday, known as Anzac Day, was published in The Australian newspaper on Tuesday. Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said she had approved of the wording of Pezzullo's message.

"He is absolutely at liberty to prepare such a speech, a document, and to have that published," Andrews said. "The overarching message from government is that we need to be alert but not alarmed."

Senior opposition Labor Party lawmaker Bill Shorten described Pezzullo's reference to "drums of war" as "pretty hyperexcited language." "I'm not sure our senior public servants should be using that language because I'm not sure what that actually helps except to cause more anxiety," Shorten said.

Defense Minister Peter Dutton raised the prospect of conflict between China and Taiwan in his own comments on Anzac Day. Western Australia state Premier Mark McGowan, the Labor government leader of the state that exports Australia's most lucrative export, iron ore, to China, called on the federal government to "tone down" its language on military tensions.

"I just urge the Commonwealth (government) and people in this position, elected and otherwise, to tone it down. Tone it down," McGowan told reporters, referring to Pezzullo's "drums of war" reference.

"What good does that do, saying things like that? It's totally unnecessary," McGowan said, adding that diplomacy should be conducted "diplomatically." Pezzullo noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of Australia's defense treaty with the United States. He cited U.S. wartime generals Douglas MacArthur and President Dwight Eisenhower.

Australia must reduce the likelihood of war, "but not at the cost of our precious freedom," Pezzullo said. Australia last week provoked an angry response from Beijing by cancelling two Chinese Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure deals with the Victoria state government on national interest grounds. The Chinese Embassy in Australia said in a statement the decision would "bring further damage to bilateral relations and will only end up hurting" Australia.

Image Credits: AP

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  School administrators at the principal or assistant principal level and others interested in becoming licensed to serve as a school superintendent in Indiana have a new option for making that leap.

Purdue University is promoting a new version of its Educational Specialist graduate degree program, a step beyond a masters in education that qualifies individuals for licensure as a K-12 superintendent in the state.

Individuals can now earn the Educational Specialist degree alone as a terminal degree or earn it in concert with earning a doctorate. Or, if they start the Educational Specialist program and then decide to pursue a doctorate, they can use 30 credits from the Educational Specialist degree toward their doctorate. The credits must be earned at Purdues West Lafayette campus to apply to a doctorate.

The Educational Specialist program is aimed at licensed building-level administrators, generally meaning principals and assistant principals, who have masters degrees and some experience, although not necessarily limited to them, said Marilyn Hirth, associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies.

The program follows a hybrid model. Students will meet in West Lafayette on one Saturday at the beginning and at the end of the semester. Other than that, individuals meet in an online teleconference one evening a week and interact through the online course management system, when and where it works for them.

Weve created a program that fits the needs of the working administrator, said Alice Johnson, clinical assistant professor of educational leadership and policy studies.

The new version of the Educational Specialist program will kick off in the fall of 2021 and have an annual fall semester start in subsequent years. The degree can be completed and district-level licensure achieved in 2 1/2 years, Hirth said. Students must complete 30 hours of coursework and a three-credit project. Tuition and curriculum-related fees are $450 a credit hour.

While the program is designed to satisfy Indiana school superintendent licensure requirements, other states may accept the degree on a reciprocal basis. Out-of-state students should check with their states before enrolling.

Students complete core courses in educational leadership covering such topics as educational policy and decision-making; business management; qualitative research methods; quantitative data analysis; leading community collaboration and development; and administering special education and gifted, creative, and talented programs, among other things. Many of the classes include one-credit internships working with a mentor on projects in students own district or nearby school systems.

The projects that they do are meaningful for the advancement of their school corporation and their careers, Johnson said. We try to create win-win projects for the internships.

The hybrid Educational Specialist degree is offered by Purdues College of Education, Department of Educational Studies, and Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program through the Purdue Graduate School and Purdue Online. Purdues educational administration programs are ranked in the top 10 percent of universities around the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Those in the program also receive, at no charge, an All Access Pass to the massive collection of professional and leadership development resources from FranklinCovey that they can use in pursuing their degree, advancing their careers, and having on-demand rich professional development at their fingertips to offer their own schools.

That is something they could not get from any other university right now, Johnson said.

To learn more visit, Purdues Educational Specialist degree website and request further information.

Writer: Greg Kline, 765-426-8545, gkline@purdue.edu

Sources: Marilyn Hirth, mahirth@purdue.edu

Alice Johnson, alicejohnson@purdue.edu

LaMonica Williams, will2334@purdue.edu
"Napa County has lost over 1,300 homes in the past four years due to wildfire ... many of these owners are retired, with limited economic assets. The draft regulations would prevent hundreds of owners from ever returning home," he wrote.

Pedroza suggested wording changes for the draft regulations that would address these concerns. For example, the state could set thresholds for "intensity" and "density" that are considered too minor to trigger the road changes.

California in recent years has broken long-standing records for the largest, deadliest, and most destructive wildfires. Narrow, overgrown roads in fire-prone areas jeopardize the lives of firefighters and residents alike, the Board of Forestry said in a March document.

These narrow roads do not and will not allow for the simultaneous use by evacuating citizens and responding fire department equipment, the state document said.

Anything that increases the number of people on a site who need to be evacuated during a fire is relevant to these regulations, said Edith Hannigan, land use manager for the Board of Forestry, at a Nov. 18 workshop for the draft regulations.
Historic opportunities for global action to eradicate poverty, end hunger and reduce inequalities, says FAO Director-General QU Dongyu

April 27,2021 | Source: FAO

Addressing the 166th Session of the FAO Council today, Director-General QU Dongyu highlighted the ways the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been providing constant support to Members, including to overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of the decisions, activities and results shared with Council today are "not an isolated exercise, but part of an interlinked chain of progress," he said.



Alluding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Director-General noted that "we are witnessing the scale of the long-term effects on agri-food systems, food security and nutrition situations around the world," pointing to adverse trends such as increasing food prices, the suspension of school meals in many parts of the world, restrictions on selling food in public urban places, jobs at risk in the processing and distribution sectors, and negative impacts in incomes, especially for rural households in mostly agricultural areas.



FAO has not only continued to assist Members but has also progressed on the "deepest transformative action at FAO since its creation", a restructuring of teams and competencies to create an agile, inclusive and transparent modern FAO with a flexible and modular structure for optimal cross-sectoral collaboration. In that respect, the Director-General noted that "more coherent regional and sub-regional structures" are being established and Country Office capacities strengthened, "to deliver impactful results as One FAO". The Council is the executive organ of the FAO Conference. It has 49 Members and meets between Conference which brings all 194 Members together every two years. The Council exercises functions dealing with the world food and agricultural situation and related matters, current and prospective activities of the Organization, including the Programme of Work and Budget, administrative matters, financial management of the Organization, and constitutional questions.



Strategic Framework 2022-31 and PWB 2022-23



The Strategic Framework for the next ten years was developed through a series of extensive, inclusive and transparent consultations with Members, both formal and informal, as well as an intensive internal process drawing on the breadth and depth of FAO's knowledge and expertise. The Strategic Framework seeks to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. The "Four Betters" represent an organizing principle for how FAO intends to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). "The Four Betters reflect the interconnected economic, social and environmental dimensions of agri-food systems. As such, they also encourage a strategic and systems-oriented approach within all of FAO's interventions," Qu said.



He emphasized that four "accelerators" - technology, innovation, data and complements (governance, human capital and institutions) - will be applied to maximize efforts and facilitate the management of trade-offs according to national priorities. The Strategic Framework identifies 20 interdisciplinary, issue-based and technical Programme Priority Areas (PPAs), where FAO has a comparative advantage, track record and ability to act. The PPAs are further described in the Medium-Term Plan. Strengthening partnerships is a key aspect of the new Strategic Framework, and innovative funding and financing are also crucial to bridge the current substantial gap for achieving the SDGs, the Director-General said. The Programme of Work and Budget 2022-23 translates the strategic narrative into the biennial programme of work. It maintains a flat nominal regular budget of $1 005.6 million while reallocating resources to high-priority areas, including the new Programme Priority Areas, the Office of the Inspector-General and multilingualism.



The total budget is $3.26 billion, more than two-thirds to come from extra-budgetary voluntary contributions. The Director-General urged Members to provide strong support for that to leverage FAO's efficiency and the new network approach geared to breaking down disciplinary and geographic silos and pushing strong cross-continental cooperation. The new FAO is "one strong team that works in harmony and synergy," he added. The Director-General invited the Council to support the proposed Strategic Framework 2022-31, the Medium Term Plan 2022-25 and the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) 2022-23, which will be submitted to the FAO Conference in June.



COVID-19 Response, Food Coalition and Private Sector Engagement



FAO launched the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Programme, which has enabled intensive work on linking social protection to agricultural and rural-based livelihoods with a focus on more jobs for women and youth in agri-food systems as well as bolstering the use of digital technologies to assist smallholder farmers in maintaining production, productivity and market access. The Programme is expanding its areas to integrate Green Recovery plans, which are gathering importance and urgency in many countries. More financial resources, innovative solutions and technology on the ground are needed, the Director-General said. For this mandate, FAO launched the Food Coalition, initiated by the Government of Italy, together with Members. The fact that Italy is the President of this year's G20 "provides a unique opportunity to engage, raise awareness and support globally," Qu said. FAO's COVID-19 technical teams will help Members formulate proposals and mobilize additional stakeholders for implementation on the ground, he added.



Qu also hailed good progress in the implementation of the Strategy for Private Sector Engagement endorsed by the Council last December. Since then, for example, FAO has signed a Letter of Intent with a Rwanda-based medium-sized company and a multi-party Cooperation Agreement with various stakeholders in Ghana. The Director-General noted that more agreements with a diversified and balanced portfolio of private sector entities in terms of type and regional representation are expected in the future. Today, FAO also launched the FAO Connect Portal - a one-stop shop for private-sector engagement - providing information, including access to formal agreements.



Hand-in-Hand Initiative



In his remarks, the Director-General noted that the extraordinary challenges posed by the pandemic also represent "historic opportunities" for global action to help the least advantaged, eradicate poverty, end hunger and malnutrition and reduce inequalities within and among nations. FAO's Hand-in-Hand Initiative aims at just that, and is steadily gaining strength, with 37 Member countries now accepted as formal participants and still more benefiting from methodologies and platforms developed under its aegis.



Members are using the country-led and country-owned initiative in a variety of ways, including: to drive industrialization by strengthening the middle of food and agriculture value chains; to expand the productivity and earning potential of small farmers, fishers and indigenous peoples; to identify high-value commodities and develop investment plans to ensure efficient and competitive access to markets; and to use high-tech mapping tools to support decision-making for sustainable development. The Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform now has more than 38 000 users, and requests for technical training by national authorities are increasingly steadily, the Director-General noted.



Leading the fight against Food Loss and Waste



FAO has been very active in catalyzing consensus and actions to reduce food loss and waste (FLW), the Director-General stated. That includes capacity development in the realm of statistics, as data on FLW is often too scarce to allow for monitoring progress in its reduction, let alone guide policy decisions. FAO's technical platform on how to measure FLW has seen a fourfold increase in consultations over the past year.



The Director-General also noted that FAO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are jointly developing a methodology to combine the Food Loss Index indicator, of which FAO is custodian, and the Food Waste indicator, pertaining to UNEP, into a single Food Waste Index for reporting on SDG target 12.3. In June, FAO will submit for endorsement by the Conference a Voluntary Code of Conduct for Food Loss and Waste Reduction. The Director-General noted that FLW cuts across all five Action Tracks of the UN Food Systems Summit 2021 and added that FAO is "supporting the development of game-changing solutions for agri-food systems transformation including ensuring that proposals to address food loss and waste reduction are robust, relevant and impactful.".



Other issues



The Director-General noted that the "digital FAO" is now a well-established reality, with more than 290 digital products supporting the Organization's work in the field, a thriving E-Agriculture Community of Practice and a busy portfolio supporting the 1000 Digital Villages Initiative, which is developing well in Asia and the Pacific, with a host of new members in Latin American and the Caribbean and more to come from Africa.



FAO's Green Cities Initiative is also advancing very well, with implementation under way in five African cities and plans being finalized in another 12. The Director-General expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the threat of a locust invasion in West Africa was completely averted, and that the upsurge in southwest Asia was brought under control. He also applauded the nations of East Africa for scoring "major successes in suppressing the largest locust upsurge to hit the region in living memory".



Buoyed by $223 million from donors, FAO led a campaign to treat more than 2 million hectares in the Greater Horn of Africa and Yemen, leading to the protection of more than $1.5 billion worth of cereals and dairy products, enough to feed more than 34 million people for a year. Qu also applauded members of the FAO Women and Youth Committees - staff bodies he set up upon assuming office nearly two years ago - for being active engines for solidarity and inclusiveness," noting that they have initiated broader action - notably the World Food Forum (WFF) and WFF Youth Action Assembly - to boost engagement and participation in the UN Food System Summit as well as the Pre-Summit to be held at FAO in July.



"Our commitment to deliver was neither stifled nor impeded by the challenging times we are all facing," the Director-General said in closing, highlighting FAO's commitment to "bring hope" to people around the world who are counting on FAO. This week's session marks the last of Khalid Mehboob, from Pakistan, as the Independent Chairperson of FAO Council. The next session of the FAO Conference will elect a new Chairperson for the next two years.

Theme(s): Landing Centres, Fisheries Development and Aquaculture, Freshwater ecosystems and threats, Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods, Coastal Ecosystems and Threats, Fisheries Resources, Communities and Organisations, Others, Post Harvest Technology and Trade.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Bartleby, billed as a modern supper club, will be going into the space formerly occupied by Crop Bistro in Ohio City.

The concept from restaurateur Morgan Yagi will include a restaurant, bar, private dining and event spaces, a rep for the restaurant said. It is slated to open this year and will be located in the historic United Bank Building across from the West Side Market.

The grandiose look of the old bank building and its 35-foot ceilings will be maintained. Crop served brunch as well as dinner in the ornate space.

Dante Boccuzzi and Will Hollingsworth will guide the food and drink menus, respectively.

Yagi, who owns Hibachi Japan in Cuyahoga Falls, has worked with Boccuzzi through BYTE, a restaurant operating group they are partners in.

Yagi, Boccuzzi and Hollingsworth could not be reached for comment. Boccuzzi is a veteran restaurateur who owns Dante in Clevelands Tremont neighborhood. The Spotted Owl, a cocktail bar owned by Hollingsworth and closed temporarily because of Covid, also is in Tremont. Hollingsworth also opened a Spotted Owl in Akron in October 2019, but it, too, is closed temporarily.

Marcelo Fadul, a former owner of Crop, closed the restaurant about three months ago primarily because of Covid, he said.

We had a lot of cancellations for events, the rent was too high, he said.

Fadul said he is hoping to relocate Crop and even mentioned the smaller, adjacent space that once held Penzeys, tucked in the same building, might be a possibility.

But now, he said, I dont know at this point, I dont know.  I wish them good luck.

Related coverage: Spotted Owl expands, adds to cocktail culture in Akron (photos, video)

I am on cleveland.coms life and culture team and cover food, beer, wine and sports-related topics. If you want to see my stories, heres a directory on cleveland.com. Bill Wills of WTAM-1100 and I talk food and drink usually at 8:20 a.m. Thursday morning. And tune in at 8:05 a.m. Fridays for Beer with Bona and Much, Much More with Munch Bishop on 1350-AM The Gambler. Twitter: @mbona30.

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Arturo, a Chicago, IL-based AI-powered platform that derives property insights and predictive analytics from aerial and satellite imagery, raised $25m in Series B funding.

The round was led by Atlantic Bridge Capital, with participation from RPS Ventures and existing investors Crosslink Capital and IAG Firemark Ventures  the venture capital fund for IAG, Australias largest general insurer. In conjunction with the funding, the company appointed two new members to its board:

Sunir Kapoor of Atlantic Bridge, who brings a background in growing technology businesses to enterprise scale; and

Samantha Wang of RPS, a board observer, who brings expertise working with technology companies in the U.S. and Asia.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its technical team to refine its technology, to further establish partnerships with imagery providers to offer coverage in Europe and Southeast Asia and expand its client base of property and casualty insurers.

Led by John-Isaac jC Clark, CEO, Arturo is a deep learning spin-out from American Family Insurance that delivers physical property characteristic data and predictive analysis for residential and commercial properties for use in the property & casualty (P&C) insurance, reinsurance, lending and securities markets. The company leverages technology which extracts property data from the latest satellite, stratospheric, aerial and ground-level imagery, as well as unique proprietary data sources, in as little as five seconds.

In the coming months, Arturo also aims to roll out its offering to the commercial property sector and other businesses that engage with the built environment, including banks, other financial institutions, asset managers, among others.

FinSMEs

27/04/2021
Police in Chad has broken up several demonstrations in the capital, N'Djamena, in protest against last week's military takeover.



They fired tear gas at the demonstrators who burned tyres in several neighbourhoods of the city.



The violence started a few hours after the military banned all protests in the country.



The ban came a week after Chad's military seized power following the killing of President Idriss Deby as he visited troops fighting an insurrection by rebels based in Libya.



The ruling military council is headed by the dead president's son, Mahamat Idriss Deby Kaka, who said he would oversee an eighteen-month transition period until elections would be held.

Source: BBC









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FRONT PAGE

An article on Sunday about C.E.O. compensation during the pandemic misstated the reason Robert A. Igers compensation fell in 2020. It was entirely because of the difficult year at the Walt Disney Company. His move from chief executive to executive chairman was not a factor.

An article on Monday about a 1985 Supreme Court case, Tennessee v. Garner, misstated the year that Tamir Rice was shot and killed by a Cleveland police officer. It was 2014, not 2015.

TRACKING AN OUTBREAK

An article on Monday about the sending of vaccine materials to India from the United States referred imprecisely to a ban on the export of coronavirus vaccines and vaccine components, a term Indias government has used. While legal impediments stand in the way of such exports, they are not banned.

INTERNATIONAL

An article on Sunday about the history and politics surrounding the killing of 1.5 million Armenians by Turks in the early 20th century referred incorrectly to the region that is modern-day Armenia. It was once part of the Russian Empire, not the Ottoman Empire. The article also contained an outdated reference to a precedent thought to have been set by the Armenian genocide. While many historians once considered it the first genocide of the 20th century, many now regard the German Empires 1904-1907 campaign of killings and persecution of the Herero and Nama people of Namibia, then known as German South West Africa, to be the first.
GFA World Calls for 'Eleventh Hour' Prayer Amid 'Tsunami of COVID Suffering'

People dying in street outside hospitals, crematoriums can't keep up with body count





GFA WORLD CALLS FOR PRAYER AS 'TSUNAMI OF SUFFERING' HITS INDIA: GFA World (www.gfa.org) is calling for "eleventh hour" prayer as India suffers a devastating second wave of COVID-19 -- and the world faces a growing number of deadly new variants. South Asia is experiencing a "tsunami of suffering," says GFA World founder K.P. Yohannan.



NEWS PROVIDED BY

GFA World

April 27, 2021



WILLS POINT, Texas, April 27, 2021 /Standard Newswire/ -- A major humanitarian agency is calling for "eleventh hour" prayer as India suffers a devastating second wave of COVID-19 -- and the world faces a growing number of deadly new variants.



In India -- the world's second most-populous nation with nearly 1.4 billion people -- the pandemic death toll is soaring. According to BBC reports, people are dying in streets outside overwhelmed hospitals, gasping for air as oxygen supplies run out. Crematoriums can't keep up with the body count.



"In my lifetime, I've never seen anything in my experience that compares with this tsunami of suffering," said K.P. Yohannan, founder of Texas-based GFA World (www.gfa.org). "A catastrophe is unfolding in front of our eyes -- and we're now at the eleventh hour."



Yohannan, author of Never Give Up, called for global prayer as new COVID-19 variants threaten more carnage around the world.



'Gasping for Breath'

"We can be sure that God weeps for those who are suffering, for the many who are even now gasping for breath," he said. "The government of India -- and other governments around the world -- desperately need prayer for wisdom right now as they confront this unforgiving pandemic."



India -- the world's biggest COVID-19 vaccine producer -- has seen its number of new cases skyrocket by well over a million in less than a week. About 2.7 million vaccine doses were being given every day, but the country is now at risk of running out of shots, according to reports.



Neighboring countries, including Bangladesh and Nepal, are also at a crisis point.



GFA World had hundreds of workers on the frontlines in the aftermath of the catastrophic 2004 Asia tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people. "The Asia tsunami was a massive disaster," Yohannan said, "but the scale and scope of suffering was nothing like we're seeing now."



'Hope to the Suffering'

With national workers across South Asia -- and with new compassion projects launching in Africa -- GFA World is "committed to bringing hope to those suffering most," Yohannan said. During the pandemic, the organization has been helping local workers distribute food to tens of thousands of families and migrant workers on the edge of starvation.



"We have people on the ground right now, ready to care for millions, and show them God's love," he said. "We're thankful that governments in India and around the world are willing to help us get into the places where suffering is unbearable, to serve the sick, the poor, and the dying."



The pandemic also threatens to wreak havoc across East Africa where over 7 million people are on the cusp of starvation, according to humanitarian organization World Vision.



GFA World is launching compassion projects in the East African nation of Rwanda this year as it expands its reach beyond Asia, where it serves millions of the world's poorest people, caring for children and providing clean drinking water to over 37 million people.



For the latest information regarding GFA World's COVID-19 efforts, please visit: http://www.gfa.org/press/COVID-spike



GFA World (www.gfa.org) is a leading faith-based global mission agency, helping national workers bring vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across the world, especially in Asia and Africa, and sharing the love of God. In GFA World's latest yearly report, this included thousands of community development projects that benefit downtrodden families and their children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,800 clean water wells drilled, over 12,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 260,000 needy families, and teaching providing hope and encouragement available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. In the years ahead, GFA World expects to launch programs in Africa, starting with compassion projects in Rwanda. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at https://press.gfa.org/news.



SOURCE GFA World



CONTACT: Gregg Wooding, 972-567-7660, gwooding@inchristcommunications.com


(Newser)  Turkey, the European Council, and her EU colleague have tried to explain why there was no chair for Ursula von der Leyen at a meeting earlier this month. And von der Leyen looked into the matter herself, examining government documents, but could find no justification for officials at Turkey's presidential palace leaving the president of the European Commission standing. "So, I have to conclude, it happened because I am a woman," she told the European Parliament on Monday. It was the first time von der Leyen, the only woman so far to head up the commission, has addressed the snub, the New York Times reports. She suggested the situation might have been different if she'd been wearing a suit and tie. "In the pictures of previous meetings, I did not see any shortage of chairs," she said. "But then again, I did not see any woman in these pictures, either."

story continues below

Von der Leyen eventually was directed to a sofa, a step down in diplomatic protocol, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Charles Michel, president of the European Council, took their places in chairs at the front of the room. She's the head of the EU's executive branch, and in earlier meetings, Erdogan and EU leaders were given equal seating, per the Washington Post. Video showing her frustration and capturing her "um" when she arrived went viral. Turkey said von der Leyen's gender wasn't the reason she wasn't given a chair, and Michel said he should've handled the situation differently but didn't want to cause a diplomatic flap. "I felt hurt and left alone: as a woman and as a European," von der Leyen told Parliament. She pointed out that her mistreatment only came to light because there were cameras at the meeting. "Thousands of similar incidents, most of them far more serious, go unobserved," she said. (Read more Ursula von der Leyen stories.)
Kyungshin Cable has opened a EUR20m (US$24m) factory in Serbia's Smederevska Palanka, the Serbian president's office told local media.

The factory, located in the Guberas industrial park near Smederevska Palanka, has 249 employees and Kyungshin Cable intends to increase the payroll to 700 by 2022, the office said in a statement cited by SeeNews.com.

The factory will produce parts for electric vehicle batteries for Europe.

Kyungshin Cable started construction in May 2020 and planned initially to start production in August 2021.

The company is part of Kyungshin Group and makes electronic components for the automotive industry, mainly cable sets for Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen, Ford, Volvo, and BMW.



Serbia auto wiring plant ahead of schedule
Nearly 3,000 workers at Volvo Trucks North Americas New River Valley (NRV) assembly plant in Dublin, Virginia have entered their second week on strike against the Sweden-based multinational. Although the corporate media has largely blacked out their struggle, striking workers are determined to win back wage and benefit concessions granted over the last three contracts by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union.

Striking Volvo workers (Source: Facebook UAW Local 2069)

Volvo Group reported higher first-quarter revenue and profits last Friday, as truck and construction equipment deliveries increased along with demand for other products and services. The company made $1 billion in profits in the first three months of 2021, compared with $560 million a year earlier. Truck deliveries rose to 52,444, from 44,765 during the same period in 2020, and construction equipment sales rose by 53 percent year-over-year. This led first quarter revenue to rise to $11.1 billion, up from $10.8 billion in Q1 in 2020. At the same time, first quarter profit margins jumped from 8.1 percent in 2020 to 12.8 percent.

In summary, strong good quarter and very interesting times ahead, Volvo CEO Martin Lundstedt boasted during a meeting with large investors and financial analysts. Lundstedt, who made $5.2 million in compensation last year, is engaged in a global cost-cutting campaign to boost returns to investors. During the first quarter, the company had 2,079 fewer white-collar workers in research and development than it did a year ago.

The strike is the first at NRV since the eight-week walkout in 2008, which was isolated and betrayed by the UAW, leading to the imposition of a two-tier wage system and other givebacks. As the WSWS has detailed, the top UAW officials who negotiated the contracts in 2008, 2011 and 2016, were found guilty or implicated in the massive corruption scandal, which included taking company bribes and embezzling union dues. The union official in charge of the negotiations now is UAW Secretary Treasurer Ray Curry, a protege of Gary Casteel, who oversaw the 2016 UAW-Volvo deal and then became a cooperating witness in the Justice Department investigation. Curry, who has a $236,000 salary, oversaw the betrayal of the 2019 Mack-Volvo strike.

Expressing the widespread distrust of the UAW, rank-and-file workers on social media have been circulating the WSWS article on who negotiated the previous contracts and have demanded that negotiations with the company be live-streamed. The company and UAW have defied the will of workers and resumed their secret talks Monday.

Several veteran workers at Volvo NRV spoke with the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter on the issues in their struggle and the newsletters call for workers to form an independent rank-and-file negotiating and strike committee to take the conduct of the struggle into their own hands. Their names are withheld to prevent retaliation.

One worker said, To me a picket line is something that you celebrate in a certain sense because we have already made the hard decision to strike, weve already ripped the band-aid off. The company didnt come back with anything reasonable after a months extension [of the previous contract], then its got to get better by striking. It sucks having to go on strike, not getting a paycheck. But were not helping the company build any trucks. We were willing to train and to learn new techniques. We even took cuts and risked our lives during COVID-19 before there was any vaccine. You cant just keep taking and taking, contract after contract, while youre making money hand over fist.

Much of the truck manufacturing industry, including the NRV plant, was forced to shut down after a wave of wildcat strikes by autoworkers in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana in mid-March 2020 against efforts by the corporations and the UAW to keep production going even as COVID-19 swept through the plants. The company set up a Crisis Management Team with the assistance of UAW Local 2069 to reopen the plant despite the continued spread of the deadly virus.

The company said they were going to meet all the standards and do this and that and wed all be safe because they talked to the health department and so on, the worker said. You know what they did? They put up some plastic barriers in the breakroom area between the seats on picnic tables. Thats all they did. They didnt even clean them. Someone left a piece of paper on one of the tables just to see if it would get moved and it never did.

This resulted in a massive spread of COVID-19 at the plant. Id say at least a third of the plant has gotten it, maybe more. A friend of mine was hospitalized and on a ventilator. She is out of the hospital, but she still carries an oxygen tank with her. She hasnt been back to work and its been several months. I know someone else who caught it and was on a ventilator for three weeks. I personally got COVID, and I know I got it here. Im always at work and live alone. I dont even have a dog so I didnt get it from a damn dog. So, you tell me where I got it? It was from work.

The six feet thing is violated everywhere. Theres almost no place where there arent people working side-by-side. The majority of people work on the [assembly] line, people are on both sides of the truck frame as it moves down the line. A truck frame resting on its side is 24 or maybe 30 inches wide; it isnt six feet wide, and you have people working on both sides of it. You dont have six feet of distance between them unless they take turns, which is what they did to begin with. They were only running 30 trucks and you could space it out like that. But as soon as they increased production, that all went away.

Another worker described how veteran workers want better pay and benefits for new hires and those with less seniority, who under the current UAW contract, typically earn $10 less per hour and have bare-bones health and retirement benefits, if any. I believe everybody feels that way, all of the people prior to them too. I believe 99 percent of them would tell you the same thing.

Workers have told the WSWS that there is a concerted effort by the company, with the assistance of the UAW to drive the core group of higher-paid veteran workers out of the plant and replace them with lower paid workers.

Commenting on the UAW corruption scandal and the involvement of several top officials who handed Volvo deep concessions over the last three contracts, the worker said, They got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Its something Ive been complaining about for years. I believed there was a problem back then. The worker said all of the contracts signed by these corrupt officials should have been invalidated. By the time we found out, the contracts were over or close to it. But the repercussions from them, the losses we took were still there.

She then related a story about a worker who confronted a UAW International official, demanding that the union pay him back for all the wage and benefit givebacks the workers suffered. There was a core group worker who made a stink a while back when a representative from the UAW International came to discuss the expansion of the NRV facility. He told the International representative that the expansion plans sound all well and good, but Ive got some numbers for you. The worker said take seven dollars per hour times five days per week times 52 weeks per year times 10 years; the bottom line is I believe you owe us each around $200,000. I know the money is gone, so I want a Volvo truck. They run about 200-grand, right? Thats what the worker said. We should each get a truck for our sacrifices.

Referring to huge profits the billionaires have made while more than 3 million have died worldwide and nearly 600,000 in the US, she said, The greedy are just getting greedier and greedier. They say a rich man never gets numb. The worker then asked about the call of the WSWS and the Autoworker Newsletter for rank-and-file committees to coordinate an international working-class counteroffensive.

Tell me something: You all are trying to do something where the employees instead of just having the unions represent them, the employees would have more direct input, can you explain that to me?

This reporter explained that workers needed to build rank-and-file committees because the UAW and other unions have long abandoned any of the functions traditionally associated with unions and had become the direct tools of management, which lower workers income in the name of making companies more competitive and profitable. The worker was enthusiastic to learn that rank-and-file GM workers in Mexico, in opposition to the unions, had refused to work overtime during the 2019 GM strike in the United States and had won widespread support from American workers after they were victimized. The need for the international unity of the working class is particularly appealing to Volvo strikers since they are confronting a multi-national corporation.
As a result of the negotiations, the Azerbaijanis, who a few days ago had advanced 370 meters from their position belonging to the administrative territory of the village of Nor Ghazanchi in the Martakert region of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), withdrew this morning. The head of Martakert region, Hayk Bakhshiyan, told about this to Armenian News-NEWS.am on Tuesday.

"On April 25, the head of Nor Ghazanchi community had informed me about the incident. The next day we went and saw that they [the Azerbaijanis] had advanced their position. We reported the situation to the Artsakh President, we had talks, with the mediation of the Russian peacekeeping troops; as a result, the Azerbaijanis went back this morning," Bakhshiyan said.

According to him, the Azerbaijanis had presented various excuses to justify their advance.

The head of Martakert region added that the situation is calm at the moment.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27)  Senator Leila de Lima was released from hospital on Tuesday after completing several tests during her three-day medical furlough.

The medical team who attended to de Lima said the results of her brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT angiography showed no evidence of stroke.

De Lima's doctors added she experienced episodes of migraine headaches due to hot environment, poor ventilation, and noise.

The detained senator's physicians recommended to increase ventilation in her detention quarters. They also emphasized that De Lima's blood pressure and sugar level must be regularly monitored, adding she must avoid stress.

"But how can I avoid stress, especially during these very trying times? Stress practically defines my adult life as a public servant," De Lima said.

The lawmaker is expected to return to the PNP Headquarters, where she has been detained since 2017 due to charges on her supposed involvement in the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was Secretary of Justice. One of the three charges against her has since been dismissed.

READ: TIMELINE: De Lima's four-year struggle in prison

De Lima was confined at the Manila Doctors Hospital since April 24, a day after two Muntinlupa courts granted her an immediate furlough. The lawmaker experienced a transient ischemic attack or a mild stroke and was prescribed to get an MRI, which was not available at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital.

De Lima also took a one-day medical furlough in February to get a check-up.
STORY LINK Pound Canadian Dollar Exchange Rate Steady as Canadas Covid-19 Vaccinations Double Since April

GBP/CAD Exchange Rate Rangebound as Canadas Covid-19 Vaccines Pass 12-Million

Pound (GBP) Exchange Rate Struggles Despite Positive Outlook for UK Economy

GBP/CAD Exchange Rate Forecast: Could Rising Canadian Retail Sales Data Boost the Loonie?

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The Pound Canadian Dollar exchange rate held steady today as the daily amount of Covid-19 vaccinations in Canada has doubled since the beginning of April. The pairing is currently fluctuating around CA$1.72.The Canadian Dollar (CAD) has benefited from news that Canada has now surpassed 12-million Covid-19 vaccinations as the nations rollout continues to pick up steam.Canadas Global News explains:Canadas COVID-19 doses administered per 100 people now stands at 31.30, as of April 24. Its a rate that has doubled since the beginning of the month, with the countrys vaccination rate previously at 15.62 on April 1.The latest breakdown of vaccine administration from Health Canada states that at least 24.2 per cent of all Canadians have received at least one dose of the vaccine, as of April 24. At least 2.37 per cent of the population, or 900,000 people, have received two doses of the vaccine and are now fully immunized.Canadian Dollar (CAD) traders will also be awaiting todays speech from the Tiff Macklem, the Senior Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada (BoC).If Macklem is notably upbeat in his assessment of the Canadian economy, then we could see the Canadian Dollar Pound exchange rate begin to edge higher.The Pound (GBP) struggled today despite an increasingly positive outlook for the British economy. The UK retail sector is now expected to help fuel the nations economic rebound this year.Ian Stewart, chief economist at Deloitte, expressed confidence in the UK economy, saying:The UK is primed for a sharp snap back in consumer activity. High levels of saving, the successful vaccination rollout and the easing of the lockdown set the stage for a surge in spending over the coming months.As a result, UK markets are becoming increasingly optimistic about the outlook for the UK economy.In UK Covid-19 news, daily cases continue to fall, with todays cases down by -899 compared to last week. Daily deaths are also in single figures.Canadian Dollar (CAD) traders will be looking ahead to tomorrows release of the latest Canadian Retail Sales report for February.Any further improvement in the outlook for the Canadian economy would be CAD-positive.Oil prices will also influence the oil-sensitive Loonie this week. If oil prices show signs of rising, then the CAD/GBP exchange rate would rise.The Pound Canadian Dollar exchange rate could climb higher this week, however, if the outlook for the British economy continues to improve.

International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements.

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US service members can be tracked on missions in multiple countries, including Syria, using commercially available phone data that also shows their travels to military bases and their homes in the United States, according to a new report.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that such data sets surfaced in 2016 when PlanetRisk, a US defense contractor, was working on a software prototype to monitor the travel of refugees.

At the time, employees of the company discovered that they were able to track US military operations through data from the apps on soldiers' phones.

While the data sets don't contain the names of the soldiers, it does depict their movements, which could reveal clues about an individual's identity.

In some cases, devices appeared at military bases like Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Fort Hood in Texas, according to the Journal.

US special forces can be tracked on missions in Syria with commercially available phone data that also shows their travels to military bases in the US and to their homes, according to a new report. This graphic shows the locations where military personnel's phones were tracked to

While the data sets don't contain the names of the soldiers, it does depict their movements, which could reveal clues about an individual's identity. Soldiers are seen near At-Tanf Garrison, Syria in May 2020

The data also showed soldiers at the US-run Camp Buehring in Kuwait before they later traveled to the Lafarge Cement Factory in Syria. US personnel had operated the factory with allies, Syrian Democratic Forces, up until it was evacuated and destroyed in 2019.

The devices would eventually reappear in the US and many times at private residences that were believed to be the homes of military personnel.

Obtaining such commercial data, which is being generated by cell phones, poses a risk to US military operations, especially since it's challenging to monitor what software soldiers are downloading on their devices.

To combat the issue, a bipartisan group of lawmakers proposed 'The Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act'.

The act would present significant action against the widespread proliferation of facial recognition technology using images scraped from social media and the warrantless supply chain of location data from ordinary smartphone apps, through middlemen, and eventually to agencies.

Sen Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, who is spearheading the legislation announced the intention to introduce the bill last year after reports that several government agencies had purchased citizens' location data through a service called Venntel rather than obtaining it through a warrant.

In some cases, devices appeared at military bases like Fort Bragg (pictured) in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Fort Hood in Texas

Concerns were also raised in January 2018 when an Australian researchers analysis of data posted by Strava, a fitness tracking app, on activities of its users revealed locations of American forces in Syria and Iraq (file image in 2018)

'Theres no reason information scavenged by data brokers should be treated differently than the same data held by your phone company or email provider,' Wyden said in a statement.

He also said: 'Our countrys intelligence leaders have made it clear that putting Americans sensitive information in the hands of unfriendly foreign governments is a major risk to national security.'

A spokeswoman for the Department of Defense pointed to their 2018 policy that prohibits the use of geolocation features.

'This policy, and its implementing risk guidance, protects DoD personnel and operations while still allowing flexibility to benefit from geolocation capabilities in certain low-risk situations,' the spokeswoman said.

She was referring to the US military prohibiting its deployed personnel from using geolocation features on smartphones, fitness trackers and other devices because of the potential security risks associated with revealing their location.

However, that decision followed concerns that were raised in January 2018 when an Australian researchers analysis of data posted by Strava, a fitness tracking app, on activities of its users revealed locations of American forces in Syria and Iraq.

The Pentagon said at the time that geolocation capabilities presented a 'significant risk'.

'These geolocation capabilities can expose personal information, locations, routines, and numbers of Department personnel, and potentially create unintended security consequences and increased risk to the joint force and mission,' the memo from the Pentagon said.

The memo said Defense Department personnel were prohibited from using 'geolocation features and functionality on government and non-government-issued devices, applications, and services while in locations designated as operational areas'.

At the time, Strava shared heat maps showing movements of people exercising while wearing fitness tracker devices and publicly sharing the time and location of their workouts via the app. Outlines of US outposts in Syria and Iraq could be seen in the maps.

Mike Yeagley, who was the vice president for global defense at PlanetRisk in 2016, told the Journal that while the US government likely won't change the convenience of apps, it still needs to build some type of technology that will protest Americans.

'Were not going to change the convenience of apps and mobility. That doesnt mean that we cant build our own firewall to protect ourselves against the malicious adversaries who will take advantage of our liberal democratic attitudes to use against our people,' Yeagley said.
CALGARY, AB, April 27, 2021 /CNW/ - Head quartered in Calgary, Canadian Travel Clinics is one of the leading names in the travel healthcare industry of Canada. The company's successful expansion in providing Covid-19 RT-PCR testing is 100 percent patient focused and currently operates from 5 locations across Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg & Vancouver. Founded in 2016 by Usman Hashmi & Michele Fasolino, the company provides travel vaccinations and comprehensive Covid-19 RT-PCR Swab Test, Antigen test & Antibody Test solutions to travelers and businesses. Since its formation, Canadian Travel Clinics has established successful partnerships with well reputed healthcare companies including TELUS Health and now looking to capitalize on its existing and new industry relations to expand its Covid testing operations nationwide.

The company is also actively working to launch operations in Eastern Canada and expects to go LIVE in Ontario by June 01, 2021 with further expansion into other major town centres shortly afterwards.

"Canadian Travel Clinic strives to provide cost-effective services in the most expedient manner and our prices are being the lowest compared to what other people are charging for similar or even an inferior service. We are trying to make essential travel more affordable for public during these difficult times. Unfortunately, as a healthcare provider we are not able to recover GST on our purchases as most of the services we provide are exempt. We are requesting the Federal government to make the inputs for Covid testing such as, PPE, test-reagents and machinery to be exempt or Zero rated for GST purposes so that we are able to further bring the costs down for the public" CEO, Usman Hashmi

"At Canadian Travel clinics, we go above and beyond to accommodate our patients whether they are facing a family emergency and are needing to get on a flight last minute or if they are in desperate need to travel for a rushed business trip. We are proud to say that we can and will accommodate our patients in these uncertain times" says Nurse Manager Talia Toeg.

As a leading travel clinic in Canada, we understand things have changed nowadays, we try to advise as much as we can to our patients regarding the new covid-19 entry requirements depending upon their destination. We are committed to make everyone's trip possible! - Operations Manager, Liseth Casanova

SOURCE Canadian Travel Clinics

For further information: Liseth Casanova, [email protected], 1 888 672 0005
IRVINE, Calif. & YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Joseph Company International, the recognized global leader in self-contained cooling and innovative beverage packaging solutions is poised to launch its revolutionary self-chilling beverage can, the Chill-Can in conjunction with the international debut of the FIZZICS carbonated coffee brand.

The patented Chill-Can and the MicroCool technology created by The Joseph Company International utilizes a built-in heat exchange unit in concert with reclaimed CO2 to create its chilling technology. The EPA award winning process uses CO2 that is recaptured from the atmosphere and is reused. The Chill-Can is 100 percent recyclable and does not introduce any new CO2 to the atmosphere.

The FIZZICS brand, which debuted in 2018 and was featured in 7-Eleven stores in Southern California, generated global interest with its innovative formulation and became the first coffee based beverage to be featured in the Chill-Can. Since its initial launch in 2018, FIZZICS has expanded its product line from the original flavored carbonated coffee to also include coffee mixed with cola, and coffee mixed with distilled spirits.

Given the global events of the past 14 months, there has been a spike in interest into innovative packaging solutions that can be enjoyed off-premise by consumers. As Joseph Company International Chairman and CEO Mitchell J. Joseph put it, "The coffee category continues to grow around the world and the need to develop off-premise solutions for our clients has never been greater given the unprecedented loss of on-premise sales as a result of the pandemic. Our organization has received a record amount of inquiries regarding our Chill-Can technology and marrying it with the FIZZICS brand for the international market is a perfect fit. We are seeing more and more that consumer habits are forever changing and the Chill-Can is the right package and technology to meet the changing landscape of our industry."

For more licensing information about the patented Chill-Can, the 5L Joseph Keg, and The Joseph Company itself, please visit www.chillcan.com

About The Joseph Company International Inc.Led by Mitchell J. Joseph, The Joseph Company International, based in Irvine, California, is the developer, manufacturer, and patent holder of the world's first and only commercially viable self-chilling beverage can, known as the Chill-Can. The Joseph Company intends to rapidly commercialize the self-chilling beverage can and associated self-chilling and non-chilling beverage packaging containers through private labels and the licensing of the technology to the beverage world. The Joseph Company is currently constructing a $20 Million Beverage Production and Technology Complex in Youngstown, Ohio which will allow for the mass production of beverage packages.

Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12867366

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE The Joseph Company International, Inc.
WINNIPEG, MB, April 26, 2021 /CNW/ - Budget 2021 is the Government of Canada's plan to finish the fight against COVID-19 and ensure a robust economic recovery that is inclusive of all Canadians.

Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, Special Representative for the Prairies, met with Indigenous leaders to discuss housing investments from Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience.

The COVID-19 recession is the steepest and fastest economic contraction since the Great Depression. It has disproportionately affected low-wage workers, young people, women, and racialized Canadians. For businesses, it has been a two-speed recession, with some finding ways to prosper and grow, but many businessesespecially small businessesfighting to survive. Budget 2021 is an historic investment to address the specific wounds of the COVID-19 recession, put people first, create jobs, grow the middle class, set businesses on a track for long-term growth, and ensure that Canada's future will be healthier, more equitable, greener, and more prosperous.

The COVID-19 recession has widened gaps in Canadians' access to housing. These gaps, if not addressed, could deepen cleavages in our communities and exacerbate social inequalities. By contrast, investments in affordable housing can act fast to create jobs and prosperity.

Investments in clean water, housing, and other community infrastructure will create good jobs and build healthier, safer, and more prosperous Indigenous communities in the long-term. The investments in the federal government's plan will accelerate its 10-year commitment to close the infrastructure gaps in Indigenous communities, which could include all-weather roads, northern airstrips, broadband, health care and educational facilities.

The Government of Canada's top priority remains protecting Canadians' health and safety, particularly during this third, aggressive wave of the virus and its variants. Vaccine rollout is underway across Canada, with federal government support in every province and territory. Budget 2021 invests in Canada's bio-manufacturing and life sciences sector to rebuild domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity, and has a plan to put in place national standards for long-term care and mental health services.

Budget 2021 is a plan to bridge Canadians and Canadian businesses through the crisis and towards a robust recovery. It proposes to extend business and income support measures through to the fall and to make investments to create jobs and help businesses across the economy come roaring back. It will support almost 500,000 new training and work opportunities including 215,000 opportunities for youth; support businesses in our most affected sectors such as tourism and arts and culture; and accelerate investment and digital transformation at small and medium-sized businesses. Budget 2021 is a plan that puts Canada on track to meet its commitment to create 1 million jobs by the end of the year.

Canada entered the pandemic in a strong fiscal position. This allowed the government to take quick and decisive action, supporting people and businesses, and put it in the position to make historic investments in the recovery.

Quote

"The COVID-19 recession has widened gaps in Canadians' access to housing. Through Budget 2021, the Government of Canada will invest in affordable housing to help families, young people, low-income Canadians, people experiencing homelessness, and women and children find a safe and affordable place to call home. This is part of building resilient, more inclusive communities."

The Honourable Jim Carr, Special Representative for the Prairies

Quick Facts

Budget 2021 includes $101.4 billion over three years in proposed investments as part of the Government of Canada's growth plan that will create good jobs and support a resilient and inclusive recovery. Key measures include:

over three years in proposed investments as part of the Government of growth plan that will create good jobs and support a resilient and inclusive recovery. Key measures include: Establishing a Canada -wide early learning and child care system, in partnership with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners, which will help all families access affordable, high-quality, and flexible child care no matter where they live, and no longer shoulder the burden of high child care costs. The budget proposes new investments totaling up to $30 billion over the next five years. Combined with previous investments, a minimum of $9.2 billion per year ongoing will be invested in child care, starting in 2025-26.

-wide early learning and child care system, in partnership with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners, which will help all families access affordable, high-quality, and flexible child care no matter where they live, and no longer shoulder the burden of high child care costs. The budget proposes new investments totaling up to over the next five years. Combined with previous investments, a minimum of per year ongoing will be invested in child care, starting in 2025-26.

Extending emergency supports to bridge Canadians and Canadian businesses through to recovery, including:



Extending the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support until September 25, 2021 .

Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support until .



Extending the number of weeks for important income support for Canadians, such as the Canada Recovery Benefit and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit.



Enhancing Employment Insurance sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks.



Increasing Old Age Security for seniors age 75 and older to provide them with better financial security.



Supporting small and medium-sized businesses through several transformative programs, such as:



A new Canada Digital Adoption Program that will assist over 160,000 businesses with the cost of new technology. And it will provide them with the advice they need to get the most of new technology with the help of 28,000 young Canadians who will be trained to work with them.





Allowing Canadian small businesses to fully expense up to $1.5 million in capital investments in a broad range of assets, including digital technology and intellectual property. This represents an additional $2.2 billion investment in the growth of Canada's entrepreneurs over the next five years.

in capital investments in a broad range of assets, including digital technology and intellectual property. This represents an additional investment in the growth of entrepreneurs over the next five years.

Revitalizing Canada's tourism sector through $1 billion to help tourism businesses recover and support festivals and cultural events that provide jobs and growth in many of our cities and communities.

tourism sector through to help tourism businesses recover and support festivals and cultural events that provide jobs and growth in many of our cities and communities.

Supporting women, Black Canadians, and other underrepresented entrepreneurs who face barriers to launching and owning businesses through $300 million to enhance initiatives like the Black Entrepreneurship Program and the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy.



Establishing a $15 federal minimum wage.

federal minimum wage.

Enriching the Canada Workers Benefit, which will support about 1 million more Canadians and lift nearly 100,000 people out of poverty. This will result in additional support of $8.9 billion over six years for Canada's low-wage workers.

over six years for low-wage workers.

Helping to build, repair, and support 35,000 affordable housing units for vulnerable Canadians through an investment of $2.5 billion and a reallocation of $1.3 billion in existing funding.

and a reallocation of in existing funding.

Investing $17.6 billion in a green recovery that will help Canada to reach its target to conserve 25 per cent of Canada's lands and oceans by 2025, exceed its Paris climate targets and reduce emissions by 36 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and move forward on a path to reach net-zero emission by 2050.

in a green recovery that will help to reach its target to conserve 25 per cent of lands and oceans by 2025, exceed its climate targets and reduce emissions by 36 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and move forward on a path to reach net-zero emission by 2050.

Closing the gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, supporting healthy, safe, and prosperous Indigenous communities, and advancing meaningful reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and the Metis Nation through an historic investment of over $18 billion .

Related Links

Associated Links

SOURCE Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

For further information: Media may contact: Annie Cullinan, Press Secretary, Office of the Special Representative for the Prairies, [email protected]; Media Relations, Privy Council Office, 613-957-5420

Related Links

https://www.canada.ca


The Battery Show EV Tech Europe Digital Days, a three-day digital event, strategically scheduled for 18-20 May to connect and educate industry professionals during a time of immense disruption via technical sessions, panels, networking opportunities, and digital sourcing, today announced the second raft of speakers confirmed to address the advanced battery and hybrid electric vehicle (H/EV) tech community. Executives and senior-level experts from 3M, EnBW, McLaren Applied, Punch Powertrain, Renault, among many others, will present novel solutions and lead technical demonstrations that address the industry's leading challenges. The online conference will run adjacent to the digital exhibition floor that features hundreds of leading companies including Parker/LORD, Siemens, and TE Connectivity.

Registration for the digital conference and exhibition is open to attendees and press:

To tune into the conference, register as an attendee here.

To register as press, visit here.

As the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continue to impact grid storage, battery materials, battery-powered electric vehicles, and manufacturer supply chains, the European region is presented with unprecedented stressors amid exceptional market acceleration. Speaking to the importance and timeliness of the event, James Frith, Head of Energy Storage at Bloomberg New Energy Finance and chair of the keynote panel "Meeting Demand for EV Battery Production in Europe; The Rise of the Giga Factory," said: "The European battery manufacturing industry has been turned on its head over the last three years, going from almost non-existent to the second largest market globally. The Digital Days event will be the perfect opportunity to find out how the companies at the heart of this change envisage the next decade."

"At the rate the advanced battery and H/EV tech sectors are progressing in the European region and the number of obstacles that require an immediate solution, we felt it was critical to orchestrate industry connection before our next in-person event in November," said Rob Shelton, group event director, The Battery Show EV Tech Europe Digital Days, Informa Markets. "The level of support for the upcoming digital event permeates all corners of the industry and is a clear indicator of the battery and H/EV tech market's fortitude and future advancement."

Featured conference content includes:

Tuesday 18 May

EV Forecasts: 2020 Summary of European EV Market Expansion and its Implications on Battery Demand

Speaker: Viktor Irle, Co-Founder Market Analyst, EV Volumes

Latest Developments in EV Architectures: Determining the Optimum Level of Hybridization versus Societal, Environmental, and Economic Benefits

Speaker: Marcin Seredynski, Head of Innovation and Research, E-Bus Competence Centre

Race to Road Debate: Examining Formula E Hyper Car Architectures and How they Can be Adapted for the Mass Market EV

Moderator: Luke Gear, Technology Analyst, IDTechEx

Angus Lyon, Director, Rockfort Engineering

Yu Merla, Principal Engineer Advanced Battery Projects, Williams Advanced Engineering

Wasim Sarwar, Head of Research and Advanced Engineering, Rimac Automobil

Wednesday 19 May

EV Technical Session: The Role of Electric Vehicles in the Energy Transition

Speaker: Jeremy Parkes, Global Business Lead Electric Vehicles, DNV

Keynote (Open to All) Leaders Panel: Meeting Demand for EV Battery Production in Europe; the Rise of the Giga Factory

Moderator: James Frith, Senior Energy Storage Analyst, Bloomberg New Energy Finance

Benoit Lemaignan, CEO, Verkor

Kai-Uwe Wollenhaupt, President Europe Vice President, SVOLT Energy Technology Company Ltd

Sebastian Wolf, Sr Director EU Operations and Managing Director, Farasis Energy Europe

Gery Bonduelle, SVP Sales, Freyr

Allan Paterson, CTO, Britishvolt

Electric Motor Development: Faster Charging, Higher Efficiency, Longer Range: The next Step in Electrification

Steve Lambert, Head of Electrification, McLaren Applied

Electric Powertrain: Developing High-Speed Electric Drive Unit for the Next Generation

Speaker: Henrik Dhejne, Product Line Manager Passenger Car Transmissions, electrified Transmission e-Axle, AVL

Thursday 20 May

EV Technical Session: State of the art Electric Track Drive for Medium Heavy-Duty Machines

Speaker: Massimo Palomba, Global Sales Manager E-Mobility, Bonfiglioli Mobility Wind Industries, Bonfiglioli Spa

EV Technical Session: HEV Battery Design; Should it be for Second Life or Easy to Recycle?

Speaker: Pawel Swoboda, Business Development Manager, BMZ Poland

Electric Buses: If 70% Of EV Cost is in The Battery How Can You Reduce the Cost of Electrification?

Speaker: Manos Polioudis, Head of Powertrain Engineering, Arrival

For the full The Battery Show EV Tech Europe Digital Days conference agenda, please visit here.

Follow The Battery Show EV Tech Europe Digital Days on social media: TheBatteryShow

Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

YouTube

About Informa Markets Engineering:

Informa Markets' Engineering portfolio is the leading B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world's $3-trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the engineering market and leverage our proprietary 1.3-million-name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Engineering portfolio is organized by Informa, the world's leading exhibitions organizer that brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com

About Informa Markets

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Engineering, Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction Real Estate, Fashion Apparel, Hospitality, Food Beverage, and Health Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and, do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and, actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organizer, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005048/en/

Contacts:

Lauren Lloyd

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Highlights Apple iPhone 11 shipments increased 176 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2021, claims CMR.

iPhone 12 series had a hearty reception in the country since its launch in October last year.

Increased local production is expected to further up the iPhone sales in India.

Apple continued to enjoy strong sales in India this year, as it shipped over a million iPhones in the country in the first quarter of 2021. The number displayed a remarkable growth of 90 per cent as compared to the same time last year.

Of these iPhones shipped, iPhone 11 and iPhone XR accounted for 67 per cent during the January-March period. Interestingly, Apple iPhone 11 shipments increased despite an increase in domestic assembly.

The data comes as an early estimate by market intelligence firm CyberMedia Research (CMR), as quoted in an IANS report. It mentions that Apple iPhone 11 shipments increased 176 per cent (year-on-year) in the first quarter.

The successful run of older models, including the iPhone 11 and iPhone XR, is being cited as the reason for Apple's strong sales in the country. To add to that, the iPhone 12 lineup opened to a healthy reception late last year.

Apple iPhones have been recording high sales in India since last year. In quarter 4 of 2020, the company captured a 4 per cent market share, nearly doubling its smartphone market share in the country. This growth meant a 100 per cent year-on-year increase in sales. Surprisingly enough, strong sales of the iPhone 12 series contributed significantly to this, despite being launched late in October.

Throughout the year 2020, Apple registered over 60 per cent growth last year in India.

Apple's work on further improving the impressive sales chart has already begun. The company had been producing the iPhone 11 in India since before, and it has now announced that it will bring the production of the iPhone 12 to India.

With the subsequent price drop that is expected to follow, Apple iPhones are set to become even more pleasing to Indian consumers in the coming months. The company will also launch its lineup of iPhone 13 later this year.

Speculations say that the iPhone 13 will be the last series to carry an iPhone Mini variant, as Apple will discontinue the model from the subsequent series citing poor sales. As for now, four models of iPhones are expected to arrive in the fall of this year.
[ Amazon.com ] [ Amazon.co.uk ] [ Book Depository ] [ Harvard UP ] [ Indiebound ] [ Google Play] "Armed with an astonishing br...
JP Morgan Chase has informed its US employees that they are expected to return to the office by July.

The company told workers on Tuesday that its offices and buildings will reopen to all employees on May 17.

According to a memo obtained by Bloomberg, the employees will be brought back on a rotating basis and there will be a 50 per cent building occupancy limit.

'We would fully expect that by early July, all US-based employees will be in the office on a consistent rotational schedule,' the bank wrote.

JP Morgan Chase (file image) has informed its US employees that they are expected to return to the office by July. The company told workers on Tuesday that its offices and buildings will reopen to all employees on May 17

'With this timeframe in mind you should start making any needed arrangements to help with your successful return,' the memo reads.

The memo said that employees should expect to 'practice our industry-recognized health and safety protocols, including our high standards of cleaning and air filtration, mask wearing and daily health check requirements'.

JP Morgan also said it 'strongly' encourages employees to get vaccinated.

CEO Jamie Dimon has previously expressed the need for people to return to offices.

'There are huge weaknesses to the Zoom world. Most of us learn by an apprenticeship system,' Dimon told Bloomberg last week, adding that it's 'very hard' to develop relationships using the platform.

He noted that JP Morgan couldn't require employees to be vaccinated before returning to the office.

Dimon, the long-serving chief of America's biggest bank, said some essential employees have already been working from the company's offices throughout the pandemic.

In September, Dimon said that working from home has had a negative effect on productivity.

CEO Jamie Dimon (pictured) has previously expressed the need for people to return to offices. 'There are huge weaknesses to the Zoom world. Most of us learn by an apprenticeship system,' Dimon said last week

And other banking companies like Goldman Sachs have similar sentiments.

In February, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon slammed the practice as an 'aberration' and said it should not be the 'new normal'.

The Goldman Sachs boss, who is based out of the company's New York headquarters, suggested the measure does not suit his investment bank, despite suggestions from other firms that they may seek to retain a form of remote working even after restrictions lift.

'I do think for a business like ours, which is an innovative, collaborative apprenticeship culture, this is not ideal for us,' he told the annual Credit Suisse virtual financial services forum at the time.

Like JP Morgan, the firm had allowed a 'significant portion' of employees to shift to working remotely during the pandemic.

Yet Solomon's comments stand in contrast to large tech firms who have announced that remote work is set to become a permanent part of their operations post-pandemic.

In February, Salesforce announced that the '9-to-5 workday is dead' as it revealed that it would introduce policies that will allow employees 'flexibility in how, when and where they work with three ways of working'.

The leading software-as-a-service company said they had made the decision based on feedback from staff.

But earlier this month, Google announced that some of its US employees have the option to return to the office.

Amazon on the other hand has said its workers won't come back until the fall.
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Market Reports on Saudi Arabia Provides the Trending Market Research Report on Sauces, Dressings and Condiments in Saudi Arabia under Food category. The Sauces, Dressings and Condiments Market in Saudi Arabia is projected to exhibit highest growth rate over report offers a collection of superior market research, market analysis, and competitive intelligence and industry reports.

Sauces, dressings and condiments is expected to demonstrate particularly strong growth in 2020 as COVID-19 has led to the closure of foodservice outlets and more time spent at home, which has increased the number of consumers cooking their own meals all week. Consumers have had to learn to cook or recreate their favourite foods in home seclusion, including junk food which is expected to increase the quantities of sauces, dressings and condiments consumers buy.

Sauces, Dressings and Condiments in Saudi Arabia report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data 2015-2019, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they new product developments, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts to 2024 illustrate how the market is set to change.

Product coverage: Cooking Ingredients, Dips, Other Sauces, Dressings and Condiments, Pickled Products, Table Sauces, Tomato Pastes and Purees, Yeast-based Spreads.

Request a free sample copy of Saudi Arabia Sauces, Dressings and Condiments Market Report @

http://www.marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com/marketreports/sample/reports/26780

Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.

Why buy this report?

* Get a detailed picture of the Sauces, Dressings and Condiments market;

* Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;

* Understand the competitive environment, the markets major players and leading brands;

* Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.

Table Of Contents

Sauces, Dressings and Condiments in Saudi Arabia

KEY DATA FINDINGS

2020 IMPACT

Home-cooking and stockpiling during COVID-19 lockdown to boost sales in sauces, dressings and condiments

Heinz and Goody bring out new products to satisfy consumer taste for organic

Consumers shift to private label as stockpiling makes price a key factor

RECOVERY AND OPPORTUNITIES

Health and wellness trends will continue to make their mark in sauces, dressings and condiments

Tomato pastes and purees will maintain strong growth as essential cooking ingredients

Product development set to continue in active category

CATEGORY DATA

Table 1 Sales of Sauces, Dressings and Condiments by Category: Volume 2015-2020

Table 2 Sales of Sauces, Dressings and Condiments by Category: Value 2015-2020

Table 3 Sales of Sauces, Dressings and Condiments by Category: % Volume Growth 2015-2020

Table 4 Sales of Sauces, Dressings and Condiments by Category: % Value Growth 2015-2020

Table 5 Sales of Cooking Sauces by Type: % Value 2015-2020

Table 6 NBO Company Shares of Sauces, Dressings and Condiments: % Value 2016-2020

Table 7 LBN Brand Shares of Sauces, Dressings and Condiments: % Value 2017-2020

Table 8 Distribution of Sauces, Dressings and Condiments by Format: % Value 2015-2020

Table 9 Forecast Sales of Sauces, Dressings and Condiments by Category: Volume 2020-2025

Table 10 Forecast Sales of Sauces, Dressings and Condiments by Category: Value 2020-2025

Table 11 Forecast Sales of Sauces, Dressings and Condiments by Category: % Volume Growth 2020-2025

Table 12 Forecast Sales of Sauces, Dressings and Condiments by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025

Browse our full report with Table of Contents: http://www.marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com/marketreports/sauces-dressings-and-condiments-in-saudi-arabia/26780

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Market Reports on Saudi Arabia provides you with an in-depth industry reports focusing on various economic, political and operational risk environment, complemented by detailed sector analysis. We have an exhaustive coverage on variety of industries  ranging from energy and chemicals to transportation, communications, constructions and mining to Food and Beverage and education. Our collection includes over 3000 up-to-date reports all researched, analysed and published by top-notch international research firms.

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Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged US President Joe Biden to swiftly reverse his declaration that 1915 massacres of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire constituted genocide, an action he said was upsetting and diminished bilateral ties.

Bidens historic declaration on Saturday infuriated its NATO ally which has said the announcement opened a deep wound in relations already strained over a host of issues.

Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Credit:AP

In his first comments since Bidens statement, Erdogan said the wrong step would hinder ties, advised the United States to look in the mirror, and added Turkey still sought to establish good neighbourly ties with Armenia.

The US President has made baseless, unjust and untrue remarks about the sad events that took place in our geography over a century ago, Erdogan said after a cabinet meeting. He again called for Turkish and Armenian historians to form a joint commission to investigate the events.
Reuters

Former world number one Roger Federer, who is targeting a record 21st Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, withdrew from the French Open on Sunday, a day after winning a tough third-round match, opting to save himself for the grass-court season. "After discussions with my team, I decided that I should withdraw from the French Open today," Federer said in a statement released by the French Tennis Federation. Federer, who has hardly played in the last 17 months because of a knee injury, suffered physically in his four-set, late-night victory over German Dominik Koepfer on Saturday and decided to end his Roland Garros campaign ahead of what would have been a punishing fourth-round match against Italian Matteo Berrettini.
[April 27, 2021] Cardinal Health launches Outcomes

DUBLIN, Ohio, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) today launches Outcomes, a digital ecosystem connecting pharmacists, payers and pharmaceutical companies to mitigate the challenges of medication non-adherence. Outcomes delivers digital health solutions for personalized medication therapy management, digital patient engagement, and telepharmacy, via its Connect platform, so these three customer groups can improve patient adherence to medication, drive better health outcomes for patients, and lower the cost of care. Outcomes combines several existing Cardinal Health businesses within Connected Care, including mscripts, OutcomesMTM and TelePharm. Its digital ecosystem currently supports a network of 23 million patients and 60,000+ pharmacy sites nationwide to streamline pharmacy workflows, enhance patient engagement and deliver clear insights. Outcomes will help pharmacies, payers and pharmaceutical companies address the challenge of medication adherence and close critical gaps in healthcare. "Each year, medication non-adherence costs the U.S. healthcare system $528 billion and contributes to approximately 275,000 avoidable patient deaths1," said Victor Crawford, CEO, Pharmaceutical Segment. "By combining our pharmacy service capabilities into one unified platform, Outcomes will enable pharmacies to delver more comprehensive services to their patients, resulting in improved health and greater access to healthcare services for patients nationwide. We're leveraging our broad national network of participating pharmacies, technology expertise, and industry insights to create digital solutions to mitigate the costs of medication non-adherence."



"Outcomes is the latest example of how we're developing and investing in technology solutions and actionable data tools to enable more meaningful, cost-effective and outcomes-driven connections in healthcare," said Mike Kaufmann, CEO of Cardinal Health. "COVID-19 has accelerated the need for innovative technology solutions, and we're focused on creating platforms that help our customers serve patients better now, and in the future." Building on its existing software platform, the enhanced Connect platform offered by Outcomes provides an open architecture marketplace approach that delivers solutions to pharmacies quickly, efficiently, and where they need them. Through this unified platform, pharmacies can connect clinical services, patient engagement and billing to create a more streamlined and integrated workflow.

Within the Connect platform, Outcomes recently added MyScheduling, a new scheduling solution that supports pharmacists with vaccine administration logistics for COVID-19 as well as other vaccinations and clinical services. MyScheduling enables patients to schedule and change appointments at their local pharmacy, and significantly reduces administrative tasks for pharmacies, such as scheduling patients for both vaccine doses, creating patient waiting lists, gathering patient information, and reporting on daily appointments. For more information, visit getoutcomes.com. About Cardinal Health

Cardinal Health is a distributor of pharmaceuticals, a global manufacturer and distributor of medical and laboratory products, and a provider of performance and data solutions for healthcare facilities. With 50 years in business, operations in more than 40 countries and approximately 48,000 employees globally, Cardinal Health is essential to care. Information about Cardinal Health is available at cardinalhealth.com. Media Contact:

Erich Timmerman

847-887-1487

erich.timmerman@cardinalhealth.com Investor Contact:

Kevin Moran

614-757-7942

kevin.moran@cardinalhealth.com 1 Watanabe JH, McInnis T, Hirsch JD. Cost of prescription drug-related morbidity and mortality. Annals of Pharmacotherapy. Published March 26, 2018. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1060028018765159. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cardinal-health-launches-outcomes-301278187.html SOURCE Cardinal Health

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 21:16:42|Editor: huaxia

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PHNOM PENH, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Tuesday imposed restrictions on travelers from India to avert the spread of a more infectious COVID-19 variant, B1617, the country's Health Minister Mam Bunheng said.

The ban will take effect from Thursday, he said in a statement.

"The Ministry of Health decides to ban all Indians and foreign travelers who have been in India or have traveled through India from entering Cambodia for a while until further notice," Bunheng said.

He added that foreign travelers who have a history of visiting India within the last three weeks will also be barred from entering Cambodia.

Cambodia has been suffering from the third wave of COVID-19 community outbreak since Feb. 20.

The Southeast Asian nation registered 508 new cases on Tuesday, pushing the national case total to 11,063, with 82 fatalities recorded so far, the Ministry of Health said, adding that currently, there are 7,270 active cases in the country. Enditem
Ben Levine is the executive director of MetroLab Network. Previously he was a policy adviser at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he was responsible for policy development pertaining to state and local government finance, with a focus on infrastructure policy. He worked closely with the White Houses Office of Science and Technology Policy on the organization and launch of MetroLab Network. Prior to that Ben worked at Morgan Stanley. He is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
An Academic Analytics Research Center (AARC) study published in the journal Scientometrics found that senior faculty (scholars who earned their terminal degree 30 or more years ago) research publication activity exceeded expectations based on age cohort population for book chapters and book publications, and senior scholars largely kept pace in terms of journal article publications. "Across all disciplines, senior faculty may be uniquely positioned to invest their time in a longer-term publication effort, shifting their research focus to the review and synthesis of ideas through the publication of books and chapters," said AARC Senior Researcher and Co-Author of the study, Bill Savage, Ph.D.

The study explored the publishing activity of 167,299 unique faculty members at American Ph.D. granting universities in six broad fields over a five-year period (2014-2018). Comparing the publication activity of early career, mid-career, and senior faculty, the study describes a generalized career research trajectory as a gradual change of focus away from journal article publications and toward book and book chapter publication.

Peter Lange, former Provost and current Thomas A. Langford University Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Duke University and Senior Advisor to AARC, commented "This article shows convincingly that a widespread belief - that as scholars age, especially in fields driven by grants and journal publication, their scholarly productivity declines - is incorrect. It changes but does not necessarily decline, and it changes in ways that enrich the scholarly literature."

AARC Director and Co-Author of the study, Anthony Olejniczak, Ph.D., commented "Synthesizing years of knowledge production to explore new topics or re-examine old ones is an important service to one's field, one that senior scholars are especially able to perform." The study uncovered important implications for voluntary separation programs, departmental and program review processes, and retirement planning strategies.

###

The full article can be accessed at the Scientometrics website (https:/ / link. springer. com/ article/ 10. 1007/ s11192-021-03957-4 ).

About Academic Analytics Research Center (AARC)

Academic Analytics Research Center discovers and disseminates data and findings on issues of concern to the higher education community and the scholarly research enterprise. In addition to conducting original research, AARC disseminates the Academic Analytics commercial database to other scholars wishing to incorporate scientometric data in their research programs. AARC strongly supports open access and has committed to making all of their articles and datasets available openly.
Saudi Arabias King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran has announced a milestone in its history with the opening of its doors for women students to pursue bachelors degree courses, a media report said.



The university will start receiving applications from girls between June 13 and 18 this year, said a report in Saudi Gazette.



Preference will be given to those who have good performance in terms of their capabilities, achievements and secondary education exam results. Students can choose the major during the admission phase, and the university will organize seminars and lectures to introduce various specializations.



Earlier in 2018, minister of education announced the approval of the university senate to accept women students in post-graduate studies. The university decision allowed women students to pursue their masters and PhD degrees in five subjects  mathematics, statistics, computer engineering and sciences, public administration and engineering management.



The university started enrolment of female students for the postgraduate courses on September 1, 2019. About 100 girl students have joined the university in the disciplines of mathematics, computer science, business administration after being shortlisted from more than 600 applicants.
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The Senate has administered an oath of allegiance to Frank Ibezim (APC/ Imo) as a member of the 9th Senate.

This followed the Supreme Court decision affirming him as an authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Imo -West by-election.

The oath was administered by the Clerk of the Senate, Dauda El- Ladan, shortly after the commencement of Tuesdays plenary.

The bye-election for the Imo -North Senatorial District followed the death of Ben Uwajumogu in December 2019.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported the Supreme Court judgment which declared Mr Ibezim as APC authentic candidate.

The Court had set aside his disqualification as the authentic candidate of the APC for the December 5, 2020, Imo North Senatorial election.

(NAN)
In this file photo taken on January 30, 2014, a man passes before a branch of Japanese securities company Nomura Securities in Tokyo. Japanese financial group Nomura Holdings, on April 27, confirmed losses of $2.3 billion for fiscal 2020-2021 linked to the sudden liquidation of holdings by U.S. hedge fund Archegos. AFP-Yonhap



The collapse of US hedge fund Archegos dealt new blows to global banking giants on Tuesday as Japan's Nomura reported a bigger financial impact than expected and Switzerland's UBS disclosed a surprise hit.

Shockwaves rippled through global financial markets and institutions last month when then little-known Archegos sold at least $20 billion in stocks as it sought to cover obligations to its lenders.

The debacle hit firms including Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley and several leading Japanese banks.

Nomura had already estimated it faced losses of around $2 billion linked to its exposure.

But on Tuesday the Japanese bank said the damage would be closer to $3 billion and that it would open an investigation.

In its earnings report, Nomura announced it had booked a loss of 245.7 billion yen ($2.3 billion) in the 2020-2021 fiscal year. In addition, the bank expects losses of around $570 million for the fiscal exercise ending March 2022.

In Zurich, UBS said it had suffered losses of $774 million (640 million euros) related to Archegos in the first quarter, although it still reported increased profits.

That was far less than its Swiss rival Credit Suisse, which last week said it would lose a total of 5.0 billion Swiss francs ($5.5 billion) to cover damage related to Archegos across the first and second quarters.

US family-owned hedge fund Archegos, run by former Tiger Asia director Bill Hwang, had taken huge bets on a few stocks with money borrowed from banks.

When several important positions reversed and Archegos could not respond to margin calls, it triggered one of the biggest sudden losses in Wall Street history.

'Wide-ranging investigation'

Nomura said Tuesday it has "unwound over 97 percent of its outstanding positions related to this event".

The scale of Nomura's losses show "the magnitude of the company's risk concentration", said Shunsaku Sato, vice president-senior credit officer at Moody's Japan, in a note.

The additional losses realised in April "will drag down Nomura's earnings in fiscal 2021", he added.

For the last fiscal year, Nomura reported net income fell 29 percent to 153.1 billion yen.

On Monday, Nomura appointed a new CEO at the US subsidiary involved in the losses.

The firm also said Tuesday it had launched a "wide-ranging investigation of facts" surrounding the debacle and various reviews of its outstanding exposure and risk-management processes.

Nomura has not directly named Archegos, saying only that the losses were linked to "transactions with a US client".

For its part, UBS said it had "exited all remaining exposures" to the fund during April. Additional losses will have to be recorded in the second quarter but are "immaterial" for the group, it said.

UBS' group-wide profits for the first quarter were up 14 percent at $1.8 billion.

But the Archegos saga drove pre-tax profits down sharply at its investment banking unit, falling 42 percent year-on-year to $412 million.

Credit Suisse storm

"We are all clearly disappointed and are taking this very seriously," UBS chief executive Ralph Hamers said in the group's statement.

"A detailed review of our relevant risk management processes is underway and appropriate measures are being put in place to avoid such situations in the future."

A bigger storm is brewing at fellow Swiss financial giant Credit Suisse, which has also been rocked by the bankruptcy of British financial firm Greensill.

Shareholder associations have urged investors to vote against the re-election of Andreas Gottschling as the chairman of the board of directors' risk committee at a general assembly on Friday.

The bank announced a net loss of 252 million Swiss francs ($275 million, 229 million euros) last week and said it would issue new shares to reinforce its capital base. (AFP)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New Yorks public school students will have increased access to mental health services as part of the upcoming city budget, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday.

More than 600 mental health support workers will be hired throughout the Department of Education system, and students will be offered universal mental screenings, the mayor said during a morning press briefing saying that the new effort came, in part, as a way to help students recover from the pandemic.

Our kids have been through so much, and our kids really respond when you give them a chance to talk about their feelings, he said. If you give them an opportunity to just express what theyre feeling, you can do a world of good.

The new additions seek to build on the citys efforts in recent years to incorporate social-emotional wellbeing into the citys school curriculum, particularly as kids deal with the challenges of a coronavirus school year.

De Blasio shared a video during the press briefing featuring First Lady Chirlane McCray, and students speaking about best mental health practices like using meditation to deal with stress.

McCray, who along with her husband has faced consistent criticisms for the citys ThriveNYC program dealing with mental health issues, said Tuesday that the initial plan regarding screenings was to start in the communities hardest hit by COVID  often the citys poorest  but that they realized the benefit a universal program could have to the citys school system.

I am thrilled that we are bringing these screenings to every New York City public school by this fall, she said. Children will receive individual attention to their emotional well-being.

The mayor said the 600 new hires will be professionals like social workers and psychologists, and will be added to schools as part of their permanent staff.

Additionally, this summer, the citys Summer Rising program that runs from July to August will also feature mental health supports, and the mayor said theyll be expanding the citys Parent University program.

Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter said Tuesday that during her time as a principal she experienced the benefit of having a full-time social worker on staff who provided additional mental health supports for students and staff.

Today, that support arrives for more schools across New York City, she said. This means educators will have someone they can work with to help provide the help young people need in schools.
CORVALLIS, Ore. -- An Oregon State University Professor has been nominated by President Joe Biden to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a national agency focused on weather and climate sciences.

I am deeply honored by this nomination, Rick Spinrad said. From my days as a graduate student at OSU, I always held NOAA in such high regard for the quality and importance of its work. The opportunity to serve as NOAA Administrator is both humbling and exciting.

Before receiving the role, Spinrad must be confirmed by the United States Senate. If he is confirmed, Spinrad would become the third person from OSU to lead NOAA, following former OSU President John Byrne who led NOAA from 1981 to 1984 and OSU Distinguished Professor Jane Lubchenco who led NOAA from 2009 to 2012.

"He is a leader of thought and resolve in not only Oregon, but in America, in terms of addressing the causes of climate change and preserving and advancing the well-being of the world's oceans," OSU spokesperson Steve Clark said.

Spinrad graduated from OSU with his master's and doctoral degrees in oceanography, according to the university. He went on to serve as OSU's vice president for research for four years before stepping down in 2014 to serve as NOAA's chief scientist, according to the university. Spinrad held this role from 2014 to 2016. He then returned to OSU where he currently is a professor of oceanography and a senior advisor to the vice president for research.

Rick Spinrad will be an outstanding administrator of NOAA, said Edward Feser, OSUs acting president and provost and executive vice president. Hes among an impressive group of Oregon State University faculty who have held high-ranking federal appointments  recognition of the universitys academic distinction and land grant commitment to action. His nomination and NOAAs past leadership by John Byrne and Jane Lubchenco are evidence of Oregon State Universitys global leadership in the study of climate, climate change, the worlds oceans and marine and coastal resources.

His current work includes a focus on funding for the PacWave project, a wave energy test site, the university said.

The position has been vacant since 2017 when two of former president Donald Trump's nominees failed to receive enough support from the Senate.

"All Oregonians can take pride in someone from this state and in the past, Jane Lubchenco, OSU Distinguished Professor, and OSU former President John Byrne, in helping to lead the nation's advancement and preservation, research, and science related to our oceans and coastlines," Clark said.
[April 27, 2021] XAG Drones Joining Australian Taskforce to Defend Land from Invasion of Noxious Weed

SYDNEY, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As Australia has long been troubled by the threat of invasive weeds, XAG Agricultural Drone recently steps in a land care program to curb the spread of the exotic weed - African Lovegrass. Since March 2021, trials are conducted to examine the effectiveness of drones on precision spraying and revegetation. Australia is now witnessing the popularity of XAG drones on farms and grazing lands, with the aim to relieve the economic and environmental loss inflicted by weeds. While climate change and herbicide resistance might contribute to rampant growth of weeds, the traditional tools of managing weeds are starting to fail and even cause harm to earth. New Hope of Beating Invasive Plants African Lovegrass (ALG) is one of the invasive weed species originated from South Africa and introduced to Australia in the 20th century. They can rapidly take over a pasture and render the land worthless by wiping out native plants and animals. The invasion of lovegrass not only degrades the natural ecosystem, but also threatens the livelihood of farmers because livestock cannot survive without palatable grasses to eat. Controlling these competitive weeds remains a top challenge for Australia. This March, XAG Australia has established partnership on an African Lovegrass (ALG) control program with the Australian registered charity Upper Snowy Landcare. A fleet of XAG Agricultural Drones were deployed to provide innovative solution on spraying the weeds with better precision and seeding the ALG-infested pasture in inaccessible areas. The project aims to leverage autonomous robots to minimise the use of herbicide, as well as restoring a healthy landscape against the regrowth of ALG. Three trial sites, heavily invaded by ALG, have been set up in the Monaro region of New South Wales, Australia. Drone pilots from XAG mapped the fields on the smartphone with a remote sensing drone to identify all patches of ALG. At the first site, XAG agricltural drones loaded with herbicides were used to selectively spray isolated patches of African Lovegrass. The second site were treated by drones spraying between rows of tree plantation to remove weeds that would otherwise compete for water and nutrients.



At the third site where ALG was mechanically scalped, drones fitted with a special broadcast attachment evenly spread native grass seeds and shrubs to revegetate the bare ground. This helps to establish healthy pastures and further suppress the regrowth of hardy weeds. "These trials demonstrate how drones can be used in difficult, inaccessible areas where traditional vehicles or helicopters are not suited," said Margaret Mckinnon, Chair of Upper Snowy Network. Previously, farmers heavily rely on boom sprayers to apply herbicides over a large area. This has led to chemical overuse and the development of herbicide-resistant weeds.

Drone could be a safe, cost-effective, and sustainable method of weed control to reduce the negative impacts of yield loss and land degradation. In trials with African Lovegrass, XAG's agricultural drones carried a 16L liquid tank and flew very low to accurately spray the selected target area in appropriate dose. Only patches infested with lovegrass were sprayed to greatly cut down the use of herbicides. Outcomes would be measured in terms of ALG regrowth and vegetation recovery rates with on-ground surveys over the ensuing six months. Robots Come to Farmers' Rescue In Australia, weed is the most economically destructive type of invasive species. In addition to causing biodiversity loss, it has wreaked havoc on grain crops and posed major risks to food security. According to Australia's Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, the annual cost of weeds incurred by the agricultural industry is estimated at $4 billion. New technologies such as autonomous drones and AI are expected to enhance the country's capacity to manage weeds cheaper and more effectively. With the enforcement of Australian Weeds Strategy 2017-2027, it has become a strategic priority to seek for innovative solutions to reduce the detrimental impacts of weeds. Since 2013, XAG has been promoting the use of drones in agriculture to help farmers manage their fields with less manual labour. Its Australian team has dived deep to test the accuracy of drones on spraying weeds, as the recklessness of using herbicides sprayed by a boom brings up national concerns. Herbicide is the most commonly used effective way for controlling weeds. But the incident of spray drift, also referred to off-target hazard, could happen when applying chemicals onto the weeds. This would contaminate the neighbouring crops and put native plants and animals at risks of poison. The selection of equipment matters when it comes to reducing spray drift. The autonomous drones developed by XAG has demonstrated its ability to follow predetermined flight route and precisely spray weeds on the target. Compared with ground vehicle and helicopter, drone is a much more lightweight, sophisticated type of robot for killing weeds without crops being damaged. As the benefits of this versatile flying robot unfolded, more and more Australian farmers are embracing new technology for their pasture and grain fields. Agricultural drone is making its way as a sustainable approach to counter the increasing threat from weeds. About XAG Founded in 2007, XAG is a technology company and the world's largest agricultural drone maker. It is devoted to advancing agriculture that can sustainably feed the world's growing population with positive social impact on earth. XAG's vision is to build the infrastructure of agriculture for the next 100 years, that will provide the world with sufficient, diversified, and safe food. To grow more nutritious food with minimal ecological footprint on earth, XAG has designed the three-pillar smart agriculture solutions that innovatively integrate drones, unmanned ground vehicles, internet-of-things, and artificial intelligence. Read more: https://www.xa.com/en/news View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xag-drones-joining-australian-taskforce-to-defend-land-from-invasion-of-noxious-weed-301277899.html SOURCE XAG

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Iran's President Orders Probe Into Leaked Audio 'Conspiracy'

04/27/21

Source: RFE/RL

The Iranian government says an investigation has been ordered into the "conspiracy" of leaked audio in which Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) are too influential in diplomacy. President Hassan Rohani ordered the investigation to identify who leaked the "stolen" three-hour-long recording, government spokesman Ali Rabiei told reporters on April 27.



"Killing Zarif"

Reads headline of Iranian daily Sazandegi



Zarif's comments in the recording have sparked harsh criticism from conservative media and politicians in the country since its publication by the London-based Iran International Persian-language satellite news channel late on April 25.

Among other things, Zarif complains about the extent of influence that late Major General Qasem Soleimani had over foreign policy, hinting that the top IRGC commander tried to spoil Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers by colluding with Russia.

Solemani was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020, at the time bringing the United States and Iran to the brink of war.



"Zarif without censor"

Reads headline of Iranian daily Jomleh



"This theft of documents is a conspiracy against the government, the system, the integrity of effective domestic institutions, and also against our national interests," Rabiei told reporters, adding that Rohani "has ordered the Intelligence Ministry to identify the agents of this conspiracy."

The day before, a Foreign Ministry spokesman described the recording as "selectively" edited and said it represented just a portion of a seven-hour interview that included "personal opinions."

Zarif did not comment on the controversy.

The leak comes ahead of a presidential election on June 18 that will see the moderate Rohani step down after two terms in office and after conservatives fared well in parliamentary elections last year.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and AP
[April 27, 2021] Universal Robots Handpicks Systems Integrators to Deploy ActiNav Next-Generation Machine Loading

Today, solutions for unstructured picking and placing of parts into machines are solely focused on the vision aspect, often requiring additional programming to bridge the gap from "pick" to "place" - especially if the "place" is not just dropping into a box but accurately inserting parts into fixtures for further processing. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005838/en/ ActiNav combines real-time autonomous motion control, a cobot from Universal Robots, vision and sensor systems in one seamless Application Kit that solves the random bin picking challenge in machine tending applications. (Photo: Business Wire) ActiNav changes all that, combining real-time autonomous motion control, Universal Robots cobots, vision and sensor systems in one seamless Application Kit that solves the random bin picking challenge in machine tending applications. To help manufacturers integrate ActiNav into machining cells, UR has vetted and selected a limited group of systems integrators across the U.S. to deploy the next-generation machine loading solution. The select systems integrators are:

Eckhart Inc. (Michigan), Integro Technologies Corp. (North Carolina), Southwestern Production Technology Solutions (Texas), and Cross Company (North Carolina). Additional integrators in the U.S. and Canada are expected to be approved as ActiNav Solution Providers before the end of Q2, 2021.



"Our selection process focused on integrators with expertise in both vision and robotics, delivering superior value, and on time/on budget projects for customers," says Bryan Bird, Regional Sales Director for Universal Robots' North America division. The selected systems integrators have all been provisioned with in-house demo units, enabling them to quickly develop proofs of concepts for customers in their region. "Integrating ActiNav into a machining cell is where the expertise of the right systems integrator really shines," says Bird. "Our integrators will be able to quickly handle all peripheral requirements such as integration with safety sensors, machine interfaces, end-of-arm tooling and other components that all need to work together."

Eckhart Inc. was the first company to become an ActiNav Solutions Provider. "We look forward to delivering increased machine uptime, quality and efficiency to manufacturers in our region," says Sheldon Coney, director of robotics at Eckhart Inc. "In many ways, ActiNav will set a new level of operational expectations regarding the future of intelligent systems." Launched in April 2020, ActiNav has been deployed with numerous manufacturers across North America, who were seeking a simple solution to a complex problem. One of them is Flywheel Supply in Iowa. "The only way that made sense for us to put a robot on a machine tending application was to be able to do randomized bin picking," explains Zach Northway, co-owner and lead project engineer at Flywheel Supply. "The cycle times on the machine are so short that if an operator has to stand there and line parts up in an organized fashion for a robot to pick them in a traditional sense, it would defeat the entire purpose of using the robot to begin with, because your operator is still standing there." In Flywheel's ActiNav application, the UR5 cobot picks parts from a deep bin and places them in the jaws of a machine that indexes to multiple stations to perform tasks such as drilling, chamfering, and internal and external threading. Ultimately, the ActiNav system will process as many as 1,500 different part numbers, so it must be quickly programmable to pick parts of different shapes, sizes, and weights. "The biggest advantage to ActiNav is that it can take randomization of parts being dumped in a bin, and as the bin gets low, a person can just come by and dump some more into the bin and it will keep picking parts," says Northway. "It doesn't have to be reset, recalibrated-anything. It notices the bin amount changed and it keeps on going." Download ActiNav images: Here About Universal Robots

Universal Robots (UR) was founded in 2005 to make robot technology accessible to all by developing small, user-friendly, reasonably priced, flexible collaborative robots (cobots) that are safe to work with. Since the first cobot was launched in 2008, the company has experienced considerable growth with the user-friendly cobot now sold worldwide. The company, which is a part of Teradyne (News - Alert) Inc., is headquartered in Odense, Denmark, and has regional offices in the United States, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, UK, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Turkey, China, India, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Mexico. In 2020, Universal Robots had a revenue of USD 219 million. www.universal-robots.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005838/en/

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WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court on Monday refused to consider Texas' challenge to California's ban on state-funded business trips to Texas and other states deemed to discriminate against LGBTQ people.

California adopted the ban following a 2017 Texas law that allows foster care and adoption agencies to deny services for religious beliefs.
YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Aivazian gave an interview to BBC Weekend, over US President Joe Bidens April 24th address made on the occasion of the 106th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The caretaker FM said this address makes a significant contribution to the global recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the prevention of genocides.

Armenpress presents the caretaker FMs interview:

Question: What is your response to President Bidens statement? Was it everything youd hoped for?

Ara Aivazian: As 106 years ago today the Armenian people are fighting for historical justice, for a safe and dignified life in their historical homeland. We welcome the statement of President Biden by which the US clearly defines the mass atrocities committed against the Armenian people in the 20th century as genocide. It should be recalled that relevant resolutions recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide were adopted by the US House of Representatives and Senate in 2019.

Yesterday we commemorated the 106th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. And here in Armenia and in different parts of the world we saw strong solidarity of the international community, numerous strong messages of support, which are encouraging us to multiply our joint efforts in the international fight for condemnation and prevention of genocides.

Question: Mr. Aivazian, are you hopeful other countries will follow suit?

Ara Aivazian: Well, the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide is a universal issue of humanity. This address makes a significant contribution to the global recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the prevention of genocides. Today, the US authorities have unequivocally reiterated their commitment in human rights and the principles of humanity.

Question: Mr. Aivazian, what in fact do you think Joe Bidens statement will have on your relations with Turkey?

Ara Aivazian: As far as relations with Turkey are concerned, Turkey pursues hostile and aggressive policy towards Armenia since the restoration of independence back in 1991. Turkey rejected the establishment of diplomatic relations, it closed border with Armenia and pursued increasingly hostile policy against Armenia. Moreover, Turkey directly got involved in the Azerbaijani aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh by dispatching thousands of foreign terrorist fighters to our region.

We do hope that this very important statement by the President of the US will pave the way for dialogue and eventually to the normalization of relations. It will also contribute to the regional peace and stability.

Question: How will this play towards the possible normalization of relations? Some say the statement will play into President Erdogans hands by winning him public support against the US.

Ara Aivazian: Well, I believe this creates a ground for Turkish society to face the pages of their history. And also it induces the society to question the tragic pages of their history. I believe it will also create ground for dialogue between two neighboring countries. Abyss was created between two neighbouring countries and I believe this will be a very important step for normalization of our relations.
AUSTIN, Texas, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Health Action (THA) is the first non-profit organization in the country to launch a statewide telehealth service that provides access to HIV prevention & care and gender affirming care at little to no cost to the patient. TeleKind, the organization's new program, allows any Texas resident 18 years and older to access comprehensive sexual health services regardless of gender identity, gender expression, race, creed, sexual orientation, immigration status, or ability to pay.

Virtual appointments are made possible through secure, two-way video with a health care provider specializing in each of the services offered through TeleKind. Patients are also assigned a personal care navigator to help guide them through the appointment process, care plans and options for at-home testing kits and direct-to-patient prescription delivery. All clinical services are free and personal care navigators ensure all prescriptions are secured at little to no cost to the patient.

According to a 2017 study in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, persons in rural communities were found to have a higher risk of health complications and limited access to health services; moreover, these individuals were unable to see a physician in the past 12 months because of cost.

"Some Texans are being left behind from critical sexual health care like HIV/STI prevention and treatment, especially those in areas without clinics that specialize in judgement-free sexual health services," Christopher Hamilton, chief executive officer of Texas Health Action, said. "Our approach to health care is radical in its simplicity: we prioritize kindness and innovation to meet our patients where they are."

A recent study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases suggests that immediate action is needed to limit the impact of HIV/STI service interruptions and address the indirect effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic on the HIV/STI epidemic.

"Many nonprofit organizations and public entities have been unable to meet the growing demand for the testing and treatment of HIV and STIs because already limited resources have been diverted to the COVID-19 pandemic." Megan Brunson, chief operating officer of Texas Health Action, said. "However, we have prioritized investment in our innovative and accessible approach to providing sexual health services to close the gap for those who need it most, including those in rural areas of our state as well as underserved communities such as Black, Latinx, Transgender and gender non-conforming Texans."

All TeleKind providers and care navigators have expertise in serving the LGBTQIA+ community and people living with HIV. Patients can access appointments, testing and medication, all from the comfort of their home. To sign up for TeleKind visit, https://www.mytelekind.org/sign-up/.

About Texas Health Action

Texas Health Action (THA) is a community informed 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to culturally affirming, quality health services in a safe and supportive environment with an expertise in serving LGBTQIA+ people and people impacted by HIV. Since 2015, Texas Health Action has provided health services without stigma or judgment and has empowered the community through outreach and education. Texas Health Action operates Kind Clinic, which provides sexual health services through locations across Central Texas; TeleKind, which provides sexual health services via virtual visits and at-home testing; and Waterloo Counseling Center, which provides behavioral health services in Austin. Texas Health Action is led by CEO Christopher Hamilton. For more information about Texas Health Action and its programs, please visit www.TexasHealthAction.org.

About TeleKind

TeleKind is a telemedicine sexual health service with at-home testing focused on delivering equitable and affirming sexual health and gender affirming care across the state of Texas. TeleKind's licensed medical providers conduct virtual appointments that offer patients access to HIV prevention medication known as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), HIV testing and care, and gender affirming careall paired with regular STI testing. Each service is free and includes the support of a care navigation team to ensure all medications are secured for low to no cost to the patient. TeleKind is a program of Texas Health Action, a 501(c)(3) community informed non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to culturally affirming, quality health services in a safe and supportive environment with an expertise in serving LGBTQIA+ people and people impacted by HIV. For more information about TeleKind, please call 1-833-GET-MYTK (1-833-438-6985) or visit www.mytelekind.org.

Media Contacts:

Kat Griffith or Laura Bowman

[email protected], 512-797-4002

[email protected], 512-913-6624

Elizabeth Christian Public Relations

SOURCE Texas Health Action

Related Links

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The Hungarian government has come out with a table that gives a break-up of the number of infections and deaths after secondary inoculations with the vaccines currently in use in the country.

According to this, Russias Sputnik V vaccine has been recognised as the safest and most efficient vaccine, while performs the worst. Accurate conclusions cannot be drawn from the table since it ignores multiple conditions that would level the playing field of its variables, and allow for the valid comparison of vaccine types, according to a report in Hungary Today.

Earlier, Minister of the Prime Ministers Office Gergely Gulyas had asserted that the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine and the Russian Sputnik V vaccine are both better than any Western vaccine.

SputnikV has the best safety (7-32 times fewer deaths cases) and efficacy (2-7 times fewer Covid infections) per 100,000 vaccinated, according to the vaccines official Twitter account. Thus, according to the Hungarian data, Sputnik V has up to 32 times fewer fatalities and six times lower infection rate than the vaccine. Hungary was the first European Union nation to receive Sputnik V samples for tests in November 2020.
The has ruled that a withholding tax rate of 5 per cent has to be applied when an Indian entity doles out dividends to its shareholder in Netherlands after applying the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause in the between the two countries.

The High Court's decision assumes significance given that India has reintroduced the classical system of dividend taxation in the hands of shareholders and because the availability of benefits based on the clause has been a subject of litigation in the past, said experts.

Companies based in Netherlands and even other European countries such as France, Hungary, Spain, Switzerland and Sweden may be able to claim the benefit of lower withholding tax rates from now on. The decision could also apply to categories other than dividend income such as royalty and fees for technical services.

Two Netherlands companies Concentrix Services Netherlands B. V. and Optum Global Solutions International B. V. --- both tax residents of Netherlands which held 99.99 per cent share in their Indian subsidiaries --- were issued withholding tax certificates of 10 per cent by Indian tax authorities.

Their wholly-owned Indian subsidiaries were required to remit dividends after appropriate withholding of tax.

The taxpayers applied for a lower withholding tax certificate under section 197 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in accordance with the India-Netherlands read with the protocol that was appended.

"The taxpayer had placed reliance on the clause and had contended that since India had agreed on a 5 per cent withholding tax rate in its subsequent tax treaties (with Slovenia, Lithuania, and Colombia), the lower rate of 5 per cent should equally apply to India-Netherlands tax treaty as well," said a note co-written by Saurabh Shah, principal, Dhruva Advisors.

The clause of India-Netherlands tax treaty provides that if India enters into a tax treaty with an OECD member country wherein the tax rates on dividends, interest, royalties and technical services agreed to are lower than those agreed to in India-Netherlands tax treaty, then those lower rates would equally apply for the purposes of India-Netherlands tax treaty as well.

"Slovenia, Lithuania and Colombia became members of the OECD after India signed treaties with them. The core issue therefore was whether these countries needed to be members of OECD at the time of signing of their tax treaty for the MFN clause to apply," said Shah.

The High Court observed that MFN clause forms an integral part of a tax treaty and no separate notification is required to make its provisions applicable. The Court held that one of the chief purposes of entering into a tax treaty is the equitable allocation of taxes concerning transactions that are taxable in both the countries. It also pointed out that the rules of interpretation of domestic laws cannot be applied for interpreting international treaties.

"This ruling affirms the principle that the protocol to the India-Netherlands tax treaty formed an integral part of the tax treaty and no separate notification was required to apply its provisions. Further, this ruling has upheld the principle of common interpretation and relying on the decree issued by Netherlands, applied the lower withholding tax rate of 5 per cent to dividends received by Netherlands resident (beneficial owner of such dividend) from an Indian subsidiary company," tax consultancy Deloitte observed in a note.
Blue Origin filed an official federal protest today of NASAs decision to give SpaceX the exclusive contract to build the lander that will put the next Americans on the Moon.

NASA has executed a flawed acquisition for the Human Landing System program and moved the goalposts at the last minute, the company said as it released a redacted copy of the protest.

In NASAs own words, it has made a high risk selection, the Blue Origin statement said. Their decision eliminates opportunities for competition, significantly narrows the supply base, and not only delays, but also endangers Americas return to the Moon. Because of that, weve filed a protest with the GAO. The GAO is the Government Accountability Office.

NASA had been running a three-way competition to build the next human Moon lander. Blue Origin led the National Team composed of itself and supporting contractors, and Dynetics of Huntsville, Ala., led a third competing team. It was widely believed the space agency would down select to two contractors, but a NASA press release in October, 2020 said, After receiving Option A proposals in late 2020, NASA plans to select up to two HLS Option A contracts..., the space agency stated.

NASA had indicated an overriding intention to make two awards, Blue Origins attorneys said today, but due to perceived shortfalls in currently available and anticipated future budget appropriations, it made only the award to SpaceX, eliminating HLS competition, and effectively locking down immediate and future lunar landing system development and launch and lunar landing opportunities.

The documents released by Blue Origin today say its bid for a lander was $5.99 billion. The SpaceX bid was $2.91 billion. NASA had indicated at the time of its award to SpaceX that the companys bid was significantly lower.

The Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville is leading NASAs human lunar lander program, and program manager Lisa Watson-Morgan announced the SpaceX choice at a national press briefing. She cited the SpaceX rockets fully reusable capability, large cabin and storage area and in-orbit refueling as key features in its favor.

In its original April 16 announcement of the SpaceX win, NASA added hope of more government funding. The space agency said it will quickly begin discussing a future landing services contract to put supplies for longer missions on the lunar surface. NASA said it hoped to see all these companies in that competition.

The three companies vying for the lander contract wanted the honor and prestige of putting Americas next astronauts including the first woman on the lunar surface. Using NASAs money to continue developing their landers would also be significant to their programs.
New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) board's class 12 students should note that the revised or new date sheet for Arts, Science and Commerce will now be released in June, and the subject wise dates will be updated accordingly.

A number of CBSE schools, however, have started their registration process for Class XI admissions and are enrolling students on a provisional basis. Their admission will be finalised on the basis of the marks they obtain in their Class X exams.

The move from the schools has come after the CBSE decided to cancel the Class 10 board exams in the wake of the surge in COVID-19 cases. Some schools have also started counselling the students to help them choose their streams for Class 11, as they want classes to start from the first week of May.

As per a recent CBSE notification, the board will now assess the students on the basis of the application of concepts in real-life or unfamiliar situations. Known as competency-based questions, the questions for the CBSE students will include multiple-choice questions (MCQs), case-based questions and source-based integrated questions.

The CBSEs competency-based education project is likely to replace the existing rote learning model with a competency-based framework as per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 over the next two-three years. On March 24, the CBSE had announced a competency-based assessment framework for Science, Mathematics and English.

Earlier this month, the CBSE cancelled its class 10 board exams and deferred the class 12 board exams in the wake of the rising number of COVID-19 cases. The CBSE decision was followed by several state boards that have also postponed or cancelled their exams.

The ICSE class 10 board exams were also cancelled in view of the worsening COVID-19 situation and the option for students to appear for the exams later has also been withdrawn. The Council for The Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) had announced that class 10 students will get an option to either write the exams later or get evaluated on the basis of alternative criteria.

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had stated that the new date sheet for CBSE class 12 board exams will be out after June 1. He also ensured that the students will be intimated at least 15 days before the start of class 12 board exams 2021.

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Since joining Northeastern in 2014 and becoming dean of the Khoury College of Computer Sciences, she has increased the total undergraduate enrollment significantly. She has moved the percentage of undergraduate students from 19 percent to 30 percent women and from 11 percent to 14 percent Black, Latinx, Pacific Islander, and Native American, compared to national rates of 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

Since its launch, Dr. Brodley has led Northeastern's Center for Inclusive Computing which supports not-for-profit universities in the redesign of their computer science curriculum and assists faculty and administrators to create an inclusive, welcoming community. The Center collaborates with universities across the United States that have large undergraduate computing programs, bolstering their efforts to increase the number of women and African American, Hispanic and Native American students graduating with a degree in computer science.

"I am delighted to join Alegion's Board of Directors, supporting their advancement of leading-edge tools for machine learning training data," said Carla Brodley. "Alegion's focus on creating meaningful work in locations around the world, expanding technology-based opportunities in many communities also aligns with my mission for an ever more inclusive future."



"Dr. Carla Brodley is uniquely qualified to become a member of our Board of Directors," said David Mather, President, CEO and Board Director of Alegion Inc. "With deep subject matter expertise, outstanding industry, government, and research insight, and a vision for a more equitable future we have much to gain from her experience."

Dean Brodley's numerous leadership positions in computer science as well as her chosen research fields of machine learning and data mining include serving as program co-chair of ICML, co-chair of AAAI, and serving as associate editor of the Journal of AI Research, and the Journal of Machine Learning Research. She has previously served on the Defense Science Study Group, the board of the International Machine Learning Society, the AAAI Council, DARPA's Information Science and Technology Board, the executive committee of the Northeast Big Data Hub, as a board member of the Computing Research Association, and as co-chair of the Computing Research Association's Committee on the Status of Women.

About Alegion Inc.

Alegion, based in Austin, TX, provides a complete training data solution for enterprise-grade machine learning. Alegion's training data platform enables efficient and accurate annotation of video, images, and text to support advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence initiatives. The platform features a rich user experience, support for robust ontologies, integrated machine learning, and advanced quality control. With integrated workflows, data security, and project management functions, Alegion's platform supports any size requirement from a small data science team to thousands of annotators working on a single project.

SOURCE Alegion

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In response to Bruce Caitlyn Jenner announcing his bid to oust Californias governor Gavin Newsom, Joy Behar said on The View, Hes got this guy Brad Parscale running his campaign. Later, Behar added, I think that he should  she, rather, should take a seat and let somebody with the credentials take over a major state like California.

Behar subsequently apologized for the pronoun mixup, explaining, but, whatever, it just came out so Im sorry if anybody was upset by that.

But the damage had been on. Joy Behar had misgendered Jenner, something that I seriously doubt would have happened if Jenner had been running as a liberal Democrat rather than as a Republican. As Jenner explained in 2016, he gets more flak for being a Republican than he does for being trans.

Thats why it was not surprising that LGBTQ activists in California made clear that they would not be supporting Jenners gubernatorial bid. As expressed by Equality California, Make no mistake: we cant wait to elect a #trans governor of California.

But @Caitlyn_Jenner spent years telling the #LGBTQ+ community to trust Donald Trump. We saw how that turned out. Now she wants us to trust her?

Hard pass.

@StopRepRecall.

More specifically, they tweeted, After Trump banned transgender troops from serving in the military, attacked transgender students and even tried to allow homeless shelters to turn away trans women, @Caitlyn_Jenner STILL hired his former inner circle to run her campaign.

But that was not enough.

Jenners character and motivation were now subject to judgment and criticism. As Equality California tweeted, Californians  and #trans Californians, in particular  understand all too well the risk of electing another reality TV star who cares more about fame and money than civil rights, healthcare and the safety of our communities.

Can you imagine the outrage from the left had Jenner been both trans and Democrat? How dare you call her another reality TV star who cares more about fame and money than civil rights, healthcare and the safety of our communities! How dare you be so judgmental! How dare you be so transphobic!

But, since Jenner was a Trump supporter who is running as a Republican, the worlds best-known transperson is now the enemy.

This reveals something about the value system of the left, which, roughly speaking, can be explained as follows.

The worst enemy (and therefore entitled to the least favored status in the eyes of the left) is a white, heterosexual, conservative male, the very archetype of oppression, bigotry, and privilege.

Not far behind would be a white, heterosexual, conservative female, followed by people of color who are both heterosexual and conversative.

Next after this would be heterosexual people of color who are liberal, with females being preferred over males (again, the oppressive patriarchy must always be overthrown).

But even more favored status would go to a liberal gay person, whose rights would certainly trump those of a straight, conservative, person of color while likely even trumping the rights of a straight, liberal, person of color.

In other words, the gay community makes up an even more protected minority community than do people of color.

Yet even gay rights can be trumped by trans rights, as more and more lesbian feminists are discovering.

There is even a derogatory acronym for such feminists today (both lesbian and straight), namely TERF, which stands for, trans-exclusionary radical feminist: an advocate of radical feminism who believes that a trans womans gender identity is not legitimate and who is hostile to the inclusion of trans people and gender-diverse people in the feminist movement.

As the December 25, 2020 headline on the UK Telegraphannounced, Lesbians Facing Extinction as Transgenderism Becomes Pervasive, Campaigners Warn.

So, trans trumps gay, which in turn trumps skin color.

Put another way, Trans Is the New Black displaced Gay Is the New Black. Thus, the trans Civil Rights movement hijacked the gay Civil Rights movement which hijacked the original (and real) Civil Rights movement.

Accordingly, a white, transgender, female-to-male (thus, putting this person in the hated class of white male) is entitled to more favored status than either a black gay man or a black straight woman, thus tipping the scale of intersectionality.

Unless, of course, that trans individual happens to identify as conservative politically. In that case, trans status  the ultimate, favored status  means nothing, and all attacks on that individual are no longer transphobic. Even misgendering that person is hardly a punishable offense, since they have defiled their favored trans status by betraying the left.

Thus, the ultimate favored status of the left is not based on being female rather than male. Or being black rather than white. Or gay or even trans rather than straight. No, the ultimate favored status on the left is reserved for those who are on the left.

That is the prevailing value, which is why Trumps sexual accusers were believed in the name of #MeToo (Believe the women!) but why Bidens (or, Bill Clintons) sexual accusers were summarily dismissed.

In short, the highest value of the left is being leftist. All other statuses pale in comparison.
Washington, April 27 : After Google and Microsoft stepped up to help India in its fight against the second and more lethal wave of coronavirus, the US Chamber of Commerce and CEOs from over 40 companies on Monday announced to provide the country with critical supplies.

The new US public-private partnership --A Global Task Force on Pandemic Response: Mobilising for India -- will provide the country with critical medical supplies, vaccines, oxygen and other life-saving assistance amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases.

The partnership is supported by the Chamber's US-India Business Council, the Business Roundtable and the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.

"What we are witnessing in India is a stark reminder that while the United States has turned a corner in our efforts to combat the pandemic, our global partners are facing a staggering health crisis that requires a substantial public-private response," said Suzanne Clark, president and chief executive officer of the US Chamber of Commerce, in a statement.

"This global crisis requires a global response, and the American business community could not be better positioned, or more determined, to help lead the way," Clark added.

As part of these efforts, the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation has developed Resources for India's Covid-19 Crisis, including a portal through which American companies can offer in-kind donations.

"We understand the importance of public-private partnerships to address global problems," said Clark.

"The steps we take together can help the world's second largest country and provide a playbook to combat the virus until safe and effective vaccines are more widely and globally available." The announcement came as part of a US Chamber of Commerce-hosted meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, and after the recent call between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Productive conversation with @USIBC today on how the United States and India can leverage the expertise and capabilities of the US private sector as we urgently work toward solutions for India's Covid-19 crisis," Blinken shared in a tweet on Tuesday.

Biden on Monday assured PM Modi that the US will work closely with India to fight the pandemic.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
(Natural News) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday, April 15, confirmed some 5,800 breakthrough coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the U.S.

A breakthrough COVID-19 case is defined as someone who has detectable levels of SARS-CoV-2  the virus that causes COVID-19  at least 14 days after getting fully vaccinated against the disease.

Nearly 400 breakthrough cases required treatment at hospitals and 74 died. A little over 40 percent of the infections were in people 60 years and above and 65 percent were female. About 29 percent of the vaccine breakthrough infections were reportedly asymptomatic. The figures were for cases through April 13. (Related: Breakthrough coronavirus cases still being reported, some even dying despite being fully vaccinated.)

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told a congressional hearing on Thursday that the causes of the breakthrough cases are being probed. Some of these breakthroughs are, of course, failure of an immune response in the host. And then some of them we worry might be related to a variant that is circulating. So were looking at both, she said.

The CDC is monitoring reported cases for clustering by patient demographics, geographic location, time since vaccination, vaccine type or lot number, and SARS-CoV-2 lineage. It has created a national COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough database, where state health departments can enter, store and manage data for cases in their region.

Where available, respiratory specimens that tested positive for COVID-19 will be collected for genomic sequencing to identify the virus lineage that caused the infection.

Positive test less than two weeks after getting fully vaccinated is not a breakthrough case

The number of cases the CDC has identified does not include people who contracted COVID-19 less than two weeks after their final dose. The two-week marker is important, said infectious disease expert Dr. Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

A human body should have enough time to develop antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 after that timeframe. Before then, a person wont necessarily have the built-up immunity needed to fight off an infection. According to Dr. Adalja, cases that occur before the two-week mark are not considered breakthrough cases.

Dr. Adalja also noted that more research is needed to determine if highly infectious variants of the virus are behind the breakthrough cases. It is crucial to study breakthrough cases to understand their severity, their contagiousness and what role variants may be playing, Dr. Adalja said.

More than 78 million people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the U.S. as of April 15.

To date, no unexpected patterns have been identified in case demographics or vaccine characteristics, the CDC said in a statement. COVID-19 vaccines are effective and are a critical tool to bring the pandemic under control.

But the CDC conceded that thousands of vaccine breakthrough cases will occur even though the vaccine is working as expected.

Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, agreed with the CDC. These vaccines that were using are fabulous but theyre not perfect, he said. At best, theyre 95 percent effective in preventing serious illness, but minor illnesses can occur.

According to U.S. drug regulators, Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine is 95 percent effective in preventing infection. Modernas was shown in a clinical trial to be 94.1 percent effective while Johnson & Johnsons was 66.9 percent effective. Only Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which received its emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Feb. 27, was tested when variants were circulating.

The percentages are based on results from vaccine recipients two weeks after the final vaccination.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, stated in a briefing last week that the breakthrough cases are not a cause for concern.

I think the important thing is to look at what the denominator of vaccinated people is. Because it is very likely that the number of breakthrough cases is not at all incompatible with the 90-plus percent vaccine efficacy, he said. So I dont think that there needs to be concern about any shift or change in the efficacy of the vaccine.

More info needed before drawing conclusions from breakthrough cases

The percentage of vaccine breakthroughs in a population depends on multiple factors, including vaccine efficacy, the amount of virus circulating and the length of time since vaccination, according to Natalie Dean, an assistant professor of biostatistics at the University of Florida.

I love to see small numbers as much as anyone, but know that numbers like this cannot be directly interpreted as a measure of vaccine efficacy (although I have a feeling they will be). We can only interpret them against a background rate in unvaccinated people, Dean wrote on Twitter.

Similarly, most breakthroughs have been in elderly adults should not be read as the vaccine is less effective in elderly adults. The majority of vaccinations (and the longest amount of follow-up time) have been in elderly adults. Again, we need more info to interpret.

States began reporting numbers for people who had gotten infected despite full vaccination last month. (Related: The vaccine IS the pandemic: 80% of nuns vaccinated at Kentucky convent tested positive for coronavirus two days later.)

Epidemiologists in Washington state identified 217 breakthrough cases, five of whom died. In Michigan, 246 of breakthrough cases were recorded as of March 31. Three of those patients died. Texas, South Carolina, and Oregon are among the other states that have reported more than 100 cases among residents.

Finding evidence of vaccine breakthrough cases reminds us that, even if you have been vaccinated, you still need to wear a mask, practice social distancing and wash your hands to prevent spreading COVID-19 to others who have not been vaccinated, Washington state Health Secretary Umair Shah said in a statement.

Follow Immunization.News for more news and information related to coronavirus vaccines.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Prevention.com

CBS42.com




Strong results for both the Car Business and the Service Business





First quarter 2021

Net turnover amounted to SEK 9,344 M (7,450), an increase of 25 per cent.

Operational earnings amounted to SEK 528 M (279), an increase of 89 per cent.

The improved result was primarily attributable to Norway, which reported an improvement in profits of SEK 154 M, up from SEK 52 M last year to SEK 206 M this year.

Profit for the period amounted to SEK 377 M (167) and earnings per share to SEK 3.85 (1.65).

Operating cash flow amounted to SEK -101 M (258).





Full year 2020

Net turnover amounted to SEK 30,168 M (29,508), an increase of 2 per cent.

Operational earnings amounted to SEK 1,593 M (1,239), an increase of 29 per cent.

Profit for the year amounted to SEK 984 M (807) and earnings per share to SEK 9.85 (8.00).

Operating cash flow amounted to SEK 2,872 M (855).

Events after the balance sheet date

After the end of the quarter, Bilia reached an agreement to acquire one Toyota dealer in Norway and one Mercedes dealer in Sweden.

The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to be considered a factor of uncertainty.





For further information please contact:

Per Avander, Managing Director and CEO, +46 (0)10 497 70 00, per.avander@bilia.se

Kristina Franzen, CFO, +46 (0)10 497 73 40, kristina.franzen@bilia.se

Gothenburg, 27 April 2021

Bilia AB (publ)

Board of Directors and Managing Director

This is information that Bilia AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EUs Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, on 27 April 2021, at 08:30 CEST.

Bilia is one of Europes largest car dealers, with a leading position in servicing and sales of cars and transport vehicles plus supplementary services such as financing and insurance. Bilia has about 140 facilities in Sweden, Norway, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium plus two online auction sites, one in Sweden and one in Norway.

Bilias Service Business comprises a well-developed range of services and service concepts that are continuously developed to simplify car ownership for the customers. The Service Business comprises workshop services, spare parts, store sales and e-commerce.

Bilias Car Business comprises sales of both new and used cars and transport vehicles, plus supplementary services such as financing and insurance. Bilia sells cars from Volvo, BMW, Toyota, Renault, Lexus, MINI, Dacia and Alpine and transport vehicles from Renault, Toyota and Dacia.

Bilias Fuel Business comprises fuel sales and car washes.





Attachment
[April 27, 2021] INVESTOR ALERT: Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP Investigates Emergent BioSolutions Inc.'s Directors and Officers for Breach of Fiduciary Duties - EBS

Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP ("Scott+Scott"), an international securities and consumer rights litigation firm, is investigating certain directors and officers of Emergent BioSolutions Inc. ("Emergent BioSolutions") (NYSE: EBS) for breaching their fiduciary duties to Emergent BioSolutions and its shareholders. If you are an Emergent BioSolutions 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 Emergent BioSolutions's board of directors or senior management failed to manage Emergent BioSolutions in an acceptabe manner, in breach of their fiduciary duties to Emergent BioSolutions, and whether Emergent BioSolutions has suffered damages as a result.



On March 31, 2021, reports emerged of production problems at Emergent BioSolutions's plant in Baltimore, including that Emergent had ruined 15 million doses of Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus vaccine. Since then, AstraZeneca moved production of its own vaccine out of the facility, and Emergent BioSolutions temporarily halted new production there altogether. It was further reported that in June 2020, the FDA had found unsanitary conditions at the factory where Emergent BioSolutions had to shut down its vaccine production. On April 25, 2021, it was reported that Emergent BioSolutions's chief executive, Robert G. Kramer, sold more than $10?million worth of his stock in the company in January and early February. What You Can Do

If you are an Emergent BioSolutions shareholder, you may have legal claims against Emergent BioSolutions'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, Virginia, and Ohio. Attorney Advertising View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005792/en/

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Mumbai-headquartered Qube Health has raised an undisclosed amount in a Pre-Series A round led by Inflection Point Ventures. The other investors in this round are Mohit Burman (Dabur Group), Keiretsu Forum (NCR, Bengaluru & Chennai Chapters) and a group of other marquee Indian and International HNI investors namely Alan Gertner, founding member of Google's first Global Business Strategy team and Akshay Saxena, a Ashoka Fellow and President of Avanti.

Qube Health is a health-tech company, focused on the Employee Healthcare Management vertical. Qube Health provides primary care, health screening and other 'non-insurance healthcare services' to large across six different Industries including, financial services, food services, facility management and manufacturing.

Majority of the healthcare expenditure in India is non-insurance paid. This is very unlike other countries, and while the health insurance industry in India is growing, the out-of-pocket healthcare industry is growing even faster. Our mission is to make life easier for the employed Indians who pay for their healthcare from their pockets and the HR Teams at the they work for, said Chris George, Co-Founder & CEO, Qube Health.

Over the past three years, the company has grown rapidly and is set to disrupt the employee health and benefits industry in India, by using advanced data science, the largest aggregation of healthcare service providers in India and a mission to simplify Indian healthcare for the employed Indian, said the company in a statement.

Mitesh Shah, Co-Founder, IPV says, Qube Health has created an AI driven health tech platform where they have already aggregated more than 11,000 hospitals and clinics for easy access for professionals who are covered under a variety of mediclaim and healthcare benefits provided by the The data insights can help companies and individuals understand their organisation, the employee and their familys health better, to plan better health outcomes for everyone. The Company aims to have one million individuals on its health tech platform by 2022 and we believe in their model to help them achieve their ambition.

Qube Health operates across 700+ locations (From Mumbai and New Delhi to Midnapur and Zaheerabad) in India and it intends to use this investment to further enhance its tech stack for its users  Enterprise HR Teams and their Employees, while also adding more people to manage the 300+ large corporate clients it aims to manage over the next year.

"We were particularly excited about the network of individual investors that are now part of our story, as a result of this fund raise. They bring industry access and mentorship as we navigate the complex nature of the Indian healthcare system," added George.

Qube Health focuses on the $45 Billion 'out-of-pocket healthcare space within the Indian healthcare industry, with 11,000-plus hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres as partners across India. The company partners with insure-tech, insurance companies, insurance brokers, e-pharmacy chains and others within the ecosystem to provide a 'discovery to delivery' solution for the employed Indians.
The nominees for the 2021 Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards' Must-See Moment prize were revealed on Tuesday.

Diversity's controversial BLM-inspired dance, which sparked 24,500 complaints to Ofcom last year, was on the shortlist for the award, which is voted for by the public.

Bridgerton's Lady Whistledown shock twist that revealed Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) as the mysterious gossip also led the list of nominees.

Shortlist: Diversity's controversial BGT Black Lives Matter routine (pictured) was nominated for the BAFTA Television Awards 2021's Must-See Moment award, it was revealed on Tuesday

Other notable moments singled out for the gong include when Luke Skywalker appeared in the climax of The Mandalorian's second season, helping its titular character and others while they stormed an Empire ship.

The shocking moment Chantelle (Jessica Plummer) was killed by her abusive husband Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith) on EastEnders also got a mention.

While Nigella Lawson's amusing pronunciation of microwave as 'meecro-wah-vey' on her BBC2 cooking show Cook, Eat, Repeat was also nominated.

And the reactions of the Gogglebox cast to the press conference Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave after being hospitalised with coronavirus was also given a nod.

Drama: Bridgerton's Lady Whistledown shock twist, which revealed Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan, pictured) as the mysterious gossip, was also on the shortlist

Shortlist: Diversity's dance saw group leader Ashley have a white man's knee leaning on his neck, in reference to the death of George Floyd, and sparked 24,500 complaints to Ofcom

2021 Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards Must-See Moment nominees Britain's Got Talent  Diversity perform a routine inspired by the events of 2020 (ITV1) Bridgerton  Penelope is revealed as Lady Whistledown (Netflix) EastEnders  Gray Atkins kills wife Chantelle (BBC One) Gogglebox  Reactions to Boris Johnson's press conference (Channel 4) Nigella: Cook, Eat, Repeat  Mee-cro-wah-vay (BBC Two) The Mandalorian  Luke Skywalker appears (Disney+) Advertisement

The nominees were chosen from a longlist based on audience viewing figures provided by BARB, social listening data from TalkWalker, and vigorous research to represent TV viewing across the country.

The final shortlist were then selected by an independent virtual jury of national media experts including TV critic Caitlin Moran, it was chaired by BAFTA Television Committee Chair Hannah Wyatt.

Of the nominees, Hannah said: 'Television in 2020 showcased the importance of entertainment and demonstrated incredible craft, gripping scriptwriting and brilliant visual spectacles which captivated the British viewer.

'From bringing nostalgic favourites back, to raising awareness about hugely important issues, the shows and moments nominated for Virgin Media's Must-See Moment Award 2021 reflect our TV habits of the last year and perfectly celebrate the relationship between the TV viewers at home and the people who make it.

'I can't wait to see who the public choose to be their Virgin Media Must-See Moment winner, in what is sure to be a close contest.'

David Bouchier, Chief TV & Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media, added in a statement: '2020 was a year like no other and great television was at the heart of every moment that kept the nation connected, entertained and informed.

'Virgin Medias Must-See Moment recognises the TV moments that played such a powerful role in all of our lives throughout the past year.

'As households across the country stayed at home, TV became our main source of entertainment and distraction, with people turning to television more than ever before to tune into the latest news or catch up on the moment that everyone was talking about.'

Tragic: The shocking moment Chantelle (Jessica Plummer, left) was killed by her abusive husband Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith, right) on EastEnders also got a mention

Micro-what? Nigella Lawson's amusing pronunciation of microwave as 'meecro-wah-vey' on her BBC2 cooking show Cook, Eat, Repeat was also nominated

David added: 'We cant wait to see who the public will crown the fifth winner of our Must-See Moment award.'

Diversity's performance on the most recent series of Britain's Got Talent received 24,500 Ofcom complaints, making it the most complained about TV moment of the year in 2020.

ITV 'stood with Diversity' as they featured adverts in national newspapers in support of the controversial dance while Ofcom announced they will not investigate the complaints any further.

Cameo: Other notable moments singled out for the gong include when Luke Skywalker appeared in the climax of The Mandalorian's second season

The reactions of the Gogglebox cast to the press conference Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave after being hospitalised with coronavirus was also given a nod (pictured Jenny and Lee)

The act saw group leader Ashley have a white man's knee leaning on his neck, in reference to the death of black man George Floyd last year.

In October, Ashley admitted he had been encouraged to ramp up his Black Lives Matter campaign following the 'hate' he received over his Diversity routine, and he said he would perform the same routine '100 times over'.

He revealed that although the routine sparked backlash, it also started a dialogue which lasted weeks as he dubbed it one of the 'most impactful conversation starters the country has ever seen'.

Voting for the category is open from April 27 at 8am until May 24 at 5pm, with the nominees all representing the most talked about moments of the year.

The winner of this year's Must-See Moment award will be revealed on June 6, when the 2021 Virgin Media British Television Academy Awards airs on BBC One.

Comedian Richard Ayoade is set to return as host of the ceremony for a second year, and it will be a studio-based production being broadcast live.

Members of the public can vote for their favourite Must-See Moment online at https://www.virginmedia.com/virgin-tv-edit/bafta-must-see-moment-vote-2021.

Support: ITV 'stood with Diversity' last year and featured adverts in national newspapers in support of them, while Ofcom announced they would not investigate the complaints further
"The worst behavior is quarrying," Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Sunday when inspecting a section of the river. "Once a mountain is destroyed, a mountain of this sort is gone forever."

Describing the river as the "one-and-only treasure" of China and the world, Xi said its ecological environment should never be damaged.

Those who continue to conduct quarrying and sand mining along the river should not only be held accountable, but also be investigated on their criminal responsibility in accordance with law, he warned.

Thanks to a series of measures to reduce pollution and protect the river and the mountains alongside, the environment has improved significantly, bringing more tourists and revenue.

In 2019, Guilin received 138 million tourists, making 187.4 billion yuan ($28.9 billion), up 26.7 percent and 34.7 percent respectively, compared with the levels in 2018.

China's green transformation

Guilin is not the only place in China to fight against behaviors that damage the environment. Last year, public security organs across the country cracked 23,000 cases of damaging the ecological environment and resources that involved 16.6 billion yuan ($2.6 billion), and arrested more than 40,000 suspects, the Ministry of Public Security said at a press conference earlier this month.

These efforts are part of China's campaign to promote the comprehensive green transformation of the social and economic development  the vision was recently highlighted in the country's development blueprint for the next five years and beyond.

The campaign is in line with a well-known phrase of President Xi on green development: "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."

Guided by the thought, the world's second largest economy has stepped up efforts to promote low-carbon development, pledging to peak its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

When addressing the Leaders Summit on Climate last week, Xi reaffirmed the pledge and called on the whole world to build a community of life together.

Other highlights of Xi's Guangxi tour

Guilin was the first stop of the president's inspection tour in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. He also paid tribute to revolutionary heroes who died in a battle there and learned about progress in rural vitalization on Sunday.

President Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited a memorial park dedicated to the Battle of the Xiangjiang River during the Long March in the 1930s and laid a flower basket in homage to Red Army soldiers who died in the battle.

The secret to the success of the Chinese revolution lies in ideals and convictions, he said, urging people today to strive for national rejuvenation with the same spirit and determination.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the CPC's founding.

He then went to the village of Maozhushan, where the emerging grape industry is powering its development and prosperity.

After eradicating absolute poverty in rural areas nationwide, China has shifted focus to its next strategy  rural vitalization. Villages in different regions are encouraged to develop various industries suited to their conditions to nurture a better life for local residents.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gbf0Ql4TA4

Related Links

www.cgtn.com



SOURCE CGTN
Researchers discovered a new species of tarantula that was found on the grounds of a Miami Zoo. New York Post reported that the said species of tarantula is venomous and can live up to two decades.

A zookeeper first spotted the Pine Rockland trapdoor spider at Zoo Miami in 2012, but researchers discovered only this year that the spider is an entirely new species.

READ NEXT: Remains of Giant, Plant-Eating Dinosaur Discovered in Chile

New Species of Tarantula Found in Miami Zoo

With the Latin name "Ummidia richmond," the new species looks like a "small, shiny, black" tarantula, Mail Online reported.

The spider was specifically found in the Pine Rockland forest that surrounds the Miami zoo. The zookeeper took a picture of the specimen for identification. However, the said tarantula did not match with any existing records of known species in the region.

After more than two years, another tarantula was found, and this time, it was sent to Piedmont College in Georgia, where experts evaluated it, Independent reported.

"They have a rough carapace on their front half and a silvery-grey abdomen with a light-colored patch on top," Dr. Rebecca Godwin, an assistant professor of biology at Piedmont College, told the Daily Mail.

Godwin, who identified the spider as a new species in a study published earlier this month, described the new tarantula species as "quite beautiful spiders."

With legs extended, a male Pine Rockland trapdoor spider is approximately the size of a one-pound coin, while the female is estimated to be two or three times larger.

Frank Ridgley, the conservation chief Frank Ridgley of the Zoo Miami, noted that the tarantulas found in the zoo were named after how they catch their prey from beneath a "trapdoor" of vegetation and soil and live within rock formations.

Godwin believes that the spiders found in the Miami zoo were "wandering males," while sightings of females are rarer.

Godwin noted that the male tarantula takes up to seven years to mature before leaving its shelter to find a mate and dies shortly after.

The Behavior of the 'New' Tarantula

Ridgley noted that spiders like the news species of tarantula rely on their size and strength to subdue their prey while injecting their venom to liquefy the insides of the food.

Apart from being venomous, experts noted that a bite from this tarantula would be as painful as a bee sting.

"Similar species are ambush predators - they create a web burrow down into soft and sandy substrate with a hinged door at the surface," said Ridgley.

Not all, but most of the species of tarantulas that were discovered are burrowers that live on the ground. There are even species that can eat small birds, toads, frogs, and mice. National Geographic noted that a tarantula might not need to eat for a month after a large meal.

Ridgley said that discovering the new species of tarantula in a fragment of an endangered forest highlights the importance of preserving these ecosystems.

Ridgley added that the venoms of the tarantulas had been found to contain compounds that can be potentially used as pain medications and cancer treatments.

READ MORE: Skull of Dinosaur Named 'One Who Causes Fear' Found in Argentina

WATCH: Zoo Miami Helps Discover A Brand New Spider Species In Miami - From CBS Miami
The United States is increasingly concerned over the deteriorating health of imprisoned Russian dissident Aleksey Navalny. The opposition leader just ended a 24-day hunger strike in an effort to force prison authorities to provide him proper medical care for acute pain in his back and legs. Navalny had also complained of a bad cough and a fever and that others in his prison unit have been hospitalized for tuberculosis.

President Joe Biden is "disturbed" by Navalny's declining condition, White House press secretary Jen Psaki has said.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price echoed those concerns: We urge authorities to take all necessary action to ensure his safety and to ensure his good health. And we reiterate our call for his immediate release as well as an end to the persecution of his supporters.

On March 2nd, in response to Russias use of a chemical weapon to poison Mr. Navalny, the Department of State expanded existing sanctions first imposed on Russia after its 2018 Novichok attack against Sergei Skripal in the United Kingdom. In addition, the Department of Treasury and the State Department sanctioned numerous Russian individuals and entities associated with the Russian Federations chemical weapons program and defense and intelligence sectors. Russia was also added to the list of countries that are subject to a policy of denial for exports of defense articles and defense services.

The U.S. government has exercised its authorities to send a clear signal that Russias use of chemical weapons and abuse of human rights have severe consequences. Any use of chemical weapons is unacceptable and contravenes international norms, said Secretary Antony Blinken.

I wouldnt want to preview what may lie ahead if Moscow continues down this road, warned spokesperson Price. Moscow should be under no illusion that we do intend to hold Russia to account for its ill treatment of Mr. Navalny.
By Swati Pandey and Renju Jose

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia on Tuesday suspended direct flights from India to prevent more virulent coronavirus variants entering the country following a surge in positive COVID-19 cases in the world's second-most populous nation.

India's coronavirus death toll neared the bleak milestone of 200,000 with another 2,771 fatalities reported on Tuesday, while its armed forces pledged urgent medical aid to help battle the staggering spike in infections.

The suspension of direct passenger flights between the two countries will remain until May 15, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a televised news conference.

"It is a humanitarian crisis and one gripping the world," Morrison said.

"We don't think the answer is to forsake those Australians in India and just shut them off," he added, reiterating the suspension was temporary to ensure Australia could manage arrivals from virus hotspots.

Australia's move impacts two passenger services from India into Sydney and two repatriating flights from India to Darwin, totalling around 500 arrivals.

Morrison said the suspension would provide a "breather" to quarantine facilities in New South Wales state and the Northern Territory, given the majority of positive cases there came from India.

Australia, which has all but stamped out the coronavirus from its shores, closed its borders to non-citizens and permanent residents in March 2020 to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

Returning residents and citizens have to undergo a mandatory two-week hotel quarantine at their own expense, a system that has largely helped Australia to keep its COVID-19 numbers relatively low, with just under 29,700 cases and 910 deaths.

The country reported zero new cases of community transmission on Tuesday.

Some state premiers had earlier voiced concerns about rising coronavirus cases in quarantine hotels, calling for a suspension on flights from India.

Story continues

Western Australia, which on Monday emerged from a 3-day snap lockdown after reporting one local case last week, had been among the most vocal.

"India, there needs to be a suspension," Premier Mark McGowan told reporters in Perth, ahead of the federal government's decision.

"There is huge pressure now on all our quarantine facilities as a result of people coming from India."

(Reporting by Renju Jose; Editing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa and Stephen Coates)
Terming the massive resurgence of COVID-19 cases a "national crisis", the Supreme Court Tuesday said it cannot remain a mute spectator and made clear that its suo motu proceeding on devising national policy for COVID-19 management is not meant to supplant high court cases.

A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud said high courts are in a better position to monitor the pandemic situation within their territorial boundaries. There is a need for top court's intervention on certain national issues as there might be matters related to coordination between states, it said.

We are playing complementary role, if High Courts have any difficulty in dealing with issues due to territorial limitations, we will help, said the bench, also comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao and S Ravindra Bhat.

Last Thursday, the bench took note of the pandemic situation due to sudden surge in COVID-19 cases as also mortality and said it expected the Centre to come out with a national plan to deal with distribution of essential services and supplies, including oxygen and drugs.

Observing that oxygen to patients infected with the virus is said to be an essential part of treatment, the top court had said it seemed that a certain amount of panic has been generated due to which people have approached several high courts seeking relief.

Also read: India's fiscal response to COVID-19 last year prevented severe contraction: IMF official
TikTok is the most famous example of a Chinese social media app that became a smash hit overseas, but in the Middle East there is a second Chinese-founded app that is taking the region by storm.

Yalla, or Lets go in Arabic, saw the monthly users of its chat app and its games app increase by nearly fivefold to more than 12m in the year to last June, and its share price has more than tripled since an IPO in New York last October.

The company has localised so well, with headquarters in Dubai, that many users are unaware that its engineering team and founders are all in Hangzhou, near Shanghai  a rare example of a successful Chinese-foreign hybrid tech company.

Yang Tao, the chief executive of the company, spent the first six years of his career in Abu Dhabi working for telecoms equipment firm ZTE, which is how he met his co-founders, as well as group president Saifi Ismail, the most senior Arab manager who is also on the board.



Yang said he came up with the idea while travelling around the region, from Egypt to Afghanistan, and noticing how much time people spent talking on the phone.

He decided to build a social network based around chatting, rather than typing, and today each user spends an average of five hours in the app, much of it not actively talking, but hanging out or listening, akin to having a radio on in the background.

When he started, there was little interest in the region, he said. The Middle East was a world overlooked by venture capitalists. But he said that it was much easier to grow an app in the Middle East than in his home market, China.

He took inspiration from Chinas livestreaming platforms, where millions of users tune in to watch their favourite stars, but then decided to create an app that would enable people to socialise in small groups.

Unlike Clubhouse, a more recent voice-based social network which has raised money at a $4bn valuation, Yalla is mostly centred around small rooms of up to 20 people, who are invited in by their friends.

Yang described the idea as a virtual majlis  describing the social gatherings he used to attend in Abu Dhabi. And, like a majlis, guests bring gifts: Yallas profits come from the in-app virtual presents that users send to one another.

Yallas offices in Hangzhou are filled with 350 staff, including graphics designers who animate the in-app gifts, front-end developers for the app interface, and also teams developing new apps, such as its recently launched Yalla Ludo multiplayer game, which now contributes the majority of its revenues.

The company saw huge growth during last years Covid lockdowns, and Yang said the apps now have momentum after being recommended on Apple and Googles regional app store homepages for several months.

He concedes that user growth has now returned to its previous level of about 15 per cent a quarter, but said: Were not pursuing explosive growth . . . We dont want to dilute the community atmosphere. People stay because they like the atmosphere.

Ismail attributed Yallas success to the Arabic-centric approach to the language, look and feel of the app. We touch every Arab heart by talking their language and by celebrating and interacting with what they feel, express and do, he said.

Its Arabic-oriented chat and gaming apps are most popular across the six Gulf states, Egypt, Jordan and Algeria, but also support seven other languages, from Urdu to Turkish, to serve the mix of nationalities in the region and beyond. Uyghur, a language close to Turkish, is not supported, however. The company recently added Spanish and Portuguese and is expanding into the South American market.

The basic rule for the platform is known as PRP: no politics, no religion, no porn  the importance of which Yang learnt from working with government clients while at ZTE. Describing the diversity of nationalities and religions in the UAE, Yang concludes The reason everyone can get along harmoniously, is because we dont talk about [certain things]. Violating PRP means losing ones account.

The team takes a serious approach to content moderation, which is particularly costly, because computers are not yet able to effectively filter speech. Instead, human intervention is needed to judge the context of conversations.

As a result Yalla has 200 content monitors to listen in on channels in real time, and big rooms in particular  which can stretch up to thousands  are carefully monitored. It is helped by tens of thousands of users who voluntarily submit complaint reports, and by the fact that the platform and community is not focused on politics, but on much more casual conversation.

Without content monitoring, you will run into problems in many different countries, said Yang, who spent time observing Clubhouse before Beijings internet censors blocked the app after it became a popular place to discuss topics such as the mass internment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. Oman has also banned Clubhouse.

Yang, who describes himself as a businessman, not an entrepreneur, is also rather unusual compared to other Chinese social app founders for his slow and steady approach. He boasted that he knows many of the eccentric early users on Yalla personally, after spending time with them in the early days of the app.

Tired of being asked why he doesnt expand into the much bigger Chinese market, he referred to the dominance of Chinas Big Tech companies, as well as the high cost of user acquisition. To convince a user to download a gaming app through advertising, for example, Yang cited the cost of $20 in China compared with a few dollars in the Middle East.

Chinas domestic internet industry is brutal, because nearly all of its traffic is in the grips of a few giants, says Yang. For the past 15 years, he adds, his career has centred on the Middle East, and that is his advantage. Why would I want to go to a market where someone else has the advantage?

Financial Times
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27)  A million COVID-19 cases in the country would also mean a million recoveries from the disease as long as we look through a "more optimistic lens, " Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Tuesday in remarks that immediately drew criticisms from netizens.

"The one million cases can be viewed also from a different angle, that this will sooner or later bring in a million recoveries," Duque told CNN Philippines' The Source.

"We need to look at it from a more optimistic lens of getting a high recovery rate of more than 90%," Duque added.

The Philippines' COVID-19 tally surpassed one million on Monday after 8,929 more people got infected. The fatality count is now at 16,853, equivalent to 1.67% of those who died from COVID-19.

A total of 11,333 more recoveries were recorded, bringing the total number of survivors to 914,952, which makes up 90.9% of the case count.

"Looking at it from another angle, that's one million people who should've been living healthily (some even should be alive)," netizen @jan_michael_yap tweeted in response to Duque's remarks.

Netizen @sosyolohija also tweeted  "Duque's logic: Let's have more #COVID cases so we can declare more recoveries! Never mind the number of deaths? Never mind the millions of jobs lost? Never mind the continuing collective trauma from incompetent and corrupt handling of the pandemic?"

Duque admitted that there are still a lot of ways to improve the government's handling of the pandemic response, especially when it comes to ramping up the country's health system capacity.

"We need to focus as a nation how we can further improve our pandemic response, there are always ways to do things better. Im not saying we are successful. There are opportunities which we grab each time to do things better," he said.

"Whats important now is we continue to see that in the active cases of 74,000, 96% are mild or asymptomatic and severe to critical is at 1%," Duque said.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will meet within the day to discuss the latest quarantine status of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

Duque said they will have to look into the latest data on ICU utilization rates and the effects of the government's "prevent, detect, isolate, treat, and reintegrate" strategy in its national action plan as main drivers of the decision of the task force.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to announce the new quarantine classification for the month of May on Wednesday, April 28, during his weekly public address.
A study by a University of Illinois Chicago pediatric dentist has shown a novel way to track potential COVID-19 cases -- testing children who visit the dentist. The study also showed an over 2% positivity rate for the asymptomatic children tested.

Dr. Flavia Lamberghini, UIC clinical assistant professor in the department of pediatric dentistry, has co-authored the article, "Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in asymptomatic pediatric dental patients," in the April 2021 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association. Co-authors are Dr. Fernando Testai, UIC professor of neurology and rehabilitation, and Dr. Gabriela Trifan, UIC assistant professor of neurology and rehabilitation.

The study looked at pediatric patients who visited UIC dental clinics for emergency dental procedures from April 1 to Aug. 1, 2020. Children with COVID-19 are typically asymptomatic but have the potential to carry substantial viral loads and be a source of infection. The patients were screened over the phone prior to their scheduled visits and were asymptomatic when they arrived for their appointments. They were given a polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test for SARS-CoV-2 infection at their visit, Lamberghini said.

"The kids tolerated the test just fine. We were trained by a pediatrician on how to conduct the test. We used the nasal swab. We told the kids, 'We are putting a butterfly in your nose,''' Lamberghini said.

The patients, between the ages of 2 to 18, with a median age of 6, were tested. Sociodemographic characteristics were abstracted, and positivity rates were calculated. With the sample size of 921 patients, the overall SARS-Co-V-2 positivity rate was 2.3%. Positivity rates were statistically higher for Latino patients (3.1%), and 63% of the children studied were Latino.

Lamberghini notes the study did not extend to include variables, and questions about social distancing and exposure to the virus were not asked. However, when a child tested positive for COVID-19, researchers followed up with the child's pediatrician and caregivers and encouraged them to follow recommended advice.

For most of them, it was a surprise to learn their child tested positive. It was good for families to know because these kids can transmit the virus, especially in communities where extended families tend to live together." Dr. Flavia Lamberghini, UIC Clinical Assistant Professor

It's also important information for the oral health care providers as well, she added.

"As dentists, we are more exposed to the COVID-19 disease because we work close to the mouth, and our tools generate aerosols that can infect the dentist and dental assistant -- whoever is around," Lamberghini said.

Prior to the study, children receiving dental procedures were not required to undergo PCR tests. The study concluded that PCR testing for COVID-19 of asymptomatic patients in pediatric dentistry adds value to the use of screening questionnaires for the identification of infected people who could be contagious.

The study, the first to look at the prevalence of COVID-19 in pediatric dentistry, also serves as a reference for pediatric dentists who closed during the pandemic and are considering reopening, Testai said.

"Despite these children being COVID-positive, we did not observe transmission to clinic staff, supporting the notion that personal protective equipment works," Testai said.
Aiming to capitalize on workplace shifts brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the Pearl is adding a coworking space.

The 10,416-square-foot area on the second floor of the Full Goods Building at 200 E. Grayson Street, dubbed Pearl Cowork, includes meeting rooms, phone booths, private offices and a kitchen.

A day pass is $40. A virtual office for remote workers, which includes a professional address and mail service, is $150 per month. A plaza membership with open seating is $300 per month, a dedicated desk is $450 per month and a private office is $1,200 to $2,400 per month.

As workers have adapted over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, many are not returning to traditional office settings, the Pearl announcement stated. Pearl Cowork is designed for flexibility and is well-suited for start-ups and small businesses, as well as visiting executives.

Coworking operators may benefit from companies offering employees the option to permanently work remotely.

Brian and Nerrida Koster of Austin recently opened a roughly 7,000-square-foot space at 1846 N. Loop 1604 West, which is coworking franchiser Office Evolutions first location in the area. It includes shared and dedicated workspaces and conference rooms.

As corporations think about a new model for how theyre going to have their employees work, I think thats going to favor the coworking market as well, Brian Koster said in a December interview.

But the pandemic has strained some operations in San Antonio and caused a handful to close, including the Annex on De Zavala Road and the CoWork Factory in New Braunfels. As small business owners and startup founders struggled to stay afloat, memberships declined.

Many of my members lost all of their income because their businesses were shut down as well, so they couldnt continue paying membership, and so no one was coming, Carrie Hill, founder and owner of the Annex, told the Express-News in February. I couldnt keep paying rent and get more and more in debt, so I just had to shut it down.

Hill changed the Annex to an online community with virtual meetings, training events and work groups.

At Geekdom, the largest coworking space in the area, membership fell early on in the pandemic. Some of the startups at the downtown operation have thrived, while others have folded. Theres been an uptick in new business formations in Texas recently, a silver lining.

madison.iszler@express-news.net
Kia has officially announced the relaunch of its brand in India with a new company logo and company slogan Movement that inspires. Interestingly, the South Korean car manufacturer has unveiled the new logo with the refreshed Seltos that is due for launch in India next month. The updated Seltos and the Sonet will be the first products to feature the new logo at the time of launch in the first week of May 2021.

Based on what can be seen, major design updates are not expected on the updated model, and changes are expected to be limited to feature upgrades. Recently the brochure for the 2021 Kia Seltos was leaked online, to learn more about it, click here. As a part of bold transition initiatives, the company name has also changed from Kia Motors India to Kia India. The company claims that the latest development symbolises Kia becoming an enterprise that invests in and produces more than just vehicles to offer a long range of sustainable mobility solutions. Additionally, to address the long waiting period and fasten delivery timelines, the company will soon commence the operation of a third shift at the Anantapur facility in India.

The company further claims that the new brand slogan emphasises that movement is at the genesis of human development. It enables people to see new places, to meet new people, and to have new experiences. This connection is believed to be the essence of Kias new brand slogan, to enable human progress by providing innovative in-car spaces, exciting new products, and meaningful, convenient services that inspire customers and free up time for the activities that they enjoy most.

Speaking on the occasion, Kookhyun Shim, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kia India said, This is a proud and historic moment for us as India becomes the first country to transition to the new brand identity after our headquarters in South Korea. Our decision to increase the production capacity stems from our deep customer understanding where a faster delivery of our products can enhance their buying experience tremendously. We are confident that this transformation will accelerate our growth by not only strengthening our premium positioning in the market but also making us one of the most aspirational brands for consumers.

As part of plans to further strengthen its roots in the country, the company will expand its current service network to 360 touchpoints across 2018 cities. This includes tier-3 and select tier-4 towns by the end of this year.

Speaking about the new brand slogan, Tae-Jin Park, Executive Director and Chief Sales and Business Strategy Officer, Kia India, said, Under the new brand slogan, Kia will focus on offering meaningful experiences to the customers, especially focused on the millennials and Gen-Z  the future of the country. With Kias new brand identity and our refreshed portfolio, we are extremely elated to have a purpose-driven business that will elevate the customer experience not just in terms of the features and connectivity inside the cars, but the overall engagement experience with our brand.

Kia Seltos  9.95 Lakh Onwards

Kia | Seltos | Kia Seltos
This year our dine and drink business locations throughout the Gorge have suffered with closures. You can help support your favorites by purchasing take out and gift cards. Many of these business will offer curb-side delivery and some will deliver to your home. Lets keep the Gorge going strong!
A farmer who admitted neglecting 21 horses has been fined $20,000 after 14 of them starved to death and the living lived among their corpses.

Terence John Oberle, 74, pleaded guilty to 21 charges of breach of duty of care to animals in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The horses were left for dead in a bare, drought-stricken paddock with minimal water and no food while he worked at another property 800km away.

'He demonstrated reckless disregard for the wellbeing of the horses,' Magistrate Howard Osborne said in court.

Terence Oberle pleads guilty to breaching duty of care after 14 of his 21 horses starved to death and the living were forced to live among their corpses

The charges relate to horses in his possession at a property in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, in late 2019 and early 2020.

Animal rights activists raised concerns in January last year, saying eight horses were surrounded by the carcasses and skeletons of numerous others.

Among the survivors was ex-racehorse Flagflamenco, a now-12-year-old mare that was still listed as active by Racing Australia at that time.

Oberle was told in November 2019 his horses were starving and ordered 20 low-quality bales of hay to be delivered.

The horse was so emaciated she was struggling to walk, Animal Liberation Queensland executive director Chay Neal told AAP after visiting the horses in January 2020.

An estimated 30 horses died on the property based on the number of corpses and skeletal remains identified in January 2020, Mr Neal said on Tuesday.

The horses look deeply emaciated, with ribs and bones visible as many are unable to walk

'Were it not for the assistance of outside parties monitoring and providing feed to the horses, the outcome may have been even more tragic for the surviving horses,' he added.

Oberle's representatives said the man was tasked with working on a 800-strong cattle farm 10 hours away from the property and he was unable to leave due to animals constantly walking onto the highway.

He ran a 3,439 hectare property alone that ran along the Bruce Highway and claimed that job prevented him from properly caring for the starving horses.

The magistrate disagreed, however, saying Oberle should know better after working with animals for more than 50 years.

Oberle was fined $20,000 and given an 10-year restriction on buying or acquiring horses, except for the six he already owns.
New Delhi, April 27 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Vedanta's Sterlite plant in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu to produce oxygen, as it is a 'national need'.

The court said that only the Oxygen plant will be allowed to operate and that the order was passed in view of the national need for oxygen and allowed Vedanta to operate its Sterlite copper unit at Tuticorin to produce oxygen while specifying that only the Oxygen plant will be operational.

Passing the order, the bench clarified, "allowing Vedanta to operate its Oxygen plant would not create any equity in favour of the company." The apex court asked the Tamil Nadu government to form a panel to monitor activities at the Vedanta's copper unit at Tuticorin, which is closed since May 2018.

"Vedanta shall not be allowed to enter, operate copper smelting plant under the garb of this order. There should be no political bickering over generation of oxygen by Vedanta, it's a national crisis," the bench specified.

The apex court heard the Vedanta's plea which sought opening of its Sterlite copper unit at Tuticorin on the ground that it will produce tonnes of oxygen and give it free of cost to treat patients.

Vedanta had sought handing over of the plant for three months saying it requires two months to start the unit and the company should be allowed to run it for four weeks to ascertain whether it's polluting or not.

In August 2020, Vedanta had moved the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court order refusing to allow reopening of the Tuticorin plant. The Madras High court had upheld the orders of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) directing closure of the unit in May 2018.

Vedanta had approached the concerned high court in February 2019, and sought permission to reopen Sterlite plant which was closed following a May 23, 2018 order.

The order was issued by the TNPCB in the backdrop of violent protests against the unit which left 13 people dead in police firing on May 21 and 22.

Earlier on Monday, an all party meeting chaired by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami unanimously decided to allow operation of the oxygen plant at Vedanta's copper smelter plant or Sterlite Copper in Tuticorin temporarily for four months.

The supply of power to operate the oxygen plant and other related units will be by the state power utility and Vedanta cannot use its own power facilities, the meeting had decided.

The all party meeting was called in the wake of Supreme Court asking the Tamil Nadu government on its views to permit operation of the oxygen plant at the shutdown Vedanta's copper smelter unit in Tuticorin after a petition was filed by the company in this regard.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Hamilton is en route to the Black Sea to train alongside NATO allies and partners in the region amid heightened tensions between Russia and the West over its buildup of forces along Ukraine's border.

The U.S. Navy's 6th Fleet announced Tuesday that the vessel is headed to the Black Sea, after operating alongside the guided-missile destroyer Roosevelt in the Aegean Sea this week. Photos posted on social media showed the cutter transiting through Turkey's Bosphorus strait.

The news comes the same day that Russia began its naval combat exercise, moving its Moskva cruiser into the region for live-fire drills, Reuters reported.

Read Next: Army Fields First New Air Defense Strykers in Europe

Earlier this month, the U.S. was considering moving two ships into the Black Sea after Russia announced it was sending 10 vessels there amid its troop increase along Ukraine's eastern border.

Media outlets reported that the U.S. sought permission last month from Turkey to transit its straits into the sea, as required by the 1936 Montreux Convention -- signaling the U.S. anticipated the move -- though Navy officials stressed that its ships routinely operate in the Black Sea region. The ships are expected to remain there until at least May, according to the Middle East Eye.

Ukrainian forces have been fighting Russian-backed separatist rebels since the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014. In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces have observed a mass buildup -- more than 85,000 Russian troops -- on its eastern front as well as in Crimea, increasingly concerning NATO.

The Wall Street Journal first reported that Russia's Defence Ministry ordered some troops to withdraw last week; however, Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoygu said some of those troops moved to other territories as required, according to Reuters.

Shoygu last week said the buildup is a direct response to the U.S. and NATO holding their own exercises in close proximity to Russia's borders.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov criticized the news of the potential U.S. ship deployment, stating, "American ships have absolutely nothing to do near our shores," according to The Associated Press.

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 2 about the new buildup of Russian troops near the border. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki this month said administration officials have also had discussions with NATO allies on the increased tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and are monitoring the situation.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

Related: US Tells Turkey it Won't Be Sending Navy Ships to Black Sea
NEW MILFORD  After a year of Zoom meetings, virtual raised hands, youre on mute, and out-of-sync Pledge of Allegiances, the New Milford Town Council plans to shift virtual meetings to in-person on May 24.

Now, council members hope to gather on Mondays at 7 p.m. in the E. Paul Martin meeting room at Town Hall.

With Gov. Ned Lamonts lifting COVID-19 restrictions with the exception of indoor masking starting May 19, the council is eager to meet in person. The meeting will still be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook with closed captioning for those who cannot attend in person, but residents will have to sign up in person to speak.

The council plans to hold one of its last Zoom meetings, a town budget meeting, on May 4 to let residents ask questions about the next fiscal years budget before the referendum.

But some council members are hesitant to immediately resume in-person meetings in the compact town hall room, voicing concerns at Mondays meeting over proper ventilation and the ability to social distance in the second-floor room the council has traditionally used.

I do have some concerns. Ive been going over it in my mind this morning, like what would be the best thing to do, said council member Mary Jane Lundgren the morning after the meeting. She plans to call the mayor to discuss options.

When the item was brought up at the meeting Monday night, Councilman David Lawson asked if the cap on attendance was just going to be the fire capacity, to which Mayor Pete Bass said it would be, since they are returning to the way things were before the virus hit.

I know, but we still have a pretty severe disease out there, thats all, Lawson said.

While New Milford has seen a decline in cases over the past two weeks since its March spike, the town still has a weekly case rate of 34.2 per 100,000 residents  higher than its neighbors, including Brookfield, Danbury, Roxbury and Southbury.

Lundgren said shes excited the town can get back together, and that its important for the public to be able to engage in-person, but she is worried about the old buildings ventilation.

At past meetings, when a contentious item came up on the agenda, it wasnt unusual for the room to fill with up to 90 attendees, including people lined up along the sides when seats ran out.

Lundgren doesnt know what kind of turnout expect at the May 24 meeting; it depends on what is being discussed.

Other members suggested opening windows or turning on fans, but Lundgren, who was a health care professional in an intensive care unit, thinks an assessment of the ventilation systems would be the best option.

I think what we need to do is have a full evaluation of the ventilation systems to start and then lets see what that looks like and see what the capacity of the room should really be according to that ventilation system, she said.

Bass said that the ventilation system is being inspected through an energy audit that is about 90 percent finished, and he is leaving the decision up to the department of public works director and facilities teams.

While possible ventilation upgrades would come at a cost to the town, Lundgren suggested using some of the American Rescue Plan funds the town is receiving.

Im concerned that if we have a meeting in there and its packed, we could be inadvertently spreading the virus around, she said, noting the public still doesnt know how long immunity lasts after vaccination, or when booster shots might be needed.

The possibility of holding the meeting at one of the schools auditoriums was raised, but that decision would have to be brokered by the mayor and school officials, and could also incur some costs for school personnel who would have to open and close the venue for the council. Bass reached out to the schools on Tuesday to assess possible costs.

My hope would be that we would continue the tradition that we had in having it in the Paul Martin room, Bass said.

Bass is waiting to hear more about costs and specific information from the Department of Public Works before moving forward with a set location for May 24. He plans to discuss the situation with Health Director Lisa Morrissey and the director of public works.

Were all adults, we can figure this out: what is the safest thing to do for everybody that comes in this town hall, Lundgren said.
Campus News

International students create film to stop Asian hate

The film "Your Bias Hurts Me" aims to promote support for Asian and Asian American students and communities against biases, violence and hate crimes.

By MARCENE ROBINSON

"Your Bias Hurts Me" supports Asian and Asian American students and communities against biases, violence and hate crimes.

Im studying education, and believe that education is a powerful tool. I think speaking up to fight biases directly is a good way to spread awareness, make changes and call on people to stand in solidarity for inclusion, respect and equity. 

To stand against anti-Asian racism, doctoral students in the Graduate School of Education created a short film titled Your Bias Hurts Me to promote support for Asian and Asian American students and communities against biases, violence and hate crimes.

Featuring 110 participants that includes UB faculty, staff and students, and community members of various ages, genders, races and ethnicities, the project provided a platform for the UB community to raise its voice against bias toward Asian and Asian American people.

Our Asian community is underrepresented and racist incidents against us have been on the rise, fueled by the pandemic, says Qinghua Chen, the project initiator and a doctoral candidate in the Graduate School of Education. Im studying education, and believe that education is a powerful tool. I think speaking up to fight biases directly is a good way to spread awareness, make changes and call on people to stand in solidarity for inclusion, respect and equity.

Co-organizers of the project include doctoral students Shuyi Zhao and Yueqiu Zhang. The film was edited by Delong Zhong. Video is available in English and Chinese (Mandarin).

The films flyer is also symbolic, using black and white colors to indicate solemnness and the evil nature of racism, and red to remind people of the lives lost due to violence and hate crimes, says Chen. The balloon symbolizes hope, while the skirt below the balloon represents women, among the most vulnerable victims of racism, she adds.

During the video, participants share messages such as My ethnicity is not a virus. Hate is, Its not called the China virus. Its COVID-19, My accent does not matter. My voice does, and I am not a minority. I have been minoritized.

The project has received overwhelming support from the UB community, says Chen.

I didnt expect over 100 people, since its still the pandemic period, but the turnout is amazing and there are too many touching moments during my three filming days and I couldnt help tearing up, she says.

Chen, an international student from China, has actively coordinated philanthropic projects in both China and the U.S. In 2020, she filmed the International Cross Cultural Childrens Artwork Exhibition During COVID-19 Pandemic, a virtual showcase of childrens creativity during the pandemic through 100 COVID-19-themed artworks from 60 children in seven countries, as well as a film in support of people battling COVID-19 in China at the start of the pandemic in early 2020. Chen also organized the donation of nearly 4,000 face masks to Western New York first responders last spring.
A man was shot and killed in the Florida Area neighborhood Monday evening following a rash of gun violence under investigation in New Orleans.

New Orleans police said at about 7:40 p.m. that the victim was shot in the 2200 block of Bartholomew Street and later died at the hospital. No other details were made available.

Minutes before, police sent out a release about a man showing up to the hospital after he was shot at Laine Avenue and Grant Street.

At least five more shootings were reported to police in the last 24 hours, including:

Gunfire erupted at about 3:15 p.m. at France and North Villere streets, where a man was injured. Nearly three hours later, authorities said a woman was also injured in the same shooting and was taken to the hospital by paramedics.

A 57-year-old man was struck by a bullet while inside his home in the 1600 block of North Roman Street at about 6:45 p.m. Sunday. Emergency Medical Services took him to the hospital, police said.

Authorities were investigating a shooting in which an 18-year-old man received a graze wound to the waist after suspects in a car shot at him in the 4700 block of Viola Street at about 11:35 p.m. Sunday. He was taken to the hospital by paramedics.

A 30-year-old man was taken to the hospital after he was shot in the back in the 1000 block of South Peters Street at about 1:30 a.m. Monday. Police said he was in stable condition.

A male juvenile was injured in a shooting in the 3700 block of Benefit Street some time before 1 p.m. Monday, authorities said. Paramedics took him to the hospital.

At least 149 shootings have been reported to police in 2021, a 60.2% increase compared to this time last year, which saw 93 non-fatal shootings, according to the city's crime dashboard.

This story has been updated to correct the number of shootings and the reported locations.
Xi's remarks about IP protection

Xinhua) 08:28, April 27, 2021

BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- As designated by the World Intellectual Property Organization, Monday marked the 21st World Intellectual Property Day, which encourages small and medium-sized enterprises to take their ideas to market.

Falling on April 26, the World Intellectual Property Day aims to increase public awareness of intellectual property (IP) and its contribution to the flourishing of creative arts and innovative sectors.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has attached great importance to global IP development and protection. Here are some of his remarks.

July 25, 2018

Xi addressed the BRICS Business Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, where members of five emerging economies that group Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) met.

-- "When new rules are made on such issues as innovation, trade and investment and intellectual property protection or on new frontiers including cyberspace, outer space or the polar regions, we should make sure that the views of emerging markets and developing countries are heeded, their interests and demands are taken into consideration, and there are sufficient opportunities for their development," Xi said.

-- "China will continue to develop itself with its door wide open, build a more investment-friendly environment, strengthen protection of intellectual property rights, increase imports, and vigorously pursue the Belt and Road Initiative to create new opportunities of social and economic development for participating countries and for them to implement the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Xi said.

August, 2018

Xi sent a congratulatory letter to the 2018 high-level conference on intellectual property for countries along the Belt and Road.

-- The IP system plays a crucial role in promoting the joint development of the Belt and Road, Xi noted.

-- "China unswervingly provides strict IP protection, ensures all enterprises' IP rights are protected according to law, and is working to build a favorable environment for business and innovation," Xi said.

Xi hoped that parties at the conference can enhance communication and cooperation for mutual benefits, push for more effective protection and use of IP rights, and jointly develop the road of innovation to benefit people of all countries.

Nov. 18, 2018

Xi delivered a keynote speech at the 26th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.

-- "China will continue to pursue its fundamental policy of opening-up by significantly expanding market access, better protecting intellectual property rights, and making our investment and business environment more attractive," Xi said.

April 26, 2019

Xi delivered a keynote speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

-- "We will intensify efforts to enhance international cooperation in intellectual property protection. Without innovation, there will be no progress. Full intellectual property protection will not only ensure the lawful rights and interests of Chinese and foreign companies; it is also crucial to promoting China's innovation-driven and quality development," Xi said.

-- "China will strengthen cooperation with other countries in intellectual property protection, create an enabling environment for innovation and promote technological exchanges and cooperation with other countries on the basis of market principles and the rule of law," he added.

Nov. 14, 2019

Xi addressed the 11th BRICS summit.

-- "Going forward, China will open up still wider. We will import more goods and services, ease market access for foreign investments, and step up intellectual property protection. With these efforts, we will break new ground in pursuing all-dimensional, multi-tiered and all-sectoral opening-up in China," Xi said.

Nov. 4, 2020

Xi delivered a keynote Speech at the Opening Ceremony of The Third China International Import Expo.

-- "Good progress has been registered in concluding high-standard free trade agreements, developing demonstration zones for creative promotion of import trade, protecting intellectual property rights, and advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation," Xi said.

-- China will continue to make its foreign-related legal framework more open and transparent, strengthen intellectual property protection, better protect the lawful rights and interests of foreign investors and provide them with more high-quality services to further improve the business environment, Xi said.

Nov. 19, 2020

Xi delivered a keynote address at the APEC CEO Dialogues.

-- "We will accelerate the building of a modernized economy, strengthen protection of property and intellectual property rights, set up a high-standard market system and improve mechanisms for fair competition. All this will fully motivate all types of market entities," Xi said.

Feb. 1, 2021

Xi published an article in the Qiushi Journal on comprehensively strengthening the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) and stimulating the vitality of innovation to foster a new development paradigm.

-- "Innovation is the primary driving force behind development, and protecting IPR is equal to protecting innovation," Xi wrote in the article.

-- "China is changing from a big IPR importer to a big IPR producer, and from pursuing IPR quantity to improving quality," Xi said.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
Its crunch time at the S.C. Statehouse. Although lawmakers plan to be back several times through the spring, summer and even fall, they have just three weeks  thats nine days  remaining in the regular session. That means the rush is on to get high-priority bills passed before they adjourn on May 13. And all that focus on high-priority legislation makes it easier to sneak through nasty little back-burner measures that havent gotten much attention.

The good news is that the Legislature has been making real progress on the schools: The budget that the full Senate starts debating Tuesday includes $1,000 raises for all teachers and other provisions that should help combat our teacher shortage. House leaders say they plan to similarly sweeten the pot for teachers and other state employees now that state finances are recovering from the pandemic. And they should.

Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill into law on Friday that ensures that all students now have the option of attending in-person classes five days a week, and will next year. Along with a bill allowing school districts to operate more than one school of innovation like Meeting Street Elementary @Brentwood.

And the House is one vote away from passing the Senate-passed S.201 to let the state education superintendent remove school boards in underperforming districts. Its a good bill that lawmakers need to get across the finish line this year.

On Thursday, the Senate even passed a far-from-perfect but still fairly impressive bill to reform Santee Cooper, so theres no reason we cant expect to see some version of H.3194 become law in the next few weeks.

But oh, those rabbits. The House could pass legislation this week to make South Carolina the 16th state (34 are needed) to call for a convention of states. H.3205 authorizes a convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.

Even ignoring how broad that second item is, legal scholars and historians doubt that such a convention could be limited; they note, after all, the last such gathering, in 1787, broke every legal restraint designed by the Continental Congress to limit its power and agenda. Although that worked out well, the fact is that a convention today has the potential of going off the rails on either the right or the left  and its not something we need to be facilitating.

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Meantime, the budget bill up for debate in the Senate includes a handful of culture-war-crazy provisos  for instance, prohibiting colleges from requiring their students to be vaccinated, and prohibiting state police from enforcing any gun restrictions that are passed by Congress or even that result from federal court rulings.

SLED and the Department of Public Safety dont spend much time enforcing federal laws, but prohibiting them from doing so isn't far from nullification, which is unconstitutional. And while we hope there wont be any good reason for colleges to require vaccinations for the fall semester, were not comfortable with the idea of the Legislature telling our largely self-supporting colleges they cant.

Were even less comfortable with the Legislature telling private employers they cant require people to be vaccinated in order to work for them (a huge departure from the wide berth we normally, and wisely, give to employers), which the Senate voted to do earlier this month. But unlike bills, which have to pass both the House and the Senate before they go to the governors desk, these provisos are already in the budget bill, so they will become law unless the Senate or House votes specifically to remove them. Which needs to happen.

And the Senate could send the governor a fast-moving bill this week that prohibits local governments from regulating cigarette, vape or other tobacco flavors or ingredients, and block them from requiring local licenses to sell tobacco products. Supporters say H.3681  which the House passed April 8 and the Senate polled out of committee on Thursday  is necessary to ensure that tobacco laws are uniform across the state.

What they mean is that they want to ensure that nothing is done in South Carolina to reduce sales of tobacco products  even products that are deliberately manipulated to entice children to use them. Vaping has powered an uptick in youth tobacco use, and the CDC says nearly all high school students who use tobacco products use flavored products. Little wonder that the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the South Carolina Cancer Alliance and the S.C. Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics are all urging legislators to kill the bill.

Which they should do. We have enough public health problems in South Carolina that the last thing we need to do is get in the way of local governments that want to try to combat them.
President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the United States and other international community to help Nigeria in tackling growing securit...

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the United States and other international community to help Nigeria in tackling growing security challenges to avoid spillovers.

The president also urged the United States to reconsider relocating US Africa Command (AFRICOM) from Stuttgart, Germany, to Africa, nearer the Theatre of Operation.

Buhari, in a virtual meeting with the US Secretary of State, Mr. Anthony Blinken, said AFRICOM, which partners with countries to counter transnational threats, should be relocated to Africa to strengthen ongoing efforts to check the security situation, with likely effect on other nations.

The security challenges in Nigeria remain of great concern to us and impacted more negatively, by existing complex negative pressures in the Sahel, Central and West Africa, as well as the Lake Chad Region.

Compounded as the situation remains, Nigeria and her security forces remain resolutely committed to containing them and addressing their root causes. The support of important and strategic partners like United States cannot be overstated as the consequences of insecurity will affect all nations hence the imperative for concerted cooperation and collaboration of all nations to overcome these challenges.

In this connection, and considering the growing security challenges in West and Central Africa, Gulf of Guinea, Lake Chad region and the Sahel, weighing heavily on Africa, it underscores the need for the United States to consider re-locating AFRICOM Headquarters from Stuttgart, Germany to Africa and near the Theatre of Operation, he said.

The President said Nigeria would enhance collaborations in all forms, with friends and strategic partners, to work together for greater security for all, which remained the most significant condition for overcoming the existential challenges.

Buhari congratulated Blinken on his appointment by President Joe Biden, and commended the United States for the decision to repeal the immigration restriction known as the Muslim ban, re-joining the World Health Organization (WHO) and Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Nigeria attaches great importance to its relations with the United States. Let me in this connection express appreciation to President Joe Biden for his welcome and reaching decision to repeal the Immigration restriction known as the Muslim ban on travel and visas for citizens predominantly from Muslim Nations and African Countries, including Nigeria.

I also wish to congratulate the United States for re-joining the World Health Organization (WHO) and Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The leadership of the United States in these two organizations is crucial for international community.

This action is a demonstration of the United States commitment in championing and supporting international organizations with the aim to build a better world for all, he added.

Buhari noted that Nigeria remained resolute in her commitment to supporting global efforts as enshrined in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which sought to limit global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the President, the convening of the Climate Change Summit last week by President Biden was a strong indication of the renewed interest of the United States to the Paris Agreement.

I would like to extend our goodwill message to President Joe Biden and his Administration. May I also thank you for initiating this meeting, which I am confident, given your background and current position, you will use to promote the existing bilateral relations between our two countries, the President said.

The Secretary of State said he was pleased to make Nigeria part of his first virtual visit to Africa, noting that Nigeria and the United States of America, share a lot in bilateral issues.

He added that he would be delighted to build on the foundation that was laid between the two countries over 60 years ago, disclosing that areas of discussion with Nigeria would include how to build our economies back after the COVID-19 pandemic, security for vulnerable communities, and climate issues.
Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday condemned the US Presidents recognition of the 1915 massacre of nearly 1.5 million Armenians in Ottoman Turkey as genocide. Asking America to immediately reverse its declaration, Erdogan warned that the Biden administrations misstep would thwart bilateral relations between Turkey and the US, as he insisted that Turkey has "good neighbourly ties" with Armenia. "I hope the US President will turn back from this wrong step as soon as possible, Bidens NATO ally said at a Turkish local news conference, calling the report groundless.

At a national ceremony commemorating the tragic 1915-17 event of the WWI, in presence of Turkish reporters, Erdogan berated US Presidents remarks as irresponsible, all the while rejecting the US genocide label on Turkey, and dismissing the 1915 ethnic cleansing of Armenian as civil unrest. US announcement has opened up historic deep wounds, the Turkish leader said, adding that the US needs to look in the mirror," as the country has a long history of slavery and persecution of Native Americans.

Erdogan said that he believes the US made baseless, unjust and untrue remarks about the sad events that took place in our geography over a century ago due to pressure from radical Armenian groups and anti-Turkish factions.

Erdogan called on the Turkish and Armenian historical experts to investigate facts by establishing a joint commission. He warned Joe Biden, saying that the recent declaration would have repercussions on the already strained relations between the US and Turkey. He added, that Ankara accepts that the devastating event had both Armenians and Turk fatalities in large number as Ottoman forces mobilised against the Soviet Union. We can also talk about what happened to Native Americans, Blacks, and in Vietnam, Erdogan said.

[Then-US vice president Joe Biden, left, poses for photographers with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, prior to a meeting at Yildiz Mabeyn Palace in Istanbul. Credit: AP]

Turkey summons US ambassador

Turkey, additionally, on Monday summoned the US ambassador demanding an explanation for Joe Bidens decision, as it stressed that the declaration had caused a rift in relations between the two countries that is difficult to repair. Meanwhile, in retaliation to Ankaras aggressive response, the US shut the Ankara embassy and the consulate in Istanbul, as well as suspended visa services for some cities for the Turks to enter. Shortly afterward, the US embassy issued an advisory to its nationals in Turkey that asked them to avoid the areas around US government buildings, and exercise heightened caution in locations where Americans or foreigners may gather. Angry citizens, according to Turkish media reports, carried out protests against the US asking Turkey nationals to stand up against US bullying and lies. They further made appeals to the Turkish leader to shut down the US Incirlik Air Base and Izmir Air Base close to the Aegean Sea, which gave US troops direct strategic access to the Middle East.

[Satellite view of US Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. Credit: Military bases site]
The Army announced Tuesday that one of its soldiers has died while serving in Kuwait.

The soldier, who has not been identified, was found dead in his living quarters Monday at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, according to a news release from U.S. Army Central.

"This incident is not combat related, and the name of the soldier is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin," the release states. "We send our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased."

Read Next: How the Air Force Moved Gear, Trained Recruits and Kept Air Force One Flying Amid COVID-19

The cause of the death is under investigation, according to the release.

Last May, Sgt. Christopher Wesley Curry died in a non-combat incident in Erbil, Iraq, while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.

Curry, a 23-year-old native of Terre Haute, Indiana, was assigned to the 25th Infantry's 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

Related: Pentagon Identifies Alaska-Based Soldier Who Died in Iraq
NEW YORK, April 26, 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


(Newser)  Scientists who set out to map an underwater dumping ground for industrial waste off the California coast last month say they were stunned by what they found: endless waste barrels spread across a site larger than the city of San Francisco, some 3,000 feet under the sea. After a two-week sonar survey of more than 36,000 acres of seafloor between Santa Catalina Island and the Los Angeles coast, "the scientists could find no end to the dumping ground," reports the Los Angeles Times. "I was pretty shocked that it just kept extending as far as it did," Eric Terrill of the University of California San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography tells the outlet. His team ultimately identified more than 100,000 objects, including at least 27,000 barrel-sized objects, which are thought to contain the banned pesticide DDT. More barrels may be buried. Some records suggest there are half a million in all, per the Times.

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"This mission confirms my worst fear: that possibly hundreds of thousands of barrels and DDT-laced sediment were dumped just 12 miles off our coast," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who was briefed on the findings on Monday. She said she would ask the Justice Department to investigate. Records indicate numerous companies began dumping industrial waste in the area in the 1930s. Montrose Chemical Corp., formerly the nation's largest DDT manufacturer, reportedly dumped 2,000 DDT-laced barrels into the ocean each month from 1947 to 1961, before the pesticide was banned and the Ocean Dumping Act was passed in 1972, per the AP. Terrill's team found patterns suggesting barrels were dropped from moving ships or barges. The effects are unknown but DDT has been tied to an aggressive cancer in sea lions, and been found in high levels in the area's dolphins. (Studies link DDT with Alzheimer's and breast cancer in humans.)
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Update: realme India CEO has confirmed that the company has postponed the smartphone and AIoT products launch along with anniversary celebrations due to ongoing COVID-19 situation in the country.

After careful consideration, #realme has decided to postpone the upcoming smartphone and AIoT products launch along with anniversary celebrations. In these difficult times, lets focus on contributing as much as possible.

Stay home, Stay strong! We will be back soon. pic.twitter.com/uHWXt503gi  Madhav108MP (@MadhavSheth1) April 28, 2021

In the latest episode #AskMadhav, realme CEO Madhav Sheth has answered a range of 5G related questions. He also said that for the companys 3rd anniversary on May 4th it will hold a big launch event, the biggest this year till now. When asked about the products expected at the launch, he confirmed that the company will launch it Dimensity 1200-powered phone in India which it had been teasing for quite some time now.

realme will also launch new Smart TVs with hands-free voice control, Dolby Vision and audio experience. In addition, the CEO confirmed that half of the realme products launched in India in 2021 will be 5G-enabled, and all the realme smartphones priced above Rs. 20,000 will be 5G-enabled. The company also plans to launch more affordable 5G smartphone cheaper than the realme 8 5G which was launched in India recently.

The realme 7 Pro will get stable realme UI 2.0 update this month and realme C21 will get the realme UI 2.0 in June, confirmed the company.

The CEO said that it has already started celebration activities for its 3rd anniversary and more details will be revealed through social media channels and the realme community in the coming days.

Source
Mumbai, April 27 : Actress Garima Vikrant Singh turned a year older on Tuesday, but missed being with her family on her special day because she is busy shooting in Hyderabad for the television show "Namak Issk Ka".

The show is being shot in Hyderabad after the Maharashtra government stopped all shoots in Mumbai due the Covid outbreak. So, while husband Yogesh Vikrant and daughter Vera are in Mumbai, Garima is in the Capital city of Telangana.

"It is my birthday today. And I'm away from my family. My husband and daughter are missing me so much. They don't let my special day go off without any celebrations. They had already decorated the house and surprised me last night, by cutting cake on a video call for my birthday. This happens to be the first time that I'm not along with them on my birthday," she says.

"Birthdays are always special and important for me. I actually wait for the day. But this year, I let it go," she adds.

She adds that she is trying to entertain her fans as much as she can during these tough times.

"I just want to make sure I can keep entertaining my audience in such difficult times, and I love how my family stood with me on my decision," she says.

Garima is known for featuring in shows such as "Gustakh Dil", "Ishq Ka Rang Safed", "Nimki Mukhiya", "Nazar" among others.
MIAMISBURG, Ohio, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Verso Corporation (NYSE: VRS) today announced that it will host a conference call and webcast for analysts and investors on Friday, May 7, 2021 at 9 a.m. (EDT) to discuss first quarter 2021 financial results.

Analysts and investors may access the live conference call only by dialing 888-317-6003 (U.S. toll-free), 866-284-3684 (Canada toll-free) or 412-317-6061 (international) and referencing elite entry number 4783336 and Verso Corporation. To register, please dial in 10 minutes before the conference call begins. The news release and first quarter 2021 results will be available on Verso's website at http://investor.versoco.com by navigating to the Financial Information page.

Analysts and investors may also access the live conference call and webcast by clicking on the event link https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1524/40990 or by visiting Verso's website at http://investor.versoco.com and navigating to the Events page. Please go to this link at least one hour before the call and follow the instructions to register, download and install any necessary audio/video software.

A telephonic replay of the call can be accessed at 877-344-7529 (U.S. toll-free), 855-669-9658 (Canada toll-free) or 412-317-0088 (international), access code 10155478. The replay will be available starting at 11 a.m. (EDT) Friday, May 7, 2021, and will remain available until June 7, 2021. An archive of the conference call and webcast will be available at http://investor.versoco.com starting at 11 a.m. (EDT) Friday, May 7, 2021, and will remain available for 120 days.

About Verso

VERSO CORPORATION is a leading American owned and operated producer of graphic, specialty and packaging paper and market pulp, with a long-standing reputation for quality and reliability. Verso's graphic paper products are designed primarily for commercial printing, advertising and marketing applications, including direct mail, catalogs, corporate collateral, books and magazines. Verso's specialty paper products include release liner papers and label face stock for pressure sensitive, glue-applied and laminate applications. Verso produces packaging paper used in higher-end packaging and printing applications such as greeting cards, book covers, folders, labels and point-of-purchase displays. Verso also makes market pulp used in printing, writing, specialty and packaging papers, facial and toilet tissue, and paper towels. For more information, visit us online at versoco.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

In this press release, all statements that are not purely historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "estimate," "intend," "potential" and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available business, economic, financial, and other information and reflect management's current beliefs, expectations, and views with respect to future developments and their potential effects on Verso. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties that may affect Verso and its business. Verso's actual actions and results may differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these statements due to a variety of factors, including those risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in Verso's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Verso assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement made in this press release to reflect subsequent events or circumstances or actual outcomes.

SOURCE Verso Corporation

Related Links

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The Defence Force will receive a $747million funding boost as tensions rise with China and warning of war within the next five years.

Scott Morrison will announce new cash on Wednesday, which will improve ADF training facilities, weapons training simulation, and firing ranges in the Northern Territory.

'Our focus is on pursuing peace, stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific, with a world order that favours freedom,' the prime minister said.

'Working with the US, our allies and Indo-Pacific neighbours, we will continue advance Australia's interests by investing in the Australian Defence Force, particularly across Northern Australia.'

It's believed the motive behind the huge funding efforts is to bolster the ADF's experience in reality-based war games and military training exercises.

The Defence Force in the Northern Territory has received a hefty $747million, a day after China demanded Australia back the annexing of Taiwan

Scott Morrison is set to announce the funding boost on Wednesday, which will go towards ADF training facilities, weapons training simulation and firing ranges in the NT

The training areas to benefit from the upgrade are Robertson Barracks Close Training Area, Bradshaw Field Training Area, Kangaroo Flats Training Area and Mount Bundey Training Area.

Mr Morrison said the funding will not only protect Australians in the event of battle, but will also provide jobs and the local economy in the Top End.

'We continue to invest more than $270 billion across Australia, ensuring we have a capable defence force to meet a changing global environment, while backing thousands of ADF men and women with the newest technology and training,' he said.

The cash injection comes a day after China warned Australia it must support its policy to 'reunify' with Taiwan if it wants the trade war to end.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin gave the chilling ultimatum at a media conference in Beijing one day after Anzac Day, continuing the increasingly belligerent tone adopted by the Communist Party regime.

He accused Canberra of 'meddling' in China's internal affairs and said there is 'no room for any form of Taiwan independence'.

'Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Taiwan issue is purely China's internal affairs that involves China's core interests and allows no foreign interference,' Mr Wang said.

'China must and will be reunified. We are willing to do our utmost to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification, but will never leave any room for any forms of 'Taiwan independence' secessionist activities.

'We hope the Australian side can... avoid sending any wrong signal to Taiwan independence forces, and take more actions that is conducive to peace and stability across the strait and for China-Australia relations.'

China has warned Australia it must fall in line with its policy to 'reunify' the disputed island of Taiwan if it wants to trade to return to normal. Pictured: Chinese Navy personal stand gaurd

The antagonistic comments come as Australian national security leaders acknowledge the 'drums of war' are beating louder for free nations in the region who seek to resist China's quest for dominance.

China was waged a year-long campaign of economic coercion against Australia, targeting about $20 billion worth of exports with arbitrary trade tariffs and bans.

Turmoil surrounding Taiwan reached fever pitch in recent weeks after China repeatedly incurred on Taipei's airspace and maritime borders, sending 25 military aircraft into its defence 'identification zone'.

Beijing is increasingly aggressive in disputed territories, stamping out pro-democracy groups in Hong Kong and cracking down on Muslim minorities in Xinjiang under its 'One China' policy.

Pictured: A Taiwan-made IDF jet fighter takes off from a highway in southern Chiayi county during the annual Han Kuang drill on September 16, 2014

Pressure is mounting on Australia and fellow 'Quad' members - Japan, India and the US - to keep Beijing's forces (pictured) at bay as tensions continue to soar over the disputed territory of Taiwan

The authoritarian state also continues to encroach on Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Brunei in the South China Sea and even had a deadly border skirmish with India last year.

There are grave fears Beijing will militarily force Taiwan to reunify with mainland China under President-for-life Xi Jinping.

'I wish to emphasise that abiding by the One China principle is one of the things that is key to China-Australia relations,' Mr Wang said.

'Taiwan is a part of Chinese territory which cannot be separated.

'The Taiwan issue is entirely China's internal affair and is related to China's core interests and we won't accept any external forces meddling or interfering in this.'

Taiwan, backed by the US and Japan, has endured a longstanding conflict with Beijing since a separate government was established on the island following the Chinese Civil War in 1949.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen (pictured) has remained staunch in the face of Chinese aggression - with many nations now at loggerheads with the communist superpower

Is Taiwan a country or a part of China? Taiwanese soldiers hoist the flag of Taiwan in Taipei on May 10. China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory, but many Taiwanese people want the island to be independent China and Taiwan have a long-standing dispute over the island's sovereignty. China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory, more precisely a province, but many Taiwanese want the island to be independent. From 1683 to 1895, Taiwan was ruled by China's Qing dynasty. After Japan claimed its victory in the First Sino-Japanese War, the Qing government forced to cede Taiwan to Japan. The island was under the Republic of China's ruling after World War II, with the consent of its allies the US and UK. The leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party, Chiang Kai-shek, fled to Taiwan in 1949 and established his government after losing the Civil War to the Communist Party and its leader Mao Zedong. Chiang's son continued to rule Taiwan after his father and began democratising Taiwan. In 1980, China put forward a formula called 'one country, two systems', under which Taiwan would be given significant autonomy if it accepted Chinese reunification. Taiwan rejected the offer. Taiwan today, with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders, is widely accepted in the West as an independent state. But its political status remains unclear. Advertisement

Taiwan's residents are more on edge than ever after watching the brutal repression of the independence movement in nearby Hong Kong.

Taiwan has democratically-elected leaders and fiercely opposes reunification and the totalitarian rule of Beijing.

But Communist Party rhetoric is growing more aggressive when it comes to annexing the island.

The island nation remains an important ally of western democratic countries for its close proximity to China and because it produces a significant supply of semiconductor microchips at a time when there is a major global shortage.

Pressure is mounting on Australia and fellow 'Quad' members - Japan, India and the US - to keep Beijing's forces at bay as tensions escalate.

Pictured: A Police officer points his shotgun at democracy advocates during a clash in Hong Kong in 2019

Hong Kong police detain a pro-democracy protester during clashes in Hong Kong, China, 18 November 2019

This month it was reported that military officials in Canberra are planning 'worst case' scenarios in which Collins-class submarines and Super Hornet fighter jets would be deployed to the Taiwan Strait to assist the US and other regional allies in the case of war.

Australian Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo said in his Anzac Day message on Sunday that though Australia should always search for peace, it must also be prepared to 'send off our warriors to fight the nation's wars'.

He added free nations 'must remain armed, strong and ready for war, even as they lament the curse of war'.

'Today, as free nations again hear the beating drums and watch worryingly the militarisation of issues that we had, until recent years, thought unlikely to be catalysts for war, let us continue to search unceasingly for the chance for peace while bracing again, yet again, for the curse of war,' Mr Pezzullo said.

'By our resolve and our strength, by our preparedness of arms, and by our statecraft, let us get about reducing the likelihood of war  but not at the cost of our precious liberty.

'War might well be folly, but the greater folly is to wish away the curse by refusing to give it thought and attention, as if in so doing, war might leave us be, forgetting us perhaps.'

A Chinese naval ship sails into Sydney Harbour in June 2019 during a secret reciprocal visit - there are now warnings of an impending war between the nations

Australian Army soldier from the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment in Queensland (pictured) amid warnings that Australia could 'be at war with China' within years

His comments came on the same day Defence Minister Peter Dutton said conflict between China and Taiwan 'should not be discounted'.

'If you look at any of the rhetoric that is coming out of China, from spokesmen particularly in recent weeks and months in response to different suggestions that have been made, they have been very clear about that goal,' he told the ABC.

'There is a significant amount of [military] activity, and there is an animosity between Taiwan and China.

'For us, we want to make sure we continue to be a good neighbour in the region, that we work with our partners and with our allies, as nobody wants to see conflict between China and Taiwan or anywhere else.'

Australia's relationship with its biggest trading partner began to drastically deteriorate in April last year when Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an independent inquiry into the origins of coronavirus, which first appeared in Wuhan at the end of 2019.

The plea for transparency over Covid-19 infuriated the Communist Party who retaliated by imposing arbitrary bans and tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Australian goods including barley, wine, cotton, seafood, beef, copper, and coal.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 00:03:38|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks to people of different ethnic groups who are participating in festive activities outside the Anthropology Museum of Guangxi in the city of Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

NANNING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for more efforts to break new ground in promoting high-quality development in ethnic border regions.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his inspection trip to south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from Sunday to Tuesday.

Xi called on these regions to better serve and integrate into the country's new development pattern, make new progress in advancing green development, and be more committed to consolidating and developing ethnic unity, social stability and border security.

During his inspection tour, Xi went to Guilin, Liuzhou and Nanning, visiting a local revolutionary memorial, an ethnic museum, villages and enterprises to inspect the localities' work in implementing the country's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).

On Sunday morning, Xi visited a memorial park dedicated to the Battle of the Xiangjiang River during the Long March in the 1930s in the city of Guilin. He presented a flower basket in memory of the martyrs in the battle.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a memorial park dedicated to the Battle of the Xiangjiang River during the Long March in the 1930s, and lays a flower basket in homage to Red Army soldiers who died in the battle, in Caiwan, a town in Quanzhou County in the city of Guilin, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Noting that the battle was a life-or-death event in China's revolution history, Xi stressed the importance of CPC members staying true to their ideals and convictions.

Xi then visited Maozhushan village in Guilin to inspect the local grape growing industry. He called for efforts to pursue rural vitalization based on local specialty industries and make better use of science and technology in promoting the agricultural sector.

He also stressed measures that can ensure farmers benefit more from the development of rural industries.

Xi walked through the village, dropping by the home of villager Wang Deli and chatting with the family.

He said that as the CPC is about to celebrate its centenary, the country has scored a complete victory in its fight against poverty. However, he said promoting rural vitalization on all fronts will be no easier than the anti-poverty battle, allowing no letup or sluggishness.

On Sunday afternoon, Xi went to a dock on the Lijiang River in the city of Guilin. He called for more efforts in ecological restoration and pollution prevention and control to improve the environment, the ecosystem, and the overall function of the river basin.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a section of the Lijiang River and learns about local efforts in the ecological conservation of the river in Yangshuo, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

On Monday, Xi visited a scenic park in Guilin. He lauded the city as a treasure bestowed on the Chinese nation by nature and called for efforts to improve its protection.

In the afternoon, Xi went to the city of Liuzhou. Inspecting machinery manufacturer Guangxi Liugong Group Co., Ltd., Xi said the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry is the top priority in promoting China's high-quality economic growth.

He urged efforts to keep a firm hold on the initiative in pursuing innovation-driven development and uphold the overall leadership of the Party in state-owned enterprises.

Xi then went to a food-processing zone for local specialty Luosifen rice noodles. He praised the role of local signature industries in developing the real economy and called for more support for private enterprises to help them grow and tackle challenges.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a food-processing zone for local specialty Luosifen rice noodles in the city of Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

On Tuesday morning, Xi visited the Anthropology Museum of Guangxi in the regional capital city of Nanning.

As the country's demonstration zone of ethnic unity and progress, Guangxi should continue to play its exemplary and leading role, Xi said.

In the morning, Xi also heard the regional Party committee and government of Guangxi report their work.

Xi urged efforts to promote the high-end, intelligent and green transformation of traditional industries, optimize and upgrade their entire industrial chains, and actively cultivate emerging industries.

Calling for joint efforts to build the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, Xi stressed the importance of strengthening China-ASEAN cooperation and carrying out solid work on pilot free trade zones.

Amid the fight against pollution, authorities should incorporate the goal of peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality into the overall plan for economic and social development and building an ecological civilization, Xi said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits machinery manufacturer Guangxi Liugong Group Co., Ltd. in the city of Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Xi also underscored the introduction of job policies targeting key groups including college graduates and migrant workers, and the protection of the legitimate interests of truck drivers, couriers and food delivery riders.

He also called for maintaining COVID-19 control measures and highlighted the importance of raising public awareness of ethnic unity and progress.

Urging Guangxi to utilize its abundant revolutionary resources in boosting Party history learning and education, Xi asked Party members to appreciate the power of belief from CPC's centenary endeavor to maintain firm resolve and the courage to prevail over major difficulties and challenges.

All Party members and cadres must realize that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the only path to the development of China, and have complete trust in the CPC in rallying the Chinese people and leading them in following the path to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Xi noted. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 09:36:00|Editor: huaxia

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NEW DELHI, April 27 (Xinhua) -- India has, in the past days, witnessed a resurgence of COVID-19 cases, overwhelming the populous country's already crumbled healthcare system.

Here is a timeline of the development of India's epidemic situation over the past week.

April 19:

-- India's COVID-19 tally surpassed the 15 million mark, reaching 15,061,919, according to the country's federal health ministry.

With an increase of 273,810 cases during the past 24 hours, the country had witnessed a daily spike of over 250,000 new cases for three days straight.

-- All persons aged 18 years and above would be eligible to get COVID-19 vaccination with effect from May 1, said India's federal government. This would be the Phase-III of India's COVID-19 vaccination drive.

April 20:

-- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ruled out a lockdown amid the second wave of COVID-19 in the country.

Addressing the nation on TV for the first time amid the second wave of COVID-19, Modi also appealed to state governments to consider lockdown as a "last resort."

-- Hospitals in the Indian national capital territory of Delhi reported in the evening that their oxygen supplies will last for just a few hours, officials said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hence urged the federal government to replenish their oxygen supplies.

-- India's Bharat Biotech announced its COVID-19 vaccine capacity would be scaled up to 700 million doses annually, said a company statement.

April 21:

-- India recorded 295,041 new cases and 2,023 more deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the caseload to 15,616,130 and the death toll to 182,553, according to data released by the health ministry.

There were still 2,157,538 active cases in the country, while 13,276,039 people had been cured and discharged from hospitals.

-- At least 22 patients died due to low oxygen supply after a leakage in the oxygen supply tank of a civic hospital in India's Nashik town, 167 km from the country's financial capital Mumbai.

-- India's federal government announced that it had waived off the import duty on Remdesivir, a broad-spectrum antiviral drug, to provide affordable medical care for the COVID-19 patients, officials said.

-- India's indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin neutralises multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 and effectively works against the double mutant strain as well, said India's top health research body Indian Council of Medical Research.

April 22:

-- A record single-day spike of 314,835 new cases was recorded in the country. It was the first time that more than 300,000 cases had been registered in a single day.

-- As the demand for oxygen grew in the worst-hit COVID-19 states, India's federal health ministry announced an increase in quota for several states, officials said.

The decision had been taken in view of an exponential rise in the number of COVID-19 patients that in turn had increased demand for oxygen in the hospitals.

-- India's national carrier Air India has announced that all its scheduled flights between India and Britain from April 24 to 30 had been cancelled in the wake of the recent restrictions announced by Britain.

-- The sixth phase of local elections in India's eastern state of West Bengal was underway amid a huge spike in COVID-19 cases, officials said.

April 23:

-- India's daily new cases and deaths reached 332,730 and 2,263 respectively in the past 24 hours, both hitting historic high, the government health ministry said.

The total tally surpassed the 16 million mark, reaching 16,263,695, and the death toll increased to 186,920.

-- At least 25 critical patients admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi had died in the last 24 hours, hospital authorities said. Besides, at least 13 COVID-19 patients had been killed after a fire broke out at a private hospital near Mumbai, hospital officials said.

-- Indian drugmaker Zydus Cadila said the Drugs Controller General of India had approved its antiviral drug Virafin for emergency use in the treatment of moderate COVID-19 infections in adults.

-- India's Armed Forces Medical Services was importing mobile oxygen generation plants to address the ongoing oxygen crisis, officials said.

April 24:

-- India witnessed 346,786 more infections and 2,624 deaths, the government health ministry said. Both figures were at historical high in the country.

-- The government decided to exempt basic customs duty on imports of COVID-19 vaccines, medical grade oxygen for a period of three months, said a senior official.

-- Twenty COVID-19 patients at a hospital in New Delhi died due to a shortage of oxygen, officials said.

-- Mumbai would set up 16 plants at 12 hospitals to produce 43 metric tons of oxygen from atmospheric air daily, said the city's civic authority BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation. The move was expected to cost 12 million U.S. dollars.

April 25:

-- The lockdown in New Delhi had been extended by another week till May 3 due to surging cases, announced Kejriwal.

-- The ongoing second wave of the pandemic in India was projected to come to its peak in the middle of May, with the northern state of Uttar Pradesh likely to be a major hotspot with over 190,000 daily new cases, local media reported.

-- As many as 551 new medical oxygen generation plants would be set up across India in a bid to address the shortage of oxygen, said an official statement issued by the prime minister office.

April 26:

-- The country's COVID-19 tally surpassed 17 million with a fresh high of 352,991 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said.

It was the fifth consecutive day that more than 300,000 cases had been registered in a single day.

-- India's federal government directed states to ensure that liquid oxygen is exclusively used for medical purposes only. It also urged all manufacturing units to maximize the production of liquid oxygen, officials said. Enditem
Typically presidents address Congress, cabinet officials, and the Justices of Supreme Court in January or February each year. However, being his first year in office, US President Joe Biden's first address has been postponed to give the administration time to prepare a legislative agenda, which will be announced in greater detail during the event.

What is the purpose of Biden's address?

The six presidents preceding Biden chose to address a joint session of Congress during their first year in office to outline what legislation they hope to bring forward. Biden has already begun to enact his legislative agenda, most notably with the passage of the American Rescue Plan in March. The presidents speech on Wednesday will be an opportunity to continue making his case to Congress, and the public, on how the remaining pieces of his economic agenda fit into his broader vision for the country.

Due to the pandemic, the event is invitation only and will only be attended by about two hundred officials.

Keeping with tradition, a response from the party not in office will follow the Presidents remarks. This year, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina will provide the Republican response.

A pandemic looms

With a widespread vaccination campaign in full force, new variants spreading rapidly in many states and the US economy still struggling to regain the strength it had before the pandemic, Biden is expected to describe the steps the government intends to take to end the coronavirus crisis. Some measures that the president may promote include the passage of more stimulus relief or the allocation of federal funds to revamp and modernize state unemployment insurance systems, whose failures delayed the distribution of benefits to millions last Spring. The presidents speech could also include an indication on how the US can support global vaccination distribution to expedite the process of reaching global herd immunity.

Build Back Better Economic Agenda

The American Rescue Plan is the first piece of legislation that forms part of Bidens Build Back Better economic agenda. Two other proposals, the American Jobs Plan, which was unveiled in late March, and the American Families Plan, complete Bidens economic agenda to get the US economy moving as the end of the pandemic nears. The details of the American Families Plan have yet to be announced, but his press secretary has stated that the bulk of his speech to Congress will be him laying out the specifics of the American Families Plan, his commitment to child care, to education, and to delivering on those priorities.

The American Jobs Plan is a $2.3 trillion proposal that aims to address climate change, rebuild the nations crumbling infrastructure, and improve the working conditions of workers involved in the care economy.

Last week, President Biden hosted a virtual summit with 40 world leaders focused on climate. During the presidents remarks, he committed the United States to cutting carbon emissions in half by 2030. The American Jobs Plan was designed to put the country on a path to meet this target. Climate leadership is an area where the United States has lost serious credibility over the last few decades. With much flip-flopping across administrations, the American Jobs Act would ensure that US climate policy is less dependent on which party sits in the White House.

Republican support for the proposal has been scant, and last week a group of Senators responded to the proposal with a plan that is only a fraction of the size in terms of monetary outlay. Republicans are wary of legislation that includes many Democratic priorities and would like to pass a bill that focuses on investments in physical infrastructure. Republicans, many of whom represent states that would have to make significant economic transitions away from fossil fuels, are hesitant to support policy that would move the country away from using these energy sources.

Security concerns

After the 6 January insurrection at the US Capitol, security is a concern for the event. However, with fewer lawmakers and other VIPs, the event does not have the same level of security concern as most State of the Union addresses. Still, the Secret Service, Capitol Police, and other cooperating law enforcement agencies have said that careful security planning has been carried out to ensure the safety of the invitees.
Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Early voting ends Tuesday in a number of local races for school board and city council across Harris County, bringing a close to the nine-day early voting period that has seen limited turnout so far.

The ballot includes elections for mayor and city council in Humble, Pasadena, South Houston, Southside Place and West University Place, along with a handful of positions on the boards of Goose Creek, Humble and Pasadena independent school districts. Missouri City voters also are considering ballot measures related to the power of the mayor, council members and the city manager.
New Delhi: 7th Pay Commission latest updates --Over 50 lakh central government employees and more than 65 lakh pensioners who have been waiting with baited breath for the implementation of hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) from the month of July, may not be headed for a hike in their Travel Allowance (TA), as per media reports.

According to a report in the Live Mint, the central government employees TA will not be increased because their current DA is not 25 percent or above, which as per the pay matrix calculation rule of the 7th Pay Commission is a requisite. At present, central government employees get DA of 17 per cent. This level of DA became effective from July 2019 with further revision due from January 2020. But this along with subsequent two other revisions were suspended due to Covid.

Last year, the Union Cabinet had approved a 4 per cent increase in DA for government employees and pensioners to 21 per cent. This was to be effective from January 1, 2020. However, in wake of the pandemic the disbursement of DA at increased rates was suspended along with DR for the pensioners.

As per some reports available in the media, the central government employees must keep in mind 7th CPC Fitment Factor of 2.57 while calculating the probable hike in monthly salary. This means as per the 7th Pay Commission Fitment Factor, if an employee draws a monthly basic salary of Rs 21,000 then one's monthly 7th CPC salary hike will be Rs 51,400 (Rs 20,000 x 2.57).

Previously media reports citing All India Consumer Price Index (AICPI) data release, between January and June 2021, had said at least DA can be increased by 4 percent. The reports further mentioned that after the DA is reinstated, the Dearness Allowance of the central employees may increase from 17 percent to 28 percent. This includes a 3 percent increase in DA from January to June 2020, a 4 percent increase from July to December 2020, and a 4 percent increase from January to June 2021. That means the total DA calculation will be (17 + 4 + 3 + 4) 28 percent.

Minister of State for Finance, Anurag Thakur had in March this year told Parliament that the employees will get full benefits of dearness allowance starting July 1 and all the three pending installments will be restored prospectively. However, what may upset the central government employees is that any increase in DA from July 1 will only be effective from that day, which means that the employees would not get any arrears on non-revision of DA for previous period.

The three installments of dearness allowance for central government employees and DR for pensioners, due on January 1, 2020, July 1, 2020 and January 1, 2021, were frozen in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Thakur said: "As and when the decision to release the future installments of Dearness Allowance due from 01.07.2021 is taken, the rates of DA as effective from 01.01.2020, 01.07.2020 and 01.01. 2021 will be restored prospectively and will be subsumed in the cumulative revised rates effective from 01.07.2021."
The Times-Picayune and The Advocate have hired two additional reporters to cover suburban parishes in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge metro areas, part of an expansion of the newspapers' partnership with the national nonprofit Report for America.

The reporting positions, one in the Florida Parishes Bureau and one in the St. Tammany Bureau, represent a return of coverage to some parts of the Florida Parishes and an expansion in St. Tammany.

Marie Fazio, a Florida native who is currently a reporting fellow at The New York Times, will join the St. Tammany Bureau of The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate, and will work in conjunction with St. Tammany Bureau Chief Sara Pagones to increase our coverage of politics, business, criminal justice, the environment and other subjects across the north shore.

James Finn, a reporter at the VTDigger in Montpelier, Vermont, will join The Advocate to cover Livingston, St. Helena and Tangipahoa parishes and other surrounding areas.

Fazio and Finn join health reporter Emily Woodruff as the newspapers' three Report for America corps members. The nonprofit, founded in 2017, works with local news outlets to place journalists in "news deserts," or areas that have seen pullbacks in local reporting amid a difficult economic period for the news industry.

This year, Report for America is expanding into more than 200 newsrooms across the U.S. and its territories. The program provides partial funding to news outlets to hire additional reporters, and then those news outlets are asked to seek the remainder of the funding from community foundations and other local philanthropists.

The Florida parishes reporter is being funded with the help of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.

"We're honored to partner with RFA and with BRAF to expand news coverage of the Florida parishes, and we hope to build on that model in future years to better serve more of the state," said Peter Kovacs, editor of The Times-Picayune and The Advocate.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

The donations are tax deductible and are made through the nonprofit Ground Truth Project.

While announcing this year's slate of corps members Tuesday, Steve Waldman, co-founder and RFA president, said that the program is "a unique opportunity" to reverse the decline in local news reporting "by filling newsrooms with talented journalists who not only view journalism as a public service, but who can make trusted connections with the communities they serve."

+4 Letter to Readers: A plan to expand investigative reporting in Louisiana Investigative reporting can appear to be the most glamorous job in journalism, and Robert Redford, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton and Rache

The additional RFA corps members adds to a number of journalists at The Times-Picayune and The Advocate funded via foundations and other nonprofits, which is a growing source of expanded news coverage at many local newspapers across the U.S.

The newspapers' three-person coastal reporting team is funded through a grant from the Walton Family Foundation. And in December, the newspapers announced the creation of the Louisiana Investigative Journalism Fund, a partnership with the Greater New Orleans Foundation that will seek contributions to double the size of the newspapers' four-person investigative team.

+30 The Times-Picayune and The Advocate to launch statewide investigative unit The Times-Picayune and The Advocate on Wednesday announced a plan to dramatically expand their commitment to investigative journalism by doubl

RFA is supporting a total of four journalists in Louisiana. In addition to the three reporters at The Times-Picayune and The Advocate, WWNO is also hosting an RFA corps member in its statehouse bureau.

The journalists based in the St. Tammany and the Florida Parishes bureaus will start in June.

Interested in supporting the work of these reporters? Here's how to contribute.
TORONTO, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Converge Technology Solutions Corp. ("Converge" or "the Company") (TSX: CTS) (FSE: 0ZB) (OTCQX: CTSDF) a software-enabled IT & Cloud Solutions provider, is honored to announce it is the 2021 IBM Beacon Award winner for Outstanding Technology Support Services Solution. Now in its 22nd year, the IBM Beacon Awards celebrate the next generation of innovators, creators and thinkers that use IBM technology, like hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence, to power innovative solutions for partners and their clients.

Protecting a significant number of IBM Assets moving to third party support due to COVID-19 budget constraints, the Converge maintenance team designed a multi-year IBM maintenance solution that aligned with the end user's depreciation schedules, provided the flexibility needed to stay under budget, and allowed the ability to reinvest in a technology roadmap designed to meet ongoing business needs. This achievement, along with Converge's ability to break new ground and drive innovation, earned the Company the globally recognized Beacon Award for 2021.

Converge was selected as a Beacon Award winner by a panel of judges including industry specialists, IBM executives and analysts who recognized how IBM maintenance solutions enables client success with IBM technology.

"Converge is proud to accept this year's IBM Beacon Award for Outstanding Technology Support Services Solution," stated Greg Berard, President, North America of Converge. "This award not only reflects the strong, ongoing partnership Converge has with IBM, it also highlights the talents of our maintenance teams in implementing IBM solutions to fit and solve unique client needs."

As an IBM Beacon Award winner, Converge will be a featured exhibitor at THINK 2021.

For more information on the 2021 IBM Beacon Awards, including a detailed list of winners, please click here.

About Converge

Converge Technology Solutions Corp. is a software-enabled IT & Cloud Solutions provider focused on delivering industry-leading solutions and services. Converge's regional sales and services organizations deliver advanced analytics, cloud, and cybersecurity offerings to clients across various industries. The Company supports these solutions with managed services, digital infrastructure, and talent expertise 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.

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OTTAWA  Theyre called rapid tests, but Manitoba appears in no hurry to use them.

OTTAWA  Theyre called rapid tests, but Manitoba appears in no hurry to use them.

At least 94 per cent of rapid tests Ottawa has sent to the province remain in a stockpile, while just 1.26 per cent of all rapid tests in Manitoba had actually been used as of this past Friday, according to new federal data, as well as provincial figures obtained Monday by the Free Press.

Manitoba is the only province that cant seem to tell Ottawa how many of the federal tests it has distributed have actually been used.

Rapid tests are used to detect the coronavirus in as little as 15 minutes, but theyre nowhere near as sensitive as the regular PCR tests that are mostly done in large laboratories. They arent meant to definitively say whether someone has COVID-19; instead, they tend to detect people who don't yet have symptoms but carry high viral loads, which are often the ones who go on to infect multiple people.

Ottawa had doled out substandard rapid tests, so Manitoba has instead relied on better ones, Premier Brian Pallister said.

"We took the step of purchasing better equipment that does a better job," he said Monday.

Manitoba uses the Hyris bCUBE rapid tests. (CNW Group / Songbird Life Science)

Yet the province has no plans to return the tests to Ottawa.

The Public Health Agency of Canada recently published the number of rapid-test kits Ottawa sent to each jurisdiction, and how many each province has distributed.

Manitoba got 929,248 tests from Ottawa, and distributed 28,490 of them, which would amount to three per cent, according to the PHACs website.

Not so, says a Manitoba Health spokeswoman.

"The data you are referencing is dated and does not represent an accurate or the current rapid testing landscape in Manitoba," wrote the spokeswoman.

Manitoba had distributed more than 50,000 rapid tests from Ottawa as of Friday along with more than 20,000 tests it independently acquired, called the Songbird Hyris bCUBE, she said.

Last week, the province announced it was rolling out rapid tests to settings such as a Winkler abattoir, Air Canada, a northern mine, wildfire workers and in personal care homes.

Rapid tests are used to detect the coronavirus in as little as 15 minutes, but theyre nowhere near as sensitive as the regular PCR tests that are mostly done in large laboratories. (Carlos Osorio / The Associated Press files)

Up until then, rapid tests had mostly been used for asymptomatic teachers and school staff, as well as in certain rural health centres.

"With the launch of our asymptomatic rapid testing screening program, and the ability for non-health care providers to perform the antigen based rapid test, we expect to see an increase in both our rapid test deployments and usage in the coming months," the Manitoba Health spokeswoman wrote.

Abroad, rapid tests have been common in parts of western Europe for months, for everything from weekly screening of schoolchildren to vetting customers entering bars.

Thats not the case in Manitoba despite a program at Red River College that quickly trains people on how to use the tests.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business hopes Manitoba will roll out rapid testing to smaller firms, arguing it could help get the third wave under control and keep numbers low.

"Ideally this could be used as a tool to help businesses open more, or maybe to bring in clients from outside the province," said Jonathan Alward, the groups Manitoba director.

The province says spread is largely due to home gatherings instead of business exposures, he said, adding rapid tests could help ensure its not just big businesses welcoming customers in a few weeks when cases drop.

An Abbott Laboratories Panbio COVID-19 Rapid Test device. (Andrew Vaughan / The Canadian Press files)

"Its an imperfect test, and we recognize that, but it could possibly serve a role to help businesses operate more," said Alward.

Manitoba is the only province that has given the federal government no data on how many distributed tests from Ottawa have been used for any of the three brands of tests sent to provinces.

"Manitobas usage data changes daily and is limited to what is reported in by a partner organization at a given time," a provincial spokeswoman explained.

"The most recent data shows nearly 12,000 rapid tests had been administered, across various settings."

That would mean 17 per cent of distributed tests have actually been used in Manitoba, amounting to 1.26 per cent of the total rapid tests in the province, including the ones Ottawa sent.

Manitoba has had a stubbornly high test-positivity number, which many virologists say indicates the province isnt testing enough people, but the premier noted Manitoba has gotten better at performing the full PCR tests, meaning theres likely less demand for a screening test.

"I think were in better shape than we were at the start of the second wave. Not just with more people being aware of the importance of following the health rules... but also in terms of our ability to respond to testing (and) tracking."

 with files from Carol Sanders

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
A Welsh farmer is set to urge national park bosses to rename Snowdon, the nation's tallest peak, Yr Wyddfa out of 'respect for the language'.

Councillor John Pughe Roberts, 58, who represents Corris and Mawddwy as an independent on Gwynedd county council, is set to bring the motion forward.

A notice of motion to Snowdonia National Park Authority states: 'That the authority hereafter uses only the authority's Welsh name for the authority and that this becomes relevant in any language i.e. ''Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri'' and never uses ''Snowdonia National Park'' again.

A Welsh farmer is set to urge national park bosses to rename Snowdon, the nation's tallest peak, Yr Wyddfa out of 'respect for the language'

Yesterday the farmer, who said he had never belonged to a political party or Welsh language campaign group, explained his thinking as being all down to respect

'The same should apply to ''Yr Wyddfa'' - never to use the name ''Snowdon'' for it again.'

Councillor John Pughe Roberts, 58, who represents Corris and Mawddwy as an independent on Gwynedd county council, is set to bring the motion forward

Yesterday the farmer, who said he had never belonged to a political party or Welsh language campaign group, explained his thinking as being all down to respect.

He said: 'Members of the authority complain about people coming here and changing house names to English ones.

'I say we should lead by example. I'm proud of being a Welshman and it's my first language so I say we should respect it.

'If you go to France or Italy or any other country they respect their language and we should do the same.'

However history may not be on the side of the councillor. Some years ago the authority decided to refer to its second highest mountain, Cader Idris, as Cadair Idris.

But it then reverted to the original name after complains from locals and historians.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine's borders does not mean that the Ukrainian army should not be ready for their return.

"We are in Kherson region today. We see our positions, check the readiness in terms of equipment, our soldiers, our brigades. It is very important, both on the front line and in the reserve, to see the state of our military, the state of our army - technical and psychological. This is important in order to understand: the fact that the troops are withdrawing [Russian] does not mean that the army should not be ready for the fact that there may be a return of troops to the borders of our country at any moment," Zelensky was quoted as saying by his press service.

The President of Ukraine on Tuesday, April 27, visited the forward positions of the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the administrative border with the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

During the visit, Zelensky handed over night vision devices and thermal imagers to two military units.

Captain Ruslan Maryshev briefed the head of state with the operational situation and the system of fortifications.

At the front line, Zelensky examined the dugout and trenches and talked to the servicemen. The President inquired about the level of ensuring the conditions for the stay of fighters in positions.

Also, the head of state visited the base camp of the Ukrainian military near the village of Chaplynka, where he got acquainted with the conditions for the placement of personnel. In the modular campus, he examined the sleeping, sanitary modules and field gym.

In the sanitary unit, the president talked with the doctors on duty, asked about the provision of medical equipment and medicines, and also inquired about the epidemic state and the progress of vaccination among the military.
School leaders, including principals and school trustees, navigate through complex and challenging situations on a daily basis. Now add the current pandemic context to the mix and it highlights how strong leadership and decision-making abilities are vital in dealing with the uncertainty and constant adaptation that schools must face. How can these leaders be better equipped to resolve such issues?

To learn more, we spoke with Stephanie Chitpin, Professor of Educational Leadership in the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa, founder of the Equitable Leadership Network, and author of a new book on decision-making in an educational context.

Can you describe your work in the field of educational leadership? What's the importance of that concept in a school setting?

"Ken Leithwood, an Emeritus Professor at the University of Toronto, said that leadership in schools is second only to instruction in importance. Therefore, it is a vital aspect of education. Educational leadership takes many forms. Some scholars speak of educational leaders in terms of traits, styles, functions and responsibilities, to name but a few. One of the more popular ways of describing educational leaders is in terms of leadership styles such as transactional leadership, transformational leadership, distributed leadership, integrated/shared leadership, etc."

"School management is a brand of educational leadership but is more concerned with running schools than with leading schools. I am a professor of leadership. I research topics important to educators in areas of educational leadership. Those topics may include, decision-making, problem solving, organizational behaviour, critical rationalism, fallibility, achievement gaps, and other matters in a similar vein."

How important is strong leadership and decision-making during the pandemic?

"These are very challenging times for educational leaders, and they need all the information that is available to them in order to make the best possible decisions given their own context. Clearly educational decision-making is not a one-size fits all decision. The leader must take his or her context into consideration when making decisions so that the positive effects of the decisions made outweigh the negative properties that created the issue(s) in the first place. Therefore, good educational leadership depends on high quality decision-making."

You recently published a book entitled Understanding Decision-Making in Educational Contexts: A Case Study Approach. Can you tell us what is it about?

"The book is about how decisions are made in educational contexts and how these decisions can be made better through becoming critical in terms of error elimination. It is developed in terms of a case study approach. I use real cases rather than hypothetical scenarios."

Could you give us an example of a case study discussed in the book?

"For example, one case study deals with the challenges associated with school leaders having to deal with a group of Muslim students who miss classes due to prayer time. This is interesting and pertinent to leaders who have a similar situation in their schools."

Why is this book important to you?

"This book is important because it is not only about learned strategies regarding decision-making, it is also a product about my own experiential learning. The book takes novel and unusual circumstances, as well as more pedestrian issues in order to develop a panoramic view concerning educational leadership."

###
Behind me, said W.M., stands not a hall of justice but a monument of despair and anguish.

Warren Countys courthouse is where W.M. has said he was molested as a boy by then-county Sheriff Edward Bullock, the imposing man of authority who later raped him during a prisoner transport to the county youth center. A series of lawsuits claim Bullock likely had numerous young wards of the county as his victims throughout the 1980s, and that his activities were not only known by county officials but tacitly ignored and allowed to continue  even joked about among some staff.

Bullock himself can no longer be held accountable: He died in 2015 at age 86 after a mistrial on criminal charges. But the ongoing lawsuits seek to make the county responsible for what happened to those children in its care.

The county has spent eight years fighting the claims. Most documents from the cases remain under seal.

But on Tuesday, a small protest sought to make the case as visible as possible. Some 20 people demonstrated in front of the courthouse in Belvidere with the hope was that the Warren County government will see the survivors and hold itself accountable.

The coverup hasnt ended. They put petty politics above children, said W.M., the first of four plaintiffs to file suit  lehighvalleylive.com is withholding his name as a victim of sexual abuse.

Jack Jeffress, now of Los Angeles, another accuser, is OK with being identified. He has been public about his experience, attaching his full name to his lawsuit filed last year, maintaining a Facebook group and website about the case and organizing Tuesdays small rally outside the court.

Its going to take everyone to speak out, Jeffress said in front of the peaceful assembly, continuing that maybe then Warren County will finally acknowledge what has happened to countless victims.

Former Warren County Sheriff Edward Bullock pleaded guilty to official misconduct in April 1992, following a state police sting where he allegedly solicited sex from an undercover trooper he believed to be a young boy. Bullock served nine months in jail.lehighvalleylive.com file photo

Bullock served as sheriff from 1982 to 1991. In that role, he was in charge of courthouse security and prisoner transfers. He would allegedly often violate protocols and take a boy to or from the youth center himself, having picked the child out during earlier visits to the courthouse according to his type  blond, blue eyes and without a father figure in their lives, a recent filing said. Attempts by some to report his activity were allegedly brushed off.

The sheriff left office in disgrace shortly after he was elected to his fourth term. He was the subject of a state police sting in which he tried to curry sexual favors from a trooper posing as a sexually abused teenaged boy. He pleaded guilty to official misconduct in 1992 and served nine months in jail.

The lawsuits began in 2013. Most follow a similar narrative: Boys in county custody targeted by the sheriff and repeatedly abused. Sometimes another man was involved. Some said they were beaten when they tried to report what was happening.

Bullock faced new criminal charges in 2015 based on the claims of the initial lawsuit. (Jeffress participated in a protest then, too.)

During the trial, the accuser faced Bullock in a Hunterdon County courtroom, testifying of abuse by the sheriff during a transport in 1988. The trial ended in a 6-6 deadlock and was declared a mistrial. Bullock died a few months later.

Edward Bullock, in the wheelchair, leaves court in Flemington in July 2015 after a jury deadlocked on child sex assault charges. He died that November before a retrial could be held.Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com

Tuesdays rally was small and loose. Most of the morning was spent conversing in the park across from the courthouse as roughly two dozen people came and went, some sticking around for the demonstration, others wishing them well. At 11:30, they grabbed their signs and crossed the street to the court where they chanted and gave some short speeches for about an hour.

Several of those participating said they had been shocked to learn that the cases have not been resolved.

People dont know what they dont know. Unfortunately, we have to get in their face about it. Hopefully, they dont turn away when they see the truth, said Jacki Lash Idler, of Belvidere, who has lived in Warren County 28 years.

Some, like Crystal Montgomery, of Phillipsburg, saw something personal in the story of W.M. and Jeffress. Montgomery recently organized a vigil for sex-assault victims in her town.

Sexual assault has touched my home and I felt I had to do something for my kids and my community, she said.

Others said they wanted to see past wrongs made right.

Anytime theres an injustice anywhere, its still an injustice no matter how old it is, said Christopher Bauknight, of Washington Borough.

Jeffress publicized Tuesdays rally, possibly one of many, across community pages on Facebook. Ironically, the county itself may have drawn more attention to it: In a rare public statement on the case issued in March in response to Jeffresss fliers, the county called them an attempt to portray the county and its elected officials as being indifferent to the prevention of child abuse which, it continued, is categorically and unequivocally false.

Indeed, none of the current county commissioners (formerly freeholders) were on the board during Bullocks term. But Alex White, of Washington Township, said that he sees little to differentiate the responses now and then.

We cant move forward if we dont address the problems we had in the past, he said.

County officials declined to comment on Tuesdays protest: As the matter involves litigation, it would be inappropriate for the County to comment, spokesman Art Charlton said.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
Up to 130 asylum seekers are feared to have drowned after their flimsy rubber dinghy capsized in the Mediterranean off the coast of Libya on Thursday. NGO rescue ships arriving on the scene reported seeing many bodies floating in the water around the upturned craft, which had been carrying about 130 persons.

The tragedy at sea is the latest in an unceasing catalogue of drownings, which have been deliberately allowed to take place by European governments in order to deter migration to Europe.

In this Friday, Feb. 12, 2021 file photo, migrants and refugees from different African nationalities wait for assistance on an overcrowded wooden boat, as aid workers of the Spanish NGO Open Arms approach them in the Mediterranean Sea, international waters, at 122 miles off the Libyan coast. (AP Photo/Bruno Thevenin, file)

The first contact with the dinghy in distress was reported on April 21 by the volunteer organisation Alarm Phone, which alerted the European humanitarian group SOS Mediterranee to the presence of three boats floundering in rough seas off the coast of Libya.

Alarm Phone has issued a timeline that establishes the criminal role of European authorities, including the EU border protection force Frontex, in the latest drownings. After establishing contact with the dinghy, Alarm Phone repeatedly passed on its GPS position to European and Libyan authorities. The only response was the dispatch of a Frontex surveillance airplane, seven hours after the first alarm raised by Alarm Phone.

The Frontex aircraft found the boat and contacted the appropriate European authorities, which rejected any responsibility to undertake a rescue operation, and instead passed the buck to Libya, declaring that the war-torn country was the competent authority. For its part, the Libyan coastguard refused to coordinate any rescue operation, leaving the refugees to die after drifting in heavy seas. A second boat was intercepted by the Libyan coastguard, and over 103 people were returned to Libya and detained. A mother and child were found dead on board this vessel.

The United Nations Human Rights Commission recently called for an end to the practice of returning refugees to Libya, following many reports of torture and murder as well as the selling of refugees into slavery. A third boat, estimated to be carrying about 40 people remained undetected.

Referring to the victims of the capsized dinghy, Alarm Phone concluded: The people could have been rescued but all authorities knowingly left them to die at sea.

According to the International Migration Organisation (IOM), more than 16,700 people have tried to cross the Mediterranean since the start of this year. Around 750 have died, including the victims of Thursdays incident, with more than 500 drowned on the so-called Central Mediterranean sea route. This figure is almost three times greater than the total for the same period last year.

At the same time, these figures are likely to be a gross underestimate of the total number who have died at sea attempting to enter Europe. EU governments have not only withdrawn their own rescue vessels from the region, they are actively sabotaging rescue operations by volunteer organisations with boats in the Mediterranean.

In particular, the authorities in Italy and Malta have sought to prevent rescue ships carrying rescued migrants from entering their ports. When some rescue vessels docked anyway, the ships were confined to the ports pending legal action against the captain and crews. Dozens of investigations have been launched by Italian prosecutors against NGOs in past years. As a consequence, for entire months last year not a single NGO rescue vessel was reported to be at sea. This means that it is highly probable that many other victims of the EUs criminal anti-migrant policy remain uncounted.

The Missing Migrants Project estimates that the remains of 14,000 humans are unaccounted for in the Mediterranean Sea, while what is left of the corpses of at least 1,000 people remains missing in the Atlantic Ocean along the highly dangerous sea route chosen by desperate migrants attempting to cross from Africa to the Canary Islands.

COVID-19 and migration flows

The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified the crisis for migrants fleeing hunger, political repression, war and the consequences of climate change in their home countries. Last year, Italy and Malta both declared their ports to be unsafe for ships bearing migrants. Initially in 2020, as governments closed their borders in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, migration levels to Europe fell, but there are many indications that as the health and attendant economic crisis worsens in Asia and Africa more and more asylum seekers will risk their lives trying to enter Europe.

A report released at the end of March by the United Nations migration agency stated that migrant arrivals in the Canary Islands increased by 750 percent last year. Numbers were increasing before the pandemic, but COVID-19, the report states, seems to have acted as a multiplier of existing factors motivating migration on this route.

The report noted that many migrants had worked in sectors such as fishing and agriculture that have suffered greatly from the economic consequences of the pandemic.

An additional consequence of the pandemic is a major decline in the amount of money migrant workers send home. Migrant workers in European countries are most likely to have been the first to have lost their jobs and/or their lives due to the pandemic. The Migration and Development Brief published by the World Bank estimates that migrant money flows from wealthier countries to the migrants home of origin will decline by 14 percent in 2021 compared to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2019.

The increasing immiseration of families in poorer countries reliant on such money flows will only increase the pressure on younger dependents to attempt the perilous sea crossing to Europe. The staggering toll of migrant deaths in the Mediterranean and Atlantic Seas during the past two decades must be added to the rap sheet of the ruling elites in Europe, which have so recklessly sacrificed human lives in the course of the pandemic.
The House GOP made the vow if they beat Democrats in the 2022 Midterms, they will resume Trump's legacy-the US-Mexico border wall. When President Biden took office, one of the first things he did was halt the border wall construction, which has led to chaos.

House GOP says US-Mexico border wall is vital for security

Congress Republicans have drawn the line in the sands of the US Borders with Mexico and said they would go all out to win the midterms to save the border states, put up the wall, then stop Democrats from ruining US borders no more, reported Newsmax.

According to the Washington Examiner that reported on Monday, all lower House Republicans were united in recapturing Congress and rebuilt the Trump wall without interference from Democrats.

Predictably President Joe Biden wasted no time suspending the development of new sections of the border wall, one of the former President Donald Trump's most effective means to stem illegal migration, but DEMS were opposed.

In January, the open border was announced and began America's border nightmare. A report by NPR said that precisely on the second day of office on January 21, he stopped Trump's Stay in Mexico program.

The GOP appears to be preparing to make border security a primary campaign concern in the forthcoming midterm elections. The whole border crisis has revealed that Biden cannot solve the border problems like president Trump.

He avoided it in press conferences and even snubbed a question about the border in a recent visit to a private business.

Thousands of child migrants have flocked across the US border, taking refuge since Biden was elected to the presidency, and the problem has become a severe worry among voters. This is a concern why the House GOP wants to start up the US-Mexico border wall.

Democrat Senators Urge Biden to Pay Back Arizona for Expenses Incurred at US Border

According to the latest Fox News poll of 1,000 registered voters, 46 percent assume the immigration situation is much worse than under Biden compared to under Trump. In contrast, just 15 percent believe it is better, which is questionable.

In the survey, 56% of people blame Biden for every problem or is responsible for Americans' issues because the Left has influenced White House decisions. Too many illegals are straining the resources of the US, and the government is not making anything better.

The reality is that Biden has his most subpar job ratings on border protection, and immigration is motivating Republicans to highlight the situation on the southern border as a significant political issue for the elections next year. This administration does not know what to do, and it is making the president a sitting duck.

Just 34% support his appalling performance on immigration, with 52% disapproving, while the numbers for border protection are nearly identical (35 percent approve, 51 percent disapprove). It shows how badly the White House has done in 100 days, and one of the worst ever.

House Conference Committee Chairwoman Liz Cheney said at the Republican issues retreat in Orlando that every tool to get the job done for the wall is needed. Next will be restoring Trump-era policies reversed by Biden as the principal architect of the chaotic border.

Liz Cheney is vital to the House GOP in restoring work on the US-Mexico border wall, and the wall is one thing she agrees on with Trump. Everything is ready, but the president will not restart the wall.

US Border Officials Say Among All the Migrants, 861+ are Criminals

Joe Biden's Policies to Blame for Sending Children to U.S. Border

Biden Administration to Use Taxpayers' Money to Pay for Migrants' Hotel Accommodations

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
New York, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "North America Aircraft Maintenance Tooling Market Forecast to 2027 - COVID-19 Impact and Regional Analysis By Tool Type ; Users" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06064997/?utm_source=GNW

Several operators in this industry are robustly focusing on the development, manufacturing, overhaul, and rebuilding of airplanes, helicopters, aircraft engines as well as several other components and subsystems for the commercial sector. Increase in air travel in developing economies, rise in production of commercial aircraft, and infrastructure developments are driving the demand for commercial aircraft components. The biggest giants in the aerospace industry, such as Airbus and Boeing, are highly indulged in the production of commercial aircraft. They design, manufacture, and sell the commercial aircraft along with fleet support services, primarily to the commercial airline industry in North America. In 2019, Airbus delivered a massive number of commercial aircraft, which would boost the production of commercial aircraft in the market. Hence, emerging production rate by these top companies is expected to drive the demand for commercial aircraft across the world. Increasing integration of several equipment in the commercial aircraft, such as avionics systems and engine control and monitoring that operate at peak efficiency is demanding the deployment of maintenance tooling for enhanced operation. Thus, rising integration of advanced equipment in the aircraft demands the timely maintenance and replacement of these equipment for proper functioning of the commercial aircraft.



The speed handle segment led the North America aircraft maintenance tooling market based on tooling type in 2019.A speed handle enables technicians to spin and eradicate a screw head swiftly with one hand while the other hand is handling other repairs.



It is one of the crucial tools, particularly when repairing a high-end engine with numerous screws.One can also offer speed handles with sockets to tighten or loosen a nut or bolt.



Aircraft Spruce, a US-based company offers speed handles to fix a nut or bolt.Rising air travel in developing markets and increasing production of aircraft are expected to drive the demand for aircraft maintenance tools.



The biggest giants in the aerospace industry, such as Boeing and Airbus, are highly indulged in producing aircraft. The demand for aircraft maintenance tools has been increasing to ensure the aircraft safety before take-off. Thus, above factors are likely to surge the demand for speed handle tools during the forecast period.



The overall North America aircraft maintenance tooling market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources.To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market.



The process also serves the purpose of obtaining overview and forecast for the North America Aircraft maintenance tooling market with respects to all the segments pertaining to the region.Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants and commentators to validate the data, as well as to gain more analytical insights into the topic.



The participants who typically take part in such a process include industry expert such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers along with external consultants such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders specializing in the North America aircraft maintenance tooling market. AeroWest Mfg Corp., Farwest Aircraft, Norbar Torque Tools Ltd., PROTO, Red Box Aviation, and Alberth Aviation and Hydro Systems KG are among the key players present in the North America aircraft maintenance tooling market.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06064997/?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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Small family ranches are suffering the most, yet have some of the best products to offer in the nation. These smaller ranches practice better control over their operations in setting strict quality standards and have strengthened their standards over multiple generations. Customers don't get 100% traceability, no artificial growth hormones and other guarantees when purchasing from big-box corporations. These are the qualities that smaller ranches pride themselves on and are virtues they've upheld and ingrained in their family legacies.

When Carl Ratner, co-founder of Rancher's Prime, met an 8th generation cattle rancher in the Midwest, he couldn't believe the techniques they had developed over time to produce the highest quality meat. "It's incredible how these ranchers have dedicated years, sometimes even centuries, to their craft and have truly become artisans in the industry." What saddened him, though, was that despite their dedication and ingenuity, many were on the brink of bankruptcy for reasons out of their control.

It's understood in the industry that ranching isn't for the faint of heart, but the agricultural crisis in America has become monstrous. The strife that our stewards of the land have endured in even the last decade is simply intolerable. With farm debt topping $416 billion in 2019, our ranchers are suffering and barely able to make ends meet, and Ratner knew he had to find a way to help. Ranches don't have the tools or the manpower to deliver their products on a national scale, especially when the majority of them are in a deficit. For many ranchers, this was the intangible dream, until Rancher's Prime was founded.

Ratner grew a coalition of some of the most elite ranchers in the nation who are employing only the best techniques to make U.S.D.A. Prime Grade meat. He's sourcing only from American ranchers with particular emphasis on those who are producing the top 5-6% of meat in the U.S. to give them the market share they deserve. While they're up at the crack of dawn tending to their cattle, Ratner has been busy building the business to give ranchers nationwide shipping capabilities and offer consumers access to the most high-end meat made in the country.

In addition, with every box sold, a portion of the proceeds goes to the Farm Rescue Foundation. As an organization who is dedicated to helping farming families recover from crisis, the Farm Rescue Foundation aligns with the mission of Rancher's Prime to give our stewards of the land a leg up. More Americans need to be aware of their struggles and to try to purchase from our American ranchers to support them and our country. Our ranchers are contributing to our GDP, providing jobs, and stimulating the economy, to name just a few benefits. Most companies outsource their products from foreign countries, and even products in the grocery store labeled "Product of the U.S.A." are falsely marketed as being raised on American soil. The repeal of the Country of Origin Labeling law makes it legal for foreign meat that is shipped and simply processed in the U.S. to be labeled as such.

By purchasing from Rancher's Prime, you're not only getting a U.S.D.A. Prime quality guarantee, but you're also supporting your neighborhood ranchers. In the last century, the number of U.S. farms has significantly declined from approximately 18.5 million to just over 2 million farms. Now more than ever, it's time for us to step up and show our support for our hardworking stewards of the land by purchasing their products and advocating for them. Rancher's Prime is doing just that by revolutionizing the agricultural industry, a key foundation of American culture.

ABOUT RANCHER'S PRIME



Rancher's Prime is a meat delivery subscription service giving you only the prime of the prime steak, beef, pork and barbecue. Their elite network of ranchers has developed the best flavor and tenderness in the nation using heritage breeds, 100% traceability, open pastures and generations of improvement. This results in consistency in their quality and flavor with every cut time after time; truly, only the best make the cut. When you buy from Rancher's Prime, you are not only supporting stewards of the land, but a portion of their purchases also goes to the Farm Rescue Foundation. They are on a mission to give back to the humble and hardworking American farmers and ranchers while also giving you the best tasting meat.

For more information on Rancher's Prime, please visit https://ranchersprime.com/ or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SOURCE Rancher's Prime, LLC

Related Links

https://ranchersprime.com/


WIENER NEUSTADT, Austria, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ProLion, a best-in-class active ransomware and data protection solution for ONTAP storage, is set to target the global market for ransomware protection as it launches its international expansion program.

The vendor - which dominates its domestic Austrian market - is now investing for growth in the USA and UK, as well as building its footprint across Europe, notably in Germany and the Benelux. The company has added a number of new hires to the business across multiple sales and marketing functions as well as launching an aggressive channel recruitment program centered on ONTAP resellers.

Robert Graf, Founder and General Manager, ProLion, stated: "The increased frequency of cyber breaches, coupled with the obvious difficulties of recovering from these attacks during a pandemic, has seen demand for our solutions increase. We have seen growth of 100% over each the past four years as a result and are now setting our sights even higher.

"Our growth plans center not just on the domestic markets of Austria and Germany, but the growth opportunity afforded by the UK and the USA. Integral to our expansion has been the hiring of a number of new sales and marketing professionals, as well as an increased focus on our Go-To-Market model, which remains channel-centric."

ProLion's core solution  CryptoSpike - is a best-in-class security and access transparency solution for the data center which eliminates system downtime and data loss risks within ONTAP environments. Today it provides data insights for 450+ customers across retail, finance, telco, healthcare and manufacturing.

Outside of its ransomware protection solutions ProLion also has a range of always-on data availability products, namely ClusterLion for MetroCluster and ClusterLion for SAP Services as well as data management and analytics products such as DataOptimiser, DataAnalyzer and RestoreManager.

Graf continued: "ProLion is a highly desirable solution for companies that want to provide a simple, secure solution to preventing ransomware threats to cloud and on-premises applications and services."

According to threat hunting and cyber-intelligence firm Group-IB the number of ransomware attacks grew by more than 150% in 2020. It's research also found that ransomware attacks not only grew in numbers but also in scale and sophistication  the average ransom demand increased by more than twofold and amounted to 120,000 ($170,000) in 2020.

"Our suite of solutions can seamlessly be built into any company's wider IT security strategy, enabling data protection for end users. As we continue to see the frequency of cyber breaches rise and the continued impact being felt by organizations both large and small there is a clear need for best-in-class ransomware protection. Our goal is to ensure that our CryptoSpike solution delivers data security right in the heart of the ONTAP Central File Services," concluded Graf.

About ProLion

ProLion GmbH is a developer of ransomware protection and data integrity software solutions for any ONTAP focused storage environment and high-availability solutions for SAP and MetroCluster environments.

Founded in Austria, ProLion's best-of-breed CryptoSpike solution eliminates system downtime and data loss risk ensures that an organizations' data remains secure, compliant, manageable and accessible.

www.prolion.com

SOURCE ProLion
KLARNA, AFTERPAY AND AFFIRM LEAD THE BNPL MARKET VIA HIGH-RISK USER ONBOARDING AND RAPID MERCHANT EXPANSION

ePOS Finance, which is composed of BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) and ePOS Credit, is set to exceed $760 billion eCommerce transaction value in 2025, according to fintech and payments research specialists Kaleido Intelligence. BNPL alone will see $258 billion in eCommerce spending during 2025, registering a 27% CAGR between 2020 and 2025. This growth is set to outpace the overall eCommerce market by a substantial margin, which will see a 10% CAGR between 2020 and 2025.

Meanwhile, the ePOS Credit market, which encompasses services such as PayPal Credit and low-or zero-interest instalment plans linked to existing rolling credit lines, is set to reach $500 billion in 2025.

According to Kaleido's new report, Buy Now Pay Later ePOS Finance Strategies Forecasts, BNPL has witnessed significant growth in recent years, with transaction value having grown by 292% between 2018 and 2020. Klarna, for example, reached $53 billion in sales in 2020, rising by 46% year-on-year, while Afterpay doubled its 2019 sales to reach $11.1 billion in 2020.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE REPORT TODAY:

Digital Buy Now Pay Later ePOS Finance: Market Outlook 2021

Leading BNPL Markets by Transaction Value, 2020 2025

Kaleido anticipates that significant traction will continue, particularly in North America, Europe and East Asia Pacific, with these regions accounting for $215 billion in BNPL transaction value by 2025.

2020 2025 1. US US 2. Germany India 3. Australia China 4. Sweden Germany 5. United Kingdom Canada

The research found that while the US is set to lead the BNPL market until 2025 at least, high growth in Asian markets such as China and India will see Western dominance eroded by BNPL players in these countries.

East Asia Pacific and South Asia are expected to record CAGRs of 42% and 74% between 2020 and 2025, respectively.

VIEW THE FULL PRESS RELEASE AND INFOGRAPHIC ON OUR WEBSITE

Incumbents Move to Heat up Competition

Banks and card networks have not stood still in the face of fintech innovation. The research found that a multitude of players, such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Citi have all developed their own or invested in ePOS Finance solutions. Kaleido saw particular innovation in Visa's and Mastercard's API model which enables pre- during- or post-sale financing options for purchases.

Steffen Sorrell, Chief of Research at Kaleido, commented: "Almost overnight, the industry has developed into an intensely competitive battle for millennial and Gen Z dollars. Strategically, the market is quite divided: BNPL upstarts are aiming to capture market- and mindshare as rapidly as possible, with lower basket sizes and a lower emphasis on risk management. Incumbents have trillions of data points to back up their risk models, but are aiming at higher value transactions while formulating an approach to tap into everyday eCommerce payments.

Regulation and Debt Risk Potential Hurdles

Kaleido found that while simple onboarding has helped rapidly grow the BNPL user base some 30% of Americans have a BNPL account this growth has not been without pitfalls. A lack of in-depth credit checking and opaque limits on spending allowances has led to a much higher default rate when compared to traditional credit cards.

The research found that increased regulatory oversight will inevitably lead to protectionary rules regarding transparency and risk statements, in addition to the potential for stricter rules governing the risk assessment process that BNPL customers undergo.

About Kaleido Intelligence

Kaleido Intelligence is a specialist fintech and payments consulting and market research firm with a proven track record delivering fintech and payments research at the highest level. Research is led by expert analysts, each with significant experience delivering fintech research and insights that matter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005089/en/

Contacts:

Contact our Press Team for interviews and research access:

Jon King

Chief Commercial Officer

fintech@kaleidointelligence.com

+44 (0) 2039839843
Some well-known lawyers in the region are backing Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, President Joe Bidens nominee for the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.

Ahead of her confirmation hearing scheduled before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, two letters signed by more than 200 lawyers  including four former U.S. attorneys for the Northern District of Illinois  were sent on her behalf to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, the panels chairman.

One letter garnered 134 signatures from the likes of former judges, criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors, including ex-U.S. Attorneys Patrick Fitzgerald, Scott Lassar, Dan Webb and Anton Valukas. The note that Jackson-Akiwumi would be the first federal defender ever seated on the court  an important point given the criticism of past presidents who tend to nominate white former prosecutors or corporate attorneys for the bench.

In the letter they write in part: If confirmed, she will be the only judge of color on the court, and first to join since Judge Ann Claire Williams retired from the court in 2017. Again, this diversity of experience is critically important to reflect on the bench. And although we do not know Ms. Jackson-Akiwumi personally, her record and career reflect the commitment to the law and range of legal experience that will serve her well on the court.

The Seventh Circuit, which hears a range of civil and criminal matters, includes Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

A Yale Law School graduate, Jackson-Akiwumi at one point was an assistant federal defender in Chicago for nearly a decade. She currently works for a Washington firm where she focuses on complex civil litigation, white-collar criminal defense and investigations, according to her White House bio. From 2007 to 2010, Jackson-Akiwumi was a litigation associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in Chicago, before moving on to the federal defenders office where she represented indigent clients.

Story continues

In a separate letter signed by 90 local attorneys, many of whom worked side by side or across the table from her in legal cases, they wrote: We are unified in our support for Candaces nomination, as we know from our experience with her that she is a talented lawyer, a dedicated public servant, and will serve the court as a champion of justice and the rule of law.

Among those who signed that letter were Andrea Zopp, former CEO of World Business Chicago and Tina Tchen, a Chicago lawyer who also was Michelle Obamas chief of staff in the White House.

In private practice she exhibited the ability to address complex legal issues, respond to fast-paced litigation, and exercised mature judgment well beyond her years of experience, they wrote. They noted, too, that her first argument before the Seventh Circuit was as part of the courts program to provide representation for indigent criminal defendants on appeal.

Throughout her career, she earned a reputation of working respectfully with co-counsel and adversaries alike, fostering the culture of collegiality and dignity.

While the hearing is Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote at a later date before moving to a confirmation vote by the full Senate.

After her nomination was announced by the White House last month, Durbin issued a statement welcoming her and the rest of Bidens slate.

Lisa Donovan is the host of The Spin, the Tribunes politics newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons.

ldonovan@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @byldonovan
Rutgers Business School's signature program for connecting students to jobs in the financial industry, Road to Wall Street, leverages the power of alumni to provide students with mentoring and internships. Now, a host of programs modeled after Road to Wall Street are expanding the ability of students to get internships and full-time jobs in fields such as technology and accounting.

Road to Wall Street works like a feeder program, linking Rutgers Business School alumni who are in senior positions in some of the nation's biggest banks to high-achieving students with aspirations of being on Wall Street. The hallmark of the program's success is alumni giving, whether it comes in the form of a donation, time spent mentoring students or the willingness to open doors to help students secure internship opportunities.

The program focuses on providing students with the skills and resources to turn opportunities into full-time job offers. Cohorts typically consist of 55 students, and the program has a job placement rate of 98 percent. To get a sense of how students are enriched, consider Zach Kronheimer who spent the summer interning with MSD Partners after Road to Wall Street introduced him to an internship opportunity at the firm. Kronheimer described the internship as "incredibly rewarding."

"Without Road to Wall Street," he said, "I would not have gotten that opportunity."

In its second year, Road to Silicon Valley is building and leveraging alumni connections in the tech industry in the same way Road to Wall Street has forged them to create paths for students in finance. By combining a tech and business curriculum, emphasizing training in soft skills like public speaking and experiential learning experiences, the program provides students with the knowledge and traits to be innovative leaders and entrepreneurs.

The program is led by founding director Mukesh Patel , a serial entrepreneur and experienced angel investor. Patel has formed an advisory board made up of impressive Rutgers alumni who are working at well-known companies such as Salesforce, Etsy, and Amazon.

For many students who study accounting as undergraduates, a CPA proves to be a valuable professional credential. The new Road to CPA program is a broad-based program intended to create a culture of CPA preparedness.

In January, Rutgers Business School-Newark invited accounting majors with a GPA of 3.0 or better to apply to participate in the first Road to CPA cohort. The 46 students chosen for the cohort will be offered annual assessment exams to ensure they are mastering technical competencies and to determine if they can benefit from tutoring or supplementary study materials. "If we do this with students in our cohort, we stand a better likelihood of having more students pass the CPA exam," said Joyce Joseph, an assistant professor of professional practice in accounting who runs the program at Rutgers Business School-Newark.

Students in the Road to CPA cohort will also be paired with industry professionals with whom they can form structured mentoring relationships that will provide them with real world insights and guidance.

Road to CPA will also provide all accounting majors  at Rutgers Business School-New Brunswick and Rutgers Business School-Newark  with mentoring opportunities, workshops, career services and CPA exam preparation resources, including the ability to take a rigorous Rutgers Capstone CPA Review Course.

Accounting instructor Sarah O'Rourke, who oversees Road to CPA at Rutgers Business School-New Brunswick, said the program's objective is to set students up to do well on the CPA exam and to thrive in their careers. Accounting majors in New Brunswick also will have access to mentors, workshops and career resources as well as the Capstone CPA Review Course.

Prospective students can find in-depth information about Rutgers Business School majors and career opportunities by visiting:

Hit the ground running at Rutgers Business School  Newark

Open House: On Demand at Rutgers Business School  New Brunswick

Two more Road to Success programs are being developed by Rutgers Business School faculty: Road to Consulting and Road to Future Entrepreneurs.

SOURCE Rutgers Business School-Newark and New Brunswick

Related Links

https://www.business.rutgers.edu


[April 27, 2021] Forsta, Reinventing the Global Insights Industry

NEW YORK, LONDON and OSLO, Norway, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The newly merged businesses of Confirmit and FocusVision, two of the world's leading Experience and Research technology companies, have announced Forsta as the new brand for the organization. Kyle Ferguson, CEO of the business, comments: "I am delighted to introduce Forsta as our new brand. Today's announcement takes us a step closer to realizing our ambition of creating a world class business that will reinvent the global insights industry. Forsta brings us to the cusp of a new frontier of customer experience, where discovery and understanding of insights will lead to stories that quickly fuel action for our customers. Together we will grow smarter and faster as we bring experience research to life." "It's easy to say you are a purpose driven organization. Thehardest part is delivering on the claim. Forsta's purpose is simple. We exist to help inform and inspire decision makers."



Both Confirmit and FocusVision will become Forsta brands and operate as usual while the organization continues its integration plans and brand strategy roll out. Visit Forsta.com for more information.

About Confirmit, a Forsta Brand

Confirmit's solutions are built by insights professionals, for insights professionals. Market Research, customer experience and employee engagement consultants around the world rely on our solutions to turn insight into stories that fuel action. The heart of our business is the people behind our technology, and we work as a partner to deliver the flexibility and power you need to understand and manage experiences, emotions, and behaviors so you're always one step ahead. About FocusVision, a Forsta Brand

Established in 1990, FocusVision offers a comprehensive suite of experience insights software solutions - including advanced survey, online interview and focus groups, and online qualitative research community solutions to get brands close enough to their customers to have a full understanding of Customer Truth -- how they think, feel, and act. Trusted by 18 of the Top-20 Fortune 100 companies, and all of the Top-10 Healthcare and CPG companies, FocusVision was honored for its Outstanding Innovation in Customer Experience Management with MarTech Breakthrough Awards in 2018 and 2019. Media Contact:

Sara Beth Fahey

Matter Communications

confirmit@matternow.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/forsta-reinventing-the-global-insights-industry-301277918.html SOURCE Confirmit

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I take exception to Dr. Edward M. Gilbreths column in the April 22 Post and Courier and the reasons for many stalled projects leading to demolition by neglect on city properties.

COVID-19 or pent-up capitalization doesnt prevent action, and it is wrong for preservation organizations and review boards to think so.

As the owner of 80 Ashley Ave., Ive seen it happen.

In the April 14 commentary from the Harleston Village Association about the same property, half of the article spoke of how mixed commercial use in Harleston Village would be beneficial to the residents, the city and the building. But the second half cited a few adjacent neighbors complaints as a reason for opposing the plan.

The association says it wants what is good for everyone but seems to appease only a small, vocal minority.

In 2002, I met and worked with this association for a year on a plan for 80 Ashley, modifying plans several times to get support for a proposed development that would have saved the building and upgraded the property. During a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, a citizen who showed up to rant and rave gained control of the proceedings and caused the project to falter, so the application was withdrawn.

In the April 13 meeting, similar dynamics played out. The board was swayed by a few loud voices.

Until we stay focused on what is best for our community, preservation and buildings over complaints by a few vocal residents, demolition by neglect will sadly continue.

JOHN B. HOWARD

CEO, Palmetto Craftsmen Inc.

Romney Street

Charleston

Pros should prune trees

Poet Joyce Kilmer wrote, I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree.

I am certain he would be heartbroken to see what has happened to many magnificent trees if he were to ride around North Charleston roads and view the recent pruning.

Let me say that I do understand why pruning is necessary, but that job should be done by professional tree trimmers under the guidance of a trained arborist.

As we approach hurricane season, there has been a lot of trimming taking place in our area. The work performed by power companies leaves a lot to be desired.

This would be a nonissue if our power lines were underground, like what is being done by Dominion Energy in the city of Charleston.

As our area is continually growing and new housing areas are being developed, power lines are buried.

I am not sure that burying power lines in older neighborhoods would be cost effective for either the power company or its customers.

I would hope that if the power company cannot afford to have trees trimmed by professionals, maybe it should at least hire professional arborists to train employees.

As Kilmer wrote, Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.

CAROL ONORATO

Bream Road

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North Charleston

Aid can have downside

I have been involved in the employment of individuals for nearly 30 years. Last year, our community and nation observed a shutdown of numerous industries. The nation recognized this and provided financial support to those in need.

As we began to return to business as usual, many employers struggled to do just that. I am looking for at least 20 candidates to fill openings. Unfortunately, my position is not unique.

Recently, I had five unemployed individuals decline offers of full-time employment and had only 17 candidates apply for jobs.

Thankfully the state Department of Employment and Workforce provides an avenue to identify those not accepting legitimate work.

I am always grateful to our countrys support of those in need, and I am certain that this latest round of financial aid is useful to many.

What is most concerning is the temporary life raft that was provided has now turned into a summer-long cruise liner with free meals and health care.

The inability to fill positions has an impact on the active employees of companies desperately seeking help.

If positions arent filled, employers cannot maintain their level of service or provide products. That in turn may ultimately impact those trying to make a living for themselves and their families.

WILLIAM LOCKARD

Huntington Drive

Charleston

Doctor extraordinary

This is in response Dr. Walter Leventhals Wednesday letter to the editor. Our family had the good fortune of being Dr. Leventhals patients for more than 30 years. We appreciated his blunt honesty, compassion and dry wit.

Fortunately, he also was an excellent diagnostician. Being able to trust a physician with your life and knowing you were always well taken care of is no small thing: It is extraordinary.

Observation, reason, human understanding, courage; these make the physician, wrote the late physician and author Martin H. Fischer.

Thank you, Dr. Leventhal. You will be missed. You have made a difference in the lives of so many.

JOYCE NIELSEN

ANDY NIELSEN

ANDREW NIELSEN

Buckingham Avenue

Summerville
Compelling entry point to considerable LEO constellation opportunity

Similar governance rights to UK Government and Bharti Global

Strong commercial potential for 'win-win' co-operation thanks to complementarity of resources and assets

Consistent with our financial objectives and dividend policy

Regulatory News:

Eutelsat Communications (Paris:ETL) has entered into an agreement with OneWeb for the subscription of a c.24% equity stake, becoming a leading shareholder of the company alongside the UK Government and Bharti Global. Eutelsat will invest $550 million in OneWeb, with closing expected in H2 2021 subject to regulatory authorisations.

With much of its global network already deployed, the OneWeb constellation, which enjoys valuable ITU-backed priority spectrum rights, will operate 648 satellites in low orbit (LEO) offering low latency. This first generation of satellites will offer significant regional coverage by the end of 2021, reaching global coverage the following year. OneWeb will be the first complete non-geostationary constellation with truly global coverage, significantly ahead of competing projects. It will deliver 1.1 Tbps of capacity addressing the government, fixed data and mobility markets. Plans include a second-generation constellation that will provide significant enhancements in terms of capacity, flexibility and economics. It anticipates annual revenues of circa $1 billion within three to five years following the full deployment of the constellation, with a partnership approach and profitable wholesale business model. Eutelsat's investment leaves OneWeb almost fully funded and the company is well advanced in terms of securing its remaining funding needs this year.

Eutelsat's investment will come with similar governance rights to the UK Government and Bharti, including board representation, where its position and expertise as one of the world's leading satellite operators will help to drive the success of the new constellation. In a context where LEO features will enable the extension of the addressable market for satellite operators well beyond their current reach, the complementarity of Eutelsat's and OneWeb's resources and assets is expected to optimize both companies' commercial potential thanks to Eutelsat's strong commercial and institutional relationships, recognized technical expertise and global geostationary fleet, and OneWeb's ability to address the multiple applications requiring low latency and ubiquity.

The investment will be 100% cash financed through Eutelsat's liquidity position of 1.9bn as at end-March 20211 and the $507m US C-Band auction proceeds, and will be accounted for under the equity method. It is consistent with Eutelsat's financial hurdle rates and does not alter its financial objectives, which are fully confirmed, including the medium-term net debt EBITDA target of c.3x and a commitment to solicited Investment Grade credit ratings. Eutelsat's policy of a stable to progressive dividend is also reiterated.

Commenting on the agreement, Rodolphe Belmer, Eutelsat's Chief Executive Officer said: "We are excited to become a shareholder and partner in OneWeb in the run up to its commercial launch and to participate in the substantial opportunity represented by the non-geostationary segment within our industry. We are confident in OneWeb's right to win thanks to its earliness to market, priority spectrum rights and evolving, scalable technology. We look forward to working alongside the UK Government, Bharti and the other shareholders to open new opportunities and market access to ensure OneWeb maximizes its potential. OneWeb will become our main growth engine outside our broadcast and broadband applications, as we continue to maximize cash-flow extraction from our highly profitable heritage business and grow our fixed broadband vertical leveraging our geostationary assets."

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: "Today's investment is another giant leap forward for OneWeb in realising its ambition to provide global broadband connectivity around the globe. Eutelsat brings over forty years of experience in the global satellite industry and this exciting new partnership puts OneWeb on a strong commercial footing, and the UK at the forefront of the latest developments in low Earth orbit technology. This comes alongside yesterday's exciting news that a further 36 satellites were launched into space and demonstrates the momentum behind OneWeb and the promising efforts to provide connectivity to some of the world's most remote places."

OneWeb Executive Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, said: "We are delighted to welcome Eutelsat into OneWeb family. As an open multi-national business, we are committed to serving the global needs of Governments, Businesses and Communities across the Globe. Together we are stronger, benefiting from the entrepreneurial energy of Bharti, extensive global outreach of UK and long-term expertise of the satellite industry at Eutelsat. OneWeb, with its innovatory approach, is poised to take a leading position in LEO broadband connectivity".

Neil Masterson, Chief Executive Officer of OneWeb added: "As OneWeb accelerates the deployment of its fleet and engages in discussions with potential customers, we welcome the powerful support of Eutelsat during the next exciting phase of our journey together, benefitting both companies equally. Eutelsat is a great partner for OneWeb thanks to our high level of complementarity in terms of technology, assets, addressable markets, geographic reach and institutional relationships".

Investor presentation

Eutelsat Communications will hold a conference call on Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 at 18.30h CET 17.30h GMT 12.30h EST

To join the call, please dial the following numbers:

33 (0)1 76 77 25 07 (from France)

44 (0)330 336 9424 (from Europe)

++1 720 543 0206 (from USA)

Access code: 7026990#

A live webcast will be available at: https://globalmeet.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1457661&tp_key=e289286098.

A replay will be available from 27 April, 22:30 CET to 4 May, 22:30 CET by dialing the following numbers:

+33 (0) 1 70 48 00 94 (from France)

+44 (0) 207 660 0134 (from Europe)

+1 719 457 0820 (from USA)

Access code: 7026990#

About Eutelsat Communications

Founded in 1977, Eutelsat Communications is one of the world's leading satellite operators. With a global fleet of satellites and associated ground infrastructure, Eutelsat enables clients across Video, Data, Government, Fixed and Mobile Broadband markets to communicate effectively to their customers, irrespective of their location. Over 6,600 television channels operated by leading media groups are broadcast by Eutelsat to one billion viewers equipped for DTH reception or connected to terrestrial networks. Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat assembles 1,000 men and women from 46 countries who are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of service.

For more about Eutelsat go to www.eutelsat.com

About OneWeb

OneWeb is a global communications network powered from space, headquartered in London, enabling 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. Find out more at http://www.oneweb.world

1 1.4 billion when restated for the upcoming 500 million bond maturity

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005823/en/

Contacts:

Media

Joanna Darlington

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 31 07

jdarlington@eutelsat.com

Marie Sophie Ecuer

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 32 45

mecuer@eutelsat.com

Jessica Whyte

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 46 21

jwhyte@eutelsat.com

Investors

Joanna Darlington

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 31 07

jdarlington@eutelsat.com

Cedric Pugni

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 31 54

cpugni@eutelsat.com

Alexandre Illouz

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 46 81

aillouz@eutelsat.com

OneWeb Media Enquiries

Group

Chris McLaughlin

M: 447870 374795

cmclaughlin@oneweb.net

USA, Latin America, Canada

Katie Dowd

M: +1 202 415 4030

kdowd@oneweb.net
A Houston police officer shot a 19-year-old man who fired shots at him early Tuesday during a foot chase at a Sharpstown shopping center, police said.

A patrol officer spotted a driver shortly after 4 a.m. speeding away from a car wash with no headlights and attempted a traffic stop, Chief Troy Finner said. The driver fled and a short pursuit ended with a foot chase through a strip mall on the 5700 block of Bonhomme Road.
Guwahati/Shillong, April 27 : Bhutan will supply 40 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen to Assam daily for Covid patients, an official release said on Tuesday.

A release from the Indian mission in Bhutan said that Bhutan would supply liquid oxygen to India from a new plant being set up at the Motanga Industrial Estate, Samdrup Jongkhar district by S.D. Cryogenics Gases Pvt. Ltd, a Bhutanese company.

"Every day, 40 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen produced by the oxygen plant would be exported to Assam using cryogenic tankers. The oxygen plant has domestic investment of 51 per cent by S.D. Cryogenics and FDI component of 49 per cent by Meghalaya Oxygen Pvt Ltd, an Assam-based Indian company.

"The provision of oxygen by Bhutan would augment India's efforts to win the fight against Covid-19 and save precious lives, the release said adding that this is a practical manifestation of the uniquely close and friendly ties between India and Bhutan.

Meanwhile, Assam's Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pijush Hazarika accompanied by Rajya Sabha Member Biswajit Daimary on Sunday visited the under construction oxygen plant at Bhutan. "Once it is completed, Assam would get 50 MT oxygen per day which would be highly beneficial to combat Covid," Hazarika said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Assam Health and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state government has installed eight oxygen plants in five medical colleges and hospitals including Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, producing 5.23 metric tonnes of oxygen per day. Sarma told the media on Tuesday that five more oxygen units are in the process of being installed and two more units would become operational in the next three-four days.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Tuesday said Channels Television has apologised for breaching the countrys broadcasting code.

NBCs Director of Public Affairs, Franca Aiyetan, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ms Aiyetan said the commissions letter to the TV station was a regulatory instrument to check the excesses of the station called the bridge letter and was not to suspend it.

She said that the intent of the letter was neither to close down nor sanction the station, rather it was meant to draw the stations attention to its breach of the broadcasting code, adding that the station has accordingly apologised.

According to her, the letter is asking Channels TV to explain why it gave credence to an organisation that was already proscribed by the Federal Government.

It was actually not for public consumption, it was not a press release. It was a regulatory instrument to check the excesses of the station.

It is a station that won an award but we say in this particular situation, you did not handle it professionally.

It is possible to bridge the public peace and that was what the letter conveyed to Channels TV, to which the TV station has responded, saying we apologise, we did wrong.

When the media started asking me about Channels TV, I had to go and find out what letter we had issued out because if it is a press release or something that is for public consumption it will come to the Public Affairs Department of NBC.

And I will be able to communicate to the media about it but this letter that went to Channels TV is our way of regulating the broadcasting industry.

It is called a bridge letter to the station to say in this particular programme you did not act professionally; you did not do it in line with the provision of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

The director further explained that the particular programme in reference was an interview of somebody who was representing an organisation (Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB) that was already proscribed by the Federal Government.

She said, in the exercise of its power as the regulatory body, NBC wrote a letter asking Channels TV to explain why it gave credence to the spokesman of the proscribed organisation.

The spokesman made lots of allusion that were not true, that are inciting and inimical to the peace of the society that could cause unrest.

The NBC now said because of that this bridge (breach) attracts a shutdown or a fine of N5 million, but the pay line was that they were advised to discontinue the programme.

Because when a station interviews live, they keep repeating it for maybe 24 hours before that kind of news will be dropped.

And when I followed up on Monday April 26, I discovered that the monitoring department that had written the letter had also received an apology letter from the Channels TV to say okay, we have received your letter and see where we went wrong, we are sorry.

So it is now left for NBC to say this station has responded or reacted this way. The letter was neither meant to shut down the station nor sanction it. Rather, it is drawing their attention to what they have done.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mr Aiyetan said the station was also free to write NBC back to say we stand on what we have done because in our own professional analysis of what we have done we think we are right.

Maybe NBC misinterpreted our intention. And when we have a situation like that, we invite the station to sit down on the dialogue table and understand where they are coming from.

And then we will also explain to say this is what you intend to do but for those receiving the signals, this is what it connotes, this is what the gravity of what you have done to the country.

(NAN)
The experiment, called SEED for Oklahoma Kids or SEED OK, is one of a growing number of efforts by cities and states  governed by Democrats and Republicans alike  to help a new generation climb the educational ladder and build assets. This study and others arent finished, but at a time when the gap between the richest sliver of Americans and everyone else is growing, the results have been encouraging.

Research about the Oklahoma project published this month by the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis, which created SEED OK, found that families that had been given accounts were more college-focused and contributed more of their own money than those that hadnt been. And the effects are strongest among low-income families.

The approach breaks with most social policy programs created over the last half-century, which focus on income supplements. Child savings accounts, by contrast, concentrate on accumulating assets over the long term.

Michael Sherraden, the founder of the center at Washington University, said the idea was to give everyone a stake  an investment  in the future. Benefits of the program extend not just to bank accounts but also to behavior. Households with the seed money  especially poorer ones with parents who did not attend college  have greater expectations about higher education, are more optimistic, have lower rates of depression and save more.

College savings accounts known as 529 plans, which restrict withdrawals and grow tax-free, are used by only a tiny share of American households, mostly in the upper reaches of the income ladder.
Who Was King Saul?

1 Samuel 9 introduces Saul, at this point still living and working in his fathers household. Saul was the son of Kish, a Benjamite from, as Saul says, the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and the least of those clans (1 Samuel 9:21). Physically, he was as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and a head taller than anyone else (1 Samuel 9:2).

Unknown to him, the Israelites had been asking God to give them a human king, like the other nations around them. When the prophet Samuel prayed about this to the Lord, the answer came quickly.

Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights (1 Samuel 8:9).

Samuel spoke the warning to the people about how a king would take their sons to be warriors, and their daughters to be workers in the royal household. A king would also use their choicest crops and livestock himself, and make them his slaves. Still, the Israelites demanded to have a king. God relented, and chose Saul.

On a search for missing donkeys, Saul encountered the prophet, who had been sent to meet him. They ate together, and the next day Samuel told him he was to be king and anointed him with oil. Samuel instructed Saul to leave that town and to join up with a group of prophets in Gibeah for a time of worship. There, Saul was touched by Gods Spirit and prophesied with them. He then returned home to wait for him.

Seven days later, Samuel gathered the nation at Mizbah. He announced that according to their demands, God would be giving them a king. He singled out the tribe of Benjamin, then the clan of Kish, then Saul individually as the chosen king.

Saul had tried to hide among some nearby supplies. But God revealed him, and the young man was presented to the assembly. Saul quickly became a leader, rescuing men at Jabesh Gilead, and called the people to worship the Lord for their success. He was then confirmed as king in his home of Gilgal. (1 Samuel 11).

The reign of King Saul lasted 42 years. Much of that time Israel was at war, with countries including Philistia, Moab, Edom and Amalek. Saul and his son Jonathan waged many successful campaigns with a volunteer army against each of them.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Yurii Kifor
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker left a White House meeting earlier this month with a promise from President Joe Biden to make permanent two poverty-fighting tax credits included in the original $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus law.

Booker joined other congressional Democrats Tuesday in pushing Biden to fulfill his commitment.

Our levels of child poverty are a moral obscenity, Booker said on a Zoom press conference. This is a transformative change. Tragically, we have not yet made it permanent. We must seize this moment.

This will be one of the most significant things any Congress has done in the history of the United States.

The stimulus bill included a temporary increase in the child tax credit for most families with children and earned income tax credit for lower-income Americans without kids. Those provisions benefitted 1.6 million children and 354,000 workers without children in New Jersey, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a progressive research group.

At an April 15 meeting with members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Booker, the president said the stimulus bill reduced child poverty, and we reduced poverty in Black communities significantly, just by that act alone, and said an overall objective is to make those changes permanent.

But according to reports, Biden may call for extending the tax credits only to 2025 when he announces a trillion-dollar plan Wednesday night to address child care, education and other social programs. He is to outline his proposal when he addresses a joint session of Congress for the first time as president.

Democratic lawmakers at the press conference said they would write the permanent tax credit into the bill even if Biden doesnt call for it.

He has said that he wants to make it permanent, said House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn. She said she would like Congress and the president to move in concert with one another.

Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, pre-empted Biden Tuesday by introducing his own bill to make the tax credits permanent, as well as provide universal paid family and medical leave, increase child care funds to states, and offer a refundable tax credit for providers to raise the salaries of child care workers.

For our economy to fully recover from this pandemic, we must finally acknowledge that workers have families, and caregiving responsibilities are real, Neal said.

From D.C. to Trenton to your town, the N.J. Politics newsletter brings the news right to your inbox. Sign up with your email here:





While Democrats currently control both the White House and Congress, that might not be the case in 2025. Thats also the same year that many of the provisions in President Donald Trumps $1.9 trillion tax cut expire, including the $10,000 cap on deducting state and local taxes, and the anti-poverty tax credits could become a negotiating chip.

I dont mind having negotiations over bridges and tunnels and corporate tax cuts, Booker said. Why are we willing to have children and their wellbeing be part of a negotiation in a few years?

They should not be up for negotiation. The children should come first.

Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., noted that the assault weapons ban that Biden helped pass in 1994 also was temporary and was never renewed after it expired 10 years later.

An expiration date would likely condemn the expanded child tax credit to the same fate, he said.

The legislation Biden plans to propose Wednesday is the third in a triumvirate designed to combat the coronavirus pandemic and its subsequent economic downturn.

The other bills were the original stimulus law and his $2 trillion infrastructure proposal. Both of them have proven popular with the American public despite Republican opposition.

In a Monmouth University Poll released April 14, 63% of Americans supported the stimulus law, with 34% in opposition. And in a Monmouth University Poll released Monday, the infrastructure plan was favored by 68% to 29%.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him at @JDSalant.

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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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Zenz said the paper would struggle to get a pass mark as an undergraduate assignment as it contained significant factual errors and appeared to be written by someone with no Chinese-language skills, leading to basic misinterpretations. Loading Professor Golley has publicly endorsed a sub-par paper that constitutes a thinly-veiled attempt to discredit my work through a misleading and unprofessional discussion of my methodology, he said. I am surprised that Golley fails to realise that this will reflect very poorly on her academic reputation. Worse, her endorsement effectively makes light of the full extent of the suffering of the Uighurs, which is clearly unethical, he said. The authors lines of reasoning are often largely identical with counterpropaganda on Xinjiang published by Chinese state media.

Professor Golley dug in but conceded she had made a mistake in saying the document debunked Zenzs research. I wish Id said challenged instead of debunked, she said in a 30-minute interview. She said she had received the paper via a former Australian ambassador to China, who she declined to name, and said she had consulted two other colleagues before going public. They all thought it was scholarly, it was well written and there were lots of footnotes nearly all in English, she said of the report. So thats where I used my academic judgment, Ive spent my whole life peer-reviewing articles. I read it and thought that there were many points that make sense to me.

Im not saying I understand Xinjiang perfectly, but if I read an article that makes sense to me why arent I allowed to raise that? Loading She said she raised the report to counter the prevailing media narrative in Australia surrounding Chinese relations. I know more about Xinjiang than Pompeo, I dont want to sound cocky but I know more than what 99 per cent of Australians know about Xinjiang. There are all sorts of fuzzy lines between what constitutes forced and what constitutes choice - what if 30 per cent of Uighurs are choosing to work?

Professor Golley said she still did not know the authors of the paper but defended their right to submit the paper to her anonymously via proxies, saying they would be persecuted if exposed. When the names come out there will be some Chinese names in the list and people will immediately assume that theyve been subjected to Beijings orders when it might be the case that thats just how they see the world, and then theyll be persecuted - theyre going to be labelled spies. Australias intelligence agencies have warned that China is operating foreign interference campaigns trying to quell criticism of Beijing on Australian campuses, via academics and the Chinese student population, prompting a government inquiry into the issue. Last year ANU was the victim of a massive data hack, with China considered the culprit. But Golley said she had seen little evidence of any foreign interference at the ANU. Theres some evidence of it, we dont know how widespread it is, she said. This is another example of needing to be very clear-eyed about the facts.

She said she had never been paid a single cent by the Chinese Communist Party but that had failed to stem an avalanche of hate mail close to death threats telling her to f--- off, you communist spy, and calling her a shill for China. I feel so misjudged, if people knew me, I just want the best for the Uighurs, she said. Loading She said her motivation for presenting the paper was a concern that academic freedom is being stifled in Australia, but she was also concerned that exaggerating Chinas human rights abuses could backfire if it emerged they were overstated. She also urged Australia to consider its own genocidal past against Indigenous Australians, saying while it did not justify abuses in Xinjiang it was not completely irrelevant either.
MARCY, N.Y.  A sergeant at Mid-State Correctional Facility had to be treated with Narcan after handling a letter saturated with heroin and fentanyl that was sent to an inmate.

According to the correctional officers union, on April 21, staff members were sorting mail around 10 a.m., when noticing a letter containing three pages soaked in a liquid suspected to be some kind of drug.

The sergeant who was exposed to the liquid began to feel light-headed, and the medical staff administered Narcan right at the facility. The sergeant was alert after receiving the dose, but was sent to the hospital for further treatment.

The Hazmat team from the Utica Fire Department was called to the prison to decontaminate the mail room, and test pages of the letter. The test came back positive for heroin and fentanyl.

The letter, which was sent to the facility from the Bronx, was seized as evidence by New York State Police.

"These were two deadly drugs the sergeant was exposed to and we need to start holding those individuals attempting to send in the drugs through mail accountable and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law," said Bryan Hluska, regional vice president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Assocation.

NYSCOPBA is continuing to push for a secure vendor program that would help prevent drugs coming into prisons through mail and packages sent to inmates.
An emotional Susanna Reid fought back tears today as she interviewed the heartbroken parents of a 20-year-old hero who died trying to save a woman from the Thames.

The Good Morning Britain host was visibly upset as she spoke to loved ones of Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, known as Jimi, who dived into the river to rescue the woman on Saturday night.

The woman and another man who had also jumped into the water were rescued by the Coastguard but Jimi's body was found six hours later.

A campaign has been launched to recognise Jimi's bravery with the George Cross - Britain's highest gallantry award available to civilians.

Jimi's father Michael Adewola today paid tribute to his son and joined those calling for him to be honoured for his heroism, telling GMB: 'Jimi was a good soul.'

Mr Adewola also thanked everyone who has supported a GoFundMe page set up to help the family - which has so far raised more than 100,000.

The family of Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole (left and, right, with his mother and father) who died trying to save a woman from the Thames have urged the Government to honour his memory

Jimi's parents Michael and Olasunkanmi broke down in tears as they paid tribute to their son

Mr Adewola described his son as 'the breadwinner of the house' who was 'always taking care of me and my wife and his friends'.

Mr Olubunmi-Adewole's mother, Olasunkanmi Adewole, said her son 'had a good heart'.

It comes as a campaign was launched to recognise Jimi's heroics with a posthumous George Cross - an award that recognises the bravery of someone who puts themselves in danger to try and save someone's life.

Appearing alongside his parents on GMB this morning, Jimi's best friend Bernard Kosia recalled the moment he knew Jimi was 'adamant' he had to help.

TV presenter Susanna Reid fought back tears as Bernard Kosia paid tribute to his friend Jimi

Bernard was with Jimi when he says he became adamant he had to try and save woman's life

The friends were on their way home from working at a restaurant at about midnight when they were alerted by two men on London Bridge that a woman had fallen in.

The pair went on either side of the bridge to see if they could see the woman in the water but when they were unable to see her, Jimi became determined to rescue her himself.

He told the ITV programme: 'Jimi was adamant, for some reason, that he didn't care (about himself). He didn't think twice as to what was going to happen.

George Cross: Britain's highest civilian honour The George Cross for gallantry The George Cross is the highest civilian award bestowed by the government. It is awarded 'for acts of the greatest heroism or for most conspicuous courage in circumstance of extreme danger'. Posthumous awards have been permitted since it was created in 1940 and are usually presented to the next of kin by the monarch at Buckingham Palace. Since its inception, the GC has been awarded 408 times - 394 to men, 12 to women. The GC can be awarded to military personnel for actions which are not in the face of the enemy. The last civilian to be awarded the George Cross was Major Dominic Troulan - a retired Special Forces veteran who saved more than 200 people during a terrorist attack in Kenya. Other examples of civilian recipients include teacher John Clements who lost his life rescuing children from a hotel fire during a school trip to Italy in 1976. Advertisement

'I just remember him saying 'Bernard, I have to save her, I'm going to save her'.'

He said: 'Jimi means a lot to everyone. Especially around south London now, everyone knows him as a neighbourhood hero.

'To risk your life in such a way, you don't see that every day.

'And the fact that he was adamant to save that woman, it just shows his nature and his mindset.'

Recalling their last conversations before the incident, Mr Kosia said his friend had spoken about his family and told him he loved him.

He said: 'They (our conversations) were just always about family, loved ones, what we have to do for them to make sure that they're OK.'

He added: 'We started joking around and I just remember Jimi looking at me like 'Bernard, you know I love you, right?'

'And I was like 'Bro, I know you do, man'.'

Describing being alerted to the incident at London Bridge, he said they were approached by two men who showed them a video of a woman 'jumping over the bridge'.

He said they called 999 and heard a woman shouting 'I'm dying, I'm dying' but could not see anything because it was 'pitch black'.

The friends were joined by a third man who asked Jimi if he could swim and Jimi said he could while Bernard said he could not.

Jimi and the third man then both jumped into the water and asked Bernard to wait for the police.

Bernard added: 'I couldn't see Jimi anywhere but I could hear him shouting my name.

'But the shout wasn't normal - he was in pain.'

Susanna Reid, who grew emotional during the segment, told viewers about the campaign to award Jimi with a posthumous George Cross and added: 'Jimi was a hero. He deserves to be honoured in that way.'

As a heartbreaking video of Jimi aired, Susanna stopped speaking as her voice cracked, saying: 'That was Jimi with all his life force.'

'That's how you want us to remember him,' she added.

At the beginning of Tuesday's show, Susanna urged viewers to sign a petition for Jimi to receive the George Cross medal.

The campaign was launched by writer and campaigner Rob McGibbon, 55, who was deeply moved by the tragic story, especially when he read that Jimi's devastated father, Michael, 63, wanted his son's heroism officially acknowledged by the Government.

Following a tweet from McGibbon, countless others have followed with nominations, and widespread support suddenly took off on Twitter alongside the hashtag #JimiTheHero.

It instantly won the backing of Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid and LBC's Iain Dale.

Co-host Adil Ray had to step in as Susanna struggled to continue the emotional interview

McGibbon said: 'I was horrified when I heard about Jimi. His bravery was truly extraordinary and it is only right that he should be awarded the ultimate civilian honour.

'He was kind and thoughtful and was someone who was always ready to help others. It is awful to think that he paid the ultimate price for his selflessness.

'My heart goes out to Jimi's family. I know that a medal is just a token, and that it will not bring Jimi back, but it may go some way to easing their pain to know that his bravery has been formally acknowledged with the highest honour.

'I hope that as many people as possible will weigh in and nominate him - so the Government has to act.'

Tributes are continuing to pour in for Jimi who has been described by family and friends as 'much-loved' and a 'true hero' and praised by authorities for his actions.

City of London Police confirmed on Monday that formal identification of Mr Olubunmi-Adewole's body has taken place.

Vivek Singh, chief executive and executive chef of The Cinnamon Club, where Mr Olubunmi-Adewole worked, joined those in paying tribute, saying he was 'diligent, kind and passionate'.

'We are absolutely devastated and are trying to come to terms with the tragic death of Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole,' he said.

Tributes poured in on social media from friends and strangers after Jimi's identity was revealed

'Jimi, as he was known to everyone at The Cinnamon Club, was a much-loved member of the front of house team and we are all reeling from this incredibly tragic news.

'He worked with The Cinnamon Club for over the year and was a diligent, kind and passionate young man, a real team player.

'What he did was a tremendous and selfless act of bravery, to save the life of a complete stranger.

'He will be remembered as a true hero.'

City of London Police previously said two men had entered the water after witnessing a woman fall from the bridge.

The Coastguard and the Metropolitan Police's marine unit rescued the woman and one man, but could not locate the other.

Pictured: A police boat on the River Thames with London Bridge in the background during the search for Jimi who jumped into the River Thames to save a woman who had fallen in

A body was found at 6am on Saturday morning, police said, which has now been formally identified as that of Mr Olubunmi-Adewole.

A City of London Police spokesperson said: 'The body of the young man who heroically jumped into the Thames on Saturday morning to save the life of a woman has today been formally identified as Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole.

'A second man and a woman, who were rescued by the Coastguard, were taken to St Thomas' Hospital and have since been discharged.'

Detective Chief Superintendent Oliver Shaw, from City of London Police, described Jimi as a 'brave, kind and selfless young man'.

He said: 'The circumstances of this incident are extremely tragic. We continue to support the family of this heroic young man who heartbreakingly lost his own life trying to save that of another.'

Mr Olubunmi-Adewole's family earlier described him as 'the deepest and most wonderful man' and said that he deserved a 'medal' for his bravery.

His father Michael Adewola, 63, told The Sun newspaper: '(Jimi) is a very unique and angelic soul, and I am proud of him, so proud.

'I want the world to know he is the deepest and most wonderful man.

'He is a hero, and always will be, I can't bring him back but I want him to be remembered forever for what he did, it was just like him to want to always try and help others.'

A GoFundMe fundraiser to support Mr Olubunmi-Adewole's family has passed 70,000, almost three times the 25,000 target, with more than 4,000 people donating towards the funeral costs and support for the family.

Commenting on reports of Mr Olubunmi-Adewole's death, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he 'was the best of us'.

Mr Khan added: 'A true hero of our city who gave his life trying to save another.'

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: 'A truly selfless act of heroism from a brave young man who gave his life trying to save the life of another.

'My thoughts are with Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole's family and loved ones at this heartbreaking time.'
SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fintech startup SafeButler surveyed and interviewed insurance agents around the country to gather insight into how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their businesses. The sentiments of these agents had a common theme: their love for people being at the heart of what they do.

The coronavirus impacted small businesses everywhere, including insurance agencies. The survey found that over 58% of agents reported a drop in revenue; many of these agents also applied for the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for financial support. But it wasn't just agents struggling  everyone was. 75% of agents saw customers cancelling their policies.

According to Statista, U.S. unemployment rates peaked in April 2020 at 14.7%, exceeding the worst levels of job loss seen during the Great Recession. But the numbers represent something deeper: the human experiences behind them. When choosing between adequate coverage and putting food on the table, there isn't much wiggle room.

"I felt much empathy and sympathy," said Rob Mokry, a Farmers Insurance agent in Santa Rosa, CA, when asked how it felt to see customers cut down or get rid of their policies. "As an agent and a business owner, I always want to take care of them the best I can."

Although many insurance companies issued refunds to provide relief, agents had to find a way to retain their customers. Mokry, who has been in the industry for 10 years, set his slogan as "An agency that treats you like family." During the pandemic, he called his older clients who had been isolated to keep them company. He even helped some of them get COVID-19 vaccines.

Alongside the challenges of the pandemic, the rise of machine learning and artificial intelligence in insurtech presents new obstacles to brick-and-mortar agencies. 33% of agents surveyed reported shifting to digital marketing during the pandemic. But can genuine human care be coded?

"When people were going through a hard time, I called the carriers asking, 'Can we get an extension? Can you waive a late fee...to give them more flexibility,'" said Ronald Zambetti, owner of Zambetti Insurance in Independence, Ohio. After a series of storms caused damages in his area, Zambetti called all of his customers in the affected regions to check on them.

Despite the hardships brought on by COVID-19, both Zambetti and Mokry reported building stronger relationships with their customers over the past year. What Zambetti, Mokry and SafeButler have in common is people at the heart of the work. The best business practices in insurance aren't rooted in sales tactics  it's about helping people protect what they care about.

About SafeButler

SafeButler is on a mission to help consumers effortlessly shop for insurance. It offers free and instant renters and life insurance comparison services, as well as connections for auto and homeowner insurance. For more information, visit www.safebutler.com

Media Contact

Tran Nguyen

CONTACT: [email protected]

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SafeButler surveyed and interviewed insurance agents

SafeButler surveyed and interviewed insurance agents

SOURCE SafeButler Inc.
The jewelry designer Elie Top, for example, remembered getting a call from Mr. Elbaz, who was sitting with the architect and interior designer India Mahdavi, who happened to be wearing a big costume necklace by Mr. Top that she had borrowed for some special events. Mr. Elbaz thought it looked so wonderful that he should buy it for her as a gift.

Another time Ikram Goldman, the Chicago retailer who had championed Mr. Elbazs work, was in Marrakesh with her husband and 5-year-old twin sons, and ran into Mr. Elbaz in the lobby of their hotel. For the next week, every morning, he brought her breakfast bouquets of mint and basil from the market. When the mother of Lisa Airan, a doctor and one of Mr. Elbazs clients, died unexpectedly earlier this year, he planted trees in Israel in her honor.

He deliberately didnt name his new brand after himself, which would been the easy, logical thing to do. (He was pretty well known by then, after all.) He called it AZ Factory, not because he was worried about losing his name if it didnt work out with his backer, but because he wanted to make it clear that he didnt think it was about him. Then, before its debut in January, he drew by hand about 170 notes for each member of his staff and the news media to thank them and let them know it was coming.

He would often say that though fashion people had a reputation of being cold or being scary, they were actually some of the nicest people he knew. But that may have been because Mr. Elbaz himself was so unguarded about his own insecurities and emotions that he made those around him nicer. As he made his clothes.

Nice being one of those qualities not generally so valued in fashion.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Psyched Wellness Ltd. (CSE: PSYC) (OTCQB: PSYCF) (FSE: 5U9) (the "Company" or "Psyched") a life sciences company focused on the production and distribution of artisanal functional and psychedelic mushrooms, is pleased to announce that the company and its Clinical Research Organization partner, KGK Science, has commenced the next preclinical trial study with AME-1.

This new study is a 14-day oral toxicity study of AME-1. It will provide the level of dose(s) that will be selected and administered for a subsequent long term 90-day oral toxicity study. The importance of this study is to determine dose-dependent effects along with determining the highest dose that is safe to use for a longer-term study. This is another key milestone in the further understanding of the effects of Psyched Wellness' AME-1 extract under a scientific methodology in pursuit of a safe dose for human consumption.

"This represents another milestone event in the scientific study of AME-1. The results of this study will further increase the knowledge and further identify the physical and chemical properties of AME-1" Says Brian Tancowny, scientific advisor for Psyched Wellness.

"The pre-clinical trial we are currently conducting is part of a number of smaller studies that need to happen in a specific order and, when completed, will combine to provide the foundation off of which our future products will be developed," says Jeff Stevens, CEO of the Company. "As we embark on a new study or complete a study, we add significant value to the Company as we are pioneering a path to market for AME-1 derived health and wellness products."

For further information, please contact:

Jeffrey Stevens

Chief Executive Officer

Psyched Wellness Ltd.

Tel: 647-400-8494

Email: jstevens@psyched-wellness.com

Website: http://www.psyched-wellness.com

For media relations, please contact:

Anne Graf

KCSA Strategic Communications

agraf@kcsa.com

786-390-2644

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About Psyched Wellness Ltd.:

Psyched Wellness Ltd. is a Canadian-based health supplements company dedicated to the distribution of mushroom-derived products and associated consumer packaged goods. The Company's objective is to create premium mushroom-derived products that have the potential to become a leading North American brand in the emerging functional food category. The Company is in the process of developing a line of Amanita muscaria-derived water-based extracts, teas and capsules designed to help with three health objectives: promote stress relief, relaxation and assist with restful sleeping.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information and Statements

This press release contains 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. 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 Psyched Wellness Ltd. current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by Psyched at the date of the information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, (i) the accuracy of the Toxicology Assessment, (ii) the safety of Amanita Muscaria consumption and the safety and purity of any extracts thereof, and (iii) the uses and potential benefits of Amanita Muscaria. Given these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and Psyched 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. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Psyched Wellness Ltd. management's discussion and analysis for the six months ended May 31, 2020 and covering the subsequent period up to July 27, 2020 ("MD&A"), dated July 27, 2020, which is available on Psyched Wellness Ltd. profile at www.sedar.com.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state, province, territory or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state, province, territory or jurisdiction.

This news release includes data that has been obtained from third party sources, including the findings from the Toxicology Assessment. The Company believes that the data is accurate and that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, but there is no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of this data. Third party sources generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but there is no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of included information. Although the data is believed to be reliable, the Company has not independently verified any of the data from third party sources referred to in this news release or ascertained the underlying assumptions relied upon by such sources.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81795
A quarter of a century ago, on April 28-29, 1996, a lone gunman murdered 35 Australians at the historic site of Port Arthur in Tasmania. At the time, Australia's population was 18 million, so as a share of the population, the death toll was the equivalent of a shooting spree in the United States today costing more than 600 lives.
Having been working for Shinhan Card (Korea), the parent company of Shinhan Vietnam Finance Company (Shinhan Finance), for more than 26 years, Oh Taejoon has a wealth of experience in risk management, business operation management, and financial product development.

Prior to his appointment as general director of Shinhan Finance, he was the deputy CEO of the company from February 2020, along with the role as member of the Member Council from November 2020.

Oh Taejoon has made great contributions to Shinhan Finances notable achievements in the financial sector with constantly improving business results. He is personally participating in the companys entire transformation journey, helping promote digitalisation across the board, from customer service to office and human resources management, to improve operational efficiency.

Oh Taejoon, new general director of Shinhan Finance

I am honoured to take on the responsibility of leading Shinhan Finance to new heights in its transformation and development. Vietnam is a critical market for our global business with great opportunities to expand our offerings, leveraging strategic and technical support in digitalization by Shinhan Card, said Oh Taejoon. Our top priority will be on diversifying compassionate finance solutions and benefits to our customers, partners, and the communities, capitalising on our credible corporate reputation of nearly 15 years and international brand heritage.

He added, I highly appreciate my Vietnam team for their strong capability and potential which is one of the key factors for Shinhan Finance to strive for a sustainable growth, meeting the various demands for financial services, promoting financial inclusion, and supporting local people to fully and conveniently access quality financial services.

I also appreciate the companionship of customers and their confidence in us for years. It has been a motivation for Shinhan Finance to make greater efforts for sustainable development.

Shinhan Finance, a member of Shinhan Card  Koreas leading credit card issuer  has been operating officially under the Shinhan Finance brand since July 2019. With Shinhan Cards know-how in financial products and nearly 15 years of experience in Vietnams consumer lending market, Shinhan Finance aims to carve out a spot among best customer-oriented finance companies in Vietnam.

With a widespread nationwide business network, the company has the capacity to serve customers with flexible financial solutions, enabling customers to fulfil their dreams and enhance their living standards. The company was honoured as the Best Sustainability Development Company Vietnam 2020 by the UKs Global Banking & Finance Review.

*The Best Sustainability Development Company Vietnam 2020 by Global Banking & Finance Review - United Kingdom, shinhanfinance.com.vn
PENETRON ADMIX treated concrete was used for the below-grade basement structures: the foundation slabs, retaining walls, and ground floor slab of the new building. No further maintenance or treatment is required due to the continuous self-healing abilities of PENETRON ADMIX-treated concrete.

The popular Mercado Municipal in Temuco, Chile was ceremoniously reopened in May 2021  after a 2016 fire had seriously damaged the original structure. PENETRON ADMIX was specified to ensure a durable  and waterproof  below-grade structure for the massive building.

Located 670 km (416 miles) south of Santiago, Temuco is a city of over 282,000 and the capital of the Cautin Province in southern Chile. Temuco is home to a military air base, an international airport, a cathedral, and a university. Accessible by the Pan-American Highway and the main north-south railroad, it is the gateway to Chiles renowned lake district, the Conguillio National Park, and the Volcan Llaima ski resort.

Temucos Mercado Municipal (Central Market) occupies an entire city block, an area of 14,000 m2. The indoor market is full of stalls selling Mapuche (local indigenous culture) wood crafts, handmade clothing, jewelry, musical instruments and more. There are also restaurants, fresh meat and fish stalls and general shops in the complex. A fire in May 2016 partially destroyed the original building, necessitating the recently completed reconstruction.

Major Urban Renewal Project

Located in the center of Temuco, the reconstruction of the Mercado Municipal represents a keystone development project for the city, adds Domingo Lema, Managing Director of Penetron Chile.

The $23 million reconstruction project was commissioned by the Municipality of Temuco. With the high groundwater levels encountered at the construction site, the engineers at Andes Construction, the project contractor, consulted with Penetron Chile about an optimal concrete waterproofing solution.

Concrete Bicentenary, the ready-mix concrete supplier, added PENETRON ADMIX to the concrete mix. The treated concrete was used for the below-grade basement structures: the foundation slabs, retaining walls, and ground floor slab of the new building. PENEBAR SW-45 swellable waterstop strips were also specified to seal 120 m (400-feet) of construction joints.

No Future Maintenance Required

Easily mixed in during batching, PENETRON ADMIX becomes an integral part of the concrete matrix and performs consistently during the life of the concrete. No further maintenance or treatment is required due to the continuous self-healing abilities of PENETRON ADMIX-treated concrete.

Penetron won the project because we offered a cost-effective concrete waterproofing solution, says Domingo Lema. Penetrons crystalline technology not only makes concrete impermeable, it also provides a self-healing capability for cracks that lasts for the service life of the concrete.

The PENETRON Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global network, offering support to the design and construction community through its regional offices, representatives and distribution channels.

For more information on PENETRON crystalline technology solutions, please visit http://www.penetron.com, email: CRDept@penetron.com or contact our Corporate Relations Department at 631-941-9700.
Floridians who want to amend the state Constitution through a citizen initiative and bypass an unresponsive state Legislature will now have their ability to finance the effort severely limited if a bill sent to the governor by the Florida House on Monday becomes law.

If signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, SB 1890 would impose a $3,000 cap on contributions to any political committee sponsoring or opposing a constitutional amendment proposed by initiative, limiting the ability of proponents to finance the expensive signature-gathering operation needed to bring a proposed amendment before voters.

The $3,000 cap is the same limit set on contributions to individual legislative campaigns. Except legislators have given themselves a loophole: They allow themselves to accept unlimited amounts of campaign cash as long as it is given to their political committees. Under the bill, only after an idea obtains enough signatures to get onto the ballot does the cap disappear and affiliated political committees can collect unlimited contributions to help pass the idea.

Stop millionaires

The goal of the bill is to stop millionaires and billionaires from out of state from financing signature efforts in Florida, said Rep. Bobby Payne, the Palatka Republican who sponsored the House version of the bill.

Payne did not deny that the bill attempts to erect barriers to citizen initiatives but said that many of the constitutional amendments proposed by citizens would be better handled by statute, which can more easily adjust to circumstances, knowledge improvement, demographic changes, policy preferences.

Its our duty to make sure that only the best ideas from people from our state from Florida, are part of our guiding document, Payne told House colleagues Monday. I ask for your favorable support to help Floridians and not the wealthy from outside of our state that influence our citizens initiative process, and therefore our Constitution.

The House approved the measure 75-40 along party lines. The Senate last week also approved the bill, 23-17, along party lines with one Republican, Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg, opposed.

Story continues

But the organizers of some of the most recent and successful ballot initiatives warn that the measure is undoubtedly unconstitutional, violating the First Amendment protections spelled out in the controversial Citizens United ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that said corporate contributions are protected speech.

Muzzling the people

Citizens United deemed money like free speech, said John Morgan, the Orlando attorney who spent more than $6 million to get a 2020 ballot initiative to raise Floridas minimum wage to $15 an hour and also bankrolled a 2016 amendment that legalized medical marijuana.

If I was advising the governor politically, I would tell him this could be an issue used against him in an election: muzzling the people and the purest form of democracy, he told the Herald/Times. One thing we have seen this year is that democracy is under attack from all over. We will miss it when its gone.

If the proposal had been law in 2018 when voters approved Amendment 3 to require statewide voter approval of gambling expansion, the proponents of the effort would have challenged it in court, said John Sowinski, president of No Casinos.

It would have cost us money for lawyers, but not much time because it so blatantly violates the federal Constitution that a federal judge would have issued an injunction and ultimately would have struck the law, consistent with a mountain of case law including Citizens United, Sowinski said.

Glenn Burhans, who helped bring the unsuccessful All Voters Vote proposal to the 2020 ballot, which voters narrowly rejected, also warned of the impact of having the bill become law.

The citizen initiative is a core expression of the peoples sovereignty, and has been the means for Floridians to effect popular change where the Legislature refuses to act, he said. This bill likely kills the citizen initiative in Florida by imposing contribution limits that the politicians refuse to apply to their own political committees. To say that this bill will have a chilling effect on free speech is an understatement.

Bypassing legislators

Florida legislators have struggled with citizen initiatives for the last two decades, ever since backers of an amendment to prohibit the crating of pregnant pigs got the ban carved into the state Constitution.

Since then, several constitutional amendments have been approved by voters, including a ban on workplace smoking, a limit on class sizes in public schools, a requirement that every 4-year-old in Florida have access to pre-kindergarten classes, the legalization of medical marijuana, restoring felons voting rights, directing more money to land and water conservation, requiring statewide voter approval of gambling expansion and, most recently, raising Floridas minimum wage.

Backers of those amendments poured millions of dollars into the efforts, many of them saying they were needed because Floridas Republican-controlled Legislature wouldnt budge on legislation sought by moderate and left-leaning advocates.

Secretive groups at work

But the citizen initiative process has also been gamed by private entities, including secretive groups whose donors are shielded by the states opaque financial contribution laws.

In 2019, a secretive organization that called itself Keep Our Constitution Clean spent more than $800,000 on paid petition gatherers over four months and worked to get an amendment on the November 2020 ballot that would require any future amendment to be passed twice by voters before becoming law.

But activists involved in other petition drives said the group had all the markings of being linked to the utility industry, which was opposing a proposed amendment also attempting to get enough signatures to be placed on the ballot that would deregulate the states monopoly utilities.

In 2016, the utilities backed an amendment they claimed would have protected the right to solar and they spent more than $22 million gathering signatures and employed hardball tactics that effectively price out the independent solar-industry amendment. They succeeded in pricing out the rival amendment, but lost their initiative at the ballot box.

In 2020, the amendment to deregulate the monopoly utilities didnt make to the ballot, but the Keep Our Constitution Clean proposal did, and voters rejected it.

The proliferation of citizen initiatives, coupled with the states campaign finance laws that make it impossible to track the big money influence on campaigns, has long had many constitution watchers wary.

When the high court approved the language in the pregnant pigs amendment, then-Supreme Court Justice Barbara J. Pariente wrote in a concurring opinion: I cannot help but observe that the issue of whether pregnant pigs should be singled out for special protection is simply not a subject appropriate for inclusion in our state Constitution.

Legislators opposed to the measure said that if legislative leaders were determined to fix those abuses, they would have imposed more transparency on third-party and secretive groups but instead chose to erect barriers to citizens.

I do think that theres a problem with money in politics, said Rep. Anna Eskamani, an Orlando Democrat, during debate on the bill on Monday. I do think we can do a better job in fighting for transparency among political committees. But this bill doesnt do that.

This is an attempt to limit core political speech, said Rep. Joe Geller, an Aventura Democrat. I dont want to have to say it again. I told you so. This is another unconstitutional measure, it will be struck down after great expense. How about we save the peoples money and our time, just this once?

If signed by DeSantis, SB 1890 must overcome legal rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court, which has struck down caps on contributions to committees supporting or opposing an issue on the ballot. And Article 1 of the Florida Constitution says that all political power resides in the people, not the governor or Legislature.

Mary Ellen Klas can be reached at meklas@miamiherald.com and @MaryEllenKlas
The Colorado Rockies are a dumpster fire.

Theres just no other way to say it.

Two months after trading third baseman Nolan Arenado, the franchises best player, Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich decided Monday hes had enough.

That means owner Dick Monfort needs to find an interim general manager who will be responsible for deciding the future of shortstop Trevor Story, a two-time All-Star whos scheduled to become a free agent after the 2021 season.

USA Todays Bob Nightengale reports The question is not whether the Rockies will keep him; its where they will trade him at the July 30 trade deadline.

Introducing Yankees Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers

After watching San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (14 years, $330 million) and New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (10 years, $341 million) land massive, long-term contracts, there seems to be no chance the Rockies will even attempt to re-sign Story.

That means Story, Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager and Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa will head into free agency after the 2021 World Series in search of their own nine-figure payouts.

Of course, the New York Yankees already have a pair of $300-million deals on the payroll (Gerrit Cole, Giancarlo Stanton). But after watching Gleyber Torres continue to struggle at shortstop, one has to wonder how long general manager Brian Cashman will be able to play the waiting game before deciding to kick the tires on Story, Seager and/or Correa.

Get Yankees text messages: Cut through the clutter of social media and text during games with beat writers and columnists. Plus, exclusive news and analysis every day. Sign up now.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
Republican lawmakers are struggling to define him. The conservative base is more agitated about cancel culture. And even former President Donald Trump is turning his attention elsewhere.

Right now, nobody inside the GOP knows quite what to do with President Joe Biden.

In the nearly 100 days since Biden took office, Republicans have not yet mounted a sustained, vigorous opposition to the new White House, slowed by a president who has avoided being villainized thanks  at least in part  to a low-key style that stands in stark contrast with his immediate predecessor.

It was a problem that plagued the GOP during the last presidential election, and party leaders say theyre still grappling with it as Biden marches onward with an aggressive agenda in the months ahead.

Hes very difficult to pin down one negative thing on him, said Robert Blizzard, a Republican pollster. That is an ongoing challenge for Republicans.

The struggle has many GOP operatives already predicting the party will begin to shift their lines of attack to other prominent Democrats who are more polarizing, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, ahead of the 2022 midterm elections  though many of them remain confident that Bidens approval will eventually erode as his presidency wears on.

As theyve struggled to consistently label Biden, influential Republicans have often directed their attention to other matters.

Trump sought to attach derogatory nicknames to some of his opponents during his presidential campaigns, but has avoided directing much of his ire at Biden alone since leaving office.

For instance, Trump has mentioned Biden in less than 20 percent of the written statements hes issued since the inauguration, according to a review of emails sent from his political action committee and personal office. Since Friday, Trump has issued six statements about a GOP-led election recount in Arizona, while mentioning the Biden administration in just one statement.

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When Republicans have focused on Biden, the attempts have failed to gain traction. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz attempted to attach a boring but radical moniker to the president last month, a tacit admission that Bidens style does little to enrage the conservative base.

Cruzs fellow Texas Republican, Sen. John Cornyn, went a step further, linking to an article describing Bidens relatively low-key approach in communicating with the public and using it to question whether the president was even in charge of his own administration.

Bidens unassuming public presence and understated demeanor create a challenge for Republicans, top party operatives acknowledged, in a political system that of late has put bombastic personalities at the center of attention.

Hes bland, said Steven Law, CEO of the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC with close ties to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. Perhaps hes strategically bland, or just is. Theres not a lot that sticks out about him.

A SENSE OF RELIEF

Biden promised during last years campaign to be less of a headline-grabbing presence in the White House than Trump had been.

Its an approach paying off so far in the early days of his presidency. Sarah Longwell, a former GOP operative and founder of the anti-Trump Republican Accountability Project, said her studies of voters who supported Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020 show they are the most optimistic group in the history of focus groups Ive done.

She said that has been due to the perceived chaos of the Trump administration coming to a close and a sense that the coronavirus pandemic situation is finally improving.

Now theres a sense of relief, Longwell said. Imagine theres a car alarm thats been going off for a long time and suddenly its quiet.

Even the conservative base, staunch in its dislike of Biden, hasnt organized in opposition to him the way the so-called Tea Party did at the start of former President Barack Obamas administration in 2009. Trump elicited a similar grassroots backlash from liberals after taking office, known as the resistance, that fueled opposition to his legislative agenda and Republican candidates broadly.

No such movement has yet to take shape against Biden.

One Republican operative, who declined to comment on the record, pointed to a continued fixation on false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, or a conservative media more focused on generating outrage about the removal of several Dr. Seuss books from circulation. Most of all, however, the party is more focused on its internal fights than mounting a united front against the Democrats.

David McIntosh, president of the conservative group Club for Growth, said while many of the cultural debates that have galvanized conservatives recently havent been directly focused on Biden, that could change if he continues to pursue progressive policies.

Whether it becomes personal to him is harder to say, McIntosh said. The elements of what people are angry about is Biden choosing to side with a far-left agenda.

SHIFTING FOCUS

Even as Biden has proven to be an elusive target for the GOP, his approval rating through the first three months of his presidency is still relatively modest by historical standards. FiveThirtyEights national polling average shows 54% of Americans approve of his job performance, while 41% disapprove.

That puts Biden ahead of where Trump was at this point in his tenure. But he lags behind every other president dating back to Harry Truman in terms of net approval rating, according to a University of Virginia Center for Politics analysis. Still, Republicans acknowledge earning approval from a majority of Americans is an accomplishment in a hyper-partisan environment.

GOP operatives are also beginning to question whether they will need to put Biden the center of their messaging to be successful heading into next years midterm elections.

Instead, they may shift focus back to Democrats in Congress who typically stir up more negative reactions within the GOP base and some moderate voters. Republicans have frequently used Democratic leaders such as Schumer and Pelosi and outspoken progressives such as Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as campaign villains in the past, with mixed success.

But Republicans argue that line of attack could be effective in an environment where Democrats are in full control of Washington, and the GOP only needs to pick up a handful of seats to win majorities in the House and Senate next year.

The better line of attack is that no matter what you think of Joe Biden, the Democratic agenda is being set by Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats far-left wing, Law said. And the worst you can say about Biden is hes 100 percent on board with that.

Law also warned his party about criticizing Biden, as some Republicans have, in personal terms, saying attacks over his mental acuity risk offending moderate voters otherwise skeptical of the president.

Some Republicans are also betting Bidens popularity will naturally dip over time as he exits the honeymoon phase of his presidency and the pandemic fades as a concern. Voters will likely soon turn their attention to other aspects of Bidens agenda, such as taxes and immigration, where Republicans see more of an opening to criticize the president.

Some people may find him somewhat likable, but at the end of the day I think his policies will end up defining him, said Tony Fabrizio, who was the lead pollster for Trumps 2020 campaign.
NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new national survey released today by the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program), a division of BRANY (Biomedical Research Alliance of New York), reveals progress towards a return to in-person learning and research, against a backdrop of persisting concerns including access to vaccines and new COVID-19 variants. The survey of more than 7,000 respondents included university students and faculty, as well as nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals and was fielded between March 11-21, 2021. As leaders in clinical research, both academic and healthcare respondents are optimistic that some pre-pandemic practices will return, once organizations address transition planning.

"CITI Program is a trusted partner for academic medical centers across the country. As institutions prepare for an unprecedented 'back to school' this fall, our hope is that CITI Program's real-world insights will help academic and medical institutions stay in step with the right training and options to address this shifting and evolving landscape," said Paddy Mullen, Chief Executive Officer at BRANY. "What the data is telling us is that a return to 'normal' means something different depending on the setting."

Higher Education: More Cautious to Return In-Person

The survey responses come at a time when academic organizations are preparing for a new normal, following more than a year of virtual/hybrid learning. In fact, more than a dozen universities are now mandating student vaccinations for a return to campus this fall, yet re-opening decisions remain unpredictable. For example, approximately 1,800 schools changed their policy at least once between March and September 2020.



Despite new perception polling showing vaccine unwillingness among college-aged adults, CITI Program's survey data shows students and faculty in higher ed are actually aligned when it comes to needs and concerns around going back to school. Parallels between the two groups include:

The majority of students (72.2%) and faculty (70%) report improved vaccine availability would raise confidence in the ability of their organization to return to pre-pandemic normalcy

More than half of students (51.4%) and faculty (52.2%) see emergence of new coronavirus variants as a roadblock to achieving normalcy at their organization

Both students (59.9%) and faculty (59.6%) think some new ways of working and learning during the pandemic will stay, but many will return to pre-pandemic practices

Healthcare: The Pandemic's Impact on Required Training & Clinical Research

While many aspects of healthcare continued throughout the pandemic thanks to increased use of telehealth and adapted protocols, the healthcare community experienced an unprecedented 70% drop in clinical trials in April 2020. This highlights the importance of in-person research capabilities to ensure proper enrollment and trial methods. Physicians and nurses polled were equally optimistic on the ability for their profession to return to normal by the end of this year:

Half of physicians (52%) and nurses (48.3%) are very or extremely confident in their organization's ability to return to normalcy by the end of 2021

Doctors and nurses both report they expect an increase in support for biomedical research and telemedicine by 2022

"In an accelerated shift to digital learning, it is more important than ever to ensure that clinicians and future healthcare professionals driving cutting-edge and life-saving research are being equipped with the resources they need," Bharat Krishna, Managing Director, CITI Program. "Through our on-demand trainings and education platform, CITI Program is able to provide a sense of stability and confidence across universities and medical centers looking to unify their teams as they navigate new protocols and post-pandemic environments."

Diverging Opinions Across Sectors

The survey reveals differences between healthcare and education spaces as it relates to shifting their working environment and addressing needs for re-opening.

Vaccine Concerns : Students (62.6%) and faculty (60.2%) are more likely to cite availability of vaccines as a roadblock; physicians (46.5%) and nurses/nurse practitioners (50.8%) are more likely to cite willingness of persons to get vaccinated

: Students (62.6%) and faculty (60.2%) are more likely to cite availability of vaccines as a roadblock; physicians (46.5%) and nurses/nurse practitioners (50.8%) are more likely to cite willingness of persons to get vaccinated

Research Priorities: More students (59.36%) and faculty (49.28%) expect resources to increase for biomedical research in the next year compared to physicians (33.51%)

More students (59.36%) and faculty (49.28%) expect resources to increase for biomedical research in the next year compared to physicians (33.51%)

Student Confidence in Organizations: Students (19.56%) were the least likely to rank their organization's preparedness in the past 12 months as excellent compared to a quarter of academic faculty (24.52%), 31.47% of physicians and 30.86% of nurses

About the Survey

At the one-year anniversary mark of the pandemic, CITI Program surveyed a sample of their learners regarding their experiences over the past year, and the impact of COVID-19 on their organizations. A total of 7,688 CITI Program learners responded to the CITI Program COVID-19 Survey regarding their experiences during the period. Conducted from March 11 to 21, the anonymous survey recruited participants from a random sample of 70,100 persons (out of over 1.5 million learners) who completed a CITI Program course in the last 12 months and indicated a willingness to be contacted for such efforts.

About CITI Program

CITI Program (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative) is the trusted standard in research, ethics, and regulatory compliance training. Founded in 2000 by the University of Miami, CITI Program now provides training to more than 2,400 organizations worldwide. The majority of U.S. higher education research institutions, U.S. medical schools, hospitals, as well as digital health and global healthcare organizations subscribe to CITI Program's courses and content. CITI Program is dedicated to serving the training needs of colleges and universities, healthcare institutions, technology and research organizations, and governmental agencies, as they foster integrity and professional advancement of their learners.

About BRANY

BRANY is a national organization providing a continuum of research support services to hospitals, academic medical centers, investigators, CROs, biotech, device and digital health companies. BRANY's services, which are designed to improve research efficiency and quality, include IRB review, clinical trial budgeting and contracting, research billing and collections, Medicare coverage analysis, and technology solutions including Protocol Builder and SMART CTMS.

BRANY's family of companies includes the CITI Program and the HRP Consulting Group (HRP), a consulting firm focused on human research protections and providing a broad array of consulting services to support organizations with their research ethics and compliance efforts.

BRANY was founded in 1998 by four nationally-ranked academic medical centers: NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Northwell Health.

SOURCE CITI Program
Macquarie Telecom Group has appointed the former head of the Australian Defence Force Information Warfare division, Maj Gen Marcus Thompson AM PhD, as part of its newly-established federal government advisory board.

Dr Thompson joins Macquarie Telecom (ASX:MAQ) following a 34-year career in the Australian Defence Force, during which he was Defences inaugural Head of the Information Warfare Division (IWD), which coincided with Defence recognising cyber as a battlefield domain for the first time.

Macqauarie Telecom says that under Dr Thompsons leadership the IWD defended Australias military assets and information from foreign cyber-attacks, and Defence cyber capabilities grew into a world class counter offensive cyber force.

Dr Thompson says the decision to join Macquarie was fuelled by a desire to champion three causes close to his heart - prioritising Australias national cyber security defence; moving Australias digital supply chain onshore to protect sovereign information; and building sovereign cyber capability to better support cyber defences, stimulating national economic growth in the process.

Macquarie shares my view that cyber security needs to transform from a fleeting thought in the national psyche to an issue that is front and centre with the private sector, government and the population at large. In my previous role Ive seen firsthand just how important cyber security is to every aspect of our society, Dr Thompson said.

The governments Cyber Security Strategy 2020 was a step in the right direction. It has put greater maturity into conversations about cyber security. Australia needs board members and executive teams to develop their expertise in cyber security further, and to cement cyber as a central business operational risk  one thats mission critical to corporate planning.

The appointment of Dr Thompson comes just weeks after then Home Affairs Minister and newly appointed Defence Minister Peter Dutton highlighted how cyber-attacks against Australian businesses are on the rise.

In March the Australian Federal Police also labelled 2021 the year of the cyber-criminal, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) shared its prediction that espionage by nation-state hackers will surpass terrorism as the biggest threat to Australian security by 2025.

Maquarie Telecom says evidence of regional tensions seeping into the online world has formed the basis of Dr Thompsons rallying cry, that all levels of our digital supply chain can and should be resident in Australia.

The fact remains that most of the time we dont know where our data is stored or who can access it. Much less the laws to which the companies storing and accessing it are subject, Dr Thompson said.

The risk this poses to our cybersecurity and data protection are very real. It necessitates the use of digital supply chain providers that are majority Australian owned and operated and subject to sovereign controls.

Beyond the threat posed by nation-state hackers, Dr Thompson said Australia should prioritise local technology, cloud and cybersecurity providers to cultivate local industry, create jobs and capability that will drive economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, uplifting our national cyber security posture in the process.

The government is doing this with defence industry through major procurement of land and naval platforms. It should do the same in cyber where we are already served by local industry capability that is world-class, he said.

Macquarie Telecom Group CEO David Tudehope welcomed the appointment, saying: Marcus embodies what we value most  maximising Australias sovereign skills and capabilities, and keeping Australian data stored and protected onshore.

Collectively, we need to amplify the voices of experts like Marcus who have dedicated their careers to protecting Australias people and our way of life.

Dr Thompsons appointment follows the launch of Macquarie Telecom Groups IC5 government-certified data centre in Canberra.
[April 27, 2021] "Alexa, Start My Meeting," DTEN Devices Go Hands-free With Alexa For Business And Zoom Rooms

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DTEN today introduces the integration of voice-activated Alexa for Business features with its award-winning Zoom Rooms appliances. Through intuitive voice commands, DTEN customers may instantly schedule meetings, manage device controls and access informational resources via Alexa  all completely hands-free. The addition of Alexa for Business is part of DTEN's timely initiative to facilitate safe return to the office, as well as the company's goal to always make video conferencing easy and intuitive. "Alexa for Business is a smart addition to DTEN's all-in-one devices, widely recognized for our seamless, plug and play video conferencing experiences," says Peter Yaskowitz, the company's Chief Marketing Officer. "The ability to schedule and manage meetings through Alexa promotes safety, offers a natural experience and simplifies meeting management." With Alexa for Business, DTEN customers can instantly connect to meetings through voice commands. By linking Alexa for Business to the organization's calendar system, users can ask "Alexa is this room free?," "Alexa, extend the meeting for half an hour," or "Alexa, find a room." Keeping employees on time is also essential, so Alexa even reminds employees when there are only 5 minutes left in a meeting. "As employees begin to return to work safely, Alexa for Business offers hands-free meetig management for Zoom Rooms on DTEN devices," continues Yaskowitz. "Alexa also improves productivity with voice-activated commands, allowing team members to focus on the meeting rather than the technology."



Alexa for Business can be activated within the Zoom Admin Management panel in minutes. No additional hardware is needed with DTEN all-in-one devices. Jeff Smith, Head of Zoom Rooms at Zoom provides context, "Activating Alexa for Business into Zoom Rooms appliances from DTEN is simple but impactful. Using voice commands in Zoom Rooms reduces meeting friction, promoting collaboration and enhancing the video-first experience."

Two popular DTEN Zoom Rooms appliances, DTEN ON and DTEN ME, support Alexa for Business. Currently Alexa voice-controls are available for DTEN devices in the US only. "Alexa for Business is a prime example of the DTEN initiative to make return to work safer and simpler," concludes Yaskowitz. "Our customers also have access to a portfolio of solutions including personal mobile device controls, virtual receptionist, kiosk mode, digital signage and more." More information is found at www.DTEN.com . About DTEN

DTEN is changing the way teams connect and collaborate through immersive video-first communications hardware and subscription services. Founded in 2015, DTEN has become a recognized international leader for innovation and accessibility in video conferencing, with solutions known for their "plug and play" simplicity, one tap connectivity and affordable pricing. DTEN is headquartered in San Jose, California and is found online at www.DTEN.com and www.linkedin.com/company/dten-global . For additional information, please contact pr@dten.com . View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alexa-start-my-meeting-dten-devices-go-hands-free-with-alexa-for-business-and-zoom-rooms-301277259.html SOURCE DTEN

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Drake & Scull International (DSI), a market leader in electromechanical, integrated design, engineering, and construction, for water, power and oil and gas sectors, said it has won big contracts in Tunisia, India and Palestine.

The company is also bidding for several projects, valued at over AED1.75 billion ($476 million) in Iraq and Kuwait, which will add to its financial fundamentals and operational excellence.

Strengthening its business in the wastewater purification and pipeline extension sector, DSIs growth is fuelled by the robust performance of its subsidiary, Passavant Energy & Environment.

DSI Chairman Engineer Shafiq Abdelhamid said: "Our new contracts and the successful completion of several projects underline our competencies to deliver world-class engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works for complex projects in the power, water and oil and gas sectors."

"Drawing on our years of experience and led by expert professionals, we continue to build our footprint - not just in the region but also in key international markets. This will drive the growth of our company in the coming months, as we successfully navigate the impact of the pandemic and focus on creating value for our stakeholders," noted Abdelhamid.

During the past few months, DSI was able to sign several new contracts, including wastewater purification projects and oil and gas pipeline extension projects.

These include a wastewater treatment plant in south Meliane in Tunisia. The contract, worth AED178 million, was signed with a French company. In another key win, DSI clinched a AED34 million contract to build a wastewater treatment plant in India.

Delivering on its projects, DSI said it had completed a AED76 million wastewater treatment plant in West Bank, Palestine, with the scope of work including engineering, procurement, construction, operation and maintenance, as well as overseeing the training and qualifying employees for a year post-completion.

In March 2021, the company also completed the Tubas/Al Tayaseer station in the West Bank worth AED88 million.

Building on its track-record of quality and timely delivery, despite the challenges of the pandemic, DSI is bidding for an AED260 million project in Kuwait and for projects valued at AED1.49 billion in Iraq.

Abdelhamid pointed out that the focus of DSI was to deliver its projects as per schedule and to achieve high levels of operational efficiency and productivity.

"With an accelerated pace of project wins and completion, we look to expand our operations in the UAE as well as build its presence further in core markets such as Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Palestine, India, Kuwait, Iraq, and Germany," he added.
Photo: pixabay

A woman in a polyamorous triad with two other people has won her legal bid to become a third full parent.

The BC Supreme Court decision, handed down April 23, but released on Monday, describes three adults, Olivia, Eliza and Bill  whose names were anonymized by the court  living together in a committed polyamorous relationship since 2017.

When, a year later, Eliza and Bill conceived a child, it was agreed that Olivia would be involved in the childs life as a full parent.

In naming themselves a triad, the three adults described themselves as having an equal relationship with one another and the child.

Olivia went as far as inducing lactation so she would also be able to feed Clarke when he was born, wrote Madam Justice Sandra Wilkinson, referring to the anonymized child. In fact, Olivia was the first parent to feed Clarke after he was born.

All three were open with their families about their polyamorous relationship and went on several vacations together as a family unit after the boy was born on Vancouver Island over two years ago.

That openness, however, didnt always transfer into the workplace out of fear of reprisal and discrimination, wrote the justice.

ATTORNEY GENERAL WARNS CASE WOULD OPEN 'THE FLOODGATES'

In opposing naming Olivia as Clarkes legal parent, B.C.s Attorney General submitted that the difference between being a parent and being a guardian is nominal, and that a parentage declaration would not give Olivia many more, if any more, substantive rights, summarized the ruling.

The judge disagreed, noting there are clear and tangible differences between being a parent and being a guardian and that the symbolic recognition of a parent-child relationship should not be minimized.

Naming the woman a full parent would provide the family with security, peace of mind and validation of the role Olivia plays in Clarkes life, she wrote in her ruling.

Moreover, who gets to become a parent impacts a childs lineage, rights around inheritance and citizenship. Naming Olivia Clarkes second mother would ensure financial obligations to the boy, give him access to her extended health plan at work, and give Olivia access to parental leave, according to the court decision.

Lawyers for the Attorney General warned that if Olivia were to be made a full parent, it would open up the floodgates for future parentage declarations.

But the judge said its uncommon for an individual to come to court wanting a parentage declaration and parents more often come to court trying to skirt their responsibilities, instead of secure them.

In her ruling, the judge directed the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency to amend the boys birth registration so that Olivia is named as Clarkes legal parent, alongside Bill and Eliza.

Ultimately, Wilkinson wrote, her decision stemmed from the courts legal requirement to consider the best interests of the child.

LEGAL GAP FOR POLYAMOROUS PARENTS

There is a gap in B.C.s Family Law Act, wrote the judge in her ruling; specifically, current legislation fails to spell out parentage rights when a child is conceived through sexual intercourse and has more than two parents.

Put bluntly, the legislature did not contemplate polyamorous families, Wilkinson wrote, chalking up the omission to either legislative misstep or perhaps a reflection of changing social conditions and attitudes.

In the end, she found that the court has broad discretion to fill gaps that have arisen from changing social conditions.

The judge did not consider the parents alleged charter violation, noting that for such a challenge to be successful, it would require calling expert witnesses and bringing a broader set of research and critical questions before the court.
With the Johnson & Johnson vaccine back, regaining confidence in the coronavirus vaccine is something health officials are working to do.

One local pharmacy that offers the Johnson & Johnson vaccine says they believed they'd see much more people hesitant to get the vaccine than they actually are.

Monday was the second day Chase Pharmacy had administered the Johnson & Johnson vaccine since the pause was lifted, and they say they were prepared to answer any and all questions people may have about the vaccine. Instead, their phones have been busy with other questions.

"Calls all day long about people wanting to come get it," Haley Jordan, a pharmacist at Chase Pharmacy, said.

Jordan said they began to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to patients on Saturday but only gave out five. On Monday, they've been able to give out triple that amount.

"We were very concerned that people would not have the confidence in it after this pause, but as of today, it seems like people are still going to come out and get it, so that's very encouraging to us," she said.

Jordan said they still want to people to not hesitate to call them with any questions or concerns they may have, but from what they've seen, they don't believe the pause has impacted people's confidence in the vaccine by much.

"Overall, I would say that most people still feel really confident in getting the vaccine. There are a few that are just more comfortable now doing something else, but there's just not a whole lot that are on the fence about it," she said.

Jordan says out of the people they've given the vaccine to, they've only had people report back to them mild or few symptoms.
Fidelity Asian Values PLC

Half-Yearly Results for the six months ended 31 January 2021

Financial Highlights:

The Company's NAV rose by +22.5% over the six-month period.

The Company's share price increased by +27.7% compared with a +20.0% return of the Comparative Index.

Contacts

For further information please contact:

Anna-Marie Davis

Company Secretary

01737 834798

FIL Investments International

PORTFOLIO MANAGER'S HALF-YEARLY REVIEW

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Over the six month period ended 31 January 2021, the net asset value ("NAV") of Fidelity Asian Values PLC rose by 22.5% and the share price by 27.7%, compared with a 20.0% return of the Comparative Index. While these numbers are encouraging, longer-term performance is not as strong as I would have hoped for.

In Asia, there was an expectation that investors would rotate out of growth stocks and into value names in the last quarter of 2020 in the hope that value would benefit from an economic recovery. However, this trend has not played out to the extent we expected and stock selection was the key driver of the Company's relative performance.

I continue to believe that fundamental analysis and owning good businesses which are run by competent management teams at attractive prices leaving sufficient margin of safety is the most time-tested way to make money in the stock market. I remain committed to my investment process.

In the last six months, the holdings in BFI Finance Indonesia, Shriram Transport Finance, Axis Bank, Redington India and Nickel Mines performed well and helped the Company's performance relative to the Comparative Index. I continue to own these stocks for their longer-term growth prospects and attractive valuations.

Meanwhile, the main losses we suffered were from Chaowei Power, Sinopec Kantons, China Overseas Land & Investment and Gold Road Resources, which lagged the broader market. GCL Poly Energy, which was not held in the Company's portfolio, performed extremely well and its absence detracted somewhat from performance relative to the Comparative Index.

COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused considerable suffering across the world.

To date, the economic impact has been cushioned somewhat by large scale government interventions in the Western world, which has led to robust demand for goods being exported from Asia. So far, Asian countries have weathered the pandemic better than the West, likely the result of their demographic profile, high compliance with government restrictions and the early use of technology in the detection of cases.

Consequently, in my opinion, Asian countries will exit the pandemic in much better economic health than the USA or Europe given that governments in Asia have generally refrained from large scale fiscal stimulus.

As vaccines are rolled out, we are probably 9 to 12 months away from returning to normal unless we see something dramatically change with the virus.

INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The last few months in the markets have been unprecedented, pivoting from crisis to euphoria as the world started to anticipate normalisation following the pandemic. This, in addition to record levels of margin lending participation and speculative activity, has resulted in a two-speed market where stocks can be found at both valuation extremes.

Despite a brief recovery, smaller value companies are now trading at a 61% discount to large cap growth companies. This compares to a 65% discount seen during the peak of the tech bubble in 1999-2000, which was the height of the previous growth cycle. Similarly, smaller value companies are trading at a 48% discount to small cap growth companies.

As a fundamental investor, my primary anchor for valuing any business is earnings and cash flows. I feel the current trend of using revenues or non-GAAP measures to value companies will be a passing trend - this has happened in the past and I do not believe this time will be any different.

Despite the outsized performance of growth stocks, the most interesting fact for me is that over time, value companies, especially in Asia, grow earnings faster than growth companies. I believe value stocks not only offer a higher margin of safety, but they are also able to grow earnings faster. As a result, it has paid off to be invested in small-cap value stocks in the longer-term. They have outperformed growth companies by a significant margin over the last 20 years.

I am excited by our holdings today. We own a portfolio of businesses which are dominant in their industries, earn good returns on capital and are available at attractive valuations.

 Price to Earnings: 10.7x versus 15.5x for the Comparative Index.

 Return on Equity at 15.5% versus 11.3% for the Comparative Index.

 Dividend yield at 2.9% versus 2.2% for the Comparative Index.

 Balance Sheets better than the Comparative Index.

My team and I are working harder than ever to find quality businesses and then test every assumption we are making about the company fundamentals going forward. A sound investment process, diligence, discipline and patience have always been - and will always be - important for success in investing.

NITIN BAJAJ

Portfolio Manager

26 April 2021

TWENTY LARGEST HOLDINGS AS AT 31 JANUARY 2021

The Gross Asset Exposures shown below measure exposure to market price movements as a result of owning shares and derivative instruments. The Balance Sheet Value is the actual value of the portfolio. Where a contract for difference ("CFD") is held, the Balance Sheet Value reflects the profit or loss on the contract since it was opened and is based on how much the share price of the underlying share has moved.











Gross Asset

'000



Exposure

%1 Balance

Sheet

Value

'000 Long Exposures - shares unless otherwise stated Axis Bank Private sector bank 10,092 3.2 10,092 HDFC Bank Private sector bank 7,992 2.5 7,992 Granules India Pharmaceutical manufacturing company 7,445 2.3 7,445 China Yongda Automobiles Services Holdings (shares and long CFD) Investment holding company engaged in the sale of passenger vehicles and provision of related services 6,942 2.2 4,767 Power Grid Corporation of India Operator of the Indian national electricity grid 6,038 1.9 6,038 Arwana Citramulia Ceramics manufacturer 5,963 1.9 5,963 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Developer, manufacturer and distributor of semiconductor related products 5,752 1.8 5,752 Shriram Transport Finance Provider of hire purchase and lease finance for medium and heavy commercial vehicles 5,305 1.7 5,305 Fufeng Group (shares and long CFD) Bio-fermentation products manufacturer 5,284 1.6 5,131 Redington India Distributor of information technology products, mobile handsets and accessories 4,680 1.5 4,680 SK Hynix Memory semiconductor supplier of dynamic random-access memory chips and flash memory chips 4,580 1.4 4,580 Chaowei Power Manufacturer and seller of lead-acid motive batteries 4,247 1.3 4,247 Hinduja Global Solutions Provider of business process management services 4,243 1.3 4,243 China Foods Processor and distributor of food and beverages 4,205 1.3 4,205 Xingda International Holdings Manufacturer and producer of radical tire cords, bead wires and other wires 4,178 1.3 4,178 Powertech Technology Provider of turnkey services for chip probing, packaging and testing 4,074 1.3 4,074 Taiwan Union Technology Provider of professional support, value-added materials and advanced mass lamination service to the global electronics industry 3,943 1.2 3,943 Texwinca Holdings Production and sales of dyed yarns and knitted fabrics 3,763 1.2 3,763 Japfa Industrial agri-food company 3,667 1.1 3,667 Chow Sang Holdings International (shares and long CFD) Jewellery retailer 3,662 1.1 3,394 -------------- -------------- -------------- Twenty largest long exposures 106,055 33.1 103,459 ======== ======== ======== Other long exposures 203,375 63.6 183,331 -------------- -------------- -------------- Other long exposures before futures and hedges (157 holdings) 309,430 96.7 286,790 Add: long futures ======== ======== ======== MSCI All Countries Asia ex Japan Index Future March 2021 4,701 1.5 340 Add: hedging exposures Forward Currency Contracts 3 - 3 -------------- -------------- -------------- Total long exposures after the netting of hedges 314,134 98.2 287,133 ======== ======== ======== Add: short exposures Short CFDs (7 holdings) 5,679 1.8 (218) Short Futures (1 holding) 1,213 0.4 66 -------------- -------------- -------------- Gross Asset Exposure2 321,026 100.4 ======== ======== ======== Portfolio Fair Value3 286,981 ======== Net current assets (excluding derivative assets and liabilities) 32,915 -------------- Total Shareholders' Funds/Net Assets 319,896 ========

1 Gross Asset Exposure is expressed as a percentage of Total Shareholders' Funds.

2 Gross Asset Exposure comprises market exposure to investments of 287,675,000 plus market exposure to derivative instruments of 33,351,000.

3 Portfolio Fair Value comprises investments of 287,675,000 plus derivative assets of 633,000 less derivative liabilities of 1,327,000 (per the Balance Sheet below).

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT

BOARD CHANGES

Following the announcement of the proposed merger on 1 March 2021 between Invesco Enhanced Income Limited (Chaired by Kate Bolsover) and City Merchants High Yield Trust Limited (Chaired by Timothy Scholefield), Timothy Scholefield stood down as the Senior Independent Director of Fidelity Asian Values PLC on 22 April 2021. He will not be standing for re-election at the Annual General Meeting later this year.

Clare Brady took over as Senior Independent Director from 22 April and Michael Warren succeeded Timothy Scholefield as Chairman of the Management Engagement Committee.

DISCOUNT MANAGEMENT AND SHARE REPURCHASES

The Board operates an active discount management policy, the primary purpose of which is to reduce discount volatility. Repurchases of ordinary shares are made at the discretion of the Board and within guidelines set by it and in light of prevailing market conditions. Shares will only be repurchased when it results in an enhancement to the NAV of the ordinary shares. In order to assist in managing the discount, the Board has shareholder approval to hold in Treasury any ordinary shares repurchased by the Company, rather than cancelling them. Any shares held in Treasury would only be re-issued at NAV per share or at a premium to NAV per share.

There continues to be turmoil in the world's financial markets and at times the Company's discount has been volatile in reaction to such market conditions. The Board has therefore approved the repurchase of 742,273 ordinary shares for holding in Treasury in the six months to 31 January 2021. Since then and as at the date of this report, 10,955 further shares have been repurchased into Treasury.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Board, with the assistance of the Alternative Investment Fund Manager (FIL Investment Services (UK) Limited/the "Manager"), has developed a risk matrix which, as part of the risk management and internal controls process, has identified the key risks and uncertainties faced by the Company. These principal risks and uncertainties fall to the following categories: market, economic and political risk; investment performance risk; key person risk; discount control risk; gearing risk; derivatives risk; currency risk; cybercrime risk and pandemic risk. Other risks facing the Company include tax and regulatory risks and operational (service providers) risks. Information on each of these risks can be found in the Strategic Report section of the Annual Report for the year ended 31 July 2020 which is published on the Company's pages of the Manager's website at www.fidelity.co.uk/asianvalues.

These principal risks and uncertainties have not materially changed during the six months to 31 January 2021, and are equally applicable to the remaining six months of the Company's financial year.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

With the pandemic continuing to evolve and variants of COVID-19 appearing, it is evident that although COVID-19 is being tackled by the arrival of vaccines, risks remain. The risks are being kept under constant review by the Board and the Manager. Investors should be prepared for market fluctuations and remember that holding shares in the Company should be considered a long-term investment. These risks are somewhat mitigated by the investment trust structure of the Company which means that no forced sales will need to take place to deal with any redemptions. Therefore, investments in the Company's portfolio can be held over a longer time horizon.

The Manager carries on reviewing its business continuity plans and operational resilience strategies on an ongoing basis and continues to take all reasonable steps in meeting its regulatory obligations and to assess operational risks, the ability to continue operating and the steps it needs to take to serve and support its clients, including the Board. For example, to enhance its resilience and to look after the safety of employees, the Manager has mandated that all staff work from home and has implemented split team working for those whose work is deemed necessary to be carried out in an office. The Manager follows the self-isolation and lock-down arrangements on staff in line with Government recommendations and guidance.

Investment team key activities are performing well despite the operational challenges posed by portfolio managers, analysts and trading/support functions working from home or in split team arrangements.

The Company's other third party service providers have also implemented similar measures to ensure business disruption can be kept to a minimum.

TRANSACTIONS WITH THE MANAGER AND RELATED PARTIES

The Manager has delegated the Company's portfolio management and company secretariat services to FIL Investments International. Transactions with the Manager and related party transactions with the Directors are disclosed in Note 12 to the Financial Statements below.

GOING CONCERN STATEMENT

The Directors have considered the Company's investment objective, risk management policies, liquidity risk, credit risk, capital management policies and procedures, the nature of its portfolio (being mainly securities which are readily realisable) and its expenditure and cash flow projections and have concluded that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these Financial Statements.

This conclusion also takes into account the Board's assessment of the continuing risks arising from COVID-19 as set out above.

Continuation votes are held every five years and the next continuation vote will be put to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting later this year.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD.

FIL INVESTMENTS INTERNATIONAL

26 April 2021

DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

The Disclosure and Transparency Rules ("DTR") of the UK Listing Authority require the Directors to confirm their responsibilities in relation to the preparation and publication of the Interim Management Report and Financial Statements.

The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge that:

a) the condensed set of Financial Statements contained within the Half-Yearly Report has been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Council's Standard, FRS 104: Interim Financial Reporting; and

b) the Portfolio Manager's Half-Yearly Review and Interim Management Report above, includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R and 4.2.8R.

The Half-Yearly Report has not been audited or reviewed by the Company's Independent Auditor.

The Half-Yearly Report was approved by the Board on 26 April 2021 and the above responsibility statement was signed on its behalf by Kate Bolsover, Chairman.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INCOME STATEMENTFOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 JANUARY 2021





six months ended 31 January 2021

unaudited six months ended 31 January 2020

unaudited year ended 31 July 2020

audited



Notes revenue

'000 capital

'000 total

'000 revenue

'000 capital

'000 total

'000 revenue

'000 capital

'000 total

'000 Gains/(losses) on investments - 54,689 54,689 - (46,281) (46,281) - (66,743) (66,743) Gains on derivative instruments - 3,675 3,675 - 1,786 1,786 - 6,285 6,285 Income 4 4,017 - 4,017 4,206 - 4,206 10,602 - 10,602 Investment management fees 5 (1,052) 292 (760) (1,063) 55 (1,008) (1,967) 312 (1,655) Other expenses (389) - (389) (440) - (440) (797) - (797) Foreign exchange losses - (1,095) (1,095) - (528) (528) - (1,532) (1,532) -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Net return/(loss) on ordinary activities before finance costs and taxation 2,576 57,561 60,137 2,703 (44,968) (42,265) 7,838 (61,678) (53,840) ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Finance costs (143) - (143) (358) - (358) (686) - (686) -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Net return/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation 2,433 57,561 59,994 2,345 (44,968) (42,623) 7,152 (61,678) (54,526) ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Taxation on return/(loss) on ordinary activities 6 (548) (134) (682) (324) 8 (316) (731) 7 (724) -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Net return/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation for the period 1,885 57,427 59,312 2,021 (44,960) (42,939) 6,421 (61,671) (55,250) ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Return/(loss) per ordinary share 7 2.57p 78.21p 80.78p 2.75p (61.15p) (58.40p) 8.64p (82.95p) (74.31p) ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========

The Company does not have any other comprehensive income. Accordingly the net return/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation for the period is also the total comprehensive income for the period and no separate Statement of Comprehensive Income has been presented.

The total column of this statement represents the Income Statement of the Company. The revenue and capital columns are supplementary and presented for information purposes as recommended by the Statement of Recommended Practice issued by the AIC.

No operations were acquired or discontinued in the period and all items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITYFOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 JANUARY 2021







Notes

share

capital

'000 share

premium

account

'000 capital

redemption

reserve

'000 other non-

distributable

reserve

'000

other

reserve

'000

capital

reserve

'000

revenue

reserve

'000 total

shareholders'

funds

'000 Six months ended 31 January 2021 (unaudited) Total shareholders' funds at 31 July 2020 18,895 50,501 3,197 7,367 3,379 176,283 9,778 269,400 Net return on ordinary activities after taxation for the period - - - - - 57,427 1,885 59,312 Repurchase of ordinary shares 10 - - - - (2,575) - - (2,575) Dividend paid to shareholders 8 - - - - - - (6,241) (6,241) -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Total shareholders' funds at 31 January 2021 18,895 50,501 3,197 7,367 804 233,710 5,422 319,896 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Six months ended 31 January 2020 (unaudited) Total shareholders' funds at 31 July 2019 18,058 38,073 3,197 7,367 8,613 237,954 9,737 322,999 Net (loss)/return on ordinary activities after taxation for the period - - - - - (44,960) 2,021 (42,939) Issue of ordinary shares on the exercise of rights attached to subscription shares 10 770 11,332 - - - - - 12,102 Issue of new ordinary shares 10 67 1,096 - - - - - 1,163 Dividend paid to shareholders 8 - - - - - - (6,380) (6,380) -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Total shareholders' funds at 31 January 2020 18,895 50,501 3,197 7,367 8,613 192,994 5,378 286,945 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Year ended 31 July 2020 (audited) Total shareholders' funds at 31 July 2019 18,058 38,073 3,197 7,367 8,613 237,954 9,737 322,999 Net (loss)/return on ordinary activities after taxation for the year - - - - - (61,671) 6,421 (55,250) Repurchase of ordinary shares 10 - - - - (5,234) - - (5,234) Issue of ordinary shares on the exercise of rights attached to subscription shares 10 770 11,332 - - - - - 12,102 Issue of new ordinary shares 10 67 1,096 - - - - - 1,163 Dividend paid to shareholders 8 - - - - - - (6,380) (6,380) -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Total shareholders' funds at 31 July 2020 18,895 50,501 3,197 7,367 3,379 176,283 9,778 269,400 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========

BALANCE SHEETAS AT 31 JANUARY 2021

Company Number 3183919





Notes 31.01.21

unaudited

'000 31.07.20

audited

'000 31.01.20

unaudited

'000 Fixed assets Investments 9 287,675 241,271 272,307 Current assets Derivative instruments 9 633 7,299 2,230 Debtors 3,446 1,886 718 Amounts held at futures clearing houses and brokers 1,113 1,115 1,670 Cash at bank 30,161 21,262 13,286 -------------- -------------- -------------- 35,353 31,562 17,904 ======== ======== ======== Current liabilities Derivative instruments 9 (1,327) (1,149) (1,763) Other creditors (1,805) (2,284) (1,503) -------------- -------------- -------------- (3,132) (3,433) (3,266) ======== ======== ======== Net current assets 32,221 28,129 14,638 ======== ======== ======== Net assets 319,896 269,400 286,945 ======== ======== ======== Capital and reserves Share capital 10 18,895 18,895 18,895 Share premium account 50,501 50,501 50,501 Capital redemption reserve 3,197 3,197 3,197 Other non-distributable reserve 7,367 7,367 7,367 Other reserve 804 3,379 8,613 Capital reserve 233,710 176,283 192,994 Revenue reserve 5,422 9,778 5,378 -------------- -------------- -------------- Total shareholders' funds 319,896 269,400 286,945 ======== ======== ======== Net asset value per ordinary share 11 437.08p 364.39p 379.65p ======== ======== ========

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1 PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY

Fidelity Asian Values PLC is an Investment Company incorporated in England and Wales with a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange. The Company's registration number is 3183919, and its registered office is Beech Gate, Millfield Lane, Lower Kingswood, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 6RP. The Company has been approved by HM Revenue & Customs as an Investment Trust under Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 and intends to conduct its affairs so as to continue to be approved.

2 PUBLICATION OF NON-STATUTORY ACCOUNTS

The Financial Statements in this Half-Yearly Report have not been audited by the Company's Independent Auditor and do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Act"). The financial information for the year ended 31 July 2020 is extracted from the latest published Financial Statements of the Company. Those Financial Statements were delivered to the Registrar of Companies and included the Independent Auditor's Report which was unqualified and did not contain a statement under either section 498(2) or 498(3) of the Act.

3 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(i) Basis of Preparation

The Company prepares its Financial Statements on a going concern basis and in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice ("UK GAAP") and FRS 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, issued by the Financial Reporting Council. The Financial Statements are also prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts ("SORP") issued by the Association of Investment Companies ("AIC") in October 2019. FRS 104: Interim Financial Reporting has also been applied in preparing this condensed set of Financial Statements. The accounting policies followed are consistent with those disclosed in the Company's Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2020.

(ii) Going Concern

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the Directors consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these Financial Statements. This conclusion also takes into account the Board's assessment of the continuing risks arising from COVID-19.

4 INCOME









six months

ended

31.01.21

unaudited

'000 six months

ended

31.01.20

unaudited

'000 year

ended

31.07.20

audited

'000 Investment income Overseas dividends 3,382 3,889 9,817 Overseas scrip dividends 310 45 45 -------------- -------------- -------------- 3,692 3,934 9,862 ======== ======== ======== Derivative income Dividends received on long CFDs 320 143 536 Interest received on CFDs 5 97 154 -------------- -------------- -------------- 325 240 690 ======== ======== ======== Other interest Interest received on collateral and deposits - 32 50 -------------- -------------- -------------- Total income 4,017 4,206 10,602 ======== ======== ========

Special dividends of 3,676,000 have been recognised in capital (six months ended 31 January 2020 and year ended 31 July 2020: nil).

5 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES









six months

ended

31.01.21

unaudited

'000 six months

ended

31.01.20

unaudited

'000 year

ended

31.07.20

audited

'000 Investment management fees - base (charged to revenue) 1,052 1,063 1,967 Investment management fees - variable (credited to capital) (292) (55) (312) -------------- -------------- -------------- 760 1,008 1,655 ======== ======== ========

FIL Investment Services (UK) Limited is the Company's Alternative Investment Fund Manager and has delegated portfolio management to FIL Investments International ("FII"). Both companies are Fidelity group companies.

The Company charges base investment management fees at an annual rate of 0.70% of net assets. In addition, there is +/- 0.20% variation fee based on the Company's NAV per share performance relative to the Company's Comparative Index. Fees are payable monthly in arrears and are calculated on a daily basis.

6 TAXATION ON RETURN/(LOSS) ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES









six months

ended

31.01.21

unaudited

'000 six months

ended

31.01.20

unaudited

'000 year

ended

31.07.20

audited

'000 Revenue - taxation on overseas dividends 548 324 731 Capital - Indian capital gains tax charged/(credited) in the period 134 (8) (7) -------------- -------------- -------------- Total taxation charge for the period 682 316 724 ======== ======== ========

7 RETURN/(LOSS) PER ORDINARY SHARE







six months

ended

31.01.21

unaudited six months

ended

31.01.20

unaudited year

ended

31.07.20

audited Revenue return per ordinary share 2.57p 2.75p 8.64p Capital return/(loss) per ordinary share 78.21p (61.15p) (82.95p) -------------- -------------- -------------- Total return/(loss) per ordinary share 80.78p (58.40p) (74.31p) ======== ======== ========

The return/(loss) per ordinary share is based on the net return/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation for the period divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period, as shown below:

'000 '000 '000 Net revenue return on ordinary activities after taxation 1,885 2,021 6,421 Net capital return/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation 57,427 (44,960) (61,671) -------------- -------------- -------------- Net total return/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation 59,312 (42,939) (55,250) ======== ======== ========

number number number Weighted average number of ordinary shares held outside of Treasury during the period 73,428,741 73,529,470 74,348,836 ======== ======== ========

8 DIVIDENDS PAID TO SHAREHOLDERS









six months

ended

31.01.21

unaudited

'000 six months

ended

31.01.20

unaudited

'000 year

ended

31.07.20

audited

'000 Dividend of 8.50 pence per ordinary share paid for the year ended 31 July 2020 6,241 - - Dividend of 8.80 pence per ordinary share paid for the year ended 31 July 2019 - 6,380 6,380 -------------- -------------- -------------- 6,241 6,380 6,380 ======== ======== ========

No dividend has been declared in respect of the six months ended 31 January 2021.

9 FAIR VALUE HIERARCHY

The Company is required to disclose the fair value hierarchy that classifies its financial instruments measured at fair value at one of three levels, according to the relative reliability of the inputs used to estimate the fair values.

Classification Input Level 1 Valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Level 2 Valued by reference to inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable (i.e. developed using market data) for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly Level 3 Valued by reference to valuation techniques using inputs that are not based on observable market data

Categorisation within the hierarchy has been determined on the basis of the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the relevant asset. The table below sets out the Company's fair value hierarchy:



31 January 2021 (unaudited) level 1

'000 level 2

'000 level 3

'000 total

'000 Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss Investments 284,357 2,157 1,161 287,675 Derivative instrument assets 406 227 - 633 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 284,763 2,384 1,161 288,308 ======== ======== ======== ======== Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss Derivative instrument liabilities - (1,327) - (1,327) ======== ======== ======== ========



31 July 2020 (audited) level 1

'000 level 2

'000 level 3

'000 total

'000 Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss Investments 238,836 2,096 339 241,271 Derivative instrument assets 487 6,812 - 7,299 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 239,323 8,908 339 248,570 ======== ======== ======== ======== Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss Derivative instrument liabilities - (1,149) - (1,149) ======== ======== ======== ========



31 January 2020 (unaudited) level 1

'000 level 2

'000 level 3

'000 total

'000 Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss Investments 270,739 1,052 516 272,307 Derivative instrument assets - 2,230 - 2,230 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 270,739 3,282 516 274,537 ======== ======== ======== ======== Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss Derivative instrument liabilities (511) (1,252) - (1,763) ======== ======== ======== ========

10 SHARE CAPITAL



31 January 2021

unaudited 31 July 2020

audited 31 January 2020

unaudited

number of

shares

'000 number of

shares

'000 number of

shares

'000 Issued, allotted and fully paid Ordinary shares of 25 pence each held outside of Treasury Beginning of the period 73,932,107 18,483 72,233,453 18,058 72,233,453 18,058 Ordinary shares issued on the exercise of rights - - 3,081,455 770 3,081,455 770 New ordinary shares issued - - 265,981 67 265,981 67 Ordinary shares repurchased into Treasury (742,273) (186) (1,648,782) (412) - - -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- End of the period 73,189,834 18,297 73,932,107 18,483 75,580,889 18,895 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Ordinary shares of 25 pence each held in Treasury1 Beginning of the period 1,648,782 412 - - - - Ordinary shares repurchased into Treasury 742,273 186 1,648,782 412 - - -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- End of the period 2,391,055 598 1,648,782 412 - - ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========

1 Ordinary shares held in Treasury carry no rights to vote, to receive a dividend or to participate in a winding up of the Company.



31 January 2021

unaudited 31 July 2020

audited 31 January 2020

unaudited

number of

shares

'000 number of

shares

'000 number of

shares

'000 Issued, allotted and fully paid Subscription shares of 0.001 pence Beginning of the period - - 11,103,030 - 11,103,030 - Cancellation of subscription shares on the exercise of rights - - (3,081,455) - (3,081,455) - Cancellation of subscription shares - - (8,021,575) - (8,021,575) - End of the period - - - - - - -------------- -------------- -------------- Total share capital 18,895 18,895 18,895 ======== ======== ========

The cost of ordinary shares repurchased into Treasury during the year was 2,575,000 (year ended 31 July 2020: 5,234,000 and six months ended 31 January 2020: nil).

A bonus issue of subscription shares to ordinary shareholders on the basis of one subscription share for every five ordinary shares held took place on 5 December 2016. Each subscription share gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to subscribe for one ordinary share upon payment of the subscription price. The subscription price is based on the published unaudited NAV per ordinary share at 2 December 2016, plus a premium depending upon the year in which the right is exercised. The subscription share rights can be exercised annually in the 25 business days prior to the relevant subscription date (on which the exercise would take effect). The subscription dates, subscription prices and premia are as follows:

Subscription date Subscription price Premium First subscription date 30 November 2017 370.75p 1% Second subscription date 30 November 2018 381.75p 4% Final subscription date 29 November 2019 392.75p 7%

After the final subscription date of 29 November 2019, the Company appointed a trustee to exercise any rights remaining that were not exercised by shareholders, providing that by doing so a profit could be realised. To realise a profit the sale proceeds from selling the resulting ordinary shares in the market would need to be in excess of the 392.75 pence per share price of exercising the rights, plus any related expenses and fees. On 13 December 2019, the Board of the Company announced the Trustee did not exercise any of the unexercised subscription rights of the 8,021,575 outstanding subscription shares. The Trustee determined the net proceeds of sale after deduction of all costs and expenses, would not have exceeded the costs of exercising the subscription share rights. Therefore, all subscription share rights for the outstanding subscription shares lapsed with nil value.

In the prior period, the Company issued 3,081,455 ordinary shares on the exercise of rights attached to subscription shares. The subscription share price of 392.75 pence per ordinary share issued represented a premium of 367.75 pence per share over the 25 pence nominal value of each share. The total premium received on the issue of ordinary shares of 11,332,000 was credited to the share premium account.

The Company issued no new ordinary shares during the period (year ended 31 July 2020 and six months ended 31 January 2020: 265,981 shares). In the prior period, the total premium received on the issue of new ordinary shares of 1,096,000 was credited to the share premium account.

11 NET ASSET VALUE PER ORDINARY SHARE



31.01.21

unaudited 31.07.20

audited 31.01.20

unaudited Total shareholders' funds 319,896,000 269,400,000 286,945,000 Ordinary shares held outside of Treasury at period end 73,189,834 73,932,107 75,580,889 Net asset value per ordinary share 437.08p 364.39p 379.65p ========== ========== ==========

It is the Company's policy that shares held in Treasury will only be reissued at net asset value per ordinary share or at a premium to net asset value per ordinary share and, therefore, shares held in Treasury have no dilutive effect.

12 TRANSACTIONS WITH THE MANAGER AND RELATED PARTIES

FIL Investment Services (UK) Limited is the Company's Alternative Investment Fund Manager and has delegated portfolio management and the role of Company Secretary to FIL Investments International ("FII"). Both companies are Fidelity group companies.

Details of the fee arrangements are given in Note 5 above. During the period, management fees of 760,000 (six months ended 31 January 2020: 1,008,000 and year ended 31 July 2020: 1,655,000) and secretarial and administration fees of 38,000 (six months ended 31 January 2020: 38,000 and year ended 31 July 2020: 75,000) were payable to FII. At the Balance Sheet date, management fees of 143,000 (31 January 2020: 130,000 and 31 July 2020: 117,000) and secretarial and administration fees of 6,000 (31 January 2020: 6,000 and 31 July 2020: 6,000) were accrued and included in other creditors. FII also provides the Company with marketing services. The total amount payable for these services during the period was 66,000 (six months ended 31 January 2020: 64,000 and year ended 31 July 2020: 118,000). At the Balance Sheet date, marketing services of 13,000 (31 January 2020: 24,000 and 31 July 2020: 25,000) were accrued and included in other creditors.

As at 31 January 2021, the Board consisted of five non-executive Directors (as shown in the Half-Yearly Report), all of whom are considered to be independent by the Board. None of the Directors have a service contract with the Company. The Chairman receives an annual fee of 36,000, the Audit Committee Chairman an annual fee of 30,000 and each other Director an annual fee of 26,000. The following members of the Board held shares in the Company: Kate Bolsover 15,452 ordinary shares, Clare Brady 2,500 ordinary shares, Timothy Scholefield 12,000 ordinary shares, Grahame Stott 25,000 ordinary shares and Michael Warren 10,000 ordinary shares.

The financial information contained in this Half-Yearly Results Announcement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the six months ended 31 January 2021 and 31 January 2020 has not been audited or reviewed by the Company's Independent Auditor.

The information for the year ended 31 July 2020 has been extracted from the latest published audited financial statements, which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies, unless otherwise stated. The report of the Auditor on those financial statements contained no qualification or statement under sections 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

Neither the contents of the Company's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

A copy of the Half-Yearly Report will shortly be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will be available for inspection at www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM

The Half-Yearly Report will also be available on the Company's website at www.fidelity.co.uk/asianvalues where up to date information on the Company, including daily NAV and share prices, factsheets and other information can also be found.

Fidelity Asian Values PLC

Half-Yearly Results for the six months ended 31 January 2021

Financial Highlights:

The Company's NAV rose by +22.5% over the six-month period.

The Company's share price increased by +27.7% compared with a +20.0% return of the Comparative Index.

Contacts

For further information please contact:

Anna-Marie Davis

Company Secretary

01737 834798

FIL Investments International

PORTFOLIO MANAGER'S HALF-YEARLY REVIEW

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Over the six month period ended 31 January 2021, the net asset value ("NAV") of Fidelity Asian Values PLC rose by 22.5% and the share price by 27.7%, compared with a 20.0% return of the Comparative Index. While these numbers are encouraging, longer-term performance is not as strong as I would have hoped for.

In Asia, there was an expectation that investors would rotate out of growth stocks and into value names in the last quarter of 2020 in the hope that value would benefit from an economic recovery. However, this trend has not played out to the extent we expected and stock selection was the key driver of the Company's relative performance.

I continue to believe that fundamental analysis and owning good businesses which are run by competent management teams at attractive prices leaving sufficient margin of safety is the most time-tested way to make money in the stock market. I remain committed to my investment process.

In the last six months, the holdings in BFI Finance Indonesia, Shriram Transport Finance, Axis Bank, Redington India and Nickel Mines performed well and helped the Company's performance relative to the Comparative Index. I continue to own these stocks for their longer-term growth prospects and attractive valuations.

Meanwhile, the main losses we suffered were from Chaowei Power, Sinopec Kantons, China Overseas Land & Investment and Gold Road Resources, which lagged the broader market. GCL Poly Energy, which was not held in the Company's portfolio, performed extremely well and its absence detracted somewhat from performance relative to the Comparative Index.

COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused considerable suffering across the world.

To date, the economic impact has been cushioned somewhat by large scale government interventions in the Western world, which has led to robust demand for goods being exported from Asia. So far, Asian countries have weathered the pandemic better than the West, likely the result of their demographic profile, high compliance with government restrictions and the early use of technology in the detection of cases.

Consequently, in my opinion, Asian countries will exit the pandemic in much better economic health than the USA or Europe given that governments in Asia have generally refrained from large scale fiscal stimulus.

As vaccines are rolled out, we are probably 9 to 12 months away from returning to normal unless we see something dramatically change with the virus.

INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The last few months in the markets have been unprecedented, pivoting from crisis to euphoria as the world started to anticipate normalisation following the pandemic. This, in addition to record levels of margin lending participation and speculative activity, has resulted in a two-speed market where stocks can be found at both valuation extremes.

Despite a brief recovery, smaller value companies are now trading at a 61% discount to large cap growth companies. This compares to a 65% discount seen during the peak of the tech bubble in 1999-2000, which was the height of the previous growth cycle. Similarly, smaller value companies are trading at a 48% discount to small cap growth companies.

As a fundamental investor, my primary anchor for valuing any business is earnings and cash flows. I feel the current trend of using revenues or non-GAAP measures to value companies will be a passing trend - this has happened in the past and I do not believe this time will be any different.

Despite the outsized performance of growth stocks, the most interesting fact for me is that over time, value companies, especially in Asia, grow earnings faster than growth companies. I believe value stocks not only offer a higher margin of safety, but they are also able to grow earnings faster. As a result, it has paid off to be invested in small-cap value stocks in the longer-term. They have outperformed growth companies by a significant margin over the last 20 years.

I am excited by our holdings today. We own a portfolio of businesses which are dominant in their industries, earn good returns on capital and are available at attractive valuations.

 Price to Earnings: 10.7x versus 15.5x for the Comparative Index.

 Return on Equity at 15.5% versus 11.3% for the Comparative Index.

 Dividend yield at 2.9% versus 2.2% for the Comparative Index.

 Balance Sheets better than the Comparative Index.

My team and I are working harder than ever to find quality businesses and then test every assumption we are making about the company fundamentals going forward. A sound investment process, diligence, discipline and patience have always been - and will always be - important for success in investing.

NITIN BAJAJ

Portfolio Manager

26 April 2021

TWENTY LARGEST HOLDINGS AS AT 31 JANUARY 2021

The Gross Asset Exposures shown below measure exposure to market price movements as a result of owning shares and derivative instruments. The Balance Sheet Value is the actual value of the portfolio. Where a contract for difference ("CFD") is held, the Balance Sheet Value reflects the profit or loss on the contract since it was opened and is based on how much the share price of the underlying share has moved.











Gross Asset

'000



Exposure

%1 Balance

Sheet

Value

'000 Long Exposures - shares unless otherwise stated Axis Bank Private sector bank 10,092 3.2 10,092 HDFC Bank Private sector bank 7,992 2.5 7,992 Granules India Pharmaceutical manufacturing company 7,445 2.3 7,445 China Yongda Automobiles Services Holdings (shares and long CFD) Investment holding company engaged in the sale of passenger vehicles and provision of related services 6,942 2.2 4,767 Power Grid Corporation of India Operator of the Indian national electricity grid 6,038 1.9 6,038 Arwana Citramulia Ceramics manufacturer 5,963 1.9 5,963 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Developer, manufacturer and distributor of semiconductor related products 5,752 1.8 5,752 Shriram Transport Finance Provider of hire purchase and lease finance for medium and heavy commercial vehicles 5,305 1.7 5,305 Fufeng Group (shares and long CFD) Bio-fermentation products manufacturer 5,284 1.6 5,131 Redington India Distributor of information technology products, mobile handsets and accessories 4,680 1.5 4,680 SK Hynix Memory semiconductor supplier of dynamic random-access memory chips and flash memory chips 4,580 1.4 4,580 Chaowei Power Manufacturer and seller of lead-acid motive batteries 4,247 1.3 4,247 Hinduja Global Solutions Provider of business process management services 4,243 1.3 4,243 China Foods Processor and distributor of food and beverages 4,205 1.3 4,205 Xingda International Holdings Manufacturer and producer of radical tire cords, bead wires and other wires 4,178 1.3 4,178 Powertech Technology Provider of turnkey services for chip probing, packaging and testing 4,074 1.3 4,074 Taiwan Union Technology Provider of professional support, value-added materials and advanced mass lamination service to the global electronics industry 3,943 1.2 3,943 Texwinca Holdings Production and sales of dyed yarns and knitted fabrics 3,763 1.2 3,763 Japfa Industrial agri-food company 3,667 1.1 3,667 Chow Sang Holdings International (shares and long CFD) Jewellery retailer 3,662 1.1 3,394 -------------- -------------- -------------- Twenty largest long exposures 106,055 33.1 103,459 ======== ======== ======== Other long exposures 203,375 63.6 183,331 -------------- -------------- -------------- Other long exposures before futures and hedges (157 holdings) 309,430 96.7 286,790 Add: long futures ======== ======== ======== MSCI All Countries Asia ex Japan Index Future March 2021 4,701 1.5 340 Add: hedging exposures Forward Currency Contracts 3 - 3 -------------- -------------- -------------- Total long exposures after the netting of hedges 314,134 98.2 287,133 ======== ======== ======== Add: short exposures Short CFDs (7 holdings) 5,679 1.8 (218) Short Futures (1 holding) 1,213 0.4 66 -------------- -------------- -------------- Gross Asset Exposure2 321,026 100.4 ======== ======== ======== Portfolio Fair Value3 286,981 ======== Net current assets (excluding derivative assets and liabilities) 32,915 -------------- Total Shareholders' Funds/Net Assets 319,896 ========

1 Gross Asset Exposure is expressed as a percentage of Total Shareholders' Funds.

2 Gross Asset Exposure comprises market exposure to investments of 287,675,000 plus market exposure to derivative instruments of 33,351,000.

3 Portfolio Fair Value comprises investments of 287,675,000 plus derivative assets of 633,000 less derivative liabilities of 1,327,000 (per the Balance Sheet below).

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT

BOARD CHANGES

Following the announcement of the proposed merger on 1 March 2021 between Invesco Enhanced Income Limited (Chaired by Kate Bolsover) and City Merchants High Yield Trust Limited (Chaired by Timothy Scholefield), Timothy Scholefield stood down as the Senior Independent Director of Fidelity Asian Values PLC on 22 April 2021. He will not be standing for re-election at the Annual General Meeting later this year.

Clare Brady took over as Senior Independent Director from 22 April and Michael Warren succeeded Timothy Scholefield as Chairman of the Management Engagement Committee.

DISCOUNT MANAGEMENT AND SHARE REPURCHASES

The Board operates an active discount management policy, the primary purpose of which is to reduce discount volatility. Repurchases of ordinary shares are made at the discretion of the Board and within guidelines set by it and in light of prevailing market conditions. Shares will only be repurchased when it results in an enhancement to the NAV of the ordinary shares. In order to assist in managing the discount, the Board has shareholder approval to hold in Treasury any ordinary shares repurchased by the Company, rather than cancelling them. Any shares held in Treasury would only be re-issued at NAV per share or at a premium to NAV per share.

There continues to be turmoil in the world's financial markets and at times the Company's discount has been volatile in reaction to such market conditions. The Board has therefore approved the repurchase of 742,273 ordinary shares for holding in Treasury in the six months to 31 January 2021. Since then and as at the date of this report, 10,955 further shares have been repurchased into Treasury.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Board, with the assistance of the Alternative Investment Fund Manager (FIL Investment Services (UK) Limited/the "Manager"), has developed a risk matrix which, as part of the risk management and internal controls process, has identified the key risks and uncertainties faced by the Company. These principal risks and uncertainties fall to the following categories: market, economic and political risk; investment performance risk; key person risk; discount control risk; gearing risk; derivatives risk; currency risk; cybercrime risk and pandemic risk. Other risks facing the Company include tax and regulatory risks and operational (service providers) risks. Information on each of these risks can be found in the Strategic Report section of the Annual Report for the year ended 31 July 2020 which is published on the Company's pages of the Manager's website at www.fidelity.co.uk/asianvalues.

These principal risks and uncertainties have not materially changed during the six months to 31 January 2021, and are equally applicable to the remaining six months of the Company's financial year.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

With the pandemic continuing to evolve and variants of COVID-19 appearing, it is evident that although COVID-19 is being tackled by the arrival of vaccines, risks remain. The risks are being kept under constant review by the Board and the Manager. Investors should be prepared for market fluctuations and remember that holding shares in the Company should be considered a long-term investment. These risks are somewhat mitigated by the investment trust structure of the Company which means that no forced sales will need to take place to deal with any redemptions. Therefore, investments in the Company's portfolio can be held over a longer time horizon.

The Manager carries on reviewing its business continuity plans and operational resilience strategies on an ongoing basis and continues to take all reasonable steps in meeting its regulatory obligations and to assess operational risks, the ability to continue operating and the steps it needs to take to serve and support its clients, including the Board. For example, to enhance its resilience and to look after the safety of employees, the Manager has mandated that all staff work from home and has implemented split team working for those whose work is deemed necessary to be carried out in an office. The Manager follows the self-isolation and lock-down arrangements on staff in line with Government recommendations and guidance.

Investment team key activities are performing well despite the operational challenges posed by portfolio managers, analysts and trading/support functions working from home or in split team arrangements.

The Company's other third party service providers have also implemented similar measures to ensure business disruption can be kept to a minimum.

TRANSACTIONS WITH THE MANAGER AND RELATED PARTIES

The Manager has delegated the Company's portfolio management and company secretariat services to FIL Investments International. Transactions with the Manager and related party transactions with the Directors are disclosed in Note 12 to the Financial Statements below.

GOING CONCERN STATEMENT

The Directors have considered the Company's investment objective, risk management policies, liquidity risk, credit risk, capital management policies and procedures, the nature of its portfolio (being mainly securities which are readily realisable) and its expenditure and cash flow projections and have concluded that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these Financial Statements.

This conclusion also takes into account the Board's assessment of the continuing risks arising from COVID-19 as set out above.

Continuation votes are held every five years and the next continuation vote will be put to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting later this year.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD.

FIL INVESTMENTS INTERNATIONAL

26 April 2021

DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

The Disclosure and Transparency Rules ("DTR") of the UK Listing Authority require the Directors to confirm their responsibilities in relation to the preparation and publication of the Interim Management Report and Financial Statements.

The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge that:

a) the condensed set of Financial Statements contained within the Half-Yearly Report has been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Council's Standard, FRS 104: Interim Financial Reporting; and

b) the Portfolio Manager's Half-Yearly Review and Interim Management Report above, includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R and 4.2.8R.

The Half-Yearly Report has not been audited or reviewed by the Company's Independent Auditor.

The Half-Yearly Report was approved by the Board on 26 April 2021 and the above responsibility statement was signed on its behalf by Kate Bolsover, Chairman.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INCOME STATEMENTFOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 JANUARY 2021





six months ended 31 January 2021

unaudited six months ended 31 January 2020

unaudited year ended 31 July 2020

audited



Notes revenue

'000 capital

'000 total

'000 revenue

'000 capital

'000 total

'000 revenue

'000 capital

'000 total

'000 Gains/(losses) on investments - 54,689 54,689 - (46,281) (46,281) - (66,743) (66,743) Gains on derivative instruments - 3,675 3,675 - 1,786 1,786 - 6,285 6,285 Income 4 4,017 - 4,017 4,206 - 4,206 10,602 - 10,602 Investment management fees 5 (1,052) 292 (760) (1,063) 55 (1,008) (1,967) 312 (1,655) Other expenses (389) - (389) (440) - (440) (797) - (797) Foreign exchange losses - (1,095) (1,095) - (528) (528) - (1,532) (1,532) -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Net return/(loss) on ordinary activities before finance costs and taxation 2,576 57,561 60,137 2,703 (44,968) (42,265) 7,838 (61,678) (53,840) ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Finance costs (143) - (143) (358) - (358) (686) - (686) -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Net return/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation 2,433 57,561 59,994 2,345 (44,968) (42,623) 7,152 (61,678) (54,526) ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Taxation on return/(loss) on ordinary activities 6 (548) (134) (682) (324) 8 (316) (731) 7 (724) -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Net return/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation for the period 1,885 57,427 59,312 2,021 (44,960) (42,939) 6,421 (61,671) (55,250) ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Return/(loss) per ordinary share 7 2.57p 78.21p 80.78p 2.75p (61.15p) (58.40p) 8.64p (82.95p) (74.31p) ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========

The Company does not have any other comprehensive income. Accordingly the net return/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation for the period is also the total comprehensive income for the period and no separate Statement of Comprehensive Income has been presented.

The total column of this statement represents the Income Statement of the Company. The revenue and capital columns are supplementary and presented for information purposes as recommended by the Statement of Recommended Practice issued by the AIC.

No operations were acquired or discontinued in the period and all items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITYFOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 JANUARY 2021







Notes

share

capital

'000 share

premium

account

'000 capital

redemption

reserve

'000 other non-

distributable

reserve

'000

other

reserve

'000

capital

reserve

'000

revenue

reserve

'000 total

shareholders'

funds

'000 Six months ended 31 January 2021 (unaudited) Total shareholders' funds at 31 July 2020 18,895 50,501 3,197 7,367 3,379 176,283 9,778 269,400 Net return on ordinary activities after taxation for the period - - - - - 57,427 1,885 59,312 Repurchase of ordinary shares 10 - - - - (2,575) - - (2,575) Dividend paid to shareholders 8 - - - - - - (6,241) (6,241) -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Total shareholders' funds at 31 January 2021 18,895 50,501 3,197 7,367 804 233,710 5,422 319,896 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Six months ended 31 January 2020 (unaudited) Total shareholders' funds at 31 July 2019 18,058 38,073 3,197 7,367 8,613 237,954 9,737 322,999 Net (loss)/return on ordinary activities after taxation for the period - - - - - (44,960) 2,021 (42,939) Issue of ordinary shares on the exercise of rights attached to subscription shares 10 770 11,332 - - - - - 12,102 Issue of new ordinary shares 10 67 1,096 - - - - - 1,163 Dividend paid to shareholders 8 - - - - - - (6,380) (6,380) -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Total shareholders' funds at 31 January 2020 18,895 50,501 3,197 7,367 8,613 192,994 5,378 286,945 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Year ended 31 July 2020 (audited) Total shareholders' funds at 31 July 2019 18,058 38,073 3,197 7,367 8,613 237,954 9,737 322,999 Net (loss)/return on ordinary activities after taxation for the year - - - - - (61,671) 6,421 (55,250) Repurchase of ordinary shares 10 - - - - (5,234) - - (5,234) Issue of ordinary shares on the exercise of rights attached to subscription shares 10 770 11,332 - - - - - 12,102 Issue of new ordinary shares 10 67 1,096 - - - - - 1,163 Dividend paid to shareholders 8 - - - - - - (6,380) (6,380) -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Total shareholders' funds at 31 July 2020 18,895 50,501 3,197 7,367 3,379 176,283 9,778 269,400 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========

BALANCE SHEETAS AT 31 JANUARY 2021

Company Number 3183919





Notes 31.01.21

unaudited

'000 31.07.20

audited

'000 31.01.20

unaudited

'000 Fixed assets Investments 9 287,675 241,271 272,307 Current assets Derivative instruments 9 633 7,299 2,230 Debtors 3,446 1,886 718 Amounts held at futures clearing houses and brokers 1,113 1,115 1,670 Cash at bank 30,161 21,262 13,286 -------------- -------------- -------------- 35,353 31,562 17,904 ======== ======== ======== Current liabilities Derivative instruments 9 (1,327) (1,149) (1,763) Other creditors (1,805) (2,284) (1,503) -------------- -------------- -------------- (3,132) (3,433) (3,266) ======== ======== ======== Net current assets 32,221 28,129 14,638 ======== ======== ======== Net assets 319,896 269,400 286,945 ======== ======== ======== Capital and reserves Share capital 10 18,895 18,895 18,895 Share premium account 50,501 50,501 50,501 Capital redemption reserve 3,197 3,197 3,197 Other non-distributable reserve 7,367 7,367 7,367 Other reserve 804 3,379 8,613 Capital reserve 233,710 176,283 192,994 Revenue reserve 5,422 9,778 5,378 -------------- -------------- -------------- Total shareholders' funds 319,896 269,400 286,945 ======== ======== ======== Net asset value per ordinary share 11 437.08p 364.39p 379.65p ======== ======== ========

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1 PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY

Fidelity Asian Values PLC is an Investment Company incorporated in England and Wales with a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange. The Company's registration number is 3183919, and its registered office is Beech Gate, Millfield Lane, Lower Kingswood, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 6RP. The Company has been approved by HM Revenue & Customs as an Investment Trust under Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 and intends to conduct its affairs so as to continue to be approved.

2 PUBLICATION OF NON-STATUTORY ACCOUNTS

The Financial Statements in this Half-Yearly Report have not been audited by the Company's Independent Auditor and do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Act"). The financial information for the year ended 31 July 2020 is extracted from the latest published Financial Statements of the Company. Those Financial Statements were delivered to the Registrar of Companies and included the Independent Auditor's Report which was unqualified and did not contain a statement under either section 498(2) or 498(3) of the Act.

3 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(i) Basis of Preparation

The Company prepares its Financial Statements on a going concern basis and in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice ("UK GAAP") and FRS 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, issued by the Financial Reporting Council. The Financial Statements are also prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts ("SORP") issued by the Association of Investment Companies ("AIC") in October 2019. FRS 104: Interim Financial Reporting has also been applied in preparing this condensed set of Financial Statements. The accounting policies followed are consistent with those disclosed in the Company's Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2020.

(ii) Going Concern

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the Directors consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these Financial Statements. This conclusion also takes into account the Board's assessment of the continuing risks arising from COVID-19.

4 INCOME









six months

ended

31.01.21

unaudited

'000 six months

ended

31.01.20

unaudited

'000 year

ended

31.07.20

audited

'000 Investment income Overseas dividends 3,382 3,889 9,817 Overseas scrip dividends 310 45 45 -------------- -------------- -------------- 3,692 3,934 9,862 ======== ======== ======== Derivative income Dividends received on long CFDs 320 143 536 Interest received on CFDs 5 97 154 -------------- -------------- -------------- 325 240 690 ======== ======== ======== Other interest Interest received on collateral and deposits - 32 50 -------------- -------------- -------------- Total income 4,017 4,206 10,602 ======== ======== ========

Special dividends of 3,676,000 have been recognised in capital (six months ended 31 January 2020 and year ended 31 July 2020: nil).

5 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES









six months

ended

31.01.21

unaudited

'000 six months

ended

31.01.20

unaudited

'000 year

ended

31.07.20

audited

'000 Investment management fees - base (charged to revenue) 1,052 1,063 1,967 Investment management fees - variable (credited to capital) (292) (55) (312) -------------- -------------- -------------- 760 1,008 1,655 ======== ======== ========

FIL Investment Services (UK) Limited is the Company's Alternative Investment Fund Manager and has delegated portfolio management to FIL Investments International ("FII"). Both companies are Fidelity group companies.

The Company charges base investment management fees at an annual rate of 0.70% of net assets. In addition, there is +/- 0.20% variation fee based on the Company's NAV per share performance relative to the Company's Comparative Index. Fees are payable monthly in arrears and are calculated on a daily basis.

6 TAXATION ON RETURN/(LOSS) ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES









six months

ended

31.01.21

unaudited

'000 six months

ended

31.01.20

unaudited

'000 year

ended

31.07.20

audited

'000 Revenue - taxation on overseas dividends 548 324 731 Capital - Indian capital gains tax charged/(credited) in the period 134 (8) (7) -------------- -------------- -------------- Total taxation charge for the period 682 316 724 ======== ======== ========

7 RETURN/(LOSS) PER ORDINARY SHARE







six months

ended

31.01.21

unaudited six months

ended

31.01.20

unaudited year

ended

31.07.20

audited Revenue return per ordinary share 2.57p 2.75p 8.64p Capital return/(loss) per ordinary share 78.21p (61.15p) (82.95p) -------------- -------------- -------------- Total return/(loss) per ordinary share 80.78p (58.40p) (74.31p) ======== ======== ========

The return/(loss) per ordinary share is based on the net return/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation for the period divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period, as shown below:

'000 '000 '000 Net revenue return on ordinary activities after taxation 1,885 2,021 6,421 Net capital return/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation 57,427 (44,960) (61,671) -------------- -------------- -------------- Net total return/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation 59,312 (42,939) (55,250) ======== ======== ========

number number number Weighted average number of ordinary shares held outside of Treasury during the period 73,428,741 73,529,470 74,348,836 ======== ======== ========

8 DIVIDENDS PAID TO SHAREHOLDERS









six months

ended

31.01.21

unaudited

'000 six months

ended

31.01.20

unaudited

'000 year

ended

31.07.20

audited

'000 Dividend of 8.50 pence per ordinary share paid for the year ended 31 July 2020 6,241 - - Dividend of 8.80 pence per ordinary share paid for the year ended 31 July 2019 - 6,380 6,380 -------------- -------------- -------------- 6,241 6,380 6,380 ======== ======== ========

No dividend has been declared in respect of the six months ended 31 January 2021.

9 FAIR VALUE HIERARCHY

The Company is required to disclose the fair value hierarchy that classifies its financial instruments measured at fair value at one of three levels, according to the relative reliability of the inputs used to estimate the fair values.

Classification Input Level 1 Valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Level 2 Valued by reference to inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable (i.e. developed using market data) for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly Level 3 Valued by reference to valuation techniques using inputs that are not based on observable market data

Categorisation within the hierarchy has been determined on the basis of the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the relevant asset. The table below sets out the Company's fair value hierarchy:



31 January 2021 (unaudited) level 1

'000 level 2

'000 level 3

'000 total

'000 Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss Investments 284,357 2,157 1,161 287,675 Derivative instrument assets 406 227 - 633 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 284,763 2,384 1,161 288,308 ======== ======== ======== ======== Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss Derivative instrument liabilities - (1,327) - (1,327) ======== ======== ======== ========



31 July 2020 (audited) level 1

'000 level 2

'000 level 3

'000 total

'000 Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss Investments 238,836 2,096 339 241,271 Derivative instrument assets 487 6,812 - 7,299 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 239,323 8,908 339 248,570 ======== ======== ======== ======== Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss Derivative instrument liabilities - (1,149) - (1,149) ======== ======== ======== ========



31 January 2020 (unaudited) level 1

'000 level 2

'000 level 3

'000 total

'000 Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss Investments 270,739 1,052 516 272,307 Derivative instrument assets - 2,230 - 2,230 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 270,739 3,282 516 274,537 ======== ======== ======== ======== Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss Derivative instrument liabilities (511) (1,252) - (1,763) ======== ======== ======== ========

10 SHARE CAPITAL



31 January 2021

unaudited 31 July 2020

audited 31 January 2020

unaudited

number of

shares

'000 number of

shares

'000 number of

shares

'000 Issued, allotted and fully paid Ordinary shares of 25 pence each held outside of Treasury Beginning of the period 73,932,107 18,483 72,233,453 18,058 72,233,453 18,058 Ordinary shares issued on the exercise of rights - - 3,081,455 770 3,081,455 770 New ordinary shares issued - - 265,981 67 265,981 67 Ordinary shares repurchased into Treasury (742,273) (186) (1,648,782) (412) - - -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- End of the period 73,189,834 18,297 73,932,107 18,483 75,580,889 18,895 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Ordinary shares of 25 pence each held in Treasury1 Beginning of the period 1,648,782 412 - - - - Ordinary shares repurchased into Treasury 742,273 186 1,648,782 412 - - -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- End of the period 2,391,055 598 1,648,782 412 - - ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========

1 Ordinary shares held in Treasury carry no rights to vote, to receive a dividend or to participate in a winding up of the Company.



31 January 2021

unaudited 31 July 2020

audited 31 January 2020

unaudited

number of

shares

'000 number of

shares

'000 number of

shares

'000 Issued, allotted and fully paid Subscription shares of 0.001 pence Beginning of the period - - 11,103,030 - 11,103,030 - Cancellation of subscription shares on the exercise of rights - - (3,081,455) - (3,081,455) - Cancellation of subscription shares - - (8,021,575) - (8,021,575) - End of the period - - - - - - -------------- -------------- -------------- Total share capital 18,895 18,895 18,895 ======== ======== ========

The cost of ordinary shares repurchased into Treasury during the year was 2,575,000 (year ended 31 July 2020: 5,234,000 and six months ended 31 January 2020: nil).

A bonus issue of subscription shares to ordinary shareholders on the basis of one subscription share for every five ordinary shares held took place on 5 December 2016. Each subscription share gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to subscribe for one ordinary share upon payment of the subscription price. The subscription price is based on the published unaudited NAV per ordinary share at 2 December 2016, plus a premium depending upon the year in which the right is exercised. The subscription share rights can be exercised annually in the 25 business days prior to the relevant subscription date (on which the exercise would take effect). The subscription dates, subscription prices and premia are as follows:

Subscription date Subscription price Premium First subscription date 30 November 2017 370.75p 1% Second subscription date 30 November 2018 381.75p 4% Final subscription date 29 November 2019 392.75p 7%

After the final subscription date of 29 November 2019, the Company appointed a trustee to exercise any rights remaining that were not exercised by shareholders, providing that by doing so a profit could be realised. To realise a profit the sale proceeds from selling the resulting ordinary shares in the market would need to be in excess of the 392.75 pence per share price of exercising the rights, plus any related expenses and fees. On 13 December 2019, the Board of the Company announced the Trustee did not exercise any of the unexercised subscription rights of the 8,021,575 outstanding subscription shares. The Trustee determined the net proceeds of sale after deduction of all costs and expenses, would not have exceeded the costs of exercising the subscription share rights. Therefore, all subscription share rights for the outstanding subscription shares lapsed with nil value.

In the prior period, the Company issued 3,081,455 ordinary shares on the exercise of rights attached to subscription shares. The subscription share price of 392.75 pence per ordinary share issued represented a premium of 367.75 pence per share over the 25 pence nominal value of each share. The total premium received on the issue of ordinary shares of 11,332,000 was credited to the share premium account.

The Company issued no new ordinary shares during the period (year ended 31 July 2020 and six months ended 31 January 2020: 265,981 shares). In the prior period, the total premium received on the issue of new ordinary shares of 1,096,000 was credited to the share premium account.

11 NET ASSET VALUE PER ORDINARY SHARE



31.01.21

unaudited 31.07.20

audited 31.01.20

unaudited Total shareholders' funds 319,896,000 269,400,000 286,945,000 Ordinary shares held outside of Treasury at period end 73,189,834 73,932,107 75,580,889 Net asset value per ordinary share 437.08p 364.39p 379.65p ========== ========== ==========

It is the Company's policy that shares held in Treasury will only be reissued at net asset value per ordinary share or at a premium to net asset value per ordinary share and, therefore, shares held in Treasury have no dilutive effect.

12 TRANSACTIONS WITH THE MANAGER AND RELATED PARTIES

FIL Investment Services (UK) Limited is the Company's Alternative Investment Fund Manager and has delegated portfolio management and the role of Company Secretary to FIL Investments International ("FII"). Both companies are Fidelity group companies.

Details of the fee arrangements are given in Note 5 above. During the period, management fees of 760,000 (six months ended 31 January 2020: 1,008,000 and year ended 31 July 2020: 1,655,000) and secretarial and administration fees of 38,000 (six months ended 31 January 2020: 38,000 and year ended 31 July 2020: 75,000) were payable to FII. At the Balance Sheet date, management fees of 143,000 (31 January 2020: 130,000 and 31 July 2020: 117,000) and secretarial and administration fees of 6,000 (31 January 2020: 6,000 and 31 July 2020: 6,000) were accrued and included in other creditors. FII also provides the Company with marketing services. The total amount payable for these services during the period was 66,000 (six months ended 31 January 2020: 64,000 and year ended 31 July 2020: 118,000). At the Balance Sheet date, marketing services of 13,000 (31 January 2020: 24,000 and 31 July 2020: 25,000) were accrued and included in other creditors.

As at 31 January 2021, the Board consisted of five non-executive Directors (as shown in the Half-Yearly Report), all of whom are considered to be independent by the Board. None of the Directors have a service contract with the Company. The Chairman receives an annual fee of 36,000, the Audit Committee Chairman an annual fee of 30,000 and each other Director an annual fee of 26,000. The following members of the Board held shares in the Company: Kate Bolsover 15,452 ordinary shares, Clare Brady 2,500 ordinary shares, Timothy Scholefield 12,000 ordinary shares, Grahame Stott 25,000 ordinary shares and Michael Warren 10,000 ordinary shares.

The financial information contained in this Half-Yearly Results Announcement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the six months ended 31 January 2021 and 31 January 2020 has not been audited or reviewed by the Company's Independent Auditor.

The information for the year ended 31 July 2020 has been extracted from the latest published audited financial statements, which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies, unless otherwise stated. The report of the Auditor on those financial statements contained no qualification or statement under sections 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

Neither the contents of the Company's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

A copy of the Half-Yearly Report will shortly be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will be available for inspection at www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM
The City of London financial district can be seen as people walk along the south side of the River Thames in London on March 19, 2021. (Henry Nicholls/Reuters)

Londons Financial District to Convert Empty Offices Into New Homes

The City of London, the British capitals financial district, will convert empty offices into new homes as part of its plan to adapt to the new reality under the CCP virus pandemic.

The City of London Corporation, the districts governing body, said it will work with the property industry to explore new ways to use vacant space and aim for at least 1,500 new residential units by 2030.

Our action plan for the City will ensure the Square Mile is the worlds most inclusive, innovative, and sustainable business ecosystem, an attractive place in which to invest, work, live, and visit. #SquareMileFutureCity READ MORE: https://t.co/ax0A1fjPN0

With @OliverWyman pic.twitter.com/ltSEWMCLhV  City of London (@cityoflondon) April 27, 2021

Its part of a plan produced by the City Corporations Recovery Taskforce to set out a program of actions over the next five years to enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of the district, which is also known as the Square Mile.

The Square Mile must adapt to post-pandemic economic and social trends in order to remain a world-leading ecosystem, the City Corporation stated in a report published on April 27.

The Corporation stated that it will curate an ecosystem of high-potential tech-led businesses and work with technology sectors not traditionally located in the Square Mile to help them access this ecosystem.

It will also provide the cultural and creative industries with low-cost, long-term rentals in empty and low-use spaces.

William Russell, lord mayor of the City of London, said: Hope is now on the horizon as our economy starts to reopen bringing a semblance of normality to life in the City. The Square Miles future is bright and we will rise to the challenge of adapting to the new normal that emerges after the pandemic.

Catherine McGuinness, policy chair at the City Corporation, said: Firms have told us that they remain committed to retaining a central London hub but how they operate will inevitably change to reflect post-pandemic trends, such as hybrid and flexible working.

The Square Mile must evolve in order to provide an ecosystem that remains attractive to workers, visitors, learners, and residents.

According to a new survey published by office company IWG earlier this month, fewer than 1 in 7 leaders in some of the UKs biggest companies have said they expect a full-time return to offices by the end of this year.

Firms are much more likely to pursue a hybrid work model in the future than go back to asking staff to work from a central office five days a week, the survey results showed.

PA contributed to this report.
Defence Minister Peter Duttons remarks on the eve of Anzac Day about the future posture of the Australian Defence Force were enormously significant. From now, he said, the core business [is] making sure they are keeping Australia safe and secure, presumably rather than being able to project our defence capacity to distant parts of the world such as the Middle East, where we have just ended our involvement in Afghanistan.

Then prime minister John Curtin at a rally in 1942. Credit:Archives

The threats are understood, Dutton said, and weve come to the end of our 20-year engagement in the Middle East, so there is a refocus and pivoting back to our own region.

So much history. See, for the first 40 years or so of our existence as a nation, the broad plan was to amass enough Frequent Fighter points with Great Britain that we could cash them in when necessary so it would come to our aid if we were threatened. And we so identified with Australians being the loyal sons and daughters of Great Britain  Great Britain in the South Seas  that such a stance of having a forward defence and sending off expeditionary forces was rarely questioned.

Just before World War I the man who would be prime minister, Andrew Fisher, famously said Australia would stand beside the mother country to help and defend her to the last man and the last shilling.
People carry oxygen cylinders after refilling them in a factory, amidst the spread of the CCP virus disease (COVID-19) in Ahmedabad, India, on April 25, 2021. (Amit Dave/Reuters)

As Pandemic Surges in India, US Offers Oxygen, Related Supplies

Experts say it should have come sooner

NEW DELHIThe United States has decided to support India with oxygen cylinders, oxygen generation systems, oxygen concentrators, ventilators, therapeutics, personal protective equipment, tests, and other related supplies as the South Asian nation struggles with a huge surge in COVID-19 cases.

Critics say the help has been slow in coming.

Over the past five days, India has set a world record for a single-day increase in coronavirus cases, with more than 300,000 new cases each day and a peak of 352,991 new cases on April 26. More than 17 million cases have been recorded since the pandemic began.

India is facing a huge surge right now, and theres a lot of support that were currently exploring and what were providing that will be helpful on the ground immediately, White House senior administration officials said on a press call on April 26.

At Indias request, were exploring options to provide oxygen and related supplies. These are resources that India has specifically requested and are very high on their priority list.

On the same day as the press call, President Joe Biden spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the leaders agreed to work closely together to fight the pandemic and protect their citizens and the health of their communities.

Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need, the president earlier said in a message on Twitter on April 26.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan also spoke with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, about the long-standing U.S.India partnership in fighting battles against smallpox, polio, and HIV. Sullivan told Doval that the United States will deploy a team of public health advisors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to work with the U.S. Embassy, Indian health ministers, and Indias epidemic intelligence staff.

The United States has identified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacture of the Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India, Emily Horne, spokesperson for the National Security Council, said in a statement.

A patient breathes with the help of oxygen provided by a Gurdwara, a place of worship for Sikhs, under a tent installed along the roadside amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in Ghaziabad, India, on April 26, 2021. (Sajjad Hussain/Getty Images)

Response Criticized

The Biden administrations decision to provide assistance to India is certainly a welcome decision and is a precious, comprehensive assistance package, but it should have come sooner, Michael Kugelman, the deputy director and the senior associate for South Asia at the Washington-based Wilson Center, told The Epoch Times.

He said its more of a way to express support and solidarity with Indian people, rather than providing assistance because India and the United States have a broad-based partnership.

The public diplomacy aspect of the U.S. response could have been better. The messaging could have been more immediate. But I think at the end of the day whats important is that help is on the way, Kugelman said.

Dr. Harsh Pant, director of studies and head of the strategic studies program at New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation, also said the U.S. response to this tragedy was a bit late.

I think the optics of the complete silence on the part of America for the past few days has been visibly noted in India, and I think theres a sense of outrage in India, he said.

The press in India noticed the remarks of State Department spokesperson Ned Price at an April 22 press briefing. While responding to a question about supporting India during its recent crisis, Price said the United States had a special responsibility to first take care of its own citizens.

A few days later, the message from Sullivan to Doval was of a more supportive nature.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Navys 7th Fleet carried out a freedom of navigation operation through Indias special economic zone area near the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea, without seeking Indias prior consent. While the U.S. administration later said it was an innocent move, Pant says there are people in India who are connecting various dots, and thats led to some negativity among Indians against the Biden administration.

Relatives sit next to the dead bodies of COVID-19 victims at a municipal electric crematorium in Allahabad, India, on April 22, 2021. (Sanjay Kanojia/AFP via Getty Images)

Raising Oxygen for India

The senior White House officials told reporters that the Department of Defense and USAID are seeking options to provide oxygen generation systems, and the State Department is currently working to arrange for oxygen, including cylinders, for India.

We also have the Department of Defense working on oxygen generation systems, including larger-scale as well as smaller-scale units, the officials stated, adding that the United States used oxygen generation systems in its field hospitals for 50 to 100 beds during the pandemic.

And Ill stress that some of these elements are in the exploration phase; theyre shorter- and longer-term options that were providing in the immediate, and then we plan to continue to be engaged over the longer term, the officials said.

The U.S. administration is also exploring the availability of oxygen concentrators and ventilators and is working with India to ensure the U.S. equipment is compatible with Indian devices and that necessary training will be provided.

Other categories of assistance that the United States is providing include therapeutics, personal protective equipment, and tests, and the United States is immediately making available commercial supplies of the therapeutic remdesivir for Indian patients.
Enterprises will go through the Response, Recovery, and Renew phases.

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With the continuing spread of the coronavirus pandemic, organizations across the globe are gradually flattening their recessionary curve by leveraging technology. Many businesses will go through response, recovery, and renewal phases. Building business resilience and enabling agility will aid organizations to move forward in their journey out of the COVID-19 crisis towards the Next Normal.

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Key Considerations for Market Forecast:

Impact of lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, demand destruction, and change in customer behavior

Optimistic, probable, and pessimistic scenarios for all markets as the impact of pandemic unfolds

Pre- as well as post-COVID-19 market estimates

Quarterly impact analysis and updates on market estimates

Related Report on Consumer Discretionary Include:

Global Slot Machine Market - Global slot machine market is segmented by product (digital and mechanical) and geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America).

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Major Three Vending Machine Market Participants:

Azkoyen SA

The company offers vending machines under brand names Vitro S1 Espresso, Vitro S1 Instant, Vitro S2 Instant, Vitro S3 FBT, Vitro S3 btc, Vitro S4 Instant, and others.

Compass Group Plc

The company offers vending machines which provide access to nutritious snacks, fresh meals, and hot drinks.

Crane Co.

The company offers vending machines for cold drinks, snacks, food, and hot beverage products.

If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extract FREE! Get the report snapshot here to get a detailed market share analysis of market participants during COVID-19 lockdown:

https://www.technavio.com/report/vending-machine-market-industry-analysis

Vending Machine Market 2021-2025: Segmentation

Vending machine market is segmented as below:

Product

Intelligent Vending Machines



Low End Vending Machines

Geography

North America



Europe



APAC



South America



MEA

The vending machine market is driven by the increasing adoption of vending machines. In addition, the growing demand for retrofitting vending machines is expected to trigger the vending machine market toward witnessing a CAGR of over 16% during the forecast period.

Get more insights about the global trends impacting the future of vending machine market, Request Free Sample @ https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR43707

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Market Challenges

Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

Competitive scenario

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A prominent Islamic cleric, Ahmed Gumi, has again canvassed amnesty for bandits wreaking havoc across the north of Nigeria, saying those he met in the past have repented.

Mr Gumi was at the forefront of the negotiation with the bandits who kidnapped Government Science College students in Kagara, Niger State, early this year.

He also led a delegation to visit bandits in their forest bases in Kaduna and Zamfara States for what he said were peace talks.

However, his demand for blanket amnesty for the bandits has been criticised by Nigerians who feel bandits deserve punishment for their heinous crimes.

But in a recent interview with Roots TV monitored by a PREMIUM TIMESs reporter, the cleric reiterated his call for amnesty.

All those we met, all of them have stopped being involved in this kidnapping. The ones doing it now are rogue ones who we did not sit down with, he said.

Mr Gumi did not provide evidence for the claim. But he decried the refusal of the authorities to support his mission.

According to him, the process of sitting down with other bandits was stalled by authorities who do not want it.

Our processes were arrested and stopped by the Authority, which is not interested in it.

When asked about the perceived injustice on victims of the bandits with the demand for amnesty, Mr Gumi said he has been a victim of banditry, too.

He said his brother was kidnapped and almost five million naira was paid as ransom to rescue him.

My very close relativeOne of the life time driver of my father. His son  a soldier  eleven of them were ambushed and killed, he added.

So, I am a victim of banditry. Then, should I seek revenge and more and more soldiers will die or do I forgive so that most souls will be saved?

So, I think it is logical It is better to stop the more killings and have peace.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how 239 were killed, 44 kidnapped in separate incidents last week.
Stefano Domenicali admits that spectators will be locked out of the first double-header of 2021 in Portugal and Spain.

The F1 CEO said that while he is happy with the television figures so far this season, "there is also an incredible desire to be physically near Formula 1".

"The problem with the public in Formula 1 is even more complex than last year," he told Italy's Sky TG24. "We react to the daily situation which changes from hour to hour.

"Unfortunately we will not have people at the next grands prix in Portugal and Spain, but Monte Carlo should be the first grand prix with a limited number of people on Sunday.

"That gives us hope looking forward," Domenicali added.

However, Alfa Romeo team manager Beat Zehnder said he is not even making flight and accommodation bookings for the Swiss-based team beyond Barcelona next weekend.

"Normally, I go on Christmas vacation having made all the bookings for the following season," he told Auto Motor und Sport. "Now, I've only booked until Barcelona.

"In the past that would bother me greatly, but today you just have to live with it."

Meanwhile, Domenicali said he is in talks with Italian officials about potentially making Imola a permanent fixture on the F1 calendar.

"I cannot promise something that is not certain," he insisted, "but when the foreign minister (Luigi de Maio) came to Imola with Sticchi Damiani and the president of the region, we talked about this possibility.

"We are talking and I hope in the coming months we will see what will happen."

(GMM)
All but one passenger on a Covid-infected flight into Perth last Saturday had recently been in India, angering Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan, who has hit out at the accuracy of Covid-19 testing in the virus-ravaged nation.

Four cases of the virus were found in Perth hotel quarantine on Tuesday - all of whom flew into the city from the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on April 24.

In total, 78 of the 79 passengers onboard the Malaysia Airlines flight MH125 had recently been in India, Mr McGowan confirmed.

The country is battling a deadly surge in coronavirus infections with infected patients dying on the streets outside hospitals, with 352,991 new cases on Monday alone.

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan (pictured on Tuesday) has hit out at the accuracy of Covid-19 testing in India after it emerged all but one passenger on a flight into Perth on Saturday from Kuala Lumpur was from the virus-crippled nation

'I have just been advised at this morning's emergency management team meeting that 78 of the 79 passengers on this flight had been in India recently,' he said.

'Our expectation is the number of positive cases from this group of people will grow and potentially grow significantly.'

He said the accuracy of India's Covid-19 testing methods could not be trusted.

'We obviously have a problem with India,' he said.

'Some of the tests conducted in India either aren't accurate or aren't believable and clearly that's causing some issues here.'

The WA premier said while he sympathised with the situation in India, his priority had to be protecting Western Australia.

'It's obviously a diabolical situation that is going on in India at the moment, but it does put extreme pressure on our systems here in Western Australia and indeed in other states,' he said.

'I'm advised that other states are going through exactly the same experience.'

Mr McGowan was one of the loudest voices demanding the federal government suspend flights from India, and the Morrison government on Tuesday announced a suspension of all commercial and charter flights until mid-May.

Four cases of Covid-19 were found in hotel quarantine on Tuesday. All of the confirmed cases had flown into Perth on flight MH125 from Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (pictured is a file of a Malaysia Airlines plane)

Pedestrians walk through a pedestrian overpass from Perth train station on Tuesday after lockdown restrictions were eased in the city and the neighbouring Peel region

Morning commuters are seen on a platform at the Perth train station wearing face masks on Tuesday. Perth residents must still wear a face covering in outdoor and indoor public settings as part of the eased restrictions

While most lockdown measures were lifted in WA on Tuesday, some restrictions will remain in place in WA until Saturday, including the mandatory wearing of face masks and limits on gatherings.

Two locally acquired infections were found from more than 29,000 tests after the virus leaked out of Perth's Mercure quarantine hotel.

WA's health department was aware of ventilation issues at the Mercure but had believed the risk could be mitigated.

The outbreak has renewed hotel quarantine concerns and prompted calls for the federal government to invest in purpose-built facilities.

Relatives and municipal workers prepare to bury the body of a person who died of Covid-19 in Gauhati, north-eastern India, on Sunday

In this aerial picture taken on April 26, burning pyres of victims who lost their lives due to the Covid-19 coronavirus are seen at a cremation ground in New Delhi

Mr McGowan also reiterated his desire for the Commonwealth to open air bases and Christmas Island to accommodate returned travellers.

He earlier accused the federal government of wanting the states to 'do all the work' in managing returned travellers.

'If they are not prepared to do it, we will just have to drop the number of returning people into Australia,' he said on Monday.
The boss of office provider IWG has insisted the worst is behind us after the number of inquiries about its shared work spaces shot back to pre-pandemic levels.

IWG offers serviced, open-plan offices and meeting rooms that can be booked by the hour.

Chief executive Mark Dixon said that after a year of remote working, March and April had marked an inflection point for many companies that are now plotting to bring people back to the office.

In demand: Regus owner IWG offers serviced, open-plan offices and meeting rooms that can be booked by the hour such as this space in London Bridge

This is still expected to take some time as many firms will be loath to rush the process and over-commit to renting space in case stricter social distancing requirements come back.

But the Regus owner said it was benefiting from demand for satellite offices outside major cities and away from company HQs

Interest in the London suburbs has been stronger than for the centre, while in the US, inquiries for Florida and Texas have surpassed those for New York.

Stock Watch - Scotgold Resources Scotgold Resources shares sank after the company warned production at its gold mine, which is built into the side of a Scottish mountain, will be slower than planned. The AIM-listed group said it could not currently access high-quality gold at its site in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Because of the delays, it will need to seek fresh financing, which could come in the form of a loan from its directors. Scotgolds stock fell 22 per cent, or 15.5p, to 55p.

During the first quarter it signed deals with big-name clients such as Japanese telecoms group NTT and banking giant Standard Chartered.

But investors remain sceptical. IWG fell 0.9 per cent, or 3.2p, to 359.8p, as it also revealed that revenues slumped by 24 per cent to 528million in the first quarter.

Sanctuary Spa and Original Source-owner PZ Cussons also failed to rouse shareholders despite turnover in the third quarter rising 5 per cent to 145million and business in all regions outdoing the previous year.

It has been boosted by strong demand for hygiene products such as soap during the pandemic, but fell 0.7 per cent, or 2p, to 266.5p.

Holiday group Jet2 was a hit  rising 3 per cent, or 42.5p, to 1458p  as it said customers were leaving it until the last minute to book trips in case travel rules changed. It has pencilled in a loss of up to 385million in the year to March 31.

A lukewarm update from engineering and industrial software maker Aveva was eclipsed by the shock announcement that boss Craig Hayman will be leaving to be replaced by a representative from the biggest shareholder, Schneider Electric.

Hayman is quitting after three years, returning home to the US.

Schneider owns 60pc of Avevas shares, and the highly unusual move to replace a boss with an investor rep who is being seconded to the role has prompted speculation that it is plotting a full takeover.

Aveva slumped 5.4 per cent, or 212p, to 3695p, weighing down on the wider FTSE 100, which closed 0.3 per cent lower, down 18.15 points, at 6944.57. The FTSE 250 fell 0.6 per cent, or 144.26 points, to 22,433.08.

A slip in gold prices below $1.78 an ounce dragged on the share prices of major miners Polymetal (down 2.8 per cent, or 44.5p, to 1559.5p) and Fresnillo (down 2.2 per cent, or 20.2p, to 886.6p).

But copper prices climbed to their highest level in a decade, surpassing $9,795 a tonne, nearing all-time highs as worries about supply sent traders into a frenzy.

Elsewhere, smoke detector and automatic door sensor-maker Halma dipped 1.1 per cent, or 29p, to 2601p after it bought a firm that monitors mothers and babies during childbirth.

Perigens software technology can alert doctors, nurses and midwives to potential problems.

Test and Trace outsourcer Serco has clinched contracts worth 350million from the Department for Work and Pensions to run back-to-work services for jobseekers.

It came a day after a Serious Fraud Office trial of former Serco executives over a prisoner tagging scandal was dropped because the crime watchdog failed to disclose evidence to the defence. Serco rose 1.7 per cent, or 2.4p, to 143.8p.
The countries of the Visegrad Group (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary) fully support the actions of official Prague to declare 18 Russian intelligence officers who acted under diplomatic cover persona non grata, and offer it their support.

This was said in a declaration adopted by the prime ministers of the Visegrad Group countries following an emergency online meeting on April 26, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

We, the prime ministers of Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, express our complete solidarity with the Czech Republic, our close partner and neighbor, in connection with the participation of Russian intelligence officers in the actions that led to the explosion at arms depots in Vrbetice in 2014, as well as the disproportionate measures taken by Russia in response to the Czech Republic's fully justified decision to expel 18 Russian intelligence officers from its territory, and offer the Czech Republic our diplomatic and consular support," reads the declaration published on the official website of the Government of the Republic of Poland.

The document condemns the illegal and brutal actions of Russian intelligence officers.

"We will not allow these actions to divide Europe. The Visegrad Group countries are determined to take action to strengthen our resilience together with other EU Member States," the declaration says.

The prime ministers also stressed the need to reduce dependence on Russia in the energy sector and "the need to convince German partners that the construction of Nord Stream 2 is a harmful project."

According to First Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland Szymon Szynkowski vel Sek, the Visegrad Group countries within the EU and NATO will take steps to convince Russia that attacks on Western democracies and other countries "will cost it dearly, and this price will continue to rise."

As reported, a diplomatic war between Russia and Western countries has been going on in recent weeks. In particular, the United State, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia expelled Russian diplomats for actions that contradict their diplomatic status. Russia gave a mirror-like response, declaring diplomats from these countries persona non grata.

On April 22, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered the General Staff of the Russian Federation and commanders to withdraw troops, which have recently been moved to Ukraine's borders, to their permanent bases.

ish
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Soundtrack Your Brand Founder, CEO & Chairman, Ola Sars, has been named to Billboard's prestigious 2021 International Power Players list. Each year, Billboard's International Power Players list recognizes high-achieving music executives whose primary responsibility is outside the United States. According to Billboard, the 2021 International Power Players feature reflects "an unprecedented time in our industry. Our goal in recognizing honorees is also to acknowledge the resiliency, strength and activism of the global music business."

Sars recently concluded the roll out of Soundtrack Unlimited, bringing more than 15,000 rights holders onboard, including Sony Music, Warner Music, Merlin and Universal Music Group for the launch of the world's first B2B on-demand service, all the while navigating the company through the Covid-19 pandemic which had an undeniable impact on the industries served by Soundtrack. As a company serving restaurants, retail and hotels as its core customer groups, 2020 was brutal for the B2B markets, yet Sars was able to lead the company through these difficult times and still produce strong growth.

"I am humbled to be included in this industry leading list alongside amazing fellow music industry colleagues. The industry's future growth will be driven by the international markets," adds Sars. "Being selected by Billboard, furthers my motivation at Soundtrack to keep fighting to fix the broken background music market."

Soundtrack has been architecting the global business model for B2B-music-streaming, moving the antiquated background music market into the streaming era to bring transparency, compliance, fair compensation and correct flow-through of royalties to artists and composers when their music is played in commercial spaces. Over the past 12 months, Soundtrack Your Brand launched the world's first on-demand B2B music-streaming product, giving businesses for the first time a music solution that is on par with popular consumer streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.

The newly launched on-demand product increases label royalties by 6x-10x per subscription over consumer streaming services. Soundtrack's model is based on full song trackability, offering artists usage-based compensation and clear accountability when their music is played in a commercial environment such as a restaurant, bar, shop, gym, hotel, etc.

Soundtrack Your Brand gives businesses the power to stream music legally in their establishments, all while enabling a higher royalty output for rights holders. Soundtrack is on a mission to increase the value of music to ensure music creators are properly compensated for their art and is already being used by over 20,000 brands globally in 74 markets, including W Hotels, J. Crew, McDonald's Lululemon and more.

Sars joins executives from such esteemed companies as Spotify, Live Nation, Universal, Sony, Disney, YouTube, Amazon, Apple and more on this year's list.

Prior to founding Soundtrack, he co-founded Spotify Business together with Spotify, a stand-alone effort to expand Spotify's reach into B2B streaming. In 2018, he pivoted Spotify Business into Soundtrack as a fully independent brand and business. Previous to co-founding Spotify Business, he was the co-founder and COO of Beats Music, acquired by Apple and transformed into Apple Music, as well as the co-founder of Pacemaker, the world's first DJ driven music platform.

A Stockholm based serial entrepreneur active in the music-tech space, Sars' driving force behind his repeated efforts in transforming the music market comes from his conviction that music is undervalued as an art-form and that the music industry offers significant opportunity for value improvement and growth. www.soundtrackyourbrand.com

Media Contacts: Patricia Hoyos Rogers, The Tag Experience, patricia@thetagexperience.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1496789/OlaSarsImage.jpg
By JAY REEVES, The Associated Press

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP)  With lowered flags and somber ceremonies, Alabama will pause Tuesday to mark the 10th anniversary of a horrific tornado outbreak that killed more than 250 people statewide, caused billions in damage and reshaped entire communities.

Gov. Kay Ivey issued an order for flags statewide to be lowered to half-staff and proclaimed a Day of Remembrance for a horrible event that has impacted the state of Alabama forever.

Faye Hyde sits on a mattress in what was her yard in Concord as she comforts her grand daughter Sierra Goldsmith, 2. Their home was destroyed. (Birmingham News Photo / Jeff Roberts, 2011)bn

Faye Hyde and her granddaughter Sierra are still close, a decade after the tornado that left them huddling together atop a mattress amidst the rubble on April 27, 2011. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com)

In Tuscaloosa, where dozens were killed and entire neighborhoods were demolished, three new memorial plaques will be dedicated during ceremonies to honor victims and recall the horrors of April 27, 2011. The University of Alabama will toll its 25-bell carillon, Denny Chimes, 53 times to honor each of the people who died in the city.

This combination of April 27, 2011 and April 14, 2021 photos shows 15th Street in Tuscaloosa, Ala., after a tornado ripped through the area and the same street a decade later. The storm was part of an outbreak of severe weather that killed more than 320 people across six states in 2011. (Michelle Lepianka Carter/The Tuscaloosa News via AP, AP Photo/Jay Reeves)AP

Tornadoes plowed across the Eastern U.S. over four days, killing more than 320 people in six states and causing an estimated $12 billion in damage. Thousands were injured in hardest-hit Alabama, and thousands of homes, businesses, churches and other structures were destroyed. Cleanup costs exceeded $100 million in Tuscaloosa alone.

This combination of April 29, 2011 and April 16, 2021 photos shows a water tower in Hackleburg, Ala., on April 29, 2011, after a tornado destroyed much of the city and the scene a decade later. While some homes have been rebuilt and businesses recovered, the city still lacks adequate housing and retail businesses. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, Jay Reeves)AP

To help document the outbreak, the National Weather Service created an extensive online archive with details about the more than 60 twisters that hit Alabama.

In tiny Hackleburg, which still lacks sufficient housing and retail businesses because an EF-5 twister wiped out most of the town businesses and many homes, killing 18 people, residents will gather on a road in an intersection in the afternoon to form a human cross, said Mayor Darryl Colburn.

I hope everyone can make it out and take a moment to remember the friends and family members we lost that tragic day, but also recognize the hope, strength and resilient attitude weve shown as a Town and Community to continue to come back stronger, Colburn said in a message on social media.

The entrance to the old Tallulah Hotel in Cordova, Ala., is shown on Monday, April 5, 2021. A tornado wiped out much of the city on April 27, 2011. Ten years haven't fill the voids created by a massive tornado outbreak that killed more than 320 people in six states a decade ago. (AP Photo/Jay ReevesAP

In the small town of Phil Campbell, where 27 were killed in the same tornado, the high school band planned an evening concert that will conclude with a special piece written to commemorate the anniversary. A community group in the tight-know Shoal Creek Valley, where a dozen were killed, sold commemorative T-shirts with the words: Strength is what we gain from the trials we survive.

In northeast Alabamas DeKalb County, where nearly three dozen people died, a community service was held Saturday in Rainsville to remember the outbreak.

More: Vintage photos of Harrisburg gas stations in the 1920s and 30s: Then and now
Vladimir Norov, secretary general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Zhang Shaogang, vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and chairman of the SCO Business Council National Branch from China, and Saidzoda Zohir Ozod, ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to China, delivered speeches at the opening ceremony.

Li Kuiwen, spokesman and director of Department of Statistics and Analysis at the General Administration of Customs of China, released the China-SCO Members Trade Index. Statistics show that, following the increasingly tightened trade ties, the China-SCO Members imports and exports increased from US$17.14 in 2001 to US$244.85 billion in 2020, with an average annual growth of 15%.

At the event, representatives from four sister cities and 19 sister parks in 17 countries signed MOUs with the authorities of Qingdao and the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Demonstration Zone for Local Economic and Trade Cooperation on site or online to establish friendly relations and launch cooperation in 20 projects with investment totaling RMB66.8 billion in such sectors as trade and logistics, new energy, high-end manufacturing, culture tourism and biomedicine.

Liu Jianjun, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Qingdao Committee, secretary of the CPC Jiaozhou Committee, and secretary of the CPC Working Committee and director of the Administrative Committee of the demonstration zone, gave the guests an introduction to the demonstration zone.

Gabit Koishybayev, ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to China, Moinul Haque, Pakistan ambassador to China, and several other guests gave keynote speeches revolving around "enhancing bilateral and multilateral local economic and trade cooperation and promoting higher-level opening-up under new international circumstances".

Xiang Zhiqiang, deputy director of the Administrative Committee of the demonstration zone, announced the "Qingdao Initiative" on enhancing local economic and trade cooperation.

The initiative says the SCO members have pulled off remarkable successes in strengthening exchanges, deepening cooperation, fighting terrorism and driving economic development and cultural fusion since the founding of the SCO. It calls on the SCOthe largest regional organization in the world in terms of geographical coverage and populationto make greater contributions to the development of its members by promoting local economic and trade cooperation, providing more and better channels for international logistics and accelerating investment and trade facilitation.

It is said in the initiative that the demonstration zone has opened a new page for economic and trade cooperation between the SCO members, and the expo has become an important platform for facilitating the cooperation.

After the opening ceremony, the guests visited the pavilions of different countries in the exhibition zone.

It is reported that, in addition to the opening ceremony and the SCO Qingdao Forum, the three-day expo will also include promotions of SCO members along with a project fair.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1496640/SCO_Forum_2021.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1245709/Qingdao_Logo.jpg

ContactZhu Yiling

Tel.+86-532-85911619

Websitehttp://www.qingdaochina.org

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/qingdaocity

Twitterhttps://twitter.com/loveqingdao

SOURCE Stadt Qingdao
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has issued a warning for consumers about the danger associated with eating edible products, such as jelly sweets, containing cannabis components.

This warning comes following a number of recent incidents whereby edible products containing significant levels of the psychotropic cannabis component tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were intercepted by An Garda Siochana and Revenues Customs Service.

In at least one incident, sweets containing cannabis oil were consumed by a number of teenagers, one of whom subsequently suffered serious adverse health effects requiring hospitalisation. The particular sweets were apparently purchased online with the packaging carrying explicit warnings to eat the sweets cautiously and that a significant concentration of THC was present.

THC is the psychotropic cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant that results in the euphoric high in people who consume it by smoking, vaping or eating. THC is a controlled substance in Ireland with no tolerance level set in the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977.

"Those involved are obviously not concerned about the consequences of these products getting into the hands of vulnerable people

In food, THC is considered a contaminant, with no permitted threshold in the EU. The European Food Safety Authority has established an acute reference dose of 1g/kg body weight above which the safety of ingested THC cannot be guaranteed.

According to Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, THC is a toxic contaminant and should not be added to any food.

Sweets containing cannabis components are being sold online or by other means," said Dr Byrne.

"They are dangerous, particularly for young people and those with prior health conditions who may consume them unwittingly. We are warning consumers about the dangers from eating these sweets with cannabis products added.

"People should only ever buy food from reputable sources and be sure they check the food labels. THC is not classified as food in the EU and is a controlled substance in Ireland.

"This new development is a sinister attempt to sell narcotics in the form of sweets and those involved are obviously not concerned about the consequences of these products getting into the hands of vulnerable people like children who could consume these products unwittingly to the detriment of their health.

The FSAI is liaising with other Government agencies including the Health Service Executive, An Garda Siochana and Revenues Customs Service to detect and stop the import and sale of these dangerous products into Ireland.

The FSAI urges anybody in a position of influence to educate children about the dangers of these illicit products and alert the FSAI or other enforcement agencies where they have information about the availability of these products.
South Sudans health ministry has rejected the advice from the World Health Organization (WHO) not to destroy the expired Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine.



The country's Covid-19 Incident Manager Richard Laku has said the government will not use the 60,000 vaccines and will destroy them.



The WHO has asked governments to wait for its guidance noting that vaccines could be used up to 36 months after manufacture.



Dr Laku said the position of the government is that these doses of vaccine will not be used, but there is an option to destroy them.



WHOs Country Preparedness and International Health Regulation Officer Wamala Joseph Francis said there was a standard practice for the organisation to reach out to manufacturers for guidance.



When such a situation happens for a precious product like this Covid vaccine, we usually reach out to the manufacturer and share the batches  so that the manufacturer can run additional tests and determine for how long the vaccine will remain stable  so that will determine the period of extending the expiry date, Dr Francis said.

Source: BBC









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[April 27, 2021] ZSuite Technologies Selects William Mills Agency for Public Relations

William Mills Agency, the largest independent public relations and marketing firm specializing in the financial industry, has been selected by ZSuite Technologies for public relations services. Headquartered in Burlington, Mass., ZSuite is a financial technology company offering digital tools that help businesses and individuals automate collection of recurring payments and the management and compliance around multi-use escrow subaccounting processes. Established in 2019, ZSuite Technologies was founded by bringing bankers and experienced technology executives together to help banks and credit unions alike compete in an ever-changing landscape. By strengthening the relationship between financial institutions and underserved consumers, ZSuite builds solutions that satisfy the needs of niche businesses and customers. Scott Mills, president, William Mills Agency said, "Fintechs that help financial institutions pursue new business segments using digital tools is a really good place to be. ZSuite's hyper-focus and understanding of bankers' needs will serve them well." "Our partnership with the William Mills Agency team is a strategic step to take our brand to the next level," said Nathan Baumeister, CEO, ZSuite Technologies. "As we continue to develop and deploy digital escrow tools that solve long-standing issues, ZSuite will constantly innovate our solution. We are excited with all the successes w have had thus far with the William Mills team and look forward to what the future holds for the rest of 2021."



About ZSuite Technologies ZSuite Technologies is a financial technology company that aims to power community financial institutions with digital escrow products for specific commercial verticals that can be offered to their clients. ZSuite's products, ZRent, ZDeposit and ZEscrow, streamline collection of recurring payments and automate the management and compliance around multi-use escrow subaccounting processes.

To learn more about ZSuiteTechnologies and how it can help your financial institution, please visit www.ZSuitetech.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. About William Mills Agency William Mills Agency is the nation's largest public relations and marketing firm serving the financial technology industry with an emphasis on fintech providers. The agency has established its reputation through the successful execution of media relations, marketing services and crisis communications programs. The company serves clients ranging in size from small start-ups to large, publicly-traded companies. For more information, please visit www.williammills.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005715/en/

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Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Duluth Downtown, GA We are thrilled to add another hotel to our portfolio in the Atlanta metro area, said Beau Benton, President of LBA Hospitality. The Courtyard is a walkable location to the award-winning restaurants and shops of Duluth and is a perfect spot for guests traveling on business or for pleasure."

The highly-anticipated Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Duluth Downtown (3141 Hill St. NW) constructed in the recently revitalized downtown area of Duluth, GA, officially opened its doors to guests on April 27, 2021. Located just outside of Atlanta, this 100-room property offers a small-town feel with big-city amenities. The Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Duluth Downtown, owned by Southeastern Development and managed by LBA Hospitality, is the only hotel in Downtown Duluth, GA.

We are thrilled to add another hotel to our portfolio in the Atlanta metro area, said Beau Benton, President of LBA Hospitality. The Courtyard is a walkable location to the award-winning restaurants and shops of Duluth and is a perfect spot for guests whether they are visiting for business or just for fun.

Courtyard by Marriott continues to innovate the guest experience to meet the changing needs of travelers. Designed with the business traveler in mind, the newest guest room layout offers hybrid zones for both working and relaxing. The Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Duluth Downtown features Marriotts latest open and inviting lobby design, and at its epicenter, a newly designed Bistro offering upscale fast-casual dining, Starbucks , and an array of cocktails, beer, and wine for guests to unwind.

Guests of the Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Duluth Downtown can soak in local culture atop the terrace overlooking the Duluth Festival Center, and work, stay and play within walking distance of the quaint cafes, restaurants, and one-of-a-kind boutiques, unique to Downtown Duluth. The hotels 2,134 square feet of flexible meeting space, with floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning views of the Duluth Town Green, offers the perfect venue for socially distanced meetings and events under the Georgia sun.

It has been an honor to partner with the City of Duluth on the redevelopment of this site, said John Lee, Jr., Senior Vice President of Southeastern Development Group. With the tremendous support of the City of Duluth, as well as the work of countless individuals and our long-standing partners at Ponder & Ponder Architects, weve completed another successful project, bringing much-needed parking to accommodate guests and visitors, and a charming building that perfectly complements the uniqueness of Downton Duluth.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Duluth Downtown (http://www.marriott.com/atlch) or call 470-740-1040.

About LBA Hospitality

Established in 1973, LBA Hospitality is one of the leading hotel management, development, and consulting companies in the US. With an extensive portfolio of hotels located in the Southeast and Southwest, the company is a recognized leader developing and operating the most respected brands under franchise licenses of Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, and InterContinental Hotel Group. For more than four decades, LBA Hospitality has continued to set a higher standard in hotel development, management, and guest satisfaction, resulting in sustained, profitable growth for owners. For more information, visit http://www.lbahospitality.com.

About Southeastern Development Group

Originated in 1987, Southeastern Development Group, headquartered in Augusta, GA, is a multi-facet development company operating throughout the Southeast for over 30 years. The company develops multi-family, retail, hotel, and major residential planned development communities. For information, visit http://www.southeastern.company.
Central Asia possesses a significant role within the global geopolitical balance since it comprises numerous trade channels that link many businesses with millions of target customers from China to Portugal and vice-versa. Withal, by having abundant hydrocarbon potentials, the region offers tremendous opportunities to the global and local players, Modern Diplomacy writes. Throughout the recent period, the preponderance of the energy-based plans and policies triggered the emergence of mega projects in the region, such as the Southern Gas Corridor, Central AsiaChina gas pipeline, TAPI, and a possible Trans-Caspian pipeline in the upcoming years.

Albeit these intense investment activities are foreshadowing new regional perspectives for economic development, it also generates additional alternatives and realities for the European policymakers.

The new business in the traditional routes

Anciently, the region was home to the legendary Silk Road, which was shaping the vivid economic landscape of the planet. Today, the regions erstwhile role in trade seems to be revitalized to some extent by the projects such as the Road and Belt Initiative. In contradistinction to the past, energy forms the backbone of modern trade in Central Asia despite some cardinal difficulties of marketing and transportation.

In the last decade, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan had some attempts to increase their presence in the sector via their involvement in Central AsiaChina gas pipeline. Notwithstanding, none of them was able to establish a comprehensive framework of cooperation with the EU as Azerbaijan. Through its unique Southern Gas Corridor project, which enables the transfer of the natural gas from the Shah Deniz field of the Caspian Sea to South Europe, Azerbaijan had radically transformed the pipeline mappings at the Caspian region. Concomitantly this channel provides a tremendous chance to the other landlocked Central Asian countries to be able to meet the rising demand in the European market.

Europes apprehension

From the European Union perspective, energy can be categorized as a strategic sector since the European economy increasingly relies on international suppliers. Currently, 54% of the energy consumption within the EU is imported mainly from Russia. More specifically, in 2019, Russian stake in the EUs natural gas import was 44%, and the dependency of EU countries on Russian gas in 2013 as follows: Estonia 100%, Finland 100%, Latvia 100%, Lithuania 100%, Slovakia 100%, Bulgaria 97%, Hungary 83%, Slovenia 72%, Greece 66%, Czech Republic 63%, Austria 62%, Poland 57%, and Germany 46%. These substantial factors are forming the backdrop of the EUs diversification policy in the concerning field through the establishment of intense diplomatic and economic ties to ensure the sustainability of energy security. During the anticipated turbulent periods, especially considering the latest exacerbation between Russia and the Western bloc, the European economy might inevitably face some severe hurdles. Since there is a possibility that the process might be accompanied by the risk of the blockage of the Russian gas by the transit countries.

The viable solution

Geopolitical escalations undoubtedly hasten the energy diversification process within the European Union. Although the union intends to achieve its economic goals via the market mechanisms, it also adopts a realist standpoint in International Relations, specifically in the energy context. As stated by the British Petroleum data published in 2019, proved gas reserves of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan totaled26,2 trillion cubic meters or 13,1% of the worlds known reserve. Undoubtedly, such an enormous potential would significantly contribute to the energy security of the EU.

Given the current situation in the European energy market and the global political climate, the EU cannot ignore its energy security concept, which is the fundamental aim of energy policy. In this sense, Southern Gas Corridor appears like the most convenient alternative by considering the future possibility of the construction of the Trans-Caspian pipeline that would dramatically facilitate the direct transfer of the Central Asian gas to South Europe.

As long as the EU is dependent on the imports of fossil fuels, the necessity of the balance in the energy sector will remain topical. Hence the formulation of a rational approach towards cooperation with potential suppliers, particularly key countries such as Azerbaijan, is essential. Otherwise, the energy notion will remain a risky and problematic political and economic instrument.
BRATTLEBORO  Koffee Kup Bakery and its assets may soon be in the hands of a New Brunswick husband and wife who own the largest family-owned a
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A new coating solution discovered by researchers at Simon Fraser University can transform regular materials into waterproof surfaces. The product will be cheaper to produce, free of harmful fluorinated compounds, and effective on a variety of materials. Their research findings have been published in Nature Communications.

SFU chemistry professor and project lead Hogan Yu estimates that their patented waterproofing solution will be up to 90 percent cheaper to produce. Yu and his team are currently floating the idea by investors and companies with the goal of commercializing the product.

The new formula was invented at Yu's lab when SFU graduate student Lishen Zhang and another student were working on an experiment in 2016. The student used a reagent that had been left open for a few days, surprisingly generating waterproof surfaces. "At the time we believed the extended air exposure led to the degradation of the reagent, which inspired Lishen to explore an unconventional reaction that is now critical to our coating technology," says Yu.

Yu and his team have spent the past five years testing and refining the formula for the coating solution, which is based on a simple combination of chemicals known as organosilane, water and an industrial solvent. A variety of materials, such as fabric, glass, wood and metal can be sprayed with or dipped into the coating mixture. Tests have shown that the treated surfaces remain waterproof for at least 18 months and further testing is underway to determine their performance over an even longer time period or under harsh physical conditions.

Another test that demonstrates the effectiveness of the waterproofing solution when applied to fabric. Credit: SFU

The waterproof coating's effectiveness was examined through so-called water contact angle tests. On a water-repellant (hydrophobic) surface, a droplet remains spherical and slides off instead of sinking into and clinging to the surface. The team found that their coating has the highest water contact angles when compared with the branded commercial products, such as Scotchgard, Woods, KIWI, NikwaxTM, NeverWet, and Grangers.

Beyond waterproof clothing, the researchers anticipate that their invention could be applied in creating antibiofouling, stain-resistant coatings for iron or steel, anti-icing and water-repelling paint for building construction, as well as efficient membranes for water-oil separation.

"Since the method to produce this waterproofing solution is simple and low-cost, the production can also be easily scaled up for industrial and commercial applications," Yu explains.

The team used the water contact angle to measure the effectiveness of their coating. They tested eight other waterproofing products including Scotchgard, Woods, KIWI, Nikwax TX, NeverWet and Grangers and found that their product had the highest water contact angle values. Credit: SFU

This product shows excellent properties in terms of waterproofing, convenience, cost and robustness, and it's also environmentally-friendly," he adds. "We believe this product could help improve people's lives in a number of ways, such as keeping us dry and comfortable on rainy days, which are common on the West Coast where we love to live."

The team is currently liaising with SFU's Technology Licensing Office about IP protection and commercialization plans, after a provisional U.S. patent application was filed in January.

More information: Lishen Zhang et al, Functional and versatile superhydrophobic coatings via stoichiometric silanization, Nature Communications (2021). Journal information: Nature Communications Lishen Zhang et al, Functional and versatile superhydrophobic coatings via stoichiometric silanization,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21219-y
NEW HAVEN  A former New Haven police officer is seeking to get his position back after he resigned following internal affairs investigations that determined he violated department regulations in sexual interactions with two women, documents show. .

The police union is backing former Officer Gary Gamarra in his bid to be reinstated, saying he is entitled to due process. But Acting Chief Renee Dominguez is seeking to have his state certification revoked, saying we do not tolerate conduct that would dishonor the badge.

The internal affairs investigations began in November 2019 and July 2020, respectively, after Beatrice Codianni, executive director of the Sex Workers and Allies Network, shared allegations from two women that an officer, later identified as Gamarra, had solicited sexual acts from them, the IA report documents say.

The Police Department released both internal affairs reports, as well as associated memos and emails, in response to a Freedom of Information request. Gamarra could not be reached for comment.

The complainant in the 2019 case that was investigated by Detective Ryan Macuirzynski reported that she had been stopped by the officer in fall 2019 and the officer said at the time that he would not arrest her, but she owed him, Macuirzynskis report says. Days later, the woman met Gamarra while he was driving his own car; he reminded her of the past incident; she later performed a sex act with him as he drove, according to Macuirzynskis report.

(She) said the Officer did not use a weapon or assault her at any time, only force by verbal, Macuirzynski wrote. She stated her options were to be harassed and constantly pulled over or give him (a sex act) ... and hes gonna go away.

The complainant in the case investigated by Detective Kealyn Nivakoff reported the officer, also later identified as Gamarra, began repeatedly stopping her after responding to a dispute between her and a male friend.

The complainant said the officer had called out to her while she was walking on Ferry Street in July 2020 and ordered her into the car; she felt obligated to get into the car because he was an officer, according to Nivakoffs report

According to the report, the officer drove to another area , where they had intercourse. The woman reported she cried during the interaction, but did not tell him that she did not want to have sex, or tell him to stop.

(The woman) stated she felt like she didnt have a choice but to have sex with him and that the officer raped her, Nivakoff wrote. (She) stated she never told the officer that she didnt want to have sex with him because she was scared to say it. (She) stated that she felt she had to do it because he was the law.

Macuirzynski and Nivakoff, with other officers, interviewed Gamarra regarding the allegations in December 2020. (Gamarra initially denied having sexual contact with either of the women, but, over the course of the interview, changed his stance, said he (expletive) up, and admitted to both encounters, according to Nivakoffs report. He said the sex was consensual, according to the report.

(Gamarra) stated that he was having problems with his girlfriend at the time and his aunt just died of cancer, Nivakoff wrote. (He) stated he just wasnt thinking, and he just didnt care at the time.

Gamarra was found to have violated departmental rules of conduct concerning principles and procedures, Macuirzynski wrote.

(Gamarras) actions are held to a higher standard and he destroyed the confidence and respect of the citizens he served in his employment as a New Haven Police Officer, Macuirzynski wrote

Gamarra resigned from his position on Dec. 18, but then sought to be reinstated through a union grievance on Dec. 28, according to a letter Gamarra wrote to top police officials.

(T)he manner in which I was compelled to resign was unfair and coercive, Gamarra wrote in a letter to now former Police Chief Otoniel Reyes and Elm City Local police union President Florencio Cotto. I want to resume work as a New Haven police officer.

Marshall Segar, an attorney representing the Elm City Local, said in a statement the city was duty-bound to restore Gamarras position, as it had not appropriately responded to his grievance.

The Union has filed a grievance on behalf of Gary Gamarra. The basis of the Unions complaint is that the City failed to reinstate Gary once he rescinded his letter of resignation. The City took no action to accept or reject the letter as required, thus Gary filed a timely rescission and must be reinstated, Segar said. The Citys failure to act constitutes the violation of the CBA because by not acting, the City turned the resignation into a termination thus invoking the grievance procedure. Simply put, regardless of the allegations against Gary, he is entitled to due process.

But Reyes and Dominguez both sought to have the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council revoke Gamarras certification.

Dominguez said POST was reviewing the request to revoke Gamarras certification.

Karen Boisvert, POST academy administrator, said the process had begun, but the matter had not been brought to the organizations governing council.

Dominguez condemned Gamarras actions and said the department would swiftly investigate any such matters, now and in the future.

We obviously take this very seriously and we dont think this meets the standards of law enforcement or the New Haven Police Department, said Dominguez.

Supervisory Assistant States Attorney Lisa DAngelo said, in a memo to Lt. David Zannelli, head of the Police Departments internal affairs division, that there was not probable cause to arrest Gamarra.

SWAN, in a recent press release, expressed displeasure with the decision not to arrest Gamarra.

This decision sends the message that sex workers who are victim of sexual violence cannot expect to see justice, and contributes to a climate of impunity for violence against sex workers, often perpetrated by law enforcement, the organizations release said.  Sex workers deserve protection against abuse and violence. Police officers must be held accountable when they harm community members. Sex work is work and should not be criminalized.

Dominguez asked anyone with information regarding Gamarras actions to step forward. The state attorneys office had expressed willingness to revisit the matter if more evidence was provided, she said.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Robinson Manufacturing officials announced Tuesday that the clothing manufacturing and distribution company will expand its operations, creating 91 new jobs in Rhea County.

Robinson Manufacturing will invest $15 million to increase its manufacturing and distribution capabilities.

The company manufactures, decorates, warehouses and distributes apparel for customers around the world. Due to increased demand, it has constructed a new warehouse and distribution space at its existing location at 1140 Broadway St. in Dayton.

Robinson Manufacturing has remained family owned and operated since it was founded in 1927. Throughout its history, the company has manufactured apparel for a wide range of distribution, including nearly 90 percent of its production on World War II efforts in the 1940s.

Those interested in applying can go to https://www.robinsonmfg.com/ careers to learn more, or apply in person at 798 Market St. in Dayton.

Over the last five years, TNECD has supported 80 economic development projects in Southeast Tennessee, resulting in 10,500 job commitments and $3.2 billion in capital investment.

Governor Lee said, I congratulate Robinson Manufacturing on its expansion in Rhea County and am proud to partner with a company that has had roots in Tennessee for nearly 100 years. Job creation in rural communities is crucial to our states economic success, and I thank Robinson Manufacturing for creating these 91 new jobs.

Commissioner Rolfe said, Supporting projects in our at-risk and distressed counties is a priority for TNECD, and Robinson Manufacturings investment is an indicator of healthy growth in Rhea County. Companies have invested more than $9.5 billion in our rural counties over the last five years, and we are fortunate to add this additional investment in Rhea County. Were grateful to Rhea Economic Tourism Council, the city of Dayton and Rhea County who helped bring this project to fruition.

Company president Patrick Robinson said, Robinson Manufacturing Company is proud to be able to expand our operations in Rhea County where it all started in 1927. Our deep roots in the generations of the people of Rhea County is the foundation of our success. We certainly look forward to our future as well as continuing to provide jobs for our great community.

John Bradley of TVA said, TVA and City of Dayton Electric Department congratulate Robinson Manufacturing on its decision to expand operations in Dayton. Its always an exciting day when we can celebrate a companys continued commitment to job creation and investment in the region. We are proud to partner with Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and Rhea Economic and Tourism Council to celebrate this announcement and support Robinson Manufacturing in its continued business success in the Valley.

Rep. Ron Travis of Dayton said, Robinson Manufacturing is a valued employer in our community, and I congratulate them and their employees on their remarkable success. I am grateful to our local leaders who work hard to promote and advance our existing industries in Rhea County.


Dynamsoft Dynamic Web TWAIN Image Viewer The addition of support for 64-bit ARM and MIPS computing devices lets Dynamic Web TWAIN be used across even more devices.

Dynamsoft has updated its document capture software development kit with a new algorithm to improve security for images being used under its hood. It has also added support for 64-bit ARM and MIPS based devices, which enables document scan and editing from more supported device platforms.

The new encryption algorithm is for locally cached images, upgrading that security from 64-bit Blowfish to AES-256-GCM encryption. So, for images being stored on a client computer, when the images are scanned, they are temporarily cached in memory. Here, they are encrypted to prevent malicious software from scanning the memory and retrieving such image data. The new security upgrade further improves against breaches for this process.

The addition of support for 64-bit ARM and MIPS computing devices lets Dynamic Web TWAIN be used across even more devices. Particularly, it has been tested for support of embedded devices such as NVIDIA Jetson Nano and Raspberry Pi. Integrating with Dynamsofts other imaging SDKs, Dynamic Web TWAIN lets programmers create applications to run on small computers for scenarios like image classification or object detection. This opens up more adoption opportunities for the SDK by developers that must support additional devices.

New Licensing Option

A new licensing option was also added, which is by browser client. This allows licensed access to a same-origin application, or one protocol, host, and port. So, once such a browser client uses Dynamic Web TWAIN, the browser client adopts the license seat until the end of the licensing term. Or, if inactivity persists for 90 consecutive days during a license term, the seat can be released for a new one.

This expands on current annual or lifetime licensing options available by server or domain. Custom licensing options are also offered for large volume deployments.

About Dynamic Web TWAIN

Dynamic Web TWAIN provides cross-browser and cross-platform document scanning support for web applications. Developers need only write a handful of lines of JavaScript code to enable document scanning, uploading, editing, and processing. This turns otherwise months of work to just days. The SDK works across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS or Windows devices.

Users can scan documents from TWAIN, SANE and ICA-compatible scanners using a variety of browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Internet Explorer (IE), or Safari. Users can also edit captured documents and save the images in various file formats such as JPEG, TIFF, PDF, and more. These files can be transferred and stored across varying protocols, local or remote file systems, databases, and document repositories.

In addition, there are several add-ons available. A barcode scanner SDK provides enterprise-grade support for the most common 1D and 2D barcode symbols. An optical character recognition (OCR) library enables extracting text trapped within images for editing. There is a PDF rasterizer that lets users conveniently view and convert PDF files into common image file formats. Finally, there is an add-on for webcam capture, whereby images can be captured from video streams.

Pricing and Availability

Dynamsoft's Dynamic Web TWAIN v17 SDK is now available. It can be purchased and downloaded at the companys website. The company also offers Dynamic .NET TWAIN for developing scan and image capture components for desktop document management applications. A Dynamsoft Barcode Reader SDK is also offered to create barcode reading applications. Finally, a Dynamsoft Label Recognition SDK provides a fast method to localize and extract key data on common store or warehouse tags using OCR. Full pricing information is on the website. Multiple award-winning technical support channels are offered with an SDK purchase including, email, live chat, forum, and phone.

About Dynamsoft Corp.

Dynamsoft Corp. provides enterprise-class TWAIN software development kits (SDK), a Barcode Reader SDK, and a Label Recognition SDK to help developers meet document imaging, scanning, barcode reader, and OCR extraction application requirements when developing web, desktop, or mobile document management and label reading applications. The imaging SDKs help todays businesses seeking to migrate from wasteful paper-based workflows to efficient paperless electronic document and records management. Thousands of customers use Dynamsoft's solutions. Customers include 3M; EMC; FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc.; Fujitsu; GE; H&R Block; HP; IBM, Intel; Infosys; Lockheed Martin; Olympus; Philips; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Samsung; Siemens; Symantec; Unisys; Verizon; and more. The company also provides enterprise-grade version control software to help developers manage developer teams and projects. Dynamsoft is an associate member of the TWAIN Working Group that develops TWAIN standards. The company was founded in 2003. More information is available at http://www.dynamsoft.com.

Note: Whether noted or not, references to certain words may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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Counterpoint: TECNO Mobile Leads in AI-enhanced Photography exemplifying by its Newest CAMON17 Pro

April 27, 2021  Counterpoint Technology Market Research, a global research firm specializing in products in the TMT (technology, media, and telecom) industry, recently released a whitepaper named: ?Technology Convergence Clicks in Smartphone Cameras?. The report charts the intertwined evolution of both the smartphone and camera technology and predicts that both these ecosystems will be increasingly dependent on each other for progress, given current trends in Artificial Intelligence (AI) computing power in smartphones. In its report, Counterpoint has cited TECNO, a rising global smartphone brand, and its upcoming CAMON 17 Pro as a stellar example of a modern phone that embodies this trend, incorporating camera technology, AI, scene recognition and more into a technologically advanced everyday product.

Bringing together camera technology with smartphones has been a core tenet of user demands since its introduction 20 years ago, with the release of Japan?s Kyocera VP-210 in 1999. Today, more than one-third of all smartphones have 32-108 Megapixels (MP). This is the most common band, of which 48MP and 64MP seem to be considered the mainstream currently. The CAMON 17 Pro is representative of this category and bring the selfie experience to the new high with its 48MP front camera. As 108MP or even higher is a trend of competition, TECNO shared that consumers have two options ? either through high Magic Pixel function or computational photography system at software level. According to Counterpoint, it ?expects this high-resolution trend to continue into the 5G decade, aiming to realize the human-eye capable perception?.

Expect not only the phones, but also the cameras to get smarter, as AI plays an increasing role in smartphone development. Smartphone AI is now capable of assisting user to edit right from their phones. User-friendly editing tools help the average user to perform complex effects and functions without flipping through thick instruction manuals. AI has helped in removing or reducing background noise and clutter, conceal blemishes and re-engineer body shapes to an appreciable degree. Counterpoint uses the example of TECNO?s TAIVOS (TECNO AI Vision Optimization Solution) technology, which is an advanced signal processing technology that interprets raw data through an AI multi-framed, portrait segmentation based on tens of millions of data points, which can filter image noise better and optimize image clarity, thereby enhancing night photography effects. TECNO?s CAMON 17 Pro brings the next generation of TAIVOS into the hands of users, as its robust imaging system has proven to fit into various complexions and social environments. The Super Night Mode in CAMON 17 Pro supported by TAIVOS adds unrivalled clarity to the photos even when they are taken in the dark. TAIVOS enables 1.6 ?m camera let in more light and optimize details against a low-light background.

The new features and innovations powered by AI are expected to play a more critical role for smartphone makers in differentiating their products, predicts Counterpoint. One of the main pillars supporting a selfie generation is not just the ability to take stunning pictures, but that of storing them as well. The handphone has well and truly become a portable computer wrapped snugly in our hands. Users now demand storage of thousands of photos and videos, as well as hundreds of apps, all in a palm-sized phone. As users get more enthusiastic about the selfie culture, the hours spent on this habit get extended subconsciously, calling for longer-lasting battery life. To this end, TECNO CAMON 17 Pro?s 8GB RAM and 256GB ROM will go a long way in ensuring seamless switching between applications and a smooth experience throughout. And its huge 5000mAh battery is helpful in preventing those awkward or frustrating moments when the battery dies out. Flash charging capabilities also mean that such dire situations can be salvaged when inevitable.

However, there is still much to do in bringing AI and smartphone hardware together. One of the greatest criticisms of the handphone has always been the low utilisation of features. With these latest developments in the TECNO CAMON 17 Pro, this point has been thankfully addressed. These new features are all pertinent to the identified needs of users  the taking, editing, and storing of selfies. These upgrades make a lot of sense and are significantly more applicable than their predecessors. It is an exciting era we are looking at whether it is through the lens of a state-of-the-art selfie or an AI-enhanced video.

For full report, please refer to Counterpoint.
Biden pledges to ship millions of vaccine doses as virus rages worldwide

Under fire for not doing much to help global community in the fight against the after vowing to be a world leader in public health, Biden has pledged 60 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine doses to countries struggling to inoculate people. However, global health groups said the commitment was not nearly big enough. Given the scope of the crisis and the devastation that has been unfolding in many countries, liberals and global health advocacy organisations say the president has a moral obligation to do more. Read here

Let's look at the global statistics Global infections: 147,888,539 Global deaths: 3,120,991 Nations with most cases: US (32,125,099), India (17,636,186), Brazil (14,369,423), France (5,565,080), Russia (4,717,321). Source: John Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center

Brazils health authority rejected importing Russias Sputnik V vaccine

Brazils health authority said that it would not recommend importing Sputnik V, the vaccine developed by Russia. Brazils need for vaccines is urgent: it has been battered by one of the worlds worst outbreaks, driven by the highly contagious virus variant. But the authority said that important safety tests had not been performed on Sputnik V, and that questions remained about the vaccines development, safety and manufacturing. The official Sputnik V Twitter account pushed back in a series of tweets, saying that the vaccines developers had shared all the necessary information and documentation with the health authorities. Read here

Singapore pips New Zealand to grab top spot for best place to be during Covid

New Zealand has lost for the first time as the best place to be during the pandemic, as a result of its slower vaccine rollout. The country was bumped from the top spot by Singapore, according to a Bloombergs Covid resilience ranking. While both countries have near-zero community cases, Singapores vaccine rollout is much further advanced. So while life was relatively normal in several countries thanks to strong control of the virus, Singapore has already administered vaccines equivalent to cover a 17 per cent of its population, an aspect of pandemic control that other virus eliminators like New Zealand, Australia and Taiwan are lagging on, the report said. Read here

Vaccination persuasion teams reap rewards in Turkey

A vaccination persuasion initiative targeting elderly people who have declined to get vaccinated is gearing up to be rolled out across Turkey after proving a resounding success in a small district in the countrys south-east. The theory is that a face-to-face conversation will help change peoples minds. Since February, doctors and healthcare workers in the mainly Kurdish city of Adiyaman have been calling people in age groups already eligible for the vaccine to ask why they have not come to clinics for appointments. It is working, boosting the vaccine take-up rate among the 250,000 strong population scattered across the provinces central district by nearly 30 per cent. Read here
Video captured at Juneau International Airport purportedly shows the interaction leading to Alaska Airlines ban of state senator Lora Reinbold.

The Republican senator for Eagle River was banned from the only airline flying between her home in Anchorage and the State Capitol, causing her to make a long trip by road and ferry to make the start of the legislative session on Monday.

While Alaska Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment, a spokesman toldThe Alaska Landmine news site that the senator was banned "for her continued refusal to comply with employee instruction regarding the current mask policy".

It came after the outlet posted a video of Ms Reinbold talking to Alaska Airlines staff while flanked by airport security and police. In the video, Ms Reinbold can be seen wearing a mask while staff say she wont be let on the flight if she doesnt pull it up.

When she responds "it is up", a male staff member replies: "It is not, its down below your nose, we cant have it down there".

The Independent has reached out to Ms Reinbold for comment.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Ms Reinbold said she was reasonable with all Alaska Airlines employees and was respectful of their policies before she was allowed to board for the "pleasant safe flight with happy flight attendants and great talented pilots".

"I inquired about mask exemption with uptight employees at the counter. The timing of complaint and a specific employee is of keen interest," she wrote.

"The most divisive disaster bill hb76 is up Monday. I have been assured this be looked into."

The bill HB 76 would extend governor Mike Dunleavys 15 January public health emergency declaration to September, and receiving a ban from the only airline flying to Juneau put Ms Reinbolds attendance in doubt.

She said the monopoly on Alaska Airlines service into the city needs to be reviewed, while expressing a "new appreciation for the marine ferry system".

"Nothing could get in the way to be in the Capitol to fight to executive branch infringement on the legislature & defending your rights by trying to stop HB76 which is on the Senate floor tomorrow! she wrote in a Facebook post.

Alaska Airlines said in its statement that Ms Reinbolds ban was pending further review, noting that "federal law requires all guests to wear a mask over their nose and mouth at all times during travel, including throughout the flight, during boarding and deplaning, and while travelling through an airport".

The Juneau Police Department, meanwhile, said no enforcement action was necessary as a result of the interaction.

JPD has an officer staffed at the airport full time, so we would be present or in the area of any issues there, but we didnt take any enforcement action, Lieutenant Krag Campbell told the Anchorage Daily News.

The outlet reported that the airport would only release surveillance video of the incident by court order. While Ms Reinbold herself can also be seen filming the incident, she has yet to publicly release it.

Ms Reinbold also said she was not notified of the ban before Alaska Airlines released the details publicly without her consent.

"Until there is a fair determination, after a thorough review of both sides, I believe this should be confidential," she said.

"I do believe constitutional rights are at risk under corporate Covid policies," she added.
Bishop-elect Christian Carlassare of Rumbek Diocese in South Sudan was wounded Sunday night by unknown armed men According to a Holy See Press Office statement Pope Francis was immediately informed and is praying for the Bishop-elect.

By Paul Samasumo  Vatican News

Unknown armed men have shot and wounded the Bishop-elect of South Sudans Rumbek Catholic Diocese. The Italian-born Fr. Christian Carlassare, a Comboni Missionary, was attacked on Sunday night in Rumbek.

The gunmen went to his residence, shot at his bedroom door till it opened, and when Fr. Carlassare came out, they shot him on both legs.

They started shooting low at my legs

In the night at around 1 am, some people came at my door, and they were trying to enter. They shot at my door. When the door was open, I came out and asked what they wanted and then they started shooting low at my legs, Fr Carlassare narrated to the local media. The Bishop-elect has since been flown to Nairobi for treatment. You pray for me and pray and pray for the people of Rumbek. We also forgive those that commit these kinds of actions. We do not carry any grudges, Fr Carlassare said.

No one in South Sudan seems to know exactly the real motives of the shooters. Suffice it to say, ironically, things in South Sudan have slowly been looking up. Slow, but there has been some progress.

The Director of the Vaticans Press Office, Matteo Bruni, confirmed to Vatican News that Pope Francis was aware of the shooting and praying for Fr. Carlassare and the people of South Sudan.

Silent guns help bring about progress

The Director of the La Salle School of Rumbek, Brother Joseph Alak, recently told Vatican News There is no fighting at the moment. The truce is holding. We hope that the peace will hold for a long time. The lack of armed conflict is better than a return to war. The guns are silent, and we are hopeful for the future, said Brother Alak.

The Brothers of La Salle and the community of Rumbek opened a school for boys -thanks to the end of the war. Unfortunately, there are so many guns in the hands of many young South Sudanese men.

An Easter of forgiveness

On Easter Sunday this year, and just as South Sudan made tentative steps towards vaccinating some of its health workers against Covid-19, Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mula of Juba Archdiocese prayed that Easter would bring to South Sudan a spirit of forgiveness.

Forgiveness is Easter itself, and Easter is forgiveness, Archbishop Ameyu told Vatican News. This forgiveness must begin with us. We must forgive each other from the bottom of our hearts. Forgiveness is complete when we have forgiven others. Through the cross and the resurrection of Christ, we too can experience paradise here in our lives, said Archbishop Ameyu.

Pope Francis concern for South Sudan

For his part, on 11 April 2019, at the end of a Spiritual Retreat organised by the Vatican for the political leaders of South Sudan, Pope Francis knelt at the feet of the leaders of South Sudan, kissed their feet and implored them to definitely end the war.

You have begun a process. May it end well, Pope Francis told them. There will be disagreements among you, but may these take place in the confines of your offices while, in front of your people, you hold hands. In this way, you will be transformed from mere citizens to Fathers of the nation. As a brother, I ask you to stay the course of peace. I ask you from the bottom of my heart, let us go forward. There will be many challenges, but do not be afraid, Pope Francis told South Sudans leaders and then kissed their feet.

A Christmas Letter of 24 December 2020 from Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and the (Presbyterian) Church of Scotland Moderator, Martin Fair, to South Sudans Political Leaders encouraged them to stay the course of peace. We have been glad to see the small progress you have made, but know it is not enough for your people to feel the full effect of peace. When we visit, we long to bear witness to a changed nation, read the Christmas message.

The many guns and the small progress observed by Pope Francis and the two other leaders in the Christmas message could be the devil in the detail at the heart of South Sudans peace challenges. South Sudans leaders need to do more. As observed by the United Nations, the slow progress is creating a vacuum open for exploitation by spoilers.

The cost of the slow implementation of the peace

David Shearer, the former Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), told the Security Council at the end of March 2021 that there was need to do more in South Sudan and to build on the gains already obtained.

Shearer told the Security Council, in his final briefing, that after his four-year tour of duty, he was confident that some progress was being made but more needed to be done.

While welcoming the formation of the presidency and Council of Ministers, instalment of a full complement of State leaders and announcement of lower-level officials, Shearer said the Transitional National Legislature had not yet been reconstituted.

There has been minimal progress on constitution-making, transitional justice and economic reform  and perhaps most significantly  the unification of forces was yet to occur. Thousands of troops were just languishing in cantonment sites without shelter, health care or food, said the former UN representative. The slow implementation of the peace agreement was dangerous. It created a power vacuum at the local level, which opened opportunities for spoilers to exploit regional tensions and was fuelling violence.
Boris Johnson has been accused of dismal failure in standing up to Iran and securing the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, including a devastating blunder he made in the case while foreign secretary.

It follows the decision of the regimes hardline revolutionary court to sentence the British-Iranian national, who was first detained in 2016, for an additional year in prison, alongside a year-long travel ban.

Raising the issue during an urgent question in the Commons, the Labour MP Tulip Siddiq, who is the constituency MP for the family, said Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was a victim of torture and was being held hostage by Iranian authorities.

In scathing comments aimed at Mr Johnson, Ms Siddiq said she had seen no evidence on the part of the prime minister in securing her release from detention and raised the issue of historic debt owed to Iran.

At the heart of this case is the prime ministers dismal failure to release my constituent and stand up for her and his devastating blunder in 2017, when he was foreign secretary he exposed his complete ignorance of this tragic case and put more harm in Nazanins way, she said.

At the time, Mr Johnson was foreign secretary during Theresa Mays administration and apologised in the Commons to the family after his erroneous comments to a select committee were severely criticised for hampering her case.

Ms Siddiq added: "The prime minister did not even arrange for UK officials to attend Nazanin's recent court hearing, which might have ensured she got a free and fair trial. He still hasn't got his government to pay the 400m debt that we as a country owe Iran.

We MPs might be many things but we're not naive. We cannot deny the fact that Nazanin was handed a fresh new sentence a week after the IMF's debt court hearing was delayed.

Addressing her comments, Foreign Office minister James Cleverly said her anger and frustration was misdirected as dual nationals held in detention were being held by Iranian authorities. It is on them, he stressed.

Our priority has always been her full release and for her to return to the UK. The UK does not and will never accept our dual nationals being used as diplomatic leverage and we recognise her treatment has been completely unacceptable.

It is totally inhumane and unjustified and we call upon Iran to allow Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe to return home to the UK and release from detention all British dual nationals that are being held.

He added: This government remains committed to doing all that we can to secure Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffes return home to the UK so that she can be reunited with her daughter Gabriella and her husband Richard.

It is indefensible and it is unacceptable that Iran has chosen to continue this wholly arbitrary court case against Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

The Iranian government has deliberately put her through a cruel and inhumane ordeal. We continue to call on Iran in the strongest possible terms to end her suffering and allow her to return home.

Tom Tugendhat, the Tory chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, also added it was absolutely essential focus was on the cruel and inhumane treatment of a mother held captive as a hostage, a pawn in order to ransom money out of others and to extract diplomatic leverage.

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was first detained in 2016 and sentenced to five years in prison and completed the latter part of her sentence under house arrest, but was brought before court again in March where she was tried on new charges of spreading propaganda against the Iranian regime.

During a briefing on Tuesday, No 10 said the UK was extremely concerned about Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffes treatment in Iran, adding: We have raised it at the highest levels, including with the prime minister speaking on a number of occasions to present Rouhani.
Stand up comedian Jeremy Nunes. His special "Who's With Me?!" is available on Amazon. (Courtesy of Jeremy Nunes)

Jeremy Nunes: Into the World of Comedy and Small-Town Politics

This past year has been a tumultuous one, and its been particularly hard on the performing arts. Audiences too have suffered from the dearth of live music, theater, and stand-up comedy. Jeremy Nunes, 37, a comic from the small town of Dawson, Illinois, and father of two, has been hustling during the pandemic to make ends meet and provide a little bit of comic relief for the rest of us.

Nunes had always wanted to be a stand-up comedian. Jeff Foxworthy was one of his primary influences, and he enjoyed watching The Tonight Show With Jay Leno as a kid. The mornings after the shows he would recite Lenos monologues. As he got a little bit older, he became intrigued by Jimmy Fallons work on Saturday Night Live.

His family owned a trailer park in his hometown, and it was expected for him to take over the business.

Instead, I took the comedy route to make an equal amount of money. Tens of dollars, Nunes joked.

When Nunes first started out, he drove all over the country, performing small gigs and taking every opportunity he could to get his name out into the world of comedy. There were times when he was successful and times when he wasnt. Growing up in a small town and going to church heavily influenced Nuness comedy; and as his act developed over time, it became cleaner and cleaner. As he got better and more comfortable, other comedians became wary of following his act.

Throughout his travels, he had the opportunity to perform in a lot of small towns. After a while, he began to wonder why his own hometown wasnt measuring up to the places he visited. Thats when he decided to get into politics. He first served as an alderman, then ran for mayor. He had no expectation of winning, but his friends and family believed that he would make an intelligent, thoughtful elected official. His campaign slogan became Put a real joker in office, and to his surprise, he received 80 percent of the vote.

Jeremy Nunes is a clean stand-up comedian frustrated by constant pandemic lockdowns. (Courtesy of Jeremy Nunes)

Inevitably, his experience as a comedian would influence his style of governing. He found himself trying to appease small-town complainers, employees, and government officials. In addition, he had to balance his comedy career, family life, and local politics.

As a result of his efforts, he won an award for being one of Illinois most ethical mayors. The incident that brought about the recognition was that he had issued a fine to his parents for not cutting their grass. Then small-town comedy came into play in real life. It turns out he was the one who was supposed to mow their lawn. Nunes wrote a book during the pandemic about his mayoral experience entitled You Cant Write City Hall, to be released on May 4. He also says serving as mayor made him a better comedian and a better businessman.

Family Man

Nuness career in comedy continues to grow, and as a clean comedian, he has performed at churches, fundraisers, and corporate events. Hes also released the stand-up special Whos With Me?! on Amazon and has performed for Dry Bar, a clean comedy outlet. Nuness wife and two children have also been source material for his jokes. His son has gotten the comedy bug and often gives his dad a hard time.

One day, he watched as Nunes put lotion on his face.

Why do you do that? he asked his father.

Well, I guess it helps my face look nice, Nunes responded.

I dont think its working, his son joked.

Nunes is a family man and tries his best to spend as much time with his wife and kids as possible. He often returns from shows in the early morning hours, but wakes up in time to have breakfast with the family and see his son off to school. If he does a late show on Saturday, he makes sure hes back to go to church on Sunday with them. While he juggles to balance his career and home life, his family understands he needs time to himself to write jokes and work on his act.

Jeremy Nunes performing on Dry Bar Comedy. (Courtesy of Dry Bar Comedy)

Over the past year, Nunes has struggled as live shows were largely canceled across the country. Hes frustrated with lockdowns, mainly because his performances are how he provides for his family. The comedian has been performing virtual shows, but his income has plummeted.

Hes also considering how much of the pandemic should be part of his future material. Nunes, like many comedians, has also become the target of cancel culture. Even though he performs a clean act, someone is always offended by something. Hes also concerned with retroactive cancellation, afraid hell be punished for jokes he made years ago.

It just feels like a bunch of people that live in their grandmas basement that dont have a job, so they feel like their job is to be the police of internet, Nunes said. I might get canceled for that, who knows.

Despite the pandemic and current cancel climate, Nunes stresses that comedy still has tremendous value for all of us. Comedy provides an escape for people. Whether its financial, health, or personal issues, humor provides a reprieve.

For Nunes, the mission is rewarding. Every now and then, audience members will approach him after a show. Theyll mention a personal struggle, such as an illness or the loss of a loved one, and how his act gave them a period of levity during their difficult time.

Its hard not to feel good after hearing something like that, Nunes said.
'Full vaccination needed for future travel bubbles'

'Full vaccination needed for future travel bubbles'

Frances Sit reports

Commerce secretary Edward Yau said on Tuesday that future travel bubbles will only be open to Hong Kong residents who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or those who  due to their age or health reasons  are unable to get inoculated locally.



The vaccination requirement already applies for the SAR's travel bubble with Singapore, which will start on May 26 at the earliest.



Critics, including the Democratic Party, have questioned this requirement, calling it an "unequal treaty" as Singaporeans arent required to be vaccinated before they fly to Hong Kong.



But speaking on morning radio shows, Yau insisted the measure is appropriate. He said Hong Kong has the right conditions to take one more step and offer an additional safeguard for its residents.



The secretary also said Hong Kong is in talks with Australia and New Zealand to set up "travel bubbles", but conceded that Taiwan, a popular holiday destination for Hongkongers, is not among the places with which the SAR is currently discussing plans.



Meanwhile, the chief executive of travel agency WWPKG, Yuen Chun-ning, said enquiries jumped after the announcement of the Hong Kong-Singapore travel bubble on Monday but there haven't been many bookings yet.



He said a five-day tour to Singapore would cost over HK$10,000 in the initial days, but he believes prices will drop when more flights become available after June.



Yuen said the Singapore travel bubble plan may not be of much help to the SAR's battered tourism industry as the market isn't big.



But he hoped this bubble can be a successful example and lead to similar arrangements with other places, such as Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines Life, April 27)  This week, explore the storied legacy of a university campus, learn more about plant and human relations, peep (and maybe buy) collagraphs inspired by another breed of engkantos, and sign up for some creative community modules.

Mga Lamang Poste

The works in Anton Villaruels Mga Lamang Poste were borne from the artists observations of the posts he would come across along Teachers Village in Quezon City. During these walks, Villaruel thought that perhaps another breed of engkanto lives in plain sight of us, in the metal.

Visit Cartellino to browse Villaruels collagraphs in Mga Lamang Poste. The exhibit is up untl May 29.

Legacies of the University of Santo Tomas

In Legacies of the University of Santo Tomas, Maria Eloisa G. Parco de Castro takes a look at the storied legacy of the university from its origins in its Intramuros campus.

This lecture is part of the Intramuros Learning Sessions. The event is scheduled on April 28, at 3 p.m. through Zoom. Visit the event page for more details.

Creative Communities Learning Lab

Starting April 28, the British Council is launching its series of learning modules for creative and cultural professionals, designed with input from those who run creative spaces in Southeast Asia and the U.K. To wit: managing digital communities and new ways to monetize creative work.

The courses are free and self-led. Visit the British Council website for more details.

Contribution of archaeology in our understanding of People-Plant relationships in the Philippines

Museo ng Kaalamang Katutubo presents a lecture about how humans have used plants for subsistence, etc. At the center is the exploration of how our rice-based agriculture may be more recent as previously expected.

The lecture is on Thursday, April 29, 3 p.m. and will be live streamed through the Museo ng Kaalamang Katutubo Facebook page. Visit the event page for more details.
Theres no shortage of high-caliber high schools in Massachusetts, and as part of its 2021 Best High Schools Rankings, U.S. News & Report broke down the best of the best in the Bay State.

The academic-ranking website releases its nationwide and state-by-state ratings annually, looking at the best high schools in both the country and all 50 states as well as the top charter, magnet and STEM schools in the United States.

The newest edition of the sites high school rankings, published Tuesday, rated more than 17,800 public schools throughout the country, measuring how well each institution serves their students from various social and economic backgrounds.

Families can use the Best High Schools rankings to see how schools compare at the national, state and local level on factors like graduation rates and college readiness, Anita Narayan, managing editor of Education at U.S. News, said in a statement. The rankings also provide insight into academic performance among underserved groups.

To determine its rankings, the site focused on six factors: college readiness, reading and math proficiency, reading and math performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rates. The data used in the most recent edition is from the 2018 to 2019 academic year and therefore was not impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. News noted.

Nationally, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia ranked as the No. 1 high school in the country and as the top magnet high school in the U.S.

BASIS Chandler in Arizona stood at the top of the list for charter schools, and High Technology High School in New Jersey ranked as the No. 1 STEM school.

Looking at Massachusetts specifically, Boston Latin School, one of 28 public schools in the district, ranked as the top high school in the state and No. 36 nationally.

In the 2018 to 2019 school year, Boston latin, which serves grades seven to 12, had a total enrollment of 1,623 high school students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 20 to one. The Advanced Placement exam participation rate at Boston Latin was 100%, and its total minority enrollment stood at 53%.

The vast majority of the top 25 schools in Massachusetts are in the eastern half of the state, while only two are in Western or Central Massachusetts. However, one school in the Pioneer Valley landed the No. 2 spot on the list.

The Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School in Hadley ranked as the second best high school in Massachusetts. The school teaches students from kindergarten to 12th grade, had 102 high school students enrolled in the 2018 to 2019 school year and had a student-to-teacher ratio of eight to one.

Students at the charter school have the opportunity to take International Baccalaureate coursework and exams. The IB participation rate at the school was 100%, and the total minority enrollment stood at 48%.

Heres the full list of the Massachusetts high schools that ranked in the top 25 of the state:

Boston Latin School Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School, Hadley Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School, Marlborough Pioneer Charter School of Science 2 (PCSS-2), Saugus The Bromfield School, Harvard Belmont High School Lexington High School Dover-Sherborn Regional High School Weston High School Hopkinton High School Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, Malden Sharon High School Boston Latin Academy John D. OBryant School of Mathematics and Science, Boston Acton-Boxborough Regional High Needham High School Pioneer Charter School of Science, Everett Wayland High School Concord Carlisle High School Brookline High School Westwood High School Norwell High School Manchester Essex Regional High School Medfield Senior High School Excel Academy Charter School, Boston

For the rankings of the dozens of other Massachusetts high schools, click here.

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Guests play with TwinWorld holograms at the DoubleMe booth. This photo was captured in real time through the HoloLens 2. We believe a real-world metaverse like the TwinWorld platform can revolutionize immersive experiences as it brings the virtual into reality.

Holographic reality capture startup DoubleMe, Inc. demonstrated its social mixed reality platform TwinWorld during last weeks World IT Show 2021 (WIS 2021), the biggest ICT Exhibition in Korea, hosted by the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT.

More than 600 people visited the TwinWorld booth, which provided visitors with Microsoft HoloLens 2 headsets to access an exclusive preview of TwinWorlds upcoming release.

Upon putting on the HoloLens 2, visitors were transported to a holographic world filled with astronauts, airplanes, and ladybugs. Workers guided visitors through how to interact with these holograms, and in a follow-up survey, guests commented that the technology was amazing! and the holograms were very cute.

In the near future, the free TwinWorld beta application will feature multiplayer integration, new 3D assets, real-time sharing and more that will allow anyone to create, share and enjoy life beyond reality.

The company was showcased at SK Telecoms exhibition booth, which presented 5G-enabled innovative technologies and services related to AI (artificial intelligence) and the metaverse.

Charlie Lee, VP of Open Collaboration at SK Telecom said, We believe a real-world metaverse like the TwinWorld platform can revolutionize immersive experiences as it brings the virtual into reality.

In total, 35,000 people attended the 3-day exhibition held at the COEX Convention & Exhibition Center, which was attended by 500 companies, including Samsung, LG and Huaweii.

About DoubleMe

DoubleMe provides an end-to-end platform for social holographic reality experiences. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, and operates offices in London and Seoul. So far, DoubleMe has raised $14.7M.

TwinWorld is a metaverse brought to life, the joining of digital and physical worlds where interaction and connection are limitless, allowing us to create, share, and enjoy life beyond reality.

To learn more, visit https://www.twin.world/.
Loading Anxiety spiked for students and for staff. Ill give you one example. At the height of the pandemic, eating disorder presentations to emergency departments by young people rose by a shocking 51 per cent on the previous year. Brendan Watson, principal of Catholic Regional College Sydenham, estimated 80 per cent of his school fell behind in their learning last year, and he said many students vanished, turning their computer cameras off during remote learning and disengaging. The school also endured a coronavirus outbreak in July that reached 45 students and parents. Mr Watson said the mental health effects of last years lockdowns were as evident as ever in term 1 this year, when 11 students were found to be suffering from suicidal thoughts in the first five weeks.

Weve had quite a number go to the Royal Childrens Hospital. It is a real issue  and its worse than we have seen previously in any other year, he said. Mr Watson said it was already clear that last year had stunted the development of students at the college, a specialist year 11 and 12 school. Certainly the year-11 students that weve seen this year come in  theyve missed year 10, that work experience, that development socially, he said. Their behaviour is not where it should be in year 11. Donna Wright, principal of Bandiana Primary School near Wodonga, spoke of the fear in her regional community as about 100 students had continued to attend campus because their home environment was not suitable for remote learning. But Ms Wright, who was named Australian school principal of the year in 2020 in the Australian Education Awards, insisted teachers and parents responsibility was to offer optimism to students.

I think that will be critical for us going forward, to tell the children it is going to be fine, she said. Were with you, and as educators well look after you as much as we can. Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge addresses the Schools Summit. Credit:Meredith OShea Education Department secretary Jenny Atta said the government would look to maintain online and telehealth mental health services, particularly in rural and remote schools. In his speech at the Age Schools Summit, federal Education Minister Alan Tudge said he would not accept the abolition of NAPLAN, which will return this term after a pause in 2020 because of COVID-19. If anything, there should more assessment, not less, so there is less emphasis on one test every couple of years, he said.

Im not announcing anything in saying that, but good teachers will be constantly assessing the kids in their classroom. Mr Tudge also called for higher pay for high-performing teachers. The most experienced Victorian teachers are paid about $100,000, although some non-government schools pay tens of thousands of dollars more to recruit and retain staff. Thats not something which is in the control of the federal government. The states and territories employ the teachers or the Catholic schools or independent schools do, he said. But I think that would be a good measure to be put in place and probably would help to make it attractive or [encourage] some people to go into teaching.

The Grattan Institute has called for a rise in teacher pay by up to 80 per cent to $180,000 for those at the top of the profession. Teachers are paid well early in their careers, but in their 30s and 40s their pay stagnates relative to other professions, the think tank notes. Mr Merlino with Age editor Gay Alcorn. Credit:Meredith OShea Mr Tudge rejected the link between increased school funding and better student performance, arguing the UK had lifted results in reading, maths and science in the past 10 years even while cutting education spending. Mr Merlino also revealed close to $3.7 million in funding to boost Indigenous school attendance by funding consultation for Indigenous groups and families to discuss what is and isnt working in schools. He told the Age Schools Summit that while Victoria had boosted the number of Indigenous children attending kindergarten, excelling in NAPLAN and completing their VCE, school attendance remained stubbornly low.

Loading These findings will then be used to help our schools, better support for Koori students. Theres no better way to provide advice on how we can better support Koori students, particularly on that stubborn, wicked problem of attendance, than the families, communities and Koori students themselves. The acting Premier also revived calls for all Australian schools to introduce Victorias Respectful Relationships curriculum, which is mandatory in state schools and been adopted by more than 300 Victorian private schools. We want that [non-government school] figure to be much, much higher, so weve opened a new expression-of-interest process, providing another opportunity for non-government schools to sign up, Mr Merlino said. And I want to see every single school across the nation implement this program.
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Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market Growth & Trends

The global active pharmaceutical ingredients market size is expected to reach USD 312.56 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2021 to 2028. The market is driven by the growth of the biopharmaceutical sector, advancements in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing, and an increase in the geriatric population.

The growth of the captive API segment is propelled by companies investing in solving challenges and developing new chemical ways for the production of APIs in house. This aids in reducing costs and the risk of contamination. Artificial intelligence and protein synthesis are expected to facilitate faster development with greater control over the process.

The rising prevalence of chronic and lifestyle-based conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, is accelerating the demand for API. For instance, as per U.S. Pharmacist in 2020, 47% of adults have at least one risk factor that supports cardiovascular disease development. Cardiovascular diseases are one of the global, critical public health burdens driving extensive R&D for APIs in the field.

The generic API segment is gaining share in the market owing to its cost effectiveness, which helps in catering to the needs of the rising number of patients in developing regions with a low-income population. According to the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM), in 2017, there was a considerable rise in manufacturing units in Asia, Australia, and EU5. There has also been an increase in the market share of generic drugs.

Developing nations like India are receiving an increased preference in the market over dominant API market countries, like China, owing to geopolitical situations. Furthermore, other factors favoring India include quality raw materials and products, large workforce, vast distribution network, and government subsidies under schemes like Make in India.

For addressing unmet medical needs, companies are collaborating to develop novel treatments. This allows firms to use their resources to aid in the development of products and enhance the supply chain. In August 2019, OmniChem Private Limited was acquired by Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services (earlier they were in a joint venture since 2011 for the manufacturing of APIs). The acquisition was completed in June 2020.

Request a free sample copy or view report summary: Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market Report

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market Report Highlights

According to the WHO, around 17.5 million people die each year due to cardiovascular diseases, accounting for 31% of all deaths across the globe

The growing geriatric population in Asian countries, such as Japan and China, along with high untapped opportunities, is expected to drive the market during the forecast period. It is estimated that over 20% of the Japanese population is aged 65 and above

According to the CDC, about 795,000 people in the U.S. suffer from stroke every year, out of which 87% cases are of ischemic stroke

Companies are looking to diversify their API suppliers and manufacturers to different locations instead of outsourcing it to just one manufacturer or country

Key players are increasingly focusing on vaccines, for instance, Sanofi announced an investment of USD 601.37 million for vaccine production and research in France. These investments are anticipated to drive the development of new vaccine APIs in the coming years to help facilitate readiness to deliver new products

Access Press Release@ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-active-pharmaceutical-ingredients-api-market

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global active pharmaceutical ingredients market based on type of synthesis, type of manufacturer, type, application, and region:

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Type of Synthesis Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2028)

Biotech Monoclonal Antibodies Recombinant Proteins Vaccines

Synthetic

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Type of Manufacturer Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2028)

Captive APIs

Merchant APIs

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2028)

Generic APIs

Innovative APIs

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2028)

Cardiovascular Diseases

Oncology

CNS and Neurology

Orthopedic

Endocrinology

Pulmonology

Gastroenterology

Nephrology

Ophthalmology

Others

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2028)

North America US. Canada

Europe UK. Germany France Italy Spain Russia

Asia Pacific Japan China India South Korea Australia

Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina

Middle East & Africa South Africa UAE Saudi Arabia



List of Key Players of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market

Merck & Co., Inc.

AbbVie, Inc.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH

Cipla, Inc.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Albemarle Corporation

Viatris Inc.

Aurobindo Pharma

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Reddys Laboratories Ltd.

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.
Jason Williams soon will graduate from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with his doctorate in geology. He also recently attended the State Doctoral Scholars Program organized by the Southern Regional Education Board. The conference was aimed at helping minority students such as Williams achieve their goals. (Photo by Russell Bailey)

Scholars program helps minority doctoral students pursue faculty posts

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Jason Williams can look at certain geological features of Earth and apply them theoretically to Mars. He soon will graduate with a doctorate in geology from Southern Illinois University Carbondales School of Earth Systems and Sustainability and will join the elite group of scientists who study such questions.

Doing the science is one thing. But graduation, with all it entails and implies about starting his actual career as a scientist in higher education, is a bit daunting, he said.

I am slightly terrified about transitioning from a student to a professional scientist when I graduate at the end of this semester, Williams said.

Williams, however, is receiving support from an initiative aimed at increasing the number of minority students who earn doctorates and set their sights on becoming a faculty member at a college or university. SIU selected Williams to attend the State Doctoral Scholars Program organized by the Southern Regional Education Board. The conference was aimed at helping students such as Williams achieve their goals.

A complete approach

More than one-third of Americas college students are people of color, yet racial and ethnic minorities make up only small fractions of college faculty. For instance, only about 5% of faculty are African American, about 3% Hispanic and about 1% Native American.

The goal of the program is to increase the number of minority students who earn doctorates and choose to become faculty at colleges and universities. Since its founding in 1993, the program has supported more than 1,800 scholars who have attended 107 institutions in more than 30 states.

The program provides multiple layers of support, including financial assistance and research funding, but also career counseling, job postings and a scholar directory for networking and recruiting.

Mentoring and advocacy for scholars is crucial, and support continues into early careers as graduates become faculty members.

A guiding hand

Williams, who attended the virtual conference on April 16, said it was heavily focused on connecting graduate students with mentors that are active researchers and faculty.

I think the guidance mentors can provide is an invaluable resource and I am thankful that I was selected for the program, Williams said.

The conference also included professional development seminars on topics such as proposal writing, leadership development and tips for attaining faculty positions.

I am hoping that this experience can provide some clues as to what steps I should take next, he said.

A Baltimore native, Williams said his community continually inspired him to pursue his dreams of becoming a scientist.

It was the main thing that kept me going throughout graduate school, he said. Talking to kids about what I do and listening to their dreams about becoming engineers, programmers and such. Its kept me motivated to achieve my own dreams. 

Working in higher education after graduation will allow him to do even more for his community and others, he said.

A faculty position would give allow me to give back to not only my community but all communities that are typically underrepresented in science, he said.
Pictured is a selection of Puerto Rican poetry books from Jones-Shafroth Act to the present. Gabriela Baeza Ventura, executive editor of Arte Publico Press (APP) and co-founder of the U.S. Latino Digital Humanities program at UH, will lead the project in collaboration with a collective, or Colectivo, of prominent scholars, writers and translators from Puerto Rico and the U.S. diaspora.

The University of Houston has received a nearly $1.35 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to establish a free, open-access digital portal for anyone to learn about or teach Puerto Rican literature.

El proyecto de la literatura puertorriquena/The Puerto Rican Literature Project (PRLP) includes a database in Spanish and English of approximately 50,000 assets (photographs, manuscripts, poems, videos and archival materials), a digital archive and additional resources that document the material existence and experiences of key Puerto Rican poets in the archipelago and U.S. diaspora. The data collected dates back to 1917, when President Woodrow Wilson enacted the Jones-Shafroth Act extending U.S. citizenship to all residents of Puerto Rico, to the present.

Gabriela Baeza Ventura, executive editor of Arte Publico Press (APP) and co-founder of the U.S. Latino Digital Humanities program at UH, will lead the project in collaboration with a collective, or Colectivo, of prominent scholars, writers and translators from Puerto Rico and the U.S. diaspora composed of Raquel Salas Rivera, Ricardo Maldonado, Claire Jimenez and Enrique Olivares Pesante.

The Colectivos primary goal is to make Puerto Rican literature widely accessible through the gathering, transcription and translation of poetic materials that until now have been physically archived in different collections, or not archived at all.

The Colectivo chose the Jones-Shafroth Act as a starting point because it brings into relief the markers and intricacies of literary traditions shaped by linguistic colonialism and the limited circulation of texts, explained Baeza Ventura. The archival mission is anchored in a deep sensitivity to Puerto Rican linguistic richness, which stands in contrast to the violence of monolingualism that reflects forced histories of migration within the archipelago and abroad.

By bringing more public attention to a body of writing that is extraordinary in scope, PRLP will consolidate, reflect and respond to grass-roots community exchanges by Puerto Rican poets across all regions, as well as provide a means to make these voices visible to poets and reading communities at large.

As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, the University of Houston is committed to honoring the achievements of these incredible writers, said Paula Myrick Short, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. UH will serve as a focal point for students and scholars to learn about those who have made an impact on Puerto Ricos rich history through their work.

In 2019, The Mellon Foundation awarded UH $750,000 to launch the first-of-its-kind U.S. Latino Digital Humanities Program, which gives scholars expanded access to a vast collection of written materials produced by Latinos and archived by the Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage (Recovery) program and Arte Publico Press, the oldest and largest publisher of Hispanic Literature in the nation. Baeza Ventura and Carolina Villarroel, Brown Foundation Director of Research, oversee the digital humanities grant.

Baeza Ventura and Villaroel believe the Puerto Rican Literature Project is an important contribution to Latino literature in the U.S. and abroad as well as a great example of the collaborations fostered from their work in U.S. Latino Digital Humanities since the creation of their program, said Nicolas Kanellos, Arte Publico Press founder and director.

In addition, PRLP will serve as a great resource for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies scholars. Not only does Puerto Rico share a similar history of colonization, slavery and military intervention as the rest of the Caribbean and Latin America, but it also produces a literature that documents the effects of that colonialism and offers decolonial counter-traditions. By creating a bilingual resource, the archive will open the door to the formation of essential Trans-Caribbean connections.

This generous grant and continued support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation highlights Arte Publico Presss important role in ensuring broader attention and mainstream accessibility to Hispanic literature, said Eloise Brice, vice president for University Advancement.
Cairo, Egypt (PANA) - Human rights watchdog, Amnesty International, has condemned Monday's execution of of nine people in Egypt as "a chilling demonstration" of the Egyptian authorities disregard for the right to life and their obligations under international law
The Department of Homeland Security on Monday announced an internal review to assess the threat of violent extremism from within the agency.

Monday's announcement was made by DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and came part of a broader administration focus on domestic threats following the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.

Senior DHS officials will immediately begin the review, which is aimed at preventing, detecting and responding to extremism within the ranks of a sprawling agency that includes the Coast Guard and the nation's immigration enforcement organizations, Secretary Mayorkas said in a letter announcing the effort.

DHS, which was formed in response to the 9/11 attacks, calls domestic violent extremism the 'most lethal and persistent terrorism-related threat' facing the nation following a series of deadly incidents in recent years.

'As we work to safeguard our nation, we must be vigilant in our efforts to identify and combat domestic violent extremism within both the broader community and our own organization,' Mayorkas said.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas (seen above speaking to the press at the White House on March 1) announced an internal review to assess the threat of violent extremism from within the Department of Homeland Security

DHS, which was formed in response to the September 11, 2001, attacks, calls domestic violent extremism the 'most lethal and persistent terrorism-related threat' facing the nation following a series of deadly incidents in recent years

The internal review is part of a broader administration focus on domestic threats following the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. At least 52 of the more than 400 people arrested for taking part in the Capitol riot are either former or current military, law enforcement, or government service employees, according to ABC News

DHS plans in the coming days to issue new policies for reporting internal threats and suspected extremism.

The agency did not cite any specific incidents in announcing the review.

Past known cases include that of a Coast Guard lieutenant who was accused of being a domestic terrorist and convicted on weapons and drug charges last year.

Christopher Paul Hasson, 50, was arrested in 2019 when authorities found a trove of illegal firearms and racist, white supremacist material in his home in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Christopher Paul Hasson, 51, (above), a former Coast Guard officer, was sentenced last year to 13 years in prison after authorities said they found a trove of illegal firearms and racist, white supremacist material in his home in Silver Spring, Maryland

More than a dozen guns and hundreds of bullets were discovered inside his home, prosecutors said.

They also found a 'hit list' Hasson had made of people to shoot including U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and MSNBC host Joe Scarborough.

Prosecutors said the lieutenant, who was sentenced to more than 13 years, was preparing to carry out a mass attack to act out white nationalist views.

At his sentencing, the Maryland resident said he never planned to hurt anyone and apologized for his actions.

In February, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered military leaders to spend time talking to their troops about extremism in the ranks after a number of former and current service members took part in the January 6 insurrection.

According to a running tally kept by ABC News, at least 52 of the more than 400 people arrested for taking part in the Capitol riot are either former or current military, law enforcement, or government service employees.

Some half a dozen are former police officers.

In many cases, those who stormed the Capitol appeared to employ tactics, body armor and technology such as two-way radio headsets that were similar to those of the very police they were confronting.

Among the most prominent to emerge so far include multiple Air Force veterans, a retired Navy SEAL, an active duty Army psychological warfare captain and Virginia police officers.

This photo taken on the steps of the US Capitol shows a line of men wearing combat helmets and body armor in a formation known as 'ranger file'. It is standard operating procedure for a combat team that is 'stacking up' to breach a building and is instantly recognizable to any US soldier or Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan

The rioters - supporters of former President Donald Trump - had hoped to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election.

'Those of us who know DHS well know that the number of problematic officers within DHS is small,' said Thomas Warrick, a former senior official at the agency who focuses on ways to reform it as a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

'But even a small number is corrosive. It undermines the trust of the American people and the entire mission of the department and its components.'

Shortly after President Joe Biden took office, DHS issued a rare terrorism bulletin warning of the lingering potential for violence from people motivated by antigovernment sentiment after the election, suggesting the insurrection might embolden extremists and set the stage for additional attacks.

The agency also directed state, local and tribal agencies receiving annual DHS grants to direct 7.5 per cent of the funds toward addressing the threat from domestic extremism.
One in three young Australians are relying on the bank of mum and dad to get into the housing market as prices surge.

Saving up for a 20 per cent mortgage deposit is a logistical challenge with Sydney's median house prices in March surging by 4.3 per cent to a record $1.112million.

National property prices last month climbed by 2.8 per cent, the fastest monthly pace since October 1988, to $614,768, CoreLogic data showed.

Even the mid-point price for a house or apartment in Australia is a stretch for someone earning an average, full-time salary of $89,000.

Little wonder younger Australians are turning to their parents with 32 per cent of first-home buyers relying on the bank of mum and dad to either fund a mortgage deposit, service a loan or cover the full purchase price, a Finder survey of 1,028 property newcomers found.

One in three young Australians are relying on the bank of mum and dad to get into the housing market as prices surge a Finder survey found. Pictured is a stock image

Young people need mum and dad Relied on parents to finance first home loan deposit or cover the purchase price: 32 per cent Asked mum and dad for help to cover the mortgage deposit or loan repayments: 23 per cent Sponged from parents to cover the full purchase price: 12 per cent Source: Finder survey of 1,028 first-home buyers Advertisement

Finder calculated that was equivalent of 3,779 Australian adults every month were relying on their parents to pay for a home.

Almost a quarter, or 23 per cent, of respondents relied on their parents to either fund a mortgage deposit or the loan repayments.

A smaller proportion, 12 per cent, relied on their parents to cover the full purchase price.

Finder home loans expert Sarah Megginson said the fear of missing out was driving many desperate first-home buyers to beg for help from their parents.

'Younger buyers are increasingly turning to their parents for financial help as the property market heats up,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'There's an underlying fear of missing out among first-time buyers and their parents, particularly as house prices continue heading north.'

Everybody's Home, an advocacy group for affordable housing, said many younger people would be permanently locked out of buying their own home without help from their parents.

'That just increases inequality because it means that people whose parents can afford to help them are able to get into the market and others are completely left behind,' spokeswoman Kate Colvin told Daily Mail Australia.

National property prices last month climbed by 2.8 per cent, the fastest monthly pace since October 1988, to $614,768, CoreLogic data showed. Pictured is a house at Chermside in Brisbane's north on the market for $520,000

Westpac's new home price forecasts SYDNEY: 16 per cent (2021), 5 per cent (2022), -1 (2023) MELBOURNE: 12 per cent (2021), 5 per cent (2022), -1 (2023) BRISBANE: 16 per cent (2021), 10 per cent (2022), 4 per cent (2023) PERTH: 14 per cent (2021), 8 per cent (2022), 4 per cent (2023) ADELAIDE: 10 per cent (2021), 8 per cent (2022), 3 per cent (2023) HOBART: 8 per cent (2021), 5 per cent (2022), 3 per cent (2023) Source: Westpac updated forecasts, April 21, 2020 Advertisement

The Westpac bank is expecting capital city house prices to surge by 15 per cent in 2021 before slowing to 5 per cent in 2022.

Sydney and Melbourne house prices were tipped to fall by 1 per cent in 2023 as affordability issues turned younger buyers off getting into real estate.

'Some moderation is likely, particularly as affordability becomes more stretched for owner occupiers,' Westpac economists Bill Evans and Andrew Hassan said.

'Deteriorating affordability will become a more binding constraint for owner occupiers as prices rise.'

A fall in prices means borrowers are left in a situation known as negative equity where they owe the bank more than their home is worth.

While unemployment has fallen to 5.6 per cent, borrowers who relied on their parents to service a mortgage could struggle if their working hours fell or their mum and dad went through a costly divorce and were no longer able to help them.

Ms Megginson said first-home buyers worried about missing out needed to be mindful of prices eventually falling again.

'We had a boom in Sydney a few years ago and there was similar panic from first home buyers that they need to buy now or they'd miss out,' she said.

'But after the boom came a correction where prices moderated and in some areas, they even fell.'

Between 2017 and 2019, Sydney's median house price fell by 15 per cent after the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority imposed stricter rules on investor and interest-only loans in a bid to cool an overheating market.

Westpac is expecting Sydney and Melbourne house prices to fall by 1 per cent in 2023 affordability issues turned younger buyers off getting into real estate. Pictured is a Paddington auction

Westpac is expecting the banking regulator to intervene again as more investors return to the housing market and squeeze out young people hoping to live in the home they own.

'Regulators will intervene in the market in 2022 as investor activity lifts and credit growth reaches uncomfortable levels,' it said.

Prices fell again in 2020 only to quickly recover after the Reserve Bank of Australia cut the cash rate to a record low of 0.1 per cent, which saw the big banks offer fixed mortgage rates of less than 2 per cent.

Everybody's Home is advocating more social housing so younger Australians can rent more cheaply and more easily save for a mortgage deposit.
Tom said, "Emily is a significant addition to our team and in a short time has excelled in taking greater responsibility for strategically expanding our industrial portfolio that currently spans 22 markets."

With Emily's promotion, Jordan McFarland has joined the team. Jordan will assist the team through critical financial analysis of acquisitions and joint venture opportunities as well as work side by side with Tom on dispositions. Jordan transitioned from Hillwood's investment team which he was a part for the past three years.

"Emily and Jordan have both proven themselves as valuable associates adept at the level of performance that leads to our success." added Chris Brown.

About Hillwood

Hillwood is a leader in acquiring and developing high-quality industrial properties with 200.8M S.F. across the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Hillwood also pursues well-located, functional land in the path of progress and has one of the largest land banks with a capacity of over 100M S.F. for future development. Hillwood collaboratively builds successful partnerships with public and private landowners, as well as other developers, to execute and invest throughout a broad spectrum of industrial projects. As a privately held company, Hillwood possesses the depth of capital, market expertise, industry relationships, and a forward-thinking vision to buy and build industrial properties that meet the logistics, distribution, and manufacturing demands of evolving markets.

For more information on Hillwood's latest industrial availabilities across the U.S., U.K., and E.U., visit Hillwood.com.

HILLWOOD MEDIA CONTACT:

Jennifer Cheek +1 972 220 2965

[email protected]

SOURCE Hillwood

Related Links

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Belarusian authorities have enforced tight security measures in Minsk to prevent an opposition rally marking the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Military and police forces flooded the center of the Belarusian capital on April 26, blocking central avenues to thwart the march. Police arrested about 20 people, according to the Vyasna human rights group.

The actions were part of an ongoing brutal crackdown on protests that began after a disputed reelection in August that gave strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka a sixth term, a vote that the opposition says was rigged.

Crisis In Belarus Read our coverage as Belarusians continue to demand the resignation of Alyaksandr Lukashenka amid a brutal crackdown on protesters. The West refuses to recognize him as the country's legitimate leader after an August 9 election considered fraudulent.

Lukashenka's clampdown has included thousands of detentions. Some of the protesters detained have reported beatings and other rights abuses. Some 350 political prisoners remain behind bars, according to Vyasna.

The clampdown has also included a massive security presence to dissuade protests and restrictions on journalists trying to report about the movement to oust Lukashenka.

Earlier on April 26, several dozen women dressed in black and carrying black umbrellas staged a demonstration on the outskirts of the capital. There were no detentions at that demonstration, although it was not authorized.

The women tied long yellow-and-black ribbons on their wrists and wore face masks with the yellow-and-black symbol for nuclear power. They marched in the Malinauka district, an area nicknamed Chernobyl because people who left areas of Belarus affected by radiation from the accident were given apartments there.

The Belarusian opposition has accused the authorities of concealing the true scope of the Chernobyl disaster, which contaminated large areas in Belarus.

An explosion and fire caused by a reactor meltdown at the Chernobyl power plant located 110 kilometers north of Kyiv on April 26, 1986 sent radiation across much of Europe.

In years past, the opposition in Belarus marked the anniversary with marches, reflecting the damage the country has suffered, including a suspected increase in the rate of cancer.

Lukashenka marked the anniversary this year by taking part in a requiem rally in the town of Bragin, southeast of Minsk.

Opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who left Belarus after the election for security reasons, spent April 26 meeting with ambassadors of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

"We discussed the effective use of the OSCE mechanisms for new free & fair elections in Belarus and the solidarity of the global community with Belarusians," Tsikhanouskaya said on Twitter.

With reporting by AP
This obituary is part of a series about people who have died in the coronavirus pandemic. Read about others here.

The baritone Theodore Lambrinos once sang 21 performances as Scarpia in Puccinis Tosca over 26 days on an American tour with the barnstorming Teatro Lirico dEuropa, based in Bulgaria.

I just want to sing, he told Opera News in 2002, while in the middle of another extended American tour with the company. I have got my voice all lined up, he said, and I want to use it.

And use it he did: over his 60-year career, he gave nearly 800 performances in three dozen countries in opera productions (some 60 roles) and in concerts of arias, Broadway fare and Hellenic songs (a lifelong passion).
On April 16 in the fateful year of 1917, the Russian communist Vladimir Lenin arrived in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) from exile in Switzerland.

The Germans, with whom Russia had been at war since the summer of 1914, secretly arranged his return, granted him safe passage through Germany, and even gave him millions in gold. They hoped he would stir up enough trouble that Russia would withdraw from World War I.

A vaccine is supposed to inoculate a person against a virus. Injecting Russia with Lenin was tantamount to administering the virus itself. British historian Edward Crankshaw noted that Germany saw in this obscure fanatic one more bacillus to let loose in tottering and exhausted Russia to spread infection.

Within six months, Lenin engineered the October Revolution. His new regime made peace with Germany in March 1918.

Lenin in a police photograph from December 1895. (Public Domain)

So, the Germans got their wish for the near term, but it availed them worse than nothing. They lost the war anyway in November. The monster Lenin created would swallow half of Germany in 1945 and build the infamous Berlin Wall in 1961. The first communist state enslaved millions and bedeviled the world until its collapse in 1991.

Lenin is the same cold-blooded thug who famously wrote, We must be ready to employ trickery, deceit, law-breaking, withholding and concealing truth[.]  We can and must write in a language which sows among the masses hate, revulsion, and scorn toward those who disagree with us.

Elsewhere, Lenin declared that The proletariat needs state power, the centralized organization of force, the organization of violence, for the purpose of crushing the resistance  and for the purpose of leading the great mass of the population  in the work of organizing a socialist economy.

In August 1918, Lenin sent his now famous Hanging Order telegram. It instructed local Bolsheviks in the Penza region to deal harshly with the farmers (kulaks) who owned land there and were standing in the way of its nationalization. The British historian Robert Service discovered it in Soviet archives in the 1990s. It read as follows:

Comrades! The insurrection of five kulak districts should be pitilessly suppressed. The interests of the whole revolution require this because the last decisive battle with the kulaks is now underway everywhere. An example must be made. Hang (absolutely hang, in full view of the people) no fewer than one hundred known kulaks, fatcats, bloodsuckers. Publish their names. Seize all grain from them. Designate hostages, in accordance with yesterdays telegram. Do it in such a fashion, that for hundreds of miles around the people see, tremble, know, shout: The bloodsucking kulaks are being strangled and will be strangled. Telegraph receipt and implementation. Yours, Lenin. P.S. Use your toughest people for this.

That chilling telegram ushered in the Red Terror which murdered Russians by the tens of thousands over the next two years.

East German construction workers building the Berlin Wall on Nov. 20, 1961. (Public domain)

In a speech in 1987, President Ronald Reagan mused, How do you tell a Communist? Well, its someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? Its someone who understands Marx and Lenin. One can only wonder how different events might have been if the Germans in 1917 had understood what Lenin and his revolution were all about.

The lesson? Make a deal with the devil and the odds are you will get burned.

For Additional Information, See:

A Revolution to Always Remember But Never to Celebrate by Lawrence W. Reed

Lenins New Economic Policy: When the Soviets Admitted Socialism Doesnt Work by Lawrence W. Reed

The Battle of Warsaw: Celebrating the Centennial of a Polish Victory by Lawrence W. Reed

The Russian Revolution by Richard Pipes

Lawrence W. Reed is FEEs President Emeritus, Humphreys Family Senior Fellow, and Ron Manners Global Ambassador for Liberty, having served for nearly 11 years as FEEs president (2008-2019). He is the author of the 2020 book, Was Jesus a Socialist? as well as Real Heroes: Incredible True Stories of Courage, Character, and Conviction and Excuse Me, Professor: Challenging the Myths of Progressivism. Follow on LinkedIn and Twitter and Like his public figure page on Facebook. His website is LawrenceWReed.com.

This article was originally published on FEE.org.
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Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman suffered a gruesome leg break in his bout against Uriah Hall over the weekend.

Fighting on the main card of UFC 261 in Florida, the two were just seconds into the fight when Weidman threw a kick which was checked by Hall. Weidman's leg snapped near the ankle, and when he stepped back to put weight on it, his foot folded.

Weidman was stretchered out by medics and rushed to hopsital for surgery.

In an Instagram video posted yesterday, Weidman explained:

"Pretty brutal, but Im going to get through this. I think its going to be eight weeks until I can walk without crutches and stuff and drive and all that that.

"As far as actually training, they said beteween six and 12 months Ill be good to go."

If you wanna watch the injury unfold, check it out below. But we've gotta warn you, it's pretty cooked.
Funds from a recent capital raising will be used to conduct resource drilling and complete a scoping study for the Ohmgebirge Project.

The company will appoint and mobilise drillers to Ohmgebirge once a drilling permit has been issued.

( ) (FRA:D86), which proposes to be renamed South Harz Potash Limited in line with its focus on potash in Germany, has enjoyed a productive March quarter.

During the quarter, the company conducted a successful media campaign in Germany where it received encouraging high-level political feedback as well as grassroots support from the South Harz community.

This comes as a drill permitting application for its Ohmgebirge Project is in progress with the final submission to authorities expected after the conclusion of landowner discussions.

In addition, the scoping study structure and drilling pad design for the Ohmgebirge Project have been completed and the company intends to appoint and mobilise drillers immediately upon receiving the requisite approvals from the authorities.

Made significant headway

Davenport managing director Dr Chris Gilchrist said: I am delighted to report that we have made significant headway in achieving our work program for this year.

We have completed a highly successful media campaign for which we have received encouraging feedback from the regional government, local administrators and the community.

We are finalising access agreements with the landowners and tenants for the two areas on which we intend to drill and following completion, we will submit our final application for drilling permission and mobilise the drillers in mid-year, as planned.

We are also making significant capacity-building improvements to the general corporate structure and welcome a new and highly experienced non-executive director, Len Jubber, to the board.

A$10 million placement

During the quarter the company completed the second tranche of a A$10 million placement announced in November 2020.

The funds will be used to conduct resource drilling and complete the scoping study for the Ohmgebirge Project.

Funds in the treasury on March 31, 2021, amounted to A$8,819,040.

Ohmgebirge mining licence area showing locations of 13 historic drillholes in blue.

New non-executive director

On March 1, 2021, Len Jubber was appointed to the board as non-executive director.

His appointment constitutes another building block in the development of the companys world-class 5.3 billion tonnes portfolio of potash resources in Germany.

Jubber was chief executive of Bannerman Resources Limited ( ) (OTCMKTS:BNNLF) (FRA:BH6), a uranium development company, for eight years with prior roles including chief executive of Perilya Ltd, a zinc and lead producer, and chief operating officer of OceanaGold Ltd.

In a mining career spanning more than 30 years, he brings a wealth of technical, commercial and corporate experience which will complement the current board composition.

In addition, Robert Van der Laan, who had been an interim executive director since September 2020, stepped down from the board on March 1, 2021.

Proposed name change

Davenports board of directors has resolved, subject to shareholder approval, to change the company's name to South Harz Potash Limited and will seek shareholder approval at an extraordinary meeting of shareholders on May 4, 2021.

The 100%-owned German subsidiary has already been changed to SudHarzKali GmbH and, if approval is achieved, the company will change its code to ASX:SHP.

This name change is planned to reflect the companys Ohmgebirge, Muhlhausen-Nohra and Ebeleben perpetual mining licences and the Kullstedt and Grafentonna exploration licences which are in the South Harz region of Thuringia, Germany, and collectively host a JORC 2012 inferred mineral resource of 5.3 billion tonnes at 10.8% K2O.

June quarter activities

The company plans to complete the following activities in the current quarter:
More than 12.7 lakh PACL investors with claims of up to Rs 10,000 have received over Rs 438 crore in refunds, markets regulator Sebi said on Tuesday. The regulator had found that PACL Ltd, which had raised money from the public in the name of agriculture and real estate businesses, collected more than Rs 60,000 crore through illegal collective investment schemes (CISs) over 18 years.

A panel headed by retired Justice RM Lodha had initiated the process of refunds in phases for investors, who had invested in PACL.

"As on March 31, 2021, the committee has successfully effected refunds in respect of 12,70,849 eligible applications (with claims up to Rs 10,000) aggregating to Rs 438.34 crore," Sebi said in a statement.

The committee, in February 2019, had asked PACL investors to submit online applications for refund.

The panel has been processing applications received from investors in a phased manner, slab wise, and currently, applications with claim amount up to Rs 10,000 have been processed and payments have been made in respect of eligible claim applications.

The payments are processed after verification of documents uploaded by the investors along with their applications and payment amount calculated accordingly.

The committee has also from time to time provided investors, having claims up to Rs 10,000 and whose applications were found deficient, an opportunity to check status/ deficiencies in their applications and rectify the errors so that the applications could be processed. Such an opportunity was provided till March 31, 2021.

Currently, the facility to rectify the error in the claim applications is not available and investors may await further notification from the committee in this regard, as per a statement.

"The applications where investors have indicated marked land allotted field as 'Yes' or where land has been allotted to the investor as per records provided by PACL, have been kept on hold and will be taken up for consideration at a later stage," it added.

Further, processing of cases where 'deferred/ endorsed' has been mentioned on the PACL certificate has also been kept on hold, the statement noted.

In December 2015, the Securities and Exchange Board Board of India (Sebi) had ordered the attachment of all assets of PACL and its nine promoters and directors for their failure to refund the money that was due to investors.

Sebi had asked PACL as also its promoters and directors to refund the money in an order dated August 22, 2014. The defaulters were directed to wind up the schemes and refund money to the investors within three months from the date of the order.

Also Read: Glenmark Pharma arm files paperwork for IPO with SEBI
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The global Semiconductor Intellectual Property (IP) Market is anticipated to reach $9.3 billion by 2026 according to a new research published by Polaris Market Research. In 2018, the consumer electronics segment accounted for the highest Semiconductor Intellectual Property market share in terms of revenue. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the leading contributor to the global Semiconductor Intellectual Property market revenue in 2018.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/semiconductor-intellectual-property-market/request-for-sample

The increase in demand for consumer electronics such as MP3 players, digital cameras, cell phones, coupled with increasing use of connected devices majorly drives the Semiconductor Intellectual Property market growth. Rising demand for modern System on Chip (SoC) design, and growing need to reduce manufacturing and design cost boost the Semiconductor Intellectual Property market growth. Advancement in multicore technology for consumer electronics further supports the growth of the Semiconductor Intellectual Property market. New emerging markets, and emergence of technologies such as embedded and programmable DSP IPs would provide growth opportunities in the Semiconductor Intellectual Property market in the coming years.

Asia-Pacific generated the highest Semiconductor Intellectual Property market share in terms of revenue in 2018, and is expected to lead the global Semiconductor Intellectual Property market throughout the forecast period. The growing urbanization, increasing population, and rising living standards have accelerated the Semiconductor Intellectual Property market growth in the region. A significant rise in the demand for consumer electronics from countries such as China, India, and Japan, and increasing adoption of connected technologies support the growth of the Semiconductor Intellectual Property market in the region. The growing automotive industry, and increasing penetration of electric vehicles support the Semiconductor Intellectual Property market growth in the region. Modernization of vehicles and development of autonomous vehicles augments the Semiconductor Intellectual Property market growth in the region.

Complete Summary with TOC Available @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/semiconductor-intellectual-property-market

Soft Semiconductor Intellectual Property is usually offered in high-level language such as RTL C++ Verilog or VHDL, and is generally portable. However, it is not optimized for a specific process technology. Thus, the power, performance and area are not known until it is committed to a specific process technology and library. Hard Semiconductor Intellectual Property is usually offered in GDSII format along with an accompanying set of EDA views or models, while being optimized for a specific foundry process. Some examples of hard SIP include processors, standard cells, memories, phase locked loops, and analog blocks.

The well-known companies profiled in the Semiconductor Intellectual Property market report include Synopsys Inc., Eureka Technology Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Lattice Semiconductor Corporation, Faraday Technology Corporation, ARM Ltd, Cadence Design Systems Inc., Ceva Inc., Intel Corporation, and Imagination Technologies Limited. These companies launch new products and collaborate with other market leaders to innovate and launch new products to meet the increasing needs and requirements of consumers.

Avail discount on this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/semiconductor-intellectual-property-market/request-for-discount-pricing

About Polaris Market Research

Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. We provide unmatched quality of offerings to our clients present globally. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for our clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve our diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world.

Contact us-

Polaris Market Research

Phone: 1-646-568-9980

Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.com

Web: www.polarismarketresearch.com
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Six people out of 5,000 who attended an indoor trial concert last month in Barcelona reported testing positive for COVID-19 afterwards, organisers said on Tuesday, giving hope for the revival of the live music industry.

Ahead of the show, everyone underwent mass screening and antigen tests. There were no mass tests afterwards, but 15 days later only six people reported testing positive for COVID-19 according to public medical records of the participants.

"There is no sign that suggests transmission took place during the event," Josep Maria Llibre, an infectious diseases specialist from the Germans Trias i Pujol hospital told a news conference exactly a month after the March 27 concert.

"We can say that it was not a super-spreading event," he added.

Organised by the hospital and a group of Spanish music promoters, the concert in the Palau de Sant Jordi was billed as Europe's biggest indoor rock concert since the start of the pandemic.

It featured one of Spain's most popular bands, indie rockers Love of Lesbian.

None of the participants had been vaccinated for COVID-19. They wore FPP2 surgical masks at the concert and capacity at bathrooms was limited to avoid crowding but there was no assigned seating or mandatory social distancing.

Out of the six people who later tested positive, "we are certain that in four of these six cases, transmission did not take place during the concert," Llibre said.

Boris Revollo, the virologist involved in the design of the health protocols at the concert, said he could not "categorically" rule out that the other two people were infected during the concert but there was a "very high probability" that they had not.

"The measures which we implemented were very safe," he added.

The Palau can welcome 17,000 people, but only 5,000 ticket holders were allowed in for last month's event.

"With optimised ventilation, antigen tests and the wearing of face masks," we could guarantee a safe space, Libre said.

'Gives us hope'

The deputy mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, said the results of the study show "it is possible to relax" virus health restrictions and "restart cultural activities".

The same team carried out another test at a smaller concert in December in another Barcelona, the Sala Apolo with an audience of 500 people.

That time around the concertgoers were tested before the show, as well as another 500 people who acted as a control group, and everybody got tested again eight days later.

All of the Apolo concertgoers tested negative while two people in the control group tested positive.

Trial concert or festival events have been held in several European countries, including in Germany and the Netherlands, as part of efforts to allow crowds to form again to see live music.

According to a study published by Spain's Music Federation, the European music industry lost 76 percent of its earnings in 2020 as concerts and major music festivals such as Britain's Glastonbury fell victim to pandemic restrictions.

"The results of the test concert in Barcelona gives us hope, it is a very good thing," Aurelie Hannedouche of France's Union of Contemporary Music (SMA), which represents festivals, concert venues and producers, told AFP.

Explore further Study of virus screening at concert reports zero infections

 2021 AFP
Caroline Glick is one of the most astute observers of events in Israel as well as in the U.S. I was privileged to meet her when we were both speakers at David Horowitzs Restoration Weekend a year and a half ago. Scott made this column by Caroline a pick a day or two ago, but I think it deserves more attention.

Glick addresses the seeming weirdness of the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations taking an anti-American line:

Taken at face value, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfields condemnation of the United States in a speech last week before Al Sharptons National Action Network was one of the most bizarre statements made by a diplomatfrom the U.S. or, indeed, from anywherein recent years. In her remarks, Thomas-Greenfield castigated the U.S. as inherently, irredeemably evil. I have seen for myself how the original sin of slavery weaved white supremacy into our founding documents and principles, Americas woman at the United Nations said. While bizarre to the uninformed, it turns out Thomas-Greenfields remarks were simply her stump speech. She gave the same onenearly verbatimat the UN last month.

What can possibly be going on here?

The most basic job of a diplomatfor any countryis to put a good face on his or her country before the nations of the world. At the UN, an institution dominated by tyrannies, the U.S faces isolation as a matter of course. For the most part, the only U.S. initiatives at the UN that have succeeded have been those that directly support rogue actorslike then-President Barack Obamas decision to rejoin the dictator-controlled, anti-American and anti-Semitic Human Rights Council, as well as his decision to legitimize Irans nuclear program. By repeatedly attacking and condemning her own country, Thomas-Greenfield was telling her fellow UN ambassadors two things. First, they have no reason to take seriously anything the U.S. says about human rights in their own countries. By accusing her own nation of using private prisons to warehouse young black and brown men, Thomas-Greenfield signaled to the regimes of Iran, Venezuela, Russia, China, Cuba and fellow tyrannies to go ahead and abuse their own citizens just like America.

It gets even worse:

Second, Thomas-Greenfield signaled that the U.S. is surrendering its leadership of the free world and is instead reverting to the Obama administrations policy of leading from behind at the UN by adopting positions that are advantageous to U.S. foes.

But why would Joe Biden appoint a U.N. Ambassador who tries to damage America and help its enemies? By any normal standard, this is irrational. I think Carolines explanation is the correct one. Joe Biden and those who actually run his administration dont care about foreign policy. This quote follows examples of the Biden administrations supporting Americas enemies:

Trying to place the Biden administrations policy of national humiliation into a recognizable doctrine of foreign policy is impossible. All U.S. foreign policy doctrines, from the isolationist school to the liberal internationalist school, begin with their agreement that U.S. foreign policy should aim to advance U.S. interests, and that those interests reflect the fact that the U.S. is a moral and exceptional country. Instead, the Biden administrations policy begins with the assertion that the U.S is an immoral and unexceptional nation, without the right to expect or receive the respect of others, or to advance its own national interest. Americas allies are stunned by the administrations behavior. And Americas enemies are quick to capitalize on it: Chinas $400 billion strategic partnership with Iran is a direct corollary of Bidens masochistic behavior in Vienna. The only way to understand Biden foreign policy doctrine is by recognizing that it isnt a foreign policy doctrine at all. It is an extension of Bidens domestic genuflection to the radicals who control his own party. This genuflection takes the Biden administrations embrace of critical race theory in domestic law enforcement, public health, immigration and economic policies and projects it out onto the world stage. The purpose is not to advance Americas interests in the world. Rather, the purpose is to signal to the fanatical progressives who run the modern Democratic Party that Biden is their man in the White House.

I think that is correct. And the Biden administration is unapologetic:

When asked whether Biden would fire Thomas-Greenfield in light of her use of Chinese Foreign Ministry talking points to attack America, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki scoffed. Most people recognize the history of systemic racism in our country, she said dismissively. So, thats that. Politics no longer stops at the waters endor in Tehran, or Beijing. Politics defines America, both at home and abroad.

The far Left has seized the reins of power and is doing everything it can to destroyor, if you prefer, fundamentally transformour country. Normal Americans must fight back with every legal and honorable tool at our disposal.
Ahead of President Joe Biden's speech to a joint session of Congress, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn praised the White House's accomplishments in the president's first 100 days and said he's proud of the progress made since January.

"So I think that Joe Biden has had a tremendous success," Clyburn told reporters in a conference call on April 27. "If I've had a surprise, it has been the way in which he has stuck to his gun on this."

Clyburn, D-Columbia, has been a major advocate of Biden's reforms ranging from passage of the COVID-19 relief package to his efforts to vaccinate millions of Americans.

On April 28, Biden will review his accomplishments and make the pitch for a $2.3 trillion infrastructure package in a televised address. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., is giving the formal Republican rebuttal afterwards.

Clyburn said that while he's happy with Biden's agenda, he hopes he'll also set his sights on other reforms, such as the Supreme Court and gun legislation.

"I don't know of anything that I've been disappointed with thus far, and that's why I'm a little skittish about the first 100 days," Clyburn said. "Because although I'm fine with the first 100 days, I want to feel the same way by the second 100 days."

Other comments:

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On Biden's vaccination effort and COVID-19 relief

"If I had to give a letter grade to Joe Biden on COVID-19: A-plus," Clyburn said. "Some people said 200 million vaccines in 100 days was ambitious. He got there in much less than a hundred days."

On Scott giving GOP response to Biden speech

"It's a real good thing. I congratulated him on that," Clyburn said. "I think it's always good for South Carolina to be represented at the highest echelon of government, irrespective of whether or not I agree with him."

Clyburn on candidates entering S.C. governor race

"Joe Cunningham called me over the weekend. I had heard from other sources that he was running or contemplating running and he told me he planned to run," Clyburn said. "I wished him good luck. But I also told him that I had received phone calls from at least two other Democrats who are planning to run. I'm not going to make an announcement at this time."

Clyburn added that he doesn't plan to get involved until all the candidates announce.
The organization planning a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King in Boston is getting a $1 million grant from Bank of America, company officials said Monday.

The grant to King Boston will support the creation of the sculpture memorial, featuring interlocking arms and entitled The Embrace, on Boston Common. It will also support a new Center for Economic Justice to promote solutions to further racial and economic justice and a public ideas series that engages the community in anti-racist discourse through the arts and humanities, the Charlotte, North Carolina-based bank said in a statement.

King Boston has now raised about $13.5 million toward its $15 million target, executive director Imari Paris Jeffries told The Boston Globe.

In addition to the $1 million of the King initiative, Bank of America also pledged $500,000 to the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers to address critical health equity concerns with COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

The civil rights leader and his wife first met in Boston in the early 1950s, when he was a doctoral student in theology at Boston University and she was studying at the New England Conservatory of Music.

It is with generous contributions from large, established institutions that we are able to interrogate racism and advocate for the issues that Dr. and Mrs. King fought for over 50 years ago  wealth, housing, racial equity and public education, Jeffries said in a statement.

The grant funding is part of the banks $1.25 billion, five-year commitment to accelerate work already underway to address racial inequality nationwide.
HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court on Tuesday pulled up the state government over the deplorable conditions at the Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences at Gachibowli.

While hearing complaints about harassment of Coronavirus patients and their attendants by hospital staff, ambulance drivers and crematorium workers, the High Court advised the state government to look into such complaints and resolve them.

Referring to a report in Deccan Chronicle on Tuesday, which highlighted the deplorable conditions of Covid19 patients and their family members at TIMS, Chief Justice Hima Kohli said these were issues to be looked into and handled by the government.

A covid-19 patient was asked to shell out Rs15,000 to shift him from Narepally to TIMS hospital in Gachbowli, which was a 20-minute drive. This is very unfortunate, the CJ said.

The court took note of the report about exploitation of the Covid situation by lowerlevel management at TIMS in relation to patient service, cleaning of rooms and even for passing on home-cooked food to patients.

AMBULANCE SERVICES

A division bench of Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy also observed that those who are taking advantage of the present critical situation are nothing but vultures preying on the peoples flesh.

The court advised the government to arrange hearse vehicles to shift the bodies and make available body bags for this purpose at the hospitals. Stressing that the dignity in death should also be maintained, the court said it was seeing reports bodies of the dead at hospitals and crematoria were left around or handled without proper care.

It also went into reports of vested interests or rackets charging higher prices for oxygen supply, the seeking of bribe by government ambulance drivers and swindling of money by private ambulances to shift the patients or bodies of the dead from one place to another. There were also reports about the charges being levied at cremation grounds.

To all these, the bench observed that this was nauseating and directed the government to take adequate steps to rectify the situation.

Advocate Jeevan Kumar apprised his own experience before the court, saying how a demand was made at Gandhi Hospital for Rs 20,000 to hand over the body of his deceased friend. He also explained how there was swindling of money by the ambulance driver to shift the body to the cremation ground and the higher amounts that had to be paid for the cremation.

RUSH AT CREMATORIA

The bench expressed concern over the rush at crematorium grounds and sought a report on the need for expanding the space of these grounds, the details of burial grounds in the state and how many electrical burning grounds are present in the state.

The court put on record that the state government is still trying to fudge the numbers of Covid deaths. Observed the CJ: As long as the state furnished such (unrealistically low) figures, the general public will not be bothered about deaths due to Covid19. This will be more damaging and will harm the general public. Correct information will prompt the general public to get vaccination done on them fast so as to be safe.

The CJ advised advocate general BS Prasad to ensure that a proper record is maintained of the numbers of the dead brought in at various crematoria and burial grounds across the state, so that the figure furnished by the state can be matched with these numbers.

WHAT NEXT?

What is the next step, the court asked the state government in light of the letter addressed by the Union home ministry, which asked states to impose area-specific restrictions and implement strict containment measures to flatten the sharp Covid-19 curve.

CJ Kohli asked the advocate general, In these circumstances, in which way is the Telangana State going? There is rampant rise in cases. But still you are sticking to your guns (figures). Even after the Centre advised states to allow only 50 members for marriage events and 20 for funerals, you have not issued a notification. After April 30, what restrictions are you planning? The night curfew is only until that day. AG replied that he will get instructions from the government.

Rt-PCR TEST REPORT

The court also expressed its dissatisfaction over the government not issuing a circular to hospitals, asking them not to insist on RT-PCR test report to admit patients. We have been asking the state to take necessary steps, but the state is not listening. This is the last time the court is asking you to issue the circular. Next time, if this does not happen, the court will react.

The court criticised the affidavit and reports filed by the Director of Health and DGP, which did not answer most of the questions raised by it and to the 20 details sought by the court in its 17-page order issued on April 23.

POLICE PULLED UP

Justice Hima Kohli wondered how, even after this, the police had registered only four across the state against those who did not maintain the Covid protocol of Social Distance at public places; and only two cases were booked for unlawful holding of public meetings.

The CJ said this was a joke. These figures are laughable and reflect how the police is not interested in enforcing law. You could register four cases in one area, as can still see more violations. But, the police are not able to see such violations, the bench said.

The court advised the police to impose fine on violators who not properly wear masks. Wearing of masks at head or chin is not what is advised in the Covid protocol. The mask should cover the mouth and nose. Else, impose the fine, the court asked the police.

NOTICE TO SEC

The Telangana high court issued notices to the State Election Commission, asking it to furnish the action plan as also the arrangements for managing crowds during the upcoming municipal elections scheduled for April 30. The report must be furnished by the SEC on April 28.

The following directions were issued by the court to the state government:

--Reactivate the HITAM app, introduced in August 2020, to give medical guidance to Covid patients via phone. Needful shall be done within one week from today.

--Each district is directed to issue a Daily Bulletin relating to the number of tests, positivity rate, the number of deaths as was done earlier and upload them on its web portal.

--Appoint a nodal officer who will be taking stock of the Oxygen Supply to private and government hospitals in the state as regards the requirement of the state, the requisition sent to the central government, the allocation by the central government etc.

--Designate more numbers of private and government hospitals as Covid19 centres, as there is a huge spike in the pandemic cases across the state.

--Create another toll free number for "Hearse vehicles" so that Covid 19 patients can be transported from home to hospital and hospital to home as there is a huge spike in Covid 19 cases.

--Make available sufficient number of body bags at various government and private hospitals so that the body of a Covid19 patient is wrapped in the body bag and is given the dignity it deserved -- " dignity in death". This direction is issued after the print and visual media reported about the huge number of bodies being piled up at various crematoria and burial grounds and kept in the open.

OXYGEN SUPPLY

As per the directions of the court, officials from the central health and other departments appeared before it via virtual mode and stated that 430 metric tonnes of oxygen supply has been cleared for Telangana State since April 24.

Apart from this, the central government has supplied 91,135 vials of Ramedisivir life-saving drug to the state government -- which is 10.75 per cent of the total allocations across the country.

Advocate general informed the court that the state has requested for a supply of 600 MT of oxygen by the end of this month in the light of a sharp increase in infections. The court adjourned the PILs related to Covid to May 5.
Armenia ex-President Sargsyan: If I were Commander-in-Chief, I would shoot myself if there were such situation

Armenia 3rd President Sargsyan: We have not lied, have not manipulated people, have not divided our society

Armenia ombudsman: Azerbaijan soldiers try to steal about 20 horses from Gegharkunik Province village shepher

Russia begins testing reliability of its nuclear weapons

Armenia acting PM: There is a future

NATO kicks off BALTOPS exercise in Baltic Sea

Armenian Catholicos patriarchal visit to Artsakh ends (PHOTOS)

Iran loses right to vote at UN due to non-payment of dues

Trump: All Joe Biden had to do was sit back and do nothing

At least 88 people killed in Nigeria attacks

Armenia former President Sargsyan visits memorial chess tournament in Jermuk (PHOTOS)

Armenia acting PM's election campaign is carried out with large-scale use of administrative resources

Mexico holding parliamentary, local elections

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Not safe today even in Yerevan (PHOTOS)

78,004 more passengers leave Armenia by air in first 5 months of 2021 than arrive

Putin-Biden possible meeting place in Switzerland is named

UN condemns "heinous attack" in Burkina Faso

Prosperous Armenia Party leader: Only Russia can ensure security of our country

Stoltenberg warns Russias Putin, Belarus Lukashenko against destabilization in NATO eastern flank

Woman found dead in Yerevan Lake

Catholicos of All Armenians presides over Divine Liturgy in Stepanakert

Turkey airstrike kills at least 3 Kurdish refugees in Iraq

Trump demands billing China $10 trillion for coronavirus damage

Bright Armenia Party leader: We are on verge of civil war

Several explosions occur in Syria

Biden not seeking conflict with Russia

Armenia acting PM sends congratulatory message on Sweden National Day

Passenger flow at 2 Armenia international airports increase by 24% in May

37 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Apple employees are against returning to work in office

Person dies in Armenia town mountains

Kim Jong Un appears in public for first time since early May

Armenia Ombudsman: Azerbaijanis fire at Gegharkunik Province village shepherd for about 30 minutes

Iraq may face severe water shortages

G7 countries sign deal to tax largest multinational companies

1st round of debates of presidential candidates takes place in Iran

6 die and 5 go missing in Sri Lankan flooding

Powerful blast thunders in Somalia capital

A body found in Artsakh

Nearly 100 people killed in Burkina Faso

Acting PM: It is necessary to create professional army in Armenia

UN demands investigation amid discovery of mass grave of children at Canada school

Acting PM: Armenia is a paradise for business

ICRC representatives visit 6 captured Armenian soldiers

Pashinyan: An absolute record for Armenia has been set for number of registered jobs

Civil Contract party holding fundraising evening

Nikol Pashinyan sends congratulatory message to Bashar al-Assad

South Korean air force chief resigns amid scandal over female sergeant suicide

Nikol Pashinyan visits morgue in Abovyan

Acting PM announces interference of external forces in electoral processes in Armenia

Pashinyan conducts procession in Abovyan

MO: Azerbaijanis carry out engineering work on territories without crossing Armenian border

8 security officials killed in Taliban attack in Afghanistan

Philip T. Reeker's visit to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia

Biden gives prosecutors more freedom to terminate immigration cases

93 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Armenia per day

Total of 1,557 bodies found in territories not controlled by Artsakh

Twitter launches paid subscription Twitter Blue

Robert Kocharyan: We are able to find solutions

Tennessee boat merchant willing to pay $ 100,000 to anyone who catches specially marked fish

Armenia ex-Ambassador to Vatican on Armenians' emigration and reasons

Catholicos of All Armenians takes remains of St. Gregory the Illuminator to Artsakh

Armenian ballet master Vilen Galstyan dies at 80

Putin shares expectations from upcoming meeting with Biden

Armenia 2nd President: Number of people who emigrated without returning has grown, only solution is shift of power

EU bans flights of Belarusian airline companies in its airspace

US deals blow to major Chinese companies

Armenia acting PM: 62% of weapons obtained were obtained between 2018 and 2020

Armenia acting PM: Meghri corridor issue and transfer of villages of Kazakh region were a topic 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)

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Dollar loses value in Armenia

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China Daily: Water tribe prospers ashore in Fujian

China calls for closer security, economic cooperation with Afghanistan

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CIS Observation Mission continues to monitor snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

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Edmon Marukyan calls on people to vote for Bright Armenia Party to establish unity in the country

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In a U-turn, China's state-run Sichuan Airlines on Monday retracted its announcement to suspend cargo flights taking crucial supplies like oxygen concentrators to India and said that it was working out a new plan to resume the services.

A logistics arm under Sichuan Airlines said that it was discussing a new plan to resume cargo services to India, as the country has been going through a COVID-19 resurgence, state-run Global Times reported.

The response came after Indian media reported that Sichuan Airlines had suspended all its cargo flights to India for 15 days, and said that such a move brings "major disruption" to private traders' efforts to buy medical supplies, including oxygen concentrators, from China, the dailys said.

"We are re-evaluating the original plan of suspending cargo services to India, and actively discussing a new plan to guarantee cargo services to the region," the report quoted the airlines as saying in reply to its queries.

In a letter to the sales agents on Monday, the Sichuan Chuanhang Logistics Co. Ltd, the company which is part of the Sichuan Airlines, said the airline has suspended its cargo flights on six routes, including Xian to Delhi, amid hectic efforts by private traders from both sides to procure oxygen concentrators from China.

In the letter seen by PTI, the company said, "in the face of sudden changes in the epidemic situation (in India), in order to reduce the number of imported cases, it is decided" to suspend the flights for the next 15 days.

The Airlines operates about 11 cargo flights to different destinations in India.

Sichuan Airlines usually has two regular flights from the Chinese mainland to India, but neither flight had taken off on Monday, the Global Times report said.

From April 1 to April 25, the number of cargo flights from the Chinese mainland to India averaged five per day, including carried by Sichuan Airlines and SF Airlines, it said.

It quoted sources as saying that so far the cargo service of SF Airlines is normal.

The suspension of cargo flights came as a surprise to agents and freight forwarders who are frantically trying to procure the oxygen concentrators from China.

There are also complaints of Chinese manufacturers jacking up the prices by 35 to 40 per cent. The freight charges have been increased to over 20 per cent, said Siddharth Sinha of Sino Global Logistics, a Shanghai-based freight forwarding company.

He told PTI here that the Sichuan Airlines decision to cancel flights has caused severe disruption to attempts by private traders in both the countries to secure quick supplies of the Oxygen concentrators to rush to India in view of the dire situation.

Now it becomes very challenging to rush the supplies as they have to be rerouted through Singapore and other countries through different airlines, he said.

The suspension of the flights is surprising as there is no crew change in India and the same crew flies the aircraft back, he said.

There are also virtually no Indians travelling to China from India other than diplomats as China has suspended visas for Indians since November and flights remained banned.

Answering questions on Sichuan Airlines decision to suspend cargo flights to India, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin earlier said, "China has been following closely the epidemic situation in India and expressed readiness early on to help curb the latest surge."

"At present, the two sides are communicating with one another," he said in the official transcript of comments posted on the foreign ministry's website.

Wang declined to react to China's, Sichuan Airlines, decision to suspend its cargo flights to several destinations to India which was expected to seriously cause disruptions to private traders' efforts to procure oxygen concentrators badly needed in India.

"As for the operation of the specific flights of the airlines you mentioned, I suggest you check with the company concerned," he said.

He, also did not confirm a tweet by the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka stating that China began to supply oxygen concentrators to India. "800 Oxygen Concentrators have been airlifted today from #HongKong to #Delhi; 10,000 more in a week. #China is keeping in touch with #India for urgent needs," said a tweet put out by the Chinese Embassy in Colombo. Asked for his reaction to the tweet, Wang said, "China is ready to provide necessary support and help to India in its fight against the new wave of infections. If India raises any specific demand, we will offer support and help to the best of our capability".

About Chinese manufacturers hiking prices of the medical supplies to India, he said, "As far as I know, that's normal business interaction. We stand ready to offer support and assistance to the best of our capability if the Indian side informs us of its specific needs."

Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong in a tweet said his country "firmly supports" India in fighting against COVID19. "We will encourage and guide Chinese companies to actively participate into the cooperation in facilitating various needed medical supplies for India," he tweeted.

India is struggling with a second wave of the pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported in the past few days, and hospitals are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds.

The suspension of cargo flights also came as a surprise to the Indian officials here as it came in the backdrop of official statements offering support and assistance to India.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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In conjunction with Resorts World Las Vegas's highly anticipated opening this summer, three jaw-dropping, full-motion digital out of home (DOOH) displays will offer advertisers premium visibility and the latest in cutting-edge digital signage, including on one of the largest exterior LED building displays in the U.S., enabling brands to engage with targeted consumer audiences up and down the famous Las Vegas Strip.

"Las Vegas has long been the premier meetings and conventions destination, consistently providing world-class facilities and services to help brands and business travelers connect," said Kate Wik, chief marketing officer for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. "We are excited to be the epicenter of the meetings industry and once again show the world that Vegas Means Business."

The epitome of innovation and opulence, Resorts World Las Vegas will seamlessly blend the technology and luxury appeal of an urban contemporary resort with the traditions and time-honored details of the international Resorts World brand. The first integrated resort to be built on the Las Vegas Strip in over a decade, Resorts World Las Vegas will feature 3,500 guest rooms and suites, an innovative, next-generation gaming floor, over 40 world-class food and beverage options, a 5,000-capacity theatre, distinct nightlife venues, an extensive retail collection and more.

"Resorts World Las Vegas is a marquee venue that encapsulates cutting edge technology, luxury and innovation: all the attributes brands correlate with the excitement of advertising in Las Vegas," said Dan Levi, EVP & CMO, CCOA. "These spectacular digital displays will provide brands the unique opportunity to leverage some of the largest LED screens in the world that can even operate sequentially offering an unprecedented story-telling 'brand takeover.' These displays are breaking new ground in digital out of home and we can't wait to work with our brand partners to execute creative and inventive advertising campaigns as tourism and business travel continues to return to the Las Vegas region."

The three digital displays available at Resorts World Las Vegas are fully animated and can operate sequentially, allowing brands for full 'takeover' of the space including:

100,000 - (approx.) square-foot West Tower Digital Wall : An iconic wall facing northbound traffic on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, this spectacular digital screen  the largest exterior LED building display in the U.S.  can be clearly seen down Las Vegas Boulevard, as well as north bound traffic along the I-15 Freeway (to the west).

: An iconic wall facing northbound traffic on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, this spectacular digital screen  the largest exterior LED building display in the U.S.  can be clearly seen down Las Vegas Boulevard, as well as north bound traffic along the I-15 Freeway (to the west). 19,000 - (approx.) square-foot East Tower Digital Wall : This dynamic display is in a prime location, on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Convention Center Drive. Its unique vertical display is clearly visible alongside Las Vegas Boulevard, which also perfectly targets incoming traffic toward Resorts World Las Vegas from the Las Vegas Convention Center to the east, including the newly opened $1B West Hall expansion.

: This dynamic display is in a prime location, on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Convention Center Drive. Its unique vertical display is clearly visible alongside Las Vegas Boulevard, which also perfectly targets incoming traffic toward Resorts World Las Vegas from the Convention Center to the east, including the newly opened West Hall expansion. 17,000 - (approx.) square-foot Nightclub Digital Wall : This electrifying digital display will encompass the soon-to-be-opened Zouk Nightclub  an innovative space that will become the most technologically advanced nightclub in Las Vegas . The dazzling energy and allure from the venue will demand the attention of the nearby vehicular and pedestrian traffic alike.

The partnership with Resorts World Las Vegas follows CCOA's 2020 announcement with Arrivalist, the leading geo-location intelligence provider for tourism-based measurement, giving hospitality and travel brands measurable consumer insights and in-depth performance analyses for their out-of-home (OOH) advertising campaigns. This is a CCO RADARProof innovation measuring how hospitality and tourism OOH campaigns are exceeding their marketing goals. CCOA solidified its Arrivalist partnership as a resource enabling travel/tourism brands to drive consumers to single site vacation destinations, post-COVID, and to help ignite an economic recovery in the category.

About Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO) is one of the world's largest outdoor advertising companies with a diverse portfolio of approximately 500,000 print and digital displays in 31 countries across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia, reaching millions of people monthly. A growing digital platform includes more than 16,000 digital displays in international markets and more than 2,000 digital displays (excluding airports), including more than 1,400 digital billboards, in the U.S. More information is available at investor.clearchannel.com, clearchanneloutdoor.com and clearchannelinternational.com.

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MGC Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:MXC) is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

MGC Pharmaceuticals historic March quarter highlighted by LSE listing and record sales

MGC Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:MXC) (LON:MXC) (OTCMKTS:MGCLF) (FRA:H5O) has completed arguably its best-ever quarter, with a London Stock Exchange (LSE) listing and record sales highlighting a busy period.

The European-based biopharma company, developing and producing phytocannabinoid-derived medicines, released its March quarterly report this morning.

It also gained Ethics Committee approval for a Phase III trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of its COVID-19 drug, CimetrATM, expanded its pre-clinical brain cancer study and locked in additional funding.



Break-even on the horizon

MGC CEO Roby Zomer told investors the company was now ready to capitalise on years of hard work.

"This has been a historic quarter for MGC Pharma, following our listing on LSE, along with record sales for our proprietary pharmaceutical products," he said.

"MGC Pharma is well-positioned for the future, with clinical trials for CannEpil and CogniCannTM due to begin in the coming quarter, alongside phase III clinical trials for CimetrATM, which have the potential to treat the many people suffering as a result of COVID-19.

"MGC Pharma is now in an excellent position to realise its potential and build on the foundations that have been set in the past 12 months, as we remain on target to reach break-even this financial year."
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Unknown gunmen on Monday killed five police officers during an attack at the Okigwe South zonal area Command in Ehime-Mbano council area in Imo State, Nigerias South-east.

The gunmen also abducted one officer during the attack.

A witness said the gunmen broke into the police facility, took over the armory and freed detainees at the station.

Some police officers who attempted to repel the gunmen were overrun, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.

The attack caused panic among residents in the area, as some families fled the community.

The police spokesperson in Imo State, Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the incident to NAN.

I can confirm an attack on Okigwe South Area Command Headquarters, Ehime- Mbano by yet to be identified gunmen.

Five officers have been killed, while one is yet to be accounted for, but the building was not razed, Mr Ikeokwu, a superintendent of police, said.

Several police officers and other security officials have been killed lately in what appears to be a coordinated attack against security agencies in Nigerias South-east and South-south regions.

Two days ago, some gunmen suspected to be IPOB, a pro-Biafra group that has been proscribed by the Nigerian government, attacked the country home of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.

The South-east governors and other leaders hurriedly called a meeting to discuss the security challenges in the region after the attack on Mr Uzodinmas home which was partly set ablaze.

(NAN)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 23:32:05|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday that the neighbors are of prime importance for the Islamic republic, just at the end of his two-day visit to Iraq.

"Excellent talks" were held with senior Iraqi officials, including President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Zarif tweeted.

"Iran's priority is its neighbors," he noted, adding Iran welcomes Iraq's pivotal role in the region.

The Iranian top diplomat also lauded his "excellent" talks with senior Sunni and Shiite Muslim leaders in Iraq.

Heading a high-level delegation, Zarif paid an official visit to Iraq for talks with Iraqi leaders on bilateral ties and regional situation.

At a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein on Monday, Zarif said Iran is ready to enhance cooperation with Iraq on energy, railway connections, and combating drug trafficking, as "our relations with Iraq are strong, and we look forward to strengthening them." Enditem
The judiciary determines if the accused is guilty. Separating out these three branches of government creates checks and balances, and is seen in most liberal democracies. Separation of powers was part of the thinking of the framers of the Constitution of India, and is part of the basic structure of the Constitution. However, some bodies of ...

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Ambassador of Belarus A.Metelitsa meets Speaker of the Parliament of Pakistan

On April 27, 2021, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Andrei Metelitsa met with the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Parliament of Pakistan Asad Qaiser.

The Sides discussed the state of relations between Belarus and Pakistan, as well as ways to intensify bilateral inter-parliamentary interaction.

The head of the Belarusian Diplomatic Mission renewed the invitation to A.Qaiser from the Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus V.Andreichenko to visit our country.

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A man accused of stalking two young women online has claimed he only does so when he is 'high' on drugs.

Daniel Altmann was confronted by an A Current Affair reporter on Tuesday night about his online behaviour, where he initially denied being 'a social media stalker'.

But when further pressed about stalking the two women through social media for a number of years, Altmann responded: 'Only when I'm high'.

'I have a drug addiction. I'm trying to get it covered. I'm sorry to anybody I've offended,' he said.

Two young women have come forward to claim Daniel Altmann (pictured) has stalked and harassed them online

Bianca Trigas (left) and Jacky Fratti (right) spoke to A Current Affair on Tuesday night where they claimed Altmann had used social media to stalk and harass them

Altmann begged the reporter not to put the story to air, promising to stop stalking the women.

'I'm high and I shouldn't be and I'm going to go to rehab and this is going to destroy my parents,' he said.

He has previously been convicted of stalking as well as assault and breaching an Apprehended Violence Order.

Bianca Trigas, 26, said Altmann started sending her harassing messages through Instagram in April last year, before pulling photos from her social media accounts which were then uploaded to public pages.

'He literally would take photos of me in a bikini when I'm with friends at a beach, at a pool, and he will zoom up on my crotch area, my breasts and then he will type in my name so people have a direct link to me and then with hashtags of w***e galore, t**s out for the boys,' Ms Trigas said.

'He hasn't even tried to hide himself either. That's the scary thing. He's just putting his name and his profile picture out there and he just doesn't care.'

Ms Trigas (pictured) claimed Altmann had sent her threatening messages demanding she send him photos and videos of herself

In a series of messages (pictured) provided to the program, Altmann allegedly begged Ms Trigas to accept his friend request on social media

In a series of messages over Instagram provided to the program, Altman allegedly begged her to accept his friend request.

'Please just accept me ur [sic] one of the hottest chicks on my Instagram,' the message reads.

When she said no, he responded: 'All good I'll keep the request up if you want to change your mind and by the way those pics are *****.'

'Also u [sic] have a generally really pretty face. Winning in all areas.'

Ms Trigas claimed Altmann then began sending threatening messages.

'The threats came through stating that "if I don't send him videos or photos of myself that he will then create this account and get all these random guys to start following me and messaging me",' she said.

Jacky Fratti said Altmann had been harassing her online for about five years.

'In the last, I'd say about five years, he's just been harassing me, sending me messages, screenshotting my photos,' she said.

'He's just been asking me weird requests and has made maybe at least 10 different accounts just constantly harassing me.

Ms Fratti (pictured) claimed Altmann had been constantly harassing her for the last five years

'He's basically just zoomed in on my face and my cleavage and put eggplant emojis saying I'm a "sl*t", these are random boys and like hands on me.'

Ms Trigas said she has reported Altmann to police twice but claims no action was taken, with an officer allegedly telling her it was the 'risk' she takes by posting images online.

Police are investigating the matter and reviewing how the initial reports were handled.

'NSW Police Force is committed to assisting the victim and fully investigate the matter, this is inclusive of reviewing the process and circumstances surrounding the initial reports made to police,' a NSW Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

'The matter is being investigated by the Nepean Criminal Investigation Unit.

'As an organisation NSWPF take all matters that are reported to us seriously and have a range of procedures and governance to ensure the safety of the community.'
The second wave of the Covid-19 has certainly left the infected patients in India to gasp for breath as the countrys oxygen crisis deepen with each passing day. Several states all over the country are facing an acute shortage of medical oxygen. Although India has suffered an oxygen shortage amid a rapid surge in positive about seven months back, this scenario is much worse. Generally, the healthcare facilities use about 15 percent of the total oxygen supply as the remaining are utilised by the industries. But, in the current situation close to 90 percent of the nations oxygen supply that counts to 7,500 metric tonnes has been diverted for medical purpose, states a senior health official, Rajesh Bhushan.

This number is three times higher than that was utilised every day even at the peak of the first wave of Covid-19 in mid-September last year. However, to address the issue various modes have been opted to shift large quantities of medical oxygen to hospitals across the states that are battling the second wave of Covid-19. Presently, the most crucial issue for scarcity in oxygen supply is not able to reach the hospital beds in the need of the hour. But, the location where the production units are located has delayed the supply time of the oxygen. Alongside, a stretched distribution network, as well as bad planning, has hindered the timely oxygen supply to the hospitals. Various hospitals in the nations capital have no significant oxygen production capacity and are made frantic public calls last week to get emergency supplies.

Presently, as the Covid-19 cases engulfing Delhis neighbouring states such as Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, the oxygen amenities there are stretched to their maximum in a measure to meet the rising demands in the local area. As the requirement escalates across various states of India. The burning issue has knocked on the door of the Supreme Court which indeed has given a judgement to the centre to Beg, Borrow or Steal but address the oxygen crises as we cant let people die. And also ordered the industries to support healthcare by providing the required oxygen supply. Thus, several industries are coming forward and

Is Indias Current Oxygen Production Insufficient?

Generally, India produces a minimum of 7,100 tonnes of oxygen on a daily basis. This includes the industrial use that seems to be pretty much sufficient to address the current requirement. However, last week, the centre has allocated close to 6,822 tonnes of liquid oxygen a day for about

20 of the countrys worst-affected states across the country. India has a daily production capacity of at least 7,100 tonnes of oxygen, including for industrial use, which appears to be enough to meet current demand. However, as of April 12, India's total medical oxygen demand was just 3,842 tonnes, but, gradually the surge in cases intensified.

The States are typically earmarked supplies by an inter-ministerial group of bureaucrats and made compulsory to monitor and help the flow of quintessential medical kit during this pandemic. The PM's office has also observed that the availability of liquid medical oxygen had raised by nearly 3,300 tonnes in the past few days, as the steel plants and other industrial units diverting their production.

What Delayed the Supply?

The source from where Delhi would now get the oxygen is spread across seven Indian states, along with some places that are over 1,000 km (625 miles) away. The hazardous nature of the substance, all liquid oxygen has to be moved in a limited number of specialised tankers that need requiring

Planning to get guaranteed deliveries to be made on time, says a gas industry. However, lately, as the inadequacy of oxygen among states is deteriorating, the local officials in certain areas have meddled the movement of tankers in an effort to retain the supplies for themselves.

Such hindrance and blockades have resulted in Delhi receiving only about 177 tonnes of oxygen on Wednesday however, its allocation being 378 tonnes, according to an official.

According to industry sources, Delhi had also all set make planning, without factoring in the time it takes to transport oxygen cross-country by road. However, the sources state that this issue wouldn't have occurred if the action has been taken about 2-3 week prior.

Measures India Opting to Counter this Crisis

The increasing oxygen crisis has indeed alarmed the central government to initiate the Indian railways to take up multiple tankers from refilling plants to the most needed region. Working with industrial gas major Linde India and others, the government is also utilising the Air Force's cargo planes to fly empty tankers to production hubs. And the Refilled oxygen tankers would then take the road transportation to move back.

The armed forces are acquiring nearly 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany.

And various other industries are also coming forward to supply oxygen to hospitals. Alongside, Indias prestigious conglomerate Tata The group is importing 24 specialised containers to transport liquid oxygen.

Furthermore, the government has sent orders to transform argon and nitrogen tankers into oxygen ones. However, some experts forecast that with a tripling of regular infections in a few weeks, India may have to intensely ramp up both its oxygen production as well as distribution systems.

Still, if the country continues to see a swell up in the Covid-19 cases, the oxygen shortage could be suffered by the other states as well. Lately, India recorded close to 3,00,000 Covid-19 cases and more than 2,000 deaths. These numbers mark the highest record made by India since the pandemic outbreak in 2020.

On the other hand, logistical problem in moving oxygen has also turned to be a major issue for organizations that produce liquid oxygen. The constant availability of cryogenic tankers is certainly necessary to move the liquid oxygen and it is difficult that many hospitals are undergoing shortage at the same time. The need of the hour is to produce more cryogenic tanks, but, experts claim that it could take up to four months for it.

The health ministry says, Out of 162 PSA plants sanctioned by the union government, 33 have already been installed - five in Madhya Pradesh, four in Himachal Pradesh, three each in Chandigarh, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand, two each in Bihar, Karnataka, and Telangana; and one each in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
Granada Hills, California--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Pervasip Corp. (OTC Pink: PVSP) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has been retained by Tamino Minerals, Inc. to provide advisory services and strategic planning services for a one-month period. As payment for these services Pervasip received 5 million shares of Tamino Minerals restricted common stock (OTC Pink: TINO).

Pervasip's CEO, Paul Riss said, "Our team at Pervasip is well rounded and we have members that are experienced in the mining industry who are already working with TINO. We are happy to receive shares of common stock for our services because we believe we can bring enhanced value to those shares. We have seen TINO's geological reports and we are confident in the value of the mineral rights."

"In addition to our services, our affiliate, Here To Serve Holding Corp (OTC Pink: HTSC) is working with Tamino to bring its financial reporting to a pink current status," continued Riss. "We believe our equity holdings in TINO will be further advanced by the efforts of HTSC."

HTSC has received 30 million restricted shares of TINO for its financial reporting services.

About Pervasip Corp.

Pervasip provides consulting services to public companies and marketing services via its website at www.privateequitymarkets.us. It recently formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Transcendence Age Corp., to study and provide health and wellness consulting for psilocybin treatments. Research has shown that psilocybin has potential to treat a wide range of behavioral and psychiatric disorders. Transcendence is comprised of an established team of professionals, incorporating infrastructure specialists, growing specialists, and holistic medicinal specialists. Several of its team members also have an expertise in a variety of CBD products.

For further details regarding the company, please refer to the information on our web sites at www.pervasip.net and transcendenceagecorp.com.

About Here To Serve Holding Corp.

Here to Serve Holding Corp. is a holding company that hunts for undervalued assets in the mining, real estate, and securities industries. Run by an experienced team of professionals with diverse backgrounds, HTSC formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Fortune Nickel and Gold Inc. Fortune is dedicated to the global acquisition, exploration, and development of mining properties in prolific jurisdictions. Fortune recently acquired mining projects known as the Gowan and Ottaway-Beck properties located in the Timmins mining camp in Ontario, Canada. Through technology, science and the experts at Prairie Fire Enterprises, Fortune believes its projects have substantial gold and nickel potential.

About Tamino Minerals, Inc.

Tamino Minerals Inc. is an exploration company seeking precious metal, copper, lead and zinc. The company currently explores for these various minerals in Mexico. It has several properties in a highly prospective area for gold and silver in Mexico known as the El Volcan Project. El Volcan is located in a metalogenic province with numerous but seemingly isolated areas of historic mining dominated by Au, Ag, Pb, Zn and Cu, almost exclusively expressed surficially as veins of varying widths and lengths. Tamino also continues to evaluate and develop economic opportunities.

Please email Investor Relations with any questions at info@pervasip.net or call 855-464-2535 extension 1.

The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81842.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair shocked viewers after showing off his 'creepy' lockdown mullet during an interview.

The ex-Labour leader, 67, was compared to Doc from Back to the Future as well as a slew of other fictional characters including Lord of the Rings' Gollum and the Night King from Game of Thrones.

Mr Blair was speaking to ITV's Paul Brand about devolution and a potential Scottish independence referendum.

However, his shock appearance dominated reaction to the interview on social media.

Tony Blair caused a stir on social media after unveiling his long lockdown locks in an interview with ITV

The back of Tony Blair's hair during his ITV interview on Tuesday. The lockdown locks caused a stir on social media

A young Tony Blair with long hair during his university days in the 70s. It appears the ex-PM has tried to bring the look back

One user wrote: 'Tony Blair is slowly transforming into Doc Brown.'

Another said: 'Tony Blair morphing into the possessed Vigo painting in Ghostbusters.'

While a third added: 'Tony Blair looks like a goblin who will try to lure you into his cave for a riddling contest.'

Bizarre lockdown hairstyle were a feature of social media over the past year, with barbers and hairdressers forced to close because of the pandemic.

Some, such as Mr Blair, grew their hair and beards out while others enlisted family members to give them a DIY chop.

However, with salons reopening on April 12, most Britons rushed to get their locks trimmed by a professional.

Mr Blair, however, clearly decided to keep his lockdown look a bit longer - though the reaction of viewers was far from positive.

The former prime minister quickly became one of the top trends on Twitter with other figures, such as Gerry Francis and Peter Stringfellow, also trending as users compared Mr Blair to them.

One user said: 'How does Tony Blair have lockdown hair? I managed, and I've never been prime minister. Get a haircut man!'

A second said: 'Never seen a man less suited to attempting the 'silver fox mop-of-hair' than Tony Blair. I almost want to chop my own hair off than be associated with this monstrosity.'

And another simply asked: 'What the hell is going on with Tony Blairs hair?'

In the interview, Mr Blair defended his government's devolution project, but admitted it had 'weaknesses'.

He said: 'Where I think we were wrong was in believing that devolution would end the argument of independence - it hasn't ended it.'

However, he insisted that 'the union would already be in tatters' had Labour not devolution referendums in Scotland and Wales in 1997.
[April 27, 2021] FranConnect Releases 2021 Franchise Sales Index Report

HERNDON, Va., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- FranConnect , the leading provider of franchise management solutions for driving success in franchise sales, operations, and marketing, today released its 2021 Franchise Sales Index Report. Now in its seventh year, FranConnect's Franchise Sales Index is the industry's most comprehensive analysis of the franchise development function, offering franchisors unparalleled insights into the state of franchise development and strategies for increasing effectiveness and efficiency in the franchise sales process. This year's data represents the real-world franchise sales activities of over 600 of FranConnect's customers in 2020, from Micro-Emerging brands (10 locations or less) to Enterprise concepts (200+ locations), segmented by industry, including personal services, quick-service restaurants, commercial and residential services, retail food, and more. Key findings in the 2021 Franchise Sales Index Report include: Lead generation was significantly down , with Enterprise brands seeing leads decline by 36%. By industry, Business Services saw the largest decline in leads (72%).

, with Enterprise brands seeing leads decline by 36%. By industry, Business Services saw the largest decline in leads (72%). Total deals closed declined 28.8% year-over-year , but two industries  Commercial and Residential Services and Retail Food  saw increases in thenumber of deals per brand.

, but two industries  Commercial and Residential Services and Retail Food  saw increases in thenumber of deals per brand. Trade Shows & Conferences were the only lead generation source that saw a slight increase over 2019 , showing that the national shift from in-person events to virtual ones didn't diminish interest in franchising.

, showing that the national shift from in-person events to virtual ones didn't diminish interest in franchising. Franchise referral consultants were the biggest source of deals , indicating their status as a trusted, objective source amid pandemic-driven uncertainty.

, indicating their status as a trusted, objective source amid pandemic-driven uncertainty. The number of days from inquiry to close rose dramatically. On average across all industries, the sales cycle time more than doubled.



Keith Gerson , president of franchise operations for FranConnect. "What's abundantly clear is that there has been pent-up demand, so as the country continues to recover, franchise sales teams should be preparing for a rebound. They should be ready for an influx of leads and focusing on speed-to-lead and booking appointments to ensure they don't lose great, qualified candidates." To download the full 2021 Franchise Sales Index Report, visit www.franconnect.com/salesindex. FranConnect is also offering franchise brands a unique opportunity to request a custom report comparing their sales performance against anonymized data from more than 800+ franchise brands. To request this custom benchmark report, contact FranConnect at franconnect.com/SalesBenchmark.

About FranConnect

FranConnect is the leading franchise management software provider. For 20 years, the FranConnect platform has served as the sales, operations, and marketing backbone for over 800 brands worldwide. Nine of the Franchise Times Top 10 Fastest-Growing franchise businesses rely on FranConnect to drive growth, improve profitability, and streamline operational performance. FranConnect customers span all sizes, growth phases, and industries and they grow 44% faster on average than the broader franchising market. Backed by private-equity investor Serent Capital, FranConnect is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, with global follow-the-sun operations. For more information on FranConnect, visit www.franconnect.com. Contact:

Nicole Hunnicutt

Fish Consulting

404-558-4108

nhunnicutt@fish-consulting.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/franconnect-releases-2021-franchise-sales-index-report-301277791.html SOURCE FranConnect

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This is the moment two women narrowly avoided being crushed by debris raining down from a collapsing balcony at an apartment building.

CCTV footage captured in the city of Izhevsk in Russia shows the two women walking up a flight of steps in front of the five-storey apartment block when they realise the slabs of slate are starting to fall.

The women immediately rush down the steps and avoid the slabs as they come crashing down in front of the entrance.

The two women walk up the flight of stairs in front of the five-storey building in the city of Izhevsk in Russia

The pair notice the slates from a balcony begin to fall and dash out of the way

The clip, which was filmed on April 23 but has no soundtrack, shows a grey-haired woman come out of the apartment block as the two younger woman approach.

As she gets to the pavement she turns, as if responding to a noise. She immediately backs away from the building as the slate rains down around the two younger women.

A slab hits the ankle of one of the women who stumbles but both manage to get clear and run down the steps onto the pavement.

The slates were part of the facade of the balcony. No one is believed to have been seriously injured in the incident.

It comes just months after a father-of-one had to run for safety when a giant slab of concrete fell 100ft from a high-rise residential building as he cleared ice from his car windscreen in the Russian port city Vladivostok.

The slab plunged from the side of the building on the ninth floor on Neibuta Street.

The women make their way down the flight of stairs as the sheets of slate crash to the ground

One of the women stumbles on the stairs as one of the large slabs brushes against her ankle

Last month a mother had to save her toddler from being crushed by a falling slab of snow after it plunged to the ground from a building in Yaroslavl, in the western Russian region of Yaroslavl Oblast.

The pair were able to make it to safely to the other side of the road as the slabs of snow fell to the ground.

In 2017, a mother who was nearly killed when a concrete slab from an apartment block balcony fell onto her head in St Petersburg, Russia.
WHEREABOUTS

By Jhumpa Lahiri

Reviewing Jhumpa Lahiris third novel, her first written in Italian, feels like an impossible task because the work is pared down to its essence, and arrives like a holding space for work to come. After publishing the book in Italy in 2018 as Dove Mi Trovo, Lahiri translated it into English, choosing the title Whereabouts.

A slender novel, Whereabouts is composed of 46 chapters, or entries, sequenced over the course of a year. These are the work of an unnamed writer in her late 40s who teaches at a university. In spring I suffer, one entry begins, and another: A bachelor friend of mine likes hosting dinners at his house. Each reflection is place-stamped by its title: At the Coffee Bar, In the Hotel, At My House, In the Shade, In My Head, At the Supermarket and so on.

Whereabouts is like a photographers contact sheet. As our eyes move across the images, sensitive to each reframing, a loose narrative emerges of an Italian woman at a crossroads in her life. But narrative is not what this book is after. Each entry, most only a few pages long, stands on its own; any could be removed without leaving an absence. Or, as the writer puts it when discussing her therapist: As if each session were the first and only time we met. Every session was like the start of a novel abandoned after the first chapter.

[ Read our profile of Lahiri. ]

The entries sometimes sing and sometimes perplex. This is partly because although written by the same narrator, they seem to emerge from a person not fully realized. At times she seems Italian and at other times not; rooted yet adrift; untraveled yet well traveled; parochial yet cosmopolitan. Of course, the narrator may rightfully be all these things. Disjunctures  between fragmentation and novelization, between joyful solitude and frightened loneliness, between assertions of contentment and evidence of dissatisfaction  permeate every chapter.
Alabama will create a database to track disciplinary actions and excessive force complaints against law enforcement officers, a measure aimed at weeding out bad apples in the profession.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday signed the bill to create a state database to track law enforcement officers employment history, disciplinary actions, use of force complaints and reassignments for cause.

Nationwide, there have been calls for greater transparency in policing following the high-profile shootings and deaths of unarmed African Americans with states taking a variety of actions. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted last week in the death of George Floyd, whose killing sparked nationwide protests.

Democratic Rep. A.J. McCampbell, a former police officer, sponsored the Alabama bill and said it was aimed at preventing bad actors from moving from one city to the next city.

We have great officers. But its just like any other profession, you have great actors and you have bad actors. This is an opportunity to weed out the bad actors, McCampbell, D-Demopolis, said.

McCampbell said the governor had helped work on the legislation. The House of Representatives approved the bill 95-4 vote. The Senate approved the bill on a 26-0 vote.

The database would not be public. It would be for law enforcement use only, including for police agencies to review a job candidates background.

It would make it more difficult for someone who has got a checkered past to hop from law enforcement agency to law enforcement agency. It builds a database so we can sort of weed out the bad apples that everyone continues to talk about, state Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, said Wednesday during a news conference of the Alabama House Democratic Caucus.

Former President Donald Trump in June signed an executive order to encourage better police practices and establish a database to track officers with excessive use-of-force complaints.

While Alabama lawmakers approved the database creation with few dissenting votes, other policing bills have stalled in the GOP-dominated Legislature. A bill that would establish uniform procedures for the release of police body camera and dash camera footage has not gotten a committee vote. Bills that would track officer-involved shootings and mandate uniform investigative procedures also stalled in past years.

The Alabama Senate has approved a bill that would require police to collect racial data during traffic stops  a measure intended to prevent the targeting of minority motorists  but the bill has not gotten a vote in the Alabama House.

We support law enforcement. However, we strongly believe law enforcement should be held to a higher standard and their actions should be fair and responsible, England said.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Law Enforcement Alabama
Maya Forstater, 47, insists her views are based on 'fundamental scientific facts'

A tax expert who was sacked after claiming people cannot change their biological sex insist her views are based on 'fundamental scientific fact', an employment appeal tribunal has heard.

Maya Forstater's contract was not renewed at an international think-tank in 2019 after she posted a series of controversial opinions including that 'men cannot change into women'.

The Central London Employment Tribunal upheld the dismissal after judge James Tayler described her beliefs as 'not worthy of respect in a democratic society'.

Her case gained national attention after Harry Potter author JK Rowling voiced her support, and said she disagreed with the tribunal's decision to throw out the tax expert's discrimination claim.

In a landmark case defending her right to free speech, Miss Forstater yesterday launched an appeal against the ruling accusing the employment tribunal of being 'Orwellian' in its verdict.

Today the 47-year-old reiterated her views that biological sex is 'real, important, immutable, and not to be conflated with gender identity.

Ms Forstater said she was 'concerned' children were being 'encouraged' that it is possible to 'change sex or simply to be a member of the opposite sex... at an early age'.

Ms Forstater, who worked as a tax expert at the Centre for Global Development (CGD), posted a series of tweets in 2018 opposing UK Government proposals to reform the Gender Recognition Act to allow people to identify as the opposite sex.

She wrote: 'What I am so surprised at is that smart people who I admire ... are tying themselves in knots to avoid saying the truth that men cannot change into women'.

Ms Forstater said that 'when men wear make-up, heels, dresses they don't become women' and took swipes at the idea of allowing transgender people into single sex spaces such as changing rooms and prisons.

In an article and a series of more than 100 tweets she rallied against government proposals allowing people to self-identify as a particular gender

After her contract was not renewed she took her case to an employment tribunal on the grounds that her dismissal constituted discrimination against her beliefs - which should claimed she be protected under the 2010 Equality Act.

But employment judge James Tayler previously dismissed her claim saying her views are 'absolutist in her view of sex'.

Ben Cooper QC, representing Ms Forstater at the virtual employment appeal tribunal today, said her views are 'based on... fundamental scientific facts'.

Mr Cooper said she claims: 'Ignoring them or pretending they are not true is detrimental to an honest, just and fair society, particularly upholding the rights of women.

'These beliefs do not involve any moral judgment and... do not deny the rights or status of trans people or their protection from discrimination.

'I'm concerned that children and young people are being encouraged to make these decisions at an early age and are being led to believe it is possible to change sex or simply to be a member of the opposite sex.'

She expressed concern at the idea of allowing transgender people into single sex spaces such as changing rooms and prisons

Mr Cooper added: 'This is not a competition about who is treated worse or who is more offended by the other's beliefs.

'We say, applying the correct test, there can be no doubt that the claimant's beliefs do meet the relevant threshold to be worthy of respect in a democratic society.

'She accepts that [trans people] should be protected from discrimination.'

Mr Cooper said Ms Forstater 'will use a person's preferred pronouns' in most social situations but 'where it is relevant, she believes it is important to be able to refer to someone's biological sex'.

The lawyer continued: 'The claimant's belief is that being transgender is a different category of thing from sex.

'It is inherent in that belief that statements such as 'woman means adult human female' or 'trans women are male' are, for her, statements of neutral fact.'

In written submissions, Miss Forstater's team said: 'The label 'Orwellian' is sometimes applied too glibly, but here it is warranted.

'Where the result is that important and widely-held beliefs about a matter of on-going cultural and political debate are deemed to be unsayable, something has plainly gone very wrong.'

Judge Tayler ruled against Ms Forstater in a 26-page judgment in 2019, in which he said her views did 'not have the protected characteristic of philosophical belief'.

Harry Potter author J K Rowling tweeted out her support for Miss Forstater using the hashtag #IStandWithMaya

He concluded Ms Forstater was not entitled to ignore the legal rights of a transgender person and the 'enormous pain that can be caused by misgendering a person'.

Following the ruling back in 2019, JK Rowling faced a huge backlash after tweeting her support for Miss Forstater.

The best-selling author wrote: 'Live your best life in peace and security.. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real #IStandWithMaya.'

The dispute was seen as a test case on whether a 'gender critical' view, a belief that there are only two biological sexes, is a protected 'philosophical belief' under the 2010 Equality Act.

Ms Forstater had argued 'framing the question of transgender inclusion as an argument that male people should be allowed into women's spaces discounts women's rights to privacy and is fundamentally illiberal (it is like forcing Jewish people to eat pork)'.

In a statement released ahead of the appeal tribunal's judgment, Amanda Glassman, the chief executive officer of CGD Europe and executive vice president of CGD, said: 'Our view is that Judge Tayler was correct when he ruled that the claimant's beliefs denied trans persons their legal rights while also causing them personal pain.

'We are hopeful that the Employment Appeal Tribunal will uphold the original ruling and look forward to moving on to the next case.'

The employment appeal tribunal, expected to last two days, continues.
An unidentified woman is dead and a man was hospitalized in critical condition after Harahan police exchanged gunfire with him during a domestic disturbance Sunday evening, authorities said.

Officers responded at 6:23 p.m. to a report of a man holding a woman at gunpoint in the 100 block of Haroleans Street, according to Harahan Police Chief Tim Walker.

A neighbor said the man shot the woman several times before police officers fired at him.

Authorities reported that both the man and the officers fired guns. But when asked Monday afternoon whether the man fired first, and if the man was the person who shot the woman, Walker said that he could not confirm those details.

We are still investigating, he said.

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, according to the Jefferson Parish Coroners Office.

Law enforcement has not yet named the persons involved, but neighbors told Paul Murphy of WWL-TV that they are a married couple and longtime residents of Harahan.

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Richard Gauthes daughter lives on Haroleans Street and described seeing a man standing on the homes front porch with his arm around a womans neck.

Once he shot her, he turned her loose. She ran off, and he shot her twice in the back, Gauthe said. Thats when the police started shooting at him.

Dwight Fontenot lives across the street from the couple and was sitting in his garage Sunday evening when he said he heard gunshots.

I come walking to the front, and the officer was coming across the street, and he was pointing the gun in the backyard. I thought somebody was robbing the house or something like that, Fontenot told WWL-TV.

A few moments later, Fontenot said he saw officers pulling the injured woman toward the sidewalk where they began trying to resuscitate her.

Fontenot called the womans husband a good guy who seemingly snapped.

Were trying to understand why it happened, he said.
The autopsy results come a day after Browns relatives were shown some body camera footage. Another family lawyer, Chantel Cherry-Lassiter, who viewed a 20-second portion of the video, said Monday that officers opened fire on Brown while he had his hands on the steering wheel of a car. She said she lost count of the numerous gunshots while viewing the footage.
Washington DC, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Today Forest Trends Ecosystem Marketplace, a nonprofit globally recognized leader in fostering voluntary carbon markets transparency, launched a powerful new data platform for tracking and analyzing carbon markets and voluntary offsetting by corporations, governments, non-profits, individuals, among others.

The Ecosystem Marketplace (EM) Global Carbon Hubs Data Intelligence & Analytics Dashboard provides carbon offset transactions, deliveries, issuances, and retirements data and analysis. EMs unique dataset of pricing and volumes data comes from an international network hundreds of carbon market participants reporting to the EM Global Carbon Survey, with more than 15,000 offset transactions over the past decade. The platform also hosts offsets issuances and retirements data from more than 7,300 projects registered with leading carbon standards Verified Carbon Standard, Gold Standard, American Carbon Registry, Climate Action Reserve, CARB (California Air Resources Board), Clean Development Mechanism, and Plan Vivo, with more to be added in the coming months  the first time EM has made such data been available in a single place.

As voluntary carbon markets grow to meet booming demand from companies with ambitious net zero goals, we need robust market infrastructure to grow along with it, says Stephen Donofrio, Director of Ecosystem Marketplace. The new dashboard offers the broadest, most dynamic dataset on voluntary carbon markets to date.

The free-to-the-public version 1.0 of the Data Intelligence & Analytics Dashboard includes price and other market data and expert analysis from Ecosystem Marketplace, which will be regularly updated as EM Respondents report new data on calendar year 2020 and year to date 2021 via the redesigned and enhanced EM Global Carbon Survey platform, also launching today. Subsequent iterations of the new platform will include new features, including a machine learning tool to estimate carbon offsets prices, and a data benchmarking analysis tool for users to decode offsets prices and volumes by core carbon, additional attributes, and buyers' details.

Voluntary carbon markets will be a key tool for corporations and financial institutions to cut greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with Paris Agreement targets. The Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets (the Taskforce), a private-sector-led initiative initiated by Mark Carney, UN special envoy for climate action and finance adviser to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson for COP26, has identified a lack of comprehensive and regular market data as a barrier to bringing markets to scale.

Carbon markets need transparency to scale with integrity, said Patrick Maguire, Senior Program Manager of Ecosystem Marketplace. Were in a unique position as a nonprofit organization to ensure a high degree of transparency, and to make that data widely available, to support more informed decision-making and high standards when it comes to offset quality.

The EM Data Intelligence & Analytics Dashboard is available in an open-access (log-in required) platform at https://ecosystemmarketplace.shinyapps.io/PublicCarbonDashboard/.

The EM Global Carbon Survey is available and now accepting responses at https://www.ecosystemmarketplace.com/carbon-markets/em-global-carbon-survey/

"3Degrees is proud to be a strategic supporter of Ecosystem Marketplace's 2021 Global Carbon Survey. The data from this initiative is invaluable to our team and provides the insights necessary to ensure honest and transparent market growth." Stephanie Harris, Director, Carbon Markets, 3Degrees

You cant react to what isnt measured, so we congratulate and thank Ecosystem Marketplace for building upon their historical work to now improve their data collection and management to match growing demand and interest in the voluntary carbon market. Dee Lawrence, Co-Founder, High Tide Foundation

"Trusted parties like Forest Trends' Ecosystem Marketplace help us drive scale and transparency in the market. We're at a phase now where we have to scale and decarbonize quickly at the same time. So why not invest in groups that already have credibility in the marketplace? We think EM is moving this forward." Jeremy Manion, Lead, Forestry Carbon Markets, Arbor Day Foundation
[April 27, 2021] Manish Mishra stands in solidarity with Indian students in these tough times

DELHI, India, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- "This man is transferring Rs.2000/- to help each stressed university student fight corona crisis" Manish Mishra, from Delhi is transferring 2000 Rs. via IMPS/RTGS directly in the accounts of stressed univesity students across the nation starting from 1st May 2021 to 11th May 2021. All students requiring this exigency financial can send credentials & short note of crisis to bharatmanishmishra@gmail.com This is the first and only initiative across India where an individual is depositing monies directly in account of student community.



Oxygen, injections, logistical help is coming in from NGOs, government, corporates. Certain emergencies require immediate cash in bank account. This initiative might end up encouraging a concept of crowd donations, which will enable various communities to have access to money which can be life saver in most cases. Manish Mishra says "I am not a large corporate house, neither am I very affluent. I run a small human resources management firm. If even 1000 people in a population of 1.30 billion gather courage and motivation to do what I am doing, India will come out of this crisis faster"

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1498025/Manish_Mishra.jpg

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At least nine persons were fatally shot at by gunmen who invaded a village in Nigeria's southeastern state of Anambra on Monday, the police said, according to an ANI report. While the casualties are yet to be identified, police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga from the village of Ukpomachi of the Oyi local government area of the state told media reporters that numerous civilians were wounded in the attack and there was the loss of life and property. Speaking at the state capital, Awka, Ikenga said that the police has launched a probe into the attack, and officers were deployed in the area to apprehend the absconding attackers who were armed with dangerous weaponry.

Amid the rising insecurity across Nigeria, a separate attack on an army base in northeastern Nigeria rocked the region as more than 30 soldiers were killed by militant groups. The attackers were identified as the regional offshoot of the Islamic State. The attack was carried on the military base situated in the Mainok town in the northeast Borno state of Nigeria, according to reports. The perpetrators had camouflaged identity as they arrived on 16 gun trucks and six mine-resistant military vehicles, officials told reporters on the ground. Earlier last week, the rebel Islamic extremists attacked the offices of several international aid groups, setting them ablaze in Nigerias embattled northeast, sources told the Associated Press.

Nigerians flee deadly violence

In Nigerias northeastern Borno state similarly, tens of thousands of Nigerians were caught fleeing deadly attacks by armed extremists and the continuing clashes between the rebels and national forces, UN agencies said in a statement. As many as 65,000 Nigerians were being displaced due to the rising violence in the country. Assailants looted and burned down private homes, warehouses of humanitarian agencies, a police station, a clinic, and also a UNHCR facility, the UN agencys spokesman Babar Baloch told reporters in Geneva. It marked the third such attack in a week, he said.
Countries  including key garment producer Bangladesh  need to put sound and resilient occupational safety and health (OSH) systems in place to minimise risks for workers in the event of future health emergencies, a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) says.

The report, Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises. Invest now in resilient OSH systems, examines risk prevention and management relating to the pandemic, and analyses other health and safety risks associated with the changing work arrangements arising from virus control measures.

The ILO says better national occupational safety and health policies, institutional and regulatory frameworks that are also integrated into crisis response, are needed. This will require investment in OSH infrastructure and integrating it into overall national crisis emergency preparedness and response plans, so that workers safety and health is protected, and the business continuity of enterprises is supported.

The second wave of the pandemic is sweeping across Bangladesh as we mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2021, says Tuomo Poutiainen, country director of ILO Bangladesh. Many hundreds of thousands of workers continue to work hard to keep the society and the economy functioning. The pandemic has clearly shown the importance of OSH in creating safe working environment and its impact on public health. The occupational safety and health of all workers in all industries must be a national priority.

The ILO has helped develop a national Covid-19 OSH guideline which was approved and published by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in Bangladesh. The safety of workers and business sustainability can both be secured if the measures recommended in this guideline are implemented across all industries and workplaces, Poutiainen adds.



The report says small and micro-sized enterprises have often found it hard to meet official OSH requirements because many have lacked the resources to adapt to the threats posed by the pandemic.

In Bangladesh, the government, employers and workers organisations must work together to continue strengthening of the OSH institutional and regulatory frameworks and OSH management system at national and workplace levels, Poutiainen continues. Investing in OSH systems will not only contribute towards responding to the current pandemic and recovering faster by avoiding further contagion, but will create resilience to face any future crises that might lie ahead. At the same time, it is important to establish urgent safety net programmes for low-wage workers, the self-employed, and workers and enterprises in all the hard-hit sectors including informal ones.

The report outlines the critical roles played during the pandemic by occupational safety and health regulatory frameworks and institutions, compliance mechanisms, health and advisory services, data, research and training.

There could be no clearer demonstration of the importance of a strong, resilient, occupational safety and health environment. Recovery and prevention will require better national policies, institutional and regulatory frameworks, properly integrated into crisis response frameworks, adds ILO director-general, Guy Ryder.

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According to the ILO report, in the global informal economy, many of the 1.6bn workers, especially in developing countries, have continued working despite lockdowns, restrictions on movement and social interaction, and other measures. This has put them at high risk of catching the virus, yet most do not have access to basic social protection, such as sick leave or sick pay.
Joe Biden's Department of Homeland Security announced two new initiatives Tuesday stopping immigration-related arrests at courthouses and cracking down on human smugglers to help curb the migration crisis.

Immigration and national security agencies are launching 'Operation Sentinel' to put sanctions  like travel restrictions  on smugglers helping migrants cross the southern border into the U.S.

The initiative comes in the midst of the massive migration crisis, which has seen a record number of encounters and apprehensions at the southern border under President Joe Biden.

'Transnational criminal organizations put profit over human life, with devastating consequences,' DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement on the new operation.

Joe Biden's Department of Homeland Security announced two new initiatives Tuesday stopping immigration-related arrests at courthouses and cracking down on human smugglers to help curb the migration crisis. Asylum-seeking migrants are pictured after crossing the border in La Joya, Texas, on Tuesday

'With the help of our federal and foreign partners, we aim to cut off access to that profit by denying these criminals the ability to engage in travel, trade, and finance in the United States,' he continued. 'We intend to disrupt every facet of the logistical network that these organizations use to succeed.'

'Operation Sentinel' is a joint effort led by DHS in partnership with the State Department, FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration within the Justice Department.

Transnational criminal smuggler organizations help people illegally gain access to the U.S., where they are contributing to an inundated immigration system with overflowing facilities and overwhelmed staff.

March saw the highest number ever of illegal crossers and there are more than 22,000 unaccompanied minor migrants in federal custody.

In fiscal year 2020, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded finding 250 migrants who died during their journey to their home countries to the U.S.

As part of another campaign promise to give immigrants more rights, Biden is stopping border and immigration agencies from making arrests at courthouses

As part of another campaign promise to give immigrants more rights, Biden is stopping border and immigration agencies from making arrests at courthouses.

The new directive from Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcements Tae Johnson and Acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller prevents the two agencies from carrying out their duties near courthouses so that individuals may testify in cases without fear of being arrested due to their illegal status.

'Ensuring that individuals have access to the courts, advances the fair administration of justice, promotes safety for crime victims, and helps to guarantee equal protection under the law,' Mayorkas said in a statement Tuesday.

He added: 'The expansion of civil immigration arrests at courthouses during the prior administration had a chilling effect on individuals' willingness to come to court or work cooperatively with law enforcement.'

'Today's guidance is the latest step in our efforts to focus our civil immigration enforcement resources on threats to homeland security and public safety.'
New Delhi, April 27 : The Centre on Tuesday said that it has provided more than 15 crore vaccine doses to states and Union Territories (UTs) "free of cost" so far, and more than 80 lakh additional doses will be received by the states/UTs in the next three days.

In a statement, the Union Health Ministry said: "Government of India has so far provided more than 15 crore vaccine doses (15,65,26,140) to states/UTs free of cost. Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 14,64,78,983 doses. More than one crore doses (1,00,47,157) are still available with the states/UTs to be administered." Meanwhile, 86,40,000 more doses will be received in addition by the states/UTs in the next three days, it added.

As per the ministry data, states having more than 3.70 lakh doses of vaccine as balance are Chhattisgarh (3,72,147), West Bengal (3,97,146), Madhya Pradesh (4,67,961), Tamil Nadu (5,13,119), Karnataka (5,42,725), Jharkhand (5,95,883), Gujarat (6,09,076), Bihar (7,50,587), Maharashtra (9,23,060) and Uttar Pradesh (10,10,581).

Referring to reports quoting some government officials from Maharashtra that the vaccines in the state are finished, thereby adversely impacting the vaccination drive, the Health Ministry sought to clarify that the total Covid vaccine doses received by Maharashtra as on April 27 (at 8 a.m.) are 1,58,62,470.

"Of this, the total consumption including wastage (0.22 per cent) was 1,49,39,410. Balance of 9,23,060 doses is still available with Maharashtra for administration of vaccine doses to the eligible population groups. Furthermore, three lakh doses of Covid vaccine are in the pipeline for delivery in the next three days," it said.

The government said that vaccination is a crucial pillar of the five point strategy of the country to fight the pandemic, which includes 'Test, Track, Treat' and Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) as the other complementing and equally important containment and management measures.

"Country has launched the world's largest vaccination drive on January 16 this year. A liberalised and accelerated Phase 3 strategy of Covid-19 vaccination will be implemented from May 1. In its Phase 3, the National Vaccine Strategy aims at liberalised vaccine pricing and scaling up of vaccine coverage. Procurement, eligibility and administration of vaccines have been made flexible as part of the Liberalised vaccination Strategy," it said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 22:01:55|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism has cautioned against any slackening in epidemic control as a travel boom is expected during the upcoming extended May Day holiday.

Tourists are urged to follow local COVID-19 containment protocols, such as wearing masks and keeping social distance at public venues.

May Day, also known as Labor Day, is observed on May 1 in China. The May Day holiday, usually a busy travel period in China, lasts from May 1 to 5 this year. Enditem
Turkey's Directorate of Communications opened an exhibition in Los Angeles on April 24 in memory of Turkish diplomats killed by Armenian terrorists. Daily Sabah reports that the exhibition dedicated to killed Turkish diplomats attracted widespread attention. Turkey's Consul General in Los Angeles Oguz Can and Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles Nasimi Agayev, as well as the representatives of Pakistan and Syria and a large number of citizens attended the opening ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Can thanked everyone who contributed to the preparation of the exhibition and stated that the Armenian terror wave that started in Los Angeles in 1973 continued in the following years and targeted more than 30 diplomats and their relatives. "We never forget them, but we remember them again on days like this," Can said and added that those who spoke about the pain of the Armenian side only should especially listen to the stories of the killed Turkish diplomats. Can said: "We did not rise in anger and hatred due to the massacre of our citizens in difficult times such as World War I, but we did not forget them either."

Emphasizing that they absolutely do not support the pain experienced in history being used as a political tool by third countries, Can said that such decisions will cause problems today and in the future.

Agayev in his speech expressed that Turkey and Azerbaijan always stand shoulder to shoulder throughout history, and they stood together against the Armenian terrorist organizations against the atrocities.

In a statement for the "Martyr Diplomats Exhibition" released by the Directorate of Communications on Thursday, it was stated that the attacks in the 1970s and 1980s carried out by Armenian terrorist groups  the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) and the Justice Commandos of the Armenian Genocide (JCAG)  killed 58 Turkish citizens, including 31 diplomats. A total of 77 people were killed in these attacks and many were injured.

The statement added that the exhibition is dedicated to Turkish diplomats who continued their duties despite the threats and attacks by Armenian terrorist groups between 1973 and 1984 and lost their lives for this purpose.

Los Angeles was the place where Consul General Mehmet Baydar and Consul Bahadr Demir were killed by an Armenian terrorist on Jan. 27, 1973. Baydar and Demir were the first Turkish diplomats to be killed by Armenian terrorists.

In another terrorist attack on Jan. 28, 1982, Kemal Arkan, Turkey's consul general in Los Angeles, was killed by Armenian terrorists affiliated with the JCAG terrorist group.

These attacks were just two of the many assassinations of Turkish diplomats and family members around the world by Armenian terrorist groups that acted in revenge for what they call the genocide of Armenians during the last years of the Ottoman Empire.

The exhibition aims to explain the details of systematic terrorist attacks and assassinations that targeted Turkish officials who represented the country abroad.

In the exhibition, which includes panels showing the terrorist attacks and assassinations carried out by Armenian terrorists by country and city-based graphics and a date strip, there are special images featuring the stories of the murdered diplomats, along with high-resolution photographs made with artificial intelligence technologies.

Between 1973 and 1993, a total of 33 Turkish diplomats, employees and families based at Turkish diplomatic missions abroad were murdered by these Armenian terrorist groups.

Founded in 1975 in Beirut, Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War, ASALA is responsible for hundreds of bloody terrorist acts.

According to the 2006 study "Armenian Terror" by Omer Engin Lutem, a former Turkish diplomat, the killings spanned continents, taking place in the United States, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Lebanon, Greece, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, Portugal, Iran and the United Kingdom.

While Marxist-Leninist ASALA not only targeted Turkey but also other countries and became infamous for a 1975 bombing on the Beirut office of the World Council of Churches, the nationalistic JCAG only targeted Turkey because it believed that attacking other countries would damage the so-called "Armenian struggle."

Armenian terrorist attacks intensified from 1980 to 1983, when 580 of the 699 attacks  over 80%  occurred.

In a period when allegations of the so-called "Armenian genocide" are being ignited by Armenian lobbies and some countries for political goals, the exhibition also focuses on Turkey's efforts to reveal the truth and facts about the 1915 events.

It was reported this week that U.S. President Joe Biden is planning to recognize the events of 1915 as "genocide."

Turkey objects to presenting the 1915 events as genocide, rather calling them a tragedy in which both Turks and Armenians suffered casualties in the heat of World War I. Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia under the supervision of international experts to examine the issue.

The mass arrests of prominent Ottoman Armenian politicians, intellectuals and other community members suspected of links with separatist groups, harboring nationalist sentiments and being hostile to the Ottoman rule were made in then-capital Istanbul on April 24, 1915. The date is commemorated as the beginning of later atrocities.
Louisiana could get a piece of the $2.3 trillion pie that is President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan, which targets the nation's road construction, capping abandoned oil and gas wells and coastal restoration.

In his announcement Wednesday, Biden called the plan "the largest American job investment since World War II." A lengthy fact sheet also presented the proposals but didn't delve into state-by-state specifics.

There were mentions, however, of the Pelican State in the fact sheet, giving leaders an idea of what this bill could target in Louisiana if passed.

Here's a breakdown of what changes could be in store for Louisiana per Biden's plan, should it eventually make it through Congress:

Transportation infrastructure

One snippet from the fact sheet briefly mentioned New Orleans' own Claiborne Expressway when addressing how past infrastructure funds contributed to community division.

The fact sheet suggested that $20 billion will be put toward fixing transportation and connecting neighborhoods, but it didn't say how it would specifically fix Claiborne.

A Claiborne project would take place in the state's 2nd Congressional District, formerly held by Cedric Richmond, who gave up his seat for a senior White House role.

+5 Biden infrastructure plan would 'redress historic inequities,' like this New Orleans highway The proposed $2 trillion infrastructure plan being unveiled by President Joe Biden Wednesday is aimed at fixing thousands of roads and bridges

Climate change and infrastructure

A mention of Hurricane Laura -- and the billions of dollars in damages the Category 4 storm caused to southwest Louisiana -- showed up in the fact sheet.

The plan proposed building infrastructure that could withstand "severe floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and other risks," noting the increasing quantity and severity of these weather events due to climate change.

There's no indication of what project might be planned to directly respond to Hurricane Laura damage.

+3 Environmental justice gains notice in Louisiana race to succeed Cedric Richmond Activists see candidates Troy Carter, Karen Carter Peterson as more vocal than former representative

Coastal restoration

Though Louisiana was not named in the section of the plan that details protection efforts of "our lands, forests, wetlands, watersheds, and coastal and ocean resources," the wording suggests that the state would receive a portion of the funding.

The fact sheet also highlighted the $10 billion creation of the Civilian Climate Corps, conservation and resilience workers that could end up taking jobs in Louisiana.

Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Broadband infrastructure

The plan calls for $100 billion to be used to expand broadband infrastructure, especially in rural areas where internet connectivity can be spotty or nonexistent.

That became a significant problem over the past year as schools nationwide attempted to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

+3 Latest federal relief aimed at small minority-owned firms and others that missed out The $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package passed earlier this month has less money for businesses than in previous rounds of relief. But the 

Cancer Alley

Biden in January pointed to Louisiana's "Cancer Alley" as an example of an area where his administration would focus on "addressing the disproportionate health and environmental and economic impacts on communities of color."

While the fact sheet didn't name "Cancer Alley," it proposed a plan to target "distressed communities" as locations for manufacturing hydrogen, a non-carbon fuel alternative.

Capping abandoned oil, gas wells

Thousands of Louisianans could be put to work if the state is included in the plan to capping orphaned oil and gas wells.

There are more than 4,500 abandoned wells in Louisiana, which cost an average of $30,000 to plug.

Tax plan

How can the U.S. afford this $2.3 trillion plan? By making major changes to the corporate tax structure, the fact sheet said.

It would include a reversal of the Trump Administration's tax cut, an attempt to limit businesses from using foreign tax havens, and a beefing up of the Internal Revenue Service's investigation program for businesses.

Louisiana's fossil fuel industry, a vital employer and large contributor to the state budget, would be impacted by this plan due to the elimination of tax subsidies.

Some in the Louisiana business sector are also concerned about the tax part of the plan.
Kerala: Marine stewardship council grant for deep-sea shrimp fishery project in Kerala

April 27,2021 | Source: The Times of India

The marine stewardship council (MSC) has announced a grant of Rs 46 lakh to support the fishery improvement project for deep-sea shrimp fishery in Kerala. The fund, which is being awarded through the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-India, is to support the fisheries that are in early stages of improving their management practices. WWF officials said that they are working in collaboration with several local partners in the region to help the fishery move towards MSC certification by 2025. The fishery targets Arabian red shrimp, deep-sea shrimp and Indian nylon shrimp, operating off Keralas coast, mainly in Kollam bank, where around 80% of Keralas deep-sea shrimp are caught. Most of the catch is exported to the EU and the US. Alongside sustainability, market access has been a key driving force for the fishery and supporting stakeholders to seek certification.



In 2019, the seafood exporters association of India (SEAI) and the forum for deep-sea shrimp sustainability developed an action plan and initiated an MSC pre-assessment. This showed that improved research is vital to help the fishery managers understand the stock status of the shrimp and to inform the development of harvest strategies for the fishery to demonstrate its practices are sustainable. WWF-India will work with industry, government, fishers and NGO stakeholders to undertake a stock assessment and determine a reference point for sustainable fishing. Their ocean stewardship fund grant will also help the fishery meet other requirements for certification, such as reducing bycatch and assessing local habitat and ecosystem impacts.



As most fisheries resources are overexploited in India, bringing sustainability is the only way by which the resources can be conserved and protected for future generations. This funding will help enable us to implement the fishery improvement project activities for these species of shrimp which are of great commercial importance, said Vinod Malayilethu, team leader of the WWF-India marine conservation programme. The marine stewardship councils consultant in India, Ranjit Suseelan, said that the seafood exporters association of India has prioritised the sustainability of fisheries with the foresight that good business relies on sustainable resources.



Also, the government of India has developed and commenced with the implementation of several policies and improvement tools to support resource conservation and sustainable harvesting in India, he said. The fisheries department aims to manage the fishery resources of the Kerala coast in a sustainable manner without harming the livelihood of those who are dependent on it. We are certain that the MSC grant will aid us in bringing forth our effort to manage the regions resources sustainably, said Smitha Nair, joint director of fisheries.
The United States on Tuesday ordered non-essential staff to leave its Kabul embassy, citing increased threats as Washington prepares to end its 20-year war in Afghanistan.

The order came two weeks after President Joe Biden announced that US troops, currently around 2,500, would leave the country by September.

Meanwhile, Zalmay Khalilzad, Washington's special envoy to Afghanistan, warned in a Senate hearing that US aid could be slashed if a Taliban-dominated government did not respect human rights.

The State Department said in a travel advisory that it had "ordered the departure from US embassy Kabul of US government employees whose functions can be performed elsewhere."

Ross Wilson, the acting US ambassador in Kabul, said that the State Department took the decision "in light of increasing violence and threat reports in Kabul."

He said the order affected an unspecified "relatively small number" of employees and that the embassy would remain operating.

"Personnel who are urgently needed to address issues related to the drawdown of US forces and the vital work we are doing in support of the Afghan people will be able to remain in place," Wilson wrote on Twitter.

Earlier this month Biden said he would withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by September 11, the 20th anniversary of the attacks that led the United States to invade and topple the Taliban regime which had welcomed Al-Qaeda.

Biden concluded that US forces had achieved their objectives and could do little more, but US officials have made no secret of their fears that violence will intensify as the Taliban perceives that they achieved victory.

The State Department advisory, which also renewed warnings for Americans not to visit, said that "terrorist and insurgent groups continue planning and executing attacks in Afghanistan."

The Biden administration will maintain limited forces in Kabul to guard the sprawling embassy.

In a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Khalilzad, who has overseen negotiations with the Taliban rebels over the past several years, said the US could leverage its hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the country to pressure them to respect human rights, especially for women.

Story continues

"The Talib say they are interested in not being a pariah," he told the panel.

"We have said that if they do want US assistance, if they want international acceptance, they want to end their pariah status ... those things will be all affected by how they treat their own citizens -- first and foremost, women of Afghanistan, children and minorities."

"I have personally made it very clear that the issue of human rights, particularly womens rights, is second to terrorism in terms of the hierarchy of US policy importance," he said.

He added that if the Taliban seize power militarily from the government in Kabul, they will have little international support.

"They will face isolation, regional opposition, sanctions, and international opprobrium," he said.

"There is remarkable consensus within the region and the international community against a military takeover by the Taliban."

sct/pmh/dw
Australians with a disability continue to die while waiting for urgent support services from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The deaths further expose the fraud of the claims, particularly by the Labor Party and the trade unions, that the NDIS represents a progressive social reform.

Legislated in 2012 by the last Labor government and nationally rolled out in July 2016 by the current Liberal-National Coalition government, the fundamental premise of the scheme is the removal of governmental responsibility for the provision of care for people with a disability.

Previous state-run services and institutions, while always poorly-funded and inadequate, have been largely dismantled and all services outsourced to corporate and non-government organisations that tender for government contracts.

The latest victim is 23-year-old Liam Danher from Cairns in northern Queensland. Last July, Danhers mother and father began to worry that he was having dangerous night-time seizures. A request was made to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), which oversees the provision of the NDIS, for the purchase of a $2,500 mat that could detect seizures and sound an alarm.

The family could not afford the mat themselves and had to rely on government funding for the equipment. For more than six months they waited, but received nothing. On February 5, Danher died in his sleep. He suffered a seizure overnight, causing him to suffocate face down on his bed.

A week after his passing, the Danher family received an email from his support coordinator telling them an urgent quote was being obtained for the mat. Liams mother, Tracy Danher, told the Australian: It was just so distressing to receive that email, we had been waiting every day for that mat to be delivered.

It would have saved Liams life, no question, alerted us within seconds if he was having a seizure and we could have put him into the recovery position like wed always done, and hed be fine.

Danhers death occurred nearly 18 months after a report was released whitewashing the governments responsibility for the deaths of more than 1,200 people with a disability between July 2016 and September 2019. They all died while waiting for NDIS support. The toll equals roughly one death a day.

Danhers death was similar to that of 32-year-old Tasmanian man, Tim Rubenach, who died of pneumonia in May 2018. He had severe epilepsy, suffered from bleeding stomach ulcers and had been approved by the NDIS for a tilt bed he urgently required. It was delayed for months, only arriving on the day he was to be buried.

It is also a little more than a year since the horrific death of 54-year-old Ann Marie Smith, who died in April 2020 in South Australia (SA). Smith, who had cerebral palsy, died from septic shock, multi-organ failure, severe pressure sores and malnutrition after being confined to a cane chair for more than a year. She had funding from the NDIS for six hours of care a day. Her carers are currently under investigation for manslaughter, but the root causes of such tragedies are systemic.

Smiths death triggered the establishment of a Safeguarding Task Force to investigate gaps in disability care in SA. Its final report, handed down last July, absolved the state and federal governments of direct responsibility, yet revealed significant gaps in the oversight of care for people with a disability.

The report noted that the NDIA had no system of external checks for the health of people on the scheme, and no adequate safeguards to vet the quality of services. Moreover, the SA state government lacked adequate mechanisms for people to access regular health checks, the ASU [Adult Safeguarding Unit] or community visitors and advocacy.

In a rare, revealing characterisation of the NDIS, the report concluded: In a nutshell, the NDIS is an insurance-based arrangement whereby the NDIS is responsible for funding and broad system parameters but does not take responsibility when things go wrong for the individual. The risk and the responsibility is deemed to lie with the individual participant.

As the WSWS warned in 2013, the removal of government services would mean that care would be left up to the market, with corporate entities vying for a share of the lump sum awarded to those eligible for disability insurance. The inevitable outcome will be a race by businesses in the disabled market to maximise their profits by cutting costs at the expense of services.

In addition, thousands of people are potentially locked out of the scheme, with the number of participants capped at 475,000 nationally and strict eligibility criteria imposed, particularly for those with severe mental health issues or psychosocial disabilities.

One Sydney man, David Harris, was kicked off the scheme after failing to turn up to his mandatory annual review. He suffered from acute schizophrenia and diabetes. Last July, two months after being cut off from the NDIS, he was found dead in his house by his sister, Leanne Longfellow. No one thought to check, she told the media. My brother was very isolated and alone.

The Labor Party claims the NDIS has been mismanaged by the current Coalition government. At its recently concluded two-day Special Platform Conference, speakers asserted that only Labor could deliver an NDIS that Australians desperately need.

Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard announcing the NDIS in 2011 (Screenshot: ABC News)

This is a sham. The NDIS was always designed to further privatise the disability and health industry. The Greens-backed Gillard Labor government received full bipartisan support from the Coalition when the scheme was unveiled in 2012. The NDIS was based on recommendations by the Productivity Commission, a pro-business think tank that specialises in the slashing of government social spending.

Another federal Labor government would only deepen the outsourcing of health services. Labors national conference overwhelmingly rejected a commitment to not privatise or outsource public health departments, institutions or services, and a proposal that opposed Labor governments subcontracting public health services unless employees were guaranteed equal or better pay.

The provision of care for those with a disability cannot be left in the hands of the financial elite and their political representatives. As the catastrophe of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to prove, the ruling class always places profits before lives. Free and guaranteed access to high-quality healthcare for alla basic social rightrequires the overthrow of the capitalist profit system.
The unique platform will regularly monitor and track real-time location of vehicles so that oxygen reaches hospitals without any delay especially during emergencies

Rodic Consultant has developed a first-of-its-kind digital portal Oxygen Monitoring System for UP to ensure hassle free and timely supply of oxygen in Uttar Pradesh. The unique platform will regularly monitor and track real-time location of vehicles so that oxygen reaches hospitals without any delay especially during emergencies.

Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh said, Under this system, a Command Control Centre has been opened at Home Department in Lucknow. Through this, management information system's (MIS) daily, live report on the movement of oxygen tankers can be monitored and viewed on a map. Software's dashboard will analyse and inform if the tanker is getting delayed - either in filling or in transportation. We will create an app which will be installed in driver's mobile phone to act as GPS.

Rodic Consultant has developed the platform with support from Food Safety and Drug Administration, Department of Medical Education, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Transport and Home Department of Uttar Pradesh. Rodics representatives will be available round the clock to ensure easy supply of oxygen to government and private hospitals in a timely manner.

The platform will closely monitor and track location of vehicles assigned with the task of oxygen supply and will help to provide oxygen to the hospitals in the shortest possible time according to the demand and requirement, said Manish Tyagi, Executive Director, Rodic Consultant Private Limited.

A web portal/link has been developed for Oxygen Monitoring System for UP. This link will directly connect the needy with officers/workers who are in-charge of the oxygen supply chain in the state. All the details will be regularly uploaded on the portal by companys representatives. By tracking availability online, delivery vehicles will be assigned to the nearest location to avoid emergencies, save time and fulfil oxygen demands.
A US police officer has been accused of dislocating the shoulder of a 73-year-old woman with dementia while arresting her, and later appearing to revel in the incident.

Officer Austin Hopp, of Loveland Police Department in Colorado, told fellow officers ready for the pop? as he showed them his body camera footage, according to police station surveillance video with enhanced audio which was made public by the womans lawyer.

Officer Austin Hopp made the comment while showing other officers the part of the arrest that shows Karen Garner being held against the bonnet of a patrol car in Loveland, about 50 miles north of Denver last year, her handcuffed left arm bent up behind her head.

The body camera footage, which can be heard but not seen on the surveillance video, was previously released by Ms Garners lawyer.

The videos and a lawsuit filed against Hopp, other officers and the city, along with investigations into the arrest, came amid a national reckoning over the use of force by police against people  including those with mental and physical health conditions.

The surveillance video captured in the Loveland police station shows two other officers, one male and female, watching the footage with Hopp as he makes the pop comment. The female officer, who helped during the arrest, says: I hate this.

The video then shows her pull her hat over her eyes while another male officer says: I love it.

Earlier in the surveillance video, before the officers watch the body camera footage, Hopp says Garner is flexible. He then makes another reference to the popping sound, telling the female officer: I was pushing, pushing, pushing. I hear  pop. I was like oh no. The female officer puts her head in her hands.

At the time the officers were watching the footage, Ms Garner was in a holding cell a few feet away, handcuffed to a bench. The federal lawsuit filed on her behalf earlier this month said she received no medical care for about six hours after she was taken to jail.

Later in the surveillance video, Hopp and the other male officer fist bump at the part of the body camera footage where Hopp dismisses the concerns of a man passing the arrest scene who stops to object to how Hopp is treating what the man thought was a child.

After watching that part of the body cam video a second time, the second officer on the surveillance video reacts to the man who stopped at the arrest scene by saying: What are you doing? Get out of here. This is none of your business.

If I didnt release this, the Loveland Polices toxic culture of arrogance and entitlement, along with their horrific abuse of the vulnerable and powerless, would carry on, business as usual Sarah Schielke

Hopp arrested Garner in June 2020 after she allegedly left a store without paying for about 14 dollars of items.

His body camera footage shows Hopp catching up to her as she walks through a field along a road. She shrugs and turns away from him and he quickly grabs her arm and pushes her 80lb body to the ground. She looks confused and repeatedly says: I am going home.

On the police station video, Hopp says he is a little worried that Ms Garner is like senile and stuff. Several times, he and the other officers say she fought with police and Hopp says she got her handcuffs halfway off.

Police put Hopp on leave after the lawsuit was filed and announced they would conduct an internal investigation. Soon after, the district attorneys office announced the arrest of Ms Garner would be investigated by a team of outside law enforcement agencies. The city of Loveland has also said it will conduct a review.

Loveland police declined to comment on the new video footage from the police station, citing the criminal investigation being conducted at the district attorneys request.

The lawyer representing Ms Garner and her family, Sarah Schielke, said the latest video footage needed to be released to force the department to change.

If I didnt release this, the Loveland Polices toxic culture of arrogance and entitlement, along with their horrific abuse of the vulnerable and powerless, would carry on, business as usual. I wont be a part of that, she said.
Countries offer COVID-19 support to India as hospitals swamped

CGTN) 15:09, April 27, 2021

As India battles a devastating second wave of coronavirus, many countries including China have extended their hands to help the country whose hospitals are running out of oxygen supplies.

India on Monday reported 352,991 new COVID-19 cases, setting a new daily infection record for the fifth consecutive day. It ordered its armed forces to help tackle the surge.

Indian Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.

The situation in the world's second most populous country is "beyond heartbreaking," said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday, adding that the organization is rushing to help address the crisis.

"WHO is doing everything we can, providing critical equipment and supplies, including thousands of oxygen concentrators, prefabricated mobile field hospitals and laboratory supplies," Tedros told a briefing, adding 2,600 staff members were deployed to work with Indian authorities to help respond to the pandemic.

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka tweets that 800 oxygen concentrators were airlifted from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to Delhi and 10,000 will be sent in a week. /@ChinaEmbSL

Nations including China, France, Germany and the United States pledged to send urgent medical aid.

China has expressed its willingness to help more than once in the past few days as the COVID-19 situation in India began to worsen, saying it is discussing aid with India and will provide support within its capacity if requested.

Chinese associations and companies have been responding to India's SOS calls recently. On Monday, 800 oxygen concentrators were airlifted from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to Delhi and 10,000 more will be sent in a week, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka tweeted on Monday.

The tweet also said that "China is keeping in touch with India regarding urgent needs."

On the same day, the Chinese Embassy in India expressed sincere condolences to the people of India, and said China is encouraging Chinese companies to provide pandemic prevention and control supplies and other support India needs.

Meanwhile, medical suppliers across China are receiving a surge in orders from India, Global Times reported, citing Jiangsu Yuyue Medical Equipment as an example. The company has received an order for about 18,000 oxygen machines from Indian medical institutions in recent days.

Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi announced on April 22 that it will donate Rs 3 crore to procure over 1,000 oxygen concentrators for hospitals across states in India.

On Tuesday, foreign ministers from China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will hold a video conference on tackling COVID-19, according to the official website of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A number of European Union (EU) member states will offer their assistance to India to help tackle the pandemic resurgence, the European Commission said on Monday.

India is in dire need of medical oxygen and anti-viral drugs, said Balazs Ujvari, the commission's spokesperson for humanitarian aid and crisis management.

Ireland has confirmed it will send 700 oxygen concentrators to India, France is said to provide significant oxygen capacity support to India by sending respirators as early as next week by plane and Germany is assessing the possibility of providing a mobile oxygen generator and other medical equipment.

In a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Joe Biden said Washington "is providing a range of emergency assistance, including oxygen-related supplies, vaccine materials and therapeutics."

New Delhi has extended the coronavirus lockdown by one week until May 3.

Modi tweeted that his administration would set up 551 oxygen generation plants in "every district to ensure adequate oxygen availability."

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Bianji)
Federal judges in the southern half of Texas recently voted to move two judgeships to border towns from other cities because of increasing caseloads bogging down the border jurists.

In the San Antonio-based Western District of Texas, which covers the western half of the states border with Mexico, district judges voted to move one of five judgeships in El Paso to Del Rio, which has long had only one district judge but has a criminal docket nearly as large as El Pasos.

Also, the Houston-based Southern District of Texas, which covers the other half of the states border, decided to move a post that will become vacant in January from Houston, which has a deep bench, to Laredo, which has only two judges.

The chief judges in both districts  Orlando Garcia of the Western District and Lee Rosenthal of the Southern District  said the courts acted to address the need, in part, because bids to Congress for new posts have rarely succeeded.

The position in El Paso became vacant after U.S. District Judge Philip Martinez died from a heart attack in February. And U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore of Houston recently announced she was retiring in January.

Both El Paso and Del Rio are dealing with an increase in cases. In fiscal 2019, El Paso had 3,992 criminal cases, while Del Rio had 3,229. During the pandemic last year, Del Rio logged 1,751 criminal cases, while El Paso had 2,336  roughly 600 more.

Garcia said surge in the last few months were considered in the move, but, its more that there is only one judge in Del Rio. The surge in El Paso can be handled by the remaining four very good, very competent judges there.

Del Rio has operated with just one full-time judge since 2002, when U.S. District Judge Alia Moses was sworn in. Over the years, visiting judges have helped Moses with some of the docket, though many cut back because they got busy with their own workloads.

In spite of the pandemic, our numbers are still high and continuing to rise, Moses said. The difficulty for me is Im the only judge here.

Rosenthal said the action in her district is not in relation to the surge, but to address the explosive caseload that has been occurring in Laredos division for years.

Rosenthal said Houstons caseload consists more of civil cases than in Laredo, whose dockets are generally dominated by criminal cases.

Its a better match between resources and demand, Rosenthal said.

Adding a new judgeship would lower the workload from 900 cases per judge to about 600 cases per judge, more in line with the rest of the district.

The caseload has long supported a third District Judgeship, just as we have in our McAllen and Corpus Christi divisions, said U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo, one of the judges in Laredo.

The vacancies add to the 76 empty federal judge posts across the country. Biden's White House in late March announced 10 candidates for those posts. None yet has apparently been put forth for Texas.

guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland
Passenger flights from India to Australia have been banned until May 15, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on April 27 in the wake of the COVID-19 surge. All flights to India have also been postponed, as the Australian PM announced the decisions following a meeting of the National Security Committee of Cabinet. While the latest announcement will definitely increase the uncertainty for Australians stranded abroad, the Morrison-led government will also be sending ventilators and protective equipment to help India deal with the crippling second wave of COVID-19 with the nation registering a record-breaking surge in daily cases for consecutive days.

Australia will suspend all direct passenger flights from India until May 15, says PM Scott Morrison. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/sev4Ym5rNk  ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2021

As of April 27, India logged more than 3.23 lakh fresh cases of coronavirus marking an 8.4% decrease from yesterdays toll. However, in the last 24 hours, it also recorded at least 2,771 casualties related to COVID-19. Several nations including the United States and the UK have either banned or ramped up restrictions on flights to and from India as worries spread across the globe with the drastic surge in cases and emergence of variants.

Germany, Italy, Netherlands Join Nations In Banning Travelers

As governments across the globe impose restrictions on travellers from India including banning flights and making 7 or 10-day quarantine mandatory on arrivals, Netherlands, Maldives, Germany, Italy have suspended travel from India. The Netherlands will be suspending all passenger flights from India from 6 PM on April 26 till May 1 in the wake of a surge of COVID-19 cases in India. Sputnik quoted the Dutch Aviation Ministry statement saying, A flight ban will take effect for passenger flights from India at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 26... The flight ban will be in place until at least 00:01 a.m. on May 1.

Maldives, Germany, Italy, Bangladesh have most recently joined the list of countries that banned Indian travellers. As per reports, only German passport holders will be allowed to enter the European nation from India. Meanwhile, Italy has also barred travellers who have been in India in the past two weeks from entering the nation excluding Italian residents, but only with COVID-19 negative test before departure and will be subjected to quarantine on arrival. On April 25, the Maldives tourism minister tweeted that from April 27, the nation banned tourists from India from staying at the facilities meant for tourists.

While France is still planning on its limitations on travellers from India, following nations that have already imposed restrictions on passengers or banned travel altogether from the country:

UK

UAE

Canada

US

Oman

Hong Kong

New Zealand

Australia

Pakistan

Kuwait

Singapore

Image credits: AP/ANI/Unsplash
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Twelve months of languishing in designer sneakers and sweat pants has taken its toll on Hollywoods A-list, who couldnt wait to dress up in their finery, putting on a spectacular show on the Oscars red carpet.

A dazzling display of attention-grabbing gowns saw red walking away as the winning colour choice of the night, in shades from brightest cherry to deep burgundy and everything in between.

This was also the night when the upper-half got the upper hand: an array of cutaway styles revealed toned midriffs, sculpted shoulders and deep decolletages, accessorised with glittering gems  all designed to showcase bodies perfected for a season of Zoom chat-show interviews (shot from the waist up).

Amanda Seyfried appeared in Armani Prive, wearing an hourglass-shaped, strapless bodice that featured a waist-deep V-shaped plunge and swathes of swirling scarlet tulle

Also in the red were Reese Witherspoon, in a column of ombre georgette, and Olivia Colman, in a more demure crepe, belted day dress with long sleeves, both by Dior Couture

Crimson queen Laura Allen, nominated for hair and make-up on Emma, sported flamboyant sleeves teamed with shimmering gold

Inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood and the style of stars such as Vivien Leigh and Rita Hayworth, this was high-octane Old-School Glamour wrought for 2021.

Amanda Seyfried appeared in Armani Prive, wearing an hourglass-shaped, strapless bodice that featured a waist-deep V-shaped plunge and swathes of swirling scarlet tulle, complemented with deep vermilion lips.

Also in the red were Reese Witherspoon, in a column of ombre georgette, and Olivia Colman, in a more demure crepe, belted day dress with long sleeves, both by Dior Couture. She styled her ensemble with a Liberty-print silk face mask.

Satin splendour as filmmaker Garrett Bradley, whose work Time was up for Best Documentary on the night

Cherry chic as Minari actress Yeri Han looks fabulous in crimson Louis Vuitton at the 93rd Academy Awards in Los Angeles

Angela Bassett should take a bow as she made a statement in red Alberta Ferretti at the Academy Awards held at Union Station

Screenwriter Nina Pedrad, nominated for her work on Borat, takes the plunge as she arrives at the Oscars ceremony

Frill-seeking Promising Young Woman producer Ashley Fox covered up in an elegant tiered dress

In the midriff-revealing cutaway category, Andra Days molten-gold Vera Wang draped style echoed the big-skirted drama of British nominee Carey Mulligans shimmering Maison Valentino number.

British star Vanessa Kirbys sleek Gucci column of palest rose-pink silk gave a crescent-shaped glimpse of her midriff and featured an elegant train  a look given a modern edge with slicked-back hair and claret lipstick. While Halle Berry wore a violet chiffon Dolce & Gabbana gown with a voluminous skirt.

But Chinese-born Chloe Zhao, who won best director for Nomadland, needed no adornment other than her groundbreaking golden statuette, appearing in an understated sand-coloured Hermes gown, paired with white sneakers and a pair of schoolgirl plaits.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Castle Peak Mining Ltd. (TSXV: CAP) ("Castle Peak" or the "Company") announced that Allan Green, a director of the Company, and Candel & Partners SAS, a private company beneficially owned by Allan Green, (together, the Lender) have agreed to lend the amount of $425,000 to the Company (the "Loan"). The Loan will be unsecured and bear interest at the rate of 8% per annum. The principal amount of the Loan will mature on April 27, 2022.

The Loan is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. The proceeds of the Loans will be utilized for working capital for the Company.

The Loans will constitute related party transactions under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), which has been adopted by the TSX Venture Exchange as Policy 5.9, because Mr. Green is a director of the Company. The Company has determined that it is exempt from the minority approval and formal valuation requirements under MI 61-101 in respect of the Loans, relying on the exemptions found in sections 5.5(1)(a) and (b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101. The principal amount of the Loans represents less than 25% of the Company's market capitalization as of April 27, 2021.

All the disinterested directors of the Company, being all of the directors other than Allan Green, approved the Loan.

On behalf of the Board of Castle Peak Mining Ltd.:

"Iyad Jarbou"

Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 604.362.7685

Email: iyadj@castlepeakmining.com

FORWARD-LOOKING AND OTHER CAUTIONARY INFORMATION

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain 'forward-looking information' and 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of applicable securities laws. This release may contain statements that are forward looking statements and are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this release. The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada 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/81966
[April 27, 2021] HerdWhistle Officially Launches Across Canada With Exclusive Partner UFA

CALGARY, AB, April 27, 2021 /CNW/ - A4 Systems officially launched Canadian distribution for HerdWhistle, a proprietary livestock monitoring system, following an April 19th, 2021 announcement by exclusive partner UFA. HerdWhistle is an RFID monitoring system for livestock that alerts feedlots to early indicators of potential health issues. The system reports indicators of distress and illness up to seven days before visible symptoms can be seen. Monitoring animal behaviour 24/7 can potentially lead to 25% minimum improvement on mortality rates. Located in Calgary, Alberta UFA is one of Canada's largest co-operatives with over 120,000 member owners. "HerdWhistle can contribute significantly to the bottom line. It provides traceability for real-time on lot activity, matching animal history from squeeze to sell. HerdWhistle tracks cattle activty on the lot and can help improve inventory issues," said Rob Giguere, Vice President Livestock Services and Market Strategy at UFA.



A4 Systems CEO Patrick Charest said UFA is the ideal partner for HerdWhistle. "UFA wants to serve its members and customers in the best way possible. Our supply chain and analytics are ready to go. We are ready to provide daily health recommendations for UFA's feedlot customers," Charest said. HerdWhistle tracks cattle activity on the lot in real time and generates reports showing performance for each animal, lot, pen, or yard. The system monitors for missing, misplaced, or dead animals. Alerts are sent when animals are detected eating or drinking in the wrong pens. It allows experienced staff to focus on critical issues with animals. HerdWhistle reduces inventory issues and builds value in the herd.

"HerdWhistle does not disrupt the day-to-day operation of the feedlot in any way. It functions as normal along with handling our 24/7 alerts. Our system helps with inventory and manpower and we are focused on lowering herd mortality rates and building profitability for our customer," said Charest. "We are a new team member. We raise the bar on efficiency and work seamlessly with the operator's expertise," said Charest. About A4 Systems:

Founded in 2010, A4 Systems is a world-class team of cyber physical system product developers, transforming quality data into primary competitive advantage. Based in Calgary, A4 builds mission-critical SaaS products for customers to achieve breakthrough performance. HerdWhistle is A4's flagship product. SOURCE A4 Systems

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IT Infrastructure

Sunsetting CVR but keeping the collaboration

The Defense Department launched the Commercial Virtual Remote environment to accommodate telework during the COVID-19 pandemic. It quickly became the largest Microsoft Teams deployment in the world and brought department-wide collaboration tools to DOD after years of less successful attempts.

DOD employees have embraced the tools and the silo-spanning interactions they enable, but CVR was always intended to be a temporary fix. Therefore, the Defense Information Systems Agency is working hard to ensure that the collaboration doesnt fade when CVR sunsets in July.

Les Benito, director of operations at DISAs Cloud Computing Program Office, said Global Directory is the key. He told FCW that the initiative will provide a cloud-wide identity as the military services spin up their own Microsoft 365 environments under the Defense Enterprise Office Solutions (DEOS) contract.

DISA began developing Global Directory last summer with the goal of augmenting, not replacing, existing identity and access management systems, Benito added. System owners still control access within their individual tenancies, he said, but having a shared identity framework will allow for a CVR-like experience that users have grown to expect.

A minimum viable product was tested in the fall, and DISA is now using Global Directory for its DOD365 implementation. In addition, the Army and Navy have adopted it for their DEOS implementations, with the Air Force and the U.S. Southern Command coming on board in April and others to follow this summer, Benito said.

Department of the Air Force CIO Lauren Knausenberger said the Air Force will fully transition back to its own Cloud Hosted Enterprise Services program before CVR ends in June. The cross-department integration is not as interoperable as Id like it to be yet, she told FCW, but DISA and the military services are trying to address the sticking points and ensure that some of CVRs more modern features are adopted.

People are now used to that, Knausenberger said. The whole culture has shifted, and people understand how absolutely critical it is to work anywhere you need to work and to have collaboration tools that actually work.

This article first appeared on FCW, a Defense Systems partner publication, as part of its Agency Spotlight series.
Farmers and landowners can now find developers who need land to site natural capital elements following the launch of a new 'matchmaking' scheme.

The Green Offset links up parties looking to find land for any environmental requirements with landowners who have land available to facilitate this.

'Offset Seekers' - firms or individuals looking for land - will be able to search for suitable sites and will be able to contact farmers once a match is made.

'Offset Providers' - farmers or landowners - can register land on the website, which will show that they are open to discussion around siting of environmental schemes.

The platform has been created by Fisher German to help develop the market for natural capital schemes which are being driven by the proposals in the Environment Bill.

The Bill, currently making its way through parliament, may require new development to not just avoid biodiversity loss, but to deliver a net increase in biodiversity, placing more environmental requirements on developers.

If it passes, developers will be expected to provide a 10% biodiversity net gain in their plans, which may involve them having to find alternative sites for offsetting the environmental loss which has been caused by the development.

Although the Bill has not yet gained parliamentary approval, several local authorities and developers are already applying the principal of biodiversity net gain to planning decisions.

For farmers and landowners, the provision of land for biodiversity offsetting and other natural capital schemes offers potential for new income into farms and estates.

With recent changes to the BPS, Fisher German said the provision of offsetting could help to bolster income, with the Green Offset providing a means of attracting interest.

Alex Watts, surveyor at Fisher German, explained that developers were often required in planning permissions to address environmental harm their projects might cause.

And with the Environment Bill being debated in Parliament, these requirements look set to become even greater.

The Green Offset makes it easier for Offset Seekers with environmental obligations to identify land where they can site natural capital schemes," he said.

"It offers a simple way to search for suitable areas quickly and efficiently, and gives them access to a wide array of landowners in a variety of locations.

For Offset Providers interested in diversifying their incomes and exploring new opportunities in emerging environmental markets, the platform provides a simple tool to market their land without committing them to anything up front.

"By bringing two willing parties together it is hoped that the Green Offset will speed up the process enabling the negotiation of mutually beneficial agreements."
Gurugram, April 27 : With Gurugram staring at the acute shortage of beds for Covid patients, real estate firm M3M Group and Medanta Hospital have collaborated to establish a dedicated Covid centre equipped with 400 beds at Sector 67.

The 400-bed facility that will be set up in empty flats, owned by the M3M group, will also provide food and medical as well as oxygen facilities to any Gurugram resident, who is battling against Covid.

A mobile medical unit, ambulance service and 24x7 helpline will also be available for shifting any patient from the Covid-care centre to the hospital.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has lauded the efforts of the M3M group and Medanta hospital at a review meeting on Covid situation.

The government expects more such initiatives to come from the private sector.

"There has been a sharp spike in Covid-19 cases across the country in the past month. As a result, there has been a shortage of beds and necessary medical equipment.

We have initiated the work and 150 beds will be functional by the end of next week at our project OKR in Sector 67 in Gurugram to be handed over to the Medanta hospital and with the success of this an additional 250 beds will be ensured in the month of May.

The initiative is in line with our commitment to providing medical assistance to Covid-19 patients and augmenting the government efforts to tackle the pandemic.

We thank the Haryana government for providing us with the opportunity and necessary approvals for this initiative. As a responsible organisation, we will help India win the battle against Covid, in whatever capacity we can," said Payal Kanodia, Trustee, M3M Foundation.

The Covid-19 care centre is envisaged as a step-down facility. The less-critical patients will be admitted based on their health status through a referral procedure developed with the support of Medanta, as they will shift the less critical patients from there to this center and the government, Kanodia added.

Gurugram has been reporting over 3,000 Covid cases for the last few days.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Madhuri Dixit Receives Her Second Dose Of The Coronavirus Vaccine

Bollywood star Madhuri Dixit Nene on Monday informed that she has taken the second jab of COVID-19 vaccine. The actor also urged everyone to take the vaccine as soon as possible. The Hum Aapke Hain Koun star took to Instagram and posted a smiling picture as she took the shot on her arm by a medical professional. In the photo, the Kalank star is seen wearing a black Kurti, cream dupatta and a face mask and as she receives the vaccine while glancing at the lens.

Dixit wrote, "Got my second jab today. I urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as it's available to you (and added a vaccine emoji). She also urged people to stay at home amid the tough times, with the hashtag " #StayHomeStaySafe." Celebrity followers including Dia Mirza and more than 1 lakh fans liked the post on the photo-sharing platform.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Madhuri Dixit (@madhuridixitnene)

The number of COVID-19 positive cases has been rapidly rising in the second wave of pandemic. In Bollywood, an array of celebrities have got infected within a span of a few weeks. Recently, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Sonu Sood, Manish Malhotra, Katrina Kaif, Akshay Kumar, Govinda, Paresh Rawal, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Rohit Saraf, among others tested positive for COVID-19. Earlier, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Arjun Kapoor, Malaika Arora, and some others were also infected with the virus.

Meanwhile, on the work front, the Dhak-Dhak girl of Bollywood will be debuting in the digital world through the suspenseful family drama series by Netflix titled Finding Anamika. The plot of the series revolves around the story of a global superstar, wife, and mom who suddenly vanishes without a trace. As police and loved ones search for answers to her disappearance, her perfectly crafted facade is stripped away, revealing hidden truths and painful lies in the life of an iconic actress.
A $30,000 a year Miami private school has told COVID-19 vaccinated teachers to stay away from students because they 'may transmit something' to them.

Centner Academy co-founder Leila Centner wrote to staff last week telling them: 'Reports have surfaced recently of non-vaccinated people being negatively impacted by interacting with people who have been vaccinated.'

Leila, who set up the school with her husband David Centner in 2019, said their decision had been made with 'with a very heavy heart'. Staff were asked to fill out a form on their vaccine intentions, The New York Times reports.

She said those who receive the shot 'may be transmitting something from their bodies' and could harm 'reproductive systems, fertility, and normal growth and development in women and children.'

Centner added: 'Even among our own population, we have at least three women with menstrual cycles impacted after having spent time with a vaccinated person.'

In the email to parents, Leila noted that the school was one of the first to reopen for in-person learning on September 8 last year.

She wrote: 'We weighed the data and studied the research. We knew then that children have a 99.9974% survival rate and are not super spreaders.'

Since the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, conspiracy theorists have made baseless claims that the crisis was orchestrated by various people and entities.

The CDC says COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and that there is 'no evidence' the shot causes any problems with pregnancy.

Centner Academy in Miami, pictured, has told COVID-19 vaccinated teachers to stay away from students because they 'may transmit something' to them

Leila and David Centner, pictured, co-founded the school. Leila wrote to staff last week telling them: 'Reports have surfaced recently of non-vaccinated people being negatively impacted by interacting with people who have been vaccinated'

They add: 'In addition, there is no evidence that fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines.'

Teachers at the school were told they could either physically distance from students if they had had the shot; tell the school if they plan to get the vaccine 'as we cannot allow recently vaccinated people to be near our students until more information is known'; or wait until the school year ends to get the vaccine.

More than half of American adults have received at least one vaccine dose, and President Joe Biden last week celebrated eclipsing 200 million doses administered in his first 100 days in office.

He also acknowledged entering a new phase to bolster outreach and overcome hesitancy.

In her letter Leila Centner adds: 'We cannot allow recently vaccinated people to be near our students until more information is known.

'It is our policy, to the extent possible, not to employ anyone who has taken the experimental COVID-19 injection until further information is known.'

Any teacher who opts to get the vaccine over the summer will not be allowed to return to the school, which has 300 students, until further clinical trials.

The Centners - who call themselves 'health freedom advocates' - founded their 'happiness' school to have 'medical freedom from mandated vaccines' after moving from New York with their two daughters. They are pictured in 2015

More than half of American adults have received at least one vaccine dose, and Joe Biden last week celebrated eclipsing 200 million doses administered in his first 100 days in office

Biden has acknowledged entering a new phase to bolster outreach and overcome hesitancy

The school said in a statement to The New York Times: 'We are not 100 percent sure the Covid injections are safe and there are too many unknown variables for us to feel comfortable at this current time.'

They added to The Miami Herald: 'We know not everyone agrees on this topic, but this is our philosophy at Centner Academy, one in which many of our teachers and parents share.'

The Centners - who call themselves 'health freedom advocates' - founded their 'happiness' school to have 'medical freedom from mandated vaccines' after moving from New York with their two daughters.

They sold their company, the Highway Toll Administration, and have donated large sums to the Republican party. They welcomed antivaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the school earlier this year.

Students there practice meditation with crystals.

Content that was shared more than 812,000 times on the social media platforms between February 1 and March 16 was analyzed by The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) and Anti-Vax Watch alliance. The alliance found that up to 65 percent of the content was attributed to 12 people known as the 'disinformation dozen' which included Christiane Northrup, right, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., left

Following the letter to staff prominent anti-vaccine advocate Christiane Northrup shared this image and wrote on Facebook: ' Spent some time with Kelly Brogan, MD, one of my soul sisters and a fellow warrior who also made the famous Disinformation Dozen list. 'We both have children (grandchildren in my case) who go to the Centner Academy, a miraculous school in Miami. 'We are keeping the vibration of joy and grounding as high as we possibly can!'

Following the letter to staff prominent anti-vaccine advocate Christiane Northrup wrote on Facebook: 'Spent some time with Kelly Brogan, MD, one of my soul sisters and a fellow warrior who also made the famous Disinformation Dozen list.

'We both have children (grandchildren in my case) who go to the Centner Academy, a miraculous school in Miami.

'We are keeping the vibration of joy and grounding as high as we possibly can!'

Content that was shared more than 812,000 times on the social media platforms between February 1 and March 16 was analyzed by The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) and Anti-Vax Watch alliance.

The alliance found that up to 65 percent of the content was attributed to 12 people known as the 'disinformation dozen' which included Brogan and Northrup and Robert F Kennedy Jr.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Aileen Marty said the letter 'gives the illusion that she's basing it on facts'.

She added: 'But there's not one citation, there's not one physician or scientist whose name is spelled out in there. There's no references. There's nothing.

'There is no scientific evidence provided. Rumor is the only thing that's there, and if you look at the reality, there's zero, zero science behind those allegations.'
The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed all authorities to strictly enforce the ban imposed by the Election Commission on rallies and gatherings on May 2, the day of counting of votes and declaration of results of assembly elections in West Bengal and four other states. The EC counsel apprised the court that it has banned all public meetings and victory processions throughout India on the said date in the wake of soaring COVID-19 cases.

A restriction of a maximum of two persons has been placed on the winning party for collecting the certificate, the commission told a division bench comprising Chief Justice TBN Radhakrishnan and Justice Arijit Banerjee, which is hearing a set of PILs on observance of coronavirus guidelines during the election process.

"The restriction imposed by the Election Commission of India as indicated above, shall be strictly enforced by all authorities concerned and it is so directed by this court," the bench ordered.

Counsel for one of the petitioners also submitted that there is an acute shortage of hospital beds, oxygen cylinders and other medicines, and the state should file a report on the steps it is taking to alleviate such a situation.

Advocate General Kishore Dutta, appearing for the state, said daily health bulletins are published on West Bengal Health Department's website and the same is in public domain.

Dutta said the petitioner is at liberty to access the website and find out what measures the state is taking.

The bench said it expects the petitioner to access the data and report about any grievance that he may have regarding the health bulletin on affidavit, before the court can consider passing any further order.

The next date for hearing has been fixed for May 3.

Also Read: Follow COVID-19 protocol or will ban election rallies: EC
Application to law school assistance

Application to law school is a rite of passage for those considering a career in law. The LSAT entrance test is a demanding half-day exam that tests comprehension and verbal reasoning and writing skills. Graded up to 180 points, with a minimum passing score of 120, your score alongside a graduating GPA, letters of recommendation and an application essay are required to gain entry to law school, where you will study for a Juris Doctor (J.D.) qualification.

The Juris Doctor degree, also known as the Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, is typically a three-year graduate-entry professional degree in law. In the United States, Australia and Canada, the Juris Doctor is earned by completing law school.

All accredited law schools in Ohio, like most accredited law schools throughout the country, require a college degree for admission. A college degree and a law degree are also prerequisites to taking the Ohio Bar Examination and the bar examinations for most other states.

Law schools emphasize the value of a broad, general program of arts and sciences for the prospective law student. Above all, they stress the importance of acquiring certain intellectual skills and abilities rather than a particular body of information. Foremost among these skills are facility in writing and speaking, logical reasoning and the use of abstract concepts.

Because the student can develop these skills in a variety of courses, there is no rigid and detailed "pre-law curriculum." In fact, the American Bar Association does not recommend any particular major.


NZTA says the focus on making safer roads for all is evident in the current programme of works for Northland and into Auckland, such as the Ara Tuhono  Puhoi to Warkworth motorway.

Speed limit reductions could be on the cards for the regions two State Highways as a result of a review being carried out by the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) in Northland and Rodney this year.

Over the next couple of months, NZTA will be organising community information sessions to get feedback from local people on State Highway 1, from Warkworth to Whangarei, and State Highway 16, from Wellsford to Waimauku.

NZTA director of regional relationships Steve Mutton says he wants drivers and residents to share their concerns and local knowledge, and for everyone who uses the state highways or lives nearby to tell NZTA what they think.

Communities have an important role to play in contributing to discussions about making their roads safer, and we encourage people to give us their feedback. This helps us decide if we have safe speeds on our roads, if a change is required to better reflect how a community uses their roads, where new speed limits could begin or end, and if any other safety improvements might be needed, he says.

It also helps us gather more information about how the network is used. Were not just looking at how fast were driving to get from A to B, its about how we use a highway as part of our daily life.

He says NZTAs speed management programme aims to identify roads where safer speed limits will result in the greatest reduction in deaths and serious injuries as quickly as possible, and where communities have been calling for change.

Speed is the single biggest factor that determines if someone survives a crash or walks away unharmed, Mr Mutton says. By working to deliver a safe system, were protecting people by acknowledging that even responsible people can make mistakes on our roads, but that these mistakes should not cost us our lives.

Ensuring we have the right speed for each unique part of our state highway network is key to saving lives and working towards our vision of a New Zealand where no-one is killed or seriously injured on our roads.

He says the focus on making safer roads for all is evident in the current programme of works for Northland and into Auckland, such as the Ara Tuhono  Puhoi to Warkworth motorway and the $67 million safety improvement project in the Dome Valley.

NZTA will give more details of community speed review information sessions in the next couple of months. Once feedback from those has been considered, formal consultation about any proposed speed limit changes will follow.

Info: https://nzta.govt.nz/safety/what-waka-kotahi-is-doing/nz-road-safety-strategy/speed-and-infrastructure/speed-management/
Addiction: Tony Parente gambled 282,000 of defrauded funds

The owner of Paddy Power has been accused of plying a fraudster with cash bonuses and free hospitality tickets as he bet hundreds of thousands of pounds of stolen money.

Flutter, a FTSE 100 firm, is defending itself in the High Court against claims it allowed Tony Parente to bet 282,000 of defrauded funds. Paddy Power bookmakers accepted 127,000 in bank notes over the counter over an eight-week period, the court heard, but staff did not raise the alarm.

Parente was allowed to gamble and go to events even after staff labelled his betting as 'wild'. Parente admitted defrauding more than 20 people, including his own sister, to fuel his gambling habit, and he received a suspended jail sentence in 2017.

His ability to bet so much stolen money led to harsh criticism against the gambling industry. Bookmakers are required by law to keep crime out of gambling.

The high-profile case has forced Dan Taylor, chief executive of Flutter's international division, to admit in court that he was 'deeply embarrassed' by what happened.

The court heard how the bookmaker lavished Parente, an addicted gambler, with free tickets to Arsenal games worth 3,000, as well as hospitality days at the Grand National and Cheltenham horse race meetings.

He was allowed to gamble despite senior Paddy Power staff knowing he was based in Dubai, where it is illegal to bet.

Sweetener: Parente was also lavished with hospitality days at the Grand National and Cheltenham (pictured)

Flutter is being sued by a former business associate of Parente, who claims he is owed 282,000.

Amarjeet Singh Dhir alleges that Parente stole from him to feed his habit, and Flutter should have stopped him.

Flutter denies this and is defending the claim.

The court heard that Parente, 41, suffered from a severe gambling addiction, and lost 3.4million over three years with Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Bet365 and William Hill.

He signed up to Paddy Power in 2015 after he was scouted by a professional introducer, called Tony Carroll.

He was known to be a big spender, and so was given a 20,000 sign-on bonus to encourage him to switch from Ladbrokes.

Embarrassed: Flutter chief Dan Taylor

But, according to the claim, there were immediate signs his gambling was out of control.

Staff labelled him a 'wild man' after he staked 548,000 in a day, but his account was not suspended and he continued to be given tickets to events.

A few months later Parente admitted he had gambled cash given to him by investors, and that he had a 'serious' gambling problem.

In an email, sent to Carroll, he said: 'I have been guilty of using my company funds and abusing the trust of investors by gambling their funds.

'Due to the nature of my business I had access to funds which are not all mine. 'I have been troubled for some time and trying to cope with what I now know is a serious problem.'

It was not until October 2016 that Parente banned himself from Paddy Power's website.

By then records show he had handed over huge sums of cash to a Paddy Power shop in north London.

On one day in September 2016, he handed over 21,900 in cash, followed by a 15,000 deposit a week later.

Kennedy Talbot QC, representing Dhir, told the court last week: 'Mr Parente had confessed that he was a problem gambler and, on that basis alone, he should never have been admitted to an account.

'Mr Carroll also certainly had the knowledge by January 2016 that Mr Parente was stealing to fund his habit.'

In its defence, Paddy Power said that it did not know that Parente was an addict, or betting stolen money, as Carroll was not an employee or 'agent' of the firm.

Flutter executive Dan Taylor added: 'Our approach to responsible gambling was not good enough. Mr Parente was able to spend more than was affordable and, for that, I'm deeply embarrassed.'

Parente was never punished for taking Dhir's money because the tycoon elected not to press charges. Parente was convicted for a separate fraud committed in the UK.

The case has revealed some of the tactics used by the major bookmakers to win over high-flying customers.

Tony Carroll, and his wife Ericka, were paid a quarter of their clients' losses, and were expected to bank around 130,000 for introducing big-spending gamblers to Paddy Power.

Flutter, which also owns Betfair and Sky Bet, cancelled outstanding personal introducer agreements last year in a victory for the Mail.

Campaigners believe the practice discouraged introducers from raising concerns over problem gambling or potential criminal activity.

The row came a month after former deputy Labour leader Tom Watson, who was one of the gambling industry's most vocal critics when he was an MP, joined Flutter's board as a paid adviser.

He had previously described Paddy Power as 'dirty and money-grabbing'.

In October 2018 Flutter was fined 2.2million for failing to protect vulnerable customers showing signs of addiction.

Tony and Ericka Carroll are not involved in the court proceedings, and have previously declined to comment on their role as professional introducers.

The case, before Mr Justice Griffiths, continues.
Greenlands Welfare Trap Replays in Canada

Commentary

This month there was an unusual amount of international attention given to the Greenland election. This is a vast country with a tiny population of only about 57,000.

Every year, Denmark, which has sovereignty over Greenland, transfers the equivalent of US$740 million to help fund the Greenland government. This is a huge amount of moneyrepresenting about 25 percent of GDP or 46 percent of government spending. Amazingly, government spending equals 60 percent of its economy. The money received from Denmark has been crucial to Greenland being brought into the modern world in terms of living standards, education, health care, housing, life expectancy, etc.

The election became globally important as an international mining consortium wants to develop a rare-earth mine in the countrywhich is opposed by some of the local people. Inuit people make up 90 percent of the local population. The election result saw the overturning of the ruling partywith 37 percent of the votes going to the winning anti-mining party, who will no doubt stop the development of this mine.

The Danish government was hoping that the mines development would allow it to reduce its ongoing financial subsidies to Greenland; however, the people of Greenland decided against it. They expect that Denmark will continue to foot the bill for nearly half of government expenses.

The question has to be askedif the people of Greenland are being subsidized to the tune of 25 percent of their entire economywhat is the need to become self-sufficient and engage in an environmentally challenging project? Every family in Greenland sees US$50,000 transferred to them by the Danish government. Why would they have any desire to change thatdevelop a mineand see the risks associated with a major project?

Its far easier to simply keep accepting US$740 million every year. This is the classic welfare trap on steroids. If the Danish government now decides to end this large transfer payment, and government services are slashed by 46 percent, theres a strong likelihood that Greenlanders may want to rethink their support for this mineto pay for much-needed services.

Unfortunately, we see the same perverse incentives operating throughout Canada. We see transfer payments to provinces, which involve complicated formulas on natural resources, conveniently leaving out true electricity coststhereby ensuring that Quebec remains a permanent beneficiary of large amounts of transfers (receiving substantial parts of its budget from other parts of the country as equalization payments).

Like other equalization-receiving provinces, Quebec operates a higher-cost provincial governmentparticularly compared to its neighbouring province, Ontario, never having to face the challenge of actually paying the artificially inflated costs of services that it provides. Theres no evidence that these transfer payments have resulted in services that are better than those in other provincesand for the most part, the equalization-receiving provinces lag behind national averages in education and health-care outcomes.

In the Maritimes, not only do we see large cost-inflating equalization payments, but we also see EI payments, which effectively pay people to stay at home, after theyve spent six weeks fishing. Why get another jobwhen they can collect poggy for 44 weeks of the year? It has stymied economic development in that region for generations, as companies cant find workers despite locally high unemployment rates.

In rural Canada, we have seen hundreds of small towns wind upwith locals moving where they can obtain better economic and lifestyle opportunities. We now see 60 percent of our First Nations living off-reserve, a number that keeps rising every year. Despite most reserves remaining non-economically viable, with growing numbers of First Nations people now living off-reserve, none of the more than 630 First Nations have been merged or wound down.

Approximately two-thirds of First Nations reserves are under 500 people. Economic opportunities, health care, and education are not possible for a First Nation of 300 people, living in a remote area, only accessible by air or winter roads. No matter how much goodwill or money a government provides, its impossible for such a community to meet acceptable standards of health, education, and employment in a modern context. As long as government funds these satrapies, chiefs, and councilstheres no economic impetus to change.

Canada is a rich country, with the majority of investment directed toward resource development. If we continue to subsidize areas that are non-economic, the standard of living in our country will continue to erode. We constantly hear from new generations of Canadians that theyll be the first generation in Canada whose incomes will be less than their parents.

If were unable to make hard decisions about resource development, and divert funds to permanent welfare traps caused by non-economic programs and systems of government, then the standard of living for new generations of Canadians will continue to diminish.

Peter Holle is president of the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Brazil's health regulatory agency rejected importing the Russian-made Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine following an emergency request from 14 state governors struggling to contain a deadly second wave of the virus that is battering Latin America's largest nation.

The decision was made Monday by Anvisa's five-strong board which voted unanimously not to approve the vaccine after technical staff had highlighted 'inherent risks' and 'serious' defects, citing a lack of information guaranteeing its safety, quality and effectiveness.

Ana Carolina Marino, general manager for health monitoring, said that taking into account all the documentation presented, data acquired at in-person inspections and information from other regulators, 'inherent risks' were too great.

Brazil sent Anvisa inspectors to Russia in early April to review seven factories where the Sputnik vaccine is produced, but were only given access to three of the sites, according to Brazilian online news portal G1.

Olivia das Flores receives a dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID-19 on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as part of a priority vaccination program for people with disabilities. On Monday, Anvisa, the country's health regulatory board, held a five-hour meeting and rejected importing 30 million doses of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, saying inspectors found 'inherent risks' and 'serious' defects with the immunization shot

Russian scientists say the Sputnik V immunization shot is 97.6% effective against COVID-19

An April 15 aerial view of graves of COVID-19 victims at the Nossa Senhora Aparecida cemetery in Manaus, Brazil. As of Tuesday, data fro John Hopkins University showed that the South American nation had registered 14,369,423 confirmed cases and 391,936 deaths

Marino said that Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which markets the Sputnik V vaccine abroad, also attempted to cancel in-person inspections and did not grant Anvisa technicians permission to access the Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow.

Anvisa's inspectors also were unable to confirm the raw materials that produced the vaccine shot.

The RDIF rejected Anvisa's comments, saying the shot's safety and efficacy had been assessed by regulators in 61 countries which approved it for use.

'Anvisa's decision to delay the registration of Sputnik V may have been politically motivated,' RDIF said in a statement. 'RDIF regrets the numerous attempts by some countries to oppose the Russian vaccine... including through pressure on foreign regulators.'

A crucial issue for Anvisa was the presence in the vaccine of the adenovirus that could reproduce, a 'serious' defect, according to Anvisa's medicines and biological products manager Gustavo Mendes.

'The presence of a replicating adenovirus can have an impact on our safety when we use this vaccine,' Mendes said. 'This virus, which was not meant to be replicating, can accumulate in specific tissues of the body, such as the kidneys.'

Russian scientists say Sputnik V is 97.6% effective against COVID-19 in a 'real-world' assessment based on data from 3.8 million people, the Gamaleya Institute and the Russian Direct Investment Fund said last week.

In a preventive measure to stop the coronavirus pandemic, city employees in Rio de Janeiro sanitize the streets of Santa Marta, a 'favela' or slum, in the Botafogo district

Cemetery workers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, prepare graves for burials of coronavirus victims

The European Union's regulator, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), is currently reviewing the shot and its manufacturing process, with a decision on its use expected in May or June.

Brazil's vaccination program has been blighted by delays and procurement failures, turning the country into one of the world's deadliest COVID-19 hotspots this year and pushing the national health system to the brink of collapse.

So far 27.3 million people in Brazil, equivalent to 13% of the population, have received a first dose, according to health ministry data.

As of Tuesday, data released provided by John Hopkins University showed that Brazil registered 14,369,423 confirmed cases - third behind the United States and Indias. The South American nation has reported 391,936 coronavirus deaths since the onset of the pandemic over a year ago, much of that in the last few months.
[April 27, 2021]

-10 Years from That Day - Fukushima Today 2021: Fukushima Prefectural Government Releases Video of Today's Fukushima, 10 Years after Great East Japan Earthquake

FUKUSHIMA, Japan, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fukushima Prefectural Government has released a new video showing today's Fukushima, 10 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, on its official YouTube channel, which conveys "charm" and "now" in the prefecture and introduces its forward-looking attitude toward revitalization.

- Fukushima Today

10 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.

Fukushima Prefecture continues to move step by step toward recovery while getting a lot of support and encouragement at home and from abroad.

The video introduces today's Fukushima as the prefecture continues to meet challenges with "Fukushima Pride" in mind.

- 10 Years from That Day - Fukushima Today 2021

English : https://youtu.be/R3SxkwITQcY

Korean: https://youtu.be/fsrpqwTpwtY

Traditional Chinese: https://youtu.be/kKM5ooHruRM

Simplified Chinese: https://youtu.be/TY4EPoEUtjo

- Overview of New Video

The current situations of areas under evacuation orders after the uclear power disaster, updates on air dose rates and the number of evacuees, as well as progress in infrastructure improvement.







Today's agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries in Fukushima, which prioritize the safety, including trial coastal catches of marine products which have been confirmed as safe and efforts to become the No. 1 in Japan in terms of obtaining GAP certification.

New technologies born out of the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework.

The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum opened in September 2020.

The new video shows today's Fukushima from various angles as the prefecture continues to move toward recovery.

- Fukushima Revitalization Station -- portal site for revitalization information

The Fukushima Prefectural Government's official portal site for revitalization information, which tells the world handily about the situations of areas under evacuation orders, infrastructure improvement, agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries and Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework among others.

English: http://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/site/portal-english/

Korean: http://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/site/portal-ko/

Traditional Chinese: http://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/site/portal-zht/

Release Date:

April 6 (Tuesday), 2021

Fukushima Prefectural Government's official YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/user/PrefFukushima

*1,867 videos posted, 13,960 people registered, 37,001,296 views (as of April 20, 2021)

- Special video site introducing the current situation of Fukushima - "Fukushima Now"

English: http://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/site/movie-now-english/

Korean: http://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/site/movie-now-ko/

Traditional Chinese: http://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/site/movie-now-zht/

SOURCE Fukushima Prefectural Government
DALLAS, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of children around the country are still looking at screens to attend school, socialize with friends, and entertain themselves. In fact, a recent survey found that twice as many kids are spending more than four hours a day online during the pandemic than before. Good vision for kids is more important than ever, and Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF) reminds parents to make sure their children can see clearly.

Essilor Vision Foundation

How to tell if a child may have a vision problem

Many parents might not know that using computers, phones and tablets for school and fun can negatively affect their children's vision. Too much screen time can stress a child's eyes and could affect normal vision development.

In the U.S., one in four schoolchildren has a vision problem significant enough to affect learning. However, kids often don't ask for the help they need because they don't know that they can't see clearly. Here are some common signs and symptoms to look for that could mean a child is having trouble seeing clearly:

Sitting too close to the TV Holding a book or digital device too close Complaining of headaches or tired eyes Squinting or tilting the head to see better Rubbing eyes frequently

Everyone's eyes need a break

Fortunately, there are things parents can do to give their kids' eyes a break from all of the screen time. For example, follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, have a child look up at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

A fun way to give everyone's vision a break is to spend time outside, and EVF has fun outdoor activities for the whole family. Being outside is also good for the eyes, as people are exposed to UV-B sun rays which help circulate vitamin D in the body to protect the eyes and slow the development of nearsightedness in kids.

Children rely on their parents to be advocates for their vision care. EVF urges parents to make eye health a priority by scheduling an appointment with an eye doctor to ensure their kids can see clearly.

About Essilor Vision Foundation

We strive to give children a brighter future by helping them see the world more clearly. Since 2007, Essilor Vision Foundation has provided more than 1.5 million pairs of eyeglasses to individuals in need. Essilor Vision Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public, non-profit organization committed to eliminating poor vision and its lifelong consequences. To learn more visit www.evfusa.org.

Contact:

Meredith Marmurek

[email protected]

214-850-3642

Related Images

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Essilor Vision Foundation

SOURCE Essilor Vision Foundation
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BNC, the nation's only 24/7 cable news network dedicated to covering the unique perspectives of Black and Brown communities, will present a prime time special with in-depth analysis of the Biden Administration's record to date as it relates to the commitments he made to Black and Brown Americans while running for office. Led by BNC's strong cast of engaging voices, the live event will cover the effects of systemic racism in housing, education, healthcare, jobs, criminal justice and voting rights before and after President Biden's first address to a joint session of Congress.

BNC's live coverage airs Wednesday, April 28 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m ET, with BNC's "D.C. Today" host Del Walters anchoring the special. Walters will be joined by hosts from the network's all-new prime time lineup, including Marc Lamont Hill ("Black News Tonight"), Charles Blow ("Prime with Charles Blow") and Yodit Tewolde ("Making the Case with Yodit"). Kelly Wright and Nayyera Haq, hosts of BNC's "The World Tonight" and the network's White House Correspondent Rarione Maniece will also contribute.

"BNC is excited to assemble this all-star cast of diverse voices to examine and discuss President Biden's first 100 days in office and provide a wide spectrum of viewpoints on the promises he made during his campaign," said Joshua Eure, Senior Director of Live Programming, Washington, D.C. Bureau.

Aisha Mills, a seasoned political strategist, LGBTQ+ advocate and trailblazer will also lend her voice to the network's special coverage. Mills was the first Black woman to lead a national LGBTQ+ organization as President & CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund and Institute and was instrumental in leading the marriage equality campaign to victory in 2009.

The Biden 2020 presidential campaign relied heavily on appeal to Black voters, and exit poll data from the election showed that historic voter turnout in Black communities across the country delivered Biden his presidential victory over incumbent Donald Trump. In turn, many from these communities established high expectations of the administration in return for clearing his road to the White House.

During his address, President Biden is expected to update the American public on progress made during his first nearly-100 days in office while setting a roadmap for his future efforts in the handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the economy and the recently unveiled $2.2 trillion infrastructure plan. BNC anchors will dig deeper into the issues that disproportionately affect communities of color, including immigration, racial justice, foreign policy and more.

BNC's dedication to truth remains at the core of its mission to provide news free of bias and constraints, filling a major need for balanced reporting in today's media landscape. Unlike the legacy cable news networks with established left or right-leaning positions, BNC is committed to presenting all sides of the issues and empowering viewers to form their own opinions.

Live coverage of President Biden's first joint address to Congress can be seen on BNC, which is available in more than 52 million U.S. homes via linear agreements with Xfinity, DIRECTV (Ch.342), Spectrum, Dish (Ch.360) and more. It can also be accessed on more than 200 million internet-connected devices through partnerships with Roku (Ch.173), Amazon Fire TV, Pluto, Tubi, Samsung, Vizio and other OTT platforms.

For more information, connect with BNC at bnc.tv and on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter .

About BNC

BNC, the nation's first and only provider of 24/7 multiplatform programming dedicated to covering the unique perspectives, challenges and successes of Black and Brown communities, is available in more than 50 million U.S. homes via linear systems and on more than 200 million connected devices. BNC fosters political, economic, and social discourse through impactful programming that features in-depth analysis and viewpoints, contextualizing these issues in history and illuminating their impact on the Black and Brown experience. BNC's commitment to truth and inclusivity is evident in its authentic, unbiased and unapologetic mission to inform, entertain and empower viewers. For more information, connect with BNC at bnc.tv and on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter .

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SOURCE BNC
HYDERABAD: Veteran Congress leader and former state minister M. Satyanarayana Rao (MSR) succumbed to Covid-19 here on Tuesday. The 89-year-old politician was under treatment at the Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences after testing positive for Coronavirus. Family members said the death occurred around 3.45am.

A three-time MP from Karimnagar, MSR started his political career as a student leader and was closely associated with Indira Gandhi. He was among those who brought in Rajiv Gandhi as PM after Indiras death.

MSR was known for his frank comments which often led to controversies. He was elected to the assembly from Karimnagar in 2004 and became a minister in the Cabinet of Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy.

In 2006, MSR had thrown an open challenge to K. Chandrashekar Rao, daring him to contest the by-election for Karimnagar LS seat. Chandrashekar Rao accepted the challenge and won by a margin of over two lakh votes. MSR subsequently quit as minister.

MSR hailed from Vedira village in Karimnagar district. He is survived by wife Chennamaneni Suguna, two daughters, and two sons.

AICC Telangana in-charge B Manickam Tagore, TPCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy, state party working president Revanth Reddy and other Congress leaders condoled the death and said this was a great loss to the Congress party.

"Saddened by the passing away of M Satyanarayana Rao Garu. MSR Garu will be remembered for his insightful knowledge on matters of Telangana development. He had served as general secretary of AICC, PCC president and minister in AP. Condolences to his family and well-wishers. RIP," AICC Telangana in-charge B Manickam Tagore tweeted.

"MSR was a great leader who played a pivotal role in the Congress both in the AICC and the PCC. He encouraged me a lot. A leader with a big heart. He shall be missed," TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said.

"My condolences to the family and friends of MSR garu. May God give them the strength to overcome the grief," tweeted party working president A Revanth Reddy.

Chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao expressed his condolence. "MSR had a unique style of politics as a staunch Telangana supporter, as an MP and as a state minister. He was known for his straightforward nature," read the tweet from the CM's office. The CM has advised chief secretary Somesh Kumar to ensure the final rites of MSR are held with state honours.
WASHINGTON, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Beacon Global Strategies (BGS), a leading strategic advisory firm focusing on global public policy, government procurement, and geopolitical risk analysis, announced four new members to its growing team. The Honorable Dana Deasy, Dr. James Miller, Mr. Brian Nilsson and General Stephen "Seve" Wilson (Ret.) will bring further depth and breadth to Beacon's market leading practices helping companies navigate national security decision making and emerging trends. Additionally, BGS is pleased to announce Ms. Kaitlyn Garman has been promoted to the position of Associate Vice President.

"We are thrilled to welcome such a highly respected group of national security experts and look forward to the value they will add to our team. We are confident these additions will enhance our company as we continue to grow and offer exceptional service," said Jeremy Bash, a Co-Founder and Managing Director at BGS.

These individuals join Beacon's cadre of professionals, led by Managing Directors, Michael Allen, Jeremy Bash, and Andrew Shapiro, Chief Operating Officer Kristin White, and Senior Counselors Secretary Leon Panetta and Michael Morell.

The Honorable Dana S. Deasy joins BGS as Senior Advisor. Prior to joining BGS, Mr. Deasy served as the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer (DoD CIO) from December 2019 to January 2021. In this role, he was the primary advisor to the Secretary of Defense for matters of information management, information technology, and information assurance, as well as non-intelligence space systems, critical satellite communications, navigation and timing programs, spectrum, and telecommunications. Mr. Deasy has more than 40 years of experience leading and delivering large scale IT strategies in projects, including several private sector senior leadership positions, most recently as Global Chief Information Officer of JPMorgan Chase. Earlier in his career, Mr. Deasy served as the Chief Information Officer and Group Vice President at BP and as CIO for General Motors North America, Tyco International, and Siemens Americas. He also held several senior leadership positions at Rockwell Space Systems Division, including as Director of Information Management for Rockwell's space shuttle program.

Dr. James Miller joins BGS as Senior Advisor. As Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from 2012 to 2014, Dr. Miller was the principal civilian advisor to the Secretary of Defense on strategy and operations, DoD's Deputy for National Security Council policy-making and crisis management, and worked to strengthen relations with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. As Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from 2009 to 2012, he oversaw major departmental reviews on nuclear policy, ballistic missile defense, space, and cyberspace, and led the Department's efforts in support of the New START Treaty. Dr. Miller is a senior fellow at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory and at Harvard University's Belfer Center for Science & International Affairs. He serves on the Board of Advisors for the Center for a New American Security, and is a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the Council on Foreign Relations. Dr. Miller is the author of multiple publications on national security strategy, planning, and technology policy, including a recently released study on improving U.S. cyber defenses.

Mr. Brian Nilsson joins BGS as Senior Advisor. Prior to joining BGS, Mr. Nilsson served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Defense Trade Controls in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs from October 2015 to December 2017. In this role, he managed the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) and provided overall policy guidance regarding the transfer of defense technologies to other countries through commercial defense trade, and served as one of the key links between the State and Defense Departments in this issue area. Mr. Nilsson also served as the Director for Non-ProliferationExport Controls on the National Security Council (NSC) at the White House from September 2008 to October 2015. He had the NSC export control portfolio for dual-use items and the export and import control portfolio for munitions items. His primary responsibility was for the Administration's Export Control Reform (ECR) Initiative for the NSC and the National Economic Council and he served as the chair of the White House Export Control Reform Task Force. Mr. Nilsson served as Chairman of the Operating Committee (OC) for Export Policy at the U.S. Department of Commerce, a type of administrative judge, hearing cases involving proposed exports or re-exports of dual-use items that require an export license. Prior to his Chairmanship, Mr. Nilsson held a series of positions at the Department of Commerce, including Deputy Director of the Foreign Policy Controls Division, Acting Director of the Office of Strategic Trade and Foreign Policy Controls, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, and acting Deputy Assistant Secretary on behalf of the Assistant Secretary for matters related to the management and administrative functions.

General Stephen "Seve" Wilson (Ret.) joins BGS as Senior Advisor. General Wilson is a retired 4-star U.S. Air Force General with over 39 years of military service. Prior to joining BGS, he served as the 39th Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force. As the Vice Chief, General Wilson managed the organizing, training and equipping of over 685,000 active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen, helping direct strategy, policy, acquisition, technology, personnel and risk management. He helped manage the planning, programming, budgeting and execution of the Air Force's $205 billion annual budget. General Wilson also served on the Joint Requirements Oversight Council setting the acquisition requirements for the Department of Defense. He was widely acknowledged as the driving force for embracing both innovative technology and new thinking to include the startup of AFWERX, a U.S. Air Force program which expands technology, talent and transition partnerships for rapid and affordable commercial and military capabilities. General Wilson was also the catalyst behind the U.S. Air Force/M.I.T. AI Accelerator partnership to advance and improve Air Force operations while also addressing broader societal needs.

Ms. Kaitlyn Garman was promoted to Associate Vice President. Ms. Garman joined BGS in 2017 as a Senior Associate. Prior to joining BGS, she worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as Confidential Assistant to the Secretary of Defense and his Chief of Staff. For both roles, Ms. Garman prepared and presented daily briefing materials, and provided research in support of implementing the strategic initiatives of the Secretary. Before her work with the Secretary of Defense, she worked as a research analyst at a major defense contractor, focusing on international security and legislative affairs. Ms. Garman graduated from Gettysburg College, magna cum laude, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She later earned a Masters of Arts in International Affairs from Georgetown University.

About Beacon Global Strategies

Founded in 2013, Beacon Global Strategies is a bipartisan strategic advisory firm that provides clients an in-depth understanding of national security decision-making to advance objectives and solve problems in Washington and abroad. The Beacon team brings experience informed by their years of service in the White House, State Department, Defense Department, CIA, Justice Department, on Capitol Hill, and in the private sector.

For more information, please contact [email protected]

SOURCE Beacon Global Strategies

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DETROIT, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Legendary comedian, movie star, dancer and cannabis industry icon Tommy Chong has announced a partnership with MKX Products to produce a line of cannabis products exclusively on sale in Michigan stores.



The Pre-roll line will feature Tommy Chong and MKX- branded cannabis joints, flower, and other products. To introduce media to these items, and to the principals in the Michigan launch, Mr. Chong will be conducting a video press conference with media on May 5. The conference will be conducted via Zoom. Media will be provided with the link when they register in advance for the call (space is limited). Participants are allowed to record both audio and video from the conference for use in news reports and elsewhere. Mr Chong, MKX CEO Sam and others will be available to answer questions from media during the broadcast.



Tommy Chong is an international icon for the cannabis industry. MKX Brands is Michigan's leading cannabis product manufacturer. MKX products can be found in over 300 stores throughout Michigan. "This is going to be a lovely partnership," Tommy Chong said. "Michigan is an awesome state to be a stoner in."

Mr Chong, MKX CEO Sam, MKX COO Mike, and others will be available to answer questions from the media during the broadcast.



SOURCE MKX
LOS ANGELES, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Increased time spent indoors over the past year has left millions of American looking to update their home furnishings. But as growing demand leaves many furniture retailers grappling with supply chain issues, IconByDesign (https://iconbydesign.com/), a Scandanvian-inspired modern furniture company from Australia, seeks to capture America's hearts and homes by eliminating intermediary services.

IconByDesign's mission is to craft modern, functional furniture inspired by the calm, relaxed Scandanvian lifestyle and designed for a simple way of life. Every piece is ergonomically designed and sustainably sourced from certified sustainable American forests. The company prides itself on crafting solid wood pieces that are built to withstand time and trends.

The family-owned and operated business makes its American debut this month, elevating an international reputation for quality that spans more than five generations. In order to make modern, minimalist "forever furniture" more accessible and without an exorbitant price tag, IconByDesign ships directly from its California warehouse to the customer, avoiding wholesalers, distributors and brand royalties. This customer-centric ethos ultimately saves customers more than 50 percent when compared to a traditional supply chain.

IconByDesign's mission is to craft modern, functional furniture inspired by the calm, relaxed Scandanvian lifestyle and designed for a simple way of life. Every piece is ergonomically designed and sustainably sourced from certified sustainable American forests. The company prides itself on crafting solid wood pieces that are built to withstand time and trends.

"We want to simplify the furniture shopping experience for those who aspire to elevate their space with timeless pieces while maintaining a value for sustainable living," said David Light, IconByDesign CEO and co-founder. "Whether you're looking to upgrade your dining room in order to finally welcome more people to the table or revamp your work-from-home setup with sleek, solid oak desks, you can browse the full range of our exclusive pieces from the comfort of your own home."

New collections, including the Olivia and Magnus collections, feature quality dining, living, office, and storage options that appeal to consumers looking for eco-friendly, contemporary options. U.S customers can now Pre-Order to obtain an additional 20 percent off or pay the original price for immediate delivery of in-stock items. IconByDesign also offers free shipping for orders over $999.

About IconByDesign

IconByDesign is an Australian-designed, Scandinavian-inspired Mid Century Modern furniture company. This family-owned business crafts its pieces from sustainably sourced solid American wood and offers customers a unique two-price business model.

Media Contact:

Jessica Rafaeil

404.936.0191

[email protected]

SOURCE IconByDesign

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Photo: The Canadian Press

British Columbia's attorney general says he left high-level meetings about money laundering confused about the extent of the problem at provincial casinos, but convinced something needed to be done.

David Eby told the public inquiry into money laundering on Monday that he received vastly different versions about suspicious cash at casinos from officials when he became the minister responsible for gaming in 2017.

Eby testified there were significant information gaps about suspicious cash at casinos during separate briefings with him from officials at the B.C. Lottery Corp. and the Gaming Policy Enforcement Branch.

He told the Cullen Commission that lottery corporation officials said anti-money laundering efforts were working at casinos, while top bureaucrats at the gaming regulator expressed serious concerns about large amounts of suspicious cash at gaming outlets connected to organized crime.

"The gap between the B.C. Lottery Corporation perspective and the Gaming Policy Enforcement Branch perspective was so significant that I had difficulty understanding which of the organizations I could turn to and rely on in terms of the best recommendations going forward," said Eby.

He said that during one meeting with enforcement officials, he was shown video of people bringing large amounts of $20 bills into casinos that were estimated to be valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"I left the briefing saying, 'Oh, my gosh, I need to talk to my deputy attorney general. I need to get some advice about how best to move forward here because the correct route is not clear to me,'" said Eby.

Those videos helped him understand the workings of the money laundering scheme, where gamblers were being loaned illegal cash to use inside the casinos and they would then repay the loan with clean money, he said.

"The laundering took place on the front steps of the casino in the delivery of the cash to the gambler in what I later understood to be called the Vancouver Model of money laundering," Eby said. "That clarified a lot of things for me."

Eby also agreed that efforts by the lottery corporation to implement methods that required some patrons to identify the source of their money starting in 2015 did result in lower suspicious cash transactions at casinos.

Lottery corporation lawyer Bill Smart told Eby cash buy-ins at B.C. casinos dropped from $38 million in July 2015 to $6.6 million in September.

"Did you become aware of that significant drop in the money coming into casinos?" asked Smart.

"(The B.C. Lottery Corp.) actually tried to engage law enforcement to investigate the source of this suspicious cash," Smart said.

Eby said the differing accounts from the lottery corporation and the enforcement branch about the extent of suspicious cash and links to money laundering at casinos prompted him to launch an independent review of the issue.

"I suspected the truth was probably somewhere in the middle, but I didn't know that and I was very concerned there was a serious and ongoing issue," he said. "I wanted someone to be able to navigate both the B.C. Lottery Corporation and the Gaming Policy Enforcement Branch."

Eby said he appointed lawyer Peter German, a former deputy RCMP commissioner and the author of a leading anti-money laundering law textbook, to conduct an independent review of the money laundering issue at B.C. casinos in September 2017.

"I selected Dr. German because he had that knowledge," said Eby. "He had those connections. I thought he was a person of integrity. He wouldn't be considered to be partisan. I was very enthusiastic about him taking the job."

German's June 2018 report, "Dirty Money," said B.C.'s gaming industry and the province's anti-money laundering system were not prepared for the onslaught of illegal cash that flowed through the casinos.
He was announced as being cast to play the role of conman John Darwin in new ITV drama The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe on Monday.

And Eddie Marsan cut a rugged figure as he transformed into the fraudster, who faked his own death in 2002, while filming in Seaton Carew on Tuesday.

The actor, 53, donned a green beanie hat and was seen waving around a walking stick during the outdoors shoot for the upcoming four-part show.

In character: Eddie Marsan cut a rugged figure as he played John Darwin, who faked his own death in 2002, and waved around a walking stick while filming in Seaton Carew on Tuesday

John and Anne Darwin convince their family, friends and insurance companies that he had gone missing during a canoeing incident off Seaton Carew in 2002.

Getting stuck into filming on Tuesday, Eddie was seen walking around in a long grey jacket styled with jeans and a khaki green beanie hat.

He also held onto a walking stick, waving it around at one point, and donned thick glasses for a scene which seemed to involve him waiting for a bus.

The actor also sported a grey beard - just like John did in the picture used on his fake passport - however in a 2008 mugshot he was clean shaven.

Disheveled: The actor, 53, donned a green beanie hat and carried a large dark green holdall bag during the shoot for the upcoming four-part ITV drama

According to The Guardian, for three weeks after the incident John was living rough and calling Anne to get rid of family who had come to support her at their home so he could return.

She eventually drove to Cumbria to collect him, but according to the publication didnt recognise her spouse as hed grown a beard and started using a walking stick.

John then moved into a bedsit next door, using a hidden passageway to visit Anne while living under the fake name of John Jones.

Filming snaps taken on Tuesday show Eddie resembling this description of John, suggesting he could be shooting scenes for this section of the fantastical story.

Real life: John and Anne Darwin tried to convince the world that John had gone missing in 2002 whilst canoeing off the coast of Seaton Carew. However their secret was exposed by the discovery of a photo of them posing in a Panama real estate office in July 2006 (pictured)

Transformation: The actor sported a grey beard - just like John did in the picture used on his fake passport and shared by Cleveland Police

The wife: Monica Dolan (left) will play Anne Darwin in the drama and was seen with a grey bob cut, similar to Anne's short hair in photos from the time of the real life case (right in 2007)

Anne and John Darwin, who are now divorced, were both jailed for more than 6 years after they tried to convince family, friends, the police and insurance companies, that John had gone missing in 2002 while canoeing off the coast of Seaton Carew.

The ITV drama will focus on how Anne became complicit in her husband's deception to convince the world he'd gone missing in an attempt to claim life insurance and avoid bankruptcy.



However, the deception was to take its toll on Anne who lied to their sons, Mark and Anthony, for five years whilst her husband, in the early days of the fraud, secretly lived in a bedsit next door to the home he shared with Anne.

Devastated by the loss of their father, neither son had an inkling their parents were capable of such treachery and being involved in a 679,000 insurance scam.

On the move? Filming for the new series, which is yet to have a release date, seemed to involve a yellow bus

Casual: Eddie sported jeans and a long grey jacket styled with black shoes and a khaki hat

Anne and John, now 70, eventually decided to leave Seaton Carew and move to Panama City to start a new life together before their secret was exposed by the discovery of a photo of them posing in a Panama real estate office in July 2006.

John had been travelling back and forth between Panama and the UK and turned up at a London police station in 2007 claiming he'd been suffering from amnesia.

At her trial Anne pleaded not guilty, arguing that she had been coerced into the plot by her husband, but the jury didn't believe her.

John was ordered to serve six years and three months in prison while his wife, who police described as a compulsive liar, got six years and six months. She was released from prison in 2011.

Crew: Several cameras could be seen set up on the grass while the yellow bus was parked nearby during the day

Since the astonishing case, the couple have divorced, with John remarrying, and Anne opting for a quiet life away from the headlines.

And in January 2021 it was reported that the former teacher has settled into a new life in the Philippines with new wife Mercy May, who at 47 is 23 years his junior.

The couple married in 2015 after striking up a romance online.

While in 2016 Anne wrote a book about the scandal, writing: 'I was never motivated by money. That wasnt the reason. Incredible though it may sound, the only reason I had was my loyalty to John.'

She has since reconciled with her sons, and was last known to be working for the RSPCA in York after gaining qualifications in IT and business while in prison.

Family: Devastated by the loss of their father, both of John's sons Mark and Anthony didn't had an inkling their parents were capable of lying about his death (pictured at the trial in 2008)

ITV's drama The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe is based upon the unpublished manuscript written by journalist David Leigh who was the first journalist to track down Anne as she was on the verge of setting up a new life in Panama.

Stars Monica and Eddie will be joined in the cast by Mark Stanley (White House Farm) and Karl Pilkington (Sick of It, Derek), whose roles have not yet been revealed.

Speaking about his new role, Eddie said: 'I'm so thrilled to be working with Chris Lang, one of our greatest writers and to get the chance to work with Monica Dolan.

'The story of how and why John Darwin faked his own death to defraud insurance companies is fascinating, and if it weren't fact, you'd think it unbelievable.

'I can't pretend to understand what was going on in his head when he made those choices, but I'm going to do my absolute best to portray him, and I can't wait to get started.'
The Indian Government has extended a $180 million concessionary credit facility to Ghana as part of its development assistance to the country, the Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Sugandh Rajaram, has said.

The facility consists of $150 million for agricultural mechanisation and $30 million for improvement in water supply.



These are huge projects that we will be finalising through a tender process. I hope that within the next one year the projects will start, the ambassador added.



Mr Rajaram, who was speaking during a courtesy call on the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, in Accra yesterday, said: India and Ghana are working together in various areas, including rural agriculture, which is a priority to improve the lives of the people.



Mr Bagbin and Mr Rajaram also discussed ways in which Ghana and India could work together to improve bilateral relations, especially in the areas of legislature, agriculture, automobile, water supply, pharmaceuticals, among others.



Present at the meeting were the Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu; the Second Deputy Majority Leader, Mrs Lydia Seyram Alhassan, and the MP for North Tongu, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.



Containing COVID-19



Mr Rajaram said as part of efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19, India had dispatched gift vaccines to some neighbouring countries, including some countries in Africa.



Up till today, we have gifted or supplied more than 85 million vaccines to over 75 countries. We have also supplied huge amounts of drugs and equipment to more than 150 countries in the last one year.



And the resilience of the Indian people and their governance system will ensure that India recovers from its current challenges quickly. It will, however, not be possible without the goodwill and active support of the world because India believes in living, growing and prospering with the world, he said.



The ambassador expressed appreciation for the long-standing relations between Ghana and India.



Learning from India



The Speaker said Ghana could tap into the rich reservoir of India to improve on the countrys economy and parliamentary democracy.



India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and is projected to be among the three global economic giants in less than 10 years.



He commended India for the huge investment it had committed into developing its human resource, which had resulted in Indians becoming chief executive officers of some technology giants such as Amazon and Google.



I think this is something that at least Ghana can reflect over and also invest more in human resource development, he said.



Mr Bagbin said Ghana would continue to explore opportunities of sending parliamentary staff to India to understudy that countrys IT system and other areas of parliamentary functions, adding that there are some skills that we need to learn from Indians to become more innovative and creative.



Commendation



Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu commended India for supporting other countries with COVID-19 vaccines and expressed the hope that that country works towards overcoming the rising spread of the disease, which was claiming more lives in that country.



He was also happy that India had expressed its readiness to support the development of Ghanas railway, automobile and agricultural sectors.



For his part, Mr Ablakwa expressed his sympathy to the government and the people of India over the loss of many lives to the pandemic.



We note that from the beginning of the pandemic, you did not keep the vaccines to yourself; no wonder the world is also extending support to you due to your selfless-spirit, he added.









Source: graphiconline.com









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Surge in violence in DRC's Ituri worsens plight for children: UNICEF

Xinhua) 09:20, April 27, 2021

UNITED NATIONS, April 26 (Xinhua) -- A recent surge in armed insurgency and intercommunal violence in the eastern province of Ituri in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is worsening the plight of children, with serious violations against women and children being reported, said the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday.

There have been nearly 175 grave violations since January 2021, including cases of recruitment of children into armed groups, killings and maiming of children, sexual violence and attacks on schools and hospitals, said UNICEF in a press release.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, humanitarians were denied full access to the most violence-affected areas in the territories of Djugu and Irumu. A large number of people have been displaced because of the attacks, which has separated more than 275 children from their parents throughout Ituri, it said.

More than 1.6 million people are estimated to be displaced in Ituri, out of a total population of 5.7 million people. It is estimated that 2.8 million people are in need of some form of emergency assistance.

More than 100,000 children under 5 are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, a direct consequence of the alarmingly high levels of food insecurity that affects nearly 800,000 people. Attacks on schools have left almost 400,000 already displaced and returning children aged 6-11 out of school in the territories of Djugu, Irumu and Mahagi. Only one in three people in the province has access to basic sanitation services.

UNICEF, which is covering the needs of a small proportion of the people in Ituri, urges other humanitarian actors to deploy resources in those areas not covered by its activities. At the same time, UNICEF is calling on donors to continue their generosity toward the Congolese people as the fund's 2021 humanitarian appeal for 384.4 million U.S. dollars is currently only 18 percent funded.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
An international team of researchers searched for pieces of a small asteroid tracked in space and then observed to impact Botswana on June 2, 2018.

April 23, 2021, Mountain View, CA -- An international team of researchers searched for pieces of a small asteroid tracked in space and then observed to impact Botswana on June 2, 2018. Guided by SETI Institute meteor astronomer Peter Jenniskens, they found 23 meteorites deep inside the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and now have published their findings online in the journal Meteoritics and Planetary Science.

"Combining the observations of the small asteroid in space with information gleaned from the meteorites shows it likely came from Vesta, second largest asteroid in our Solar System and target of NASA's DAWN mission," said Jenniskens. "Billions of years ago, two giant impacts on Vesta created a family of larger, more dangerous asteroids. The newly recovered meteorites gave us a clue on when those impacts might have happened."

The asteroid

The small asteroid that impacted Botswana, called 2018 LA, was first spotted by the University of Arizona's Catalina Sky Survey as a faint point of light moving among the stars. The Catalina Sky Survey searches for Earth-crossing asteroids as part of NASA's Planetary Defense program.

"Small meter-sized asteroids are no danger to us, but they hone our skills in detecting approaching asteroids," said Eric Christensen, director of the Catalina Sky Survey program.

The team recovered archival data from the SkyMapper Southern Survey program in Australia that showed the asteroid spinning in space, rotating once every 4 minutes, alternatingly presenting a broad and a narrow side to us while reflecting the sunlight.

On its journey to Earth, cosmic rays bombarded the asteroid and created radioactive isotopes. By analyzing those isotopes, the researchers determined that 2018 LA was a solid rock about 1.5 m in size, which reflected about 25% of sunlight.

The recovery

"This is only the second time we have spotted an asteroid in space before it hit Earth over land," said Jenniskens. "The first was asteroid 2008 TC3 in Sudan ten years earlier." Jenniskens also guided the search for fragments of 2008 TC3.

This time, fewer observations led to more uncertainty in the asteroid's position in its orbit. Davide Farnocchia of NASA JPL's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies combined astronomical observations of the asteroid with US Government Satellite data of the fireball to calculate the fall area. Esko Lyytinen of the Ursa Finnish Fireball Network made a parallel effort.

"When Jenniskens first arrived in Maun, he needed our help narrowing down the fall area," says Oliver Moses of the Okavango Research Institute. "We subsequently tracked down more video records in Rakops and Maun and were able to triangulate the position of the fireball."

After confirming the fall area, Moses and Jenniskens joined geologist Alexander Proyer of the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) in Palapye and geoscientist Mohutsiwa Gabadirwe of the Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI) in Lobatse and their colleagues to search for the meteorites.

"On the fifth day, our last day of searching, Lesedi Seitshiro of BIUST found the first meteorite only 30 meters from camp," said Jenniskens. "It was 18 grams and about 3 cm in size."

The search area was in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, home to diverse wildlife, including leopards and lions. Researchers were kept safe by the staff of the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks. BGI coordinated the search with the Department of National Museum and Monuments in Botswana.

"The meteorite is named 'Motopi Pan' after a local watering hole," said Gabadirwe, now the curator of this rare sample of an asteroid observed in space before impacting Earth. "This meteorite is a national treasure of Botswana."

The meteorite type

Non-destructive analysis at the University of Helsinki, Finland, showed that Motopi Pan belongs to the group of Howardite-Eucrite-Diogenite (HED) meteorites, known to have likely originated from the giant asteroid Vesta, which was recently studied in detail by NASA's DAWN mission.

"We managed to measure metal content as well as secure a reflectance spectrum and X-ray elemental analysis from a thinly crusted part of the exposed meteorite interior," said Tomas Kohout of the University of Helsinki. "All the measurements added well together and pointed to values typical for HED type meteorites."

Dynamical studies show that the orbit of 2018 LA is consistent with an origin from the inner part of the asteroid belt where Vesta is located. The asteroid was delivered into an Earth-impacting orbit via the resonance situated in the asteroid belt's inner side.

"Another HED meteorite fall we investigated in Turkey in 2015, called Saricicek, impacted on a similarly short orbit and produced mostly smallish 2 to 5-gram meteorites," said Jenniskens.

When Jenniskens returned to Botswana in October of 2018, the team found 22 more small meteorites. Gabadirwe was the first to spot another out-of-this-world rock. Surprisingly, subsequent meteorite finds showed a lot of diversity in their outward appearance.

"We studied the petrography and mineral chemistry of five of these meteorites and confirmed that they belong to the HED group," said Roger Gibson of Witts University in Johannesburg, South Africa. "Overall, we classified the material that asteroid 2018 LA contained as being Howardite, but some individual fragments had more affinity to Diogenites and Eucrites."

Other studies also confirmed the surprising diversity of the team's finds, such as reflection spectroscopy and the content of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in the sample. The asteroid was a breccia, a mixture of cemented rock pieces from different parts on Vesta.

Origin of the meteorites

A previous hypothesis proposed that Saricicek originated from Vesta in the collision that created the Antonia impact crater imaged by DAWN. Still showing a visible ejecta blanket, that young crater was formed about 22 million years ago. One-third of all HED meteorites that fall on Earth were ejected 22 million years ago. Did Motopi Pan originate from the same crater?

"Noble gas isotopes measurements at ETH in Zurich, Switzerland, and radioactive isotopes measured at Purdue University showed that this meteorite too had been in space as a small object for about 23 million years," said Kees Welten of UC Berkeley, "but give or take 4 million years, so it could be from the same source crater on Vesta."

Researchers found Motopi Pan and Saricicek to be similar in some ways but different in others. Like Motopi Pan, Saricicek exploded at 27.8 km altitude, but produced less light in that breakup.

"The infrasound shockwave measured in South Africa was not as strong as expected from US Government sensor detections of the bright light," said Peter Brown of the University of Western Ontario, Canada.

From lead isotopes in zircon minerals, researchers found that both Saricicek and Motopi Pan solidified at Vesta's surface about 4563 million years ago. But phosphate grains in Motopi Pan experienced another melting event more recently. Saricicek did not.

"About 4234 million years ago, the material in Motopi Pan was close to the center of a large impact event," said Qing-zhu Yin of UC Davis, "Saricicek was not."

Vesta experienced two significant impact events that created the Rheasilvia impact basin and the underlying, and therefore older, Veneneia impact basin.

"We now suspect that Motopi Pan was heated by the Veneneia impact, while the subsequent Rheasilvia impact scattered this material around," said Jenniskens. " If so, that would date the Veneneia impact to about 4234 million years ago. On top of Rheasilvia impact ejecta is the 10.3-km diameter Rubria impact crater, slightly smaller than the 16.7-km Antonia crater, and slightly younger at 19 +/- 3 million years, but a good candidate for the origin crater of Motopi Pan."

In November 2020, an expedition led by Fulvio Franchi from BIUST discovered one more Motopi Pan meteorite. This 92-gram meteorite is now the largest fragment of asteroid 2018 LA recovered to date and another small piece of the giant asteroid Vesta.

###

Links:

The manuscript is available at: https:/ / onlinelibrary. wiley. com/ journal/ 19455100

Link to pdf of poster:

2018 report on the first meteorite find: https:/ / www. seti. org/ press-release/ fragment-impacting-asteroid-recovered-botswana-0

About the SETI Institute

Founded in 1984, the SETI Institute is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary research and education organization whose mission is to lead humanity's quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the Universe and to share that knowledge with the world. Our research encompasses the physical and biological sciences and leverages expertise in data analytics, machine learning and advanced signal detection technologies. The SETI Institute is a distinguished research partner for industry, academia and government agencies, including NASA and NSF.

Contact information

Rebecca McDonald

Director of Communications

SETI Institute

rmcdonald@seti.org
Akram Saad is many things.

He is a UT-Chattanooga alum who teaches at the university where he earned his masters degree in electrical engineering in 2018. He is an engineer for Patterson Power Engineers who is working toward upgrading the electric grid with TVA, Dayton Power and Light and other power utilities. He is an Arsenal fan who plays futsal at Highland Park when he can. He is an enthusiastic traveler who has been to over 20 states and enjoys hiking on sunny days. He is a Sudanese native who comes from a family who prides themselves on attaining the highest levels of education. Akram Saad is all of those things, and more.

Now having lived in Tennessee for almost half a decade, Mr. Saad has spent several years adjusting to and becoming part of American society. As a student at UTC, he worked with both TVA and EPB on projects. One of those studies was approved, and the other may be applied soon. Now working at Patterson Power Engineers, hes been such an integral and acclaimed part of the community that he recently received two prestigious honors.

Akram Saad was named the PES Chattanooga Chapter Outstanding Young Engineer for 2020, and the Power and Energy Society said he displayed outstanding technical contributions to the power and energy profession, among other superlatives. Dr. Raga Ahmed nominated him for the award and praised not only his engineering acumen, but his character as well.

He also received the General Robert Neyland Young Engineer of the Year Award. He has been recognized by the Chattanooga Engineers Club for making outstanding contributions to engineering, public welfare and the community during the early part of his career.

We kept in touch from the time of his first advisement session as a new student until now where he is a fellow instructor, Dr. Ahmed said. During that time, I got to know him very well. The side of Akrams personality and character that I see is wonderful. He projects confidence and in peace with himself.

Not yet 30, Akram Saad has already established himself in a highly competitive field, and in many ways fits the stereotype of the well-rounded model minority. The so-called positive generalization paints minorities and those from other countries as naturally hard-working and gifted. Mr. Saad wants nothing to do with this label and actively pushes against it, saying these standards are often unreachable and create the perception that internationals are always close to failure.

When it comes to accountability and how society sees us, were just normal people and were just trying to do the best we can. Sometimes they put a lot of pressure on us to meet a higher goal, and I dont think thats good, Mr. Saad said. The expectations are always high for us. We either pick up the expectations for everyone here, or lower them for everyone. We shouldnt have higher standards for some people.

Mr. Saad said the most effective way to combat this stereotype is to interact with others, as it's difficult to make generalizations about a person you know. The engineer mentioned his friends, professors and peers as figures who have made his time in America a mostly-enjoyable experience, and that he has been able to learn more about Americas many idiosyncrasies through them.

Many of my friends are Americans and white, and I try to bridge that gap by doing my part to get to know them and their culture, he said. I do their stuff and try to get to know them. Like one time, my friend invited me to church, even though it is not my belief. But I went because I wanted to know more about them, and then we can have an open dialogue and we can become less scared of each other.

But he also spoke about the importance of balancing assimilation with maintaining his character, and said it is a battle most internationals have to continually fight as they become ingrained in American society. While he wants to become, and in many ways is, a part of American culture, Mr. Saad said he is wary of losing the precious values his Sudanese family and culture have instilled in him.

The culture and values that your parents or grandparents or country gave you, they shouldnt be changed, he said. The way I deal with it is that I have my values and I dont try to overstep them, but I assimilate on things that dont touch the core of who I am. I love who I am and where I came from, and Ill be truthful to that and live by that.

Mr. Saad is open to talking to anyone, but he acknowledged he has had negative experiences with people who take offense to his ethnicity and/or race. But even though these experiences hurt, he says focusing on these moments accomplish nothing of worth.

Those experiences are just telling me I need to get myself out there more and spread peace and love to people. I am human and youre human, so why should we hate each other, Mr. Saad said. Whats the reason behind that? I want to know why you hate me and why theres tension. Theres been negativity and Ive had bad experiences with people, but I dont let that get under my skin because if that happens, they win. They shouldnt win.

Even though Mr. Saad is a busy man already, he has still found time to help other prospective students who are looking to study in the United States. He does this through his Facebook page, and even though its not high-profile, the engineer said hes been able to help three or four students with the process.

If theres anyone coming to the USA and am having any problems, they can contact me, Mr. Saad said. Im helping students applying to schools and I help revise their statements of purpose and all that, so Im trying to bridge that gap coming here.

He credits his brother and fellow UTC alum Mustafa for helping him with adjusting to the United States, and said he wants to pass that on to the next generation of students. In regards to his own education, Mr. Saad already has a masters degree but might pursue his PHD in the future, which could open several avenues with him and his brother.

We have an idea of starting our own business together, but we dont know how were going to start it or how its going to go, Mr. Saad said, and also floated the idea of founding an education-based NGO that would be focused on helping his home country. Im from Sudan, and we have a lot of problems when it comes to education, and thats one of the things I want to focus on. While learning about education in America, I can link between industry and education to have a real impact.

But for now, Akram Saad is content to stay in the Scenic City, and hopes to keep teaching students, solving problems and having productive conversations with people from a variety of backgrounds for years to come.

The plan is to stay in Chattanooga long-term because I love teaching and my job, and I think I can be a benefit to Chattanooga long-term, he said.

* * *

Joseph Dycus can be reached at joseph.a.dycus@gmail.com
Dish Network says that T-Mobile has gone back on promises it made in order to win permission to buy Sprint and is asking the California Public Utilities Commission to enforce the company's pre-merger commitments.

Why it matters: The effort, which follows a complaint to the FCC, centers around T-Mobile's decision to end support for Sprint's older CDMA network at the beginning of next year  a network still used by the majority of Dish's customers.

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The big picture: T-Mobile's acquisition was controversial and the ultimate approval was conditioned upon selling Sprint's prepaid business to Dish. As part of that, Dish is using T-Mobile's network while it builds out its own 5G network from scratch.

The latest: In its petition to California regulators, Dish says that T-Mobile is going against a public commitment to operate the CDMA network for three years.

"T-Mobiles January 1, 2022 date is inconsistent with prior statements the company made to the Commission  in sworn testimony and written briefs  that the network will be operational for at least three years to facilitate a seamless transition for customers utilizing the legacy Sprint CDMA network," Dish said in the filing, which was obtained by Axios.

Dish is asking the California PUC to reopen its merger investigation for the purpose of forcing T-Mobile to live up to that commitment. Dish has said it believes T-Mobile is trying to use the network shutoff as a way to get back the very prepaid customers it sold to Dish.

The other side: T-Mobile, for its part, has said it provided Dish with more than the 6 months notice required in its contract with the satellite firm. It maintains that it is Dish's responsibility to convert its customers over to phones compatible with T-Mobile's current network, just as it is doing for former Sprint customers still on the older network.

Go deeper: T-Mobile, once an upstart, joins the giants

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HALFWAY through Ramadan, Winnipegs Muslim community will change course to mark the remainder of its holy month by conference calls, group chats and praying at home.

HALFWAY through Ramadan, Winnipegs Muslim community will change course to mark the remainder of its holy month by conference calls, group chats and praying at home.

"God hears us pray wherever we are," said Idris Knapp, executive director of Winnipeg Central Mosque, which will hold community prayers today for the last time during Ramadan.

"Jonah prayed in the dark of night, at the bottom of the sea and in the belly of a fish. (God) can hear from my home in Winnipeg."

Effective Wednesday, religious gatherings are limited to 10 people, down from 50 people previously. When Ramadan began April 13, up to 100 people could gather for religious services.

All facilities run by the Manitoba Islamic Association, including Grand Mosque on Waverley, Pioneer Mosque in St. Vital and Pembina Valley Mosque in Winkler, will be closed to the public Wednesday, and the community can tune into livestreamed prayers instead, the association announced Monday.

Ending May 12, Ramadan is a time when Muslims fast during daylight hours, pray, read the Quran, and donate money to charity. Before the pandemic, they would also gather with family, friends, and community members for iftar, the evening meal during Ramadan, but current restrictions only allow meals with household members.

Knapp intends to spend the rest of Ramadan assisting mosque members with practical details of navigating digital conference options so they can meet online with other members of the community.

"We will call them and walk them through setting up a Zoom account," he said. He also will encourage members of his congregation to write letters or call each other to ensure people who live alone or far from family can feel the support of others.

Sarah Parkar, of Islamic Social Services Association, has planned a series of hour-long digital iftars beginning Friday for Winnipeg Muslims who live alone and cant share the evening meal with friends or extended family because of public health restrictions.

During a digital iftar, five or six households will log onto a conference call to share experiences while eating halal meals delivered by volunteers, said Parkar of the program, run jointly by the Centre for Comparative Muslim Studies at Simon Fraser University in B.C. and the Tessellate Institute in Oakville, Ont.

"This is the second year with the restrictions and we cannot meet people so its hard times for them," said Parkar, who invited seniors and newcomers to join the online events.

Participants are encouraged to tell stories and traditions from their families at the digital iftars, and also post recordings of their events online as a way to remember the unique circumstances of Ramadan during the pandemic, said project co-ordinator Amal Abdullah.

"Years in the future, people can check in to see what conversations were happening during a COVID Ramadan," she said from her home office in Vancouver.

The digital initiatives can provide a sense of connection during Ramadan, which has a strong communal aspect, said Nawal Mohamed, who lives alone in an apartment. Pre-pandemic, one of her parents would usually fly to Winnipeg from their home in Kenya to spend Ramadan with Mohamed and her brother, but now she depends on technology to connect with them.

Despite not marking the holy month with her family, Ramadan is an intensely spiritual month that prepares Muslims to deal with obstacles and changing circumstances, said Mohamed.

"Thats what Ramadan is  acknowledging the difficulties but also grounding ourselves in gratitude," she said.

faith@freepress.mb.ca
Exit for Arline Drive?

Some motorists noticed that a sign for Houstons Airline Drive on I-45 was missing a very important letter up until very recently.

IN HOUSTON: 'Emily Takes Notes' project recaps Houston city council meetings for locals

The sign advertised the upcoming exit 53 for Arline Drive  obviously meant to be Airline Drive, since Arline Drive isnt a real place or even a real word.

KHOUs Lisa Carter reports that the misspelled sign was up for about three weeks, according to TxDOT. A crew went out and replaced the sign overnight Saturday.

But not before it became a bit of a joke on TikTok for one Houstonian

It may have taken a few weeks, but we got it right eventually.
New Delhi: The auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, dedicated to Lord Hanuman's birthday happens to be celebrated this year on April 27. It falls every year in Chaitra month on full moon day. Several Lord Hanuman bhakts observe a fast or vrat on this day and pray to the almighty for his blessings.

HANUMAN JAYANTI PUJA TIMINGS:

Hanuman Jayanti on Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Purnima Tithi Begins - 12:44 PM on Apr 26, 2021

Purnima Tithi Ends - 09:01 AM on Apr 27, 2021

(according to drikpanchang.com)

The occasion of Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated differently, depending upon region-to-region. This explains the existence of various cultures in our society.

Also known by the name of Hanuman Janmotsav - it marks the birth of Lord Hanuman and celebrations begin days in advance. It usually falls on either the Chaitra month or in Vaisakha but down south in Kerala and Tami Nadu, it is celebrated in Dhanu, locally known as Margazhi.

HANUMAN JAYANTI SIGNIFICANCE:

On Hanuman Jayanti, devotees throng temples early morning and pray to Lord Hanuman for their well-being. They offer sindoor (vermillion), sweets, flowers, coconut to the Lord and in return get the same as prasad including Ganga Jal or Holy water of Ganges.

Devotees throng Hanuman and Lord Rama temples and pray to the good Lord for his blessings and seek protection. They recite Hanuman Chalisa, bhajans and mantras for pleasing the god.

Lord Hanuman symbolises power, strength and is an ardent Lord Rama follower. His devotion towards Rama is hailed and praised in various ancient scriptures like Ramayana.

LEGENDS ASSOCIATED WITH LORD HANUMAN'S BIRTH:

There are various legends associated with the birth of Lord Hanuman, here are the most common ones:

According to Valmiki Ramayana, Apsara Anjana prayed to Lord Shiva and set out on an intense meditation for 12 long years to get a child. After being pleased with her devotion and intense prayer, Lord Shiva granted the son to Anjana and her husband Kesari, who was the son of Brahaspati.

Kesari was the king of Sumeru. Hanuman was the son which Lord Shiva granted to Anjana and Kesari. He was born on Anjaneri mountains.

However, as per other beliefs, Hanuman is believed to be the reincarnation of Lord Shiva.

Also, there is another set of legend which says Vayuthe wind god on Lord Shiva's instruction transferred his male energy to Anjana's womb, therefore, Hanuman is also known as pawan putra Hanuman (son of wind).

As per Vishnu Purana and Nardeya Purana, the birth of Hanuman, a Vanara, is linked to how once Narada cursed Vishnu for making him look like a Vanaraape. Narada, who had sought Lord Vishnu's help to impress a princess felt humiliated a when the lord instead made him look like an ape (Narada wanted his face to look like that of the Lord) and the princess laughed at him.

After this, Narada cursed Lord Vishnu that one day he shall be dependant on a Vanara. The Lord told Narada, that he had made him look like a Vanara for his own good and made him realise that Hari in Sanskrit also means Vanara.

Hearing this Narada repented his curse but the Lord comforted him by saying that one day this curse shall act as a boon as it would lead to Lord Hanuman's birth (an avatar of Lord Shiva) who would help Lord Rama (an avatar of Lord Vishnu) in killing Ravana.

Here's wishing a very Happy Hanuman Jayanti to all!
Westpay AB, a leading fintech company, continues to expand its reach and footprint on the Nordic payment market. As a result, Westpay has contracted four new strategic POS Partners. Three in Norway and one in Finland. These POS Partners will integrate their POS solutions and make Westpays offerings available for its merchant customers.

- Our overall strategy to expand our reach with leading POS Partners continues. It's nice to see that our effort is paying off. Our offering is strong, and on top of that, we have a simplified onboarding that makes it easy for our customers to enable us as a part of their ecosystem, says Hans Edin, CCO at Westpay.





For additional information, please contact:

Sten Karlsson, CEO Westpay AB

Mobile: +46 70-555 6065

Email: sten.karlsson@westpay.se

Hans Edin, CCO Westpay AB

Mobile: +46 70-688 02 05

Email: hans.edin@westpay.se

Certified Adviser is Redeye AB,

Phone: +46 8 121 576 90, email: certifiedadviser@redeye.se

Westpay is a full-service fintech- and Payment Solution Provider that offers solutions that simplify payments and amplifies the overall customer experience. If you represent a restaurant, hotel, store, in-store, or e-commerce, and looking for a payment solution that adds value, we can help you all the way. The company is represented globally, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and is listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market.

For more information: www.westpay.se

Attachment




At least one Nigerian army officer and 17 soldiers died in battle on Sunday after their base came under sudden but vicious attack by Boko Haram terrorists, military insiders familiar with the matter have told PREMIUM TIMES.

The army confirmed the attack on Monday but said only one officer and six soldiers were killed. The army also said its officials, including reinforcements, successfully repelled the attack.

Top military sources, however, told PREMIUM TIMES that the armys public statement deliberately underplayed the attack and that it is not a true reflection of what transpired.

The Nigerian army, like many of the countrys other security agencies, is known for understating casualties and the true situation of events as the country continues to grapple with multiple security challenges.

Our sources said that apart from those killed, no fewer than 43 other soldiers were seriously injured while 50 other personnel remained missing as of Monday morning.

The affected military base, the headquarters of 156 Task Force Battalion in Mainok, was virtually completely destroyed as the Boko Haram terrorists carted away arms and ammunition, burning everything in sight.

Mainok is about 60 kilometres west of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

According to gory pictures of the incident seen by this newspaper, some of the soldiers were attacked with machetes while others were seen with gunshot injuries.

The commanding officer of the battalion, a lieutenant colonel (name withheld), is among the dead.

Over 50 personnel who survived the battle made their way on foot to the nearby Army Super Camp 4. An unknown number of others are believed to remain trapped in bushes.

The casualty figure for the Boko Haram terrorists remained unknown on Monday but the army said scores of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized with their body part littering the area and a number of their gun trucks destroyed.

The Boko Haram Attack

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the terrorists sneaked into the camp undetected and caught the troops by surprise.

They were armed with sophisticated weapons including two Mine-Resistant Anti-Personnel Vehicles and a Scorpion Armoured Personnel Carrier.

How the terrorists entered the facility undetected and unchallenged remain a mystery to many. But one source said they probably worked on leaked intelligence by trailing a convoy of officials from the 81 Division in Maiduguri who were visiting the base.

One surprising thing is that the BHT (Boko Haram Terrorists) succeeded in entering the location as per friendly forces without any contact, one source said. They then opened fire. Within a short while, they overran the base.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that when the battle became intense, reinforcements were thrown in by authorities from Army Super Camp 4 but severe damage had already been done to both men and equipment of the battalion.

In fact, the two Mine-Resistant Anti-Personnel Vehicles belonging to 81 Division area of responsibility, which got caught in the gunfire, are yet to be recovered.

The attack on the military base comes few days after the terrorists attacked Geidam, the hometown of acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba.

ADVERTISEMENT

The attack on Geidam lasted over 24 hours while troops battled to regain the town.

Not The First Attack on Mainok

Sundays attack on Mainok is the second in about a year. The first was in January last year when the terrorists attacked and killed seven soldiers and an army officer.

Just like the latest attack, the terrorists camouflaged in a police vehicle and approached a military checkpoint before opening fire on unsuspecting soldiers near their trench outside Mainok village.

Two gun trucks and three anti-aircraft equipment could not be accounted for following that attack.

Groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic States West Africa Province have terrorised Nigerias North-east geopolitical zone for more than a decade.

This has led to the death of thousands of soldiers and civilians and has displaced thousands of residents.

Despite repeated attacks on troops and vulnerable citizens, the government has continued to claim that the terrorists have been defeated.
As we look to the future, Netrix will continue to prioritize its culture and employee engagement in addition to providing the support our team needs to thrive in these challenging times.

Netrix, LLC, a leading provider of IT managed and professional services with a core focus on the Microsoft ecosystem, was recently named as one of the Daily Herald Business Ledgers 2021 Best Places to Work in Illinois. With offices in Chicago and Bannockburn, Netrix was recognized in the medium size employer category. Sponsored by HR Source and promoted by The Daily Herald Business Ledger, the statewide survey and awards program was established in 2006 to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Illinois, benefiting the state's economy, workforce and businesses.

It is an honor to be acknowledged for our dedication to employees, especially after a difficult year of remote work due to the pandemic, said Rob Dang, CEO of Netrix. Throughout 2021, we have doubled down on our commitment to the wellbeing of our employees and their families to ensure they have everything they need to succeed in their professional and personal lives. As we look to the future, Netrix will continue to prioritize its culture and employee engagement in addition to providing the support our team needs to thrive in these challenging times.

Netrix ensures it is a place where people want to work by fostering a strong sense of community and family culture through a variety of programs. Netrix offers an array of employee perks, including, but not limited to collaborative office space, job autonomy, a flexible working environment and employee applause recognition program. The companys organizational culture focuses on work-life balance and increasing overall employee satisfaction. Netrix employees are encouraged to provide feedback and improvement ideas, which leadership uses when making decisions.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Netrix reimagined its all-company meetings to encourage participation despite being remote and bolstered its employee resource offerings. According to its employees, Netrix prioritizes comradery, listens to employee feedback and provides everything from technology, equipment and support for employees to be most successful at their job.

Netrix will be recognized at the Best Places to Work in Illinois awards virtual ceremony on Thursday, May 13. The final rankings will be announced at the event, posted on the Business Ledger website and published in a special commemorative section on June 21.

Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the Best Places to Work in Illinois that first consisted of an evaluation of each nominated companys workplace policies, practices and demographics, accounting for 25% of the total evaluation, and then included an employee survey to measure employee experience, which accounted for 75% of the total evaluation. Managed and analyzed by Best Companies Group, the combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking.

For more information on Netrix, please visit http://www.netrixllc.com.

###

ABOUT NETRIX, LLC.

Netrix is a leading provider of cloud, collaboration, security, data and development services. Through both proprietary and managed solutions leveraging leading third-party tools, Netrix addresses the most mission-critical IT needs of small and midsize enterprise businesses. For more information, please visit http://www.netrixllc.com and follow Netrix on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Pakistani Christians were reported to be worried about the potential persecution that would occur when a French Ambassador would be expelled based on calls of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan supporters.

The International Christian Concern said the political unrest in Pakistan could lead to persecution of Christians there after the TLP supporters have been protesting violently in the streets for days. The protest took place after the government arrested the TLP founder and leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi. The TLP is said to put to death anyone accused of blasphemy. The French ambassador is being pushed to be expelled from Pakistan by the TLP after stating matters that they found blasphemous.

According to Mission Network News, the TLP held 11 police officers as hostages that they released later on after negotiations with the government. TLP has been pressuring the government to remove the French diplomat but the latter refused to do so. The TLP's violent protests has already left two people dead.

France 24, meanwhile, said in its report that the TLP gave the government until April 20 to expulse the French ambassador. TLP has been conducting for months anti-France campaigns brought by the republication of cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad in the Charlie Hebdo magazine.

Mission News Network pointed out that Christians in Pakistan could be caught in the middle of this conflict since the TLP have "animosity" towards Western ideas and actually regard Christianity as one of them. MNN cited an interview of The Voice Of The Martyrs Media Relations And Message Integration Chief Todd Nettleton on the Pakistani Christians being in danger of persecution from all the unrest caused by TLP.

"Christians [could be] symbolically targeted in this unrest and in the violence that's going on. One of the challenges for Christians in Pakistan is that they are often seen as a Western religion," Nettleton said.

"They (TLP) have animosity towards Western ideas, so Christians could potentially be caught in the crossfire of that, or they could be targeted," he added.

"Pray that God will protect and watch over and encourage them during this time. Pray for peace to be restored in the streets of Pakistan. The second thing we can do is make sure our government leaders know that we care about religious freedom; we care about Pakistan protecting their Christian population," he stressed.

Nettleton pointed out that elected officials in America work for the Christians there even "at least in theory" unlike in Pakistan and this is why he often reminds American Christians o the need to let officials know "what our priorities are."

The International Christian Concern added that there are no reported incidents against Christians as of date with regards to the unrest but pointed out the need to pray for Pakistani Christians as called for by Nettleton.

UCA News previously reported that Pakistani Christians have experienced different treatments while working in Muslim offices where they are separated in glasses.

In addition, local Christians are actually referred to using a racial and abusive term reserved for sanitation workers. "Churha," which meant "low caste," is the term referred to local Christians. Despite local prejudices, local Christians reach out to Pakistani Muslims by engaging in "table friendships" with them during special seasons such as Lent.
DUBLIN, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Livestock Monitoring Solutions Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2020-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

A new study on the global livestock monitoring solutions market was published by the author. It presents a wealth of information on key market dynamics, including drivers, market trends, and challenges, as well as the structure of the livestock monitoring solutions market. This study offers valuable information about the livestock monitoring solutions market, to illustrate how growth will discern during the forecast period, 2020-2030.



Key indicators of market growth, which include value chain as well as supply chain analysis, and Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), have been elucidated in the study in a comprehensive manner. This data can help readers interpret the quantitative growth aspects of the livestock monitoring solutions market during the forecast period.



An extensive analysis on leading market players' business strategies has been featured in the study on the livestock monitoring solutions market. This can help readers understand principal factors to foresee growth in the livestock monitoring solutions market. In this study, readers can also find specific data on the qualitative and quantitative growth avenues for the livestock monitoring solutions market, which will guide market players in making apt decisions in the future.



Key Questions Answered in this Livestock Monitoring Solutions Market Study

What is the scope of growth of livestock monitoring solutions providing companies across the globe?

What will be the Y-o-Y growth of the livestock monitoring solutions market between 2020 and 2030?

What is the influence of the changing trends in technologies on the livestock monitoring solutions market?

Will North America continue to dominate the market for livestock monitoring solutions?

continue to dominate the market for livestock monitoring solutions? Which factors will impede the growth of the livestock monitoring solutions market during the forecast period?

Which are the leading companies in the global livestock monitoring solutions market?

Research Methodology



A unique research methodology has been utilized to conduct comprehensive research on the growth of the livestock monitoring solutions market, and arrive at conclusions on the future growth prospects of the market. This research methodology is a combination of primary and secondary research, which helps analysts warrant the accuracy and reliability of the drawn conclusions.



Secondary sources referred to by analysts during the production of the livestock monitoring solutions market report include statistics from company annual reports, SEC filings, company websites, World Bank database, investor presentations, regulatory databases, government publications, and industry white papers. Analysts have also interviewed senior managers, product portfolio managers, CEOs, VPs, and market intelligence managers, who contributed to the production of the study on the livestock monitoring solutions market, as a primary source.



These primary and secondary sources provided exclusive information during the interviews, which serves as a validation from livestock monitoring solutions industry leaders. Access to an extensive internal repository and external proprietary databases allows this report to address specific details and questions about the livestock monitoring solutions market with accuracy. The study also uses a top-down approach to assess the numbers for each segment, and a bottom-up approach to counter-validate them. This has helped in making estimates on the future prospects of the livestock monitoring solutions market more reliable and accurate.





Key Topics Covered:



1. Preface

2. Assumptions and Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary - Global Livestock Monitoring Solutions Market

4. Market Overview

5. Global Livestock Monitoring Solutions Market Analysis and Forecast

6. Global Livestock Monitoring Solutions Market Analysis, by Component

7. Global Livestock Monitoring Solutions Market Analysis, by End-user

8. Global Livestock Monitoring Solutions Market Analysis and Forecast, by Region

9. North America Livestock Monitoring Solutions Market Analysis

10. Europe Livestock Monitoring Solutions Market Analysis and Forecast

11. APAC Livestock Monitoring Solutions Market Analysis and Forecast

12. Middle East & Africa (MEA) Livestock Monitoring Solutions Market Analysis and Forecast

13. South America Livestock Monitoring Solutions Market Analysis and Forecast

14. Competition Landscape

15. Company Profiles

16. Key Takeaways



Companies Mentioned

Cainthus

Cattle Care Inc.

Cattle Eye Ltd.

Luda.Farm AB

NewVision Security

Onsight247.com

Ranch Eyes

Solutions Technology Group

Wi Vid Wireless Video Cameras.com, LLC

Zoetis Services LLC

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fjztfu

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


Millions of Americans are not getting the second doses of their COVID-19 vaccines, and their ranks are growing.

More than 5 million people, or nearly 8% of those who got a first shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, have missed their second doses, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is more than double the rate among people who got inoculated in the first several weeks of the nationwide vaccine campaign.

Even as the country wrestles with the problem of millions of people who are wary about getting vaccinated at all, health authorities are confronting an emerging challenge of ensuring that those who do get inoculated are doing so fully.

The reasons vary for why people are missing their second shots. In interviews, some said they feared the side effects, which can include flulike symptoms. Others said they felt that they were sufficiently protected with a single shot.

Those attitudes were expected, but another hurdle has been surprisingly prevalent. A number of vaccine providers have canceled second-dose appointments because they ran out of supply or did not have the right brand in stock.

Walgreens, one of the biggest vaccine providers, sent some people who got a first shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to get their second doses at pharmacies that only had the other vaccine on hand.

Several Walgreens customers said in interviews that they scrambled, in some cases with help from pharmacy staff, to find somewhere to get the correct second dose. Others, presumably, simply gave up.

LYNDON FRENCH/NYT

From the outset, public health experts worried that it would be difficult to get everyone to return for a second shot three or four weeks after the first dose. It is no surprise that, as vaccines are rolled out more broadly, the numbers of those skipping their second dose have gone up.

But the trend is nonetheless troubling some state officials, who are rushing to keep the numbers of partly vaccinated people from swelling.

In Arkansas and Illinois, health officials have directed teams to call, text or send letters to people to remind them to get their second shots. In Pennsylvania, officials are trying to ensure that college students can get their second shots after they leave campus for the summer. South Carolina has allocated several thousand doses specifically for people who are overdue for their second shot.

Mounting evidence collected in trials and from real-world immunization campaigns points to the peril of people skipping their second doses. Compared with the two-dose regimen, a single shot triggers a weaker immune response and may leave recipients more susceptible to dangerous virus variants. And even though a single dose provides partial protection against COVID, it is not clear how long that protection will last.

Im very worried, because you need that second dose, said Dr. Paul Offit, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the Food and Drug Administrations vaccine advisory panel.

The stakes are high because there is only one vaccine authorized in the United States that is given as a single shot. The use of that vaccine, made by Johnson & Johnson, was paused this month after it was linked to a very rare but serious side effect involving blood clotting. Federal health officials on Friday recommended restarting use of the vaccine, but the combination of the safety scare and ongoing production problems is likely to make that vaccine a viable option for fewer people.

The CDCs count of missed second doses is through April 9. It covers only people who got a first Moderna dose by March 7 or a first Pfizer dose by March 14.

While millions of people have missed their second shots, the overall rates of follow-through, with some 92% getting fully vaccinated, are strong by historical standards. Roughly three-quarters of adults come back for their second dose of the vaccine that protects against shingles.

In some cases, problems with shipments or scheduling may be playing a role in people missing their second doses. Some vaccine providers have had to cancel appointments because they did not receive expected vaccine deliveries. People have also reported having their second-dose appointments canceled or showing up only to find out that there were no doses available of the brand they needed.

Some people can be flexible about being rebooked. But that is harder for people who lack access to reliable transportation or who have jobs with strictly scheduled hours, said Elena Cyrus, an infectious disease public health researcher at the University of Central Florida.

Walgreens booked some customers for their second appointments at places that did not have the same vaccine that they had received for their initial doses. The company said it fixed the problem in late March.

Susan Ruel, 67, was scheduled to get her two vaccine doses at different Walgreens stores in Manhattan. She said she got her first Pfizer dose without incident in February, but when she arrived for her second appointment, she was told that the store only had Moderna doses in stock.

A Walgreens pharmacist told Ruel that there was another Walgreens pharmacy less than 2 miles away with Pfizer doses in stock. While Ruel was waiting for the subway to take her there, she got a phone call: That Walgreens store had run out of Pfizer doses, too.

Ruel managed to get the Pfizer dose at yet another Walgreens the next day. But she said many people in her situation probably would not have tried so hard. All you need is hassles like this, she said.

In the Chicago area, for example, pharmacists at two Walgreens locations said the problem was causing headaches. They said that Walgreens appointment system was sending each pharmacy anywhere from 10 to 20 customers a week who need a second Pfizer shot, even though both pharmacies stock only the Moderna vaccine.

It is not clear how widespread the Walgreens dose-matching problem has been or how many people have missed their second doses because of it.

Jim Cohn, a spokesperson for Walgreens, said that the problem affected a small percentage of people who had booked their appointments online and that the company contacted them to reschedule in alignment with our vaccine availability. He said that nearly 95% of people who got their first shot at Walgreens have also received their second shots from the company.

Walgreens has also come under fire for, until recently, scheduling second doses of the Pfizer vaccine four weeks after the first shot, rather than the three-week gap recommended by the CDC. Pharmacists have been besieged by customers complaining, including about their inability to book vaccine appointments online.

In other cases, though, access to vaccines is not the sole barrier; peoples attitudes contribute, too.

Basith Syed, a 24-year-old consultant in Chicago, nabbed a leftover Moderna vaccine at a Walgreens in mid-February. But when the time came for his second shot, he was busy at work and preparing for his wedding. After the first shot, he had spent two days feeling drained. He did not want to risk a repeat, and he felt confident that a single dose would protect him.

I didnt really feel the urgency to get that second dose, Syed said.

By early April, his schedule had calmed down a little, and he went looking for a second Moderna shot. But by then, the Walgreens where he had gotten his first shot was only offering Pfizer shots. He could not find slots at other Walgreens stores. Syed is no longer actively looking for a second shot, though he still hopes to eventually get one.

The CDC said there is limited data on the vaccines effectiveness when shots are separated by more than six weeks, although some countries, including Britain and Canada, are giving shots with a gap of up to three or four months.

Syeds experience is part of a broader shift in Illinois. When vaccines were mostly being given to health care workers, residents of long-term care facilities and people older than 65, almost everyone was getting their second shots. In recent weeks, though, the number dipped below 90%, though it has since rebounded slightly, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

In Arkansas, about 84,000 people have missed their second shots, representing 11% of those eligible for those shots, said Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, the state public health researcher. Workers recently began calling people who are due or overdue for their second shots.

College students pose a particular challenge. Many recently became eligible to be vaccinated and are getting their first shots, but they will have left campus by the time they are due for their second doses.

In Pennsylvania, health officials have instructed vaccine providers to give second doses to college students even if they did not receive their first doses from that location.

Some vaccine providers have put on special clinics for people who need a second dose. In South Carolina, the health system Tidelands Health started a program specifically for people who received their first Pfizer doses more than 23 days earlier but had not been able to find a second shot. The state health department sent the health system 2,340 doses for the effort.

Demand has been strong, and Tidelands only has a few hundred doses left. The majority of takers have been people who were having difficulty navigating all the various scheduling systems and providers, said Gayle Resetar, the health systems chief operating officer.

In many cases, vaccine providers had canceled second-dose appointments because of bad winter weather. It was up to the individual to reschedule themselves on a web portal or web platform, and that just became difficult for people, Resetar said.

There are rare cases in which people are supposed to forgo the second shot, such as if they had an allergic reaction after their first shot.

Zvi Ish-Shalom, a religious studies professor from Boulder, Colorado, had planned to get fully vaccinated. Then, an hour after his first shot of the Moderna vaccine, he developed a headache that has not gone away more than a month later.

There is no way to know for sure whether the vaccine triggered the headache. But after weighing what he saw as the risks and benefits of a second dose, Ish-Shalom reached a decision about how to proceed.

At this point in time, I feel very clear and very comfortable, given all the various elements of this equation, to forgo the second shot, he said.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
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COVID-19 results for crew members of two tankers off the Queensland coast were expected on Wednesday after Queensland Health sent staff to board the ships and test the workers.

The Inge Kosan and another vessel, the United Grace, were at anchor at the Brisbane outer anchorage off Point Cartwright at Mooloolaba for COVID testing, Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Angus Mitchell said.

Wharfies board a ship while docked in Sydney on which 12 crew members later tested positive for COVID-19. Credit:Nine News

Crew testing was completed [on Tuesday morning] with results expected in the next 24 hours to inform further support requirements, he said.

Management of the vessels and crews will be dependent on the test results.
Linda Stoltzfoos, Amish teen who went missing after church, was strangled and stabbed: coroner

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Linda Stoltzfoos, an 18-year-old Amish girl from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, who was recently found dead after she went missing while walking home from church last summer, was strangled and stabbed in the neck, a coroner ruled on Friday.

Lancaster County coroner, Dr. Stephen Diamantoni, said Stoltzfoos was positively identified through dental records and confirmed that her cause of death was asphyxia from strangulation, along with suffocation. A stab wound was a contributing factor in her death, The Associated Press reported.

The Lancaster County District Attorneys Office announced that the remains of Stoltzfoos, who disappeared on June 21, 2020, after being kidnapped on Beechdale Road in Bird-in-Hand, East Lampeter Township, was found last Wednesday.

Justo Smoker, 35, was previously charged with felony kidnapping and misdemeanor false imprisonment one month after Stoltzfoos disappearance. Smoker was later charged with homicide relating to the death of Stoltzfoos in December 2020 after prosecutors alleged that the passing of time, along with the complete cessation of all routine activities, led to the inevitable conclusion that he had caused the teenagers death.

Stoltzfoos remains were recovered on railroad property in a grave, wrapped in a tarp behind Smokers previous place of employment, located on Route 41 in eastern Lancaster County. She was still wearing the dress, bonnet and shoes she was dressed in on the day she disappeared.

Since charging this case we have maintained two goals: bringing Linda home to her family and securing a murder conviction against Smoker. While we charged the crime of homicide in December, I have no doubt that for Lindas family, her death only became a reality upon the news of her body being recovered, District Attorney Heather L. Adams said at a press conference last Thursday while asking for privacy for the teenagers family.

Mervin Fisher, an uncle to Stoltzfoos, told PennLive that finding his niece's remains gives them closure.

The not knowing is a long, dark tunnel without an end. And when you find the remains, you have the end in sight, he said. It brings closure, and when theres closure, the healing process can continue.

And even though prior to finding her remains, the family had been hoping his niece would be found alive, they were also preparing themselves for the worst.

From day one theres been hopes. Theres always a ray of hope that you cling to, even though its very diminished. But when theres a body or remains, then its reality, Fisher said. Weve been trying to be prepared.

The simple, family-centered Amish culture in Lancaster County keeps their devout faith community separate from their more secular countrymen. They believe in a literal interpretation and application of Scripture as the Word of God, including biblical commands to separate themselves from the things of the world. They believe worldliness can keep them from being close to God, and introduce influences that could be destructive to their communities and to their way of life.

Sparky Grace, who rents industrial space from Lindas grandfather for his woodshop, described the teenager as a beautiful human being in a tribute after her remains were found.

I never met a teenage, young woman like Linda. Never a complaint and always moving to lend a helping hand, her meek ways were beyond rare. We did not lose a cute Amish girl. We did not lose a young woman. We lost a beautiful human being resilient with the qualities many would hope to aspire in a lifetime. We lost Linda, he wrote in a Facebook post.
The Texas Legislature is considering bills that would ban homeless encampments statewide, almost two years after the city of Austin decided to lift a similar local ban  a move that critics say triggered the proliferation of tent cities throughout Austin.

If lawmakers approve the legislation and Gov. Greg Abbott signs it into law, it would become the latest instance of the Republican-led state government overruling local ordinances. State lawmakers also are trying to stop cities from decreasing police funding after the defund the police movement sparked by last years national protests against police brutality.

READ MORE: Texas will gain two seats in Congress as residents of color drive population gains

We've seen a huge increase in not only the number of homeless living under bridges or on the streets, but also the rise in crime, said state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, the author of House Bill 1925. And really the difference has been that, at least in this case, this city has overturned their own ban.

Austins City Council decided to lift the ban on public encampments in certain areas in July 2019, arguing that the policy had led to citations for people experiencing homelessness and hurting their ability to find housing. The move was quickly criticized by Abbott, who promised to take action against Austin and in his budget priority list asked the Legislature to withhold state grant money from cities that dont ban such encampments.

The proposed bills  HB 1925 and its companion, Senate Bill 987  would make camping in an unapproved public place a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.

We as a state act to make sure that our public spaces are safe and that our homeless population is taken care of. The situation has simply gotten out of control, state Sen. Dawn Buckingham, R-Lakeway, said during a hearing for SB 987, which she authored.

The House bill was debated on the floor Monday, and Democrats attempted to amend the bill to decrease the penalties against people experiencing homelessness. After state Rep. Joe Deshotel, D-Beaumont, raised a point of order claiming a discrepancy in the bill's witness list while in committee, it was sent back to the Urban Affairs Committee; it's expected to receive a new hearing soon.

During Monday's floor debate, some Democratic legislators criticized the bills, saying that they would criminalize people experiencing homelessness.

What Im concerned about is folks that cant pay these fines and they are caught in the system and they get deeper and deeper in the hole, state Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, D-San Antonio, said during debate on the House floor Monday. [Its a] fine that they cant pay, we are setting people up for failure.

State Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, said the bill would disproportionately impact Black Texans because they are more likely to experience homelessness than white Texans.

We should not criminalize those who can not afford a place to stay, Crockett said. What weve seen specifically here in the state of Texas is that minorities are criminalized at a lot higher rate.

Austin voters to decide on camping ban

Although the visibility of homeless encampments has increased in Austin in recent years, both the Dallas and Houston areas have more people living in the streets, according to 2020 data. Some Austin residents have complained that allowing the encampments on public property  many are beneath overpasses or next to major roads  has created health and safety problems.

Other residents and most advocates for people experiencing homelessness said lifting the ban on encampments has made it easier to offer services to people experiencing homelessness and helped them avoid fines that they frequently cant pay.

The citys residents will be able to decide on the matter Saturday, after the group Save Austin Now managed to get more than 24,000 signatures to put a proposition on the ballot to reinstate the camping ban. Early voting began April 19 on Proposition B, which would reinstate not only the camping ban, but also penalties for panhandling, sitting and lying in public areas.

IN HOUSTON: 'Emily Takes Notes' project recaps Houston city council meetings for locals

The Legislature could make that vote moot by imposing an encampment ban throughout Texas.

Save Austin Nows co-founder, Cleo Petricek  a Democrat who has said the group has bipartisan support  said during the committee hearing on the Senate bill that she has heard many complaints about the encampments being safety and health risks, especially in Hispanic neighborhoods.

It is these communities that have shouldered most of the destruction to their neighborhoods, parks, schools, playgrounds from unregulated homeless encampments, compared to rich parts of Austin, Petricek told the committee members.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler has criticized both the city proposition and the Senate and House bills.

All SB 987 does is impose possible jail and fines for those without homes. At best, it will force those without shelter to hide, and thats even less safe, Adler said in a written statement. This bill, like Proposition B, offers no help and no solution. We cant go back to the failed policies of the past that we know dont work, like threatening jail and fines to make people move  when theres nowhere for those people to move to.

Homeless advocates agreed that the bill wont help efforts to house people experiencing homelessness.

Banning people from sleeping or sitting down in public wont help them find housing; itll just further ostracize them from our community because they cant afford rent, Matthew Mollica, executive editor at Austins Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, said in his written statement to the Senate Committee on Local Government. Evidence shows that, far from ending anyones homelessness, criminalizing basic human functions like sleeping increases the trauma associated with experiencing homelessness and makes it harder for someone to end their homelessness.

It ties their hands

Homeless service providers in other Texas cities say they also are worried about how a state law banning encampments could play out. Regulations and enforcement related to camping in public places vary greatly among cities. Some, like Austin, dont have a universal ban, but camping is not allowed in places like public parks. Others, like Dallas, dont have a ban but will remove encampments if there are safety concerns.

In Houston, a city that has been touted as a national model for how to handle the homelessness crisis, tents and makeshift structures are banned, but the city does removals only when there is available housing for the people involved. Mike Nichols, CEO and president of the Coalition for the Homeless in that city, told lawmakers that he opposed the bills theyre considering.

We have to have collaboration with the police, with the city, with the county.  This bill will kill our collaboration because it ties their hands, Nichols said in the Senate committee hearing.

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In Brown County, Linda Heitman, executive director of Brown County Home Solutions, said she has a similar worry.

Weve worked very hard to foster a good relation between the police and the homeless population. If the police are forced to do the enforcement and ticket people, that would totally undo what weve done, Heitman said in an interview. If the police are out there trying to get them to go to a shelter, they would be afraid that they would be taken to jail.

Eric Samuels, president and CEO of the Texas Homeless Network, is also concerned about lawmakers threat to cut state funds to cities, even though the states contributions to homeless solutions are considerably smaller than what the federal government and many local governments provide.

Any cut in that funding would be substantial, and it would really weaken our efforts to end homelessness, Samuels said. And if a community says that we're not going to put a ban on camping in public, then I think we need to respect what that local community has decided.

He called the proposed statewide encampment ban the stick method  all it does is end up pushing people further in the shadows, pushing people behind the tree line, and that does not serve to get more people into services.

Camping bans have led to court battles across the country. In February, the city of Boise, Idaho, had to commit $1.3 million for homelessness as part of a settlement in a decadelong case that six people experiencing homelessness filed against the city. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas sued the city of Houston in 2017 for its encampment ban, but the lawsuit was withdrawn in 2019.

Nick Hudson, policy and advocacy strategist with the ACLU of Texas, said the group is closely watching what happens with the legislation.

Criminalizing Texans who are trying to meet their basic needs is unconstitutional. Under the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, it is cruel and unusual to punish someone for status they cannot control, such as experiencing homelessness, Hudson said. Courts have found that it is unconstitutional to criminalize someone for sleeping or camping outside when they have no place else to go.

Disclosure: Steve Adler, a former Texas Tribune board chair, 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 Tribunes 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.
By Vinny Vella and Mensah M. Dean, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

PHILADELPHIA  The University of Pennsylvania apologized Monday to members of MOVE, the organization whose compound was bombed by the city in 1985 in a conflagration that killed 11, for using the remains of one of the groups members as a case study in its anthropology classes, rather than returning them to the family.

We understand the importance of reuniting the remains with the family and we are working now to find a respectful, consultative resolution, a university spokesperson said. " ... We are reassessing our practices of collecting, stewarding, displaying and researching human remains.

The university said it has launched an investigation into why the remains were kept there for so many years and had hired former Temple Law School Dean Carl Singley and his colleague Joe Tucker to lead the probe.

One of the first things the investigation may have to determine: Where are the remains?

The remains  a pelvic bone and part of a femur  have been shuttled back and forth between Penn and Princeton University. The executive director of the Penn Museum told The Philadelphia Inquirer last week that they had been returned to Alan Mann, a retired anthropologist who was hired by the city to examine them after the bombing.

Mann, in an interview Monday outside his home near Princeton, said he doesnt have the remains and hasnt seen them in more than a decade.

I wouldve given them back years ago, if anyone had asked me, Mann said. Theres absolutely no reason for us to keep them. They should be given back.

A Penn spokesperson did not return a request for comment on Manns assertion.

Meanwhile, members of MOVE, the West Philadelphia-based radical organization, accused the city and the Penn Museum of mishandling and disrespecting the remains of at least one child who died in the blast.

They rejected the museums apology at a news conference Monday at the groups West Philadelphia office, calling it empty words offered by an untrustworthy institution 36 years late. As part of its demands, the group called for the release of Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was convicted of killing Philadelphia police Officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981.

Pam Africa, one of the groups most vocal and prominent members, called the museum body snatchers and grave robbers.

Custody of the remains was brought to light in an opinion article published online last week by The Inquirer and written by freelancer and activist Abdul-Aliy Muhammad. Muhammad has also advocated for the Penn Museums swift repatriation of the skull collection gathered by 19th-century white supremacist Samuel George Morton.

When the city failed to identify the remains, they were turned over to Mann, then a University of Pennsylvania professor, for additional forensic examination by an official investigative commission.

The remains were initially subjected to detailed analysis by Mann and kept at the Penn Museum. Mann then took the remains with him when he joined Princeton in 2001, but returned them to the Penn Museum in 2016 so its experts could again seek to identify them using a new anthropology lab, a museum spokesperson said. No identity was determined.

Mann said Monday that he was unable to return the remains  bone fragments he says are stored in a container smaller than a shoe box  in the 1980s because he was unable to identify them. He said he had asked members of MOVE to provide DNA samples to help with the identification, but they declined.

He called the decadeslong saga a tragedy, and said his primary concern is that the remains be returned to someone who will treat them with respect.

The city of Philadelphia murdered these people, Mann said. I have always felt badly for them.

In recent years, another Penn anthropologist, Janet Monge, has shown the remains in instructional videos offered online by Princeton. The videos had been available for viewing in classes that began last week, but were taken down as controversy around the remains swirled.

At their news conference Monday, members of MOVE said the museum had never contacted them about attempting to identify the remains. Statements to the contrary are lies, they said.

Janet Africa, who spent 41 years in prison for the 1978 slaying of a Philadelphia police officer during a standoff at MOVEs Powelton Village compound, accused the museum of treating the bones like an amusement park exhibit.

Another member, Janine Africa, said the museums handling of the remains was the most disrespectful, hateful thing you can do to anybody. She was in prison at the time of the bombing for her role in the 1978 clash with police that left Officer James J. Ramp dead.

One of those killed in the 1985 bombing was her son.

This is a very hard thing for me to talk about, because I feel like I am reliving 1985, when they told me my son is dead, she said.

Consuewella Dotson Africa, the mother of the two oldest children killed in the 1985 bombing, became emotional during the news conference and left the room. She later returned.

A pathologist hired by a commission set up to investigate the disaster said the disputed remains likely belonged to her 14-year-old daughter Katricia, but Mann, the Penn anthropologist, vehemently disagreed.

Mike Africa, whose parents were imprisoned for the 1978 slaying and who was born in prison, said the group would be holding a protest in front of Penn Museum at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday to continue exposing the injustice.

I could not imagine, in my worse nightmare, that the government would drop a bomb on us and kill my brothers and sisters. And I could not have imagined 36 years later that they would be displaying parts of our family as if theyre some dinosaur relics that they dug up, he said. Our family has been through so much, and the abuse and the trauma continues. But we are strong, and we aint never giving in.

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Beijing:

President Xi Jinping on Wednesday secured a second term as the head of the ruling Communist Party of China as the new leadership that will rule the worlds second-largest economy for the next five years was unveiled, cementing his status as the most powerful man to lead the country in decades.

Xi, 64, who was elected in a closed-door vote to head the Communist Partys all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee, introduced the new leadership in an elaborate ceremony at Beijings massive Great Hall of the People with no clear indication of a successor.

Premier Li Keqiang retained his seat on the all-powerful seven-member committee, which has five new faces.

The five new members in the ruling council are Li Zhanshu, 67, vice premier Wang Yang, 62, leading Communist Party theoretician Wang Huning, 62, party organisation department head Zhao Leji, 60, and Shanghai party chief Han Zheng, 63.

The new faces replaced leaders who had reached an informal retirement age of 68. The age of the new leadership gives an indication that none of them could succeed Xi at the next party Congress in 2022.

The announcement follows the end of the week-long Communist Party National Congress, the biggest event in Chinas political calendar, which is held every five years.

Xi and Li, 62 walked along with members of the new Politburo Standing Committee before a media event telecast live across the world.

Xi in a brief address after introducing the new committee said, Over the past five years we have set out a broad agenda, some tasks have been completed while others need more work.

With decades of hard work, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. In this new context, we must get a new look and, more importantly, make new accomplishments, he said.

He spoke about the China entering new era of modernisation.

As I look ahead to the next five years, I see several important junctures and signposts, Xi said.

Stating that the coming five years between the 19th and the 20th Party Congress is the period in which the timeframes of the two Centenary goals will converge, Xi said, Not only we must deliver the first centenary goal, we must also embark on the journey towards the second centenary goal.

Peace and development are precious and should be valued. The CPC will work with other countries for shared future and the noble cause of peace and development of all humanity, he said.

Over the past five years, Chinas GDP rose from 54 trillion yuan (USD 8.2 trillion) to 80 trillion yuan, contributing more than 30 per cent of global economic growth.

Xi also thanked the national and international media for working hard in reporting about the partys key Congress.

Though the ruling Communist Party of China is guided by the collective leadership principle, Xi who emerged as the post powerful leader with his ideological thoughts incorporated in the party Constitution and declared earlier as core leader has acquired a higher status than other members of the Standing Committee and party, therefore expected to have his way on all policy matters.

Xi, who heads the party, presidency and the military has stamped his authority with massive anti-corruption campaign and the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to spread Chinas influence in the world.

The once-in-five-years Congress of the CPC on its final day yesterday approved Xis ideology to be written into its Constitution, which is in addition to the title of core leader conferred on him last year that analysts say enhances his leadership status above other leaders of the party.

Xis concept of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era was added to the partys Constitution, elevating him on par with modern Chinas founder Chairman Mao Zedong and his successor Deng Xiaoping.

Till now, only the thoughts of Mao and his successor Deng were enshrined in the Constitution of the worlds longest ruling Communist Party, interpreting the complex doctrine of Marxism with Chinese characteristics.

The thoughts of Deng, Chinas reformist leader, were added posthumously.

The thoughts of two of Xis predecessors, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, were mentioned in the Constitution but not their names. This makes Xi only the third leader to have his thoughts on governance enshrined, which will now be part of school textbooks all over China.

Xis confidant Zhao Leji was elected secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the CPC.

Zhao was elected at a plenary session of the CCDI, at which the CCDI also elected its deputy secretaries and Standing Committee members.

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Brigitte Rochas France

Brigitte grew up in Paris and held various positions in French companies before moving to Brussels in 1988 to be closer to her family. In Belgium she had the opportunity to ""delve deeper into [her] dream of becoming an artist"" by enrolling in an art programme at the Fine Arts School of Braine-l'Alleud located in the Walloon Region. The painter began to show her work in 2002 in various cities around Belgium, Holland and France before settling down in her childhood town four years later. In 2008, Brigitte, along with a friend, opened a space based on the concept ""En ApARThe"" in which she created and showed her canvases. More recently, she has been able to move into her own personal gallery and atelier.

Her work is deeply rooted in an interiority and sensitivity and is composed of informal elements mixing together a range of materials and colours. The abstract acrylic paintings are the product of Brigitte's interpretations and memories. She bases them only on what she remembers, never using sketches or photographs of moments or events. She is an artist who loves the spontaneity of her imagination and therefore she lets her gestures take the lead before interfering and adding her own more conscious mastery to the final result. This back and forth between a more controlled creativity and the free expression of her imagination offers the viewer the chance to interpret the artist's work in his or her own way and to read in it their own story.

Even though Brigitte reaches deep inside herself and her own experience to find the emotion that she expresses on her canvas, her artistic research is intimately linked to the works of three artists that Brigitte considers to be her ""masters"": the Russian painter Nicolas de Stael (1914-1955), the French painter Olivier Debre (1920-1999) and the Chinese painter and engraver ZaoWouKi (1920-2013).
The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, says President Muhammadu Buhari would not stay a day beyond the end of his tenure in 2023.

The former Lagos State governor, who was instrumental to Mr Buharis emergence as president also said the APC is loved by Nigerians and has bright chances of ruling the country beyond 2023.

Mr Tinubu stated this when he fielded questions from State House correspondents after a meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He reassured Nigerians that President Buhari respects the Nigerian Constitution and would vacate office at the expiration of his tenure on May 29, 2023.

He said: The chances are as bright as a midnight star and we will continue to work for a better Nigeria.

We cannot interject politics and assumption in everything, we have a nation to build.

We have a baton to pass. You can depend on Buhari that he will not spend one hour beyond his tenure. He will comply with the constitution.

The APC chieftain also charged citizens to remain united in the wake of current security challenges confronting some parts of the country.

He said all Nigerians must put aside their religious, political or ethnic differences and cooperate with security agents to surmount the problem.

He said: Yes, every nation will go through these curves and difficult times but how we communicate it to the people and what are the areas to make it easier for the people to bear, those are ideas we have to be able to exchange with the leadership of the country.

It calls for coming together to reduce banditry, move for unity and be able to bring a better Nigeria to the people because the welfare of our people is extremely important.

This also calls for cooperation and understanding, effective security and effective giving of information.

According to him, the president has the interest of all Nigerians at heart and will not like to see them facing difficulties.

There is no president who will want to see his country in chaos nor is there anyone who will want to see his citizens exposed to banditry and danger.

No president or a leader that will want to see his nation fractured in tribalism or religious differences and others.

The current challenges call for serious management, evaluation and dialogue once in a while, he said.

Zulum

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno, who also met behind closed doors with the president, told the correspondents that he updated President Buhari on recent happenings in the North-east region.

Mr Zulum expressed condolences to the families of soldiers who recently lost their lives in the fight against terrorists in the North-east.

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He said: Let me use this opportunity to extend my condolences to the families of the deceased.

I think it is my own responsibility to come and say the truth to the President, to let him know what is going on in the entire North-east sub-region.

I think there is a need for us to get support in order for us to succeed in this war against insurgents.

It is very pathetic; a few days ago, Damasak (Borno) was attacked, hundreds of people started fleeing Damasak and now, Geidam (Yobe) is almost deserted because many people have left Geidam.

(NAN)
Al Salem Johnson Controls (York), a leading provider of integrated solutions in HVAC equipment, fire and security and building management systems, said work is nearing completion on its new factory coming up over a 203,783 sq m area within King Abdullah Economic City.



Once the work gets over in the second quarter of 2021, Al Salem York will be shifting its entire base to the KAEC facility .



The new plant will play a role in transforming Saudi Arabia into a leading industrial destination, as it will be the largest York factory in the Middle East, said the statement from Al Salem York.



Saudi-based Al Salem Group had joined forces with Yorks mother company Johnson Controls, a leading multi-industrial company and a pioneer provider of integrated solutions that incorporate HVAC equipment, fire and security systems, building management systems and controls, for the residential, commercial and industrial sectors, in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt and Yemen.



Through this factory, the company seeks to expand local manufacturing by doubling its production lines, and raising the percentage of locally made product exports to regional and international markets.



The move is in line with the kingdoms plan to localize the industry, aiming to raise the quality of the local products and paint a positive image about locally made products to grow the sense of pride of local consumers, it added.



Dr Mohanad AlShaikh, CEO of Al Salem Johnson Controls (York) in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon and Yemen, commended HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Saudi Export Development Authority Bandar Alkhorayef, for the launch of the "Made in Saudi" programme, which aims to support national products at the local and global levels, and increase non-oil exports.



Expressing appreciation for the new initiative, Dr AlShaikh said that the programme is in line with Vision 2030, and will contribute to starting a new era for the Saudi industry, enabling and increasing the competitiveness of the national product locally, as well as increase production for export.



He stressed that the company aspires to localize the manufacturing of HVAC Units, in line with Kingdoms directives to manufacture high-efficient products, as one of the key pillars of the national non-oil economy.



Furthermore, the company will work towards attracting Saudi engineers and technicians, who will play an active role in achieving the goals of the "Made in Saudi" Program.



Over the past 20 years, since the opening of its Jeddah York Factory, Al Salem Johnson Controls (York) has manufactured over 95,000 HVAC Units, in addition to designing and manufacturing the Units corresponding control panels, certified by Johnson Controls International.



This makes the company one of the local manufacturing pioneers, transferring and localizing the latest global technologies.



The company aims to carry on toward achieving the "Made in Saudi" Programs goals, and to contribute to raising the Saudi non-oil exports from 16% to 50% by 2030.



Al Salem Johnson Controls (York) has succeeded in exporting 30% of its Saudi-made Units to more than 20 countries in the region, as part of several strategic projects, including: Abu Dhabi International Airport, Hurghada International Airport, Atlantis Dubai, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Bahrain International Circuit, Patchi factory in Lebanon, and Microsoft offices in India.
The U.S. will ship its entire supply of AstraZenecas COVID-19 vaccine overseas to give pandemic-ravaged countries like India a much-needed boost in beating back the virus, the White House said Monday.

The roughly 60 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine stockpiled in the U.S. will start getting exported once the Food and Drug Administration concludes a safety review of the shot, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters.

The U.S. can afford to send off the AstraZeneca doses because it already has enough supply in the pipeline to inoculate the American population using the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, according to Psaki.

We do not need to use AstraZeneca in our fight against COVID, she said.

Psaki declined to immediately say which countries will be picked for AstraZeneca allotments. She also noted that it could take a few more months before shipments go out, as the FDA concludes its review.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is already in wide use around the world, though the pharma company faced some production issues amid concerns that its product caused a rare blood clot disorder in some recipients.

Psakis announcement came after Biden spoke over the phone with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose country is currently going through a devastating COVID-19 outbreak.

On the call, Biden vowed to provide India with a range of emergency assistance, including oxygen-related supplies, vaccine materials, and therapeutics, according to a White House readout.

--

Chris Sommerfeldt of the New York Daily News wrote this story.

2021 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Shari L. Heyen, co-chair of Greenberg Traurig, LLP's global Restructuring & Bankruptcy Practice and co-managing shareholder of the Houston office, will speak at the Women's Energy Network (WEN), Houston Chapter's Tech Talk on April 29 at 6:00 p.m. CT.

Heyen will focus on recent trends in energy, oil and gas complex restructuring cases. Her discussion will include an overview of the level of disruption companies faced in 2020 and the trends the industry may see during 2021. As some organizations turn to financial restructuring as an option when faced with changes in the competitive global economy, certain trends and themes have started to emerge in 2021.

WEN is an international organization of professionals who work across the energy value chain, according to its website. Its mission is to provide networking opportunities and foster the career and leadership development of women who work in the energy industries. The organization offers educational, networking, and leadership opportunities to more than 6,000 professionals nationwide through networking events, conferences, community initiatives, social outings, and mentoring programs.

At Greenberg Traurig, Heyen focuses on complex restructuring, bankruptcy, insolvency, and complex commercial litigation matters. She has represented numerous creditors' committees, debtors, bank groups, acquirers, and other significant constituencies in national Chapter 11 cases and workout proceedings, including complex oil, gas, and energy cases. Heyen also has broad experience in the prosecution and defense of fiduciary litigation, real estate, oil and gas, health care, receiverships, and alternative energy matters.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP  Texas: Texas is important to Greenberg Traurig, LLP and part of its history. With approximately 130 Texas lawyers in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Greenberg Traurig has deep roots in the Texas business, legal, and governmental communities. Greenberg Traurig Texas works with clients to address their interdisciplinary legal needs across the state utilizing the firms global platform. The Texas attorneys are experienced in industries key to the states future, including: aviation, chemicals, construction, education, energy and natural resources, financial institutions, health care, hedge funds, hospitality, infrastructure, insurance, media, medical devices, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, real estate, retail, sports, technology and software, telecommunications, transportation, and video games and esports.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com
Pune, India, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global infectious disease POC diagnostics market size is projected to reach USD 3,371.1 million by the end of 2027. The presence of several large-scale companies in this sector will emerge in favor of market growth. According to a report published by Fortune Business Insights, titled Infectious Disease Point-of-care (POC) Diagnostics Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Technique (Lateral Flow Immunoassay, Agglutination Test, Flow-through Test, Molecular Diagnostics, and Others), By Disease (HIV, Hepatitis B Virus, Pneumonia/Streptococcus Associated Infections, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza, Clostridium Difficile Infections (CDI), Hepatitis C Virus, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), Tuberculosis, and Others), By End User (Hospital Bedside, Physicians Office Lab, Urgent Care & Retail Clinics, Home & Self-Testing, Nursing Homes, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027 the market was worth USD 1246.5 million and will exhibit a CAGR of 17.4% during the forecast period, 2020-2027.

Point of care (PoC) testing allows faster diagnosis of diseases at the patient site itself. The drawbacks of conventional diagnostic methods including time to test, inefficiency, and non-portability can be overcome through infectious disease PoC diagnosis. Recent technological advances have opened up a massive potential for the growth of the market in the past few years. The increasing popularity of this concept is consequential to the rapid technological advances. The increasing product demand has encouraged companies to invest higher upfront capital. The sector holds a huge potential for entry-level as well as mid-sized companies across the world. Additionally, increasing research activities will also emerge in favor of market growth in the forthcoming years.





Request a Sample Copy of the Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/sample/infectious-disease-point-of-care-poc-diagnostics-market-104307





List of companies profiled in the report:

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (Basel, Switzerland)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (Massachusetts, U.S.)

Abbott Laboratories (Illinois, U.S)

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (New Jersey, United States)

BD (Franklin Lakes, U.S)

bioMerieux SA (Marcy l'Etoile, France)

Cardinal Health, Inc. (Ohio, U.S)

Mesa Biotech (California, U.S)

Cepheid (California, U.S)

Trinity Biotech (Bray, Ireland)

Quidel Corporation (San Diego, U.S.)

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. (California, U.S)

Other Players





Infectious Disease Point of Care Diagnostics Highlights of the Report:

Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on the product portfolios of the top players in the market. Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on the upcoming technologies, RandD activities, and product launches in the market Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of the market strategies, geographic and business segments of the leading players in the market Market Development: Comprehensive information about emerging markets. This report analyzes the market for various segments across geographies Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the market





Industry Developments:

June 2020 - Cepheid announced launch of Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV a four in one combination test used for the detection of detection of SARS-CoV-2, Flu A, Flu B and RSV from a sample of single patient.

An Overview of the Impact of COVID-19 on this Market :

The emergence of COVID-19 has brought the world to a standstill. We understand that this health crisis has brought an unprecedented impact on businesses across industries. However, this too shall pass. Rising support from governments and several companies can help in the fight against this highly contagious disease. There are some industries that are struggling and some are thriving. Overall, almost every sector is anticipated to be impacted by the pandemic.

We are taking continuous efforts to help your business sustain and grow during COVID-19 pandemics. Based on our experience and expertise, we will offer you an impact analysis of corona virus outbreak across industries to help you prepare for the future.





For more information visit : https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/infectious-disease-point-of-care-poc-diagnostics-market-104307





Covid-19 Pandemic to Create Massive Opportunities for Rapid Market Growth

The recent coronavirus outbreak has created a sense of panic and urgency across the world. The pandemic has had a drastic impact on several economies across the globe, with SMEs being affected the most. With only large-scale companies being able to sustain the drawbacks of the pandemic in a seamless manner, it is evident that these companies will look to adopt newer strategies to recover the losses in the past few months. The use of several PoC diagnostic test kits has risen dramatically in the past few months, given the ability of the product to generate results in a time span that is lesser than 30 mins. Having said that, major attention has been given to the SARS-Cov-2 infection and other diagnostic products have been kept on hold. As a result, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought mixed fortunes for companies in the infectious disease PoC diagnostics market.

Increasing Product Use during Covid-19 Pandemic will Emerge in Favor of Market Growth

The report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the overall market in recent years. The massive investments in infectious disease PoC diagnostics have yielded a few exceptional products, enabling applications across diverse treatment procedures. The product has also been put to use in detecting symptoms of Covid-19 in the ongoing pandemic. Several large-scale companies are looking to maximize the use of the product during the pandemic and as a result, the investments in PoC diagnostics has gone up considerably in the past few months.

In May 2020, Quest Diagnostics announced that it has received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its self-collection antibody test kits. The product is used for test kit for Covid-19 for patients looking to get tested from home. Increasing number of product innovations will have a huge impact on the growth of the overall market in the coming years.





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North America to Emerge Dominant; Growing Penetration of Advanced PoC Diagnostics will Emerge in Favor of Market Growth

The report analyzes the ongoing market trends across North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. Among all regions, the market in North America is projected to emerge dominant in the coming years. The increasing adoption of advanced PoC diagnostics, especially in the United States, has contributed to the growth of the regional market.

The increasing Covid-19 cases has also given the platform for companies in the infectious disease PoC diagnostics sector. As of 2019, the market in North America was worth USD 457.2 million and this value is projected to rise at a considerable pace in the coming years. The market in Europe held the second largest share, following North America in the global market.





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Global Infectious Disease POC Diagnostics Market Segmentation :

By Technique

Lateral Flow Immunoassay (LFIA)

Agglutination Test

Flow-through test/Immunoconcentration Assay

Molecular Diagnostics

Others

By Disease

HIV

Hepatitis B Virus

Pneumonia/Streptococcus Associated Infections

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Influenza

Clostridium Difficile Infections (CDI)

Hepatitis C Virus

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Tuberculosis (TB)

Others

By End User

Hospital Bedside

Physician's Office Lab

Urgent Care & Retail Clinics

Home & Self-testing

Nursing Home

Others

By Geography

North America (U.S. and Canada)

Europe (U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, and Rest of Europe)

Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, Australia, Southeast Asia, and Rest of Asia Pacific)

Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America)

Middle East & Africa (South Africa, GCC and Rest of the Middle East & Africa)





Table Of Content :

Introduction Market Scope Market Segmentation Market Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Prevalence of Key Infectious Diseases, By Key Countries New Product Launches Key Industrial Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships, etc.) Technological Advancements in Infectious Disease Point of Care (POC) Diagnostics Impact of COVID-19 on Infectious Disease Point of Care (POC) Diagnostics Market Overview of Initiatives for Infectious Disease Point of Care (POC) Diagnostics in Emerging Countries Pricing Analysis of Various Infectious Disease Point of Care (POC) Diagnostics, By Key Companies Analysis of Product Features of Key Infectious Disease Point of Care (POC) Diagnostics, By Key Companies

Global Infectious Disease Point-of-care (POC) Diagnostics Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2016-2027 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Technique Lateral Flow Immunoassay (LFIA) Agglutination Tests



Flow-through Tests / Immunoconcentration Assays Molecular Diagnostics Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Disease Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Pneumonia / Streptococcus Associated Infections Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Influenza Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Tuberculosis (TB) Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End User Hospital Bedside Physician's Office Lab Urgent Care & Retail Clinics Home & Self-Testing Nursing Homes Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Geography North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa



Toc Continue





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SECONDARY RESEARCH IS CONDUCTED TO DERIVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

Details such as revenues, market share, strategies, growth rate, product & their pricing by region/country for all major companies

Details in relation to prevalence, incidence, patient numbers, distribution of patients, average price of treatment, etc.

Number of end user facilities by region/country and average annual spending or procurement of devices by type of end user facility

Number of procedures and average price of procedures

Replacement rate and pricing of capital equipment

Market dynamics in relation to the market under focus  Drivers, restraints, trends, and opportunities

Market & technological trends, new product developments, product pipeline.





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Fires burned areas of the Amazon rainforest last summer (AFP via Getty Images)

The UK, US and Norwegian governments have come together to launch a $1bn fundraising initiative to support the worlds tropical rainforests as part of a bid to tackle deforestation and reduce harmful emissions in the atmosphere by 2030.

The Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance (Leaf) Coalition was unveiled at US president Joe Bidens virtual White House climate summit on Earth Day and seeks to harness public-private financing to secure investment in safeguarding the natural world.

Tropical forests are indispensable to fight climate change and biodiversity loss, and have received far less attention and finance than they deserve, said Norwegian prime minister Erna Solberg.

The Leaf Coalition takes a first, crucial step to change that.

The scheme is timely given that an estimated 12 per cent of the worlds primary tropical forest was cleared between 2019 and 2020, including 4.2m hectares of humid forest - vital for carbon storage and biodiversity - an area roughly the size of the Netherlands.

Countries, states and provinces are being invited to apply to the Leaf Coalition by 22 July in order to receive funding in support of their emissions reduction and replanting efforts, which they will receive on the condition that they meet key performance indicators between 2022 and 2026, with the coalition encouraging the participation of indigenous groups and local communities.

US climate envoy John Kerry said the scheme - which has already secured the support of multinationals Amazon, Airbnb, Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, McKinsey, Nestle, Salesforce and Unilever - as a groundbreaking example of the scale and type of collaboration needed to fight the climate crisis.

Nathaniel Keohane of the US Environmental Defence Fund hailed the green financing model as a game-changer, according to Climate Home News, and said the coalition could eventually channel tens of billions of dollars per year into ensuring sustainable livelihoods for Indigenous peoples and forest communities and protecting global forests.

Story continues

Participants in the coalition are in active discussions with about a dozen jurisdictions and Costa Rica, Guyana and three Brazilian states have taken initial steps to become eligible to enroll in the initiative.

This is particularly positive as the latter accounts for more tree clearance than anywhere else in the world, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bolivia and Indonesia.

A burning area of Amazon rainforest south of Novo Progresso in Para StateCarl de Souza/AFP/Getty

Brazils right wing populist leader, Jair Bolsonaro, used his appearance at Mr Bidens summit to pledge an end to illegal logging in the Amazon by 2030 - as well as to promise carbon neutrality by 2050 and to attack developed nations, who he attacked for burning fossil fuels in the course of the past two centuries.

But his administration also failed to come to an agreement with the US on a deal to safeguard the countrys rainforests, despite optimism that an accord could be forged prior to the summit.

Last weeks White House gathering saw the US pledge a 50-52 per cent emissions reduction target from 2005 levels by 2030 and the UK aim for a 78 per cent drop from 1990 levels by 2035, with Canada, Japan and South Africa all making similar commitments.

Washington further said it intended to hit climate funding of $5.7bn a year by 2024 while Westminster said it was aiming to invest 11.6bn over the next five years.

China and Russia were also among the 40 nations taking part, both suggesting they were open to multilateral co-operation but neither announcing any specific new targets.

Read More

How to make sure your money is not funding the climate crisis

Germany, China to increase cooperation on climate change

Climate crisis moving Earths axis, study finds
British Airlines, EasyJet and TUI aircraft are pictured at London Gatwick Airport on June 9, 2020. (Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

UK Fines Airlines for Carrying Passengers With Incorrect COVID-19 Paperwork

The UKs Civil Aviation Authority has issued 630 fines since Feb. 11 to airlines carrying passengers without the right COVID-19 documents, the Department for Transport (DfT) said on Tuesday.

These measures form part of the UKs border measures intended to protect the country from CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus variants that may reduce the effect of COVID-19 vaccines, said the DfT.

Under the governments CCP virus restrictions, passengers landing in England must have proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test and a completed passenger locator form. Anyone arriving without these documents faces a 500 ($696) fine.

A passenger wearing a Union Flag face mask waits to board one of the few flights departing at Gatwick Airport in London, on Nov. 27, 2020. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Airlines are also subject to financial penalties if they fail to ensure passengers have these documents before they arrive in England.

The carriers can face fines of 2,000 ($2,783) for each passenger they carry who does not have a valid Pre-Departure Test Certificate, and 2,000 for each passenger who does not have a completed passenger locator form.

They also face fines of 4,000 ($5,566) for failing to provide the correct information to passengers before departure and during the journey informing them of the requirements.

For every passenger they have carried who been in a country on the governments red list in the previous 10 days, the airline would be liable to a 2,000 fine.

The UK government sees vaccine roll-out as the countrys way out of the pandemic. So far, more than 42 million vaccinations have been delivered across the country.

Health workers keep vigil as passengers exit the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport upon their arrival from London in Mumbai on Dec. 22, 2020. (Punit Paranjpe/AFP via Getty Images)

But the government is concerned that the effect of vaccines may be compromised by imported COVID-19 variants that are resistant to the existing jabs.

On April 23, the UK banned travellers from India to prevent the spread of a new variant first identified in that country.

The variant, known as B.1.617, has two mutationsE484Q and L452Rwhich have been seen in other variants around the world and are thought to contribute to increased transmissibility and resistance to vaccines.

According to the latest figure released on April 21, 132 cases of the Indian variant had been found in the UK.

In February, the UK government launched a mandatory hotel quarantine programme. Anyone travelling to the UK from a country on the UKs travel ban list are now required to quarantine in a government-approved facility for a period of 10 days.
General Mills has launched a new high-protein yogurt and is giving away 300 free 2.5-pound dumbbell spoons to celebrate.

The yogurt - called :ratio PROTEIN - has the most protein in the yogurt aisle in a single serve cup, packed with 25G of protein and 3G of sugar, General Mills said.

The yogurt comes in five flavors - strawberry, vanilla, blueberry, coconut and key lime.

As a leader in the yogurt and dairy category, General Mills is focused on product innovation to help our consumers meet their varying health and fitness goals, said Doug Martin, president, General Mills dairy operating unit.

We know consumers are seeking protein and with the introduction of :ratio PROTEIN, were providing a delicious solution within a familiar snack that delivers the most protein in the yogurt aisle in a single serve cup.

The limited-edition Dairy Dumbbell will be available while supplies last. You can sign up to win one here.

The yogurt is available nationwide for $1.69 for a single-serve cup.

READ MORE
WA Premier Mark McGowan prepares to speak to media at Dumas House in Perth, Australia on Apr. 23, 2021. WA Premier Mark McGowan has announced a snap three-day lockdown for the Perth and Peel regions of Western Australia. (Photo by Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)

Western Australia Did Not Do Enough to Prevent Hotel Quarantine Outbreak: AMA

Australian Medical Association (AMA) President Dr. Omar Khorshid has said that the Western Australian (WA) government could have done more to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent 3-day lockdown.

A report came in early April identifying the Mercure hotel as high-risk for ventilation issues, one of three in Perth. According to Khorshid, the problem lay in a lack of expediency in delivering the report following WAs last lockdown in February.

It is frustratingly slow, Khorshid told Sky News Australia. I think that is the main criticism of the WA governmentthat they have not done everything they could have done to make quarantine as safe as possible.

Khorshid said that hotels without suitable ventilation should either not be used, or if used, should separate occupants to avoid guests staying in rooms adjacent to one another.

Khorshid emphasised that COVID-positive persons should be moved to separate facilities, a strategy that some other states are already employing.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison attends a meeting with AMA President Dr. Omar Khorshid and General Practitioners during a round table talk at the Stirling Community Centre in Perth, Australia, on Apr. 15, 2021. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

WA Premier Mark McGowan shifted the blame to the Federal government, accusing the commonwealth of not doing its part to assist in effective quarantining measures.

Quarantine is the responsibility of the commonwealth government under the constitution, McGowan told reporters on Saturday.

McGowan also sent a request to the government asking to halve the number of returned travellers that WA accepts each week from 1025 to 512 people.

Im at the end of my tether with the commonwealth handing responsibility to the states and not helping, he said.

McGowan suggested the use of commonwealth facilities, such as detention facilities on Christmas Island or RAAF bases.

However, a Federal spokesperson said that it was already agreed upon that state and territory jurisdictions were to handle quarantine measures.

The Commonwealth, states and territories agreed at National Cabinet in March last year that as quarantine arrangements were determined under state and territory health orders, those jurisdictions would manage hotel quarantine, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also said that it was not logical nor practical to use immigration facilities and defence bases, contrary to McGowans claims.

Our Defence bases are operational facilities, and the risk to critical defence personnel is not acceptable, the spokesperson said.

Defence bases also generally feature austere accommodation facilities with shared dorms and bathrooms, making them unsuitable for quarantine purposes. In many cases, these facilities are not close to health and intensive care services.

Many have suggested that dedicated quarantining facilities are necessary, with hotels unable to provide sufficient protection against cases of COVID-19.

The issue is that hotel quarantine isnt fit for purpose, Australian Medical Association WA president Andrew Miller told ABC radio on Monday.

Dr Miller said federal experts were being grossly negligent and that hotels cannot be made safe for COVID-19 positive people.

Governments need to put money into building mining camps, he said. Im told it can be done within a couple of months.

AAP contributed to this report.
SECAUCUS, N.J., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, announced that it is scheduled to speak at the BofA Securities 2021 Virtual Healthcare Conference. Mark Guinan, Executive Vice President & CFO will discuss the company's vision, goals, and capital deployment strategies. The presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

The presentation will be webcast live during the conference and will be available on the company's investor relations page which can be accessed at ir.QuestDiagnostics.com. In addition, the archived webcast will be available within 24 hours after the conclusion of the live event and will remain available until June 10, 2021.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world's largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve health care management. Quest Diagnostics annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our nearly 50,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

About COVID-19 testing at Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics is at the forefront of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, working to broaden access to laboratory insights to help us all lead healthier lives. We provide both molecular diagnostic and antibody serology tests to aid in the diagnosis of COVID-19 and immune response. Our COVID-19 test services are based on tests that have received FDA emergency use authorization and which also meet our high standards for quality. We are providing these test services under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act.

We provide data on COVID-19 testing to various federal and state public health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and participate in studies with government and private institutions, aiding COVID-19 public health response and research. Through our team of dedicated phlebotomists, air fleet team, couriers and laboratory professionals, Quest Diagnostics works hard every day to help patients and communities across the United States access quality COVID-19 testing.

The antibody tests and the molecular tests (together "All tests") have not been FDA cleared or approved; All tests have been authorized by FDA under EUAs for use by authorized laboratories; The antibody tests have been authorized only for the detection of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens; The molecular tests have been authorized only for the detection of nucleic acid from SARSCoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens; and, All tests are only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C.  360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.

For more information about the latest developments with our COVID-19 testing, visit: newsroom.questdiagnostics.com/COVIDTestingUpdates

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics

Related Links

www.questdiagnostics.com


The road back in Iowa for Democrats is long and complicated. The state once prided itself on having more registered independents than Republicans or Democrats, but since 2018, in keeping with national trends toward polarization, independents now rank behind both major parties. Democrats have suffered a net loss of 120,000 registered voters compared with Republicans. Those votes alone are 10 percent of turnout in nonpresidential years.

The partys setbacks have reheated the debate over whether to cancel Iowas caucuses as the leadoff nominating contest. Many national Democratic officials argue that a larger and more diverse state should go before either Iowa or New Hampshire. Even some Iowa Democratic strategists have supported killing off the caucuses to focus on local issues and reduce the influence of the national progressive wing of the party.

Mr. Courtney said the voters he knew didnt care much about cultural issues that Democrats elsewhere dwell on, like gun control and immigration. All they really want to know is where can they get a good job that pays the most money so that they can take care of their family, and were not touching on that, he said.

He has cautious hopes for Mr. Bidens infrastructure proposal.

If we can put people to work making good money building that stuff, it could be like the W.P.A. back in the day, said Mr. Courtney, whose parents worshiped Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal.

Even Mr. Davis, the G.O.P. chair, conceded that a robust infrastructure plan that brought jobs to Burlington would make it harder for Republicans to continue their winning streak.

It probably will be tough in four years if things are good, he said.
A woman prepares a placard out of crossed out portraits of Myanmar's junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, during a protest against the military coup in Myanmar, in Jakarta, April 24, 2021.

ASEAN needs to set a timeline for implementing actions announced at a summit of regional leaders on Myanmar last weekend, analysts said, even as another civilian was shot dead in that country Monday despite the meetings call for an immediate end to violence.

The Association of Southeast Nations will find it hard to ensure that the Myanmar military, which overthrew an elected government on Feb. 1, does not renege on junta chief Min Aung Hlaings word that he would end violence, among other actions, analysts said.

Even though the Burmese junta agreed to end the violence against pro-democracy protesters, there was no timetable mentioned at the summit to execute that promise, said Azmi Hassan, a Malaysian political analyst.

No wonder the people in Myanmar, the NGOs and the activists fighting for the Myanmar people are upset with ASEAN in this case. There was no timeline, there was no attempt to put pressure on the junta leaders to follow up on their promise, Hassan told BenarNews on Monday.

Im quite disappointed with the outcome since the opportunity was there. ASEAN had the opportunity to put forward a more concrete timeline, but again nothing came out of it. If there had been no meeting in Jakarta, it wouldnt have made any difference.

ASEAN must act swiftly and set a schedule for the Myanmar junta chief to deliver on ending the violence, or stand ready to hold him accountable, Malaysian lawmaker Charles Santiago said Monday.

I fear that not giving a specific timeline on the Special Envoy is going to give a new lease for the general to do what he wants to do, and finish the job he started, Santiago, chairman of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), told a press conference, according to the groups Twitter feed.

How willing ASEAN is in responding seriously to the Myanmar crisis is dependent on them holding Min Aung Hlaing to account, ensuring he does not take them for a ride, and delivers on the agreed points.

Since the coup nearly three months ago, the Burmese military and security forces have killed hundreds of pro-democracy protesters.

Even as Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with ASEAN leaders in Jakarta, soldiers and police fired on protesters near Myanmars capital Naypyidaw, killing a 50-year-old protestor, eyewitnesses told Agence France-Presse.

And on Monday, two days after the ASEAN said it had reached a consensus on ending the violence, Myanmar security forces shot dead a man in the city of Mandalay, Reuters said, citing national media.

Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led dialogue

ASEANs Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, which was issued by the blocs 2021 chairman, Brunei, called for an immediate cessation to violence, with all parties exercising utmost restraint; a constructive dialogue among all parties; and the mediation of such talks by a special ASEAN envoy.

Leaders also agreed on the provision of ASEAN-coordinated humanitarian assistance and a visit to Myanmar by an ASEAN delegation to meet with all parties.

Timely and comprehensive implementation of ASEANs five points of consensus from that meeting will be important, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, said during a daily press briefing Monday in New York.

We continue to urge the release of all detainees and for the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the spokesman added in confirming that Christine Schraner Burgener, the U.N. special envoy on Myanmar, held talks with ministers and other officials from ASEAN states in Jakarta on the sidelines of Saturdays summit.

Haq said that the envoy met with the Burmese junta chief but declined to give more details about their discussion.

The five-point consensus did not include the release of political prisoners as the president of Indonesia and prime minister of Malaysia had demanded in their speeches during Saturdays three-hour summit.

In fact, the proviso to free political prisoners was included in a draft consensus the day before the meeting but omitted from the final version of the chairs statement, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources.

However, Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on Sunday that any constructive dialogue would have to involve those political prisoners held by the Myanmar military, The Jakarta Post reported.

Ideally, if we have dialogue, it has to be inclusive dialogue that is Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led, she said in an interview.

The leaders met as a family and agreed to have this years ASEAN chair, Brunei, appoint a special envoy for Myanmar, who will be assisted by ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi in mediating dialogue between all parties in Myanmar, Marsudi said.

As of Monday, the Myanmar military had detained 3,371 people, including civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to a Bangkok-based group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Agonizingly slow pace

It will be difficult to ensure that the Myanmar junta implemented what was agreed upon even in the consensus document, several analysts said.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong acknowledged that it would be a challenge to implement any action plan agreed to by ASEAN leaders during the meeting and ensure that Myanmar follows through.

Im sure that in implementing this, theres a long way forward because [it is] one thing to say youll cease violence and release political prisoners; its another thing to get it done, Lee told reporters after he attended the summit, ChannelNews Asia reported.

And to have an inclusive discussion in order to reach a political resolution is even harder still, but at least there is some steps forward which we can take.

Similarly, Aaron Connelly, a research fellow the Singapore-based The International Institute for Strategic Studies, agreed that a resolution to the crisis in Myanmar would take time, but said the summit was a good first step.

This will all happen at an agonizingly slow pace, particularly for the people of Myanmar, if it happens at all. But it would be a mistake to dismiss an opening like this out of hand, given limited other options.

Yuyun Wahyuningrum, Indonesian representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, said he welcomed the results of the summit, but the hard work begins now.

The next challenge is to ensure the compliance of ASEAN and Myanmar in respecting their commitment, Yuyun told BenarNews.

Engage with NUG

ASEAN also needs to meet at once with the National Unity Government (NUG), Myanmars recently launched parallel civilian government, Burmese rights activists and regional analysts said.

ASEAN cannot paper over the fact that there is no agreement for the Myanmar junta to release the more than 3,300 political prisoners currently in detention in the country, including senior political figures like Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi who presumably would be involved in any negotiated solution to the crisis, said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch.

Not only were the representatives of the Myanmar people not invited to the Jakarta meeting but they also got left out of the consensus that ASEAN is now patting itself on the back for reaching.

Involving the NUG is the only way to end the Myanmar crisis in a way that could benefit its people, said Hunter Marston a non-resident fellow at the Pacific Forum, a foreign policy research institute.

If ASEAN wants a genuine resolution to the crisis, it needs to nominate and send a special envoy to engage NUG and insist on real dialogue moving ahead, Marston said on Twitter.

Burmese pro-democracy activist Khin Ohmar said ASEAN had wasted an opportunity like the summit, because it did not reach out to key stakeholders like the parallel government.

Without their [stakeholders] agreement, there is no consensus. This meeting could have been a historic moment, not only for Myanmar people, but for ASEAN people as well ... but it didnt happen, she said at the APHR press conference

But there is still time to change the discourse.
South Korea's 'anti-leaflet law' a sign of alarming 'democratic decay,' Chris Smith warns

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Prompted by South Koreas "anti-leaflet law" that many fear will hinder the ability to get information to people suffering under the regime of Kim Jong Un in North Korea, members of Congress on the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission held a hearing to discuss the far-reaching implications of this new law.

In December, South Korea's National Assembly passed the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act, best known as the anti-leaflet law, that not only bans South Korean nongovernmental organizations from sending leaflets into North Korea, it also bans sending USB drives containing information about the outside world, along with posters and money. It also prohibits loudspeaker broadcast announcements along the Military Demarcation Line that divides the two countries.

The specific action that prompted this hearing ... was the passage ... of an anti-leaflet law [by South Koreas National Assembly] that requires certain materials be approved by the government before being sent into the North, said Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass., co-chair of the human rights commission, at the April 15 hearing.

Violators could face criminal or financial penalties. The law has been criticized inside and outside Korea for suppressing speech.  It is worth remembering that restrictions on freedom of expression are not new in South Korea, McGovern asserted.

North Korea, a closed authoritarian state, is the most isolated country in the world and has been controlled by the Kim family since 1949. The hermit kingdom also ranks as the worst persecutor of Christians worldwide, according to Christian persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA's World Watch List.

It's been estimated that between 80,000 and 120,000 people are trapped in North Korean gulags, many of whom are imprisoned for their faith, according to an International Religious Freedom report.

Co-chair of the Human Rights Commission, Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., noted that South Korea's commitment to human rights "stands in stark contrast to the Kim familys brutal dictatorship to the North in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. Nevertheless, surveying the state of political and civil rights in the Republic of Korea, I must say that I am alarmed by  South Koreas democratic decay.

Korea must resolve its commitment to civil and political rights, in particular, and human rights in general, Smith asserted. It must do so not only for the sake of Korea, both South and North, but also for the entire world.

Olivia Enos, a researcher in the Asian Studies Center at The Heritage Foundation think-tank in Washington, D.C., noted in an op-ed for Forbes that even before the amended law was passed in December, the Moon administration (South Korean President Moon Jae-in) had carried out raids on organizations that planned to send leaflets into North Korea and filed criminal complaints against what authorities deemed as violators. At the time, the Ministry of Unification was already investigating some 289 nongovernmental organizations in South Korea, she added.

Those found to be in violation of the amendment face "criminal penalties ... of up to three years in jail or a fine of just under $30,000 for engaging in prohibited activities," Enos explained, accusing South Korean leaders of having "capitulated" to "North Koreas demands by declaring that the leaflets were 'harmful to national security.'

At the hearing, Smith emphasized that the response to the free speech crisis on the Korean Peninsula should be non-partisan and focus on human rights.

The hearing featured the testimonies of the Hon. Inho Lee, former South Korean ambassador to Russia under President Kim Dae-jung, Suzanne Scholte, Seoul Peace Prize Laureate, and John Sifton, Asia advocacy director of Human Rights Watch, among other leading experts.

Rep. Young Kim, R-Cali., said the new speech-suppressing legislation is a concern to the Korean American community and South Korea must be pushed to be better in this matter.

The Republic of Korea (South Korea), along with Japan and Taiwan, is a beacon of democracy in the Indo-Pacific and at its best, it is a shining example of what democratic representation and good governance can accomplish, Kim said.

This is especially important given the recent advance in the region that have trended toward authoritarianism and illiberalism , she continued. However, like our own democratic system, there are still steps that South Korea must take to better preserve the rights of its people while rooting out corruption in its government infrastructure.

She said the legislation would crack down and impose strict fines on those who have sent information over the border into North Korea by way of balloons from the outside world.

The anti-leaflet law also utilizes  vague language regarding the restrictions on what can be sent, encompassing everything including propaganda papers, memory devices such as USB drives, and even money. , Kim continued. Can we in good conscience really pay the cost of curbing free speech liberties for the sake of a regime that has no intention of offering reciprocal concessions? We cannot reward bad behavior by silencing free speech and offering unwarranted concessions.

The committee hearing also explored rights in broader Korean relations. The legislators and advocates at the hearing encouraged the Biden administration and the South Korean government to work to improve the advancement of human rights on the Korean Peninsula.

McGovern said South Korean legislators should use international human rights law to determine what is acceptable when it comes to restricting freedom of expression.

Similarly, the witnesses at the hearing called on President Moon to stand up for human rights and freedom of expression.

No one on this Earth has a greater moral and constitutional responsibility than the [P]resident of the Republic of Korea, Moon Jae-in, to uphold the rights of the Korean people whether born North or South of the DMZ, Scholte said in her written testimony.

The Christian Post previously reported that in 2018, South Korea enacted a similar measure that banned sending balloons filled with Bibles or leaflets with the Gospel message into North Korea.
NEW: N.J. to consider whether to drop outdoor mask requirement for vaccinated residents per CDC guidance, Murphy says

New Jersey on Tuesday reported another 1,930 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and an additional 60 confirmed deaths, a day after Gov. Phil Murphy announced the state will ease a series of COVID-19 restrictions in two weeks as numbers improve.

Statewide COVID-19 hospitalizations rose slightly after five days of decreases. But the states transmission rate dropped to from 0.90 to 0.88, its lowest point in two months. Any number under 1 indicates that the outbreak is slowing, with each new case leading to less than one other case.

Thats hopefully the beginning of a trend and the turning of a corner, Murphy said as he announced the new figures at an unrelated event in Hillsborough.

The 60 confirmed deaths announced Tuesday marks the most fatalities in one day since 61 on March 30. Some deaths may have occurred days, weeks, or even months earlier and were just confirmed. But Murphy said the high number is likely the result of the third wave of the outbreak that hit the state in recent weeks.

Remember: The losses of life are a lagging indictor, not a leading indicator, the governor said.

New Jerseys seven-day rolling average for new cases in the state is now 2,213  down 25% from a week ago and 35% from a month ago.

The statewide positivity rate for tests conducted on Friday, the most recent day available, was 6.39%. That was the fifth consecutive day with a positivity rate under 7%.

Thats hardly victory, but it is at least going in the right direction, Murphy said.

Meanwhile, the federal Centers for Disease Control updated its mask guidance Tuesday, saying vaccinated people in the U.S. dont need to wear face coverings outdoors unless they are in a big crowd of strangers and that those who are unvaccinated can go without a face covering outside in some cases.

Shortly thereafter, Murphy said New Jersey will consider whether to follow that guidance.

Our guidance for masking outdoors has been from the get-go in this pandemic, you need to wear a mask if you cant socially distance, the governor said during a television interview on MSNBC. If you can, you dont need to. I would expect if there is then the next layer of full vaccination, that thats another step that well be able to take.

Murphy on Monday revealed that outdoor gathering limits in the state will increase from 200 to 500 people starting on May 10, in time for college and high school graduations. Plus, private catered events such as weddings and proms will go from 35% to 50% of a venues capacity with a maximum of 250 people, up from 150.

The governor also said the state is likely to announce more reopening steps in the coming weeks if numbers keep improving and people keep getting vaccinated.

Were not out of the woods yet, but we can methodically, incrementally, open up, he said during a television interview Tuesday afternoon on MSNBC.

More than 2.86 million people have been fully vaccinated in the state as of Tuesday  about 41% of the states 6.9 million adult residents. The states goal is to fully vaccinate 70% of its eligible adult population  about 4.7 million people  by the end of June.

In all, more than 6.75 million vaccine doses have been administered in New Jersey, with more than 4.1 million people receiving at least one dose.

VACCINE UPDATE: 6,752,773 total doses have been administered as of 8:00 AM today.



2,866,848 New Jerseyans are now fully vaccinated



Learn more: https://t.co/wzXaqEnqSN  Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) April 27, 2021

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

New Jersey has now reported 867,574 confirmed coronavirus cases since the state reported its first case on March 4, 2020. That total dropped by 10,442 positive tests on Monday due to a new automated process health officials developed to search for duplicates dating back to the states first case.

Previously, those duplicates were identified manually and the automated process will be run weekly going forward, said Dr. Edward Lifshitz, director of the state Department of Health Communicable Disease Service. Lifshitz called the adjustment a one-time drop.

More than 13.3 million PCR tests have been conducted in the state in the nearly 14 months since the outbreak started.

There have also been 123,436 positive antigen tests during the outbreak. 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 25,460 residents have died from complications related to COVID-19  including 22,849 confirmed deaths and 2,611 fatalities considered probable.

New Jersey has the most coronavirus deaths per capita among American states.

Officials have warned that the state has hit an expected point where demand for vaccinations is decreasing. But they said Monday the state is developing plans to reach out to people who have yet to get their shots.

State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said she still expects the state to vaccinate 70% of its eligible adult population by the end of June.

I can guarantee it, Persichilli said.

Murphy noted it will help that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has resumed.

With that, we once again have all three tools back in our toolbox, the governor said.

HOSPITALIZATIONS

There were 1,820 patients hospitalized with confirmed (1,689) or suspected COVID-19 cases as of Monday night  23 more than the previous night, according to state data.

That included 394 in critical or intensive care (four fewer than the night before), with 247 on ventilators (one more).

There were also 143 COVID-19 patients discharged Monday, while 153 were admitted.

Statewide hospitalizations are down nearly 25% from April 7, when there were 2,378 patients  the states spring peak.

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 254 in-school coronavirus outbreaks, which have resulted in 1,125 cases among students, teachers and school staff this academic year, according to state data.

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 has said New Jerseys schools are expected to return to full in-person classes for the next school year.

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 (31%), followed by those 50-64 (22.6%), 18-29 (19.9%), 65-79 (10.1%), 5-17 (9.8%), 80 and older (4.4%) and 0-4 (2%).

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 (46.57%), followed by those 65-79 (32.97%), 50-64 (15.99%), 30-49 (4.06%), 18-29 (0.39%), 5-17 (0%) and 0-4 (0.02%).

At least 8,025 of the states COVID-19 deaths have been among residents and staff members at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, according to state data.

There are active outbreaks at 223 facilities, resulting in 2,694 active cases among residents and 3,509 among staffers. Those numbers have slowed as vaccinations continue at the facilities.

GLOBAL NUMBERS

As of Tuesday morning, there have been more than 148 million positive COVID-19 tests across the world, according to a running tally by Johns Hopkins University. More than 3.12 million people have died from coronavirus-related complications.

The U.S. has reported the most cases, at more than 32.1 million, and the most deaths, at more than 572,700.

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Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.
Page Content

Grant Thornton St. Maarten presented its latest publication of the Fiscal Law book 2021 "Fiscale Wetgeving 2021" to the Minister of Finance of St. Maarten, Mr. Ardwell Irion. The publication was handed over by Paul van Vliet, Tax Partner and Herbert Beldman, Partner Assurance & Advisory Grant Thornton. The firm has been publishing an overview of current and relevant tax laws of Aruba, the BES islands, Curacao and St. Maarten for more than 10 years now.





Ambitious organizations need to consider their tax affairs carefully, to gain trust and stay ahead of their competitors. In our local market many entrepreneurs, investors and individuals operate in several parts of the Dutch Kingdom in the Caribbean. With all the annual changes, it remains a challenge even for tax experts to have all the tax laws available in one place in our region. With the annual release of an up-to-date edition of tax legislation, we try to accommodate this. In addition, our ambition is to have publications like this available that can help our clients and society broaden their knowledge, so they can go beyond business as usual. The return of the publication fits this objective well and the publication will also be available online free of charge.





This year, the most important fiscal changes for the island of Aruba are the provisional support measures due to the Corona pandemic and the introduction of the substance requirements for companies that perform exempt activities and companies that are taxed at the rate of 10%. Moreover, Aruba introduced the Burgerlijk Wetboek Aruba boek 2 on 1 January 2021, and therefore, its no longer possible to establish Aruba tax exempted companies in Aruba starting from 1 January 2021. In Curacao, there were only slight changes as per 1 January 2021, except for the major changes in the area of sales tax as per 1 January 2020. The scheduled replacement for sales tax by the General Expenditure Tax (Algemene Bestedingsbelasting (ABB) in 2020 has been postponed till further notice in 2021. In addition, just like previous years, there have been many minor changes across all islands to, amongst other, fiscal tariffs.





The Fiscal law bundles can be bought at the reception of the Grant Thornton office for $40.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris promised to increase help on the northern triangle and a better migration approach. The commitment Harris made was after the virtual meeting of the vice president with Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei on Monday, Reuters reported.

Reuters noted that Harris' comment comes as she looks for a more "secure and humane" way of resolving the migration crisis at the U.S. border alongside Mexico. The virtual meeting between Harris and President Giammattei follows almost a month after President Biden tapped the vice president to lead the White House efforts in tackling the migrant children issues on the border.

READ NEXT: Biden Eyeing Trump Critics To Lead Border, Immigration Agencies

Guatemala's President and VP Kamala Harris' Virtual Meeting

Kamala Harris' comments marked an upgrade of her diplomatic efforts in addressing the root causes of migration from the northern triangle countries, Fox 40 reported. The vice president expressed the willingness of the Biden administration to collaborate in addressing the migrant issues.

"We want to work with you... in a way that will bring hope to Guatemala," said Harris in the virtual meeting. The vice president also highlighted that "there will be an opportunity for them [migrants] if they stay home."

The virtual meeting held on Monday marked the second conversation of Harris with Guatemala's president. Her first meeting with President Giammattei was on March 30, granting a sign of opportunity in building a partnership with the region.

Harris also mentioned the acute causes of the surge in migration, such as hurricanes, drought, and even the COVID-19 pandemic, during the virtual meeting. Meanwhile, not enough economic opportunity in the region and extreme weather conditions are two of the three root causes of migration mentioned by the vice president during her opening remarks.

"I believe that she would build a roadmap between governments... so that we can reach an agreement," said Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei.

Apart from the virtual meeting, Kamala Harris is also set to participate in a roundtable with the representatives from the Guatemalan community-based organizations on Tuesday virtually.

U.S. Sanctions Officials of Guatemala

Another root cause of migration mentioned by Kamala Harris in her meeting was corruption. The same day with the virtual meeting, the U.S. sanctioned two Guatemalan officials, as Washington presses several Central American governments on abolishing graft.

Gustavo Adolfo Alejos Cambara and Felipe Alejos Lorenzana was sanctioned for their role on corruption in Guatemala which was mentioned by U.S. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken in a release. Cambara is a current government official, while Lorenzana is a former government official.

"These sanctions support efforts by the people of Guatemala to end the scourge of corruption," said Blinken. The secretary of state also noted that the sanctions are a part of the commitment of the U.S. government in supporting the "improvements" in Guatemala's governance.

Blinken also noted that the two Guatemalan officials sanctioned "facilitated payments to congressional representatives and judges" as they attempt to manipulate the selection process for magistrates in both courts. The two did these to "secure favorable judicial rulings" that will protect Cambara in future corruption prosecutions.

The move was announced hours before the virtual meeting of Kamala Harris and Guatemala's president.

READ MORE: Kamala Harris Purposely Avoiding a Visit to U.S.-Mexico Border, Border Patrol Union Chief Says

WATCH: Vice President Harris Meets With Guatemala President to Discuss Migrant Surge - from Bloomberg Quicktake: Now
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The FBI has announced a federal civil rights investigation into the police shooting of Andrew Brown Jr. after an independent autopsy showed he was shot in the back of the head.

Brown, 42, was killed by police in North Carolina at 8.30am on April 21 while at the wheel of his car in his driveway. Police are yet to release bodycam footage of the incident; his family have called it an execution.

The bureau's Charlotte field office on Tuesday said its agents planned to work closely with the Department of Justice 'to determine whether federal laws were violated,' the agency said.

Following the news, lawyers for the Brown family said they have 'great faith' in the investigation.

They also called new footage taken by a neighbor of the moment a large group of cops surrounded Brown Jr.'s car 'an inflamed modern-day lynch mob'.

It comes amid increasing calls for the release of the full body camera footage, including formal requests to make the video public that will be considered by a judge on Wednesday. Brown's family have been allowed to watch just 20 seconds from the view of one officer.

The autopsy performed Sunday by a pathologist hired by Brown's family noted four wounds to the right arm and one to the head. The state's autopsy has not been released yet.

The family's lawyers also released a copy of the death certificate, which lists the cause of death as a 'penetrating gunshot wound of the head.' The certificate, signed by a paramedic services instructor who serves as a local medical examiner, describes the death as a homicide.

Police said they were carrying out an arrest warrant for drugs offenses and claim Brown was a drug dealer with a rap sheet dating back to 1988. Brown had a 180 page criminal record and had been filmed selling narcotics in the weeks leading up to his death, Fox News reported Monday.

One eyewitness said: 'They crowded around his car, they were shooting the front window of his car.'

The FBI has announced a federal civil rights investigation into the police shooting of Andrew Brown Jr., pictured, after an independent autopsy showed he was shot in the back of the head

Following the news, lawyers for the Brown family said they have 'great faith' in the investigation. They also called new footage of the moment a large group of cops surrounded Brown Jr.'s car 'an inflamed modern-day lynch mob'. Benjamin Crump, one of the lawyers representing the family, points to an autopsy chart that his team conducted showing where Mr. Brown was shot

New footage has emerged of the moment a large group of cops surrounded Andrew Brown's car after his son called the North Carolina police shooting 'an execution'. The clip - taken by a neighbor in the moments after officers opened fire and obtained by CNN - shows after Brown's car had crashed into a tree

Witnesses said Brown got into his car (pictured) and was driving away when the deputy opened fire. Lawyers for the Brown family said called new footage showing cops surround Brown Jr.'s car 'an inflamed modern-day lynch mob'

Responding to the news of the FBI's federal investigation the family's attorneys, Ben Crump, Bakari Sellers, Harry Daniels, and Chantel Cherry-Lassiter, said: ' We have great faith that this caliber of an investigation will prevent any obscuring of the facts released to the Brown family and public, and will overcome any local bias that may prevent justice from being served.'

A clip - taken by a neighbor in the moments after officers opened fire and obtained by CNN - shows that in the seconds after Brown's car had crashed into a tree he was surrounded by a group of cops.

The attorneys added: 'The video leaked earlier today shows what we already suspected: Andrew Brown Jr. was brought down by an inflamed modern-day lynch mob.

'The footage shows an eerie resemblance to what we saw in Ahmaud Arbery's modern-day lynching, except these were no vigilantes  these murderers were on the clock as law enforcement.

'We believe that once the long-awaited body camera footage is released, we will be able to fill in the gaps to this story and hold the officers responsible for Andrew Brown's death accountable.

'The longer law enforcement waits to release the body camera footage to the Brown family and the public, the more our suspicions are raised. This leaked footage hints as to why.'

Brown's son Khalil Ferebee had earlier questioned why deputies had to shoot so many times at a man who, he said, posed no threat.

'Yesterday I said he was executed. This autopsy report shows me that was correct,' he said at the news conference. 'It's obvious he was trying to get away. It's obvious. And they're going to shoot him in the back of the head?'

Brown's family say he had complied with police and had his hands on his steering wheel as they shot in the arm. They say he then drove away in an attempt to save his life when he was shot in the back of the head.

That came after they were finally allowed to see police body cam from the incident Monday. The footage has not been released publicly and just 20 seconds was shown to the victim's loved ones and attorneys.

Family lawyer, Chantel Cherry-Lassiter, who viewed the video, said Monday that officers opened fire on Brown while he had his hands on the steering wheel of a car. She said the video showed Brown trying to drive away but posing no threat to officers.

The pathologist, North Carolina-based Dr. Brent Hall, noted a wound to the back of Brown's head from an undetermined distance that penetrated his skull and brain. He said there was no exit wound.

'It was a kill shot to the back of the head,' family attorney Ben Crump said.

The results of an independent autopsy released by attorneys for Brown's family Tuesday shows he was shot five times; four times in his right arm and once in the head

Brown's son Khalil told CBS: 'It was just a horrific scene, a horrific video. They were shooting from the very start of the video. My dad, his hands were on the steering wheel and they were still shooting. I still don't have closure...the answers.' In a separate interview with GMA he called the shooting an 'execution'

Brown's son Khalil told earlier told CBS: 'It was just a horrific scene, a horrific video. They were shooting from the very start of the video. My dad, his hands were on the steering wheel and they were still shooting. I still don't have closure...the answers.' In a separate interview with GMA he called the shooting an 'execution'.

Civil rights attorney Crump said: 'If they thought Andrew Brown Jr did something inappropriately and criminal you all would have seen that video by now. There was no need for them to be the judge, the jury and the executioner.'

Protesters took to the streets of Elizabeth City on Monday night for the fifth night in a row as anger mounted at the failure to release the full footage showing the killing of Brown.

Authorities said the father-of-ten had a 180 page criminal record and had been filmed selling narcotics in the weeks leading up to his death last Wednesday, Fox News reported.

The deputies continued to shoot after Brown drove his vehicle away from them, according to Chantel Cherry-Lassiter, who said he never presented a threat to the team of officers at the scene.

On Monday night more than 200 people marched through downtown to 'disrupt commerce' as a state of emergency was declared, carrying signs and shouting: 'Release the tape! The real tape!'

Some reports suggested rocks were thrown, Fox News said, while others said it was eggs that were hurled.

Twice, The Raleigh News & Observer reported, they stopped to confront police officers who blocked traffic for them to pass, yelling: 'Say his name! Say his name!' before moving on.

Under North Carolina law, body camera footage can only be released with a court order, but critics are accusing the authorities of a cover up - suspicions that increased after the family were allowed to watch just 20 seconds of a redacted video of the fatal shooting.

Khalil Ferebee, the son of Andrew Brown Jr., is hugged after speaking during a press conference about the killing of his father

Khalil Ferebee, the son of Black suspect Andrew Brown Jr. who was killed by sheriffs last week, reacts after speaking at a press conference announcing findings from an independent autopsy in Elizabeth City

Demonstrators gathered for a fifth night of protests in Elizabeth City on Monday night calling for answers over the shooting of the 42-year-old

Protesters occupy an intersection while marching in the evening after family members were shown body camera footage of the shooting

Activists were on the streets of Elizabeth City for the fifth night in a row on Monday

A driver wearing a Black Lives Matter t-shirt steps out of her car to join other protesters in raising a fist in solidarity with each other

Protesters were demanding police to 'release the video' to 'show us the truth' as they marched on the county sheriff's building

Crump, the high-profile civil rights attorney who now represents the family, said outside the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office Monday: 'They are trying to hide something. They don't want us to see.'

Attorneys for the family said 20 second clip they were shown began as shots were already being fired, adding that Brown complied with officer commands throughout.

After watching the footage, Brown's son Khalil told reporters: 'My dad got executed just trying to save his life. It is messed up how this happened. He got executed.'

Andrew Brown, 42, was shot and killed by sheriffs in North Carolina on Wednesday morning

Court documents released on Monday show deputies obtained the search warrant that brought them to Brown after investigators recorded him selling small amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine to an informant.

The city's mayor earlier had declared a state of emergency over the shooting.

County officials indicated that showing family the clip had been delayed because they were working on blurring some faces in the recording.

Describing the footage in more detail on Monday afternoon, attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter said Brown had been in his driveway when he was blocked in by officers who were in a marked police vehicle.

She said they 'lost count' on how many shots were fired. She also said deputies 'rode up to his car while shooting'.

When Brown 'finally tries to get away to get out of danger' he backs out, away from officers who were allegedly shouting obscenities at him.

The attorney added: 'At no time was he threatening officers.'

When his car runs into a tree, Cherry-Lassiter said the officers continued shooting at him, leaving his vehicle 'riddled with bullets'.

The family noted that despite multiple officers being at the scene they were allowed to see just one clip - from an officer who was farthest from the scene.

Gunfire already had started in the clip they were shown, they said, and it was unclear what had happened in the moments before the shooting.

Cherry-Lassiter, who watched the video multiple times and took notes, said some deputies were wearing tactical uniforms and some in plainclothes.

Andrew Brown, pictured, a 42-year-old father of 10, was shot in his car on April 21 by sheriffs

'They're shooting and saying let me see your hands at the same time,' she said.

Crump confirmed that he would hold a press conference on Tuesday at 11am to discuss autopsy results.

'It's clear to us there is something bad on that bodycam video,' he said.

'Transparency is essential.'

Crump had said Monday: 'Now, you all may have noticed that they released a warrant saying all kinds of things about Andrew Brown, but they want to redact the face of the ... officers that killed Andrew Brown.'

He added that law officials blurring deputies' faces are 'going to protect them and not show their face and not say their names ... because what they want to do is assassinate the character' of Brown.

Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten II has said that multiple deputies fired shots. Elizabeth City police were not involved in the shooting.

Wooten has said 'only a judge can release the video', adding: 'That's why I've asked the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to confirm for me that the releasing of the video will not undermine their investigation.'

He said he hopes to file a motion for its release Monday.

Brown's death spurred an outcry from community members who demanded law enforcement accountability and the immediate release of deputies' body camera footage.

Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools said they are operating remotely until at least Friday 'due to the continuously evolving state of civil unrest'.

Chief Deputy Daniel Fogg (left) and Sheriff Tommy S. Wooten issued a video on Monday night

Protestors block an intersection after an emergency city council meeting on Friday evening

The arrest warrant released on Monday was obtained by the Pasquotank County sheriff's office and signed by a local judge, to allow the search of Brown's Elizabeth City home.

It said that an investigator in nearby Dare County was told by the informant that the person had been purchasing crack cocaine and other drugs for over a year from Brown.

The informant described purchasing drugs at the house that was the target of the search.

The warrant said that, in March, local narcotics officers used the informant to conduct controlled purchases of methamphetamine and cocaine from Brown on two separate occasions.

It says both drug transactions were recorded using audio and video equipment. The search warrant said investigators believed Brown was storing drugs in the home or two vehicles.

The document, which indicated the search wasn't completed, did not list anything found.

The arrest warrants, which were released last week, charged him with possession with intent to sell and deliver three grams of each of the drugs.

On Friday, the state's governor, Roy Cooper, a Democrat, issued a statement calling for the swift release of the footage.

Neighbor Demetria Williams, who witnessed part of the shooting, said she never saw Brown carry a gun, and that deputies fired into his car as he was trying to get away from them.

He crashed his car moments later, with Williams saying she saw Brown 'slumped' in his vehicle as he died of his gunshot wounds.

REVEALED: North Carolina police shooting victim Andrew Brown 'was drug dealer with 180 page criminal record dating back to 1988 and had been filmed selling narcotics weeks before his death'

A black man shot multiple times in an apparent 'execution' by cops last week was described by law enforcement as a drug dealer with a long rap sheet dating back to 1988, according to a report.

Andrew Brown Jr., 42, had a 180 page criminal record and had been filmed selling narcotics in the weeks leading up to his death last Wednesday, Fox News reported Monday.

Brown was shot and killed by Pasquotank County sheriff's deputies Wednesday morning. He was inside his car in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, when the officers were serving him an arrest warrant.

Brown's family have described his death as an 'execution', saying he had his hands on the steering wheel of the car and was shot in the back of the head as up to eight deputies opened fire.

Calls are mounting for authorities to release the bodycam footage of the incident with his family finally granted their request to watch video of the incident Monday - only for them to reveal they were allowed to watch just 20 seconds of footage from just one of at least eight officers on the scene.

Seven deputies have been placed on administrative leave following the shooting, two others have resigned and one deputy has retired, but none of their identities have been released.

While law enforcement have released few details of the fatal shooting and questions continue to mount over the lack of transparency around their part in Brown's death six days on from the shooting, the force instead released court documents Monday about the search warrant that brought them to Brown that day.

It's a move that has sparked more outrage with the family's attorney Ben Crump accusing authorities of protecting the officers while they 'assassinate the character' of Brown.

Brown's death came just one day after white cop Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of black man George Floyd in a moment that many had hoped was a step forward in the fight against police brutality and systemic racism across America.

According to the search warrant released Monday, investigators had recorded Brown selling small amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine to an informant.

The informant had told Agent R.D. Johnson of the Dare County Narcotics Task Force they had bought drugs including cocaine, 'crack' cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine from Brown several times over the course of more than a year, reads the warrant, seen by Fox.

The unidentified individual described Brown as a 'drug dealer' in the Elizabeth City/Pasquotank County area, the warrant reads.

Protesters march in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Monday night as officers are still to release bodycam of the footage six days after Brown's death

It was requested by Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office Investigator D. Ryan Meads and was signed off by North Carolina Superior Court Senior Resident Judge Jerry R. Tillett on April 20 to allow the search of Brown's home on Perry Street in Elizabeth County.

It said that an investigator in nearby Dare County was told by the informant that the person had been purchasing crack cocaine and other drugs from Brown for over a year.

The informant described purchasing drugs at the house that was the target of the search and claimed to have seen crack cocaine in the property in the 14 days leading up to Wednesday's shooting.

They also claimed to have met Brown at other locations including hotels and motels and locations in Dare County to complete the exchange.

In one incident on March 17, narcotics officers used the informant to conduct a controlled purchases of cocaine from Brown that was recorded on camera and audio devices, according to the warrant.

Later that month, on March 29, the informant was used to carry out a purchase of methamphetamine from Brown, the warrant says.

Calls are mounting for authorities to release the bodycam footage of the incident with his family finally granted their request to watch video of the incident Monday - only for them to reveal they were allowed to watch just 20 seconds of footage

The search warrant says investigators believed Brown was storing, packaging and distributing drugs out of his home and two BMWs.

They believed Brown was using the home as a 'secure location' to store drugs, money and records of sales, it states.

Investigator Meads and other members of the drug task force were 'familiar with Brown and know him to be a source of supply of 'crack' cocaine, cocaine, heroin/fentanyl and methamphetamine to the Elizabeth City/ Pasquotank County area,' the warrant says.

Two arrest warrants released last week charged Brown with possession with intent to sell and deliver 3 grams of each of the drugs.

The court document, which indicated the search was not completed, did not list that anything had been found.

And Brown's aunt Betty Banks said cops had told the family they did not find any drugs or weapons in neither his cars or home, reported CNN.

Crump has argued that authorities have released the warrant information to 'assassinate' Brown's character while they are refusing to release bodycam or the details of the officer-involved shooting.

'Now, you all may have noticed that they released a warrant saying all kinds of things about Andrew Brown, but they want to redact the face of the... officers that killed Andrew Brown,' he said.

He added that law officials blurring deputies' faces are 'going to protect them and not show their face and not say their names... because what they want to do is assassinate the character' of Brown.

Pasquotank County Attorney Michael Cox showed Brown's family and attorneys a 20-second clip from one deputy's body camera Monday.

Attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter said it showed an 'execution'.

She said it shows deputies shot Brown as he sat with his hands on the steering wheel of his BMW.

The black man was shot in the back of the head, according to his death certificate.

'They are trying to hide something,' Crump said. 'They don't want us to see everything.'
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Tema East, Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten, has described the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, as one of the best in the Fourth Republic.

At a meeting with Assembly Members of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), Mr Odamtten encouraged the assembly members to emulate the example of the Speaker, saying that Bagbins sense of duty to his country is what has culminated into his elevation to the third highest office of the land.



Even though we have what some people call a hung Parliament, the Legislature is still functioning dutifully. This is because the Speaker has been able to ensure that the national interest is given priority by both the NPP and NDC sides of the House, he stated.



Dignity



Mr Odamtten said the maturity that the Speaker had so far displayed also helped to bring dignity to the Legislature and set a new standard for the Speakership of Parliament.



He said Ghana had a reason to be grateful to God that Bagbin became the Speaker of the Eighth Parliament because if an immature person had been elected instead, the country would have been at a standstill.





According to him, Mr Bagbin was fulfilling a divine destiny as Speaker at this time when the country was politically polarised, saying that he may have been specially preserved by God for the current times in the countrys governance.



I urge you to learn from the Bagbin story; he was just about to retire from active politics and Parliamentary Service, when he was elected as Speaker; his divine destiny has been fulfilled and in future when the time comes and you have also prepared yourself like Bagbin, your divine purpose will also be fulfilled.



Sacrifices



Mr Odamtten said although personal sacrifices by assembly members might not be noticed or come up for praise, he urged them to keep on saying in life one reaps what he sows.



The Presiding Member of TMA, Mr Joseph Korto, is hardworking and because of his good performance, he led Regional Deans across the country to Speaker Bagbin in Parliament in his capacity as National Dean, and I was so happy when I saw it in the news Mr Odamtten said.



Water supply



Mr Odamtten requested for improvement in the water supply situation for Tema, pointing out that population growth in the metropolis made the existing water supply inadequate.



The MP also encouraged all assembly members and the people of Tema to abide by all necessary COVID-19 protocols so that the fight against infections will succeed in the metropolis.

Source: Graphiconline.com









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Shipping containers are loaded onto trucks at the Port of Los Angeles, in Long Beach, Calif., on Jan. 12, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

California Program Offers Glimmer of Job-Creating Success

Commentary

A California-sponsored program to help companies fund employees has helped create 124,000 new jobs since the program began in 2013.

Furthermore, the multiplier effect of those primary jobs led to about 1.7 times that amount in additional positions within the same geographic areas, totaling about 338,000 extra jobs.

Through the California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) program, the state gave employers $1.23 billion in tax credits (reduced taxes, or cash back when employers file tax returns) in return for a verifiable promise to create 124,000 new jobs.

Creating those 124,000 positions cost the state about $9,000 each.

However, the average cost to the state of creating all the jobsdirectly and indirectly through the multiplier effectwas slightly less than $4,000 per new job created.

A just-published working paper submitted to the National Bureau of Economic Research by a team of rigorous researchers using cutting-edge econometric analysis showed that the states CCTC program has actually done a good job in incenting employers to create new jobs.

The success of Californias program is in sharp contrast to the experience of other state and local authorities attempts to incentivize private payroll growth.

Other academic research has shown that much of the $45 billion in other state and local tax incentives meant to retain or grow employment in a given location is typically given to employers who had already hired workers. In those other programs, employers were just taking advantage of the government hand-out for hires theyd already made.

University of CaliforniaIrvine professors Matthew Freedman and David Neumark co-authored the paper with UCI student Shantanu Khanna.

One of their key findings is that the best job strategy, from the vantage point of trying to create the maximum number of jobs, is to fund jobs in the services sector that support international trade. Think industries such as transportation and logistics. Their rationale is that such jobs wont displace competitors trying to sell to a limited number of local buyers.

The authors point to three main reasons the California program has succeeded where others throughout the country and even previous programs within the state have not.

The first is that the CCTC program offers tax credits, not cash. Tax credits can be revoked if the employer doesnt meet the promised job hiring goals.

Also, the CCTC program combines a strict set of criteria with some discretion, which is open to review and transparency to the public. It also allows the program administrators to choose which employers are likely to provide the most new job gains in the targeted areas.

Finally, goals provided by employers are annual, making monitoring and oversight easier to manage.

Details of the program, as well as some typical suggestions and cautions regarding application, were included in the paper.

Of the approximately 2.7 jobs created (one directly and 1.7 indirectly) through each employer using the program, 1.6 were in higher-income areas and 1.1 were in lower-income areas; this indicates that some adjustments might need to be made to further direct job gains into economically disadvantaged areas.

Furthermore, of the total number of jobs created, one-third were in places where the population has proportionately fewer college graduates than the overall state-wide population. The remaining jobs were created in places where a disproportionate number of people have completed their college degree.

If one of the purposes of the program is to incentivize job creation toward people who need a hand up, it seems maybe some further refinements might be in order.

The economists who wrote the study also noted that there is no way, using their methodologies, to know how long the jobs lasted.

Given that the federal government has already spent some $6 trillion to support the economy since the beginning of the pandemic a year ago, and theres a proposal to spend another $2.3 trillionone-quarter on traditional infrastructure and three-quarters on industrial policy and social infrastructurethe sort of work done by these UCI economists could have a real impact in how policymakers seek to maximize the benefit of any future programs.

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.
Amidst reports about India's super rich paying thousands of pounds to beat a new travel ban in the UK and managing to reach there 44 minutes before the deadline, there are many other wealthy Indians too who have chosen, instead, to help the country fight the second wave of COVID-19. Take for example, Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and India's richest person. He is personally supervising COVID-related work from the company's Jamnagar refinery. There are many corporates, who are busy in extending a helping hand in the COVID war.

Quoting people in the know, a report from the Economic Times says, "Mukesh Ambani flew into Jamnagar late on Sunday to personally supervise the ongoing Covid-19 relief work at the groups mega refinery and petrochemicals complex. RIL has ramped up the capacity to produce medical-grade oxygen to 700 tonnes a day, up from 100 tonnes, and it will be further expanded to 1,100 tonnes by next week to meet the growing demand."

Google and Microsoft also have pledged to support India as the country battles record numbers of coronavirus cases that have overwhelmed hospitals.

Sundar Pichai, chief executive (CEO) of Google and Alphabet tweeted: "Devastated to see the worsening Covid crisis in India. Google & Googlers are providing Rs135 crore in funding to @GiveIndia, @UNICEF for medical supplies, orgs supporting high-risk communities, and grants to help spread critical information".

Devastated to see the worsening Covid crisis in India. Google & Googlers are providing Rs 135 Crore in funding to @GiveIndia, @UNICEF for medical supplies, orgs supporting high-risk communities, and grants to help spread critical information.https://t.co/OHJ79iEzZH  Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) April 26, 2021

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says that the company is mobilising its resources to help the COVID-ravaged nation. "I am heartbroken by the current situation in India. I'm grateful the US government is mobilising to help. Microsoft will continue to use its voice, resources, and technology to aid relief efforts, and support the purchase of critical oxygen concentration devices," Mr Nadella tweeted.

I am heartbroken by the current situation in India. Im grateful the U.S. government is mobilizing to help. Microsoft will continue to use its voice, resources, and technology to aid relief efforts, and support the purchase of critical oxygen concentration devices.  Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) April 26, 2021

After Google and Microsoft, Apple CEO Tim Cook has also extended its support to India as the COVID-19 crisis in the country is deepening.

"Amid a devastating rise of Covid cases in India, our thoughts are with the medical workers, our Apple family and everyone there who is fighting through this awful stage of the pandemic. Apple will be donating to support the relief efforts on the ground," Mr Cook said in a tweet.

Amid a devastating rise of COVID cases in India, our thoughts are with the medical workers, our Apple family and everyone there who is fighting through this awful stage of the pandemic. Apple will be donating to support and relief efforts on the ground.  Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 26, 2021

Back home, the Tata group in a tweet, says it is importing 24 cryogenic containers to transport liquid oxygen and help ease the oxygen shortage in the country. Tata Steel is providing 200-300 tonnes of oxygen every day to several states and hospitals.

The Tata group is importing 24 cryogenic containers to transport liquid oxygen and help ease the oxygen shortage in the country. #ThisIsTata@PMOIndia @narendramodi @AmitShah  Tata Group (@TataCompanies) April 20, 2021

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India is also providing 200 tonnes of medical oxygen to medical facilities in Gujarat. The company's chief executive Dilip Oommen says, "Given the unprecedented challenges triggered by the Covid-19 surge, ensuring the health and wellbeing of our fellow citizens comes first for us, and there is nothing more important than saving lives.

Ensuring the health and wellbeing of our fellow citizens comes first for us & there is nothing more important than saving lives.



We're doing our bit in this fight against #COVID19.



We urge our fellow citizens to stay safe and strictly follow govt guidelines. #TogetherWeCan pic.twitter.com/5RgG5XYcpf  ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (@AMNSIndia) April 17, 2021

Similarly, many companies, including Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), Hindustan Zinc Ltd, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd, are coming forward to supply oxygen to various states. SAIL has supplied 33,000 tonnes of oxygen to date from its plants in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal. Hindustan Zinc is providing 5,000 litres of oxygen in Udaipur from its Dariba plant. Jindal Steel also is supplying 50-100MT (metric tonnes) of medical oxygen to hospitals in Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

In a statement, Sajjan Jindal, chairman and managing director (CMD) of JSW group, says, Oxygen is a raw material in steel plants, and at this crucial time, we have committed to the government to prioritize saving lives over steel making.

To address shortage of oxygen tankers in the country, the Union government has imported 20 cryogenic tankers of 10MT and 20MT capacity and allocated them to the states.

Last week, the Indian government exempted basic customs duty on oxygen, oxygen-related equipment and vaccines. To augment their production and availability and to meet the rising demand, it was decided to grant full exemption from 'basic customs duty' and health cess on import of items related to 'oxygen and oxygen related equipment' for three months with immediate effect. Besides, it was decided that basic customs duty on import of COVID vaccines be exempted with immediate effect for a period of three months.

Amazon is donating 10,000 oxygen concentrators and BiPAP machines to hospitals and public institutions to augment their capacity to help COVID-19 infected patients across multiple cities in India.

Amazon has joined hands with ACT Grants, Temasek Foundation, Pune Platform for COVID-19 Response (PPCR) and other partners to urgently airlift over 8,000 oxygen concentrators and 500 BiPAP machines from Singapore.

Additionally, Amazon India is also procuring over 1,500 oxygen concentrators and other critical medical equipment in partnership with non-profits including Swasth, Concern India and impact organisations like ACT Grants and Sattva Consulting.

"We stand firmly with the country, deploying our global logistics network to urgently airlift the needed oxygen concentrators to support the nation's immediate need," said Amit Agarwal, global senior vice president (SVP) and country head, Amazon India.

Amazon will bear the cost of airlifting these oxygen concentrators and BiPAP machines, procured through multiple funders including ACT Grants and PPCR from Singapore to India through Air India and other international carriers.

Additionally, the company will also manage the movement of these oxygen concentrators and other donations from the local airport to identified hospitals and institutions.

Automobile manufacturer MG Motor India has tied up with Devnandan Gases to increase the production of medical oxygen. This will help in increasing the production capacity by 25% in the next two weeks with the vision of increasing it further to 50% soon.

Founded in 2011, Devnandan Gases is one of the key medical oxygen gas producers from Vadodara.

Fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) company Procter & Gamble (P&G) has pledged Rs50 crore towards one million vaccine doses covering 500,000 Indians. "For every P&G employee in India, the company is contributing towards the vaccination of 100 Indians. In addition, the company will also cover the vaccination cost of its over 5,000 employee force in India, and their eligible immediate family members," the company says in a release.

Meanwhile, the US Chamber of Commerce and CEOs from over 40 companies on Monday announced to provide the country with critical supplies.



The new US public-private partnershipA Global Task Force on Pandemic Response: Mobilising for Indiawill provide the country with critical medical supplies, vaccines, oxygen and other life-saving assistance amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases.



"What we are witnessing in India is a stark reminder that while the US has turned a corner in our efforts to combat the pandemic, our global partners are facing a staggering health crisis that requires a substantial public-private response," says Suzanne Clark, president and chief executive officer of the US Chamber of Commerce, in a statement.



As part of these efforts, the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation has developed Resources for India's Covid-19 Crisis, including a portal through which American companies can offer in-kind donations.
A physical distancing sign is seen during a media tour of Hastings Elementary school in Vancouver on Sept. 2, 2020. Uniformed police officers will no longer be assigned to Vancouver public schools after trustees voted to end its school liaison officer program. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
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House Democrats have revealed a bill on Monday that will make the child tax credit expansion permanent. The said initiative is a major part of President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus plan, which was approved about a month ago, Insider reported.

Aside from a one-year expansion of the child tax credit, Biden's relief plan also includes $1,400 stimulus checks, an extension of the weekly $300 unemployment benefits, and funding for vaccine distribution, testing efforts, and reopening schools.

READ NEXT: Biden's $1.9T Stimulus Moves Forward as Kamala Harris Breaks 50-50 Tie to Begin Senate Debate

Democrats on Bill That Will Make Child Tax Credit Permanent

The latest push over the child tax credit was introduced by Representative Rosa DeLauro, Representative Suzan DelBene, Representative Ritchie Torres.

DeLauro is the House Appropriations Committee chair, while DelBene is the head of the centrist New Democrat Coalition.

Newsweek noted that the president's $1.9 trillion stimulus package signed into law in March had expanded child tax credits to $3,000 for each child aged between six and 17 and $3,600 for each child under the age of six.

Parents also have the option of receiving the payment from the IRS as a monthly check of $250 or $300, depending on their kids' age.

"We must use this moment to pass the American Family Act and permanently expand and improve the child tax credit by increasing the benefit to families and providing payments monthly," DeLauro said in a statement.

However, the president does not think that the legislation proposed by the trio of Democrats would pass the Senate.

"He said 'I'd love to do it permanently but I'm not sure that I can get through the Senate," said Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez as she shared the president's words during his meeting with lawmakers from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Although unsure if it can get through the Senate, Leger Fernandez noted that the president was interested in making the child tax credit permanent.

"[Permanence] is more costly than a five-year extension," one House Democratic aide told Insider. The aide also shared that child poverty costs the U.S. $1.1 trillion annually.

Child Tax Credit

The child tax credit is available to certain families who claim children as dependents, CNBC reported. Families must meet the qualifications.

Under the law, couples earning $150,000 or less and single parents earning $75,000 or less are entitled to receive the full amount.

According to a projection from the Tax Policy Center last month, around 90 percent of families would benefit from the program. Experts also said that its implementation would halve the country's child poverty rate.

"Though it is the largest federal investment in children that we make, it still leaves behind one-third of all children," said DelBene. DelBene also noted that the current rules make many families unqualified for the child tax credit.

The Democrats utilized a budget process called "reconciliation" to speed up the passage of the latest stimulus bill, even without any Republican support. However, the process can only be used once for every fiscal year.

The Washington Post reported that Biden is likely to reject permanently expanding the child tax credit in the "American Families Plan," but instead extend it through 2025 at a $400 billion cost.

Meanwhile, other lawmakers are also rolling out plans for monthly payments to parents as well. Sen. Josh Hawley introduced a measure setting up a new "Parent Tax Credit" that would not replace the existing child tax credit but instead supplement it for families earning around $7,540 for the prior year.

READ MORE: President Biden Guarantees to Push Tax Hike to Fund the Infrastructure Plan

WATCH: Democrats Unveil $3,000 Child Tax Credit, But Split Emerges Over Targeted $1,400 Stimulus Checks - From KARE 11
WASHINGTON  After decades of failing to curb sexual assault in the armed forces, lawmakers and Pentagon leaders are poised to make major changes in military laws that many experts have long argued stand in the way of justice.

A bill championed by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat of New York, would remove military commanders from a role in prosecuting service members for sexual assault and has gained support from scores of key members of Congress. Among them is Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa and a retired National Guard lieutenant colonel, who said her own experience with assault and her daughters stories from West Point helped shift her views on the issue.

I have been torn, Ms. Ernst said in an interview. On the one hand, I was a commander in the National Guard and know how important that role is. But also, as a sexual assault survivor, I know we have to do more. I never really wanted to take this out of chain of command, but we are not seeing a difference.

Ms. Ernsts nod on a new bipartisan measure is likely to attract several other key lawmakers, whose combined support could usher in the biggest change to military rules since the repeal of the ban on service by gays and lesbians in 2010. Other senators  many of whom voted against the measure in the past  said in interviews that they had waited long enough for the military to solve the problem and agreed that Congress should step in.
HIV Drugs Run Short in Kenya as People Say Lives at Risk

Kenyans living with HIV say their lives are in danger due to a shortage of anti-retroviral drugs donated by the United States amid a dispute between the U.S. aid agency and the Kenyan government.

The delayed release of the drugs shipped to Kenya late last year is due to the government slapping a $847,902 tax on the donation, and the U.S. aid agency having trust issues with the graft-tainted Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, activists and officials said.

Activists on Friday dismissed as public relations the governments statement on Thursday that it had resolved the issue and distributed the drugs to 31 of Kenyas 47, counties. The government said all counties within five days will have the drugs needed for 1.4 million people.

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We are assuring the nation that no patient is going to miss drugs. We have adequate stocks, Kenya Medical Supplies Authority customer service manager Geoffrey Mwagwi said as he flagged off a consignment. He said those drugs would cover two months.

The U.S. is by far the largest donor for Kenyas HIV response.

Kenyas health minister, Mutahi Kagwe, told the Senates health committee earlier this week that USAID had released the drug consignment that had been stuck in port. Patients are expected to receive them during the week.

He said USAID had proposed using a company called Chemonics International to procure and supply the drugs to Kenyans due to trust issues with the national medical supplies body.

Bernard Baridi, chief executive officer of Blast, a network of young people living with the disease, said the drugs would last for just a month.

He said the delay in distributing the drugs, in addition to supply constraints caused by the coronavirus pandemic, meant that many people living with HIV were getting a weeks supply instead of three months.

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Many of those who depend on the drugs travel long distances to obtain them and may find it difficult to find transport every week, and if they fail to take them they will develop resistance, Baridi said.

Adherence to medication is going to be low because of access.  If we dont get the medication, we are going to lose people, he said.

According to Baridi, children living with HIV are suffering the most due to the shortage of a drug known Kaletra, which comes in a syrup form that can be taken more easily. Parents are forced to look for the drug in tablet form, crush it and mix it with water, and its still bitter for children to ingest.

Baridi urged Kenyas government and USAID to find a solution on who should distribute the drugs quickly, for the sake of the children.

On Thursday, about 200 people living with HIV in Kisumu, Kenyas third largest city, held a peaceful protest wearing T-shirts reading My ARVs My Life and carrying posters that read A sick nation is a dead nation and A killer government.

Some 136,000 people live with HIV in Kisumu, or about 13% of the citys population, said local rights activist Boniface Ogutu Akach.

We cannot keep quiet and watch this population languish just because they cant get a medicine that is lying somewhere, and that is happening because the government wants to tax a donation, he said.

Erick Okioma, who has HIV, said the governments attention has been diverted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected even community perception.

People fear even getting COVID than HIV, Okioma said, asserting that local HIV testing and treatment centers were empty.
Ole Anthony, a former Air Force intelligence specialist and Texas political operative who found Jesus in 1972, built a following among the down-and-out of east Dallas, and then used that movement to take down a rogues gallery of unscrupulous televangelists and faith healers, died on April 16 at a house in Dallas that he shared with several members of his organization, the Trinity Foundation. He was 82.

His death was confirmed by Pete Evans, a Trinity member who, like Mr. Anthony, had taken a vow of poverty before acquiring a private investigators license, which let him peer deeper into the lifestyles of rich and famous preachers.

Mr. Evans said that the cause had not been determined, but that Mr. Anthony had been in declining health since breaking his hip in 2020.

A tall, blond, irascible son of Norwegian immigrants with an ever-present pipe, Mr. Anthony resembled both an Old Testament prophet and an Old West prospector  a fitting look for a man who, like a latter-day Jeremiah, believed it was his job to call out religious scam artists, especially those who had grown wealthy off their congregations.
[April 27, 2021] Santos Brasil selects CyberLogitec's OPUS Terminal to align its operations across two major terminals

SINGAPORE, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CyberLogitec, a leading provider of terminal operation solutions, announced a new agreement with Santos Brasil, Brazil's leading Terminal Operator, to implement OPUS Terminal in its two largest sites at Santos and Barcarena. Selected for its flexibility and integrated terminal planning features, OPUS Terminal will help modernize and standardize container operations, accounting for approximately 16% of Brazilian containerized trade. With multiple sites operating across the country, Santos Brasil was faced with the challenge of aligning processes across these sites to cater to their 3,000 plus workforce. OPUS Terminal was selected due to its wide range of yard, quayside, and gate processes integrated within the core TOS solution. The fully integrated TOS, couled with vital external integrations, gives the terminal operator the ability to provide a consistent experience to operators, transportation partners, government agencies, and cargo owners regardless of location.



"CyberLogitec's OPUS Terminal provides us the opportunity to align business processes across our two key hubs that have until now been serviced through two separate systems", says Ricardo Abbruzzini Filho, IT and Innovation Director at Santos Brasil. "A key benefit that CyberLogitec's solution brings is its integrated approach to quayside and yard operations in a single system without the requirement for numerous add-ons." OPUS Terminal's advanced features varying from yard planning and housekeeping to berth and quay crane operations, can cater to the terminals' growth in the years to come. With CyberLogitec's proven experience in assisting space-constrained sites in maximizing productivity and efficiency through the advanced features of OPUS Terminal, Santos Brasil identified an opportunity to reduce the requirements to acquire new land to meet growth targets.

"Our agreement with Santos Brasil is another important step in our growth within Latin America", said Young Kyu Song, CEO of CyberLogitec. "Despite being based in Asia, the flexibility, integrated functions, and our robust remote implementation strategy mean fast-growing terminals in the region can benefit from our solution to help them better serve their customers and partners." For more information, visit www.cyberlogitec.com About CyberLogitec CyberLogitec empowers the global supply chain with innovative technologies that address operational challenges, improve visibility, and meet industry demands. As a worldwide leader in the maritime, port, and logistics industry, our flexible, end-to-end solutions and consulting services help the industry adapt quickly to the market's evolving needs. About Santos Brasil Recognized as a reference in the port operation of containers in Brazil, Santos Brasil is a publicly traded company, listed on B3's Novo Mercado, which offers its customers complete port logistics solutions. The Company operates six marine terminals strategically located across Brazil, with three container terminals - Tecon Santos (Port of Santos - SP), Tecon Vila do Conde (Port of Barcarena - PA) and Tecon Imbituba (Port of Imbituba - SC) -, a general cargo terminal, TCG Imbituba (Imbituba - SC), an exclusive vehicle handling terminal, TEV (Porto de Santos - SP) and a general cargo terminal in Saboo, also in Santos (SP). View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/santos-brasil-selects-cyberlogitecs-opus-terminal-to-align-its-operations-across-two-major-terminals-301277542.html SOURCE CyberLogitec

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President Joe Biden, who has moved away from predecessor Donald Trump's hard-line immigration approach, gave Harris the job of leading U.S. efforts with Mexico and Central America's Northern Triangle countries - Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala - to stop migrants from crossing into the United States.

The meeting, which was held virtually, was Harris' second conversation with Guatemala's leader in less than a month - a sign of the best opportunity she has to build a partnership in the region. She previously spoke with him on March 30th.

Harris has yet to speak with leaders of Honduras and El Salvador.

"We want to work with you... in a way that will bring hope to the people of Guatemala, that there will be an opportunity for them if they stay at home," Harris said, adding that she will visit the region in June.

Video Transcript

- [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

KAMALA HARRIS: And we want to work with you to address both the acute causes, as well as the root causes, in a way that will bring hope to the people of Guatemala, that there will be an opportunity for them if they stay at home.

The United States plans to increase relief to the region, strengthen our cooperation to manage migration in an effective, secure, and humane manner.

I believe that the work, in order to be successful, will require everyone's participation. And I do believe also it will require political will and hard work to accomplish our goals. But I am confident that we can make progress and create a sense of hope for the future.
Palestinian president likely to postpone elections: sources

Xinhua) 09:23, April 27, 2021

RAMALLAH, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will "most likely" postpone the upcoming elections, according to well-informed sources on Monday.

The sources, who declined to be named, said Abbas may decide to postpone the elections in light of Israel's no response to the Palestinian request to allow holding the elections in East Jerusalem.

Earlier on Monday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye said at the weekly cabinet meeting that Abbas is going to head a meeting for the Palestinian leadership on Thursday night to discuss the elections.

In January, 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 Aug. 31.

The Palestinian leadership insists on holding the general elections in occupied East Jerusalem, as in the two previous legislative elections held in 1996 and 2006, and the 2005 presidential elections.

But so far, Israel has not given approval for holding them inside the occupied city.

The sources said that during Thursday night's meeting, Abbas will brief all Palestinian factions, including the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), on the current efforts made to persuade Israel to allow the Palestinian elections in East Jerusalem.

"All indications show that Israel is not interested in giving a positive answer," the sources added.

The sources said Abbas may propose to the Palestinian factions to form a unity government that works on ending the internal division and unifies the Palestinian institutions in case the elections are postponed.

On Sunday evening, Abbas, who chaired a meeting for Fatah party's central committee in the West Bank city of Ramallah, said that elections can not be held without East Jerusalem.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
President Donald Trump is seen at a rally in Mississippi in 2018. Rogelio V. Solis/AP

Donald Trump criticized the 2021 Oscars amid record-low ratings in a statement on Tuesday.

He suggested referring to the show exclusively as the Academy Awards and hiring a host.

Trump said the "politically correct," "boring" show should revert to its old "formula."

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Donald Trump criticized the 93rd annual Academy Awards in a statement released on Tuesday, proposing numerous methods to improve the award show after it received record-breaking low ratings.

The former president's suggestions included dropping the term "Oscars" and referring to the award show exclusively as the Academy Awards, hiring a charismatic host, and making the show less "politically correct and boring."

"What used to be called The Academy Awards, and now is called the 'Oscars' - a far less important and elegant name - had the lowest Television Ratings in recorded history, even much lower than last year, which set another record low," the statement from the former president begins.

It continues, "If they keep with the current ridiculous formula, it will only get worse-if that's possible. Go back 15 years, look at the formula they then used, change the name back to THE ACADEMY AWARDS, don't be so politically correct and boring, and do it right. ALSO, BRING BACK A GREAT HOST."

Trump ended the statement by saying that "television people" use the Oscars to "promote" the Democratic Party and "cancel Conservatives and Republicans."

Donald Trump was the 45th president. Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images

The Oscars, which aired on Sunday from Los Angeles' Union Station and the Dolby Theatre without a host for a third consecutive year, drew an audience of 10.3 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

There has been a steady dip in viewership in recent years, but Deadline's Dominic Patten reports that this year's show was both the least-watched and lowest-rated Academy Awards ceremony in history.

Story continues

Throughout the show, several figures spoke about racial inequality and police brutality. Regina King opened the evening by mentioning the Derek Chauvin verdict, while Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe wore jackets featuring the names of Black individuals killed by the police, including Duante Wright and Tamir Rice.

Trump wasn't the only conservative pundit that felt Sunday's show was too "politically correct." Fox News host Tomi Lahren dedicated time to bash the Oscars the following day.

"I, for one, had and have no desire to watch these Trump-deranged Hollywood Liberals grandstand on their soapboxes with useless and bogus virtue signaling," she said during a segment on "Final Thoughts."

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Prior to releasing his statement on Tuesday, Trump has been a vocal critic of Hollywood's biggest award show.

After Bong-Joon Ho's "Parasite" became the first non-English language film in history win best picture in 2020, he mocked the South Korean movie during one of his political rallies.

"The winner is a movie from South Korea! What the hell was that all about? We got enough problems with South Korea with trade. On top of it, they give them the best movie of the year. Was it good? I don't know," he said.

Trump added, "Can we get 'Gone With the Wind' back, please?"

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"Gone With the Wind," a film that won best picture in 1940, has since been reexamined for its "racist depictions" of the antebellum South.

The movie was temporarily pulled from HBO Max in 2020 after the "12 Years a Slave" screenwriter John Ridley penned an essay in the Los Angeles Times about the "painful stereotypes" perpetuated in the movie.

HBO Max readded the film to its platform weeks later with additional videos adding historical context.

Read the original article on Insider
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 23:12:10|Editor: huaxia

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ISLAMABAD, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Pakistani officials and businessmen on Tuesday discussed ways to advance business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking in textile industry under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Khashih ur Rehman, executive director general of Pakistan's Board of Investment (BOI), said during a webinar that the event will help in advancing B2B ties under CPEC industrial cooperation.

The CPEC industrial cooperation textile B2B webinar was co-organized by BOI, China Council for International Investment Promotion (CCIIP) and China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC). It was attended by senior officials and textile entrepreneurs from Pakistan and China.

"To facilitate B2B matchmaking, the BOI is working on the development of an online B2B portal which will assist potential domestic and foreign investors and serve as a one-stop database of available public and private sector investment projects," Rehman said.

While appreciating the overwhelming support from the CNTAC and China's Ministry of Commerce, Secretary of BOI Fareena Mazhar called for enhanced B2B matchmaking between the Pakistani and Chinese textile enterprises.

"Owing to the sector's financial gains, many international companies including Chinese enterprises are already operational in the country," she said.

Project Director of the Project Management Unit of the BOI Asim Ayub said that B2B joint ventures are intrinsic to the success of CPEC and the special economic zones, and the BOI will extend full support to Chinese investors for successful materialization of their projects in Pakistan.

On the occasion, CNTAC deputy director Xu Yingxin called for enhancing industrial cooperation between China and Pakistan under CPEC, especially in the textile sector.

In addition to analyzing the textile sector of both countries and discussing the investment opportunities, notable textile companies from both sides also presented their projects requiring cooperation and held discussions for potential matchmaking. Enditem
(Natural News) Big tech corporations are pushing states to pass watered-down privacy laws that they helped write with the goal of preempting stronger privacy protections.

In March, Virginia swiftly passed the Consumer Data Protection Act. According to an investigation by Protocol, the Virginia law was industry-approved. The law was presented to a Democratic state senator by an Amazon lobbyist. Most of the text of the law is also derived from a failed privacy law written by Microsoft for the state of Washington. (Related: Facebook, Google and eBay want the Supreme Court to make it harder to sue them and other big tech companies.)

An investigation conducted by nonprofit news organization The Markup found that Virginias case is not unique. Of the 20 proposed state privacy bills currently being considered across the country, at least 14 of them were built upon the same industry-backed framework established in Virginia. The website further believes that some of these laws might actually be weaker.

In Washington, Oklahoma, Florida and Connecticut, the appearance of tech-friendly provisions in proposed privacy legislation is directly linked to efforts by industry lobbyists. Industry pressure has already forced Texas lawmakers to pass a bill thats even weaker than Virginias.

In North Dakota and Oklahoma, tech lobbyists had to step in to prevent state lawmakers from passing strong privacy laws. Similar lobbying efforts have been documented in other states, like Minnesota, Illinois, Hawaii and Arizona.

All of the industry-backed privacy laws comply with two key demands from big tech. First, the law has to require consumers to opt-out rather than into the sale of their personal data for targeted advertising. Second, the law must protect companies from being sued for violations. The bills that have not submitted to the demands of the tech giants have quickly died in committee or been rewritten.

Experts believe big techs push to write and pass their own privacy legislation was prompted by California after the state enacted sweeping privacy bills in 2018 and 2020.

For comparison, Californias laws create a global opt out. This means that, rather than every website requiring users to go through separate processes to opt-out of data policies, state residents can use a browser or a browser extension to automatically notify each website that they would rather not have their data sold. The California laws also allow consumers to sue big tech for violations.

Big techs goal is to get Congress to pass weak privacy law to supplant stronger state laws

The effort to push through weaker bills is to demonstrate to businesses and to Congress that there are weaker options, said former chief technologist for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Ashkan Soltani. Nobody saw Virginia coming. That was very much an industry-led effort by Microsoft and Amazon. At some point, if multiple states go the way of Virginia, you might not even get companies to honor Californias [legislation].

Setting up these weak foundations is really damaging and really puts us in a worse direction on privacy in the U.S., said Hayley Tsukayama, a legislative activist working for digital rights nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation. Every time that one of these bills passes, Virginia being a great example, people are saying This is the model you should be looking at, not California.'

Soltani and Tsukayamas statements have been confirmed by tech lobbyists and the tech giants themselves. Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda told The Markup that it is advocating for strong, comprehensive federal privacy legislation in the U.S.

Executive Vice President for government relations Dan Jaffe of the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) said it will not be good for business if states adopt privacy laws that are similar to Californias. ANA has lobbied in states and helped write advertiser and tech giant-friendly federal legislation.

TechNet, a pro-big tech industry group that has been lobbying state lawmakers, said that the litigation costs for good faith mistakes could be fatal to businesses of all sizes.

Americans most likely very supportive of strong privacy legislation

Despite big techs considerable resources and lobbying power, groups within the U.S. are still dedicated to fighting back.

In Dec. 2020, the FTC wrote to nine social media and internet companies demanding more information regarding how these corporations collect, store and use consumer data.

In California, the passage of Prop 24  the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020  with over 55 percent of voters in favor shows that similarly strong legislation in other states will most likely be supported by the population.

Several bills that include opt-in frameworks, allow consumers to sue big tech and other provisions are already making their way through the legislatures of multiple states including New York, New Jersey, Nevada, Massachusetts and Maine.

But this patchwork of legislation across states will be difficult to navigate. Some experts believe that only strong, federal privacy legislation will prevent big tech from taking advantage of consumers data.

Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Apple and Amazon have already spent a combined $619,000 in their lobbying efforts in Connecticut. In response to the possibility of more state or federal legislation that will actually offer strong consumer protections, big tech can be expected to increase its lobbying efforts to try to shape the final form of the bills.

Learn more about how big tech corporations like Microsoft and Amazon are preventing strong privacy legislation from passing by reading the latest articles at TechGiants.news.

Sources include:

TheMarkup.org

Protocol.com

HelpNetSecurity.com

Vox.com
This was despite natural advantages Floridas far more humid climate provides: Several studies suggest that aerosol droplets emitted when humans breath, talk or sing fall to the ground much faster in humid air than in a drier climate.

DeSantis celebrates that he kept schools open through the pandemic, while most were closed in California. But the 1.5 million more elderly persons here could have fared far worse had California stayed as open as Florida.

The question: Were the lives saved here by using Newsoms tactics rather than those of DeSantis worth extra sacrifices by other age groups?

Thats essentially being debated right now in the recall drive, where Newsom is roundly criticized for keeping businesses and schools shuttered longer than many found comfortable, even though teachers and school districts often have the last word on reopening.

The bottom line on all this is that both governors operated from basic instincts and principles: Newsom placed lives saved above all else while DeSantis wanted to save lives, too, but not if his states economy suffered beyond his supporters comfort level.
LOS ANGELES, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced the company will provide $200,000 in funding for Zero Emission Industries' (ZEI), formerly Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine, hydrogen fuel cell technology project that aims to develop a zero emissions solution for small commercial marine vessels by modifying a commercial boat with a hydrogen fuel cell in place of a combustion engine. Once brought to market, the fuel cell technology could vastly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollution from thousands of small commercial boats throughout California including patrol, fishing, fire, rescue, ferry, taxi, recreational and other vessels.

"SoCalGas is committed to helping California reach its climate goals, and we look at how we can support reducing GHG emissions in every sector," said Neil Navin, vice president of clean energy innovations at SoCalGas. "We recently announced our pledge to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions in our operations and delivery of energy by 2045, and our work with the CEC and ZEI to develop fuel cell technology for commercial boats could aid this commitment. This innovative technology has the potential to decrease pollution in California in a meaningful way."

"This project exemplifies our approach at Zero Emission Industries, which is to solve difficult challenges with hydrogen in ways that make it accessible for everyone," said Dr. Joseph Pratt, CEO of ZEI. "With California being home to over 1 million vessels, 98% of which are under 40 feet long, developing a small fast zero emission vessel solution will have a profound impact on the market, the economy, and air quality. The support from SoCalGas on low- and zero-emission efforts like this project play a large role in the ongoing effort to eliminate California's and ultimately, the world's emissions."

"As California works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from various sectors within our state, I am thrilled to see SoCalGas, in partnership with the CEC and Zero Emission Industries, leading and supporting the development of innovative technologies to help meet the state's goals," said Mario Cordero, Executive Director, Port of Long Beach. "The Port of Long Beach is proud to be one of two locations in which this technology will be utilized."

The project will test a commercial marine vessel modified to incorporate a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain. While boats are typically propelled with a combustion engine, the hydrogen fuel cell powertrain will use the latest automotive-style fuel cell technology and will be designed to optimize overall performance, with boat speeds ranging from a few knots to over 50 knots. The boat will be fueled with hydrogen through mobile, portable systems developed by ZEI for marine vessel fueling. These portable fueling systems will be built as part of the project, using hydrogen sourced from California's retail hydrogen stations. The project will demonstrate the vessel for six months, split between the San Francisco Bay and Long Beach.

This project will be led by Zero Emission Industries with the following ports and commercial boating companies assisting in testing the technologies; Port of San Francisco, Red and White Fleet, Port of Long Beach and Harbor Breeze Cruises. The California Energy Commission (CEC) will provide $2 million for this project.

On March 23, SoCalGas announced its commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045, reducing not only the company's own direct emissions, but also those generated by its customers to support a carbon neutral economy.

SoCalGas is demonstrating this commitment by also advancing numerous low- and zero-carbon energy technologies. Late last year, the company announced it will build a home to demonstrate, in a microgrid setting, the use of hydrogen produced from solar energy. Called the "H2 Hydrogen Home," the project will use solar panels to create electricity that can be used to produce green hydrogen via electrolysis. The hydrogen will be blended with natural gas for the home's appliances as well as converted back to electricity using a residential fuel cell.

In addition, SoCalGas will field test a new technology that separates and compresses hydrogen from a blend of hydrogen and natural gas, allowing hydrogen to be delivered wherever a natural gas distribution system exists. Details on these efforts are available here .

SoCalGas' mission is to build the cleanest, safest, and most innovative energy company in North America. More information on the company's mission and strategic priorities can be found at socalgas.com/mission.

About Zero Emission IndustriesTM:

Zero Emission IndustriesTM formerly Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine, launched 2017, is a cutting-edge hydrogen technology company that develops and sells power systems for a range of applications. The company received a grant in 2018 for $3 million from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to build the first hydrogen fuel cell vessel in the United States, the Water-Go-Round. For more information on GGZEM: http://ggzeromarine.com/

About Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is one of the world's premier seaports, a gateway for trans-Pacific trade and a trailblazer in goods movement and environmental stewardship. With 175 shipping lines connecting Long Beach to 217 seaports, the Port handles $170 billion in trade annually, supporting more than 575,000 Southern California jobs."

About SoCalGas

Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States. SoCalGas delivers affordable, reliable, clean and increasingly renewable gas service to 21.8 million consumers across 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. Gas delivered through the company's pipelines will continue to play a key role in California's clean energy transitionproviding electric grid reliability and supporting wind and solar energy deployment.

SoCalGas' mission is to build the cleanest, safest and most innovative energy company in America. In support of that mission, SoCalGas is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045 and to replacing 20 percent of its traditional natural gas supply with renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030. Renewable natural gas is made from waste created by dairy farms, landfills and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is also committed to investing in its gas delivery infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for customers. Over the past five years, the company invested nearly $7.5 billion to upgrade and modernize its pipeline system to enhance safety and reliability. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), an energy services holding company based in San Diego. For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook.

SOURCE Southern California Gas Company

Related Links

http://www.socalgas.com


Through a range of virtual seminars jointly organised with Singapore Cancer Society, MSIG will be educating its stakeholders on the topic of cancer prevention

MSIG will donate $10 for every CancerCare Plus policy sold to support SCS' cancer programmes and patient care services

SINGAPORE, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MSIG Insurance ("MSIG") and Singapore Cancer Society ("SCS") today announced a 3-year collaboration to advance public awareness on cancer risks.

MSIG Insurance Logo

Singapore Cancer Society Logo

"Cancer is expected to become more common as life expectancy increases. By collaborating with the Singapore Cancer Society, we hope to engage our stakeholders on the topic of proactive health management in minimising cancer risks. Given that the average Singaporean is covered for only 20 percent of their financial needs when critical illness occurs[1], educational programmes on cancer prevention will further complement our existing insurance solutions and allow us to contribute positively to the overall cancer control efforts in Singapore," said Mr. Steven Leong, Senior Vice-President, Consumer and Digital Distribution, MSIG Singapore.

He added further, "In the last 6 months, we have also seen a 50% increase in the sales of our CancerCare Plus plan, which provides $100,000 coverage for all stages of cancer. This suggests that more Singaporeans are finding importance in taking better control of their health and their financial needs."

To empower more people to take actions regarding their health, MSIG has pledged to donate $10 for every CancerCare Plus policy sold. This donation will go towards supporting SCS' cancer programmes and patient care services.

According to a 2018 annual report by the Singapore Cancer Registry, the median age at diagnosis for cancer had risen for both genders from 2014 to 2018[2]. This is a result of an increase in life expectancy over the years as more individuals are expected to survive past their 80s, when age-specific incidence rate of cancer is at its highest.

Story continues

In Singapore, 1 in 4 people may develop cancer at some point during their lifetimes[3].

Cancer remains the biggest killer and claims more than 5,600 lives annually in Singapore, with the mortality rate higher among men than in women (96.5 per 100,000 men and 66.5 per 100,000 women). The top three leading causes of cancer death in men were lung, colorectal and liver, while breast, lung and colorectal cancers were the leading causes of cancer mortality in women.

As part of the collaboration, MSIG and SCS will roll out virtual seminars tailored for different target audiences to educate them on the commonly-diagnosed cancers affecting Singaporeans.

"As SCS strives to ensure that holistic support is rendered to help patients cope during their cancer journey, the fight against cancer involves all sectors of society and the community. We are heartened that corporates like MSIG have stepped up to support us in our efforts to minimise the impact of cancer in Singapore. We believe corporate partners can play a greater role in upscaling our cancer outreach programmes and drive awareness of SCS' work for the cancer community. With rising cancer incidence and more cancer survivors in Singapore, we are also appreciative of MSIG's fundraising efforts that will support SCS' programmes and services for the vulnerable and financially needy cancer patients," said Mr. Albert Ching, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Cancer Society.

[1] Life Insurance Association 2017 Protection Gap Study https://www.lia.org.sg/media/1700/slides-on-key-findings.pdf [2] Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2018 https://www.nrdo.gov.sg/docs/librariesprovider3/default-document-library/scr-annual-report-2018.pdf?sfvrsn=bcf56c25_0 [3] Singapore Cancer Society website https://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg/learn-about-cancer/cancer-basics/common-types-of-cancer-in-singapore.html

About MSIG Insurance ("MSIG Singapore")

A leading general insurer with a local presence of over 100 years, MSIG Singapore offers an extensive range of insurance solutions for commercial and personal risk protection, enabling the security and safety of individuals and businesses. MSIG Singapore holds an A+/Stable financial rating by Standard & Poor's.

A testament to its growing strength and influence, MSIG Singapore has garnered numerous awards for delivering digitally innovative and customer-centric solutions. It was named Asia's Most Transformative Insurer (2019) by the IDC Financial Insights and The Digital Insurer of the Year (2018) by The Asset, an independent financial research publication in Asia.

MSIG Singapore is a subsidiary of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd, and a member of the MS&AD Insurance Group  one of the largest general insurance groups in the world with presence in 46 countries and regions globally, 18 of which are in Asia Pacific including all ASEAN markets as well as in Australia, New Zealand, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and India. Headquartered in Japan, MS&AD is ranked 5th* among non-life insurance groups in the world based on gross revenue.

* 2020 Fortune Global 500, Property & Casualty Insurance Category

msig.com.sg

About Singapore Cancer Society ("SCS")

Established in 1964, Singapore Cancer Society is a self-funded voluntary welfare organisation which provides patient care services to needy cancer patients through its welfare, hospice home care, cancer treatment subsidy and rehabilitation support programmes. In addition, the Society also provides free cancer screening services and promotes cancer awareness and prevention through its public education and community outreach programmes.

singaporecancersociety.org.sg

For more information and media enquiries, please contact:

Carole Chow

AVP, Branding & Corporate Communications

MSIG Insurance (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

D: +65 6827 7686

E: carole_chow@sg.msig-asia.com

Kumudha Panneerchelvam (Ms.)

Corporate Affairs Senior Executive

Singapore Cancer Society

D: +65 6436 5237

E: kumudha_p@singaporecancersociety.org.sg

SOURCE MSIG Insurance (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
Amiwala credits her fathers work ethic with helping her develop her own commitment to volunteerism and interest in public office. She said her father came to the United States from Pakistan in 1984 with $20. He worked various jobs from bussing tables and flipping burgers, to driving a taxi and delivering pizza before opening a clothing store on Chicagos South Side in 1997.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (L) attends a roundtable discussion on the opioid epidemic at the Cabell-Huntington Health Department in Huntington, W.Va., on July 8, 2019. (Saul Loe/AFP via Getty Images)

West Virginia Offers $100 Savings Bonds to Younger Residents to Get Vaccinated

West Virginia is encouraging its younger residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine by offering them a $100 savings bond if they choose to get inoculated.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, on Monday announced that vaccinated residents aged 16 to 35 would qualify for the savings bonds, which are to be paid for with money from the CARES Act, last years pandemic relief package.

We have vetted this in every way that we possibly can to be assured that we can use our CARES dollars to do exactly just this, Justice said at a press conference in Charleston.

The governor said vaccine uptake among West Virginiansespecially younger onesis lower than health officials would like.

Kids 16 all the way up to 35 years of age are having a real transmission issue with this disease, Justice said. Our kids today probably dont really realize just how important they are in shutting this thing down, he added.

Justice said that if around 80 percent of West Virginias 380,000 residents who fall into the 16 to 35 age bracket choose to get the vaccine, the overall statewide vaccination rate will exceed 70 percent of the eligible population.

Theyre not taking vaccines as fast as wed like them to take them, Justice said. If we really want to move the needle, weve got to get our younger people vaccinated.

Justice said that, of the 1.47 million West Virginians who are currently eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, 52 percent have received at least one dose to date, with demand for vaccines dipping in recent weeks. This is well below the goal of a 70 percent vaccination rate among West Virginia residents, he added.

If we can get to 70 percent, well shut this virus down, he said. If we do that, the masks go away, the hospitalizations go away, and the deaths become minimal.

The savings bond plan is one idea to encourage the younger demographic to get the vaccine, Justice said.

Im trying to come up with a way thats truly going to motivate themand usto get over the hump, he said.

The measure will work retroactively, with those who earlier received the vaccine also eligible for the $100 bond.

Were going to give every single one of these people, the people that already stepped up, our young people that have already stepped up and been vaccinated, and every single one of our young people, were going to give a $100 savings bond to every single one that steps up and takes their vaccines, Justice added.

He did not specify how people could apply for the vaccine bond.

Other ideas to boost vaccine uptake the governor mentioned include setting up highly visible clinics in front of schools, paying pharmacies to stay open later, or a mobile vaccination program like Meals On Wheels that would offer shots on the go.
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President Joe Biden kept his face mask on Tuesday after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said fully vaccinated Americans can now safely go without masks outside, saying he was doing so to make a point.

Biden wore his face mask as he came out onto the North Lawn of the White House to deliver remarks on the coronavirus pandemic. He paired the dark mask with his signature aviator sunglasses against the bright, sunny day.

He took the mask off to speak - waiting until he reached the podium to do so - and said he walked out of the White House wearing one so people could watch him remove it and not put it back on until he was back inside the building.

'Watching me take if off and not put it back on until I'm inside,' he said when asked what message he was giving. There was only a few reporters and staff on hand for his outdoor remarks.

Biden was fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before he took the oath of office on Inauguration Day in January.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the president will follow the new guidelines but conceded it will take some time to adapt the new habit.

'He'll be following public health guidelines so I think you saw him outside today - he took the mask off, he didn't put the mask back on,' she said at her press briefing. 'It will take some time to adjust and adapt for all of us.'

The president spoke for a little than five minutes about the pandemic, where he encouraged people to get vaccinated as the inoculation rate in the United States has started to drop off. He pointed out getting vaccinated means getting back to normal life.

'Vaccines are about saving your life, but also the lives of the people around you, but they're also about helping to get us get back to closer to living our normal lives, getting together with friends, going through the park for a picnic without needing a basket or back to that place now as long as you get vaccinated,' Biden said. 'So go get the shot. It's never been easier.'

He also pointed out the new CDC guidelines: 'Starting today, if youre fully vaccinated and youre outdoors and not in a big crowd, you no longer need to wear a mask.'

After his remarks, he left the podium, set up next to the driveway outside the White House, with his face mask in hand.

President Joe Biden said he wore a face mask so people could watch him take it off and not put it back on until he was inside

President Biden removes his face mask when he arrives at the podium to speak, where he addressed the new CDC guidance on mask wearing

President Biden arrives to give his remarks wearing a face mask but leaves with his face mask in hand

President Biden spoke from the North Lawn of the White House, with his podium near the drive way

President Biden used his speech to encourage Americans to get vaccinated as the inoculation rate is dropping

Earlier Tuesday, the CDC eased up on the guidelines requiring face masks. Biden had called on all Americans to mask up for 100 days when he became president. Thursday marks his 100th day in office.

'If you are fully vaccinated, things are much safer for you,' said CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky during a Tuesday COVID team briefing.

'There are many situations in which Americans do not need to wear masks if they are fully vaccinated, particularly outdoors.'

As long as they are outside, people who are fully vaccinated can now exercise, go to small gatherings or restaurants with people who are vaccinated or unvaccinated.

It comes amid mounting evidence - finally acknowledged by the CDC on Tuesday - that outdoor transmission of coronavirus is exceedingly rare, accounting for less than 10 percent of cases. Those risks are mainly linked to crowded events that can turn into super-spreader events, or people who were in close range of one another.

However, in crowded places like concerts, parades or sporting events, even vaccinated people should still wear masks, the CDC's new guidance says.

The guidance is merely that - advice about what the health agency has deemed safe - and is not enforceable. It's up to states, counties and cities to issue mask mandates and other restrictions.

Several states, including Massachusetts and Kentucky rolled back their guidelines on mask-wearing outdoors on Tuesday morning, in anticipation of the update to the guidelines.

Unvaccinated people can shed their masks too, if they are outside exercising or at small outdoor gatherings with vaccinated friends and families. .

U.S. health officials unveiled a list of outdoor activities that it now considers safe for fully vaccinated Americans to do without masks, including exercising, going to small gatherings and eating outside. However, vaccinated people should still wear masks in crowds

U.S. health officials announced on Tuesday that vaccinated Americans can shed their masks outside - unless they are in a crowd

Tucker Carlson instructs viewers to start telling people 'politely but firmly' to remove their masks outside Tucker Carlson said Americans should start asking people to remove their masks outside because science shows there isn't a reason to wear them and wearing them makes other people feel uncomfortable. Tucker Carlson said during his show on Monday night that the fact Americans are being told to still wear masks outside amid the COVID-19 pandemic 'should shock us' During his Tucker Carlson Tonight show Monday night, the Fox News host said the fact that Americans are being told to still wear masks outside amid the COVID-19 pandemic 'should shock us'. The dictates are simply power grabs by overzealous liberal politicians, he said, and not based in science. Instead, they're chipping away at Americans' freedoms - unchecked. 'The next time you see someone in a mask on the sidewalk or the bike path, don't hesitate. Ask politely but firmly: 'Would you please take off your mask? Science shows there is no reason to wear it. Your mask is making me uncomfortable',' Carlson said. 'We should do that, and we should keep doing it, until wearing a mask outdoors is roughly as socially accepted as lighting a Marlboro in an elevator. It's repulsive. Don't do it around other people. That's the message we should send because it's true.' Advertisement

Officials faced scrutiny over saying that the risk of transmission of coronavirus is extremely low outside, while continuing to tell unvaccinated people to keep their masks on while outdoors.

'There is increasing data that suggests that most of transmission is happening indoors rather than outdoors, less than 10 percent of documented transmissions in many studies have occurred outdoors, we also know there's almost a 20-fold increase of transmission in the indoor setting versus the outdoor setting,' explained Dr Walensky.

'That coupled with the fact that we now have 37 percent over the age of 18 fully vaccinated and the fact that case rates now are starting to come down motivated our change.'

As of Tuesday, about 29 percent of Americans of any age are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. So far, 42.5 percent of the population has had a first dose.

The data on outdoor transmission of Covid - although somewhat limited - suggests it is rare.

In aggregate, a Journal of Infectious Diseases study found that outdoor transmission accounts for only about 10 percent of transmissions.

One of the five found that just two out of 7,324 cases were the result of outdoor transmission.

A second found four out of 103 infections had been contracted outside, and a third found 95 instances of outdoor spread in 10,926 infections.

The risk varies depending on what outdoor activities are involved however. One of the studies found that one in seven super-spreader events had been outdoors.

Overarchingly, the takeaway from these studies seems to be that if your contact is close enough, transmission can happen anywhere.

But if you're outside, and not in a tightly packed crowd, the odds of contracting coronavirus appear minimal.

Fully vaccinated people can soon 'return to normal,' Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said on Tuesday ahead of the announcement.

'You're vaccinated, guess what, you get to return to a normal lifestyle! You're not vaccinated, you're still a danger, you're still in danger as well, so get vaccinated,' Becerra said on CBS 'This Morning.'

'When you get vaccinated, you can join [the two-thirds of vaccinated seniors] outdoors, and not have to wear masks,' he said.

But he gave conflicting signals. When asked directly if a vaccinated person can stop wearing a mask outside, Becerra waffled.

'We want to get back to our normal lifestyle, we want to get our economy restarted, we want to get people back at work, restaurants open, you gotta do that the right way, and masks help, vaccinations help, but masks are still important,' he said, adding that he is vaccinated but still wears a mask.

The odds of catching coronavirus outside are about 19 times lower than they are indoors, according to a large review of research, and health officials like Dr Anthony Fauci and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have acknowledged that the risk of catching or spreading Covid outside, especially after vaccination, is low.

WHICH US STATES STILL HAVE MASK MANDATES? As of April 27, most U.S. states still have mask mandates, but two have rolled back their outdoor masking requirements: Alabama No. Expired April 9. Encourages masks within 6ft of non-household member. Some cities have mandates. Alaska No. Encourages masking. Some cities have mandates. Arizona No. Ended by executive order on March 25. Cities and counties barred from mandating masks except on transit and in government buildings. Arkansas No. Lifted on March 31. Recommended by health department within 6ft of people from other houses. California Yes. Masks required in most settings since June 18. Colorado Yes. Extended until May 3, everyone 11 or older must wear masks indoors in public settings if more than 10 people nearby may not be vaccinated. Connecticut Yes. Required within 6ft, but children under two are exempt. Delaware Yes. Required in public and in private indoor gatherings of people from multiple households, regardless of social distancing. District of Columbia Yes. Required outside the home if they may come into contact with another person. Children under 2 are exempt, and businesses must deny entry to maskless people. Florida No. Local governments are barred from penalizing people who don't wear masks, by executive order. Some counties have mask requirements. Georgia No. Strongly encouraged outside the home. Local bans are prohibited by executive order, unless they have more than 100 Covid-cases per capita. Hawaii Yes. Required at and near businesses. Idaho No. Some cities have their own mandates. Illinois Yes. Anyone over two who is medically able to must wear a mask in public within 6ft of others. Indiana No. Expire into a downgraded 'mask advisory' on April 6. Masks encouraged for anyone eight and older in public if they may come within 6ft of others. Masks required in state buildings, K-12 schools and testing and vaccination sites. Some cities have local mask orders. Iowa No. Lifted February 7. Encourages 'reasonable public health measures.' Kansas No. Required at indoor public locations and at outdoor gatherings of more than 1,000 people. Children under 5 are exempt. Kentucky Yes. Required in public places and outdoor events of more than 1,000 people. Outdoor mask requirement lifted April 26 for smaller gatherings. Louisiana Yes. Required in indoor or outdoor public spaces if 6ft of distance can't be maintained. Children under 8 are exempt. Maine Yes. Masks required in all indoor and outdoor public spaces. Maryland Yes. Anyone over age five must wear masks in public indoor spaces and outdoors if social distance can't be maintained. Massachusetts Yes. Required for anyone over age five in public spaces indoors. Requirement for masks outdoors will be lifted April 30, if social distance can be maintained. Michigan Yes. Required for people age two and older in most public settings. Minnesota Yes. Masks required except for children age five and under. Mississippi No. Mandate lifted September 30 and reinstated later. Latest mandate expired March 3, but masks are still required in K-12 schools. Missouri No. Masks recommended and some cities have mask mandates. Montana No. Mask mandate lifted February 12. Nebraska No. Required in some businesses like salons and barbershops and are recommended for restaurant staff and while in public. Some cities have local mask orders. Nevada Yes. Most people over age nine must wear masks in public spaces, indoor or outdoor. New Hampshire No. Order expired April 16. Masks encouraged in public and some cities and towns still have mandates. New Jersey Yes. Masks required in all public settings for people over age two. New Mexico Yes. Masks must be worn in public and in gyms. New York Yes. Anyone over the age of two who can 'medically tolerate' a mask must wear one in public if they can't maintain social distancing. North Carolina Yes. Anyone over the age of five must wear a mask in any indoor space or outdoors if they can't maintain social distance. North Dakota No. Expired on January 18. Some cities still have local mask orders. Ohio Yes. Everyone age 10 or older must wear a mask when in public indoor spaces of if they can't maintain social distance outside. Oklahoma No. No mandate was issued, although masks are encouraged in public. Some cities have local mask requirements. Oregon Yes. Anyone five or older must wear masks in public and in workplaces - indoor or outdoor. Indoor gatherings of more than 10 people are banned. Pennsylvania Yes. Everyone age two and older must wear face coverings indoors if people from other households are present. Rhode Island Yes. Masks required in public for anyone over age two. South Carolina No. Many counties and cities have their own mask mandates, but they are not enforceable by law. South Dakota No. Masks are recommended if social distancing can't be maintained, but no order was issued. Tennessee No. Executive order urges masking in public, and many counties and cities have mask requirements. Texas No. Masks are 'strongly encouraged' in public but counties and cities are prohibited from making their own mandates. Utah No. Expired on April 10. Masks still required in K-12 schools and at gatherings of 50 or more people who cannot social distance. Vermont Yes. Everyone age two or older must wear masks in all public settings where social distancing cannot be maintained. Virginia yes. Everyone age five and up must wear masks in businesses and in indoor public places or outside if they cannot maintain social distance. Washington Yes. Masks are required indoors or outdoors in public settings where social distance cannot be maintained. People under age 5 are exempt. West Virginia Yes. Everyone age nine and over must wear masks in public at any tie, except while drinking and eating at restaurants. Wisconsin No. Struck down by the state Supreme Court on March 31. Local mandates are in effect in some cities and counties. Wyoming No. Lifted on March 16. Masks are encouraged in public spaces where social distance cannot be maintained and required in K-12 schools. Source: AARP Advertisement

President Biden is expected to announce new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advice on masking later on Tuesday (left, file). New guidance is expected as the rate of Americans fully vaccinated approaches 30% - but daily shots fall below three million

Nearly 30% of Americans are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the U.S. is giving about 3 million shots a day

Six feet apart or 60? New MIT study on risk of being exposed to COVID-19 indoors says it might not make a difference By Valerie Edwards A new study by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has revealed that the risk of being exposed to COVID-19 is as great at 60 feet as it is at six feet indoors. The research questions COVID-19 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, which both suggested early last year that people should socially distance themselves by six feet in both indoor and outdoor spaces. However, the study, which was published last week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United States of America, shows that even while wearing a mask in well-mixed spaces - those with both warm and cool air - 'one is no safer from airborne pathogens at 60 ft than 6 ft'. The study came to this conclusion using calculations that factored in several issues that could affect transmission, including air filtration, immunization, variant strains, and the amount of time spent inside. Researchers also looked at respiratory activity such as breathing, eating, speaking or singing. MIT professor Martin Bazant told CNBC: 'We argue there really isn't much of a benefit to the 6-foot rule, especially when people are wearing masks. 'It really has no physical basis because the air a person is breathing while wearing a mask tends to rise and comes down elsewhere in the room so you're more exposed to the average background than you are to a person at a distance.' Bazant noted that the important variable that the CDC and WHO missed is the amount of time spent indoors. The researchers also said that their analysis shows that many establishments that were shut down throughout the pandemic 'don't need to be'. 'Often times the space is large enough, the ventilation is good enough, the amount of time people spend together is such that those spaces can be safely operated even at full capacity and the scientific support for reduced capacity in those spaces is really not very good,' Bazant told CNBC. 'I think if you run the numbers, even right now for many types of spaces you'd find that there is not a need for occupancy restrictions.' Advertisement

Yet health officials have punted for months about changing guidance on whether or not Americans can take off their masks.

Becerra made the case that continuing to wear masks is a precautionary measure.

'We weren't born with masks but we want to be safe and we want to protect our loved ones,' he said.

'We put on our seatbelts, we don't expect that we will crash our car, but we want to be safe, that's what we're just trying to do, we just want everyone to be safe.

Despite abundant real-world evidence that it's very rare for fully vaccinated people to catch coronavirus, Becerra echoed other officials hesitation to say that the virus can't spread among inoculated people.

'The vaccine does a really good job of making sure that you'll be safe, and that you won't infect others, we're getting to a point where we're going to hang masks on the wall as a sign of what used to be, but until then, let's get back to normal,' he said.

The CDC has been cautiously expanding its list of activities that it says are low-risk for fully inoculated people, which now includes domestic travel. But the agency's guidance has been paradoxical - it still advises against travel, despite the low risk.

And even as evidence that coronavirus rarely spreads outside without close contact, the agency has maintained its guidance about public mask-wearing amid growing impatience and pandemic fatigue.

But that could finally be about to change, 'multiple' people told CNN.

President Biden, like his predecessor, former President Trump, declined to issue a federal mask mandate.

Public health advisers, including Dr Anthony Fauci, even warned that doing so might also have the opposite of the desired effect, stoking resistance to face coverings.

But most states and territories issued their own mask orders, which numerous studies linked to subsequent decreases in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

After Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a mask mandate on July 3 amid massive Covid surges in the South, the upward trend in cases in her state flattened.

A CDC study of the state found that new Covid cases per capita fell by six percent in counties that adopted the mandate in subsequent weeks, while those that opted out saw new infections per capita double.

But the U.S. is entering a new phase of the pandemic.

Among adults 18 or older, rates are even higher, with 36.5 percent fully vaccinated and 53.6 percent having had at least a first dose, according to CDC data.

Clinical trials for the three vaccines authorized in the U.S. - made by Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson - did not measure whether vaccinated people could still spread the virus, only whether they were protected against getting sick from it.

So public health officials continued to encourage fully vaccinated people to continue to wear masks.

Now, real world data increasingly suggests that fully vaccinated people are unlikely to spread the virus, and are likely protected from catching it as well as from becoming ill.

Data has also piled up to show that outdoor spread of coronavirus is rare, while indoors, without good ventilation, the risk remains high, whether you are six or 60 feet apart from other people, a recent Massachusetts Institute of Technology study claimed.

Coronavirus is nearly 19 more likely to spread indoors compared to outside, and fewer than 10 percent of Covid infections had been contracted indoors as of a November Journal of Infectious Diseases study.

Even Dr Fauci admitted the low risk for outdoor transmission.

'I mean, if you are a vaccinated person, wearing a mask outdoors, I mean, obviously, the risk is minuscule,' Dr Fauci said during a Sunday ABC interview.

'Obviously the risk is really very low, particularly if you're vaccinated' and participating in outdoor activities.

'The more we take a look at the data as it accumulates, we see [the vaccine] is even more effective than what the initial numbers of the clinical trial.'

He added that he anticipated updated, 'common sense' guidance from the CDC soon.

The federal government soon will update its guidance on mask-wearing in public, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci (seen above during an appearance on ABC This Week on Sunday), who said it was common sense to do so as critics have accused him of flip-flopping on the issue of face coverings
Furious French fishermen demand urgent access to British waters

by MARK FITT

April 27,2021 | Source: London Love Business

Last week French fishermen blocked British lorries who were bringing UK fish to Boulogne-sur-Mer, Frances busiest fishing hub. France are calling on the British government for a quick implementation of the post-Brexit trade agreement to allow French fishermen mutual access to fishing in UK waters. The French are arguing that the Brexit deal is a sham in allowing fishermen access to to British waters since the UK left the EU.



They are claiming that only 22 licences have been granted to French vessels out of 120 who are seeking permission from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) between six and 12 miles from the UK coastline. Europe Minister Clement Beaune and Maritime Minister Annick Girardin said in a joint statement, Were acting within the spirit of European solidarity and cooperation with the UK, but the urgency demands an acceleration of our collective efforts.



A full granting of access licenses for British waters, and a quick resolution of crucial questions including the use of forward bases, must be resolved as soon as possible. French Ministers are also demanding that their fishermen can be allowed to unload their catch at British ports. Olivier Lepretre, head of the Boulogne regional fishing committee said, Its not enough to have a nice letter  we need action,



For now its impossible to unload fish at English ports. Defra disputed the French claims and a spokesman said, The UK maintains a consistent, evidence-based approach to licensing EU vessels using information supplied by the European Commission. We do not recognise the figures that have been shared by the French fishing industry and consider this reaction to be unjustified. Our concerns regarding the protest action have been raised directly with the French authorities. European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said, The fisheries sector is one of the most affected by Brexit, requiring fishermen and downstream market operators in affected member states to re-organise and adapt to the new situation.



French fishing chiefs have also warned that the disastrous Brexit deal means that Fishermen will not be able to recruit people to grow the industry for the future. Andrew Locker, chairman of the National Federation of Fishermens Organisations told the Telegraph, There is a viable industry out there. 99.9% of fishermen voted for Brexit because they thought they were going to govern their own waters. But because of the disastrous deal we have got, there is no way we are ever going to rebuild our coastal communities and put a viable call out for recruitment of young people.

Theme(s): Freshwater ecosystems and threats, Landing Centres, Post Harvest Technology and Trade, Others, Communities and Organisations, Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods, Fisheries Resources, Fisheries Development and Aquaculture, Coastal Ecosystems and Threats.
LOS ANGELES, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vision Films ("Vision") is proud to announce the release of feature film anthology After Masks, from producers John Crockett, Brian McCulley and Jason Potter of AEC Studios, Drea Berg of Uncle Sammy Productions, Mitchell Hoog of The Collective International, and Andrew Burrill, on streaming and cable platforms in the US and Canada on May 18 and on DVD on June 8.

After Masks Movie Anthology Poster with Mitchell Hoog

After Masks is an emotional and therapeutic collaboration triggered and inspired by the unprecedented reshaping of our society during the global pandemic. Made about the stay-at-home order, during the stay-at-home order, this movie is not a recorded Zoom call. It is a full, rich, and emotional film shot in locations including Orlando, Denver, Santa Monica, Boulder, Tulsa, Los Angeles and more. Actors were cast and rehearsed over video, equipment was shipped to multiple locations across the country, and shoots were completed with professional, virtual support.

Synopsis: Journey through the human experience as the pandemic tests what we are made of both as individuals and as a culture. COVID-19 has challenged us with losing our jobs, being alone together, and facing death head-on. But a light still shines as we hope for togetherness, embrace the spirit of survival, and know that although we may bend, we are never broken. Everyone has a story. What's yours?

The trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkMGE0whTMY

The five distinctly different stories were individually produced and directed, each addressing a different theme, and are seamlessly woven together with interstitial artistic commentary by Narrator, Mitchell Hoog (Saved by The Bell 2020).

Isolation: Winners

Directed by Manaal Khan and featuring Alexandra Rodriguez

An over-zealous, aspiring writer loses herself in routine in order to endure months-long solitude.



Directed by Manaal Khan and featuring An over-zealous, aspiring writer loses herself in routine in order to endure months-long solitude. Faith: Ushering The Light

Directed by Rebekah Wiggins and featuring Frances Lee McCain ( Back to the Future ), Drea Berg

A conservative Jewish couple struggle to preserve their relationship after the loss of their two-year-old son.



Directed by and featuring Frances Lee McCain ( ), A conservative Jewish couple struggle to preserve their relationship after the loss of their two-year-old son. Black Lives Matter: Hold On

Directed by Tayo Amos and featuring Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins (TLC)

A spirited black woman's personal and professional relationships are strained when she confronts the trauma of racist police brutality.



Directed by and featuring Tionne "T-Boz" (TLC) A spirited black woman's personal and professional relationships are strained when she confronts the trauma of racist police brutality. Identity: Clownfish

Directed by Rebekah Wiggins and featuring Lindsay Sparks , Ruth Lieberman

At odds with society's expectations, a grieving widow slowly supplants her own identity with that of her late husband.



Directed by Rebekah Wiggins and featuring , At odds with society's expectations, a grieving widow slowly supplants her own identity with that of her late husband. Self: Quarantales

Directed by John Crockett and Brian McCulley and featuring Krista Allen (Baywatch), Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight), Eliza Roberts (Animal House), Debra Wilson (MadTV), Michael Welch (Twilight), Amber Lynn Ashley (Model Citizen), Ted Maritz (Scorpion), Brian McCulley (Pain is Beautiful), Jason Potter (The Social Dilemma), and John Crockett (Sin Eater)

During months-long isolation, six individuals confront their inner demons when they are no longer able to hide from themselves.

A bonus chapter, Past Cure, directed by Carmelo Chimera and featuring Robert Picardo (Star Trek: Voyager) will be available exclusively on the DVD.

Lise Romanoff, CEO & Managing Director of Vision Films shares, "After Masks is one of the most unique films we've had the privilege of releasing. As the world emerges from challenging times, this film reflects a myriad of experiences that we know audiences will find relatable as well as cathartic. After Masks features an extraordinary cast and exceptional filmmaking despite pandemic restrictions, it is a true time capsule for the ages."

Co-Executive Producer Andrew Burrill adds, "As artists and creators of culture, I felt that our social responsibility was only intensified when we became one of the (few) teams approved by SAG to produce content during one of the deadliest pandemics in our Nation's recent history.

We approached After Masks with the utmost respect and aimed to create an authentic, living time capsule that reflects a multigenerational and diverse perspective of Covid-19. I hope audiences find a moment of truth within After Masks and that our film inspires and provides an opportunity for others to reflect and ultimately follow hope above all else."

After Masks will be available on major streaming and cable platforms in the US including: iTunes, Microsoft Xbox, Amazon Instant, Google Play, Vudu, Vimeo, Hoopla, and across hundreds of cable providers including Comcast, Spectrum, Charter, Cox, Dish, DirecTV and more. Canadian cable providers include Rogers and Shaw. The DVD will be available at online retailers including Amazon.

About Vision Films

Vision Films is a leading independent sales and VOD aggregator specializing in the licensing, marketing, and distribution of over 800 feature films, documentaries, and series from some of the most prolific independent film producers in the world. Led by Lise Romanoff, Managing Director/CEO Worldwide Distribution, Vision Films releases 2-4 films a month across Theatrical, VOD, DVD, and television. www.visionfilms.net

Media Contact:

Andrea McKinnon

818-415-9442

[email protected]

SOURCE Vision Films, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.visionfilms.net


Acciona, a pioneer in sustainability planning and reporting, today launched a new five-year Sustainability Master Plan (SMP) 2025, the companys third successive blueprint for advancing its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals.

The new plan includes over 80 initiatives that will make a decisive contribution to Acciona's leadership in decarbonization and the development of sustainable Infrastructure.

The key aim of the new SMP is the introduction of advanced "regenerative measures" that will both enhance sustainability in Acciona's projects and multiply the positive impacts of the company's business activities.

It aims to make a positive contribution to the recovery of the planets resources. Acciona aspires to go beyond carbon neutrality, which the company achieved in 2016, by having "a positive impact on natural capital".

To do so, it will develop initiatives across four areas: climate, biodiversity, circular economy and water management.

Initiatives include new "zero waste" business models and the provision of water treatment and production services using advanced technologies.

Under the plan, Acciona will ensure that 90% of its investments are classified within the European Commissions taxonomy of sustainable activities that contribute significantly to the decarbonization of the economy.

The Spanish infrastructure giant will certify the use of 100% renewable energy in all its business projects with blockchain technology, in particular with the greenchain application, developed by the company.

The company also commits to reducing emissions by up to 60%, by accelerating the electrification of business and management processes. It will also apply "nature-based solutions" where necessary (equivalent to planting and conservation of one million trees) to neutralize the company's carbon footprint.

To increase the circularity of Acciona's business activities, the company will double the use of recycled products and halve the waste destined for landfill. The company has set a target of cutting its Water use by 50%, especially in places with severe water stress.

The SMP2025 reinforces diversity measures in the firms workforce worldwide and in its governing bodies, as well as implementing progressive labor inclusion policies and integrating people with disabilities, who are expected to make up 5% of the workforce in Spain by 2025.

ESG performance indicators have been part of the companys remuneration policy since 2015. The weight of these indicators will increase to 12.5% during the SMP2025 period. In addition, department heads and specific project teams (construction, water, energy, real estate, etc.) will have specific sustainability performance targets linked to their activities.

The plan incorporates innovative ways of having a positive impact on communities, including investments supported by new sustainable finance products, and 100,000 hours of employee volunteering in local environmental and social sustainability projects. To this end, Acciona will develop a network of local alliances in the main countries in which it operates.-TradeArabia News Service
Unlike March, when patch updates caused issues with some printers, Microsoft's updates for April were relatively tame. Windows users lost the old pre-Chromium version of Edge; some users saw performance issues; and Microsoft started talking up "News and Interests."

In fact, it's that last one that has some IT admins concerned. (More about that below.)

Old Edge out, new Edge in

First off, Microsoft this month installed the new Chromium-based Edge browser and removed the old Edge. Now that the browser relies on the Chromium engine, it will receive updates on the same schedule as Google Chrome.

Note: the rollout wasnt without some side effects. If you had some other application set to open up PDF files, the April release reset your default PDF reader to be Edge. So, youll need to reset the default application back to whatever your preference was. (This can be easily done; check out this recent YouTube video for details.) Microsoft also moved the default download location from the bottom left of the browser window to the top right  in line with other browser download locations. If youre a longtime Edge user like me, this takes a bit of getting used to.

Finally, because Edge is now updated at the same cadence as Chrome, attackers can release zero-day exploits at the same cadence. Expect Edge to get updates for these, though they will occur in the background; youll probably not even notice an update has occurred.

Performance impact to Windows 2004 or 20H2

If you are a gamer running Windows 2004 or 20H2, you may have seen blue screens of death or lower-than-expected performance. As Microsoft noted, Most users affected by this issue are running games full screen or borderless windowed modes and using two or more monitors. Microsoft has rolled back the non-security fix that triggered those issues.

As a reminder: Windows 10 cumulative updates include both security and non-security components. For non-security fixes, Microsoft includes the new code and leaves behind the original code in its patch. If it later finds that one of these non-security fixes causes an issue, the company can trigger systems to uninstall the new code and return to the original. Note that you only have to reboot your computer for the fixes to take effect. (Microsoft triggers the change via a setting on Microsoft Update in the cloud.)

Microsoft Here's how to determine whether your system has seen the April patch rollback.

If youre an enterprise patcher and dont allow direct access to Microsoft update, youll have to adjust and trigger the rollback via group policy or Intune settings. That said, Ive not seen anyone outside of gaming affected. To determine whether your system has seen the rollback, in the search box type in regedit to open up registry editor. Click on the user account control dialog that comes up. Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, then to SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > FeatureManagement and finally to Overrides to check the registry keys there. Look under the value of 4 for the entry 1837593227. If you see an EnabledState entry with value 1, the fix has been applied. My Lenovo laptop is not a gamer rig, but I found the entry on it.

The ability to undo fixes Microsoft has rolled out is limited to non-security patches included in the Windows 10 cumulative updates. Security updates cant be automatically fixed because Microsoft doesnt want to leave behind the vulnerable security code on your system. If it did, attackers could hit your system and trigger the vulnerability. Microsoft has indicated that 2004 or 20H2 offer full support for this rollback feature; prior versions, such as 1909, have less ability to roll back updates automatically.

New to the task bar: News and Interests

Starting with this months preview releases, Microsoft is introducing a new News and Interests feature in the task bar. The code for this feature will be included in the April preview releases and in the main May security patches. It reminds me of the Vista Gadgets, which allowed you to enable various gadgets on the desktop to track weather, time, and news items. The News and Interests feature will roll out slowly in a measured deployment, but Ive already seen some IT admins indicate they plan to block it from their networks.

If you want to block this feature, youll first need to wait for it to roll out; then there are several options for keeping it at bay. Once it arrives, you can, for instance, right-mouse click on the task bar, find the setting for News and Interests, and click on turn off. You can also use a registry key to disable the feature, as noted in the Tenforums.

The registry key you need to set is:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Feeds

"ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode"=dword:00000002

Microsoft Here's how you can turn off 'News and Interests' after it rolls out.

At work, Windows admins can use a group policy (after, as noted, the code is released). Many Sysadmins are questioning why Microsoft is rolling out changes outside the normal feature release process with no specific date or time when well see it. Note: News and Interests will be rolled out to Windows 10 2004/20H2, as well as earlier versions of Windows 10, so its not limited to any particular feature release.

Hopefully, this is not how Microsoft plans to bring changes to Windows 10 in the future. Most of us have resigned ourselves to changes that are rolled out via feature releases. But the Office 365 style of pushing out changes where admins dont know exactly when it will occur is not typical for Windows 10. Im watching to see whether Microsoft continues this process or gets feedback from businesses that prompt it to change what its doing.
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(Natural News) A young woman from Nashville, Tennessee received a second dose of Pfizers experimental covid shot on April 16. Brandy McFadden immediately felt unwell after the shot and began to experience serious health problems the following afternoon. This story of vaccine-induced pain and sickness has been true for tens of thousands of people, who have either reported their vaccine injuries to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), or have been told by medical authorities that there is nothing they can do. Most people have been convinced that the issues with these experimental vaccines are normal and are the result of their immune system going to work. Many people have been told that their vaccine-induced headaches, inflammation, fatigue and fever are just something they must accept.

Nashville woman says she was paralyzed by Pfizers covid shot

Brandy McFaddens injuries did not subside. As a matter of fact, she reached out to a local news station and told reporters she was paralyzed after receiving the Pfizer vaccine. In just 24 hours, McFadden lost the ability to walk and experienced excruciating pain in her neck. It just started progressively getting worse and I just started screaming in pain at the top of my lungs, McFadden reported to News4 out of Nashville. It didnt take long before she was paralyzed from the neck down. Her husband rushed her to the emergency room at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. After six days of evaluation, doctors confirmed there were no underlying conditions. Her blood work, EMG, MRI and CT scan came back normal. As far as to answers as to why this happened, they dont know, she said.

A vaccine that hijacks the protein synthesis of ones cells, forcing those cells to produce foreign spike proteins, is nothing but a weapon of inflammation. This inflammation can seriously affect the cardiovascular or nervous systems. Inflammation is the precursor to chronic disease and is the underlying cause of severe illness during any infectious disease. In their quest to provoke an immune response, the mRNA vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna exacerbate a cycle of inflammation in the human body  the reason why people suffer and die from infections in the first place.

After a week of suffering, McFadden finally regained movement in her arms and toes. The severe inflammation is directly related to the Pfizer vaccine. This has been a nightmare, she said. I just wanted to get my shot, and I never expected to get this at all.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center declined to comment on the matter, kowtowing to Pfizer and their coercive push to experiment on humans and injure them en masse. Pfizer gave a canned response to News4, claiming: At this time, our ongoing review has not identified any safety signals with paralysis and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Another paralysis case surfaces in Pennsylvania

Another case of vaccine-induced paralysis was also brought to media attention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A thirty-three-year-old woman named Rachael Cecere Park reported her paralysis to WPXI Channel 11 in Pittsburgh.

Cecere felt unwell after receiving her first dose of Pfizers covid shot. Twelve hours later, Cecere was completely paralyzed. She also underwent a battery of tests at the Allegheny General Hospital before being transferred to the Cleveland Clinic. She too did not have any rare diseases, underlying conditions or disorders.

Cecere told WPXI, It was the scariest thing in the world to go to sleep completely fine (and walking), to wake up 1:30 in the morning and not be able to move at all. Im literally counting on my daughter to hand me my phone to call to get help.

Cecere is slowly regaining control over her body but is currently suffering from the hips down. Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic concur that the Pfizer shot caused an inflammatory reaction in her nervous system that was unrelated to her spine, resulting in paralysis from the neck down.

McFadden has reached out to Cecere and has been keeping in touch. Youre happy to find somebody else, but youre like, how could this be happening?' McFadden cried.

Read VaccineDamage.News for more on the mass injury and inflammation caused by experimental covid vaccines.

Sources include:

WSMV.com

VaccineDamage.News

WPXI.com
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Southeast Albuquerques police substation is starting to get the kind of upgrades the rest of the city already had, although the complete overhaul planned for the site is likely still years away.

Crews have commenced the first phase of the Albuquerque Police Departments Southeast Area Command project, which will add 8,020 square feet behind the existing facility at Louisiana and Kathryn. The $4.1 million in new construction includes an evidence room, holding areas and office space that officials say could ultimately mean increasing the number of officers assigned to what is already the citys biggest and busiest district.

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That piece should be done by this fall.

But when the city council recently rewrote the $140 million infrastructure plan going to voters in November, it cut $4 million of the $9 million Mayor Tim Keller had proposed for the project. That leaves the second phase  a complete replacement of the existing building and the addition of a large community room and energy efficient systems  up in the air.

Were able to totally finish phase 1 and make it usable, and thats great. But (for) phase 2 well need the entire amount of money whenever its available, Keller said Monday at a news conference touting the project.

The second phase is already designed and ready to go once the city has money, according to architect Ketan Bharatiya of the Hartman + Majewski Design Group.

Keller said he would likely try to get more money in the citys next infrastructure package or pursue other sources, including state funding.

Well keep pushing on phase 2, the mayor said.

APD Chief Harold Medina said the city already has made upgrades at other older substations.

It left the Southeast substation as one of those last substations that hadnt gone through that renovation, he said. Im glad were able to move forward with (improvements) this year.

Approximately 100 officers are based out of the Southeast, one of six area commands in the city.
ALDOT is proposing a new $750 million Truck Bridge over the Mobile River as a solution to the growing I-10 highway traffic congestion over Mobile Bay. The design and funding solutions are significant to truck traffic which supports commerce throughout the Southeastern U.S., and impacts drivers of passenger vehicles who plan to use the interstate Bayway route over Mobile Bay to reach their destinations. The proposed design of the bridge without concurrent changes to the Bayway creates hazardous driving conditions.

The new Truck Bridge proposal was made in 2021 after an ALDOT $2.1 billion plan made in August, 2019 was rejected in response to an unreasonable proposed toll on all vehicles traveling on the I-10 route and through the Wallace Tunnel. The governor, in response to local objections, expressed a reluctance to move forward on any proposal until Coastal residents tell us what they will support. In the meantime, local officials have been struggling to produce a coordinated, meaningful plan approved by both the Mobile planning authorities and their Eastern Shore counterparts.

ALDOT has responded recently with the new single-span Truck Bridge Phase 1 proposal which levies a toll on large trucks only. Only large trucks will be required to leave the current I-10 route to cross the bridge and later merge with the remaining traffic coming from the Wallace Tunnel. The existing Bayway would be restriped to create three lanes from the existing two lanes.

A future Phase 2 plan would be designed for passenger vehicles (automobiles, pickups, small trucks, motorhomes, etc.) followed by a Phase 3 to complete the parts not built in the first two phases. Each phase is to have its own funding source and would be expected to pay its own debt prior to the start of the next phase. Where the funding will come from for Phases 2 and 3 is unclear at this time. Completion of the three phases could require an extended period of time due to repayment requirements of the lenders on the necessary debt. Total costs for the completion of all three phrases will certainly be higher than the total costs of completing the 2019 plan where the Bridge and Bayway were built concurrently with one debt covering the whole project.

The proposed Truck Bridge plan raises three concerns, the first being potential hazard and safety concerns. The restriping of the existing Bayway from two lanes to three narrow lanes means that the left and right safety lanes would be eliminated. The two-lane truck traffic must merge into a single lane on the new bridge and then merge again into the new three narrow Bayway lanes. This merger point in east-bound traffic creates a potential hazard for all drivers traveling at high speeds. ALDOT needs to assure drivers that this design is less hazardous and is actually safer than the current routes, including safer for RVs, motorhomes, campers and trailers carrying boats.

Secondly, traffic flow studies project that automobiles and pickups will be almost nine times the amount of truck traffic. The congestion caused by passenger vehicles is not adequately addressed by the Truck Bridge plan. Any current congestion relief is pushed to Phase 2.

The third concern is that prior to the initiation of phase 2, funds utilized for phase 1 would have to be repaid. This would also hold true for phase 3. In both cases, a significant number of years could lapse between each phase. The successful beginning of Phases 2 and 3 can be expected to encounter similar concerns as Phase 1 in design and funding.

An interesting dilemma appears when a discussion of Phase 1 funding arises which is similar to the old adage of which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Does the final bridge and Bayway plan come first in need of a funding source, or does the funding come first which dictates the final design? Currently, a final plan is not on the table, and the source of money remains tentative.

In conclusion, the logical and best choice for a new bridge and Bayway is the original 2019 proposal that created a new six-lane bridge and new eight-lane Bayway built under one combined debt. The 2019 proposal does not include the same safety and congestion issues as the plan currently under consideration. A reasonable and fair toll that is applicable to all vehicles, while leaving the Wallace Tunnel toll free, needs to be revisited. In addition, it is incumbent upon our political representatives in Washington and Montgomery to lobby for additional federal and state monies to make this new bridge and Bayway a reality.

Don Epley, PhD, Economist, Mobile, Coastal Economics,LLC; Joe Mareno, MBA, Engineer, Mobile; Steve Russell, MBA, Engineer, Mobile
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a significant update to its guidance on mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying Tuesday that its now safe for fully vaccinated people to go without a face covering for certain outdoor activities and gatherings.

The latest CDC recommendation immediately went into effect in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont said, several days ahead of when the state was set to lift the outdoor mask mandate as part of its plan to eliminate most of the remaining COVID restrictions.

Connecticuts plan is more relaxed than the CDC guidance with the state making no distinction between whether someone is fully vaccinated or not.

During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Lamont said people who have been vaccinated do not need to wear a mask outside.

If youre in a crowded area where youre not quite sure who youre standing next to, wear the mask a little bit longer, he added.

The remark came during an event at The Place 2 Be, a West Hartford restaurant where the governor announced some eateries will begin offering a free drink with the purchase of food to customers who show a COVID-19 vaccination card.

The CDC guidance, announced as federal officials conveyed confidence in the progress of the nations vaccine program, stressed that masks will still be recommended indoors and at large outdoor gatherings like a live performance, sporting event or parade.

Similar to the CDC guidance, Connecticut will continue to require people to wear masks indoors for now, but Lamont is also considering lifting that mandate. Lamont said recently he was planning to have discussions with the legislature about when to lift that mandate. He expects to release guidance on it before the state lifts its all indoor COVID-19 restrictions on May 19.

The new CDC guidance indicates its safe for unvaccinated people to go without masks while out for a walk, run or bike ride with family members and attending small gatherings with friends and family who are fully vaccinated.

The new guidance comes as about 54 percent of all adults in the United States have received at least one dose of the vaccine. In Connecticut, state officials said Monday that 66 percent of all residents age 16 and older had received a first dose.

On Tuesday, Connecticuts one day positivity rate reached 3.24 percent as 407 new cases of COVID-19 were found out of 12,551 new tests. Hospitalizations rose by a net eight patients, bringing the states total to 444, and one more death attributed to the illness increased the death toll to 8,067.

Connecticut health experts said the move makes sense, considering the virus tends not to spread as easily outdoors. Outdoors itself is a safer space, said Keith Grant, senior system director of infection prevention at Hartford HealthCare.

He said the particles that transmit the virus can get diluted more quickly in the outdoor atmosphere than in an enclosed space.

Lisa Cuchara, a professor of biomedical science in Quinnipiac Universitys school of health sciences, said lifting outdoor mask requirements makes particular sense in Connecticut where the infection rates are down and the vaccination rates are up.

Cuchara and Grant said there are circumstances where people should continue to wear a mask outside, even when the guidance changes.

Those individuals considered at high-risk (for severe COVID)  these are individuals I believe should still be wearing a mask, whether inside or outside, Grant said.

Cuchara said she teaches a photography workshop, where she often has to get up close to students. I will still personally put on my mask, because I feel Im in spitting distance of someone, she said.

Cuchara and Grant said they feel the CDCs evolution on outdoor masking is a positive step.

The fact that were even able to have a conversation (about whether people need a mask outdoors) shows were in a better place than we were six months ago, Grant said.

Cuchara said she understands some people get frustrated that the CDC often alters its guidance, but she said thats the nature of science.

I think that, in science, youre always getting more data, she said. I dont think (the CDC is) necessarily changing their mind. I think theyre re-evaluating based on the new data they have.

Connecticut, like much of the country, is still reporting thousands of new COVID-19 cases a week, but the percentage of positive cases among new tests administered remains low and hospitalizations have stabilized. In Connecticut, reports of new deaths associated with COVID-19 have slowed, which officials credit to the high number of older adults vaccinated.

Staff writer Peter Yankowski contributed to this story.
Joe Biden's proposed tax hike to pay for his 'human infrastructure' bill will cost high-earning Americans in more than a dozen states upwards of 50 per cent on their long-term capital gains and other qualified dividends.

Nearly doubling the federal capital gains rate could discourage those making more than $1 million from investing in the stock market as it's increased from 23.8 per cent to 39.6 per cent, which would lower the GDP by 0.1 per cent and reduce federal revenue by around $124 billion over 10 years, according to the Tax Foundation.

The current per state capital gains average is 29 per cent, while the new rate Biden is proposing would make the average 48 per cent.

The White House has emphasized that this adjustment would only affect about 500,000 Americans.

When local and state capital tax rates are combined with the new federal level, 13 states and Washington D.C. would have a combined rate above 50 per cent.

California, New York and New Jersey would have the highest rates at 56.7 per cent, 54.3 per cent and 54.2 per cent respectively  and top combined rates in some localities would go even higher.

New York City, for example, has a local capital gains rate of 3.87 per cent  meaning an investor would pay an all-in rate of around 58.2 per cent. Those in Portland, Oregon would face a top rate of 57.3 per cent.

Roughly 75 per cent of stock investors wouldn't be subject to an increase in the capital gains tax rate due to the types of accounts they own, according to UBS.

Biden is expected to unveil Wednesday a massive capital gains increase. California, New York, New Jersey, Minnesota and Oregon would have the highest top capital gains rates

Current Top Capital Gains Tax Rates v. Biden's Capital Gains Tax Proposal State Current Top Capital Gains Biden's Proposed Top Capital Gains Alabama 28.8% 46.4% Alaska 23.8% 43.4% Arizona 29.8% 49.4% Arkansas 26.8% 46.4% California 37.1% 56.7% Colorado 28.4% 48% Connecticut 30.8% 50.4% District of Columbia 32.8% 52.4% Delaware 30.4% 50% Florida 23.8% 43.3% Georgia 29.6% 49.2% Hawaii 31.1% 50.7% Idaho 30.7% 50.3% Illinois 28.8% 48.4% Indiana 27% 46.6% Iowa 32.3% 48.6% Kansas 29.5% 49.1% Kentucky 28.8% 48.4% Louisiana 29.8% 47% Maine 31% 50.6% Maryland 29.6% 49.2% Massachusetts 28.8% 48.4% Michigan 28.1% 47.7% Minnesota 33.7% 53.3% Mississippi 28.8% 48.4% Missouri 29.2% 48.8% Montana 30.6% 50.2% Nebraska 30.6% 50.2% Nevada 23.8% 43.4% New Hampshire 28.8% 48.4% New Jersey 34.6% 54.2% New Mexico 27.3% 46.9% New York 34.7% 54.3% North Carolina 29.1% 48.7% North Dakota 25.5% 45.1% Ohio 28.6% 48.2% Oklahoma 28.8% 48.4% Oregon 33.7% 53.3% Pennsylvania 26.9% 46.5% Rhode Island 29.8% 49.4% South Carolina 27.7% 47.3% South Dakota 23.8% 43.4% Tennessee 23.8% 43.4% Texas 23.8% 43.4% Utah 28.8% 48.4% Vermont 32.6% 52.2% Virginia 29.6% 49.2% Washington 23.8% 43.4% West Virginia 30.3% 49.9% Wisconsin 29.2% 48.8% Wyoming 23.8% 43.4% Average (unweighted) 29% 48.4%

White House officials defended on Monday the president's tax hike on the wealthy to pay for his $1.8 trillion 'human infrastructure' plan.

Biden will announce this week his proposal, which would be the highest tax rate on investment gains since the 1920s.

Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese emphasized during a White House briefing Monday that the capital gains hike would only affect a small number of Americans.

'This change will only apply to three tenths of a percent of taxpayers, which is not the top 1 per cent, it's not even the top one half of 1 per cent,' he assured. 'We're talking about three tenths of a percent, that's about 500,000 households in the country.'

'So, for the other 997 out of 1000 households in the country, or the other 150 million households in the country, this is not a change that will be relevant,' Deese continued.

The hikes would have top earners paying up to 43.4 per cent, when an existing investment surtax is included.

The announcement is expected to come Wednesday night, when the president makes his first address to Congress, where he will outline his American Families Plan and how he'll use tax hikes to help pay for the multi-trillion proposal, which includes education, labor programs, universal pre-K, free college tuition for certain income levels, and other programs.

Currently, people earning more than $200,000 pay a capital gains rate of about 23.8 per cent, including the 3.8 per cent net investment tax which helps fund the Affordable Care Act. Under the new plan, wealthy Americans could face an overall federal capital gains tax rate of 43.4 per cent including the Obamacare tax.

'We need to do something about equalizing the taxation of work and wealth in this country,' Deese noted. 'And that's why the reforms that the president will lay out are focused on this top sliver of people.'

Republicans have criticized the tax hike, charging it will cut down on investment and cause unemployment.

One point of confusion is whether the tax hike would apply to households or individuals. Deese said 'households,' noting the tax raise affects the 'top sliver of households.'

The issue of household versus individuals is of particular interest to high-income households in cities like New York and San Francisco, where the cost of living is higher than the rest of the country. For those earning more than $1 million a year in high-tax states like New York and California, their total rate could be above 50 per cent.

Those areas are also mainly represented by Democrats, who would have to explain the tax hikes to their constituents.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki declined to answer whether individuals or households would be impacted.

During a joint address to Congress on Wednesday, Biden will announce the capital gains tax hike, which he is proposing to help pay for his $1.8 trillion American Families Plan

Joe Biden's tax hikes targeting the rich: Who will have to pay Capital gains tax on investment sales for those earning more than $1million a year: Current law: 20% Proposal: 39.6% With an effective rate of 43.4% when the Medicare surcharge is added. Investors currently pay 23.8% as the top capital gains rate along with the 3.8% net investment income tax, known as the Medicare surtax. Around 500,000 people in the US, or 0.32% of the population, have recorded a gross income of over $1million. For those earning more than $1 million in high-tax states, the total rate will be even higher given the combined federal and state tax capital gains. In New York it could be as high as 52.22% and for Californians it could be 56.7% Wealthy residents pay Capital Gains on the growth in value of investments when they are sold. They are mainly placed on profitable stock trades and real estate deals. They can also apply to sales of collectible cars, art, businesses, gold. Investors are taxed on the difference between what they paid for the asset and what they sold it for. Investments held for at least one year tops out at 20% and those held under a year are taxed the same as salaries and wages. An additional 3.8% tax applies to those earning at least $200,000. The US rate ranks in the middle of countries around the world. Investors generally support lower capital gains tax because they say it rewards entrepreneurship and encourages people to sell what they own. Corporate taxes Current top rate: 21% Proposed top rate: 28% These hikes have already been proposed in the first part of his infrastructure plan. He is also targeting US firms' profits overseas and companies who use offshore businesses. Biden has still vowed that no one earning under $400,000 a year will pay more taxes in his administration. Advertisement

'I am not going to get into more specifics,' she said, 'but we've been quite careful about not getting head of the president.'

While she stood firm on Biden's campaign pledge not to raise taxes on those earning more than $400,000 per year, she noted: 'He believes that the burden should be on the backs of corporations and high level income people.'

In his address to the Joint Session of Congress on Wednesday evening, Biden will tout his accomplishments in his first 100 days in office and expand his vision for the next stage of his presidency.

The speech will be a fraction of its traditional size - only 200 people in the House chamber as opposed to the usual 1,600due to coronavirus restrictions - but will be large in scope.

He'll cover a range of topics - COVID-19, police reform, and immigration. But the main focus will be the next phase in his plan to help the US economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic - his $1.8 trillion families plan.

'He will lay out the specific details of the American Families Plan,' Psaki said Monday. 'He will also talk about a range of priorities that he has for the upcoming months of his presidency.'

She said that included police reform and expanding access to affordable healthcare.

But Psaki could not say whether or not Biden would wear a face mask during his remarks. House rules require a face covering be worn at all times, even when speaking on the House floor.

When he addresses the nation, Biden will have a historic backdrop behind him: Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris - two women in the frame as he speaks.

Biden plans to note the historic occasion at the beginning of his speech, The Washington Post reported. Both women will wear face masks in keeping with coronavirus restrictions put in place in the House chamber.

The 200 guests - which will include first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff - will be spread out on the House floor and in the balconies above to keep with social distancing guidelines.

No lawmaker will be allowed to bring a guest and only one Supreme Court justice, Chief Justice John Roberts, is expected to attend. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will represent the military. Traditionally multiple justices on the high court along and members of the Joint Chiefs attend with most of the Cabinet.

Psaki said on Thursday that most senior White House staff and officials will be watching Biden's remarks from home. Many Republicans are expected to boycott.

Brian Deese, the director of the National Economic Council, said tax hike on capital gains will only affect 500,000 people while White House press secretary Jen Psaki declined to answer whether individuals or households would be impacted by the change

Here's a look at the some of what Biden is expected to address during the speech:

AMERICAN FAMILIES PLAN

Biden will reveal his 'human infrastructure' plan - American Families Plan - with its $1.8 trillion price tag.

American Families Plan American Families Plan may include the following items but White House aides stress it is subject to change: $300 billion in education funding, which includes funding to make two-year community colleges tuition-free $225 billion in child-care funding $225 billion for paid family and medical leave $200 billion for prekindergarten instruction $200 billion to extend more enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies $400 billion to extend the child tax credit until 2025 - The Washington Post Advertisement

It will focus on social programs such as national child care, prekindergarten, paid family leave and tuition-free community college.

'A core of that will be him laying out the specifics of the American Families Plan, his commitment to child care, to education, and to delivering on those middle class priorities,' Psaki said last week.

The plan remains a work in progress with some items becoming a point of contention among Democrats. Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill, for example, wants to include lowering the cost of prescription drugs, a move opposed by the pharmaceutical industry. The White House was looking to cut it but Speaker Nancy Pelosi is among those lobbying for it to stay in.

Deese refused to preview whether or not it would be in Biden's speech.

'Right now, I am not going to confirm whether or not that is in. I can say that the president has long focused on the issue of rising cost of prescription drugs for American consumers and American families,' he said. 'It's something that he continues to focus on and prioritize but I'm going to let him speak to those issues in the speech.'

There is also an internecine battle over health care. Progressives want additional funds to expand Medicaid. Moderate in the Democratic Party want to expand the Affordable Care Act.

Republicans are expected to oppose the entire package, which follows Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID relief measure. His $2 trillion infrastructure package is working its way through the legislative process. Republicans have already offered a scaled back counter proposal for a fourth of the cost and keeps the focus on traditional infrastructure items.

Top pay for his American Families Plan, Biden wants to hike the top income tax rate back to where it was before the Trump tax cuts and nearly double capital gains rates for top earners.

The president would push the top income tax rate up to 39.6 per cent  where it was before President Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts. Capital gains  where Biden has already called for changes to end a major 'loophole,' would jack up rates from their current 20 per cent for those earning more than $1 million.

Biden has pledged only to raise taxes on households making more than $400,000. But the administration hasn't been clear as to whether that limit applies to individual earnings or combined household - a distinction that makes a big difference especially in areas on the East and West Coasts where the cost of living is high.

POLICE REFORM

Biden is also expected to address police reform in his speech, which will be his most high-profile public address since his remarks on Inauguration Day.

'He believes the bar for convicting officers is too high,' Psaki said last week. 'It needs to be changed.'

Police reform has returned to the forefront of public discourse in the wake of Derek Chauvin being convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. Biden addressed the nation in the aftermath of the verdict.

Psaki said Biden supports a bill that would ban chokeholds and require that deadly force only be used as a last resort in arrests.

That bill has passed in the House of Representatives but faces a rough time in the closely divided Senate.

President Biden is expected to talk about police reform in the wake of the Derek Chauvin trial in the death of George Floyd

IMMIGRATION REFORM

Biden is expected to address immigration reform in some fashion.

His immigration proposal - unveiled in March via Democrats on Capitol Hill - offers an eight-year path to citizenship for most of the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, eliminates restrictions on family-based immigration and expands worker visas.

What is unclear is how he will address the situation on the US-Mexico border where a record number of migrants are crossing illegally.

In March, US Custom and Border Patrol apprehended 18,656 unaccompanied minors at the southern border, a record since at least October 2009 and double February's numbers.

The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 and does not include a large focus on increased border enforcement. And Biden has stopped work on Trump's border wall.

Biden tapped Vice President Harris to deal with the diplomatic aspect of the crisis. She has yet to visit the border but she does plan to visit Central America in June.

The administration has refused to call the situation at the border a 'crisis.' When Biden did use that word to describe the situation, the White House quickly walked it back.

'The president does not feel that children coming to our border, seeking refuge from violence, economic hardships and other dire circumstances is a crisis,' Psaki said.

President Joe Biden will talk about immigration reform but it's unclear how or if he'll talk about the situation at the border - above migrants and asylum seekers are seen after spending the night in one of the car lanes off the San Ysidro Crossing Port on the Mexican side of the border

REPUBLICAN RESPONSE

Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina will give the GOP response to Biden's remarks.

Scott, the lone black Republican in the Senate, has taken the lead on police reform for his party.

'I'm excited and honored for this opportunity to address the nation,' he said. 'I look forward to having an honest conversation with the American people and sharing Republicans' optimistic vision for expanding opportunity and empowering working families.'

The response to a presidential address is seen as a possible star-making role for a member of the opposing party. Stacey Abrams gave the response for Democrats to one of President Donald Trump's State of the Union addresses.

But the platform also can be fraught with peril. There is a long list of politicians on both sides of the aisle who have bombed - Senator Marco Rubio famously stopped speaking to take a drink of water when he gave the response to one of Barack Obama's speeches.

By picking Scott, GOP leaders focused their response to the president on Congress and the role it will play in countering Biden's legislative agenda as opposed to picking a Republican who is weighing a 2024 presidential bid.

Scott is set to introduce his police reform bill in a few weeks and has spoken a potential compromise with Democrats Rep. Karen Bass and Sen. Cory Booker.

'I think we are on the verge of wrapping this up in the next week or two, depending on how quickly they respond to our suggestions,' Scott told reporters.

Republicans have criticized for Biden for not doing more to reach out to them as part of his promise to unify the country. They claim his policies are out of touch with mainstream Americans.

'Nobody is better at communicating why far-left policies fail working Americans,' said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in announcing Scott will give the party's response.

As for the final text of Biden's remarks, Psaki noted it's still being worked on.

'We're working through' the content and what will make the final cut, she said at Thursday's press briefing, adding 'unless you want to sit through a seven hour speech, which I don't think you do.'
[April 27, 2021] Viewing China From Afar: Assemblage of Wall Sculptures, the Treasures of Longmen

SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Why does a Buddha statue make a peace sign pose? What kind of smile can last through 1,000 years? The year 2020 marks the 1,560th anniversary of the excavation of Longmen Grottoes. Irgashev Shakhrukh, a young man from Russia, arrived at a place connected with a long history and started his journey at the Longmen Grottoes. Themed on "Assemblage of Wall Sculptures, the Treasures of Longmen,'' the new episode of the docuseries "Viewing China From Afar" Season III produced by People's Daily Online West USA Inc. narrates Shakhrukh's journey into the past. The Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, central China's Henan province, became a man-made landmark during the Northern Wei dynasty of China more than 1,500 years ago. It is one of the three largest grottoes in China along with the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang and Yungang Grottoes in Datong. Longmen Grottoes is the most complex one of the three. Because its excavation lasted 1,400 years, there are still more than 2,100 cave niches, 100,000 statues, and 3,600 inscriptions on steles. Longmen Grottoes ranks first among all the major grottoes in China due to its large quantities of niches, statues and inscriptions. At the end of 2020, Shakhrukh embarked on a tour of the World Heritage Site led by a local guide named Ping Zhang. Shakhrukh was particulaly interested in how the craftsmen at the time used tools to carve thousands of Buddha statues with various poses on the rocks. The work of carving these statues lasted for 1,400 years, which spanned more than a dozen dynasties. More than 100,000 Buddha statues with different aesthetic styles and artistic characteristics of each period have become the "history books of stone" reflecting the history and culture.



The Longmen Grottoes was built near a mountain and river. The scale of the landmark is magnificent. There are 45 main caves in existence, among which the most wonderful carvings are those of the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties. No matter where anyone stands in the grottoes, they can see her smiling at them. There is also a Buddha statue that is particularly eye-catching. This is the trending "peace sign pose" Buddha statue, which is also called the "cutest Buddha statue in history." The Buddha statue sits on a square platform with its right hand stretched forward. The two fingers held up are like a victory sign "V" so it is called the "Buddha with a peace sign pose." How impressive is the Buddha's "Smile of a Thousand Years"? How was the trending "peace sign pose" Buddha statue formed? With this episode, "Assemblage of Wall Sculptures, the Treasures of Longmen," Shakhrukh reveals the mystery of the Longmen Grottoes, a historical work that dates back 1,460 years ago.

CONTACT:

Wei Deng

Phone: 650.680.6790

Email: usawest@people.cn Related Images

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HRS selected to supply 100% green hydrogen refuelling station

Champ-sur-Drac, 27 April 2021 - HRS, European designer and manufacturer of hydrogen refuelling stations, has been awarded the contract for the installation, commissioning and maintenance of a 200 kg/day green hydrogen refuelling station as part of a program to develop a local industry for green hydrogen mobility.

Responding to the call for tenders piloted by ENGIE Solutions through its sustainable mobility gas GNVERT offer[1], HRS was selected to install a hydrogen refuelling station on a former industrial site. The 200 kg/day dual pressure (350-700 bar) HRS station will distribute green hydrogen produced by an electrolyser.

The station will be commissioned during the second half of 2021 and will supply green hydrogen for large vehicles (buses and refuse collection trucks, fire engines).

As part of the same project, a number of other stations yet to be assigned, will be subsequently installed. They will be integrated into this single ecosystem for local production and distribution of 100% green hydrogen for transport.

HRS Chairman & CEO Hassen Rachedi said: "The swift development of bold projects like H2Ouest is a further sign of the dynamic energy transition underway in France's regions and our commitment to promoting the emergence of 100% renewable ecosystems and industries based on hydrogen mobility. We are extremely proud that HRS was chosen to take part in this groundbreaking project in France, which we now know can be replicated all over the country."

ABOUT HRS

Founded in 2004, Hydrogen-Refueling-Solutions (HRS), formerly TSM, is pioneer in hydrogen mobility. European designer and manufacturer of hydrogen refuelling stations, for over ten years, the Company has been committed to reducing transport emissions.

Thanks to its unique experience and know-how, HRS has developed a complete range of hydrogen refuelling stations for all types of fuel cell vehicles that is perfectly suited to the needs of a fast-growing European market. At its Champ-sur-Drac site, HRS has mass production capacities that enable it to assemble up to 60 units per year in record time, in as little as 8 weeks. The Company posted 2019-2020 revenue of 2.6 million. As of December 31, 2020, the company had 34 employees. (ISIN code: FR0014001PM5 - ticker symbol: ALHRS).

CONTACTS

Investor Relations

ACTUS finance & communication

Gregoire SAINT-MARC

hrs@actus.fr

Tel. +33 1 53 67 36 94 Press Relations

ACTUS finance & communication

Anne Catherine BONJOUR

acbonjour@actus.fr

Tel. +33 1 53 67 36 93

[1] Project pre-dating the business partnership signed with ENGIE Solutions for joint development of 15 new projects from 2021-2025, due to be finalised in Q2 2021

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An experiment called SEED for Oklahoma Kids, or SEED OK, is one of a growing number of efforts by cities and states  governed by Democrats and Republicans alike  to help a new generation climb the educational ladder and build assets

SEED OK is a far-reaching research project begun in Oklahoma 14 years ago to study whether creating savings accounts containing $1,000 for newborns would improve their graduation rates and their chances of going to college or trade school years later, Patricia Cohen reports for The New York Times.

Research about the Oklahoma project published this month by the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis, which created SEED OK, found that families that had been given accounts were more college-focused and contributed more of their own money than those that hadnt been. And the effects are strongest among low-income families.

The 1,300-plus children who were chosen at random to be given accounts in 2007 had an average of $3,243 saved by the end of 2019. Among the control group  another 1,300 children who were randomly selected to take part but were not given any money  only 4 percent had an account.
CALIFORNIA - Glenn and Sutter Counties moved into the states less-restrictive orange tier on Wednesday, according to California's COVID-19 response website.

Glenn County has 2.9 new COVID-19 cases per day per 100,000. The positivity rate is 1.8%.

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Sutter County currently has 4.9 new COVID-19 cases per day per 100,000. The positivity rate is 2.5%

Shasta and Tehama counties are two of 13 counties in the state that remained in the more restrictive red tier.

This is a developing story.
[April 27, 2021] Dr. Atul Goel Joins eQHealth Solutions' Commercial Division as Medical Director

eQHealth Solutions, a leading Population Health technology and services company and the developer of the first and only CMS-Certified Care Management technology, has announced that Atul Goel, M.D., has joined their Commercial Division as a full-time Medical Director. Dr. Goel is Board Certified in Family Medicine and brings a wealth of professional experience to the eQHealth team. Over the course of his 30+ year career, Dr. Goel has worked as a clinical physician for Kaiser Permanente and in his solo Family Practice. He has been a Medical Consultant for Social Security Disability, Veteran's Disability, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, and NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and also served as Medical Director for a Medicare Administrative Contractor and as the Program Manager for a Contractor to the Department of Defense. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Dr. Goel served as a Flight Surgeon to a squadron of fighter pilots with whom he deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan during the Gulf War. Dr. Goel earned his Bachelor's in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. He went to medical school at the State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY, and completed his Residency in Family Medicine in Niagara Falls, NY. Later in life, he earned his Master of Business Administration degree from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. "I came to eQHealth Solutions because its mission and corporate values alignedso closely with mine. I believe strongly in processes to improve population health. In these challenging times, we also need to ensure that our precious and scarce health care resources are delivered efficiently and with compassion. I also believe that technology is a valuable tool in improving the operating efficiency and financial stability of health care delivery organizations. These are all areas in which eQHealth Solutions has demonstrated excellence and leadership," said Dr. Goel, "It is my fortune to be a part of an outstanding team of professionals and I look forward to contributing to the differences we will continue to make together in the healthcare industry."



"We're thrilled to welcome Dr. Goel to the eQHealth team," Glen Golemi, eQHealth Solutions CEO, said in a statement. "His exemplary reputation, deep breadth of expertise, and unique medical perspective will be invaluable to eQHealth and the clients that we serve." Dr. Goel's first day on the job was April 5, 2021.

About eQHealth Solutions eQHealth Solutions is a 360-degree population health management technology and services provider that offers comprehensive utilization management, care management, business intelligence and healthcare analytics and total population health management technology and services that touch millions of lives annually throughout the nation. eQHealth's high-tech and human-touch approach includes innovative technology solutions and services focused on optimal member health outcomes while reducing costs. eQHealth serves a variety of entities including government and commercial healthcare payers, third-party administrators, and self-insured employer groups. Learn more at www.eqhs.com or follow them on LinkedIn and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005228/en/

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[April 27, 2021] Everything is bigger and now BETTER in Texas, with ReturnQueen

AUSTIN, Texas, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ReturnQueen, the exclusive shopping return service app, has expanded its services to Austin, Texas. In addition to the software company's corporate headquarters in the NY Metro area, and recent launch in Charlotte, Tampa and Nashville, the company's fifth ReturnHouse location (logistics facility) grows the company footprint to a total of 3,622 zip codes nationwide. Everything is bigger and now BETTER in Texas , with ReturnQueen.

Moving into Texas is a very natural growth strategy for ReturnQueen. In 2020, during the pandemic alone, 109 Austin-based companies announced plans to expand operations and 45 companies from outside of Texas announced plans to move there. One of the biggest companies to relocate is Elon Musks' Tesla, with a 7.9 million sq. ft headquarters. Apple is also under construction of its second campus in Austin with plans to have thousands of jobs into the space by 2022. Other large Silicon Valley tech firms such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon running offices in the area and Whole Foods headquartered in the city, there is a massive amount of tech and retail talent migrating to the area. Businesses love the favorable low taxes nd low cost of living so they can put more money back into their venture. "Everything is convenient here, you can walk outside of your office and find a cute coffee shop to your right, and a hip restaurant to your left. It is so easy to entertain clients, spend quality time with your employees, or meet friends and family, says Daphna Englard Co-founder of ReturnQueen. Living and working in Texas for several years, I witnessed firsthand the growth and energy of Texas. Austin is full of conveniences and today's young professionals are expecting services like ours to improve their quality of life. We are here for all of them. ReturnQueen in Austin makes it all that much better."



About ReturnQueen

ReturnQueen, is an on-demand service that picks up, processes, and sends back all your shopping returns. This contactless service was created to be the solution to the biggest pain points in the shopping cycle including, printing labels, packaging items, waiting in line, driving to the post office, and handling receipts. This unique app allows users to view all their online purchases at a glance and choose which items they want to return. You can return as many items as you can fit into the return bag, provided by ReturnQueen. Membership options will be available to serve different customer needs. ReturnQueen is currently operational in 3,622 zip codes across NJ, NY, Tenn., Fla., and Texas Immediate plans to expand to Miami, Atlanta, and Dallas, Boston, and Chicago within the next 30 days. Their goal is to make this service quickly available throughout the U.S.

First pick up is FREE, Available NOW for download:

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/returnqueen/id1537845231

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.returnqueen View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/everything-is-bigger-and-now-better-in-texas-with-returnqueen-301278062.html SOURCE ReturnQueen

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Health authorities have confirmed the South Africa variant of COVID-19 spread between guests at a Sydney quarantine hotel earlier this month.

'An investigation into how COVID-19 transmission occurred between returned travellers who had been in quarantine at the Mercure Hotel has led NSW Health to reclassify one case, previously reported as overseas acquired, as locally acquired,' it said in a statement on Tuesday.

Of the three returned travellers, two were family members and stayed in connecting rooms at the Mercure between April 7 and April 12.

Health authorities have confirmed the South Africa variant of COVID-19 spread between guests at a Sydney quarantine hotel earlier this month

'An investigation into how COVID-19 transmission occurred between returned travellers who had been in quarantine at the Mercure Hotel has led NSW Health to reclassify one case, previously reported as overseas acquired, as locally acquired,' it said in a statement on Tuesday

The third traveller, whose case has been been reclassified as locally acquired, stayed in an adjacent room.

All three people share the same viral sequence for the B1.351 variant of concern, first identified in South Africa.

The investigation did not identify any further cases of transmission.

Meanwhile, as Perth and Peel's three-day lockdown ended on Tuesday, anyone who travelled there and visited any venues of concern are required to self-isolate.

Others who have been in WA but not visited any of the nominated venues no longer need to stay home but people arriving from WA must complete a declaration form on the Service NSW website and confirm they have not attended a venue of concern.

NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSX.V:YGT)(FRA:TX0)(OTCQX:YGTFF) ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results for an additional three drill holes from the Company's Phase 1 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 Company has now completed its winter Phase 1 drilling program of 13 holes totaling 7,242 metres, with assay results pending for the last 4 holes.

Today's results establish continuity of gold mineralization in the Campbell Shear structure for over two kilometres immediately south of the former Con Mine (where 5 of the 6 million ounces of gold produced was in the Campbell Shear structure) (Figure 1). Results from the recent three holes provide confirmation that the gold system being targeted has the same controls on gold mineralization as the former Con Mine. High-grade zones, similar to those mined at Con and those intersected in holes GTCM21-003 and 005 earlier in the Phase 1 drilling at 150-200m spacing, are part of the same system that needs to be drilled systematically with closer spacing.

Figure 1 - Drill hole locations and Extent of Mineralization in Campbell Shear

President and CEO David Suda stated, "We are highly encouraged that results to date establishes continuity of the gold mineralization for over two kilometers and a strong correlation with historical assay results and historically, the same gold envelope part of the Con Mine. All holes have intersected the Campbell Shear with the same distinct alteration and pinch and swell structures similar to the Con Mine mineralization style. This includes the high-grade gold values intersected earlier in the program (see March 23, 2021 and April 6,2021 news releases). These latest results add confidence to our geological model to potentially outline more higher-grade gold mineralization on the Newmont Option ground. We are planning our Phase 2 drilling program of another 10,000 meters beginning this summer along the Campbell shear structure which remains open at depth and along strike to the south."

Drilling Highlights

Results for holes GTCM21-007, GTCM21-008 and GTCM21-009 totaling 1,452.45 metres are as follows and shown in Figure 2:

Hole GTCM21-007 intersected 77 metres of the Campbell Shear. Importantly, a gold-bearing zone within the shear consisted of strong and pervasive sericite alteration with quartz veins, pyrite and arsenopyrite needles and returned 1.14 g/t Au over 11.05 metres, including 2.99 g/t Au over 3.30 metres. Historically at the Con Mine, results such as these were indicative of proximity to high-grade ore. The mineralization in hole GTCM21-007 occurs below a gold zone identified in historical drill holes and shows continuity of this zone down dip. Historical intersections included 4.21 g/t Au over 7.01 metres in hole K-054 and 3.42 g/t Au over 12.68 meters in hole KC-071 ( Note - The intersections stated here are historical in nature and have not been verified by Gold Terra. Hole location, downhole survey, assay and lithologic data was obtained from the Con mine databases, and therefore is assumed by Gold Terra to be reasonably valid ).

intersected 77 metres of the Campbell Shear. Importantly, a gold-bearing zone within the shear consisted of strong and pervasive sericite alteration with quartz veins, pyrite and arsenopyrite needles and returned Historically at the Con Mine, results such as these were indicative of proximity to high-grade ore. The mineralization in hole GTCM21-007 occurs below a gold zone identified in historical drill holes and shows continuity of this zone down dip. Historical intersections included 4.21 g/t Au over 7.01 metres in hole K-054 and 3.42 g/t Au over 12.68 meters in hole KC-071 ( ). Hole GTCM21-008 intersected 82 metres of the Campbell Shear. Alteration and shearing is less intense, and only minor gold mineralization occurred on the footwall of the shear where the best assay result was 1.26 g/t Au over 0.74 metres. Although the character of the alteration and mineralization likely indicate this hole is more distal from high grade, the strong shear, and anomalous gold values extends the continuity of the gold bearing structure.

intersected 82 metres of the Campbell Shear. Alteration and shearing is less intense, and only minor gold mineralization occurred on the footwall of the shear where the best assay result was 1.26 g/t Au over 0.74 metres. Although the character of the alteration and mineralization likely indicate this hole is more distal from high grade, the strong shear, and anomalous gold values extends the continuity of the gold bearing structure. Hole GTCM21-009 intersected 238 metres of the Campbell Shear. A good alteration halo was intersected with anomalous gold (0.6 g/t Au over 7.5 metres, including 1.18 g/t Au over 2.5 metres) as well as other narrow zones of 0.5 to 1.5 g/t Au in the hanging wall and footwall of the shear. The very wide shear, good alteration, and the anomalous gold values flag this area for follow-up drilling. Hole GTCM21-009 intersected an exceptionally wide Campbell Shear with an undeformed portion (39 metres). These were historically described as "horses" by Con Mine geologists and are significant for localizing gold mineralization in the pressure shadows they create. One of the objectives of this drill program was to identify favourable alteration halos around these undeformed "horses" to locate potential pressure shadow zones where gold can occur. Hole GTCM21-009 appears to meet the criteria for hosting a gold-bearing pressure shadow.

Figure 2 - Longitudinal Section showing drill holes GTCM21-001 to GTCM21-009.

Geologic Model

The drill program has identified favourable alteration halos located within potential pressure shadow zones where high-grade gold can occur. Figure 3 is a schematic section illustrating the exploration model for locating the discrete high grade gold mineralization within the Campbell Shear. A level plan based on underground development on the Campbell Shear shows the targeted alteration types. The auriferous zones that are evident in holes GTCM21-007 and 009 indicate potential proximity to these lodes. High grade lodes have historically been located successfully in the Campbell Shear Structure and the limited drilling to date is considered highly encouraging.

Figure 3

Technical Appendix

This news release reports the assay results from three (3) drill holes totaling 1,452.45 metres from which 545 core samples were assays. Assays results range from non-detectable gold to a highest assay of 5.81 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 GTCM21-007 086.3 -50 635704.1 6921370.5 193.95 205 11.05 1.14 Including 193.95 198.25 4.30 2.36 GTCM21-008 087 -50 635633.4 6921240.5 369.06 369.80 0.74 1.26 GTCM21-009 087 -50 635518 6921623 58.97 59.75 0.78 1.32 GTCM21-009 326.85 334.35 7.50 0.60 Including 326.85 329.35 2.50 1.18 GTCM21-009 441.50 442.30 0.80 1.46

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 kilometres 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 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that host the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

Visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com.

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/642429/Gold-Terra-Drilling-Confirms-Continuity-of-Gold-Mineralization-to-Over-Two-Kilometres-in-Campbell-Shear-South-of-Con-Mine-Newmont-Option-Northwest-Territories
The Global Voice of Customer Loyalty Think of this as an opportunity to have some one-on-one time with the people youve most admired or wanted to meet. Listeners will absorb powerful mentorship as our guests share career-building tips and their own personal stories.

The Wise Marketer Group, publisher of TheWiseMarketer.com and operator of the Loyalty Academy, has announced a new interview series celebrating female executives in the Customer Loyalty industry.

The series will be composed of video interviews featuring a global pool of executives who are influential in digital customer marketing today, and those that have made lifetime contributions to the art and science of customer loyalty throughout their careers.

A key part of our mission at the Wise Marketer Group is to educate, empower and connect the professionals who participate in the global customer loyalty business, said CEO and Editor Bill Hanifin, continuing, our clear observation is that women play a tremendous role in this business and its long overdue to recognize the best and the brightest among the group.

Each interview and discussion will be packaged as a one-hour event with at least one new guest featured each month. These conversations will not only highlight unique perspectives on loyalty marketing from each guest but will reveal the substance of these notable people and cover the challenges facing women in the loyalty workplace today.

The inaugural interview will be aired live on Wednesday, May 12 at 1pm ET and will feature Margaret Murphy, Founder and CEO of Bold Orange. Registration information for this free event may be found here.

Margaret Murphy has an unparalleled history of founding and building very successful businesses in our industry. Her latest venture, Bold Orange Company, has built a reputation for excellent client service and was recognized in 2020 as a Best Place to Work by Inc. Magazine and the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Margaret stated, Ive been fortunate to learn and grow from the women who came before me and from whom I have worked alongside my whole career. Im grateful to know their stories and honored to be The Wise Marketers inaugural guest.

Cindy Faust, a well-respected industry persona will host the inaugural event. Cindy described the important nature of this content saying, Think of this as an opportunity to have some one-on-one time with the people youve most admired or wanted to meet. Listeners will absorb powerful mentorship as our guests share career-building tips and their own personal stories.

By launching the Women in Loyalty series, Wise Marketer Group is responding to the global demand for a central authority and trusted media site covering Customer Engagement, Loyalty, and all forms of data-driven marketing.

The Wise Marketer is making sponsorship opportunities available for the Women in Loyalty series. The opportunity to partner in support of this notable and important aspect of the customer loyalty industry is unique and powerful. If you would like to be part of the Wise Marketers Women in Loyalty series as a supporter, sponsor, or guest, please send your inquiry to submissions@thewisemarketer.com.

About the Wise Marketer Group

The Wise Marketer Group delivers timely and unbiased publishing, research, and educational products to a global audience of marketing professionals. The Wise Marketer Group publishes TheWiseMarketer.com, the most widely read news source for Customer and Loyalty marketing in the world, with an 18-year history serving the global loyalty marketing industry. The Wise Marketer also publishes The Loyalty Guide and operates the Loyalty Academy, the first industry professional certification program, offering the designation of Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional (CLMP) to those completing the curriculum.

For details, visit http://www.TheWiseMarketer.com and http://www.LoyaltyAcademy.org.
A Houston man who who billed himself as the H-town hunter was sentenced to prison Monday for running an international sex trafficking ring that recruited women at casting calls in Colombia by promising them lucrative exotic dancing gigs in the U.S.

Luis De Jesus Rodriguez, a former bounty hunter who described himself on his website as a latter-day Tony Montana with a clean streak, referencing the kingpin in the movie Scarface, admitted to federal prosecutors he paid for four womens travel and visas.

The women learned when they arrived in the U.S. they owed him up to $25,000, debts he compelled them to pay back by peddling themselves to the strip clubs customers and elsewhere. A fifth woman, who immigrated from Cuba prior to working for Rodriguez, was told she owed him about $13,000 for his assistance as a pimp.

He pleaded guilty on July 8 to sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit visa fraud and international money laundering.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Lynn N. Hughes heard from one trafficking victim who testified she suffered emotional, sexual and physical abuse at the hands of Rodriguez. Rodriguez apologized to his mothers, who were seated in the courtroom gallery. He told the judge hed contracted COVID-19 while in detention and had had time to reflect on his conduct, according to court participants.

Prosecutors noted that the now 30-year-old trafficker convinced the women that he worked with law enforcement and could be trusted. But once they arrived in the states, he branded some of them with tattoos so theyd be identifiable as his property. He intimidated one recruit with a gun and knife and threatened to kill her daughter and parents if she tried to leave, according to federal prosecutors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Suh asked the judge to hand down an enhanced sentence, saying Rodriguez had tried to obstruct their investigation by telling the women to delete their phones and emails after investigators got wind of the scheme. The recommended sentence for traffickers with convictions as expansive as Rodriguezs is up to life in prison, according to experts.

The judge said he considered the trafficking victims crooks, who knew they were coming to the U.S. under false pretenses, according to people present in the courtroom.

Hughes opted for 15 years, the minimum guideline sentence for trafficking a single victim, which is what Rodriguezs lawyer Christopher J. Downey had requested. He must also serve 10 years on supervised release and register as a sex offender.

Two co-defendants were also convicted in the scheme. Alexander Victoria Isaacs, 41, was sentenced last year to the 22 months hed already served for visa fraud and was deported to Colombia. Helen Leon Mesa, 31, who was in a relationship with Rodriguez, is set for sentencing next Monday on sex trafficking conspiracy and visa fraud convictions.

This case sends a strong message to those who benefit from the exploitation of vulnerable women, said Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. To those criminal organizations that engage in human trafficking, whether international or domestic, we will combine forces with our local, state and foreign counterparts to find you, arrest you and bring you to justice.

The 2016 scheme came to the attention of law enforcement when one of the trafficking victims  who was living with Rodriguez and several other trafficked women  called 911, saying Rodriguez had threatened her. Investigators learned that Rodriguez orchestrated several casting sessions in Cali where he used his persona as a bounty hunter to encourage women to join him in Houston and follow through on their dreams.

After they arrived, he compelled them to strip at Michaels, which is also known as Chicas Locas, and begin paying off their debt in daily increments of about $250. The women said Rodriguez tracked their movements through their cellphones and forced them into commercial sex.

gabrielle.banks@chron.com
The purpose is to prevent harm to school districts because of COVID and the pandemic, she said. Some kids did not have internet access. Some are the children of essential front line workers, who had to be at work and not home helping their children with school.
ROCKLEDGE, Fla., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. District Court Judge Roy A. Dalton has dismissed with prejudice a whistleblower's False Claims Act ("FCA") lawsuit brought against Zuckerman Spaeder client Health First. The dismissal of a third amended FCA complaint brought by relator Omni Healthcare comes after a January ruling by the same court, which dismissed Omni's second amended complaint because it lacked crucial details.

Health First is Central Florida's only fully integrated delivery network and the largest health provider in Brevard County. The non-profit company operates a health insurance plan, four hospitals, a multi-specialty physician group, and is home to Brevard County's only Level II trauma center.

Omni alleged that its principal, Dr. Craig Deligdish, had firsthand knowledge of purported anti-kickback and Stark Law violations. While the government had the opportunity to join the whistleblower lawsuit, it declined to do so after a review of Omni's alleged evidence. Omni persisted, leading to the January dismissal by Judge Roy B. Dalton of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Judge Dalton ruled that Omni failed to provide specific evidence necessary to support the lawsuit, saying the court "cannot be left wondering whether a plaintiff has offered mere conjecture or a specifically pleaded allegation on an essential element of the lawsuit."

In his most recent decision, Judge Dalton dismissed Omni's third amended complaint, this time with prejudice, because Omni had entered into a stipulation in which it agreed not to file any further amended complaints. In exchange for that agreement, Health First agreed to not oppose Omni's filing of the second amended complaint. However, in direct contravention of the stipulation, Omni filed a third amended complaint after its second amended complaint was dismissed. The court rejected Omni's arguments, including that it should not be bound by the stipulation because it was litigating the FCA claims on behalf of the government, which is the real party in interest in FCA cases.

"The Court's decision confirms that, while FCA relators may be litigating their claims on behalf of the government, they don't have license to break agreements in the name of the government," said partner Marcos E. Hasbun, who led the Zuckerman Spaeder team.

"Health First is committed to improving the wellness and health of those we serve. Zuckerman Spaeder helped us to end costly litigation and allowed Health First to remain focused on healing," said Health First Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Nicholas Romanello.

The case is Omni Healthcare Inc. v. Health First Inc. Robert T. Rhoad and Andy Liu of Nichols Liu LLP served as co-counsel.

About Zuckerman Spaeder LLP

With more than four decades of experience managing complex, high-stakes legal disputes and investigations, Zuckerman Spaeder LLP is considered one of the nation's premier litigation boutiques. The firm's highly accomplished attorneys, many of whom served as prosecutors or senior government officials, represent businesses, organizations, and individuals in white collar defense, enforcement actions, commercial disputes, health care litigation, ethics matters, class actions, and more. Among the firm's recent recognitions: National Law Journal's "D.C. Litigation Department of the Year" and "Midsize Hot List"; U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" - "Tier 1" national ranking in Commercial Litigation, Real Estate, Regulatory Enforcement, and White Collar Criminal Defense and; Law360 White Collar, Health Care, and Benefits Practice Group of the Year. www.zuckerman.com.

SOURCE Zuckerman Spaeder LLP

Related Links

http://www.zuckerman.com


04/27/2021

Photo (c) dowell - Getty Images Coronavirus (COVID-19) tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.)

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 32,130,876 (32,080,017)

Total U.S. deaths: 572,794 (572,226)

Total global cases: 148,018,784 (147,312,053)

Total global deaths: 3,123,782 (3,112,019)

California man suffers Johnson & Johnson vaccine reaction

A California man in his 30s who received the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine two weeks ago has been hospitalized in the San Francisco area after developing a blood clot in his leg.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has documented at least 15 cases of rare but serious blood clots in the U.S., all of which have occurred in patients with low platelet counts.

The U.S. had placed a pause on the use of the vaccine while health experts studied the data. The pause was lifted last weekend after health officials say the reaction was exceptionally rare.

Demand for vaccine slows as the case count falls

The U.S. has passed another COVID-19 vaccination milestone. The CDC reports that the number of fully vaccinated Americans now is greater than the number of people who only have one shot. But the numbers also suggest that demand for the vaccine is tapering off around the country.

Demand has fallen to such a low level in Connecticut that Gov. Ned Lamont has announced that some clinics will no longer require appointments to get the shots. He said the move is aimed at encouraging people to get a vaccination.

Meanwhile, the CDC reports that both cases and deaths from the coronavirus have trended lower over the last 30 days. The daily case count fell to just over 34,000 this week; the seven-day moving average of cases is more than 54,000.

Family charged with selling bleach as COVID-19 cure

Members of a Florida family have been charged in federal court with selling thousands of bottles of bleach as a miracle cure for COVID-19. Three people face charges of fraud and of violating a previous court order to stop selling the bogus cures.

According to court documents, the family marketed the bleach mix as Miracle Mineral Solution, or MMS, which contained a sodium chlorite solution. The directions called for mixing it with an acidic activator to become chlorine dioxide, or bleach.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that consuming any chlorine dioxide product can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and symptoms of severe dehydration.

New treatment could keep patients off ventilators

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a treatment that they say could prevent COVID-19 patients from getting severely ill. They say it could also reduce the need for ventilators.

In research on mice, the scientists found that the treatment normalized blood oxygen levels and reduced inflammation in mouse lungs  effects that could make a person well enough for hospital discharge.

The most important and impressive thing in this study is the fact that we have benefits even when we treat late in the disease process, said Ian Davis, senior author of the study. If we could develop a drug based on these findings, you could take somebody whos going to have to go on a ventilator and stop that completely.

Plastic surgeons see surge in post-pandemic appointments

Health care providers treating anything but COVID-19 saw a big drop in appointments when the coronavirus pandemic shut down the economy last year. Providers expressed concern that people were neglecting treatments and screenings for things like heart disease and cancer. Elective surgeries also fell sharply.

But all of that is changing with the pandemic starting to fade. Plastic surgeons, who experienced among the biggest drops in appointments and procedures, are reporting a post-pandemic boom.

"The pandemic isn't over, but thanks to vaccines, a new normal is starting to define itself  and some surgeons' offices that were closed or offered only limited services within the last year are seeing higher demand," said Dr. Lynn Jeffers, a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Around the nation
Just weeks before she died, the Gold Coast mother who was allegedly burned to death at her home contacted her ex-husband's former fiancee in the United States.

Kelly Wilkinson, 27, had questions about the woman's experiences with the former US Marine Brian Earl Johnston, messages obtained by Daily Mail Australia show.

'I'm sorry to message you with such a sensitive subject,' Ms Wilkinson said. 'When you were with Brian was he ever abusive in any form?

'We are in Australia...I'm wondering if there's a pattern with him he needs help.'

Ms Wilkinson had only just gone to police to seek a domestic violence order against Johnston when she fired off the message to his ex, who lives in Ohio.

About 6.40am on April 20, Ms Wilkinson was found dead in the backyard of her home in Arundel, having suffered severe burns.

Johnston, a former corporal in the US military, was charged with her murder - accused of setting her alight - and of breaching the DV order.

Kelly Wilkinson messaged her ex-husband Brian Johnston's former fiancee, who lives in the United States, on March 29 local time in the United States to ask: 'Was he ever abusive in any form?' Queensland Police confirmed she sought a domestic violence order on that same date

Brian Johnston, 34, has been charged with the murder of Ms Wilkinson on April 20. Above, the pair dance on their wedding day

Johnston, above, in a selfie with his ex-lover, who requested anonymity to share details of Ms Wilkinson's message

'She must really have been grasping at straws reaching out to me,' said the ex-fiancee, who admitted she was stunned and only learned about Ms Wilkinson's death this week. 'How alone she must have felt,' Johnston's ex said.

The woman, who requested anonymity, noted that Ms Wilkinson would have sent her the message about 5.43am on March 30, Queensland time.

Local police have confirmed she went to the station and was granted the DV order the previous day, March 29.

Johnston's ex had been in a relationship with him from 2008 to 2011, at the tail end of his five year military career. A corporal, Johnston was twice deployed to Iraq, where he served as an aircraft mechanic.

His relationship with the woman eventually soured shortly after resigning his commission. He got together with Ms Wilkinson and returned to her native Australia, where he worked in yacht hydraulics.

Friends said they had been separated for some time before last week.

In their exchange, the ex spoke briefly about her own experiences with Johnston, before Ms Wilkinson candidly revealed: 'I've got a domestic violence order against him for myself ... Thank you for your honesty.

'Ya, he sucks,' Johnston's former lover said.

Ms Wilkinson admitted in her exchange with Johnston's ex-fiancee that she had a domestic violence order in place against him

Ms Wilkinson died age 27 on April 20 and is survived by her three children

A younger Johnston, above, is pictured with his former girlfriend

Assistant Queensland Police Commissioner Brian Codd last Thursday confirmed Ms Wilkinson had approached police over 'domestic and family violence issues'.

Mr Codd's remarks came amid community anger over claims Ms Wilkinson and her family had gone to police on several occasions.

Asked if there were systematic issues in the police service, Mr Codd said her death was 'ultimately a failure' and that the matter was being reviewed.

'A woman has died. She has been killed, we will allege, in horrific circumstances,' he said.

'We're certainly going to make sure we look to improve ... and correct any parts of the system that we control.'

The couple's three children were in the home at the time Ms Wilkinson was allegedly attacked last week.

Ms Wilkinson's father, Reg (centre), and family attended an evening vigil for Ms Wilkinson on Monday evening

More than 1000 locals turned out to pay tribute to Ms Wilkinson, many wearing green, her favourite colour

Johnston was taken to hospital, where he was held under police guard. He was charged and his case made a brief appearance in court last week.

He was formally refused bail with his case to return to court at a later date.

Johnston's ex-lover said she had passed on her messages with Ms Wilkinson to CrimeStoppers.

On Monday evening, about one thousand people, many wearing Ms Wilkinson's favourite colour green, gathered at the Gold Coast Titans training ground to pay silent tribute to Ms Wilkinson.

Some people brought inflatable green balloons which were released at the end of the vigil, while others carried sunflowers - Ms Wilkinson's favourite flower.

As a guitarist played acoustic versions of Ed Sheeran's 'Perfect' and Coldplay's 'Fix You', Ms Wilkinson's family arrived and made their way to a row of white chairs at the front, her father Reg in tears as he trailed his daughters Natalie and Emma, his arm around daughter Danielle.
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic on April 20 sent a letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in which she touched upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its consequences.

As reported Turan, Mijatovic particularly wrote that overcoming the past must become a priority to secure the path to reconciliation and strong peace and that it is extremely important to ensure the constant, free and unconstrained entry of international humanitarian and human rights organizations into the places where the affected population lives. The CoE Commissioner for Human Rights expressed her concerns over the opening of the park. I consider such images highly disturbing and humiliating, said the Commissioner. This kind of display can only further intensify and strengthen long-standing hostile sentiments and hate speech, and multiply and promote manifestations of intolerance, she wrote.

She also called on the Azerbaijani President to take a firm stance against any rhetoric or actiofns which lead to triggering animosity or hatred and instead, provide his full support and political backing towards efforts aimed at promoting peace and reconciliation between the populations affected by the conflict, particularly bearing in mind the wellbeing of the future generations of Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan responded to the letter, not Ilham Aliyev. In its response letter, the Azerbaijani MFA expressed regret that the CoE Commissioner failed to respond to the Armenian missile attacks on peaceful cities of Azerbaijan and the deaths of dozens of people during the war. The MFA added that the CoE isnt responding to Armenias refusal to present maps of minefields and that reconciliation requires adequate attitude towards the crimes of the past and victims, including holding the guilty liable and compensating damages.

"Commissioner's "regret" over the inauguration of the Military Trophy Park in Baku is equally unsubstantiated. The Trophy Park symbolizes the triumph of international law and justice over the decades-long policy of aggression and ethnic cleansing. Immortalizing victory in the war for freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity is a practice widely applied by many nations, including across the Council of Europe region. The Park, like its analogies in other corners of the world, will serve as a stark reminder that racism, discrimination, and intolerance have no chance to succeed. This is a place for education for the present and future generations on the dangers of a policy of aggression and intolerance and provides the venue for seeking the truth. "Dehumanizing scenes" or "disturbing and humiliating images" need to be looked for in other places across the Council of Europe area, where nations glorify their colonial past and demonstrate evidence of horrific crimes against the colonized peoples.

In conclusion, it should be emphasized that the letter of 20 April 2021 casts doubt on the independence and impartiality of the Commissioner's work, and it might adversely impact the relations between the Commissioner's office and Azerbaijan, the MFA wrote in conclusion.

Moreover, the very fact of the letter being very far from an impartial appeal clearly runs against the stated noble goal of "promoting peace and reconciliation". On the contrary, it emboldens revanchist circles risking the fragile process of establishing good-neighborly relations in the region. Azerbaijan strongly urges the Commissioner to remain impartial as requested by her mandate and refrain from actions and statements that negatively affect the authority and reputation of the Council of Europe, the MFA added.
"The consumer has more choices than ever, so if your messaging lacks strategy, clarity, and meaning, you risk the loss of a valuable customer forever. - Ani Jigarjian, Senior Director of Marketing & Business Development

Boston Digital, a leading digital marketing agency, today announced the results of a new survey, "Brand Loyalty in the Digital Age". The survey canvassed 500 people, using the survey tool Pollfish to determine why consumers are loyal to certain brands, how they think about these brands, and what leads them to change their brand loyalties.

The results indicate that todays consumers will be loyal to brands that give them a one-to-one relationship. While the two most important things consumers point to when they describe their favorite brand continue to be price and product, brands need to offer more in todays competitive digital environment. Once consumers have these primary needs met, they then look for personalized content, streamlined service, and a robust community. Todays brands need to be able to answer the question, What can you do for me? wherever and whenever its asked. See the full results of the survey here.

It is more than clear that a consumers loyalty to a brand can easily shift if they are not presented with customized digital marketing experiences, said Ani Jigarjian, Boston Digitals Senior Director of Marketing & Business Development. Both the digital ecosystem and a consumers needs change in real time, so its important to point out that there is an enormous customer service opportunity that brands must study and perfect. The consumer has more choices than ever, so if your messaging lacks strategy, clarity, and meaning, you risk the loss of a valuable customer forever.

To create a brand that stands out from the crowd, brands need to create a one-to-one relationship with customers that speaks to their wants and needs. The brand loyalty survey revealed the following:

 Top reasons consumers will unsubscribe from content:

 Irrelevant content  69%

 Overkill  65%

 Content doesnt address their needs  62%

 Description of favorite brands in three words:

 42% of people mentioned words related to price or product

 32% of consumers used adjectives like great, cool, and fun

 9% used words related to values and morals

 Only 1% used words like innovative or disruptive

With online shopping on the rise, more consumers are looking for a quality service experience built for the digital age.

 Top three things consumers value in a digital experience:

 Ease of use  78%

 Customer service  59%

 Video content  45%

 83% are willing to switch to a brand with a better digital experience

 70% are more likely to trust brands that provide a great digital experience

Social media has become the go-to source of information for the American consumer, which is why creating a robust and compelling social presence for your brand is a key to maintaining and growing brand loyalty.

 Social media continues to climb the ladder when it comes to how brands educate consumers. 26% of consumers said they prefer to hear from brands by email, while 24% said they prefer to hear from brands through social media. With social activity on the rise, however, we see email slipping into second place in the near future.

 75% of consumers have visited a website through Facebook, and 63% have purchased something after visiting a website through Facebook.

To see more results and implications from Boston Digitals survey, read this whitepaper.

Boston Digital

Boston Digital has been delivering transformative digital marketing for 20 years. We believe digital excellence starts with brand discovery and deep dive research, leading to a breakthrough website that ignites brilliant digital marketing strategy. Boston Digital helps brands  from consumer products and life sciences to higher education, financial services, and tech  create a holistic digital ecosystem that connects their brand to the people who need it most, while strengthening their competitive edge. http://www.bostondigital.com
The on Tuesday asked the government to file a medical report of journalist Siddique Kappan and adjourned the matter for further hearing till Wednesday.

Supreme Court's three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, was hearing the habeas corpus petition filed by the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) seeking its immediate direction to transfer Kappan from Mathura hospital to AIIMS, New Delhi, due to his serious ill-health.

"Let you (the SG, government) file a medical report of the accused, in the case," said Justice Ramana, and adjourned the matter.

Meanwhile, the government refused the claim of Kappan's wife that the accused has been chained to a cot.

Lawyer for Kappan, Wills Mathews, said that on April 21, his client was tested positive for COVID-19 and was taken subsequently to hospital.

"He was chained to a cot, we got to know this," he said.

"My immediate main relief is that he will be released from the chains," Mathews told the apex court. To this, the SG said, he is not chained.

The SG said, he will file an affidavit in the case and the matter may be adjourned till Wednesday.

Kappan was arrested at a toll plaza near Hathras, while on his way to Hathras in Uttar Pradesh in October last year, in connection with his reporting assignment to cover the alleged gangrape and murder of a 19-year-old girl. An FIR had been registered under the UAPA in the case against Kappan by the Uttar Pradesh Police.

(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.)
Representative Image

Kathmandu [Nepal], April 26 (ANI): The closure of the Nepal-China border due to the Covid pandemic has affected a large number of Nepali entrepreneurs exporting goods to the country.

According to The Kathmandu Post, the Kerung and Tatopani border points have been reopened but export and import trade has not picked up.

The export of carpets, thanka, silver jewellery, wooden crafts, pashmina, statues among others from Thamel, Patan and Bhaktapur is almost zero, said Rajesh Kaji Shrestha, immediate former president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce. There are more than 700 members in the chamber, he added.

China closed its border points due to the pandemic between January and October last year and the border was closed again after January 20 this year.

With no export orders, manufacturers and exporters are facing tough times and have started looking for other sources of income observing the situation.

The export rate has increased with a rise in transportation charges, no flights to China and hiked prices of chartered planes, said Shrestha. Traders had been exporting goods by road and flights but as charges have increased, traders are unable to make a profit, he added.

Dinesh Shrestha, secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies said that they have been continuously discussing the issue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese government. "We are trying to ease trade between the countries through diplomatic talks but we cannot give any dates now," he said.

Manish Lal Pradhan, chairperson of the Export Promotion Centre in the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry said that export from Nepal to China has been suffering since the Tatopani trade point was closed, The Kathmandu Post reported.

"Though the government seems to be taking the initiative to export goods in recent times, China does not seem to take the matter seriously as the Nepali market is peanut-sized for them," Pradhan said.

According to The Kathmandu Post, imports from China have been affected with few trucks crossing the border. Nepali traders have accused China of conducting an 'undeclared trade blockade' as their merchandise-laden container trucks have not been allowed to cross the border into Nepal for over 16 months. (ANI)
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Whether you hanker for a hard hit of caffeine or favor the frothiness of a milky cappuccino, your regular coffee order could be telling you more about your cardio health than you think.

In a world first study of 390,435 people, University of South Australia researchers found causal genetic evidence that cardio healthas reflected in blood pressure and heart rateinfluences coffee consumption.

Conducted in partnership with the SAHMRI, the team found that people with high blood pressure, angina, and arrythmia were more likely to drink less coffee, decaffeinated coffee or avoid coffee altogether compared to those without such symptoms, and that this was based on genetics.

Lead researcher and Director of UniSA's Australian Center for Precision Health, Professor Elina Hypponen says it's a positive finding that shows our genetics actively regulate the amount of coffee we drink and protect us from consuming too much.

"People drink coffee for all sorts of reasonsas a pick me up when they're feeling tired, because it tastes good, or simply because it's part of their daily routine," Prof Hypponen says.

"But what we don't recognize is that people subconsciously self-regulate safe levels of caffeine based on how high their blood pressure is, and this is likely a result of a protective genetic a mechanism.

"What this means is that someone who drinks a lot of coffee is likely more genetically tolerant of caffeine, as compared to someone who drinks very little.

"Conversely, a non-coffee drinker, or someone who drinks decaffeinated coffee, is more likely prone to the adverse effects of caffeine, and more susceptible to high blood pressure."

In Australia, one in four men, and one in five women suffer from high blood pressure, with the condition being a risk factor for many chronic health conditions including stroke, heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

Using data from the UK Biobank, researchers examined the habitual coffee consumption of 390,435 people, comparing this with baseline levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and baseline heart rate. Causal relationships were determined via Mendelian randomization.

Prof Hypponen says how much coffee we drink is likely to be an indicator of our cardio health.

"Whether we drink a lot of coffee, a little, or avoid caffeine altogether, this study shows that genetics are guiding our decisions to protect our cardio health," Prof Hypponen says.

"If your body is telling you not to drink that extra cup of coffee, there's likely a reason why. Listen to your body, it's more in tune with what your health than you may think."

Explore further Deja brew? Another shot for lovers of coffee

More information: Elina Hypponen et al. Cardiovascular symptoms affect the patterns of habitual coffee consumption, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2021). Journal information: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Elina Hypponen et al. Cardiovascular symptoms affect the patterns of habitual coffee consumption,(2021). DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab014
[April 27, 2021] Panorays Research Finds Top Supply Chain Cyber Gap is Inadequately Protected Web Assets

NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Panorays, a rapidly growing provider of third-party security risk management, today announced new research about the most common third-party cyber gaps and released a new automated, dynamic vendor security questionnaire functionality that helps resolve cyber gap issues in supply chains.

Using data from Panorays external attack surface evaluations of tens of thousands of vendors from various industries, researchers determined the top five cybersecurity issues hidden in supply chains. They were: Significant web assets not protected by Web Application Firewalls (WAF) (48% of companies affected) Unpatched web server with severe vulnerabilities (40% of companies affected) Vulnerable default CMS configuration (34% of companies affected) Insufficient security team personnel (31% of companies affected) Supporting deprecated SSL protocols (25% of companies affected).

To help resolve supply chain cyber gaps, Panorays now offers new automated, easy-to-use Smart Questionnaires that are typically completed in as little as nine days rather than the industry average of nine weeks, allowing organizations to significantly reduce time spent on the vendor evaluation process. They complement Panorays external attack surface evaluations, thereby providing a complete and accurate view of supplier risk. Unlike manual security questionnaires, Smart Questionnaires include only the questions that are relevant for each supplier based on the business relationship context. Customers can easily track the progress of hundreds of third parties at once, and can also immediately identify if there are any policy gaps that need to be addressed. Panorays Smart Questionnaires also offer: An overview page, providing visibility into the risk score of each category in the suppliers questionnaire response.

Quick navigation of questionnaire responses using filters and color-coding of questions by risk level.

Unparalleled SI support, including the ability to auto-complete the Smart Questionnaire by uploading a past SIG.

The ability to customize due dates and question weighting according to preference, and to check adherence to relevant regulatory requirements such as GDPR and NYDFS.

Multi-language translation, allowing companies to send questionnaires in suppliers native languages, and then view responses in their own language.

In-platform engagement, including the ability to comment on specific questions for more clarification.



This past year, weve seen that more and more, organizations from every industry are realizing that comprehensive third-party security risk management is essential. Our latest research provides a glimpse of some of the most common vendor vulnerabilities that organizations need to be aware of and know how to address, said Matan Or-El, Panorays Co-Founder and CEO. We also created the Smart Questionnaire to help tackle the problem of third-party security. The Smart Questionnaires automate and change the way organizations communicate with vendors, resulting in a safer, quicker onboarding process. When combined with Panorays vendor cyber posture assessment and business context, the platform provides companies with a complete view of third-party cyber risk.

Download a copy of  The Top 5 Most Common Third-Party Cyber Gaps . About Panorays Panorays is a rapidly growing provider of third-party security risk management software, offered as a SaaS-based platform. Unlike other solution providers, Panorays combines automated, dynamic security questionnaires with external attack surface assessments and business context to provide organizations with a rapid, accurate view of supplier cyber risk. It is the only such platform that automates, accelerates and scales customers third-party security evaluation and management process, enabling easy collaboration and communication between companies and suppliers, resulting in efficient and effective risk remediation in alignment with a companys security policies and risk appetite. The company serves enterprise and mid-market customers primarily in North America, the UK and the EU, and has been adopted by leading banking, insurance, financial services and healthcare organizations, among others. Headquartered in New York and Israel, with offices around the world, Panorays is funded by numerous international investors, including Aleph VC, Oak HC/FT, Imperva Co-Founder Amichai Shulman and former CEO of Palo Alto Networks Lane Bess. Visit us at www.panorays.com . Tila Pacheco

Eskenzi PR

panorays@eskenizpr.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a42324bc-0486-4670-8f15-98eed1ad4957



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Sabic is showcasing its sustainable material solutions that help to address some of the industry needs after Covid-19 pandemic at the ongoing ChinaPlas 2021.

The event is being held at Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center (SWECC) from April 13 to 16, in Shenzhen, China.

The global leader in diversified chemicals said it is demonstrating its commitment to response to industry challenges for circular economy by highlighting a series of high-performance material solutions in packaging, automotive, building & construction, healthcare, and consumer goods.

The global pandemic has enormously changed the world in many ways. In the process to recover from the pandemic, a more sustainable and low carbon future will be the common pursuit of human, further pushing industries to achieve circular economy. The petrochemical industry plays a key role in this transition, by providing sustainable products and solutions. Sabic, fully aware of this dynamic, is working actively with the value chain to adapt to the global megatrends and address challenges in achieving circular economy, the company said in a statement.

Sabic recognises that global megatrends of food & water, sustainability, energy efficiency, healthcare, and urbanisation still greatly influence human life these days, especially healthcare and sustainability in the post-pandemic period. We are actively leveraging our expertise and advanced solutions to address the major challenges from our key target markets and industries, said Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, Executive Vice President of Petrochemicals at Sabic. We are unleashing superior technologies, supporting China's high-quality development endeavors, and ultimately moving towards a brighter future, he added.

China is gearing up for high-quality economic growth and accelerating to a more sustainable society. Sabic enhances collaboration with the industry value chain in China to capture emerging needs by offering market-oriented solutions.

The company is displaying a comprehensive portfolio thsi year at its premium booth:

Lexan PC films for vaccine cold chain packaging

Sabic captures the increasing needs of the healthcare industry and offers its new cold-chain packaging material solutions, including Lexan 8040 and 8B45 polycarbonate films, which meet the ultra-low temperature requirements of Covid-19 vaccine transportation and storage and contribute to combating the pandemic.

Fortify POE for PV module

Among all noticeable megatrends, clean energy plays a major role in improving energy efficiency. Sabic provides innovative material solutions to support the booming PV industry. Sabics POE Fortify C5075DP and C13075DP used as sealing material for PV module, offering excellent protection for PV modules and ensure efficient, reliable energy output.

Lexan PC based on certified renewable feedstock

Sabic has successfully partnered with eyewear lens leader Polyray to apply its certified renewable feedstock-based Lexan polycarbonate (PC) resin, part of Sabic Trucircle portfolio and services for lenses of sunglasses, safety glasses, and sports goggles. This first-ever partnership involves the application of its renewable PC with a local partner in China and celebrates Sabics renewable and sustainable solutions.--TradeArabia News Service
60% of restaurants are currently in debt, while only 34% were in debt before the start of the first Shelter in Place order in March 2020.

San Francisco based non-profit advocacy organization and direct service provider SF New Deal surveyed 106 San Francisco restaurants in March 2021 to understand the economic situation facing the industry. A year into the pandemic, the survey found that though partial restaurant reopening is taking place and some government aid has been made available, the number of restaurants facing debt as well as the amount of debt has increased significantly. 60% of restaurants are currently in debt, while only 34% were in debt before the start of the first Shelter in Place order in March 2020. On average, debt increased from $62,000 to $114,000, nearly doubling the amount.

Restaurants are finding it increasingly difficult to pay rent. While some restaurants have received some form of rent relief, 39% of restaurants are currently behind on rent. About half of those restaurants are more than 5 months behind in rent.

"These survey findings help us to understand the financial challenges ahead for our restaurant partners who currently receive income through SF New Deals programs," said Lenore Estrada, Executive Director of SF New Deal. The economic situation is even more dire for small businesses overall who do not have access to supplementary revenue streams from community feeding programs. We remain committed to advocating for long term support from government agencies to ensure an equitable recovery for all small business owners."

Though partial reopening has begun, revenue deficits remain. Today, 40% of restaurants continue to report monthly losses. A sampling of 106 restaurants shows a collective $7 million revenue loss per month from the local economy. Extrapolated out to San Franciscos more than 4000 restaurants, this reflects a $291 million dollar loss from the citys overall economy.

Reduced revenue in local restaurants has led to layoffs and job cuts across the industry. More than 80% of restaurants have reduced the number of employees on payroll since March 2020. 64% of restaurants were forced to cut more than half of their workers. In total, 60% of workers lost their jobs.

While small business loans through the Paycheck Protection programs (PPP), California Small Business Relief Fund and the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan are available, the loans are not enough for restaurants to sustain their business through the pandemic. 88% of restaurants received loans but restaurants report that loans can only sustain less than half of a year of operations.

Recovery appears daunting and uncertain for small businesses. 63% of restaurants expect recovery will take up to an entire year. More than a third of restaurants expect recovery to take years.

Since March 2020, SF New Deal has provided immediate support to the restaurant industry at a time of unforeseen and significant need. Over the past year, SF New Deal has disbursed over $20,000,000 directly to small businesses. This money has supported 184 businesses, helping them keep their doors open and fuel San Franciscos local economy and simultaneously provide 1,867,195 meals to neighbors in need.

Currently, revenue from SF New Deals feeding programs is a significant source of income for restaurants, accounting for about 40% of restaurant partners monthly revenue. Through restaurant partnerships with SF New Deal, restaurants were able to bring back employees, recovering 32% of lost jobs since the start of the pandemic.

# # #

SF New Deal conducted a survey in March 2021. Survey findings reflect the responses from 106 San Francisco based restaurants, which represents 80% of SF New Deals currently active restaurant program partners.

***Media Contact: Please email media@sfnewdeal.org

About SF New Deal

SF New Deal provides supportive services and financial opportunities for small businesses in San Francisco. SF New Deals works to address both the symptoms and root causes of inequity by building pathways which connect local business owners, workers, community leaders, and neighbors in need, for the benefit of the entire city. In the last year, SF New Deal was awarded a FEMA Citizen Service Corp Award, a certificate of recognition from California State Assembly Members Phil Ting and David Chiu and a Certificate of Honor from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in recognition of its response to the COVID-19 public health crisis and its outstanding service supporting small businesses and addressing food insecurity among San Franciscos most vulnerable populations. To keep up to date on SF New Deals programs and impact, please visit http://www.sfnewdeal.org and sign up to receive email notifications. Join the #sfndewdeal conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sfnewdeal.

--
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Pancontinental Resources Corporation (TSXV: PUC) (OTCQB: PUCCF) ("Pancon" or the "Company"), further to its news release of March 2, 2021, reports complete gold assay and multielement geochemistry results for diamond holes 1 through 5, among the total 7 diamond and 2 sonic holes drilled in Phase 1 of the Company's fully funded 10,000-meter (m) maiden diamond drill program at its flagship Brewer Gold & Copper Project (see Table 1). Results for diamond holes 6 and 7 and sonic holes 1 and 2 are pending. The Brewer Project, on the gold-rich Carolina Slate Belt in South Carolina, is where the former shallow Brewer Gold Mine produced 178,000 ounces of oxide gold between 1987-1995, and is located 12 kilometers along trend from the producing Haile Gold Mine.

Highlights:

Hole 4 returned 7.6 m of 0.97% Cu and 2.96 g/t Au, from 161.4 m to 169.0 m vertical depth.

Hole 5 returned 7.6 m of 0.95% Cu and 1.11 g/t Au, from 190.9 m to 198.5 m vertical depth.

Hole 4, in terms of copper values as they correlate to gold values, returned 115.6 m of 0.17% Cu, including: 71 m of 0.24% Cu; 15.5 m of 0.45% Cu; and 3.45 m of 1.17% Cu (see Figure 1). On a gold equivalent basis, Hole 4 returned 115.6 m of 1.19 g/t AuEq, including: 71 m of 1.64 g/t AuEq; 15.5 m of 3.10 g/t AuEq; and 3.45 m of 7.24 g/t AuEq (see Table 1).

Hole 5, in terms of copper values as they correlate to gold values, returned 181.6 m of 0.26% Cu, including 24.2 m of 0.41% Cu (see Figure 1). On a gold equivalent basis, Hole 5 returned 181.6 m of 1.67 g/t AuEq, including: 75 m of 2.57 g/t AuEq and 24.2 m of 4.94 g/t AuEq (see Table 1).

86% of all 1,339 samples from Holes 1-5 returned detectable gold (see Table 2), further demonstrating widespread presence of anomalous gold across the Brewer property.

Pancon President and CEO Layton Croft stated: "Gold and copper values strongly correlate at Brewer (see Figure 2). In terms of the highest copper values in Holes 4 and 5, identical thickness and comparable values located 110 meters apart suggest a potential copper-rich horizon less than 200 meters below surface and beneath the former Brewer gold mine. The original mineralizing system has been structurally and metamorphically modified. We anticipate further exploration will provide geological and geochemical controls to elucidate the original system. We commenced Phase 2 drilling on April 6, and to date have drilled four new sonic holes through the pit backfill material. Diamond drilling starts tomorrow to extend those four new holes below the former mine to follow up on Holes 4 and 5. Based on Phase 1 drill results, Pancon has optimized drill hole locations as well as sampling and lab procedures, thus reducing anticipated Phase 2 turnaround times while maintaining rigorous QA/QC protocols."

Figure 1 shows gold and copper results for Holes 4 and 5, with a focus on showing how the copper correlates with the gold results previously reported in Pancon's news release of March 2, 2021. Figure 2 shows gold-copper distribution and strong correlation in Holes 4 and 5.







Figure 1: North-South Vertical Section (A-A' = ~550 meters) with Gold and Coincident Copper Results for Hole 4 (B20C-004) and Hole 5 (B21C-005)

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5156/81797_pancon_1_v2.jpg

Table 1: Select Gold & Copper Assay Results for Holes 1-5

Hole ID Hole Size From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Cu (%) AuEq1 B20C-001 HQ 97.00 100.86 3.86 0.23 <0.05 - B20C-002 HQ/NQ 116.10 141.90 25.80 0.53 <0.05 - incl.

120.60 134.10 13.50 0.85 0.05 - incl.

120.60 123.00 2.40 1.70 <0.05 - incl.

129.00 134.10 5.10 1.03 0.11 - B20C-003 HQ 3.50 25.85 23.35 0.41 <0.05 - incl.

6.50 11.00 4.50 0.86 <0.05 - B20C-004 HQ 66.41 182.00 115.59 0.91 0.17 1.19 incl.

104.00 175.00 71.00 1.24 0.24 1.64 incl.

150.50 166.00 15.50 2.35 0.46 3.10 incl.

162.55 166.00 3.45 5.29 1.19 7.24 B21C-005 NQ 56.00 237.60 181.60 1.24 0.27 1.67 incl.

60.00 212.00 152.00 1.40 0.27 1.85 incl.

62.00 137.00 75.00 2.14 0.26 2.57 incl.

64.90 89.10 24.20 4.26 0.42 4.94 incl.

64.90 67.90 3.00 24.29 0.43 25.01

See Quality Assurance and Quality Control Statement below regarding assaying techniques.

Intervals are core lengths and are not presumed to be true thicknesses.

The Company has posted on its web site the Certificates of Analysis with complete results for gold assays and multielement geochemistry for diamond drill Holes 1-5 (see here). The Company cautions that the mineralization at the former Brewer Gold Mine is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization that may be identified by the Company's ongoing and upcoming exploration work.

Figure 2: Gold-Copper Correlation for Holes 4 and 5



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5156/81797_95d3a92dd4148bb7_004full.jpg

Table 2: Detectable Gold Values (>= 0.025 g/t Au) for All Samples in Holes 1-5

Summary Statistics: Au g/t Hole ID # Samples Min Max Mean Median >= 0.025 %>= 0.025 B20C-001 246 0.0025 0.437 0.04 0.03 142 57.7% B20C-002 219 0.012 2.05 0.15 0.08 203 92.7% B20C-003 355 0.009 1.23 0.10 0.07 320 90.1% B20C-004 373 0.0125 6.525 0.25 0.07 341 91.4% B21C-005 146 0.0125 30.216 1.07 0.62 144 98.6%

Phase 2 Drilling Underway

Pancon commenced Phase 2 drilling on April 6, 2021 (see Figure 3), and to date has completed four new vertical sonic drill holes through the backfill material in the former mined pits, for a total of 246 large sonic samples over 222 meters. In coming days these samples will be sent to SGS lab in Ontario for gold assay and multielement geochemistry analyses. Phase 2 diamond drilling will commence on April 28, and will extend the four new sonic holes into fresh bedrock below the former mine.

Figure 3: Map of Phase 1 and Phase 2 (to date) Drill Hole Locations



To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5156/81797_95d3a92dd4148bb7_005full.jpg

Quality Assurance and Quality Control Statement, Notes and Assumptions

Phase 1 exploration diamond core drilling was HQ/HQ3 and NQ/NQ3 size. The core was logged and marked for sampling and assaying by geologists contracted by Pancon. Samples, typically 1.5 meters in length, were sawn in half using a diamond core saw and one-half of the core was placed in sample bags and tagged with unique sample numbers, while the remaining half was kept in the core box for storage. Each bagged core sample was shipped to Minerals Processing Corporation's (MPC) ISO/IEC 17025 Certified sample preparation and assay laboratory in Carney, Michigan where it was dried, crushed and pulverized to >80% passing -200 mesh.

Gold was analyzed by fire assay (30 g) with an AA (atomic absorption) finish at ALS Laboratories (Holes 1-3) and MPC (Holes 4-7) with detection limits of 0.005 g/t gold (ALS) and 0.025 g/t gold (MPC). Samples containing greater than 3.0 g/t gold were analyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Multielement analyses, including base metals and rare earth elements, were analyzed at ALS with ICP-MS (inductively coupled argon plasma mass spectrometry). Strict sampling and QA/QC protocols are followed, and assay integrity is monitored internally with a quality control program including the insertion of standards, blanks, and duplicates in the sample stream on a regular basis.

1Gold equivalent values (Table 1) were calculated using the following prices: a gold price of US$1,783.72 per ounce and a copper price of US$4.33 per pound. Gold equivalent values can be calculated using the following formula: AuEq (g/t) = Au (g/t) + k* Cu (g/t); where k = price_Cu(US$/g/price_Au(US$/t). Recoveries of individual elements can not generally be determined based on equivalent values and fluctuating metals prices will change the value of 'k' and therefore the gold equivalent values.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Richard "Criss" Capps, PhD, RPG, SME REG GEO, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

Revised Amending Agreement

The Amending Agreement between Pancon and Voltage Metals Inc. as detailed in Pancon's March 2, 2021 news release, has been revised for further clarity to include one new sentence: "For further clarity, Pancon will retain the 1% NSR buyback right (for $1 million) from 2681891 Ontario Inc. on the St. Laurent Project, and thus this 1% NSR buyback right will not be assigned to Voltage once Voltage takes 100% ownership of the St. Laurent Project."

Capital Market Advisory Agreement

In addition, Pancon has engaged Red Cloud Financial Services Inc. ("Red Cloud") to provide capital market advisory services effective immediately. Red Cloud is a Toronto-based financial services company that provides advisory services to mineral exploration and mining companies. Under the engagement, Red Cloud will be paid a monthly fee of C$10,000 per month for a minimum of twelve months (the "Initial Term"), with the engagement to be automatically renewed on a month-to-month thereafter. After the Initial Term, the engagement may be terminated by either party upon one month's written notice to the other party. More specifically, Red Cloud will provide services such as organizing and administering road shows, drafting additional marketing materials, managing the Company's social media, providing traditional media support and assistance in the creation of video content for exclusive use on Red Cloud TV, and other services as required by the Company. In certain circumstances additional services may be provided to the Company by Red Cloud and an additional contingent consideration for such services may be applicable. Red Cloud does not have any interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company or its securities and it does not have any right or intent to acquire such interest. Red Cloud has no relationship with the Company other than as contemplated in the current engagement.

About Pancon

Pancon is a Canadian junior mining company focused on exploring the prolific and underexplored Carolina Slate Belt in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA. In January 2020, Pancon won the exclusive right to explore the former Brewer Gold Mine property. Between 1987-1995, Brewer produced 178,000 ounces of oxide gold from open pits that extended to 65-meter depths, where copper and gold-rich sulphides were exposed but could not be processed by the oxide heap leach processing facility (Zwaschka, M. and Scheetz J.W., 1995, Detailed Mine Geology of the Brewer Gold Mine, Jefferson, South Carolina, Society of Economic Geologists). Brewer hasn't been explored since 1997, and most of the tools used previously to explore the property have since been updated with more advanced technologies. Brewer is a high sulphidation system driven by a sub-volcanic intrusive and possibly connected to a large copper-gold porphyry system at depth, as indicated by: widely known prospective geology, including diatreme breccias; associated high sulphidation alteration; gold and copper mineralization; and geophysics (Schmidt, R.G., 1978, The Potential for Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum Deposits in the Eastern United States, U.S. Geological Survey). Pancon's 100%-owned, 1,500-acre Jefferson Gold Project nearly completely surrounds the 1,000-acre former Brewer Gold Mine property, and both Jefferson and Brewer are located 12 kilometers northeast along trend from the producing Haile Gold Mine, which produced 137,413 ounces of gold in 2020 (https://oceanagold.com/operation/haile/).

For further information, please contact:

Layton Croft, President & CEO or Jeanny So, Manager, External Relations

E: info@panconresources.com

T: +1.647.202.0994

For additional information please visit our new website at http://www.panconresources.com/ and our Twitter feed: @PanconResources.

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.

This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, including those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81797
Right now was share a peek at hottie Lindsey offering up her groundbreaking OnlyFans goodness along with a glimpse at pop culture, community news and top headlines.

Double Decker Payday

Kansas City Southern mulling dueling railroad takeover bids OMAHA, Neb. - As deal talks begin, Canadian National railroad said Monday it is receiving broad support for its $33.7 billion bid to buy Kansas City Southern. Canadian National said that more than 400 shippers and other stakeholders have submitted letters supporting its offer, including some who previously supported Canadian Pacific's $25 billion bid to buy Kansas City Southern .

Traffic Trouble Today

Armed suspect in custody after armed standoff on Hwy. 152 near Brighton KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- All lanes of Missouri Highway 152 were briefly closed between Brighton Avenue and Interstate 435 due to a police standoff on the Northland highway. Based on the suspect's actions, officers utilized less lethal munitions about 7:45 a.m. Tuesday in order to take the person into custody without further incident.

Local Vaxx Redux

Johnson County health leaders say benefits outweigh risks with taking J&J vaccine MISSION, Kan. - The use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine may have been reinstated, but some people still have reservations about getting the one dose shot. "I have some concern for others," Cathy Lilleston said. Lilleston received her Pfizer vaccine, but considered all three options.

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CDC: Unmask Outdoors But Crowds Require Face Coverings

Here's what outdoor activities are safe to do without a mask, according to the CDC Outdoor activities are safe without masks - regardless of whether a person is vaccinated - as long as people are either alone or with immediate family members, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday. And fully vaccinated people can gather safely outdoors without masks in small groups.

Prez Biden Bumps Pay

Biden To Establish $15-An-Hour Minimum Wage For Federal Contractors subscribe to The NPR Politics Podcast podcast President Biden will require federal contractors to pay their employees a minimum wage of $15 an hour starting March 30, 2022, senior administration officials say - a hike that will benefit a few hundred thousand people and underscore the broader Democratic push to raise the federal pay floor to the same level.

MAGA Doesnt Remember

After 100 days out of office, Trump's support softens in NBC News poll WASHINGTON - Out of office, off of Twitter, still complaining about the election results - the last 100 days or so haven't been kind to Donald Trump, our new national NBC News poll finds.

Plague Hits India

As Covid sweeps India, experts say cases and deaths are going unreported India, home to the world's worst ongoing coronavirus outbreak, has reported more than 17.6 million cases since the pandemic began last year.

Save Portland!!!

After Nearly a Year of Unrest, Portland Leaders Pursue a Crackdown PORTLAND, Ore. - After the protests have concluded, sometimes in the early morning hours, Margaret Carter finds herself climbing into her gray Toyota Camry and cruising the streets of Portland so she can see the latest damage forherself.

Sauce Bosses Debut

Mahomes, Hill, Mathieu, others featured on new limited-edition Chiefs sauces Spicin Foods, a Kansas City-based manufacturer of over 1,500 sauce and rub products, announced Tuesday it is the maker of the "Official Sauces of the Kansas City Chiefs." According to a news release, the multiyear agreement allows Spicin Foods to manufacture and sell Kansas City Chiefs-branded barbecue and hot sauces, with three new products launching on Friday.

Local Land Deal

Marlborough Community Land Trust brings hope and ownership to its community Little Joe Bonner in front of his new home from MCLT.// Courtesy of Marlborough Community Land Trust. Community land trusts officially began in Georgia in 1969 as part of the southern civil rights movement. They provided affordable housing to people who were racially and economically discriminated against (often one in the same).

Forecast For Now

Warm and windy Tuesday, scattered rain transitioning to downpours for Wednesday PLAYERS DO THIS. NICK: IT IS SOMETHING TO WATCH. SOMETHING YOU WILL SEE IN THE SKY IS THE FULL MOON, SETTING IN THE WESTERN HORIZON. IT IS REALLY PRETTY, A CLEAR SKY THERE. 60 DEGREES, A WARM AND WINDY MORNING. WIND GUSTS UP TO 31 MILES AN HOUR RIGHT NOW.

Chet Faker - Low is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Tokyo, Japan - Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus similar to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and has mostly been thought to be transmitted vertically (mother-to-child), or horizontally (sexually or parenterally (e.g. via blood transfusion)). The spread of this infection in metropolitan areas such as Tokyo is presumed to be due to horizontal transmission, especially sexual transmission.HTLV-1-associated diseases are thought to be caused mainly through vertical transmission. In a new study, clinicians from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) describe that horizontal transmission route is responsible for HTLV-1 associated disease, i.e. HTLV-1 uveitis.

The clinicians saw a 57-year-old woman who presented with sudden blurred vision. An eye examination revealed profound pathologies in different anatomical locations of her eyes. Most prominent were cellular infiltrates and opacity in the vitreous body, a large gel-like substance between the lens and the back of the eye. Because the pathologies were consistent with uveitis and an inflammation of the eyes, and given the patient's age, the clinicians tested her for the presence of several autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and sarcoidosis, because uveitis can be a result of those. The tests didn't reveal anything, so the clinicians tested the patient for a number of infectious diseases, such as HTLV-1 and HIV, that can also cause uveitis. When the HTLV-1 test came back positive, the clinicians made their diagnosis of HTLV-1 uveitis.

"HTLV-1 can cause adult T-cell lymphoma, myelopathy and uveitis, among other disorders," says senior author of the study Kyoko Ohno-Matsui. "Although we started the patient on the proper treatment, an unanswered question was how did the patient get infected with the virus in the first place."

Because there's no targeted therapy for HTLV-1 infections, the clinicians had to weaken the patient's immune system with corticosteroids, because an over-reacting immune system is thought to cause harm to the patient. The clinicians started the patient on corticosteroid therapy systemically as well as with topical eye drops over 6 weeks. Over the course of the next several months, the patient suffered from several recurrences, so the clinicians started her on a maintenance corticosteroid therapy, i.e. treatment over the course of 8 months. While no recurrences happened in this time period, 18 months after the start of the maintenance therapy, the patient presented with another recurrence, including a retinal detachment, which could lead to permanent blindness. This detachment was managed by ophthalmic surgery and the patient was again started on corticosteroids, this time for 4 years. No recurrences have happened since then and the patients has remained symptom-free.

Interestingly, during follow-up the patient's mother underwent cataract surgery at the same clinic site. Testing for HTLV-1 revealed no infection of the mother, ruling out vertical transmission to the patient. Of note, HTLV-1 can become symptomatic even decades after initial infection.

"In the current environment of increasing HTLV-1 incidence, the existence of horizontal transmission causing HTLV-1 uveitis should be acknowledged as it can result in more severe inflammation than vertical transmission. Thus, physicians should take the route of infection into consideration when providing medical care to patients with HTLV-1-associated diseases." says first / corresponding author of the study Koju Kamoi.

###

The article, "Horizontal transmission of HTLV-1 causing uveitis" was published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases at DOI:10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00063-3
Amid heavy opposition, the sponsor of a bill that would toughen retirement rules for future teachers and state employees has set aside his proposal, which may end any chances for approval this year.

State Sen. Barrow Peacock, R-Shreveport, wants to raise the age when future teachers and state employees can retire with full benefits from 62 years to 67.

Bid to toughen teacher retirement rules in Louisiana sparks controversy A longshot bid to raise the age for teachers and others to qualify for full retirement benefits from 62 years to 67 has sparked intense opposi

Peacock said the change would help stabilize the retirement systems for teachers and state employees, and eventually free up dollars that can be used to raise teacher salaries. He said that, since it would only apply to future teachers and state employees, the impact on retirees would not be felt for 28-30 years.

But what was supposed to be a brief discussion Tuesday set off blistering criticism of the bill.

Sen. Rogers Pope, R-Denham Springs, said Peacock's proposed changes would not produce any savings to the state for decades.

"We are talking about a piece of legislation that will not bring one dollar to the state for 30-something years, if in fact it happens then," said Pope, former superintendent of the Livingston Parish School District.

He said the new rules would worsen an existing problem with recruiting teachers to the classroom by taking away one of the incentives.

"I am hear to implore you, look at it strongly and let's put it to bed," Pope said of the legislation.

Sen. Ed Price, D-Gonzales, also blasted the measure.

Price said the teachers and other retirement systems are ahead of schedule in retiring debt, which senators said stems from retirement overhaul bills passed by the Legislature in 2009, 2014 and 2016.

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"This bill does nothing for those systems for 30 years," he said.

Under current rules, teachers and state employees can retire at the age of 62 if they have 40 years of service.

They then qualify for lifetime annual benefits based on the average of their five highest salaries, and retirement payments are not subject to the state income tax.

State retirees generally do not qualify for Social Security.

Peacock planned to make two changes to the bill to soften its impact, then set it aside in hopes of generating support.

One change would delay the new rules from taking effect until July 1, 2022 instead of July 1, 2021.

The other would allow future teachers and state employees with 30 years of service to collect full benefits at age 62.

However, those proposed changes did little to lessen the criticism.

Barrow withdrew his amendment and returned his bill to the Senate calendar.

The bill is opposed by the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana, the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System, Louisiana Federation of Teachers, Louisiana Association of Educators, the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents and the Retired State Employees Association.
(Newser)  Authorities in New Jersey say they can close the book on two unsolved murders from 1974 after a confession from a serial killer linked to at least nine other killings. Richard Cottinghamknown as the "Torso Killer" because he often dismembered his victimspleaded guilty Tuesday to killing 17-year-old Mary Ann Pryor and 16-year-old Lorraine Marie Kelly, the AP reports. Their bodies were found in woods five days after they went to a mall in Paramus to buy bathing suits in August 1974. Cottingham admitted Tuesday that he kidnapped the girls. He said he tied them up and raped them before drowning them in a motel bathtub.

story continues below

The 74-year-old Cottinghamwho has claimed to have killed up to 100 peopleis serving a life sentence in New Jersey State Prison in Trenton and prosecutors say they will seek two more life sentences for the murders of Pryor and Kelly. "This is a somber day as we revisit the horrific acts and terror this man brought upon Bergen County nearly 50 years ago," Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said in a statement. Cottingham, who has been incarcerated since 1980, had long been a suspect in the two murders but investigators were unable to find direct evidence or secure a confession before now, NorthJersey.com reports. (Read more serial killer stories.)
A $3-million contribution from Merck Canada Inc. to the Dalla Lana School of Public Health's Center for Vaccine Preventable Diseases reinforces U of T's role as a leader in the advancement of immunization and vaccine science

As Canada marks National Immunization Awareness Week, a new investment from Merck Canada to the University of Toronto's Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases (CVPD) at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (DLSPH) will support research, education, and knowledge translation around vaccine science and help communicate the importance of immunization as a cornerstone of public health.

Merck Canada's $3-million investment will help the Centre's diverse mix of public health researchers to better understand the decision-making of individuals and communities around whether and when to receive immunizations. With expertise in vaccine science, social and behavioural health, equity, and health systems, the Centre's faculty members will produce scientific research to aid the Ontario government, policy-makers and public health advocates around the world in increasing public knowledge of and access to immunizations.

"As two historic leaders in the research, development and advancement of vaccines, the University of Toronto and Merck Canada understand how immunization has contributed significantly to the prevention and control of infectious diseases in Canada and internationally, particularly for our most vulnerable citizens," said University of Toronto president Meric Gertler. "While the world turns to widescale immunization as a key tool in bringing the COVID-19 pandemic to an end, Merck Canada's investment will help to ensure that the Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases becomes a major hub for innovative research in vaccine education."

The Hon. Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier of Ontario and Minister of Health, joined President Gertler, Merck Canada President Anna Van Acker and DLSPH leaders to announce the funding in a virtual ceremony.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the critical role vaccine research and education play in protecting the health and safety of Ontarians now and in the future," said Minister Elliott. "Merck Canada's generous contribution to the University of Toronto's Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases will have a tremendous impact on the Centre's work, ensuring that it continues to be a global leader in innovative vaccine science."

Established at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at U of T in 2020, the Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases contributes locally and globally to healthy communities through excellence in interdisciplinary vaccine-preventable disease and immunization research and education. The Centre's vision is to catalyze cutting-edge research and education that maximizes the health benefits of immunization for everyone. A collaboration between the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, and the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, the Centre also addresses knowledge gaps not just in public understanding of vaccine science but among the many health science fields whose members deal with vaccination.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the critical importance of immunization and innovative collaborations such as this one," said Anna Van Acker, President and Managing Director at Merck Canada. "As a science-based company with a long-standing legacy in vaccines, we are very pleased to be teaming up with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health to support our common goal of advancing vaccine science. We are confident that this invaluable collaboration with an institution that is driven by principles of equity and engaging in top-quality research made freely available to the world, will help strengthen the city, province and country's standing as a world-leading home to scientific innovation."

Already, the CVPD has become a hub for continuing education training to help health providers improve their understanding of the science behind vaccines. The Centre's membership spans basic, social and applied sciences, creating cross-pollination in the fields of public health, pharmacy, medical science, nursing, sociology and social work. Given the built-in interdisciplinarity of public health, and its century-long history developing vaccine science, the DLSPH is the Centre's ideal home.

"The University of Toronto and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health have played a major role in the development and distribution of vaccines that rid the world of terrible diseases such as smallpox, polio and diphtheria," said DLSPH Dean Adalsteinn (Steini) Brown. "Merck Canada's funding allows us to pursue critical research and education that will strengthen this legacy and improve public health."

The University of Toronto and Merck share a historic legacy in vaccine development, research and knowledge advancement. The University of Toronto traces its work in vaccine research to Dr. John G. Fitzgerald, who led the world in the development of diphtheria and tetanus anti-toxins and established Connaught Laboratories. Today, many U of T and DLSPH faculty members are part of World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Units, including the Joint Centre for Bioethics, as well as working with the Global Alliance on Vaccination and Immunization (GAVI) on issues ranging from ethics and Ebola, measles and rubella elimination to reducing pain from immunization.

Merck has been a leader in health innovation for the past 130 years, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases in pursuit of the mission to save and improve lives. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten people and animals, including cancer, infectious diseases, such as HIV and Ebola, and emerging animal diseases.

David Palmer, University of Toronto vice-president, advancement, said: "We are pleased to thank and welcome Merck Canada as a major partner, helping advance U of T's global leadership in the development and advancement of cutting-edge vaccine science and disease prevention, critical to ensuring the health and well-being of people in Ontario, Canada and around the world."

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HARTFORD  About 4,000 people surrounded the state Capitol Tuesday in a daylong attempt to derail an inevitable Senate vote that will force new students in all Connecticut schools and child care programs to be vaccinated by September 2022.

The bill was approved 22-14, at around 9 p.m., after nearly nine hours of debate, with two Democrats joining the 12-member Republican minority, who charged that the legislation was an example of government overreach and a violation of civil rights.

But Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, said the state is perfectly within its role to protect public safety.

It is an assertion of the states need and right to protect its vulnerable children from the possibility of illness and for those children to pass it along to other children who come to school already immunocompromised, immunosuppressed and dependent upon other children to be safely vaccinated so that they may safely attend school, Looney said summing up the debate. This is not irresponsible and it is not oppressive by the government. It is a reasonable protection of public health.

Protesters stood outside the Capitol chanting Kill the bill ... Kill the bill, for a full 12 hours prior to the vote, and for about a half-hour afterward. The generally festive crowd anticipated the passage of the repeal of the states religious exemption, but made its presence known on the issue of parental rights and the problems they have finding doctors to approve medical exemptions for childhood vaccinations.

I feel that a scary narrative is being pushed in this building, said Amy Mallardi, 45, of Oxford, who doesnt want to be ordered to get all recommended inoculations for her youngest child. The government is now mandating every vaccine on the vaccine schedule.

Crowds, including hundreds of children, began rallying at the state Capitol building during the morning rush hour, lining Capitol Avenue and the entrance to the adjacent Legislative Office Building, waving signs saying Mandate freedom of choice, Organic kids matter, Parents call the shots and Stop the tyranny.

By 11, while the drizzle yielded to sunshine, the peaceful crowd had drifted and massed to the north entrance of the Capitol, spilling down into Bushnell Park, waiting for speakers brought in from around the country. LeeAnn Ducat of Woodstock, the founder of Informed Choice USA, who hosted the event, praised the crowds behavior, but stressed the seriousness of the occasion, called the Rise Up Rally.

Ducat said many people at the rally were not opposed to vaccinating their children. Pro-choice doesnt always mean anti-vaccine, Ducat said. A lot of the people here actually did vaccinate their kids and then stopped when they thought something might be going wrong, and their doctors may or may not have agreed with them. And their belief systems did not encourage continuing upon that schedule.

Shortly after 11 a.m., Ducat grabbed a microphone to introduce House Republicans who last week voted against the bill. The dozen or so opponents enjoyed large ovations.

I do believe in miracles, Ducat shouted into the microphone as she pondered the inevitability.

Victoria Lawlor, of Milford, a mother of two school-age kids, said she has been coming to the Capitol since 2015 to protest efforts to crack down on the religious exemption, which was adopted along with the medical exemption in 1959.

Instead of focusing on the 8,000 or so students who claim the religious exemption, Lawlor said lawmakers should target the more than 20,000 students who are noncompliant when it comes to proof of vaccination

Under the legislation, which passed the House of Representatives last week, and which Gov. Ned Lamont may sign into law as soon as Wednesday, only medical exemptions will be allowed in the statewide student population of about 574,000.

Republicans, with a 24-12 minority in the Senate, solidly opposed the measure. This bill does not give the middle class much relief, said Senate Minority Leader Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, stressing that Connecticut is among the top states for school vaccines in the country, but at the bottom on job and personal income growth.

Early in the debate Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague and Sen. Dennis Bradley, D-Bridgeport, said they would also vote against the measure. During the afternoon, Bradley appeared briefly before the demonstrators, stressing the need for lawmakers to protect civil liberties.

By mid-afternoon, Dr. Gregory Shangold, president of the Connecticut State Medical Society reiterated the professions support of the bill.

The Connecticut State Medical Society believes all children should be vaccinated unless medically advised, and a decision by the state Senate to follow expert medical recommendations and remove the non-medical exemption for immunizations will allow us to move forward and work together to make Connecticut a healthier and safer state for all that live here, Shangold said in statement.

Its unfortunate we have a vocal minority of people who dont believe in the science weve taken for granted for so long, said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, who has supported the legislation. We do believe in health and science and safety for the residents of our state.

State Sen. Mary Daugherty Abrams, D-Meriden, co-chairwoman of the legislative Public Health Committee, who introduced the bill, noted that in the 2013 school year, among the 96,000 new entrants there were 316 whose parents claimed the religious exemption. By the 2019 school year, 83,000 new pupils had 1,536 religious exemptions.

Of the 3,256 schools, 134 have vaccination rates below the 95 percent recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

I believe in the science, said Sen. Tony Hwang, R-Fairfield. But to me this debate is much more in understanding the role of government in individual choice. We are creating a distinct separation and in some cases the segregation within someones family. I believe in the principle that an individuals right to body choices should ultimately reign supreme.

Earlier drafts of the legislation would have created an outright ban on any unvaccinated students except those excused for medical reasons. During the compromise among majority Democrats on the Public Health Committee, children in seventh grade and above would be allowed to remain in school. It was amended further when the bill reached the House of Representatives last week, extending the grandfather provision for all currently K-12 students.

According to the state Department of Public Health, there were 8,328 children whose parents took the religious exemption in the 2019 school year. Currently, Maine, California, West Virginia and Mississippi have ended religious exemptions.

The coronavirus pandemic derailed the debate last year, with an irony lost on few people that events at the Capitol are back in part because of a new vaccine during a pandemic that has been linked to 8,067 Connecticut fatalities.

Tuesdays rally brought prominent voices in the anti-vaccine community, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., son of the assassinated U.S. senator.

I will get a vaccine when they do a safety study that shows that vaccinated individuals are healthier than unvaccinated individuals, said Kennedy, whose Instagram was recently blocked for spreading misinformation about vaccines.

In contrast to earlier anti-mandatory vaccine protests, which were largely attended Connecticut parents, Tuesdays event, with sponsors including Health Choice 4 Action CT, drew buses full of protesters, and people from Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Indiana.
Block Party Fridays afloat

SHENANDOAH  Block Party Fridays have begun in the community, weather permitting.

BPFs involve outdoor stands by participating businesses in an effort that was launched April 23, according to minutes of the recent Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce meeting compiled by Dr. Sasha Sherry of Sherry Dental, Centre and Bowers streets.

Party participants thus far include the Vernalis Restaurant, The Pizza Shop and Kowaloneks Kielbasy, all of South Main Street, and La Casita de Familia, East Centre Street.

Concerning another development at the meeting, Betty Ann Bugden, of Betty Anns Total Image Design Salon and Hair Center, introduced Kim Souchak, saying she is back at the salon, has expressed a passion for community involvement and is invested in helping to make Shenandoah a better place to live.

Ateeco Inc., Shenandoah, manufacturer of Mrs. Ts Pierogies, is still hiring, according to Sherrys minutes. People interested should look to CareerLink.

Directors of the Shenandoah and Mahanoy City chambers will participate in a joint mixer from 6 to 8 p.m. June 23 at the Kaier Mansion Bread and Breakfast, 729 E. Centre St., Mahanoy City. Directors are being encouraged to bring prospective members to the event.

The flower pots at the four corners of Main and Centre streets in Shenandoah need refurbishment. According to the meeting minutes, Bugden usually buys and picks the plants. Volunteers are needed to plant them and continue with maintenance. The goal is to have the pots completed by May 15.

The flags commemorating local veterans will be placed back up throughout the downtown area by Memorial Day.

Jeff Bowers of the Mahanoy City chamber said Mahanoy City Community Day will be held on Oct. 2 and include myriad events plus fireworks.

The next meeting of the Shenandoah chamber is set for 8 a.m. May 20 at the Vernalis Restaurant, South Main Street.

Ribbon-cutting for Glitz & Glam

POTTSVILLE  A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 4 p.m. Friday, May 21, at Quintinskys Glitz & Glam Boutique, 123 W. Norwegian St., first floor of the Masonic building, according to a Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce flyer from Samantha Chivinski.

The free community event will include light refreshments and special deals, according to the flyer.

Those planning to attend are asked to register by going online to www.schuylkillchamber.com or calling 570-622-1942.

Masks will be required and all safety guidelines will be followed.

MAEA roundtable on labor crisis

POTTSVILLE  The Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association will have a virtual legislative roundtable via Zoom, Tackling the Labor Crisis, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 6, according to and MAEA flyer.

Participants will include state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, and state Reps. Tarah Toohil, R-116; Aaron Kaufer, R-120; Doyle Heffler, R-122; Tim Twardzik, R-123; Jerry Knowles, R-124; and Joe Kerwin, R-125.

To register, or for information on cost and sponsorship opportunities, call Joan Trosterud at 570-622-0992 or email jtrosterud@nepamaea.com. People may also call MAEA at 570-622-0992 or email Darlene J. Robbins, MAEA president, at drobbins@nepamaea.com, or go to the MAEA website at www.nepamaea.com.

2022 seen for groundbreaking

SHENANDOAH  The revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. is now looking to break ground on the long awaited innovation facility Center for Education, Business and Arts  CEBA  in early 2022, according to the April edition of the DSI Herald newsletter.

As with any project of this magnitude, there are many moving parts, DSI Executive Director Susan Williams said. The pandemic might have slowed us down a bit, but thanks to the support of so many, we are continuing with plans for the 2022 groundbreaking.

She said DSI has an ongoing capital campaign to raise the necessary money for a state grant that requires a dollar-to-dollar match.

The DSI board is reviewing multiple architectural proposals for the final CEBA building plans. The structure will be built on the east side of the 100 block of North Main Street, where a JCPenney store, Karvois Cleaners and Davisons Furniture once stood.

Williams said DSI is accepting requests for naming rights for rooms in the CEBA as well as for naming bricks for the building.

CEBAs collaborative environment, she said, will enable individuals to grow their business ideas to a point where they can open their own storefronts, thereby helping to revitalization the community, fill empty storefronts and create new jobs.

To contribute to the CEBA effort, go online to https://discoverceba.com.

Chamber board election results

POTTSVILLE  The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce has announced the election results regarding its board of directors.

In a flyer distributed by Danielle Laudeman, the chamber announced those elected to two-year terms (class of 2023), beginning July 1, include: Jessica Dean, Power Kunkle Benefits Consulting; Maureen Donovan, Lehigh Carbon Community College; Mary Beth Dougherty, office of State Sen. David G. Argall, R-29; Debbie Yuengling Ferhat, D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc.; Trey Hook, Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc.; Patrick Moran, Schuylkill EMS; William Reppy, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill; Ashley Securda, Williamson, Friedberg & Jones; Bill Shugars, Here Piggy Piggy the Traveling BBQ Party; Jenna St. Clair, Schuylkill Conservation District; Monica Walborn, St. Joseph Center for Special Learning.

According to the flyer, Harry Ciavarella, of M&T Bank, and Francesco Mercuri, of AdviseMint Financial Partners, will fill unexpired terms in the Class of 2022.

At-large directors, appointed by incoming Chairman Mark Weiderhold to one-year terms beginning July 1, include: Joshua Burgess, CACL Federal Credit Union; David March, McGriff Insurance Services; David Mason, Riverview Bank; Andrea Feathers, Marian Catholic High School; Eric Fryer, The Seltzer Group; Bryan Kelly, Ark Rentals; Cory Porrino, Porrino CPA LLC; Regina Wozniski, Compassus Hospice & Palliative Care.

Peter Keitsock, of Avenues, is the executive committee member, selected by a committee of past-presidents/chairs.

Natures Way in business spotlight

SHENANDOAH  Natures Way Emporium, 28 S. Main St., has been placed in the April Business Spotlight by the DSI Herald newsletter of the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc.

The site features unique products from all over the world, according to the newsletter, and also offers classes, personal consultations, Reiki session and get-togethers.

Patty Beltz is the owner/proprietor who got her start some 14 years ago at the former Route 924 Flea/Farmers Market, where she offered a few products on her 6-foot table. Her retail shop today features quality, original, holistic products that dazzle the eye and enlighten the senses, according to the newsletter.

Rocks and stones are core parts of Beltzs product line, as she sees them as therapeutic. Beltz cites her positive online reviews as a large part of her success, DSI Executive Director Susan Williams wrote in the newsletter.

Beltz said she has been asked to relocate her shop to other towns but decided to remain in Shenandoah, saying, This is my hometown  this is my Shenandoah.

Natures Way is open from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

(Updated to clarify that groundbreaking for CEBA is planned for 2022.)
The Centre on Tuesday told the that medical in any country cannot be unlimited and with the active and constant supervision of the Prime Minister it is augmenting the supply on a war footing to provide relief to COVID-19 patients.

The government said supplies available at any given time in the country are to be distributed to all the states, especially those which are critically burdened with high number of active COVID cases, in a balanced manner.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the sheer magnitude of this unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases itself bring with it certain inbuilt limitations in terms of available resources which need to be professionally augmented and utilised.

Further, the centre said to deal with shortage of medical oxygen, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is in the process of commissioning 162 PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption technology to generate oxygen at local level) plants across the country on a war footing.

In its 200-page affidavit, filed in the suo motu case on distribution of essential supplies and services during Pandemic, the Centre said "any singular/isolated deviation in such plan for a particular State (either under a judicial order or otherwise) without keeping in mind the national availability and ever changing requirements of each State is bound to have a cascading effect on oxygen supply to other States.

The affidavit was taken on record by a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, L Nageswara Rao and S Ravindra Bhat, which posted the matter for further hearing on Friday.

It is also pertinent to note that the medical oxygen in any country cannot be unlimited. While the government started all out efforts to augment oxygen resources and procure more and more oxygen from all available sources, these supplies available at any given time in the country are to be distributed to all the states, especially those which are critically burdened with high number of active COVID cases, in a balanced manner, the government said.

It said, The Central Government, with active and constant supervision and direct involvement of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, is augmenting the oxygen supply on a war footing evolving and implementing innovative measures.

The affidavit filed by additional secretary, MHA, said ever since the onset of the current wave of pandemic, there is an unprecedented and rapid rise in the number of active COVID cases in several states across the country with an almost unabated surge in the growth rate of such cases.

It is submitted that the medical oxygen is a critical component in the treatment of COVID affected patients, especially in the second wave. The entire available capacity of oxygen in India was utilised for supply for industrial as well as medical purposes in the form of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO), it said.

It said the unexpected and exponential surge in the number of active COVID cases across several States in the second wave has resulted in a scenario wherein there has been an increasing demand for medical oxygen, especially from the States with a high burden of active COVID cases.

It is pertinent to note that while the demand in Maharashtra is expected to be beyond available production capacity of the State, states like Madhya Pradesh do not have any production capacity to meet their demand for medical oxygen. Besides, there is also a trend of increasing demand in other oxygen producing states themselves, the Centre said.

It said to give clarity and assurance to the States on oxygen supplied over the next few weeks of surge in cases, an exercise for mapping of sources of supplies to the medical oxygen demand of the critically affected states was undertaken by different departments and States were requested to provide these progressive projections forecast for requirement for medical oxygen as on April 20, April 25 and April 30, respectively.

Accordingly, based on the aforesaid projected requirements of these critically affected states, 4880 MT, 5619 MT and 6593 MT were mapped in an indicative framework, for the supply of medical oxygen to these 12 States for meeting their projected demand as on 20th April, 25th April and 30th April, respectively and was duly approved vide order dated April 15, 2021, it said.

The centre, however, said by its very nature, this plan and mapping framework cannot be static as it needs to be dynamically changed if any sudden change takes place in the surge of infection in any particular State.

It said after some apprehensions were raised by some States on disruption in supply of oxygen; the MHA has issued orders to the State /Union Territory governments and authorities to ensure uninterrupted movement of medical oxygen between the states.

Regarding commissioning of PSA Plants, the Centre said that these plants established in hospitals, especially in far flung areas enable the hospitals to become self-sufficient in generation of oxygen for their needs and thereby, reduce the burden on the medical oxygen supply grid across the country.

It is submitted that 38 plants have already been installed and another 21 plants will be installed by April 30, 2021. A further 105 plants will be installed by May 31, 2021 and thereafter increasing to 156 plants by June 30, 2021. Besides, 500 more PSA plants are planned to be installed in the hospitals in district headquarters to enhance oxygen generation in smaller cities and towns, 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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Oslo, 27 April 2021 - Following an update by the UK Competition & Markets Authority ("CMA") today, Adevinta ASA (ADE) ("Adevinta") confirms that it has proposed Russmedia Equity Partners ("Russmedia") as an upfront buyer of Shpock, Adevinta's primary classifieds operation in the UK.

The proposal of an upfront buyer for Shpock is part of a package of proposed undertakings offered to the CMA to address the UK regulator's competition concerns following its review of Adevinta's expected acquisition of eBay Classifieds Group ("eCG").

The CMA's announcement today states that it considers Russmedia to be a suitable purchaser of Shpock and that Adevinta's proposed undertakings, which also includes the divestment of Gumtree UK and motors.co.uk, are appropriate to remedy its competition concerns. The CMA has provisionally concluded that the proposed undertakings will be effective and that it has no concerns about their implementation.

Acceptance of the proposed undertakings, including Russmedia's acquisition of Shpock, remain subject to a two-week public consultation process starting today and final approvals by the CMA. The sale of Shpock would be expected to close shortly after receipt of these approvals.

Adevinta and eBay remain excited about the expected combination of Adevinta and eBay Classifieds Group and are targeting completion of the transaction in Q2 2021, subject to the CMA's final approval of the proposed undertakings and regulatory approval in Austria.

-Ends-

Notes to Editor

Contacts for Adevinta

Melodie Laroche

Head of Corporate Communications

+33 (0) 6 84 30 52 76

melodie.laroche@adevinta.com / press@adevinta.com

Marie de Scorbiac

Head of Investor Relations

ir@adevinta.com



John Kiely / Latika Shah / Raeesa Chowdhury-King

Edelman Smithfield

+44 (0)7785 275665 / +44 (0)7950 671 948 / +44 (0)7885 802774

adevinta@edelman.com

Contact for Russmedia

Nicola Szekely, Managing Partner

+43 676 8800 5787

nicola.szekely@russmedia.com

About Adevinta

Adevinta is a global online classifieds specialist, operating digital marketplaces in 11 countries. The company provides technology-based services to connect buyers with sellers and to facilitate transactions, from job offers to real estate, cars, consumer goods and more. Adevinta's portfolio includes more than 30 digital products and websites, attracting 1.3 billion average monthly visits. Leading brands include top-ranked leboncoin in France, InfoJobs and Milanuncios in Spain, and 50% of fast-growing OLX Brazil. Adevinta spun off from Schibsted ASA and publicly listed in Oslo, Norway in 2019. Adevinta is majority owned by Schibsted ASA and employs 4,700 people committed to supporting users and customers daily. Find out more at Adevinta.com .

About Russmedia

Russmedia Equity Partners invests in and operates online marketplaces, aggregators and SaaS solutions. With 20 years' experience in successfully investing in and operating digital companies, the company currently runs a profitable portfolio of 19 digital platform businesses across six European countries.

Russmedia Equity Partners is part of the Russmedia Group. What started as a regional publishing house 100 years ago in Bregenz, Austria, is today regarded as the most progressive multi-niche media company in Europe. Daily and weekly newspapers, numerous online portals, printing, logistics, radio and IT services are all under one roof at the Russmedia headquarters in Schwarzach, Austria. Find out more at www.russmedia.com .




GRANITE CITY  Madison County Transit officials on Monday announced they are reducing fixed-route and paratransit fares and eliminating confusing fare zone boundaries in Madison County starting May 9.

All fixed-route trips within Madison County will be reduced to just $1 per ride. Trips to St. Louis and St. Clair County will be $3.

MCTs goal is to provide affordable, efficient, and high-quality transportation that enables the people of Madison County to access jobs, shopping, medical appointments, and other vital services, said MCT Managing Director SJ Morrison.

By reducing the fares, and eliminating confusing fare boundaries, its our hope that we are removing barriers and making MCT as user-friendly as possible for both current and prospective passengers, he said.

Morrison said MCT also will be extending bus routes to new job centers and introducing new trips, with an emphasis on the warehouses in the IL-111 Logistics Corridor.

For more than a decade, one of MCTs priorities has been finding the best way to bring Madison County residents to jobs in the growing IL-111 Logistics Valley, where thousands of full and part-time positions are available at the warehouses and fulfillment centers, said Morrison.

With the recent introduction of a dedicated inner-park shuttle, and the new express routes from the Alton and Collinsville areas to Gateway Commerce Center, we are seeing more and more of our residents finding employment right here in Madison County, he said.

Effective Sunday, May 9, Madison County fare zones will be eliminated. Bus trips that begin and end in Madison County will cost $1 each way; currently those trips are $1.50 or $2 depending on whether a fare boundary is crossed.

Bus trips to or from St. Clair County or St. Louis will cost $3 each way.

MCT also is expanding the acceptance of the current Express Round Trip Pass  currently $5 and only valid on MCT Express buses  and transitioning to a Day Pass which will remain $5 but will soon be valid on ALL MCT fixed-route buses for a full calendar day. The 2-Hour Zone Pass will be eliminated.

Addititionally, the cost of the MCT Local Monthly Pass and the MCT Local 30-Day Pass (mobile) will be reduced from $50 to $40. The cost of the MCT Student Monthly Pass and the MCT 7-Day Pass (mobile) will be reduced from $20 to $15.

The cost of ADA-eligible trips on Runabout buses will also be reduced.

A number of route changes starting May 9 also were announced:

 The No. 2 Granite City Shuttle will add the Granite City Walmart as a stop on trips from Chestnut Health Systems to Granite City Station.

 The No. 6 Roxana-Pontoon Beach bus will be rerouted for trips in South Roxana to operate on Sinclair and Broadway instead of Michigan Avenue and Biltmore Boulevard.

 The No. 13 Troy-Glen Carbon bus will introduce four trips in each direction on weekdays to Liberty Village on Illinois 162 in Maryville.

 The No. 20X GCC Express will extend selected trips to World Wide Technology in Gateway Commerce Center.

The MCT also will extend select trips on the No. 20X, and all trips on the No. 24X and No. 25X, to the recently opened employment centers in the Gateway TradePort on Illinois 111 in Pontoon Beach. The No. 20X southbound will add a weekday trip at 3:28 p.m. from Gateway TradePort.

For detailed schedule information visit www.mct.org, call 618-797-INFO (4636) or e-mail info@mct.org.
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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By this point, almost everyone has heard of QAnon, the conspiracy spawned by an anonymous online poster of enigmatic prophecies. Starting with an initial promise in 2017 that Hillary Rodham Clinton would be imminently arrested, a broad group of interpreters divined a conspiracy that saw President Donald Trumps Democratic opponents as a global cabal of Satanic pedophiles.

Perhaps the greatest success of the conspiracy is its ability to create a shared alternate reality, a reality that can dismiss everything from a decisive election to a deadly pandemic. The QAnon universe lives on  now largely through involvement in local, not national, Republican politics.

Moving on from contesting the election, the movements new focus is vaccines. The influence of QAnon on pandemic denialism is significant, though the spread of Q in local politics is a source of conflict in many states.

SOUNDS FAMILIAR?: Texas GOP denies links to QAnon after online criticism resurges

Tug of war

The conspiracy may have begun on an obscure web forum, but it is now influencing the Republican Party at all levels.

A recent Daily Kos/Civiqs poll found that 55% of Republicans believe some element of the conspiracy is true.

And in many parts of the country, QAnon supporters are winning elections. From local school boards to city councils, QAnon now has dozens of advocates at nearly every level of local government. While many of these positions hold sway far outside Washington, D.C., the breadth of this movement shows its influence is not likely to wane any time soon.

Not all Republicans are happy with this shift. In South Carolina, Indiana, Michigan and other states, Republican politics are fraught with tensions between QAnon supporters and more traditional conservatives.

For instance, in Indiana, local newspaper The Herald Bulletin published a story on March 21, 2021, headlined Republican tug-o-war: Factions vie for influence, reporting that QAnon believers  showed their support at the Indiana Statehouse in January, holding signs bearing the QAnon phrase #WWG1WGA" for Where we go one, we go all." Kyle Hupfer, chair of the Indiana GOP, was quoted as saying, I dont think QAnon is part of the Republican Party. Leaders need to lead in a fact-based, solution-oriented manner and stick to the actual facts that are proven. Not opinions and not conspiracy theories.

State GOP politicians have promoted QAnon in Arizona through social media posts, although one later apologized for doing so, saying, Now I think half of them are rather nuts. In January 2021, the Twitter account of the Republican Party of Hawaii tweeted a defense of QAnon believers. The account also defended a Holocaust denier. The official who posted the tweets was later forced to resign.

A similar confrontation has played out in Huntington Beach, California, where the appointed mayor pro tem  or vice mayor  inspired a vote of no confidence for supporting QAnon along with conspiracies against mask-wearing and vaccines.

Part of the conversation

Many QAnon proponents post-election have worked to reframe the COVID-19 vaccines not as the solution to a global pandemic but as an attempt by a cabal to control the minds of a hapless world.

Opposing mask mandates, vaccines and lockdowns have been effective campaigns for QAnon as it mobilizes anti-government sentiment common among the conservative base of the Republican Party. These efforts appear to be coalescing around bans on making vaccines mandatory.

Missouris Republican-led Senate recently voted to ban so-called vaccine passports, and Texas, Florida, Idaho and Utah have all passed similar legislation. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is asking for similar legislation. It is unclear to what extent these bans were influenced by QAnon. But they do echo the opposition to masks and vaccines that have shaped the conspiracy.

COURTING Q: Louie Gohmert, Allen West to speak at QAnon conference in Dallas

In California, a recall campaign against Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has targeted his COVID-19 response. The campaign was initially organized by people affiliated with both right-wing militias and QAnon supporters.

Not going away

Yotam Ophir, a communications scholar at the University at Buffalo, has studied QAnon. He told me that he doesnt see a reason to believe the conspiracy will go away anytime soon.

Part of this is that QAnon has deep historical roots in a variety of other conspiracies, including a centuries-old anti-Semitic conspiracy of a blood libel. The flexibility of the conspiracy has also proved resilient within a shifting political landscape.

[Over 100,000 readers rely on The Conversations newsletter to understand the world. Sign up today.]

Perhaps the biggest threat posed by QAnon is articulated by Lindsay Schubiner, a program director at the Western States Center in Portland, Oregon, which works to support democracy and challenge white nationalism.

Bigoted conspiracy theories like QAnon have an enormous influence on the context in which local government operates, Schubiner told me. Democratic governance is hard to achieve if we dont live in a shared reality, and thats as true on the local level as it is on the national level.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/qanon-hasnt-gone-away-its-alive-and-kicking-in-states-across-the-country-154788.
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff shut down Gov. Greg Abbott's allegations of abuse at the migrant facility at the Freeman Coliseum.

Earlier this month, Abbott said via Twitter that he is asking Texas Rangers to investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect at Freeman in San Antonio. During a Monday night coronavirus briefing, Wolff said those comments are "completely false."

"When he said it there was nothing," Wolff said. "Now, other things could happen, I don't know that they have. I have not heard anything. It could happen in the future; with  what do we've got now  1,802 boys out there, something could go wrong. But the previous allegations that he made were untrue."

ABBOTT V. TWITTER: Twitter has beef with Abbott for tweeting fake Fox News story

Specifically, Abbott said officials at Texas Health and Human Services and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services have received "very credible allegations" children at the facility are being sexually assaulted. He also stated there is inadequate staffing to safely supervise children at the facility premises, that some children were not getting meals throughout the day and that children testing positive for the coronavirus were not separated from the other kids.

Shortly after the allegations, Congressman Joaquin Castro visited the site on April 9 and said he observed no evidence of mistreatment. Castro said those with COVID-19 were isolated. Castro said Abbott has the responsibility to investigate on his own accord to see if the allegations are true

The temporary holding facility at Freeman has been underway for nearly a month. Bexar County has a contract with the federal Health and Human Services Department until the end of May. Wolff said in the briefing he is unsure if the contract will be renewed at the month's close.

"I don't know what will happen at the end of May, where they will be," Wolff said. "Hopefully, they will have every kid placed somewhere. But we'll have to wait and see."

As of April 26, 129 children at Freeman have been assigned to guardians, 24 have been aged out of the temporary complex and 14 have been transferred to a licensed facility, Wolff said.
Christians, don't imitate corporate cancellers

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The reputedly Stoic Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, wrote, The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.

Marcus Aurelius stoicism has more clout in our secular culture than Solomons wisdom. Thats sad but, in this case, they are not so far apart. In my previous column, I argued that, contrary to some simplistic interpretations, Proverbs actually teaches that sometimes the wicked prosper and dominate society. Proverbs presents a world where folly could grow to dominate society. So it is not surprising that cancel culture can be imposed on us by powerful media and corporate elites.

As I pointed out, Proverbs 3 encourages us not to imitate the wicked, assuming that they are prosperous enough that we will be tempted to make them our role models. The New Testament epistle of Hebrews appeals to Proverbs 3 as a direction to not lose hope when one suffers persecution at the hands of powerful enemies of the faith.

But if these prosperous oppressors are tormenting you, why would you be tempted to imitate them?

Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it'when you have it with you. Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence. Proverbs 3:2532 ESV

In a world where unethical people are in power, and judgment on them seems like it might make your life even harder, it can prove difficult to be ethical, let alone generous. In this context, the property violations warned against in chapter 3 are obviously not of the same level as the violent depredations in chapter 1 where the son is tempted to join a robber gang. This is not outlaw banditry, but the kind of legal conflicts that can result in one party damaging another by misusing the system. Whether it is delaying in paying someones wages, or delaying repayment on a loan, or engaging in a dodgy lawsuit in order to get some extra cash, people exploit each other in ways that arent always obviously criminal but are dishonest and displeasing to God.

Why would we be tempted to engage in such behavior? Perversely, people who feel or are exploited take it out on one another rather than acting like people who trust God to protect them and vindicate them. In a dog-eat-dog world, it seems like wisdom to bite anyone you can.

In other words, it is not only tempting to be like the wicked in order to join them. It is also possible to become like the wicked as one is oppressed by them or even resists them.

I mentioned in the last column that Hebrews 12:5-6 in the New Testament quotes Proverbs 3 as a text for dealing with hostile persecution at the hands of the powerful in society. And how does the letter want the oppressed to behave?

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:1213 ESV

The book of James is a letter to Christians also dealing with persecution. James also quotes from Proverbs 3 to teach how believers should deal with such a circumstance (James 4:6 is a close quote from the common Greek translation of Proverbs 3:34). And James also wants his readers to realize they must not become like their tormentors.

Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence. Proverbs 3:3132 ESV

The Gospels also show this concern. When John the Baptizer warns of imminent judgment on the wicked, the people ask what they should do. His answer is basically to stop stealing and start sharing (Luke 3:10-14).

So it is perfectly possible to hate being canceled and yet be tempted to cancel others. We can perpetuate the very things we oppose. Solomon warns us to watch out for that temptation. If we want to see a better world, we need to work on building up, not tearing down.
Press Release

April 27, 2021 'HINDI TAYO NAG-IISA'

Hontiveros signs Senate resolution condemning China's illegal activities in the WPS Senator Risa Hontiveros has signed the proposed Senate Resolution No. 708  along with Senators Frank Drilon, Leila de Lima, Ralph Recto, Nancy Binay, Richard Gordon, Kiko Pangilinan, Lito Lapid, Grace Poe, Bong Revilla, and Joel Villanueva  that condemns the illegal activities of the People's Republic of China in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines and other parts of the West Philippine Sea. "I am one with my colleagues in the Senate in condemning, in the strongest possible terms, China's incessant activities in the WPS. We are united in our call for China to uphold the rule of law and to respect our country's sovereignty. Ang resolusyong ito ay magbibigay ng malakas na senyales sa mamamayang Pilipino na katuwang niyo kami sa paglaban sa panghihimasok ng Tsina," Hontiveros said. PSR 708 seeks to assert that China's activities are in violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in favor of the Philippines. It makes clear that China refusing to play by international rules "must be firmly resisted and denounced." The resolution also states that "neither close diplomatic and political ties nor promise of donations, aids or loans, whether they actually materialize or not, should be mistaken as acceptance of China's creeping hegemony over our region and country." Hontiveros also emphasized she is heartened by the numerous organizations  such as fisherfolk groups from affected provinces, the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, the PMA Retirees Association, and business groups, among others  that have jointly condemned China's aggressive behavior in the WPS. The senator added that the European Union, the United States of America, Canada, Australia, as well as Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Indonesia have pushed back against China's recent actions in the South China Sea. "Our voices are getting louder and stronger. We must keep asserting our victory at the Hague; we must keep making China accountable for her actions; we must keep defending our sovereignty; and we must keep protecting the Filipino people. The more that we consistently amplify our voices, the more that China will be forced to finally rethink her actions," Hontiveros said. Hontiveros had previously called for China to pay over P800 billion in reparations for her environmental and economic damage to the West Philippine Sea. The senator said that the money could be used for the nation's COVID-19 response. "We cannot shirk our collective responsibility to defend the Philippines. China's overreaching ambitions should never be at the expense of any country, and therefore, her moves that endanger any nation should be blocked at every turn. Hindi tayo nag-iisa, kaya magsama-sama tayong tumindig sa Tsina," Hontiveros concluded.
[April 27, 2021] Sequana Medical Announces Annual and Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders on 27 May 2021

GHENT, Belgium, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sequana Medical NV (Euronext Brussels: SEQUA) (the "Company" or "Sequana Medical"), an innovator in the treatment of diuretic-resistant fluid overload in liver disease, malignant ascites and heart failure, today invites the holders of securities issued by the Company to attend the Annual and Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders on Thursday 27 May 2021. Furthermore, the annual report for the financial year 2020 has been published on Sequana Medicals website and can be accessed here.

The items on the agendas of the meetings include the proposed approval of a number of resolutions relating to the financial year ended on 31 December 2020, as well as the re-appointment of directors and the statutory auditor, the approval of a number of change of control clauses, the issuance of a new share option plan, and the renewal of the authorization to the Board of Directors to increase the share capital within the framework of the authorized capital. The Annual and Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders will take place at the Company's registered offices in Ghent and will start at 09:00 am CEST. The full convening notice with the agenda and proposed resolutions can be accessed on the Sequana Medical website: www.sequanamedical.com/investors/shareholder-information. Exceptionally, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures imposed by the Belgian government to deal with this pandemic, which may still be in effect on the date of the general shareholders' meetings, the Board of Directors recommends that the holders of securities issued by the Company that wish to participate to the meetings make use, as much as practically possible, of the right to vote through voting by mail or by means of a written proxy to the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Company will grant access to the meeting to security holders, proxy holders and other persons only to the extent permitted in light of the measures taken or to be taken by the authorities as applicable on the date of the meetings, and always taking into account the recommendations of the authorities, and safety and health considerations. As postal services may be disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company recommends the holders of its securities use e-mail for all communications with the Company regarding the general shareholders' meetings. The Company's e-mail address for such communications is: IR@sequanamedical.com.



For more information, please contact: Sequana Medical

Lies Vanneste

Director Investor Relations

Tel: +32 498 05 35 79

Email: IR@sequanamedical.com

LifeSci Advisors

Guillaume van Renterghem

Tel: +41 76 735 01 31

Email: gvanrenterghem@lifesciadvisors.com About Sequana Medical Sequana Medical is a commercial stage medical device Company developing the alfapump platform for the treatment of fluid overload in liver disease, malignant ascites and heart failure where diuretics are no longer effective. Fluid overload is a frequent complication of many large diseases including advanced liver disease driven by NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis)-related cirrhosis and heart failure, with diuretic resistance being widespread. The U.S. market for the alfapump resulting from NASH-related cirrhosis is forecast to exceed 3 billion annually within the next 10-20 years. The heart failure market for the alfapump DSR (Direct Sodium Removal) is estimated to be over 5 billion annually in the U.S. and EU5 by 2026. Both indications leverage Sequana Medicals alfapump, a unique, fully implanted wireless device that automatically pumps fluid from the abdomen into the bladder, where it is naturally eliminated through urination. In the U.S., the Company's key growth market, the alfapump has been granted breakthrough device designation by the FDA for recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis. Interim data from the ongoing North American pivotal study (POSEIDON) showed positive outcomes against all primary endpoints of the study. This study is intended to support a future marketing application of the alfapump in the U.S. and Canada. In Europe, the alfapump is CE-marked for the management of refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis and malignant ascites and is included in key clinical practice guidelines. Over 850 alfapump systems have been implanted to date. Building on its proven alfapump platform, Sequana Medical is developing the alfapump DSR, a breakthrough, proprietary approach to fluid overload due to heart failure. Clinical proof-of-concept was achieved in a first-in-human single dose DSR study and further supported by strong interim safety and efficacy results from the ongoing repeated dose alfapump DSR study (RED DESERT) in heart failure patients. Sequana Medical is headquartered in Ghent, Belgium. For further information, please visit www.sequanamedical.com . Important Regulatory Disclaimers The alfapump system is not currently approved in the United States or Canada. In the United States and Canada, the alfapump system is currently under clinical investigation (POSEIDON Study) and is being studied in adult patients with refractory or recurrent ascites due to cirrhosis. For more information regarding the POSEIDON clinical study see www.poseidonstudy.com. The DSR therapy is still in development and it should be noted that any statements regarding safety and efficacy arise from ongoing pre-clinical and clinical investigations which have yet to be completed. The DSR therapy is not currently approved for clinical research in the United States or Canada. There is no link between the DSR therapy and ongoing investigations with the alfapump system in Europe, the United States or Canada. Note: alfapump is a registered trademark. DSR and alfapump DSR are registered trademarks in the Benelux. Forward-looking statements This press release may contain predictions, estimates or other information that might be considered forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements represent the current judgment of Sequana Medical on what the future holds, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Sequana Medical expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release, except if specifically required to do so by law or regulation. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of Sequana Medical only as of the date of this press release.



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[April 27, 2021] Alpaca Adds Robinhood ex-COO, former Coinbase President as Investors

Alpaca, a Silicon Valley based API-first stock broker, has added some leading fintech execs as investors including Nate Roland, Robinhood ex-COO, and the company also unveiled its new Alpaca Broker API, and said it is already being deployed in more than 50 countries through platform partners Gotrade and Midas. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427006026/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) Roland joined other Fintech entrepreneurs including Jacqueline Reses, Executive Chairman of Square Financial Services; Asiff Hirjii, ex-President and COO of Coinbase and currently President of Figure; and Brett Huneycutt, Wealthsimple COO as new investors in Alpaca. "Over the last few years, we've seen a huge shift in the financial industry to allow more equitable access to markets and it is being driven by startups like Alpaca," said Roland, who is now a General Partner at Elefund. "What is more, much of today's modern financial system is still running on technology from the 1990s that prevents the accessible future that we're trying to create. The industry is desperate for a modern financial service provider and we believe that Alpaca is the answer. We have been extremely impressed with both the vision and execution of Yoshi and Hitoshi and are thrilled to join the team as investors in the company." Alpaca's global expansion arrives as individual and retail investment has soared. According to the Federal Reserve, American households bought roughly $211 billion in individual stockslast year - the highest level since 2014. Analysts say that retail trading now accounts for almost as much volume as mutual funds and hedge funds combined.



Last year, Alpaca was approved by FINRA to custody customer funds and to offer fractional investing of US stocks. They started a stealth mode offering of Broker API at the end of last year, which allows developers and apps around the world to offer each component of the brokerage service including opening accounts, booking money movements, giving out rewards, commission-free trading of U.S. stocks, fractional shares trading, and more. Today, Alpaca announced Gotrade and Midas as the first international fintech trading apps to launch on Alpaca. Already, Alpaca has seen new accounts opened in more than 50 countries. "A coordinated, innovative entrepreneurs group that is disrupting the way stocks are bought and sold, will be able to extend its reach to a global audience as we together roll out commission-free stock trading around the world," said Yoshi Yokokawa, Co-founder and CEO of Alpaca. "We are extremely excited to partner with leading international fintech innovators from Gotrade and Midas to power their retail stock trading apps."

Alpaca also announced that it has onboarded more than 100,000 API developers to their API platform, demonstrating excitement across the developer community in building fintech apps on top of its API. Gotrade is a Delaware based group that enables users in 150 countries to invest commission free in fractional US stocks. Founded by Rohit Mulani, Norman Wanto, David Grant and Andrew Haryono in 2019, Gotrade is backed by some of the top investors in the industry globally including LocalGlobe, Social Leverage and Y Combinator. Midas is the first zero commission, fully digital stock brokerage in Turkey; providing access to Turkish and US stock markets. Midas is the only broker in Turkey with direct access to US stocks through its own technology. The company is backed by one of the largest private banks of Turkey, DenizBank. Alpaca, an API-first FINRA registered broker-dealer, plans to continue to strike partnerships that will make US stock trading widely available. Alpaca is focused on building a developer-friendly API that offers developers an opportunity to easily integrate commission-free trading within their own applications. Alpaca's path to growth and deployment is similar to the developer-first focus that led to the legacy business disruption from both Stripe, Plaid, and Twilio (News - Alert) . Alpaca announced in October 2020 the closing of a Series A round of $10 million. The company also said it recorded more than $10 billion in stock transactions in 2020. Investors in Series A included Portag3, which led the round, and existing investors Spark Capital, Social Leverage, Fathom Capital and Abstract Ventures. These investors have a track record for picking fintech and API winners having invested in early rounds of Robinhood, Plaid, Wealthfront, Wealthsimple, and eToro. About Alpaca

Alpaca is a Silicon Valley based API-first stock brokerage that allows developers to build apps, services, and trading algorithms that can access the US stock market. The company's products enable financial services, fintech apps, and broker-dealers globally to offer US stock trading to their users. The company is backed by some of the top investors in the industry globally including Spark Capital, Portag3, Social Leverage, and Y Combinator. Securities are offered by Alpaca Securities LLC. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427006026/en/

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Turkey will enforce a full lockdown from April 29 evening until May 17 to stem the spread of coronavirus, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Monday.

Speaking to reporters following a Cabinet meeting in Ankara, Erdogan said all workplaces will suspend their activities or shift to work-from-home models during the restrictions, except those excluded by the Interior Ministry such as food and manufacturing sectors.

The new measures will cover the entire holy Muslim month of Ramadan, as well as three days of the Eid festival. "At a time when Europe is entering a phase of reopening, we must rapidly reduce our number of cases to less than 5,000 not to be left behind," he said. "Otherwise we will face consequences in every field from tourism to trade and education."

The Turkish leader said cafes and restaurants will only offer delivery services, while chain supermarkets will be closed on Sundays.

All intercity travel will be subject to permission, whereas public transport will operate at 50% capacity, he added. Accommodation reservations do not provide an exception.

According to earlier COVID-19 measures, those with reservations were able to travel across cities. However, with the newly-introduced full lockdown, no one will be exempted from the curfew and travel restrictions, thus making their reservations invalid.

Erdogan said face-to-face education at all institutions, including kindergartens and nurseries, would remain suspended and all exams would be postponed.

The president reiterated that no extra fees is required for services at intensive care units and for vaccination at private hospitals.

According to Erdogan, Turkey will soon begin vaccinating heads of villages and neighborhoods who have been working hard with filiation teams since the beginning of the pandemic, Anadolu Agency reported.
New Delhi: Global sensation Priyanka Chopra is quite concerned about India's battle with COVID-19 with rising cases and fatalities and has been vocal about it on social media.

On April 26, the actress took to her Twitter account to make a public appeal to the United States to send more unused AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to India which is in dire need of them.

The 'Quantico' actress said she was heartbroken to see the suffering of COVID-19 patients in India and claimed the situation in her country (India) was critical.

She wrote in her tweet, "My heart breaks. India is suffering from COVID19 & the US has ordered 550M more vaccines than needed @POTUS

@WHCOS @SecBlinken @JakeSullivan46 Thx for sharing AstraZeneca worldwide, but the situation in my country is critical. Will you urgently share vaccines w/ India? #vaxlive."

Have a look at her post:

My heart breaks. India is suffering from COVID19 & the US has ordered 550M more vaccines than needed @POTUS @WHCOS @SecBlinken @JakeSullivan46 Thx for sharing AstraZeneca worldwide, but the situation in my country is critical. Will you urgently share vaccines w/ India? #vaxlive  PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 26, 2021

Earlier, Priyanka had been sharing verified COVID-19 resources on her Instagram story to help out her fans in India.

On the work front, Priyanka is shooting for the Amazon-backed spy series 'Citadel' co-starring Richard Madden. The project is helmed by the Russo Brothers of 'Avengers' fame. The actress had completed shooting for 'Text for You' with Sam Heughan, Celine Dion, Russell Tovey, and Omid Djalili.

According to reports, the 'desi girl' will also be seen in an Indian wedding comedy with Mindy Kaling, which she will co-produce and feature in. She also has 'Matrix 4' and a film based on the life of Maa Anand Sheela in the pipeline.
TEL AVIV - Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report Tuesday in which it is Israel is committing "the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution" and said the Israeli government's policy is to "maintain the domination by Jewish Israelis over Palestinians and grave abuses committed against Palestinians living in the occupied territory, including East Jerusalem'.

The 213-page report, titled "A Threshold Crossed: Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution", examines Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

"It presents the present-day reality of a single authority, the Israeli government, ruling primarily over the area between the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea, populated by two groups of roughly equal size, and methodologically privileging Jewish Israelis while repressing Palestinians, most severely in the occupied territory," HRW said in a statement.

Kenneth Roth, HRW executive director, said, "Prominent voices have warned for years that apartheid lurks just around the corner if the trajectory of Israel's rule over Palestinians does not change.

"This detailed study shows that Israeli authorities have already turned that corner".

Palestinian Prime minister Shtayyeh calls Israeli policy 'colonial occupation'

TEL AVIV - Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said the Human Rights Watch report defines in a detailed way "the Israeli policies and the atrocities against the Palestinian people using the right definition for crimes and criminals". Shtayyeh said the report, which speaks of "apartheid and persecution", is a "remarkable addition to previous international reports and judicial verdicts that affirm the urgent need on the part of the international community to assume its responsibilities, through international law and the principles of human rights, holding Israel responsible for its crimes, in particular for its colonial occupation and settlements, apartheid and persecution, just as codified in Israeli laws and policies".

Israel says HRW known for anti-Israeli agenda, 'fake data'

TEL AVIV - Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said the report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) is "propagandistic libel, without any credibility". "HRW has long been been known for its anti-Israeli agenda, and for years of attempts to promote the boycott of Israel," he said. In particular, the minister found it significant that HRW did not submit the content of the report to Israeli authorities for comment prior to releasing it.

He said that in 2009 HRW founder Robert Bernstein criticised his organisation for having released reports on the Arab-Israeli conflict "in an attempt to aid those who would like to turn Israel into a pariah state". "The report is part of that organisation's constant campaign, led by a proponent of the BDS boycott movement, without any link to the facts or the situation on the ground," he said. "The fake data of the report are at the same time absurd and false," he said.
A man whose wife was jailed for her campaign of violence against him has told how he was driven to taking an overdose because he felt there was only 'one way out' of her barrage of abuse.

Tony Hannington, 56, who was born in Hampshire but moved to Kent, survived six years of verbal and physical abuse including punching, kicking, attacks with hammers and knives, and death threats at the hands of his jealous and controlling wife, Tracey.

The abuse came to a head in 2019, when Tracey lunged at her husband's stomach with a knife at their home in Herne Bay, Kent. Shortly after the incident, Tony says he 'gave up' and took a mixture of alcohol and pills before passing out.

The incident motivated him to contact a domestic abuse charity and begin building a case against Tracey - who was later jailed for two years and became the first woman in the UK to be convicted of of coercive behaviour.

In Crime + Investigation's Survivors with Denise Welch, Tony said: 'I thought I was just existing. I didn't think I was living. You're in so deep there's only one way out really.'

Tony Hannington, 56, from Kent (left) survived six years of verbal and physical abuse at the hands of his wife Tracey (pictured right)

The pair met on a dating website in 2012 and Tracey moved in with Tony just three weeks after their first date. They tied the knot at a ceremony in Canterbury six months later (pictured)

Tony was born in Hampshire before moving to Dartford, Kent, with his five sisters and two brothers. A diagnosis of epilepsy as a child meant he left mainstream education at the age of six.

It was his sister who taught him how to read and write, and a teenage Tony took exams to become a scuba diver, with dreams to go abroad and work as an instructor.

However, Tony eventually became a the owner of a transport business and had a child with his first wife. After a second marriage failed, Tony joined a dating website and met Tracey in 2012.

'I was kind of looking for friendship', explained Tony. 'Just friendship. We agreed to meet up and we did. We went to a pub in Essex. The date went well we laughed and joked a lot. There was a lot of connection put it that way. She was a nice looking girl'.

The pair quickly became an item and Tracey moved in with Tony just three weeks after their first date.

After just six months of dating the pair got married at Canterbury Register Office. Tony went on to say how things quickly began to fall apart in their relationship, with Tracey picking fights over small things and trying to put Tony down with insults.

Tony told he was driven to taking an overdose because he felt there was only 'one way out' of her barrage of abuse in a new documentary

Over the next 12-months, their relationship descended into a tirade of verbal abuse at home and over the phone.

In one phone recording, Tracey can be heard saying: 'No one knows what it's like to live with a pathetic parasite like you, you have used me. You can't do it anymore.

'I promise I'll put a knife in you, I don't care if you've got me on loud speaker. If you want to put me to the test, do it.'

The verbal abuse soon turned physical with punches to the arm and slaps around the face, but Tony didn't feel he could retaliate.

'I didn't really do anything to be fair, I used to think of my dad saying you should never hit a female,' he said.

A year into the marriage, Tracey was heard punching her husband by neighbours, who rushed over to separate the couple.

Tracey (pictured) was convicted of ABH controlling and coercive behaviour in 2019 and jailed for two years

She would also straddle Tony, striking his head, arms and body, and throw water over his bed to deprive him of sleep.

She would smash her husband's possessions and pin him up against the wall, digging her nails into his windpipe.

On another occasion, she smashed him over the head with a tin of beans.

On one occasion she raised a carving knife to his throat and, on another, brandished a different blade at him, digging it into his neck.

Her frequent attacks included swinging a hoover head into Tony's face, hurling tea cups and their contents and smashing bottles of his aftershave.

'She wanted a reaction but I wouldn't give her one, that's what made her worse', said Tony. 'She always used to say "Oh I'm sorry, I'm sorry, we'll draw a line under it and start again tomorrow", but two days later it was the same again. Looking back now I just think it was a game to her.'

Tracey would often make baseless claims about Tony having affairs, and he recalled an incident where she began hitting him across the legs with a wooden plank because she didn't like one of his friends on social media.

'She asked me to remove a friend, it was a guy but she didn't want him on there,' he explained. 'Next to the bedroom where I stay there was a cupboard with no door and in there I kept some tools.

'She came out with a piece of wood and struck me with that a couple of times across my legs. She kept punching my in the head and I just put my hands up. I was too scared it would get into a fight. She would lash out even more so I let her crack on.'

Tracey would smash her husband's possessions and pin him up against the wall, digging her nails into his windpipe. On another occasion, she smashed him over the head with a tin of beans

In 2019, Tracey lunged at her husband's stomach with a knife. Believing she was prepared to kill him, he tried to move the knife away and was left with a badly gashed hand.

Tony called time on the marriage, but she refused to leave their flat - threatening to kill her husband if he didn't give her the home.

In another terrifying recording Tracey can be heard saying: 'I will get this flat, I will take you off of this planet. You will give me this place because you have no place in it, if I don't stab you I will set fire to it, simple as'.

Tony hit rock bottom and said: 'Tracey wasn't going to go no matter what, even though I wanted her to leave. She wasn't going to leave.

'It started again, it was like it never stopped. She was constantly going on at me, the more upset I got the more of a kick she got out of it.

'In the end I just gave up. I emptied out all the tablets into a glass, waited for them to dissolve, stirred it up and with the liquid in the glass, started taking the rest of the tablets you swallow with.

'Once I took them all I started drinking the rest of the whiskey and got into the bath. It just sort of started going dark very slowly and then I passed out.'

Tony (pictured left, and Denise Welch, right) told the attempt to take his own life was a turning point for Tony, who confided in family members who pointed him in the direction of Kent-based domestic abuse charity Rising Sun

The attempt to take his own life was a turning point for Tony, who confided in family members, who pointed him in the direction of Kent-based domestic abuse charity Rising Sun.

Though set up for women, the charity gave crucial advice to build case against Tracey. Tony began recording the incidents through a phone given to him by his friend Maxine, as Tracey was monitoring his own mobile.

After six years of abuse, Tony made the decision to press charges against Tracey and in October 2019, she was convicted of ABH controlling and coercive behaviour. She served eight months behind bars and the rest of her sentence on licence.

Tony told the court that the pair's marriage was 'a ceaseless campaign of hatred and abuse'.

The court was told of the impact on Mr Hannington. A statement said: 'Before, he was happy going out but wouldn't consider doing that now.

'He is ground down where he's contemplated taking his own life and convinced himself the only way out is to end his own life.'

Though set up for women, the charity gave crucial advice to build case against Tracey. Tony began recording the incidents through a phone given to him by his friend Maxine (pictured left)

Hannington's lawyer Kerry Wait insisted she has 'trust issues' and has since sought medical help for her volatile behaviour - including taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication.

Hannington 'accepts the relationship is over', but still hopes that it could be repaired, the court heard.

Judge Weekes said Hannington had been 'manipulative and deceitful' in her 'cunning and devious abuse'.

He said: 'It's difficult to imagine a more sustained period of abuse. All domestic abuse adversely affects the victims for a good deal of their lives.

'I have read with concern and sympathy the victim statement and I want you to listen again to what you have done to him.

'He feels that he has suffered a ceaseless campaign of hatred and abuse. Put simply, you have ruined your husband's life and made him suicidal.'

While behind bars Tracey was given the opportunity for early release, but Tony said: 'She showed no remorse in what she was doing so they kept her in there.

'They reviewed it another month and in the end she stayed in eight months when she could have come out in six, because she showed no remorse'.

Tracey was given a restraining order and Tony has been given a new address in another part of the country for his own safety.

The brand new and exclusive six-part series Survivors with Denise Welch continues CRIME+INVESTIGATION, with the fourth episode airing on Monday 10th May at 9pm. Episodes will be available for 30 days on catch up.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 11:06:38|Editor: huaxia

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LAGOS, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Gunmen killed two more students abducted from a university in the northwest Nigerian state of Kaduna, local authorities said Monday.

Greenfield University, a private institution in the state, was attacked by gunmen on April 20, with an unspecified number of students kidnapped.

"On a sad note, security agencies have just reported to the Kaduna state government the recovery of two more dead bodies of Greenfield University students, killed by armed bandits," said Samuel Aruwan, the commissioner for internal security and home affairs of Kaduna, in a statement.

The death toll of the abducted students has risen to five so far.

On Friday, the state government confirmed the discovery of the bodies of three students among those kidnapped in a place close to the school. Enditem
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Lara Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: LRA) ("Lara"), is pleased to report the receipt of additional drill results from partner Hochschild Mining plc., for Lara's Corina Gold Project in southern Peru. Hochschild reported completion of 2,095 metres of diamond drilling in Q1-2021, with a further 2,000m planned for Q2. Significantly mineralized intercepts have been released for two of the holes from the Q1-2021 drilling, which are summarized in the table below:

Drillhole ID UTM-E UTM-N From (m) To (m) Width (m) Gold (g/t) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) DHCOR21026 716,136 8,391,094 141.80 144.50 1.60 6.00 6.0 39 DHCOR21028 716,431 8,390,917 248.35 250.50 1.60 3.10 3.1 22

The reported intercepts are close to, but do not necessarily represent true widths.

The Corina Gold Project covers part of a belt of Tertiary-age volcanic rocks in southern Peru that also host Hochschild's Pallancata and Immaculada mining operations and past producer Selene, with Lara's project located approximately 15km north (approximately 25km by road) of the mill at Selene, which processes ore from the Pallancata mine.

Hochschild has the option to purchase the Corina Project from Lara by making staged cash payments totalling US$4,150,000 of which US$650,000 has been paid to date, with the next installment of US$1,000,000 due in July 2021. Hochschild also has the obligation to pay a 2% net smelter return royalty on any production (see Company news release of June 23, 2014 for details).

Drilling Data, QAQC and Qualified Person

Drilling is being supervised by Hochschild's brownfields technical team, based at the Pallancata Mine. The Q1-2021 drill holes reported here generated 399 core samples, which were submitted for analysis at Hochschild's internal laboratory at the Selene Plant nearby, along with a total of 87 QAQC reference samples (blanks, standards and duplicates).

Michael Bennell, Lara's Vice President Exploration and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has approved the technical disclosure and verified the technical information in this news release.

About Lara

Lara is an exploration company following the Prospect and Royalty Generator business model, which aims to minimize shareholder dilution and financial risk by generating prospects and exploring them in joint ventures funded by partners, retaining a minority interest and or a royalty. The Company currently holds a diverse portfolio of prospects, deposits and royalties in Brazil and Peru. Lara's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "LRA".

For further information on Lara Exploration Ltd. please consult our website www.laraexploration.com, or contact Chris MacIntyre, VP Corporate Development, at +1 416 703 0010.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

-30-

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81784
Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office launched a criminal investigation into the mass burial of civilians brutally massacred in April 1993 by the Armenian Armed Forces in Bashlibel village, Kalbajar district, the agency's press service reported.

The criminal investigation revealed that along with other regions of Azerbaijan, in April 1993 especial ruthlessness and cruelty were demonstrated by the Armenian Armed Forces towards the civilian population in Bashlibel village, Kalbajar district.

According to the investigation materials, before the occupation, Bashlibel village with a population of 1996 people, 259 private houses, 1 secondary school, 1 kindergarten, and 1 hospital was one of the largest villages of Kalbajar district. The village with an area of 3232 hectares was located at the confluence of two mountain rivers, at the foot of Dalidagh mountain at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, 64 km from the district center.

It was established that on April 3, 1993, the Armenian Armed Forces attacked Bashlibel village, looted and burned the houses of the villagers. 62 persons who could not leave the village took refuge in caves, located at the highest part of the village. Out of 62 persons, 48 were villagers from Bashlibel, 1 - from Takhtabashi, 4 were residents of Lachin district, and 9 were servicemen defending the village.

On April 18, 1993 the Armenian armed forces equipped with automatic and large-caliber weapons searched for and found unarmed civilians and started shooting them. As a result, 12 unarmed persons (12-year-old child, 16-year-old teenager, including 6 women and 6 men) were killed.

Following the attack, 14 persons (3 children aged 2, 13 and 15, including 10 women, 4 men) were taken hostage. Although they were later released from captivity, nine of them died of emotional and psychological trauma. The investigation also revealed that 7 out of 36 people who escaped and sought refuge in caves, died in various villages of Kalbajar district from injuries received during the siege. Residents of Bashlibel village who survived, later separated into two groups and hid in different caves.

Despite the threat to their lives, they approached the caves where their compatriots had been killed on the night of May 12, 1993, and left the scene after burying the bodies of 12 people.

In the period after April 19, 1993, 29 survivors after living under siege for 113 days, managed to get to safety, by reaching Chaykend village of Kalbajar district, and then crossing the Tartar river and Goshgar mountain in the direction of Dashkesan district and reaching Zivlan village of Dashkesan in July 1993.

According to the court decision on the exhumation of the bodies, relevant investigative actions have been carried out, and the remains of 12 bodies buried.

In addition, during the investigation, various household items found at the scene - in the caves where civilians were hiding, cartridges and bullets proving the intentional killing of civilians were packed and registered in accordance with the requirements of criminal procedure legislation. During the drone inspection of Bashlibel village, it was also established that all residential houses, administrative buildings and infrastructure that existed in the village before the occupation were completely destroyed.

In accordance with the instructions and recommendations of Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan will continue its activities to investigate the crimes committed by Armenia against Azerbaijani citizens since the 1990s, to identify the perpetrators, and bring them to justice before national and international courts.
British Concerned over Russias Economic and Military Influence in Central Africa

April 26 , 2021 (EIRNS)In view of the recent destabilization of Chad and allegations raised against Turkey and British puppet Qatar as being behind the rebels, it is useful to consider the British geopolitical view of Russias presence in Central Africa as part of the broader picture. According to some accounts, the destabilization of Chad aims at the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) as the ultimate target.

In this context, an article by one Samuel Ramani, that the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) published on Feb. 12, titled Russias Strategy in the Central African Republic, accuses Russia of using its presence in the C.A.R. as a springboard for expanded influence in Central Africa. In such expansion, Russia is using both military as well as economic assistance.

Russia has been present with military advisors in the C.A.R. under a UN mandate in 2018, and has recently expanded it with 300 more advisors under request by President Faustin-Archange Touadera. Those advisors and military equipment are helping the government to fight rebels who refused to join the Khartoum agreement mediated by Russia between the C.A.R. government and opposition groups.

In the eyes of the British geopoliticians,

In addition to bolstering its status and placing itself at the front of the line for mining sector contracts, Russia has used military force and diplomacy to counter Frances longstanding influence in C.A.R. France was the dominant international player during the first years of the civil war. However, the end of Operation Sangaris in October 2016 opened the door for greater Russian influence. Tatiana Kastoueva-Jean, director of the [French Institute of International Relations] IFRIs Russia-NIS Center, described Russias presence in C.A.R. as one of the main irritants in Franco-Russian relations and stated that there is no talk of cooperation between France and Russia in the country.

(This is aggravated by the fact that France and others do not want to lift the arms embargo against the C.A.R., which makes the fight against terrorism more difficult, said Valery Zakharov, head of the Russian advisors in the C.A.R., in an interview.)

The RUSI article continues:
(Photo : Screenshot From Commons.Wikipedia.org) Tesla Autopilot Crash New Data Reveals Someone was Allegedly Behind the Wheel

The Tesla autopilot crash that recently happened wherein a Tesla Model S crashed and even caught fire in Texas which resulted in two deaths now brings new alleged information to light. It was reportedly stated that the EV might have actually had someone sitting in the driver's seat, according to top Tesla executives.

Tesla Autopilot Crash

According to the story by The Verge, their reported comments during the earnings call Monday had contradicting statements against the local law enforcement during the immediate aftermath of the recent Tesla crash. This could now complicate the total efforts by the federal crash investigators who are now also examining the said incident.

Tesla's vice president of vehicle engineering, Lars Moravy, noted that the company representatives were actually able to inspect the crash. This would be along with local law enforcement as well as investigators coming from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA as well as the National Transportation Safety Board or NTSB.

VP Says 'Seatbelts Were Buckled'

Moravy also stated that the company was actually able to determine that the vehicle's steering wheel was reportedly "deformed." This then led them to conclude that there could be someone that was behind the wheel in the driver's seat at the reported time of the crash. It was stated that all seatbelts that were found post-crash were actually found to be unbuckled.

Tesla's very own advanced driver assist system, the Tesla autopilot, can reportedly only operate when the seatbelts are reportedly buckled. However, there were reports online saying that the Tesla autopilot can easily be tricked. If the government is actually upset with what Tesla discloses, it still is not saying so.

NHTSA and NTSB No Comment

A particular spokesperson for the official NHTSA had declined to give a comment while the NTSB did not give a response to the request for a comment. Moravy also stated that Tesla was unable to recover the said SD card coming from the vehicle. The local law enforcement, however, was working on getting that towards the company.

He then added that they continue to hold safety at much higher regard and also look towards improving their products in the future through the use of this kind of data as well as other information coming from the field. The crash reportedly took place on April 17 on Saturday in Spring, Texas.

Read Also: Could Elon Musk's 'To The Moon' Be About TSLA and Not $DOGE? Tesla Bull Investigates

No One Behind the Wheel?

Khou, over in Houston, now investigates the scene and was also "100% certain" that there was actually no one that was behind the driver's seat during the time of the crash. Just a few minutes before the crash, the wives of the victims were reportedly said to overhear them talking about the new Tesla autopilot feature of the vehicle which was a feature on the Tesla Model S, according to The New York Times.

The two victims were reportedly identified as Everette Talbot, age 69, and William Varner, age 59, a prominent local anesthesiologist.

There was a tragic accident that transpired last night with a Tesla. The initial report indicate there wasnt a driver in the drivers seat. Some say the street wont allow autopilot due to not having lines. My Tesla activates autopilot without lines. I could end up in a tree pic.twitter.com/26TVw9Bo98  Sergio Rodriguez (@LyftGyft) April 18, 2021

Related Article: US-China Tech War Could Extend to Self-Driving Cars Through Bipartisan China Bill

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Urian Buenconsejo

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 13:52:13|Editor: huaxia

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VIENTIANE, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government has instructed relevant authorities to review and draw up plans of the essentials they need to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak as infections continue rising.

The Prime Minister's Office on Monday issued a notice asking COVID-19 prevention and control taskforces at all levels to compile a list of the resources they required, including medical equipment, medicines, and money to finance efforts to contain the outbreak.

The National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control was instructed to work with central and local authorities to prepare and ensure that sufficient quarantine and treatment centers were available in addition to hospitals, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Tuesday.

As the number of cases rises each day, priority will be given to people who are seriously ill. They will be admitted to hospital, while those with mild symptoms could be sent to other arranged treatment centers.

The Lao government stressed the need to increase the number of medical staff and volunteers working at all treatment centers so that everyone can be cared for.

Authorities were also told to intensify border patrols to prevent people entering Laos illegally.

The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism was told to work with the media to publicize the government's policies and measures to contain the outbreak, while promptly dismissing fake news.

The government instructed the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to work with the relevant sectors to facilitate the import and export of goods as well as goods transport within the country to ensure sufficient supplies of goods and food.

Central and local state departments in areas where COVID-19 cases have occurred were told to arrange for civil servants and staff under their supervision to work from home.

The government also assigned the relevant authorities to assess the economic impacts of the lockdown, which has been imposed in Vientiane and eight provinces, with recommended policies and measures to help overcome these impacts.

As of Monday, the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 recorded in Laos is 436, with 49 recoveries. Enditem
Richard Puseys lawyer has called for him to serve no more prison time for filming four dying police officers after the Porsche driver was deemed unsuitable for a community correction order.

Pusey is to be sentenced on Wednesday on the rare charge of outraging public decency after filming the aftermath of the Eastern Freeway crash on April 22 last year, when the officers were hit and killed by a truck in Kew. Puseys crude commentary is heard on the three minutes and eight seconds of footage he recorded on his mobile phone.

Richard Pusey (right) when arrested last year. Credit:Nine News

Puseys notoriety was a factor in Corrections Victorias decision to deem him unsuitable for a community correction order, the County Court heard on Tuesday, in an assessment that astounded judge Trevor Wraight.

Judge Wraight and defence counsel Dermot Dann, QC, were critical of the assessment and said it was disappointing and indicative that Pusey was considered too hard to manage given his public profile and complex personality disorder.
The Health Ministry would distribute 15,000 additional Covid-19 vaccine doses to eight Mekong Delta provinces and 5,000 more to northern Lao Cai Province, given their close border proximity.

These doses would be derived from the 43,700 originally intended for the Center for Disease Control (CDC) of northern Hai Duong Province, a Covid hotspot during the latest wave that erupted in late January.

In the Mekong Delta, Tien Giang, Ben Tre and Soc Trang Provinces will receive 2,000 doses each; Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau 1,800.

Their vaccination must be completed before May 5, the ministry stressed.

Vietnamese officials have warned of a possible outbreak in southern Vietnam given the situation in the neighboring Cambodia, which until recently had one of the world's lowest numbers of infections. Cambodia has reported 79 deaths, all in the past two months. It had just around 400 infections until last year, but the number has surpassed 10,000.

Previously, southern Vietnam had already received over 245,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses in early April. Tien Giang received 9,600 doses from this batch, Ben Tre 7,300, Vinh Long and Tra Vinh 5,600 each, Hau Giang 3,900, Bac Lieu 5,100 and Ca Mau 6,700.

Earlier this month, the health ministry also decided to provide An Giang and Kien Giang 2,200 doses each. Both provinces share a border with Cambodia.

So far, around 260,000 Vietnamese have been inoculated against Covid-19 with a vaccine produced by British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca. Most are frontline workers in the Covid-19 fight, including doctors, nurses, soldiers and police officers.
The Brazilian federal health regulator has rejected importing Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine after technical staff pointed to "inherent risks" and said there was a lack of information guaranteeing its safety, quality, and effectiveness.



The regulator, known as Anvisa, voted unanimously on April 26 not to approve the Russian vaccine, which has been requested by state governors battling a deadly second wave of the coronavirus.

"We will never allow millions of Brazilians to be exposed to products without due verification of quality, safety, and efficacy," Anvisa President Antonio Barra Torres said.

Ana Carolina Moreira Marino Araujo, general manager for health monitoring, said that taking into account all the documentation presented, data acquired at in-person inspections, and information from other regulators, "inherent risks" were too great.

Asked to comment on the Brazilian decision, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on April 27 that Russia was ready to send all necessary data to Brazil.

"Contacts will continue, if certain data is missing, it will be provided, there should not be any doubt here," Peskov told reporters.

The Sputnik V shot has been approved in several countries around the world. Developed by Moscow's Gamaleya Institute, the vaccine overcame initial international skepticism after peer-reviewed results published in the medical journal The Lancet showed it to be safe and 91.6 percent effective against COVID-19.

Sputnik V is a vector vaccine based on the human adenovirus, which causes the common cold.



A crucial issue for Anvisa was the presence of the adenovirus in the vaccine and concerns that it could reproduce. Anvisa's medicines and biological products manager Gustavo Mendes called this a "serious" defect.

Brazil's vaccination program has been hampered by delays and difficulty in purchasing vaccines as the number of new COVID-19 infections daily push the national health system to the brink of collapse.



Brazil has registered 14.4 million confirmed cases and almost 400,000 deaths from COVID-19, the second-highest globally after the United States.



So far 27.3 million people in Brazil, about 13 percent of the population, have received at least one dose of vaccine, according to Health Ministry data.

On April 27 in Geneva, a spokeswoman for the World Health Organization (WHO) said the UN health agency was still discussing the Russian-developed vaccine and had yet to set a date to evaluate the shot's clinical data for a possible emergency-use listing.

"On Sputnik, we are still waiting, we are still in the back-and-forth stage. So we don't have a review meeting scheduled yet," Margaret Harris told a news briefing.

The vaccine is also being reviewed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Despite the lack of approval by Europe's medicines regulator, EU member Hungary has begun using it as part of its vaccine rollout.

Slovakia has also ordered doses but on April 7 the Slovak State Institute for Drug Control said that there were lingering questions about the efficacy and risks of the Russian vaccine due mainly to inadequate data from the producer, and that was preventing rollout of the vaccine across the country.



The institute said a day later that the Sputnik V doses it was examining were not the same as those being reviewed by the EMA, or apparently those that were reviewed by The Lancet.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and TASS
2 Spanish Citizens Dead After Attack in East Burkina Faso

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina FasoTwo Spanish citizens have been killed in an ambush in eastern Burkina Faso, the Spanish government said on Tuesday.

The Spanish journalists and an Irish citizen went missing during an attack by gunmen Monday near a national park, said Arancha Gonzalez Laya, Spains foreign affairs minister, in a press conference.

The two Spaniards are from northern Spain and were working on a documentary on how Burkina Fasos authorities were tackling poaching and on the communities of people living in the park. At the time of the attack, they were traveling with an anti-poaching patrol with about 40 people, she said.

It is a dangerous area where terrorists, bandits, and jihadists usually operate, said Gonzalez Laya.

The Irish government said it was aware of the reports and is liaising closely with international partners regarding the situation on the ground.

An audio message heard by The Associated Press that purports to be from a jihadist group known as JNIM that is linked to the al-Qaida terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack. We killed three white people. We also got two vehicles with guns, and 12 motorcycles, said the recording.

Burkina Fasos special military wildlife unit was ambushed Monday morning while traveling with the foreigners, 9 miles from their base at the eastern town of Natiaboni, Yendifimba Jean-Claude Louari, the mayor of Fada Ngourma, the main town in the east, told AP.

This attack is of significant importance because it shows (the jihadists) capacity to mount a strategic and deadly attack against a significant convoy heavily protected by Burkinabe security forces and rangers, said Flore Berger a researcher in the Sahel, the vast area south of the Sahara Desert that stretches across West Africa.

Two soldiers wounded in the attack and evacuated to a military hospital in the capital, Ouagadougou, told AP they were attacked by jihadists who outnumbered their 15-person patrol. One soldier was shot in the leg and the other in his arm, causing it to be amputated. They insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press. When the jihadists attacked, the soldiers tried to form a protective shield around the foreigners, but once the shooting stopped they realized they had disappeared, he said.

We were discouraged. Its like you leave your house with 10 people, you go to work and then you come back with eight people. What do you say to those two peoples families? said one of the soldiers.

The foreigners had been traveling with the rangers for approximately one week, two of them were journalists and one was a trainer, said the soldiers. The rangers were conducting their first mission in Arly National Park after finishing a six-month anti-poaching training program, he said.

Burkina Faso has been attacked by jihadist attacks linked to al-Qaida and the ISIS terrorist group that have killed thousands and displaced more than 1 million people. The east is one of the hardest-hit parts of the country, and while its unclear which group operates where the attack occurred, conflict analysts say the area is known to be under jihadist control and that the groups engage in kidnappings as a way to fund their operations.

Foreign nationals are a preferable target to be used as bargaining chips in exchange for ransom, said Heni Nsaibia, an analyst with the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.

Since the early 2000s terrorist groups have developed a kidnapping industry in the Sahel, five foreign hostages are still missing, including two taken from Burkina Faso, he said.

By Sam Mednick and Aritz Parra
A Jerusalem ultra-Orthodox rabbi has been accused of being an undercover Christian missionary.

The man, who has worked for years as a rabbi and raised his family in an ultra-Orthodox community, has denied the allegations.

The organisation Beyneynu, which monitors missionary activity in Israel, has accused the man of secretly trying to convert people to Christianity.

Ultra Orthodox Jews pictured at the Western Wall in the old city of Jerusalem, on September 18, 2020. A Jerusalem ultra-Orthodox rabbi has been accused of being an undercover Christian missionary

According to Beyneynu, the man and his family have been 'under surveillance' for the past seven years and 'disappeared' in 2014 after being confronted by the organisation.

He reappeared with his wife and children in another neighbourhood.

'He assimilated into the ultra-Orthodox community and began a new life, but [one] apparently full of lies,' Shannon Nussan, a researcher for Beyneynu, told local media.

According to Nussan, the man's wife promoted Judaism on social media but 'incorporated content from Christianity'.

His wife passed away and was buried in Jerusalem in a Jewish ceremony.

Speaking to the local station Channel 13, the man has denied the accusations made against him.

'It's a lie. I was born Jewish,' he said, adding that he had worked as a missionary seven or eight years ago, but has since 'repented'.
The Liberal Party unveiled their 2021 budget last week. I believe that it is an investment in all of Canada, for all Canadians and our collective futures.

For families, the budget announced that Ottawa expects to fund half the cost of $10/day national child care and early learning programs. This will help ensure both parents are able to work, if they chose, and further stimulate the economy.

The Liberals are increasing OAS payments by 10% to the current 3.3 million recipients aged 75 or older. They can also expect a one time $500 payment this August. As well, there is $3 billion earmarked to establish support to help ensure quality long-term-care homes for seniors.

The budget continues pandemic support for workers, plus small and medium size businesses - it proposes to extend the wage subsidy, rent subsidy, and lockdown support until September 25, 2021, for an estimated total of $12.1 billion in additional support.

To support low income families federally regulated industries will have a $15 minimum wage, sending a strong signal to provinces to boost minimum wages across the country.

The government is investing $18 billion in Indigenous communities, including $6 billion to help close infrastructure gaps and $2.2 billion for actions to end the national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

On a local level the Liberals are investing $101 million in our wineries to help them adapt to ongoing and emerging challenges defined by local industry.

The Liberal Party team has done an incredible job leading us through the pandemic. Our strong economic fundamentals and the hearty resilience of individual Canadians will allow us to move forward and build back better. This inclusive budget will continue to ensure economic prosperity for all.

Sarah Eves, COSN Liberal Candidate, Merritt
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has issued a call for young economists to submit papers for the 2021 WTO Essay Award, which aims to promote high-quality research on trade policy and international trade co-operation.



Essays must be submitted by June7, 2021.



The essay award, now in its 13th year, has grown to be a prized achievement for young trade economists and brings to light novel evidence important for evaluating trade flows and policies.



It's an honour to be selected for this award, said last year's winner, Xiang Ding, who received his PhD from Harvard University in 2020 and is currently Assistant Professor at Georgetown University. Xiang Ding's paper provides novel and quantitatively important evidence on cross-industry linkages, particularly joint production arising from industries sharing knowledge inputs such as research and development, information technology, and other professional services.



It's gratifying to have my research recognized by the WTO, especially at a time when our interests and trade policies are shifting towards the digital economy, he said.



The annual WTO Essay Award provides a prize of CHF5,000 ($5,470) to the author(s) of the winning essay. In the case of a co-authored paper, the prize will be equally divided among the authors. The winning paper will be officially announced at the annual meeting of the European Trade Study Group, which is the largest conference specializing in international trade. The award ceremony will take place on September 9-11 2021 in Ghent, Belgium. The winning author will receive funding to attend the meeting.



The paper must address issues related to trade policy and international trade cooperation. The author(s) of the paper must possess or be engaged in the completion of a PhD degree and, if over 30 years of age, be no more than two years past a PhD defence. In the case of co-authored papers, this requirement shall apply to all authors. In addition, to be considered for the award, essays cannot exceed 15,000 words.  TradeArabia News Service
Big Blue Swim School, one of the nations fastest-growing swim school franchises, is coming to Orlando, Florida through a franchise agreement with local resident Kumar Vuddharaju, his wife Hima, and business partners Jay and Cristina Breitlow.

The team plans to open five Big Blue Swim Schools in the Orlando area over the next five years. They signed on as franchise partners after learning about the high-quality investment opportunity and best-in-class consumer offerings provided by Big Blue Swim School.

What makes Big Blue so special is that we are teaching children a vital life skill, said Chris DeJong, Big Blues founder and president. With Kumar and his teams passion for the Orlando community, we know they will dive in and make a significant difference in the lives of thousands of children.

Kumar is the father of two daughters, ages 11 and 6. Before joining Big Blue, Kumar was the head of IT strategy at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, where he provided oversight for the companys annual budget. Before that, Kumar worked as an assistant CIO at L3Harris and as a chief enterprise architect at Deloitte, both multi-billion dollar companies. He also founded a boutique IT consulting business.

By partnering with Big Blue Swim School, Kumar is looking forward to providing a valuable service to families in his community.

We got into franchising because we wanted a proven business model that allows us to build equity as semi-absentee owners, Kumar said. Still, there are plenty of franchise opportunities out there, so it is important to pick a concept that is well-aligned with your life philosophy. For us, it was all about being involved with our community while promoting healthy lifestyles for children, and Big Blue Swim School is a mission-driven business focused on creating big, life-changing moments for children and families.

After completing their due diligence, the Vuddharajus attended Big Blue Swim Schools discovery day, known as Dive-in Day, where they met Jay and Cristina Breitlow. The two couples connected immediately and shared a similar philosophical approach and passion for their community. They decided to team up as franchise partners to develop Big Blue in Orlando.

With our combined experience in corporate America, we know it is important to have well-defined processes and technology in place before starting a business, Kumar said. Big Blue isnt just a swim school, it is a tech company.

Big Blues proprietary enterprise system, LessonBuddy, is technologically superior to the competition and makes it easier for parents to sign up for swim lessons, reschedule classes, get progress reports, and more.

Kumar also notes that his experience as a parent of multiple children helped him see the value of Big Blues consumer offering. The larger-than-average size of Big Blue pools have room for progress move-ups immediately when children are ready, and families can schedule multiple children of various levels and ages to swim at the same time.

I have children of different ages and the local swim school is challenging because we have to take them at two different times, said Kumar. These differentiators were important to me and its part of what makes Big Blue stand out in the swim lesson industry.

Since opening in 2009, Big Blue has changed the way swim lessons are taught. Everything we do is focused on showing children they can achieve anything through the magic of weekly swim lessons, said DeJong. This mission drives every operation at Big Blue and we think the Vuddharajus and Breitlows will deliver that mission with passion and enthusiasm.

With an aggressive growth plan in place, Big Blue has already signed 122 units in 20 states across the country. With a goal of reaching 150 signed units by the end of 2021, the brand is uniquely positioned to be the leader in the $3 billion learn-to-swim industry.

For franchise partners, Big Blue delivers numerous differentiators including the ability to manage the business remotely through LessonBuddy. Other top-tier franchisor support services include data-driven site selection, construction, technology, and marketing.

Big Blue Swim School franchise opportunities are still available in key markets across the country. To learn more, visit http://YourBigMomentStartsHere.com.

ABOUT BIG BLUE SWIM SCHOOL

Big Blue Swim School was founded in 2009 by competitive swimmer Chris DeJong. The first location opened in Wilmette, Illinois, followed by four additional Chicagoland schools. In 2017, Level 5 Capital Partners acquired a stake in the brand. In 2020, the brand expanded its presence to Atlanta. Big Blue is currently growing through franchising with plans to have a minimum of 150 pools sold by the end of 2021. Big Blue Swim School's real estate expertise, strong brand, proprietary technology, and leadership support, coupled with its best-in-class consumer offerings, position its franchise partners for long-term success. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Big Blue Swim School, visit http://YourBigMomentStartsHere.com
The Shaky Foundations of LAs Housing Entitlement for the Homeless

In 2016 influential political leaders, activists, and media outlets in Los Angeles said they had a simple solution to homelessness: build more housing. Echoing an argument heard across the country, they claimed that rising rents have thrown people onto the streets and that by directly providing free permanent supportive housing, cities can reduce the number of people on the streets and save costs on emergency services.

In response, 77 percent of Los Angeles voters approved a $1.2 billion bond for the construction of 10,000 units for the citys homeless. That commitment made Los Angeles the most significant testing ground for the Housing First approach that has become the dominant policy idea on homelessness for West Coast cities. Even before the passage of the bond, the concepts creator, Sam Tsemberis, was lavished with praise by the national media. In 2015, the Washington Post wrote that Tsemberis had all but solved chronic homelessness and that his research commands the support of most scholars.

In the years since, Housing First has taken even greater hold in California and the across the West. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recently declared that we need to have an entitlement to housing. California Gov. Gavin Newsom went a step further, arguing that doctors should be able to write prescriptions for housing the same way they do for insulin or antibiotics.

Five years in, the project has been plagued by construction delays, massive cost overruns, and accusations of corruption. The Los Angeles city controller issued a scathing report, The High Cost of Homeless Housing, which shows that some studio and one-bedroom apartments were costing taxpayers more than $700,000 each, with 40 percent of total costs devoted to consultants, lawyers, fees, and permitting. The project is a boon for real estate developers and a constellation of nonprofits and service providers, but a boondoggle for taxpayers. The physical apartment units are bare-bones  small square footage, cheap flooring, vinyl surfaces  but have construction costs similar to luxury condos in the fashionable parts of Los Angeles. Meanwhile, unsheltered homelessness has increased 41 percent, vastly outpacing the construction of new supportive housing units. Los Angeles magazine, which initially supported the measure, now wonders whether it has become a historic public housing debacle.

Before completing a single housing unit, the city reduced its projected construction from 10,000 units to 5,873 units over 10 years, with the potential for further reductions in the future. But the long-term problem runs much deeper: Even if one accepts that permanent supportive housing is the solution, there are currently more than 66,000 homeless people in Los Angeles County. Under the best-case scenario, Proposition HHH will solve less than 10 percent of the problem over the course of a decade.

Despite Housing Firsts uncertainties, other West Coast cities desperate to solve homelessness, including Seattle and San Francisco, have been captured by its seductive messaging and promise of respite. As Los Angeles grapples with the unforeseen consequences of its big bet on Housing First, the federal, state, and local governments, especially in major metropolitan areas, are preparing to commit billions of dollars to the program, whose track record remains woefully underexamined.

Ever since clinical psychologist Tsemberis pioneered the model in New York City in the 1990s, political leaders, activists, and academics have insisted that Housing First is an evidence-based intervention that reduces homelessness, saves taxpayer money, and improves lives. Supporters frequently argue that the program reduced costs in a study of chronic alcoholics in Seattle, consistently demonstrates high retention rates in multiple academic surveys, and eliminated chronic homelessness in Utah. Were going to stem this crisis by building supportive housing in every neighborhood throughout Los Angeles, City Council member Herb Wesson recently claimed.

These studies, however, are not as persuasive as activists suggest. Although the study of chronic alcoholics in Seattle does show a net reduction in monthly social service costs of $2,449 per person, this figure does not include $11 million in capital and construction costs for the housing units themselves; in other words, Housing First saves money if the cost of housing is not included. Even on its own favorable terms, the studys purported savings arent as dramatic as they appear: While the Housing First participants showed a 63 percent reduction in service costs over six months, a wait-listed control group that was not provided housing showed a 42 percent reduction in service costs over the same time period, raising questions about the specific effectiveness of the intervention.

Claims that studies show one-year retention rates of roughly 80 percent for Housing First participants are open to question. In a meta-study of three best-in-class Housing First sites, researchers found that 43 percent remained in housing for the first 12 months, 41 percent were intermittent stayers who left and returned, and 16 percent abandoned the program or died within the first year. These findings challenge the argument that Housing First is a long-term solution to homelessness.

Finally, advocates and the media have long touted Utah as the gold standard of Housing First. The Daily Show called the states program mind-blowing, the Los Angeles Times reported in 2015 that Utah is winning the war on chronic homelessness, and dozens of media outlets announced that the state reduced chronic homelessness by 91 percent. These miraculous results, however, were not the result of Housing First policies, but apparently clerical manipulation by state officials. According to the Deseret News and economist Kevin Corinth, As much as 85 percent of Utahs touted reductions in chronic homelessness  may have been due to changes in how the homeless were counted. Its not that all of the chronically homeless were housed; they were simply transposed onto a new spreadsheet. Moreover, between 2016 and 2018, the number of unsheltered homeless in Utah nearly doubled  hardly the victory that Housing First activists had declared.

The recent debate surrounding Housing First has predominantly been focused on the physical and budgetary metrics of housing retention and cost reductions. But these surface-level concerns obscure a deeper question: What happens to the human beings in these programs? The results, according to the vast majority of studies, point to a grim conclusion: Housing First does not meaningfully improve human lives.

Although housing programs are often an effective solution for families experiencing a temporary loss of shelter, Housing First programs do not have a strong track record improving the lives of the unsheltered homeless  the people in tents, cars, and on the streets  who often suffer from more severe challenges. According to research by the California Policy Lab, 75 percent of the unsheltered homeless have substance abuse condition, 78 percent have mental health conditions, and 84 percent have physical health conditions. In theory, Housing First would address these problems. In every program, residents are offered a wide range of services. At the Pathways to Housing program in New York City, a flagship program founded by Sam Tsemberis himself, residents are served by an interdisciplinary team of professionals that includes social workers, nurses, psychiatrists, and vocational and substance abuse counselors who are available to assist consumers 7 days a week 24 hours a day. However, despite this massive intervention, the Pathways program shows no reduction in substance abuse or psychiatric symptoms over time  in fact, those conditions often worsened.

This basic finding is confirmed by a range of studies showing that residents of Housing First programs show no improvement regarding addiction and mental illness. They are housed but broken, wracked by the cruelest psychoses, compulsions, and torments  all under the guise of medical care.

A Housing First experiment in Ottawa, Canada, illustrates this paradoxical outcome in stark terms. Researchers divided the study into two populations: an intervention group that was provided Housing First and access to primary care, medically assisted treatment, social workers, and on-demand services; and a non-intervention control group that was not provided housing or services  they were simply left on the streets. To the shock of the researchers, after 24 months the non-intervention control group reported better results regarding substance abuse, mental health, quality of life, family relations, and mortality than the Housing First group. In other words, doing nothing resulted in superior human outcomes than providing Housing First with wraparound services.

One explanation may be that Housing First programs are deliberately not oriented toward recovery, rehabilitation, and renewal. They operate on the harm reduction model, which allows residents to continue using drugs such as alcohol, heroin, and methamphetamine, and does not require mental health treatment as a condition of residency. In theory, this permissive policy would help reduce harm to the individual; in practice, however, it may create a community-level effect that makes it hard for any individual to find recovery. Here is the basic chain of events: Homeless individuals with substance abuse and psychiatric disorders are placed together in a residential facility where they are allowed to continue the way of life they had on the streets. Despite the availability of services, there is no incentive to use those services and no disincentive to the problematic behavior associated with street homelessness. Consequently, widespread addiction often becomes the norm within Housing First programs.

Preferring Homelessness

This chain of events is not just a thought experiment. In Birmingham, Ala., researchers inadvertently created this exact problem when they put participants of two different programs  one recovery program and one harm reduction program  in the same apartment complex. Immediately after beginning the experiment, the recovery group began abandoning the provided housing, complaining that their proximity to persons not required to remain abstinent (i.e., the other trial group) was detrimental to their recovery. They claimed that they preferred to return to homelessness rather than live near drug users. The researchers quickly stopped and reorganized the trial, writing that this unexpected reaction shows one possible risk to housing persons with active addiction.

Still, Housing First advocates insist that their policy is working. When reached for comment, Tsemberis insisted that the Washington Post headline declaring that he had solved homelessness is true. The most effective way to end homelessness for people with mental health and addiction is to provide housing and wraparound support, Tsemberis said. He points towards rates of housing stability as the key metric, while conceding that Housing First does not provide a cure for mental illness and addiction. This is a suggestion that policymakers have solved homelessness simply by bringing people indoors, no matter their addictions, mental illnesses, and human torments.

Advocates portray Housing First as a science that transcends politics. The policy was first adopted by the George W. Bush administration and has gained support from Republicans and Democrats alike. As the Washington Post observed, it is a model so simple children could grasp it, so cost-effective fiscal hawks loved it, so socially progressive liberals praised it.

However, the real-world evidence from cities such as Los Angeles challenges this narrative. If Housing First has demonstrated anything, it is this: It provides a stable residential environment for the homeless to live out their pathologies, subsidized by the public and administered by the social-scientific sector. It does, not however, address addiction, mental illness and other factors that limit human potential and lead to homelessness.

In Los Angeles, despite the insistence that Housing First is the answer, some uncertainty is creeping in. Mayor Garcetti is now on the defensive, as homelessness in Los Angeles continues to increase despite billions in spending. After the federal government released a study questioning the premises of Housing First, Garcetti backed away from the unidimensional approach, telling reporters with irritation in his voice: Sometimes people parody Housing First as only housing. Nobody embraces only housing. Its got to be housing with services together.

In more bad news for public officials and supporters of Housing First, there is an emerging body of evidence that calls into question the cost savings of the program. A recent study in Massachusetts shows that Housing First does not reduce rehospitalization and service utilization, while another study in Chicago suggests that Housing First might increase overall costs. Furthermore, researchers have concluded that the purported cost savings in earlier Housing First studies would not apply to the 82 percent of the homeless population that is not chronically homeless.

Los Angeles Office of the Controller

Ron Galperin: The Los Angeles controller has found the citys housing program to be riddled with high costs and delays.

In Los Angeles, this could spell disaster. In the most optimistic scenario laid out by the controllers office, the city will build 5,873 supportive housing units at an initial cost of $1.2 billion, plus an estimated $88 million in annual service costs associated with the Housing First model. The recipients of this housing will not meaningfully improve their lives in terms of addiction, mental illness, and spiritual well-being  and there will still be 60,000 people on the streets across Los Angeles County. In other words, even under its own theoretical assumptions, Proposition HHH is doomed to fail.

The City of Los Angeles did not return a request for comment.

The potential silver living might be that a reconsideration of the Housing First approach could lead to a wider reckoning for policymakers and political leaders. At the end of the Housing First experiment in Los Angeles, the city will be responsible for thousands of wards of the state with little hope for recovery, as well as tens of thousands of campers in its public spaces. A few curious citizens will read through the academic literature and find a vast discrepancy between the ideological promises of Housing First and its real-world outcomes. They might then conclude that proponents should have known better.

Christopher F. Rufo is a senior fellow of the Manhattan Institute and contributing editor of City Journal. This article was adapted from research for the new book No Way Home: The Crisis of Homelessness and How to Fix It with Intelligence and Humanity.

This article was written by Christopher F. Rufo for RealClearInvestigations.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
EU countries will resort to sanctions against London in case of non-compliance with the trade agreement after Brexit, said Secretary of State at the French MFA, Clement Beaune.

According to him, measures of influence can be applied in case of non-fulfillment of obligations concerning Northern Ireland and rights in the field of fisheries.

The Secretary of State noted that sanctions can be adopted in other sectors.

The UK is awaiting financial permits. But we will not give such permits if we do not get guarantees in the field of fishing and other issues, Beaune said.

Everyone must abide by their commitments. Otherwise, we can be tough to the extent that the situation requires it, he noted.

At the end of December 2020, the European Union and the United Kingdom were able to agree on an agreement on bilateral relations after the completion of the process of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the community. The parties were able to reach a difficult compromise on all key issues: free trade, fishing, regulation of markets and competition, access of EU and UK citizens to each other's social systems.

The agreement defines the access quotas for EU and UK fishing vessels for fishing in each other's economic zones. The document also provides for the need to monitor fish resources to control their renewal.
MBABANE - EmaSwati may heave a sigh of relief as India has resolved to export the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine by the end of May.

This means that people who have been vaccinated in the country might certainly get their second dose of the said vaccine within the recommended eight to 12 weeks from the first dose. About a month ago, it was reported that the beneficiaries of the COVAX facility, including Eswatini, would suffer a short supply of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine after Indias decision to halt the exportation of vaccines from their country after their COVID-19 daily infection rate skyrocketed. The Serum Institute of India (SII) supplies COVAX with the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.

COVAX is a facility formed of Gavi, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other globally recognised entities, which were formed to supply low and middle income countries with COVID-19 vaccines, protecting from unfair distribution. Eswatini is among the beneficiaries of COVAX and already, the country has benefitted 12 000 Oxford AstraZeneca doses from the facility. The 12 000 vaccines were added on to the 20 000 Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine doses from the Indian Government, totalling the number of secured doses in the country to 32 000.

Expecting

Currently, over 34 897 emaSwati have been vaccinated with the first jab of the said vaccine candidate and they are expecting to receive their second jab from May 26. According to reports from international media houses including Reuters, The Daily Star and US News, problems that have delayed the Oxford AstraZeneca supplies to the COVAX vaccine-sharing facility have since been resolved. The reports revealed that India would export about 65 million vaccines by the end of May. The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines has been disrupted by supply shortfalls in many countries, aggravated by a temporary hold on exports of the inoculation made by the Serum Institute of India (SII) as the country battles to contain a surge in infections.

COVAX is also holding talks with New Delhi for SII to resume supplies of the AstraZeneca vaccine, read the reports. When sought for comment, World Health Organisation (WHO) Health Promotion Officer Dr Kevin Makadzange said he was not aware of the new resolutions that India made. We might be briefed about this on our talking points for meeting, said Makadzange. In the meantime, Director of Health Services Dr Vusi Magagula said according to their plans, nothing had changed as they were still expecting a consignment of vaccines from COVAX in May so emaSwati could get their second dose.
SPRINGFIELD - One of two Connecticut men accused of stealing 17 firearms from a West Springfield gun shop in August has agreed to change his plea to guilty to federal charges resulting from the theft.

Fernando Rivera, 24, of New Britain, and his attorney have notified U.S. District Court in Springfield that he will submit a guilty plea. He is charged with theft of a firearm from a federal licensee, possession of a stolen firearm, ,and making false statements to a federal official.

The date of the court hearing where Rivera will formally change his plea has not yet been set.

Rivera and another man, Christian Castro, 29, also of New Britain, were arrested on federal charges in September in connection with the break-in at Guns Inc. on Main Street on Aug. 29.

The break-in occurred at around 5:30 a.m., according to officials. Suspects broke into the store, shattered three gun cases and grabbed 17 handguns and ran to a car that was parked in the lot of the nearby White Hut restaurant.

It was apparently the final stop on a nightlong crime spree where Rivera, Castro and others are accused of seven different break-ins at ATMs over a 6-hour period in Hadley, Whately, and Greenfield, and as far north as Brattleboro, Vermont and Hinsdale, New Hampshire.

Rivera and Castro were arrested Sept. 18 at their homes in Connecticut by federal agents.

They were identified as suspects through surveillance footage and through assistance from the New Britain police.

At the time of his arrest, Rivera was on probation for an unrelated conviction. Investigators were able to track his movement during the night through cellphone activity, and it matched up with records from a GPS device in a stolen car that was used in the spree and then dumped in Connecticut.

Castro has denied the charges and is awaiting trial. Both he and Rivera remain in federal custody.

The gun charges carry a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. The penalty for making false statements is up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
[April 27, 2021] BrowserStack Partners with Samsung Internet to Simplify Testing for Developers

BrowserStack, the world's leading software testing platform, today announced a strategic partnership with Samsung Internet, one of the leading browsers for Android (News - Alert) phones and tablets. With this partnership, developers will be able to test their websites on Samsung Internet for free on BrowserStack's real device cloud for six months. "We're thrilled to partner with Samsung (News - Alert) Internet. The browser and devices market is extremely fragmented and we're constantly loking to provide solutions that help developers release bug-free applications," said Nakul Aggarwal, Co founder & CTO, BrowserStack. "This brings us one step closer to our mission of empowering developers to build amazing experiences."



With over half a billion active users, Samsung Internet is one of the most widely used mobile browsers globally, hence by testing on it developers can stay ahead of the curve and build applications for a growing digital audience. "We're excited to announce BrowserStack as our preferred testing partner. The strength of websites lies in how cross browser compatible they are and this partnership makes it easy for developers to test on Samsung Internet," said Daniel Appelquist, Head of Web Developer Advocacy, Samsung Internet.

Built on Chromium, Samsung Internet has a set of capabilities that is specific to the browser which makes it critical to test for it. By seamlessly testing on BrowserStack, developers can design experiences for billions of Samsung device users. About BrowserStack BrowserStack is the world's leading software testing platform powering over 2M tests every day across 15 global data centers. They help Microsoft, Twitter, Barclays, Expedia (News - Alert) , and over 50,000 customers deliver quality software at speed by moving testing to their 2,000+ real device cloud infrastructure which effortlessly scales as testing needs grow. With BrowserStack, Dev and QA teams can move fast while delivering an amazing experience for every customer. Founded in 2011, BrowserStack is a privately held company backed by Accel with offices in San Francisco, Mumbai, and Dublin. For more information, visit https://www.browserstack.com About Samsung Internet Samsung Internet is a fast and reliable web browser for its range of phones and tablets, and Android devices. With over half a billion active users, Samsung Internet is one of the most widely used mobile browsers globally and ensures safe, secure, and speedy web browsing. For more details, visit https://developer.samsung.com/internet View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005668/en/

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Croatian operator Hrvatski Telecom has started the implementation of the modern optical infrastructure in the area of the City of Krapina and five municipalities.

With this, more than 10,000 user units will be able to use ultra-fast optical internet at speeds over 100 Mbit/s, said a press release from the largest private investor in digitalisation in Croatia.

According to the release, at the end of 2020, Hrvatski Telekom launched a procurement procedure for the design and construction of an optical network for these areas, and the selection of the most economically advantageous contractor is expected in June this year at the latest. This is an investment worth HRK 59.42 million ( USD 9.48m), a part of which is co-financed from European Union funds.

"Hrvatski Telekom continues to invest in optical infrastructure even in these challenging times, and I am glad that fast and high-quality Internet access will enable the entire community of Krapina and the municipalities of urmanec, Jesenje, Petrovsko, and Radoboj to increase economic activity and quality of life, " said Milan Meden, Director of the Sector for Implementation and Operations in the Access Network at Hrvatski Telekom.

With the selected contractor, Hrvatski Telekom will complete the design of the optical network this year, and the beginning of the implementation itself is expected in 2022, it added.

"Parts of the optical network will be put into operation successively, as they are built, and the entire optical network in this area will be put into operation by the end of 2023 at the latest," said the release.

The introduction of optics will contribute to the improvement of the quality of life and the tourist offer and enable the unhindered use of advanced and innovative digital products and services, claimed the release.
West Virginia will give $100 savings bonds to 16- to 35-year-olds who get a Covid-19 vaccine, Gov. Jim Justice said on Monday.

There are roughly 380,000 West Virginians in that age group, many of whom have already gotten at least one shot, but Mr. Justice said he hoped the money would motivate the rest to get inoculated, as theyre not taking the vaccines as fast as wed like them to take them.

The state will use federal funds from the CARES Act to pay for the bonds, Mr. Justice, a Republican, said at a news conference, adding that he had vetted this every way that we possibly can to ensure that the unconventional use of the funds was allowed.

The bonds will be also be available to anyone in that age group who has already been vaccinated, Mr. Justice said.
Tech workers have often been the bad guys of San Francisco: Their mass influx drove up rents, and residents worried about how they were changing the character of the city. But when COVID hit, these same Silicon Valley citizens embarked on a privileged exodus from Californias cities to its mountains and lakes. Rachel Levin, a journalist who lives in San Fran, saw her city transform as the tech base left and started to wonder: Where exactly were all these people going? She found that many ended up a few hours away, in Lake Tahoe, a gorgeous area that attracts lots of tourists, even during a pandemic. Levin explored the area and a neighboring town, Truckee, to see what these techies were up to and how their new neighbors were welcoming themor notfor a story she published in Outside. On Tuesdays episode of What Next, I spoke with Levin about how Tahoe became home to Zoom towns and what the impact of the tech invasion has been. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Mary Harris: In your story, you introduce one local named Josh Lease. How did he respond when this influx descended on the town?

Rachel Levin: He said he was blown away and enraged. Tahoes always been used to traffic, especially in the summer, but he said what they werent used to was the trash. He was saying that in his secret hideouts at the beach, there were Capri Sun straws and water bottles and busted flip-flops. At one point, he picked up a dirty diaper. Hed lived there for 20 years and never seen this kind of thing. People come with such disrespect for this beautiful place. Its got pristine nature and wilderness, and looking at six-packs and Big Gulps and burrito wrappers everywhere was bumming him out. So he decided to vent it on Facebook and post, Lets throw an unwelcoming party. He was kind of joking, but people around the lake kind of rallied and were into that idea.

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You describe this flyer that I think encapsulates how the community felt. Can you describe it?

There was this poster someone designedLease proposed the ideaof a a kid wearing a gas mask with text that said Stay Out of Tahoe. The gas mask was obviously a nod to COVID, like, dont bring your virus or your trash here. I think it showed the sentiment from a lot of locals,but a lot of locals also tell me now theyre so embarrassed at how people were being unwelcoming, because it is a tourist town. Most of the community earns it money and exists because of vacationers. You need the tourists up there, but you also want them to behave differently.

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It was hard for me to tell whether folks were coalescing around one thing. They wanted the techies not to come but the reasons why were different. Some people were clearly concerned for their safety, and some people had a different complaint, with signs that said, Your Entitlement Sucks!

There were outsiders who were maybe part of separate setnot necessarily the same people who were buying up the homes. But they were still coming, and the protesting locals were against it all. Whether theyre worried about COVID, whether theyre worried about their beach being destroyedthey didnt like the fancy cars coming in. So I think they were decrying it all.

With people coming and staying, the number of real estate sales shot up, and the amount of money being spent also went up a huge amount.

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In 2020, almost 2,400 homes sold collectively across the Tahoe Basin for $3.28 billion, up from $1.76 billion in sales the previous year. Inventory was way down, demand was way up. Multiple people told me they would get a knock on the door and someone would offer them $2 million their house. This was stuff that had gone on in San Francisco that had never gone on in Tahoe.

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Its easy to talk about Bay Area techies coming into a rural area and acting entitled, but you also talk about how there are elements of race and ethnicity involved in this. You wrote about a Korean American resident named Grace who came back to Tahoe, where she already had a home. What was her experience?

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Shed had a longtime second home that shed only used on weekends. She never lived there full time. Her family stayed in Tahoe and she did not feel comfortable. She mentioned how, early in the pandemic, shed be at Safeway and people would fake-sneeze on her. In local Facebook groups, there were racist comments. She didnt feel safe there and didnt feel like it was the happy place shed always thought it was for her. So the family came back to the city. She wanted to be around a more diverse community.

In the town Truckee, you met Deb Lee and her husband, Spencer, whose story reveals one of the real costs of resort towns remaking themselves as what some people are calling Zoom towns.

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Deb and Spencer were from New England and are almost 60. They moved to Truckee in 2014 to be closer to their daughter, who had moved after college and decided to settle there: She is the general manager of a local restaurant and brewery. Deb and Spencer got jobs in the community and became a part of it and fell in love with the place. Then they came home one day after a in August and there was an eviction notice on their door telling them to get out. They had all their belongings, with no storage units within 50 miles. They had nowhere to go with all their things: Every Airbnb was booked, every house was rented or too expensive. Deb is immunocompromised and hadnt worked in a whileshes a catererso shed felt despondent. But they lucked out: She said she pounded every door, called everyone she knew, posted a kind of a plea on a local Facebook group, and a man with this tiny cabin wanted to help a local and came to the rescue.

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Is there evidence that there are people being driven out of the town because of whats going on?

I spoke to this guy named Colin Frohlichhe had made a ton of money at Lyft. He and his wife, Kai, started a company called Landing Locals, which basically is trying to financially match second-/third-home owners whose homes would otherwise be empty, who dont want to deal with Airbnb, and who want to rent to locals and invest back in the community. Its a really good idea, but its hard to implement. There was an apartment, through Landing Locals that was renting for a good deal of $600, and it landed 100 inquiries.

So people are hungry for these.

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Yes. And theyve tried to help locals find a place, and they couldnt be helped, even though they had the moneythere was no inventory. Affordable housing is getting pushed out. It remains to be seen whether the character of the towns will also change.

What did you end up thinking about what Tahoe says about the way communities are going to be changed in the wake of COVID?

The people already there are really worried. This one guy said, before COVID people would walk down the street and stop and give you a hug. Hes worried that theyre going to lose that small-town connection, that civility and love that binds that towns.

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It remains to be seen whether the people coming and buying new homes are going to stay.

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I talked to a top Google executive who moved into her second home with her family and has been on nonstop Zooms, all day, back to back. She said, this isnt why I bought this house, to sit inside on my screen all dayshes excited to go back to Sunnyvale as soon as her office opens. I think some people will leave like that and then thatll be its own issue, because whats going to happen to these homes when theyre empty?

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This is something we will be following closely, Tracy told RFE/RLs Armenian Service in an interview. USAID (the U.S. Agency for International Development) will be providing some technical assistance to the Central Election Commission as well as helping with voter information.

What we certainly hope to see is that Armenia is able in the conduct of its elections to meet or even exceed that very good, high bar that it set in 2018. And we think  thats very achievable, she said.

The elections expected in late June are meant to end a serious political crisis sparked by last years war in Nagorno-Karabakh. Opposition groups blame Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian for Armenias defeat in the six-week war, having tried to topple him with street protests. National security is therefore expected to be the main theme of the unfolding parliamentary race.

What I think we will see in this election is an opportunity for candidates to talk about how they intend to help secure Armenias future, said Tracy. Thats what a free and fair election is all about.

Both Pashinian and most of his political opponents stand for a further deepening of Armenias defense and security ties with Russia. The prime minister has indicated his desire to see more Russian troops deployed in the country and its southeastern Syunik province in particular.

Russia already dispatched soldiers and border guards to Syunik late last year in addition to 2,000 Russian peacekeeping troops deployed to Karabakh.

Asked whether Washington regards increased Russian military presence as a threat to Armenias sovereignty, Tracy said: We think that while obviously Russia is a partner for Armenia in certain spheres such as the military  its important that Armenia has options and choices, has diversity in its economy, energy spheres so that it can make the kinds of choices that are in the best interests of Armenians.

There is military security but there is also other kinds of security, she said. There is economic security. There is security in having strong, resilient institutions of governance that are deeply rooted in integrity  And so these are areas that the United States can contribute to.

I think its more concerning to see an overdependence on one particular partner. So we think that we have a role to play here and we would like to be able to continue working in these areas of good governance and economic growth, added the envoy.

Citing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinkens comments made earlier this year, Tracy also said that the Biden administration plans on reinvigorating U.S. involvement in international efforts to resolve the Karabakh conflict.

The fighting is stopped but what we see is that there are still some very critical issues to be addressed: the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, the issues of displaced persons, she said. So there are a number of issues that still very much remain on the agenda for the United States and the other Minsk Group co-chairs (Russia and France), and we intend to stay engaged on those issues.
By Ritah Kemigisa

The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has tasked the defence minister to explain to Ugandans on Tuesday next week the fate of Ugandan soldiers deployed in Somalia.

This is after the Obongi County MP Hassan Kaps Fungaroo raised a matter of national importance concerning the status of the soldiers in Somalia taking into account renewed fighting between different sections of the security forces.

Some of the military units support President Mohamed Abdullahis bid to extend his mandate while others are opposed to him.

According to Fungaroo, if the US is withdrawing its forces from Afghanistan then Uganda should also consider the protection of the Ugandan soldiers and review the peace keeping mission and consequently bring them back home.
Created by a 2014 state Senate bill, enhanced infrastructure financing districts can provide some of the property tax-based funding once supplied by local redevelopment agencies before California dissolved such entities in 2012, said Kosmonts senior vice president Joseph Dieguez.

A financing district would not raise property taxes within its area, but instead would draw on additional tax revenue above a baseline set at the districts creation.

+2 Napa cuts ties with development partner in pandemic-stalled city hall project The city paid $2.8 million to terminate the agreement with the Plenary Group and will keep all of Plenary's research and design work for any future civic center project.

Napa is reviewing the financing plan as the citys budget forecast for the new fiscal year shows revenues continuing to lag pre-COVID-19 levels. Budget documents released Thursday predict $91.5 million entering Napas general fund for 2021-22  up from the estimated $83.9 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, and $90.5 in 2019-20, but far off the $98.5 million of 2018-19, the last full year before the pandemic and its resulting business shutdowns more than halved hotel tax revenue.

Spending decisions for the district would be made by a board known as a public financing authority, which would consist of three elected officials and two residents. The elected officials would all be council members if the city creates the district alone, or two council members and one Napa County supervisor if the agency is a city-county partnership.
The Internal Revenue Service building on April 15, 2019, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images

The White House will reportedly seek to improve the IRSs enforcement of tax policy as a way to fund the many provisions in President Joe Bidens American Families Plan.

Sources tell the New York Times that the Biden administration will propose increasing the IRSs overall budget by $80 billion over the next ten years. The additional funds would help the agency pursue individual and corporate tax delinquents and make collections on those balances. It is believed that the focus will largely be on high financial earners.

The administration believes this budget increase could result in as much as $700 billion in revenue over the next decade, though it remains to be seen if the Congressional Budget Office will back up that assessment. This move will be in addition to other proposed tax provisions, such as an increase of the top rate for the capital gains tax from 20 percent to 39.6 percent.

The American Families Plan, which is set to be officially unveiled this week as Biden delivers his first joint address to Congress on Wednesday, is expected to include measures addressing child-care funding, education, and paid family leave. Early estimates put the plans presumed price tag between $1.5 and $1.8 billion.

With details still being finalized, some of Bidens fellow Democrats are advocating for additions to the massive legislation. Seventeen senators signed onto a letter asking the president to add Medicare reforms, such as lowering the age of eligibility and negotiating for lower medication costs, to the bill. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is proposing $700 billion over ten years for universal child care.
[April 27, 2021] Alva Industries Chooses Infor CloudSuite Aerospace & Defense

OSLO, Norway, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Infor, the industry cloud company, today announced that Alva Industries, a visionary Norwegian company that develops electric motors and generators for electric propulsion applications, has chosen Infor CloudSuite Aerospace & Defense as its ERP system. The multi-tenant cloud solution, running on AWS, will be implemented by consulting partner Midport Scandinavia. Learn more about Infor CloudSuite Aerospace & Defense: https://www.infor.com/products/cloudsuite-aerospace Alva Industries was founded in Trondheim, Norway, in 2016 and has signed major development contracts with companies such as Lockheed Martin and the security company Qinetiq. In addition to working on industrial projects for the electrification of vessels in the air, on land and at sea, Alva Industries also produces motors for the industrial drone market. "Both in the defense industry and aviation, there are strict and absolute requirements for subcontractors, and it is a clear advantage that Infor can deliver a cloud solution that satisfies these requirements," said Tommy Andersen, Alva Industries' chief financial officer. For several years, Infor has invested heavily in its verticalization strategy, which means its CloudSuite solutions come with content adapted to individual industries based on bet practices and with relevant functionality and business processes dedicated to those industries reducing risk and driving operational efficiencies.



"We are proud and happy that Alva Industries has chosen Infor CloudSuite Aerospace & Defense. This means we can deliver one of the market's most modern ERP solutions on very competitive terms," says yvind Misund, Midport Scandinavia's sales manager. Midport Scandinavia uses Infor's implementation methodology where process owners at Alva Industries, together with Infor and Midport, go through the processes that end up with a fit/gap analysis. A typical result is a 60:30:10 distribution, where 60% of the customer's processes correspond to standard content of the software, 30% need to be configured, and the remaining 10% must be adapted to the individual company's requirements. This means the solution can largely be activated at an early stage in the process.

"For a start-up company with big growth ambitions, it is a great advantage to be able to choose a standardized cloud solution with functionality designed for our industry. The fact that the solution is enriched with industry-specific content means we can use the parts of the solution we need now, in a fast and efficient way. At the same time, we have a sense of security that we can grow in the solution and activate additional functionality when the need arises. We feel we have chosen a solution that will be relevant to our business," Alva's Andersen said. About Midport Scandinavia Midport Scandinavia is a business-focused supplier of ERP and related business applications in the Nordics with the goal to make complex things manageable and easy to understand. Midport is a privately-owned company established in 2003 and located in Sweden, Finland and Norway. Midport is an alliance and gold partner of Infor with 50+ skilled consultants who specialise in discrete manufacturing, project industry (machinery & equipment), high tech, and maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO). To learn more, please visit www.midportscandinavia.com. About Infor Infor is a global leader in business cloud software specialized by industry. Providing mission-critical enterprise applications to 67,000 customers in more than 175 countries, Infor software is designed to deliver more value and less risk, with more sustainable operational advantages. We empower our 17,000 employees to leverage their deep industry expertise and use data-driven insights to create, learn and adapt quickly to solve emerging business and industry challenges. Infor is committed to providing our customers with modern tools to transform their business and accelerate their own path to innovation. To learn more, please visit www.infor.com. Media contact

Richard Moore

Infor PR, EMEA

Richard.Moore@infor.com

+447976111243 yvind Misund

Midport Scandinavia, sales manager Norway

+47 977 71 775

omi@midportscandinavia.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alva-industries-chooses-infor-cloudsuite-aerospace--defense-301277890.html SOURCE Infor

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The balance of supply and demand in the oil market in 2021 will develop towards a deficit of the latter in the amount of 1.2 million b/d, and not 0.8 million b/d, as previously expected, said the report, which will be considered by the OPEC + ministerial monitoring committee on Tuesday.

The forecast for global demand growth has also been improved, from 5.9 million bpd last month to 6 million bpd. Demand is expected at 96.5 million bpd. In total, OPEC + is considering two scenarios for the development of the situation on the oil market, the baseline and the alternative, in which the influence of negative factors is stronger. But even in this case, a surplus on the oil market is not expected this year, and demand will increase by at least 4.6 million bpd.

In total, OPEC + countries have managed to reduce the supply of oil on the market by 2.75 billion barrels since May 2020, the report says. However, if all countries complied with the agreement by 100%, then they would be able to reduce the supply by 2.88 billion barrels.
(Photo : Flickr/ Navymailman) ADT security sues Ring

ADT, a popular home security company in the United States, is suing Amazon subsidiary Ring. ADT is claiming that the recent designs of Ring are a brazen copy of ADT's octagonal blue symbol.

ADT Files Lawsuit Against Ring

The firm cites that Ring's blue octagon outdoor siren is an example of trademark violation. In the filing, ADT lists a dozen of its trademark registrations dating back to the late '90s that feature a combination of blue and octagonal designs.

ADT claims that millions of its customers display this symbol to show that their homes use their security systems.

The security company further claims that Ring's use of blue octagons risks confusing customers and misleading them into thinking that the two companies are associated.

Also Read: Amazon Ring Doorbell Recall 2020: 350,000 Units Recalled Over Fire Hazards

In its filing, ADT pointed out the striking similarity is evidence that Ring is trying to reap the benefit of the goodwill associated with ADT's brand and reputation.

It adds that this type of confusion seriously undermines the goodwill that ADT has cultivated in its Famous Blue Octagon and irreparably harms the company.

Ring's outdoor siren called "Protected by Ring" was cited by ADT. The octagonal yard sign that the company started selling in 2016 is said to be the same as that of ADT's sign.

After ADT complained about the sign, Ring agreed to make its symbol less blue, and ADT took no further legal action at the time.

In the lawsuit, which was first reported by Bloomberg, ADT is asking the federal judge in Florida to order Ring to stop using the allegedly similar symbols in its products to prevent conflict with ADT.

The federal judge also ordered Ring to pay ADT cash compensation.

The Verge contacted a spokesperson from ADT to comment over the matter, and the spokesperson said that the company is determined to protect its customers, its employees, and its investors, along with its intellectual property and its reputation.

Amazon did not respond to request for a comment.

Company Conflict

ADT and Ring have butted heads in the past.

In 2017, before Ring was acquired by Amazon, ADT filed a lawsuit that claimed Ring had benefited from its trade secrets after acquiring a company ADT had previously invested in, Global Newswire reported.

The lawsuit led to a judge issuing a preliminary injunction on the sale of Ring's security system. The two companies reportedly ended up settling the suit the following year for $25 million.

Before these legal battles, the two companies had worked together on making their security systems compatible, and ADT showed off Ring's Video Doorbell working with its security system back in 2016.

ADT says it no longer actively promotes the Ring Video Doorbell, but will purchase it for customers who want to use it with its security system. But ADT still advertises that its system is very compatible with Amazon's Alexa assistant.

While its connection with Amazon's Ring has faltered, ADT received a $450 million investment from Google.

The internet giant previously sold a home security system under Nest, which is the company's sub-brand. Google stated it hopes its Nest devices will become the cornerstone of ADT's smart home offering.

Related Article: Amazon Ring Worked with 2,014 Government Agencies in 2020, the Largest Access So Far

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
BELOIT, Wis., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- American Builders & Contractors Supply Co., Inc. ("ABC" or the "Company") announced today the commencement of a cash tender offer (the "Tender Offer") to purchase any and all of the $600 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (the "2026 Notes"). The Company intends to purchase the 2026 Notes in the Tender Offer using a portion of the proceeds from the Company's concurrently announced private placement (the "Debt Offering"), subject to market and other conditions, of up to $350 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2029 (the "2029 Notes"), together with cash on hand.

The Tender Offer is being made pursuant to an offer to purchase dated April 27, 2021 (the "Offer to Purchase") and related notice of guaranteed delivery (together with the Offer to Purchase, the "Tender Offer Documents"), which set forth the complete terms and conditions of the Tender Offer.

The Tender Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 3, 2021 (such date and time, as may be extended or earlier terminated as described in the Offer to Purchase, the "Expiration Time"). Holders of 2026 Notes who validly and timely tender (and do not validly withdraw) their 2026 Notes prior to the Expiration Time will be entitled to receive an amount in cash equal to $1,031.50 for each $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes tendered and accepted by the Company in connection with the Tender Offer, together with accrued and unpaid interest relating to such purchased 2026 Notes up to, but not including, the final settlement date, which is currently expected to be May 6, 2021.

Subject to certain limited exceptions, any 2026 Notes tendered may only be withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 3, 2021, unless extended.

The Company intends to finance its purchase of the Notes tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer with a portion of the proceeds to be raised from its previously-announced private placement offering of the 2029 Notes. To the extent the settlement date of the Tender Offer is prior to the issue date of the 2029 Notes, the Company will use cash on hand and may use borrowings under its ABL facility to fund the repurchase of the 2026 Notes, in which case the proceeds of the 2029 Notes would be used to increase the cash on the balance sheet and repay such borrowings under the ABL facility, if any.

The Company will not be obligated to accept for purchase any 2026 Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer. The Tender Offer is not contingent upon the tender of any minimum principal amount of 2026 Notes, but the Tender Offer is conditioned upon the consummation of the Debt Offering (or another debt financing transaction), among other conditions. Subject to applicable law, the Company may amend, extend, withdraw or terminate the Tender Offer in its sole discretion.

Assuming the Debt Offering is consummated, the Company currently intends to redeem any 2026 Notes not purchased pursuant to the Tender Offer in accordance with the indenture governing the 2026 Notes, which currently provides for a redemption price of 102.938% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest through the redemption date.

The Company has retained BNP Paribas Securities Corp. to act as the dealer manager in connection with the Tender Offer, and has retained D.F. King & Co., Inc. to act as the information and tender agent for the Tender Offer. The Company is making the Tender Offer only by, and pursuant to the terms and conditions of, the Tender Offer Documents. Those documents set forth the complete terms and conditions of the Tender Offer. Copies of those documents may be obtained from the information and tender agent for the Tender Offer, D.F. King & Co., Inc., at (800) 591-8263 (US toll-free) or from the dealer manager, BNP Paribas Securities Corp. at (888) 210-4358 (US toll-free) and (212) 841-3059 (collect) or by visiting www.dfking.com/abcsupply.

This press release is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute, or be deemed to constitute, a notice of redemption of the 2026 Notes under the indenture governing the 2026 Notes. This press release is neither an offer to purchase or an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, any securities, nor is it a solicitation for acceptance of the Tender Offer.

The Company

ABC is the largest wholesale distributor of roofing in the United States and one of the nation's largest wholesale distributors of select exterior and interior building products. Since its founding by Ken and Diane Hendricks in 1982, ABC's sole focus has been serving professional contractorstaking care of them better than any other distributor and offering the products, services and support they need to build their businesses. A 15-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award winner, ABC is an "employee-first" company that treats its associates with respect and gives them the tools they need to succeed. Headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin, ABC has almost 800 locations nationwide.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA"), as may be amended from time to time. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company and its subsidiaries, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements. These cautionary statements are being made pursuant to the PSLRA with the intention of obtaining the benefits of the "safe harbor" provisions of such law. ABC cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by ABC are not guarantees or indicative of future events.

Factors that could affect actual results include but are not limited to the possibility that the Company's existing noteholders will not be receptive to the Tender Offer or the Company's potential debt investors will not be receptive to the Debt Offering on the terms described above or at all; corporate developments that could preclude, impair or delay the above-described transactions due to restrictions under the federal securities laws; changes in the credit ratings of the Company; changes in the Company's cash requirements, financial position, financing plans or investment plans; or changes in general market, economic, tax, regulatory or industry conditions that impact the ability or willingness of the Company to consummate the above-described transactions on the terms described above or at all. There can be no assurances that the above-described transactions will be consummated on the terms described above or at all.

Although ABC believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in this press release are reasonable, actual events could differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date hereof and ABC does not have or undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by law.

SOURCE American Builders & Contractors Supply Co., Inc.
An 18-year-old stabbed to death in east London yesterday was the brother of another knife victim who was killed four years earlier in the same neighbourhood.

Junior Jah died shortly before 2.45pm on Monday after being attacked in broad daylight just a few feet from his front door in Coolfin Road, Canning Town.

Back in 2017, his brother, Ahmed Jah, then 21, was also stabbed to death just 150 yards from the scene in Freemasons Road as he went to buy a soft drink from a convenience store.

Ahmed is believed to have been known by the nickname 'Grinna', while Junior was known as 'Young Grinna'.

The younger sibling was yesterday remembered by relatives as 'a beautiful, quiet boy'.

Witnesses said emergency services rushed to the scene and fought hard to save him but he was pronounced dead on the street.

A young man was seen with his head in his hands, crying on a curb next to the crime scene where Junior was killed.

The victim of the Canning Town murder was named locally as Junior Jah, who had just turned 18. His brother Ahmed Jah (right) was stabbed to death four years earlier

A neighbour described the horrific moment she walked out her front door to see Junior on the ground just yards away.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said this morning: 'My friend told me something had happened so I came out of my house and saw that poor boy lying there and I just came back inside.

'His brother was also stabbed. They are a nice family, it's so sad.

'I always said 'good morning' to them and they always said 'good morning' to me.

'It's awful and it frightens you when it happens right where you live.'

Junior Jah is the twelfth teenager to be stabbed to death in London already this year. Seventeen teenagers were murdered in the capital in the whole of 2020.

Flowers and heartbreaking tributes have been left in his memory at the scene which is just a mile from where 14-year-old Fares Maatou was fatally stabbed three days earlier.

One heart-rending message written on a card amongst flowers read: 'Still can't believe you've gone. Always in our hearts and never forgotten.'

A forensic tent has been set up just feet from the front door of an address registered to his father, Abubakarr.

The two storey terraced home sits behind police tape while officers stand guard.

At the scene of yesterday's attack, Junior's aunt Yvette Goodhew, from Stratford, said: 'We always knew him as Junior. He was a beautiful quiet boy. He had just turned 18.

'We didn't see the family often but I remembered he was a good boy.'

Ahmed Jah, the eldest of four siblings, died after being knifed in the chest inside BJ Wines in nearby Freemasons Road on April 2, 2017.

His father Abubakarr, a rail construction worker, told the Evening Standard at the time: 'Young people need to put down their knives and stop the violence. It is destroying families and communities.

'He was a beautiful, kind boy. He wanted to do something with his life. Now we have lost him. He didn't deserve for this to happen.'

An 18-year-old was stabbed to death in Canning Town, east London, yesterday, with police being called out at 2.45pm

Emergency services arrived at the site of the stabbing in Canning Town and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene

Yesterday's tragedy came as boys of 17 and 18 were also injured in separate attacks less than an hour apart.

At around 3.30pm police were called to nearby Poplar after reports that a 17-year-old male had suffered stab injuries.

And at 3.40pm officers were called to Redbridge where an 18-year-old boy was found with leg injuries.

No arrests have been made over any of the incidents, which police were not linking during initial investigations.

A section 60 order, which allows officers to search anyone without reasonable grounds amid a risk of serious violence, has been put in place for the entire borough of Newham.

Police are also calling on anyone with information in yesterday's attack to come forward.

A spokesperson said: 'Anyone with information that could assist the investigation at this early stage is asked to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 4050/26April. Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.'

Monday's carnage comes after a weekend that saw other unrelated incidents of knife crime across the capital

On Sunday, two teenage girls aged 16 and 17 were stabbed in broad daylight in West Norwood, south London.

Police officers at the scene yesterday after two girls were stabbed in West Norwood, south London on Sunday

Police officers at the scene in West Norwood yesterday following the stabbing of two teenage girls on Sunday

Following the attack at around 4.30pm, the girls were taken to hospital where the 16-year-old remains in a critical but stable condition.

The older girl was taken to hospital by air ambulance which landed on the roof of a nearby B&Q. Her condition was initially life threatening but she is now serious but stable.

Fares Maatou, 15, (pictured) died after being stabbed in Newham on Friday

The younger girl did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

Both girls appeared to have been stabbed in the torso below the shoulder.

Scotland Yard said four boys, aged between 16 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. One has since been released with no further action, while the other three remain in custody.

In another incident, Fares Maatou, 15, was killed in the borough of Newham on Friday.

A 14-year-old boy, who has appeared at youth court charged with his murder, has been remanded in custody at a youth detention centre and told to appear at the Old Bailey tomorrow.
Its not a new debate that how many talented actors are sidelined, not given their due, and in fact made to believe that they will have to settle for less in order to survive in the fancy world of Bollywood. You would agree to the fact that Randeep Hoodas talent has been wasted in many movies and he truly deserves to be celebrated way more than he has been until now. Its sad that Bollywood hasnt done anything to truly appreciate the actor of his calibre.

Bollywood did sideline him and he doesnt believe in succumbing to the ways the glam industry functions. In an interview with Pinkvilla, the actor shared why he prefers to stay away from Bollywoods quintessential lifestyle. He said, There is a life that I want to lead and that ideal Bollywood life of dressing up and going to these parties and being a part of the self-congratulatory cliques-- you know, the kind of a system that exists  No, I dont miss it. My life has been about trying to live my characters, trying to live life as away from the trappings of it as much as possible; so that I dont lose touch with the reality of life. Once you lose touch with the reality of life thats where it starts to show on the screen. You start to appear unreal. So, I have always kept that around me. Its my ideal lifestyle I dont have to copy anybody. In fact, I have not given into the kind of culture that we have in the industry. There is certain sycophancy; there is a certain way of dealing with people. Everybody is an artist and so I feel and always have felt at par with everybody. There should be a sense of respect, which is there. But apart from that, I have not catered to that kind of a mindset.

We completely agree with the fact that once an actor loses the vision, he or she doesnt look convincing on the screen. The actor also spoke about how the star system has always driven Bollywood and it needs to stop. This is one of the reasons that we are unable to compete with world cinema.

He said, Im just an artist. Im just an actor. I have done movies of all genres. I have done Hindi movies. I have done commercial movies. I have even delved a little into song and dance in a couple of movies; I was not very great at it. There was a time when songs of a film used to take the screenplay forward. But now, its more of a disruption. I want to move on and watch the story. The industry always measures it from the point of view of numbers and who they like to cast. That star system has to change.

He also added how Bollywood chooses the star first and then builds the script taking that actor in mind.

We have got a huge industry but were not really able to compete with the world because [ideally] the script comes first and then the casting is done according to the script or the story. Here, you have to cast a star and then the story is built around. Therefore, a lot of inappropriate casting happens where you know the storyteller is also not left with much to play. This system, obviously, has to change. It has to be about the story, the script, and then you cast actors according to who suits that character the best. Rather than just going for those few names because they are the stars and everybody else is kachra - thats not the case. It has to be more about storytelling than just be about you know pandering to a star system, he added.

Randeeps talent has always been underappreciated by the Bollywood circle and he has now gotten used to it. When his Hollywood venture released, he got appreciation from across the border but not many Bollywood celebs praised his act.

On this, he added, Well Im quite used to it. It does happen time and again, well thats okay. Maybe they didnt like my acting, liked my action maybe, thats why they didnt speak up. But yeah there is a lot of hoopla that happens you know amongst people within the industry which did not happen for this. But, hey maybe as I said before maybe you didnt like my acting.

We wonder when would Bollywood realize the calibre of actors like Randeep and cast them in movies that can give them their due.
The Western Development Commission (WDC) has today launched a new online jobs portal aimed at attracting professionals and their families to make new lives in Co. Leitrim and the West of Ireland.

Westernjobs.ie will help job seekers to find open roles across the region and assist employers in gauging the availability and depth of skills that they require.

With more and more people working remotely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the WDC is encouraging people to make a permanent and viable move to the West where they can enjoy housing costs that are among the lowest in Ireland.

A tool specifically for the West of Ireland has never previously been available. Movers can avail of the many job options including remote working and hybrid options as full-time and part-time open across multiple sectors.

The new portal - which is free to use - will not only give job seekers the chance to land a dream job, it will also give employers information on the talent pool available to them in a particular county in the Western region.

Research carried out by the WDC in January found that 50% of large employers in the region were faced with a limited skills pool for open positions while 32.65% experience difficulty finding senior staff.

Hundreds of new jobs have been announced in the Western region in 2021 and there are currently open roles available across sectors such as ecommerce, MedTech, IT and engineering.

Companies currently hiring in the West of Ireland include Boston Scientific, Cora Systems, GSK, Aran Biomedical, Abbott, Aerogen, Harmac Medical, SITA Aero, Intel, SL Controls, Frankli and Beckman Coulter.

For job seekers, Westernjobs.ie provides a one-stop-shop to give them all the information they require about opportunities in the West and the benefits of moving there. It will allow them to stay updated on relevant positions based on their skills and preferences and will enable them to connect with employers and agencies across the region.

The WDC says insights and real-time data from the site will also help officials in the future to make more informed planning and development decisions affecting the region.

Employers in the region will be able to create company profiles and promote job opportunities targeted at talent that they know is interested in working in the region.

The WDC recently launched a More to Life campaign to showcase the excellent quality of life and career opportunities available to professionals who move to the region.

The benefits include lower property prices for renters and buyers, lower childcare costs, lower pupil-teacher ratios in primary schools and less commuting time  leading to a far greater work-life balance.

Commenting on the launch of the Westernjobs.ie portal, Western Development Commission CEO Tomas O Siochain, said: Westernjobs.ie is unique in that it will allow people to signal an interest to move west. Research carried out by the WDC indicates that while many people have already moved west over the last year, a significant number are considering the move west, if the right opportunity presents itself.

As well as senior roles that are currently open, westernjobs.ie will help to attract other employers looking for talent and allow those that move the opportunity to get their next move and, more importantly to build a career. The WDC is supporting the transition to remote work and remote working hubs toward balanced regional development, this will be the first step many will take in finding out that there is more to life on Irelands Atlantic Coast.

Employers including Co. Leitrim-based global car brand Cora Systems will also be using the new portal. Commenting, Philip Martin CEO of Cora Systems said, A move to Co. Leitrim not only offers individuals a fantastic lifestyle but also the chance of fulfilling career progression. At Cora Systems, we are thrilled to support the launch of westernjobs.ie  a one-stop shop for jobseekers looking to make the move to the West of Ireland.

See www.westernjobs.ie
A research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic violence has shown that a shadow pandemic in the form of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) has emerged due to the upsurge of the disease.



The research said since the COVID-19 outbreak, emerging data and reports had shown that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence had intensified raising concerns as a shadow pandemic growing amidst the COVID-19 crisis.



The research which was commissioned by FIDA Ghana with support from the STAR Ghana Foundation discovered that most of the cases were likely to go unreported.



At a dialogue session organised by FIDA-Ghana to disseminate the research which was on the assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on sexual violence against teenage girls with or without disability and new forms of violence, a consultant researcher, Ms Blessing Agboada said SGBV specialists tracking the impact of COVID-19 on women and girls across the globe have began to draw attention to a shadow pandemic of violence against women and girls.



To this effect, she said the UN Women had described SGBV as a shadow pandemic occurring alongside COVID 19 across the world.



In recognition of these issues, on April 5, 2020, the UN Secretary-General, Mr Antonio Guterres called attention to what he described as a horrifying surge in domestic violence since the start of COVID 19, and advocated for all governments to "put women's safety first as they respond to the pandemic.



Global statistics during the pandemic



Giving a global statistics before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Ms Agboada said globally, 243 million women and girls were abused by their intimate partners in the past year.



She said since the pandemic, with lockdown measures, countries around the world have seen an alarming rise in reporting on violence against women, especially domestic violence.



She was of the view that although reported cases represent only a fraction of the actual number of GBV incidents, available data suggested that cases were rising and cited data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) which showed countries such as France and Cyprus where reported cases had increased by 30 per cent, Argentina, 25 per cent and Singapore 33 per cent, since the start of the pandemic.



She said the patriarchal system of the Ghanaian society excuses domestic violence such that victims of intimate partner violence were less likely to see their situations as an emergency that needed to be reported.



Findings



According to the research, before COVID 19, Ghanas data on SGBV in a 2016 national survey estimated that approximately 27.7 per cent of Ghanaian women had experienced at least one form of domestic violence such as economic, social, psychological, physical and sexual violence within the 12 months prior to the survey.



The 2016 survey also indicated that 23.1 per cent of Ghanaian women found wife-beating acceptable and only nine per cent of women first report domestic violence cases to the police.



Making reference to a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report on Ghana, Ms Agboada said between April 2, 2020 and the end of May 2020, a total of 4,097 calls were received with 128 cases of SGBV forwarded to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) for redress.



She added that emerging data shows that since the outbreak of COVID 19, violence against women and girls, and particularly domestic violence had intensified as many women were in lockdown at home with their abusers while being cut off from normal support services.



A Programmes Manager, FIDA Ghana, Ms Nolle Appiah in a submission said the report COVID 19 Shadow Pandemic and Emerging Gender-Based Violence Concern in Ghana provided insights and recommendations into stakeholders critical observations and concerns regarding sexual gender-based violence at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and partial lockdowns in Accra and Kumasi.

Source: graphiconline.com









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Sale of 25 million Technip Energies N.V. (" Technip Energies ") shares representing ca. 14% of Technip Energies' share capital through an accelerated bookbuild offering

") shares representing ca. 14% of Technip Energies' share capital through an accelerated bookbuild offering TechnipFMC plc ("TechnipFMC") would, upon completion of the Placement and the Concurrent Sale to Technip Energies, retain a stake of ca. 31% of the share capital of Technip Energies

Regulatory News:

TechnipFMC (NYSE:FTI) (Paris:FTI) (ISIN:GB00BDSFG982):

This press release is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. No public offering of securities is being made in the United States.

This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities and the offer of Technip Energies shares does not constitute a public offering other than to qualified investors in any jurisdiction, including in France.

TechnipFMC announces the sale of 25 million Technip Energies shares (the "Shares"), representing ca. 14% of Technip Energies' share capital, through a private placement by way of an accelerated bookbuild offering (the "Placement"). The sale price of the Shares in the Placement is set at 11.10 per Share, yielding total gross proceeds of 277.5 million.

Concurrently with the Placement, Technip Energies will purchase from TechnipFMC ca. 1.8 million shares (equivalent to 1% of share capital) at 11.10 per share, corresponding to the price of the Placement (the "Concurrent Sale to Technip Energies"). This purchase is separate from the Placement.

Upon completion of the Placement and the Concurrent Sale to Technip Energies, TechnipFMC retains a direct stake of ca. 31% of Technip Energies' share capital.

TechnipFMC has agreed to a 60-day lock-up for its remaining shares in Technip Energies, subject to waiver from the Joint Global Coordinators involved in the Placement and certain other customary exceptions, including transfer of shares to a subsidiary, granting and enforcement of security interests in connection with financing and derivative transactions and tender into any public tender offer for all or part of the shares.

The Placement was conducted without a public offering in any country and was open to eligible institutional investors.

Settlement for the Placement is expected to take place on or around 30 April 2021.

Important notices

This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities and the offer of shares of Technip Energies (the "Shares") by TechnipFMC does not constitute a public offering other than to qualified investors in any jurisdiction, including in France.

In member states of the European Economic Area, this communication and any offer if made subsequently is directed exclusively at persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation.

In the United Kingdom, any offer of the Shares will be made pursuant to an exemption under Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the "UK Prospectus Regulation") from a requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of Shares. This communication is for distribution in the United Kingdom only to (i) investment professionals falling within article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (ii) 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.

The Shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, US persons, absent registration or an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will be no public offer of the Shares in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. The Shares are being offered outside the United States in transactions that are not subject to the Securities Act pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act ("Regulation S") to persons other than US persons (within the meaning of Regulation S) and in the United States to "qualified institutional buyers" ("QIBs") pursuant to an exemption from, or in transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

In addition to the foregoing restrictions, the release, publication or distribution of this press release generally may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession this document or other information referred to herein should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

The information contained in this announcement is for background purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete and no reliance may be placed by any person for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy, fairness or completeness. Any investment decision to buy Shares in the Placement must be made solely on the basis of publicly available information regarding Technip Energies. Such information is not the responsibility of TechnipFMC.

The Joint Global Coordinators are acting on behalf of TechnipFMC and no one else in connection with the Placement and will not be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to any of its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Placement.

EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD PROCEED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT IT MUST BEAR THE ECONOMIC RISK OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE SHARES. NEITHER TECHNIPFMC NOR THE JOINT GLOBAL COORDINATORS MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION AS TO (I) THE SUITABILITY OF THE SHARES FOR ANY PARTICULAR INVESTOR, (II) THE APPROPRIATE ACCOUNTING TREATMENT AND POTENTIAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF INVESTING IN THE SHARES OR (III) THE FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE SHARES EITHER IN ABSOLUTE TERMS OR RELATIVE TO COMPETING INVESTMENTS.

The information contained in this press release is subject to change in its entirety without notice up to the settlement date. TechnipFMC, the Joint Global Coordinators and their respective affiliates expressly disclaim, to fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any obligation or undertaking to update, review or revise any statement contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

About TechnipFMC

TechnipFMC is a leading technology provider to the traditional and new energy industries, delivering fully integrated projects, products, and services.

With our proprietary technologies and comprehensive solutions, we are transforming our clients' project economics, helping them unlock new possibilities to develop energy resources while reducing carbon intensity and supporting their energy transition ambitions.

Organized in two business segments Subsea and Surface Technologies we will continue to advance the industry with our pioneering integrated ecosystems (such as iEPCI, iFEED and iComplete), technology leadership and digital innovation.

Each of our approximately 20,000 employees is driven by a commitment to our clients' success, and a culture of strong execution, purposeful innovation, and challenging industry conventions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005956/en/

Contacts:

Investor relations

Matt Seinsheimer

Vice President Investor Relations

+1 281 260 3665

Matt Seinsheimer

James Davis

Senior Manager Investor Relations

+1 281 260 3665

James Davis

Media relations

Nicola Cameron

Vice President Corporate Communications

+44 1383 742297

Nicola Cameron

Brooke Robertson

Public Relations Director

+1 281 591 4108

Brooke Robertson
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The French government is to partner the Benin monarchy for the repatriation of Benin artworks which were looted from the kingdom more than a century ago.

Jerome Pasquier, France Ambassador to Nigeria, disclosed this when he led some officials of the French Embassy on a courtesy visit to the Oba of Benin on Monday.

Mr Pasquier said the French government was determined to eliminate all forms of discriminations and as well assist Africans in a dialogue to retrace their cultural heritage.

He also commended the Benin monarch for steps he had taken to curb the menace of human trafficking in the country and Edo in particular.

The French ambassador said his country was committed to Omo NObas war against human trafficking.

We commend you for the effort you have put up to address the challenges of human trafficking and to assure you also that we are committed to the war against trafficking, he said.

On his part, the Benin monarch, Omo NOba Ewuare Ogidigan II, described the partnership as a panacea for eradicating vices in the society.

I also want to solicit the assistance of your government to revamp Nigerias dwindling economy through agro allied ventures, to engage the teeming youths from seeking greener pasture abroad, he stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the Oba told the ambassador to implement the outcome of the proposed dialogue on African Cultural Heritage to achieve the set goals.

(NAN)
Chinese Regime Building Fraud Case Against Detained Christian Pastor, Lawyer Says

A rights lawyer says he thinks authorities in Guiyang in Chinas Guizhou Province are working to build a trumped-up fraud case against Zhang Chunlei, the pastor of a Christian house church who was illegally detained last month.

Chinese rights lawyer Sui Muqing told The Epoch Times that Zhangs wife, Yang Aiqing, was taken away by police around noon on April 21 after being subpoenaed, along with Zhangs son and younger brother. Zhangs son and brother were released the same day, while Yang was detained in handcuffs and shackles for 24 hours before her release, Sui says.

At great personal risk, Sui and other human rights lawyers who are concerned about the case visited Yang on April 24 and learned from her that she had been interrogated for several hours.

She was given a criminal summons on the charge of fraud but the questions during the [police] interrogation were all about spiritual beliefs and church operations. There were no questions about fraud at all, and, in fact, it was something that was not mentioned at all, Sui told The Epoch Times.

Yang was handcuffed and fettered. This is very bad, because her situation does not constitute a crime. Even if it constitutes a crime, it is not necessary. She is a delicate woman and not a dangerous criminal. Generally speaking, handcuffs and shackles are for dangerous criminals and those who refuse to be summoned. It is an act of police abusing their power.

Chinese Christians pray during a service at an underground independent Protestant Church on Oct. 12, in Beijing. China, an officially atheist country, places a number of restrictions on Christians and allows legal practice of the faith only at state-approved churches. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

On March 16, Zhang, local Christian believers, and several Christians visiting from other regions were praying and studying their scripture in a room at the Wenzhou Hotel rented by the church, when the facility was raided by police.

Three local ChristiansChen Jianguo, Li Jinzhi, and Li Linand 10 visiting Christians were taken to the Yanan Middle Road Police Station, the organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported.

Later that day, Zhang went to the police station to inquire about the raid and was detained. He was kept under administrative detention for 11 days, which then extended to criminal detention, Christianity Daily reported.

Sui said that after charging Zhang with fraud, authorities are preparing to charge the entire house church as a fraud group and label the churchs donations a fraud project. Sui calls that very absurd, noting that its a common practice for church elders and staff to obtain some living allowances from donations.

They definitely have the intention to make the house church a fraud group so that they will have a big case, and be more likely to receive awards and credits for the crackdown. This is also what some higher-level officials want, he said.

Sui isnt optimistic about Zhangs chances for freedom.

They dare to slap such a ridiculous crime charge on the pastor, which means they are treating it as a big [political] case, daring to defy the law openly. So, its not looking good for Zhang, he told The Epoch Times.

Persecution of Chinese Faithful

Falun Gong practitioners began arriving on Fuyou Street in Beijing, early on April 25, 1999, as some 1,000 public security personnel and plainclothes officers had already been deployed. (Minghui.org)

April 25 this year was the 22nd anniversary of Falun Gongs peaceful protest for freedom of religion in China. It also marks the 22nd year of Falun Gongs persecution by the Chinese communist regime.

For years, China has topped the religious freedom offenders lists published by U.S. government and human rights watchdog organizations for persecuting Tibetans, Buddhists, Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghurs, and human rights defenders.

In 2020, China earned an overall score of 9 out of 100 points in the Freedom House reporta Washington-based human rights watchdog group, landing a spot in the lowest group of 195 countries. The report said people living in China under the communist regime were not free, giving the regime a score of zero for religious freedom.

Gu Xiaohua contributed to this report.
Our Global and China Automotive Millimeter-wave (MMW) Radar Industry Report, 2020-2021 combs through and summarizes the characteristics of the global and China passenger car radar markets, related enterprises characteristics, development trends and so forth.

New York, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global and China Automotive Millimeter-wave (MMW) Radar Industry Report, 2020-2021" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05129367/?utm_source=GNW

In the years to come, ADAS functions upgrade, new cockpit applications (e.g., life signs monitoring), and 4D radar launches will combine to drive up the demand for automotive radars.



In 2025, China passenger car ADAS functions will carry more than 31 million radars, with demand AAGR of 30.7%.



In 2020, a total of 8.19 million radars were installed in passenger cars in China, including 4.77 million front view radars and 3.31 million rear angle radars. These radars were demanded by front and side road environment detections among L1-L2 ADAS functions.



From current mainstream ADAS system solutions, it can be seen that L1 depends on 1R, 1V or 1R1V solution that features simple perception strategy and needs a limited number of radars; L2 needs more radars for requiring a higher level of sensor fusion. Noticeably, the use of 5R1V in vehicles in 2020 provided a further boost to the radar demand.



In a word, the increasing number of sensors per autonomous vehicle is accompanied by ADAS functions upgrade. It is estimated that passenger cars in China will be equipped with over 31 million radars in 2025.



The growth in the demand is expected to follow such trajectory:



 The upgrade from L1 to L2/L3 will demand 3 or 5 radars;

 For L4/L5, single vehicle may need 7 or even more radars (deployed at both sides of vehicle body);

 ADAS upgrade will fuel the demand for front view radars at first, and then rear angle ones;

 The front view radar + rear angle radar solution is becoming a basic configuration, and the increasing demand for front view radars comes with the launch of L3 functions.



The following picture shows Arbes prediction about the demand for various sensors from ADAS in 2025. Arbe argues that in five years, L1 ADAS will be configured with 3 radars, L3 with over 5, and L4-L5 possibly even with as many as 6 to 10. Arbe expresses obvious optimism about the demand for radars.



Cockpit applications like vital signs monitoring and gesture control are expected to be a new engine to the radar growth.



As intelligent cockpit evolves, radars are finding their way into new areas. Currently, they are largely used in cockpits for vital signs monitoring and gesture control.



A. Vital signs monitoring: Wuhu Sensortech Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (WHST) was the first one to achieve mass-production



At present, in-vehicle monitoring mainly adopts cameras which invade privacy, while radars can ease the concern. In April 2020, HYCAN 007, a mass-produced model under the brand co-created by GAC and NIO became available on market, which also means the mass production of STA79-4, WHSTs automotive radar used in the car for vital signs monitoring.



In June 2020, at its Online Launch of Vital Signs Monitoring Technology, Great Wall Motor also used STA79-4 for vital signs monitoring in vehicle. The solution has been mounted on 2021 WEY VV6.



b. Gesture control: the foreign vendor Acconeer and Chinas WHST are exploring.



In-vehicle gesture control is currently enabled using cameras, but the technology requires ultrahigh accuracy devices. 60GHz radar that features up to 7GHz bandwidth for sub-micron resolution required by gesture control becomes a new option for cockpit gesture control. More than that, 60GHz radar can penetrate materials to transmit signals, and the integrated design makes it more compact enough to be hidden inside the housing of a device.



In 2018, Sweden-based Acconeer rolled out A111, a 60GHz pulsed coherent radar applicable to vehicles for smoothly controlling the vehicle functions to be actuated. Furthermore, it can be applied widely in areas from robots and drones, and mobile and wearable devices to Internet of Things, power tools and industry, healthcare and fitness. In automobiles, it is often used for gesture recognition and safety alert.



4D radars being installed in vehicles enjoys a rosy prospect.



4D radar outperforms a 3D one in the following three aspects:



(1) Detect height, for example, distinguishing an overpass from vehicles on the road;

(2) Offer higher resolution: 1-degree angular resolution (even lower in the case of super resolution algorithm) in both azimuth and elevation;

(3) Classify static obstacles, able to detect roadside obstacles and small targets, e.g., water bottles and tire fragments.



The unique edge ensures 4D radars to work better in detection of static obstacles and support L3-L5 highly automated driving. As for its application scenarios, 4D radars will be massively seen in ADAS front view function in future to replace some few-channel LiDARs, expectedly becoming a new star in radar market.



Current foreign 4D radar vendors are divided into two types: conventional Tier1 suppliers like Continental, Aptiv and ZF; start-ups, typically Arbe, Oculii and Vayyar.



Chinese players such as WHST, MUNIU Technology and Huawei, started late but gather pace.



The curtain on the mass-production of 4D radars has been lifted. Continental ARS540 ordered by BMW is to be spawned in 2021; ZF 4D radar mounted on SAIC R ES33 will be produced in quantity in 2022.



In March 2021, SAIC R Brand showcased ES33, its new model of strategic importance. 2 ZF 4D radars are installed at the front bumper of the car, affording an over 300m detection range. Besides, ES33 also bears 31 other perception hardware devices including 1 LiDAR and 12 cameras, hoping to enable L3-L4 automated driving.



As well as OEMs welcoming 4D radar, capital favors it, too. Since 2020, the financing for nearly 50% start-ups in radar industry has gone to 4D radar.



Also, some traditional OEMs and Tier1 suppliers bet on 4D radars in recent years. For example, SAIC, Honda, Toyota and Denso invested in Metawave between 2017 and 2019; BAIC participated in the USD32 million funding round Arbe closed in 2019; in 2020, Hella was an investor in Oculiis USD8.5 million strategic funding round.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05129367/?utm_source=GNW



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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 27, 2021] Online Trading Academy Research Center Begins to Dispel Myths About Educated Retail Traders & Investors

There is a rising tide of interest in the voice of retail traders and investors as an increasingly important and not well-understood segment of the financial markets. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005853/en/ Online Trading Academy Research Center (Photo: Business Wire) Having served over 80,000 students with lifelong trading and investing education, Online Trading Academy is well placed to research the sub-segment of educated retail traders and investors. "The OTA Research Center gives our student body a voice to speak up and be heard through research surveys, insights, and sharing perspectives," said Mike Richardson, President of Online Trading Academy. He went on to say, "There are four contributing factors for the timeliness of us launching our research center now. Firstly, as widely reported, there are large numbers of novice retail traders and investors entering the financial markets through online trading platforms and smartphone apps. Secondly, there is a general lack of research into this increasingly important segment which is not well understood. Thirdly, of the limited research there is so far, it is hard to know how much of it may be skewed by a predominance of uneducated retail traders and investors as opposed to those who are educated. Fourthly, we are well placed to research the sub-segment of educated retail traders and investors helping them have a voice to speak up." For more than two decades, Online Trading Academy has been dedicated to leveling the playing field between Wall Street and Main Street. The great equalizer is education, but not all education is equal. Online Trading Academy has emerged as a leader in educating retail traders and investors to build skills, evolve proficiency and develop confidence with trading and investing. Most recently, Online Trading Academy is revolutionizing the student learning journey, has developed a first-of-its-kind,all-in-one trading platform called CliK, integrating education, analysis, and trading, embedding its rules-based, step-by-step methodology, education, and risk management-focused approach.



The Research Center conducted an in-depth study of student attitudes and behaviors. "For us, it is absolutely critical to have our finger on the pulse of our students. We gain tremendous insight into how our students are consuming our education. What's working and what's not. And most importantly, how we continually evolve our offering as the markets evolve," said Ted Francisco, Vice President of Insights. "In April 2021 we conducted a study with more than 1,200 [ML7] students who had completed OTA's Core Strategy Class with a distribution of students ranging from new to just a few months to students who have been with the company for more than five years," he added. "What's interesting as a researcher is how our students' insights differ from what we gather from reporting in the media and public domain research of retail investors and traders." Students were not required to answer each question, but those that did offered some key insights:

Students report that prior to coming to OTA, the majority had little or no experience. 70% said they had either no experience or were novices.

70% reported that they are trading live in the market (OTA encourages newer students to stay practicing in simulator mode), and 37% report that they spend more than 6 hours per week doing so, across a range of asset classes, Stocks, Futures, Forex, and Options, with 83% reporting that they do not trade Cryptocurrency.

Nearly 2/3rds (64%) report that they are not day trading (intraday). Nearly half (47%) report they are swing trading (few days to a few weeks), with another 17% reporting that they are position trading and long-term investing.

More than half say they spend more than 4 hours per week in their education, with 20% saying they spend more than 10 hours per week, predominantly spending that time in weekly online sessions with instructors and each other; 38% report that they are spending more time in their education since COVID but more than half (53%) report that they still prefer in-person classes (OTA is looking forward to reopening its centers) In particular, the survey further studied student confidence. "As an educator, Online Trading Academy's ultimate goal is to help our students become more confident in investing and trading," said Francisco. "It's essential that we get a baseline and are pleased with what we saw," he added. After completing at least one foundation course with OTA: 81% of students said they feel more knowledgeable about how the markets work

76% said they were more knowledgeable about how to manage risk

64% said they were more confident in managing their money

When focusing on the key concepts of the Core Strategy methodology that Online Trading Academy teaches, respondents reported a weighted average score of 7.55/10 (75.5%) for understanding the concepts of Core Strategy and 7.37/10 (73.7%) for being confident in knowing where to set a stop loss; Most importantly, 85% report that they created a trade plan (Online Trading Academy's Core Strategy methodology teaches this as the first step of risk management, which is the foundation of everything it teaches).

69% said they wished they had started their education sooner. When asked why students felt they were or were not achieving their objectives, the two most critical factors were "sticking to their rules" and "managing emotions". Francisco explained, "This is no surprise to us. We have created a continuous feedback loop with many of our students. We have created student panels and regularly conduct qualitative research. We know that students struggle with the emotional side of trading, which is why we place an extraordinary emphasis on creating a trade plan, following the rules and steps with discipline, and learning to manage emotions. These key concepts are at the heart of our design of CliK, which is a first-of-its-kind, all-in-one trading platform integrating education, analysis, and trading." "These kinds of data and insights into educated retail traders and investors are invaluable in beginning to dispel some commonplace myths about them, primarily that they are predominantly day trading the stock market, with simple buy, hold and hope strategies, taking untold risks. These data begin to indicate otherwise, that the journey from novice to confidence comes from education, with sustained engagement, in a tailored methodology that embeds the disciplines of risk management. It has never been more timely for us to launch our Online Trading Academy Research Center and we will be quickly ramping up our research surveys and insights and sharing perspectives. Not least of all, as we continue to develop and deploy CliK over the coming years, our aggregated data diagnostics will become increasingly powerful to triangulate education, analysis and trading data for powerful insights unlike any other. We look forward to helping our student body have a voice, speak up and join the narrative," added Mike Richardson (News - Alert) . Visit OTA Research Center | Online Trading Academy to find out more and follow further releases of research data analysis. About Online Trading Academy Online Trading Academy (OTA) is a leader in financial education for people looking to build skills, evolve proficiency and develop confidence for trading and investing in the financial markets. OTA's proprietary and step-by-step Core Strategy methodology is designed to teach strategies to help traders and investors make smarter decisions aligned with their short-term and long-term financial goals. Students learn under the guidance of knowledgeable instructors, in an interactive classroom setting with extensive online education resources and a next-generation education, analysis, and trading platform called CliK. The courses are geared toward individual investors or traders, novice or experienced, who want to learn how to use similar tools and trading techniques as the professional traders on Wall Street. From a single location in Irvine, CA (News - Alert) , Online Trading Academy is in its 24th year, has expanded to more than 40 worldwide education centers, has served over 80,000 students with access to lifelong education who have rated their satisfaction at 94.4% from more than 200,000 post-class exit surveys. It all starts with a free introductory class, which over 500,000 people have attended. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005853/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Mumbai, April 27 : Barely 72 hours before the ambitious phase of vaccination for 18-45 age groups begins from May 1, the Maharashtra government has started scouting around for getting sufficient quantities of the Covid-19 jabs, officials said here on Tuesday.

Health Department Principal Secretary Dr Pradeep Vyas has sent separate letters to Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawala and Bharat Biotech International Ltd Chairman and Managing Director Dr Krishna M. Ella to the effect.

He said that if the Maharashtra government decides to vaccinate its 18-45 age group population, estimated at around 5-crore, then it would require some 12-crore vaccine doses.

Vyas asked the two how many doses of Covishield (SII) and Covaxin (BBIL) vaccines the two companies could supply to the state government, per month over the next six months from May 2021 onwards.

The government has also sought details of the vaccine pricing and any other conditions the companies may have to enable the concerned authorities take a priority decision in the matter.

Recently, the two companies had announced their revised prices for the vaccine supplies in the domestic market.

The SII is supplying Covishield vaccine to states at Rs 400/dose and to private hospitals for Rs 600/dose, while BBIL is giving it at Rs 600/dose to state governments and Rs 1,200/dose to private hospitals.

The SII said that global vaccines in the private markets are available at much higher rates -- Rs 1,500/dose (American jabs), and Rs 750/dose (Russian and Chinese jabs), while BBIL said the company is exporting its vaccines at between $15-20/dose (roughly averaging to Rs 1,200/dose).

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
Direct flights between Incheon and London resume on May 7 after substantial progress in the U.K.'s coronavirus vaccination drive.

The government on Monday decided to lift the ban it has imposed on flights from London since Dec. 23 as the U.K. variant emerged.

The first direct fight will be an Asiana Airlines' flight from Heathrow Airport to Incheon on May 9. Asiana is expected to fly from London every other Sunday and Korean Air every other Saturday.

They must reserve 90 percent of seats for Korean nationals and keep their seat occupancy below 60 percent.

The daily number of new infections in the U.K. reached 70,000 in early January but fell to some 1,700 on Sunday. More than half of the British population have been vaccinated.
"Another Round" just won Best International Feature Film at the 2021 Oscars, held last night.

It looks like Hollywood wants to create an English-language version of the dramedy with one A-lister already attacked to the project.

According to Variety, Leonardo DiCaprio is being eyed to play the lead role played by Mads Mikkelsen in the original.

Currently, there's still no official casting finalized, but DiCaprio's production company Appian Way has reportedly had the rights to the story.

According to insiders who told the outlet, other big production companies have made their bids for the title, including Jake Gyllenhaal's Nine Stories company and Elizabeth Banks' production company.

"Another Round" follows a gang of four friends who embarked on an alcohol-filled experiment to see if keeping up their blood alcohol level would change their lives for the better.

The movie also casts Danish stars such as Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, and Lars Ranthe.

At Sunday night's Oscars ceremony, the director Thomas Vinterberg gave an emotional speech, paying tribute to his 19-year-old daughter. The latter was killed by a reckless driver four days into filming the movie.

Vinterberg said in his speech, "We want to make a film that celebrates life. We ended up making this movie for her, it's her monument."

"You're part of this miracle. Maybe you've been pulling some strings somewhere."

READ ALSO: Viola Davis Pays Ultimate Tribute to Chadwick Boseman on Oscars 2021 Red Carpet

Another Half-Baked American Remake

Fans are not happy with the idea that there would be a "half-baked American remake" of the Oscar-winning movie "Another Round."

On social media, fans are outraged with the idea of "remaking" a movie that was still so fresh in many people's minds.

One critic said, "Hollywood thinks removing the subtitles is enough of a concept that merits an adaptation."

Another slammed American producers who are "greedy" to jump on a project that is still basking on its Oscar win.

Another critic suggested that if ever "Another Round" happens to get the green-light for its American remake with Leonardo DiCaprio starring as the lead, "Mads Mikkelsen gets to remake 'Titanic.'"

Thomas Vinterberg Defends Remake

In a report by IndieWire, Thomas Vinterberg is reportedly planning to meet with DiCaprio's production company on Tuesday but wouldn't remain involved as a writer or a director.

When asked why they wouldn't just give the role to Mikkelsen, an actor who speaks fluent English, Vinterbeg said, "I'll leave those kind of decisions to Appian Way and the dialogue I'll have with them."

He explained, "I don't know if Mads would do such a thing. My first thought would be to make a different interpretation."

"Asking the same actor to do a different interpretation could be a little bit confusing. But I won't be the main creative force in this. That would have to be up to the people who end up doing it."



READ MORE: Elon Musk on 'Saturday Night Live': Here's What The Cast and Critics Are Saying About The News

See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles
Boris Johnson - AFP

Downing Street has refused to reveal any fresh details about the funding of Boris Johnsons flat renovation, stonewalling questions on the escalating controversy.

No 10 repeated that Conservative Party funds are not being used for works on the Prime Ministers living quarters, but eyebrows were raised on Tuesday over the use of the present tense.

In a carefully-worded statement, a Downing Street spokesman said that the costs of any work this year, beyond the 30,000 tax-payer funded allowance for refits, have been met by the Prime Minister personally.

Reports emerged on Monday night that the Conservative Party made a payment to the Cabinet Office to fund the refurbishment of the flat last year, which Mr Johnson was now repaying to the party.

Asked on Tuesday whether Mr Johnson had initially accepted a loan from the Conservatives, his spokesman said: If theres anything to be said, any declaration to be made, that will be set out in due course in the normal manner.

Members of the Conservative Party board have been kept in the dark about the issue, despite newspaper claims of party involvement being aired publicly more than a month ago.

The Telegraph understands the board has not met for three months. A meeting in March was unexpectedly cancelled, meaning the last meeting was on Jan 25.

'None of us knows what happened'

One Conservative board member told The Telegraph about the funding of the flat refit: None of us knows what happened. The concern that all of us have is how was this paid for?.

Another said they had heard nothing about the alleged payments and that it had not been discussed at meetings at which they were present.

Following the disclosure that Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary, last year looked at setting up a trust to support renovations of the Downing Street estate, Sky News reported that former Labour chancellor Lord Darling of Roulanish had been approached to help create the putative trust  but declined.

Story continues

An update to the MPs register of interests, which is released every two to four weeks, was published on Tuesday but contained no new entries for Mr Johnson.

The rules require members to record any change to their registrable interests, which include benefits that could be viewed as linked to their political activities  including loans and credit arrangements, within 28 days.

PM risks new inquiry

If the Prime Minister is found to have breached the disclosure rules around a loan for his flat, it will trigger a new inquiry by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

Any formal ruling of a breach could see the Committee on Standards, which is composed of MPs and lay members, order Mr Johnson to apologise to the Commons and attend training.

The committee also has the power to recommend an MP be suspended from Parliament, but the proposal must be put to a vote of the Commons, which would be unlikely to pass given Mr Johnsons 80 seat majority.

A probe into who paid for his 15,000 holiday on the private island of Mustique last January was also launched by the Commissioner last year, after the businessman named as the donor in kind by Mr Johnson contradicted the claim, saying he did not own the villa.

Downing Street and the Commissioner declined to comment on the progress of this inquiry.

Mr Johnson had to apologise to MPs in 2018 for the late registration of nine payments  including for his Telegraph column and book royalties. He has also been late previously in registering his interests in two separate properties.

It emerged on Tuesday that six in 10 Britons (59 per cent) regard him as untrustworthy, while only four in 10 Britons (41 per cent) felt the same way about Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, according to a poll by Ipsos Mori for the Evening Standard.

On Tuesday night the Prime Ministers former aide Lord Udny-Lister, known in Westminster as Eddie Lister, spoke out for the first time about his decision to quit No 10.

He insisted he did not depart due to alleged conflicts of interest, telling Politico that he informed Mr Johnson three months ago of his intention to leave.

Cummings 'not prepared to be fall guy'

Meanwhile another former aide to the Prime Minister, Dominic Cummings, is understood to have warned friends in recent days that he is not prepared to be the fall guy anymore for mistakes in the Government's Covid strategy.

The former adviser is said by allies to be frustrated that he has been portrayed as having supported an early proposal to allow vast swathes of the population to become infected with the virus.

They claim he is preparing to make fresh disclosures about the Governments handling of the pandemic, which are likely to damage the Prime Minister, when he appears before MPs on the Commons health select committee on May 26.

One figure, who worked closely with the former aide in government, said: His loyalty is not to the PM. His loyalty is to the country.

The source insisted that Mr Cummings was one of the leading advocates for a lockdown inside No 10, but had been wrongly characterised as opposing it in media reports.

People were outside his house screaming blue murder because of reports he was against lockdown and for herd immunity, the source said.

It was an explosive claim first made by The Sunday Times in March last year, which reported that Mr Cummings became convinced that Britain would be better able to resist a lethal second wave of Covid-19 if up to 80 per cent of the public contracted the disease and the UK developed herd immunity.

The newspaper added: At a private engagement at the end of February, Cummings outlined the Governments strategy. Those present say it was herd immunity, protect the economy and if that means some pensioners die, too bad.

Sources in Downing Street were quoted at the time as dismissing the claim as total b***cks, but the narrative took hold in many quarters.

Mr Cummings incendiary attack on the Prime Minister in a 1,000-word blog post last Friday, in which he said Mr Johnson was unethical and lacking in both competence and integrity, has left some of his Tory friends in an awkward position with split loyalties.

Former aide 'hurt and let down'

Some allies have privately expressed hopes that the row will fizzle out ahead of his appearance before MPs next month.

One source said they hoped the personal nature of the dispute would have drained away, and insisted that while Mr Cummings did feel hurt and let down by Mr Johnson, he did not have an axe to grind.

They added that Mr Cummings main intention was to highlight the failings of Whitehall decision-making during the pandemic and how dysfunctional it was in responding to the crisis, rather than engaging in a point scoring war against Mr Johnson and other ministers.

However, they warned that the former Downing Street adviser had no reservations about telling the truth, even if it appears rather unedifying, meaning it was inevitable that individuals would get caught up in the fire fight.

The Telegraph attempted to reach Mr Cummings for comment.
Posted Tuesday, April 27, 2021 12:51 am

One of Battle Grounds most anticipated additions opened its doors to the public on Monday, April 12. Archery World, a one-stop shop for bows, arrows, accessories and more has been in the mind of owner Joe Mallicoat for over two years.

We knew we were going to put (an Archery World) in Battle Ground when they put a Walmart in Battle Ground, Mallicoat said, explaining how he and his wife Megan have been eying the city since. Once they started adding the infrastructure and bigger stores, we knew the market could be here.

Archery has always held a special place in Mallicoats heart. Growing up in the eastern Tennessee city of Morristown, Mallicoat learned to shoot a bow at the age of 4 and spent many hours with his father hunting and practicing. But, between the ages of 18 and 27, Mallicoat had to set the bow down as he served active duty in the United States Marine Corps. Fresh off active duty, 27 year-old Mallicoat bought the Vancouver business from then owners Max and Jeanie Hall because he wanted to work for himself and own a business after spending some time working as a bicycle welder in Portland.

Weve owned the business ever since, he said.

Mallicoat now lives in Yacolt after spending a couple of decades in the La Center area. Some of his favorite memories of the Pacific Northwest include a time he was hunting in Idaho with his son, Hunter, and two elk snuck up on their tent in the middle of the night during an altercation with one another.

That was an interesting experience and it was on the edge of sketchy, he said.

Battle Grounds Archery World is the fourth location in the Pacific Northwest as the Mallicoats have expanded the business since buying the Vancouver-based location in 1999. The second location in Troutdale, Oregon opened about five years ago. The third, in Lacey opened after that.

Mallicoat said the shop has bows for every archer, with 10 of the biggest pro shop brands finding their home in the shop. Equipment ranges in price, depending on the bow and accessories, and how a person plans to use it. While the Battle Ground shop doesnt have a practice range for indoor archery, it does have a 20-yard test firing location for patrons who want to try the product before they purchase it. Mallicoat said patrons looking to shoot at an indoor range can do so at the Vancouver location 11 miles south.

(In Battle Ground) most people just need the equipment because they have a spot to shoot from, he said. In North County, its easy to find a spot to shoot. In Vancouver, its not.

As for necessary accessories, Mallicoat said archers and those looking to get into the hobby should expect to purchase at least a sight, release and rest. Other accessories include stabilizers, which help archers limit shaking while holding the bow steady for a shot and either a quiver (for the outdoor hunter) or a hip quiver (for those looking to do indoor shooting.)

As a hunter himself, Mallicoat wanted to give the community a one-stop shop for all of their outdoor needs. He said the Battle Ground location offers more than just archery equipment and has a section of the shop dedicated to other outdoors equipment such as hunting backpacks, fishing poles and boots.

This is just a bigger location and this (location) is going to specialize in the outdoor side, he said. None of that is at any other location.

Archery World also allows local archers to drop their bows off for repairs and tuneups.

We pretty much do anything and everything, Mallicoat said about repairs. We have decades of experience.  We get into the details of the one percent stuff that you might not care about, but we care about it for you.

While the Battle Ground shop held a soft opening earlier this month, Mallicoat plans to host a grand opening sometime in mid-May to give local community members a chance to check out the shop and look through select items on sale.

More information can be found at archeryworld.net.
MDCR Director James E. White Issues Statement on Hair Cutting Incident in Mt. Pleasant School

MDCR Director James E. White Issues Statement on Hair Cutting Incident in Mt. Pleasant School

Vicki Levengood levengoodv@michigan.gov

April 26, 2021

LANSING, MI--James E. White, Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, has issued the following statement in response to a student whose hair was cut in a Mt. Pleasant school.

"We are deeply concerned about the reported incident in a Mt. Pleasant school involving a 7-year-old child whose hair was cut without her parent's permission. We are in contact with the school administration and the child's family to ascertain the facts and circumstances that led to this unfortunate event and to decide on next steps."

"This situation illustrates the need for legislation to make it clear that discriminating against a person because their hairstyle does not conform with dominant cultural standards is discrimination based on race. It is not uncommon for Black and biracial women and girls to be subjected to discrimination and disparate treatment based on their hair. The CROWN Act, currently under consideration in the state legislature, would clarify that such discrimination is a violation of an individual's civil rights. We urge lawmakers to pass the CROWN Act and send it to the Governor for her signature."

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission was created by the Michigan Constitution to safeguard constitutional and legal guarantees against discrimination. The Commission is charged with investigating alleged discrimination against any person because of religion, race, color or national origin, genetic information, sex, age, marital status, height, weight, arrest record, and physical and mental disability. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights serves as the operational arm of the Commission.

###
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 26)  As the Philippines' COVID-19 cases breach the one million mark, an expert said the local pandemic situation is not the worst when compared to other countries.

We are not the worst, Dr. Lulu Bravo, executive director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, told CNN Philippines The Final Word.

Compared to the pandemic situation in India where there are around 17 million infections, Bravo believes the countrys experts tried to mitigate what we have, which may be reflected by the low fatality rate of the country at 1.67%.

Look at what is happening, it is still increasing they are running out of oxygen, the hospitals are overwhelmed. People are just dying even before they can reach the hospital. I dont think that is what is happening here in the Philippines, Bravo added.

Bravo also said they have observed a slow decrease in the number of infections in the past two to three weeks. She added that she would agree to extend the modified enhanced community quarantine beyond April 30 if it would further contribute to the decrease.

On vaccination, Bravo noted that there was still no recommendation to use different brands of vaccines for the first and second dose. But she added that supply and the local COVID-19 situation would be factors to consider on whether or not to allow vaccine mixing.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 1,006,428, with 74,623 currently ill patients.

A group of doctors appealed to the government to listen to healthcare workers' request to extend the implementation of MECQ in the national capital region and nearby provinces amid the ongoing surge.

Metro Manila mayors meanwhile expressed opposing views on the issue as the lockdowns continue to take their toll on household income.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to announce his decision within the week.
If we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat the same, or similar, mistakes.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." -- George Santayana

"Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it." -- Winston Churchill

Sadly, this is proving to be true with the coronavirus pandemic. In 1918, there was the Spanish Flu pandemic. The first case of the Spanish Flu was linked to the military base Camp Funston in Fort Riley, Kansas in March 1918. Due to a wartime media blackout, no news of the breakout was allowed, plus the technology for sharing information was not what we have today. Since it was on a military base and it was during World War I, the virus spread with the deployment of solders, not only from the United States, but then other countries as well. Months later, the infection made headlines when there was an outbreak in Madrid, Spain. The Spanish Flu came in waves. The initial wave was the mildest. Through careful planning which included mandatory masks, business closures, stay-at-home orders, and quarantining procedures, the virus seemed to be under control or at least it appeared to be moving in that direction. Then the second wave hit in the late fall. It was the most severe and deadly. This wave hit here in America as people were starting to voice frustration over the social distancing rules and the public started protesting the public health safety measures. Then there was a third wave in early 1919, which lasted until spring. It is recorded that the Spanish Flu killed more people than the World War I death toll of soldiers and civilians.

Does this resurgence of a virus sound familiar? We are better able to handle a pandemic at this time in history. We have history to learn from, we have better and faster communication technology so we can act early, and we have more advanced medical technology. All these improvements do not help if the public does not act. It is our responsibility to use common sense and to take actions to care for the wellbeing of all by continuing to follow safety measures.

We do have a vaccine at this time, which is wonderful news, but while we are going through the process of getting everyone vaccinated, we need to remain vigilant. We need to keep in mind those who cannot be vaccinated which, at this time, includes our children. I just read an article that is saying at this time we need to start masking children 2 years and up. We need to keep them safe.

Another reason to be concerned about keeping the number of cases down is the development of variants. Viruses tend to develop variants, or mutations, of which COVID-19 has already developed a few. One of the risk factors to the development of these variants is a large number of cases, so at this time, the risk is high. We need to be cautious and follow safety measures, so we decrease the risk of even more variants developing.

This is not a political issue, and this is not a government issue. This is a humanitarian issue. It is our responsibility to act responsibly and to act together to curb this outbreak to win this battle against a foe that does not care who it attacks. We are all in this together; let us act accordingly and prevail.

Kellie Froelicher is the Memorial Presbyterian Church Faith community nurse, RN, BSN. She authored this piece as part of the Midland Daily News' Community Connections initiative.
Barbara Fredrickson, a renowned professor of psychology and scholar states: The negative screams at you, but the positive only whispers. This statement seemed remarkably profound following a year marked by a global pandemic, civil and racial unrest, and employment and telework challenges. Travel and social limitations have impacted our ability to take time off to recharge. Lets be honest, even the most positive of people have their limits in trying to see the good in all things. Amid juggling the curveballs of life, how can we spring forward to find the silver lining?

Research conducted at the University of Illinois suggested that individuals able to work remotely were feeling the blur of work-life balance prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased job stress was noted as these technology sources offer the illusion of always-available access, specifically the expectation of responding to work-related messages outside of normal, routine work hours. As the pandemic unfolded, Gallup estimates that more than 62% of individuals who have a bachelors degree or higher transitioned to working from home. Additional challenges came to light with the stay-at-home orders, including multiple family members working from home, lack of or limited access to childcare, the need for increased flexibility with academic delivery methods, and a new normal in accessing health care services.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / ZincX Resources Corp. ("ZincX" or the "Company") (TSXV:ZNX)(OTC PINK:ZNCXF)(FRA:A2JLRM ) is pleased to provide additional detail about the previously announced 2021 Akie Drill Program totaling approximately 2,000 metres scheduled to begin in late May to early June.

2021 Drilling Program

The 2021 drill program will consist of three holes totalling approximately 2,000 metres of drilling with a primary objective of acquiring mineralized drill core samples for advanced metallurgical testing. The holes will target specific areas of the deposit to provide variability of the deposit across its strike and width. This material will be used to further investigate the metallurgical response of the mineralization with a focus on enhancing the recoveries and boosting concentrate grades for both zinc and lead; using state-of-the-art metallurgical testing facility owned by Tongling Non-Ferrous Metals of China (Tongling).

The three drill holes will target the Cardiac Creek deposit's high-grade core focused on the northwest, central and southeast areas. The specific targets have been selected to achieve two objectives; the Company's primary objective of acquiring additional material for metallurgical testing; and provide valuable infill information to be used in future assessments of the deposit.

The first of the three planned drill holes will target the northwest area of the high-grade core proximal to historical drill holes A-07-51, A-13-107, and A-17-132. These three historical holes all yielded high-grade results including 23.42 metres (TW) of 12.40% Zn+Pb and 15.1g/t Ag in hole A-07-51; and 28.67 metres (TW) of 10.38% Zn+Pb and 14.2g/t Ag in hole A-17-132. The hole is currently planned for a total depth of 640 metres.

The second planned drill holes will target the central area of the high-grade core in the vicinity of A-06-35, A-17-127 and down-dip of A-05-30. The central area has yielded some very high-grade results including 25.06 metres (TW) of 14.70% Zn+Pb and 23.98g/t Ag in A-05-30, and 12.97 metres (TW) of 10.71% Zn+Pb, and 16.03g/t Ag in A-06-35. Information obtained from the second of three holes will yield valuable information from this area which has produced some of the highest grades encountered in the deposit. The hole is planned for a total depth of 740 metres.

The final planned hole will target the southeast area of the high-grade core surrounded by A-05-33, A-06-40, and A-13-105. Recent drill results include 13.77 metres (TW) of 10.54% Zn+Pb and 16.01g/t Ag in A-05-33, and 10.36 metres (TW) of 8.52% Zn+Pb and 11.55g/t Ag in A-06-40. This drill hole is planned for a depth of 475 metres.

Additional drill targets and/or exploration activity will be contemplated as budget and time constraints allow.

2018 Metallurgical Testing

The Company previously announced metallurgical test results in conjunction with the Cardiac Creek PEA. At the time, the Company fully expected metallurgical testing to be an iterative process and this year's work will continue to seek improvements to bolster the significant value of the Cardiac Creek deposit. The inherent value of the Cardiac Creek deposit is largely driven by the zinc, as the contained zinc to lead ratio of the deposit is greater than 5 to 1. It is anticipated that additional work by Tongling at their state-of-the art test facility in Tongling, China, will enhance recovery and grade, particularly with respect to improvements in lead recovery and consequent silver recovery.

Results from locked cycle testing with a primary grind size of 56m K80 and lead and zinc regrind sizes of 10 and 14m K80, respectively, showed:

Flotation testing on the global composite indicated that a conventional reagent scheme produced clean, marketable concentrates

Zinc Concentrate: Zinc was 89% recovered into a concentrate grading 52.4%

Lead Concentrate: Lead was 46% recovered into a concentrate grading 45%

Saleable concentrates can be produced for both Zn and Pb

No potential impurity or penalty elements were identified in the concentrates

Dense Media Separation (DMS) separation was very efficient at rejecting barren gangue and improving recovery of lead and zinc; average global composite rejection was 25% of the feed mass

This work clearly demonstrated using DMS and conventional milling and floatation techniques can produce clean, saleable concentrates for both zinc and lead with no penalty elements. The tests were performed by Base Metallurgical Laboratories Ltd of Kamloops, British Columbia, under the supervision of principal metallurgist Tom Shouldice, P.Eng. Assistance and program design was provided by Kelly McLeod, P.Eng. of JDS Energy and Mining Inc. of Vancouver, BC.

About Tongling Non-Ferrous Metals Group Co. Ltd.:

Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group Holdings Company Limited is a state-owned enterprise involved in mining and smelting copper and other non-ferrous metals. It was founded in 1949 in Tongling, Anhui, China and the first mine was put into production in 1952. Over the past 60 years Tongling has grown to a large-scale, diverse, fully integrated mining and smelting enterprise engaged in mining, mineral processing, smelting and refining of copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver and other nonferrous metals. The subsidiary and listed company, Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group Company Limited, was established in 1992 and listed on the main board of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 1996.

Tongling has established economic, technical and trade cooperation relationships with more than 30 countries and regions around the world. Its products are exported to over 10 countries including Japan, Germany, United States, and Singapore. The corporation also invests in resource exploration and development in many countries such as Canada, Ecuador and Chile. The Company's main products include cathode copper, gold, silver, copper wire, copper strip and copper foil, among others. The high purity cathode copper with the brand name of "Tongguan" is registered with the London Metal Exchange (LME) while the silver ingot with the same brand is registered with the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA).

ZincX Resources previously reported that Mr. Hu Xinfu, Vice-President, Deputy General Manager of Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group Holding Company was appointed to the Board of Directors and sits as an independent director. Mr. Hu Xinfu is in charge of acquisition and exploitation of mineral resources both in domestic China and abroad, and is also responsible for production safety and environmental protection for Tongling.

Tongling has other mining interests outside China; including the Mirador copper project in Ecuador which was acquired in 2010 by the CAN$678 million buyout of TSX listed Corriente Resources. The Tongling-led Chinese consortium put the US$1.4 billion Mirador copper mine into production in 2019.

The Akie Zn-Pb-Ag Project

The 100% owned Akie property is situated within the Kechika Trough, the southernmost area of the regionally extensive Paleozoic Selwyn Basin and one of the most prolific sedimentary basins in the world for the occurrence of SEDEX zinc-lead-silver and stratiform barite deposits.

Drilling on the Akie property by ZincX Resources since 2005 has identified a significant body of baritic-zinc-lead SEDEX mineralization known as the Cardiac Creek deposit. The deposit is hosted by siliceous, carbonaceous, fine-grained clastic rocks of the Middle to Late Devonian Gunsteel Formation.

The Company updated the estimate of mineral resources at Cardiac Creek in 2018, as follows:

5% Zinc Cut-Off Grade Contained Metal: Category Tonnes

(million) Zn

(%) Pb

(%) Ag

(g/t) Zn

(B lbs) Pb

(B lbs) Ag

(M oz) Indicated 22.7 8.32 1.61 14.1 4.162 0.804 10.3 Inferred 7.5 7.04 1.24 12.0 1.169 0.205 2.9

The Company announced robust positive results from the 2018 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). The PEA envisages a conventional underground mine and concentrator operation with an average production rate of 4,000 tonnes per day. The mine will have an 18-year life with potential to extend the life-of-mine (LOM) through resource expansion at depth. Key parameters for the PEA are as follows:

Parameter Base Case1 Tonnes Mined 25.8 Mt Mined Head Grades 7.6% Zn; 1.5% Pb; 13.08 g/t Ag Tonnes Milled 19.7 Mt Milled Head Grades (after DMS2 upgrade) 10.0% Zn; 1.9% Pb; 17.17 g/t Ag Total Payable Metal (LOM) $3,960M3 Initial CAPEX $302.3M including $45.7M contingency LOM Total CAPEX $617.9M including $58.5M contingency All-in Total OPEX $102.4 per tonne milled Pre-Tax NPV7% $649M Pre-Tax IRR 35% Pre-Tax Payback 2.6 years After-Tax NPV7% $401M After-Tax IRR 27% After-Tax Payback 3.2 years

1. The base case used metal prices are calculated from the 3 year trailing average coupled with two year forward projection of the average price; and are: US$1.21/lb for zinc, US$1.00/lb for lead and US$16.95 for silver. A CDN$/US$ exchange rate of 0.77 was used. The NPV discount rate is 7%. 2. DMS = dense media separation. 3. All dollar amounts expressed in Canadian dollars.

The PEA is considered preliminary in nature and includes mineral resources, including inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have not yet demonstrated economic viability. Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to mineral resources, it cannot be assumed that all or any part of a mineral resource will be upgraded to mineral reserves. Therefore, there is no certainty that the results concluded in the PEA will be realized.

Kechika Regional Project

In addition to the Akie Project, the Company owns 100% of eight of eleven large, contiguous property blocks that comprise the Kechika Regional Project including the advanced Mt. Alcock prospect. The Kechika Regional Project also includes the Pie, Yuen and Cirque East properties which the Company maintains a significant 49% interest with partners Teck Resources Limited (TSX: TECK.B) and Korea Zinc Co. Ltd holding 51%. These properties collectively extend northwest from the Akie property for approximately 140 kilometres covering the highly prospective Gunsteel Formation shale; the main host rock for known SEDEX zinc-lead-silver deposits in the Kechika Trough of northeastern British Columbia. These projects are located approximately 260 kilometres north northwest of the town of Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada.

Ken MacDonald P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for the Company, is the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information contained in this release. Mike Makarenko P.Eng, JDS Energy and Mining, is the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the PEA technical information contained in this release.

The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ZINCX RESOURCES CORP.

"PEEYUSH VARSHNEY"

PEEYUSH VARSHNEY, LL.B

CEO & CHAIRMAN

SOURCE: ZincX Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642422/Additional-Details-on-the-2021-Akie-Drill-Program
TRAVERSE CITY, MI  Some Traverse City High School students have recently targeted their minority classmates in a social media slave trade that put price tags on photos, Michigan Radio reports.

The alleged racist behavior was condemned by students, parents and school officials at a meeting of the Traverse City Area Public Schools Board of Education on Monday, the NPR affiliate reports.

On Friday, April 23, the district announced a very serious and inappropriate incident in which some students were using Snapchat to share slave trade pictures of students of color with price tags. Superintendent John VanWagoner called the behavior disheartening.

The messages also included threats against Black students and called for another Holocaust, NPR reports. A student eventually reported the incident to the school.

A 15-year-old student who was a target of the messages spoke at the meeting, calling for conversations about racism as a first step toward making the community safer for all.

Most speakers called on the district to punish those involved to the full extent of board policy  and said they should be held accountable by law enforcement as well. One man said the messages and photos constitute hate speech and hate crimes, and should be treated as such.

Following public comment, VanWagoner called the social media slave trade racist, anti-Semitic and discriminatory. The district is working to promote racial equality, he added.

The school district is investigating the incident with the Grand Traverse County Sheriffs Office.

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Three months after the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol Building, a University of Massachusetts Amherst and WCVB poll released Tuesday finds that although most Americans blame former President Donald Trump for the violence, Republicans are more likely hold Democrats responsible.

A nationwide poll of 1,000 respondents conducted April 21-23 found that Trump is viewed as most responsible for the violence, with 45% deeming the former president liable for the hours-long siege of Jan. 6. Trump is blamed by 79% of Democrats and one-third (32%) of independents, as well as solid pluralities or majorities of all races, ages, genders and income and education levels.

However, nearly one-third (31%) of Republicans blame the Democratic Party for the violence at the Capitol. Antifa  the informal anti-fascist political activist group  was blamed by over one-fifth (22%) of Republicans, while 16% blamed the U.S. Capitol Police, who have reported that more than 70 officers were injured in the siege.

A little over 100 days since the shocking events that resulted in five deaths, scores of injured police officers, millions of dollars of damage to the U.S. Capitol and the temporary delay in the certification of the presidential election, close to 6-in-10 Americans describe the event as a riot, says Tatishe Nteta, associate professor of political science at UMass Amherst and director of the poll. Partisanship is a lens by which we see the political world, however, and unsurprisingly partisanship plays a central role in the ways that Americans describe the events that took place on January 6th.

Democrats are more likely to employ words such as insurrection, riot and coup, while Republicans describe the events in a more positive light, with 70% using the word protest.

Republicans also use different terms than the rest of the population to describe the participants in the days events. Overall, respondents used terms such as mob, rioters, white nationalists, insurrectionists, and terrorists. Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds (64%) of Republicans described them as protestors.

The poll also found a wide majority of Americans want authorities to continue to seek justice against those who stormed the Capitol. However, one-third of Republicans and 36% of Trump voters polled said they oppose ongoing efforts by federal law enforcement agencies to hold the rioters responsible.

In the early hours of January 6th, a number of conservative media outlets labeled the participants as patriots, Nteta says. This characterization has seemed to stick as a shocking 35% of Republicans describe the participants as patriots.

The racial differences between how voters understand the January 6th events cannot be understated, says Raymond La Raja, professor of political science at UMass Amherst and associate director of the poll. About half of whites appeared to legitimate the activities by calling them protests compared to just a third of voters who belong to non-white racial groups. Instead, majorities of African Americans and Latinos called the participants white nationalists and rioters.

Alexander Theodoridis, associate professor of political science at UMass Amherst and associate director of the poll, observed, If there was any lingering doubt that Americans see the world through red or blue colored lenses, evaluations of the shocking events at the United States Capitol on January 6 should put it to rest. We all watched the same events, but we somehow saw very different things depending on our party identity.


Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Battery Mineral Resources Corp. (TSXV: BMR) ("Battery" or "BMR" or the "Company") announces that it has commenced a grid-based three dimensional distributed induced polarization ("3D IP") survey on the Gowganda East target as a precursor to final target selection for the forthcoming core drill program of up to 2,000 meters.

Highlights

This 3D IP geophysical survey is targeting the east limb of the Nipissing diabase sill which remains largely unexplored despite its geological similarity to the historic producers in the camp. The underlying geology in the survey area is similar to the near-by Canada Silver Cobalt Works Inc. Castle East Robinson zone which recently announced a maiden silver-cobalt mineral resource.

The Castle East Robinson zone hosts a total inferred mineral resource of 32,900 tonnes grading 7,149g/t silver for a total of 7,567,000 ounces of silver with significant reportable cobalt values (May 28th, 2020 Press Release: "Maiden NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate for Castle East Robinson Zone" Canada Silver Cobalt Works Inc.).

The Gowganda East target is available to Battery as a part of the Gowganda joint venture with Transition Metals Corp (TSXV: XTM), ("Transition"). The Gowganda property is located about 125 kilometers northeast of Sudbury and 75 km southwest of town of Kirkland Lake (Figure 1). Battery entered into a joint venture option with Transition on March 2, 2019, amended on March 24, 2021, whereby BMR can earn a 60% interest in 3,372 hectares of Transition claims by providing $250,000 in cash and expend $2 million in exploration on /or before March 2nd, 2022.

The historic silver-cobalt production at Gowganda was sourced from veins hosted in or near the west limb of a Nipissing diabase sill. The total Gowganda Camp production from 1910 - 1989 is estimated at: 60.1 million ounces of silver and 1.3 million pounds of cobalt (Reference: 1978, W H McIlwaine Ontario Geological Survey OGS Report 175: Gowganda Lake - Miller Lake Silver Area Ontario).

Once the geophysical survey field data collection phase is completed the data will be processed and a 3D inversion model will be created which will form the basis for detailed geological interpretation and development of further drill targets.

BMR has contracted Canadian Exploration Services Limited to conduct a grid-based 3D IP survey on the Gowganda East Target (Figure 2) which is part of the Gowganda Joint Venture with Transition Metals Corp. Crews have completed the grid line-cutting phase of the program and 3D IP data collection has commenced.

Battery CEO Martin Kostuik states; "We are excited to commence the 3D IP survey at Gowganda East as it represents our first step in the evaluation of the east limb of the Nipissing diabase sill. The vast majority of the historic silver-cobalt production at the Gowganda Camp was sourced from veins hosted in or near the west limb of the Nipissing diabase. Moving immediately to the east, the recent high-grade vein discovery at Castle East Robinson zone by Canada Silver Cobalt Works Inc has demonstrated the potential for significant high-grade silver-cobalt at Gowganda East. We anticipate that the data generated by this survey will enhance existing BMR drill plans and possibly add new drill targets."

History and Setting

The Gowganda Property comprises claims located in Chown, Corkill, Haultain, Knight, Lawson, Milner, Nicol, and Van Hise townships of Northeastern Ontario, about 125 kilometres northeast of Sudbury and 35 kilometres west of Elk Lake (Figure 1). The Gowganda Project totals 1,138 mining claims and 4 mining leases covering 18,508 hectares (185 square kilometres).

The Gowganda Project is accessible via Highway 560, which traverses local roads around the town of Gowganda to provide access to most of the cobalt and silver prospects. The Property is accessible via a number of gravel and logging roads west and east of the village of Gowganda, Ontario.

The history of the Gowganda Project area is extensive and BMR controls a large portion of the historic Gowganda mining camp. The BMR holdings include several of the past producing mines clustered along the west margin of the Nipissing Diabase sill. These include, the shaft accessed Capitol, Miller Lake-O'Brien-Millerette and the ramp accessed Bonsall workings. Thirty-seven mineral occurrences are present on the claims which have an extensive silver-cobalt exploration and mining history dating back to 1908 when silver was first discovered at Miller Lake. The discovery prompted a staking rush, the creation of the village of Gowganda, and the establishment of the Gowganda-Miller Lake area as satellite camp to the Cobalt Mining Camp. The first ore production of the Gowganda Camp came from the Bartlett claims, located west of Gowganda Lake in Milner township. By 1910 several properties in this area and around the Miller Lake basin were shipping ore. By 1925, the Gowganda area had produced 8,420,509 ounces of silver from 14 properties, with over half of this coming from the Miller Lake O'Brien Mine, which BMR owns. It operated until 1939 when it was closed for the duration of the war; 17,555,646 ounces of silver had been produced to that date. During the war years, lessees were reported to have taken 620,000 ounces of silver from the mine. Siscoe Metals of Ontario Limited purchased the property in 1945. The total Gowganda Camp production from 1910 - 1989 is estimated at: 60.1 million ounces of silver and 1.3 million pounds of cobalt.

Geology

The Gowganda Property is predominantly underlain by undifferentiated Huronian metasedimentary rocks of the Cobalt Group, with lesser amounts of Nipissing Diabase. Localized outliers of Archean basement in the area consists of massive granite to granodiorite, metavolcanic rocks and ultramafic rocks. The Gowganda Formation occurs on the western side of the smaller Gowganda claim block. Late diabase dykes cut all Archean and Proterozoic lithologies and are north-south, northwest-southeast and northeast-southwest striking.

Sedimentary rocks of the Cobalt Group include conglomerate, feldspathic and micaceous sandstones. Broadly north-striking bodies composed mainly of pyroxene gabbro with local granophyric phases are recognized as parts of the Nipissing Diabase. A single sheet in the Miller Lake area has a thickness of 284 metres.

Most of the polymetallic silver-cobalt-nickel vein occurrences are hosted in the Nipissing Diabase although both Archean metavolcanic and Cobalt Group sedimentary rocks have also been recorded to host veins. Most of the productive veins were hosted in the upper half, or hangingwall, of the sill. Mineralized quartz-calcite veins are typically vertical to steeply dipping which range from mm-scale to 1 metre in width. Mineralized veins occur as sheets of native silver and finer-grained iron-cobalt-nickel arsenide minerals in calcite gangue.







Figure 1: Gowganda Location Map



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6076/81780_cafb12f884f02a8f_002full.jpg

Figure 2: Satellite Image Gowganda East - 3D IP Grid Layout



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6076/81780_cafb12f884f02a8f_003full.jpg

Qualified Persons

P. J. Doyle, FAusIMM (#208850), Battery Mineral Resources Corp. - Vice President Exploration - Canada, supervised the preparation of and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release pertaining to the Canada Exploration Program. Information about data verification procedures used to support scientific and technical information on the Company's Canadian properties presented herein, as well as with respect to the results of, processing and interpretation of exploration data.

About Battery Mineral Resources Corp.

Battery is a Canadian-based, multi-commodity resource company. Battery is engaged in the discovery, acquisition, and development of battery metals (cobalt, nickel & copper) and precious metals (silver & gold) mining projects in Canada, with additional cobalt, lithium and graphite projects in the United States and South Korea. Battery is the largest mineral claim holder in the historic Gowganda Cobalt-Silver Camp, Canada, with various high-grade primary cobalt silver-nickel-copper targets located in the Cobalt Belt of Ontario and Quebec. In addition, Battery owns approximately 89.2% of ESI Energy Services, Inc., a pipeline equipment rental and sales company with operations in Leduc, Alberta and Phoenix, Arizona.

For further information, please contact:

Battery Mineral Resources Corp.

Martin Kostuik

Phone: +1 (604) 229 3830

Email: info@bmrcorp.com

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which may relate to the Company's future outlook and anticipated events or results. In some cases, but not necessarily all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, predictions, indications, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events.

Forward-looking statements in this presentation may include statements regarding management's beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding the size, completion, expenses and timing of the closing of the Offering, industry trends, market growth rates and the Company's future growth rates, plans and strategies, projections of commodity prices and costs, the future financial or operating performance and condition of the Company, including its business, operations and properties, planned exploration and development activities and the costs and timing thereof, the intended use of the net proceeds of the Offering, trends in the global cobalt, lithium and graphite markets, the adequacy of the Company's financial resources, timing, receipt and maintenance of approvals, consents and permits under applicable legislation. The foregoing list should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the information in the prospectus under the heading "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information".

These statements and other forward-looking information are based on opinions, assumptions and estimates made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances as of the date of this presentation, including, without limitation, assumptions about the ability to raise additional capital; future prices of cobalt, lithium and graphite; the Company's competitive advantages; current market dynamics; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; and the availability and amenability of metallurgical and processing technologies for processing extracted minerals;. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. If any of the assumptions or estimates made by management prove to be incorrect, actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Accordingly, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. The foregoing list of assumptions should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the information in the prospectus under the heading "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information".

While such opinions, assumptions and estimates are considered reasonable by the Company as of the date such statements are made, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to future requirements for additional capital, a limited operating history, the demand for and prices of lithium, cobalt and graphite, property title risk, exploration risk, mineral processing risk, uncertainty in relation to Inferred Mineral Resources, a negative cash flow; governmental regulation of the mineral exploration and development industry; the loss of an investor's entire investment; an arbitrary offering price; volatility in the price of the ordinary shares; the potential for additional dilution; absence of a market for the ordinary shares and future sales of ordinary shares by directors and officers of the Company. These factors and assumptions are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors and assumptions that could affect the Company. Refer to "Risk Factors" in the prospectus.

The forward-looking statements included in this presentation are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as at the date of the prospectus. The Company 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, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81780
Gov. Charlie Baker swears in the nine-member Massachusetts Police Officer Standards and Training Commission, including Pittsfield Police Chief Michael Wynn, between flags, on Monday in the Statehouse library in Boston.
New Delhi:

Japanese auto major Honda on Thursday confirmed at its Tokyo headquarters that it plans to launch six new cars in India over the next three years. The automaker shall be launching hybrid cards in additions to the regular petrol and diesel variants, and all six cars will come in via the more affordable CKD route, so as to be priced them competitively.

The new generation CR-V shall be surely be in the list of cars that will get launched over the next three years is sure to include . While Honda has not confirmed, it could also look at launching the CR-V with its new, 1.6-litre diesel engine. Apart from the CR-V, Honda could also look at launching the HR-V crossover, given the immense popularity small crossovers enjoy in the country currently.

The Honda HR-V sold in the international market comes with an option between 120PS 1.6L i-DTEC diesel and a 130 PS 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine. The petrol motor can be optioned with a either six-speed manual or CVT transmissions whereas the diesel unit is mated to a 6-speed manual only.

The Civic sedan could be a part of that list as well, along with the new generation Accord. The powertrain options in the new-gen Civic hatchback include an all-new 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre VTEC turbocharged petrol engines.

The three-cylinder 1.0-litre unit makes a maximum power of 129PS at 5,500 rpm and generates a torque of 200Nm at 2,250rpm, with a 6-speed manual gearbox. With the CVT unit, the same motor produces 180Nm between 1,700rpm and 4,500rpm.

The larger displacement 1.5-litre VTEC turbo petrol motor makes 182PS at 5,500rpm and produces 240Nm between 1,900rpm and 5,000rpm with the 6-speed manual gearbox and 220Nm with the CVT unit.

On the other hand, the new-gen Honda Accord comes equipped with a new 2L motor paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The same unit does duty in the Civic Type R as well.
Attorney General David Eby is sworn in during a virtual ceremony in Victoria, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. The politician who was instrumental in setting the wheels in motion for the money laundering inquiry in B.C. will testify before the commission today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The European Union plans to throw open its borders this summer to fully vaccinated Americans. But Canada still won't let us in.

The next best thing? Maybe you can fly to Paris and pretend you're in Montreal.

While details remain sketchy, the head of the European Commission told the New York Times on Sunday that leisure travel to the European Union by fully vaccinated Americans could resume this summer.

"The Americans, as far as I can see, use European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines, EC President Ursula von der Leyen told The New York Times in Brussels. This will enable free movement and the travel to the European Union."

"I think it's great news," said Jean Gagnon, who operates Plaza Travel in Latham. She added that mask restrictions and social distancing protocols will still remain. But the EU move "means we're on the right track."

Each EU state still must decide how and when it will reopen, and reach an agreement with the U.S.

But industry trade group Airlines for America welcomed the move.

"We are encouraged by President von der Leyens comments, which are a positive step toward safely reopening international travel between the U.S. and the EU," said Katherine Estep, managing direcctor, communications, for A4A. "We continue to urge the U.S. to implement a reciprocal policy that allows travelers who are fully vaccinated to travel to the U.S."

There will still be some risk to travelers. Before boarding their flight home, they will need to show a negative test result for Covid-19 taken no more than three days before their departure. The CDC also tells passengers to get a viral test three to five days after travel.

"Even fully vaccinated, they're still going to have to take a test to get back into the U.S.," Gagnon said. "Can you afford to not come home for 10 or 14 days?"

Meanwhile, Canadian officials say they're making progress against Covid-19. Canadian news site La Presse reported that Dr, Theresa Tam said Covid-19 restrictions could be eased as soon as mid-July or August. Tam is chief public health officer at the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The agency projects that 75 percent of Canadians will have received a first dose of vaccine by then, and 20 percent will be fully vaccinated. On Monday, the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center said just 2.75 percent of Canadians had been fully vaccinated.

Canadian officials so far haven't suggested easing any border restrictions.

"There is no major discussion currently along such lines involving Canada and the U.S.," said Garry Douglas, president and CEO of the North Country Chamber of Commerce in Plattsburgh. "Canadian Public Health recently predicted that normalcy might be reached in Canada by mid to late summer, assuming they have vaccinated 75% of their population by then. This is consistent with a sense that no substantial progress at the border is likely before fall."

The North Country Chamber will host a one-hour webinar at 9 a.m. Wednesday on how and when to reopen the Canadian border. Speakers include Jean Charest, former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and now a member of the Washington-based Wilson Center Canadian Institute panel studying this question, as well as U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, co-chair of the Congressional Northern Border Caucus, Charles Milliard, president and CEO of Federation des chambres de commerce du Quebec, and Douglas.

Details may be found at northcountrychamber.com

Now, with Europeans moving to ease some restrictions, North Country officials hope Canada and U.S. will do the same.

"[C]onsistent with the EU action, we do continue to call for at least some modest interim steps by summer that could initially be limited to the vaccinated," Douglas said. "For example, access to property and boats in the other country, enhanced connections with family, and additional allowances for business travel linked to cross border investments and supply chains."
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SANTA FE  New Mexicos Supreme Court ruled Monday that some criminal defendants  including those convicted of child abuse charges  are entitled to release pending appeal if certain legal requirements are met.

The ruling was prompted by deliberations over the incarceration of two women as they awaited an appeal on charges of reckless child abuse linked to deadly events in which two young children were left in a hot car outside a Portales day care center.

Convictions of reckless child abuse ultimately were upheld against defendants and day care center owners Mary and Sandi Taylor.

The Supreme Court ordered the women released pending appeal last year before the Court of Appeals upheld their convictions.

Since before statehood, New Mexico has entitled some post-conviction defendants to release pending appeal, Justice Shannon Bacon noted in her opinion.

The new ruling outlines requirements for courts as they consider requests for release from prison pending appeal.

Releases cant happen unless a judge first finds the defendant is unlikely to flee and that the appeal is not a stalling tactic, involves substantive questions of law or facts and could reverse the defendants incarceration entirely.

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Defendants are not eligible for release pending appeal of convictions for the specified violent crimes, such as murder, rape and kidnapping.

Prosecutors say the Taylors left Maliyah Jones and Aubriauna Loya, both under the age of 2, in a vehicle in July 2017 for more than two hours with no air conditioning. Maliyah was declared dead at a Portales hospital. Aubriauna survived, but was seriously injured.

Mary Taylor was sentenced to 36 years in prison, while her daughter Sandi Taylor received a 30-year sentence.
Nature & Weather, Local News, Crime, Press Releases

By Chris Boyle Published: April 27 2021

The short term goal here is to identify sources of pollution for potential investigation and criminal prosecution, District Attorney Sini said.

Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini and Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) Chairman Patrick G. Halpin today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind partnership to monitor Suffolk Countys groundwater and identify the source of any contaminants for the potential investigation and prosecution of polluters by the District Attorneys Office.

The short term goal here is to identify sources of pollution for potential investigation and criminal prosecution, District Attorney Sini said. This sends a very important message that we will not tolerate bad actors contaminating our groundwater. The long term goal is to ensure that we leave our future generations what was left to us: the ability to turn on the faucet and drink that water with peace of mind. I want to thank the Suffolk County Water Authority for this very exciting, strategic partnership, which builds upon the work we are doing in the DAs Office to fight environmental crime. This is a pledge from both of our organizations that we are committed to protecting our aquifers for future generations.

This landmark partnership between SCWA and District Attorney Sini will stop the pollution of our groundwater before it becomes an issue SCWA will have to remediate with expensive water treatment systems, said SCWA Chairman Patrick G. Halpin. It is therefore a huge victory for SCWA ratepayers and a huge victory for Long Islands environment.

The partnership is the latest initiative implemented by the District Attorneys Office to combat environmental crimes in Suffolk County. The monitoring of groundwater for pollutants was highlighted by a landmark Special Grand Jury report issued by the Office in 2018, which concluded that protecting the environment of Suffolk County is of paramount importance in light of the fact that Long Island sits atop an aquifer, which is the sole source of drinking water for its residents.

District Attorney Sini and Mr. Halpin announced today that the District Attorneys Office and SCWA will enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in which the SCWA will provide groundwater data at no cost to investigators in the District Attorneys Office to assist with its investigation of environmental crimes. SCWA will also map and model the flow of groundwater in Suffolk County to enable the District Attorneys Office to identify and investigate sources of pollution.

If the District Attorneys Office becomes aware of a potential contamination site, the MOU allows for the SCWA to develop monitoring wells and conduct groundwater and soil testing to determine quality of groundwater and soil in that location. The SCWA will also analyze any groundwater samples collected by the District Attorneys Office in the course of its investigations.

SCWA currently operates 241 pump stations with 593 active wells in its distribution system located throughout Suffolk County. The data that will be provided and analyzed through this partnership is generated in the SCWAs state-of-the-art drinking water testing laboratory, which analyzes more than 75,000 samples per year for 400 different chemicals.

District Attorney Sini has made the investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes a top priority of the Office. In 2018, District Attorney Sini empaneled a Special Grand Jury to investigate these crimes, which resulted in the largest illegal dumping case in New York State history, known as Operation Pay Dirt, charging 30 individuals and 10 corporations in connection with a scheme to illegally dispose of solid waste and construction and demolition material at locations across Long Island. During its second phase, the Special Grand Jury considered and made recommendations as to legislative, executive, and administrative action to address environmental crimes. In collaboration with State lawmakers, several of those recommendations were adopted and signed into law in December 2020.
Burma Myanmar Junta Troops Killed in Chin State Fighting

Mindat town in Chin State. / Myanmar Skylines

Serious fighting in Mindat, Chin State on Monday and Tuesday has left at least 13 junta soldiers dead after civilian resistance fighters attacked regime forces sent to reinforce security in the mountain-top town. Clashes have been taking place in Mindat since April 24, but have intensified since Monday.

There has been a shootout going on with the junta reinforcements. Civilians intercepted them at the entrance to town yesterday and were able to prevent them from entering. Now, the junta forces are trying again, said a Mindat resident.

On Tuesday morning, civilian fighters intercepted nine military trucks carrying junta reinforcements.

Resistance fighters also attacked junta troops in two places outside Mindat on Monday. There was also a clash at the border between Chin State and Magwe Region, said residents.

Locals said that 13 junta troops were killed in the clashes and a military truck went up in flames.

There are no reported casualties from the civilian side. At first, we heard that seven of the regime forces had died. But this morning we heard from the military that a total of 13 died, said a Mindat resident.

Military-run newspapers reported that the security forces were attacked with traditional firearms and rifles in Mindat, leaving one soldier dead, another three injured and a military vehicle destroyed by fire.

Fighting erupted in Mindat on April 24 after police refused to release six detained anti-regime protesters. Three policemen were reportedly killed in fighting that night.

We asked them to release the protesters, but they wouldnt. As tensions grew, the military shot at a biker in the evening. He wasnt hit, but as they shot first, the young people responded, said a Mindat resident.

This is how the fighting has escalated in the town. There were a number of shootouts on Saturday and Sunday in the town. There were no casualties. But later the fighting became intense. We only have traditional firearms. We have to defend ourselves as they shot at us first, he added.

All shops in Mindat were closed on Tuesday and the streets were deserted.

We are not just doing this for our town. This is a crisis that concerns everyone in Myanmar. As things have happened, we have to try and do our best, said another Mindat resident.

Junta troops in Kani, Mingin and Yimabin townships in Sagaing Region were ordered to reinforce Mindat on Sunday, Sagaing residents told The Irrawaddy.

Residents in various parts of Chin State and Sagaing Region use traditional firearms for hunting. Now, they are fighting the junta forces with those firearms, as well as homemade weapons.



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Rapid growth, modernisation and improved working conditions have all helped to make Bangladesh one of the worlds largest garment exporters. Yet the industry will need to innovate, upgrade and diversify if it is to overcome the challenges brought on by the pandemic and shifts in global markets, a new report has found.

A report by global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company entitled Whats next for Bangladeshs garment industry, after a decade of growth?, claims the pandemic has stalled the sectors progress at a crucial moment, just as global shifts in fashion sourcing threaten Bangladeshs position in industry supply chains. Authors say the industry must invest in flexibility, sustainability, worker welfare, and infrastructure if it is to move forward successfully.

Sector growth

Ten years ago, McKinsey forecasted sector growth of 7-9%. Indeed RMG exports from Bangladesh more than doubled, from US$14.6bn in 2011 to $33.1bn in 2019a compound annual growth rate of 7%. Over this period, Bangladeshs RMG industry increased its share of global garment exports from 4.7 to 6.7%.

This is within the range we forecasted in our report, however, it also shows that the country has not captured the full potential we had foreseen ten years ago, authors say.



As the pandemic threatened the lives and livelihoods of Bangladeshi workers, many smaller, less well-funded factories closed their doors, and competition for smaller orders increased. The value of Bangladeshs RMG exports fell by 17% in the first year of the pandemic, representing revenue losses of up to $5.6bn.

Impressive progress vs challenges

Despite this, the report points to the impressive progress made by the RMG sector over the last decade in tackling the challenges of growth, particularly in diversifying customers and products, improving supplier and workforce performance, and strengthening compliance and sustainability.

For instance, there is now greater capacity to produce garments made from synthetic fibres; manufacture more complex products such as outerwear, tailored items, and lingerie; and provide new washes, prints, and laser finishings. Entry into these new segments has been supported by the changing rules of origin for preferential trade with the EU, allowing for the use of imported fabrics. There also has been some increase in vertical integration of the supply chain, with the result that more suppliers are now able to offer lead times below the standard 90 days.

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However, McKinsey says many of Bangladeshs factories have not yet transitioned to providing these new offerings, and have shied away from the investment required to do so. The report shows that T-shirts, trousers, and sweaters continue to dominate the countrys exports.

A second major challenge facing the sector has been worker empowerment and the gender gap. Digitisation of wage payment has increased, and there have been marked improvements in employment rights. Though the gender gap remains an issue, when it comes to opportunities for career progression from entry level, authors say.

While infrastructure remains one of the biggest issues facing the RMG sector. For its apparel industry to prosper in the future, Bangladesh will need to strengthen transport, energy, and digitisation infrastructure, McKinsey says.

Rising to the challenge

Bangladeshs garment sector has every prospect of remaining one of the worlds largest RMG manufacturers, and continuing its impressive story of growth and improvement. However, the countrys apparel industry is facing headwinds, and will need to take decisive action in several areas if it is to prosper.

McKinsey says the sector will need to rise to the challenges of competing without preferential trade access; meeting decreased demand from traditional customer markets; and making a fundamental shift toward a demand-driven and more sustainable sourcing model.

Some of the international buyers we spoke to believe the industry is not moving fast enough in this direction. Others are more positive: they feel that, given the resilience and adaptability Bangladeshs manufacturers have shown in the past, the RMG industry will be able to navigate the necessary transformation, though structural changes will be inevitable.

Some sourcing executives also mentioned a shift of sourcing volumes towards foreign-owned factories in Bangladesh, especially for more complex or technical products and synthetics. They are also looking for suppliers who continuously invest in sustainability, worker welfare, and transparency. The report suggests Bangladeshs government might benefit from recalibrating its strategies to attract foreign investors.

Bangladeshs RMG sector has achieved impressive growth and transformation over the past decade, overcoming significant obstacles along the way. Today, however, it faces a new set of challenges, amid a global pandemic and a shifting global apparel-sourcing market. In the years ahead, the industry will need to embrace a more holistic transformation, in partnership with manufacturers, international buyers, worker representatives, the government, and other stakeholders.

As international buyers navigate the rapidly changing environment, they are tasked to work with more advanced suppliers to develop demand-driven, more sustainable supply chains. To do so, they will need to build deeper, truly strategic partnerships, while pushing to overcome the past decades deflationary dynamics in global apparel retail markets, the report concludes.
Forest City

Neighborhood watch: Forest City Area Neighborhood Watch meeting, May 4, 6 p.m., Forest City Area Historical Society building, Dundaff and Main streets, available will be the Partnership For a Safer Community Neighborhood Watch Citizens Guide, discussion on exterior lighting and premise identification; fcanw@nep.net.

Jessup

Meeting change: The Jessup Carbino Club, which normally meets the second Sunday of every month, will meet the third Sunday in May due to Mothers Day.

Old Forge

Lodge meets: Old Forge Sons of Italy Gloria Lodge 815 meeting, May 3, 6:30 p.m., Arcaro & Genells Banquet Room, follow social distancing guidelines.

Regional

Transfer program: Marywood University Transfer Tuesdays program for college students or former college students who are considering transferring to Marywood University, May 18, June 22, July 20 and Aug. 17; those interested can schedule an appointment every half hour beginning at 2 p.m., discuss financial aid and scholarship options, transfer credits, take a tour of campus, review credits for transfer eligibility and complete an application for admission, fall semester begins Aug. 23; Marywood Universitys Office of University Admissions, 570-348-06234, YourFuture@marywood.edu or visit www.marywood.edu/transfernow.

Fundraising auction: SEEDS (Sustainable Energy Education & Development Support) of Northeastern Pennsylvania annual Raise-the-Rent fundraiser auction virtually on the BiddingOwl platform, Saturday, items include a Beam of Hope oil painting by Juan H. Espino, a small farm share from Fertile Valley Farm and Wolfe Springs Farm, herbal gift basket from Mount Pleasant Herbary, create an account on BiddingOwl.com and mark your calendar for Saturday begin bidding: https://www.biddingowl.com/SEEDSofNEPA; donations: Jenna Wayne Mauder, jenna.mauder@gmail.com or 570-245-1256.


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Startup information security firm Intrigue on Tuesday announced a US$2 million seed round led by LiveOak Venture Partners for a new attack service management platform that helps secure enterprise networks. The Intrigue tools scan all public, exposed attack surfaces inside and outside a company.

The seed funding will also support the security and developer communities contributing to Intrigue Core -- an open-source asset discovery project that serves as the backbone of Intrigue's enterprise solutions.

Intrigue Founder and CEO Jonathan Cran at the same time disclosed that his company's network security tools discovered the extensive infiltration done in a successful breach by a Chinese cyber-espionage unit to compile a list of Fortune 500 companies still exposed to last month's Microsoft Exchange breach.

Reports surfaced last month that a Chinese cyber espionage unit focused on stealing email from some 30,000 organizations by exploiting four newly-discovered flaws in Microsoft Exchange Server email software. That attack reportedly seeded hundreds of thousands of victim organizations worldwide with tools that give the attackers total, remote control over affected systems.

"You can't secure what you can't see. Intrigue goes far beyond current offerings to give enterprises visibility into their entire public-facing footprint so they can both monitor it and secure it," said Creighton Hicks, principal at LiveOak Venture Partners, of the significance of Intrigue.IO's network security tools.

Attack surface management (ASM) tools are designed to detect network vulnerabilities and prevent breaches. The network attack surface is comprised of all vulnerabilities in connected hardware and software accessible to unauthenticated users.

How It Works

Attack Surface Management is the practice of relentless mapping and securing of all Internet-facing assets throughout an organization's entire network perimeter. It has rapidly become a top enterprise priority, as massive adoption of cloud, SaaS, and mobile across a distributed workforce means an expanding, evolving, and changing attack surface subject to an increasing number of sophisticated threats, according to Intrigue.

The Intrigue platform is built on an open core architecture that offers a comprehensive view of an enterprise's attack surface. For example, according to Intrigue's tools, the average Fortune 500 company now has 631 unique application endpoints across their external attack surface and an additional 464 open ports.

"Intrigue began with the idea that security teams must be able to scale to enable innovation while also managing an ever-growing and changing attack surface. To do this well requires deep visibility of assets and awareness of their exposure to threat actors," explained Cran.

Rapid Market Path

Cran founded the company in 2019. He is a former principal at Rapid7, Bugcrowd and Kenna Security, and architect of multiple leading security technologies, standards and frameworks.

Intrigue offers a comprehensive view of an enterprise's attack surface. It is the only attack surface management solution that fully enables organizations to map their assets, monitor their environment, and mitigate ongoing risk, he said.

Since opening its doors, the company developed Intrigue Enterprise which includes expanded non-linear mapping technology for asset discovery, workflows for automatic scoping and vulnerability control, and extensive enterprise integrations.

The Intrigue Core open-source software project includes a discovery engine for asset mapping, vulnerability, and misconfiguration identification, along with deep asset fingerprinting and analysis.

In this transitional moment, technology is becoming more dynamic and distributed. In the wake of yet another unprecedented wave of breaches, LiveOak is partnering with Intrigue to quickly bring the new platform to market, according to Intrigue's founder.

"The founding team at Intrigue has spent years in the trenches exploring the problem set and building a world class attack surface discovery platform. With this investment, we are now in a position to expand upon this foundation investing in our enterprise solution and partnering deeply with our customers," Cran said.

New Needs in Different Times

Managing enterprise security is a different ballgame than ever before, especially with the rise of cloud native, observed Chris Aniszczyk, CTO at Cloud Native Computing Foundation.

"Intrigue's novel and extensive approach to mapping, monitoring, and managing attack surfaces, and its open-source strategy move the state of cloud native security forward," he said.

Attack surface management was born out of necessity, with the recognition that existing security tools are unable to effectively discover and map an organization's assets, offered Adrian Sanabria, senior research engineer at CyberRisk Alliance. Traditional vulnerability management offerings consistently miss assets, and penetration tests occur too infrequently to reliably fill that gap.

"I've yet to find a case where an organization used a solution like Intrigue, and wasn't surprised by some significant discoveries," he said.

The beauty of Intrigue is that it provides amazing detail on the attack surface and defensive posture not only of your organization but that of other organizations you depend upon, like your vendors, supply chain, and critical infrastructure sector, added Greg Conti, cofounder and principal at Kopidion, black hat trainer, and founder of the Army Cyber Institute.

"What we think is our organizational attack surface always differs from the reality. Intrigue allows defenders to learn the truth of their attack surface quickly and easily," he said.

Essential Security Performance

Intrigue is an essential part of a firm's security operations that creates a very detailed infrastructure mapping across all types of assets. It also continually monitors known threats, and alerts an organization to potential exposure, offered Chris Gates, red team manager at Robinhood.

"Intrigue is an extremely comprehensive asset discovery and security assessment platform that provides its users with an early warning to effectively mitigate risk," he said.

Almost everywhere security teams are increasingly becoming overwhelmed by data, according to Greg Martin, general manager of security at Sumo Logic and former cybersecurity advisor to NASA, the FBI, and the Secret Service. They are inundated with an exploding number of security alerts driven by fundamental changes in IT infrastructure, a move to remote work, and an increase in the frequency of sophisticated threats.

"To optimize security operations and ensure a focus on the most critical vulnerabilities, it is essential that an organization receive actionable intelligence to quickly analyze any threat and immediately assess both its importance and the degree of exposure within their environment. This process used to be very manual, time-consuming, and error prone. Now an organization can just use Intrigue," he said.

Jack M. Germain has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His main areas of focus are enterprise IT, Linux and open-source technologies. He is an esteemed reviewer of Linux distros and other open-source software. In addition, Jack extensively covers business technology and privacy issues, as well as developments in e-commerce and consumer electronics. Email Jack.


Statement by Minister Coveney at UNSC High-Level Open Debate on Indispensable Civilian Objects

Statement

Mr President

I thank Viet Nam for organising todays debate on this important topic.

I also want to thank Mark Lowcock, Peter Maurer and Kevin Rudd for sharing their expert testimony with us also.

It is twenty-two years since this Council adopted the Protection of Civilians agenda.

Since then, the Council has developed a Culture of Protection that recognises the interconnected nature of the protection risks to civilians in armed conflict.

I welcome the presentation of a further resolution on this critical issue, which, tragically, we are now addressing with increasing regularity.

Mr President,

Destruction or damage caused to indispensable civilian objects including food, water, sanitary systems, health or education systems  and the critical information infrastructure that can underpin them - have devastating effects.

More civilians die from such indirect causes of conflict than from the violence itself.

We know, too, that the impacts can last for generations, making paths to peace and the rebuilding of societies even more challenging.

It shouldnt be this way.

International law has long prohibited attacks against objects indispensable to the survival of civilian populations.

So, it is a damning indictment of our world that this Council has to remind parties to conflicts of this, and plead with them not to deprive civilian populations of food and water, and the basic infrastructure they need for daily existence.

We must ask ourselves, therefore, what we can do can to better protect civilians and the essential services they need in situations of armed conflict.

I would like to focus today on three specific points:

My first point relates to the need to support food systems and provide food security.

Resolution 2417, unanimously adopted by this Council, is clear on the linkages between conflict, the destruction of civilian objects and food insecurity.

The destruction in conflict of the assets on which agricultural production and livelihoods are built not only produces hunger. It can also be a driver of long-term displacement and other destabilising consequences.

When mills, farms, homesteads and granaries are demolished; when crops, pastures, and livestock are seized and burned; when water sources are destroyed or defiled, we are on a stepping-stone to starvation and the threat of famine and forced migration.

Starvation of civilians is a method of combat and it needs to be prohibited.

We have a clear responsibility, therefore, to protect civilian objects that act as a bulwark against famine.

An added dimension, as the ICRC points out, is that the climate crisis now defines how conflict-affected communities experience their natural environment.

This convergence of climate crisis, environmental degradation and armed conflict is likely to have deep and long-term humanitarian consequences.

My second point is that, the detrimental health effects of conflict are exacerbated by the obscene practice of attacking medical facilities and personnel.

The indispensable nature of medical facilities, medical assets, and health care workers in times of conflict cannot be overstated.

Their protected status in armed conflict is unequivocally enshrined in International Humanitarian Law

Yet, we have witnessed the grotesque scenario of doctors in Aleppo forced to work in underground tunnels. MSF and the ICRC report frequent attacks on medical facilities and medical workers, including lately in Afghanistan, the DRC, Ethiopia and Sudan.

Attacks on medical facilities have become too common and the last UN Secretary-General rightly said when so-called surgical strikes are hitting surgical wards, something is deeply wrong

Attacks on medical infrastructure deprive the sick and the wounded, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, the old and the young, of their most fundamental dignity, and of vital care and assistance when perhaps they need it the most.

We are also increasingly concerned that cyber operations are becoming part of conflicts that can disrupt the operation of critical infrastructure and vital services to civilians, including in health and medical facilities that are vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

The destruction and occupation of schools by armed forces represents an attack on children and our collective future.

This is especially true in protracted conflicts such as those in Syria and Yemen, where a generation of children are being deprived of an education.

These children are growing up denied the skills they need to contribute to their countries and economies, exacerbating already desperate situations.

We must redouble our efforts to prevent the destruction of schools and hospitals in conflicts.

My third point relates to the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas.

Ireland remains gravely concerned at the impact of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and the civilian harm caused during active hostilities in populated areas.

Year after year, the Secretary General reports that over ninety per cent of those killed and injured by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas are civilians.

It is well-documented that the manner in which explosive weapons are used in populated areas has devastating short and long-term effects. The widespread loss of life and the physical and psychological injuries inflicted on civilians are simply unacceptable.

Of particular relevance to todays discussion is the effect of explosive weapons in populated areas on critical infrastructure, such as roads, hospitals and sanitation facilities. This infrastructure is vital to meet immediate humanitarian need and for post-conflict development.

It is for these reasons that Ireland is leading negotiations in Geneva on a Political Declaration to address the humanitarian consequences arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

Good progress has been made and we are determined to finalise a Declaration that will result in positive change and I hope I can count on colleagues to support us in doing that.

Finally, Mr. President,

I would like to make brief reference to the need to protect cultural property in armed conflict also.

The legal basis for protection is strong. But the need for protection is unquestionable.

War is the enemy of art, culture, monuments and our cultural heritage.

Cultural property reflects the identity of a people, its culture and its heritage. And preserving it - in the rebuilding of destroyed communities  can be an important element of the pathway to peace.

Mr President,

The terrible suffering inflicted on civilians would be significantly reduced if parties to conflict complied with their obligations under international law.

A pressing challenge remains ensuring accountability for serious violations of international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law.

And this Council has a role in calling out those States and actors who are failing to live up to their obligations and legal responsibilities as well as moral responsibilities. When we do not, we too must be ready to accept that their failure is partly our responsibility also.

Thank you.

 Previous Item | Next Item 
Young unaccompanied illegal immigrants, from ages 3 to 9, watch television inside a playpen at 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. (Dario Lopez-Mills/Pool/AP Photo)

Crimes of Compassion: Their Toll on Children

Commentary

Its natural and normal to feel sadness and sympathy at the suffering of others and to want to alleviate it. The paradox of compassion in that sense is that it often becomes a rhetorical device for justifying action that harms those its supposed to help. If you had compassion, this kind of sanctimonious advocate says, you would support my policy. If you question it at all, youre callous or cruel.

Children use this form of manipulation to get parents to give them what they want.

Parents for their part are not always as compassionate toward their own children as they seem in their dealings with others. In the ridiculous character of Mrs. Jellyby in his mid-19th century novel Bleak House, Charles Dickens warns against perversely misdirected compassionhe calls it telescopic philanthropy. Mrs. Jellyby combines relentless compassion from afarworking ostentatiously to support an improbable scheme for a tribe in Africawith serious neglect of her own children at home in London.

When Helping Hurts

The misuse of compassion has in recent years assumed other forms, some less obvious but no less harmful. Many follow the decay of major liberal cities like San Francisco, Portland, or Seattle, with a seeming breakdown of law and order, with syringes, feces, and urine on the sidewalks of some business or shopping areas.

They wonder why such cities have made themselves a magnet for homeless people far and wide who are drawn to such places by the absence of law enforcement and the provision of services. Why would a city do that?

I have asked the question and been answered with one word, compassion. But is such an approach compassionate to people who need treatment, perhaps residential, who need boundaries and structure? Is it compassionate to the small business owners who must tolerate and clean up the mess outside their doors, whose businesses have declined because of the dearth of customers willing to enter such an area?

Mass Migration

Governments, liberal media, and the left, both in Europe and the United States, enabled and welcomed mass illegal immigration with open arms. In the name of compassion. There were other motivations, of course, like the desire to depress wages or increase a future electoral base, but compassion was the only one publicly mentioned.

In some cases the young single men dominating the mass movement of migrants were refugees fleeing persecution and danger at home. In many more, they were not in danger but seeking better incomes. They didnt settle in the nearest state where they would be safe, as international law allows, but in countries far away where conditions looked more favorable (as for Somalis in Sweden, Germany, or the United States).

Children, both immigrants and members of the host population, played a special role in the process. Children gained sympathy and headlines as innocent victims. They provided an entering wedge for the entry of adults in the name of family reunification. Since all were (deliberately in most cases) without documents, the same unaccompanied minors could enter, leave, and re-enter with a different group of adults claimed each time as family members. Criminal gangs such as MS-13 in Mexico, organized marches to the border and the human trafficking of children.

Liberals sanctimoniously blamed President Donald Trump for keeping children in cages built by President Barack Obama, but it was Trump who quickly and effectively brought about a humane solution to the border crisis. He solved the problem by following and implementing existing laws and by international collaboration with Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Central America. Rich Lowry of National Review shows in careful detail, how Trump got control of the border adding, as the subtitle puts it, And how Biden created a crisis by throwing it all away. One result has been increased use of children for criminal activities, from human trafficking to illegal entry to the United States.

Compassion and Policy

Compassion is a natural and necessary part of any decent policy response to suffering. But feeling (or claiming to feel) compassion doesnt in itself produce a wise course of action. Nor is opposition to a proposed or current policy in itself evidence of callousness or cruelty.

Yet appeals to compassion often function this way, to shut down discussion or serious consideration of the actual effects of the policy in peoples lives (costs seldom borne by those who make the policy in question) and to silence or cancel critics. You may support a course of action out of a sincere feeling of compassion for those suffering the adversity your policy is intended to ameliorate. But intentions and feelings are not the same as outcomes or effects.

Even the feelings of compassion may be highly selectivecompassionate toward some of those involved while callous toward others.

To whom is it compassionate to incentivize the use of children by cartels and criminal gangs, to incentivize their use in people-trafficking? In Europe and the UK, compassion has often morphed into a pervasive denial of the serious impact on women and children in the receiving country. A series of incidents of sexual assault and rape of local women and girls by immigrant males in Sweden, England, and Germany was covered up by media and police, while those aware of what was happening, such as local police, social workers, even parents, were afraid of being ignored and denounced as racist if they spoke up.

Compassion mixed with official fear of inciting a racist backlash to produce a shameful silence. In England, it took decades for patterns of grooming, trafficking, rape, and abuse of young local girls by Pakistani gangs to come to light and be seriously investigated, first in the Labour-controlled city of Rotherham, later extended to other cities across the country. In Sweden and Germany, the sexual assaults of local women by groups of single men came to a head in Cologne at New Years celebrations in 20152016, when as many as 1,000 German women were surrounded and assaulted.

When compassion is enlisted to enable victimization in this way, its no longer compassion but a cover for abuse.

Paul Adams writes on ethics, marriage and family, and social policy. He is professor emeritus of social work at the University of Hawaii. He has also taught at Case Western University and the University of Texas.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
STOUGHTON, Mass., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Massachusetts based Primo Medical Group, a leader in the development, manufacture and assembly of quality medical devices, and precision machined custom components announced today the addition of a new warehouse in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts. The company operates out of two facilities located in Stoughton, MA and now three facilities in West Bridgewater, MA.

The 26,000 square foot building will be primarily used to manage inventory, allowing Primo Medical Group to expand their operations. The new warehouse will be environmentally controlled and will be compliant with the FDA's current standards for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). GMP regulations help to ensure that producers of medical products like Primo Medical Group, are properly designing, monitoring and controlling processes and facilities throughout production and distribution in order to deliver products safely to consumers.

As a registered contract manufacturer, the company offers a full suite of services from initial design and production, all the way to product fullfillment. "By consolidating some of our inventory nearby, we can now create or improve our innovative spaces to lift existing operations to levels that continue to grow our business," said Steven Tallarida, the company's President and CEO. Primo Medical Group machines numerous types of medical instruments and implants, and assembles a myriad of devices in a clean room environment. Most of the company's packaged clean room products go on to sterilization before they are ready for their customers. "Because our capabilities are so complete, we often manage the supply chain, warehousing, and logistics for our customers. There's an increasing interest in having contract manufacturers fulfill sales orders on behalf of their customers," said Andrea Patisteas, Senior Executive Vice President. "Keeping finished goods at the production source means they can be used to fulfill sales orders sooner, and decreases the amount of times they are moved, reducing the risk of damage."

About Primo Medical Group

Primo Medical Group offers the most comprehensive outsourcing solutions forandre the medical device market, including OEM product distribution services, engineering services, precision component production, finished goods assembly, medical device refurbishment, reusable surgical kit management and complete supply chain management. Established in 1953, Primo Medical Group is a privately held company with five facilities in Massachusetts. Primo Medical Group is an FDA Registered Contract Manufacturer and is compliant with FDA Quality Systems Regulations. Primo Medical Group is also ISO 13485:2016 certified, and is a registered manufacturer with the Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance. Over the past 20 years Primo Medical Group has incubated and co-funded several new technologies including Angiolink Corporation (acquired by Medtronic), Arthrosurface (acquired by Anika Therapeutics), Spirus Medical, Inc. (acquired by Olympus), Cardiosolutions, Inc., Saphena Medical Inc., and Versago Vascular Access.



Contact:

Tony Resendes

Vice President of Marketing

Primo Medical group

781.828-4400



SOURCE Primo Medical Group

Related Links

http://www.primomedicalgroup.com


[April 27, 2021] Maria Incrocci, PhD., Joins Scantron To Drive Advancements In Test Development And Analytics

EAGAN, Minn., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Scantron, a global leader in assessment, analytics, and data capture for the Education, Certification, and Workforce markets announced the hiring of Maria Incrocci, PhD, as Vice President of Psychometrics. In her role, Maria will lead the overall direction of Scantron's psychometrics activities and will partner with clients to deliver valid, accurate, and reliable off-the-shelf and custom Scantron Assessment solutions. Maria is an experienced psychometrician with more than 16 years of expertise driving psychometric and test development activities for national credentialing and educational healthcare organizations. She has a diverse background leading a myriad of psychometric, content development, publishing, and credentialing teams as well as extensive work with expert panels and examination oversight committees. "We are excited to have Maria join our team," said Jay Whitchurch, President, Scantron. "She is a highly regarded and sought-after professional in the assessment industry. With her psychometric expertise, leadership capability, and understanding of the industry's direction, Maria is the perfect fit to drive our psychometrics activities for our clients and lead Scantron's outstanding team of psychometricians. As the assessment industry continues to grow and the landscape changes, her skillset and unique insights will be invaluable to our organization." Prior to joining the Scantron team as the VP of Psychometrics, Mara began her career in assessments with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, where she rose to a senior management position directing all aspects of psychometrics and test development. She then joined the American Osteopathic Association as the Director of Psychometrics and was promoted to the Associate Vice President of Certifying Board Services  overseeing 16 certifying specialty board credentialing programs. Maria eventually transitioned to the educational assessment arena with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons as the Associate Director of Assessment and Examinations, where she led teams to develop the residency Orthopaedic In-training Examination and a variety of self-assessment and specialty topic examinations



"This is a great opportunity for me to continue influencing assessment initiatives while working for an amazing organization," said Maria, Vice President of Psychometrics, Scantron. "With a pandemic affecting people across the world, it is important that we demonstrate the vital role that assessment serves in education, certification, and the general workforce. In this new position, I hope to illustrate to all organizations the unique and irreplaceable value that reliable, valid, and defensible assessment data can add to improving individual and organizational outcomesfrom identifying student needs and supporting growth to helping companies hire qualified candidates in a wide variety of markets and positions." Scantron is one of the most recognized Assessment brands in the world and has been a market leader during the last 50 years  supporting the delivery of more than 12 billion assessments. Scantron has an extensive team of experts that provide holistic Assessment, Analytics, and Data Capture solutions and services to schools, universities, certifying bodies, and workplaces across the globe. Scantron prides itself on giving customers flexibility and choice across a wide variety of digital and paper-based solutions including assessment, analytics, certification, survey, course evaluation, training, and a robust set of data capture applications. Our strong capabilities in developing assessments, providing psychometric services, developing state-of-the art technology, and producing high-precision data capture and forms solutions also provide a differentiated experience for our customers. This supports Scantron's promise to meet customers where they are and help them get to where they want to be. Scantron is headquartered in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, with other locations in the Research Triangle of North Carolina; and Columbia, Pennsylvania. For more information visit www.scantron.com.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maria-incrocci-phd-joins-scantron-to-drive-advancements-in-test-development-and-analytics-301278213.html SOURCE Scantron Corporation

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: chongqing1 (), : Chinese

 : Protect Grandma Asians do not to allow themselves to be pushed around

: StopAAPIHate

: BBS  (Mon Apr 26 22:54:27 2021, )



Recently, there have been frequent attacks against Asians, especially

vulnerable Asians in the United States. On March 17th, a video of 76-year-

old Asian woman Xie Xiaozhen being punched in the eye by a white man caused

a lot of media and public attention. In fact, in January this year, a 91-

year-old man in Oakland's Chinatown was pushed to the ground and accused of

contracting COVID-19; MSN News reported on March 15 that Nancy Tang, an 83-

year-old Asian woman, was spat on, punched and called a "Chinese virus" by a

white middle-aged man in Plains; and NBC News reported that some people in

the U.S. had launched an online challenge slap Asians to incite random

attacks by teenagers on Public Transportation in San Francisco. It is

specifically targeted at Asian seniors and women. On the 19th, a 58-year-old

Asian woman was harassed by several young people on a bus. With the spread

of the COVID-19, more and more such incidents follow. The nongovernmental

organization Stop AAPI Hate received 2,800 reports in 2020, of which

about 240 involved physical assault. Since last year, when AAPI Emergency

Response Network began tracking hate incidents directly linked to the COVID-

19 disease, more than 3,000 reports have been received. Asian-Americans

being spat, beaten, cut and even thrown chemicals.

"Asian=virus" is not an innate belief, it is a man-made misunderstanding and

a source of discrimination and violence against the Asian community.

In an interview with The New York Times, White House press secretary Jen

Psaki said the previous administration's accusation that the new virus was "

Wuhan virus" had led to inaccurate and unfair perceptions of the Asian-

American community had increased the threat to Asian-Americans. Dr Ben

Embarek, head of the WHO Group on COVID-19 Traceability, stated on behalf of

WHO that the origin of COVID-19 has not been identified. The "Wuhan Virus"

stigma is just a politician Bannon's attempt to get votes and distract

attention from the Trump administration's failure to control the epidemic.

--

 :WWW  mitbbs.com [FROM: 47.]


North Adams Considering New Public Safety Positions

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The draft budget for fiscal 2022 includes beefing up the command structures in the Police and Fire departments and reclassifying the director of inspection services.

Mayor Thomas Bernard presented the $5.5 million public safety budget to the Finance Committee last week as it continued its review of the proposed spending plan.

"You'll see that there's a fairly significant proposed change this year, a fairly significant increase and I can walk through the sources of those changes as we go through," he said. "This is still very much for discussion at every level."

The proposed public safety budget is up by 7.9 percent, or $395,867. It includes the 1.5 percent wage increase for non-union staff but not for a senior clerk position that will be left vacant this year.

"Under the building inspector, the three areas of significant variance are, I would like to propose a reclassification of the director of inspection services position to reflect what I think where that position actually should be," the mayor said. "We've talked about the need to comprehensively address the compensation plan, but this would be the one of a few areas in the budget where I would like to consider a reclassification, addressing some equity for department heads."

The director's classification would shift from S-24A to an S-33 with a salary of $74,306, about $7,000 more.

The code enforcement officer has been done on an on-call basis with the real cost to be reflected by a $28,000 line and a line for the hearing officer that has not been formally part of the budget. Bernard said this was a compliance issue.

"The ideal for a position like this is the fees collected would fund that stipend for a hearing officer," he said.

The Fire Department has budgeted a deputy chief at $76,890; the chief's salary is set at $87,500.

Bernard said the deputy chief post was "strongly recommended" by retired Chief Stephen Meranti.

"One of the things that both chiefs presented to me was that having the deputy chief creates more consistency around issues such as training so that there's a central support for that rather than the training being handled at the shift level by the lieutenants," he said. "It's also important to note as we talk about this, that there's a little bit of a disconnect in the structure of rank between the police and fire departments. ...

"This would create that comparable structure within the Fire Department."

The Fire Department has firefighters, four lieutenants and the chief while the Police Department has patrol officers, detectives, sergeants, lieutenants and chief.

Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre said the deputy chief would be a non-union administrative position that could also be used for the myriad inspections now handled by the lieutenants and chief. These include smoke alarms, hot works, painting, propane, demolition and fire codes.

"There truly isn't enough time in the day to complete all of the inspections that are required by the state," he said. "So, having a deputy chief position the head off the Training and Inspection Division of the Fire Department would greatly help to relieve a lot of that."

Committee member Keith Bona noted that the committee would be reviewing fees and asked Lefebvre to consider where changes could be made. The chief said a substantial amount of time is spent on inspections and that it would be nice to recoup that. The city charges $5 for an oil burner inspection while other communities have a minimum of $25.

The budget also included higher amounts for repairs to Engine 3 ($75,000) and firefighting equipment ($25,000).

The Police Department is budgeting for a second lieutenant. The department currently has 24 officers  one lieutenant, four sergeants (including a detective sergeant), three detectives and a school resource officer.

Chairwoman Lisa Blackmer pointed out that a quarter of the officers were command staff and asked if that was too top heavy.

Police Chief Jason Wood said each shift needs a supervisor and that the lieutenant often has to take on duties beyond his administrative duties.

The committee also discussed overtime, which has been a significant line item for years. Both chiefs said they had difficulty finding reserve staff to fill in for permanent staff. The Fire Department is still on Civil Service although the Police Department left some years ago.

Lefebvre said Civil Service limits his ability to hire but thought it would be difficult to get rid off because more senior firefighters felt it afforded them some protection. He said he is budgeted for 25 firefighters so would be hiring three.

The police OT budget is tentatively set at $300,000 but the mayor said this figure is still under discussion. Wood said he could use three more officers but had set the OT line so as not to run into trouble as he had his first year as chief.

"I worry about, as far as my officers, health and well-being and wellness, I mean, when you're forcing them to work 16-hour days and they're not getting the proper rest ... that becomes a whole separate issue which can lead to burnout, poor decision making," he said. "I mean we all know this day and age, I mean we can't afford to have that happen."

Bernard said the committee should keep in mind that adding officers should bring down the overtime line but they would expect to see an increase on the health insurance and pension line.
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The Montana Hospital Association and other health care organizations interpreted that to mean they couldnt take precautions such as requiring an unvaccinated employee to wear a mask, and would thus have to treat every employee as if they were not vaccinated. That would lead to visitation restrictions, the groups said.
Touched by the extremity of people's sufferings and the scramble for medical oxygen, a farmer from Neemuch district in Madhya Pradesh has donated Rs 2 lakh he had set aside for his daughter's lavish marriage to the local administration for buying the life-saving gas.

Champalal Gurjar, who hails from Gwal Deviyan village, has handed over a cheque of Rs two lakh to district collector Mayank Agrawal for buying two cylinders of medical oxygen one for the district hospital and another for Jeeran Tehsil where he lives.

Pandemic made Gurjar change his mind

Gurjar, who survives on farming, said he raised his daughter Anita with great care and wished that her marriage, which took place on Sunday, was a grand ceremony.

PTI

However, the pandemic situation made Gurjar change his mind at the last moment.

"So to make my daughter's marriage memorable I donated two lakh to the district administration so that they can buy two oxygen cylinders," he added.

Daughter overwhelmed with joy

Anita said the noble deed of her father left her overwhelmed with joy.

"Right now, there is a dire need for medical oxygen given the surge in COVID-19 cases," she said.

Manoj Gupta/IANS

Collector Agrawal praised Gurjar's gesture. "If others take a cue from the farmer and donate, the fight against the pandemic will become a lot easier," he said.

As of Sunday, Madhya Pradesh's caseload stood at 4,99,304 and toll to 5,133, as per the state health department.
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Setting yet another grim record, Indias new COVID-19 infections surpassed 300,000 for the fifth day in a row yesterday. A further 352,991 cases were reported Monday, the highest single-day total ever recorded in India or, indeed, anywhere.

Izhaar Hussain Shaikh, left, an ambulance driver who works for HelpNow, and others pick up a COVID-19 patient from his home in Mumbai, India May 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Officially, Indias active case count stands at more than 2.6 million, underscoring the potential for continued exponential growth in COVID-19 infections. This in a country where hundreds of millions live in squalid urban slums or in rural areas where public health facilities do not exist; and where in great metropolitan centres, like Mumbai and Delhi, the health care system has already been overwhelmed by the deluge of COVID-19 cases.

Yesterday, India recorded its highest number of new COVID-19 deaths to date, 2,812. The official death tally since the beginning of the pandemic now stands at 195,123. According to Indian Health Ministry data, 16,257 people died from the virus, during the week ending Sunday, April 25, nearly double the previous weeks 8,588 deaths.

Indias emergence as the worlds COVID-19 epicentreaccounting for more than 40 percent of all new cases worldwide last weekis the direct product of the profits before lives policy enforced by Narendra Modi and his far-right Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

As terrible as the official death toll is, it indubitably grossly understates the true scale of the calamity now unfolding in the worlds second most populous country. Prior to the pandemic, Indian authorities medically certified less than 30 percent of all fatalities. With the countrys ramshackle health care system now collapsing, proper attribution of deaths is in even greater disarray.

Indias Economic Times reported last Friday that official figures for deaths from coronavirus in Lucknow, the capital city of Indias most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, stood at 145 in the six days between April 11 and April 16. But testimony from health and crematorium workers and other witnesses showed that just two of the citys main crematoriums reported more than 430 or three times as many cremations under COVID-19 protocol during the same period.

Hospitals in major cities, including the national capital Delhi and in Maharashtra, the second most populous state, have been forced to turn away hundreds, possibly thousands, of extremely ill patients because of shortages of beds, trained personnel, drugs, and oxygen.

Scores of patients have died in recent days gasping for breath after the hospitals in which they were being treated exhausted their medical oxygen supplies, and could not, despite harrowing pleas to government for emergency help, be resupplied in time.

Twenty patients died at Delhis Jaipur Golden Hospital died early Saturday morning for want of medical oxygen. Less than 24 hours later, the same hospital sent out a tweet saying that the lives of nearly 200 patients were at stake as the facility had again run out of oxygen.





On the same day, six patients at Neelkant private hospital in Amritsar, Punjab, died due to an oxygen shortage.





On April 22, the medical director of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, one of the premier hospitals in Delhi, said, 25 sickest patients have died in the past 24 hours at the hospital. Oxygen will last another 2 hours. He added, Ventilators and Bipap not working effectively. Need oxygen to be airlifted urgently. Lives of another 60 sickest patients in peril.





The previous day, 24 COVID-19 patients died at the Dr. Zakir Hussain Hospital in Nashik, a city in Maharashtra, due to an oxygen tank leak.

The Modi government, reports the Indian Express, had weeks notice of a looming oxygen supply crisis, but failed to take action. On April 1, the Empowered Group-VI, which is tasked with organising an effective COVID response, warned at a meeting with officials from various wings of the government, including the Prime Ministers Office, In the coming days India could face a shortage of oxygen sullies. Yet, it was only last week that the central government imposed a ban on the supply of oxygen to industrial sites, and the ban only came into effect on April 22.

In an interview with NewsClick on April 23, Giridhar R. Babu, head of the epidemiology section at Public Health Foundation, warned that as horrific as conditions already are, the worst is yet to come. With the pandemics spread increasingly fueled by new, more-contagious and lethal variants, he projected that within two to three weeks, We will be reaching between four to five lakh [400,000 to 500,000] cases per day in just five statesUttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.

Responsibility for this catastrophe lies squarely with the BJP government, but also with the Congress Party and the other ostensible opposition parties. Acting at the behest of Indias financial and corporate elite, they have all supported the reopening of the economy, spurned calls for lockdown measures as new cases surged from mid-February on, and refused to make massive investments in Indias dilapidated, chronically underfunded health care system.

Brushing aside repeated warnings from epidemiologists and other medical experts that disastrous levels of infections and deaths would develop if restrictions were lifted, the Modi government abandoned any effort to contain the virus following last years ill-prepared lockdown. Having refused to provide workers and the poor with adequate financial resources to prevent widespread destitution during the shutdown, Modi threw open all sectors of the economy with the aim of protecting the profits and vast wealth of big business and the super-rich.

Boasting about this policy as recently as February, when indications of the rising wave of infections were already present, the Modi government claimed it had set an example in front of the world for what work can be done during COVID-19.

Even now, when thousands of preventable deaths are being recorded daily, Modi is insisting that the urgent task, to use his words, is to save India from another lockdown, not from the virus. What this means in practice is that hundreds of thousands, if not millions of lives should be sacrificed to guarantee the uninterrupted flow of profits to the corporate and financial elites.

Addressing an online forum last Friday on Indias Quest for Economic Power, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated the Modi governments opposition to even regional or state-wide lockdowns to impede the viruss advance, in the most affected areas, declaring, Micro containment zones would be the way forward.

Having ruled out any coordinated action to save lives and curb the spread of the virus, Sitharaman turned her focus to reassuring the events audience of domestic and international business executives and investors that the wave of infections and death will not disrupt or even slow the Modi governments drive to intensify the exploitation of Indias workers and rural toilers. [E]ven if there were one or two centres where lockdowns were to happen, said Sitharaman, they may not affect our disinvestment (privatisation) programme, or the plan to set up DFI (Development Finance Institutions) or any other institutional reforms that we have announced.

As the Indian Express, which co-sponsored the event with the Financial Times, bluntly noted, the thrust of the finance ministers speech was that the second wave of the pandemic in India will not affect (the) big reform push demanded by local and international capital.

While rushing to reassure investors that the BJP will do their bidding, the Modi government is balking at providing free vaccinations to Indias poverty-stricken masses. To date, India has provided less than 10 percent of the countrys population with one dose. But as COVID-19 cases soared last week and reports emerged from multiple states that the governments immunisation effort was stalling due to vaccine shortages, Modi suddenly announced that everyone 18 and over will be eligible to be vaccinated as of May 1.

However, it quickly emerged that neither the Union government nor the state governments are ready to provide vaccines for free. Rather, impoverished Indians will be asked to pay sums equal to several days earnings per dose. Cynically, the BJP has promised to provide free vaccinations in the state of West Bengal if it becomes that states government after the multi-phase state election now underway there. According to an article in Bloomberg, some states may provide vaccines at subsidised rates, while others may pass on the full cost to citizens.

Various experts calculate that it would cost between 0.32 and 0.36 of Indias GDP or around $3.5 billion to vaccinate all Indian adults. This is only a tiny fraction of last years $48 billion increase in the fortune of just one of Indias more than 130 billionaires, Mukesh Ambani, or the $73 billion India spent in 2020 on its rapidly expanding military.

Mass anger is growing against the Modi government and the ruling class over their failure to contain the virus, provide health care to those infected, and ever-deepening social inequality. CNN reported on April 23, Tens of thousands of people took to twitter with trending hashtags like #ResignModi, #SuperSpreaderModi, and #WhoFailedIndia. Fearing the eruption of popular opposition on a much broader scale, the Modi government asked social media platform Twitter to take down dozens of tweets, including some by local lawmakers, that were critical of Indias handling of the coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reported.
LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against Ebang International Holdings Inc. ("Ebang" or "the Company") (NASDAQ:EBON) for violations of 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investors who purchased the Company's securities between June 26, 2020 and April 5, 2021, inclusive (the ''Class Period''), are encouraged to contact the firm before June 7, 2021.

If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.

We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at brian@schallfirm.com.

The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.

According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Ebang directed the proceeds of its public offerings into low yield, long-term bonds and to related parties instead of developing its operations and infrastructure. The Company inflated its declining sales through schemes such as selling defective units. The Company's prior attempts to go public in Hong Kong failed due to allegations of embezzlement and inflating sales figures. The Company's purported cryptocurrency exchange was actually the purchase of an out-of-the-box crypto solution. Based on these facts, the Company's public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Ebang, investors suffered damages.

Story continues

Join the case to recover your losses.

The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.

CONTACT:

The Schall Law Firm

Brian Schall, Esq.,

Office: 310-301-3335

info@schallfirm.com

www.schallfirm.com

SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm





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An elite New York City school has sent out invitations to a welcome reception for 'parents of new students of color' as part of diversity efforts.

The invitation from the Marymount School of New York, where tuition costs $54,000 per year, has sparked outrage in the community as more parents are speaking out about top Manhattan private schools bombarding students with an antiracism agenda.

The flyer from the all-girls Catholic School states that the May 20 event is for adults only and shows an animated photo of three women of different shades gathered around a globe.

Multiple parents across Manhattan shared the invitation with DailyMail.com, with one saying, 'My jaw hit the floor when I first saw it. I mean what is the school thinking? I'm 100% pro-diversity, I just don't feel this is the right way about it.

'How does this help any one's cause? If anything, many parents feel this creates more division  it singles out the parents of color. What is the school trying to achieve here?' they added.

Marymount School of New York is hosting a welcome reception strictly for 'parents of new students of color' as part of diversity efforts

The all-girls Catholic School where tuition costs $54,000 per year sent out the invitations last week which has since caused outrage among parents

The parent, who asked not to be named, said it is 'outrageous that they think holding a ''welcome reception for parents of new students of color'' changes anything.

'On the flip side, could you imagine the outrage if this was to welcome the parents of white students?

The Marymount School of New York sits in the posh Upper East Side of Manhattan right along Central Park.

One parent said admissions and tuition should be reformed to address diversity issues.

'If you really want to diversify the school how about taking a good hard look at your pricing structure and admissions policy  make this school more affordable and stop prioritizing the children of alumnae,' they said. 'I mean we fork out over $50,000 a year to send our children here, there is already a barrier to entry.'

The parent raised similar concerns that have been echoed by other parents at elite Manhattan schools who fear they'll be punished for voicing a difference in opinion.

'Parents are afraid to speak up and say anything as they don't want to be punished by the school,' they said.

'There is no room for a two way conversation, so taking this to the media is the only way to call time on how the school creates division through their attempts at diversity.'

Parents with children at the Brearley School, Grace Church School and The Spence School have all voiced their concerns in the last few weeks.

Every one of these schools feel they need to do something, but they are completely out of touch,' they said.

Andrew Gutmann, 45, wrote a letter blasting the $54,000 a year Brearley School over its woke antiracism 'obsession'. Gutmann told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview that he never intended his scathing letter to go viral but now welcomes the controversy he sparked

Gutmann said of The Brearley School, 'What the school is saying, what all these schools are saying, is that if you don't agree with us, we don't want a dialogue, don't even want your kid in our school'

Andrew Gutmann, 45, first raised concerns when he wrote a letter blasting the $54,000 a year Brearley School earlier this month over its woke antiracism 'obsession'.

Gutmann told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview that he never intended his scathing letter to go viral but now welcomes the controversy he sparked.

At the Grace School, math teacher Paul Rossi was let go after he accused the headmaster and other administrators of indoctrinating students with anti-racism ideology that 'induces shame' in white students for being 'oppressors.'

Math teacher Paul Rossi (above) was 'relieved of his teaching duties' at the $57,000-a-year Grace Church School in Manhattan after he penned an essay accusing the school of indoctrinating students last week

This came after the Grace Church School issued a glossary of terms last month they claimed would make the facility a more 'inclusive' place.

It offered a 12-page guide to staff, students and parents that encourages them to stop using 'mom' and 'dad', to stop asking classmates where they may have gone on vacation and urges them not to wish anyone a 'Merry Christmas' - or even a 'Happy Holidays'.

The school's website also has a page devoted to antiracism where it outlines the programs offered to pupils and parents.

Among the upcoming events are Zoom meetings for parents of white backgrounds where they can discuss how to better tackle racism.

Then over in downtown Manhattan at The Spence School, a $54,000-a-year all-girls private school, a letter was sent out last week urging families to support wokeness and Derek Chauvin's guilty verdict in the murder of George Floyd.

The school, which boasts notable alum including Gwyneth Paltrow and Kerry Washington, called the conviction a 'crucible moment for our nation and for our ongoing struggle for racial justice and equity.'

'The jury's verdict, an important step toward accountability and healing, however, does not erase the tragedy of the murder of George Floyd, and there is important work ahead that requires our collective voice and courage,' the letter reads.

An alum who asked not to be named received the letter and was appalled, telling DailyMail.com she was shocked at 'how they forced students to get involved' in the trial.

'Where is the protection of innocence?' she said.
by Melani Manel Perera

Yesterday 997 people tested positive, a record since the start of the pandemic. The rising number of cases and more aggressive variants of the virus are a source of growing concern. More and more pregnant women are ending up in intensive care. All schools, including religious educational facilities, have been shut down until 30 April. Childrens health is a priority.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  The coronavirus pandemic is once again setting off alarm bells in Sri Lanka. As a result, government authorities have closed all the countrys schools, sealing off more than a dozen areas with high levels of contagion to contain the new wave.

Government offices and private businesses have turned to smart working to reduce, as far as possible, the movement of people and workplace gatherings, while people are asked to comply with the strict rules imposed by health authorities.

Educational establishments will be closed until 30 April waiting to see how the pandemic evolves. Buddhist monastic schools (piriven) are also shuttered as are Catholic and Anglican establishments.

Decisions about school will be made giving priority to children's health, said Education Minister G.L. Peiris in a statement addressed to media.

According to Dr Mayuramana Devolage, a gynaecologist and obstetrician, more and more pregnant women are being infected and at least three women are currently in intensive care cases.

He noted that cases are getting more serious, and urged other pregnant women to get tested for the coronavirus as soon as they show signs of the infection.

At least 12 divisions in Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Trincomalee and Matale have been locked down since 8 pm last night, said General Shavendra Silva, head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID 19 Outbreak (NOCPCO).

The number of reported cases is rising, perhaps because of SARS-CoV-2 variants, like the lineage B.1.411, which is now predominant in the country.

As a consequence, the number of people coming down with the disease is also up, as Dr Chandima Jeewandara, head of the National Centre for Primary Care and Allergy Research at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, pointed out.

The increase in cases is linked to this years Sinhalese-Tamil New Year celebrations. Yesterdays 997 new cases represent the peak so far in the outbreak.

Experts believe that the new variant could infect more people, and some symptoms related to the virus are now showing up in children.

Given what is happening in neighbouring India, the number of hospital bed is a source of concern, with intensive care units likely to be completely full in just a few days time.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 00:27:32|Editor: huaxia

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OTTAWA, April 27 (Xinhua)-- Both Canadian direct investment abroad and foreign direct investment in Canada continued rising in 2020 amid upheavals caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Statistics Canada on Tuesday.

The growth in Canadian investment abroad exceeded that of investment in Canada.

The stock of Canadian direct investment abroad rose 4.2 percent to 1,469.3 billion Canadian dollars at the end of 2020.

The stock of foreign direct investment in Canada climbed 2.7 percent to 1,046.3 billion Canadian dollars.

As a result, the net foreign direct investment position reached 423 billion Canadian dollars in 2020, up 31.6 billion Canadian dollars from 2019.

The largest proportion of the Canadian direct investment position abroad was directed to the United States at the end of 2020, followed by Britain and Luxembourg. Overall, these three countries represented 60.5 percent of total direct investment abroad. The majority of the investment in the United States was in affiliates operating in the finance and insurance industry, followed by the transportation and warehousing industry.

Canadian direct investment abroad can also be presented based on the industry of the Canadian parent, in addition to the industry of the foreign affiliate. The finance and insurance industry, which includes banks, pension funds and insurance companies, held 37.7 percent of the total stock of Canadian direct investment abroad in 2020, followed by the management of companies and enterprises industry with 20 percent.

One Canadian dollar is about 0.79 U.S. dollar. Enditem
Clark Art Summer 2021 Exhibitions

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Clark Art Institute announced its summer 2021 exhibition schedule featuring exhibitions ranging from the work of one of Norway's most revered artists to contemporary projects.

"This will be an exciting summer at the Clark, full of new discoveries and wonderful opportunities to enjoy art both in our galleries and on our grounds," said Olivier Meslay, Hardymon Director of the Clark. "From the fantastical objects created by sculptors Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne to the lively paintings and prints of Nikolai Astrup, we will be introducing audiences to artists who may not be familiar, but whose work is sure to engage and inspire new admirers. Our contemporary projects, Ground/work and Erin Shirreff: Remainders, also provide our audiences with new opportunities to explore the current work of some of the most exciting artists working today. And we round out our summer offerings with a look back at the masterful work of Albrecht Durer and his abiding influence on generations of artists."

The Clark's summer exhibitions will open on a staggered schedule, beginning in May 2021.

Below are exhibitions with descriptions included in a press release.

Claude & Francois-Xavier Lalanne: "Nature Transformed"

May 8October 31, 2021

It has been more than forty years since an American art museum has mounted a presentation of the work of sculptors Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne, and the Clark's exhibition this summer provides a fresh perspective on these innovative artists. Their imaginative and powerful sculptures have long delighted international audiences and collectors. During their remarkable careers, the married artists worked and exhibited together, often under the joint name "Les Lalanne," although they seldom collaborated on objects.

Common to both artists was their abiding interest in nature. From their earliest exhibition in 1964, entitled "Zoophites," a reference to objects with a mixture of animal and plant characteristics, the artists repeatedly drew inspiration from flora and fauna and morphed these natural forms into something strange and new. In her works, Claude Lalanne (19242019) transformed familiar plants and animals into lyrical and sometimes surreal creations while Francois-Xavier Lalanne (19272008) turned his fascination with the mysterious inner life of animals into abstracted and refined sculptural forms that often concealed a practical function. In the work of both Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne, artistic vision bends natural forms to new uses.

The Clark is the sole venue for this exhibition, which also marks the first museum presentation of the artists' work since the 2019 death of Claude Lalanne. "Nature Transformed" features an equal number of objects by each artist from across their long careers, revealing the power of their artistic imagination, their impressive command of technique, and their enduring visual appeal. The works include sculpture and furniture by both artists and a selection of Claude Lalanne's wildly inventive flatware and jewelry.

"Nature Transformed," presented in the Clark's Michael Conforti Pavilion and in additional outdoor locations, is curated by Kathleen Morris, the Clark's Sylvia and Leonard Marx Director of Exhibitions and Curator of Decorative Arts. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue, published by the Clark and distributed by Yale University Press.

Major support for this exhibition is provided by Denise Littlefield Sobel. Significant funding is provided by Sylvia and Leonard Marx and by the Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund, with additional support from Agnes Gund and Robert D. Kraus. The exhibition catalogue has been published with the generous support of Denise Littlefield Sobel, with additional support from Furthermore: a program of the J.M. Kaplan Fund.

"Nikolai Astrup: Visions of Norway"

June 19September 19, 2021

The Clark presents the first North American exhibition focused on the Norwegian painter Nikolai Astrup (18801928), who deftly wove tradition and innovation into his artistic production. Astrup is considered one of Norway's most important artists, yet he is largely unknown outside of his homeland. Nikolai Astrup: "Visions of Norway" features more than eighty-five works celebrating this brilliant painter, printmaker, and horticulturalist.

Astrup's oeuvre is notable for its intense, colorful palette, and the magical realism of his remarkable landscapes. Paintings and woodcuts from all periods of his career are presented in the exhibition, including multiple impressions of print compositions that reveal how Astrup modified the mood and meaning of these works through changes in color and the addition or deletion of motifs, often using multiple blocks to create his complex prints.

After training in Kristiania (Oslo) and Paris, Astrup returned to his childhood home and pursued his career in the remote region of western Norway overlooking Lake Jlster. Eventually, he settled on a property called Sandalstrand, situated across the lake from where he was raised. There he created a farmstead that served as a source of inspiration for his artistic purposes, sustained his family, and proved an early manifestation of ecological conservation.

The area's sublime landscape, distinctive atmosphere, and ethereal summer light captivated Astrup, while his childhood memoriesmarked by local traditions and Norwegian folkloredeeply shaped his perception of place. Astrup's work responded to, and helped shape, Norway's emerging national identity. He created a distinctive visual language that expands on the intentions and achievements of composer Edvard Grieg (18431907) and playwright Henrik Ibsen (18281906) in Norwegian music and literature, respectively.

Guest curated by independent scholar MaryAnne Stevens, former Director of Academic Affairs at the Royal Academy, London, Nikolai Astrup: Visions of Norway is presented in the Clark's special exhibition galleries and is accompanied by a catalogue published by the Clark and distributed by Yale University Press. The exhibition travels to the KODE Art Museums, Bergen, Norway, from October 15, 2021January 23, 2022 and to the Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, Stockholm, from February 19May 29, 2022.

"Nikolai Astrup: Visions of Norway" is organized by the Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts, in cooperation with KODE Art Museums and Composer Homes, Bergen, and the Savings Bank Foundation DNB, and Prince Eugen's Waldemarsudde. The exhibition has been generously supported by the Savings Bank Foundation DNB. Additional support is provided by Richard and Carol Seltzer and Diane and Andreas Halvorsen. The exhibition catalogue has been published with generous support from the Savings Bank Foundation DNB, with additional support from the Asbjorn Lunde Foundation.

"Ground/work"

Open through October 17, 2021

The Clark's first outdoor exhibition "Ground/work" consists of site-responsive installations by six contemporary artists presented in locations across the pastoral setting of its 140-acre campus. International artists Kelly Akashi (b. 1983, Los Angeles), Nairy Baghramian (b. 1971, Isfahan, Iran), Jennie C. Jones (b. 1968, Cincinnati), Eva LeWitt (b. 1985, Spoleto, Italy), Analia Saban (b. 1980, Buenos Aires), and Haegue Yang (b. 1971, Seoul) were invited to conceive of a response to the Clark's landscape and to be in active dialogue with the natural environment and setting.

Collapsing the traditional hierarchy of sculpture in the landscape, where the object takes precedence over its site and context, "Ground/work" instead focuses on nature as subject, participant, and raw material. The projects demonstrate how the experience of space out-of-doors can be shifted and manipulated by forces both solid and ephemeral. The Ground/work artists probe issues of materiality, scale, form, and function, expressing themes and motifs core to their individual practices while exploring new conceptual and physical terrain.

"Ground/work" highlights the passage of time, bringing to the fore ideas of chance, transience, and transformation articulated in three dimensions. Offering an intimacy of encounter, the artists each generate new sculptural gestures that engage features of the Clark's landscape to bluror to bring into focusboundaries between the familiar and the unknown.

Open to the public day and night, "Ground/work" provides unique access to artworks beyond the museum walls. Extending the connections between the ecosystem of Stone Hill, the Clark's architecture, its renowned permanent collection, and contemporary artistic practice, this exhibition expands upon the Clark's commitment to create a place where visitors can experience remarkable works of art in a setting of profound natural beauty.

"Ground/work" is organized by the Clark Art Institute and guest curated by Molly Epstein and Abigail Ross Goodman.

"Ground/work" is made possible by Denise Littlefield Sobel. Major support for Ground/work is provided by Karen and Robert Scott and Paul Neely. Additional funding is generously provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art; the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor; Maureen Fennessy Bousa and Edward P. Bousa; Amy and Charlie Scharf; Elizabeth Lee; MASS MoCA; Chrystina and James Parks; Howard M. Shapiro and Shirley Brandman; Joan and Jim Hunter; James and Barbara Moltz; and a gift in honor of Marilyn and Ron Walter.

"Durer & After"

July 17October 3, 2021

Drawing from its extensive holdings of the works of Albrecht Durer (14711528), the Clark offers a unique opportunity to assess his centuries-long artistic legacy in this exhibition. Revered for his technical virtuosity, profound pictorial imagination, and vast production across media, Durer was one of the first European artists whose prints garnered appreciation as art. The bold AD monogram that adorns much of his work asserts not just the crafting of a printable matrix, but also the authorship of a pictorial idea, "the likes of which," he famously said, was "never before seen nor thought of by any other man."

Until well into the fifteenth century, printmaking in Europe was regarded not as an art form but as a utilitarian method of replicating and circulating imagery. That began to change due to Durer's prolific, versatile, and technically dazzling print oeuvre. Durer has long attracted all manner of imitators, copyists, and interpreters. Running the gamut from strict copies to free interpretations, works credited as "after-Durer" reflect a range of motives. While many imitators copied in the spirit of learning from or paying homage to his brilliant art, others sought to deceive or profit by sowing confusion around an image's true authorship. In this exhibition, presented in the Eugene V. Thaw Gallery for Works on Paper, originals and copies are grouped together to reveal the complex afterlife of some of Durer's most celebrated images.

This exhibition is organized by the Clark Art Institute and curated by Anne Leonard, Manton Curator of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs.

Erin Shirreff: "Remainders"

Open through January 2, 2022

This year-long exhibition highlights the work of contemporary artist Erin Shirreff (Canadian, b. 1975) and her fascination with the mythmaking behind art history through a practice that spans analog and digital media, two and three dimensions, and still and moving images.

The exhibition features photographs, prints, and video. In these works, Shirreff manipulates objects she has constructed as well as photographs of sculptures found in art books, transforming works with camera lens and printing process. Through these experiments, Shirreff asks what is left of the original experience of an artwork once it has entered the historical record and what traces of an artist's labor might still be legible after the fact. The exhibition includes photographs on paper and aluminum that have been creased and cut, to take on sculptural dimensions, as well as the artist's video work, featuring photographs of the artist's graphite-colored, poured plaster forms stitched together to create a seamless picture that scrolls slowly across the screen.

Erin Shirreff was born in Kelowna, British Columbia, and lives and works in Montreal. Trained as a sculptor, with an MFA from Yale University, she consistently works between photography, sculpture, and video to explore the relationship between objects and their representations. Her work has recently been the subject of solo exhibitions at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; Kunsthalle Basel; and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, and Albright-Knox Gallery. Shirreff is represented by Sikkema Jenkins & Co., New York and Bradley Ertaskiran, Montreal.

The Clark has highlighted the works of contemporary artists through special exhibitions for more than forty years. The Shirreff exhibition marks the second year-long installation in the Clark's public spaces curated by Robert Wiesenberger, associate curator of contemporary projects, as part of an ongoing series. This free exhibition is on view in public spaces in the Lower Clark Center and the Reading Room of the Manton Research Center.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 26)  President Rodrigo Duterte will pursue the country's bilateral ties with China on issues both countries can mutually agree on, while setting aside those they have yet to resolve, Malacanang said on Monday.

"He will pursue his bilateral relations," Presidentisl spokesman Harry Roque said during his regular virtual briefing. "Ipagpapatuloy niya ang relasyon sa bansang Tsina dun sa mga bagay-bagay na pupuwedeng isulong at isasantabi ang mga hindi mareresolba sa ating lifetime."

[Translation: He will continue his relationship with China on things that can be pursued and set aside what cannot be resolved during our lifetime.]

Roque argued that the country's territorial dispute with China, particularly over losing the Scarborough Shoal to Beijing and the latter setting up artificial islands in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, happened before Duterte came into office and that he "had to deal with these" when he became chief executive.

"Hindi sa termino ni Presidente na nagkaroon tayo ng batas at isang desisyon ni Justice Carpio na naging dahilan kung bakit nawalan tayo ng internal waters at territorial seas," Roque explained, referring to Republic Act 9522 or the Baselines Law signed in 2009 by former President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo.

[Translation: It is not under the term of the President (Duterte) that we had a law and a decision by (former Supreme Court Associate) Justice (Antonio) Carpio that resulted in our country losing internal waters and territorial seas.]

"Ang nawalang territorial sea natin ay 229,000 square miles at ang naging territorial sea na lang natin sang-ayon sa UNCLOS at sang-ayon sa Archipelagic Baselines Law ay 34,300 square miles na lang ang natira," argued Roque.

[Translation: We lost 229,000 square miles in territorial seas, and what was left to us according to the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea and Archipelagic Baselines Law was only 34,300 square miles.]

Still, Roque clarified the Palace is not blaming anyone, and that the President ended up deciding to push through with the country's bilateral ties with China, particularly in business and investments.

However, despite Duterte's friendly attitude toward Beijing, the Philippines has carried out more aggressive actions against China under his term, Roque said.

These include the Philippines protesting last year China's declaration of two new districts in what it calls Sansha City, which covered areas in the West Philippine Sea.

Just this month, Manila had been filing diplomatic protests against Beijing and numerous appeals as Chinese vessels remain in the West Philippine Sea.

China, meanwhile, has consistently refused to recognize the landmark arbitral tribunal ruling in The Hague in 2016 affirming the Philippines' sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone.
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Market Highlights

According to MRFR analysis, the Global Neurodiagnostics Market is expected to register a CAGR of 6.88% from 2019 to 2025 and held a value of USD 4,848.48 Million in 2018.

Neurodiagnostic tests which are also known as neurodiagnostics. records and monitors electrical activities of patients peripheral nerves, spinal cord, and brain. These tests help physicians to confirm or rule out a neurological disorder or other medical condition. The growth of the global neurodiagnostics market is boosted by factors such as rising number of strategic initiatives by key players such as mergers, joint ventures, acquisitions, partnerships, coupled with the advancements in technology across the globe. Furthermore, many non-profit organizations in various countries are working towards creating awareness regarding neurological diseases. For instance, the World Federation of Neurology (WFN), founded in July 2016, is a membership organization focused on raising awareness about the age and neurological conditions and diseases associated with age.

However, the high cost of neurodiagnostic treatment is likely to restrain the market growth to a certain extent in the coming years.

Market players such as GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthineers, Philips Healthcare, and Hitachi, Ltd., currently dominate the global neurodiagnostics market. The key players are involved in product launches and agreements to strengthen their market positions. For instance, in December 2019, GE Healthcare (US), signed USD 100 million technology partnership agreement with AFFIDEA (Ireland). GE Healthcare will install 200+ new equipment in Affideas network of centers across Europe. The deal includes the provision of 60 new MRIs, 50 ultrasound devices, 40 CT scanners and 30 X-rays machines in the next 3 years. It also includes a six-year service contract.

Regional Analysis

The market has been divided, by region, into the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. The Americas held maximum share in the base year 2018, owing to the high incidence rates of neurological disorders in countries such as US. According to the American Neurological Association, as of 2016, mealy 100 million Americans were affected by at least one of the neurological diseases. The neurodiagnostics market in the Americas has further been branched into North America and Latin America, with the North American market divided into the US and Canada. The European neurodiagnostics market has been categorized as Western Europe and Eastern Europe. The Western European market has further been classified as Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, and the rest of Western Europe. The neurodiagnostics market in Asia-Pacific has been segmented into Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, and the rest of Asia-Pacific. The neurodiagnostics market in this region is anticipated to be the fastest-growing during the assessment period due to the increasing awareness about the diagnostic treatments and favorable reimbursement policies. The neurodiagnostics market in the Middle East & Africa has been divided into the Middle East and Africa.

Segmentation

The Global Neurodiagnostics Market Trends has been segmented based on Product, Condition, and End User.

The market, based on product type, has been divided into diagnostic imaging systems, clinical diagnostic instruments, and reagents & consumables. The diagnostic imaging systems segment held a major share in 2018 owing to the rising number of diagnostic laboratories an imaging centers in the developing as well as developed countries. The reagents & consumables was the fastest-growing segment in 2018 due to high consumption in various routine techniques. The market, based on diagnostic imaging systems, has been further segment is segmented as, MRI systems, EEG systems, CT scanners, PET scanners, EMG devices, ultrasound imaging systems, MEG devices, angiography systems, and others. The market, based on clinical diagnostic instruments has been further bifurcated into PCR instruments, NGS instruments, sanger sequencers, and others. The market, based on reagents & consumables has been further segmented into media & sera, antibodies, buffers, solvents, enzymes, proteins, & peptides, probes, and other.

The global neurodiagnostics market has been segmented, based on the condition, into neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, epilepsy, headache disorders, sleep disorders, and others. In 2018, stoke segment held the majority share of the market owing to the growing geriatric population. The neurodegenerative diseases segment is anticipated to be the fastest growing during the forecast period due to the high number of Parkinsons and Alzheimers disease population.

The global neurodiagnostics market, based on end user, has been segmented into hospitals & surgical centers, diagnostic laboratories & imaging centers, neurology centers, ambulatory care centers, and research laboratories & academic institutes. The hospitals & surgical centers segment held the maximum share in 2018 owing to its high purchasing power to buy expensive equipment. The neurology centers segment is expected to be the fastest-growing during the assessment period due to the lower cost and short waiting period compared to hospitals.

Browse Full Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/neurodiagnostics-market-8762

Key Players

Some of the key players in the global neurodiagnostic market are GE Healthcare (US), Siemens Healthineers (Germany), Philips Healthcare (Netherlands), Hitachi, Ltd. (Japan), Canon, Inc. (Japan), Lifelines Neuro Company, LLC (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (US), FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation (Japan), Mitsar Co., Ltd. (Russia), Natus Medical Incorporated (US), Hoffman-La Roche AG (Switzerland), and QIAGEN N.V. (Netherland
Youn Yuh Jung made a historic win after scoring a major category at the recently concluded 93rd Academy Awards.

The 73-year-old became the first-ever South Korean celebrity to win an Oscar with her groundbreaking performance in the movie "Minari."

It came after the veteran actress took home the Best Supporting Actress as she surpassed her fellow nominees, including award-winning British actress Olivia Coleman, Glenn Close, Amanda Seyfried, and Bulgarian actress Maria Bakalova.

South Korean Celebrities Honors Youn Yuh Jung's Oscar Win

Following her monumental achievement, South Korean actors and actresses celebrate her winning moment with overflowing support on social media.

"Mr. Sunshine" star Lee Byung-hun took to Instagram as he shared a photo of the "Minari" actress with her Oscar trophy alongside a message that reads, "Impossible is not a fact, it's just an opinion."

To recall, the 50-year-old actor and Youn Yuh Jung have worked together in the 2018 movie " To The Heart."

The same goes with the "Parasite" actor Choi Woo-Shik, who revealed in his recent interview on "Youn's Stay" that he was emotional and moved by the veteran actress' historic win.

Meanwhile, one of Youn Yuh Jung's celebrity friends, Song Hye Kyo, shared a photo of the veteran actress and congratulated her for winning at the Oscars 2021.

"Sunsaengnim, congratulations!" Song Hye Kyo's Instagram reads, followed by a rose emoji.

3 Times Youn Yuh Jung Slayed her Acceptance Speech

Interestingly, Youn Yuh Jung's Oscar win is not just the highlight of her numerous achievements. The South Korean pride captivated the hearts of her international fans with her witty remarks during her acceptance speech.

Fangirled Over Brad Pitt

The 73-year-old Oscar winner can't help but swoon over Brad Pitt's charming looks as he presented the award for Best Supporting Actress.

Youn Yuh Jung expressed her admiration to the "Fury" star saying, "Mr. Brad Pitt, finally nice to meet you - where were you while we were filming in person?" adding, "Let me pull myself together" before saying her moving acceptance speech.

When he Called Brits "Snobbish" People

Aside from Youn Yuh Jung's flirtatious Oscar speech with Brad Pitt, the "Minari" actress stole the show with her tongue-in-cheek remark at the 2021 British Academy Film Awards.

At the time, the trailblazing actress went on stage to accept her first-ever BAFTA award as Best Supporting Actress. She starts her message by expressing her condolences to Prince Philip, who passed away at 99.

The actress then followed by thanking everyone who voted for her and being recognized by British people, whom she described as "very snobbish people."

Asked Fellow Nominees if her English is Right During SAG Awards

Earlier this month, Youn Yuh Jung won another major award. The South Korean actress scored Best Supporting Actress at the SAG Awards 2021.

A teary-eyed Youn Yuh Jung appeared at a virtual ceremony and seemed surprised after the presenter called her name.

She once again began her speech by thanking everyone and felt honored for "being recognized by Westerners."

On the other hand, she also admitted that her English was not the best and asked her co-nominees if they can understand her, to which they replied with a big smile and thumbs up.





KDramastars owns this article.

Written by Geca Wills
1. The hotels that have accommodation rooms at positive pressure to the corridors increases the risk of transmission via the inhalation pathway. If these hotels can have their ventilation system modified to change the pressure to negative or at least neutral this would lower the risk. This may not be possible at all hotels because of the design of the ventilation system. Whether extraction systems can be increased in airflow needs to be investigated.

2. Where positive room pressure for accommodation rooms in hotels cannot be altered, security guards are not to be located in a part of the corridor where there is minimal dilution of air coming from rooms with possible COVID-19 positive guests. The security guards may have to be moved further away from these rooms.

3. Guests in adjoining rooms or directly opposite to a confirmed COVID-19 positive guests should be moved at least one room further away if at all possible.

4. Security guards move as far as away as possible (current requirement is 2 metres) from rooms when doors are being opened to collect deliveries. This can be easily achieved when doors are knocked or telephone calls to rooms to say a delivery has been made.

5. It might be possible to install a supply air grill above the location of the guards. If the air coming through the grill is cooler than the corridor air it will act as an air curtain protecting the security guard. Laurie Glossop does not know how feasible this modification would be.

6. Rooms with COVID-19 positive guests could have the supply air reduced or exhaust air increased so the room could be made more negative pressure.

7. Rooms with COVID-19 positive guests could have a HEPA filter extraction machine installed in the room to reduce the viral load which could move into the corridors. These machines make some noise which guests might find annoying.

8. CCTV is another option where the security guard might not be able to directly see all the rooms, but could be notified from CCTV monitoring that someone has left a room. Another option is that simple sensors are used along the corridor which alarm when broken. These are readily available and are used in many shops and workplaces. Obviously, these would need to be turned off when deliveries are made. They may only be needed where there are emergency exits which cannot be monitored by security guards.

9. Another option is to not have guests in certain rooms because of security or poor ventilation in the corridor. This administrative control is relatively simple but does remove some rooms from being used for quarantining. The hotels with a red risk ranking might be amenable to this control.
New Delhi, April 27 : Stepping up the attack on the government on the issue of coronavirus management, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that the fight is against Covid, not Congress.

Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "The Modi government must realise that the battle is against Covid, it is not against the Congress or other political opponents." The Congress has alleged that the government has mishandled the whole issue and the patients are being denied treatment and there is shortage of oxygen beds and essential medicine.

The party said it has set up control room to coordinate with PCC control rooms and provide assistance and relief to the people infected with coronavirus. Congress president Sonia Gandhi has appointed four persons to man the control room. They are Manish Chatrath, Ajoy Kumar, Pawan Khera and Gurdeep Singh Sappal.

The Congress statement said, this group of four persons will coordinate the relief activities of various state control rooms.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The short tenure of Missouri City City Manager Odis Jones has come to an abrupt end as he was terminated during a City Council meeting on Monday.

Jones was hired less than a year ago when the City Council voted to authorize then-Mayor Yolanda Ford to negotiate a contract on July 16, 2020. The divided council voted 4-3 to allow the contract to move forward. His termination in Missouri City came via a 5-2 vote on Monday during the virtual meeting.

Missouri City Council voted 5-2 during the Monday, April 26, Special Virtual Meeting to terminate the employment of former City Manager Odis Jones, the city reported in a statement. Council members also voted (5-0; two members were not present) to appoint Assistant City Manager Bill Atkinson as interim city manager. Atkinson has served in the role for 14 years. Additionally, council members authorized staff to take the necessary steps to move forward with a city manager search.

According to the terms of his employment contract, Jones starting salary was set at $250,000 annually and included a $700 per-month car allowance and $90-per-month allowance for voice and data services. The contract has an indefinite term and can be terminated at any time with or without cause. According to the contract, if Odis was terminated without cause, the contract stipulates he is to be paid a lump sum equal to 12 months base pay. Jones previously served as city manager for the city of Hutto from November 2016 to December 2019.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Missouri City mayor issues statement denying allegations against city manager

Jones replaced former city manager Anthony Snipes after the council voted 4-3 to terminate his contract in February 2020. According to the terms of Snipes employment contract, he received a payment of 12 months salary ($213,200) due to early termination of his contract.

Jones arrived in Missouri City following a controversial exit from Hutto in November 2019.

Then-Hutto Mayor Doug Gaul and City Council questioned at least 15 severance agreements with former and current city employees totaling roughly $400,000 made under Jones leadership at Hutto from December 2016 to December 2019. In September of last year, Ford contended the allegations were baseless and unfair. She labeled news reports and social media comments directed at Jones as appalling and reckless. She claimed criticism leveled at Jones was part of a smear campaign of politically and racially motivated attacks directed at Jones because hes Black.

I would like to reiterate again that any operational decisions I made while honorably serving the city of Hutto were done with the knowledge and approval of the City Council, Jones said in September 2020. This includes all severance agreements, budget amendments and strategic initiatives. I take my oath and ethical obligation as a city manager very seriously and am offended by these ongoing untruthful and unjustified attacks.

As part of his termination from Hutto, Jones received $412,000 in a separation agreement. However, in December 2020, the city of Hutto voided the agreement and sought to have any money returned. His salary in Hutto was $275,000 per year.

This item as it was done didnt follow the laws and didnt follow the charter, Hutto Council Member Mike Snyder said during a meeting at the time about the termination agreement. Snyder has since been elected mayor of the city.

Jones then filed a lawsuit against the city.

City of Hutto, Council Member (Mike) Snyder, and Council Member (Tanner) Rose have taken unjust and racially driven actions to deny Mr. Jones his federally protected civil rights; to defame and disparage Mr. Jones; to tortiously interfere with his efforts to provide for his family; to breach the Employment Agreement and Separation Agreement that the City of Hutto negotiated, drafted, and lawfully entered into with Mr. Jones; and to intentionally inflict emotional distress upon Mr. Jones, according to the lawsuit.

Jones nor city of Missouri City officials could be reached for further comment.

rkent@hcnonline.com
A COVID-19 pill being developed by Pfizer could be ready to enter the market this year if trials are successful, according to a report.

"We have designed PF-07321332 as a potential oral therapy that could be prescribed at the first sign of infection, without requiring that patients are hospitalized or in critical care," Mikael Dolsten, who leads Pfizer's worldwide research, development, and medical division, said as reported by New York Post.

Trials are already ongoing with volunteers between ages 18 and 60 in the U.S. and Brussels. Classed as a "protease inhibitor," the PF-07321332 has been formulated to attack the "spine" of the SARS-Cov-2 virus and stop it replicating in the noses, throats, and lungs.

Dr. Penny Ward, a visiting professor in pharmaceutical medicine at King's College London, told the Telegraph that if Pfizer already moved to this stage, "they will be quietly optimistic."

RELATED ARTICLE: COVID Vaccine in Pill Form To Start Clinical Trials in Humans This Year

Pfizer's COVID-19 Pill

The antiviral drug could be given to stop the illness from getting severe in people who have shown symptoms of COVID-19.

Vaccines are not 100 percent effective, and some people could not have them or do not benefit as much. According to Daily Mail, COVID-19 pills could prevent severe illness in people for whom vaccines do not work as well.

The report said that pills could be effective as well in case an immune-resistant new variant emerges. Pfizer's first-phase trial for the COVID-19 pill is expected to come to an end on May 25.

If the pill turns out to be effective and safe after this, larger trials with more people will be done to prove that it really does stop COVID-19.

'It would be a huge step forward if antiviral drugs work... Normal services can function, and you don't have to have a lockdown," Professor Kevin Blyth, a University of Glasgow scientist, said in the report.

Blyth is currently working on a trial of the antiviral drug favipiravir that could be given after someone caught the coronavirus.

Pfizer has not found any evidence of side effects in its animal trials and now eyeing to see how it affects humans through a small test on healthy people.

If the human trials' results are promising, the Telegraph reported that the COVID-19 pill could be available later this year.

Together with its partner BioNTech, Pfizer has already developed a COVID-19 vaccine reported to be more than 95 percent effective.

U.S. to Share 60 Million COVID-19 Vaccines

Meanwhile, the U.S. is set to release 60 million doses of AstraZeneca to other countries over the next several months, the White House said.

However, the White House did not particularly say which countries would receive the vaccine. But it noted that around 10 million doses are ready to ship once regulatory clearance from Food and Drug Administration has been granted. The U.S. government had been holding a stockpile of million doses of AstraZeneca.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the U.S. does not need to use AstraZeneca in the fight against COVID in the next few months.

The Biden administration has been under pressure to assist other countries in the fight against the pandemic, specifically India, NPR reported.

On Sunday, the White House announced that it would send India therapeutics, testing supplies, and equipment to help generate and transport more oxygen. It would also hand out vaccine materials to India to manufacture more vaccine doses in the country.

Former FDA head Dr. Scott Gottlieb said the country needs to learn more aggressively forward and look at ways to relax some of the restrictions that do not make sense anymore. Gottlieb noted that officials should look at restrictions on outdoor activities, NY Post reported.

READ MORE: U.S. to Hand Out COVID Vaccine Raw Materials to India

WATCH: COVID Home Cure Pill From Pfizer Could be Available This Year - From Keralakaumudi News






In the 1980s, Arthur Severio was pioneering gender-fluid fashion on the streets of the French Quarter, though at the time he didnt know it. Thats because back then, there wasnt a term yet for his gender-defying style.

At the time, Severio, now 54, fashioned his hair into a shoulder-length bob, dyed what he describes as red-red-red-red. He would often wear skirts with mens button-down shirts. Makeup, hoop earrings and leather were also popular at the time, influenced by the punk scene. People would sometimes approach Severio in a store and say, Excuse me, maam, only to correct themselves to sir, after he lifted his head.

I was just me, Severio says. I wasnt thinking of this, that, or the other.

For decades, the mixing of traditionally gendered clothing and accessories was considered at best a niche style  and at worst, an excuse to target people with anti-LGBTQ abuse and harassment. For much of society it was a quirky signifier of punks, glam rockers and queer culture.

But over the last decade those conventional notions of the intersection of fashion and gender have increasingly been left behind. Now, gender-fluid fashion is trending with young pop culture icons  Billie Eilish, Jaden Smith, Ezra Miller and Harry Styles come to mind  as they appear in clothes at photo shoots, on stage, and in their everyday lives that defy conventional, gendered fashion.

Predictably, those trends have seeped into the lives of the non-rich and famous as well, particularly with younger people who have begun bringing gender-fluid styles into the mainstream.

While this fashion movement may simply appear to concern the arrangement of fabrics, its ultimately a fight for creative expression and identification. It enables freedom to make choices and is a platform for not just a fashion statement, but a political statement  and often one of acceptance.

Unsurprisingly, New Orleans has been at the forefront of gender-fluid fashion. After all, costuming here isnt something only done on Halloween or Mardi Gras. On any given Tuesday, youre as likely to see someone decked out in sequins and glitter as you are to see a three-piece suit. Its a city well-known for artists, entertainers and musicians who showcase a melange of colorful, eclectic styles.

For example, Big Freedia, a gay man with a feminine stage persona and fluid pronouns, has become the de facto face of bounce music in the city.

Add that to the social-barrier-breaking nature of Carnival, and its no small wonder that the city naturally blurs the lines of gender in fashion. But various generations of New Orleanians have approached their own particular brand of gender-fluid fashion in completely different ways.

We really need to pay homage to the people that came before me  our ancestors, Severio says of gender-fluid dressing Baby Boomers and members of the Silent Generation.

As late as the mid-20th century, New Orleanians were jailed for even approaching a form of gender-fluid fashion as part of the broader persecution of the LGBTQ community. In 1952 on Halloween night, 21 men were arrested because city ordinance 3121 prohibits a person from wearing clothing of the opposite sex in public, according to a story in The Times-Picayune at the time. The only exception for that rule, the city claimed, was for Fat Tuesday.

Back in the day, the girls wouldnt even talk to the gays because theyd get clocked, Severio says, referring to people outing others gender and sexual identity. In that way, they would know their tea.

The terms and gender identification from those days have evolved dramatically since the 1950s.

"I think that gender fluidity, even though it's not really a new concept, is suddenly being talked about on a larger scale, designer Melanie Reupke says. And people don't really know what to do with that.

Reupke, 37, spent her childhood poring over fashion magazines, playing dress-up and drawing, so it was only natural that she was drawn to fashion. A few years ago, Reupke found herself at a fashion show where Daquine, a non-binary drag princess, announced that The Material Institute of New Orleans was accepting new students. She jumped at the opportunity and has been with the institute for a year and a half.

Reupkes inaugural collection, Dreamweaver, drew inspiration from elegant, drapey materials, showcased with male or non-binary models. She drew inspiration from pop culture icons and people who embody a genderless vibe.

But she also made sure to keep it local by conversing with New Orleanians who operate outside of social norms.

"Why does elegance and grace and beauty have to be attributed to a specific gender? Reupke says. I don't think it needs to. I want the clothes I design to be for everybody."

With her own wardrobe, Reupke tends to sport thrift shop finds  not super girly, she says, but not quite tomboy, either. She gravitates toward old Boy Scout shirts paired with cargo shorts, although she sometimes favors vintage dresses.

Reupke describes her style as eclectic, choosing clothes based on what feels natural to her at a particular time  she always dresses for herself.

Sam Springston, a 33-year-old studio artist and drag queen, loves to dazzle in clothes that he selects and designs for himself. He describes his style as "trashionista meets body glover; a Kmart version of Leigh Bowery," and isn't subtle on his outfit details.

Springston doesnt require a process when designing his outfits, per se. He simply thinks to dress as a person before anything else  for him, its more about maintaining an aesthetic.

Springston looks to more androgenous designers like Iris van Herpen, Manish Arora and Gareth Pugh.

One could say that Gen-Z is fortunate to have had the boundaries of gendered fashion lowered by the generations before them, but theyre also trailblazing on their own.

Niko Brown, a 15-year-old student at Lycee Francais de la Nouvelle-Orleans High School, draws her style from both goth and drag culture. She says its important to be able to outwardly project her interests and passions through clothing because it makes her feel complete. It also enables her to express herself in a platform she uses in her daily life.

Typically, Brown prefers to contrast a tight article of clothing with a loose article for a balanced look.

She suggests creating things that are "boxier" to hide the figure, noting some gender-fluid people aren't completely comfortable with tight-fitting, revealing clothing.

And not all gender-fluid people present as gender-fluid. She says that designing gender-fluid and inclusive clothing calls for variance: it should include feminine, masculine, and gender-neutral aspects in its color palette, shape and overall design.

Walker Argao, a 16-year-old student, also at Lycee, says he wears whatever makes him comfortable. He doesn't put much thought into his outfits but wears what he gravitates to in the moment.

Although he describes a good bit of the clothes he wears as leaning more toward the masculine side, hes open to both clothes found in the female and male section. Fashion, for Argao, is such an everyday, basic way to show others another side of himself  without the need to participate in something grandiose.

"It's pretty surprising to see Mardi Gras fashion, Argao says. Not in a bad way; I like the chaotic nature of Mardi Gras fashion. It makes me feel proud to live in a city with all these awesome crazy people who make these extravagant costumes.

New Orleans drag culture and Mardi Gras in particular certainly have had such a large impact on gender-fluid fashion  across generations. Both have welcomed in the LGBTQ community and provide events and platforms for a diverse assortment of people to express themselves in unapologetic ways.

Like the Bourbon Street Awards, for example, which dishes out prizes to the best in leather, group, and drag, among other categories.

"This is kind of a mix between gender and sexuality, Springston says. Something along the lines of peacocks, male peacocks having the brightest feathers and like flying that plumage to flag what they're looking for. And I feel like that's something I resonate with in my fashion: trying to find that otherness, that flamboyancy in dress."

Springston says he feels his drag helps him understand how he can push boundaries.

Everyone has that right, and I think it's really beautiful because you see so many people walking down the street dressed so differently, Brown, the 16-year-old, says of New Orleans. Clothing can be a mask  but it can also be a reflection of one's inner self.

Severio looks back to his time growing up in rural Louisiana in the 1970s and 80s as a young, gay man  a particularly painful time as he was the brunt of judgment and bullying during his time in school.

I wasnt trying to be feminine, Severio says. I tried to be male, but there were even pictures of me in the yearbook where they labeled me as a girl.

Severio thankfully had the guidance from an older generation in his big brother, a gay man 20 years his senior. His brother brought him to New Orleans, where he was introduced to drag culture and gay people, and he felt like there was a bit of salvation for him.

It was such a different culture than what I grew up in, Severio says. There was one of everything  and that was so cool for me.

Despite his hardship growing up, Severio says that hes optimistic about the direction younger generations of New Orleanians are going in  not just in terms of their open sexuality, gender and fashion sense, but also in their sense of identity as humans.

Im hoping that with the internet, that their generation found freedom for themselves and acceptance, Severio says. I hope that the kids in the country dont have to go through what I went through. Just be yourself and live out loud.

Spring Fashion 2021: Gen Z takes over, B-Mike's new clothing line, fashion tips from local celebs & more JRNOLA dives into the fads weve all come to embrace including athleisure, the rise of gender-fluid fashion, drag culture and the emergence  and importance  of supporting Black-owned clothing lines in New Orleans.
(HealthDay)All 26,000 Houston Methodist workers must get a COVID-19 shot by June 7 or risk losing their jobs, making it the first U.S. hospital system to make vaccination mandatory.

Managers at the system were required to get their vaccinations by April 15, CBS News reported.

In March, Houston Methodist gave vaccinated workers an extra $500 and also warned that at some point the shots would no longer be voluntary. The health system includes a medical center and six community hospitals.

"Mandating the vaccine was not a decision we made lightly, but science has proven that the COVID-19 vaccines are very safe and very effective," Marc Boom, M.D., Houston Methodist president and CEO, told employees on Friday in an emailed message, CBS News reported. "Like I say to everyone who askswhether they are reporters, the public, patients, or our employees, it is our sacred obligation to do everything possible to keep our patients safe. By choosing to be vaccinated, you are leadersshowing our colleagues in health care what must be done to protect our patients, ourselves, our families, and our communities."

Boom also noted that he has "spoken to countless hospital leaders across the country who plan to mandate COVID-19 vaccination soon."

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

More information: CBS News Article

Copyright  2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OnlineSchoolsCenter.com recently released a catalog of the 25 Hidden Gems of the Northwest: 2021 College Edition , which gives readers an in-depth look at largely overlooked colleges in the northwestern United States.

This list is available for perusal by following the link below:

https://www.onlineschoolscenter.com/hidden-gems-northwest/

There are many students studying at all levels living in the Northwest who would prefer to complete their degrees at colleges, universities, and institutions that are quieter or more off-the-beaten-path. Many such schools offer exceedingly high-quality resources, beautiful campuses, and exciting campus culture. It is easy to fall in love with one place because of reasons A, B, and C, but, despite their state of residence, applicants have a much larger plethora of options available to them that may provide exactly what they're looking for! Some opportunities might be right under their nose, and this list is designed as a guide to just that.

All of the schools on this ranking are incredibly high-quality educational institutions. Each provides a unique experience, and many have histories that are centuries long. Enrollees at any one of these 25 Hidden Gems of the Northwest are guaranteed to find an exhilarating academic pathway that provides much more than just a degree. The list includes three or four schools from each state in the Northwest and is listed alphabetically by state.

According to lead researcher-writer Rowan Jones, "Having attended one of the schools from this series of hidden gems, I can tell you with complete certainty that learning at a small school and on a beautiful campus is an experience that is like none other."

Below we have listed the schools that have made the 25 Hidden Gems of the Northwest: 2021 College Edition:

University of Alaska Southeast - Juneau , AK

, AK Alaska Pacific University - Anchorage, AK

- Alaska Career College - Anchorage, AK

Ilisagvik College - Barrow, AK

Northwest Nazarene University - Nampa, ID

Lewis-Clark State College - Lewiston, ID

- The College of Idaho - Caldwell, ID

- College of Eastern Idaho - Idaho Falls, ID

- Rocky Mountain College - Billings, MT

- Carroll College - Helena, MT

Montana Technological University - Butte, MT

Flathead Valley Community College - Kalispell, MT

- Willamette University - Salem, OR

- Eastern Oregon University - La Grande, OR

- Linfield University - McMinnville, OR

Pacific University - Forest Grove, OR

- Central Washington University - Ellensburg, WA

- Whitman College - Walla Walla, WA

- University of Puget Sounds - Tacoma, WA

Whitworth University - Spokane, WA

Digipen Institute of Technology - Redmond, WA

- Casper College - Casper, WY

- Eastern Wyoming College - Torrington, WY

- Sheridan College - Sheridan , WU

- , WU Laramie County Community College - Cheyenne, WY

These 25 Hidden Gems of the Northwest: 2021 College Edition were chosen for multiple factors, which included: the average annual size of the enrolled student body, extremely high-quality academic programs that provide more than just a classroom education, a campus that offers multiple opportunities for extracurricular activities and inclusivity, and a vibrant campus culture. The information on this OnlineSchoolsCenter.com index is designed to give readers a simple and easy-to-read introduction to the schools and their facilities and links to visit the school websites.

Contact:

Rowan Jones

Researcher/Writer

OnlineSchoolsCenter.com

Email: [email protected]

Cell: (931) 636-4286

SOURCE OnlineSchoolsCenter.com
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 03:02:42|Editor: huaxia

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The latest meeting of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Joint Commission is held in Vienna, Austria, April 27, 2021. The sequence in which the United States and Iran return to compliance with the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, or the JCPOA, is first and foremost a matter of "sense of justice," said Wang Qun, Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, on Tuesday. Wang made the remarks after attending the latest meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission. The meeting was chaired by Enrique Mora, the deputy secretary general and political director of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and attended by representatives of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and Iran. (EU Delegation Vienna/Handout via Xinhua)

VIENNA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The sequence in which the United States and Iran return to compliance with the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is first and foremost a matter of "sense of justice," said Wang Qun, Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, on Tuesday.

Wang made the remarks after attending the latest meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission. The meeting was chaired by Enrique Mora, the deputy secretary general and political director of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and attended by representatives of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and Iran.

The Joint Commission's negotiations on getting the United States and Iran to resume compliance with the JCPOA have entered the fourth week, said Wang, stressing that "it will be a very important week."

The negotiations have made some important progress, whereas some significant differences are yet to be ironed out, Wang noted.

"China believes that the issue of the sequence in which the United States and Iran resume the implementation of the JCPOA is first and foremost a matter of sense of justice," Wang said. "The cart shouldn't be put before the horse."

"The current Iranian nuclear crisis was caused by the former U.S. government, which unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA and exerted extreme pressure on Iran," Wang said. "Therefore, the United States should first remove all illegal unilateral sanctions on Iran and third parties. This is the key to the success of the negotiations."

"All parties must continue to focus on and resolve this core issue first. At the same time, the Joint Commission should also consider how to verify the U.S. lifting of sanctions," Wang added.

"China hopes that all parties concerned will maintain the current momentum of negotiations, stick to the right direction and the existing consensus, and work tirelessly to achieve the overall goal of the negotiations," Wang said.

Before the talks, Wang, together with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (Vienna) Mikhail Ivanovich Ulyanov, held a trilateral meeting, fully exchanging views on key issues concerning the United States and Iran returning to compliance with the JCPOA.

Also on Tuesday, the Chinese envoy met with Mora from EEAS and exchanged views on pushing forward the current negotiations. Wang stressed that China supports the European Union in playing an active role as the coordinator in the negotiations. Enditem
The consensus ASEAN managed to achieve with Myanmar's military head is the first positive step in easing the nation's long-lasting crisis, experts said.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member state leaders reached a five-point consensus calling for an end to violence in Myanmar at ASEAN Leaders' Meeting last Saturday.

Alistair Cook, Research Program coordinator and senior fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Myanmar, said ASEAN showed its potential with the joint statement.

"ASEAN united to agree on a framework of action. Now is the time for it to act. This is a good start to support the people of Myanmar," he said.

He said the chairman's statement at ASEAN Leaders' Meeting presented key contents for ASEAN to take the leading role, as well as for its member countries and the international community to make contributions. "ASEAN members and the international community should wholeheartedly support this effort," he stressed.

The consensus included in the statement comprises five points: there shall be an immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and all parties shall exercise the utmost restraint; constructive dialogue among all parties concerned shall commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people; a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair shall facilitate mediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the Secretary General of ASEAN; ASEAN shall provide humanitarian assistance through AHA Center, an intergovernmental organization, established with the aim to facilitate cooperation and coordination of disaster management among ASEAN member states; and the special envoy and delegation shall visit Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned.

The statement was released following a closed meeting of ASEAN leaders on the crisis that has lasted for almost three months in Myanmar.

The meeting was held in Indonesia and senior general Min Aung Hlaing, head of the Myanmar military, represented the nation at the event.

The leaders of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei were at the meeting, along with the foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines.

Min Aung Hlaing (L), head of the Myanmar military, arrives in Jakarta, Indonesia for the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting on April 24, 2021. Photo by Reuters.

Gregory Poling of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a U.S. think tank, commented on the statement as "strong language from ASEAN."

But he noted "it's a little unclear if this is the consensus of Min Aung Hlaing or just the nine ASEAN leaders," but he believes all parties "shall do each of the five."

He also highlighted another point in the statement, saying ASEAN leaders have also ordered their foreign ministers to meet with the U.S. and China.

"We underscored the importance of further strengthening ASEAN centrality and unity in our engagement with ASEANs external partners through ASEAN-led mechanisms in order to build mutual trust and confidence as well as reinforce an open, transparent, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture with ASEAN at the center. In this regard, we instructed ASEAN foreign ministers to hold their meetings with China and the U.S. as soon as possible, prior to the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting," the statement read.

Myanmar's military government has opposed intervention from the U.S. in the country's political situation. Washington, meanwhile, has imposed the most sanctions aimed at the personal benefits and economic interests of Myanmars military.

Myanmar has fallen into crisis since the army seized power and detained government leader Aung San Suu Kyi and much of her party leadership on Feb. 1. Hundreds of thousands of people have been coming onto the streets to protest the coup and more than 700 people have been killed.

Experts expect ASEAN to play its role as an intermediary to help find a peaceful solution to the situation in Myanmar.

The Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Teodoro Locsin Jr, described the meeting as "a candid, family-style manner meeting where ASEAN member states expressed their concerns on the mounting death toll and the escalating violence against civilians following the takeover of the government by the Myanmar armed forces, locally known as the Tatmadaw."

Hunter Marston, PhD student at the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, Australian National University, said ASEAN has played an important part in the political process in Myanmar.

ASEAN should make every effort to reach out to the National Unity Government of Myanmar and ensure the Myanmar military enters a dialogue with protesting citizens as promised.

The National Unity Government is a body claiming to be the legitimate government of Myanmar, existing in parallel with the State Administration Council military junta.

"The bloc needs to act quickly, building toward a political solution. The current situation is very difficult for us to imagine a scenario where the military will accept concessions," Marston said.

He said the five-point consensus comes out of expectation, yet it has still ignored some of the key issues in tensions between protesters and military authorities, such as the issue of releasing political prisoners.

The ASEAN chairmans statement did address this issue but it did not appear in the consensus, which suggested related parties seem to have discussed the issue but have not found a common voice, he said.

"Consensus has also remained unclear when it comes to the request to establish a dialogue among parties. We can imagine the scenario in which General Min Aung Hlaing refuses to have a dialogue with the United National Government because the military considers this organization as against the law. More action is needed for the special envoy to ensure the military will enter a dialogue," he noted.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
A series of listed businesses on the stock market have announced plans to expand and tap real estate investment.

Many listed companies have announced plans to expand and tap additional business in real estate investment. Photo baodautu.vn

Thanh Cong Textile Garment Investment Trading Joint Stock Company (TCM) has revealed a plan to build three towers, namely Thanh Cong Tower 1, 2 and 3 (or TC1, TC2 and TC3).

TC1 will span an area of 9,898 sq.m at No 37 Tan Thanh Street, Tan Phu District in HCM City.

TC2 will be built on the area of the existing factory covering about 6.6 hectares. TC3 is a residential commercial project with an area of 13,178 sq.m, located on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, District 4, HCM City.

The news was released at TCMs annual general meeting of shareholders held in late March. Answering questions from shareholders about the new business, TCM leaders said that the TC1 tower project was under legal procedures and is expected to take about 12 to 15 months. Real estate revenue and profit would be recorded about 2-3 years later.

Notably, a new member of the TCM Board of Directors is Nguyen Van Nghia, who is currently the Chairman of the Board of Members of Thanh Long Trading and Transport Construction Co Ltd, and used to be the Vice Chairman of Prime Group. He has continuously bought TCM shares for a long time.

At the time of the shareholder meeting, he was holding 7.6 million shares, equivalent to 12.37 per cent. On April 13 this year, Nghia increased his ownership to 14.15 per cent, equivalent to 8.77 million TCM shares.

Nghia, who is an expert in real estate and corporate financial restructuring, is believed to support TCMs new business segment.

REE, HAX

At the recent annual shareholder meeting of Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Joint Stock Company (REE), Nguyen Thi Mai Thanh, Chairwoman of REE, said the Board of Directors regarded this year as a good time to focus on M&A projects in the real estate sector.

Currently, REE is constructing the Etown 6 project, a 45,000-sq.m office project for lease, with total investment of approximately VND1.7 trillion (US$1.3 million).

REE developed an office project for lease named Etown 5 in 2019, with good rental capacity and positively contributed to the company's revenue and profit. Currently REE has 15,000 sq.m of office floor for lease.

Last year, REE rearranged its operations with the establishment of REE Real Estate Company Limited (REE Land) as the focal point of real estate investment and trading, expanding investment into segments of houses, trade centres, industrial parks and infrastructure in many big cities across the country.

According to Mai Thanh, this year, the real estate segment would contribute VND626.7 billion to the company's net profit.

Recently, at the annual shareholder meeting of Hang Xanh Auto Service Joint Stock Company (HAX), the Board of Directors of the company shared a plan to expand investment in real estate.

Previously, Haxaco invested in sea villas at The Hamptons Ho Tram project. At present, this investment makes up about 10 per cent of the company's profit. The villa area is in the Mercedes style, the auto brand that Haxaco distributes.

According to Do Tien Dung, Chairman of Haxaco's Board of Directors, this year, the company plans to invest in buying land as assets, as well as building factories and showrooms.

This activity contributed to promoting sustainable growth for Haxaco. Instead of renting space to open showrooms, the company aimed to buy land for long-term and stable development, he said.

"As for the plan to open a resort project, if there is an investment opportunity, Haxaco will also invest in it as in the case of the Ho Tram project," Dung said.

Interior tycoon

The case causing a stir in the market recently is that the Department of Construction of Son La Province has issued a document in late March requesting Picenza Vietnam Corporation and the Hano-Vid Real Estate Joint Stock Company to review their advertising, capital mobilisation and sale of land plots and houses in a urban area project as the conditions are not met.

The urban area project that Picenza Vietnam and Hano-Vid are working on is located in Son La Provinces Chieng Le Ward and Chieng An Ward, namely Picenza Riverside Son La. It has a large scale of 81,973 sq.m.

Talking to the au tu Chung khoan (Securities Investment) newspaper on this issue, Picenza Vietnam's representative, Le Thuy Trang, said Picenza had sent a document to the Son La Construction Department to request the correction of information.

Regarding Urban Area No 1 in Chieng An Ward, the company has basically completed legal procedures, investors have been allocated land plots, granted construction permits and certificates of land use rights.

In an official document sent to Son La Construction Department, the company stated that Picenza has not made any housing land transactions, has not received deposits to buy or sell land and housing directly or through social networking sites, as stated in the document of the construction department. Picenza Viet Group Joint Stock Company was founded by Hoang Tu Company, which owns Hung Tuy showroon, founded by Nguyen Van Hung and Cao Van Tuy.

Currently, Hoang Tu has divested from Picenza Vietnam but it is known that Hung and Tuy are still major shareholders. Both are known as tycoons in the field of interior design.

Picenza is currently headquartered at 20 Cat Linh Street, Hanoi. This company operates in the field of commerce, real estate, and is known for a number of projects such as Aqua Central and King Palace.

VNS

Overseas Vietnamese continue to find VN real estate market irresistible Hoang Cong Khuong has lived in Poland since 2002, and he and his wife run a small business there.
Lonely and single middle age men are at an increased risk of developing cancer than those in a relationship and with people around them, according to a new study.

A team from the University of Eastern Finland worked with 2,570 middle-aged men, monitoring their health and mortality from the 1980s to the present day.

Over the course of the study 25% of participants had developed cancer, with 11% of the Finnish men involved dying from the condition.

There was a 'clear link' between loneliness and an increased risk of cancer, the team explained, with being lonely increasing the risk of cancer by about ten per cent.

The researchers say taking account of loneliness and social relationships should be an important part of comprehensive health care and disease prevention.

Lonely and single middle age men are at an increased risk of developing cancer than those in a relationship and with people around them, according to a new study

Globally, cancer is the second leading cause of death. Loneliness has been suggested as a risk factor for cancer mortality. However, connections between loneliness, social isolation, and cancer are poorly understood.

Recent studies have suggested that loneliness could be as significant a health risk as smoking or being overweight, according to the researchers.

'Our findings support the idea that attention should be paid to this issue,' said project Researcher Siiri-Liisi Kraav from the University of Eastern Finland.

The study was originally launched in the 1980s with 2,570 middle-aged men from eastern Finland participating, with their health tracked up to the present day.

Over the course of the period 649 men have developed cancer and 283 have died of the condition, with loneliness increasing the cancer risk by about 10%.

This association with the risk of cancer was observed regardless of age, socio-economic status, lifestyle, sleep quality, depression symptoms, body mass index, heart disease and their risk factors, the authors explained.

A team from the University of Eastern Finland worked with 2,570 middle-aged men, monitoring their health and mortality from the 1980s to the present day

In addition, cancer mortality was higher in cancer patients who were unmarried, widowed or divorced at baseline.

'Awareness of the health effects of loneliness is constantly increasing. Therefore, it is important to examine, in more detail, the mechanisms by which loneliness causes adverse health effects,' the authors wrote.

'This information would enable us to better alleviate loneliness and the harm caused by it, as well as to find optimal ways to target preventive measures.'

The findings were published in Psychiatry Research.
Di Maio at Expo sends message of looking beyond crisis Foreign minister in Dubai to inaugurate Italy Pavilion

(ANSAmed) - DUBAI, 27 APR - Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio travelled to Dubai to inaugurate the Italy Pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai, and spoke of looking beyond the crisis of the Covid-19 pandemic.



"I hope that we can all share the same message and the same belief, that we can look together beyond the crisis and turn it into an opportunity to restart better thanks to the power of 'the beauty that unites people'," Di Maio said, referencing Italy's theme statement for Expo 2020, and referring to Expo as the "first large international event after the pandemic".



Di Maio said Italy and the many Italian regions present in Dubai "will derive a great benefit" from Expo, because also thanks to the reproduction of the David of Michelangelo featured at the Italy Pavilion, "many more people will visit Italy". (ANSAmed).




A top European Union official said Sunday that Americans who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 should be able to travel to Europe by summer, easing existing travel restrictions.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told The New York Times that the union's 27 members would accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that are approved by the European Medicines Agency. The agency has approved the three vaccines used in the United States.
Gurugram, April 27 : In an effort to resolve the oxygen crisis, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has set up a round-the-clock call centre to monitor the supply of medical oxygen to all the hospitals across the district.

According to the civic officials, a dedicated team has also been constituted to monitor the oxygen situation in the district.

MCG Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh chaired a meeting with all his officials on Tuesday and asked them to lay down the necessary guidelines for oxygen supply to the hospitals.

"The Haryana government has allocated 35 MT medical oxygen per day to Gurugram. Of this, 20 MT will be allocated by Inox Company from Rajasthan's Bhiwadi and 15 MT from the Air Liquid Company in Panipat," Singh said.

He said that 20 MT of liquid medical oxygen coming from Inox Bhiwadi would be sent daily through its own tankers by the company. It will be distributed to the hospitals in Gurugram which have their own oxygen tanks.

"These include Medanta, Fortis, Artemis, Max, Park, Metro and other hospitals. If there is a shortage of company vehicles, other vehicles will be pressed into such service," he said.

Singh also informed that the allocation to these hospitals has been capped.

He said the administration will bring 15 MT medical oxygen from the Air Liquid Company in Panipat.

"These tankers will carry oxygen from Panipat to three gas refilling stations in Gurugram. These include Star Gases and Maxcare at Manesar and GK Industries' gas refilling station at Sector-16.

These refilling stations will distribute oxygen in cylinders to hospitals that do not have oxygen tanks. People can also avail oxygen cylinders from these stations," the Commissioner added.
[April 27, 2021] Headed For The Hills--Of Austin: Bain & Company Launches An Austin Office

AUSTIN, Texas, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bain & Company has officially launched an Austin office, which will serve clients across the Austin and San Antonio areas, reinforcing Bain's strength as the go-to consulting firm for tech companies and tech talent. Bain launched its Austin office virtually, amid the pandemic, and is preparing its physical space in downtown Austin to be a postpandemic hub for creativity and collaboration in the vibrant Austin market. "Bain & Company has been working with clients in the Austin and San Antonio area for decades, and this move brings us closer to many of our enduring clients," said Peter Bowen, a partner at Bain & Company and head of the Bain Austin office. "It will also facilitate collaboration with new clientsin industries such as technology, retail, consumer products and fintechwhile creating further access to one of the country's fastest growing talent hubs." Bain Austin rounds out the trio of Bain Texas offices, which also includes facilities in Dallas and Houston. Collectively, Bain Texas was named as one of Fortune and Great Place to Work's "Best Workplaces in Texas" for 2021. Bain Texas employees pointed to feeling empowered, across levels, to contribute changes and ideas to the organization and an openness to challenging te status quo.



"Bain has always been differentiated by its uncompromising commitment to being the best place to work for the best talent," said Chuck Whitten, the managing partner for Bain Southwest and a member of Bain's Board of Directors. "Austin is an exceptional place to recruit top business and technical talent, and we looking forward to welcoming a diverse group of new and transferring team members to help us serve our many clients in Austin." While Bain Austin has initially launched as a virtual office, the design of the physical office space was largely shaped by the teams that plan to inhabit it later this year.

"Bain's meritocratic reputation proved truer than ever as we designed this new office," said Mackenzie Bushy, an associate partner at Bain and head of Bain Austin's Real Estate committee. "When we asked for volunteers to help design the space, we had no idea just how much interest we would see, from interns up to senior leadership. The tangible, creative process of designing this space has been a source of hope and inspiration during a year that's been especially tough on so many of us Texans." In addition to the strategic imperative of designing a highly creative, innovative space for Bain's people and its clients to collaborate, the Bain teams designing the space drew on inspiration from the local area, including an affinity for music, tacos, greenspaces, local architecture, sunsets over Lake Travis and an office-wide commitment to "Keeping Austin Weird." Editor's Note: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Katie Ware at katie.ware@bain.com or +1 646 562 8107. About Bain & Company

Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change makers define the future. Across 60 offices in 37 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise and insight to organizations tackling today's urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development and the environment. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry Media Contact:

Katie Ware

Bain & Company

T: +1 646 562 8107

katie.ware@bain.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/headed-for-the-hillsof-austin-bain--company-launches-an-austin-office-301277659.html SOURCE Bain & Company

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The idea of tracking how workers use space is a core tenet of the corporate philosophy of the co-working giant WeWork, which often bragged about its technological prowess.

Hype and megalomania aside, WeWork was onto something when it came to flexible space and the underutilization challenge, said Dan Ryan, the chief executive and a co-founder of VergeSense, a company that manufacturers optical sensors for buildings. That philosophy, that we can all operate remotely, is being adopted by every company.

The technology being used to monitor office activity tends to be nondescript. The VergeSense sensor, shaped like a smoke detector and roughly the size of a deck of cards, counts the number of people in a space and measures foot traffic. The firm has a proprietary algorithm that can tell if a space is being used passively by someone who has momentarily stepped away. Cisco and other enterprises with 10,000 or more employees have signed up to use the devices with a subscription service.

Over the last year, start-ups have seen a surge of interest from clients. HqO, which provides an operating system for offices, raised $60 million this month. VergeSense, which raised $21 million in two funding rounds, announced a partnership with the global real estate firm JLL to install sensors in several buildings across the country. By the first quarter of 2021, VergeSense was analyzing more than 40 million square feet of real estate globally.

Established developers have kept pace. Hines set up numerous tests of hardware and software over the last year. At 717 Texas in Houston, an office tower in the citys Theater District, Hines deployed more than 150 sensors to count people and gauge indoor environmental quality. The company is also testing how cameras in lobbies of some of its buildings can be used to provide consistent, helpful information to tenants.
President Moon Jae-in / Yonhap



President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday that the time is drawing near for the two Koreas to resume dialogue, stressing the significance of their historic summit deal three years earlier.



"The time is approaching again when (we) should end long deliberation and restart dialogue," he said during a weekly Cabinet meeting.



He was speaking on the third anniversary of the signing of the Panmunjom Declaration with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un. The agreement, reached during the Moon-Kim summit held at the border village, calls for joint efforts to achieve co-prosperity, establish lasting peace and get the two Koreas reunited.



"The Panmunjom Declaration is a milestone of peace that no one can undermine," Moon emphasized. "The path of peace, promised in the declaration, cannot be reversed under any circumstance."



Inter-Korean dialogue and Washington-Pyongyang denuclearization talks have been stalled for more than two years.



Moon cited "external conditions and realistic restraints" in making further progress on top of the accomplishment of signing the declaration.



Nonetheless, the security situations on the peninsula are being managed "more stably than at any other time," the president said.



"Peace, for now, is incomplete," he added. "We should move toward irreversible permanent peace on the basis of the Panmunjom Declaration."



He said that it is time to prepare for turning the "peace clock" again, taking lessons from troubles so far in the peace process.



He expressed hope that his in-person summit talks with U.S. President Joe Biden, scheduled to be held in Washington in late May, will serve as a chance for further cementing the alliance, closely coordinating North Korea policy and setting the right direction.



He said his government plans to find a way to advance the Korea peace process on the basis of robust cooperation with the Biden administration.



"I hope that the door will open for restoring dialogue and cooperation between the two Koreas and between North Korea and the U.S.," he said.



On the economy, he struck a markedly upbeat note.



"We have become able to say that the South Korean economy has come out of a dark and long tunnel, and it is back on track for economic growth," he said.



He referred to an announcement by the Bank of Korea that the nation's gross domestic product had expanded 1.8 percent in the first quarter of 2021.



It marks faster-than-expected growth exceeding the level posted ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic, Moon noted.



In spite of such a positive sign, many people here are still suffering difficulties amid a lingering crisis, he said, stressing the need for "inclusive growth."



"In particular, the issue of the gap (widened by the coronavirus outbreak) and inequality is a national task that should be addressed with focused capabilities," he said.



Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved a plan to establish a presidential committee on South Korea's campaign to go carbon neutral by 2050. (Yonhap)


News

editor's pick centerpiece featured

Police tow more than 100 cars during slab weekend

STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News file photo Galveston city marshals stop a car on Seawall Boulevard on Saturday, April 24, 2021, during an unsanctioned rally for slab cars that took place along the seawall over the weekend. STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News file photo A Galveston police officer measures the width of a vehicle stopped on Seawall Boulevard in Galveston on Saturday, April 24, 2021. STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Tow truck driver Ray Flores prepares to tow a vehicle stopped by police on Seawall Boulevard in Galveston and found to have illegal elbow wheels on Saturday, April 24, 2021.

GALVESTON

The Galveston Police Department ordered dozens of vehicles towed last weekend, after stepping up traffic enforcement on the weekend of a planned, but unsanctioned, slab car rally on the island.

Local officials had warned of increased traffic control measures after the advertisement of a slab car club meet-up on the island April 24-25.

A similarly advertised event last year drew an unusually large crowd that caused gridlock on Seawall Boulevard and was disbanded after a reported shooting in the area.

There were no major incidents during this years event, although Galveston police towed 71 vehicles Saturday and set up a significant presence on the island to prevent massive traffic congestion. As part of the stepped-up measures, police officers were spotted using tape measures to enforce traffic rules on cars driving on the seawall.

Visitors and residents who drove in Galveston this weekend probably saw multiple slabs, a type of custom car that emerged in popularity in Houston during the 1980s. The high-gloss, candy-colored cars feature wide elbow wheels and, often, expensive sound systems.

Galveston police responded to 503 calls for service Saturday, issued 182 traffic stops and made 33 arrests, according to police records.

Police reported nine major and 40 minor collisions from Friday through Sunday, none of which were fatal.

Of the 103 cars towed Friday through Sunday, 71 were towed Saturday, according to police data.

Some residents also saw police measuring the width of some slab drivers elbow wheels, or swangers, on Seawall Boulevard. Swangers are exaggerated wheel rims that stick out horizontally from slab cars.

Those traffic stops werent directed specifically at cars with swangers, Galveston Police Department spokeswoman Sgt. Stacy Papillion said. She denied claims that officers were issued tape measures for the event but said that some officers might have already had some in their vehicles.

They werent just pulling people over for that, Papillion said. We were not issuing measuring tapes for that reason.

Theres no state traffic law specifically prohibiting swangers, but passenger vehicles are supposed to be less than 8 feet wide at their greatest width.

Police didnt set up a station specific to measuring the width of swangers, Chief Vernon Hale said.

Police issued traffic stops for all kinds of infractions, including drivers swerving their vehicles in and out of the traffic lanes, he said.

We were far more proactive this time, Hale said.

The city banned parking at the far east and far west ends of the seawall to prevent multiple parked cars from piling up, which caused problems during the 2020 event.

The police department also issued open territory for tow trucks that contract with the city, Hale said.

Normally, tow trucks have a particular territory of the city each company works, but this weekend, companies were called on an as-available basis to any area of the island, he said.

For the most part, cars and traffic kept moving, Hale said.

It was fairly busy, Hale said. I dont remember any violent events, no violent crimes.

Police had some issues with cars congregating in the parking lots of private businesses that didnt want them there, he said.

The measures taken on the island were new, and different from other high-attendance events.

Galveston doesnt have this same problem with a popular Jeep weekend, which draws Jeep drivers out to Bolivar Peninsula, Hale said. The traffic largely stays on Bolivar Peninsula, he said.

With other large events like Mardi Gras and motorcycle Lone Star Rally, a promoter helps develop a traffic plan ahead of time, he said.

Technically we have to guess, Hale said. Youre basing it on intelligence you have to gather along the way.

Hale hoped Galveston doesnt continue to be host to more social media- driven, unpermitted events, he said.

Were a tourist town, Hale said. Were not opposed to tourist events. Thats one of our staples here on the island, but they need to do it right.

Galveston police called in help this weekend from multiple agencies, including the Galveston County Sheriffs Office, Texas Department of Public Safety and the Friendswood Police Department.
Mumbai, April 27 : In a startling revelation under RTI, it has emerged that the country has exported the Covid-19 vaccines to at least 47 countries globally at rates cheaper than India, even as the domestic patients run helter-skelter for the life-saver jab.

Replying to an RTI query by a Nagpur-based activist-based lawyer, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)'s Under Secretary Arun Kumar has stated that vaccines were supplied as 'grant' and 'contractual supplies' under the Covax facility.

"For grant supplies, vaccines were procured at a rate of Rs 200/dose plus GST from Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd (SII-Pune) and at a rate of Rs 295/dose from Bharat Biotech International Ltd (BBIL), in accordance with the authorization given by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MHFW)," the MEA's RTI reply stated.

In addition, the MEA said that the prices of other supplies undertaken by the manufacturers in accordance with their commercial agreements are not available with the government.

The development comes on a day when the government appealed to the two main vaccine manufacturers SII (private) and BBIL (government-owned) to slash their prices for the mega-phase of inoculations starting May 1.

Till today, a total of 14.53 crore people have got their first or second jabs, as per the official data.

"As per the data supplied till April 10, the Centre has already exported a total of 6.37 crore doses to 89 countries. This constitutes 1.03 crore doses at Rs 200+GST rates, and the rest 3.44 crore doses at commercial rates. For the same doses, now the Centre has allowed the same companies to levy double the rates in the Indian markets," Adv Ajmera told IANS.

According to the current data (April 27), the number of beneficiary countries has gone up to 95 and the total doses supplied are 6.63-crore, including 1.07 crore as grant Rs 200/dose+GST), and the rest 3.57 crore doses as per commercial agreements, he pointed out.

Among the beneficiaries, Bangladesh - which Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited last month - has got the lion's share of 1.03 crore doses, including 33-lakh doses as 'grant' and the rest commercially.

The other big ones are Myanmar (17-lakh doses), Nepal (11-lakh), and on the lower rung is Seychelles (0.5-lakh) and Dominica (0.7-lakh), and a 'grant' of 2-lakh doses to UN Peacekeepers.

"The question that arises is - when India with such a huge population is dying for the doses, where is the need for us to display such generosity to far-flung countries with low rates of infections and fatalities, many not heard of in India or visible on maps, some never visited by Indian leaders," Adv Ajmera asked.

He said the surprise is 'grant' to prosperous countries like Bahrain and Oman, Nigeria, Kenya, and the tearing hurry in which at least 12 nations got their doses even before the drive had fully got underway in India! Against this, the two companies have announced their latest prices for the vaccines supplies for the domestic market.

The SII is supplying its Covishield vaccine to state governments at Rs 400/dose and to private hospitals for Rs 600/dose, and the BBIL is giving it at Rs 600/dose to state governments and Rs 1200/dose to private hospitals.

Apparently justifying their rates, the SII said that global vaccines in the private markets are available at much higher rates - Rs 1,500/dose (American jabs), and Rs 750/dose (Russian and Chinese jabs), while BBIL said the company is exporting its products at between $15-20/dose (roughly averaging to Rs 1,200/dose).

Adv Ajmera said that ideally, India should have ensured sufficient doses for her own citizens, create a surplus before doling out the doses or permitting commercial exploitation by Indian companies at the cost of the local population.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in)

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
April 27, 2021





When youre working on lining up vital services for your business, its imperative to put together a comprehensive bid analysis. Before you enter into any type of contractual agreement for ongoing services or any type of single project, you need to get estimates from several providers.







Verify that Youre Getting Reasonable Rates

The main advantage of putting together a bid analysis for any project, product, or service is confirming that you wont overpay for something that you need. Ideally, you should get a minimum of three bids. In fact, you may be legally required to get more than three bids if youre working on behalf of a business that represents a membership or a board of directors, such as a condominium or a nonprofit organization.

Ensure that You Need What You Think You Need

First things first, you need to be certain about exactly what you need before you draw in bids. When youre getting quotes for a business phone service for example, you need to be certain about the number of lines that you need and what features are most important to your operations.

Get More than One Quote from Each Provider When Its Helpful

Dont be reticent to have a provider prepare more than one quote. Ultimately, its not a bother to them when it can mean the difference between getting a contract and not. One quote can consist of the bare essentials and the other can include the things that youd like to have but may not necessarily need.

Recognize that the Least Expensive Quote Isnt Necessarily the Best Quote

With many types of services, the cheapest quote isnt necessarily the one that you should jump on. This is particularly true of building and construction contracts, supply vending agreements, and insurance policies. The caliber and scope of services may vary greatly from one provider to another.

Monitor Your Contract Expiration Dates

At least three months before a contract for services expires, you should work on collecting new bids. This will give you enough time to connect with the right companies and it will give them enough time to turn around a customized proposal. Let the people who are providing you quotes know when your contract expires and how soon youll be making your decision so they dont chase after you until then. When you make your decision, the best etiquette is to respond to the person who was helping you with a polite and thoughtful email thanking him or her for his or her help and explaining that youve selected another provider

Include Descriptive Line Items

When youre synthesizing an analysis, you need to include basic information about the company and its services, but you also have to take care to highlight any differences in what is being offered. If providers will use different materials or systems, you should note it in your bid analysis. Likewise, if one provider has substantially more experience than another or has been referred to you personally by a satisfied customer, you should include this information in your description of their business.

Verify Insurance Coverages

If anybody with whom you are entering into a contract will be working onsite at your business physical location, you need to confirm that they have all necessary insurance coverages such as general liability insurance and workers compensation coverage. Failing to do this could mean having to stop a project after its already started.

Creating a well put together bid analysis requires that you be very thorough and have strong attention to detail. It must be readily understandable by a third party reading it, and it has to include key information to help guide important decisions.




Haiti - Politic : The Core Group deeply concerned





Yesterday Monday in a press release, the Core Group (made up of Ambassadors from Germany, Brazil, Canada, Spain, the United States of America, France, the European Union, the Special Representative of Organization of American States and the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations) said it was "deeply concerned about the security and political situation, expresses its deep concern at the lack of a political agreement that would allow the implementation of an electoral calendar in a favorable climate."



The Core Group calls for 2021 to be a year of democratic renewal in Haiti with the holding of free, fair, transparent and credible elections.



It therefore recalls that the responsibility for organizing the overdue electoral process rests primarily with the national authorities who must deal with the essential questions of security, transparency and logistics.



The Core Group urges all stakeholders to show good faith and redouble their efforts to find a political agreement that will facilitate the holding of such elections as soon as possible.



He encourages all actors to put their differences aside in order to find without delay a common solution to the current crisis, in particular the insecurity which weighs very heavily on the daily life of Haitians.



As for the change of Constitution, the Core Group expresses its concern that this process is not at this stage sufficiently inclusive, participatory or transparent. Such a reform should take place on the basis of a broad consultation that involves all of the nations vital force.



"It is crucial that the year 2021 allows Haitians to express their will through democratic means by exercising their right to vote," the statement ended.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















(Natural News) Several U.S. states have turned down new federal shipments of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines as demand for the shots dwindle. The vaccine supply for some areas has overtaken demand, leading to unused vaccine doses.

According to a report by the Associated Press, a number of states now have to work harder to encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. For instance, Louisiana has had to stop asking the federal government for its full allotments of vaccine doses. The Pelican State is instead redirecting its efforts to encourage Louisianians to get their shots.

The Louisiana Department of Health said it would send out more than 100,000 mailers on April 26 exhorting people to get vaccinated. It added that automated calls from regional medical directors would also be rolled out in a bid to fight vaccine hesitancy.

Meanwhile, about three out of four Kansas counties have turned down new COVID-19 vaccine doses within the last month. Decatur County Health Department nurse Stacey Hileman described the vaccination drive there as kind of stalling, with county residents saying they just dont want to get immunized. Less than a third of Decatur Countys 2,900 residents have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Mississippi has seen a similar scenario, in which people expressed skepticism or lack of interest toward the vaccines. Pharmacist Robin Jackson, who is based in a small town in the Magnolia State, said she has been practically begging people in her community to have their shots. Despite putting signs outside her storefront announcing the arrival of the doses, she told AP that nobody was coming, and I mean no one.

Because of instances such as the one Jackson shared, Mississippi has asked the federal government to ship the vaccine in smaller packages to avoid wastage. Gov. Tate Reeves said during a news conference in early April 2021: If youre in New York City, and youre sending a package to one of the large pharmacies in downtown Manhattan, then there are literally millions and millions of people within walking distance  of that particular pharmacy. [But] if youre in rural Itta Benna, Mississippi  thats just not the case.

More and more people are waking up to the dangers of Wuhan coronavirus vaccines

The drop in vaccine demand came as President Joe Biden celebrated 200 million COVID-19 vaccine shots administered during his first 100 days in office. The chief executive initially announced that his administration would strive for 100 million shots in 100 days  which was beaten in record time. More than half of American adults have received at least one vaccine dose as of writing.

Biden has announced a new phase in his administrations historic vaccination effort. The new phase looks to focus on widening outreach and combating vaccine hesitancy. But the decline in demand for vaccine doses appears to contradict this goal.

Furthermore, a number of people AP interviewed had their own reasons as to why they would not get a Wuhan coronavirus vaccine. (Related: Almost a third of Americans say they will AVOID the coronavirus vaccine.)

Barber County, Kansas resident Danielle Farr said she has no plans to get any COVID-19 vaccine. The 32-year-old, who works at an accounting firm, added that post-sickness antibodies present in their blood will protect them from future infections. Farr, her husband and their two children all contracted COVID-19 last year but subsequently recovered  with blood tests finding antibodies for the pathogen in all of them.

Farr commented: I believe in vaccines that have eradicated terrible diseases for the past 60 [or] 70 years. [But] a vaccine that was rushed in six [or] seven months  Im just going to be a little bit more cautious about what I choose to put into my body. The county where she resides had rejected vaccine doses sent by the Kansas state government for two weeks now.

Yazoo City, Mississippi resident Barbara Gennaro said she generally avoids vaccinations for her family in general. The stay-at-home mother of two added that the Wuhan coronavirus vaccine is no different. She commented that everybody in her homeschooling community is against COVID-19 vaccinations likewise.

Gennaro remarked: All of the strong Christians that I associate with are against it. Fear is what drives people to get the vaccine  plain and simple. The stronger someones trust is in the Lord, the least likely they are to want the vaccine or feel that its necessary. (Related: Catholic leaders encourage congregants to avoid J&J coronavirus vaccine due to aborted fetal tissue.)

Visit Vaccines.news to read more articles about the U.S.s COVID-19 mass immunization program.

Sources include:

JustTheNews.com

APNews.com

WGNTV.com
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Senior Psychology Expert, Professor Joseph Osafo says President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should ban flights from countries with high COVID-19 cases.



The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed an increasing number of COVID-19 cases at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).



Frontiers Healthcare Service (FHS), in a letter addressed to the Managing Director of Ghana Airport Company Limited, Yaw Kwakwa and copied to the GHS, revealed that on "24th of April, 2021, we recorded 75 positive cases. This exceeds the previous highest rate of 45 positive cases on the 21st of April, 2021" and that "it has become imperative to implement new guidelines to curtail the influx of positive cases into the country.



Frontiers, the company responsible for Ghanas Covid-19 testing at KIA, further appealed to all stakeholders to implement stringent measures on the quality of PCR results acceptable for entry into the Republic of Ghana.



Ghana has currently recorded a total of 1,497 cases and out of this, 1381 have recovered.



Reacting to this on Peace FM's morning show ''Kokrokoo'', Professor Joseph Osafo urged Ghanaians not to stop observing the COVID-19 protocols stressing ''until we behave, we can't stop the wave''.



Suggesting ways to ensure Ghana doesn't record new waves of the disease, he proposed that, as a matter of urgency, the government must block all flights from countries with high outbreak of the disease such as India from entering Ghana.



"I agree that we stop flights from certain areas which are the epicenters. This is a general international standard practice," he said.





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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Hong Kong: Subsidy applications to open

Subsidy schemes for designated catering businesses and commercial bathhouse holders will open for applications tomorrow.

The Catering Business Subsidy Scheme will benefit licence/permit holders of liquor licensed premises (with Bar Endorsement), karaoke establishments and nightclubs with a restaurant licence.

They are eligible for a one-off subsidy of $100,000 to $500,000 according to the licensed area of the restaurant premises if they have closed the whole of their premises for the entire period specified in the directions issued under the Prevention & Control of Disease (Requirements & Directions) (Business & Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F).

To avoid abuse of the subsidy, an applicant at the time of application shall declare that the business is still in operation, and for an application lodged in respect of premises involving more than one licence/permit, the applicant has to be nominated by all licence/permit holders to apply for and receive the subsidy, and only one single subsidy will be issued in respect of the same licensed premises.

The scheme will benefit about 1,100 bars and pubs, karaoke establishments and nightclubs, involving around $250 million in subsidies.

Regards the subsidy to commercial bathhouse holders, the Further Subsidy to Commercial Bathhouse Licence Holder Subsidy Scheme will provide a $100,000 one-off subsidy to each eligible licence holder of a commercial bathhouse. Around 50 commercial bathhouses stand to benefit.

The application deadline for both schemes is May 27. Application forms and guides can be downloaded from the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department website.

Meanwhile, the Government will disburse a further subsidy to party rooms and local vessels let for hire or reward (pleasure vessels) with each eligible premises or vessel to be given a one-off subsidy of $40,000.

Party rooms and pleasure vessels that have continuously suspended operations since November 22, 2020 pursuant to the closure order under Cap 599F and had been granted a subsidy under the previous round of the Subsidy Scheme for Beauty Parlours, Massage Establishments & Party Rooms launched this January will be eligible for the subsidy. Premises that have been relocated or changed hands and new businesses established after November 22, 2020 will not be eligible.

Party rooms do not need to apply for the subsidy proactively. From May 10, the scheme's secretariat will mail the application and declaration form to the reported shop addresses of party room operators who have been granted a subsidy under the previous round of the scheme.

Likewise, owners of pleasure vessels are not required to apply for the subsidy proactively. The Marine Department will issue a notification letter to owners of all eligible pleasure vessels in early May. The department will handle the relevant procedures and disbursement of the subsidy.

For enquiries on the subsidy for party rooms, call 1836 188 or email [email protected]. For the pleasure vessels subsidy, contact the Marine Department on 2852 4931.

This story has been published on: 2021-04-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Dr Raksha Pande. Credit: Newcastle University

British Indians are moving away from traditional arranged marriages and creating their own practices to suit individual circumstances, ambitions and identity. In a new book, "Learning to Love: Arranged Marriages and the British Indian Diaspora," Dr. Raksha Pande, senior lecturer in Newcastle University's School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, discusses how instead of being wedded to traditions, many British Indians have adapted many of the cultural norms surrounding arranged marriage.

The book moves beyond stereotypes that often confuse arranged marriages with forced marriages. Using real life stories of marriages among British Indians, it shows the diversity of arrangements and the ways in which arranged marriages have changed between generations.

"You could say that there is no such thing as a traditional arranged marriage among today's British Indians," says Dr. Pande. "Far from being a homogeneous tradition, modern arranged marriages involve a variety of different matchmaking practices where each family tailors its own version to suit modern identities and aspirations."

A spectrum of practices

The range of practices that now exist can be thought of as a spectrum, Dr. Pande argues, with the most Westernized style of courtship and marriageincluding interethnic marriages and those where parents may only be involved in arranging the weddingat one extreme, andincreasingly rarelyforced marriages at the other.

However, the research highlighted two styles of arranged marriage that lie between these two extremes and that appear to be more common in practice.

The first of these can be understood as 'semi-arranged," where parents who wish to help their child find a potential partner will introduce them to several candidates that they think may be a suitable match. The relationship then follows an established Westernized pattern of the couple going on dates to get to know each other better and if they fall in love, then getting married.

The other is what she calls 'love-cum-arranged marriage' where the person wanting to get married finds someone themselves that they like and will go on dates with them to get to know them before asking their parents to approach the parents of that person in order to arrange a formal introduction. This is then followed by family approved courtship, then marriage.

Through discussions with different generations of British Indians, Dr. Pande found that attitudes towards arranged marriages began to noticeably shift for the British-born generations. "Among the first generation of British Indians, transnational arranged marriages were the normwhere they would go back to India to find a partner and there was still an expectation that their children would follow this traditional style of arranged marriage," she says. "But there was a marked shift in the attitude of the British-born second generation, this group began to want something different for their own children. And we are moving towards a situation where now, some British Indian parents are actually surprised when their child asks them to introduce them to someone, so a lot has changed in three generations."

Parental involvement

Parental involvement in the arrangements and approval of the prospective spouse remains important for the majority of British Indian families along with the desire to incorporate romantic love and its associated rituals within arranged marriages.

In both semi-arranged and love-cum-arranged marriages, Dr. Pande's research highlighted that the person getting married is actively involved in the arranged marriage decisions. The fact that both these forms still involve marriage within the same religion and class is what makes them arranged marriages.

Dr. Pande explains: "The emphasis in arranged marriages has always been on 'learning to love'  where previously in traditional arranged marriages, the focus was on learning to love the partner you had chosen, or had been chosen for you, after a brief introduction.

"Nowadays, for the British-born generations, love as learning involves, first, discovering the boundaries of expectations and preferences of their family and parentswhich mostly favor commonality of ethnicity and classin relation to their future marriage partner, and second, and more significantly, putting that learning into practice by self-censure and falling in love with someone their parents would approve of."

Introductions to potential spouses have traditionally taken place through the parents' or wider family's own networks, but in recent years this has shifted online and a whole industry has sprung up to facilitate this, with websites specifically catering for those who wish to find someone to marry. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are also becoming popular venues to meet a future partner. These are often viewed either by young people themselves, or their parentsor often, both.

Dr. Pande added: "The key thing that came out of my conversations with British Indians about arranged marriages was that they felt it was really important to balance the varying needs of the young person getting married and the parents. They are keen to continue some of the conventions around arranged marriages, as they recognize it is part of their Indian culture, but in this hybrid form where they adapt different elements to suit them. Technology and the growth of social media is helping them make these changes even faster."

Explore further What meeting your spouse online has in common with arranged marriage
The current season of RTEs Reeling of the Years on Sunday nights has made uncomfortable viewing for some current ministers, especially Fianna Fail members of government.

Images of the 2010 bailout and the subsequent years of austerity have been a sharp reminder of dark days for the country and the party.

It has once again reminded everyone what we did to the country, one minister said to me this week.

One man who is acutely aware of the significance of the show is Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath who, according to several ministers laid down a major marker at Cabinet last Tuesday about controlling spending.

Facing a need to eliminate Covid-19 related spending by at least 8bn next year, but possibly more than 12bn, Mr McGrath has a huge job before him.

Laying down a marker

After bringing a memo to them on the state of the public finances Mr McGrath, according to sources, attempted to put some manners on his colleagues.

Referencing Reeling in the Years, he warned his colleagues that the programme is a reminder for the Government to be careful, and that things can get away from the administration very quickly.

In a clear bid to manage down expectations, the Minister warned them to be very conscious of the need for moderation and, when it comes to core spending, telling them changes will be at the modest end.

We are going to be getting back to a situation where spending will be tightly controlled.

He told them the emphasis of new memos to Cabinet shouldn't always be on additionality in terms of coming and looking for more money.

He also made the point that there are a whole host of reviews and task forces now set up, which are going to advise the government to do lots of nice things, which will cost a lot of money.

He made clear that there should be no assumption that there will be money there to implement all of these recommendations that are going to be coming, one minister said.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr McGrath explains what he said: The focus shouldn't always be on additionality when it comes to spending.

"Right across government, we need to see an emphasis on reforms and ensuring that we are getting good value for the people's money we are spending, he said.

Troika rules once again

From this week, Mr McGrath has imposed Troika-style reporting requirements on the big-spending departments like Health, Social Protection and Education, forcing them to account for their cost control on current spending and for health and education in terms of their capital spending.

These demands on departments were last seen when the IMF/EU/ECB were in charge of our affairs a decade ago and have already been met with some resistance within the government.

All of the main spending departments will now be required to report directly to Cabinet. That is now happening every quarter, and that will start tomorrow.

From left, David Hawley, IMF; Ajai Chopra, IMF; Istvan Szekely, EU Commission, and Klaus Masuch ECB, at Government Buildings, Dublin, following the announcement of the 85bn bailout deal for Ireland in 2010. Picture: Peter Morrison/AP

Mr McGrath told the Irish Examiner: We are dealing with departmental budgets that of necessity have expanded hugely in the past year and that brings very significant challenges in terms of how they are managed effectively.

"I have put in place an enhanced reporting system which will act as an early warning mechanism, not only for instances where spending is running ahead of target but also, critically, to monitor any slow-down in delivering the public capital programme.

On the capital side, it's as much about dealing with hoarding of capital budgets by ministers.

The Government had money unspent last year of about 900m. We're likely to have an underspend again this year.

But if Mr McGrath and his officials know about that early enough, it gives the opportunity to reallocate and do other things, such as restart grants for businesses now that will be opening in the coming months.

The numbers dont lie

Another major concern is that the Government had budgeted to spend 12bn this year to deal with the continued fall-out of Covid-19, according to the Strategic Programme Update (SPU), published earlier this month.

However, it looks like all of that will be spent or accounted for by the end of June, meaning a need to borrow more and worsen Irelands already critically high national debt.

Mr McGrath told Cabinet that the 12bn figure was based on supports ending before July and he has made clear that is not going to happen. There will be no cliff edge. So, actually the 12bn will be higher, considerably higher.

That will depend on the manner in which the Government extends the wage subsidy scheme, and the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) and what it does on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).

In the SPU, the Covid-19 spending was due to be cut from 12bn to 4bn next year, a cut of 8bn. That figure is now likely to be considerably higher.

Whatever the total spend ends up being this year, Mr McGrath told his colleagues that the assumption is that Covid spending will fall down to one third of our current pandemic levels.

However, he said it will be driven by the situation with Covid, the health restrictions, and the impact that has on social protection.

In probably the strongest warning to ministers, Mr McGrath said he and his officials have drawn a very clear line between Covid spending and core spending, to make it easier for the Covid-related spending to be unwound over time.

But Mr McGrath knows that particularly in other areas such as transport, education, tourism and sport, there will be major efforts by ministers Eamon Ryan, Norma Foley, and Catherine Martin to hold on to Covid spending in non-Covid time.

But that won't be entertained, and having that clear delineation between the two will prove to be very important, Mr McGrath has made clear to his ministerial colleagues.

Next steps/unwinding of PUP

At Mr McGraths behest, the Government in the coming weeks will hold a special Cabinet meeting to finalise the plan to unwind the extraordinary level of supports now in place.

Top of the agenda is a scaling back of the PUP from 350 a week to the flat jobseekers rate of 203.

There is concern in Government and Mr McGrath is aware that there will be a challenge for a lot of employers to get people who are on the PUP back to work, because they are better off.

There are about 40,000-odd students on the PUP who were working part time before they lost their job, and Mr McGrath knows there will be an issue there.

The plan is to see the PUP tapered down over a series of steps of 50 reductions over a number of months from June.

According to several sources, Mr McGrath and his department are keen to get moving on this scaling-down on payments now as they don't want this to run into the budget in October and the budget then to be talking about cuts".

Despite the need to cut the Social Protection budget back significantly, there is no political appetite to rule out increases to the old-age pension and other core welfare payments.

Such moves are expensive and their impact is dubious but as one minister put it to me: I don't think we could get away with a third budget with no increase in core welfare rates.

"Last October we had no increase, the minister said. "That gave us scope to do lots of very impactful targeted measures but it doesn't put a few bob in the pocket of people.

"A third budget without an increase to the pension would be very challenging, the minister said.

Debt levels

Irelands debt levels are as admitted by the Department of Finance to be among the highest in the developed world.

Mr McGrath and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, seen as the key axis in government, are said to agree that Ireland cannot be left exposed when the European Central Bank ceases its policy of underwriting government borrowing.

We all remember the impact of when the ECB pulled the plug on us in 2010. No one wants a repeat of that Reeling in the Years moment.
Red Hat Reduces Cost and Complexity of Managing Hybrid Clouds with Expanded Red Hat Insights

Red Hat (News - Alert) , Inc., the world's leading provider of open source solutions, today announced that it has expanded Red Hat Insights, its predictive analytics offering, across the open hybrid cloud with the launch of Red Hat Insights for Red Hat OpenShift and Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform and with expanded capabilities for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). With enhanced visibility from on-premises environments to multiple public clouds included in their subscriptions, Red Hat OpenShift, Ansible Automation Platform and RHEL customers will now have greater visibility and analysis into hybrid cloud operating environments.

Insights is a suite of cloud services, powered by an expert system that is built upon years of data collected from across Red Hat's worldwide customer base. Insights simplifies many of the tasks that IT teams face when maintaining, optimizing and scaling infrastructure, enabling them to proactively take actions that can increase security and operational efficiency, and manage costs. By delivering Red Hat's world-class expertise as a service, Red Hat helps users proactively detect, analyze and remediate a variety of potential software security and configuration issues through automatic alerts with recommendations to implement before they can cause downtime, a cluster failure or a failed upgrade.

Many IT teams are struggling with the complexities of managing across hybrid clouds using fragmented, siloed tools. Insights provides unified visibility across platforms, enabling teams to manage holistically instead of using disparate, cloud-specific tools. "Even the most customer-obsessed firms won't succeed if they have siloed practices for designing products, optimizing internal operations, and aligning resources and assets...software leaders must embed collaboration into integrated planning and execution. Strategic portfolios that reflect products and value streams instead of disconnected projects help reduce cycle times," notes Forrester (News - Alert) in a January 2021 report1. Forrester continues, "Extensive collaboration makes teams more willing to experiment and recalibrate their direction if they need to, which accelerates change even more."

Despite the clear imperative to have a consistent view of hybrid cloud operations, many organizations silo the teams and budgets dedicated to maintaining and growing business critical applications running traditional systems, and those focused on cloud-native stacks and operations. By expanding Insights to encompass Red Hat OpenShift and Ansible Automation Platform, Red Hat aims to reduce friction across IT and business organizations responsible for supporting the systems needed to run the business today while also building the services and applications to fuel growth tomorrow.

Mitigating risk while addressing cloud-native sprawl

Red Hat OpenShift, the industry's leading enterprise Kubernetes platform, has emerged as the foundation for hybrid cloud environments, enabling customers to embrace cloud-native services while still supporting traditional applications. With Insights for Red Hat OpenShift, enterprises can more proactively identify, prioritize and resolve potential issues and manage costs across multi-cluster environments.

Balancing costs across hybrid cloud environments without visibility into specific cost drivers or subscription utilization can present a challenge. Insights' Cost Management and Subscriptions capabilities provide a simplified, intuitive view into costs, from the macro to the granular, for Red Hat OpenShift multi-cluster deployments from public clouds to bare-metal servers, offering a holistic view of the real-world costs associated with running an OpenShift environment, with the ability to drill down by project or team.

Connecting automation for enhanced collaboration and innovation across IT teams

Ansible Automation Platform enables customers to move away from do-it-yourself, siloed approaches with automation capabilities that help them to respond faster to changing business requirements and drive future plans.

Insights for Ansible Automation Platform, previously known as Automation Analytics, is designed to help teams across an organization better understand their automation usage across the business and establish common approaches and practices to automation workflows.

Improve visibility into vulnerabilities, compliance and subscriptions in Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Since bringing Insights to all active Red Hat Enterprise Linux subscriptions in 2019, the number of RHEL instances using Insights to manage operational efficiency and security remediation has grown to more than 600,000 RHEL hosts analyzed per day. Insights for Red Hat Enterprise Linux capabilities for security, operations and business teams have expanded to help further solidfy Red Hat Enterprise Linux as the intelligent foundation for workloads across the open hybrid cloud.







New enhancements for Insights for Red Hat Enterprise Linux include:

Amplified threat intelligence capabilities , including identifying which security advisories and Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) apply to a Red Hat environment as well as compliance scanning through OpenSCAP.

, including identifying which security advisories and Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) apply to a Red Hat environment as well as compliance scanning through OpenSCAP. Improved notifications to deliver security, operations and cost insights as well as recommendations to integrate with other operations and IT management tools.

to deliver security, operations and cost insights as well as recommendations to integrate with other operations and IT management tools. Simplified subscription management, formerly known as Subscription Watch, providing unified reporting of Red Hat subscription usage and, through Red Hat Cloud Access, easier onboarding of subscriptions and management across public cloud environments.

Availability

Insights for Red Hat OpenShift and Insights for Ansible Automation Platform are available now, along with Insights for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, at cloud.redhat.com.

Supporting Quotes

Joe Fitzgerald, vice president, Management, Red Hat

"Red Hat has been architecting, building and supporting open source software and services for decades. That resulting expertise, combined with extensive data and analytics from real-world scenarios, enables us to provide our customers with profound insights into those systems. These insights then inform better decision-making for customers to secure, optimize and manage their systems with greater consistency. As the speed of business accelerates, combined with the growing scale and complexity of these hybrid cloud implementations, this level of discernment will be essential."

Stephen Elliot, program vice president, Management Software and DevOps, IDC (News - Alert)

"Teams prefer consistent views and operations that cross environments so that, for example, monitoring solutions appear the same for infrastructure, applications, and logs. This consistency helps users make meaningful comparisons between environments such as applications performance on premises versus performance in the cloud. Many IT executives aspire to include these data sources into a single platform, applying analytics to the data set."

Justin Hewitt, senior director, DevOps Platform Services, BCDevExchange, Government of British Columbia

"Gaining insight into the resources our internal partners are consuming helps us become more accountable to our usage. Cost management [for Red Hat Insights] for Red Hat OpenShift is allowing us to see the true costs of our clusters and projects running within OpenShift. From there, we can determine where we can potentially save costs and make evidence based capacity planning, depending on our particular business needs."

John Lemay, systems engineer, Greenway Health

"Using Red Hat Insights for Red Hat Enterprise Linux is like having another person who is completely devoted to your team, whether it's going over configurations, making sure everything is set to industry best practices or ensuring that all patches are installed. Having this dedicated resource that knows all the background information has been beneficial to monitor for security issues and help flag changes on a daily basis as they arise, so all I need to do is go check my Insights console and see what needs to happen."

Additional Resources

Connect with Red Hat

About Red Hat, Inc.

Red Hat is the world's leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to deliver reliable and high-performing Linux, hybrid cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies. Red Hat helps customers integrate new and existing IT applications, develop cloud-native applications, standardize on our industry-leading operating system, and automate, secure, and manage complex environments. Award-winning support, training, and consulting services make Red Hat a trusted adviser to the Fortune 500. As a strategic partner to cloud providers, system integrators, application vendors, customers, and open source communities, Red Hat can help organizations prepare for the digital future.

Forward-Looking Statements

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Red Hat, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, the Red Hat logo, Ansible and OpenShift are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. Linux is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005287/en/
The Iranian government says an investigation has been ordered into the "conspiracy" of leaked audio in which Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) are too influential in diplomacy.

President Hassan Rohani ordered the investigation to identify who leaked the "stolen" three-hour-long recording, government spokesman Ali Rabiei told reporters on April 27.

Zarif's comments in the recording have sparked harsh criticism from conservative media and politicians in the country since its publication by the London-based Iran International Persian-language satellite news channel late on April 25.

Among other things, Zarif complains about the extent of influence that late Major General Qasem Soleimani had over foreign policy, hinting that the top IRGC commander tried to spoil Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers by colluding with Russia.

Solemani was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020, at the time bringing the United States and Iran to the brink of war.

"This theft of documents is a conspiracy against the government, the system, the integrity of effective domestic institutions, and also against our national interests," Rabiei told reporters, adding that Rohani "has ordered the Intelligence Ministry to identify the agents of this conspiracy."

The day before, a Foreign Ministry spokesman described the recording as "selectively" edited and said it represented just a portion of a seven-hour interview that included "personal opinions."

Zarif did not comment on the controversy.

The leak comes ahead of a presidential election on June 18 that will see the moderate Rohani step down after two terms in office and after conservatives fared well in parliamentary elections last year.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and AP
SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Zero Emission Industries (ZEI), formerly Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine is a groundbreaking Bay area startup focused on hydrogen technology. The company announced today that it was awarded a $2 million grant by the California Energy Commission (CEC) to design, build and test a first-of-its-kind hydrogen fuel cell powered small-fast harbor craft. To date, the startup has been awarded over $5 million in grants to bring their innovative hydrogen technology ideas to life.

ZEI, led by CEO Dr. Joseph Pratt, is made up of a team of world-renowned hydrogen experts with unique technological know-how and experience in the design, development, and deployment of hydrogen fuel cell power systems and other critical hydrogen technology. ZEI is best known for the Water-Go-Round ferry (now renamed by the vessel owner the Sea Change), the first commercial hydrogen fuel cell vessel in the United States. Construction has been completed on the vessel, and sea trials begin in summer 2021.

Dr. Joseph W. Pratt, CEO of ZEI said, "I'm proud of our team, thankful to our partners Ocean5, UC Irvine, and Watershed Innovation, and appreciate the trust given to us by the state to bring another innovative hydrogen-powered marine vessel to reality. This project exemplifies our approach at ZEI, which is to solve difficult challenges with hydrogen in ways that make it accessible for everyone. Though we have started with maritime products, our capabilities extend far beyond the water. Stay tuned as we continue to roll out exciting products that people will want to use."

The project includes the development and integration of the most powerful operationally diverse zero emission powertrain in maritime history. The powertrain will consist of a state-of-the-art hydrogen storage system, fuel cell package, power system, safety system, control and automation system allowing for a powertrain with increased range, simple maintenance, and no emissions.

The CEC grant will fund the deployment of ZEI's portable refueling infrastructure, a technological breakthrough which will solve the fundamental challenge of refueling small boats safely and economically, a barrier that has hindered greater potential sales of hydrogen fuel cell vessels.

A small-fast zero emission vessel solution will have a profound impact on the boating market, the economy, and air quality. California is home to over 1 million boats, and more than 98% of them are under 40 feet long. Vessels of that size have a wide variety of uses: patrol, fire/rescue, fishing, pilot, excursion, ferry/taxi, and recreation. Speed can range from a few knots to over 50 knots. There are, however, few, if any, viable zero emission solutions for that market. Powering them with hydrogen fuel cells would eliminate a significant source of GHG emissions.

Danny Terlip, who left the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to join ZEI said, "This exciting project developing a hydrogen powered boat and portable refueling solution will expand the emerging marine hydrogen market in meaningful ways. The work ZEI is doing is cutting edge, complex, impactful and frankly, this kind of work is why I joined the team."

ZEI is partnering with world class experts to achieve exceptional project results to bring their visions to fruition. Watershed Innovation, a division of Correct Craft, is working with ZEI to provide the boat hull set to be repowered with hydrogen. Watershed looks forward when providing solutions to the recreational maritime market. With an impressive catalog of environmentally conscious propulsion technologies, telematic solutions, and large-format 5 axil milling, Watershed Innovation will be essential in achieving project success.

John Motlow, Executive Vice President said, "We are very excited to be partnering with Watershed Innovation / Correct Craft as they are innovative market leaders with a long track record of bringing incredible boats to market. There are approximately 12 million registered recreational boats in the US. To date the general opinion is that electrification of this market is extremely challenging, with some going as far as saying it is impossible. Where some see a prohibitive challenge, we see opportunity. Through this partnership ZEI and Watershed Innovation will be able to successfully demonstrate to the industry and the world a functional real-world solution for the electrification of all types of small fast boats."

Sean Marrero, President of Watershed Innovation said, "At Watershed Innovation, our focus is on creating a better tomorrow today for boaters and for the world around us. From a sustainability perspective, different use cases require different solutions. We cannot be an expert in all of them, and that is why we work with others. When it comes to hydrogen, Joe and the team at ZEI share our vision for a higher purpose and our passion for solving problems. We are excited to be working with them on this groundbreaking project."

ZEI has partnered with the Advanced Power and Energy Program at University of California Irvine, who will collect and process project, vessel and system data to provide clear, unbiased conclusions regarding the performance and usage of the hydrogen systems. The data collected from this project will inform the most effective path toward eliminating maritime emissions for the small fast vessel market.

Dr Jeffrey Reed, Chief Scientist for Renewable Fuels and Energy Storage said, "The UC Irvine Advanced Power and Energy Program is very pleased to be part of this landmark project. The project is an important addition to our extensive program of research on low-carbon fuels and advances hydrogen as a solution for maritime applications, one of the most promising applications for this clean fuel."

Another project partner, Ocean5 Naval Architects, will utilize vessel design, surfacing, hydrostatic analysis, and 3D modeling tools to enable optimum design for everything from the vessel hull to the onboard structures. With experience in first implementation on a variety of vessel types and sizes, Ocean5 will ensure the collaboration of the hydrogen system's operational profile with the structural design of the small fast boat.

John Canada, President of Ocean5 explains, "The power density of batteries makes high speed over extended durations a challenge. Based on the fundamentals of weight and power with clean energy, propulsion systems are aligned on a path with hydrogen fuel cell evolution. Together with Golden Gate and Correct Craft, we've assembled the most qualified team to bring the future of boating to market."

SoCalGas, the Los Angeles-based utility company, is contributing $200,000 in funding for the project. The organization has committed to providing a carbon neutral ecosystem for its operations and delivery of energy as well as support reductions of emissions generated by its customers. SoCalGas is demonstrating this commitment by advancing numerous low- and zero-carbon energy technologies including a hydrogen blending demonstration program, a solar energy-produced hydrogen program, and a joint natural gas and hydrogen distribution system.

Neil Navin, Vice President of clean energy innovations at SoCalGas stated, "SoCalGas is committed to helping California reach its climate goals, and we look at how we can assist in reducing GHG emissions in every possible sector. We recently announced our pledge to reach net-zero emissions by 2045, and our work with ZEI to develop fuel cell technology for commercial boats helps demonstrate this commitment. This innovative technology has the potential to greatly decrease air and climate pollution in California."

California has once again tapped the ZEI team to lead the charge in the development and deployment of real-world zero-emission solutions for important yet challenging and critically underserved markets. Transforming from the bay-area maritime-centric title (GGZEM), Zero Emission Industries hopes to rewrite their image into a global, multi-industry hydrogen solution provider. The name change reflects where the company is going, and is a sign of its commitment to its world-changing technology.

About Zero Emission Industries:

Zero Emission IndustriesTM, formerly Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine, launched in 2017, is a cutting-edge hydrogen technology company that develops and sells power systems for a range of applications. In 2018, the company received a $3 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to build the first hydrogen fuel cell vessel in the United States, the Water-Go-Round. For more information go to: zeroei.com

About Watershed Innovation:

Founded in 2018, Watershed Innovation, a division of Correct Craft, is focused on creating a better tomorrow today for boaters and for the planet. Watershed's work is strategically aligned with Correct Craft's culture of "Making Life Better." For more information please visit www.watershedinnovation.com .

About Ocean5 Naval Architects:

Ocean5 Naval Architects has been leading the way in integration of new technologies relating to yachts and pleasure craft since its inception in 2007. Ocean5's designers and engineers continue to be on the forefront of solutions for hull designs, structures and performance. Whether designing 70' custom sportfish yachts with top speeds over 50 knots using wake adapted running gear, or 165' triple engine mega yachts with zero speed gyro stabilization, their team is often involved in the first implementation. Ocean5 Inc., and its affiliate company Torx Marine (provider of extruded gyro foundations & SciGrip methacrylate adhesives), have their offices located in Manatee Pocket, Stuart, FL. For more information visit www.ocean5.com.

About Advanced Power and Energy Program:

APEP addresses the broad utilization of energy resources and the emerging connection of electric power generation, infrastructure, transportation, water resources, and the environment. It seeks to develop, promote, and deploy increasingly efficient and environmentally sustainable power production and energy conversion worldwide, with a focus on the creation and sharing of new knowledge through fundamental and applied research, education, and outreach.

About University of California, Irvine (UCI):

Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation, and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 30,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $5 billion annually to the local economy. For more on UCI, visit www.uci.edu .

About the California Energy Commission

The CEC is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency. It has seven core responsibilities : advancing state energy policy, encouraging energy efficiency, certifying thermal power plants, investing in energy innovation, developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, and preparing for energy emergencies.

Media Contact: Rose Dawydiak-Rapagnani - We Rise PR - [email protected]  415.509.6962

SOURCE Zero Emission Industries

Related Links

http://zeroei.com


Steamboat Springs, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Billo Premium Cannabis Recreational and Medical Marijuana Dispensary brings their award winning cannabis to Steamboat Springs, CO. Customers are introduced to a distinct vibe as soon as they enter the Billo store with a warm, inviting, and modern aesthetic at Steamboat's first mountainside dispensary. Billo offers cannabis lovers a distinct vibe, staff that is knowledgeable and friendly, and also provides in-house grown, award winning flower.

Steamboat Spring's first mountainside marijuana dispensary, Billo Recreational and Medical Marijuana Dispensary, is now open for customers. Billo Dispensary is conveniently located on the mountain-side of Steamboat Springs. Customers enjoy a quick and easy drive to the dispensary at 3150 Ingles Lane, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487. Billo offers connoisseur grade quality flower through strains bred in-house. More than one of Billo's strains have received awards from the 2021 THC Classic (Rooster Cup) and has received awards for their strains in 2020 as well. Billo further sets themselves apart from the competition by providing an amazing customer experience through great staff, an expansive variety of products, and offering high end, quality products. The new location has the same calculated interior design customers have come to know and love. Billo provides Steamboat's cannabis lovers an environment where people from all walks of life can feel comfortable and experience buying their cannabis products the way they want. Billo prides themself on creating this special environment, providing an educational experience if needed, and having a knowledgeable and friendly staff.



Billo's expertise and knowledge in cannabis goes beyond providing customers an educational experience, by also offering in-house grown flower that is top-shelf quality. Billo celebrated two new awards for the 2021 THC Classic (Rooster Cup). Billo received awards for their Slurricrasher strain, placing 2nd in Best Indica and achieved a second award for their Caps Frozen Lemons strain, placing 3rd in the Best Sativa category. Billo is no stranger to awards for their highly sought after in-house grown cannabis. The mom and pop shop also received awards at the 2020 THC Classic for first place Hybrid Flower, Garlic Sherbert, and received second place Indica Flower with their Platinum Kush Breath strain. Head grower Dave Kulberg said "For the second year running, we are excited to announce yet another round of award winning strains. We at Billo strive to provide the highest quality cannabis in the state of Colorado, and these results speak for themselves." Billo is now the first mountain-side dispensary in Steamboat Springs and customers can enjoy the grower's premium grade cannabis. Billo understands customers seeking a wide variety of experiences from cannabis, beyond psychoactive effect. Dave Kulberg states "People use cannabis for many different purposes, whether you're looking to enhance your outdoor activities, relax after a long day of work or help with medical issues, we strive to provide a product for every customer's needs." Billo Chief Operating Officer, Charlie Peddie agreed, saying "one of our primary goals is to ensure any customer, of any age is comfortable visiting our dispensary and confident they will leave with the product that best suits their needs." Billo delivers on this promise by offering customers a beautiful, modern, safe, and comfortable environment with knowledgeable staff. The Steamboat Springs dispensary creates a distinct vibe. Customers notice a warm, inviting, and modern environment, that is true to the mountainous area of Steamboat Springs, CO. The interior is intentionally sophisticated, appealing to their diverse customer base. Billo's customer focused experience is also apparent in the friendly, knowledgeable staff. Billo provides all of their top-shelf flower, as well as producing their own line of concentrates, vapes, and edibles. The relocated dispensary provides a space that appeals to cannabis connoisseurs looking for quality, top-shelf products and as well as new customers seeking a knowledgeable staff who can answer any questions in a comfortable environment.

Billo Premium Cannabis is a cannabis cultivar and dispensary located in Steamboat Springs, CO. Whether you're a medical marijuana patient looking for pain management or an explorer breathing mountain air for the first time, we've created Billo for you. No matter what walk of life you're on, our staff is here to help you enjoy where you're going next.

For further information, please contact Billo Recreational and Medical Marijuana Dispensary at (970) 879-4420. Visit at https://mybillo.com/ to see current product offerings and place an order online, or come by at 3150 Ingles Ln, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487.

Media Contact:

Charlie Peddie

970.846.6508

charliep@mybillo.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81790
Ousted Australia Post boss Christine Holgate's predecessor spent $7,000 on luxury pens and smart watches for executives, an inquiry has heard.

The splurges by Ahmed Fahour, whom Ms Holgate replaced in 2017, were uncovered by a credit card audit after her controversial departure in November.

The charges included a $2,400 pen Mr Fahour authorised for outgoing chairman David Mortimer in August 2012.

Ms Holgate claims she was illegally forced to resign last year after it emerged she spent $20,000 on four Cartier watches as a reward for the company's executives.

Ex-Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate claims she was illegally forced to resign last year after it emerged she spent spent $20,000 on four watches as a reward for executives. An inquiry has heard her predecessor spent $7,000 on luxury pens and smart watches for senior staff

However, the audit found no evidence of Ms Holgate's claims staff working under Mr Fahour were given cars to reward performance.

Six smart watches valued at $579 each were bought as gifts for senior staff or for use in the workplace over two months in 2015, the company told the inquiry into the national postal service.

Another $1,108 pen was bought for an unnamed employee under Mr Fahour's time as chief executive between 2010 and 2017, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Mr Fahour resigned in February 2017 after his enormous $5.6 million salary was revealed by a Senate committee after the government tried to keep it secret.

Ms Holgate's submission to the inquiry said she heard of high-performing staff being sent on overseas trips in the years before her tenure.

She said the practice of receiving watches for strong performance was common at Australia Post, and some were even given cars in previous years.

'No evidence has been identified by the review that would indicate that a car or any other vehicle or similarly valued item has been provided to Australia Post personnel or to any third party,' documents submitted to the inquiry by the company read.

No evidence though was found to support Ms Holgate's claims staff working under previous CEO Ahmed Fahour (pictured) were given cars to reward performance

Ms Holgate gifted the watches to executives as a reward for securing a Bank@Post deal with three of the four big banks, for which Australia Post earned $220 million.

In a heated Question Time debate after the lavish gifts came to light in October last year, a furious Mr Morrison called for her to stand aside, saying 'she can go'.

Ms Holgate eventually resigned in November - but claims she was illegally forced to step aside and since called Mr Morrison's scathing attack on her in parliament 'one of the worse acts of bullying I've ever witnessed'.

Her supporters subsequently sent $5 notes to Mr Morrison as a stunt to cover the cost of the Cartier watches.

The Licensed Post Office Group - representing 3,000 privately owned and operated post offices - launched the $5 campaign after being angered by comments made by the Prime Minister in the wake of controversy over the watches, worth $5,000 each.

She told a Senate inquiry into Australia Post earlier this month she was of the belief more than 20,000 notes were sent to Mr Morrison by angry post office licensees.

The $5 notes were sent to cover the cost of the watches, four of which were purchased for $5,000 each (stock image)

'(We) were told that it was over 20,000 $5 notes, but we don't know. It's hearsay,' Ms Holgate said.

Angela Cramp, Licensed Post Office Group executive director, said she and her members were curious to know where their money ended up, in response to a question by Senator Kimberley Kitching during the inquiry.

Senator Kitching said she had put a question to the Prime Minister's office asking how money $5 notes were sent but never got a response.

'We suspect there are many thousands of people who would like an answer to that,' Ms Cramp said.

'A lot of taxpayers told us that they had sent one in. They sent emails and sent pictures of themselves sending them in. We suspect thousands did.'

But according to Mr Morrison's office, the amount of cash sent to the Prime Minister only equated to 180 people sending in $5 notes.

'The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet handles correspondence sent to the Prime Minister. There was a total of $900 sent regarding the Australia Post matter,' a spokesperson told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) called for Ms Holgate to stand aside, saying 'she can go' after details of the watch controversy came to light

The watches were awarded as a bonus to Ms Holgate's team after they successfully pulled off a $70 billion deal to create Bank@Post, which provides banking services at every post office (stock image)

Ms Holgate insisted to the inquiry she did nothing wrong.

She also said she was suicidal and took insomnia medication due to her poor mental health as a result of Mr Morrison's public rebuke.

In an interview with The West Australian, Mr Morrison said he regretted causing distress but stopped short of an apology.

'I see that this has caused some very strong reaction from Christine and had hurt her deeply. That was not my intention and so I regret that,' he said.

Daily Mail Australia contacted the Prime Minister's Office for comment.

Lifeline 13 11 14
Join Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center for the City Nature Challenge on Friday and Saturday for two full days of outdoor fun. The full schedule of events includes night hikes, guided walks, volunteer projects, a campfire concert and more. A full listing of events is below.

Events and activities are first-come, first-served, there is no need to sign up to participate and all programming will take place outdoors. Events and activities are donations-based, meaning that Reflection Riding asks that the public make a donation at a level comfortable for them, or become a member, rather than pay a set fee to join in the fun.

The entire community is welcome, especially those who may not be entirely comfortable out in nature yet. CNC events and activities are guided and staff will be available to help introduce participants to activities like hiking, wildflower walks and bird identification. Participants can also participate in the Chattanooga CNC by learning how to use the iNaturalist app on a phone to share photos or recordings of interesting plants and animals encountered. Reflection Riding will teach guests everything they need to know about iNaturalist so they can be a part of this citizen science event.

Invented by citizen science staff at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences and organized locally by Reflection Riding, the CNC is an international effort for people to find and document plants and wildlife in cities across the globe. Its generally a bioblitz-style competition where cities are in a contest against each other to see who can make the most observations of nature, who can find the most species, and who can engage the most people.

Given the context of the continuing global pandemic, the 2021 event will not be a competition. The global organizing group and Reflection Riding agreed that we want to embrace the healing power of nature and celebrate tens of thousands of people all around the world, searching for and documenting their local biodiversity, together in this event.

Reflection Riding launched the first Chattanooga CNC last year and it was a great success, even at the start of the pandemic. I loved seeing children and families participating from their yards or a nearby green space while we were all at home last spring, remembers Mark McKnight, president/CEO of Reflection Riding. By encouraging people to discover the rich biodiversity in urban areas, events like the CNC help reveal how important nature is in all our lives. Chattanooga has an unbelievable number of species and we want to help document them all.

Last year, 269 observers discovered 1,064 species by making 3,503 observations. Four hundred and eighteen people from the worldwide iNaturalist network helped identify the observations.

There is nature all around. Knowing what species are in the city and where they are helps scientists study and protect them, but the only way to do that is by all  scientists, land managers, and the community  working together to find and document nature in the area. By participating in Chattanoogas CNC, not only do participants learn more about plants and animals, but also help scientists understand nature better, and make Chattanooga an even greener place to live, work and play, said officials.

Because our property is large enough for all events and activities to be outdoors, we are really excited to welcome the greater Chattanooga community to participate in the City Nature Challenge again this year, said Corey Hagen, director of Education at Reflection Riding. Its going to be a great weekend full of outdoor exploration and learning.

Check-in for all events will be at the main parking lot in front of the nature center.



Friday, April 30

8-10 a.m. Waking up with the birds

9-10 a.m. iNaturalist training/hike

10 a.m.-12 p.m.: Fungi walk using iNaturalist

11 a.m.-12 p.m.: iNaturalist training/hike

12-2 p.m.: Pond survey (finding insects, fish, turtle, frogs....)

1-2 p.m.: iNaturalist training/hike

2-4 p.m.: Reptile and amphibian hike using iNaturalist

3-4 p.m.: iNaturalist training/hike

4-7 p.m.: Plant survey using iNaturalist (three groups)

7-9 p.m.: Campfire Concert (featuring Gabriel Newell)

9-11 p.m.: Nature at night using iNaturalist

Saturday, May 1

8 a.m.-12 p.m.: Bird banding with Dr. David Aborn

8-10 a.m.: Waking up with the birds

9-10 a.m.: iNaturalist training/hike

10 a.m.-12 p.m.: Plant survey using iNaturalist

11 a.m.-12 p.m.: iNaturalist training/hike

12-2 p.m.: Reptile and amphibian hike using iNaturalist

1-2 p.m.: iNaturalist training/hike

2-4 p.m.: Life in the pond

2-3 p.m.: Bluebird Nest Demonstration

Hosted by the Chattanooga Chapter of the Tennessee Bluebird Society

3-4 p.m.: iNaturalist training/hike

4-6 p.m.: Fungi walk using iNaturalist




Travelling Phuket expats test positive on return home

PHUKET: Two expats from Phuket have tested positive for COVID-19 at the checkpoint leading onto the island while trying to return home from travelling off-island. One of them is an Italian man who returned from a trip to Krabi, the other is a Belgium man who had returned from Bangkok after visiting the Belgium embassy to renew his passport.

COVID-19Coronavirushealthtourismtransport

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 27 April 2021, 02:13PM

The Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) reported that the two men were required to be tested on arrival in Phuket due to the current policy mandating that all Phuket people returning to the island to be tested for COVID-19 if they are unable to prove that they are fully vaccinated or present a COVID-free certificate confirming they had tested negative for the virus within 72 hours of arriving in Phuket.

The PPHO marked in its ongoing release of timelines of the movements of a person now confirmed as infected with COVID-19 the movements of both the Italian and the Belgian.

The 36-year-old Italian man tested positive at the Tha Chatchai checkpoint after returning from a motorbike trip in Krabi and Phang Nga on Apr 22.

A second test confirmed he was COVID-positive on Apr 23, and he was taken to receive treatment at Thalang Hospital.

The 32-year-old Belgium man tested positive at the checkpoint after he returned from a round-trip to Bangkok by bus to renew his passport at the Belgium embassy.

He was taken to receive treatment at Patong Hospital.

The PPHO yesterday issued a warning for those traveling on the same bus with the man to contact the public health officials, as they are now considered high-risk people.

The PPHO noted that from Apr 22-25 a total of 9,310 arrivals had been tested at the three arrival testing centres set up  at Phuket airport and at the Phuket Check Point at Tha Chatchai, and now at the Phuket Gateway, where all arrivals on buses and vans coming onto the island are checked.

Of those, 13 people had tested positive at the arrival testing centres, the PPHO noted.

However, further follow-up tests had confirmed that four of the 13 who tested positive by the rapid tests were actually false positives. The four were not infected with COVID-19.

INFECTION UPDATE

The PPHO last night reported that Phuket recorded 13 new cases of infection yesterday (Apr 26), bringing to 348 the total number of people in Phuket officially recognised as infected with COVID-19 since Apr 3.

Of the 348 people infected, 255 were still under medical care, while 92 people had been discharged from medical care, the PPHO noted.

The PPHO this morning also released an updated report of the number of COVID patients receiving treatment at each hospital.

The report, dated as accurate as of 6pm last night (Apr 26), noted that 82 people were receiving medical care at Field Hospital 1 at the Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Phuket campus in Kathu.

A further 41 people were receiving treatment at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, along with 27 at Patong Hospital and 12 at Thalang Hospital.

Of the privately operated hospitals on the island, 54 people are currently receiving COVID treatment at Bangkok Hospital Phuket, along with ZERO at Dibuk Hospital and 28 at Bangkok Hospital Siriroj. All three hospitals are operated by Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) Company Limited.

Nine people with COVID are receiving treatment at Mission Hospital Phuket and two are receiving treatment at Phuket Provincial Hospital in Rassada.

The report also notes that 92 people have been discharged from COVID medical care, with one person referred to another facility, which has previously been reported as transferred to Bangkok.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Immediate , a financial wellness company, today announced that Steward Health Care will use its solution to provide earned wage access (EWA) to its more than 40,000 healthcare workers across the country as part of an effort to improve financial stability for employees and enhance recruitment and retention efforts.

Steward Health Care is the largest physician-owned and -led healthcare network in the United States, annually providing more than 12 million patient encounters through its extensive network of hospitals, urgent care centers, skilled nursing facilities and substantial behavioral health services. With Immediate, Steward Health Care employees will have access to their earned wages at any time, rather than waiting until payday.

"Steward's frontline health heroes put patients' needs ahead of their own every day, so we couldn't pass up the opportunity to offer this forward-thinking technology that in turn makes their lives a little easier," said Patrick Lombardo, Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Steward Health Care Network.

Already in place at nine hospitals and two corporate locations, Immediate seamlessly integrates with payroll systems and costs nothing for organizations to implement. Employees can access their earned wages by requesting the funds through Immediate. They then receive the money in their bank account or on a reloadable debit card, and the deduction is reflected in their next paycheck.

A recent survey of 1,250 employees and 200 employers across various industries confirms the growing demand for EWA. More than half of employees surveyed said that they have asked for a pay advance, and 84 percent said they have needed to do so more frequently since the pandemic began. EWA is considered so important that 80 percent of employees said they would prioritize an employer that offers EWA when seeking new employment.

The need for EWA is even more prevalent within the healthcare industry. In the survey, healthcare employees were the least likely respondents to rate their personal financial wellness as excellent (only 18 percent, or less than 1 in 5). In addition, 62 percent of healthcare employee respondents said financial stress affects their physical health, and 71 percent said it affects their mental health. Most alarmingly, 54 percent of healthcare employees said financial stress impacts their attention at work and 63 percent said it affects their on-the-job performance, potentially leading to dangerous or fatal outcomes.

"Partnering with the nation's largest physician-owned health system solidifies our position as the premiere EWA solution and enables us to provide these critical benefits to tens of thousands more individuals," said Matt Pierce, Immediate founder and CEO. "The strategic value of providing a financial wellness solution to employees, particularly in the healthcare industry, is clear. It improves recruitment and retention, and it also creates healthier healthcare systems  not just improving the bottom line, but also improving patient care and patient safety."

About Immediate

Immediate partners with employers to provide their employees with wages that have been earned but not paid, whenever they are needed. With seamless time tracking and payroll integrations, same day and next day bank transfers, and the ability to put earnings directly on a debit card, Immediate is working to improve financial wellness and eliminate cycles of debt for employees by allowing them to access their hard-earned wages. To learn more, visit joinimmediate.com .

About Steward Health Care

Steward Health Care's physician-owned and -led business model was built to unlock access to the highest-quality care at a sustainable cost, committed to providing personalized, ongoing medical services that positively impact patients' physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.

Founded in 2010 by Ralph de la Torre, M.D., Steward Health Care is the largest Hispanic-owned health care network with more than 5,500 providers and 43,000 health care professionals empowering the health and wellness journey of 12.3 million patients a year through its extensive global network of hospitals, urgent care centers, skilled nursing facilities and substantial behavioral health services.

Based in Dallas, Steward currently operates hospitals 39 hospitals across Arizona (4), Arkansas (1), Florida (3), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (10), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania (1), Texas (7) and Utah (5), as well as in Malta (2) and Colombia (3).

For more information, visit www.steward.org .

Media Contact

John Gonda

616.309.4888

[email protected]

SOURCE Immediate

Related Links

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[April 27, 2021] Mastercard to Donate $10 Million to Address India's Covid Crisis

Mastercard today announced a US$10 million (approximately 75 crore rupees) commitment to directly address critical Covid-related needs in India. Over the past few weeks, the country has seen a spike in both Covid diagnoses and deaths, with the healthcare system being stretched to its limits as more than 350,000 new cases are identified each day. The philanthropic efforts, delivered through the Mastercard Impact Fund, will focus on three priority areas - access to hospital resources, access to additional oxygen supplies and continued support of the company's employees across the country. The largest contribution will be designated to support the expansion of 2,000 beds through the installation of portable hospitals that can address the immediate healthcare needs. Working with the government and local partners on the ground, these hospitals can be constructed quickly and could help an estimated 2.5 million Indians gain access to healthcare, adding to the nation's healthcare infrastructure. "The situation in India is gut-wrenching; it's clear that no one has been left untouched and that no one can be a bystander," said Ajay Banga, executive chairman of Mastercard. "We have long been advocates for the people of India, as employers and as enablers of the economy. Now it's time for us to put our shoulders to the wheel and do whatever we can to help all of India get through this intensified crisis." In addition to the on-the-ground medical support, Mastercard is also allocating funding for additional shipments of 1,000 oxygen generators, as part of a broader corporate effort. And the company is donating to local charities and NGOs to allow for direc support of those affected by the virus, including the frontline medical workers across the country.



"The U.S. and India have a shared history of helping each other during times of crisis," said Richard Verma, general counsel at Mastercard and former U.S. ambassador to India. "We're hearing from our own teams the challenges that they and their families are facing. It's critical that we stand by our friends and help those who have been impacted. Our commitment today and into the future is strong and enduring." Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India added, "The steep rise of Covid-19 cases poses an enormous challenge to clinical care facilities. Revamping existing hospital infrastructure by increasing the number of beds to accommodate more patients requiring critical care and procuring more equipment to enhance oxygenation for patients, is of utmost priority. We are grateful to the industry for their support to aid various State Governments' critical care systems to boost their response to Covid-19. Mastercard and office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India have joined hands to provide 2,000 beds and purchase oxygen concentrators for hospitals in states that have been affected the most. There have been many such partnerships, many more such needed in the coming days. We hope to speedily facilitate them where there is most need."

Extended Support for Employees, Partners Mastercard has already committed to cover all vaccine-related costs for its India-based employees and immediate families, as doses are available. To help extend these efforts - and provide another outlet for its employees across the globe to help each other - Mastercard will also match employee donations to its Employee Assistance Fund, up to $15,000 per individual. This comes on top of a $500,000 corporate contribution to the fund. The company will continue to explore other opportunities to activate partnerships in India and across the global community - from the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum and U.S.-India Business Council to the Business Roundtable and the American India Foundation - to support these efforts. About Mastercard (NYSE:MA) Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005971/en/

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In this file photo taken on May 2, 2011, supporters of hardline pro-Taliban party Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Nazaryati shout anti-U.S. slogans during a protest in Quetta after the killing of Osama Bin Laden by U.S. Special Forces in Pakistan's hill station of Abbottabad. A decade after his death, the Al-Qaeda founder still retains the capacity to mobilize extremists. AFP-Yonhap



A decade after he was hunted down and killed in Pakistan by US special forces, Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden retains the capacity to mobilise extremists even in a polarised jihadist scene that has radically changed in the last years.



Even though Bin Laden's body was buried in the Arabian Sea from the deck of a US aircraft carrier hours after his death, to avoid the creation of any pilgrimage site on land, he remains an example and symbol for many radical Islamists.



The Saudi national shrewdly understood the importance of propaganda that has helped project his charismatic image long after his death. In videos he took to appearing with an assault rifle at his side, despite rarely seeing direct combat himself.



"Osama bin Laden carefully curated his public persona to cultivate a dedicated following," said Katherine Zimmerman, an advisor for the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute's.



"His image  that of a devout Muslim in more traditional dress, but always with his AK-74 at arm's reach and often in his camouflage jacket  was tailored to portray himself as a leader in the jihad, both spiritually and militarily," she said.





In this file photo taken on May 3, 2011, a Pakistani man reads a newspaper with the front page displaying news of the death of Osama bin Laden at a stall in Lahore. AFP-Yonhap
Trinidad and Tobago can see a reduction in the number of people dying from Covid-19 on a daily basis if the drugAzithromycinis immediately stopped, says Dr Ravi Ramjanak.

Ramjanak is a consultant in obstetrics gynaecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery.

It is my view based on the pharmacodynamics of Azithromycin that the death rate will fall if we stop using this drug in Covid-positive cases. Azithromycin has no effect on viruses, yeasts and fungi, said Ramjanak in an interview with the Sunday Express last week.
Google Pay is a digital wallet platform and one of the most popular payment systems in the world. Adding a card to Google Pay is fast and easy. For the purpose customers need to download the My Fibank application and add their card to Google Pay. Information about added cards is stored securely and not shared with merchants. Paying is as simple as unlocking your NFC-enabled smartphone and holding it up to POS contactless reader. The service is available wherever the Google Pay symbol or contactless payment symbol is displayed.

Over the last 12 months, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the share of contactless payments has been constantly rising, with more and more users preferring a smartphone or smartwatch for the purpose. By adding Google Pay to the wide range of payment options offered, Fibank meets the changing needs of its customers and further expands the scope of services. Fibank was the first bank in the country to offer digital card payments using smartphones or smartwatches such as Garmin and Fitbit. With yet another successfully implemented innovation, the bank once again asserts its position as a leader in card business in Bulgaria.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1134349/Fibank_Head_Office_Bulgaria.jpg

SOURCE Fibank (First Investment Bank)

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While popular state park hiking areas filled up fast during the pandemic, forcing the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to close them, nearby land trusts and municipal open spaces sat relatively empty and unused. To enjoy our natural beauty without the crowds, skip the overused trails and visit these paths less traveled.
A woman who chipped in $100,000 toward a settlement after a car crash can sue her insurer to seek recovery of that cost, but cannot seek damages in excess of the policy limits for negligent failure to settle because there was no final judgment in the case, the Texas Supreme Court ruled.

Plaintiffs attorney Thomas G. Kemmy said during oral arguments that Texas high court has never before ruled on what recourse is available to a policyholder who faces the kind of dilemma that was imposed on his client Cassandra Longoria.

Farmers Texas County Mutual Insurance Co. refused to pay more than $250,000 to settle a liability claim even though the policy limit was $500,000. Longoria agreed to contribute $100,000 toward the settlement only because a jury verdict might have cost her up to $2 million, he said.

The insurers attorney argued that the Farmers owes nothing because there was no breach of contract and no negligence.

Farmers should not be bound to a settlement that it did not agree to, attorney Kent Chambers told the court.

The Supreme Courts 6-3 decision gave both sides less than they sought. The majority ruled that Longorio may proceed with her suit alleging Farmers breached the terms of its contract by forcing her to contribute her own money to the settlement. However, Longoria may not seek damages for Farmers alleged negligence in failing to settle the claim within policy limits.

Such demands are called Stowers claims in Texas, named after a 1929 state Supreme Court decision holding that insurers can be liable for damages in excess of the policys limits if they refuse a pay a reasonable settlement amount.

We agree with the insurer that the insured has no Stowers claim for negligent failure to settle because there was no judgment or settlement in excess of policy limits, the majority opinion says. But the insured can pursue her claim that the insurer breached its obligation to indemnify her for amounts she was legally responsible to pay under the settlement.

Gary Gibson was injured when Longoria rear-ended his vehicle. He sued Longoria seeking $1 million in damages. The case went to mediation and Gibson accepted the mediators suggestion that the case settle for $350,000. Farmers, however, refused to pay more than $250,000.

Longoria agreed to pay $100,000 toward the settlement after Gibson rejected the insurers counteroffer and advised that he would seek $2 million in damages. She then filed suit against Farmers alleging negligent failure to settle. She claimed that the carrier has mishandled the defense of Gibsons claim by failing to appoint an expert before trial. The suit states that Farmers either suggested or demanded that she contribute toward the settlement, even though Gibson had agreed to settle for less than the policy limit.

Farmers filed a motion to dismiss the case. Chambers said during oral arguments that the Supreme Court has established a bright-line rule there there can be no negligence for failure to settle a claim without a court judgment in excess of the policy limits.

While the Supreme Court accepted that argument, the majority held that Longoria may sue for the $100,000 that she was forced to contribute to the settlement.

Having solicited Longorias contribution, Farmers can hardly contend that it was unauthorized, the opinion says. In short, Farmers structured a within-limits settlement but did not pay it fully, giving rise to a claim whether its consent to settle contingent on the insureds payment breached its duty to indemnify her.

Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht, Jeffrey S. Boyd and Jimmy Blacklock dissented, in part, to the majoritys ruling. They wrote a separate opinion stating that Longorias breach-of-contract claim should also be dismissed.
TORONTO, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Purepoint Uranium Group Inc. (TSXV: PTU) ("Purepoint" or the "Company") today provided an update on its 100%-owned Turnor Lake project in the eastern uranium mine district of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan Canada. Initial focus will be on the Serin conductor which lies adjacent to and on trend with IsoEnergy Ltd.'s Hurricane Zone (38.8% U3O8 over 7.5m) along the La Rocque Uranium Corridor.

"Our Turnor Lake project hosts a complex geological setting associated with numerous, nearby high-grade uranium discoveries" said Chris Frostad, Purepoint's President and CEO. "The considerable geophysical work and first pass drilling carried out to date by Purepoint has prepared Turnor Lake for immediate drilling."

Highlights

The 100%-owned Turnor Lake project consists of 4 claims totaling 9,705 hectares on the eastern side of Canada's Athabasca Basin

project consists of 4 claims totaling 9,705 hectares on the eastern side of Basin Four distinct exploration areas have been defined by Purepoint  the Serin Conductor, the Laysan Zone, the Turnor Lake Zone and the Turaco Zone

The Serin conductor lies within the La Rocque corridor that hosts Orano Canada Inc.'s Alligator prospect (3.8% U 3 O 8 over 10.5m in hole WF-08), Cameco Corp's La Rocque showing (29.9% U 3 O 8 over 7.0m ) and, most recently, IsoEnergy Ltd.'s Hurricane Zone which has reported results of 38.8% U 3 O 8 over 7.5m (press release December 1, 2020 )

O over in hole WF-08), Cameco Corp's La Rocque showing (29.9% U O over ) and, most recently, IsoEnergy Ltd.'s Hurricane Zone which has reported results of 38.8% U O over (press release ) The Laysan Zone hosts historic hole OD-1 that returned 0.06% U3O8 over 3.4m

The Turnor Lake Zone is a target associated with numerous high-grade showings to the south, including Orano Canada's HLH-50 (2.7% U3O8 over 1.2 m )

) The Turaco Zone has undergone considerable geophysical surveying carried out by Purepoint and first pass drilling

A video tour of the Turnor Lake project can be viewed at https://youtu.be/mEI7oirmesc

Turnor Lake Project

Turnor Lake is most notably associated with the Kelsey Dome Granite, a pinwheel shaped magnetic high encircled with clusters of graphitic conductors and numerous high-grade uranium showings. The La Rocque Uranium Corridor bisects the northern portion of the project area and lies along the western edge of the Kelsey Dome Formation.

Extensive geophysical programs have allowed Purepoint to outline approximately 34 kilometres of conductors throughout the Turnor Lake Project. Most recently, Purepoint created a 3D lithological model from interpreted cross-sections, drill hole information and surface/bedrock geology. Geophysical data was added in tight integration with the geological model and newly created geophysical inversions, allowing the geophysical data to be represented by a 3D distribution of physical rock properties. Using GOCAD Mining suite Targeting Workflow by Mira Geoscience, the geological, geochemical and geophysical datasets were then integrated and the exploration drill targets were refined.

Serin Conductor

The Serin conductor is interpreted to be the northeastern extension of the conductor system which hosts Cameco Corp's high grade uranium mineralization at La Rocque Lake (29.9% U3O8 over 7.0 m in hole Q22-40) and IsoEnergy Ltd.'s Laroque East project which hosts their recently discovered high-grade Hurricane Zone (38.8% U3O8 over 7.5 m in hole LE20-76). Serin is a near-vertical conductor extending northeast-southwest for at least 2.2 km and is interpreted to lie at a shallow depth of 400 to 450m below surface.

Results from EM surveys conducted by Purepoint suggest the conductor is offset by approximately 150 metres at the same location that a seismic survey, conducted by Saskatchewan Energy and Mines in 1984, reflects a significant down drop thrust fault in the basement topography. The MacArthur River Deposit, one of the world's largest uranium mines, was formed at the site of a similar basement step-fault that likely focused mineralized fluids.

Laysan Zone

Anchoring the Laysan Zone is diamond drill hole OD-1, completed by Saskatchewan Mining Development Corp. in 1983. The hole returned 0.06% U3O8 over 3.4 m within hydrothermally altered pelitic basement rock immediately below the unconformity. Anomalous arsenic, nickel, and cobalt over 0.5 m were associated with the alteration.

First pass drilling performed by Purepoint has outlined hydrothermal alteration associated with anomalous uranium in the sandstone (e.g., TL-03 with 22 metres of clay alteration and 29 metres of 34 parts per million U). By way of comparison, the Athabasca sandstone has a consistent background uranium content of only three to five parts per million.

Turnor Lake Zone

Located in the South East corner of the project is the Turnor Lake Zone; a 2.7 km long conductor lying coincident with the long narrow Turnor Lake.

Anomalous uranium has also been intersected one-half kilometre south of the property in Cogema (now Orano Canada Inc.) drill hole HLH-50 (2.7% U3O8 over 1.2 m). The underlying basement rocks in this hole consisted of altered, graphitic and pyritic sediments that were highly fractured.

Turaco Zone

To the South of the Laysan conductors lie a perpendicular cluster of graphitic conductors within a magnetic low referred to as the Turaco Zone.

Numerous ground geophysical surveys have been conducted by Purepoint including a three-dimensional resistivity survey, a time domain electromagnetic survey and a gravity survey. Initial drilling of 6,024 metres demonstrated that anomalous uranium mineralization is spatially associated with the unconformity and is locally present within basement structures. Highlights include Drill hole TL-19 that returned 1230 ppm U (0.15% U3O8) over 0.12 metres just a few centimetres above the unconformity while drill hole TL-31 returned 641 ppm U over 10 cm from a structure within the basement rock.

The Company cautions that the mineralization in the adjacent properties is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization that may be identified by the Company's ongoing and upcoming exploration work.

About Purepoint

Purepoint Uranium Group Inc. actively operates an exploration pipeline of 12 advanced projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin, the world's richest uranium region. Purepoint's flagship project is the Hook Lake Project, a joint venture with two of the largest uranium suppliers in the world, Cameco Corporation and Orano Canada Inc. The Hook Lake JV Project is on trend with recent high-grade uranium discoveries including Fission Uranium's Triple R Deposit and NexGen's Arrow Deposit and encompasses its own Spitfire discovery (53.3% U3O8 over 1.3m including 10m interval of 10.3% U3O8). Together with its flagship project, the Company's projects stretch across approximately 185,000 hectares of claims throughout the Athabasca Basin. These claims host over 20 distinct and well-defined drill target areas with advanced geophysical surveys completed, and in some cases, have had first pass drilling performed.

Scott Frostad BSc, MASc, PGeo, Purepoint's Vice President, Exploration, is the Qualified Person responsible for technical content of this release.

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Press release.

Disclosure regarding forward-looking statements

This press release contains projections and forward-looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information can include without limitation statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance of the Company. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice.

SOURCE Purepoint Uranium Group Inc.

Related Links

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 00:01:08|Editor: huaxia

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Pakistans Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan (L, front) addresses the handover ceremony in Islamabad, Pakistans capital, on April 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Hao)



Pakistan is not only the first country in the world that the Chinese government provided COVID-19 vaccine aid to, but also the country that has received the largest number of China-donated COVID-19 vaccines so far, which is a vivid manifestation of the ironclad friendship between the two countries.

ISLAMABAD, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The third batch of COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Chinese government was handed over to the Pakistani side during a ceremony here on Monday.

Addressing the handover ceremony, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan, on behalf of the Pakistani government, thanked the Chinese government and people for providing the vaccine aid.

Protecting life and the livelihood of the people is of the utmost importance for the Pakistani government, Khan said, adding that Pakistan is facing a serious third wave of COVID-19 and the newly-arrived vaccine doses will help the country to build immunity amongst its society to save life.

The Pakistani minister said that Pakistan and China are "iron brothers," and the special friendship is between the two governments as well as the two peoples.

On the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong said that Pakistan is not only the first country in the world that the Chinese government provided COVID-19 vaccine aid to, but also the country that has received the largest number of China-donated COVID-19 vaccines so far, which is a vivid manifestation of the ironclad friendship between the two countries.

China will continue to support Pakistan's fight against the pandemic, Nong said, adding that the Chinese embassy will always serve as a bridge to promote bilateral friendly cooperation and forge a closer China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era.

The third batch of Chinese government-donated vaccines arrived in Pakistan on Saturday. Earlier, the Chinese government has aided two batches of vaccines to Pakistan, and the Chinese military also donated a batch of vaccines to the Pakistani army. And Pakistan has also purchased several consignments of COVID-19 vaccines from China.

To control the third wave of COVID-19, the Pakistani government has been pushing forward the vaccination drive on the one hand, and tightening the anti-epidemic measures on the other, including closing educational institutes in areas with over 5 percent COVID-19 positivity rate.
Two men have been arrested as part of an investigation into Comanchero bikies after police raided three properties in Brisbane and found drugs, mobile phones and more than $100,000 in cash.

Detectives from Taskforce Maxima investigating the alleged supply and possession of illicit drugs by associates of the Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang arrested two men on drug related offences.

Police said they found $103,000 in cash, 20 mobile phones, cocaine, cannabis, steroids, prescription medication and drug utensils during searches of properties across Norman Park, Coorparoo, and Browns Plains on April 23.

Several mobile phones and drugs were found during searches of properties across Norman Park, Coorparoo, and Browns Plains on April 23. Credit:Police Media

A 33-year-old Norman Park man was charged with possession of dangerous drugs (cannabis) and possession property suspected of being used in the commission of a drug offence.
NHS England has lowered the age for people to get a coronavirus vaccine for the second time this week.

From today, everyone over the age of 42  or who have their 42nd birthday before July  will be invited to come forward for their jab.

Matt Hancock, 42, revealed the expansion in a video posted on Twitter, adding that he was 'very excited' to come forward for a vaccine himself.

The Health Secretary said the rollout was going 'extraordinarily well' and uptake was 'astonishingly high'  more than nine in 10 Brits invited for a jab so far have turned up.

All 1.3million people aged 42 and 43 will invited via text from 'NHSvaccine', which includes a web link to the health service's online booking service. Those who can't access the internet can call 119 instead to get an appointment at one of 1,600 sites administering the vaccines across England.

It comes after the age limit in England was dropped to 44 yesterday.

Two-thirds of 45 to 49-year-olds have already received their first dose, despite the programme only opening to them a fortnight ago. The scheme is expected to widen even further to people in their 30s next week.

NHS medical director Professor Stephen Powis said yesterday it was a 'testament to the hard work of NHS staff' that the programme had moved so quickly.

Latest vaccination figures show 33.7million Brits have been given at least one dose, with almost 12.9m fully immunised against the disease.

But the number of first doses being administered each day has fallen from a peak of 750,000 to just 80,000 yesterday after dips in supply meant officials had to focus on meeting second dose targets. Around 260,000 top-ups were dished out yesterday.

Matt Hancock, 42, revealed the expansion in a video posted on Twitter, adding that he was 'very excited' to come forward for a jab himself

Latest vaccination figures show 33.7million Britons have been given at least one vaccine dose, with almost 12.9m fully immunised against the disease

From today, everyone over the age of 42 - or who have their 42nd birthday before July - will be invited to come forward for their jab

NHS England lowered the age for people to get a coronavirus vaccine for the second time this week following successful rollouts in older age groups (file)

Mr Hancock said: 'We're excited to be able to tell you that today we are opening vaccination up to people aged 43 and 42, which includes me.

'So I'm really looking forward to getting my text.

'Yesterday we opened up to people aged 44. That's gone very, very well. Thank your to the hundreds of thousands who have come forward and booked your appointment.

'And now we're able to go that little bit further. This vaccination roll-out is going incredibly well. The uptake is astonishingly high. So when you get your text, please come forward and get your jab.'

Professor Powis added: 'Just two weeks after rolling out the vaccine to those aged 45 and over, we are now ready to invite those aged 42 and 43, as the largest vaccination programme in NHS history continues at speed.

'The rapid rollout of the NHS vaccination programme, the swiftest in Europe, hasnt happened by accident.

'It is down to months of careful planning and sheer hard work by nurses, doctors and countless other staff supported by our volunteers.

'If you receive a text inviting you to book in for your jab, please follow the instructions provided  it is simple, effective and provides vital protection against the coronavirus.'

The expansion of the rollout coincidences with a new Government advertising blitz aimed at boosting vaccine uptake in younger Britons.

It included a primetime TV advert that aired during the ad-break on ITV's Emmerdale last night.

If you want to end lockdowns forever get vaccinated, says top expert Young people should get Covid vaccines to regain their freedom and bring an end to lockdowns even if they are at a lower risk of dying, a scientist has said. Cambridge University epidemiologist Dr Raghib Ali told MailOnline younger people might not see as big a personal benefit to vaccination as older generations. But widespread vaccination across all adult age groups is vital to bringing an end to the constant restrictions that have ruled people's lives for the past year. Experts are concerned that younger people will have lower jab uptake than elderly groups because they don't face a high risk of death from Covid, and they may be more likely to have seen anti-vaxx theories online or be worried about side effects. Dr Ali said: 'We are going to face an issue, particularly in young people who perceive the threat of Covid to be less. 'I'd say to these people, if you want to avoid another lockdown then vaccination is the best way to do it. Young people suffer from lockdowns most, with their mental and economic health. Vaccination is the only way to do it.' 'There's a degree of altruism versus personal benefit as you go down the age groups, particularly as you get below 30,' Dr Ali said. He added: 'The surveys I've seen suggest uptake is going to be about 85 per cent, which isn't as high as the current rate but no-one thought we'd get 95 per cent uptake before.' Dr Ali suggests a tricky element of young people getting vaccinated is that for many of them it is selfless and intended to protect other people rather than themselves. Advertisement

The 'every vaccination gives us hope' campaign is also running across social media and on billboards.

Experts are concerned that younger people will have lower jab uptake than elderly groups because they don't face a high risk of death from Covid, and they may be more likely to have seen anti-vaxx theories online or be worried about side effects.

NHS data show that only 644 out of the 86,868 people in England to have died of Covid so far have been under the age of 40  just 0.7 per cent.

Most people admitted to hospital with the disease are in middle age, now that vaccines are protecting large proportions of elderly people.

Public Health England data last week showed that people in their 30s had the highest infection rate among adults at 34 positive cases per 100,000 people.

This was followed by 20 to 29-year-olds, with 32 per 100,000. Teenagers had the highest positive test rate (42) but not all of them are not yet able to get vaccines, so experts say younger adults must get jabs to reduce the impact of those outbreaks.

Studies have suggested that the vaccines will prevent transmission as well as severe disease, meaning it is vital for everyone to get a jab.

Oxford University research last week found that among those who had been given at least one dose of either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine there was a 74 per cent drop in symptomatic infections.

Crucially, the jabs also cut asymptomatic cases  where the person infected has no signs of illness  by more than 50 per cent. This is critical to stopping people unwittingly spreading Covid.

Cambridge University epidemiologist Dr Raghib Ali told MailOnline younger people might not see as big a personal benefit to vaccination as older generations.

Dr Ali said: 'We are going to face an issue, particularly in young people who perceive the threat of Covid to be less.

'I'd say to these people, if you want to avoid another lockdown then vaccination is the best way to do it. Young people suffer from lockdowns most, with their mental and economic health. Vaccination is the only way to do it.

'There's a degree of altruism versus personal benefit as you go down the age groups, particularly as you get below 30.'

He added: 'The surveys I've seen suggest uptake is going to be about 85 per cent, which isn't as high as the current rate but no-one thought we'd get 95 per cent uptake before.'

Dr Ali suggests a tricky element of young people getting vaccinated is that for many of them it is selfless and intended to protect other people rather than themselves.

Vaccine hesitancy in Britain is highest among 16 to 29-year-olds, according to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

An ONS survey carried out in February and March found some 12% of people in this age group said they had declined the vaccine, were unlikely to have the jab if offered or did not know if they would have a vaccination.

This is the equivalent of around 1.2 million people, based on the weighted population figures used in the ONS survey.

Hesitancy was nine per cent among those aged 30 to 49  the equivalent of 1.6 million people.
MIAMI, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Azamara  the boutique cruise line dedicated to Destination Immersion experiences  is pleased to announce that Azamara Quest will return to the high seas beginning August 28, 2021 with five back-to-back Country-Intensive Voyages and one classic Mediterranean sailing; each seven-days in length and a total of 18 late-night stays in port, including Santorini, Rhodes and Heraklion, Greece.

"Over the past year, our team  ship to shoreside  continued to connect with our guests and travel partners. Our biggest takeaway is the desire everyone has to sail again, and we are excited to share that we can finally make this dream come true," said President of Azamara, Carol Cabezas. "There's no better way to return to service than in a country Azamara knows best, Greece. Our return to sail wouldn't be possible without the support from Honorable Minister Harry Theoharis, the local government and port authorities, and we are extremely grateful for welcoming us back into this beautiful and culturally rich destination."

"We're looking forward to welcoming Azamara and its guests in Greece in August," says Honorable Minister Harry Theoharis. "We fully support the line's return to cruising in the Aegean waters and we are sure that all of its passengers will have unique experiences in our beautiful destinations.''

Voyages will open for booking on May 11, 2021. With the health and safety of guests and crew being the top priority for the return to sail, Azamara has made the decision to require all guests and crew to be fully vaccinated no later than 14-days prior to departure. Once the sailings open for booking, the upmarket cruise line will reveal protocol guidelines led by the Healthy Sail Panel, to reassure guests a healthy return to service.

With travel requirements remaining unconfirmed throughout most of Europe, all sailings aboard Azamara Journey and Azamara Pursuit will be suspended until September 2021. Current Azamara Quest sailings through October 2, 2021 are also suspended, with the new Country-Intensive voyages beginning August 28, 2021. Guests impacted by summer suspensions will be offered a number of flexible options to rebook or request refunds for current reservations. Guests looking to book these new voyages and other Azamara cruises can still take advantage of Azamara's "Cruise with Confidence" benefits, offering flexibility for fully paid reservations booked by May 31, 2021 for sailings through April 30, 2022.

Greece Highlights:

Medieval, ancient wonders of Rhodes, Greece: Known as the Island of the Knights, guests can visit ancient wonders including the Colossus of Rhodes, a statue of the Greek sun-god Helios and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Stunning architecture and ruins of Heraklion, Greece: The fourth largest city in Greece, guests can explore Heraklion's architectural marvels including The Bronze Age Palace of Knossos, an ancient palace with ruins dating back to the early Minoan period.

Volcanic splendors and stunning sunset in Santorini, Greece: Santorini was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history. Travelers can sail the caldera or discover the ancient ruins of Akrotiri by day and soak in the sunset views from Azamara Quest, as nightfall descends upon the island.

Ancient Delos and beautiful beaches of Mykonos, Greece: Step back in time to mythological Delos, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and historic UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guests can explore the hidden corners and captivating coastline of Mykonos by 4X4 or caique, a traditional wooden boat.

A blend of old and new in the coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus: Travelers can visit the last divided capital of the world, Nicosia, shared by Cyprus and Turkey. Byzantine landmarks, tales of the Crusades, or ventures into the countryside to explore the fruit orchards, olive groves and vineyards await.

About Azamara

Azamara is an upmarket cruise line and leader in Destination Immersion experiences. Presently with three mid-sized ships sailing to all seven continents of the world, and an additional fourth ship scheduled to join the fleet in 2022. The boutique-style ships allow them to reach marquee ports around the world and dock in smaller, less-visited hidden gems. Azamara's commitment to creating immersive experiences allows guests to travel deeper with longer stays, more overnights, and night touring. Guests can experience a boutique hotel at sea with inclusive amenities such as gratuities, select beverages, exclusive cultural events and more. For more information visit www.azamara.com.

SOURCE Azamara

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Barabanki : , April 27 (IANS) The owners of Awadh Children Hospital, Barabanki, have been booked for the death of infant twins, who allegedly died after being refused admission due to alleged oxygen shortage.

The accused, Syed Mohammed Saqib and Syed Mohammad Amir have been booked under the Epidemic Act and are likely to be arrested, said police.

The FIR was lodged after a probe team comprising chief medical officer (CMO) Barabanki, Dr R N Verma and SHO Pankaj Singh blew the lid off the hospital's claims and found the babies had not been brought to the hospital, but died at a neighbouring clinic.

Also, there was surplus oxygen in the children's facility on April 24 -- when the hospital claimed it ran out of the lifesaving gas, triggering the deaths.

SP, Barabanki, Yamuna Prasad, said, the district administration took swift cognizance of reports in TV channels about two babies gasping to death at Awadh Children Hospital and a probe team was constituted.

During investigation, hospital owner's elder brother, Syed Mohammed Amir and on-duty doctor Dr Shadab Rasool told police that the babies were admitted at 7.15 a.m. on Monday but died within hours due to lack of oxygen.

"A similar statement was also issued by the hospital owner on TV channels," said the SP.

However, the probe revealed that between April 21 and April 24, the hospital received 13 jumbo oxygen cylinders and had sufficient stock.

Misleading statements by the hospital owner triggered panic among patients in Barabanki, said the police officer.

The police team also searched the hospital premises and spoke to the infants' parents, Ethesham and Mantasha.

It may be recalled that the state government, on Monday, had denied reports of the babies dying due to oxygen shortage and had blamed the media for the 'mischievous' report.
Uncasville resident John Prokop has been a fan of Jeopardy! for as long as he can remember. In fact, before he was a regular viewer of the Alex Trebek-hosted game show, he recalls catching a few episodes in the 1970s hosted by Art Flemming.

For Prokop, the chance to appear on the show has been a long time coming. Auditioning for the show since 1995, Prokop's most recent attempt in September 2020 via Zoom  which could have been his eight or ninth try, though hes lost count  is the one that earned him a spot on the show.

I was just a real fervent watcher, he said. I just thought, I have to get on that show.

Now, the longtime fan will be competing on Americas Favorite Quiz Show on Tuesday nights episode with CNN anchor Anderson Cooper as the guest host.

The legal assistant and native of East Lyme will be competing against two others to some win prize money  and the bragging rights that go with winning a round of the show and becoming a return competitor.

At the time of his audition, Prokop, his wife and two cats were living in California but moved back to Connecticut shortly after; so he had to make another trip across the country to make his taping back in California.

The day I left, it was a Tuesday morning in February, and it was frosty. I got on I-395 heading towards Logan in Boston and there was just black ice all the way through and its 4 a.m. It was just like Please dont let me crash!

Prokop made it and filmed his episode the following day as one of a weeks worth of shows. Filming with Cooper was also memorable, Prokop said.

He was just a real gentleman and a hell of a nice guy, he said. Hes just very urbane and very kind, lovely gentleman.

In its 37th season, Jeopardy has had a series of guest hosts following the death of longtime host Alex Trebek in November 2020. Cooper is currently serving as a guest host through the end of April. Each guest host makes a charitable contribution for their appearance on the show that will match the cumulative winnings of all contestants who compete during the guest hosts tenure, according to the Jeopardy! website.

As for Prokop, the experience was worth the wait.

It was a blast, he said. It was just so much fun to the see the inner workings and how things are really put together. It was just marvelous.

You can catch Prokop on tonights episode airing on WTNH-TV (ABC), and local listing information is available at Jeopardy.com.
A man has been charged with sexually assaulting a family friend in her inner-Sydney home while she was blacked out after a seizure.

Last month detectives began investigating reports a woman had been sexually assaulted at an apartment at Ultimo.

The 27-year-old man was arrested at a house in Lakemba in Sydney's southwest on Monday and charged with aggravated sexual assault while his victim was cognitively impaired.

A 27-year-old man has been arrested after sexually assaulting a family friend in her Ultimo home while she was blacked out after a seizure

Police will allege the man sexually assaulted the 40-year-old woman, a family friend, while she was unconscious after a medical episode on February 17.

Detective Inspector David El-Badawi said the woman realised 'something untoward' had occurred after she woke up alone in her apartment.

The woman's condition causes her to black out for a number of minutes, police say, and she has little recollection of the attack.

The 27-year-old man was arrested at a house in Lakemba in Sydney's southwest on Monday

The man has been charged with aggravated sexual assault while his victim was cognitively impaired while blacked out after having a seizure

Detectives were horrified by the case, Mr El-Badawi said.

'To take advantage of someone who needs medical attention, it's a low act. It's horrific,' he told reporters.

'It's not acceptable by anyone's standards.'

The Lakemba man did not apply for bail in the Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday.

He was remanded in custody and will face court again on June 1.
Chad's new junta leader pledged national dialogue as at least two people died on Tuesday during banned protests against his government, which took power after the shock battlefield death of his father and veteran ruler Idriss Deby Itno.

Deby's 37-year-old son Mahamat, who heads the so-called Transitional Military Council (TMC) pledged an "inclusive national dialogue" after violent protests in the capital N'Djamena and in the south of the semi-desert country.

The government said at least two people had died in the protests but a local NGO reported nine fatalities -- seven in the capital and two in the south.

Police were deployed in N'Djamena to break up the planned demonstrations called by the opposition and civil society groups.

They used tear gas in the capital to disperse small groups of demonstrators, some of whom burned tyres, AFP journalists saw.

A woman died when anti-junta protesters attacked a bus in N'Djamena's Dembe district, a prosecutor told AFP.

"Some passengers fled but a woman remained and was killed by the protesters," N'Djamena prosecutor Youssouf Tom told AFP.

- 'Fed up' -

Separately, a man died in protests in the southern city of Mondou, some 400 kilometres (250 miles) south of the capital.

"We do not yet have the exact circumstances of the death, he is a young man of 21," Mondou prosecutor Ali Kolla Brahim told AFP.

But a high-ranking state media official, Ahmat Malloum, told AFP by telephone from Moundou that police fired live ammunition on a student who had thrown a stone at a police car.

"The student died instantly," Malloum said.

The Chadian Convention for the Defence of Human Rights (CTDDH) however said that in addition to the nine deaths, 36 people were wounded and about 12 arrested.

"We denounce and condemn this massacre ... (and) the disproportionate use of weapons of war against protesters," it said.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned "with the greatest firmness the repression of demonstrations and the violence that took place this morning in N'Djamena."

Story continues

France has been a key ally in Chad's battle against a jihadist revolt that has swept across the Sahel, though Macron has said he intends to eventually reduce the 5,100-strong Barkhane force Paris has deployed in the region for nearly a decade.

Mahamat Deby on Tuesday also pledged to "fight terrorism and respect all its international obligations."

"We are fed up, fed up, fed up with the monarchical dynasty in Chad," one protester, Sarah, told AFP, referring to the Deby family rule.

Behind her, a crowd ran in the streets shouting "police, police", as security forces approached in a vehicle.

- 'The Chadians have risen' -

"The military has unveiled its colour: govern in blood. The security forces fired live bullets on youths to break up a peaceful march," tweeted Saleh Kebzabo, a veteran opposition figure.

"The Chadians have risen, we will no longer back down," added Succes Masra, another prominent anti-regime figure.

Deby died this month after he was injured on the frontlines in the country's north, where the army has been fighting Libya-based rebels.

Also on Tuesday, 12 Chadian soldiers were killed when they were attacked in the northern Lake Chad region used as a rear base by jihadist groups including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a regional governor said.

Mahamat Fadoul Mackaye said 40 Islamist fighters were also killed in the fighting.

On Monday, the military junta appointed Albert Pahimi Padacke as transitional prime minister, who called for a nationwide effort to speed the return to civilian rule.

The elder Deby came to power in 1990 at the head of a rebel force that rolled in from neighbouring Sudan.

He was buried last Friday in a state funeral attended by Macron.

ah-dwi-dyg/ach/bp
The aviation industrys transition from propellers to jet engines saw the emergence of a new kind of engine called the turboprop. A turboprop engine is a turbine engine but instead of generating thrust from exhaust, the engine drives a propeller.

In 1955, the US Air Force developed an experimental aircraft called the XF-84H, manufactured by Republic Aviation. The purpose of the XF-84H was to determine whether it was possible for a fighter airplane to ditch the catapult and takeoff from a carrier on its own accord. A turboprop engine was chosen to power the aircraft, because such an engine uses big fans to move large volumes of air, which enables the aircraft to produce greater thrust at lower speeds. Bigger thrust means faster acceleration, which translates to shorter takeoffs.

The XF-84H in flight. Photo: US Air Force

The XF-84H was based on the well-known swept-winged F-84 Thunderstreak, but instead of a jet engine, the XF-84H was fitted with 5,850 hp Allison XT40-A-1 turboprop engine that turned three steel blades. With a sweep of 12 feet, the blades were so long that even at idling thrust the tip of the blades moved at supersonic speeds producing a continuous visible sonic boom that could be heard from 40 km away. The shockwaves were so powerful it could knock a full grown man down.

From Air&Space Magazine:

One day, the crew took it out to an isolated test area [at Edwards Air Force Base in California] to run it up, recalls Henry Beaird, a Republic test pilot at the time and one of only two men ever to fly the -84H. They tied it down on a taxiway next to what they assumed was an empty C-47, but that airplanes crew chief was inside, sweeping it out. Well, they cranked that -84H up, made about a 30-minute run, and shut it down. As they were getting ready to tow it back to the ramp, they heard this banging in the back of the C-47. It was the crew chief, Beaird relates, knocked silly by the high-intensity noise and on his back on the floor of the 47, flailing his limbs. He eventually came out of it, Beaird recalls. As long as you stood ahead of or behind the airplane, says Beaird, now 78 and flying Learjets, it really wasnt so bad, but if you got in the plane of the prop, itd knock you down. Really? Really.

The XF-84Hs horrendous noise earned the aircraft the nickname Thunderscreech.

The Thunderscreechs engine ran at full speed all the time, and the propeller rotated at 2,100 rpm from startup until shutdown. Thrust was obtained and adjusted by changing the pitch of the blades. The response from the propellers was instantaneous. But the noise was terrible.

Edward von Wolffersdorff, Beairds crew chief, recalls:

I remember making my first ground runs with the thing, down on the main base, and I was wondering Why are they flashing that red light at me over on the control tower? It turned out they couldnt hear a damn thing over their radios, so they kicked us out and sent us over to the north base.

Edwards feared that the shockwave from the propellers would break the windows in the control tower, located about a mile away from the runway. To prevent injury from a blown in window, whenever the XF-84H was flying, the traffic controllers would get under their desks with their radios and cover themselves with blankets.

Nobody ever actually recorded the decibels, recalls Beaird. I think they were afraid the measuring device might get broken.

Photo: US Air Force

The XF-84H was never well-liked at the Edwards Air Force Base, and it wasnt solely for the noise. The XF-84H was an impractical machine that took half an hour just to warm up and be cleared for takeoff which made it clearly unsuited for combat. More than noise or delays, it was mechanical problems that led to its undoing.

The T40 turboprop engine wasin the words of the companys own authorized history, Power of Excellence by William A. Schoneberger and Paul Sonnenburga monstrosity, a mechanical nightmare. The XF-84H suffered from vibrations that originated from the supersonic propellers and the powerful torque the engine produced. Lin Hendrix, one of the Republic test pilots assigned to the program, flew the aircraft once and refused to ever fly it again. You aren't big enough and there aren't enough of you to get me in that thing again, he told the formidable Republic project engineer.

The fearless Hank Beaird flew eleven times in that machine, and ten of those flights ended in forced landing. By jingo, that airplane is going to hurt somebody! Beaird once said after an emergency landing.

In the end, nobody wanted anything to do with the aircraft. First the Navy backed out and then the Air Force canceled the project after only two XF-84Hs was built with a total flight time of less than 10 hours between them.

The XF-84H was widely believed to be the fastest propeller-driven aircraft ever built, with an official top speed of 670 mph, as predicted by Republic, although neither of the two planes ever made it past 450 mph.

References:

# Stephan Wilkinson, ZWRRWWWBRZR, Air&Space Magazine

# Wikipedia
This article is part of the On Tech newsletter. You can sign up here to receive it weekdays.

To understand whats happening in the world, we need to understand the (mostly) men who rule over global technology superpowers. But I also wish those leaders were less consequential and took up far less of our brain space.

What the 21st-century tech barons like Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Jack Ma believe and do matters. But when we focus on the chief executives, we sometimes neglect to recognize that regular people, not poobahs, make tech as we experience it. Volunteer Wikipedia editors, online community moderators, Uber couriers and schoolteachers translate and shape what the tech bosses create into the lived reality for the rest of us.

My colleagues and I write a lot about the handful of technology companies that shape our communications with one another, shopping habits, relationship with our government, work and culture. Mammoth institutions like tech giants arent one-man shows, but the people at the top are extremely influential.

When we talk about the power of tech companies to change the world, what we really mean is the power of Bezos, Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai, Tim Cook and Satya Nadella to influence billions of people  whether we (and they) are aware of it or not.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 23:22:29|Editor: huaxia

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LILONGWE, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Malawi government has banned with immediate effect travels to and from Bangladesh, Brazil, India and Pakistan following the severe spreading of the new COVID-19 wave in those countries.

Malawi Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, declared the ban Monday in an update on COVID-19 in the country.

Chiponda, who co-chairs the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, said the decision was arrived at following the current trend of the pandemic in the country compared to that of the four listed countries.

"To guard against the threat of importation and spread of the new variant from the Indian sub-continent in the country, the Taskforce has resolved to ban, with immediate effect, all - but essential arrivals and travel - from these three South-Eastern Asian countries, namely, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan," the minister said.

She said the travel restriction is also extended to Brazil where the new COVID-19 wave has also been devastating.

The minister advised that those undertaking essential travel to and from the named countries shall be required to undergo mandatory institutional quarantine at designated hotel accommodation at their own cost on arrival into the country.

She added that such travelers will be required to be in possession of a negative PCR-based COVID-19 test result or certificate for a test conducted no more than 72 hours before arrival in Malawi.

Malawi suffered the most during the second wave of the pandemic in January when the country recorded over 1,300 new cases in one day, the highest figure ever, but the prevalence rate began to drop drastically in March. Enditem
Iran's first vice-president Eshaq Jahangiri welcomed South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, the first visit by a premier from Seoul since before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The visit comes after Iran on Friday released a South Korean oil tanker held since January amid a dispute with Seoul over billions of dollars of its assets frozen there due to sanctions.

Iran had accused the MT Hankuk Chemi of polluting the waters in the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

But the seizure was widely seen as an attempt to pressure Seoul to release some $7 billion in Iranian assets tied up in South Korean banks amid heavy American sanctions on Iran.

Iran released the 20-member crew in February, but had continued to detain the ship and its captain while demanding that South Korea unlock frozen Iranian assets.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
5 things to know about the Sri Lanka Easter bombings

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Update appended

The world was shocked on Easter Sunday as bombs targeting churches led to the loss of hundreds of innocent lives in the island nation of Sri Lanka.

An updated death toll Tuesday morning shows that over 320 lives were lost and over 500 others injured during the suicide bombings that occurred at three churches (two Catholic, one Protestant) and three hotels where celebrating Christians were having their Easter brunches in Colombo, Batticaloa and Kochchikade.

Sri Lankas state minister of defense, Ruwan Wijewardene, said on Tuesday that the attacks were carried out in retaliation for last month's shooting at two mosques in New Zealand. Fifty were killed in that massacre.

There were a total of nine bomb blasts and seven suicide bombers, according to Sri Lankan authorities, six of which were simultaneous.

At least 39 tourists were killed in the attack, including at least four American nationals, who among them was a fifth-grade student at a Washington, D.C., private school. Twenty-eight other foreign nationals were wounded in the bombings.

Investigators and security analysts have said that the plan was carefully targeting Christians in church or staying in hotels for the holiday, The Wall Street Journal reports.

A state of emergency went into effect Tuesday, giving the military war-time powers.

As many as 40 suspects have been arrested in connection with the bombings, according to the Associated Press. Authorities also discovered dozens of more detonators at a bus station in Colombo.

Many are left with questions as to why there was no public warning issued as it's been revealed that the Sri Lankan government was presented with the intelligence of possible attacks on Christians many times prior to the bombings.

In the following pages are five things to know about Sunday's bombings and the history of violence and political strife in Sri Lanka.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 01:04:08|Editor: huaxia

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ADEN, Yemen, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday launched the first-phase construction of eight medical facilities in Yemen's southeastern province of Hadramout, a government official told Xinhua.

The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) launched the humanitarian initiative, which aims at improving Yemen's health sector aggravated by years of deadly conflict, the official said on condition of anonymity.

Under the patronage of Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, four other new hospitals were inaugurated by the UAE's ERC in Hadramout, he added.

With direct support from the ERC, a number of medical centers have been renovated and equipped with essential medical equipment and supplies to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Hadramout, according to the source.

Since 2015, the UAE has provided more than 6 billion U.S. dollars in foreign assistance to the war-torn Yemeni regions, according to UAE officials.

The sum was used to help rebuild various sectors in the country, including vital infrastructure, and to restore health and social services.

The UAE is also an active member of the Saudi-led Arab coalition that has been fighting the Iran-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen since March 2015.

The impoverished Arab country has been locked in a civil war since late 2014, when the Houthis overran much of the country and seized all northern provinces including the capital Sanaa. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 21:42:23|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a memorial park dedicated to the Battle of the Xiangjiang River during the Long March in the 1930s, and lays a flower basket in homage to Red Army soldiers who died in the battle, in Caiwan, a town in Quanzhou County in the city of Guilin, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

NANNING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping called for more efforts to break new ground in promoting high-quality development in ethnic border regions.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his inspection trip to south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from Sunday to Tuesday.

Xi called on these regions to better serve and integrate into the country's new development pattern, make new progress in advancing green development, and be more committed to consolidating and developing ethnic unity, social stability and border security.

During his inspection tour, Xi went to Guilin, Liuzhou and Nanning, visiting a local revolutionary memorial, ethnic museum, villages and enterprises to inspect the localities' work in implementing the country's 14th Five-Year Plan.

On Sunday morning, Xi visited a memorial park dedicated to the Battle of the Xiangjiang River during the Long March in the 1930s in the city of Guilin. He presented a flower basket in memory of the martyrs in the battle and made three bows in their honor.

Noting that the battle was a life-or-death event in China's revolution history, Xi stressed the importance of CPC members staying true to their ideals and convictions.

Xi then visited Maozhushan village in Guilin to inspect the local grape growing industry. He called for efforts to pursue rural vitalization based on local specialty industries and make better use of science and technology in promoting the agricultural sector.

He also stressed measures that can ensure farmers benefit more from the development of rural industries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to villagers while visiting Maozhushan village of Caiwan, a town in Quanzhou County in the city of Guilin, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Xi walked through the village, dropping by the home of villager Wang Deli and chatting with the family.

He said that as the CPC is about to celebrate its centenary, the country has scored a complete victory in its fight against poverty. However, he said promoting rural vitalization on all fronts will be no easier than the anti-poverty battle, allowing no letup or sluggishness.

On Sunday afternoon, Xi went to a dock on the Lijiang River in the city of Guilin. He called for more efforts in ecological restoration and pollution prevention and control to improve the environment, the ecosystem, and the overall function of the river basin.

On Monday, Xi visited a scenic park in Guilin. He lauded the city as a treasure bestowed on the Chinese nation by nature and called for efforts to improve its protection.

In the afternoon, Xi went to the city of Liuzhou. Inspecting machinery manufacturer Guangxi Liugong Group Co., Ltd., Xi said the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry is the top priority in promoting China's high-quality economic growth.

He urged efforts to keep a firm hold on the initiative in pursuing innovation-driven development and uphold the overall leadership of the Party in state-owned enterprises.

Xi then went to a food-processing zone for local specialty Luosifen rice noodles. He praised the role of local signature industries in developing the real economy and called for more support for private enterprises to help them grow and tackle challenges.

On Tuesday morning, Xi visited the Anthropology Museum of Guangxi in the regional capital city of Nanning.

As the country's demonstration zone of ethnic unity and progress, Guangxi should continue to play its exemplary and leading role, Xi said.

In the morning, Xi also heard the regional Party committee and government of Guangxi report their work. 
Vaccines train your immune systems to recognize a pathogen and prevent infection. When being vaccinated, you may find that you suffer from side effects ranging from fever to headache. This is good news and means the vaccine is working.

In the case of the covid-19 vaccines, your body is receiving pieces of the viruss genetic code so that in the case you are infected, your immune system can quickly begin to create antibodies.

In the US, three pharmaceutical companies -- Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson -- have had their vaccines approved. These vaccines have demonstrated high efficacy in preventing covid-19 infection but after the poke some patients have reported feeling side effects, which are in almost all cases mild.

What side effects may you feel after receiving a covid-19 vaccine?

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals who have received covid-19 vaccines have reported various symptoms, including tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, nausea, and more.

Why is it important to get both doses?

Two of the vaccines currently available, Pfizer and Moderna, require two doses to be administered to protect people against the coronavirus. After the first dose, researchers found that these vaccines may only provoke a mild immune response and could lead someone to develop a more severe case of covid-19. Other studies have shown that one dose may provide a sufficient level of protection to prevent infection in the short term, but the immunity weakens without the second dose. When both doses are administered these vaccines have shown that they are able to provide a strong immune response for a longer period of time.

In the US today, there are about five million people who have gotten one dose and forgone or postponed their second. Part of the hesitancy in receiving the second dose could be because of side effects endured after the first vaccination. While feeling side effects may increase reluctance in getting a second dose, the CDC has released guidance saying that the symptoms should only last a few days. On the other hand, a severe case of covid-19 can lead to hospitalization, long-term health impacts such as organ damage or memory loss, and even death.

If side effects persist beyond a few days, the CDC recommends you call your primary health care provider. Depending on the state of your health, your doctor may advise you to take over-the-counter medications to counteract the symptoms.

How many people in the United States have been vaccinated?

As of 27 April, more than 230 million doses have been administered and a little over a quarter of the population are fully vaccinated.

Connecticut has vaccinated the 36.4% of its population, making it the state with the highest percentage of vaccinated residents. Meanwhile, in New Hampshire close to 60% of residents have received at least one dose of a vaccine. Some states trailing the national average include Alabama and Utah where only 21% and 22% of the population are fully vaccinated. Many residents in these states live in rural areas where keeping the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines at below freezing temperatures can pose logistical challenges. As the rollout of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine continues, public health officials hope that these numbers will increase as the temperature needs of this vaccine are not as extreme as the others.
Nine four-star generals have sent a memo to the heads of the U.S. intelligence community, asking them to declassify evidence revealing the 'pernicious conduct' of China and Russia.

The unclassified memo, first sent last year, has been circulating among America's top spies, pleading with them to reveal more evidence that could help sway public opinion against adversaries, Politico reported on Monday.

Nicknamed the '36-star memo' for the cumulative stars held by the signatories, the letter was organized by Admiral Phil Davidson, the outgoing head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Eight other regional military commanders signed on, including General Jay Raymond, then commander of U.S. Space Command and now head of the Space Force.

Admiral Phil Davidson, the outgoing head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and General Jay Raymond, now head of the Space Force, were among the letter's signatories

The memo was addressed to then-acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire (above) last January

The letter argued that only by 'waging the truth in the public domain against America's 21st century challengers' can the U.S. shore up support from allies.

However, it said that these efforts to combat misinformation and propaganda are hamstrung by overly strict secrecy rules.

'We request this help to better enable the US, and by extension its allies and partners, to win without fighting, to fight now in so-called gray zones, and to supply ammunition in the ongoing war of narratives,' the letter read, according to Politico.

'Unfortunately, we continue to miss opportunities to clarify truth, counter distortions, puncture false narratives, and influence events in time to make a difference,' it added.

The memo was addressed to then-acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire last January.

The letter did not spell out exactly what evidence the generals wanted to make public, but both Russia and China have been implicated in major hacking campaigns directed against the U.S.

It is unclear why the memo has now emerged - although top military officials who support its contents are said to have been frustrated at the slow pace at which their suggestions were considered.

Russian armored military vehicles roll into a Russian Navy large landing ship on Friday after the military drills of the Russian Armed Forces at the Opuk range in Crimea

Russian Navy ships are seen during exercises off Crimea on Thursday. Russia has been conducting an aggressive buildup of troops and hardware near its separatist allies in Ukraine

Russian troops drill amphibious landings in Crimea on Thursday. Russia has been conducting an aggressive buildup of troops and hardware in the region

Russia has also been conducting an aggressive buildup of troops and hardware near its allies fighting a civil war in Ukraine, and drew condemnation for sealing off areas of the Black Sea to foreign warships.

Pro-Russian separatists are seeking to carve out an enclave in eastern Ukraine, which Russia could potentially use as a land bridge to its seized territory in Crimea.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently claimed that Russia will begin to pull back excess troops -- but revealed he has created an inflatable army outside Moscow which could be deployed to fool enemy drones and satellites.

The Black Sea restrictions came into effect on Saturday evening and were to remain in place through October 31, Russian news agencies reported, citing the country's Defense Ministry.

According to Russian media reports, the restrictions apply to an area along the Crimean coastline between Sevastopol and Gurzuf, an area near the Kerch Peninsula, and an area near the western tip of Crimea.

The international community refuses to recognize the annexation of the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in March 2014.

For its part, China has continued to pursue a military buildup in the South China Sea, a vast and resource-rich body of water that Beijing claims as its own.

Chinese President Xi Jinping presides over a ceremony on Friday, unveiling three new warships set to patrol the South China Sea

Xi flexed his military muscles in the South China Sea by unveiling three new warships in a ceremony on Friday

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday flexed his military muscles in the South China Sea by unveiling three new warships.

China's newest assets include an amphibious helicopter carrier, a nuclear sub and a guided-missile cruiser.

The military ceremony was a show of strength amid increasing tensions with Taiwan. China claims Taiwan as its own territory to be won over peacefully or by force.

It does not recognize Taiwan's democratically elected government, and leader Xi Jinping has said 'unification' between the sides cannot be put off indefinitely.

China warned the U.S. earlier this month to 'not to play with fire on the Taiwan issue' as Washington continued to strengthen its relationship with Taiwan.

'There is zero room for compromise and not an inch to give,' Chinese spokesperson Zhao Lijian said.

'We urge the US side to grasp the situation, earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, refrain from playing with fire, immediately stop official contact with Taiwan in any form.'
Hearing of oral arguments in journalist drug planting case to be held behind closed doors

 Moskva city news agency, Alexander Avilov

15:12 27/04/2021

MOSCOW, April 27 (RAPSI)  Oral arguments in a case over planting drugs on journalist Ivan Golunov will be heard behind closed doors, his attorney Sergey Badamshin has told RAPSI.

The case judicial scrutiny has been completed.

Earlier, a court partially closed the proceedings because of the case materials secrecy.

Defendants are Maxim Umetbayev, Akbar Sergaliyev, Roman Feofanov, Denis Konovalov, who had confessed and given testimony against the others, and a former drug control police department chief for Moscow's Western Administrative District Igor Lyakhovets, who had allegedly headed the arrest of Golunov.

In late February, Alexey Kovrizhkin, the lawyer for Lyakhovets, told RAPSI that another defendant Konovalov had testified against his client, saying it was him who had ordered to plant drugs on Golunovs bag and apartment. Investigators believe Lyakhovets, who does not admit guilt, is the organizer of the crime.

The defendants are charged with abuse of power, evidence tampering and illegal drug trafficking. Only Konovalov pleaded guilty. He was later released from detention and put under house arrest.

Investigators believe that they planted drugs on Golunov. Thus, they falsified the results of operative search activity that later became inculpatory evidence against Golunov in a drug dealing case; however, the drugs had been earlier illegally bought and kept by the police officers, according the Investigative Committee.

In late December 2019, investigators opened the case over arrest of Golunov. The journalist was recognized as an injured party. All five defendants in the case were dismissed from police.

Golunov was arrested in Moscow on June 6, 2019. On June 8, the Nikulinsky District Court of Moscow placed him under house arrest for 2 months. According to the Interior Ministrys official statement, police seized nearly 4 grams of methylmethedrone from Golunov. The journalist pleaded not guilty, insisted that the drugs were planted on him during the arrest and claimed that his prosecution is related to his journalistic investigations. According to his defense, an examination showed no drugs in his biomaterial.

On June 11, 2019, charges against Golunov were dropped because of a lack of evidence that he participated in the crime, and the journalist was released. On June 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed two generals of police on the back of the arrest of Golunov.




For more than 30 years, the world's largest collection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi - the "good" kind essential for sustaining plant life - has been rooted at West Virginia University.

Over the next several years, the tiny, soil-dwelling residents of the International Culture Collection of (Vesicular) Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi will be relocated to the University of Kansas thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation.

INVAM's origins date back to the 1980s when two fungi researchers - Joseph Morton, then assistant professor of plant pathology, and Norman Schenk, professor of plant pathology at University of Florida, each began small culture collections on their respective campuses.

In 1985, Schenk secured funding from the National Science Foundation to create a living culture collection to preserve germ plasm. He served as curator of the collection for five years until his retirement in 1990 when it was merged with the local collection maintained by Morton.

With perpetual funding from NSF, Morton, along with research technician Bill Wheeler, spent 27 years growing the collection from 187 cultures to approximately 1,000 today.

It's an invaluable research and educational too used by students to discover microbes, researchers to explore the symbiotic relationship between the fungi and plants, and agricultural businesses to improve management practices.

When Morton retired in 2017 - and Wheeler moving in that direction as well - Matt Kasson, associate professor of forest pathology and mycology in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, stepped in to direct INVAM until funding could be secured to transfer the collection to another university.

Unlike Morton, Kasson does not specialize in this unique group of fungi but was enthusiastic to shepherd it until its future could be secured.

"It's been a real privilege and an honor to oversee the collection in a director capacity," Kasson said. "West Virginia University and the National Science Foundation have devoted tremendous resources to the survival of a very important collection over the last 30 years. We need to celebrate that - and now the collection is ready for the next phase of its life."

The collection's impending transfer is bittersweet for Wheeler, who's spent most of his career working with these fungi.

"The transfer will ensure that the collection will continue, and all the years of research and efforts that Joe Morton and I worked through together will not be lost. I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be able to support the collection for the past 31 years," Wheeler said. "I want to take time and thank Matt Kasson for finding ways to integrate the collection into his research and being director of the collection so it could stay at WVU in the interim."

Over the next several years, WVU researchers will duplicate the collection and send it to Jim Bever, an expert on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and former post-doc of Morton's, at the University of Kansas to see if he can cultivate it.

"It's not something where you just hand them the keys and they drive away," Kasson said. "It's a real art and a science to maintain these fungi. Even for someone as experienced as Jim, successfully transitioning a collection is a delicate task."

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi must be cultured on living plants for three months out of the year, every year. When they are not being cultured on plants, they reside with roots and soil in a large walk-in cooler where they are maintained for up to year before the process starts again.

Researchers at both universities will cultivate the fungi on plants in parallel.

"Being able to recover similar levels of inoculum during the harvest phase will tell us if the conditions in Jim's lab are similar enough to the conditions we've refined over the last 31 years to sustain cultures in perpetuity," Kasson explained.

With culture viability at the forefront, Kasson and Wheeler will also use the funds to better understand the pathogens and parasites that may exist in the collection itself.

"Even though these are fungi, there are other fungi that attack them, and we know they exist in the collection. Any time you have a big collection, you're going to get these kinds of things," Kasson said. "Now is our opportunity to take a comprehensive look at the mycoparasites in the collection that prey on these fungi and could impact their vitality."

Strains of interest found to harbor interesting or unique fungal parasites will stay behind where they can receive closer scrutiny.

If things go according to plan, Kasson projects INVAM will fully transition to the University of Kansas by 2024.

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Two weeks after his office was contacted by a group to take action against two officials of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) enmeshed in a N122 million fraud, Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami, has failed to act.

Although the NCC admitted its officials stole public funds, it has equally refused to ensure they are properly sanctioned as prescribed by anti-corruption laws.

PREMIUM TIMES in an exclusive report in March, exposed how two senior staff, Yakubu Gontor, head of the finance department, and Philip Eretan, former head of the internal audit department of NCC, got the funds as allowances for trips they never embarked on.

Mr Gontor got N54 million as accruable allowances for official trips he never made while Mr Eretan fraudulently raked in about N68 million.

They were indicted by an investigative committee which was set up by the commissions governing board in 2020. Premium Times understands that the money stolen is being deducted in instalments from their emoluments. But the two men are yet to have their day in court.

The committee had recommended that the two officials should be made to face a disciplinary panel with appropriate sanctions meted out to them.

But PREMIUM Time findings revealed that the Umar Danbatta-led management of the NCC, which in 2020 won the Ethics Compliance and Integrity Scorecards (ECIS) award of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has not disciplined the indicted officials as recommended by the committee, or called for their prosecution.

The NCC is an agency under Mr Pantamis supervision.

This newspaper understands that between January and February 2020, Messrs Guntor and Eretan frequented the Kaduna zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following a petition by a yet-to-be-identified group.

The new leadership of the EFCC in the zone, however, told our correspondent it could not trace the details of the matter.

In February, the new head of the zone, Sanusi Abdullahi, said he was only transferred to the zone in July 2020, and that he could not trace the files of the matter.

But we are still investigating and I can assure you that we will do our best to know what is amiss, Mr Abdullahi said.

When reached on Tuesday, Mr Abdullahi said the commissions position remained the same.

NCC admits fraud

The NCC in its response to PREMIUM TIMES expose had admitted its officials stole public funds. The agency has apparently continued to shield them from prosecution.

The commissions spokesperson, Ikechukwu Adinde, in a statement to this newspaper on April 1, said: the Commission investigated all the cases in accordance with the extant Public Service Rules and the NCC staff regulations as contained in the Staff Handbook.

Those who were found culpable have had appropriate sanctions meted out to them as set out in the NCC Staff Handbook. Other relevant government agencies are also looking into the matter.

He did not specify on the nature of the sanctions.

This newspaper further investigated Mr Adindes claim and found out that he was not saying the truth as there was no evidence the officials were punished for the crime.

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While Mr Eretan was redeployed from the audit department to licensing and authorisation department, Mr Gontor has continued in office as the head of the agencys finance department.

The extant Public Service Rules and the NCC staff regulations prescribe dismissal for such misconduct.

The misconduct by the NCC officials, described by lawyers as obtaining of money under false pretence is a felony and the officials are liable to imprisonment to a term of three years.

Diversionary

This newspaper reached out to the chairman of NCC governing board, Adeolu Akande, on why his agency is shielding corrupt officials but he said he is not in better position to respond.

By the act of NCC, matters that deals operations are handled by the executive chairman. I will advise that you speak with director of public affairs, NCC.

When informed about Mr Adindes failure to respond to specific enquiries, he insisted that he cannot speak on the matter.

Group writes Pantami

Meanwhile, an anti-corruption group, Lygel Youths and Leadership Initiatives (LYLI), wrote a letter to Mr Pantami seeking his intervention over the matter.

In the letter dated April 14 and signed by its director of legal and compliance unit, Lekan Oladapo, the group noted that it had complained to the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in a letter dated 29th December, 2020, of which the minister was copied.

In the said letter we had raised observations on the case of fraud in the Commission that involved the two heads of units of Finance and Audit.

We have persistently advised the management of NCC to address that by implementing the recommendation of the Investigating Committee to impose necessary sanction and prosecute the culprits.

Be that as it may, all the advice went to the deaf ears of the management to the extent that it was insensitive to the subsequent publications of the Premium Times published on March 29th 2021 and APRIL 1, 2021 respectively.

We are surprised that the NCC can be as desperate as a reputable organisation condoning corruption of its officers without plausible justification.

The group stated that it is amazingly disturbing for the NCC to continue to shield the officials from disciplinary action.

Leave me out of NCC matter- Pantami

Despite acknowledging the receipt of the letter on April 15, Mr Pantami is yet to take any decisive action, sources told PREMIUM TIMES.

This newspaper obtained a copy of the acknowledgment letter the minister issued.

When this newspaper contacted the ministers spokesperson, Uwa Suleiman, on the subject matter, she pleaded that her principal should be left out of the matter.

This is a crisis within NCC. They are in a better position to answer your questions and offer any clarification you may need.

After informing her that NCC had confirmed the fraud but was apparently shielding the officials, she responded saying this is under his (NCC spokesperson) purview. I will tell him to offer more clarification.

Ms Suleiman later asked our reporter to send her the copy of the letter sent to the minister and this was done immediately.

Having read the letter, she has since failed to acknowledge the copy sent to her on WhatsApp. She has also not responded to issues raised in the said letter.

She has also not responded to reminder on the subject matter.

Pantamis troubles

Mr Pantami current public silence may not be unrelated to recent controversies over his past.

He has been in the news lately over sermons he delivered over a decade ago that supported extremist groups such as Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

While the minister said he has renounced these teachings, blaming his immaturity at the time the statements were made, many Nigerians have demanded his resignation from office.

He told PREMIUM TIMES in an interview that some of these issues were concocted from certain lectures he presented over a decade ago
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Anti-Semitic incidents occurred at a historically high level last year in the United States, only decreasing 4% from an all-time high recorded in 2019 despite a coronavirus pandemic that lessened in-person interactions, the Anti-Defamation Leagues (ADL) annual audit of anti-Semitic incidents found.

New York had the highest number of overall incidents in the United States  336  the ADL report showed, with most of those incidents classified as harassment and vandalism. However, nearly half of anti-Semitic assaults nationwide took place in New York City, including 11 in Brooklyn and one in Manhattan.

No anti-Semitic assaults occurred on Staten Island, the ADLs data showed, but as overall incidents decreased nationwide, Staten Islands number of anti-Semitic acts of vandalism and harassment nearly doubled compared to 2019  jumping from 13 to 25.

One of those instances occurred in a Staten Island Jewish cemetery, where headstones appeared to be toppled and vandalized, the ADL report said.

I think we have to engage ourselves and the community to discuss how sometimes activities are hurtful, said Mendy Mirocznik, president of the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island.

We feel theres a constant ignorance of people who dont understand, Mirocznik said of harassment pointed toward members of the Jewish community, particularly related to the pandemic. We have to do more to educate people about how hateful things hurt.

(2/5)

While antisemitic incidents declined slightly in 2020 compared to 2019, America still witnessed more than double the incidents we saw nearly a decade ago. pic.twitter.com/i04rrupcm3  ADL (@ADL) April 27, 2021

Across the U.S., the ADL recorded 2,024 anti-Semitic incidents, which include instances of harassment, vandalism and assault.

While that total fell from 2019s total of 2,107 incidents, it is still the third-highest year reported since the ADL began tracking the data in 1979 and more than double the number of incidents counted a decade ago.

More than half of the 2020 cases were instances of harassment, which rose 10% overall from 2019. At the same time, incidents of vandalism fell 18%. Anti-Semitic assaults fell from 61 in 2019 to 31 in 2020, with 41 total victims recorded last year and no fatalities.

While any decline in the data is encouraging, we still experienced a year in which anti-Semitic acts remained at a disturbingly high level despite lockdowns and other significant changes in our daily lives and interactions with others, said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. We cant let our guard down. As communities begin to open up and people spend more time in person with others, we must remain vigilant.

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Incidents of antisemitic harassment went up in 2020. As COVID reduced in-person gatherings, haters and bigots turned to social media, videoconferencing & other platforms to attempt to harass Jewish people. pic.twitter.com/Pnkq9zDHKN  ADL (@ADL) April 27, 2021

IMPACT OF PANDEMIC

The data was dramatically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ADL said, and the outbreak led to a surge of online harassment as schools shifted to online learning.

Zoombombings  in which individuals infiltrate online meetings and spread virulently hateful messages  were recorded by the ADL in at least 196 separate instances.

The majority of those incidents directly targeted religious, educational or cultural webinars conducted by Jewish institutions, with the rest occurring in K-12 settings, online lectures and private events.

In one Staten Island virtual classroom cited in the report, an unknown individual hacked a students account and messaged the class, KILL ALL JEWS, GAS THEM ALL.

There was a marked decline of school-based incidents after March, when nearly all schools moved to fully remote learning, so the pandemic definitely played a role in shifting how and where anti-Semitism manifested in 2020, said Greenblatt. This was offset to some degree by the high number of Zoombombing incidents targeting Jewish people and other marginalized communities.

Given the nature of bullying, especially online, the ADL said that it is likely that the actual number of anti-Semitic incidents taking place in school is significantly higher than what is reported in the agencys audit.

A woman hold a sign that reads stop hate as a part of the march against anti-Semitism in Camden Plaza on Jan. 5, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/ Alexandra Salmieri) ALEXANDRA SALMIERI

STATEN ISLAND INCIDENTS SEE CONCERNING RISE

The majority of anti-Semitic harassment incidents found on Staten Island in 2020 were perpetrated by the New Jersey European Heritage Association (NJEHA), according to ADL data.

The ADL had previously designated the group as a white supremacist organization and warned it is definitely growing on the borough.

The group is now responsible for around 10% of all white supremacist activity nationwide, the ADLs Center on Extremism said earlier this year, and has made a repeated presence on Staten Island in recent years.

In early 2021, posters hung in New Dorp prompted the condemnation of the boroughs entire bi-partisan delegation. In the wake of the discovery of that material, Staten Island faith leaders organized a candlelight walk and vigil against hate in January.

Mirocznik, who attended that vigil in the wake of the storming of the U.S. Capitol building by former President Donald Trumps supporters  some of whom were part of far-right extremist organizations  said that leadership on the borough has done a strong job condemning instances of anti-Semitism on the borough and educating the Islands residents.

Officials on this borough in a non-partisan fashion, District Attorney Mike McMahon, the police department, take these issues very seriously, no matter if it was the Jewish community or any other community for that matter, said Mirocznik.

They do their best to educate the public and send a message to people engaged in such activities that they will be prosecuted, added Mirocznik. There are no passes.

Most recently, a swastika was found spray painted on a wall at Henry Kaufmann Campground in Sea View during Passover in March. Police said the hateful graffiti was found outside a bathroom on the grounds, the Advance/SILive.com reported.

District Attorney Michael E. McMahon has outspokenly condemned anti-Semitic acts that have recently taken place on the borough.

My office will always stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters in condemning acts of intolerance and hate, said McMahon in a written statement. Anti-Semitism has no place on Staten Island, and we remain incredibly concerned anytime a community or group is targeted based on their beliefs or background.

I want to reassure all Staten Islanders that my office and the NYPD have made fully investigating these deplorable incidents a top priority and we will continue working tirelessly to prevent hate crimes and intolerance on Staten Island, he said.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday that it will move to grant California permission to set more stringent climate requirements for cars and SUVs, a reversal of a key Trump administration policy.

The step, coming days after the Transportation Department withdrew Trump-era restrictions of state tailpipe emission rules, could help pave the way for a broader climate deal with the nation's automakers. The EPA will hold a virtual public hearing on its proposal June 2, and will take comment on the plan until July 6.

The administration's actions will give the populous state with big climate ambitions more leverage in discussions between car company executives, autoworkers and federal officials over national mileage and greenhouse gas emission standards for new passenger vehicles. Thirteen states and D.C. have signed on to California's greenhouse gas vehicle standards. Collectively they represent 36% of the U.S. auto market.

"I am a firm believer in California's long-standing statutory authority to lead. The 2019 decision to revoke the state's waiver to enforce its greenhouse gas pollution standards for cars and trucks was legally dubious and an attack on the public's health and wellbeing," Joe Biden's EPA administrator, Michael Regan, said in a statement. "Today, we are delivering on President Biden's clear direction to tackle the climate crisis by taking a major step forward to restore state leadership and advance EPA's greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals."

On Thursday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg took his own action by proposing to withdraw his department's part of a Trump administration rule blocking states from setting their own tailpipe standards. And both announcements come on the heels of a summit hosted by Biden meant to spur other nations to ramp up their commitments to tackling climate change and build momentum for passage of an infrastructure package meant to build out a nationwide network of charging stations.

"The transportation sector is the U.S. economy's largest contributor to greenhouse gases," Buttigieg said Thursday in remarks at a charging station in Union Station in Washington to celebrate Earth Day. "And that relationship to the problem of climate change means that we in transportation can also be the biggest part of the solution."

The proposed Transportation Department rule, which will be subject to 30 days of public comment once it is published in the Federal Register, will no longer bar individual states such as California from establishing their own greenhouse gas emissions standards and zero-emissions vehicle mandates.

A year ago, the EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finalized a rule to improve average fuel efficiency by 1.5% per year, compared with a nearly 5% annual increase that was set to take effect under President Barack Obama. But just last week, investigators with the EPA's inspector general concluded that the Trump administration improperly sidelined career staffers when unwinding Obama-era pollution standards.

But Republicans say giving California the authority to set its own, tougher standards may lead to a patchwork of car pollution rules in the country that will frustrate carmakers and consumers. They also argue that tough emissions rules will make new cars more expensive, encouraging Americans to keep driving older and less-safe vehicles.

"If the Biden administration is serious about road safety, affordability, and securing a cleaner American energy future, he should not be allowing California to dictate the vehicles people drive in Indiana, South Carolina, Ohio, or in eastern Washington," Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington, the top Republican on the House Energy Committee, said in a statement.

But carmakers, autoworkers and environmentalists are eager to strike a deal with both the federal government and California to create one set of nationwide standards for tailpipe emissions. It will take a few months for the Biden administration to restore California's authority to impose greenhouse gas standards on cars and trucks. Regan told lawmakers Wednesday that the administration will propose nationwide standards for tailpipe emissions in mid-July.

"States like California have historically the right to lead the way," he said. "The federal government can indeed learn from states, and that's what we plan to continue to do."

Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO John Bozzella, whose members produce nearly all of the cars and light trucks sold in the United States, said in a statement that he hopes Monday's announcement is "a step to a revised national program that includes California and brings all automakers under a unified set of common requirements and ensures a level, competitive playing field."

Ford Motor Co. was among a handful of automakers that promised California it would produce cars more fuel-efficient than what the Trump administration required. "Ford has long recognized California's legal right to regulate greenhouse gases at a tougher rate than the federal government," the company said in a statement Monday.

Even without a waiver from the federal government to set its own pollution standards, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last year that the state would phase out sales of gasoline-powered cars by 2035.

"California welcomes the resumption of our decades-long collaboration with federal partners to develop strong vehicle emissions standards into the next decade," Newsom said in a statement.

Several major automakers, too, have announced plans to end sales of cars with internal-combustion engines in the coming decades. The Japanese automaker Honda is the latest, announcing last week during Biden's climate summit that it plans to stop selling gasoline-powered vehicles in North America by 2040. General Motors has pledged to stop making gas-fueled passenger cars, vans and SUVs by 2035.

But some advocates and politicians are pressing automakers to move even faster, which has caused tensions with some companies and the industry's largest union, the United Auto Workers.

Sierra Club President Ramon Cruz, whose group sued the EPA to try to preserve California's waiver, celebrated the coming reversal of what he said was "one of Donald Trump's most egregious attacks on our nation's climate policy."

But he added that the Biden administration must now craft policy that encourages Americans to adopt zero-emission cars as quickly as possible. "It is not enough to reverse the damage done," he said.
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ara Aivazian gave an interview to BBC Weekend during which he answered questions regarding the US Presidents recognition of the Armenian Genocide and Armenias relations with Turkey. The interview is presented below.

Question: What is your response to President Bidens statement? Was it everything youd hoped for?

Ara Aivazian: As 106 years ago today the Armenian people are fighting for historical justice, for a safe and dignified life in their historical homeland. We welcome the statement of President Biden by which the US clearly defines the mass atrocities committed against the Armenian people in the 20th century as genocide. It should be recalled that relevant resolutions recognizing and condmening the Armenian Genocide were adopted by the US House of Representatives and Senate in 2019.

Yesterday we commemorated the 106th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. And here in Armenia and in different parts of the world wwe saw strong solidarity of the international community, numerous strong messages of support, which are encouraging us to multiply our joint efforts in the international fight for condemnation and prevention of genocides.

Question: Mr. Aivazian, are you hopeful other countries will follow suit?

Ara Aivazian: Well, the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide is a universal issue of humanity. This address makes a significant contribution to the global recognition of the Amenian Genocide and the prevention of genocides. Today, the US authorities have unequivocally reiterated their commitment in human rights and the principles of humanity.

Question: Mr. Aivazian, what in fact do you think Joe Bidens statement will have on your relations with Turkey?

Ara Aivazian. As far as relations with Turkey are concerned, Turkey pursues hostile and aggressive policy towards Armenia since the restoration of independence back in 1991. Turkey rejected the establishment of diplomatic relations, it closed border with Armenia and pursued increasingly hostile policy against Armenia. Moreover, Turkey directly got involved in the Azerbaijani aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh by dispatching thousands of foreign terrorist fighters to our region.

We do hope that this very important statement by the President of the US will pave the way for dialogue and eventually to the normalization of relations. It will also contribute to the regional peace and stability.

Question: How will this play towards the possible normalization of relations? Some say the statement will play into President Erdogans hands by winning him public support against the US.

Ara Aivazian: Well, I believe this creates a ground for Turkish society to face the pages of their history. And also it induces the society to question the tragic pages of their history. I believe it will also create ground for dialogue between two neighboring countries. Abyss was created between two neighbouring countries and I believe this will be a very important step for normalization of our relations.
Lower calorie versions of alcoholic drinks could emerge in response to labelling reforms, according to a health minister.

Jo Churchill told MPs the Government will very shortly launch a consultation on its plans to introduce mandatory calorie labelling on alcoholic drinks sold in supermarkets, pubs, restaurants and elsewhere.

She added she hopes the changes will encourage reformulation of drinks given the market opportunities for lower calorie versions.

MPs heard the Government has been working with the industry to ensure drinking guidelines about the health risks posed by alcohol are included on labels.

On calorie labelling, Ms Churchill also told the House of Commons: Post-Covid we know that more must be done to look after our health, however, making healthier decisions without all the information is actually quite a challenge.

So for people to make informed decisions about the drinks theyre purchasing, they need to be able to understand what is in that product and what it means for their health.

We know that excessive alcohol consumption can be a contributing factor to obesity.

Ms Churchill said adults tend to consume 200 to 300 extra calories per day, noting alcohol can be a contributing factor for those who drink as it is highly calorific.

She went on: We hope that the provision of calorie labelling on alcohol will encourage reformulation because actually there are market opportunities to lower calorie versions, which will further help adults reduce their calorie intake from alcohol.

This consultation will be launched very shortly.

In her concluding remarks, Ms Churchill insisted: Were not saying you cant enjoy a drink.

But what were saying, very clearly, is that wed like to encourage the nations drinking to be responsible and to help people not to be one of those statistics that wrecks lives.

We believe people have the right to accurate information to help them make decisions about the products they purchase and were committed to ensuring the labelling on alcohol provides this.
BOCA RATON, Fla., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Newbridge Securities Corporation ("NSC") is pleased to announce that it has brought on board Peter Czarnomski to head our Customer Service Group.

In this new leadership role, Peter Czarnomski will help develop and lead our Customer Service Group initiatives designed to better meet the needs of our clients, brokers, and advisors and enhance firm wide customer service and communications. "Peter's depth of experience and industry relationships will help benefit our entire team," said Thomas Casolaro, CEO of NSC.

Peter brings more than 35 years of experience in the financial industry, working in all areas of the Front, Middle and Back office of operations and compliance. He most recently worked for Securities Advisers Compliance Consultants, LLC, as owner and was with The State of Florida Bureau of Enforcement Division of Securities as a Senior Manager overseeing four major offices with over 25 examiners under his leadership.

Peter was an Assistant Vice President for Deutsche Bank, in the trust department in charge of their Re-org/Information Agent, Tax & Compliance and Escheatment Processes. He also complied with and provided applicable reports to the IRS, States, Federal Reserve and SEC.

Peter worked for Franklin Templeton Investments as a Client Relations Manager, Custodian Bank Relationship Manager, Principal Information Officer, Project Manager and Manager of Settlements and Trading. Peter played a key role in developing the Trading and Operations desks in Hong Kong, Singapore and LATAM region along with a Trust Bank in the Bahamas and Geneva for Franklin Templeton.

Peter worked on Wall Street after earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Transportation Management and Money and Banking from St. John's University, New York.

"I'm excited to join the Newbridge family and to be working with an exceptional executive team who is focused on a culture of compliance and on becoming a premier full-service broker/dealer and investment banking firm to help clients reach their financial objectives," said Peter Czarnomski.

About Newbridge

Newbridge Financial, Inc., as the holding company for Newbridge Securities Corporation (www.newbridgesecurities.com) and Newbridge Financial Services Group, Inc., provides strategic management consulting services to growth companies and explores the development of lines of business complementary to, but outside of, the financial services industry.

Newbridge Securities Corporation and Newbridge Financial Services Group, Inc. provides full-service securities brokerage, registered investment advisor and investment banking services to a broad-based group of individuals and corporate clients. Comprised of a committed and experienced team of financial service professionals, we seek to empower our clients to build and preserve wealth by providing superior financial services and products. Newbridge Securities Corporation is an SEC-registered broker-dealer and a member of FINRA and SIPC. Newbridge Financial Services Group, Inc. is a SEC-registered registered investment adviser.

Contact:

Thomas Casolaro, CEO

Newbridge Securities Corporation

[email protected]

www.newbridgesecurities.com

954.278.8117

SOURCE Newbridge Financial, Inc.; Newbridge Securities Corporation

Related Links

https://www.newbridgesecurities.com


(Photo : Anindito Mukherjee/Getty Images) Patients who are infected with Covid-19 coronavirus can be seen wearing Oxygen masks as free Oxygen was supplied as a part of public service for the people in need by a Gurdwara or a Sikh Holy place amid the rising concerns over lack of Oxygen on April 24, 2021 in New Delhi, India.

France is sending India the much-needed aid as the most populated country in the world struggles with the second wave of coronavirus.

The aid comes after India reported more than 300,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single day, bringing the total number of infections to 17 million.

Five million of the total number of infections was counted on Apr. 2021 alone, pushing India's health care system to the brink of collapse.

COVID-19: India's Struggle With the Second Wave of Coronavirus

On Monday, Apr. 26, New York Times reported how India struggled to push back the second wave of coronavirus that quickly brought the country into a devastating crisis.

With a population of 1.3 billion, India's efforts to impose one of the world's strictest national lockdown had been for naught as the second wave caught the citizens off-guard, as the local COVID-19 variant raced out of control.

India reported 115,736 new infections on Apr. 5, 2021, toppling its former record of 97,894 cases in a single day, which was last seen on Sept. 16, 2020.

The numbers shot up to 323,023 on Monday, Apr. 26, forcing the country's already struggling healthcare system to turn away patients, leaving them to face the battle alone.

Experts blame the devastating surge from the government's premature easing of coronavirus lockdowns after India seemed to be doing remarkably well in curbing the spread of the virus.

"Public behavior and administrative behavior matters," said Public Health Foundation of India chairman Dr. K Srinath Reddy. "If we do something for six weeks or four weeks, and then declare victory and again open the door wide open, then we are in trouble."

India's struggle seemed to prove earlier reports, wherein experts said that the new variants are more infectious than the original novel coronavirus.

India's Top Virologist Dr Shahid Jameel chokes on tears on @themojostory talking of deaths of friends and families. "India has lost the plot.. and this data, its manipulated, skewed, fake. underreported" - full show here: https://t.co/yP2E9tDmVT pic.twitter.com/DrWvTFjhFa  barkha dutt (@BDUTT) April 22, 2021

Also Read: India Spots 'Double Mutant' Coronavirus Variant--Experts Say That it Can Reinfect Those Who Recovered from COVID-19

France Announces 'Solidarity Mission' to India

The Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France announced a "solidarity mission" for India, pledging to send oxygen generators, ventilators, and ICU gears to help the country with its battle against COVID-19.

The first aid of shipment includes eight oxygen generators, each of which could equip 250 hospital beds that could last for several years.

France is also sending liquid medical oxygen, 28 respirators, and 200 electric syringe pumps that could help up to 10,000 patients a day.

"Coordinated by the Ministry's Crisis and Support Center and implemented by the French Embassy in India, the operation involves delivering the following by air and by sea, by the end of this week," the French Ministry said in a statement on Monday, Apr. 26.

The aid promises to provide India with the much-needed boost to increase the hospitals' capacity to treat COVID-19 patients and fight the pandemic over the long term.

The crisis India is facing has also caught the attention of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who also promised to send oxygen concentration devices to help the country address the oxygen shortage.

Related Article: COVID-19: Social Distancing at '6-Foot-Rule' Does Not Guarantee Safety [STUDY]

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Leigh Mercer

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
ALBANY, N.Y., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The need for provisioning quality cosmeceuticals drives the business propositions of new dispensing strategies. The approaches that engage clinicians at various stages are getting more popular than ever, the reason to do with the high worldwide demand for cosmeceuticals available through skin and hair clinics and treatment centers. In various developing and developed nations, physician-turned entrepreneurs are actively getting into dispensing low cost and products whose efficacy can be endorsed. Physician dispensed cosmeceuticals are garnering sales increasingly for treating wide range of dermatological conditions. The share of demand from skin care products in the global physician dispensed cosmeceuticals market is notable.

Clocking a CAGR of 10.3% during 2018 - 2026, the opportunities in the physician dispensed cosmeceuticals market are projected to touch US$ 31,322.14 Mn by 2026

Request for Analysis of COVID-19 Impact on Physician Dispensed Cosmeceuticals Market  https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/covid19.php

Key Findings of Physician Dispensed Cosmeceuticals Market Study

Products Must Meet Current Beauty Standards for Commercialization

The demand for cosmeceuticals has caught on marked momentum in the cosmetics industry due to their supposedly numerous therapeutic effects. They are usually topical formulations, and notably include skin care and eye care products, and hair care products. Market players have thrown their weight behind the emerging dispensing strategies that are being promoted by some entrepreneur-turned physicians. Pharmacy benefit managers and prospective consumers both seek efficacy in cosmeceuticals for accepting their value. Thus, the physician dispensed cosmeceuticals market is evolving on back of relentless urge to make the products meet the current beauty standards of prospective consumers. This means that products dispensed by physicians also have to meet the efficacy standard and must be cost-effective to attract a steady consumer base.

Request Brochure of Physician Dispensed Cosmeceuticals Market Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/brochure.php

Anti-aging Formulations Tops the List of Desired Products

The demand for anti-aging formulations and procedures imparts a constant impetus to the popularity physician dispensed cosmeceuticals have gained over the years. Elderly and young adults both are attracted to the products recommended and dispensed by dermatologists. There is a growing demand for cosmetics that can meet the specific skin care conditions in geriatrics. Growing incidence of dermatological conditions in young adults is boosting the market. Injectable Botox and dermal fillers offer value-grab opportunities for consumers seeking avenues from emerging markets. Changes in lifestyle and value-systems of populations in these economies have made lucrative businesses for brands in the market. They are willing to spend on products that help them conform to new beauty trends. Further, growing dermatologists recommendations for products spurs popularity of skincare cosmeceuticals in developing markets.

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Physician Dispensed Cosmeceuticals Market: Key Driving Factors and Avenues

Widespread demand for authentic products for skin care is a key trend powering the wheels of prospective demand in the cosmeceuticals market

Increasing engagement of dermatologists in well-founded dispensing approaches boosts market

Rapidly aging populations is a key demographical dividend for players in the market,

Request for Custom Research - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/custom-research.php

Physician Dispensed Cosmeceuticals Market: Key Participants

Allergan plc.

Johnson and Johnson

ZO Skin Health Inc.

Procter & Gamble

L'Oreal S.A.

Bausch Health Companies Inc.

Unilever plc.

A growing number of cosmetic manufacturers are expanding their product portfolio, and market players are consolidating their distribution channels, notably in emerging economies such as in Asia Pacific, to gain a stronghold therein.

Browse Our Latest Reports - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/latest.htm

Physician Dispensed Cosmeceuticals Market: Regional Dynamics

The global dispensed cosmeceuticals market has seen maturing demand in North America. Asia Pacific is expected to be a potentially lucrative regional market throughout the forecast period. Rise in demand for topical formulations to meet beauty needs in substantial portion of population is a key trend in the regional market. However, in less developed regions of the world, there is still low level of awareness about cosmeceuticals.

Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Healthcare Industry:

Dermal Fillers Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/dermal-fillers-market.html

Cosmeceuticals Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/cosmeceuticals-marke.html

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Our reports are single-point solutions for businesses to grow, evolve, and mature. Our real-time data collection methods along with ability to track more than one million high growth niche products are aligned with your aims. The detailed and proprietary statistical models used by our analysts offer insights for making right decision in the shortest span of time. For organizations that require specific but comprehensive information we offer customized solutions through adhoc reports. These requests are delivered with the perfect combination of right sense of fact-oriented problem solving methodologies and leveraging existing data repositories.

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SOURCE Transparency Market Research
KALAMAZOO, MI  Thanks for dealing with the tip of the iceberg. Now, please do the rest.

Thats the gist of a letter to Eagle Creek Renewable Energy from Sen. Sean McCann and Rep. Julie Rogers, both Democrats from Kalamazoo who wrote the company this month to press for additional dredging in the Kalamazoo River, which has been choked by dam drawdown sediment for more than a year.

In the April 7 letter, the two state lawmakers reference ongoing wildlife habitat damage caused by a state of ongoing, man-made ecological emergency in the river, with long-term impacts to animal and fish species that grow more serious the longer your cleanup process takes.

We and members of the Kalamazoo community are concerned that the measures being taken now have waited too long, need to be expanded upon, and with more urgency, they wrote.

Eagle Creek, which owns the Morrow Dam in Comstock Township though its subsidiary STS Hydropower, has dredged a small amount of sediment from a river side channel this spring but has yet to launch a larger effort to remove the 369,000 cubic yards of impoundment sludge that experts estimate came through the dam after its 2019 drawdown.

The company has alluded to plans for more dredging but has offered little detail. State regulators say they havent seen any concrete plans to remove more sediment beyond the roughly 2,000 cubic yards dredged from an oxbow channel near Wenke Park in Comstock Township. Its a smaller amount than was projected for a project that was slow to launch this spring.

The bulk of sediment has long since moved downstream of Wenke Park, according to a consulting report the company submitted to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) this spring.

Eagle Creek and EGLE are in the middle of negotiating a settlement that state officials hope will result in more sediment removal but say that nothing is guaranteed.

In an email on April 20, Eagle Creek managers called the Wenke Park project an important milestone that helped to ground-truth sediment removal methods and processes.

STS is in a good position to keep moving forward, according to the update. Heavy equipment is deployed on the river and work crews are ready to go once additional plans are finalized.

Excavators install a sheetpile wall in the Kalamazoo River at South Wenke Park in Comstock Township in this undated photo provided by Eagle Creek Renewable Energy on April 20, 2021.

McCann and Rogers want to see more work done.

There are hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of sediment deposited in the river that do not belong there, they wrote. Any effort that stops at removing only 3,000 cubic yards of the most easily accessible material is inadequate and will not be accepted by our community.

Speaking with MLive, the two lawmakers called for removal efforts to be scaled up.

Rogers, a first term representative who was on the Kalamazoo County board last year when it sent Eagle Creek a similar letter seeking assurances about sediment removal, said shes worried about the potential for heightened flooding risk.

The city of Kalamazoo and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have been working to update a flood model this spring that would account for all the excess material in the river.

Im very concerned about flooding, Rogers said. Weve had a number of flooding issues already in the city of Kalamazoo and other areas of Kalamazoo County. And so, Im very concerned that this could be affecting our residents.

We really would like to hear directly from Eagle Creek on what is the comprehensive plan, she said. We really do need a significant ramping up because so much sediment is involved in this disaster, for lack of a better word.

McCann said agencies like EGLE, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have been working with Eagle Creek to get progress and avoid litigation that could drag things out in a long and extensive fashion.

Thats the balancing act here, McCann said, with a goal being to let them know this is a very important community concern, but hopefully not get mired in such a protracted legal battle that the effect is compliance slips away from us.

Its a timely matter, this two-year cycle on mussels and smallmouth bass, this movement of sediment further and further down river, McCann said. So, we hope to hear from them, and we hope to hear continued cooperation.

Eagle Creek had not formally replied to McCann and Rogers as of Monday, April 26. The company did not immediately return messages from MLive this week.

Kyle Alexander, head of EGLEs local water resources division office, said Eagle Creek has left heavy equipment at Wenke Park due to potential plans to dredge more material along nearby Merrill Park across the river.

However, the company has not received state approval on any additional dredging plans. Alexander said dredging Merrill Park from a staging area on the opposite riverbank presents a number of logistical hurdles and is not a preferred option.

Theres probably more locations that would lend themselves to more efficient or easier clean-up that weve encouraged them to look into, he said.

Alexander said EGLE will be meeting again with Eagle Creek in the next couple weeks to discuss notices of state law violations sent to the company after the drawdown.

Were working through a settlement agreement with them right now and are hoping to have a compliance plan that would hopefully result in cleanup of a lot of that sediment, he said.

EGLE says they could have ensured more protective measures were in place to mitigate the impact of sediments had Eagle Creek given advance warning about the drawdown, which it says was prompted by a fall 2019 inspection showing the dam spillway gates required emergency repair.

According to a letter sent to Eagle Creek in July, the state was not consulted before, but rather after or at best concurrently before the start of the drawdown.

The gate repair took place in November. The Morrow Lake impoundment has since been refilled.

Its really unfortunate, Rogers said. This whole thing is a problem that could have potentially been avoided had (Eagle Creek) submitted a plan for the drawdown ahead of time with our state agencies.

Related stories:

Kalamazoo River projects to use $27M in PCB settlements

369k cubic yards of sediment came through dam

11,400 dumps trucks worth of sludge befouls river

Morrow Lake refill begins after dam repair

PCB cleanup begins on river stretch choked by lake mud

Kalamazoo River looks like a mudhole amid drawdown

Michigan hazard dams something were going to wrestle with
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Further to the joint press release dated Nov 19, 2020, Halo Collective Inc. ("Halo") (NEO: HALO) (OTCQB: AGEEF) and Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE: 4YX) (OTC Pink: TRUFF) ("Red Light Holland") are pleased to announce that Articles of Incorporation have been filed with the Oregon Secretary of State to form Red Light Oregon, Inc., a 50/50 JV between Halo and Red Light Holland. The JV will be capitalized with US$50,000 from each party and its initial directors will be Todd Shapiro, Red Light Holland Director and CEO, Sarah Hashkes, Red Light Holland Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Kiran Sidhu, Halo CEO and Director, and Katie Field, Halo President. The JV will monitor ongoing regulatory updates regarding Oregon's Measure 109, appoint a management team, and develop a commercialization strategy in due course.

"We are delighted to take this next step with Halo. We now have the entity and team in place to begin laying the groundwork for potential future participation in the Oregon Psychedelic Magic Mushroom market," said Todd Shapiro, CEO and Director of Red Light Holland. "Kiran and his team have extensive experience working with Oregon regulators and we could not be more excited to have them as a partner! We also plan on continually monitoring other future markets opening in the USA as the movement, both socially and from a therapeutic/medicinal level promoting the acceptance of psilocybin via legal, policy and regulatory measures rapidly progresses."

"We have been diligently studying the anticipated market growth for psychedelic products and the potential benefits for consumers. Now that Governor Brown appointed a board to oversee Oregon's roll out of psylocibin, Halo and Red Light decide to take the next step towards implementing our joint venture. Todd is a visionary and we are thrilled to be working with him and his team to make our dream of manufacturing and serving consumers with these new therapies a reality. The addition of Sarah, Red Light's CTO, to the Board will enable us to stay ahead of the curve utilizing her background in cognitive neuroscience research, immersive technology to develop psychedelic products and consumer offerings. Stay tuned for more updates."

Further details will be announced once available and as the contours of the Oregon regulated market begin to take shape.

About Red Light Holland Corp.

The Company is an Ontario-based corporation engaged in the production, growth and sale (through existing Smart Shops operators and an advanced e-commerce platform) of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal market within the Netherlands, in accordance with the highest standards, in compliance with all applicable laws

About Halo Collective

Halo is a leading, vertically integrated cannabis company that cultivates, extracts, manufactures, and distributes quality cannabis flower, oils, and concentrates and has sold approximately nine million grams of oils and concentrates since inception. Halo continues to evolve its business and scale efficiently, partnering with trustworthy leaders in the industry, who value the Company's operational expertise in bringing top-tier products to market. Current growth includes expansion in key U.S. markets, the United Kingdom and Africa, with planned expansion into the Canadian retail market.

Halo is led by a strong, diverse, and innovative management team with deep industry knowledge and blue-chip experience. The Company is currently operating in the United States in California and Oregon. The Company sells cannabis products principally to dispensaries under its brands, Hush, Mojave, and Exhale, and under partnership or license with OG DNA Genetics, Terphogz (doing business as Zkittlez) and FlowerShop*, a cannabis lifestyle and conceptual wellness brand in which G-Eazy is a partner and key member of Flowershop*.

As part of continued expansion and vertical integration in the U.S., Halo boasts several grow operations throughout Oregon and California. In Oregon, the Company has a combined 7 acres of outdoor cultivation, including East Evans Creek, a six-acre grow site in Jackson County, and Winberry Farms, a one-acre grow site located 30 miles outside Eugene in Lane County. In California, the Company is building out Ukiah Ventures; a planned 30,000-square-foot indoor grow, processing, and manufacturing facility including up to an additional five acres of industrial land to expand. Recently, Halo partnered with Green Matter Holding to purchase Bar X Ranch in Lake County, developing up to 80 acres of cultivation which would comprise the largest grow in Northern California.

Internationally, the Company's subsidiary Bophelo Bioscience & Wellness (Pty) Ltd. ("Bophelo") is currently cultivating cannabis in Lesotho, which holds one of the most extensive marijuana cultivation licenses in Africa with a future capacity of up to 495 acres. To further Halo's global presence, the Company has recently acquired CBPM importation and distribution licensing in the United Kingdom via cannabis suppliers Canmart Ltd ("Canmart"). Halo expects the cultivation and manufacturing operations of Bophelo, combined with the importation and distribution capabilities of Canmart, to drive a well-positioned business to serve the U.K. market.

The Company also has acquired a range of software development assets, including technology platforms CannPOS, Cannalift, and, more recently, CannaFeels. Halo also owns the discrete sublingual dosing technology, Accudab. The Company intends to spin-off these assets along with its intellectual property and patent application into Halo Tek, which is planned to be its own public company by way of a return of capital to Halo's shareholders.

For further information regarding Halo, see Halo's disclosure documents on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

For Additional Information on Red Light Holland:

Todd Shapiro

Chief Executive Officer & Director,

Tel: 647-204-7129

Email: todd@redlighttruffles.com

Website: https://redlighttruffles.com/

For Additional Information on Halo Collective:

Halo Collective

Investor Relations

info@halocanna.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. 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 Red Light Holland and Halo'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", 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". The forward-looking information and forward- looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, information the timing and other aspects of the joint venture with Halo Collective, and the proposed joint venture. Although each of Red Light Holland and Halo 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 the joint venture with will proceed, or if it does proceed it will reflect the understanding of the parties as of the date of this release. 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.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81879
MEDFORD, Mass., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial Recovery Technologies ("FRT"), the leading provider of securities class action recovery services to the investment community, and BNY Mellon, today announced a strategic alliance to provide BNY Mellon clients a state-of-the-art solution to address the demand for better governance solutions associated with shareholder litigation monitoring and recovery. This collaboration will offer BNY Mellon's clients access to FRT's suite of comprehensive class action solutions including non-US and antitrust litigation.

"The growth in the number and settlement dollars associated with non-US and antitrust recovery opportunities is requiring investors to expand their shareholder litigation recovery program beyond what is currently provided by custody banks," said Rob Adler, Chief Executive Officer, FRT. "This alliance ensures BNY Mellon clients have the most complete coverage and governance solutions to optimize their exposure to litigation opportunities."

"We are pleased to collaborate with Financial Recovery Technologies to offer its automated shareholder litigation monitoring and recovery solutions through BNY Mellon's open-architecture platform," said Caroline Butler, Global Head of Custody, Tax and Network Management at BNY Mellon. "As securities class actions become more complex on a global level, our strategic alliance with FRT provides clients with automated solutions that are designed to quickly adapt as industry complexity grows."

Despite the pandemic, 2020 saw non-US shareholder litigation continue to increase across multiple jurisdictions, including Australia, Brazil, Germany, and the UK. FRT also tracked a substantial increase in Antitrust class action activity with seven fully settled antitrust class actions recovering about $5.1 billion for investors to date and 15 partially settled antitrust class actions recovering an additional $2 billion-plus. The world's leading financial institutions are turning to FRT now more than ever to address the increasingly complex requirements associated with global shareholder litigation and antitrust class actions and ensure they have the most comprehensive solution.

Headquartered in Medford, MA with offices in London, Sydney, Melbourne, New York and San Diego, FRT has more than 1,000 institutional clients worldwide including leading custodians, asset managers, sovereign wealth funds, hedge funds, pension funds, super funds and private banks.

ABOUT FINANCIAL RECOVERY TECHNOLOGIES

Founded in 2008, Financial Recovery Technologies (FRT) is a leading technology-based services firm that helps the investment community identify eligibility, file claims and collect funds made available in securities class action settlements. Offering the most comprehensive range of claim filing and monitoring services available, we provide best-in-class eligibility analysis, disbursement auditing and client reporting, and deliver the highest level of accuracy, accountability and transparency available. Financial Recovery Technologies is a Cross Country Group company (http://www.ccgroup.com). For more information, go to www.frtservices.com.

ABOUT BNY MELLON

BNY Mellon is a global investments company dedicated to helping its clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment lifecycle. Whether providing financial services for institutions, corporations or individual investors, BNY Mellon delivers informed investment and wealth management and investment services in 35 countries. As of March 31, 2021, BNY Mellon had $41.7 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration, and $2.2 trillion in assets under management. BNY Mellon can act as a single point of contact for clients looking to create, trade, hold, manage, service, distribute or restructure investments. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. Additional information is available on www.bnymellon.com. Follow us on Twitter @BNYMellon or visit our newsroom at www.bnymellon.com/newsroom for the latest company news.

SOURCE Financial Recovery Technologies

Related Links

http://www.frtservices.com


EATON COUNTY, MI  The shooting death of a Michigan father and his two young children is now being investigated as a murder.

Based on an tip early in their investigation, the Eaton County Sheriffs Department initially reported that 47-year-old Joseph Lechleitner shot and killed 5-year-old Vivian Zwick and 3-year-old Anson Zwick before turning the gun on himself inside a home on Old River Trail in Delta Township around 11 p.m. on April 13.

Detectives now say their deaths arent murder-suicide, but a premeditated act of violence. Police have not said what evidence shifted the case from a murder-suicide to a murder investigation.

Eaton County Sheriffs Office Detectives have continued to extensively investigate this crime and are now considering it to be a murder investigation, a police update reads. Detectives do not believe this is a random act of violence.

Vivian Zwick was pronounced dead at the scene while Anson Zwick died at a local hospital one day later.

Anyone with information that could assist with this investigation is urged to contact Detective Ted Johnson at 517-323-8492 or leave a tip at 517-543-5433.
Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport has delivered its latest cutter to the Coast Guard, officials said.

The Glen Harris is the third of six Bollinger-built cutters destined for operations in Manama, Bahrain, to support U.S. interests in southwest Asia and the Middle East.

It's the 167th vessel the company has delivered to the Coast Guard over a 35-year period and the 44th Fast Response Cutter completed under the current program, which started in 2008.

Each cutter costs about $65 million, and the entire program will cost the Coast Guard more than $3.7 billion, federal records show. The cutters replace the 110-foot Island Class Patrol Boats, built by Bollinger 30 years ago.

"Bollinger is proud to continue enhancing and supporting the U.S. Coast Guard's operational presence and ensuring it remains the preferred partner around the world," company President and CEO Ben Bordelon said in a news release. "Building ships for the Coast Guard provides critical assets to bolster our national security and advance America's interests, both at home and abroad."

Coast Guard officials have said the new cutters offer increased opportunities for joint operations with the Navy and Marine Corps. The six cutters are part of the a mission to train combat-ready Coast Guard forces in support of U.S. national security objectives.

The Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutter has been used for coastal security, fishery patrols, search and rescue, border patrol and national defense. In 2018, the cutters helped save 21 lives and confiscate 14,200 pounds of cocaine valued at more than $191.3 million, according to the Coast Guard.

The 154-foot cutters carry a crew of 24, are armed with four .50-caliber machine guns and can travel at up to 28 knots, or 32 mph.

Each Fast Response Cutter is named for an enlisted Coast Guardsman who distinguished himself or herself in the line of duty.

Surfman Glen Harris piloted the first wave of landing craft on Tulagi Island in the Pacific Theater during World War II and also made a landing against a Japanese force on Guadalcanal Island. Harris was awarded a Silver Star medal by Admiral Chester Nimitz for his heroic combat action.

Last week, Bollinger announced it had bought Gulf Island Fabrication's shipyard in Houma.

The two companies are among Houma-Thibodaux's largest employers.

Bollinger officials said the purchase will expand the company's construction and repair capacity to better serve its key defense and commercial customers.

Gulf Island said the sale of its shipyard and some of its long-term vessel construction contracts will bring in about $28.6 million. Gulf Island expects to net about $15 million after paying off liabilities associated with some of the shipbuilding contracts it will not complete as well as other expenses.

Gulf Island employs roughly 400 people in at its Houma shipyard and several hundred more in its fabrication division, on the same site. Gulf Island's shipyard workers are expected to retained by Bollinger.

Bollinger employs about 1,500 workers across its 11 facilities in south Louisiana, most of them at its Lockport shipyard.

The new Bollinger Houma facility encompasses 437 acres on the west bank of the Houma Navigation Canal, about 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, the company said. Of that, 283 acres is vacant land available for expansion.

This article is written by Keith Magill from The Houma Courier, La. and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the Industry Dive publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
Quantum chemistry, quantum computing, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Energy Sciences Center could help researchers answer the next big question in catalysis. (Image by Timothy Holland | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

About 15 years ago, Simone Raugei started simulating chemistry experiments at the molecular level.

Today, as part of a top-notch research team aided by advanced computing, Raugei and his colleagues stand primed to crack an important hidden code: nature's intricate method for releasing energy on demand.

"We want to know how to funnel energy precisely at the right time, in the right spot, to perform the chemical reaction we wantjust like enzymes do in nature," said Raugei, a computational scientist who leads the physical biosciences research at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). "Advances in computing have helped us make tremendous progress in the past five or six years. We now have a critical mass of capabilities and knowledge."

The research is part of PNNL's focus on reinventing chemical conversions, which supports the goals of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences (BES) program. One of the programs' many goals is to understand, at an atomic level, how natural catalysts churn out specific reactions, over and over, in the blink of an eye.

The ability to mimic these natural reactions could profoundly improve the design of new synthetic catalysts for producing cleaner and more efficient energy, industrial processes, and materials.

Raugei described the BES Physical Biosciences program as the visionary effort that brought together individual research groups and experimentalists to collaborate on "big questions in biocatalysis"specifically, how to control matter and energy.

The questions don't get much bigger than that.

Enzymes: nature's catalysts

At PNNL, Raugei teams closely with fellow computational scientists Bojana Ginovska and Marcel Baer to examine the inner workings of enzymes. Found within every living cell, these miniscule multi-taskers direct all sorts of reactions for different functions.

Through feedback loops between theory, computer simulations, and experimentation among PNNL and university collaborators, the scientists have made steady progress in uncovering the molecular machinations of several types of enzymes. They are particularly interested in nitrogenase, an enzyme found in soil-dwelling microorganisms, that has a unique ability to break apart nitrogen's triple bondone of the strongest bonds in nature. That molecular fracture, which occurs in the buried active core of nitrogenase, produces ammonia.

In the world of commercial chemistry, ammonia is used to make many valuable products, such as fertilizer. But producing ammonia at an industrial scale takes a lot of energy. Much of that energy is spent trying to break nitrogen's sturdy triple bonds. Figuring out how nature does it so efficiently is key to designing new synthetic catalysts that improve the production process for ammonia and other commercial products.

Credit: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Nitrogenase: cracking the code

About two years ago, the team of PNNL and university scientists isolated the elusive molecular structure inside nitrogenasecalled the Janus intermediatethat represents the 'point of no return' in the production of ammonia. The researchers found that two negatively charged hydrogens, called hydrides, form bridges with two iron ions. Those bridges allow four extra electrons to park inside the core cluster of atoms.

The team's latest research confirmed the shuffling of electrons within the protein environment, packing in enough energy to break apart the nitrogen bonds and form ammonia. Powerful spectroscopy techniques were used to probe the magnetic interactions between electrons in the enzyme's metallic core. Those interactions were then correlated with quantum simulations of the enzyme's transformation to yield the molecular structure of the Janus intermediate.

"The energetics of the electron delivery are amazing," said Raugei. "When you think of adding electrons into a tiny cluster of atoms, one electron is difficult, two is harder, three is really hard, and to add the fourth is generally considered impossible. But we found that's how it happens."

Lance Seefeldt, a professor at Utah State University who holds a joint appointment at PNNL, leads the experimental work for the team's nitrogenase research. Another key collaborator, and the "mastermind behind the spectroscopy measurements" according to Raugei, is Brian Hoffman from Northwestern University. The team's most recent findings about nitrogenase were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society in December 2020.

Quantum chemistry collaborations

Ginovska helps direct the day-to-day activities of the group's postdoctoral researchers working on the project. She credits Raugei with establishing and maintaining connections among the scientific community to spur progress on enzyme research.

"As a theoretical hub, we collaborate with universities and other national laboratories for the experimental aspects of the research," said Ginovska. "We started with nitrogenase and it grew from there. We are now working on several enzymatic systems. All of that work is feeding into the same knowledge base."

Karl Mueller, chief science and technology officer for PNNL's Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate, said nitrogenase is a prime example of the challenging problems that can be tackled at a national laboratory through collaboration between experimental and computational scientists, including university researchers. As the scientists prepare to move into PNNL's new Energy Sciences Center in the fall of 2021, Raugei is confident the enhanced capabilities and collaborative environment will help the team soon crack the remaining code of how nitrogenase forms ammonia.

"We know that it has to do with adding hydrogen atoms, but how? There are a multitude of possible pathways and that's what we're looking into now," said Raugei. "This is definitely an application where breakthroughs in quantum computing will accelerate our research and elevate our understanding of complex systems."

As the pace of scientific progress speeds forward, nitrogenase is just one example of how the promise of quantum chemistry, quantum computing, and PNNL's Energy Sciences Center could help answer the next big question in catalysis.

Explore further Illuminating how nitrogenase makes ammonia

More information: Dmitriy A. Lukoyanov et al. Electron Redistribution within the Nitrogenase Active Site FeMo-Cofactor During Reductive Elimination of H2 to Achieve NN Triple-Bond Activation, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2020). Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical Society Dmitriy A. Lukoyanov et al. Electron Redistribution within the Nitrogenase Active Site FeMo-Cofactor During Reductive Elimination of H2 to Achieve NN Triple-Bond Activation,(2020). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c07914
Dhaka, April 27 : Zakaria Khan, militant leader of Hefazat-e-Islam, has confessed that the violence was conducted in compliance with the instruction of Hefajat's central leaders as part of a plan to oust the ruling pro-liberation war government, led by Sheikh Hasina.

Police have arrested 10 militants including Brahmanbaria district unit assistant publicity affairs secretary of the militant outfit Mufti Maulana Zakaria Khan at midnight on Sunday in front of Abdul Quddus Markhan Poura Muktamancho in the town, in connection with the violence in the district from March 26 to 28.

Special Branch of Brahmanbaria police said in press note on Tuesday that the nine others were arrested in the last 24 hours till this morning. So far 369 people were arrested in connection with 56 cases over the mayhem till Monday.

R.A.M Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury, Member of Parliament from Brahman Baria -3, told IANS, Hefazat and Jamat militants blocked rail tracks, vandalised trains, buses and other vehicles. For more than 72 hours, either the Home Minister or law officials, no one responded to my cry for help.

He added, "No government or law officers were present in Brahmmanbaria to stop the massacre or to save the people from arson or vandalisation. It was just miserable." The Hefazat militants also attacked journalists, Awami league leaders and workers, set central library and music legend Ustad Alauddin Khan music academy on fire, looted and vandalised Anandamoyi Kali Temple -- known as the biggest temple in Asia, police station, railway station, public property and Awami League office.

Inspector General (IG) of the Police Benazir Ahmed said that this radical group destroyed most of the establishments, with a loss of about 50 crore takas.

During the violence on March 26-28, the teachers and students of different madrasas vandalised and torched different government and non-government establishments and houses in the district as per the directives of Zakaria Khan and his senior leaders.
MOSCOW: India will receive the first batch of Russia`s Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 on May 1, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, has said.

He did not say how many vaccines would be in the first batch or where they would be made.

India, in the grip of a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, is struggling to tackle surging coronavirus infections that are overwhelming hospitals, and countries like Britain, Germany and the United States have pledged to send urgent medical aid.

The first doses will be delivered on May 1, Dmitriev said on Monday, adding he hoped Russian supplies would help India navigate its way out of the pandemic in time.

Russia`s RDIF sovereign wealth fund, which is marketing Sputnik V globally, has already signed agreements with five leading Indian manufacturers for over 850 million doses of the vaccine a year.

The RDIF has said it expects production of the vaccine in India to reach 50 million doses a month by the summer and to rise further.

The World Health Organization chief described the situation in the world`s second-most populous country as "beyond heart-breaking" as the WHO was planning to provide extra staff and supplies including oxygen concentrator devices.

Russian pharmaceutical firm Pharmasyntez said earlier on Monday that it was ready to ship up to 1 million packs of the Remdesivir antiviral drug to India by the May end, once it has received the approval of Russia`s government.

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Before iOS 14.5, it was not possible to use 5G data connectivity on an iPhone 12 when using both the eSIM and a second physical SIM, but as you can see from the attached image, iOS 14.5 has solved this problem.

When I went to a Telstra store late last month to move the service from my physical SIM to the iPhone 12 Pro Max's eSIM, I was surprised to be told that using two SIMs at the same time meant that I was going to be stuck on 4G only.

At first, my initial response was to simply refuse to believe it, but a quick Google search showed that it was, in fact, true. At the time.

You can see for yourself at this Telstra Crowdsupport document which states "Due to a limitation across the iPhone 12 family, you won't be able to use 5G if you have Dual SIM enabled. This issue isn't unique to Telstra. To access 5G, you'll need to disable your secondary mobile service."

The document went on to state that "When using two lines in Dual SIM mode, 5G data isnt supported on either line and will fall back to 4G LTE. If you are using eSIM or physical SIM only and are on a 5G-supported carrier and service plan, youll have 5G access", and the "fix" was to either temporarily turn off the eSIM line or eject the physical SIM so that only one SIM with 5G was active, and then 5G could be used.

So, it was great to see in the iOS 14.5 update text that the new OS included three 5G improvements, which are as follows:

Dual SIM support enables 5G connectivity on the line that's using cellular data on iPhone 12 models

Smart Data Mode improvements further optimise your experience on 5G networks for better battery life and data usage on iPhone 12 models

5G international roaming enabled on supported carriers on iPhone 12 models

The next step was to test if this was the case for us in Australia, and I can confirm that it definitely is!

I have 5G on Telstra, and also 5G on Vodafone. The suburb I'm in has 5G for Telstra, but there's no 5G for Vodafone yet.

My eSIM is on Telstra, so I popped in the Vodafone physical SIM, turned 5G on for my eSIM, and as you can see from the photo above, I have two lines connected, and the 5G symbol appears.

So, now you can have your 5G cake and eat it, too, but whether you can have 5G active on BOTH SIMs at the same time (especially given iPhones allow "cellular switching") is something I'll check later today when I'm in a Vodafone 5G signal area.
A Turkish diplomatic mission will visit Egypt early next month as both countries work to defuse the long standing row opposing Ankara and Cairo, Turkish presidency spokesman Ibrahim Kaln told Reuters Monday in an interview.

Ties between both countries deteriorated in 2013 after Egyptian incumbent leader Abdelfattah al-Sisi overthrew the countrys first democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi backed by Ankara.

Egypt had accused Turkey of providing safe haven to Muslim Brotherhood described by Cairo as more dangerous than a terror group. The issue of Muslim Brother and Morsis arrest and condemnation froze bilateral ties between the two countries.

The already frost ties further compounded on a number of other issues including Libya where both sides backed rival camps.

Both in recent months, the two sides have begun working out a detente. Kalin in the interview also indicated that Intelligence chiefs, as well as the foreign ministers of both countries of both countries, have been in contact.

Given the realities on the ground I think its in the interests of both countries and the region to normalize relations with Egypt, he said.

Rapprochement with Egyptwill certainly help the security situation in Libya because we fully understand that Egypt has a long border with Libya and that may sometimes pose a security threat for Egypt, he said. During the May visit, Turkey, Kalin noted, would discuss security in Libya.

Both countries also as part of detente asked their media to tone down criticism of respective leaders.
Night shift workers are up to three times more likely to be admitted to hospital with coronavirus, according to a study.

Manchester University scientists questioned more than 6,000 Brits on whether they worked outside the hours of 9am and 5pm and whether they had been admitted to hospital with Covid.

Night shifts begin outside these hours but the category was broad, catching people who routinely start work earlier, such as 7am or 8am, or finish later.

Experts said those working irregular hours could be more at risk of infection because their sleep is disrupted which damages the immune system and its ability to fight off pathogens.

They might also be less safe at work  if they work at night and are tired they may be less likely to stick to rules, and 24-hour workplaces may have less time for cleaning or disinfecting, researchers said.

Past studies have regularly found that people who work shift patterns or who work at night tend to be more sickly. Experts say good quality sleep is crucial for long-term health.

Around a quarter of the UK workforce  around eight million people  are thought to work shifts. In the US, estimates suggest 20 per cent (25million) work night shifts.

The Manchester team said the Covid risk in these groups of people could be slashed by stricter rules in the workplace or by targeted vaccination based on jobs, although this approach to vaccines has been rejected by UK health chiefs.

Irregular night shift workers are up to three times more likely to be hospitalised with Covid, according to a study by Manchester University scientists (stock image)

In the study, researchers used the UK Biobank database to find people who worked and who had been tested for Covid in hospital between March and August last year.

A total of 498 people tested positive, of whom 182 worked shifts and 316 did not.

Because there were fewer shift workers in the group as a whole, the researchers calculated that the shift workers were disproportionately likely to be in hospital with the virus.

A hospital patient who did shift work was twice as likely to have Covid as somebody who worked a normal nine-to-five.

Irregular night shift workers  of which there were 98 who tested positive  were three times more likely to have severe Covid, the study said.

While permanent shift workers  84 tested positive in the study  were 2.5 times more likely to become infected than someone who worked standard hours.

And the risk was increased even for people who did day shifts, meaning they did not work at night but their hours fell outside of the standard times. Their risk was double the usual, the study said.

The study was not able to explain exactly why the risk was higher for shift workers, but explained various possible reasons.

It said: 'Explanations for the higher rate of Covid in shift workers might include increased occupancy of workspaces over 24 hours for shift workers, reduced time for cleaning between shifts and tiredness resulting in less awareness of health and safety measures.

'Recently, shift work has been shown to alter how the immune system responds to infection, and several epidemiological studies have identified that shift workers are more prone to infections.'

Studies in the past have repeatedly found that people who work non-standard hours generally have poorer health.

They tend to be less wealthy, which itself is linked to more frequent health problems through poor diet or living conditions, and the lack of sleep also adds to health problems.

Researchers from Oxford University and the West Indies were also involved in the study, which was published in the medical journal Thorax.

Lead researcher and clinical scientist Dr John Blaikley, said their research showed 'quite a strong association' between shift working and being hospitalised with Covid.

'It's hard to explain the exact cause of this association,' he added, 'though we think workplaces should be made aware of these risks so they can take appropriate precautions for their staff.

'And we do believe it should be possible to substantially mitigate these risks through good handwashing, use of face protection, appropriate spacing and vaccination.'
New Delhi, April 27 : Following the UK, the US and Australia, the European Union has also come forward with a mega plan to extend medical aid to India in view of the nation-wide crisis triggered by the raging second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Accordingly, a shipment of urgently needed oxygen, medicines and equipment will be delivered over the coming days by the EU member states to India.

As per an official statement issued by the EU, India had placed a request for support through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which is coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre of the European Commission.

Several EU member states have pledged their support with Ireland sending 700 oxygen concentrators, one oxygen generator and 365 ventilators; Belgium sending 9,000 doses of antiviral medicine Remdesivir; Romania sending 80 oxygen concentrators and 75 oxygen cylinders; Luxembourg sending 58 ventilators; Portugal sending 5,503 vials of Remdesivir and 20,000 litres of oxygen per week and Sweden sending 120 ventilators.

This support has been extended in line with the coordinated effort of the EU member states currently underway to pool their resources in responding rapidly to tackle the alarming epidemiological situation in India, the statement said.

More EU support from other member states is expected to be come in the coming days, including from France and Germany.

Janez Lenarcic, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, said, "The EU stands in full solidarity with the Indian people and is ready to do its utmost to support them at this critical time. I would like to thank our member states that came in numerously with generous offers of help, showing that the EU is a trusted partner and a friend at times of need.

"The reach of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism goes well beyond the EU's borders. Our Emergency Response Coordination Centre is facilitating the logistical arrangements and the EU will cover the brunt of the transport costs." The objective of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is to strengthen cooperation between the EU member states and six participating states in the field of civil protection, with a view to improve prevention, preparedness and response to disasters.

When the scale of an emergency overwhelms the response capabilities of a country, it can request assistance via the Mechanism.

Through the Mechanism, the European Commission plays a key role in coordinating the response to disasters in Europe and beyond and contributes to at least 75 per cent of the transport and/or operational costs of deployments.

Following a request for assistance through the Mechanism, the Emergency Response Coordination Centre mobilises assistance or expertise.

Any country in the world, including the United Nations and its agencies or a relevant international organisation, can call on the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for help. In 2020, the Mechanism was activated more than 90 times.
Urban Company has become the latest Indian start-up to enter the unicorn club by raising $190 million from investors led by Prosus at a valuation of $2 billion.

The company was valued at $933 million during its last funding round in 2019, led by Tiger Global.

The home services provider's latest funding round saw participation from Tiger, Steadview Capital, Vy Capital, among others, The Economic Times reported citing regulatory filings sourced from Tofler.

While Prosus has invested $61.93 million for 3.18 per cent stake in the company, DF International has invested $37 million for 1.90 per cent stake. Wellington Management invested $33.2 million for 1.7 per cent stake.

Post this funding round, the company's founders -- Abhiraj Singh Bhal, Varun Khaitan and Raghav Chandra -- will hold 8.22 per cent stake each in the company. While Elevation Capital will hold a 14.56 per cent stake, Accel India will have a 14.40 per cent stake.

Founded in November 2014, the company has presence across 30 cities in India. It has also expanded to Australia, UAE and Singapore.

Also read: Rakesh Jhunjhunwala raised stake in these three stocks in Q4

Also read: NBFCs move RBI; seek loan recast, liquidity cushion as COVID-19 wreaks havoc
ZURICH (Reuters) - Drugmaker Lonza Group, under pressure to find workers to help speed production of Moderna Inc's COVID-19 vaccine, is recruiting temporary employees from food giant Nestle to staff Swiss plants making ingredients for the shot, state broadcaster RTS said on Tuesday, citing sources.

Moderna last week blamed projected second-quarter delays in shipments of its vaccine to countries including Britain and Canada on production bottlenecks. Switzerland's Lonza is the key supplier of ingredients needed to produce the messenger RNA vaccine.

Lonza, which has declined to comment on any delays, previously said three new production lines slated to produce Moderna vaccine in Visp, Switzerland, could take months to reach "cruising speed".

Now, the French-language Swiss broadcaster said Nestle employees have been enlisted after the intervention of the Swiss government to help fill vacancies.

A call for "volunteers" via Bern came a week ago to Nestle research center employees in western Switzerland who had until Monday to step forward for a three-month Lonza mission, according to the broadcaster.

Moderna Chief Executive Stephane Bancel said last week that he was confident Lonza would fill staffing gaps soon.

Last year, Lonza Chairman Albert Baehny cited finding suitable workers - each of the new production lines requires 60-70 employees - as a challenge that could slow the project.

A Nestle spokesman provided no specifics, RTS reported, saying only that it wanted to play "an active role in global vaccination".

Lonza did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. Nestle also did not comment.

Last week, Canada said 1 million to 2 million Moderna doses of the 12.3 million doses slated for second-quarter delivery would be delayed until after July.

Lonza, which also supplies Moderna's U.S.-bound COVID-19 vaccine from facilities in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, makes ingredients in Visp before they are trucked to Spain to be bottled by Spanish contract drug manufacturer Rovi.

Story continues

This month, Rovi's role was expanded beyond bottling, to include a vaccine ingredients production line due to be operational this year.

Moderna aims to make at least 700 million doses in 2021.

(Reporting by John Miller; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Richard Pullin)
Syracuse, NY  A Syracuse man will head back to prison for a possible life sentence after a jury found him guilty again of a 2015 shooting at a high-stakes poker game.

Charquan Edwards, now 29, shot an 83-year-old man while fleeing the Tallman Street residence with $9,000 in wagers laid out on a table, prosecutor Lauren Phelps told the jury.

The victim, George Smith, has since died of unrelated causes, as did three other witnesses present that night. A fifth witness was hospitalized during last weeks retrial in Onondaga County.

But state Supreme Court Justice Gordon Cuffy allowed the jury to hear sworn testimony from the victim and the others by allowing the transcript from the first trial to be read into the record at the second trial. That meant that a large bulk of the recent trial was spent with someone at the witness stand reading from a transcript from Edwards 2015 trial.

That 2015 trial also ended with a jury finding Edwards guilty after deliberating only a few hours. The jury in this trial deliberated for several hours Friday and all day Monday before reaching the same verdict.

Defense lawyer Patrick Hennessy argued that Edwards and Smith got into a physical fight over the victims gun, and Edwards gained control of the weapon and shot the victim in self-defense.

But the jury believed the prosecutions theory: that Edwards became angry after a winning streak earlier in the evening went sour and he grabbed the cash and fled, shooting the victim on his way out of the residence.

Edwards first conviction was overturned on procedural errors that had little impact on the retrial. He has remained in custody during the retrial process.

On the attempted murder charge, Edwards faces a sentence of up to 25 years to life in prison. That sentence includes the chance of life in prison because the shooting happened during the course of a robbery.

In 2015, Edwards was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison by since retired Judge John Brunetti. The current judge, Cuffy, will get to decide Edwards sentence in May.

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070.
National Grid Partners leads seed investment in Zero Trust Cloud Security innovator AccuKnox, with strategic investment from SRI, z5Capital and Outliers VC.

MENLO PARK, Calif., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AccuKnox , formed in partnership with SRI (Stanford Research Institute), today announced that it has closed an over-subscribed $4.6 million seed financing led by National Grid Partners, with strategic participation from SRI , z5Capital and Outliers VC . The funding will be used to expand the engineering team and enable AccuKnox to further capitalize on its technology innovations in security and Zero Trust in dynamic, cloud-native environments. The company plans to deliver on open source and commercial offerings before the end of this year.

In addition, AccuKnox announced that Phil Porras , Program Director and Internet Security Group Leader, Computer Science Laboratory, SRI, has joined the company, assuming the role of Chief Scientist. The founding team includes Asif Ali, Nat Natraj, Rahul Jadhav and Phil Porras .

AccuKnox is a Zero Trust run-time Kubernetes security platform that leverages an identity-driven approach. Kubernetes, one of the fastest growing open source projects, is the foundation of cloud-native applications. AccuKnox is the founding team behind KubeArmor, an open source run-time security enforcement system that leverages Linux Security Module (LSM). The company's technology is anchored on seminal patented innovations in container security, un-supervised learning and data provenance developed at Stanford Research Institute .

AccuKnox leverages best in class foundational open source platforms like eBPF, SPIFFE , OPA , and Kyverno ; and provides a comprehensive security, compliance and governance platform for Public Cloud and Private clouds.

"The AccuKnox team under Nat Natraj's leadership is made up of proven, cloud-native DevSecOps professionals," said Lisa Lambert, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at National Grid and Founder and President of National Grid Partners. "We're confident that the combination of SRI innovations and AccuKnox's proven team will deliver a category leading, Zero Trust security platform to address emerging threats."

National Grid Partners Director Raghu Madabushi will join the AccuKnox board.

Gartner projects that by 2022, more than 75% of global organizations will be running containerized applications in production. Due to this unprecedented growth in Private and Public Cloud container deployments, industry analysts forecast the container security market to reach $2.25 billion by 2023.

"We are thrilled to team with NationalGrid and SRI to launch AccuKnox. I am equally excited that top caliber Cloud Native tech leaders like Asif Ali and Rahul Jadhav; and Phil Porras, cybersecurity industry luminary, are a part of our amazing founding team. As organizations embrace Kubernetes as a foundational aspect of their digital transformation efforts, run-time security, governance and compliance are strategic imperatives. AccuKnox is uniquely poised to deliver a compelling platform," said Nat Natraj, co-founder, CEO, AccuKnox. "This is a massive market opportunity for AccuKnox, and we look forward to working in close concert with our new investors to deliver run-time Kubernetes and data security in a DevSecOps model."

SRI's pioneering R&D contributions (including the computer mouse, SIRI, Robotic Surgery and Intrusion Detection) are foundational to modern society. "Our nonprofit mission is to use technology to make the world safer, healthier and more productive," said Dr. Manish Kothari, President of SRI International. "Combining our cutting-edge research with a proven team at AccuKnox allows us to do just that. We are thrilled to be partnering with Nat Natraj and the AccuKnox team."

AccuKnox is working with security leaders and is targeting GA (General Availability) of its platform in Q4 2021.

"Container usage for production deployments in enterprises is still constrained by concerns regarding security, monitoring, data management and networking." -- Gartner, Best Practices for Running Containers and Kubernetes in Production, August 4, 2020 .

. "Container adoption is increasing, and security must come along for the ride. Organizations value the scalability and agility that containers offer, but containers introduce new security challenges that can't be addressed with traditional security and networking tools. Commonly accepted security tools like vulnerability scanners, network forensics, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) are too heavyweight for a container environment. Security pros need cloud native tools that are purpose-built for high scale, lightweight, ephemeral container environments." -- Best Practices For Container Security, Forrester Research, July 24, 2020 .

. "AccuKnox's foundational innovations in the areas of container security, un-supervised Learning and data provenance are precisely what is needed for delivering a comprehensive and robust cloud native Zero-Trust security platform." -- Chase Cunningham , Renowned CyberSecurity Analyst and Zero-Trust expert.

About AccuKnox

AccuKnox provides a Zero Trust Run-time Kubernetes Security platform. AccuKnox is built in partnership with SRI (Stanford Research Institute) and is anchored on seminal inventions in the areas of: Container Security, Anomaly Detection and Data Provenance. AccuKnox can be deployed in Public and Private Cloud environments. Visit www.accuknox.com or follow us on Twitter (@accuknox).

About National Grid Partners

National Grid Partners (NGP) is the venture investment and innovation arm of National Grid plc., one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. NGP invests for strategic and financial impact and leads companywide disruptive innovation efforts. The organization provides a multi-functional approach to building startups, including innovation (new business creation), incubation, corporate venture capital, business development and culture acceleration. NGP is headquartered in Silicon Valley and has offices in Boston, London, and New York. Visit ngpartners.com or follow us on Twitter (@ngpartners_).

Contact:

Nat Natraj, co-founder, CEO

n@accuknox.com

@N_SiliconValley

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1492530/Zero_Trust_Container_Security.jpg
Mutual fund (MF) house Life India ( MF) has faced opposition from on a resolution pertaining to the remuneration of CEO and Executive Director Sundeep Sikka.

About 83 per cent, or 28.6 million of the 34.47 million votes polled by the public institution opted against the special resolution, disclosures made by the company last week to the BSE showed. The resolution was still passed as it obtained an overall 94.2 per cent in favour votes, given the higher promoter holding in the company.

The resolution was floated as Sikkas remuneration for the financial year 2020-21 is likely to exceed the maximum permissible under the Companies Act and Sebis Listing Regulations.

Under the norms, a company is required to obtain approval of its shareholders by way of a special resolution if the annual remuneration payable to the executive director  who is a member of the promoter group  exceeds Rs 5 crore, or 2.5 per cent, of the net profit of the listed entity, whichever is higher.

In 2019-20, the company had reported a net profit of Rs 412 crore, down from Rs 475 crore in the previous financial year. In 2019-20, Sikka had got a total remuneration of Rs 7 crore and Rs 10.56 crore in the preceding year, according to a public notice by the company.

The opposition from public shareholders comes despite MFs explanation that the ceiling was being hit not due to any hike in salary but on account of the exercise of stock options granted since 2017.

The remuneration of Mr Sikkas for the financial year 2020-21 is well within the limits prescribed under the Act. However, on account of vested stock optionsduring the remaining financial year and up till April 21, 2021his total remuneration is like to exceed the limits prescribed under Section 197 of the Act, on the basis of the current profit estimates, the company had said in a notice to shareholders in March.

Major institutional shareholders in Nippon MF include LIC (2.59 per cent stake), IndusInd Bank (3.32 per cent), HDFC MF (1.59 per cent), and Baron Emerging (1.85 per cent), according to the March 2021 quarter shareholding data.

Voting advisory firm Stakeholders Empowerment Services (SES) in a note to clients had said there was no concern with regards to a resolution. It may be noted that the value arising from the exercise of stock option may not be attributed to a single year compensation. Exercising accumulated



stock options in a particular year may (depending upon market price) depict an exponentially high remuneration for that relevant financial year, it said.

While in this case, Sikka was at the receiving end, organisations, such as the one he heads, have been asked by the market regulator to vote actively on resolutions floated by listed companies. Starting April 2021, MFs will compulsorily have to vote on important resolutions floated by their investee companies, according to Sebi. From April 2022 onwards, MFs will have to vote on all resolutions.
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Courtiers let out a collective sigh of relief when the Duchess of Cambridge Kate appeared to publicly forgive Prince Harry following Prince Philip's funeral.

But there is a much harder to solve question still plaguing royal advisers: How to ever bridge the gap between Prince William and Meghan?

The level of bitterness and rancour between the Duke of Cambridge and Duchess of Sussex has, if anything, been underplayed, I understand.

Wills was angry about the behaviour of his sister-in-law for well over a year.

And that was before she sat down with Oprah Winfrey to attack his beloved wife and then accuse his flesh and blood of racism and uncaring behaviour towards someone with mental health issues.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stand behind the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020

While William is acutely conscious of his responsibilities as a future king to try and keep the family together, those close to him believe he will struggle to ever forgive Meghan for the damage she has unleashed.

A senior royal insider tells me: 'Much has been made of the troubles between Kate and Meghan, and William and Harry  but perhaps the biggest strains now exist between William and Meghan.

'First and foremost, William cannot countenance the way Meghan has treated his wife. He feels Kate tried at the beginning, but it was never enough.

'Kate attempted to try and help Meghan understand the responsibilities of royal life, but her efforts were constantly misinterpreted.

'But to name Kate so publicly during the Oprah interview as the person who made her cry was beyond the pale. Meghan would have been acutely aware that Kate is powerless to fight back.

'Despite her growing confidence in public, Kate is a deeply sensitive woman who likes to stay behind-the-scenes as much as possible to support her family and the country. William thinks the way she has been treated is unfair.'

Prince Harry, Kate Middleton and Prince William leave Prince Philip's funeral at St George's Chapel together on April 17

The truth is that William had doubts about the speed of Harry's relationship from the beginning.

He infamously tried to encourage his brother to slow the pace of their courtship, which exacerbated tensions between them.

After Meghan entered the family officially, William began to question some of her motives.

Another senior royal source explains: 'William soon began to wonder about some of Meghan's traits and motivations.

'He was worried that at times she seemed to be more concerned about her personal progression or profile over the wider goals and aims of the Royal Family.

'But he largely kept any reservations to himself as he desperately wanted her to be happy and appreciated the huge adjustment of entering the Royal Family.

'Following Megxit though, everything changed. He could no longer hide his true feelings because he felt like she had publicly attempted to disrespect his family and the Queen.'

Prince Harry and Prince William walk together out of St George's Chapel on April 17 with Kate Middleton alongside them

I've learned senior staff working for the Queen had shared with William their reservations about some of Meghan's behaviour.

William is believed to have backed a decision  approved by the Queen  to ban Meghan from borrowing items in the Royal Collection, including tiaras and jewellery once worn by his mother Princess Diana.

Kate is also thought to have shared with William details of an awkward encounter with Meghan, which I first revealed in December 2018, where she warned her sister-in-law not to talk rudely to staff at Kensington Palace.

Kate told Meghan: 'That's unacceptable, they're my staff and I speak to them.'

A source added: 'Her and Kate fell out when she boll**ked Kate's staff.'

I also first reported in November 2018 that the Queen had warned Harry over Meghan's behaviour and attitude before their wedding following a row now known as Tiaragate.

So it's fair to say that in the early days of Meghan's time in the Royal Family it was not William who was expressing his displeasure.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex speak to Oprah Winfrey in their bombshell tell-all interview which first aired on March 7

But his anger and disappointment has come about largely because of the disloyal behaviour from the Sussexes following their decision to leave the Royal Family, especially giving the Oprah interview.

Some courtiers hope that William and Harry will now be forced into a positive dialogue as they prepare for what would have been their late mother's 60th birthday on July 1, where they are due to publicly unveil a statue of Diana.

But it is unclear if Meghan, who is heavily pregnant with the couple's second child, will be involved in those discussions and if she will consider making her first trip back to London since Megxit.

There are genuine concerns that she could be booed at an event attended by members of the public given her current unpopularity in the UK as a result of the Oprah interview.

All of those considerations are expected to make the conversations and negotiations fraught.

The Queen Mother never forgave Wallis Simpson for her role in the abdication crisis.

Some royal watchers are now questioning whether the relationship between Prince William and Meghan  also an American divorcee  could go in the same direction.

Kensington Palace declined to comment.
A junior doctor who worked 70-hour weeks on the Covid frontline is rumoured to be taking part in the forthcoming series of Love Island.

Dr. Toluwa Adepeju, 25, has taken to social media throughout the pandemic to encourage people to take the vaccine and offered advice on self isolation.

And according to The Sun, the doctor is a shoo-in for the series, which will take place over the summer after an 18-month absence caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Make way: A junior doctor who worked 70-hour weeks on the Covid frontline is rumoured to be taking part in the forthcoming series of Love Island

Caring: The doctor has taken to social media throughout the pandemic to encourage people to take the vaccine and offered advice on self isolation

A source told the newspaper: 'He's led from the very front - in hospital and online, educating people of the risks and the need to get vaccinated.

'He is a perfect pick. He's modest, down to earth and loves what he does.'

After a break last year due to coronavirus, the dating show returns to ITV2 at the end of June and producers are currently in the process of finalising the lineup of contestants.

Should he feature, Toluwa will not be the first doctor to appear on the ITV2 series, with Dr. Alex George taking part in 2018.

Perfect pick: 'He's led from the very front - in hospital and online, educating people of the risks and the need to get vaccinated'

Coming soon: After a break last year due to coronavirus, the dating show returns to ITV2 at the end of June

Although medical professionals may seem like unlikely candidates, Alex has used his growing platform to advocate for better mental healthcare.

It was previously reported that although Love Island will return to Majorca for this year's series, there will also be a back-up cast flown out as another Covid-19 precaution.

A Love Island representative told MailOnline: 'The summer series of Love Island 2020 was cancelled after production found it 'logistically impossible' to organise the show as the pandemic raged on.

It is also thought that execs have been 'planning for the worst' and found a villa in Jersey which they could use if current plans to return to sunny Majorca have to be ditched.

Front line: Toluwa is not the first doctor to appear on the ITV2 series, Dr. Alex George took part in the 2018 series

Looking for love: Although medical professionals may seem like unlikely candidates, Alex has used his growing platform to advocate for better mental healthcare (pictured in 2018)

A source told The Sun : 'After what we've endured over the last year they are taking nothing for granted. Their motto is: hope for the best, plan for the worst.

'Every eventuality has been addressed and planned for - including a third wave. But the general feeling is that Majorca is a go.'

Applicants for the next series have reportedly been told theyll have to be free for 10 weeks abroad and undergo a psychological and physical assessment.

A sexual health screening and an unannounced drugs test is also set to be required and the cast will have to declare if they live with anyone whos clinically vulnerable, according to the publication.

Bosses will also ask contestants for their mental health histories and for permission to contact their GPs and in another move to help support them on the show.

MailOnline has contacted a representative for further comment.
EAST HAVEN  The school boards $49 million school budget request  $1 million more than the current spending plan  was defended during a public hearing as responsible and a buffer against future pandemic uncertainty.

Now is not the time to make the situation more difficult, said Tiffany Foley. I urge the council to provide the full amount requested by the board.

Lorena Venegas, another speaker, said federal funding to help schools comes with restrictions and that the district needs the new funding to deal with enrollment increases, a growing English Language Learner population and to enhance the curriculum.

We want to see all of our children accelerate, Venegas said. I fully support and endorse the (budget proposal).

Schools Superintendent Erica Forte, who appeared twice this month before the Town Council, once to present the budget and then to answer questions, said the requested $1 million increase will help provide the district of 2,800 students with academic as well as social and emotional growth.

Our district needs to be competitive along the Shoreline, Forte said. School choice forces us to do better. We know that our students have options. We want to keep our students in-district.

The increase would pay for contractual salary and benefit increases and also will allow the district to hire six new teachers  three at the high school and three at the elementary level.

It is our intent to offer our students and their families a competitive and comprehensive academic program at all levels while addressing extra curricular interests  as well as offer innovative programs, Forte said.

In addition to the school boards request, the council has a recommendation from Mayor Joseph A. Carfora to fund the school system with $48,044,271 in the 2021-22 school year.

Council member Sal Maltese said he was disappointed with the $1 million difference between what the district asked for and the mayor recommended.

Our children deserve the best possible education, Maltese said. With this reduction it unfortunately does not give our children the opportunity to prosper  especially during a pandemic.

Council Chairman Joseph Deko pointed out that the mayors recommendation was not a budget cut, but a $50,000 increase over the current budget.

The hearing held by the Town Council lasted less than 22 minutes and included only a handful of speakers, all of whom said the requested 2.14 percent increase was warranted.

At an earlier council meeting, Forte was peppered with questions from the 15-member council on everything from how buildings are cleaned to magnet school tuition the district pays, to how much the state contributes toward the district budget. The state gives the district $18.8 million in the Education Cost Sharing funding, Forte said, not counting a separate state Alliance District grant.

Council member Josh Balter asked Forte about teacher retirements and turnover. He also questioned district math scores on state standardized tests. The scores are two years old, since state testing was put on pause last year.

Forte said scores are going in the right direction and that growth targets were met. The district is giving the state test this spring, but scores will not be used toward the districts accountability measure.

East Haven schools have been open for in-person learning all year, though a number of students have chosen to learn remotely.

The council has a public hearing on the town side of the budget on Wednesday. The full $93.4 million budget request then will go to the full council for a vote.
The US decision to finally recognize the Armenian Genocide comes after decades of threats by Turkish lobbyists in Washington, The Jerusalem Post wrote in an analysis, which continues as follows in particular:

The narrative that the lobbyists presented was that if Washington would only use the term genocide for a crime committed 106 years ago by a former government in what is now Turkey, then Ankara would rapidly move to sanction the US, close its bases, threaten its citizens and ally with Iran, China and Russia or other US enemies.

Ankaras attempt to hold countries hostage for the Armenian Genocide has worked well for many years. It prevented many of them, including Israel, from offending Ankara by mentioning the genocide.

Its unclear if this same blackmail would have worked had Germany told countries in 1946 that they couldnt mention the Holocaust because Germany would be offended, so that Western countries would have denied the Shoah the way some continue to deny the Armenian Genocide.

Turkey was coddled for many years because it sold itself as a key to helping the West confront the Soviets. When the Soviets were gone in 1989, Turkey shifted its pattern of denial to claims that it wanted to be part of the European Union, and was somehow a bridge between the West and Asia  if it was offended, it might aid Islamist extremism.

Its unclear how Turkey, which has an authoritarian regime, where almost no critical journalists are allowed and where people are put in prison for decades for tweets, could ever join an EU that is ostensibly democratic.

NATO was also supposed to be about values and democracy. But it has empowered Ankara for years to become more authoritarian, including excusing Ankaras invasion of the Kurdish Afrin in 2018 and the ethnic cleansing of Kurds.

Now the crescendo of threats has risen again. Those who opposed genocide recognition argued that Turkey would drift away from NATO, which it was already doing. They argued it would work with Russia, a country it already buys S-400s from.

They argued it would work with China, a country Turkey already openly works with and to which it plans more overland truck and rail links via Russia, Central Asia and Iran.

The argument against America recognizing the genocide was that the US must think geopolitically and not use a stunt to hurt Turkeys feelings. This is the same Ankara that openly opposes NATO countries such as Greece and France and which often slanders various countries in the West.

It was unclear why Turkey wasnt held to the same standard: If Ankara wanted the West to refrain from just mentioning genocide, why wasnt Turkey required to also do what Western countries want and also be polite in international relations. Instead, the argument went that Ankara should never be offended, but that it could do whatever it wanted.

The Biden administration has called Turkeys bluff. The idea that just recognizing a genocide from 106 years ago would somehow lead Turkey to close US bases and rapidly work with Russia, Iran and China seems strange, considering that Ankara must think geopolitically as well. The argument was always that the West needs Turkey more than Turkey needs the US and the West.

This seems to turn geopolitics on its head. If geopolitics requires appeasement and always begging a country and isnt a two-way street based on respect and strength, then its unclear what the US ever achieved over recent decades by placating Turkey.

The theory is that Turkey might leave NATO because it is angry it heard the word genocide. If it was just mentioning genocide that causes it to leave, then it means the NATO alliance wasnt worth more than one word  not worth the training, the German tanks, the intelligence sharing and everything else. Turkey would bury itself because it was offended about being asked about what happened in 1915?

Never in history has a country left a massive military alliance worth billions of dollars because someone used one word to refer to something that happened 106 years ago. Only Turkey used this blackmail to prevent any mention that the modern-day country is largely built on hundreds of thousands of homes of Greeks and Armenians and other minorities who were expelled and murdered, sold into slavery and suffered genocide between 1915 and 1955.

The modern Turkish AKP Party, which is rooted in Islamist thinking, could have blamed the atrocities on previous Turkish governments.

Ankaras supporters sometimes argue that Turkey could recognize the US genocide of Native Americans. But unlike Turkey, its not very controversial in the US to say that Native Americans suffered genocide.

Turkey has already accused other countries of genocide, including claiming Israel is like the Nazis and has committed genocide. So if Turkey was so afraid of the word genocide, why does it accuse Israel of genocide?

Turkeys policy was to pretend it was above history, above ever being held to account or even critiqued. Many US diplomats went along with this; for years they appeared almost more pro-Turkey than Turkeys own diplomats.

Ankara cast a kind of spell over Western policymakers, usually through quiet or open threats. The ability of Turkey to spread real-world threats has also grown. Last year, it engineered a crisis with France over cartoons published years ago, and its rhetoric likely led to at least one terrorist attack in France.

Turkey will continue to try to leverage Islamist extremism in Europe to its own ends. It has already threatened at various times to use refugees against Europe unless the EU pays it more money. Meanwhile, it radicalizes the refugees and uses them as mercenaries. Turkey played a key role as a conduit for ISIS members from Europe, including providing a base for radicalization.

It is entirely possible that Turkey could end up doing for the next al-Qaeda what Pakistan and Afghanistan did for al-Qaeda of the 1990s: providing a base and conduit for extremism. That trajectory is one that Turkey will ride regardless of whether the US recognizes the genocide.

Supporting extremism comes with its own negatives because extremist countries usually suffer economic decline. Turkeys confrontation with the US over the term genocide will be weighed against its desire to have economic power, which underpinned its claims in the past to being of geopolitical importance.

If it cares about geopolitics, as Western analysts claim it does, then it will have more to lose from confrontation. The trend in Ankara was to work with Iran, China and Russia anyway.

Whether the Biden administrations finally standing up to Ankara will lead it to work with authoritarians more is a question Ankara has to weigh against its own claims of wanting reconciliation with countries it has attacked over the past few years.

There is no evidence that denying the genocide helped keep Ankara more liberal, tolerant, democratic, open-minded and closer to the West.
Pursuing Public Service: A Conversation with G2U PGH Instagram Stars

On Friday, April 30th, Metro21 hosted the third G2U PGH webinar, "Pursuing Public Service: A Conversation with G2U PGH Instagram Stars."

Five panelists representing the Southwestern Pennsylvania region's government agencies will come together to discuss their public service careers. Our panelists, with academic backgrounds from geoscience to finance, aim to provide students with career insights, as well as strategies for navigating the job search for public service careers.

The goal of "Pursuing Public Service: A Conversation with G2U PGH Instagram Stars" is to foster connections and share actionable information between hiring talented government employees, students searching for public service jobs and internships, and those who are trying to help students find great jobs/careers.

Panelists included:
"This patent gives our customers the ability to leverage the most accurate health screening technology to implement powerful health protocols," said Paul Schottland, Senior Vice President of Engineering, DeCurtis Corporation.

DeCurtis Corporation, the premier provider of location and proximity enabled solutions in complex indoor environments with a focus on health, safety and security, operational enhancement and experience evolution, announce the company has been awarded patent number US10915733 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent, titled Temperature Determination from Brain Thermal Tunnel, adds to DeCurtis' deep technology portfolio and is focused on enhancing the accuracy of temperature determination of an individual from thermal camera data.

This patent focuses on a system to very accurately determine an individual's temperature while eliminating environmental influences. This is especially important to outdoor spaces or complex indoor spaces, where ambient temperatures cause problems for other thermal scans. The pandemic raised awareness that using thermal cameras to assess elevated body temperature is a great leading indicator of illness, but the model suffered to provide accurate data. The work on Shield and this patent has moved the pursuit for accurate data far forward and is now a critical solution in a layered approach to mitigating the spread of illness.

"Our company has a successful track record of delivering some of the most successful innovations for the cruise industry," said Paul Schottland, Senior Vice President of Engineering, DeCurtis Corporation. "Our goal is to expand to other sectors and help them reopen safely in a post-COVID environment using our solutions. This patent gives our customers the ability to leverage the most accurate health screening technology to implement powerful health protocols moving forward."

DeCurtis Corporation provides a wide range of solutions to solve problems pertaining to health, safety and security, operational efficiency, and guest experience. They recently installed their health screening solution, DeCurtis Shield, in Houston under CARES Act funding. DeCurtis Shield, the solution using the new patented technology, still qualifies for federal funding under the recent COVID-19 Relief Bill, making this new patented solution the more intelligent choice for entities looking to invest in health solutions.

About DeCurtis Corporation

DeCurtis Corporation is the premier provider of location and proximity enabled solutions in complex indoor environments with a focus on health, safety and security, operational enhancement and experience evolution. Creator of Mobile Assembly Suite (MAS), the DeCurtis Experience Platform (DXP), and DeCurtis Shield, DeCurtis Corporation is the leader in providing transformational experience technology based on decades of deep industry knowledge in the cruise space that is applicable to other sectors. With a vast range of experience working with some of the worlds best, most-recognized brands, DeCurtis Corporation transforms the guest experience to be safer, secure and more efficient through the creative application of the latest technology. For more information about DeCurtis Corporation, please visit http://www.decurtis.com.

Details of the issued patent can be found here. For more information about DeCurtis Corporation, please visit http://www.decurtis.com.
Does anyone know the devils Twitter handle or Insta details? Id like to follow him/her so I can make inquires about the whereabouts of deceased family members. Similar requests of God have gone unanswered. Stephen Driscoll, Castle Hill Id like to suggest that Sauron, Darth Vader, Voldemort or any other evil doer you care to name should not be the basis of federal policy decision-making. John Bailey, Canterbury Time for refresher on approach to education No, Minister, we should not look to Britain for strategies and policies to improve our results (Teacher quality key to results, not more cash, April 27). That is how we got into this mess in the first place. When I left England to migrate here, my teacher warned me that theyre very much tougher there, they still have matriculation. Our standards were well ahead of both the UK and the USA. Then, during the 1980s, educrats here decided to start tearing out pages from The Bumper Book of Anglo-American Cock-Ups and the result can be seen by all. At 5.3 per cent of GDP, our education spending places us about 53rd in the world. The top 10 nations spend upwards of 7.6 per cent of GDP on education and only one is English-speaking. Time we removed our Anglophone blinkers and started tearing pages from their book. Ryszard Linkiewicz, Caringbah South Here we go again. Australias educational standards are low because of poor teacher quality and throwing money at the problem will not fix it. Data has shown teachers contribute 30 per cent to a students success in education. The rest comes from parents and the child themselves. As usual, the federal government comes out swinging about money. After a 40-year career in education, I can assure the minister that if you adjust teachers salaries to those of our politicians you will get so many highly motivated and qualified applicants into teaching that you will have no trouble achieving your targets. Robert Mulas, Corlette

Giving more authority to principals to set teacher pay and to dictate what happens in the classroom would be completely the wrong way to go. Currently, schools follow the set syllabuses, but they are open to so much interpretation that teaching is inconsistent across the system. There is no one way to teach; so much is teacher personality. Much comes from experience. As the article mentioned, there is no real mentoring system where inexperienced beginning teachers can observe quality teaching across the board and be helped by being observed. They are literally put in a classroom and expected to teach. Augusta Monro, Dural After nearly eight years of the Coalition being in government with student results declining, the minister is planning to get Australia back into the top group of nations by spending less per student on education. I wish him good fortune but as his goal is to achieve this by 2030 and it is highly unlikely that he will still be in government by that time, it would seem that this will be another unfulfilled promise. Peter Nash, Fairlight Follow the science to a solution for states Isnt it time the federal government, rather than the states, took over the responsibility of dealing with new arrivals (Huge gulf in states traveller numbers, April 27)? I know the current system ensures some revenue for motels, but it obviously has flaws. Quarantine, especially if it is going to continue for some time, needs a more co-ordinated system. Colleen Northam, Taree When medical and scientific experts disagree on a matter of critical importance, prudence surely demands that we err on the side of the more cautious approach: recognition of the risk of the airborne spread of the virus, and building purpose-designed quarantine centres on a large scale (Huge gulf in states traveller numbers, April 27). If this had been done a year ago, its cost (far less than that of repeated lockdowns) would by now be forgotten. But no: the lotus-eaters in our federal and some state governments continue to bask in hollow triumphalism. We are the envy of the world! Well, so we presently are  but even here we could be just a cough or sneeze away from catastrophe. Frank McGrath, Bulli

Shades of Trumps America? With premiers fighting about intakes of quarantine passengers and some premiers in denial about airborne transmission, Australia is in danger of politicising a public health issue. Why not accept that everyone stuffed up and start following the advice of medical scientists? Geoff Black, Caves Beach Aid a matter of humanity John McCarthy is correct in the reasons for us to come to Indias aid in this very difficult time (We need to step in to help India, April 27). The scenes coming out of India are heart wrenching. Almost all Indian ex-pats here have some connection to such tragic stories back in India. If not for altruistic reasons, we need to provide support for strategic reasons: curtailing the virus that could reach us from this new epicentre. While there are many counts of failure by the Modi government, and this is a time for deep introspection by them, we will need to draw from our reservoir of humanity to provide much needed succour to our global family. Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy

Actions speak louder If Tasmania had violently separated from Australia 50 years ago and was armed to the teeth by a foreign country, it would qualify as a rallying point for all mainland Australians to be concerned and seek to redress the situation either peacefully or with military force depending on the rhetoric of our leaders at the time (A war to leave Afghanistan for dust, April 27). The same applies to Taiwan. It gives the sabre rattlers a grandstand to show how well-intentioned they are. As a consequence of their actions, they should be the first in line to lead their warriors into battle. Negotiations would begin not long after. Tom Wren, Mangerton Wins at what cost Calls for Australia first require qualification (Australia first: why Curtin would salute Dutton, April 27). Putting Australian interests first has caused destruction and death to others and has sullied our place in the region. The success of Australians in Portuguese Timor in 1942 depended on the loyal care of the Timorese, who then died in their tens of thousands from Japanese reprisals and Allied bombing after our men left. It was the prospect of Australian benefit that caused official compliance with the Indonesian invasion of 1975 and the quarter-century occupation, which cost more than 100,000 Timorese lives. And in 2004 our government tried to swindle the Timorese for Australian gain, willing to seize billions of dollars from their rightful share of Timor Sea resources. The history of official Australians dealings with East Timor shows that, on ethics and reputation, we have come a dismal last. Self-preservation is an oxymoron if it means squandering your soul. Susan Connelly, Lakemba

Ban gets a bit less social I am surprised Facebook kept Craig Kelly for so long; he should have been booted out when Trump was done (Closed call: Facebook boots off Kelly for misinformation, April 27). Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill Facebooks action in banning Kelly for allegedly repeatedly posting misinformation should be of concern to all committed to freedom of speech and to democracy. People should be free to make up their own minds about what they read, what is to be believed. Facebooks personnel would have us believe they are the experts and know it all. They dont. Ross Drynan, Lindfield A voice for our history The lack of funding for our National Archives could be solved in a blink of an eye if some of that $500,000,000 earmarked for another Australian War Memorial upgrade  which apparently, even members of defence dont think should be spent  were diverted to the cause (Letters, April 27). Angela Williamson, Exeter

Its very sad to see our countrys heritage deteriorate through neglect and cutbacks in funding. I was Australia Posts NSW Historical Officer from 1977-1988, and researched and wrote many histories of post offices in this state, some of which date back to the 1820s. When I was forced into redundancy, the research stopped to a large extent and the files we had maintained were bundled off to the National Archives. Our grandchildren may never experience the pleasure and interest of reading old letters and petitions as so much these days is done by messaging and emails, much of which is deleted. Who will stand up to protect our heritage? Vann Cremer, Auburn Smoke and sentiment Why should a beautiful, clear autumn day be ruined by hazardous smoke from backburning (Sydney blanketed in smoke from hazard reduction burns, smh.com.au, April 27)? Surely there is a better, less polluting way. Employ people to slash undergrowth and turn it into mulch. Use the army. This is done successfully in the USA and other countries, so why not here? Gabrielle Merten, Hurstville Rail is the only way Why stop the rail line at Eden (Letters, April 27)? Keep it going south to join the Victorian system at Bairnsdale. By the way, South Coast rail advocates did you know that the old iron bridge across the Shoalhaven at Nowra was originally intended to be a rail bridge until the roads people snaffled it. Ted Richards, Batemans Bay

Having lived on the beautiful South Coast since 1992 the thought of a rail line south of Bomaderry fills me with mixed emotions. It is difficult to get to Sydney; thats the positive. The negative is the gorgeous countryside torn up so Sydney can get to us. Pam Connor, Mollymook Beach Its time we created a vision for access to regional areas including a new route west over the mountains. We could develop a new bridge that creates a southern route from, say, Oakdale to Oberon with a new access road to Jenolan Caves and the tourist attraction of Yerranderrie. Roz Townsend, Bathurst Its not that many years ago we had a tremendous rail network. Unfortunately, over the years governments determined they had to pay for the upkeep of that network whereas road transport provides them with significant income by way of taxes and fuel levies Scott Truman, Yowie Bay The digital view Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au

PM says social media being used by evil one, gives rare insight into Pentecostal faith

From Sven Hills: He also said identity politics was resulting in people losing their connection to each other and instead they were being defined by boring tribes. Thats the same PM who last week said that we will not achieve net zero in the cafes, dinner parties and wine bars of our inner cities. Just two of the many faces of Scott Morrison: who knows only too well how to target his message to specific audiences. Hard to know what he actually believes.
President Donald Trump unleashed another attack on GOP Rep. Liz Cheney Tuesday after she floated a potential run for president and said it should be 'disqualifying' for candidates to have backed Trump's election overturn effort.

Trump, who earlier this month insulted the Wyoming Republican as 'crazy Liz Cheney,' said there is 'no way' she could win the White House.

'Liz Cheney is polling sooo low in Wyoming, and has sooo little support, even from the Wyoming Republican Party, that she is looking for a way out of her Congressional race. Based on all polling, there is no way she can win,' Trump said.

Former President Donald Trump once again attacked GOP Rep. Liz Cheney on Monday

'Shell either be yet another lobbyist or maybe embarrass her family by running for President, in order to save face. This warmongering fool wants to stay in the Middle East and Afghanistan for another 19 years, but doesnt consider the big picture,' Trump said. 'Russia and China!' he wrote.

Trump, who is banned from Twitter, made the comments in a statement from his Save America Pac from his home at Mar-a-Lago.

His 'warmonger' attack was an attempt to identify her with her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, and connect her to the decision to invade Iraq during the George W. Bush administration.

The war among Trump and anti-Trump factions has been playing out at the annual GOP retreat being held in Florida.

Cheney told the New York Post: 'I think we have a huge number of interesting candidates, but I think that we're going to be in a good position to be able to take the White House.'

Liz Cheney said senators who voted to overturn the election results should be 'disqualified' from running for office

'I do think that some of our candidates who led the charge, particularly the senators who led the unconstitutional charge, not to certify the election, you know, in my view, that's disqualifying,' she said.

She was referencing GOP senators like Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri who backed Trump's effort to overturn the election by sending back certified votes that went for Joe Biden.

'"I think that adherence to the Constitution, adherence to your oath has got to be at the top of the list,' Cheney said. 'So, I think, you know that certainly will be a factor that I'm looking at and I think a number of voters will be looking at as they decide about '24.'

Cheney, the No. 3 elected House Republicans, is floating a run for president herself. 'Im not ruling anything in or out  ever is a long time,' she said.

Cheney once again split with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago after the January 6th riot, over the issue of a bipartisan commission on the riot. She doesn't want to expand the scope to include a look at protests against police brutality.

'What happened on Jan. 6 is unprecedented in our history, and I think that it's very important that the commission be able to focus on that,' she. 'It's very important that the Jan. 6 commission focus on what happened on Jan. 6 and what led to that.'

McCarthy, when asked if Cheney is a good fit for the conference, responded: 'That's a question for the conference.'

'I think from a perspective, if you're sitting here at a retreat that's focused on policy, focused on the future of making America in the next century, and you're talking about something else, you're not being productive,' he said.
Connected Warrior

DARPA-funded fabric protects against chemical, biologic threats

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is developing new fabrics and protective equipment that can reduce the risk of chemical and biological threats to service members and responders.

FLIR Systems was awarded a contract potentially worth more than $20 million under DARPAs Personalized Protective Biosystems program. Under the PPB award, FLIR will rapidly develop fabrics with embedded catalysts and chemicals that can be incorporated into boots, gloves and eye protection, company officials said. Teams led by Leidos and Charles River Analytics were also awarded PPB contracts.

The PPB program aims to reduce the weight, heat and physiological burden of the current personal protective equipment soldiers and health care workers must wear. By combining lightweight protective materials with prophylactic medical technologies, FLIR aims to mitigate chemical and biological threats to the eyes, skin and lungs, company officials said. The complete system will enable troops and first responders to operate without the burden of carrying and wearing PPE, which can cause heat stress and reduce time spent completing the mission.

In this recent 60 Minutes episode, Matthew Hepburn, a DARPA program manager and infectious disease physician, said research agencys goal is to stop pandemics from happening. Hepburn told the program that when he was hired at DARPA eight years ago, his mission was to take pandemics off the table.

This is not new work for FLIR. The company has been working on what it calls an Integrated Soldier Protective System. The fabrics that FLIR will develop under the DARPA contract are part of that system.

One goal is to create protective gear that is lightweight and cooler to wear.

The complete system will enable troops and first responders to operate without the burden of carrying and wearing PPE, which can cause heat stress and reduce time spent completing the mission, FLIR said in a statement.

The contract has two-year base, a two-year option and then a one-year final option. Most of the work will be performed at FLIR facilities in Pittsburgh.

This article was first posted to Washington Technology, a sibling site to Defense Systems.
The European Union has launched legal action against the coronavirus vaccine manufacturer AstraZeneca.



The European Commission - the EU's executive branch - said it was suing the company for not respecting its vaccine supply contract, and for not having a "reliable" plan to ensure timely deliveries.



AstraZeneca said the move was "without merit".



It said it would "strongly defend itself in court".



The legal action marks an escalation in a long-running dispute between the two sides over the supply of coronavirus vaccines.



The EU is struggling with the slow pace of its vaccine rollout. Some in the bloc have claimed that AstraZeneca has shown preferential treatment to the UK - but the company has denied this.



Meanwhile, the US has announced that it will share up to 60 million doses of its AstraZeneca vaccine with other countries as they become available. The doses will be able to be exported in the coming months after a federal safety review, AP news agency reports.



What do we know about the legal action?



A European Commission spokesman said the action was launched on Friday, with the backing of all 27 member states.



It stems from a deal the commission signed last August for 300 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, with an option for 100 million more.



Earlier this year, AstraZeneca said its supplies would be reduced because of production problems. Of 80 million doses planned for delivery in the first quarter of 2021, only about 30 million were sent.



According to the European Commission, the company is set to provide 70 million doses in the second quarter of 2021 instead of the 180 million that were initially arranged.



"The terms of the contract, or some terms of the contract, have not been respected," the spokesman said. "We want to make sure that there's a speedy delivery of a sufficient number of doses... which have been promised on the basis of the contract."



Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides tweeted that the commission's priority was to "ensure Covid-19 vaccine deliveries take place to protect the health of the European Union".



"Every vaccine dose counts. Every vaccine dose saves lives," she wrote.



One EU official told Reuters news agency that the move was taken to "send a message" to AstraZeneca's chief executive Pascal Soriot.

Source: BBC









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After Google and Microsoft, CEO has extended its support to India as the Covid-19 crisis in the country is deepening.

"Amid a devastating rise of Covid cases in India, our thoughts are with the medical workers, our family and everyone there who is fighting through this awful stage of the pandemic. will be donating to support and relief efforts on the ground," Cook said in a tweet.

This comes soon after Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced to help Covid-ravaged India.

Google has announced Rs 135 crore ($18 million) to help get urgent medical supplies, including oxygen and testing equipments, for India that is currently going through a devastating Covid wave.

The donation includes two grants from Google.org, Google's philanthropic arm, totalling Rs 20 crore.

Pichai tweeted: "Devastated to see the worsening Covid crisis in India. Google & Googlers are providing Rs 135 Crore in funding to @GiveIndia, @UNICEF for medical supplies, orgs supporting high-risk communities, and grants to help spread critical information".

On the other hand, Nadella said that the company is mobilising its resources to help the Covid-ravaged nation.

In a tweet, Nadella said that he is grateful the US government is mobilising to help.

"I am heartbroken by the current situation in India. I'm grateful the US government is mobilising to help. Microsoft will continue to use its voice, resources, and technology to aid relief efforts, and support the purchase of critical oxygen concentration devices," Nadella tweeted.

India is going through its most difficult moment in the pandemic thus far.

Daily Covid-19 cases continue to set record highs, with hospitals filled to capacity and in need of urgent supplies to cope with the increasing number of patients.

--IANS

vc/sdr/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)




China News on Women





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External Article

27 April 2021

American tourists who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will be able to visit the European Union over the summer, the head of the bloc's executive body said in an interview with The New York Times on Sunday, more than a year after shutting down nonessential travel from most countries to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

The fast pace of vaccination in the United States, and advanced talks between authorities there and the European Union over how to make vaccine certificates acceptable as proof of immunity for visitors, will enable the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, to recommend a switch in policy that could see trans-Atlantic leisure travel restored.

"The Americans, as far as I can see, use European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines," Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said Sunday in an interview with The Times in Brussels. "This will enable free movement and the travel to the European Union.
Seen is Citibank Korea's main branch in Seoul, April 19. Yonhap



Union asks financial regulators to disallow bank's divestiture



By Park Jae-hyuk



Citibank Korea held its first board meeting Tuesday after its U.S. headquarters clarified its intention to exit from consumer banking operations here and in 12 other markets.



Led by CEO Yoo Myung-soon, the six board members, including Citigroup Asia Pacific Regional Franchise Controller Vishal Khandelwal, discussed online the specifics of the bank's withdrawal from retail banking here.



Citibank Korea appears to have more time to finalize the specifics of its exit plan, given that its U.S. headquarters has yet to mention any details about its planned divestments.



"The board of directors meeting extensively discussed the options of a sale of the entire consumer banking business, a sale of part of the business, and a wind down, regarding the pursuit of an exit. Specific dates and details, however, have not yet been decided on," a Citibank Korea spokesman said. "Citibank Korea will put forth all efforts to try to carefully find the best solution for the near future by thoroughly reviewing all possible plans for implementation."



Fitch Ratings said that the sale of Citibank's consumer banking operation could take more than a year, when it revised its outlook on the bank to "evolving" from "negative," Monday. S&P Global Ratings, which maintained its outlook as "stable," expects that the bank will have enough discussions with the financial authorities to minimize its impact on the market.



At this moment, various scenarios are being discussed among market insiders, but sources familiar with this issue said the bank is receiving legal advice for the sale from the nation's top law firm, Kim & Chang.



"It will be difficult for Citibank Korea to sell its entire consumer banking operations to a single buyer, considering the relatively higher labor costs," Kiwoom Securities analyst Seo Young-soo said. "Instead, it will be easier for the bank to sell its wealth management and credit card businesses separately to different buyers."



According to industry officials, KB Financial Group is interested in the bank's wealth management division, while Woori Card and Hana Card are considering acquiring its credit card business. OK Financial Group, which runs the nation's second-largest mutual savings bank, and DGB Financial Group, the Daegu-based financial group that owns Daegu Bank, are mentioned as candidates for acquiring its retail banking operation.





The Citibank Korea union holds a rally in front of the bank's main branch in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of the Citibank Korea union
Jersey Oil & Gas (LON:JOG) JOG has announced the appointment of Les Thomas as an independent NED. This is an exceptional choice by JOG as Les is a well known and highly respected oil industry man, specifically in the North Sea, with a massive reputation from time at Wood Group and perhaps more importantly at Ithaca Energy.

JOG, Coro.

A flash blog this morning, the first for a while and regulars will know that means either a one-off announcement or that I am on the move into town. Today its the latter as with lockdown ending I have my first day in the big city

Jersey Oil & Gas ( )

JOG has announced the appointment of Les Thomas as an independent NED. This is an exceptional choice by JOG as Les is a well known and highly respected oil industry man, specifically in the North Sea, with a massive reputation from time at Wood Group and perhaps more importantly at .

I have always personally found Les to be enormously helpful and extremely knowledgeable and Im sure that he will be a huge help to JOG as they move ahead with the development of the GBA in coming months. This has without doubt strengthened JOGs already highly experienced board and shareholders should be very happy.

Marcus Stanton, Chairman of Jersey Oil & Gas, commented:

We are very pleased to welcome Les to the Company as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Throughout his career to date, he has helped oil companies to develop projects successfully, deploying subsurface, commercial and project management expertise. Most recently, he led through a significant growth phase, including the acquisition of Chevrons UK North Sea portfolio. His wealth of experience in the UK North Sea leading upstream and services businesses will be of significant value to JOG as we progress our Greater Buchan Area development project and take the Company through its next phase of growth. We look forward to working closely with Les and benefitting from his highly relevant North Sea industry experience.

Coro Energy ( )

Coro issue an operational update this morning following the recent acquisition of the Global Energy Partnership. As far as Im aware the company has had no meetings with regard the acquisition so Im quoting directly from todays RNS.

The structuring of local Philippines project holding company commenced with work to progress the flagship 100MW wind and 100MW solar projects in the Visayas region of the Philippines initiated, including discussions on the Energy Service Contracts, local landlord engagement, Environmental Impact Assessment, Grid Impact Assessment and the negotiation of Power Purchase Agreements.

The initiation of a comprehensive data gathering campaign at the 100MW onshore Philippine wind project is underway with a view to positioning the Company to have both projects construction ready by mid-2022 and, subject to availability of project financing, maiden revenues achieved some 12 months later.

Elsewhere, the Operator of the Duyung PSC, Conrad Petroleum, to submit updated Plan of Development (POD) for the Duyung gas project in due course and still remains a significant asset, (see my upcoming interview with Empyrean Energy).

The Company has made considerable progress in recent weeks in establishing its operating infrastructure in the Philippines, with the structuring of a local holding company underway through which the Groups current and future Philippine interests will be developed, contracted and managed.

A twelve-month data gathering campaign for the 100MW wind project is in the final planning stages and is expected to commence mid-June. This campaign will use a traditional calibrated wind mast and high-tech Lidar and is an important step in establishing the optimal design for the wind farm as well as providing further confirmation of the projects viability. The Company confirms that it is already in possession of all data required for the 100MW solar project.

Commenting, Mark Hood, Chief Executive of Coro Energy, said:

This is an exciting time for Coro Energy as it looks to build on its recent acquisition and the resulting opportunities in SE Asias rapidly growing renewable energy sector. Coro Energy is proud to be supporting the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy in SE Asia and we have a large number of important commercial and operational milestones approaching over the next 6-12 months. I am confident that we will rapidly develop our platform of operated assets, with a view to creating a variety of revenue streams that will add material value to the business. We also look forward to commercial progress at Duyung.
The United States Supreme Court will hear a high-stakes Second Amendment lawsuit that experts believe has the power to amend gun rights and significantly increase the number of handguns on the streets of major cities already beset by shootings.

The U.S. Supreme Court hears major gun rights case

The Supreme Court of the United States announced on Monday that it would consider an appeal to determine whether New York's permit provisions for carrying weapons in public are lawful and whether the Second Amendment protects Americans' ability to carry guns outside their homes. It is the court's first major gun-rights case since Justice Amy Coney Barrett entered the bench in October, bringing the court's political balance to a 6-3 conservative majority.

The court's decision came more than two weeks after President Joe Biden proposed a slew of executive orders to reduce gun violence. A measure that gun-control advocates praised as a triumph at the time after a string of high-profile mass shootings, including two high-profile events in Atlanta, Ga., and Boulder, Colo., that left a total of 18 people dead.

More Asian Americans Arm Themselves as Violence, Abuse Surge

Those seeking a permit to carry a concealed weapon in public in eight states, including New York, must justify to the licensing authority granting the permit that they have a legitimate reason to carry one, which may include self-defense. The lawsuit was initiated by two men in New York. They support gun rights organizations such as the National Rifle Association (NRA) after refusing requests for permits to carry handguns outside their home when the licensing officer decided they did not need the guns for self-defense.

Around 20 states have "shall-issue" provisions that encourage individuals to get a concealed-carry license if they do not fall under a legally prohibited category, such as getting a felony record. However, "may-issue" concealed-carry state rules, such as the one in question in New York, only issue licenses if the claimant may demonstrate a compelling justification for having one.

According to Duke Law School professor Joseph Blocher, about 90 million Americans reside in states with may-issue laws, TIME reported. The suit alleges that the provision compelling petitioners to provide "proper cause" to be granted a concealed-carry permit is too high and that the court must resolve this crucial constitutional impasse and reaffirm the citizens' fundamental right to carry a weapon for self-defense.

Key Events From George Floyd's Arrest to Derek Chauvin's Guilty Verdicts

Supreme Court to weigh gun rights amid surge violence, gun sales

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it would consider whether Americans have a legal right to carry a handgun outside the home for self-defense as the country grapples with an increase in gun violence and unprecedented gun sales. The New York State Rifle and Pistol Association and two private gun owners are challenging state gun licensing laws, ABC News reported.

The Supreme Court ruled more than a decade ago that the rights to bear arms guaranteed by the Second Amendment include the right to keep a gun in one's home for self-defense. Despite repeated pleas from gun rights supporters, the majority of the court has yet to make any further decisions on how much states should regulate gun rights.

In two landmark decisions that redefined gun rights in the U.S., the Supreme Court reversed handgun prohibitions in Washington, DC, and Chicago, respectively, in 2008 and 2010. In such cases, a disunited court held that the right to bear arms guaranteed by the Second Amendment is an individual right, not one linked to the militia, as the court had previously implied.

The National Rifle Association and other gun rights groups celebrated these rulings as a significant success, as per the NPR. On the other hand, the bench has largely ignored gun rights cases in the last decade.

Asian Hate Crime in New York: Man in Critical Condition at Hospital Following Attack

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
As the 2020-21 school year nears its end, a group of parents is asking that the Charleston County School District remove the requirement for students to wear masks on campus.

Over 50 parents and students protested the rule in front of the district office building during a school board meeting on April 26 with signs and microphones in hand. The goal is to get the district to make masks optional, said Jessica Zeigler, a parent who attended the gathering.

All teachers are vaccinated who want to be, Zeigler, whose daughter is a kindergartner at Carolina Park Elementary, said in an interview. Anyone in the state of South Carolina who wants to be vaccinated can be. So its no longer life or death. Lets let our children have the gift of normalcy.

Despite the availability of vaccines, medical officials say it's not the right time to get rid of mask requirements in schools. And the scientific community agrees they are effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 when properly worn.

Contribute to the education discussion Join our Facebook group for constructive discussion on education news in the tri-county area of Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester. Our reporters covering education will be in the group to help lead and moderate conversations. Join now

Of those who showed up to protest mask-wearing, 24 spoke during the public comments section. Because of the large number of speakers, each person was limited to one minute in the interest of saving time. That time limit angered many of the speakers, some of whom were escorted out of the building by district security.

The Charleston parents weren't alone in their efforts. A Dorchester District 2 board meeting the same night also had a group of parents speaking out against the mask requirement. And Berkeley County School District officials expect a group of "anti-maskers" to speak to the district's board meeting on April 27.

Those who spoke in Charleston shared concerns about the masks causing setbacks for their childrens social development.

This is the most precious time in childhood, said Matt Whisnant, a parent of two CCSD students. Were taking valuable, irreplaceable time away from children. They need to see each others faces. They need to see their teachers faces. People need to be able to understand them.

Whisnant and others shared concerns about adverse health effects as a result of the masks, including restricting a childs ability to breathe.

Dr. Allison Eckard, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina who works with CCSD and other districts across the state, said there have been no credible studies that prove masks negatively affect a persons health.

There is no difference in (peoples) carbon dioxide levels with or without a mask, she said. Its because masks allow exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide through the sides of the mask and front of the mask and they keep respiratory droplets in, which is what we are aiming for.

Data-driven decisions

Despite the large crowd, the Charleston County School District remained steadfast in its decision to require masks through the rest of the current school year. The decision is in line with nearly all other districts in the state aside from Berkeley County, which strongly encourages masks on campus rather than requiring them. That district allows principals to make the final policy decision, and some have required wearing masks.

Its too early for CCSD officials to determine whether masks will be required in the fall, but that is a possibility, Chief Operations Officer Jeff Borowy said. If parents and students are diligent about wearing masks and limiting social gatherings now, there will be a higher likelihood of a school year without masks, Eckard said.

Eckard added that health officials expect vaccines to open up to people ages 12 and older in the coming months.

There is a very good chance that we will not have to wear masks going into next school year, she said. At this particular time, the cases are still exceedingly high.

Many of the parents said they would unenroll their student from the district if the mask requirement remains in place. That will not influence decisions made by the district, Borowy said.

We want to be able to look the public in the eye and say we are doing whats best for kids, he said.

The districts data shows that the number of cases among students and children have been on the rise in recent weeks. Students who are 16 years or older started receiving vaccines at schools April 27. Until then, no students in the district were able to be vaccinated at school.

Most of the spread among children is linked to gatherings outside of school when people are not wearing masks, Eckard said.

The number of positive cases among students per week has nearly doubled since the end of March, while the number of cases among staff declined to single digits in the past month. Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait attributes the trend to the districts efforts to vaccinate employees.

It appears that there is a correlation between when the vaccinations began and the reduction in the employees' rate of infection, Postlewait said. However, for students, weve seen the fourth straight week of increase in infections.

Dorchester's take

After several parents voiced concerns around students being required to wear masks in schools, Dorchester District 2 staff is discussing additional methods for allowing more mask breaks for students throughout the school day.

The district currently requires all staff and students to wear a face covering. Exceptions are made in situations, such as small classes with special-needs children.

According to the district's face covering guide, students are also allowed to take breaks from wearing the masks when outside and social distancing of 6 feet can be maintained. The next step is to see what additional opportunities can potentially be crafted for students to have time to remove their masks, Superintendent Joe Pye said.

At the school board meeting on April 26, multiple parents stepped forward to protest the mask requirements in schools. One of them, Phillip Hall, said he believes that the face coverings are giving his sixth grade child nosebleeds.

The family is consulting a physician about getting a medical exemption for the mask. Hall was also one of the parents consistently vocal about getting students back in school face to face five days a week.

Do the right thing this time, he said. Take the masks off our children.

Another parent said the face covering requirement was harmful to young students' language learning development with not being able to see lips. Many of them said they would prefer if the district left it up to the parents to decide whether or not a child has to wear a mask.

According to Pye, the reason why the face coverings are a necessity is because of the difficulty practicing social distancing.

Weve gone to 3 feet but we cant guarantee social distancing, he said.

The district worked with MUSC and referenced information from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its reopening strategy.

The consensus was that since social distancing couldnt be guaranteed because of class sizes, face coverings and plexiglass would have to be a requirement.

Thats why we're doing all the safety precautions that we can, Pye said. You must be able to social distance.

One parent, Jason Brockert, pushed for a middle ground to be met with parents and officials. While he said he doesnt agree that masks are 100 percent effective and should be worn all day, he doesnt want to do away with them. He said he hopes the rules around them can be reevaluated.

Everyone needs to agree upon what we can do together, he said.

Keeping kids in school

The masks keep the virus levels low in schools and throughout the community.

They work by preventing the spread of respiratory droplets, which carry and transmit the virus and travel through the air when people cough, sneeze, talk, shout or sing, according to the CDC. Multiple studies have shown that masks were effective in preventing the spread of all kinds of diseases, not just COVID-19, according to the CDC.

Many of the long-term effects of the virus remain unknown.

One of Eckards main concerns is an increase in the prevalence of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, a disease that has been linked to children who have had or been around someone who has had COVID-19. The disease is severe and can cause inflammation and organ failure in those who get it.

Eckard has treated 25 patients with the disease at MUSC, and 100 cases have been confirmed in the state.

The hospital has had children as close to death as they can be and brought back, she said.

Removing masks and other prevention measures, such plexiglass barriers and distancing, would lead to more quarantines, Eckard said.

The whole point is to keep the kids in school, she said. We are so close to the end of the year. If people can just hold on to the end of the year and get as many people vaccinated as possible, I think we will see a different scenario come August.

Andrew Miller contributed to this report.
Over the past few decades, China has been all over Africa, building railroads, airports, bridges, and power dams, doing what Africa's colonial masters should have done eons ago. Trade between China and Africa has surged dramatically from US$1 billion in 1980 to US$128 billion in 2016, while cumulative loans to African governments have hit US$143 billion, with half of them given over the last four years alone, making it Africa's largest bilateral creditor. China's lending to African countries has particularly skyrocketed under the massive Belt and Road Initiative.

On the surface, China is investing in the continent to help African countries develop a sound infrastructure and place the continent on the global map. African countries need these investments to sustain economic growth and join the global economy.

However, a peek below the surface reveals that China could be investing more aggressively in Africa for less altruistic reasons: To secure its interests there and also gain political and diplomatic influence, as has been the case in Southeast Asia.

China has, however, lately been changing tact, cozying up to mineral-rich countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo to the chagrin of oil-rich ones like Angola and Nigeria.

The bulk of Chinese investments are concentrated in Angola and Nigeria, where they are closely linked to their respective oil industries. Related: Oil on Guard over Yemen as Saudi, Iran Meet in Secret

Source: BBC

Cheap oil

According to the China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) at Johns Hopkins University, between 2000 and 2019, China extended US$42.6 billion worth of loans to Angola, good for 30 percent of its total lending to African nations. The DRC received only US$2.7 billion worth of Chinese loans over the timeframe.

Beijing is, however, turning its attention to the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a recent trip to Kinshasa promising that it would write off loans worth about US$28 million and provide it with US$17 million in other financial support.

It's not like China is going green at a record pace and no longer needs to import oil; On the contrary, it remains the world's largest oil importer but is now benefitting from the availability of cheap crude from the likes of Iran, whose shipments would traditionally go to the United States.

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 though still 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 given the fact that Iran sells it to Chinese refineries at a steep discount to Brent crude. The relatively high level of exports amid those sanctions could mean that Iran is not desperate for a nuclear deal--and could, in fact, be hoping to prove that sanctions mean nothing. Related: EU Admits It Cant Go Net-Zero Without Natural Gas

But what Beijing still needs from Africa is its abundant mineral wealth, including copper, cobalt, and other rare minerals.

The DRC is the world's largest producer of cobalt, an essential component of Li-ion batteries for electric vehicles, as well as smartphones, laptops, and tablets.

Although Chinese firms have increasingly been investing in African mines, including in the DRC, they are still minor players compared with the mining giants of Western countries.

They could soon start giving their western peers a run for their money.

China Molybdenum, the owner of the world's second-largest cobalt mine in the DRC, recently purchased the undeveloped Kisanfu resource from Freeport McMoRan for US$550 million. Meanwhile, the likes of Chengtun Mining, Huayou Cobalt, Wanbao and CNMC are busy staking their claims in the Central African nation.

Locking in Africa

A cross-section of experts has taken a dim view of China's rapidly growing investments in Africa, with some accusing China of burdening the continent with debt in projects designed to lock in Africa.

"Even though they are financed with Chinese loans and built with Chinese contractors and labor, most of these projects are designed to lock African countries into a long-term political and diplomatic relationship with China rather than to make money," says Ted Bauman is a senior research analyst and economist at Banyan Hill Publishing.

Bauman says China can use the diplomatic relationship, for instance, to gain Africa's votes on sensitive matters, like the Taiwan and the South China Sea issues. He says that evidence suggests that China is using state-funded energy infrastructure projects for Chinese corporate domination of African energy companies, something that could prove to be disadvantageous for their African partners, especially if Beijing starts leveraging lower prices for exports of African oil to China.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson criticized China's lending policy to Africa, saying it "encouraged dependency, utilised corrupt deals and endangered its natural resources."

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
ENNA, APR 27 - An Italian priest was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of abusing minors near Enna in Sicily, local sources said. The unnamed priest, from the diocese of Piazza Armerina, is accused of abusing boys when he was a seminarian and after his ordination. He was their religious education teacher, police said. The probe was opened after a boy complained to police in December. The priest has been placed under house arrest in Ferrara, where he has moved, judicial sources said. Police said there were three alleged victims of the priest, all minors when the alleged offences were committed, between 2009 and 2013. "Let my painful story be testimony to the fact that even after 12 years from the violence you can report it," said the man's chief accuser, who said he suffered abuse from the age of 16 to 20. (ANSA).
[April 27, 2021] Renowned Machine Learning Researcher and Inclusive Computing Leader Dr. Carla Brodley Joins Alegion's Board of Directors

AUSTIN, Texas and BOSTON, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alegion Inc ., a leading training data platform provider for machine learning has appointed Dr. Carla Brodley to its Board of Directors. Carla is dean of Northeastern's Khoury College of Computer Sciences and executive director of Northeastern University's Center for Inclusive Computing. She is a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Brodley's interdisciplinary machine learning research has led to advances not only in computer science, but in many other areas including remote sensing, neuroscience, astrophysics, computational biology, chemistry, and predictive medicine. Since joining Northeastern in 2014 and becoming dean of the Khoury College of Computer Sciences, she has increased the total undergraduate enrollment significantly. She has moved the percentage of undergraduate students from 19 percent to 30 percent women and from 11 percent to 14 percent Black, Latinx, Pacific Islander, and Native American, compared to national rates of 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively. Since its launch, Dr. Brodley has led Northeastern's Center forInclusive Computing which supports not-for-profit universities in the redesign of their computer science curriculum and assists faculty and administrators to create an inclusive, welcoming community. The Center collaborates with universities across the United States that have large undergraduate computing programs, bolstering their efforts to increase the number of women and African American, Hispanic and Native American students graduating with a degree in computer science.



"I am delighted to join Alegion's Board of Directors, supporting their advancement of leading-edge tools for machine learning training data," said Carla Brodley. "Alegion's focus on creating meaningful work in locations around the world, expanding technology-based opportunities in many communities also aligns with my mission for an ever more inclusive future."

"Dr. Carla Brodley is uniquely qualified to become a member of our Board of Directors," said David Mather, President, CEO and Board Director of Alegion Inc. "With deep subject matter expertise, outstanding industry, government, and research insight, and a vision for a more equitable future we have much to gain from her experience."

Dean Brodley's numerous leadership positions in computer science as well as her chosen research fields of machine learning and data mining include serving as program co-chair of ICML, co-chair of AAAI, and serving as associate editor of the Journal of AI Research, and the Journal of Machine Learning Research. She has previously served on the Defense Science Study Group, the board of the International Machine Learning Society, the AAAI Council, DARPA's Information Science and Technology Board, the executive committee of the Northeast Big Data Hub, as a board member of the Computing Research Association, and as co-chair of the Computing Research Association's Committee on the Status of Women. About Alegion Inc.

Alegion, based in Austin, TX, provides a complete training data solution for enterprise-grade machine learning. Alegion's training data platform enables efficient and accurate annotation of video, images, and text to support advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence initiatives. The platform features a rich user experience, support for robust ontologies, integrated machine learning, and advanced quality control. With integrated workflows, data security, and project management functions, Alegion's platform supports any size requirement from a small data science team to thousands of annotators working on a single project. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/renowned-machine-learning-researcher-and-inclusive-computing-leader-dr-carla-brodley-joins-alegions-board-of-directors-301276196.html SOURCE Alegion

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In light of declining natural forests, tree plantations may seem like a good way to replace forest habitats. But what are the possible benefits of these plantations for biological diversity? A team of researchers led by led by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU) and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) investigated this question using the example of beetles. Beetles account for 27% of all insect species worldwide and are often used as indicators for the effects of climate change and habitat fragmentation on biodiversity. In forest, they serve important functions - for example, they contribute to the decomposition of plant and animal biomass, making the nutrients stored inside of this biomass available to plants.

Tree plantations host significantly fewer beetle species

For their research, the scientists analysed 83 published studies on beetle diversity in tree plantations and old-growth forests. "Of course, the benefit of plantations always depends on the planted tree species," said Dr. Silvia Gallegos from MLU, one of the lead authors of the paper. "Mixed cultures are better than monocultures and native species are better than exotic species." In general, the global analysis showed significant differences in the beetle diversity of plantations and forests. In average, tree plantations were home to one third fewer species than old-growth forests and hosted about half as many individuals.

Furthermore, the researchers found major differences in the composition of beetle communities in plantations and forests. Even tree plantations with a similar number of beetle species and individuals as old-growth forests still displayed a significant difference in species composition. Beetle species that feed on dead organic substances were particularly affected, which might be due to less diverse food resources offered by plantations. Species that feed on other insects were also less common. "This indicates that plantations are home to fewer predators. Old-growth forests might, thus, be more resistant to herbivores and pests than artificial tree plantations," said last author Dr. Stephan Kambach from MLU and iDiv.

Plantations cannot replace pristine forests

The most significant differences in the composition of beetle communities were found in tropical and subtropical regions. In these regions, differences in the number of species and individuals between plantations and forest were also largest. Thus, tree plantations cannot serve as a replacement for tropical primary forests.

With their study, the researchers show that tree plantations, in particular when planted in mixed cultures - might provide an important tool to minimize habitat loss of forest-adapted species. "However, tree plantations can neither sustain the diversity nor the composition of beetle communities of old-growth forests, limiting their value for forest conservation," said first author Georg Albert from iDiv and FSU.

The study was inspired by an iDiv Summer School in 2017, including intensive training in meta-analysis and hands-on synthesis work on genuine research projects. The iDiv Summer School takes place every year with different foci and is attended by young scientists from all over the world.

###
Snowman Logistics reported a net loss of Rs 0.42 crore in Q4 FY21 compared with net loss of Rs 1.17 crore in Q4 FY20.

Net sales during the quarter increased 5.1% year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 64.11 crore. The company reported a pre-tax profit of Rs 1.50 crore in Q4 March 2020 as against a pre-tax loss of Rs 1.34 crore in Q4 March 2020.

Snowman Logistics recorded a net profit of Rs 0.06 crore in the year ended 31 March 2021 as against net loss of Rs 15.01 crore in the year ended 31 March 2020.

Net sales declined 1.3% to Rs 237.10 crore in FY21 over FY20. The revenue drop was mainly in the transport vertical due to vehicle movement restrictions during the initial lockdown period.

EBITDA increased to Rs 68.47 crore in FY21 from Rs 64.06 crore in FY20, mainly due to margin improvements in warehousing i.e., from 38% in FY20 to 42% in FY21.

Sunil Nair, CEO, Snowman Logistics, said: "Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we ramped up operations to ensure that there are no service disruptions, and we continue to meet the demands of our clients.

Our e-Commerce business model has started contributing to our revenue, and we are quite optimistic about it. In addition, we have launched a tech platform to aggregate refrigerated transport fleets across the country and offer end-to-end solutions to our customers."

Prem Kishan Dass Gupta, chairman, Snowman Logistics, said, "We are now present in 16 cities and have successfully implemented a new service vertical for managing the backend for ecommerce fulfilment centres. The dedicated Amazon warehouse at Kundli, serving Delhi, is operational now in addition to Mumbai and Pune with plans to expand in more locations in the coming year.

Furthermore, we have created a new pharma vertical and have started handling distribution of COVID vaccines in some regions, with plans for Pan-India storage and distribution for which we are in advanced talks with all relevant stakeholders.

Our new projects at Siliguri & Coimbatore are under construction, along with expansion in the existing facilities of Mumbai & Krishnapatnam due to high demand."

Snowman provides pan-India, integrated, temperature-controlled warehousing, transportation and distribution services, covering all major cities and regions operating across 31 strategic locations across 15 cities.

The scrip fell 3.48% to currently trade at Rs 52.65 on the BSE.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
[April 27, 2021] Schwab Declares Common Stock Dividend and Declares Preferred Stock Dividends

The Board of Directors of The Charles Schwab Corporation at its meeting today declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per common share. The dividend is payable May 28, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 14, 2021. In addition, the Board of Directors also declared a regular quarterly dividend on the outstanding 6.00% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C, in the amount of $15.00 per share or $0.375 per depositary share, each representing 1/40th interest in a share of Series C Preferred Stock. The dividend is payable June 1, 2021 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2021. The Board of Directors of The Charles Schwab Corporation has also declared a regular quarterly dividend on the outstanding 5.95% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series D, in the amount of $14.88 per share or $0.372 per depositary share, each representing 1/40th interest in a share of Series D Preferred Stock. The dividend is payable June 1, 2021 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2021. The Board of Directors of The Charles Schwab Corporation has also declared a regular semi-annual dividend on the outstanding 5.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series F, in the amount of $2,500.00 per share or $25.00 per depositary share, each representing 1/100th interest in a share of Series F Preferred Stock. The dividend is payable June 1, 2021 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2021. The Board of Directors of The Charles Schwab Corporation has also declared a regular quarterly dividend on the outstanding 5.375% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series G, in the amount of $1,343.75 per share or $13.438 per depositary share, each representing 1/100th interest in a share of Series G Preferred Stock. The dividend is payable June 1, 2021 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2021. The Board of Directors of The Charles Schwab Corporation has also declared a regular quarterly dividend on the outstanding 4.000% Fixed-Rte Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series H, in the amount of $1,000.00 per share or $10.00 per depositary share, each representing 1/100th interest in a share of Series H Preferred Stock. The dividend is payable June 1, 2021 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2021.



The Board of Directors of The Charles Schwab Corporation has also declared a regular quarterly dividend on the outstanding 4.000% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series I, in the amount of $811.11 per share which covers the period from March 18, 2021 to May 31, 2021. The dividend equals $8.111 per depositary share, each representing 1/100th interest in a share of Series I Preferred Stock. The dividend is payable June 1, 2021 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2021. The Board of Directors of The Charles Schwab Corporation has also declared a regular quarterly dividend on the outstanding 4.450% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series J, in the amount of $7.54 per share which covers the period from March 30, 2021 to May 31, 2021. The dividend equals $0.189 per depositary share, each representing 1/40th interest in a share of Series J Preferred Stock. The dividend is payable June 1, 2021 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2021.

About Charles Schwab The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE: SCHW) is a leading provider of financial services, with 31.9 million active brokerage accounts, 2.1 million corporate retirement plan participants, 1.6 million banking accounts, and approximately $7.07 trillion in client assets. Through its operating subsidiaries, the company provides a full range of wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services to individual investors and independent investment advisors. Its broker-dealer subsidiaries, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., TD Ameritrade, Inc., and TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc., (members SIPC, www.sipc.org), and their affiliates offer a complete range of investment services and products including an extensive selection of mutual funds; financial planning and investment advice; retirement plan and equity compensation plan services; referrals to independent, fee-based investment advisors; and custodial, operational and trading support for independent, fee-based investment advisors through Schwab Advisor Services. Its primary banking subsidiary, Charles Schwab Bank, SSB (member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender), provides banking and lending services and products. More information is available at www.aboutschwab.com. TD Ameritrade, Inc. and TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. are separate but affiliated companies and subsidiaries of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation. TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation. TD Ameritrade is a trademark jointly owned by TD Ameritrade IP Company, Inc. and The Toronto-Dominion Bank. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427006150/en/

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Minister of Social Welfare Vijay Wadettiwar told Zee News that though the COVID-19 situation in Mumbai and Thane have decreased but in Vidarbha and Marathwada the infections are on a rise.

He said that the Maharashtra Cabinet will hold a meeting on Thursday and a decision may be taken in the matter. The meeting will likely take place at 12.30 pm on April 29.

While, in a previous Cabinet meeting Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had announced to give free COVID-19 vaccines to the people in the state.

With 66,191 fresh coronavirus positive cases the tally of infections reached to 42,95,027 while with 832 fatalities the death toll rose to 64,760. Maharashtra is now left with 6,98,354 active cases the state health department said.

Notably, Maharashtra has been under lockdown-like restrictions since April 15. On April 21, the Maharashtra government had released a new set of guidelines imposing stricter curbs which come into effect from 8 pm on April 22 and continue till 7 am on May 1.

Except for essential shops and services, all establishments have been shut till May.
WARSAW (Reuters) - The prime ministers of the Poland, Hungary and Slovakia said on Monday that they support the Czech Republic's actions after it said it suspected that two Russian spies were also behind a 2014 explosion that killed two people.

"We condemn ... yet another deplorable act of aggression and breach of international law committed by Russia on European soil," the prime ministers said in a statement published on the Twitter account of the Polish prime minister's office.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish and Pawel Florkiewicz)
New Delhi: Salman Khan's latest offering Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai, is all set to have a multi-format release this Eid. The films recent trailer launch was received with great fanfare clocking in an excess of 65 million+ views across all platforms. Critics and fans lauded it for being an out-and-out entertainer.

With the first song Seeti Maar now out, the excitement amongst fans has further increased!

The song has clocked 30 mn+ views across platforms in its first 24 hours. The trailer and song have given them a reason to celebrate and are counting the days till the Eid premiere i.e. May 13, 2021.

Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai will be the first-ever big-scale entertainer from India to have a multi-format release.

The film will be released in theatres in over 40 countries; on ZEE5 with ZEE Studios' pay-per-view platform ZEEPlex which rests on Indias leading OTT ZEE5, and also on all leading DTH operators i.e. Dish, D2H, Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV.

ZEEPlex offers you the convenience of booking and watching the first-day first show of blockbusters from the comfort of your homes making movie dates with family fun and delightful. The film will be available on ZeePlex at an attractive price point of only Rs. 249/- to watch their favourite superstar's most awaited film Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai.

Bookings on all platforms will open soon.



Alongside Salman Khan, Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai also stars Disha Patani, Randeep Hooda and Jackie Shroff in pivotal roles. The movie is presented by Salman Khan films in association with ZEE Studios, produced By Salma Khan, Sohail Khan and Reel Life Production Pvt. limited.

Here is how you can watch the film on ZEE5 and via DTH operators:

On ZEE5:

-Log on ZEE5 app or www.zee5.com*

-Click on ZEEPlex section and select Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai

-Login or register with ZEE5 to proceed further

-On the payment page, select your preferred mode of payment

-Complete the transaction and start enjoying the movie

*Refer to the detailed FAQs section on the page for further information

On DTH platforms:

- Tata Sky | Channel #252, #253, #254, #255 d2h | Channel 917(HD), 200 SD (Screen 1) and 199 (screen 2) SD

- DishTV | Channel 302 HD, 303 SD (Screen 1) and 301 SD (Screen 2)

- Airtel Digital | Channel #269, #270, #499, #500

- There are various options through which one can book tickets ranging from giving a missed call to the respective operators, QR codes, DTH operators app and websites.

- The movie is purchased for a particular time slot, you will be provided with the relevant channel number via SMS
Alabama ranks last in the nation for getting coronavirus shots into arms.

Its low ranking is tabulated by the University of Alabama at Birmingham. UAB reports Alabama has administered about 62% of the vaccines it has had delivered.

That puts it last among all 50 states, and among some territories, including Guam, The Republic of Palau and American Samoa.

The next lowest state is Mississippi, with nearly 64% of its delivered vaccines administered.

At the beginning of April, distribution was at an all time high. That is according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. Since then, it has been on a decline. Doctors said this is concerning since herd immunity has not been reached yet.

Less than 21% of Alabamians are fully vaccinated.

"People have tended to make this decision on a little bit of what they know and a lot on what they don't know," Dr. Selwyn Vickers, Senior Vice President of Medicine at UAB, said.

In an effort to educate the community, HudsonAlpha has been hosting online seminars to discuss the pros and cons of the coronavirus vaccines available.

Dr. Vickers explained Monday night, it is more important to focus on the risks of the actual virus versus the vaccine.

"All of the studies that we've seen, that is well over a 100 million people given the vaccine, very few have had any significant side effects or had any significant major complications," Vickers said.

This comes as pharmacies like Sparkman Pharmacy find themselves with more supply than demand.

Pharmacist Alan Watson attributes the slowdown to the 11-day halt on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, followed by new FDA warnings added to its vaccine fact sheet about the possibility of rare blood clots.

"We've had some patients, some that did want to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine," Watson said. "However, there is definitely a lot of hesitancy out there."

Another issue now emerging is people skipping out on the second dose of a two-dose vaccine. The CDC reports it is more than 5 million people.

Fortunately, Watson said it has not been a major issue with his patients, but he said it still happens.

"It is very important that patients do follow through with that second dose," Watson said.

As more people become vaccinated, the more we learn. So far, Vickers said there has been promising data.

"We do know at six months, the two-shot vaccine, when you got both, is still above 90% efficacious," Vickers said.

If you are still on edge about whether or not you want to get vaccinated, Watson said to give him a call and he will answer any questions you have.

"I encourage everybody out there to, you know, no matter what you see or what you hear, or who you talk to, definitely get vaccinated because we want to get back to living a normal life as quickly as we can," Watson said.

The seminar Monday night also highlighted the importance of getting people of color vaccinated.
Downing Street today rejected calls to send coronavirus vaccines to India as the country suffers a devastating second wave of Covid-19.

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman said 'we don't have surplus doses' and the focus will remain on the rollout of jabs in the UK.

The spokesman said the Government 'will keep this under review' and pointed out that ministers had committed to sending 'excess' jabs to countries in need 'once they are available'.

India today reported 323,144 new Covid cases, down slightly on yesterday's toll of 350,000 but still around 40 per cent of the global total.

The country also reported 2,771 new deaths - also down slightly on yesterday but amid warnings that the figure is almost certainly being under-counted.

Downing Street today rejected calls to send coronavirus vaccines to India as the country suffers a devastating second wave of Covid-19. Boris Johnson is pictured yesterday during a visit to Llandudno in Wales

India today reported 323,144 new Covid cases, down slightly on yesterday's toll of 350,000 but still around 40 per cent of the global total. A patient is seen inside a banquet hall temporarily converted into a coronavirus ward in Delhi

People queue outside a government dispensary in Chennai to buy Remdesivir, an antiviral drug used to treat Covid-19 coronavirus symptoms

Medics have warned that the second wave of infections in the country is being driven by a 'far more infectious and probably far more deadly' strain of the virus that has pushed hospitals 'beyond crisis point' in just a matter of weeks.

The UK announced earlier this week that it was sending more than 600 pieces of medical equipment to India following the surge in cases.

There have been calls for the Government to go further and to consider diverting some of the UK's vaccine supply to the country.

But the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman said: 'As you will know, we committed in February to sending excess doses from the UK's supply to the Covax procurement pool and to countries in need once they are available.

'Right now we are moving through the UK prioritisation list for our domestic rollout and we don't have surplus doses.

'But obviously we will keep this under review. We fully recognise that no one is safe until we are all safe in this pandemic which is why the UK has contributed 548million to Covax and sent vital medical supplies to India.'

The situation in India was discussed by Boris Johnson and his Cabinet during a meeting this morning.

Mr Johnson began the meeting 'by thanking those involved in sending an aid support package, which included a number of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, to India to assist their work in tackling coronavirus'.

Foreign aid including ventilators and oxygen concentrators sent by the UK began arriving in Delhi today, but medics described it as a 'drop in the ocean' and called for vaccines instead

Airport workers in New Delhi offload medical aid sent to help combat India's rapidly escalating Covid crisis

The UK's first shipment of medical equipment arrived in India today.

The Prime Minister said he was 'proud the UK has been able to help and that this sort of action - along with delivery of core government commitments - is what the public want their government to focus on'.

Britain is in the process of sending nine plane-loads of medical equipment to India after Mr Johnson said the UK would do whatever it could to help.

'We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19,' he said in a statement.
[April 27, 2021] ABB: Q1 2021 Results

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex): This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005972/en/







KEY FIGURES CHANGE ($ millions, unless otherwise indicated) Q1 2021 Q1 2020 US$ Comparable1 Orders 7,756 7,346 6 % 1 % Revenues 6,901 6,216 11 % 7 % Gross Profit 2,268 1,910 19 % as % of revenues 32.9 % 30.7 % +2.2 pts Income from operations 797 373 114 % Operational EBITA1 959 636 51 % 40 %3 as % of operational revenues 1 13.8 % 10.2 % +3.6 pts Income from continuing operations, net of tax 551 326 69 % Net income (loss) attributable to ABB 502 376 34 % Basic earnings per share ($) 0.25 0.18 41 %2 Cash flow from operating activities4 543 (577 ) n.a. Cash flows from operating activities in continuing operations 523 (396 ) n.a.

"After a busy year of creating the right set-up for the Group, we are now starting to show the real potential of our underlying businesses. Through greater accountability, transparency and speed, we increasingly create value for our stakeholders." Bjorn Rosengren

CEO CEO summary Market activity continued to recover from its lowest point during the summer 2020. Demand was especially strong in the short-cycle business, beyond our expectations. The increased customer activity, in combination with the impact from previously implemented cost measures, resulted in double-digit growth in Operational EBITA, and a very high first quarter margin of 13.8%. I am pleased to see good performance also in cash flow, which was high for a first quarter at $523 million. That said, while there was no material impact on results in the period, the progressively tighter supply of certain components such as semiconductors and plastics, is a concern. We anticipate prolonged delivery lead-times to customers in parts of our businesses in the coming quarter. On a separate note, we made the important launch of our new collaborative robot families. Through this expansion of our offering, we aim to unlock customer groups with currently a low level of automation. In total, we registered order growth of 6% (1% comparable), supported by a broad recovery in most of our short-cycle businesses. To some extent, demand is likely to have been driven by a stock build-up related to supply chain concerns. On the downside, growth was hampered by a weak development in the cruising and oil & gas segments - albeit initial signs of stabilization were noted. Overall, orders increased slightly in Europe and AMEA, with the latter supported by a stellar growth in China. Underlying business momentum improved in the Americas, driven by the US, although the region faced high comparable numbers in the previous period, which put pressure on growth rates. I am pleased about the progress toward our 2023 margin target, with all business areas increasing operational EBITA margin by more than 100 basis points. That said, we are taking actions to further improve operational performance in Process Automation, which should also benefit from an anticipated improvement in end markets during the latter part of the year. We made good progress with the divestment process for the three previously announced divisions and I expect us to sign the first deal during the second half of the year. Furthermore, we have turned our E-mobility business into a separate division and initiated a carve out into a separate legal structure. These steps will allow us to prepare for a possible public listing, creating a platform for accelerated growth and value creation in this business. We held the Annual General Meeting at which the proposed dividend of CHF 0.80 was approved. Furthermore, we announced an additional share buyback program of up to $4.3 billion, whereby re-confirming the intention to return $7.8 billion of cash proceeds from the Power Grids divestment to shareholders. Bjorn Rosengren

CEO Outlook Based on the current market situation, ABB anticipates growth rates in the second quarter of 2021 to reflect the low level of business activity in Q2 2020. Comparable orders and revenues are expected to grow >10%, with orders growing more than revenues. The Operational EBITA margin for the Group is expected to significantly improve year-on-year, to approximately 14%. As announced in the recent trading update, ABB anticipates comparable revenue growth of ~5% or higher for full-year 2021, with the process industry related part of the business expected to recover during the second half of the year. In 2021, ABB expects a steady pace of improvement from 2020 toward the 2023 Operational EBITA margin target of upper half of the 13%-16% range. This excludes the combined adverse impact related to the Kusile project and stranded costs, which weighed on margin in 2020. The complete press release including the appendices is available at www.abb.com/news ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB's success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. 1 For a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures, see "supplemental reconciliations and definitions" in the attached Q1 2021 Financial Information. 2 EPS growth rates are computed using unrounded amounts. 3 Constant currency (not adjusted for portfolio changes). 4 Amount represents total for both continuing and discontinued operations. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005972/en/

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[April 26, 2021] Opportunities and Risks in the Belgium Cards and Payments Market to 2024, Featuring Belfius Bank, KBC Bank, Klarna, ING Bank and Credit Mutuel Bank - ResearchAndMarkets.com

The "Belgium Cards and Payments - Opportunities and Risks to 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Belgian cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including cash, cards, credit transfers, direct debits, and cheques during the review-period (2016-20e). The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry, and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review-period and over the forecast-period (2020e-24f). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including the market shares of issuers and schemes. The report brings together the publisher's research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers details of regulatory policy and recent changes in the regulatory structure. This report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Belgian cards and payments industry, including : Current and forecast values for each market in the Belgian cards and payments industry, including debit, credit and charge cards.

Detailed insights into payment instruments including cash, cards, credit transfers, direct debits, and cheques. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.

E-commerce market analysis.

Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Belgian cards and payments industry.

Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks ad other institutions to market debit, credit and charge cards.



Scope The government is taking steps to increase the use of digital payments in Belgium. Belgian financial federation Febelfin (in collaboration with its payment partners and trade federations) launched Belgium's first Digital Payment Day on May 11, 2019. The initiative aims to increase financial awareness and knowledge among Belgians and encourages consumers to make digital payments. The initiative also aims to enable more merchants to accept digital payments. Via the Digital Payment Day website, Febelfin offers information for merchants regarding the best digital payment method for their business, as well as providing consumers with information on various digital payment solutions. Digital payments in Belgium are being supported by increasing use of mobile wallets including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal (News - Alert) as well as the Payconiq by Bancontact app.

Digital-only banks are gradually making inroads into the Belgian banking and debit card space. In February 2020, digital-only bank Aion launched in Belgium. The bank offers a multi-currency debit card, enabling users to make card payments and ATM withdrawals with no currency conversion costs. Meanwhile, international digital-only banks are making their way into Belgium. In October 2019, Netherlands-based digital-only bank bunq expanded its services across European countries including Belgium. Apart from a debit card, consumers are also offered a credit card and a Mastercard Travel Card (a credit card that eliminates foreign transaction fees for payments in foreign currencies). NiCKEL - the digital bank owned by BNP Paribas - plans to launch its operations in Belgium in the first quarter of 2022.

Banks are counting on digital channels to tap into new customer bases. In November 2020, KBC Bank launched AI-based chatbot Kate for its customers in Belgium. The chatbot supports both chat and voice assistance to provide banking services to KBC customers, including assistance regarding money transfers and insurance documentation. Meanwhile, bpost bank allows individuals to open an account online. Individuals confirm their identity using their electronic identity card and fill in their personal details. Key Topics Covered:

Payment Instruments

Card-based Payments

Ecommerce Payments

Buy Now Pay Later

Mobile Proximity Payments

P2P Payments

Bill Payments

Alternative Payments

Job Analysis

Payment Innovations

Payment Infrastructure & Regulation Companies Mentioned BNP Paribas Fortis

Belfius Bank

KBC Bank

Credit Mutuel Bank

ING Bank

Bancontact

Visa

Mastercard

American Express

PayPal

Klarna

Payconiq

Google Pay

SafetyPay

Apple (News - Alert) Pay

paysafecard For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ju0ce1 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005304/en/

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[April 27, 2021] Eutelsat Enters LEO Space through Investment in OneWeb

Regulatory News: Eutelsat (News - Alert) Communications (Paris:ETL) has entered into an agreement with OneWeb for the subscription of a c.24% equity stake, becoming a leading shareholder of the company alongside the UK Government and Bharti Global. Eutelsat will invest $550 million in OneWeb, with closing expected in H2 2021 subject to regulatory authorisations. With much of its global network already deployed, the OneWeb constellation, which enjoys valuable ITU-backed priority spectrum rights, will operate 648 satellites in low orbit (LEO) offering low latency. This first generation of satellites will offer significant regional coverage by the end of 2021, reaching global coverage the following year. OneWeb will be the first complete non-geostationary constellation with truly global coverage, significantly ahead of competing projects. It will deliver 1.1 Tbps of capacity addressing the government, fixed data and mobility markets. Plans include a second-generation constellation that will provide significant enhancements in terms of capacity, flexibility and economics. It anticipates annual revenues of circa $1 billion within three to five years following the full deployment of the constellation, with a partnership approach and profitable wholesale business model. Eutelsat's investment leaves OneWeb almost fully funded and the company is well advanced in terms of securing its remaining funding needs this year. Eutelsat's investment will come with similar governance rights to the UK Government and Bharti, including board representation, where its position and expertise as one of the world's leading satellite operators will help to drive the success of the new constellation. In a context where LEO features will enable the extension of the addressable market for satellite operators well beyond their current reach, the complementarity of Eutelsat's and OneWeb's resources and assets is expected to optimize both companies' commercial potential thanks to Eutelsat's strong commercial and institutional relationships, recognized technical expertise and global geostationary fleet, and OneWeb's ability to address the multiple applications requiring low latency and ubiquity. The investment will be 100% cash financed through Eutelsat's liquidity position of 1.9bn as at end-March 20211 and the $507m US C-Band auction proceeds, and will be accounted for under the equity method. It is consistent with Eutelsat's financial hurdle rates and does not alter its financial objectives, which are fully confirmed, including the medium-term net debt / EBITDA target of c.3x and a commitment to solicited Investment Grade credit ratings. Eutelsat's policy of a stable to progressive dividend is also reiterated. Commenting on the agreement, Rodolphe Belmer, Eutelsat's Chief Executive Officer said: "We are excited to become a shareholder and partner in OneWeb in the run up to its commercial launch and to participate in the substantial opportunity represented by the non-geostationary segment within ur industry. We are confident in OneWeb's right to win thanks to its earliness to market, priority spectrum rights and evolving, scalable technology. We look forward to working alongside the UK Government, Bharti and the other shareholders to open new opportunities and market access to ensure OneWeb maximizes its potential. OneWeb will become our main growth engine outside our broadcast and broadband applications, as we continue to maximize cash-flow extraction from our highly profitable heritage business and grow our fixed broadband vertical leveraging our geostationary assets."



Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: "Today's investment is another giant leap forward for OneWeb in realising its ambition to provide global broadband connectivity around the globe. Eutelsat brings over forty years of experience in the global satellite industry and this exciting new partnership puts OneWeb on a strong commercial footing, and the UK at the forefront of the latest developments in low Earth orbit technology. This comes alongside yesterday's exciting news that a further 36 satellites were launched into space and demonstrates the momentum behind OneWeb and the promising efforts to provide connectivity to some of the world's most remote places." OneWeb Executive Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, said: "We are delighted to welcome Eutelsat into OneWeb family. As an open multi-national business, we are committed to serving the global needs of Governments, Businesses and Communities across the Globe. Together we are stronger, benefiting from the entrepreneurial energy of Bharti, extensive global outreach of UK and long-term expertise of the satellite industry at Eutelsat. OneWeb, with its innovatory approach, is poised to take a leading position in LEO broadband connectivity".

Neil Masterson, Chief Executive Officer of OneWeb added: "As OneWeb accelerates the deployment of its fleet and engages in discussions with potential customers, we welcome the powerful support of Eutelsat during the next exciting phase of our journey together, benefitting both companies equally. Eutelsat is a great partner for OneWeb thanks to our high level of complementarity in terms of technology, assets, addressable markets, geographic reach and institutional relationships". Investor presentation

Eutelsat Communications will hold a conference call on Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 at 18.30h CET / 17.30h GMT / 12.30h EST To join the call, please dial the following numbers: + 33 (0)1 76 77 25 07 (from France)

+ 44 (0)330 336 9424 (from Europe)

++1 720 543 0206 (from USA) Access code: 7026990# A live webcast will be available at: https://globalmeet.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1457661&tp_key=e289286098. A replay will be available from 27 April, 22:30 CET to 4 May, 22:30 CET by dialing the following numbers: +33 (0) 1 70 48 00 94 (from France)

+44 (0) 207 660 0134 (from Europe)

+1 719 457 0820 (from USA) Access code: 7026990# About Eutelsat Communications Founded in 1977, Eutelsat Communications is one of the world's leading satellite operators. With a global fleet of satellites and associated ground infrastructure, Eutelsat enables clients across Video, Data, Government, Fixed and Mobile Broadband markets to communicate effectively to their customers, irrespective of their location. Over 6,600 television channels operated by leading media groups are broadcast by Eutelsat to one billion viewers equipped for DTH reception or connected to terrestrial networks. Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat assembles 1,000 men and women from 46 countries who are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of service. For more about Eutelsat go to www.eutelsat.com About OneWeb OneWeb is a global communications network powered from space, headquartered in London, enabling 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. Find out more at http://www.oneweb.world 1 1.4 billion when restated for the upcoming  500 million bond maturity View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005823/en/

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Queen Letizia of Spain proved she meant business as she arrived at a work meeting in a stylish check coat and leather leggings today.

The mother-of-two, 48, looked effortlessly chic when arriving at the Royal Academy of the Language in Madrid.

Former journalist Letizia attended a discussion hosted by the FundeuRAE (Urgent Spanish Foundation), which was founded in February 2005 to help promote the proper use of Spanish in the media.

Queen Letizia of Spain proved she meant business as she arrived at a work meeting in a stylish check coat and leather leggings today (pictured)

The mother-of-two, 48, looked effortlessly chic when arriving at the Royal Academy of the Language in Madrid (pictured)

Looking typically stylish, Letizia teamed her 333 black and white coat, from Spanish brand Mirto, with an elegant white blouse.

She finished off her look with a smattering of glamorous makeup while keeping her brunette locks down.

The royal sported a face covering in keeping with Spanish safety guidelines to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Preferring understated jewellery to statement pieces, she opted for a discreet pair of studded earrings to complete her ensemble.

Former journalist Letizia (pictured right) attended a discussion hosted by the FundeuRAE (Urgent Spanish Foundation), which was founded in February 2005 to help promote the proper use of Spanish in the media

Looking typically stylish, Letizia teamed her 333 black and white coat, from Spanish brand Mirto, with an elegant white blouse

Letizia (pictured) finished off her look with a smattering of glamorous makeup while keeping her brunette locks down

The Royal Spanish Academy, also known as the RAE, was founded in 1713 and has since contributed to the expansion and conservation of the unity of the Spanish language.

The organisation dedicates itself to language planning and promoting linguistic unity within and between various territories that might use the Spanish language.

Letizia enjoyed a long career in TV and newspaper reporting before marrying her husband King Felipe, 53, in 2004.

The royal (pictured) sported a face covering in keeping with Spanish safety guidelines to stop the spread of the coronavirus

Spanish Queen Letizia, Spanish News Agency president Gabriela Canas and Royal Academy of Spanish Languages director Santiago Munoz Machado during a work meeting held at the headquarters of the Royal Academy of Spanish Language in Madrid

Preferring understated jewellery to statement pieces, the royal (pictured centre) opted for a discreet pair of studded earrings to complete her ensemble

She worked for the La Nueva Espana before moving on to the ABC, a popular national newspaper.

She then worked for the EFE news agency, a Mexican local paper Siglo 21, the Spanish version of Bloomberg, before moving to CNN+.

When she met her husband-to-be, Letizia was working for the popular TV channel 24Horas as both a breaking news reporter and anchor for their popular Telediaro 2 evening news bulletin.

She met Felipe VI at a dinner party in 2002, and the pair enjoyed an instant connection, leading to their royal wedding in May 2004.
Germany-based confectioner Katjes International has acquired a majority stake in Dulcioliva, a maker of truffles and pralines in Italy.

Katjes International struck a deal to buy 75% of Dulcioliva through its own Italian subsidiary, Sperlari. The rest of the shares will be held by Luigi Oliva, who, prior to the transaction, was the largest single shareholder in Dulcioliva and is a grandson of the companys founder.

In a statement, Katjes International said Dulcioliva has extensive manufacturing experience of chocolate specialties such as gianduotti, truffles and other pralines.

Dulcioliva has one production site located in Borgo San Dalmazzo in the Cuneo region in north-western Italy. Sperlari has four production facilities, in addition to an administrative office in Milan.

Annual net sales at Dulcioliva stand at around EUR10m and the company is "profitable", Katjes International told just-food, without providing specific figures on profits. "The majority of sales is through its own label/brand with one third going into export," the new owner added.

Tobias Bachmuller, Katjes International's managing director, said: "With this transaction, we are further expanding our strong market position in Italy. We expect synergies from the combination of the iconic confectionery brand Sperlari and the chocolate competence of Dulcioliva in the home market of Italy as well as in export [markets].

just-food has asked Katjes International for further comment.

Katjes International is one of three sister companies that form the Katjes Group, alongside Germany-centred confectioner Katjes Fassin and Katjesgreenfood, a fund that invests in up-and-coming companies.

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Sperlari is one of Katjes International's five subsidiaries, with three others in Germany and one in the Netherlands. Katjes International also has a 50% stake in UK confectioner Candy Kittens, as well as owning around 23% of French sweets business Carambar & Co.

In 2020, Katjes International generated sales of EUR218.1m (US$263.3m), up 4.1% on a year earlier. The company booked an EBITDA of EUR24.7m, which it said compared to EUR17.1m in 2019.
Prince Andrew has set up a company with a disgraced banker accused of sexual harassment.

The Duke of York has gone into business with Harry Keogh, once a star financier at the Queen's bank, Coutts, before he resigned in March 2018 following a storm over sexual harassment claims.

Mr Keogh was disciplined after accusations that he inappropriately touched young female staff, made lewd comments and was a heavy drinker.

But it seems the Duke of York has started a business venture with his long-time friend, who attended the wedding of his daughter, Eugenie, in 2018.

The Duke of York (right) has gone into business with Harry Keogh (left), once a star financier at the Queen's bank, Coutts, before he resigned in March 2018 following a storm over sexual harassment claims

The company, which was formed last June, will be a vehicle for Andrew's family investments and will have an unlimited status, which affords it a degree of privacy, The Times reported.

It is named Lincelles, after an 18th-century battle in which the Duke of York commanded the English against the French.

The business will not have to file accounts with Companies House and can avoid disclosing its profits or income.

Andrew controls 75 per cent of the firm through the Urramoor Trust. He and Mr Keogh are listed as persons with significant control over Lincelles.

Lincelles' other controller is Charles Douglas, a commercial lawyer specialising in advising offshore funds and high-net-worth individuals. Its director is Dominic Hampshire, the secretary of the QuadCentenary Club, of which the duke is chairman.

Mr Keogh is understood to have worked as the duke's 'private banker' for 20 years.

Andrew has previously faced questions over his close links to financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was accused of multiple sexual offences. He committed suicide while awaiting trial in 2019. Andrew denied the claims made against him.

Prince Andrew pictured at Windsor Castle on April 26, 2021. Andrew and Mr Keogh are listed as persons with significant control over Lincelles

Mr Keogh was given a written warning and had a bonus withheld after the allegations in 2018, but was allowed to keep his job. He eventually quit following widespread outrage that the bank had allowed him to stay.

A spokesman for Coutts' parent company, Royal Bank of Scotland, said at the time: 'Following media attention and the consequent strain placed on him and his family, Harry Keogh resigned.' It is alleged the banker's behaviour was so toxic that some female staff refused to work with him.

He is claimed to have touched the groin of a graduate trainee in her 20s in front of other employees and whispered to her as he left a company dinner that 'he'd take her with him if he could', according to notes from an internal probe seen by the Wall Street Journal.

Mr Keogh told The Times that a non-disclosure agreement with the bank meant he was unable to comment on the allegations, but he is said to have denied them and reportedly sued Coutts for unfair dismissal.

A spokesman for Andrew said: 'The Duke of York's private office established the Urramoor Trust, which owns both Lincelles Unlimited and Urramoor Ltd, a private limited company, which files public accounts. The trust, of which the Duke of York is settlor but not a beneficiary, has independent trustees. The duke is not an owner of either Lincelles or Urramoor Ltd as a matter of fact and law.'
This cheeky bit of promo inspiration from hottie Khloe reminds us that the influencers are changing the ad game and cleverly leveraging their followers by way of social media thirst traps. And all of this inspires another peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines . . .



Fleshing Out News

Our city's barbecue is sweet and spicy, but its history is slow-cooked LC's BBQ of Kansas City, MO. A pit full of meat and a line of customers. // Photo by Chase Castor The year was 1869, and hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the opening of the First Hannibal Bridge, the first permanent railroad bridge to cross the Missouri River.

Kansas Keeps Politicos

Kansas population grows 3%; state keeps 4 US House seats TOPEKA, Kan. - Kansas saw its population grow 3% from 2010 to 2020 and the state will keep its four U.S. House seats. The U.S. Census Bureau reported Monday that the state had 2,937,880 residents in its most recent, once-a-decade population count. That was 84,762 more than the 2010 census figure of 2,853,118.

Show-Me Numbers Sustained

Missouri population grows 2.8%; state keeps 8 US House seats (AP) -- Missouri will keep its eight U.S. House seats after U.S. Census Bureau data showed the state population growing slightly over the past decade. The U.S. Census Bureau reported Monday that the state had 6,154,913 residents in 2020. That was 165,986 more than the 2010 census figure of 5,988,927, or a 2.8% increase.

Hotness Always In Demand

Khloe Terae Still Getting Bikini Modeling Gigs, Pandemic Be Dammed Khloe Terae is still strutting her bikini bod, but don't panic ... she appears to be practicing some social distancing. The model threw on a tiny pink bikini Monday in Malibu to do a photoshoot for a water company.

MSM CELEBRATES PREZ BIDEN BOOM FOR STONKZ!!!

Biden's 100-day stock market performance is the hottest going back to the 1950s So far in his young presidency, President Joe Biden has been one of the best friends the stock market has ever had. Better, in fact, than any president before him going back to at least the 1950s and the Dwight Eisenhower administration, as the 46th chief executive has witnessed an unprecedented growth on Wall Street in his first 100 days in office.

Fmr. Prez Tump Flexes In Texas

Trump endorses Susan Wright in Texas special election Former President Trump Donald Trump Emmer: Vulnerable Democrats who vote to raise taxes will lose in 2022 Joe Cunningham to enter race for South Carolina governor US has started preparing to withdraw from Afghanistan, top general says MORE on Monday endorsed candidate Susan Wright in the crowded GOP primary for a special House race in Texas's 6th Congressional District.

CCW Gun Fight Coming Soon

Supreme Court to weigh concealed carry rights amid surge in gun violence, sales The justices could issue the first major Second Amendment decision in a decade. As the nation grapples with a surge in gun violence and record gun sales, the U.S. Supreme Court said Monday it would consider whether Americans have a fundamental right to carry a handgun outside the home for self-defense.

Savor Culture War Distractions

Biden's fake burger ban and the rising culture war over meat Over the weekend, Republicans accused Joe Biden of trying to ban meat. The claim, which you've heard from the likes of Donald Trump Jr. and Texas Gov. Greg Abbot, is that Biden's climate plan will prohibit Americans from chowing down on burgers in an effort to limit greenhouse gas emissions associated with industrial agriculture.

Van Follows Up?!?

Kim Kardashian and CNN reporter Van Jones at center of dating rumors Kim Kardashian and CNN reporter Van Jones are at the center of dating rumors, just two months after she filed for divorce from her estranged husband Kanye West. While the pair have been pals for years, fans speculate their friendship may have turned romantic as she during her four-year law apprenticeship with his Oakland-based nonpartisan organization, #cut50.

Local News Leader Top Pix

Nick's Picks | Mask Mandates, Vaccine Supplies and Medicaid Expansion Will mask mandates finally come to an end in Kansas City this week? On Friday, the mask mandate in Johnson County will expire. County leaders have scheduled a meeting for this Thursday to decide whether to approve a new order or simply let it lapse. All signs are they are ready to let it drop.

Salsa Scheduled

Marc Anthony bringing U.S. tour to Kansas City's T-Mobile Center this fall Marta Lavandier SOURCE: Marta Lavandier Marc Anthony is set to bring his U.S. tour to the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, this fall.The concert will take place Oct. 9. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. April 30 and will be available online.

Kansas City Heats Up

Signs of above-average warmth in Kansas City for early May by: Alex Countee Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Hopefully you were able to get out last weekend and enjoy some warmer temperatures. We had highs of 68 and 76 Saturday and Sunday, and we're already close to 80 degrees midday Monday.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now . . .
When John F. Kennedy galvanized a new generation of Americans with his inaugural address 60 years ago, he looked out at a world adjusting to new political and economic realities. The Cold War was here to stay, the brutal suppression of the Hungarian Revolution had shown that the Soviet bloc did not intend to give up a whit of control, and the humiliation of the UK and France during the Suez Crisis left America preeminent in the leadership of the Western world.

Kennedy was elected as the youngest man ever to hold the presidency; Joe Biden is the oldest. Kennedy came from preppy Massachusetts money; Biden, the hardscrabble reality of Scranton, PA. But each has taken office at a time of crisisliteral krisis, in the Greek sensefor the established order, from finance to defense via trade, culture and climate change. And Kennedy made explicit what is more or less assumed six decades on, that we are all in this together and each of us must put our shoulder to the wheel if we are to recover from the cataclysmic shocks of the pandemic.

There are those on the political left who have welcomed President Bidens election and his invocation of his New Deal as a sign that big government and federal largesse have returned to the menu; those Beltway taps are opening and will stay open for the foreseeable future. The American Rescue Plan, otherwise known as the Stimulus Package, will cost nearly $2 trillion, while the follow-up American Jobs Plan is marked to consume just shy of $2.3 trillion. These are staggering sums of public money.

Related Dambisa Moyo Discusses the Cultural Revolution Hitting Boardrooms

There is another way. As a free marketeer whose education was in the wake of Thatcherism, I tend to think that governments are almost always the most inefficient (but sometimes the only) mechanisms for achieving change, especially when it comes to spending money. And we must never forget the elemental truth that there is no such thing as public or government money: There is only money the government has taken away from taxpayers.

Story continues

We need to find a new paradigm. If government is necessary but not sufficient, then we have to find ways of involving the private sector more closely in our economic recovery, harnessing its innovation, competitive instincts and agility.

The UKs COVID-19 vaccination program has been a perfect example: The national government appointed an experienced venture capitalist, Kate Bingham, and allowed her to run the program effectively as if she were investing in startups. She was permitted to take risks, which civil servants couldnt comprehend, and she was unconcerned by a degree of duplication, understanding that the overriding priority was the swift and effective development of a vaccine. The result has been that the UK is now second only to Israel in terms of the percentage of the population which has been vaccinated.

Related The Economic Fallout of COVID-19: Could We Have Avoided This Disaster?

This sense of needing the private sector to step up into spaces which would traditionally have been occupied by the government chimes neatly with the development of a desire among shareholders that the companies in which they have invested do good and do well; merely making a profit is no longer enough to satisfy many, and the search for meaningful outcomes, especially in terms of environmental, social and governance targets, is now a critical factor.

It began in 2018, when the CEO of BlackRock, Larry Fink, wrote an open letter to his competitors and colleagues entitled, A Sense of Purpose. This encapsulated the idea that the profit motive is not enough for investors or investment managers now, and when the message came from the head of a $6 trillion fund, it created waves.

What can we do, then? One area in which Ive been very involved is the issue of green or ESG bonds. The appetite for this kind of investment has recognized three essential truths: 1) There are trillions of dollars currently earning little or no return in the global capital markets; 2) the managers of that money are desperate to increase the yield of their funds and 3) they are doubly happy if in doing so they can trumpet some kind of ESG or climate change action. If it is done right, with people who marry experience and imagination, it can be a game in which everyone wins. And the importance of taking action on climate change is becoming ever more pressing.

Related Why Bill Nye Is Excited About the Future

Corporations and entrepreneurs need also to engage much more closely with national, regional and local governments to understand how the new economy is going to work. It is not a matter of trammeling the instinct to profit off the market, simply digging a channel to supply the economic activity to where it is most needed. So, businesses must understand what the governments policy direction on, say, electric vehicles or nuclear energy or digital infrastructure is, so that the two horses, public and private, can be yoked together at the right pace.

The table has been swept clean. We have the opportunity to carve our destiny into the virgin wood of the next 10, 20, 30 years, but we need to understand who will own the chisel who will guide its path and who will supply the motive force. If we can create an atmosphere of trust, honesty and reciprocal willingness to learn new ideas, we could make the post-COVID era truly the Roaring Twenties.

Eliot Wilson is the cofounder of Pivot Point, a change management, strategy and PR consultancy based in London.

The post Ask Not What Your Country Can Do for You: Corporate Activism Post-COVID appeared first on Worth.
LEXINGTON, Ky., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV), a leading worldwide supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement with its franchisee AWC Premium Automotive Service Ltd. to acquire 16 franchise-owned Valvoline Instant Oil ChangeSM (VIOC) quick-lube service centers located in metro Dallas and east Texas. The acquisition is expected to close during the third quarter of fiscal 2021. Financial terms for the acquisition were not disclosed.

"A core element of Valvoline's business strategy is to continue to grow and strengthen our industry-leading quick-lube network through organic store expansion and high-quality acquisitions in our core and new markets," said Tony Puckett, senior vice president and president, Valvoline Quick Lubes. "Bill Cavalle, owner of AWC Premium Automotive Service Ltd., has been instrumental in establishing the Valvoline brand as a trusted name in service for customers in the greater Dallas area. We thank Bill for entrusting the future of his employees and business to us and look forward to welcoming these16 service centers into our rapidly-growing Company-owned network in Texas."

"When I made the decision to retire after nearly 20 years as a VIOC franchisee, my priority was the future professional opportunities of my employees," said Bill Cavalle, owner of AWC Premium Automotive Service Ltd. "I have peace of mind knowing they will be in the best hands possible. I look forward to watching their journey as they become Company-store team members. Valvoline has been a tremendous business partner."

About Valvoline

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) is a leading worldwide marketer and supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, with sales in more than 140 countries. Established in 1866, the Company's heritage spans more than 150 years, during which time it has developed powerful brand recognition across multiple product and service channels. Valvoline ranks as the No. 3 passenger car motor oil brand in the DIY market by volume. It operates and franchises more than 1,500 quick-lube locations , and it is the No. 2 chain by number of stores in the United States under the Valvoline Instant Oil ChangeSM brand and the No. 3 chain by number of stores in Canada under the Valvoline Great Canadian Oil Change brand. It also markets Valvoline lubricants and automotive chemicals, including Valvoline EV Performance Fluids; Valvoline Hybrid Vehicle Full Synthetic motor oil; Valvoline High Mileage with MaxLife technology motor oil for engines over 75,000 miles; Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic motor oil; Valvoline Premium BlueTM heavy-duty motor oil; Valvoline Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid; and ZerexTM antifreeze. To learn more, visit www.valvoline.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, including estimates, projections, statements related to Valvoline's business plans and operating results are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Valvoline has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "estimates," "is likely," "predicts," "projects," "forecasts," "may," "will," "should" and "intends" and the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are based on Valvoline's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions as of the date such statements are made and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of Valvoline's most recently filed periodic reports on Forms 10-K and Forms 10-Q, which are available on Valvoline's website at http://investors.valvoline.com/sec-filings or on the SEC's website at http://sec.gov. Valvoline assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future.

TM Trademark, Valvoline or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries

SM Service mark, Valvoline or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Sean T. Cornett

Sr. Director, Investor Relations

+1.859.357.2798

[email protected]

Michele Gaither Sparks

Sr. Director, Corporate Communications

+1.859.230.8079

[email protected]

SOURCE Valvoline Inc.

Related Links

http://www.valvoline.com


A file photo of a party.Students from Whitley Bay High School, Newcastle, celebrate before leaving for their high school prom, following graduation from A levels. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis/ Louis Quail via Getty Images

A man who tried to flee police during a raid at an illegal party impaled himself with a spear.

The man tried to hop over a gate when the metal railing pierced his arm, according to Brazilian newspaper Globo.

The party had around 300 people in attendance, violating Brazil's COVID-19 orders.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

A 21-year-old man trying to escape a police raid at a huge illegal party in Brazil that violated COVID-19 restrictions impaled himself on a metal spear, according to a Brazilian newspaper.

Police on Saturday busted the secret party at a farm in Palmas, the capital city of the state of Tocantins, with about 300 people in attendance. Globo reported while attempting to escape the police, the man jumped over a gate when the metal rod pierced his arm.

The outlet published an image of the man with the spear in his arm. He was saved by the local fire department and transported to the hospital to remove the rest of the spear out of his arm, according to the report.

Two people responsible for the event, the owner and organizer, were charged for failing to comply with COVID-19 orders, Globo reported. Police also shut down another party the same night with 1,200 people on the scene.

Brazil is currently facing an uptick of COVID-19 cases and deaths since the start of the pandemic amid the spread of a more contagious variant. Hospitals in the country are filling up, especially with patients under 40 years old.

Despite the rise in cases, defiant partygoers across the country have made headlines in recent months. Police last month interrupted a party with nearly 600 attendees in Sao Paulo by breaking down the door of a nightclub while armed with axes and assault rifles, Reuters reported.

City officials have ratcheted up their response to the gatherings, but President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly dismissed lockdown measures since the onset of the pandemic last year.

As of April 27, Brazil is behind the US and India as one of the hubs of COVID. According to John Hopkins University data, Brazil has reported more than 14 million cases and 391, 936 deaths.

Read the original article on Insider
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / Corporate Universe, Inc. (the "Company"), (OTC:COUV) announced today that it has successfully completed its 2 years audited financials and filed a Form 10 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. https://www.otcmarkets.com/filing/html?id=14894162&guid=iORnUF9quV9wqth

In regard to the proposed and pending acquisition with Carbon-Ion Energy Inc ("CIE"), the parties continue working together and are committed to completing the merger, in order to keep the business development on track Corporate Universe has advanced CIE a total of $1,500,000 to date for this purpose. While there can be no assurance the SEC accepts the Form 10, the company is confident and hopeful to complete the acquisition upon acceptance of the Form 10 and other common closing conditions.

As a further forward-looking statement, the company upon Form 10 acceptance will be working to have a Registered Brokerage file a new 15c211 form to regain trading status. The Company will make every effort to accomplish this in an expeditious manner, however there can be no assurance it will be successful in these efforts. The company is committed to preserving and developing shareholder value and will expend its best efforts doing so.

We will continue to update shareholders through this process. Please email your questions to info@corpuniverse.com and we will try to include a response, in our next press release.

About Carbon-Ion Energy

Carbon-Ion Energy has developed a new category of energy storage device called Carbon-Ion or C-Ion. This game-changing technology charges 50 times faster than lithium-ion batteries, radically improves the performance of supercapacitors by using high surface area carbons and ionic electrolytes, allows for over 100,000 charge/discharge cycles, provides high power density, is environmentally safe, and is recyclable. With over 30 patents and a decade of research and development, the company is rapidly moving to commercialization. For more information, please visit www.carbon-ion.energy.

About Corporate Universe:

Corporate Universe Inc is a publicly traded diversified company with a focus on emerging business development to create value for our shareholders. Corporate Universe provides the environment for business growth and stability. For further information see www.corpuniverse.com

Safe Harbor Statement

Information in this news release may contain statements about future expectations, plans, prospects or performance of Corporate Universe, Inc. that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor Provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words or phrases "can be," "expects," "may affect," "believed," "estimate," "project," and similar words and phrases are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Corporate Universe, Inc. cautions you that any forward-looking information provided by or on behalf of Corporate Universe, Inc. is not a guarantee of future performance. None of the information in this press release constitutes or is intended as an offer to sell securities or investment advice of any kind. Corporate Universe, Inc.'s actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, some of which are beyond Corporate Universe, Inc.'s control. In addition to those discussed in Corporate Universe, Inc.'s press releases, public filings, and statements by Corporate Universe, Inc.'s management, including, but not limited to, Corporate Universe, Inc.'s estimate of the sufficiency of its existing capital resources, Corporate Universe, Inc.'s ability to raise additional capital to fund future operations, Corporate Universe, Inc.'s ability to repay its existing indebtedness, the uncertainties involved in estimating market opportunities and, in identifying contracts which match Corporate Universe, Inc.'s capability to be awarded contracts. All such forward-looking statements are current only as of the date on which such statements were made. Corporate Universe, Inc. does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which any such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contact:

Corporate Universe Inc.

info@corpuniverse.com

1-302-273-1150

SOURCE: Corporate Universe, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642545/Corporate-Universe-Files-Form-10-Advances-Acquisition-with-Carbon-Ion
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg during a press conference in the Main Committee Room at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on July 23, 2020. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Big Business, Unions Call for Childcare Reform to Bring Women Back to Work

Big business and the unions are looking for Treasurer Josh Frydenbergs May 11 budget to get women back to work by revamping the childcare and paid parental leave systems.

Jennifer Westacott, the chief executive of the Business Council of Australia (BCA), argues that Australias population is growing at its lowest rate since World War I and that it is critical to lift female participation in workplace.

Our child care and paid parental leave systems are a barrier to women who want to get back into work and they dont work for modern families, Westacott said, noting that the Productivity Commission found over 90,000 people nationwide didnt work last year, the main reason being the high cost of child care.

The BCA is asking the federal government to increase the child care subsidy from 85 to 95 percent for lower-income households, tapering off for families with an income of over $80,000, and a more flexible parental leave system that encourages equal sharing of caring responsibilities between both parents.

The current system encourages one parent, almost always mum, to take the lions share of time away from work, Westacott said. Under our scheme, families would get to choose how they divide their leave based on what works best for them.

The federal opposition has said it had a similar plan as the BCA with the same goal.

To remove some of the barriers that exist for women to work the fourth or fifth day in the week, Amanda Rishworth, Labors early education spokeswoman said. It is critical for economic growth to unleash this really important workforce, our womens workforce, and to do that we need to support them when it comes to child care.

Jay Weatherill, the former South Australian premier said the reform of child care and early learning system needs to be addressed in the upcoming budget.

In modern day Australia it takes two incomes for most families to buy a house, but it takes affordable child care to earn two incomes, Weatherill said.

Unions are asking for free universal child care, a plan of 26-week paid parental leave, 10 days paid domestic violence leave, and wage equality for women.

Many of us are wondering whether we have witnessed a genuinely transformative moment for women over the last few months or whether once the headlines die down, so will any commitment to real change, said Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele ONeil, who will launch a series of budget measures suggestion later in the week.

The 2021 budget will give us this answer, she said.

AAP contributed to this report.
The Azerbaijani military has not allowed Armenian pilgrims to visit Dadivank and perform the previously agreed ceremony of ordination to the priesthood, Ter Atanas Abehan, who was supposed to take part in the ceremony in Dadivank, which took place later in Gandzasar, told NEWS.am.

Several weeks ago, we informed the Azerbaijanis about this through the Russian peacekeeping forces, and they agreed. Dadivank was supposed to be visited by 25 pilgrims, but last week we learned that the number of pilgrims had dropped to 15, and the day before the incident - to 10. On April 25, we went to Dadivank

Through Russian peacekeepers, we were informed that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were not allowed to visit Dadivank. If they attach importance to the pandemic, then they should have been wearing masks. In other words, artificial arguments were presented. The command of the peacekeeping forces also tried to talk and resolve the issue, but to no avail," he noted.

"Now I was supposed to be in Dadivank, but, I am in Gandzasar. The situation is still uncertain. On Sunday, you should try to visit Dadivank again," he added.
STOCKHOLM, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SciBase Holding AB ("SciBase") [STO:SCIB], a leading developer of augmented intelligence-based solutions for skin disorders, announced today that the Nominating Committee proposes the election of Dr. Matt Leavitt as a new Board member to the 2021 Annual General Meeting.

The nominating committee, consisting of Christer Jonsson (appointed by FourierTransorm), Iraj Arastoupour, Peter Elmvik and Tord Lendau Chairman of the Board, hereby proposes the election of Dr. Matt Leavitt as a new member of the Board to the 2021 AGM.

Dr. Leavitt, Executive Chairman, former CEO and Founder of Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery (ADCS) is a board-certified Dermatologist and hair restoration/hair loss specialist. He is recognized both nationally and internationally as an accomplished physician, surgeon, educator, clinical researcher, lecturer, author and humanitarian.

With his clinical background and unique commercial experience in building the US's largest Dermatology practice group, the Nominating Committee believes that Dr Leavitt can play a central role in guiding the strategy of SciBase in the US. SciBase's current US focus is on securing coverage from payors and marketing to Dermatology practice groups; both areas where the Nominating Committee also sees Matt's knowledge and experience as being of great benefit to SciBase.

The Nominating Committee has previously proposed the re-election of all current board members, with the exception of Barbro Friden, who has declined re-election.

More information on Dr. Matt Leavitt can be found here: https://www.advancedderm.com/about-us/news/dr-matt-leavitt-profiled-in-orlando-business-journal or here https://www.advancedderm.com/about-us/leadership/dr-matt-leavitt .

For more information please contact:

Tord Lendau

Chairman of the Board

Tel: +46 708 10 01 67

Email: tordlendau@hotmail.com

Certified Advisor:

Avanza

Tel: +46 8 409 421 20

Email: ca@avanza.se

The information was submitted, through the agency of the contact person set out above, for publication at the time stated by Scibase's news distributor Cision upon publication of this press release.

About SciBase and Nevisense

SciBase AB is a global medical technology company based in Stockholm, Sweden that develops unique point-of-care devices for the evaluation of skin disorders such as skin cancer and atopic dermatitis. SciBase's first product, Nevisense, helps clinicians detect melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Further development has led to Nevisense also being used as a tool to assess the skin barrier and non-melanoma skin cancer. Nevisense is based on substantial research and has achieved excellent results in the largest clinical study ever conducted on the detection of malignant melanoma. Nevisense is CE marked in Europe, has TGA approval in Australia and an FDA approval (PMA) in the United States. SciBase technology is based Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms that interpret the varying electrical properties of human tissue to detect malignancies and abnormalities. SciBase Holding AB is listed on First North Growth Market ("SCIB"). Further information is available at www.scibase.com.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/scibase/r/scibase-nominating-committee-proposes-the-election-of-dr-matt-leavitt-as-a-new-board-member,c3333753

The following files are available for download:
Dr YK Pang, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), welcomes the agreement between the Governments of the Hong Kong SAR and Singapore on relaunching the bilateral Hong Kong-Singapore Air Travel Bubble (ATB).

Dr Pang said, Relaunching the Air Travel Bubble with Singapore is the first step in Hong Kongs resumption of international travel, and a milestone for preparing the city for gradually welcoming more visitors back. We expect that travellers at the early stage of the launch of the ATB are those who travel for family visits or other essential reasons, and leisure travellers will return successively.

Meanwhile, the HKTB will continue to work with the tourism-related sectors in enhancing Hong Kong overall anti-epidemic measures in the city, including a standardised hygiene protocol launched last year for hotels, restaurants, transportation, shopping malls, tour operators and other tourism-related sectors, establishing a healthy and safe tourism image for Hong Kong.

Members of the media can download this press release from the HKTB website:

https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/hktb/newsroom/press-releases.html

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005297/en/
How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell, an artist and writer based in northern California (the center of the American tech industry), is a book I found myself reading slowly, doling it out, because it presented so much food for thought. This is a very good read if you, like me, worry about the ways that life online, as valuable as it is in many respects, can erode our presence in the physical world, and our ability to concentrate. I should state straight out that Odell is not anti-technology, but believes in using it consciously and well. Her book is a useful text for all who are engaged in the deep, slow work of making art in the shallow, fast world that Silicon Valley is busy creating.

Here's a passage from Odell's introduction that will give you a taste of what's inside:

"We know that we live in complex times that demand complex thoughts and conversations -- and those, in turn, demand the very time and space that is nowhere to be found. The convenience of limitless connectivity has neatly paved over the the nuances of in-person conversation, cutting away so much information and context in the process. In the endless cycle where communication is stunted and time is money, there are few moments to slip away and fewer ways to find each other. "Given how poorly art survives in a system that values only the bottom line, the stakes are cultural as well. What the tastes of neoliberal techno manifest-destiny and the culture of Trump have in common is impatience with anything nuanced, poetric, or less-than-obvious. Such 'nothings' cannot be tolerated because they cannot be used or appropriated, and provide no deliverables."

Odell writes that her book is "a field guide to doing nothing as an act of political resistance to the attention economy": to social media, apps, and other technological tools that are increasing co-opting our time, our focus, and our lives.

"A simple refusal motivates my argument: refusal to believe that the present time and place, and the people who are here with us, are not enough. Platforms such as Facebook and Instagram act like dams that capitalize on our natural interest in others and an ageless need for community, hijacking and frustrating our most innate desires, and profiting from them. Solitude, observation, and simple conviviality should be recognized not only as an ends in and of themselves, but inalienable rights belonging to everyone lucky enough to be alive.

She's not suggesting that we banish the Internet from our lives altogether. Nor does she endorse the notion that merely taking periodic "offline Retreats" (which is one of my own practices) is an adequate means of addressing the myriad ways the attention economy is re-shaping societal norms. When "doing something," in a hyper-capitalist culture, means "doing something productive" (ie, making money) -- as opposed to the things we do in the private parts of our lives that cannot or should not be marketized -- then re-framing the idea of what "productivity" means is a radical act.

"The fact that the 'nothing' that I propose is only nothing from the point of view of capitalist productivity explains the irony that a book called How to Do Nothing is in some ways also a plan of action. I want to trace a series of movements: 1.) a dropping out, not dissimilar from the 'dropping out' of the 1960s; 2.) a lateral movement outward to things and people that are around us; and 3.) a movement downwards into place. Unless we are vigilant, the current design of much of our technology will block us every step of the way, deliberately creating false targets for self-reflection, curiousity, and a desire to belong to a community. When people long for some kind of escape, it's worth asking: What would 'back to the land' mean if we understood the land to be where we are right now? Could 'augmented reality' simply mean putting your phone down? And what (or who) is that sitting in front of you when you finally do so?"

Later in the introduction she notes:

"The point of doing nothing, as I define it, isn't to return to work refreshed and ready to be more productive, but rather to question what we currently perceive as productive. My argument is obviously anticapitalist, especially concerning technologies that encourage a capitalist perception of time, place, self, and community. It is also environmental and historical: I propose the rerouting and deepening one's attention to place will likely lead to awareness of one's participation in history and in a more-than-human community. From either a social or ecological perspective, the ultimate goal of 'doing nothing' is to wrest our focus from the attention economy and replant it in the public, physical realm. "I am not anti-technology. After all, there are forms of technology -- from tools that let us observe the natural world to decentralized, noncommercial social networks -- that might situation us more fully in the present. Rather, I'm opposed to the way that corporate platforms buy and sell our attention, as well as to designs and uses of technology that enshrine a narrow definition of productivity and ignore the local, the carnal, and the poetic. I am concerned about the effects of current social media on expression -- including the right not to express oneself -- and its deliberately addictive features. But the villain here is not necessarily the Internet, or even the idea of social media; it is the invasive logic of commercial social media and its financial incentive to keep us in a profitable state of anxiety, envy, and distraction. It is furthermore the cult of of individuality and personal branding that grow out of such platforms and the way we think about our onlines selves and the places where we actually live."

It's a fascinating book, yet not a prescriptive one. Each of us must determine for ourselves how phones and apps and Twitter and Facebook can best be used (or not used) in our lives. But what Odell has done -- for this reader, at least -- is to reframe the debate on the subject: widening its context and acknowledging its complexity. I'm still thinking about the questions she poses, and my relationship to the attention economy has changed for the better since reading this provocative book.

The passages above are from How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell (Melville House, 2019). The poem in the picture captions first appeared in Tin House (Winter, 2018). All rights reserved by the authors.




Haiti - News : Zapping...





Meeting between Justice and CEP

Rockefeller Vincent, Minister of Justice, on Monday with Mathias Pierre, Minister Delegate in charge of Electoral Questions, the DG of the PNH with whom he had a working meeting with the Members of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) on the National Plan of Security in the run-up to elections.



Cooperation of diplomatic academies Spain-Haiti

Dr. Glodel Mezilas and Dr. Jean Robert J.B. Charles met with the Director of the Diplomatic School of Madrid, Ambassador Alberto Anton Cortes, on cooperation between the Diplomatic Academies of the two countries.



Reaction to the position of the 68 members of the United States Congress

"The Position of the 68 members of the American Congress https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33583-haiti-usa-68-members-of-the-us-congress-warn-the-biden-administration.html represents a step in the right direction. Jovenel Moise is an obstacle to the resolution of the Political Crisis. The position of the Democratic and Popular Sector remains unchanged: Neither negotiation, nor cohabitation with Jovenel Moise," Me Andre Michel



Intellectual Property Week

Launch, yesterday Monday, of the 8th edition of the week of intellectual property around the theme: "a protected work is an age of economic success". This week is an initiative of the Haitian Copyright Office (BHDA).



OECC carried out 73 projects

Led by the Taiwanese firm in Haiti OECC, the infrastructure construction projects, aimed at supporting Haitian development, have carried out more than 73 projects using Taiwan's construction techniques.



Me Wando Saint-Villier new Representative at the CSPJ

Last week the Courts of First Instance (TPI) elected Me Wando Saint-Villier (124 votes in favor) as the new Representative at the Superior Council of the Judiciary. The dean of the civil court of Port-au-Prince, Me Bernard Sainvil, also a candidate, obtained 79 votes and Loubens Elizee 1 vote.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















HOLLYWOOD, Calif.Adult industry consultant Amberly Rothfield is set to speak at an upcoming Sex Work Is Work decriminalization rally this Sunday, May 2, at 3 p.m. ET in New York City's Tompkins Square Park.

The rally is a joint effort by the Adult Performance Artists Guild (APAG) and Eliza Orlins' campaign for Manhattan District Attorney. Amberly will be joining APAG officials Alana Evans and Kelly Pierce as speakers at the event. More information about the rally can be found at Mobilize.us.

I am beyond honored to be a part of this movement, Rothfield said. Decriminalization is a very important step towards ending discrimination against the adult industry. Sex work is work and should be recognized and protected as such.

Orlins commented, "I have been fighting to decriminalize sex work in New Yorkand across the countryfor as long as I've been a public defender. Our work as a movement is finally paying off, with big steps being made on legislative and executive levels across America, but we still have a long way to go to ensure that every worker is free from violence and punishment from the criminal legal system and society as a whole. I'm so glad to be joined by the Adult Performance Artists Guild, sex workers, and activists for a Sex Work Is Work rally this Sunday to show our cityand the worldthat Manhattan remains the centerpoint of progress and opportunity for all."
India is staring at the murkiest phase of the Covid-19 crisis; fresh infections have crossed 3 lakh for the sixth straight day; the countrys medical infrastructure has (nearly) collapsed; hospital beds, oxygen supply, Covid fighting drugs are scarce; and the social media is full of cries for help.



Representational Image/AP

ALSO READ: Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai Extend Support To Help India In Covid-19 Crisis

People across the globe are lending India a hand in its fight against the pandemic. And the latest among them is Apple CEO Tim Cook, who pledged support by donations and assistance in relief efforts on the ground.

Amid a devastating rise of COVID cases in India, our thoughts are with the medical workers, our Apple family and everyone there who is fighting through this awful stage of the pandemic. Apple will be donating to support and relief efforts on the ground.  Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 26, 2021

The announcement from the tech giant comes a day after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google's Sundar Pichai, both Indian-Americans, promised assistance to India.

The Microsoft CEO said that he was "heartbroken" to see the current Covid-19 situation in India and assured resources to aid relief efforts and support the purchase of critical oxygen concentration devices.

I am heartbroken by the current situation in India. Im grateful the U.S. government is mobilizing to help. Microsoft will continue to use its voice, resources, and technology to aid relief efforts, and support the purchase of critical oxygen concentration devices.  Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) April 26, 2021

Google's Sundar Pichai said the company and its employees are donating 135 crore to non-profit GiveIndia and UNICEF for purchase of critical medical care equipment.

Devastated to see the worsening Covid crisis in India. Google & Googlers are providing Rs 135 Crore in funding to @GiveIndia, @UNICEF for medical supplies, orgs supporting high-risk communities, and grants to help spread critical information.https://t.co/OHJ79iEzZH  Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) April 26, 2021

Meanwhile, in a show of solidarity, CEOs of 40 top American companies have come together to create a global task force and mobilise resources to India. Deloitte CEO Puneet Renjen said that the collective initiative committed to provide 20,000 oxygen concentrators to India in the next few weeks.

Reuters

Other internet companies, too, have offered support.

Indias leading smartphone maker Xiaomi announced that the company will be donating over 3 crore to procure 1000+ oxygen concentrators in India.

Dear All,



Given the rising #Oxygen requirement due to #Covid19, we at @XiaomiIndia, are pledging 3 Cr. to procure 1000+ oxygen concentrators for hospitals across states.



Also partnering with @GiveIndia to raise 1 Cr. for #COVIDwarriors. #IndiaFightsCorona #TogetherWeCan pic.twitter.com/kghiqVPCT5  Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) April 22, 2021

The Paytm Foundation looks to raise 10 crore and Zomatos not-for-profit arm Feeding India 50 crore through donations to source oxygen concentrators.

Thank you India 

We have collected 1 crore & adding our 1 makes it 2 crore worth of oxygen concentrators.

We are upping it to 10 crore now !

Pls donate on : https://t.co/oBuURdSDYH .

I am sure we can make it possible and we will match  to  for all contribution https://t.co/T9Cl8TsUR9  Vijay Shekhar Sharma (@vijayshekhar) April 26, 2021

We have already kickstarted the effort, and now need your help to raise 50 crores for @FeedingIndia in the next few days (hours?) to save hundreds of thousands of lives. If we raise more, we will get more oxygen.



Domestic donors go here  https://t.co/mFrGvIoj0l  Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) April 25, 2021

Meanwhile, CRED CEO Kunal Shah has partnered with healthcare fundraising platform Milaap to procure 1 billion liters of oxygen.

Update: CRED members can now donate CRED coins towards buying oxygen concentrators for hospitals, healthcare orgs across India. With a goal of 1 billion litres, weve partnered with Milaap to ensure contributions reach hospitals in need.  Kunal Shah (@kunalb11) April 26, 2021

Ehtereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin also shared a proof of transfer of 100 ETH and 100 MKR, worth over $600,000 (roughly 4.5 crore), into a Covid-19 relief fund in India.
IF YOU need evidence that the Democratic administration in Washington is hostile to the Granite State, look no further than its disposition toward our states lawsuit against Massachusetts over the Bay States bad faith policy of imposing its income tax on New Hampshire telecommuters who bot
Washington  Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has launched an internal investigation to address the threat of domestic violent extremism within the department, according to a memo to employees obtained by CBS News.

In the message to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees on Monday, the secretary wrote that "recent events, including the January 6th attacks on the U.S. Capitol, have highlighted that domestic violent extremism poses the most lethal and persistent terrorism-related threat to our country today." Mayorkas called rooting out domestic violent extremism an "urgent priority of the Biden-Harris Administration and of this Department."

The secretary has instructed a cross-agency, internal working group to complete a "comprehensive review of how to best prevent, detect, and respond to threats related to domestic violent extremism within DHS," led by chief security officer Richard McComb, according to DHS.

"Violent extremism has no place at DHS and we will work with urgency and focus to address it," Mayorkas wrote in his message to employees.

"Just announcing it sends a very important signal, not only to the DHS workforce, but to the broader community that DHS does not just have a mission to domestic extremism outwardly," retired U.S. Marine colonel Dave Lapan, who served as DHS press secretary during the Trump administration, told CBS News. "It's also making sure that it's own house is in order."

Lapan compared the internal review to the service-wide, 60-day "stand down" within the U.S. military, ordered in February by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

"It is similar to the DOD," Lapan said. "A significant portion of DHS is law enforcement agencies and we know that extremists groups try to recruit from both law enforcement and the military. It makes sense that DHS would also take that internal look."

Story continues

Earlier this month, Austin also established a working group centered on extremism in the ranks. CBS News has reported at least 42 current or former military members have been arrested in relation to the attack on the Capitol on January 6.

Elizabeth Neumann, the former assistant secretary of counterterrorism and threat prevention for DHS, told CBS News that as the third-largest government agency, DHS is "statistically" at risk of harboring individuals with extremist viewpoints. "It's a 240,000 person organization," Neumann said of DHS. "Statistically speaking, there are going to be people that hold viewpoints that might be extremist and might also make them vulnerable to being recruited by extremists. Of course, holding these viewpoints is not illegal," she added. "But you give up certain rights when you swear an oath and become a government employee."

Thomas Warrick, former DHS deputy assistant secretary for counterterrorism policy, said the department possesses "special challenges" addressing white supremacism. "Unlike the Department of Defense, where the culture is built around the chain of command, DHS is largely federated, with components that historically have a great deal of day-to-day autonomy." The former DHS senior official said that even a small number of "problematic officers" can be "corrosive" to the institution at large.

The internal probe follows the arrest of a former Coast Guard lieutenant, Christopher Hasson, who in February 2019 was accused of compiling a hit list of Democratic politicians and media personalities. Hasson, who described himself as a "long time White Nationalist" in emails obtained by prosecutors was later sentenced to more than 13 years in prison after agents found seven rifles, two shotguns, four pistols, two revolvers, an assembled firearm silencer, a disassembled firearm silencer, magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition at his home.

The revelation of such profound extremism inside the U.S. Coast Guard, which sits under the purview of DHS, helped spur a September 2019 strategy bulletin issued by then-acting DHS Secretary Kevin McAleenan. The department called for the prevention of insider threats as a "priority action," in its report, noting, "criminal and terrorist networks recruit and coerce corrupt or vulnerable personnel employed by government and transportation stakeholders."

The report continued, "These individuals possess insider privileges and knowledge that can facilitate, on behalf of the hostile organization, intelligence-gathering and counter-surveillance activities; theft; smuggling; tampering with or sabotaging security systems and devices; and, in some cases, terrorist attacks."

But earlier in April 2019, DHS acknowledged key changes in its intelligence gathering, admitting that it "restructured" the team that once fed information about domestic terrorism and white supremacist groups to local police departments. Former DHS officials told CBS News at the time that the unit responsible for tracking homegrown terrorism was "gutted" at the worst possible moment  just as domestic threats and white supremacist groups had begun to spike.

"This is not brand new," said Neumann, who served at the Department of Homeland Security from 2017 to April 2020, on Monday. "For two years, we'd had conversations in the department about how to do this better." But the former DHS official commended Secretary Mayorkas for clearly communicating the investigation into domestic violent extremism as a "priority" within a behemoth of an agency also responsible for tackling issues of immigration, cybersecurity and disaster response.

McComb will work in close coordination with Homeland Security's Privacy Office and Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, among others, according to a DHS official. The panel of senior DHS personnel is expected to submit a report with recommendations to the Secretary, though the timeline remains unclear.

Notably absent from the review is the Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General. A recent preliminary review by the Government Accountability Office found DHS' top watchdog plagued by chronic professional misconduct and longstanding dysfunction within its ranks.

The announcement comes just before President Biden's Wednesday address to a joint session of Congress, which is deemed a National Special Security Event (NSSE) by U.S. Secret Service. DHS' assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention John Cohen is also slated to testify on Capitol Hill, on Thursday on racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism.

Over the weekend, the Department of Homeland Security quietly extended its National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) bulletin warning the public of a "heightened threat environment" across the United States. The first wholly domestic terrorism bulletin issued following the presidential inauguration and violent assault on the U.S. Capitol was set to expire at the end of April, but was pushed back by the secretary to May 15, 2021, granting officials two extra weeks to reassess the current threat environment.

Jeff Pegues and Eleanor Watson contributed to this report.

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(Newser)  Reality Winner, who's been behind bars for nearly four years, is set to be released from prison at the end of November, with a chance she could be sent to a halfway house before that. But the 29-year-old Air Force veteranwho leaked a classified National Security Agency report about Russian interference in the 2016 election to the mediastill has a big question for the current administration. Last week she was able to ask it, thanks to her mother passing it along to Hunter Walker, a reporter for the political newsletter The Uprising. Walker posed the question to White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Friday: "Under the previous administration, I received more time than an actual Russian spy. Is the Biden administration interested in correcting this glaring discrepancy in judicial outcomes?"

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Winner's query referenced Maria Butina, the Russian agent who was sent to prison for a comparatively more lenient 18 months. Walker says Psaki "declined to comment," and that she also wouldn't remark on whether Biden was mulling over Winner's clemency request. "I hope some of my former colleagues in the White House press corps will also keep asking [these] questions," he posted on Monday. As for Winner's mom, Billie Winner-Davis, who's been a vocal advocate for her daughter, she made her own plea on Twitter. "She gave us the truth about Russian attacks on our voting systems in 2016 when the administration was lying to us," Winner-Davis tweeted on Sunday of her daughter. "She is one of the reasons our 2020 vote was safe. It's time to #FreeRealityWinner." (Winner's five-year sentence is the longest ever over a media leak.)
MIAMI, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Insightec, a global healthcare company focused on creating the next generation of patient care, announced today that Aetna is the first national payor to cover MR-guided Focused Ultrasound for treating medication-refractory Essential Tremor.

"This is a huge step in expanding patient access to non-Medicare patients," said Dee Kolanek, Insightec Vice President of Reimbursement. "We applaud leading insurers like Aetna for their decision to cover this outpatient treatment for patients suffering from Essential Tremor."

Essential Tremor, a movement disorder that causes uncontrollable shaking, affects an estimated ten million Americans. Many patients do not get satisfactory relief from available medications, causing them to withdraw from personal, professional, and social interactions. Focused ultrasound is performed in a single, outpatient procedure with many patients showing immediate improvement of tremor in the treated hand with minimal complications.

"Focused Ultrasound technology has come a long way since the initial Essential Tremor pilot trial," said Dr. Jeffrey Elias, the Director of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at the University of Virginia. "Today, the clinical community is able to provide strong real-world evidence in support of coverage decisions."

"Developing amazing technology is just the beginning  patient access is critical," commented Maurice R. Ferre MD, INSIGHTEC'S CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors. "We continue to focus on helping transform the lives of millions of people by giving them back their ability to live independently, return to work, and improve their mental and physical health."

There are currently more than 60 Treatment Centers around the world using Insightec's Exablate Neuro platform to treat Essential Tremor patients on a regular basis. Focused ultrasound treatment for medication-refractory Essential Tremor is covered under Medicare in all 50 states and is a covered benefit under 30 independent Blue Cross Blue Shield Association plans and nine private payors.

About Insightec

Insightec is a global healthcare company creating the next generation of patient care by realizing the therapeutic power of acoustic energy. The company's Exablate Neuro platform focuses sound waves, safely guided by MRI, to provide tremor treatment to patients with Essential Tremor and Tremor-dominant Parkinson's Disease. Research for future applications in the neuroscience space is underway in partnership with leading academic and medical institutions. Insightec is headquartered in Haifa, Israel, and Miami, with offices in Dallas, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter or visit www.insightec.com for more information.

Forward-looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, plans, expectations, and future events. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the following words: "may," "can," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "promise," "continue," "ongoing," or the negative of these terms. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by the statements. Any forward-looking statement is based on information available to Insightec as of the date of the statement. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Insightec are qualified by this caution. Insightec does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in circumstances or in Insightec's expectations.

"Exablate," and "Exablate Neuro," as well as the "INSIGHTEC" logo, whether standing alone or in connection with the word " Insightec", are protected trademarks of Insightec.

Insightec Media Contact

G&S Business Communications for Insightec

Elizabeth Mannheimer

+1 917.595.3034

[email protected]

SOURCE INSIGHTEC
NEW YORK (AP)  After a year of being stuck in sweatpants, pajamas and fuzzy slippers, Americans are starting to dress up and go out again.

Levi Strauss is seeing a resurgence in denim while demand for dresses at Macy's, Anthropologie and Nordstrom is going up as proms and weddings resume. And teen retailer American Eagle Outfitters said sales are rising due to pent-up demand for its fashions.

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During the three months ended February, market research firm NPD Group said jeans and casual pants began to cut their previous declines by more than half, indicating consumers are gearing up to spend more time out of the home. And more than half of U.S. consumers plan to buy clothing in the coming months, catapulting it back to the top category of anticipated spending, followed by footwear and beauty products, according to NPDs consumer survey.

My plan is to dress up and enjoy the things in my wardrobe, said Beth Embrescia, 51, an executive fundraiser who for the last year paired dressy tops with sweatpants and Birkenstocks for work Zoom calls but recently bought collared shirts and loafers with a wedge heel while on a recent vacation in Florida. I will not be going out to dinner in joggers.

Such signs of renewed interest offer a much-needed boost for clothing sales, which have been in the dumps for a year. They also serve as hopeful indications of a strong economic recovery as Americans show more willingness to travel and dine out as President Joe Bidens vaccination plan proceeds ahead of schedule.

Major transactions at full service restaurants rose more than twofold this March compared to year ago, though down 25% compared to two years ago, according to NPD. Hotels are making a comeback too, with demand during the week ended April 11 surging more than fourfold compared with a year ago and up 10.9% compared with the same week in 2019, according to Koddi, an advertising technology company.

Through the first 20 days in April, the Transportation Security Administration screened an average of 1.4 million people per day, a significant climb from a year ago when the number was just under 99,000 a day. But travel is still off from 2019, which averaged more than 2.3 million people a day over a comparable period.

The data on clothing sales is preliminary, and retailers and designers are still trying to figure out how a year of being homebound will change the way people think about dressing up. Casual wear was already strong before COVID-19, and many experts believe the pandemic only accelerated the trend.

A year ago, Los Angeles-based fashion designer Kevan Hall quickly moved away from his trademark gowns and cocktail dresses to caftans, tunics and pull-on pants. Now Hall is adding back some dressier looks, but hes eliminating the full skirts and scaling back the beading in favor of simple gowns and dresses in knit and tulle fabrics.

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I dont know whether women will ever want to go back to being with so much structure, said Hall, who has been getting calls from clients and stores in recent weeks asking for dressed-up looks. I think people are going to lean into comfort even more  even when they are getting dressed for evening or galas.

Retail executives are also looking at how business attire will change. While some corporations are starting to re-open their offices, many are extending work-from-home indefinitely or moving to a hybrid model, eliminating the need for office wear five days a week.

At the onset of the pandemic, sales of clothing and accessories cratered when non-essential stores were forced to temporarily close. But now business is starting to rebound above pre-pandemic levels . In March, spending at clothing and accessory stores rose 18.3% to $22.86 billion from the month before, according to the Commerce Department's most recent monthly retail report. That was almost double compared with the same month in March 2020 and up 2.3% compared with March 2019.

Retailers, burned by the sudden switch away from formal looks last year, are being cautious about how much to add back.

Janice Elliott, a buyer for designer clothing boutique Gus Mayer's Nashville, Tennessee location, says she's optimistic about people's return to going-out-clothes this spring and fall, but she's staying away from ordering items like structured sheaths and leaning toward flowy cotton dresses.

Before the pandemic, more than 50% of the business at Gus Mayer was in formal clothes; during the height of COVID-19, that fell to less than 10%.

I think there is going to be a pent-up demand, but I still think there will be a more relaxed way of dressing going forward," Elliott said.

Deirdre Quinn, CEO and co-founder of upscale clothing brand Lafayette 148 New York, says her team is designing multi-purpose items like blouses that can be worn from day into evening.

She noted that business was down 30% last year from a year earlier and this year has started out weak. Quinn hasn't seen any pickup in dresses yet and believes sales won't rebound to pre-pandemic levels until 2023.

I dont want to rush back to where we were, she said. I am going to control how quickly I grow. It is a reset time.

__________

AP Business Writer David Koenig in Dallas, Texas, contributed to this report.

Follow Anne DInnocenzio: http://twitter.com/ADInnocenzio
[April 27, 2021] AMS Honored with the ACG Middle Market Growth Workplace Award

AMS Fulfillment is pleased to announce that it was awarded the Association for Corporate Growth's (ACG) Middle Market Growth Workplace Award, sponsored by Insperity. This award is presented to the company demonstrating a vibrant corporate culture through strong employee retention and engagement, innovative benefits, or a compelling recruitment proposition for prospective hires. ACG, the premier association for the mergers and acquisitions deal-making community, selected AMS (News - Alert) as the winner among four finalists in the Workplace Award category. AMS is proud to be recognized as an innovative and outstanding workplace, as the development of benefits for our employees, and diversity and inclusion in hiring and promotion have been a strong focus of the company over a span of many years. AMS is a significant job provider, hiring nearly 400 individuals in our warehouses and offices; the company has long attributed its success to its talented employees. One of the major benefits offered to AMS employees is education. Several years ago, AMS established and outfitted a learning center and partnered with a local college to provide free, on-campus college-level classes. From this business-college partnership came the first logistics apprenticeship in the US. AMS also offers job training, a mentor program, and training for advancement within the company. Recently, AMS has made the learning opportunities even more convenient by offering classes during the workday hours. In addition to education and training, AMS has made extraordinary efforts, in partnership with community organizations, to hire underserved individuals in the community. The company's focus has been on the chronically underemployed, individuals with disabilities, individuals who have served time, young people from at-risk communities, and individuals that are facing challenges in their efforts to make a job a career. As a result, AMS has a richly diverse workforce, which benefits both the company and the community alike.



Advancement and career-path opportunities are highly valued by the AMS workforce. In addition to mentoring and job training, AMS is developing a new program called the 'Up-Skill Matrix' that will allow employees to view the skills necessary to move up in their careers and take the necessary steps to develop those skills. Additionally, employees are encouraged to register for positions they're interested in and will receive a message when those opportunities become available. In granting the Workplace Award, the ACG made reference to the enormous challenges that businesses have faced throughout the past year. Throughout these challenges, AMS has continually prioritized the safety and well-being of its employees, taking extraordinary safety measures to protect the workforce in its warehouses and offices. The company's COVID safety measures have been very successful, and employees have been cooperative and grateful.

AMS Fulfillment is pleased to accept the Workplace Award and is proud to join an esteemed group of middle market businesses being recognized for their achievements. About the Association for Corporate Growth Founded in 1954, ACG is the premier M&A deal making community with 59 chapters worldwide. ACG's global network comprises more than 100,000 middle market professionals who invest, own and advise growing companies. ACG's mission is to drive middle-market growth. ACG reaches its audience through its content-rich media channels, including its award-winning flagship publication, Middle Market Growth, which dives into emerging trends; GrowthTV, which brings those stories to life; and with podcasts that provide in-depth conversations with industry thought leaders. https://middlemarketgrowth.org/ The Middle Market Growth Awards are granted by the ACG to businesses in five categories: Growth Engine, Innovation, Job Creator, Workplace and Young Professionals. The companies or individuals winning the awards are featured in the Middle Market Growth Magazine, which is the official publication of the ACG. https://middlemarketgrowth.org/ About AMS Fulfillment AMS Fulfillment, a certified B- Corporation, is a leading full-service order fulfillment company operating as a third-party resource for order management, fulfillment center management and complex fulfillment services. AMS provides a full suite of fulfillment and distribution services to consumer products companies focused on serving the B2B retail (brick-and-mortar), online retail, and direct-to-consumer channels. With over 1M square feet of operating space, the Company Headquarters is in Valencia, CA (News - Alert) , with facilities in Valencia; New Holland, PA; New Castle, DE; and Newark, DE. For more information, please contact AMS at (661) 775-0611 or visit https://www.amsfulfillment.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427006010/en/

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MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / Critical Elements Lithium Corporation (TSXV:CRE)(OTCQX:CRECF)(FSE:F12) ("Critical Elements" or the "Company") and Lomiko Metals Inc. ("Lomiko") (TSXV:LMR)(OTCQB:LMRMF)(FSE:DH8C) are pleased to announce that Critical Elements and Lomiko have entered into an option agreement ("Agreement") that gives Lomiko the right to acquire up to a 70% interest in the Bourier project.

"Recent consumer interest in electric vehicles has increased investor interest in Lithium and Graphite, two of the major components of a lithium-ion battery", stated A. Paul Gill, Lomiko's Chief Executive Officer. "Quebec is in a unique position of having ample supply of both commodities and now Lomiko has opportunities in additional battery materials."

"This option agreement with Lomiko will allow the Bourier property to be explored in detail for battery minerals discoveries, such as Lithium, Nickel, Copper and Zinc. Critical Elements is currently focused on the development of its Rose Lithium-Tantalum project. With Lomiko as a joint venture partner in the Bourier project, shareholders of both companies will be able to benefit from successful exploration of a highly prospective project," stated Jean-Sebastien Lavallee, Critical Elements' Chief Executive Officer.

The Bourier project consists of 203 claims for a total ground position of 10,252.20 hectares (102.52 km2) in a region of Quebec that boasts other lithium deposits and known lithium mineralization, as shown in the maps and table below. The Bourier project is potentially a new lithium field in an established lithium district.

Figure 1. Location of known lithium deposits and showing and Bourier (in gold) Showing in the James Bay area of Quebec.



Terms of the transaction

Under the Agreement, Lomiko will earn its interest in Bourier project by way of a joint venture arrangement. The key terms of the Agreement are detailed in the below:

Grant of first option

Critical Elements grants to Lomiko the exclusive right and option to acquire, on or before December 31, 2022, an initial 49% Earned Interest in the Bourier Property by issuing to Critical Elements an aggregate of 5,000,000 common shares of Lomiko, by making a cash payments to Critical Elements totalling $50,000 and by incurring or funding Exploration Expenditures for a total amount of $1,300,000 on the Property, in detail as follows:

making a cash payment to Critical Elements of $25,000 within a delay of five (5) days following the execution of the Agreement (non-refundable);

making a cash payment to Critical Elements of $25,000 within a delay of five (5) days following the receipt of the required approvals from the Exchange;

issuing to Critical Elements 5,000,000 common shares immediately following the receipt of the required approvals from the Exchange; and

incurring or funding Exploration Expenditures aggregating not less than $1,300,000 on the Bourier Property, of which an amount of $550,000 must be incurred or funded before December 31, 2021 and an amount of $750,000 before December 31, 2022.

Grant of second option

Subject to Lomiko having exercised the First Option, Critical Elements will also grant to Lomiko the exclusive right and option to increase its undivided interest in and to the Bourier Property from 49% to 70% by making a cash payment to Critical Elements of $250,000, by issuing to Critical Elements an aggregate of 2,500,000 common shares of Lomiko, by incurring or funding additional Exploration Expenditures for an amount of $2,000,000 and by delivering a resource prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 standards on the Bourier Property prepared by a Qualified Person independent of Lomiko and Critical Elements, for a period commencing on the delivery of the First Option Exercise Notice and ending December 31, 2023, in summary as follows:

making a cash payment to Critical Elements an amount of $250,000 and issuing 2,500,000 common shares of Lomiko, on or before the date of delivery of the First Option Exercise Notice;

incurring or funding additional Exploration Expenditures for an amount of $2,000,000 on or before December 31, 2023; and

delivering the Resource Estimate to Critical Elements on or before December 31, 2023.

Milestone Payments

Subject to Lomiko's right to withdraw from and terminate the First Option, Lomiko agrees to pay the following milestone payments to Critical Elements, payable at any time following the exercise of the First Option upon the occurrence of the following:

On the estimation of a drilled defined resource (NI 43-101 compliant) of 5,000,000 tonnes at a cut-off grade of 0.6% Li2O (all categories) a payment of $750,000, payable in cash or in common shares of Lomiko at the sole discretion of Lomiko;

On the estimation of a drilled defined resource (NI 43-101 compliant) of 10,000,000 tonnes at a cut-off grade of 0.6% Li2O (all categories) a payment of $1,000,000, payable in cash or in common shares of Lomiko at the sole discretion of Lomiko;

On the estimation of a drilled defined resource (Ni 43-101 compliant) of 15,000,000 tonnes at a cut-off grade of 0.6% Li2O (all categories) a payment of $1,500,000, payable in cash or in common shares of Lomiko at the sole discretion of Lomiko; and

On the estimation of a drilled defined resource (NI 43-101 compliant) of 20,000,000 tonnes at a cut-off grade of 0.6% Li2O (all categories) a payment of $2,000,000, payable in cash or in common shares of Lomiko at the sole discretion of Lomiko.

Royalty

Following the exercise of the First Option by Lomiko, and in addition to the amounts paid, common shares issued and Exploration Expenditures incurred or funded by Lomiko under the First Option and thereafter under the Second Option, as applicable, Critical Elements shall receive a royalty equal to 2% net smelter returns resulting from the extraction and production of any Minerals on the Bourier Property.

The Royalty including the right of Lomiko to purchase a portion thereof (1%) by paying to Critical Elements a total cash amount of $2,000,000.

Operator

During the agreement, Critical Elements shall act as the operator and as such, shall be responsible for carrying out and administering the Exploration Expenditures on the Property, in accordance with a work program approved by the Parties regarding the Property.

Lithium Marketing Rights

In the event of a Lithium discovery, Critical Elements will retain Lithium Marketing Rights meaning the exclusive right of Critical Elements to market and act as selling agent for any and all Lithium products, including Lithium ore, concentrate and chemical, resulting from the extraction and production activities on the Bourier Property, including transformation into chemical products.

A NI 43-101 compliant Technical Report has been performed by InnovExplo in 2012 on the Bourier Property for Monarques Resources Inc.

The area is characterized by metasedimentary rocks, mainly biotite paragneiss containing minerals typical of regional amphibolite metamorphic facies, and amphibole-plagioclase gneisses (amphibolites) of olcanic origin (Valiquette,1975). The northern boundary of the property is marked by intrusive pink granite. The metasedimentary rocks in the centre of the property are intruded by mafic and ultramafic rocks, granites, pegmatites, and late diabase dykes, the youngest rocks of the area. The amphibolites contain numerous lenses of ultramafic tremolite schist that follow the foliation of these amphibolites.

The biotite paragneiss crops out mainly in the low-lying ground. The paragneiss incorporates sills of mafic rock (amphibolites) and ultramafic rocks, metavolcanic layers, granite stocks and dykes, and pegmatite masses. These rocks dip on average 35 to the southwest (Valiquette 1975). The ultramafic rock in outcrop is mainly serpentinite, although narrow sills of ultramafic amphibole rocks are also present. These rocks may be crosscut by pegmatite dykes. Several granite intrusions cut the metasedimentary rocks. In some areas the granite intrudes the biotite gneisses. This granite is usually massive with very weak gneissic texture. The pegmatite dykes or sills cross-cut all the other rocks with the exception of the diabase. The pegmatites occur as two (2) sorts: pink, associated with oligoclase gneisses and granite, and white, associated with metasedimentary rocks. White pegmatites are generally fine to coarse grained containing muscovite, almandine garnet, black tourmaline (schorl), magnetite and biotite. Muscovite grains can be up to a few centimetres in size. The pink pegmatite ranges from fine to a very coarse grained variety comprising very large microcline crystals reaching up to 30 cm long. Besides quartz, microcline and plagioclase, the pegmatites also contain magnetite as large crystals up to 15 cm in length. Accessory minerals are apatite and garnet with trace amounts of spodumene.

Outside of work program complete between 2010 and 2012 for Zinc-Copper and Gold by Monarques Resources Inc., there has been very limited lithium exploration undertaken at Bourier Property. Based on other lithium deposits around the world, it is a common occurrence for pegmatites to exist in "swarms".

The Bourier property is adjacent and North-East to the Lemare Lithium property, wholly owned by Critical Elements.

Initial exploration at Lemare was undertaken in 2012 by Monarques Resources Inc. who discovered a "granite pegmatite dyke containing a considerable amount of spodumene". The pegmatite ranges in apparent thickness from 4.8 to 14.2 metres and was followed for close to 200 metres in length on surface.

Between 2016 and 2018, Lepidico Ltd. carried out two drilling programs on the Lemare Lithum project within the scope of an option agreement that expired on July 27, 2018.

The best Lithium results from drilling programs at Lemare Lithium project included:

41.5 m at 1.71% Li2O , including 15 m at 2.18% Li2O and 6 m at 3.6% Li2O in Hole LE-16-14

, including 15 m at 2.18% Li2O and 6 m at 3.6% Li2O in Hole LE-16-14 21 m at 2.65% Li2O in Hole LE-16-13

in Hole LE-16-13 18.85 m at 1.35% Li2O , including 8.4 m at 2.26% Li2O in Hole LE-16-07

, including 8.4 m at 2.26% Li2O in Hole LE-16-07 23 m at 1.61% Li2O, including 10.5 m at 2.51% Li2O in Hole LE-16-03.

This transaction is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Qualified persons

Paul Bonneville, Eng., is the qualified person that has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Corporation.

About Critical Elements Lithium Corporation

Critical Elements Lithium Corporation aspires to become a large, responsible supplier of lithium to the flourishing electric vehicle and energy storage system industries. To this end, Critical Elements Lithium is advancing the wholly owned, high purity Rose lithium project in Quebec. Rose is our first lithium project to be advanced within a highly prospective land portfolio of over 700 square kilometers. In 2017, the Corporation completed a robust feasibility study on Rose Phase 1 for the production of high quality spodumene concentrate. The internal rate of return for the Project is estimated at 34.9% after tax, with a net present value estimated at C$726 million at an 8% discount rate. Capital and operating cost parameters were confirmed in 2019 by Primero Group in the context of a Guaranteed Maximum Price under an Early Contractor Involvement agreement, as a prelude to an Engineering, Procurement and Construction process. Detailed engineering for Phase I is expected to conclude this year as we also deliver technical studies for Phase II, the conversion of spodumene concentrate to high quality lithium hydroxide. In our view, Quebec is strategically well-positioned for US and EU markets and boasts exceptional infrastructure including a low-cost, low-carbon power grid featuring 93% hydroelectricity. We have a strong, formalized relationship with the Cree Nation.

For further information, please contact:

Jean-Sebastien Lavallee, P. Geo.

Chief Executive Officer

819-354-5146

jslavallee@cecorp.ca

www.cecorp.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is described in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Critical Elements Lithium Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642479/Critical-Elements-Crystallizes-Bourier-Project-Value-by-Signing-Option-Agreement-with-Lomiko-Metals
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Fully vaccinated Americans can now safely go without masks outside, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Tuesday.

'If you are fully vaccinated, things are much safer for you,' said CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky during a Tuesday White House press briefing.

'There are many situations in which Americans do not need to wear masks if they are fully vaccinated, particularly outdoors.'

As long as they are outside, people who are fully vaccinated can now exercise, go to small gatherings or restaurants with people who are vaccinated or unvaccinated.

It comes amid mounting evidence - finally acknowledged by the CDC on Tuesday - that outdoor transmission of coronavirus is exceedingly rare, accounting for less than 10 percent of cases. Those risks are mainly linked to crowded events that can turn into super-spreader events, or people who were in close range of one another.

However, in crowded places like concerts, parades or sporting events, even vaccinated people should still wear masks, the CDC's new guidance says.

The guidance is merely that - advice about what the health agency has deemed safe - and is not enforceable. It's up to states, counties and cities to issue mask mandates and other restrictions.

Several states, including Massachusetts and Kentucky rolled back their guidelines on mask-wearing outdoors on Tuesday morning, in anticipation of the update to the guidelines.

Unvaccinated people can shed their masks too, if they are outside exercising or at small outdoor gatherings with vaccinated friends and families.

President Biden is expected to announce new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advice on masking this afternoon.

U.S. health officials unveiled a list of outdoor activities that it now considers safe for fully vaccinated Americans to do without masks, including exercising, going to small gatherings and eating outside. However, vaccinated people should still wear masks in crowds

U.S. health officials announced on Tuesday that vaccinated Americans can shed their masks outside - unless they are in a crowd

Six feet apart or 60? New MIT study on risk of being exposed to COVID-19 indoors says it might not make a difference By Valerie Edwards A new study by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has revealed that the risk of being exposed to COVID-19 is as great at 60 feet as it is at six feet indoors. The research questions COVID-19 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, which both suggested early last year that people should socially distance themselves by six feet in both indoor and outdoor spaces. However, the study, which was published last week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United States of America, shows that even while wearing a mask in well-mixed spaces - those with both warm and cool air - 'one is no safer from airborne pathogens at 60 ft than 6 ft'. The study came to this conclusion using calculations that factored in several issues that could affect transmission, including air filtration, immunization, variant strains, and the amount of time spent inside. Researchers also looked at respiratory activity such as breathing, eating, speaking or singing. MIT professor Martin Bazant told CNBC: 'We argue there really isn't much of a benefit to the 6-foot rule, especially when people are wearing masks. 'It really has no physical basis because the air a person is breathing while wearing a mask tends to rise and comes down elsewhere in the room so you're more exposed to the average background than you are to a person at a distance.' Bazant noted that the important variable that the CDC and WHO missed is the amount of time spent indoors. The researchers also said that their analysis shows that many establishments that were shut down throughout the pandemic 'don't need to be'. 'Often times the space is large enough, the ventilation is good enough, the amount of time people spend together is such that those spaces can be safely operated even at full capacity and the scientific support for reduced capacity in those spaces is really not very good,' Bazant told CNBC. 'I think if you run the numbers, even right now for many types of spaces you'd find that there is not a need for occupancy restrictions.' Advertisement

Officials faced scrutiny over saying that the risk of transmission of coronavirus is extremely low outside, while continuing to tell unvaccinated people to keep their masks on while outdoors.

'There is increasing data that suggests that most of transmission is happening indoors rather than outdoors, less than 10 percent of documented transmissions in many studies have occurred outdoors, we also know there's almost a 20-fold increase of transmission in the indoor setting versus the outdoor setting,' explained Dr Walensky.

'That coupled with the fact that we now have 37 percent over the age of 18 fully vaccinated and the fact that case rates now are starting to come down motivated our change.'

As of Tuesday, about 29 percent of Americans of any age are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. So far, 42.5 percent of the population has had a first dose.

The data on outdoor transmission of Covid - although somewhat limited - suggests it is rare.

In aggregate, a Journal of Infectious Diseases study found that outdoor transmission accounts for only about 10 percent of transmissions.

One of the five found that just two out of 7,324 cases were the result of outdoor transmission.

A second found four out of 103 infections had been contracted outside, and a third found 95 instances of outdoor spread in 10,926 infections.

The risk varies depending on what outdoor activities are involved however. One of the studies found that one in seven super-spreader events had been outdoors.

Overarchingly, the takeaway from these studies seems to be that if your contact is close enough, transmission can happen anywhere.

But if you're outside, and not in a tightly-packed crowd, the odds of contracting coronavirus appear minimal.

Fully vaccinated people can soon 'return to normal,' Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said on Tuesday ahead of the announcement.

'You're vaccinated, guess what, you get to return to a normal lifestyle! You're not vaccinated, you're still a danger, you're still in danger as well, so get vaccinated,' Becerra said on CBS.

'When you get vaccinated, you can join [the two-thirds of vaccinated seniors] outdoors, and not have to wear masks,' he said.

But he gave conflicting signals. When asked directly if a vaccinated person can stop wearing a mask outside, Becerra waffled.

'We want to get back to our normal lifestyle, we want to get our economy restarted, we want to get people back at work, restaurants open, you gotta do that the right way, and masks help, vaccinations help, but masks are still important,' he said, adding that he is vaccinated but still wears a mask.

The odds of catching coronavirus outside are about 19 times lower than they are indoors, according to a large review of research, and health officials like Dr Anthony Fauci and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have acknowledged that the risk of catching or spreading Covid outside, especially after vaccination, is low.

Yet health officials have punted for months about changing guidance on whether or not Americans can take off their masks.

Becerra made the case that continuing to wear masks is a precautionary measure.

'We weren't born with masks but we want to be safe and we want to protect our loved ones,' he said.

'We put on our seatbelts, we don't expect that we will crash our car, but we want to be safe, that's what we're just trying to do, we just want everyone to be safe.

Despite abundant real-world evidence that it's very rare for fully vaccinated people to catch coronavirus, Becerra echoed other officials hesitation to say that the virus can't spread among inoculated people.

'The vaccine does a really good job of making sure that you'll be safe, and that you won't infect others, we're getting to a point where we're going to hang masks on the wall as a sign of what used to be, but until then, let's get back to normal,' he said.

President Biden is expected to announce new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advice on masking later on Tuesday (left, file). New guidance is expected as the rate of Americans fully vaccinated approaches 30% - but daily shots fall below three million

Nearly 30% of Americans are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the U.S. is giving about 3 million shots a day

The CDC has been cautiously expanding its list of activities that it says are low-risk for fully inoculated people, which now includes domestic travel. But the agency's guidance has been paradoxical - it still advises against travel, despite the low risk.

And even as evidence that coronavirus rarely spreads outside without close contact, the agency has maintained its guidance about public mask-wearing amid growing impatience and pandemic fatigue.

But that could finally be about to change, 'multiple' people told CNN.

President Biden, like his predecessor, former President Trump, declined to issue a federal mask mandate.

Public health advisers, including Dr Anthony Fauci, even warned that doing so might also have the opposite of the desired effect, stoking resistance to face coverings.

But most states and territories issued their own mask orders, which numerous studies linked to subsequent decreases in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

After Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a mask mandate on July 3 amid massive Covid surges in the South, the upward trend in cases in her state flattened.

A CDC study of the state found that new Covid cases per capita fell by six percent in counties that adopted the mandate in subsequent weeks, while those that opted out saw new infections per capita double.

But the U.S. is entering a new phase of the pandemic.

Among adults 18 or older, rates are even higher, with 36.5 percent fully vaccinated and 53.6 percent having had at least a first dose, according to CDC data.

Clinical trials for the three vaccines authorized in the U.S. - made by Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson - did not measure whether vaccinated people could still spread the virus, only whether they were protected against getting sick from it.

So public health officials continued to encourage fully vaccinated people to continue to wear masks.

Now, real world data increasingly suggests that fully vaccinated people are unlikely to spread the virus, and are likely protected from catching it as well as from becoming ill.

The federal government soon will update its guidance on mask-wearing in public, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci (seen above during an appearance on ABC This Week on Sunday), who said it was common sense to do so as critics have accused him of flip-flopping on the issue of face coverings

Most U.S. states now have mandates in place requiring everyone to wear masks outdoors - but updated CDC guidance could soon change that

Even Dr Fauci admitted the low risk for outdoor transmission.

'I mean, if you are a vaccinated person, wearing a mask outdoors, I mean, obviously, the risk is minuscule,' Dr Fauci said during a Sunday ABC interview.

'Obviously the risk is really very low, particularly if you're vaccinated' and participating in outdoor activities.

'The more we take a look at the data as it accumulates, we see [the vaccine] is even more effective than what the initial numbers of the clinical trial.'

He added that he anticipated updated, 'common sense' guidance from the CDC soon.
Anantnag: After busting an underground hideout about a fortnight ago in village Tulkhan Bijbehara, Anantnag police have again recovered a huge consignment of drugs from an underground hideout in the same village.

Acting on specific information the police apprehended one person at a checkpoint in the village.

Based on specific information, police established a Naka at Tulkhan crossing and apprehended one Farooq Ahmad Bhat and recovered 10 bottles of Codeine from his possession, a police statement read.

On further questioning, the accused revealed the name of one dealer Mohd Ashraf Khan of Tulkhan village, from whom he has been procuring the drugs. Subsequently, a police party from Bijbehara along with executive magistrate rushed to the spot, it added.

While searching the house and the courtyard of the accused 34.7 kg of charas, 80 bottles of Codeine and 4500 capsules of Spasmo-Proxyvon were recovered.

These drugs were concealed in an underground hideout in the courtyard of the accused. The courtyard was dug out using JCB to recover the drugs. All accused have been arrested.

An FIR has been lodged at the Bijbehara police station in the case.

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[April 27, 2021] Ping Identity Improves Identity Management for Global Logistics Provider DB Schenker

Ping Identity (NYSE: PING), the Intelligent Identity solution for the enterprise, has centralized Identity Access Management (IAM) for over 300,000 DB Schenker employees, contractors, partners and customers. The successful project, conducted in partnership with iC Consult, streamlined the management of critical security policies and enhanced secure access and authentication to business applications. DB Schenker is one of the world's leading global logistics providers, with 2,100 locations and more than 76,900 employees across the world, it supports the exchange of goods through land transport, worldwide air and ocean freight. After identifying the need for a more secure and modern authentication service, DB Schenker saw an opportunity to accelerate a digital transformation initiative and provide more streamlined access to resources for its workforce, partners and customers. "The goal was to extend our existing identity and access management (IAM) infrastructure to secure employee access and take advantage of the cloud," said James Naughton, Head of Identity Management at DB Schenker. "In the past, we needed to invest significant time and resources to develop integrations, but now we simply configure the system and can deliver technically complete interaction in 30 minutes, decreasing effort by 75%." Working closely with iC Consult, IAM consultant and systems integrator, DB Schenker used Ping Identity to provide the authentication and authorization capabilities needed to deliver a consolidated and centralized identity management service. The project utilized PingFederate, PingAccess, PingID, PingOne and PingDirectory, impacted over 300,000 identities and involved the migration of 50 business applications to the new authentication service. "DB Schenker's identity team can now centrally manage critical security policies and control access and authentication to their applications," Naughton explained. "The addition of FIDO2-enabled risk-based two-step authentication allows us to provide an even higher level of security for access to the DB Schenker IT landscape, creating peace of mind for both our team, partners and customers." "This is only the beginning of the identity journey for DB Schenker," said Emma Maslen, VP and general manager of Ping Identity, EMEA & APAC, "We will continue to seek new ways to push the boundaries of identity and provide MFA (News - Alert) to every employee to improve workforc productivity."



For more on how Ping Identity and iC Consult improved Identity Management for DB Schenker read the case study. About Ping Identity

Ping Identity is the Intelligent Identity solution for the enterprise. We enable companies to achieve Zero Trust identity-defined security and more personalized, streamlined user experiences. The Ping Intelligent Identity platform provides customers, workforce, and partners with access to cloud, mobile, SaaS and on-premises applications across the hybrid enterprise. Over half of the Fortune 100 choose us for our identity expertise, open standards, and partnerships with companies including Microsoft (News - Alert) and Amazon. We provide flexible identity solutions that accelerate digital business initiatives, delight customers, and secure the enterprise through multi-factor authentication, single sign-on, access management, intelligent API security, directory, and data governance capabilities. For more information, please visit www.pingidentity.com. About iC Consult iC Consult Group, is a leading vendor-independent consultancy and systems integrator specialised in Identity and Access Management as well as API Management solutions for global organisations. Our services cover Business Consulting, Strategy and Architecture, through to Implementation, Customisation and Managed Services of all aspects of IAM, including, Provisioning, Governance, Single Sign-On through to Customer Data Management, GDPR, Internet of Things and API Management. We have a proven track record of delivering customer success with over 330 consultants, 30 IAM products and across 1000+ projects. The iC Consult Group has independent branches in Switzerland, Austria, Spain, the UK, the USA and China as well as the companies xdi360 GmbH (Business and Process Consulting), IAM Worx GmbH (IAM Managed Services) and Service Layers GmbH (Custom Fit IAM Service). Major DAX 30 and Euro Stoxx 50 companies rely on our expert services, many of which have a history that spans more than 20 years. More about iC Consult can be found at www.ic-consult.com Follow Us on Twitter (News - Alert) : @PingIdentity

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POTTSVILLE  A Pottsville man charged with sexually assaulting a girl when she was 14 years old waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday.

Frank Edward Chen, 36, of 524 E. Norwegian St., was arrested by Pottsville police Detective Joseph Krammes and charged with four felony counts each of rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault of a person less than age 16 and corruption of minors; four misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure; and four additional felony counts of sexual acts involving a minor.

By waiving his right to a preliminary hearing, Chen will now answer to the 29 charges in Schuylkill County Court, where he can plead guilty or enter a not guilty plea and request a trial.

Krammes charged Chen with incidents in two locations in the city that started on May 27, 2019, and continued through Dec. 31, 2020. The detective said the crimes came to light on March 2, leading to an interview with the victim.

The teenager told police Chen had sexual intercourse with her about 100 times. She also said Chen tried to take a video or pictures of her without her clothes on but she slapped his cellphone out of his hand.

Krammes also said the girl reported that Chen threatened to harm her if she told anyone, and at least one time threatened to punch her in face.

Chen remains in Schuylkill County Prison on $100,000 straight cash bail.

He is also serving a sentence at the county jail for an unrelated case.
 Flash

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that it is expelling a military attache of the Italian Embassy in Moscow in a retaliatory measure.

Italy's Ambassador to Russia Pasquale Terracciano was invited to the ministry where he was informed that this naval attache is now "persona non grata" and must leave Russia within 24 hours.

The decision was made in response to the "unfriendly" and "groundless" expulsion of two staffers of the Russian Embassy in Rome on March 31.
Farmer Wants A Wife is returning for a new season on Channel Seven this year.

Five new hard-working Aussie farmers are set to begin their quest for love in the hope that their first kiss leads to 'I do'.

The farmers are: Matt (26, Orbost, Victoria), Andrew (30, Delegate, NSW), Sam (24, Canowindra, NSW), Will (39, Longwood, Victoria) and Rob (40, Snowy Mountains, NSW).

Ready for more love! Farmer Wants A Wife is returning for a new season on Channel Seven this year. Pictured: host Natalie Gruzlewski

They were all born for life on the land, but agree there's one thing missing: a soulmate to share it all with.

From thousands of single women who saw their profiles online, the five farmers will choose eight ladies to meet, before inviting five of them back to their farm.

Seven promises this season's road to love will be even more romantic than ever before, with dreamy overnight dates, luxury country getaways and spectacular group get-togethers setting the stage for life-changing love stories to blossom.

Format: Five new Aussie farmers are set to begin their quest for love in the hope that their first kiss leads to 'I do' Pictured: (left to right) last year's farmers Sam, Alex, Nick, Harry and Neil

With 99 marriages and 225 'farmer babies' worldwide, Farmer Wants A Wife is the world's most successful dating franchise when it comes to making lasting couples.

The Australian series alone has resulted in nine marriages and 20 children.

The new season, which doesn't yet have a premiere date, will again be hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski.

Golden touch: With 99 marriages and 225 'farmer babies' worldwide, Farmer Wants A Wife is the world's most successful dating franchise when it comes to making lasting couples

Farmer Wants A Wife is notable for its popularity in rural Australia, where viewers generally tend not to watch dating shows.

The show follows five farmers as they search for lasting love, with prospective partners sent to live with them on their farm to see if they're cut out for country life.

Farmer Wants A Wife first premiered on Channel Nine and aired from 2007 until 2012, with a brief return in 2016. The format moved to Seven in 2020.
(Updates with call from U.N. rapporteur)

* Karen rebel group says Myanmar army base overrun

* Fighting comes days after regional meet to end violence

* Junta says it will "consider" ASEAN suggestions

* Visit by ASEAN envoy only after stability restored - junta chief

April 27 (Reuters) - Ethnic minority Karen insurgents attacked a Myanmar army outpost near the Thai border on Tuesday in some of the most intense clashes since a military coup nearly three months ago threw the country into crisis.

The Karen National Union (KNU), Myanmar's oldest rebel force, said it had captured the army camp on the west bank of the Salween river, which forms the border with Thailand.

The Myanmar military later hit back against the insurgents with air strikes, the KNU and Thai authorities said.

The fighting took place as the junta, in a setback for diplomatic efforts by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said it would "positively" consider the bloc's suggestions to end the turmoil in Myanmar but only when stability was restored.

The ASEAN leaders said after meeting on the weekend with the junta chief that they had reached a consensus on steps to end violence and promote dialogue between the rival Myanmar sides.

The outbreak of hostilities near the border shifted the focus of opposition to the junta away from the pro-democracy protests that have taken place in cities and towns across the country since the coup on Feb. 1.

The military overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, detained her and other civilian politicians, then cracked down with lethal force on anti-coup protesters.

Security forces have killed more than 750 civilians in the demonstrations, an activist group says.

The Karen and other ethnic minority forces based in frontier regions have supported the largely urban-based pro-democracy opponents of the junta.

PRE-DAWN ATTACK

In Tuesday's fighting, villagers on the Thai side of the river said heavy gunfire started before dawn.

Story continues

Video posted on social media showed flames and smoke on the forested hillside and KNU forces had captured the outpost, the group's head of foreign affairs, Saw Taw Nee, told Reuters.

The Myanmar military later mounted air strikes, Saw Taw Nee said. There was no word on casualties and 450 Thai villagers were moved away from the border to safety, the Thai military said.

The Myanmar army made no comment. It has historically portrayed itself as the one institution that can keep together the ethnically diverse country of more than 53 million people.

The KNU agreed to a ceasefire in 2012, ending its struggle for autonomy that began shortly after Myanmar's independence from Britain in 1948.

But its forces have clashed with the army since it seized power, ending a decade of democratic reforms that had also brought relative peace to Myanmar's borderlands.

Fighting has also flared in the north and west, where the Irrawaddy news site reported 13 government soldiers were killed in clashes in Chin State over the past few days.

About 24,000 people are sheltering in the jungle after being displaced in recent weeks by violence near the Thai border, including military air strikes, Karen groups say.

'CAREFUL CONSIDERATION'

Elsewhere in Myanmar, there have been few reports of bloodshed since the weekend meeting between the junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and Southeast Asian leaders to try to find a way out of the crisis.

The junta, in its first official comment on the meeting, said it would give "careful consideration to constructive suggestions ... when the situation returns to stability".

The suggestions would be "positively considered" if they facilitated the junta's own "roadmap", and "serves the interests of the country", it said in a statement.

The junta did not refer to what ASEAN called a five-point consensus, issued at the end of the meeting, to end the violence and initiate talks.

ASEAN's points included appointing an envoy to visit Myanmar for talks with all sides. But Min Aung Hlaing, in comments reported in state media, said: "The visits to Myanmar proposed by ASEAN will be considered after stabilising the country."

U.N. Special Rapporteur Thomas Andrews called on Min Aung Hlaing to make a commitment to live up to the ASEAN plan.

"The people of Myanmar...need and deserve to know if it is your intention to honour this commitment," Andrews said in an open letter.

Activists have criticised the plan, saying it helped to legitimise the junta and fell far short of their demands.

In particular, it did not call for the release of Suu Kyi, 75, and other political prisoners. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners advocacy group says more than 3,400 people have been detained for opposing the coup.

Suu Kyi's party won a second term in November. The election commission said the vote was fair but the military said fraud at the polls had forced it to seize power.

Protesters against the junta were out in several places on Tuesday including the main city of Yangon, where hundreds surged down a street in a "flash mob" march, images on social media showed.

(Reporting by Reuters staff; Writing by Matthew Tostevin and Robert Birsel; Editing by Stephen Coates, Clarence Fernandez and Angus MacSwan)
Uber and Lyft took the world by storm in the early 2000s, touting their ride-sharing services as the answer to congested roads.

The notion has since been debunked, but a new study from MIT reveals such services are doing more than just adding to congestion  they are prolonging traffic jam times.

Researchers analyzed monthly data from metropolitan areas across the US where Uber and Lyft have been since 2016 and found the services increased congestion by 0.9 percent - which in turn increased the time stuck in traffic by 4.5 percent.

Researchers said that the presence of rideshare apps in a city lead to a 8.9 percent decrease in public transport ridership - meaning more journeys were taken by road.

The traffic is made worse because more than 40 percent of miles driven by rideshare drivers are 'deadheading' - when rideshare vehicles cruise around without passengers.

Scroll down for video

Researchers analyzed monthly data from metropolitan areas across the US where Uber and Lyft have been since 2016 and found the services increased congestion by 0.9 percent, which increased congestion duration by 4.5 percent

Transport network companies (TNCs), or ride-sharing companies, have made it easier for the public to get from point A to point B, but the latest MIT research suggests it comes at a cost.

The study, titled 'Impacts of transportation networks on urban mobility', was a collaboration with researchers from Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT, and Tongji University.

The team analyzed 44 cities in the US for the road congestion model, pulling data from 2012 to 2016.

The results showed TNCs led to increased road congestion in terms of both intensity and duration.

Nearly half of all ride-sharing trips were found to replace what would otherwise have been a greener transportation alternative

For example, TCNs increased vehicle miles traveled by 3.5 percent in New York City and caused weekday delays in San Francisco to rise by 69 percent.

'While many previous studies have focused on Uber alone, this study takes into account both Uber and Lyft  the two most popular ride-sharing companies in the United States, MIT shared in a statement.

'While Uber accounts for 69 percent of the market, Lyft accounts for a significant 29 percent, and its inclusion into the dataset would give a more holistic and unbiased estimate of the TNC effect.'

The study also found that commuters are choosing to hail a car, rather than hop on a bus, ride the subway or walk to their destination  options deemed 'greener' by researchers.

Nearly half of all ride-sharing trips were found to replace what would otherwise have been a greener transportation alternative.

The study also found that commuters are choosing to hail a car, rather than hop on a bus, ride the subway or walk to their destination  options deemed 'greener' by researchers. Nearly half of all ride-sharing trips were found to replace what would otherwise have been a greener transportation alternative

The study also notes that 40.8 percent of miles driven by employees of such services are 'deadheading,' which means they are driving around without passengers.

Researchers suggest that these deadheading miles are also adding to congestion and traffic jam times.

Jinhua Zhao, SMART FM principal investigator and associate professor at MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning, said: 'While public transportation provides high-efficiency shared services, it can only accommodate a small portion of commuters, as their coverage is limited in most places.'

'While mathematical models in prior studies showed that the potential benefit of on-demand shared mobility could be tremendous, our study suggests that translating this potential into actual gains is much more complicated in the real world.'

Both Uber and Lyft have previously touted their ride-hailing companies as 'car-cutters' by reducing the number of vehicle ownership in US metro areas.

However, numerous studies have debunked the notion and MIT's is the latest to prove the idea wrong.

Looking at 174 major US cities, the data shows that in the top 10 metropolitan areas vehicle ownership saw just a one percent decrease.

'Contrary to the vision that TNCs can reduce the reliance on private vehicles by facilitating car sharing, our results indicate an insignificant role of TNCs in reducing vehicle ownership in general,' reads the published study.
Through its programs, Tequila Don Julio hopes to inspire people to visit and support their favorite local establishments again. In an online sweepstakes and real-world instant win game promotions, the luxury tequila brand will release $125,000 worth of "Don Julio Cincos"  digital and physical vouchers beautifully designed by Mexican Artist Claudio Limon and inspired by Tequila Don Julio's Mexican heritage and our support of the hospitality industry. Each one unlocks $5 that consumers are encouraged to spend at a local bar or restaurant of their choice on Cinco de Mayo.

To help support their favorite bars and restaurants this Cinco de Mayo, consumers are encouraged to get involved:

Follow @DonJulioTequila on Instagram: Look out for the national online Don Julio Cinco sweepstakes on Instagram Stories. From May 1  May 5 , 15,000 Don Julio Cincos (3,000 Cincos per day) will be available to be won. Each Don Julio Cinco may be redeemed for $5 to a consumer's Venmo account. Consumers are encouraged to then use the $5 at the local bar or restaurant of their choice. For five glorious days, participants can enter once daily to collect a "Don Julio Cinco"  for a grand total of $25 .

Look out for the national online Don Julio Cinco sweepstakes on Instagram Stories. From  , 15,000 Don Julio Cincos (3,000 Cincos per day) will be available to be won. Each Don Julio Cinco may be redeemed for to a consumer's Venmo account. Consumers are encouraged to then use the at the local bar or restaurant of their choice. For five glorious days, participants can enter once daily to collect a "Don Julio Cinco"  for a grand total of . The Tequila Don Julio "Automated Tequila Machine" (ATM)*: Keep an eye out for the Tequila Don Julio ATM in Los Angeles, California : up to 1,000 Don Julio Cincos (yes, that's a value of $5,000!) each day from May 1  May 5 are available to be won. On any given day, consumers can win up to 10 Don Julio Cincos (worth $50 ). Each Don Julio Cinco features a special QR scan and PIN that they can redeem to their Venmo account.

*ATM does not dispense tequila or money.

Keep an eye out for the Tequila Don Julio ATM in : up to 1,000 Don Julio Cincos (yes, that's a value of $5,000!) each day from  are available to be won. On any given day, consumers can win up to 10 Don Julio Cincos (worth ). Each Don Julio Cinco features a special QR scan and PIN that they can redeem to their Venmo account. *ATM does not dispense tequila or money. Exclusive NFTequila: Claudio Limon will release an exclusive design inspired by the Don Julio Cinco that will be available with a non-fungible token (NFT) to be auctioned on Rarible.com for Cinco de Mayo . Net proceeds from the auction will be donated by Claudio Limon to The Tequila Don Julio Fund.

"Tequila Don Julio is a brand rooted in devotion and committed to those we call our familia," says Christina Choi, Senior Vice President of Tequila, Diageo North America. "Every day we aim to emulate the values of our founder by serving, supporting and celebrating the people who made Tequila Don Julio the brand it is today. This Cinco de Mayo, beyond our donation to two amazing nonprofits supporting hospitality workers, we hope to also inspire people to support their favorite bars and restaurants themselves."

For more information on The Tequila Don Julio Fund and our ongoing commitments, please visit DonJulio.com/Fund.

About Tequila Don Julio

Founded on the pioneering agricultural principles of Don Julio Gonzalez and his personal pursuit of perfection, Tequila Don Julio revolutionized the tequila industry and set the standard for ultra-premium tequila. The original luxury tequila of choice in Mexico, Tequila Don Julio uses only the highest caliber, fully matured and ripened Blue Agave that has been hand-selected from the rich, clay soils of the Los Altos region of the state of Jalisco. The Tequila Don Julio portfolio includes Tequila Don Julio Blanco, Tequila Don Julio Reposado, Tequila Don Julio Anejo, Tequila Don Julio 70, Tequila Don Julio 1942, and Tequila Don Julio REAL. For more information on Tequila Don Julio, please visit www.DonJulio.com

About No Us Without You LA

Va'La Hospitality, a bar consultancy group born from a desire to give back to their industry, stopped agonizing over how undocumented workers affected by COVID-19 would feed their families  and acted.

In just 24 hours, partners Damian Diaz and Othon Nolasco, created No Us Without You LA a 501c3 public charity aimed at providing food relief to the most disenfranchised hospitality workers affected by the pandemic. Using their own money, the partners discovered they could feed a family of 4 for one week for just $33.

No Us Without You LA has transformed Va'La Hospitality's Boyle Heights office into a food distribution center. Currently, over 160,000 lbs of food is distributed every week. Donations have enabled the two partners to provide pantry essentials and fresh produce to back-of-house staff such as dishwashers, line and prep cooks. Thus, they have kept alive the heart and soul of the restaurant and bar industry, who are often treated as dispensable.

Launched with a goal of feeding 30 families a week, No Us Without You LA is now providing food security for over 1,600 families. Diaz and Nolasco plan on offering food relief packages through 2021 as a way to show undocumented BOH workers that they are not forgotten. They are not in the shadows. They are seen, heard, and respected.

www.nouswithoutyou.la, @nouswithoutyou on Instagram and Facebook

About Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation

Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation is an advocacy and action nonprofit created by and for restaurant workers. RWCF was founded in 2018 to advocate for  and raise funds for other nonprofits working toward  gender equity, racial justice, fair wages, and healthy work environments in the restaurant industry. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, RWCF's additional focus is on supporting workers in crisis and small business owners with the Restaurant Workers COVID19 Crisis Relief Fund.

RWCF is America's first nonprofit using the community foundation model to support people in a particular labor segment. We are a community dedicated to making the restaurant industry more hospitable to everyone. In our normal model (prior to the establishment of the crisis relief fund) one third of the funds we raise goes to our own community-building and advocacy efforts, one third to grantmaking to other nonprofits (ones that provide career training, advocate for fair wage policies and worker rights, or provide services for restaurant workers related to gender and racial equity, and mental health and substance abuse) and one third is allocated to an impact investing fund, with which we aim to positively affect worker rights in the industry.

www.RestaurantWorkersCF.org

@RWCFUSA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn

SOURCE Tequila Don Julio

Related Links

https://www.donjulio.com/


CPS Energy officials said Monday that charges stemming from Februarys winter storm, customers mounting past-due bills and lower-than-expected revenue from wholesale electricity sales this year are pushing the city-owned utility closer to seeking a rate increase.

CPS suspended disconnections for unpaid power bills last spring  and as of March 31, customers were $100 million in arrears. A year earlier, customers owed just under $36 million in past-due bills.

CPS has said it plans to resume disconnections late this spring or early summer. Currently, about 83,000 of its customers, nearly 10 percent, are far enough behind on their bills to be danger of seeing their power cut off when the utility restarts disconnections.

We cannot turn a switch on tomorrow and just start disconnecting customers again, said Rudy Garza, CPS chief customers engagement officer, during the utilitys board of trustees meeting Monday. Were going to have to phase in the approach over time.

Theres no reason for customers to get disconnected if theyll just make contact with us, he said.

On ExpressNews.com: CPS to resume disconnecting customers by summer

This week on the Puro Politics podcast

CPS officials also said they expect higher expenses next year because the utilitys customer base is expected to grow. At the same time, forecasts have it bringing in less cash from selling power onto the statewide grid operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

A spike in wholesale sales boosted CPS bottom line in 2018 and 2019, contributing a total of nearly $270 million in profit. By comparison, the utility expects to make less than $80 million in earnings from wholesale sales over the next two years.

The elephant in the room is the roughly $1 billion in charges that CPS owes for electricity and natural gas it purchased during winter storm. Its unclear what the final tab will be.

CPS has sued 17 energy companies in Bexar County District Court for allegedly overcharging it by nearly $700 million for natural gas. Legal experts, however, have said the utility is unlikely to win in court.

On ExpressNews.com: CPS Energy lawsuits face slim chances of victory, raising specter of rate hike

Houston-based midstream firm Enterprise Products was the most recent company to sue CPS for not paying its bill for gas it bought during the freeze. The company filed suit against CPS last week in Harris County District Court, several weeks after oil major ConocoPhillips sued CPS in the same court over the utilitys unpaid bill.

Ed Kelley, one of CPSs five trustees, said the utility needs to address its growing financial problems instead of prioritizing assistance for customers who are behind on their bills, among other programs.

This company is being chewed to death, guys. Our bad debt ratio is up five times in one year, Kelley said. If we dont watch it, the goose that has been laying the golden egg for this city for 78 years ... is going to start limping off the stage.

I came from a poor family  we figured it out, Kelley said. Let some more people figure it out, or lets get some help from somebody else.

Now Playing: Video: San Antonio Express-News

Mayor Ron Nirenberg, also a board trustee, clashed with Kelley, saying: Its not our position that the people that have been struggling through the last 14 months are on their own to figure it out.

I understand the financial pressures. I understand the dividend payment back to the city, Nirenberg said. But we are in this together to the very end of this pandemic.

diego.mendoza-moyers@express-news.net
From High School Dropout to College Graduate, Weber State Changes Students Life

April 23, 2021

The first day Cory Britton tried to enroll at Weber State University, fear kept him in his truck. This week, at 42, he will proudly join nearly 6,500 other graduates as he picks up his diploma in computer science.

A first-generation college graduate, Britton and his family are still astounded at the accomplishment and transformation of a student who walked away from high school at the beginning of 11th grade.

To say he was shy as a teenager is an understatement. Britton remembers he completed his homework assignments but left them unsubmitted in his backpack because he preferred that to having a teacher or a classmate see that he hadnt done well.

Failing many of his classes, Britton decided he should drop out of high school to follow his father into a career in construction and property management. He made good money, but didnt have a passion for the profession.

At 37, recently married and with a baby on the way, Britton wanted to be a different role model and provider. Thanks to open-enrollment admission at Weber State, he applied and was accepted. He drove to campus from his home in Riverton to register for classes.

I sat in my truck for the hour, and I was too terrified and too scared and too embarrassed to go inside that building, Britton remembers of that October day in 2016. The time came and went where I could have gone in. Instead, I drove back home.

The next day, which happened to be Halloween, Britton mustered his courage, and with his wifes support, returned to try again.

I just put my head down and walked in, Britton said. The great thing was some of the guidance counselors were dressed up. You know, when you're doing public speaking and they say, Picture everybody naked? It was kind of like that. When they were all dressed in costumes, I thought, Oh my gosh, these guys look fun. It really helped ease my fears.

Britton said registration turned out to be the hardest moment he faced at the university, followed closely by the first day of class. He was afraid to be that old guy among all the recent high school graduates. He managed to stifle the worry by sitting in the front row and not looking behind him to see any of his classmates. Finally, the second week of class, he had to hand a paper back down the row and found the woman sitting there was a non-traditional student. He learned she was a single mother, also wanting to improve her family.

And thats the moment I was like, Oh my gosh. I am not alone, Britton said with a laugh. I ended up making some really great friendships, and I didnt see that one coming.

As a husband, father and a non-traditional student, Britton took his education seriously. He knew he had a lot of educational ground to make up. At Weber State he took advantage of tutors and talked to professors. They nurtured his potential, despite the doubts he had in classes such as Advanced SQL Database.

I took the introduction to databases two years earlier, and I seemed to forget everything, Britton said. But my professor said, you're going to be fine. We'll get through it together. He showed me I did know stuff. I just needed to calm down.

Gradually Britton adopted new study habits and came to believe in himself. A once-failing high school student, Britton eventually passed three semesters of college calculus with top grades. Hes graduating with a 3.82 GPA. in computer science in the College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology.

Once I got to college, the possibilities were eye opening, he said. There is so much that anybody can do. It's not just Einstein or the smartest people out there who can go and do all this great stuff. Anybody can do it if they put their mind to it.

Britton was also surprised to be engaged by subjects he had previously had little interest in. During his first semester, as a general education credit, he enrolled in an introductory music course.

I was just shocked that I would like something like that, he said. It was just fun to talk about how music influenced the culture of America. Music is what built a lot of American and who we are today. That was such a fun class.

Who Americans are today has changed significantly since Britton enrolled at Weber State. The culture, the country, this graduating class, will always be viewed through the lens of a pandemic. Britton said the transition to virtual coursework came at a good time for him. In his advanced computer science courses, he always found easy access to professors through Zoom or email.

And transitioning to virtual classes eliminated his 40-minute commute, which gave him more time for homework, his job, wife Karin and two young children.

I've just been at home and had either virtual lectures or online courses, which have been great, Britton said. I dont feel my education has suffered at all because of the pandemic.

The Monday after graduation, Britton will transition from his position as a software development intern to a full-time software engineer at Veracity Networks in Linden, Utah. Its a job he loves and something hes been planning and looking forward to since he started as an intern in June of 2019.

I went from construction to being a software engineer. That's a pretty big step, Britton said. I was talking to my dad the other night, and he was like, I never thought this would ever be possible. You just decided to go chase your dreams. And you actually did it.

Weber State University will honor Britton and all 6,497 graduates  the largest class on record  during multiple graduation events, both in person and virtually on April 29, 30 and May 1.

Additional details are available at weber.edu/commencement.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

For photos, click on this link:
Defense attorney Wayne Giampietro argued that there was a reasonable doubt that the victim was recognizable in the photos, which is a necessary element of the crime. He also argued that Austin had a lawful purpose in trying to refute defamatory statements about her by her ex-finace, saying she had a right to defend her reputation.
The ministry launched its vaccination campaign on April 13, initially targeting only frontline workers, seniors and chronically ill people aged 55 and older. They are eligible for the AstraZenecas vaccine.

The campaign was extended a week later to younger people deemed most at risk from the coronavirus. For safety reasons they are offered only the Russian Sputnik V vaccine.

According to health authorities, only about 2,200 Armenians were vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Monday despite an ongoing third wave of coronavirus infections in the country of about 3 million.

Nearly 11,000 people eligible for the vaccines are registered with Yerevans state policlinic No. 17. Only 43 of them have taken AstraZeneca or Sputnik V shots so far, the policlinic director, Satenik Badalian, complained on Tuesday.

Badalian spoke to RFE/RLs Armenian Service as she herself was inoculated at the primary healthcare center. She urged more people to follow her example.

It emerged that Health Minister Anahit Avanesian decided at the weekend to expand eligibility for the AstraZeneca vaccine to all people aged 18 and older.

Avanesian said earlier that May 31 is the use-by date of the first 24,000 doses of the vaccine imported to Armenia on March 28. Gayane Sahakian, the deputy director of the ministrys Center for Disease Control and Prevention, insisted that this is not the reason why the minister eliminated the age restrictions and other requirements for Armenians willing to get the AstraZeneca jab.

In recent days we have received many phone calls from people who want to be vaccinated but are not included in any high-risk group, said Sahakian.

Sahakian also made clear that the authorities are maintaining their restrictions on the use of Sputnik V. It is still restricted to vulnerable people aged between 18 and 54, she said.

Armenian received 15,000 doses of the Russian vaccine on April 8 and another 28,000 doses on Monday.

The Ministry of Health reported on Wednesday morning 595 new single-day coronavirus infections and 18 deaths directly caused by COVID-19. It said more than 1,200 people infected with the disease are in a serious or critical condition.
SALEM, Ore.  Roughly a dozen Oregon counties may find themselves elevated to the state's highest level of coronavirus restrictions effective Friday, after the state passed the appointed hospitalization threshold Monday.

Governor Kate Brown and state officials put the Extreme Risk category on hold earlier this month, instead invoking a new statewide hospitalization metric that spared counties from returning to the state's highest restriction level even if their case rates would have otherwise qualified them under Oregon's county risk level framework.

Brown foreshadowed last week that twelve Oregon counties could be placed under Extreme Risk status as both cases and hospitalizations in the state continued to rise. However, the state did not immediately rise about the 300-patient threshold over the weekend.

On Monday, the Oregon Health Authority's daily report listed 319 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state, crossing the line demarcated by Governor Brown.

The timing means that counties on the brink of being placed on Extreme Risk will have to wait until Tuesday to know for certain, as state officials go over the numbers.

"Under our current framework, county risk levels are normally assigned based on data from Sunday to Saturday," said Liz Merah, press secretary for Brown's office. "In this case, however, we will make decisions about potential moves back to Extreme Risk taking into account the most current data. We are analyzing the data today, and we will make an announcement tomorrow about whether certain counties will move to Extreme Risk, effective Friday."

In southern Oregon, Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties have all been on High Risk despite qualifying for Extreme based on case rate metrics. Under Extreme Risk restrictions, indoor dining is prohibited at restaurants, and capacity requirements become much tighter at many other businesses and venues.

Klamath County Public Health acknowledged Monday that the county could return to Extreme Risk status on Friday. The agency reported 315 new cases over last week, with 38 cases so far this week.

With cases surging again, it is imperative that local residents seek vaccination, said KCPH Director Jennifer Little. There are so many opportunities to be conveniently vaccinated. Gov. Brown was clear last week that for the state to move beyond the current numbers and back to a more normal experience more people must be vaccinated.

As of Monday, more than 1.17 million Oregonians had completed a COVID-19 vaccine series, according to OHA. Nearly 1.74 million have received at least one dose. There are roughly 4.22 million people in Oregon, about 75 percent of them 18 or older.
PALM BEACH, Fla., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Experts who follow the metals markets saw last year that when the pandemic first reared its head News of mine closures and restrictive measures throughout the mining supply chain, not to mention a disastrous fall in travel, had adversely affected mining operations. Falling asset prices, which had also spread into the precious metals sector, did not help margins for the miners who could still operate in the constrained economy. However, the rising precious metals prices since then have buoyed the mining sector, which have begun to see sharp upward ticks across many popular mining funds. Silver is the more volatile of the precious metals from a price perspective. While gold tends to move in comparatively gentle movements, silver's chart often exhibits more violent price movement tendencies. This is largely in part to silver's industrial usages, where price movements reflect the futures market expectations of oncoming supply and demand. An article in FXEmpire added: "many investors still see silver as a monetary metal, and when gold moves steadily to the upside like it has since Q4 of 2018, silver tends to follow in the same direction. Given the gold silver ratio being near all-time highs, many precious metals investors feel as though silver has much more room to run to the upside to bring that ratio back down to historic norms." Active mining stocks mentioned in today's commentary include: Ridgestone Mining Inc. (OTCQB: RIGMF) (TSX-V: RMI), Roxgold Inc. (OTCQX: ROGFF) (TSX: ROXG), Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. (NYSE: KL) (TSX: KL), Sandstorm Gold Ltd. (NYSE: SAND) (TSX: SSL), New Gold Inc. (NYSE: NGD) (TSX: NGD).

The FXEmpire article continued: "Gold and silver prices heading higher are not to be unexpected given the deflation in the world economy due to COVID concerns, and the shutdowns in various local economies. Both precious metals are living up to their reputations as stores of value and safety valves as the global economy lets off some of its steam. I believe the charts are following the confidence of the markets in the COVID economy. The drop in mining equities was likely due to liquidations and fear from an unknown adversary in the virus. The gains in the indexes, resultant from increased investment into physical precious metals and their associated funds, has pushed the miners higher as more of the supply chain begins to reopen. Conflicting US economic data will continue to support the bullish precious metals equity charts The damage being done to the economy now is weakening the structure available for a recovery. Despite the encouraging jobs numbers, it is a drop in the bucket compared to the losses. Given all time highs in sovereign and corporate debt, it does not appear we are anywhere near out of the woods as we battle the effects of a virus-ravaged economy."

Ridgestone Mining Inc. (TSX-V: RMI) (OTCQB: RIGMF) (FSE: 4U5) BREAKING NEWS - RIDGESTONE TO DELIVER NI 43-101 RESOURCE ESTIMATE FOR GUADALUPE & CALVO - Ridgestone Mining ("Ridgestone") is pleased to announce the engagement of Marc Jutras of Ginto Consulting Inc. to prepare an independent National Instrument (NI) 43-101 mineral resource estimate for the Guadalupe y Calvo (GyC) gold-silver project in Mexico. The resource estimate is being prepared based on an extensive review of historical exploration results, including detailed sectional interpretation, and is anticipated to be completed in the coming weeks.

Marc Jutras, P.Eng. M.A.Sc. is a highly experienced geostatistician with over 35 years of experience in mineral resource modelling and estimation including holding senior roles with Barrick Gold Corp. and Placer Dome Inc. Mr. Jutras founded Ginto Consulting Inc. in 2015, a firm specializing in the estimation of mineral resources and reserves for mining projects at various stages of development. Previously, Mr. Jutras was Director of Mineral Resources of Alamos Gold for six years (2009  2015) where he was responsible for mineral resource and reserve estimation of the Mulatos mine in Mexico, the Agi Dagi / Kirazli / Camyurt project in Turkey, the Esperanza project in Mexico, and other projects within Alamos' portfolio. Mr. Jutras holds a Master's degree in Applied Sciences (M.A.Sc.) from Ecole Polytechnique of Montreal and Bachelor's degree in Geological Engineering (B.Eng) from University of Quebec in Chicoutimi. Mr Jutras is a registered professional engineer in the provinces of British Columbia, Quebec and Newfoundland.

Jonathan George, CEO, commented: "We are delighted to be forging ahead with our projects in Mexico and to retain the services of Mr. Jutras and Ginto Consulting to work on a resource estimate for our GyC project. Our technical team has been extensively reviewing the database of past exploration and are highly encouraged about the opportunity for the property to host a significant resource. Marc brings a wealth of experience in resource estimation and having specifically having worked on a number of significant projects in Mexico." CONTINUED. Read this full release more news for Ridgestone Mining by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-rmi/

In other mining news of note:

Roxgold Inc. (OTCQX: ROGFF) (TSX: ROXG) and Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (NYSE: FSM) (TSX: FVI) recently announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement (the whereby Fortuna will acquire all the issued and outstanding securities of Roxgold pursuant to a plan of arrangement (the "Transaction"). Under the terms of the Transaction, Roxgold shareholders will receive 0.283 common shares of Fortuna and C$0.001 for each Roxgold common share held. Upon completion of the Transaction, existing Fortuna and Roxgold shareholders will own approximately 64.3% and 35.7% of the pro forma company, respectively.

The exchange ratio implies a consideration of approximately C$2.73 per Roxgold common share based on the closing price of the Fortuna common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on April 23, 2021, representing a 42.1% premium to the closing price of Roxgold on the TSX on the same date. Based on the 20-day volume weighted average price of the Fortuna shares and the Roxgold shares on the TSX for the period ending April 23, 2021, the exchange ratio implies a premium of 40.4% to Roxgold shareholders. The implied fully diluted in the-money equity value of the Transaction is estimated at approximately C$1.1 billion.

Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. (NYSE:KL) (TSX:KL) recently announced production results for the first quarter of 2021 ("Q1 2021") of 302,847 ounces, which exceeded guidance for the quarter of 270,000  290,000 ounces. The strong results versus guidance largely resulted from higher than expected production at both Fosterville Mine ("Fosterville") and Detour Lake Mine ("Detour Lake") in March, with Fosterville benefiting from significant grade outperformance and Detour Lake achieving higher than planned grades and tonnes processed. Also during Q1 2021, the Macassa #4 Shaft project remained ahead of schedule with shaft sinking reaching the 5,000-foot level as at March 31, 2021 and the project remaining on track for completion in late 2022. All dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated.

In a press release dated December 10, 2020, the Company indicated that production in 2021 would be weighted to the second half of the year largely reflecting mine sequencing, with lower grades expected at all three cornerstone assets early in the year, particularly in the first quarter. At that time, production guidance was provided, including 600,000  650,000 ounces for the first half of the year and 700,000  750,000 ounces for the final six months of 2021. The Company also indicated that all-in sustaining costs per ounce sold ("AISC/ounce")1 were expected to average over $900 in the first six months of 2021, and be highest in Q1 2021, improving to approximately $700 during the second half of the year. In a press release dated February 25, 2021, the Company reiterated this guidance and provided additional information on expected production in the first half of 2021, indicating that production was expected to total 270,000  290,000 ounces in Q1 2021 and 330,000  360,000 ounces in the second quarter of the year ("Q2 2021").

Sandstorm Gold Ltd. (NYSE: SAND) (TSX: SSL) recently announced that the Company sold approximately 17,400 attributable gold equivalent ounces and realized preliminary revenue of $31.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021, both representing a record for the Company. Preliminary cost of sales, excluding depletion for the three month period was $5.4 million resulting in cash operating margins1 of approximately $1,470 per attributable gold equivalent ounce.

The Company's normal course issuer bid ("NCIB") is being renewed after the existing NCIB expires on April 5, 2021. The current NCIB provides Sandstorm with the option to purchase up to 17.2 million of the Company's common shares ("Common Shares") from time to time when Sandstorm's management believes that the Common Shares are undervalued by the market. Under the renewed NCIB, Sandstorm may purchase up to 19.1 million of its Common Shares, representing approximately 10% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares of 194,500,210 as of March 31, 2021, less those Common Shares held by the Company's directors and senior officers. The Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") has accepted the Company's notice that it intends to proceed with a NCIB in accordance with TSX rules. Purchases under the renewed NCIB may commence on April 7, 2021 and will terminate on the earlier of April 6, 2022, the date that Sandstorm completes its purchases pursuant to the NCIB as filed with the TSX, or the date of notice by Sandstorm of termination of the NCIB.

New Gold Inc. (TSX: NGD) (NYSE American: NGD) recently announced that three employees at the Rainy River Mine in northwestern Ontario received positive COVID-19 test results. An additional seven employees have tested non-negative with the in-house PCR device and the mine is awaiting confirmation from the Northwestern Health Unit ("NWHU"). All affected individuals have been isolated and are no longer on site.

"The Company has a comprehensive COVID-19 response plan in place and the health and safety of our workforce, and our communities remain our number one concern. We will support all initiatives that align with that objective," stated Renaud Adams, President and CEO.

DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM was compensated forty nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Ridgestone Mining Inc. by a non affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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El Salvador receives more Sinovac vaccines

Xinhua) 13:30, April 27, 2021

SAN SALVADOR, April 26 (Xinhua) -- El Salvador on Monday received a third shipment of COVID-19 vaccines from Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac, local authorities said.

Salvadoran Health Minister Francisco Alabi and China's Ambassador to El Salvador Ou Jianhong were among the officials to receive the Chinese-made vaccine.

"Teamwork and making the health of the population a priority have been a fundamental part" of the country's anti-COVID campaign, Alabi said in a brief speech.

Ou said the shipment clearly shows the friendly cooperation between the two nations.

"The two countries' cooperation in vaccines has reflected Chinese responsibility, capacity, efficiency and speed, and has also demonstrated our good will in supporting El Salvador in fighting the pandemic and benefiting the Salvadoran people," Ou said.

The shipment was transported to the Health Ministry's distribution center for delivery to the different vaccination centers.

El Salvador launched its vaccination drive on Feb. 17, with the goal of immunizing 4.5 million people.

As of Sunday, the Central American country registered 68,468 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,106 deaths from the disease, according to local health authorities.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
(Natural News) Kongiganak, a village of fewer than 500 people in Alaska, is requiring inhabitants, the vast majority of whom are Native Americans, to be fully vaccinated to be eligible for any in-person shopping.

(Article by Victoria Gisondi republished from LifeSiteNews.com)

According to the AP, over a third of Kongiganak residents have contracted the Wuhan coronavirus and two have died from (or with) it. But it is unclear how many of those who supposedly contracted the virus had symptoms or if they were severe.

Sheila Phillip, the Kongiganak Traditional Council secretary, said, people who are fully vaccinated can go inside the villages two stores if they wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

People who have not received experimental coronavirus shots, however, can still make phone orders and their orders are delivered to their home, Phillip said.

Harvey Paul, general manager for Qemirtalek Coast Corporation, which sells groceries, allows only four people at a time into his store. Paul explained that a list is provided by the tribe with names of vaccinated people. Those entering the store need to be on the list to be allowed to shop.

Every couple of days, theyll give us a new list, Paul said. The list keeps getting bigger and bigger. That is a good sign, you know? Paul believes forcing people to be vaccinated in order to buy food and other goods in-person is a good thing.

It gives them the incentive, Hey look, I better get vaccinated too so I can go to the store, Paul said. The best way to curb this virus is to get vaccinated.

Nearby stores in the Bethel and other Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta villages allow non-vaccinated shoppers to enter the store. However, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Fitness Center is also practicing segregation. It reopened on March 1, but only to fully vaccinated individuals.

Fitness Center Facility Director Stacey Reardon explained in an interview with KYUK Public Media the plans for verifying vaccinated individuals: At check in, everybody needs to show their CDC vaccination card and a photo ID.

However, a building full of vaccinated-only people does not mean masks are optional. Reardon said, Everybody needs to wear masks all the time. And there [are] only two exceptions to that: while swimming and while showering.

It is unclear if any exceptions will be made for pregnant women or people who are allergic to ingredients in the coronavirus vaccines, which are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration but have only been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). It is also unclear if people who went into anaphylactic shock right after receiving the vaccine or had another severe reaction to it and thus did not receive a second dose will ever be permitted in the vaccinated-only stores.

Read more at: LifeSiteNews.com or Pandemic.news




Haiti - USA : 68 members of the U.S Congress warn the Biden administration





Monday, Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Hakeem Jeffries, Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, co-led a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken encouraging the United States to reassess its policies in Haiti.



The letter, signed by 68 members, including every Democrat on the Western Hemisphere subcommittee, calls on the Biden administration to withhold funding for the constitutional referendum proposed by Haitian President Jovenel Moise and warns of the dangers of pushing forward with flawed elections later this year.



"Listen to the voices of Haitian civil society and grassroots organizations, who have been clear that no elections under the current administration in Haiti will be free, fair, and credible. The State Department should instead focus on the underlying democratic legitimacy issues identified by Haitis civil society and support a Haiti-led process for change. Elections held without meeting internationally accepted standards for participation and legitimacy will only further undermine faith in democratic governance, waste scarce resources and perpetuate a cycle of political instability and violence."



Complete letter :



"Dear Mr. Secretary:



We write to express our serious and urgent concerns regarding the quickly deteriorating situation in Haiti. Although we appreciate your personal engagement with Haiti, and the State Departments recent criticism of some of the unconstitutional actions by the administration of President Jovenel Moise, we believe it is past time for a more significant review of U.S. policy in Haiti. We look forward to working with you to make this a reality.



We encourage you to support the sovereignty of the U.S.s oldest neighbor in the hemisphere by reaffirming the U.S. commitment to the principles of democracy and rule of law. The Biden Administration inherited a multifaceted crisis (constitutional, human rights, economic, social) that the actions of the previous administration exacerbated. However, we must also recognize that the crisis of today did not start yesterday. For decades, the international community has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to help Haiti achieve political stability and a representative democracy. In order to move forward more productively, we must acknowledge that these efforts have failed to achieve their desired results, and that continuing along the same path will only exacerbate the situation.



Nationwide unrest and political turmoil have increased significantly since 2018 and have brought about severe instability and political violence. In January 2020, the mandates of all but 10 members of the Haitian Parliament and all Haitian mayors were terminated due to delayed elections, leaving President Jovenel Moise to run the country without any legislative oversight. He has since abused his rule by decree powers in direct violation of the Haitian Constitution.



As a result of the political instability, a crashing economy, lockdown from protests, and street gang violence, the Haitian federal government is failing to meet even the most basic needs of its citizens. The Moise administration lacks the credibility and legitimacy to oversee a constitutional referendum scheduled for June 2021 or to administer elections that are free and fair. The proposed constitutional reform, which legal experts maintain is unconstitutional, would further concentrate executive power.



Parliamentary, local, and presidential elections set for Fall 2021 could increase the risk of violence throughout the country significantly. We are also concerned about inclusiveness of elections, lack of preparedness of electoral institutions to hold elections, as well as the unconstitutional composition of the provisional electoral council. Further, we are deeply concerned by the risk of gender-based violence against Haitian women and girls, as increased political violence and a weak legal system foster widespread impunity for heinous gender-based crimes.



Despite this alarming situation, the State Department has been insistent, both in public and in private briefings with members, that elections  now scheduled for later this year  are the only path forward. While elections will clearly be needed in the near future to restore democratic order, we remain deeply concerned that any electoral process held under the current administration will fail to be free, fair, or credible and that continued U.S. insistence on elections at all costs will only make this outcome more likely. President Barack Obamas former Ambassador to Haiti, Pamela White, made clear during her testimony to the House Foreign Affairs Committee in March that legitimate elections are not possible in the current context. Witnesses from Haitian civil society agreed strenuously.



Considering these factors, we urge the State Department to:



Make clear that the U.S. will not provide any support, financial or technical, to facilitate the proposed constitutional referendum, including through multilateral institutions. We take note that, in briefings with members, Department of State officials have said they do not think moving forward with the referendum is appropriate. However, both the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations mission in Haiti (BINUH), have offered vocal support for the process. We urge the Department of State to use its voice and vote within these institutions to ensure U.S. taxpayer dollars are not spent in support of this referendum.



Listen to the voices of Haitian civil society and grassroots organizations, who have been clear that no elections under the current administration in Haiti will be free, fair, and credible. The State Department should instead focus on the underlying democratic legitimacy issues identified by Haitis civil society and support a Haiti-led process for change. Elections held without meeting internationally accepted standards for participation and legitimacy will only further undermine faith in democratic governance, waste scarce resources and perpetuate a cycle of political instability and violence.



Clearly identify and communicate to Congress what specific metrics you will use to evaluate whether Haitis elections will be free and fair, including a realistic timeline for achieving those necessary predicates.



Refrain from opining on constitutional interpretations in Haiti, specifically regarding the dispute over the mandate of Mr. Moise. We note that myriad legal experts in Haiti, including the Federation of Haitian Bar Associations, and a broad cross-section of civil society have offered a different interpretation to that of the Department of State. Rather than taking sides in an internal political dispute, the U.S. must listen to and recognize all voices. It is the Haitian people who will determine the legitimacy of their leaders, and not any foreign government.



Promote the protection of human rights and the rule of law by enforcing Global Magnitsky Act sanctions on individuals credibly implicated in abuses. We take note of the U.S. Treasury Departments sanctions on three individuals, including two former government officials, for their role in the La Saline massacre this past December. This positive development must be expanded upon further.



Combat corruption and impunity by tasking U.S. law enforcement agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to investigate compliance with U.S. tax laws on the part of Haitian politicians and private sector actors with interests in the U.S. Such an investigation should also look at the use of U.S. financial institutions in money laundering operations as well as the networks that traffic arms and drugs through Haiti.



Support the redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants living in the U.S. and put a temporary freeze on all Title 42 related expulsions to Haiti. We note that, amid the current political crisis, the Department of Homeland Security has expelled more than an estimated 1,500 individuals to Haiti just since early February, despite awareness that those returned to Haiti may face harm. It is vital that the U.S. comply with U.S. and international legal obligations and allow all migrants access to the asylum system.



Refocus and reform U.S. policy in Haiti through the appointment of a trusted and credible actor to serve as Special Representative for Haiti. Such a position could oversee a top-to-bottom review of U.S. foreign assistance, as well as work to bring disparate actors, both within Haiti but also within the international community, together with the view towards supporting a Haitian-led strategy of democratic development. A high-level appointment would not only open channels for communication within your Department but send a clear message about Haitis importance to you and to the rest of the Biden administration.



Hold high-level consultations with Haitian civil society and diaspora groups to hear their concerns and recommendations for a democratic path forward.



We thank you for your attention to this matter and look forward to your response."



HL/ HaitiLibre


















A convicted murderer attempted to suffocate his wife after a New Years Eve drinks party at their home in West Cork and he also tore clumps of hair from her head and pulled off eyelash extensions which were glued on to her eyelids.

Marius Rucinskas pleaded guilty to the charge of assault causing harm to his wife on January 1, 2020 at their home at the time in Castletownbere, County Cork. He is presently living with a friend in Cork city.

Garda Laura OSullivan described the attack in evidence at the sentencing hearing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

The accused had been drinking from lunchtime on that New Years Eve, his wife returned home from work at around 5 p.m. and that evening they had some friends over to the house where they drank beer and Jameson whiskey.

After the guests left an argument started and the accused said he was not appreciated for presents that he had bought at Christmas.

Over the next two to three hours he assaulted her several times. He left the house a number of times, drove off and then returned a short time later.

He assaulted her by punching and kicking her in the kitchen and following her upstairs to continue the assaults when she tried to hide in an upstairs bedroom.

Garda OSullivan said the most serious aspect of the assaults occurred when he forced her face down on to a bed and pushed her face into the bed to the extent that she was in danger of suffocation.

By 5.15 a.m. gardai at Bantry received a distress phone call and when they tried to ring the number back it appeared to be dead.

It was later established that the accused had smashed a number of phones, laptops and the television in the house. He was shouting about how ungrateful she was for him.

He started trying to rip off her eyelash extensions, Garda OSullivan said.

The accused said that if he got 2,000 from her the next day he would be out of her life and she would never see him again.

He had a number of previous convictions from Lithuania including a 15-year sentence for pre-meditated murder and a false imprisonment-type charge.

The injured party declined to make a victim impact statement. The accused was remanded in custody for 13 months until his release in February of this year at which time he moved to Cork city, took up homeless accommodation and moved in with a friend.

Judge Sean O Donnabhain asked about the present status of the couples relationship. Garda OSullivan said, As far as I am aware she is willing to take him back.

Defence barrister Dermot Sheehan said that in the course of the incident on New Years Day 2020 the defendant suffered a broken leg and a broken arm.

Referring to the violence of the assault, Judge O Donnabhain said, This was a fairly aggressive undertaking that went on over a period of hours. Drink or no drink, it is very hard to understand.

As for the proposal that the accused would return home, Judge O Donnabhain said, I am asked to take a leap in the dark. I am being asked to more or less let him go home.

The judge adjourned the sentencing hearing until May 19 with the accused on continuing bail until then.
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WORCESTER, Mass.  A nurses strike at a Massachusetts hospital is no closer to a resolution after the first negotiating session with management in about two months ended without an agreement, the sides said.

Nurses at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester met with representatives of hospital owner Tenet Healthcare on Monday in an effort to end the strike that started March 8.

The nurses are demanding increased staffing, which they say is important for patient safety, but their concerns were not addressed, according to the union, Massachusetts Nurses Association. St. Vincent nurses say they are required to care for five patients at a time, while other hospitals have a limit of four patients per nurse.

Tenet said staffing levels are in line with industry standards.

Dallas-based Tenet on Monday offered to create an audit committee on staffing, but did not directly increase staffing, according to a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Nurses Association.

The MNA reviewed the hospitals proposal with its membership via Zoom, and the nurses were devastated, angry and insulted, spokesperson David Schildmeier told The Telegram & Gazette.

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

The strike will continue, the MNA said in a statement. Moving forward the union will be in contact with the mediator to see if they can find a path forward.

A spokesperson for the hospital said it will not concede on staffing ratios.

Before going back to the table, we reiterated what we have been saying for months, that we will not concede to across the board 4:1 staffing, Rhianna Sherwood said in a statement.

Staffing guidelines are being followed and we staff better than most hospitals in the Commonwealth, she said.

The hospital has about 800 nurses but some have chosen not to participate in the strike. Replacement nurses are caring for patients.
WALNUT CREEK, Calif., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Security 101  San Francisco Bay Area is excited to announce Paul Newton as its new Director of Operations, leading the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento installation, service and support teams.

"We are very happy to add an Operations executive with Paul's background to our growing team. Paul's extensive security industry experience will be a huge asset to us as we scale our business in the Bay Area and Sacramento, and his "people first" management style blends well with both our local culture and the management philosophies of Security 101 nationally" said Robert Chamberlin, President of Security 101 in the San Francisco Bay Area & Sacramento.

Paul most recently worked with Honeywell Building Solutions, managing all aspects of the company's most important enterprise accounts. Prior to that Paul worked for Kratos (later acquired by Securitas), serving as Project Manager, Operations Manager, Western Regional Operations Director, and finally the General Manager for the State of California. In his last role Paul managed a P&L of over $60 million for the company.

With twenty-five years' experience as an operational leader in the commercial security industry, Paul brings the operational, leadership, and communication skills needed to go above and beyond as a company leader, while also providing the team leadership skills that will contribute to his managing and empowering the Security 101 installation, service and support teams.

"I'm excited to join a premier company like Security 101 and look forward to the opportunity to develop our company into a major player in the Bay Area commercial security market. Security 101 offered me a unique ability to utilize my entrepreneurial background as we grow our local offices in Northern California, while also providing valuable management tools, resources and a growing national network of locations to support nationwide installations," said Paul Newton.

For more information on Paul's background and the rest of our leadership team, please visit our website

About Security 101  SF Bay Area

Security 101 is a globally recognized commercial security system integrator that helps businesses mitigate threats and vulnerabilities to protect its people, property, and profits. Harnessing the capability of our certified systems engineers, expert program managers, best-in-class products, and specialized operations software, Security 101 is disrupting the industry and solving complex challenges with uniform security programs that adhere to regulatory compliance specifications and deliver true standardization across multi-site organizations. From system design, engineering, and installation  to servicing electronic security systems, Security 101 creates value for our corporate customers with fanatical customer service and cost saving solutions. For more information, please visit www.security101.com/sanfrancisco

Press Contact



Robert Chamberlin

9259510444

https://www.security101.com/sanfrancisco

SOURCE Security 101 - SF Bay Area

Related Links

http://www.security101.com/sanfrancisco


Gloomy skies will stick around as the San Antonio area prepares for a cold front, bringing with it a potential for severe weather.

Rain chances ramp up today with a pretty good chance for some precipitation this afternoon and evening, National Weather Service meteorologist Monte Oaks told MySA.



San Antonio is at a marginal risk for severe weather on Tuesday. The greatest risk for severe storms is west of Bexar County.



But San Antonio isn't out of the woods for severe weather just yet.
[April 27, 2021]

PCI Compliance Solutions Market Procurement Intelligence Report With COVID-19 Impact Update | SpendEdge

NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The PCI Compliance Solutions market will register an incremental spend of about USD 7.38 Billion, growing at a CAGR of 7.83% during the five-year forecast period. A targeted strategic approach to PCI Compliance Solutions 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:

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.

Request 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 PCI Compliance Solutions market. The report also aids buyers with relevant PCI Compliance Solutions 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.

Insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers

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 purhase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors. During the forecast period, the market expects a change of 3.00%-5.00%.







Identify favorable opportunities in PCI Compliance Solutions 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 PCI Compliance Solutions suppliers listed in this report:

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

Verizon Communications Inc.

AT&T Inc.

Cisco Systems Inc.

International Business Machines Corp.

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

Rapid7 Inc.

Coalfire Systems Inc.

SecurityMetrics Inc.

SecureWorks Inc.

Thales Group

Related Report on Professional Services Include:

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

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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
ERRATUM: The first published version of this article had the headline, Duque: No travel ban for now as India variant not yet one of concern. We have corrected this as the B.1.617 first detected in India is still under investigation and not a variant of concern as defined by the World Health Organization. CNN Philippines has revised the headline to rectify the error. It now reads, Duque: No entry ban yet on OFWs from India; variant there still 'under investigation.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27)  The Philippine government has yet to discuss a travel ban on OFWs returning from India in light of the so-called double-mutant COVID-19 variant found in the South Asian country, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Tuesday.

In an interview with CNN Philippines' The Source, Duque said they have yet to discuss their latest actions on the B.1.617 coronavirus variant with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, especially on travel guidelines for overseas Filipino workers returning from India.

"We'll take this up in the IATF (meeting)  the matter of returning OFWs who might be coming from India," Duque said, noting that President Rodrigo Duterte will give the final directive on the issue.

"There's no (ban) on our OFWs because the policy on returning OFWs upon the directive of the President  they must be allowed to travel back home," he added.

The DOH earlier said the variant has a number of mutations that could increase transmissibility and help escape immune response. The Philippines has not recorded a case of the India variant for now.

Duque pointed out that the Philippine Genome Center and other medical experts have not yet classified the variant from India as a "variant of concern," unlike the variants first detected in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil which have since spread around the country.

"The Philippine Genome Center has not reported to the IATF whether this has evolved to become a variant of concern. This is still considered a variant under investigation," Duque said.

A variant of concern, according to the World Health Organization, is associated with increased transmissibility or "detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology, increase in virulence or change in clinical disease presentation or decrease in effectiveness of public health and social measures, available diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics." Medical experts around the world had said the variant in India does not yet qualify as a variant of concern despite the alarming growth of infections in that country.

Citing the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Duque said there are currently about 1,200 OFWs in India. Several countries such as the United States, Hong Kong, Pakistan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom already put India on the travel ban list to preempt transmission.

On Monday, India reported over 352,000 new cases of COVID-19, setting another world record for daily infections during the coronavirus pandemic.

At the Laging Handa briefing, Philippine Ambassador to New Delhi Ramon Bagatsing Jr. said the Philippines should not underestimate the India variant.

"We cannot underestimate this virus. Definitely, if other countries are stopping the travel of Indians to their countries, that is something our government should seriously consider," he said.

Former COVID-19 task force adviser Dr. Tony Leachon expressed a similar sentiment on Twitter, calling on the government to act with "a sense of urgency."

"Variants play an important role. People are waiting for DOH DFA travel advisory/ban. Sense of urgency is needed." because the policy on returning OFWs upon the directive of the President, they must be allowed to travel back home," he added.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Walk-in COVID-19 vaccines are available Tuesday in Grand Rapids.

The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic is accepting walk-ins from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., April 27, at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, in Grand Rapids, a news release said.

Its open to people 18 and older. People 16 or 17 may also get a shot, but they must have a parent or guardian with them, the release said.

The clinic is for people who have not received their first shot, the release said. The Pfizer vaccine will be administered.

Parking is free, if participants have their ticket validated. People can park at DeVos Place, using the north parking entrance from Michigan Street or the south parking entrance on Lyon Street. People can also park at the Government Center Ramp across the street from DeVos Place.

Tuesdays clinic is a joint effort by Kent County, Spectrum Health, Mercy Heath and Vaccinate West Michigan.

Future appointments can be scheduled by calling 833-734-0016 or visiting wmvaccinceclinic.org.

More from MLive:

189 infected in new coronavirus outbreaks at 41 schools, says Michigans April 26 school outbreak report

Grand Rapids police officer who punched motorist in the head claims man was trying to grab gun, police report says

Grand Rapids apartment proposal draws pushback over displacement of antique shops

Grand Rapids puts $62K toward nine community projects celebrating culture, assisting youth
Lackawanna County will host a COVID-19 memorial Saturday afternoon, remembering the lives of those who died from the virus in Northeast Pennsylvania.

The memorial will begin at 1 p.m. on the Linden Street lawn of Lackawanna County Courthouse Square, event organizer Trish Zimmerman said in an email. As part of the memorial, 200 empty chairs will be set up to represent the nearly 600,000 people who died from COVID-19 in the United States. Additionally, 1,700 yellow hearts with the names of loved ones will be on display on an arch outside the courthouse.

Speakers will include U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, state Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, and Zimmerman, whose father died from COVID-19. Kosierowski will emcee the event.

The outdoor event will follow social distancing guidelines, and masks are required.
Normally, trying to get the two sides on ethnically-divided Cyprus to sit down for yet another round of talks is preceded by plenty of well-wishing and messages of hope that perhaps this time a peace deal will be worked out. This week it's quite different. The mood is dour even before the two sides agree to sit down for real talks because they no longer seem to share the same vision of how a final peace deal should take shape.

U.N. chief Antonio Guterres will host an informal gathering of the rival Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders in Geneva as well as the foreign ministers of Cyprus 'guarantors' Greece, Turkey and former colonial ruler Britain. The goal is to get the two sides back on the same page and embarking on a fresh round of formal talks. Guterres' spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, has urged the sides to "come with creativity" to the informal meeting.

Over 47 years of talks, the ultimate goal endorsed by the U.N. Security Council had been to reunify a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north and an internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south as a federation - two zones running their own affairs with a federal government overseeing the core elements of national governance like foreign policy and defense.

But now Turkey and the new Turkish Cypriot leadership that espouses even tighter bonds with Ankara have changed the rules, dismissing further talks about a federation-based accord as a "waste of time" because nearly five decades of talks on that model have gone nowhere.

They're proposing instead essentially a two-state model that Greek Cypriots say they'd never accept because it would legitimize the country's partition forever. Turkey insists on keeping a military presence on the island for an indeterminate amount of time as part of a peace accord to ensure that Turkish Cypriots are protected.

More than 35,000 Turkish troops have been stationed in the north of Cyprus since 1974 when a Turkish invasion split the country following an Athens junta-backed coup aimed at union with Greece. But Greek Cypriots reject such a military presence because they see it as an existential threat and a serious breach of any country's sovereignty. Greek Cypriots also say any unilateral military intervention rights in the country's 1960 constitution must be abandoned.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Ms. Greene is hardly the G.O.P.s only anti-legislator. Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida blazed onto the national scene in 2017 as a cartoonish mini-Trump and became an instant media celebrity with his over-the-top MAGA-tude. His primary function since arriving in Washington seems to have been praising Mr. Trump on Fox News. Before he got tangled up in an ugly sex-trafficking scandal and federal investigation, Mr. Gaetz was leading the charge against members of his own party who had dared support the second impeachment of Mr. Trump.

Representative Mo Brooks of Alabama spent a solid decade toiling in the House, with little to show for it beyond a bill renaming a local post office. Then came Jan. 6. An enthusiastic supporter of Mr. Trumps big lie that the 2020 presidential election was rigged, Mr. Brooks was one of only a couple of House members to speak at the Stop the Steal rally that immediately preceded the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The horrors of that day somehow convinced Mr. Brooks that hes Senate material. In fact, he says the blowback he received from his involvement in the rally upped his name recognition and improved his standing among the base. It certainly improved his standing with Mr. Trump, who recently endorsed Mr. Brooks for the Senate.

And what is there to say about Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado, other than Welcome to the decadent phase of American democracy?

The Republican Party has been shifting its focus away from governing and toward reactionary demagogy and obstructionism for a while now. During the Obama years, the partys House conference experienced major churn, as new members rode into town in on the promise of thwarting the presidents every move. The conservative Tea Partyers put mainstream, establishment Republicans on the defensive, and the House Freedom Caucus devoted itself to making sure its own leadership did not even think about bipartisan compromise. By the end of Mr. Obamas tenure, the House Republican conference was dominated by lawmakers who had no idea what their job entailed beyond bomb throwing.

Over in the Senate, Republican leader Mitch McConnell is famous for caring not a whit about legislating. His partys longest-serving Senate leader, he instead has devoted his energy to pushing through conservative judges, which he sees as a more enduring legacy. Even legislative initiatives from his own team have been left to wither.

Going back farther, you can trace the roots of modern Republican obstructionism at least to the tenure of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, credited by many as the man who broke Congress. It is true that he did much to promote political dysfunction. But the Republican revolutionaries of 1994 also had a robust policy agenda they were selling  a Contract With America, if you will. Mr. Gingrich had many big ideas, even if they were awful. What do the likes of Mr. Gaetz and Ms. Greene have? Nothing but tude.

But that is precisely what many Republican voters crave these days  especially after four years of marinating in Mr. Trumps rhetorical bile. What is governing compared to owning the libs? Profiles in courage compared to tales of grievance?
Scanfil plc Press release 27 April 2021 9.00 p.m.



Scanfil joins the UN Global Compact and takes an important step in its sustainability journey

In April 2021 Scanfil joined United Nations Global Compact's ten principles for ethical business practices.

The company is now among over 13,000 companies world-wide that have affirmed their dedication to respecting human rights, labour rights, environmental quality, and anti-corruption practices.

"Scanfil is highly dedicated to sustainability and responsibility. By joining the UN Global Compact, we continue to affirm our commitment to ethical and responsible business practices in every area of our work', says Jokitalo. "Ensuring and developing the responsibility of operations is vitally important for Scanfil's success."

The monitoring and continuous development of corporate responsibility serves the needs of all Scanfil's stakeholders. Scanfil has defined key factors for its corporate responsibility and divided them into responsible offering, responsibility for partners and the community, social responsibility and responsibility for the environment.

Read more about Scanfil's sustainability work from 2020 Annual Report .

Read more about UN Global Compact .

Scanfil plc



Additional information:

CEO Petteri Jokitalo

Tel +358 8 4882 111



Scanfil is an international manufacturing partner and system supplier for the electronics industry with 40 years of experience in demanding manufacturing. Scanfil provides its customers with an extensive array of services, ranging from product design to product manufacturing, material procurement and logistics solutions. Vertically integrated production and a comprehensive supply chain are the foundation of Scanfil's competitive advantages: speed, flexibility and reliability.



Typical Scanfil products are modules or integrated products for e.g. self-service application, automation systems, wireless connectivity modules, climate control systems, collection and shorting systems, analysers and environmental measurement solutions. Scanfil services are used by numerous international automation, safety, energy, cleantech, connectivity and health service providers, as well as companies operating in the field of urbanisation. Scanfil's network of factories consists of 10 production units in Europe, Asia and North America.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

During the Bronze Age, Mesopotamia was witness to several climate crises. In the long run, these crises prompted the development of stable forms of sate and therefore elicited cooperation between political elites and non-elites. This is the main finding of a study published in the journal PNAS and authored by two scholars from the University of Bologna (Italy) and Eberhard Karls Universitat Tubingen (Germany).

This study investigated the impact of climate shocks in Mesopotamia between 3100 and 1750 BC. The two scholars looked at these issues through the lenses of economics and adopted a game-theory approach. They applied this approach to the first detailed database on climate and institutional evolution of the 44 most important states of Mesopotamia.

"Severe and prolonged droughts pushed elites of landowners to grant political and property rights to the non-elites, who had the skills and tools to stem the damages brought by climate change. Elites did so to persuade non-elites that a sufficient part of the crops would be shared through the production of public goods," explains Carmine Guerriero, a professor at the Department of Economics at the University of Bologna and one of the authors of this study. "On their end, non-elites promoted institutional changes, embracing a culture of cooperation to persuade elites of their commitment to future cooperations."

Three severe droughts seem to confirm these intuitions. In the last stages of the Urban Revolution (3800-3300 BC), religious groups stepped in and eventually coordinated the effort of building the first human-made canals. Then, during the Protodynastic Period (3100-2550 BC), the Palatine military promoted the cooperation between farmers, granting them protection and the resources of the military enlistment. During the Imperial Period (2350-1750 BC), a valuable and climate shock-independent alternative to agricultural activities was put forward by corporations of merchants that had increasingly taken hold. Conversely, periods of milder climate promoted the cooperation between non-elites and elites while elites were not forced to give up their power and non-elites were not obliged to adopt a culture of intense cooperation.

"Because of their primarily agricultural economic systems, some developing countries are experiencing climate change in a way that resembles that of Mesopotamian States, and they will also experience politically relevant consequences," adds Guerriero. "On the one hand, unfavorable climate shocks can promote cooperation between normally contrasting parties by granting more rights to non-elites. On the other hand, favorable climate conditions allow for the cooperation between elites and non-elites through less inclusive social orders and with some degree of cultural accumulation. Therefore, two major objectives in this sense are spreading a strong culture of cooperation and avoiding the random transfer of more inclusive social orders in developing countries."

All in all, analyzing events concerning lost civilizations can offer useful insights to understand and solve issues of present times. "The past offers a more encouraging perspective against which we can measure the gravity of today's crises including the pandemic," suggests Guerriero. "Moreover, the past shows the importance of an interdisciplinary approach involving social and natural sciences to obtain a more precise evaluation of short-, medium- and long-term effects of climate change."

This paper appeared in the journal PNAS with the title "Climate Change and State Evolution."

Explore further Power to the people? Study examines what voters want in a primary election

Provided by Universita di Bologna
The consumer shift to digital media has accelerated in the past 12 months, with online channels now set to take a greater share of retail, and TikTok's expansion into social commerce being an even greater challenge to established platforms like Facebook.

These findings by WARC, the international marketing intelligence service, are included in the latest Global Ad Trends report: COVID-19 One Year On, which outlines the new, long-term shifts in e-commerce, social media, online video and gaming for brands and consumers.

E-commerce: $900bn more was spent at online retailers last year

Nearly $1trn more was spent at online retailers last year, per the Mastercard Economics Institute, and the move to online retail has engrained long-term habits. Brands are investing more in e-commerce advertising, which grew far ahead of the wider online ad market last year.

This trend is set to continue even as high street footfall increases in 2021 and major players like Amazon become more attractive - data from Earnest Research show 59% of new COVID-19 Amazon customers were still buying with the company at the end of 2020, the highest retention rate in American retail.

The growing popularity of 'buy online for pickup in store', which has seen over a quarter of adults in the US (26%), Mexico (28%) and India (33%) using the service more, indicates flexibility and convenience will be a key consumer strategy in the future.

Social media: TikTok was the social winner of 2020 - user activity doubled and brands are upping their investment

Driven by entertaining content, TikTok is now the social app with the highest level of user activity, having overtaken Facebook for the top spot in Canada (TikTok users spend 17 hours a month on the app), France (17 hours), the UK (20 hours) and the United States (22 hours), per App Annie.

Findings included in WARC's Marketer's Toolkit 2021, based on a survey of over 1,000 marketers, show that 44% of brands expect to increase spend on TikTok this year, ahead of Facebook's 39%.

Online video: Linear TV advertising falls an estimated $34bn as YouTube, social video and brand integrations lure ad budgets away

Online video is eroding linear TV advertising and now accounts for a quarter (26%) of the global video ad market. Digital platforms like YouTube are becoming more popular, with audiences now watching over 20 hours of mobile content each month, according to App Annie. More than a quarter (27%) of YouTube consumption is via connected TV devices, which now poses a direct challenge to linear TV activity.

Audiences are less concerned with these distinctions, though, and care more about quality content than the delivery platform - one in five (20%) consumers globally sees no difference between YouTube and linear TV consumption, per AudienceProject research. This rises even higher in the US (36%) and the UK (27%).

Gaming and esports: Brands tap into sponsorships, mobile creative and celebrity collaborations as audiences expand

Gaming and esports audiences grew rapidly last year, with streaming platform Twitch approaching three million monthly viewers worldwide. Audiences are also more receptive to advertising in exchange for in-game benefits, and gamers are 7% more likely to buy from brands they have seen advertised, according to GWI. This rises to 15% in Japan, 10% in China and 9% in India.

Esports sponsorship is expected to grow 11.6% this year and top $600m for the first time, per Newzoo forecasts. The creative opportunities for brands extend beyond this, ranging from celebrity collaborations and partnerships. However, a third (35%) of marketers say gaming is not an area of higher focus in 2021, suggesting a potential missed opportunity for some.

Rob Clapp, Senior Analyst, WARC Data, and author of the research, says: "The media disruption from COVID-19 was rapid and severe, but the data suggest that brands were largely able to adapt to the immediate shifts in consumer behaviour. The clear correlation between changes in user activity and advertising spend shows how digital media has benefitted.

The main takeaway for brands has been a greater focus on agility, innovation and effectiveness, a trend that is likely to perpetuate digital media's rapid growth in 2021 and beyond."

Consumer attitudes to advertising reveal a preference for TV over social media

Included in this edition of Global Ad Trends is an analysis ofconsumer attitudes to advertising, digital media, brand safety, and data-driven targeting in the UK and the United States, as measured by target audience company GWI in collaboration with WARC.

The latest research finds:

Younger audiences want to connect with advertising on an emotional level, while older audiences look for product information. 34% of consumers say TV advertising is 'entertaining' and 30% 'informative' compared to 17% and 19% respectively for social media advertising. 53% of consumers say an excessive number of ads negatively impacts their view of the brand. Younger audiences are easily distracted online - one in two (49%) say they regularly switch between multiple smartphone apps. The largest consumers of digital media are most resistant to targeted advertising, undermining one of the main benefits of digital TV and audio campaigns.

Regional findings from Global Ad Trends: COVID One Year On

Asia Pacific
With Covid-19 infections rising at an alarming rate in the second wave and many state administrations imposing lockdowns to curb the spread of the virus thus impacting economic activity, Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC) has written to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) seeking recast facility for of shadow lenders, irrespective of whether such accounts have been restructured on earlier occasions.

In a letter to the governor Shaktikanta Das, FIDC said, Considering the severe second wave of Covid-19, retail borrowers, including MSMEs, as also the retail and wholesale trader industry will be in urgent need of support from the lenders, to revive their economic activities. In this challenging environment for borrowers and lenders, in general, it will be helpful, if the extends the August 6, 2020 notification on one-time restructuring till at least March 31, 2022.

The FIDC has said borrower accounts, irrespective of whether they have been restructured earlier, and if they are standard as of March 31, 2021, should be allowed recast without any downgrade in asset classification.

Also, may prescribe broad guidelines for restructuring such accounts along the lines of the Kamath Committee recommendations.

They have also sought restructuring for small NBFCs, with an asset size of less than Rs 500 crore, who are dependent on the banks for their funding otherwise it may create an asset-liability mismatch problem for such NBFCs.

.....these small NBFCs may be given the benefit of getting their loans restructured (one time) from banks and FIs. This shall ensure that these small NBFCs remain eligible for further bank finance, there is no mismatch in their asset-liability position and thus help them support their wholesale and with fresh credit, said FIDC.

Furthermore, they have sought liquidity support for the shadow banking sector for on-lending to MSMEs. In this regard, they have asked the central bank to increase its outlay for All India Financial Institutions (AIFIs) from Rs 50,000 crore to Rs 75,000 crore.

While the existing allocation for other sectors may continue at their prescribed limits, the additional Rs 25,000 crores may be made available exclusively to medium and small NBFCs, through SIDBI for period of 3 years, the industry body said.

Earlier this month, the RBI had announced fresh support to AIFIs of Rs 50,000 crore will be provided to the AIFIs for new lending in 2021-22.
On Sunday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted about President Bidens climate plan that would require Americans to cut 90 percent of red meat from their diets.

Except, there is no climate plan requirement of the sort.

Abbotts tweet included an image of what appears to be a Fox News TV segment in which details of the alleged requirement are shared. In the image, text incorrectly shows Biden calling for Americans to eat only one hamburger a month and a maximum of four pounds of red meat a year.

TEXAS POLITICS: 'EMILY TAKES NOTES' PROJECT RECAPS HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR LOCALS



The governor may have been too up in arms about the fake news report to check his sources because the information in the image is completely false, which multiple Twitter users pointed out to Abbott. While some left more passionate responses than others, many called for the governor to take down the tweet.

Embarrassing that the Governor falls for a completely fake story by Fox News via the Daily Mail, said @thehowie. I will expect him to retract this and offer an apology. But not holding my breath.

Its not happening anywhere, you pathetic liar, because its not in Bidens climate plan, responded @kevinmkruse.

The governor is spreading a meme Snopes rates as completely false, pointed out @patrickw.

Snopes, a fact-checking website, verified that the claims made in the Fox News image are indeed false. While Biden last week announced his administrations plans to reduce gas emissions in half by 2030, the Daily Mail published a story that asserted that Bidens plan could theoretically require Americans to majorly reduce their consumption of red meat by 90 percent.

Daily Mails story quickly prompted right-wing politicians to dismiss Bidens climate plan completely while also spreading the false red meat narrative. Along with Abbott, Georgias Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene shared criticism of the false information and of Biden, who she called

The Hamburglar. Colorados Rep. Lauren Boebert, who also owns a restaurant where staff members are encouraged to openly carry firearms, also tweeted out the claim as fact and has not taken down the misinformation.
Brasilia: The Brazilian health regulator, Anvisa, has rejected importing the Russian-made Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine requested by state governors battling a deadly second wave of the virus battering Latin Americas largest nation.

Anvisas five-strong board voted unanimously not to approve the Russian vaccine after technical staff highlighted inherent risks and serious defects, citing a lack of information guaranteeing its safety, quality and effectiveness.

A worker uses a pallet trolley to transport a crate of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine at a cold storage facility in Karachi, Pakistan. Credit:Bloomberg

A crucial issue was the presence in the vaccine of the adenovirus that could reproduce, a serious defect, according to Anvisas medicines and biological products manager, Gustavo Mendes.

Ana Carolina Moreira Marino Araujo, general manager for health monitoring, said that taking into account all the documentation presented, data acquired at in-person inspections and information from other regulators, inherent risks were too great.
Chinese premier urges enhancing anti-corruption work in gov't agencies

Xinhua) 08:31, April 27, 2021

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, makes remarks at a State Council meeting on clean governance in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2021. Vice Premier Han Zheng and Zhao Leji, secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, both members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Premier Li Keqiang on Monday called for efforts to enhance clean governance and anti-corruption work in China's government agencies.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks at a State Council meeting on clean governance.

Zhao Leji, secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and Vice Premier Han Zheng, both members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting.

While acknowledging the efforts of government agencies in relevant areas over the past year that have effectively promoted the work in epidemic prevention and control as well as economic and social development, Li said corruption and misconduct still pose challenges in some areas.

He urged consistent efforts to promote clean governance and strengthen anti-corruption in government agencies, and called for measures to give full play to the leading role of strict Party self-governance to ensure that the targets and tasks for economic and social development this year will be accomplished.

Li stressed the implementation of policies such as tax and fee cuts to help market entities recover and gain more vitality. He urged efforts to ensure that the direct allocation of fiscal funds plays a better role in benefiting people and enterprises.

More work should be done to strengthen the oversight of investment in fields related to people's livelihoods, including employment, education, medical care and elderly care, Li said.

The government should tighten its belt and reduce expenditure to allow more funding for people's livelihoods, while deepening reforms to streamline administration and delegate power to further energize market entities and stimulate social creativity, he said.

Li also called on governments at all levels to address practical issues to benefit the public.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
Some of the 2.1 million ballots cast during the 2020 election, are brought in for recounting at a 2020 election ballot audit ordered by the Arizona Senate at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2021. (Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo)

Arizona AG Rejects Secretary of States Call for Probe of GOP-Led Maricopa County Vote Audit

Arizonas attorney general has rejected the states top election officials call for an investigation into possible irregularities in a Republican-led audit of 2020 election results.

Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, on Friday wrote a letter to Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich, citing media reports of security lapses at the audit site and calling for a probe into potential violations of Arizonas elections laws in connection with the Senates audit of the Maricopa County election materials.

Brnovich responded in a letter Friday, saying Hobbs provided no facts to warrant a probe, calling her references to reports speculation insufficient to support the request for an official investigation.

Arizonas GOP-led Senate has waged a legislative and legal battle to audit the 2020 election results in Maricopa County, the states most populous county where Democrat votes anchored President Joe Bidens win in Arizona, which flipped blue in the presidential race for just the second time in 72 years.

While several reviews of election results have found no issues that would overturn Bidens narrow win in Arizona, questions about the legitimacy of the presidential election have swirled, with Senate Republicans insisting on their own audit to allay any doubts and restore confidence in the integrity of the vote.

To conduct the audit, Republicans who control the state Senate hired Cyber Ninjas, a Florida-based cybersecurity firm that Hobbs took aim at in a Monday interview on The Choice, saying the company has no auditing experience, no election experience, and theyre clearly just making this up as they go along.

In a tweet, Hobbs also said that Local reporting yesterday made it clear that @FannKfann and her Cyber Ninjas have not implemented sufficient security to protect the integrity of election equipment and ballots, referring to Arizona Senate President Karen Fann, a Republican who has been at the forefront of the audit.

Fann, in a brief comment last week, said that the ballots are protected by bonded and certified 24-hour security forces, kept in locked cages and a public live stream is on 24 hours a day, reported The Associated Press.

Hobbs announced in a tweet on Monday that she had filed an amicus brief in a lawsuit filed by the Arizona Democrat Party against Fann, with the Secretary of State saying she provided declarations from election experts regarding the audits lack of security, procedure, and transparency.

The Arizona Democratic Party filed the lawsuit last week (pdf), seeking to stop the audit.

Kelli Ward, Chair of the Arizona Republican Party, questioned the Democrats lawsuit in a statement on Thursday. The Democrats are STILL trying to stop the Maricopa County audit and defy the AZ Senate subpoena. What are they hiding? Hearing tomorrow on this ridiculous temporary restraining order, she wrote on Twitter.

The Arizona Senate said that its broad and detailed audit will validate every area of the voting process and includes, but is not limited to, scanning all the ballots, a full hand recount, auditing the voter registration and votes cast, the vote counts, and the electronic voting system.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors had previously resisted Senate subpoenas to turn over election equipment for the audit and repeatedly maintained that there were no issues with the conduct of the 2020 election.

Mimi Nguyen-Ly contributed to this report.
A teenage boy from the north-central Vietnamese province of Thanh Hoa has been sentenced to death for murdering a woman and stealing her property last year.

The provincial Peoples Court on Monday conducted the trial of Khuong Van Anh, 19, Khuong Van Khue, 17, and Khuong Hoang Hai, 16.

Anh received the death penalty, while Khue and Hai were condemned to 18 years and 12 years in prison, respectively, for murder and robbery.

Anh, who resides in Dinh Tien Commune, Yen Dinh District, was unemployed and addicted to online games, according to the indictment.

As he ran out of money for gaming and other personal needs, Anh planned on killing 65-year-old Le Thi H., who lived in the same neighborhood, to steal her assets.

Khuong Hoang Hai and Khuong Van Khue are held at the police station in Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, November 5, 2020 in this supplied photo.

Anh asked Khue and Hai to join him, and they agreed.

On November 4, 2020, the three boys broke into H.s house and murdered the victim with a knife.

They took her gold jewelry and money and threw the murder weapon into a nearby river.

After spending the victims VND2 million (US$86) worth of cash on gaming, the three sold her gold earrings for VND15 million ($650).

Police officers arrested them on November 5.

Anh was previously given a jail term for robbery in 2019 but he was given a suspended sentence with a 30-month probation period.

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Tennessee's 48-hour abortion waiting period law reinstated by appeals court

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The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has allowed a Tennessee law requiring women seeking an abortion to wait 48 hours before they can undergo the procedure to take effect until a ruling on the laws constitutionality is reached.

In a brief opinion released last Friday, a majority of judges on the Sixth Circuit agreed to stay a lower court ruling that placed an injunction on the 2015 waiting period law and granted an appeal in the case.

It is further ORDERED that the motion to stay the district courts judgment and injunction pending appeal is GRANTED, and that our prior opinion to the contrary  is VACATED, stated the order.

The order comes after a federal court struck down the waiting period in October 2020. The states appeal of that decision is pending.

The Sixth Circuits order included two dissents, one of which was written by Judge Julia Smith Gibbons, who opposed granting the appeal and lifting the lower court injunction.

It defies precedent to summarily conclude that all waiting periods are constitutional, no matter the circumstances, wrote Gibbons, an appointee of President George W. Bush. The State also intimates that the existence of similar waiting periods in fourteen other states should lead us to find that Tennessees waiting period is constitutional.

But, by my count, federal courts of appeals have only decided that four of those waiting periods do not infringe upon the right to an abortion, and the courts rationales vary.

Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III praised the courts decision.

We are pleased that the full Sixth Circuit has recognized that Tennessees law, requiring a 48-hour waiting period for abortions, is likely constitutional and can be enforced while the appeal proceeds, Slatery stressed.

The Supreme Court has recognized the authority of State governments to provide women considering abortion the opportunity to receive important information before a life-changing decision is made. Tennesseans, through their elected representatives, voted for this law and this Office will defend it.

In 2019, a study released by Jason M. Lindo and Mayra Pineda-Torres of Texas A&M University indicated that the Tennessee abortion rate declined by 6% due to the waiting period law enacted by then-Gov. Bill Haslem in 2015.

The study also found that the price for obtaining an abortion had increased by around $900 due to the requirement for the additional counseling appointment.

Delayed abortions can increase monetary costs for two main reasons. First, delays can increase the cost of the procedure, which typically rise with gestational age, the researchers reported.

Second, delays can require women to travel to more distant providers because providers vary in the types of procedures they oer and the gestational ages at which they oer them.

A group of abortion providers sued the state over the regulation, with U.S. District Court Judge Bernard A. Friedman, a Ronald Reagan appointee, ruling against the waiting period law last October.

It is apparent that this waiting period unduly burdens womens right to an abortion and is an affront to their 'dignity and autonomy,' 'personhood' and 'destiny,' and 'conception of . . . [their] place in society,' wrote Friedman.

Defendants suggestion that women are overly emotional and must be required to cool off or calm down before having a medical procedure they have decided they want to have, and that they are constitutionally entitled to have, is highly insulting and paternalistic  and all the more so given that no such waiting periods apply to men.

Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life, released a statement in 2015 expressing support for the waiting period law, arguing that women and girls considering abortion in our state deserve relevant details and adequate time to make fully informed decisions about the fate of their unborn child.
BRIDGEPORT  A city man was sentenced to three months in prison for a bankruptcy fraud offense stemming from 2018, according to federal prosecutors.

Anthony Faustini, 58, was sentenced Monday by Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to serve three months in prison, followed by three months of home confinement and three years of supervised release. He was released on bond and ordered to report to prison on June 9.

On Dec. 3, 2020, Faustini pleaded guilty to making a false statement under oath in a bankruptcy matter.

In March 2018, Faustini filed a bankruptcy petition, noting he had unpaid debts of about $86,862. Authorities said Faustini failed to disclose to the bankruptcy court that he knew he was the beneficiary of his mothers $100,000 life insurance policy. Nine days after Faustini filed the petition, his mother died.

The following month in 2018, Faustini testified under oath and again failed to mention the life insurance policy, even when directly questioned about it, prosecutors said.

The bankruptcy court granted Faustinis petition in June 2018. The next day, he contacted the life insurance company to confirm they had his correct address. A few days later, the insurance company issued a check to Faustini for $100,246.

The Office of the U.S. Trustee for the District of Connecticut learned of the life insurance payment made to Faustini and interviewed him in June 2019.

Prosecutors said while speaking to officials, Faustini made several false statements, including that he had not known about the life insurance policy when he filed his bankruptcy petition, that did not find out about the policy until he received the check, and that he did not know how the insurance company knew to send the check to his address.

Hall ordered Faustini to pay $61,062 in restitution.
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. High 88F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 75F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Garcelle Beauvais is proud of how open her castmate Erika 'Jayne' Girardi was about her divorce while filming the 11th season.

'She showed up and I commend her for that, honestly,' the Haitian-born 54-year-old told Us Weekly on Tuesday.

'We don't shy away from it. The show doesn't shy away from it. And Erika was amazing [in] that she was as honest as she was.'

'She showed up and I commend her for that, honestly': The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Garcelle Beauvais (L, pictured in 2020) is proud of how open her castmate Erika 'Jayne' Girardi (R) was about her divorce while filming the 11th season

The Haitian-born 54-year-old told Us Weekly on Tuesday: 'We don't shy away from it. The show doesn't shy away from it. And Erika was amazing [in] that she was as honest as she was'

In November, the Atlanta-born 49-year-old filed for dissolution of her 21-year marriage to her second husband Thomas Girardi in Los Angeles County Court 'after much consideration.'

'I think she's doing great under the circumstances,' Garcelle noted.

'I think you never want anyone to be in a bad place, you know, and it's hard to watch when it's a reality. We're not playing characters, so is this her real life? Yeah.'

It's over: In November, the Atlanta-born 49-year-old (L, pictured in 2017) filed for dissolution of her 21-year marriage to her second husband Thomas Girardi (R) in Los Angeles County Court 'after much consideration'

Garcelle noted: 'I think she's doing great under the circumstances. I think you never want anyone to be in a bad place, you know, and it's hard to watch when it's a reality. We're not playing characters, so is this her real life? Yeah'

Legal woes: In the trailer, Beauvais asked Jayne (born Chahoy) if she had a 'heads up' about the ensuing lawsuits about the former couple embezzling $2M worth of settlement funds earmarked for victims of the Lion Air Flight 610 plane crash

Erika shrugged: 'No one knows the answer but him'

In the trailer, Beauvais asked Jayne (born Chahoy) if she had a 'heads up' about the ensuing lawsuits about the former couple embezzling $2M worth of settlement funds earmarked for victims of the Lion Air Flight 610 plane crash.

'No one knows the answer but him,' Erika shrugged.

The Savage X Fenty catwalker originally met the 81-year-old attorney while cocktail waitressing at West Hollywood restaurant Chasen's where he was a regular.

The Savage X Fenty catwalker originally met the 81-year-old attorney while cocktail waitressing at West Hollywood restaurant Chasen's where he was a regular

32-year age difference: Jayne and Girardi had an unconventional May-December marriage with no prenuptial agreement, and he refused to wear a wedding band

Second divorce: Coincidentially, Erika's first husband was also named Thomas (last name Zizzo) and they parented 28-year-old son Tommy Jr. - who's a LAPD officer - during their five-year marriage, which ended in 1996

Jayne and Girardi had an unconventional May-December marriage with no prenuptial agreement, and he refused to wear a wedding band.

Coincidentially, Erika's first husband was also named Thomas (last name Zizzo) and they parented 28-year-old son Tommy Jr. - who's a LAPD officer - during their five-year marriage, which ended in 1996.

Catch more of the 'really heavy issues' in the 11th season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which premieres May 19 on Bravo.
Lyft is offloading Level 5, its internal autonomous vehicle development team. The company announced on Monday it plans to sell the division to Toyota for $550 million. In turn, the Japanese automaker will integrate the team into its Woven Planet subsidiary. Toyota will pay Lyft $200 million upfront for the division, and another $350 million over five yealrs to complete the transaction. The two companies say they expect the deal to close sometime in third quarter of this year.

And Lyft isn't being shy about its reasons for selling Level 5. Provided the deal goes through, the company expects that its R&D spending will go down sharply as a result, an important step as the company tries to become profitable. Assuming the transaction closes within the expected timeframe and the COVID recovery continues, we are confident that we can achieve Adjusted EBITDA profitability in the third quarter of this year, said John Zimmer, the co-founder and president of Lyft.

With today's announcement, Lyft is following Uber in effectively leaving the self-driving car business to other companies. Lyft had been working on the technology since 2017, and while it didn't have the same high-profile setbacks as Uber, it's under the same pressure to become profitable as soon possible.

One significant angle to today's announcement is that Toyota is working with Aurora, the company that bought Uber's Advanced Technologies Group last year, to develop autonomous taxis. By the end of 2021, they plan to start testing self-driving vans, with an eye towards launching those on Uber and other ride-hailing networks sometime over the next few years.
FRANKFORT, Ky.  Kentucky will maintain its six seats in the U.S. House with the new politic
Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba, actor and founder of The Honest Co., stars in the "risk factors" section of the natural beauty products company's S-1 filing for its initial public offering.

The company admits it's all about Alba.

Its very ability to compete against major players in the beauty products market "is largely dependent" on Alba, chief creative officer and chair.

"Jessica Alba is a globally recognized Latina business leader, entrepreneur, advocate, actress, and New York Times bestselling author," says THC in the S-1. "We believe that the success of our brand depends in part on our ongoing affiliation with Jessica Alba."

THC has a "likeness agreement" with Alba, which she may terminate at any time upon written notice, or if the company becomes insolvent.

Termination of that pact would result in THC losing its ability to associate its brand with the actor and cause "reputational damage."

The company also relies on Alba's social media reach and influence to connect with consumers and provide insight on current trends.

The loss of the services of "could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects."

THC also counts on the positive image and public popularity of Alba to maintain and increase brand recognition. "Ms. Albas social media presence and approximately 39 million followers across all of her social media channels combined represent a large social following and potential audience for our social media reach."

Consumers buy THC products because of Alba, according to the filing. "If Ms. Albas image, reputation or popularity is materially and adversely affected, this could negatively affect the marketability and sales of our products and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects."

THC lost $14.5M on $300M revenues during 2020. Perhaps Alba needs to step up her promotional activity.

The company's S-1 risk factors section runs a healthy 46 pages.

No more political chatter around the corporate water cooler, is the edict passed down to staffers by Basecamp CEO & founder Jason Fried.

There will be no more societal and political discussions on the company Basecamp account, he blogged on April 25.

"Today's social and political waters are especially choppy. Sensitivities are at 11, and every discussion remotely related to politics, advocacy, or society at large quickly spins away from pleasant.

"You shouldn't have to wonder if staying out of it means you're complicit, or wading into it means you're a target. These are difficult enough waters to navigate in life, but significantly more so at work.

"It's become too much. It's a major distraction. It saps our energy, and redirects our dialog towards dark places. It's not healthy, it hasn't served us well. And we're done with it on our company Basecamp account where the work happens."

Basecamp partner David Heinemeier Hansson extended the political chatter ban companywide.

He wrote that the software productivity company is no longer going to weigh in publicly on societal political affairs, outside those that directly connect to the business.

Basecamp will restrict comments to topics directly related to its business. Those topics are antitrust, privacy, and employee surveillance issues.

Tough love from JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, who plans to begin welcoming staffers back to their workstations on May 17 so they can begin to get comfortable being back in an office setting.

He expects the whole JPMorgan Chase gang to be back on the job in early July on a consistent rotational schedule.

JPMorgan Chase concedes that not everybody is juiced about returning to the office. Its message: work it out.

"We know that many of you are excited to come back, but we also know that for some, the idea of coming in on a regular basis is a change through which you'll need to manage," said the employee memo.

COVID-19 vaccinations are not required for returning to the office.
[April 26, 2021] Vestas leads one of the largest payment deferral facilities for a renewable energy project valued at almost EUR270m

SINGAPORE, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bringing together five high-profile parties including Global Power Generation (GPG), Banco Santander, Deutsche Bank AG, EKF and Sinosure, Vestas has led the largest known payment deferral facility for a renewable energy project in the world. The facility covers three Australian projects, and totals $415 million AUD. GPG explored short term financing options to improve its project returns on the Hawkesdale, Ryan Corner and Berrybank Two wind farms. Over a nine-month process, Vestas' Financial Solutions in Asia Pacific structured the Export Credit Agency (ECA) backed facility to extend the payment terms by two years. Importantly, this is the first time that Vestas has offered an ECA backed payment deferral facility anywhere in the world. The mechanism will provide another path for financial backing and project returns to the relevant customers, driving Vestas' ambition to accelerate the deployment of renewables and continue to provide energy solutions throughout the value chain. As a result, relevant customers throughout the world can now benefit from this new financing mechanism. "Vestas is proud that our customers not only utilize our leading technology, but also turn to us for our market experience and broad energy solutions which aim to bring the best return of investment for their wind farm," said Purvin Patel, President of Vestas Asia Pacific. "We are pleased to continue supporting our valuable partnership with Global Power Generation, EKF, Banco Santander, Deutsche Bank AG as well as collaborate with Sinosure to lead its pathway into Australia and Asia Pacific's promising market." "This payment deferral facility is a landmark transaction for Vestas that demonstrates our capability to structure innovative financial solutions," said Glenn Sundaram, Head of Financial Solutions Vestas Asia Pacific. "Our ability to leverage strong relationships and collaboate with global financial institutions, ensured we tailored a solution that optimised GPG's return across these three projects. In this instance, I would like to thank Deutsche Bank, Banco Santander, Vestas' export credit partners, EKF and Sinosure, our external counsel, Norton Rose Fulbright and importantly the team at GPG for their fantastic support throughout the structuring of these facilities."



"Undoubtedly, this has been a very important transaction for Global Power Generation. It is a significant step forward in the consolidation of our presence in the Australian market as one of the leading independent producers of renewable energy allowing us to enhance financial returns and efficient allocation of capital for new projects. We sincerely appreciate the commitment and support of all the parties involved in the deal, with a special mention to the excellent work performed by Vestas' Asia Pacific Financial Solutions team," said Alfonso Egana, GPG's Chief Financial Officer. "EKF has supported the financing of many Vestas wind farms throughout Asia Pacific and we hope to do more in the future. We are excited that our support to this payment deferral structure helped Vestas secure the orders and GPG get the best possible construction financing of the projects," said Peter Boeskov, Chief Commercial Officer, Global Wind & Structured Finance. "EKF we will remain focused on providing financial solutions and support to sustainable projects like these."

"This new financial solution led by Vestas demonstrates our ability to work with sustainable energy providers, buyers/operators and ECAs to structure cross-border ESG transactions which make the sustainable options commercially viable. Our high standards for ESG compliance and our world-class financial structuring/pricing capabilities provided the necessary comfort to all parties that this transaction will be received by the market as a high-end ESG transaction, establishing important benchmarks for the renewable energy sector in Australia," said Kamran Khan, Deutsche Bank's Head of ESG for APAC. "We are delighted to support long-standing relationships like Vestas, Global Power Generation and EKF to deliver this innovative financing solution in the renewable energy space," said Nicolas Cotoner, Head of Global Transaction Banking - APAC at Santander CIB. "Supporting clients who are at the forefront of the energy transition is a key focus for Santander, and by leveraging on our ECA expertise and in close collaboration with Vestas it has been possible to execute this tailor-made structure adding value and product diversification to our customers." About Vestas Vestas is the energy industry's global partner on sustainable energy solutions. We design, manufacture, install, and service onshore and offshore wind turbines across the globe, and with more than 132 GW of wind turbines in 82 countries, we have installed more wind power than anyone else. Through our industry-leading smart data capabilities and unparalleled more than 113 GW of wind turbines under service, we use data to interpret, forecast, and exploit wind resources and deliver best-in-class wind power solutions. Together with our customers, Vestas' more than 29,000 employees are bringing the world sustainable energy solutions to power a bright future. For updated Vestas photographs and videos, please visit our media images page on:

https://www.vestas.com/en/media/images We invite you to learn more about Vestas by visiting our website at www.vestas.com following us on our social media channels: http://www.twitter.com/vestas

http://www.linkedin.com/company/vestas

www.facebook.com/vestas

www.instagram.com/vestas

http://www.youtube.com/vestas SOURCE Vestas

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Popular East Coast Korean fried chicken chain Bonchon has opened its first San Francisco outpost.

Located in SoMa, at 135 Fourth St. within the Metreon shopping complex, the location opened its doors Monday. While the chain already has locations in South San Francisco, Berkeley and the South Bay, this marks the first location for the fried chicken spot in San Francisco.

All of the Bonchon favorites will be available here, including the boneless chicken wings that are doused in a soy garlic or spicy sauce  or a combination of both. Other menu items include the Korean tacos with chicken or bulgogi, the Korean glass noodle stir-fry dish japchae, and tteokbokki, the spicy rice cake dish. The Metreon location is open for on-premises dining in the food court, takeout and delivery.

Bonchons expansion in the Bay Area dovetails with the increased popularity of fast-casual chains during the pandemic and the fact that fried chicken dishes have become some of the most popular food items over the past year, as diners increasingly turned to comfort food. Bonchon opened in Busan, South Korea, in 2002 and made its U.S. debut in Fort Lee, N.J., in 2006. At present, the chain has more than 100 locations in the U.S., and more than 350 locations worldwide.

While not as popular or well known on the West Coast as it is on the East, Bonchon is often considered among the best fried chicken purveyors among major chains like TGI Fridays, and Wingstop. There are also a limited number of restaurants serving Korean fried chicken in the city, and Bonchon is now looking to expand that market.

Bonchon is among the fastest growing chains in the U.S. and is planning to open 500 locations in the U.S. by 2026.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

135 Fourth St., San Francisco, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.

Tanay Warerkar is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tanay.warerkar@sfchronicle.com
Parents from Buenos Aires province organized an outdoor class for their children on Saturday to protest the government's decision to once again suspend schools in response to the latest rise in coronavirus cases.

Members of a message group called 'Chat de las Mamies' (Chat of the Mums) invited other parents from Greater Buenos Aires to bring their children to the class in the capital's Plaza de Mayo under the slogan "Education is a right".

According to the organizers, they managed to collect 28,500 signatures supporting an open letter to the Supreme Court calling for the suspension of the presidential decree on in-person education.

President Alberto Fernandez's decision to close schools in Buenos Aires and its surrounding areas aggravated social tension with sectors of the population that no longer support the management of the pandemic.

Parent and organizer Jimena Blanco said she believed schools should be the "last thing" to close in response to new outbreaks, after they were shut for large periods of 2020.

Argentina has regularly reported more than 20,000 new daily coronavirus infections during April, having not previously passed that mark prior to this month.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
There will be no witnesses at the appeal hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday when the student free speech case of Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. is heard by the nine justices.

The court has received documentation on the case from previous legal actions, and attorneys for both sides will present arguments to the court by telephone.

Mahanoy Area Superintendent Joie L. Green referred questions to the districts attorney, Michael I. Levin, who founded Levin Legal Group PC, Huntingdon Valley, in 1994.

There are no witnesses. It is just the lawyers, Levin said. There is one called the lawyer of record who will argue it. We retained Lisa Blatt.

Blatt, a partner with Williams & Connolly LLP, Washington, D.C., has argued 40 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, prevailing in 37. The National Law Journal has called her a visionary and one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America while The National Journal referred to her as a SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) legend.

She will be the first one to argue because we are the appellant or petitioner, Levin said. She will argue for 20 minutes unless the court wants to hear it longer. Then we give 10 minutes of our time to the acting (U.S.) Solicitor General (Elizabeth Prelogar), who represents the federal government. She filed a brief in support of the school district, as well.

Levin said the attorney representing Brandi Levy and her parents, Larry and Betty Lou Levy, American Civil Liberties Unit-Pennsylvania (ACLU-PA) Legal Director Witold Vic Walczak, will argue for 30 minutes unless the court wants to hear more.

The hearing is remote only because of COVID, Levin said. It is by telephone conference call that will be live-streamed audio only on C-SPAN. Attorney Blatt actually argued the first remote one they had last spring.

The decision will be announced by June 30.

Levin said he negotiated with Blatt and her firm to do the work pro bono.

The school board entered into an agreement with her either late spring or summer; she agreed to do it without charge, Levin said.

The Tinker Case

Walczak discussed the 1969 case of Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District and how it relates to the Mahanoy Area case.

The Tinker case holds that public school officials may regulate speech that would materially and substantially disrupt the work and discipline of the school, and that students lose some of their free speech rights on school grounds.

The question in this (current) case is whether the Supreme Court is going to push those diminished rights outward so that students wouldnt have free speech rights anywhere in their lives, Walczak said.

In school, you cant drop an F-bomb. They can punish you, he continued. They can regulate what you can write in a student newspaper. They can prohibit you from making any kind of pro-drug statements. None of that would be constitutional outside of school or is right now, but that could all change depending on what the Supreme Court decides in the Levys case.

The case will determine what the law is going to look like in the future and how that affects school discipline, Walczak said.

There is no question that this is the most important student free speech case in more than a half-century, and its coming out of Mahanoy, he said.

To listen to the oral arguments, go to c-span.org and select C-SPAN Radio.
MILWAUKEE, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, has been awarded on the Forbes list of Best Employers for Diversity 2021.

"At Johnson Controls, we strive to create an environment where every employee sees both the opportunity and the responsibility to contribute to our culture. It's through these contributions that we drive the mindsets, behaviors and innovation we need to power our mission and our customers' successes," said George Oliver, chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls. "We hold ourselves accountable for building an ever more inclusive and diverse culture, including tying executive compensation to achieving this goal."

The prestigious award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc, a portal and industry ranking provider. The Best Employers for Diversity were selected based on more than 50,000 independent surveys of U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 1,000 people. Employees were asked to give their opinions on a series of statements regarding age, gender, ethnicity, disability, LGBTQA+, and general diversity in their current workplace. The recommendations of women, elders, and ethnic minorities were weighted higher than the non-minority groups. In addition, the evaluation considered diversity among top executives and Boards as well as diversity engagement indicators. Participants from minority groups also had the opportunity to evaluate other employers in their respective industries that stand out either positively or negatively with regard to diversity.

In January 2021, Johnson Controls outlined comprehensive environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments that will have a measurable impact against its three healthy building pillars: healthy people, healthy places and a healthy planet. Social and governance sustainability goals include:

Double the representation of women leaders globally and minority leaders in the United States within five years,

Include sustainability and diversity goals in senior leaders' performance assessments, which are linked to executive compensation to drive accountability,

Launch an initiative to educate the next generation of diverse sustainable building industry leaders, in partnership with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and

Launch an initiative focused on underserved markets and increase Johnson Controls' spend with women and minority owned businesses.

"How buildings are designed, managed and maintained has a significant environmental and social impact on the people who occupy buildings and our communities. It is critical to invest in talent to make healthy buildings possible by developing a rich culture of inclusion with our employees and in our communities," continued Oliver. "Healthy buildings lead to healthy people, healthy places and a healthy planet which makes developing diverse and inclusive environments is not just good business, but a business imperative."

As a leader in the buildings space for 135 years, Johnson Controls has been a pioneer in sustainability. The company is taking significant steps to drastically improve its environmental impact while empowering customers and future generations to consume less energy, conserve resources, as well as identify pathways to achieve and maintain healthy, net-zero carbon communities.

To learn more about Johnson Controls leadership in diversity, visit Diversity and Inclusion on johnsoncontrols.com.

About Johnson Controls:

At Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.

With a history of more than 135 years of innovation, Johnson Controls delivers the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through its comprehensive digital offering OpenBlue. With a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology, software as well as service solutions with some of the most trusted names in the industry. For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com or follow us @johnsoncontrols on Twitter.

INVESTOR CONTACTS: MEDIA CONTACTS: Antonella Franzen Kellie Harris Direct: 609.720.4665 Direct: 773.294.4753 Email: antonella.franzen@jci.com Email: mailto:kellie.harris@jci.com Ryan Edelman Michael Isaac Direct: 609.720.4545 Direct: +41 52 6330374 Email: ryan.edelman@jci.com Email: michael.isaac@jci.com

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/johnson-controls-ranked-on-forbes-best-employers-for-diversity-list-2021-301277477.html

SOURCE Johnson Controls International plc
A cyclist was left stunned after he was given a warning by police for riding with a camera on his helmet, a little-known offence which could see riders cop a $349 fine.

The man was riding his bike in Melbourne, Victoria with a friend when they were suddenly stopped by an officer.

The pair were told that unless the helmet had been manufactured to allow for a device to be fixed on, it was illegal to mount your own camera onto it.

'It changes the dynamic of that testing,' the officer is heard telling the cyclists.

'As soon as you alter it, it's illegal.'

While Queensland, the ACT, South Australia have no issues surrounding cyclists fitting cameras onto the helmets, the rules in Victoria and New South Wales vary.

Victoria Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia riding with a helmet that is not considered approved by Australian standards, including being altered to have a camera on it, is an offence and can result in fines up to $207.

In New South Wales, the same rules apply and prohibit cyclists from attaching devices onto their helmets unless they were designed to be fitted with them.

A pair of cyclists were warned by a Victoria Police officer that it was illegal to wear a helmet with a camera fitted on top of it unless the helmet was specifically made to do so

Poll SHOULD CYCLISTS HAVE CAMERAS ON THEIR HELMETS? Yes No SHOULD CYCLISTS HAVE CAMERAS ON THEIR HELMETS? Yes 393 votes

No 267 votes Now share your opinion





The penalty for not wearing an approved helmet in NSW is $349.

Footage of the interaction was shared to TikTok sparking a debate about road rules for cyclists.

Many argued the officer was being too harsh on the cyclists, while others warned of the injuries a mounted camera can cause in the event of a crash.

'It's because if you crash or fall and land on your camera, you can break your neck,' one person commented.

'He's right, if you stack the impact is on a little spot not spread out like the helmet is designed for which saves you. The camera will go through into you,' another said.

'He's technically not wrong, helmets are designed very specifically to protect your head, an extra object disrupts that.'

Others suggested the cyclists could instead mount a camera onto their handle bars or wear them on their chests.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The American University of Bahrain (AUBH) launched the second edition of Bahrains first nationwide programme AUBH For A Day, during which high school seniors experienced a full day as students on campus, giving them a real-time preview of university life. AUBH welcomed students from over 27 private and public schools aiming to support a seamless transition to university for them, beginning their college journey as confident and prepared as possible.

The participants experienced college-level classes, different team-building exercises, as well as career-guidance sessions, and socially distanced extra-curricular activities while engaging with current students.

To ensure the communitys safety and to abide by the universitys COVID-19 guidelines, AUBH has piloted the programme to ensure that there will only be a limited number of students at a time on campus.

The University aims to transform the taster into a fully accessible program for all high school students once COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed.

AUBH founding president Dr Susan Saxton said: As any new experience, the first year of university life can prove to be stressful for students.

The pandemic has complicated that transition further by preventing young adults to have an on-campus experience, worldwide. We are thrilled to have been able to offer them a preview of what life as an AUBH student is like, through a memorable, first-hand, fun experience, which will help them be better prepared once they graduate.

The participants have highlighted this experience as epic stressing the fact that the event was tremendously useful in helping them better shape their decisions, offering them a clearer vision of their university options in the Kingdom.

AUBHs launch of the second edition of the initiative is in keeping with its mission to offer an accessible American-style teaching and learning experience in Bahrain, on par with the best universities in the US.
In the past year and a half the pandemic has brought many life-changing events and challenges, in one way or another, to most of us. In addition, there have been a multitude of natural disasters that have damaged or destroyed forests, fields, and farms. The combination of the two created disruption to food production, delivery and distribution. Fortunately, products are once again becoming much more available.

When shopping recently and while perusing ingredient lists, nutrition labels, and dates of freshness of frozen fruits, vegetables, and fresh produce, I began to focus on the countries of origin. Much to my surprise, a bag of frozen strawberries indicated it was from Egypt. To my knowledge, strawberries are grown in California, Florida, and at least three other states. Another fruit product was imported from Chile and other products were from Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and Brazil. I even found a paper product that was made in Vietnam.

The US is not without documented deficiencies in food safety, testing, and inspections, but there remains governmental oversight. Imported foods may not necessarily be unsafe to consume but one has to wonder what, if any, regulations are in place or monitored to detect potential contaminants in the soil, water, and sanitation of these less developed countries.

I am not a food conspiracy theorist. The pandemic is now under much better control. Perhaps my concerns are unfounded. Yet I, and likely others, give pause to consider why there are ever-increasing imported foods appearing on our supermarket shelves now more than at any time in the past.

Jacqueline Haskins Engel, Ludlow
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Andrew Brown was killed by a bullet to the back of the neck that lodged in his brain and caused him to crash his car, according to an independent autopsy report released Tuesday.

Brown, 42, was shot and killed by police in North Carolina at 8.30am on April 21 while at the wheel of his car in his driveway. Police are yet to release bodycam footage of the incident; his family have called it an execution.

New footage has emerged of the moment a large group of cops surrounded Brown Jr.'s car.

The clip - taken by a neighbor in the moments after officers opened fire and obtained by CNN - shows in the seconds after Brown's car had crashed into a tree.

Police said they were carrying out an arrest warrant for drugs offenses and claim Brown was a drug dealer with a rap sheet dating back to 1988. Brown had a 180 page criminal record and had been filmed selling narcotics in the weeks leading up to his death, Fox News reported Monday.

One eyewitness said: 'They crowded around his car, they were shooting the front window of his car.'

The results of an independent autopsy released by attorneys for Brown's family Tuesday shows he was shot five times; four times in his right arm and once in the head.

Brown's son Khalil Ferebee questioned why deputies had to shoot so many times at a man who, he said, posed no threat.

'Yesterday I said he was executed. This autopsy report shows me that was correct,' he said at the news conference. 'It's obvious he was trying to get away. It's obvious. And they're going to shoot him in the back of the head?'

The FBI confirmed Tuesday that it has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting.

Brown's family say he had complied with police and had his hands on his steering wheel as they shot in the arm. They say he then drove away in an attempt to save his life when he was shot in the back of the head.

That came after they were finally allowed to see police body cam from the incident Monday. The footage has not been released publicly and just 20 seconds was shown to the victim's loved ones and attorneys.

New footage has emerged of the moment a large group of cops surrounded Andrew Brown's car after his son called the North Carolina police shooting 'an execution'. The clip - taken by a neighbor in the moments after officers opened fire and obtained by CNN - shows after Brown's car had crashed into a tree

Police said they were carrying out an arrest warrant for drugs offenses and claim Brown was a drug dealer with a rap sheet dating back to 1988, but his family said he was 'executed'. One eyewitness said: 'They crowded around his car, they were shooting the front window of his car'

Andrew Brown, pictured, a 42-year-old father of 10, was shot in his car on April 21 by sheriffs

The results of an independent autopsy released by attorneys for Brown's family Tuesday shows he was shot five times; four times in his right arm and once in the head

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, center Tuesday, said: 'If they thought Andrew Brown Jr did something inappropriately and criminal you all would have seen that video by now. There was no need for them to be the judge, the jury and the executioner'

Brown's son Khalil told CBS: 'It was just a horrific scene, a horrific video. They were shooting from the very start of the video. My dad, his hands were on the steering wheel and they were still shooting. I still don't have closure...the answers.' In a separate interview with GMA he called the shooting an 'execution'

Andrew Brown's son says 20-second bodycam video shows his father being executed. @VictorOquendo reports. https://t.co/5fnHr8uRUi pic.twitter.com/NRYLYZoTDF  Good Morning America (@GMA) April 27, 2021

Brown's son Khalil told earlier told CBS: 'It was just a horrific scene, a horrific video. They were shooting from the very start of the video. My dad, his hands were on the steering wheel and they were still shooting. I still don't have closure...the answers.' In a separate interview with GMA he called the shooting an 'execution'.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said: 'If they thought Andrew Brown Jr did something inappropriately and criminal you all would have seen that video by now. There was no need for them to be the judge, the jury and the executioner that morning.'

Protesters took to the streets of Elizabeth City on Monday night for the fifth night in a row as anger mounted at the failure to release the full footage showing the killing of Brown.

Authorities said the father-of-ten had a 180 page criminal record and had been filmed selling narcotics in the weeks leading up to his death last Wednesday, Fox News reported.

The deputies continued to shoot after Brown drove his vehicle away from them, according to Chantel Cherry-Lassiter, who said he never presented a threat to the team of officers at the scene.

On Monday night more than 200 people marched through downtown to 'disrupt commerce' as a state of emergency was declared, carrying signs and shouting: 'Release the tape! The real tape!'

Some reports suggested rocks were thrown, Fox News said, while others said it was eggs that were hurled.

Twice, The Raleigh News & Observer reported, they stopped to confront police officers who blocked traffic for them to pass, yelling: 'Say his name! Say his name!' before moving on.

Under North Carolina law, body camera footage can only be released with a court order, but critics are accusing the authorities of a cover up - suspicions that increased after the family were allowed to watch just 20 seconds of a redacted video of the fatal shooting.

Benjamin Crump, one of the lawyers representing the family of Andrew Brown Jr., points to an autopsy chart that his team conducted showing where Mr. Brown was shot

Khalil Ferebee, the son of Andrew Brown Jr., is hugged after speaking during a press conference about the killing of his father

Khalil Ferebee, the son of Black suspect Andrew Brown Jr. who was killed by sheriffs last week, reacts after speaking at a press conference announcing findings from an independent autopsy in Elizabeth City

Andrew Brown's grieving relatives are seen outside Pasquotank County Public Safety building as protesters took to the streets after his killing

Demonstrators gathered for a fifth night of protests in Elizabeth City on Monday night calling for answers over the shooting of the 42-year-old

Protesters occupy an intersection while marching in the evening after family members were shown body camera footage of the shooting

Activists held placards aloft saying 'Andrew Brown, say his name' in the wake of the killing which has caused unrest in Elzabeth City

Protesters lean on each other in a moment of reflection amid the demonstrations which saw more than 200 people take to the streets

A demonstrator yells in the air from her car on Monday night during Elizabeth City protests

Protesters in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, on Monday night demanded the release of footage

Activists were on the streets of Elizabeth City for the fifth night in a row on Monday

A driver wearing a Black Lives Matter t-shirt steps out of her car to join other protesters in raising a fist in solidarity with each other

Two young protesters ride atop the rear of vehicle at the end of a march held in support of the late Andrew Brown who was shot on Wednesday

Hundreds of demonstrators, including Rev. Raymond Johnson, protested on Monday night

Two men fist bump amid smiles as they peacefully protest against Brown's shooting

Protesters were demanding police to 'release the video' to 'show us the truth' as they marched on the county sheriff's building

Pasquotank County officers watch the protests unfold from the roof of the county sheriff's building on Monday

Ben Crump, the high-profile civil rights attorney who now represents the family, said outside the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office: 'They are trying to hide something. They don't want us to see.'

Attorneys for the family said he was shot in the back of his head and had his hands on the car steering wheel as up to eight officers fired at him.

Andrew Brown, 42, was shot and killed by sheriffs in North Carolina on Wednesday morning

They said the clip they saw began as shots were already being fired, adding that Brown complied with officer commands throughout.

After watching the footage, Brown's son Khalil told reporters: 'My dad got executed just trying to save his life. It is messed up how this happened. He got executed.'

Court documents released on Monday show deputies obtained the search warrant that brought them to Brown after investigators recorded him selling small amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine to an informant.

Seven deputies have been placed on leave amid indications, including emergency scanner traffic and an eyewitness account, that Brown was shot in the back as he tried to drive away.

The city's mayor earlier had declared a state of emergency over the shooting.

County officials indicated that showing family the clip had been delayed because they were working on blurring some faces in the recording.

Andrew Brown's youngest daughter (left) listens to attorney Benjamin Crump on Monday. Harry Daniels (right), who is representing the family of Andrew Brown, speaks outside the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office in Elizabeth City Monday

Brown, 42, father of 10 children, was shot and killed in his car at around 8.30am in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, while police were executing search-and-arrest warrants for drug offenses, officials said

Describing the footage in more detail on Monday afternoon, attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter said Brown had been in his driveway when he was blocked in by officers who were in a marked police vehicle.

She said they 'lost count' on how many shots were fired. She also said deputies 'rode up to his car while shooting'.

When Brown 'finally tries to get away to get out of danger' he backs out, away from officers who were allegedly shouting obscenities at him.

The attorney added: 'At no time was he threatening officers.'

When his car runs into a tree, Cherry-Lassiter said the officers continued shooting at him, leaving his vehicle 'riddled with bullets'.

The family noted that despite multiple officers being at the scene they were allowed to see just one clip - from an officer who was farthest from the scene.

Gunfire already had started in the clip they were shown, they said, and it was unclear what had happened in the moments before the shooting.

Cherry-Lassiter, who watched the video multiple times and took notes, said some deputies were wearing tactical uniforms and some in plainclothes.

'They're shooting and saying let me see your hands at the same time,' she said.

Crump confirmed that he would hold a press conference on Tuesday at 11am to discuss autopsy results.

'It's clear to us there is something bad on that bodycam video,' he said.

'Transparency is essential.'

Witnesses said Brown got into his car (pictured) and was driving away when the deputy opened fire

Crump had said Monday: 'Now, you all may have noticed that they released a warrant saying all kinds of things about Andrew Brown, but they want to redact the face of the ... officers that killed Andrew Brown.'

He added that law officials blurring deputies' faces are 'going to protect them and not show their face and not say their names ... because what they want to do is assassinate the character' of Brown.

Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten II has said that multiple deputies fired shots. Elizabeth City police were not involved in the shooting.

Wooten has said 'only a judge can release the video', adding: 'That's why I've asked the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to confirm for me that the releasing of the video will not undermine their investigation.'

He said he hopes to file a motion for its release Monday.

Brown's death spurred an outcry from community members who demanded law enforcement accountability and the immediate release of deputies' body camera footage.

Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools said they are operating remotely until at least Friday 'due to the continuously evolving state of civil unrest'.

Chief Deputy Daniel Fogg (left) and Sheriff Tommy S. Wooten issued a video on Monday night

Protestors block an intersection after an emergency city council meeting on Friday evening

The arrest warrant released on Monday was obtained by the Pasquotank County sheriff's office and signed by a local judge, to allow the search of Brown's Elizabeth City home.

It said that an investigator in nearby Dare County was told by the informant that the person had been purchasing crack cocaine and other drugs for over a year from Brown.

The informant described purchasing drugs at the house that was the target of the search.

The warrant said that, in March, local narcotics officers used the informant to conduct controlled purchases of methamphetamine and cocaine from Brown on two separate occasions.

It says both drug transactions were recorded using audio and video equipment.

The search warrant said investigators believed Brown was storing drugs in the home or two vehicles.

The document, which indicated the search wasn't completed, did not list anything found.

The arrest warrants, which were released last week, charged him with possession with intent to sell and deliver three grams of each of the drugs.

Racial justice advocates had joined Brown's relatives on Saturday demanding the footage

On Saturday, Brown's family was joined by the local clergy and civil rights leaders including the Rev. William Barber II in Elizabeth City as they put further pressure on officials to make the videos public.

Barber said at the news conference attended by several of Brown's children and other family members: 'America, here is the issue: A warrant is not a license to kill, even if a suspect supposedly drives away.

'A warrant is not permission to shoot someone. We're sick and tired of all these deaths happening that don't have to happen. Release the tapes!'

Keith Rivers, president of the Pasquotank County branch of the NAACP, also spoke at the conference to call for Wooten's resignation.

On Friday, the state's governor, Roy Cooper, a Democrat, issued a statement calling for the swift release of the footage.

'Initial reports of the shooting in Elizabeth City and death of Andrew Brown, Jr. this week are tragic and extremely concerning,' Cooper tweeted.

'The body camera footage should be made public as quickly as possible and the SBI should investigate thoroughly to ensure accountability.'

Police described Brown as someone who was well known to police, with a criminal history dating back to the 1990s, including past drug convictions.

Neighbor Demetria Williams, who witnessed part of the shooting, said she never saw Brown carry a gun, and that deputies fired into his car as he was trying to get away from them.

He crashed his car moments later, with Williams saying she saw Brown 'slumped' in his vehicle as he died of his gunshot wounds.

REVEALED: North Carolina police shooting victim Andrew Brown 'was drug dealer with 180 page criminal record dating back to 1988 and had been filmed selling narcotics weeks before his death'

A black man shot multiple times in an apparent 'execution' by cops last week was described by law enforcement as a drug dealer with a long rap sheet dating back to 1988, according to a report.

Andrew Brown Jr., 42, had a 180 page criminal record and had been filmed selling narcotics in the weeks leading up to his death last Wednesday, Fox News reported Monday.

Brown was shot and killed by Pasquotank County sheriff's deputies Wednesday morning. He was inside his car in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, when the officers were serving him an arrest warrant.

Brown's family have described his death as an 'execution', saying he had his hands on the steering wheel of the car and was shot in the back of the head as up to eight deputies opened fire.

Calls are mounting for authorities to release the bodycam footage of the incident with his family finally granted their request to watch video of the incident Monday - only for them to reveal they were allowed to watch just 20 seconds of footage from just one of at least eight officers on the scene.

Seven deputies have been placed on administrative leave following the shooting, two others have resigned and one deputy has retired, but none of their identities have been released.

While law enforcement have released few details of the fatal shooting and questions continue to mount over the lack of transparency around their part in Brown's death six days on from the shooting, the force instead released court documents Monday about the search warrant that brought them to Brown that day.

It's a move that has sparked more outrage with the family's attorney Ben Crump accusing authorities of protecting the officers while they 'assassinate the character' of Brown.

Brown's death came just one day after white cop Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of black man George Floyd in a moment that many had hoped was a step forward in the fight against police brutality and systemic racism across America.

According to the search warrant released Monday, investigators had recorded Brown selling small amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine to an informant.

The informant had told Agent R.D. Johnson of the Dare County Narcotics Task Force they had bought drugs including cocaine, 'crack' cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine from Brown several times over the course of more than a year, reads the warrant, seen by Fox.

The unidentified individual described Brown as a 'drug dealer' in the Elizabeth City/Pasquotank County area, the warrant reads.

Protesters march in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Monday night as officers are still to release bodycam of the footage six days after Brown's death

It was requested by Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office Investigator D. Ryan Meads and was signed off by North Carolina Superior Court Senior Resident Judge Jerry R. Tillett on April 20 to allow the search of Brown's home on Perry Street in Elizabeth County.

It said that an investigator in nearby Dare County was told by the informant that the person had been purchasing crack cocaine and other drugs from Brown for over a year.

The informant described purchasing drugs at the house that was the target of the search and claimed to have seen crack cocaine in the property in the 14 days leading up to Wednesday's shooting.

They also claimed to have met Brown at other locations including hotels and motels and locations in Dare County to complete the exchange.

In one incident on March 17, narcotics officers used the informant to conduct a controlled purchases of cocaine from Brown that was recorded on camera and audio devices, according to the warrant.

Later that month, on March 29, the informant was used to carry out a purchase of methamphetamine from Brown, the warrant says.

Calls are mounting for authorities to release the bodycam footage of the incident with his family finally granted their request to watch video of the incident Monday - only for them to reveal they were allowed to watch just 20 seconds of footage

The search warrant says investigators believed Brown was storing, packaging and distributing drugs out of his home and two BMWs.

They believed Brown was using the home as a 'secure location' to store drugs, money and records of sales, it states.

Investigator Meads and other members of the drug task force were 'familiar with Brown and know him to be a source of supply of 'crack' cocaine, cocaine, heroin/fentanyl and methamphetamine to the Elizabeth City/ Pasquotank County area,' the warrant says.

Two arrest warrants released last week charged Brown with possession with intent to sell and deliver 3 grams of each of the drugs.

The court document, which indicated the search was not completed, did not list that anything had been found.

And Brown's aunt Betty Banks said cops had told the family they did not find any drugs or weapons in neither his cars or home, reported CNN.

Crump has argued that authorities have released the warrant information to 'assassinate' Brown's character while they are refusing to release bodycam or the details of the officer-involved shooting.

'Now, you all may have noticed that they released a warrant saying all kinds of things about Andrew Brown, but they want to redact the face of the... officers that killed Andrew Brown,' he said.

He added that law officials blurring deputies' faces are 'going to protect them and not show their face and not say their names... because what they want to do is assassinate the character' of Brown.

Pasquotank County Attorney Michael Cox showed Brown's family and attorneys a 20-second clip from one deputy's body camera Monday.

Attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter said it showed an 'execution'.

She said it shows deputies shot Brown as he sat with his hands on the steering wheel of his BMW.

The black man was shot in the back of the head, according to his death certificate.

'They are trying to hide something,' Crump said. 'They don't want us to see everything.'
The political strategist made famous for his proclamation during Bill Clinton's winning 1992 presidential campaign - It's the economy, stupid! - has a new warning for Democrats: It's the wokeness, stupid!

James Carville says the ultra-liberal 'faculty lounge' politics of much of the Democratic party is ignoring the meat-and-potatoes main line of the U.S.

'Wokeness is a problem' that could cost Democrats in future elections, Carville told VOX.com.

Even though Democrats re-took the presidency and Senate, they did so only by very narrow margins - and they beat a 'world-historical buffoon,' he said of Donald Trump. They also lost congressional seats and failed to pick up state legislatures.

'The reason is simple: They've got a messaging problem, he said.

Carville said there's too much 'faculty lounge' politics among the Democratic party - for example using phrases like 'Latinx' for Latino or 'communities of color' for black people.

'You ever get the sense that people in faculty lounges in fancy colleges use a different language than ordinary people? They come up with a word like 'Latinx' that no one else uses,' he told VOX.com.

While there's nothing wrong with phrases like that, he said, 'This 'too cool for school' sh*t doesn't work, and we have to stop it.'

For that to happen, Carville said Democrats need to incorporate more rural white voters, which they won't do unless they start talking like 'ordinary people' and stop tweeting about abolishing the police because 'almost no one wants to f*****g wants to do that.'

James Carville, who's famous for the line 'It's the economy, stupid' during Bill Clinton's presidential campaign, told VOX.com that 'Wokeness is a problem' for the Democratic party. He's pictured here speaking to MSNBC in Feb. 2020

Carville said Democrats need to incorporate more rural white voters, which they won't do unless they start talking like 'ordinary people' and stop tweeting that about abolishing the police because 'almost no one wants to f*****g wants to do that'

Carville said Democrat party has a 'messaging problem' because they use 'faculty lounge' language, like 'Latinx' or 'communities of color,' instead of talking like the common voter. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is a leader in the Democratic party and hails from San Francisco

While he admitted it's virtually impossible for the to get a majority of the rural, white vote, Carville said Democrats just have to lose by less.

'The difference between getting beat 80 to 20 and 72 to 28 is all the difference in the world,' he said. That could tip the scales in the election as a whole in favor of Democrats when taking into account the lopsided urban vote that will likely go for the party.

And the strategy for Democrats, he said, is for President Joe Biden's administration to crack down on party leaders using 'jargon' phrases.

That doesn't mean the party can't talk about race, he said.

'We should talk about racial injustice. What I'm saying is, we need to do it without using jargon-y language that's unrecognizable to most people - including most black people, by the way - because it signals that you're trying to talk around them.'

Democrats also need to constantly remind the country of the insurrection at the US Capitol he said was precipitated by Trump - and be reminded of Democrats winning both Senate seats in Georgia.

Rioters inside the Senate Chamber on January 6, minutes after it was cleared of lawmakers. Carville says Democrats need to relentlessly tie the insurrection to Republicans

Democratic leaders 'have to make the Republicans own that insurrection every day. They have to pound it ... the Democrats should spend every day tying all of it to the Republican Party,' Carville said in the VOX.com interview.

'Hell, just imagine if it was a bunch of nonwhite people who stormed the Capitol. Imagine how Republicans would exploit that and make every news cycle about how the Dems are responsible for it,' he said. 'Whatever you think Republicans would do to us in that scenario, that's exactly what the hell we need to do them.'
Speakers:

Gong Zheng, deputy secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and mayor of Shanghai

Chen Yin, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and executive vice mayor of Shanghai

Zhou Huilin, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee

Chairperson:

Chen Wenjun, spokesperson of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC)

Date:

April 22, 2021

Chen Wenjun:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. The press conferences will provide a new window for Chinese and foreign media to understand China, and especially the CPC. We will invite officials from relevant departments of the CPC Central Committee and local Party committees to attend press conferences from time to time. Relevant departments and the local governments will be invited to introduce how they are implementing the major decisions and deployments made by General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee, and the situations surrounding the implementation of the Party's basic theories, fundamental political guidelines and basic policies. We will also invite representatives of outstanding Party members on the frontlines from various social sectors to meet with you and introduce how they play an exemplary role, undertake their original mission, lead the people in starting businesses, and so on.

Shanghai is the birthplace of the CPC. On the occasion of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Party, we invited Mr. Gong Zheng, deputy secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and mayor of Shanghai to brief you issues on inheriting red traditions to promote high quality development in the new era. We also have with us Mr. Chen Yin, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and executive vice mayor of Shanghai, and Mr. Zhou Huilin, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee.

Next, I will give the floor to Mr. Gong.

Gong Zheng:

Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media: On the occasion of celebrating the CPC's centenary, I'm glad to have the opportunity to introduce the situation in Shanghai to you all. First of all, on behalf of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and the Shanghai municipal government, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you all for your long-term interest in and support for Shanghai.

Shanghai is the birthplace of the Party and where the dream began. The red traditions flow through the veins of the city. Shanghai has witnessed the glorious rise of the Party over the past century and vividly demonstrates its great spirit. The city was once divided among the occupying foreign powers, while the ordinary people's lives were filled with toil and struggle within the confinements of the foreign concessions. Now, under the Party's leadership, Shanghai has been completely transformed and taken on a thriving new look. The city has risen to become a socialist modern international metropolis, standing tall and firm in the East and striding forward into the future.

The CPC Central Committee has always entrusted important tasks in and placed high expectations on Shanghai. Since the 19th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has personally visited the city every year and given important speeches, proclaiming the role, direction and priorities of Shanghai in the new era. Bearing in mind the instructions of General Secretary Xi, the citizens of Shanghai are dedicated to reform and opening up as well as innovation-driven development, and continue to break new ground in all undertakings. After years of hard work, Shanghai has already become an international economic, financial, trade and shipping center, and is set to become a center for innovation in science and technology with global influence.

First, today's Shanghai has strong economic prowess. In 2020, Shanghai's GDP reached 3.87 trillion yuan, the sixth largest among all cities in the world. It ranked third on both the Global Financial Centers Index and the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Development Index in 2020. Total trade volume amounted to 8.75 trillion yuan, the highest of all cities worldwide. The container throughput of the Port of Shanghai reached 43.5 million TEUs, ranking first in the world for 11 consecutive years. A modern industrial system is gradually taking shape, in which the modern service sector is the mainstay, strategic emerging industries set the direction, and advanced manufacturing provides the strongest backing. The capabilities of various industries throughout the entire value chain have been continuously improved.

Second, today's Shanghai is filled with innovation and vitality. In 2020, total R&D expenditure exceeded 4% of the city's GDP, which is on par with developed countries. Shanghai is home to 785 regional headquarters of multinational companies, 486 foreign R&D centers, 85 national R&D institutions, and more than 500 makerspaces of various kinds. Shanghai also boasts a number of world-class big science facilities such as the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) and the National Center for Protein Science (Shanghai). In addition to a number of groundbreaking achievements accomplished in Shanghai such as the cloning of monkeys by somatic cell nuclear transfer, a new drug for treating Alzheimer's disease, and the 10 petawatt laser pulse delivered by the Shanghai Superintense Ultrafast Laser Facility, Shanghai's technological wisdom is also widely reflected in such major science and technology projects as the Jiaolong manned submersible, Tiangong space lab, Beidou navigation satellite system, Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), Mozi quantum satellite and large civil jet aircraft.

Third, today's Shanghai is an attractive city for talent from near and far. Shanghai is blessed with the rich cultural heritage of China's southern regions and a unique local culture. More importantly, the CPC's century-long history has nurtured the rich red culture and refined the city's distinctive character. The spirit of "diversity, pursuit of excellence, open-mindedness and humbleness" and its character of "openness, innovation and inclusiveness" have made Shanghai an attractive place for talented professionals. There are 63 higher learning institutions in the city, with 760,000 enrolled students and 179 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Over 280,000 foreign nationals now work in the city. Shanghai has been named the "most attractive Chinese city in the eyes of foreign talent" for eight consecutive years.

Fourth, people in Shanghai enjoy happy, well-off and harmonious lives. In 2020, the per capita disposable income of Shanghai residents increased to 72,000 yuan. The city has ensured equitable access to basic public services for urban and rural residents, and further improved public service systems covering employment, social security, housing, old-age care, childcare, education and health. The average life expectancy at birth has reached 83.67 years, which is among the highest in the world. Transportation has also been made more efficient. The total length of rail transit in operation amounts to 772 kilometers, ranking first among all cities in the world. Urban governance has been made more scientific, detail-oriented and intelligence-enabled. Shanghai is one of the safest cities in the world, and stability and order are hallmarks of the city.

Fifth, today's Shanghai has an eco-friendly environment with blue sky and clean water. Its total spending on environmental protection has remained around 3% of the city's GDP for 18 years in a row. In 2020, the average PM2.5 concentration in Shanghai dropped to 32 micrograms per cubic meter, and water bodies with a national quality rating of Grade V were basically eliminated. Garbage sorting is leading a new trend in people's lifestyles. A system for the collection, transportation and disposal of sorted domestic waste has been basically established, and a zero-landfill policy for untreated domestic waste has largely been achieved. The green area per capita has increased to 8.5 square meters, growing from the size of "a pair of shoes" to that of "a room." People in Shanghai can now find more places to exercise, relax and enjoy nature.

As the old Chinese saying goes, "when drinking water, one should not forget its source." Shanghai owes its development and progress to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, to the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping at the core of the CPC Central Committee, and at the core of the Party as a whole, as well as to the wise decisions of the CPC Central Committee. Shanghai's achievements are also attributable to the strong support of people across the country and the wisdom and hard work of the Shanghai people. As we review the past from this vantage point, the tremendous changes Shanghai has undergone over the past century fully testifies to the strength of the leadership of the Party and socialism with Chinese characteristics. All the people of Shanghai are now more confident and determined to follow the Party and forge ahead along the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Shanghai, the glorious birthplace of the Party, marks the beginning of our centennial journey. As we stride forward, we will pass on the traditions of revolution while staying true to our original aspiration and mission. Following the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, we will carry out the campaign for learning Party history. The 100 years of Party history will reaffirm our beliefs and gather powerful strength. We will act as a trailblazer and shoulder our responsibilities as a pioneer on the new journey of building a modern socialist country in an all-around way. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), Shanghai needs to have a full understating of the new development stage, apply the new development philosophy, and help foster a new development paradigm to promote high-quality development, create high-quality life for the people, and achieve highly efficient governance. By 2025, Shanghai will achieve significant results in implementing major national strategies, make great headway in its digital transformation, and scale new heights in its core functions as an international economic, financial, trade, and shipping center as well as a hub of innovation in science and technology. It will also take new steps in building a people's city, and writing a new chapter revolving around a "better city, better life" in the new era. To that end, we aim to make breakthroughs in the following four aspects.

First, we will make strides in deepening reform and opening up. We must deepen reform by freeing our minds, expand opening up by embracing the world, and strive for innovation by breaking away from conventions. We will be fully committed to high-level reform and opening up in the Pudong New Area, as well as in the three new major tasks, namely, the development of the Lin'gang Special Area; the pilot registration-based IPO system for the STAR market and the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region. We will strive to ensure the sustained success of the annual China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Second, we will make breakthroughs in strengthening the core functions of the city. We will advance the city's development as an international economic, financial, trade, shipping, and innovation center across the board; step up its "Four Functions" of global resource allocation, science and technology innovation, leadership in high-end industries, and a hub for opening up; and build an international digital capital with global influence in an attempt to better represent the country in international cooperation and competition with continuously upgraded urban capacity and core competitiveness.

Third, we will make breakthroughs in serving the new development paradigm. We will accelerate the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region, and put in place a new paradigm for urban planning and zoning, that is, promote central districts' spillover effect; orient the Lin'gang Special Area, the demonstration zone for green and integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, and Hongqiao Business District as hubs for opening up; develop five new towns; and transform Baoshan and Jinshan districts. We will put emphasis on the development of the innovation-driven economy, service economy, open economy, headquarters economy, and flux economy. We will also advance integrated urban-rural development and go all-out to become a central node for China's domestic circulation and a strategic link between domestic and international circulations.

Fourth, we will make breakthroughs in building a people's city. Adhering to the key philosophy that "a people's city is built by the people and for the people," we will work to ensure that our people enjoy a better life with a stronger sense of happiness. Our vision is to build a people's city where each and every individual has the chance to rise and shine, is able to participate in governance in an orderly manner, enjoy a decent life, and feel warm and welcome with a sense of belonging.

General Secretary Xi Jinping outlined that, "on the great journey of China's development in the new era, Shanghai will definitely create new world-dazzling miracles and demonstrate the new splendor of building a socialist modern country." It is an expectation as well as a command. We must be more united around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, bear in mind the goal of achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in spite of the world's major changes unseen in a century, have a profound understanding of the "national strategies and priorities," and pursue the city's development based on its strategic position amid the background of economic globalization while keeping in mind the development of the country as a whole and the overall plan for the development of the Yangtze River Delta region. We will forge ahead at a faster pace to create new miracles and demonstrate new splendor on the journey of building a socialist modern international metropolis with worldwide influence.

This is the end of my opening introduction. My colleagues Mr. Chen, Mr. Zhou, and I are ready to answer your questions.

Chen Wenjun:

Thank you, Mr. Gong. The floor is now open for questions. Please identify the news organization you represent before asking questions.
Camus has released a baijiu exclusively for the Global Travel Retail channel.

Shedes Founders Tribute, unveiled last week, is the result of a partnership between the Cognac companys dedicated baijiu unit, Camus International, and Chinese spirits producer Shede Spirits. The 53% abv expression will be available in Macau and Hainan GTR outlets from the second half of 2021 at an SRP of US$65.

Founders Tribute will also be rolled out to travel retail locations in Korea and Singapore at an unspecified time in the future, dependent on the COVID pandemic and the hoped-for recovery of GTR.

A spokesperson for Camus confirmed the company is looking to expand the baijiu into EU markets, following the recent Amazon EU launch of Shedes flagship Baijiu expression, Taste Shede.

Speaking to just-drinks in January, Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes said the companys Shuijingfang baijiu brand was beautifully-positioned to grow in the high-margin Chinese market.



Why whisky/whiskey can no longer ignore the allure of flavours  click here for a just-drinks comment
Speaker of the House of Commons Anthony Rota rises at the start of a sitting of the House of Commons, Wednesday, April 29, 2020 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday inspected the expansion of the Kenol-Nyeri-Marua highway into a four-lane dual carriageway.

The president made several inspection stopovers along the 84km on his way to Nyeri County for the official opening of a nanotechnology and semiconductor manufacturing facility at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.

The highway is part of the Trans-Africa Highway (Cairo-Cape Town) and it is expected to ease congestion along the major transport corridor.

Uhuru expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Sh14 billion road and instructed the contractors to ensure that the project is completed on time.

Transport CS James Macharia accompanied the president during the inspection. The CS said the upgrading of the Kenol-Nyeri-Marua road will enhance linkages between northern and southern Kenya, and boost economic activity between these regions.

CS Macharia noted that the road connects the Nothern Corridor (Mombasa  Malaba) and the LAPSSET Corridor (Lamu  Isiolo  Ethiopia/South Sudan).

The 84km dual carriageway is expected to be ready for use by December 2021.

The photos.
The girlfriend of Babes in the Wood murderer Russell Bishop has admitted she lied under oath to protect him in 1987 after falling in love with a 'monster'.

Jennifer Johnson, 55, was accused of telling 'lies that were important' in the tragic case, including about a crucial piece of evidence - a sweatshirt found near the scene.

Her ex-boyfriend Bishop was first tried for the brutal murders of schoolgirls Karen Hadaway and Nicola Fellows in 1987 but was acquitted.

New forensic techniques led to his conviction over the murders of the nine-year-olds in 2018 - and he was jailed for life with a minimum term of 36 years.

Johnson - who had three children with Bishop - has admitted lying in court to protect him in 1987.

In transcripts of a 2019 police interview read out in court today, Johnson called Bishop a 'monster' who used to 'batter' and 'control' her.

Johnson is charged with perjury and perverting the course of justice. She has denied the charges, and is set to claim she was under duress at the time.

Jennifer Johnson, 55, (left) was accused of telling 'lies that were important' in the tragic case, including about a crucial piece of evidence - a sweatshirt found near the scene. Her ex-boyfriend Russell Bishop (right) was first tried for the brutal murders of schoolgirls Karen Hadaway and Nicola Fellows in 1987 but was acquitted

New forensic techniques led to Bishop's conviction over the murders of nine-year-olds Nicola (left) and Karen (right) in 2018 - and he was jailed for life with a minimum term of 36 years

The long road to justice October 10, 1986 - Victims found in woods in Wild Park, Brighton. December 3, 1986 - Bishop charged with the murders. December 10, 1987 - After a four week trial, Bishop is acquitted of both murders and released. February 4, 1990 - Bishop arrested for kidnap, indecent assault and attempted murder of a seven-year-old girl at Devil's Dyke, East Sussex. January 19, 1991 - Bishop convicted of kidnap, indecent assault and attempted murder and sentenced to life with a minimum of 14 years. July 2002 - Babes in the Wood case subject to review and DNA profiling, but was not a success. April 2005 - Double jeopardy laws - on people being able to be tried twice for same offence twice - are changed. January 2006 - Forensic tests link Bishop and the Pinto sweatshirt. Autumn 2006 - Families of both victims informed there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a fresh case against Bishop. 2011-2012 - Cold case review of the murders. November 3, 2013 - Full reinvestigation of forensics. May 10, 2016 - Russell Bishop rearrested. December 2017 - His acquittal was quashed. December 2018 - He is finally convicted of the murders. Advertisement

Johnson claimed Bishop told her to lie about the blue Pinto sweatshirt which linked him to the Babes in the Wood murder scene at his trial in 1987.

Bishop being found not guilty of Karen and Nicola's murders 'caused devastation' for the girls' families but there was 'another terrible consequence', a jury was told: Bishop went on to attack another girl in 1990.

During the 2019 Sussex Police interview - after Bishop was locked away for life - Johnson said: 'It's a nightmare and I'm still living it,'

'He's a monster. I lived my life in fear.

'I'm still living my life in fear. I met a monster, I didn't even know but I was young.

'Young, naive and weak. This nightmare will never end, it will never end. They should've brought back hanging.'

Johnson told police Bishop blamed her for his arrest in 1986 and his conviction in 1990.

'I put him inside and he said he would come after me and kill me.

'I used to be petrified. I knew he was coming after me.

'The day I heard he was never coming out, I thought this is when my life starts.

'I know he used to batter me but I didn't and I still don't understand how he could do what he's done.

'He controlled me but you couldn't say it in those days.

'Police just said it was domestic.'

On the blue sweatshirt, Johnson said: 'He told me to say it wasn't his. I had no choice back then.

'That's all he said. I knew what the consequences would be.

'I put him in there, that's what he used to say, because I said it was his Pinto.

'He always said he would come out and get me. I had to survive to save my own children.

'No-one has lived my life. No-one has lived my hell.

'My life is a disaster because I met the wrong person when I was young.'

A jury at Lewes Crown Court heard Johnson wrote to Bishop in prison while he was on remand waiting to be tried for the attack on a young girl in 1990.

In February 1990, Johnson wrote in a letter to Bishop: 'Can't wait till you are home, darling.

'I miss you in bed and your snoring. I'm not going to leave you and I love you very much. Can we get married quite soon?'

Three days later, Ms Johnson wrote: 'I've been thinking how nasty you've been to me and all the nasty things you've done to me.

Johnson (pictured under a coat outside court) - who had three children with Bishop - has admitted lying in court to protect him in 1987

'We will get married as soon as possible. I'm sorry for what I've put you through.

'I'm waiting for you. Love you darling.'

In an April letter the same year, Ms Johnson wrote: 'We have not got a sex life no more.

'Everyone knows what we do, so we might as well not do it no more. If they ask me about my sex life in court, I'll tell them where to go.

'I've not got a life no more. When I come to see you it's just a front because I know you are happy.'

In a second April letter, Ms Johnson wrote: 'You've hurt me. I miss you. Won't be long now till we are together again. Really wish you were next to me.'

On May 24, Ms Johnson wrote: 'Great visit. What we do in our bedroom is our business. Please don't tell the papers.'

Pictured: A blue Pinto sweatshirt, allegedly worn by Russell Bishop and said to contain vital DNA evidence, which was found beside a path behind Moulsecoomb railway station

The girls were found dead in this 'den' in undergrowth in Wild Park, Brighton after the going missing the previous night

Two days later, Ms Johnson wrote: 'Great to see you. Really missing your sexy body. I still love you. We'll have a big party when you come home.'

On July 1, she added: 'I really want to have sex with you all night. You looked really good.'

The blunders that let the killer go free Bishop's first trial in 1987 saw a series of blunders which led to his acquittal. Bishop's sweatshirt, which was central to the case, was initially treated as lost property.

It was put in a brown paper bag as 'no one thought it was important' during the search for the girls.

Forensic science only allowed experts to say the jumper and the girls 'could' have been in contact with each other.

Human hairs and fibres found on Nicola's body were not tested.

The 'Pinto' jumper was widely available in shops across the country, so may not have been Bishops.

Bishop's partner Jennifer Johnson initially identified the jumper as his, but then denied it when she took the witness stand. Advertisement

In September, weeks before Bishop was jailed for life, Ms Johnson wrote to tell him she would stand up for him in court.

Ms Johnson supported Bishop in a civil action against Sussex Police.

He eventually dropped a claim for wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution in relation to the murders of Nicola and Karen.

In her 2019 police interview, Ms Johnson said: 'If I made a mistake all them years ago, I thought I was freed from him.

'I still have the nightmares. Sorry if I did wrong in those days but I didn't have a choice.

'Sorry, I really am sorry. Sorry for the parents and sorry for the kids but there was nobody out there to help me.

'I still fear for them and my grandkids. My life was hell and I'm still living it. I still get it now.'

Johnson added: 'I don't understand how I fell for someone like him,' she told police in interview.

'He was my first boyfriend.'

Johnson said Bishop was violent and controlling throughout their relationship.

She said: 'The amount of battering I've had, I changed the statement to save mine and my children's lives.

'I didn't have a choice. He ain't a human being is he?

'He's a monster.'

Johnson had three children with Bishop before he was jailed in 1990.

She admitted lying in court to protect him at his first trial in 1987.

But she denies perjury and perverting the course of justice.

The trial at Lewes Crown Court continues.
A woman died when anti-junta protesters attacked a bus in the Chadian capital on Tuesday, while a man was killed during demonstrations in the south of the country, prosecutors said

N'Djamena, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Apr, 2021 ) :A woman died when anti-junta protesters attacked a bus in the Chadian capital on Tuesday, while a man was killed during demonstrations in the south of the country, prosecutors said.

"The demonstrators attacked a bus in the Dembe district, some passengers fled but a woman remained and was killed by the protesters," N'Djamena prosecutor Youssouf Tom told AFP.
Local News, Business & Finance, Press Releases

By Chris Boyle Published: April 27 2021

Since the COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all Americans, we should expect to see a significant decline in unemployment in the near future.

New York is having a somewhat successful recovery from new unemployment claims, with last weeks claims lower than at the start of 2020, according to WalletHubs updated rankings for the States Whose Unemployment Claims Are Recovering the Quickest

Key Stats:

Weekly unemployment claims in New York increased by 241.79% compared to the same week in 2019. This was the 24th smallest increase in the U.S.

Weekly unemployment claims in New York decreased by 8.18% compared to the start of 2020. This was the 6th biggest decrease in the U.S.

Weekly unemployment claims in New York decreased by 79.93% compared to the same week last year. This was the 16th smallest decrease in the U.S.

Q&A

The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all Americans. How should we expect that to impact unemployment?

Since the COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all Americans, we should expect to see a significant decline in unemployment in the near future. There are two major reasons that unemployment will decline. The first is that the country will soon be able to proceed to a full reopening, and the second is that there will be more consumer confidence, both of which will cause a surge in business revenue, said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. As businesses make more money and serve more customers, they will increase their hiring. One thing that could slow the unemployment recovery is people who do not want to return to the workforce, either due to safety concerns or because they make a similar amount of money through unemployment insurance.

Do you expect companies to require getting the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition for employment?

It is likely that some companies will require getting the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition for employment, with obvious exemptions for people who are medically unable to receive it, said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. Companies should be able to have a COVID-19 vaccine requirement because they need to do everything in their power to keep their workers and customers safe. In addition, the more companies that require employees to get a vaccine, the faster we will be able to achieve a full reopening.

How might a states efficiency at administering the COVID-19 vaccine affect unemployment?

States that are able to more efficiently vaccinate their residents will likely see better job growth than states that are less efficient. The more a state vaccinates, the safer conditions in that state will become and the sooner businesses will be able to fully reopen and have the resources to expand hiring, said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. Currently, some places are far more efficient than others. For example, New Hampshire has used 96% of its vaccine supply, while Alabama has only used 62%.

How do red states and blue states compare when it comes to recovery?

With an average rank of 24 among the most recovered states, blue states had a better recovery from unemployment claims last week than red states, which rank 29 on average, said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. The lower the number of the ranking, the bigger the states recovery was.
GREAT BARRINGTON  Bo Bo Nge, a Myanmar official with strong ties to the Berkshires, appears to be alive in an army interrogation center in that country, a close friend said Tuesday.

Nge, deputy governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar, was jailed in February, amid a military coup in that Southeast Asia country, and had been feared dead in recent days. But, a photo of Nge that surfaced has confirmed that he remains alive.

He looked pale and his hair was long, said Abby Pratt, of Great Barrington, noting that whomever took and released the photo through secret channels took a great risk.

But, she said, she still worries about Nge, who has a heart condition. The Tatmadaw, the military regime, is notoriously brutal, fanning out across the country and using severe torture to extract confessions and information  and stoke fear, she added.

Imagine the worst, and thats what happens there, Pratt said. It is so evil.

Nge was taken from his home Feb. 1 by members of the military after they overthrew the democratically elected leadership.

Rumors of Nges death while in the custody of the military regime swept across social media this month, and with it despair that a man beloved for his brilliance and kindness had been lost.

But, the recent photo was confirmed to be authentic, and friends and family received definite confirmation of Nges location at the interrogation center, contradicting earlier reports that he was held at Insein Prison in Yangon, Pratt said.

A Facebook post this month said he had died there.

It spread like wildfire, Pratt added.

This prompted a member of the junta, on April 10, to say on a website that Nge is alive and that the rumor was spread to stir more demonstrations. The website also said that Nge was being held in a Yeiktha, which translates into guest house, according to Ba Win, a friend and former dean of students and provost at Bard College at Simons Rock.

God spare me their guest houses, he said, noting that it might be better than a jail cell, which in Myanmar is a very grim place.

It also stirred grief. Friends abroad couldnt be sure after losing contact with Nges wife  she fled to a village with the couples young son after Nge was abducted. His wife has been silent, out of concern by her family that she or the child would be abducted, Pratt added. Also, the regime has cut the countrys internet.

Friends of the couple hope that continued news coverage of his plight will help apply pressure for the release of Nge and other detainees. Win said the strong voices of U.S. officials are noted.

Hes, in a way, a high-value hostage, Win added. We keep hoping.

The crisis began after the landslide election of Aung San Suu Kyi, and her party, the National League for Democracy, sparked a military coup as the regime declared the election results fraudulent.

Bloodshed ensued, and included the killing of children and use of torture. More than 700 people have died and several thousand are detained as protests against the military regime continue across the country. Others have disappeared.

While President Joe Biden in February asked for the release of detainees and ordered sanctions that would lock $1 billion of the countrys U.S. assets, people feel that the world isnt helping them enough.

Nge was jailed for 4 years for leading student protests in the 1988 uprising.

After fleeing to Great Barrington in 2000, with assistance from Win and Pratt, a former Eagle reporter and editor, Nge went to Berkshire Community College. He was a dishwasher at various restaurants and worked with Pratts late husband, the economist Lawrence Pratt, at American Investment Services in Great Barrington, and at the American Institute for Economic Research.

He later received a bachelors degree from Bard College, a masters degree from Johns Hopkins University and then a Ph.D. from the University of London, before returning to his home country.

Laurence Harris, a friend and professor of economics who was Nges Ph.D. adviser at the University of London, said he worries for his health, and is pained thinking of Nges separation from his young son. He and others had sent pleas for help to members of parliament.

Harris said Nge has been 100 percent committed to making Myanmar better in very practical ways.

It was very brave work that he was doing and technically very sound, Harris said. He was in charge of the reform of the banking sector. Thats a very difficult job to do in any country.

Donald Lathrop, a professor of Nges at Berkshire Community College who previously saw him in December, on a Christmas Zoom call with the family, said he hadnt heard the rumor of his death. He said he recently was cleaning pine needles off his roof when he grew emotional because Nge had helped him shingle it.

Hes lucky to be alive, Lathrop said.
On April 25, the Azerbaijani side prevented the entry of 25 Armenian pilgrims to Dadivank where the ordination ceremony was foreseen by the servants of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Preventing the entrance of the faithful to Dadivank with obviously false and idle pretexts, the Azerbaijani military aimed to overturn the significant sacred ceremony of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

In this way, the Azerbaijani side violated the agreement reached through the mediation of Russian peacekeepers according to which the Armenian faithful can freely access to and perform spiritual ceremonies in the Dadivank Monastery.

Religious rights and freedoms are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other fundamental international documents, the violation of which is an encroachment to human dignity, rights and freedoms.

Azerbaijan, which has declared itself a country of cultural and religious diversity, disregards the internationally known norms, insults, desecrates and destroys the cultural values of the Armenian people in its occupied territories, purposefully cleans the Armenian inscriptions and traces and artificially prevents the entry of the Armenian faithful to sacred sites.

The Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Artsakh will inform the relevant international structures about this incident, urging them to impliment clear mechanisms against the illegal actions of Azerbaijan.
Brazils exports to the Arab region soared 22.5 per cent in volume during the first quarter of 2021 to reach $2.91 billion, up 18.2 per cent from a year ago, figures released by the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) showed.



Saudi Arabia was the biggest importer of Brazilian goods during the period, with the export volume going to the Kingdom amounted to $526.16 million. Bahrain came in second at $406.36 million, followed by Egypt $379.26 million and the UAE $352.2 million.



Iron ore, food products such as sugar, poultry, beef and cereals topped Brazilian foreign sales to the Arab world in the first quarter. Sales of soy and maize posted record-high increases at 147.98 per cent and 132.67 per cent, respectively.



Exports from the Arab world to Brazil, on the other hand, stood at $1.31 billion in the first quarter of the year, or 11.24 per cent higher from a year ago.



Osmar Chohfi, President of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, said: Due to the gradual reopening of borders and continuous vaccine rollout, Brazils trade balance with Arab countries started growing immediately during the first three months of 2021. Brazil and Arab countries were able to quickly renew the growth momentum and reinforce their trade relations despite the pandemic. This rebound is expected to remain in 2021, especially now that we are seeing a rise in consumer demand.



We see sustained high regional demand for Brazilian food products over the next months as a result of the increase tourism activities, among other factors. The strong growth performance of Brazils exports reflects the Arab countries resilience and ability to recover and expand despite the challenging global market conditions.



The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce will act in order to help facilitate trade activities and find new opportunities in the context of Arab-Brazilian economic relations. Brazil is and will always be a trusted partner for the Arab world, in this respect, Chohfi added.  TradeArabia News Service
YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. French MP Francois Pupponi has submitted a new resolution to the parliament, calling on France to demand Azerbaijan to return POWs and civilians that were taken hostage during the military operation to the Armenian side, ARMENPRESS reports the French MP wrote on his Facebook page.

Many Armenian soldiers are still arrested by the Azerbaijani authorities following the Artsakh-Azerbaijan conflict and are waiting for their repatriation. This practice is in full contradiction with the Geneva Convention and the norms of the international law. France should urge Azerbaijan to release them. This is the point of my resolution and I wish to thank the parliamentarians that agreed to sign under it, the French MP wrote.
A former South Bound Brook police officer who alleged he was discriminated against because of post traumatic stress disorder he suffered after being injured while serving in Iraq years earlier has settled his lawsuit against the department for $100,000, according to court documents.

News of the settlement, which was reached late last month, was first reported by TransparenceyNJ.com.

Kevin J. Klink, of the Skillman section of Montgomery, alleged in the lawsuit two different chiefs created a hostile work environment for him with the second forcing him to retire.

Hired in 2007 by the department, Klink had no issues until 2015 when got frustrated after not performing well during regular firearms training, according to the lawsuit. Then-Chief William King told Klink, if you put your gun in your mouth, you wouldnt miss.

At another session, King said to the officer, I thought Marines could shoot, what the hell kind of Marine are you? The chief then added, Gotta send you back to boot camp, get Gunny to teach you, Private Pyle.

Private Pyle refers to a Marine recruit in Stanley Kubricks movie Full Metal Jacket who was hazed by his drill instructor and fellow soldiers. The fictional character later kills himself. King also allegedly engaged in other improper and unlawful actions that are not described in court documents.

King didnt immediately return a phone message left for him at his home in Somerset County on Tuesday. South Bound Brook Administrator Christina Fischer declined to comment on the settlement on behalf of the town.

Klink filed an internal affairs complaint against King that was later referred to the Somerset County Prosecutors Office. The chief later retired in in good standing and was never disciplined by the borough.

Kings successor as chief  then-Lt. Jeffrey Titus  headed the departments internal affair department at the time of the complaint. Titus also declined to comment.

The following year Klink applied to be on the Somerset County SWAT team, according to the lawsuit. He passed the physical and firearms portions of the tests. A doctor who later conducted a psychological evaluation of Klink determined the officer was fit to join the SWAT team, but expressed concerns about the officers PTSD, the lawsuit said.

Days later, though, Klink was told he was disqualified from joining the SWAT team, according to the lawsuit. When he asked for paid leave later that day, Titus told him, dont even try to pull that, according to the lawsuit.

Weeks later, Titus ordered Klink to undergo another exam with a different psychologist. The department soon after suspended Klink with pay and charged him with being unfit for duty.

Klink was told the charge would be dropped if he applied for disability retirement. However, the suit alleges the department retaliated and refused to send the Police and Firemens Retirement System the necessary information to process Klinks application, according to the lawsuit.

Klink served two deployments in Iraq  one in 2003 and one in 2004 after enlisting in 2000. During the second, he was injured by an improvised explosive device. Klink was later awarded a Purple Heart and honorably discharged.

Klink was screened for a PTSD in 2006 and hired by the South Bound Brook police the following year. He continues to be treated for PTSD, court papers state.

The less than one-square mile borough has a population of about 4,500.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGoldmanNJ.

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Circuit de Catalunya boss Ramon Tremosa wants the Spanish GP to remain an annual fixture on the Formula 1 calendar.

There are suggestions that, as new hosts like Miami enter the sport, some existing European races may need to head into an annual 'rotation' scheme.

Tremosa told El Mundo Deportivo newspaper that he is opposed to that.

"We cannot lose the continuity that we have," he said, "because if you leave the calendar it is very difficult to return.

"Our will is to continue having a fixed place on the calendar rather than go into this rotation," Tremosa added.

He said negotiations with Formula 1 are taking place at present.

"The negotiations are underway and we will be discreet about them," said Tremosa. "Formula 1 is very interested in continuing to have this event and we have good hopes, but the negotiations are not completed."

(GMM)
Dharamsala, April 27 : Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Tuesday announced to contribute to the PM-Cares Fund as a token of solidarity with fellow Indian brothers and sisters.

"I have been following the continuing challenge that the Covid-19 pandemic has been posing across the world, including in India, with concern," the Dalai Lama said in a statement.

"At this critical time, during this alarming Covid-19 surge, I have asked the Dalai Lama Trust to make a donation to the PM-CARES Fund as a token of our solidarity with fellow Indian brothers and sisters.

"May I take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation for all the efforts that are being made to tackle this devastating pandemic, especially by those courageously working on the frontline. I pray that the pandemic threat will end soon," the elderly Buddhist monk added.

The Tibetan administration in exile is based in the north Indian hill town of Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Federal MP Craig Kelly prior to addressing the media over his concerns with the AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clotting during a press conference in the Mural Hall at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Mar. 16, 2021. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Facebook Bans Federal MP Craig Kelly After Virus-Related Posts

Facebook has banned the main page of federal MP Craig Kelly following controversial CCP virus-related posts not in line with official health guidelines.

We dont allow anyone, including elected officials, to share misinformation about COVID-19 that could lead to imminent physical harm or COVID-19 vaccines that have been debunked by public health experts, a Facebook spokesperson said.

However, according to Kelly, Facebook did not provide information regarding the posts that led to the suspension of his account.

Previously, Kelly had made several posts that shared data or linked to studies supporting information that was not in line with official Australian health guidelines.

Kelly denied claims that his posts were spreading misinformation, saying that his posts were merely a reflection of research done by scientists globally, not just in Australia.

Everything that Ive posted is 100 percent backed up by the science, the evidence, expert opinions of highly qualified people around the world, Kelly told The Epoch Times.

Im quoting a doctor or a medical specialist that has a different opinion from another doctor or medical specialist. That doesnt make it misinformation, that makes it an alternative opinion, Kelly said.

A society where someone that has an alternative opinion to you is spreading misinformation is a fascist, totalitarian society.

While it is unclear why Kelly was banned specifically, some of his recent posts include reporting on rare blood clots following AstraZeneca vaccinations, both in Australia and abroad.

Kelly also made posts that linked to data in support of Ivermectin as an alternative form of treatment for COVID-19, a drug that has not been approved by the Australian Government Department of Health due to insufficient evidence.

According to Monash University, an Australian peer-reviewed study in April 2020 showed that a single dose of Ivermectin could stop the SARS-CoV-2 virus growing in cell culture but was not approved due to a lack of clinical trials.

In a post, Kelly linked an Ivermectin analysis website that lists 52 studies, of which 24 are peer-reviewed, detailing the effects of Ivermectin in early and late treatment of COVID-19.

Kelly had also proposed a No Vaccine Passports bill, with other remarks including opposing the need for children to wear masksa statement that drew backlash from the media.

A few months later, Kelly shared an article by the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER), which said that YouTube took down an AIER-linked video containing comments by Harvard Professor Martin Kulldorff.

Children should not wear face masks, Kulldorff said. They dont need it for their own protection, and they dont need it for protecting other people either.

Kelly resigned from the Liberal Party in February and joined the crossbench following pressure on the government due to his views on COVID-19 treatments that were not approved by the Department of Health.

Kelly also regularly made posts condemning the Chinese Communist Partys influence in Australia, including criticising the Belt and Road initiative and Confucius institutes in Australian universities.

Kelly had one of the largest engagements of any Australian politician on Facebook, garnering around 1 million engagements per month.

Its just an appalling state of affairs that a foreign entity like Facebook would censor an Australian elected member of parliament, Kelly said.

A society where Facebook are the arbiters of truth is a very dangerous society.

AAP contributed to this report.
Rise in consumer awareness regarding hygiene products and improved quality of healthcare fabrics drive the growth of the global healthcare fabrics market

PORTLAND, Ore., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Healthcare Fabrics Market by Raw Material (Polypropylene, Cotton, Polyester, Viscose, Polyamide, and Others), Fabrics Type (Non-woven, Woven and knitted) and Application (Hygiene Products, Dressing Products, Clothing, Blanket & Bedding, Upholstery, Privacy Curtains, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2020-2027." According to the report, the global healthcare fabrics industry generated $15.9 billion in 2019, and is projected to reach $37.4 billion by 2027, witnessing a CAGR of 13.0% from 2020 to 2027.

Drivers, restraints, and opportunities

Rise in consumer awareness regarding hygiene products and improved quality of healthcare fabrics drive the growth of the global healthcare fabrics market. However, increased carbon-footprint due to use of female hygiene products hinder the market growth. On the other hand, growing consumer awareness create new opportunities in the coming years.

Request PDF Brochure:https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/11352

Covid-19 Scenario

The outbreak of the pandemic led to increased demand for healthcare fabrics such as PPE kits, bed sheets, masks, and other items

Surge in utilization of masks due to covid-19 has boosted the demand even more. Moreover, the high demand for healthcare fabrics is expected to increase even more owing to the second wave of covid-19 in various regions.

The polypropylene segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on raw material, the polypropylene segment accounted for the largest market share, contributing to nearly two-fifths of the global healthcare fabrics market in 2019, and will maintain its lead position during the forecast period. This is due to frequent usage and demand for baby diapers and skin wipes to avoid rashes on baby's skin. However, the viscos segment is projected to manifest a CAGR of 12.0% from 2020 to 2027.

Get Detailed COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the Healthcare Fabrics Market @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/11352?reqfor=covid

The non-woven segment to maintain its dominance in terms of revenue during the forecast period

Based on fabric type, the non-woven segment accounted for the highest share in 2019, holding more than four-fifths of the global healthcare fabrics market, and is projected to maintain its dominance in terms of revenue during the forecast period. This is owing to their softness, strength, comfort, stretch ability, cost, and high absorbing ability of liquids. However, the woven segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 11.7% from 2020 to 2027. This is due to application in hospital and surgical hosiery, wound contact layer, various types of bandages, artificial tendons, and others.

North America to exhibit the highest growth rate by 2027

Based on region, the market across North America is projected to portray the fastest CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period, owing to remarkable growth in end-use businesses including implantable goods and healthcare & hygiene products. On the other hand, the Europe region held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2019, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global healthcare fabrics market, and will maintain its dominance by 2027. This is attributed to high expenditure on healthcare and increased purchasing power.

Leading Market Players

Ahlstrom Munksjo OYJ

Asahi Kasei Corporation

Avgol Ltd

Berry Global Group Inc.

Carnegie Fabrics LLC

Eximius Incorporation

Freudenberg Group

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Knoll Inc.

Paramount Tech Fab Industries.

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A Cornish fisherman's sailing boat was vandalised by a second home owner angry because its mast spoiled their view, he has claimed.

Mike Bastian, 66, a lifelong oyster dredger, had to call the police after his 'pride and joy' was nearly sunk in a 'calculated' attack.

Mr Bastian, who has been working and living in the village of Feock all his life, was left devastated when his boat was severely damaged.

It was left on a council-owned beach once the oyster fishing season drew to a close at the end of March.

But last Thursday evening Mike received a call to say the leg of the boat had been removed, the anchor had been chucked away and the battery had been smashed in.

Mike Bastian, 66, with his boat which is docked in Penpol Creek in Cornwall

Mr Bastian, who has been working and living in his local community of Feock all his life, was left devastated when his boat (pictured) was severely damaged

Mr Bastian's family had to rush to the beach to salvage the boat (pictured) in the early hours - before it flooded during a high tide

His family had to rush to the beach to salvage the boat in the early hours - before it flooded during a high tide.

Mike's daughter Erin, 32, said she suspected the culprit was a second home owner living in the village.

People in the area are in a battle with second home owners - and Erin said the vandalism was another example of locals being 'bullied out'.

Mr Bastian has strong suspicions who the boat vandal is after hearing about other locals and their encounters with an 'abusive' man.

The father-of-three said: 'I'm still fuming about it. I'm hoping the police are going to follow up on it.

Mr Bastian, a lifelong oyster dredger, had to call the police after his 'pride and joy' was nearly sunk in a 'calculated' attack. Mr Bastian is pictured with his daughter Erin, 32

'I'm moving my boat later today. I can't live eight miles from a boat worrying about it all the time. Every time you come round the corner you don't know whether it will be stood up or fallen over.

'A friend of mine has come up with a photograph of this guy. The suspicions in the village that it's him are because he's abused so many people.

'People like that who continually abuse people, people do the same things over and over again and he is one of them. I've heard there are families terrified of him.'

Erin, who owns her own kayaking business, believes there are a number of residents who would take offence to seeing boats on the beach - since it would 'spoil' their view.

She said: 'My dad saved this year for a new boat, his pride and joy, an old wooden working boat.

'This week someone has callously damaged my dad's boat by digging up his anchor and unbolting one of his support legs.

'To be honest through local contacts and a lot of local gossip there's an idea between local people who it might have been.

'That's obviously all speculation but you put two and two together.

'Effectively where the public beach is - where people have stored their boats for as long as my dad can remember - there are lots of big, big houses which look over across the creek.

The boat has been repaired and is now docked at Penpol Creek with a sign warning others to stay away

Mr Bastian on his boat before it was vandalised. He has strong suspicions who the boat vandal is after hearing about other locals and their encounters with a second home owner

'I guess the boat's mast would have been in the view of one of those.

'This is all speculation, but I can imagine that's it - people are protective of their lands, views and beautiful massive second homes.

'They're not the people who think having working boats on the beach is a nice addition which adds character to their Cornish lifestyle.'

Erin thinks the vandalism was pre-meditated rather than a random attack because of the damage caused.

'Either side of the boat you have a support leg - so when there is no water it sits upright,' she added.

'They are bolted on so someone had to physically remove them. It seemed strange - it was such calculated damage.

Erin thinks the vandalism was pre-meditated rather than a random attack because of the damage caused. Pictured, the boat before it was vandalised

'They didn't directly damage the boat - but did enough to it that the next high tide would have pretty much wiped the whole boat out.'

Erin says she was then brought to tears the following morning when she was sworn at and told to leave the village by a passer-by.

She had gone down to check on the boat's condition in daylight and once again suspects the onslaught came from a second homeowner not local to the area.

'The next morning I parked my van in the village to check the boat and this chap was extremely verbally abusive to me for no real reason,' she said. 'I wasn't welcome, even when I told him I wasn't a tourist.

'I told him I was local and I was just checking my dad's boat. He threatened to call the police on me for parking my van in a pubic council car park?

'I have to admit his aggressive and unnecessary confrontation reduced me to tears.'

Erin said at the moment they don't have any evidence to accuse anyone for the vandalism, but police are looking into the incident and Mr Bastian has been given a case number.

Erin says she was then brought to tears the following morning when she was sworn at and told to leave the village by a passer-by. Pictured, the vandalised boat as Mr Bastian works on it

'I am mortified to see my dad's livelihood vandalised,' she added.

'His boat without support legs has fallen over, leaving it vulnerable to being swamped by sea water, all because of someone's appalling intentions to intimidate and threaten a local fisherman from using a public foreshore.

'I find it shocking that a local person could do this to another - to actively damage another's livelihood so callously in such a calculated manner.'

Erin and her father will now be moving their boat to another mooring to avoid the same thing happening again.

She added: 'I find it upsetting that there's a friction between local people trying to make a living, who have grown up in the area, and people who buy nice houses and move In from somewhere else.

Erin and Mr Bastian are pictured as they discover the boat has been vandalised

'They have different expectations of a place.

'Everybody's entitled to live wherever they want- but it upsets me how you can move to an area and try to change it - rather than embracing how it is, how it works and how the local people are.'

'I feel people need to know the problems that do occur between local fisherman trying to make a living and giant house owners.'

A statement from Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'We received a report that a fishing boat was damaged at a beach at Penpol Creek, Feock, sometime between 6pm on Wednesday 21 April and noon on Thursday 22 April.

'The vessel's owner found it on its side after its leg had been removed. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or email 101@dc.police.uk, quoting crime reference CR/032137/21.'
Apr. 27A teenager from Arkansas has pleaded guilty to shooting and killing an U.S. serviceman from Westbrook during an attempted robbery of a gas station in North Little Rock in 2019.

Drequan Lamont Robinson, 19, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the shooting death of Shawn McKeough Jr., 23, who tackled Robinson during the attempted robbery, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette newspaper reported.

Robinson, who was 17 when he killed McKeough, avoids the possibility of the death penalty by pleading guilty, according to the newspaper.

As part of the plea, he will serve at least 42 years in prison, or 70 percent of the 60-year sentence, before is eligible for parole, the newspaper reported.

Mckeough was killed inside a Valero Big Red gas station and convenience store after he tackled Robinson in an attempt to stop the robbery.

McKeough was one of eight people inside the convenience store when three gunmen entered, the Arkansas newspaper reported. When the three robbers ordered everyone to the floor, McKeough rushed Robinson. A second gunman opened fire, striking McKeough in the face, killing him instantly, according to the newspaper.

Mckeough, a 2014 Westbrook High School graduate, enlisted in the Air Force and was deployed to Germany, Kuwait and South Korea. At time of his death, he had been in Arkansas less than four months.

This story will be updated.
She always catches the eye with her trendy and chic ensembles.

And Ashley Roberts turned heads once more on Tuesday in floral flared trousers and a matching shirt as she exited Global Radio Studios in London.

The former Pussycat Doll, 39, wowed in her 70s-inspired ensemble as she strolled through Leicester Square and returned to her car following her Heart FM show.

Blooming beautiful: Ashley Roberts turned heads on Tuesday in floral flared trousers and a matching oversized shirt as she exited Global Radio Studios in London

She teamed her statement top from Zara, which boasted kimono sleeves and an extreme V-neckline, with a high-neck vest.

The Heart FM presenter rounded off her colourful look with yellow pointed heels and her go-to YSL handbag.

Ashley gave the retro-style outfit a glamorous twist with golden jewellery including hoop earrings and a chain-link necklace.

The radio host shielded her eyes from the glorious British sun with oval shades and swept her blonde tresses back in a sleek low ponytail.

Vibrant: The former Pussycat Doll, 39, wowed in her 70s-inspired ensemble as she strolled through Leicester Square and returned to her car following her Heart FM show

Expert layering: She teamed her statement top from Zara, which boasted kimono sleeves and an extreme V-neckline, with a high-neck vest

Designer touch: The Heart FM presenter rounded off her colourful look with yellow pointed heels and her go-to YSL handbag

She enhanced her radiant complexion with dewy make-up as she captured her outfit-of-the-day to social media and penned: 'Groovy baby.'

The blonde beauty looked poised as she gazed over the London Eye and skyline.

Ashley also grabbed a quick selfie with her co-host Amanda Holden, who exuded femininity in a 1950s-style shirt dress from Suzannah London.

The Don't Cha hitmaker recently spoke out about The Pussycat Dolls' future plans after they returned with React - their first song in a decade - in 2020.

Accesorise: Ashley gave the retro-style outfit a glamorous twist with golden jewellery including hoop earrings and a chain-link necklace

Ashley revealed they will release more tracks before their tour, which is currently set for May after being postponed due to the pandemic.

The former Strictly star told the Heart Showbiz Hub podcast: 'We'll definitely do new music. We've got to get in the studio and make that happen.'

She also touched on the coronavirus pandemic, telling listeners that it meant now was the perfect time for her and her bandmates to start working on new singles.

The media personality added: 'Especially now with having Miss Rona (coronavirus) step in, we've got time.

Strut her stuff: She enhanced her radiant complexion with dewy make-up as she captured her outfit-of-the-day to social media and penned: 'Groovy baby'

Soaking up the sights: The blonde beauty looked poised as she gazed over the London Eye and skyline

Style sisters: Ashley also grabbed a quick selfie with her co-host Amanda Holden, who exuded femininity in a 1950s-style shirt dress from Suzannah London

'We want to get people ramped up and excited again before we go out on tour, which, who knows when that will be.'

The Pussycat Dolls - consisting of Ashley, Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt, Carmit Bachar and Jessica Sutta - announced their music comeback back in 2019.

The band have had to reschedule their reunion tour twice amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In demand: The Don't Cha hitmaker recently spoke out about The Pussycat Dolls' future plans after they returned with React - their first song in a decade - in 2020 (pictured with Carmit Bachar, Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt and Jessica Sutta last year)

Setback: Ashley revealed they will release more tracks before their tour, which is currently set for May after being postponed due to the pandemic
US makes U-turn on aiding India, motivation questioned

Global Times) 09:29, April 27, 2021

People wait in line to refill empty medical oxygen cylinders for COVID-19 patients in front of a shop in New Delhi, India, April 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Partha Sarkar)

Under tremendous pressure, the US, which has remained silent in face of the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in India, an important partner to Washington's Indo-Pacific strategy, over the weekend, finally responded positively, pledging medical aid such as raw materials for vaccines and oxygen concentrators. Such a U-turn in attitude is largely driven by geopolitical interests, in addition to countries' actual concerns about the epidemic crisis, and displays how this so-called political alliance failed to address India's major concerns, experts said.

At least a dozen countries and regions have expressed their willingness as of Monday to help India which has been engulfed by devastating scenes, such as packed hospitals, outdoor non-stop cremation, and people begging for oxygen. The message sent by the White House, indeed, appeared to come out "too late" as the US government has been heavily criticized for being selfish and hypocritical by offering too little aid to India in the past few days. Ironically, just last month, the US-led Quad alliance within which India is a major partner, shed light on cooperation of the group regarding vaccines and the COVID-19 fight.

With pictures showing over 300 oxygen concentrators being loaded at JFK airport in the US, which were on their way to Delhi, the Biden administration finally acted upon India's SOS calls, pledging to offer medical supplies such as rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), the White House said on Sunday, adding that the US would also make raw materials required for producing vaccines in India "immediately available."

Anthony Fauci, the top medical advisor for the US government, was quoted as saying in media reports on Sunday that the US will consider sending AstraZeneca Plc's vaccine doses, currently unapproved for use in the US, to India despite AstraZeneca's vaccines lately raising concerns regarding blood clots.

'Too early to be happy'

"We have to be honest about the humanitarian angle, India is facing arguably the worst surge of COVID-19 the world has seen yet and many people are likely to die due to the country's over-strained infrastructure," Tom Fowdy, a British political and international relations analyst, told the Global Times on Monday.

However, the European and the US' focus toward India is obviously motivated by their geopolitical "Indo-Pacific" strategies, and the US wants to use India as a tool to attack China with as opposed to a sincere concern for Indians themselves, Fowdy noted.

Although the US has vowed to ship medical supplies to India in the coming days with Indian media reports saying Air India plans to transport about 600 oxygen concentrators in the next two days, the supplies have actually been ordered by private entities according to the reports. Meanwhile, India's public health system is facing collapse as described by local media, with various hospitals across the country continuing to grapple with severe shortages of oxygen and some Indian netizens slammed New Delhi for acting as a concierge for wealthy citizens.

The Biden administration has only partially lifted export ban of raw materials for vaccine production, following growing pressure from vaccine producers, according to the New York Times.

As the US can meet their domestic requirements for vaccines and has enough stockpiles, it may offer limited raw materials for producing vaccines to India to showcase that it is helping. The US won't help India by transferring a proportion of its technology. Help from the US will remain limited, Tian Guangqiang, assistant research fellow with the National Institute of International Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday.

Even with raw materials export ban partially lifted in the US, India is still unable to produce the vaccines it needs. Moreover, given the severe situation and surging infection numbers, vaccines will not stop the pandemic immediately as it takes a period of time to create antibodies, Tian said, noting the situation in India is not optimistic.

Zhang Wenhong, China's leading infectious disease expert and head of the Shanghai COVID-19 medical team, said in a post on social media on Sunday night that even with the massive inoculation drive, it won't stop the virus from spreading in India. Given the low inoculation rate in India, the rate of vaccination won't catch up with the speed of virus transmission.

The total number of inoculations in India is just behind that of the US and China, however, given its huge population, the single-dose vaccination rate is 8 percent, which is still relatively low and can't stop the virus from spreading to more places.

Experts suggested that India should take strict lockdown measures to slow down infections, isolate patients and increase medical staff and equipment to promote the capability of medical care. It should also turn to the WHO, the US, China or ASEAN for help.

China has expressed its willingness twice in the last few days to help India fight its recent COVID-19 surge and will provide support within its capacity if requested. In response to questions on what China thinks about the effectiveness of the Quad with one of its recent agenda items being anti-virus cooperation, India seems to have received little help from the other three countries, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told a routine press conference on Monday that China hopes the related countries can offer help within their capacity to fulfill their international responsibility and obligations.

It remains unclear whether the National Health Commission of China would dispatch more medical support to India, which will depend on the consultation between China and India, but Chinese companies, associations and individuals have been actively responding to India's SOS calls lately.

China came to help

On Monday, 800 oxygen concentrators were airlifted from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to Delhi and 10,000 more in a week, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka tweeted on Monday. It also wrote that "China is keeping in touch with India regarding urgent needs."

Chinese medical suppliers across the country are receiving a surge in orders from India. For example, Jiangsu Yuyue Medical Equipment told media on Monday that it received an order of about 18,000 oxygen machines from Indian medical institutions in recent days.

Clients from India have ordered seven CT scanners from MinFound in the last fortnight, a person who is in charge of the overseas market, surnamed Zhang, from the Zhejiang-based MinFound Medical Systems Co, told the Global Times on Sunday. All CT scanners are self-developed products, according to Zhang.

China and India maintain communication on the matter, Wang, the spokesperson said, noting that medical supplies provided by Chinese firms so far are normal procurements.

Changing attitude for what?

While the US offering assistance has been hailed by some Indian people, Chinese experts considered such a sudden change in attitude "was not surprising at all," as the Biden administration has been facing a backlash lately. In addition, some experts also pointed out that the US is taking advantage of India's humanitarian crisis - as Washington wants to use minimum resources to push India to come closer to the US.

It's not surprising to see the US adopting such old-fashioned tactics of paying little attention to other countries' crisis first but suddenly appearing to be "willing" to offer urgent help. What has happened to India recently proves this point," Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations of the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Monday.

The US would often turn down requests from partners when they ask for help, he said, noting that promises and help come at the last-minute from the US as it would help it gain more from the partner with less offering.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Bianji)
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will on Tuesday (today) represent President Muhammadu Buhari at Sierra Leones 60th Independence Day celebratio...

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will on Tuesday (today) represent President Muhammadu Buhari at Sierra Leones 60th Independence Day celebration in Freetown.

Osinbajos Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday titled VP Osinbajo to represent Nigeria at Sierra Leones 60th Independence Day celebration.

The statement read, President Muhammadu Buhari would be represented by his deputy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at Sierra Leones 60th Independence Day celebration taking place today in the countrys capital, Freetown.

Prof Osinbajo would be joining several other Heads of State and Governments from Africa and beyond who are expected at the event.

Historically, both Nigeria and Sierra Leone have shared cherished and cordial relations at least right from colonial times. The relationship has continued and evidenced in the socio-economic, technical, and security cooperation over the years.

The Vice President who leaves Abuja this morning would be accompanied by the Foreign Affairs Minister of State, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, among others and he is expected back in Abuja later today.
(Natural News) Once upon a time, the most cynical Americans among us often quipped that our government is the best that money can buy.

But nowadays, its not just the cynical who say that. Increasingly, ordinary Americans are conceding, publicly and privately, that we have completely lost control over any aspect of government because so much money is being thrown at politicians that even overwhelming majorities of voters mean nothing to our elected leaders.

And one example after another keeps proving them right.

Readers may recall that in recent days, Democrats have announced they will push legislation aimed at increasing the number of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court by four, bringing the total to 13  even though the court has had nine justices since 1869 and that number has worked out exceedingly well.

Now, mind you, with the decrepit Joe Biden in the White House, his left-wing behind-the-scenes handlers will ensure that he doesnt nominate candidates who revere the nations founding document and have demonstrated through years of work on the federal bench that they fashion their rulings based on the Constitution  not feelings or some abstract claim to know better than our own framers what they meant when the wrote it.

No, they will have Biden nominate straight-up activists who just happen to be judges as well (or not, as in the case of Elena Kagan, who didnt sit on the federal bench but rather practiced Marxist activism as a law school professor at Harvard). And when that happens, the Supreme Court wont be the highest court within the Judicial Branch, it will become little more than another legislative body for the Democrats in perpetuity, rubber stamping their agenda by claiming blatantly unconstitutional laws (like banning all firearms) are somehow constitutional.

Whats more, there is a lot of left-wing dark money being spent to ensure this new legislative branch becomes a reality.

Fox News reports:

A coalition of liberal dark money groups and networks is behind efforts to expand the Supreme Court, which some top Democrats have thrown their weight behind in recent weeks.

Sen. Ed Markey, D.-Mass., and Rep. Jerry Nadler, D.-N.Y., are leading congressional efforts to expand the Supreme Court from nine to 13 seats. The Democratic lawmakers were joined by members from activist groups Demand Justice, Take Back the Court and Indivisible as they announced legislation on the matter in mid-April.

Prior to the announcement, those left-wing groups formed a coalition to undo former President Trumps judicial legacy, which included plans of adding justices to the nations top court.

To add even more to the belief that our government is the best money can buy, each of those Marxist groups that want to add seats to the court are being funded with cash that is coming from anonymous donors, meaning its not clear who is funding the pressure campaign. Could be foreign interests like China or Russia for all we know. (Related: DeSantis urges America to reject Faucism, return to old normal.)

And thats very likely the case, too, because of the players involved. For example, Demand Justice, the most active of the groups, is linked to many of Bidens top aides. In fact, White House press secretary Jen Psaki was an outside advisor to one of them, while Paige Herwig, Bidens top adviser on judicial picks, also worked for the same group before joining the regime.

Other groups involved include the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a nonprofit incubator that provides its tax and legal status to nonprofits, which allows them to avoid filing publicly available tax forms, Fox News reported (and remember, Democrats are the ones who complain about big corporations avoiding taxes). This org is managed by Arabella Advisers, which raked in some $715 million in secretive donations for left-wing groups and causes it houses in 2019 alone, the network added.

The liberal dark money groups that helped elect Joe Biden and Senate Democrats have been pushing for court packing for years, and now they want what they paid for: A Supreme Court stacked with politicians in robes that will advance their radical policy agenda, said Carrie Severino, president of the Judicial Crisis Network.

Might be time for red states to start thinking about what line Biden will have to cross before it is considered one too many.

See more reporting like this at Secession.news.

Sources include:

FoxNews.com

Resist.news
Russia's defense chief said Tuesday that a troop pullback from areas near Ukraine had nothing to do with Western pressure, adding that Moscow will continue doing what is necessary to protect itself.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also voiced concern about NATO forces' presence near Russia.

The recent Russian troop buildup near Ukraine worried the West, which strongly urged the Kremlin to withdraw its forces. Shoigu, who ordered the drawdown on Thursday after massive drills, scoffed at the Western calls as inappropriate.

Some even warned us that our activities on our own territory will have consequences, Shoigu said. I would like to emphasize that we don't see such warnings as acceptable and will do everything that is necessary to ensure the security of our borders.

He pointed to the deployment of NATO troops near Russia as a cause for Moscow's concern.

The U.S. and NATO activities to increase combat readiness and build up their presence have contributed to an increase in military threats, Shoigu said, noting that Moscow was closely monitoring the deployment of U.S. troops and weapons in Europe as part of NATO's Defender Europe 2021 drills.

The Russian troop buildup came amid a rise in cease-fire violations in eastern Ukraine, stoking fears of large-scale hostilities. The conflict between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists in Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, called Donbas, erupted shortly after Moscow's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. More than 14,000 people have been killed in seven years of fighting.

In 2015, France and Germany helped broker a peace deal that was signed in Minsk the capital of Belarus. The agreement helped end large-scale battles, but skirmishes have continued and a peace settlement has stalled.

The deal obliged Ukraine to grant broad autonomy to the rebel regions and declare an amnesty for the rebels, and stipulated that Ukraine would regain full control of its border with Russia in the rebel-held territories only after they elect local leaders and legislatures. Many in Ukraine saw the deal as a betrayal of national interests and opposed it.

The latest round of the so-called Normandy Format talks between the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany in December 2019 brought no progress.

Ukrainian officials have continuously pushed for revising the Minsk agreement and inviting the U.S. and other powers to join the peace talks, ideas Russia has rejected.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed a call for modifying the Minsk agreement and inviting other countries to help broker peace talks.

I believe that the Minsk agreement should be flexible, Zelenskyy said. The Normandy format" could be extended to involve other serious, powerful players on a parallel track," Zelenskyy added, without specifying what other nations could be invited to help broker peace talks.

Zelenskyy on Tuesday visited Ukrainian troops near Crimea.

He welcomed the Russian troop pullback, saying it helped de-escalate tensions. At the same time, he noted that we don't have a 100% guarantee that the Russian troops wont return.

Zelenskyy voiced hope that an agreement could be reached quickly to secure a cease-fire in the east during the celebration of Orthodox Easter this coming Sunday.

___

Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv, Ukraine contributed to this report.
The last thing you expect to see while spending a quiet day fishing is a Bigfoot moving about on the shoreline and throwing rocks. A Kentuc...
Feasibility studies are underway on the possibility of relocating the Kasoa toll booth as part of measures to help eliminate the vehicular traffic bottleneck on that section of the Accra-Winneba highway, the Minister of Roads, Mr Kwasi Amoako Atta has disclosed.



He said the ministry has realised that it is impossible to expand the gates at the booth because of a valley in that area.



Consequently, considerations are underway on whether it should be relocated from that spot.



Mr Amoako Atta said the feasibility studies was not limited to the Kasoa one alone but all such toll booths across the country where such similar vehicular traffic bottlenecks occur at peak periods.



Commuters on numerous occasions over the years have called for the relocation of the Kasoa toll booth because of the traffic bottleneck, arguing that the toll booth has become an albatross around their necks as they are forced to endure long hours of traffic daily due to the toll booths current position.



They have consistently petitioned the Ministry of Roads and other related institutions to make their grievances known to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to relocate the toll booth.



"...there is a deep valley from the Accra side, so it is difficult to expand the Accra bound side and immediately after that there is settlement, we are limited, we can neither go right or go left, so we need to send it at a place where we can get land space."



"We are looking at it, if it means relocation," Mr Amoako Atta said.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A bride-to-be has told how she cradled her fiance in her arms after he was killed by his friend in a 60mph crash.

Katie Tomkinson said their three-year-old son remembers his father Daryl Bright, 26, as his 'superhero daddy from heaven'.

Miss Tomkinson was at home in Partington, Greater Manchester, when police called her late at night to say her fiance had suffered fatal injuries when an Audi S3 hatchback he was a passenger in lost control on black ice and ploughed into a tree.

She dashed to the crash scene on a country lane but her future husband had already passed away by the time she was able to cradle him in her arms.

Katie Tomkinson said their three-year-old son remembers his father Daryl Bright (pictured with his son), 26, as his 'superhero daddy from heaven'

In a statement Miss Tomkinson and Mr Bright's family condemned the Audi driver Michael Pullan, 29, for his 'selfishness' as he was jailed for three years and nine months after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

She said the couple's young son Alfie is now having to undergo counselling to cope with his grief and she had hoped to have a baby girl with Mr Bright after they got married.

'I'm a broken person and I will never be fixed,' Miss Tomkinson told Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester. 'Knowing Alfie will only ever hear and see his father on videos and only rely on memories of how much his daddy loved him makes me feel my world is over.

Miss Tomkinson was at home in Partington, Greater Manchester, when police called her late at night to say her fiance had suffered fatal injuries when an Audi S3 hatchback he was a passenger in lost control on black ice and ploughed into a tree. Pictured, the couple together

In a statement Miss Tomkinson and Mr Bright's family condemned the Audi driver Michael Pullan (pictured right, with Mr Bright), 29, for his 'selfishness' as he was jailed for three years and nine months after admitting causing death by dangerous driving

'Alfie sits crying for his daddy, he now hides in his den with a picture of his daddy on it and he kisses his daddy's ashes before bed.

'We've talked about heaven and where daddy is now and its so wrong to have to talk to him about his daddy not coming home. It breaks my heart.

'Alfie and his daddy were inseparable and best buddies. He says his daddy is a superhero because he can see him from heaven. Mr Pullan's speeding has ruined so many lives. I miss seeing my son smile the way he smiled at his daddy.'

Pullan, Mr Bright and a third friend, Lewis Ball, were out at pubs in Partington and Warburton before the crash at 11.10pm on December 11, 2019.

After the friends left the Black Swan pub, Pullan who worked as a mechanic for Audi, offered the two men a lift home.

Pullan (pictured), Mr Bright and a third friend, Lewis Ball, were out at pubs in Partington and Warburton before the crash at 11.10pm on December 11, 2019

As he was about to drop off Mr Bright, who was a keen motocross rider, the car slewed out of control at a bend on a country lane.

The car hit the kerb, a lamppost and a tree before coming to rest in a field. Mr Bright, who was in the back seat of the car, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.

Mr Bell, who was in the front passenger seat of the car, suffered four fractured vertebrae and injuries to his lung. He had to wear a back brace for six months.

In her statement Miss Tomkinson added: 'I was stood at the window waiting for Daryl to pull up outside as I knew something was wrong when he was late home. Then I received a call which changed my life forever.

'My heart was pounding out of my chest and my legs were like jelly when I drove to the scene. I could see hundreds of blue lights there and they tried to tell me he's not made it.

Mr Bell (pictured left, with Mr Bright), who was in the front passenger seat of the car, suffered four fractured vertebrae and injuries to his lung. He had to wear a back brace for six months

The car hit the kerb, a lamp-post and a tree before coming to rest in a field. Mr Bright (pictured), who was in the back seat of the car, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene

'I kissed him and begged him to wake up but I had his blood on my hands under my finger nails and it was all over him and me.

'I couldn't believe that my beautiful loving soulmate had gone. I have beautiful memories of him but they are still overshadowed by the images of seeing his beautiful face hurt and him lying in that field.'

Pullan, from Partington, suffered 20 cracked ribs, two punctured lungs, a broken collar bone and a broken shoulder blade. He was not breath tested due to his injuries but later told police he drank two pints of shandy in the run-up to the crash.

David Lees, prosecuting, said no one witnessed the crash itself but investigations showed the Audi was travelling in excess of 60mph in the 40mph zone.

Mr Bell, 27, who can recall little of the crash, said in a statement: 'I'm saddened Mr Pullan who we considered a friend has shown no remorse.

'I'm shocked of his lack of acknowledgement or compassion and when I saw him in hospital, he never asked how I was or acknowledge what happened to Daryl.

'He just continued to watch the TV and not engage with us, only speaking for himself with no questions.

'We will do all we can to keep Daryl's memory alive so Alfie will always know who is daddy was.'

Mr Bell, 27, who can recall little of the crash, said in a statement: 'I'm saddened Mr Pullan who we considered a friend has shown no remorse.' Pictured, Mr Bright

In mitigation for Pullan, defence counsel Tom Gent said: 'He is desperately sorry for his foolishness and the terrible consequences of it. He has been utterly devastated and there isn't a day or night that he doesn't think about what happened and the affect it's had on those close to Mr Bright.

'This was a brief but very poor piece of driving with desperately tragic consequences. His ability to drive wasn't affected by alcohol - he just drove too fast for the conditions. He wishes he was sometimes dead.'

Sentencing Judge Bernadette Baxter told Pullan: 'This is a truly tragic case for all involved, which began as three friends out for a pleasant evening together and ended with the loss of one very precious life and lifelong damage to many others.

'The ramifications will go on long, long beyond this date and no sentence I can impose will restore that loss or repair that damage. As you know only too well, speed claims and ruins lives and you were travelling far too fast for the road conditions.

'While I can understand that the family of the deceased do not see remorse from you, because they have had no contact, I am satisfied that you are genuinely remorseful and struggling to cope with the enormity of what it is you are responsible for. You are essentially a decent member of society, but you must go to prison for this criminal wrongdoing.'

Pullan was also given a three-year driving ban which will start when he is freed from jail.
"...Dassian helps simplify our business processes through standardized solutions." - Mike Taylor, Microsoft Federal CIO Tweet this

Azure Government's secure cloud platform is one of the most trusted and deployed at the highest levels of federal cybersecurity requirements. As such, Dassian seeks to replicate Microsoft Federal's successful results as a customer to give governments and their respective industrial bases greater efficiency through standardization and extended digitization. This collaboration aims to fuel next generation innovations and automation for complex regulated government contracting business processes.

"Partnering with Microsoft signals an exciting opportunity to grow our ecosystem and provide even further value to our customers," says Dassian CEO Kevin Kane. "We pride ourselves on living our message of simplification through standardization as our solutions, combined with SAP's platform, further unlock the security and features of Microsoft Azure Government. We also believe that future cloud adoption is going to be driven through simplifying and standardizing environments resulting in business transformation and innovation. We are excited to partner with Microsoft to be at the forefront of this change."

"Together with SAP and Microsoft Azure Government, Dassian helps simplifying our business's processes through their standardized solution set," says Mike Taylor, Microsoft Federal CIO. "By becoming a Dassian customer with SAP, we are taking advantage of Dassian's integration within our own advanced and secure cloud architecture to further manage our rapidly growing federal business."

Dassian also provided forward-looking innovation plans for a hybrid solution to manage complex contracts more efficiently and securely between government buyers and sellers. The plans were presented in a recent joint webcast with Microsoft, entitled Contracting and Security in SAP with Azure.

For those interested in realizing the value that the Microsoft Federal team has already achieved with this strategic collaboration, please engage with either Dassian or the Azure Government team.

About Dassian

Dassian is a strategic Microsoft, SAP, and global system integrator partner that takes an intense, industry-focused approach to delivering innovative contract management, managerial accounting, program management, and material accounting & logistics solutions for highly regulated and project-centric industries.

For more information about Dassian, please visit https://www.dassian.com

SOURCE Dassian
Health authorities and state media in Vietnam said COVID-19 samples taken from imported cases from Cambodia have shown the presence of the UK and South African variants of the virus.

Vietnams Health Ministry reported on Monday that Minister Nguyen Thanh Long was visiting the southern city of Can Tho to prepare an 800-bed field hospital in preparation for a potential cluster originating out of Cambodia, on account of illegal border crossings.

The Vietnamese ministrys news release said recent imported cases from a neighboring country, stopping short of naming which country, had revealed the presence of the UK (B.1.1.7) and South African (B.1.351) variants.

The Communist Partys mouthpiece Nhan Dan published in Vietnamese on Sunday that the imported cases were from Cambodia.

Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City conducted genetic sequencing of imported cases from Cambodia to Vietnam showing the result that: 85.7 percent of the sample of people returning from Cambodia carried variant B1.1.7  and 14.3 percent carry variant B.1.351, Nhan Dan reported.

The B.1.351 variant was first detected in December 2020 in South Africa, which has made the virus more infectious but not significantly deadlier, according to the US Center for Disease Control. Whereas, the B.1.1.7 variant from the United Kingdom is a deadlier strain of the novel coronavirus.

The party-run newspaper did not provide details on the number of samples tested for genetic sequencing by the Ho Chi Minh City branch of Pasteur Institute, which did not respond to VOA Khmers requests for comment.

Cambodia has not officially confirmed the presence of the B.1.351 South African variant in the country. COVID-19 cases have passed the 10,000 mark this week as the viral outbreak resulted in Phnom Penh and some parts of the country being in lockdown.

On Sunday, Health Ministry Spokesperson Or Vandine said, I have not had that information, when asked to confirm the possible presence of the new South African variant in Cambodia.

Institut Pasteur du Cambodge Director Laurence Baril did not answer questions about the existence of the South African variant in Cambodia and said they did not have time to respond to journalists.

We are quite busy with the COVID-19 response; I am sorry but this is not a good time for our team to answer to journalists at the moment, she said in an email.

The testing facility is doing from 2,500 to 3,000 COVID-19 tests every day, according to Baril.

Cambodias February 20 outbreak of COVID-19 has seen cases jump from around 500 in late February to more than 11,000 cases as of Tuesday. The governments vaccination drive has delivered 1.3 million doses of the Sinopharm, Sinovac, and AstraZeneca vaccines.

Both pharmaceutical companies that manufacture Sinopharm and Sinovac said in March their vaccines were effective against the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants, according to Beijings state-run media Global Times. The two vaccines are still to be recognized by the World Health Organization, with approval expected in the next few days.

Vietnam has been on high alert following Cambodias new outbreak. The country has a total case count of 2,852 as of Tuesday, including 297 active cases and 35 reported deaths.
The company continues to review a newly acquired extensive historical database and is systematically evaluating new prospects with the intent of developing a strategic exploration pipeline.

Great Southerns work is designed to rank known prospects and targets to prioritise exploration.

( ) has identified and ranked 21 new gold targets after evaluating a newly acquired regional exploration database in the Duketon Belt that include more than 12,000 drill holes and 24,000 soil samples.

Seven of the newly identified areas are drill ready, with Golden Star the most advanced and first inline.

Design of a drill program is underway at Golden Star, which 2017-2018 drilling demonstrated to be over 600 metres of strike length of thick continuous zone of gold mineralisation with multiple plus 50-gram-metre gold intersections.

High-grade gold trends in historic drill data correlate to the same mineralised structure that hosts the Rosemont deposit and the Ben Hur deposit.

An extensive soil sample program is due to begin this month at the newly identified One Weight Wonder target to refine the coherent area of anomalism, which has a strike length of 1-kilometre.

Project pipeline in place

Chief executive director Sean Gregory said: Assessment of the new tenure has identified 21 new targets with seven of them ready for drill testing.

Golden Star deposit is seen as the highest-ranked of these significant opportunities, which we plan to explore immediately.

With a project pipeline in place to maximise the probability of discovery, we are confident we are exploring in the right areas on all fronts.

We now hold 459 square kilometres of highly prospective tenure in the region and this has opened the floodgates of target generation and project development in the Laverton region.

Serious player in Duketon Belt

The companys organic growth potential was given a major boost following the acquisition of E38/3518 in July 2020 which saw prospective tenure expand to 47 square kilometres.

Great Southerns most recent acquisition of an irrevocable and exclusive option to purchase three large exploration licences now positions the company as a serious player in the Duketon Belt with 459 square kilometres of highly prospective ground.

Plan view highlighting GSNs large tenement package and the highly prospective mineralised trends.

Expansive regional exploration dataset

The company has acquired and collated an expansive regional exploration dataset covering its own tenements and the broader Duketon Belt.

GSN now has data from more than 12,000 RAB, AC, RC and DD drill holes and in excess of 24,000 soil samples.

The highlight of the dataset was the discovery of more than 8,000 metres of RC drilling into Golden Star with this demonstrating high grades (up to 60 g/t gold) and in places more than 90-gram-metre intersections.

Project development

Great Southern is continuing to review the historical database and planning systematic evaluation of the acquired tenements and prospects.

Its clear intent is to develop a strategic pipeline with all levels of target generation.

The pipeline is designed to aid the exploration strategy by ranking the known prospects and targets to highlight the potential of Western Australian portfolio as it stands in 2021.

Each milestone is defined by a specific deliverable and has a decision gate which projects must pass through before moving to the next milestone.

Economic criteria and probability of success increase as projects move along the pipeline.

The pipeline also aids ranking as it groups projects relative to the level of development.

Next steps

Planning for an extensive RC drill out at Golden Star is well advanced, with a drill rig booked and a program of work from the WA Mines Department (DMIRS) is approved.

A soil program at OWW has been designed to delineate the extent of the anomalous gold area with intention to further refine the drill target.

The plus 200 multi-element soil program is underway, and it is expected that GSN will be in full swing on a RC drill program at Golden Star in the area by the time samples are analysed.

GSN intends to follow up on any anomalies generated from the soil program utilising the expected RC rig onsite with immediate drill testing.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 21:57:07|Editor: huaxia

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Bangladesh's President Abdul Hamid (L) meets with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe (R, Front) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on April 27, 2021. (Photo by Li Xiaowei/Xinhua)

DHAKA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's President Abdul Hamid on Tuesday met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe here and the two sides agreed to advance the bilateral military cooperation.

During the meeting, Hamid said Bangladesh and China are time tested friends and reliable strategic cooperation partners, adding that his country attaches great importance to its relations with China and firmly supports the core interests of China.

The Bangladesh president called on both countries to strengthen coordination in international affairs and be committed to safeguarding regional peace, stability, prosperity and development.

Hamid said he hopes the two militaries will continue to strengthen their practical cooperation in various fields, pushing for greater progress in their relations.

He also expressed gratitude for China's strong support for his country in its development of economy and national defense.

Wei said during the meeting that China and Bangladesh have been friendly neighbors since ancient time and have a long history of bilateral ties, adding that presently, both countries are at a crucial time in national rejuvenation and development, enjoying a synergy between their development strategies and a broad prospect for cooperation.

Wei said that China is willing to work with Bangladesh to well implement the important consensus reached between their leaders to further develop the bilateral strategic partnership of cooperation.

With their cooperation being extensive, the two militaries should further increase the high-level visits, deepen cooperation in equipment technology, broaden exchanges in specialized fields, and forge closer military relations, Wei said.

To jointly maintain regional peace and stability, the two sides should make joint efforts against powers outside the region setting up military alliance in South Asia and practicing hegemonism, Wei said.

Also on Tuesday, Wei held in-depth talks with Bangladesh's Chief of Army Staff Aziz Ahmed, discussing international and regional situation as well as relations between the two countries and two militaries. Enditem
Private Activity Bond Financing Approved as Part of Flint Water Settlement

Private Activity Bond Financing Approved as Part of Flint Water Settlement

Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746 Attorney General

April 27, 2021

LANSING - The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) board today approved the authorization of private activity bond financing as part of the Flint water settlement.

The settlement was agreed to last year by the State parties and the plaintiffs' legal counsel following more than 18 months of negotiations. It received preliminary approval by the court earlier this year.

Through that negotiated settlement agreement, and subsequent bipartisan legislation, the MSF was identified to facilitate the transaction and issue the bonds that will finance the settlement over a 30-year period. The newly-created Flint Water Advocacy Fund will borrow the settlement funds through the MSF and transfer the funds to the settlement administrator, per the agreement.

The State of Michigan will be responsible for the settlement payments of approximately $35 million a year for up to 30 years-an obligation that will be included as part of the annual appropriations process. As is the case with all bond inducements or authorizations, there is no financial risk or financial exposure to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) or MSF.

Attorney General Nessel and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in August announced a $600 million preliminary agreement to settle the lawsuits filed against the State after the City of Flint switched its public water supply to the Flint River in 2014.

"Providing relief for the people of Flint has been a top priority for me since taking office and I'm encouraged to see this step taken in the settlement process," Nessel said. "This agreement serves as a new chapter in our state's history-one focused on the healing process for the city of Flint, its children, and its future."

Defendants joining the settlement since August include the City of Flint, which is providing $20 million through its insurer, and McLaren Regional Medical Center and Rowe Professional Services Co., which are contributing $20 million and $1.25 million, respectively.

More information on the settlement can be found online.
A former CEO of the well-known charity Bothar, David Moloney, has admitted to misappropriating large amounts of monies donated to the charity for his personal use, the High Court has heard.

Earlier this month Bothar, whose activities including aiding poor farmers in developing nations through donations of livestock, secured a temporary High Court injunction freezing the assets of Mr Moloney, who resigned his post as the organisation's CEO in February.

Mr Moloney had initially denied any wrongdoing, however when the matter returned before the High Court on Tuesday, Frank Beatty SC for Bothar said his client had been furnished with a letter from its former CEO where he makes several admissions of wrong doing regarding the charity's monies.

Counsel said that while the order originally obtained against Mr Moloney had prevented the former CEO from reducing his assets below a value of 465,000, arising out of the admissions, counsel said Bothar wanted that figure raised to 769,000. Mr Justice Senan Allen agreed to amend the freezing order.

Counsel said Mr Moloney had admitted to his clients that both he personally, and Bothar founder the late Peter Ireton, had personally benefited from monies donated to the charity.

He admitted that these monies included approximately 200,000 that the charity believed was donated to projects run by an order of Roman Catholic Nuns in the African nation of Tanzania between 2013 and 2018, which the order never received.

Other monies they benefitted from, counsel said, was 34,000 in money donated to a project in Kenya in 2015, which the Catholic order involved said it never received.

Mr Moloney also admitted misappropriating 127,000 which was paid to an English company called Agricultural Innovation Consultants Limited for services it provided in relation to purported projects in Rwanda, which were never carried out.

He admitted that in 2016 100,000 of the charity's money was fraudulently paid in a pension fund he set up for himself. He also admitted that 10,000 of Bothar's monies were used to pay for a hayshed on his own personal property, while he also admitted getting paid addition monies on top of his salary of 44,000 that he should not have received, and personally benefitting from expense payments he claimed from Bothar.

Mr Moloney also admitted that he and other staff at the charity benefitted from Christmas bonus payments, which in 2018 amounted to 19,000 that were not authorised by Bothar's board.

Counsel said while the admissions were welcomed, Mr Moloney had not given his client other information it requires including where the money has gone, and details about his assets.

Marguerite Bolger SC for Mr Moloney of Clino, Newport, Co Tipperary, said when the matter was previously before had denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

However, he has since made some very, very open admissions, counsel said. He was now willing to fully co-operate with the and was consenting to summary judgements being made against him.

Counsel said that while Moloneyt has made admits in relation to the 2016 pension he set up, two other pensions, set up in 2006 were legitimate, counsel said.

Mr Maloney, counsel said, lives a modest lifestyle and his only income is social welfare. The court also heard from lawyers representing Olive Moloney, Mr Moloney's wife.

While it was accepted that she had no hand, act or part in her husband's activities she was concerned about the effect the orders would have on her own assets, including bank accounts, and any assets of his that she has a joint interest in.

The court heard that she may have to be joined to the proceedings where Bothar seeks certain orders against Mr Moloney as a notice party, or bring proceedings against Mr Moloney. Ms Bolger said it was Mr Moloney's intention to support his wife.

Mr Beatty said that his side, which wants full transparency in all matters relating to Mr Moloney, would not be happy for any part of this dispute to end up as a family law issue between the Maloney's which would be heard in camera.

Mr Justice Allen said this was a complicated dispute. He was satisfied to increase the value of the freezing orders, and directed that Mr Moloney provide the court with a statement of his assets and details of where the monies have gone by May 4 next. He said that it would be premature for Ms Moloney to be joined at this stage to the action, but gave her permission to bring any motions she requires to bring.

The judge, who noted her concerns about the impact of the freezing order would have on bank accounts she holds, said the orders did not apply to accounts in her own name. but did apply to any joint accounts she jointly has with her husband.

In relation to any future proceedings between the Moloney's, the judge said that Bother as a notice party may make an application to have those actions heard in public. Bothar claims in his proceedings that an on-going investigation into his conduct has revealed that he is "guilty of an egregious breach of trust and an appalling dereliction of his duty to Bothar and the beneficiaries of its charitable objects."

Mr Moloney had worked with Bothar since 1995, and was its CEO for eight years. He was suspended from his role after concerns were raised about his actions, and resigned earlier this year. This resulted in the charity seeking "mareva' or freezing type orders against Mr Moloney. The action was made returnable to date next month.
Nearly 100 days into Joe Biden's presidency, predecessor Donald Trump -- twice impeached and accused of fomenting a deadly US Capitol rebellion -- remains a curiously powerful Republican figure, potentially into the 2024 election.

Ensconced in his private Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, Trump has been releasing a stream of statements, opining on policy such as immigration or weighing in on his party, as in his Monday attack on Republicans who fail to support his false claims of 2020's "rigged" vote.

The bombastic real estate tycoon also offers endorsements to conservatives, including those challenging establishment Republicans. And he throws red meat to the base by criticizing Biden's "radical left" Democrats.

Although banned from Twitter, Trump reappeared on Fox News last week, providing a grievance-filled interview in which he complained he was impeached for doing "nothing wrong."

Republicans, meanwhile, have flocked to Mar-a-Lago to seek his counsel or endorsement.

In late February, the 74-year-old made an exultant return to CPAC, the annual conservative political confab where he suggested he might still be the party's future, not its beleaguered recent past.

But Biden's symbolic first 100 days, marked by a calm determination in his fight against the coronavirus pandemic, serves as a reminder of the chaos that gripped Trump's own start, when the American public bristled at his impulsive, take-no-prisoners style.

Complicating matters, a profusion of legal woes awaits the former commander-in-chief now that he has returned to private life, including investigations of his finances and possible allegations of tax evasion and bank fraud.

Yet he has shown no signs of retreating to the shadows.

Despite leaving the GOP in a manifestly weaker position -- it lost the executive branch and the Senate, and failed to reclaim the House -- and ending his term at a dismal 34 percent approval rating, the lowest of his presidency, Trump is still an energy that Republicans ignore at their peril.

Story continues

"Is he just a faction of the Republican Party, or is he a dominant force?" Elaine Kamarck, a Brookings Institution senior fellow who writes about the American presidency, told AFP.

She and others are looking to a series of primary battles where Trump's influence could be put to the test ahead of any presidential repeat run.

The first proving ground is in Texas's sixth congressional district on Saturday, when a crowded special election will be held to fill the seat of House Republican Ron Wright, who died in February.

Trump on Monday endorsed Wright's widow. The ballot also features a lone anti-Trump Republican who is backed by a political group founded by a vocal Republican Trump enemy, Congressman Adam Kinzinger.

Never to shy away from a political squabble, Trump also has pledged to endorse a Republican who mounts a 2022 challenge to Liz Cheney, a member of House leadership who voted to impeach him in January.

"If he loses primaries, the politicians who watch these things will think that maybe he isn't so scary after all," Kamarck said of Trump.

"And if he wins them, he'll be a force to be reckoned with."

- Tug of war -

Party infighting has been raging, and Trump's effort to influence Republican politics could be a political tripwire.

Following the US Capitol riot, some in the party -- like Kinzinger and Cheney -- are seeking a clear political reset from Trump and Trumpism.

Cheney has warned her colleagues against embracing a cult of personality, particularly after the mayhem of January 6. Earlier this month, she told Fox News that she "would not" support Trump if he were the 2024 nominee.

But while party leaders try to tamp down the voices of extremists in their ranks, they keep popping up.

On Saturday, one day before the GOP opened its first legislative retreat since Trump lost the White House, congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene addressed an "America First" rally where she touted her support for Trump and his false claims of election fraud.

"Thank you for staying loyal to our president, Donald J Trump," she told the crowd. "We still have to make America great again."

Greene is one of Congress's most vocal advocates of Trumpism, and she and fellow loyalists are eager to elevate either Trump himself -- or an acolyte, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis or Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri -- as their party's 2024 nominee.

Republicans are in a "pro-Trump and anti-Trump" tug-of-war, with "a lot of people hiding and hoping they don't get tagged either way," said Kamarck, the Brookings expert.

"We'll know better in 2022 how strong he really is."

mlm/to
[April 27, 2021] Materials Zone Raises $6 million to Improve its AI Materials Discovery Platform and Expand its Global Reach

TEL AVIV, Israel, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Materials Zone, the AI cloud-based materials discovery platform disrupting the way materials-based products are developed and manufactured, announced today that it raised $6 million in Series A funding led by Insight Partners, with participation from OurCrowd. "In order to develop new technologies and physical products, companies must first understand the materials that comprise those products, as well as those materials' properties. Understanding the science of materials has therefore become a driving force behind innovation. However, the data behind materials R&D and production has traditionally been poorly managed, unstructured, and underutilized, often leading to redundant experiments, limited capacity to build on past experience, and an inability to effectively collaborate, which inevitably wastes countless dollars and man-hours," says Dr. Assaf Anderson, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Materials Zone. "The process of inventing, improving, and building new products requires first understanding the materials' fundamental properties and the way they are processed; only then can they be systematically changed to reach the desired effect. Today, for example, to develop a photovoltaic transparent window or a non-flammable, high energy density solid-state battery, tens of thousands of experiments would be necessary to find the core materials' optimal parameters and to understand how they will orchestrate as a complete device. This process is long, costly and rarely successful. Materials Zone's platform makes this process faster and cheaper by providing data standardization, process and workflow management tools, which enable the user to apply and use analytical and AI/ML tools to better understand their data and receive real-time guidance, thus achieving better results." "We are thrilled to partner with Materials Zone in its effort to provide materials scientists with tools that allow them to improve their product development and manufacturing processes," says Daniel Aronovitz, Vice President at Insight Partners. "Materials Zone's ability to provide solutions to multiple real-world problems and challenges in blue ocean fields such as materials informatics and industry 4.0, especially when combined with the quality of its team and its early success, affirmed our excitement to work with Assaf and his team." Materials Zone has created an online materials discovery platform that funnels R&D and manufacturing data into an interoperable and structured database, enabling users to achieve meaningful AI/ML insights, reduce R&D research times, and efficiently collaborate with others. The platform is domain-agnostic and an serve customers from different verticals, such as Energy Storage, Renewables, and Nano-Materials, supporting both simple and complex materials architectures. The company already serves paying customers, including a Fortune 100 company.



"Much of innovation's future depends on breakthroughs in material science," says OurCrowd CEO, Jon Medved. "Bringing AI to help solve this challenge is essential, and Materials Zone is a pioneer in this exciting field. OurCrowd is proud to be backing this wonderful team building this game changing technology platform." "As a materials scientist, I have experienced R&D challenges first-hand, thereby gaining an understanding of how R&D can be improved," continues Dr. Anderson. "We developed our platform with our years of experience in mind, leveraging innovative AI/ML technologies to create a unique solution for these problems. I am excited to welcome both Insight Partners and OurCrowd to our family; with their guidance and support, I'm confident we will be able to take Materials Zone to the next level. This investment is a boost of confidence to the company and, most importantly, to our incredible team. I would like to thank my team for their daily hard work, dedication, and professionalism."

"The closing of this investment round is a great milestone for the company and for the team," says Mark Weissman, a seasoned investor and director at Tidhar Group Ltd., who serves as the company's chairman of the board. "Materials Zone is now on a clear path to success and uniquely positioned to serve customers hungry for a quality materials discovery solution. I'm confident Materials Zone will grow, expand, and accomplish its goals." Materials Zone plans to use the investment funds to hire additional team members, continue improving its product offering and pursue customers from additional verticals, such as Green Construction, Perovskites, Automotive and Semiconductors. About Materials Zone

Materials Zone is an innovative materials informatics company which developed a unique AI cloud-based materials discovery platform designed to make the process of development and manufacturing of any physical product faster and cheaper. The company has spun-out of Bar Ilan University in late 2017, leveraging on years of experience and knowhow to develop its agnostic platform that can serve customers from different segments, industries, and verticals. Materials Zone has a proven track record, already catering the needs of multiple customers and enabling them to improve their R&D and manufacturing processes. The company's main offices are in Tel Aviv. For more information, please visit our website www.materials.zone. About Insight Partners

Insight Partners is a leading global venture capital and private equity firm investing in high-growth technology and software ScaleUp companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. Founded in 1995, Insight Partners has invested in more than 400 companies worldwide and has raised through a series of funds more than $30 billion in capital commitments. Insight's mission is to find, fund, and work successfully with visionary executives, providing them with practical, hands-on software expertise to foster long-term success. Across its people and its portfolio, Insight encourages a culture around a belief that ScaleUp companies and growth create opportunity for all. For more information on Insight and all its investments, visit insightpartners.com or follow us on Twitter @insightpartners. About OurCrowd

OurCrowd is a global venture investment platform that empowers institutions and individuals to invest and engage in emerging companies. With $1.7 billion of committed funding, and investments in more than 255+ portfolio companies and 27 venture funds, OurCrowd offers access to its membership of 90,000 individual accredited and institutional investors, family offices, and venture capital partners from over 195 countries to invest alongside, at the same terms. Rated by PitchBook as the most active venture investor in Israel, OurCrowd portfolio companies have been acquired by some of the most prestigious brands in the world, including Microsoft, Uber, Canon, Oracle, Nike, and Intel. To register visit www.ourcrowd.com. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/materials-zone-raises-6-million-to-improve-its-ai-materials-discovery-platform-and-expand-its-global-reach-301277658.html SOURCE Materials Zone

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Email Templates is a Gmail add-on that gives you access to hundreds of professionally-designed email templatesdirectly within Gmail. Users can choose from over 1000 templates while using Gmail in the Chrome browser on desktop or through the Gmail app on their phone, tablet, or mobile device. You can also create and save new templates to match your company's branding or any other design style.

"Gmail templates are easy-to-use and perfect for anyone looking to stand out from the crowd when sending an email," said Naomi Assaraf, cloudHQ's co-founder and chief marketing officer. "Use them to cultivate relationships with sales prospects, customers, employment candidates, or anyone you'd like to impress. It's even more practical now that you can send them right from your phone."

Gmail Templates users can choose from hundreds of email templates, including designs for:

Business

Sales

eCards

Education

Holidays

Invites

Job seekers

Legal

Marketing

Newsletters

Online classes

Real estate

Reminders

Stationery

Any template you choose can be inserted and sent directly from your desktop or mobile device  no designer needed!

"If you use email for prospecting, marketing, or customer communication, email templates are a powerful way to stand out in people's inbox," Assaraf said.

Email Templates has a free basic plan that includes over 1000 free email templates. All templates can be accessed and used from a desktop computer or the mobile Gmail app on a phone, tablet, or mobile device. cloudHQ also offers a low-cost premium subscription that allows for unlimited use.

cloudHQ, LLC is located in San Francisco, California, with a distributed team of just under 10 people, all working remotely.

SOURCE cloudHQ

Related Links

https://cloudhq.net


A Danish Lutheran priest on Monday was charged with murdering his wife, even though her body has never been found.

The charges against Thomas Gotthard, 44, were filed after an assessment found that the evidence was sufficiently weighty to be able to prosecute, Prosecutor Anne-Mette Seerup said, according to Danish media.

Although investigators dont have a corpse and hence a probable a method of murder, we have found evidence that is sufficient to us, she said.

She was not immediately available for comment.

According to Mr Gotthard, his wife Maria From Jakobsen left the couples home in Frederikssund, northwest of Copenhagen, on 26 October, in a depressed state of mind.

However, when the 43-year-old psychologist didnt show up at the birthday party of one of the couples two children three days later, she was reported missing by her sister. Police said Ms From Jakobsen left her phone, computer and credit cards behind.

Mr Gotthards arrest three weeks after her disappearance made news in the country of nearly 6 million where a majority belongs to the state Lutheran church, although there are few churchgoers.

He was detained after investigators found hydrochloric acid and caustic soda in the couples home and discovered that internet searches for words like sea depth, oil barrels, suicide, disappeared and cleaning had been made on the couples computer.

In a 6 November surveillance video from a recycling station Mr Gotthard was seen moving a large barrel on a hand truck. That was 11 days after his wife disappeared and 10 days before his arrest.

Investigators also have sought information from witnesses who have may have seen the familys two cars and a trailer, and have carried out extensive searches with specially trained dogs in, among other places, a forest and a lake.

The priest, who denies any wrongdoing, is being held in pretrial custody and faces a trial starting 25 October.

AP
(CNN)  Calling it the nation's largest summer child nutrition effort, the Biden administration announced Monday that it will expand a key coronavirus aid program to help get food to more than 30 million kids after the school year ends.

Eligible families will receive roughly $375 per child -- or about $6.82 per child per weekday -- through the Pandemic-EBT program for the summer, though the total amount may vary if a state opts to use its own schedule. Parents can then use the funds to purchase food.

Children who are eligible for free- or reduced-price meals during the school year and those under age 6 whose families receive food stamps qualify for the assistance, even if they attended school in person during the year.

It's typically more difficult for low-income children to receive nutrition assistance over the summer, when schools are out of session. Summer meal programs reach typically fewer than 20% of families served during the school year, the US Department of Agriculture said.

"The expansion of P-EBT benefits over the summer is a first-of-its-kind, game-changing intervention to reduce child hunger in the United States," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Congress created the Pandemic-EBT program to help the millions of children who lost access to breakfast and lunch after the coronavirus shut down their schools last spring. Lawmakers then continued the measure for the 2020-2021 school year, and the Democrats' $1.9 trillion relief package extended it for the duration of the outbreak, including over the summer.

The program, however, has been difficult for states to administer -- particularly this school year, since millions of students have remained in remote learning and schedules are so varied.

Though the administration has ramped up the pace of approving states to provide Pandemic-EBT benefits for the 2020-21 school year, about a dozen have yet to receive permission. That leaves millions of children across the nation unable to access billions of dollars in federal nutrition assistance.

And even in states that have been approved, parents say they are still waiting to receive benefits.

The delays come as hunger has risen, particularly among families with children, amid the pandemic.

Fewer children receive free summer meals

Even before the pandemic, feeding children over the summer was a challenge, with transportation, scheduling and weather proving to be barriers, experts said. Hunger is linked to summer learning loss, as well as a higher likelihood of illnesses and emotional stress.

Sending families money directly on benefits cards should address some of these problems.

"Pandemic-EBT is a practical, efficient way to reach more kids with the food they need when they are not in school," said Lisa Davis, senior vice president, Share Our Strength, an advocacy group. "This summer, P-EBT will help parents purchase more of the food their kids need, when they need it."

This story was first published on CNN.com 'Biden administration expands pandemic aid to feed 30 million low-income children this summer'
TAIPEI, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Infortrend Technology, Inc. (TWSE: 2495), the industry-leading enterprise storage provider, has won several tenders for IT projects of the Municipal Library in Prague. All-flash unified storage EonStor GSa 3000, high availability hybrid HDD/SSD SAN EonStor DS 4000 and DS 1000 were deployed in server virtualization application.

Founded in 1891, the Municipal Library in Prague is the biggest and one of the most important libraries in the Czech Republic. The library is constantly working on digitizing materials and modernizing its services. As an organization in the budget sphere, it is bound by the conditions for tenders, so they were looking for an optimal SAN solution without unnecessary vendor-lock.

EonStor GSa 3000, DS 4000, and DS 1000 were chosen as shared block devices for virtualization clusters. The data is moved between virtual fields according to the current requirements: virtual servers, repository of backups or non-critical data, etc. Critical data run on all-flash unified storage EonStor GSa 3000 (with 5000 IOPS) and high availability DS 4000 with dual redundant controller and SSD cache. DS 1000 was set to handle secondary operational tasks and provide capacity for the digitized materials. To a pleasant surprise of the library IT team, DS 1000 greatly lightened the operation of DS 4000 eliminating bottlenecks, even under a load of 40 virtual severs and almost constant flow of 2000 IOPS.

"We have been purchasing Infortrend storage since 2013. We also have experience with other famous brands, so we can compare. Infortrend does not lag behind them, offering comparable performance and quality without the need to pay "for brand". At the same time, many Infortrend technical solutions come to us as even more modern and better than those of branded competitors. So, we are definitely satisfied," said IT specialist of the Municipal Library in Prague.

Learn more about EonStor DS and EonStor GSa

Learn more about Storage for Virtualization

About Infortrend

Infortrend (TWSE: 2495) has been developing and manufacturing storage solutions since 1993. With a strong emphasis on in-house design, testing, and manufacturing, Infortrend storage delivers performance and scalability with the latest standards, user friendly data services, personal after-sales support, and unrivaled value. For more information, please visit www.infortrend.com

Infortrend and EonStor are trademarks or registered trademarks of Infortrend Technology, Inc.; other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
on Tuesday announced a "solidarity mission" for India under which it will send oxygen generation plants, ventilators and other medical supplies to support the country in its fight against the pandemic.

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said it is carrying out an exceptional solidarity mission in support of the Indian people, who have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Coordinated by the ministry's Crisis and Support Centre and carried out by the Embassy of in India, the mission will involve shipping by air and sea freight by the end of this week," the ministry said in a statement.

French ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain said the "massive solidarity mission" is being supported by French companies present in India and the European Union.

"This massive solidarity mission, initiated at Prez @EmmanuelMacron's request, is supported by French companies present in India and the EU. It aims to both respond to the emergency and boost the long-term resilience of India's healthcare system," he said in a tweet.

The French foreign ministry said the medical supplies will include eight oxygen generators, each capable of uninterrupted supply of oxygen for a 250-bed hospital for nearly 10 years.

"Each unit can uninterruptedly supply a 250-bed hospital. Its oxygen output can fulfil the needs of 15 critically ill COVID-19 patients in an ICU (or 30 patients in the ICU of a conventional hospital) or 150 patients on oxygen therapy in a conventional hospital facility. These oxygen generators also include ramps for filling oxygen cylinders," it said.

The ministry said five containers of liquid medical oxygen are being sent as part of the first instalment, adding they are capable of supplying medical oxygen to up to 10,000 patients for a day.

is also sending to India 28 ventilators and their consumables, as well as 200 electric syringe pumps.

The ministry said the supplies are being sent in response to the needs expressed by India's authorities and they are intended to not only to address the emergency but also to significantly boost capabilities of Indian hospitals to "treat the sick and fight the pandemic".

(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 claim: An Arizona explorer with a metal detector just found a box full of treasure

A story about a recent discovery of buried treasure is piquing curiosity online, but the images are not what posters claim they are.

Just found in Arizona by someone metal detecting. That's what dreams are made of for us relic hunters, reads an April 24 Facebook post with two images.

The top image shows an open box with guns, cigars, gold and cash splayed out along a rock surface. The other image shows the box partially concealed under a ledge.

Fact check: Biden support for 'right verdict' in Chauvin trial not illegal, expert says

USA TODAY reached out to several posters for comment.

Several accounts recognize the image as a hoax

Seth Monk was one of a few Facebook users to correct himself after posting the false claim on April 24. His updated post informed users that the one of the images was sourced from author S.E. Swapps website. He credited this discovery to comments left by other Facebook users on his post.

I cant tell if its a staged photo for the book or an actual photo of what was found, Monk wrote to USA TODAY. This is Facebook, Im sure its been circulating around for a while causing similar confusion.

Monk said he first saw the image and claim when another Facebook user shared it to the California/Nevada Gold Mining private Facebook group. Monk shared images of the original post with USA TODAY that revealed the first poster later flagged his post as a hoax.

Grains of gold are separated into a pan.

Image has been on an author's website since 2018

The first image in the post appears on Swapps website about his 2016 book Clevenger Gold: The True Story of Murder and Unfound Treasure. The book follows the story of an Arizona family that died while traveling in the 1800s and left behind hidden treasure that remains unfound.

Swapp told USA TODAY in an email that his team took the photo themselves. He said his father recently posted the images to social media "and is enjoying the commentary for the time being."

Story continues

Swapp refused to say whether the photo showed a real treasure find.

"We shared the photo on different platforms recently for the amusement of my book readers, treasure hunters, and general 'cool stuff enthusiasts,'" he said in a statement. "If people think its fake, thats fine, if they think its real, thats fine."

Metadata from the image file posted on the website shows it dates back to at least 2018.

Archived webpages of Swapp's site show the image was added to the site between Aug. 5, 2018 and Nov. 4, 2018.

Fact check: No, LeBron James didn't say 'a girl cant even stab her friends anymore'

USA TODAY could find not find any recent news reports about a recent treasure discovery in Arizona.

Our rating: False

Viral posts that claim to show a recent Arizona treasure find are rated FALSE because they are not supported by our research. The image the posts claim shows the buried treasure appears on a promotional website for a book about unfound, buried treasure. There is no evidence to support claims of a recent treasure find in Arizona.

Our fact-check sources:

USA TODAY, April 26, message with Seth Monk, Facebook user

Facebook Group, accessed April 26, "California/Nevada Gold Mining"

USA TODAY, April 26, email with S.E. Swapp, author

VIEW AND REMOVE EXIF ONLINE, accessed April 26, Exif data

Wayback Machine, Aug 5, 2018, seswapp.com

Wayback Machine, Nov. 4, 2018, seswapp.com

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Misattributed images don't show recent treasure discovery
New Jersey residents are regularly encouraged to remove invasive plants and species they come into contact.

One local artist is joining in the effort to mitigate invasive species in an unprecedented way that benefits both her and the community she lives in.

An eco-artist based in Lambertville, Lauren Rosenthal McManus is spearheading a project in which she will remove invasive plants species from the local community and use them to create maps of an environmental landmark in the region.

McManus is owner AmpersandMade in Lambertville, a picture frame shop that also doubles as her art studio.

The Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce recently received grant funding from the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River mini-grant program to support McManuss project, for which she will create two large watershed maps of the Alexauken Creek in Lambertville using invasive plant species that she is removing from the region of Prydes Point.

What Im trying to piece together is to be able to make aesthetically pleasing, consistent, what I consider beautiful works of art in ways that are fairly simple utilizing these natural materials, McManus said. And hopefully with these invasive plant species, being able to add a remediation piece into the process.

The project will also incorporate Lambertville Goes Wild, a team that seeks to make Lambertville a more wildlife-friendly city, and the New Jersey Trails Association, an organization that provides information for individuals seeking trails in the New Jersey region.

McManus will collaborate on this project with students from the South Hunterdon Regional School District, which, in part, stems from the students living in different towns, as diversification and unity are central themes of the artists mapmaking.

An important part of my work is reframing our conception of community. So we might think, Oh Im from West Amwell, or Im from Lambertville, or Im from East Amwell. But if youre all contributing to the same ecosystem, then it sort of doesnt matter; youre all part of the same network of life, McManus said.

She expressed her desire to also work with individuals extending beyond the local school district.

What I want to do is work in the community, and I want anyone to be able to do the processes, McManus said. I dont want it to be complicated; I want it to be where a fourth grader could do it, and a twelfth grader could do it, and a sixty-year old could do it. Any person who I could possibly come in contact with who doesnt have an art background could participate in the process with me and it wouldnt take an incredible amount of artistic talent or skill to make an interesting image together.

Once the project is completed, the watershed maps will be exhibited in various storefront windows in downtown Lambertville by late summer, McManus said.

McManus has spent close to two decades making and exhibiting watershed maps throughout the United States while advocating for the environment. She is an active member of Think About Water, an international collective of eco-artists and activists who are passionate about water. Amongst her many artistic accomplishments, in the early 2000s she organized an arts-based environmental education program that involved camping on the banks of the Haw River in North Carolina for weeks at a time.

Sugar Creek (Spirit Square) & Sugar Creek (4th Ward Park), 2019. 5-feet by 5-feet each. Created using local blue granite and red clay soils in collaboration with middle and high school students at Studio 345 in Charlotte, North Carolina.Courtesy

In 2017, McManus was involved in a group exhibition launched at ArtYard in Frenchtown for which she made a series of small watercolor maps as well as a large temporary installation using rocks and soil from local streams between Lambertville and Frenchtown that feed into the Delaware River.

A temporary Installation at ArtYard for the exhibition (in)animate by Lambertville artist Lauren Rosenthal McManus.Courtesy

(The large map) thing was 12 feet tall by 8 feet wide, and at the end of the exhibition Id just wash it off the wall with water, McManus noted.

Jane Wesby, president of the Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce, said that McManuss previous work made her immediately spring to her mind when she first learned about the grant opportunity.

This project would be perfect given this area and the constant preservation of the stream beds and rivers and effort to remove invasive species, Wesby said. And its exciting for me to see so many different groups participating together ... I think the work she does is really important, and the fact its a teaching experience is also very exciting.

Cindy Kunnas, executive director of the chamber, said she was just excited that were getting the funding to do this project.

Were really trying to shine a light on Lambertville and get the word out that were here and going after grants to work on projects, Kunnas said.

For several years, the eco-artist has used rocks and soil to create the pigments that color her watershed maps. Her passion for this form of art in particular is derived from her belief that individuals underestimate the power of maps, which are shaped by the powers that be.

Materials used by artist Lauren Rosenthal McManus.Courtesy

Soil and rock pigments from the Rocky River watershed in Charlotte, North Carolina.Courtesy

They tell us about the world we live in, they shape our worldview, and then they shape how we act in that world, McManus explained. And I think as an artist, my mission is to present maps that sort of reframe the boundaries of community, that create a different way of imagining ourselves in the world as connected to each other through ecological systems  specifically watersheds.

Determined to now incorporate the removal of invasive plant species into her artistic process, McManus will embed these species into her artwork using one of two different processes: the hapa-zome printing process  through which she would hammer invasive plants into the fabric to leave a residue that dyes it  or the eco-printing process  through which she would bundle the plants into the fabric and steam them to release the dyes.

Recent hapa zome test prints in preparation for Lauren Rosenthal McManus' collaboration with students at South Hunterdon Regional High School. Plant identification, clockwise from top right, Japanese Barberry, Lesser Celandine, Narrow Leaf Bittercress, Wineberry.Courtesy

Over the next few months, McManus will further educate herself about these techniques while learning about how to identify and remove invasive plant species.

Its a burgeoning process in my larger scope of my work, but its something Im extremely excited about, McManus said.

One of the people helping to educate McManus about how to identify and remove invasive species from the Lambertville region is Jim Amon, the former executive director of the Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission and one of the founders of the Delaware & Raritan Greenway Land Trust.

Amon identified three invasive species that are pervasive throughout the Lambertville region, specifically the Japanese barberry, the multiflora rose, and the Japanese honeysuckle.

The Japanese barberry is a shrub with white flowers that turn a brilliant color of red in the fall, but is not beneficial to the environment in any regard, according to Amon.

Not a single animal or insect of any kind eats this plant, so it is taking up space in the natural world but not contributing to it, Amon said. And in fact Japanese barberry emits a chemical that changes the pH of the soil so that its less acidic, and that suits Japanese barberry but it doesnt suit the native plants that are growing in our woodlands around here because they all need highly acidic soils.

The multiflora rose is another plant that takes up space in rather than helps the surrounding ecosystem.

Birds eat the fruit ... and theyre not able to digest the seeds. So they deposit the seeds with a little encasement of fertilizer, and multiflora rose has just spread like wildflower, Amon explained. Its cost the agricultural world millions and millions of dollars to control it so their pastures are not full of this thorny rosebush.

While describing the Japanese honey as an exotic lovely yellow and white flower and beautiful aroma, Amon also labeled the plant a killer.

Native vines like Virginia creeper and grape and poison ivy climb up their host trees by attaching tendrils to it, but the Japanese honeysuckle encircles its host and can in fact choke it ... so that no nutrients go from the roots to the crown, and no glucose that the leaves make goes from the crown to the roots, Amon said.

Amon will help McManus mitigate the ubiquity of these plants in the area by cutting them and putting herbicides on their stumps. And although they are too widespread to be fully eradicated, Amon said that McManuss project will impact the environment in larger ways than may be initially perceived.

Every plant is not an individual; its part of a community. And when the community is ill, efforts need to be made to bring it back to health, Amon said. And thats exactly whats happening with these invasive plant species, and invasive insects.

After creating the maps, McManus hopes to see them auctioned off by the Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce. All proceeds would go toward planting native species in the central business district in Lambertville, McManus said.

It would kind of come around, full circle, McManus said.

But, even after her artwork is sold, McManus expressed her utmost hope that its effect on the Lambertville community will be as enduring as the environmental landmark that it honors.

I dont want to make work thats going to just dissolve into nothing over time, McManus said. Id like for the end results of whatever process that I do in my studio or in the context of the community to be able to be publicly presented and continue to educate and foster conversation about these ecological issues.

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Caroline Fassett may be reached at cfassett@njadvancemedia.com.
Bhopal: In Madhya Pradesh, two innocent daughters were beaten to death by a mother in Rewa district. One daughter died during treatment while the other is undergoing treatment at the hospital. Police have taken action and arrested the accused mother and her boyfriend. The accused woman has earlier killed her father along with her husband. The woman's husband is in jail on the charge, while the woman was released from jail and murdered her daughter along with her boyfriend.

The case is of Raipur Curchuliyan police station area. Accused mother Anju Mishra (25) resident is brutally beaten 3-year-old daughter Tanvi and Tanu. When the situation deteriorated, lover Deepak Thakur had admitted Tanvi to the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital where he died during treatment. The accused has also lynched a 5-year-old daughter, who is undergoing treatment. Police have arrested the accused mother Anju Mishra and lover Deepak Thakur.

Anju's husband Rahul Mishra is in jail and the process of divorce is also going on. The accused woman Anju Mishra has already gone to jail in the NDPS Act case. Anju had killed the father along with the husband. On this charge, husband Rahul is in jail. Anju's closeness with Deepak Thakur increased when Rahul went to jail. Raipur Curchulian police station in-charge Mrigendra Singh told that this woman has criminal records. The case is being investigated by arresting the accused woman and lover Deepak.

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CM Kejriwal announces government to import tankers from Bangkok and oxygen plant from France
Yves here. Established institutions like the New York Times trying to bring in new audiences/consumers often make pratfalls. The results too often look like a middle aged man or woman getting a trainer and some plastic surgery and pursuing youngeras in awfully young.lovers.

The Grey Ladys efforts have often been mercenary, like driving out serious business reporters as they kept elevating Wall Streets favorite promoter, Andrew Ross Sorkin. And some are head-scratchers, like Who even thought it was worth the effort to rebrand op ed because it wasnt inclusive enough? As in you had to be an old fart to recognize that it derived from opposite the editorial page? So in the interest of not making young people feel left out, we must also get rid of expressions like spanner in the works (from industrial sabotage and therefore exclusionary because presumes knowledge of history), rein in (because from horse riding and therefore aristocratic) and lashed to the mast (from Greek classics and therefore old privileged white men derived)?

But this example is in a category all its own.

By Michael Olenick, Executive Fellow, INSEAD Business School

The New York Times continues working to rid itself of their increasingly infamous cooking community. For those not in the know, the New York Times Cooking Community is a Facebook group thats been like a bunion on the Grey Ladys foot. As Vice eloquently put it, Not Even the NYT Wants to Be a Part of Its Cooking Facebook Group Anymore.

Nevertheless, the saga has the appeal of a freeway pileup. Not one of those little fender benders but a Bentley (thatd be the New York Times) tangled up with a bunch of old Hondas (thatd be the rest of us). We know its best to keep driving by but we just cant help but look.

My daughters been studying for the SAT so Ill try to explain it in the terms that test uses, which happens to be the first and last place to ever see these types of comparisons. The New York Times Cooking Community is to the NYT brand as Hunter Biden is to Joe. As Trump is to real estate developers. As my French bulldog is to dogs. You get the picture

Speaking of my teenage daughter, when I told her the New York Times created a Facebook group where they expected highbrow discussions, she spit her water across the table and started laughing so hard I worried shed choke. Thinking firstly, can I do the Heimlich and, second, would it work on water, she recovered. Then started laughing again so much her face turned beet red.

Look, I work in academia focused on innovation but some ideas are just dumb. Like lawn darts. The Segway. And the aspirational highbrow New York Times Cooking Community Facebook group, founded February 19, 2019, blew up last year thanks to cooped-up COVID cooks.

Anyhoo, as the US election neared last November, the restless Facebook cooks decided a get-out-the-vote campaign was a good idea. Their editors at the Times apparently disagreed, deleting any post with any political connotation including Go Vote. Posts that all too often displayed revolting recipes instead started a traditional revolt with things like bagels shaped into letters spelling out GO VOTE. Take that, anonymous moderators at the New York Times!

A brief digression. If Id gotten a job at the New York Times in any type of editorial position, Id be stoked. I mean, seriously, its the newspaper of record. The most prestigious news publication in the world. The New York Times is like  well  the New York Times. But if Id found out soon after my job was to moderate their Facebook Cooking Group Id probably be more deflated than a flopped cake.

The apparently disenchanted editors of the Times were openly thrilled to simultaneously be given the editorial equivalent of septic tank cleanup coupled with voter suppression. They did their job with the enthusiasm of a French bureaucrat I knew tasked with manual map making after electronic systems were invented. He showed up, clocked in, and spent the day at the bar with other obsolete mapmakers. The pension wasnt bad though he couldnt enjoy it long due to cirrhosis accumulated by decades of missed work coupled with heavy day drinking, a fate the moderators of the New York Times Cooking Community saw for themselves in due course.

Hoping to do something more meaningful, which includes pretty much anything  and after another user revolt for another election  they decided to make like a titan of private equity and divest the asset but to who? After apparently finding interest in the 75,000-person cooking community was comparable to buyers of the Sears brand, they settled on that tried-and-true method, a management buyout. The New York Times would choose some new moderators from within, change the name, and do the walk of shame back to headquarters never again to mention their misguided foray into social media.

The new moderators would be experienced, level-headed, patient, and hip. All the things youd expect after a meltdown where the New York Times arguably got jammed up for engaging in voter suppression, right? Only time will tell but we now know one thing they wouldnt be is diverse: after being named not a single one is black and the oldest tops out at 42. They look more like the children of that community than those who bother posting their best tips and tricks for veggie lasagna.

Apparently, 63% of New York Times readers are under the age of 50. That doesnt sync with the anecdote of every single person I know who subscribes though the same study says readers of the Wall Street Journal are also young, making me think ad departments are taking poetic liberties.

In any event, that demographic segment describes 100% of their new mods. When I brought a lack of age diversity dire enough it looked like age discrimination in a 25-word comment, one of the new mods said they will not be bullied and bashed and slandered and told me Ill be muted and removed. Shed been on the job about an hour.

Comment moderating, at the New York Times or elsewhere, is a crappy job. People are awful. And Facebook isnt known for bringing out the best. Still, if youre representing a well-respected brand, its probably best to approach it with some level of professionalism. Handing things off to an all-millennial (except one) group of mods, which didnt include a single black person, was probably as bad an idea as hummus with liver. Expecting them to act any different than the guards at the infamous Stanford prison experiment was naive.

I dont remember when I first joined the New York Times Cooking Community but I eventually bailed. I rejoined in January and tuned out soon after except for noticing the admittedly excellent breakaway Mean People Cooking Community, a place of fun people and good recipes.

Normally, the best thing to do with a bunion is have it removed. If I were the New York Times, Id declare their project a brand-taint failure and shutter their misbegotten cooking community before an already problematic place gets any worse. Like a recipe where you inadvertently added 10x the amount of salt, some things are beyond hope.
A vial of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is seen with injection supplies at a clinic in Winnipeg, on March 19, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)

Quebec Reports Blood Clot Death of Woman After Receiving AstraZeneca Vaccine

MONTREALThe Quebec government has announced that a woman in her 50s has died of a blood clot that occurred after receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

Public health director Dr. Horacio Arruda told a news conference Tuesday that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks, and the province always knew that rare complications were possible.

Health Minister Christian Dube said the province is currently investigating four cases of serious complications out of some 400,000 people who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Currently the province is offering the vaccine to Quebecers between the ages of 45 and 79, and Arruda said there are no plans to change that strategy.

The news came as health officials reported fewer than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 in the province for the second day in a row, with 899 new infections. There were 14 additional deaths, including three in the last 24 hours.

Hospitalizations rose by three, to 667, and 170 people were in intensive care, an increase of three.

Premier Francois Legault said the situation has improved enough to allow primary schools to reopen next week in Quebec City and the Chaudiere-Appalaches region, with some exceptions in harder-hit zones. The province is also pushing back the curfew in Montreal and its northern suburb of Laval to 9:30 p.m. from 8 p.m. as of Monday.

Legault said further easing of restrictions will be done gradually to avoid a resurgence in cases.

Also on Tuesday, Quebecers with physical or intellectual disabilities or autism were able to start booking vaccine appointments.

The province administered 45,757 doses of vaccine since the last update, for a total of 2,916,897 shots.
U.S. Army modernization officials have fielded the first Mobile Short Range Air Defense, or M-SHORAD, Stryker vehicles in Europe as part of a larger effort to beef up service's ability to defend its forces against enemy drones and other aerial threats.

Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, in Germany recently received four M-SHORAD Stryker A1 vehicles, which are equipped with weapons such as rockets and missiles along with special sensors that help it track and destroy incoming enemy aircraft, according to a news release from Army Futures Command last week.

The Army will field 144 systems to four air and missile defense battalions beginning this year, according to the release.

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In October, the Army awarded a $1.2 billion contract to General Dynamics Land Systems for Stryker combat vehicles equipped with Raytheon Stinger missiles for the M-SHORAD effort.

Fielding the new systems to the 5-4 ADA is "truly a testament to our Army's commitment to increase air and missile defense capability and capacity to the joint force, and especially here in Europe," Brig. Gen. Gregory J. Brady, commander of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said in the release.

The 5-4 ADA, which is a subordinate unit under the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, has played a major role in testing M-SHORAD system prototypes. In 2020, 18 Air and Missile Defense crewmembers from the unit were selected to undergo a six-month initial operational assessment with the prototype systems at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, according to the release.

Sgt. Andrew Veres, a crewmember with 5-4 ADA, said working with the new technology on the M-SHORADs is unlike anything he has operated in his career.

"Everything in these systems is an improvement -- the survivability, mobility, dependability, off road ability -- it gives us the ability to stay in the fight longer," Veres said in the release.

The Army is also developing M-SHORAD Strykers that will be equipped with a mix of directed energy, or laser, weapons and improved missiles to defend units from enemy rockets, artillery and mortars, as well as enemy aircraft.

The Army selected Northrop and Raytheon in July 2019 to develop competing prototypes of 50-kilowatt laser-equipped Strykers as part of a $203 million deal that includes Kord Technologies as the prime contractor. Army program officials are now supporting both companies as they assemble components of the laser-equipped Strykers at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

This spring, the service will hold a shoot-off event at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to select a design that will be manufactured to equip the Army with an initial operating capability of four Stryker Directed Energy-Mobile Short-Range Air Defense (DE-M-SHORAD) systems by fiscal 2022.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

Related: Plans for Army's Stryker-Mounted Laser Shoot-Off Enter Final Stages
YEREVAN.  The opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) will go to the snap parliamentary electionsslated for June 20on its own. Mikayel Melkumyan, a member of the opposition Prosperous Armenia faction, on Tuesday told about this to reporters in the National Assembly, adding that for the last 15 years the PAP has always been in the parliament as a political force, always being the second force in the legislature.

"It is very important who you go to the elections with and what you go with; that is, with what political team and with what program. We [the PAP] shall go [to these elections] to win and it will happen. We will definitely win, and the fact that win does not assume that any force will get 50 percent + 1 vote. There will be a balanced government; but I reaffirm that [PAP leader and business tycoon] Gagik Tsarukyan will be the head of state. Preconditions have been created today that a leader of a political force that has never been in power shall come to power," Melkumyan said.

And asked whether it can be concluded from what has been said that the PAP will form a coalition with other forces, but on the condition that Tsarukyan be the Prime Minister, the PAP lawmaker said that they do not currently discuss the issue of coalitions. "There will be a balanced government. When you win, a new situation arises, and according to that, a decision will be made on how we are moving forward. We do not say now with which force and how because we still do not know who will run [in the elections] and what percentage [of the votes] they will garner. And if we [the PAP] win, who will be the leader of the country, if not our candidate?
KALAMAZOO, MI  Even if I had the discretion, this court would have imposed the same sentence anyway, said U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney while sentencing Javontae White to life in prison.

White, 28, was found guilty on Jan. 14 of one count of distributing fentanyl resulting in the July 2018 death of 33-year-old Grand Rapids woman Elaine Christensen. White, who has seven prior felony convictions, was sentenced to a mandatory life sentence on Monday, April 26 at the federal courthouse in Kalamazoo.

Related: Grand Rapids man found guilty of providing fatal dose of fentanyl to retired judges daughter

White was also sentenced Monday to 30 years in prison each on separate counts of distribution of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine  both of which he was found guilty of following a November trial. The jury had been unable to reach a verdict on the third charge in November and he was retried in January on that count alone.

I pray this is the last statement I make because of the actions of Javontae, Joe Christensen said, while giving a victim impact statement. His drugs are what led to the death of my sister.

Today, he must stand to face me, my family and justice.

Three other members of the family spoke at Whites sentencing, including his brother and Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Nicholas Christensen, the childrens mother Nancy Christensen and their father, retired Grand Rapids Judge Mike Christensen.

While acknowledging his sister had struggled with her own demons, Nicholas Christensen likened the sale of a fatal dose of fentanyl to murder by drugs and said that the only comfort he is taking in Whites life sentence is that no other family will have to feel a similar pain because of actions taken by White.

We are here today because of who we are without, Nicholas Christensen said. I would go on about Elaine, but I dont think he (White) deserves to know what a truly great person she was.

As victim impact statements continued, Nancy Christensen recounted happier memories of her daughter than those that made up Elaine Christensens final hours before dying of a drug overdose. She then said she hopes the White family will find some peace in knowing they still have the opportunity to tell Javontae they love him; something we will never get to say to Elaine again.

About two dozen of Whites friends and family members sat in the courtroom as the sentence was handed down. Many, donning Fair justice for Javontae T-shirts, spoke afterward about the frustration they were feeling over the trial and Mondays sentence.

His story hasnt changed

Since he first appeared on this matter, his story hasnt changed, Whites attorney Douglas Parker said before the sentence was issued by Maloney. He admitted to selling heroin and he has repeatedly said he did not believe he was selling fentanyl.

Parker went on to reiterate what had been said during trial that what White admitted selling to Mark Blodgett may not have been the same drugs that Blodgett sold to Elaine Christensens boyfriend Ryan Hall, who then gave her the drugs. Both Blodgett and Hall testified at the trial and were previously sentenced in Kent County Circuit court on lesser charges, resulting in three- and one-year sentences for their role in the case.

This is a hurtful, tragic situation for the family and I send my condolences, White told the judge before his sentence was imposed. Ive been incarcerated going on three years and had plenty of time to reflect on my wrongdoing. I never knew Ryan Hall or Elaine and I never sold them any drugs. I had no knowledge that Mr. Blodgett was reselling.

There are a lot of facts and evidence that are being overlooked. Truly, honestly, I do not feel I got a fair trial. Witnesses committed perjury and testimony by sworn police officers was dismissed because of hearsay.

White said he would be filing an appeal and said he would be doing so in part on the grounds of ineffective counsel as 95% of the relevant evidence in the case was based on his research, not his attorneys.

Maloney, after listening to both attorneys, the family and White, said he found the jury in both cases to have acted well within the evidence when reaching their decisions.

White being on probation at the time of the sale of drugs to Blodgett and his prior convictions were both aggravating factors that led to the mandatory sentence, he said.

Three different sentences

He was not the only person involved but I believe they are trying to make an example out of him because he was the only Black man involved, said Whites mother, Carlette Lucas, after the hearing. One guy who admitted, in a statement, that he gave his girlfriend drugs before she died. He got one year in the county jail.

But yet you give the only Black man, who did not even know her or the boyfriend who admitted to giving her the drugs  a life sentence.

When asked what fair justice would have meant to the family, Lucas said fair would have been for her son to have received a sentence similar to those of Blodgett and Hall  or for Blodgett and Hall to have received life sentences as well and not just the Black man.

Lucas said she feels for the family and said no one should have to bury their child, but that doesnt make the sentencing in her sons hearing a just one.

As our children grow up to be adults they make bad choices that we totally disagree with, she said It has nothing to do with their upbringing. I didnt bring my child up like that and Im sure they didnt bring theirs up like that....So I am totally sorry that they lost their daughter, but my son is not the responsible party.

We dont want him to walk scot-free, but we want fair justice.

Many family members, Lucas included, said they felt the courts showed favoritism based on who Elaine Christensens family members were. They said they plan to use those issues of prejudice as part of the basis for Whites appeal.

First and foremost, we want to send the condolences to the family, said Kareem Scales, administrator of operations with the Grand Rapids Chapter of the NAACP. Its unfortunate that they lost a family member.

What we are here for is not just what happened to Javontae today but the injustices that happen in this system everyday. What happened to Javontae today is not only happening to Javontae but is happening to hundreds of us all around the country in courtrooms like this every day. We want to bring more awareness to these systematic injustices.

Scales, speaking on his own behalf, said the sentence was the perfect example of those injustices and the systematic racism that is seen in Americas court system.

There are two different justices one for white people and one for black people, he said.

Scales said there is a 20-minute documentary on the case called The Untold Story of Javontae White that the Grand Rapids chapter will be putting on its website that he hopes people will check out, detailing many issues that were and werent addressed in court.

Sadly, White has not accepted that the fentanyl he distributed to Mark Blodgett, who middle-manned the fentanyl purchase for Ryan Hall that caused (Christiansens) death, U.S. District Attorney Andrew Birge wrote in his sentencing memorandum. As a drug dealer, White earned his living by feeding, and thereby profiting off of, other peoples addictions.

Tragically, on July 7, 2018 this caused (Christensens) death. These addicts that White profited from included Blodgett and Hall, each of whom immediately cooperated, were subsequently prosecuted, and were sentenced for their role in the offense.

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India received the first shipment of COVID-19 supplies from the UK on Tuesday morning amid the second wave. As the nation is in midst of fighting the deadly surge of COVID-19, UK's help comes at a very necessary time. On Sunday, UK had announced that it will be sending life-saving supplies to battle COVID-19 to India.

Taking to Twitter, the Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that 100 ventilators & 95 oxygen concentrators were received by India.

International cooperation at work! Appreciate the shipment of vital medical supplies from  including 100 ventilators & 95 oxygen concentrators that arrived early this morning. pic.twitter.com/MBZFwSn4cH  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) April 27, 2021

Apart from Britain, several other countries including US, EU, France, and Australia have also pledged to help India as the situation in the country has taken a deadly turn with rising cases, positivity rate, and fatalities. Britain is prepared to deliver more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment. India is expected to receive a total of nine airline package loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators, and 20 manual ventilators, as informed by British High Commission in New Delhi. The resources will be sent to India this week.

Support from around the world

With countries extending support, India has also received an assurance of help from top companies including Google, Microsoft and Apple. Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Monday announced a funding of Rs 135 Crore for "medical supplies, organs supporting high-risk communities, and grants to help spread critical information". Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella thanked the US government for providing help to India and added that Microsoft will continue to provide critical medical equipment. Meanwhile, Russia, Ireland, and Afghanistan have also announced to help India in the time of need.

India's COVID-19 cases

In the past 24 hrs, India recorded 323,144 new cases with 2,771 new deaths. For past several days, India is recording more than 3 lakh fresh COVID-19 cases daily. There is also a shortage of certain medical equipment for which world has extended support to the nation. India is also vaccinating with full efforts and the drive "vaccination for all" will begin from May 1. On Monday, India created another record of vaccination by administering 14.19 crore people in 100 days. There are ten states with the highest number of cases in India which include Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
Chief Minister said on Monday that in the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, retired doctors and para-medical staff can be roped in to increase manpower in hospitals.

He also said that work should be done to double the number of COVID beds, and the beds should be increased in all the districts.

"Many of those who had emerged victorious in the battle against COVID-19 are willing to serve the patients. In this context, in order to increase the manpower at hospitals, experiences of retired doctors, lab technicians and para-medical staff along with retired personnel of the armed forces can be availed," he said at a virtual high-level review meeting.

The UP chief minister said that necessary supply of oxygen is being done, and directions have been issued to undertake oxygen audit.

He said government and private hospitals and hospitals taken over for COVID-19 will have to share their oxygen data with the government.

Adityanath also said that tele-consultancy should be comprehensively used so that people in home quarantine can consult them.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
JACKSON, MI -- The Jackson YMCA will close on four properties adjacent to its current location as part of its plan to expand with a new facility.

The YMCAs new healthy living campus is being constructed on the same plot on Wesley Street in downtown Jackson, but on the northeast end of the current YMCA parking lot. The acquisitions of 121 W. Wesley St., 116 W. Franklin St., 105 W. Wesley St. and 400 S. Mechanic St., will extend the Ys campus to 3.5 acres on the edge of residential and downtown Jackson.

The Y has raised close to $22 million toward the construction of a new facility, officials said. Leadership expects to break ground this summer.

When we met with our neighbors, they were very supportive of our plans to expand our impact and work collaboratively, Jackson YMCA CEO Shawna Tello said in a statement.

Two of the four lots, 105 W. Wesley St. and 400 S. Mechanic St., were donated to the Y, officials said. Alfred Bruey and his son, Don, said their family owned the building for 25 years and thought the decision to donate was easy because of the scope of the project.

We are all aware of the Ys contribution to the community. Contributing our property was a great way to help the Y continue and expand the good work they do, Don Bruery said in a statement.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 121 W. Wesley St., agreed to sell a portion of a lot its owned since the 1970s for a nominal amount.

The congregation said it looks forward to having a front-row seat while the new YMCA facility is being built, according to a statement. The impact on downtown Jackson will be significant, and we anticipate increased interactions with all our neighbors as well as the workers and contractors who will be on the job site.

The Y plans to begin demolishing the structures on those parcels in June, officials said.

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ROCHESTER, Minn. - The Rochester City Council is continuing to work towards more cohesive and effective leadership within our community.

During a virtual meeting on Monday, the council met for its second strategic planning session as members get closer to finalizing strategic priorities and identifying effective governing principles.

The discussion included the chance for members to review the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities the Rochester community has to offer as well as reflect on values expressed by each council member.

A draft of strategic priorities was also presented to guide and inform the councils collective work.

Mayor Kim Norton says in order to be the most effective governing body for Rochester all members need to be listening to the needs and values of the community.

Norton explained, All eight of us have committed to when we ran for office and continued to have communication with our constituents and even with marginalized communities to make sure we have safe spaces. It's not something new, it's something we've already done but there are also individuals who have a strong opinion and strong set of thoughts about the direction that we go that don't feel heard because it's not the direction that was chosen.

Some of the main priorities highlighted during the discussion included housing and affordable living as well as economic vibrancy and inclusion.

The city council will be meeting again on May 10 to further discuss how to best enhance the council as a governing body.
Covered costs include but are not limited to transportation for up to two individuals to identify the deceased individual, transfer of remains, casket or urn, burial plot or cremation niche, marker or headstone, clergy or officiant services, arrangement of the funeral ceremony, use of funeral home equipment or staff, cremation or interment costs, costs associated with producing and certifying multiple death certificates and additional expenses mandated by any applicable local or state government laws or ordinances.
NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biz2Credit, a leading financial technology firm that develops industry-leading digital platform solutions for banks and other financial institutions, has been named to The Financial Times (FT)s inaugural list of The Americas Fastest Growing Companies 2021. This prestigious award is presented by The FT and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry-ranking provider.

The Americas Fastest Growing Companies 2021 list is comprised of the enterprises that contribute most heavily to economic growth. Five hundred companies are featured on the list, which was announced online on April 13, 2021, and can be viewed on the FT website. Biz2Credit was ranked 412th on the list, which also includes Beyond Meat, DocuSign, Shopify, Tesla, and Uber.

Its an honor to be recognized by an internationally respected outlet such as The Financial Times, said Rohit Arora, CEO of Biz2Credit and one of the leading experts on small business finance.

The past 12 months have been pivotal for the small business lending industry with the creation of the Paycheck Protection Program to help SMBs survive during the coronavirus pandemic, Arora added. We have been proud to stand with small business owners at this crucial time as one of the most accessible online funding sources they can turn to as they do everything in their power to help their businesses survive this pandemic.

Biz2Credit is one of the leading providers of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans in the country, and one of the only fintech companies that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has authorized to issue the forgivable government-backed business loans. Biz2Credit was approved by the SBA as an authorized PPP lender in May 2020.

Part of Biz2Credits impressive 115.7% revenue growth between 2016 and 2019 is the companys Biz2X division, which provides financial technology to banks and other lenders. In 2020, the growth of the platform continued when increasing numbers of lending institutions sought to digitize as the COVID pandemic shut down in-person banking.

Out of the millions of companies in North and South America, only 500 firms were awarded and named on the list. To be recognized on the list of The Americas Fastest Growing Companies, a firm had to meet the following criteria:

Revenue of at least $100,000 in 2016;

Revenue of at least $1.5 million in 2019;

Independence (not a subsidiary or branch office of any kind);

Headquartered in one of 20 countries on the continents of North and South America.

About Biz2Credit

Founded in 2007, Biz2Credit has arranged more than $3 billion in small business financing. Biz2Credit is focused on funding whats next for small business. The company leverages data, cash flow insights, and the latest technology to give business owners an automated small business funding platform to fit their financial needs. With over 350 employees globally, the Biz2Credit team  made up of top-notch engineers, marketers, and data scientists  is building the next generation in business lending solutions.

Biz2Credit has been named to the Inc. 5000 and Inc. Magazines Private Titans list for 2020, is a three-time winner of the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 and was named a Great Place to Work in 2020 and 2019. Headquartered in New York City, the company recently raised a $52M Series B round of investment in 2019. Visit www.biz2credit.com or Twitter @Biz2Credit, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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Source: Biz2Credit
On April 24, 2020, a man named Josh Swain messaged several other men named Josh Swain on Facebook. He gave his fellow Joshes simple instructions: "Precisely 4/24/2021, 12:00 PM, meet at these coordinates," he wrote, sharing coordinates for Lincoln, Nebraska. "We fight, whoever wins gets to keep the name, everyone else has to change their name, you have a year to prepare, good luck."

What started out as a harmless Facebook joke went viral and turned into an epic battle among hundreds of people named Josh.

there can only be one pic.twitter.com/VPamxjJ0yL

 joshua swain (@joshswainaz) April 24, 2020

Exactly one year after that Facebook message, people named Josh from around the country actually showed up, descending upon a park and battling each other  with pool noodles. The original Josh Swain, who sent the Facebook message, is a a 22-year-old college student from Tucson, Arizona, the AP reports.

He told the Lincoln Journal Star the event was like having "an out-of-body experience."

"I'm sitting in my hotel room alone, just trying to act like I wasn't with 2,000 people just fighting for their name. It's incredible," he said after the battle.

Joshes from as far as Washington and New Jersey showed up to what has been dubbed the "Battle of the Joshes." In addition to the pool noodle battle, there was also a massive game of rock, paper, scissors.

What started as a mid-pandemic joke took on life Saturday, as a mixed bag of individuals sharing only their name came to battle it out. The winner was to be declared the rightful owner of the name. / Credit: Kenneth Ferriera/Lincoln Journal Star via AP

The winner of the pool noodle fight became ultimate Josh  and it wasn't Swain or any of the original Joshes in the Facebook group. In fact, the winner likely doesn't have a Facebook and needed help getting to the Josh fight.

That's because he's a 4-year-old, who the other Joshes affectionately call "Little Josh," Swain said.

Little Josh won the battle and was honored with a paper Burger King crown  which was too big for his head.

The Josh fight wasn't just a spectacle for Nebraskans and those who watched online. The event raised money for the Children's Hospital and Medical Center Foundation in Omaha. Which is why Little Josh is perhaps the most deserving out of the hundreds of Joshes, as he spent time at Children's Hospital when he suffered from seizures at 2 years old.

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In addition to raising $8,000 for the hospital, the Joshes also donated nearly a ton of food for the Food Bank of Lincoln, according to the Lincoln Journal Star.

Little Josh's win was a major moment for another Josh  his dad, Josh Vinson Sr. When his son won, Vinson shouted "lift him up," and Little Josh was hoisted into the air in victory.

Lincoln native four-year-old Joshua Vinson Jr. is crowned the ultimate Josh on Saturday, April 24, 2021, in Lincoln, Neb. / Credit: Kenneth Ferriera/Lincoln Journal Star via AP

The whole event was made possible by spreading the word on social media platforms like Reddit and TikTok. A video posted on TikTok by Nebraska Wesleyan University student Ryan Wall received 1.3 million views.

Wall soon became the event's spokesperson and helped Swain buy supplies for the fight.

Betsy Walker, a 20-year-old from Lincoln who saw Swain's Reddit post about the event, helped spread the word about donations.

Of course, out of all the Joshes, two have gotten the most attention  Little Josh, who went viral on Twitter, and Swain, who took hundreds of photos with other Joshes that day.

"I'm just a dude," he said. "I'm just a guy, and people are like 'Oh, my God. Can I get your autograph? Can we get a picture?' I'm like, 'Yeah, I guess.' It's so weird. It's so bizarre."

CBS News Exclusive: Inside a Department of Homeland Security facility for asylum-seekers in Texas

Hundreds of people named Josh show up to "fight" in Nebraska

Millions of Americans are grappling with growing medical debt
After a tightly centralized vaccination drive that has delivered the required two shots to less than 2% of the population, India is opening up its inoculation strategy in the middle of a raging pandemic. Can the new approach flatten the curve?

Expanding the campaign to all adults below 45 starting next month is a late but welcome move. Indias daily infection rate of almost 350,000 is the worst any country has experienced. Even then, shifting a big part of the financial burden to 28 state governments and letting private hospitals buy shots at 600 to 1200 rupees ($8 to $16) apiece--and sell them to patients at even higher prices--are both wrong.

In a nation riddled with inequalities and swelling with 75 million newly impoverished after last years coronavirus lockdown, putting a price on any part of limited vaccine supplies could lead to unjust, lopsided distribution. Free, universal access, with New Delhi negotiating prices with at least four or five suppliers globally, could prepare India better for a third Covid-19 resurgence. Until herd immunity is achieved, private hospitals must continue acting as agents of the state, and impose only a limited markup on the stock theyre given free from the national pool.

It was a mistake to restrict the drive to just two Made-in-India vaccines: Covishield, the AstraZeneca Plc shot manufactured by the Pune-based of India Ltd., and Covaxin, an indigenously developed shot produced by the Hyderabad-based International Ltd. New Delhi managed to negotiate a competitive price of 150 rupees per shot, and then set out to distribute them free of charge--first to healthcare and other frontline workers and then to those older than 60. Only this month, the age restriction was lowered to 45. Covishield has accounted for roughly 90% of the 141 million doses administered so far. Nowhere near enough for a population of almost 1.4 billion.

The second wave has exposed the inadequacy of the tightfisted approach. A severe oxygen shortage is causing the healthcare system to collapse, forcing authorities to change tack: State governments and private hospitals can directly order up to 50% of Serum and Bharats supplies to inoculate the younger population, while New Delhi will buy the other half to complete free vaccination of those above 45. Serum has announced a price of 400 rupees for states, and 600 rupees for private hospitals. Bharats rates are 600 and 1200 rupees, respectively.





Maharashtra, the state most severely affected by the second wave, might join a growing number that have announced free vaccination for all adults, according to media reports. Suppose that all states--even the most resource-strapped ones--somehow find the money. The supply of vaccines is constrained. For a given 1 million doses, who will decide the allocation among states, and between those governments and a private hospital? When the antiviral remdesivir is selling on the black market at a 300% premium, risk of profiteering is very real.

The only correct consumer price is zero. After last years national lockdown, the urban poor are once again facing the brunt of lost livelihoods from localized curfews and all-pervasive fear. The worlds biggest democracy cant shut anyone out of the market for vaccines. That may well happen if a states purchase order goes unfilled--even as doses are available at private hospitals at a price the poor cant afford.

Maybe the supply crunch will ease. Russias Sputnik V, initially imported and then made locally, should be available by the end of next month. Other homemade options might take longer. Hyderabad-based Biological E Ltd., which is conducting clinical trials in India for an antigen developed by Texas Childrens Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, has won U.S. funding to ramp up production capacity to 1 billion doses in India by the end of this year. States can also import shots in use globally at prices preset by their manufacturers. But given the worldwide supply constraints, its safe to assume that Serums hold isnt going to reduce meaningfully soon. Introducing the logic of free markets into a situation thats anything but makes no sense.

Without getting into a fruitless debate over what is a reasonable profit margin to spur production, three things should be clear. One, its the Indian government, with its 350 billion rupee vaccination budget, that should be inoculating everyone. Free of charge.

Two, while states dont have any bargaining power against vaccine producers, New Delhi has plenty of carrots and sticks at its disposal. Bharat Biotechs product has resulted from publicly funded research; it was authorized for emergency use even without Phase 3 clinical trial data. The government, albeit belatedly, is giving both Serum and Bharat financial assistance to ramp up production. Serum has also been subjected to export restrictions to help tide over a domestic shortage. Had the Modi administration put in large, confirmed orders with Serumas well as with Pfizer Inc., Moderna Inc., and later, Johnson & Johnsonit could have held the blended price close to the originally negotiated 150 rupees apiece. Or at least closer than it would be now.

Finally, cutting corners on a subsidy that will cost less than 0.4% of gross domestic product could lead to output (and tax losses) many times higher. Daily fatalities are nearing 3,000  and thats a gross underestimate. After the current spike has peaked, people will still need to be inoculated at a rapid pace to flatten the curve and avert a third buildup. And thats when the folly of charging $8 or $16 for a life-saving vaccine, in a country where the working class was struggling to buy 7-cent cookies even before the pandemic, may become clear.
Premier Li Keqiang on Monday called for efforts to enhance clean governance and anti-corruption work in China's government agencies.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks at a State Council meeting on clean governance.

Zhao Leji, secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and Vice Premier Han Zheng, both members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting.

While acknowledging the efforts of government agencies in relevant areas over the past year that have effectively promoted the work in epidemic prevention and control as well as economic and social development, Li said corruption and misconduct still pose challenges in some areas.

He urged consistent efforts to promote clean governance and strengthen anti-corruption in government agencies, and called for measures to give full play to the leading role of strict Party self-governance to ensure that the targets and tasks for economic and social development this year will be accomplished.

Li stressed the implementation of policies such as tax and fee cuts to help market entities recover and gain more vitality. He urged efforts to ensure that the direct allocation of fiscal funds plays a better role in benefiting people and enterprises.

More work should be done to strengthen the oversight of investment in fields related to people's livelihoods, including employment, education, medical care and elderly care, Li said.

The government should tighten its belt and reduce expenditure to allow more funding for people's livelihoods, while deepening reforms to streamline administration and delegate power to further energize market entities and stimulate social creativity, he said.

Li also called on governments at all levels to address practical issues to benefit the public.
A battle over faculty layoffs at County College of Morris is playing out as the states community colleges grapple with declining enrollment and other challenges exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

An unfair labor complaint was filed last Friday with the New Jersey Public Employee Relations Commission, three days after the colleges Board of Trustees voted not to reappoint six, non-tenured faculty members, effective July 1.

The layoffs included James Capozzi, president of the Faculty Association of the County College of Morris, and two other members of the unions leadership. Nearly three dozen other non-tenured faculty members were reappointed at the same meeting.

Capozzi is accusing the college of union-busting tactics  a charge denied by the colleges president  and said it has not responded to the unions request for enrollment and financial projections or any other documentation to justify the cuts.

Our officers are disproportionately represented here. It would be irresponsible for us not to raise these questions, said Capozzi, an English professor who edits the colleges longtime Journal of New Jersey Poets.

Capozzi would have qualified for tenure on Jan. 1, 2022  the first day of his sixth year on the job. He said the other faculty members being let go include Geoffrey Peck, the unions grievance chair, and communications chair Robb Lauzon, and that all were within about a year or less of achieving tenure.

The college has 113 tenured faculty members.

County College of Morris president, Anthony J. Iacono, said the college has great respect for all five unions representing employees and that union membership was not a factor.

Iacono said the college had a 14% decline in enrollment this spring.

Tenure is lifelong employment, Iacono said, adding that he was unable to recommend making that commitment in a period where enrollment is severely depressed and the forecast for the future doesnt look especially optimistic.

Its exercising our financial responsibility, but that doesnt mean its not painful. We care about these people. Theyre good scholars, theyre smart people, and unfortunately, sometimes the hard reality comes along that youve got to make decisions that you might not want to, but you have to, Iacono said.

The dispute at County College of Morris, located in Randolph, comes as the states 18 community colleges continue to contend with fallout from the pandemic. While undergraduate enrollment at New Jerseys two-year and four-year colleges has decreased during the past year, the downward trend is especially pronounced at community colleges, where enrollment declined by 13% last fall.

County College of Morris cut some part-time jobs, furloughed some full-time employees and suspended programs not equipped for online learning about a year ago, in a move that Iacono at that time attributed to steep cuts in state funding.

In its complaint filed with the state, the faculty union charges that Capozzi, Peck and Lauzon were not reappointed due to their leadership positions and activity in the association, and that other three were similarly targeted because of their membership and activity.

Capozzi said that on April 19, three days after faculty members were notified of the impending cuts, the union requested documentation that might demonstrate why this reduction was necessary, and why it has to apply to these individuals specifically.

The college has not provided one shred of data, he said.

In response, college spokeswoman Kathleen Brunet said Monday that the college is preparing a response to the unions request for information, and defended its handling of the layoffs.

We unequivocally deny the baseless allegations that are being made. We have consistently complied with all our obligations under the collective negotiations agreement with the union and New Jersey law, said Brunet, the colleges director of marketing and public relations.

The Morris County Board of Commissioners appoints most of the colleges board members, but it does not appear it will be getting involving in the dispute despite a letter-writing campaign on behalf of the faculty promoted by the New Jersey Education Association.

Brian Murray, spokesperson for the commissioners, said the county board has no authority to intercede in the colleges administrative operations.

From developing curriculum to personnel matters, the college has always had the autonomy to administer its own operations, free from any objections or interference by elected county officials, Murray said.

Iacono spoke with NJ Advance Media three days after the faculty reductions were disclosed to employees but before the college board voted.

We regret that we have to do this, but it would be irresponsible on behalf of the institution, in a period of such uncertainty with depressed enrollment, to plunge forward like we always have, as if we expect a rosy future. Its going to be a while before higher ed really finds its legs again, Iacono said.

The union has said the college could use part of its federal stimulus money, totaling $12.7 million, to prevent the layoffs. Iacono, though, disagreed, stating that the funding came with substantial restrictions and that it would not resolve long-term concerns regarding staffing.

Its not never-ending money, he said.

A native of West Milford, Capozzi taught at Virginia State University for four years. He returned to New Jersey after his mother died.

I felt very, very fortunate to get this job. To be undermined and have it ripped away like this, it feels awful. I was looking forward to camping out here for the rest of my career, Capozzi said.

He said he is not giving up on overturning the decision.

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Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.
This past year has been so difficult ... Moms really have been challenged. They have to juggle so many things from work to homeschooling, and everything in between. That is why we curated exceptional gift options for Mothers Day this year.

The Tea Can Company, a purveyor of premium, hand-selected teas in a variety of flavor blends, offers unforgettable gifts for Mom. With more than 40 tea flavors from which to choose, the tea packaging can be customized with Happy Mothers Day, personal messages, or photos.

The Tea Can Company also offers specially curated gift sets for Mothers Day, including the Sweet Mugs & Kisses gift box, matching candle and tea gift sets, heart boxes filled with floral teas, and many more distinctively themed gift options.

Donna McCafferty, founder of The Tea Can Company, says she strives to offer gifts for Moms that really stand out. McCafferty explained, This past year has been so difficult for everyone  Moms really have been challenged. They have to juggle so many things from work to homeschooling, and everything in between. That is why we curated exceptional gift options for Mothers Day this year. Whether families are celebrating in person or virtually, mothers and grandmothers will know they are loved and appreciated.

The Tea Can Company sources premium, all-natural and organic tea leaves from around the world, which are hand blended and packed in the United States. Their signature tea sachets are made of 100% biodegradable, plant-based material. The string and tag are attached by ultrasonic sealing  making them healthy and kind to the environment. Their pyramid shape allows room for the loose tea leaves to expand, releasing more flavor to ensure a better brew. Each sachet brews two to three cups, or one small pot.

Founded in 2011, The Tea Can Company sells more than 40 flavors of tea nationally, including favorites such as Serene Herbal, Blueberry Cobbler, Breakfast Blend, Sencha Green, Raspberry Oolong, Moroccan Mint, Fruit Cup, Tahitian Vanilla, Apricot and Peach, Mango Amazon, Daily Detox, Rooibos Chai, and many more.

The Tea Can Company also offers HEMPTea, available in both mild and high strength, which is known to help relieve symptoms due to illnesses and other health issues. It does not contain THC.

The teas are available in a variety of packaging ranging from stylish mini tins, skinny tins and tall tins to specialty gift boxes and care packages. Gift seekers can find The Tea Can Company products at http://www.TheTeaCanCompany.com, and on Amazon.com (search "La Tea Dah").

In addition to offering a wide variety of packaging options, customers have several choices for label design. They can choose from the templates available on The Tea Can Company website, upload a photo or personal design of their own, or work with the creative team to develop a custom design for them.

The Tea Can Company also welcomes wholesale orders, and offers private labeling options for businesses, nonprofits, corporate gifts, souvenirs, bridal favors and more.

About The Tea Can Company:

The Tea Can Company (TTCC), founded in 2011, sells high-quality teas nationally. The tea is packaged in large tea tins, mini tins, kraft bags, tie bags and organza bags at various price points to fit any budget. The company began as a class project when Donna McCafferty was an art student at Kutztown University, in the 1980s. Today, TTCC products are designed and packaged for use as unique personal and corporate gifts, souvenirs, bridal favors, and more.

TTCC also has a fundraising program which allows non-profits such as schools, churches, breast cancer and lupus organizations, and more to sell The Tea Can Company products to help raise funds to support their missions. To learn more, visit http://www.TheTeaCanCompany.com.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 19:41:40|Editor: huaxia

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YANGON, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's State Administration Council (SAC) said on Tuesday that it would consider suggestions made by the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to promote dialogue and end the violence in the country.

The suggestions made at a recent meeting in Indonesia would be considered if it facilitates the five-step roadmap laid down by the SAC, serves the interests of the country and is based on the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, the SAC said in a press release.

"It will give careful consideration to constructive suggestions made by ASEAN leaders when the situation returns to stability in the country since priorities were to maintain law and order and to restore community peace and tranquility," it said.

Meanwhile, Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC told a council meeting on Monday that ASEAN-proposed visits to Myanmar would be considered once the country is stabilized, state-run media reported on Tuesday.

A five-point consensus was reached Saturday by ASEAN leaders regarding the situation in Myanmar at a ASEAN leaders' meeting held in Indonesia's capital Jakarta.

The consensus called for an immediate end to the violence in Myanmar and for constructive dialogue among all parties involved in the fighting, suggested a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair to facilitate mediation of the dialogue process and pledged to provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar. Enditem
For years, people who study unemployment benefits have warned that the American system of jobless insurance was too antiquated and clunky to meet the needs of workers in a time of economic crisis.

To understand what they were worried about, consider this bizarre timeline since the start of the pandemic:

Last spring, when the economic shutdown caused millions to lose their jobs, many state systems were so clogged that people were unable to receive jobless benefits for weeks, sometimes longer.

Congress concluded that it would be technologically impossible to calibrate extra benefits to replace every jobless persons full income, so it took a blunter approach: Lawmakers tacked an extra $600 per week onto unemployment checks. The result, by one estimate, was that 76 percent of recipients made more than they earned when they were working.

At the end of July, that $600 supplement expired, falling to zero. But the economy remained in dire condition with jobs nowhere to be found  leaving millions of jobless people in the lurch.
(ANSA) - PAVIA, APR 27 - Italian police on Tuesday arrested some 15 people including eight Peruvians and seven Italians in a probe into a suspected drug trafficking gang linked to the Calabria-based 'Ndrangheta mafia.

Police said the gang was dedicated to importing cocaine from South America, the main source of 'Ndrangheta's vast income.

Suspected gang members were arrested in Milan, Pavia, Monza Brianza and Rome.

Police said the gang brought the cocaine into Italy from Peru via Spain.

It was then passed on to 'Ndrangheta clans based in Lombardy and Calabria, police said.

Police seized assets worth over 50 million euros in the probe.

They were seized from a timber businessman in San Giovanni in Fiore near Cosenza in Calabria, Luigi Spadafora, 70, and his sons Pasquale (45), Rosario (34) and Antonio (38).

Police said the Spadaforas had a monopoly over the local timber trade, protected by 'Ndrangheta.

'Ndrangheta is Italy's richest and most powerful mafia, thanks to its control of the European cocaine trade.

The other two main mafias are Cosa Nostra in Sicily and the Camorra in Campania, the region around Naples. (ANSA).


First Light with ESA's Test-Bed Telescope at La Silla. Credit: European Space Agency

ESA's second Test-Bed Telescope, hosted at the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) La Silla Observatory in Chile, has seen 'first light'  when a new telescope is first used to look up.

A collaborative project with ESO, the telescopedubbed "TBT2' as it is the second of its kind after one built by ESA in Spainwill keep a close eye on the sky for near-Earth objects that could pose a risk to our planet. The 56-cm telescope will work alongside its identical partner telescope located at ESA's deep space ground station in Cebreros.

"The project is a 'test-bed' to demonstrate the capabilities needed to efficiently detect and perform follow-up observations of near-Earth objects," says Clemens Heese, ESA's Head of the Optical Technologies Section and TBT project leader.

"While the telescopes themselves are of a rather standard design, they will enable us to develop and test the algorithms, remote operation and data processing techniques that our future "Flyeye' telescope network will use to carry out automated, nightly surveys of the entire sky."

Installing and achieving first light with the telescope at La Silla during the COVID-19 pandemic posed a great challenge. It was only made possible by the exceptional effort and commitment from all involved, working under special regulations to ensure the safety of everyone on site in Chile.

Credit: European Space Agency

Unwelcome visitors

We currently know of more than 900 000 asteroids in our Solar System, of which around 25 000 are near-Earth objects whose orbit brings them close to Earth. Over 1,000 of these objects are on ESA's risk list, meaning we need to keep an eye on them with close follow-up observations.

Larger objects are, thankfully, easier to spot and the orbits of known large asteroids are already thoroughly studied. However, small- and medium-sized objects are far more common in the Solar System and can still do serious damage.

ESA's Test-Bed Telescope 2 at ESO's La Silla Observatory at sunset. Credit: F. Ocana/J. Isabel/Quasar SR

"To be able to calculate the risk posed by potentially hazardous objects in the Solar System, we first need a census of these objects," says Ivo Saviane, the site manager for ESO's La Silla Observatory. "The TBT project is a step in that direction."

Flyeye: the night's watch

Today, to hunt for threatening Solar System objects, astronomers use traditional telescopes with a narrow field of view. As these telescopes can only observe a small portion of the sky at a time, it is a slow and tedious process.

As part of the global effort to accelerate and improve this search, ESA is developing the Flyeye telescope. Its insect-inspired design gives it a much wider field of view, allowing it to cover large regions of the sky much quicker than traditional designs.

Every night, a future network of these Flyeye telescopes will scan the skies for rogue objects, automatically flagging any that pose an impact risk and bringing them to the attention of human researchers the next morning. The first Flyeye is now under construction and is scheduled to be installed on a mountain top in Sicily, Italy, in 2022.

The network will be entirely automated. Software will coordinate the scheduling and carrying out of observations and will highlight any threatening discoveries.

The collected data will then be submitted to the Minor Planet Center, triggering follow-up observations to better understand the orbits of these near-Earth objects and, eventually, their chance of impact.

The Test-Bed Telescope at La Silla is expected to enter routine use later this year.

Explore further Automated observing network inaugurated at SOAR telescope
Soldiers stand at attention at the Maiduguri Airforce base in Maiduguri, Nigeria, on Jan. 31, 2021. (Audu Marte/AFP via Getty Images)

Boko Haram Expands in Northwest Nigeria, Threatening Nations Capital

The military in Nigeria is scrambling to stop Boko Haram, Islamic insurgents who are aligned with the terrorist group ISIS, from expanding its territory in the northwestern state of Niger, which is already contending with criminal gangs known locally as bandits, according to media reports.

Gov. Sani Bello of Niger State has called for an immediate counterattack by the army to dislodge elements of Boko Haram that have displaced 3,000 citizens during the past week.

I just heard that they have already placed their flag in Kauri, which means they have taken the territory, and this is what we have been engaging the federal government with, and unfortunately it has now gotten to this stage that if care is not taken, nobody is safe, not even Abuja is safe, Bello told reporters on April 26 at a camp for internally displaced people about 28 miles west of the state capital of Minna.

Wives have been seized and forcefully attached to Boko Haram members. They are claiming it as their territory and will use it just as they have used Sambisa Forest, he said, referring to the vast, arid bushland in the northeastern part of the country, which Boko Haram terrorists have used as a hideout for 11 years.

Yet, Sambisa Forest is hundreds of kilometers away, whereas Shiroro is just two hours drive from Abuja [the nations capital]. Even Abuja is not safe, he told a TV crew from Channels TV.

While the governor understated the driving distance, he raised a valid concern about the nations security, said Luka Binniyat, an independent reporter in Kaduna who has worked in Niger State.

Kauri is about 200 kilometers [124 miles] from Abuja, but due to the rough nature of the road, it takes nothing less than four hours to get to Abuja, Binniyat told The Epoch Times in an email.

That stretch passes through a continuous wilderness that crosses the Shiroro gorge, traversing thousands of hectares of savannah, forests, and streams down to Chikun Local Governance area of Kaduna state.

Binniyat has begun mapping the areas of western Kaduna that have witnessed invasions of bandits and herders and displacement of Christian farmers.

Already 12 major communities, chiefly Christian ethnic groups that form Chikun LGA [local government area, an administrative unit similar to an American county] have been displaced. If the outlaws are truly Boko Haram as the governor said, they may be occupying a landmass close to the size of Abia State, he said. Nigerias Abia State is approximately half the area of Connecticut.

The so-called Sambisa Forest of Borno State is not a forest in the real sense. It is a vast area of maybe 2,000 square kilometers [about 700 square miles] of scrubland dotted with thorn trees. There is no forest anywhere in Sambisa. Its valleys are dry throughout the dry season.

Its most strategic advantage to Boko Haram is that Sambisa borders the Nigerian side of the treacherous mountain border with Cameroon. But its newly acquired territory in Niger and neighboring Kaduna state holds even better prospects for the terror group.

The Shiroro-Chikun stretch is part of the forest Savannah with tall-canopied evergreen trees. It is served by perennial streams lined with thick forests. The numerous hills hold caves for hidden bases. Besides that, the great Kaduna river flows through the area, giving insurgents the advantage of using boats. Its a frightening prospect.

The relocation and establishment of Boko Haram units allied with AK47-armed bandit gangs on motorcycles could be a kinetic game-changer, according to David Otto, a London-based counterterrorism and defense consultant and an expert on Boko Haram.

There is an established Boko Haram unit in Niger state, Otto told The Epoch Times. This is extremely serious and poses a direct and imminent threat to the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja.

It is also perhaps a third phase of Boko Haram. What we dont know yet is whether its linked to the Boko Haram faction of Abubakar Shekau or Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) or a new and independent faction. What is certain is that this jihadist group has set up shop too close for comfort to the Federal Capital Territory of Abujaa concern not only for Nigeria but every entity that has a dog in the Nigerian territory small or big.

The incursion of Boko Haram elements followed military setbacks against armed bandit gangs in the state three weeks ago, when the army lost seven soldiers in clashes. Many of the radicalized bandits are committed to jihad, as is the Boko Haram insurgency that has aligned itself with the ISIS group.

Meanwhile, a violent insurrection against the military authority in the verdant state of Benue in south-central Nigeria left 12 soldiers dead on April 5 and sparked a punitive campaign against a local militia that continues.

While the Nigerian soldiers entered the state to end a clash between rival tribes, a local armed group dubbed the Bonta Boys has been blamed for ambushing the army unit, executing all, and burning their corpses afterward, according to military spokesmen.

Since April 6, the Nigerian military has burned and bulldozed its way across dozens of villages that are home to the Tiv ethnicity, giving rise to a fog of competing narratives as to what is really happening.

Otto said Nigerian authorities are juggling multiple security challenges: a new arena of Boko Haram insurgency, a tribal insurrection in its Middle Belt, and rolling banditry in 14 states.

The fight against trans-regional terrorism sustained a setback one week ago, as Chad President Idriss Deby died after a battle with rebels. Deby, the authoritarian president of Chad for 30 years, was a key ally against ISIS insurgents and their allies in the region.

It stretches the state security architecture to an unimaginable level, Otto said. With Idriss Deby out of the picture, Chad is in chaos; the Niger Republic is in tatters as the new administration struggles to survive. Cameroon is in trouble in its northwest and southwest.

All of which means Nigeria will have to think outside of the box to address its multiple threats, including a new jihadist group that has popped up just next door to the capital of the worlds most populous black nation.

An effective counter-strategy must begin by going back to the drawing board for the design of a comprehensive and robust Nigerian national security strategy.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 26)  American vaccine maker Moderna has filed for an emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 doses to be used in the Philippines.

Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo said the application was submitted on Monday.

RELATED: Moderna's coronavirus vaccine is 94.5% effective, according to company data

An initial shipment of nearly 200,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine is scheduled to arrive in the country on June 15. The Philippines earlier signed a tripartite agreement with the American drug manufacturer to receive 20 million doses. Under the deal, 13 million will be allocated to the government, while seven million will go to the private sector.

The Philippines is also eyeing to procure the coronavirus booster shot made by Moderna.

The country's FDA has granted the EUA applications of Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Sinovac, Bharat Biotech Covaxin, and Janssen.
Posted Tuesday, April 27, 2021 1:01 am

The city of Battle Ground took a virtual route with its 2021 State of the City address as it released a video to highlight areas where the city is focusing on improvements this year.

In the video, Battle Ground Mayor Adrian Cortes highlighted some of the work planned for this year which stays in line with the citys Community Vision and Strategic Action Plan. In 2018, the city undertook a community vision project which led to the first update of a long-term vision plan for Battle Ground since 2001.

Cortes mentioned several areas where the city has seen more funding this year, which marks the first year the citys property tax levy will not be almost completely devoted to paying for a contract with Clark County Fire District 3 for fire protection services. In early 2020, voters approved annexation of the city into the fire district by a large margin, leading to residents paying property taxes to the district directly on top of the citys levy.

One of those areas was maintenance of the more than 80 miles of streets in Battle Ground. Cortes said the city has been able to increase its street preservation program funding by roughly three times what it had been in years prior to more than $900,000 in 2021.

Battle Ground City Engineer Ryan Jeynes said the citys focus for 2021 street preservation will be on mill and fill projects to resurface its roadways, and will also crack seal roadways in preparation of more preservation work in 2022.

The Battle Ground Police Department also received an additional $500,000 in funding, with Cortes mentioning the city has already hired three new BGPD officers, and will be able to hire a fourth through grant funding.

The mayor said the city has heard requests for more proactive policing, including traffic enforcement, with BGPD officer Julia MacPhee taking on the role of the departments dedicated traffic officer.

MacPhee said she will focus on the three Es of traffic  education for the public on the states traffic laws, examining the engineering of areas in town that statistically prove challenging for motorists, and enforcement of existing traffic laws.

When everything is working together just right, it makes Battle Ground a safer, less-stressful, and easier place to navigate for everyone, McPhee said.

Cortes also introduced the youngest member of BGPD, K9 Charlie. Charlies handler, officer Clint Fraser, said his partner primarily uses his nose on the job for locating evidence, narcotics, and suspects, though he added the German shepherd is also quite social. The team is looking forward to meeting the public at events.

Cortes said the city has put $80,000 more toward maintaining its streetscapes, parks, and public areas this year, adding in 2021 the city will work with the community on future parks and recreational resources. The mayor touched on the importance of community partnerships, highlighting the Battle Grounds Adopt-A-Park program as an example, specifically mentioning the recent adoption of Central Park in Old Town by Lewis River Rotary.

Following a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, Cortes had a more optimistic tone for the city in 2021.

Battle Ground residents and businesses, youve faced real challenges and hardships in the last year, and youve proven again the importance of a caring and connected community, Cortes said.
Bengaluru, April 27 : After scores of people from across world generously contributed around Rs 29 lakh on a fundraising website, the Karnataka government on Tuesday announced to donate 8,243 books to a free library run on a government land in Mysuru by 63-year-old drainage cleaner Syed Ishaq.

Many people have come forward to rebuild the free library run by Ishaq, contributing a whopping sum of Rs 29 lakh within a matter of days.

Ishaq, an illiterate drainage cleaner, always dreamt of contributing in his own way to the society in a constructive manner by setting up a library in a locality where poor children reside in slum areas.

To his credit, he was able to collect 11,000 books, including the Bible, Gita and Quran. But they were torched by miscreants on April 9.

The moment his story was flashed by media outlets, help started poring in from across the world.

Karnataka Education Minister S. Suresh Kumar was the first one to offer help to rebuild the library and following his efforts, the Karnataka Public Libraries Department has now come forward to donate 8,243 books.

"The Public Library Department would donate 8,243 books to Syed Ishaq's library, which fell prey to the mischief of the miscreants," Kumar said in a statement.

The minister added that he instructed the officials concerned to provide books to Ishaq soon after getting the information that his library was torched by the miscreants.

Kumar said a proposal has also been sent to the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation in Kolkata under the Union Culture Ministry to support Ishaq's library.

A drainage cleaner, Ishaq's love for books culminated in the creation of his own library in a slum area for the poor people living in the vicinity of his residence. He also laid emphasis on popularising the Kannada language.

Meanwhile, Fathaheen Misbah, who had launched an online fundraising initiative on popular crowdfunding site Ketto.org to help Issaq rebuild his library last week, took to Twitter to announce that the money contributed will be returned to the donors.

"As the (Karnataka) government has come forward and taken it upon itself to execute this project, based on donor requests, we will be returning the valuable contributions to all the donors. We have sent an update to @ketto yesterday, who are checking the legalities," she tweeted.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

With the help of interviews and workshops, Laura Miettinen reviewed what music teacher educators at Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki and the Israeli Levinsky College of Education thought of interculturality and intercultural competence, i.e. attitudes, skills and knowledge that teachers need when facing cultural diversity in their work. The dissertation aims to increase understanding of how cultural diversity isand could beapproached in music teacher education and how the change towards making music teacher education programs more interculturally competent could be initiated.

"The goal of the research has been to build networks between music teacher educators and researchers. These networks will make it easier to pass on expertise and collectively produced new findings of what interculturally aware music education and music teacher education could entail even across national and institutional borders", Miettinen explains.

The research project has already opened up dialogs and new platforms where people can share their experiences of facing cultural diversity and interculturality in music teacher education.

Miettinen finds that self-reflection and collective discussions play a key role when developing music teachers' intercultural competence. Music teacher education programs should strengthen the ability to engage in critical self-reflection and offer educators opportunities to discuss issues and experiences of intercultural music teaching together with their colleagues and students. According to Miettinen, intercultural competence in music teacher programs should be examined from a more holistic and critical perspective.

"It is increasingly more important to be engaged in the issues of interculturality and cultural diversity and the development of related skills in developing music teacher educators' and future music teachers' professional development, their programs or even whole institutions amidst the challenges of an ever-changing global cultural climate," Miettinen concludes.

Miettinen's dissertation is part of the "Global Visions Through Mobilizing Networks" research project, and its results have been reported in two articles published in academic peer-reviewed journals and in three peer-reviewed book chapters.

Explore further Music teachers share their unique perspective on music education in America

Provided by University of the Arts Helsinki
Yesterday at 7:00 a.m., 1,150 dockers at the Port of Montreal launched an indefinite strike. Underscoring that the workers struggle is above all a political fight, the federal Liberal government led by Justin Trudeau is rushing to pass antidemocratic strikebreaking legislation little more than a day after the job action began.

Without a contract since December 2018, the Montreal dockworkers are waging a determined fight against the Maritime Employers Associations (MEA) attempts to impose regressive changes to their working conditions.

Port of Montreal workers during their strike last August.

Siding with the employer, Canadas Minister of Labour Filomena Tassi filed notice on parliaments legislative agenda last Friday of the governments intention to introduce a back-to-work bill, setting the stage for its adoption as early as this morning.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 375, of which the dockers are members, has already made clear that it intends to capitulate to the back-to-work legislation, as every trade union across Canada has done for decades.

At a press conference held on April 24 announcing the deadline for the impending strike, CUPE Local 375 President Michel Murray pledged to call it off immediately if the MEA lifted its latest unilateral changes to dockers working conditions, while reiterating that the unions priority was to be at the bargaining table.

Then on Monday, Murray all but announced the unions intention to bow subserviently to the Trudeau governments back-to-work law, saying, I have no hope there will be a resolution today. The employer will just sit on their hands and wait to see the content of Minister Tassis special legislation. The government has completely unbalanced the relations between the two parties. They resorted to the atomic bomb.

Despite voting three times in favor of strike action since their contract expired at the end of 2018, the Montreal longshore workers were prevented by reactionary labour laws and stalling on the part of the CUPE leadership from striking until July 2020, when a limited strike action took place. The following month an all-out strike was launched. It was sabotaged by the union after only 12 days but not before demonstrating the enormous social power of the dockworkers.

The strike, which brought operations to a complete halt at Canadas second largest port which handles about $100 billion in cargo each year, cost wholesalers $600 million, according to the employers associations. CUPE, however, was quick to put an end to it and to conclude a seven-month truce with management during which no job action was allowed.

On March 21, 2021, the same day that this truce ended, the Port of Montreal workers rejected a concessions-laden contract offer by an overwhelming majority of 99.7 percent. In response, the MEA stepped up its provocations and attacks, as well as calls for Ottawa to intervene and criminalize any strike by the dockworkers.

On March 29, the MEA bought an advertisement in all the major Montreal newspapers denouncing the generous conditions of dockworkers in an effort to turn public opinion, and especially other sections of the working class, against them.

On April 10, it announced a partial lockout by suspending guaranteed-income contract clauses and withholding payment for unworked time.

Then, on April 22, the MEA announced that it would change work schedules effective April 26, eliminating shifts and replacing them with a continuous work schedule.

CUPE responded to these provocations with a few token protest measures. Following the April 10 partial lockout and several days of further negotiations in the presence of federal mediators, Murray said he was confident that an agreement could be reached. We still believe in bargaining and look forward to a return to the table, the CUPE leader insisted, even as management was intensifying its vicious attacks on workers and pleading for federal government intervention.

CUPE then sent out a partial strike notice affecting overtime and weekend work, while reassuring the business community that it would be harmless and toothless. We are putting pressure on the employer without disturbing the customers who are waiting for their goods, the union insisted. It went on to praise the MEA for the fact that for the first time in seven months, the employer has actually negotiated.

These pathetic appeals to the employer were a continuation of the unions attempts to isolate and demobilize the dockworkers since the beginning of the long conflict.

What the CUPE bureaucrats fear, above all, is that the resistance of the Port of Montreal workers could become the spark of a broader working class movement in opposition to the big business assault on jobs and working conditions and the entire agenda of capitalist austerity.

This is why they are doing everything they can to contain the Montreal port workers militant struggle within the framework of the Canada Labour Code and standard collective bargaining practices. This legal regime favors the employers and subordinates the actions of workers to a series of rules and technicalities aimed at keeping them isolated and in a straitjacket.

The ruling class is presenting a united front against the dockworkers. Business associations, the mainstream media and capitalist politicians of all stripes have publicly denounced the economic consequences of the strikethat is, its impact on profitsand demanded the intervention of Justin Trudeaus federal government. The latest example came Monday in a joint letter signed by Quebec Premier Francois Legault and Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

On April 13, the Montreal Port Authority issued an open letter denouncing the effects of the dispute on thousands of importers and exporters. While paying lip service to negotiations, the letter, with its references to essential and priority services and strategic infrastructure, was a clear call for strikebreaking legislation.

On the same day, a coalition of business groups, including Montreals Board of Trade, the Quebec Employers Federation and Quebec Manufacturers & Exporters Association, held a press conference to denounce the unions limited job action. One of its main demands was that the federal Minister of Labour act with firmness and demand an immediate return to normal activities.

Ottawa has repeatedly signaled that it is prepared to outlaw a dockers strike. Soon after workers massively rejected the employers offer on March 21, the influential, Liberal-aligned Montreal daily La presse reported that back-to-work legislation had been presented to Trudeau and discussed by his cabinet. With the notice tabled on Friday by Labour Minister Tassi, there is no doubt that the Liberal government is preparing to criminalize the dockworkers struggle.

In this, it will enjoy the full support of the other big business parties in the House of Commonsnot only the Conservatives and the Bloc Quebecois, but also the social democratic NDP, whose nominal opposition to strikebreaking legislation is a form of political theater, given its repeated commitments to prop up the minority Liberal government.

The Trudeau governments intervention on behalf of the employer to help enforce its concession demands underscores that the struggle faced by dockers is above all political. A fight for even their most immediate demands, including manageable work schedules, no speedup, and the ending of oppressive workplace discipline regimes, immediately pits the dockers against the entire ruling elite and its state institutions.

But the struggle waged by the dockers has an even more powerful ally: the working class throughout Montreal, across Canada and internationally. The mobilization of its full social power in a political struggle against the class war agenda of big business and its governments is the only way that the dockers can prevail.

The first step in fighting for this program should be the formation by dockers of a rank-and-file strike committee to take control of their struggle out of the hands of the procapitalist union apparatus.

This strike committee must begin immediate preparations to defy any back-to-work law. This requires making the strongest appeal to all workers, whether in industry or public sector, who are likewise facing an all-out assault on their working conditions and social rights. Only by broadening the struggle and making it a working class political struggle can the strikers resist the Trudeau governments draconian back-to-work legislation and secure their just demands.

Dockworkers at the Port of Montreal must turn to their class brothers and sisters across Canada and internationally, including at the Port of Los Angeles where truck drivers recently entered into struggle.

Only in this way can their struggle become the spearhead of a counteroffensive by the entire working class against capitalist austerity, the homicidal back-to-work drive of the ruling elite in the midst of a raging pandemic and its criminalization of workers strikes.

We encourage all dockworkers who agree with this program to make plans to attend this Saturdays online May Day rally held by the International Committee of the Fourth International. It will discuss a strategy for workers to unify their struggles around the world through building the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees.
[April 27, 2021] Horizon Bancorp, Inc. Releases 1st Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights, Including Deposit Growth of 53.09% and Earnings Per Share Growth of 57.97% Year-Over-Year

Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (OTC Pink: HRRB), the holding company for Horizon Community Bank, announced growth in total deposits of 53.09% for the 12-month period ended March 31, 2021. Growth in total loans of 13.14% for the 12-month period ended March 31, 2021. Net income for the quarter was $1,339,281 and $4,489,560 for 12 months ended March 31, 2021. Linked quarterly net income is up 17.56%. Quarterly earnings per share were $0.32, up 14.29% from the prior quarter. March 31, 2021 highlights include: 57.67% 12-month net income growth

53.09% 12-month deposit growth

96.67% 12-month noninterest deposit growth

51.57% 12-month total asset growth

13.14% 12-month loan growth "We now have substantiated evidence supporting the resilience of our local and regional economies as the recovery continues. Life is normalizing but far from normal. Our confidence in credit quality and culture is strong and is manifested in numerous credit quality metrics. The CARES Act associated market liquidity is a phenomenon we have never experienced, and it creates challenges to smart growth. We now see demand for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) decrease substantially, and we know our team did a fantastic job in providing a financial lifeline to the community," stated Horizon Bancorp's President and CEO, Ralph Tapscott. Loan interest income is up substantially and it is influenced by PPP participation. Linked quarter interest income is up 8.80%. The bank has significantly improved its cost of funds, both in absolute and relative terms. The resulting net interest margin declined 28 basis points, to 3.58%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The bank's operating model has both a mortgage and government lending component. This helps enhance noninterest income, but there are offsetting noninterest expense components. Linked quarter noninterest income decreased 13.29%, to $906,903, on March 31, 2021. Quarterly noninterest expense reflects an 11.32% reduction, to $3,320,322, on March 31, 2021. The resulting change in linked quarter net income was an increase of 17.56%, to $1,339,281, on March 31, 2021. Return on average assets and return on average equity improved for the quarter to 1.07% and 15.65%, respectively. Total loans outstanding declined by $10,382,752, to $282,836,810, for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. Conversely, deposits grew by $62,299,805, to $476,187,271, for this same period. Credit quality metrics are shown in the following table, and reflect improvements quarter over quarter and year over year in nonaccrual loans and nonperforming assets. The bank maintains an ample allowance for loan and lease loss at 1.51% of total outstanding loans, and this is inclusive of PPP. The bank is fortunate to have a strong core deposit base, and 37.80% of total deposits are noninterest deposits and the one-year growth has been 96.67%.







03/31/21 12/31/2020 03/31/2020 30+ Days Delinquent / Loans 0.00% 0.15% 0.91% Non-Accrual Loans / Loans 0.31% 0.39% 0.45% Other Real Estate Owned $904,657 $1,226,312 $1,468,292 Net Charge Offs/Loans -0.01% -0.01% 0.01% ALLL/Loans 1.51%(1) 1.43% 1.43% (1) ALLL/Loans excluding PPP loans outstanding is 1.78%

The Bank remains well capitalized under regulatory guidelines. The Bank's regulatory capital ratios are further addressed in the following table - 03/31/2021 12/31/2020 03/31/2020 Tier 1 Leverage Ratio 8.15% 8.38% 8.84% Tier 1 Common Equity Ratio 14.39% 13.74% 11.58% Tier 1 Capital Ratio 14.39% 13.74% 11.58% Total Capital Ratio 15.64% 14.99% 12.83% "Pandemic concerns and CARES Act influence are expected to reduce and the economies are expected to further rebound. We expect deposit growth to slow or normalize, credit quality metrics to remain stable, and new credit production to ramp up over the remainder of 2021," stated Tapscott. About the Company Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (OTC: HRRB), the holding company for Horizon Community Bank has $538 million in total assets as of March 31, 2021 and is headquartered in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. It owns, as its sole subsidiary, Horizon Community Bank, a locally owned and operated bank with branches in Fort Mohave, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Phoenix Metro, Parker and Quartzsite, Arizona, plus loan offices in Goodyear and Phoenix, Arizona. The Bank has 92 employees that provide high-touch, customized financial services to largely small business and commercial clients. The Bank operates a mortgage operation and is a leader in government guaranteed lending. Consumer services are also offered in the communities the bank serves. FDIC insured. Learn more at http://www.horizoncommunitybank.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release may include forward-looking statements about Horizon Bancorp, Inc. and Horizon Community Bank. These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following factors: Annualized, proforma and projected or estimated numbers in this release are illustrative only, are not forecasts and may not reflect actual results. All forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time of this release, and Horizon Bancorp, Inc. and Horizon Community Bank assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Unaudited Financial Information follows. Horizon Bancorp, Inc. Financial Information - Unaudited In thousands - except per share data For the Quarter Ended Trailing 12 months Ended Year-End 3/31/21 3/31/20 3/31/21 3/31/20 12/31/20 Summary Income Data: Interest Income $ 4,563 $ 4,194 $ 18,010 $ 16,995 $ 17,641 Interest Expense 301 744 1,629 3,310 2,072 Net Interest Income 4,262 3,450 16,381 13,685 15,569 Provision for loans losses 75 135 870 566 930 Non-interest Income 907 934 4,003 4,241 4,030 Non-interest expense 3,320 3,446 13,778 13,716 13,904 Income (loss) before income taxes 1,773 803 5,735 3,644 4,766 Provision (benefit) for income taxes 434 183 1,246 797 995 Net Income $ 1,339 $ 620 $ 4,489 $ 2,847 $ 3,770 Per Share Data: Shares outstanding end-of-period 4,131 4,131 4,131 4,131 4131 Earnings per common share $ 0.32 $ 0.15 $ 1.09 $ 0.69 $ 0.91 Total shareholder's equity $ 33,294 $ 30,565 $ 33,294 $ 30,565 $ 33,760 Book Value per share $ 8.06 $ 7.40 $ 8.06 $ 7.40 $ 8.17 Selected Balance Sheet Data: Total assets $ 538,149 $ 355,058 $ 538,149 $ 355,058 $ 475,720 Securities available-for-sale 120,332 28,469 120,332 28,469 103,558 Loans 282,837 249,985 282,837 249,985 293,220 Allowance for loan losses 4,264 3,569 4,264 3,569 4,179 Deposits 476,187 311,060 476,187 311,060 413,888 Other borrowings 15,924 8,479 15,924 8,479 15,615 Shareholder's Equity 33,294 30,565 33,294 30,565 33,760 Performance Ratios: Return on average assets (annualized) (%) 1.07 % 0.71 % 0.96 % 0.84 % 0.88 % Return on average shareholder's equity (annualized) (%) 15.65 % 8.38 % 13.81 % 10.04 % 12.03 % Shareholder's equity to assets (%) 6.19 % 8.61 % 6.19 % 8.61 % 7.10 % Net interest margin (%) 3.58 % 4.24 % 3.95 % 4.45 % 3.86 % Cost of funds 0.25 % 0.91 % 0.39 % 1.08 % 0.51 % Average assets $ 501,179 $ 349,563 $ 465,525 $ 338,481 $ 427,840 Efficiency ratio (%) 64.24 % 78.60 % 67.59 % 76.51 % 70.94 % Asset Quality Data: Nonaccrual loans $ 889 $ 1,122 $ 889 $ 1,122 $ 1,130 Troubled debt restructurings $ 1,577 $ 1,662 $ 1,577 $ 1,662 $ 1,593 Other real estate $ 905 $ 1,468 $ 905 $ 1,468 $ 1,226 Nonperforming assets $ 1,794 $ 2,590 $ 1,794 $ 2,590 $ 2,356 Nonperforming assets to total assets (%) 0.33 % 0.73 % 0.33 % 0.73 % 0.50 % Nonperforming loans to total loans (%) 0.31 % 0.45 % 0.31 % 0.45 % 0.39 % Reserve for loan losses to total loans (%) 1.51 % 1.43 % 1.51 % 1.43 % 1.43 % Reserve for loan losses to nonperforming loans (%) 479.63 % 318.09 % 479.63 % 318.09 % 369.82 % Reserve for loan losses to nonperforming assets (%) 237.67 % 137.80 % 237.67 % 137.80 % 177.38 % Net charge-offs for period (10 ) 35 175 45 220 Average Loans $ 287,594 $ 250,935 $ 299,741 $ 241,418 $ 290,674 Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans (%) -0.01 % 0.01 % 0.06 % 0.02 % 0.08 % CARES Act - Temporary loan payment relief (#) 0 n/a 0 n/a 0 CARES Act - Temporary loan payment relief ($) $ 0 n/a $ 0 n/a 0 Regulatory Capital Ratios Horizon Community Bank: Tier 1 leverage ratio (%) 8.15 % 8.84 % 8.15 % 8.84 % 8.38 % Common Equity Tier 1 ratio (%) 14.39 % 11.58 % 14.39 % 11.58 % 13.74 % Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (%) 14.39 % 11.58 % 14.39 % 11.58 % 13.74 % Total risk-based capital ratio (%) 15.64 % 12.83 % 15.64 % 12.83 % 14.99 % View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427006005/en/

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SPRINGDALE, Ohio  An Ohio police officer is being praised after he went to a store and used his own money to purchase items for a baby whose mother had been arrested on drug charges.

In a Facebook post, Springdale Police Chief Thomas Wells wrote that the unidentified woman was arrested on multiple drug charges. The womans child reportedly was without clothing and was hungry, Wells wrote.

Officer Kellen Lyons went to a store and purchased diapers, milk, wipes and other items for the baby.

Our second shift supervisor, Corporal Kellen Lyons, to the rescue, Wells wrote. This is what police do every day, stepping up and making a difference.

Springdale is a suburb of Cincinnati.

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ROCHESTER, Minn. - Project Legacy is currently supporting 33 Rochester first-generation BIPOC college students. The pandemic has hit these students hard, and many have yet to fully financially recover.

To help support them, Mayo Clinic's E-merging leaders are coordinating a Needs Drive.

The drive is for necessities, everything from shelf-stable food, to hygiene items, to clothing. You can drop off your items at People's Food Co-op, Hy-Vee Barlow Plaza, Crossfit Credence, Crossfit Detour, Dick Thomsen's State Farm Insurance, Gamez and More, and Tilson's Auto Repair.

"Since the beginning of the pandemic, a lot of our young people have experienced job layoffs, and its affected their ability to be able to provide for themselves with rental assistance, they've experienced food scarcity," explains Project Legacy executive director Karen Edmonds.

Rochester Community and Technical College student Joshua Orugboh is being supported by Project Legacy. He's headed to Concordia University in the fall. When he first came to RCTC, his family in London and Nigeria were helping him financially, but they were laid off during the pandemic. Donation drives like this one help him stay focused on school and not fretting over necessities. "Recently actually my car got fixed and I had a moment of clarity. It made me realize how much I was worrying about different necessities that I needed. Having that weight lifted off my shoulders, I felt like I could focus on school, different things, working out, and having fun a little bit," he says.

The drive ends May 1st.
Pressure is mounting on the Berejiklian government to make good on its promise to extinguish fossil fuel extraction rights on the rich farmlands of the Liverpool Plains with two bills set to go before the NSW upper house.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro last week told farmers at Breeza, south of Gunnedah, that the government would follow up its $100 million buyout of plans for an open-cut coal mine by Chinas Shenhua Corporation with purchases of petroleum exploration licences (PELs) held by Santos.

Andrew Pursehouse, a farmer on the Liverpool Plains, says the recent buyout of Shenhuas coal mining licence should be extended to coal seam gas exploration licences for the region. Credit:Dean Sewell

Independent MP Justin Field said he would bring forward debate on legislation introduced last year that would extinguish not only the two main PELs held by Santos over the Liverpool Plains but also 10 others that have expired in a region stretching from Scone in the Upper Hunter to the Queensland border.

A second bill, being prepared by Greens MP Cate Faehrmann, would ban all coal and gas mining and exploration in the Liverpool Plains, include the Vickery coal mine extension projects.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 28)  A survey by the Social Weather Stations revealed that 38% of Filipinos consider themselves very religious.

Based on the poll conducted in November 2020, 50% of the respondents said they are moderately religious, 10% slightly religious and 2% not religious at all.

By religion, the percentage is highest among members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (56%), followed by other Christian denominations (46%), Muslims (44%), and Catholics (36%).

While Christians celebrate the Easter season, Muslims are currently observing Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for its members.

Despite this, latest figures are actually lower compared to the survey conducted in June 2016, the last time SWS conducted a poll on religiosity.

Overall, the June 2016 survey found 40% of Filipino adults rating themselves as very religious, 54% moderately religious, and 5% not very religious. None of the respondents then rated themselves as not religious at all, it said.

More members of the Iglesia ni Cristo also rated themselves as very religious during the said period at 66%, followed by Muslims (62%), other Christian denominations (43%), and Catholics (37%).

By area, religiosity is highest in Visayas at 45%, followed by Mindanao with 38%, Balance Luzon with 37%, and Metro Manila with 32%.

In terms of education level, 45% of those who said they are very religious were college graduates, 42% were non-elementary graduates, 38% were elementary graduates, and 35% were junior high school graduates.

The survey also said that frequency of praying rises with religiosity.

Among Muslims, praying the Salah at least a few times a day is high among those who are very religious (89%), while 81% who do such are moderately religious, and 35% consider themselves slightly religious.

For non-Muslims, 70% of those very religious pray at least once a day, 67% for somewhat religious and 64% for slightly religious.

The survey was conducted from November 21 to 25 through face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults nationwide. It had sampling error margins of 2.5% for national percentages, 4% for Balance Luzon, and 6% for Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
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This is additionally frustrating because Karlis one world anti-nationalist rhetoric has become glaringly relevant in this our non-Marvel, non-cinematic universe as vaccine nationalism threatens the world in a very potent way. So-called developed countries are hoarding vaccines, and pharmaceutical companies refuse to waive their intellectual property monopolies over effective vaccines, while much of the rest of the world continues to suffer, leading to catastrophic emergencies in countries such as India. Some countries could be waiting years for vaccines -- which is inherently awful but could also backfire, leading to more viral mutations that will ultimately undo those initial inoculation efforts.

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And while Karlis ethos continues to be vindicated in real life, were asked to accept an ending in which Sams West Wing-esque lecture somehow solves this global refugee crisis. Really? Part of the problem is that these Disney+ shows ultimately feel like stop-gaps between movies. And this show, for all of its admirable moral and political inquisitiveness, was really just a bridge to the recently announced fourth Captain America movie -- not to mention an overture to a slew of collectible merchandise and a new Sam Wilson Captain America character at Disneyland. So maybe the real solution to all of these destructive government policies is just to buy more crap while waiting for Loki to come out.

You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter! And check out the podcast Rewatchability.

Top Image: Marvel Studios
NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernstein Liebhard, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Romeo Power, Inc. ("RMO" or the "Company") (NYSE: RMO) from October 5, 2020, through March 30, 2021 (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If you purchased RMO securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit RMO Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Joseph R. Seidman toll free at (877) 779-1414 or [email protected]

The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose to investors that: (i) Romeo Power only had two battery cell suppliers, not four; (ii) the future potential risks that defendants warned of concerning supply disruption or shortage had already occurred and were already negatively affecting the Company's business, operations, and business prospects; (iii) Romeo Power did not have the battery cell inventory to accommodate end-user demand and ramp up production in 2021; (iv) Romeo Power's supply constraint was a material hindrance to Romeo Power' revenue growth; (v) Romeo Power's supply line for battery cells was at risk and beholden to only to battery cell suppliers and the spot market for their 2021 inventory; and (vi) as a result, Defendants' positive statements about the Company were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.

On this news, the Company's stock price fell $2.04 per share, or 19.7%, to close at $8.33 per share on March 31, 2021, thereby injuring investors.

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than June 15, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.

If you purchased RMO securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit https://www.bernlieb.com/cases/romeopowerinc-rmo-shareholder-class-action-lawsuit-fraud-stock-394/or contact Joseph R. Seidman toll free at (877) 779-1414 or [email protected]

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2021 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Michael S. Bigin. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information

Joseph R. Seidman

Bernstein Liebhard LLP

https://www.bernlieb.com

(877) 779-1414

[email protected]

SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- oneZero, a global leader in multi-asset enterprise trading technology solutions, today announced three new post-trade Regulatory Vendors with direct access to oneZero's Data Source data.

IHS Markit, TRAction and Tradefora today join other vendors already on the platform, including the previously announced partnerships with EMIREP, SteelEye and Point Nine. The news provides clients with more options for integrating with a vendor that best fits their regulating needs  which can mean using multiple vendors across jurisdictions at the same time.

Data Source is an agnostic cloud-based business intelligence toolkit, which unlocks clients' trade, quote and quote derivative data in Data Source DNA, and turns it into meaningful business intelligence and opportunity analytics in Data Source Insights. Partner vendors in oneZero's EcoSystem may access the same underlying neutral data from Data Source seamlessly, with no additional effort made by brokers.

oneZero CEO Andrew Ralich commented: "oneZero's mission is to give our customers greater control throughout the entire trading lifecycle. By offering the widest-possible offering of post-trade Regulatory Vendors, we are giving customers the ability to seamlessly integrate with the vendor of their choice  no matter how their business changes or evolves to market conditions."

"At IHS Markit, we aim to simplify and ease regulatory reporting using our single platform for multiple jurisdictions. Our clients will continue to enjoy a seamless, albeit enhanced integration between our two platforms. The integration with the oneZero EcoSystem will allow oneZero clients to use our best-of-breed services with no technical integration effort on their side," said Ronen Kertis, Head of Global Regulatory Reporting at IHS Markit.

"TRAction is committed to the provision of seamless and simple regulatory reporting services, hence our decision to partner with oneZero. This partnership has expanded our access and reach to oneZero's growing customer base, allowing oneZero clients to easily comply with their EMIR, MiFIR, Best Execution, ASIC, MAS and other reporting obligations via TRAction's end-to-end reporting solutions," commented Quinn Perrott, co-CEO, TRAction Fintech.

Pavel Khizhnyak, Co-Founder/CEO, Tradefora commented, "The right regulatory partner can significantly lower the burden of compliance. We are thrilled to be partnering with oneZero today. We build all our products around the concept of Best Execution, which can't be done without the ease of access to the underlying data. Integration with oneZero Data Source greatly reduces the integration costs and deployment time of Tradefora's solutions for oneZero customers."

About oneZero

oneZero Financial Systems has been a leading innovator in multi-asset class trading technology for over a decade. Its powerful software encompasses the Hub, EcoSystem and Data Source - three components that separately solve specific organizational challenges and together provide a complete solution for trading technology, distribution and analytics. Through reliable connectivity, technology, infrastructure and market access, oneZero empowers financial institutions and brokers to compete effectively in the global financial markets through a globally compliant, liquidity-neutral solution.

For more information, please contact:

Talia Geberovich

Head of Marketing and Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE oneZero Financial Systems

Related Links

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[April 27, 2021] Instreamatic Raises $6.1 Million Series A to Scale Interactive Voice Advertising

PALO ALTO, Calif., April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Instreamatic , providing an end-to-end voice AI platform for managing, measuring and monetizing conversations between brand and consumer, today announced it has raised $6.1 million in Series A funding. Progress Ventures led the round, joined by Accomplice and Google Assistant Investments . The funding enables Instreamatic to quickly scale its technical and business staff; expand the capabilities of its voice AI conversational-dialogue infrastructure; and pursue more global partnerships with brands, audio and video content publishers, advertising platforms, and application developers.

The future of advertising on audio and video platforms is in two-way brand-consumer engagement, said Stas Tushinskiy, CEO, Instreamatic. Its clear that the traditional one-way model is broken. Consumers dont like being fed annoyingly repetitive ads. Brands are under ever-increasing pressure to make those moments meaningful while supporting strong ROI demands. On the publisher side, audio and video platforms need a better way to prove their audiences and ad inventory deliver their promise to brands. Our voice AI infrastructure, deployed by brands such as IKEA, Infiniti, and HP and across platforms like Pandora and Gaana, is empirically demonstrating that conversational marketing benefits brands, consumers, and publishers alike. We enable the brand-consumer conversation. Voice ads by Instreamatic have averaged a 12% voice engagement rate, with some campaigns reaching 19%. Instreamatics unique voice AI infrastructure enables brands to deliver verbal calls-to-action as part of their audio and video ad creative. Speaking aloud, consumers can respond to ads with a single-word or a short dialogue response to continue a two-way interaction or to quickly return to their content. Instreamatics AI capabilitiesunderstand the intent and tone of consumers natural and conversational responses to take the appropriate next action.



Importantly, Instreamatics technology enables continuous dialogues based on an individual consumers previous interactions with that brand. This enables brands to customize future voice engagement to individuals knowing exactly where that consumer is in the buyer lifecycle, and not waste budget on disinterested consumers with repetitive ad impressions. Voice ad campaigns pioneered by major brands have demonstrated the power of these brief interactive ads to engage listeners in brand experiences they find both likeable and memorable. Instreamatic continues to sign publisher and partner agreements that expand the reach of its unique technology. In addition to audio content platforms and networks such as Pandora, Salem Media, and Gaana, Instreamatics recent deal with Universal Electronics expands voice ads into the smart-TV industry.

Consumer demand for audio and video content, and the ubiquity of smart devices delivering that content on-demand, continues to accelerate, said Nick MacShane, the Founding Partner at Progress Ventures , the venture capital arm of Progress Partners, a full-service merchant bank. What hasnt caught up is how brands and publishers can effectively engage those audiences in the same medium and analytically prove the ROI of their audio and video platform ad spend. Were proud to help Instreamatic build value for the digital future, proving that its model is a solution for advertisers, publishers, and consumers who clearly prefer natural voice-driven interactions. About Instreamatic Instreamatic is a voice AI infrastructure for media, enabling real-time voice conversations between brands and consumers across multiple media verticals. The company provides an end-to-end solution for managing, measuring, and monetizing voice-enabled audio and video advertising, including a programmatic ad exchange for assisting clients with advertising sales. People can speak with ads and the ads can talk back in an intelligent and adaptive way, connecting and engaging brands with the customers that love them. Founded in 2015, Instreamatic is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Please visit instreamatic.com for more information. About Progress Ventures Progress Ventures is the venture capital arm of Progress Partners, a full-service merchant bank specializing in the advertising, marketing, and media technology sectors. As a sector specialist fund, Progress Ventures is building value for the digital future by investing in B2B companies focused on disruptive technologies. With decades of experience and an extensive relationship network the firm intimately understands the nuanced market dynamics and the innovative players who are propelling the industry forward. Bold partners with a future vision for the sector, the firm takes a proactive approach to sourcing opportunities and working with entrepreneurial leaders on the cutting edge of advertising, marketing, and media technology. Please visit www.progressventures.com for more information. About the Google Assistant investment program Launched in 2018, the Google Assistant investment program supports early stage companies that are moving the voice and assistance ecosystem forward across a diverse range of fields, from travel to games. The program provides access to Google engineers, product managers, and design experts to share technical guidance and product development feedback, as well as features and tools so startups can bring their products to market as quickly as possible.

Instreamatic Contact Kyle Peterson kyle@clementpeterson.com

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[April 27, 2021] Issuetrak Unveils All-New Menu and Navigation Layout In Largest Update Yet

NORFOLK, Va., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Virginia-based issue tracking software developer Issuetrak has just released a major navigation update, overhauling the product's menus and delivering a new look and feel to its UI. The release's big changes include an updated left menu, streamlined to include a static list of main navigation options, and a right "context" menu that provides options based on which page the user has navigated to within the product. Both menus can be collapsed to expand the page in view, though users can still access menu links through icons while in this collapsed mode. Other new features include a "New Issue" button, allowing users to easily create an issue from anywhere in the product, and a more intuitive, lightboxed settings menu to allow users to reference the software's settings and capabilities at any time. A new bookmarking capability, providing quick and customizable links to a user's preferred pages within the product, has also been added. "We've taken great care to review just about all of the actions a user can take within Issuetrak," said CEO Dan Flowers. "We paid close attention to clearly showing how features relate to each other in context; we also ensured that users can access whichever features or pages in the product are most essential to them in a matter of a click." The Issuetrak development team spent months refining the new navigation features and preparing them for release, incorporating suggestions from customers and employees who work closely with the prodct. Prior to the update, the team met directly with customers in user groups to gather direct feedback, discuss any issues, and ensure that the changes would be beneficial.



"A lot of research, design, care, and testing went into improving the user experience with this release," said Jon Rivera, Issuetrak's Director of Product Management. Issuetrak has been ramping up its release frequency with the goal of putting out new updates once every thirty days. In the last year, the team has worked hard to transform the product with powerful features including new integrations for ADFS and Azure, powerful visibility and control of issues with Issue Hub, and the latest transformation with Issuetrak 14's new UI.

Visit Issuetrak's website for a more detailed rundown of the features included in Issuetrak 14, as well as a look at some of the other recent updates to the software: https://www.issuetrak.com/whats-new Based in Norfolk, Va., Issuetrak is a leading provider of issue tracking software. First released in 2000, its signature software package has become a robust platform for internal and external customer service and support, IT help desk, workflow and process management, and issue tracking. The company has won numerous industry awards, including Small Business of the Year, multiple Inc. 500/5000 placements, and is a three-time winner of the Inside Business 'Best Place to Work' awards. The company is a Microsoft Gold Partner. For more information, visit www.issuetrak.com. For Press Inquiries, contact Taylor Ross at press@issuetrak.com

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Hyderabad, April 27 : Cyberabad police and the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) on Tuesday launched Covid tele-medicine consultation call centre facility for citizens of Hyderabad.

People who tested positive for Covid can call this centre for free advice and guidance on treatment, precautions, and vaccination.

Cyberabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said since the medical and healthcare system in Hyderabad and Telangana is highly stressed, Cyberabad police and SCSC felt there is need to bridge the gap and decided to launch this through its healthcare vertical led by Dr Rajeev Menon.

"With launch of this new call centre, we will be able to address the immediate and basic needs of Covid-related queries for citizens, thereby ironing out majority of their concerns and panic," he said.

Menon thanked all the volunteering doctors from Continental Hospitals, Sunshine Hospitals, Citizens Hospitals, Medicover Hospitals, SLG Hospitals & AIG Hospitals for participating in this unique initiative.

According to SCSC Secretary General Krishna Yedula, any citizen who is symptomatic or asymptomatic but tested positive and requires free advice on mild Covid symptoms, guidance on treatment & monitoring, precautions, vaccination and assessing need for hospital admission, may call 918045811138 for help.

This is yet another innovative facility launched by Cyberabad police and SCSC who come up with unique programmes to help citizens of Hyderabad. They recently launched a free ambulance service.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Bachelor's Snezana Wood has faced criticism for posting raunchy swimsuit-clad photos on Instagram while complaining of her 'cellulite'.

Several followers took issue with the mother of three, 40, saying she had 'orange peel thighs' when in fact she had hardly any visible imperfections.

The images posted on April 6 showed Snezana sitting on a striped towel alongside a body-positive caption about 'owning' your flaws - but fans weren't buying it.

'Get REAL!!!' The Bachelor's Snezana Wood has faced criticism from fans for posting raunchy swimsuit-clad photos on Instagram while complaining of her 'cellulite'

'Really, you know you look good!! Get REAL!!!' one follower wrote, clearly frustrated by Snezana's message.

'Orange peel thighs???? As if,' another commented, while a third wrote: 'Wait! I need my magnifying glass!'

A fourth added: 'Everyone squinting to see the cellulite... sorry but can't find it.'

'Wait! I need my magnifying glass!' Several followers took issue with the mother of three, 40, saying she had 'orange peel thighs' when in fact she had hardly any visible imperfections

The reality star had angered fans by sharing the gallery of photos earlier this month with an accompanying reference to her 'stripes'.

'Stripes on stripes, orange peel thighs, frankly, I don't give a damn,' she wrote, before urging women to 'own' their 'cellulite' in the hashtags.

She didn't show her face in the sultry images, but wore her long brunette locks in a wavy style and completed her look with a wide-brimmed hat.

What cellulite? The images posted on April 6 showed Snezana sitting on a striped towel alongside a body-positive caption about 'owning' your flaws - but fans weren't buying it

Despite her caption about body acceptance, Snezana appeared to have hardly any cellulite on her legs at all as she lapped up the autumn sunshine.

The former Bachelor star and model is a doting mother to three daughters.

She shares Willow, three, and Charlie, two, with husband Sam Wood, and is also mother to 15-year-old Eve from a previous marriage.

Goodness! The former Bachelor star and model is a doting mother to three daughters

Recently, Snezana spoke out about family life on Today Extra - where she touched upon 'parent shaming' and how it can affect new mothers.

'Throughout my 15 years as a mother I have definitely experienced it,' she said.

'Every time you have a newborn you have so many people offering their advice or criticisms as to how you should be raising [him or her].'

Love story: Snezana is married to Sam Wood, whom she met on The Bachelor Australia in 2015
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen filed murder charges Tuesday against a man accused of killing a 24-year-old transgender woman he was in a relationship with.

Prosecutors charged Elijah Cruz Segura, a 22-year-old Union City resident, for allegedly stabbing Natalia Smut Lopez, a Black and Puerto Rican transgender woman from San Jose, to death in Milpitas, authorities said. Segura could face life in prison.

Our hearts go out to Natalias loved ones. We are committed to getting justice for our community against those who commit domestic violence and violence against transgender and non-binary people, Rosen said in a statement.

On April 23, Segura called 911 at 2:29 a.m. and reported Lopezs injuries and said he was responsible for them, police said. Authorities found Lopez lying on the ground with multiple stab wounds at a residence at the 1000 block of Hillview Court, the DAs office said. Segura had visible blood on both of his hands, the DAs office said, and was arrested and booked into Santa Clara County jail.

Lopez was taken to a local hospital, where she was declared dead.

More for you Crime Man arrested in killing of girlfriend in Milpitas, police...

Kiara Ohlde described Lopez, her best friend since childhood, as a caring and loving person.

Lopez really cared about people, even when we were younger, and she was always a performer and always been so talented, Ohlde, 23, told The Chronicle Tuesday.

A vigil was held Saturday at San Jose City Hall to honor Lopez. Qmunity District, the citys LGBTQ+ district, this week changed its lights to blue and pink  the colors of the trans flag  for 16 days until May 9 to honor Lopez and other transgender people who have been killed and to help draw awareness to this important issue.

Project MORE, a nonprofit that supports the LGBTQ+ community, described Lopez as a beloved drag artist and entertainer in the South Bay known for her motivating and creative spirit, captivating performances, and her love for advocacy within the community.

Lopez is the 16th victim killed from anti-transgender violence in the U.S. this year, according to the organization. The Human Rights Campaign, which has been tracking transgender homicides since 2013, reported 44 deaths in 2020, calling it the most violent year on record. Fatal violence against transgender people disproportinately affects Black and Latinx trans women, the HRC said.

The senseless violence against transgender and non-binary people in our communities must stop, and more protections and advocacy are needed. We encourage the community to check in with your queer family and friends to show your support and care for their well-being, the organization said in a blog post.

Ohlde created a GoFundMe campaign to help Lopezs family.

Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores
A number of local Councillors are worried that the running of Offaly's water and sewage system will become more centralised.

Mary Hussey of the environment section of Offaly County Council told the April meeting of Birr Municipal District that a service level agreement has been in place between Irish Water and the local authority since 2014 whereby Irish Water is in charge of the county's water and sewage services but it extensively uses the local knowledge and hardworking approach of the local authority's outdoor staff.

The councillors pointed out that many of them weren't happy back in 2014 when Irish Water took over the running of the area's water system. The understanding during the takeover was that the local authority water staff would continue in their role but under the umbrella of Irish Water.

Ms Hussey said the workers' union is currently in contact with Irish Water because it wants to ensure that the current service level agreement is continued into the future. The union wants to ensure that the agreement is not reneged upon.

The councillors said they are concerned that the level of engagement between the local authority and Irish Water in operation since 2014 will be discontinued, with a resultant loss of jobs and local knowledge.

Ms Hussey said that the Local Authority is under the understanding that The Government expects that Irish Water will integrate the day to day operation and delivery of water services into its own organisational structure on a phased basis. In preparation for this, the Government is asking all parties to engage through Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) structures to identify a Framework for the future delivery of water services by July 2021. This process will seek to agree an outcome that works for Irish Water, local authority staff and local authorities and supports the creation of a world class utility which delivers for the citizen.

Following collective agreement at the WRC, it is expected that Irish Water, working with local authorities and current water services workers, will then implement a phased plan for the integration of water services into Irish Water's structure, with implementation to be concluded in 2022.

The Government will bring forward amending legislation to provide that Irish Water is a publicly-owned, national, stand-alone regulated utility separate from the Ervia Group.

Offaly County Council are waiting for the outcome of the WRC talks to see what the implication will be for the Council.

Cllr Peter Ormond told the meeting that he has serious reservations about the proposal to transfer the day to day delivery of water services into the organisational structure of Irish Water. He said Irish Water already has a lot of power and he felt uneasy about ceding further power to the company. I think we councillors should oppose this.

Prior to 2014 water and wastewater services were provided completely by the local authorities. In what was effectively a centralisation process, the local authorities' control of these services was handed over to Irish Water, since which time the Councils' employees have continued to operate the services. There's now a fear that the involvement of local Council employees will be greatly reduced, if not phased out completely. It's hoped that the WRC negotiations will reach a satisfactory conclusion, easing the fears of the local authority employees.

Irish Water was mired in controversy from the get-go because it oversaw the hated water charges and their associated water metres. Tens of thousands took to the streets in what was referred to as the water rebellion. People remain wary of the public utility company.

Cllr John Carroll told the Birr MD meeting that he too has reservations about giving further control of the services to the public utility because it may end up that too much control is handed over. He hoped the outcome of the WRC talks will be positive.
A medical worker prepares to give a man his Covid-19 vaccine shot in Quang Nam Province, April 23, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Dac Thanh.

Authorities need to ensure greater access to Covid-19 vaccines through international collaboration, beef up control on immigration and large gatherings, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said.

Speaking at a government meeting on Covid prevention on Monday, he pointed to the high risk of a new outbreak in Vietnam and called on related ministries and other agencies to control borders and the immigration process.

Local governments need to persuade the public to wear masks at large gatherings, he said. Vietnamese people have been advised to avoid large gatherings as a Covid prevention measure, but explicit bans are only imposed in time of outbreaks.

Vietnam has secured around a million doses of vaccines made by British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca, either through contracts or global vaccine access mechanism Covax.

It has so far vaccinated around 260,000 people, mainly frontline workers.

It is also developing four Covid-19 vaccines that are in various stages of testing.

Nanogen recently finished the second phase of human trials of its Nanocovax, which has proved to be immunogenic in all volunteers.

The third phase is expected to begin on May 5.

Covivac by the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals is expected to finish its first phase of human trials on May 15 and begin the second in June.

The Health Ministry last month said local firms were in talks with companies in the U.S. and India for diversification of vaccine sources as Vietnam seeks to obtain a total 150 million doses this year to immunize 70 percent of its population.
By Wang Lei

After the US secured its dominant position in the world through two world wars, the following administrations have all made it their top strategic goal to maintain the hegemony position by eliminating threats from any realistic or potential rival.

These so-called threats have to be eliminated for two reasons. First, they endanger Americas position of strength and must be rooted up to make sure no country can surpass it, not even anywhere close. Second, they endanger the so-called American values and must be removed to keep the hegemonic order based on those values running.

To that end, hyping up various threats and manufacturing imaginary enemies has become an old trick played by American politicians to get domestic public support and rope in allies abroad.

The US is making up enemies to maintain its hegemony. After WWII, believing that the Soviet Union posed a threat to its position of strength and values, Washington, with George Frost Kennans long telegram as a starter, portrayed it as an enemy wildly pursuing expansionism, and launched a global front against it, drawing the line based on American ideology and interests.

After the end of the Cold War, the US, ecstatic about the end of history, attempted to create and cement a new world order where it was the only superpower, in which it rampantly spread American-style democracy, cracked down upon anyone who went against its will, and never hesitated to apply such coercive means as an economic sanction, international isolation, and military assault.

With the rise of many emerging countries in recent years, the US has turned its eyes on China and Russia. The US National Security Strategy issued in December 2017 during Trumps term and the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance released by the Biden administration in March this year both label the two countries as arch-rivals.

The US is making up enemies to hijack its allies. Worried about the EUs increasingly independent foreign policy over recent years, the US has tried to tie the union to its chariot through NATO by constantly exaggerating the military threats from Russia and demanding it increase the defense spending to lighten the burden on Americas shoulder and finance NATOs military operations. As to China, the US has wantonly imposed trade and technological sanctions on it in total disregard of international law and basic norms governing international relations and forced its allies and other countries to take sides.

The US is making up enemies to deflect domestic trouble. The US political circle has found itself overwhelmed with a fast-widening poor-rich gap, frequent occurrences of racial discrimination, and malfunction of democracy over recent years, which, combined with the rampaging COVID-19 pandemic, has taken a deadly toll on Americas international image. Confronted with this reality, some American politicians, instead of devoting themselves to working out a solution, have doubled up on propagandizing the so-called China threat. They have not only smeared China with unwarranted disinformation but also advocated a new Cold War against it, all to deflect the domestic trouble and unite the opposing parties at home on the common ground of hating and fighting China.

History and reality have witnessed the American routine of dealing with the enemies it has fabricated for itself. The first is smearing and demonizing. Many American politicians are good at using the democracy vs. authoritarianism pitch to put themselves on a false moral high ground. They are also good at using think tanks and NGOs to release seemingly impartial but actually biased statements and reports, going so far as to pay them off to concoct and spread lies blatantly.

The second is sanction and pressuring. The unilateral sanctions imposed by Washington on Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria have aggravated the humanitarian crisis in those countries.

The third is a change of regime. In Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, the US has supported and waged color revolutions from place to place, and a military attack is always an option on the table. Its worsened belligerence in recent years has subjected countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria to enduring and tremendous trauma of war, taking away the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians and leaving tens of millions homeless.

Its plain as day that the US, with the paranoid obsession with American values and egoistic pursuit for domination, by all means, has become the prime scourge of the current world. To maintain its hegemony, it either creates or flames up trouble or acts arbitrarily on the conceit of itself being the beacon of democracy, only to bring persistent turmoil and chaos to other countries. A growing number of people have come to realize that it is the US, the country that is making an enemy out of any country that doesnt follow its will or lead, that is the real enemy to peace and stability. Its Cold War mentality and hegemonistic behaviors that run counter to the trend of the times are bound to meet with rising objections and opposition.

(The author is from the Institute of World Political Studies, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR).)
Katrina Dunnett has become the third person to be eliminated from MasterChef.

On Tuesday, viewers bid farewell to the 25-year-old after she was tasked with cooking a bread dish by Italian chef Massimo Bottura during the show's Superstar Week - but her attempt didn't quite meet the mark.

Judge Andy Alan delivered the news, telling her: 'The texture of your pudding was wet, and we couldn't taste the bread because of the flavours of orange and raisins.

Goodbye! Katrina Dunnett has become the third person to be eliminated from MasterChef during Tuesday's tense episode

'I'm sorry you've missed the brief. That's why unfortunately you're going home.'

Speaking after her departure, Katrina said: 'MasterChef has been an incredible journey. It's completely different to cooking at home, and I've just learned so much from these people.

'It's absolutely inspired me to do more with my cooking, and I can't wait to take that on.'

Gone: On Tuesday, viewers bid farewell to the 25-year-old after she was tasked to cook a bread dish by renown Italian chef Massimo Bottura during the show's Superstars Week - but her attempt didn't quite meet the mark

Katrina had been in the bottom four alongside Pete Campbell, Tom Levick and Dan Dumbrell after their mac and cheese dishes were slated by the judges.

Prior to Katrina's departure, Trent Vu was the first contestant to be eliminated on Thursday night, while YoYo Yang was given the boot on Sunday.

This year's Superstar Week has so far hosted an international bevy of renown chefs, including Yotam Ottolenghi and Nigella Lawson, who have all appeared via video on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gone: Trent Vu (pictured) was the first contestant to be eliminated on Thursday

Over: YoYo Yang was given the boot on Sunday night's episode, after she failed to wow the judges after British chef Nigella Lawson tasked her with recreating her iconic toasted marshmallow and rhubarb cake from description alone

Last year Nigella and Heston Blumenthal were forced to miss out on their scheduled appearances due to coronavirus travel restrictions and border closures.

Gordon Ramsay, Curtis Stone and pregnant popstar Katy Perry were able to film separate segments before Australia shut its borders in early 2020.

MasterChef continues Wednesday at 7.30pm on Channel 10
WASHINGTON  For the second time in a month, vessels from Iran and the United States came dangerously close in the Persian Gulf on Monday night, the Navy said on Tuesday, escalating tensions between the two nations as their negotiators have resumed talks toward renewing the 2015 nuclear deal.

According to the U.S. Navys Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, three fast-attack craft from Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps sailed close to a Navy coastal patrol ship and a Coast Guard patrol boat as the two American vessels were patrolling international waters in the northern part of the Persian Gulf.

At about 8 p.m. local time Monday, the Iranian boats rapidly and repeatedly approached the American ships, the Firebolt and the Baranoff  at one point coming as close as 68 yards, according to a Navy statement.

The American crews issued multiple warnings via bridge-to-bridge radio and loudspeakers, but the Iranian vessels continued their close-range maneuvers, the Navy said. When the Firebolts crew fired warning shots, the Iranian vessels moved away to a safe distance from the U.S. vessels, the Navy said.
There's about to be something of a deluge of Lin-Manuel Miranda-related projects dropping over the coming months, and Sony has just added to the hype.

The company has revealed that animated film Vivo, featuring music written and performed by Miranda, will premiere on Netflix. While the release date is to be revealed, once upon a time the film had a theatrical release in early June, so hopefully we'll see it soon.

The piece is directed by Oscar nominee Kirk DeMicco with co-direction by Brandon Jeffords, and follows a kinkajou (honey-bear) voiced by Miranda, who plays music for crowds in Havana. Gloria Estefan also stars, with the screenplay by DeMicco and Quiara Alegria Hudes.

Speaking of Quiara Alegria Hudes, the writer has also penned the screenplay for the eagerly anticipated In the Heights, which is set to premiere in June. You can see reactions to the film, based on the award-winning musical of the same name, here.

Vivo isn't even the only new piece featuring Miranda's creative talents heading to Netflix  the film version of Jonathan Larson's Tick, Tick...Boom! will also premiere on the platform, with a cast led by Andrew Garfield. You can find out more here.

If that isn't enough, Miranda is also working on the tunes for the new live-action Little Mermaid film, while also premiering to reveal his own Disney animated piece, Encanto, set to land this autumn.
U.S. President Joe Biden's provocation, when he used the "Armenian genocide" term promoted by Armenian nationalists in relation to the tragic events in the Ottoman Empire in 1915, will not affect the military relationship between the United States and Turkey, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said.

"We dont anticipate any change in the military relationship with Turkey," Kirby told reporters on Monday.

The spokesperson stressed that Turkey remains a vital NATO ally and noted also that Bidens announcement will not impact joint operations in Syria.

Turkey, which traditionally rejects the assertions of genocide, has repeatedly warned the Biden administration that such a move by the United States would hurt bilateral relations, Eurasian Times reported.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Republican state legislative leaders are eying a vote next week that would ask voters in August to approve changes to Ohios system of redrawing its political maps before the new process has even been used.

A proposed state constitutional amendment from Senate President Matt Huffman, a Lima Republican, would allow lawmakers to set their own redistricting deadlines if U.S. Census data isnt available on time. Huffman on Tuesday described his proposal as a one-time response to the current delay in the completion of the Census.

However, Democrats and the voting rights groups that successfully pressured the legislature to change the redistricting process were leery, questioning whether the proposal was a way for Republicans to reduce transparency by announcing a proposed change just days before a crucial ballot deadline.

Normally, the Census data is released in April. But the Census Bureau earlier this year announced it would blow its own deadline, blaming the coronavirus pandemic, and the data now isnt expected until August or September. Republican State Attorney General Dave Yost tried to force the Census bureau to finish its work on time, but lost his lawsuit in March.

Ohios new redistricting process, approved by voters for statehouse districts in 2015 and congressional districts in 2018, is meant to fight partisan gerrymandering by requiring greater minority party support and limiting how lawmakers can split cities and counties. The changes could give Democrats more representation in the General Assembly, despite Ohios drift to the political right, by making it harder for Republicans to recreate their current maps, which have awarded them a disproportionately large share of legislative and congressional seats since they went into effect in 2012.

The first legal deadline for the states new redistricting process is on Sept. 1, when a redistricting commission of five Republicans and two Democrats can approve state legislative maps that are good for 10 years. If that commission doesnt approve maps with bipartisan support by Sept. 15, the commission can pass a plan without bipartisan approval, but with stricter rules, and the maps can only last for four years.

The first of a different set of deadlines for drawing the states congressional maps is on Sept. 30. The legal timeline also includes multiple required public hearings.

Huffman told reporters Tuesday that work on his new proposal began within the past few weeks, after his legislative staff observed that late Census data could rule out the deadlines to approve 10-year state legislative maps, which he said is in the interest of both parties.

Theres no magic here. Either we move the dates, or we have a four-year map, or we have the Supreme Court telling us to do something and we dont know what that is, Huffman said.

Changing the state Constitution requires approval from voters. The filing deadline for the Aug. 3 election, the next regularly scheduled election, is next Wednesday, May 5.

Placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot requires three-fifths of the Ohio House and Senate to vote in favor. Because of the partisan makeup of both chambers, that means Republicans could place the issue on the ballot without Democratic votes.

But Huffman said he believes any Democratic opposition could tank the measure. Ohio on Aug. 3 will hold two special elections  one to fill a Republican seat in Central Ohio, and another to fill a Democratic seat in the Cleveland area.

So, he said he doesnt want to propose the constitutional amendment without Democratic support.

If everybodys on board, this will pass. If Democrats do not support this, and theyre saying whatever negative thing that they would have to say about it, it will not pass. Im not going to go around the state and raise $2 million I mean, it would take millions to pass this, Huffman said.

Huffman said his proposal would only apply to the current redistricting process, not in the future. He said hed also like to consider changing residency requirements for state legislative candidates from the current one year prior to an election to just nine months, another change he said would help the state meet redistricting deadlines, and said that proposal could end up being temporary to the current pandemic or permanent.

A draft resolution, obtained by cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, would allow state lawmakers to change deadlines or directs the usage of some other basis through a simple majority vote if Census data isnt available by April 1. The final proposal isnt yet available.

House Speaker Bob Cupp, a Lima Republican, issued a supportive statement about Huffmans proposal.

Its something that seems to make sense and we are considering and will be discussing with our caucus, Cupp said.

But Democratic state legislative leaders are skeptical, especially given the time crunch to make the August ballot.

House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, an Akron Democrat, said rather than rushing a constitutional amendment, lawmakers could consider asking the Ohio Supreme Court to change the deadline, similar to how some other states have dealt with the effects the Census delay has on redistricting.

I have to be open to everything, but this shouldnt be the first solution by any means, Sykes said. This should be our last solution, and I think the other options before us are opportunities that we can uphold the spirit of the [redistricting reform] without having to change the constitution again.

As presented to us, the proposed amendment does not guarantee that peoples voices will be heard and does not ensure that the redistricting process will be fair, open and transparent, said Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko, a Euclid Democrat.

Jen Miller, president of the Ohio League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan group that helped push both voter-approved redistricting ballot initiatives, said her group and other voting-rights organizations havent been consulted on Huffmans plan.

This to me looks like a way of using the census delays caused by a global pandemic to completely shut the public out of the process and likely create gerrymandered maps, Miller said.

Huffman said hes open to hearing from voting-rights groups and other skeptics. He said he philosophically believes the legislature, not the courts, should have authority over setting legislative maps, and he doesnt believe its legally possible anyway to ask the court for an extension until the state actually begins missing its deadlines.

I dont want to be scrambling around in September and trying to figure out what the new plan is, he said.

A previous version of this story incorrectly described Ohios process for drawing state legislative lines. The General Assembly is not involved in the process, although its leaders are. The story has been corrected.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says it only warned Channels TV and did not suspend the stations operations over the broadcast of an interview with a leader of an outlawed group, IPOB.

The NBC has faced criticism since Monday when news of its action against Channels TV was made public. Many Nigerians viewed the alleged suspension of Channels TV by the NBC as an attack on media freedom and independence.

PREMIUM TIMES has now obtained a copy of the letter by the NBC to the television station.

In the letter addressed to Channels TV Managing Director on Monday, the NBC accused the station of promoting content liable to incite hatred and sectionalism by tolerating the IPOB spokesmans derogatory, false and misleading statements which is in violation of Sections 3.11.1(b) and 5.4.3 of broadcasting Act.

For obviously breaching the above provisions of the Law, your station remains liable to sanctions provided in section 15 of the Code which prescribes among others  suspension of broadcast license and a fine of 5 million, the NBC said in the letter signed by its Director-General, Armstrong Idachaba.

Many Nigerians interpreted the letter to mean Channels TV had been suspended and fined by the NBC for broadcasting the interview.

However, in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, the commissions Public Affairs Director, Franca Aiyetan, said the letter is a regulatory instrument to warn the TV station against the repetition of the controversial interview held on its Politics Today programme on Sunday night.

She said the letter is a regulatory instrument and these letters go to stations to either caution, warn or draw their attention to what they are doing right or wrong and when this is done twice, what follows is fine.

It is actually mischievous that it comes on air and what the letter was saying was calling Channels attention to a particular programme that the commission felt was not handled professionally or ethically and calling their attention to the gravity of the offence. The quote says if you do this you are likely to be shut down with a fine and afterwards it says desist from that programme. It didnt say stop that programme.

The letter was drawing their attention to the gravity of the programme they held and they were advised to take it or stop it.

It was not a malicious thing. It was a hype; you can see that Channels is still up carrying some of NBCs programmes. It is hyped because of the tension in the society and NBC is saying that the duty of journalism, especially broadcasting stations, is to douse this tension rather than heightening it. That is what the ethics say.

This is not the first time Channels TV would receive such a letter from the NBC. Channels was among the three Nigerian TV stations issued a sanction letter at the peak of October 2020 #EndSARS protests. The station was accused of transmitting unverified and unauthenticated social media sources liable to aggravate tension during the protest.

That was exactly what happened during the #EndSARS protests but some stations maliciously went on to say they were fined because they covered the #EndSARS protest. They were not fined because they covered the protest but because they hyped the violence that followed. When you show violence as happened in Kano or Rivers, the people in Kogi and Lagos will follow suit and everyday you show us new violence, before you know it everyone will be frightened, Ms Aiyetan said.

We are saying you can help us to douse it rather than hyping it.

Nigerians condemn NBC

Many Nigerians have criticised the NBC, saying the broadcast regulator is being highhanded and opposed to media freedom.

Some have argued that interviewing leaders of outlawed groups or even terror groups is a routine task that the media globally do.

In the interview Channels TV had with IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful, he denied that the group was responsible for some of the attacks carried out against state institutions and officials in the South-east. He also accused security agencies of falsehood. IPOB, which wants an independent Biafra Republic in the South-south and South-east of Nigeria, has been blamed for a series of attacks on security agencies and officials.

In its reaction to NBCs action, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), said, This action by the government and NBC is yet another example of Nigerian authorities push to silence independent media and voices. The government and NBC lift the suspension and uphold the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and international obligations to respect and protect freedom of expression and media freedom.

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As of the time SERAP released its statement, the NBC was believed to have suspended Channels TV.

This is a new low in Nigerias protection of freedom of expression, and the ability of independent media to function in the country. The suspension of Channels Television is detrimental to media freedom, and access to information, and the Federal Government and NBC must immediately reverse the decision, SERAPs deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, posited in a statement issued on Monday.

President Muhammadu Buhari should caution the NBC to stop intimidating and harassing independent media houses and to respect the Nigerian Constitution, and the countrys international human rights obligations, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, Mr Oluwadare said.
Imperial Valley News Center

California Sends India COVID-19 Supplies to Combat Outbreak

Sacramento, California - Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California will send lifesaving oxygen equipment to India as that country faces a devastating and fast-spreading surge of COVID-19 cases.

When communities across the world need help, California steps up. As we surpass 28 million vaccinations and continue to see the lowest positivity rates in the country, we must meet this moment with compassion by aiding those that are hardest hit by this pandemic, said Governor Newsom. Everyone deserves quality medical treatment against this terrible disease, and California will answer the call and provide aid to the people of India who so desperately need it.

Specifically, California will send the following supplies:

 275 Oxygen Concentrators. Concentrates the oxygen from a gas supply by selectively removing nitrogen to supply an oxygen-enriched product gas stream. These units are capable of producing 10 liters per minute of oxygen supplied directly to patients via a mask.

 440 Oxygen Cylinders. These are large metal cylinders designed to store oxygen that are used for both hospital and at-home use.

 240 Oxygen Regulators. The high-flow oxygen regulators for H tanks are used to adjust and control the rate of oxygen flow. These devices provide for greater efficiency in the rate at which oxygen is delivered to patients.

 210 Pulse Oximeters. Small sensors generally clipped to the finger, toe or ear lobe that measure the oxygen saturation within an individuals blood to determine whether they are getting enough oxygen into their bloodstream.

 1 Deployable Oxygen Concentrator Systems (DOCS). Capable of producing 120 liters per minute of oxygen and is generally used to fill large cylinders.

Click here for video of oxygen supplies being packed at a Cal OES warehouse for shipment to India.

The distribution of these lifesaving supplies is being coordinated through the U.S. Agency for International Development and will be provided directly to health care providers and front-line workers. India reported nearly 350,000 new cases on Sunday, the largest single day total of cases ever recorded by a single country. Californias contributions come as part of a wider effort by the United States to fight the spread of COVID-19 in India. On Sunday, the Biden Administration pledged to provide more medical aid to the country, including raw materials for vaccine production, test kits, ventilators and PPE. The supplies being sent to India are now being tested, packed and prepared for shipment at state warehouse facilities and are expected to be flown out as soon as tomorrow.

California is in a position to distribute these lifesaving supplies because of the early, aggressive actions that Governor Newsom took to combat COVID-19, which has resulted in the lowest positivity rates in the entire country and more than 28 million vaccines already having been administered in California. Even while providing these needed supplies to India, California still maintains a robust state stockpile to rapidly respond to any additional outbreaks that may occur within the state. Previously, Governor Newsom loaned ventilators to Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada and Delaware and also sent millions of items of PPE to neighboring states along the West Coast.
Cold case investigators probing the death of IRA commander Joe McCann told the controversial murder trial of two former paratroopers today they believed the case should not have been reopened as there was no 'new or compelling evidence'.

Both soldiers  who deny wrongdoing  were interviewed by the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Historical Enquiries Team in 2010 over McCann's 1972 death as he fled from arrest.

The expected four-week trial held without a jury at Belfast Crown Court heard this morning the HET said its re-examination of the circumstances surrounding the shooting found nothing it thought would advance the case.

Instead a former investigator from the team said: 'I couldn't see any new or compelling evidence after interviewing the soldiers.'

And he went further to say his role determined there was no reasonable suspicion that the ex-soldiers were guilty of an offence.

One of the defendants  who are known as Soldiers A and C  had suffered a stroke by the time of the interview.

His solicitor told the court it meant he had an 'express lack of memory' of the shooting, adding 'He never had the chance to explain or defend himself because he couldn't by the time you spoke to him.'

The soldiers had both been interviewed at the time but not under caution and questions about whether the use of force was justified in the circumstances 'just weren't asked'.



Joe McCann was shot dead by soldiers in the Markets area of Belfast in 1972 while dressed in disguise as he attempted to evade arrest at the hands of Royal Ulster Constabulary officers

Photograph said to show Joe McCann with an American M1 carbine during a gun battle for Inglis Bakery in Eliza Street in The Markets area of Belfast in 1972

A 'proper police investigation' into the shooting was not undertaken at the time, with witnesses not traced and forensic and ballistic evidence not gathered.

The new evidence came after a morning where the moment a policeman spotted the 'three star suspect on the Army wanted list' and tried to detain him was relived in court.

McCann - said to have been responsible for the death of 15 British soldiers himself - was clocked by an RUC Special Branch officer shortly before the shooting in April, 1972.

The policeman identified the well-known republican paramilitary - who had been wanted at the time - and went to a checkpoint manned by paratroopers to get help.

The family of Joe McCann arrive at Laganside Court with Solicitor Niall Murphy on Monday morning

Joe McCann's long IRA career in full over just seven years of attacks 1965 - Joins the IRA at the age of 17 Dec 3, 1965 - Convicted of possessing Army bayonets and being an IRA member and was sentenced to a year in prison. July 29, 1969 - Fined for assaulting a police officer. March 9, 1971 - Reports he was involved in the murder of Provisional IRA member Charlie Hughes. May 22, 1971 - Believed to have been part of the murders or two soldiers. June 28, 1971 - Convicted of breach of the peace at an IRA funeral and is sentenced to six months, but absconds on bail. August 10, 1971 - Involved in a bakery siege and subsequent firefight. September 21, 1971 - He is implicated in the attempted murder of four police officers. February 22, 1972 - Took part in the bombing of Parachute Regiment headquarters in Hampshire that killed seven civilians. February 25, 1972 - Implicated in the attempted assassination of home affairs minister Lord Kilcooney. April 15, 1972 - He is shot dead in the Markets area of Belfast. The Official IRA say he was responsible for killing 15 British soldiers. Advertisement

Moments later he encountered Mr McCann and told him 'take your hands out of your pockets'.

But a brief scuffle ensued and he fled the scene, before the soldier defendants - who cannot be named for legal reasons - opened fire and killed him.

A statement from the officer revealed he had 'darted from side to side' as he had fled.

It was disclosed in the ongoing case in Belfast over the shooting over Mr McCann nearly 50 years ago, that has seen two veteran former Paratroopers in their seventies in the dock.

Proceedings against the pair - who both deny murder - are happening amid claims the historic cases are politically motivated to appease Sinn Fein.

The prosecutor, who is also unnamed, told judge Mr Justice O'Hara: 'The officer is unidentified as to the investigation into this matter.'

The judge, who initially asked if the officer was now dead, replied: 'How do we know anything about the truth of this statement if we don't know who the person making it is.'

But the Crown lawyer said the statement had a provenance and had been located in original case files that were re-examined by the police's historical inquiries team in 2010.

He said a 'gateway' had been established to admit it as hearsay evidence to the trial with the agreement of both the defence and prosecution.

The statement was then read into the court record by the Crown lawyer.

In it the officer described how he had tried to detain Mr McCann, whom he described as being a 'three star suspect on the Army wanted list', on the junction of Joy Street and Little May Street.

'I said 'Joe McCann, I'm a police officer, take your hands out of your pockets',' read the statement.

'The subject pushed hard against me and ran down Joy Street.'

MP Jonny Mercer is also attending the trial, which is being heard by a judge with no jury

Why is this a No Jury Trial? Northern Ireland and the reason for NJTs Unusually the case is being heard by a judge with no jury. It came after the Director of Public Prosecutions issued a certificate for a non-jury trial. Trials by judges alone are only usually held when there is a fear that a jury could be tampered with in cases concerning paramilitary organisations. In this case, the two defendants had begun processes to challenge the decision, but abandoned the procedure. Their lawyers had originally claimed the no-jury decision was wrongly based on the 2007 Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act. Previous to 2007 the 'Diplock system' let NJTs carry on because the terrorist intimidation of jurors in Northern Ireland was an obstacle to dealing effectively with terrorist crime in the courts. Now the Act gives statutory provisions that allow no jury if is is 'deemed necessary for a small number of exceptional cases' where the jurors could impair justice. The most recent figures on record show during 2019, 14 non-jury trials took place in Northern Ireland. Advertisement

The officer said Mr McCann 'darted from side to side' as he ran away.

The officer said he dropped to the ground and called 'halt, halt'.

He said he heard similar calls from behind him, where the soldiers were positioned.

The officer said he then heard gunfire and saw Mr McCann fall to the ground.

In the statement, the officer said, upon witnessing Mr McCann fall, he returned to his police vehicle.

He said he did not fire his pistol during the incident.

After the statement was read, the trial moved into a separate process to determine the admissibility of statements provided by the defendants.

The Crown and defence raised no objection to those legal exchanges, which are anticipated to last a number of days, being reported.

McCann, who was known as the 'Officer Commanding of the 1st Battalion of the Official IRA' and a member of the IRA Army Council, was at the time of his death suspected of the murder of two soldiers, including Corporal Robert Bankier, one of the first killed during the Troubles.

He was also wanted for the attempted murder of four policemen and suspected of being involved in the attempted assassination of the then home affairs minister Lord Kilclooney, facts agreed between the prosecution and defence in the case revealed.

The court heard that reports had linked the father of four to a bomb attack at the Parachute Regiment headquarters in Aldershot in February 1972 which killed seven civilians.

Yesterday, the two veterans known as Soldiers A and C, became the first ex-servicemen to stand trial following controversial 'legacy' investigations into Troubles shootings.

British Soldiers marching away civilian detainees on Bloody Sunday in Londonderry

Attempts are made to shore up a collapsed roof at the Royal Marines School of Music in Walmer, Kent, after an IRA bomb tore apart the recreation centre, killing 11 people

Both Judge and Jury: One man decides case The Honourable Mr Justice O'Hara was appointed to the High Court in April, 2013. He had been the chairman of the hyponatraemia inquiry into the deaths of children in NI hospitals, that looked at those who had died due to fluid mismanagement. The judge has sat over a number of IRA related cases during his High Court career. Recently he directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty, clearing a veteran republican of soliciting the murder of Jean McConville in 1972 It came after he ruled that taped interviews, which were the central plank of the prosecution case, were inadmissible. Advertisement

They are also the first ex-servicemen to face charges relating to the death of an active member of the IRA.

Both men, alongside a third soldier who has since died, are said to have fired at McCann as he ran away on April 15, 1972, having been called by a police officer to assist in his arrest.

McCann sustained three bullet wounds but was found to be unarmed.

The prosecution say the shooting was unlawful and amounts to murder because 'it was not justified to effect an arrest' and 'the level of force used was unreasonable'.

The Crown alleges that both soldiers are responsible for the murder, regardless of who fired the fatal shot. Soldiers A and C pleaded not guilty from the box usually reserved for the jury before proceedings commenced.

The case is being tried by Mr Justice John O'Hara, sitting alone, under Diplock rules introduced during the Troubles to avoid jury tampering.

Flanked by two security officers, the veterans sat quietly, with Soldier A admitting that he was 'lip-reading' the proceedings owing to poor hearing.

From the gallery, the family of McCann, including his widow Anne and daughter Nuala, came face-to-face with those allegedly responsible for his death for the first time in 50 years.

Sacked veterans minister Johnny Mercer who last week blasted the Government for 'abandoning' Northern Ireland veterans, sat just feet away, offering a thumbs-up to the two soldiers during a break.

Outside court he chatted to veterans, but denied 'interfering' in the judicial process.

Supporters of Two former paratroopers at Laganside Court on Monday ahead of the trial

What is the timeline of the Northern Ireland troubles and peace process? August 1969: British Government first send troops into Northern Ireland after three days of rioting in Catholic Londonderry 30 January 1972: On 'Bloody Sunday' 13 civilians are shot dead by the British Army during a civil rights march in Londonderry March 1972 The Stormont Government is dissolved and direct rule imposed by London 1970s: The IRA begin its bloody campaign of bombings and assassinations in Britain April 1981 Bobby Sands, a republicans on hunger strike in the Maze prison, is elected to Parliament. He dies a month later October 1984 An IRA bomb explodes at the Grand Hotel in Brighton, where Margaret Thatcher is staying during the Tory Party conference Early 1990s: Margaret Thatcher and then Sir John Major set up a secret back channel with the IRA to start peace talks. The communications was so secret most ministers did not know about it. April 1998 Tony Blair helps to broker the Good Friday Agreement, which is hailed as the end of the Troubles. It establishes the Northern Ireland Assembly with David Trimble as its first minister. 2000s: With some exceptions the peace process holds and republican and loyalist paramilitaries decommission their weapons May 2011 The Queen and Prince Philip make a state visit to Ireland, the first since the 1911 tour by George V. In a hugely symbolic moment, the Queen is pictured shaking hands with Martin McGuinness - a former IRA leader. Advertisement

However, he added: 'What is happening today is not fair. We have two individuals in court for something [that happened] 50 years ago. They served their country, they did their best.'

The court heard that police held a large amount of information on McCann at the time of his death.

As well as suspicion of his involvement in a number of murders, he was known as a 'well-skilled gunman'.

Former veterans minister Johnny Mercer who last week blasted the Government for 'abandoning' Northern Ireland veterans, sat just feet away, offering a thumbs-up to the two soldiers during a break.

Outside court he chatted to veterans, but denied 'interfering' in the judicial process.

However, he added: 'What is happening today is not fair. We have two individuals in court for something [that happened] 50 years ago. They served their country, they did their best.'

The court heard that police held a large amount of information on McCann at the time of his death. As well as suspicion of his involvement in a number of murders, he was known as a 'well-skilled gunman'.

According to the evidence provided at the time by the Special Branch officer who tried to arrest McCann, the republican was 'at the very top of the three-star list of people wanted for arrest'.

After his death, the Official IRA claimed that he was responsible for the deaths of 15 British soldiers, the court heard.

Witnesses attested to seeing the shooting and the immediate aftermath.

Joseph Donaldson - just ten at the time and now 59 - said he and a friend cycled towards the sound of 'high-velocity shots' to 'see what was going on'.

He said: 'I saw a body on the corner of Joy Street. I saw a soldier with a black cap turn him on his back. The man wasn't moving.'

When Soldier A went to check on McCann, he is said to have told him as he lay dying: 'You have got me cold. I have no weapon.'

The prosecution and defence agree that McCann was regarded by the security forces as someone 'who would be armed and would not hesitate to use his weapon to resist arrest'.

In statements they gave in 2010, both soldiers insisted they used 'reasonable force in all circumstances'.

A lawyer for Soldier A yesterday argued that McCann was suspected of involvement in murders and could have committed more if he had evaded arrest.

The trial continues.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Ethos Gold Corp. (TSXV: ECC) (OTCQB: ETHOF) (FSE: 1ET) ("Ethos" or the "Company") announces that it has closed the final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered flow through private placements (the "Private Placements") raising additional proceeds of $184,680, for total gross proceeds of $2,982,710 in both tranches. The Company also announces that it has concluded a termination and release agreement (the "Agreement") with Vior Inc. ("Vior") whereby Ethos has accepted to renounce all of its rights under the Earn-in Agreement dated June 26, 2019 on the Ligneris project in Abitibi, Quebec in exchange for 1.0 million units of Vior.

Alex Heath, CFA, President of Ethos stated: "Over the last year, Ethos has built a strong technical team led by Dr. Rob Carpenter, Chief Technical Advisor and Jo Price, VP Exploration. With the guidance of this team, Ethos has built an exciting portfolio of exploration projects that will deliver a sequence of drill programs starting shortly with mobilization to drill the large copper-gold porphyry target at Perk-Rocky. Following a review of the company-wide exploration plans, Ethos has negotiated a termination of the Ligneris agreement with Vior whereby Ethos will receive 1.0 million units of Vior in exchange for termination of our earn-in agreement on Ligneris. This two-million share plus warrant ownership of Vior provides Ethos with significant upside participation in any future exploration success at Ligneris, as well as upside from Vior's portfolio of gold projects in Quebec including the recently acquired Belleterre project which incorporates the former Belleterre mine which historically produced approximately 750,000 high grade ounces of gold. Osisko Mining Inc. recently completed a significant strategic investment into Vior in support of their Quebec initiatives. Ethos looks forward to participating as a shareholder as Vior advances an exciting portfolio of exploration assets."

Closing of Financing

The closing of the final tranche of the previously announced Private Placements consisted of the following:

a British Columbia flow through private placement of 769,500 flow through units priced at $0.24 per unit for gross proceeds of $184,680. Each unit will comprise one flow through share, and one half of one non-flow through common share purchase warrant. Each whole such warrant will be exercisable into one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.40 for a period of two years following closing. The common share purchase warrants will be subject to acceleration at the Company's discretion in the event its common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange on a volume weighted average price ("VWAP") basis of C$0.60 or more for a period of ten consecutive trading days. Proceeds of this offering will be utilized on the Company's Perk Rocky copper-gold porphyry project in British Columbia or on eligible flow through expenditures on other British Columbia projects.

The Private Placements are subject to the final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange, and all securities issued or issuable under the Private Placements will be subject to a 4-month hold period expiring on August 28, 2021.

Members of the Company's management team participated in the Private Placement including subscriptions from related parties of the Company as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"): Michael Murphy (a director of the Company) acquired an aggregate of 417,000 Units. The participation of Mr. Murphy in the Private Placement is exempt from formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements pursuant to exemptions contained in sections 5.5(c) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101.

Termination and Release Agreement on Ligneris Project

As consideration for the renunciation of the Ligneris Project, Vior has agreed to issue to Ethos, 1,000,000 units of Vior (the "Units"). Each Unit is comprised of one (1) common share in the capital of Vior (a "Share") and one (1) common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle Ethos to acquire one (1) Share at a price of $0.30 per Share for a period of thirty-six (36) months following the issuance of the Units. In addition to any statutory hold period, Ethos agrees that the securities issued and comprising the Units will also be subject to a voluntary hold period of twelve (12) months from the date of issuance of the Units. The Agreement is subject to TSX-V approval.

Corporate Updates

Gaffney - Ethos has expanded the Gaffney land position by claim staking of an additional 16,449 ha, increasing the property size to 25,684 ha. The Ethos technical team has interpreted gold-bearing regional structures within the tectonic boundary structural setting, favourable rock types, in addition to anomalous gold and gold-pathfinder elements throughout the entire 27 km strike length held on Ethos held ground. The southeast end of the land position is underlain by 4 km and 6 km gold-in-soil trends, and the ground northwest of the Gaffney claims has proven gold mineralization in similar geology. The Gaffney project is road accessible, located a four-hour drive from Prince George, BC in a mining-friendly jurisdiction with several high-profile exploration, development and mining projects in the region.

Campbell Lake - The Company has exercised its option to acquire a 100% interest in the Campbell Lake property by issuing 2.4 million shares to the vendors. There are no further commitments or royalties payable.

About Ethos Gold Corp.

Ethos Gold, a Discovery Group company, has accumulated a portfolio of district scale projects in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, and Nevada that we believe have large scale discovery potential. The Company has a strong technical team led by Dr. Rob Carpenter, formerly the CEO of Kaminak Gold Corporation. Rob led the Kaminak team from initial listing in 2005 through acquisition and discovery of the multiple-million ounce Coffee Gold Project. In Ethos he has assembled a senior geologic team with a strong record of discovery success including Dr. Robert Brozdowski, P.Geo., Dan MacNeil, M.Sc., P. Geo, and Dr. Alan Wainwright, P.Geo. Dr. Quinton Hennigh, an economic geologist with 25 years of exploration experience formerly with Homestake Mining Company, Newcrest Mining and Newmont Mining Corp oversees the Company's work at the Iron Point project in Nevada. With working capital of approximately C$7 million, the Company is well funded to advance its projects.

Ethos Gold Corp.

Per: "Alex Heath"

Alex Heath, CFA, President

For further information about Ethos Gold Corp. or this news release, please visit our website at ethosgold.com or contact Alex Heath at 604-354-2491 or by email at alexh@ethosgold.com.

Ethos Gold Corp. is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: discoverygroup.ca.

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions:

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to the Company's projects and the timing related thereto, the merits of the Company's projects, the Company's objectives, plans and strategies, the Private Placements, and other project opportunities. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other agency or governmental clearances, necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, risks and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, risks and uncertainties related to the Company's ability to complete the Private Placements and the size of the Private Placements, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81971
The Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee (UK) met Saturday amid a massive global surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the average number of daily cases at their highest ever.

Tania Kent, the committees chairperson and a special needs teacher, quoted from two World Socialist Web Site editorials of the previous weekThree million dead from the coronavirus pandemic and India ravaged by COVID-19 pandemic - a global catastropheto illustrate the unprecedented catastrophe facing the international working class. The pandemic was a global crisis that required a global solution, she explained.

Kent pointed to the timely character of the educators meeting, taking place on the same day as the publication of a powerful statement issued by the International Committee of the Fourth International'Forward to the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees!

She said the call for an International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) being issued at this Saturdays International Online May Day Rally of the ICFI, was the logical extension of the fight by the ICFI and the Socialist Equality Parties worldwide for the formation of independent rank-and-file safety committees among key sections of the working class during the pandemic.

Concentrating her remarks on the role of the education unions, Kent quoted from the ICFIs statement: While the corporatist degeneration of the unions and their complete integration into the framework of management and the state is perhaps most grotesque in the United States, the same conditions prevail in every country. There has not been a single struggle waged by the unions against the ruling class policy of herd immunity and massive handouts to the rich.

She reviewed the criminal role of the trade unions in Britain, which had sabotaged the struggles of workers during the past year, resulting in the highest per head of population death toll from COVID-19 (in a country with a population higher than 20 million) in the world.

Despite schools being officially recognised as a key vector for the transmission of the virus, resulting in over 80,000 additional deaths since they were reopened in September, the unions repeatedly opposed efforts by their members to keep schools closed, said Kent.

How degenerate and moribund the trade unions have become was graphically exposed in the annual union conferences held over the Easter break by both the NASUWT and the NEU, with Conservative Education Secretary Gavin Williamson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer invited to speak: There are no two people in the UK more closely associated with the drive to reopen schools.

Zac Corrigan, a writer for the World Socialist Web Site and a member of the Socialist Equality Party (US) spoke to the meeting from the state of Michigan in the United States.

Corrigan explained that Michigan has become the worst pandemic hotspot in the US, with the contagious B.1.1.7 variant (which originated in Britain) now rampant in every part of the state and with daily case rates above 70 per 100,000 for two weeks.

Graphic showing Michigan top sources of Covid-19 outbreaks

Schools in Michigan have accounted for more outbreaks than any other setting since the new surge began in late February, he said. Significantly, there was a sharp reduction in outbreaks at K-12 schools and school sporting events (illustrated by Corrigan with the slide below) during and after the spring break, when schools across Michigan closed on either the last week of March or the first week of April on a district-by-district basis.

The Biden administration, Corrigan explained, had continued seamlessly from the policies of Trump, prioritising the interests of corporate America and allowing the pandemic to spread out of control.

Gregor Link from the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) spoke about the situation in Germany, After politicians suggested that people should light candles in their windows to commemorate the dead, workers and youth replied on social media that government ministers should light the candles themselves, since they have the dead on their consciences.

Link explained that Germany demonstrated the role of pseudo-left parties in enforcing the herd immunity policy of the ruling class, At the state level, the Left Party is already implementing the profits before lives policy in partnership with the Social Democratic Party and Greensin Thuringia their leader Bodo Ramelow is premier. The Left Party oversees a state-wide COVID-19 incidence of 246 in Thuringia, the highest of any German state.

Frankie, from the IYSSE in the UK, spoke of conditions facing students as universities prepare to reopen. Authorities had consistently attempted to blame students for spreading the virus, to deflect from their own role.

Lucia, from the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, reported on the absence of safe ventilation in UK schools and the governments deliberate breaching of safety rules.

A lively discussion ensued with international speakers asked about education funding, homelessness and poverty and what support is available for neuro-diverse (special educational needs) students.

In her concluding remarks, Kent returned to the immense social crisis facing the international working class, Look at the horrendous situation in India, with the prospect of millions of deathsand they know it, they acknowledge it, and they are allowing it to happen. Weve seen poverty in India and other oppressed countries for a very long time, but even those acute situations are being exacerbated to intolerable levels. There is no health system to protect the lives of these people. Thousands are dying daily, and we are just expected to say, well thats India, they dont have better conditions and we do. Well, thats not true as the working class is facing social devastation the world over.

The resources necessary do exist and our position fundamentally is that none of these questions can be resolved unless the working class takes control of the productive forces and all of the resources that exist are in the hands of workers to distribute wealth equally and in the interests of society.

The meeting concluded with a call for all listeners to get involved in the work of the committee, to donate and attend the International Online May Day Rally of the ICFI, on Saturday May 1, 4pm British Summer Time (please check your time-zone here ).
The Biden administration revealed Monday that it would extend a crucial coronavirus assistance program, food aid, to help more than 30 million kids after the school year ends. It is called the nation's biggest summer child nutrition campaign.

Biden administration expands food aid this summer

The Pandemic-EBT package would provide eligible households with $375 per child for the summer, or $6.82 per child per weekday, but the actual amount will vary whether a state chooses to use its schedule. Parents will then spend the money on food.

If they missed school in person during the year, children who usually get free or discounted meals and children under the age of six whose households collect food stamps are eligible for the food aid this summer. During the summer, when classes are not in session, it is usually more difficult for low-income children to access nutrition assistance.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, summer meal services usually cover less than 20 percent of families served during the academic year. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, "The extension of P-EBT benefits over the summer is a first-of-its-kind, game-changing intervention to alleviate child hunger in the United States."

Congress developed the Pandemic-EBT initiative to assist the millions of children who missed access to breakfast and lunch after their schools were closed due to the coronavirus last spring. The measure was later renewed for the 2020-2021 school year by lawmakers, and the Democrats' $1.9 trillion aid bill extended it for the remainder of the outbreak, including the summer.

On the other hand, states also found it challenging to implement the initiative, particularly this school year, since millions of students have stayed in remote learning and schedules are too varied. Although the administration has accelerated the approval process for states to offer Pandemic-EBT benefits for the 2020-21 school year, over a dozen states, have yet to obtain approval. Millions of children around the country would be unable to receive billions of dollars in federal food aid as a result, CNN via MSN reported.

Also, in states where the bill has been passed, parents complain they have yet to obtain benefits. Amid the pandemic, hunger has increased, especially among families with children.

President Joe Biden's Major Immigration Promises Waiting To Be Fulfilled

Food aid expansion is an effort to reduce child poverty

The scheme represents the Biden administration's efforts to nearly eliminate child poverty with a one-of-a-kind initiative that includes money for parents, child care centers, and schools, both of which will help to revamp the social safety net. Conservative analysts have warned that if the spending is made irreversible, it will hinder wealthier Americans' ability to work.

Stacy Dean, Agriculture's deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services, said Congress previously provided modest funds for pilot programs to test the effectiveness of the payments. The coronavirus relief package, on the other hand, required it to be implemented across the country.

Aside from food, the relief package allowed parents to receive approximately $250 a month for each child aged 6 to 17 starting in July. Families with a child under the age of six who meet the criteria will earn $300 per month. According to the provisions of the most recent coronavirus relief program, the grants are part of an expanded child tax credit that will expire at the end of this year.

The recurring fees will be extended until 2025, said President Joe Biden. The extension is part of a multi-trillion-dollar initiative that he intends to unveil in a joint address to Congress on Wednesday, as per WBALTV.

Joe Biden Plans To Increase Capital Tax Rate to as High as 43.4% On Wealthy Individuals

Biden launching biggest food aid in U.S. history

The Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) will be extended to distribute $375 per child for food expenses, said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. The money will be sent on an EBT card that people will get in the mail. The funds will last about ten weeks while the children are not in school.

Children who earn free or discounted school meals or children under the age of six who live in a household that engages in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are also eligible. Psaki told the press, "This is the single greatest summer child nutrition effort in our nation's history."

According to Psaki, feeding services had served fewer than 20 percent of participating households before this summer, The Hill reported. The expanded initiative is part of the American Rescue Plan, which allocates $350 million in federal grants to state and local governments to help them deal with economic problems caused by the pandemic.

President Joe Biden's Ambitious Climate Goals To Be Hindered by America's Predominant Gas-Fueled Vehicles

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
E-commerce major Amazon would airlift, import and donate 100 ICU (intensive care unit) ventilator units from the US to ramp up Indias supplies for fighting the second wave of Covid-19.

has procured 100 ventilators through its global resources to immediately import into India. This is part of Jeff Bezos-led Amazons commitment to help India fight the devastating second wave of Covid-19.

The e-commerce giant has worked with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, to ensure the ventilators are of acceptable technical specifications. It has also carried out its own compatibility checks to immediately fund 100 units of Medtronics PB980 model and bring them into India for urgent use.

Amazon will work closely with Medtronic (MT) for these units to be airlifted into India and we expect the consignment to enter the country in the next two weeks. is working closely with the MoHFW appointed agencies to finalise the hospitals with the most urgent need so that Amazon can partner with MT for end-to-end delivery, installation, maintenance and training of personnel who will use these machines, the company said in a statement.

With the urgency of adding to the medical infrastructure and capacity for Indian hospitals fighting against Covid-19s severe second spike, we decided to urgently source, import and donate 100 ventilators to hospitals, said Amit Agarwal, global senior vice-president and country head, We are doing more and are committed to supporting our country in the fight against Covid-19.



This week, Amazon also joined hands with various industry partners and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to urgently bring in 10,000 concentrators and BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure) machines to India.

The company also joined hands with ACT Grants, Temasek Foundation, Pune Platform for Covid-19 Response (PPCR) and other partners to urgently airlift over 8,000 concentrators and 500 BiPAP machines from Singapore. Additionally, Amazon India is procuring over 1,500 concentrators and other critical medical equipment. This will be donated to hospitals and medical facilities in partnership with multiple non-profits including Swasth, Concern India and impact organizations like ACT Grants and Sattva Consulting.
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA)  The Nigerian Army on Tuesday condemned in the strongest term possible, the indiscriminate sharing on social media of graphic pictures of personnel who paid the supreme price in the cause of defending and protecting the country from its adversaries
She only gave birth to her second son with partner Lachlan Waugh last Friday.

But Skye Wheatley is already showing off her post-partum body to fans, in an Instagram Story posted on Tuesday.

The Big Brother alum, 27, stripped down to her Bonds underwear and a vintage T-shirt for the self-filmed video.

Back to it: Big Brother alum Skye Wheatley is already showing off her post-partum body to fans, in an Instagram Story posted on Tuesday

The blonde flaunted her figure in the video, which she captioned: 'Here's a PP body update.'

It comes after the influencer drew a mixed response for asking her Instagram followers to help choose a middle name for her baby son.

She created an Instagram Story poll on Sunday asking fans to vote on whether they preferred 'West' or 'Wild'.

By Monday, her account was flooded with comments from fans questioning why she was letting other people make such an important life decision.

Dangerous curves: She stripped down to her Bonds underwear for the self-filmed video

What will she choose? It comes just days after the influencer drew a mixed response for asking her Instagram followers to help choose a middle name for her baby son

Explaining her decision to choose her son's middle name via an Instagram poll, Skye said: 'The name will be announced in the labour vlog, but we have to decide on a middle name, so that's why it's taking so long.

'Maybe you guys can help me decide on a middle name?'

Several fans said it wasn't appropriate to outsource naming a child, with one writing: 'I don't think you should let your followers influence a name for your child. Just follow your heart.'

'An influencer asking their followers to name their child,' another commented with a string of crying-with-laughter emojis.

Poll: Skye, 27, created an Instagram Story poll on Sunday asking fans to vote on whether they preferred 'West' or 'Wild'. By Monday, her account was flooded with comments from fans questioning why she was letting other people make such an important life decision

A handful of users noted the unfortunate connotations of the word 'wild', which is associated with unruly behaviour and feral animals.

'Please don't give your baby the middle name Wild,' one fan wrote. 'West is really nice! Or what about a play on wild? Maybe like wydler?'

Another suggested: 'How about Tom, Jack or Harry?'

Response: Fans said it wasn't appropriate to outsource naming your child, with one writing: 'I don't think you should let your followers influence a name for your child. Just follow your heart'

Mockery: 'An influencer asking their followers to name their child,' another commented with a string of crying-with-laughter emojis

Traditional: Another follower suggested: 'How about Tom, Jack or Harry?'

Meaning: A handful of users noted the unfortunate connotations of the word 'wild', which is associated with unruly behaviour and feral animals

Guessing game: The overwhelming response from fans was that it's impossible to choose which middle name is better without knowing the first name. Fitness queen Ashy Bines thought the same, commenting: 'Depends on the first name!'

Good thinking! Influencer Belle Lucia proposed alternative spellings or variants, such as 'Wyld' and 'Quest'

Meanwhile, fellow influencer Belle Lucia proposed alternative spellings or variants, such as 'Wyld' and 'Quest'.

However, the overwhelming response from fans was that it's impossible to choose which middle name is better without knowing the first name.

However, Skye is delaying announcing this until she's finished editing her labour vlog for her YouTube channel.

Apple of their eye: Skye and her boyfriend, tradesman Lachlan Waugh, announced the arrival of their second son on Friday. Pictured: the couple's relatives meeting the baby in hospital

Snapshots: Skye also uploaded these two Polaroids of herself bonding with her newborn child

Skye and her boyfriend, tradesman Lachlan Waugh, announced the arrival of their second son on Friday.

The couple shared a series of photos to Instagram of their older son, two-year-old Forest, meeting his newborn brother in hospital.

Skye rose to fame on Big Brother Australia in 2014 and began dating Lachlan in 2017.
Belagavi : , April 27 (IANS) BJP's Belgaum Lok Sabha by-election candidate, Mangala Angadi, on Tuesday announced that she had tested Covid positive.

She is the widow of late Union Minister Suresh Angadi, who succumbed to Covid in New Delhi last September 2020, thus necessitating the April 17 bypolls.

Mangala took to Facebook to announce that she tested Covid positive, and also declared that she was an asymptomatic patient.

"As per my doctor's advice am taking rest and in a home isolation. All those who came in contact with me in the last couple of days, please get tested," she posted in Kannada.

Karnataka Chief Minister, B.S. Yediyurappa who tested Covid positive second time in eight months on April 16, had to return to Bengaluru midway through his election campaign in Belgaum on April 15 after complaining of fatigue and fever. Soon after his return it came to light that he tested Covid positive and was admitted to a private hospital. He was discharged last on April 22.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
and SEZ (APSEZ), the nation's largest private sector operator of sea ports, has waived charges for ships exclusively carrying COVID-related equipment, and said such vessels will be given priority berthing.

Billionaire Gautam Adani's group has also secured about two dozen cryogenic tanks for transporting medical oxygen, from the UAE, Thailand and Saudi Arabia, it said in a series of tweets.

India is faced with the world's largest surge in COVID-19 cases, straining its already stressed healthcare infrastructure. Hospitals have faced oxygen shortage, and the private sector has lent a helping hand to aid the government.

Countries from the US to Australia pledged help for India as new infections topped 3 lakh for a sixth day.

"In view of the requirement of oxygen and related equipment (medical grade oxygen, oxygen tanks, oxygen bottles, portable oxygen generators, oxygen concentrators, steel pipes for manufacturing oxygen cylinders, etc.) it has been decided to give priority berthing to vessel carrying Covid-related cargo," APSEZ said on Twitter.

Also, the ports operated by the firm "will not charge any storage or handling charges for these types of equipment, Covid-related cargo being handled in any mode of storage."



"Additionally, the port will not charge any vessel-related charges for the vessels calling the port exclusively for Covid related equipment," it said.

Stating that evacuation of such cargo will be given utmost priority, APSEZ asked all shipping lines and agencies to make a declaration of the subject cargo while declaring the vessel.

These measures, it said, will become applicable with immediate effect and will be valid for a period of 3 months.

Separtately, Adani Group said it has "secured 7 more cryogenic tanks" from Thailand.

Four of these were airlifted by IAF from Bangkok on Monday. "Cryogenic tanks are tremendously useful now since a lot more life-saving oxygen can be transported in liquid than in gas form," it said. "Thank you @airproducts for arranging to give us these tanks at short notice. Your help means a lot to the people of India."



On Monday, Adani Group said it has 12 ready-to-use cryogenic tanks to transport liquid oxygen from Dubai.

"Thank you, Dubai. Thank you @IAF_MCC. We have secured another 12 ready-to-use cryogenic tanks to transport liquid oxygen from Dubai. The Indian Air Force is airlifting 6 of these tanks today to India. Jai Hind!," it had said.

This came within days of the group arranging four tanks from Saudi Arabia.

"Thank you @IndianEmbRiyadh. Indeed, actions speak louder than words. We are on an urgent mission to secure oxygen supplies from across the world. This first shipment of 4 ISO cryogenic tanks with 80 tons of liquid oxygen is now on its way from Dammam to Mundra," group chairman Gautam Adani had tweeted on April 24.

"We would also like to thank Oman Shipping Line, a part of @AsyadGroup for going above and beyond to help us transport the 4 tank containers. Looking forward to our long-term relationship in battling this crisis and future endeavours," the Adani Group 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.)
Xiaomi under its Redmi brand just announced the Redmi K40 Gaming Edition, the companys first gaming smartphone in China. It has a 6.67-inch FHD+ flexible AMOLED screen with 120Hz high refresh rate, 480Hz simultaneous three-fingerprint simultaneous touch sampling rate, 1.8mm trilateral equal width, 2.7mm ultra-narrow chin.

It is powered by 6nm Dimensity 1200 SoC with multi-stacked graphite layers combined with super-large vapor chambers, and new aerospace-grade heat dissipation material with a built-in white graphene layer that covers 11540mm, which not only efficiently dissipates heat for the charging chip, but also offers good insulation to reduce its impact on nearby antennas to reduce the temperature by 2C.

The phone has a magnetic dual-trigger design, allowing users to play games using four fingers, instead of only two. This offers stable and realistic pressing feedback, thanks to its mechanical structure. Compared with the traditional mechanical transmission structure, the magnetic triggers can effectively reduce the wear-out in daily use, with a lifespan of up to 1.5 million taps. The phone has Dolby Atmos and is approved by the JBL synthesis certification system, offering a truly immersive gaming experience.

The phone has a 64MP rear camera, 8MP ultra-wide angle camera and a 2MP telemacro camera. The phone has an X-axis Linear Motor and packs a 5,065mAh large battery with 67W fast charging that can charge the phone up to 100% in just 42 minutes. It features RGB lighting and gaming details and also adopts a low-key and restrained overall appearance.

Redmi K40 Gaming Edition specifications

6.67-inch (2400 x 1080 pixels) Full HD+ AMOLED 20:9 HDR10 + display, 120Hz refresh rate, up to 500 nits (typical brightness), Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection

Up to 3GHz Octa Core MediaTek Dimensity 1200 6nm processor with ARM G77 MC9 GPU

6GB / 8GB LPDDR4x RAM with 128GB / 256GB UFS 3.1 storage, 12GB LPDDR4x RAM with 256GB UFS 3.1 storage

Dual SIM (nano + nano)

MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11

64MP rear camera with f/1.65 aperture, LED flash, 8MP 119 ultra-wide angle lens with f/2.2 aperture, 2MP telemacro camera with f/2.4 aperture

16MP front-facing camera

Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Infrared sensor

USB Type-C audio, Hi-Res audio, JBL Audio quality certification, Dual speakers, Dolby Atmos

Dimensions: 161.94x 76.93 x 8.3mm; Weight: 205g

5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6 802.11 ax, Bluetooth 5.1 (Bluetooth 5.2 in Pro), GPS (L1 + L5), NavIC, NFC, USB Type-C

5,065mAh (Typical) battery with 66W fast charging

The Redmi K40 Gaming Edition comes in Black, Sliver and White colours and there is also a limited Bruce Lee Special Edition in 12GB+ 256GB version.

It comes with a unique finish on the back and also comes with a special case in the box.

Pricing

6GB+128GB  1,999 yuan (US$ 308 / Rs. 22,995 approx.)

8GB+128GB  2,199 yuan (US$ 339 / Rs. 25,300 approx.)

8GB+256GB / 12GB+128GB  2,399 yuan (US$ 369 / Rs. 27,600 approx.)

12GB+ 256GB  2,699 yuan (US$ 416 / Rs. 31,055 approx.)

12GB+ 256GB Bruce Lee Special Edition  2,799 yuan (US$ 431 / Rs. 32,205 approx.)

It is available to order and will go on sale in China from April 30th.

Source
- Skin-care and anti-aging treatments high on demand among middle-aged and geriatric population, physicians' recommendation to endorse efficacy

- Global market to clock CAGR of 10.3% from 2018 to 2026, dermal fillers a lucrative segment

ALBANY, N.Y., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The need for provisioning quality cosmeceuticals drives the business propositions of new dispensing strategies. The approaches that engage clinicians at various stages are getting more popular than ever, the reason to do with the high worldwide demand for cosmeceuticals available through skin and hair clinics and treatment centers. In various developing and developed nations, physician-turned entrepreneurs are actively getting into dispensing low cost and products whose efficacy can be endorsed. Physician dispensed cosmeceuticals are garnering sales increasingly for treating wide range of dermatological conditions. The share of demand from skin care products in the global physician dispensed cosmeceuticals market is notable.

Clocking a CAGR of 10.3% during 2018 - 2026, the opportunities in the physician dispensed cosmeceuticals market are projected to touch US$ 31,322.14 Mn by 2026

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Key Findings of Physician Dispensed Cosmeceuticals Market Study

Products Must Meet Current Beauty Standards for Commercialization

The demand for cosmeceuticals has caught on marked momentum in the cosmetics industry due to their supposedly numerous therapeutic effects. They are usually topical formulations, and notably include skin care and eye care products, and hair care products. Market players have thrown their weight behind the emerging dispensing strategies that are being promoted by some entrepreneur-turned physicians. Pharmacy benefit managers and prospective consumers both seek efficacy in cosmeceuticals for accepting their value. Thus, the physician dispensed cosmeceuticals market is evolving on back of relentless urge to make the products meet the current beauty standards of prospective consumers. This means that products dispensed by physicians also have to meet the efficacy standard and must be cost-effective to attract a steady consumer base.

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Anti-aging Formulations Tops the List of Desired Products

The demand for anti-aging formulations and procedures imparts a constant impetus to the popularity physician dispensed cosmeceuticals have gained over the years. Elderly and young adults both are attracted to the products recommended and dispensed by dermatologists. There is a growing demand for cosmetics that can meet the specific skin care conditions in geriatrics. Growing incidence of dermatological conditions in young adults is boosting the market. Injectable Botox and dermal fillers offer value-grab opportunities for consumers seeking avenues from emerging markets. Changes in lifestyle and value-systems of populations in these economies have made lucrative businesses for brands in the market. They are willing to spend on products that help them conform to new beauty trends. Further, growing dermatologists recommendations for products spurs popularity of skincare cosmeceuticals in developing markets.

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Physician Dispensed Cosmeceuticals Market: Key Driving Factors and Avenues

Widespread demand for authentic products for skin care is a key trend powering the wheels of prospective demand in the cosmeceuticals market

Increasing engagement of dermatologists in well-founded dispensing approaches boosts market

Rapidly aging populations is a key demographical dividend for players in the market,

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Physician Dispensed Cosmeceuticals Market: Key Participants

Allergan plc.

Johnson and Johnson

ZO Skin Health Inc.

Procter & Gamble

L'Oreal S.A.

Bausch Health Companies Inc.

Unilever plc.

A growing number of cosmetic manufacturers are expanding their product portfolio, and market players are consolidating their distribution channels, notably in emerging economies such as in Asia Pacific, to gain a stronghold therein.

Browse Our Latest Reports - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/latest.htm

Physician Dispensed Cosmeceuticals Market: Regional Dynamics

The global dispensed cosmeceuticals market has seen maturing demand in North America. Asia Pacific is expected to be a potentially lucrative regional market throughout the forecast period. Rise in demand for topical formulations to meet beauty needs in substantial portion of population is a key trend in the regional market. However, in less developed regions of the world, there is still low level of awareness about cosmeceuticals.

Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Healthcare Industry:

Dermal Fillers Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/dermal-fillers-market.html

Cosmeceuticals Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/cosmeceuticals-marke.html

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As part of a broader push to strengthen unions after years of declining membership, President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Monday that creates a task force to promote labor organizing.

Based on the order, it will direct the task force to propose new ways of using the policies and programs of the federal government to organize and successfully bargain with employers.

The order of the President came as unions remain to struggle in maintaining their size and power. For decades, membership has been declining. In 2020, about 10.8 percent of U.S. workers belonged to a union, down from over 30 percent in the 1950s.

According to the Boston Globe, Biden set up the task force to be headed by Vice President Kamala Harris alongside Labor Secretary Martin Walsh. It includes much of Biden's cabinet and top economic and domestic policy advisers.

In a span of 180 days, the task force will have to generate recommendations for encouraging worker organizing and determining whether new policies might be needed.

To do this, the panel will have to meet with labor groups, academics, and others to know their concerns and recommendations.

The White House bills it as the most "comprehensive approach" by any administration in determining how the executive branch can advance worker organizing and collective bargaining.

READ NEXT: Kamala Harris Purposely Avoiding a Visit to U.S.-Mexico Border, Border Patrol Union Chief Says

In February, Biden took the unusual step of recording a video encouraging workers at an Amazon plant in Alabama to vote in a union drive there. The said vote resulted in workers voting against unionizing.

The Biden administration has supported Protecting the Rights to Organize Act. It is a bill that brings additional protections to the rights of employees in organizing and bargaining collectively.

Most Senate Democrats have signed on to the bill, but three holdouts remain. It is still short of the 60 votes needed to clear a filibuster. Bloomberg reported that most lawmakers under the Republican party oppose it, the same with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other major corporate groups.

Kamala Harris on Addressing Root Causes of Migration

After the president appointed Kamala Harris as a point person to address the root causes of migration from the Northern Triangle, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki emphasized that the vice president's focus is not on the border but on a diplomatic level.

Psaki issued the statement after being asked in an interview on Monday about Harris' recent remarks that she had not made any migrant crisis-related trips due to coronavirus risks.

Psaki said that Kamala Harris works in addressing the root causes of migration from the Northern Triangle, Fox News reported.

Psaki noted that this was why most of the vice president's time had been spent working on the diplomatic level. Kamala Harris had a virtual bilateral meeting with the President of Guatemala on Monday.

On May 7, she will meet virtually with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to discuss migration.

READ MORE: Kamala Harris Virtually Meets With Guatemala's President as U.S. Sanctions Other Officials From the Country

WATCH: White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki Holds Press Briefing - From Yahoo Finance
Kerrville, TX (78028)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.
Jeremy Clarkson was joined by his co-stars Richard Hammond and James May as they filmed scenes for The Grand Tour in Beachy Head in East Sussex on Tuesday.

The TV presenter, 61, was seen in a a 1972 Citroen SM alongside Richard, 51, driving down a country road with members of the crew seen nearby.

James, 58, was seen nearby wearing a bright orange coat along with a pale blue shirt and matching jeans as he chatted with his colleagues.

Back at it: Jeremy Clarkson was joined by his co-stars Richard Hammond and James May as they filmed scenes for The Grand Tour in Beachy Head in East Sussex on Tuesday

Fans have been eagerly anticipating new episodes of the Amazon Prime series, with only two special episodes released in the past two years.

The show is currently filming a series of themed episodes, the last of which, 'A Massive Hunt' was released in December 2020.

The special saw the trio go to the islands of Madagascar and Reunion in search of pirate gold.

Jeremy had previously confirmed the show would resume filming again in April following the easing of Britain's lockdown restrictions.

On location: James, 58, was seen nearby wearing a bright orange coat along with a pale blue shirt and matching jeans as he chatted with his colleagues

It comes after James recently claimed he's gotten 'well buff' in lockdown after going out for a bike ride every day in his area.

Reflecting on how he didn't see either Jeremy or Richard amid the global pandemic, James also joked that being away from the pair helped to make him 'healthier'.

Speaking to The Sun, James said of Jeremy and Richard: 'I wouldn't say I've particularly missed them. I've seen so much of those two idiots over the past 15 years of my life. I don't pine for them in any way whatsoever.

'I'm definitely healthier, no doubt about that. I'm slightly slimmer, I'm stronger. I'm still falling to bits but I'm falling to bits in a slightly trimmer way.'

Show: Jeremy, 61, was seen in a a 1972 Citroen SM alongside Richard, 51, driving down a country road with members of the crew seen nearby

Production: Fans have been eagerly anticipating new episodes of the Amazon Prime series, with only two special episodes released in the past two years

James went on to explain that he goes out to cycle between five to ten miles a day, and he claimed would follow government guidelines by only going out to exercise once a day.

Of his new fitness regime, he said: 'I'm well buff now but probably can't drive my car any more.'

James shot to fame as a co-presenter of iconic programme Top Gear, which he starred in alongside Jeremy and Richard from 2003-2015.
YEREVAN.  As of Tuesday morning, 595 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Armenia, and the total number of these cases has reached 214,064 in the country, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Also, 18 more deaths from COVID-19 were registered, making the respective total 4,058 cases.

Six more cases of coronavirus patients dying from some other illnesses were recorded in Armenia in the past one day, and the corresponding overall death toll in the country is 1,008 now.

The number of people who have recovered over the past one day is 801, the total respective number so far is 195,701, and the number of people currently being treated is 13,297which is a drop by 230 in one day.

And 4,277 COVID-19 tests were conducted in Armenia over the past one day, while 969,969 such tests have been performed to date.
Violence in Mogadishu

Washington, DC - The United States is gravely concerned by the violent clashes yesterday in Mogadishu. We call on all parties to exercise restraint and to resolve their differences peacefully.

Dialogue and consensus are the only ways to resolve the electoral impasse, and we urge parties to resume negotiations at once to arrive at an agreed way forward for immediate elections. As the Secretary has stated previously, the United States is prepared to consider all available tools, including sanctions and visa restrictions, to respond to efforts to undermine peace and stability in Somalia.
A Ghanaian spiritualist has issued a strong warning to fast-rising rapper, Yaw Tog concerning his career as a musician and collaborations.



In an audio serving rounds on social media, the spiritualist whose identity we are yet to obtain warned Yaw Tog not to ever feature or do a collaboration with popular and award-winning rapper, Sarkodie, else he will kill his career.



He cautioned Yaw Tog's management not to allow him to go any close to the Tema-based rapper on the grounds that the latter is a destiny killer and he snatches the luck from young up and coming musicians when he features.



The anonymous man said that if Yaw Tog goes ahead and features Sarkodie on his song, that will be the end of his music career and after 5 years he will remember this warning.



Watch the video below:



Source: Eugene Osafo-Nkansah/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
This is the hair-raising moment a daredevil leaps through a forked tree on his scooter and lands smoothly on the ground.

Footage shows Dejion Taylor, 20, from Long Beach, California, take off from a ramp in a skate park and soar towards the tree.

The daredevil flies through the fork in the trunk, clears a chain link fence and then lands successfully in the street.

Mr Taylor, who regularly shares his stunts on Instagram, later revealed that he executed the feat on his third attempt.

Dejion Taylor, from Long Beach, California, leaps through a forked tree on his scooter

The 20-year-old approaches the forked tree and uses a skating ramp to gain height for the leap before landing in the street outside the skate park, right

In a series of clips, Mr Taylor leaps through the narrow gap in the tree on his scooter before crashing off it as he lands.

On this third attempt he manages to stay on the scooter and continue across the street.

Mr Taylor said: 'You have to put the fears to the side and just do it.'

The 20-year-old said that he started skateboarding when he was five before switching to the scooter as a teenager.

He continued: 'I started off as a skateboarder and as I was going to skate parks more often I started seeing scooters and I decided to try it.

'I got one for my 14th birthday and I just stuck with it ever since.'

Now, six years later, Mr Taylor has been performing in competitions and won at least 12 of them.

He has his own signature scooters and has even performed on the Go-Big Show.

The daredevil, who attributes his success to lots of practice, said flips and stunts were among his favorite tricks.

The daredevil takes off from the skating ramp and flies through the tree

Mr Taylor said of his stunts: 'You have to put the fears to the side and just do it'

He said: 'It's fun going upside down. And doing big gaps, anything big I like doing.

'Starting out you get a lot of practice in. Going to the skate park every day, I learned about eight tricks a day, that was one of my goals.

'I've seen a lot of people try to get into it, but they're not trying as hard as they should be or they're not going back to the skate park as much as they should to learn more.

'You have to be consistent and try.'

Mr Taylor added: 'I get to travel for competitions and see the country which I like.

'But for me, it's just more fun than anything.'

Social media users praised Mr Taylor for his efforts, with one describing the stunt as 'too good'

After sharing his stunt online, Mr Taylor was met with array on comments from social media users praising his efforts.

One user wrote: 'If you can fall like that, you're not afraid of anything.'

While another commented: 'Broooo (sic) to good.'

Meanwhile another person added: 'OK second take where you flipped was definitely one for the books.'
TOKYO, Apr 27, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Woven Planet Holdings, Inc. ("Woven Planet"), a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, has agreed to acquire Level 5, the self-driving division of Lyft, Inc. one of the largest ride-hailing companies in the world. This marks the first major deal for the newly established Woven Planet.The deal will bring together world-class scientists and software engineers from Level 5, Woven Planet, and researchers from Toyota Research Institute, Inc. ("TRI") already working together with Woven Planet. The resulting combined "dream team" of approximately 1,200 will represent one of the most diverse, well-resourced and talented groups in this field.Today's announcement places Woven Planet at the center of the connected and automated driving movement by providingTalentan international team of top-tier engineers, research scientists, and domain experts in mobility services.Technologya robust set of sensing, computing, and software assets, and strategic capabilities in automated driving systems.International Footprintonce the acquisition is complete, Woven Planet will have an expanded footprint beyond its Tokyo headquarters, with offices and engineering teams in Palo Alto, CA and London, UK.In addition to the acquisition of Level 5, Woven Planet and Lyft have signed commercial agreements for utilization of the Lyft system and fleet data to accelerate the safety and commercialization of the automated-driving technology that Woven Planet will develop.Lyft will receive approximately $550 million in cash, with $200 million paid upfront subject to certain closing adjustments and $350 million of payments over a five-year period.As a result of this transaction, Woven Planet will accelerate revolutionizing the world of mobility and realize its mission of "Mobility to Love, Safety to Live," fueling a broader vision of human happiness and well-being on the planet Earth.Comment from James Kuffner, CEO, Woven Planet"This acquisition advances our mission to develop the safest mobility in the world at scale. The Woven Planet team, alongside the team of researchers at TRI, have already established a center of excellence for software development and technology in the Toyota Group. Bringing Level 5's world-class engineers and experts into the fold-as well as additional technology resources--will allow us to have even greater speed and impact. This deal will be key in weaving together the people, resources, and infrastructure that will help us to transform the world we live in through mobility technologies that can bring about a happier, safer future for us all."Comment from Logan Green, CEO, Lyft"Today's announcement launches Lyft into the next phase of an incredible journey to bring our mission to life. Lyft has spent nine years building a transportation network that is uniquely capable of scaling autonomous vehicles. This deal brings together the vision, talent, resources and commitment to advance clean, autonomous mobility on a global scale."Comment from George Kellerman, Head of Investments & Acquisitions, Woven Planet"With the acquisition of Level 5, Woven Planet is driving towards its mission to combine the innovative culture of Silicon Valley with world-renowned Japanese craftsmanship to create the mobility solutions of the future. This acquisition significantly accelerates our ability to bring technology solutions forward with an influx of exceptional engineers and leading-edge technology. It also provides a solid foundation for international expansion and future hiring efforts in the world's strongest talent markets. We aim to become the center of interconnected mobility systems, weaving together a variety of technologies and partnerships extending far beyond the automotive industry. This acquisition marks the first in a coordinated strategy to consolidate leading technologies and talent to help realize this vision."Comment from Luc Vincent, Executive Vice President, Autonomous Technology, Lyft"Both Woven Planet and Level 5 are focused on improving mobility through technology, bringing about a future that benefits people around the world. With this deal in place, I am very excited that the Level 5 team will be better positioned than ever to deliver on its long term mission to bring autonomous vehicles to market. As part of Woven Planet, we will be able to leverage exceptional automotive engineering expertise as well as the considerable resources of an iconic business, while continuing to move with the energy and speed of a start-up. It is exhilarating to be part of this new venture, expanding our mission and building the foundational technology that will support mobility and the smart cities of tomorrow."About Woven Planet GroupAt Woven Planet Group, we are on a mission to design a happier planet through secure, connected mobility solutions. Starting business in January 2021, Woven Planet Group is an expansion of the operations of Toyota Research Institute - Advanced Development, Inc. dedicated to bringing its vision, "Mobility to Love, Safety to Live" to life. Under this shared goal, our four companies, Woven Planet Holdings, Woven Core, Woven Alpha and Woven Capital are transforming how people live, work, and move through new innovations and investment in automated driving, robotics, smart cities, and more.For more information, please visit https://www.woven-planet.global/About LyftLyft was founded in 2012 and is one of the largest transportation networks in the United States and Canada. As the world shifts away from car ownership to transportation-as-a-service, Lyft is at the forefront of this massive societal change. Our transportation network brings together rideshare, bikes, scooters, car rentals and transit all in one app. We are singularly driven by our mission: to improve people's lives with the world's best transportation.Source: Toyota Motor CorporationCopyright 2021 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Washington D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) admits to being the target of the latest ransomware attack after screenshots of sensitive data were leaked online.

The latest ransomware attack marks the 26th time a government agency has been hacked this year, and the third time for the police force in six weeks.

D.C. Police Department's Servers Compromised

The MPD finds itself in the crosshairs after a ransomware attack threatened to leak confidential information to the public.

According to the New York Times' report on Tuesday, Apr. 27, a ransomware gang called Babuk claimed responsibility for the attack and leaked screenshots of the stolen data for proof.

The leaked screenshots contained files related to operations, recorded gang members and "crew" operating in the D.C. area, and disciplinary records.

The gang puts one of the stolen files in the spotlight, which points to the arrests made after the Capital Building protests on Jan. 6.

Babuk also claimed to have obtained 250GB worth of unencrypted files and threatened to release them to the public if the police force fails to meet their demand in three days, including names of police informants to criminal gangs.

The ransomware group added that they would continue to attack "the state sector," including the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The MPD released a statement confirming the cyberattack and said that the FBI is investigating the matter.

The report comes after a series of ransomware attacks had been targeting prominent corporations as of late.

Just a week ago, Apple was hit with a $50 million ransom after a hacker group obtained confidential schematics from one of the tech giant's manufacturers.

Also Read: Ransomware Gang REvil Attacks PC Giant Acer and Demands $50 Million

Babuk Locker: The Newest Ransomware Operation of 2021

Babuk was first known to the public when BleepingComputer reported their existence on Jan. 5, where they explained how their ransomware attacks its victims.

According to their report, each Babuk Locker ransomware was customized to specific targets and contains a ransom note, hardcoded extension, and a Tor victim URL.

Chuong Dong, the security researcher who analyzed the ransomware, said that it includes secure encryption that prevents victims from recovering their lost data.

One of the most prominent victims of the Babuk ransomware is NBA's Houston Rockets, after 500GB worth of contracts and other important documents were stolen from them.

However, the ransomware gang's notoriety was downplayed on Apr. 14 after the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft discovered severe bugs decryptor in the ransomware.

"One of the bugs within the actual Babuk ransomware on ESXi is that files can be encrypted multiple times," Emsisoft's statement reads. "Multiple encryption layers are a nuisance, but ultimately just mean that with some manual effort a victim can still decrypt their data by simply decrypting the ransomed data again and again until all encryption layers have been removed."

Related Article: Ransomware Demands Two Bitcoins: Attack Disguises as Security Software Exploiting VPN Weakness, Two Manufacturing Plants Down

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Leigh Mercer

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The political targeting of Mr. Newsom comes as public schools have yet to fully reopen, leaving many children at home and many parents aggravated. Public school enrollment has dropped by more than 160,000 students, while the state has lost roughly 1.5 million jobs and unemployment remains at 8.3 percent, one of the highest rates in the country.

Theres a lot of frustration and rising anger on a variety of issues  jobs are leaving, homelessness is rising, so many parents across the state are furious, said Kevin Faulconer, the former mayor of San Diego and a Republican candidate for governor, who has made the slow reopening of public schools a central theme of his case against Mr. Newsom. I strongly believe that voters are looking for someone with common sense.

As a political force, Mr. Newsom has always been more inevitable than loved, a rich San Franciscan who has steadily climbed from political office to office and enjoyed long ties to Mr. Brown and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two to one in California, and Mr. Newsom easily won the open governors seat in 2018.

Democrats still have a narrow window to block the recall, by convincing enough voters who signed the petition to withdraw their support, but even Mr. Newsoms aides have called that outcome unlikely. The Legislatures joint budget committee will also have to sign off on a California Department of Finance report on the cost of the special election, which Mr. Newsoms supporters estimate could be $100 million or more.

If those hurdles are cleared, as is widely expected, the recall would present Mr. Newsom with more political challenges and scrutiny than he has ever faced. Over the winter, the recall supporters were already capitalizing on his every move.

As schoolchildren struggled with online instruction, the supporters accused Mr. Newsom of coddling teachers unions. As small businesses withered, they pointed to Mr. Newsoms success as a wine merchant. When Mr. Newsom implied that his own children were being schooled virtually and it turned out that their private school had actually resumed in-person classes, his critics heckled his daily livestreams, accusing him online of French Laundry-style elitism.
PHILIPSBURG(DCOMM):--- On Monday, April 26th, a little over two months after the start of the vaccination campaign on Sint Maarten, the country has reached the milestone of the 20.000th vaccine administered to Julia Richardson at the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry of VSA) Collective Prevention Service (CPS) offices.

Richardson came for her first dose of the vaccine and was delighted to be the recipient of the 20.000th vaccine administered on Sint Maarten.

The Vaccination Management Team (VMT) is happy to reach this milestone yet reminds everyone that we still have a long way to go. The percentage of vaccinated people against the COVID-19 virus on Sint Maarten is still not high enough to fight off a possible third wave of infections, which is why the VMT has scaled up the vaccination process to reach the goal as soon as possible.

This has become even more important since we know that most infections are related to the UK variant. The Indian variant has also been detected in the country.

The VMT is also delighted to see that many Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and organizations are taking ownership of this challenge and actively promoting the vaccination campaign. More and more businesses are requesting an information session for their staff or providing incentives to encourage their staff to take the vaccine.

The American University of the Caribbean (AUC) students and volunteers from SXM A.C.T.I.O.N. frequently offer registration assistance at their information & registration stands at several supermarkets throughout the country.

This commitment and support from volunteers, NGOs, and businesses are fundamental because they are the beating heart of the community. If they lead by example and promote it, the VMT hopes that more people will realize that it is safe and the best thing to do for Sint Maarten.

The VMT would like to encourage everyone who hasn't registered already to do so. Even if you are still on the fence, it is still wise to register. If you receive your invitation and you are still not sure, you can always postpone or cancel, but getting the vaccine registration numbers up is very important because the VMT can then show that there is sufficient demand for the vaccine on Sint Maarten and secure the delivery of the next batch of vaccines from the Netherlands.

You can register using the online registration form, which is available in English, Spanish, and Creole, and can be found by using the following link: https://forms.sintmaartengov.org/Form.aspx?fid=5376a115-73d0-4a74-b632-95a9448539b2&v=OGtn05kNmb

Registration is free, and the vaccine is free.

Paper-based "COVID Vaccine Registration Forms" can be picked up at several locations, including Collective Prevention Services (CPS) at the Vineyard Office Park Building, the Division of Labor Affairs at the Simpson Bay Public Service Center in Simpson Bay, doctors' offices, the Government Administration Building, and select pharmacies.

Walk-ins are now also facilitated at the Belair Community Center between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM and CPS between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM for on-site registration and vaccination on the same day.

The VMT also encourages everyone to assist friends, family, neighbors, and loved ones with the registration as we know that some struggle with the process. Ask if you can help with registration, transport, or support if you suspect that someone could need it because only together can we reach our goal.

If you have questions about the registration process, your appointment, or if you wish for information, CPS can assist. All you need to do is 914 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sint Maarten Protected Together.
The worlds largest cruise liner slated to sail from Shanghai next year

By:Lu Yukun | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-04-26 13:25

Due to the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic, the global cruise industry has almost come to a standstill. Despite that, some cruise industry players are seeing growing marker momentum in the coming years. Royal Caribbean International, a luxury cruise operator, has recently announced that Shanghai will be the home to a new luxury cruise liner with a weight of almost 237,000 tons, which makes it the worlds largest cruise ship when it gets completed in Saint-Nazaire, France.

The new cruise liner, named Wonder of the Seas, a next-generation Oasis Class cruise ship, will sail from Shanghai starting from March 2022. The Wonder of the Seas is scheduled to arrive in Shanghai in March 2020, and will depart from Shanghai and Hong Kong for four- to eight-day journeys to several Asian destinations including Japanese cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Kobe while Christmas routes will include such destinations as Chan May port (in Vietnam) and Taipei, according to Royal Caribbean.

It will feature some of the popular hallmark facilities like Central Park with tropical plants, the open-air AquaTheater for top-of-the-class shows, the 10-deck Ultimate Abyss that offers the highest slide at sea and a 25-meter Zipline.

Oasis Class has kept the record as the worlds largest luxury cruise ship for 12 years. The first four Oasis Class cruise ships are deployed in North America and Europe, and this new cruise liner will be the first for the Asian market and the youngest member of the Oasis Class ships.
Mumbai, April 27 : HDFC Bank on Tuesday announced that it has converted three of its training centres at Bhubaneswar, Pune, and Gurugram into isolation facilities, equipped with first-line assistance and round the clock nurses and visiting doctors.

Immediate medical help from a nearby hospital will be made available, if required, it said, adding that these are part of a host of measures taken to offer holistic care to its employees and their dependents.

The bank has also been working with the local administration and setting up vaccination camps. It had also tied up with multiple hotels across the country to provide isolation facilities, basic amenities and basic medical checks, as multiple hospitals across the country like Apollo, Manipal, Shalby, Miot, and Billroth, to provide vaccination, etc.

Also, e-consultation with doctors through Apollo 24/7 or MediBuddy, znd delivery of medicines through PharmEasy Apps is being provided.

"Our primary concern during such trying times is the welfare of our employees. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that they and their loved ones receive the best possible help and medical care. Not just for their physical well-being but for being able to cope with stress too. We have lined up a panel of psychologists who they can consult since our first priority is the well being of our colleagues," said Ashima Bhatt, Group head, CSR, infrastructure and Finance, at the bank.
With Parties Polarized, Desire for Revenge Calls the Tune

Commentary

The people have spoken, said former New York City Mayor Ed Koch after the Democratic mayoral primary of 1989, and they must be punished.

The understandably bitter Koch had just been defeated by David Dinkins and was bidding his farewell to politics. And in fact, the people were punished: The one-term Dinkins, who defeated Rudy Giuliani in the general election that year to become the citys first black mayor, saw crime soar on his impeccably tailored watch, with murders hitting a high of 2,605 the following year.

Four years later, even the Upper West Side had had enough and called the cops, in the form of Giuliani and his police chief, Bill Bratton.

Still, there was a hidden grain of truth in Kochs famous crack: There is a vindictive element to Democrat electoral politics, especially in the 30 years since Hizzoner left Gracie Mansion. As the parties have polarized, a destructive element has entered our politics, and with malice aforethought. This will not end well.

Theres always been a certain amount of pendulum swing in the peculiar version of democracy known as our republican form of government. Everyone runs against the other guy, the party in power, the Swamp, and yet too oftenas with Mark Twains famous crack about the weathernobody really does anything about it.

For all the talk, the comfortable middle of Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and Bushdrifting ever leftward, to be surewas where the country seemed to want to be.

Civil War

But sometimes not. In the run-up to the Civil War, polarization over the issues of slavery and secession saw the death of one party (the Whigs), the birth of another (the Republicans), and the complete radicalization of a third (the Democrats, led in part by the spirit of the traitor and murderer Aaron Burr, who gained political advantage through Tammany Hall a decade after its founding).

The result was four years of the bloodiest armed conflict in American history. Peace was finally restored at Appomattox, but the causes still lingerin particular, the Democrats fondness for brute force.

Despite their loss in the War Between the States, the Democrats never gave up. Talk about the resistancethey fought the Reconstruction amendments tooth and nail, and gave birth to the Ku Klux Klan, which attacked not only blacks but Jews and Catholics as well.

So unyielding were they in their fanaticism that the election of 1876 wasnt finally decided until the GOP agreed to the withdrawal of the remaining federal troops in the old Confederacy, thus instantly erasing black political progress and ushering in nearly a century of Jim Crow.

The South will rise again! became the rallying cry of what is, in effect, a criminal organization masquerading as a political party.

That never happenednot, at least, in terms of regional revolution. But the Democrats, who should have been disbanded and outlawed in 1865 after their armed insurrection against the lawfully constituted government of the United States, in fact, did rise again. A Maryland Democrat assassinated Abraham Lincoln, thus putting a Democrat, Andrew Johnson, into the White House.

As the Old South gradually became more populous and prosperous, the Democrats moved north, where their innate, Jeffersonian radicalism found fresh new soil. New England, which had led the fight against slavery, maintained its revolutionary inclinations as it shifted from rock-ribbed Republican to urban, immigrant Democrat, easy emotional prey for the anarcho-socialists.

So did the industrial Midwest, with its tradition of unions and socialism (read Upton Sinclairs The Jungle for a primer on Chicagos foreign-injected radicalism at the turn of the last century). The parties didnt switch sides; the revanchist Democrats simply fled the South and settled elsewheremost recently California, which theyve now all but destroyed.

Hatred and Revenge

Still, they seethe with hatred and revenge. The Frankfurt School of German-born Marxists, refugees from Hitler, preached hatred of America almost from the moment these ingrates landed on our shores, and they educated three generations of college-aged Americans before their prize pupil, Barack Hussein Obama, won the White House.

And when Obama, a disciple of Saul Alinsky (who, interestingly had begun his career as a community organizer working with the Capone mob in Chicago), promised the fundamental transformation of the country, anyone who had lived through the 1960s knew exactly what he meant.

The presidency of Donald J. Trump came as a nasty surprisethey thought they had the fight fixed. And so for the entirety of the Trump administration they sought to bring him down and ensure somebody like him could never happen again. No need to go over the entire litany, but from the sandbagging of Michael Flynn to the final impeachment trial even after Trump had left office, they never stopped, they never slept, they never quit.

So here we are. Their ballot harvesting and curing, their weaponization of the CCP virus in the form of unconstitutional COVID-19 restrictions, and their illegal monkeying with state election laws, combined with their traditional Tammany Hall-style ballot-box stuffing, won them the White House. In the Congress, they hold the barest of majorities. And the stunned mullet called the Roberts Court is helpless to stop them. Who needs a landslide?

And now, the people having spoken, they must be punished. Draconian executive orders signed by a shuffling, mumbling, masked non-entity have thrown the formerly booming economy into reverse. The energy sector is under direct attack.

Anarchy that would make Emma Goldman and Leon Czolgosz (McKinleys assassin) blush has been loosed upon the land via the Black Lives Matter and Antifa movements.

The military is being deconstructed via political correctness, while Chinese spies have infiltrated nearly every corridor of power as the Russian bear hungrily eyes the Ukraine.

And we are philosophically, militarily, and emotionally powerless to stop them.

Thanks to Critical Theory, the Frankfurt Schools signal contribution to the dismantling of America, everything about the country-as-founded must be destroyed. As I explained in my 2017 bestseller, The Devils Pleasure Palace: The Cult of Critical Theory and the Subversion of the West, all that critical theory means in practice is there is no received tenet of civilization that should not either be questioned (the slogan question authority originated with the Frankfurt School) or attacked. Critical Theory is the very essence of satanism, which is to say rebellion for the sake of rebellion against an established order that has obtained for eonsand with no greater promise for the future than destruction.

In short, theyre angrier than ever and out for vengeance. At this fraught moment, with their stranglehold on the country still electorally tenuous, they will go as far and as fast as they can as they seek to get past the 2024 congressional elections and into a permanent catbird seat. And then its Katie-bar-the-door.

Now, what are you going to do about it?

Michael Walsh is the editor of The-Pipeline.org and the author of The Devils Pleasure Palace and The Fiery Angel, both published by Encounter Books. His latest book, Last Stands, a cultural study of military history from the Greeks to the Korean War, was recently published.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
TORONTO, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global financial services organisation, Fabriik, announces its latest leadership recruit to their ever-growing team, with Sam Azad joining as Chief Compliance Officer. Azad brings to the table over 18 years' experience in Compliance having worked not only at UK regulator, the Financial Services Authority, but also, at household name financial institutions including; KPMG, JP Morgan, Bloomberg and ICAP/NEX Markets.

Over his career Azad has covered a wide range of business lines including broker/dealers, electronic trading, regulated markets, research and data services, as well as media and advertising compliance.

He joins Fabriik which currently offers market making services, a Trading Desk and Trading API, asset transformation (via their Simple Fabriik Protocol) and a digital asset Smart Wallet (branded as Money Button). Fabriik is gearing up to launch their Exchange and a Custodian is also coming soon. Sam Azad, Chief Compliance Officer for Fabriik, commented: "It goes without saying that the digital asset market has seen phenomenal growth recently and inevitably, so has the issue of regulation. I have been very interested in the space for some time now so, to get my feet under the desk is very exciting and I am glad to see forward thinking companies like Fabriik focusing on compliance."

Roy Bernhard, CEO, Chief Visionary & Co-Founder of Fabriik, added: "Sam brings a wealth of experience to Fabriik in an area key for the future of digital asset trading. As more people and companies start to trade digital assets they also need to know that their money is safe, the site is secure and there's a proper compliance system in place. Sam will help give us that as we rapidly approach our full public launch."

About Fabriik

Fabriik is a transformative financial services organization. Our vision is for a world where everyone has full control of their finances to live the life to which they aspire - where possibilities are limitless, not limited. Our mission is to evolve the very fabric of the global financial system, for the 1.7 billion people who cannot access it, and the rest of us at the mercy of it.

We're weaving a better future of finance, so everyone can thrive, by creating a safe, open, and fully transparent ecosystem built on innovative technology, where anyone can transform, hold, trade, and grow every asset they own. All in one accessible place, where everything is digital, and anything is possible.

Our journey has only just begun and launching regulated, digital financial services is our first step in this transformation.

Fabriik. Reimagine Prosperity.
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Llandudno, Wales, Britain (Photo : REUTERS/Phil Noble/Pool)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday denied a newspaper report that he had said he would rather bodies piled "high in their thousands" than order a third COVID-19 lockdown.



Johnson is facing a stream of allegations in newspapers - all of them denied - about everything from his muddled initial handling of the COVID-19 crisis to questions over who financed the redecoration of his official apartment.



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The Daily Mail newspaper cited unidentified sources as saying that, in October, shortly after agreeing to a second lockdown, Johnson told a meeting in Downing Street: "No more fucking lockdowns - let the bodies pile high in their thousands."



Asked whether he had made the remark, Johnson told broadcasters: "No, but again, I think the important thing, I think, that people want us to get on and do as a government is to make sure that the lockdowns work, and they have."



The Daily Mail did not respond to a request for comment but the BBC later also reported that Johnson made the remark in a "heated discussion" about lockdowns. Reuters was unable to immediately verify the reports.



Though Johnson has over the years repeatedly weathered gaffes, crises over Brexit and disclosures about his adultery, he is now grappling with an array of accusations which opponents say show he is unfit for office. He or his supporters have denied all of them.



Opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, who has cast Johnson's government as "sleazy", said he was astonished to read the Daily Mail's report.



"If he did say those things, he's got to explain it," he said.



Johnson did impose a third lockdown, in January, though critics say it could have been avoided had he yielded to pressure from senior ministers to make the second lockdown more stringent.



Britain has the world's fifth largest official COVID-19 death toll, with 127,681 deaths, after the United States, Brazil, Mexico and India, according to Johns Hopkins University of Medicine.



JOHNSON UNDER FIRE



Downing Street last week named Johnson's former chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, as the source of leaks against the prime minister. But Cummings denied he was the source and cast Johnson as incompetent and lacking in integrity.



Johnson, 56, and Cummings, 49, were once close allies who worked on the successful 'Vote Leave' campaign to take Britain out of the European Union in the 2016 referendum.



Cummings also advised Johnson in the 2019 election campaign, which won the Conservatives their biggest parliamentary majority since 1987, but he left the prime minister's staff suddenly late last year.



Cummings said Johnson had planned to have donors pay secretly for the renovation of his Downing Street apartment, adding that was "unethical, foolish, possibly illegal - and almost certainly broke the rules on proper disclosure of political donations".



Defence Secretary Ben Wallace on Monday declined to confirm or deny if Johnson had been given an undeclared loan from political donors to pay for the renovation of the flat. What mattered now was that Johnson had borne the cost himself, Wallace said.



"Do I think the prime minister is sleazy? No, I don't," he told BBC radio.



Asked last month about the refurbishment plans, Johnson's spokeswoman said all donations, gifts and benefits were properly declared, and that no party funds were being used to pay for the refurbishment.


Guerrilla fighters in Myanmar have set a military base alight in a blow to the ruling military junta.

Ethnic Karen guerrillas said on Tuesday that they had captured the base near the border with Thailand.

The move is a morale boost for those opposing the military's takeover of the country's civilian government in a coup in February.

Video shot from the Thai side of the border showed flames rising from the government position on the banks of the Salween River, amid the sound of heavy gunfire.

The river marks the border with Thailand, where hundreds have been evacuated from a nearby village for their own safety, a Thai official said.

The military, known as the Tatmadaw, responded with force several hours later by carrying out air strikes on villages in the territory controlled by Karen forces, according to a guerrilla spokesman, a senior Thai official and a relief worker.

The military junta said on Tuesday that it would heed regional pleas to stop violence only when the country 'returns to stability'.

The nation has been in turmoil since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a February 1 coup, triggering a protest movement that security forces have met with deadly crackdowns.

The violence - in which more than 750 people have been killed by security forces, according to a local monitoring group - has raised alarm among regional neighbours and drawn criticism from the international community.

A spokesman for the Karen National Union, the minority's main political group seeking greater autonomy from Myanmar's central government, said its armed wing had attacked the base and burned it down just after dawn.

Casualty figures are not yet known, KNU head of foreign affairs Padoh Saw Taw Nee told the Associated Press.

A KNU handout photo shows guerrilla fighters inspecting rifles and weapons seized from Myanmar's troops after a clash on Tuesday

A KNU handout photo shows Myanmar's military helmets and weapons seized by the guerrillas following a clash on Tuesday

The KNU, which controls territory in eastern Myanmar near the Thai border, is a close ally of the resistance movement against the February coup. Its armed wing is called the Karen National Liberation Army.

A report by the Karen Information Centre quoted an unnamed villager on the Thai side of the border saying he saw seven government soldiers trying to flee the camp, which is opposite Thailand's Mae Sam Laep village.

Padoh Man Man of the KNLA's 5th Brigade, which launched this morning's attack, said Myanmar's military carried out airstrikes in the early afternoon, but he did not know how many casualties there were.

He described the air raids as a 'heinous war crime' and called for the international community to pressure the junta to stop the,.

Sithichai Jindaluang, governor of Thailand's Mae Hong Son province, confirmed at a news conference that Karen guerrillas had overrun the Myanmar base.

He said a stateless woman on Thai soil had been shot in the leg by a stray bullet during the fighting and that she was treated in hospital and is now in a stable condition.

Ethnic Karen guerrillas said that they had captured the base near the border with Thailand on Tuesday. Pictured: Myanmar soldiers are seen at the base on March 30 [File photo]

In a video shot from the Thai side of the border, people can be seen running across a riverbank. A report by the Karen Information Centre quoted an unnamed villager on the Thai side of the border saying he saw seven government soldiers trying to flee the camp

Sithichai added that about 450 villagers have been evacuated from Mae Sam Lap for their own safety.

He also said that a Myanmar military aircraft later bombed a Karen village.

'Thailand does not support either side but concentrates on ensuring the safety of Thai nationals,' said Sithichai, whose province has also devised a 'refugees management plan'.

Some villagers on the Thai side of the border had already fled their homes, said Hkara, an ethnic Karen longtime resident, adding that she heard explosions and gunfire from inside Myanmar around 5 am.

'Nobody dares to stay,' she said.

Dave Eubank of the Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian aid group, said he could confirm there had been air strikes on Karen villages in two townships in Papun district.

He said Myanmar's army was also staging ground attacks in the area. Neither he nor the government had casualty figures available.

Video shot from the Thai side of the border showed flames rising from the government position on the banks of the Salween River, amid the sound of heavy gunfire

Fighting between the KNU's armed wing and Myanmar's military has been intense since February, with government air strikes beginning on March 27.

Jets have bombed and strafed Karen villages, and its army has deployed fresh battalions to the area, in possible preparation for a large-scale offensive.

Up to 25,000 villagers have fled their homes and are hiding in jungles and caves, according to Mr Eubank.

In response, the KNLA has kept up guerrilla attacks on Myanmar patrols and bases.

The KNU has also given shelter to at least 2,000 activists against military rule who have fled the government's crackdown on the resistance movement in Myanmar's cities.

There is a similar situation in the country's north, where the Kachin minority claims to have captured several government outposts and to have been the target of air attacks.

The Karen and the Kachin are two of the larger minority groups that have been seeking greater autonomy for decades, during which there have been periods of armed conflict punctuated by ceasefires.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a February 1 coup, triggering a protest movement that security forces have met with deadly crackdowns. Pictured: Protesters in Yangon on Tuesday

The violence - in which more than 750 people have been killed by security forces, according to a local monitoring group - has raised alarm among regional neighbours and drawn criticism from the international community. Pictured: Protesters in Yangon on Tuesday

Protesters flash a three-fingered salute adopted from the Hunger Games film franchise at a demonstration in Yangon on Tuesday

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing attended a weekend meeting on the crisis with the leaders of the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - his first overseas trip since he seized power.

The leaders issued a 'five-point consensus' statement that called for the 'immediate cessation of violence' and a visit to Myanmar by a regional special envoy.

However the event held in Indonesia was criticised by many who saw Min Aung Hlaing's presence alongside other leaders as a legitimisation of the military's power grab.

Myanmar politicians who have formed a 'National Unity Government' called on Interpol and the Indonesia police to arrest the Tatmadaw leader upon his arrival in Jakarta, for crimes against humanity.

On Tuesday, Myanmar's State Administrative Council - as the junta dubs itself - said it would consider the 'constructive suggestions made by ASEAN leaders when the situation returns to stability in the country'.

The statement also said its neighbours' suggestions would be 'positively considered if it (ASEAN) would facilitate the implementation' of the junta's five-step roadmap.

The three-fingered salute has been adopted by pro-democracy protesters across Asia. Pictured: Demonstrators in Yangon on Tuesday

Demonstrators carry a banner reading 'Wo are we? We are Yangonese!' during a protest in Yangon on Tuesday

In Yangon on Tuesday, hundreds participated in one of the biggest demonstrations to hit the commercial hub in weeks

Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun told AFP news agency that the regime was 'satisfied' with the trip, saying it had been able to explain the 'real situation' to ASEAN leaders.

But ASEAN is not known for its diplomatic clout and observers have questioned how effectively it can influence events in the country.

The former US ambassador to Myanmar, Scot Marciel, warned that the military's response to the Jakarta summit showed signs of backsliding already.

'ASEAN cannot dither here, as the junta moves to walk back even the limited agreement reached Saturday,' Marciel said in a tweet.

'There should be urgent follow-up, and costs imposed on the junta for delay.'

There have been near-daily protests throughout the country calling for the military to step down.

Across Myanmar, security forces have killed more than 750 civilians since February 1, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a local monitoring group tracking the death toll.

But the junta - which called the AAPP an 'illegal organisation' - has registered a far lower number while blaming 'rioters'.

Protesters march against the military coup in Dawei, a city in southeastern Myanmar, on Tuesday

Engineers and students march during a protest agains the military coup in Dawei on Tuesday. Since the February 1 power grab, Myanmar has seen near-daily protests despite bloody government crackdowns

Min Aung Hlaing's weekend trip to Jakarta has failed to halt the use of lethal force by soldiers and police - with a teashop owner shot dead during protests in Mandalay two days after the get-together.

Tuesday also saw tensions in eastern Loikaw city, when security forces tried to remove barricades and opened fire on residents who tried to stop them - killing one.

But the violence has done little to deter the anti-junta movement.

In Yangon on Tuesday, hundreds participated in one of the biggest demonstrations to hit the commercial hub in weeks.

'Democracy is our cause, our cause!' they chanted as they wove through the city's narrow residential streets in a flash march to avoid any potential confrontation with security personnel.
Los Angles, April 27 : Actress Priyanka Chopra has tweeted an appeal to the President of the United States (POTUS) and the US government to urgently share Covid-19 vaccines with India, and reactions to her tweet on social media have been mixed.

"My heart breaks. India is suffering from COVID19 & the US has ordered 550M more vaccines than needed @POTUS @WHCOS @SecBlinken @JakeSullivan46 Thx for sharing AstraZeneca worldwide, but the situation in my country is critical. Will you urgently share vaccines w/ India? #vaxlive," she posted.

Her tweet received a mixed response, with many accusing her of being too late while others applauded her efforts.

"This tweet was required Atleast 2 weeks back. You shouldn't have waited for #VaxLive campaign to tweet for your fellow countrymen," wrote one user, while another posted, "So proud of you Queen for having the guts to talk about such important issue we are facing currently." Another wrote: "Wow very early ur heart breaks." Many others appreciated her appeal.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
(Natural News) Now that tens of millions of Americans are well beyond the point of burnout from all the endless Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) fearmongering, the mainstream media is once again pivoting back to churning out hysteria about so-called climate change.

The latest TIME magazine cover shows the entire planet on fire along with the caption: Climate is Everything. Below that, the words How the pandemic can lead us to a better, greener world reveal the true purpose behind the plandemic agenda.

A full-length piece inside the issue that was penned by climate doom-monger Justin Worland, TIMEs senior correspondent, is even more ridiculous than the cover. Worland insists that everything truly is about the climate, and that the entire world needs to change in order to prevent global warming and other associated catastrophes.

[S]purred by alarming science, growing public fury and a deadly pandemic, government officials, corporate bosses and civil-society leaders are finally waking up to a simple idea whose time has come: climate is everything, Worland writes.

Its the economy stupid, Worland adds, quoting Democrat strategist James Carvilles famous statement. [A]s the effects of climate change increasingly shape economic outcomes, we may soon be saying, Its the climate, stupid.

In other words, Worland is telling TIMEs readers  are there any, anymore?  that the Chinese virus is not so much an actual virus as it is a catalyst to transform the entire world into the image of what the climate apologists have been pushing for since at least the 1970s.

To learn more about the climate agenda and the deception surrounding it, visit ClimateScienceNews.com.

Scientists from MIT, Princeton say there is no climate emergency

Worland must have missed the recent expose from scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Princeton University, which basically declares the so-called climate emergency to be a total hoax.

Meteorologist Richard Lindzen and physicist William Happer say plainly in their piece that there is no climate emergency, and that Americans should not be stampeded into a disastrous climate crusade.

A climate crusade that destroys economies and ultimately lives will be as bad, or worse [than the medieval crusades], they add, completely debunking the lies told by the likes of Worland.

Worland, on the other hand, wants everyone to be stampeded into a new world order centered around the false notion that the planet is collapsing due to use of fossil fuels. He says U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge should be praised for working to infuse climate considerations into everything [Resident Joe Bidens] administration does.

The Biden regimes intertwining of the economy and climate change promises to shape global politics and society for the foreseeable future.

A laughable irony with all this is that 47 years ago, TIME magazine tried to scare its readers about an impending global catastrophe from global cooling. It was the year 1974, in fact, when TIME tried to peddle the false narrative that the trend of global cooling showed no signs of reversing any time soon.

Telltale signs are everywhere  from the unexpected persistence and thickness of pack ice in the waters around Iceland to the southward migration of a warmth-loving creature like the armadillo from the Midwest, TIMEs fake news writers contended.

Worland was passed the baton, except this time we are all supposed to be scared of the planet warming rather than cooling. In fact, just last year Worland warned TIME readers that we have one last chance to save the planet, presumably by dumping fossil fuels, buying electric cars, and eating fake meat made from genetically modified (GMO) poisons.

Worland appeared to champion how the pandemic shifted conversations toward climate change and led governments to infuse policy-making with eco-extremist nonsense, writes Joseph Vazquez for Newsbusters.

Sources for this article include:

Newsbusters.org

NaturalNews.com
Erdogan calls on Biden to reverse Armenian "genocide" statement

Xinhua) 09:06, April 27, 2021

Turkish protesters protested U.S. President Joe Biden's declaration of the 1915 events in Ottoman Empire as "genocide" of Armenians, in Ankara, Turkey, on April 26, 2021. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

The U.S. president needed "to look in the mirror" for his country's history before accusing the Ottoman Empire of "genocide," Turkish President Erdogan said.

ANKARA, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday called on U.S. President Joe Biden to immediately reverse his declaration that designated the atrocities to Armenians during World War I as "genocide."

"I hope the U.S. President will turn back from this wrong step as soon as possible," Erdogan told reporters in his first comments since Biden's statement.

U.S. soldiers stand guard on the rooftop of the U.S. embassy building as Turkish protesters demonstrate in front of the embassy in Ankara, Turkey, on April 26, 2021. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

Biden on Saturday recognized the mass killing against Armenians more than a century ago as a "genocide."

He is the first U.S. president to use the term "genocide" in describing the 1915 events.

Erdogan said Biden's statement was "unfounded and unfair" and would hinder bilateral ties.

Turkish protesters dressed in Ottoman costumes and armed with swords protested in front of the U.S. embassy against U.S. President Joe Biden's declaration of the 1915 events as "genocide" of Armenians, in Ankara, Turkey, on April 26, 2021. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

"We believe that these comments in the statement were included due to pressure from radical Armenian groups and anti-Turkish circles. But this situation does not reduce the destructive impact of these comments in bilateral ties," he stated.

The U.S. president needed "to look in the mirror" for his country's history before accusing the Ottoman Empire of "genocide," the Turkish leader added.

"If you say genocide, then you have to look at yourselves in the mirror and make an evaluation. The Native Americans, I don't even need to mention them. They are all out there," Erdogan noted.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
The annual spawning run of striped bass up the Hudson River is finally kicking in and anglers are seeing some impressive action.

Striped bass are anadromous. They live adult lives in the ocean but migrate into brackish bays and freshwater rivers to spawn. On the East Coast, there are three major spawning grounds: the tributaries of Chesapeake Bay, upper Delaware Bay/Delaware River, and the Hudson River in New York, according to onthewater.com.

On the Hudson, these big fish can be caught throughout the river, running all the way up the federal dam in Troy.

Elizabeth Roche, of East Greenbush N.Y. caught and released this impressive 40-inch striped bass on the Hudson River just north of the Albany port on live herring during the outgoing tide.

New Yorks striped bass fishing season kicked off April 1. The height of the spring spawning run is mid-May and the action will continue throughout the month and possibly into early June.

New this year on the Hudson is the regulation mandating that in-line circle hooks be used by anglers fishing with bait. The idea is to release the motality of those fish released. Hook-ups with circle hooks are usually around the mouth with less gut hooks, resulting in an easy release and less serious injury to the fish.

Hudson River anglers can keep one fish per day between 18 and 28 inches, all others must be released.

Previously, regulations allowed that the one fish kept could be a trophy fish measuring 40 inches or longer. No longer.

A happy Michael Sobotor, of Warwick, N.Y., holds up a monster, 48-inch striped bass he recently caught and released in the Hudson River. He wrote: This is my first year Striper fishing (got lucky). No charter. Was out on my 1800 Lund Fisherman fishing with a friend of mine. I was fishing just north of the Newburgh/Beacon bridge near Chelsea when I caught it. I was drifting bloodworms near the channel. I didn't have a scale that big in the boat but it measured 48" x 28" around. I definitely didn't expect to catch anything that big. "

Hunter Toffolo, of Nassau N.Y. caught and released this hefty striped bass in the Hudson River near the Albany port. He wrote: "I caught it around 7:15 p.m. She was 40.5 I caught it on a live herring. It took me 2 hours to catch a herring, but it didn't last 10 minutes when I threw him out there."

Keith Baez caught and released this nice 41-inch striped bass in the Hudson River just south of Newburgh (Haverstraw in Rockland County). He said he caught it on bunker and that it weighed 28.5 pounds.

Send us your Hudson River striped bass photos

Photos should be sent to outdoors writer David Figura at dfigura@NYup.com. Angler who caught the fish must be in the photo. Include anglers full name, where he or she lives, where and when the fish was caught -- and on what. Photos will be added to this gallery as they are received.

Jeremy Patton, of Poughkeepsie, holds up a 38-inch Hudson River striped bass he caught and released fishing from shore using live herring as bait. He also landed a 41-incher. Both fish were caught April 28. He wrote: "We were fishing across from Kingston in Rhinecliff."

A smiling Kyle Heffler, 8, of Pleasant Valley, N.Y. caught and released this impressive 40.25-inch striped bass in the Hudson River on a sand worm while fishing with his father on May 1 near Staatsburg.

Bob Tiberia, of Glenmont, N.Y. holds a 41-inch Hudson River striped bass he caught and released near Saugerties. He caught it using chunk herring as bait. He was fishing with Capt. George Murphy of Hudson River Charter (also pictured).

Kristy Moore, of North Greenbush, N.Y. , caught and released this nice, 40-inch striped bass while fishing in the Hudson River near Troy. She used a live herring as bait.

Andy Marcinak, right, of Montgomery, N.Y. holds a 45-inch striped bass he caught on the Hudson River, south of Newburgh on bunker chunk as bait. Also pictured is Capt. Stu Sharples, of Nanuet. Marcinak wrote: "We got to the boat at 2 a.m. to fish the outgoing tide. Ended netting the fish around 10 a.m. on the incoming tide."

Bob Peryea, of Lake Placid holds up a 43-inch striped bass he caught and released on the Hudson River near Kingston. He was fishing with Capt. Peter Longo of Hudson River Striper Charter. He used chunked herring as bait.

Nealon Blake, of Germantown, N.Y., holds up a 41-inch Hudson River striped bass he caught and released on chunked herring near Kingston. He was fishing with Capt. Pete Longo of Hudson River Striper Charter.

Gabriel Appler, 13, of Milton, N.Y., caught and released this 39-inch striped bass on the Hudson River near Poughkeepsie on a blood worm. His father, Gael Appler Jr., is holding the fish. The father wrote: "We fish that stretch of the river every year. Gabriel has caught a few fish over 40 inches in years passed. He's our good luck charm."

Sean Van Keuren caught and released this 40-inch striped bass recently in the Hudson River. He wrote: "I caught this fish on the out-going tide. I was fishing a drop-off near the Columbiaville Creek (using) live herring."

Mark Remington caught and released this 31-inch striped bass on the Hudson River near Saugerties. He said it weighed about 12 pounds and that he caught it using a live herring as bait.

Kevin Patterson, of Albany, N.Y. holds a 38-inch Hudson River striped bass he caught near Saugerties. He caught it using chunk herring as bait. He was fishing with Capt. George Murphy of Hudson River Charter.

Joe Neri, of Loudonville, N.Y. with a nice Hudson River striped bass he caught and released near Saugerties using chunk herring as bait. He was fishing with Capt. George Murphy of Hudson River Charter.

Mike Paonessa caught and released this nice 35-inch striped bass on the Hudson River near Albany. He caught using a live herring as bait.

READ MORE

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The United States says it will share its entire supply of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine with other nations.

A White House statement said up to 60 million doses of the vaccine are expected to be available for export in the coming months.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is widely used around the world. But it has not received emergency approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). U.S. officials say they are reviewing the safety of the AstraZeneca supply before shipping doses out in the next several weeks.

About 10 million AstraZeneca doses have been produced in the U.S. About 50 million more are still in the production process and could be available to ship in coming months. The doses will be donated by the U.S. government, which has contracted with the company for a total of 300 million doses.

Jeff Zients leads COVID-19 efforts for President Joe Biden. He said the U.S. feels assured that its supply of FDA-approved vaccines -- from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson  will be enough to meet U.S. needs in coming months. Last week, the U.S. restarted use of Johnson and Johnson shots after a brief break while health officials investigated possible safety risks.

"The U.S. is looking at options to share the AstraZeneca doses with other countries as they become available, Zients said.

U.S. officials say more than 53 percent of the U.S. adult population has now been vaccinated with at least one dose of its three approved vaccines. The U.S. estimates it will have enough supply of those vaccines for its total population by early summer.

Last month, the Biden administration announced it would share about 4 million AstraZeneca doses with Mexico and Canada. But the U.S. administration has faced growing pressure to share more of its vaccine supply with the world. Some countries, especially India, have recently seen an explosive rise in COVID-19 cases and are struggling to get needed vaccine supplies.

The U.S. has yet to finalize where the AstraZeneca doses will go, Zients said. Mexico and Canada have asked the U.S. to share more doses and many other countries are seeking supplies as well. Were in the planning process at this point in time," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters.

Two government officials in India told Reuters the country expects to secure the biggest part of the 60 million AstraZeneca doses the U.S. plans to share.

"The wheels of diplomacy and appeals from (the World Health Organization) and top public health experts changed their thinking and now we have the U.S. ready to send vaccines," one official said.

A second official said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been assured that India will be given priority in the vaccine sharing program. The officials did not want to be named because talks between the U.S. and India are ongoing.

India, which has the world's largest vaccine-making capacity, had donated or exported more than 66 million doses before its own needs jumped because of a sharp rise in infections. Over the last six days, India has reported more than 300,000 cases a day. The situation has pushed the countrys public health system close to collapse in some areas.

One of the officials told Reuters: "We are not sure how many (doses) we will receive. All I can say here is, our bowl is the largest and deepest."

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press and Reuters reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for Learning English. 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

dose  n. the amount of a medicine, drug, or vitamin that is taken at one time

option  n. one thing that can be chosen from a set of possibilities

priority  n. something that is very important and must be dealt with before other things

capacity  n. the total amount of something that can be contained or produced

bowl  n. a round container that has tall, curving sides and that is used for preparing or serving foods and liquids
You are here: Arts

China and Laos signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly translate and publish 50 classic books from both countries in the coming five years.

Officials from culture authorities of the two countries signed the MoU on Monday, a move to further deepen China-Laos publishing exchanges and cooperation.

Since 2017, China has held multiple rounds of tours promoting Chinese books in Laos and other Asian countries.

For the convenience of Lao readers, the Xinzhi Group from China's Yunnan Province opened the largest Chinese bookstore in Vientiane, capital city of Laos, in 2012, which has over 30,000 Chinese books in six categories.
TACOMA, Wash., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- We are pleased to announce the exciting news that Northwest Medical Specialties, PLLC (NWMS) and Osborn Cancer Care will join together as a single entity. This decision was based on the desire from both organizations to extend and preserve their mission of providing the highest quality cancer care by partnering with like-minded providers who are dedicated to serving cancer patients in their own communities.

"As one of the national leaders in value-based care, our practice has been hoping for many years to expand its reach beyond the South Puget Sound area and we will do this by partnering with Dr. Osborn in Olympia and Chehalis, thus impacting many more people benefiting from the highest quality and cost effective care they need close to their home with access to cutting edge research and programs available at NWMS." said Sibel Blau, MD, Medical Director at Northwest Medical Specialties, PLLC.

"Through this merger, our like-minded practices will be able to streamline programs and determine how we can together offer even more to those impacted by cancer in a larger geographical area." Said Dustan Osborn, MD, PhD at Osborn Cancer Care.

Together, NWMS and OCC will join as Northwest Medical Specialties, PLLC and will serve thousands of cancer patients throughout Western Washington at 7 locations including Gig Harbor, Puyallup, Tacoma, Bonney Lake, Federal Way, Olympia and Chehalis. We are grateful for this opportunity to unite a combined 60 years of cancer care experience under a single entity in an effort to expand cancer services to more patients. We are dedicated to bringing the most cost effective, efficient and innovative cancer care to our communities and will strive to meet the diverse needs of all individuals impacted by cancer.

NWMS is proud to offer services such as phase I-III clinical trials, same day acute care appointments, psychosocial counseling, telemedicine visits, comprehensive survivorship programs, educational workshops, medication dispensing, cancer rehabilitation, precision medicine and much more. We are thankful for the deep-rooted relationships with those that depend on us for hematology and oncology services in our community.

For any questions regarding this announcement please contact us at: https://www.nwmedicalspecialties.com/contact-us/

About Northwest Medical Specialties: Northwest Medical Specialties, PLLC (NWMS), is a physician owned practice with 5 locations throughout the South Puget Sound in Washington state. NWMS is actively involved in over 35 phase I-III clinical trials and is one of the founding practices of Quality Cancer Care Alliance Network (QCCA.) NWMS participates in several quality cancer-care initiatives, such as the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation's Oncology Care Model, American Society of Clinical Oncology's Quality Oncology Practice Initiative, and the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Learn more at https://www.nwmedicalspecialties.com.

About Osborn Cancer Care: The history of OSS dates back over 30 years when Dr. Dustan Osborn established his first practice in Olympia, Chehalis, and surrounding towns in Washington State. The philosophy of Osborn Cancer Care is to provide state of the art treatments for patients with blood disorders and cancer.

Learn more at http://osborncancercare.com

SOURCE Northwest Medical Specialties, PLLC

Related Links

https://www.nwmedicalspecialties.com


Bicyclist taken to hospital after Friday crash with vehicle
[April 27, 2021] Digi-Key Electronics Launches New Smart Cities Video Series, "Smarter, Safer Cities," with TE and Microchip

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Digi-Key Electronics, which offers the world's largest selection of electronic components in stock for immediate shipment, announced that it has launched a new video series focused on smart cities, sponsored by TE and Microchip. The video series, titled "Smarter, Safer Cities" is a three-part series focused on some of the most advanced cities in the world, and how the latest technology and innovations in public safety combine to reshape the way people work, commute and live in the smart cities of the modern era. "We're excited to explore and share how smart city technologies are transforming and empowering everything from public safety to sustainability, energy management and electric/autonomous vehicles to safe and productive workspaces," said Robbie Paul, director of IoT business solutions for Digi-Key Electronics. "Smart cities are the future and many Digi-Key customers and suppliers are playing critical roles in delivering innovative technologies to bring smart cities to life." The first of three videos in the series, "Public Safety Through Enhanced Awareness," is now live on Digi-Key's website, and available in all local languages served. The second video titled "Harvesting and Storing Sustainable Energy" will be released in May and the third titled "Office Workers in The Next Normal" in June. "As IoT and 5G continue to rapidly advance, Microchip is excited to harness the power of these innovative technologies and lay the groundwork for safer, smarter cities," said Microchip Senior Vice President, Analog Power and Interface Business Unit Rich Simoncic. "Our partnership with Digi-Key helps to fuel their customers' innovations, from providing components to build out smart energy grids and charging applications for autonomous vehicles to automated technology that improves both the safety and productivity of office workers." "As a trusted distribution partner for more than 35 years, Digi-Key brings its customers the latest, cutting-edge critical components they need, including TE Connectivity's antennas, RF, harsh-environment cables, high-speed, low-speed connectors, power products and sensors solutions, to develop new technologies to advance smart cities," said Rickard Barrefelt, senior manager field application engineering at TE. "We're proud to sponor the video series and look forward to informing and inspiring innovators to continue developing solutions to make our world safer, sustainable, productive and connected."



To learn more about smart cities and how Digi-Key is supporting the growing sector, please check out the video series and learn more about how TE and Microchip products are bringing smart cities to life. About TE Connectivity

TE Connectivity is a global industrial technology leader creating a safer, sustainable, productive and connected future. Our broad range of connectivity and sensor solutions, proven in the harshest environments, enable advancements in transportation, industrial applications, medical technology, energy, data communications and the home. With approximately 80,000 employees, including more than 7,500 engineers, working alongside customers in approximately 140 countries, TE ensures that EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS. Learn more at www.te.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, WeChat and Twitter.

About Microchip

Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control solutions. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. The company's solutions serve more than 120,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com. About Digi-Key Electronics

Digi-Key Electronics, headquartered in Thief River Falls, Minn., USA, is an authorized global, full-service distributor of electronic components, and provides access to unlimited adjacent products and technologies through their online Marketplace. They offer more than 11.8 million components, with over 2.6 million in stock and available for immediate shipment, from over 1,700 quality name-brand manufacturers. In addition, Marketplace Product provides a singular shopping experience for all things related to technology innovation  IoT, industrial automation, test and measurement and more. Additional information and access to the world's broadest resources for technology innovation can be found by visiting www.digikey.com and on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Editorial Contact Shelli Lissick

Bellmont Partners

+1 651 276 6922

digikey@bellmontpartners.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/digi-key-electronics-launches-new-smart-cities-video-series-smarter-safer-cities-with-te-and-microchip-301278163.html SOURCE Digi-Key Electronics

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Start-up has become a trend among youngsters with driving ambition. Some, though still in college, have started their business out of their actual studies.

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These students from University of Science and Technology under University of Da Nang have cooperated with those from Da Nang University of Economics to commercialise an idea of aquaculture wastewater treatment. Their project has won first prize in a contest looking for business idea by German Business Association in Vietnam recently.

It seems that students in Da Nang understand so well that key for success in business is networking. Lets take an example of this aquaculture wastewater treatment. Here students at the Chemical Engineering Faculty have reached out to Electrical and Electronic Engineering Faculty to ask for help in building an automated system as recommended by the contests judging panel. They have also cooperated with students from different colleges as implementing the project.

It could be seen that there are more and more students in Da Nang competing at national and international start-up contests. Their rankings in those competitions have been significantly improved recently.

Start-up, especially innovation start-up, has grown as a trend among students in Da Nang thanks to great efforts from both universities, local authorities, and especially students. They make us have more faith in Vietnams start-up movement./. VNA
Matt Gaetz's alleged sex trafficker wingman Joel Greenberg has been accused of pocketing $432,700 in fraudulent COVID-19 relief loans that he applied for after being arrested for identity theft.

The disgraced former Seminole County tax collector fraudulently applied for and successfully received three separate payments under a government scheme set up to help businesses struggling during the pandemic, according to the federal indictment and first reported by The Daily Beast.

The Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) were said to have been granted for two businesses he owned - DG3 Enterprises and Greenberg Media Group - which had actually not been in operation for four years.

Greenberg was slapped with six charges over the alleged fraudulent loans, including defrauding the government, bribing a government official, theft, and wire fraud.

In total, he is facing a slew of 33 charges including sex trafficking a minor and is said to have been cooperating with Justice Department investigators amid their probe into him and Florida congressman Gaetz. Greenberg is due to face trial in June.

Last month, it was revealed that Gaetz is under investigation for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old girl and trafficking her across state lines.

Investigators are also looking into allegations he paid women for ecstasy-fueled sex at Florida hotels after being introduced to them by Greenberg.

Gaetz has repeatedly denied having sex with a 17-year-old and said he has never paid for sex. He has not been charged with any crime.

Matt Gaetz's apparent wingman Joel Greenberg (above) has been accused of pocketing $432,700 in fraudulent COVID-19 relief loans that he applied for after being arrested for identity theft

Greenberg allegedly first applied for an EIDL on June 24 - the same day he resigned from his role as Seminole County tax collector and just one day after he was arrested on charges of identity theft and stalking a political opponent.

In the loan application, he claimed the businesses had 12 staff members on their payroll and had suffered massive losses of $1.2 million in revenue amid the pandemic, according to prosecutors.

In fact, the two businesses that had been defunct since 2016 - several years before the pandemic started ravaging the economy and grinding businesses to halt.

He also lied on the application that he was not under criminal indictment at the time, prosecutors say.

To help him secure the loan, Greenberg also allegedly enlisted the help of an unnamed so-called 'Recruiter Conspirator'.

The co-conspirators then allegedly bribed a newly hired Small Business Administration official to help him get around the rules and regulations in place to prevent people getting their hands on the loans fraudulently.

This unidentified staff member was allegedly paid $3,000 via CashApp to ensure the loan was processed while his co-conspirator received $16,000.

Two days after making the fraudulent application, Greenberg received a loan of $132,900 through the scheme.

He then reinstated DG3 Enterprises and Greenberg Media Group two days later, the Beast reported.

Less than one month later, Greenberg applied for two further EIDLs, both of which were also approved, granting him around $300,000 more in payments, according to the outlet.

Greenberg is pictured with Roger Stone and Gaetz after having dinner together in 2017. The disgraced former Seminole County tax collector fraudulently applied for and successfully received three separate payments under the EIDL, say prosecutors

Matt Gaetz at the House Armed Services Committee hearing in the Rayburn Building on April 20. Last month, it was revealed that Gaetz is under investigation for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old girl and trafficking her across state lines

In total, prosecutors say Greenberg stole $432,700 from the government pot set aside for hard-hit businesses, with federal investigators demanding he repay the funds.

It is not clear where the money went.

One month after the second payments were received, Greenberg was slapped with the sex trafficking charges, before the charges related to the COVID-19 relief loans were added in March.

The former tax collector is now being held behind bars while he awaits trial on a string of 33 charges.

Gaetz also received COVID-19 relief money for his family's business CareGivers Inc.

The company, which provides long-term care services, received $475,000 under the government's Paycheck Protection Program loans, reported the Daily Beast.

There is no indication this was fraudulently obtained.

Meanwhile, Gaetz's future is currently hanging in the balance after it emerged in March he was also under investigation by the DOJ for allegedly sex trafficking a minor.

Greenberg allegedly applied for the first loan on June 24 - the same day he resigned as tax collector and one day after he was arrested over identity theft and stalking. He allegedly bribed a newly hired Small Business Administration official to help him get around the rules and regulations in place to prevent fraud on the system (the application site above)

The minor is said to be the same 17-year-old girl at the center of the charges against Greenberg.

The probe into the congressman is said to have rise out of the DOJ investigation into Greenberg and the close ties between the two men.

Sources close to the DOJ probe told DailyMail.com earlier this month that Gaetz is expected to be indicted within the next few weeks after the 17-year-old testified before a Florida grand jury saying she had sex with the conservative Republican before she reached the state's age of consent, which is 18.

Greenberg is said to have been cooperating with federal prosecutors since December and has reportedly told investigators that both he and Gaetz gave women cash and gifts in exchange for sex.

Earlier this month, Greenberg's lawyers said he was prepared to take a plea deal.

'I'm sure Matt Gaetz is not feeling very comfortable today,' Greenberg's attorney told reporters.

Investigators are said to be looking into payments made by Greenberg to young women and one 17-year-old girl through Venmo, and claims that Gaetz also paid women for sex via payment apps.

Gaetz also received COVID-19 relief money for his family business CareGivers Inc. The company, which provides long-term care services, received $475,000 under the government's Paycheck Protection Program loans

A bombshell report from the New York Times earlier this month, which cited several unnamed sources close to the DOJ investigation as well as text messages and payment receipts reviewed by the outlet, said multiple women had told investigators Gaetz would tell them a time and place to meet and how much he was willing to pay them for sex.

They would then meet in hotels in Florida where the lawmaker and staunch Trump ally would sometimes take ecstasy before they had sex, the women said.

Gaetz was reportedly first introduced to the women through close ally Greenberg, who investigators believe met the women through 'sugar daddy' websites.

Justice Department investigators are also looking into a trip Gaetz made to the Bahamas and whether he accepted paid escorts in exchange for official actions relating to marijuana legislation, sources told CNN last week.

The trip involved 'several' young women, and investigators are probing whether Gaetz accepted gifts, including travel and paid escorts.

Gaetz's wider actions in congress have also come under close scrutiny in recent weeks, with claims he showed off nude photos of women he said he had slept with to other lawmakers on the House floor and that he played a sleazy Harry Potter themed sex game scoring points for sleeping with married colleagues, virgins and in sorority houses.

Gaetz with Trump. Greenberg is said to be cooperating with federal investigators amid the probe into the congressman

Gaetz with his fiancee food analyst Ginger Luckey, 26. Gaetz has repeatedly denied having sex with a 17-year-old and said he has never paid for sex

It has also been claimed that he regularly attended gated community house parties with other Republican lawmakers where cellphones were handed over at the door and the 'frat party boy' Florida representative would discuss politics while popping pills.

Meanwhile, as well as the federal investigation, the House Ethics Committee has also launched an inquiry into a string of allegations including 'sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use, shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gift, in violation of House Rules, laws, or other standards of conduct.'

Gaetz denies all allegations and has insisted he will not resign.

In a bizarre twist in the saga, the lawmaker has instead claimed he is the victim of an elaborate extortion plot by a former Justice Department official seeking to free an American hostage from Iran.
Ive been working up to a long piece here about the extraordinary political scene, starting with the premise that its one thing for Progressive Twitter to run the New York Times, and quite another when Progressive Twitter runs the entire Democratic Party. But thats where we are. (P)resident Joe Biden has sold out wholly to the Progressive mob, full stop.

Biden won the presidency (yes, I knowif he won) by the narrowest margin, but is governing as though Democrats had won by an FDR-Reagan landslide margin. The last president with a 50/50 Senate and close House of Representatives, George W. Bush, took care to govern close to the center, and sought out Democratic input to his signature legislative initiative of his first year, the No Child Left Behind Act. (Leave the [de]merits of that aside for some other time.) Biden isnt even pretending to try to deal with Republicans, and in fact up to ten moderate Senate Republicans who have indicated their willingness to reach compromises with Biden are reportedly furious that their good faith efforts to reach across to Biden have been used as window dressing by the White House.

It is significant, therefore, to note new data from the Washington Post/NBC poll that finds Biden has a 52 percent public approval rating at 100 days, which, the Post admits is the lowest of any recent commander-in-chief at this point in their administration except for former President Donald Trump. This certainly clashes with the medias nonstop love affair with the FDR-like transformative president they want Biden to be (because Obama wasnt much). Steve Moore observes further:

But what really caught our eye was that 78%, or almost 4 of 5 Republicans, strongly disapprove of Bidens performance. Amazingly, thats a higher disapproval rating than Trump had with Democratic voters, which was 72% in spring of 2017. The Post poll also shows Republican voters had a much less negative opinion of Obama at this stage.

In other words, Biden is more polarizing than either Obama or Trump at this point.

Meanwhile, I persist in arguing that the Democratic Partys lurch to the far left is doing us a great favor by making explicit and visible what they usually try to conceal, and setting up a backlash that might actually break the countrys now three-decade old 50-50 split. My two witnesses are Democratic strategist James Carville, and New York Times columnist (but vehemently anti-Trump) Bret Stephens, both of whom say much the same thing today, despite having very different political outlooks.

Lets start with Stephens in his column Race the the Coming Liberal Crackup:

And yet those doubts and misgivings [about the lefts relentless racism narrative] go to the heart of what used to be thought of as liberalism. The result will be a liberal crackup similar to the one in the late 1960s that broke liberalism as Americas dominant political force for a generation. . . Above all, liberalism believes that truth tends to be many-shaded and complex. Anti-racism is a great simplifier. Good and evil. Black and white. This is where the anti-racism narrative will profoundly alienate liberal-minded America, even as it entrenches itself in schools, universities, corporations and other institutions of American life. . . Joe Bidens resounding victory and his progressive policies are supposed to mark the real end of the Reaganite era of American politics. Dont be surprised if theyre a prelude to its return, just as the last era of progressive excess ushered in its beginning.

Just as Ive been saying since January 20. Meanwhile, James Carville, who knows a thing or two about defeating Republicans, talked to Vox, and already the wokeratri are furious with him. You can see why:

Sean Illing: What do you make of Bidens first 100 days? James Carville: Honestly, if were just talking about Biden, its very difficult to find something to complain about. And to me his biggest attribute is that hes not into faculty lounge politics. Sean Illing: Faculty lounge politics? James Carville: You ever get the sense that people in faculty lounges in fancy colleges use a different language than ordinary people? They come up with a word like Latinx that no one else uses. Or they use a phrase like communities of color. I dont know anyone who speaks like that. I dont know anyone who lives in a community of color. I know lots of white and Black and brown people and they all live in  neighborhoods. Theres nothing inherently wrong with these phrases. But this is not how people talk. This is not how voters talk. And doing it anyway is a signal that youre talking one language and the people you want to vote for you are speaking another language. This stuff is harmless in one sense, but in another sense its not. Sean Illing: Is the problem the language or the fact that there are lots of voters who just dont want to hear about race and racial injustice? James Carville: We have to talk about race. We should talk about racial injustice. What Im saying is, we need to do it without using jargon-y language thats unrecognizable to most people  including most Black people, by the way  because it signals that youre trying to talk around them. This too cool for school shit doesnt work, and we have to stop it. . . Sean Illing: Sounds like you got a problem with wokeness, James. James Carville: Wokeness is a problem and everyone knows it. Its hard to talk to anybody today  and I talk to lots of people in the Democratic Party  who doesnt say this. But they dont want to say it out loud. Sean Illing: Why not? James Carville: Because theyll get clobbered or canceled. And look, part of the problem is that lots of Democrats will say that we have to listen to everybody and we have to include every perspective, or that we dont have to run a ruthless messaging campaign. Well, you kinda do. It really matters.

I think Carville is mistaken in saying that Biden is not into faculty lounge politics. Hes wholly captured by it. But I think Carville may be trying to be clever or tactical, by creating some artificial daylight between Biden and the insanity gripping his party.
As India battles the sabotaging second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, help and solidarity has poured in for the nation from all corners of the world. From the UK making the announcement of sending nearly 500 oxygen containers among other supplies to Australia sending at least one million surgical masks and other personal protective pieces of equipment, all nations have shown support to India as it battles the drastic surge of coronavirus cases.

As of April 27, India logged more than 3.23 lakh fresh cases of coronavirus marking an 8.4% decrease from yesterdays toll. However, in the last 24 hours, it also recorded at least 2,771 casualties related to COVID-19. India's total tally of COVID-19 cases has climbed to 1,76,36,307 while active cases have crossed the 28.8-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on April 27. The death toll increased to 1,97,894. Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to 28,82,204.

List of countries that offered aid to India

The United Kingdom will be sending 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators to India just this week. 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators already arrived on April 27.

will be sending 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators to India just this week. 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators already arrived on April 27. France will send in the relief material in two phases with Phase I arriving this week including eight large Oxygen Generating Plants that can be installed swiftly, liquid oxygen, respiratory material such as 28 respirators and their consumables and 200 electric syringe pushers. While Phase II that will be arriving next week would have five liquid oxygen containers.

will send in the relief material in two phases with Phase I arriving this week including eight large Oxygen Generating Plants that can be installed swiftly, liquid oxygen, respiratory material such as 28 respirators and their consumables and 200 electric syringe pushers. While Phase II that will be arriving next week would have five liquid oxygen containers. Ireland has vowed to send 700 Oxygen concentrators this week

has vowed to send 700 Oxygen concentrators this week Germany has pledged to send mobile oxygen production plant (will be made available for 3 months), 120 ventilators, more than 80 million KN95 masks, along with hosting a webinar on testing and RNA sequencing of Coronavirus. Further German Armed Forces Medical Services has vowed to import 23 mobile oxygen generation plants.

has pledged to send mobile oxygen production plant (will be made available for 3 months), 120 ventilators, more than 80 million KN95 masks, along with hosting a webinar on testing and RNA sequencing of Coronavirus. Further German Armed Forces Medical Services has vowed to import 23 mobile oxygen generation plants. Australia s Prime Minister Scott Morrison on April 27 announced that the nation would send 500 ventilators, 1 million surgical masks, 500,000 P2 and N95 masks, 100,000 goggles, 100,000 pairs of gloves and 20,000 face shields.

s Prime Minister Scott Morrison on April 27 announced that the nation would send 500 ventilators, 1 million surgical masks, 500,000 P2 and N95 masks, 100,000 goggles, 100,000 pairs of gloves and 20,000 face shields. Russia, Kuwait has also promised to provide assistance in Indias COVID-19 fight.

has also promised to provide assistance in Indias COVID-19 fight. Singapore will send 500 BiPAPs, 250 oxygen concentrators, 4 Cryogenic Oxygen Containers & other medical supplies through private or other channels.

will send 500 BiPAPs, 250 oxygen concentrators, 4 Cryogenic Oxygen Containers & other medical supplies through private or other channels. Saudi Arabia will send 80 MT of liquid oxygen that is en route via sea.

will send 80 MT of liquid oxygen that is en route via sea. Hong Kong, Thailand will send 800 oxygen concentrators and four cryogenic oxygen containers respectively.

will send 800 oxygen concentrators and four cryogenic oxygen containers respectively. UAE will send six cryogenic oxygen containers

will send six cryogenic oxygen containers United States: In order to help India treat the dramatically increasing COVID-19 patients and safeguard the frontline workers, the United States has not only identified the essential equipment but stressed that it would be made available immediately. The US has identified the supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while pursuing several other options to provide oxygen generation and other related facilities on an urgent basis.

The US Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is funding a substantial expansion of manufacturing capability for the vaccine manufacturer in India, BioE to ramp up its production of COVID-19 jabs. Further, the United States is also deploying a team of experts from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and USAID to work collaboratively with US Embassy, India's health ministries, and India's Epidemic Intelligence Service staff. USAID pledged to work with CDC to expedite the process of making resources available to India through Global Fund.

Image credits: PTI/Pixabay
Gurugram, April 27 : Three men, including a Public Works Department (PWD) employee, were arrested on charges of betting on an IPL match between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Night Riders, police said on Tuesday.

The accused were identified as Bijender alias Binni, Suresh Kumar alias Bittu and Dev Thapa, residents of Ghoshgarh village in Gurugram.

The accused were arrested by the Crime branch unit of Manesar led by Sub-Inspector Amit Kumar.

"Acting on a tip off, the police raided the spot and nabbed the accused when they were placing bets on an IPL match being played between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Night Riders," said Subhash Boken, spokesperson of the Gurugram Police.

The police have recovered nine mobile phones, 1 LED TV and 1 set-top box and Internet dongel from their possession.

During questioning, Suresh disclosed that was an Ex-Army personnel and had joined PWD department after retirement and was currently posted in Pataudi.
IN THE West Limerick village of Kilmeedy, a community development group has created a friendly social hub for its residents.

Kilmeedy is a small village near Newcastle West which, after the absence of a local shop for ten years, has built its own community shop and cafe called Roots.

Roots Community Shop and Cafe has had a long journey to where it is now and gladly opened its doors in December 2020.

Fine Gael TD Patrick ODonovan recently endorsed the shop and cafe when saying in a tweet, this is a real example of community development from the ground up.

Roots has been a hit with the local residents. Its brought life to the village again, explained manager Siobhan OGorman

"A committee member of the Kilmeedy Community Development group, Siobhan Heaney, says that the shop was badly needed in the community. A lot of people in rural areas suffer from social isolation. This shop and cafe is a social hub for the village and the environment around it. Its an essential service, particularly for the elderly.. While we are currently operating under Level 5 restrictions, the social element will come into its own when restrictions are relaxed.

The shop and cafe provide a range of products for their customers but they make a special effort to provide local produce when they can. They supply vegetables from Kilmeedy Homegrown, another Kilmeedy Community Development project, and other produce from around the area and Munster itself.

They are always on the lookout for more local produce, so if you would like your product to make a feature in the store be sure to get in contact with them!

Hot food, from sandwiches to soup is also provided for locals to take home with them.

This project has been in the tracks for a while and Siobhan Heaney explained how it came about. We were graciously donated the building on a 10-year lease by the Geary family, who run the John Deere tractor dealership in the village. We then applied for LEADER funding to renovate the building.

Their LEADER funding was administered by West Limerick Resources Siobhan explained.

For the second stage of construction, they applied for more funding from different sources such as the Department of Rural Affairs, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and even some money from the JP McManus Benevolent fund.

This success story has resonated with community groups across Ireland, who often call Kilmeedy for advice. people are travelling from within the Limerick area to see what were doing and we look forward to welcoming more from further afield once restrictions are lifted, Ms Heaney remarked.

Dont be afraid to give Roots Shop and Cafe a visit and if you would like to keep up to date on their story you can follow them on Instagram.
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Beaumont police are stressing the importance of car seats and booster seats for children after a 3-year-old girl died in a traffic accident in Beaumont on Friday.

What happened was a mother, a passenger and a child were in an SUV, and witnesses advised that she was driving at a high rate of speed, Beaumont Police Sgt. Cody Guedry told The Enterprise. She ultimately lost control right at the curve on Cardinal Drive near MLK and struck a disabled vehicle. A guy was changing a flat tire.

The mother, who has not been identified, was taken to the hospital in critical condition and her 3-year-old daughter was pronounced dead, police say.

The bad thing on this is there was no safety restraint on the child whatsoever, not even a seat belt, Guedry told The Enterprise. Thats why we really want to stress that parents use a properly secured safety restraint for their children. The sad thing is, this child could still be alive if she had that.

Texas state law requires all children younger than 8 years old, unless taller than 4 feet, 9 inches, to be in the appropriate child safety seat system whenever they ride in a passenger vehicle.

The owner of the disabled car fell down an embankment and broke his arm as a result of the crash, according to police.

The passenger in the car was treated for minor injuries.

Guedry also said the incident underscores the importance of staying aware when changing a tire, and not staying on the side of the roadway unless absolutely necessary.

Weve had several accidents in recent years with people changing flat tires on the side of the freeway that resulted in an accident, he said. Especially when it is nighttime and if it is raining, I mean no tire is worth your life.

No charges have been filed in the Friday incident.

The tragedy is the latest auto-related death in recent days, with police making an arrest after a hit-and-run that occurred Sunday morning.

Beaumont police received reports of a pedestrian hit-and-run death in the 1800 block of South Major Drive at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday.

When officers arrived, they found 70-year-old Russell Guillory, of Cheek, dead.

Police said they received information about a Tahoe that was involved and later located a car matching the description with damage to the front of the vehicle.

The driver, who police identified as 28-year-old Shelby Douglas, of Beaumont, was arrested, taken to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility and booked for failure to render aid, serious bodily injury/death.

According to jail records, Douglas is being held on a $250,000 bond.

Despite the fatal accidents in recent weeks, Beaumont police said traffic incidents have decreased compared to this time last year.

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twitter.com/isaacdwindes
NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- An updated, expanded edition of Translate Hate, American Jewish Committee's (AJC's) widely-used glossary of common antisemitic terms and tropes, was released today and is now available at AJC.org/TranslateHateGlossary. Release of the edition comes on the second anniversary of the fatal attack on the Chabad of Poway, California.

Translate Hate is an innovative digital resource aimed at enabling Americans of all backgrounds to recognize and expose antisemitic language and images. It also recommends actions to take against hate speech. Since it was first issued in November 2019, the publication has been downloaded tens of thousands of times and shared by AJC staff experts with key political and civic leaders, including Members of Congress and American law enforcement agencies.

"Given the proliferation of antisemitism online and offline, including the introduction of new terms and tropes during the pandemic, Translate Hate is increasingly recognized as an essential tool," said Holly Huffnagle, AJC's U.S. Director for Combating Antisemitism.

Presented in the form of an illustrated glossary, the 2021 edition of Translate Hate lays out more than 40 terms and expressions that are examples of antisemitism, explains the antisemitic nature of certain words or phrases when used in specific contexts, and provides brief histories of their harmful usage. It offers tools and information for reporting hate speech, whether it is encountered online or in everyday settings.

The need for Translate Hate was reinforced by AJC's groundbreaking 2020 State of Antisemitism in America report, which revealed a stunning lack of awareness among U.S. adults about antisemitism. While 53% of U.S. adults said they are familiar with the term antisemitism and know what it means, nearly half are not, with 21% saying they have never heard the word and 25% saying that, while they have heard it, they are unsure what it means.

"To effectively educate Americans about the many forms and sources of antisemitism and mobilize them to take action requires recognition that this hatred is a societal problem, not only a concern for Jews," said Huffnagle.

Law enforcement agencies already are using Translate Hate as a vital resource to help identify incidents of antisemitism. During a January meeting with AJC staff experts, FBI officials requested copies of the publication for distribution to agents in order to enhance their understanding of antisemitism. In February, AJC and the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) announced a partnership to combat antisemitism in the United States, and AJC staff presented Translate Hate in a virtual training session for NAAG members.

Individuals are encouraged to use the hashtag #TranslateHate when speaking out against usage of any of the terms in the Translate Hate glossary.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

Related Links

http://www.ajc.org


Standard Life Aberdeen (SLA) has become the latest firm derided over an ill-judged name change.

The asset manager, which invests more than 500billion on behalf of savers, governments and insurers, announced it was to be called Abrdn.

For the avoidance of doubt, the firm pointed out that its new moniker would still be pronounced 'Aberdeen'.

Name games: Twitter users likened Standard Life Aberdeen's new moniker Abrdn to a game of Countdown where the player had asked for just one vowel and a string of consonants

But the decision to drop the use of the letter 'e' set tongues wagging.

'Standard Life Aberdeen is a bit of a mouthful, but Abrdn is an abomination of an alternative,' said City veteran David Buik, a consultant at stock exchange Aquis. 'Get back to your creative designers and start again, please.'

The move drew comparisons with the Post Office's short-lived rebranding to Consignia and the ill-fated attempt by accountant PwC to rename its consulting business Monday.

Twitter users likened Abrdn to a game of Countdown where the player had asked for just one vowel and a string of consonants.

And an early take from the Financial Times website quipped that the company had been 'disemvoweled'.

SLA chief executive Stephen Bird  rechristened Stphn by some  earnestly assured journalists that the firm had done 'focus groups' to check the new name had customers' approval.

Focus groups: Stand Life Aberdeen's chief exec Stephen Bird has been rechristened Stphn

A former Citigroup banker who took the reins at SLA last year, he went on to explain that the new 'a' logo formed of rows of tiny dots was designed to resemble the transition from an abacus to fibre optic cables.

In a statement filled with corporate gobbledygook, he said: 'Our new brand Abrdn builds on our heritage and is modern, dynamic and, most importantly, engaging for all of our client and customer channels.

'It is a highly-differentiated brand that will create unity across the business, replacing five different brand names that have each been operating independently.'

Martin Gilbert, who co-founded Aberdeen Asset Management in 1983 and led the business until its 2017 merger with Standard Life, offered his support to the revamp.

He said: 'I'm delighted the new name retains some of the heritage of the business and its Aberdeen roots, which are well-known around the world.

'This is the right time to create a modern brand that is as resonant and relevant to the 21st century as its predecessors were in the 20th.'

SLA is just the latest in a string of companies to run into trouble with a name change.

In 2002, accountancy firm PwC roped in branding experts from Wolff Olins  the same firm which has come up with the Abrdn moniker  to advise on the demerger of its consulting arm.

After paying an estimated 75million for Wolff Olins' services, the result was Monday. But the name was ridiculed by employees and ditched weeks later.

Just a few months earlier, the Post Office attempted to replace its historic title with the name Consignia.

In an explanation which made the mind boggle, chief executive John Roberts said Consignia described 'the full scope of what the Post Office does in a way that the words 'post' and 'office' cannot'. The name lasted just over a year before it was consigned to history.

More recently, events and media company Reed Elsevier changed its name to Relx, and Reckitt Benckiser switched to RB and then Reckitt.

Weight Watchers, meanwhile, is now known as WW, but still has to spell out its former name on its website. The new 'shorter' name is also more of a mouthful, having twice as many syllables.

But SLA will be hoping its Abrdn rebranding exercise will put a stop to years of outflows from its funds.

It follows the merger of Standard Life and Aberdeen Asset Management in 2017. Since the deal, it had been operating under a mish-mash of closely related names.

The umbrella company listed on the stock market was known as Standard Life Aberdeen, while the asset management arm operated under the banner of Aberdeen Standard Investments, causing confusion for some customers.

And this year, the Standard Life brand was sold to insurance group Phoenix as part of a ten-year partnership between the companies, necessitating a further change.

But the chosen name has raised eyebrows.

Laith Khalaf, financial analyst at AJ Bell, said: 'Standard Life Aberdeen needed to sort out its branding, but the new Abrdn name will likely leave investors feeling dazed and confused.

'The fact Standard Life Aberdeen has actually had to explain how to pronounce the new name won't be lost on financial advisers up and down the country, whose clients might well think they've punched a typo into a hastily written report.'
PYX Resources Starts Supplying its Premium Zircon to Highly Specialized Fused Zirconia Industry



Starts Supplying to Fused Zirconia Industry

Sydney, April 27, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - PYX Resources Limited ( NSX:PYX ) announces today that it has secured new business with Fujian Sanxiang Advanced Materials Co., Ltd (Fujian Sanxiang), a leading producer of fused zirconia based in China. Fused zirconia is a crucial raw material for the production of zirconium metal, which has important applications in nuclear power and aerospace. The production of fused zirconia requires premium zircon.Currently, the majority of zircon is mined in Australia and Africa, with global production in excess of one million tonnes per annum. China is the largest consumer of zircon, accounting for almost half the global consumption, with other significant consuming regions including Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and India. The supply by PYX of zircon in this important niche market represents a new market opportunity. It comes at a particularly important time given the general lack of supply of premium zircon, specifically as a result of supply issues in South Africa, and a lack of inventories in China.Fujian Sanxiang's products cover three major areas: fused zirconia, cast modified materials, and single crystal fused aluminium, together extending to more than 100 products. Fujian Sanxiang expressed particular interest in PYX's zircon due to its low AI2O3 of under 0.2%. This stands in stark comparison to other zircon available on the market, which is typically > 0.5%. In addition, the uranium + thorium content of the Company's zircon is less than 450ppm, making it ideal for producing fused zirconia.Fused zirconia has a number of complex properties which makes it suitable for a range of applications. It is stable at high temperatures and maintains consistency of its physical and chemical characteristics. It offers superior thermal resistance, has high corrosion resistance, high chemical inertness, a very high melting point, high hardness, and a high refractive index, which allows it to be used in innovative applications and sectors that use cutting-edge technology such as the defence, energy and electric car industries.As such, fused zirconia is utilized in refractories used in the production of steel and glass products, ceramic colours and glazes, abrasive substances, and investment casting. Some special applications include friction products in the auto industry, technical ceramics and electronics, and zirconium metal and alloys for structural parts for reactors in the nuclear industry.PYX's sales to Fujian Sanxiang were secured through Wogen Pacific Ltd, a subsidiary of the Wogen Group, a leading international trader of off-exchange specialty metals and minerals around the world.PYX's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Hasler, said: "I am delighted that PYX's premium zircon meets the high-quality specifications required by the fused zirconia industry; only very few mines in the world can supply this grade and it is pleasing that we can. Problems in the traditional supply from South Africa have made this grade even more sought after."About Pyx Resources Limited

PYX Resources Limited (NSX:PYX) is a global producer of premium zircon listed on the National Stock Exchange of Australia. The Company's flagship asset is the Mandiri mineral sands deposit, located in the alluvium sediment rich region of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Boasting the world's 5th largest producing deposit of zircon, PYX is a large-scale, near-surface open pit operation in production since 2015 and with exploration to date validating the presence of additional Valuable Heavy Minerals such as rutile, ilmenite among others within its mineral sands.
CLEVELAND, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- At 5pm ET today, April 27th, the Rename Committee at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law ("the Committee") is hosting a historic public forum with legal scholars to discuss John Marshall's legacy. The forum is the third and final forum, and includes notable legal scholars Paul Finkelman and Kevin Walsh.

How You Can Join (Zoom Conference)

The forum will be held tonight, April 27th, at 5pm ET, via Zoom. It is open to the public.

Find more information and the Zoom link here:

https://www.law.csuohio.edu/meetcmlaw/namecommittee

Marshall Institutions Look Inward, Ask Hard Questions

Cleveland-Marshall (the "School") is one of 18 schools across the nation named for Chief Justice John Marshall, and one of two law schools to form a Rename Committee. The other is John Marshall Law School at UIC in Chicago, whose renaming committee recently voted 6-1 recommending to remove "Marshall" from its name.

Marshall's True Legacy Includes Being a Slave Master

At his death in 1835, Marshall owned hundreds of slaves. For 27 years after England abolished slavery, Marshall increased his slave ownership and was 7-0 in denying freedom. At his death in 1835, he had 200+ slaves, a year after Canada abolished slavery. To say Marshall acted "consistent with the times", or that he "should be judged by standards of his day", as a way of minimizing his role in the slave tragedy, is misleading, because Marshall clearly didn't act with the times.

John Marshall High School in Los Angeles

John Marshall High School in Los Angeles is working toward hosting a public discussion, as well, according to the activities feed on their website posted 3/18/21. The event was subsequently cancelled and has not been rescheduled.

Students at John Marshall High School, who operate the school's Instagram account, are the true leaders of any institutional discussion (which we highly encourage), having opened up the debate as far back as July 9th, 2020.

SOURCE Rename John Marshall

Related Links

https://renamejohnmarshall.com


Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is suing the federal government over a program that provides debt relief to racially and ethnically diverse farmers and ranchers that he says discriminates against white ones, including himself.

Miller, who filed the suit Monday in federal court in Fort Worth, is pursuing the issue in a personal capacity, not as part of official role or on behalf of the state. The commissioner, who owns and operates a ranch near Stephenville, about 70 miles southwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, is being represented by lawyers from the America First Legal Foundation. The Washington-based conservative nonprofit was founded by former Trump adviser Stephen Miller.

When it comes to getting financial aid, it shouldn't matter what race or ethnicity you are, Stephen Miller said on Sean Spicer's Newsmax show Monday. You cant make a more equal country, you cant make a more unified country, if you split and divide by race.

Millers attorneys and the Department of Justice, which represents the federal government in court, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

The suit takes aim at the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, which administers aid to socially disadvantaged producers, defined as those who are one or more of the following: Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, Asian or Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. Gender was not a factor.

National studies have shown the pandemic had a disproportionate effect on minority communities in terms of infection rates, hospitalizations and deaths.

These racial exclusions are patently unconstitutional, and the court should permanently enjoin their enforcement, the lawsuit says. Doing so will promote equal rights under the law for all American citizens and promote efforts to stop racial discrimination, because the way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race.

Republican lawmakers also took issue with the focus on minority groups when the bill was being passed. Freshman Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., had called the aid plan racist, and asked for the Department of Justice to investigate it as a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to agricultural magazine Progressive Farmer.

I cannot justify conditioning relief based on race or ethnicity, Clyde said during floor debate. This is not equality under the law.

But House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott, D-Ga., had defended the program as necessary to account for Black farmers being left out of earlier COVID-19 relief packages, the magazine reported.

After the bill was approved by the U.S. House on a 220-to-211 vote, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said it provides historic debt relief to Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and other farmers of color who for generations have struggled to fully succeed due to systemic discrimination and a cycle of debt. We cannot ignore the pain and suffering that this pandemic has wrought in communities of color. The American Rescue Plan answers that call to action.

Millers suit seeks class action relief for all white farmers and for U.S. District Judge Reed OConnor to put a stop to the program.

Over the last six years, OConnor, a President George W. Bush appointee, has sided with Texas attorney general on several high-profile cases filed against the federal government, including striking down the Affordable Care Act, family leave benefits for gay couples and an Obama administration rule that ensured transgender children could use school bathrooms that matched their gender identity.

Miller faced criticism earlier this year for cutting farm aid in his own state as part of interim agency budget cuts ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott during the pandemic. The Surplus Agricultural Products Grant program, which pays farmers to donate fresh produce to food banks that would otherwise go to waste, was cut by more than 40 percent. Houston Food Bank officials have said they are losing 4 million pounds of produce due to the cuts. Some lawmakers have moved to reinstate the funding in the upcoming biennial budget.

The Republican in his second term has also taken a leading role in several suits against top Texas officials over the last year or so. Last month, he sued Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the majority Republican Texas Senate in state court over the bodys requirement for a negative COVID-19 test requirement for entry into its proceedings.

He was also part of a suit filed by state GOP Chair Allen West and Republican lawmakers in September against Abbott over his pandemic-related extension of early voting for the general election; the Texas Supreme Court rejected the petition within two weeks.

taylor.goldenstein@chron.com
The French government has threatened to punish active soldiers who signed an open letter by 25 retired generals warning President Emmanuel Macron the country is headed for "civil war".

A number of serving defence force members are believed to have signed the letter published last week in the right-wing Valeurs Actuelles magazine, which warned that "laxist" policies would result in chaos requiring "the intervention of our comrades on active duty in a perilous mission of protection of our civilizational values".

"The hour is grave, France is in peril," the retired generals wrote, adding that failure to act against the "suburban hordes" -- a reference to residents of the mainly immigrant areas that ring French cities -- and other unnamed groups who "scorn our country" will lead to "civil war" and deaths "in the thousands".

The government and left-wing parties strongly condemned the letter, which was published on the 60th anniversary of a failed coup d'etat by generals opposed to France granting independence to Algeria.

It was not immediately clear from the list how many of the signatories, apart from the former generals, had retired from the defence forces and how many were still active members.

Defence Minister Florence Parly warned Monday that those still serving would be punished for flouting a law requiring them to remain politically neutral.

But she also appeared anxious to avoid giving too much importance to their outburst, assuring that the "immense majority" of French troops remained neutral and loyal.

Political analyst Jean-Yves Camus also downplayed the significance of the letter, telling AFP the signatories were "no heavyweights" in the army.

- 'Battle of France' -

The letter comes as candidates begin jockeying for position on immigration, security and the spread of radical Islam in the run-up to the 2022 presidential election.

Story continues

An Ifop poll published in the Journal du Dimanche newspaper on Sunday showed security and the fight against terrorism among voters' top priorities after a new wave of jihadist attacks, including the October 2020 beheading of a schoolteacher who showed his pupils cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, whom polls show likely to face off against Emmanuel Macron next year in a re-run of the 2017 race, told the retired generals she shared their sentiments and invited them to back her campaign.

"I invite you to join us in taking part in the coming battle, which is the battle of France," she wrote in a response to the letter published in Valeurs Actuelles.

Le Pen was widely criticized by her opponents on both the left and the right for her overtures to the soldiers behind what the left-wing daily Liberation described as a "call to sedition".

On Tuesday, she told France Info that while she shared the soldiers' diagnosis of a country afflicted by "lawless areas, crime, self-hatred and our leaders' rejection of patriotism" she agreed that "these problems can only be solved by politics."

- Murdered teacher -

The public foray by the generals, most of whom are close to far-right circles according to France Info, comes in the midst of a heated debate in France about racism and colonialism led by young, non-white French activists.

The generals accused them of whipping up "hatred between communities" with their rhetoric and support for tearing down statues of French figures from colonial times.

Macron, who was elected on a centrist manifesto in 2017 but is seen by critics as moving to the right, has slammed what he calls "social science theories imported from the United States", saying that they harm French unity.

The generals also accused "Islamism and the suburban hordes" of turning parts of the country into no-go areas where French values were no longer upheld.

"Who could have imagined 10 years ago that a teacher would one day be beheaded on leaving school," they wrote referring to the murder of Samuel Paty by a radicalised Chechen immigrant, a crime that caused deep shock in France.

While extremely rare, this is not the first time that former military top brass have criticised the running of the country.

A popular former head of the armed forces who quit after a spat with Macron in 2017, General Pierre de Villiers, has been cited as a possible presidential candidate after publishing a book on "repairing France."

The lead signatory of the letter in Valeurs Actuelles, Christian Piquemal, is a former Foreign Legion commander who was arrested for taking part in an anti-migrant demonstration in 2016.

cb/adp/jz
[April 27, 2021] Freedom Pizza becomes first food delivery service in the UAE to partner with what3words

Freedom Pizza is teaming up with what3words, enabling customers to receive deliveries to exact 3 metre squares across Dubai without the need for additional directions. DUBAI, UAE, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- what3words, the innovative location technology company that enables people around the world to identify and share any precise location using just three words, is teaming up with Freedom Pizza, a KRUSH Brands company, for its very first UAE-based food delivery partnership. Customers will now be able to have delicious, honest Freedom Pizza delivered to a specific 3 metre square without the need for additional directions. what3words makes it simple to talk about precise locations. It has divided the globe into a grid of 3 metre squares and given each one a unique what3words address, made of three words from the dictionary. For example, the front door to Freedom Pizza's Downtown location can be found at ///flicked.host.officers From an exact office entrance to a newly built residential community or a sun lounger on the beach, what3words allows people to share any precise spot using just three words. what3words provides KRUSH Brands riders with a simple and innovative way to deliver right to a customer's doorstep or any preferred delivery point across Dubai, whether it's a spot on the beach, a picnic blanket in the park, or a university campus. Street addresses across the UAE can be inaccurate: pins can drop in the centre of the buildings leaving riders struggling to find the correct door or access point and searching through large areas. what3words addresses are more accurate than postal addresses and allow Freedom Pizza and KRUSH Brands customers to specify their precise location for super-fast, fresh and safe deliveries. It's not just Freedom Pizza customers that will benefit as KRUSH Brands have introduced the technology across their portfolio of locally born companies including Wildflower Poke & More, Coco Yogo Vegan Kitchen, Salad Jar along with Foodpreneur partners Jet Lagged Chef and Viking Bageri. Finding the what3words address for a specific location couldn't be easier: KRUSH Brands customers can visit what3words.com or download the free what3words app, select the square where they would like to receive their delivery and see its easy-to-remember what3words address. They can then log in to any of the KRUSH Brands websites or applications to add their precise what3words address to their profile. KRUSH Brands has a database of over 350,000 customers, with 60% of all orders coming directly on the brand platforms built by their in-house tech team. At least 95% of the orders received will be for delivery which equates to about 10,000+ deliveries per week for the KRUSH Brands delivery team to fulfil. Integrating what3words with their existing addressing system ensures speed, precision and reliability in a hyper-competitive market and allows KRUSH to maintain its 23 minutes average delivery time as demand icreases.



what3words gives everyone, everywhere a simple, accurate and reliable address. what3words addresses are easier to remember than a postal address and can be shared more accurately than any other location reference system. It is also the first addressing system entirely optimised for voice, allowing for the easiest and most human-friendly possible input. what3words addresses are currently available in more than 45 languages, allowing more than half of the world's countries to use them in at least one of their official languages. KRUSH Brands Founder & CEO, Ian Ohan, said: We are super excited to partner with what3words to provide our customers with easy to use and more accurate and fast delivery. Whether you are at home, the beach, in the desert or one of the UAE's amazing parks, we will find you with what3words. We love its simplicity and believe it is the future of global addressing in the region and internationally. Good ideas matter and what3words is a great one.

"The benefit of what3words for food deliveries are clear. Providing three simple words in your online checkout means no more lost or cold pizza." Chris Sheldrick, CEO and co-founder of what3words commented, "we are really excited to partner with KRUSH Brands in Dubai to give customers a more accurate and seamless delivery experience anywhere, anytime". Find out more at www.what3words.com and www.freedompizza.ae

Connect with Freedom Pizza on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

To learn more about KRUSH Brands, visit www.krushbrands.com

Connect with KRUSH on LinkedIn For media enquiries please contact:

Dhara Bhatia, Senior Engagement Consultant, Katch International

dhara@katchthis.com, +971 56 794 4126 Safa Mansouri, Engagement Consultant, Katch International

prteam@katchthis.com, +971 50 926 5882 About what3words

Co-founded in London in 2013 by Chris Sheldrick, what3words is the simplest way to talk about location. The system covers the entire world, never needs updating, and works offline. A what3words address is a human-friendly way to share very precise locations with other people, or to input them into platforms and machines such as ride-hailing apps or e-commerce checkouts. It is optimised for voice input and contains built-in error prevention to immediately identify and correct input mistakes. The free what3words app, available for iOS and Android, and the online map enable people to find, share and navigate to what3words addresses in more than 45 languages to date. Millions of what3words addresses are in use around the world, with thousands of businesses using them to save money, be more efficient and provide a better customer experience. what3words is integrated into apps, platforms and websites, with just a few lines of code. Products are available for free or for a nominal fee for qualifying NGOs. Its partners include Mercedes-Benz, Triumph Motorcycles, Premier Inn, the AA and many emergency services across the world. what3words has a team of over 100 people, across offices in London, UK, San Francisco, USA, Johannesburg, ZA and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The company has raised over 50 million in capital from investors such as Intel, Aramex, Deutsche Bahn, SAIC and the Sony Investment Fund. Find your what3words address here. About Freedom Pizza

Made with love in the UAE, Freedom Pizza was established in 2015 by serial entrepreneur Ian Ohan. Freedom Pizza makes delicious, honest pizzas we can all feel good about. Using wholesome grains, the freshest local ingredients and free of preservatives and additives, the delicious taste of Freedom is delivered (right and fast) by its experienced and professional delivery team, every time. With seven locations in the UAE and growing, Freedom Pizza is about keeping its customers, its company and its community free  to share new ideas, love and great pizza.

www.freedompizza.com

www.instagram.com/freedomdelivers About KRUSH Brands

KRUSH Brands is a full-service, multi-kitchen, food technology, operating, franchising and last-mile delivery company. All KRUSH Brands are Powered by Freedom  KRUSH Brands' proprietary technology and delivery platform and its fleet of professional delivery drivers delivering fast, fresh and safe, every time. An alternative to the harmful third-party delivery ecosystem, KRUSH Brands has developed an effective ecosystem that allows great foodpreneurs to connect directly with customers and to grow their businesses in a fair and equitable way. KRUSH Brands owns and operates Freedom Pizza, Wildflower Poke & More, Coco Yogo Vegan Kitchen, Salad Jar. Stay tuned for new partner brand announcements soon.

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Yves here. Many of you have probably noticed some of the many signs of increasing corporate buyouts in the agriculture industry. I knew Japanese companies in the bubble years that were acquiring chicken farms and processors in Vietnam and hedgies in the 1990s who were buying agricultural land in Africa and South America. In more recent years, China has been buying food producer in Africa. Corporate interests have been hoovering up potable water sources in the US and many other major countries. And these examples only scratch the surface.

This post describes how this trend, along with increased techno-monitoring, is set to increase, but efforts are underway to stem this tide.

By Jomo Kwame Sundaram, a former economics professor, who was United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, and received the Wassily Leontief Prize for Advancing the Frontiers of Economic Thought. Originally published at Inter Press Service

 Producers and consumers seem helpless as food all over the world comes under fast growing corporate control. Such changes have also been worsening environmental collapse, social dislocation and the human condition.

Longer Term Perspective

The recent joint report  by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) and the ETC Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration  is ominous, to say the least.

A Long Food Movement, principally authored by Pat Mooney with a team including IPES-Food Director Nick Jacobs, analyses how food systems are likely to evolve over the next quarter century with technological and other changes.

The report notes that hi-tech, data processing and asset management corporations have joined established agribusinesses in reshaping world food supply chains.

If current trends continue, the food system will be increasingly controlled by large transnational corporations (TNCs) at the expense of billions of farmers and consumers.

Big Ag Weds Big Data

The Davos World Economic Forums (WEF) much touted Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0), promoting digitisation, is transforming food systems, accelerating concentration in corporate hands.

New apps enable better tracking across supply chains, while precision farming now includes using drones to spray pesticides on targeted crops, reducing inputs and, potentially, farming costs. Agriculture is now second only to the military in drone use.

Digital giants are working with other TNCs to extend enabling cloud computing infrastructure. Spreading as quickly as the infrastructure allows, new digital ag technologies have been displacing farm labour.

Meanwhile, food data have become more commercially valuable, e.g., to meet consumer demand, Big Ag profits have also grown by creating new needs. Big data are already being used to manipulate consumer preferences.

With the pandemic, e-retail and food delivery services have grown even faster. Thus, e-commerce platforms have quickly become the worlds top retailers.

New digital ag technologies are also undermining diverse, ecologically more appropriate food agriculture in favour of unsustainable monocropping. The threat is great as family farms still feed more than two-thirds of the worlds population.

IR4.0 Not Benign

Meanwhile, hi-tech and asset management firms have acquired significant shareholdings in food giants. Powerful conglomerates are integrating different business lines, increasing concentration while invoking competition and creative disruption.

The IPES-ETC study highlights new threats to farming and food security as IR4.0 proponents exert increasing influence. The report warns that giving Big Ag the keys of the food system worsens food insecurity and other existential threats.

Powerful corporations will increase control of most world food supplies. Big Ag controlled supply chains will also be more vulnerable as great power rivalry and competition continue to displace multilateral cooperation.

There Is No Alternative?

But the report also presents a more optimistic vision for the next quarter century. In this alternative scenario, collaborative efforts, from the grassroots to the global level, empower social movements and civil society to resist.

New technologies are part of this vision, from small-scale drones for field monitoring to consumer apps for food safety and nutrient verification. But they would be cooperatively owned, open access and well regulated.

The report includes pragmatic strategies to cut three quarters of agricultures greenhouse gas emissions and shift US$4 trillion from Big Ag to agroecology and food sovereignty. These include $720 billion in subsidies and $1.6 trillion in healthcare savings due to malnutrition.

IPES-ETC also recommends taxing junk food, toxins, carbon emissions and TNC profits. It also urges criminal prosecution of those responsible for famine, malnutrition and environmental degradation.

Food security protocols are needed to supercede trade and intellectual property law, and not only for emergencies. But with food systems under growing stress, Big Ag solutions have proved attractive to worried policymakers who see no other way out.

Last Chance to Change Course

Historically, natural resources were commonly or publicly shared. Water and land have long been sustainably used by farmers, fisherfolk and pastoralists. But market value has grown with property rights, especially with corporate acquisition.

Touted as the best means to achieve food security, corporate investments in recent decades have instead undermined remaining traditional agrarian ecosystems.

Big Ag claims that the food, ecological and climate crises has to be addressed with its superior new technologies harnessing the finance, entrepreneurship and innovation only they can offer.

But in fact, they have failed, instead triggering more problems in their pursuit of profit. As the new food system and corporate trends consolidate, it will become increasingly difficult to change course.

Proposed by the WEF, the UN Secretary-Generals Food Systems Summit later this year clearly seeks to promote corporate solutions. Very timely, A Long Food Movement is an urgent call to action for the long haul.

With so much at stake, representatives of food producers and consumers need to act urgently to prevent governments from allowing a UN sanctioned corporate takeover of global governance of food systems.
Despite potential obstacles posed by the coronavirus pandemic, injured workers experienced no meaningful delays in access to medical treatment under their employers workers compensation programs during the pandemic.

Research from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) also shows that states have varied substantially in the percentage of their workers compensation claims that have been Covid-19 related.

We found no change in pattern in the first treatment, and no change in the number of visits, said economist Olesya Fomenko during WCRIs recent annual conference in explaining the preliminary findings of her research. Fomenko analyzed data on Covid-19 paid claims from 27 states for the first two quarters of 2020 compared to 2019.

The number of days from injury to treatment in 2020 was largely unaffected for Covid and non-Covid medical claims, as was the number of medical visits per claim. There was no delay for evaluation and management services, emergency room services, physical therapy, or surgery.

That was true whether the claims originated in the first half of 2020 or were existing claims carried over from 2018 and 2019. In fact, there was a slight improvement in speed to surgery for 2019 claims carried into 2020.

Fomenko also observed that for non-Covid-19 claims, there was almost no change in the injury composition between 2020 and 2019 second quarters. In 2019, 22% were lacerations/contusions compared to about 21% in 2020. Also, 26% were strains in 2019 while 22% were in 2020.

State Variations

We see a large variation across states in the prevalence of Covid-19 claims, Fomenko said of her other major finding.

For all 27 states studied, the median was 6% of all claims being Covid-19 claims.

The share varied substantially state-by-state. The states with the highest percentages of Covid claims were Massachusetts at 42%, New Jersey at 34% and Connecticut 23%. States with the lowest percentages of Covid claims among their workers compensation claims included South Carolina at 1% along with Kansas (2%), and Texas, Arkansas and Nevada (3%).

Regarding the variations among states, Fomenko found influencing factors include how hard a state was hit by the pandemic, how high the states unemployment rate rose, and whether the state had a law presuming the virus was caught on-the-job or a system feature that favored payment.

The prevalence of COVID-19 claims is associated with the spread of the virus at the time and the sates that were hit the hardest by the pandemic in the second quarter of 2020, such as Connecticut, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, also had some of the highest percentages of Covid-19 claims, she noted.

Non-Covid Claims

All 27 states saw a drop in non-Covid workers compensation claims during the first half of 2020, ranging from 20% to 50%. A majority of states had a 30% or more drop in non-Covid claims from the second quarter 2019 to the second quarter 2020. The states with the biggest drop were Massachusetts at 50% and seven states with more than a 40% drop (New Jersey, Michigan, Connecticut, Louisiana, Illinois, Florida and Pennsylvania). The smallest drops were 20% in Kansas, 21% in Arkansas, and 25% in Tennessee and Arizona.

Here is where we see the impact of the massive economic slowdown, stay-home policies, and switching to work from home on the volume of workers compensation claims, she explained.

While the drop in non-Covid claims appears to track with states unemployment rates, it is not fully explained by the unemployment picture, according to Fomenko.

Covid claims from workers have been most prevalent in certain high risk services industries; in particular in the health care industry including assisted living facilities, hospitals and physician and dentist offices. More than 60% of Covid claims in the first and second quarters of 2020 were in health services as opposed to in construction, manufacturing, clerical, or other industries.

Again, the share of claims in the healthcare sector varied by state, with only 8% in South Carolina and 9% in Kansas to a high of 75% in Massachusetts, 68% in New Jersey and 67% in Connecticut. The median rate among states of Covid-19 claims from the health care industry was 34%.

Covid-19 claims have a concentration in high risk services, more than 60% of all claims were happening among workers in high-risk services, Fomenko stated. Lower risk services had another 30% of Covid claims. So, service industries have majority of Covid-19 claims by the end of the second quarter 2020.

States that had passed workers compensation laws that presumed a virus was a job-related event laws in the second quarter 2020Wisconsin, Kentucky, California, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Minnesota Illinois, Michigan ad Connecticut  tended to have higher percentage of Covid-19 claims than states that did not. Massachusetts and New Jersey had other features of their workers comp systems that had similar effect.

The states in the WCRI study were Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 00:23:17|Editor: huaxia

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GABORONE, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Botswana announced its lowest number of COVID-19 cases on Monday since the start of the year.

In the weekly update of the country's state of the coronavirus, Deputy Director of the Presidential Task Force for COVID-19 Professor Mosepele Mosepele said 226 new cases were recorded from April 20-23, being the lowest average numbers per day recorded since January.

The announcement comes at a time when the country's vaccine rollout plan has gained speed with 47,160 people having received their first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine. This also follows the arrival of a batch of 200,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine donated by China on Sunday.

Mosepele said the drop in the number of new cases could be attributed to the government's recent efforts to minimize movement of people especially from high-risk areas to low and moderate risk places. The government has restricted issuance of inter-zonal movement permits during the Easter holidays at the beginning of April.

Still in the four-day period that was under review, eleven new COVID-19 related deaths were recorded, bringing the total to 702 deaths since the first death was recorded in March 2020.

Mosepele said despite reduction in new cases the curve has not yet flattened, saying there was need for consistency at low numbers and further urging the public to continue exercising the set health protocols. Enditem
John Kerry is facing mounting calls to resign as President Biden's climate envoy amid allegations he fed Iran sensitive information on 200 Israeli military operations while he was Secretary of State under Obama.

Several Republicans, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and potential presidential candidates, have called for him to step down following leak of tapes of recordings from Tehran's foreign minister Javad Zarif.

Kerry emphatically denied giving Zarif information about Israeli attacks on Syria, calling stories about it 'unequivocally false.'

A leaked recording of Iran's foreign minister featured Iranian diplomat Zarif claiming that Kerry told him Israel had attacked Iranian proxies in Syria while serving as Barack Obama's Secretary of State, a role he held between 2013 and 2017.

Kerry himself does not appear in the recording, and Israeli officials have themselves previously shared details of some of their attacks on Syria. It is not clear how Kerry allegedly provided the information.

The information about the former top US diplomat comes amid in an explosive leak where Zarif complained about the late Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani.

Israel has admitted launching strikes on Iranian interests in Syria since 2011 to counter Tehran building up a military presence and to stop them transporting weapons to terrorists groups such as Hezbollah.

Pompeo, Kerry's successor as Secretary of State and a potential 2024 presidential candidate, said the recording tells 'what I've said for years: that [Zarif] continued to engage with former Secretary of State Kerry on policy matters after Kerry's public service and, according to Zarif, Kerry informed the Iranians of Israeli operations,' said Pompeo.

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif describes former Secretary of State John Kerry telling him that Israel launched 200 attacks on Iranian forces in Syria in comments picked up in a leaked recording. Zarif (left) and Kerry (right) are seen above in New York in this 2016 file photo

In 2012, Iran claimed Israel's intelligence agency Mossad was behind the assassination of nuclear scientist Dr.Massoud Ali Mohammadi

Pompeo also took the opportunity to slam the Iran nuclear deal, which Donald Trump yanked the U.S. out of and Kerry helped negotiate. 'Before we cut a deal with Iran that reduces Americans' security, it would be good to know what the arrangement, if any, may have been between these two leaders,' he told the conservative Washington Free Beacon.

Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley accused Kerry of 'tipping off' the Iranians.

'This is disgusting on many levels. Biden and Kerry have to answer for why Kerry would be tipping off Iran, the number one sponsor of terror, while stabbing one of our greatest partners, Israel, in the back,' she said.

State Department spokesman Ned Price referenced substantial reporting on Israeli strikes at Syria without naming the U.S. ally.

Several Republicans, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and potential presidential candidates, have called for Kerry to step down following leak of tapes of recordings from Tehran's foreign minister Javad Zarif

'I would just make the broad point that if you go back and look at press reporting from the time, this certainly was not secret,' he said Monday. 'And governments that were involved were speaking to this publicly, on the record,' he said Monday.

Haley is also considered a potential presidential candidate, although she said recently she would not seek the office if former President Donald Trump ran.

Also jumping on Kerry was Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). 'If this tape is verified, it would signal catastrophic and disqualifying recklessness by Envoy Kerry to Foreign Minister Zarif that endangered the safety of Americans and our allies,' he said.

Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska threw out the word 'treason' during a Senate floor speech and called on Kerry to resign from his climate post. So did Rep. Jim Banks (R., Ind.), head of the conservative Republican Study Committee.

'People are talking about treason  and I don't throw that word around a lot,' he said. 'John Kerry does all kinds of things that I can't stand. But this is the one that broke the camel's back.'

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo bashed climate envoy John Kerry following a leaked recording of Iran's foreign minister

An Israeli soldier runs past a mobile artillery cannon at a position near Moshav Sha'al in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on April 22, 2021

Israeli attacks on Syria since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war There have been numerous rocket attacks and air raids between Israel and Syria since the Syrian civil war began in 2011. Israel has acknowledged carrying out hundreds of them, but usually does not confirm specific operations. Below are a small sample: June 23, 2014  Israel attacks nine targets in Syria after 15-year old boy is killed in the occupied Golan Heights November 20, 2019  Israeli strike hits Irans Quds Force headquarters at Damascus airport December 2019  Israel takes out Iranian arms depot in Syria, following four strikes in November Jan. 9, 2020  Israel attacks forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad near Damascus Jan 13, 2021  Deadly Israeli airstrikes in Syria kill 57, according to observers April 21, 2021  Syria launches missile near top-secret nuclear reactor in Israel; Isreal responds with attacks on missile battery Advertisement

Countered Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) on Twitter: 'They are coming after John Kerry because he will help lead the world to a post-fossil-fuel future, and the polluting fossil fuel industry cant abide that.'

Kerry denied Zarif's recorded claim.

'I can tell you that this story and these allegations are unequivocally false,' Kerry tweeted on Monday.

'This never happened - either when I was Secretary of State or since.'

As the Times of Israel noted, after Zarif made the comments, an interviewer asked him 'You did not know?

Zarif responded: no, no two different times. Although the timing of the conversation is not clear, Kerry served as chief U.S. negotiator on the Iran deal in 2015 and worked with Zarif.

The tape surfaced on Sunday, providing indications of a pronounced rift within the Iranian regime  while showcasing Iran's top diplomatic speaking to his own ineffectiveness in contending with powerful internal forces.

The account of Kerry's comment appeared in the New York Times and other outlets Monday.

'Former Secretary of State John Kerry informed him that Israel had attacked Iranian interests in Syria at least 200 times, to his astonishment, Mr. Zarif said,' according to the Times.

The recording has Zarif saying: 'It was former US Foreign Secretary John Kerry who told me Israel had launched more than 200 attacks on Iranian forces in Syria.'

That drew immediate pushback from conservative supporters of Israel.

Noah Pollak of the Democratic Alliance Group tweeted: 'John Kerry was ratting out Israeli covert operations in Syria directly to the Iranian foreign minister. Let that sink in. Wow.'

Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor who served as ex-President Donald Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, is also an ardent supporter of Israel.

Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor who served as ex-President Donald Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, is also an ardent supporter of Israel. She tweeted: 'This is disgusting on many levels. Biden and Kerry have to answer for why Kerry would be tipping off Iran, the number one sponsor of terror, while stabbing one of our greatest partners, Israel, in the back.'

But complicating the picture are numerous public claims by the Israelis about attacking Hezbollah forces in Syria dating to 2013  something Zarif wouldn't need the top U.S. diplomat to inform him about

She tweeted: 'This is disgusting on many levels. Biden and Kerry have to answer for why Kerry would be tipping off Iran, the number one sponsor of terror, while stabbing one of our greatest partners, Israel, in the back.'

But complicating the picture are numerous public claims by the Israelis about attacking Hezbollah forces in Syria dating to 2013  something Zarif wouldn't need the top U.S. diplomat to inform him about.

Israel also said it launched an attack in Syria last week following a Syrian missile attack.

Israeli soldiers search for debris after a missile launched from Syria landed near the Dimona nuclear site in Israel's southern Negev desert, on April 22, 2021. Multiple defense batteries in Syria were struck by Israeli forces, the military said, after a missile targeted a village near a secretive nuclear site in southern Israel

The White House declined to comment when asked about the potentially explosive information. 'We're not going to comment on leaked tapes,' White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at Monday's press briefing.

Former special Iran advisor for the State Department Gabriel Noronha said in a statement reported by Fox News: 'The main reason Zarif has survived as Foreign Minister for eight years in Iran's cutthroat political environment is that he serves as the 'reasonable' storefront to the world, protecting the more empowered radical elements of the regime from Western and press scrutiny.'

'I think the leak was likely instigated by regime insiders who have long hated Zarif and tried to oust him  they oppose current efforts to rejoin the [Iran nuclear deal and also want to bolster domestic opposition to President Rouhani and his allies running for office in June.'

Noronha was fired from his State Department political post in the Trump administration after tweeting on Jan. 6th that former President Donald Trump 'fomented an insurrectionist mob that attacked the Capitol today. He continues to take every opportunity to obstruct the peaceful transfer of power,

Israel under the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has balked at the Iran nuclear deal hammered out during the Obama administration, in part by Kerry and Zarif.

Israel is believed to be behind attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, although it did not comment on the latest explosion at Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment facility.

Mohammad Javad Zarif complained in the leaked recording that the late Revolutionary Guards commander Qassim Soleimani forced Tehran to send troops to Syria at Russian President Vladimir Putin's insistence.

Zarif said he had 'zero' influence over Iran's foreign policy while Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq last year, exerted his power to fulfil his military demands at the expense of diplomacy.

'I have never been able to tell a military commander to do something in order to aid diplomacy,' Zarif said in the tape, aired by the London-based Iran International Persian-language satellite news channel late on Sunday.

In the three-hour leaked recording, the foreign minister criticises Soleimani for effectively being a pawn for Putin after the commander deployed Iranian ground forces to Syria and allowed Russia's warplanes to fly over Iran to attack Syria.

Russia had wanted the Iranian Revolutionary Guards on the ground to help Moscow's air campaign in support of the Syrian government.

'He (Soleimani) asked me to make this or that concession or point almost every time I went to negotiate (with world powers),' Zarif said in the recording.

Iran's foreign minister has complained in a leaked recording that the late Revolutionary Guards commander Qassim Soleimani (centre in 2016) forced Tehran to send troops to Syria at Russian President Vladimir Putin's insistence

Mohammad Javad Zarif said he had 'zero' influence over Iran's foreign policy while Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq last year, exerted his power to fulfill his military demands at the expense of diplomacy

In the interview, Zarif added that Soleimani refused to stop using the state-owned national carrier Iran Air for Syrian operations despite his objections. He said the aircraft was sometimes used without the government's knowledge.

This admission confirms reports that Iran's civilian aircraft was used to deploy military and personnel to Syria.

'The (military) field's success was more important than diplomacy's success. I was negotiating for the (military) field's success,' Zarif said.

'I have sacrificed diplomacy for the battlefield more than the price that (those on) the battlefield (led by Soleimani)... paid and sacrificed for diplomacy.'

In the leaked taped, he also hinted that Soleimani tried to spoil Iran's 2015 nuclear deal by colluding with Russia.

He claims that the Revolutionary Guards had written 'Israel should be wiped off the Earth' in Hebrew in an effort to ruin the deal.

Zarif added that Iran gave up much of what it 'could have achieved from the nuclear deal' for the sake of advancement on the battlefield.

His comments come as talks are underway in Vienna aimed at finding a way for Tehran to return to the nuclear deal with the U.S. and other Western powers.

How US drone took out top Iranian general MQ-9 Reaper drone is seen in a file photo On January 3, 2020, an MQ-9 Reaper rained four Hellfire missiles on Soleimani's convoy at Baghdad International Airport. The head of the elite Quds Force, Soleimani was considered the second most powerful person of Iran, subordinate only to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. US officials believed Soleimani was the mastermind of attacks on American personnel in Iraq, and claimed he was plotting an imminent strike against the embassy there. The assassination of Soleimani was reportedly presented to Trump as the 'most extreme option' on a menu of responses to embassy attacks. Advertisement

Leader of the Guards' clandestine overseas Quds Force, Soleimani was a pivotal figure who built up Iran's network of proxy armies across the Middle East before he was killed by the U.S. in a drone strike last year - an attack which at the time brought the U.S. and Iran to the brink of war.

Iran retaliated with a rocket attack on an Iraqi air base where U.S. forces were stationed. Hours later, Iranian forces shot down a Ukrainian passenger airliner taking off from Tehran. Days later, Iran's Guards admitted that the plane had been shot 'mistakenly'.

'I said (at the Supreme National Security meeting) that the world is saying the plane was hit with missiles. If the plane was really hit with missiles, tell us so we can see how we can fix it,' Zarif said in the recording.

'They told me: 'No, go, go tweet and deny it'.'

Throughout the recording, Zarif offered a blunt appraisal of diplomacy and the limits of power within the Islamic Republic, providing a rare look inside the country's theocracy.

He complained that the Revolutionary Guards and its commander had more influence in foreign affairs and the country's nuclear dossier than him, in remarks that shine a light on ties between the government and the powerful force.

In the interview, Zarif repeated an earlier claim by officials around President Rouhani that they had not been told by the Revolutionary Guard that it accidentally shot down a Ukrainian jetliner in January 2020, killing all 176 people on board.

Zarif describes Russia as wanting to stop the nuclear deal, something apparently so sensitive that he warns the interviewer: 'You definitely can never release this part.'

Russia had a frosty relationship with then-President Barack Obama, whose administration secured the deal with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Russia and Iran also at times have strained relations, despite being battlefield allies in Syria.

'If Iran hadn't become Mr. (Donald) Trump's priority, China and Russia would have become his priority,' Zarif said. 'If, because of hostility with the West, we always need Russia and China, they don't have to compete with anyone, and also they can always enjoy maximum benefits through us.'

Both China and Russia have been vocal proponents of returning to the nuclear deal. Their missions in Vienna did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

Despite his criticism, Zarif acknowledged Soleimani's importance in Iran.

'I believe that the U.S. by hitting Martyr Soleimani dealt a blow to Iran that would not have been as bad even if they had hit one of our towns,' he said.

A photo shows burning wreckage of the US airstrike on two cars at Baghdad International Airport that killed Soleimani and other top Iranian military officials last year

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who pushed the Trump administration's pressure campaign on Iran, later linked to a story about the leaked tapes on Twitter. He described it as an 'exquisite strike' that 'had a massive impact on Iran and the Middle East.'

'You don't have to take my word for it,' Pompeo wrote.

The release of his comments set off a firestorm within Iran, where officials carefully mind their words amid a cut-throat political environment that includes the powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

The conservative Fars news agency criticized Zarif for presenting himself during the conversation as 'a symbol of diplomacy', contrasting with Soleimani as a symbol of the 'battlefield'.

The Fars agency quoted lawmaker Nasrollah Pejmanfar, who demanded 'explanations' from the foreign ministry for the remarks.

'Mr. Zarif calls into question subjects appearing among the red lines of the Islamic republic,' Pejmanfar said.

Relations between pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani's government and the Guards are important because the influence of the hardline paramilitary force is so great that it can disrupt any rapprochement with the West if it feels this would endanger its economic and political interests.

Without disputing the audio's authenticity, the foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh on Monday said that the news channel only published excerpts of the seven-hour interview with the foreign minister.

Khatibzadeh called the release of the recording 'illegal' and described it as 'selectively' edited, though he and others did not offer opinions on how it became public. Zarif, visiting Iraq on Monday after a trip to Qatar, took no questions from journalists after giving a brief statement in Baghdad.

Although Zarif said he had no intention of running in Iran's June 18 presidential election, some critics said Zarif's comments were aimed at gaining votes from Iranians disillusioned by a stalled economy and lack of political and social freedoms.

His name has been suggested by prominent moderates as a possible candidate for the election, in which several prominent commanders of the Guards are also running for the top executive post.

Outside of Iran, Zarif's comments could also affect talks in Vienna aimed at finding a way for Tehran and the U.S. to both come into compliance with Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Already, sabotage targeted Iran's nuclear facility at Natanz during the talks as Tehran has begun enriching a small amount of uranium up to 60 per cent purity, which edges the country closer to weapons-grade levels.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) was set up after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the Shi'ite clerical ruling system and revolutionary values. It answers to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Bangladeshi Muslims carry the body of Xulhaz Mannan during his funeral in Dhaka, April 26, 2016.

A verdict is expected soon for eight suspects charged with murder over the killing of two Bangladeshi gay-rights activists who were hacked to death in a Dhaka apartment five years ago, officials said.

But the work they did advocating for the sexual minority all but perished along with them, according to fellow campaigners.

The social movement to establish the rights of the LGBTQ people in Bangladesh after the Xulhaz-Tonoy murder has almost gone. Many of the activists have either gone into hiding or left the country, an activist who asked to be identified only as Min told BenarNews.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was among those who marked the fifth anniversary of the killings of U.S. government employee Xulhaz Mannan and theater artist Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy, which prosecutors say were motivated by their activism on behalf of LGBTQ people.

Xulhaz worked at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka for nine years and later for the Bangladesh office of the United States Agency for International Development, where he helped lead programs to promote human rights.

Xulhazs selfless dedication to advancing the principles of diversity, acceptance and inclusion exemplified the best of Bangladesh, Blinken said in a statement on April 25.

A punishable offense

The brutal killings on that date in 2016 were carried out by men who entered Xulhazs apartment by posing as delivery men while carrying a box of machetes. Police charged eight suspects with murder in July 2019 and a trial began on Nov. 19 of the following year.

Four of the suspects are behind bars and the rest are fugitives.

A verdict expected on April 6 was postponed because of a lockdown declared by the government amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, said Golam Sarwar Khan Zakir, a public prosecutor of the anti-terrorism tribunal in Dhaka.

The lockdown being over, the court will set a fresh date for the verdict, he said.

All eight suspects are suspected members of Ansar al-Islam, also known as Ansarullah Bangla Team, an al-Qaeda affiliated outfit that claimed responsibility for a string of killings of secular intellectuals and activists, most of them in 2015 and 2016.

The trial of the killers of Xulhaz Mannan is at the final stage. The killers cannot escape justice, Law Minister Anisul Huq told BenarNews.

Asked if the government had taken steps to protect the rights of LGBTQ citizens, Huq said that Bangladesh law prohibits protecting their identity.

The government must protect the rights of all its citizens, including the LGBTQ people, in Bangladesh. But the government cannot promote homosexuality and LGBTQ activities. Our existing Penal Code penalizes homosexuality; this is a punishable offense, he said.

Unless the law is changed, the government cannot promote the rights of homosexuality in Bangladesh.

Xulhaz Mannan attends a Bengali New Year rally organized by an LGBTQ group in Dhaka, April 14, 2014. [AFP]

We cannot even gather

Min, who heads a community-based group fighting for the rights of homosexuals and transgender people in Bogura, in northern Bangladesh, told BenarNews that some NGOs in upscale areas of Dhaka began promoting LGBTQ rights in the 1990s.

But what Xulhaz Mannan did was different from the NGOs approaches: he took the initiative to mobilize the LGBTQ people beyond the posh areas and other districts. He had been receiving very good responses from them, Min said.

The LGBTQ magazine he launched, Roopban, created a sensation in the country about the rights of these neglected people, she said.

Another transgender woman, who would not disclose her identity because of safety concerns, told BenarNews that there were an estimated 10,000 LGBTQ people in Bangladesh, though the government has no data on this.

Before the murders of Xulhaz and Tonoy, we could meet, organize programs, and talk freely. Many LGBTQ people were coming forward to expose themselves. In 2014, the LGBTQ people for the first time held a rainbow rally for the Bengali New Year celebration.

But the murders changed everything overnight. During the last five years, we cannot even gather at a place let alone organize a program, the transgender person said.

Members of the economic elite can arrange small gatherings in protected facilities, but the common LGBTQ people in other areas have no such space, she said.

And while people have to some extent accepted transgender people, or hijras, most Bangladeshis remain completely ignorant of the wider community of LGBTQ people, she said.

Meanwhile, the pain of the killings continues to reverberate.

Xulhazs mother, an 84-year-old dementia sufferer, still asks about him, said Minhaz Mannan, Xulhazs brother.

Relatives frequently tell lies, saying he is at the home of his sister in the United States, Xulhaz said.

If she could come to know that Xulhaz was killed, she would die, he told BenarNews.

The trial has been going on ... I hope that we will get fair justice, and the real culprits would face punishment, he said.
A recent rumor suggested finding someone to play Prince Andrew on The Crown has been a royal headache  but Netflix is shooting it down.

The British tabloid The Sun claimed the hit Netflix series about Queen Elizabeth II is "struggling to find an actor to play unpopular Prince Andrew," who stepped back from public duties in 2019 after coming under fire for his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. An Epstein accuser, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, has also alleged she was forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17, which Andrew denies.

"Prince Andrew is one of the most unpopular members of the royal family and wannabe stars aren't exactly queing up to play him," a casting source claimed to The Sun. "It's not the sexiest role and is unlikely to set a Hollywood career alight."

The report also cited the fact that producers had "resorted to advertising the role on" Spotlight, "a job website for out-of-work actors." But a representative for the show told Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter there's been no such difficulty finding someone for the part.

"There is absolutely no struggle to cast any role for season 5 of The Crown and it is normal practice for productions to advertise in Spotlight," the spokesperson said.

Prince Andrew appeared in the fourth season of The Crown and was played by Tom Byrne, the Reporter notes, although season 5 will see the show recast key roles including the queen herself. The next season is expected to pick up in the 1990s  though if the show ever does go all the way up to 2019, an episode featuring Andrew's disastrous Epstein interview would be quite a doozy.

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Kate Bullinger

Weber Shandwick promotes Kate Bullinger to CEO of United Minds, the agencys organizational change consultancy specializing in change management, diversity, equity and inclusion, culture and employee experience. Bullinger, who helped to launch the consultancy in 2018, was previously its president. Before coming to Weber Shandwick in 2012, she served as chief of staff and chief communications officer at The Atlantic Philanthropies. As CEO of United Minds, Bullinger will work to expands its key service areas and solutions and grow its global team of experts. Kate is a brilliant leader who has been ahead of the curve for years on the critical need for an employee-led approach to driving transformation and business impact, said Weber Shandwick chief growth officer Susan Howe. United Minds has also promoted Tai Wingfield to EVP, diversity, equity and inclusion, and hired former Nielsen DE&I expert Courtney Jones as SVP, diversity, equity and inclusion.

Jonathan Heit

Allison+Partners has promoted Jonathan Heit from global president to global chief operating officer, where his focus will be to help scale and operationalize the business for expansion. Having recently worked out of the agencys Tokyo office before returning to New York, he will continue to play a pivotal part in global integration. Global presidents Matthew Della Croce and Cathy Planchard will also take on expanded roles. Della Croce will now serve as global president, worldwide client service, and Planchard will add health to her remit as global president, marketing innovation team + health.

Peter Giorgi

Equinox brings on Peter Giorgi as chief marketing officer. Giorgi comes to the company from Celebrity Cruises, where he was also CMO. He previously served as global head of advertising and content at Airbnb and was a vice president at Crispin Porter Bogusky. In addition to taking on the duties of previous Equinox CMO Seth Solomons, who left the company to become chief executive officer at Eastlake Advisory Group, Giorgi will also handle marketing for Equinox Media.
The district attorney of Manhattan in NYC has announced that his office will no longer prosecute any unlicensed "massage" parlor workers (about 900 cases), nor loitering for the purposes of prostitution (about 5,000 cases). Abigail Swenstein, a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society's Exploitation Intervention Project, which works with sex workers, said that while the policy doesn't preclude the New York Police Department making arrests, she hopes officers will choose not to, knowing that prosecutors would not bring charges. Laws against these behaviors are still on the books but will not be prosecuted. The citizenry has not repealed these laws, but the ever wise and dictatorial district attorney will spit in the face of the citizenry (and God) by deeming these activities unworthy of punishment.

This writer could find reference to only one person, New York Assemblyman Mike Reilly, a Republican, who said Manhattan's new prostitution policy sets a dangerous precedent. "It flies in the face of law and order," he timidly said. To me, the fact that there is not an outcry of opposition is as grievous as the decision itself.

This is but the latest in a list of repulsive changes in law enforcement made unilaterally by the D.A. Mr. Vance in his vulgar arrogance boasts that since 2010, he has cut the number of cases handled by his office in half by not prosecuting marijuana smoking and ownership, subway fare evasion, unlicensed vending, nonpayment of fines, loitering for prostitution, peaceful protests (read: looting, burning stores, dousing police with buckets of water and spitting on them). In short, he has retracted the policing practices that so improved the safety and quality of life in New York City begun under Rudy Giuliani's administration as mayor (19942001).

This is not merely a case of malfeasance or arbitrary behavior by Vance. Rather, this is what happens when belief in God is taken out of the country. The Old Testament has many references to prostitution. "Do not degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with wickedness" (Lev. 19:29). In the New Testament we read, "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!" (1 Cor. 6:15).

Sin is no longer a reality to the unbelieving masses, and where is the outrage coming from New York City's churches? Faith in God is vanishing. Thousands of churches are closing throughout the country. With the collapse of family values, which, since God created the family, are underpinned by belief in God, communism easily ascends. Sex should take place only within the context of holy matrimony. It is perfidy and sinful to think otherwise. Yet the idea of family is premised on this simple proposition.

As the family is sacrificed to unbridled lust, faith becomes diluted or altogether disappears. Killing children through abortion, abortions by minors in N.Y. State without parent or guardian notification, increased legalization of prostitution, children being given authority to have their private parts or breasts removed (but they still cannot buy or drink vodka or vote), homosexual "marriage," and even pedophilia and multiple husbands and wives (polyamory) are being advanced as legitimate in certain quarters.

Drag queens are doing readings to young children and their parents in libraries to the amusement of many. Where are these ungodly and aberrant behaviors being condemned? One would think the churches or synagogues would be doing the condemning, but they are quiet. Society must turn to Christ and seek the forgiveness of their sins. We know from the Bible, that when sin abounds and is treated as a norm instead of as a sin, judgment comes from on high. Without repentance, it is as inevitable as the rising of the sun.



The handsome face of corruption and depravity.

We don't know if Mr. Vance is or is not a communist. But this contempt for the law and for God's values in Holy Scripture is in keeping with the communist agenda, which was on the back burner in the USA for many years going back to the 19th century with the International Workers of the World, then moving forward through the so-called Socialist Party under the leadership of Eugene Debs. By 1948, the Progressive Party under Henry Wallace formed, but the mainstream Democratic Party under Harry S. Truman had the resolve not to compromise with the progressive wing and ran under the banner of the New Deal and victory in WWII without taking the knee to the policies embraced by the USSR.

Meanwhile, in the years just prior to WWII, the collapse of morality in order to implement communism was advanced by Antonio Gramsci, Herbert Marcuse, Max Horkheimer, Theodor Adorno, and Eric Fromm, all from the Frankfurt Institute of Social Research advancing cultural Marxism (communism), who migrated to the USA when Hitler came to power. They observed that the working classes in Europe did not turn to communism during or after WWI as they had hoped, so Gramsci in Italy (where he had been imprisoned) came up with the idea of the "long march" through the institutions  schools, media, higher ed, etc.  in order to weaken capitalist institutions rather than have the out-and-out revolution of the working class that Marx envisioned.

The Gramsci long march really took off in the USA in the 1960s with the leadership of Angela Davis, militant C.P. member, and Mario Savio of the Berkeley anti-cop Free Speech Movement. Add to that mix Huey Newton and Bobby Seale of the Black Panthers, and firebrands like Stokely Carmichael of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (who eventually moved to Senegal) and Mark Rudd as a Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) leader at Columbia University, and we saw a surge of incredible militancy and violence.

The Frankfurt School believed that once the institutions of the capitalist West were sufficiently weakened, capitalism would fall, just like ripe fruit from the tree. It seems that the erosion of the West, even of our religious institutions, which in many cases have embraced Marxist values under the "social justice" rubric, has progressed beyond the point of no return.

The antisocial and disruptive behavior of the sixties has gained momentum during the past 20 years. Handsome and compliant, Mr. Vance has taken the knee and cheerfully sold out the citizenry to satisfy certain constituencies. No Legislature has rescinded those laws, but this dictator (with a judge's rubber stamp) is not enforcing them. He is exposing prostitutes to untold violence as well as disease, and likewise their customers. Moreover, with decisions like the abolition of prostitution prosecution, he has spit in the face of God as well as the principle of law and order.

Image via Pxhere.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Burma Myanmar Regime Threatens Severe Action Against AAPP

Police carry two men hit by bullets in a cart after the deadly crackdown on anti-regime protesters at Mogok, Mandalay Region on April 17. / CJ

Myanmars military junta announced Monday that it will take severe action against the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), accusing the group of inflating the number of those killed by the juntas forces.

AAPP has been documenting the fatalities and arrests at the hands of the military regimes forces since the Feb. 1 coup.

The United Nations, news media, and other international governments have been relying upon the numbers compiled by the association.

Its numbers are also close to lists documented by local media.

When asked about their response to the juntas threat of reprisals, U Bo Kyi, a founder and joint secretary of AAPP, said, I think its just a political move as international governments, media and UN are referencing our data.

Besides, the issues of releasing political prisoners and halting the junta forces violence are the key issues discussed in the recent ASEAN (Association of South East Asia Nations) summit. The key issue is the violence they have committed, their killing and arrests. Instead of solving those problems, they are targeting a group like ours which is revealing the true events. It should not happen. Such actions wont come any close to [seeking] truth. It is the opposite, he said.

The military regime has claimed that the AAPP is an unlawful association and has been publishing the fatality lists through its webpage without referencing reliable sources. The fatality lists published by the association are inflated over the actual death toll, the junta said.

Citing the records of its police forces, the military regime recently said via military run-television and newspapers that only 258 people were killed between Feb. 1 and April 15, while the AAPP has confirmed a total of 726 deaths in the same period.

The military regime asserted Monday that by publishing its count of the death toll the AAPP was not only frightening civil servants and the public but also stimulating more riot cases and instigating instability in the country.

After the first accusations by the junta on April 19 that the death toll had been inflated, the AAPP said it can totally guarantee the numbers it has documented.

The AAPP is documenting all deaths caused by the regimes forces during their raids, crackdowns, interrogations and shootings, verifying each case thoroughly, U San Min, who is in charge of the documentation and research department of the association, recently told The Irrawaddy.

AAPP, which has been documenting the human rights situation for two decades, was founded in 2000 in Thailands Mae Sot, a border town with Myanmar. It has been advocating for the release of all remaining political prisoners in Myanmar and for the improvement of their quality of life during and after incarceration. The group began working inside the country after the installation of the civilian governments in 2011.

As of Monday, more than 750 people have been killed by the juntas forces during their crackdowns, raids, arrests, interrogations and random shootings, said the AAPP.

Those killed include anti-regime protesters, National League for Democracy party members, bystanders, pedestrians and residents.

Also, more than 3,440 people including elected leaders, NLD party members, election commissioners, protesters, activists, doctors, journalists, writers, artists, teachers and civilians have been detained.

Faced with the continuing brutal killing and arrests, people across the country have taken to the streets to protest the military regime in a variety of ways.



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In the nearly four months since shots first became available to South Carolina's oldest residents, about two-thirds of state residents 65 and older are fully vaccinated, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows.

That spells good news for taking down the disease's death toll in South Carolina. The older you are, the greater the risk of dying from COVID-19; only 13 percent of South Carolinians who have died as a result of COVID-19 were under 60.

That said, people of all ages have caught COVID-19, and people age 21 to 30 account for the greatest portion of cases, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

By contrast, roughly one-third of South Carolina's population 18 and older has been fully vaccinated. While people 70 and older were among the first to be eligible for a shot in mid-January, everyone 16 and older has been eligible since March 31.

With appointments available across the state, South Carolina public health officials are now expressing concern about motivating the youngest age groups to get vaccinated.

Statewide numbers

New cases reported: 307 confirmed, 132 probable.

Total cases in S.C.: 479,940 confirmed, 96,016 probable.

Percent positive: 4.6 percent.

New deaths reported: 2 confirmed, 0 probable.

Total deaths in S.C.: 8,309 confirmed, 1,126 probable.

Percent of ICU beds filled: 67 percent.

How S.C. ranks

South Carolina ranks 41st among U.S. states in the number of vaccines administered per 100,000 people as of April 26, according to the CDC.

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Hardest-hit areas

In the total number of newly confirmed cases, Greenville County (50), Spartanburg County (29) and York County (29) saw the highest totals.

What about tri-county?

Charleston County had 22 new cases on April 27, while Berkeley County had 16 and Dorchester County had nine.

Deaths

Both confirmed deaths were in patients age 65 or older.

Hospitalizations

Of the 488 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of April 27, 126 were in the ICU and 63 were using ventilators.

What do experts say?

The CDC is officially recommending that people can safely be outside without wearing a mask if they are fully vaccinated.

A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after they've received either the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Large outdoor events and crowded venues are exceptions to the new guidance, according to the CDC. Find a full list of the CDC's recommendations for fully vaccinated people at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.
Abbey Quinn regrets the Easter dinner.

The 29-year-old celebrated the holiday with her roommate's family five days after nabbing her first Moderna vaccine shot. Later that week Quinn, a restaurant worker in Asheville, N.C., woke up feeling her shirt hurt against her skin and knew it wasn't a typical cold.

Everyone at the meal tested positive for coronavirus, she said.

MORE COVID NEWS: Houston COVID-19 expert concerned about early stages of virus' fourth wave

Quinn falls into an unlucky group of Americans exposed to the virus before their vaccine doses could offer them full protection. Their stories offer a reminder of the danger of people letting their guard down while highly transmissible virus variants circulate and a spring wave drives up hospitalizations across the country.

"We are all had an collective, 'Oh man, you were so close,'" Quinn recalled after telling her family about testing positive after her first shot. "I understood I wasn't fully protected. I did feel some sense of relief not because I felt like I was immune, but just because it felt the end was near. I saw a light at the end of the tunnel."

There's no clear data on how many people contracted coronavirus before their vaccinations could take full effect.

Based on a Washington Post analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Post estimates about 21,000 of 470,000 people who tested positive for coronavirus for the week ended Sunday already had their first dose. Michigan, where cases have been rising sharply with the rise of highly transmissible variants, accounts for about a tenth of that estimate.

Experts warn these cases should not be interpreted as evidence vaccines don't work. The immune system needs several weeks to provide robust protection as the body learns the blueprint for stopping the virus before it can cause serious disease. They are not the same as "breakthrough infections" happening at least two weeks after the final dose - which are overwhelmingly mild and extreme outliers.

photo for The Washington Post by Kim Raff.

With every American adult eligible for a vaccine this week, public health authorities and experts are pleading for vigilance and social distancing for a few more weeks to deliver a finishing blow to the pandemic in time for summer.

Experts say the first dose may keep coronavirus infections mild, but the protection probably wouldn't start kicking in for at least a week.A CDC study of 4,000 vaccinated health care workers and first responders found the risk of infection was reduced by 80% two weeks or more after the first shot and protection increased to more than 90% two weeks or more after the second shot.

"Even if you develop disease, you already have a head start form an immune system standpoint on controlling the virus," said C. Buddy Creech, the director of Vanderbilt University's vaccine research program. "The real challenge is we have to show the blueprint to the immune system with enough lead time."

Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious-disease doctor in South Carolina, said most patients who tested positive after a first vaccine dose that she encountered had mild symptoms.

"The thing people need to remember is the vaccine is not 100% protective, nothing is 100% protective," Kuppalli said. "We want this to become akin to it feeling like a nuisance cold if you get vaccinated. We don't want people having significant morbidity and mortality from covid."

In other cases, a person may have been exposed to the virus before their first jab. Montana Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte may be among the most high-profile of those cases after experiencing mild coronavirus symptoms three days after his first shot.

Anuraag Routroy, a 19-year-old freshman at the University of Texas Austin, was excited for a shot on Jan. 25 through the university. Then he felt stomach pains, which he initially chalked up to bad dorm food, and tested positive for the virus on Jan. 24.

"It felt like all the work that we had done since the pandemic begun being careful went to waste in a sense because you are so close to the vaccine, the final prize and you lose right before it," Routroy said.

Kuppalli said vaccines for other viruses, such as Ebola, have been shown to effective as a post-exposure prophylactic that could prevent disease.

MORE COVID NEWS: 'Game-changing' COVID-19 variant spreading fast among children, experts say

But no studies have demonstrated a similar effect with the coronavirus vaccine, and the CDC advises people to wait until they are fully recovered before getting vaccinated. This is because the immune system could produce an "overly robust" response for people recovering from infection, Creech said.

There's no clear cut guidance for people infected between shots, who are usually advised to consult their doctor.

Zack, a 30-year-old Philadelphia entrepreneur, lucked out when a friend told him a mass vaccination site had leftover doses at the end of an early March evening. He wasn't particularly worried about the virus as a young adult without high-risk medical conditions.

That weekend, he went to a restaurant to dine indoors for the first time in months and joined a small home dinner party with friends. He woke in the middle of the night with a fever a few days later. Tests confirmed he and a friend at the dinner party contracted the virus.

"It's not like I was running around licking door handles or making out with random strangers, but I was thinking now I can eat indoors even though I knew I hadn't changed my risk profile that much at that point," said Zach, who asked his last name not be published to avoid harassment.

His case was mild and he has since become fully vaccinated. Now he's trying to help others avoid his situation.

"If I hear someone who says I got first vaccine, I say, 'Hey, just keep in mind you still got to behave safely and keep masking up," he said. "The first vaccine is not going to totally protect you."

Others who tested positive for coronavirus after their first vaccine dose have been trying to make sure their bad timing does not fuel vaccine hesitancy among friends and family.

Monica Martinez, a 25-year-old Utah resident, has been kicking herself for flying with her husband to visit relatives in Florida over the holidays. She tested negative five days before her vaccine appointment on Jan. 11, but felt feverish on the day of her appointment. Staff at the site told her she could get her shot anyway, but two days later, she tested positive.

"I didn't tell everyone I got covid, at least not right away, and would say please get vaccinated - it's not the vaccine's fault," said Martinez, a psychology student. "I didn't want to add to any sensationalism that 'She just got vaccinated and she got covid two days later, I wonder what that's about.'"

The disease hit her hard the first few days akin to a bad flu and leaving her with a high heartbeat. Her husband, who also tested positive, is just starting to recover his sense of taste and smell four months later.

"The theme of this is we are trying to be as careful as we can during a pandemic and the one time we slipped up and went traveling is the time we paid the price," Martinez said. "We learned our lesson."
DJ NORNICKEL'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES A BUYBACK OF ITS SHARES FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY USD 2 BN

MMC Norilsk Nickel (MNOD) NORNICKEL'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES A BUYBACK OF ITS SHARES FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY USD 2 BN 27-Apr-2021 / 17:30 MSK Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement that contains inside information according to REGULATION (EU) No 596/2014 (MAR), transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. =---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRESS RELEASE NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. Public Joint Stock Company Mining and Metallurgical Company NORILSK NICKEL (PJSC "MMC "Norilsk Nickel", "Nornickel" or the "Company") NORNICKEL'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES A BUYBACK OF ITS SHARES FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY USD 2 BN Moscow, April 27, 2021 - Nornickel, the world's largest producer of palladium and high-grade nickel and a major producer of platinum and copper, announces that the Board of Directors of Nornickel approved a buyback of up to 5,382,865 shares of the Company, representing 3.4% of its issued outstanding shares, for a total amount of approximately USD 2 bn. The buyback will be carried out by Nornickel by way of the repurchase of up to 5,382,865 of its shares (the "Maximum Number of Shares") pursuant to Article 72, para. 2 of the Russian Joint-Stock Companies Law (the "Buyback"). The repurchase price is RUB 27,780 per one share (the "Purchase Price"). The holders of the Company's shares may participate in the Buyback by submitting applications to sell their shares from May 20, 2021 to June 18, 2021, inclusive. The Purchase Price will be paid in Russian rubles in cash, and the payment is expected to be made by July 3, 2021. All holders of the Company's ordinary shares are able to participate in the Buyback. Holders of the American depositary receipts representing rights to the Company's ordinary shares ("ADRs") will have to cancel their ADRs and receive the underlying ordinary shares in order to be able to tender such shares in the Buyback, as outlined in the information letter addressed to ADR holders of the Company, which will be available at https://www.nornickel.com/ on the Investors page. If the aggregate number of all shares in respect of which shareholders submit applications to sell exceeds the Maximum Number of Shares, the number of shares which will be repurchased by the Company will be determined on a pro rata basis (with downward adjustments where necessary to avoid the purchase of fractional shares). The shares which will be repurchased by Nornickel will not grant voting rights or rights to receive dividends and will not be taken into account during the voting at a general shareholders' meeting. It is expected that all shares repurchased by Nornickel will be cancelled in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Russian law following receipt of necessary corporate approval, except for the shares representing 0.5% of Nornickel's issued and outstanding shares, which are expected to be used for the employee incentive purposes. For more details on the procedure for submission of applications to sell shares in the Buyback, pro-ration and payment of the Purchase Price please refer to the notice on the Buyback addressed to the Company's shareholders and the information letter on tax matters, which will be available on the Company's website at https://www.nornickel.com/ on the Investors page together with other information in respect of the Buyback. In the course of its evaluation of the Buyback, the Board of Directors considered Nornickel's performance and financial condition, market quotations of Nornickel's shares on the Moscow Exchange, analysts' projections of Nornickel's financial indicators and estimated price targets, potential effects of the Buyback and other relevant materials. UBS acted as an exclusive financial adviser and provided a fairness opinion to Nornickel in connection with the Buyback. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP acted as legal adviser. The Board Chairman, Gareth Penny, commented on the Buyback: "The Board of Directors believes that the Company is currently undervalued by the market, which presents a good opportunity to run a share buyback. As it is customary for this type of transactions, most of the shares will be canceled afterwards with the exception of the stock to be used for the employee incentive purposes. The Board additionally welcomes the initiative to use shares to incentivize the employees as this is in line with the best international standards". ABOUT THE COMPANY PJSC "MMC "Norilsk Nickel" is a diversified mining and metallurgical company, the world's largest producer of palladium and high-grade nickel and a major producer of platinum and copper. The Company also produces cobalt, rhodium, silver, gold, iridium, ruthenium, selenium, tellurium, sulphur and other products. The production units of Norilsk Nickel Group are located at the Norilsk Industrial District, on the Kola Peninsula and Zabaykalsky Krai in Russia as well as in Finland and South Africa. PJSC "MMC "Norilsk Nickel" shares are listed on the Moscow and on the Saint-Petersburg Stock Exchanges, ADRs are traded over the counter in the US and on the London, Berlin and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Some of the information in this document may contain or refer to projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of the Company. You can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "forecast", "intend", "will", "could", "may", or "might" the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. These statements are only predictions and are based upon various assumptions which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Company's control. The Company may not achieve or accomplish these plans or predictions. The Company does not necessarily intend to update these statements to reflect events and circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Many factors could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in projections or forward-looking statements of the Company, including, among others, general economic conditions, the competitive environment, risks associated with operating in Russia, rapid technological and market change in the industries in which the Company operates, the impact of various external market factors, regulatory developments, as well as many other risks specifically related to the Company and its business and operations. STATEMENT REGARDING INSIDE INFORMATION This announcement contains inside information in accordance with Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014 of 16 April 2014. Full name and position of person making the announcement - Vladimir Zhukov, Vice - president, Investor Relations IMPORTANT NOTICE THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF THAT JURISDICTION. THIS PRESS RELEASE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR FORM PART OF ANY OFFER OR ADVERTISEMENT OR INVITATION TO SELL OR ISSUE, OR ANY SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO PURCHASE OR SUBSCRIBE FOR, ANY SHARES OR OTHER SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL ANY PART OF IT NOR THE FACT OF ITS DISTRIBUTIONS FORM PART OR BE RELIED ON IN CONNECTION WITH ANY CONTRACT OR INVESTMENT DECISION RELATING THERETO, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION REGARDING SHARES OR SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY. ANY SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS MADE ONLY BY MEANS OF THE BUYBACK NOTICE. THE TERMS OF THE BUYBACK ARE CONTAINED IN THE BUYBACK NOTICE. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF NORNICKEL ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO READ THE BUYBACK NOTICE AND RELATED MATERIALS, AS THESE CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. IN CONSIDERING THE BUYBACK, NORNICKEL SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE BUYBACK NOTICE. THE BUYBACK IS BEING CONDUCTED BY NORNICKEL AND NO ONE ELSE. NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY U.S. STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR REGULATORY AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE BUYBACK, PASSED UPON THE FAIRNESS OR MERITS OF THE BUYBACK OR DETERMINED WHETHER THE BUYBACK NOTICE IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE IN THE UNITED STATES. NORNICKEL DOES NOT EXPECT TO PURCHASE NORNICKEL'S ORDINARY SHARES, OTHER THAN PURSUANT TO THE BUYBACK DURING THE BUYBACK PERIOD. IN ACCORDANCE WITH RUSSIAN LAW, ANY ADVISER TO NORNICKEL OR ANY OF NORNICKEL'S AFFILIATES, AND ANY PERSON ACTING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN CONCERT WITH ANY SUCH PERSONS, MAY FROM TIME TO TIME MAKE PURCHASES OF, OR ARRANGEMENTS TO PURCHASE, NORNICKEL'S ORDINARY SHARES AND ADRS OTHER THAN PURSUANT TO THE BUYBACK, BEFORE OR DURING THE PERIOD OF THE BUYBACK, SO LONG AS THOSE ACQUISITIONS OR ARRANGEMENTS COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE RUSSIAN LAW. ANY OF THE PURCHASES REFERRED TO IN THIS PARAGRAPH MAY OCCUR EITHER IN THE OPEN MARKET AT PREVAILING PRICES OR IN PRIVATE TRANSACTIONS AT NEGOTIATED PRICES. INFORMATION ABOUT SUCH PURCHASES WILL BE DISCLOSED AS AND IF REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS ADDRESSED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE HOLDERS OF ORDINARY SHARES. ADRS, TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT REFERS, ARE NEITHER REGISTERED IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION NOR ADMITTED TO PLACEMENT, PUBLIC PLACEMENT OR PUBLIC CIRCULATION IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 51.1 OF RUSSIAN FEDERAL LAW DATED 22 APRIL 1996 NO. 39-FZ "ON THE SECURITIES MARKET", AS AMENDED (THE "RUSSIAN SECURITIES MARKET LAW"). ANY INFORMATION IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND RELATED DOCUMENTS IN RESPECT OF ADRS OF NORNICKEL IS ADDRESSED IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION SOLELY TO PERSONS WHO ARE "QUALIFIED INVESTORS" AS DEFINED IN THE RUSSIAN SECURITIES MARKET LAW. THE RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN CERTAIN JURISDICTIONS MAY BE RESTRICTED BY LAW AND THEREFORE PERSONS SHOULD INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT THE LAWS OF THEIR JURISDICTION, AND OBSERVE ANY APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, AND ANY INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH IT RELATES, IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO (I) PERSONS WHO ARE OUTSIDE THE UNITED KINGDOM, (II) INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005 (THE "ORDER"), (III) HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (D) OF THE ORDER, (IV) PERSONS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF ARTICLE 43 OF THE ORDER, OR (V) ANY OTHER PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE LAWFULLY BE MADE UNDER THE ORDER (ALL SUCH PERSONS TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS "RELEVANT PERSONS"). THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY NOT BE ACTED OR RELIED ON IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BY ANYONE WHO IS NOT A RELEVANT PERSON. NORNICKEL IS A COMPANY ORGANISED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. THE BUYBACK IS MADE SOLELY PURSUANT TO RUSSIAN LAW. THE BUYBACK IS SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE AND PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION WHICH ARE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OR THE UNITED STATES. IN ADDITION, U.S. INVESTORS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE BUYBACK NOTICE HAS BEEN PREPARED IN A FORMAT AND STYLE, WHICH DIFFER FROM THE U.S. FORMAT AND STYLE. FURTHERMORE, THE PAYMENT AND SETTLEMENT PROCEDURE WITH RESPECT TO THE BUYBACK OF ORDINARY SHARES DIFFERS FROM U.S. PAYMENT AND SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO THE DATE OF PAYMENT OF CONSIDERATION. Media Relations: Investor Relations: Phone: +7 (495) 785 58 00 Phone: +7 (495) 786 83 20 Email: pr@nornik.ru Email: ir@nornik.ru =---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ISIN: US55315J1025 Category Code: MSCH TIDM: MNOD LEI Code: 253400JPTEEW143W3E47 Sequence No.: 101185 EQS News ID: 1188633 End of Announcement EQS News Service =------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Image link: https://eqs-cockpit.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=show_t_gif&application_id=1188633&application_name=news
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 01:20:35|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chairs a video conference of Foreign Ministers of China, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka on coping with COVID-19, April 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on Tuesday agreed to deepen cooperation as South Asian countries are facing a new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted a video conference with his five counterparts, discussing efforts to consolidate anti-coronavirus cooperation including vaccine supply, to boost post-epidemic economic recovery, and to maintain sound international environment for the development of all countries.

China expresses deep sympathy for the raging pandemic in India and extends its sincere condolences to the Indian people, Wang said.

"China is ready to provide support and assistance to the Indian people at any time according to the needs of India," Wang said.

He expressed the hope that Tuesday's meeting, to which India was also invited, will act as the assistance to India's fight against the pandemic.

"China will uphold the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity, stand firmly with the people of South Asian countries, and join hands and unite until all countries in the region eventually prevail over the pandemic," Wang said.

Calling on the six countries to consolidate consensus on cooperating in the fight against COVID-19, Wang said the countries should continue to oppose attempts of labeling the virus and politicizing the epidemic, in order to prevent interference in international anti-epidemic cooperation.

China is willing to promote vaccine cooperation with other countries through flexible methods such as free aid, commercial procurement, and filling and production of vaccines, under the framework of the six-nation cooperation mechanism, so that people in South Asia can obtain more diversified and stable vaccine supplies, according to Wang.

He said China is also willing to establish a China-South Asia emergency supplies reserve following friendly consultations with all parties.

On boosting the post-epidemic recovery, Wang said China proposes to establish a China-South Asia poverty reduction and development cooperation center to exchange experiences in poverty reduction with other countries.

In the third quarter of this year, a forum on rural e-commerce and poverty reduction in South Asian countries and China will be held to build a new platform for poverty reduction, he said.

Calling on all parties to maintain an international and regional environment that is conducive to the development of all countries, Wang said China will work with countries in the region to defend the international system with the United Nations as the core and the international order based on international laws, and to resist illegal acts of interfering in other countries' internal affairs and coercing other countries to choose sides.

Wang's proposals were supported by the other foreign ministers, who said that vaccines should be distributed under the principle of fairness and equality, instead of being monopolized by a few countries.

They spoke highly of China's efforts in achieving availability and affordability of vaccines in developing countries.

The foreign ministers said their countries are willing to work with China to continue to deepen the joint construction of the Belt and Road, maintain the stability and security of the industrial and supply chains, strengthen cooperation in non-traditional security areas such as poverty reduction and food, and discuss measures to facilitate personnel exchange and commodity circulation based on the regular epidemic prevention and control.

The six foreign ministers issued a joint statement on cooperation in fighting the epidemic after the meeting. Enditem


Results of the assembly elections in West Bengal will be declared on May 2. The last phase of voting for 294 seats will take place on April 29. In phase 8, 35 seats across districts like Malda (Part-II), Birbhum, Murshidabad and Kolkata North will go to polls.

The seventh phase of voting in West Bengal took place on April 26 (Monday). A 75 per cent voter turnout was recorded in this phase, according to the Election Commission of India.

Also read: West Bengal Election 2021: Voting dates, election results, full poll schedule, timings, all FAQs

West Bengal election result: What to Expect

West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 is a critical one for the BJP because if the saffron party comes to power in Bengal, then this election will be remembered for bringing a shift in the political discourse of the state.

This election could be an absolute nail biter, political strategist Prashant Kishor said in a leaked Clubhouse audio. Kishor believes the tense contest between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee could go either way since Modi is extremely popular as there are over 1 crore Hindi speakers in the state of West Bengal.

Besides this, Kishor also mentioned in the leaked Clubhouse audio that there is a strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the state government and not the Union government.

Issues like the COVID-19 outbreak, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), religious polarisation and the handling of cyclone Amphan could also prove critical in deciding whether BJP or TMC gets to rule Bengal.

Also read: Modi as popular as Mamata in Bengal, says Prashant Kishor in leaked Clubhouse audio

West Bengal election result date

The results for the West Bengal assembly polls will be declared on May 2. You can also watch the results of the West Bengal elections live on India Today TV and Aaj Tak TV. Besides this, you can also visit the live blogs on the India Today and Aaj Tak websites. You can also check the BusinessToday.In website for regular updates.

Also read: BJP requests Bengal EC to take note of 'Mamata audio clip' on rally with Cooch Behar victims' bodies

West Bengal election 2021 parties involved

Parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC) and the Sanjukta Morcha are contesting this election. The Sanjukta Morcha comprises parties like the Indian Secular Front (ISF), Left Front and the Indian National Congress (INC).

Under the Sanjukta Morcha, the ISF is contesting in 37 seats, Congress in 92 seats and the Left Front at 165 seats. Both the BJP and the Trinamool have fielded their candidates for all 294 seats.

Here's what the exit polls say on West Bengal polls 2021

According to exit polls, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) will secure more than 110 seats in this assembly election. The Times Now-C Voter survey states that the TMC could ride strong on 146-162 seats whereas the BJP can make strong inroads by securing 99-112 seats. According to the survey, the Sanjukto Morcha could get 29-37 seats.

Going by the ABP News- C Voter survey, the TMC could get 158 seats whereas the BJP could secure 102 seats in this election. This exit poll gave 30 seats to the Sanjukto Morcha and 4 seats to independent candidates.

While the ABP News- C Voter and Times Now-C Voter surveys suggest the BJP can make inroads into the political landscape of Bengal, the India News-Jan ki Baat survey suggests the exact opposite. The India News-Jan ki Baat survey goes on to give the BJP a majority with 150-162 seats whereas it gives the TMC 118-134 seats.

Also read: Cooch Behar clash: EC suspends polls at Sitalkuchi booth after reports of violence

West Bengal elections 2021: Phase-wise voter turnout

Phase 1: 79.79 per cent

Phase 2: 80 per cent

Phase 3: 77.68 per cent

Phase 4: 76.16 per cent

Phase 5: 78.36 per cent

Phase 6: 79.11 per cent

Phase 7: 75.06 per cent

Edited by Mehak Agarwal
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A sex attacker had his penis and testicles hacked off and fed to wild pigs in a revenge attack after he allegedly attempted to rape his niece in Brazil.

The 36-year-old man, who has not been named, sparked widespread anger in the northern Brazilian municipality of Olhos D'Agua after he allegedly tried to rape his 20-year-old relative.

His niece, who remains anonymous, managed to fight off his advances and fled before her attacker then drunkenly staggered home and fell asleep.

The woman's boyfriend and his cousin were reportedly furious with the attempted rape and allegedly asked the uncle to join them in a nearby sugarcane field where they planned to neuter pigs on April 19.

A sex attacker had his penis and testicles hacked off and fed to wild pigs in a revenge attack after he allegedly attempted to rape his niece in Brazil. Pictured: Police make enquiries over the attack in Olhos D'Agua

The 36-year-old man, who has not been named, sparked widespread anger in the northern Brazilian municipality of Olhos D'Agua after he allegedly tried to rape his 20-year-old relative

When he arrived at the field, the two men attacked him instead. After beating him unconscious, they removed the sex attacker's trousers and cut off his penis and testicles before allegedly throwing the genitalia to the pigs to eat.

The man, who is a manual worker, eventually came round and somehow managed to struggle home while he was bleeding profusely to call medics.

The doctors managed to stop the bleeding before taking the man in an ambulance to the nearby Doutor Gil Alves Municipal Hospital in Bocaiuva.

Pictured: Surgeon Felipe Lobo who performed surgery on the man who had his penis cut off

Surgeons said there is nothing they can do to reattach the manual worker's penis and testicles after the genitalia was reportedly thrown to the pigs and eaten.

Police officer Stephan da Silva said the force searched for the missing genitalia but did not find it and believed it had been eaten by the animals.

He added: 'This case is something unusual, out of the ordinary. It is even inhumane.'

Medics managed to reconstruct his urinary tract so that the man could relieve himself.

'It was like something out of a scene from a Dante novel,' surgeon Felipe Lobo said. 'His penis and scrotum had been severed and his external genitalia were completely missing.

'All we could do was stem the bleeding, give him a blood transfusion and clean the wound.'

The man is now on antibiotics and will be able to leave the hospital in two to four days.

The two suspects have been arrested. It is unclear if the man whose genitals were removed is to be charged with attempted rape after the alleged crime was not reported to the police.
Chiles cement market expands 6% in February

ICR Newsroom By 27 April 2021

Cement deliveries in Chile increased by six per cent to 351,735t in February 2021 when compared with February 2020 when 331,905t were dispatched, according to the Chilean construction chamber, CChC. When compared with January 2021 the increase was 1.5 per cent from 346,463t.

Published under
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, leading global lithium battery manufacturer, RELiON Battery, announces its partnership with 1% for the Planet nonprofit organization, Kula Project, financing a brand-new women's center in Rwanda. As part of RELiON's Limitless Blue campaign to reduce impact on the planet and use business as a force for good, the company's donation will help suppress poverty in Rwanda and assist in Kula's mission to empower women to become successful entrepreneurs. The women's center sponsored by RELiON is set to open by November 2021, which will serve 70 women every 15 months.

Kula Project

"When learning more about Kula Project's mission and their team, you can't help but feel the passion throughout the organization, along with the resilience of the people of Rwanda," said RELiON Battery CEO Paul Hecimovich. "By donating funds to directly help build a new women's center, we hope to continue their support offering educational and business opportunities for women within these communities. We look forward to a long-standing partnership with Kula."

Through a 15-month fellowship that provides industry training, business investment and life and leadership skills, Kula's fellows are empowered to build profitable businesses, raise healthy families and send their children to school. The women's centers provide opportunities for young girls and women in coffee communities to participate in the Kula Fellowship and receive training and education that help them create their own sewing, weaving and agriculture businesses. The women participate in business training followed by specific skills training allowing them to create handmade products and agribusiness goods to sell on the local market. Additionally, these trainings are supplemented with sessions in female reproductive health and family nutrition as well as continuous one-on-one mentorship.

"We are thrilled to start our partnership with RELiON. The Kula women of Rusasa, Rwanda are beyond thrilled we're able to build a women's center, so much so that we had a record number of applicants. RELiON's commitment to long-term development will empower these women and so many more to pursue a future based on their dreams instead of their circumstances. We're extremely grateful to start creating that impact together," said Kula Project Executive Director Sarah Buchanan-Sasson.

Last year RELiON joined 1% for the Planet alongside other business members such as Avocado Green Mattress, Patagonia, Winc and Spindrift to name a few. As a member, the company commits to donating 1% of sales each year to nonprofits solving the most pressing challenges of our time. Since then, the company has partnered with more than 10 organizations, focusing on causes such as ocean conservation, renewable energy and food recovery. Highlights include financing a lithium battery upgrade for Rozalia Project's ocean research vessel, donating funds to Food Forward that will recover 250,000 pounds of surplus produce to help communities experiencing food insecurity and sponsoring batteries for Renewable World's micro-grid to power everything needed in a village in Kenya.

To learn more about RELiON Battery or their Limitless Blue initiative, visit relionbattery.com. For images, click here.

About Kula Project

Kula is a 501(c3) nonprofit eradicating poverty through the development of women entrepreneurs in Rwanda's coffee communities. We run a 15-month business fellowship that provides industry training, business investment, and life and leadership skills, empowering our fellows to build profitable businesses, protect their land, raise healthy families, and send their children to school.

About RELiON Battery

RELiON is a global innovator of battery storage ideas. Founded in 2014, the company is on a mission to help customers challenge and overcome their limits by providing the best drop-in lithium batteries and give back by donating one percent of annual revenue to environmental causes through 1% for the Planet. RELiON products power a range of applications including, Recreational Vehicles, Marine, Electric Vehicles, Solar Powered Solutions and more. The company offers a full range of services and high-quality products that continue to pave the way forward to a greener and more efficient future for energy storage. For more information on RELiON, visit relionbattery.com.

CONTACT:

Paxton Shaw, RELiON Battery

[email protected]

704-718-1705

SOURCE RELiON Battery

Related Links

http://relionbattery.com


IRVING (dpa-AFX) - ExxonMobil made an oil discovery at the Uaru-2 well in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. The company said drilling at Uaru-2 encountered approximately 120 feet of high quality oil bearing reservoirs including newly identified intervals below the original Uaru-1 discovery. The well is located approximately 6.8 miles south of the Uaru-1 well. Separately, ExxonMobil reiterated the company's strategy to capitalize on its industry-leading resources to drive earnings and cash flow growth, maintain a strong dividend, reduce debt and invest in lower-emission technologies. Darren Woods, CEO, said: 'Our board and management have developed and are executing a strategy which has positioned us for future outperformance relative to peers, including paying a reliable and growing dividend. We are uniquely placed to help society meet its net zero ambitions.' 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.
A new railway line running between Khaf in Iran and Herat in Afghanistan has generated much optimism in the two countries as it has the potential to boost bilateral travel and trade. The railway link is important to the larger region as well as it is part of the ambitious Five Nation Railway Corridor project. While there are great expectations of the FNRC project and the Khaf-Herat railway links recent inauguration in the participating countries, the road ahead will not be easy and the project faces implementation problems as well as competition from rival projects.

BACKGROUND: In December 2020, Iran and Afghanistan inaugurated the first cross-border railway link between the two countries. Work on the 225kilometer railway line, which links Khaf in eastern Iran with Herat in western Afghanistan began in 2007. Of this lines four sections  two are in Iran and the rest in Afghanistan  one section, an 85-km-long stretch running between Ghurian and Herat remains to be completed. A train carrying 500 tons of cement made the inaugural run between Khaf and Ghurian, a route that will carry both freight and passenger trains. The US$ 75 million railway line linking Iran with Afghanistan has been funded by Iran as part of its development assistance to Afghanistan.

Irans trade with Afghanistan is growing; Teheran has replaced Pakistan as Afghanistans top trade partner since 2017. Improving overland connectivity, including the India-built Delaram-Zaranj highway or Route 606 connecting Afghanistans cities via the Garland Highway to the Iranian border, has facilitated the growth of this trade. Afghan cargo is currently being carried by road to Chabahar port and other Iranian cities via the Iranian road network. The Khaf-Herat railway will boost this trade further  it will carry an estimated 6 million tons of cargo and a million passengers per year. Trainloads of Afghan goods instead of mere truckloads will gain access to Irans railway network to reach not only Iranian cities but also seaports in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Caspian Sea and land-ports in western and northwestern Iran from where they will access world markets.

However, the Khaf-Herat railway will not only boost Afghanistans trade with Iran or the Afghan economy. It also has immense value for Iran and for an array of countries beyond, including Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, China and India. As Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif recently observed on Twitter, the Khaf-Herat railways real significance is for the greater region.

IMPLICATIONS: The implications of the Khaf-Herat railway line will likely be felt way beyond the two cities, even the two countries that it links. Indeed, this stretch of railway track is a key component of the US$ 2 billion Five Nations Railway Corridor (FNRC) project. The FNRC project envisages the construction of a railway line running through China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Iran onward to Turkey. It will link these countries not only to each other, but also to Europe. An estimated 1,148 kilometers of the proposed 2,000-km-long rail corridor will run through the Afghan provinces of Kunduz, Balkh, Jowzjan, Faryab, Badghis, and Herat. The Khaf-Herat railway track is the part of the FNRC project where trains will cross from Afghanistan into Iran.

The FNRC project will boost travel and transportation capacity among member countries and energize their national economies, but will also provide the landlocked Central Asian states with access to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. For Central Asian countries, this is a shorter and less expensive route to the sea than for instance the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran rail corridor.

In particular, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan can look forward to additional gains from the railway line via Afghanistan and Iran, since they will be able to access maritime trade routes as well as Europe through connections with Afghanistan. Previously, poor bilateral relations among Central Asian countries, low regional integration and inefficient border transit have stood in the way of intra-regional and inter-regional trade. The railway will reduce their dependence on Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as on Russia.

While trade between Herat and Khaf in itself could help Herat emerge as a trading hub, should the FNRC project take off the city could become a regional hub for loading and unloading goods headed to China, Central Asia or Iran. Afghan analysts project that the city could emerge as Irans gateway to Central Asia and Central Asias gateway to Iran.

As for Iran, development of the Khaf-Herat railway line is part of its larger strategy in Afghanistan. Tehran is keen to create more jobs and reduce poverty in western Afghanistan in order to stem the flow of Afghan migrants into Iran. In this regard, connectivity projects like the Khaf-Herat and the Chabahar-Zahedan-Mashhad railway lines will improve economic development in the eastern provinces of Sistan-Baluchistan, South Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan and Kerman.

The Khaf-Herat railway is an important victory for Iran. Its construction was achieved despite U.S. sanctions on Irans economy. Tehrans determined pursuit of trans-border railway networks has helped Iran integrate into the regional economy and has weakened the impact of U.S. sanctions. According to Iranian analysts, Irans strategy could enable the rise of a new, Iran-led cultural and economic community.

However, important obstacles remain to Irans and Afghanistans realization of the full potential of the Khaf-Herat railway. Kabul is lagging behind on implementing the project and difficulties in finding funding partners are delaying the progress on the Afghan leg of the FNRC project. Moreover, the Ghurian-Herat railway line is yet to be completed. The fragile security situation in Afghanistan will affect the safety of trains traversing its soil.

Competition from other actors and their connectivity projects could also reduce the prospects for Irans and Afghanistans interconnectivity. Like Iran, Pakistan hopes to emerge as a major transshipment hub and seeks to draw the exports of Central Asian States towards its own ports. The FNRC project is also likely to face stiff competition from the Middle Corridor rail network, which runs from Turkey through the South Caucasus and Central Asia to China, rather than transiting Iran and Afghanistan.

CONCLUSIONS: The Khaf-Herat railway will provide a boost to trade and travel between Iran and Afghanistan. However, this is only a small part of the benefits that could accrue to the two countries from this rail link. Upon the completion of the FNRC project, of which the Khaf-Herat railway is part, the rail link between Kabul and Tehran will be a key part of a regional transportation network. Nevertheless, to realize this vision and to tap the full potential of the Khaf-Herat railway link, Iran and Afghanistan will have to overcome serious challenges and fight off stiff competition from rivals.

AUTHOR'S BIO:

Dr. Sudha Ramachandran is an independent researcher and journalist based in India. She writes on Asian political and security issues. Her articles have been published in The Diplomat, China Brief, etc. She can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Image Source: Afghanistan Railway Authority


The French Institute in Romania and the French Embassy in Bucharest are releasing a project competition dedicated to civil society organizations and the selected civic initiatives will receive a co-financing worth maximum 5,000 euros, informs the French Embassy in Bucharest.

The projects presented must propose innovative and collective actions for one or more of the themes mentioned by the organisers:

1) Rights of the child: promotion of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child; the fight against all forms of exploitation and violence; advocacy with childcare professionals;2) Fight against trafficking in human beings (THB): prevention and fight against THB and sexual exploitation; the care of victims; promoting the abolitionist model of prostitution;3) Equality between women and men: promotion of sexual and reproductive rights and sexual education in schools; women's participation in public and political life; preventing and combating violence against women;4) Fight against discrimination: promoting tolerance and the rights of marginalised communities; strengthening the rights of LGBTI communities;5) Good governance: activities to raise awareness and inform the public about preventing and combating corruption and monitoring reforms in the justice system.The selected civic initiatives will receive a co-financing from the Romanian Embassy and the French Institute with a value of up to 5,000 euros, and the grant will be given at the signing of the co-financing agreement. The project must be implemented by 31 December 2021 and the beneficiary structures must submit a narrative and financial report no later than two months after the completion of the project. The financing represents a maximum of 80 pct of the total budget of the project.Details about the contest can be found by going to the bit.ly/Concursdeproiecte-StatuldeDrept link.According to the source, the files must be sent by e-mail by 30 May included, at: gouvernance@institutfrancais.ro.
I visited the church in Sri Lanka that was bombed

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On April 19, 2019, almost one thousand Sri Lanka Christian believers gathered excitedly at Zion Evangelical Church in Batticaloa on the west side of this island of 21.6 million. The peace and calm of this Easter Sunday service was ripped apart by a massive explosion, emanating from a suicide bomber who had recently sworn allegiance to the Islamic State/ISIS. The Sunday school children had just been released from their class and were awaiting entrance to the front door of the church when the Islamic State bomber struck. One of the ushers at the front of the church detected something awry and prevented the man with the backpack from entering the sanctuary. Little children were seated on a set of concrete steps, waiting to join their parents in worship.

That calm and peaceful Sunday morning worship service was suddenly and instantaneously disrupted and when the bomb in the backpack went off, thousands of metal ball bearings ripped small children and adults apart. Legs ripped off; arms ripped off; little children cut in half by the massive force of the velocity of the metal bearings. The bearing ripped into the church van, the church generator and 25 small motorbikes that stood nearby; as the force of the metal pierced the gas tanks of these machines, a huge inferno ensued. What the ball bearing did not rip apart, the huge fire immolated all those who were nearby.

That day at Zion Church, fourteen children and 15 adults perished simply because they loved Jesus Christ and were there that morning to sing praises to Him and to worship Him. A month later, two more died of catastrophic injuries. Now, fourteen children and seventeen adults-many of whom were leaders and servants in the church-were gone. Other had massive external and internal injuries-ball bearings in an eye; pieces of a leg or arm ripped off; pieces of skull permanently damaged and ripped off by the flying metal.

And here we are 150 days later and we should ask the question: How has the American church responded? The answer is not pretty.

Ten days after the explosion, I made a decision to travel to Sri Lanka with my pastoral colleague from New York City, Reverend Dimas Salaberrios. Within a weeks time, I was able to raise some $17,000 in cash, stuffed it in my pockets and flew from JFK in NYC to Kuwait to Colombo Sri Lanka. Over the next five days, covering three cities (Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa), Pastor Dimas and I met with over 60 families who had lost loved ones. We met with and wept with wives who had lost husbands; husbands who had lost wives; parents, moms and dads, who had lost one or multiple children; Christian people who not only lost a spouse but a child as well. We prayed our guts out; we paid for funeral expenses, for hospitalization costs and for family income replacement.

Pastor Roshan, who has faithfully pastored the Zion Church for thirty years and has close to 1,000 souls worshipping on a Sunday morning, gave us the tour of the destroyed church. We passed through the yellow crime tape with Sri Lankan Army personnel greeting us-the church was still an active crime scene. The bodies had been removed but dried blood and blood-soaked clothing was still on the floor. Due to the intensity of the heat of the created inferno, when the bodies of our sisters and brothers were sadly removed, huge chunks of skin and flesh were still attached to the burned, blood-soaked clothing. Chaos was everywhere.

We walked back to the rented home across the street from the church and prayed with the 20 volunteers who were there helping the pastor; we prayed with Pastor Roshan and his wife Michelle and daughter Stephanie; we anointed them with oil and prayed for healing and restoration.

Pastor Roshan said that civil engineers had carefully inspected the church building (what was left of it) and deemed it structurally unsound. Not a surprise-the roof has been blown and burnt off and walls were scorched. A new church building would have to be built not only because of its structural unsoundness but what family member who had lost a loved one would want to return to this house of worship and relive a continually sad memory? That would be emotionally and psychologically brutal.

Upon learning the need, I stated to Pastor Roshan that I would help him raise, by faith, $100,000 to build a new church that would hold the 1,000 parishioners with an emphasis on the phrase by faith!

I returned to the USA, by faith, and began writing a letter to dozens of pastors that I knew and worked with over the years that I thought would have a heart toward fellow pastor Roshan and Zion Church, that these American pastors would respond much the way that if their church was destroyed by an Islamic State suicide bomber and 31 murdered that they would want pastor colleagues to respond graciously and generously.

Within the next month, REDEEM! (the organization that I lead with volunteers in twelve countries) raised $40,000. I lovingly challenged my pastors that if they would just consider giving $1,000 each, we could make a difference. Several gave $5,000; others gave $1,000; some took up a special offering.

In August 2019, I returned to Zion Church in Batticaloa and delivered $40,000 in cash to the beleaguered pastor and his congregation so they can begin to build a new and different place to worship. Another sad part of this story is when I asked Pastor Roshan, 150 days after the blast that killed the children and adults of Zion Church, how many American churches and pastors have called you, encouraged you and given financial assistance? He responded, Pastor you are the only one from America that is helping  weve had some Tamil churches here on the island to help and some Australian churches, but no one from the United States.

How sad is that with the plethora of churches in America? Is this how we treat a brother pastor whose persecuted church was devastated and 31 of his congregation murdered by haters of Jesus?

Note: Pastor Devlin is in the process of raising an additional $50,000. To assist Pastor Roshan and Zion Church, 100% of money given goes directly to Zion Church and will be hand-delivered in October 2019. Gifts can be mailed to:

REDEEM! 501(c)3 POB 37 HV PA 19006-0037 or through www.widowsandorphans.info

Pastor William Devlin is the Missions Pastor of Infinity Bible Church and travels the globe bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to hard and dangerous places like Gaza, Iraq, Sudan, Syria and Cuba. The rest of his time is spent in Philadelphia with his wife of 35 years, Nancy. They have five children and five grandchildren. He is president of REDEEM and co-chair of Right to Worship NYC.
BILLINGS, Mont. - Native American lawmakers in Montana on Tuesday called on the Biden administration to help craft a plan to reintroduce wild bison to the landscape in and around Glacier National Park and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge.

FILE - In an April 24, 2012, file photo, a herd of bison stand in a pen on the Fort Peck Reservation near Poplar, Mont. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has ended a bison management plan that would have allowed the wide-ranging animals to be restored in more areas of the state. The Republican announced Tuesday, April 20, 2021, that the state had settled a lawsuit brought the year before against the administration of his Democratic predecessor over adoption of the bison plan. Gianforte said he was acting to protect ranchers and farmers. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)

BILLINGS, Mont. - Native American lawmakers in Montana on Tuesday called on the Biden administration to help craft a plan to reintroduce wild bison to the landscape in and around Glacier National Park and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge.

The request was made by eight members of the Legislature's American Indian Caucus in a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. It comes after Gov. Greg Gianforte and his fellow Republicans in the Legislature have sought to make it harder to reintroduce bison to areas of the state that the burly animals once roamed.

American bison, also called buffalo, carry cultural significance for Plains Indians and were depended on by many tribes for food, clothing and other necessities until the huge herds that once populated the U.S. West were wiped out in the late 1800s.

State Rep. Tyson Running Wolf said the American Indian Caucus members decided the administration of President Joe Biden would be more willing to help bring back bison than Gianforte, who last week cited the need to protect the agriculture industry when he cancelled a bison reintroduction plan adopted by his predecessor.

It feels like during this legislative session, Native concerns and even buffalo as part of Native culture have just been invisible," said Running Wolf, a Democrat from Browning and member of the Blackfeet tribe. Americans tribes in Montana have a deep-rooted connection with the buffalo, from commerce to religion to cultural values."

But ranchers in Montana have long opposed efforts to restore the large animals to the landscape, fearing they could compete with livestock for public grazing space and spread the disease brucellosis. Thats an infectious disease carried by Yellowstone National Park bison that can cause animals to prematurely abort their young.

Haaland's office did not have an immediate response to Tuesday's letter. Last year her predecessor, David Bernhardt, announced a 10-year initiative to advance bison restoration efforts that had languished.

As many as 30 million to 60 million bison once inhabited most of North America, according to federal wildlife officials. Mass slaughters drove them to near extinction, and today there are roughly 11,000 wild bison on public lands in 12 states.

Federal officials have talked about restoring bison to more areas of the U.S. West for decades. But they have been brought back only to isolated areas such as the grasslands of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where 100 bison from nearby national parks were released last year with plans to increase the herd size eventually to 1,500 animals.

The Blackfeet tribe along the Montana-Canada border has its own herd and wants to expand the animals' range into Canada and onto adjacent federal lands, including Glacier National Park and the adjacent Rocky Mountain Front.

A conservation group, the American Prairie Reserve, has a large herd in central Montana near the 1.1 million-acre (445,150-hectare) Charles M. Russell refuge. But it's faced strong pushback from the local agricultural community over ambitions to establish a larger area for bison to roam.

Gianforte's decision to cancel the state bison management plan was announced as part of a settlement of a lawsuit with a property rights group. The group raised worries that state officials under Bullock had schemed to establish a free-roaming herd within the refuge along the Missouri River.

How could you possibly keep those animals from wandering onto neighbouring property? I don't imagine you would plan to fence the entire" refuge, said Chuck Denowh, policy director for the group, United Property Owners of Montana.

Bison have been successfully restored to some Native American reservations, and that's where they should largely remain, he added.

They manage them well, and they don't pose a significant threat to neighbouring landowners," Denowh said. "The tribes are ultimately responsible for those animals. That's working in Montana, and we don't see that we should deviate from that.

Yellowstone National Park is home to one of the largest remnant populations of the animals, and park administrators have been trying for years to expand a program to send portions of those bison herds to tribes or public lands. Most bison that leave the park during their winter migration to feeding grounds outside the park are shot by hunters or shipped to slaughter because of worries about brucellosis.

Hundreds of thousands of domestic bison that have been interbred with cattle are raised on private ranches in the U.S. and Canada for their meat.

Follow Matthew Brown on Twitter: @MatthewBrownAP


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BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of State Security on Monday issued regulations on counter-espionage security work, which take effect upon promulgation.

Overseas espionage and intelligence agencies and hostile forces have intensified infiltration into China, and broadened their tactics of stealing secrets in various ways and in more fields, which poses a serious threat to China's national security and interests, according to a senior official with the ministry.

The regulations are formulated to ensure specific duties of various authorities and entities in preventing espionage activities are performed and to enhance the capacity of society, especially core areas, in ensuring state security, the official said.

State security organs should work with relevant departments to formulate and regularly adjust the list of key units with crucial responsibilities to guard against espionage acts, according to the regulations.

The document noted that Party and state organs, social groups, enterprises and public institutions should assume primary responsibility for preventing espionage activities within the units.

Departments in charge of specific industries should supervise and manage counter-espionage works within corresponding industries, and state security organs should guide and oversee counter-espionage activities, according to the regulations.

State security organs may guide anti-espionage work in various ways including offering publicity materials, issuing guidelines and providing training, the document said, adding that the state security organs shall urge the units with problems in implementing anti-espionage responsibilities to rectify them.

When offering anti-espionage guidance and inspecting anti-espionage work, state security organs should strictly abide by the statutory authority and procedures, respect and protect human rights and protect the legitimate rights and interests of citizens and organizations, according to the regulations.

The document urged state security organs to keep state secrets, work secrets and business secrets, as well as personal privacy and personal information acquired when carrying out guidance and inspections confidential.

Highlighting the need to safeguard cyber and data security, the regulations also specify the responsibilities of anti-espionage works for operators of key information infrastructure.
China is emerging as a major global contributor of patents as it makes strides in beefing up research and development and strengthening the protection of intellectual property, company executives and experts said.

The comments came after China retained its 14th spot in the Global Innovation Index 2020, which was released by the World Intellectual Property Organization. China also ranked No 1 among mid-income economies globally.

Meanwhile, the country will make more efforts to promote the transformation from pursuing quantity to improving the quality of IP work during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, experts said.

Mark Snyder, senior vice-president and deputy general counsel of United States chip giant Qualcomm, said China has made remarkable achievements in strengthening the protection of intellectual property rights.

In recent years, the China National Intellectual Property Administration annually reviewed more than 1 million invention patent applications and granted more than 500,000 of them, the highest number in the world, Snyder said.

He added that the sheer amount of intellectual property filings and cases handled by both the administration and intellectual property courts in China are "concrete evidence of society's confidence in the effectiveness of these policies and reform measures".

"These achievements are also evidence of an unprecedented accumulation of specialized knowledge and experience in intellectual property," Snyder said.

China is now also the global leader in terms of the number of international patent applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty system, he said.

In 2020, China was the largest user of the system, with nearly 69,000 applications. By filing one international patent application under the PCT, applicants can seek protection for inventions in a large number of countries.

Specifically, three Chinese companies made their way onto the list of the top 10 patent applicants under the PCT in 2020. Huawei Technologies Co topped the list, while Chinese display maker BOE Technology Group Co and smartphone maker Oppo ranked seventh and eighth, respectively.

Jason Ding, head of Huawei's IPR department, said the company has become one of the world's largest patent holders through investment in innovation. By the end of 2020, Huawei held over 100,000 active patents worldwide.

Specifically, Huawei has been the largest technical contributor to patents essential to global 5G standards. The achievement came after Huawei spent about $90 billion on research and development from 2010 to 2019, Ding added.

Huawei is not alone. Its Chinese counterparts including ZTE Corp and Oppo have also made steady progress in filling 5G patents as they attach more importance to IPR protection and ramp up resources to pursue innovation-driven growth.

The latest report from German patent analytics company IPlytics showed that Huawei accounted for 15.39 percent of global 5G patent families, or collections of patent applications covering the same or similar technical content, as of Feb 1, which was the world's highest amount. Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE ranked third, with 9.81 percent, and Oppo was ninth with 3.47 percent.

Feng Ying, senior director of intellectual property at Oppo, said that the company will invest more resources in R&D through innovation.

Such progress came amid the overall backdrop of increasing innovation in China. Official data show that the number of invention patents per 10,000 people on the Chinese mainland reached 15.8 by the end of 2020, exceeding the target set for the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) period.

Shen Changyu, head of the China National Intellectual Property Administration, said on Sunday that China will further improve its funding and reward policies on patents and protect and encourage high-value patents in the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
The Charger Blog

As part of the Universitys celebration of Womens History Month, members of the Universitys military community and their partners came together to share their experiences and wisdom, and to reflect on how they have grown as leaders. By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

Members of the Universitys military community and their partners came together as part of a Womens History Month celebration.

When Ashlynn Zapolski 21 was growing up, she looked up to her mother, who served in the U.S. Navy. Inspired by her mothers service, she is now a cadet in the Connecticut National Guard.

My mother faced an uphill battle, and she made a space for women at the table, said Zapolski, a national security major. She made sure she was a part of something that enabled her to leave a legacy behind. Her motto when we were kids was that she served so we didnt have to, but she instilled service in us, so we all wanted to serve anyway. It was something that resonated with me and built me as a leader.

Zapolski, whose father also served in the military, shared her story with the University community in March as part of a Women in the Military event, held virtually in honor of Womens History Month. Moderated by Danielle Desjardins '17 M.A., coordinator for transfer and veteran success and the University veterans representative, the event brought together members of the University community who are military service members, as well as spouses of servicemembers.

This event was important to us and the veterans services community because it helps to gather our community together while acknowledging and celebrating the women of the military, said Zapolski. This is very important.

Everyone can contribute

Patricia Schlosser 22, who served as a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, has fond memories of her service. A diesel mechanic for three years, Schlosser had to end her service after she was injured. She says she chose the Marine Corps because she had heard it was the most challenging branch of the military.

I did everything the guys did, which was nice, said Schlosser, a business management major. I dont think I was treated differently when I got into my unit. I really loved it. You meet so many people, and they come from all walks of life. Its a great way to connect with others and to be part of something better.

Jan Jones, Ph.D., coordinator for hospitality and tourism management at the University, shared her perspective as the spouse of a former member of the National Guard. A Nova Scotia native, Dr. Jones grew up near Canadian Forces Base Greenwood, and she later moved to the United States with her husband and young child with no other family nearby. She discussed how her experiences impacted her and how they enabled her to develop as a leader.

I gravitate toward people who push me, she said. I tell my students to find things theyre good at. I love the panelists message that everyone can contribute. Thats the kind of leader I am.

Nothing should be able to stop you

The panelists discussed why they joined the military, what shaped them as leaders, and how other women have supported and mentored them. Sharing their own impactful and challenging experiences, they reflected on how they helped inspire and pave the way for others.

Beneda Litchmore 19, 21 MHA, who was the first member of her family to go to college, was a trailblazer for her family members in many ways. She shared her experiences serving in the U.S. Navy, which, she says, has been an important part of her life.

I was the first person in my family to join the military, she said. Because I served, some of my siblings and extended family started to do the same. My legacy is not being afraid to be the first. Im hoping that the people I have counseled or shared my wisdom with pass that down to those coming after them.

Zapolski, the national guard cadet, plans to commission after she graduates in May, and she is looking forward to balancing her service with attending law school. She hopes to inspire future servicemembers throughout her career.

I hope the legacy I leave behind will reflect my leadership, empathy, compassion, and not taking no for an answer, she said. Nothing should be able to stop you, regardless of your gender. I want to foster drive and ambition in those who follow in my footsteps.
YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. The Embassy of India in Armenia used the term genocide for the first time in the post made over the visit of Ambassador Kishan Dan Dewal to the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan on April 24.

Today, Armenia commemorates 106th anniversary of Armenian Genocide. Ambassador KD Dewal paid homage to martyrs of this great tragedy and placed a wreath at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial, the Embassys statement reads.

The Embassy also tagged the official Facebook accounts of the foreign ministries of India and Armenia below the post.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
Krista Pontius of Millerstown is a semi-finalist in the Live with Kelly and Ryan top teacher contest.

If Pontius wins, she will receive $10,000 plus another $10,000 in teacher project funding from Sonic restaurants. Four finalists will be selected.

Pontius is an agriculture teacher at Greenwood High School and has taught since 1997. In addition to being a finalist for the top teacher contest, Pontius was one of three National Teach Ag champions in 2020. Previous honors include a national Teacher Mentor Award from the National Association of Agricultural Educators Inc.

Pontius is the current South Central Region Vice-President of the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators.

Her students affectionately call her KP,' the letter endorsing Pontius stated. Other excerpts from the letter include:

Over the past 10 years, Krista and her students have raised $55,000 and packed 150,000 meals which were given or distributed to the local food banks. She has also traveled to Haiti and worked in an orphanage helping the poorest of poor.

If there was ever a teacher who made changes in the world and continues to strive to make changes in the world, it is Krista Pontius.

To vote for Pontius, visit this page. Click the heart on her picture to cast your vote. Voting will close at noon April 29.


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The author of the New York Times '1619 Project' that 'reframed' American history to focus on when the first Africans arrived to Virginia as slaves will teach journalism students as a new professor at the University of North Carolina.

Nikole Hannah-Jones, who won the Pulitzer Prize for the 2019 series, will have her courses 'examine the big questions about journalism' while adding the her own practical experience and advice.

Her 1619 series proved a cultural lightening rod, drawing criticism from some historians who said it was a cynical view of American history - and also contained inaccuracies and generalizations.

Former President Donald Trump slammed the series as 'totally discredited' and part of the 'twisted web of lies' that has caught fire in American universities that teach American is a 'wicked and racist nation.'

He formed a '1776 Commission' in response to teach 'patriotism.' It released a report this year before being ended by President Joe Biden.

Hannah-Jones in a statement said her UNC courses would teach how to write stories that are 'truly reflective of our multiracial nation.'

New York Times Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones will teach journalism students as a new professor at the University of North Carolina

The 1619 Project won the Pulitzer Prize in 2019. It was praised by some as shining a light on untold history, but lambasted by others, including former President Donald Trump, for what he said was a jaundiced view of the US

It's sort of a homecoming for Hannah-Jones, who is a MacArthur Fellowship Genius Grant recipient. She got a master's degree from UNC's Hussman School of Journalism and Media 2003.

'This is a full-circle moment for me as I return to the place that launched my career to help launch the careers of other aspiring journalists,' she Tweeted on Monday. 'I'm so excited to continue mentoring students from the classroom and for all I will learn from them.'

She said she'd still be at the New York Times where she wrote the '1619 Project,' which was published in 2019 as a collection of essays, photo essays, poems and short fiction stories.

She joined the New York Times in 2015 after working at ProPublica, the Oregonian, the Raleigh News & Observer and the Chapel Hill News, according to a release from the school.

Her 1619 Project 'reframed' American history to have it start in 1619, when the first slaves from Africa arrived to Virginia, instead of 1776, when the founding fathers declared independence from Britain.

In her essay, Hannah-Jones wrote that slaves laid the foundations of the US Capitol and built founding fathers' plantations. She said the 'relentless buying, selling, insuring and financing of their bodies' made Wall Street and New York City the financial capital of the world.

'Before the abolishment of the international slave trade, 400,000 enslaved Africans would be sold into America. Those individuals and their descendants transformed the lands to which they'd been brought into some of the most successful colonies in the British Empire,' Hannah-Jones wrote.

'But it would be historically inaccurate to reduce the contributions of black people to the vast material wealth created by our bondage,' she said. 'Black Americans have also been, and continue to be, foundational to the idea of American freedom. More than any other group in this country's history, we have served, generation after generation, in an overlooked but vital role: It is we who have been the perfecters of this democracy.'

The project heralded by some and criticized by others, including a number of historians and Trump, who adamantly opposed the idea that it should be taught in classrooms.

The New York Times '1619 Project' is still a polarizing piece that some want to ban from school curriculums

Nikole Hannah-Jones said on Twitter that she will continue to work at the New York Times

Princeton historian Sean Wilentz criticized the '1619 Project', and some of Hannah-Jones's other work, in a letter sent to top Times editors and the publisher, The Atlantic reported in December 2019.

The letter, which was signed by other scholars James McPherson, Gordon Wood, Victoria Bynum, and James Oakes refers to 'matters of verifiable fact' that 'cannot be described as interpretation or "framing''' and says the project reflected 'a displacement of historical understanding by ideology,' The Atlantic reported.

Wilentz and the other signatories demanded corrections.

Trump called it 'revisionist history' and threatened to withhold federal funding from public schools that used it.

Republican lawmakers in a handful of states, including Iowa and Missouri, are continuing his fight to ban it from schools.

Bills were introduced in those state legislatures that would punish school districts that use the '1619 Project' by cutting federal funding.

A major critic of the project has been The Heritage Foundation, which says it 'has been tireless in its efforts to debunk the radical and anti-American positions taken by The New York Times and the '1619 Project.'

One of The Heritage Foundation's articles pointed out post-publication edits that the Times made, including changing a in Hannah-Jones' leading article in the series to say that 'some of' the colonists fought the American Revolution to defend slavery.

'They had not seen this type of demand for a print product of The New York Times, they said, since 2008, when people wanted copies of Obama's historic presidency edition,' Hannah-Jones told The Atlantic in a December 2019 story. 'I know when I talk to people, they have said that they feel like they are understanding the architecture of their country in a way that they had not'

'The editors called this a 'small' clarification, and it was indeed very small, although considering that the 1619 Project's full-throated commitment to demonstrating that American history can only be explained through the lens of slavery, this correction appears nothing short of essential,' Heritage policy expert Jonathan Butcher, a senior policy analyst for Heritage's Center for Education Policy, wrote.

One of the project's supporters, Seth Rockman, an associate professor of history at Brown University, wrote in an op-ed for the Washington Post that the project 'is a testament to patriotism, not a repudiation.'

Rockman wrote that history is 'an ongoing conversation in which trained professionals and multiple publics wrestle with the meaning of the past' and disagreement is desirable 'as it shows us that something important is at stake.'

He said there are warranted criticisms that 'we should spend our time debating,' for example the project was 'insufficiently attentive' about how the Native Americans lost their land.

Trump suggested, however, that the project's teachings were dangerous.

'Critical race theory, the 1619 project, and the crusade against American history is toxic propaganda, ideological poison that if not removed will dissolve the civic bonds that tie us together,' he said, according to the Atlantic. 'It will destroy our country.'

Hannah-Jones, meanwhile, said on Twitter that 'history, in general, is contested.'

'The project unsettled many. I think that is good.'

Hannah-Jones will join UNC's Hussman School of Journalism and Media in July as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism. The school has around 1,000 undergraduates and 125 graduate students.
Some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Miami are completely vaccinated against COVID-19 while poorer communities remain largely unprotected.

In exclusive areas such as Fisher Island and Key Biscayne - where homes sell for more than $2 million - 100 percent of residents have received at least one dose, an analysis from the Miami Herald found.

But in ZIP codes that include Flamingo, Opa-locka and Allapattah, fewer than one-third of people are at least partially immunized.

These communities are largely made up of black and Hispanic residents, where as many of 40 percent live in poverty.

In wealthy Miami neighborhoods, such as Fisher Island and Key Biscayne, 100% of residents have had at least one vaccine dose (left) and no poverty rates higher than 13%. Poorer neighborhoods with mostly black residents in North Miami such as Flamingo and Opa-locka, see fewer than one-third of people at least partially immunized (right)

Factors affecting vaccination rates include a lack of information, difficulty scheduling appointments on line and limited access to public transportation. Pictured: A health care worker prepares to immunize JP Bejarano at the Miami Dade College North Campus in North Miami, Florida, March 10

As vaccinations continue to ramp up across the country, about half of residents in Miami-Dade county have been give at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.

However, there are still large inequalities between white communities and those made up of mostly black and Hispanics.

In three ZIP codes - Doral, Fisher Island and Key Biscayne - 100 percent of residents have received at least one shot.

Using data from the American Community Survey, the Herald found that no black residents live in two of the ZIP codes and just 0.05 percent live in the third.

What's more, poverty rates fall between 4.89 and 10.72 percent.

Overall, the analysis found that bottom 10 ZIP codes only have 30 percent of adults vaccinated and the top 10 have 88 percent, according to the analysis.

In all neighborhoods where the percentage of residents who received at least one dose was above 50 percent, no more than one-fifth of residents were black.

Roselle Noel, 68, a home healthcare aide who lives in the 33168 ZIP code in North Miami told the Herald she struggled to get a vaccine for two months.

Both her job and her age made her eligible for some of the first doses, but she struggled to secure an appointment.

Information was mostly in English, which Noel struggled with despite immigrating from Haiti 40 years ago, and whenever she called the only clinic where she knew vaccines were being distributed, she was told no slots were available.

'I called so many times,' Noel told the newspaper.

Finally, she was able to get a shot after her daughter saw an Instagram post about a pop-up vaccination clinic at a community center just a few blocks away from Noel's home.

'I praise the Lord for that,' Noel said.

'I don't use any social media. I'm an old lady. I don't want to be bothered with that stuff.'

The Herald found that, to date, just 25.79 percent of residents living in Noel's ZIP code have received at least one coronavirus vaccine dose.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, 67.66 percent of those living in that area are black.

Experts say there are many factors that can keep people from being vaccinated including a lack of information, difficulty scheduling appointments on line and limited access to public transportation.

Dr Muriel Jean-Jacques, an assistant professor of medicine at Northwestern University, told the Herald that this can also lead to vaccine hesitancy

'You're able to get [patients] from an "I don't think so" or "I'm not sure" to a "yes," but then they can't just go get a vaccine down the hall,' she said.

'Instead, they have to go home and try to deal with an online system - and that "yes" quickly turns back to a "no,"' Jean-Jacques said.
Legislation won state Senate approval on Tuesday that seeks to let voters decide whether to end the practice of Pennsylvania having an independently elected lieutenant governor.

By a vote of 43-4, senators voted to pass a proposed constitutional amendment that would have a partys gubernatorial nominee choose the candidate to be their lieutenant governor, subject to political party or political body approval, prior to the general election.

The measure now goes to the House for consideration. If it passes the House by this summer, the proposed constitutional amendment would be positioned to go on the ballot for voter ratification as early as November and take effect for the 2022 gubernatorial election.

This change seeks to make the selection process of a lieutenant governor resemble the manner in which presidential candidates select their vice presidential running mate. Once a partys gubernatorial nominee is known, they would decide who will join them on the ticket.

It would replace the current practice where lieutenant governor candidates run separate from the gubernatorial candidates in the primary and then the top voter in each race run as a team in the general election.

Senators who cast dissenting votes were Sens. Katie Muth, D-Montgomery County; Vince Hughes, D-Philadelphia; Scott Hutchinson, R-Venango County; and Doug Mastriano, R-Franklin County.

Muth has said she thinks voters should decide on the lieutenant governor rather than letting the gubernatorial candidate hand-pick them. The lieutenant governor, as presiding officer of the Senate, runs the floor and can cast a tie-breaking vote. Muth said she trusts the voters to decide who best can fill that role.

This arrangement has resulted in some forced marriages over the years including one as recent as a few years ago between Gov. Tom Wolf and his first-term and now former lieutenant governor, Mike Stack.

Their relationship fractured after allegations of Stack and his wife verbally abusing and mistreating the taxpayer-provided staff. It led to Wolf stripping the Stacks of state police protection and scaled back the staffing at what formerly was the state-provided residence.

The proposed amendment has the support of three former lieutenant governors as well as two former chairs of the state Republican and Democratic parties.

If Pennsylvania voters would approve of this constitutional change, Argall said it would join 13 other states that have moved to a process that lets the gubernatorial candidate select their lieutenant governor either before or after the primary election subject to approval by their respective state committee.

Those other states include Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, and Utah.

The constitutional amendment process requires identical bills to pass both chambers of the General Assembly in two consecutive legislative session.

A bipartisan-backed bill containing this proposed amendment passed the Senate by a 46-2 vote and the House by a 130-67 vote last year.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy.
DGAP-Ad-hoc: 468 SPAC I SE / Key word(s): IPO

468 SPAC I SE: launches bookbuilding for up to 300 million private placement and listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange



27-Apr-2021 / 07:58 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Public disclosure of inside information according to Article 17 para. 1 of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 on market abuse (Market Abuse Regulation)

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.



468 SPAC I SE launches bookbuilding for up to 300 million private placement and listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and targets business combination with a European company in the sub-sectors marketplaces, direct-to-consumer (D2C) and software & artificial intelligence



Luxembourg, 27 April 2021.



468 SPAC I SE (the "Company"), a Luxembourg special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), today announces the start of its private placement of up to 30,000,000 units (the "Units") consisting each of one share (a "Public Share") and one-third of a warrant (a "Public Warrant"), at a price of 10.00 per unit for an aggregate of 300 million. The Units will be solely offered to institutional investors. The private placement is expected to end on or before 28 April 2021.



The Company, sponsored by 468 SPAC Sponsors GmbH & Co. KG (the "Sponsor"), an affiliate of Alexander Kudlich, Dr. Ludwig Ensthaler and Florian Leibert, founders of the investment fund 468 Capital GmbH & Co. KG, was established for the purpose of acquiring one operating business in a member state of the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom or Switzerland in the form of a merger, capital stock exchange, share purchase, asset acquisition, reorganization or similar transaction (the "Business Combination"). The Company plans to target a company in the technology and technology-enabled sector with a focus on the sub-sectors marketplaces, direct-to-consumer (D2C) and software & artificial intelligence. The Company will have 24 months from the admission to trading to consummate a Business Combination, plus an additional three months if it signs a legally binding agreement with the seller of a target within those initial 24 months. Otherwise, the Company will be liquidated and distribute substantially all of its assets to its shareholders.

The Company has applied for admission of the Public Shares (ISIN: LU2333563281) to trading on the regulated market (regulierter Markt) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (General Standard) and for introduction to trading of the Public Warrants (ISIN: LU2333564099) on the open market (Freiverkehr) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Borse Frankfurt Zertifikate AG). Trading of the Public Shares and Public Warrants is expected to commence on 30 April 2021.

Contact:

Alexander Kudlich

Chief Executive Officer

468 SPAC I SE

9, rue de Bitbourg

L-1273 Luxembourg

Luxembourg

info@468spac.com

DISCLAIMER

This publication may not be published, distributed or transmitted in the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa or Japan. This publication does not constitute or forms part of any offer of securities for sale or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities (the "Securities") or any of the assets, business or undertakings of 468 SPAC I SE (the "Company") in the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Japan or any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The Securities of the Company may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). There will be no public offering of the Securities in the United States. The Securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act. The Securities referred to herein may not be offered or sold in Australia, South Africa, Canada or Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, South Africa, Canada or Japan subject to certain exceptions. The Securities of the Company may not be offered or sold in Canada absent the filing of a prospectus in Canada or in a transaction that is exempt from the requirement that the Company prepare and file a prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws. No prospectus has been, or will be, filed with any securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities. No securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada has reviewed or in any way passed upon this publication or on the merits of the Securities and any representation to the contrary is an offence. This publication does not form the basis of and should not be relied on in connection with, or act as an inducement to enter into, any contract or commitment whatsoever. Recipients of this publication who are considering acquiring Securities of the Company are reminded that any such purchase or subscription must not be made on the basis of the information contained in this publication.

This publication constitutes neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy securities. The listing of the Securities will be made solely by the means of, and on the basis of, a securities prospectus which is yet to be published. An investment decision regarding any securities of 468 SPAC I SE should only be made on the basis of the securities prospectus. The securities prospectus will be published promptly upon approval by the Luxembourg Financial Sector Supervisory Commission (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF)) and will be available free of charge on the 468 SPAC I SE website.

In the United Kingdom, this publication is only being distributed to and is only directed at persons who are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), or (ii) persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This publication is directed only at Relevant Persons and must not be acted on or relied upon by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this publication relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons.

In member states of the European Economic Area the placement of securities described in this announcement is directed exclusively at persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 (Prospectus Regulation).

The Units 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 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 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 January 2016 on insurance distribution, as amended, 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 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2014 on key information documents for packaged retail and insurance-based investment products (the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Units or otherwise making them available to Retail Investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Units or otherwise making them available to any Retail Investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

Solely for the purposes of the manufacturer's product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the Public Shares and Public Warrants has led to the conclusion that (i) the Public Shares are (a) compatible with an end target market of Retail Investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II, and (b) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels permitted by MiFID II and (ii) the Public Warrants are (a) compatible with an end target market of investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II, and (b) eligible for distribution to professional clients and eligible counterparties through all distribution channels permitted by MiFID II.

Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Public Shares and Public Warrants (a "distributor") should take into consideration the manufacturer's target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Public Shares and Public Warrants (by either adopting or refining the manufacturer's target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels.

The Units 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 United Kingdom ("UK"). For these purposes the expression "Retail Investor" means a person who is one (or more) of the following: (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 ("EUWA"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the "FSMA") and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, 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 ("UK MiFIR"). Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the "UK PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Units or otherwise making them available to Retail Investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Units or otherwise making them available to any Retail Investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

Solely for the purposes of the manufacturer's product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the Public Shares and Public Warrants has led to the conclusion that (i) the Public Shares are (a) compatible with an end target market of Retail Investors and eligible counterparties, as defined in the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook ("COBS") and professional clients, as defined in UK MiFIR, and (b) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels and (ii) the Public Warrants are (a) compatible with an end target market of eligible counterparties, as defined in COBS, and professional clients, as defined in UK MiFIR; and (b) all channels for distribution of the Public Warrants to eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate.

Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Public Shares and Public Warrants (a "distributor") should take into consideration the target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to COBS is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Public Shares and Public Warrants (by either adopting or refining the target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels.

No action has been taken that would permit an offering or an acquisition of the securities or a distribution of this announcement in any jurisdiction where such action would be unlawful. Persons into whose possession this announcement comes are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.

This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning the placement. Investors should consult a professional advisor as to the suitability of the placement for the person concerned.

This release may contain forward looking statements, estimates, opinions and projections with respect to anticipated future performance of the Company ("forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "may," "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on the current views, expectations and assumptions of the management of the Company and involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements included herein only speak as at the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation, and does not expect to publicly update, or publicly revise, any of the information, forward-looking statements or the conclusions contained herein or to reflect new events or circumstances or to correct any inaccuracies which may become apparent subsequent to the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Company accepts no liability whatsoever in respect of the achievement of such forward-looking statements and assumptions.
The second wave of coronavirus has brought catastrophe and chaos and India has been seeing dismally surging cases and innumerable deaths along with a collapse in the healthcare system.



While most people are struggling for hospital beds and oxygen cylinders for their loved ones, some people have the privilege of taking their private jets to any country still willing to take them.

However, India recorded 3,23,000 new cases in the last 24 hours.

 Unsplash

According to The Sunday Times, Indias uber-rich have been spending massive amounts of money more than $130,000 to book last-minute flights and private jets to fly off to places like Britain and the UAE.



According to reports, more than eight jets were flown to Britain from India just before the UK implemented a travel ban. Also, a 13-seater Bombardier Global 6000 - landed at Luton airport from Mumbai 45 minutes before the introduction of the travel restrictions.

Also, the cost of the flight is believed to be around $138,000 (100,000).

According to The Economic Times, private jet provider Enthral Aviation said that they have been flooded with countless inquiries over the last few days. An Enthral Aviation spokesperson said, We have requested more aircraft from abroad to meet the demand. It costs $38,000 to hire a 13-seater jet from Mumbai to Dubai and $31,000 to hire a six-seater aircraft. People are making groups and arranging to share our jets just to get a seat. We've had some queries for Thailand but mostly the demand is for Dubai.

Not only this, earlier, many celebrities have been trolled for posting vacation pictures amidst the ongoing pandemic. Recently, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt received a lot of flak for going to the Maldives for a vacation after recovering from COVID19 and completing their home quarantine. People were upset with them as there is a state-wide lockdown in Maharashtra and fans thought they were just trying to escape.
Microsoft and Google have both reported surging profits as Americas biggest technology companies continued to capitalise on growing internet use during the pandemic.

Profits rose by 44 per cent at Microsoft to $US15.5 billion ($20 billion) and more than doubled at Googles parent company, Alphabet, climbing by 162 per cent to $US17.9 billion as it reported its strongest sales growth in eight years.

Over a year into the pandemic, digital adoption curves arent slowing down. Theyre accelerating, and its just the beginning,: Microsoft chief Satya Nadella. Credit:Bloomberg

Shares in Microsoft fell in after-hours trading, however, meaning the software giant missed out on becoming only the second US company to hit a $US2 trillion valuation.

The Seattle-based company said sales climbed 17 per cent to $US43 billion after a work-from-home induced boost to its giant cloud business.
Expanded role sees Mr. Schaefer assume joint presidencies of Sleep Country and Dormez-vous to spearhead strategy

TORONTO, April 27, 2021 /CNW/ - Sleep Country Canada Holdings Inc. ("Sleep Country" or "Sleep Country Canada" or the "Company") (TSX: ZZZ) today proudly announced that Stewart Schaefer has been named President of Sleep Country, and will continue to serve as President of Dormez-vous. Dave Friesema will remain in his position as Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Schaefer's presence in sleep retail has been ubiquitous for nearly three decades. Most recently serving as Chief Business Development Officer of Sleep Country, he was a key architect of the Company's enhanced service model and omnichannel transformation. His vision and determination pioneered new concept stores across Canada, launched and quickly expanded the Company's accessories business and deftly navigated its journey into eCommerce. In addition, he secured innovative partnerships with the world's most renowned sleep brands including Simba, Malouf and Purple, and boldly drove the acquisition of Endy  Canada's leading online mattress brand.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are proud to announce Stewart's promotion to President. It is the natural next step following the immeasurable impact he has had on our business and on Canada's sleep landscape" said Christine Magee, Chair, Sleep Country Canada. "His business acumen, entrepreneurial spirit and passion have elevated Sleep Country, Dormez-vous and Endy to new heights, and he consistently brings out the best in people at all levels. We look forward to continued growth under his leadership."

Mr. Schaefer founded Dormez-vous in 1994 and grew the business to a household name in Quebec before joining forces with Sleep Country in 2006. Prior to Dormez-vous, Mr. Schaefer co-founded Heritage Classic Beds, a manufacturer and distributor of iron and brass beds. From 1986 to 1992, he trained and worked as a commodity broker in Chicago, later returning to Montreal to work at Dean Witter Reynolds and Refco Futures. Mr. Schaefer studied Finance and Marketing at Concordia University in Montreal.

"Stewart's dedication and drive over the past 16 years with Sleep Country have been nothing short of inspiring. He has been instrumental in achieving the dominant market share our business enjoys today," said Dave Friesema, CEO, Sleep Country Canada. "He is a purpose-driven leader whose tremendous talent for strategy has helped so many Canadians transform their lives through sleep, and our competitive position has never been stronger under his leadership. I look forward to working with him to drive continued growth and value for all of our stakeholders."

In his new role, Mr. Schaefer will continue to guide the Company to long-term growth along its three strategic platforms: providing a world-class customer experience, enhancing channel and product innovation and helping Canadians achieve their best sleep as a pillar of wellbeing.

About Sleep Country

Sleep Country is Canada's leading omnichannel mattress and bedding retailer and the only specialty sleep products retailer with a national bricks and mortar footprint and an online presence. Sleep Country operates under three retail banners (the "Banners"): "Sleep Country Canada", with omnichannel operations in Canada excluding Quebec; "Dormez-vous?" with omnichannel operations in Quebec and "Endy", Canada's leading online mattress-in-a-box retailer. As of April 5, 2021, Sleep Country has 283 stores and 17 distribution centres across Canada. All of the Company's stores are corporate-owned, enabling it to develop and maintain a strong culture of customer service, resulting in a consistent and superior in-store and home delivery experience. Sleep Country also works closely with Canadian charities to donate new and gently used mattresses to families and children in need.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain information in this news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements which reflect the current view of management with respect to the Company's objectives, plans, goals, strategies, outlook, results of operations, financial and operating performance, prospects and opportunities. Wherever used, the words "may", "will", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "expect", "plan", "believe" and similar expressions identify forward-looking information and forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future events, performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at which, such events, performance or results will be achieved. All of the information in this news release containing forward-looking information or forward-looking statements is qualified by these cautionary statements.

Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are based on information available to management at the time they are made, underlying estimates, opinions and assumptions made by management and management's current good faith belief with respect to future strategies, prospects, events, performance and results, and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in the Q4 2020 MD&A under the sections "Risk Factors" and "Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Company" and those described in the Company's 2020 annual information form (the "AIF") filed on March 2, 2021. A copy of the AIF can be accessed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that the Company currently believes to be less significant may also adversely affect the Company.

Readers are urged to consider the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information and statements. The Company does not undertake to update any such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws.

SOURCE Sleep Country Canada Holdings Inc. Investor Relations

For further information: David Friesema, CEO, [email protected]
The new season of Channel Ten's MasterChef is currently in full swing, with three of the contestants being eliminated so far in the competition.

And on the weekend, the show's judges Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo were spotted arriving at Melbourne Airport after filming upcoming episodes in Uluru, which are set to air later this year.

Melissa, 39, cut a stylish figure as she sauntered through the airport wearing an oversized black blazer, light-denim jeans and a $3250 holdall bag from Louis Vuitton.

Style icon: On Saturday, MasterChef judges Melissa Leong (pictured) and Jock Zonfrillo were pictured at Melbourne Airport after filming in Uluru

She teamed her look with a fashionable black Fedora and some Dr. Martens boots, and wore a protective face mask across her visage.

An adorable moment was also captured as Melissa waited for a taxi, as a very young boy appeared to recognise her - and she was quick to give him a cheeky high five.

Meanwhile, Jock, 44, looked equally as stylish in a black puffer jacket, khaki trainers and blue jeans.

He was greeted at arrivals by his beautiful wife Lauren Fried and their two-year-old son, Alfie.

Cute: Jock Zonfrillo, 44, looked equally as stylish in a black puffer jacket, khaki trainers and blue jeans as he was greeted at the airport by his beautiful wife Lauren Fried and their two-year-old son, Alfie

Gorgeous: Melissa, 39, cut an effortlessly stylish figure as she sauntered through the airport, wearing an oversized black blazer, light-denim jeans and a $3250 holdall bag from Louis Vuitton

Pretty: She teamed her look with a fashionable black Fedora and some Dr. Martens boots, and wore a protective face mask across her face

Adorable: A moment was captured when Melissa appeared to have been spotted by a young fan, who couldn't wait to run over and introduce himself

High five! Melissa then appeared to five cheeky high five to the little boy as she waited outside for a taxi

Jock beamed with joy as he held his gorgeous tot in his arms, while Lauren - dressed in a demure dress which tied up at the waist - pulled the suitcases next to him.

The team had headed to the Northern Territory to showcase the area's impressive culinary delights on MasterChef, including an under-the-stars cooking challenge at Bruce Munros large-scale light installation the Field of Light.

According to NT News, contestants will also be tested with a bush food cooking experience featuring Raylene Brown from Kungkas Can Cook.

Happy family: Jock beamed with joy as he held his gorgeous tot in his arms, while Lauren - dressed in a demure dress which tied up at the waist - pulled the suitcases next to him

So cute: Jock looked every bit the doting father as he carried around the youngster in his arms

Cute: Melissa and Jock were the seen conversing in the airport, after a busy trip to Uluru

Duty calls: The judges had headed to the Northern Territory to showcase the area's impressive culinary delights on MasterChef, including an under the stars cooking challenge at Bruce Munros large-scale light installation the Field of Light

The Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Natasha Fyles said of the news: 'These Masterchef episodes will broadcast elite dining experiences in the Northern Territory to a national audience.

'Masterchef fans are hungry for food experiences which are a little bit different and that is exactly what they will find in the Northern Territory.

'We cant wait to see these episodes to go to air and showcase the Northern Territorys unique culinary assets.'
Mobiles Society Shell got its nickname because it was the place to hear Midtown gossip, not because it was the subject of it. But in recent days, social media posts have brought to light an ownership battle pitting brother against brother and nephew against uncle.

Longtime patrons of Griffith Service Station have been subjected to doubts about whether the dispute means the end of the stations 63-year run, as co-owner Preston Griffith Jr. has asserted -- or whether the station and its staff remain here to serve you for years to come, just as we have in the past, as co-owner Stephen Griffith has said.

Preston Griffith Sr. bought the station at the corner of Ann and Government streets in 1958. After his death, sons Preston Jr. and Stephen bought the business from their mother and operated it for years as equal partners. Its reputation as a hub for neighborhood gossip earned it the nickname Society Shell, which stuck long even through an interval when the station ceased to bear the Shell gas brand. It became such an enduring piece of Mobile slang that local playwright Tom Perez used it in a trio of satirical Society Shell plays produced between 1986 and 2020.

Preston Griffith posted a letter Friday on the stations Facebook page. With a heavy heart, I write to announce its the end of an era at Griffith Service Station, he began. It is with mixed feelings, but precious memories made over the last 50+ years, that I have decided to retire from the business my father began and to which I have been dedicated since I was a fresh-faced 13-year-old boy.

The letter went on to state that Preston Griffith was suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrigs Disease, an incurable neurological disorder that was affecting his ability to speak and his general health.

He then wrote that while the station had survived hurricanes and other setbacks, it couldnt survive the perfect storm it now faced: He alleged that aside from his illness, his brother Stephen had mismanaged the station, forcing it into debt; had attempted to force him out of the business; and had hired attorneys in Mobile and Birmingham and sued me in an ongoing case.

Preston Griffiths conclusion was that he would have nothing to do with an alleged new business entity and that the station was no longer the Griffith Service Station that my dad and I built.

Court records tell a more complex story, starting with the fact that Preston Griffiths son, Charles Hunt Griffith, filed the initial suit and that Stephen Griffiths legal action was a counterclaim filed in response.

Charles Hunt Griffiths complaint was filed Oct. 20. It asserts that on multiple occasions between 2018 and 2020, Charles Hunt Griffith had loaned tens of thousands of dollars to Griffiths Service Station Inc., Preston Griffith, Stephen Griffith and CPS & Co., another business entity related to the station.

The complaint said borrowers had failed to repay more than $200,000. Because of that debt, it said, Charles Hunt Griffith was entitled to purchase all 20 shares in the business and should hold title to all related real estate. (According to court documents a 1995 shareholder agreement allotted 10 shares in the business to each brother.) Although the complaint identified Preston Griffith as one of the borrowers, he was not named as a defendant; Stephen Griffith, meanwhile, was accused of refusing to hand over his shares and of blocking the transfer to title to the land.

Stephen Griffiths counterclaim, filed in November, returned fire against Charles Hunt Griffith but also opened levied charges against Preston Griffith Jr. as a third-party defendant. Plaintiffs have engaged in a civil conspiracy with Preston by committing the wrongful acts described herein in an attempt to wrongfully seize more control of Griffiths Service Station and deprive Stephen of his interest therein, the complaint said.

Stephen Griffiths countersuit said that clauses in the 1995 shareholder agreement undercut most if not all the claims made by Charles Hunt Griffith. For example, it said, there was a clause requiring Preston Griffith Jr. to give Stephen Griffith the option to buy his shares before offering them to anyone else, such as his son. On a potentially more explosive point, it said that Stephen Griffiths signature on more recent agreements cited by Charles Hunt Griffith was forged or otherwise fraudulent obtained.

Additional charges in Griffiths countersuit accused Charles Hunt Griffith of interfering in the companys business. Charles Hunt Griffith responded that such claims were groundless because he was a vice president in Griffiths Service Station Inc. and consequently had every right to be involved.

Most of these accusations and arguments became moot in a partial settlement ratified on March 12. All the claims in Charles Hunt Griffiths initial suit were boiled down to an agreement that Stephen Griffith, Griffiths Service Station Inc. and CPS & Co. would give him $250,000.

While that resolved the legal grievances between Charles Hunt Griffith and his uncle Stephen Griffith, it left open those between Stephen Griffith and his brother. Preston Griffith Jr.s attorney filed a motion asking the judge to order the dispute into arbitration. According to that motion, the 1995 shareholder agreement between Preston and Stephen included a clause in which both agreed to arbitration.

The motion, like Preston Griffiths Facebook post, included personal attacks, accusing Stephen of denying liability and blaming others as he is wont to do while fielding a manufactured claim of forgery and a veritable kitchen sink of other claims.

A ruling on that motion to compel arbitration has been set for Friday, April 30.

In the meantime, business carries on at the corner of Ann and Government. A message posted by Stephen Griffiths wife on his behalf took a less inflammatory tone than his brothers accusatory broadside.

I will not take the path of disparaging others on social media, Stephen Griffith said in that message. However, the era of Griffith Service Station has not come to an end. Wed like the community and our customers to know Griffith Shell is still doing business as usual, and we are here to serve you for years to come, just as we have in the past!

My life has been devoted to this service station, it hasnt always been easy, but there have been some amazing memories made through the years. Along with my father and brother, I helped build the reputation, memories, and traditions that will continue into the future.

Its upsetting that false information was advertised on our business pages that could harm our employees, the people that have remained loyal to us through good times and bad, and who depend on us as much as we depend on them, said Stephen Griffiths message. I care about those employees and am committed to making sure their jobs are available to them.

Aside from the hundreds of comments drawn directly by Preston Griffith Jr.s post and the one on behalf of Stephen Griffith, responses also included a word from attorney Russ Copeland, who described himself as a longtime patron. Where some had been quick to take one brothers side or the other, Copeland counseled understanding.

Regardless of the details or the claims being made, all this really means is that there are two sides to every story and that even great families that we admire have struggles and situations that get messy, Copeland wrote. The fact that a lawsuit was filed should not change the fact that these people are our friends and need our support now more than ever.

While Preston and Stephen have both devoted their entire lives to the station, there are other people involved as well who depend on this business. Mr. Frank (56 years), Robbie (30 years), Jackie (20 years), Curt (10 years), Gavin (10 years), Lillian (5 Years) and others who have been working there for years and continue to work there and depend on our community support for their livelihood.

There is a lot of anger and hatred in our society today and I think that makes it even more important for us as a local community to try and support each other, Copeland wrote. I can tell you that the Copeland family will continue to pray for Preston and his family as he battles ALS and we will continue to support Stephen and Griffith Service Station and all of their employees who have become like family to us.
ALBANY  Contained within the trash pile were several items that piqued Alex Shaws interest.

A pair of black shoes, slightly scuffed.

A stuffed teddy bear in a navy uniform.

Six photo albums containing snapshots of the Capitol, family members and veterans, including a group of men wearing matching dark jackets and red hats.

About a dozen well-wishers had scrawled messages and their contact information on the back.

Youre a strange cad, one read. But you cool with me.

Another: We made it from downstate to Moriah," referring to the Adirondack town in Essex County. Stay out of trouble! It was signed: "The Dogster."

One sepia-toned photo featured an early version of a photo bomb, with four men in Eisenhower jackets and a fifth mugging for the camera from a window behind them.

And among the documents, many of them in Cyrillic script, Alex Shaw found a birth certificate for one Daniel N. Ladopoulos.

As she sifted through the items next to Emmanuel Baptist Church, Shaw grew fascinated with a life that was nearly lost to history.

Shaw, 23, had been watching the pile of debris take shape on the side of the State Street Mansion Bed and Breakfast, a stately row house located on the eponymous tree-lined street within the shadows of the state Capitol.

And on the Monday night before trash pickup  and after the pile had been picked through by scavengers  she went Dumpster diving under the glow of the church lights.

What she found was remnants from a life.

When I found the passport, I felt like I needed to find a family member still alive to return this stuff to, Shaw said. I just felt like it needed to go back to the right person.

After dragging many of the personal items to her nearby apartment, Shaw enlisted the help of her mother to track down service organizations using her military connections.

Shaw herself turned to Facebook, where she posted images on the Looking Good, Albany! group in an attempt to locate Ladopoulos survivors.

Hours later, the keepsakes were in the hands of his nephew, Adam Ladopoulos, who is preparing to put the building on the market.

The items accidentally got tossed.

There was a whole lot of stuff, Adam said.

Ladopoulos was born in Pittsfield, Mass. After a stint in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed at the Panama Canal, he returned to Albany, where he lived for most of his life before his death in 2003 at the age of 73.

He lived on the ground floor of the business, which he co-owned with his partner, Lee Simmons, an operation carried on by Adam until recently.

Ladopoulos also ran the nearby Bleecker Restaurant, the current site of Dove + Deer, with Adams father, Peter, who died in 2007.

He was a good guy, Adam said on Tuesday in between trips to the dump.

Ladopoulos' son Daniel Ladopoulos III, owner of the former Bleecker Cafe, died in a fire on Dove Street in 2014.

Shaw said she was pleased to preserve a small slice of history. For her, its personal because she lost many of her own mementos and family keepsakes in a house fire.

"I felt like I met him through his photos.
WASHINGTON  A Senate hearing on Tuesday pitted three powerful social media companies against researchers who testified that the algorithms used by the platforms to generate revenue by keeping users engaged pose existential threats to individual thought, and democracy itself.

The hearing before the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law featured a bipartisan approach to the issue from the new chairman, Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, and ranking member, GOP Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska. Algorithms can be useful, the senators agreed, but they also amplify harmful content and may need to be regulated.

Government relations and content policy executives from Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter described for the senators how their algorithms help them identify and remove content in violation of their terms of use, including hateful or harassing speech and disinformation. And they said their algorithms have begun downranking, or suppressing, borderline content.

Monika Bickert, Facebooks vice president for content policy, said it would be self-defeating for social media companies to direct users toward extreme content.

But Tristan Harris, a former industry executive who became a data ethicist and now runs the Center for Humane Technology, told the committee that no matter what steps the companies took, their core business would still depend on steering users into individual rabbit holes of reality.

Its almost like having the heads of Exxon, BP, and Shell here and asking about what youre doing to responsibly stop climate change, Harris said. Their business model is to create a society thats addicted, outraged, polarized, performative and disinformed.

While they can try to skim the major harm off the top and do what they can  and we want to celebrate that, we really do  its just that they are fundamentally trapped in something they cannot change, Harris continued.

Joan Donovan, the research director at the Harvard Kennedy Schools Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, said the platforms should be required to offer users a public interest version of their news feeds or timelines and provide robust tools to moderate content.

We didnt build airports overnight but tech companies are flying the planes with nowhere to land, Donovan said. The cost of doing nothing is nothing short of democracys end.

Coons and Sasse commended the platforms for steps taken to curb the spread of hate speech but questioned whether they would do enough if left to their own devices. Coons noted that Facebook recently took special measures to limit misinformation and violent content ahead of the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted in the May 2020 murder of George Floyd, a Black man.

My question for you is why wouldnt Facebook always limit the rapid spread of content likely to violate your standards, Coons asked Bickert.

Bickert responded that such measures, in addition to removing harmful content, might also limit the spread of false-positive content that would not violate the companys policies.

So there is a cost to taking action on that content, Bickert said. But in situations where we know there is extreme or finite risk, such as an election in a country experiencing unrest or in Minneapolis with the Chauvin trial, well put in a temporary measure where well de-emphasize content that the technology, the algorithms, say is likely to violate [company policy].

Coons said the hearing was a learning opportunity for both him and Sasse and that he had no specific regulatory agenda but thinks the issue demands urgent attention and would consider supporting voluntary, regulatory or legislative remedies.

Sasse said the piecemeal approaches by each company were irreconcilable with the broad challenges described by Harris.

Hes making a big argument and were hearing responses that I think are only around the margins, Sasse said.

___

Dean DeChiaro of CQ-Roll Call wrote this story.

(c)2021 CQ Roll Call

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
A father from Florida and his three sons are facing charges after they sold thousands of bottles of a bleach solution that they marketed as a "miracle cure" for several common diseases, including COVID-19, reports say.

A case had been filed against Mark Grenon and his sons Jonathan, Jordan and Joseph Grenon, who were accused of fraud and for violating civil court orders that prevented them from further selling the product that they called "Miracle Mineral Solution" or MMS.

According to The Blaze, the Florida family earned over $1 million since they began selling the fake COVID-19 "cure" in March 2020. Documents filed in the federal court in the state's southern district revealed that during a 2020 podcast, Mark Grenon "referred to the 2nd Amendment and threatened a federal judge over a court order halting the sale of MMS, saying she was committing 'treason.'"

The court documents also detailed how the Florida family manufactured the fake COVID-19 cure using a bleach solution, right in their backyard shed in Bradenton, just south of Tampa. NBC News reported that the family then marketed the fake COVID-19 cure in an "avowedly" non-religious church named "Genesis II Church of Health and Healing."

The Florida family claimed that the fake COVID-19 cure was also a great medicine for serious illnesses such as cancer, autism, diabetes, and other disorders. The documents showed that from an average income of $32,000 a month, the Florida family earned up to $123,000 monthly when they began marketing it as a COVID-19 cure in March 2020.

The Florida family was able to sell over 28,000 bottles of their bleach-based fake COVID-19 cure. The New York Times reported that the family relied on a book, radio station, and newsletter to market the bogus medicine, targeting vulnerable consumers by citing Bible verses. It is yet unclear if anyone has fallen ill or had died from ingesting the Grenons' fake COVID-19 cure.

When authorities raided the Florida family's Bradenton property, they found dozens of chemical drums, about 10,000 pounds of sodium nitrate and thousands of bottles of the solution that they claimed could cure diseases. Also in the property were loaded firearms, including a pump-action shotgun that was concealed in a custom-made violin case.

The Florida family was charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and criminal contempt and are facing life in prison if convicted.

Mark Grenon, the father, described himself as "an archbishop and a founder" and yet claimed that the church "has nothing to do with religion." Instead, he claimed that he founded the church specifically to "legalize the use of the bleach solution and to avoid going to prison," the prosecutors said.

Jonathan Grenon and Jordan Grenon have already been arrested last year on related charges, but Mark Grenon and Joseph Grenon are still at large in Colombia, where they are believed to be running a "health restoration center." Court records show that the two charged clients about $5,000 a month for an inpatient stay at the facility where they would ingest the fake COVID-19 cure.
Plans drawn up by Heathrow Airport that would see passengers hit with increased charges have been shut down by the aviation regulator.

The proposals would have seen higher fees for jetsetters come into effect from next year to help combat the airport's mounting costs during the pandemic.

But the Civil Aviation Authority's director, Paul Smith, slammed the idea as 'disproportionate and not in the interests of consumers'.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Heathrow was charging passengers an extra 8.90 each flight to keep its check-in desks, baggage light system and lights working.

Mr Smith insisted the CAA recognises that 'these are exceptional circumstances for the airport and there are potential risks to consumers if we take no action in the short term'.

Heathrow Airport planned to add new passenger charges for 2022, after claiming it has lost out on 2.6billion as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic

He went on: 'The decision we have announced today will incentivise and allow Heathrow to maintain investment, service quality and be proactive in supporting any potential surge in consumer demand later this year.'

In relation to the additional money Heathrow wants to recover, the CAA said it will 'consider this issue further' as part of the airport's next regulatory period, named H7, which begins on January 1, 2022.

How coronavirus crushed UK airlines and travel operators Flybe: Europe's largest regional airline collapsed on March 5 after months on the brink, triggering 2,400 job losses and left around 15,000 passengers stranded across the UK and Europe. British Airways: The boss of BA owner IAG demanded ministers set up airport testing after the group swung to a 5.6bn loss. The company, which also owns Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling, lost the equivalent of 900,000 an hour during the first nine months of 2020. Jet2: Reported operating losses of 111.2m for the six months to September 30, against earnings of 361.5m a year earlier. Virgin Atlantic: In September Virgin Atlantic said it could axe a further 1,150 jobs from across the company taking the total number of job losses to 4,700 during the crisis. It also urged the Government to offer carriers emergency credit facilities worth up to 7.5billion. Ryanair: Reported a loss of 197m euro (178m) in the first half of 2020, with 99 per cent of it's fleet grounded for almost four months. Traffic in the first half of the year fell from 86million to 17million passengers compared with the same period last year, and revenue dropped 78 per cent to 1.18billion euros (1.06billion). TUI: Posted a bottom-line net loss of 1.42 billion euros (1.3 billion) in the period from April to June 2020. Easyjet: Crisis saw it crash to an annual loss of 1.27billion - the first in its 25-year history - but vaccine figures have led to a spike in sales. Advertisement

The West London airport has been allowed to raise an additional 300million through higher charges, as passenger numbers plummeted to their lowest levels since the 1960s.

Just 461,000 people traveled through the airport in February - a 92 per cent fall compared with the previous year's data.

From January 1, 2022, landing fees for the UK's busiest airport's passengers will increase by approximately 30p per person.

The current 2021 landing fee is 21.08, one of the highest in the world.

Cash-strapped airlines have struggled since the start of the coronavirus pandemic last March, with ever changing restrictions and forced cancellations.

Popular providers such as Ryanair, EasyJet and British Airways have all made huge losses and shared rapidly declining year-on-year passenger figures over the last 12 months.

Airline chiefs have all warned of the crippling costs of Covid-19.

Eye-opening figures from International Airlines Group - who oversee BA -revealed the company was losing the equivalent of 900,000 an hour in the first three quarters of 2020.

And previously, EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou warned 'the situation will only get worse'.

A spokeswoman for Heathrow claimed the CAA has 'failed to deliver' in its duties 'to consumers and to the airport's financeability'.

She said the CAA's ruling 'falls far short' of what is required through 'regulatory principles' which enable investors to recover their capital.

She added: 'This undermines investor confidence in UK regulated businesses, and puts at risk the Government's infrastructure agenda.

'The CAA will need to address all the issues related to adjustment fully in the upcoming H7 regulatory settlement to attract the investment needed to maintain service, keep prices lower than they would otherwise be and protect resilience through the recovery.'

Heathrow said it faces losses of around 3billion due to the Covid-19 crisis.

The Civil Aviation Authority's director, Paul Smith, slammed plans to increase passenger charges in 2022 as 'disproportionate and not in the interests of consumers'

This follows the revelation that the airport lost its status as Europe's busiest aviation hub last Autumn.

The airport's chief executive John Holland-Kaye last year insisted when figures were revealed that 'Britain is falling behind' was because 'we have been too slow to embrace passenger testing' for Covid-19.

The CAA did confirm it will allow the airport to raise charges to recover the 500 million 'it incurred efficiently' on its third runway project between 2017 and March 1 2020.

Heathrow Airport, pictured in February, started charging passengers an extra 8.90 a flight to keep its check-in desks, baggage system and lights going

IAG, parent company of British Airways, the airline that operates the most flights at the airport, said in a statement that it is 'extremely disappointed' with the decision, which will 'unfairly penalise consumers'.

It went on: 'Heathrow is the most expensive hub airport in the world.

'For over seven years, passengers paid Heathrow higher airport charges to cover the risk in the case of lower traffic.

Just 461,000 people travelled through the airport in February - a 92 per cent fall compared with numbers from the previous year

'Meanwhile Heathrow's shareholders have earned nearly 4 billion in dividends.

'The airport has deliberately rewarded its investors at the expense of consumers and now the regulator is asking passengers to bail it out.

'The CAA's role is to protect consumers' interest, not Heathrow's shareholders' profits.

'Post-Brexit this makes the UK even less competitive and will drive traffic to other airports.

'We're assessing our options.'
cases in Telangana



surged past 10,000, the highest ever in a day, taking the tally to over 4.11 lakh while the toll stood at2094 with 52 more casualties.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 1440, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri 751 and Rangareddy 621, a government bulletin said on Tuesday providing details as of 8 PM on April 26.

With 10,122 fresh infections the total number of cumulative cases in the state touched 4,11,905 while the total recoveries were 3,40,590 after 6446 patients being cured.

The state has 69,221 active cases and nearly one lakh samples were tested on Monday.

Cumulatively, over 1.26 crore samples have been tested.

The samples tested per million population was over 3.40 lakh, the bulletin said.

The case fatality rate in the state was 0.50 per cent, while it was 1.1 per cent at the national level.

The recovery rate in was 82.68 per cent, while it was 82.5 per cent in the country.

The state has 272 active micro containment zones.

According to a separate release, over 37.58 lakh people in the state have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine while over 5.30 lakh got their second shot also as of April 26.

(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.)
Image: Kieran Dodds

April 27th sees the hundredth anniversary of the birth of the great Christian leader John Stott, a man who helped and encouraged so many people across the world, including me.

John Stott was born in 1921 in London. He was naturally gifted, possessing a brilliant mind, an amazing memory and an extraordinary self-discipline. John was brought to a living faith in Christ at public school through the preaching of Eric Nash, and applied himself to his new faith with great commitment. At Cambridge, where he studied modern languages, John became deeply involved with the Christian Union.

He trained as an Anglican minister before becoming a curate at All Souls Langham Place, London, the church he had attended as a child. Throughout his ministry John remained based at All Souls; he spent thirty years there as curate and rector and then for over thirty years was based there as a writer, preacher and leader. Johns passion for evangelism transformed All Souls and it became a focus for evangelical ministry in London and beyond. One notable emphasis of Johns preaching from the start was the way that he didnt simply preach the historic gospel but also the need for Christians to apply it in their daily lives.

John had many talents and his ministry and influence soon spread beyond central London. Always having a strong interest in student evangelism John preached at university missions across the world for a quarter of a century. He wrote extensively, producing Bible commentaries, practical guides to Christian living and also important texts on how Christians should relate to the world. He wrote over fifty books and many articles, all distinguished by his scholarship, precise language, a solid biblical basis and a contemporary application. His books were translated into many languages, the profits from which were used to support theological education across the world. Three books in particular have proved to be of enormous impact: Basic Christianity, which has led many to faith, The Cross of Christ on the atonement one of my favorites and Issues Facing Christians Today which encourages Christians to engage effectively with the world they live in.

With time John became a national and international Christian statesman with a powerful if gracious influence. In his own Anglican church he played a major role in turning evangelicalism from being a minority belief to a mainstream element. Internationally, he planned meetings and chaired committees including those for the important Lausanne Covenant (1974). Either by quiet counsel or open support, John was involved with an extraordinary range of evangelical initiatives such as the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, the conservation organization A Rocha, Tearfund, the Evangelical Literature Trust and many others.

Johns ministry was truly global: he visited over a hundred countries speaking, preaching and encouraging and, where possible, taking the opportunity for one of his pleasures birdwatching. He continued with his international ministry well into his eighties until, with his health fading, he retired from ministry. He died in 2011 at the age of ninety.

John was able to do so much and was helped by his own astonishing self-discipline, by Frances Whitehead (his formidable and protective secretary) and by his purchase of a rundown cliff-edge cottage in Wales The Hookses where he could retreat, pray and write in peace. He also saw his singleness as something that freed him to serve the church more fully.

I was privileged to meet with Uncle John on many occasions. I was particularly encouraged when, still finding my feet as an evangelist, he invited me to tea, supported what I was doing and encouraged me to deepen my knowledge of God through Bible reading and prayer. One cherished memory is how, whenever I met him, he would give me a characteristic hug, gaze at me with his blue eyes and ask, Brother John, are you still preaching the gospel? to which he would inevitably add, This is the one thing you must do!

One of the fascinating and challenging things about John was the way that he balanced things that could have easily been opposites.

So although John was extraordinarily self-disciplined, he was also gentle. He would rise early 5 or 6 a.m. and devote himself to prayer and Bible reading. He seemed to live life with a remarkable efficiency and never seemed to waste time. Yet there was never any sense of him being any sort of driven individual whose projects demand priority; with John you always felt that people came first.

Equally, although John was an authority, he was also humble. He was one of the very few Christian leaders to be known and respected globally: Time magazine labelled him as one of its 100 Most Influential People in 2005. Yet you never felt any sense of superiority or self-importance with John. He listened graciously to other views and always seemed to have time for people. He lived humbly too; its fascinating that the only property he ever owned was that tiny cottage in Pembrokeshire. With John, the idea of being a servant of others was no cliche but the truth.

Finally, although John was a deeply spiritual man, he was also utterly relevant. He was a man who let prayer and Bible reading shape everything he said, did and was. Yet there was no sense of him being any sort of religious mystic, too holy to deal with the mess of the world. With John there was always this desire to be involved. He was a man who wanted to change the world for God.

John Stott was a remarkable man. Like many people, I look around at the Christian world today and wish that we had his wisdom and authority to guide us. But as I think that, I can hear Johns voice in gentle rebuke, reminding me that the hope of Christs church lies not in its leaders, but in Christ himself.
Imperial Valley News Center

Moldovan Parliaments Attempt to Undermine Democracy

Washington, DC - The Moldovan Parliaments attempt to replace Constitutional Court President Domnica Manole with a candidate of its own choosing on April 23 constitutes a blatant attack on Moldovas democratic norms and its constitutional order. Of particular concern is Parliaments targeting of the Constitutional Court, which only recently asserted its independence after years of state capture.

We urge Moldovas leaders and representatives to respect the rule of law, safeguard its democratic institutions, and work together to resolve the challenges facing the country, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We remain committed to advancing cooperation with Moldova on shared priorities, such as combatting corruption, fostering economic growth, and supporting Moldovas sovereignty and territorial integrity.
A 42-year-old Indiana man is facing several charges, including attempted murder, after authorities found a missing 9-year-old girl badly beaten inside his home.

The police had received a report about a missing child past 7 p.m. on Apr. 19. The child's parents called for help after their daughter went missing from their home in Lafayette, Indiana for around 30 minutes, Crime Online reported.

Police identified the suspect as James Brian Chadwell II, who reportedly lured the victim inside his home by offering to let her pet his dogs.

Several neighbors told the police that Chadwell had commented about seeing the child after being reported missing.

READ NEXT: Texas Teacher Sexually Abused Her Former Student for Years: Police

Indiana Man Caught

When police arrived at Chadwell's residence, a minute away from the girl's house, he denied knowing the victim's whereabouts. But the Indiana man admitted that the girl went to his home earlier and left.

Authorities searched his house after the suspect permitted them. Police then searched the home, including the basement, which had a chain lock on the door. When the officers got the door opened, they heard a child crying from the bottom of the basement stairs.

The girl told the police officers that Chadwell tried to kill her. The victim had bruises and strangulation marks on her neck. She also had dog bites on her leg. The girl was rushed to a hospital for treatment.

Chadwell was arrested on charges of attempted murder, two counts of child molesting, kidnapping, criminal confinement, battery resulting in serious bodily injury and strangulation, according to WTHR 13. The Indiana man is currently being held on a $50,000 cash bond.

"There are people out there that will victimize children and this is a perfect example of this happening," Lafayette Police Lt. Randy Sherer said in a report. Sherer urged parents to talk to their children and "educate them."

Court documents showed that the suspect had forced the girl into the basement where he assaulted her. The girl said that Chadwell told her that he would kill her if she screamed or reported the incident.

Meanwhile, Marissa Briggs, someone who lived across the street, said that she tells her kids to avoid going outside unless an adult is out there with them.

"I don't trust too many people and this is exactly the reason why," Briggs noted.

Police said the investigation is ongoing, and they urged anyone with information regarding this case to call the authorities at 765-807-1200 or call the WeTIP hotline at 800-78-CRIME.

Child Abuse

In 2010, a Department of Health and Human Services' Children Bureau report showed that 9.2 percent of victimized children were sexually assaulted.

Director of the Crimes Against Children Research Center, David Finkelhor, stated in his study that one in five girls and one in 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse, Victims of Crime reported.

American Indian and Alaska Native victims have the highest rate of child abuse in the U.S., with a rate of 5.2 cases per 1,000 children, according to a Statista report.

In 2019, about 165,016 child abuse cases were reported. The most common incidents occur among children between two to five years old.

READ MORE: Jake Wagner Pleads Guilty and Admits His Family's Role in Rhoden Family Killings

WATCH: Lafayette Man Arrested in 9-Year-Old Neighbor's Disappearance - From WTHR






LANSING, MI  The Michigan Department of Civil Rights has taken notice of a recent incident involving a Mount Pleasant schoolgirl having her hair cut by a fellow student and then by a staff member, incidents that have garnered public outcry.

We are deeply concerned about the reported incident in a Mount Pleasant school involving a 7-year-old child whose hair was cut without her parents permission, said James E. White, the departments director. We are in contact with the school administration and the childs family to ascertain the facts and circumstances that led to this unfortunate event and to decide on next steps.

Whites statements refer to a recently publicized matter involving Jurnee Hoffmeyer, who on March 24 arrived home from Ganiard Elementary School, 101 S. Adams St., with the hair on one side of her head cut off.

Jurnee told her father, Jimmy Hoffmeyer, that a female student had cut her hair while they were on the bus, doing so with scissors she had taken from a classroom. Hoffmeyer took his daughter to a barber, who provided Jurnee with an asymmetrical cut.

Two days later, Jurnee returned home a second time with nearly all her hair cut off down to a few inches from her scalp. Jurnee told her father her library teacher had cut off her remaining hair.

Jurnee is biracial and had long, curly hair prior to it being cut. Hoffmeyer is Black and white and Jurnees mother is white. The school staffer who cut Jurnees hair is also white.

White said the situation shows legislation is needed to make it clear that discriminating against a person because their hairstyle does not conform with dominant cultural standards is discrimination based on race.

He voiced his support for Michigan to adopt the Crown Act, which would ban hair discrimination. The acts name is a backronym for Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.

States including California, Washington, New York, Virginia, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, and Connecticut have adopted the Crown Act as law.

In Michigan, a Crown Act bill was sponsored by state Rep. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing and reintroduced in February. Ingham County on March 23 passed a resolution to become the first county in the state to ban hair discrimination against public employees.

It is not uncommon for Black and biracial women and girls to be subjected to discrimination and disparate treatment based on their hair, White said. The Crown Act, currently under consideration in the state legislature, would clarify that such discrimination is a violation of an individuals civil rights. We urge lawmakers to pass the Crown Act and send it to the governor for her signature.

The Hoffmeyer family is working with the National Parents Union, self-described as a network of highly effective parent organizations and grassroots activists across the country that is united behind a set of common goals and principles to channel the power of parents. Our family advocates improve the quality of life for children across the United States and define the education conversation.

This undated photo provided by Jimmy Hoffmeyer shows his daughter Jurnee Hoffmeyer, 7, before a classmate and a teacher cut her hair on separate occasions. (Jimmy Hoffmeyer via AP)

Christina Laster, NPUs director of policy and legislation, on April 26 started a GoFundMe campaign titled Justice for Jurnee Hoffmeyer & Family. With a stated goal of $50,000, the campaign is seeking to raise funds to help relocate and privately educate Jurnee and her two sisters.

After this egregious hair cutting incident, their lives have not been the same, Laster wrote on the page. In a small town like Mount Pleasant, Michigan, they do not feel that there are adequate resources for their family to thrive. They have also been met locally with anger, unfairness and a lack of compassion because of their advocacy efforts for #JusticeForJurnee. Any amount will support their relocation and reschooling efforts.

Jimmy Hoffmeyer said he has removed Jurnee from Ganiard Elementary and that she is now attending a different school. He added that she is still upset about her hair, feeling she looks like a boy.

Hoffmeyer also thanked those who have shown their support for his daughter.

Without them, I dont think I would be able to do this alone, he said.

The evening of April 20, the school administration sent a letter to parents sharing its perspective on the incident.

At Mount Pleasant Public Schools, we strive to ensure all our students can learn and achieve in an inclusive, safe environment free from harassment, discrimination, bigotry or intolerance, wrote Superintendent Jennifer Verleger. We work hard each day to foster a culture of respect, compassion and kindness so all our students, families, staff and visitors feel welcome and supported.

Verleger went on to say the district is reviewing the incident, conducting interviews, and watching videotaped evidence.

In the interest of transparency, Verleger detailed some of the findings of the internal review.

Verleger wrote that Jurnee had asked a fellow student to cut her hair at school. The friend removed scissors from a classroom without permission and cut Jurnees hair as they rode home on a bus. The next day, Ganiard Principal Marcy Stout met with both students to discuss the matter.

Jurnee grew unhappy and dissatisfied with the way her hair looked after the other student cut it and asked a school library employee to help fix her hair during a classroom visit to the library, Verleger wrote. Rather than declining this request or consulting with the students parents or school administrators, the library employee  who is also a cosmetologist  agreed to even out the students hair to make her feel better. She brought in professional shears and special barrettes.

Jurnees teacher was also aware of the library employees plan to cut the girls hair, Verleger wrote.

The library employee cut Jurnees hair on March 26, without obtaining permission from the Jurnees parents or consulting with school administrators.

Regardless of their good intentions, these actions are unacceptable and show a lack of judgement on the part of our two employees, Verleger wrote. Both employees have admitted their actions and apologized. Both are being reviewed for further disciplinary actions in accordance with our school policies and procedures.

Laster on April 21 issued a response from NPU to Verlegers statement.

In it, Laster wrote NPUs formal position is in support of the Hoffmeyers and that Jurnee was too young to consent for her hair to be cut in such a manner.

The implication by Mount Pleasant Public Schools that Jurnee asked for the haircut and was being done a favor by all parties isnt consistent with her story, the familys understanding, and not within legal parameters, Laster wrote. Jurnee Hoffmeyer loved her hair that she grew from birth and did not seek out a haircut at school.

Laster also stated that adults have a legal and fiduciary responsibility to care for children in their care.

Treat our children as you would treat your very own is the way to offer care, Laster wrote.

Laster added that NPU does not believe placing blame on Jurnee is the best way to offer remorse and accountability. The way to move forward in authenticity, real meaningful progress and change, combat systemic racism, and hold school systems to task is by offering an apology, restitution, and viable solutions to ensure this type of situation never happens again.

On social media outlets, the matter has gained traction via the hashtag #JusticeForJurnee.

Read more:

Michigan school district says girl, 7, asked to have her hair cut

Michigan girls haircut by school staffer modern-day scalping, says National Parents Union

Forest Services prescribed fire in Iosco County fire no longer spreading, officials say
There has been an overall reduction in antisemitic incidents in Connecticut according to experts, though online harassment is an increasingly worrisome trend, according to one organization.

Here in Connecticut and nationally, since the COVID-19 crisis hit the U.S. in early 2020, we have seen some shifts, including a reduction in incidents on the college campus and in schools, and an increase in Zoom-bombing of synagogue and Jewish communal events and other attempts to hijack online events to spread hate, said Steve Ginsburg, Connecticuts regional director for the ADL.

Its not uncommon, Ginsburg said, for antisemitism to surface during complex and troubling times, though he said lockdowns could be credited for the decrease in school-based antisemitism.

We have begun to see this play out online and in the real world - from conspiracy theorists on the fringes of the internet claiming Jews create or spread COVID-19, Zoom-bombing of webinars led by Jewish groups, antisemitic signs at anti-quarantine protests, and/or comparisons of quarantine restrictions to that of the Nazis and the Holocaust, he said.

Overall, there was a 35 percent reduction in antisemitic incidents in Connecticut over the course of 2020, compared to 2019, according to the ADLs annual antisemitism audit released Tuesday.

Nationwide, antisemitic incidents dropped as well, though not as precipitously. There was a 4 percent decrease in antisemitic incidents overall in the United States in 2020 compared to the previous year.

That national decline was led by an 18 percent drop in the number of antisemitic acts of vandalism and a 49 percent drop in the the number of antisemitic assaults.

Antisemitic harassment incidents increased year-over-year in the United States by 10 percent, the ADL said.

In Connecticut, there were two antisemitic assaults in 2020, though there were none in 2019. Harassment incidents decreased by 38 percent and vandalism decreased by 44 percent. The ADL logged 24 such incidents over the course of 2020, the fewest in the last five years.

Experts said recently that incidents of hate often go unreported. The reasons for not reporting vary from fear and denial to embarrassment, they said.

Steven Freeman, vice president of civil rights for the ADL, said victims reluctant to come forward and file a report was not a new problem.

Its really hard to measure how many people dont say something, but we know its a problem, Freeman said.

Nationally, 2020 was the third-highest year for incidents against American Jews since ADL started tracking the data in 1979. The worst year for for antisemitic incidents was 2019.

We are cognizant of the fact that antisemitism has so often been the canary in the coal mine of hatred, Ginsburg said. Alongside the rise in Asian American and Pacific Islander hate, the ugly open wound of racism against the Black community, and vile conspiracy theories around immigration, the evidence points to 2021 being a year where we need to be hyper-vigilant about hate in all its forms.
Leitrim pupils from three national schools join Irelands Global Goal Getters as their work is chosen to feature in latest edition of Our World Irish Aid Awards online magazine.

The work of pupils from St. Josephs National School, Carrigallen; Gaelscoil Chluainin, Manorhamilton; and St. Brigids National School, Drumcong has been chosen to feature in the latest edition Global Goal Getters.

Some work from St. Brigids National School, Drumcong

This online magazine showcases projects from primary school pupils taking part in this years Our World Irish Aid Awards, the Department of Foreign Affairs flagship global citizenship award scheme. Brigids National School also featured in the first edition of the magazine.

Since January, primary school pupils across Ireland have been learning in the classroom and at home about the importance of working with others to address global challenges and build a more equal, peaceful, and sustainable world.

Congratulating the pupils on their work, Minister of State for Overseas Development and Diaspora, Colm Brophy T.D. said: The Awards provide an important opportunity to learn about the work Irish Aid carries out on the behalf of the people of Ireland and how we can all play a part in making the world a better place for all.

I am extremely encouraged by the strong response to this years Our World Irish Aid Award. To date we have received 330 entries from schools across the country, including many entries from pupils learning at home.

There is still lots of time to take part and so I would urge primary school teachers to look at the range of creative and engaging cross-curriculum teaching materials which have been developed.

For the first time in its 16-year history, the Our World Irish Aid Awards features a rolling deadline for submissions. Each and every entry is considered for inclusion in the three Global Goal Getters online multi-media magazines which are being published to showcase childrens learning, creativity and voices nationwide.

Sample of work from Gaelscoil Chluainin, Manorhamilton

The inaugural edition of Global Goal Getters was published online in early March and has already attracted the attention of people not just in Ireland, but also as far away as Finland, the United States of America, South Korea, India, Haiti and Brazil.

Registered primary schools nationwide receive curriculum-linked teaching and learning materials to help teachers and pupils discover more about each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the work of Irish Aid. Materials are available in Irish. There is also a suite of home learning materials for pupils who would like to take part from home, all of which can be found at www.ourworldirishaidawards.ie.

Schools are invited to communicate their ideas and understanding of the issues in writing, song, film, artwork or another medium of their choosing.

Video: Did you watch Seamus O'Rourke's performance on the Late Late
Six-year-old Jeffrey Vargo was abducted from his Anaheim Hills neighborhood and murdered in 1981. (Photo submitted by Connie Vargo)

Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to Life for Murdering Two 6-Year-Old Boys

POMONAA convicted sex offender was sentenced April 27 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murders of two 6-year-old Southland boys in the 1980s.

The sentence for Kenneth Kasten Rasmuson, now 59, was handed down following a series of emotional statements from the families of Jeffrey Vargo and Miguel Antero.

Jeffrey disappeared on July 2, 1981, after leaving his Anaheim Hills home to look at a fireworks stand. His body was found the next day by construction workers in Pomona.

Miguels body was found in a wash in Agoura Hills on April 8, 1986, the same day he went missing from his Agoura Hills home.

Rasmuson was arrested in Idaho in 2015 after a DNA hit connected him to Jeffreys killing, and he was subsequently linked to Miguels slaying.

He pleaded no contest Feb. 22 to two counts of murder and admitted the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer made the highly unusual move earlier that month to charge Rasmuson for Jeffreys killing, even though the defendant was already facing trial for that murder in Los Angeles County.

Spitzers prosecutors were poised to take over the Orange County-related murder if Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon wanted to drop the special circumstance allegation as had been requested in other murder cases before a judge ruled mostly in favor of the union representing L.A. County

prosecutors in their legal battle with Gascon over a series of new directives, including one involving sentencing enhancements.

Spitzer said he charged Rasmuson with Jeffreys killing because he was concerned that the defendant might get a parole hearing one day and a chance to be free if the special circumstance allegations were dismissed.

He kidnapped two young, vulnerable 6-year-old boys, sexually assaulted them, and murdered them, a motion filed by the Orange County District Attorneys Office read. Defendants background, character and prospects show he is a dangerous serial predator with no likelihood to ever change. He has served two prison terms for molesting an 11-year-old boy he lured into seclusion before sodomizing him and he abducted a 3-year-old boy from the boys front yard before later abusing him and leaving him wandering naked on a street the next day.

Two months after the Orange County victim was killed, Rasmuson sexually assaulted the 11-year-old by asking him to help find his handicapped dog in Santa Barbara, according to the motion.

Rasmuson was sentenced to prison for the 1981 sexual assault, and when he completed that prison term, he was deemed a mentally disordered offender, Orange County prosecutors said. He was released from prison in 1985 and ordered to undergo sexual disorder treatment, and during this time he

killed Miguel, prosecutors said.

A year later, Rasmuson abducted the three-year-old from the front yard of his Los Angeles home and drove away. The toddler was found naked the next day, wandering on the side of a road, and Rasmuson was eventually convicted and sentenced to 17 years in prison.

After Rasmuson served his time, he was designated a sexually violent predator and was committed to Atascadero State Hospital. He was released in 2007.

Rasmuson admitted to doctors that he had committed at least 10 child molestations since age 18, a period of time in defendants life comprising only four and a half years of freedom from incarceration,

according to the Orange County filing. Defendant grabs unsuspecting children off the streets of their neighborhoods, or even from the front yards of their houses. He is brazen, impulsive and unconcerned with the suffering of others, all of which make him highly dangerous.

I am so relieved that now this is coming to a close, Jeffreys mother, Connie, told reporters outside of the courtroom after Rasmusons plea in February.

She said Gascons office planned to dismiss the special circumstances allegations for this heinous crime, but now we know [Rasmusons] going to jail for the rest of his life This case has gone on way too long.

Miguels sister said her family was blindsided by the plea deal. Enid Antero, who lives in New York, was traveling when she was alerted to the no contest plea in February. A relative had to be rushed over to the hearing, she said.

We werent expecting this at all, Antero told City News Service. It was almost like we were blindsided by the good news behind a dark cloud We were expecting to go to court and get news of a trial date set.
Red states gain House seats at the expense of blue states in census reapportionment

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Following the 2020 U.S. Census, several states that voted Republican in the 2020 presidential election are set to gain seats in Congress, while several Democrat-leaning states will lose seats.

The U.S. Census Bureau announced Monday that the results of the 2020 census were delivered to President Joe Biden. Data from the census is used in the decennial reapportionment process, where the 435 seats in the House of Representatives are distributed among the 50 states based on population.

Additionally, the Census Bureau announced how many seats each state would receive in the House based on the 2020 population figures. New congressional districts based on the population figures for each state will go into effect for the 118th U.S. Congress, scheduled to convene on Jan. 3, 2023.

Texas, which gained nearly 3 million residents since the 2010 census, will have two additional seats in Congress. The states of Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon will gain one seat apiece.

Among the states that will gain representation in Congress, four voted for former President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election while two voted for Biden. Five of the seven new seats created due to the 2020 census will go to states that voted for Trump.

Meanwhile, California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia will each lose one seat in Congress. Five of the seven states slated to lose representation in Congress voted for Biden while Ohio and West Virginia supported Trump.

The redistricting cycle comes as Republicans look to retake control of the House after coming up five seats short in 2020.

The addition of seats in states that favor Republicans could help the GOP reclaim the House majority.

Individual states have the responsibility to draw congressional districts based on the 2020 population figures, with the goal of ensuring that each district within a state has roughly equal populations.

As noted by Loyola Law School, the method for drawing districts varies from state to state, with some states giving that responsibility to the state legislature. In contrast, other states rely on independent, nonpartisan commissions to draw their districts.

Based on the makeup of state legislatures and governors offices following the 2020 election, Republicans will have complete control of the redistricting process in 19 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.

While Nebraska has a nominally nonpartisan, unicameral legislature, a majority of its members are registered Republicans. The aforementioned states will have a combined 187 seats in the 118th Congress, accounting for approximately 43% of the total.

Meanwhile, Democrats will have complete control of the redistricting process in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island. Those states will have 75 seats in the 118th Congress.

Louisiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin currently have divided state governments, with one party occupying the governors office and the other party controlling one or both houses of the state legislature. As a result, congressional maps in these states will require bipartisan support.

Independent commissions will draw congressional districts in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Montana and Washington, states that will have 94 seats in the 118th Congress.

Hawaii, New Jersey and Virginia will rely on politician commissions, which will consist of legislators and community members, to draw their districts. These states will have a combined 27 seats in the 118th Congress.

While the responsibility of drawing districts in Connecticut belongs to the state legislature, maps must secure the support of two-thirds of its members to pass.

Although Democrats have complete control of the state government, they do not have the two-thirds majority required to pass a map without Republican support. A backup commission consisting of members appointed by leaders of both parties will draw the states five congressional districts if the legislature fails to produce a map.

Congressional maps in Maine must also secure the support of two-thirds of each state legislative chamber. Democrats control both chambers but fall short of a two-thirds majority. An advisory commission consisting of members appointed by leaders of both parties assists the legislature in drawing the states two congressional districts.

The remaining six seats will be distributed among the least populous states in the country, with one seat apiece.

In addition to affecting the composition in the House of Representatives, the reapportionment of congressional seats will also have an impact on the makeup of the Electoral College, where each state is assigned electoral votes based on its combined number of representatives and senators.

States slated to gain representation in Congress will also gain representation in the Electoral College in the 2024 presidential election. States that will lose seats in Congress will see their influence in the Electoral College diminish.

Overall, the 2020 census found that over 331 million people lived in the U.S. as of April 1, 2020, an increase of over 22 million people from the 2010 census.

Our work doesnt stop here, said Census Bureau Acting Director Ron Jarmin. Now that the apportionment counts are delivered, we will begin the additional activities needed to create and deliver the redistricting data that were previously delayed due to COVID-19.

The aforementioned redistricting data refers to the population counts for counties, cities and precincts that states need to create districts of equal population. According to the Census Bureau, States are expected to receive redistricting data by August 16, and the full redistricting data with toolkits for ease of use will be delivered by September 30.
In small places, everything is amplified. The highs are higher, the lows lower. Three months ago, I was living in the country with the worlds highest COVID rate. Today Im in the safest place on Earthand my home hasnt moved an inch. Yet on a deeply personal level, the return to normality feels more than a little disturbing.

Countries dont get much smaller than Gibraltar. The tiny Mediterranean peninsula of 2.3 square miles surpasses only the Vatican and Monaco in size. Technically its not even a country, but rather a British overseas territory, albeit a proud one.

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I relocated here with my family in 2019. We soon found out that the last thing we would ever need was a car. Walking to my office takes 8 minutes; 10 to my sons school; 12 to the hospital; 20 to the airport. Theres one single main street aptly named Main Street. And yes, that guy we sometimes meet in the supermarket is indeed the chief minister.

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Our daily life is closely tied to neighboring Spain. Each day, about 15,000 Spanish workers cross the border to Gibraltar, where well-paid jobs are abundant but affordable housing scarce. Watching the first COVID wave roll over Spain in March 2020, we knew it was only a matter of time before it struck us too.

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When it happened, the government was ready and handled things better than most, right until the end of the year. A strict spring lockdown was followed by a relaxed summer and reasonably controlled autumn. Anyone who sneezed was ushered to a COVID swab, resulting in the highest number of tests per capita in the world. Infections were kept at bay, casualties remained in single digits. Watching how badly Europe and United States got hit, we felt blessed. We felt safe.

Everything changed just before Christmas. As the holiday season approached, COVID cases gradually increased to the point when I didnt want to send my son to school anymore. The government, however, didnt dare to deprive businesses of the most lucrative sales period in what has already been a tough year. Restaurants were restricted, but shops stayed open and locals flowed en masse over the border to Spain for food.

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The winter was a crash course in exponential growth. Gibraltar went from 60 active infections in mid-December to more than 1,200 just three weeks later. Hospitalizations and deaths soon followed. During the whole of 2020, Gibraltar lost only 7 people to COVID-19. The score for January alone was 71.

These numbers may seem negligible on a global scale, but keep in mind that our pocket-size territory has less than 35,000 inhabitants. Fear became palpable. Boneheads who mocked masks and distancing on social media suddenly fell quiet. As the number of admissions into St. Bernards Hospital increased, many among us wondered what would happen when Gibraltar ran out of staff and ICU capacity, as neither Spain nor the U.K. had contingencies to spare. A tough lockdown eventually brought the situation under control, but the damage had already been done. Gibraltars per capita death toll soared to the very top of the global ranking, where it remained until the last week of April.

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Just as the infections avalanche culminated in mid-January, the first shipment of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines arrived from Britain. Then soon came another, and another.

Authorities didnt leave anything to chance this time. The registration was simple and inoculations moved at a blistering pace. By the end of March, about 85 percent of the adult population had received both jabs, well over the strictest thresholds of herd immunity. Several thousand cross-border workers from Spain got vaccinated, too. (This is why Gibraltar confusingly has a 106.7 percent vaccination rate.) With the arguable exception of the even smaller Vatican City, Gibraltar became and to this day still remains the only fully vaccinated country in the world.

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We feel blessed and safe. Some of us also feel a bit strange, though. The rest of the world scrambles to get every available dose of the vaccine. My septuagenarian mother back in Czech Republic is still waiting for her second round. Why did we of all people enjoy the luxury of enough jabs to protect even nonresidents? More importantly, does my vaccine mean that someone else who needed it more died unnecessarily?

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Perhaps this is too harsh. I didnt twist the arm of some guy in Soweto to give up his jab. My 9-year-old son deserves a healthy, living dad just as much as kids in the favelas of Manaus. I did nothing wrong.

Yet here it is, a slightly chilling sensation that my luck is someone elses death sentence. A single COVID vaccine can easily be the difference between life and death. Many of the most vulnerable people in most parts of the world are still desperately waiting to be protected, while my current homeland somehow had enough to vaccinate all the thirtysomething yuppies from gambling companies, shouting their boozy odes to Friday night under my terrace as I write this text.

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Our city-state now looks almost as if the pandemic was just a bad dream. Nonessential shops have been opened since mid-February, followed by schools one week later and finally restaurants and bars at the beginning of March. The bars here are packed again. Facial coverings are still required indoors, but not anymore on the streets. Spectators are allowed to attend sport events, albeit in limited numbers.

After two months of more or less unrestricted life, one thing is clear: Vaccines do work. There have been no active cases among Gibraltarian residents for three weeks now. The COVID ward of St. Bernards Hospital has seen two hospitalizations and zero deaths since March 14. If anyone still needs convincing that vaccination is worth it, they wont find a better case study than Gib. Forget about the light at the end of the tunnel. Its about leaving the tunnel far behind.

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Despite overwhelming optimism, it would be wise to remember Bob Dylans the first one now will later be last. Whatever the limits of vaccine protection, chances are well know it first, as several factors make Gibraltar the ultimate COVID challenge: constant influx of workers from Spain and travelers from Britain, extraordinary density of population, and also growing complacency. If the virus finds a way to overcome current vaccines, Gibraltar is the perfect battlefield.

Perhaps thats what this tiny city under the Rock is meant to bemankinds canary in the mine, a sentry destined to weather the first attack. Perhaps that will be our redemption.

In small places, the highs tend to be higher, the lows lower. Life in Gibraltar seems pretty ordinary these days. In my books, thats as high as it gets.
Local reaction to the 12th & Oak dictates which propose that a small bit of cloth mostly worn incorrectly will help protect us all from plague.

Read more about the COVID precautions that were rejected by right-wingers and held dearly by many progressives . . .
Britain imposed sanctions on Monday on 14 Russians in the first use of a new power to fight human rights abuses and corruption abroad.

The new law gives the government the power to penalise those it says are credibly involved in the most serious violations of human rights and corruption. The measures freeze their assets and bar them from visiting Britain.

"Corruption has a corrosive effect as it slows development, drains the wealth of poorer nations and keeps their people trapped in poverty. It poisons the well of democracy," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said.

The 14 Russians targeted were implicated in what the British government described as a $230 million fraud, the case uncovered by Magnitsky. They include Dmitry Klyuev, identified as then-owner of Russias Universal Savings Bank, Reuters reported.
London: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has dismissed as total rubbish a press report which quoted him as allegedly saying he would rather see bodies pile high in their thousands than impose a third national lockdown on the country.

The Daily Mail claimed that Johnson made the comment during a heated discussion in late October, when his government imposed a second lockdown to combat a surge in coronavirus cases. A third lockdown was ordered in January as infections shot up again, driven by a new, more contagious variant of the virus.

Britains Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Llandudno in Wales, as he campaigns on behalf of the Conservative Party for local elections. Credit:AP

The Daily Mail didnt cite a source for the claim, but there has been a spate of leaks from Johnsons 10 Downing Street office being investigated by government officials. Broadcasters BBC and ITV said they had also been told of the bodies remark.

Johnson said on Monday that the allegation was total, total rubbish.
The 'premeditated' assaults and threats to kill made by Jonty Bravery before he hurled boy, six, from top of the Tate Modern Early 2017: Jonty Bravery strikes a child after losing a game at a ten pin bowling alley. He later bites a pupil to try and 'draw blood' and is violent against staff. The incidents were not reported to police with the school thought to have attributed the violence to his autism. May 2017: Residential school moves Bravery on and advises Local Authority of the threat he poses to young people in a group environment. He is transferred to a new facility. While here, he assaults a leisure centre worker and damages a member of the public's car. He then assaults a member of staff with a brick before stashing the brick and a pair of scissors in his room. He assaults a police officer and is taken into custody. He is released into his father's custody and moves into a hotel. Summer 2017: After assessments, care staff admit he was 'lucky' not to kill someone in May October 2017: He is arrested after beating a care worker and dragging another along a corridor by the hair August 2018: Jonty says he wants to kill others and himself. Police are called and he is arrested when he assaults an officer. After he is returned home he flings his own faeces out of the window at neighbours and verbally abuses them. He is given an absolute discharge over the assaults on two care workers in October 2017. September 2018: He tells staff he wants to kill his stepmother and sister. April 2019: Bravery assaulted a member of staff at Burger King in Brighton after punching his care worker, who he also racially abused. He is then arrested and assaults a police officer in the custody waiting room and urinates on the floor August 4, 2019: Bravery throws the young boy from a 10th-floor balcony of the landmark museum on August 4 2019. August 6, 2019: The Metropolitan Police charge Bravery with attempted murder and he appears in court later that day. December 6, 2019: Bravery pleads guilty to attempted murder. June 25, 2020: Bravery is sentenced to 15 years in Broadmoor Hospital. December 2020: He is given another 14 weeks for punching a nursing assistant in the head and face before pulling her hair. He then bit rehabilitation therapist assistant Maxwell King. Advertisement

An autistic teenager who threw a six-year-old boy from the Tate Modern was not considered a risk to others at the time, despite at least eight assaults including on other children and police as well as threatening to kill his family

Jonty Bravery even hit a member of his support staff with a brick, threatened to kill his family and punched and racially abused another care worker in a Burger King just six months before the Tate attack.

Bravery was 17 when he told supervisors he was going to visit a local shopping centre on August 4, 2019, but instead travelled to the central London art gallery where, after lying in wait, he stalked, snatched and then hurled a young French tourist from the 10th storey viewing platform.

The child survived, but has undergone round-the-clock treatment since, while Bravery, who told horrified onlookers that social services were to blame for the atrocity, is currently serving a 15-year minimum prison term for attempted murder.

A serious case review into Bravery, published today, highlights a series of violent incidents in the two years before he struck, as well as other examples of troubling behaviour including putting faeces in his mother's make-up brushes or throwing it out of his window at neighbours as well as threatening to kill members of the public.

One support worker said they believed it was 'only by luck' he hadn't killed someone, while Bravery's attacks were often premeditated and appeared to give him pleasure, especially when he drew blood after he bit another child.

Five months before the Tate attack, he assaulted a member of staff at Burger King in Brighton after punching his care worker, who he also racially abused. A year earlier he told a support worker he was 'planning to kill/hurt his stepmother and sister if had an opportunity and wanted to be arrested and go to prison'. But care workers decided that he didn't mean it and it was attention seeking.

Today's report, published by the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership in West London, fails to blame anyone for Bravery being free to attack the poor French boy seeing London from the Tate viewing gallery, where he was grabbed and thrown on to a roof below.

Investigators concluded that Bravery's violent behaviour had reduced at the time of the Tate Modern attack, while he was living in a bespoke placement with two-to-one care.

The report states: 'There was no recent evidence that he (Bravery) presented a risk to other children or adults unknown to him.

'It was in this context that he was progressively given more freedoms, which saw him able to visit central London unaccompanied on the day of the incident.'

But the review also found that, while Bravery's case was characterised by 'appropriate efforts by professionals from across agencies to access assessment and treatment for (him)', those efforts 'were stymied due to the lack of services, placements and provisions that were suitable for his needs as an autistic young person with a co-existing conduct disorder diagnosis'.

It makes seven findings, including a lack of residential treatment options for young people with high-risk behaviours, emerging personality disorder and co-existing autism, and disincentives for support staff to escalate service gaps, creating an unmet need on behalf of the service user.

Jonty Bravery, 19, is serving a 15-year prison sentence for attempted murder, but despite repeated violence against others he was not considered a risk and nobody is to blame, a report concluded today

The French boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was on holiday in London with his family at the time of the incident. Pictured, emergency crews attending the scene at the Tate Modern art gallery on August 4, 2019

Bravery shoved the boy from the viewing balcony at London's Tate Modern art gallery in August last year. He was sentenced to life in prison at the Old Bailey in June

A timeline of Jonty Bravery's movements before and after the Tate attack on August 4, 2019 12.16pm: Jonty Bravery, a then-17-year-old autistic boy living in supported accommodation, leaves his home in Ealing, west London, to buy an Oyster card at a shop on Church Road, Northolt. 12.23pm: He arrives at Northolt Underground station and takes the Tube to London Bridge station. 1.10pm: Bravery arrives at London Bridge station, on the South Bank, and makes his way the short distance to the Shard. Once there, he asks a member of staff how much it costs to enter but does not have enough money. CCTV footage then shows him walking away before turning back to ask for directions elsewhere. 2.16pm: Bravery arrives at the Tate Modern on foot, speaks to a member of staff and is seen pointing upwards. He then takes the lift to the 10th floor viewing balcony in the visitor attraction's Blavatnik Building. 2.30pm: CCTV shows Bravery looking over the railings close to where a six-year-old French boy is later hurled. 2.32pm: The victim and his parents arrive on the viewing tower where Bravery has been waiting. The boy skips ahead of his parents briefly, allowing Bravery to scoop him up and throw him over the edge. Bravery then moves away and can be seen smiling, with his arms raised. The victim's parents panic - the father challenges Bravery while the mother attempts to climb over the barriers to her son, 100ft (30m) below, before being stopped by witnesses. Members of the public detain Bravery, remarking he seems 'calm' and 'lacking emotion'. He later is heard saying: 'It's not my fault, it's social services' fault.' 2.46pm: Bravery is arrested. He asks: 'Is this going to be on the news?' Advertisement

The serious case review said Bravery was diagnosed with autism at the age of five, but that there was a clear 'lack of join-up between different elements of support that were being provided to (Bravery) and his family', and that he was not known to Children's Social Care or Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) until more than a decade later.

Bravery, who was not diagnosed with an anti-social personality disorder until he was arrested for the Tate Modern attack, spent various periods of time being moved from psychiatric intensive care units, specialist residential schools and hotels from the age of 15 as his behaviour became more troubling.

His father told the review he felt 'frustrated' at the apparent lack of expertise of private care providers in dealing with his son.

The review said Bravery was taken to hospital twice in May 2016, once for overdosing on tea tree oil and then for purposely ingesting paint in an art lesson. His medication was increased and he was treated for two weeks on an inpatient psychiatric unit.

But that unit was said to be an 'extremely stressful environment' for someone with autism, as was the psychiatric intensive care unit in northern England where he spent several months - an experience his parents described as 'extremely damaging to his wellbeing'.

Bravery was then sent to a residential school, where he attacked a fellow pupil after losing a game of 10-pin bowling - the review stated the injuries 'could have been life-threatening'.

The local authority approached 'over 60 establishments' to find a suitable alternative for Bravery, but all 'either felt that (Bravery) presented a higher risk than they could safely manage, or had no vacancies', the review found.

He was sent to a specialist children's home where his brief stay was characterised by 'several violent incidents', including one occasion when he assaulted a member of staff with a brick after being told his poor behaviour at a local leisure centre would be documented on his behaviour report.

A few days later, Bravery assaulted a police officer called to his room amid concerns that he was secreting a brick.

The teenager was later sent to live in a flat in west London but had to move to another facility after assaulting a member of care staff by dragging her along the floor by her hair.

The French boy, who was on holiday with his parents in London, survived the fall from the 10-storey balcony, but suffered life-changing injuries

A year before the Tate attack, Bravery called police to his flat, saying he was thinking of killing people, during which he assaulted an officer.

The following month he made two claims to support staff that he wanted to go out in the community 'so that he could assault a member of the public and be arrested and put in prison'.

Staff believed he was making these statements to provoke a reaction from the support worker.

The review said: 'It is evident that professionals working with (Bravery) at this time did not think he would act on these statements, which were seen as attention-seeking behaviour.

'This was because all of (Bravery's) actions were viewed as products of his autistic behaviour and there as no consideration of these threats in a context of conduct disorder.'

Five months before the Tate attack, he assaulted a member of staff at Burger King in Brighton after punching his care worker.

The review said: 'Unfortunately (Bravery) also had incidents of premeditated instrumental aggression that were not explained by his autism and therefore were unlikely to be resolved through such therapy.

'The fact that these incidents were rare, though could be dangerous, made it easier for them to drift from view.'

It found the 'apparent abruptness of the escalation' of Bravery's situation - such as sending him to a psychiatric hospital at the age of 14 - to be a 'striking feature' of his case.

It added: 'The mismatch between (Bravery's) needs and available provision ran through the whole of (his) case.'

The review said Bravery, now 19, needed residential therapeutic solutions that could enable him, as an autistic young person, to engage in a treatment regime for his conduct disorder.

'But such a residential option did not exist,' it added.

'This meant that the legal frameworks available provided limited options for Bravery at the time.'
A woman and her children, accompanied by a human smuggler or "coyote" (R), cross the Rio Bravo river to El Paso, Texas, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on March 30, 2021. (Edgard Garrido/Reuters)

US Targeting Human Smuggling Groups With New Operation

The United States on Tuesday announced a new operation focused on combating human smuggling, with an emphasis on taking down criminal organizations that smuggle children, women, and men into the United States from Mexico and Canada.

We know all too well that these organizations put profit over human life with devastating consequences. With the help of our federal and foreign partners, we aim to cut off access to that profit by denying these criminal organizations the ability to engage in travel, trade, and finance in the United States, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters in a conference call.

We intend to disrupt every facet of the logistical network that these organizations use to succeed. 

Disruption will include identifying smugglers, their associates, and their employers, and using every authority in the arsenal, including revoking travel documents, freezing financial assets, and suspending trade entities.

Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries (Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador) will be partners in the operation, according to U.S. officials.

Experts say smuggling into the United States has increased as the Biden administrations lax border enforcement led to a tremendous surge in the number of illegal immigrants crossing from Mexico, even as administration officials insist the border is not open.

Its sort of like a house sale. The real estate agent is going to tell you that this house wont be on the market very long so you better make an offer while you can. And at the same time, telling people that they should wait, really isnt going to counter that sense of get in. Theres a natural human tendency to take advantage of something while its available. And all the statements that they should wait and it is not available are belied by the fact that individuals are making it into the United States, are being released into this country, Andrew Arthur, a resident fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, told The Epoch Times in a previous interview.

Transnational groups have been using wristbands to track which illegal immigrants have paid the smugglers and which ones still owe money.

A Border Patrol agent checks an illegal immigrant who is wearing two wristbands that Mexican cartels have been using to control human smuggling into the United States, near Penitas, Texas, on March 15. 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Officials said Tuesday that the new effort, dubbed Operation Sentinel, will strengthen border security and help save the lives of vulnerable migrants who would otherwise trust the criminal outfits with their lives.

Customs and Border Protection agents have already rescued nearly 4,800 immigrants along the southwest border in the current fiscal year, including many who were abandoned by smugglers, Troy Miller, the official performing the duties of the agencys commissioner, told reporters.

The cartels regularly ditch the injured and the weak during the trek to and across the border, such as a woman who fell 20 feet in the mountains in northern Mexico. She was later saved by U.S. agents.

These migrants are abandoned in remote and dangerous areas, and usually left without food or water, he said.

The message to smugglers, he added, is we know who you are and we are coming for you.

Charlotte Cuthbertson contributed to this report.
15:40 - Have The Conversation Say Yes To Organ Donation Novice Handicap Hurdle

A tricky opener to dissect but I like the trajectory of SCHOLASTIC (9/1) for Joseph O'Brien. He was eight lengths down on Cheltenham Boodles winner Jeff Kidder when they met in Fairyhouse at Easter, finishing ahead of stablemate Busselton. A couple of weeks ago, he travelled to Cheltenham and finished second to Her Indoors having met with some trouble in-running and been short of room when the race was developing two out. He also has good course form having beaten Jeff Kidder here last September. He was also second behind subsequent Triumph Hurdle winner a month later on the same track on similar ground. That will do for me.

16:15 - eCOMM Merchant Solutions Champion Novice Hurdle

Echoes In Rain made a serious impression when beating MC Muldoon by 15 lengths at Fairyhouse at Easter and her win over Belfast Banter back in February could not have worked out better with the latter winning at both Cheltenham and Aintree in subsequent starts. She will get a mare's allowance here too but I'm still opposing her with BLUE LORD (6/4). He was second behind Bob Olinger at Naas in January and third behind Appreciate It at Leopardstown in February. Both of those rivals won at Cheltenham (Bob Olinger in the Ballymore and Appreciate It in the Supreme). Blue Lord was in that Supreme with Appreciate It and was running a blinder before coming down at the last when in second place. He would not have been beaten for that silver medal spot had he stayed on his feet. He can correct the record today.

16:50 - Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle

Another puzzle to work out with plenty of interesting ones. Jumping out to me are Whiskey Sour (off the track almost two years) and Jazzaway (beaten by just half a length by Cheltenham winner Mrs Milner in Galway last year) but I'm going with the eachway claims of CHAMPAGNE GOLD (14/1) for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. He was well beaten behind Belfast Banter in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham but he ran a nice race at Leopardstown before that when he was just a length behind winner Drop The Anchor (7th in the County Hurdle). It is far too early to give up on Champagne Gold yet and I think this race might work out a little better for him. He could certainly run into a place at a nice price.

17:25 Punchestown - William Hill Champion Chase

This is an intriguing race this year with Willie Mullins pitting two of his stars against one another. Allaho was a mighty winner of the Ryanair at Cheltenham while CHACUN POUR SOI (6/4) fell flat and finished second in the Queen Mother Champion Chase behind Put The Kettle On. However, I think Chacun Pour Soi can get back to winning ways. It's interesting to see two British raiders here (Nube Negra and First Flow) because they obviously think they can beat this Willie Mullins pair. I'm not so sure, despite the fact Nube Negra was a close third behind Chacun Pour Soi and Put The Kettle On in that Champion Chase. Mullins has admitted that the two-mile trip is an experiment for Allaho who won over further in scintillating fashion at Cheltenham. He jumps quick and should like it but Chacun Pour Soi has the best form at two miles and we can forgive him his poor showing at Chelteham. He also has winning form at Punchestown so he ticks a lot of boxes.

18:30 - Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase

This is a proper match between two future stars of the sport who both took a dent to their reputations at Cheltenham. Envoi Allen vs Monkfish. While MONKFISH (6/5) won at Cheltenham, he put in more than a few sticky jumps and gave favourite backers plenty to worry about late on. Envoi Allen was billed as the banker of the meeting by many at Cheltenham but it was all over before it started in the Marsh Novices Chase as he fell at just the fourth fence. Monkfish has the perfect record over fences given the fact he run four and won four. Despite his mistakes at Cheltenham, none of the others could lay a glove on him and he still won by six lengths. I think this could be a race for the ages but I'm siding with Monkfish.

19:00 - Kildare Hunt Club Fr Sean Breen Memorial Chase For The Ladies Perpetual Cup

Enda Bolger will probably win this and has the top two in the market but it's always one for an eachway bet for me and neither of Enda's our an eachway price. FESTIVAL OPERA (40/1) has pieces of credible form in the book but that form is patchy at best. He hasn't won a national hunt race in his career yet but has picked up some point-to-point victories. His win over Venitien De Mai at Lingstown in March 2019 isn't bad form and looking more recently, his fourth-placed run behind Stand Up And Fight (beaten 22 lengths) isn't too bad. He was pulled up after going well enough for a long way in the cross country at this track in February. It will have to be a great day for him to win but at the prices, he's worth an eachway shot. Today could be the day.
New Delhi, April 27 : In an awkward incident, Air India's Sydney-Delhi flight landed back here without any passengers, as a crew member was found to be Covid positive in Australia, sources said.

The crew members on the flight which landed back on Tuesday were subjected to RT-PCR tests in Australia.

After a crew member was detected positive, the Australian authorities refused to allow passengers to board the aircraft.

According to sources, the Covid-19 positive crew member was asked to quarantine in Sydney while the rest were allowed to leave.

The flight only ferried back the rest of the crew and cargo.

Besides, Australia has banned flights coming from India due to a massive surge in Covid-19 cases.
[April 27, 2021] VAST Data Launches Federal Subsidiary and Bolsters Investment in the Public Sector Market

NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VAST Data , the storage software company breaking decades-old tradeoffs, today unveiled VAST Data Federal , a new subsidiary to support government and defense organizations in unlocking the full potential of their data and enabling applications of the future.

The launch of VAST Data Federal further extends the companys presence in this market, having already closed over $25M in deals with various federal agencies including the U.S. National Institutes of Health. VAST also recently closed a $10M+ deal with a major U.S. Federal Agency to foster new discoveries with biological, population, and health data. With its Universal Storage platform, government organizations finally have a single flash-based storage system designedto meet the performance requirements of their most demanding applications, including computer vision and AI use cases, and the scalability to consolidate data centers onto a single VAST system.



VAST Data Federal is led by an experienced team with both defense and national security credentials including James Dean as President, who joins VAST after recently serving as Sales Director of National Programs at Cohesity, Randy Hayes as Vice President of Public Sector, who was promoted from the role of Director of Sales at VAST, and Steve Valimaki as Secretary, who recently held the position of Senior Systems Engineer at the company. From next-gen geospatial imagery to all-flash data lakes for cybersecurity, the public sector has already been an early adopter of our Universal Storage technology to unleash new insights, discoveries, and innovations from their growing datasets, said Randy Hayes, Vice President of VAST Data Federal. With VAST Data Federal, we are doubling down on our investment in the space by bringing in a team of experts with the proper credentials to further demonstrate to the market the performance, scale, and cost benefits associated with our Universal Storage platform.

For more information on VAST Data Federal and the promise of Universal Storage in the government sector, please click here . About VAST Data

Headquartered in New York City, VAST Data is a storage company bringing an end to complex storage tiering and HDD usage in the enterprise. VAST consolidates applications onto a highly scalable all-flash storage system to meet the performance needs of the most demanding workloads, while also redefining the economics of flash infrastructure to finally make it affordable enough to store all of your data on flash. Since its launch in February 2019, VAST has established itself as the fastest selling storage startup in history. VASTs Universal Storage now powers several of the worlds leading data centric computing centers. VAST Data Resources Vastfederal.com

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Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the top online programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 1,280 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Online Small Business Management Course Degree Programs.

Intelligent.com analyzed 140 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 43 making it to the final list for Online Small Business Management Course Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-online-small-business-management-degree-program/

2021 Online Small Business Management Course Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

Alvin Community College

American Public University

American River College

Ashland University

Bellevue University

Brandman University

Brigham Young University, Idaho

Bucks County Community College

Central Methodist University

Champlain College

Clark State Community College

Colorado State University

Columbia College

Craven Community College

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Fox Valley Technical College

Herkimer College

Johnson & Wales University

Liberty University

Lindenwood University

Madison Area Technical College

Mercer County Community College

Mesa Community College

Mitchell Technical College

North Arkansas College

Northcentral Technical College

Northern Arizona University

Northwest Arkansas Community College

Polk State College

Southern New Hampshire University

Strayer University

Sullivan University

Thomas Edison State University

Tidewater Community College

Touro University Worldwide

University of Charleston

University of Maine, Machias

University of Mary

University of Nebraska at Kearney

University of Texas Permian Basin

University of Toledo

Westmoreland County Community College

William Woods University

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Bidens First 100 Days a Radical Transformation of America

News analysis

President Donald Trump and conservative pundits warned for months during the 2020 campaign that behind then-candidate Joe Bidens centrist, bipartisan facade lay a radical liberal agenda to transform the United States. Biden has proven them right in less than 100 days, earning praise from liberal observers who are drawing historical comparisons to the tenure of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill, written along the outline of Bidens proposal, dwarfs FDRs New Deal in terms of total cost to the American taxpayer. Democrats rammed the measure through Congress without any Republican support, proving Biden was the partisan that critics had warned about.

The Democratic presidents proposed infrastructure measuresthe American Jobs Plan and the American Families Planwould bring the total price tag to an estimated $5.4 trillion, while ushering in a wave of welfare programs unseen since the introduction of Medicare and food stamps. The cost splits up to more than $43,000 per household and more than the combined wealth of all the billionaires in America. Democrats could enact both plans without any Republican support, by using, for the first time ever, the reconciliation process more than once in a budget year.

The fiscal scale and radical nature of the agenda, coupled with the razor-thin House and Senate majorities the Democrats are using to implement it, are exerting pressure on an American system of governance that has historically demanded a measure of bipartisanship in order to enact transformative change.

A Senate evenly split between both parties and a bare Democratic House majority are hardly a mandate to go it alone, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), a Trump critic and one of the few Republicans seeking a bipartisan solution on infrastructure, wrote on Twitter.

Democrats argue that pushing the pandemic stimulus through without Republican support was necessary to help Americans struggling with the economic impacts of the pandemic. They say that some provisions of the bill, including the expansion of Obamacare, were long overdue. Democrats predict that the child tax credit, which will amount to a monthly cash payment for most families beginning in July, could cut child poverty in half.

The story of the first 100 days is about shots going into arms, checks going into pockets, and seeing hope on the horizon, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote on Twitter on April 27.

While testing the systems limits, Biden has thrown the weight of the presidency behind the radical transformation of the system itself. He backed the long-shot bid for D.C. statehood, which would hand the Democrats two seats in the Senate in the foreseeable future, expressed support for weakening or undoing the legislative filibuster, ordered a commission to study reforms to the Supreme Court around the time fellow Democrats introduced legislation to pack the bench, and said he would sign H.R. 1, a vast election reform bill that would, among other provisions, make mail voting universal in perpetuity.

Mr. Biden knows his agenda is so radical, so extreme, that he cannot hope to pass it and keep it intact without first fundamentally changing the rules of the political game, Jenny Beth Martin, co-founder and national coordinator of the Tea Party Patriots, wrote in a recent op-ed. Consequently, hes moving on all fronts to do just that.

To the Democrats, the wave of change is just what the doctor ordered. Former President Bill Clinton called Bidens performance so far almost pitch-perfect in word and deed.

If we can produce positive results that cross those divides by lifting everybody, giving everybody a chance, then we have a chance to psychologically change, Clinton told Deadline.

I Want to Change the Paradigm

While ushering along a wave of social change via legislation, Biden has churned out a steady stream of paradigm-shifting executive orders and actions on matters ranging from critical race theory training for federal employees to rejoining the World Health Organization.

Some of the common themes among the five dozen executive actions during the presidents first 100 days in office were the reversals and revocations of Trump-era orders and the introduction of the quasi-Marxist equity ideology into virtually every aspect of government operations. Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, the title of Bidens very first order, set the tone for the many that followed.

I want to change the paradigm. We start to reward work, not just wealth. I want to change the paradigm, Biden said during his first press conference.

What a president says is sometimes as consequential as what a president does. During Bidens symbolic 100 days, this was exemplified by his comments on the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who was convicted of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Biden spoke in favor of convicting Chauvin before the jury rendered its verdict andafter the jury decision was announcedindicted America itself as guilty of systemic racism.

Highs and Lows

Though his cabinet wouldnt admit it, Biden inherited a successful vaccine development and distribution program from Trump. This meant that Bidens campaign promise of injecting 100 million Americans with the vaccine against the CCP virus in his first 100 days was on track to being fulfilled even before he took office on Jan. 20. After eluding questions about raising the target to a more ambitious figure, Biden doubled the goal to 200 million. The administration is now on pace to triple the initial goal by April 29, his 100th day in office.

That tangible highlight is offset by the crisis on the southern border, which some experts say was triggered by Bidens revocation of Trump-era immigration policies. Illegal aliens are crossing the border in numbers unseen in decades, forcing immigration authorities to overload shelters for housing detained minors. After weeks of avoidance, Biden finally called the situation a crisis earlier this month.

The White House has signaled that it intends to solve the crisis by investing in the countries the illegal aliens are fleeing from. Over the past two decades, the United States has spent billions in foreign aid to the nations in question.

Bidens approval ratings have fluctuated between the high-40s and mid-50s during his first three months in office, according to Rasmussen, the only pollster conducting daily presidential approval surveys. The media may be contributing to that outcome. A recent Media Research Center study showed that evening news coverage of Biden was 59 percent positive during his first three months in office, compared to just 11 percent positive coverage during the same period in Trumps presidency.
KENT, Wash., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Holman Logistics (holmanusa.com) announced today that May will mark their 157th year of continuous operations. What began in 1864 as a small family business transporting material using horses and carts has grown into an Inbound Logistics Top 100 Third Party Logistics organization serving customers across the U.S.

Holman Logistics logo

Holman President Brien Downie sums up the anniversary year this way: "We're proud of our humble roots and our long history of continuous operations. Even though Holman has grown, and the services we provide are vastly different from those Jack and Edward Holman provided during the Civil War, we still do business by focusing on creating an Extraordinary Service Experience for our customers. Today the Holman business approach that has sustained the organization over the past 157 years is expressed as Core Values that I'm confident the founding brothers would recognize: Safety Focus, Be Better, Show Respect, Serve Others, and Extraordinary Service."

To celebrate this anniversary, the company has challenged all Holman Team Members to continue serving others like they did throughout 2020 during the height of the pandemic, when local locations organized food and clothing drives to assist members of their communities who were in need.

"Normally, I travel to our locations frequently during the year," said Downie. "I'm looking forward to getting back to that as local conditions permit. Our people, many of whom have been with us 20 years or more, are crucial to the successful growth and longevity of our organization, and there's nothing like being able to meet with them safely. We are proud of the fact that our operations have not missed a single day of service thus far throughout the pandemic."

From humble beginnings, Holman dedication to providing the best value available has sustained it through two World Wars, multiple economic downturns, vast technological changes, and pandemics. This anniversary year finds Holman providing public and contract warehousing, omnichannel fulfillment, manufacturing logistics, and transportation services for consumer product goods (CPG) and durable goods clients in facilities across the U.S.

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About Holman Logistics

Holman has a long history of continuous operation since its founding in 1864. Today, Holman provides logistics support including warehousing, manufacturing logistics, omnichannel fulfillment, and transportation services for customers in the business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketplace. Holman provides services for organizations of all sizes including Fortune 500 customer locations across the United States. More information about Holman Logistics is available at holmanusa.com.

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Of the Texas counties with the largest populations, Bexar County has one of the highest percentages of adults who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.

Statewide, 47.71 percent of Texans have received at least one dose while 32.54 percent of adults have gotten both.
What does a car see? Laser scan of the Empa test track: the lab building on the left, trees on the right, a pedestrian in front of the car. Credit: Empa

The five meter-long Lexus RX-450h leads a rather contemplative life at Empa. It never takes long trips. Instead, the SUV dutifully makes its rounds on a special track just 180 meters long in a secluded backyard of the Empa campus. The scenery is not particularly spectacular: The Mobileye camera behind the windshield sees freshly painted lane markings on aging concrete; the Velodyne lidar scans the window front of always the same lab building at every turn, and the Delphi radar behind the Lexus' radiator grille routinely measures the distance to five tin trash cans set up to either side of the course.

Thousands of miles to the west, on the U.S. Pacific coast, things look a bit more dramatic. "Wow, I didn't think the car could do that," says Sam Altman. He's the head of OpenAI, an artificial intelligence company, in which Elon Musk and Microsoft have stakes. Altman watches a video with Kyle Vogt. Vogt is CTO and co-founder of Cruise LLC, which is now part of General Motors. The video is also available on Youtube and shows how a Cruise test vehicle drives through San Francisco for 75 minutes, mastering all inner-city driving situations with very little intervention from programmers. It overtakes waiting garbage trucks even when oncoming traffic is already in sight, and can turn left independently at small intersections even when pedestrians want to cross the lane at the same time.

The Tesla fan community also published euphoric videos in late October 2020. Some beta testers of the Tesla software have received a pre-release version that allows the car to navigate autonomously through residential areas. A Youtuber named TeslaRaj underpins his enthusiastic video with violin music and shows how his car stops at red lights, strictly obeys speed limits and autonomously maneuvers around parked cars.

Trust is good, control is better

If the Californians have already come this far, what sense does it make to drive around in a backyard in Dubendorf? Miriam Elser explains why. She works in Empa's Automotive Powertrain Technologies lab and is leading the project with the Lexus.

Empa is breaking new ground with this project: Previously, she and her colleagues had been working on powertrains, renewable fuels and exhaust gas purification, as well as vehicle operation. Now, for the first time, the Empa team is also looking at self-driving cars.

"We are investigating how these sensors work in different environmental conditions, what data they collect and when they make mistakes or even fail," says the researcher. "Every human driver has to pass a vision test before getting a driver's license. Professional drivers must repeat this test on a regular basis. We want to develop a vision test for autonomous vehicles so they can be trusted even when they're several years old and have thousands of miles on the clock."

The topic has not received a lot of attention so far: Among the more than 1,000 research papers published on autonomous driving in the past five years, only about 20 deal with the quality of sensor data.

Does the car see well enough even in bad weather? The Empa team designs a vision test for cars. Credit: Empa

The processing of the data literally happens in a black box. The knowhow is worth a lot of money and is carefully kept by Google, Apple, Tesla, Cruise LLC and the other major manufacturers developing autonomous vehicles. They don't let anyone look into their cards.

The needle in the data haystack

Sensor quality plays an important role in the eventual approval of autonomous cars for public transportation. The operational safety of such vehicles falls within the remit of the Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO), which is providing financial support for the research at Empa. FEDRO wants to be able to assess the functionality of autonomous systems at regular intervalsand independently of the manufacturers. The authority's experts also want to make it possible to conduct a kind of "witness interview" if an autonomous car has been involved in an accident. The problem is that each second the sensors collect enormous amounts of data. Analyzing this flood of raw data would be unreasonable for accident investigation authorities. At some point in the future, therefore, the law will have to specify which data must be stored in the car and made accessible for investigations.

Moreover, FEDRO is preparing the approval of field tests with self-driving vehicles on public roads. But how can we judge if and when it becomes dangerous? When do sensors fail, and when do they make serious mistakes so that the test would have to be aborted or modified? Even for monitoring such field trials, it is necessary to be able to quickly and accurately assess the vision and the "judgment" of autonomous cars.

The project is part of a digitalization initiative of the Swiss Competence Center for Energy ResearchEfficient Technologies and Systems for Mobility (SCCER Mobility), co-funded by Innosuisse, FEDRO and industry partners. While Empa is investigating commercially available sensors in practical use, the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) is analyzing the same sensors in a laboratory environment. The next generation of vehicle sensors is also already the subject of research. This part of the project is being undertaken by the Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control Engineering at ETH Zurich.

Avoiding accidents

There is not much time left to develop the scientific basis for evaluating and assessing autonomous cars. The competition around self-driving cars is enormous, and the automotive industry could soon be equipping its vehicles for this purpose.

Whether self-driving cars will in future be able to avoid accidents and traffic is the subject of ongoing research. An appropriate legal framework is crucial. But the trend toward vehicle software that increasingly supports driving is unstoppable.
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Photo by Martin Selig Real Estate [enlarge] Third & Harrison could become a trophy headquarters for a new single tenant, or a multi-tenant building.





Holland America Group moved about 1,000 workers into the new Third & Harrison building at 450 Third Ave. W. in 2017. That was not long after the six-story Uptown office building was developed by Martin Selig Real Estate. Terms for the lease are unknown.





. . .
(Photo : Screenshot From Pexels Official Website) Apple Job Trend: Billion Dollar North Carolina Campus Will Focus on Machine Learning and AI Jobs

Apple just announced its new North Carolina campus which will house a whopping 3,000 employees and expand its operations in a number of other US states and also increase its spending targets along with US suppliers. Apple plans to spend $1 billion on the new campus and engineering hub located in the REsearch Triangle area of North Carolina.

Apple Job Trend

According to the story by VentureBeat, the new campus will be focusing on a few specific jobs which could heavily benefit Apple in the years to come. It now joins a whopping $1 billion Austin, Texas campus that was announced in 2019.

North Carolina Apple jobs focus:

Artificial intelligence

Software engineering

Machine learning

Other tech fields

North Carolina's official Economic Investment Committee on Monday had just approved a job-development grant which could provide Apple as high as $845.8 million in tax reimbursements over the course of 39 years if Apple is able to hit its job and growth targets. State officials are expecting 3,000 jobs which would reportedly create $1.97 billion in just tax revenues to the state over the whole grant period.

Apple North Carolina News

The iPhone maker also announced that it will be establishing a $100 million fund in order to support schools located in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina as well as throughout the state. Apple also said it will contribute a whopping $110 million in order to assist in building infrastructures like broadband internet, bridges, roads, and even public schools in a whopping 80 North Carolina counties.

Apple's COO or chief operating officer Jeff Williams noted that as a North-Carolina native, he is thrilled that Apple is now expanding and even creating certain new long-term job opportunities in the community that he reportedly grew up in. He also noted that they are proud of the new investment and that it will also be supporting the overall education and critical infrastructure projects spread throughout the state.

Read Also: Are Apple Products Hackable? 'Mind-Blowing' Bug Used to Spread Malware Tricking macOS

Apple Job Hiring

Apple also announced that it will be expanding hiring targets in some other US locations in order to hit the goal of an additional 20,000 jobs by the year 2026. Apple is setting new goals for facilities in Massachusetts, Colorado, and Washington state.

Apple's original home state is in California and the company notes that it wants to hire a whopping 5,000 people over in San Diego, according to CNBC, and another 3,000 people over in Culver City within the Los Angeles area. Apple had also reportedly increased a total US spending target up to $430 billion by the year 2026.

This was up from a five-year goal of just $350 billion that Apple had previously set up back in 2018 but was said to be on track to exceed. The target would also include Apple's US data centers, the capital expenditures and the spending in order to create some original television content in 20 different states.

Related Article: Apple Gives No Response to Researchers Raising Flags Over AirDrop Vulnerability

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 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
After 21 vintages of making wine from far-coastal Marin County, Pey-Marin Vineyards is coming to an end.

Wineries rarely close down entirely; more often, when an owner wants out, they sell. But Jonathan Pey, who founded Pey-Marin Vineyards with his late wife, Susan, in 1999, said the extreme conditions of west Marin farming have gotten too punishing, in part due to climate change.

Mother Nature sends you a message over the years, Pey said. Shes saying the vineyards really tired, its really old, there are fires. And the market for it is really hard.

Pey-Marin never made much wine  the cold temperatures, harsh winds and lack of water at the vineyard kept yields very low  but it developed a loyal fan base within the Bay Area. The labels original wine was Merlot, but eventually the Peys planted Pinot Noir and Riesling, too. The Riesling, a grape variety that rewards chilly climates, is possibly the best of Pey-Marins wines.

The project began when the Peys discovered a dairy farm that included 30 acres of Merlot vines, planted in 1989. Located on Marshall Petaluma Road, it sits just 5 miles from the Pacific Ocean. They took out a lease on the property and rehabilitated the vines, which were in need of some love, Pey said. The couple had been inspired by books theyd read about early viticulture efforts in Marin County  due in large part to the sacramental wine production at the Spanish Missions  and liked the idea of reviving this long-lost practice here.

Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle 2004

From the beginning, however, Pey said the enterprise was challenging. The cold temperatures meant that the Merlot grapes struggled to accumulate enough sugar to fully ripen; the grapes got truly ripe only three out of every 10 years, he estimated. (Pinot Noir and Riesling fared better.)

But the greater challenge was commercial.

Perhaps naively, I thought OK, heres a wine thats made locally, its sustainably farmed, its low in alcohol, bright, well-made  I thought restaurants in San Francisco would go gangbusters over it, Pey said.

While a few restaurants and shops embraced Pey-Marin, the limited recognition of Marin County wines kept the bottles from catching on.

While all the restaurants had Marin-grown lettuces, fish and beef, (the wines) werent ever adopted as much as we wanted, Pey said.

Thanks to climate change, farming conditions only got trickier. The vineyards yields were small in a good year, but in drought years they were minuscule. The site is dry-farmed, meaning there is no irrigation, so the only water the vines receive is what falls from the sky. In years like this one where precipitation is scarce, the vines produce fewer and smaller berries. Those wines can be beautiful, but Pey said it was discouraging to have so little of them to sell.

Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle 2004

While the Pey-Marin vineyard hasnt been threatened directly by wildfires, its grapes were affected by smoke wafting from other blazes nearby, not only in Marin but also in Sonoma and Napa. Last year the smoke was especially bad, Pey said, which helped make the decision to cease making wine a little bit easier.

COVID-19 was the final catalyst. The closure of restaurants decimated the winerys main sales channel, and Pey said that the pandemic also bolstered his sense of how precious life is. Since Susan Peys death in 2016, hed been considering moving on to other winemaking projects beyond Marin County. Now hes determined to make one of those longtime dreams happen. He wont share many details yet, but it will be in France.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Its been on my mind for the last three or four years, he said. Every time, I keep saying, This is the last time Im going to put up with this.

Hes ending his lease, the vineyard manager is retiring, and the vineyard will go fallow. Another west Marin vineyard, Point Reyes Vineyard, has been on the market for some time but has not gained traction with buyers, likely for similar reasons.

Pey-Marin leaves behind a meaningful legacy. In 1999 there were just a small handful of winegrowers in Marin County. Today Pey estimates there are more than 20, with well-known Napa and Sonoma brands like Schramsberg and DeLoach making wine from Marin vineyards.

Like Harrington Wines, another beloved Bay Area wine label that shut down in 2019, Pey-Marin will stick around to sell the remainder of its wine inventory. The Pinot Noir and Riesling, in addition to wines that Pey makes from other vineyards, are available on the winerys website.

Esther Mobley is The San Francisco Chronicles wine critic. Email: emobley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Esther_mobley
For Meng Shan, a 48-year-old urban management worker in the Chinese city of Nanchang, retirement cant come soon enough.

Mr. Meng, who is the equivalent of a low-level, unarmed law-enforcement official, often has to chase down unlicensed street vendors, a task he finds physically and emotionally taxing. Pay is low. Retirement, even on a meager government pension, would finally offer a break.

So Mr. Meng was dismayed when the Chinese government said it would raise the mandatory retirement age, which is currently 60 for men. He wondered how much longer his body could handle the work, and whether his employer would dump him before he became eligible for a pension.

To tell the truth, he said of the governments announcement, this is extremely unfriendly to us low-level workers.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 00:08:02|Editor: huaxia

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MUSCAT, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The Omani Health Ministry on Tuesday announced 1,128 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the sultanate to 191,398, the official Oman News Agency (ONA) reported.

Meanwhile, 1,145 people recovered during the past 24 hours, taking the overall recoveries to 170,929. Nine more deaths were reported, pushing the tally up to 1,992, according to a ministry statement quoted by ONA.

The ministry urged everyone to adhere to social distancing instructions issued by the Supreme Committee entrusted with handling the COVID-19. Enditem
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has offered COVID-19 vaccines to residents of the small British Columbia town of Stewart, with hopes it could lead the Canadian government to ease restrictions between Stewart and the tiny Alaska border community of Hyder a couple miles away.

Our neighbors to the east are fantastic. We couldnt ask for better neighbors than the Canadians. But the virus has really hit them hard and as a result, their mitigating approaches have affected us greatly by slowing down traffic, limiting traffic, Dunleavy told The Associated Press as he ended a long day of travel across southeast Alaska late last week.

The trip included travel from Ketchikan to Hyder on a float plane that held seven people, including the pilot. The AP was the only news organization traveling with Dunleavy and got a first-hand look at the Republican governor as he met with local leaders and residents in Ketchikan, Hyder and Metlakatla, the only Indian reserve in Alaska, to hear how they have been impacted by the pandemic and about their top priorities and concerns.

Hyder and Stewart are closely linked. Hyder residents get gas and groceries in Stewart, and kids from Hyder go to school there. Hyder even shares an area code with its Canadian neighbor and runs on Pacific time, an hour ahead of most of the rest of Alaska. Stewart has around 400 residents. Hyder, with an estimated population of nearly 70, flies a banner declaring itself the friendliest ghost town in Alaska.

Dunleavy referred to Hyder and Stewart as one community in two countries.

With COVID-19, travel in Canada has been restricted to essential business. Hyder residents say they can't visit the homes of friends in Stewart, and Stewart Mayor Gina McKay said her residents are largely restricted from going to Hyder, including for recreational activities they were accustomed to, such as snowmobile riding and using Hyders boat launch to fish.

Hyder is the only community in Alaskas southernmost reaches accessible by road - a road that runs through Stewart. Hyder, at the head of a fjord, has a dock for float planes, but air travel can be limited by weather conditions.

Dunleavy said he invited the state's chief medical officer, Dr. Anne Zink, to accompany him last Thursday and offer vaccines not only to Hyder residents who had not yet been vaccinated but also to people from Stewart.

He said he reasoned that, because the state has an adequate vaccine supply, why not share it with them and try to get them vaccinated?

In March, Alaska was the first state to fully open eligibility for vaccines and allow anyone 16 or older who lives or works in the state to get a vaccine. Dunleavy, seeking to revive a state tourism industry battered by the pandemic, recently announced travelers could get vaccines at some Alaska airports starting June 1.

McKay said many Stewart residents received a first vaccine dose during a weeklong clinic in Stewart around Easter but the wait time for a second dose is up to four months. British Columbia health officials said the approach is intended to make the most of a limited vaccine supply and allow more people to get first doses.

In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine three weeks after a first dose and a second dose of the Moderna vaccine four weeks after a first dose. Both are widely used in Alaska and among the vaccines used in Canada.

Zink said 19 people from Canada, most from Stewart, got shots Thursday in Hyder and one person from Hyder did. Zink administered the vaccines in a parking lot outside a community building given the warm, sunny weather. Some of the other Canadians who received vaccines were working in the area.

She said Stewart is pretty well vaccinated, and that the clinic there said it would send over people who were interested but not yet vaccinated. She said she thinks those were among the people who showed up Thursday. Most of the shots given Thursday were first doses, Zink said.

There are plans to work with state public health nurses to return to the area and Zink said they could bring additional second doses so that if anyone in Stewart wanted a second dose at that time, they could get one.

Dunleavy said he hopes that as more people get vaccinated then maybe just maybe theres a possibility that those two small communities that are really one can get back together and get back to living life as normal.

McKay, who met with Dunleavy, a state senator and interested Hyder residents on a dusty section of road at the border, called the state's offer to share vaccines incredible. If Stewart residents could get second doses that way, it could free up doses for others in British Columbia, she said.

But McKay said she's not sure how soon the Canadian federal government might ease any travel restrictions.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Apr. 26Indiana residents and business owners will learn how the federal tax credit of 26% has been extended through 2021 and 2022 for installing solar panels on houses, farm structures and places of business during the next Zoom meeting of Solarize East Central Indiana.

The Zoom meeting sponsored by Solarize ECI, a grassroots community group affiliated with Solarize Indiana, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 11.

The Zoom meeting will involve a 30-minute presentation followed by an hour for questions and answers. There is no charge to attend the Solarize ECI Zoom meeting.

Prior registration is required. The Zoom link for registration, which is free, can be found at https://www.facebook.com/solarizeECI or by sending an email request to Carolyn Vann, cvann@bsu.edu, or John Vann, jvann@bsu.edu, who are co-team leaders of Solarize ECI.

One of the main benefits of working with Solarize ECI and the Indiana Solarize state organization is group pricing that reduces the costs of installing a solar system.

Adding solar panels to structures also permits more energy independence with less exposure to increasing utility bills, Carolyn Vann said. Net metering will be available through June 2022.

Next, adding solar will not increase the owner's property taxes. The addition of solar has the potential to increase property value, however.

For more information, contact Carolyn Vann at cvann@bsu.edu.

Information provided  Information provided
Raipur : , April 27 (IANS) Karuna Shukla, a Congress leader and the niece of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, died of Covid-19 in the Ramakrishna Care hospital in Raipur. After testing positive for the virus, she was undergoing treatment at the hospital here.

Shukla breathed her last late on Monday evening.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel tweeted, "My Karuna 'Chachi' (referring to Karuna Shukla) is no more. Covid-19 took her life as well. I had a very close family relationship with her outside of politics and I continued to receive her blessings. God give her space in his abode and provide us the courage to bear this irreparable loss." Karuna Shukla, who was currently the Chairman of the Social Welfare Board in Chhattisgarh, was associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for a long time. Karuna Shukla, who was with the BJP from 1982 to 2013, was upset with the party and had joined the Congress. In the 2018 state Assembly elections, she had contested from Rajnandgaon constituency against former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh but lost to him.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
EUGENE, Ore. -- New data from the 2020 U.S. Census shows Oregon's population grew to 4.2 million people over the past decade.

This about a 10% increase from the 3.8 million people recorded by the census in 2010.

This large increase in population will give Oregon another seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, bringing the total to six.

State Senator James Manning said adding a seat in Congress increases Oregon's influence in national politics.

"What that's going to do is that it's going to help Oregon on some of Oregon's values," Manning said.

Manning said the new district could be carved out of Portland where the state's largest population density is located. But that is up to the state legislature's redistricting committee. That committee is tasked not only with creating a new congressional district, but also re-drawing Oregon's current state senate, state assembly, and congressional district maps based on the latest population numbers.

Once the three maps are redrawn, state lawmakers must vote to approve them and the governor has to sign off on the maps as well. Gov. Kate Brown does have the right to veto any line drawn. If lawmakers fail to redraw the three maps, the task falls on Oregon's secretary of state.
New Delhi, April 27 : To address shortage of oxygen tankers in the country, the union government has imported 20 cryogenic tankers of 10 MT and 20 MT capacity and allocated them to the states.

Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat will get two 20 MT cryogenic tankers each. Uttar Pradesh (three), Rajasthan (four), Delhi (three) and Gujarat (two) will get 10 MT cryogenic tankers.

"The mapping of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) from the manufacturing plant to different States being a dynamic process and transportation of medical oxygen through cryogenic tankers becoming a bottleneck in making available LMO from the eastern part of the country to other parts, twenty cryogenic ISO containers of capacity 20 MT and 10 MT have been imported to augment the transportation of Oxygen," the Union Health Ministry stated.

"The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in consultation with Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the overall guidance of the Empowered Group-II (EG-II) have mapped the allocation of these containers to suppliers of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Gujarat.

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
A meeting occurred in Central Asia on April 23 that apparently hasn't ever happened before.



The governor of Uzbekistan's eastern Ferghana Province met with the Tajik and Kyrgyz governors of the adjoining provinces for talks on economic cooperation.



Hosted in the city of Ferghana by Hayrullo Bozorov, the meeting was attended by the governor of Tajikistan's Sughd Province, Rajabboi Ahmadzoda, and the governor of Kyrgyzstan's Batken Province, Omurbek Suvanaliev.



Nearly 30 years after the three countries became independent, the meeting marked the first time the heads of the three neighboring provinces had ever gathered.



The three provinces are all in the populous Ferghana Valley, an agriculturally rich area that has also become a major smuggling route and, since independence, has seen more deadly violence along its borders than any other area in Central Asia.



And one of the interesting aspects of the business forum, officially called Integration Of Borders  The Key To Development, is that it was purely about trade and cultural relations, not border demarcation.

Suvanaliev told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, known locally as Azattyk, that although "the matter of defining the borders is being decided, it is necessary for us also to strengthen economic ties."



And he made clear that the vital demarcation of the three countries' borders "is the work of intergovernmental delegations."



All three governors were accompanied by delegations from local industrial and agricultural businesses and there was also an exhibit of their products.



The only document reportedly signed was a memorandum of cooperation between the Ferghana and Sughd provinces.



It was ironic that the venue for the landmark business forum was the Islam Karimov Theater.

While Karimov was Uzbekistan's first president, his country set up long barbed-wire fences and dug ditches along extensive stretches of its borders with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. During incursions by Islamic militants in the summer of 2000, Uzbekistan even put land mines at places along its borders with its two eastern neighbors.



When Karimov died late in the summer of 2016, Uzbek troops were occupying some areas of Kyrgyzstan.

His successor, Shavkat Mirziyoev, removed those troops as one of his first moves after becoming Uzbekistan's leader.

Mirziyoev also reversed Karimov's policies toward Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and visits by Uzbek officials and business delegations to the neighboring countries are a common occurrence now.

Those meetings have gone a long way towards improving Uzbekistan's relations with its two neighbors.



The business forum in Ferghana took this new spirit of cooperation a step further by bringing together the representatives of the three countries that share the fertile Ferghana Valley region.



Though the forum did not result in the signing of large amounts of contracts, the big achievement was the meeting itself.



Though there has been some progress in demarcating and marking the borders in the region despite difficult negotiations, the process is likely to continue to be problematic in the years to come as territory is exchanged and people's property affected.



While border negotiations continue, there is no reason why three of the areas involved in these talks should not move forward by improving economic ties.



The Ferghana business forum was the first step.



And a better economic situation locally should make all three parties more amenable to compromises in their future border negotiations.
Indias COVID-19 situation is currently worsening day by day and Apple CEO Tim Cook has pledged aid to India in the form of donations. Cook announced that Apple will be donating relief efforts and support on the ground. The announcement comes after Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced their plans to help Indias fight against the raging epidemic.

Amid a devastating rise of COVID cases in India, our thoughts are with the medical workers, our Apple family and everyone there who is fighting through this awful stage of the pandemic. Apple will be donating to support and relief efforts on the ground.  Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 26, 2021

Cook announced via a Tweet Amid a devastating rise of COVID cases in India, our thoughts are with the medical workers, our Apple family and everyone there who is fighting through this awful stage of the pandemic. Apple will be donating to support and relief efforts on the ground.



Neither Apple nor Cook have elaborated in what form the donation will come to India at the moment. Google will be sending aid to India via NGOs GiveIndia and UNICEF while Microsoft announced it will help India with the purchase of oxygen concentrators. We could see a similar relief effort by Apple in the coming days or the Cupertino giant may talk directly to the government for providing aid.

 Reuters

India is currently facing a dire situation with the second wave of COVID-19 where the country has already registered over 1 million new cases in the past 72 hours. Indias devastating second wave of COVID-19 cases has caused a shortage of oxygen in cities like New Delhi. The Indian Government is working hard to provide oxygen supplies to cities that are worst hit but are facing transportation issues.



Tech companies arent the only ones providing aid to India as nations such as the US, the UK, Germany, France, Pakistan, are also providing a helping hand and significant support for the Indian people.

Apple is also amongst the first few companies that are encouraging its employees to get vaccinated. Apple will launch a website that will allow its employees to sign up for vaccination appointments. Earlier, the company also pledged donations worth $15 million towards the global COVID-19 relief efforts.
[April 27, 2021] CyberSeek Strengthens the US Cybersecurity Workforce with New Data and Resources on Careers, Credentials and Employment Options

WASHINGTON, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CyberSeek, the most comprehensive source of information on America's cybersecurity workforce, has expanded and updated its resources in its ongoing effort to close the cybersecurity talent gap. The updates were unveiled today in conjunction with the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Summit. Cyber defense starts with tech professionals armed with the right mix of training, education and industry certifications "These updates are timely as the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Strategic Plan aims to promote the discovery of cybersecurity careers and multiple pathways to build and sustain a diverse and skilled workforce," said Rodney Petersen, Director of the NICE. "The expansion of the Career Pathways resource which is aligned to the Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NICE Framework) helps individuals discover how to get started in a cybersecurity career and supports the NICE strategic objective to promote the establishment of more entry-level positions and opportunities that provide avenues for growth and advancement," Peterson added. New CyberSeek data reveals that the shortage of cyber professionals persists, putting digital privacy and infrastructure at greater risk. Between April 2020 and March 2021 there were 144,700 openings for information security analysts, but only 131,000 workers for cybersecurity's largest job. Employers are also struggling to find workers for an additional 319,720 openings requiring cybersecurity-related skills. On average cybersecurity roles take 21% longer to fill than other IT jobs. "Despite the seismic changes COVID has had on the workforce, one constant has been the widespread demand for cybersecurity workers. The acceleration of digital transformation throughout the pandemic has incubated new digital threats, and the cybersecurity workforce must constantly expand and evolve by developing new skills in response," said Will Markow, Managing Director of Human Capital Management and Emerging Technologies at Burning Glass Technologies. To combat the national shortage of cybersecurity professionals, CyberSeek has expanded and updated the resources it offers to anyone working to strengthen the U.S. cybersecurity workforce. This includes current cybersecurity professionals interested in advancing in a career; job seekers and students exploring a career in cybersecurity; employers looking to strengthen their cyber teams; educators and career counselors who prepare people for careers in cybersecurity; and policy makers who manage and fund workforce development and cyber readiness programs. "Robust cyber defense begins with technology professionals armed with the right mix of training, education and industry certifications and credentials," said Randi Parker, senior director for partner engagement with CompTIA's Creating IT Futures. "CyberSeek offers great insight into how best to reach this level of readiness, whether you are an individual technology professional or an employer staffing a technology team." New CyberSeek resources added this month include an updated Cybersecurity Career Pathway, which illustrates the many opportunities for workers to start and advance their careers within cybersecurity. It has been expanded to include IT support as a "feeder" occupation, illustrating how someone in a tech support role can transition into cybersecurity. This reflects the fact that today's technical support personnel play a significant role as the first line of cyber defense. CyberSeek is a joint initiative between the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Burning Glass Technologies, a leading provider of job market analytics and strategic intelligence; and CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the global technology industry and workforce. Since 2016, CyberSeek has provided detailed, actionable data about supply and demand in the U.S. cybersecurity job market. Visit https://www.cyberseek.org to learn more. About Burning Glass Technologies

Burning Glass Technologies delivers job market analytics that empower employers, workers, and educators to make data-driven decisions. The company's artificial intelligence technology analyzes hundreds of millions of job postings and real-life career transitions to provide insight into labor market patterns. This real-time strategic intelligence offers crucial insights, such as which jobs are most in demand, the specific skills employers need, and the career directions that offer the highest potential for workers. burning-glass.com. About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5.2 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the more than 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world's economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. Visit comptia.org.







Media Contacts

Scott Bittle Steven Ostrowski Burning Glass Technologies CompTIA +1 (617) 804-1549 +1 (630) 678-8468 sbittle@burning-glass.com sostrowski@comptia.org

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cyberseek-strengthens-the-us-cybersecurity-workforce-with-new-data-and-resources-on-careers-credentials-and-employment-options-301277739.html SOURCE CyberSeek

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Senior Biden administration officials, asked by a reporter on Monday whether they had a moral obligation to ease the patent restrictions, said they had no new information to share. But Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, defended the presidents response.

The United States has been one of the largest providers of assistance to address the Covid pandemic around the world, including to India, and we have obviously taken some significant steps over the last couple of days to address their immediate needs, Ms. Psaki said.

The situation in India is especially dire. The country is experiencing what may be the worst crisis any nation has seen since the pandemic began. Hospitals are overflowing, and desperate patients are dying as they wait to see doctors. On Monday, India broke the world record for daily coronavirus infections for a fifth consecutive day, reporting nearly 353,000 new cases. And it added 2,812 deaths to its overall toll of more than 195,000, which experts say is likely to be a vast undercount.

The crisis in India is a humanitarian disaster unfolding before our eyes, said Tom Hart, the acting chief executive of the ONE campaign, a nonprofit dedicated to eradicating world poverty. Based on an analysis of contracts signed by Mr. Bidens most recent predecessor, the group estimates that the federal government has secured 550 million more doses than it needs to cover every American.

With worrisome variants spreading in the United States and around the world, public health experts say vaccinating people overseas is not only a moral imperative, but it is essential to protecting Americans. J. Stephen Morrison, the director of the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Mr. Biden needed to offer a more sweeping vision of how the United States can help the world.

We are approaching these colossal, complex problems in an ad hoc, reactive, short-term manner, Mr. Morrison said. He called the announcement on Monday a further incremental step by the Biden administration toward fuller engagement internationally to address the dire vaccine gap.

On a conference call with reporters on Monday, senior Biden administration officials said that in addition to the money pledged to the international vaccine initiative, known as Covax, the administration intended to spend $11.5 billion, appropriated by Congress as part of the $1.9 trillion stimulus package, on helping other countries fight the pandemic and administer vaccines.
Denny Chimes will ring 53 times today in honor of those who died from the devastating tornado that swept through Tuscaloosa County, and across Alabama, 10 years ago.

The University of Alabama announced that the university will host a remembrance ceremony, beginning just after 5 p.m., at the chimes on The Quad. The chimes will begin ringing at 5:13 p.m., the school said, at the time the tornado struck the area on April 27, 2011.

The April 27, 2011 outbreak included the two deadliest single tornadoes in the states history. The storms killed at least 240 in Alabama, and 110 others as tornadoes were reported in 21 states over the duration of the three-day super outbreak. In Alabama alone the storms injured more than 2,000 people and caused nearly $4.3 billion in property damage.

There were 13 deadly tornadoes on April 27 in Alabama, which is more than there have been in the 10 years since combined. Two of the tornadoes spawned in the outbreak still stand as the deadliest single tornadoes in the states history, according to the National Weather Service.

Along with the ceremony, the UA Center for Service and Leadership is selling memorial T-shirts online. All proceeds from the sale of the shirts, which read Tuscaloosa Strong, will benefit the Acts of Kindness Student Relief Fund.

There are also two opportunities to volunteer in Tuscaloosa for students and employees. More information on those opportunities can be found here.

See all coverage of the storms, and the 10-year mark, here.
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Britain today confirmed another 17 Covid deaths and 2,685 infections as the numbers continued to fall but Boris Johnson warned the country is 'not out of the woods yet'.

Deaths fell by half from 33 a week ago, while positive tests were up just 6.8 per cent on last Tuesday's 2,524.

There are 1,608 people in hospital with Covid across Britain and 169 were admitted to wards last Wednesday, with the daily average continuing to fall.

Despite optimism as the UK loosens its lockdown rules and warm weather returns, the Prime Minister warned that new variants of the virus still pose a threat and the Government still faces 'tough decisions'.

No10 issued a statement summarising today's Cabinet meeting that said: 'The PM reiterated the data continues to look good but warned that we are not out of the woods yet as variants of concern continue to pose a threat.

'The PM said while the road ahead looks positive, there will still be challenges and this Government will continue to take tough decisions where necessary to protect both lives and livelihoods.'

Another 304,688 people got their second vaccine doses yesterday along with 90,695 receiving a jab for the first time. A total of 33.84million people have had at least one jab and 13.2m are now fully immunised.

NHS figures showed that a quarter of British adults have now had a full two-dose course and 47million vaccines have been dished out in total. Health Secretary Matt Hancock hailed the milestone a 'terrific cause for celebration' as he announced that everyone over the age of 42 is now eligible to get vaccinated.

The number of people getting tested for coronavirus is surging because rapid lateral flow tests are now offered for free to everyone who wants them and also mandated for school staff and pupils

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, pictured yesterday at a beach in Llandudno, said today that Britain is 'not out of the woods yet'

Mr Hancock said today: 'This latest milestone is a terrific cause for celebration  over a quarter of all adults across the UK, including those most vulnerable to Covid, have now had two jabs, meaning they have received the strongest possible protection.

'Thank you to the brilliant NHS, volunteers, local authorities, armed forces and civil servants who continue to work tirelessly to vaccinate people as quickly as possible.

'There is undeniable evidence that vaccines are saving lives, significantly reducing hospitalisations and deaths.

'I urge all those who are offered an appointment to get their jab and join the millions of people who now have protection from this terrible disease.'

The milestone comes as NHS England today lowered the age for people to get a coronavirus vaccine for the second time this week.

From today, everyone over the age of 42  or who have their 42nd birthday before July  will be invited to come forward for their jab.

Mr Hancock, 42, revealed the expansion in a video posted on Twitter, adding that he was 'very excited' to come forward for a vaccine himself.

All 1.3million people aged 42 and 43 will invited via text from 'NHSvaccine', which includes a web link to the health service's online booking service. Those who can't access the internet can call 119 instead to get an appointment at one of 1,600 sites administering the vaccines across England.

It comes after the age limit in England was dropped to 44 yesterday.

Two-thirds of 45 to 49-year-olds have already received their first dose, despite the programme only opening to them a fortnight ago. The scheme is expected to widen even further to people in their 30s next week.

But the number of first doses being administered each day has fallen from a peak of 750,000 to just 90,000 yesterday after dips in supply meant officials had to focus on meeting second dose targets. Another 300,000 second doses were dished out.

Mr Hancock said: 'We're excited to be able to tell you that today we are opening vaccination up to people aged 43 and 42, which includes me.

'So I'm really looking forward to getting my text. Yesterday we opened up to people aged 44. That's gone very, very well. Thank your to the hundreds of thousands who have come forward and booked your appointment.

From today, everyone over the age of 42 - or who have their 42nd birthday before July - will be invited to come forward for their jab

'And now we're able to go that little bit further. This vaccination roll-out is going incredibly well. The uptake is astonishingly high. So when you get your text, please come forward and get your jab.'

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England's medical director, added: 'Just two weeks after rolling out the vaccine to those aged 45 and over, we are now ready to invite those aged 42 and 43, as the largest vaccination programme in NHS history continues at speed.

'The rapid rollout of the NHS vaccination programme, the swiftest in Europe, hasn't happened by accident.

If you want to end lockdowns forever get vaccinated, says top expert Young people should get Covid vaccines to regain their freedom and bring an end to lockdowns even if they are at a lower risk of dying, a scientist has said. Cambridge University epidemiologist Dr Raghib Ali told MailOnline younger people might not see as big a personal benefit to vaccination as older generations. But widespread vaccination across all adult age groups is vital to bringing an end to the constant restrictions that have ruled people's lives for the past year. Experts are concerned that younger people will have lower jab uptake than elderly groups because they don't face a high risk of death from Covid, and they may be more likely to have seen anti-vaxx theories online or be worried about side effects. Dr Ali said: 'We are going to face an issue, particularly in young people who perceive the threat of Covid to be less. 'I'd say to these people, if you want to avoid another lockdown then vaccination is the best way to do it. Young people suffer from lockdowns most, with their mental and economic health. Vaccination is the only way to do it.' 'There's a degree of altruism versus personal benefit as you go down the age groups, particularly as you get below 30,' Dr Ali said. He added: 'The surveys I've seen suggest uptake is going to be about 85 per cent, which isn't as high as the current rate but no-one thought we'd get 95 per cent uptake before.' Dr Ali suggests a tricky element of young people getting vaccinated is that for many of them it is selfless and intended to protect other people rather than themselves. Advertisement

'It is down to months of careful planning and sheer hard work by nurses, doctors and countless other staff supported by our volunteers.

'If you receive a text inviting you to book in for your jab, please follow the instructions provided  it is simple, effective and provides vital protection against the coronavirus.'

The expansion of the rollout coincidences with a new Government advertising blitz aimed at boosting vaccine uptake in younger Britons.

It included a primetime TV advert that aired during the ad-break on ITV's Emmerdale last night.

The 'every vaccination gives us hope' campaign is also running across social media and on billboards.

Experts are concerned that younger people will have lower jab uptake than elderly groups because they don't face a high risk of death from Covid, and they may be more likely to have seen anti-vaxx theories online or be worried about side effects.

NHS data show that only 644 out of the 86,868 people in England to have died of Covid so far have been under the age of 40  just 0.7 per cent.

Most people admitted to hospital with the disease are in middle age, now that vaccines are protecting large proportions of elderly people.

Public Health England data last week showed that people in their 30s had the highest infection rate among adults at 34 positive cases per 100,000 people.

This was followed by 20 to 29-year-olds, with 32 per 100,000. Teenagers had the highest positive test rate (42) but not all of them are not yet able to get vaccines, so experts say younger adults must get jabs to reduce the impact of those outbreaks.

Studies have suggested that the vaccines will prevent transmission as well as severe disease, meaning it is vital for everyone to get a jab.

Oxford University research last week found that among those who had been given at least one dose of either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine there was a 74 per cent drop in symptomatic infections.

Crucially, the jabs also cut asymptomatic cases  where the person infected has no signs of illness  by more than 50 per cent. This is critical to stopping people unwittingly spreading Covid.

Cambridge University epidemiologist Dr Raghib Ali told MailOnline younger people might not see as big a personal benefit to vaccination as older generations.

Dr Ali said: 'We are going to face an issue, particularly in young people who perceive the threat of Covid to be less.

'I'd say to these people, if you want to avoid another lockdown then vaccination is the best way to do it. Young people suffer from lockdowns most, with their mental and economic health. Vaccination is the only way to do it.

'There's a degree of altruism versus personal benefit as you go down the age groups, particularly as you get below 30.'

NHS England lowered the age for people to get a coronavirus vaccine for the second time this week following successful rollouts in older age groups (file)

He added: 'The surveys I've seen suggest uptake is going to be about 85 per cent, which isn't as high as the current rate but no-one thought we'd get 95 per cent uptake before.'

Dr Ali suggests a tricky element of young people getting vaccinated is that for many of them it is selfless and intended to protect other people rather than themselves.

Vaccine hesitancy in Britain is highest among 16 to 29-year-olds, according to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

An ONS survey carried out in February and March found some 12% of people in this age group said they had declined the vaccine, were unlikely to have the jab if offered or did not know if they would have a vaccination.

This is the equivalent of around 1.2 million people, based on the weighted population figures used in the ONS survey.

Hesitancy was nine per cent among those aged 30 to 49  the equivalent of 1.6 million people.
Billions of dollars of damage has been caused by ransomware to both business and home users in the last 12 months, the New Zealand-headquartered security firm Emsisoft says in figures released on Tuesday, adding that the average ransom demand increased by more than 80% during the same period, with a total of US$18 billion (A$23.2 billion) paid in ransoms globally.

In addition, there were further costs incurred due to the downtime. The company said it based its figures on submissions to the ransomware identification service ID Ransomware, with 506,185 submissions made during 2020.

The costs were placed in two categories: the minimum cost and the estimated cost, with the latter taking into account Emsisoft's belief that only a quarter of incidents end up being reported.

While the US, expectedly, was at the top of the list with a minimum cost of US$920.4 million when both businesses and home users were counted, Australia was eighth, with minimum costs of US$424.1 million.

The company added a note of caution about the figures, saying: "While all figures contained in this report are based on the best information currently available, truly accurate projections are impossible due to limited datasets, information sharing limitations, the absence of incident disclosure requirements, and so on.

"Consequently, this report is not intended to be an accurate estimate of the true global cost of ransomware. Instead, we wish to highlight the scale of the problem.

"By drawing attention to the enormous economic impact of ransomware, we want to encourage companies, law enforcement agencies and lawmakers to be more proactive in combating one of the worlds greatest cyber security threats."

Brett Callow, a ransomware researcher with Emsisoft, said: "The number of incidents has remained fairly flat which, given the challenges caused by COVID-19 and remote working, could be perceived as a win.

"But it's a very, very small win. The fact that extremely large number of public and private sector companies continue to fall victim isn't at all encouraging.

"And nor is it surprising. Ransom demands have increased significantly, so threat actors are better resourced and more motivated than ever before.

"As we've said many times before, the only way to put a spoke in the ransomware industry's wheel is to cut off the flow of cash. If attacks become unprofitable, they'll stop. And that means companies' must stop paying ransoms."
Blinken warns Africa over China's motives

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged African nations to approach all their relationships "with your eyes wide open." File photo: AP

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday cautioned Africa to beware of China's growing role as he vowed a greater US commitment in talks with Nigeria and Kenya.



In what was billed as a virtual trip due to Covid-19 restrictions, the top US diplomat was holding talks with the two nations' leaders and "touring" sites including a US-funded mobile hospital and renewable energy project.



Responding to questions from young Africans who have studied in the United States, Blinken said he hoped that African nations approach all their relationships "with your eyes wide open."



"We're not asking anyone to choose between the United States or China, but I would encourage you to ask those tough questions, to dig beneath the surface, to demand transparency and to make informed choices about what is best for you and your countries," Blinken said.



The United States has increasingly had a competitive relationship with China, which has ramped up investment in Africa with a focus on natural resources and without claiming to advance democratic values.



Blinken pointed to concerns that a number of nations have been saddled with unsustainable debts after taking Chinese loans, with Zambia last year defaulting.



"You should be looking hard at whether when other countries come in to build a big infrastructure project, are they bringing their own workers with them or are they giving jobs to people in the country where they're making investments?" Blinken asked.



On the part of the United States, "We believe in Africa. We believe in the extraordinary potential."



"Your success is our success, and we want to invest in it but in the right way."



President Joe Biden has shown an early interest in Africa, even without specific initiatives, in contrast with his predecessor Donald Trump, who was the first US president in decades not to visit Africa while in office and notoriously was quoted as dismissing majority-black nations with an epithet.



Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, speaking to Blinken, thanked Biden for easing Trump's harsh restrictions on visas to the United States.



Buhari vowed to step up close security collaborations with the United States on hotspots including the Sahel.



"Nigeria and our security forces remain resolutely committed to continue them and addressing the root causes," he said.



"The support for important and strategic partners like the United States cannot be overstated." (AFP)
Four hot seats -- Bhowanipore, Rasbehari, Ballygunge and Kolkata Port -- in South Kolkata clocked only 59.91 per cent polling

Voters wait in queues to cast votes at a polling station during the 7th phase of West Bengal Assembly elections at a village near Balurghat in South Dinajpur district, Monday, April 26, 2021. (PTI)

Kolkata/Berhampore: The seventh phase of the Assembly elections in 34 seats spread over five districts in West Bengal recorded 75.06 per cent polling that went off peacefully except some stray incidents of violence in Murshidabad on Monday.

While nine seats in Murshidabad saw voter turnout of 80.30 per cent, six constituencies in South Dinajpur of North Bengal saw 80.21 per cent polling with 78.76 per cent and 70.34 per cent voting in six seats of Malda and nine in Burdwan West respectively from 7 am to 5 pm.

However four hot seats -- Bhowanipore, Rasbehari, Ballygunge and Kolkata Port -- in South Kolkata clocked only 59.91 per cent polling during which chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her MP nephew cast their votes. A revised figure of polling is expected from the Election Commission on Tuesday.

Unlike other districts, Murshidabad remained tense since morning. At Senapara, Raninagar BJP candidate Mashwara Khatun's car was attacked and her polling agent was beaten up by armed Trinamul Congress workers. The police had to rescue her.

Allegations again surfaced against the Central paramilitary forces of ransacking Raninagar block TMC president Mizanur Rahman's residence and destroying food. When district TMC president and MP Abu Taher Khan went there, angry workers of his party shouted "Go Back" slogans at him. He was soon seen leaving in his car in face of the protest. At Gurapasla High School in Nabagram, the Central forces allegedly beat an elderly TMC worker so much that he had to be admitted at Nabagram Hospital.

Later the CM, while lashing out at the Central forces over its excessive use of force, said, "We will lodge an FIR against the CRPF in these incidents." In Farakka, an aged TMC worker, Janmejoy Mondal, was injured in an attack by the BJP workers armed with sharp-cutting weapons. He was admitted at the Farakka Hospital.

Murshidabad Congress candidate Niyazuddin Sheikh was caught by the TMC workers distributing money hidden in masks at a booth in Gudhia High School. But Mr Ahmed claimed that he distributed only masks to the voters for their protection from Covid-19. The Election Commission has sought a report of the incident.

Meanwhile, Jalangi Sanjukta Morcha candidate Saiful Islam Mollah from the CPI(M) and his three associates were attacked by the TMC workers with bamboo poles and sticks at Choanpara.
The president says the country is at war against the virus  and he has not won all the battles. Manufacturing problems, concerns about side effects and millions of people who remain hesitant to take the vaccine threaten to undercut Bidens hopes that the country can return to some kind of normal life by the Fourth of July.
Fair brokers in both parties and both chambers are at the table, working in good faith to forge a consensus on police reform. Its heartening, and their efforts are as impressive as they are necessary to advance new rules for law enforcement that a majority of Americans say are badly needed. Yet step back and picture a bill 10 Republican senators would support -- and that would be good enough for the left of the Democratic Party -- and that picture is clearly  blank.

On Wednesday, President Biden will elevate this issue to millions in prime time during his first joint address to Congress, in the majestic setting of the House of Representatives, likely his largest audience since his inauguration. Behind the scenes, the administration is scrambling to assuage stakeholders as the sensitive negotiations continue against steep odds -- Black Lives Matter activists dont even support the Democrats bill while Congress most liberal members have already scoffed at the GOP compromise on the measures most controversial provision.

Since Jan. 20, President Biden and his fellow Democrats have forged ahead without Republicans, and without the bipartisan results Biden had promised. He and his party are now in go-for-broke mode on every legislative priority. First COVID relief was passed only by Democrats using a special process, known as reconciliation, allowing them to bypass the Senate filibuster. Then the administration announced two massive, costly initiatives it calls infrastructure that could pass late this summer, again, by reconciliation. Those process tricks will be possible only because the proposed transportation projects and social welfare programs are budgetary matters, and since Congress failed to produce both a 2020 and 2021 budget, this is a rare year when the party in power can use reconciliation twice. But Democrats are fighting internally about whether or not to blow up the filibuster since they cannot pass voting reforms or immigration fixes or gun safety legislation with reconciliation. Police reform faces the same challenge.

For now, the ambitious goal of passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is being met with an earnest push for a breakthrough that party leaders are blessing with their distance. Neither House Speaker Nancy Pelosi nor Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is weighing in on negotiations that GOP Sen. Tim Scott has undertaken with Democratic Sen. Cory Booker and his House colleague Rep. Karen Bass. Last week Pelosi expressed her support for Bass efforts: I trust her to keep on the table what can be accomplished, she said. I trust whatever they decide. McConnell said Scott has his full support and added, Im hopeful that well find a way forward.

Democrats filibustered Scotts bill last year, which would have provided incentives to states that took action against chokeholds and excessive force. Last month only one Republican supported the Democrats bill. The Justice in Policing Act creates a national registry for police misconduct, lowers the threshold for prosecution of officers from willfulness to recklessness, and bans no-knock warrants and chokeholds by tying federal funding for local and state police departments to the outlawing of such practices. The major sticking point between the parties remains qualified immunity, the protections afforded police officers from civil lawsuits, which reform proponents say permits them to kill with impunity.

Scott has amended his bill and has now proposed that police departments, and not individual officers, be held accountable in civil suit for incidents of excessive force. Sen. Dick Durbin called it movement in the right direction, Booker wouldnt comment and Bass did not reject it outright. But liberal freshman Rep. Jamaal Bowman did. Individual police officers absolutely should be held accountable, he said. Another liberal freshman also said she wont support Scotts idea. I didn't come to Congress to compromise on what could keep us alive, Rep. Cori Bush told CNN Sunday. The president of the NAACP has called the Democrats position on qualified immunity non-negotiable.

Scott thinks there is enough overlap and agreement that a reform bill can pass. He told CNN, The two bills are very much similar, in a lot of ways, so why not get what you can get, and fight over what you cant later?

But Democrats are already under pressure from reform activists who dont like their original bill. A group of 150 organizations, which aligned in 2014 as The Movement for Black Lives, argues the Justice in Policing Act is merely a set of incremental changes that doesnt address the root causes of police violence and terror. In a letter to House Judiciary Democrats, the movement stated that the bill, in its very name, centers investments in policing rather than what should be front and center -- upfront investments in communities and people.

In a new ABC News/Washington Post poll, six in 10 Americans say more must be done to hold police accountable for mistreating black people. The survey found 63% of respondents say black Americans and other minorities are not treated equally to white Americans in the criminal justice system. While its conceivable that Scotts bill could attract nine Republicans to get a consensus measure past a Senate filibuster, it doesnt mean all 50 Democratic senators will support it and liberal House members seem to have already drawn red lines.

Biden appreciates the urgency of his partys demands for reform, and has technically moved up the timetable for action. During the presidential campaign, he promised a commission on police reform would commence during his first 100 days. That has been scratched; the commission was quietly killed off last month. Stakeholders expressed concerns to the administration that a commission would delay a push for legislation and could harm prospects for passage.

A bipartisan plan, if Democrats supported one, would help the party mitigate a political liability Biden worries about. Left-wing calls to defund the police cost Democrats in down-ballot 2020 races. Political data scientist David Shor reported losses for Democrats among Hispanic and black voters in last year's election as a result of being tagged as socialists who wanted to defund the police. Biden was recorded at a meeting in December saying Republicans beat the hell out of us across the country with the issue. Rep. James Clyburn -- the highest ranking African American leader in the Congress who is credited with salvaging Bidens primary campaign and helping him become the partys nominee -- has been explicit in his concerns about such rhetoric. After the election he said that being tagged with defunding the police was killing our party and weve got to stop it.

Last week, after 20-year-old Daunte Wright was shot and killed by police during a traffic stop in Minnesota, House Democratic Squad member Rashida Tlaib tweeted, I am done with those who condone government funded murder. No more policing, incarceration and militarization. It cant be reformed.

Biden and Clyburn are keenly aware that Tlaibs tweet is likely already a part of GOP fundraising letters and will be included in advertisements against Democrats in next year's midterms. They know Democrats need to pass a bill before then if they expect their voters to return to the polls, and that a bipartisan bill will not be good enough for the left.

Meanwhile, just because Republicans are cheering on Scott doesnt mean they will vote for his bill. GOP pollster Neil Newhouse told CNN that Republicans will need the issue in the midterm elections more than they need to compromise on a bipartisan bill. There may be bite-sized pieces that Republicans can go for, but 2022 is probably going to be a lower turnout election  a typical midterm election, which makes it a base election, he said. Its hard to see how moving toward a compromise helps motivate your base or even helps win you crossover votes.  Whatever bill the Democrats are pushing forward is probably going to go too far for most moderate Republicans.

The likelihood is that Scott and his Democratic negotiating partners will fail to convince their parties to compromise  and that too many Republicans and Democrats would rather fight about it now and fight about it later.
[April 27, 2021] REEF Launches Local Restaurant Development Program in Vancouver, Pledging $125K to Help Area Businesses Expand as Part of $1.25M Program

Leader in Delivery-Only Kitchens Announces Vancouver as First Canadian Pilot City VANCOUVER, BC, April 27, 2021 /CNW/ -- REEF , the largest operator of neighbourhood kitchens and urban logistics hubs in the United States and Canada, announces today the expansion to Vancouver of the recently launched NBRHD Restaurant Development Program, designed to help local restaurants scale their delivery business and provide marketing support through REEF's Kitchens platform. In total, REEF Technology has earmarked $1.25M CAD in grant money to support qualifying local restaurants across North America over the course of the next few weeks and months. Restaurants with fewer than three locations qualify to apply for the program, and REEF encourages applications from local women, minority and Indigenous-owned restaurants. REEF is working with a group of local panelists, including various non-profits, social tastemakers, hospitality experts, and restaurant coalitions on selecting local finalists. In Vancouver, REEF is partnering with the BC Restaurant and Foodservice Association as well as Joyce Lam, a local food blogger with the popular @vanfoodies account on Instagram, to review brand submissions. "We're honored to join REEF in supporting culinary entrepreneurs in Vancouver as they work to scale their businesses, especially during such challenging times for the industry," said Ian Tostenson, President and CEO of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservice Association. "I an't think of a better city for REEF to expand this program to which is home to so many innovative local brands."



The initiative was incubated in REEF's hometown of Miami over the last month and garnered more than 100 applications from local restaurateurs and entrepreneurs. The program then launched in Chicago in March. Vancouver is the first Canadian city REEF has expanded the program to, giving local restaurants the opportunity to tap into REEF's ecosystem of NBRHD Kitchens which includes turnkey solutions for the preparation, distribution, and expansion of delivery food concepts. Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart welcomed REEF's announcement: "Our local restaurants have shown incredible resilience and ingenuity as they pivot to stay afloat amongst COVID-19 restrictions," said Mayor Stuart. "We have a vibrant local restaurant scene with incredible food entrepreneurs, and I'm so glad that REEF has chosen our city as the first Canadian location to expand support to our local restaurants. I'm proud to be a mayor of a city that continues to attract this kind of innovation and community partnership and look forward to seeing many more great things from REEF in the future."

How to Apply Applications will open at 8:00am on Tuesday, April 27th and will be accepted until 11:59pm on June 27 th .

and will be accepted until on . Applications can be made here .

. REEF is currently accepting applications from locally-owned restaurants in Vancouver. Evaluation Process

Over the next few months, at least five recipients in Vancouver will be selected based on the strength of their culinary concept, potential for success on delivery platforms, community following and personal story. Each recipient will receive the following: A dedicated?marketing campaign?for their restaurant, valued at $12,500

An additional $12 ,500 financial grant

,500 financial grant A partnership spot in REEF's NBRHD Kitchens platform to expand their delivery business  this includes a full suite of services including menu development, procurement and culinary operations

to expand their delivery business  this includes a full suite of services including menu development, procurement and culinary operations Professional food photography for delivery platforms "Local restaurants are the heart of Vancouver, and we're thrilled to continue supporting them through the REEF platform and through this innovative program," said Sophia Cote, REEF's Head of Public Affairs for Vancouver. "Our NBRHD Restaurant Development Program was created to help our beloved local brands adapt, sustainably grow their business and reach new customers without upfront capital costs, and is perfectly suited to this critical moment facing the industry." In addition to this call for local restaurants, REEF is also actively hiring for a variety of roles in their NBRHD Kitchens including kitchens supervisors, line cooks and prep cooks. REEF offers competitive wages, bonus potential and more. Interested parties can learn more here . Visit here for program FAQs, learn more about the application process and meet REEF Neighborhood Kitchens. REEF Neighborhood Kitchens is a delivery-only network of 100+ neighborhood kitchens in 20+ cities across North America and Europe. About REEF

REEF's mission is to connect the world to your block. We transform underutilized urban spaces into neighborhood hubs that connect people to locally curated goods, services, and experiences. With an ecosystem of 5,000 locations and a team of 15,000 people, REEF is the largest operator of mobility, logistics hubs, and neighborhood kitchens in the United States.?Together we are leveraging the power of proximity to keep our communities moving forward in a sustainable and thoughtful way. Visit reeftechnology.com for more information. SOURCE REEF

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European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said she felt hurt and alone when her colleague Charles Michel took the only seat for talks with Turkey's Erdogan - leaving her perched on a sofa.

The EU chiefs met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara for talks on tense EU-Turkey relations earlier this month.

But only two chairs were set out in front of the EU and Turkish flags for the three leaders and Michel took the chair next to Erdogan.

Von der Leyen said she was treated poorly simply because she is a woman.

In a clip from the meeting, she can be seen standing up looking at the seated men, expressing her astonishment with an 'ehm' sound, and a gesture of disappointment.

She was later seen seated on a large beige sofa, away from her male counterparts.

Von der Leyen said she was treated poorly simply because she is a woman after a video showed her colleague Charles Michel sitting in the only available seat during talks with Turkey's Erdogan (pictured)

Instead, Von der Leyen was forced to sit on a sofa beside the two men and during a speech yesterday she said she felt 'hurt and alone'

'I am the first woman to be president of the European Commission. I am the president of the European Commission, and this is how I expected to be treated when visiting Turkey two weeks ago. Like a commission president, but I was not,' Von der Leyen told EU lawmakers.

'I cannot find any justification for (how) I was treated in the European treaties. So, I have to conclude that it happened because I am a woman,' she said. 'Would this have happened if I had worn a suit, and a tie?'

Von der Leyen, who didn't publicly blame either Erdogan or Michel for the incident, said she saw no shortage of chairs in other similar meetings in the past, or many women for that matter.

She also dismissed Michel's claims the incident took place due to a protocol incident.

'I felt hurt, and I felt alone, as a woman, and as a European. Because it is not about seating arrangements or protocol. This goes to the core of who we are.

'This goes to the values our union stands for, and this shows how far we still have to go before women are treated as equals, always and everywhere,' she said.

The apparent protocol gaffe at the Turkish presidential palace ignited a public uproar.

Turkey insisted that the EU's own protocol requests were applied but the European Council head of protocol said his team didn't have access, during their preparatory inspection, to the room where the incident happened.

Michel (left during talks with Erdogan) has since apologised for the incident and acknowledged he should have given up his seat for Von der Leyen (right)

Von der Leyen delivered an impassioned speech during a debate in the plenary at the European Parliament in Brussels yesterday (pictured)

Michel apologised on Monday. Providing an explanation as to why it had taken him until yesterday to apologise, he acknowledged he should have given up his seat.

He was concerned about sparking a broader diplomatic incident, especially given the poor state of relations between Turkey and the 27-nation bloc.

The incident has further fuelled speculation that the two EU chiefs are feuding.

Von der Leyen said that fortunately cameras were present at the meeting and that the images made headlines around the world, The Telegraph reports.

'Thanks to them the short video of my arrival immediately went viral and caused headlines around the world.

'There was no need for subtitles. There was no need for translations, the images spoke for themselves.'

But she said that many women aren't so lucky, and she noted the increase in violence against women and children during the coronavirus pandemic.

During her speech, Von der Leyen said it was fortunate cameras were present at the meeting to capture the moment

The head of the EU's executive branch, whose speech was praised by several lawmakers, also said that during the talks with Erdogan she raised Turkey's decision to abandon the Istanbul Convention, which is aimed at combating violence against women.

'The withdrawal of one of the founding members of the Council of Europe is a terrible signal,' Von der Leyen said, but she also noted that several EU member countries haven't ratified the convention and that others are even considering pulling out.

'This is not acceptable. Any kind of violence against women and children is a crime. We must call it a crime and it must be punished as such,' she said.

Von der Leyen said she wants the EU itself to join the convention, but that the move is being blocked by some member countries.

She said that by the end of the year the European Commission 'will put forward alternative legislation to prevent and combat violence against women and children, offline and online.'
(ANSA) - ROME, APR 27 - Premier Mario Draghi told the Lower House on Tuesday that the government's post-COVID PNRR Recovery Plan makes possible investments that would otherwise have been "unthinkable".

The premier addressed the House again on Tuesday after it debated his presentation of the 248-billion-euro package, which aims to make the country greener and more modern, on Monday.

Draghi is set to present the plan to the Senate later on Tuesday.

"The National Plan of Recovery and Resilience (PNRR) makes possible investments that would have been impossible, unthinkable, until days ago," Draghi said.

"The whole plan is an investment in the future and in the new generations".

The PNRR is based on 191.5 billion euros from the European Union's Next Generation EU recovery fund and 30 billion from a complementary fund, plus another 26 billion for specific projects, making a grand total of 248 billion euros.

The plan estimates that its measures will see Italy's GDP at least 3.6% higher in 2026 than it would have been otherwise.

Draghi said 40% of the funds would be devoted to southern Italy, which accounts for 34% of Italy's population.

He said the aim was "to accelerate growth in the south, which has been still for half a century".

It features an ambitious reform programme focused on four areas - Italy's public administration, the justice system, simplification of legislation and the promotion of competition.

"I don't say that competition is the panacea in all situations, absolutely not," Draghi said.

"In most situations regulated competition is best, not competition without rules. We have learnt this at our expense in recent years".

He added that a reform of Italy's tax system was needed to "accompany" the plan, even though it was not directly within its scope.

"Tax reform is one of the key actions (needed) to respond to the country's structural weaknesses and, in this sense, it is an integral part of the recovery that we intend to trigger, with the help of European resources," he said.

He said he hoped there would be broad agreement among Italy's political parties on a reform of the tax system. (ANSA).


Section, a Boulder, Colo.-based Edge as a Service (EaaS) provider, closed a $12m Series B funding.

The round was led by Lumen Technologies, with participation from existing investors Foundry Group and Next Frontier Capital, and new investor Andreas Family Office.

The company intends to use the funds to continue to expand operations and its business reach.

Founded in 2012 in Sydney, Australia, by Stewart McGrath, CEO, Section provides Edge as a Service technologies that power next-gen applications with secure digital experiences. For application engineers, the platform removes the burdens associated with Edge infrastructure provisioning, workload orchestration, scaling, monitoring, and traffic routing, so they can focus on innovating their core product.

Over the past year, the company released several technologies including:

Adaptive Edge Engine, which continuously tunes and reconfigures edge delivery networks to ensure edge workloads are running in optimal locations to meet real-time traffic demands.

continuously tunes and reconfigures edge delivery networks to ensure edge workloads are running in optimal locations to meet real-time traffic demands. Node.js Edge Hosting , which empowers DevOps teams to run mission critical Node.js applications at the network edge.

, which empowers DevOps teams to run mission critical Node.js applications at the network edge. Traffic Monitor, which gives DevOps engineers, application owners, and business leaders a way to quickly visualize how traffic is flowing through their edge architecture, delivering insights beyond functional boundaries.

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Prosecutors to check information on mass turtle mortality in regional reserves lake

10:53 27/04/2021

MOSCOW, April 27 (RAPSI)  Prosecutors will check information on the mass mortality of turtles in a lake in the Voronezh biosphere reserve, according to a statement of the Prosecutor Generals Office.

After the check certain steps will be taken to determine reasons and condition resulting in the infliction of damage to the fauna, prosecutors note.

Breaching of the nature reserves regulations leading to the infliction of considerable damage is punishable under the Criminal Code of Russia, the statement reads.
US weighs policy on Venezuela as Maduro signals flexibility View Photo

MIAMI (AP)  Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros government is intensifying efforts to court the Biden administration as the new U.S. president weighs whether to risk a political backlash in Florida and ease up on sanctions seeking to isolate the socialist leader.

In the past two weeks, Maduro conceded to longstanding U.S. demands that the World Food Program be allowed to establish a foothold in the country at a time of growing hunger. His allies also vowed to work with the U.S.-backed opposition to vaccinate Venezuelans against the coronavirus and have met with diplomats from Norway trying to revive negotiations to end the countrys never-ceasing political strife.

The frenzy of activity comes as senior U.S. officials are reviewing policy toward Venezuela. An interagency meeting, which was originally scheduled to take place Monday and include Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman but was postponed at the last minute, will focus on whether the U.S. should take steps to support an uncertain attempt at dialogue between Maduro and his opponents, said two people who insisted on anonymity to discuss classified diplomatic matters.

All these recent movement points to Maduro trying to get Washingtons attention, said Geoffrey Ramsey, a Venezuela watcher at the Washington Office on Latin America. The question is whether the White House is ready to commit to a full-fledged negotiations strategy, or whether it will continue to play it safe and keep the policy on the back burner.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza and Jorge Rodriguez, the head of the pro-Maduro congress and a key promoter of dialogue, wouldnt comment when asked about the recent moves by Maduro.

Ramsey said even more goodwill gestures could be on the horizon.

Tuesday is the deadline for a committee in the Maduro-controlled congress to present a list of candidates for the National Electoral Council. Behind the scenes, moderates aligned with former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles have been meeting with Maduro representatives to push for the inclusion of two opposition rectors on the five-member board. If the demand is met, it could pave the way for Maduros opponents to participate in mayoral and gubernatorial elections later this year.

Also in the mix is future of several American citizens jailed in Venezuela. In recent months, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has pressed Maduro and senior aides to release six former executives at Houston-based CITGO who U.S. officials believe are unjustly imprisoned as well as two former Green Berets who participated in a failed raid last year staged from neighboring Colombia and a former U.S. Marine being held on unrelated allegations.

So far, the posturing by Maduro has failed to impress officials in Washington.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has described Maduro as a brutal dictator and vowed to continue recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuelas rightful leader  a position shared by more than 50 nations.

Other than promising to work more with U.S. allies and support the delivery of more humanitarian aid to Venezuela, the Biden administration has done little to unwind Trumps maximum pressure campaign to unseat Maduro.

The politics of engaging with Maduro are treacherous. Past attempts at dialogue have failed to produce a breakthrough and ended up strengthening Maduro, whose grip on power relies on support from the military as well as allies Iran, China and Russia  all of whom have seen their influence expand since Guaido, with U.S. support, tried to ignite protests by declaring himself president in 2019 after Maduro was re-elected in a vote boycotted by the opposition when several of its leaders were barred from running.

That hasnt stopped others from trying to bring the two sides together, however. This week, the Vaticans secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, is traveling to Venezuela in what many observers see as an effort by the Holy See to test the waters for another attempt at negotiations like the ones it mediated with former Spanish President Jose Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero in 2016.

While the trips stated purpose is to attend the April 30 beatification of Jose Gregorio Hernandez, known as the doctor of the poor for his caring of the sick in the 1800s, Parolin is the Vaticans former ambassador to Venezuela and his highly unusual trip suggests more than just saint-making is on the agenda.

But both supporters and opponents of more active U.S. engagement agree that the biggest obstacle is Florida. Trump comfortably carried the battleground state in part due to hardline policies preferred by immigrant voters fleeing Cuba, Venezuela and other authoritarian governments. With Democrats holding a slim six-seat majority in the House of Representatives, betting on Maduro to follow through on his word could end up hurting their chances in midterm elections.

As of today, there is simply no reason to believe the Maduro regime is acting in good faith, said Elliott Abrams, who served as Trumps special envoy to Venezuela and Iran. He cited Maduros failure to honor an agreement last year brokered by the World Health Organizations regional arm to combat the coronavirus pandemic as just one example.

Every engagement by Biden with the Maduro regime undermines the democratic opposition, said Abrams, now a senior fellow at the Council of Foreign Relations. If the US is going to engage at any point, it should only be done in the context of serious negotiations between the regime and the opposition, to help those negotiations succeed.

The planned U.S. policy meeting is unlikely to produce any immediate shift and follows at least one previous high-level meeting by senior Biden officials at several agencies  the Treasury, Justice, Commerce and State Departments as well as the White House  to discuss Venezuela.

However, it could provide a roadmap for future U.S. actions should momentum toward negotiations build, the two people said, including the lifting of a Trump-era ban on diesel fuel swaps that even some of Maduros opponents say is worsening hunger by making it harder to move food supplies to market in diesel-powered trucks.

The U.S. must also decide by June whether to allow Chevron to resume limited drilling and oil shipments  a potential lifeline to Maduro, who is desperate for every dollar as oil production under his watch has fallen to its lowest level since the 1930s despite abundant crude reserves. As part of a waiver from sanctions granted last year, the U.S. oil giant and its American partners were ordered to cease all operations except those strictly necessary to maintain its assets in the country.

The State Department wouldnt comment on Mondays meeting or the status of the review of U.S. policy. However, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere said the U.S. welcomes efforts to relieve the suffering of the Venezuelan people and bring the countrys humanitarian crisis to an end through effective international cooperation.

To be sure, not all of the signals coming from Caracas are encouraging.

Last week, when the State Department celebrated the World Food Programs announcement it would begin providing emergency food assistance to 1.5 million Venezuelan children, Foreign Minister Arreaza took to Twitter to accuse the U.S. of kidnapping Venezuelas resources in international banks through criminal sanctions.

That triggered a bitter exchange which ended with Arreaza vowing to present as evidence of blackmail to the International Criminal Court a tweet by a senior State Department official conditioning sanctions relief on the release of political prisoners and the organizing of free and fair elections.

If Washingtons responses remain exclusively public  via Twitter or television  without a counterpart in a private diplomatic channel, progress or any sort of thaw or transition will be painful and full of mistrust, said Phil Gunson, a Caracas-based analyst for the Brussels-based International Crisis Group.

While Gunson said Maduros limited willingness to engage in partial agreements should be reciprocated wherever possible to encourage further opening, overcoming the inertia of the Trump years will be difficult.

There is no quick fix in Venezuela, said Gunson. A solution is going to require subtlety and long-term engagement.

___

Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington and Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this report.

By JOSHUA GOODMAN

Associated Press
Even a decade later, it seems hard to believe.

The tornado outbreak of April 27, 2011 cemented itself in the consciousness of every Alabamian who experienced it. Two waves of deadly storms battered the state over the course of one day, leaving broken cities, twisted wreckage and lost lives.

Looking at the statistics gives only the barest idea of what occurred. The deadly weather system was part of a three-day outbreak that was the worst of its kind in U.S. history. Alabama saw 62 tornadoes. Twenty-nine of them left storm tracks covering more than 690 miles.

In all, 240 people died and more than 2,000 people were injured. Storms ranged from momentary supercells that laid waste to trees and power lines, to mile-wide behemoths leaving paths of more than a hundred miles through several counties.

See all of AL.coms April 27, 2011 anniversary coverage here.

One of the survivors, Kelly Dobbs, made it through the collapse of a Hackleburg pharmacy where she worked that day, summing up the fine line between devastation and survival.

We dug out, Dobbs said. I dont know how.

Here is how the storms developed that day.

4:30 a.m.- Tornadoes begin crossing over from Mississippi and firing along a line stretching from Pickens County to Fayette County, causing damage to homes, power lines and felling trees.

6:14 a.m. - The damage reached Odenville in St. Clair County, where an EF-2 tornado damaged several homes, including multi-story brick structures. The tally would only mount as the sun rose.

5:17 a.m. - Tornadoes touched down from the Mercedes plant in Tuscaloosa to Lake Guntersville. A tornado ripped the steeple from a Marshall County church, destroyed chicken houses near Albertville, and damaged homes and trailers in more than five counties in northeast Alabama.

5:54 a.m. - An EF-2 tornado cut a swath of damages for almost eight miles in the Cahaba Heights area near U.S. 280 in Jefferson County, wrecking trees, homes and businesses, crossing Interstate 459 near Liberty Park. Storms laid waste to state parks at Guntersville and Bucks Pocket, with an EF-2 tornado crossing the lake, toppling trees and destroying cabins, a chalet, a wing of the lodge, campers, cars and boats.

After three hours of peril, the first wave of storms begin dissipating around 7:30 a.m., with barns, homes and structures reporting damage as far east at DeKalb County. But weather forecasters were already warning of worse to come that afternoon. But even the interlude between the two waves produced damage.

11:20 a.m. - An EF-1 tornado touched down in Decatur Industrial Park, damaging roofs and leaving damage.

2:43 p.m. - An EF-4 tornado cut through the heart of downtown Cullman, damaging more than 800 homes and 94 businesses, altering the cityscape before continuing on into Morgan and Marshall counties.

3:05 p.m. - A wicked EF-5 tornado slammed into Hackleburg, destroying subdivisions, Hackleburg High School and the Wrangler Plant. It continued on, with wind speeds reaching 210 mph, leaving a trail of devastation in Phil Campbell and Tanner. Vehicles were tossed 200 yards. The storm travelled approximately 132 miles through six counties, killing 72 people and inflicting $1.2 billion in damage.

3:06 p.m. - An EF-4 tornado struck in Pickensville and Cordova, killing 10 people and destroying homes and vehicles along a 123-mile path. Now, the full fury of the outbreak was showing its muscle throughout the state.

4 p.m. - An EF-3 tornado touched down in Marion County, gaining strength west of Hamilton, killing six people and damaging scores of homes.

4:01 p.m. - An EF-4 tornado killed 11 people along a 28-mile path in Jackson and DeKalb counties, leveling Flat Rock and Shiloh before crossing over into Georgia.

4:43 p.m. - A large supercell beginning in Mississippi dropped an EF-4 tornado packing winds of up to 190 m.p.h. in Greene County. The storm cut an 80-mile path of destruction through the heart of Tuscaloosa, killing 44 people, including six University of Alabama students. Entire neighborhoods are leveled. The storm, at one point, was 1.5 miles wide.

Randy Robbins, a survivor of the Tuscaloosa storm, made it through, with the storm ripping his jeans, watch, glasses, and shirt from his body, leaving only his boxers, a silver cross necklace and his iPhone remaining in his right hand.

It continued on into Jefferson County, crossing Interstate 65, slamming into Pleasant Grove, Concord and McDonald Chapel in Jefferson County. In Pratt City the tornado destroyed the library, damaged a fire station, and wiped away homes in several neighborhoods, such as Smithfield Estates.

Clarence Davis, 73, was standing outside his house on Closhire Drive after debris was dumped in his yard. Then he saw the storm wall headed straight for him. It was right in my face, he said. Davis ran inside and sheltered with his family until the storm passed. Then they went outside to see home after home, destroyed.

The storm injured more than 1,000 people as it tracked through three counties.

5:30 p.m. - An EF-3 tornado began a 71-mile path through Greene, Hale and Bibb counties, killing seven and injures more than 50.

6:16 p.m. - An EF-4 tornado with multiple vortices ripped a 33-mile path of destruction through Fyffe, Rainsville and Sylvania, destroying businesses and the Rainsville Civic Center. Along the way, it stripped a school bus down to its chassis. The storm left more than 25 dead before crossing into Georgia.

I dont know what the crap came through here, but it was evil, said Daniel Berry as he stood by the pile of debris that was once his home on Marshall Road. Along the same stretch, the bodies of a man and woman were blown almost 100 feet from their mobile home.

6:23 p.m. - The earlier supercell that devastated Tuscaloosa and Jefferson counties, ignited back into an EF-4 tornado. It touched down near Argo, and cleared at 72-mile path, rolling through Shoal Creek Valley in St. Clair County, packing winds of more than 180 mph and killing 22 people all the way to the Georgia line, obliterating homes along the way.

8:12 p.m. - An EF-4 tornado killed nine along a 44-mile path through Elmore, Tallapoosa and Chambers counties in the Lake Martin area.
Pilot Program Sheds Light on E-Bike Use Patterns, Energy-Efficiency Benefits

Analysis Shows E-Bikes Are an Effective, Energy-Saving Alternative to Other Travel Modes

April 27, 2021

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) partnered with the Colorado Energy Office to assess the travel-behavior impacts of providing low-income essential workers with e-bikes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis results indicate that, among participants during the study period, e-bikes were the dominant travel mode for 30% of trips, followed by shared rides at 29% and single-occupancy-vehicle trips at just 20%.

Launched in fall 2020, the Colorado Energy Offices Can Do Colorado eBike mini-pilot was designed to encourage energy-efficient transportation during the pandemic and demonstrate that e-bikes are a safe, healthy, and convenient way to make essential trips, including commuting to work.

What is an e-bike? Pedal-assist e-bikes use an electric motor and battery to help power the bike. The motor amplifies the power behind each pedal stroke, augmenting the energy you put into the bike. "Riding an e-bike makes you feel superhuman," Duvall said. "With very little energy input, you can go far and fast."

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reduced car travel, resulting in improved air quality and an opportunity to preview a cleaner mobility future, said NRELs Andy Duvall, a transportation behavior analyst. Here at NREL, we wanted to determine how giving front-line workers an e-bike mobility option would affect their travel behavior, possibly contributing to a longer-term shift away from car dependence.

The initial three-month pilot program provided e-bikes to 13 low-income essential workers in the Denver area. The insights garnered from this small-scale pilotdetailed in the resulting NREL technical reportare informing the design of the full-scale, two-year pilot slated to begin this summer in locations across Colorado.

Collecting and Assessing the Data

The data collection and integrated analysis elements of this project leveraged a smart-phone platforme-missiondeveloped by K. Shankari, a directors fellow in NRELs Center for Integrated Mobility Sciences. Used to instrument human mobility, the free, open-source platform enables people to track their travel modes and measure their associated energy use and carbon footprint. Shankari customized the platform for the e-bike program, adding a gamification functionality to the collection of long-term travel-behavior data.

Our analysis results indicate that the use of e-bikes corresponded to reduced travel time and increased productivity, Shankari said. Such end-to-end travel using a relatively fast yet inexpensive mode of transportation is very attractive. E-bikes also provide a very affordable entry into the burgeoning electric vehicle marketplace.

The e-bike program offers an important solution for affordable, efficient transportation. Such programs can go a long way toward supporting both equity and sustainability, Shankari added.

Micromobility: Exploring an Avenue for Equity, Productivity, and Sustainability

Micromobility options, such as manual and electric-assisted human-powered vehicles, are often presented as a solution for reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency for short-distance trips, especially in urban areas. Although transportation researchers have studied shared micromobility usage extensively, they have been unable to assess ownership micromobility characteristics due to the lack of relevant data. The data set generated via this project helps fill the gap while also informing the micromobility work that Duvall leads for the U.S. Department of Energys Systems and Modeling for Accelerated Research in Transportation Mobility Project.

As far as I know, this is the only ownership model e-bike data-collection effort to date, Duvall said. The new data set reflects a longitudinal view of ownership micromobility, e-bike usage patterns, trip purpose, and the travel modes that the e-bike trips replaced. Unlike shared micromobilitywhere a third of the trips are used for accessing transitownership micromobility seems to be used more for end-to-end trips, like how cars are used.

The pilot provided a baseline for understanding e-bike behavior, particularly as it pertains to personal ownership. It showed that e-bikes were primarily used to replace car trips, enabling participants to shift their mobility patterns toward cheaper, more sustainable choices, with energy and emissions benefits.

Learn more about NREL's sustainable transportation and mobility research and integrated data and analysis tools.
Extra funds assigned to those helping victims of domestic violence

PM Eduard Heger grants millions to organisations from his reserve fund.

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The pandemic has highlighted that home is not necessarily a safe place for everyone. The government will offer help centres for domestic abuse victims 3 million in funding from the prime ministers reserve fund.

On Monday this information was disclosed by PM Eduard Heger alongside Finance Minister Igor Matovic (both OLaNO).

The money, said Heger, is supposed to help women who need it the most. He also disclosed his belief that the prime ministers reserve should be used for solving the real problems that people face. The prime ministerial reserve fund has been highly criticised in the past as a non-systemic and non-transparent solution. For example, after the previous prime minister Peter Pellegrini (now Hlas) granted hundreds of thousands of euros to various organisations in the past, the non-governmental Transparency International Slovakia (TIS) called for the fund to be scrapped altogether.

Safe homes

With the latest grant of 3 million, every organisation that is dedicated to and helps abused women and their children will be able to gain access to the money upon requesting via the proper channels, said head of the Department of Gender Equality of the Labour Ministry, Zuzana Brixova. The channels will be disclosed on the webpage of the Slovak Government's Office.

According to Labour Minister Milan Krajniak (Sme Rodina), the pandemic has uncovered many unsolved problems from the past.

One legislative shortcoming was the lack of a crisis state apparatus to help so-called safe homes, he added.

Systematic solution to be introduced

This reserve will, says Brixova, be used as a financial injection, and only as a temporary solution until the Labour Ministry finds a systematic way to finance safe homes for women and organisations that help women suffering from domestic abuse.

She added that the ministry created a new team for the purpose of achieving this goal.

The members of this group have collectively agreed with the representatives of the ministry that the current situation can only be solved by a new legal norm. The Ministry of Labour is preparing a new law on social services and is considering a radical increase in the amount of funds for public and private providers, so that safe homes for women and other helpful organisations dont get into situations where they dont know how they will pay out their employees next month, she illustrated.

The contributions will amount to 370 per person a month, for the purpose of covering emergency housing costs. Outpatient services, which are offered by facilities for consulting services, will receive 10 per hour of consulting. This covers both legal and psychological consulting.

President welcomes the move

President Zuzana Caputova appreciated the allocation of 3 million for the purpose of financing housing and consulting services for women and children who suffer from abuse.

The president has pointed to the necessity for these services in the long run; especially during the pandemic, which had a particularly adverse impact on victims of domestic violence. She also welcomes the announcement of a systemic solution for the financing of these services, she stated.

27. Apr 2021 at 17:48 | Compiled by Spectator staff
The Coronavirus cases in India are dismally increasing every day and people are battling for their lives. Now, actor Priyanka Chopra has come forward asking for more vaccines for India as the country battles a second wave of the Coronavirus.



Priyanka also talked about how the US ordered more vaccines than is required and could also afford to share them.

Priyanka took to Twitter saying, "My heart breaks. India is suffering from COVID19 & the US has ordered 550M more vaccines than needed @POTUS @WHCOS @SecBlinken @JakeSullivan46 Thx for sharing AstraZeneca worldwide, but the situation in my country is critical. Will you urgently share vaccines w/ India? #vaxlive."

She has also been amplifying information related to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Check out the tweet here-

My heart breaks. India is suffering from COVID19 & the US has ordered 550M more vaccines than needed @POTUS @WHCOS @SecBlinken @JakeSullivan46 Thx for sharing AstraZeneca worldwide, but the situation in my country is critical. Will you urgently share vaccines w/ India? #vaxlive  PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 26, 2021

However, her post got viral and has around 2.9K re-tweets and 24.9K likes. Many people also thought that she should have tweeted this at least two weeks back.

A user also wrote, You shouldnt have waited for #VaxLive campaign to tweet for your fellow countrymen."

And another one commented saying, "Good morning. The US already agreed to supply the raw materials for vaccine development. This should have been posted yesterday."

Heres what people have to say about this-

This tweet was required Atleast 2 weeks back. You shouldnt have waited for #VaxLive campaign to tweet for your fellow countrymen.  PRABHAKAR PANDEY (@Prabhakar_24) April 26, 2021

Thank you for doing everything possible in your capacity!   (@gandhirks) April 26, 2021

thank you for stepping out and asking what needs to be done!  nicole (@priysangel) April 26, 2021

Thank you for doing every amazing thing proud of you   PRANAV (@pranav1490) April 27, 2021

Everyday I love you just a little bit more, PC. You the best   Prakriti Yadav (@Prakriti_99) April 27, 2021

So sad to hear the news coming from india

I pray for full recovery in the nation  Yakir_P (@p_yakir) April 27, 2021

Thank you for always using your platform  Brit (@xbrisabritx) April 26, 2021

On the work front, Priyanka Chopra is currently shooting for the spy series Citadel which also stars Richard Madden. The series is produced by Russo Brothers. What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below!
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today announced it is giving away 250,000 burritos to healthcare heroes and inviting fans to thank medical professionals in their community through a virtual thank you wall that will live on https://giving.chipotle.com/healthcareheroes

Fans can comment with a message of appreciation and tag a healthcare hero on Chipotle's social posts:

Chipotle thanks healthcare heroes with 250,000 free burritos

Medical professionals can sign up to receive a free burrito starting at 10am PT on Thursday, April 29th, at https://giving.chipotle.com/healthcareheroes.

"Given the events of the past year, we are once again bringing our fans together to show appreciation for the heroic efforts of the healthcare community," said Chris Brandt, Chief Marketing Officer.

Chipotle is also launching a new egift card program that will support healthcare workers. Beginning April 28, the brand will match 10% of special egift card purchases and donate the funds to the American Nurses Foundation, which is the charitable and philanthropic arm of the American Nurses Association (ANA), with the mission to transform the nation's health through the power of nursing. The Foundation supports research, education, and scholarships, which improve health, wellness, and patient care.

The last day to purchase the healthcare egift card is May 9, 2021. Purchaser receives the full value of the egift card. Proceeds will be based on specific healthcare egift card denominations available via chipotle.com/gifts-and-gear. The donation amount will be 10% of sales with a minimum guarantee of $5,000, and maximum donation of $250,000.

In 2020, Chipotle helped fuel frontline workers by donating a total of 200,000 burritos to healthcare facilities across the country. The brand also launched an egift card program that donated 10% of egift card purchases to Direct Relief, an organization working to provide personal protective equipment and essential medical items to healthcare workers in the U.S. and around the world.

ABOUT CHIPOTLE

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle had over 2,800 restaurants as of March 31, 2021, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants. With over 97,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. Steve Ells, founder and former executive chairman, first opened Chipotle with a single restaurant in Denver, Colorado in 1993. For more information or to place an order online, visit WWW.CHIPOTLE.COM.

SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

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Details picked up by The Herald on the three key individuals in the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) from the Volta Region, namely Pius Enam Hadzide, Perry Curtis Okudzeto and Richard Ahiagba, have not been snubbed by President Akufo-Addo as being speculated.



Reports point out that John Peter Amewu, the Minister of Railway Development, is the only indigene from the Volta Region, holding ministerial appointment in the Akufo-Addo government, as well as the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa.



This development had sent tongues wagging with many, especially political watchers questioning the appointing authorities' decision to ignore regional balance in the appointment of the deputy ministers.



But The Herald's digging around both the government circles, as well as among the top echelons of NPP, has revealed plans by the President to send Messrs Hadzide, Okudzeto and Ahiagba to other state institutions.



In the case of Pius Hadzide, The Herald's information is that, he has been penciled for the vacant National Youth Authority (NYA) Chief Executive position as his compensation him for the government's inability to make him a Deputy Minister as a result of the Australian Visa scandal which he has constantly denied any involvement.



However, Mr Hadzide's appointment as head of the NYA, is not cast in iron, as Akosua Asaa Manu-Kozie, who is the Deputy CEO of the NYA, is also on the list of the people being considered for the position which became vacant, following Sylvester Tetteh's departure to Parliament on the ticket of Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfro.



On Perry Okudzeto, The Herald picked up that, the President is considering him as a Deputy CEO at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).



The CEO of the NPA, this paper has picked up will be Mustapha Hamid, the former Minister of Zongo Development. Perry and Mustapha enjoy a very cordial working relationship.





In the case of Richard Ahiagbah, the Executive Director of Danquah Institute (DI), The Herald picked up a report that the Presidency had penciled him as Deputy Minister for Communications, but he was not ready to relinquish his US citizenship, hence, his appointment as a deputy minister was withdrawn.



However, there are additional reports on Mr Ahiagba, saying he is likely to be sent to the Office of the President as Deputy Communications Director to Eugene Arhin, who is working his way to go to Parliament on the ticket of Mfantseman Constituency.



President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, April 21, announced names of Deputy Ministerial nominees for various ministries, months after holding the NPP and the party's Parliamentary caucus to ransom regarding the appointments.



Just when the nominees were finally released, strangely missing from the list are some individuals from the Volta region, who many were hopeful were going to be appointed, having ferociously defended both the party and the government in the last four years; amidst sacrificing their reputations.



Some have argued that President Akufo-Addo, chose to give priority to only regions where the party have sitting Members of Parliament (MP) and therefore, since the President had already appointed Mr Amewu, the only NPP MP from the region, there is nothing he could do for those who were not MP, regardless.





But many suspect the President's decision to exclude Volta from the list was deliberate, because the President, has been unhappy with the people as a result of the number of votes he polled during the 2020 elections, compared to what he garnered in the 2016 polls.



What is even more shocking is the exclusion of the three vibrant young men who were very instrumental during the last four years of his administration.



The absence of Hadzide, Okudzeto and Ahiagba from the list, have become a topic on the lips of many, with some people, especially their friends and schoolmates from both sides of the political divide, making mockery of them.



In all, there are 39 deputy ministers appointed under 24 portfolios, subject to approval by Parliament. Ten of the nominees are women.



According to a statement from the presidency, the list had been submitted to the Speaker of Parliament on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.



The ministries of Trade, Local Government and Energy, have three deputy minister-nominees.



The list had been highly anticipated since the vetting of Ken Ofori-Atta, who was the last minister nominee to appear before Parliament's Appointments Committee on March 26.



A number of the Ministers are also maintaining their portfolio from Akufo-Addo's first term, including Abena Osei-Asare at the Finance Ministry, Mohammed Amin Adam, William Owuraku Aidoo at the Energy Ministry, Osei Bonsu Amoah at the Local Government, Decentralisation & Rural Development, and Tina Mensah at the Health Ministry among others.



In addition, a former deputy Minister of Finance, Charles Adu-Boahen, was also nominated as the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance.



The nominees also feature first time MPs like Hassan Tampuli and John Ampontuah Kumah



The statement from the presidency indicated that President Akufo-Addo was hopeful that, "just as was done for his Ministers, Parliament will, on a bi-partisan basis, expedite the approval of his Deputy Ministerial nominees, so they can join the Government forthwith, and assist in the delivery of his mandate for his second term in office."

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  A warning to Floridians: If a piece of the latest SpaceX rocket falls into your yard, call the police  or else.

Under a bill passed by lawmakers Monday, Floridians would face charges for not turning over parts of rockets or other manmade space debris that fall onto their property or wash up on their beach.

If you find an object that reasonably looks like a space part on your lawn and dont report it to police, you could be subject to a new first-degree misdemeanor and up to a $1,000 fine, plus restitution to the owner of the part.

The bill is now heading to Gov. Ron DeSantis desk with backing by SpaceX, run by founder and CEO Elon Musk. The company has been launching from Cape Canaveral for years. On Friday, its Falcon 9 rocket carried four astronauts from NASAs Kennedy Space Center to the International Space Station.

Although NASA rockets and shuttles have been blasting off from Florida for decades, the changing nature of spaceflight has made it more important to recover fallen parts, said lawmakers and a lobbyist for SpaceX.

Because SpaceX is reusing rockets and other parts to dramatically reduce the cost of spaceflight, its more dependent on recovering parts and pieces. Plus, since private companies such as SpaceX have taken over from NASA on a variety of spaceflight duties, companies dont want to lose what might be valuable design secrets.

SpaceX lobbyist Jeff Sharkey told a House committee last month that the company feared losing intellectual property to China.

ALSO READ: SpaceX sends 4 astronauts to International Space Station

This bill, which seems trivial, is extremely important, Sharkey said.

Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, whose district includes Cape Canaveral, said recovering spaceflight parts is an increasingly common issue in Florida.

In my district, when the Challenger was lost, pieces of the orbiter were washing up on our beaches, he told lawmakers last month.

He also pointed to the case last year of a fisherman reeling in two red parachutes and a hatch door used by SpaceX 32 miles off the coast of Daytona Beach. (The fisherman reported it to SpaceX.)

Sirois said the bill was not intended to recover nuts and bolts, but items that are clearly marked as belonging to spacecraft.

And its particularly focused on stopping people from reselling the items. He cited reports of people trying to sell debris from the 2003 space shuttle Columbia disaster on eBay. Selling those items is illegal under federal law. In 2000, an Ohio man pleaded guilty to theft of government property for trying to resell a piece of the space shuttle Challenger 14 years after it exploded off the Florida coast.

What we dont want is for it to end up for sale or in the hands of a competitor country, Sirois said. We want these materials to be returned to people who launched it.

On Monday, the Senate voted unanimously to send the bill to DeSantis desk, where it will become law unless he vetoes it. The bill takes effect July 1.

Florida would be the first state to adopt a law requiring people to report such items to police, Sirois said.

Under House Bill 221, someone who locates debris reasonably identifiable as a spaceflight asset must report the description and location to their local police.

The bill defines a spaceflight asset to include crewed and uncrewed capsules, launch vehicles, parachutes and other landing aids, and any ancillary equipment that was attached to the launch vehicle during launch, orbit, or reentry.

Once contacted, the police must then make a reasonable effort to identify the owner of the part and promptly notify them. The bill allows the owner to enter private property to recover the part if police believe exigent circumstances exist: whether the part presents an immediate danger to public safety or if theres a danger the part will be damaged or destroyed.

Someone who finds the part cant keep it, sell it or refuse to turn it over to police. If they do, they could be charged with a new misdemeanor: misappropriation of a spaceflight asset.

While the bills have sailed through committees, some lawmakers have raised questions.

Were now in a very weird situation where something that drops in my backyard, I have a duty to return it. And if I keep it, Im being charged with a crime, Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-Miami, said during a committee meeting. Its a very new and novel area.

Pizzo, a former prosecutor, raised another concern about the bill. Stealing anything worth more than $750 is considered grand theft in Florida, a third-degree felony. If the space part is worth more than $750, would the person be subject to grand theft as well as the misdemeanor for not turning it in?

Sirois said those decisions would be up to local prosecutors.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off from launch complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla. on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. (SpaceX/TNS)TNS

Ultimately, he said the bill was about making Florida more hospitable to aerospace companies, and he didnt see many Floridians being subject to the new law.

Floridians have aerospace in their blood. Its part of their ethos in the state, he said. I think people will recognize the duty to return these items to their owner.

____

Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times wrote this story.

2021 Tampa Bay Times. Visit at tampabay.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
[April 27, 2021] Spire Maritime Announces Expansion of Data Analytics with New Platform and Features

Spire Global, Inc. ("Spire"), a leading global provider of space-based data and analytics, announced today the launch of a new platform and a new analytics product for the maritime industry. Spire Bridge and Spire Analytics will allow customers to create their own dashboards and alerts customized to their specific use cases. Through the Spire Bridge portal, customers can now access our new product, Spire Analytics, to monitor data usage, get support, documentation, and product updates to activate and operationalize the data Spire measures and provides. Having a dedicated location for all of these features will allow data users to access insights and support faster. "After listening to our customers, the Maritime team has developed a platform for users to better access the data and information they need when they need it. Spire puts its customers first and Spire Bridge is a result of this philosophy," said Simon van den Dries, General Manager, Spire Maritime. To expand Spire Maritime API data services, the team has introduced new analytics capabilities that provide valuable time savings for developers and data engineers. Spire Analytics transforms maritime data into actionable insights to help solve the Maritime industry's business challenges. This tool allows customers to graph, report, and visualise the data. It can also filter searches by ship type, voyage, density map, and more. For customers looking for a faster way to get information about a fleet, port, anchorage, or terminal event, our easy-to-use dashboard can filter the information and deliver the data they need to make data-driven decisions, case by case, without all the background noise. "Spire Maritime's industry-specific dashboards are easy to use, customizable and deliver in-depth insights to help predict outcomes, test business strategies and automate decision making. These new features will allow Spire's customers to use data in more actionable ways," said Max Abouchar, Product Manager, Spire Maritime. As of January 2021, Spire Global has over 100 satellites in orbit that are collecting hundreds of million messages per day. Spire will continue to provide more data and insights to enable the digital transformation of organizations towards data-driven opportunities in the maritime industry. About Spire Global, Inc. Spire is a global provider of space-based data and analytics that offers unique datasets and powerful insights about Earth from the ultimate vantage point so organizations can make decisions with confidence, accuracy, and speed. Spire uses a multi-purpose satellite constellation to source hard to acquire, valuable data and enriches it with predictive solutions. Spire then provides this data as a subscription to organizations around the world so they can improve business operations, decrease their environmental footprint, deploy resources for growth and competitive advantage, and mitigate risk. Spire has offices in San Francisco, CA (News - Alert) , Boulder, CO Washington DC, Glasgow, Luxembourg, and Singapore. On March 1, 2021 Spire announced plans to go public via a planned business combination with NavSight Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:NSH), and expects to be traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "SPIR." To learn more, visit spire.com. About NavSight Holdings, Inc. NavSight Holdings, Inc. ("NavSight") is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. NavSight was organized with the opportunity to pursue a business combination target in any business or industry, with the intent to focus its search on identifying a prospective target business that provides expertise and technology to U.S. government customers in support of their national security, intelligence and defense missions. Additional Information and Where to Find It In connection with the planned business combination with Spire (the "Proposed Transaction"), NavSight intends to file a Form S-4 Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement") with the SEC (News - Alert) , which will include a preliminary proxy statement to be distributed to holders of NavSight's common stock in connection with NavSight's solicitation of proxes for the vote by NavSight's stockholders with respect to the Proposed Transaction and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, a prospectus relating to the offer of the securities to be issued to the Company's stockholders in connection with the Proposed Transaction, and an information statement to Company's stockholders regarding the Proposed Transaction. After the Registration Statement has been filed and declared effective, NavSight will mail a definitive proxy statement/prospectus, when available, to its stockholders. Investors and security holders and other interested parties are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus, any amendments thereto and any other documents filed with the SEC carefully and in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information about NavSight, the Company and the Proposed Transaction. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and definitive proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by NavSight through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: NavSight Holdings, Inc., 12020 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 100, Reston, VA 20191.



Participants in Solicitation NavSight and the Company and their respective directors and certain of their respective executive officers and other members of management and employees may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the Proposed Transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of NavSight is set forth in its Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2021. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the Registration Statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the Proposed Transaction when they become available. Stockholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the Registration Statement carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. When available, these documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

No Offer or Solicitation This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, 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 U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-Looking Statements The information in this press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the Proposed Transaction. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "target" or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expectations of accelerating Spire's sales and marketing efforts, expectations of product development across Spire's maritime segment and the applicability of such products to Spire's market, the strengthening of Spire's competitive advantage, the importance of maritime analytics solutions to Spire's target markets, Spire's ability to advance its solutions to its core markets, the expansion of Spire's business to new regions and markets, Spire's future growth, estimates and forecasts of financial and performance metrics, expectations of achieving and maintaining profitability, projections of total addressable markets, market opportunity and market share, net proceeds from the Proposed Transactions, potential benefits of the Proposed Transaction and the potential success of the Company's market and growth strategies, and expectations related to the terms and timing of the Proposed Transaction. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of NavSight's and the Company's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of NavSight and the Company. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including (i) the risk that the Proposed Transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of NavSight's securities; (ii) the risk that the Proposed Transaction may not be completed by NavSight's business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by NavSight; (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Transaction, including the approval of the Proposed Transaction by the stockholders of NavSight, the satisfaction of the minimum trust account amount following any redemptions by NavSight's public stockholders and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals; (iv) the inability to complete the PIPE investment in connection with the Proposed Transaction; (v) the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transaction; (vi) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Proposed Transaction on Spire's business relationships, performance, and business generally; (vii) risks that the Proposed Transaction disrupts current plans of Spire and potential difficulties in Spire employee retention as a result of the Proposed Transaction; (viii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against NavSight or Spire related to the business combination agreement or the Proposed Transaction; (ix) the ability to maintain the listing of NavSight's securities on the New York Stock Exchange; (x) the ability to address the market opportunity for Space-as-a-Service; (xi) the risk that the Proposed Transaction may not generate expected net proceeds to the combined company; (xii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the Proposed Transaction, and identify and realize additional opportunities; (xiii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the business combination agreement; (xiv) the risk of downturns, new entrants and a changing regulatory landscape in the highly competitive space data analytics industry; and those factors discussed in NavSight's final prospectus filed on September 11, 2020 under the heading "Risk Factors," and other documents of NavSight filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or the Company's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither NavSight nor the Company presently know or that NavSight and the Company currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect NavSight's and the Company's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. NavSight and the Company anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause NavSight's and the Company's assessments to change. However, while NavSight and the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, NavSight and the Company specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing NavSight's and the Company's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005177/en/

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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Small-business owner and former teacher Jessica Velasquez is taking over as chairwoman of the state Democratic Party as New Mexico enters an election cycle that will determine whether Democrats maintain control of every statewide office.

Velasquez, 44, won 83% of the vote in a five-candidate field Saturday to secure a two-year term.

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Her election came in a virtual meeting of the partys State Central Committee, a group that includes Democratic Party leaders and volunteers.

In an interview Tuesday, Velasquez said she will push to recruit strong candidates, build up the county-level Democratic Party organizations and launch registration drives to attract new voters. She said she will promote campaigns focused on the issues.

Well be fielding fierce Democrats in every race in every corner of New Mexico, Velasquez said.

An immediate priority is the June 1 election to fill the vacancy in the 1st Congressional District, covering Albuquerque and much of central New Mexico. Democrat Deb Haaland stepped down earlier this year to lead the U.S. Interior Department under President Joe Biden.

Early voting at county clerks offices begins next week.

Nothing like baptism by fire, Velasquez said of the upcoming election.

The candidates include Democratic state Rep. Melanie Stansbury; Republican state Sen. Mark Moores; former State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn, an independent; and war veteran Chris Manning, a Libertarian.

Velasquez, a former teacher who now owns an electroplating business, is no stranger to campaigns herself. She ran twice for the state House in a Republican-leaning district covering part of the East Mountains.

As party chairwoman, she will now be supporting a host of Democrats who, in 2018, swept every statewide office in New Mexico.

The open 2022 races with no incumbent will include campaigns for state attorney general and treasurer. Also on the ballot will be New Mexicos three congressional seats and every state House district.

I think were in a great position to have another historic election year in 2022, Velasquez said.

Heading the state Republican Party is former Congressman Steve Pearce, who won reelection last year and has led the GOP since late 2018.

Velasquez succeeds Marg Elliston as chairwoman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico. Elliston, a retired state employee from Corrales, had served since 2018 before announcing plans to step down this year.

Also elected to statewide positions in the Democratic Party were Manny Crespin as vice chairman, Pamelya Herndon as secretary and Rayellen Smith as treasurer.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-26 22:42:29|Editor: huaxia

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People rally to protest against the Japanese government's decision to discharge contaminated radioactive wastewater in Fukushima Prefecture into the sea, in Tokyo, capital of Japan, April 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)

While provoking strong criticism at home and abroad, Japan's decision to release contaminated water into the sea was publicly backed by the United States. Some Western media either kept silent or downplayed this issue.

BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- On April 26, 1986, the reactor core of the nuclear power plant at Chernobyl began to melt, setting into motion one of the greatest nuclear disasters in human history.

Thirty-five years later, the aftershock of the Chernobyl nuclear accident remains sobering.

The Chernobyl disaster serves as a reminder that nuclear leakage is a tragedy for all humankind, and the peaceful and safe use of nuclear energy allows no room for negligence.

The Chernobyl nuclear accident directly contaminated an area of more than 60,000 square kilometers, and exposed more than 3.2 million people to dangerous levels of radiation.

Handling the aftermath of the accident has been long and costly, including monitoring nuclear radiation levels, cleaning contaminated soil, and offering rehabilitation for people exposed to radiation.

Sadly, 25 years after the Chernobyl disaster, Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant suffered a catastrophic nuclear accident.

The Chernobyl disaster also serves as a reminder that it is the responsibility of relevant parties to respond to a nuclear accident in a timely and appropriate manner.

File photo taken on Oct. 12, 2017 shows huge tanks that store contaminated radioactive wastewater in Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. (Xinhua)

After the Fukushima accident, Japan did not take timely and proper measures, letting nuclear fuel continue to seep deep into the soil.

Tokyo Electric Power Company repeatedly concealed and falsified relevant information. The Japanese government, on the other hand, has decided to release contaminated water into the sea before exhausting all safe ways of disposal without sufficient consultation with neighboring countries and international organizations.

What the Japanese side has done harms the interests of others and itself, and invites numerous troubles in the future.

Moreover, the Chernobyl disaster serves as a reminder that it is critical to stay vigilant about Western double standards and the lies fabricated by some Western countries and media.

While provoking strong criticism at home and abroad, Japan's decision to release contaminated water into the sea was publicly backed by the United States. Some Western media either kept silent or downplayed this issue.

Such acts of double standards are burying the truth for lies and shifting Japan's crisis to the entire world.

Thirty-five years after the Chernobyl disaster, humanity must learn from the tragedy of history, and respond to Japan's decision to dump contaminated nuclear plant water into the ocean.

May the Chernobyl disaster never be repeated, and may mankind work with responsibility and courage to protect our planet. 
Washington: One of Europes most powerful women on Monday (Tuesday AEST) delivered a searing and specific denunciation of what she said was sexist treatment at the highest levels of global affairs - even after her title became Madame President.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament that she believed that in a meeting with Turkeys leader she had been denied a chair and equal billing alongside European Council President Charles Michel because he was a man and she was a woman.

Instead of a chair, von der Leyen was relegated to a lower-status sofa, across from the Turkish foreign minister whom she outranks. A video of von der Leyens surprised and clearly frustrated reaction upon seeing the seating arrangements went viral hours after the meeting.

I cannot find any justification for what I was treated in the European treaties. So I have to conclude that it happened because I am a woman. Would this have happened if I had worn a suit and a tie? von der Leyen said.
JACKSON, MI -- Consumers Energy is one of the best places to work for diversity, according to a Forbes ranking released Tuesday.

The Jackson-headquartered company is the top utility company in the country, according to the magazines list of Americas Best Employers for Diversity. Its second overall in Michigan for its efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion, behind only financial services Quicken Loans, according to an April 27 news release.

Consumers Energy was ranked 22nd in the nation overall in the ranking, based on a survey of 50,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 1,000 employees.

We boldly and unapologetically stand for a diverse, inclusive workplace where everyones ideas and contributions are heard and valued, and where everyone feels they belong, Angela Thompkins, Consumers Energys vice president and chief diversity officer, said in a statement. This recognition affirms our important work, while we know this is only one step on our journey to build a stronger, more inclusive organization that looks out for its employees and delivers world-class performance to our customers.

The company, with 8,500 employees, said it encourages discussion on diversity as part of its workplace culture. It sponsors seven employee resource groups, or employee-led teams that support workers of different backgrounds, and supported the Black Lives Matter movement last summer during the protests against the death of George Floyd.

Consumers was also named the top workplace for women in the energy sector for 2020, the release states. It gives six months of paid parental leave for birthing mothers and four months of paid parental leave for a non-birthing parent.

Forbes created the ranking by surveying respondents on equality and diversity, then asked respondents from underrepresented groups to rank organizations outside their own, according to its methodology report.

As one of Michigans largest employers, were excited about our DE&I journey, both learning and teaching others we interact with in our daily work, Thompkins said in her statement. Were inspired by a vision for the future in which the ideas and contributions of all are heard, valued and celebrated.

MORE JACKSON NEWS:

These are the 25 highest rated Michigan high schools in the new U.S. News ranking

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Boil water advisory in effect in Jackson County township

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PARLAMENTUL REPUBLICII MOLDOVA

 2010

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
Portland Public Schools has long been criticized for its perceived shortcomings in communicating with marginalized communities on topics such as the districts proposed relocation of the Pioneer Schools special education program  which was scuttled after families cried foul over the lack of inclusion in the process  to its alteration of Rosa Parks Elementarys year-round calendar.

During the pandemic, as board members listened to parents and educators on both sides of the school reopening debate, board members have at times hinted at and even flatly called out the seeming homogeneity of the voices they hear during feedback sessions streamed over Zoom and via written missives that fil their inboxes.

District officials and board members alike say listening to marginalized voices must be prioritized as Portland Public Schools assesses the pandemics toll on its families.

The Oregonian/OregonLive asked the candidates in this years school board race how theyll actively engage historically underserved families in the states largest district:

Jaime Cale (Zone 4)

As a member of a historically underserved group(s), I know that the most important part of engaging with the community is to come to them. We have several large housing communities, like New Columbia and La Hacienda, with large BIPOC communities.

I will hold space at forums in these communities, to hear what the needs of the community are most pressing. Also, I will translate and interpret all of my written and verbal materials, so that all community members are able to participate fully.

All board materials should be translated into at least the three most prevalent languages spoken in PPS, with translation being offered at all board meetings.

Herman Greene (Zone 4)

This is at the heart of my campaign  to serve all of our kids while making sure that historically underserved youth and families have that voice at the table.

On May 18, PPS will have the opportunity to elect the first Black man to the board since 1995  and voters will be able to make history by electing two Black men (Gary Hollands District 5). Working in partnership with members of the board we will now have greater representation. They will know that they have voices at the table for their kids

Margo Logan (Zone 4)

I will go out and meet with the community in Zone 4. Any meetings, anywhere and will do so truthfully and transparently.

I will find out why the parents in Zone 4 dont get to (exclusively) elect their board member. Why in the world do the parents and voters in Zone 4 why are they not the ones to pick their representative on the board?

Garry Hollands (Zone 5)

Community engagement will be a pivotal part of my board duties. My goal is to host listening sessions with cultural and linguistic parents and youth.

By holding listening sessions you give each partner the opportunity to have input on how the board governs and makes policy decisions as well as, it will be an opportunity to provide input on the direction of the district.

Daniel Rodgers (Zone 5)

My first step will be to ensure families in these communities have a voice at the table. I want to ensure that all families, especially those in historically underserved areas, have access to the board.

As an elected official, I view it as my duty to understand the views and needs of the community, and then advocate for those ideals on the board. In addition, I would institute a committee of volunteers from historically underserved communities to hold the board accountable, and serve as a check.

Julia Brim-Edwards (Zone 6)

Often the loudest, most organized voices and those who have time and resources to attend school board meetings have the most opportunity to make their views and perspectives known.

To better support our most vulnerable students, we need to hear from historically underserved families; we must meet them in the places and at the times that work best for them: Attending their meetings (versus ours), seeking out their opinions in different community-based forums, meeting in-person (non-pandemic times), attending school-based events, and working with community-based partners they already know and trust.

Libby Glynn (Zone 6)

I want to see new quarterly or monthly community forums with translation services provided come to fruition in order to provide a productive platform for underserved voices from each zone.

This would be at least a start as well as sending out direct surveys in the mail to these historically underserved families once or twice a year.

Max Margolis (Zone 6)

PPSs Student Engagement and Partnerships department is charged with providing student-centered, family-focused and partnership-driven with culturally specific services to support to underrepresented families.

This department should provide the board with effective strategies and insights on engaging underserved communities. I believe most families, privileged and underserved, would prefer that the district deliver quality education services over having to participate in board process and policy discussions.

I am service-orientated, so my focus is on helping PPS provide an equitable and excellent educational experience to students from underrepresented families.

--Eder Campuzano | 503-221-4344 | @edercampuzano | Eder on Facebook

Eder is The Oregonians education reporter. Do you have a tip about Portland Public Schools? Email ecampuzano@oregonian.com.
iAgent to Help Manage Distribution and Customer Service

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Xigem Technologies Corporation (CSE: XIGM) (FSE: 2C1) ("Xigem" or the "Company"), a technology provider for the emerging remote economy, today announced that it signed a letter of intent on April 13, 2021 (the "LOI") with commercial bakery Baketree Inc. ("Baketree") to develop a cloud-based technology platform based on the Company's iAgent software.

Baketree serves some of North America's largest and best-known grocery and mass merchant retailers, and provides contract manufacturing services to other large commercial bakeries. The U.S. bakery products market has been estimated at US$94 billion in 2020, with the global market expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.9% through to 2027.1

Xigem will work with Baketree to help track its assets in the field and match its team members to customer inquiries.

"In additional to its quality baked goods, a business like Baketree thrives by being responsive to its customers and by effectively managing a complex distribution network that delivers products to thousands of locations. With iAgent, we intend to enhance Baketree's ability to manage that complexity," said Brian Kalish, co-founder and CEO of Xigem Technologies.

"Our business has evolved rapidly in response to the changes affecting food retailers, such as greater consumer awareness of nutritional profile and most recently, a shift towards home consumption and online grocery orders," said Eric Shtapler, President of Baketree Inc. "It is vital for us to ensure our sales and service teams are responding quickly to customers, and that we know exactly where our delivery assets are. We are looking to iAgent to help us continue to manage our growth as we operate with more of a remote model."

Operating within the Software-as-a-Service ("SaaS") market, which is estimated to be $300 billion globally by 20262, iAgent is a U.S. patented and Canadian patent pending cloud-based technology that will provide organizations with the infrastructure necessary to manage employees, assets and operations remotely. iAgent can be tailored for businesses to enable them to remotely track and manage assets, transactions, fulfilment and service cycles while seamlessly integrating with most CRM and ERP systems to profitably optimize the consumer, treatment seeker and learning experience.

Pursuant to the LOI, and upon signing a definitive agreement and the completion of the customization, Xigem will license the iAgent platform to Baketree on a SaaS basis for an annual licensing fee.

About Xigem Technologies Corporation

Established in Toronto, Ontario, Xigem Technologies Corporation (CSE: XIGM) (FSE: 2C1) is positioned to become a leading SaaS technology platform for the emerging near trillion dollar remote economy, with software capable of improving the capacity, productivity, and overall remote operations for businesses, consumers and other organizations. "iAgent," the Company's patented technology, will provide organizations, businesses and consumers with the tools necessary to thrive in a vast array of remote working, learning and treatment environments.

iAgent is a mobile, geo-targeted customer acquisition and retention application. iAgent will match sales and services with consumers, treatment seekers and students in real time. For businesses and institutions, iAgent can be tailored to remotely track and manage assets, transactions, fulfilment and service cycles while integrating with most CRM and ERP systems. For consumers, treatment seekers and students, iAgent remotely enables fulfilment and engagement with the everyday goods and services they demand.

www.xigemtechnologies.com

Instagram: @xigemtechnologies

Twitter: @XigemTech

Facebook: @xigemtechnologies

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/xigem-technologies

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release may contain certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Xigem undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of Xigem, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Although Xigem believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, such forward-looking statement has been based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Xigem's control. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and is made as of the date hereof. Xigem disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Xigem Technologies Corporation

On behalf of the Company:

Brian Kalish, Chief Executive Officer

For further information:

Phone: (647) 250-9824 ext.4

Investors: investors@xigemtechnologies.com

Media: media@xigemtechnologies.com

Twitter: @XigemTech

Instagram: @xigemtechnologies

Facebook: @xigemtechnologies

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xigem-technologies

www.xigemtechnologies.com

____________________

1 Source: Reportlinker, April 2021.

2 Source: Valuates Reports estimate, June 2020

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81770
 Investment to support the global expansion of leading manufacturer of precision medical components and devices



UTRECHT, The Netherlands and FREIENSTEINAU, Germany, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Private Equity fund of Gilde Healthcare, a specialist healthcare investor, has acquired Acti-Med, a leading international developer and manufacturer of high-quality medical components and devices for the medical and pharmaceutical industries.

Founded in 1997, Germany-based Acti-Med focuses on tailor-made, highly-regulated, cannulas and cannula systems for pharmaceutical and medical applications, jointly developed with international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Headquartered in Freiensteinau (Germany) and with operations in Kozerki (Poland), Acti-Med has attracted clients from all around the world by combining the highest development and engineering capabilities, offering superior quality and operational flexibility. Recent expansions into promising adjacent end markets, supported by innovative best-in-class products highlight the company's ambitions for growth.

Gilde Healthcare will collaborate with Acti-Med to further strengthen and expand its product portfolio in both the Ready for Market and Ready for Clean room segments, as well as further expand its manufacturing and design capacity to serve its increasing demands from its Pharma and Medical Device customers.

Andreas Schwalb, Founder and CEO of Acti-Med added: "Acti-Med has had a truly exciting journey over the last 24 years and I am proud to look back on how we have grown our company from scratch into a global leader in our field. I would like to thank everyone at Acti-Med for their invaluable contributions. Now is the right time in our development to bring significant new investment and competencies to support our growth. We are pleased to have attracted Gilde Healthcare, who bring deep sector knowledge and a constructive, collaborative mindset. I look forward to working with Gilde Healthcare for Acti-Med's successful future."

Rafael Natanek, Partner at Gilde Healthcare, added: "We are pleased to complete this acquisition of Acti-Med, a highly regarded contract manufacturer of tailor-made cannula and cannula systems with promising growth opportunities. The company has, through its design-skills, high-quality manufacturing, and ability to adapt been able to achieve rapid growth with current and new customers. We are excited to be investing in the companies continued growth and look forward supporting the management as we consider additional options, such as strategic acquisitions."

The shareholders of Acti-Med have been advised by DZ BANK Corporate Finance as exclusive M&A advisor.

Media contacts:

LifeSci Advisors

Frank Schwarz - fschwarz@lifesciadvisors.com / +49 17 26 15 31 60

Gilde Healthcare

Rafael Natanek - natanek@gildehealthcare.com / +31 61 18 44 63 0

About Acti-Med

Acti-Med is one of the leading manufacturers in the field of medical technology. Headquartered in Freiensteinau, Germany Acti-Med's competence lies in the development and production of cannulas and cannula systems. Acti-Med develops, produces and sells high-quality medical components and devices for medical and pharmaceutical industries. Our customers are located throughout a wide range of industries, including oncology, pain therapy, the pharmaceutical industry and veterinary medicine. For more information, visit the company's website at www.acti-med.de.

About Gilde Healthcare

Gilde Healthcare is a specialized healthcare investor managing over 1.4 billion across two fund strategies: Private Equityand Venture & Growth. The Private Equity fund of Gilde Healthcare participates in profitable European lower mid-market healthcare companies with a prime focus on the Benelux and DACH region. The Private Equity fund targets healthcare providers, suppliers of medical products and service providers in the healthcare market. The Venture & Growth of Gilde Healthcare invests in medtech, healthtech and therapeutics in Europe and North America.

For more information, visit the company's website at www.gildehealthcare.com.
Titilayo Ogunwa, one of the UniSA students involved in the dragonfly study, analysing the flight dynamics of the configuration to ensure the basic layout will glide efficiently.

Scientists have reverted to a 300-million-year-old insect  the dragonfly  to show why future flapping wing drones will probably look like these creatures.

Doctorate students, led by University of South Australia professor of sensor systems, Javaan Chahl, spent part of the lockdown designing and testing parts of a drone inspired by the dragonfly.

They are hopeful that their prototype will match the insect's hovering, cruising and aerobatic skills, according to a statement from UniSA.

Chahl said scientists could learn a number of engineering lessons from the mastery that the dragonfly showed while in flight.

"Dragonflies are supremely efficient in all areas of flying. They need to be," he said.

The flapping wing mechanism made using a 3D printer in Blake McIvo's home laboratory. The device is mounted on a fast, precise scale that measures the amount of thrust generated with each wing beat.

"After emerging from water until their death (up to six months), male dragonflies are involved in perpetual, dangerous combat against male rivals.

"Mating requires an aerial pursuit of females and they are constantly avoiding predators. Their flying abilities have evolved over millions of years to ensure they survive.

"They can turn quickly at high speeds and take off while carrying more than thrice their own body weight. They are also one of nature's most effective predators, targeting, chasing and capturing their prey with a 95% success rate."

The students who worked on the project created models of the dragonfly's body shape and aerodynamic properties to comprehend why these insects are described as the ultimate flying machine.

Another student, Nasim Chitsaz, working on the library of hundreds of wing models which was produced in batch mode over some months.

Given that dragonflies are notoriously difficult to capture without damaging them, the researchers used an optical technique to photograph the wing geometry of 75 different dragonfly (Odonata) species from glass display cases in museum collections.

They then reconstructed 3D images of the wings, in order to compare differences between species.

"Dragonfly wings are long, light and rigid with a high lift-to-drag ratio which gives them superior aerodynamic performance," said Chahl.

"Their long abdomen, which makes up about 35% of their body weight, has also evolved to serve many purposes. It houses the digestive tract, is involved in reproduction, and it helps with balance, stability and manoeuvrability. The abdomen plays a crucial role in their flying ability."

The researchers believe a drone that resembles a dragonfly could collect and deliver awkward, unbalanced loads, safely operating near people, exploring delicate natural environments and executing long surveillance missions.

UniSA PhD students Nasim Chitsaz, Blake McIvor and Titilayo Ogunwa; UniSA engineer Timothy McIntyre; Jia-Ming Kok (DST Group) and Dr Ermira Abdullah (University Putra Malaysia) were all part of the study.

A paper about their experiments has been published in the journal Drones.
A young journalist is being remembered as neighbors are fed up with the violence. Aviva Okeson-Haberman, 24, was shot when a bullet went into her Kansas City apartment.

Video Transcript

- That's sad. That's very sad, and I'm on the first floor too.

- This was the scene Friday when Aviva Okeson-Haberman was found with a gunshot wound inside her apartment building. Police say the shooting happened in the 2900 block of Lockridge Avenue. Neighbors called the violence a common occurrence.

NECY OATS: I've only been here three months going on four, and I'm about to find me another place.

- This neighborhood has been bad for years.

- Co-workers say the 24-year-old was in her apartment on the first floor when a bullet came through one of the windows, which appeared to be the cause of the killing.

DAVID BARTON: Very terrible, and the lady didn't do anything. I don't even think she had company to come over there too much.

- Staff at KCUR said, after not hearing from Haberman, Friday, a colleague had gone to check on her. They found their friend in her apartment with a gunshot wound. Police tell us, according to hospital staff, the victim is still on life support. Meanwhile, her co-workers have already started grieving her loss. The general manager said in a statement to Fox 4, while Aviva's family, friends, and colleagues are devastated by this, our grief is no more significant than all other families who are suffering over the loss of their loved ones due to senseless gun violence.

- All I want to know is just that why do people just have to pick up guns and kill people. For what? It's not even worth it.

- Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker shared her condolences to the KCUR team. Mayor Quinton Lucas, also, posted this on Twitter. He said, in part, Aviva was a creative, thorough, challenging, and insightful reporter. Her death lays bare our gravest unsolved epidemic in the preventable tragedies too many families endure.

- Just cut it out. It's senseless. Cut it out. We all have to live here together.

REGAN PORTER: Now, the KCUR team wants to honor Aviva by continuing good journalism as she did. Co-workers also said, Aviva was actually looking to move. They say she was apartment hunting in Lawrence just hours before she was shot. Now, Kansas City Police will continue their investigation into this--
Elizabeth City, N.C.  A Black man killed by deputies in North Carolina was shot in the back of the head and had his hands on his car steering wheel when they opened fire, attorneys for his family said Monday after relatives viewed body camera footage.

The account was the first description of the shooting of Andrew Brown Jr., who was killed by deputies serving drug-related search and arrest warrants. His death last Wednesday led to nightly protests and demands for justice in the town of Elizabeth City. Authorities have released few details, and the video has not been made public.

Attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter watched a 20-second portion of body camera video with Browns family. Lassiter said Brown did not appear to be a threat to officers as he backed his vehicle out of his driveway and tried to drive away from deputies with guns drawn.

There was no time in the 20 seconds that we saw where he was threatening the officers in any kind of way, she told reporters at a news conference.

When asked whether Brown was shot in the back, attorney Harry Daniels said, Yes, back of the head.

An eyewitness account and emergency scanner traffic had previously indicated Brown was shot in the back as he tried to drive away.

My dad got executed just by trying to save his own life, said Browns adult son Khalil Ferebee, who watched the video.

Lassiter, who watched the video multiple times and took notes, said the shooting started as soon as the video began and that she lost count of the number of gunshots fired by law enforcement officers armed with rifles and handguns. She said she counted as many as eight deputies in the video, some wearing tactical uniforms and some in plainclothes.

Theyre shooting and saying Let me see your hands at the same time, she said. She added: Lets be clear. This was an execution.

The familys lawyers were also angry about what they described as rude treatment by Pasquotank County Attorney R. Michael Cox, to whom they attributed the decision to limit the amount of footage shown. They criticized authorities for sharing only 20 seconds of video from a single body camera.

Theyre trying to hide something, attorney Benjamin Crump said.

Attorney Bakari Sellers said Cox used profanity toward him. Ive never been talked to like I was talked to in there, Sellers said.

Cox did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten II has said that multiple deputies fired shots. Seven deputies are on leave pending a probe by the State Bureau of Investigation.

In a video statement, the sheriff said Monday that Cox had filed a request to have the video released, which in North Carolina must be authorized by a judge. He asked for patience while the State Bureau of Investigation probes the case.

This tragic incident was quick and over in less than 30 seconds, and body cameras are shaky and sometimes hard to decipher. They only tell part of the story, he said.

Earlier Monday, a search warrant was released that indicated investigators had recorded Brown selling small amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine to an informant. Crump argued that authorities were trying to release negative information about Brown while shielding themselves by holding back the video.

The warrant was sought by Wootens office and signed by a judge to allow the search of Browns Elizabeth City home. It said that an investigator in nearby Dare County was told by the informant that the person had been purchasing crack cocaine and other drugs from Brown for over a year. The informant described purchasing drugs at the house that was the target of the search.

In March, narcotics officers used the informant to conduct controlled purchases of methamphetamine and cocaine from Brown on two separate occasions, according to the warrant, which said both drug transactions were recorded using audio and video equipment.

The search warrant said investigators believed Brown was storing drugs in the home or two vehicles. The document, which indicated the search was not completed, did not list anything found.

Two arrest warrants released last week charged him with possession with intent to sell and deliver 3 grams of each of the drugs.

Calls have been growing to release the body camera footage. A coalition of media organizations have sought the footage, and city officials plan to do so as well.

Short of releasing it publicly, state law allows law enforcement to show body camera video privately to a victims family.

Also Monday, Elizabeth City officials declared a state of emergency amid concerns about how demonstrators would react to a possible video release. Protests since the shooting in the eastern North Carolina town of about 18,000 have generally been peaceful.

Danielle McCalla, who grew up in Elizabeth City before recently moving to Virginia, joined demonstrators who came to watch the news conference by the family attorneys. She said it left her in tears.

As soon as they started going into details, I started crying, she said. McCalla, 30, said she met Brown and had several conversations with him, making her sad about whats happening in her hometown and about police shootings elsewhere.

Its the same thing that keeps happening, she said. Its a bigger monster than we think it is.
Prancer, the Chihuahua who went viral after his adoption ad compared him to a Chucky doll in a dogs body, has been adopted.

The small dog first gained nationwide recognition earlier this month, when the brutally honest ad for the demonic Chihuahua was shared by his foster parent Tyfanee Fortuna on Facebook.

In the post, which has been shared more than 73,000 times, Fortuna described Prancer as a 13lb rage machine and neurotic, man hating, animal hating, and children hating.

While most people found the description of the tiny animals tough disposition amusing,Ariel Davis, 36, from New Haven, Connecticut, who has since adopted the puppy, told Today that she related to the dogs story.

I had a dog that I adopted probably about seven years ago and I raised him from a puppy and he was a Chihuahua/Jack Russel Terrier mix, she told the outlet. He had a lot of the same qualities as Prancer, he was a little neurotic and he barked a lot and he didnt work well with other people and other animals. I spent a lot of time working with him and understanding his personality and learning about myself through him.

After rehoming her dogs two years ago while she sought help for addiction, Davis said that she is ready and stable enough to now have dogs again.

Before reaching out to Second Chance Pet Adoption League, Davis, who has been clean for nearly three years, said that she spoke with people in her community, her sponsor, and her therapist, and that they all agreed that she should look into having a dog.

Upon reading Prancers ad, Davis said that she connected to it and decided to reach out to the animal adoption organisation.

I read the article, I connected to it, and I was like you know what, why not? Ill just send them an email. Whats the worst that could happen? she told Today.

According to Davis, after she received an email back, she shared her personal story with the organisation, and explained why she connected with Prancer.

Reading about Prancer brought back intense memories of the dog I still love so much, she wrote in the email to the adoption center, according to the outlet. They were very similar in demeanor and looking into Prancers eyes in those pictures I saw the little sh*t Doodle I love so much (I say this lovingly!)

In the email, Davis also explained that she did not want to replace her beloved dog, but rather was looking for a companion who she could take care of and offer a loving home.

Davis, who works in the womens rehab that she attended, also acknowledged that she seemed like a perfect match, since she is a single gay woman who doesnt have any men in her life, nor other animals.

It just felt like a perfect match and the rest is history, she said.

Since adopting the puppy, Davis said that they have been getting along well, and that Prancer, while neurotic, has been really great on walks so far.

She also said that the addition to her life has been life-changing, telling the outlet: Were one week into the adoption and hes really changed my life, too. Were both adjusting and that Prancer also had a positive experience joining her at work, where he was treated like the celebrity he is.

In addition to helping Prancer find a forever home, the viral post has also had a positive impact on the animal adoption center, which told Today that 10 other dogs have also been adopted since, and that more meetings with the organisations little quirkier dogs are scheduled for this week.

And for those who want to keep up with Prancers new life, Davis told Today that she has set up an Instagram account for her new companion called Prancer The Chihuahua.

As of Tuesday, the account has already amassed more than 40,000 followers.
YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenia considers obtaining all those vaccines against coronavirus (COVID-19) which meet the standards and have got the necessary patent: price is not the only criterion by which the choice is made, Minister of Healthcare of Armenia Anahit Avanesyan said in an interview to ARMENPRESS, noting that the vaccine is a necessity, not a luxury.

-Mrs. Minister, during your recent press conference you mentioned about the Sinovac companys CoronaVac vaccine expected to be delivered by China as a donation. When will the first batch be delivered to Armenia and in how much doses? What will be the age threshold for getting this vaccine? And also there was a talk about the American Novavax vaccine. When will this one be supplied to Armenia?

-It will be in Armenia in the first week of May, with 100,000 doses, which is for 50,000 people. As for the arrival of Novavax, there are no concrete agreements yet, however, we have a preliminary agreement. We will specify the dates and the doses over the course of the time.

-In the Parliament you considered possible that up to 20% of the population will be vaccinated within a year. Why 20%? Because you will manage to acquire so much vaccine or you think that the number of people wishing to be vaccinated will not be so much?

-All countries choose priorities and set the whole vaccination bar for the people at risk, but of course, it also depends on how many people apply for it, it depends also on the availability of vaccine, because we cannot say what will be the epidemiological situation in other countries, for instance, in Greece, the situation is very serious at this moment. Therefore, its very difficult to make predictions over the distribution of overall vaccines. And we believe that we will have the sufficient threshold of public immunity as a result of the vaccinations of 600-700 thousand citizens as I said. Of course, the vaccinations will continue, but we will already have a sufficient threshold for living more calmly.

-The expiry date of AstraZeneca is in late-May. Will we manage to use all the doses before it expires? If not, what should be done with that vaccines? Is there a possibility to replace them with new vaccines?

-All vaccines have quite a short expiry date, almost all of them are for use up to 6 months. Starting from production up to reaching the final consumer, 1-3 months are the sufficient period for which the countries are able to get the vaccine. We are making huge efforts for the system to be fully ready to conduct the vaccination process. We also carry out information campaigns, try to present to the public the importance of positive results of vaccinations and that the vaccine is really a life-saving mean. We have high hopes and feel that citizens activeness is increasing. Although its not in that much than we expected, because, unfortunately, there is a major anti-propaganda and attempt is made to politicize this issue, which is not right. But Armenia is not the only country facing this problem.

We do not have an opportunity to exchange with the new batch. And in this case making any prediction is just impossible. We have a bar, and as an authorized body we have taken commitment to provide as much citizens as possible with the vaccine, but this process is on voluntary basis.

-Will Armenia get another batch of AstraZeneca after its expiry date?

-This is the first dose, and of course, those people, who are being vaccinated, must get also the second dose. And we must also obtain the second dose in order to ensure the process.

-When the world started producing vaccines, Armenia had great hopes with our compatriot Noubar Afeyans Moderna vaccine. But at this moment we do not have this vaccine, it is more expensive. Are there any plans for acquiring this vaccine?

-It is not only expensive, but its storage conditions are absolutely different. Of course, not only we have to pay for the vaccine, but also our entire immunization infrastructure should change in order to be able to ensure. Of course, we are in constant touch and are trying to consider, see and assess the ongoing offers of Pfizer, Moderna and other vaccines. But, vaccine is a necessity, not a luxury. Therefore, if there is a drug which solves the problem, and we have it, we must do what we have because it is in full accordance with our goal and gives the solution. And its very good that it is available in Armenia now.

-There is also an issue of trust among the Armenian society. Many people think that if something is expensive, than it is good. In the case of vaccines, isnt there price-quality link?

-Vaccines are passing through very strict control mechanisms until they reach the citizen. The vaccines, which passed all the stages and get the patent, have sufficient necessary qualitative standards, are safe and efficient. All these three important standards are fully ensured. Therefore, the vaccines which we get at this moment belong to different price categories, and price is not the only one criterion by which we select them.

-Will the ministry propose to toughen the requirements for wearing face masks?

-I have repeatedly stated it and also in the inter-agency commissions I have always voiced this key message. Wearing face masks must continue especially in closed areas.

-Snap parliamentary elections will soon be held in Armenia. And accordingly, a pre-election campaign is expected. Do you see risks in drastic increase of coronavirus cases during this period? How do you imagine the election organization process in polling stations? Will there be concrete demands?

-Yes, the organization of electoral processes are being discussed so that the risks will be minimized as much as possible. The increase in new cases will depend on our behavior. If we wear face masks, if the vaccination process continues actively, the further increase in new cases will not take place. If you are from a risky group, go and get vaccinated in order to prevent, protect your health and life. And to all those, who are not from a risky group, wearing a face mask is the best measure that protects.

-Does the production of Armenian tests continue? Are they being used?

-The process of producing Armenian tests has been organized by the Institute of Molecular Biology thanks to our and the governments support. And that time we had a strictly necessary product, but the Institute is a scientific center, and after getting the product, it later has made several proposals to the manufacturing companies so that they take that product and ensure its further production. At the moment I dont have information whether our producers have found markets for consumption, as Armenias market only is not enough. But I am sure that this example gave a very good result which the private productions should take and continue.

Full version of the interview is available in Armenian.

Interview by Anna Grigoryan

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Photos by Tatev Duryan
The university is never going to give graduate workers anything without a fight, the union said in a statement. Make no mistake: this was not benevolence. The university has finally conceded to one of the demands of its employees and we are eager to build on this win and continue to fight for workers rights.
Tesla reported a record net income of US$438 million for the first quarter. Revenue surged to US$10.39 billion, up 74% from a year ago.

Iron ore price has set a record after surpassing its 2011 high of US$188 per tonne.

S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) slipped 0.36% to 7020 points by 1.10 pm even as iron ore prices hit a decade high of more than US$190 per tonne overnight.

While the broader market was trading lower, iron ore miners Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) (+0.19%), BHP Group (ASX:BHP) (+0.62%) and Fortescue Metals ( ) (+1.06%) were all higher.

Robust demand and concerns over production curbs

According to Fastmarkets MB, Benchmark 62% iron fines imported by China were changing hands for US$193.58 a tonne on Tuesday, up 3.93% from Friday trade.

The high-grade Brazilian index (65% iron fines) also advanced to a record high of US$226.90 a tonne.

Chinese steel futures also closed at record highs, supported by robust demand and concerns over production curbs.

Strong demand for steelmaking raw materials

ANZ senior commodity strategist Daniel Hynes said: The rally in steel prices shows no signs of slowing down, with futures hitting new highs in China.

Authorities have pledged to lower output from last year's record levels in a push to curb emissions.

This comes amid strong demand from the construction and manufacturing sectors.

With steel producers concerned that the government may remove stimulus measures as the economy stabilises, they are making the most of the high margins, boosting output.

This is creating strong demand for steelmaking raw materials.

Top gainers

Todays top gainers on the ASX include Astro Resources N.L. ( ) (+25.00%), Comet Resources Limited ( ) (+11.11%), ( ) (+12.20%), ( ) (+8.22%), ( ) (+19.05%) and Rimfire Pacific Mining N L (+12.50%).

Proactive news headlines:

Horizon Minerals updates Boorara gold resource and delivers 34% increase in grade

( ) has received further validation of the golden potential of Boorara Gold Project, 15 kilometres east of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in the Western Australian Goldfields, with an updated independent mineral resource estimate delivering a 34% increase in grade.

sees cash receipts and customer numbers grow in encouraging March quarter

Ltd ( ) recorded 25% growth in cash receipts and 12.5% growth in customers, its March quarterly report has revealed.

MGC Pharmaceuticals historic March quarter highlighted by LSE listing and record sales

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) has completed arguably its best-ever quarter, with a London Stock Exchange (LSE) listing and record sales highlighting a busy period.

Resources scores Western Australian EIS grant to co-fund Redback gold deposit drilling

Resources Ltd ( ) has secured a Western Australian Government Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) grant that will co-fund exploration drilling at Redback gold deposit within Maximus Spargoville tenements near Kambalda, Western Australia.

Buru Energy lifts Ungani Oilfield production and prepares for upcoming drilling program

Buru Energy Limited ( ) (OTCMKTS:BRNGF) (FRA:BUD) has increased production from the Ungani Oilfield JV onshore in the Canning Basin in the southwest Kimberley region of Western Australia to in excess of 1,000 barrels of oil a day (bopd).

Pan Asia Metals well-positioned to advance assets and secure additional ones as it moves into next growth phase

( ) is well-positioned to advance current assets and secure additional ones as it moves into the next growth phase following a successful listing on the Australian Stock Exchange in October 2020.

St George Mining identifies more nickel-copper sulphide targets at Mt Alexander Project

( ) (FRA:S0G) has used recent geophysical surveys to identify multiple new nickel-copper sulphide targets at its flagship high-grade Mt Alexander Project in WA's north-eastern Goldfields.

Alchemy Resources kicks off phase one RC drilling at Karonie Gold Project

( ) (FRA:45A) has begun reverse circulation (RC) drilling on its 100%-owned Karonie Gold Project in Western Australia.

Great Southern Mining identifies 21 new gold targets in Duketon Belt with seven ready for drilling

( ) has identified and ranked 21 new gold targets after evaluating a newly acquired regional exploration database in the Duketon Belt that include more than 12,000 drill holes and 24,000 soil samples.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 80F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 55F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Newport, N.Y. -- The body of a missing Herkimer County man was found Monday in a creek, according to New York State Police.

William E. Coman, 90, of 8443 State Route 28, was found dead in West Canada Creek, near West Canada High School.

Coman was reported missing April 2 after he went for a walk on his property and never returned, police said.

Troopers had searched for Coman with drones and an airboat before finding his body Monday.

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Chris Libonati via the Signal app for encrypted messaging at 585-290-0718, by phone at the same number, by email or on Twitter.
A reconstruction of Baekundong Stream seen in Gwanghwamun is being prepared for removal, March 20. / Courtesy of Ron Bandun



By Ron Bandun



A lot of people went nuts a few weeks back, when pictures distributed in the media showed an ancient stream unearthed in downtown Seoul as part of the Gwanghwamun renovation project. Its excavation was cool to me, while also a little banal, on account of how much is hidden beneath the ground we walk on.



As a practicing anarchaeologist, I made several visits to Gwanghwamun to see the ruins for myself as soon as the news broke. Anarchaeology, if it isn't apparent, is the clandestine visitation of archaeological sites, a branch of urban exploration alongside draining or roof-topping. I wasn't the first to coin the term, but I put that definition to it given the need to name an interesting new hobby I was developing. Anarchaeologists don't damage or loot sites  we just want a closer look before redevelopment destroy them.



Getting around Gwanghwamun during the renovation has been complicated, due to the changes to the roads, the people including police everywhere and the fences that partition off the former traffic island square into at least four sections. Okay, that last one isn't that much of an impediment  all I've needed was the time-honored anarchaeological technique of waltzing in through open gates.





Inside Gwanghwamun Square during renovation, March 20 / Courtesy of Ron Bandun



The site is still quite porous, with pedestrian paths through and a narrow entrance to reach the Sewol protest site, encased by construction fences and guarded by police, and for a time a signal mannequin directing traffic.





A motionless "signal mannequin" directs traffic in Gwanghwamun, Jan. 9. / Courtesy of Ron Bandun



It took me a few tries to find the site that got everyone all excited. My first few visits focused on the middle section, near the King Sejong Statue, where I found what could have been an uncovered stream, or might've just been plain old excavation. Another section I visited late at night, directly in front of Gwanghwamun Gate, had nothing of interest.



Finally, after looking very closely at the press photos, I figured out the stream was in the extreme northwestern corner of the square, almost directly between the Government Complex and the palace. It was not behind the tall construction fences, but just on the other side of crash barriers next to where pedestrians walk, right where anyone could see if only they looked.





Workers place tarps over a recently excavated water channel in Gwanghwamun, March 22. / Courtesy of Ron Bandun



Unfortunately for me, by the time I arrived, they were putting a blue tarp over everything, maybe to preserve it for transport or to protect it from rain while they figured out what to do with it.





A recently unearthed water channel in Gwanghwamun is covered with tarps, March 23. / Courtesy of Ron Bandun



Finding the stream was underwhelming to me for a few more reasons.



First, the ground in downtown Seoul is known to be crammed with historical relics of varying significance, sometimes referred to as the "Pompeii of Seoul," so the discovery of a stream doesn't add much to the big picture.



Secondly, the streambed seemed to be dry, probably excavated right out of the earth rather than an active part of Jongno District's amazingly complex underground water infrastructure.



Third, the addition of Jungang Underpass in 1971 beneath Gwanghwamun, as well as the 2009 installation of the sizeable underground complex beneath the King Sejong statue, would have disrupted any continuity in the water body's flow as parts of the stream would have been uncovered and discarded in those days.



Fourth, I'm not so sure there was such a water body in the Joseon era days when the area was called Yukjo Geori (Street of Six Ministries), so the water may have been diverted to flow through there at some point  which would make sense considering the manufactured nature of the stone-lined streambed.



And last, it's also worth noting that these archaeological excavations are mandated in Jongno District as part of the redevelopment process, after it was decided too much had already been lost in previous major construction projects.





An archaeological survey is conducted at the construction site for Centropolis in downtown Seoul, seen June 10, 2015. / Courtesy of Ron Bandun



Not to disparage anybody's curiosity though  if anything, we should be looking at all parts of Seoul's traditional boundaries with as much wonder as that streambed evoked. And we should all be aware of how developers are changing the built environment with its six centuries of human-guided history in central Seoul, and often poorly preserve sites like these.



Many have called for incorporating this stream into the plan for the new Gwanghwamun Square, just like what happened with Igansu Gate behind Dongdaemun Design Plaza, which is what the city really, really should do, but better this time.



But did you know there already was such a feature in the previous version of Gwanghwamun Square? Two, in fact. Running almost the entire length of the rectangular square on both sides, there used to be two shallow chutes carrying flowing water, only a couple centimeters deep, at least during the warmer months. You probably didn't notice them, unless you stepped in and got your shoe wet.





A surface reconstruction of Baekundong Stream in Gwanghwamun is filled with snow in winter, Jan. 9. / Courtesy of Ron Bandun



During my anarchaeological expeditions, I witnessed these water channels chopped up unceremoniously and removed. That's right, to reveal this stream hidden beneath concrete, they had to destroy two others  and nobody cared.





A section of Baekundong Stream is chipped away during Gwanghwamun's ongoing renovation, March 22. / Courtesy of Ron Bandun



These two seldom-observed water channels appeared to have been surface representations of two actual streams  Baekundong Stream and Junghak Stream  the two main water bodies passing through the vicinity, still coming from mountains in the north down to Cheonggye Stream, and yes, both are still active today, just hidden underground in concrete tunnels. Their original courses didn't pass through this part of Gwanghwamun, but were diverted at some point either in antiquity or just recreated fancifully there for the 21st century.



Baekundong Stream originates from various sources around Seochon, where it flows under Jahamun-no then passes into Saemunanno 5ga gil, the diagonal street behind the Sejong Center. If you examine an area map, its course is apparent.



About 10 years ago, I found a tunnel entrance for one of the stream's tributaries somewhere up on the slope of Mount Inwang, and entered with a couple of friends, hoping to make our way underground all the way down to Cheonggye Stream, where we could emerge from behind the waterfall there. But the tunnel got smaller the deeper we went, until it was killing our backs and we had to turn back, defeated.





Inside Baekundong Stream, one of the existing tributaries of Cheonggye Stream running underground from a mountain / Courtesy of Ron Bandun



Meanwhile, Junghak Stream's course starts from Samcheong Park on the skirt of Mount Bugak, where anyone can find the caged-off tunnel entrance. The stream flows downhill outside Gyeongbok Palace's eastern wall and then underneath Jongno 1-gil.



There is even a meter-wide recreation of the stream flowing along its most authentic course, between Kyobo Building and D Tower, which exists but has never been activated; in the entire time I've been observing it, it's been bone dry. If there were water flowing, it would be quite nice, and its current dimensions are about the right scale for a Gwanghwamun stream reconstruction.





A recreation of Junghak Stream is seen east of D Tower in downtown Seoul, April 21, 2017. / Courtesy of Ron Bandun
The "Norway Oil and Gas Upstream Market Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 2026)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Norway oil and gas upstream market is expected to register a CAGR of more than 1% during the forecast period.

The strain on oil demand and prices from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has led oil companies to lower exploration budgets and delay a number of exploration wells in 2020. The major factor driving the market is the increasing development of new oilfields in the country over the forecast period. However, the divestment of government funds from the upstream oil and gas sector can act as a restraining factor for the market growth.

The development of new oilfields is likely to drive the market over the forecast period. The discovery of new small oilfields is likely to provide an opportunity for the upstream oil and gas companies operating in Norway in the near future. The availability of oil reserves and increasing investment in the upstream sector are likely to drive the market over the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape

The Norwegian oil and gas upstream market is partially consolidated. Some of the major companies operating in this market include:

Equinor ASA

Aker BP ASA

Total SA

ConocoPhillips

Royal Dutch Shell PLC

Var Energi AS

Key Market Trends

Development of New Oilfields to Drive the Market

Norway is one of the largest oil producers and exporters in the European region. In 2019, the country's crude oil production was 1437 thousand barrels per day, which accounted for about 47.9% of Europe's total crude oil production. The average offshore rig count was 16 in 2020.

The major oilfields in the country are reaching their maturity, and, as a result, since 2016, the oil production of Norway has declined significantly. However, in January 2021, about 30 companies have received offers of ownership interests in a total of 61 production licenses (34 are in the North Sea, 24 are in the Norwegian Sea and 3 are in the Barents Sea) on the Norwegian Shelf in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2020. Hence, with the award of 61 new production licenses, the upstream segment is likely to make more profitable discoveries on the Norwegian shelf during the forecast period.

Moreover, Johan Sverdrup oilfield, the third-largest oil field on the Norwegian continental shelf, operated by Equinor, announced its plan to increase its daily production capacity up to 535,000 barrels of oil by mid-2021. Also with expected resources of 2.7 billion barrels of oil, the field is one of the most important industrial projects in Norway for the next 50 years. Phase 1 of the field was opened in October 2019, and phase 2 is scheduled to begin production in the Q4 of 2022.

Some of the major fields that are expected to come on stream during the forecast period are the Johan Sverdrup oilfield, Martin Linge, and Johan Castberg. Therefore, with new upcoming discoveries of oil fields and expansion of existing oil fields are likely to reverse the trend and register significant growth in the market over the forecast period.

Availability of Oil Reserves to Drive the Market

Norway holds the largest share in terms of total oil reserves among the European countries. According to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, there are around 8 billion standard cubic meters of oil equivalent (Sm3 o.e.) of resources (oil and gas) remaining on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS), of which 52% (4.2 billion Sm3 o.e.) of resources are proven, as of February 2021. The production on the Norwegian shelf in 2020 was 229 million Sm3 o.e.

Around 43% of the remaining resources are concentrated in the North Sea. The distribution of the rest indicates that 38% are in the Barents Sea and 19% are in the Norwegian Sea. In the Barents Sea, large parts of the remaining planned resources are not confirmed. At the end of 2020, there were 67 producing fields in the North Sea, 20 producing fields in the Norwegian Sea, and two producing fields in the Barents Sea.

As of December 2020, the estimated total unproven resources were 665 million Sm3 o.e., 665 million Sm3 o.e., 2,505 million Sm3 o.e. in the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, and the Barents Sea respectively. Hence, with the plenty of proven and unproven resources in the country, the oil gas upstream sector is likely to witness significant growth over the forecast period.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ii8mfi

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005537/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

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Press Release

27 April 2021

Melia Hotels International has begun the vaccination of its 2,200 employees in Punta Cana. In coordination with the Department of Public Health, this is part of a larger strategy to prioritize the tourism industry in the Dominican Republic to make the country a safe destination to receive millions of visitors after the pandemic.

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On Sunday, April 25, 370 employees of Paradisus Palma Real received their first dose, with the goal of vaccinated 800 people per day, to complete the first dose by Wednesday, May 5. The second and final dose of the vaccine, supplied by Sinnovac, is scheduled for May 25. After which all 2,200 company employees in the Dominican Republic will have been vaccinated.

The process was carried out in a large, outdoor public area in Paradisus Palma Real, following the standards of the Stay Safe With Melia program, certified by Bureau Veritas. During the process, representatives of local agencies such as Cestur, the Provincial Health Authorities, the State Epidemiology Service and the Ministry of Tourism were present to offer their support and congratulate the Melia teams for the quality of the protocols and their efficiency in planning and organizing the entire process.

"The vaccination of our team members in a key destination such as Punta Cana makes us very excited for the future of tourism and our company, said Gabriel Escarrer, Executive Vice President and CEO of Melia Hotels International. "It is a crucial measure to ensure the safety and health of both our guests and employees, as well as for the destination. This key measure we have taken will help speed up the recovery of international travel into Punta Cana, intensifying the upward curve in demand which we are already seeing in an increased number of searches and bookings."
AUSTIN, Texas, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial Gravity Companies (OTCQB: FGCO) announced that last month when it's subsidiary Forta Financial signed an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Vestus Group and it's affiliate NCW in California, that the same month the Monterey Herald recognized Vestus Group as the Best Investment Firm for the year.

The Monterey Herald presented their Readers' Choice Awards and named Vestus Group the Winner. They also named Integris Wealth Management - Second Place, Seal Rock Wealth Management - Third Place, wiith Morgan Stanley - Honorable Mention.

Last year, Vestus Group was recognized as Second Place and Mark Williams with Vestus Group received First Place for Best Investment Advisor.

Gary Nemer, Financial Gravity's Chief Legal Officer who played a key role in the acquisition explained, "While working with Mark Williams and Bryce Hamilton through the due diligence process, we quickly realized what a tremendous value they could both bring to our organization and team. This public recognition while we were closing the transaction further validates that we picked the right group."

About Financial Gravity Companies, Inc.

Financial Gravity Companies, Inc. is the parent company of the best of bread stock brokerage, investment advisory, asset management, tax planning for business and personal, and financial advisor services companies. Financial Gravity's mission is to provide truly comprehensive financial guidance through our unique combination of services that include tax planning and the ability to deliver in-depth advice on a comprehensive range of investment services and products. For investment advisors, tax advisors, and financial advisors we provide platforms to access proprietary and non-proprietary tools and services to deliver what is best for clients, all coupled with technology to deliver a state-of-the-art experience. www.financialgravity.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from the current expectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Financial Gravity's business, and Financial Gravity undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Financial Gravity Companies, Inc.

Related Links

http://financialgravity.com


As small Portland businesses struggled through a difficult holiday season amid the coronavirus pandemic, some began discussing the possibility of creating a communal gift card that could be spent at independent shops across the city.

Bricks Need Mortar, a coalition of local businesses, explored the idea but founder Sarah Shaoul didnt think anything like that existed.

At the same time, Kiyo Kubo, a Portland app developer, was going door-to-door to businesses across the city, trying to convince them to sign on to his new startup venture, Kuto, an alternative payment app designed to save businesses money on credit card fees.

It was while Kubo was pitching the app to businesses that he connected with Shaoul and combined their ideas. Together, the two are planning to roll out a Kuto gift card at the beginning of June that consumers will be able to use at any Portland business that accepts payments through the app.

Roughly 100 breweries, restaurants, bars and retailers have already signed on and Shaoul is pitching the gift card idea to another 800 businesses in the PDXSOS network, a Bricks Need Mortar program launched during the pandemic to support struggling businesses.

A lot of people reached out to me during the holidays and asked what they could do to support local businesses, Shaoul said. Were really excited about this option.

Shaoul is hopeful that the gift card will interest locals who might otherwise purchase gift cards to Amazon, Starbucks or other out-of-state, national chains, helping to redirect spending toward local Portland companies. She hopes the gift card will be a desirable option for companies to purchase as rewards for clients and employees, too.

Kubo, a 42-year-old app developer, has been working on launching startups since arriving in Portland fresh out of Cornell University in 2001.

Another one of his ventures, Meridian, a mobile software company whose apps guided smartphone users inside large venues like Powells Books, Providence Park and the Portland International Airport, sold for $26 million to Aruba Networks in 2013 and brought 250 jobs to Portland.

Early in 2020, Kubo and his business partner, Nick Farina, were working to launch a new business expense credit card, but kept hearing from local business owners that what they really wanted was a payment service that would cut down on the fees they paid for accepting credit cards. Once the pandemic hit, it became clear to Kubo and Farina that it wasnt the right time for their business credit card.

Instead, they shifted gears and spent the heart of the pandemic developing Kuto, which now employs 10 people and is growing as more businesses sign up.

Kuto offers customers a contactless way to pay at participating businesses by prompting them to link their bank accounts to the app, similar to how people pay each other through Venmo. New users get a $6 credit for signing up that can be used at any business that accepts Kuto.

Kubo has ambitious goals, ultimately hoping to get business owners across the country to start using the app to accept payments. But he is focused for now on trying to build up interest in Portland.

My hope is by the end of summer, half of all consumers in Portland have used Kuto, Kubo said.

Several business owners said they end up paying about 1.5% per transaction for bank fees when customers pay with Kuto, while it can cost them upwards of 3% per transaction to accept credit cards through services like Square. Those big companies charge both a flat fee per transaction and take a percentage of the total payment.

Elizabeth Nathan, founder of frozen yogurt shop Eb & Bean, started accepting Kuto at her three Portland shops earlier this month. She said credit card fees can be particularly costly for a business like hers where the majority of purchases are under $20, because she gets charged a flat fee per transaction. If more customers start using Kuto, she said it could make a notable difference for the business bottom line.

But while the chance to save money on credit card fees made it a no-brainer for her to give Kuto a try, Nathan said she became particularly intrigued when she heard about the gift card initiative.

She is hopeful that will be another way to encourage consumers in Portland to shop locally and support Portland businesses that have spent the last year trying to survive the pandemic.

I definitely am very committed to anything I can do to boost our local community and be part of the solution there, Nathan said.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com | @jamiebgoldberg
MIYAZAKI - There are many reasons to visit Japans shrines. They are, of course, religious sites, often dedicated to particular guardian gods or to receiving prayers for particular purposes.

The shrine structures themselves are often of architectural interest and many are located on sites of great natural beauty, often selected based on principles of geomancy. The most ancient of shrines are also often associated with particular events in Japans history.

Udo Shrine, on the coast of Miyazaki south of Aoshima, ticks all of those boxes.

The shrine is the setting for one of Japans origin myths, the birth of Ugayafukiaezu, father of Japans mythical first emperor, Jimmu (711BC-585BC). As such, it is particularly associated with safe birth and healthy children. The shrine is also associated with protecting sailors and those who work on the water, but that is more likely related to its seaside location than its legendary origins.

The legend of Ugayafukiaezus birth is particularly interesting. His father was Hoori, also known as Yamasachi-hiko, a god of hunting. One day, Hoori and his brother Hoderi, also known as Umisachi-hiko, a god of fishing, decided to temporarily swap roles. Hoori, unfamiliar with fishing techniques, managed to lose his brothers most prized fishhook. Vowing to retrieve it for his brother, Hoori plunged into the sea, where he found the world of Ryujin, the dragon-like god of the sea. He soon fell in love with Ryujins beautiful daughter, Princess Toyotama.

In his ardor, Hoori briefly forgot his earthly home, and the couple lived happily in an undersea palace. Eventually, though, Hoori became homesick, so he and the now-pregnant Toyotama returned to Kyushu. When the time came to give birth, Toyotama found a cave in a seaside cliff on the southeast coast of Miyazaki and began to build a "birthing hut" of cormorant feathers inside. As a creature of the sea, Toyotama would have to assume her true form (a kind of cross between a dragon and a crocodile) while giving birth, something she did not want Hoori to see. So she made him promise that he would not peek at her while she was giving birth. Alas, Hoori broke his promise. When Toyotama realized, she fled back to the sea in shame, leaving her newborn son, Ugayafukiaezu, in the cave. (For what its worth, the name Ugayafukiaezu roughly translates to broken promise of cormorant feathers and thatch.)

Udo Shrine is built inside that cave, a unique and fascinating location.

The cave is in a rocky cliff, about three stories above the jagged Nichinan coast. It is accessed by stairs leading down about three stories from the rest of the shrine grounds above. (There is no special access for mobility impaired visitors.) The cave is dominated by the ornately decorated red lacquer shrine building, but it is large enough to hold a number of smaller shrines as well. Visitors can walk all the way around the main shrine building to get a feel for the size of the cave.
Jingdezhen Porcelain Week on Dongjia app guards artisans ingenuity

By:Zhao Chunyuan | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-04-27 09:55

(Event pages of Jingdezhen Porcelain Week on Dongjiaapp)

Small cups are paired with rock tea and large bowls are paired with Puer tea. A nice cup of tea needs a suitable tea set. Recently, a small replica of the blue and white porcelain cup has been sold for RMB 125,000 at a collector-grade porcelain auction during the Jingdezhen Porcelain Week on the Dongjia app. Jingdezhen is a city in Jiangxi Province, which is also a leading porcelain-manufacturing centre in China.

(Awork by Jiang Xin, an artisanfromDongjiaapp)

This blue and white porcelain cup is made by Jiang Xin, who is also the founder of brand Wan Yu. She became one of the first artisans to settle in the Dongjia app in 2017. She believes that live streaming not only shortens the distance between products and users, but also accelerates product iteration, making artisans quicker to know what users like and need.

Jingdezhen Porcelain Week is held from April 21-30, and is aimed at guarding the ingenuity of the porcelain industry. After years of industry cultivation, tens of thousands of excellent craftsmen have gathered on this app.

This activity brings not only collector-grade porcelain works as intangible cultural heritage made by masters, but also outstanding porcelain masterpieces directly supplied by Jingdezhen and sourced at moderate prices. We hope to bring users cost-effective works that represent the skill level of craftsmen in Jingdezhen, said the person who in charge of the Dongjiaapp.

(The spring tea season activity onDongjiaapp)

It is worth mentioning that just before the opening of Jingdezhen Porcelain Week, the spring tea season activity on this app had just wrapped up. According to statistics, the total sales of spring tea season exceeded RMB 100 million for the first time on this platform, soaring 200% year-on-year.

According to data from the app, in 2021, the percentage of tea users with a regular tea drinking habit will be over 77%, with 40% of consumers drinking tea every day. Among tea users, the proportion of men and women is 55% and 44% respectively, and 65% of tea users are from first-tier and second-tier cities. For the main purpose of drinking tea, 27% is for leisure and relaxation, 19% for lifestyle habits, 19% for health, and another 18% for refreshment. In addition, 50% of the users on theDongjiaapp prefer Puer tea, 23% like white tea, 11% like green tea and 8% like oolong tea. Young people prefer black tea, with 20% of the post-90s and post-00s generations choosing black tea. Users generally prefer health-preserving tea, besides black tea and green tea. White-collar office workers love green tea most, followed by herbal tea and oolong tea.
The new program was announced at an April 22 press conference at the Essex, N.Y. headquarters of CFES Brilliant Pathways, the college readiness non-profit that developed the program.

"Economic, cultural and demographic issues are combining to rob young people in rural communities of the future they deserve," said Rick Dalton, president of CFES Brilliant Pathways. "This new initiative is designed to level the playing field for a group of schools in New York and Vermont and serve as a model that could be adopted by schools nationwide," he said.

The program, with an estimated total value of $1.5 million, is free of cost, but each school needs to apply to be included. The application and program details can be found on the CFES website brilliantpathways.org .

"This isn't about having just another program," said former New York governor George Pataki, a CFES board member. "It's about changing lives and showing the pathway to opportunity and how a better career and education can be achieved in every community in every town and every village throughout the North Country."

The new program will offer a variety of components to the 20 participating schools. They include the following (see Program Profile for more details):

A dedicated professional program director for each school who will make in-person and virtual visits throughout the year

Myriad professional development and enrichment opportunities for educators, students and families, such as monthly college- and career-readiness advisor trainings certified by the University of Vermont .

certified by the . A variety of digital resources, including partnerships and networking opportunities with 200 colleges/universities and 230 businesses and corporations.

Opportunities for networking, collaboration, and recognition, including becoming a nationally recognized School of Distinction.

A partnership with an urban school to promote cultural exchange and connection and prepare students to navigate a diverse world.

The program is a distillation of strategies CFES has developed over its history. These strategies are laid out in detail in a new book written by Dalton, Rural Pathways to College and Career (Routledge, April 2021). "We believe that the book can help rural schools transform themselves and lift up their communities, and that's why we decided to launch North Country Brilliant Pathways," said Dalton.

While rural students attend college at only slightly lower rates than urban students (59% vs 61%), retention rates are much lower. Just 29% of rural Americans aged 18-24 are enrolled in colleges and universities, compared to 42% of all Americans in that age range. The pandemic has worsened the problem. FAFSA completions, a sign of intent to go to college, dropped 10% nationally this year and 15% in rural areas.

Fully two-thirds of all jobs and 80 percent of all jobs that pay a median of $65,000 or more require postsecondary education, according to research by Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce.

Media Contact: Jon Reidel, (802) 578-0447, [email protected]

SOURCE CFES Brilliant Pathways
A recount of 2.1 million ballots cast in Maricopa County, Arizona began on Friday, as ordered by the Republican-controlled Arizona state Senate. Dozens of people hired by a subcontractor of a pro-Trump consulting firm began going through the physical ballots at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, the state capital.

President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Muskegon County Airport, Saturday, October 17, 2020, in Norton Shores, Michigan. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The exercise can have no legal effect on the outcome of the 2020 elections. Arizonas 11 electoral votes went to Democrat Joe Biden by a margin of 10,457 votes, and this result was certified by state officials, including the Republican governor and lieutenant-governor. It was certified by the US Congress on January 6. Even if Arizonas results were somehow to be overturned, it would not affect the overall result, as Biden defeated Trump by 306 electoral votes to 232.

Biden won Maricopa County by 45,000 votes, his second-largest margin in the state, after 100,000 in Pima County (Tucson). The results in these two counties, where Arizonas two largest cities are located, offset Trumps margin in rural areas.

The purpose of the recount is to provide grist for the mill of ultraright propaganda claims that Trump was the actual winner, as well as to mobilize support behind election changes introduced by Republican legislators in dozens of states, making it more difficult for voters to cast their ballots on the purported ground of fighting vote fraud.

The Arizona state Senate, narrowly controlled by the Republicans, 16-14, has taken the lead among all state legislative bodies in the country in seeking to validate Trumps baseless claims of a stolen election. It subpoenaed all 2.1 million ballots cast in Maricopa County, the states largest, on the pretext that these were pertinent to a legislative purpose, i.e., proposed changes in the states election laws.

Trump himself has been duly appreciative, issuing a statement Friday that said: Thank you State Senators and others in Arizona for commencing this full forensic audit. He added, I predict the results will be startling. He followed this up on Saturday with multiple statements of support, including a demand that Governor Doug Ducey, a Republican whom Trump has repeatedly vilified, call out the National Guard to protect the recount from attack.

The state Democratic Party filed a lawsuit to halt the recount, but an Arizona judge required that the party post a $1 million bond to cover the costs of a delay. The state party declined to do this and refused to send monitors to observe the recount, denouncing it as a fraudulent operation.

The identity of the company overseeing the recount speaks volumes about its reactionary and antidemocratic character. Cyber Ninjas is a Florida-based consultancy that has never conducted any election-related professional activity. It is run by a Trump loyalist, Doug Logan, who is associated with attorneys Lin Wood and Sidney Powell.

The Arizona Republic reported that Logan had retweeted a post suggesting that Dominion Voting Systems, a favorite target of the right, had robbed Mr. Trump of 200,000 votes in Arizona. Dominion told the newspaper that Cyber Ninjas is led by conspiracy theorists and QAnon supporters who have helped spread the Big Lie of a rigged election.

The state Senate has appropriated only $150,000 for the recount, far less than the actual expense of the effort. Right-wing donors are funding the rest. The pro-Trump One America News Network (OAN) is raising money from unidentified contributors, and others are sending money directly to Cyber Ninjas.

The recount is closed to the press, although the nine recount stations set up inside the arena are being live-streamed by OAN. Only the presidential election and the US Senate contest, won narrowly by Democrat Mark Kelly over the incumbent, Republican Martha McSally, are being recounted.

This sets up an obvious contradiction: Democrats won five of the nine congressional seats in 2020, and the presidential and Senate votes generally correspond to the votes for the House of Representatives. But the recount does not challenge the outcome of the House elections, where the Democrats had a narrow cumulative statewide margin of 23,000 votes.

According to a report by the New York Times, one of the 16 Republicans in the state Senate majority claims lifetime membership in the Oath Keepers, the extremist group that helped lead the assault on the US Capitol on Jan. 6. Another participant in the recount is a former state legislator, ousted in the same election in which Trump was defeated, who was actually at the Capitol on January 6, although he denies going in.

This demonstrates that the core constituency of Trump and his supporters in the Republican Party consists of fascist elements such as those who stormed the US Capitol on January 6 and sought to block certification of the 2020 election and maintain Trump in power as a president-dictator.
"Over the past year, our world has experienced pain, loss, and struggle-together. Now we need to recover and heal-together," Harry and Meghan said in a statement about a Covid-19 vaccine fundraiser concert

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will co-chair a fundraising concert urging more vaccinations that will air May 8, which the Bidens will also participate in, event organizers announced Tuesday.

Along with US president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris will also appear at "Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World" where performers will include Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Vedder, J Balvin and HER.

Put on by Global Citizen, an international advocacy organization, the campaign is pushing businesses to "donate dollars for doses," and for G7 governments to share excess vaccines.

It also urges pharmaceutical companies "including Moderna to make vaccines available at not-for-profit prices."

The concert will be pre-taped on May 2 in Los Angeles, and will stream on YouTube along with American television networks ABC and CBS on May 8 at 8pm ET.

It will also air internationally on Brazil's Globo, Colombia's Caracol, SABC in South Africa and MultiChoice in Africa.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will also appear at the event, whose audience will comprise of fully vaccinated frontline and essential workers.

"Over the past year, our world has experienced pain, loss, and struggle-together. Now we need to recover and heal-together," Harry and Meghan said in a statement.

"We can't leave anybody behind. We will all benefit, we will all be safer, when everyone everywhere has equal access to the vaccine. We must pursue equitable vaccine distribution, and in that, restore faith in our common humanity. This mission couldn't be more critical or important."

Last year Global Citizen partnered with the World Health Organization to put on a virtual concert packed with A-listers like The Rolling Stones and Taylor Swift, to celebrate health workers and fundraise for the battle against Covid-19.
Apr. 26Although the city Planning and Zoning Commission backed a property owner's plan on Monday to construct a garage next to his downtown Mitchell building, some contingencies were established to attempt to preserve the historic nature of the area.

For Kleve Klingaman to build a 14-by-70 foot garage next to his 117 E. Fourth Ave. building, the Planning Commission unanimously agreed that a portion of the garage must be constructed with brick, rather than the steel that was initially going to be used for the entire garage. The garage will be built on the east side of the building, which is the location of Exit Realty's offices.

Considering Klingaman's building is deemed historic, the South Dakota Historic Preservation Office may make recommendations on any new work on the property and determine whether it protects the historic nature of the building. City Planner Neil Putnam broke down the recommendations made by historic preservation officials.

"One of the comments is that the garage is not attached to the building. And they would also like to see the front have some type of historic appearance, and not just solid metal," Putnam said.

Kilngaman, owner of Mitchell's Exit Realty, said the structure would serve as a garage. Over the past year, Klingaman has been fixing up the entire building to transform it into his home. Now that Klingaman and his family are residing there, he's moving onto adding a garage.

"I've looked into putting a garage in the basement, but that's not going to work, but that's not feasible. I don't want my cars sitting out in the open down there since there is a lot of vandalism," Klingaman said. "I figured this is tucked away enough that I could make it work. I renovated the upstairs and pretty much the whole interior. I plan to do the outside as well."

Commission member Larry Jirsa opposed the metal siding of the garage, noting it "doesn't fit" for the property. Jirsa was also concerned that allowing the entire garage to be built with steel would set a precedent for other downtown property owners.

Story continues

As a longtime architect, Jirsa said metal buildings and garages in the downtown area have "screwed" it up and hurt the historic nature of the area.

"Image-wise, the metal just doesn't fit that property. I think some type of brick or masonry is much more appropriate. There are too many metal buildings downtown, and I personally think metal buildings have kind of screwed downtown up," Jirsa said. "If we approve metal, then a downtown property like Dr. Lucky's should be able to put one up next to their building."

While the Planning Commission collectively agreed to not allow the entire garage to be built with steel, they OK'd the side walls, which Klingaman said would "not be really visible," to be constructed with steel.

City Building Inspector John Hegg reiterated that the recommendations of the building materials for the garage are solely to meet the historic preservation standards.

"I don't have any other restrictions on building materials," he said. "Because it is in the historic district, we are doing the best we can to follow the historic preservation office as best we can."

Dan Boehmer, manager of Ethan Co-Op Lumber Company, is the contractor Klingaman picked to build the shed that would face Lawler Street. He said the garage will be built in a way that allows the area to handle water runoff from the roof during any rain events.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 21:57:17|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The China Coast Guard (CCG) will keep a closer eye on the country's coastal areas to ensure the enforcement of the summer fishing ban starting from May 1, the CCG said in a statement on Tuesday.

The CCG as well as the agricultural and police authorities will step up maritime patrols to strengthen scrutiny over fishing boats and key waters, the statement added.

The authorities plan to make better use of monitoring technologies in the process, the statement said, noting that relevant departments will enhance consultation, coordination and information sharing with one another.

The fishing ban, which will come into force from May 1, covers the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the waters north of 12 degrees north latitude in the South China Sea.

It is part of China's efforts to protect marine fishery resources.

The enforcement actions will last through Sept. 16, according to the CCG. Enditem
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Gov. John Bel Edwards, right, and Dr. Jimmy Guidry, state health officer, center, watch as Dr. G. E. Ghali, chancellor of the LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, left, talks about the importance of wearing a mask during a press conference about the status of the state in regard to COVID-19, July 30.
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - AVEVA Group plc (AVV.L) said CEO, Craig Hayman, will leave the Group after the AGM in July. Peter Herweck will be seconded from Schneider Electric on request of the AVEVA Board to the role of AVEVA's CEO, effective 1 May 2021. Peter is currently Executive Vice President, Industrial Automation of Schneider Electric. Peter has served on AVEVA's Board since 2018, more recently as Vice Chairman. Separately, AVEVA Group plc issued a trading update for the financial year ended 31 March 2021. On a standalone organic constant currency basis, AVEVA achieved double digit revenue growth during the second half of the year. This resulted in full year revenue being flat year-on-year. AVEVA Group said, on an organic constant currency basis, OSIsoft grew revenue by a mid to high single digit percentage rate in the year ended 31 March 2021. Combined pro forma revenue for the enlarged Group grew by a low single digit percentage on an organic constant currency basis. 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 nations shifting political map continues to add people and power to the American South and West, at the expense of the East Coast and Midwestern states, with the release of once-in-a-decade census results from the federal government.

Since 1790, the US has surveyed the population every 10 years to determine its representation in the House of Representatives relative to the people in each state.

After delays and legal challenges under Donald Trump in 2020, results from the first census of the century  also performed during the coronavirus pandemic  will kick off a contentious redistricting process that could redraw the balance of power in Congress.

Census figures are used to allocate the 435 seats in the House  with some states gaining and others losing seats, relative to their population. (Each state elects two people to the US Senate.)

The apportionment population includes the residents in each state, plus overseas military and federal civilian employees and their dependents who are allocated to a home state. It does not include Washington DC and Puerto Rico.

Data used for redistricting  the process of drawing up the jurisdiction lines for each member of Congress  will be shared with states by 16 August, as politicians begin to scramble for midterm elections in 2022.

331,449,281

That is the latest total population of the US, according to the US Census Bureau.

It marks an increase of 2.7 million people, or 7.4 per cent, from 2010.

But it is also the second-slowest population growth in US history, slightly above the growth between 1930 and 1940 in the decade following the Great Depression.

Roughly 63 per cent of the country now lives in its Sun Belt and Western states, marking a shift from the Northeast and Midwest into southern states and up along the West Coast.

The latest figures also mark a national population increase of more than 230 million people over the last 100 years  with the same representation in the House and Senate.

How many seats are in the House?

435, as set by the US Constitution. The number of representatives in each state is determined through the apportionment process. Every state elects two people to the US Senate.

Which states are getting new House seats?

Texas will get two House seats in 2022, after the state saw its population spike by nearly 4 million people over the last decade to 29,145,505.

Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon will each gain one.

Which states are losing seats?

Despite seeing its population grow by 2.2 million people over the last decade, California will lose a congressional seat.

Midwestern states Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania will also lose a seat.

Census officials announced that New York will lose one congressional seat after the state fell short of just 89 people included in the survey, in a state with a population of more than 19 million people.

West Virginia  which saw the largest population decrease within the last decade, with a 3.2 per cent drop from 2010  will also lose a seat.

The most populous state

More than 39.5 million people live in California. The state saw the third-largest population spike, with 2.2 million people since 2010, behind Texas, with 4 million new residents, and Florida, with 2.7 million.

Utah, meanwhile, saw an 18.4 per cent increase in its population, which has grown to 3.2 million over the last decade.

The least populous state

Nearly 577,000 people live in Wyoming.

The state and its relatively small population size  and the congressional power of the majority white state  have been frequently paired in contrast with Washington DC, which has a population of more than 689,000 people, with a 49 per cent Black population, without any senators or voting members in the House, as statehood proponents and members of Congress debate whether to make the nations capital city the 51st state.

The biggest loss

With the devastation from 2017s Hurricane Maria and poor federal response to the disaster and its aftermath, Puerto Rico  which is not a state  saw a nearly 12 per cent decline in its residential population over the last decade, down to 3.2 million from 3.7 million in 2010.
A Springfield man is facing drug charges in Vermont Monday night after he reportedly showed a fake ID to state troopers after he was pulled over on I-91 for speeding, police said.

In addition to giving false information to police, Nathaniel Jones, 37, is charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana, and possession of a narcotic, stimulant, or depressant.

A search of his car after his arrest revealed 13 grams of crack cocaine in a hidden compartment, and a backpack containing a pound of marijuana and 10 suboxone strips, which are available only with a prescription, according to Vermont State Police.

A passenger in the car, Gina Barrette, 27, of St. Jonesbury, Vermont, was also charged with possession of fentanyl and crack cocaine. She was also wanted on outstanding warrants.

Jones was held over night on $10,000 bail at the Southern State Correctional Facility pending his arraignment Tuesday.

Jones was stopped by police on I-91 south in the town of Guilford, roughly 6 miles from the Massachusetts line.

Vermont law, like in Massachusetts, limits the amount of marijuana a person may legally possess. Possession of more than an ounce is punishable by a fine of $100 for a first offence, while possession of a pound can result in a fine of up to $10,000 and five years in jail.
Charlie Tran saw the shattered windows Sunday afternoon.

His restaurant, Le Bon in Sunnyvale, had been vandalized in what he first thought to be a random attack. "I really thought it was a delinquent that just came here and broke our window," Tran told KTVU.

After calling the police, he went looking for any evidence of a stray attack  a rock, or a bullet perhaps  and said he found a vile note.

Tran said it read, Dirty fing [expletive], go back to your home.

Tran, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE, said the note hurt me more than if it was just a random person breaking our window.

Jeff Nguyen, the co-owner and executive chef at the restaurant, said in an Instagram video that they're declining to set up a GoFundMe for the damages.

It was the first incident of targeted vandalism at Le Bon since it took over the location from Minhs four years ago. The restaurant is known for a modern take on Vietnamese food, specifically focusing on Hanoi-style cuisine.

Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee condemned the vandalism in a statement to KTVU, saying that it is mortifying to find out these types of incidents are still happening right here in Sunnyvale. Lee did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.

It is unclear who targeted the restaurant; surveillance cameras outside the restaurant did not capture the incident. But other businesses in the vicinity, including a salon and a liquor store, may have footage available.

The vandalism appears to be another incident of anti-Asian racism targeting vulnerable people and businesses in the Bay Area and throughout the country. A recent incident involving racist notes targeted at least three nail salons owned by Asian families throughout California.

Its not gonna stop us from what we love to do, Tran said in an Instagram video Monday.
Minister Coveney addresses UN Security Council meeting on the Protection of Civilians

Press release

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney T.D., today spoke at a UN Security Council meeting chaired by Vietnam on the protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population.

The Minister highlighted the devastating impact of attacks food and water supplies, hospitals and other objects that are protected under international law, and stressed that civilians must be protected from famine in conflict situations.

Starvation of civilians as a method of combat is prohibited. We have a clear responsibility, therefore, to protect civilian objects that act as a bulwark against famine.

The Minister denounced attacks on medical personnel and hospitals and called on all parties to fully respect their status under International Humanitarian Law.

The indispensable nature of medical facilities, medical assets, and health care workers in times of conflict cannot be understated. Their protected status in armed conflict is unequivocally enshrined in International Humanitarian Law.

Attacks on medical infrastructure deprive the sick and the wounded, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, the old and the young, of their most fundamental dignity, and of vital care and assistance when they need it the most.

Minister Coveney also spoke of the impact of explosive weapons in populated areas, and Irelands efforts to address the issue.

Of particular relevance to todays discussion is the effect of explosive weapons in populated areas on critical infrastructure, such as roads, hospitals and sanitation facilities. This infrastructure is vital to meet immediate humanitarian needs and for post-conflict development.

Ireland is leading negotiations in Geneva on a Political Declaration to address the humanitarian consequences arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

ENDS

Press Office

27 April 2021

Note to Editors:

The meeting, chaired by Vietnam, is one of the signature events of Vietnams Presidency of the Council in the month of April.

The meeting will be chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Mr Bui Thanh Son.

Vietnam has led the negotiation of a resolution on the same theme, which is expected to be adopted on 27 April.

The meeting will begin with briefings from Mr. Mark Lowcock, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator; Mr. Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Mr. Kevin Rudd, Chair of the Board of Directors, International Peace Institute (IPI).

The meeting is available to view on UN Web TV: http://webtv.un.org/

 Previous Item | Next Item 
Burma Myanmar Junta Says ASEANs Views Will Be Considered After Stability Returns

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (second left) is greeted by his fellow generals and members of the State Administrative Council upon his return to Naypyitaw after attending the ASEAN summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on April 24. / New Light of Myanmar

The Myanmar military junta chief said he would carefully consider ASEAN leaders recommended steps for solving the political crisis in his country after the situation stabilizes.

The governing body of the regime, the State Administration Council (SAC), announced in a statement on Monday that junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said stability is the current priority in the crisis-hit country, including maintaining law and order and restoring community peace and tranquility. He was responding to ASEAN leaders consensus at their Saturday summit on the Myanmar crisis in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The summit came after the brutal killing of at least 750 civilians by the regime, which seized power and overthrew Myanmars democratically elected civilian government on Feb. 1.

During the meeting, the coup chief told the bloc leaders that the suggestions would be positively considered as long as they facilitated the implementation of the five-step roadmap laid down by SAC, claiming that the roadmap served the interests of the country.

Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing also said they would be considered so long as they are in line with the purposes and principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, ASEAN Way and ASEAN Spirit.

The statement said the junta chief briefed the bloc leaders on recent developments in Myanmar, especially the reason for the military takeover, as well as the anti-regime protests, and the structure, future programs and activities of the SAC.

The junta has tried to justify its military coup by claiming the Nov. 8 election won by the National League for Democracy (NLD) was marred by electoral fraud. It has defended its deadly crackdowns by claiming repeatedly that it has been forced to act because anti-junta protesters are engaging in arson and other violence.

During the meeting, the leaders reached a five-point consensus urging the junta to seek a political resolution to the crisis through dialog, accept the appointment of a special envoy to engage with all the parties and to grant access to humanitarian assistance from ASEAN, which would be coordinated by the ASEAN secretary general in conjunction with the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Center).

However, the bloc failed to urge the military to release political prisoners arrested by the regime since Feb. 1 including Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. At least 4,484 civilians have been arrested by the regime since its takeover, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

Some leaders including those of Indonesia and Malaysia have called individually for the release of all political prisoners in Myanmar.

Expectations for ASEANs summit were not high, given the blocs policy of non-interference and its history of favoring previous military dictatorships in the country. Myanmar people were especially disappointed by the blocs failure to invite representatives of the parallel, civilian National Unity Government (NUG) formed by elected lawmakers from the ousted NLD.

After the meeting, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told the media that the Myanmar junta leader did not oppose to a visit by a delegation from ASEAN to help resolve the crisis in the country.

Human rights groups and pro-democracy supporters were disappointed by the ASEAN meeting, saying it did not support the restoration of civilian rule or hold the coup leaders to account for the killing of civilians.



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The prized valuables of one of Britain's most beautiful stately homes that went unseen for generations have sold for more than 750,000 at auction.

Dewlish House in Dorset was sold last year for just the second time in its 300-year history, and following the 10million sale, the house's most important artefacts were listed at an auction hosted by Dukes of Dorchester.

The most expensive lot was a Queen Anne gilt mirror, similar to one in the Victoria and Albert Museum, which sold for 65,000 including fees.

A pair of George III Serpentine chest of drawers sold for 39,000, while a rare oak bed dating from the reign of King Henry VIII went for 26,000.

The family of millionaire financier Anthony Boyden sold the historic contents of Dewlish House in Dorset (shown above) which has been described as one of the most beautiful stately homes in Britain

Dewlish House in Dorset (pictured) was sold for only the second time in its 300 year history last October for 10million and its treasures went under the hammer at a unique auction

The entire contents of Dewlish House were auctioned off by the financier's family following his death in 2013. Pictured: A Queen Anne mirror (left) which is valued at around 30,000 and the interior of one of the rooms in the stately home (right)

A George II giltwood console table, designed in the manner of William Kent, also fetched 52,000 when it went under the hammer.

Grade I listed Dewlish House was built in 1702 in the village of Dewlish, Dorset, in the countryside that writer Thomas Hardy immortalised in novels including the 1891 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles'.

According to Reverend Hutchins' seminal history of Dorset, the 12,800sq ft stately home was built by Thomas Skinner on the site of a former Roman villa, in a Georgian style, in the early 18th century.

It was then owned for two centuries by the Michel family and their descendants, including Sir John Michel, a notable Field Marshal who served in the Crimean War, defeated mutineers in Bombay, took part in the occupation of Peking.

The house was later commandeered by the US Marines in the run-up to the D-Day landings in 1944.

Today, the property - which sits in more than 290 acres - boasts luxurious amenities including six reception rooms, eight bathrooms and 11 bedrooms.

The interior of historic stately home Dewlish House boasted a fine George III mahogany rent table with a leather-lined hexagonal top over six drawers (pictured)

The landmark auction raised well over 750,000 and included important artefacts unseen for generations. Pictured: A rare oak bed frame which dates back to the reign of King Henry VIII and is documented in 'The Dictionary of English Furniture'

The exceptionally rare oak bed (above) that dates back to King Henry VIII's reign during the Tudor era sold at auction for more than 25,000

By the 1960s, the property was largely derelict and looked likely to be demolished before entrepreneur Anthony Boyden bought and saved the property in 1962.

Boyden was a successful financier and keen sailor; he was the last Brit to make it to the finals of the America's Cup in 1964 with his yacht Sovereign.

He died aged 85 in 2013 and the house was sold by his family last Autumn for 10million by agents Knight Frank.

A George II giltwood console table (above), designed in the manner of William Kent, also fetched 52,000 at the Dukes of Dorchester auction

Dewlish House has a storied past, having been built by Thomas Skinner on the site of a former Roman villa in the early 18th century. Pictured here is one of the property's six luxurious reception rooms

The sale of the house's contents included everything from paintings, crockery, other furniture, carriage clocks and Tudor carved panels.

Garry Batt, partner at Duke's, said: 'It's a great pleasure to deal with the contents of such an exceptionally beautiful house.'
[April 27, 2021] General Assembly Launches Public Sector Vertical, Partners with Business and Civic Leaders to Reskill Unemployed, Dislocated Workers

NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on the success of initiatives in Louisville, Singapore, Atlanta, Sacramento, Buffalo, and other cities in the U.S. and around the globe, international technology education provider General Assembly (GA) today announced the launch of a public sector group that will partner with state and local governments, along with anchor companies and local providers, to serve underrepresented groups in tech and workers displaced by the pandemic. Even before COVID-19 upended the global economy, cities were grappling with the urgent need to retrain and upskill workers for in-demand tech and digital jobs. Automation already threatened to displace millions of workers across retail, hospitality, manufacturing, and more  and these trends were only accelerated by the pandemic. "Digital workforce training programs will be crucial toward helping displaced workers from the COVID-19 pandemic. General Assembly is a top-notch digital certificate program and their qualified staff helped train many Sacramentans who lost their job during the pandemic. We highly recommend their program to other cities across the country, and it will only continue to help advance our economic recovery," said Greater Sacramento Economic Council President & CEO Barry Broome. As a global leader in digital skills training, General Assembly is a trusted educational partner to local governments, nonprofits, and hiring partners looking to build stronger, more equitable talent pipelines and help workers displaced by the pandemic get back to work in high-wage, high-growth roles. GA has already helped build multi-sector reskilling coalitions in Atlanta, Buffalo , Louisville , and Sacramento , partnering with employers, community-based organizations, and policymakers to deliver over 33,000 hours of fully subsidized training in 2020 alone. Outside of the U.S, as part of its work to ensure a talent pool that can meet regional employer demand, the Singapore government's Infocomm Media Development Authority has subsidized training for over 2,000 career changers through GA's programs over the past six years.



GA's goal is to build on the initial success of this model to scale it globally in 2021 and beyond. The Community Reskilling Initiative is backed by support from GA's parent company the Adecco Group, the world's leading talent solutions company, through a $1M investment from the U.S. Adecco Group Foundation. "The mission of the Adecco Group is to make the future work for everyone, and our ambition is to create sustainable and lifelong employability for individuals, and to empower companies to optimize their workforces. This work is more urgent than ever, as the world of work undergoes unprecedented changes, with the pandemic accelerating existing megatrends," said Alain Dehaze, CEO of the Adecco Group. "The U.S. Adecco Group Foundation's investment in General Assembly's community reskilling initiatives is part of our broader commitment to ensure equitable economic recovery."

Globally, the economic fallout has been felt harder by second and third tier cities already struggling to compete with larger tech hubs in the fight to attract and retain talent. In the U.S., more than half of the U.S. total GDP concentrated in only 25 metros. In cities like Sacramento, civic leaders are leveraging federal relief funding to bring in training partners like GA to digitally upskill underrepresented groups hit hardest by the pandemic to build more pathways out of poverty. Internationally, the number of workers applying digital skills in Asia-Pacific countries will need to increase by over five-fold to keep pace with technological change, from 149 million workers today to 819 million workers by 2025. Models such as Singapore's SkillsFuture create promising opportunities to ensure regions throughout the globe maintain resilient economies. "As cities around the world seek the best path forward for economic recovery, it's crucial that we work to transition more of our population into pandemic-proof careers," said Lisa Lewin, CEO of General Assembly. "We have the best chance to do this at scale by working collaboratively - as educators, businesses, policymakers, and civic leaders - to provide in-demand digital skills and more equitable career pathways to the populations hit hardest by the pandemic." For community leaders and businesses interested in learning more about GA's Community Reskilling Initiative, you can get in touch at communityreskilling@ga.co . About General Assembly General Assembly is advancing the future of work. We create sustainable talent pipelines for businesses and build transparent career pathways to the most transformational work. Offering employer-driven, practitioner-taught training in high-demand fields like data, technology, design, and business, General Assembly's global reach, massive community, and leading outcomes have created an international community of professionals nearly one million strong. The most innovative companies rely on General Assembly's talent pipeline as a service model to benchmark talent, train employees, hire candidates, and increase diversity. Our unmatched scale, flexible training delivery, expert instructors, and employer-tested assessments have enabled hundreds of companies to fill their talent gaps and hundreds of thousands of individuals to pursue the work they love. About The Adecco Group The Adecco Group is the world's leading HR solutions company. We believe in making the future work for everyone, and every day enable more than 3.5 million careers. We skill, develop, and hire talent in 60 countries, enabling organisations to embrace the future of work. As a Fortune Global 500 company, we lead by example, creating shared value that fuels economies and builds better societies. Our culture of inclusivity, entrepreneurship and teamwork empowers our 35,000 employees. We are proud to have been consistently ranked one of the 'World's Best Workplaces' by Great Place to Work. The Adecco Group AG is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland (ISIN: CH0012138605) and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ADEN) and powered by nine global brands: Adecco, Adia, Badenoch + Clark, General Assembly, Lee Hecht Harrison, Modis, Pontoon, Spring Professional and Vettery. Media Contact:

Tori McKnight

tori.mcknight@berlinrosen.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/general-assembly-launches-public-sector-vertical-partners-with-business-and-civic-leaders-to-reskill-unemployed-dislocated-workers-301277949.html SOURCE General Assembly (GA)

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As India continues to battle a severe second wave of coronavirus, the healthcare system is facing an uphill task to cope with surging numbers, with a shortage of medical supplies only adding to the woes.

Amid the mounting crisis, the demand for Remdesivir - an injectable drug used for COVID-19 treatment - has been growing drastically. As the demand has left the drug in short supply, some people have been taking advantage of the dire situation to sell fake Remdesivir.

Reuters

Police have arrested some people in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh for selling fake Remdesivir injections.



At such a time, it is important to be very careful and not fall prey to such dirty tricks.

Also read: This Is Why You Should Not Panic Looking For Plasma Or Remdesivir For COVID Positive Patients

IPS officer Monika Bhardwaj, DCP of the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police, took to Twitter on Monday and posted tweets for educational purposes detailing how to differentiate genuine Remdesivir from a fake vial.

Attention!!

Lookout for these details before buying Remdesivir from the market. pic.twitter.com/A2a3qx5GcA  Monika Bhardwaj (@manabhardwaj) April 26, 2021

Monika points out certain 'errors' present on the package of the fake version of Remdesivir injection that can help differentiate it from the genuine jab.



1. Fake Remdesivir packages do not have Rx written on them just before the name of the injection.

2. There is a capitalisation error in the fake packages. The genuine Remdesivir package reads as 100 mg/Vial while the fake one has 100 mg/vial written on it.

3. There is an alignment error in the brand name of the product. Note the gap on the package of fake and genuine Remdesivir injections. The fake vial has an increased gap.

Also read: Visit These Websites To Check Availability Of Remdesivir, COVID Beds In Hospitals & Plasma

Twitter/Anshul Saxena

4. There is another capitalisation error below the brand name in Vial/vial on the fake package.



5. One more capitalisation error that stands out is found at the bottom of the front side of the fake Remdesivir package. For use in can be found written on the genuine package while it reads for use in on the fake drug package.

6. There is also a stark difference on the back of the box. The Warning label is in red on the genuine package while the fake one has a black warning label.

7. There is a capitalisation error in the fake Remdesivir package which reads India as india.

8. There is also a spelling error in the full address on fake Remdesivir package. It spells Telangana as Telagana.

Also read: Can Anti-viral COVID Drug Remdesivir Be Used At Home? Here's All You Need To Know About It
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, with the support from the Government of Canada, has completed the delivery of a series of mobile Administrative Service Centers (ASCs) to communicate in eastern Ukraine, the UNDP press service said.

"A holistic view of the initiatives to expand the network of public services has allowed us to effectively and efficiently implement such system at the local level in communities of eastern Ukraine. We are striving to ensure residents in remote areas have access to mobile service points, especially vulnerable groups and those of the population affected by the armed conflict," Manager of the UN Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme Victor Munteanu said.

The total cost of the ten mobile ASCs is about $1.9 million (about UAH 50 million). The procurement and equipment of the ASCs where carried out under the UN Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme, with the financial support of the Government of Canada.

Ashley Mulroney, Director of the Canadian Development Programme in Ukraine, said Canada believes inclusive governance is fundamental to long-term sustainable development and peace in Ukraine.

"Governance is inclusive when it effectively serves and engages all people and when institutions, policies and services are accessible, accountable and responsive to all members of society," Mulroney said.
In this 2011 image provided by the University of California Santa Barbara, a barrel sits on the seafloor near the coast of Catalina Island, Calif. Marine scientists say they have found what they believe to be as many as 25,000 barrels that possibly contain DDT dumped off the Southern California coast near Catalina Island. (David Valentine/UC Santa Barbara / RV Jason via AP)

Marine scientists say they have found what they believe to be more than 25,000 barrels that possibly contain DDT dumped off the Southern California coast near Catalina Island, where a massive underwater toxic waste site dating back to World War II has long been suspected.

The 27,345 "barrel-like" objects were captured in high-resolution images as part of a study by researchers at the University of California San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography. They mapped more than 56 square miles (145 square kilometers) of seafloor between Santa Catalina Island and the Los Angeles coast in a region previously found to contain high levels of the toxic chemical in sediments and in the ecosystem.

Historical shipping logs show that industrial companies in Southern California used the basin as a dumping ground until 1972, when the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, also known as the Ocean Dumping Act, was enacted.

Disposing of industrial, military, nuclear and other hazardous waste was a pervasive global practice in the 20th century, according to researchers.

Resting deep in the ocean, the exact location and extent of the dumping was not known until now.

The territory covered was "staggering," said Eric Terrill, chief scientist of the expedition and director of the Marine Physical Laboratory at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

In this 2011 image provided by the University of California Santa Barbara, a barrel sits on the seafloor near the coast of Catalina Island, Calif. Marine scientists say they have found what they believe to be as many as 25,000 barrels that possibly contain DDT dumped off the Southern California coast near Catalina Island. (David Valentine/UC Santa Barbara / RV Jason, via AP)

Underwater drones using sonar technology captured the images of barrels resting 3,000 feet (900 meters) below the surface all along the steep seafloor that was surveyed.

"It really was a surprise to everybody who's worked with the data and who sailed at sea," Terrill told reporters Monday.

The survey provides "a wide-area map" of where the barrels are resting, though it will be up to others to confirm through sediment sampling that the containers hold DDT, Terrill said. It's estimated between 350 and 700 tons of DDT were dumped in the area, 12 miles (20 kilometers) from Los Angeles, and 8 miles (12 kilometers) from Catalina Island.

The long-term impact on marine life and humans is still unknown, said Scripps chemical oceanographer and professor of geosciences Lihini Aluwihare, who in 2015 co-authored a study that found high amounts of DDT and other man-made chemicals in the blubber of bottlenose dolphins that died of natural causes.

"These results also raise questions about the continued exposure and potential impacts on marine mammal health, especially in light of how DDT has been shown to have multi-generational impacts in humans," said Aluwihare, who was not part of the survey expedition.

In this March 2021 image provided by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, researchers aboard the research vessel Sally Ride deploy an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) near Santa Catalina Island, Calif. Marine scientists say they have found what they believe to be as many as 25,000 barrels that possibly contain DDT dumped off the Southern California coast near Catalina Island. (Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego via AP)

Diana Aga, a chemistry professor at University at Buffalo who is not affiliated with the study, said the findings were shocking if the barrels are proven to contain the toxic chemical. "That's a lot of DDT at the bottom of the ocean," she said.

If the barrels haven't leaked, they could be moved to a place where disposal is safer, Aga said. If they leaked, scientists could take samples from the water, sediment and other marine life to gauge the damage.

Terrill briefed lawmakers on the findings. California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein is pushing for companies to be held accountable and said the findings could represent only a fraction of the number of barrels underwater.

""Simply put, this is one of the biggest environmental threats on the West Coast," she said. "It's also one of the most challenging because these barrels are 3,000 feet below the ocean's surface and there aren't many records of who did the dumping, where exactly it occurred or how many barrels were dumped."

Scientists conducted the survey from March 10-24 following a Los Angeles Times report last year about evidence that DDT was dumped into the ocean.

In this March 2021 image provided by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, the research Vessel Sally Ride is seen off the coast of Santa Catalina Island, Calif. Marine scientists say they have found what they believe to be as many as 25,000 barrels that possibly contain DDT dumped off the Southern California coast near Catalina Island. (Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego via AP)

In this March 2021 image provided by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, researchers aboard the research vessel Sally Ride recover an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) after a search for discarded barrels near Santa Catalina Island, Calif. Marine scientists say they have found what they believe to be as many as 25,000 barrels that possibly contain DDT dumped off the Southern California coast near Catalina Island. (Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego via AP)

"Unfortunately, the basin offshore Los Angeles had been a dumping ground for industrial waste for several decades, beginning in the 1930s. We found an extensive debris field in the wide area survey," Terrill said.

Scientists started the search where University of California Santa Barbara professor David Valentine had discovered concentrated accumulations of DDT in the sediments and spotted 60 barrels about a decade ago.

High levels of DDT have been detected in the area's marine mammals, and the chemical has been linked to cancer in sea lions.

The Los Angeles Times reviewed shipping logs from a disposal company supporting Montrose Chemical Corp. of California, a DDT-producing company. The logs showed 2,000 barrels of DDT-laced sludge were dumped in the deep ocean each month from 1947 to 1961 off Catalina, and other companies also dumped there until 1972.

Scripps researchers say they hope their survey will support clean-up efforts.

The expedition on the Sally Ride research vessel included a team of 31 scientists, engineers, and crew conducting 24-hour operations and two autonomous underwater vehicles.

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Tuesday spoke with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel to thank Cuba for sending around 1,000 health workers to help Mexico during the coronavirus pandemic.

"For this gesture of solidarity I will speak to the president of Cuba in a moment ... to express our appreciation for their generosity," Lopez Obrador said in his daily morning press conference, before the call.

Diaz-Canel, who became the most powerful man in Cuba upon ascending to the position of first secretary of the Communist Party last week, thanked the Mexican president on behalf of the medical personnel.

On Twitter, he said the conversation covered coordination in pandemic response.

"I expressed appreciation for his work for the integration of Our America," Diaz-Canel tweeted, adding Cuba's interest in expanding health collaboration.

Two of five Cuban COVID-19 vaccine candidates are scheduled to conclude phase-3 trials over the next few weeks.

"We provided an update on the vaccine candidates," he said.

(Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Grant McCool)
A day after US prepared to send raw materials and other COVID-19 supplies to India, the US ambassador to UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield assured "around the clock" help to India. The ambassador on Monday informed that the US is doing everything it can to help India fight the second wave.

The ambassador further wrote about the materials deployed by the US to India amid the second wave of COVID-19.

We are doing everything we can to help with the heartbreaking COVID-19 situation in India, including deploying vaccine materials, therapeutics, ventilators, public health teams, and financial support. We will work around the clock to help alleviate the suffering.  Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (@USAmbUN) April 26, 2021

While speaking at a closed virtual dialogue hosted by the US, Argentina, Japan, Norway, and South Africa on Pandemic Preparedness and Response, she added that the United States stands in solidarity with India.

"I want to take a moment to talk about the heartbreaking situation in India. The most current rise of COVID-19 cases there has been destructive. The United States stands in solidarity with the people of India," added US ambassador to UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Impact on the world

While talking about the deadly situation of India, she mentioned that there has been an impact on the world as well. More than three million people have died of COVID-19 while over 142 million have been infected with the virus. The ambassador also talked about the issues that the world faced due to the virus outbreak.

Ambassador Greenfield stressed the impact caused beyond COVID crisis on the world.

"And, as we all know, the impacts were not limited to the illness itself. We've been taught the hard way that global health isn't just about viruses and disease. It impacts every aspect of life itself. Economies have suffered. Gender-based violence has increased. Kids have been forced to stay home from school, and millions -- including approximately 11 million girls according to UNESCO -- may not return," she mentioned.

"Be ready for the next"

In her address, the ambassador talked about what may come next. The world needs to learn the lessons from past one year and be prepared for the next, according to US ambassador to UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. She also asked the leaders present in the dialogue that we need to continue investigation and show full capability to fight any such pandemic appearing in the future.
Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 27.04.21:

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his immediate family members visited the Kovsakan and Vorotan regions that are now under the control of Azerbaijan. They hugged the plane tree and took a respective photo, which has become a subject of discussion on the Internet.

A number of community leaders of Armenias Syunik Province claim that it is the Plane Grove, which was handed over to Azerbaijan back on December 18 last year.

The Ministry of Environment issued a statement in this regard noting that the area depicted in the photo is not the Plane Grove state sanctuary, but the continuation of the plane tree habitat continuing along the Tsav River valley and located in Azerbaijan.

But Shikahogh village mayor Nare Ghazaryan told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the tree which was hugged by the Aliyev was in the Armenian territory.

"Aliyev probably crossed the border, was photographed in the Armenian territory."

She claimed that the river in the photo was of Shikahogh. "But of course I cannot say exactly which tree Aliyev was photographed with," she added.

Nearly 2,000 monuments are now endangered in the territories occupied by Azerbaijan during the second Karabakh war, the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) minister of education Lusine Karakhanyan told a briefing in Yerevan.

She added that 13 monasteries, 122 churches, 52 fortresses, 523 cross-stones, 4 chapels, 127 school libraries, and 10 state-run and 2 private museums were endangered now.

According to her, the Tigranakert Archaeological Museum-Reserve and more than 800 samples from the carpet museum also have passed under Azerbaijani control.

Europe will achieve the release of Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan, Member of the European Parliament, Francois Xavier Bellamy noted, addressing the European Parliament.

"Europe has the leverage to finally demand the return of all the Armenian captives in Baku, to end this crime. If Europe wants, it can achieve it. The time has come to realize that problems require solutions, Bellamy noted.

Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday that the US does not expect the military relationship between Washington and Ankara to change after President Joe Biden officially recognized the Armenian Genocide, EurAsian Times reported.

We dont anticipate any change in the military relationship with Turkey, Kirby told reporters on Monday.

The Pentagon spokesperson stressed that Turkey remains a vital NATO ally, and noted also that Bidens announcement will not impact joint operations in Syria.

First President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan has touched upon the fact that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan continues to serve as Prime Minister following his resignation.

He urged all political forces, the President of Armenia, judges of the Constitutional Court, and especially the opposition factions of the Prosperous Armenia and Bright Armenia factions of the National Assembly to show a serious attitude towards the arguments presented in the article by the former chief of staff of the Constitutional Court Edgar Ghazaryan.

Ghazayan noted the PM has no right to serve in office after submitting a resignation -according to the Constitution.

"If these arguments arent taken into consideration, all the mentioned entities will be viewed as responsible for holding unconstitutional elections that are scheduled to take place soon," Levon Ter-Petrosyan added.

As of Tuesday morning, 595 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Armenia, and the total number of these cases has reached 214,064 in the country.

Also, 18 more deaths from COVID-19 were registered, making the respective total 4,058 cases.

The number of people who have recovered over the past one day is 801, the total respective number so far is 195,701.

Charges have been brought against Armenian army deputy chief Andranik Makaryan. He was charged for negligent treatment of the service.

A signature bond not to leave Armenia has been enforced as a pretrial measure against Makaryan.

The investigation continues.
National labor leaders are joining the chorus of calls for Gov. Phil Murphy to provide aid to undocumented immigrants who have been excluded from coronavirus relief funds over the last 13 months, including some who are marking the third week of a hunger strike.

Civil rights activist and Latina labor leader Dolores Huerta, who organized the 1965 Delano grape strike in California and co-founded United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez, held a call with activists and fasters Monday night organized by Make the Road New Jersey, the Elizabeth-based immigrant group organizing the hunger strike and rallies around the state.

I am calling on you, Governor Murphy, to please stand with these workers  agricultural workers, horticultural workers  they are putting food on the table of all New Jersey residents, and I am so proud to be here with them, she said in a message to the fasters.

Huerta, is one of many leaders, locally and nationally, to demand Murphy, a progressive Democrat, provide relief to undocumented immigrants and other excluded workers who havent been able to collect unemployment benefits or stimulus checks due to immigration status.

The 89-year-old labor advocate urged Murphy to pass the relief they are asking for  $600 weekly payments for unemployed workers and $2,000 checks  because of how important these workers are, for the economy of New Jersey...but also for all they consume and contribute in taxes and into the economy.

A group of 30 undocumented residents and allies are participating in the hunger strike, which began on April 7, but most have dropped out due to critical health concerns, and the difficulties and fears surrounding medical care because of their immigration status. Others have joined the strike over the last week to keep the pressure on Murphy, and lawmakers who havent brought major relief bills to committee votes in the last year.

Huertas pointed to her home state of California, which is providing relief to undocumented workers through a one-time $600 payment, and an extra $600 to residents making less than $75,000. And New York included $2.1 billion for some undocumented workers, who can receive up to $15,600.

I worked during the pandemic to make sure families stayed fed, but when I lost my job, I couldnt make ends meet. Even though I paid into unemployment, I couldnt receive a penny in aid, said Noemi Ruiz, an essential worker living in Jersey City.Im a single mother and I could barely provide for my daughter.

Former presidential candidate and Housing and Urban Development secretary Julian Castro also tweeted his support for the undocumented immigrants last week.

Undocumented workers pay taxes. They disproportionately work in essential jobs. And theyve been cut out of any federal Covid relief.



New Jersey should allocate funds for relief checks to undocumented frontline workersand they should do it immediately. https://t.co/BSwdVqSEsS  Julian Castro (@JulianCastro) April 22, 2021

Undocumented workers pay taxes. They disproportionately work in essential jobs. And theyve been cut out of any federal Covid relief. New Jersey should allocate funds for relief checks to undocumented frontline workers  and they should do it immediately, he said.

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Legislative Latino Caucus announced their support for a fund for excluded immigrant workers as well.

Their calls for relief through executive action by appropriating federal funds has gone largely unanswered. Murphy has maintained hes holding meetings with local labor leaders and lawmakers to get to a good resolution.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

God bless them. There should not be any reason in our society for folks to be on a hunger strike, and I want to repeat that unquestionably, he said at Wednesdays coronavirus press briefing, noting federal guidance hasnt been released for the American Rescue Plan, a $6 billion pot of funds that could potentially be used for excluded workers.

Undocumented workers account for 6.5% of New Jerseys workforce, and contribute $600 million in annual state and local taxes, and $1.3 billion in unemployment taxes over the past decade, according to a study by Make the Road.

Murphy floated the idea of a $40 million fund for undocumented residents, which advocates called insulting. There hasnt been another major conversation between the advocacy groups and governors office since the tense 30-minute call.

Some Republicans agree there should be aid provided to taxpaying residents and families with American born children or spouses, but argue over how much should be set aside when dozens of other communities are in need of help.

Mariana, a faster and Make the Road member who spoke during the video call Tuesday, said shes felt encouraged by the words of support in the Legislature, but said the undocumented community is in dire need of relief.

As an essential health care worker who is also undocumented, I am fasting because my family deserves relief, not just applause ... I will fast until we can secure this for our families, she said.

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A tanker spilled oil into the Yellow Sea offshore the Qingdao port in China on Tuesday after a bulk carrier collided with the A Symphony Suezmax tanker, Goodwood Ship Management, the manager of the tanker, told Reuters.

The potential damage is a million barrels spilled.

Apart from potentially causing environmental damage, the collision and the oil spill could delay operations at the Qingdao port, the key oil-receiving hub in the Shandong province, home to most of the independent refiners in China.

According to Goodwood Ship Management, the bulk carrier Sea Justice collided with the oil tanker which was anchored at Qingdao.

The force of the impact on the forward port side caused a breach in way of No. 2 Port ballast tank, with a quantity of oil lost into the ocean. All of the crew have since been accounted for, and there are no injuries, Goodwood Ship Management told Reuters via email.

On Twitter, Suezmax Daily shared two photos of the breached hull of the vessel.

Reports of the A Symphony #Suezmax having a breach of double hull outside Qingdao. Info is circulating fast so checking the validity. #oil #oott #shipping #freight pic.twitter.com/MZZN2TDNmd

 Suezmax Daily (@suezmaxdaily) April 27, 2021

Vessels close to the site of the collision are instructed to keep a distance of at least 10 nautical miles (11.5 miles) away from the area, Bloomberg quoted Chinas maritime safety agency as saying in an alert.

Containment and clean-up operations for the oil spill are being delayed by poor visibility that has closed the port of Qingdao.

Authorities are still at the stage of emergency response and have not yet evaluated the pollution level or the damage the spill has caused or could further cause to the sea, an official at the Maritime Safety Administration told Bloomberg.

An official at a Qingdao-based shipping agency told Argus that the incident appears to have had no impact on the schedule for vessel arrivals at the port.

The port Qingdao is a major crude oil import terminal, and a key import hub for the independent refinersthe so-called teapotswhich account for more than one-fifth of all crude oil imports of China, the worlds top oil importer.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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GREENFIELD, Mass., April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Australis Aquaculture announced that it has achieved Fair Trade Certification and will commit 100% of its Barramundi sales to the program. The company is the world's first Barramundi farmer and Asia's first aquaculture finfish producer to be Fair Trade Certified. The initiative will support the expansion of Australis' community-focused programs in Vietnam.

Australis' Fair Trade program will benefit over 300 workers and their communities in Central Vietnam

"We are excited to make this commitment during a period of rapid growth," says Josh Goldman, CEO and Co-Founder of Australis Aquaculture. "We began pursuing certification two years ago, and while the process was delayed by COVID, we're thrilled to launch Fair Trade Certified Barramundi today on the heels of our recent ASC Certification.

The Fair Trade Certified seal will be carried on all The Better Fish Barramundi sold in over 6000 retail locations in the US, on company branded foodservice products, as well as on Clean Harvest Barramundi in international markets beginning this summer.

Fair Trade USA is uniquely positioned to provide industry and consumers with holistic choices in sourcing responsibly produced seafood through its comprehensive assessment of social, environmental and economic impacts across the supply chain. The Fair Trade USA model supports sustainable livelihoods by empowering fishers and farmers to improve their lives and their communities. Australis' participation in the program will create a revenue stream from each pound of Fair Trade Certified Barramundi sold that will be available to over 300 workers and their communities in Central Vietnam.

"Consumers associate The Better Fish with better farming practices, so becoming one of the first national seafood brands to become Fair Trade Certified builds on this and empowers our people to realize their aspirations for improving their communities," says Goldman. "Barramundi is 'on fire' with awareness growing faster than any other white fish and a 70% increase in retail sales being reported in 2020."

Australis has been ocean farming and processing Barramundi in central Vietnam since 2007 and has been consistently recognized by the Vietnamese government for its outstanding contributions to the social and economic development of the province. One initiative has involved organizing monthly coastal clean-up events, known as "Green Day" to improve public beachfront and raise awareness for environmental stewardship in the community. Since its inception, over 80,000 pounds of trash has been collected, with over 2000 volunteersfrom school kids to military personnel helping to pitch in.

"We're thrilled to see Australis going all the way with its commitment to fair trade and the livelihoods of its employees in Vietnam," said Blake Stok, Senior Program and Partnership Manager, Seafood at Fair Trade USA. "Today, more than three billion people depend on seafood as their primary protein source. With population growth, the shift to aquaculture has become increasingly important and now supplies more than half of the world's seafood. Our new aquaculture program brings protections and benefits to producers of cultured seafood and promotes socially responsible growth in the industry through partnerships with intentional producers like Australis."

As is the case with other Fair Trade Certified product categories such as coffee, tea, cocoa, produce, apparel and coconut, fair trade seafood certification requires producers to meets rigorous, independently audited standards.

"Our vision for a 'Better Fish, Better World,' is about supporting people with sound nutrition, knowledge and the opportunity to accomplish amazing things," said Julie Qiu, Director of Marketing, "Not only will the Fair Trade USA program give back to our workers and community, we'll also demonstrate to our customers how their purchases are contributing to improving the lives of their Barramundi farmers."

Australis Aquaculture Contact: Julie Qiu at [email protected]

Fair Trade Contact: Kasi Martin at [email protected]

Related Files

2020 Year in Review.pdf

Related Images

australis-aquaculture-is-one-of.jpg

Australis Aquaculture is one of the world's first Fair Trade Certified finfish farms

Australis' Fair Trade program will benefit over 300 workers and their communities in Central Vietnam

SOURCE Australis Aquaculture
DGAP-News: CPI PROPERTY GROUP / Key word(s): AGM/EGM

CPI PROPERTY GROUP - CONVENING NOTICE OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON 28 MAY 2021



27.04.2021 / 17:04

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





CPI PROPERTY GROUP

Societe Anonyme

40, rue de la Vallee

L-2661 Luxembourg

R.C.S. Luxembourg B 102254

(the "Company")

CONVENING NOTICE

OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

TO BE HELD ON 28 MAY 2021



Dear Shareholders,

You are invited to attend the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company (the "Meeting") to be held at the registered office of the Company at 40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, on 28 May 2021 at 10:00 CET , to discuss and to vote on the agenda indicated below.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic the shareholders are required to opt for a distance voting by using the Attendance and Proxy Forms available on the Company's website at www.cpipg.com (further details below).



The Meeting is convened in accordance with article 450-8 of the Luxembourg law on commercial companies dated 10 August 1915, as amended from time to time (the "LCA") and article 3 of the law dated 24 May 2011 on the exercise of certain rights of shareholders in general meetings of listed companies, as amended from time to time, with the following points on the agenda:

AGENDA

1. Presentation of the reports of the Board of Directors and of the approved auditor (reviseur d'entreprises agree) of the Company on the statutory annual accounts and on the consolidated annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ended 31 December 2020.

2. Presentation and approval of the statutory annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2020.

3. Presentation and approval of the consolidated annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2020.

4. Allocation of the financial results in relation to the financial year ended 31 December 2020.

5. Discharge to be granted to the members of the Board of Directors in respect of the performance of their duties during the financial year ended 31 December 2020.

6. Discharge to be granted to the approved auditor (reviseur d'entreprises agree) in respect of the performance of its duties during the financial year ended 31 December 2020.

7. Decision to appoint with immediate effect Mr. Edward Hughes to the Board of Directors of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021.

8. Decision to appoint with immediate effect Mr. Jonathan Lewis to the Board of Directors of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021.

9. Decision to appoint with immediate effect Mr. Philippe Magistretti to the Board of Directors of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021.

10. Decision to appoint with immediate effect Mr. Martin Nemecek to the Board of Directors of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021.

11. Decision to appoint with immediate effect Mr. Tomas Salajka to the Board of Directors of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021.

12. Decision to appoint with immediate effect Mr. Omar Sattar to the Board of Directors of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021.

13. Decision to appoint with immediate effect Mr. Oliver Schlink to the Board of Directors of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021.

14. Subject to approval of item 10 of the agenda, decision to appoint Mr. Martin Nemecek as the Managing Director (administrateur delegue) of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021.

15. Decision to appoint with immediate effect Ernst & Young S.A., Luxembourg as the approved auditor (reviseur d'entreprises agree) of the Company until the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held in 2022 concerning the approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ending on 31 December 2021.

16. Decision to modify, renew and replace the existing share buy-back programme of the Company enabling the redemption of Company's own shares.

* * * *

ATTENDING THE MEETING

In the context of the present sanitary situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic and in accordance with the law of 23 September 2020, implementing measures concerning the holding of meetings in companies and other legal entities, as amended (the "Law of 23 September 2020"), the board of directors of the Company has decided as a temporary measure to ensure both the safety of the participants to the Meeting and the business continuity of the Company during the pandemic to hold the Meeting remotely without physical presence of participants.

In accordance with the Law of 23 September 2020, the Company requires that (i) the Meeting be held without any participant attending in person, and (ii) shareholders and other participants participate to the meeting and exercise their rights exclusively by a vote in writing or by appointing a special attorney designated by the Company.

Therefore, in order to participate to the Meeting, shareholders must provide the Company with the following three items as explained in greater detail below: (i) Record Date Confirmation, (ii) Attendance and Proxy Form, and (iii) Proof of Shareholding.

Record Date Confirmation: This document shall be provided to the Company by a shareholder at the latest by 23:59 CET on the Record Date. The Record Date is 14 May 2021 (the "Record Date", i.e. the day falling fourteen (14) days before the date of the Meeting).

The Record Date Confirmation must be in writing and indicate that a shareholder holds the Company shares and wishes to participate in the Meeting. A template form of the Record Date Confirmation is available on the Company's website at www.cpi pg.com .

The Record Date Confirmation must be sent to the Company by post or electronic means so that it is received by the Company at the latest by 23:59 CET on the Record Date, i.e. 14 May 2021 , to:

CPI PROPERTY GROUP

40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg

Fax: + 352 26 47 67 67

email: generalmeetings@cpipg.com

Attendance and Proxy Form: A template form is available on the Company's website at www.cpip g.com and is to be duly completed and signed by shareholders wishing to participate or be represented at the Meeting.

Proof of Shareholding: This document must indicate the shareholder's name and the number of Company shares held at 23:59 CET on the Record Date. The Proof of Shareholding shall be issued by the bank, the professional securities' depositary or the financial institution where the shares are on deposit. Please note that Proof of Shareholding is not necessary for those shareholders whose shares are still recorded as registered shares in the Company's shareholders register.

Shareholders wishing to participate to the Meeting must send the Attendance and Proxy Form together with the relevant Proof of Shareholding by post or electronic means so that they are received by the Company at the latest by noon (12:00 noon CET) on 24 May 2021 , to:

CPI PROPERTY GROUP

40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg

Fax: + 352 26 47 67 67

email: generalmeetings@cpipg.com

Please note that only persons who are shareholders at the Record Date and have timely submitted their Record Date Confirmation, Attendance and Proxy Form, and Proof of Shareholding shall have the right to participate and vote at the Meeting.

Documentation and information: The following documents and information are available for the shareholders on our website: www.cpipg.com:

- the present convening notice;

- the total number of shares and the voting rights in the Company as at the date of this convening notice;

- the documents to be submitted to the Meeting (in particular the reports of the Board of Directors and of the approved auditor (reviseur d'entreprises agree), the statutory annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2020 and the consolidated annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2020);

- the draft resolutions of the Meeting. Any draft resolution(s) submitted by shareholder(s) shall be added to the website as soon as possible after the Company has received them;

- the terms of the new share buy-back programme of the Company to be presented to the Meeting for approval;

- the Record Date Confirmation Form; and

- the Attendance and Proxy Form.

The above documents may also be obtained by shareholders upon written request sent to the following postal address: CPI PROPERTY GROUP, 40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg.

For further information, visit our website: www.cpipg.com.

Quorum Requirement: The Meeting shall validly deliberate regardless of the corporate capital present or represented. Resolutions, in order to be adopted, must be carried by a majority of the votes cast. Votes cast shall not include votes attaching to shares in which the shareholder has not taken part in the vote or has abstained or has returned a blank or invalid vote.

Right to add new items on the agenda : One or more shareholders together representing at least five per cent of the share capital has the right to (i) put one or more items on the agenda of the Meeting and (ii) table draft resolutions for items included or to be included on the agenda of the Meeting.

Such requests must:

- be in writing and sent to the Company by post (at the following address: CPI PROPERTY GROUP, 40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg) or electronic means (at the following email address: generalmeetings@cpipg.com ) and be accompanied by a justification or draft resolution to be adopted in the Meeting;

- include the postal or electronic address at which the Company may acknowledge receipt of the requests;

- be received by the Company at least twenty two (22) days before the date of the Meeting, i.e. 6 May 2021.

The Company shall acknowledge receipt of requests referred to above within (forty-eight) 48 hours from receipt. The Company shall prepare a revised agenda including such additional items on or before the fifteenth (15th) day before the date of the Meeting.

For further information, visit our website: www.cpipg. com .

If you need further assistance or information, please contact: CPI PROPERTY GROUP, 40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg, Tel: + 352 26 47 67 58; Fax: + 352 26 47 67 67; email: generalmeetings@cpipg.com.

Luxembourg, 26 April 2021

Yours faithfully,

The Board of Directors of the Company
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has ordered immediate filling up of all vacancies in the health department so as to cope with the Corona spread. He has also advised officials to provide beds to Covid-19 patients within three hours.

He asked officials to hold walk-in interviews to fill the vacancies in health department and complete the recruitment in 48 hours.

Jagan held a Spandana review meeting with district collectors and SPs on the Covid-19 situation on Tuesday. He said there must be effective working of 104 call centers to offer medical services to Corona patients and that the district joint collectors should personally monitor all Covid hospitals in their spheres.

Set up adequate Covid care centres, the CM told officials, adding the collectors should ensure all the facilities in these centers and there should be no scarcity of beds.

The officials informed him that 59 such centers are functional in the state with a total bed strength of 33,327.

The CM asked officials to take strict action against anyone spreading rumours. An official bulletin will be released every day and everyone should depend on the same data vis-a-vis Covid situation in the state.

Jagan asked district collectors and SPs to be on high alert in coming months in view of the rapid spread of the second wave. If the government loses one rupee due to the lockdown, the common man will lose Rs4. The lockdown had cost the government Rs 20,000 crore in 2020, which means a loss of about Rs 80,000 crore to the people.

On oxygen supply, the chief minister said 320 to 340 metric tonnes of oxygen is being supplied every day to state hospitals, and this is adequate at present.

Those with SPO2 level less than 94 should be provided with oxygen, the CM noted.

Jagan said permission will be granted to only 50 people for marriages and officials must ensure people do not gather at gyms, parks and swimming pools. All the financial and commercial activities should continue but by adhering to Covid protocols, he said.

The chief minister said seven crore vaccine doses are being manufactured in the country per month, of which one crore was of Covaxin and the remaining the Covishield. Vaccination of two doses is completed for 11.30 lakh people and single dose for 45.48 lakh people in the state, all of age above 45. Vaccination will also be given to people above 18-45 years.

Jagan said district collectors should oversee the functioning of the 104 call center and ensure effective functioning. The 104 number should be registered in the minds of the people as a one-stop solution for all issues related to Covid.

He said beds should be arranged to Covid patients within three hours of calling the 104 center and adequate number of doctors should be available for each of these call centers.

On beds in hospitals, the Chief Minister said collectors have identified a total of 355 hospitals across districts for treatment of Covid with a bed capacity of 28,377 in which 17,901 beds are occupied.

Treatment in these hospitals is completely free and medicines and health care will be extended to patients free of cost.

The Chief Minister said Joint Collector (Village/Ward Secretariat development) should completely focus on tackling the Covid situation in the districts. The joint collector should ensure good sanitation facilities, quality food supply, availability of doctors and paramedical staff, setting up of help desks etc. They should monitor the performance of Aarogya Mitras through CCTV cameras. They should also coordinate with call centres and ensure all works are done on time.

The chief minister said Covid hospitals at district level should be divided into clusters and in-charges should be appointed for them. District-level Flying Squads should be set up by also including the medicine regulatory department officials in it.
PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- Ingalls Shipbuilding celebrated the christening of its 34th Aegis-class destroyer with a limited capacity christening ceremony Saturday evening at the Pascagoula shipyard.

The christening of Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) was originally scheduled for 2020, but was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Brian Cuccias, who recently retired as Ingalls president, returned to host the event.

I am honored to host this christening and give a final salute to the hardworking men and women who build freedom in this shipyard every day, Cuccias said. Lenah Sutcliffe Higbees distinguished legacy will remain steadfast with the christening of this great ship, as will the unparalleled craftsmanship of the men and women of Ingalls Shipbuilding.

Cuccias successor, Kari Wilkinson, spoke to the importance of the shipyards work in her first christening as Ingalls top officer.

The christening of Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee is a significant milestone that brings our 34th destroyer one step closer to being introduced into the fleet, Wilkinson said. In these ever-changing times, the significance of what we do has never been more important.

We are exceedingly proud of our shipbuilders for their tenacity and perseverance, and look forward to continuing Ingalls legacy of building quality ships with respect and pride.

DDG 123 is named to honor Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee, the first woman to receive the Navy Cross. Higbee joined the Navy in October 1908 as part of the newly established Navy Nurse Corps, a group of women who would become known as The Sacred Twenty, and became the second superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps in January 1911.

Former Mississippi governor and U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus was the keynote speaker.

This christening is a signal event in the life of a warship deeply engrained in naval tradition when a ship officially bears the name it will carry during its time in the fleet, Mabus said. The story and the legacy of Lenah Higbee, and what she represents, will live on for decades around the world through this ships voyages and through the lives of the crew who sail aboard her.

Louisa Dixon, Virginia Munford and Pickett Wilson -- three women who played significant roles during Mabus term as governor -- served as ships sponsors. Also on hand for the christening was Rear Adm. Cynthia Kuehner, Commander of Naval Forces Support Command.

I know that USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee will protect and defend our nation with the same zeal, courage and valiant resolve of the Navy nurse for whom she is named, Kuehner said.

Superintendent Higbees legacy is a heroic account of a fearless pioneer, a leader among men and women, an advocate and an agent for necessary change, a visionary, a teacher, a scholar, a scientist, an author, an innovator, a strategist. A Navy nurse.
Today, dotdigital, the leading marketing automation and customer engagement platform, announced the renewal of its status as a Premier Partner in the Adobe Exchange Partner Program, building on a long-standing relationship.

As a marketing automation partner for Adobe, dotdigital will continue to invest in Magento Commerce. The collaboration between dotdigital and Adobe underpins a joint commitment to enhancing omnichannel customer engagement throughout the online buying journey.

dotdigital first collaborated with Magento in August 2013 and went on to become a Premier Technology Partner for email marketing in 2015, helping retailers and brands increase consumer interaction and drive long-term loyalty and customer lifetime value (CLV). dotdigital was one of the first partners to be implemented directly into Magento's core code base as a vendor bundled extension in December 2017, and has since been a premier choice for merchants and partners, thanks to the integrated and seamless user experience it creates for ecommerce and marketing teams.

In 2020, dotdigital and Adobe enhanced their combined commerce capabilities further with the launch of live chat, a critical customer service functionality for omnichannel businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, as lockdowns shuttered brick-and-mortar stores and demand for ecommerce boomed. Fast forward to 2021 and dotdigital now supports over 750 Magento merchants, including Tile Giant, Perricone MD and Hobby King, with its omnichannel marketing automation solution.

The continued relationship brings two digital commerce leaders together in their mission to power enhanced omnichannel customer engagement at every touchpoint. By enhancing shopper engagement across every touchpoint, retailers not only improve customer experiences, but also significantly increase business performance.

Combining dotdigital with Magento Commerce provides ecommerce and marketing teams with robust, innovative yet user-friendly technology to help them intelligently market to shoppers.

It also helps retailers better segment their data to easily build and run omnichannel automation campaigns, with beautiful emails and optimised landing pages. dotdigital allows advanced segments to be created across a variety data sources, including demographical, transactional, and geographical, to drive increased engagement through personalisation. It also allows retailers to increase revenues with targeted automated abandon-cart, re-engagement and loyalty campaigns.

In February 2021 and as part of the Magento 2.4.2 release, dotdigital launched transactional SMS capabilities for Magento Commerce. This allows merchants to engage with customers directly on their handheld devices in an automated and personalised way, whether they've just made a purchase or there's a shipping update available to them.

Tink Taylor, Founder and President of dotdigital Group, said: "2021 sees us renew our combined commitment with Adobe to deliver best-in-class marketing automation solutions that grow value for merchants, while delivering seamless shopping journeys for consumers. We look forward to strengthening the integration of our joint solution amongst our customer bases, so that even more merchants operating on our platform can benefit from the business gains enhanced engagement offers."

Milan Patel, CEO of dotdigital, added: "Having been one of the first Magento premier partners back in November 2015, we are delighted to announce our continued relationship with Adobe as a Premier Partner in the Adobe Exchange Partner Program."

Commenting on the partnership renewal, Peter Sheldon, Senior Director of Commerce Strategy at Adobe, said: "I am delighted to see that dotdigital have renewed their partnership. We see dotdigital as an integral part of a merchant's success once their site is launched. Its deep integration into the core of our platform enables merchants to seamlessly action their marketing strategies across multiple channels from email, SMS, push, WhatsApp, Facebook and even Live chat."

Adobe's Senior Director, Tech Partners, at Adobe, Nik Shroff, concluded: "The ability to turn data into actionable insights and personalised communications is essential for merchant success. dotdigital continues to innovate in this space and we look forward to collaborating with them to help merchants grow their businesses and delight customers."

dotdigital is proud to be sponsoring Adobe Summit The Digital Experience Conference 2021, taking place on the 27-29 April. The event will help to expand skills in the industry, engage with other Experience Makers and inspire exceptional experiences that drive business growth and customer loyalty.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005635/en/

Contacts:

Sarah Cole

+44 (0)7872884002

sarah.cole@fieldworksmarketing.co.uk
Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington on Jan. 27, 2021. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

John Kerry Denies Allegations That He Tipped Off Iran About Israeli Attacks

U.S. Special Climate Envoy John Kerry on Monday denied allegations stemming from leaked audio that suggested he disclosed the number of Israeli attacks on Iranian targets to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

I can tell you that this story and these allegations are unequivocally false. This never happenedeither when I was Secretary of State or since, Kerry wrote on Twitter.

Kerrys response was attached to a Twitter message by a Washington Post reporter who cited a State Department spokesperson saying that the Israeli attacks had already been disclosed by Israel itself. The Post reporter further shared a September 2018 Reuters story in which an Israeli official said that the U.S. ally had carried out 200 attacks against Iranian targets in Syria.

It is unclear if the alleged disclosure by Kerry came before or after the disclosure by Israel.

Prominent Republicans responded to the news of the leaked audio with calls for Kerry to step down or be fired.

The allegations involving John Kerry are deeply disturbing and must be explained immediately, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said in a statement. Until we have clarity and know the truth, President Biden must remove John Kerry from all access to and briefings on national security intelligence. If these allegations are true, he must resign.

If this is true, its traitorous and Kerry needs to go, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) wrote on Twitter.

This is a criminal act and John Kerry must be immediately investigated and PROSECUTED, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) wrote on Twitter. President Biden must immediately remove John Kerry from any government or advisory position.

In the leaked audio, Zarif, Irans top diplomat, complains that the elite Revolutionary Guards had more influence in foreign affairs and the countrys nuclear dossier than him.

I have never been able to tell a military commander to do something in order to aid diplomacy, Zarif said.

Relations between pragmatist President Hassan Rouhanis government and the Guards are important because the influence of the hardline paramilitary force is so great that it can disrupt any rapprochement with the West if it feels this would endanger its economic and political interests.

The Guards traditional skepticism about any cultivation of detente with Washington may become relevant if talks between Iran and world powers advance efforts to revive a 2015 nuclear deal that President Donald Trump exited three years ago.

Without disputing the audios authenticity, the foreign ministry spokesman on Monday said that the news channel only published excerpts of the seven-hour interview with the foreign minister.

Reuters contributed to this report.


KENILWORTH (NJ) (dpa-AFX) - Drug major Merck said it entered into non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements with five Indian generics manufacturers for COVID-19 treatment molnupiravir amid the surging coronavirus cases in India.



Molnupiravir (EIDD-2801/MK-4482) is an investigational oral antiviral agent currently being studied in a Phase 3 trial for the treatment of non-hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19. Merck is developing molnupiravir in collaboration with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.



Merck signed deals with Cipla Ltd., Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Hetero Labs Ltd. and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. These generics makers hold World Health Organization or WHO Pre-Qualified Manufacturing facilities and experience as major suppliers to global and key LMIC procurers.



These agreements are expected to accelerate availability of molnupiravir in India and in other LMICs following approvals or emergency authorization by local regulatory agencies.



Under the deals, Merck will provide licenses to these manufacturers to supply molnupiravir in India and to more than 100 low- and middle-income countries or LMICs. Merck is also in discussions with the Medicines Patent Pool to explore the potential for additional licenses.



Molnupiravir has been shown to be active in several models of SARS-CoV-2, including for prophylaxis, treatment and prevention of transmission, as well as SARS-CoV-1 and MERS.



Merck will also donate more than $5 million worth of oxygen-production equipment, masks, hand sanitizer and financial aid to support relief efforts in India.



Kenneth Frazier, chairman and CEO, Merck, said, 'The scale of human suffering in India at this moment is devastating, and it is clear that more must be done to help alleviate it. These agreements, toward which we have been working as we have been studying molnupiravir, will help to accelerate access to molnupiravir in India and around the world.'



In the wake of the tragic COVID situation in India, U.S. President Joe Biden has pledged America's support with a range of emergency assistance, including oxygen-related supplies, vaccine materials, and therapeutics.



The Defense Department is also working closely with other U.S. agencies to rapidly deploy oxygen-related equipment, rapid COVID-19 test kits, personal protective equipment and other essential materials to India.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

MERCK & CO-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
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Nigerian senators on Tuesday asked the leadership of the National Assembly to have a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and brief him on the state of insecurity in Nigeria.

This was one of the many resolutions adopted by the lawmakers after deliberations on kidnappings and banditry across the nation.

During the debate, a Niger State senator told his colleagues that 42 communities in the state were being occupied by Boko Haram.

In his contribution, Opeyemi Bamidele, a senator from Ekiti State, asked the Senate to mandate the leadership of the National Assembly to book an appointment with the Commander-In-Chief on behalf of the 109 senatorsbecause Im not convinced that Mr President is aware of everything thats happening.

we need to be able to tell our constituents that we met with the commander-in-chief and this is what is being done, he said.

Mr Bamidele was suggesting an addendum to the resolution on insecurity  which was adopted.

The lawmakers also resolved to invite the Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, and heads of other security agencies for a meeting with the Senate.

In the same vein, the Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs and National Security were mandated to meet with the minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and the Director-General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar, on the implications of the insecurity in Niger State.

The Debate

The resolutions were sequel to a motion on the activities of Boko Haram insurgents in Niger State. The motion was sponsored by Sani Musa (APC, Niger East).

The motion came barely 24 hours after the Niger State governor, Abubakar Bello, confirmed that Boko Haram has hoisted its flags in Kaure and Shiroro local government areas of the state  about 140km to the Federal Capital Territory.

While he called for a more coordinated military action to fight the terrorists, Mr Bello warned that Kaure is less than two hours drive from Abuja and nobody is safe anymore, not even those in Abuja.

Leading the debate on Tuesday, Mr Musa noted that the Senate has made several resolutions, set up an ad-hoc committee on security, appropriated budget and also advanced numerous steps to support Nigerias security agencies.

He said the negative effects of the atrocities committed by the bandits include the total collapse of the local economies of the affected communities, the total collapse of the educational system, famine, displacement, depopulation, social vices, trauma arising from serial rape cases and inhumane, cruel and deadly subjugation.

About 42 communities across the two local government areas of Shiroro and Munya Local Government have so far fallen under the Boko Haram control with about 5,000 villagers already displaced in the last three days.

They have kidnapped many and their wives seized from them and forcefully attached to Boko Haram members. Three military camps in Allawa, Bassa and Zagzaga in the two local government areas have been sacked and some security personnel killed by the insurgents in the last one month of renewed attacks.

Boko Haram terrorists have mounted their flags in many of the villages they have captured such as Kaure, Alawa and Magami, he said.

Contributions

Lawmakers took turns to condemn the killings across the country. Over 15 senators made their contributions to the motion.

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PREMIUM TIMES reported the worsening security situation across the country with over 200 people killed last week and over 44 others kidnapped.

Bima Enagi (APC, Niger North) said Nigerians cannot continue to bear the pain of women being raped and forcibly married to Boko Haram terrorists.

We cannot continue to allow Boko Haram to mount flags in Nigerian territories. What is our army doing? What are all security agencies doing? It has become so shameful that a great country like Nigeria will be in this type of terrible situation.

It seems the federal government is handling this insecurity situation with kid gloves. People are dying every day and nothing is being done. No serious, concrete situation on the ground to confront these people.

Ike Ekweremadu, an Enugu senator, warned that any government that cannot protect its citizens has lost legitimacy.

He also said Nigeria should not be ashamed to seek international support.

Time has come for us to, if possible, shut down this senate and find a lasting solution to this, he said.

Biodun Olujimi, an Ekiti senator, wondered why Nigeria recently sent out security officials for peacekeeping in another country when we cannot keep our own peace.

The bloodletting, she said, is out of hand.

There is lack of political will to handle insecurity. None of us here can say we know the process that this government is taking to handle insecurity.

There is also lack of leadership. New service chiefs have come. Have we told them what to do and given them a timeline?

Other resolutions

The Senate, thereafter, called on the army chief and the Inspector General of Police to immediately deploy troops to defend the unarmed populace and bring back security to the affected communities.

They lawmakers called for a permanent military and police command base in the area adjoining Shiroro and Rafi local government areas respectively and to redesign the modus operandi of the military operations within the affected areas so as to curtail the escalating insecurity.

The lawmakers asked the president to order for massive recruitment of police officers and other security personnel.
The statewide grand jury that just indicted Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie is supposed to be free of political agendas, yet it could have felt partisan pressure since it started two years ago.

As a Republican candidate for governor in 2018, Ron DeSantis campaigned to sweep out Runcie over the Parkland school massacre. When DeSantis took office and realized he couldnt easily fire the superintendent, he asked the grand jurors from South Florida to investigate the districts security shortcomings.

That led to last weeks perjury charge against Runcie, who appears to have been among the last witnesses called to testify in private as the grand jury review ended. A final report with recommended safety improvements is pending, but its unclear if more people will be arrested.

Runcies defenders insist the entire grand jury process and Runcies indictment is the result of vengeful politics. They point to the governors historical opposition to Runcie and DeSantis support for Runcies critics  though prosecutors say they dont take orders from Tallahassee.

We are hopeful  the public is made aware of these important facts, said Johnny L. McCray Jr., one of the superintendents lawyers.

But they have not offered direct proof that the grand jury was tainted, besides offering a timeline of DeSantis criticisms and responses concerning the Parkland shooting, including the early 2019 removal of Sheriff Scott Israel.

Infecting the grand jury with political motives would be extremely unlikely because of the way it is designed to operate in secret, legal experts say.

The grand jurys 18 members, chosen from Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties, follow the lead of a statewide prosecutor assigned by Attorney General Ashley Moody. This prosecutor, Nicholas Cox, carries the title of legal adviser to the panel.

That means Cox and his assistants arrange to present witnesses and evidence, which can be done at the direction of the jurors. Broward Chief Judge Jack Tuter presided over the grand jury tasked with examining safety and corruption issues in Broward and other school districts.

Story continues

While not speaking about this specific group, Cox told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that in general these panels are by law shielded from outside political influences to ensure their integrity.

As a matter of process, I cant talk to the attorney general, I cant talk to the governor, Cox said. They are not authorized by law to know the comings and goings of the grand jury when they are in session. Its hard to make a grand jury political inside the grand jury room.

Grand jury manipulation?

Robert Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University, said accusing DeSantis of having a hand in Runcies arrest is quite a stretch, because what if the grand jury said, We think Runcie did a superb job. Theres just no way to predict what a grand jury would do. That would be quite a gamble.

Jarvis added that it falls within reason that the grand jury would summon Runcie to answer questions, as he did for 18 hours on March 31 and April 1.

It would be hard for someone to argue that the grand jury calling Runcie to testify was political and I think conversely that we would be very surprised if the grand jury did not call somebody like Runcie, the professor explained. Who else would have information that be valuable and useful?

Other legal experts say its not impossible that politics could be a factor, noting that if a prosecutor is manipulated by politics, so could the grand jury potentially.

Theres always the possibility of political consideration, said Craig Trocino, the director of Miami Laws Innocence Clinic.

Still, regardless of the circumstances, I would hope the grand jurors would be able to divorce themselves from that, which is part of their job, he said.

Kenneth Nunn, a law professor at the University of Florida, said an aggressive prosecutor can influence a grand jury to pursue charges.

Is it possible? It could happen in a lot of ways, Nunn said. The jury is usually putty in the hands of the prosecutor and will do whatever the prosecutor wants.

Runcie arrest reaction

Leaders from Black and business communities in Broward see it as a political attack on Runcie, who has led the school system for the past 10 years. The School Board, which has factions of Runcie supporters and opponents, plans to discuss Tuesday how to move forward.

It is a political castration of a man, his good name and the future of those like him who would dare to go against the grain and the status quo, said the Rev. Derrick Hughes, pastor at First Baptist Church Piney Grove in Lauderdale Lakes.

State Sen. Perry Thurston, a Democrat from Fort Lauderdale, said, It shouldnt come to anyones surprise that these allegations originated from Tallahassee. He added that DeSantis has made his disdain for Mr. Runcie clear.

DeSantis office couldnt be reached for comment.

Runcie has enjoyed staunch support by leaders in the business and nonprofit communities. Bob Swindell, president and CEO of the business group the Fort Lauderdale Alliance, hosted Fridays rally of support for Runcie outside school district headquarters.

When you see an injustice in life, you can bemoan it and say thats unfortunate, or you can stand up for whats right, Swindell said. My gut tells me this is an injustice.

Others say its Democrats and Runcie supporters who are being political.

I am disappointed in this country trying to push politics into the judicial system, said Tom Powers, Browards Republican Party chairman. Justice is blind. Its the governor who called for a grand jury, and then he stepped out of it. Thats where it ends. The criminal justice system works from that point forward.

Runcies lawyers pointed out how DeSantis has been an ally of some families of Parkland victims, including Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow was killed. The lawyers noted that Pollacks son, Hunter, interned for DeSantis.

Pollack dismisses the accusation of politics. This, he said, is about accountability, citing the grand jury indictment and arrest of Tony Hunter, the former chief information officer charged after the South Florida Sun Sentinel uncovered questionable ties to a vendor.

Were very thankful for Ron DeSantis, he said. We have a governor who wanted accountability regardless of who did it, a Republican or a Democrat, for their failures.

Runcies legal team argues it was DeSantis plan all along to target Runcie, and the grand jury obliged.

It is a sad day in Broward County and across Florida when politics become more important than the interests of our students, they said.

Marc Freeman can be reached at mjfreeman@sunsentinel.com and on Twitter @marcjfreeman.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. and Israeli officials meeting in Washington on Tuesday discussed their serious concerns about advancements in Iran's nuclear program and agreed on the "significant threat" posed by Iran's behavior in the Middle East, the White House said.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Israeli national security adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat also agreed in their meeting to establish an inter-agency working group to focus attention on the growing threat from Iran providing drones and precision-guided missiles to its allies, the White House said.

The talks were held on the same day that world powers and Iran began a third round of meetings in Vienna with the aim of bringing Washington and Tehran back into compliance with the 2015 nuclear accord.

(Reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Peter Cooney)
This time, though, is different, Irmer said. Not only is it the first time Irmer knows of that the museum has received six letters from what appears to be the same sender, but it also threatened the president, vice president and other elected officials, Irmer said.
The conclusion of the Russian military exercises on the border with Ukraine is "good news", but the situation remains tense and Romania will make efforts, in this context, to increase resilience on the eastern flank of NATO, President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday.

"The fact that the military exercise in the Russian Federation has ended and the troops have withdrawn is good news in itself and leads to some de-escalation, but at the same time we have learned that a lot of equipment that was brought there remains there (...), remains pre-positioned and obviously the situation remains tense. There is still a need for a great deal of involvement, a lot of diplomatic efforts and on Romania's behalf, we will continue to call upon NATO, in particular, but also upon the European Union in order to increase resilience on the eastern flank," the president said at a press conference at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.

He said it was "impossible to say what the Russian Federation will do next."

"We know that a great military exercise is being prepared for this year's fall and we all hope that through the measures that are taken and through diplomatic, geopolitical interventions the situation in the Black Sea area de-escalate," President Iohannis said.
New Jersey has 39 public high schools that rank among the top 10% in the country, according to the latest ratings by U.S. News & World Report.

On Tuesday, the news organization released its annual Best High Schools List, a ranking based on how well schools serve students from various social and economic backgrounds.

Families can use the Best High Schools rankings to see how schools compare at the national, state and local level on factors like graduation rates and college readiness, said Anita Narayan, managing editor of education at U.S. News. The rankings also provide insight into academic performance among underserved groups showing how well schools are supporting these students.

Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies was rated the top public high school in New Jersey and No. 27 in the United States.

The methodology focuses on six factors: college readiness, reading and math proficiency, reading and math performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rates. The data used is from the 2018-2019 academic school year, so test scores were not affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

New Jerseys specialized schools with selective enrollment typically earn the highest ranking, often followed by traditional high schools in wealthier suburban areas (standardized test scores largely correlate to family income).

See the 39 schools below that ranked among the top 10% nationwide  and check the full rankings for more schools.

39. Haddonfield Memorial High School

A rainbow over Haddonfield Memorial High School at its 2019 graduation ceremony. Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media

Location: Haddonfield

National rank: 874

38. Madison High School

Location: Madison

National rank: 828

37. John P. Stevens High School

Location: Edison

National rank: 817

36. Ridgewood High School

Location: Ridgewood

National rank: 814

35. Technology High School

Location: Newark

National rank: 813

34. Mountain Lakes High School

Location: Mountain Lakes

National rank: 802

33. Central Jersey College Prep Charter School

Location: Somerset

National rank: 797

32. Pascack Hills High School

Location: Montvale

National rank: 748

31. Communications High School

Location: Wall

National rank: 743

30. New Providence High School

Location: New Providence

National rank: 713

29. Northern Highlands Regional High School

Location: Allendale

National rank: 711

28. Princeton High School

Princeton High School's 2019 graduation ceremony. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Med

Location: Princeton

National rank: 703

27. Montgomery High School

Location: Skillman

National rank: 664

26. Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan

Location: Old Tappan

National rank: 602

25. Ridge High School

Location: Basking Ridge

National rank: 578

24. West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South

Location: West Windsor

National rank: 565

23. Chatham High School

Location: Chatham

National rank: 524

22. Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest

Location: Demarest

National rank: 522

21. Tenafly High School

Location: Tenafly

National rank: 516

20. Science Park High School

Location: Newark

National rank: 505

19. Academy of Allied Health and Science

Location: Neptune

National rank: 473

18. West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North

West Windsor-Plainsboro North High School holds its 2019 graduation ceremony.

Location: Plainsboro

National rank: 468

17. Summit Senior High School

Location: Summit

National rank: 442

16. Livingston High School

Location: Livingston

National rank: 424

15. Millburn High School

Location: Millburn

National rank: 370

14. Glen Ridge High School

Location: Glen Ridge

National rank: 345

13. Elizabeth High School

Location: Elizabeth

National rank: 204

12. Marine Academy of Science and Technology

Location: Highlands

National rank: 194

11. Infinity Institute

The Infinity Institute in Jersey City. Erika Solorzano | The Jersey Journal

Location: Jersey City

National rank: 182

10. Academy for Allied Health Sciences

Location: Scotch Plains

National rank: 158

9. Academy for Information Technology

Location: Scotch Plains

National rank: 123

8. Bergen County Technical High School - Teterboro

Location: Teterboro

National rank: 92

7. Biotechnology High School

Location: Freehold

National rank: 91

6. Union County Magnet High School

Location: Scotch Plains

National rank: 83

5. Dr. Ronald E McNair High School

Location: Jersey City

National rank: 73

4. Middlesex County Academy for Allied Health

Location: Woodbridge

National rank: 61

3. Bergen County Academies

Location: Hackensack

National rank: 54

2. High Technology High School

Students at High Technology High School in Lincroft.

Location: Lincroft

National rank: 53

1. Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies

Location: Edison

National rank: 27

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Adam Clark may be reached at aclark@njadvancemedia.com. Have a news tip or a story idea about New Jersey schools? Send it here.
Headlines:

- Total cost of third stimulus check reaches $379bn after 161m direct payments are made

- IRS confirm that another 700,000 'plus-up' stimulus checks went out this week (full story)

- President Joe Biden urged to support more direct payments as part of 'Build Back Better' plan (who backs a fourth stimulus check?)

- How much could the fourth stimulus check be worth? (Full story)

- Biden's State of the Union address on Wednesday may reference future CTC and stimulus plans (Full story)

- Calls for temporarily expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) to be made permanent (find out more about the CTC)

- Biden may include CTC extension in American Families Plan proposal

- $600 stimulus checks are going out in California as part of Golden State Stimulus (when can I expect my check?)

- You can track your third stimulus check by visiting the IRS' Get My Payment portal

- Stay across all the US vaccine news (live blog)

- US covid-19: 32.16 million cases / 573,316 deaths (live updates from Johns Hopkins University)

Scroll through some of our related articles:
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This franchise profile gives key insight into TacoTime with a mention of key takeaways as a conclusion. The profile provides a consolidated and up to date information about the company, including the financial performance and/or number of stores owned and franchised by it.

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The scope of this franchise profile report is precise and covers the companys background along with its present performance in the market. The major sections of the profile include: overview, products offered, recent developments and strategies undertaken, challenges faced, business strategy and analysis, and financial information. The report also includes revenue forecasts, presence of franchisee stores, market forecasts and key people of the company.

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Summary



TacoTime International Inc., commonly known as TacoTime, was established in 1959 by Ron Fraedrick. After graduating from the University of Oregon, Fraedrick traveled throughout Southern California and found he enjoyed the cuisine he sampled along the way. Upon returning to his hometown (California), Fraedrick decided to open a restaurant based on his newfound tastes. TacoTime is a privately held American fast-food restaurant chain offering Mexican cuisine food and is a subsidiary of Kahala Franchising LLC. TacoTime, which offers its signature Crisp Burritos, tacos, nachos and sides, has over 300 franchises in the U.S. and Canada. TacoTime opened its first franchise in 1961 and now has franchises in both freestanding and express sites throughout the U.S., Canada, Japan and Kuwait. In 2000, TacoTime introduced a brand renaissance campaign, which involved a facility decor package as well as updated food mixes and packaging, as part of an effort to renew its brand. Eat Fresh; It Really Is is the tagline of TacoTime.

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TacoTime is owned by Kahala, the franchisor of Blimpie, Cereality, Cold Stone Creamery, Frullati Cafe & Bakery, Great Steak & Potato, Johnnies, Nrgize, Ranch 1, Rollerz, Samurai Sams and Surf City Squeeze.
The final demonstration in the Unmanned Integrated Battle Problem (UxS IBP) 21 aimed to show how a guided-missile destroyer can use information received from an uncrewed surveillance system in order to hit an over-the-horizon target.During the demonstration, the USS John Finn (DDG 113) destroyer launched the SM-6 Extended Range Active Missile, successfully striking the faraway target. The SM-6 missile is designed for anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and it can also defend a ship against ballistic missiles, with the added benefit of being compact enough to be used even when theres limited space on the ship.The uncrewed aircraft was able to gather data based on the targets electromagnetic signal, which is then transmitted to the crew on the USS John Finn ship. By using this information to calculate the targets coordinates, the military crew on board then fired the SM-6 missile with perfect precision."The missile shoot was definitely challenging but ultimately incredibly rewarding. We were able to see our team's planning efforts culminate in yesterday's successful shoot," said Lt. Cmdr. Ryan Doyle, UxS IBP 21 lead live-fire planner.The SM-6 missile shot proved once again that uncrewed aircraft are an essential military asset that optimize the capabilities of all other weapon systems.Throughout the week, the U.S. 3rd Fleet, who executed UxS IBP 21, demonstrated various operational scenarios involving submarines , helicopter squadrons, guided-missile destroyers and littoral combat ships, in coordination with uncrewed aircraft. In the end, its safe to say that military drones are versatile and equally effective in surface and subsurface operations.According to Capt. T.J. Zerr, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 21, "Unmanned technologies are being rapidly integrated into the Fleet for use, and our gained advantage is in the integration and collaboration between manned and unmanned capabilities tailored to the particular situation and phase of conflict."
Although the province intends to keep schools open during the pandemic's third wave, several Manitoba schools have already decided to switch to remote learning because higher numbers of students and staff are isolating at home.

Although the province intends to keep schools open during the pandemic's third wave, several Manitoba schools have already decided to switch to remote learning because higher numbers of students and staff are isolating at home.

Provincial public health officials said Monday, as they have said consistently throughout the pandemic, that COVID-19 is not spreading significantly within schools. But transmission data alone doesn't reflect the large numbers of students, staff, and their families who have to stay home because they've been identified as close contacts.

Infection rates among children and teens are rising, and it has become more common for whole classes to be sent home as close contacts when one student tests positive. Several school division representatives who spoke to the Free Press said classrooms have increasingly moved to remote learning in recent weeks.

The number of schools taking matters into their own hands prompted the provincial education department to send out instructions Monday to school divisions considering remote learning. Superintendents are being directed to consult with public-health officials before closing schools and to consider switching to remote learning for only a day or two, to allow for public-health consultation about how long remote learning will be necessary.

The situation was "untenable" at a St. Vital elementary school that is now closed for at least two weeks, said Louis Riel School Division superintendent Christian Michalik.

As of Monday, there were 22 confirmed cases among students and staff at Ecole Marie-Anne Gaboury. The kindergarten to Grade 8 school had its first positive case on April 15. Many more students and staff  more than 26 per cent of the school population  were required to self-isolate under Manitoba's public-health orders, which created more than 20 vacancies the school division couldn't fill. Other parents were keeping their children home as a precaution, and the number of students showing up to school was dwindling. By last Friday, almost half of the student population was absent, and the division did consult public health before going fully remote.

"The situation, like in this case, just becomes untenable, because you've got so many folks home, monitoring for symptoms, getting tested," Michalik said. "We also are concerned about the virus getting into the school and spreading in the school."

The superintendent said he's not advocating for all schools to close, but he is calling for clarity on how to reduce the spread of the virus in the community. Everyone needs to follow the public-health restrictions to keep schools safe, he said.

"As this third wave hits us in the city and province, schools aren't immune to the situation, and if we're not able to get a handle on it, it's going to get more complicated for us to keep schools open," Michalik said.

At least seven other Manitoba schools have transitioned all students to remote learning within the past three weeks. In Winnipeg, Holy Cross School and St. Norbert Immersion are doing remote learning only. Last week, three schools in Gimli made the switch, as did schools in Boissevain and Pilot Mound earlier this month.

The Free Press requested data from the province on the number of students and staff who've been required to self-isolate in Manitoba, but those numbers weren't available Monday. The most recent provincial figures on school case counts are out of date. There were three outbreaks declared in schools two weeks ago, and 244 cases within schools as of April 20.

Chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said youth are contracting the virus at sleepovers, house parties and other after-school activities. He said contact tracers are still not seeing the virus spread within schools, but they do expect to see larger numbers of students self-isolating as close contacts.

Emphasizing the plan for now is to keep schools open, Roussin thanked teachers for their work during a news conference Monday.

"Having the schools in session during most of this second and third wave has kept at least some semblance of normalcy for our youth and has a tremendous impact on their physical and mental health, so thanks for all of your work on this."

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay
Panaji, April 27 : A Goa court on Tuesday is scheduled to pronounce its judgement in the rape case against former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, nearly eight years after a colleague accused the journalist of sexually assaulting her at a five star resort in Goa.

Tejpal was subsequently booked uner sections under sections 376 (rape), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement) 354A (sexual harassment) and 354B (criminal assault), of the Indian Penal Code.

The incident allegedly occurred on November 7, during a conference organised by the media group in 2013 and Tejpal stepped down as editor of Tehelka on November 20, three days before the Goa Police filed a First Information Report against him.

Tejpal was arrested on November 30, after the North Goa District and Sessions Court rejected his anticipatory bail application, after which the journalist spent nearly eight months in police and judicial custody. He was subsequently released on bail by the Supreme Court, months after a 2,846 page chargesheet by the Crime Branch of the Goa Police was filed.

Charges against Tejpal were later framed by the trial court in Goa in 2017, despite attempts by the journalist to quash it.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
French President Emmanuel Macron, in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urged him to cool tensions with Ukraine, and expressed "grave concern" about the health of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, France 24 said, citing Macron's office.

"Macron also urged Putin 'to commit in good faith and in a sustainable way toward reducing tensions with Ukraine,' notably by withdrawing troops and heavy weapons from the Ukrainian border," France 24 said in the statement.

In addition, the French president, in a conversation with Putin, insisted on the need to respect Navalny's "fundamental rights."
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 17:30:36|Editor: huaxia

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NANNING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping called for more efforts to break new grounds in promoting high-quality development in border ethnic regions.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his inspection trip to south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from Sunday to Tuesday. Enditem
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The police in Osun on Monday confirmed a case of kidnapping at Osu on the Akure-Ilesa highway.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osu is in Atakumosa West Local Government Area of Osun.

NAN learnt that though several passengers were said to have been kidnapped in the incident which occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, the police said only one person was reportedly abducted.

Yemisi Opalola, the police spokesperson in Osun, said she could only confirm that one person was kidnapped on the highway.

According to Ms Opalola, one Okunade Rebecca reported that her husband, who boarded a vehicle from Akure, called to inform her that he had been abducted by gunmen.

One Okunade Rebecca of Panada Ikire reported at Osu Divisional Headquarters that on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at about 7:40pm, she received a phone call from her husband, Okunade Yinka, that he boarded a commercial bus from Akure.

On getting to Osu-Ife express road by Akere junction, unknown gunmen stopped their vehicle and he was kidnapped.

A combined team of operatives of the police and local hunters have commenced intensive manhunt to rescue the victim unhurt, Ms Opalola said.(NAN)
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If there is anything that the people of Enugu State, both residents and indigenes, know of Governor Ugwuanyi, it is that his heart is as peaceful and peace-loving as the heart of a dove. It would thus be satanic and unimaginable for the lover of the Hausa community to be portrayed as their enemy.

There is always a very grave danger when politics, political undertones or politicians come into an otherwise jolly good relationship. It turns brother against brother and people who were sharing a handshake a few minutes ago become sworn enemies. That was exactly what came into play in the case of the relationship between the Enugu people, their government and the Hausa traders of New Artisan Market in Enugu, the State capital.

In the last few days, so many curious narratives have been spun about a relationship between Hausa traders, many of who have lived in Enugu for more than half a century, and who know no place other than Enugu as their place of origin, and a government which they were part and parcel of its coming into office. When you look at the narratives that are being dished out right, left and centre, especially ones deliberately planted in the media with the aim of tar-brushing the earned peaceful image of the governor, you cannot but agree with those who believe that some agent provocateurs are in action, trying to turn brothers against brothers, all with the aim of achieving their political aim of destroying the age-long peace that had existed between Igbo and Hausa people in Enugu, and Enugu State in general.

The way to begin the narrative of our relationship is to go down the memory lane to the story of Mallam Umaru Altine. If you read the seminal work of Richard Sklar, an authority on the history of politics and political parties in the formative years of the Nigerian nation, with the title, Nigerian Political Parties, you would find details of Altines life and how Enugu allowed and assisted the northerner to reach the zenith of his political aspiration. Mallam Altine was a Hausa man who was born in the old Sokoto Province. He then migrated to the Coal City to pursue his commercial career of tendering cattle. However, being a political animal like every human being, he delved into the politics of his environment and rose politically, thereby becoming president of the Enugu Branch of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwes National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). He was soon elected the first Mayor of Enugu in 1956 and served meritoriously in that regard. Since then, it had become incumbent on any government or even individuals in Enugu State to reckon with, not only with the political strides of Mallam Altine but to accord his progenies and offsprings the regard of his meritorious service to the people of the State.

Indeed, that relationship had become cast in iron. Governments after governments in Enugu reserved a place of pride for the Hausa people, many of who speak perfect Igbo, relate with the people in peace and contribute to the political equation in the State. It will interest anyone to know that during elections, the Hausa community constitutes a sizeable portion of the electorate and they are factored into the political equation of what is unarguably the most cosmopolitan State in the South-East.

In the current insecurity foisted on many parts of the East, the government of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has been meeting with sections of the Hausa community, with the aim of ensuring that criminal elements do not shatter the long-standing peace that has been enjoyed by both Enugu indigenes and residents of the State. For instance, in August 2019, on the heels of the murder of Reverend Paul Offu, Parish Priest of St. James the Greater Parish of Ugbawka in Nkanu East Local Government of the State, Ugwuanyi immediately began to meet with strategic groups and individuals living in the State. One of those he met was the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and both of them concluded that it was in the peace of Enugu State that commerce and mutual existence could take place. Also in September, 2020, following the killings of some Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members in August of that year at Emene, Ugwuanyi held meetings with 27 prominent persons and groups, towards nipping such dastardly act in the mud. One of the people he met with was Sambo Abubakar, the Sarkin Hausa of the Sate. The governor has also gone into the nooks and crannies of the Hausa community to hold meetings with leaders of this very important community to assure them of their safety and urge the people to help ensure the peaceful coexistence of Enugu people and their brother Hausas living in the State.

In fact, at the latter meeting, the Sarkin Hausa, as widely reported in the media, had said: Your Excellency, we are more than happy to see you in our midst. This is not your first time; you were here last year and it is a demonstration of love to the citizens of Enugu State and we are part of that citizenship. We are more than grateful. When your SA on Security came here, we were more than a thousand that received him here and we gave him our speech. We said Ramadan is a month of prayer, prayer for constituted authority, for the nation, for our State, the local government leaders and traditional leaders. We used that forum also to extend our profound gratitude to you. To most members of the Hausa community, the Sarkin eloquently spoke their minds. For they would always remember the governors surprise Eid-el-Fitr visit to a mosque in the State capital in June 2017, to eextend a gesture of goodwill to them. Also in May 2020, Ugwuanyi intervened swiftly to calm restive nerves in the Hausa community when he directed the immediate rebuilding of mosques damaged by ethnic irredentists in the university town of Nsukka, following a misunderstanding involving an Hausa resident and a native Keke operator.

Why then a governor who has demonstrated this level of friendship, accessibility and love for Hausa brothers and sisters carrying on their legitimate businesses in his State, would be ill-portrayed by some politically-minded elements, all in the name of politics, as the enemy of his friends, beggars questions. These political elements have seized on the recent disagreement at the New Artisan Market between the Hausa traders therein and a private concern called Citi Gas Company, to cause disaffection between the two entities. The bile-soaked narratives fail to do justice to the roles that Governor Ugwuanyi has played in foisting peace in his State and ensuring that local Hausa people feel themselves as part and parcel of the administration of the state.

Unbeknown to a wide section of the public, the issue that happened at the New Artisan Market was majorly judicial. A court of competent jurisdiction sitting in Enugu, in the contentious matter of land ownership of the said New Artisan Market land, where our traders operate, had given judgment in favour of Citi Gas Company. What Governor Ugwuanyi merely did, sensing the implications for peace and order, and also as a friend of the Hausa community, a relationship that had spanned years, was to immediately seek to find a soft landing for the community of Hausa traders, and to avoid any crisis in a State he superintends over as the Chief Security Officer.

With the execution of the court judgment being imminent, the governor, last Wednesday, invited the leaders of the market to a meeting attended by the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu; the State Director of the Department of State Security (DSS); Brigade Commander at the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army; and State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and officially informed them of the judgment, which they themselves had become aware of. He thus promised that the state government would immediately come to their rescue by ameliorating whatever burdens that the traders could face over the court judgment. It was then agreed by all parties for the traders to be relocated to a temporary site. Immediately after the meeting, the governor ordered that all hands must be on deck to ensure the smooth transition of the traders to their newfound land. It must have thus been a thing of rude shock to the governor and the state government to hear that some miscreants had stormed the Enugu-PortHarcourt expressway site of the New Artisan Market to cause trouble.

Those who know the governor say that he is a believer in the dictum of do unto others what you expect them to do to you. The governor is known to always harp on the fact that thousands of Enugu sons and daughters are all over the country, from the west to the north, doing their legitimate businesses and since he doesnt want anyone to hound them off their legitimate businesses, he would not want to hound anyone doing legitimate business from the soil of Enugu State.

Not only did the state government repeatedly wash its hands off such breach of law and order that happened at the New Artisan Market last Thursday, there was no logical reason for a governor or government, which had reached a compromise with the traders to now go behind them to forcefully unleash a state of terror and violence on the law-abiding traders. It is in this that discerning minds within the Hausa community hanker a guess that some fifth columnists must have infiltrated an otherwise peaceful relationship, with the aim of portraying Enugu as a bedlam and in bloody disagreement with its Hausa traders brethren.

In fact, the statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer speaks volume of the true occurrence at the New Artisan Market that Thursday. According to the police, it was a case of unlawful resistance by unscrupulous elements (against) the execution of a Court Order issued by High Court of Enugu State authorising the demolition of structures and possession of the land area covering the market by Nwajanja family of Akpugo in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the State. The statement further said that the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu, had ordered the immediate launch of a thorough investigation to fish out and bring to book miscreants whose acts of violence led to the sustaining of injuries by innocent citizens, vandalism and burning of vehicles in the market.

It is no doubt a puerile attempt by some political elements to bring the government or governor of Enugu State into the controversy. Top leaders of the Hausa community resident in Enugu State would know that the man who had made their community a place he visited at the drop of a hat, with the aim of befriending the people and extend a hand of fellowship to the people, could not have been the same man that these politicians wearing the cassock of lie-peddling, would put upon the borrowed apparel of a man of chaos. If there is anything that the people of Enugu State, both residents and indigenes, know of Governor Ugwuanyi, it is that his heart is as peaceful and peace-loving as the heart of a dove. It would thus be satanic and unimaginable for the lover of the Hausa community to be portrayed as their enemy.

Dasin Usman writes from Owerri Road, Enugu.
Yang Hongwei adjusts a kite in Yangjiabu Village, Weifang City of east China's Shandong Province, April 16, 2021. Yang Hongwei, born in a kite making family in Yangjiabu, embarked on her journey of making kites in 1982 under guidance of her grandfather. In the following nearly 40 years, Yang has been developing the cultural inheritance and won her works many accolades. As a kite-making master, she was also invited to other countries, including Germany, Australia, the United States and New Zealand, to promote the kite culture and train apprentices. Famed as the home of kites, Weifang hosted the first international kite festival in 1984. The yearly event has attracted lots of kite fans from around the world. Nowadays, the city is home to more than 300 kite manufacturers with their yearly output value reaching two billion yuan (about 300 million U.S. dollars) and their products sold to more than 40 countries and regions, making up 85 percent of the domestic market and 75 percent of the world market. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

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Scott Walker is sounding the alarm on leftist propaganda that's eating up the youth and is hoping to take them back to the conservative side through a new campaign.

The former Wisconsin Governor is taking a stand against leftist, Marxist ideologies that have seeped into the minds of the youth in the last few years. To combat this, he launched a campaign against radical leftists who are silencing the opposition through "cancel culture."

The campaign is called "The Long Game" and was launched by Walker's Young America's Foundation (YAF).

"You're seeing your country slip away. Free speech is under attack from Big Tech censorship, leftist radicalism and a culture of fear and intimidation," the former governor declared in a video about "The Long Game" in which he spoke as the president of YAF, Newsweek reported.

Walker explained that the title was inspired by the late Saul Alinsky and his supporters who for years used academia, media, and even Hollywood to push their leftist agenda into the mainstream.

"The left is stepping up their efforts to go after young people, and to reach them sooner with radical levels of indoctrination," Walker warned, explaining that the move was not something that happened "overnight." Instead, he believes that the left began its movement to take on colleges and culture "over a half-century ago." As he explained this, the video showed images of Alinsky and Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Walker's YAF has chapters in about 2,000 college campuses across the country and is looking to expand to 2,000 more universities, technical schools, and community colleges, as well as penetrate high schools and middle schools to win back youth from leftist, Marxist ideologies. Walker is not alone, however, as the YAF operates on an annual budget of $30 million from foundations and individual donors.

"Conservative students are afraid not only of hurting their grades, but also of retaliation from other students," Walker explained. He told CBN News, "This total Cancel Culture, this lack of free speech and the ability to speak out and express their opinions."

The 53 year-old Republican argued that because of cancel culture, people can no longer disagree and debate the issues. Instead, those that disagree are labeled "racist or sexist or transphobic" or other terms that condemn people who don't align with leftist, Marxist ideologies. Walker wants to change this. In fact, the YAF experienced major success in UC Berkeley, a university they took to court after the school made it hard for YAF to introduce conservative speakers at school events.

This victory had embolden Walker, who said he is willing to take on more schools that aim to silence the right through more lawsuits in the name of free speech. YAF is also investing in YouTube lectures, ads on FOX News, Newsmax TV, and other outlets, and podcasts. "The Long Game" is truly a movement.

Walker warned, "The Constitution's on our side, and we're going to invoke it in every state, every campus, every place we need to."

Watch the video below to know more about "The Long Game."
Portugal could be back on the cards for holidaying Brits from next month, experts suggested today.

There is speculation the popular destination will make the 'green' category in the new traffic-light system due to be introduced from May 17.

Travel consultant Paul Charles said the country was looking a real prospect as it has 'no variants, low infection rate, increasing vaccination rollout and good genomic sequencing'.

A formal announcement is not expected on the 'traffic light' allocations until the end of next week, with ministers warning it is too early to be sure where could be quarantine-free on return..

The criteria for assessing countries are set to include whether there are variants of concern, how good their genomic scanning system is, vaccination levels, and overall infection levels.

Being on the green list should mean people will not need to quarantine on return - something that is a deal-breaker for many would-be sunseekers. Dubai, Malta and Gibraltar could also be classed in the lowes-risk band, although much of Europe could end up rated 'amber'.

Ministers are believed to be looking at whether islands can be treated separately from the mainland in some countries.

Madeira was previously restricted when it had low cases, as Portugal was suffering high infection rates.

Meanwhile, is it expected that vaccinated Brits with Covid passports will be able to holiday in the US, France, Italy and Germany by June 28.

Greece is set to go further by accepting the handwritten paper NHS card handed out with a jab as proof.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will hold talks with G7 counterparts at the Cornwall summit between June 11 and 13 with a view to securing a free travel agreement to popular destinations.

There is speculation the popular destination will make the 'green' category in the new traffic-light system due to be introduced from May 17. Pictured, a beach in Cascais

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is expected to unveil the 'traffic light' allocations at the end of next week

Mr Shapps will argue that they should agree international standards for vaccinated travellers heading to 'green list' nations who show digital proof of vaccination, a negative test or proof of immunity at passport control.

There would also be talks on bilateral 'travel corridors' to the US, France, Italy, Germany and other nations for passengers with a covid passport, according to the Daily Telegraph.

But Greece, which will open its borders on May 15 - two days before the UK allows holidays - is planning to go it alone, for now.

Harry Theoharis, the Greek tourism minister, told The Times their resorts will be open to any vaccinated Britons as long as they present their NHS vaccination card, signed by a nurse of doctor after getting the jab.

He said 'Until the UK has a digital passport, we have seen the paper cards that are provided with the two vaccine appointment dates and we are recognising them. They can be used on the ground and at the borders.'

GREECE: The islands including Rhodes (pictured) are ready to welcome tourists in mid-May and plan random testing at airports to deal with tourists

Mr Theoharis said that testing would take place on arrivals, but only at random, with a review if positive cases jump upwards in the UK.

Turkey and Bulgaria lift travel bans for Britons and confirm tourists WON'T need a vaccine while bookings for villas in Greece and Portugal soar Turkey has announced that British tourists will be welcome in the country this summer without having to show a vaccination certificate. Visitors from the UK will not need to produce a Covid vaccine passport, but will need to show proof of a negative PCR test. The country also promises to provide testing for tourists before they return to the UK, with tests at hotels or airports costing around 25. Until now PCR tests for a family of four can cost as much as 500. Tui, the world's largest tour operator, said it had seen a surge in bookings to popular Turkish coastal resorts even before today's announcement. Rental company The Luxury Travel Book told MailOnline it had seen a spike in bookings for luxury villas in Greece, Portugal and Mallorca after the Greek Tourism Minister announced the plan to welcome British tourists from mid-May. People are booking up for month-long trips and asking for WiFi and a desk and are taking the whole family so that they can get paid to work from home while on holiday. The firm has also seen double the amount of requests for Greek villas compared to previous years, with demand for fully serviced villas with a chef, butler and housekeeper so tourists can stay away from busy restaurants. Popular islands Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu and Crete are already getting booked up, with most bookings from 2020 rolled over into this year. Brits are also looking for properties on smaller islands including Hydra, Paxos and Syros, which are off the beaten track and away from the crowds. Advertisement

He added that once the EU sets up a digital scheme then they will sign up, but they are not willing to wait.

The European Union will throw open its borders to America this summer as it uses 'the same jabs' as the bloc, its top Eurocrat said yesterday.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was in advanced talks with Washington about kick-starting holidays by using 'vaccine passports' to re-open transatlantic routes.

But yesterday a Commission spokesman said there were 'no such contacts yet' between the UK and EU over recognition of health certificates for getting Britons back on European beaches.

In an interview with the New York Times Mrs von der Leyen said: 'The Americans, as far as I can see, use European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines. This will enable free movement and the travel to the European Union.'

She added: 'Because one thing is clear: All 27 member states will accept, unconditionally, all those who vaccinated with vaccines that are approved by the EMA.'

Lavishing further praise on the Biden administration she added that the US was 'on track' and making 'huge progress' with its campaign to reach so-called herd immunity, or the vaccination of 70 percent of adults, by mid-June.

America is currently rolling out the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccine jabs, which are also approved for use across the EU by the European Medicines Agency.

Asked whether Mrs von der Leyen was in similar talks with the UK, a Commission spokesman said: 'So far there are no contacts to this end with the UK.'

The majority of Britons want the UK's foreign travel ban to last until next year - and most have no intention of going on holiday anywhere this summer, an exclusive poll for MailOnline revealed today, as Ministers rush through covid passports in time to start foreign breaks on May 17.

As Spain said it was 'desperate' for Brits to return this summer, some 55 per cent back extending the Covid restrictions on non-essential trips abroad into 2022 - while just 21 per cent would oppose the idea.

Meanwhile, 43 per cent say they are not planning to go anywhere at all on holiday this summer, with only a quarter harbouring hopes of a break in another country.

The findings, in an exclusive poll for MailOnline by Redfield & Wilton Strategies, underline the level of nervousness among the population after a year of brutal lockdowns.

It comes as ministers try to rush through 'Covid passports' in time for the scheduled easing of the non-essential travel ban on May 17 - but will only reveal the UK's 'green list' of countries on May 7 - as Spain talked up a quarantine-free travel corridor.

Millions could go to pubs with no social distancing under plans to let drinkers use mobile phones to prove they are free of Covid. This graphic shows how the app would have worked

Greece says it is ready to welcome vaccinated British tourists immediately when its resorts open up on May 15, while Spain and Portugal say they will throw open their borders from June along with much of the EU.

Spanish Tourism Secretary, Fernando Valdes, said he wants UK holidaymakers to 'restart holidays' in six weeks, adding: 'We are desperate to welcome you this summer. We've been having constant conversations with UK authorities'. Mr Valdes said a travel corridor between the two countries, allowing quarantine-free breaks, is firmly on the table but only with covid passports 'easing' the return of 'safe' travel.

The European Union's ban on visitors in 2021 is not expected to apply to the UK because of its world-leading jab programme that has seen more than 33million get one dose and 10million of those receive both doses already.

'Longest summer ever' as Britons plan to take holidays throughout autumn to beat global Covid crackdowns Britons are preparing for the 'longest summer ever' as lockdown-weary holidaymakers rush to go abroad as late as November to beat global Covid crackdowns. Autumn bookings for international trips have seen an 80 per cent surge in interest compared to 2019 - as tour operators, hotels and airlines all report increased queries about later holidays. It comes amid warnings that summer trips could be under threat if the Foreign Office advises against travel to green list countries. The Government is preparing to lift the ban on international travel on May 17 and is finalising plans for a 'traffic light' system to determine which countries will be authorised destinations. However, experts have warned of confusion because the Foreign Office is expected to publish its own advice which could differ from the colour-coded scheme. Advertisement

A Government source told MailOnline that the Covid passport scheme would be in place next month to help people who want to travel to countries that are requiring proof of vaccination - but the source insisted that the key factor for Britons will be the rules on quarantine when returning to the UK.

'You've got countries saying we will welcome you. But it depends what the precautions on return are. We will have that green, amber, red system. It is about what you face when you come back to the UK. Can you isolate for 10 days?', the insider said.

And they suggested that holidaymakers will not know what countries fall into what 'traffic light' category until around a week before May 17, probably May 7. The criteria for assessing countries are set to include whether there are variants of concern, how good their genomic scanning system is, vaccination levels, and overall infection levels.

'That will all become clear much nearer the time,' one source said. 'India has just gone off... You're going to book a holiday in Spain in June? Well, good luck, but just make sure you are insured.'

Britons are preparing for the 'longest summer ever' as lockdown-weary holidaymakers rush to go abroad as late as November to beat global Covid crackdowns.

Autumn bookings for international trips have seen an 80 per cent surge in interest compared to 2019 - as tour operators, hotels and airlines all report increased queries about later holidays.

It comes amid warnings that summer trips could be under threat if the Foreign Office advises against travel to green list countries.

The Government is preparing to lift the ban on international travel on May 17 and is finalising plans for a 'traffic light' system to determine which countries will be authorised destinations.

However, experts have warned of confusion because the Foreign Office is expected to publish its own advice which could differ from the colour-coded scheme.

This means if the FO advises against travel to a certain country - even if it is permitted by the traffic light system - holidaymakers could see their plans disrupted.

Most holiday companies will not operate services in countries the Foreign Office has advised against visiting.

Meanwhile, going to a country against government guidelines will invalidate travel insurance.

Britons keen to avoid potential holiday issues - and those concerned about a much-slower vaccine rollout in several European nations - are looking at going abroad much later in the year.

Online flight booking website Skyscanner told The Times that more sunseekers are looking at holidays in September, October and November now than they were in 2019.

Some 43 per cent of all bookings at Co-op Travel fell into the late-summer category.

It was earlier revealed that even destinations on the green or amber list - where travel is permitted - could be off-limits if the Foreign Office advises against travelling to them.

Their advice is based on factors such as the risk of individuals getting stuck by Covid restrictions or the capacity and quality of the country's health services.
ALBANY  The state Senate's Committee on Investigations and Government Operations on Monday confirmed that it began reviewing documents on the construction of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge following a March 7 Times Union story that raised questions about the state's investigations into allegations the company that built the twin span had concealed from inspectors that bolts holding the structure together were breaking.

The committee's investigation included a request that was sent Friday to Tappan Zee Constructors, the consortium that built the bridge, seeking information and documents related to the $3.9 billion construction project.

"Additionally, the Thruway Authority has been cooperative with our inquiry into the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge and has shared significant documentation over the past seven weeks," Sen. James Skoufis, the Orange County Democrat who chairs the committee, said a statement. The statement noted the review is being conducted "in partnership" with three other committees, including the Transportation Committee.

The Senate's probe has been taking place as an impeachment inquiry of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is unfolding in the state Assembly, which enlisted the law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell to conduct a wide-ranging investigation into myriad issues surrounding the governor and his administration. That probe, which is not tied to the Senate's bridge investigation, is examining sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo, questions about the structural integrity of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, and the administration's nursing home policies and data reporting during the coronavirus pandemic.

More recently, the Assembly's probe was expanded to also look into allegations that Cuomo's family members had been given preferential testing for COVID-19 during the early weeks of the pandemic.

"While the Assembly investigation will look into these most recent allegations, the investigation's primary focus remains questions related to sexual harassment, nursing homes and bridge safety," state Assemblyman Charles Lavine of Long Island, who chairs the Assembly's Judiciary Committee, said recently.

An eight-month Times Union investigation revealed the company that built the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge had concealed that bolts were breaking at the height of the project. The newspaper's story also raised questions about the thoroughness of the state's investigations into those allegations, and cited the findings of experts who questioned the conclusions in a report commissioned by the Thruway Authority that determined the bolt failures are not a continuing concern.



In 2017, the state attorney general launched an investigation into concerns raised by a whistleblower regarding the structural integrity of bolts used in the construction process of the bridge. That investigation, conducted by the Thruway Authority and the state Inspector General's office, recently resulted in a $2 million settlement with the state, although most documents in the case remain sealed. Tappan Zee Constructors had argued unsuccessfully to have the full court case sealed, including its settlement with the state and a former project safety manager, James S. McNall, who reported the fraud.

"TZC unequivocally stands by the quality of our work and the safety of the bridge," the company said in a statement last month. "The construction companies that make up TZC and its bridge designer have built many of the major crossings in the New York area, including the former Tappan Zee Bridge, and have a long history of excellence."

Jamey Barbas, the Thruway Authority's project director for the bridge work, also has disputed that the bridge has any structural issues.

"We spent more than ($1 million) and engaged world-renowned subject matter experts, developed a testing program, conducted extensive studies, and tested well over five hundred bolts," Barbas said in a statement last month. "The tests confirmed that the bolts met or exceeded the requirements set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The very small number of bolts that were broken is not a cause for safety concern on such a large bridge consisting of more than one million bolts."
BREAKING with decades of tradition, the Pallister government is withholding detailed budget information from the public  including estimated staffing and spending levels for critical areas of the provinces pandemic response.

BREAKING with decades of tradition, the Pallister government is withholding detailed budget information from the public  including estimated staffing and spending levels for critical areas of the provinces pandemic response.

Detailed Health Department spending estimates that filled a 145-page book last year have been reduced to a 32-page summary this year.

Spending, staffing and program information for all other government departments have been similarly cut.

For instance, the Families Department "estimates" book shrank to 33 pages this year from 128 pages in 2020. For the Department of Education, program spending information is covered in a 35-page document, down from 109 pages last year.

The Opposition NDP decried the changes in the legislature Monday, while the finance minister claimed the government was simply following "best practices."

NDP house leader Nahanni Fontaine, raising a matter of privilege in the house, argued that the lack of information provided in the estimates books this year will hamper Opposition MLAs ability to do their jobs.

"This government doesnt want the public to know what theyre spending their money on  or what theyre not spending their money on," she told reporters afterward.

Included in the information hidden from the public this fiscal year are estimates of the cost to government of personal protective equipment, contact tracing and critical care in hospitals, Fontaine said. Last year, the Health Department estimates book provided two full pages of information on the operations of the Cadham Provincial Laboratory, where the bulk of the COVID-19 tests are processed.

The Health Department laid out the labs objectives, its main activities and its anticipated results. The public could learn that the government intended to fund the equivalent of 112.5 full-time positions at the lab and at what cost. The government laid out how many people would be technicians and how many would be managers and how much the lab budgeted for supplies. Comparative information was given for the previous year.

This year, there are no such details in the governments estimates books, which are often referred to when the legislature enters what is known as the "estimates" process. This is where Opposition MLAs get to question cabinet ministers in a committee-like setting.

Finance Minister Scott Fielding defended the changes this year, saying that several other provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan, present budget information in a similar fashion.

"We have made some changes... but its based on best practices," he said.

In a media scrum, Fielding was asked three times to explain who in Manitoba was calling for the change. He dodged the question each time.

Instead, he went on the attack, saying that the NDP, by raising the matter, was stalling the business of the legislature, including passage of a bill that will enable the government to pay out education-tax rebates to hundreds of thousands of Manitobans.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
The clinical study is crucial for the company's ongoing efforts to develop Ampligen as a potential prophylaxis or treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory viral diseases

AIM ImmunoTech, which also reported no serious adverse events in Cohort 1, said the study will proceed with enrollment into Cohort 3

(NYSEAMERICAN:AIM) said it has completed dosing of Cohort 2 in a Phase 1 clinical study to assess the safety, tolerability, and biological activity of Ampligen as an intranasal therapy, reporting no serious adverse events (SAE).

The company, which also reported no SAEs in Cohort 1, said the study will proceed with enrollment into Cohort 3.

The clinical study is crucial for its ongoing efforts to develop Ampligen as a potential prophylaxis or treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory viral diseases, the company added in a statement.

The Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR), an independent institute located in Leiden in the Netherlands, is conducting the clinical study AMP-COV-100. AIM ImmunoTech is sponsoring and funding the clinical study.

The company said the study protocol calls for a total of 40 healthy subjects to receive repeated administration of either Ampligen or a placebo. Subjects in Cohort 1 received 75 micrograms (g) of Ampligen, while subjects in Cohort 2 received 200 g of Ampligen.

The dosage will escalate to 500 g in the next cohort, Cohort 3, with the highest level of 1250 g planned for Cohort 4.

Florida-based AIM ImmunoTech said it will continue to provide interim updates on the clinical trial.

Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham
How do different parts of the brain communicate with each other during learning and memory formation? A new study by researchers at the University of California San Diego takes a first step at answering this fundamental neuroscience question.

The study was made possible by developing a neural implant that monitors the activity of different parts of the brain at the same time, from the surface to deep structures--a first in the field. Using this new technology, the researchers show that diverse patterns of two-way communication occur between two brain regions known to play a role in learning and memory formation--the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex. The researchers also show that these different patterns of communication are tied to events called sharp-wave ripples, which occur in the hippocampus during sleep and rest.

The researchers published their findings Apr. 19 in Nature Neuroscience.

"This technology has been developed particularly for studying interactions and communications between different brain regions simultaneously," said co-corresponding author Duygu Kuzum, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering. "Our neural implant is versatile; it can be applied to any area of the brain and can enable study of other cortical and subcortical brain regions, not just the hippocampus and cerebral cortex."

"Little is known about how various brain regions work together to generate cognition and behavior," said Takaki Komiyama, a professor of neurobiology and neurosciences at UC San Diego School of Medicine and Division of Biological Sciences, who is the study's other co-corresponding author. "In contrast to the traditional approach of studying one brain area at a time, the new technology introduced in this study will begin to allow us to learn how the brain as a whole works to control behaviors and how the process might be compromised in neurological disorders."

The neural implant is made up of a thin, transparent, flexible polymer strip fabricated with an array of micrometer-sized gold electrodes, onto which platinum nanoparticles have been deposited. Each electrode is connected by a micrometers-thin wire to a custom-printed circuit board. Kuzum's lab developed the implant. They worked with Komiyama's lab to perform brain imaging studies in transgenic mice.

Engineering a multi-use neural probe

What makes this neural implant unique is that it can be used to monitor activity in multiple brain regions at the same time. It can record electrical signals from single neurons deep inside the brain, like in the hippocampus, while imaging large areas like the cerebral cortex.

"Our probe enables us to combine these modalities in the same experiment seamlessly. This cannot be done with current technologies," said Xin Liu, an electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. student in Kuzum's lab. Liu is a co-first author of the study along with Chi Ren, a recent UC San Diego biological sciences Ph.D. graduate who is now a postdoctoral researcher in Komiyama's lab, and Yichen Lu, an electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. student in Kuzum's lab.

Several design features make multi-region monitoring possible. One is that this probe is flexible. When it is inserted deep into the brain to monitor a region like the hippocampus, the part that sticks out of the brain can be bent down and make room for a microscope to be lowered close to the surface to do imaging of the cerebral cortex at the same time. Conventional neural probes are rigid, so they get in the microscope's way; as a result, they cannot be used to monitor deep brain structures while imaging the brain's surface. And even though the UC San Diego team's neural probe is soft and flexible, it is engineered to withstand buckling under pressure during insertion.

Another important feature is that this probe is transparent, so it gives the microscope a clear field of view. It also does not generate any shadows or additional noise during imaging.

Exploring fundamental neuroscience questions

The motivation for this study was getting to the root of how different cognitive processes, such as learning and memory formation, occur in the brain. Such processes involve communication between the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. But how exactly does this communication happen? And which brain region initiates this communication: the hippocampus or the cerebral cortex? These types of questions have been left unanswered because it is very difficult to study these two brain regions simultaneously, said Kuzum.

"We were interested in investigating the nature of cortical-hippocampal interactions, so we built a technology to explore this neuroscience problem," she said.

The researchers used their probe to monitor the activity of the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex in transgenic mice. Specifically, they monitored activity before, during and after oscillations that occur in the hippocampus called sharp-wave ripples.

Their experiments revealed that communication between the hippocampus and cerebral cortex is two-sided: sometimes the cortex initiates communication, other times it's the hippocampus. This is an important first clue for understanding inter-region communication in the brain, the researchers said.

"The hippocampal-cortical interaction is important in memory consolidation and retrieval," said Ren. "The two-sided communication we reported here is different from the conventional notion that the cortex passively receives the information from the hippocampus. Instead, the cortex is actively involved in encoding information into the brain and may play an instructive role during memory consolidation and retrieval."

"We can now begin new studies to unlock how processes like learning and memory happen," said Kuzum. "For example, when the brain acquires new information, how does the hippocampus transfer the memory to the cortex for storage, or does the cortex send a cue to transfer the memory? Our findings show that communication can be initiated by either, but to go beyond that we'd need to do behavioral studies."

This study also reveals that there are diverse and distinct modes of communication between the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex. The researchers found that the hippocampus communicates with at least eight different parts of the cerebral cortex every time sharp-wave ripples occur. Further, each of these eight cortical activity patterns is tied to a different population of neurons in the hippocampus.

"These findings suggest that the interactions between brain regions, not only between cortex and hippocampus, can be fundamentally diverse and flexible. Therefore, multiple brain regions can efficiently work together to generate cognition and behavior that rapidly adapt to changing environments," said Ren.

###

Paper title: "Multimodal neural recordings with Neuro-FITM uncover diverse patterns of cortical-hippocampal interactions." Co-authors of the study include Yixiu Liu, Jeong-Hoon Kim and Stefan Leutgeb, all at UC San Diego.

This research was supported by the Office of Naval Research (N000142012405 and N00014162531), the National Science Foundation (ECCS-2024776, ECCS-1752241 and ECCS-1734940), and the National Institutes of Health (R21 EY029466, R21 EB026180, DP2 EB030992, R01 NS091010A, R01 EY025349, R01 DC014690, R21 NS109722 and P30 EY022589).
A Georgia woman and two children have been identified as the three victims found dead in a Eufaula, Alabama, lake Monday morning, and their deaths are being investigated as a homicide.

Barbour County Coroner Chip Chapman late Monday afternoon identified the woman as Ramona Hudson. He said he is not releasing the names of the children but said they are believed to be ages 16 and 12.

Chapman said the victims were apparently dead before their vehicle was pushed into the water near Creek Town Park. Their bodies have been sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for autopsy.

According to ALEAs State Bureau of Investigation, the discovery was made at 7:18 a.m. Eufaula police were called to Walter F. George Lake after the vehicle was found partially submerged in the water. It was then authorities found the three people inside.

SBI was summoned by Eufaula Police Chief Steve Watkins to assist in the investigation. No additional information has been released.

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When President Biden addresses a joint session of Congress for the first time on Wednesday, rounding the bend on his 100th day in office, he will have a number of progressive achievements to highlight. Chief among them, hell most likely play up his aggressive response to the coronavirus pandemic, emphasizing the theme of shots in arms and money in pockets.

But hell also seek to turn the page, signifying a new phase of his presidency, in which typical questions of governance and legislation rise to the forefront. It sets up a moment of transition for a president whose promise to confront the coronavirus outbreak helped catapult him to the White House and whose handling of the pandemic has continued to be his strongest suit in the public eye.

Bidens approval rating is far from reaching the soaring altitude that presidents in less-polarized eras usually enjoyed around the 100-day mark, but Biden is still riding fairly high. With approval from a slight majority of Americans, his rating is almost an exact flip of the negative marks that his predecessor, Donald Trump, received throughout his presidency. And as long as Fox News, Newsmax and a large swath of the AM radio dial continue to exist, its hard to imagine a Democratic president achieving a much higher level of consensus.

But if Biden never got a full-fledged honeymoon, as most presidents before Trump did, what he got instead was a global crisis  one that most Americans say they think he has handled successfully. In an NBC News poll released Sunday, no fewer than 81 percent of independents approved of how he was handling the pandemic; that helped the president achieve a 61 percent overall job approval rating among independents.
[Azerbaijani president Ilham] Aliyev was photographed under our numbered trees. He was at the Plane Grove sanctuary of the Green Artsakh Biosphere Reserve SNCO of the Artsakh Environment Committee. The director of this SNCO, Vahram Hayrapetyan, told this to Armenian News-NEWS.am, adding that the aforesaid area is in the Kovsakan (Zangelan) region.

"We have done a lot of work at the Plane Grove. If you look closely at the famous photo, there is a plate attached; it is our numbering. I don't know; maybe they [the Azerbaijanis] did Photoshop around the tree, but it is certain that the tree is ours," Hayrapetyan added in particular.

As reported earlier, Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev and his immediate family members visited the Kovsakan and Vorotan regions that are now under the control of Azerbaijan. They hugged the plane tree and took a respective photo, which has become a subject of discussion on the Internet.

A number of community leaders of Armenias Syunik Province claim that it is the Plane Grove, which was handed over to Azerbaijan back on December 18 last year.

The Ministry of Environment of Armenia issued a statement in this regard noting that the area depicted in the photo is not the Plane Grove state sanctuary, but the continuation of the plane tree habitat continuing along the Tsav River valley and is not located in Armenia.
The adopted younger sister of notorious hitman Mark 'Chopper' Read has opened up about her troubled past and how being deported back to New Zealand saved her life.

Nicole Sutorius claims she was one of the first people with a criminal history deported from Australia under the controversial 501 scheme in the early 2000s.

Now living a quiet life in the Bay of Plenty region on New Zealand's North Island, Sutorius, 49, looked back on how a 12-month stint behind bars had devastating consequences.

Under Section 501 of the Migration Act, a foreigner in Australia can have their visa cancelled on character grounds if they have been jailed for 12 months or longer.

Nicole Sutorius (pictured recently) now lives a quiet life in New Zealand with her partner and two dogs since being deported from Australia in the early 2000s

Sutorius insists being sent back to New Zealand saved her life but believes Australia's 501 deportation scheme needs an overhaul.

She can't ever return to Australia to visit her biological mother, despite haven't reoffended in almost two decades since she was deported.

She's baffled as to why she couldn't come back for her own father's funeral when convicted murderers behind bars here can apply for day release to attend one.

She also missed her beloved adopted brother's funeral when Read died from liver cancer in 2013.

'It's a life sentence but worse,' Sutorius told Stuff in a candid interview.

'Say I got a life sentence in Australia, I would still have access to my mum, my dad, my friends.

'I would have been able to go to my dad's funeral, my brother's, my stepdad's. You can't reach out for a hug, ever.'

Sutorius was molested as a child in New Zealand before her family moved across the Tasman to Melbourne when she was 10.

Unable to deal with the shame, she began to act out and ran away from home.

The late Mark 'Chopper' Read (pictured in 2003) took Nicole Sutorius under his wing after she ran away from home at the age of 14

Nicole Sutorius (pictured) wants the Australian 501 scheme to be overhauled

'I didn't tell anyone about it until I was 19-years-old- it wasn't the done thing back then to talk about things like that so I just kept running away from home,' she recalled.

'The police didn't know what to do and in those days, they put runaways with criminals so that's where the cycle began.'

At age 14, Sutorius met Read, who took the troubled teen under his wing as his adopted little sister, having also been molested as a child himself.

She' s described in Read's autobiography as his 'adopted little sister'.

'He always kept an eye out and kept people watching me,' Sutorius recalled.

She previously told Stuff in 2017: 'He was my best friend. He looked after me since I was 14. I got into so much trouble but would have got into so much more trouble or died if it wasn't for him."

She grew up around crime, gangs and colourful characters alongside Read and found herself on the wrong side of the law due to several drug-related incidents.

Nicole Marie Sutorius (pictured) described her deportation as 'a life sentence but worse'

Nicole Sutorius was unable to return to Australia to attend Mark 'Chopper' Read's (pictured) funeral in 2013, whom she regarded as her best friend

She later made the fateful decision to go with one of Chopper's best friends to tell a man to get out of Melbourne.

She threw a letter opener at the man which stabbed him in the kidney.

She was sentenced to to 20 months behind bars which was later reduced to 12 months on appeal.

She later received a letter warning she would be deported over the year-long jail stint but laughed it off after others had never heard of the rule

Sutorius was 32 and trying to get her life back on track when she was blindsided by deportation officials knocking on her door early one morning.

'I thought, thank goodness, for once I have not done anything wrong,' she said.

'They said: 'We're here to take you, you're being deported.'

'I wasn't allowed to even put shoes on.'

Nicole Sutorius (pictured) says her life is back on track has reoffended in almost two decades

One of Australia's most notorious criminals, Read was convicted of crimes including armed robbery, firearm offences, assault, arson, impersonating a police officer and kidnapping and had a fellow prison inmate cut off his ears in the 70s.

Read, who spent 23 years in prison for a variety of crimes including assault and armed robbery, wrote several books detailing his long career of violence, including one entitled 'How to Shoot Friends and Influence People'.

The bestselling author life was also turned into a big-hit movie starring Australian actor Eric Bana.

Read died in 2013 aged 58 after a long battle with liver cancer.
[April 27, 2021] New Global Healthy Living Foundation Publication Shows Existing State-Level Step Therapy Legislation Fails to Protect Most Patients

Today, the Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF) announced a newly published study reporting that despite a well-intentioned investment of time and money to advocate, state-by-state, for protective, patient-centered step therapy laws, the resulting legislation generally protects less than 10 percent of state populations. Further dampening the impact of these laws are a lack of codified penalties, meaning that most of these laws cannot be enforced. The Health Economics Policy and Law peer-reviewed study titled "Do Patients Benefit From Legislation Regulating Step Therapy?" is the result of a Global Healthy Living Foundation analysis of the structure and language of step therapy laws in 29 states. "Despite most insurance companies employing step therapy to manage costs, there is no evidence that it improves patient outcomes and, certainly, patients see no cost savings. Rather, patients risk much when their access to prescribed medications is delayed as they wait to 'fail first,' trying medications in an order determined by their insurer versus their doctor," said lead study author Louis Tharp, executive director and cofounder of GHLF. "It was incredibly frustrating to learn that our success working with many other patient and provider groups to advocate for improved step therapy regulations did not meaningfully help our patients. The laws cover too few people and, in many states, are unenforceable because the laws lack penalties, thereby removing any incentive for insurance companies to cooperate. Yet, step therapy is too harmful to patients for us to simply give up. We'll be going back to the states' lawmaking bodies to connect with legislators - one by one, if needed -- to educate them about why these laws need to be revised." Zoe Rothblatt, MPH, the study co-author, added that "many patients and physicians are not aware of laws that could protect them and insurers are not informing them of their rights when they force patients to fail first." Laws Rendered Moot the Moment They Are Enacted As explained in the study, although no state prohibits step-therapy protocols by insurers, 29 states now have laws requiring a process that helps healthcare professionals protect their patients from step-therapy protocols by detailing a list of exemptions that insurers are required to accept. Some of the most common exceptions are obvious but needed to be codified into law because insurers were ignoring them. They include: because a patient has already tried and failed on a first-step drug, the drug is expected to be ineffective by the physician, or the drug will likely cause adverse reaction or harm (to name three). However, the laws vary widely state-to-state and provide little protection in practice. Only six states cover all of the six most common reasons for requesting an exemption; California and Oregon cover none, and Missouri, Arkansas, and Colorado cover only one.

In 10 states, there is no appeal process if an exemption is denied, further weakening these laws.

Some states impose specific time periods within which the insurer must respond, but in nine states, insurers or PBMs have no obligation to respond, at all, making the law meaningless.

In California and Mississippi, because the law states that step therapy that is not clinically effective shall not last longer than 60 or 30 days, the law in practice allows step therapy for a period of time when harm may still occur. In addition to the laws lacking teeth, they cover only a small portion of Americans in each state, those who purchase state-regulated health plans. With that in mind, about half of all Americans are covered by employer insurance and employer-provided health plans are under the purview of federal Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), meaning these cannot benefit from the protection of state step therapy laws. Medicaid covers around another 20 percent, but only seven states include protections for Medicaid beneficiaries under the step therapy legislation and the lack of procedures to enforce the laws, combined with copious paperwork and work requirements, further diminish the benefit.



Fully insured employees who would ordinarily benefit from state step therapy legislation (unless specifically excluded as in Kansas) may not be protected because of territorial prerogatives and it cannot be assumed that everyone in a fully insured plan is protected by state step therapy laws. Therefore, when considering fully insured, the percentage of state residents covered by state step therapy laws ranges from thirteen percent (North Carolina) to 27 percent (California) for fully insured beneficiaries. In the few states where Medicaid is accounted for, protections range from 14 percent (Kansas) to 34 percent (New Mexico). On average, revised step therapy legislation covers those with nongroup insurance who make up less than 10 percent of state residents. The state with the potentially highest proportion of people protected (~33.6%), California, is one of three states with the weakest step-therapy laws. "It's time to shine light on how these insurance protocols are negotiated - secretly - between the pharmaceutical manufacturers, the pharmacy benefit managers and insurers, and, then, enact new laws or revised laws on both the state and federal level to protect patients no matter which of our 50 states or territories they reside," added Steven Newmark, JD, MPA, Director of Policy and General Counsel of the Global Healthy Living Foundation. "In 2021, we hope that the Biden administration will usher in a new bipartisan effort in Congress to help patients mired in step therapy and barrier-inducing protocols better access needed medications. A federal law like U.S. Senate bill S.464 (The Safe Step Act) would eliminate the national network of holes in step therapy laws, and uniformly protect patients from this unhealthy policy," Newmark added.

In the meantime, Global Healthy Living Foundation recommends that patient and provider groups continue efforts to reform step therapy by: Committing resources to rule-making assistance for existing state laws, including deploying subject matter experts to consult on revisions to existing laws.

Educating patients, healthcare professionals, social workers, employers, and state government administrators about existing laws to keep legislation from becoming unknown and unused.

Sharing model legislation, such as that created by the Physicians Research Institute (2019), to help legislators shape effective step-therapy regulatory legislation and reduce the cost of advocacy for state laws in those states that do have them yet.

Recommending infrastructure to audit compliance and patient benefit from existing and to-be-crafted step therapy legislation.

Engaging in patient-centered medical research projects to create patient-reported outcomes data that provides an objective assessment of patient benefits related to step therapy. GHLF will also support the Safe Step Act, first introduced in the 115th Congress (2017-2018), "to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require a group health plan or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan to provide an exceptions process for any medication step therapy protocol, and for other purposes." Fail First Puts Patients and Providers Last Used to enhance insurer profits, step therapy is the most commonly used coverage restriction for specialty drugs, the kind often used by patients living with serious, chronic conditions. In a step-therapy "fail first" protocol, a person must have tried and found ineffective one or more therapies that the insurance company considers the first-step before they will be reimbursed for a medication considered to be a second or higher step. Steps are based on medication payment negotiations between the insurance company, pharmacy benefit managers, and manufacturers. Therefore, the patients and physicians are not the primary decision makers regarding which medications are accessible, insurance companies are. About Global Healthy Living Foundation The Global Healthy Living Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses (such as arthritis, osteoporosis, migraine, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and cardiovascular disease) by advocating for improved access to health care at the community, state, and federal levels, and amplifying education and awareness efforts within its social media framework. GHLF is also a staunch advocate for vaccines. The Global Healthy Living Foundation is the parent organization of CreakyJoints, the digital community for millions of arthritis patients and caregivers worldwide who seek education, support, activism, and patient-centered research through our ArthritisPower (ArthritisPower.org) Research Registry. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, GHLF started a Patient Support Program, informed by a patient council made up of people living with a wide range of chronic illnesses, that now serves more than 30,000 people. Via CreakyJoints, GHLF also hosts PainSpot (PainSpot.org), a digital risk-assessment tool for musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, and eRheum (eRheum.org), for telehealth and virtual-care support. Visit ghlf.org for more information. Find us online:

Global Healthy Living Foundation: ghlf.org

CreakyJoints: CreakyJoints.org

CreakyJoints Espanol: CJES.org

CreakyJoints Australia: CreakyJoints.org.au

Facebook (News - Alert) : facebook.com/CreakyJoints & facebook.com/GlobalHealthyLivingFoundation

Twitter (News - Alert) : @GHLForg, @CreakyJoints, #CreakyChats

Instagram: @creaky_joints, @creakyjoints_aus, @creakyjoints_esp

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LinkedIn (News - Alert) : linkedin.com/company/ghlf View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005037/en/

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Graves Man Arrested on Warrant, Drug Charges

By West Kentucky Star Staff

GRAVES COUNTY - A Graves County man was arrested Saturday on an active warrant and drug charges.Saturday morning, deputies responded to a home on KY 1890 as part of an investigation into a fugitive.Deputies located 46-year-old Larry Thornton, who was wanted for failing to appear on felony charges in Graves County Circuit Court.A search of the home allegedly uncovered methamphetamine.Thornton was arrested on the warrant and additionally charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance (meth), third-degree possession of a controlled substance (diazepam), tampering with physical evidence, and drug paraphernalia possession.He was lodged in the Graves County Jail.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Chronicled, administrator of the MediLedger Network (the leading blockchain-powered industry network in Life Sciences), today announced the launch of a new working group dedicated to the development of a sustainable industry solution to the problem of Medicaid duplicate discounts against 340B priced drugs. Annual spend under the 340B program has grown by 700% in the last 10 years to $35 Billion, and the number of Contract Pharmacies participating in the 340B program has grown from 1,200 to 28,000 in the same time frame. This has led to an escalating issue of manufacturers paying out Medicaid rebate claims on drugs where a 340B discount was already applied, also known as a duplicate discount. Multiple pharmaceutical manufacturers have now put in place Medicaid claim requirements and/or 340B discount restrictions in an effort to solve the duplicate discounts problem. Healthcare providers are now facing a growing list of unique requirements from different drug manufacturers that seems unsustainable, and could increase administrative burden and decrease drug access to eligible patients.

Launching in May 2021, the MediLedger Medicaid Duplicate Discounts Working Group aims to bring together pharmaceutical manufacturers, 340B covered entities, and state/federal agencies, to establish the business requirements, conceptual design, and proof of concept for an industry wide solution to Medicaid Duplicate Discounts. Working group participation also includes access to easy web access to Chronicled's existing Roster Management Solution . The goal of the working group is to ensure the success and integrity of the Medicaid and 340B discount programs in serving patients in need.

The blockchain-powered MediLedger Network is uniquely suited as the platform for an industry solution to Medicaid duplicate discounts. Blockchain-based solutions can actually enforce rules between companies. So new policies, standards and rules established in working groups can actually be developed into commercial solutions run directly between trading partners - no 3rd parties involved. Data shared with trading partners and rules on the MediLedger network can't be changed by any single participant, creating trust even between competitors.

The Medicaid Duplicate Discounts Working Group will be the 4th working group launched by Chronicled in collaboration with key stakeholders in the life sciences industry. Previous & ongoing working groups include:

The MediLedger Supply Chain Working Group -This group was formed in 2017 around the requirements set forth in the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). From this group, the first commercial blockchain solution in the pharma industry was launched on the MediLedger Network in 2019 for Product Verification of saleable returns . Today, 95% of drugs in the US can be verified through the MediLedger Network. The MediLedger Revenue Management Working Group - This group was formed in 2018 to address challenges with intra-company transactions in the pharma supply chain like rebates, chargebacks, and other admin fees. From this group, the Contracts & Chargebacks solution became available in 2020 to eliminate chargeback errors and disputes between manufacturers, wholesalers and group purchasing organizations. The MediLedger FDA DSCSA Pilot Working Group - This group formed in 2019 around the FDA's call for POCs for an industry wide track-and-trace solution. This was and still is the largest industry collaboration around a blockchain-based proof of concept for track and trace of prescription drugs with 25 companies participating. The final report was accepted and published by the FDA ( link to FDA site ).

Chronicled CEO, Susanne Somerville, says "Industry collaboration takes a whole new meaning when discussion can turn into real solutions between companies. We are excited to help usher in a new era of transparency and trust around the Medicaid & 340B program, and help the industry more effectively serve patients in need across the country."

To learn more about Chronicled and the MediLedger Network, visit www.chronicled.com . To request information about the Medicaid Duplicate Discount Working Group, including requirements for participation, email [email protected]

About Chronicled

Chronicled enables automation, trust, and automatic settlement for intra-company transactions in the Life Sciences and Healthcare industry. Through the industry leading blockchain-powered MediLedger Network, Chronicled offers trading partners a new way to manage revenue, automate manual processes, and eliminate revenue leakage, while ensuring pricing accuracy and efficiency for health care providers and dispensers. Chronicled's current core revenue management solution, Contracts & Chargebacks, eliminates pharmaceutical chargeback errors and disputes between manufacturers, wholesalers and group purchasing organizations.

Based in San Francisco, Chronicled was founded with a unique blend of pharmaceutical industry and technology expertise. Their mission is to streamline trading partner interactions across the healthcare industry to better serve providers and patients.

SOURCE Chronicled

Related Links

http://www.chronicled.com


She recently revealed she lost a whopping two-and-a-half stone as she took up trampolining and bought a racer bike in lockdown.

And Kate Silverton continued to display her slimmed-down frame as she appeared on Monday's The One Show with pregnant Alex Jones and Alex Scott.

The presenter, 50, looked radiant in a blue turtleneck jumper and black trousers as she discussed her new parenting book There's No Such Thing As 'Naughty' and revealed she's training to become a psychotherapist.

Weight loss: Kate Silverton continued to display her slimmed-down frame as she appeared on Monday's The One Show (L) after shedding 2.5 stone (pictured R in 2019)

On her new career move, the former Strictly star said: 'I'm still in training, I'm a qualified councillor on placement, which means I have my own little clients and go to a primary school in London.

'I sit and council my little people. I start my masters in September to become a child psychologist in due course.'

Kate, who appeared on Strictly three years ago, recently told the Daily Mail that while juggling her job, homeschooling her two children and writing a book she 'got to that point when you have no spare reserves'.

The mother-of-two said: 'I got one of those rebounder trampolines. I was studying how toxic stress sits in the body so the jumping up and down helped. I turned 50 and I did mark that by saying I want to look as well as I can.

In good company: The presenter, 50, looked radiant in a blue turtleneck jumper and black trousers as she discussed her new parenting book with pregnant Alex Jones and Alex Scott

In her element: The journalist recently bought a racer bike to keep fit (pictured last August)

Impressive: The mother-of-two has been updating her social media followers on her fitness journey (pictured in 2019)

Changes: The media personality took up trampolining during the coronavirus lockdowns (L before the pandemic in 2020, R later that year)

New stint: The former newsreader revealed she's training to become a child psychotherapist

The TV star, who shares Clemency, nine, and Wilbur, six, with husband Mike Heron, recently completed a 50-lap swimming challenge to raise funds for Children In Need and Girlguiding.

The broadcaster enthused she felt 'so much better' since dropping weight, adding to Hello! magazine: 'I was either going to put on two-and-a-half stone during lockdown or lose it, and I've lost it. It was a conscious decision and I knew I had to focus.

'I bought myself a racer bike, a trampoline and some Tracy Anderson DVDs and I got a good nutritionist. I have been eating at specific times and trying to get more sleep.

'I feel so much better in myself. I'm feeling as fit and well as I possibly can at this time of my life.

'That's all we can ever want - to feel our best self at whatever age we're at and to be able to celebrate that.'

Kate had five years of failed IVF attempts after her and Mike began trying for a baby and had all but resigned herself to never having children when Clemency was conceived naturally two years after they married in 2010.
1. The U.S. population over the last decade grew at the slowest rate since the 1930s, the Census Bureau said.

With immigration leveling off and a birthrate on the decline, the nation may be entering an era of substantially lower growth, demographers said.

The total population was 331,449,281 in 2020, up by just 7.4 percent over the previous decade. The South and the West drew Americans away from struggling small communities in high-cost, cold-weather states in the East and the Midwest.
Climate czar John Kerry took to Twitter to vehemently deny allegations he once shared Israeli military operations with Irans foreign minister.

I can tell you that this story and these allegations are unequivocally false. This never happened  either when I was Secretary of State or since, Kerry stated on his personal Twitter account Monday night.

But some Republicans  including Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations  arent buying it.

This is disgusting on many levels. Biden and Kerry have to answer for why Kerry would be tipping off Iran, the number one sponsor of terror, while stabbing one of our greatest partners, Israel, in the back, Haley tweeted.

Haley is seen as a possible 2024 presidential candidate for the GOP.

According to The Hill, it was reported on Monday that leaked audio recorded in March captured Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif saying that Kerry told him Israel had attacked Irans interests in Syria at least 200 times.

Kerry, a former presidential candidate and U.S. Secretary of State between 2013 and 2017 under former President Barack Obama, was also a U.S. senator from Massachusetts for 28 years.

In his Twitter feed, where he geo-codes himself as a proud Bostonian, Kerry also links to a Washington Post scribe who writes: Many conservatives attacking John Kerry for discussing with Iran that Israel covertly struck 200 Iranian targets in Syria, per leaked audio. @StateDeptSpox notes that those strikes had already been disclosed by a govt in the region (i.e. Israel)

That did not stop the criticism.

The Hill adds Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan called for Kerrys resignation in a floor speech, one of several senators to do so Monday.

This is the second time in just the past two months to be called out. In March, Kerry was seen without a mask while reading on an American Airlines Boston-to-DC flight in violation of a host of mask mandates from the CDC to his boss, President Biden.

As the Boston Herald reported, Kerry also took to Twitter to call the mask slip malarkey.

An American Airlines spokeswoman said they intended to reach out to Secretary Kerry to underscore that all customers are expected to wear masks for the duration of their trip.

Feels like theres some St. Patricks day malarkey afoot on Twitter, Kerry tweeted from his @ClimateEnvoy feed in mid-March. Lets be clear: If I dropped my mask to one ear on a flight, it was momentary. I wear my mask because it saves lives and stops the spread. Its what the science tells us to do.

The MassGOP has tweeted out what is becoming a hot item on social media.

Meanwhile, Kerrys latest moment under the red-hot lights comes as Republicans are also trying to keep Biden from returning the U.S. to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Iran is also demanding the U.S. lift sanctions.

The Associated Press reports the European Union will chair talks in Vienna, where envoys are trying to synchronize a U.S. return to and Iranian compliance with the 2015 agreement.

___

(c)2021 the Boston Herald

Visit the Boston Herald at www.bostonherald.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle today announced themselves 'campaign chairs' of an A-list event called 'VaxLive', where they will demand world leaders including Joe Biden and Boris Johnson 'share' vaccines', especially with India.

'Vax Live': The Concert to Reunite the World, organised by Global Canada Citizen and hosted by star Selena Gomez, will be held virtually at the beginning of May, with the Sussexes saying it will 'restore faith in humanity' by celebrating the hope provided by the vaccination rollout.

Harry, 35, and Meghan, 39, will be joined by an A-List line up, with appearances from the couple's close friend Gayle King, as well as Ben Affleck, Chrissy Teigen, David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel, Nomzamo Mbatha, Olivia Munn and Sean Penn.

The announcement coincides with demands for President Biden to hand over all of America's 60 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to India as part of a global drive to help fight the world's most devastating coronavirus outbreak.

On Monday, the US announced that 60 million doses of the so-far unapproved vaccine will be made available to send abroad, once the doses are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Downing Street today rejected a similar move today, with Boris Johnson's Official Spokesman saying 'we don't have surplus doses' and the focus will remain on the rollout of jabs in the UK.

India is facing a second wave of the deadly virus, with a million new cases in just three days. For the past two weeks, medical facilities have been running out of oxygen and ICU beds, with some patients dying as they wait outside hospitals.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be 'campaign chairs' at a Global Canada Citizen concert event called 'VaxLive', hosted by Selena Gomez, at the beginning of May

In this aerial picture taken on April 26, burning pyres of victims who lost their lives due to the Covid-19 coronavirus are seen at a cremation ground in New Delhi

The Sussexes released a statement saying the concert would help the world 'recover and heal' from the pandemic

Sussexes' full statement announcing their role in the concert 'Over the past year, our world has experienced pain, loss and struggle  together. 'Now we need to recover and heal  together. We can't leave anyone behind. We will all benefit, we will all be safer, when everyone everywhere has equal access to the vaccine. 'We must pursue equitable vaccine distribution, and in that, restore faith in our common humanity. This mission couldn't be more critical or important.' Advertisement

The Sussexes said in a statement today: 'Over the past year, our world has experienced pain, loss and struggle  together. Now we need to recover and heal  together. We can't leave anyone behind.

'We will all benefit, we will all be safer, when everyone everywhere has equal access to the vaccine.

'We must pursue equitable vaccine distribution, and in that, restore faith in our common humanity. This mission couldn't be more critical or important.'

A description of the concert online reads: 'We are calling on world leaders to step up to make sure vaccines are accessible for all so we can end the pandemic for everyone, everywhere.'

It will also feature performances from the likes of Jennifer Lopez Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, J Balvin and H.E.R, leveraging the Sussexes wide network of celebrity friends.

Global Citizen describes itself as a movement of 'engaged citizens who are using their collective voice to end extreme poverty by 2030'.

Its website states: 'Global Citizens learn about the systemic causes of extreme poverty, take action on those issues, and earn rewards for their actions  as part of a global community committed to lasting change.'

'Their mission is to build a movement of 100M action-taking Global Citizens to help achieve our vision of ending extreme poverty by 2030.'

The Sussexes' announcement today comes in the midst of intense debate about the West can help India and whether this should include sharing vaccines.

With three jabs already approved and in-use in the United States - the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines - there are already enough vaccines for all Americans. As a result, its stockpile of millions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine is likely to go unused.

Last week, some of India's major newspapers accused the US of vaccine nationalism after a State Department spokesperson said the US needed its temporary export ban on vaccines because 'not only in our interest to see Americans vaccinated; it's in the interests of the rest of the world to see Americans vaccinated.'

As President Joe Biden's administration comes under pressure to do more to help India as it faces the world's most devastating coronavirus outbreak, the US will make up to 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines available to ship

The Biden administration has also come under fire from Americans of Indian heritage, and from others around the world, who say Washington is 'hoarding' the British-developed vaccine that it is yet to approve as India - a country of almost 1.4 billion people - is overwhelmed by Covid-19.

'We have to be strategic and responsible,' said South Bay Congressman Ro Khanna, who argues the US should send its unused AstraZeneca vaccines to India.

'We cannot give those shots to Americans because our FDA has not approved them. So they literally will sit in a stockpile and not be used by an American. The question is are they safe enough to be used by the rest of the world,' Khanna said.

The US has come under heavy criticism for its vaccine strategy, saying that it will only export vaccines to other countries when there are enough for ever adult who wants one in America.

But the White House announced last week that deliveries of Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines would be enough to meet its goal. Johnson & Johnson is also contracted to deliver 100 million doses to the government.

Now, the US' stance on vaccine exports appears to have softened amid the criticism, with the Biden administration announcing that 60 million doses of AstraZeneca will be shipped to other countries.

The vaccine announcement greatly expands a US action from last month to loan four million AstraZeneca doses to Mexico and Canada.

It is believed that 10 million doses are ready to go, but must first be cleared for use by the FDA. The other 50 millions doses are in various stages of production.

It is expected that priority will be given to India amid the crisis that has left the country's healthcare system on the brink.

India's Covid second wave is driven by 'far more infectious and far more lethal' variant, doctor warns as bodies are lined up in the street India's Covid second wave is being driven by a 'far more infectious and probably far more deadly' strain of virus that has pushed hospitals 'beyond crisis point' in just a matter of weeks, a top medic has warned. Dr Zarir Udwadia, a physician in hard-hit Mumbai and a government advisor, said India is now 'in the stranglehold' of a variant that has sent cases and deaths soaring and has already spread overseas, including to the UK. 'It is really clear to me as it is to any physician, that this wave, perhaps variant-driven, is far more infectious and probably far more lethal than the first wave,' he told the BBC's Today programme. 'I see younger patients afflicted, I have lost two 35-year-olds, a husband and wife on ventilators, a day ago.' India has today reported 323,144 new Covid cases, down slightly on the Monday's toll of 350,000 but still around 40 per cent of the global total. The country also reported 2,771 new deaths - also down slightly from Monday but amid warnings that the figure is almost certainly being under-counted. In New Delhi, one of the hardest-hit cities, videos taken on Monday showed bodies lining the streets waiting to be burned, with staff now working day and night to meet demand. Parks, car parks and playgrounds are also being turned into makeshift pyre pits to deal with the wave of death. Meanwhile data revealed the city's Covid death toll may have been under-counted by 40 per cent last week, as crematoriums reported 3,096 Covid cremations but the government's official Covid death tally stood at just 1,938 - a discrepancy of 1,158. Elsewhere, judges at the Madaras High Court, in the city of Chennai, have called on local officials to face murder charges for allowing mass rallies to take place without proper precautions in place. Advertisement

For five consecutive days until Monday, India was reporting global record one-day Covid cases figures that topped out above 350,000 cases. Tuesday's figure is 323,144, though experts warn that is likely the result of less testing at the weekend and not a sign that the wave of infections is slowing.

On Tuesday, Indian health authorities reported another 2,771 deaths from the virus - slightly lower than Monday's count but again amid warnings that many deaths are going uncounted.

Speaking on Tuesday, a doctor at the heart of India's coronavirus outbreak warned that the next two weeks 'are going to be hell'.

Dr Shaarang Sachdev, from the Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital in the hard-hit capital of Delhi, said the country is experiencing its worst point of the pandemic so far and described the current situation as 'critical'.

Other nations like Germany, Israel, France and Pakistan have also promised medical aid to India.

The countries have said they will supply oxygen, diagnostic tests, treatments, ventilators and protective gear to help India at the time of crisis which World Health Organization's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday called 'beyond heartbreaking.'

However, Downing Street today rejected calls to send coronavirus vaccines due to a lack of surplus doses.

The PM's official spokesman said the Government 'will keep this under review' and pointed out that ministers had committed to sending 'excess' jabs to countries in need 'once they are available'.

Medics have warned that the second wave of infections in the country is being driven by a 'far more infectious and probably far more deadly' strain of the virus that has pushed hospitals 'beyond crisis point' in just a matter of weeks.

The UK announced earlier this week that it was sending more than 600 pieces of medical equipment to India following the surge in cases.

There have been calls for the Government to go further and to consider diverting some of the UK's vaccine supply to the country.

But the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman said: 'As you will know, we committed in February to sending excess doses from the UK's supply to the Covax procurement pool and to countries in need once they are available.

'Right now we are moving through the UK prioritisation list for our domestic rollout and we don't have surplus doses.

'But obviously we will keep this under review. We fully recognise that no one is safe until we are all safe in this pandemic which is why the UK has contributed 548million to Covax and sent vital medical supplies to India.'

Relatives weep as they perform funeral rites for a coronavirus victim as their body is cremated in the capital Delhi

Medics have warned that India's second wave is probably being driven by a more infectious and more deadly variant of the virus, though investigations are still being carried out into its effects (pictured, a crematorium in New Delhi

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle told royal advisors 'you can't stop us doing what we want' Harry and Meghan told palace bosses 'you can't stop us from doing what we want' in clashes before leaving the Royal family, it has been claimed. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex 'called the shots' and specifically instructed press officers on what information they felt should be made public, according to reports. The claims come despite Harry telling Oprah in the couple's bombshell interview that no plans were made before Megxit was announced last January. It also emerged last night that the pair were in talks with a 1.3billion-backed US company a year before they stepped down as senior royals. Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, are said to have had multiple meetings with Quibi, a now-defunct video streaming service, from early 2019 until after they quit as working royals last January. Prince Harry returned from the landmark Sandringham summit to meet executives from the American company in London, according to the Daily Telegraph. A deal for him to provide content on the platform reportedly reached advanced stages but ultimately fell through as the app failed to take off, according to the paper. Vanity Fair also claimed the couple had been approached by Quibi founder, Jeffrey Katzenberg and its CEO Meg Whitman. Despite this, during the Sussexes' bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey they claimed they 'didn't have a plan' when leaving the Royal family. Advertisement

Today it emerged that Harry and Meghan's popularity ratings have fallen again to their lowest-ever levels following Prince Philip's funeral.

The couple's popularity previously plummeted in the wake of their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which they made accusations of racism within the Royal Family.

And they have not regained favour with the British public since, with Prince Harry's popularity falling another three points following the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh on April 17, a YouGov survey found.

Pregnant Meghan, who remained in the US rather than attend the funeral at St George's Chapel, Windsor, at the advice of her doctor, has also seen her popularity fall by five points in the last six weeks, figures show.

Meanwhile, both Prince Edward and Prince Charles have experienced a growth in popularity since March 12.

And, in an unwavering sign of support following the death of her husband, the Queen saw a sharp boost in public favour from an 80 per cent positive view to 85 per cent. She remains the most popular royal.

Prince William and his wife Kate also remain very popular, according to the latest poll, with about three quarters of Britons giving them favourable reviews.

Prince Andrew remains by far the least popular royal, with an 79 per cent negative view, according to the poll.

According to the data, of more than 1,700 Britons between April 21 and 22, public opinion of Prince Harry has remained largely negative despite his return home for the funeral of his grandfather this month.

The latest figures show 43 per cent of Britons now have a positive opinion of Prince Harry, while 49 per cent regard him negatively.

This gives the once popular prince a net score of -6 in terms of popularity - a drop of three points from March 12.

Earlier today, a royal expert claimed Prince Charles wants to slim the monarchy down in order to save money.

Royal biographer Angela Levin said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - who currently live in an 11million mansion in California with their son Archie - could be 'cut' from The Firm, with a shrunk down version just including Charles, Camilla, William, Kate Middleton, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte as senior royals.

The couple have not regained favour with the British public since their Oprah Winfrey interview, with Prince Harry's popularity falling another three points following the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh on April 17, a YouGov survey found

Meanwhile, both Prince Edward and Prince Charles have experienced a growth in popularity since March 12

Desperate Indians turn to social media to find life-saving oxygen Desperate families in India have turned to social media to find hospital beds, oxygen and drugs for relatives dying from Covid. Facebook groups and Instagram accounts have been set up to notify people when beds or supplies become available, with most snapped up within minutes. It comes as the first of nine plane-loads of life-saving kit from the UK  including ventilators and oxygen concentrators  landed in India yesterday to help the country tackle its deadly second wave. Its health service is close to collapse after more than 300,000 Covid cases daily for nearly a week pushed the death toll towards 200,000. One woman in the US frantically searched social media to help her 94-year-old father in Delhi. After calling 200 hospitals, Amrita Singh was contacted on Facebook by a friend about a bed with oxygen. She said: Because of the friend, Dad survived the night. Doctors have been attacked by relatives of those who have died. One was beaten with a pipe, and men in Delhi were filmed hitting medics with sticks. Crematoria are building makeshift funeral pyres in parks. Advertisement

Other royals could be encouraged to take on paid work to help support themselves - and may lose their titles and patronages.

Ms Levin said on talkRADIO: 'Prince Charles has wanted for a very long time to cut the monarchy down to save costs and to make people be worth the money that they got from the taxpayer.

'I imagine that might be when Harry and Meghan are ditched from being members of the Royal family.

'I think the outer edge, which the Queen has wanted to keep together for a very long time for sentimental reasons, which at her age she didn't really particularly want change which I think is understandable.

'But he wants to change and I think he will do that.'

Rumours of Harry and Meghan facing the chop come as the couple's biography Finding Freedom is set to be re-released this summer, once more raking over royal rifts and addressing the couple's explosive Oprah Winfrey interview.

The first edition, by authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, was published on August 11 last year and painted a flattering picture of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from when they met in 2016 to their departure from the Firm in early 2020.

It is now being updated with new chapters, covering their tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey last month, the allegations that Meghan, 39, bullied royal staff - which she denies - and the death of Prince Philip.

The new version, which is also expected to discuss their multi-million pound deals with Netflix and Spotify, their new life in California and the Queen's decision to strip them of their royal patronages including Harry's military roles, will go on sale on August 5.
US President Joe Biden, in a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday pledged steadfast support of his entire administration for the people of India in its fight against COVID-19 pandemic, the White House said. Biden spoke with Modi committing that the US and India will work closely together in the fight against COVID-19.

"The President pledged America's steadfast support for the people of India who have been impacted by the recent surge in COVID-19 cases," the White House said in a readout of the call. In response, the United States is providing a range of emergency assistance, including oxygen-related supplies, vaccine materials, and therapeutics, the White House said.

"Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for the strong cooperation between both countries. The two leaders resolved that the United States and India will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the effort to protect our citizens and the health of our communities," said the readout of the call.

This was the first call between the two leaders after the outbreak of the deadly COVID19 wave in India. India is struggling with a second wave of the pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported in the past few days, and hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds.

India's total tally of COVID-19 cases has climbed to 1,73,13,163 while active cases have crossed the 28-lakh mark. The death toll increased to 1,95,123 with a record 2,812 new fatalities, according to official data.

Also read: COVID-19 crisis: UK dispatches first shipment of ventilators, oxygen concentrators to India

Also read: PM Modi, Biden discuss COVID-19 situation, vaccine supplies; details here
The desperate scenes playing out in India may foreshadow a dangerous new phase of the pandemic where people die in droves, not of the disease so much as a lack of proper medical care. The situation could get a lot worse thanks to a sudden shortage of medical in the country.

is one of most straightforward and proactive ways of treating the disease, which causes hypoxia. When patients begin gasping for air, a steady supply of concentrated does wonders.

It may seem like an obvious treatment in hindsight, yet it took nearly two centuries to overcome strange theories, outright quackery and trench warfare in the medical community and beyond.

Oxygens history in medicine begins in the 1770s, when the Swedish pharmacist Karl Scheele and the British scientist Joseph Priestly independently isolated oxygen gas. Priestly unfairly received the lions share of the credit.





ALSO READ: Coronavirus LIVE: India records 319,435 cases, 2,764 deaths in last 24 hrs

To make matters worse, Priestly was a believer in phlogiston, an invisible substance allegedly released during combustion. What we call oxygen, he called dephlogisticated air. When he breathed it, his chest felt peculiarly light and easy for some time afterward. Priestley subsequently bragged in a scientific tract that only two mice and myself have had the privilege of breathing the miracle gas.

Since the new substance seemed to make candles burn brighter, Priestley speculated that it might be peculiarly salutary to the lungs in certain morbid cases, when the common air would not be sufficient to carry off the putrid effluvium. Yet he remained wedded to his phlogiston theory, warning that breathing pure oxygen might also carry dangers  that it might be the equivalent of burning the candle at both ends.

Eager to test the effects of the new substance on patients, Priestley and other engineers and scientists, including James Watt, founded the Pneumatic Institution in Birmingham. Though they made no promises of a cure, they offered to treat a range of maladies  including obstinate venereal complaints  with dephlogisticated air.

They werent very successful, but there was an upside. As one medical historian has noted, this unlikely crew managed to invent most of the oxygen-delivery apparatus still in use today, from mouthpieces to corrugated, non-crushable breathing tubes to methods for mass-producing the gas.

The Pneumatic Institution went defunct, but oxygen lived on as a quack remedy. Most of these treatments didnt actually use concentrated oxygen, dispensing nothing more than mixtures of gases not so different from ordinary air, typically a few gulps worth and nothing more.

But that didnt stop purveyors of these panaceas from making ludicrous claims for their products. Makers of the so-called Oxygen Treatment, a typical remedy from 1884, sent patients one bottle of Oxygen and one bottle of Oxygen Tonic. This was supposed to treat everything from dyspepsia to arthritis for two full months.

By the late nineteenth century, oxygen therapy was synonymous with quackery. In 1890, though, a physician named Dr. Alfred Blodgett had a patient with pneumonia whom he deemed irrevocably doomed. In the hopes of merely easing her final moments, he hooked her up to an oxygen cannister, turned on the gas  and left it running.





ALSO READ: In a nation of inequalities, India's vaccine strategy is bad economics

This may have been the first continuous application of oxygen to a patient in history. To Blodgetts astonishment, the woman stabilized, her breathing becoming regular. He published his results, arguing that oxygen could save lives. Many cases will be found in which the period of greatest danger may be safely tided over which would otherwise unquestionably be lost, he wrote.

And yet this was just the very beginning of oxygens resurrection. After Blodgetts article, other researchers tried administering oxygen, but not via the lungs. They pumped it under the skin, up the urethra and into the stomach. Most bizarre of all was the idea of an oxygen enema, which came courtesy of corn-flake promoter Dr. J. H. Kellogg, who also gained fame for popularizing medical treatments of questionable value.

It took a Scottish doctor named John Scott Haldane to cut through this nonsense and do the research necessary to show that breathing oxygen would be best--and that it had to be continuous and at high enough concentrations to have the desired effect. In 1917, he published his landmark paper, The Therapeutic Administration of Oxygen.

His timing was perfect. In World War I, both sides used poison gas. Haldane developed equipment that dispensed oxygen to soldiers hit in a gas attack. After much trial and error, the British managed to develop mobile equipment that could be used to treat survivors, giving them steady supplies of oxygen for extended periods of time.

All of this should have opened the medical professions eyes to the value of administering continuous oxygen. But it would take another 50 years to win over many doctors, who insisted on administering oxygen in intervals in order to avoid harming patients.

Haldane criticized intermittent oxygen therapy, comparing it to bringing a drowning man to the surface of the water  occasionally. But it would take until 1962 before medical researchers conclusively backed him up. Intermittent oxygen therapy, they found, actually hurt patients more than if they had never been given oxygen at all.

Over time, a growing number of doctors embraced the idea of continuous oxygen therapy. In the U.S., Dr. Thomas Petty took the lead in using it to treat patients with advanced pulmonary diseases. In 1970, a study of patients with advanced pulmonary disease showed that while 28% of patients treated with continuous oxygen died, 62% of untreated patients did. This finally settled the question, paving the way for more research on oxygens many benefits over the past 50 years.

The breakthrough seems to have a big impact on victims of Covid-19. Preliminary research of how different nations administered oxygen in the early months of the pandemic suggests that supplemental oxygen makes the difference between life and death for many patients. Other studies have shown that oxygen can keep patients off ventilators and save lives, particularly if the oxygen is administered early.

This simplest of treatments has been around for ages. It can be deployed in a range of settings, from the trenches of war to the parking lot of a hospital. Luckily, the U.S. is working around the clock to gather oxygen supplies for India, and the U.K. is sending nearly 500 devices to administer it. Its a good start, though far more may be needed.
An aerial view of the city of Hobart and Mount Wellington in Tasmania. (AAP Image/Supplied by MACq 01 Hotel, Stu Gibson)

Tasmania Rated Australias Number One State Economy: CommSec

According to a report, Tasmania has been rated as the best-performing state economy for the fifth quarter in a row, with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) maintaining the second spot.

CommSecs State of States report (pdf) measures and analyses the economic performances for each state and territory over every quarter against the 10-year average, or normal performance, for eight key indicators.

Western Australia (WA) moved up to the third place from sixth, its highest ranking in six years, on the back of a significant mining boom and jump in homebuilding.

The indicators are economic growth, retail spending, equipment investment, unemployment, construction work, population growth, housing finance, and dwelling commencements.

Tasmania and the ACT both lead on three different economic indicators, while Tasmanias lowest ranking in the other indicators was third.

Tasmania and the ACT have firmly held their positions at the top of the performance rankings due to above-average population growth in Tasmania and a strong job market in the ACT, CommSec Chief Economist Craig James said. As a result, its unlikely well see any considerable change at the top of the rankings in the near future.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein told The Examiner that the report was a vindication of his governments economic management as the state election approaches this Saturday.

Map of Australia (Google Maps)

CommSecs State Rankings

Tasmania

Tasmania stays at the top of CommSecs state economic rankings after leading the country in three of the eight economic indicators; relative population growth, equipment investment and dwelling starts.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

The ACT leads other states on relative unemployment, retail trade and relative economic growth. Retail spending was 19.4 percent above the decade average in the nations capital territory, overtaking Tasmania.

Western Australia (WA)

Up by three spots, WA currently ranks third, which is its highest ranking in six years. Despite WAs overall jump in rankings, James said the state faces major challenges as they fell dramatically in equipment investment and retail trade this quarter.

Victoria

Dropping one spot from third, while Victoria still ranks at the top for construction work and housing finance, it has been dragged down by its relative unemployment and employment growth figures.

South Australia (SA)

SAs strongest performance comes from relative population growth and stands at the middle to bottom of the pack for other indicators.

Queensland

Queensland was second in housing finance while doing poorly in equipment investment and relative economic growth. James believes it will be able to lift its rank later this year.

Queensland also has scope to lift its ranking in 2021 due to improvement in the job market, rising in-bound migration and increased domestic tourism demand, James said.

New South Wales

NSW shows a disappointing performance as it slides further down from its previous sixth spot. The state ranked third in construction work done, while its annual population is growing at the slowest rate in over 25 years.

Northern Territory

NT ranks last for the 10th consecutive quarter of CommSecs State of States reports. It performed best in equipment investment. However, it ranked poorly in all other areas.
Watching Ontario Premier Doug Ford as he twists in the wind of public disfavour, Manitobas Brian Pallister on Monday slightly tightened restrictions on gatherings where the COVID-19 virus may be passed from one Manitoban to another. If hes lucky, he has made this move in time to forestall a public-health catastrophe.

Watching Ontario Premier Doug Ford as he twists in the wind of public disfavour, Manitobas Brian Pallister on Monday slightly tightened restrictions on gatherings where the COVID-19 virus may be passed from one Manitoban to another. If hes lucky, he has made this move in time to forestall a public-health catastrophe.

In similar circumstances in October, Mr. Pallisters government hesitated. The province cracked down on shopping and social gatherings starting Nov. 12, when the daily new cases had already reached 400 a day. As a result, Manitoba had a terrible November with the number of new cases reaching well above 400 a day and, by early December, Manitoba hospitals were in danger of being overburdened by 360 COVID-19 patients.

This time, the government is making its move while daily case counts hover around 200, up sharply from 80 a day in late March. The effect on hospitals will be seen in the coming weeks, when the patients now newly infected start turning up at emergency departments.

CHRIS YOUNG / THE CANADIAN PRESS Ontario Premier Doug Ford

Ontario, in similar circumstances, waited longer to act against the April surge and now is begging other provinces to send nurses, doctors, equipment and pharmaceuticals to help treat its patients, some of whom are being housed in tents strung up in hospital parking lots.

Mr. Ford drew heavy public criticism for a series of panic moves 10 days ago, when he closed all public playgrounds and asked police to stop people at random in the streets to demand their reasons for stepping out of their houses. After most municipal police forces said they were not going to do that, Mr. Ford thought better of it. He also reopened the playgrounds, and has been apologizing ever since for his misjudgment.

Recent reports from India also provide a stark warning to Canadas public-health authorities and governments about the danger of waiting too long to impose restrictions. Patients are dying in the streets of Indias cities because the hospitals have no oxygen to offer them. The crematoriums are overtaxed because the number of deaths far exceeds the countrys crematorium capacity.

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Premier Brian Pallister

Back in January, Indias low COVID-19 numbers were the wonder of the world. It seemed then that the virus has passed India by  so much so that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was liberally authorizing export of India-made vaccines to countries in greater need.

India suffered close to 100,000 new infections per day in the September wave, but then enjoyed a dramatic drop in cases. Starting in March, however, the numbers climbed once again, reaching almost 350,000 cases per day in the past week. Because health services are spotty in wide sections of rural India, the numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths are probably far greater than government records indicate.

Mr. Pallister and chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin are trying to avoid a catastrophe on the scale of Ontarios or Indias by acting more swiftly than they did last fall. They are trying to fine-tune the sizes of groups in restaurants, gatherings, gyms and churches so as to reduce crowd sizes a little, but without producing a shocking change in Manitobans habits.

So little inspecting has been done, however, that they know only a little about the private gatherings at which Manitobans are passing the virus to each other. The fine-tuning of provincial orders will have little effect on the people who are already disregarding the rules. These measures, while more prudently timed than last falls effort, might still prove insufficient to curb the pressure on hospitals.
The world is again in the midst of a great power competition, a competition that has the potential to cascade into conflict or worse catastrophe. The territorial disputes are widespread and occur in both the terrestrial and maritime domains. The re-emergence of China as a global power is reshaping associations and alliances with smaller and mid-sized powers feeling squeezed between China and the US.

What is increasingly clear though is China aims to dominate the Southeast Asian politics through its asymmetric economic relations with its neighbours. China is effectively using its economic prowess for meeting its political and territorial goals.

Since its re-emergence as the dominant economy in the region, China has been laying claims on many territories in the through its domestic legislation and invention of historic claims. The effectiveness of domestic legislation by China in terms of securing its claims in South China Sea and East China Sea is however debatable.

Many such claims aren't recognized by international bodies and courts such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). The most prominent Chinese claims in South China Sea were ruled as not legal by the PCA in a case drawn upon by Philippines in July 2016. China is using its domestic legislation to expand its exclusive economic zones by creating municipalities at the edge of South China Sea which gives legal foundation for the exclusive economic zones: again, the effectiveness of the method is debatable as it has not been tested.

The parallel here can be drawn to compare the control through domestic legislation between the Chinese claim on South China Sea and Japanese control of Senkaku Islands. Japan has controlled the Senkaku Islands for over a century now and there is a continuity via coast guard and environmental management in that control, mostly and mainly through domestic legislation and international partnership; no such continuity of control with regard to Chinese claim is existent on ground in South China Sea.

The invention of historic claims by China as a tool for foreign policy is even more debatable and problematic. To analyze this one must turn back the pages and search in history any signs of claims of sovereignty by China over the island territories in south China Sea; no such claim can be found.

Bill Hayton, in his book, "Invention of China" writes in detail about how during the Ching (Qing) Dynasty, China showed no interest in the island formation in the south china sea whether be it the islands neighboring Indonesia, Vietnam or Philippines. There is clear evidence in history how Japan and Japanese business interests used the islands for collecting nitrates.

The territorial claims for most nations come after world war II be it Brunei, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, etc. as they developed strong national borders under one government after gaining independence. These countries were colonies prior to World war II and thus to trace their sovereign claims to these territories is difficult.

The UNCLOS treaty signed by 117 states which sets the 200-mile limit for Exclusive Economic Zones gives these countries a claim over the island formations in South China Sea. UNCLOS however is not ratified by the US which gives it a loose footing to enforce any such binding on China.

The ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) can play a significant role in resolving the territorial issues in Southeast Asia, but because it is a loose association of nations and doesn't have the legal capability to challenge and enforce its decisions on China, it has till now not played any decisive role.

In the 2014 ASEAN Summit, a consensus was developed to issue a joint statement with regard to territorial disputes, however Cambodia declined to join the consensus statement after influence from Beijing resulting in no joint statement being adopted. This fracturing of ASEAN unity and division of opinion is mainly achieved through aid and development promises; which again is a smart use of its economic power.

With most of the ASEAN states not claimants in SCS disputes, China has a free hand in manipulating the decision-making capability of ASEAN. The ASEAN members hold mixed views about China, some members perceive China as an economic opportunity and think that China is critical for the development of ASEAN member states, while other see China as a state having dominating and hegemonic interests in the region, thus the relationship of China and ASEAN will always be important but challenging.

The main problem is of the power asymmetry between China and Southeast Asian states. The countries in the region are constantly seeking strategic autonomy to resolve the South China Sea issues peacefully and effectively. The pattern we are seeing at the individual level is to bring in the extra regional powers to the region to enhance the human capital and other capabilities so that they can push back unilaterally against some of the more assertive behavior of China.

Japan has been most active in establishing strategic partnerships, by providing coast guard vessels, maritime domain awareness and human capital building to strengthen individual members and to enhance the ASEAN's integration.

Japan's role is even more important when it comes to Chinese maritime militia (fishermen boat strategy), the militia is trying to instigate the escalations and allowing the China to build an image wherein it is seen as playing a defensive counter. The militia is used to build pressure on the states and in case of Philippines china has already occupied some features in south china sea using this militia forces. The militia move in and out of the sovereign boundaries of other nations and every such movement is a planned part to build on Lawfare strategy e.g. in case of Senkaku islands.

To counter China in South China and East China Sea, US led FONOPs are trying to build a significant naval presence. The US maintains a regular presence for 365 days a year in the region. The effect is of this permanent presence is that China feels increasingly uncomfortable with the US presence. In response, China has adopted to pursuing the strategy of escalating with other US allies.

The naval cooperation and joint exercises in South China Sea and other parts of the Indo-Pacific is threatening to China, especially when French and Canadian navies are also getting involved.

The Quad and Quad-plus like cooperation is the way forward, however this could lead to catastrophe if management maritime system and communication channels are not established. China has to adjust to the presence of the power in the South China Sea and US and allies have to work to keep Chinese assertive behavior at bay while avoiding accidental conflict.

(Dr. Stephen Nagy is a senior Associate Professor at the International Christian University in Tokyo, a fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute (CGAI) and a visiting fellow with the Japan Institute for International Affairs (JIIA). The views expressed are personal)
Investors in the former Woodford Patient Capital Trust are still suffering as its chairman admitted performance had been disappointing over the last year.

Savers have been left nursing heavy losses after a number of the companies picked by fund manager Neil Woodford failed to produce any returns.

Even though Woodford was ousted as manager in 2019, amid the collapse of his investment empire, the value of the funds assets slid by another 29.2 per cent over 2020, the annual report revealed yesterday.

Savers in the former Woodford Patient Capital Trust have been left nursing heavy losses after a number of the firms picked by fund manager Neil Woodford failed to produce any returns

Blue-blooded investment firm Schroders was appointed as Woodfords successor in December 2019, and since then has been trying to turn around the performance of the newly renamed Schroder UK Public Private Trust.

But in the annual report, chairman Susan Searle, who faced calls to resign in 2019 amid criticism that she should have acted sooner to fire Woodford, said: The valuation at December 31, 2020 is clearly disappointing.

Attempting to boost investors spirits, she added: We believe that the company is in a much better position now than it was a year ago.

Schroders had been trying to pay down the trusts debt pile. Loans can increase investors returns when performance is good, but they heighten any losses.

Although it has succeeded in reducing the debt, the trust has still been battered by the poor performance of the stocks Woodford left it with.

Cancer treatment firm Rutherford Health was the biggest single drag, as its value was downgraded by 47million over the course of 2020 due to slow progress at the business.

Atom Bank, Benevolent AI and experimental nuclear fusion firm Industrial Heat all had their value slashed by more than 5million.

Unlike the doomed Woodford Equity Income fund, the Schroders trust is listed.

This means investors can sell the shares they hold at any time  but would likely be crystallising a heavy loss as the shares are at a near all-time low of 32p.
VANCOUVER, BC, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Loop Energy (TSX: LPEN) will host a conference call on Thursday, May 13 at 8:00 a.m. PST (11:00 a.m. EST) to share consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2021.

Dial-in details will be released prior to the call, and will also be available via https://investors.loopenergy.com.

The Company's past financial statements and management discussion & analysis are also available at investors.loopenergy.com.

About Loop Energy Inc.

Loop Energy is a leading designer of hydrogen fuel cell systems targeted for the electrification of commercial vehicles, including, light commercial vehicles, transit buses and medium and heavy-duty trucks. Loop's products feature the Company's proprietary eFlow technology in the fuel cell stack's bipolar plates. eFlow was designed to enable commercial customers to achieve performance maximization and cost minimization. Loop works with OEMs and major vehicle sub-system suppliers to enable the production of fuel cell electric vehicles. For more information about how Loop is driving towards a zero-emissions future, visit www.loopenergy.com.

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflect management's current expectations regarding future events. Forwardlooking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forwardlooking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to execute on its strategy and the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the final long-form prospectus of the Company dated February 18, 2021. Loop disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Source: Loop Energy Inc.

SOURCE Loop Energy
Twenty-two percent of voters said it is unlikely they will take the coronavirus vaccine, according to a new poll.

The Hill-HarrisX poll showed 15% of those polled said they were very unlikely, to get a vaccine compared to 7% who said they were somewhat unlikely. In comparison, 26% said they were very likely to get a vaccine and 18% said they were somewhat likely.

Thirty-four percent of those polled said they have already been vaccinated.

There are two very important findings from our poll data on vaccinations: First, close to a quarter of voters say they are unlikely to take the vaccine when it becomes available to them. This is a staggering figure, and were seeing higher hesitancy among voters in rural areas, those residing in the South and Midwest of the United States, lower income and lower educated cohorts, women, middle aged groups 35-64, and Republicans, Dritan Nesho, chief pollster and CEO of HarrisX, told Hill.TV.

The individual breakdowns showed:

Men were more likely than women to say they would receive the vaccine, 50% to 37%.

People ages 18-34 were more likely to say they would get a vaccine (70%); compared to 53% for ages 35-49; 34% for ages 50-64; and 19% among ages 65 and older.

Black voters were more likely to say they would receive a vaccine (54%) compared to white people (37%).

The West had the highest percentage of people saying they would receive a vaccine (53%); compared to the Northeast (42%), South (41%) and the Midwest (38%).

People with at least a college education are more likely to say they would receive a vaccine (57%) compared to those without a college degree (34%).

Democrats were the most likely to say they would get a vaccine (54%) compared to independents (46%) and Republicans (32%). Thirty-percent of those who said they voted for Donald Trump indicated they would consider getting a COVID vaccine compared to 54% of Joe Biden voters.

The Centers for Disease Control estimated 30% of U.S. adults have been vaccinated.

You can see the complete poll here.
In January, my conservative cousin formerly from New York, currently from California, alerted me to the possibility that Governor Gavin Newsom might face a recall election. I posted my cousins observations in a post called California Dreaming.

Now, as the Mamas and the Papas once sang, California dreaming is becoming a reality. State officials have certified that enough valid signatures have been gathered to put the question of recall to voters.

The Washington Post reports:

In certifying the more than a million and a half petition signatures, state election officials started the clock on what will almost certainly be Californias second gubernatorial recall election. The first, held in 2003, saw voters recall second-term Gov. Gray Davis (D) and, on the same ballot, elect Hollywood movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), who served in the office until early 2011.

Newsom seems more popular than Davis was. A recent poll found that only 40 percent of the states electorate would vote to recall him. 56 percent oppose recall.

Thus, it seems likely that only part of the California dream will be realized. If fewer Republicans had fled the state, who knows?

The recall campaign has been fueled by Newsoms extraordinarily lax immigration policies and by concern over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Immigration is likely to remain a hot button issue. However, with the pandemic receding dramatically in California and Newsom lifting some of his restrictions on activities, the governor is in a better place politically than he was a few months ago.

Maybe California voters will forgive him for keeping children out of schools for more than a year, longer than most states did. Maybe they will even forgive him for violating his own restrictions by dining at one of the poshest restaurants in the state.

The recall vote will present two questions. First, voters will be asked whether Newsom should be recalled. Second, they will be asked who should replace him. The second question will be relevant only if voters answer the first question in the affirmative. If they do, the person with the most votes on the second question will become governor.

Its possible, however, that the recall election wont go forward. According to the Post, anti-recall forces have about six weeks to persuade those who signed the petition to withdraw their support. If enough do so to drop support below the required number, the question will not make the ballot.

However, the Post calls this possibility a longshot. The California secretary of states office has certified 1.62 million valid signatures, about 125,000 more than needed.

Who might replace Newsom if voters favor a recall? The Post identifies three Republican possibilities: Kevin Faulconer, the former mayor of San Diego; Caitlyn Jenner, the transgender rights activist and former Olympic gold medal winner; and John Cox, a San Diego businessman who lost to Newsom in 2018.

No prominent Democrat has shown an interest in running, presumably because doing so would seem disloyal. The absence of a prominent Dem on the ballot might help Newsom stave off recall.

For his part, Newsom claims the recall campaign is fueled by White supremacists, anti-Semites, and people opposed to immigration. No high road for this pol.
MindsDB We greatly appreciate being recognized in the Forbes AI 50 list as one of the innovators in the AI industry, said Jorge Torres, Co-Founder and CEO of MindsDB.

MindsDB, the open-source startup that brings machine learning to the database, today was named to the Forbes AI 50; a list of private, U.S.-based companies that are using artificial intelligence in impactful ways. MindsDB reduces the complexity of machine learning workflows by bringing explainable machine learning to the source of the data.

We greatly appreciate being recognized in the Forbes AI 50 list as one of the innovators in the AI industry, said Jorge Torres, Co-Founder and CEO of MindsDB. With our goals of accelerating ML development speed, lowering costs, and improving insight into model accuracy, we hope to support future AI innovators.

For the third year running, Forbes partnered with venture firms Sequoia Capital and Meritech Capital to identify the most compelling companies focusing on techniques like machine learning, natural language processing and computer vision. In order to be eligible, companies had to be privately held without being incubated at, largely-funded, or acquired by large tech, manufacturing, or industrial firms.

I'm finding that for multiple companies, by starting to help enterprises efficiently get the data they need to feed into an open source model, that's the key to unlocking the value for that business. - Andrew NG, Forbes AI 50 Judge & founder of Google Brain.

MindsDBs open source framework allows ML models to be identified and developed quickly using AutoML and then deployed at speed and scale with AI Tables. By automating model training and deploying workflows while leveraging the data directly at the data layer, MindsDB helps companies increase prediction capabilities and reduce the cost and complexity of model selection, training iteration, and testing. AI Tables allow database users to get predictions as simple tables, using simple queries to unlock the value in the data they already have.

Among trends this year are what Sequoia Capitals Konstantine Buhler calls Horizontal AIbuilding of platforms designed to add value to companies across multiple industries.

These trends support MindsDBs focus on integrations with the company's existing production databases and business intelligence tools. With a greater database connection and integrations with BI tools, MindsDB is able to bring machine learning tools to the source of the data, no matter what industry they are in.

This 2021 list features 31 companies appearing for the first time, while seven have qualified for three years in a row. In terms of valuation, at least 13 of the AI 50 are valued at $100 million or less, while 13 are unicorns valued at $1 billion or more. Silicon Valley remains the hub for AI startups, with 37 of 50 honorees coming from the San Francisco Bay Area. - Forbes

We are honored to be in the company of some true goliaths of the AI industry, and look forward to further democratizing AI through AI Tables, so more businesses and individuals have access to this revolutionary technology. said Adam Carrigan - Co-Founder of MindsDB.

About MindsDB

MindsDB helps anyone use the power of machine learning to ask predictive questions of their data and receive accurate answers from it. MindsDB was founded in 2017 by Adam Carrigan (COO) and Jorge Torres (CEO), is backed with over $5.2M in seed funding from the University of California, Berkeley SkyDeck fund, OpenOcean, and the co-founders of MySQL and MariaDB. MindsDB is also a graduate of Y Combinators recent Winter 2020 batch. To see how MindsDB can help you visit http://www.mindsdb.com.
Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man accused of being one of the leaders of the January insurrection at the U.S. Capitol had a arsenal of illegal weapons, ammunition and war gear at his Eastwood home when it was raided weeks later, federal prosecutors said.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Syracuse released photos presented to a judge Monday in successfully arguing that Matthew Greene, 33, of 264 Burns Ave., should remain locked up until trial.

RELATED: The Matthew Greene no one knew: Proud Boy fought for his country then turned against it

RELATED: Lawyer for Syracuse Proud Boy blames Trump for Capitol riot; feds find AR-15, handguns, ammo

The photos include weaponry, ammunition and camouflage gear found at Greenes residence during a Jan. 18 raid. Also included are images that prosecutors say show Greene at the Jan. 6 insurrection. Lastly, several receipts are photographed showing purchases of ammo and war gear in the days after the insurrection.

Greene faces four federal felonies and three misdemeanors for his actions in the Capitol insurrection. If convicted of the top count, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

The first photo, shown at the top of this story, depicts Greene, in goggles at the far right, as the crowd surged over police barricades into the Capitol. One of Greenes co-defendants, Dominic Pezzola, center with the beard, is accused of being the man holding a riot shield that had moments before been forcibly taken from a Capitol police officer.

Heres a look at other photos presented by the government in court:

An AR-15 assault rifle found at Matthew Greene's residence in Syracuse.

This AR-15 assault rifle was found in Greenes home during the Jan. 18 raid. It includes a place for a high-capacity magazine and includes a long range optical lens, tactical lighting and other accessories.

A tactical vest with eight high-capacity magazines found in the home of Syracuse resident Matthew Greene.

The above photo shows a camouflage tactical vest found during the raid at Greenes residence on Jan. 18. This vest contained eight high-capacity magazines for an AR-15 assault rifle. The high-capacity magazines are illegal in New York state.

Camouflage vest with high-capacity ammo magazines removed from its pockets.

The above photo shows the same tactical vest at Greenes residence, with the eight high-capacity ammunition magazines removed from the vests pockets. All eight magazines were full of 30 rounds each, prosecutor say.

An up-close look at high-capacity magazines found at Matthew Greene's residence.

The above photo is a closer look at the eight high-capacity magazines for an AR-15 assault rifle.

A backpack found at Matthew Greene's Syracuse residence, with a Kevlar-grade helmet inside.

The above photo shows a camouflage backpack found at Greenes residence Jan. 18 with a Kevlar-grade helmet inside. The backpack is the same one Greene is seen wearing during the insurrection, prosecutors say.

This Smith & Wesson handgun was found in a secret compartment in Matthew Greene's residence.

The above photo shows a Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun found in a drop-down secret compartment that folds up to look like a bookshelf. The compartment requires a key card to open, prosecutors say. The gun and secret compartment were found in Greenes residence. He has no pistol permit to possess such a gun, prosecutors say.

A Colt semi-automatic handgun found in Matthew Greene's residence.

The above photo shows a Colt semi-automatic handgun found in Greenes residence. Greenes defense lawyer said he earned it in commemoration of his military service.

A 12 gauge shotgun found in Matthew Greene's residence.

The above photo shows a 12 gauge shotgun found during the raid of Greenes residence. It was not seized, as shotguns do not require a permit in New York state.

A bolt-action rifle found in the home of Matthew Greene.

The above photo shows a bolt-action rifle found in Greenes residence. It was not seized, as rifles are legal without a permit.

A box of ammunition found at Matthew Greene's residence.

The above photo shows a box of ammunition for an assault rifle found during the raid at Greenes home.

A receipt for a gas mask and related gear found on Matthew Greene's phone.

The above image shows a portion of a receipt that prosecutors say was found on Greenes phone. Its for a purchase of a gas mask and related gear, ordered after Jan. 6, they say.

Prosecutors say that Matthew Greene is circled in this photo at the Capitol riot.

Greene was identified as the man circled in goggles and a blue hoodie outside the U.S Capitol on Jan. 6.

Matthew Greene is circled during a confrontation with Capitol police on Jan. 6, prosecutors say.

The above photo shows Greene in a confrontation with Capitol police on Jan. 6, 2021, prosecutors say.

Matthew Greene, circled in the bottom left, is seen surging toward the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection. The circled man in the middle is co-defendant Dominic Pezzola, prosecutors say.

The above photo shows Matthew Greene, circled in bottom left, surging toward the U.S. Capitol as part of a crowd. The man circled in the middle is co-defendant Dominic Pezzola, prosecutors say. Pezzola is carrying the riot shield taken from a Capitol police officer, prosecutors say.

Matthew Greene pictured at the U.S. Capitol with camouflage backpack.

The above photo, prosecutors say, shows Greene walking near the Capitol on Jan. 6 while wearing a camouflage backpack that was found in his house during a raid weeks later.

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070.
Romania will withdraw its forces from Afghanistan in coordination with the other members of NATO starting with May 1, 2021, and all the 615 servicemen and over 80 tons of logistical elements and materiel will be extracted with national and coalition military aircraft, informs, on Tuesday, the Presidential Administration, at the end of the meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT).

CSAT analyzed and approved redeploying to Romania the military contingent in Afghanistan, at the end of the Resolute Support mission, according to a calendar agreed upon with the partners in NATO.

The redeployment will occur in stages and will take place over the coming months.

"Our country was constantly one of the main contributors to the NATO mission in Afghanistan. Thousands of Romanian servicemen have participated in this mission along the years, which improved their degree of preparation in combat conditions and led implicitly to increased professionalism overall of the Romanian Army. The performance of the Romanian servicemen was always highly appreciated by our allies and partners. Romania is part of the coalition against terror, and our servicemen active in the theaters of operations always undertook with professionalism and courage the risks and dangers that the fight on this front involves," emphasized the Presidency in a press release.

According to the quoted source, Afghanistan will remain, however, a place of profound sorrow - 27 elite servicemen of the Romanian Army were killed in action.
BRUSSELSEU antitrust regulators are asking Aon rivals and customers who is the best buyer for assets the insurance broker has offered to sell to address competition concerns about its $30 billion Willis Towers Watson bid, people familiar with the matter said.

Earlier this month, Aon offered to sell assets in five European Union countries, Willis reinsurance arm and its German retirement benefits and consulting business, people with direct knowledge of the matter had told Reuters.

The package of concessions to the European Commission also included Willis insurance broking activities in France, including French unit Gras Savoye, as well as in Germany, Spain and the Netherlands.

Aon is also prepared to sell Willis entire property and casualty business portfolio servicing large multinationals in those four countries and other European assets to service these clients, as well as its financial and professional lines.

The EU competition watchdog subsequently sought feedback from competitors and customers.

A questionnaire sent to them asked which nine rivals  French companies Besse, Siaci and Verspieren, German broker Funk, U.S. groups Gallagher and Lockton, and UK rivals Howden, McGill and BGC/Corant  would be a suitable buyer of Willis assets, one of the people said.

Gallagher said it does not comment on market speculation. There was no immediate response from the other companies to a Reuters request for comment.

EU regulators want to know if the prospective buyer should have certain traits like a multinational network that makes them better able to serve large multinational clients, the person said.

The EU competition enforcer typically prefers acquiring companies to sell assets to boost a rival, giving customers more choice.

The Commission is scheduled to decide by July 27 whether to clear or block the deal.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

Topics Europe Aon
Your stunning front-page picture on Saturday was yet another reminder of the wonderful wildlife heritage we have  Cub-urban living ( Irish Examiner, April 24). The photographer, Andres Poveda, captured eloquently a fox with its cubs in the greenery of a river bank.

Such pictures pull at the heartstrings, but sadly their power to impress may not be strong enough to provoke a change in how as a nation we behave towards our vulnerable wildlife species, both in terms of conservation and the welfare of the creatures that share this island with us.

Newspaper columnists have been writing evocatively in recent months of our new-found affinity with nature, of how weve attuned ourselves to a world we either took for granted pre-pandemic or didnt notice at all.

The appearance of bluebells and the return flight of the Brent geese to the Arctic are sights to behold, as is the emergence from its furtive ways of the fox that increasingly turns up on the outskirts of towns and villages.

But will we retain this appreciation of nature once the war against the dreaded virus has been won?

When it suits us, we lap up the sights and sounds of the nature, but lets not forget that a quarter of Irish bird species are now deemed to be endangered and on the red list including the puffin, kestrel and curlew.

John Fitzgerald

Callan

Co Kilkenny

Control predators to protect species

Your story Two thirds of bird species in Ireland in serious trouble (April 22) got my attention.

While I do not profess to be an expert such as the academic elite who are advising the powers that be on this issue, I do fundamentally disagree with their findings.

We have a thriving bird population in the countryside even though there are some individual species struggling such as the curlew, tern, and lapwing, each ground-nesting and vulnerable.

This can often be explained not because of farming or forestry practices but predation by birds of prey, mink, foxes and others. Our raptors have without exception surged back from the pesticide setbacks of the 50s and 60s.

While most of the headlines in relation to wildlife tend to be intentionally gloomy, I think we have much to celebrate and we do have new species which are now widespread and thriving, such as the buzzard and egret among others.

The answer to declining bird populations in the urban environment is simple predator control  it works in the countryside, where it is done to the benefit of all wildlife.

Brian McDonogh

Ovens

Co Cork

Fond Biden may not be favourable

A neighbour of mine when I was growing up in Bandon was a science teacher and a Fine Gael councillor. He was a lovely man and an out-and-out genius with a wicked sense of humour.

On one occasion I asked him: Hows the canvassing going? He replied: Ill put it like this. I met a woman I know well today who told me I wont vote for you but Ill light a candle for you so Im in serious trouble.

US President Joe Biden is a good man and he is fond of Ireland, but that does not mean that his presidency will be good for Ireland.

Every successful politician has a concept of himself or herself. Mr Bidens concept of himself is pure rust belt. His administration will not support our corporation tax rate.

His party has a narrow (delightedly unexpected) majority in the US Senate. So he can get numerous items of legislation adversely affecting Ireland passed quite quickly and suddenly.

Uncle Joe is a decent man. But he is lighting candles for us  not voting for us. Anyone who thinks otherwise is fond of the auld mullarkey.

Michael Deasy

Carrigart

Co Donegal

Lofty ambition for Climate Action Bill

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan says he is tired of Ireland being laggard about climate change, and his Climate Action Bill intends to make this country a leader for other countries to follow.

Irelands annual greenhouse gas emissions are estimated as being 4% of that of China; we also are responsible for a fraction of that produced by industrial giants like the USA and India.

Mr Ryans aspiration to lead in this respect might be compared to a mouse leading a herd of elephants  into the unknown.

He might also consider that there could be a high possibility of this small islands efforts being trampled in the process.

Tom Baldwin

Midleton

Co Cork

Personal actions can affect many

Thank you Louise ONeill for your article and your timely reminder of the importance of unbiased journalism and social responsibility.

Here in Ireland we enjoy immense personal freedom, but maybe we have lapsed in recognising that, like a pebble in a pool, our actions ripple out and affect many, be that abortion or vaccines.

Lynn Kee

Clonsilla

Dublin 15

Booze subsidies in Dail restaurant

Alcohol has negative effects as far as the spread of the virus is concerned.

Alcohol can also cause serious illness, so the Oireachtas is bringing in a bill to regulate the price of alcoholic drinks.

Well done. Presumably, they will also move to end the subsidising of the price of alcohol in the Dail restaurant.

Brendan Casserly

Bishopstown

Cork

Hostile attitude to our civil liberties

As an atheist, I have to ask in the interests of freedom and fairness, is it more humane to allow citizens visit zoos, but going to a church to attend Mass is still illegal?

And why do we see gardai invading those places to put manners on socially distanced attendees?

This harsh Government is shameful in its hostile attitudes to our civil liberties. When did church-goers become the accepted ally of the virus? For shame, take the jackboot off of the necks of the people.

Robert Sullivan

Bantry

Co Cork

Religious isolation a negative thing

Nick Folley in his letter about the importance of going to Mass ( Irish Examiner, April 26) says that Mass is not about having a chat about the match at the back of the church.

But when lay-Catholics are not properly facilitated by the Catholic Church to express their individual views about the Gospel at Mass or at other times of the week, then lay Catholics religion must be a lonely religion.

I know penance is needed in everyones life, but too much isolation in religion must be a negative thing and must also be spiritually unhealthy.

It must probably be by some miracle that priests are able to work for them to be able to claim that lay Catholics can truly form a fully functioning religious community together when many of them dont even talk to each other about any religious matters.

Sean OBrien

Kilrush

Co Clare
California said goodbye Monday to a U.S. House of Representatives seat for the first time ever due to newly released Census Bureau population data showing the Golden State is growing more slowly than other states.

California's House delegation drop from 53 to 52 made news headlines, but Michael McDonald, a University of Florida professor who specializes in American elections, pointed out that many reports missed an important point.

"Folks, California lost a seat, but it gained 2.2 million people since 2010, the third largest population gain after Texas (4.0 million) and Florida (2.7 million)," McDonald wrote on Twitter. "So your hot take California lost population is wrong. It's a large state that didn't grow as fast as the others."

Census Bureau population data released Monday is used to determine how the nations 435 House seats are allocated. California remains the most populous by far, with nearly 39.58 million people, but while its population grew by about 2.3 million people since the 2010 Census, growth has been nearly flat since 2017.

"California gained 2.2 million people, which is about equal to the number of three congressional districts," McDonald said in a call with SFGATE. "But its going to lose a seat because it didnt grow as much as the country."

California joined Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia in losing one seat in the House.

"New York gained as much population as the average size congressional district, but it lost a district not because it lost population, but because it did not grow as fast as the rest of the country," McDonald wrote on Twitter.

Six states saw enough population growth to add members to their congressional delegations. Texas gained two seats, while Florida, North Carolina, Colorado, Oregon and Montana one.

Folks, California lost a seat, but it gained 2.2 million people since 2010, the third largest population gain after Texas (4.0 million) and Florida (2.7 million)



So your hot take California lost population is wrong. It's a large state that didn't grow as fast as the others  Michael McDonald (@ElectProject) April 26, 2021

Illinois, Mississippi and West Virginia were the only states that saw population loss from 2010 to 2020.

The census reported that Illinois' population in 2020 was 12,822,739, a drop of 0.32% from a decade earlier. Illinois has long had a stagnating population, forfeiting 10 U.S. House seats in the past nine censuses, leaving it with 17 seats.

West Virginia saw a 3.2% population decline in the past 10 years  the highest in the country  and lost a seat. Mississippi is holding onto its four seats.

"There's a buffer zone in the way the appropriation formula works," McDonald said of Mississippi holding onto its seats. "We can't give a state a half a representative."

U.S. population growth overall has slowed to the lowest rate since the Great Depression, the Census Bureau said Monday.

The U.S. Census was mandated by the U.S. Constitution and occurs every 10 years. The first one was implemented in 1790. The 2020 census faced a steady stream of hurdles, including the coronavirus pandemic, wildfires, hurricanes, allegations of political interference with the Trump administrations failed effort to add a citizenship question, fluctuating deadlines and lawsuits.

Census data is used to determine how many seats each state gets in U.S. House of Representatives, and it's also used to allocate some $1.5 trillion a year in federal spending.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Rotorua Airports innovative terminal redevelopment has been nominated in New Zealands most prestigious property awards for 2021.

Hosted by Property Council New Zealand, the property Industry Awards celebrate excellence in design and innovation in the built environment.

The list of 2021 nominees has just been released, with Rotorua Airport nominated in the Tourism & Leisure Property Award category for its full redevelopment of the airport terminal.

The two-year project, totalling $5.3 million, was carried out while the terminal continued to operate and proved to be more than just a refresh, with significant seismic upgrades, the establishment of a Business Hub and collaboration with mana whenua to incorporate te reo Maori in the fabric of the overall redevelopment.

The new arrival and departure areas, an iconic food and beverage experience with Terrace Airside and the recent additions of a parents room and meeting room have all been well received by passengers and the wider community.

Rotorua Airport Chief Executive Mark Gibb says the team is extremely honoured to be nominated for the award.

In a lot of ways the Property Industry Awards are a benchmark for commercial property development, so we are pleased to see acknowledgement for this significant kaupapa, which continued to progress through the impacts of Covid-19.

It was incredibly important to us to have full bilingual signage incorporated into the redesign and we are committed to continuing to work with mana whenua on this kaupapa.

Gibb says the redevelopment has been a complex project, with many changing facets and developments throughout the two-year journey.

Rotorua Airport is a gateway to the Rotorua region, the wider Bay of Plenty and Central North Island and this redevelopment has allowed for the space to be completely refreshed with wonderful new facilities designed to enhance the customer experience.

Anaha Hiini, of Kotihi Reo Consultants Limited, helped Rotorua Airport with its bilingual journey.

It is always a privilege to be gifted the opportunity to promote, revitalise and perpetuate te reo Maori.

I am grateful to have contributed to helping our city become bilingual, but in particular, showcasing our indigenous language at a significant location such as our airport.

I am proud of our airport whanau who have worked hard to ensure that te reo Maori is prevalent and recognised as visitors arrive and depart our city.

Rotorua Airports new bilingual signage was also applauded at another award ceremony, with Speedy Signs winning the Supreme Award at the recent Speedy Signs National Awards for its work building and installing the signs.

The Property Industry Awards showcase superior examples of iconic projects in property development and investment across a broad range of sectors and design disciplines.

Award winners are the best of the best; projects that provide an outstanding return or delivery of service potential on investment of funds, creating value for owners, tenants and the wider community.

The Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards culminate at the Awards Dinner in August.
News about the 2021 Canadian GP should be forthcoming "this week".

That is the claim of Quebec's economics and innovation minister Pierre Fitzgibbon, amid reports regional and federal health authorities consider the Montreal race too unsafe to go ahead amid the pandemic.

"The sea freight to Baku and Montreal should have left already," Alfa Romeo team manager Beat Zehnder told Auto Motor und Sport.

Fitzgibbon insisted that authorities are dealing with the situation as quickly as possible.

"We are currently in negotiations," he told Le Journal de Montreal newspaper. "It is a tourist event of paramount importance for Quebec and, in fact, it is the most important in Canada.

"There are health issues that we are all aware of, so we will try to come to terms with that," he added. "We are talking to the Formula 1 people and I think we will be able to make announcements this week."

When asked how he is feeling about those talks, Fitzgibbon said he is "an optimist by nature".

(GMM)
STOCKHOLM, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- EQT is pleased to announce that the EQT Infrastructure III fund ("EQT Infrastructure") has agreed to sell Segra's Commercial Services Business to Cox Communications ("Cox"). EQT Infrastructure will retain Segra's residential and SMB business, which operates under the Lumos Networks and NorthState brands.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Segra employs more than 1,200 people and provides broadband data services across a 26,000-mile fiber network to a variety of customers including wireless carriers, healthcare providers, local government agencies, financial institutions, education institutions, and residential customers. Ongoing digitalization and outsourcing trends are driving demand for broadband services, particularly in rapidly growing US metro markets such as the ones Segra serves. Together with the management team, EQT supported Segra in its organic and inorganic growth strategies and integration success to develop into the leading super regional fiber company it is today.

At the same time, EQT and the management team scaled Segra's residential and SMB business by building out fiber to existing and new customers as well as through strategic add-on acquisitions. Following the transaction, EQT plans to significantly accelerate the build-out of fiber-to-the-premise ("FTTP") throughout the region, bringing high speed fiber bandwidth for the first time to a large number of markets, many of which to date, have been disadvantaged by no or low availability of quality high speed broadband connectivity.

"We are pleased to have found a good long-term home for Segra's Commercial Services Business with Cox. Segra has transformed into an integrated, leading provider of broadband services to a variety of enterprise and carrier customers, and we are proud of the achievements we have accomplished alongside management. We thank Tim, the management team and employees, and the advisors in the EQT Network for their vision and guidance," said Jan Vesely, Partner and Investment Advisor at EQT. "Furthermore, we are excited to retain the residential business and to accelerate the buildout of fiber to residential and SMB customers, bringing fiber to many underserved markets."

Timothy Biltz, CEO of Segra, said, "EQT has been a great partner throughout Segra's transformational journey, and we thank them for their guidance and support for nearly four years. Going forward, we are excited to work with Cox and look forward to leveraging their resources, capabilities and strategic insights to meet growing customer demand and accelerate long-term growth."

The transaction is subject to customary conditions and approvals and is expected to close later in 2021.

Bank Street Group LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as financial advisors and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP acted as legal advisor to Segra.

Contact

US inquiries: Stephanie Greengarten, +1 646 687 6810, [email protected]

International inquiries: EQT Press Office, +46 8 506 55 334, [email protected]

About EQT

EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with more than EUR 67 billion in assets under management across 26 active funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas with total sales of approximately EUR 29 billion and more than 175,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com

Follow EQT on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram

About Segra

Segra is one of the largest independent fiber infrastructure bandwidth companies in the Eastern U.S. It owns and operates an advanced fiber infrastructure network throughout nine Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states. Segra provides Ethernet, MPLS, dark fiber, advanced data center services, IP and managed services, voice and cloud solutions, all backed by its industry-leading service and reliability. Customers include carriers, enterprises, governments, higher education and healthcare organizations. For more information about Segra's technology and commitment to customer care, visit www.segra.com.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

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Starting Tuesday, more than 50 COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Connecticut will take walk-ins -- no appointment necessary.

Video Transcript

IKE EJIOCHI: This morning, good news for Americans eager to travel. Vaccinated tourists will be allowed to visit Europe once again as early as this summer. The head of the European Union telling "The New York Times" that "all 27 member states will accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated."

DR. IMRAN ALI: With the vaccination, you should be able to travel, especially domestically. Now, internationally is still a question that we all have in the public health community, especially the European Union, where you have countries like France, Spain, Germany, and Italy, which have only just roughly vaccinated 7% of their population.

IKE EJIOCHI: It comes as 31 states begin using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine again after an 11-day pause. Out of 8 million administered doses, the CDC found 15 women suffered blood clots after getting the shot. But officials concluded the vaccine's benefits far outweigh the risks.

But now, a new concern. More than 5 million people, or roughly 8% of people who got their first shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, may have missed the recommended window for their second crucial dose or skipped it altogether. Doctors stress both doses are needed to beat the virus.

Meanwhile, as the weather warms up, Dr. Anthony Fauci expects guidelines on wearing masks outdoors will be revised soon.

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI: I think it's pretty common sense now that outdoor risk is really, really quite low.

IKE EJIOCHI: Overseas this morning, India is facing what's described as a tsunami of COVID cases-- more than 345,000 cases per day. Hospitals are turning away people. Crematories can't keep up with the bodies. The White House says the US will send India materials for vaccines, as well as PPE and ventilators. But critics say the vaccine-rich US needs to do more in the coming days. Ike Ejiochi, ABC News, Washington.
On Friday 30 April President Joe Biden will reach 100 days in the Oval Office, a milestone often used to measure a new presidents immediate impact.

A number of Bidens self-made targets were related to the first 100 days as he sought to tackle the most pressing issues brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Speeding up the vaccination roll-out and providing financial support were central to those aims.

The importance of the first 100 days is thought to link back to President Franklin D. Roosevelt who acted swiftly to combat the Great Depression, passing 76 laws in 100 days. Biden came into the White House with an ambitious agenda to change the United States, much of which relate to three key areas: coronavirus, racial equity and immigration.

Biden doubles his initial covid vaccination target

One of the first legislative priorities for Biden was to pass the large-scale relief bill that would form the basis of his immediate response to the pandemic. The American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion stimulus package, was signed into law on 11 March after weeks of wrangling in Congress.

Included in the bill was federal funding to improve the speed of the vaccine rollout across the country, providing additional support for hard-to-reach areas. Biden initially set the target of administering 100 million vaccine doses in 100 days but, after reaching that within two months, he doubled it to 200 million. By April 21 Biden was able to announce that they had reached the new target.

Also crucial to the coronavirus recovery is the economic support offered by the American Rescue plan, but there are mixed feelings about a key component. During campaigning for the Georgia runoff elections that gave the Democrats unified power in Washington, Biden promised to send stimulus checks worth $2,000 if they were successful.

However despite Democratic victories that flipped the Senate, the final package included stimulus checks worth just $1,400. This was billed as a top-up payment, which would increase Januarys $600 payments to the full $2,000. Needless to say, this was not a popular move for many recipients.

Biden pledged to help unify a divided America in election campaigns

The 2020 presidential election campaigns were ran against the background of an ongoing national conversation about racial equity in the United States. The murder of George Floyd and the subsequent Black Lives Matter protests put the issue at the top of the agenda like never before.

Former police officer Derek Chauvin became one of few members of law enforcement to be found guilty of murder last week, but evidence suggests that Bidens involvement in the push for racial equity has been limited. He has not yet passed the SAFE Justice Act or legislation extending the Voting Rights Act. Both of which were promised before he took office.

He has also reportedly dropped plans to implement a national police oversight commission to ensure greater accountability for law enforcement.

Immigration remains an issue as Biden struggles with border solution

Another key focus of the Trump presidency was the US-Mexican border, and the erection of the wall that had been a major part of his successful 2016 campaign. Biden had promise to discontinue construction of the border wall and on his first day in office he revoked the emergency declaration used to fund it. Those first few days also saw Biden end the Trump-era executive order which banned travellers from some majority Muslim country from entering the US.

However the rest of Bidens border control action has been less clear cut and he has not yet put a complete stop on family separation at the Mexican border. Democrats had repeatedly drawn attention to the cages being used to detain children at border immigration centres but as of 21 March 2021 there were an estimated 15,500 unaccompanied children remain in custody.
Peru's Diego Cuellar Leads POWERFEST Main Event

April 27, 2021 Matthew Pitt

The $1,050 POWERFEST Main Event attracted 1,703 players throughout three starting flights, and only nine of those remain in the hunt for the title and the $267,356 top prize. Peruvian pro Diego Cuellar finds himself in the envious position of chip leader going into the final table.

POWERFEST #27 - Main Event Final Table Chip Counts

Place Player Country Chips 1 Diego Cuellar Peru 51,699,015 2 Miguel Lopes Netherlands 34,044,013 3 Chanracy Khun Canada 22,479,712 4 Jamie O'Connor United Kingdom 18,729,333 5 Karolis Sereika Lithuania 16,965,790 6 Diego Ventura Peru 8,607,623 7 Jorma Nuutinen Finland 6,634,508 8 Willem De Troyer Belgium 5,761,186 9 Erik Tamm Sweden 5,380,845

Some 255 partypoker players navigated their way through the trio of starting flights and took their Day 2 seats on April 26. Each of those players received at least a min-cash of $2,157.

Dante Fernandes, Talal Shakerchi, Pablo Silva, and Team partypoker's Isaac Haxton and Dzmitry Urbanovich were among the early casualties.

Team Online's Matthew Staples saw his Main Event run end in a 152nd place finish. At the same time, fellow orange diamonds Mikita Badziakouski, Day Kotoviezy, Patrick Leonard, and Courtney Gee crashed out, the latter in 35th place for $5,799.

Christoph Vogelsang Triumphs in Star-Studded partypoker Powerfest Super High Roller

The final table was set following the demise of British star Conor Beresford. His exit in tenth saw $15,550 head to his partypoker account.

The nine finalists sit down for the last time from 7:05 p.m. BST on April 27. Cuellar's 51,699,015 stack towers over that of second-placed Miguel Lopes' 34,044,013, but a Cuellar victory is far from a forgone conclusion.

That is because there are some superb players among the final nine. Canadian Chanracy Khun (22,479,712) will certainly fancy his chances of capturing the $267,356 prize because he enters the final table third in chips. So too will the United Kingdom's Jamie O'Connor (18,729,333) and Lithuanian grinder Karolis Sereika (16,965,790).

Those players occupying sixth place through ninth have more work to do than the players mentioned above if they are to triumph in this event, but each is capable of turning their fortunes around. Diego Ventura (8,607,623), Jorma Nuutinen (6,634,508), Willem De Troyer (5,761,186), and Erik Tamm of Sweden (5,380,845) are those occupying the lower positions on the current leaderboard.

partypoker's excellent Twitch coverage starts at 7:30 p.m. BST. James Dempsey and Henry Kilbane are with you from the first cards pitched to the last pot sliding towards the champion. Who will that champion be? Tune into PokerNews on April 28 to find out.

Joao Vieira Emerges Victoriously From the $10,300 Super High Roller

Joao Vieira

Joao Vieira can call himself a POWERFEST Super High Roller champion after the Netherlands-based Portuguese grinder came out best from 96 entrants in this $10,300 buy-in event.

Only 17 of those 96 entrants made it through to Day 2, all 17 being in the money. Such luminaries as Laszlo Bujtas, Simon Mattsson, Justin Bonomo, and Michael Addamo busted before reaching the final table. Addamo was the chip leader going into Day 2 and one of the favorites for glory.

Alex Foxen fell in ninth, sandwiched between the eliminations of Mikita Badziakouski and Joni Jouhkimainen, the latter popping the final table bubble when he ran out of steam in eighth.

Nick Petrangelo could not get out of second gear at the final table and busted when his pocket sevens failed to improve against Timothy Nuter's superior pocket nines.

Vieira then hit a purple patch of form and sent Linus Loeliger, Sosia Jiang, Dusk Till Dawn casino owner Rob Yong, and Nuter to the showers, setting up a one-on-one battle with Francois Billard.

Billard trailed more than four-to-one in chips but fought valiantly to the end. Vieira is not the sort of player who hands over his chip easily, so trying to claw your back into contention against him is an unenviable task.

The final hand saw Vieira min-raise with pocket jacks before calling when Billard ripped in 30 big blinds with what turned out to be ace-deuce. The two of spades on the turn gave Billard some hope, but Vieira's knaves ultimately held to gift him the title.

POWERFEST #28 Super High Roller Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Joao Vieira Netherlands $249,791 2 Francois Billard Canada $166,429 3 Timothy Nuter Canada $116,183 4 Rob Yong United Kingdom $80,047 5 Sosia Jiang New Zealand $59,059 6 Linus Loeliger Austria $46,521 7 Nick Petrangelo Canada $37,676

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Japanese PM's leadership shaken by LDP's hefty election loss, falling public support

Xinhua) 10:24, April 27, 2021

TOKYO, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday said that focusing on tackling the increasingly serious COVID-19 situation in the country is his "top priority" ahead of plans to dissolve the lower house of parliament for a general election.

Suga's remarks came a day after his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) took a pummeling in the first national elections held since he took office last September, which, in twine with a slumping support rate, have shaken Suga's leadership, according to political observers.

The elections, won by three candidates backed by opposition parties, are seen as a litmus test for the general election that must be held before Oct. 21.

The upper house re-held election in Hiroshima Prefecture, the upper house by-election in Nagano Prefecture, and the lower house by-election in Hokkaido's No. 2 district were all won by opposition candidates.

Suga said that he humbly accepts the losses and will now have to look towards making corrections and adjustments.

"I humbly accept the judgment of the people, and after studying the results further, (I) will make necessary adjustments," the Japanese leader told reporters.

He went on to say that as the leader of the LDP, he would address the criticisms directed at him regarding a series of ruling party-related money-and-politics scandals and the government's languid COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

According to a Kyodo News poll taken this month, the approval rating for Suga's Cabinet stood at 44 percent compared to 66.4 percent immediately after the Cabinet was formed after he took office.

Suga's support rate has been comparatively low owing to a string of LDP lawmakers' scandals and the sluggish rollout of vaccines despite the nation now experiencing a "fourth wave" of infections and a third state of emergency being declared and coming into effect for Tokyo and other major regions on Sunday.

Should the hosting of the Tokyo Olympic Games lead to a further spread of the virus, including the virus variants that are now prominent in western regions in Japan as well as Tokyo, as is the concern of the majority of the Japanese public, Suga's leadership could become questionable, political observers have said.

The ruling party's own members have been unsettled by the LDP's consequential defeat in the elections on Sunday, with LDP policy chief Hakubun Shimomura saying the party must now make all-out efforts to win back the public's support.

Shimomura called the results "extremely severe" and underscored the necessity to regain people's trust by bringing the novel coronavirus pandemic under control.

Yukio Edano, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) told reporters the result of the elections showed that voters are "exasperated with an outdated and corrupt plutocracy."

He also said that opposition-backed candidates winning all three parliamentary elections was a testament to how annoyed voters have become with archaic, money-oriented, corrupt politics.

Edano said the win for the opposition parties now presented the opportunity for the opposition bloc to cooperate and unite for the next lower house election.

He also said the opposition camp should jointly field a candidate to run against the ruling coalition's contender in each electoral district.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
Caitlyn Jenner's family is not impressed with her new political endeavor.

The 71-year-old Olympian announced her bid to run for Governor of California just last week, but her three sons are 'embarrassed' by her latest pursuit.

Sources told TMZ that Burt, Brandon and Brody Jenner 'don't feel she's qualified for the position' and feel as though she should reconsider the campaign.

Oh no! The 71-year-old Olympian announced her bid to run for Governor of California just last week, but her three sons are 'embarrassed' by her latest pursuit; seen in 2016 with Brandon and Brody

Caitlyn reportedly called a few of her family members the night before announcing her interest in running for the spot.

Her sons are 'upset she never took the family's feelings into consideration' and had already made up her mind before reaching out to her loved ones.

Caitlyn, who transitioned at the age of 65, was previously married to Kris Jenner from 1991-2015 and Linda Thompson from 1981-1986.

She shares two children with Kris  Kendall and Kylie  and has sons Brody and Brandon Jenner with ex-wife Linda.

Caitlyn was also previously married to Chrystie Jenner from 1972-1981 and has a son, Burt Jenner, and daughter, Cassandra Marino.

Rough: Sources told TMZ that Burt, Brandon and Brody Jenner 'don't feel she's qualified for the position' and feel as though she should reconsider the campaign; seen in 2019 with ex-wife Linda Thompson

Opposite sides: Kim Kardashian reportedly 'disturbed' by Caitlyn Jenner's tweets about prison reform as she fires off 'tough on crime' tweet about 'dangerous criminals'; seen in 2020

Caitlyn is already taking to twitter to make her stance known on a cause very close to Kim Kardashian's heart: prison reform.

As part of her 'Cait for California' push, she fired off a tweet about 'dangerous criminals' in the streets that reportedly 'disturbed Kim' per TMZ as her viewpoint undermines the SKIMS founder's work.

'This is horrible and also avoidable. Gavin's District Attorneys across California are releasing dangerous criminals back on to our streets. Enough is enough. #RecallGavin,' she wrote.

Tough on crime: The Cait for California campaign seems to take a harsh stance that stands in contrast to the work Kim's done

It has been claimed in the past that the KKW Beauty founder finds Caitlyn's approach  which is reminiscent of former president Donald Trumps'  more detrimental, as it uses more of taxpayer's money and does not get to the root of why people commit crime in the first place.

The outlet had previously reported that neither Kim nor her famous family would publicly endorse Caitlyn's bid. Jenner's right-leaning politics clash with Kim's approach to prison reform makes this even more polarizing.

Kim actually agrees more with Newsom's approach to crime which favors rehabilitation and support for prisoners re-entering society, in addition to investing in crime prevention.

And in the past she had said she was 'very supportive of Governor Newsom' and his work to remove the death penalty in California. He ordered a moratorium on executions in spring of 2019.

'Very supportive': And in the past Kim had said she was 'very supportive of Governor Newsom' and his work to remove the death penalty in California

Firm stance: The I Am Cait stars firm stance with regards to crime completely contrasts all the work

In agreeance: Kim actually agrees more with Newsom's approach to crime which favors rehabilitation and support for prisoners re-entering society, in addition to investing in crime prevention

Round of applause: The SKIMS founder applauded Newsom's executive order to halt the death penalty

'I have met with and am very supportive of Governor Newsom and his decision to help bring an end to the California Death Penalty. Racial bias and unfairness run deep throughout the justice system but especially when it comes to the death penalty,' she wrote in March 2019.

Jenner on the other hand has wasted no time laying into Newsom yet again even referring to him as the 'CEO of the state,' as he doubled down on crime in the street in response to congressman Ted Lieu who tried to point out that DAs are elected.

To make matters worse, the famous sisters continue to promote their various brands and products on social media, with none of them even publicly acknowledging Caitlyn's campaign.
Albania's prime minister called on his supporters to celebrate victory on Tuesday, as almost complete election results suggested he had clinched a record third term in office.

The election commission said the Socialists were on course for 74 seats in the 140-seat parliament after Sunday's vote, making Edi Rama the first Albanian leader to win three mandates.

With more than 95 percent of polling stations accounted for, the main opposition alliance was trailing with 59 seats, said commission chief Ilirjan Celibashi.

The conduct of the election was closely watched by diplomats from the United States and the European Union, with Albania pushing to open membership talks with the bloc.

Although the campaign was filled with bitter insults between the candidates and marred by a gunfight between rival supporters, observers said the polling day itself and the counting process had gone smoothly.

The EU on Tuesday praised the organisation of the election and called on all parties to respect the outcome.

Parties regularly dispute the outcome of elections in the Balkan country of 2.8 million people - the last vote in 2017 prompted street protests and some opposition MPs boycotted parliament.

- 'No shortcuts' -

Rama, an artist and former basketball player in power since 2013, told supporters on social media to gather to "embrace victory" in the capital Tirana's central square on Tuesday evening.

"If you do the work, you get rewarded. There are no shortcuts in life," he wrote, quoting basketball legend Michael Jordan.

However, Lulzim Basha, leader of the main opposition Democrat Party, has insisted his alliance won the election and he is yet to concede.

During the campaign, Rama promised to accelerate the rollout of coronavirus vaccines and complete reconstruction from a 2019 earthquake that left thousands homeless.

But the focal point of the campaign was the clash of personalities between Rama, Basha and current President Ilir Meta.

Story continues

Rama accused his two rivals of having no policies, only an obsession with getting rid of him. They accused him of vote-rigging and corruption.

Meta, whose wife runs a movement allied to the Democrats that performed badly in the election, had promised to quit if the Socialists won in a fair election.

On Tuesday, however, he struck a more neutral tone, urging all parties to show "maturity and composure".

Watchdogs regularly rank Albania as one of the most corrupt countries in Europe, and it is also one of the continent's poorest.

Rama is pushing to transform it into a tourism hub with new airports and better infrastructure, but critics complain of corruption and worry about environmental damage.

bme-jxb/jz
Schools reopened yesterday across France and Italy, even as tens of thousands of cases continued to be reported each day, and the hospital system remains strained by near-record numbers of patients in intensive care.

In France, primary schools returned, while middle and high schools are due to return in one week, on May 3. In Italy, schools reopened for in-person teaching at all grade levels. The decision to proceed with the reopening is a criminal action taken in the profit interests of French and Italian corporations in order to prevent a prolonged restriction on business operations caused by the closure of schools.

A medical worker checks a tube after a child underwent a saliva COVID-19 test at the Niederau school in Strasbourg, eastern France, Thursday, March 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

French President Emmanuel Macron had announced the school closures in a televised address on March 31. He did not explain why the government was taking this action, given that its official policy has been that schools do not contribute significantly to the spread of the coronavirus. Primary schools were closed for just a single week before the two-week holiday break, with an additional week of online learning for middle and high school students.

On April 6, Macron declared that the government was committed to maintaining this schedule, regardless of how many people fell ill or died. It is essential that we resume in-person classes as scheduled, he said. I have not conditioned the reopening of the kindergartens, primary, middle or high schools on any health indicators. In other words, the school reopenings are not conditioned by health indicators, as would be a precondition for any scientific policy, but by the defense of the profits of the French capitalist class.

On March 31, at the time of Macrons speech, the seven-day average of daily cases stood at 37,997. Yet today, as schools reopened, it remained at almost 30,000, a level that, before March 18, had not been surpassed since November last year. In contrast, when schools were reopened last year following stricter lockdowns, the number of daily cases numbered in the hundreds.

Moreover, the number of people hospitalized stands at 30,287 and has remained virtually unchanged since the end of last month. The number of people in intensive care units is actually higher than at the end of March at just over 6,000, a level that had not been surpassed since the peak of the first wave last year. The positive test rate nationally, averaged over seven days, has increased since the end of March from 7.67 percent to 9.62 percent.

To the extent that there has been a reduction in cases over the previous three weeks, it is mainly due to the impact of the school closures and the holiday break. Now even this measure is being abandoned.

The Elysee is also preparing to announce a further lifting of lockdown restrictions in the middle of May, including potentially the reopening of outdoor dining. The government is due to make an announcement on this in the coming days.

In Italy, outdoor dining has already been reopened today, along with swimming pools, museums and other cultural centers. Prime Minister Draghi stated that it was necessary to carry out a reopening and take a calculated risk that it would lead to a renewed upsurge of the virus.

On Sunday, Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer spoke on the Grand Jury program of Radio France Internationale. It is essential to get the students back to school, he said. I have said it for more than a year.  We have to take into account all the different parameters. Of course, there is the coronavirus. But there are other things as well.

Blanquer said he would prefer to have one percent of classes closed due to coronavirus infections among students and teachers than to have all schools closed. In the last week of March, the government modified its school protocol so that classrooms would close after a single confirmed case, rather than three as previously, in an acknowledgment that the virus was spreading largely unimpeded throughout the education system. More than 11,200 classes were closed from March 29 to April 2, three times as many as the week before.

Asked whether the governments position was that the reopening of schools would not lead to a significant increase in the spread of the virus, he answered that school is not the place where we should concentrate all our attention.  That means that school is not responsible for the pandemic. It represents only a small portion. The governments own statistical health agency reports a major fall in the number of cases among youth since the closure of schools: by 19 percent among those aged 6-10, by 23 percent among those aged 11-14, and by 19 percent among those aged 15-17.

The surge among students is also being accelerated by the presence of more contagious variants of the virus. The British variant is responsible for almost all cases in France. On Saturday, Prime Minister Jean Castex attempted to dismiss the danger of the spread of the Brazilian variant, claiming that the variants are not numerous and have a tendency to decline. The data published by Public Health France shows instead that the Brazilian variant now makes up 4.8 percent of all cases.

The Macron governments school reopening policy is so brazenly dictated by naked class interests and so antiscientific that it would be impossible to pursue it were it not for the active support from the trade unions. The national education unions have collaborated with Macron in enforcing the reopening of schools throughout the year. France has kept schools open longer than any other country in Europe. According to UNESCO, from March 2020 to March 2021, France had only 10 weeks of school closures, compared to 28 in Germany.

In response to yesterdays reopening, the unions have maintained their policy of offering helpful criticisms of the most egregious absences of protective measures in schools, while opposing any action to close schools and proposing no action even to enforce safer conditions.

The FSU-SNES education union published a statement yesterday, denouncing the government mainly for holding few discussions with the unions which, once again, discover the principal measures of the reopening via the media. This causes great confusion while the information arrives very late. From the day after the school closures, the FSU had urged that the return to in-person classes be anticipated.

This underscores that if action is to be taken to oppose the Macron governments policy of allowing the virus to spread throughout the schools, it must be taken by educators and students themselves. Schools must be closed, with vast resources made available for online learning, including the provision of high-speed internet and computer access for every child; and parents must be provided with pay in order to be able to remain at home. Nonessential work must be stopped, with workers and small businesses fully compensated.

The development of such a struggle requires the formation of independent organizations of struggle in schools and workplacesrank-and-file workplace committees, controlled by workers themselves and independent of the trade union apparatuses.

This Saturday, May 1, the World Socialist Web Site is hosting an International Online May Day Rally which will launch the call for the development of an International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees, to provide a basis for the working class to launch its own international counteroffensive against the homicidal policies of the capitalist class. We urge all educators and students to register for the rally and make plans to attend.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  State legislators will take action Wednesday against some of Gov. Andrew Cuomos coronavirus (COVID-19) decrees.

Most notably, restaurants in the state will no longer need to serve food with purchases of alcohol, state Sen. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Westchester) announced in a Tuesday media release.

New Yorkers have stepped up to take the appropriate safety precautions to curb the spread of COVID-19, Stewart-Cousins said. As more New Yorkers continue to get vaccinated, and our infection rates continue to decline, it is time to begin removing certain restrictions and regulations that are no longer necessary, so we can safely reopen and rebuild our states economy.

Additionally, individuals who volunteer to take on significant government work related to the pandemic will be treated as public officials making them beholden to disclosure and transparency rules. They will also repeal outdated compliance rules for vaccine suppliers.

State Sen. Diane Savino applauded the bills being taken up as just a start.

We are moving toward the lifting of directives that will allow New Yorkers to begin to get back to some semblance of normalcy, she said. With the number of New Yorkers vaccinated, we hope to continue the reopening safely.

A spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-the Bronx) said the Assembly majority intends to take the same steps.

The governors office did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication, but Cuomos senior advisor, Rich Azzopardi, took to Twitter to address the repeal of compliance rules.

(Half) those regulations were already repealed as supply increased, he wrote. The rest are going to be in the (executive order) allowing open walk-ups at state sites starting Thursday.

The governors office announced Tuesday that all state-run vaccine sites will be open for walk-in shots for all eligible New Yorkers starting Thursday.

Both Stewart-Cousins and Heastie announced in early March that they would repeal the governors executive powers, but had yet to take any specific actions against his existing orders.

At the beginning of the pandemic last year, the Legislature passed authorizations that allowed the governor a swath of emergency powers that ensured a nimble response to the virus.

Elected officials from the Republican Party, including State Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-South Shore) and Assemblymen Mike Reilly (R-South Shore) and Mike Tannousis (R-East Shore/South Brooklyn), have long called for his powers to be reined in.

The bipartisan repeal of these three edicts is welcome news and hopefully just the start. We must bring desperately needed relief to our restaurants, small businesses, students and student athletes, to name a few, by repealing many other senseless and arbitrary NYS edicts which are not science-based, not saving lives, and crushing families and businesses alike, Lanza said Tuesday. I will continue to fight to restore sanity for New Yorkers before its too late.
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.
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Attorney General Merrick Garland on Monday announced a Justice Department investigation into the practices of the Louisville Police Department.

The impending probe will come a little over a year after officers with the department shot and killed Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old aspiring nurse, in her own home during a botched raid. The department came under intense scrutiny following the incident and her killing, along with that of several other Black Americans, led to widespread protests in the US over policing and racial injustice.

Garland, speaking at the Justice Department's headquarters, referred to Taylor during his announcement of the investigation, which he said "will assess whether (Louisville Metro Police Department) engages in a pattern or practice of using unreasonable force, including with respect to people involved in peaceful expressive activities."

"It will determine whether LMPD engages in unconstitutional stops, searches and seizures, as well as whether the department unlawfully executes search warrants on private homes," he said, adding that "it will also assess whether LMPD engages in discriminatory conduct on the basis of race, or fails to perform public services that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Investigation will include comprehensive review of the Louisville police department policies and training."

The attorney general said that "if there's reasonable cause to believe there is a pattern or practice of constitutional or statutory violations," the department "will issue a public report of our conclusions" and that it will "aim to work with the city and police department to arrive at a set of mutually agreeable steps that they can take to correct and prevent unlawful patterns and practices."

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said in a news conference Monday that he "strongly" welcomes the investigation while outlining the steps the city has taken to provide "a higher level of police community legitimacy."

"Thirteen months ago a horrible tragedy took place in our city with the killing of Breonna Taylor. Since then, Louisville and the entire country have been coming to a heightened reckoning with the need for police reform and racial justice," Fischer said.

This investigation will mark the second pattern or practice investigation announced by Garland's Justice Department. Last week, he announced an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department following the police killing of George Floyd last year, with the two probes reflecting Garland's commitment to tackling the complex issue of policing in the US and high-profile incidents in which people have died during encounters with law enforcement officers.

The probe announced on Monday will be led by the department's civil rights division, which will be assisted by staff in the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky, Garland said.

"This is absolutely wonderful news," Sam Aguiar, attorney for the Taylor family, told CNN on Monday. "We've known for a long time that our police department is plagued by issues that are continuously swept under the rug."

Last week, the trial for the former Louisville police officer charged in connection with Taylor's March 2020 shooting was pushed back to February 1, 2022.

The former officer, Brett Hankison, was indicted last year on three counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree, for allegedly firing blindly through a door and window, with bullets entering an adjacent apartment where a pregnant woman, a man and a child were home, according to the state attorney general.

The three felony counts are for endangering the people in that neighboring apartment, the state attorney general's office said.

Hankison pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Two other officers who also fired shots during the botched raid were not indicted, meaning no officer was charged with killing Taylor.

This story has been updated with additional developments.
More than one crore (10 million) vaccine doses are still available with states and union territories, and another 80 lakh (8 million) doses will reach them in the next three days, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

The government of India has so far provided 15,65,26,140 vaccine doses to the states and UTs free of cost.

"The total consumption, including wastage, is 14,64,78,983 doses. More than 1 crore doses (1,00,47,157) are still available with the states and UTs to be administered. More than 80 lakh (86,40,000) doses will be received in addition by the states and UTs in the next three days," the ministry stated.

The ministry said that recently some media reports quoting some government officials from Maharashtra have pointed out that the state has exhausted vaccine doses, thereby adversely impacting the vaccination drive.

"It is clarified that the total COVID vaccine doses received by Maharashtra as on April27 (at 8 am) are 1,58,62,470. Of this, the total consumption, including wastage (0.22 pc), was 1,49,39,410.

"Balance of 9,23,060 doses is still available with the state for administration of vaccine doses to the eligible population groups. Furthermore, 3,00,000 doses of COVID vaccines are in the pipeline for delivery in the next three days," the ministry stated.
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP)  A 37-year-old Iowa man has been convicted of fatally beating a pastor outside of his church.

Joshua Pendleton was convicted Tuesday of first-degree murder and robbery in the October 2019 killing of the Rev. Allen Henderson in Fort Dodge, about 70 miles north of Des Moines. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 18 and faces a mandatory term of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Police said Pendleton attacked Henderson after the 64-year-old pastor tried to stop him from entering the St. Paul Lutheran Church.

According to court documents, Pendleton told police he heard a girl screaming in the church and thought Henderson was assaulting her. Pendleton's family has said he is schizophrenic.
(Newser)  If you want to be lifelong friends with a dolphin, you'd better have their back. New research shows male dolphins will race to assist other dolphins at the sound of their signature whistlesif they're part of the same alliance. The ground-breaking findings suggest dolphins have a concept of team membership that's vocalized, per Science. Male dolphins generally work to find and corral fertile females in fleeting groups of two or three, known as a first-order alliance. But they also have a larger, second-order alliance made up of up to 14 dolphins that work together to defend against rival groups. These groups are much more permanent, staying together for decades or even lifetimes, Stephanie King, a behavioral biologist at the University of Bristol, tells Science. Her research, published in Nature Communications, shows just how committed they are.

story continues below

Researchers experimented in broadcasting the signature whistles of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins recorded in Western Australia's Shark Bay. These whistles, which researchers liken to a name, are used to "summon one another, and to tell other members of their pod where they are if they lose visual contact," per the New Yorker. It was thought that first-order alliance members would respond most strongly as the whistles played underwater. Instead, in 90% of experiments, it was the second-order alliance members who "turned immediately and directly toward the speaker," says King, who calls the find "striking." This suggests a "social concept of team membership, based on an individual's previous cooperative investment." Even humans' closest living relatives, the chimpanzees, don't use vocal communication to cooperate, instead relying on body language, King tells Science. (Read more dolphins stories.)
New Delhi, April 27 : A day after declaring the Ashoka Hotel a dedicated Covid facility for judges of Delhi High Court and their family members, the Delhi government withdrew the order after the court took exception.

"Issued directions to withdraw this order immediately," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia responded to a tweet citing how 100 rooms at the Ashoka Hotel will be converted into a Covid facility for the judges, other judicial members of the Delhi High Court and their families.

On Monday, the Delhi government authorised the Primus Hospital to run a Covid care facility at the Ashoka Hotel for the judges of Delhi High Court and their family members.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Delhi High Court took suo motu cognizance of reports on the issue and asserted that it had not made any request for creating Covid facilities for its judges, staff and their families in a five star hotel.

A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said: "No communication has been made to anyone in this regard."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
A sign is seen during a promotional event for the U.S. Census in Times Square in New York City, N.Y., on Sept. 23, 2020. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

US Census Hands More House Seats to Republican Strongholds Texas, Florida

Texas, Florida and North Carolina are among the states that will gain congressional seats based on new population data from the U.S. census, a shift that could boost Republican chances of recapturing the House of Representatives from Democrats in next years midterm elections.

The overall U.S. population stood at 331,449,281, the Census Bureau said on Monday, a 7.4 percent increase over 2010 representing the second-slowest growth of any decade in history.

The release of the data, delayed for months due to the coronavirus pandemic, sets the stage for a battle over redistricting that could reshape political power in Washington during the next decade. States use the numbers and other census data to redraw electoral maps based on where people have moved.

Under the U.S. Constitution, the 435 seats in the House and the votes in the Electoral College that select the president every four years are divided among the 50 states based on population, with every state receiving at least one congressional seat.

The seats are reallocated every 10 years following the decennial census count.

The shift in seats reflects broader population trends that have seen the South and West grow more rapidly than the Northeast and Midwest for decades.

Texas will receive two more congressional seats next year, and five statesFlorida, North Carolina, Colorado, Montana and Oregonwill gain one congressional seat each, the census bureau said.

New York, California, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia will each lose one seat. California, the most populous U.S. state, lost a congressional seat for the first time in its 170-year history.

The reapportionment can come down to razor-thin margins. If New York had 89 more people in the census count, for instance, it would have kept its seat at the expense of Minnesota, officials said.

The gains for states such as Texas, North Carolina and Florida, where Republicans control the legislatures, could be enough to erase Democrats current narrow majority in the House. Republicans in those three states have in the past engaged in aggressive gerrymandering, the practice by which maps are deliberately redrawn to benefit one party over another.

Id expect, just from reapportionment, the Republicans to win a few seats, said Kyle Kondik, an election analyst at the University of Virginia. Republicans only need to flip five seats in 2022 to retake the House.

Every state uses the census data to redraw lines both for districts and thousands of state legislative seats in a process known as redistricting.

That work cannot be completed until the census releases more precise block-by-block data, which is slated for September. The delay has raised concerns that states will be forced to rush through the complicated process of redistricting ahead of the next elections.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that federal courts have no power to restrict political gerrymandering, although racial gerrymanderingwhich aims to curb the political power of specific racial or ethnic groupsremains unlawful.

The four most populous U.S. statesTexas, Florida and New York, along with Californiahave more than 110 million residents combined and will hold about one-third of the House seats.

The shift of seven seats among 13 states was the smallest number of seats moving among states in any decade since the current method of calculating them was adopted in 1941, officials said.

States that will gain or lose congressional seats in the wake of the 2020 census. (AP)

Slow Growth

Overall, the U.S. population grew more slowly from 2010 to 2020 than in every other decade aside from the 1930s, during the Great Depression, census officials said.

Population growth has slowed as the birth rate has declined, while the baby boomer post-World War Two generation has aged. In addition, immigration has decreased due to the hardline policies of the Trump administration.

Utahs population grew faster than any other states, increasing by more than 18 percent since 2010. Only three states lost population: West Virginia, which saw its population decrease by 3.2 percent, followed by Illinois and Mississippi, which dropped by 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.

Washington, D.C., the nations capital, grew by 14.6 percent to a population of 689,545. House Democrats have passed legislation to admit the district as the 51st state, but Republicans oppose the measure.

The territory of Puerto Rico, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017, has seen its population decrease by 11.8 percent since 2010.

Wyoming remains the least populated state, with 576,851 residents.

By Joseph Ax
A brilliant scholar fluent in three languages is the next leader of Rutgers Universitys Camden campus.

Antonio Tillis, a veteran college administrator who was recently interim president of the University of HoustonDowntown, will begin as Rutgers-Camden chancellor on July 1.

The university Board of Governors and the Rutgers-Camden Board of Directors approved Tillis on Tuesday.

Rutgers is deeply invested in bringing opportunity and growth to Camden, Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway told NJ Advance Media. He praised Tillis as a gifted administrator and brilliant scholar. Antonio Tillis will be a driving force in helping Rutgers University and the City of Camden reach new heights.

Tillis, 55, will make $375,000 annually and replace Phoebe A. Haddon, who stepped down as chancellor after last school year.

Tillis told NJ Advance Media he considers himself a people-centric leader who understands the importance of team-building. He looks forward to working closely with leaders in Camden so the university can play a role in the continued development of the city.

It is an honor to be given the opportunity to lead an institution as engaged, diverse, and student-centered as Rutgers UniversityCamden, Tillis said in statement.

Holloway wanted a leader capable of bringing together people from different worldviews and perspectives and having them all feel heard, he said.

Rutgers-Camden has more than 7,200 undergraduate and graduate students. Many of its students are first-generation college students, like Tillis was.

I understand what drives RutgersCamden students, Tillis said. Its not just about them. Their success also is about the elevation of their families and their communities.

Tillis, who is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, holds a bachelors degree in Spanish from Vanderbilt University and a masters degree in Spanish literature from Howard University. He earned his Ph.D. in Latin American literature (with an Afro-Hispanic emphasis) from the University of Missouri at Columbia.

He previously chaired the Department of African and African American Studies at Dartmouth College and served as the inaugural director of the Latin American and Latino Studies Program at Purdue University. He was also the dean of the School of Languages, Culture, and World Affairs at the College of Charleston in South Carolina.

At the University of Houston, he also served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the largest of the 15 academic and professional colleges at the university.

Dr. Tillis is a scholar who brings a wealth of knowledge, talent, and excitement to our campus and will take Rutgers presence in South Jersey and the Philadelphia region to unprecedented heights, said Frank Hundley, chair of the Rutgers UniversityCamden Board of Directors and a member of the Rutgers University Board of Governors.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Adam Clark may be reached at aclark@njadvancemedia.com. Have a news tip or a story idea about New Jersey schools? Send it here.
YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. Tax revenues in the first quarter of 2021 amounted to 332,9 billion drams  a figure more than projected but less compared to the 2020s Q1, according to State Revenue Committee Chairman Edvard Hovhannisyan.

In the first quarter the tax revenues were 332,9 billion drams  27 billion drams more than projected, he told lawmakers at the financial-credit and budgetary affairs committee. The factually collected tax revenues were 16,1 billion drams less compared to the same period of 2020.

He said the negative difference has substantial reasons, citing the governments change of the profit tax mechanism. Only the impact of the profit tax prepayment mechanism change is assessed at nearly 10 billion drams. Meaning 10 billion out of the said 16,1 billion relates to profit tax, he said, adding that the government made the change in order to ensure financial means for businesses.

He also noted that in 2021 Q1 the authorities returned 2,9 billion drams more money to businesses.

Hovhannisyan also mentioned that Q1 of 2020 didnt have the pandemic's impact. Because of the ongoing pandemics impact, some business activities arent yet restored, such as tourism, accommodation and auto-transport, he said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Native leaders, law enforcement officers and faith leaders take part in a prayer for Interior Alaska's missing and murdered during the annual Gathering of Remembrance on Monday in Fairbanks. Second from right is Rev. Shirley Lee and Father John Holz.
Ma'Khia Bryant's grief-stricken biological mother revealed her 15-year-old daughter Janiah watched as her sister was killed by a police officer as she lunged at a girl with a kitchen knife.

Paula Bryant, 42, said: 'Janiah's sister was shot in front of her, she was there, they lived together. They were placed in care together.

'Janiah has said to me it happened so fast. Ma'Khia was her best friend, they were almost like twin sisters. She's crying constantly, she's grieving. She said, mommy, I couldn't save Ma'Khia.'

Bryant also relived her poignant final conversation with her teenage daughter. In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, emotional Byrant recalled: 'The last thing I said to her was, honey I love you.

'We were talking about hair and make-up. We were talking about her smile, she was smiling, and her beautiful curly hair.

'She said, mommy, I love you. I miss you so much, you're a good mom. That was the last time I saw her alive, the last time I spoke to her.'

Ma'Khia Bryant's mother Paula Byrant, 42, told Dailymail.com: 'The last thing I said to her was, honey I love you'

The mother of Ma'Khia Bryant (right) has revealed one of Ma'Khia's sisters  15-year-old Janiah (left) watched Ma'Khia get hit by four bullets

Bryant revealed she lost custody of Ma'Khia along with three other children four years ago. Her last words were at a supervised visit at a child care center, five days before the 16-year-old was shot outside her foster home in Columbus, Ohio.

Janiah also lived at the home and saw her hit by four bullets while she ran at a girl in a pink sweat suit, the mom revealed.

'She said, mommy, I love you. I miss you so much, you're a good mom. That was the last time I saw her alive, the last time I spoke to her,' Paula said

Bryant said it was a 'screaming' Janiah who called her cell phone to deliver news of the shooting, captured in graphic detail on the officer's bodycam and a neighbor's house security camera.

She said: 'Janiah said mommy, I need you, I have something to tell you, Ma'Khia has been shot. She was crying, she couldn't' talk properly, she was just crying and screaming and telling me ''I love you, I love you''.'

Bryant, who lives 70 miles from Columbus in Mansfield, said she had weekly supervised visits to see Ma'Khia and Janiah. She did not know where her daughters were staying.

She went on: 'I was in Columbus when Janiah called. She told me the street where this happened. She was so distressed she didn't tell me the full address.

'When I pulled up to the scene, the area was taped off and the house was up the street. I saw a Madison Township ambulance leaving and I asked the police, is my daughter in the ambulance that's leaving right now? Is my daughter okay?

'And they assured me that Ma'Khia wasn't in the ambulance. So I just kind of hung out there. But she was in that ambulance being transferred to Mount Carmel East Hospital.'

Bryant said, 'I never watched any video of my daughter being shot. I can't bring myself to do it. I never want to see that.'

Paula also revealed it was a 'screaming' Janiah (left with her sister) who called to deliver news of the shooting. 'Ma'Khia was her best friend, they were almost like twin sisters. She's crying constantly, she's grieving. She said, mommy, I couldn't save Ma'Khia,' she said

A shrine to Ma`Khia is seen outside the home in Columbus Ohio, where she was shot by cops as she tried to stab another girl on Tuesday

Bryant, who lives 70 miles from Columbus in Mansfield, said she had weekly supervised visits to see Ma'Khia and Janiah. She did not know where her daughters were staying

Bryant said she was finally told her daughter had died by hospital staff. She added: 'I wanted to see my baby girl. I asked to see her. They told me, no. They said it's a police thing and they will have to give you permission.'

She finally saw the body three days later. After the visit, she told DailyMail.com: 'This is the hardest day. I've seen my baby dead. Words cannot express how I feel right now. I'm devastated.'

The mom said she has been fighting to regain custody of the children and had a court date on May 12, where she was optimistic of a good result.

But she would not reveal the reason why they were taken away from her.

She told DailyMail.com: 'In that final meeting, I told Ma'Khia on May 12 you will be coming home. She said, yeah mommy, I'll be so glad. Because I know I'm coming home.

'I had picked out schools. We were going to family counselling together. I have a four bedroom home and we were going to have a peaceful life here.'

Bryant was convicted of disorderly conduct in 2010 and fined $100, according to Franklin County Municipal Court records. She pleaded guilty to the charge after it was reduced from assault.

Charges of domestic violence and 'endangering children' creating a 'substantial risk of harm' from the same arrest date were dismissed.

In 2004, she was charged with domestic violence and arrested on a warrant after failing to appear in court, according to the public records. The charge was eventually dismissed.

She is continuing to fight for the return of Janiah plus another daughter aged 13 and an 11-year-old son.

Ma'Khia Bryant, foreground, is pictured holding a knife while lunging toward another girl

Bryant was then shot to death by police officer Nicholas Reardon who responded to the scene

Bryant is pictured on the ground after the shooting

High-profile lawyer Michael Wright has agreed to work on her behalf. He has specialized in cases where police have shot and killed black people  but Bryant is not planning to sue, according a public relations executive advising her for free.

PR Jerry Ross said: 'Michael Wright is representing her. Right now they are putting their facts together. They are deciding what the message is going to be.

'She does not intend to sue the police, she does not intend to sue the child services. We don't want to talk about police reform. We only want to talk about how can we get Paula Bryant her kids back.

Ma'Khia's mom said she has been fighting to regain custody of the children and had a court date on May 12, where she was optimistic of a good result

'That is the conversation. The conversation isn't, let's go after Columbus Police Department, or let's go after children's services. It is not about suing them. How to get the kids back is the sole mission.'

Bryant and Ma'Khia's father 'are not on good terms,' said Ross. He would not reveal further details or his identity, but added: 'We are reaching out to him.'

Wright was engaged to act for Bryant at the same time as one of her relatives was reported as saying the mother was planning to sue. But there were no details in the report about who would be the subject of any legal action.

The lawyer is also representing the family of unarmed black man Andre Hill, 47, who was fatally shot by white Columbus police officer Adam Coy last December. The cop faces five charges, including murder, and has pleaded not guilty.

Mr. Hill was killed after emerging from his garage holding up an illuminated cell phone in his left hand following Coy's response to a 1am non-emergency call by a neighbor.

Ma'Khia was shot four times by officer Nicholas Reardon, who arrived on the scene seconds earlier on Tuesday last week. He was responding to a 911 call about a possible confrontation involving a group of girls outside the foster home.

The cause of the deadly brawl was an argument between Ma'Khia and two other girls over mess in the house where she was living and an unmade bed, her foster mother Angela Moore revealed.

Moore said two of her former foster children came to Columbus for her birthday when the row broke out before she arrived home from work.

The Columbus cop who fatally shot Ma'Khia Bryant has been identified as a member of the Air National Guard. Nicholas Reardon reportedly received the 'expert marksman' badge while in training

She told CNN: 'It was over keeping the house clean. The older one told them to clean up the house, because 'mom doesn't like the house dirty'. So that's how it all started.'

Moore said she was told Ma'Khia had told the older girl: 'You're not the guardian of me'. She added the girls had argued 'all the time' since Ma'Khia moved into the home a few months ago.

A military veteran neighbor who captured the shooting on his home security camera insisted Reardon had no choice but to pull the trigger because other people could have been killed if he didn't.

Donovan Brinson said: 'He could have either not fired and the young lady in pink could have been stabbed in the neck and brutally of fatally injured and then he could have shot (Bryant) and we could have had two (young women) dead. Or he could have responded in the way that he did and one young lady lost her life.'

Reardon joined Columbus Police Department in 2019 and is a military-trained marksman who gained his expertise with the Air National Guard.

The 911 call was made by Ma'Khia, her family insist. The caller says: 'We got these grown girls over here trying to fight us get here now.' Background noise is female voices screaming and arguing.

The 26-second video from Mr Brinson's camera shows Ma'Khia walking down the driveway of the house opposite toward other people as Reardon arrives in a police car. She is then involved in a brawl and charges at the girl in pink with a knife. Reardon shouted 'get down' before firing four shots.
MILWAUKEE, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Silicon Valley software company OpenGov , the leader in modern cloud ERP software for our nation's cities, counties and state agencies, has expanded its operations to include Milwaukee, marking the company's sixth office location and second in the Midwest. The public sector software provider, which delivers enterprise cloud solutions to more than 1,000 government agencies nationwide, including the City of Milwaukee, moved into its Walker's Point office, located at 247 W. Freshwater Way, in June 2020 and officially reopened for limited in-person attendance in early April 2021.

"As OpenGov continues to grow and solidify its place among the industry's leading software providers, we're excited to expand our footprint to Milwaukee to support our mission of powering more effective and accountable government," said OpenGov Co-Founder and CEO Zac Bookman.

OpenGov started recruiting for the Milwaukee office in June 2020 and has hired 17 candidates from Marquette University, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and out-of-state schools. The company is projecting to fill a total of 37 roles by the end of the year and anticipates having 100 employees working out the Milwaukee office within three years. Available positions will span professional services, finance, sales and a variety of other functions.

"We were attracted to the momentum surrounding the city along with the tremendous amount of tech talent embedded across numerous organizations in the region. It felt like Milwaukee was a natural fit for our growing team," said OpenGov President and Milwaukee native David Reeves.

In March, OpenGov was named to Forbes' prestigious List of America's Best Startup Employers 2021 . Additionally, the company announced its record 2020 growth , which included 39% revenue growth and a 78% increase in year-over-year growth in its Citizen Services suite. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, OpenGov launched more than 300 customers, including Tampa, FL; Hempstead, NY; Dallas County, TX; and the State of Louisiana, and hired 130 new employees.

OpenGov was founded in 2012 by successful tech investor Joe Lonsdale, current CEO Zac Bookman and a group of Stanford engineers with the goal of powering more effective and accountable government. OpenGov is backed by venture capital firms including Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, JC2 Ventures, Emerson Collective and other top investors. Marc Andreessen and former Cisco CEO John Chambers sit on the company's board of directors .

About OpenGov

OpenGov is the leader in modern cloud ERP software for our nation's cities, counties and state agencies. On a mission to power more effective and accountable government, OpenGov serves more than 1,000 agencies across the U.S. Built exclusively for the unique budgeting, financial management and citizen services needs of the public sector, the OpenGov ERP Cloud makes organizations more collaborative, digitizes mission-critical processes and enables best-in-class communication with stakeholders.

SOURCE OpenGov

Related Links

https://www.opengov.com


Chipotle Mexican Grill will give away 250,000 burritos to health care heroes and is inviting fans to thank medical professionals in their community through a virtual thank you wall.

Medical personnel can sign up for a free burrito starting at 1 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 29.

Given the events of the past year, we are once again bringing our fans together to show appreciation for the heroic efforts of the healthcare community, said Chris Brandt, chief marketing officer.

Chipotle also will launch a new e-gift card program that will support healthcare workers. Beginning April 28, Chipotle will match 10% of special e-gift card purchases and donate the funds to the American Nurses Foundation, which is the charitable and philanthropic arm of the American Nurses Association (ANA), with the mission to transform the nations health through the power of nursing. The Foundation supports research, education, and scholarships, which improve health, wellness, and patient care.

The health care e-gift cards can be purchased until May 9. The donation amount will be 10% of sales with a minimum guarantee of $5,000, and maximum donation of $250,000.
The European Commission explains that the introduction in the countries of the European Union of the so-called Digital Green Certificate for free movement in the EU countries amid coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will not affect the functioning of the visa-free travel, in particular, with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.

In addition, if these countries introduce certificates in accordance with the standards of the Digital Green Certificate, the Commission will be able to issue an "adequacy decision," as well as the member countries can independently determine which vaccines may be acceptable for the Digital Green Certificate.

Thus, on Tuesday, at the request of Interfax-Ukraine, the European Commission explained to the European Commission the development of events around the Digital Green Certificate and the visa-free travel for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.

"We are closely following the progress of vaccination outside the EU, and seek to restore travel once the epidemiological situation allows it and it is safe to do so. Essential travel from a non-EU country to the EU is permitted subject to conditions of testing and quarantine in line with the Council Recommendation, while non-essential travel is currently restricted from most countries outside the EU," the commission said.

The European Commission said that a proposal is currently being prepared to amend the recommendation on the external travel restriction in order "to take into account the recent developments." Discussions are ongoing with Member States to prepare the proposal.

In addition, the European Commission recalled the already well-known position, according to the commission's proposal for the Digital Green Certificates, a non-EU national who may travel to the EU can obtain a Digital Green Certificate.

"The non-EU national could request a Digital Green Certificate from a Member State he/she is travelling to, by providing all necessary information, including reliable proof of vaccination. The Member State would then have to assess if reliable proof has been provided and decide whether to issue a Digital Green Certificate," the commission said.

The European Commission also said that in the medium term, where the commission is satisfied that a third country issues certificates in compliance with international standards and systems which are interoperable with the EU system, the Commission can issue an "adequacy decision."

"Then, such third country certificates would be accepted under the same conditions as Digital Green Certificates. In both cases, the rules for acceptance of proof of vaccination would be the same as for EU nationals: vaccines that have received EU-wide marketing authorization have to be accepted, but Member States can decide to accept other vaccines in addition," the European Commission said.
Press Release

April 27, 2021 Villar extolls accomplishments of Rice Tarification Law On the second year of Rice Tarification Law (RTL), Sen. Cynthia A. Villar extolled that the implementing agencies of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) continue to deliver their commitment to insure the availability of affordable and quality rice to consumers. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, also said this resulted to an increase in the productivity and incomes of rice farmers amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The RTL or Republic Act (RA) No. 11203, signed in 2019, liberalized rice imports and imposed a tariff of 35% imports from Southeast Asian. Villar said the law also provides capital for RCEF amounting to P10 billion annually for the next six years. The P10-billion RCEF should be allocated and fisbursed as follows: 1. The Mechanization Program - P5B- through PhilMech to promote the use of appropriate production and postproduction mechanization technologies through farmer cooperatives, associations (FCAs) and in their absence the LGU. 2. Rice seed development, propagation, and promotion- P3B- through PhilRice to increase the adoption of high quality certified inbred seeds and integrated crop management through the promoting and distributing certified seeds of inbred rice varieties, mobilizing and strengthening local seed production, supporting variety development. 3. Credit assistance, P1B to be equally managed by the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) and the D Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) at P500 million annually for the next six years to rice farmers registered in the RSBSA and to cooperatives. 4. Rice extension services, P1B with Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), PhilMech, PhilRIce and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Villar said RCEF covers the 42 inbred rice-producing provinces across the country, covering 656 municipalities. The 2020 palay harvest is 19.4 MMT or 3.3% more than the 18.81-MMT output in 2019, and surpasses the previous high of 19.27 MMT in 2017. This is a rice adequacy level of 90 percent; average harvest per hectare is 4.09MT of palay. The senator said the yield recorded for the period October-December 2019 was 4.1 metric tons per hectare, vs. the 3.9 metric tons per hectare yield recorded for the period October-December 2018. According to PhilRice, under the RCEF, P3 billion is set aside yearly for certified inbred seeds at 40 kg per hectare and distributed free. In 2020, 674,400 farmers have received 1.68 million bags of free certified inbred rice seeds. These were planted to 843,000 hectares in 948 RCEF municipalities nationwide, or 98.5 percent of the targeted 962 towns for seed distribution. For March, 2021, DA-PhilRice reported that it has already achieved 100% seed deliveries for the dry season. The RCEF-Seed program has distributed almost 1.7 M bags of high-quality inbred rice seeds to 957 municipalities from the target 55 provinces all over the country. More than half a million farmers-beneficiaries received 20kgs/ bag, in coordination with LGU partners, to cover 789,267 hectares. Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) distributed P5-billion worth of farm machinery and equipment (FME) to qualified farmers' cooperatives and associations (FCAs). To date, the senator said 15,918 units of various FME were already procured out of the targeted 23,378 units. These were delivered and distributed to 3,804 FCAs, thus benefitting at least 1.35 million farmer-members. PhilMech studies show that mechanizing rice production operations, from land preparation to harvest, can reduce the production cost of palay by P2 to P3 per kilogram (kg). For 2021, the target intervention shall be for drying and milling facilities to complete the value chain control and lessen post-harvest losses and depressed farm gate price. Currently, the cost of producing palay in the Philippines is at P12.72 per kilo, while it is P6.22 in Vietnam and P8.86 in Thailand, according to studies by DA's Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). For loans, a total of P1.584 billion was lent to hundreds of FCAs in RCEF program areas, being served by Land Bank of the Philippines (at P968 million) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (P616 million). The DA-Agricultural Training institute (ATI), PhilMech and PhilRice receive a yearly allocation of P100 million each from RCEF for training and extension of farmers, technicians and other rice industry stakeholders. TESDA has a yearly budget for extension amounting to P700M. To enhance capacities of rice farmers to become competitive in rice production, under the RCEF the agencies have obligated P16.2 billion and disbursed over P7.1 B from the P20-billion allocation from 2019 to 2020. The 2021 RCEF allocation has been released by the Department of Budget and Management and is ready for implementation.
Microsoft Teams is now more enjoyable to use, thanks to a new update that brings advanced features, including more than 800 new emojis. Moreover, it also received an enhanced background noise cancellation tool and more.

Microsoft Teams is one of the most popular applications used by employees and other individuals to communicate with their colleagues since most work tasks are now done remotely. The new noise cancellation feature is a great innovation since it can help users that are living in a noisy house.

On the other hand, Microsoft Teams has more than 800 new emojis now, which is a huge advancement since the popular application only has around 85 emojis previously.

Microsoft Teams' New Emojis

According to Express UK's latest report, Microsoft Teams now has an emoji category selector, a shortcode picker, which can help users access an emoji quicker, as well as new skip tone options. If you want to access these new emojis, all you need to do is right-click on the emojis. You can find it on the top right corner of Microsoft Teams.

Also Read: Microsoft Outage Takes Down Azure, Office 365, Teams with Maintenance Team Updating Fix Status Updates By The Hour!

Furthermore, Microsoft also explained that the popular Microsoft Teams now sorts emojis into nine different categories. These include smiles, people, food, hand gestures, and more. Aside from this, the tech giant company is also developing a new in-meeting sharing feature.

This means that the popular online app will soon have a new design. The refreshed design of Microsoft Teams is expected to enhance people's experience when they are accessing the Whiteboard or sharing a PowerPoint presentation.

Other New Features of Microsoft Teams

Aside from the new set of emojis, ZDNet also reported that Microsoft teams now have less background noise, thanks to a new feature.

However, this tool is only available on MacBook devices that use Intel processors.

On the other hand, users who currently have an Office 365 subscription can turn on the new noise cancellation feature on settings. You can access it by clicking the user avatar, which is located in the top-right corner of your screen. If you want to know more details, just click this link.

For more news updates about Microsoft Teams and other popular Microsoft apps, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Microsoft Teams to Have New Useful Features, Thanks to iOS and Android Updates

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by: Griffin Davis

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Brazil regulator rejects Sputnik vaccine; Russia cries foul View Photo

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  Brazils health regulator cited safety concerns while rejecting several states requests to import almost 30 million doses of Russias Sputnik V vaccine, prompting criticism from the Russian government.

The five-person board of the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency unanimously decided late Monday that consistent and trustworthy data required was lacking for approval of the requests from 10 states, according to a statement. Another four states and two cities have also sought authorization to import the vaccine.

The agency, known as Anvisa, said there were faults in all clinical studies of the vaccines development, as well as absent or insufficient data.

The agency statement said that analysis indicated that the adenovirus on which the vaccine is based has the capacity to replicate, which could cause sickness or death, particularly among those with low immunity or respiratory problems. The Russian fund overseeing the vaccines marketing globally denied the claim.

We will never permit, without the existence of due proof required, millions of Brazilians to be exposed to products without the due proof of their quality, safety and efficacy or, at minimum, in the face of the grave situation that were living through, a favorable cost-benefit relationship, Anvisas president Antonio Barra Torres said in the statement.

Anvisas decision doesnt affect a separate request from Brazilian company Uniao Quimica for emergency use authorization of Sputnik V produced locally, according to an emailed statement from Anvisas press office.

Still, it came as a blow to Russias efforts to promote worldwide adoption of the vaccine, whose exports have helped it regain diplomatic footholds in countries where relationships had languished.

We need additional information on what this lack (of data) means, because theres already more than enough data, Kremlins spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters in a daily briefing.

The contacts (with Brazil) will continue. If some data is lacking, it will be provided, he added.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund said in a three-page statement that no replication-competent adenoviruses were ever found in any of the Sputnik V vaccine batches produced.

It was also more pointed in its criticism, saying that dozens of national health regulators have approved Sputnik V and Anvisas decision was of a political nature and has nothing to do with the regulators access to information or science.

The fund pointed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2020 annual report, which said in a section titled Combatting malign influences in the Americas that it had convinced Brazil to not to buy the Russian shot. The U.S. Embassy in Brazil has denied exerting any pressure regarding vaccines approved by Brazils health regulator, and Brazils foreign ministry has denied being contacted.

Daniel Dourado, a Brazilian doctor and lawyer who is a researcher at the University of Sao Paulo, said on Twitter that he doubted politics played any role in Anvisas decision, as that would have required its directors to lie in their analysis. He added that, while the state governors hurry is understandable, Anvisa is correctly fulfilling its duty.

Brazil hasnt lived up to its proud tradition of mass vaccination programs in this pandemic, with the Health Ministry ignoring early opportunities to purchase shots and facing shortages locally of vaccines it did acquire. The country has the worlds second-highest death toll, and will surpass the milestone of 400,000 deaths this week. The majority of that staggering tally came in just the last four months.

One of Anvisas directors, Cristiane Rose Jourdan Gomes, acknowledged the sensitivity of its decision since making available an array of vaccines is a priority in fighting COVID-19. She said she hopes Sputnik V can bring its information in line with requirements.

Denise Garrett, vice president of the Sabin Vaccine Institute that advocates for expanding global vaccine access, and who is Brazilian herself, also voiced support of Anvisa on Twitter.

There is no way to approve Sputnik V with the information available at the moment, she said.  AP reporter Daria Litvinova contributed from Moscow

By DAVID BILLER

Associated Press
"Stephens tenured legal background, directly consulting with law schools in the area of online/hybrid education, makes him the perfect person to lead All Campus legal offerings and shape thoughtful and sustainable partnerships with our university partners," said Joe Diamond, CEO of All Campus.

All Campus, which partners with leading, traditional higher education institutions to grow online enrollment and maximize market share, today announced the appointment of Stephen Burnett as an advisor as the company expands its law school program expertise and offerings.

Burnett brings more than four decades of legal industry expertise, specifically in online legal education and technology, to All Campus. In his new role with the company, Burnett will tap into his extensive background and experience, working closely with All Campus research and partnership development teams to lead the companys expansion into the growing field of law program partnerships and online education offerings in the legal space.

Im very excited to join the All Campus team, said Burnett. I look forward to working with All Campus and law school programs nationwide to develop strong partnerships that incorporate online education, technology and flexibility to transform the traditional law degree. The rapid growth of online enrollment in legal masters degree programs is a key indicator that online legal education is in high demand, and online program managers can play a critical role in assisting law schools with their online offerings  including the launch of a hybrid Juris Doctor program.

Prior to joining All Campus, Burnett served as Director of Experiential and Online Learning for Carolina Academic Press, where he was responsible for creating online partnerships with and developing simulation content for law schools. Previously, he spent four years as Kaplan University's Vice President of Legal Education, where he later transitioned to the Special Advisor to the President of Kaplan.

Were thrilled to welcome Stephen to the All Campus team, said Joe Diamond, CEO of All Campus. Stephens tenured legal background, directly consulting with law schools in the area of online/hybrid education, makes him the perfect person to lead All Campus legal offerings and shape thoughtful and sustainable partnerships with our university partners. Last year underscored the need for more flexibility in legal education, and Stephen will help strengthen All Campus strategic decisions and expansion.

According to the American Bar Association (ABA), in 2019, 37% of students enrolled in a non-JD legal program are enrolled online, a 32% increase year-over-year. All Campus launched its first law school partnership with Northeastern University School of Law in April of 2020 with two programs: Master of Legal Studies (MLS) and Master of Laws (LLM). The latter program is designed specifically for attorneys that have an existing Juris Doctor or law degree from a foreign school and need credentials to sit for the bar in the United States.

For more information on All Campus leadership team, please visit: https://www.allcampus.com/about-all-campus/meet-the-leadership-team/.

About All Campus

All Campus creates value for leading universities by expanding their reach and cultivating relationships with students who seek to advance their lives through education. It offers comprehensive, tailored online program management (OPM) services, powered by industry-leading technology  all with the universitys unique identity and brand top of mind. It has built its reputation on delivering measurable results, being an honest broker, and providing high levels of service to its two primary constituencies: prospective and enrolled students, and university administrators. All Campus deep research, powerful insights and understanding of current job market and employer needs helps its partners tailor their offerings to optimize student outcomes and return on investment. The companys flexible payment and service options include bundled or unbundled offerings and fee-for-service management or a customized low and sustainable revenue share plan. For more information, visit https://www.allcampus.com/.
A police officer cordons off a neighborhood in the search for Maria From Jakobsen, the wife of Lutheran minister Thomas Gotthard. Ekstra Bladet

Authorities charged Danish priest Thomas Gotthard with murder after his wife disappeared last October.

Maria From Jakobsen's body wasn't found, but prosecutors say they have enough evidence.

Investigators found suspicious web searches by Gotthard, including the terms "disappeared" and "cleaning," per the AP.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

A Danish priest was on Monday charged with murder in connection to the October disappearance of his wife.

While the body of Maria From Jakobsen, 43, was never found, authorities believe they have enough evidence to take her husband, the Lutheran minister Thomas Gotthard to trial, prosecutor Anne-Mette Wedell Seerup told the Danish news agency Ritzau on Monday.

Gotthard, 44, has denied any wrongdoing, his lawyer told the Ekstra Bladet newspaper on Monday.

According to the Associated Press, investigators found in their search for From Jakobsen suspicious web searches by Gotthard, which included the search terms "disappeared," "oil barrel," "sea depth," "cleaning," and "suicide."

Investigators also said that Gotthard had a large amount of hydrochloric acid and caustic soda in his possession, the AP reported. The highly-corrosive chemicals have been used by killers in the past to dissolve bodies.

From Jakobsen, a psychologist, was last seen dropping their two children off at school on October 26, according to Ritzau. From Jakobsen's sister reported her missing three days later, when she failed to show up to a birthday party for one of the kids, the AP reported.

According to Ekstra Bladet, Gotthard had said his wife left their home in a "strongly depressed state," but her sister said she talked to From Jakobsen on the phone the morning she disappeared and she seemed happy.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

From Jakobsen's unlocked car was found in Copenhagen with the keys in the ignition, Ekstra Bladet reported. The police said she left behind her phone, computer, and credit cards, the AP reported.

Story continues

The police found that Gotthard had been in the area where his wife's car was found, and didn't have a good explanation for it, according to Ekstra Bladet.

Investigators also found surveillance footage from a recycling station showing Gotthard disposing of a large blue feed barrel 11 days after his wife's disappearance, the AP reported.

Gotthard was arrested three weeks after his wife's disappearance, in November, and has been in police custody since then, the AP reported.

His trial begins October 25 and he remains in pretrial custody, the agency reported.

Read the original article on Insider
NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Transformation (DT) is a term that inspires awe as well as fear in the hearts and minds of premium and luxury goods and services brand executives. On one hand, executives have a fear of being left behind. On the other, they are so often bombarded with mixed messages and content about what DT is and isn't, especially in an industry that uniquely values customer relationships and human touch, that it is easy to be awed and confused as to how to move forward.

To help brands navigate and scale an effective journey with the highest probability of success, Luxury Institute conducted its own primary and secondary research. First, the Institute conducted an in-depth online survey with its Global Luxury Expert Network (GLEN) members. These individuals run, or have recently run, some of the top brands in the premium and luxury industry. Then, the Institute supplemented the GLEN member insights with secondary research insights from trusted, unbiased sources. Luxury Institute's goal is to deliver timely, fresh, objective perspectives and realities in implementing DT initiatives successfully. Below are the key findings:

Defining Digital Transformation

Digital Transformation, first and foremost, is about brand imagination and creativity that creates much greater emotional and economic value for customers and associates through enhanced communications, interactions, experiences, and journeys. DT is powered by an optimization of human and digital resources. It is, at its best, about building, empowering, and enhancing internal and external human relationships. DT is not something you do to, or force upon, employees and customers. It is not manipulative, coercive, or exploitative. It requires education, inspiration, collaboration, and constant nurturing.

Second, DT is not a project or a process. Technology, data, and analytics are part of the toolset, not the end game. DT has elements of revolutionary change, as well as never-ending, agile evolution. It stabilizes over certain parts of the organization and/or timeframes, yet it never ends. You may need to control it with projects and processes, but you must be able to focus on the big picture, including customer objectives and strategies, as well as the minutest tactical details, simultaneously.

Finally, DT requires a change in the organizational structure because it commands seamless, friction-free execution, not self-serving, disconnected, or dysfunctional activities. Organizing around customers, or customer segments, beyond products, functions, and channels, is required. Domain expertise is the key organizing resource. The appropriate experts must organize, reorganize, and coalesce around customer-centric objectives. It requires agile teams whose members are accountable to each other for measurable contributions and results first, then to the organization.

Over time, executing the three definition themes with purity and accuracy will evolve the business model successfully, without fear or confusion.

Success Factors of Digital Transformation

GLEN members and research point to several key success, as well as avoidable, factors in executing DT. First, top-tier leadership must be sufficiently adept and skilled in DT principles. Leaders cannot delegate DT to consultants and tech companies and wait for success to happen. GLEN members say it's because leaders at the highest levels must create and propagate the humanistic cultural context for the DT evolution. Only truly customer-centric brands that see their employees and customers as human beings, not as pieces on a chessboard, will succeed. Empathic, emotionally intelligent communication skills are required.

GLEN members tell us that too many DT projects are assigned to internal and external technocrats whose Industrial Age mindsets are focused on tech stacks, platforms, software, data, and processes. The experts realize that their skills in technology are very important, but they must not be allowed to hijack the culture or the customer and associate experiences and journeys into factory-efficient yet ineffective, soulless, disconnected, stand-alone pipeline projects that create dysfunctional experiences. They blame the tech orientation for many brands having to play catch up on e-commerce, disconnected channels, and the inability to determine which tasks to automate and which to optimize with human interaction. The fact that the same solutions are offered to all brands destroys the creativity and uniqueness of the brand DNA, especially in premium and luxury goods and services categories.

Experts also warn that many of the tech teams are often comprised of people of certain backgrounds who have zero empathy for customers and associates and define them as subjects (a highly derogatory term), instead of humans. This lack of empathy biases and damages the design of customer experiences and journeys. It affects the way that data is collected, skirting privacy laws, or operating barely inside the legal lines, while trampling on the ethical lines, putting the brand in legal risk and destroying consumer trust. It also means that the organization is developing biased, soulless, often manipulative, and exploitative algorithms. For example, when prices are overcharged for affluent, or less-affluent, price insensitive customers. GLEN experts tell us that often DT projects are merely band-aid tactical projects that solve one immediate direct challenge, while creating five others, simply because there was a failure to understand the complex, organic, holistic nature of the DT evolution in advance. Finally, experts warn that while we cannot predict the future, understanding the direction of customer needs and desires, and thinking for yourself vs. blindly copying DT solutions that are one-size-fits-all, are essential to brand longevity.

GLEN members state that while some may describe DT as easy, and others describe it is as extremely difficult, it is important to see that "degree of difficulty" is often on a DT element-by-element basis. Sometimes the mindset transformation is the hard part; other times, it's digitalization. For example, an organization comprised of disconnected channel silos with different objectives and incentives cannot align behind designing and delivering a seamless customer experience. However, no matter how mentally ready and creative a customer-centric team is, it cannot optimize the DT project without legal, ethical access to rich, relevant, timely data. How the data is accessed, given privacy laws and consumer concerns, is becoming critical to brand risk and reputation. This cannot be delegated to outside parties any longer. The brand must take control in procuring what has become the lifeblood of every enterprise.

Most Common Digital Transformation Mistakes

GLEN members mention some common mistakes that luxury brands make in DT efforts. First, many brands mistakenly define DT in luxury as a project for replacing humans. They recommend brands see it as enhancing humans. They also express concern that some brands may allow technology to erode or replace the rich, powerful human relationships they have cultivated over time. They warn that the precious creation of desire, the curation of products and services, and joyous emotional intelligence of luxury brands' ambassadors must always prevail. Technology will always deliver some better solution for some isolated tasks in the business model, but the rich human connective tissue that defines the luxury industry must never be ripped apart, or the industry becomes another soulless commodity category defined by price.

Luxury Institute asked its GLEN members for examples of brands that are doing DT successfully. The experts recognize that since DT is an endless journey, no brand can achieve DT optimization at any point in time. However, there was mention of Sephora, Gucci, Amazon, Nike, and Tesla as DT premium and luxury leaders that are differentiating themselves vs. competitors. More established brands such as Hermes, Chanel and Rolls-Royce are also mentioned as continuing to evolve rapidly and successfully in DT to remain highly relevant to their customers. As an industry, GLEN members rated the entire industry as mediocre with most experts rating the industry between 5 and 6, on a scale of 1 to 10 (worst to best).

However, Luxury Institute Global Luxury Expert Network (GLEN) members are highly optimistic that the luxury industry will prevail, as it has since the beginning of humanity. They believe most iconic brands will make the digital transformation safely, if not easily. They strongly believe that this digital journey can be optimized, not compromised, to serve the human beings who are valued members and constituents of an enduring industry.

About Luxury Institute and Global Luxury Expert Network

Luxury Institute is the world's most trusted research, training, and elite business solutions partner for luxury and premium goods and services brands. With the largest global network of luxury executives and experts, Luxury Institute has the ability to provide its clients with high-performance, leading-edge solutions developed by the best, most successful minds in the industry. Over the last 18 years, Luxury Institute has served over 1,100 luxury and premium goods and services brands. Luxury Institute has conducted more quantitative and qualitative research with affluent, wealthy and uber-wealthy consumers than any other entity. This knowledge has led to the development of its scientifically proven high-performance, emotional intelligence-based education system, Luxcelerate, that dramatically improves brand culture and financial performance. Luxury Institute has also innovated the Advanced Personalization Xchange (APX), powered by DataLucent, to empower affluent consumers to license their digital platform data to premium and luxury brands they trust legally, securely and privately in exchange for fair value rewards and benefits.

To learn more about Luxury Institute, please contact us at LuxuryInstitute.com

Contact: Milton Pedraza - [email protected]

SOURCE Luxury Institute
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 00:49:13|Editor: huaxia

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VALLETTA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Malta's ailing businesses impacted by COVID-19 will receive an extra 20 million euros (24.1 million U.S. dollars) in state assistance to cover rent and utility costs as well as psychological support to reduce pandemic stress, Prime Minister Robert Abela said Tuesday.

Abela said the direct aid and the package of incentives targeted businesses crippled by the pandemic, especially those that were forced to remain shut for several months.

Abela said the country's already existing support schemes, such as those covering a percentage of rent costs and refunds on electricity bills, will be topped up with new measures intended to stimulate economic activity as the pandemic wanes.

At a press conference, Abela said that apart from directly supporting businesses, the government also wanted to stimulate economic activity.

Had the government not intervened the way it did over the past months, tens of thousands of people would have lost their jobs, he said.

"We are gradually moving towards normality with the lifting of restrictions. We are doing this cautiously because if we are not careful, whatever we earned can be lost. The prospects for the future look good," he said.

"We are not only investing in our businesses, we are also investing in our people," he added.

Enterprise Minister Miriam Dalli explained how the government had injected more than 455 million euros in direct assistance, most of which in the form of a wage supplement up to a maximum of 800 euros per month for every employee. Around 100,000 employees have benefited from the wage subsidy to date.

She said the rent support scheme was being increased by a further 50 percent on the previous scheme, which capped the assistance at 7,500 euros per business. The electricity support scheme was also being extended to cover June, July and August, with the subsidy covering 50 percent of the total electricity bill of those businesses that are still closed due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

Moreover, the government will give a one-time cash grant of 1,000 euros to those businesses that will remain closed after May 10, when the pandemic restrictions are scheduled to be lifted further.

As from May 10, restaurants and snack bars will be allowed to reopen but will only be allowed to serve patrons until 5 p.m. and will then have to revert to take-outs and deliveries.

Schemes will also be offered to boost smart and sustainable investment, and entrepreneurs who suffered psychological trauma during the pandemic and those who lost their business during the year will also find free help, Dalli said.

Additionally, cash grants of up to 50,000 euros and 20 percent higher tax credits would also help businesses get in line with the goals outlined in the European Green Deal. Those who had a total of 78 million euros worth of tax credits will have an extra three years to use them, he said. (1 euro = 1.21 U.S. dollar) Enditem
How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Stoya and Rich here. Its anonymous!

Dear How to Do It,

I am a heterosexual cisgendered male in my 30s. I have Hansens disease (but youre probably more familiar with the common name, leprosy). I am cured by WHO standards and do not actively medicate anymore, and my neural damage was minimal. Generally, my physical health is good. However, the psychological and social ramifications of the condition were more wide-ranging. I was diagnosed about five years ago, and most of my relationships have been short, abortive things, ending within 24 hours of a partner finding out about my condition.

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Ive recently met a nice woman, Jacqueline. Extremely uncommonly, she is not afraid of my medical history. Recently, she shared a persistent fantasy she has: that well be having sex and my penis will fall off and it stay inside her forever. Needless to say, I find this extremely disturbing, and the fetishizing of a condition that has seriously influenced my life is kind of insulting. And now that the cats out of the bag, shes become much more vocal and open about it. I do not like it at all, and although Im not sure I want to break up with her, I do want to get her to stop with this thing. However, Im not sure the best way to bring it up or how to communicate it while still affirming that I do still desire her and want to be with her.

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Irritated About Being Fetishized

Dear Irritated,

Your reaction to objectification is valid. Spend some time with your feelings. What does your comfort zone look like, and what are your boundaries? How comfortable are you with her getting near that line? Think through what youd like to share with her. Then, pick a low-stress time when youre not rushed to tell her that you like her and want to be with her. You might include a few words on why. Give her space to respond. Then say that you need to set a boundary around her fantasy. Again, leave room for her to listen and reply. If she hasnt asked, youll want to state your limits. She might want to apologize. She might need time to understand what youve said. She might be curious about your feelings.

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Presuming that conversation goes well, Im wondering if youre comfortable asking about other aspects of her sexuality, as well as talking with her about yours. This fantasy is likely to come up, but are there other fantasies both of you would like to explore? Think through some scenarios, and pay attention to your physical and emotional reactions. If something is a hard no, thats important to know. Get an idea of what youre interested in and what youre open to. When you talk, whether its directly about this one fantasy or about others, look for areas of overlap and proactively find acceptable avenues to explore. If the conversation does not go well, then you have all the data you need to tell you its time to move on.

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Get the How to Do It Newsletter Sex advice from Rich and Stoya, plus exclusive letter follow-ups, delivered weekly. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.

Dear How to Do It,

I am a 51-year-old newly out (to family and friends), newly single lesbian. I havent dated in 27 years and have only been with two people sexually: my ex-husband and a woman. The divorce was not amicable, and I am not emotionally ready for a relationship. But what I am ready for is sex. Between COVID, being out of the dating scene for 27 years, and being new to the LGBTQ community, its not that easy to find no-strings-attached partners. Or maybe Im just bad at searching. Ive been on multiple apps and have met some women, but most of the ones I connect with live thousands of miles away from me, and it seems everyone else is looking for a soul mate. Im trying Tinder now, but Im still struggling to connect with the women Im interested in. The fear of being catfished is constant, as well.

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I think that finding a professional sex worker who could satisfy the horny teenager who has suddenly taken over my libido would help me be a bit more Zen about my inability to connect with anyone. Also, with a professional, I wouldnt be as self-conscious about my body or my inexperience and wouldnt be shy about asking about health testing. I also wouldnt have to answer the never-ending question, But how did you not know you were a lesbian until you were 50? But choosing someone off a Google search seems incredibly risky, and I would prefer to have a professional who is a lesbian. Where do I start?

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No Strings Attached

Dear No Strings,

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Theres a women-only escort service in Amsterdam that seems to be exactly what youre looking for, or if youre in the U.S., you might consider Nevada. There are a number of brothels, mostly in rural areas, and you can call ahead to ask about the availability of women who prefer sex with other women. However, travelparticularly overseasis still heavily restricted due to the pandemic, and a trip can add a number of costs, including flights, hotels, and foodso that may not be a practical option. And sex work is still largely criminalized in most of the United States (and the world). But many providers have social media presences and have turned to websites such as OnlyFans (disclosure: I have a page there) during the pandemic. These types of accounts can be a great way to get a feel for a persons professional identity and how they prefer to present themselves.

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Youll want to think beforehand about the kinds of experiences youre hoping for and ask questions to discern whether the providers being recommended are appropriate for you. Spend some time imagining your ideal experience. Is it sensual? Abrupt and aggressive? Educational? Do you think youll want a quick single hour or a lengthy block of time? Are there any specific acts youll want to engage in? All of this is useful to know before you begin the booking process.

In the meantime, sex for one is a great way to take the edge off and get deeper in touch with our own bodiesand our fantasies, which might help you answer the questions above.

Dear How to Do It,

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Im a cis, heterosexual woman with a cis, heterosexual male partner. Were ready to start trying to get me pregnant. Unfortunately, I dont like, and have never liked, having things or body parts put in my vagina. I find it boring and uncomfortable at best. If its not supposed to be fun (like a Pap smear), I just grit my teeth through it and its not a big deal, but my partner and I arent interested in grit-my-teeth-and-get-through-it sex. I dont have any history of trauma or medical issuesI just feel about my vagina the way many people feel about their butts.

We have an active sex life without vaginal penetration, which is great, but if Im going to get pregnant, something is going to get stuck in there sooner or later. Ive read about dilators, but they seem to kind of miss the point. Getting pregnant via sex is our first pick (its free!). Any tips for making the process of penis-in-vagina sex more comfortable and maybe even fun, beyond lube or weed? Id love it if it were fun!

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Practical PIV

Dear Practical,

Youre correct that getting pregnant through sex will require some kind of penis-in-vagina interaction. If it werent for your goal of procreation, Id be saying, Your sexuality is beautiful exactly as it is! Celebrate it! But, I agree, youre in a pretty complicated predicament here.

Starting slow seems useful here. You can ease into the edge of discomfort in the hopes that your body will adjust. And clitoral stimulation while youre being penetrated seems likely to help. If your partner is willing to work through this with you, I dont see a need for a dilator. In fact, the firmness of them might make penetration more uncomfortable. The same goes for dildos and may also be true for fingers.

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I feel comfortable assuming that clitoral stimulation is fun for you but otherwise am in the dark about what you enjoy. Im wondering if squeezing your partners penis with your pelvic floor might fit your definition of fun and reduce discomfort. Im also curious about whether focusing more on grinding your pelvises together than thrusting would be helpful. And I think you might set yourself up for insemination success by moving to penetration as close to orgasm for him as the two of you can manage.

Dear How to Do It,

Im a happily partnered cis gay man in an open relationship. This past year has been wonderful for us in regards to intimacy, romance, togetherness, and love, but anxiety and isolation have turned us both into weird little sexless hermits. Now that vaccinations are happening Im finding it hard to restart the engines. Ive forgotten how to flirt, and so has he! We do want to get back out there and meet interesting people (and sleep with them), but Ive forgotten how to do that! Any advice or pointers, or should we keep being hermits for a while longer?

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Post Pandemic Lovin

Dear Lovin,

I think practicing flirting on each other is a great place to start. Youre in a safe spacethe two of you have a strong relationship that includes intimacy, togetherness, and loveso you can brush the rust off in a comfortable dynamic. And, after a year of stress, it might do your relationship good to incorporate those sweet and endearing moments that flirtation can bring. If further interaction feels daunting at this stage, you can make agreements beforehand about how far youll go down that path.

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Yes, flirting with a stranger is different than flirting with your partner. But imagine yourself flirting with people: Remember the feelings and the times youve felt completely yourself during previous experiences. If youre anxious about something, think through the possible worst-case scenarios and decide whether theyre worth the risks. You might find it helpful to remind yourself how to handle rejection, too. A recent study indicates that many of us are feeling more intentional about our relationships and looking for more intensity with fewer people. For me, its recalibrated my risk assessment when it comes to sharing fluids with others. So you might be turned down more often than before the pandemic and even find yourself less inclined to approach. Remember that were all stumbling through figuring out what new best practices are.

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I think now is a good time for everyone to remember that COVID isnt the only risk involved with sex. Vaccines, PrEP, and condoms are all ways that you can reduce the potential harm of a sexual interaction. A combination of all three, with regular screening, is ideal. Ask your doctor about PrEP and vaccines, and condoms are readily available in the United States. Good luck!

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Stoya

More How to Do It

My girlfriend of nine years and I are opening our relationship, slowly and with plenty of communication. From this communication Ive learned she wants to see both men and women, and Im happy for her to do that. When I mentioned that I wanted to do the samethat is, try things out with guys for the first time, as well as with womenshe seemed taken aback and finally admitted that the idea of me with guys made her uncomfortable. She acknowledged the double standard but said the thought of me with a man really bothers her. She pointed out that I already knew about her interest in women but I had never mentioned any interest in guys, which is true. (I doubt Im more than bi-curious, but this seemed like a good time to find out!) We both know there are a lot of retrograde ideas at work in her reaction, and she wants to get past it. Do you have any advice for helping her get over it?
IAEA to invite Chinese experts over Fukushima wastewater disposal: FM spokesperson

Xinhua) 08:20, April 27, 2021

File photo taken on Oct. 12, 2017 shows huge tanks that store contaminated radioactive wastewater in Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Experts from China will be invited to be part of an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) technical working group pertaining to Japan's disposal of nuclear wastewater, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Monday

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a daily press briefing that the news has been recently confirmed by the IAEA.

Noting that the Fukushima nuclear accident is one of the most serious in the world, Wang said the Japanese government, in disregard of concerns and opposition both at home and abroad, has unilaterally decided to discharge the wastewater into the sea without exhausting means for safe disposal, disclosing complete relevant information, or having sufficient consultations with neighboring countries and the international community.

"Such an irresponsible act not only directly jeopardizes the immediate interests of the people in Japan's neighboring countries, but also poses threats to the global marine environment and international public health security," the spokesperson said.

It is only natural for China, as a major stakeholder, to have serious concerns over Japan's irresponsible practice, Wang said.

China maintains that the IAEA should initiate a technical working group as soon as possible that involves China and other relevant stakeholders, to carry out work concerning the wastewater disposal plans, their implementation as well as international assessment and supervision, the spokesperson said.

"China is in close communication and coordination with the IAEA over the issue," Wang said, adding China will fully support IAEA's follow-up work.

Before discharging the radioactive wastewater into the sea, Japan should earnestly address the concerns of relevant stakeholders including China and the international community, Wang added.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
BOCA RATON, Fla., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Foreclosure.com wants to introduce students to the opportunities in the real estate and foreclosure markets, and to provide financial assistance to the winners of our 2021 scholarship contest. As the future generation of real estate and business professionals, college students are encouraged to get an early start on a profitable career in this opportunity-rich industry.

Foreclosure.com has a proud record of supporting education on college campuses. With the goal of providing a way to earn while they learn, each year since 2009 we have challenged college students to provide creative ideas and solutions to many of the most critical real estate related issues. Since the inception of the scholarship program we have awarded more than $72,000 to college students nationwide. In furtherance of its commitment to educating these men and women, Foreclosure.com is pleased to announce its 2021 college scholarship contest. https://www.foreclosure.com/scholarship

This year's contestants will be judged on the best essays on the subject of The Impact of COVID-19 on Foreclosures in the U.S. Residential Housing Market . Winners will receive $2,500 for first place, and $500 each for second and third place.

Contestants can start by asking a few questions: How has the pandemic affected struggling homeowners economically? How has the moratorium on foreclosures affected the supply of foreclosed properties? Will there be a surge in home foreclosures when the moratorium is lifted? Will the real estate market be a stable one, or a market in turmoil in the recovery from the pandemic? Are there geographical considerations with respect to where foreclosures will take place? The subject of the effect of Covid 19 on the real estate foreclosure market is a broad one that provides students opportunity to ponder the questions and come up with insightful answers. At Foreclosure.com our wish is that students will think about this question, do the research, and hopefully develop an interest that can lead to a successful career in the real estate industry.

Participation in the scholarship program is limited to undergraduate college students only. Essays should be between 800 - 2,000 words and will be judged on the entrant's knowledge of the selected subject and how well their information is presented. To enter the contest students should go to https://www.foreclosure.com/scholarship. There they will find all the information they will need to enter our scholarship contest and how to submit their entries.

For More Information, Contact:

Foreclosure.com Scholarship Department, [email protected], 1-800-535-6945

https://www.foreclosure.com/scholarship

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky hopes to reach an agreement on the resumption of the ceasefire regime in Donbas during a meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), which will take place on Wednesday, April 28, the website of the head of state reported.

"Tomorrow there will be a full-fledged meeting of the TCG in a video format. I still think that all parties will come closer to the decision to declare a ceasefire again and reset this regime seriously - not only verbally, but also in writing," the presidential press service quoted Zelensky after his working trip to Kherson region.

The President noted that negotiations are currently underway within the Minsk format, in particular in the working groups of the Trilateral Contact Group, and a joint result may be achieved soon.

He also added that "the expansion of the Normandy format or the change in the format of the Minsk process, which should become more flexible, could contribute to the achievement of peace in Donbas."

"It could be an extension of the Normandy format, a separate, parallel format with other countries, with very serious, powerful players. Not only because they are powerful, but also because they want to help Ukraine end the war. I think this is the right decision," Zelensky noted.

At the same time, according to the president, "no one says that the Minsk agreements should be terminated."

Zelensky also noted that "Russia has resorted to pressure on Ukraine for several years, but the joint efforts of Ukraine, European countries and the United States in relation to Russia have created opportunities for de-escalation."

"Russia has been resorting to pressure for several years. But Ukraine takes it calmly. We must always be ready. We cannot guarantee 100% that Russian troops will not return. Still, we commend the decision to withdraw troops from the borders of Ukraine. This indicates the intention not to continue the escalation," the president said.
New Arrivals From HK Struggle to Rent in UK Without Jobs, Bank Accounts

Many Hongkongers moving to the UK are hitting a brick wall while trying to find accommodation, a new report reveals.

The report, launched on Monday, said that landlords in the UK are reluctant to let their properties to BN(O) visa applicants from Hong Kong, the vast majority of whom do not have jobs, rental references, or bank accounts in the UK. The lack of government guidance is also a contributing factor.

Without a permanent address in the UK, new arrivals are also confronted with other difficulties, including opening bank accounts and finding schools for their children.

The UK government in January opened a new visa scheme designed to offer holders of British National (Overseas) status in Hong Kong a path to citizenship at a time when freedom and human rights in the former British colony are under unprecedented threat from the Chinese regime.

The BN(O) visa applicants need to support themselves independently while living in the UK, but they do not need to find a job before arriving.

The new report was the result of a one-week survey led by Hongkongers in Britain (HKB), with the help of the Hong Kong Assistance and Resettlement Community, and Hackney Chinese Community Services.

The three organizations are a part of a coordinated civil society initiative named the Welcoming Committee for Hong Kongers, which was enlisted by the government to collect information needed to help BN(O) visa applicants with their housing needs.

During the last week of March, HKB invited its 15,000 social media followers to share their concerns on housing if they were planning to move to or had recently arrived in the UK, between 220230 people responded to the invitation.

According to an HKB report published in December last year, 73 percent of Hongkongers planning to move to the UK considered accommodation their top concern.

Its also one of the most urgent issues for new arrivals because it also has knock-on effects on other aspects of peoples lives, including opening bank accounts and looking for employment and schools, Julian Chan, co-founder of HKB said on Monday during a virtual press conference.

Lack of Documents

The survey found that most new arrivals would check into hotels or AirBnBs for a few weeks upon arrival, and then seek to rent from private landlords. A small portion of the respondents said they rented/would rent a property before arriving in the UK.

BN(O) visa applicants often have neither employment upon arrival, nor previous UK rental history, credit history, or UK bank accountsdocuments most landlords would require.

Therefore, some said they found it very difficult to find a place to rent even if they had been willing to pay a higher deposit.

Another difficulty for those checked into hotels or AirBnBs is that they do not have a current permanent address thats required when signing the tenancy agreements.

Some families, especially those with children, face additional hurdles in finding suitable types of accommodation in the UK immediately upon their arrival, due to the law requiring children over the age of 10 of the opposite sex, or 15 of the same sex, to have their own rooms, the report added.

Landlords Lack Understanding Of BN(O) Visa

Immigration status is also a problem for some new arrivals. According to British law, landlords are responsible for checking their tenants right to rent.

Chan said that many landlords lack an understanding of the BN(O) visa.

Weve been hearing about incidents of landlords refusing to rent for fear of potentially breaching the right to rent legislation, he said.

According to the new policy, BN(O) citizens can apply for two periods of 30 months leave or 5 years leave, with a path to citizenship also available.

The government encouraged prospective applicants to apply and travel to the UK after the visa scheme became fully operational in January. But those who traveled before the opening of the scheme could be granted a Leave Outside the Rules (LOTR) for a period of six months before they apply for the new visa scheme.

Renting has been more difficult for these individuals because they only had up to six months right to rent at the time, while most landlords offer contracts with a minimum term of one year.

The groups recommended the UK government update its current guidance for landlords to include current BN(O) passports as having the right to rent, and hold seminars for landlords and property agents to raise awareness on the circumstances of LOTR and/or BN(O)s, and the incoming influx of people from Hong Kong.

The recommendations also include providing temporary accommodation for applicants to rent upon arrival until they find long-term solutions, encouraging banks, schools, and property agencies to accept temporary addresses and overseas income records and bank statements.

Alexander Zhang contributed to this report.
The national vaccination effort has been one of President Joe Bidens top priorities since taking office in January. His American Rescue Plan provided hundreds of billions of dollars to aid the vaccine rollout and the shots are now available to all adults.

Biden initially set the target of 100 million shots in his first 100 days, but last weeks it was announced that his administration had reached 200 million within the first 100 days.

The life-saving vaccinations are the best route out of the pandemic, but they do come with some fairly common side effects.

How common are side effects with covid-19 vaccines?

Unfortunately experiencing some form of side effects is a completely normal part of receiving any vaccine, and is actually a sign that your body is responding positively. The vaccine shot essentially introduces a small dose of the coronavirus into your system so your body is better able to fight of a similar infection in future.

Dr. Mark Loafman, chair of family and community medicine for Cook County Health in Illinois, spoke to NBC News about the side effects: "It tells us that the vaccine is working. Our body's forming a robust immune response and we feel that that's a positive thing.

"So we tend to see the vaccines that have a higher efficacy rate also have more of the so-called side effects or the symptoms because they work so well."

The likeliness of contracting some of the side effects varies between different types of vaccination with the overall likelihood of feeling any worse actually pretty small. Pfizer report that only about 3.8% of their clinical trial participants experienced fatigue while roughly 2% got a headache. For recipients of the Moderna shot, which is thought to be slightly more effective, around 9.7% felt fatigued and 4.5% got a headache.

How long will side effects from the coronavirus vaccination last?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that the most common side effects are a normal part of the vaccination process and will typically go away after a few days. However they warn that in some cases they may affect your ability to do daily activities.

To combat any issues you may have post-vaccination, the CDC recommend talking to your doctor about taking over-the-counter pain relief medicine, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or antihistamines. However these should be taken after you get the shot, not before.

In most instances the side effects will subside after a couple of days and you should be back to normal, but some may experience more long-term symptoms. The CDC advise that you should contact either your doctor or healthcare provider if:

- The soreness or tenderness get worse after 24 hours

- Your side effects are particular severe or do not seem to be improving after a few days.

For more information, check out the CDCs help page on Covid-19 Vaccine Possible Side Effects.
A team from the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV), the Universitat de Valencia (UV) and the Aiken Ophthalmic Clinic (through its Research Foundation) have designed and assessed in their laboratories a new groundbreaking implant, the only one in its kind, to correct presbyopia. As a result of the work of five years of research, they have created the first trifocal corneal inlay that is also fully transparent. Such an inlay would allow good eyesight to presbyopic people of objects located at several distances: far, intermediate (computer, mobile devices) and near. Their work has been published in Nature groups Scientific Reports journal.

This inlay could be an alternative for those suffering from presbyopia who would rather not use glasses or contact lenses. Furthermore, it would be fully compatible with laser refractive surgery in myopic and hyperopic patients, as well as possible subsequent cataract interventions. We are suggesting something totally new that is also not incompatible with any other ocular therapy." Juan Antonio Monsoriu, Researcher, Centre for Physical Technologies of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia

In this sense, Dr. Salvador Garcia-Delpech, from the Aiken Foundation points out that this inlay, unlike others that currently exist, would not prevent subsequent study of the retina or macula and even surgical interventions as the case may be.

He also adds that at this time, screens, mobile phones, electronic devices... have become a basic need in our everyday lives, and the number of patients who request to stop using glasses in their daily life is increasing. "Let's also take into account the face mask effect: many people cannot perform their job with foggy glasses due to the use of face masks and come looking for a practical solution to this problem," adds Garcia-Delpech, referring to changes to which the population is being subjected in this "new normal".

First totally transparent diffractive inlay

The inlay consists of a diffractive lens made of a biocompatible material, "It is extremely thin - less than 5 microns - so it would be inlayed inside the stroma of the cornea, basically without affecting its structure, in a cavity created with a femtosecond laser. The lens is micro-perforated, which allows the flow of necessary nutrients in this part of the cornea", explains Walter D. Furlan, researcher at the Department of Optics and Optometry and Vision Sciences at the University of Valencia. But, the main novelty of the researchers' work goes further, as it is the first totally transparent diffractive inlay.

Another characteristic that differentiates it from current inlays is that the area where the nutrients flow is greater. "This would reduce the chances of rejection once inlayed in the cornea of the patient", highlights Vicente Ferrando, also a researcher at the Center for Physical Technologies of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.

In addition, some of its design parameters may be adapted, which opens a new option for the treatment of presbyopia, with the development of fully customized trifocal corneal inlays, that is: tailored to each patient.

It overcomes all the drawbacks of current corneal inlays

Until now, the treatment for presbyopia has been through the use of glasses, bifocal and progressive contact lenses. There are multifocal intraocular lenses that generally replace the crystalline lens of the eye and intra-corneal inlays for surgical treatments. In the latter case, currently, according to the researchers, there are two types: small-aperture inlays and refractive inlays.

"The first type produce an extension of the depth of focus with which intermediate vision is gained but their luminous efficiency, since it is partially opaque, is low. The second type achieve bifocality, so it has a good performance for nearsighted and farsighted individuals, although it loses quality at intermediate distances. Our design, according to the tests we have developed, overcomes all these handicaps", highlights Juan Antonio Monsoriu.

In these tests, the UPV and UV team demonstrated the viability of this pioneering trifocal intracorneal inlay design. To do this, they assessed its optical quality by comparing it with another model currently used in clinical practice, first numerically with commercial software and then experimentally in an artificial eye using an adaptive optics based visual simulator.

These trials are part of Diego Montagud Martinez's doctoral thesis, recently presented at the UPV.

After the results obtained, the next step will be the beginning of the trials in patients -in a non-invasive way- with the aforementioned visual simulator and in collaboration with the AIKEN Ophthalmology Clinic.
Highlights Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced the company will support India during these times.

Apple will make donations to support and relief efforts on the ground.

Previously, Microsoft and Google committed aid to India.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has pledged aid to India as the Covid-19 crisis is deepening by the day. Cook said Apple will be donating to support and relief efforts on the ground. This comes soon after Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced their plans to support India and various Indian organisations in the fight against the outbreak. India has emerged as the hotspot of Covid-19 globally, reporting over 3.5 lakh cases daily amid an acute shortage of medical supplies.

In a tweet, Cook said, "Amid a devastating rise of COVID cases in India, our thoughts are with the medical workers, our Apple family and everyone there who is fighting through this awful stage of the pandemic. Apple will be donating to support and relief efforts on the ground."

It is not immediately clear how this donation will come about. Whether Apple will directly contact nonprofits and make a donation to them or if it will talk to the government to provide aid, is not something Apple has clarified at the moment. Unlike Apple, Microsoft and Google were a little less ambiguous in stating what they are doing to help India in these tough times. While Microsoft said it will help India with the purchase of oxygen concentrators among other resources and technologies, Google has pledged Rs 135 crore in funding, including the grants made to GiveIndia and UNICEF for their relentless efforts towards the affected public.

Not just the tech companies, other nations have come forward to lend a helping hand to India. Among these countries are the US, the UK, Germany, France, Pakistan, who are providing significant support to India and the people here.

Apple is also among many companies that are encouraging their employees to get vaccinated. The iPhone maker has partnered with drugstore chain Walgreens Boots as a vendor. As a part of this partnership, Apple will open a website to allow its employees to sign up for vaccination appointments. With this drive, Apple will emerge as one of the biggest tech companies to be running a vaccination drive for its employees. The iPhone maker has also committed donations to the global Covid-19 response, totalling an amount of $15 million worldwide. This donation is aimed at helping "treat those who are sick and to help lessen the economic and community impacts of the pandemic."

"There is no mistaking the challenge of this moment. The entire Apple family is indebted to the heroic first responders, doctors, nurses, researchers, public health experts and public servants globally who have given every ounce of their spirit to help the world meet this moment. We do not yet know with certainty when the greatest risk will be behind us," Cook wrote in a statement previously.
[April 27, 2021] Red Hat Offers Complete Kubernetes Stack with Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus

Red Hat (News - Alert) , Inc., the world's leading provider of open source solutions, today announced Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus, a new edition of the industry's leading enterprise Kubernetes platform designed to provide a holistic solution to help customers adopt DevSecOps across the entirety of the hybrid cloud. Offering a complete Kubernetes stack out of the box, Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus brings together everything needed to build, deploy and run nearly any application wherever OpenShift runs. Kubernetes is one of the fastest growing open source projects but requires additional components like management and enhanced security to truly match enterprise needs. Red Hat OpenShift is Kubernetes for the enterprise, trusted by organizations across industries and the globe. Three editions of Red Hat OpenShift give customers the option to start with the right level of capabilities for them. Red Hat OpenShift Kubernetes Engine is the foundational edition of Red Hat OpenShift, delivering enterprise Kubernetes on a foundation of Red Hat Enterprise Linux CoreOS to run containers more securely across the hybrid cloud. Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform adds a full set of developer and operations services and advanced features for application development and modernization. Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus builds on the capabilities of OpenShift Container Platform, taking it a step further by providing a solution that includes advanced security features, Day 2 management capabilities and a global container registry. With Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus, organizations can more consistently implement security features and manage applications wherever they live in the open hybrid cloud and at any point in the software lifecycle. Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus extends OpenShift by bringing together the capabilities of: Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security for Kubernetes, to help secure software supply chains, infrastructure and workloads. Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes, for end-to-end visibility, management and control of Kubernetes clusters across a hybrid and multicloud environment. Red Hat Quay, to provide a global, scalable and more secure container registry for a consistent build pipeline that spans infrastructures. Powerful Kubernetes-native security capabilities Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus introduces Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security for Kubernetes. Developed from the StackRox technology, Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security for Kubernetes provides built-in Kubernetes-native security to enhance the security of infrastructure and workloads throughout the entire application lifecycle. Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security for Kubernetes transforms how cloud-native workloads are secured by expanding and refining Kubernetes' native controls to extend beyond the platform itself. Users need to be able to monitor running workloads for security issues or threats. Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security for Kubernetes provides deep system-level data collection and analysis as well as more than 60 security policies out-of-the-box that can be applied and enforced from the time that apps are built to when they are deployed and running. Additionally, Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus helps organizations "shift left" by applying a DevSecOps approach to security by integrating declarative security into developer tooling and workflows. This brings enhanced security to the software stack and throughout the life of a cloud-native application, fro the build and CI/CD phase to production.



Designed to be secure by default Red Hat OpenShift already has a broad set of capabilities that provide built-in security features for every Kubernetes cluster, and is built on the security focus at the foundation of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. However, organizations often have specific security and compliance requirements they must meet that can vary by industry or by individual applications. Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus is designed to address all major security needs for nearly any application, delivering greater assurance by extending security and compliance with tools, capabilities and policies as the default standard out of the box.

OpenShift Platform Plus provides multiple layers of security features, manageability and automation that work across infrastructures to drive greater consistency throughout the software supply chain and running workloads. By including Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes, Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus enables users to apply consistent operational policies for security, configuration, compliance and governance to multi-cluster Kubernetes environments that span on-premises and cloud infrastructures. With the addition of Red Hat Quay, Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus provides a global container registry with strong security capabilities for a consistent, validated build pipeline that spans infrastructures. Availability Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security for Kubernetes is available immediately. Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus is slated to be available in Q2 2021. Supporting Quotes Ashesh Badani, senior vice president, Cloud Platforms, Red Hat "As Kubernetes and container use in production scale, we need the tools and strategies that manage and secure these deployments to grow and evolve as well. Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus further extends the already robust capabilities of OpenShift to provide the greater security, oversight and governance that organizations need to more securely build, run and manage applications consistently at scale across the hybrid cloud and the modern application lifecycle." Additional Resources Learn more about Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus Learn more about Red Hat Advanced Cluster Security for Kubernetes Connect with Red Hat Learn more about Red Hat Get more news in the Red Hat newsroom Read the Red Hat blog Follow Red Hat on Twitter Join Red Hat on Facebook Watch Red Hat videos on YouTube Follow Red Hat on LinkedIn About Red Hat, Inc. Red Hat is the world's leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to deliver reliable and high-performing Linux, hybrid cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies. Red Hat helps customers integrate new and existing IT applications, develop cloud-native applications, standardize on our industry-leading operating system, and automate, secure, and manage complex environments. Award-winning support, training, and consulting services make Red Hat a trusted adviser to the Fortune 500. As a strategic partner to cloud providers, system integrators, application vendors, customers, and open source communities, Red Hat can help organizations prepare for the digital future. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company or its parent International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE: IBM (News - Alert) ) may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Red Hat, the Red Hat logo and OpenShift are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005443/en/

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Real Estate Organization Recognizes Cherrytree Executive

The real estate industry organization, Brownfield Coalition of the Northeast, has profiled one of its youngest members in its member publication.

Melina Ambrosino, the 33-year-old executive vice president of tax credit consulting firm Cherrytree Group, recently was elevated to the board of directors of the Northeast Coalition, which promotes best practices in the sustainable redevelopment of brownfield land areas. Brownfield is a real estate industry term for toxic lands from prior activity which require remediation before they may once again serve a public or private purpose.

During her 10 years with the tax credit consulting firm, Ambrosino has developed a specialty in navigating the byzantine paths of brownfield tax credit acquisition for individual and corporate real estate developers and investors. Her firm, in addition to acquiring tax credits for real estate projects, often syndicates these credits for use by individual investors.

Ambrosino started as an administrative assistant with the company, quickly moving up the ranks to become its inhouse expert in brownfields tax credits. Over time she became one of Cherrytree's leaders in new business development before becoming the #2 executive in the organization in April, 2015.







The profile article can be found at https://www.brownfieldcoalitionne.org/bcone-news-updates/10315965

Since its inception in 2011, Cherrytree has obtained and placed over $100 million in state and Federal tax credits. In 2020 the firm secured $20.8 million in credits and the company acquired more Massachusetts brownfields tax credits on behalf of its client developers and investors than all other companies combined.

The Cherrytree Group's management team, in addition to Ambrosino, includes Warren Kirshenbaum, president, and Jacob Vezga, senior tax credit associate. All three assist developers with tax credit acquisition in the areas of renewable energy, historic preservation, brownfields remediation, and the creation of affordable housing.

Cherrytree's website: https://cherrytree-group.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005858/en/
[April 27, 2021] Thales Selected by Lockheed Martin to Deliver Airborne Anti-submarine Warfare Sonars to the U.S., Indian, Greek and Danish Navies

Thales has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin (News - Alert) as a tier-one supplier for the delivery of up to 55 airborne anti-submarine warfare sonars. The ALFS (Airborne Low Frequency Sonar)* dipping sonars will be installed on the MH-60R platform for the U.S. Navy and three navies. Delivery of the first 42 systems will occur over the next five years with a delivery of 13 optional systems to occur in year six. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005026/en/ ALFS dipping sonar on MH-60R helicopter  Lockheed Martin Thales (News - Alert) has delivered more than 300 ALFS sonars to the U.S. Navy since the early 2000s and this new contract with Lockheed Martin will continue to support the Navy's readiness strategy. The navies of India, Denmark and Greece will receive their first deliveries of the ALFS sonar system through direct U.S. Foreign Military Sales of the MH-60R platforms. To maintain control over their maritime space and protect security interests around the world, naval forces need reliable, high-performing systems to operate with optimum effect on missions including anti-submarine warfare, maritime search and rescue, defence of maritime approaches and fleet protection for naval forces on deployment. Offering unparalleled protection to maritime convoys, the ALFS anti-submarine warfare system is capable of detecting, classifying, prosecuting, harassing or attacking submarines, making Thales the benchmark for the world's major navies. In addition to the U.S. Navy, the other navies that have chosen Thales dipping sonar solutions include the navies f Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, Poland, South Korea and the Philippines.



As a low frequency active sonar, ALFS is designed for the initial detection and tracking of opposing submarines. It offers a long detection range with a wide coverage rate and a low false alarm level, both in deep and coastal waters. It can be used autonomously to clear a particular area or as a complementary anti-submarine warfare asset to sonars on board surface vessels for target relocation and attack. "Earning the trust of the U.S. Navy and its allies and partners around the globe is a source of pride for our team. This contract enhances our position as a strategic supplier to Lockheed Martin and further consolidates the Group's world leadership position in anti-submarine warfare systems. We will continue to improve the performance and competitiveness of our airborne sonars to meet the new anti-submarine warfare operational challenges of our customers." Alexis Morel, VP Underwater systems, Thales.

Note to Editors * The Thales ALFS and FLASH systems are from the same product family of airborne anti-submarine dipping sonars but each product has variances due to system destinations and the local technological requirements to comply with including U.S. ITAR. About Thales Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies, investing in digital and "deep tech" innovations - connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum computing - to build a confident future crucial for the development of our societies. The Group provides its customers - businesses, organisations and governments - in the defense, aeronautics, space, transport, and digital identity and security domains with solutions, services and products that help them fulfil their critical role, consideration for the individual being the driving force behind all decisions. Thales has 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2020 the Group generated sales of 17 billion. About Thales in the USA In the United States, Thales has conducted significant research and development, manufacturing, and service capabilities for more than 100 years. Today, Thales is present in 22 states, operating 46 different facilities and employing nearly 5,000 people. Working closely with U.S. customers and local partners, Thales is able to meet the most complex requirements for every operating environment. PLEASE VISIT Thales Group

Defence

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 05:49:52|Editor: huaxia

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MADRID, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Reyes Maroto said on Monday that she had been sent a letter containing a knife covered in red stains.

Maroto received the knife just days after Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, former Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias, and Maria Gamez, head of Spain's Civil Guard, each received packages containing threatening letters and four bullets.

Maroto's ministry published a photo of the wooden-handled folding knife and the minister spoke to reporters outside of the parliament, saying "this is serious... We should be concerned."

She said police were investigating who could have sent the package and added that this and last week's threats "give us more strength to defend democracy. Hatred and threats will not silence us."

Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the serious threat in a tweet in which he wrote "Enough! We are not going to allow this. We are not going to allow hatred to take over coexistence in Spain."

The threats have been received in the context of an increasingly bitter election campaign ahead of the May 4 elections for the regional government of the Community of Madrid.

On Friday, Iglesias, who stepped down from his cabinet role to become the candidate for his Unidas Podemos party, walked out of an electoral debate on radio station Cadena SER, after Rocio Monesterio, the candidate for the far-right Vox party, refused to condemn the death threat he has received and even implied the letter was fake. Enditem
The San Antonio River Walk food and beverage scene is days away from welcoming two new concepts: a Vietnamese restaurant which will start serving traditional comfort food on Friday and a tropical bar pouring up "fun, but sophisticated cocktails" next week.

House of Ma and Hugman's Oasis are both days away from opening in the Witte Building, at 135 E. Commerce St., next door to this just-opened Canopy hotel. House of Ma, a Vietnamese spot from the minds of Singh's, will open first on Friday. The debut of Hugman's Oasis, a tropical bar, will follow on May 7.

Both concepts are by Esquire Tavern owner and hotel developer Chris Hill.

RELATED: San Antonio's Lulu's Bakery & Cafe is closed and everything from decor to equipment is on sale

Louis Singh and Eric Trevino are the owners of Singh's, a popular St. Mary's Strip restaurant, they are combining again on House of Ma. The upcoming restaurant, which is housed on the first level of the building, will offer Hu Tieu (Cambodian Noodle Soup), Pho Ga (Chicken Pho) and more. Additional items, such as candied-jalapeno Rangoons and seasonal yakitori skewers, will be available on the Hugman's Oasis bar menu.

"House of Ma in San Antonio is aptly named for the origins of its recipes - beloved Vietnamese mothers and grandmothers, and the humble traditions of homestyle family cooking," the opening announcement said.

The restaurant will also offer private dining space on the second floor.

Hugman's Oasis is named after Robert H. H. Hugman, an architect credited for creating the River Walk, and will open beneath House of Ma, closest to the waterway.

Jeret Pena, who Liquor.com credited for transforming San Antonio into a "Bona Fide Cocktail Town," is serving as beverage director for the bar. The menu features the Bermuda Triangle, which is rum-based drink, and a Pinagroni, which is a take on a traditional negroni.

"The cocktail menu at Hugmans Oasis features fun, but sophisticated cocktails that pay homage to the bars tiki atmosphere. Hugmans Oasis bar menu follows an Izakaya tavern mindset: a menu of small dishes for snacking while drinking so you can linger with good friends, good food and good drinks," the announcement also said.

READ MORE FROM MADALYN: Al Carbon Pollos Asados' new location with a drive-thru is now open

Pena will also curate a cocktail list at House of Ma. Drinks like the Old Siam and Soi Cowboy will be served there.

Hugman's Oasis has been featured in Food and Beverage Magazine for bringing in "well-known tiki bar expert" Bamboo Ben to work with Giles Design Bureau, the San Antonio group behind the branding of Hotel Emma, on the design.

Once open, hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. The bar will be open Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Both will be closed on Monday.
[April 27, 2021] SHAREHOLDER ACTION ALERT: The Schall Law Firm Reminds Investors of a Class Action Lawsuit Against Credit Suisse Group AG and Encourages Investors with Losses in Excess of $100,000 to Contact the Firm

The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against Credit Suisse Group AG ("Credit Suisse" or "the Company") (NYSE: CS) for violations of 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors who purchased the Company's securities between October 29, 2020 and March 31, 2021, inclusive (the ''Class Period''), are encouraged to contact the firm before June 15, 2021. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.



We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at brian@schallfirm.com. The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.

According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Credit Suisse concealed serious defects in its risk policies and procedures and compliance oversight functions. The Company concealed these deficiencies so that high-risk clients including Greensill and Archegos could take advantage of excess leverage. This leverage exposed the Company to billions of dollars in losses. Based on these facts, the Company's public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Credit Suisse, investors suffered damages. Join the case to recover your losses. The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427006168/en/

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Manchester City face Paris St Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday. Here, the PA news agency looks at some talking points ahead of the game.

Favourites collide

PSG have a reputation for attacking football (Martin Rickett/PA)

Neither City nor PSG have ever won the Champions League, having achieved just one final appearance between them, but they are the two favourites for the competition. Those who dislike the way the owners of both clubs have spent lavishly to join the elite may wish to look away but, putting those issues aside, it is expected to be an entertaining tie between two positive, attack-minded teams.

The long quest for glory

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Both clubs have long coveted this title having been on similar trajectories for the past decade. City have become big players in the European game since their takeover by Sheikh Mansour in 2008 but success in this elite competition has been elusive. Despite participating in 10 successive seasons, they only have one previous semi-final appearance to show for their efforts. PSG, who welcomed their Qatari investors in 2011, found the quarter-finals or last 16 their limit until reaching the final last year.

Ones to watch

City will hope to keep Kylian Mbappe quiet (Martin Rickett/PA)

Attention will naturally focus on PSGs much-vaunted attack, led by the formidable duo of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. PSG arrive in fine goalscoring form having netted at least three times in seven of their last nine games, with Mbappe alone having bagged 35 this season. Citys success this season has been a collective effort but Kevin De Bruyne is their key attacking figure while Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan are also in fine form.

Managers head to head

Mauricio Pochettino (left) and Pep Guardiola (right) face each other again (PA Archive)

City boss Pep Guardiola and opposite number Mauricio Pochettino know each other well, their rivalry dating back more than a decade to their time in Spain as respective managers of neighbours Barcelona and Espanyol. More recently they clashed in England during the latters time with Tottenham. Guardiola has won 10 of their 18 meetings but Pochettino famously emerged victorious when his Spurs side beat City in the quarter-finals two years ago.

Story continues

History

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City do have history on their side having edged out PSG in the quarter-finals five years ago. The sides drew 2-2 in Paris before De Bruyne scored a late winner to send City through 3-2 on aggregate on the back of a 1-0 win at the Etihad Stadium.
A US military ship fired warning shots after three vessels from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) came close to it and another American patrol boat in the Gulf, the United States military said on Tuesday.

'The US crews issued multiple warnings via bridge-to-bridge radio and loud-hailer devices, but the IRGCN vessels continued their close range maneuvers,' the military statement said.

'The crew of Firebolt then fired warning shots, and the IRGCN vessels moved away to a safe distance from the US vessels,' the statement added, using the name for the US Navy patrol ship.

Earlier this month, the Navy said that an Iranian warship repeatedly crossed the bows of US military vessels in international waters in an 'unsafe and unprofessional interaction.'

A US military ship fired warning shots after three vessels from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) came close to it and another American patrol boat in the Gulf, the United States military said on Tuesday. The image above shows a photo released by the US Navy claiming to be an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Vessel cutting in front of the US Coast Guard ship USCGC Monomoy in the Persian Gulf on April 2

Quartermaster 3rd Class John McHugh, assigned to patrol coastal ship USS Firebolt, fires a .50 caliber machine gun during a live-fire drill in the Gulf of Oman on January 14

The tense encounter in the Persian Gulf on April 2 was the first such incident in about a year amid wider turmoil in the region over Tehran's tattered nuclear deal.

Images released by the Navy showed a ship commanded by Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard cut in front of the USCGC Monomoy, causing the Coast Guard vessel to come to an abrupt stop with its engine smoking on April 2.

The Iranian ship, Harth 55, also did the same with another Coast Guard vessel, the USCGC Wrangell, said Commander Rebecca Rebarich, a spokeswoman for the Navy's Mideast-based 5th Fleet.

Iran did not immediately acknowledge the incident, which resulted in no injuries or damage.

'The US crews issued multiple warnings via bridge-to-bridge radio, five short blasts from the ships horns, and while the Harth 55 responded to the bridge-to-bridge radio queries, they continued the unsafe maneuvers,' Rebarich said.

Iranian ship Harth 55 is seen cutting across the bow of the USCGC Wrangell in the Persian Gulf on April 2, the first such encounter in nearly a year

'After approximately three hours of the U.S. issuing warning and conducting defensive maneuvers, the (Iranian) vessels maneuvered away from the U.S. ships and opened distance between them.'

The interaction marked the first 'unsafe and unprofessional' incident involving the Iranians since April 15, 2020, Rebarich said.

However, Iran had largely stopped such incidents in 2018 and throughout most of 2019, she said.

The incidents at sea almost always involve the Revolutionary Guard, which reports only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured in April 2020).

In 2017, the Navy recorded 14 instances of what it describes as 'unsafe and or unprofessional' interactions with Iranians forces. It recorded 35 in 2016, and 23 in 2015.

The incidents at sea almost always involve the Revolutionary Guard, which reports only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Some analysts believe the incidents are meant in part to squeeze moderate President Hassan Rouhanis administration after the 2015 nuclear deal.

They include a 2016 incident in which Iranian forces captured and held overnight 10 US sailors who strayed into the Islamic Republic's territorial waters.

The incident comes as Iran negotiates with world powers in Vienna over Tehran and Washington returning to the 2015 nuclear deal.

It also follows a series of incidents across the Middle East attributed to a shadow war between Iran and Israel, which includes attacks on regional shipping and sabotage at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility.
A posthumous pardon request was submitted on Monday to Texas officials on behalf of George Floyd for a 2004 drug arrest that was done by a now indicted ex-Houston police officer whose case history is under scrutiny following a deadly drug raid.

Years before his death, Floyd was arrested in Houston - where he grew up - in February 2004 by former police officer Gerald Goines for selling $10 worth of crack in a police sting.

Floyd later pleaded guilty to a drug charge and was sentenced to 10 months in a state jail.

The May 2020 killing of Floyd, who was Black, by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, prompted worldwide protests against racial injustice.

George Floyd (left) could be nearing a posthumous pardon. He was arrested in 2004 by Gerald Goines (right), who has since been widely discredited

Chauvin was convicted last week of murder and manslaughter for Floyd's killing.

Goines is now facing two counts of felony murder, as well as other charges in both state and federal court, for a deadly January 2019 drug raid in which Dennis Tuttle, 59, and his wife, Rhogena Nicholas, 58, were killed.

Prosecutors allege Goines, 56, lied to obtain the warrant to search the couple's home by claiming that a confidential informant had bought heroin there.

Goines later said there was no informant and that he had bought the drugs himself, they allege.

More than 160 drug convictions tied to Goines have since been dismissed by prosecutors.

A dozen current and former officers, including Goines, who are tied to the narcotics unit that conducted the drug raid, have been indicted in the wake of the fatal shooting of the couple.

Allison Mathis, with the Harris County Public Defender's Office, alleges Goines also made up a confidential informant in Floyd's case and 'no one bothered to question the word of a veteran cop against that of a previously-convicted Black man.'

Floyd was accused of selling $10 worth of crack. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 months in jail

Floyd pleaded guilty to avoid a possible 25-year sentence because of his past criminal history, Mathis wrote in her office's posthumous pardon application to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.

The pardon request was first made public Monday by a reporter with The Marshall Project.

A pardon 'wouldn't erase the memory, personal or institutional, of this thing that happened to him, or the things that would happen to him later... It would show that the state of Texas is interested in fundamental fairness, in admitting its mistakes, and in working to increase the accountability for police officers who break our trust and their oaths, and harm our people rather than serve them,' Mathis said.

Goines, the officer involved in Floyd's arrest, has since been charged in connection with two deaths from a botched raid in 2019 (pictured arriving to court in 2020)

Several of Floyd's family members and friends, submitted letters in support of the pardon request.

Another person who submitted a letter was Maureen Bishop, a counselor who worked with Floyd in 2012.

Bishop wrote that Floyd once talked about his arrest by Goines and didn't understand why the ex-officer 'would lie about innocent people. He said that he had prayed to God that he would help him find peace to forgive him.'

In a statement Monday, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said Floyd was convicted 'on the lone word of Gerald Goines, a police officer we could no longer trust. We fully support a request that the governor now pardon George Floyd from that drug conviction.'

A spokesperson for the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles didn't immediately reply to an email seeking comment Monday.

It was not immediately known how long the board could take before making a decision.

If a majority of the board approves the pardon request, it would then forward its recommendation to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who would have to give final approval.

According to KHOU, the pardon would only be applicable for the 2004 conviction in question.

Floyd was convicted of eight crimes between 1997 and 2005 and served four years in prison after a plea bargain in a 2007 aggravated robbery.

Goines has been the subject of a high-profile lawsuit in the aftermath of him being discredited.

More than 160 drug convictions tied to Goines have since been dismissed

In July, Byron Prophet filed a lawsuit against Goines and the City of Houston, claiming he was wrongfully convicted on cocaine charges in 2008.

'The Houston Police Department has a pattern and practice of planted evidence, perjured testimony, false arrest, and malicious prosecution resulting in dozens of wrongful convictions, ruined lives, and countless lost years in prison,' Prophet's civil rights lawyer Randall Kallinen told WGRZ at the time.

Otis Mallet, meanwhile, was one of the first people to have their conviction related to Goines overturned.

Mallet was accused of selling drugs in 2008 and was sentenced to eight years in prison. He served two before receiving parole, all while maintaining his innocence.

Mallet was declared innocent in August 2020.

The Houston Chronicle reports that another person, a woman sentenced to two years of probation in 2017 who pleaded guilty to buying $10 worth of crack, has had her case overturned.

Goines was one of six former Houston police officers indicted in the botched raid that took the lives of Tuttle and Nicholas.

In July, Goines was indicted on two counts of felony murder, as well as four counts of tampering with a government record (for the search warrants), and aggregate theft by a public servant, according to ABC 13.

Goines was previously released from jail on bond following the initial murder charges.
John Kerry, a former secretary of state, said on Monday that he had never discussed covert Israeli airstrikes in Syria with Irans foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, contrary to Mr. Zarifs claim in a leaked conversation.

Mr. Zarif and Mr. Kerry spoke constantly when the two were negotiating the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The Iranian foreign minister said in the recording, reported by The New York Times on Sunday, that Mr. Kerry had informed him that Israel had attacked Iranian interests in Syria at least 200 times.

The claim sparked a furor on Monday among conservatives who accused Mr. Kerry, who was secretary of state in the Obama administration and now serves as President Bidens climate envoy, of betraying Israeli secrets.

But in a tweet on Monday evening, Mr. Kerry denied the assertion and pointed to reports long in the public domain about Israeli strikes on Iranian assets in Syria.
BURLINGTON, ON, April 27, 2021 /CNW/ - Cogeco has launched a community based initiative that aims to recognize the important work of staff at Long Term Care Homes (LTCH) while also supporting some small business operators.

To do this, Cogeco purchases lunches from local restaurants and delivers them to employees at over 40 Long Term Care Homes across Ontario. Nurses, Personal Support workers, housekeeping and administration staff all receive an individually packaged lunch delivered to their front door by Cogeco's team.

The program's two goals are to recognize the heroic efforts of everyone working in long-term care and to help small restaurant owners survive the pandemic.

Matt Wickham, Cogeco Connexion Vice President & General Manager for Ontario notes "We have all heard the stories about outbreaks in some of these facilities and yet, these heroes continue to go to work, caring for some of our most vulnerable community members. We wanted to show them how much they are appreciated. Our team has really been touched by the reactions they have received both from the restaurant owners but most importantly, from the (LTCH) staff. We are so happy with the outcome of this program."

Cogeco's employees are delivering these lunches in person while adhering to all Covid-19 protocols such as social distancing and wearing masks. Lunches are provided in large boxes and are exchanged outside the facilities to ensure the safety of everyone who works or lives in each location.

Quotes:

"Thank you so much to you and your team for making staff feel appreciated during this difficult time"

- Revera Northridge Long-Term Care Home

"Staff were so happy and greatly appreciated it. Also it was an excellent opportunity to celebrate LTC"

- Chartwell Queens Harden Long-Term Care Home

"This is really a big deal for us.... Thanks for thinking of us"

- Manhattan Bar and Grill

"Thank you for supporting the community and local businesses!"

- Romby's Tavern and Smokehouse

ABOUT COGECO CONNEXION

Cogeco Connexion regroups the Canadian cable operations of Cogeco Communications Inc. Cogeco Connexion is the second largest cable operator in Ontario and Quebec in terms of the number of basic cable service customers served. It provides its residential and small business customers with Internet, video and telephony services through its two-way broadband cable networks. Cogeco Communications Inc. is a communications corporation and is the 8th largest hybrid fibre coaxial cable operator in North America operating in Canada under the Cogeco Connexion brand name in Quebec and Ontario, and in the United States through its subsidiary Atlantic Broadband in 11 states along the East Coast, from Maine to Florida. Cogeco Communications Inc.'s subordinate voting shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CCA).

SOURCE Cogeco Connexion

For further information: Information: Glenda Lloyd, Manager, Communications and Community Relations Ontario, Cogeco Connexion, 289-337-7387, [email protected]; Media request: Anastasia Unterner, Director, Communication and Public Relations, Cogeco Connexion, 514-241-7262, [email protected]

Related Links

www.cogeco.ca


Here's how to play:

1. Follow Chili's on Instagram or Twitter.

2. Pick the city closest to you:

Atlanta

Las Vegas

Nashville, Tenn.

San Antonio

Tampa, Fla.

3. On Cinco de Mayo  Wednesday, May 5  keep a close eye on Chili's Instagram and Twitter pages for clues that will be released starting at 9 a.m. CT (hint: turn your notifications on so you don't miss any!). Follow along closely because we'll release a code word you'll need to unlock the pinata upon finding it.

4. The first five Guests to find the five pinatas in each of the five cities and say the code word correctly to the on-site Chili's ambassador, wins!

5. Take your winnings to a Chili's near you and Cinco with the 'rita experts.

Here's how to Cinco with the 'rita experts on May 5:

If you don't live in a participating city, don't win or choose not to play "Hide and Cinco," don't worry because you can still Cinco with the 'rita experts on May 5. We're serving up five celebration-worthy deals for only $5 on some of our most popular drinks, including our Presidente Margarita, Cheers to Patron, Cuervo Blue and Frose 'ritas, and select draft imports. All available at participating restaurants for dine-in or to-go for Guests 21 and older. And Guests who order one of these deals to-go will receive a free commemorative sticker while supplies last.

"After more than a year of virtual meetings, events, happy hours and gatherings  and with COVID-19 restrictions lifting  we wanted to create an activity that encourages our Guests to safely get outside and enjoy Cinco de Mayo," said Michael Breed, vice president of marketing at Chili's. "With immersive events and activities re-emerging, we knew we had an opportunity to do something fun, and we're ready and excited to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with our Guests!"



Get ready to get the fiesta started with us on May 5, because we're already counting  1, 2, 3 

You can find more information about the "Hide and Cinco" scavenger hunt, our fiesta-worthy deals and a Chili's near you here.

Must be 21 or older to purchase alcoholic beverages. Offers available at participating restaurants.

About Chili's Grill & Bar

Hi, welcome to Chili's! We're a leader in the casual dining industry and the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT). We're known for our big mouth burgers, Texas-sized ribs, full-on sizzling fajitas and hand-shaken margaritas. We take our food seriously  but not ourselves  because dining out should feel like a celebration even if there is nothing to celebrate. Our passion is making every Guest feel special, and every day, our ChiliHeads make it their job to spread #ChilisLove across our more than 1,600 restaurants in 29 countries and two territories. And Chili's cares. We host local Give Back Events to support kids, education and hunger, and have raised more than $70 million through our annual Create-A-Pepper campaign benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, because giving back is a big part of who we are. Find more information about us at www.chilis.com, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, like us on Facebook @Chilis or join us on TikTok @chilisofficial.

SOURCE Chili's Grill & Bar

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Pionen is a former civil defence centre constructed in the White Mountains Sodermalm borough of Stockholm, Sweden in 1943 to safeguard essential government functions. It was transformed into a data centre by the Swedish internet service provider, Bahnhof.

Swedens Bahnhof Data Centre was officially opened on September 11, 2008, and the company continues to use the facility till now. The building is concealed under the mountain and is secured by a 15.75 in (40 cm) thick door and can only be reached by an entrance tunnel. Due to all of these features, the data centre can withstand even a hydrogen bomb.

Constructing something exceptional

The Bahnhof Data Centre is also a co-location centre. In 2010, WikiLeaks used its co-location services to store its servers. The facility is architected in such a way that it looks like a vision right out of a science fiction movie. Bahnhof purposefully planned its server environment to bring to mind the cinematic look and feel of science fiction movies like Silent Running and Logans Run.

The company has preserved the places cold war moniker, Pionen White Mountains

The Bahnhof Data Centre exists in a previous nuclear shelter about 100 ft (30 m) under the ground. The company has preserved the places cold war moniker, Pionen White Mountains, and some of its accoutrements. One of the signs near the entrance reads: these doors should be locked at DEFCON1. This extraordinary facility came to life thanks to a distinct design idea, thoughtful use of technology, and a strong aspiration to construct something exceptional.

Hydrogen bomb explosion

Bahnhof Data Centre facts are as follows:

It took 20 months to design and construct the facility.

The centre has an IT usable capacity of 800 kW.

There are 140 cabinets with a power density of 5.7 kW average per cabinet. There is no particular maximum.

Cooling, organised cabling, and electrical wiring are fitted under a 3.3 ft (1 m) deep raised flooring.

The facility is located in a site that was initially an army bunker and nuclear shelter during the cold war.

The shelter was designed to withstand a hydrogen bomb explosion.

It houses the Network Operations Centre (NOC) for all of ISPs operations. They have five (5) data centres in the country, with Pionen being the largest.

The facility also serves as a co-location hosting centre, so one can really put their own servers here.

It features two Maybach MTU diesel engines and Baltimore Aircoil fans.

A team of only 15 senior technical employees work permanently in the facility.

Former nuclear bunker

The data centre is situated below 30 m of solid granite foundation

The Bahnhof Data Centre is a Hollywood-style Swedish data centre situated in a former nuclear bunker, deep in the bedrock right beneath the city of Stockholm. It was constructed to be able to survive a blast by a hydrogen bomb.

The building has a total area of 10,764 sq ft (1,000 sq m), with 5,382 sq ft (500 sq m) of hosting area and 2,153 sq ft (200 sq. m) for back-of-house systems. The residual area is for office and personnel spaces. It can tolerate a structural loading of 403 lbs per sq ft (2 tons per sq m). The data centre is situated below 30 m of solid granite foundation.

Glass-walled room

When one enters the facility, the first thing they will notice are two huge engines that automatically start in the event of a power cut. These are genuine German submarine engines. The mountain walls inside are covered with green plants that makes one feel as if they provide the site with extra oxygen.

Excess heat created by the servers is recycled into the local district heating network

There is also a massive insulated, circular glass-walled room that floats above the ground, serving as a conference room. The round carpet inside the conference room looks like the moon. For a pleasant work atmosphere, the facility has simulated daylight, conservatories, man-made waterfalls, and a massive 2600 lt saltwater fish tank. Excess heat created by the servers is recycled into the local district heating network, making this facility one of the most environmentally-friendly data centres across the globe.

Co-location hosting

According to Jon Karlung, CEO at Bahnhof, the exceptional design of the data centre makes it a much-talked-about facility worldwide. If one has been inside the building, they will certainly tell other people about it.

The exclusive approach also aids the business to get the word out about their building. It makes them stick out, and as the building provides co-location hosting, they have consumers who often visit the site and work there. These individuals share what they see with others, which creates positive word-of-mouth marketing for the company.

Server capacity services

Bahnhof has delivered internet and hosting services since its establishment in 1994

Bahnhof has delivered internet and hosting services since its establishment in 1994. In 2006, it came across an exciting prospect to expand its premises and include a subterranean bunker initially serving as an army shelter and nuclear bunker during the Cold War era.

In 2007-2008, Bahnhof Data Centre was totally repurposed to become the remarkable facility. Over 4,000 cubic m (141,300 cubic ft) of solid rock was blasted away to create the 1,200 sq m that the company required. The redesigned facility became operational in September 2008, accommodating a huge part of the companys network operations and serving as a co-location centre for a range of businesses and people looking for server capacity services.

Human-friendly atmosphere

The Bahnhof Data Centre is different from all other hosting facilities across the globe. It was inspired by movies like The Empire Strikes Back and James Bond. The building has an exceptional human-friendly atmosphere, housing magnificent waterfalls, conservatories, a glass-walled meeting room floating above the ground, and artificial daylight.

Bahnhof Data Centre is one of the best-connected sites in the North European region

Bahnhof Data Centre is one of the best-connected sites in the North European region. It provides triple redundancy internet backbone access. The network has complete redundancy with both fibre optics and additional copper lines with several different physical ways into the mountain. The data centre depends on Eatons UPS protection to offer rock-solid network operations and co-location services.

The backup power supply is guaranteed by two Maybach MTU diesel engines that were initially designed for submarines. They can generate 1.5 megawatts of power. A submarine sound-horn is fitted near the engines and alarms in case of a system breakdown.

Rack-mounted servers

The cooling is controlled by Baltimore Aircoil fans generating a cooling effect of 1.5 megawatts. This is sufficient to cool hundreds of rack-mounted servers at a time. With a massive 11,950 sq ft space, the facility houses a NOC for all of the ISPs operations.

The network of Global Switch includes numerous main production servers

As one of five data centres, it is the biggest and is operated by a team of 15 senior technical employees. The network of Global Switch includes numerous main production servers, backup servers, and administrative, standby, and dedicated servers. Pionen is Bahnhofs largest data centre and can house over 6,000 server computers.

Subterranean data centre

What makes Bahnhof Data Centre one of the most secure buildings? As the world becomes increasingly dependent on online services, internet service providers are going above and beyond to protect their systems. This fact is more obvious at the subterranean data centre run by Bahnhof.

When Karlung secured a former nuclear shelter below 100 ft of Stockholm bedrock as the location for a data centre, he believed it would be suitable to bring his love of 1970s science fiction to the design of the site. The facility is a server housing centre that can endure a hydrogen bomb explosion. In case of power failure, backup power is delivered by a few German submarine engines. Fabricated waterfalls, interior jungle plants, lowland smog, and a meeting room with an image of the moons surface on the flooring provide the preferred effect of a sci-fi dream pad.

Access control system

Its working atmosphere is made more liveable for workers with artificial daylight

Constructed 30 m underneath a granite mountain, the building was initially used as a cold war shelter and was planned to provide security from a nuclear conflict between Soviet and Western forces. With servers situated deep within the mountain and only reachable through one tunnel sheltered by a 40 cm thick steel door and can run independently of the national grid because of two submarine engines that serve as backup generators.

Although the data centre is acknowledged to be one of the most secure facilities across the globe because of its underground location, its working atmosphere is made more liveable for workers with artificial daylight, conservatories, and a saltwater fish tank.

Identivs flexible physical access control system (PACS) and video intelligence solutions provide the highest security at the lowest cost possible. Regardless of the physical location, one can easily manage access control through the robust, feature-rich systems, hardware, and software. Their technology integrations deliver high-security physical security solutions in partnership with other providers.
The Peoples Democratic Party has condemned the caution issued by the National Broadcasting Commission to Channels Television. NBC issued the...





The Peoples Democratic Party has condemned the caution issued by the National Broadcasting Commission to Channels Television.

NBC issued the caution after Channels Television interviewed the spokesman of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Emma Powerful, on its Politics Today programme.

The Commission said the IPOB spokesman was allowed to make inciting declarations on air without reprimand by Channels Television.

It said the programme was clearly in violation of the provisions of the Code, and extant provisions of the Broadcasting Act.

Reacting, the PDP said the disposition of the NBC could be counter-productive and heighten the already tensed situation in our nation at this critical time.

The party said this in a statement titled, NBC Fine Against Channels Is Draconian, and signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan.

The statement read, The PDP describes the reported suspension and fine of N5m slammed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on @channelstv over alleged violation of broadcasting code, as draconian.

The PDP stresses that, without prejudice to the issues raised against @ChannelsTv, the reported hasty clamp down, without the benefit of caution, is suggestive of intolerance and high-handedness by the regulatory body.

Our party is worried that such disposition could be counter-productive and heighten the already tensed situation in our nation at this critical time.

The PDP, therefore, urges the NBC to review the punitive measure on the media house as well as scale-up system-friendly measure that will ensure best practices in information dissemination in our country.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 00:24:20|Editor: huaxia

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LUSAKA, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Jie on Monday said China's relations with Zambia cannot be told without mentioning the southern African nation's first president Kenneth Kaunda.

The Chinese envoy said Kaunda was a pillar in building the relationship between the two countries.

The envoy made the remarks when he visited the former president at his residence to wish him best wishes ahead of his 97th birthday which falls on April 28.

On his part, Kaunda thanked the Chinese envoy for the best wishes. Enditem


A cuckoo bird called PJ just broke a remarkable record: He traveled over 80,000 kilometers (50,000 miles) in the past five years while journeying to and from the U.K. Common cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) stay in Africa for their winters and relocate to the U.K. in during spring for nesting, typically landing in late April and early May, as stated by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).

The Decline in Cuckoo's Population

But the rampant birds have become difficult to find in recent decades, with their numbers declining by approximately 65% in Britain since the early 1980s. The species was included in the "red list" of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in 2009, implying the birds are of the highest conservation priority in the U.K., The Guardian discloses.

To get a better understanding of why cuckoo populations are decreasing, the BTO initiated the Cuckoo Tracking Project in 2011 to tag and observe the birds during their universal migration. In 2016, the team planted a satellite tag on the bird as a part of the tracking project.

They've monitored PJ's journey since then over the Ivory Coast of Africa and the Sahara desert, through Spain and France, and at last back to Suffolk, England, where he was initially discovered.

Also Read: Birds are Apparently Resilient to Heat Stress Due to Climate Change

First Bird in the Cuckoo Tracking Project

The BTO revealed PJ is the first bird in the Cuckoo Tracking Project as of April 23, to accomplish five journeys back to his English breeding ground. In the past five years, PJ has passed the Sahara 10 times, flew through the Atlas Mountains of Africa, and navigated Europe's Pyrenees, Emily Beament, environment correspondent reported for PA Media.

Head scientist for the Cuckoo Tracking Project, Chris Hewson, said to PA Media: "He is an amazing and a rare cuckoo, they usually migrate to Africa through either Italy or Spain and maintain the same route every year, but PJ has made use of both routes, and one in between, over the five years; in fact, he stopped in both Spain and Italy last autumn."

By changing his route, PJ may have been able to maneuver unfavorable conditions during his migration and thus boost his chances of survival, Hewson added. Hewson and his team discovered previously that the routes cuckoos take to Africa are connected with diverse levels of death, according to a 2016 report released in the journal Nature Communication.

East vs West Route

Particularly, birds that travel along the "west route," through Morocco and Spain, seem more likely to die before finalizing the Sahara crossing compared with those that take the "east route," through the Balkans or Italy.

Most mortality on the west route happened in Europe, implying that recent droughts, wildfires, large moth caterpillars, large-scale changes in habitat, and decrease in the favorite food of cuckoo, in the region may be to blame.

But in spite of many issues related to migration, PJ has arrived safely in Suffolk once again and is about to turn 6 years old this summer, which will bring him within 11 months of the oldest familiar cuckoo on British record, as stated by PA Media.

Related Article: Consequences of Climate Change: Arctic Migratory Birds To Lose Breeding Habitat by 2070

For more news, updates about birds and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Kmart Australia is selling a black drawstring makeup bag priced at a measly $6 and looks identical to expensive alternatives costing more than five times the price.

Sydney fashion blogger Dani, who posts on social media as 'Luxe and Lemonade', praised the affordable buy in a TikTok video.

Dani dubbed the buy as the only 'toiletry bag you need' as it's durable, compact and can hold a high quantity of makeup products.

She added how she's seen similar products retail for as much as $40.

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Sydney fashion blogger Dani, who posts on social media as ' Luxe and Lemonade ', praised the affordable buy in a TikTok video

The cosmetic product has a flat design with a drawstring to open and close the centre of the bag.

'When I tell you it can fit a whole heap of makeup, I do not lie,' Dani said in the video.

'It will mould to any shape and still be compact - currently in the beauty isle.'

Within 24 hours of posting the video online, Dani's video has been seen more than 84,000 times with many tagging friends in the comments.

The cosmetic product has a flat design with a drawstring to open and close the centre of the bag

'Oh yes, this is genius!' one person wrote, another said: 'How incredible.'

A third TikTok user asked whether the bag was secure, and Dani said: 'Totally secure! You can even tie the drawstring (or use the tightening adjusters) and then the Velcro goes over.'

The bag would be perfect to use when travelling interstate within Australia or when staying elsewhere overnight.

The product can be found in the beauty isle of Kmart stores and is also available online.
Reuters

DUBLIN (Reuters) -Ireland's finance minister said he remained confident the country's low-tax economy would continue to attract multinational investment and jobs even as an overhaul of global corporation tax rules moved a major step closer on Saturday. The United States, Britain and other leading nations agreed to back a minimum global rate of at least 15% and for firms to pay more tax in the markets where they sell goods and services rather than in countries like Ireland where they book profits. Ireland, long resigned to having more to lose than most from the reforms due to the attractiveness of its 12.5% rate to foreign multinationals, continued to press the case that any final deal must meet the needs of small and large countries.
Sea lions in California are dying from cancer at an unprecedented rate, potentially linked to thousands of toxic chemical barrels dumped in the Pacific Ocean decades ago.

On Monday marine scientists revealed they had discovered what appears to be those barrels, possibly containing the toxic substance dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, known as DDT, off Southern California.

Some 27,345 barrel-like images were captured from a research vessel by a team from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California San Diego, who mapped more than 36,000 acres of seafloor between Santa Catalina Island and the Los Angeles coast.

It has long been suspected that a massive toxic dump was lurking beneath the surface and wreaking havoc on the health of marine life.

A recent study by the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito found that approximately one in five California adult sea lions have died from cancer. It develops from a herpes virus in sea lions, however not all animals who contracted herpes later died from cancer.

Dr Frances Gulland, senior scientist at the center and the papers lead author, told The Independent: What the study showed is that animals with higher levels of contaminants develop cancer. The genetic markers we looked at were not significant in predisposing animals to cancer. It seems that early life exposure to contaminants makes them susceptible to the herpes-causing cancer, as distinct from being carrier animals.

It is thought that the sea lions come into contact with DDT when they migrate to breeding sites on islands off Southern California. DDT travels through the food chain from microscopic creatures into fish which sea lions feed on. Over time, the toxin can build up in their blubber.

Sea lions with cancer either have to be euthanized or die from the aggressive disease which spreads around their spines and causes paralysis.

Studies have also linked DDTs metabolized version, DDE, to egg-shell thinning in birds, including in brown pelicans and bald eagles. A 2015 study noted high amounts of DDT and other man-made chemicals in the blubber of bottlenose dolphins that died of natural causes.

Certain types of fish are so contaminated from the toxin that California authorities have warned fishermen not to consume their catches.

Dr Gulland said it had been assumed that little could be done to prevent sea lions from developing cancer because toxic waste had seeped into ocean sediment.

But now with the barrels being discovered, you could prevent something from being a problem for hundreds of years, she said. Removing the barrels will be challenging but it's certainly possible.

Resting deep in the ocean, the exact location and extent of the dumping ground was not known until now. Underwater drones using sonar technology captured high-resolution images of barrels resting 3,000 feet (900m) below the surface all along the steep seafloor that was surveyed.

Unfortunately, the basin offshore Los Angeles had been a dumping ground for industrial waste for several decades, beginning in the 1930s. We found an extensive debris field in the wide area survey, Eric Terrill, chief scientist of the expedition and director of the Marine Physical Laboratory at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, told AP.

The survey, conducted the survey from March 10-24 , provides a wide-area map of the barrels, though it will be up to others to confirm through sediment sampling that the containers hold DDT, Dr Terrill said.

It has been estimated between 350 and 700 tons of DDT were dumped in the area some 12 miles (20 km) from Los Angeles. The Palos Verdes Shelf off the coast is designated a Superfund - a toxic site on the US government list scheduled for clean-up - due to the DDT and PCB contamination.

DDT had been invented as a pesticide on the cusp of the Second World War, and was used to protect soldiers from malaria, typhus, and the other insect-borne human diseases. It was later widely used to spray agricultural crops and livestock, and even on beaches to prevent mosquitoes.

In 1972, DDT was banned by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after it was classed as a possible human carcinogen, and linked to adverse impacts on wildlife and the environment.

The largest manufacturer of DDT in the US was Montrose Chemical Corporation, whose plant was located in Torrance, just outside of LA. From the late 1940s to the early 1970s, millions of pounds of the pesticide were discharged from the plant into the ocean.

Scientists conducted the survey following a Los Angeles Times report last year about evidence that DDT was dumped into the ocean. The Times reviewed shipping logs from a disposal company supporting Montrose, which showed 2,000 barrels of DDT-laced sludge were dumped in the deep ocean each month from 1947 to 1961 off Catalina, and other companies also dumped there until 1972.

Scientists started the search where University of California Santa Barbara professor David Valentine had discovered concentrated accumulations of DDT in the sediments and spotted 60 barrels about a decade ago.

While some of Montrose's hazardous waste flowed out to sea through the sewer system, the rest was poured into barrels and sailed ten to 15 miles offshore before being tossed overboard, a practice which was legal at the time.

Prof. Valentine earlier told CBS that while the company was supposed to dump the barrels in deep water, this wasnt always the case. Some barrels were thrown into the water closer to shore while others were punctured to help them sink, allowing the toxic waste to seep out.

In 1990 the government sued over the toxic dump. After a decade-long battle the companies involved, including Montrose, paid out $140 million to be used in the clean-up of the Superfund site.

AP contributed to this report
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's foreign ministry will summon the ambassadors of Slovakia and the three Baltic states on Wednesday, the Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday, without giving a reason.

The prime ministers of Slovakia, Poland and Hungary said on Monday they supported the Czech Republic's expulsion of Russian diplomats after Prague said it suspected two Russian spies were behind a 2014 explosion that killed two people.

Last Friday the three Baltic states - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia - joined a fast-growing list of NATO and EU members demanding the removal of Russian diplomats for alleged spying.

(Reporting by Polina Devitt; editing by Gareth Jones)
A group calling itself the Africa Energy Forum has reacted to the call by some staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to have the MD removed.



The group says the call is unfounded and coupled with lies.



The group in a statement said the move is orchestrated but some individuals with support from some senior and junior staff unions to see the MD removed for no reason.





They have asked the workers behind this agenda not to allow people to use them for their selfish interests.



Read the full statement below



The Africa Energy Forum has followed with keen interest the attempt by some sponsored individuals of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to denigrate, peddle falsehoods and initiate an agenda to have the current MD Mr. Agyeman-Budu removed from office.



Some individuals with selfish interests are supporting some of the senior and junior staff unions by encouraging them to engage in several attempts coupled with baseless allegations and speculations in the past few weeks to have the current MD who has transformed the ECG removed.



They claim the ECG MD is incompetent but under his watch, the firm has seen enormous growth and transformation.



We wish to encourage ECG staff to ignore the illegal strike action which some staff embarked on today.



The action was also a breach of the rules of engagement since it was required for them to have served notice to our employers and the National Labour Commission 7 days before embarking on this needless bravado.



The persons behind this have failed to provide a single piece of evidence to support their allegation of breach of procurement processes.



Our own probe has revealed that some personalities with interest in the job at the ECG are sponsoring a few workers to embark on this agenda.



Our checks have revealed that the MD has put up 12 new customer service centers, seven district offices, and two warehouses.



He has refurbished 20 existing primary substations, constructed five new primary substations at Mataheko, Kanda, Legon, Ogbojo, and Agbogba with an interactive voice in Twi, Ga, Hausa, English, and Ewe.



He has also improved service delivery and reduced loss reduction, captured 117,000 SHEP meters, identified and set up in the CMS as last year.



He further improved nilling processes through the roll-out of the mobility app for meter reading, decoupling of meter reading, and distribution.



His achievements are also not limited to an energy recovery program process to improve system loss recovery.



He also negotiated and renegotiated deals saving the organization over Ghc20 million.,



There is also the monitoring of the distribution network to identify vegetation interference and weak spots for prompt rectification, and reduction in outages, among others.



As a Forum of Energy Journalists, we wish to admonish the persons fueling this agenda to stop it because there is enough evidence to support the achievements of the MD.



Further, there are 905 completed network development projects within the past three years in all operational regions of the country for reinforcement of primary distribution network, improvements in voltage profiles and upgrading and expanding of networks.



We conclude by commending the MD and ask him to continue his good works.



As a Forum, we assure him of our unflinching support in making the ECG more efficient and reliable.













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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People who move to Oregon from another state would not have to demonstrate knowledge of their new states traffic laws in order to get a drivers license, under a bill on its way to the governors desk.

Its part of an effort to help the Oregon DMV clear out a backlog of paperwork thats the result of measures the agency took last year to slow the spread of COVID-19 among its customers and employees.

The DMV said it administers about 100,000 such tests a year, and waiving the requirement would free up appointment slots at its field offices. Currently, an appointment is required to conduct in-person business at the DMV.

Just eight states, including Oregon, require someone with a valid out-of-state license to take a knowledge test to transfer their license, according to testimony from DMV Administrator Amy Joyce.

House Bill 2137 would also extend a grace period for drivers with expired licenses or vehicle registrations. It would allow the use of such documents for up to six months after the expiration date.

The current grace period for expired documents ends on Friday. The bill would extend it through the end of 2021. The reason for the extension is DMVs ongoing struggle to catch up with its backlog.

That only solves part of the problem, said Sen. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, who represents a district that borders Idaho.

This bill should have been amended to reimburse Oregon residents who receive a citation for expired credentials when traveling in other states, said Findley, who said its happened to his constituents when theyve ventured across the state line.

Chris Lehman clehman@oregonian.com
A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Monday lashed out at Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority for its provocative remarks.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said the DPP authority has further exposed its nature of seeking "Taiwan independence," in response to a query on the remarks by Tsai Ing-Wen and Lai Ching-te.

Reiterating that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory, Ma said Taiwan will never be separated from China.

"When it comes to national sovereignty and territorial integrity, it must be decided by all the Chinese people," Ma said.

The "hideous performance" of the DPP authority and separatist forces seeking "Taiwan independence" once again proved that their provocative actions are the biggest source of chaos jeopardizing the stability across the Taiwan Strait, Ma noted.

Such actions threaten the well-being of Taiwan compatriots and bring nothing but grave disasters to them, Ma added.

"This fully demonstrates that our determination to deter separatist activities for 'Taiwan independence' is to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the common interests of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait," the spokesperson said.

Warning the DPP authority and "Taiwan independence" separatist forces not to misjudge the situation, Ma said relying on foreign support to seek "Taiwan independence" is doomed to fail.
The Paramount Chief of Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, has pledged his unflinching support to the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) in the Western Region and other parts of the country.



He said the impunity with which the illegal miners were degrading the environment had got out of hand and that the time had come for all to lend their support, irrespective of ones political colours and social status.



This is not a fight for a particular person or the ministry and government. It is a national fight and for that I pledge my unflinching support, the Omanhene stressed.



Nana Nketsia made the pledge when he welcomed the Minister of Land and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, to his palace yesterday.

Mr Abu Jinapor called on the paramount chief as part of activities of his three-day tour of the Western Region to engage stakeholders in the fight against illegal mining.



Nana Nketsia said the move by the minister of lands and natural resources to call on traditional authorities in the regions and seek their support to deal with the galamsey challenge facing the country was in order.



Tour



Mr Jinapor, as part of the tour, had earlier had frank engagements with the regional and district security councils to discuss the way forward, before calling on Nana Nketsia V.



He is also expected to meet with the Regional House of Chiefs, as well as with the Regional Lands Commission and other forest sector agencies.



Also, Mr Jinapor, who is the Member of Parliament for Damongo, will interact with the mining communities in Tarkwa before proceeding to inspect Mineral Development Fund (MDF) infrastructural projects at the University of Mines and Technology.



Mr Jinapor will also visit the AngloGold (Iduapriem Mines) and also engage the small-scale miners association in the Tarkwa Nsuaem municipality.



Hipper polarisation



The Essikadomanehene said the hipper polarisation of the country, which had become a source of worry to him and many others, was seriously allowing certain unacceptable activities to fester.



He emphasised that just like fighting anything illegal, the fight against galamsey required the support of all to stem it, if not,  the country and the next generation will be the biggest losers.



Unsustainable exploitation



Nana Nketsia said the much talk about Ghana was all about its landmass and its sanctity, therefore if the country lost the fight against those degrading it then we will be in serious trouble.



He said as if the impact of illegal mining was not disturbing enough, illegal chainsaw operators were also destroying tree species in an unsustainable manner, as if there are no rules governing that and it is the reason why, as a matter of urgency, they must be stopped.



Naturally, he said, land had topsoil that fed the nation and the world as a whole through agriculture, however, the illegal mining activities had destroyed the topsoil and continued to pollute the river bodies as well as wanton degradation of forest revers, which must stop.



The paramount chief reminded the minister of a tough task ahead, but urged him not to be discouraged as he had the support of well-meaning Ghanaians



The threats



Mr Abu Jinapor said the country would not watch unconcerned as the illegal activities pollute the countrys water bodies, threaten rubber, palm, and cocoa plantations, as well as key national installations.



What we need now is a broad based national effort that will have the support of our noble chiefs and community elders in a non-partisan dialogue to ensure that the countrys resources are exploited in a safe and regulated manner to the advantage of the people, he said.



The minister was of the view that in order to ensure that the fight was won, there was the need to touch base with agencies under his ministry to ascertain at first-hand, information about what was happening in the sector and to bring everyone on board.



Our resolve



The Western Regional Minister, Mr Okyere Darko-Mensah, assured the minister of the Regional Security Councils commitment to the fight against illegal mining activities, which, he said, had bedeviled the region.



Let me assure you that the team in the Western Region is committed and we will support you and the dream of the President to bring to an end the environmental degradation and the show of impunity by perpetrators of these illegal activities, he said.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Watched it, but wasn't impressed. I think i grew out of this genre a long time ago

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I am shallow when I say this, but if Bin Bons wasn't in this, and effected me the way he did, i wouldn't have done a write up loool.



I honestly don't think it's a GREAT show, it was entertaining enough for me, but if a second season rolled around I would watch it.

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i gotta be honest, i only watched for the alina/darkling aka [redacted] ship.

Mal is the most incredibly boring character ive ever seen in my life and im baffled why the author is all in on Mal and Alina.

all the cute lil bts moments like bin bons partly improvving one of their kiss scenes has me WEAK for the two of them

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The only reason I watched this was Barnes and I've really never seen him in anything but Prince Caspian. LOL but whenever I hear of him in something I think "Oh yeah he's hot, I should watch that" and then never get around to it, so this time I finally did. :) He's good in it, like the Crows, Jessie Mei Li is adorable but it's definitely very "YA".



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I mean could they have made it MORE obvious he was the villain? He's dressed in black and his power is darkness. I was kind of hoping it was a sort of anti-trope or something just because even before he spoke a line or they showed his face, with the dark carriage and the dark cape, it was like "oh hmm..bad guy I guess" and I was like "Nah too easy", but it really was that simple, the bad guy is dressed in black, with summoning shadows as his power. Not to mention the sudden info-drop by his mother about how villainous he is. LOL I mean couldn't they at least have made it like a tense discovery instead Mom pops out of the secret passage and is like "You must get away, my son is TERRIBLE".



And Mal, the childhood friend to lover! He gets dragged by a dark beast, shot point blank by a machine gun, beat to a pulp and shot THROUGH his gut with an arrow but you know, let's just walk this off. :) That's a lot of plot armor, even for me. :D

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yes its very tropey and shallow. But I think its good for younger people, or people who are just starting out in fantasy. Or people who just want something super easy to watch with fantasy elements and romance. I put it on the same level as Bridgerton. lol.

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I am obsessed and need all the seasons!!! Bin Bons is SO FUCKING HOT in this 

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are there black ppl darker than a paper bag in leading roles?

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Edited at 2021-04-27 08:47 pm (UTC) I googled the cast list and...

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nnn nnn

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NOPE.

The one "powerful" dark skinned black woman died in the first 10 minutes of episode one. A pity since I saw her in the preview and got excited.



The whole show has an odd take on race. I'd be fascinated to hear how Asian ONTDers found the story.

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Not in the book

But netflix has been doing some good casting choice on the witcher so it might translate here as well

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fernandocolunga



Thank you to the mods for approving this so quickly. This was a vanity project for sure loooolll. FOR YOU AND ALL THE OTHER BIN BONS STANS OF LATEThank you to the mods for approving this so quickly. This was a vanity project for sure loooolll.

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Ty OPPPPPPPPP 

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Oooh bin bons would have been a good young Voldemort



speaking of, Christian Coulson was on Queen Latifahs show and he is seriously old lol

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I remember having a huge crush on Christian Coulson back then. I just looked him up and WOW he aged like milk, maybe it's the hair Good for him still booking gigs.



Edited at 2021-04-27 08:50 pm (UTC)

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I mean he IS English.

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My first thought was wtf Tom Riddle is 42? but then I remembered that Chamber of Secrets came out ALMOST TWENTY YEARS AGO.



We are all old on this day.

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Um Christian was perfect. No one else wouldve been better. Besides, Its basically been decided he is Sirius Black and Ben approves lol

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Omg Christian! He lives in NYC lol

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Im a binbons rabbit hole :( his Instagram is a lot of fun and he gets a lot of comments from his costars everyone likes binbons. I like the frequent interactions with nathalie Emmanuel Jimmi Simpson and Jon berthnal



I really appreciate how obsessed the younger cast is with this man in his late 30s. I think hes the same age as hiddleston OMG keep that in mind



I havent seen the last episode yet because I have a work project to finish and Im telling myself itll be my reward lol



I wasnt into this genre when I was younger than much but the older I get the more appealing the escapism of another world seems





My views on the show -

Alina and mal are so annoying omg mal I think is bearable but Alina is just OMG

I think why hunger games did better than say divergent is bevsuse Katniss doesnt entirely fall under the not like other girls stereotype. She doesnt have any superpowers shes not the chosen one she has a skill set and fights for her loved ones. In like divergent tris or wtv Shailene is special and same for shadow and bone. And they go from nobodies to like key characters and its always such a quick progression like Alina was all like Im a shy girl then bam two weeks in the palace she was already like full of herself and theres like no character development whereas for someone like the darkling you can understand why hes like this now hes been changing into this person for 500 years. Idk what happens in the end but I always find it unreasonable that someone with little experience and control over their powers takes down the bad guy whos much more competent same for Harry Potter say



The crows are obviously the best jesper is a fave but also Inej and I hate that Im invested in the Nina/Matthias relationship because it started with her as his prisoner but I knew from the get go theyd pair them



Genya/luke pasqualino are my cute otp and OBVIOUSLY Im rooting for general binbons whatever just let him do as he wishes hes very handsome blah I have zero objectivity left when it comes to him lmao and when they showed his backstory I was like THIS MAKES SENSE HIS VILLAIN ORIGINS



also feydor/Ivan are my everything esp prince feydor



Archie who plays mal is hot af but then I looked him up and hes like only 24 and with a child so





Thank you OP for making the post



Edited at 2021-04-27 08:35 pm (UTC)

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I've always enjoyed Nina/Mattias but omg, they pick the worst places to have conversations. Let's go in deep in a sinking ship, in the middle of the ocean, in the middle of a frozen tundra. Like, y'all can't wait till you can actually hear each other and aren't on the brink of death to swap insults??? lol

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Theyre sexy!!!!! They cant control themselves!!! Even if on a piece of wood in the middle of the ocean!

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When I saw Genya's actor's name, I had to look him up. I would have clocked him as South Asian/Middle Eastern, but nope! He's Italian!

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I've managed to be so taken in by General BinBons that i'm like, he's not even evil? He's not even a villain? If anything he's the HERO and Alina is just ruining his plans cos she's a dumb kid who's been living amongst the non-Grisha too long. JUSTICE FOR GENERAL BINBONS.

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:((((( "hes the same age as hiddleston":(((((

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Interesting take on Katniss vs Triss! Never really thought of it that way. It makes me aware that I like Peeta as a lead a lot more than other guys his genre because he isn't hypercompetent, hypermasculine (as far as I know, I didn't read the books). I just really, really, truly hate the chosen one trope lmao maybe because I'm so much older now and am like "you gotta work for these things!!!!"

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the managed to make Mal a lot interesting than he was in the books



Kaz should be hotter, but the crows were super fun



and THANK GOD they aged them all up, that was my biggest gripe with the books



Edited at 2021-04-27 08:31 pm (UTC)

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Ben Barnes says Miss Starkov the same way Jamie Dornan said Miss Steele in 50 Shades. It's creepy.

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I do have a question for book readers: Are Ivan and Fedyor a thing in the books? Because in the show, there's only 1 scene at the fete where it's finally revealed they're a couple.





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Not that I remember, and it says nothing about it on their wiki pages.

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in the books Ivan and Fedyor are barely even work buddies lol, they have no relationship beyond sharing a carriage with Alina in that one scene

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not me LITERALLY finishing this video within the last half hour lol -







I don't know the books but this seems very interesting.

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About to watch it now!

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I just watched it. Shes so cute lol

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I was startled when Alina was called that seemingly out of nowhere! Will watch video now as I prepare to sleep.

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rice eater is such a weird insult, imagine not liking rice

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By the way the majority of white people do rice, more than not liking it, they downright despise it.

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what is the deal with this girl's weak powers? outside of this particular conflict she's a flashlight

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Lmao

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She blinded a man and burned open a lock (albeit with a magnifier). Not disagreeing you, just saying that she can get pretty creative with it if need be. I'd probably take being a sun summoner over a watered-down airbender.

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idk wind summoning would be pretty useful on a sailboat

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She would be perfect at the club, free disco ball

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season one powers like charmed lol. always gotta start em weak otherwise where's the growth

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Ever since someone called her a glow worm on here, that's all I think of.

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In the books she uses the Cut (the slicing thing the Darkling does) at the end of book 1. Kinda sad we didn't see it.

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Yes! I need to talk about this.



While it's not the best show ever made, I think it's really fun and well done for a YA fantasy series. The costumes are really thought out, I like how each main character feels like a person, and the Crows!!! I love my babies so much and they were all cast so well. Give me more!



And what I really love is that because Kaz always has a million backup plans, I don't mind when plot conveniences happen. Because quite a few of his OG plans don't work out and he on his own figures out another, so to me it's nbd when things just kind of workout without his influence if that makes sense. Like, if they didn't he would have just come up with something else.



Edited at 2021-04-27 08:38 pm (UTC)

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I binged it in two days. Easily could have been one day but I was also binging another show also. I really enjoyed Alina/Mal. It's been a hot minute since I rooted for a hetero couple this hard. I also liked Nina/Matthias, which I'm kinda mad at myself for because I felt like that subplot was extremely underdeveloped. But fuck, they were so cute for 10 seconds before it got ruined.

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Ben Barnes is perfect as The Darkling. I just love hot villains.



The crows in the show made me give another chance to Six of Crows and I'm liking it more this time.



I love all the ships in this, even Mal and Alina (but all the flashbacks were a bit much).

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it's SO tropey but I was entertained the whole way through. I'm surprised this is the first time I've seen ben barnes in this kinda tumblr-bait role considering he was THE tumblr fancast for like fucking everything lol. but he serves diet byronic well lol I hope they continue to let him have sexual tension with people next season even tho he's the big bad lol. (I read the first of these books back when it came out but not the others lol although as I've looked up discussion on the show I hear that the six of crows books are supposed to be better? so maybe I'll give those a spin.)



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I liked 6oC but my main complaint is that the characters are written like adults and treated like adults within the story. Essentially they are adults except you're told they're 16 or whatever. The only reason for them to be younger is for the story to get shelved in the YA genre, it doesn't actually affect the story in any meaningful way whatsoever.

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oh man yeah I would have had no idea the characters were originally supposed to be 16 from the show. you see that a lot these days though, for whatever reason YA is considered more marketable than fantasy for adults so authors make the characters "16" or "17" and handwave it with a "it's inspired by historical societies!" even though you can tell they probably pictured 20somethings while writing.

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Im early on in the book and Im already noticing this (and people on ONTD warned me lol). I feel like I have to imagine them in their 20s for this story to work.

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I just re-read SoC and have decided Ill just go with the show age of like somewhere in their 20s. Otherwise its ridiculous GOT shit that has 13 year olds getting married and having kids.

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I completely ignored the fact theyre supposed to be teenagers lol

So what is a teenager supposed to own a bar wtf

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According to a report authored by Frost & Sullivan and commissioned by audio technology brand EPOS, an excellent audio technology is crucial to hybrid learning, and poor audio can result to frustration, stress, and embarrassment.

Education is undergoing rapid change as 1.6 billion children in almost 200 countries were forced to study outside classroom in just the last year, according to EPOS.

Both teachers and students alike have had to adapt to the new reality of distance learning and find new ways to connect, communicate, and motivate.

However, like the hybrid working trend, the pandemic has revealed new opportunities for innovation and improvement.

A new report Reimagining education with high-quality audio (pictured) by Frost & Sullivan and commissioned by EPOS reveals there are opportunities to enhance modern learning to become more connected, digitised and efficient.

The immediate and long-term benefits are clear



EPOS says for millions of students and educators, the abrupt transition to remote learning has been complicated but at the same time, the new normal presents new benefits.

While the move to distanced learning risks widening the digital divide in some instances, its also been found that remote learning can level the playing field, meaning that education becomes more universal for some of the most vulnerable and marginalised population groups.

Clear cost savings have also become apparent and made possible by reducing reliance on physical resources and minimising travel time. By saving time, students can learn at their own pace and are able to catch up or revisit a topic with ease.

For educators, going digital can improve the quality and relevancy of their curriculum by updating resources and materials in real time.

With education institutions around the world investing and improving their educational technology to better facilitate and provide online and distanced learning, longer-term benefits are also emerging.

Learning and collaborating online is helping to prepare students with the kind of organisational acumen, emotional intelligence, and self-discipline needed for modern careers.

Although the shift to remote education has caused initial disruption, educators and students are happy with a shift to a more hybrid approach long term.

According to the report, two-thirds of US students would welcome more online classes post-pandemic. Of the students surveyed, 61% responded that online courses can be just as legitimate as face-to-face courses, when well designed.

Poor audio exacerbates learning fatigue

Effective learning relates to student engagement regardless of where the learning takes place, and while video and content sharing are significant components of the education experience, audio quality is often overlooked.

EPOS says excellent audio technology can play a pivotal role in helping students retain focus and engage whereas poor audio can have a serious negative impact.

Poor audio experiences have serious implications. According to the report, 35% of those surveyed often feel frustration, irritation, and annoyance due to bad audio, 25% experience stress, and 15% feel embarrassment or a lack of confidence.

The study found these experiences could affect students ability to focus, engage and actively contribute to lessons.

Without the immediate guidance of teachers and a physical learning environment, it is easy for learners to become distracted. Poor audio can dampen students emotional and mental well-being.

Whether its audio delays from bad internet connectivity or multiple participants speaking at the same time or background noises, audio challenges can increase stress levels.

For teachers and other educators, poor audio could be disastrous if critical information is missed. Hearing multiple voices, recognising who is speaking, and engaging learners are all crucial parts of teaching. Without good audio, teachers risk missing out on crucial information and consequently might provide a less effective learning experience.

Investment in good audio is essential to long-term hybrid learning

Fortunately for many end-users, having effective audio goes a long way to optimise the hybrid experience.

According to EPOS, 37% of people feel that the right audio tools can reduce miscommunication, 40% feel that they would significantly reduce the need to repeatedly clarify information and 37% believe good audio would prevent participants from missing critical information.

As the COVID-19 will soon come to an end, the shift to a more hybrid approach will remain. For EPOS, remote learning has made it five times easier to recruit teachers. As a result, the percentage of senior leaders and teachers planning to leave the profession had halved since 2019.

Meanwhile, two-thirds of students say they would welcome more education online post-pandemic.

Jeppe Dalberg-Larsen, EPOS President, comments: Remote learning means that students and teachers can be anywhere on any given daywhether in the classroom, at home or on the go.

He declares that the future of learning is already here.

According to Dalberg-Larsen, students and educators in a virtual classroom can miss what theyve heard can become 100% concern.

To ensure that hybrid learning remains effective, educators and students must recognise the importance of optimizing concentration and comprehension by utilising high-quality audio tools, he concludes.
Chennai, April 27 : The garment exporting units in Tiruppur of Tamil Nadu are seeing increased demand for innerwear, children wear, long garments from overseas markets while the orders for fashion garments have gone down, said an industry official.

He also said the US and European markets have opened up and the Tiruppur export units are functioning well and the domestic market has also improved.

"With people worldwide spending more time at their homes due to Covid-19, the orders for innerwear and children's wear have increased. Similarly demand for long garments have increased while the orders for masks and personal protection equipment (PPE) have come down. On the other hand, orders for fashion garments have come down for our units," S.Sakthivel, Executive Secretary, Tiruppur Exporters Association (TEA) told IANS.

Last fiscal the hosiery units in Tiruppur closed with a total business of about Rs 45,000 crore of which exports will be Rs 25,150 crore down from Rs 27,250 crore registered during 2019-20, Sakthivel said.

He said the yarn and prices of other inputs have gone up, but the units are not able to pass it on to their buyers.

Even though export units are exempted from the Sunday lockdown in Tamil Nadu, the garment units in Tiruppur are not allowed to operate as it will be business as usual in the town defeating lockdown purpose-preventing spread of coronavirus, Sakthivel said.

On the issue of migrant workers going back home, Sakthivel said only a small number of such workers have gone back.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / FALCON GOLD CORP. (TSXV:FG)(GR:3FA)(OTC PINKS:FGLDF); ("Falcon" or the "Company") creates Falcon Gold LatamARG S.A. ("LatamARG") to manage the day to day operations and have a direct presence on the ground on the newly acquired Esperanza project in Argentina. LatamARG will be headed by country manager Mr. Juan Carlos Navas Diaz, a Venezuelan citizen with permanent residence in Argentina.

Mr. Navas is a senior executive with over 25 years of experience in corporate finance, management and operations in mining, and energy. Mr. Navas was a Country Manager Argentina in CruzSur Energy & President of Alianza Petrolera Argentina S.A.; currently also Mr. Navas is responsible for the claim for mining rights of Chicanan East, West and El Callao, located in Bolivar state in Venezuela, property of Venezuelan companies handled by Grupo ValGold de Venezuela C.A. and Grupo Global Horizon C. A., where Mr. Navas is President and Founding Director since 2006. He was a Founding Director and VP of Administration & Finance of the Group: Bolivar Gold, Gran Colombia Resources, Antill Invest House, Geo Expert and Campos de Oro C.A. Other positions held by Mr. Navas include the International Marketing Manager at Antill Invest House & Skalar Analytical BV, National Marketing Coordinator at Industrias Ventane C.A. - Vengas Group, now PDVSA Gas, and Banking Agencies Coordinator in Maracay Entidad de Ahorro y Prestamo - BANAP.

Mr. Navas is a graduate of the UCV in Statistics and Actuarial Sciences, Public Accounting and has a Master's in Business Administration (Honors).

Mr. Karim Rayani, Falcon's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "I'm pleased to welcome Mr. Navas to the Falcon Team. Having a local presence in Argentina will help streamline operations as we prepare the necessary permitting to begin our first phase of exploration in the coming weeks."

About Falcon Gold Corp., the Central Canada Gold Mine Project, and Jack Lake Trend

Falcon is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on generating, acquiring, and exploring opportunities in the Americas. Falcon's flagship project, the Central Canada Gold Mine, is approximately 20 km south east of Agnico Eagle's Hammond Reef Gold Deposit which has currently estimated 3.32 million ounces of gold (123.5 million tonnes grading 0.84 g/t gold) mineral reserves, and 2.3 million ounces of measured and indicated mineral resources (133.4 million tonnes grading 0.54 g/t gold). The Hammond Reef gold property lies on the Hammond shear zone, which is a northeast-trending splay off of the Quetico Fault Zone ("QFZ") and may be the control for the gold deposit. The Central Gold property lies on a similar major northeast-trending splay of the QFZ.

History of Central Canada gold mine includes;

1901 to 1907 - Shaft constructed to a depth of 12 m and 27 oz of gold from 18 tons using a stamp mill.

1930 to 1934 - Central Canada Mines Ltd. installed a 75 ton per day gold mill. Development work included 1,829 m of drilling and a vertical shaft to a depth of 45 m with about 42 m of crosscuts and drifts on the 100-foot level. In December, 1934 the mine had reportedly outlined approximately 230,000 ounces of gold with an average grade of 9.9 g/t Au.

1935 - With the on-going financial crisis of the Great Depression, the Central Canada Mines was unable to fund operations and the mine ceased operations.

1965 - Anjamin Mines completed diamond drilling and in hole S2 returned a 2 ft section of 37.0 g/t Au and hole S3 assayed 44.0 g/t Au across 7 ft.

1985 - Interquest Resources Corp. drilled 13 diamond holes totaling 1,840 m in which a 3.8 ft intersection showed 30.0 g/t Au.

2010 to 2012 - TerraX Minerals Inc. conducted programs that included line cutting, geological surveys and 363 m of drilling.

2020 - Falcon Gold Corp. completed its inaugural 17-hole program totaling 2,942.5 m of core.

The Company holds 5 additional projects. The Camping Lake Gold property and the Springpole West Property in the world-renowned Red Lake mining camp; a 49% interest in the Burton Gold property near Sudbury Ontario; and in BC, the Spitfire-Sunny Boy Gold Claims and the Gaspard property.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Falcon Gold Corp.

"Karim Rayani"

Karim Rayani

Chief Executive Officer, Director

Telephone: (604) 716-0551

Email: info@falcongold.ca

Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, etc. Forward looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

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: Falcon Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642506/Falcon-Creates-Argentine-Company--Falcon-Gold-Latamarg-SA-to-Manage-South-American-Exploration
By Juliet Nalwooga

Reverend Christoper Tugumehabwe, who accuses former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stanley Ntagali of committing adultery with his wife Judith Tukamuhabwa, is demanding Shs500m in general damages.

In a 26th April intention to sue letter, Reverend Tugumehabwe through his lawyers of Bikangiso and company advocates says that it has come to his knowledge that Archbishop Ntagali has been committing adultery with his wife.

Reverend Tugumehabwe also says former Archbishop Ntagalis intrusion into his marriage cost him his job as lecturer of Religious Studies at Bishop Barham University College (BBUC) in the Diocese of Kigezi.

He says he has video and audio evidence of former Archbishop Ntagali admitting and apologizing through the media to have committed the offense of adultery with his wife.

Reverend Tugumehabwe also demands another shs30,000,000 as costs he incurred in a divorce case No. 5/2020 which he claims was initiated by Archbishop Ntagali.

According to the letter, former Archbishop Ntagali has 14 days to adhere or be dragged to court for trial.
You are the owner of this article.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 10:12:49|Editor: huaxia

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Lazar Prodanovic, a member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Parliament's Friendship Group for Asia, receives an interview after a video meeting with Chinese legislators in Sarajevo, BiH, April 26, 2021. Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) can learn a great deal from China, said members of BiH's Parliamentary Assembly after a video meeting with Chinese legislators on Monday. TO GO WITH "BiH can learn a lot from China, MPs say" (Photo by Nedim Grabovica/Xinhua)

SARAJEVO, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) can learn a great deal from China, said members of BiH's Parliamentary Assembly after a video meeting with Chinese legislators on Monday.

"It was impressive what four of us heard during the presentation of our colleagues from China. Not only about the economy, but also about the timely and efficient response of the Chinese authorities to the pandemic," said Lazar Prodanovic, a member of the BiH Parliament's Friendship Group for Asia.

China is among BiH's ten most important trade partners, Prodanovic told Xinhua after the video meeting with the members of the National People's Congress (NPC) of the People's Republic of China.

"China is growing very fast in economy, education, and science. It is very inspiring to watch China taking such huge steps forward," said Prodanovic, adding that BiH's greatest benefit could be in learning how to bring its work ethics to the impressive levels seen in China.

The economic relations between BiH and China already have a good foundation and their partnership can grow much stronger, said Prodanovic.

Chinese companies have built a thermal power plant in BiH, and they are also building a hospital in Doboj, he said.

Stressing BiH's need to expand cooperation with China in other areas too, especially in the area of education, he said, "The Confucius Institute has two offices in our country, we have Chinese language departments, and hopefully, the exchange of students will intensify soon."

Prodanovic's colleague Sasa Magazinovic said he was impressed to learn about China's significant investment in education and health care.

"We in BiH should be more conscious about the fact that no economic development will be achieved without a massive investment in education," said Magazinovic after the video meeting.

Magazinovic said that BiH and China have close relations in the tourism sector, as a growing number of tourists from China have visited BiH in pre-pandemic years.

"I feel that there is room for improving our relations in the tourism sector. That is something I proposed to help with and I clearly made myself available to our Chinese colleagues today," said Magazinovic. Enditem
LONDON, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Umbria governance token (UMBR) has been added to Polygon's token mapper paving the way for key Umbria DeFi developments on Layer 2.

Umbria Network (https://umbria.network/) can now create a suite of applications on Polygon, which will be part of the Umbria ecosystem. Polygon  formerly Matic  provides scalable, secure and instant Ethereum transactions using their plasma proof of stake chain. Users of Umbria Network will be able to benefit from the fast, low-cost transactions (two second blocks with approximately 1c transaction fees) and heightened user experience that it affords.

Umbria will start developing its Decentralized Exchange's (DEX) features on Polygon's chain and can now fulfil bounty programs and airdrops and create farms and other DeFi products within a faster and cheaper environment.

"Token mapping of Umbria on Polygon PoS chain https://twitter.com/0xPolygon opens the door for our development on Layer 2 and a range of exciting opportunities for the Umbria protocol," said Barney Chambers, co-lead developer at Umbria. "Polygon have been instrumental in helping drive the project forward and the next few months are going to be filled with exciting innovation."

"We're pleased to welcome Umbria's ecosystem of DeFi products to Polygon, and we look forward to demystifying DeFi and making it accessible for the next wave of users in collaboration with Umbria," said Arjun Kalsy, VP Growth - Polygon (previously Matic Network).

See the latest data on UMBR on CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko:

https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/umbria-network/news/

https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/umbria-network

Head over to the Umbria Discord channel, Telegram , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook or LinkedIn to find out more about the project. Become part of the journey.

About Umbria

https://umbria.network/

Umbria is a decentralized protocol, which enables DeFi (Decentralised Finance) applications on the Ethereum blockchain. It aims to demystify and simplify DeFi and get people earning income on their crypto. Using cutting edge-layer two technology developed by Polygon, Umbria is developing a suite of popular DeFi features at fractional on-chain cost of many current DeFi platforms with greater transaction speed (while maintaining all the cryptographic security provided by Ethereum).

Umbria is available on Uniswap and users can add liquidity to earn fees. The first Umbria Farm went live on March 26th, 2021. A user of Umbria will soon be able to swap tokens and earn interest on their cryptocurrency positions on the Umbria website with other facilities coming online (via developers and community initiatives) which will utilise the Umbria protocol and its governance token. One of the initial features of Umbria is that it will allow users to deposit cryptocurrency as liquidity in AMM (automated market making) pools to earn fees from token swapping and earn additional Umbria as an incentive for providing liquidity. The Umbria governance token will also enable users in the network to take control over decision-making and have voting power over the development and governance of Umbria's protocol.

UK-publicly listed Online Blockchain plc (LSE: OBC) is acting as Umbria's coordinator, administrator and advisor.

Contact Details:

Francesca De Franco

+44 (0)794-125-3135

SOURCE Online Blockchain plc
Advertisement

Wrapped up against the bitter cold with looks of grim resignation on their faces as they faced a resolute enemy, German troops are seen battling through the harsh Russian winter during their invasion of the Soviet Union.

The rare image, taken in the cold months of 1941, is among hundreds which feature in a new book about the World War Two offensive, which was code named Operation Barbarossa and began in June of that year.

The photos demonstrate how wrong Adolf Hitler and his high command were in their initial belief that the war would be over by the end of the year.

Instead, like French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's attempt to invade more than 100 years earlier, the Nazis' forces were overwhelmed by a combination of the vast territory they had to cover, the horrendously cold winters, insufficient equipment and poor tactics.

Within a year, the tide had turned and the German troops had to endure a further three winters  during which they lost a series of key conflicts, including the decisive Battle of Stalingrad.

Ultimately, the invasion failed and led to Germany's overall defeat by forcing them to fight a conflict on two fronts, diverting manpower and resources from the battle in the West against Britain, France, the US and other Allied troops.

Images of War: The Nazis' winter warfare on the Eastern Front, 1941-1945, written by historian Ian Baxter and published by Pen and Sword, uses hundreds of images of the winter months of the doomed invasion to outline what went wrong.

1941/1942: Officials' brazen summer confidence that the invasion would be over by New Year is sapped by the fierce winter which arrives in October

Their uniforms, motorbikes and armoured cars covered with snow, German troops are seen battling through the harsh Russian winters as they try to invade the Soviet Union. The rare image, taken in 1941, features in new book Images of War: The Nazis' winter warfare on the Eastern Front, 1941-1945, written by historian Ian Baxter and published by Pen and Sword

In most areas of the German advance, the appalling weather brought columns of wheeled vehicles to a standstill. Many horses which were tasked with pulling equipment through the mud died from heart strain. The German high command quickly realised that their prediction that the war against the Soviet Union would be won that year was going to be disastrously wrong. Pictured: German infantry pose in the snow in front of their stationary vehicles

By the end of October, a combination of heavy rain, snow showers and mist made the movement of German units almost impossible. It became clear that Germans' vehicles, equipment and clothing were all inferior to those of the Russian army, who were used to the conditions. Soldiers donned overcoats, fur hats, and Russian felt boots to keep warm as their own leather footwear fell apart. Pictured: A frozen German soldier is seen trying to keep warm as he and fellow troops are battered by snow

A German motorcyclist has problems with his bike, caused by the extremely muddy conditions. He is wearing the standard issue waterproof coat. It has which wool collar and two large pockets on the the front and side. On his back he is carrying a 7.92mm Kar 98k Mauser bolt-action rifle

Above: Soldiers struggle to push their motorcyle and sidecar through the unbelievably thick mud after a bout of heavy rain. Mr Baxter said in his book: 'The mud produced from a few hours of rain was enough to turn a relatively typical Russian road into a quagmire'. The exposure to the wet and snow caused some troops to get frostbite, prompting others to line their boots with straw or paper, if they could find it

The poor weather made the bogged-down units sitting targets. To try to improve the roads, some men and vehicles were sent ahead. In other cases, only vehicles fitted with tracks were allowed to advance. Pictured Soldiers are seen smiling as they use a rope to attempt to pull a supply vehicles across the snow

There were more than 800,000 horses on the Eastern Front in 1941. Mr Baxter said that, in the day, around 8,000 were being killed by enemy fire, the freezing temperatures or sheer over-exertion. Pictured: A group of soldiers tending to horse exhausted by trying to pull a cart through the snow and mud

1942/43: German high command send out supplies to embedded troops with proper winter clothing and guides on building shelters... but it is not enough

By early 1942, the Russian offensive had begun to falter. Back in Germany, production of tanks increased to confront the mammoth task of defeating the Red Army. Manufacturers were also designing more practical winter garments for soldiers. One thing was the snow suit and snow overall. The high command also produced a manual which included an explanation of how ski troops, pictured above, could advance rapidly through the snow

The handbook given to troops also gave instructions on how to build various types of shelter, including igloos. The guide also spoke of the alleged advantages of winter warfare, including that it was particularly easy to dig trenches, shelters and build walls of snow to use as wind breakers. Pictured: Troops building an igloo according to the guide's specifications

German ski troops are seen wearing the one-piece camouflage snow suit during operations in southern Russia. Most of the men are carrying the Karbiner 98K rifle over their shoulders. Two soldiers also have MG34 machine gun belts draped around their necks

Two German soldiers are seen above wearing greatcoats made from animal skins. The coats, which varied in size and quality, were intended for use in extremely cold climates. Although they were normally worn by officers, ordinary men were also seen wearing them, especially during stints standing still while on guard duty

Here, two soldiers stand in front of what the handbook they were issued with described as 'permanent billets'. The shelter was made from wood and had earth and foliage covering the top of it. Near the end of 1942, troops and tank divisions in the German Army Group South were embroiled in a bitter and bloody battle. The Russian troops ended up surrounding the German 6th Army and cut off their supply lines. Ultimately, 250,000 German troops were left stranded

1943/44: The tide turns on Nazi forces who are forced onto the defensive as Red Army troops push them back towards Germany

The first weeks of 1943 saw the German forces which made up Army Group South trying to hold their men together against what Mr Baxter described as 'overwhelming Soviet superiority'. Pictured: German troops are seen dressed in their reversible winter coats as they move through Kharkov, which is now part of Ukraine

A troop leader is seen dressed in his winter uniform, whitewashed steel helmet and gloves. His machine gun hangs around his neck. Unlike in 1941 and 1942, the Germans were firmly on the back foot in 1943. They were slowly beaten back over what was a hostile landscape. To make things worse, they were short on supplies and outnumbered by Soviet forces

A young gunner is seen draped in bullets for his MG machine gun. He is wearing his leather infantry belt which is fitted with the tool box for his weapon. His gun is resting on his shoulder. As well as being battered by Soviet troops, the Germans were also being attacked by Ukrainian nationalists and members of the Polish resistance. They were also under immense pressure from Hitler to put their lives on the line for every yard of land

1944/45: With more than one million men dead and not enough troops to man the lines, Hitler's Eastern Front crumbles to dust, making defeat look certain

Mr Baxter says in his book that the situation on the Eastern Front had become 'extremely dire' by January 1944. There were no longer enough soldiers to effectively man the battle lines and the Red Army was now stronger than ever before. Pictured: A German truck is seen totally stuck in mud in Vinitsa, in what is now west-central Ukraine. Behind the vehicle, a row of Tiger tanks are also in trouble. Troops are seen standing nearby as they try to find a way of moving forward

A motorcyclist and a companion in a side car are seen dressed in their winter clothing after halting at the side of the road. Mr Baxter says in his book that it appears as though the tank behind the men has been adorned with painted stripe marks to try to conceal the summer camouflage. The soldiers were in a perilous position, made worse by Hitler's refusal to concede territory

Troops are seen dressed in their winter parkas as they hitch a lift on board a tank. It is clear that the tank has been involved in combat because it is missing part of its side skirt. On January 26, 1944, the city of Leningrad was liberated from German troops after a 900-day siege. It was the start of the crumbling of the German northern front

Battle-worn soldiers are seen above wearing the two-piece snow suit. Behind them, a camouflaged tank is being driven with two troops visible on top

German troops are seen pushing pulling a utility car through the mud. The Soviet Union's Operation Bagration offensive, carried out in July 1944, led to a succession of German collapses on the Eastern Front. By August, the Red Army had reached Poland

Troops from the Waffen-SS are seen above being subjected to Soviet aerial and ground bombardment. The Germans were soaked, freezing and exhausted. They fought on but were overwhelmed in terms of both numbers of soldiers and weapons. It prompted officials to order a retreat - much to Hitler's anger - to prevent them being totally destroyed

Images of War: The Nazis' winter warfare on the Eastern Front, 1941-1945, is written by historian Ian Baxter and published by Pen and Sword in June 2021
ATHENS, Greece - Greek authorities say coast guard divers have seized more than 46 kilograms (101 pounds) of cocaine found hidden behind a water intake grate in the hull of a cargo ship that arrived in Greece from Brazil.

ATHENS, Greece - Greek authorities say coast guard divers have seized more than 46 kilograms (101 pounds) of cocaine found hidden behind a water intake grate in the hull of a cargo ship that arrived in Greece from Brazil.

The coast guard said Tuesday it had seized the drugs the previous day following information passed to Greek authorities by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Twenty-three crew members of the Marshall Islands-flagged Syros cargo ship were arrested.

Video released by the coast guard shows a diver unscrewing a grate from the side of the ship under the waterline, and removing a large black waterproof bag which contained 46.7 kilograms of cocaine in 38 plastic packages.

The drug bust comes four days after Greek authorities said another DEA tip led to the seizure of more than four tons of cannabis hidden in a shipment of industrial cupcake machines that arrived in Greece from Lebanon.

The Skyros had set sail from the Brazilian port of Santarem heading for Corinth in Greece with a cargo of soy, the coast guard said.
Top executives from social media giants were questioned Tuesday by U.S. senators about how they choose to promote content on their platforms  and were confronted by one of their industrys chief critics.

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., held a hearing with representatives from Facebook, YouTube and Twitter and focused on their business models and how that drives their decision making, rather than on their attempts to moderate or remove content.

Coons, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committees Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, was joined in this emphasis by Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., the ranking Republican on the panel.

Sasse tried to get the representatives from the social media companies to engage substantively with critiques from Tristan Harris, a former Google engineer who in 2015 founded what would become the Center for Humane Technology.

Harris was the star of a major documentary on the social media companies last year, The Social Dilemma, and he leveled many of the same arguments he voiced in that film against the tech behemoths on Tuesday.

Their business model is to create a society that is addicted, outraged, polarized, performative and disinformed, Harris said of social media companies. And while they can try to skim the major harm off the top and do what they can, and we want to celebrate that ... its just fundamentally that theyre trapped in something that they can't change.

Sen. Christopher Coons, D-Del. (Getty Images)

Harris talked about the ways Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and TikTok  the one company that did not have a representative at the hearing  make more money the longer people stay on their platforms. It has now been well-documented by researchers that these companies appear to promote whatever content will keep users on their sites, in what Harris called a values-blind process.

That can lead to millions of Americans being influenced by content that is untrue and even harmful, in large part because these social media companies promoted this disinformation to them.

Story continues

But the main problem is that no one besides the companies knows for sure how the algorithms that drive their recommendations work.

Harris alleged that the way these companies appear to be functioning is a national security threat as well.

If Russia or China tried to fly a plane into the United States theyd be shot down by our Department of Defense. But if they try to fly an information bomb into the United States, theyre met by a white-gloved algorithm from one of these companies, which says, Exactly which ZIP code would you like to target? Harris said.

He was joined in the hearing by another tech skeptic, Joan Donovan, the research director at Harvards Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy.

Tristan Harris, co-founder and president at the Center for Humane Technology, testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty images)

The tech officials who testified were Monika Bickert, Facebooks vice president for content policy; Alexandra Veitch, a government affairs executive for YouTube; and Lauren Culbertson, Twitters U.S. public policy chief.

Sasses attempts to produce a meaningful debate between Harris and the three social media executives was largely unsuccessful. Bickert emphasized that Facebook wants to cultivate a healthy long-term relationship with its users and that promoting bad information doesnt help them do that. Veitch gave a version of the same response. Misinformation is not in our interest, the YouTube executive said.

Sasse also dismissed talk of repealing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which has been a hobby horse for some lawmakers and the subject of targeted regulation proposals by others. Section 230 essentially prevents social media companies from being held legally responsible for what is posted by users on their platforms, but Harris also seemed skeptical that repealing Section 230 was the best route forward.

Harris, however, warned that social media companies are behaving in ways that are dangerous for American democracy. If we are not a coordinated society, if we cannot recognize each other as Americans, we are toast, he said. If we dont have a truth that we can agree on, we cannot do anything on our existential threats.

Harris also said that the choice for the world is whether America and other democratic societies can figure out how to transition into the digital age in a way that preserves free speech while also developing ways to reduce the harms of disinformation.

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb. (Reuters)

Coons, for his part, said he shared Harriss view that the business model of social media requires [them] to accelerate the time users spend on their platforms.

He pushed the tech executives to open up.

I think greater transparency about ... how your algorithms actually work and about how you make decisions about your algorithms is critical. Are you considering the release of more details about this? Coons asked.

Only Culbertson, the Twitter executive, responded. We totally agree that we should be more transparent, she said, and mentioned that Twitter is working on what she called a blue sky initiative, which she said could potentially create more controls for the people who use our services."

Coons said he would like to discuss what kind of steps are necessary in his next hearing. That could potentially include government regulation to require more algorithmic transparency from the tech companies.

Lauren Culbertson, head of U.S. public policy at Twitter. (Reuters)

Some advocates and experts think forcing social media companies to be transparent about how their algorithms work is a key first step. Many of these same experts believe, as author Francis Fukuyama recently wrote, that deplatforming  the act of removing troublesome users from social media  is not a sustainable path for any modern liberal democracy. Donald Trump, for example, was banned from Twitter and Facebook while he was still the sitting president, highlighting concerns that social media companies are becoming more powerful than duly elected public officials, even if many feel such a suspension was appropriate at the time.

But some lawmakers dont think algorithmic transparency is enough. Their view is that external pressure is needed to force the big tech companies to take actions to protect more vulnerable users from the harms of its profit-driven algorithms.

____

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This franchise profile gives key insight into Burger 21 International Inc. with a mention of key takeaways as a conclusion. The profile provides a consolidated and up to date information about the company, including the financial performance and/or number of stores owned and franchised by it.

Report Scope:



The scope of this franchise profile report is precise and covers the companys background along with its present performance in the market. The major sections of the profile include: overview, products offered, recent developments and strategies undertaken, challenges faced, business strategy and analysis, and financial information. The report also includes revenue forecasts, presence of franchisee stores, market forecasts and key people of the company.

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The report concludes with any other important information about the company and key takeaways.



Report Includes:



- An overview of the franchise profile on Burger 21 International Inc., a quick service restaurant (QSR) and burger specialist

- Revenue details and cost analysis of Burger 21 International Inc

- Data corresponding to total number of franchises present in the U.S. across various states

- Assessment of approximate franchise expenditure and analysis of investment required for a Burger 21 franchise

- Information on Burger 21s own unique campaign named WhatsYourNumber, wherein customers can order their favorite burger using the burgers number

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Summary



Started in 2009, Burger 21 International Inc. (Burger 21) is a well-known fast food franchise chain in the U.S. that operates in several states of the country. As the name suggests, Burger 21 offers a wide range of burgers and soft drinks as well. Burger 21 opened its first restaurant in 2010 in the Westchase area of Tampa, Florida. Today, the company has a presence in multiple states such as Florida, Arkansas, New York, Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina and New Mexico.

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It all started in the Era of Upscale Burgers in 2001, when Mark Johnston and Arlene Johnston tried to evaluate burgers as per their unique tests and to create a restaurant that would bring variety to the typical burger menu. In 2010, the team of Johnstons tested and tasted hundreds of burgers and came up with 21 unique menu items. It was then that Burger 21 was born, and today it is serving customers from all age groups with its vast variety of delicious burgers. Additionally, Burger 21 is well-known for its social responsibilities, as it contributes 10% of its restaurants sales to local charities and schools. To date, the company has donated $137,000 to charities and schools.
BOTAS and the Consortium of Azerbaijani Shah Deniz gas condensate field are negotiating a new contract for the supply of gas within the first stage of the field development. According to the head of the public relations department of BP-Azerbaijan, Tamam Bayatli, due to the completion of the contract concluded in 2001, which provided for the transportation of gas in the amount of 6.6 billion cubic meters annually, supplies to Turkey within the framework of Shah Deniz-1 were terminated on April 16.

BP, the largest shareholder in the consortium operating Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas field, confirmed April 27 that gas supplied to Turkey under a contract for 6.6 Bcm/year agreed in 2001 has been halted after the contract expired earlier this month, S&P Global Platts writes. BP said that the Shah Deniz consortium has been in negotiations for a new gas sales agreement with Turkey's state gas importer Botas "for some time now, and those discussions continue."

Speaking on a Q1 results call April 27, BP CFO Murray Auchincloss added that the contract was "being renegotiated and extended." BP also confirmed that gas deliveries to Botas from the second phase of development of the Shah Deniz field under a second contract for 6 Bcm/year delivered via the TANAP pipeline continued as normal. It said flows had "almost reached" the plateau 6 Bcm/year level.

Botas began importing Azeri gas from the first phase of development of the Shah Deniz gas field under the 2001 contract in July 2007 following the completion of the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline. Gas sold to Botas under the contract is supplied by AGSC, ownership of which is identical to that of the consortium operating the Shah Deniz gas field. That is: BP (28.8%), Turkey's state upstream operator TPAO (19%), Socar (16.7%), Malaysia's Petronas (15.5%), Russia's Lukoil (10%) and Iran's NIOC (10%).

Gas from the second phase of development of Shah Deniz is supplied to Botas under a second contract for 6 Bcm/year that became active in June 2018 and runs until 2033.

A spokesman for the operator of the TANAP pipeline told Platts April 26 that the TANAP line was operating normally and that no increase in transit volume had been requested for April and no future increases were currently scheduled.

Contract renewal

Sources with knowledge of the matter have confirmed to Platts that given the close relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan, it is likely that the contract will be renewed, but that the terms may be different from the contract that recently ended. Relations between Ankara and Baku are extremely close with the respective presidents often referring to the two countries as "one nation, two states". In the meantime, one source noted that with the arrival of milder spring weather, gas demand in Turkey is falling, which -- coupled with the availability of other import options such as spot LNG -- means the halt of supply is unlikely to cause any issues.

The past two years have seen Ankara make efforts to move away from a reliance on importing gas by pipeline under long-term contracts indexed to the crude oil price, both reducing dependence on imported gas for power generation, and increasingly importing cheap spot LNG in place of more expensive piped gas. Turkey's deputy energy minister Alparslan Bayraktar said in February last year that Turkey planned to use the availability of cheap spot LNG to persuade its long-term gas suppliers to lower their prices and be more flexible in their terms and conditions.

As well as the contract for 6.6 Bcm/year of Azeri gas, this year also sees the ending of Botas' contract for 1.3 Bcm/year of Nigerian LNG in October, followed by the ending of its contract in December with Gazprom Export for 4 Bcm/year of Russian gas, which since the start of 2020 has been delivered via the TurkStream pipeline, while 2022 sees the ending of contracts between Gazprom Export and four private Turkish companies for a total of 4 Bcm/year of Russian gas. No official statements have been issued as to whether these contracts will be renewed.

Botas last week took delivery of its first owned FSRU vessel, the Ertugrul Gazi, which will operate initially at Botas' Dortyol terminal on the country's eastern Mediterranean coast. The vessel, which replaces a previous FSRU which had been leased, is being tested prior to being commissioned to import LNG.
The Children's Commissioner has warned that a school's exclusion of an autistic boy is the tip of an iceberg of problems.

Judge Andrew Becroft intervened in the case after the boy, 13, wrote to him following his suspension for his involvement in a fight.

The boy moved to the school last year as a directed enrolment, meaning the Ministry of Education ordered the school to enrol him after it initially refused.

Becroft recently defended the rights of such children after the Principals' Federation suggested schools refuse to enrol them unless the ministry provided sufficient support to keep them and others safe.

The boy's letter, provided to RNZ by his mother, said his school would not let him participate in regular school activities and kept him in a room with a teacher away from but in full view of other children.

"I'm having a really hard time at school at the moment and hate being treated so differently to all the other students. I just want to make some friends and be treated like everyone else. I hate being bullied and laughed at because the teachers treat me differently and so do the other students," he wrote.

"Can you please come to my school and help me? I want to go to school and just be like everyone else. This is making me feel depressed and angry. Sometimes it makes me feel like I shouldn't exist."

Photo: Supplied.

After receiving the letter Becroft spoke to the boy's mother and to the school ahead of a board of trustees' hearing last week, which resolved to exclude the boy.

It was a complex case and the boy's mother and school had differing views of the situation, he said.

His office would remain involved.

"It's in no-one's interest to have a series of directed enrolments, it's certainly not in the interests of the young boy involved here. I think we want to ensure that this doesn't happen again in the best way we can and if that involves more resources and more involvement, absolutely so be it," he said.

"All children have a place in school. That's where children flourish best and we want to avoid having to segregate children who are neuro-diverse or challenging."

The case highlighted the urgent need for an appeal process so families could challenge school decisions that might have a lasting impact on children's futures, Becroft said.

"For this mother there's effectively nowhere to go that isn't super expensive or very long-term involvement ... to get a quick appeal, second-look at the decision," he said.

"There are hundreds of independent boards making these decisions without any second look or necessary consistency and that's without in any way criticising the board involved at all. It's the only form of decision-making I know in New Zealand that is somehow exempt from an appeal process or a review process.

"How can we have a system that just strikes right at the heart of children's futures where there's no appeal?"

Becroft said it was clear from the volume of complaints that his office received that schools did not receive enough support for children with challenging behaviour.

The boy's mother, who RNZ agreed not to name in order to protect the boy's identity, said she was taking legal advice and was unsure if she would appeal the school's decision.

The school suspended her son because he retaliated after an older boy from a nearby school punched him in the head, she said.

The school's board was wrong to exclude him, she said.

"It's hugely disappointing, it's frustrating, it's beyond belief when you come with a positive solutions-based approach to getting the best education for your child, supporting not only the child but the school and they refuse to accept it, they don't want to know."

She had heard principals complain that they needed more support when they were ordered to enrol children with challenging behaviour.

But her son received one of the highest possible levels of support through the High and Complex Needs system and the real problem was the school's failure to make changes that included her son, she said.

Her son wrote to the Children's Commissioner because he wanted someone with authority to listen to him.

"He basically feels like a second-class person in a world that hates him because he's not been given a chance to prove himself."

Her son had previously been excluded from other schools, she said.

The school's principal refused to comment.

-RNZ/John Gerritsen.
China and ASEAN are likely to see the combined value of their digital economies reach 9.58 trillion U.S. dollars by 2025 on solid grounds for more cooperation ahead, according to a white paper.

China's digital economy has been growing at an average annual rate of over 17 percent since 2016, while the rate for ASEAN topped over 34 percent, said a white paper released at the fourth Digital China Summit in east China's city of Fuzhou from Sunday to Monday.

"This year will mark a new outset for China-ASEAN cooperation in the digital economy," read the white paper issued by an industrial cybersecurity research center overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

The two sides will make an action plan for 2021 to 2025 this year on implementing cooperation in this respect, the white paper said.

Key areas of cooperation between China and ASEAN in recent years include smart cities, e-commerce and cyberspace governance. Both sides have also joined hands in advancing digital technology in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

The digital market in China and ASEAN spells enormous consumption potential since their total netizen population neared a whopping 1.49 billion in 2020, according to the white paper.
The European Union and the United States have rejected the idea of redrawing borders in the Western Balkans in response to an unofficial proposal to break up Bosnia-Herzegovina and merge Kosovo with Albania.

A document that has circulated among EU officials proposes incorporating parts of Bosnia into Serbia and Croatia to help the region's EU integration, according to Reuters, which said it had seen the document but could not verify its authenticity.

"We are absolutely not in favor of any changes in borders," European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer told a news conference.

The United States also rejected the proposal, warning that moving the borders risked exacerbating tensions in the region.

"Recent unwarranted speculation about changing borders in the Balkans along ethnic lines risks fostering instability in the region and evokes memories of past tensions," U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement quoted by Reuters.

In an interview last week with a U.S. think tank, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic referred to a document proposing "the unification of Kosovo and Albania" and "joining a larger part of the [Bosnian] Republika Srpska territory with Serbia.

Vucic dismissed the idea, saying his government was "not interested in creating any kind of Greater Serbia."

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas last week also rejected the proposal, saying the idea had been "put back into a drawer."

The discussion has alarmed Bosnia, which sees it as a threat to its territorial unity two decades after ethnic conflicts led to war in the region.

Two former Yugoslav republics, Croatia and Slovenia, have joined the EU. Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia, Albania, and Kosovo hope to accede. The EU says they must first settle conflicts and advance democratic reforms.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said separately on April 26 after talks with Vucic in Brussels that the EU wants to "continue to see positive developments in rule of law" in Serbia as part of accession talks.

The two discussed Belgrade's talks with Kosovo, whose independence is not recognized by Serbia and several EU countries.

Von der Leyen said the bloc would support the construction of a railway between Belgrade and North Macedonia, which saw its hopes to formally start membership negotiations dashed last year after a veto from Bulgaria.

The leaders of North Macedonia and Kosovo are also due in Brussels this week.

With reporting by Reuters
April 27 : Veteran actor turned politician Mithun Chakraborty has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. The actor was busy campaigning for BJP during the West Bengal elections.

Mithun Chakraborty is reportedly under home quarantine and following all necessary precautions as per the guidance of his doctors. The actor turned politician was recently booked for flouting COVID-19 rules while holding an election rally at Baishnabnagar assembly constituency in Malda district. The rally is said to have comprised of more than 500 people. The actor was booked when Trinamool Youth Congresss Malda president Prasenjit Das complained to the Election Commission and asked the district administration to take action against Mithun Chakraborty.

Actress Hina Khan, who has recently lost her father, has also tested positive for COVID-19. According to a statement shared by her team on her Instagram profile, the actress has home quarantined herself and has been taking all necessary precautions. In these extremely difficult and challenging times for me and my family, I have tested positive for COVID-19. Following the guidance of my doctors, I have home quarantined myself and taking all necessary precautions, the statement read.

Hina's father passed away last week owning to cardiac arrest. On Sunday, the actress announced a break from social media on her Instagram story as she is mourning her fathers death. Hina is said to be very close to her father.

Meanwhile, Madhuri Dixit, who took the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, declined to carry on with the popular dance reality show Dance Deewane 3 as she will not carry on with the shoot, which is shifting its location from Mumbai to Bangalore. Since Maharastra government imposed a complete lockdown in the state due to the massive spike in COVID-19 cases, Dance Deewane 3 will temporarily shift its location in Bangalore.

As Madhuri Dixit will not participate in the coming episodes that will be shot outside Mumbai, the television channel is considering Sonu Sood and Nora Fatehi in the upcoming episodes of Dance Deewane 3.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Exclusive Master Franchise and Development Agreement to see hundreds of new restaurants in the Kingdom over the coming years

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Today, Popeyes and Gulf First Fast Food Company ("Gulf First") are excited to announce a plan to develop and grow the Popeyes brand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Gulf First entered into an exclusive Master Franchise and Development Agreement for the territory.

With over 3,400 locations in more than 25 countries, today's news builds on Popeyes international expansions in China, Spain, Switzerland, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Most recently, the brand announced it will enter the United Kingdom, India and surrounding countries, and will be growing its presence in Mexico.

"We are thrilled to announce the development agreement with Gulf First to increase the pace of growth for the Popeyes brand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as part of our broader global expansion strategy," commented David Shear, International President of Restaurant Brands International Inc., the parent company of Popeyes. "Guests all over the world love our famous chicken and with its extensive experience in the market, Gulf First will accelerate our ability to reach guests across the Kingdom."

Over the course of its 49-year history, Popeyes has been recognized in the global fried chicken market for its proprietary cooking techniques and authentic Louisiana flavors, including its now famous Chicken Sandwich and other iconic menu items.

"We are proud to partner with Popeyes to grow the brand's presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It allows us to create hundreds of career opportunities and share the joy of Popeyes with the people of Saudi Arabia," said Madhav Kapur, the CEO of Gulf First. "We approach every aspect of life with an entrepreneurial spirit, with the aim to improve our lives and our world. We are eager to grow our share in the Saudi Arabia quick service restaurant market by continuing to focus on delivering exceptional service and great-tasting food to our guests. We believe this will position us well for success in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

About Restaurant Brands International Inc.

Restaurant Brands International Inc. ("RBI") is one of the world's largest quick service restaurant companies with approximately $31 billion in annual system-wide sales and over 27,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. RBI owns three of the world's most prominent and iconic quick service restaurant brands - TIM HORTONS, BURGER KING, and POPEYES. These independently operated brands have been serving their respective guests, franchisees and communities for over 45 years.

About Popeyes

Founded in New Orleans in 1972, Popeyes has more than 45 years of history and culinary tradition. Popeyes distinguishes itself with a unique New Orleans style menu featuring spicy chicken, chicken tenders, fried shrimp, and other regional items. The chain's passion for its Louisiana heritage and flavorful authentic food has allowed Popeyes to become one of the world's largest chicken quick service restaurants with over 3,400 restaurants in the U.S. and around the world.

About Gulf First Fast Food Company

Gulf First Fast Food Company is a dynamic enterprise with plans for growth and innovation in the food space. Gulf First has plans to be a leading foods brand franchise operator, offering a choice of well-loved international brands to customers. Modern and constantly evolving to reflect the consumer's choices and tastes, Gulf First will operate its restaurant chains in prestigious malls, drive-thrus, and online, driven by its commitment to offer authentic customer service and brand experience.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements and information, which reflect management's current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, initiatives and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations regarding the ability of the Popeyes business in Saudi Arabia to open hundreds of restaurants in the coming years; our expectations regarding our ability to replicate our successful international formula for Saudi Arabian guests; the ability of the Popeyes business in Saudi Arabia to create hundreds of career opportunities; or the ability of the Popeyes business in Saudi Arabia to grow its share of the Saudi Arabian QSR market. Other than as required under applicable laws, we do not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or circumstances, change in expectations or otherwise.

SOURCE Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
The board of the PSU lender is scheduled to meet on 28 April 2021 to consider long term fund raising of up to $2 billion.

The executive committee of the central board will decide on long term fund raising in single/multiple tranches of up to $2 billion, through a public offer/private placement of senior unsecured notes in US Dollar or any other convertible currency during FY 2021-22.

Shares of State Bank of India (SBI) rose 2.48% to Rs 352.90 on Tuesday.

SBI is an Indian multinational, public sector banking and financial services statutory body. As of 31 March 2021, the Government of India held 57.63% stake while Life Insurance Corporation of India held 9.25% stake in the bank.

SBI's net profit fell 6.9% to Rs 5,196.22 crore on 1.1% decrease in total income to Rs 75,980.65 crore in Q3 FY21 over Q3 FY20.

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MONTREAL - A woman in her 50s has died of a blood clot that occurred after receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, the Quebec government announced Tuesday.

People line up at a COVID-19 vaccination centre, Friday, April 23, 2021, in Deux-Montagnes, Que. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

MONTREAL - A woman in her 50s has died of a blood clot that occurred after receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, the Quebec government announced Tuesday.

Public health director Dr. Horacio Arruda told a news conference he believes it is the first death in Canada to be potentially linked to the vaccine.

Both Arruda and Health Minister Christian Dube said the government had always known side-effects could occur in a very small number of people, but stressed that the vaccine saves far more lives than it endangers.

Premier Francois Legault offered condolences to the victim's family.

"I'm sad to know that a 54-year-old woman, in good shape  died because she was vaccinated," Legault said in Quebec City. He called the news "hard to take," but said it was not unexpected.

"We had an experience elsewhere in the world where we said: there is a risk once out of 100,000," he said.

Legault began his COVID-19 briefing with an announcement that he would allow Quebec City-area elementary schools to reopen next week and would push back the evening curfew in Montreal from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. beginning Monday.

But the optimism over declining case counts was overshadowed by news of the woman's death.

Dube said the province is investigatingfour cases of serious complications out of some 400,000 people who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine. That puts the rate of complications at about one in 100,000 doses, which he said is consistent with what has been observed elsewhere.

"Thats very unfortunate and were sad about it, but thats the price of vaccination," he said.

In a statement Tuesday, the Public Health Agency of Canada said it received the report of the death from Quebec and was reviewing the case with Health Canada.

"(We) are gathering additional information on this case and the details will be considered as part of ongoing monitoring of the risk of rare blood clots with low platelets following immunization with the AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD vaccines," the statement said.

Health Canada has said the vaccine is safe and effective despite the fact that there's evidence to suggest it may cause very rare blood clots.

The clotting syndrome has been labelled VIPIT, short for vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia. It occurs when the body's immune system begins to attack blood platelets, leading to clots, and it is treatable.

Arruda said a laboratory in Hamilton, Ont., confirmed the woman died from a blood clot to the brain associated with antibodies that created a platelet problem.

Currently the province is offering the vaccine to Quebecers between the ages of 45 and 79, and Arruda said there are no plans to change that strategy.

The news came as health officials reported fewer than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 in the province for the second day in a row, with 899 new infections. There were 14 additional deaths, including three in the previous 24 hours. Hospitalizations rose by three, to 667, and 170 people were in intensive care, an increase of three.

Legault said that despite some loosening, special measures, including an 8 p.m. curfew and the closure of high schools and non-essential businesses, will remain in place in harder hit parts of the province  Quebec City, Chaudiere-Appalaches and the Outaouais region bordering Ontario. Primary schools in the latter region remain closed.

Legault said further easing of restrictions will be done gradually.

"Our experts tell us that we can be optimistic, but we also need to be careful," he said. "We're getting out of the tunnel, but the train of the third wave will hit us if we don't progress gradually."

Also on Tuesday, Quebecers with physical or intellectual disabilities or autism were able to start booking vaccine appointments. Legault said pregnant women would be able to register for vaccines beginning Wednesday.

The province administered 45,757 doses of vaccine since the previous update, for a total of 2,916,897 shots. Dube has said the province plans to open vaccination to the remaining members of the general public by the end of May.

But on Tuesday, he hinted the eligibility may be expanded sooner due to a lower-than-expected number of bookings for appointments set aside for people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. He said a decision on the next steps in the program would be made in the coming days.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2021.
Californias loss of a House seat for the first time ever and Texas two-seat gain is adding to concerns that the Golden State is losing its edge  along with tens of thousands of people per year  to its political and economic archrival.

From 2010 to 2020, Californias population grew 6.1%, the smallest percentage increase since at least 1910 and below the national gain of 7.4%, according to preliminary U.S. Census data released Monday. Texas growth rate of 15.9% was more than double both the national and California rates.

Texas was the most popular destination for ex-Californians between 2010 and 2019. During that time, nearly 700,000 Californians moved to Texas, according to census data. Fewer than 400,000 Texans moved to California during that time. In 2019 alone, an estimated 82,000 Californians fled to Texas.

Silicon Valley giants like Oracle and Hewlett Packard Enterprise are also moving their headquarters to Texas. Apple and Tesla are each building $1 billion projects in Austin, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the worlds richest man, is a new Texan.

Two economic experts in San Francisco and Austin agreed that Californians leaving for Texas and other states isnt a full-blown exodus. But the shift in population trends is a warning sign for California. A boom in the tech industry attracted new residents from around the world, but the state is grappling with the highest housing costs in the country and a post-pandemic expansion in remote work could exacerbate the departures.

Jay Janner/Associated Press

Around 1.5% to 1.8% of Californias population moved to other states each year during the last decade.

Is that an exodus? No. Id describe it like a slow loss of air out of a tire, said Chuck DeVore, vice president of national initiatives at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank in Austin.

Exodus makes for a nice, snazzy headline. But its more accurate to say California is becoming a less attractive place to live. As a result it doesnt attract a large number of people that it did in the past, both domestic and foreign, said DeVore, a former Republican California state Assembly member who moved to Texas in 2011. Over a 10-year period, it adds up to an entire congressional seat.

Jeff Bellisario, executive director of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, a business-backed think tank in San Francisco, said slowing population growth is a signal to policymakers that were not headed in the right direction.

Sitting back and doing nothing is not the solution, whether its on housing, or the economy or equity, he said. This is the early part of a very alarming trend.

The pandemic is expected to depress Californias growth even more. Californias births fell 15% in January and February compared with the prior year, the biggest drop since at least 1960. State data released in December showed annual population growth of 0.05% through July 1, 2020, the slowest growth rate since 1900.

United States Postal Service data obtained by the Bay Area Council shows that net migration from California to other states rose by nearly 90,000 people last year during the pandemic compared with 2019. Texas retained its status as the top destination, with 70,000 Californians requesting change of addresses to the state. (Actual migration was higher because not everyone files for a change of address.)

DeVore said Texas lack of income taxes and light regulations, plus home prices that are about a third of Californias, have made it an engine of growth.

He believes California officials like Gov. Gavin Newsom could make housing easier to build, cut taxes and regulations, increase the threshold for lawsuits and make the state more desirable for residents and businesses. But he doesnt expect that to happen.

I know whos running the show. I dont think they will change, he said. Theyre afraid theyre going to lose office. I think theyre going to be displaced by someone to their left.

DeVore believes a more effective political strategy for California would be to pressure the Biden administration to increase federal energy and labor regulations and raise taxes for the entire country.

Go all in on encouraging the administration to make America more like California, DeVore said. Then whats the point of moving?

You can essentially make California look better by making Texas look worse through federal action, he said.

Energy regulations and fees, for instance, could disproportionately hit states like Texas that are manufacturing hubs and rely on coal and natural gas, DeVore said.

Bellisario wants to see California make housing easier to build, a policy effort that has been met with resistance. Raising state taxes could also push more people out and the state is already enjoying a large surplus, which wasnt the case in past recessions, he said.

Were very concerned about future tax increases, especially on businesses given where we are in our economic recovery, he said.

California and the Bay Area still have many advantages, he said. Venture capital and the tech industry is booming, and people are still moving to the state.

It doesnt mean the California dream is dead by any means, Bellisario said. We were never going to stay leaps and bounds ahead of all metro areas. Theres now a sense that other regions have caught up.

Roland Li and Nami Sumida are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com, nami.sumida@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf, @namisumida
MAN-19 is designed to treat Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in coronavirus patients but is virus agnostic, making it a potential government stockpile drug

With COVID-19 cases rising around the world even as vaccines are being rolled out in the US and elsewhere, Q BioMed says Mannin is accelerating MAN-19s development

Q BioMed Inc ( ) has released a letter to shareholders, bringing them up to speed on the developments of its technology partner, Mannin Research, and its work to treat the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The company announced in March that Mannin would receive up to C$1.7 million worth of R&D funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to support the preclinical development of a therapeutic, MAN-19, to treat Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients. This funding adds to roughly US$7 million granted in Europe, which together will represent 65%-75% of the funds to advance the ARDS therapy and others.

As COVID-19 cases rise around the world even as vaccines are being rolled out in the US and elsewhere, Q BioMed says Mannin is accelerating MAN-19s development. Additionally, MAN-19 is virus-agnostic, which makes it relevant to other viral diseases like influenza and even possible future viral pandemics. That could make it a potential government stockpile drug.

Furthermore, a successful proof-of-concept clinical trial with MAN-19 in COVID-19 patients would provide the clinical dataset to support the development of therapeutics for other vascular diseases such as sepsis, acute kidney injury and glaucoma.

Meanwhile, Q BioMed said it continues to back Mannins effort to develop glaucoma therapies.

We continue to support the development of Mannin's MAN-01 and MAN-11 therapeutics, a novel small-molecule, and novel biologic therapeutic for glaucoma, respectively, the company said in the letter to sharteholders.

There are over 60 million patients worldwide with primary open-angle glaucoma. The MAN-01 program is developing topical drops designed to reduce pressure build-up in the eye by assisting with, and correcting drainage problems in tiny vessels in the eye. We have advanced this asset from 'concept to compound', and the preliminary data that we have reviewed has convinced us to continue pursuing these product candidates.

Going forward, the next steps are to initiate toxicology studies for both therapies in 2021, with the goal of initiating a Phase 1 proof-of-concept trial in late 2021. In 2019, the company licensed a diagnostic biomarker for determining the severity of glaucoma, GDF-15, which it calls a perfect companion diagnostic for the MAN-01 and MAN-11 drugs.

In partnership with Mannin and McMaster University, Q BioMed says it is nearing completion of an in-vitro-diagnostic (IVD) with both point-of-care and external laboratory-based detection. With appropriate funding, the company anticipates completion of the IVD by the end of June with submission to the US Food & drug Administration (FDA) for approval in late 2021 or early 2022.

Strontium-89

Meanwhile, Q BioMed told investors it expects revenues from its bone pain treatment, Strontium-89, to ramp up this year. The company is assessing several potential clinical trial programs that may expand the indication beyond pain relief into a therapeutic use that may increase utilization in years to come.

In March, Q BioMed was approved as a federal supplier which will allow it to sell into federal hospital systems, notably the US Department of Veteran Affairs and Department of Defense. The company is preparing to launch a contract sales force to increase its presence and uptake in both government and non-government facilities this year.

Elsewhere, EU approval for the drug is expected by the second half of this year, the company said. It is also midway through the registration process in a bevy of other countries around the globe with approvals expected in the next few months and beyond.

Uttroside-B

Q Biomed is also developing a treatment for liver cancer, a disease indication for which there are only two approved first-line therapies, the company said.

Uttroside-B was discovered in the leaf of the black nightshade plant in India, and the company successfully synthesized an exact replica. Preparations are underway to advance this into a preclinical program, and it was recently awarded Orphan Drug designation by the FDA. Testing is expected to begin in late May 2021.

Autism

While our immediate focus is on the above-mentioned assets, we are also developing a new drug candidate to treat young children with pediatric minimally verbal autism, Q Biomed CEO Denis Corin noted. The advancement of this program will depend on the availability of funds and resources as we prioritize our clinical development milestones. There is no effective treatment available to help an estimated 250,000 children born with the condition worldwide each year, 20,000 of them in the United States. We are working on a discovery and development program to address this highly unmet need.

Q BioMed has raised US$1.1 million since December 1 and additional non-dilutive grant funding of approximately $1.5M has helped its development progress, the CEO said.

Our mission is to solve problems by accelerating the development of important therapies and availability of those therapies to patients, he added. We believe that our expected funding in conjunction with an uplist to a national securities exchange will result in an enhanced valuation as a larger group of investors and institutions can participate in our equity.

Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel
Yemeni gov't, Houthi rebels exchange 21 prisoners in Marib via local mediation: source

Xinhua) 09:01, April 27, 2021

ADEN, Yemen, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Forces loyal to the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebel group exchanged a new batch of 21 prisoners in the country's turbulent province of Marib on Monday, a military official told Xinhua.

The new prisoner swap deal came through a mediation by local tribal chiefs "representing the two-warring sides in Marib and other major cities," the local official said on condition of anonymity.

Yemen's local tribal mediators have more than once succeeded in brokering prisoner exchanges between government forces and the Houthis in different areas of the war-torn Arab country.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized control of several northern provinces and forced the Saudi-backed government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa.

The Saudi-led coalition intervened in the Yemeni military conflict in March 2015 to support Hadi's government.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
The Tuesday asked the Centre and government as to why there was drug scarcity in the national capital when the medication was being widely prescribed for COVID-19 patients whose numbers have surged hugely in the past few days.

On being told by the Centre that can only be administered at hospitals, the high court observed that when oxygen and beds were not available in hospitals for patients, then how will they get the drug.

Justice Prathiba M Singh made the Health Ministry and the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) a party in the matter and asked their lawyers to come with instructions on why there was a scarcity of the drug in Delhi.

A similar direction was issued to additional standing counsel Anuj Aggarwal, appearing for the Delhi government, and the matter was listed for hearing post lunch by the court.

"Entire city is suffering as they are not getting this drug. Entire procurement is done by the government. Then why is this happening," the court asked Aggarwal when the hearing commenced.

Aggarwal said that Delhi does not have the facilities to manufacture the drug and it is obtained from other states who sell it only after meeting their own demands.

He also told the court that a large stock of the drug had expired in February this year as it was not being actively prescribed by doctors.

The court, however, did not agree with the submission regarding the medicine not being prescribed, saying the drug was being prescribed by doctors everywhere.

The court also asked, "Was it not permitted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)?"



The court was hearing a plea moved by a lawyer who is suffering from COVID-19 and was able to get only three out of the six doses of required by him.

In his plea, he has sought directions to the Delhi government to provide him with the remaining doses of the drug.

During the pre-noon hearing, the central government told the court that the drug can only be administered in a hospital setting and therefore, how were people getting it from pharmacies.

To this, the court said, "There are no beds or oxygen available in the hospitals.
An Italian MEP has apologised to Britain for the treatment it received over Brexit, praising the UK's vaccine roll-out and future prosperity in a withering attack on the EU.

'The UK humiliated us,' Antonio Maria Rinaldi told the European Parliament today. 'I learned that the European Union has sued the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. We hope that the lawyers in charge are not the same ones who formulated the contracts last year!

'Why is the Commission not using some very good London law firm this time? They would be sure to win,' he added.

The parliament was debating Brexit for the final time ahead of the EU's formal ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement.

Many MEPs fired parting shots at Britain, following Ursula von der Leyen's lead after she warned Boris Johnson that the Bloc 'will not hesitate' to take action if there are any breaches to the Brexit trade deal.

But Rinaldi, a former banker and member of the Eurosceptic Lega party, poured scorn on the 'disgusting lies' told about Britain, 'a great and proud country.'

'The UK humiliated us,' Antonio Maria Rinaldi told the European Parliament today. 'I learned that the European Union has sued the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. We hope that the lawyers in charge are not the same ones who formulated the contracts last year! Why is the Commission not using some very good London law firm this time? They would be sure to win.'

Antonio Maria Rinaldi, a former banker and esteemed economist, who serves as an MEP for the right-wing Lega party of Matteo Salvini

Ursula von der Leyen took the opportunity to warn Boris Johnson that the Bloc 'will not hesitate' to take action if there are any breaches to the Brexit trade deal

It comes as Von der Leyen's Commission announced it was suing AstraZeneca over vaccine shortfalls, the latest development in a furious row that has seen European leaders bitterly attack Britain for having secured more doses.

Britain has administered at least one vaccine dose to more than half the population, while just 20 per cent of EU citizens have had a first dose.

Rinaldi, a professor of economics, argued that now was 'an excellent opportunity' for the EU to admit its folly and commit to reform, particularly in its financial governance.

He lamented the 'swamps of regulations and bureaucracy' in Brussels, adding: 'I want to bet here in front of you all that in two years Britain's growth will be much higher than that of the European Union.'

The 66-year-old continued: 'It took five years to finally reach this agreement having for too long knowingly ignored that the United Kingdom is a net buyer of goods and services to the Union,' Rinaldi told the house.

'Where I come from the customer is always right... But maybe those dealing with Brexit didn't know?

'Seeing as no one until now has had the courage and humility to apologise to the citizens of the United Kingdom for the lies that have been told just for daring to no longer follow the EU's erroneous dictates, then I do so in this one moment as a member of this Parliament.

'Thank you and good luck.'

He added: 'In two months it will be five years from the Brexit referendum. How many disgusting lies have we had to hear from politicians screaming "Britain is destroyed" just because they are terrified of a dangerous precedent? ...

'They didn't understand the legitimate will of a great and proud country that preferred to exercise its sovereignty in a democratic way instead of delegating it to grey bureaucrats who have shown that they cannot even manage a condominium.

'Characters who, if they had worked in a private company, would have been immediately kicked out.'

Rinaldi's respect for Britain stands in stark contrast to the berating message sent out by Von der Leyen earlier as she spoke of 'real teeth' and 'unilateral measures' to punish Britain if it acts outside the terms of the Brexit trade deal.

French fishermen stand near a banner as they gather as part of a protest action against the delay in granting licenses to access British waters at the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer on April 22

She stressed that she and the Commission 'do not want to have to use these tools' as MEPs prepared to finally vote for the trade agreement which was struck by the two sides in December.

Her warning shot came amid a rumbling row between the UK and the EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol which was agreed as part of the original Brexit divorce deal.

Addressing the European Parliament, Von der Leyen said: 'This agreement comes with real teeth. With a binding dispute settlement mechanism and the possibility for unilateral remedial measures where necessary.

'Let me be very clear: We do not want to have to use these tools. But we will not hesitate to use them if necessary.

'They are essential to ensure full compliance with the TCA and with the Withdrawal Agreement.'

Von der Leyen noted concerns in the EU that the UK had not yet fully complied with the terms of the Brexit divorce deal and stressed that 'vigilance' would be required in future when it comes to sticking to the terms of the trade deal.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached with Mr Johnson on Christmas Eve governs the way the UK and the EU deal with each other.

The deal has been applied provisionally since January 1 but requires the approval of MEPs  who are not expected to oppose it when they vote today  before it can be formally ratified.

Mrs von der Leyen said: 'We know it will not always be easy and there is a lot of vigilance, diligence and hard work ahead.

'But, while today's vote is obviously an end, it is also the beginning of a new chapter.

'The choice is now whether today's vote will be the high-water mark of the EU-UK relations for the next decades, or whether we see this as the foundation of a strong and close partnership based on our shared values and interests.

'Only history will tell what road is taken  although I hope for the latter.'

Relations between the UK and EU have been strained over the application of the Northern Ireland Protocol which governs the post-Brexit arrangements aimed at preventing a hard border with Ireland.

Much of the disruption and controversy created by the protocol relates to the fact that Great Britain has left the Single Market for goods, while Northern Ireland remains in the EU regulatory zone.

Michel Barnier, who led the EU's negotiations with the UK, said Brexit was a sign of political failure for the bloc. He is pictured in Brussels today as MEPs prepared to vote on the Brexit trade deal

That necessitates a significant number of documentary checks and physical inspections on agri-food goods arriving into Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

The UK has unilaterally extended grace periods covering areas of the economy including supermarket supplies and parcel deliveries to Northern Ireland from Great Britain, meaning post-Brexit checks are not yet fully applied  which has triggered a legal dispute with Brussels.

Mrs von der Leyen said there was a need for 'joint solutions' as 'unilateral decisions will get us nowhere'.

She said there had been 'some progress' in talks on improving the protocol between commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic and the UK's Brexit Minister Lord Frost.

'In recent days and weeks, we have seen a new, constructive dynamic and we will continue to work closely with the UK to find constructive solutions that respect what was agreed,' she told MEPs.

'The next step is to mutually agree on compliance paths, with concrete deadlines and milestones.'

She added: 'We need solutions, not soundbites, if we are to make the protocol work for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.'

Michel Barnier, who led the EU's negotiations with the UK, said Brexit was a sign of political failure for the bloc.

'This is a divorce. It's a warning, Brexit, and it's a failure  a failure of the European Union,' he said.

'And we have to learn lessons from it as politicians here in the European Parliament, in council, in the Commission, in all of the capitals.

'Why did 52% of the British vote against Europe? There are reasons for that  social anger and tension which existed in many regions in the UK but also in many regions of the EU. Our duty is to listen and understand the feelings of the people.'
The board of the state-run bank will consider raising funds through issue of equity and/or debt securities on Thursday, 29 April 2021.

"The board of directors of the bank will consider the proposal of raising of capital through follow-on public offer (FPO) / Rights issue / qualified institutional placement (QIP) issue, preferential issue or any other mode or combination thereof and / or through issue of BASEL III bonds or such other securities as may be permitted under applicable laws etc., subject to the necessary approvals," the bank said in a statement.

On the same day, the bank's board will also consider the financial results for the quarter and the year ended on 31 March 2021.

Bank of Maharashtra is a public sector bank in India. The Government of India held 93.33% stake in Bank of Maharashtra as on 31 March 2021.

The bank's net profit jumped 13.90% to Rs 154.07 crore on a 3.4% rise in total income to Rs 3,577 crore in Q3 FY21 over Q3 FY20.

The scrip shed 0.64% to currently trade at Rs 23.25 on the BSE.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 21:52:29|Editor: huaxia

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COPENHAGEN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Danish health authorities are not "particularly worried at present" by the appearance of a new mutation of COVID-19, B.1.617, first found in India, said the Statens Serum Institut (SSI) in a press release Tuesday.

So far, Danish health authorities have recorded 29 cases of B.1.617 variant in Denmark, according to SSI.

"It is estimated that there are a total of four chains of infection. Three of these chains with a travel relationship. None of the confirmed cases are hospitalized or dead," said the press release.

However, the variant is not currently assessed as a particularly worrying variant, and the SSI also assesses that the approved COVID-19 vaccines will have an effect on B.1.617, it added.

"We do not have data to suggest that the mutation B.1.617 is more contagious than, for example, the mutation B.1.1.7 originally from the United Kingdom, and at the same time we assess that the vaccines will be effective against it," said SSI's technical director Tyra Grove Krause in the press release.

To date, 1,253,844 Danes have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, accounting for about 21.5 percent of the country's population, according to the latest SSI data published on Tuesday.

The SSI registered 624 new COVID-19 infections and a further two deaths in the past 24 hours in Denmark, bringing the country's total cases and death toll to 248,950 and 2,479, respectively. Enditem
New York lost the seat by the narrowest of margins: just 89 residents, the fewest to cost a state a representative in the modern era.

But even at a reduced size, New Yorks delegation will remain one of the most powerful in the country, and its representatives could be crucial to Democratic efforts to retain control of the House.

[New York loses a House seat after coming up 89 people short on the census.]

Heres what you need to know:

Where New York stands

Losing the seat will cut New Yorks congressional delegation to 26, putting the state behind California, Texas and Florida, in that order. (California will also lose a seat, Texas will gain two and Florida will gain one.)

The small number of people that led to the loss for New York caused some officials to criticize the states approach to the census, which was taken during some of the darkest days of the pandemic.
For years, Caron McBride never understood why she was spontaneously fired from jobs or why she had trouble landing a new one. But when she tried to change her last name on her Texas driver's license earlier this month, she finally found out why.

"When they ran my criminal background check, all they're seeing is those two words: felony embezzlement," McBride, 52, told KOKH, which first reported her story.

Her crime? Not returning a VHS copy of "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," the 90s sitcom staring Melissa Joan Hart, after renting it from a Norman, Okla., video store in 1999, according to court documents shared by KOKH.

On Friday, prosecutors in Cleveland County, Okla., said they were dropping the charge and expunging McBride's record, according to KOKH.

Back when the "Sabrina" VHS went unreturned, movie rental stores were still popular fixtures in strip malls across the country. During its peak in 2004, Blockbuster had over 9,000 locations. But thousands closed in recent years thanks to streaming services like Netflix dominating at-home viewing. Today, just one Blockbuster location remains standing in Bend, Ore.

Now a relic of the past, similar stores live on for many as a fond bit of nostalgia. But for McBride, the video store left a stain on her background check.

McBride first learned of the felony charge after getting married in November in Texas. When she emailed the Texas Department of Motor vehicles to legally change her last name from Davis, she learned there was a problem.

"They sent me an email and they told me . . . that I had an issue in Oklahoma," McBride told KOKH.

They told her to call the Cleveland County District Attorney's office, which informed her there was a warrant for her arrest filed in March 2000 on felony embezzlement charges.

"She told me it was over the VHS tape and I had to make her repeat it because I thought, this is insane," she said. "This girl is kidding me, right? She wasn't kidding."

According to court documents, McBride rented "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" on Feb. 14, 1999 from a Movie Place, a now shuttered video store in Norman, Okla. Prosecutors said she "willfully, unlawfully and feloniously embezzle[d]" the tape, which was worth $58.59, when she failed to return the video after 10 days, per the rental agreement.

Confounded, McBride told KOKH she had no recollection of renting the VHS. But she said she thinks she may know who actually rented the tape.

"I had lived with a young man, this was over 20 years ago. He had two kids, daughters that were 8, 10 or 11-years-old, and I'm thinking he went and got it and didn't take it back or something," she said.

News of McBride's charges quickly made its way to the cast of "Sabrina." Its star, Melissa Joan Hart, posted a local news article on her Instagram on Saturday with a shrugging emoji, prompting several others from the show to comment.

"Seriously let's all sign a script for her to help her out," wrote Caroline Rhea, who played Sabrina's aunt Hilda.

"Listen - she's no dummy when it comes to her viewing preferences," commented Jenna Leigh Green, who played Libby, Sabrina's high school nemesis.

But McBride told KOKH that she's never watched the show or even heard of the teenage witch.

"Just not my cup of tea," McBride said. "Meanwhile, I'm a wanted felon for a VHS tape."
91 years ago, Dolores tuna came to Mexico to stay. Although the brand was founded by Hispanics in the United States in 1918, it managed to win over Mexican consumers and position itself as a leader in the national market. There are no records of who the creators were, the only thing that is known is that it was owned by the Mexican government when it entered our country.

In 1991, this firm, which began selling canned sardines, was acquired by Grupo Pinsa , the largest tuna packer in Mexico today, after the government launched three tenders to assign it to a private company. At that time, Grupo Pinsa was already a processor of packaged tuna for other brands, but decided to add Dolores tuna to its catalog to take it to the next level.

And he achieve it. Well, from that moment, the tuna category began to have a moment of splendor that positioned it as the largest of processed foods, surpassing canned sardines, which at that time was the best-selling product in our country. This is what Alfonso Vazquez, CEO of Grupo Pinsa, points out.

The packing company also began to grow progressively along with the tuna category, especially in the last 20 years, to such an extent that today, Grupo Pinsa has a 55% share in the Mexican market with three brands: El Dorado, Mazatun, and Dolores tuna, which is the most sold, accounting for 40% of the market. "This brand gave us the possibility to expand the company nationwide," says Vazquez.

Currently 2.8 million cans of this product are produced daily, of which 60% are distributed in self-service stores and convenience stores, and the other 40% in small businesses such as corner stores. Of the total production of canned tuna, only 3.4% is exported to the United States and Canada, while of frozen products it is up to 70% of the 8,000 tons generated per day.

One of the Grupo Pinsa production plants where Dolores tuna is made / Image: Grupo Pinsa

FISHING FOR SUCCESS

But how has the brand managed to stay in the market for a century? We share the three keys with which tuna Dolores made its way into the industry and conquered the Mexican public.

1. Compete with quality

There's no better way to win over customers than by offering quality products, says Vazquez. The strategy is not to disappoint the expectations of the consumer by offering healthy food and packaging under strict quality standards in the two plants they have in Mazatlan, Sinaloa; and one in Guaymas, Sonora. In fact, they have sustainable fishing practices that they carry out on their own boats for 45 to 65 days, in an area that goes from San Francisco in the United States to Peru and Hawaii.

2. Renew products

Another key has been to constantly innovate. In the catalog there are different products with various presentations and preparations such as tuna with salad, mayonnaise, rice, pasta, sauce, three chilies, with corn or tajin chili. In addition, the brand launched a line of frozen foods such as hamburger medallions, carnitas or ceviche cubes, all made with tuna. Vazquez's recommendation is to diversify to serve new market segments, such as those who are looking for healthy and more nutritious products.

3. Make everyone see you

The bet to promote itself and add clients has been focused mainly on the mass media, broadcasting spots on radio and television, although Vazquez suggests taking advantage of digital resources such as social networks to reach more consumers.

Part of the fishing process / Image: Grupo Pinsa

TEST PASSED

Achieving these results has not been an easy task to achieve. The biggest challenge, says Vazquez, has always been to stay one step ahead of other competitors who have even replicated their strategies, launching products or advertising similar to that of their brand. "The hardest thing is not getting to the top, but staying on it," he says.

It reveals that they have had very high expectations with several products that did not work in the market, such as a low sodium version of tuna in water. "We thought that the consumer was eager to buy it, and it was not." But he assures that the important thing is to know how to react in time when you fail, a risk that is always latent, especially when it comes to innovating.

Despite the difficulties and being a long-lived brand, Tuna Dolores is still standing and is willing to continue fighting, as it considers consolidating the products it currently has for sale and continuing to innovate to fish the largest possible market.

Most of the people who make this product are women / Image: Grupo Pinsa.

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Its easier to take a walk in the woods at Manchesters Stark Park now that volunteers have cleared the paths in and around the North End landmark.
Hyderabad, April 27 : Telangana Health Minister Eatala Rajender announced on Tuesday that another 3,010 oxygen beds will be available at the government-run hospitals in the state within a week.

The Health Minister told reporters that a total of 10,000 oxygen beds are available across the state. He pointed out that when the pandemic broke out, the state had only 1,770 oxygen beds but the government took steps on a war footing to ramp up the numbers.

The Gandhi Hospital in Secunderabad has 600 ICU beds. He claimed that it is the only hospital in the country which has all its beds as ICU beds. A decision has been taken to provide oxygen supply to another 400 beds at the Gandhi Hospital.

Steps are being taken on a war footing to provide oxygen supply lines to another 3,010 beds in government-run hospitals within a week. These will include 300 beds each at Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS), Warangal MGM and 200 each at NIMS, MCH Surypaet and Nalgonda Government Hospital.

He announced that Covid treatment services will be launched from Wednesday at the ESI Hospital in Nacharam. A total of 350 beds with oxygen facility will be available at this hospital.

Rajender said that at the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), a block meant for general patients has been allocated for Covid infected persons. From Wednesday, 200 beds will be available in this block.

He said CPAP, BIPAP, monitors and ventilators required for another 1,000 beds are being procured.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has also approved the recruitment of 755 doctors and other staff. Doctors, nurses and sanitary staff will be appointed wherever required.

He said the government is taking all steps to contain the spread of Covid-19, claiming that there is no oxygen shortage in the state.

The health department is supplying oxygen to all the districts and IAS officers have been appointed to monitor the distribution of oxygen.

Rajender claimed that Telangana is the first state to use war planes to transport oxygen tankers. He said the state needs 270 tonnes of oxygen every day but it is trying to mobilise 400 tonnes of oxygen to overcome any shortage.

The Chief Minister has clearly told the health department that the government is ready to spend any amount of money, but nobody should die because of oxygen shortage.

Rajender said that arrangements are being made keeping in view the oxygen supply that may be required in case of further increase in the number of Covid patients.

He said the state will get five oxygen generator machines under the PM-CARES Fund. An oxygen generator to produce daily 28 lakh litres of oxygen will be installed at the Gandhi Hospital. Another generator will be installed at the Telangana Institute of Medial Sciences (TIMS) to produce 14 lakh litres of oxygen.

The generator to come up at Khammam Hospital will have 8.5 lakh litres capacity. Bhadrachalam and Karimnagar hospitals will have generators of 4.5 lakh litres and 5.5 lakh litres capacity, respectively. Thus, these machines will produce 62 lakh litres of oxygen which will help overcome any shortage in future, the minister said.

Telangana has also requested the Centre to provide 12 more such machines and he hoped that the state will soon get the approval.

The government is setting up isolation centres for those who are infected by Covid but can't live in isolation at their homes and also as a step-down measure for those were under treatment at the hospitals whose oxygen levels have become normal.

Rajender also demanded that the Centre should procure Covid vaccines and supply them to the states. It is unfortunate that the states are being asked to procure vaccines for those above 18 years of age, he said.

The minister pointed out that the Central government allocated Rs 35,000 crore in the Union budget to tackle the Covid situation.

"One should not forget that whether it is Centre or the states, it is after all public money. It should be remembered that every rupee has come through taxes. Asking the states to procure vaccines is not proper," he said.

The minister also slammed some private hospitals overcharging Covid patients. Some hospitals are not even handing over the bodies for non-payment of bills, he noted.

Rajender said no civilised society can tolerate such behaviour.

He found fault with the hospitals asking patients to bring oxygen cylinders and injections with them or deposit huge money for admission and also those which are not admitting patients despite having insurance and health cards.

He said amid this crisis, the private hospitals should act in a humane manner and should not try to cash in on the situation to make money. He warned that strong action will be taken against such hospitals.

The government has already fixed the rates for Covid treatment at private hospitals. The minister said no private hospital should charge more than Rs 4,000 for general bed, Rs 7,500 for ICU bed, and Rs 9,000 for ventilator bed per day.

Stating that the number of cases is coming down in Maharashtra, he hoped that the cases in Telangana too will come down and normalcy will be restored soon with people practicing self-discipline.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that he will nominate Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, a vocal skeptic of cooperating with federal immigration authorities in certain circumstances, to serve as director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

As head of ICE, Gonzalez would help oversee one of the most contentious parts of Biden's agenda: enforcing U.S. immigration law. Biden has promised to unwind much of predecessor Donald Trump's hardline border policies.

Gonzalez is a former Houston police officer who served on the City Council before first getting elected sheriff in 2016. He won a second four-year term in 2020. During his first term, he was a vocal critic of Trump's approach to immigration.

In 2019, when Trump tweeted that his administration would be deporting "millions of illegal aliens," Gonzalez posted on Facebook that the vast majority of undocumented immigrants do not proposed a threat to the U.S. and should not be deported.

"The focus should always be on clear & immediate safety threats, he said.

Soon after he took office, Gonzalez ended a Harris County partnership with ICE that trained 10 deputies to specifically screen jailed individuals for immigration status and hold any selected for deportation. According to the Houston Chronicle, cutting the program still meant Harris County would hold inmates for deportation regardless of their charge, but only if ICE officials themselves make the request.

Gonzalez also vocally opposed 2017 legislation that would prevent cities from banning local law enforcement from asking about immigration status and would push civil fines and a misdemeanor offense on law enforcement who dont comply with federal immigration enforcement.

In a letter to the Senate Committee on State Affairs, Gonzales opposed what supporters dubbed "anti-sanctuary city" legislation, saying it would take public safety resources away from addressing other local safety issues, such as human trafficking and murder.

I am also concerned about the risk of an unintended consequence: creating a climate of fear and suspicion that could damage our efforts to reinforce trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve, he wrote.

Also on Tuesday, Biden said he was tapping another Texan, Gina Ortiz Jones, to be under secretary of the Air Force. Jones is a former Air Force intelligence officer who twice ran as a Democrat for one of Texas' most competitive congressional districts.

Both positions are subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

Jones would be the No. 2 civilian leader of the Air Force as under secretary. Defense News, which first reported Biden's plan to nominate Jones, a Filipino American, said she would be the first woman of color to serve in the position.

Jones also is a member of the LGBT community and served in the Air Force under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." After her time in the Air Force, Jones went to work for the Defense Intelligence Agency and later the office of the U.S. trade representative. She ran against U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, in 2018 and lost by less than 1,000 votes. She made a second bid for the seat last year, when Hurd did not seek reelection, and lost by a wider margin to Republican Tony Gonzales.

The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
The COVID-19 vaccination drive in India entered its third phase on May 1. The Indian government has announced that all citizens above the age of 18 will be eligible to receive the Coronavirus vaccine. Until now, people only above the age of 45 were being vaccinated in India but from May 1 people between the age of 18-44 also became eligible to receive the vaccine in India.

All citizens aged 18+ will be eligible for vaccination under Phase 3 of the world's #LargestVaccineDrive starting May 1, 2021. Registration will start from 00:00 on 28 April 2021 via the #CoWIN platform and the Aarogya Setu app. #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/5SMj1G6Cji  MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) April 27, 2021

The COVID-19 vaccination drive kicked off on January 16 in India and as per the data released by the government over 141 million doses have been administered as of April 26. Now the third phase of the vaccination drive begins from May 1 and everyone above the age of 18 will have to register online for scheduling their COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Furthermore, the government has said that there will not be a walk-in facility for people aged between 18-44 who are willing to get vaccinated. This means that everyone will have to register online on the CoWIN website or Aarogya Setu app to book an appointment. Previously, the registration for the vaccination of 18 and above citizens was supposed to begin from midnight on April 28 but it has now been postponed to 4 PM.

Registration for 18 plus to begin on https://t.co/G4e2WXWB9X, Aarogya Setu App & UMANG App at 4 PM on 28th April. Appointments at State Govt centers & Private centers depending on how many vaccination centers are ready on 1st May for Vaccination of 18 plus. #LargestVaccineDrive  MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) April 28, 2021

COVID-19 vaccine price in India

Currently, there are two vaccines available in India that are being administered to citizens. Covaxin, which is developed by Bharat Biotech and Covishield which is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII). Both the manufacturers have announced their pricing for the state governments procurement and private hospitals.

While many state governments have announced free vaccines for everyone above the age of 18, people will have to pay for the vaccine if they get it from a private hospital. As such, Covaxin is priced at Rs 1,200 while Covishield is priced at Rs 600 for private hospitals.

Some of the states where the vaccine will be provided for free at government vaccination centres include Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Goa, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, Assam, Telangana and Kerala.

COVID-19 vaccine registration: How to book a vaccination appointment

The COVID-19 vaccination drive for everyone above the age of 18 begins from May 1 and the registrations for the same will start from midnight on April 28. Those eligible for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine will have to first register on the CoWIN website of the Aarogya Setu app. Here is how to register for the COVID-19 vaccine in India:

1. Go to the CoWIN website using any browser

2. Click the Register/Sign In yourself to begin the self-registration process

3. The website will ask you to enter your phone number for receiving an OTP

4. Enter the OTP you receive on your phone

5. The website will then ask for details for a Photo ID proof

6. Select a valid photo ID proof from the list (Aadhaar Card, Driving License, Pan Card, Passport, Pension Passbook, NPR Smart Card or Voter ID)

7. Enter the Photo ID Number, Name, Gender and year of birth

8. Once all fields are filled, click on register.

9. After registering, the website will let you schedule an appointment with your nearest vaccination centre

10. You can also add three more members to the same account

11. Enter the Pin Code in the search bar to select your nearest vaccination centre and select the available time slot

12. Click confirm and you will have scheduled the vaccination appointment. You will receive a text message on the registered mobile number with the appointment details.

If you want to register through the Aarogya Setu app on your phone follow these steps:

1. Open the Aarogya Setu app on your phone

2. Select the CoWIN tab in the app

3. Tap on the Vaccination option and then tap Register Now

4. The app will ask you to verify the phone number via OTP

5. After verifying, people need to enter Photo ID proof and more details as mentioned above.

6. You will receive a text message with appointment details after a successful registration.
HARRISBURG  A delayed upgrade to the state Department of Corrections dashboard on COVID-19 rates in prisons has revealed that only 20% of correctional staff and officers who work in prisons have reported being vaccinated.

Alternatively, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of all American adults have received at least one shot, which is similar to the number of incarcerated people in Pennsylvania who have gotten one.

The department relaunched its public-facing data last week with updated vaccine numbers, one month after its self-imposed deadline. Spotlight PA revealed in January that its data were unreliable, prompting the dashboard to be temporarily removed for an overhaul.

The new site shows that as of April 21, out of 15,852 correctional staffers, only 3,133 were fully or partially vaccinated. At facilities in Albion, Fayette, Pine Grove and Smithfield, 90% of staff or more remained unvaccinated.

In contrast, as of the same date, out of 37,245 people held inside facilities, 19,490 had received a vaccine.

Corrections spokesperson Maria Bivens noted that staff vaccinations are self-reported, meaning the number could be artificially low if large numbers of staffers are not reporting getting shots.

The Corrections Officers Association, the union representing prison workers, declined to comment or answer questions on why their members werent getting vaccinated, or what theyve been doing to increase vaccinations.

Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said the contrast puts the officers and their communities at risk, and especially people in prison who either chose not to get vaccinated or are still waiting.

People in prison are dependent on the state for their vaccinations, while all staff are eligible to pursue theirs on their own. Both were offered incentives: paid time off for workers, and $25 in commissary benefits for people living inside the prisons.

If theres a cadre of (corrections officers) in a given facility not vaccinated  that workplace would still have a risk of COVID, just not emanating from the prisoners themselves, Adalja said.

Prisons are COVID-19 hot spots, Adalja said, with shared quarters and cells where people are confined for up to 23 hours a day during lockdown. And though its good for public health that the majority of incarcerated people are vaccinated, if staff fall ill, it could jeopardize safety by depleting staff numbers and would be disruptive to the operations of a prison, he said.

Corrections officials have already struggled with shortages because of the virus, as well as maintaining the right protocols to limit the spread.

With prisons initially lauded for keeping case numbers low, incarcerated people started becoming infected and dying at higher rates than populations on the outside during the second wave in December.

The department applied for $176,000 in emergency funds to hire temporary workers because too many staff were calling out of work. Then, Spotlight PA found that officers were still told by corrections to come back to work before doctors had cleared them.

And now, corrections staff have been diagnosed with more COVID-19 cases than incarcerated people. The departments dashboard shows that as of April 21, 125 staff members are currently out for testing positive, compared with only 70 incarcerated people who are currently positive.

This struggle spans to other state facilities. A report by the Department of Health last week found only 52% of nursing home staff had received the vaccine, compared with 80% of nursing home residents. In some counties, nursing home vaccinations among staff were as low as 30%, despite a national goal to hit 75% vaccinated inside facilities by June.

Keara Klinepeter, executive deputy secretary for the Department of Health, said that the department is working with staff in areas with low vaccine uptake to address hesitations.

Corrections has also made efforts to encourage staff to get the shot and educate them about its efficacy, but that messaging was complicated in recent weeks.

On April 9, the department reported one death of a person inside SCI-Phoenix who had received a single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The department told people living inside prisons that there had been an unexpected death of an inmate that had recently been vaccinated for COVID-19, according to the memo, obtained by Spotlight PA.

Then on April 13, the department had to stop issuing J&J vaccines along with the rest of the state and then the country, as regulators established six cases of rare blood-clotting issues, including a Pennsylvania woman.

Corrections officials still have Moderna vaccines, which Bivens said they are continuing to use for staff and other people inside facilities.

Theres already been hesitancy around the vaccine by incarcerated people, with people saying its been rushed ... and corrections officers denying it doesnt instill much confidence for others to get it, said Poornima Rajeshwar, a policy fellow at the UCLA Law COVID-19 Behind Bars Data Project. It is a concern to see how the J&J halt might affect people in the future getting it.

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media.
A bottle of what's believed to be the world's oldest whiskey which dates back to Revolutionary times and was once owned by finance legend John Pierpont Morgan and Washington elites is hitting the auction block this summer.

Skinner Auction House recently announced a June 22-30 auction for the Old Ingledew Whiskey, which was said to have been produced between 1762 and 1802 in Georgia and bottled in the 1860s.

The bottle is expected to sell for somewhere between $20,000 and $40,000 and is rumored to be the only one remaining from a trio JP Morgan's son gifted to Washington politicians in the 1940s.

It is unlikely the over two-century-old liquor will still be drinkable, as whiskey tends to last about 10 years if unopened.

'It is a fascinating story,' Joseph Hyman, Skinner's rare spirits expert, said in an interview with Barron's. 'The whiskey was not bottled at a distillery destroyed in the war, it is actually bottled by a general store, which is the same way the Scottish whiskey Johnnie Walker started.'

A bottle of Old Ingledew Whiskey (pictured), believed to be the oldest in existence, will be sold in an online auction from June 22 to 30. It is expected to sell for up to $40,000

Black labeling on the bottle indicates that the bottle was in John Pierpont Morgan's personal cellars, and was probably made prior to 1865. Carbon-dating put the whiskey as originating from the late 1700s.

Standard practice at the time, Hynes said, was to store spirits in large glass demijohns (bulbous bottles with a narrow neck) after being aged in oak barrels.

An engraving on the bottle of Old Ingledew shows that it was bottled by a team called Evans & Ragland in La Grange, Georgia.

Evans & Ragland were grocers and merchants in business between the 1860s and 1870s, according to Skinner's research, and the design of the bottle is consistent with glass manufacturing at the time.

The auction house conducted carbon-dating on the whiskey in collaboration with researchers from the University of Georgia, it said, and discovered that the whiskey was produced some time between 1762 and 1802 - around the time of the Revolutionary War and Whiskey Rebellion.

The raw data was then further evaluated by researchers at the University of Glasgow, who found an 81.1 percent probability that the bottle was in fact produced during that period and that it contained bourbon.

The Whiskey Rebellion unfolded in the 1790s when farmers and distillers in western Pennsylvania protested a tax on whiskey President George Washington enacted, under the direction of Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton.

'The age was a shocking surprise, albeit a pleasant one, for both myself and the scientist,' Hyman told Food and Wine Magazine. 'Initially, we were all ... assuming the distillery pre-existed the Civil War, as no such distillery was in existence after the war.'

Joseph Hyman carbon dated the whiskey, and determined the bottle was made in the 1860s or 1870s by grocers and merchants.

Skinner's Auction House estimates J.P. Morgan bought the whiskey on a trip to Georgia. His son, Jack, later gifted it and two other bottles to Washington elites.

The bottle is reported to have been purchased by JP Morgan, the Wall Street financier who founded the J.P. Morgan Company in 1895, in one of his trips to Georgia.

Black labeling on the bottle reads, 'This Bourbon was probably made prior to 1865 and was in the cellars of Mr. John Pierpont Morgan from whose estate it was acquired upon his death.'

'As far as is known there were no Bourbon distilleries in Georgia after the Civil War.'

It is further believed that his son, Jack, later gifted the bottle and two others to James Byrnes, of South Carolina; two sisters of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a distant cousin of the Morgans; and Harry S. Truman between 1942 and 1944.

Byrnes was a Congressman, Senator and Supreme Court Justice before World War II, when he resigned from the court at the behest of his friend, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, to become the Director of War Mobilization.

Upon Roosevelt's death in 1945, Byrnes was appointed Secretary of State under another friend, Truman.

He left the Cabinet in 1947, and moved back to South Carolina, where he ran for governor. He served in that position from 1951 to 1955.

After he left office, it is reported, Byrnes gifted the bottle to a friend and neighbor, Francis Drake.

But Drake and his descendants only drank Scotch, the auction house reports, and safeguarded the bottle for three generations.

Previously, the oldest bottled whiskies tended to date from the 1840s to the 1860s.
Update: Decatur police say Tracey Clemons Lanier has been safely located.

From earlier:

The Decatur Police Department is asking for the public's help finding Tracey Clemons Lanier, 51, of Decatur.

Police said she was last seen leaving her home on April 19. Her family says she has a condition that may impair her judgement.

Lanier was driving her Silver 2007 Honda Accord with Alabama Tag 1030BF6, at the time she went missing.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Joshua Daniell by phone 256-341-4644 or by email at jdaniell@decatur-al.gov
New Delhi:

Police arrested three youths from north Kerala for having alleged links with international terror group ISIS. The three men in their early twenties were in the police radar from last four months and were arrested on Wednesday evening.

The three youths have been identified as Mithilaj KC, Abdul Razak KV and Rasheed MV.

According to police the three had returned from Turkey around four months back. The four were then deported from Turkey after they were apprehended on their way to Syria.

A senior police officer of Kannur district said, We kept a close watch on the three. Especially their online activities.

We had noticed that the three had been active on websites having connection with the ISIS. The police is interrogating them for further details, he added.

Also Read: Afghanistan: US condemns twin terror attacks on mosques

The officer added that it is yet not clear how the three youths were indoctrinated to the international terrorist group.

We are probing to find out the people who were engaged in indoctrinating the three and funding them for their travel to Syria, added the officer.

The Kerala Police has charged them under anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

According to reports, more than 100 youths from India have left for Syria and Iraq to join ISIS.

The National Investigation Agency is currently probing disappearance of at least 21 people who are suspected to have joined ISIS. In most of the cases family members of the disappeared have approached the police.

Also Read: US-backed forces claim to have captured Raqa from ISIS

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro endorsed incumbent Ron Nirenberg to continue leading the city.

Castro, who served as mayor until 2014 when he was tapped to become the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, shared a thread of Twitter endorsements Monday with a link to donate to each of the candidates' campaigns.

RELATED: A busy bee's guide to San Antonio's May 1 elections

"@Ron_Nirenberg has been a tireless champion for San Antonio. He's helped families recover from the pandemic, revitalized small businesses, and continued the forward progress of our growing community," he said in the tweet. "I hope you will join me in supporting his reelection campaign!"

Castro also endorsed Nirenberg in 2017 and 2019. Nirenberg picked up an endorsement from Phil Hardberger, who served as mayor from 2005 to 2009, in 2017 as well.

Nirenberg is up for a rematch against Greg Brockhouse, who narrowly lost in the 2019 runoff.

READ MORE FROM MADALYN: 'Flat out lie': San Antonio fact-checked Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Prop B debate

Castro also threw his support behind Roberto Trevino, who is running for reelection in District 1, and Ana Sandoval, who is up for reelection in District 7. He also endorsed candidates in school board elections. His picks are Irma Iris Duran de Rodriguez for Northside Independent School District, District 5, and Rafa Diaz for Judson Independent School District, District 7.

Early voting in San Antonio ends Tuesday. Election day is May 1.
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is preparing to send U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Ukraine in May, the CNN U.S. television channel said, citing sources in the Ukrainian government.

"The White House is hammering out the details of an increasingly likely European summit between President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which could happen as soon as early summer, according to sources familiar with the planning. The planning comes as the Biden administration is preparing to send Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Ukraine next month, according to a Ukrainian government source close to the ongoing negotiations," CNN said in an article released on Monday, April 26.

Media outlets said that the visit could ease the European country's anxiety over a potential meeting between Biden and Putin this summer on the heels of the U.S. President's meetings with Group of 7 and NATO allies.

"The fact that the Biden administration would deploy its most senior diplomat to Ukraine in the weeks before a potential summit sends a clear signal that Washington stands with the Eastern European nation and values it as an ally," the publication said.

According to the CNN source in the Ukrainian government, Blinken's visit to Ukraine will be one opportunity to discuss a potential Biden-Zelensky meeting while the U.S. President is in Europe this summer.
Here's a quick peek about how a lot of people are going to be convicted in Kansas very soon and amid a historic rush.



Read more . . .
A group of illegal immigrants wait for Border Patrol after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in La Joya, Texas, on April 10, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

GOP Senators Urge Biden to Take Swift Action to Address Tragedy at Southern Border

A coalition of Republican senators who recently visited the southern border is urging President Joe Biden to take swift action and reverse his policy decisions that they say has caused the significant surge in illegal immigration in recent months.

The ten senators penned a letter to the White House detailing a harrowing account of their observations during a tour of the border and immigration facilities in late March. The senators said they witnessed first-hand human traffickers in action and recounted a distressing case of child sexual assault of a girl who was trafficked into the United States.

Our delegations tour of the border was eye-opening. We knew it was a crisis before we arrived, because we had seen the statistics. But witnessing it was different, the senators wrote in their letter.

From the coyotes heckling border agents on the ground, to the health and humanitarian hazards of the Anzalduas processing area, to the terrified and confused children in the unsanitary and crowded conditions of the Donna facility, to the struggle of local border communities near the Pharr bridge, what we saw convinced us that this is more than a crisis. It is a tragedy, the group said.

The senators who signed the letter include Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barasso (R-Wyo.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Mike Braun (R-Ind.).

The senators described appalling conditions and cages that children were kept in at the Donna Processing facility, and lamented the lack of COVID-19 measures implemented on the ground due to the sheer volume of unaccompanied children crossing illegally into the country.

We saw a line of children who, having just been crammed into the crowded cages, were now testing positive for COVID-19, they wrote. Border Patrol agents were doing their absolute best to care for these children, but these officials are not social workers they are trained to protect our border. The conditions were, simply put and without exaggeration, inhumane.

For the month of March, CBP agents encountered over 172,000 illegal immigrants, according to statistics released on April 8. This is up from just over 101,000 individuals encountered in February.

Among those who crossed illegally into the United States last month were over 18,800 unaccompanied minors, which is double the number of minors who illegally arrived in the United States in February at over 9,300 encounters. This is compared to 5,585 unaccompanied minors in January, and 4,993 unaccompanied minors in December 2020.

Meanwhile, the Health and Human Services (HHS) said earlier this month that about 20,000 children, mostly from Central America, are being housed in temporary facilities operated by the department, while around 2,500 more are still in CBP custody.

The average cost to care for a child in a permanent facility is $290 per day, HHS officials told The Epoch Times, via email. That cost jumps to approximately $775 per day for children in temporary emergency facilities due to the need to develop facilities quickly and hire significant staff over a short period of time.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki acknowledged last week that the administration had not anticipated the influx of illegal border crossings following its policy changes but continued to downplay the severity of the situation by insisting that the situation at the border was not a crisis. Her comments came after Biden, in a rare admission, used the word crisis to refer to the surge of unaccompanied minors at the border.

The senators reminded Biden in their letter that the Rio Grande Valley sector chief and his team had previously warned Bidens transition team about such potential consequences of his announced immigration policies and that the warning was not heeded.

They warned that these policies would create exactly the crisis we are now witnessing. They told your team that your policies would result in a surge of illegal immigration bound to overwhelm CBPs limited resources. And that is exactly what has happened, the senators wrote.

Republican lawmakers have long argued that the burgeoning crisis is a result of Bidens move to overturn several Trump-era immigration policies that helped curbed the flow of illegal border crossings. This includes his predecessors cornerstone Migrant Protection Protocol, which effectively ended the problematic catch and release policy, significantly stemming the surge of illegal immigrants that were seen at the southern border in 2019.

In a return to the Obama-era policies that facilitate catch-and-release, the Biden administration is again releasing unaccompanied minors into the country. The lawmakers argue that Bidens act has been interpreted as a signal to prospective migrants to travel to the United States.

The Biden administration, on the other hand, has sought to shift the blame on former President Donald Trumps administration, with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas saying that the previous government had dismantled the orderly, humane, and efficient way of allowing children to make their claims under United States law in their own country.

The senators also raised concerns about issues resulting from the surge, including a significant increase of contraband and drugs smuggled across the border due to the lack of resources to prevent smuggling operations by drug cartels and other criminals.

Citing statistics from CBP, the senators said the the Laredo Field Office reported that fentanyl seizures rose by 2,067 percent, cocaine seizures increased by 187 percent, weapons seizures are up 131 percent, and currency seizures increased by 64 percent.

This confirms accounts that drug cartels and other smuggling operations are taking advantage of the disarray at the border to smuggle more drugs and weapons, they wrote.

They are asking Biden to acknowledge the crisis at the border and begin a dramatic change of course to humanely secure our southern border.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
Why Canada is focusing on immigration candidates living in the country ANALYSIS: Canada depends on immigrants to support economic recovery, and the pandemic presents challenges.

Why Canada is focusing on immigration candidates living in the country ANALYSIS: Canada depends on immigrants to support economic recovery, and the pandemic presents challenges.

Why Canada is focusing on immigration candidates living in the country ANALYSIS: Canada depends on immigrants to support economic recovery, and the pandemic presents challenges. Mohanad Moetaz Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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With international travel low and immigration targets high, Canada has been opening pathways for domestic immigration candidates to apply for permanent residence.

The Canadian government is depending on foreign nationals who are likely already living in Canada to meet its immigration targets for the year. Canada has set out to welcome 401,000 new permanent residents by the end of 2021. Normally, it is possible to apply for Canadian immigration from overseas, but border restrictions make it difficult for approved permanent residents abroad to travel to Canada.

Consequently, Canada must rise to the challenge of meeting its targets without relying on overseas candidates. The pandemic has thrust Canadas economy into precarious territory, but experts say high levels of immigration will be an important tenant to long-term recovery.

Do you live in Canada? Apply for PR under these new pathways!

The Canadian government has maintained its support for immigration. Though unemployment is still high in Canada due to coronavirus-related public health measures, political rhetoric has stayed the course on immigration. Immigrants create jobs, and fill gaps in the labour market, all of which contribute to a robust economy.

But, the pandemic continues. Amid the third wave of coronavirus, travel restrictions are only getting tighter, which makes it difficult to admit overseas immigrants.

Many of those who have been approved for a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) since March 2020 are still unable to travel to Canada. When Canada first introduced its travel restrictions, approved permanent residents who got their COPR after March 18, 2020, were not exempt. Newly approved permanent residents from any country other than the U.S. are still not allowed to complete their landing and officially become Canadian immigrants. There are exemptions, however, for some international students, essential workers, family members, and other groups.

Furthermore, lockdown measures have forced many immigrants out of work. There are high levels of immigrants working in hard-hit sectors such as accommodation and food services. A number of these occupations are not considered skilled work so there are limited pathways to permanent residency for many temporary residents who are already in Canada.

These obstacles encourage the Canadian government to look for new solutions.

In-Canada experience beneficial for labour market outcomes

Those who are already living in Canada are likely to have Canadian work experience.

According to a Statistics Canada study, these individuals fare better in the labour market by 8 per cent than those who do not have Canadian experience. Those with Canadian experience also fared better than overseas immigrants with pre-arranged employment.

This may come down to multiple reasons. For example, those with experience have already settled in Canada, they have become more proficient in English or French, and they have learned more about Canadian work culture, which may be different than in their home country.

Main pathways to PR for those in Canada

Candidates who live in Canada have many options to choose from to become permanent residents.

Express Entry

So far in 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have held Express Entry draws that are specific to just two programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This is because candidates of these two programs are likely to be in Canada already.

To be eligible for the CEC, candidates must have at least one year experience in Canada. They must also have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of either 5 or 7, depending on the occupation. They must also intend to live outside Quebec.

PNP

All Canadian provinces and territories except for Quebec and Nunavut have their own PNPs. This allows the provincial governments to nominate individuals who are helping to address their own labour shortages for permanent residency.

By having their own immigration programs, provincial governments are better able to respond to their labour market needs. For example, Ontarios Human Capital Priorities Stream allows the province to fill labour market gaps by inviting Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination. Periodically, the province holds PNP draws to invited candidates in targeted occupations. In 2019, Ontario started holding Tech Pilot draws to help bring in enough workers to meet the growing demand for tech talent.

Quebec

Quebec has its own immigration programs. The Quebec Experience Program is a popular programs for international students who have graduated from a post-secondary institution in the province. Temporary foreign workers with eligible experience may also apply for this program.

Alternatively, Quebec offers the Regular Skilled Worker Program for skilled workers and international student graduates who wish to immigrate to the province. This program uses a points system to determine who gets a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).

The CSQ is the document that the province issues to successful immigration candidates. It shows IRCC that this candidate has been selected for permanent residence in Quebec, but it does not grant holders permanent residence. Only IRCC can issue permanent residency visas.

New PR pathways

In addition to these programs, Canada has introduced six new immigration streams that are launching on May 6, 2021. Three of the streams have an intake cap, and the other three do not. The streams are listed below, with their corresponding quotas.

Health care workers and other workers must have one year of Canadian work experience in a pre-approved essential occupation. International graduates must have graduated and received their credential no earlier than January 2017. All candidates must be physically present and working in Canada at the time they apply.

As a result of these programs, Canada could add about 90,000 new permanent residents to its population. The immigration department did not adjust its levels plan for 2021, but told CIC News in an email these newcomers could be reflected in 2022.

This new pathway, along with any other adjustments that may be required to reflect new priorities and developments, will be reflected in the 2021 Annual Report and as part of the planning for the 2022 levels plan, an IRCC spokesperson says.

Do you live in Canada? Apply for PR under these new pathways!

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
Hyderabad, April 27 : Campaigning came to an end on Tuesday in seven urban local bodies in Telangana going to polls on April 30 amid the surge in Covid cases.

Leaders of various political parties addressed rallies, conducted road shows and went door to door in a last-minute bid to woo the voters.

Campaigning ended 72 hours before the polling as the State Election Commission curtailed the canvassing period in view of Covid situation.

The state poll panel, however, is going ahead with the elections despite demands by the opposition parties to postpone them due to ongoing second wave of the pandemic.

Opposition Congress and BJP had even sought intervention by Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan to postpone the polls. However, the SEC maintained that it is taking all steps to prevent spread of Covid during the poll process.

The Telangana High Court on Tuesday expressed the apprehension that the polls could add to intensity of Covid wave. It asked SEC to submit a report by April 29 on the steps it is taking to check the Covid spread.

Polling will be held in the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation, the Khammam Municipal Corporation, and the Atchampet, Siddipet, Nakrekaral, Jadcherla and Kothur municipalities.

A total of 11,26,221 voters are eligible to cast their votes in 248 wards of these urban local bodies.

The Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation has 66 wards and is the second biggest in the state after the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. The Khammam Municipal Corporation has 60 wards. Among five municipalities, Siddipet is the largest with 43 wards while Kothur is smallest with only 12 wards.

Warangal, Khammam and Siddipet are among the towns witnessing a surge in Covid cases over last few days. Health Minister E. Rajender himself admitted that urban areas like corporations and municipalities were reporting more cases.

The SEC, however, is going ahead with the polls as the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government is not in favour of deferring them.

The SEC issued the notification for the polls on April 15 despite the intense second wave of the pandemic sweeping through the state. It announced that the Covid-19 guidelines will be strictly adhered to during the polling. This, however, failed to convince the opposition parties.

Though senior Congress leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir approached the Telangana High Court, seeking orders to SEC to postpone the polls in view of the spike in Covid cases, the latter declined to intervene and suggested him to move the SEC.

The SEC decided to go ahead with the polls as scheduled, apparently after the state government conveyed that the elections can be held with all Covid-related precautions in place.

The poll panel has only curtailed the duration of the poll campaign. The campaign came an end 72 hours before the polling. Usually, the campaign ends 48 hours before the polling.

The state's single-day Covid spike crossed 10,000 on Monday. This was the highest single-day surge since the outbreak of the pandemic last year. The 24-hour period also saw 52 deaths.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
A Cornish fisherman's sailing boat was vandalised by a second home owner angry because its mast spoiled their view, he has claimed.

Mike Bastian, 66, a lifelong oyster dredger, had to call the police after his 'pride and joy' was nearly sunk in a 'calculated' attack.

Mr Bastian, who has been working and living in the village of Feock all his life, was left devastated when his boat was severely damaged.

It was left on a council-owned beach once the oyster fishing season drew to a close at the end of March.

But last Thursday evening Mike received a call to say the leg of the boat had been removed, the anchor had been chucked away and the battery had been smashed in.

Mike Bastian, 66, with his boat which is docked in Penpol Creek in Cornwall. He has constructed a sign asking people to leave the vessel alone until it can be moved

Mr Bastian, who has been working and living in his local community of Feock all his life, was left devastated when his boat (pictured) was severely damaged

Mike's daughter believes there are a number of second home owners who would take offence to seeing boats on the beach - since it would 'spoil' their view

His family had to rush to the beach to salvage the boat in the early hours - before it flooded during a high tide.

Mike's daughter Erin, 32, said she suspected the culprit was a second home owner living in the village.

People in the area are in a battle with second home owners - and Erin said the vandalism was another example of locals being 'bullied out'.

Mr Bastian has strong suspicions who the boat vandal is after hearing about other locals and their encounters with an 'abusive' man.

The father-of-three said: 'I'm still fuming about it. I'm hoping the police are going to follow up on it.

Mr Bastian's family had to rush to the beach to salvage the boat (pictured) in the early hours - before it flooded during a high tide

Mr Bastian, a lifelong oyster dredger, had to call the police after his 'pride and joy' was nearly sunk in a 'calculated' attack. Mr Bastian is pictured with his daughter Erin, 32

'I'm moving my boat later today. I can't live eight miles from a boat worrying about it all the time. Every time you come round the corner you don't know whether it will be stood up or fallen over.

'A friend of mine has come up with a photograph of this guy. The suspicions in the village that it's him are because he's abused so many people.

'People like that who continually abuse people, people do the same things over and over again and he is one of them. I've heard there are families terrified of him.'

Erin, who owns her own kayaking business, believes there are a number of residents who would take offence to seeing boats on the beach - since it would 'spoil' their view.

She said: 'My dad saved this year for a new boat, his pride and joy, an old wooden working boat.

'This week someone has callously damaged my dad's boat by digging up his anchor and unbolting one of his support legs.

'To be honest through local contacts and a lot of local gossip there's an idea between local people who it might have been.

'That's obviously all speculation but you put two and two together.

'Effectively where the public beach is - where people have stored their boats for as long as my dad can remember - there are lots of big, big houses which look over across the creek.

The boat has been repaired and is now docked at Penpol Creek with a sign warning others to stay away

Mr Bastian (pictured) has strong suspicions who the boat vandal is after hearing about other locals and their encounters with a second home owner

Erin thinks the vandalism was pre-meditated rather than a random attack because of the damage caused. Pictured, the boat before it was vandalised

'I guess the boat's mast would have been in the view of one of those.

'This is all speculation, but I can imagine that's it - people are protective of their lands, views and beautiful massive second homes.

Village where 'tensions have been bubbling for months' between 'outsiders' and locals Locals in the area around where a sailing boat was vandalised said there have been rising tensions in recent months - including other reports of vandalism such as a rope being cut. But neighbours say locals are reluctant to speak about it due to concerns about the behaviour of one 'incomer' family. This is a local phrase use to refer to an 'outsider' who has made money elsewhere and used it to buy up an expensive home in Cornwall. One resident, who did not want to be named, said: 'The person involved is an incomer who has caused a lot of problems for a lot of people in the local area so villagers are scared of challenging him. You'll struggle to find someone who will speak out openly against him, even though everyone knows what he is like.' Other locals reacted with fury at the incident by commenting on social media. Stef Tepper said: 'Sorry to hear this. It's about time second homes are stopped. If you are lucky enough to be able to live in Cornwall then you should respect the locals and local industries.' Jude Hall added: 'Boats in the area are a great draw for most people. This is disgusting and the vandals must be punished.' But others warned people not to jump to conclusions about the perpetrator and called for more understanding and acceptance of 'incomers' and 'second home owners.' David Owens added: 'I just cannot understand why people, whoever they are, would want to do this disgraceful act. These boats Falmouth Quay Punts or Falmouth Working have been a part of the Fal a lot longer than us. To me they are a beautiful sight to behold in full sail.' Rosemary Bennett added: 'In the past the Cornish were incomers all over the world and in the British Isles too and still today many choose to leave the county for better opportunities elsewhere. How do you think they were and are received by the locals?' Maurice Parry added: 'Get the police to investigate, take forensics and find out. Locals or not, the culprits can be found then blame can be pointed at the actual perpetrators rather than assumptions.' Sarah Hill said: 'I have never known such un welcoming people in such a beautiful place to non Cornish people. Always blaming outsiders first without evidence. Shame the people aren't as nice as Cornwall itself. 'They are always blaming others and it is very tiresome to keep hearing it.' Advertisement

'They're not the people who think having working boats on the beach is a nice addition which adds character to their Cornish lifestyle.'

Erin thinks the vandalism was pre-meditated rather than a random attack because of the damage caused.

'Either side of the boat you have a support leg - so when there is no water it sits upright,' she added.

'They are bolted on so someone had to physically remove them. It seemed strange - it was such calculated damage.

'They didn't directly damage the boat - but did enough to it that the next high tide would have pretty much wiped the whole boat out.'

Erin says she was then brought to tears the following morning when she was sworn at and told to leave the village by a passer-by.

She suspects the onslaught, which came as she went down to check on the boat's condition in daylight, was from a second homeowner not local to the area.

'The next morning I parked my van in the village to check the boat and this chap was extremely verbally abusive to me for no real reason,' she said. 'I wasn't welcome, even when I told him I wasn't a tourist.

'I told him I was local and I was just checking my dad's boat. He threatened to call the police on me for parking my van in a pubic council car park?

'I have to admit his aggressive and unnecessary confrontation reduced me to tears.'

Erin said she and her father don't have any evidence to accuse anyone of vandalism, but police are looking into it and Mr Bastian has been given a case number.

'I am mortified to see my dad's livelihood vandalised,' she added.

'His boat without support legs has fallen over, leaving it vulnerable to being swamped by sea water, all because of someone's appalling intentions to intimidate and threaten a local fisherman from using a public foreshore.

'I find it shocking that a local person could do this to another - to actively damage another's livelihood so callously in such a calculated manner.'

Erin and her father will now be moving their boat to another mooring to avoid the same thing happening again.

She added: 'I find it upsetting that there's a friction between local people trying to make a living, who have grown up in the area, and people who buy nice houses and move In from somewhere else.

'They have different expectations of a place.

'Everybody's entitled to live wherever they want- but it upsets me how you can move to an area and try to change it - rather than embracing how it is, how it works and how the local people are.'

'I feel people need to know the problems that do occur between local fisherman trying to make a living and giant house owners.'

A statement from Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'We received a report that a fishing boat was damaged at a beach at Penpol Creek, Feock, sometime between 6pm on Wednesday 21 April and noon on Thursday 22 April.

'The vessel's owner found it on its side after its leg had been removed. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or email 101@dc.police.uk, quoting crime reference CR/032137/21.'

Erin says she was then brought to tears the following morning when she was sworn at and told to leave the village by a passer-by. Pictured, the vandalised boat as Mr Bastian works on it
In this Nov. 2, 2020, file photo, visitors walk at a Toyota showroom in Tokyo. Toyota Motor Corp. has acquired the self-driving division of American ride-hailing company Lyft for $500 million, in a move that underlines the Japanese automaker's ambitions in that technology, announced Tuesday, April 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)

Toyota Motor Corp. has acquired the self-driving division of American ride-hailing company Lyft for $550 million, in a move that highlights the Japanese automaker's ambitions in that technology.

The acquisition, announced Tuesday, was carried out by Woven Planet Holdings, a Toyota subsidiary that began business in January and focuses on innovations and investment in projects such as "smart cities," robotics and automated driving.

Of the payment, $200 million will be paid upfront, and $350 million over a five-year period, according to Toyota.

The Woven Planet project will bring together engineers and researchers in mobility services, software and sensor assets and automated driving systems to further develop the technology, according to Toyota.

"This deal will be key in weaving together the people, resources, and infrastructure that will help us to transform the world we live in through mobility technologies that can bring about a happier, safer future for us all," said Woven Planet Chief Executive James Kuffner.

Woven Planet and Lyft also signed commercial agreements to use the Lyft system and fleet data to speed up commercialization of the technology.

Toyota also said the deal will mean Woven Planet will have Tokyo, Palo Alto, California, and London as locations.

In this March 24, 2020, file photo, a Lyft sign is shown at a ride-hailing pickup location for automobiles in Detroit. Toyota Motor Corp. has acquired the self-driving division of American ride-hailing company Lyft for $500 million, in a move that underlines the Japanese automaker's ambitions in that technology, announced Tuesday, April 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

A centerpiece of Woven Planet is the Woven City, which held a ground-breaking ceremony in Japan recently, to build a community showcasing intelligent homes, autonomous vehicles and other mobility products for Toyota's workers and other people.

"Woven Planet is driving towards its mission to combine the innovative culture of Silicon Valley with world-renowned Japanese craftsmanship to create the mobility solutions of the future," said George Kellerman, who oversees investments at Woven Planet.

All the world's top automakers are working on technology to make vehicles smarter, cleaner and more connected. Lyft, founded in 2012, offers a ride-sharing and rental network.

Also Tuesday, Toyota announced it will work with Japanese automakers Suzuki Motor Corp., which makes small cars, Subaru Corp., Daihatsu Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. on next-generation vehicle communications devices.

Despite the economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic, Toyota has been relatively resilient and continues to invest in clean emissions technology, including electric vehicles, fuel cells and hybrids, robotics and other innovations.

But the advent of such technology is a challenge for old-timers like Toyota because newcomers can emerge as leaders in a totally new game.

"Who will be the economic winners in all of this? Auto companies around the world are girding themselves for the disruption ahead," Daniel Yergin, IHS Markit vice chairman, wrote in a recent commentary.

"Toyota is rebranding itself as a 'mobility company.' Volkswagen goes farther, now billing itself as a 'software-driven mobility provider.' But the big beneficiaries could well be companies that don't yet exist."

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Sarah Krasnostein says The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen explores the elusive line between memoir and myth. I will read anything Krissy Kneen writes. I devoured her latest book, The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen: Travels with my Grandmothers Ashes, which tells the story of how she set off on a quest with her beloved grandmothers ashes and the intention of discovering where her family comes from. This is a book about how we are made and remade, it is about belonging and the presence of absence. Kneens writing moves with all the muscle of the human heart as she so dexterously explores the elusive line between memoir and myth that haunts us all in different ways. Sarah Krasnosteins latest book is The Believer: Encounters with Love, Death and Faith. Susan Johnson recommends Johnno David Maloufs Johnno was a revelation for Susan Johnson.

David Maloufs first novel was a revelation to me. I read it when it was published, around the late 1970s, which happened to coincide with my own coming of age in Brisbane. Ostensibly a rite-of-passage novel about a young mans emergence into his full self, told through his friendship with his temperamental opposite, the larger-than-life Dionysian character of Johnno, its a book about so many other things: what it means to be Australian, how we fit into a world in which great events always seem to be happening far off, and how we might re-make as poetry poor, shabby, unromantic Brisbane. Above all, its a profoundly moving work on the power of literature and the imagination, immortalising a city at a particular time in history, and telling the eternal human story of our conflicted desires, for home and elsewhere, for binding love and mythical, transforming freedom. Susan Johnsons latest book is From Where I Fell. David Malouf will be giving the closing night address at SWF. Anita Heiss recommends The Boy from the Mish and Songs that Sound Like Blood Anita Heiss praises coming-of-age novel The Boy from the Mish for speaking to a young, queer, black audience. Gary Lonesboroughs debut novel, The Boy from the Mish, is an unputdownable, extraordinary coming-of-age story for young men, but also speaks to a broader audience who will relate to one of the many characters, settings and/or musical references. Following the protagonist Jackson and the exploration of his sexual identity, we experience him navigating his friendships and life on an Aboriginal mission, with humour and the passion of youth. Self-discovery and acceptance are key themes in Lonesboroughs novel, which sits well alongside Jared Thomas YA title Songs that Sound Like Blood, which is about Roxy May Redding, her crush on Ana and life for a small-town girl. Both Jacksons and Roxys stories successfully speak to a young, queer, black audience who for a long time have not seen themselves on the page and would likely have felt invisible in Australian literature.

Anita Heiss latest book is Bila Yarrudhang-galang-dhuray (River of Dreams). Randa Abdel Fattah recommends The F Team Randa Abdel-Fattah says The F Team sparkles in its details and particularities. What I love most about The F Team is that Rawah Arja is such a keen and astute observer of teenage emotions and behaviours; a master of writing about young peoples vulnerabilities, social competencies and quirks with compassion and affection. Its precisely in its details and particularities that this story sparkles. For example, Walid, the ex-cop, who owned the tobacconist on the corner, where all the boys bought their cigarettes with their dodgy IDs, is a case in point. To grow up Lebanese-Australian in Punchbowl in Western Sydney is a very specific, very distinctive milieu, which Rawah hilariously and lovingly brings to life with the kind of intensely evocative and intimate details of diasporic life that only an insider can do justice to. Randa Abdel-Fattahs latest book Coming of Age in the War on Terror.

Krissy Kneen recommends The Animals in That Country Krissy Kneen says The Animals in That Country will change the way you think about language. Credit:Paul Harris At the beginning of the pandemic year, a book about a pandemic changed my writing life. The Animals in That Country is like nothing you have read before. Laura Jean McKay brings her poets eye to the subject of animal/human communication. The virus in this book (zoo-flu) allows the infected to hear the voices of animals. From the screaming of mice to the siren songs of whales, if we could actually understand animals, we might be shocked and horrified by what is said. McKay has done an amazing job of imagining the (mis)communications, the differences between the way humans and animals think and the possibilities of inter-species alliances, particularly between a jaded grandmother, Jean, and a dingo named Sue. This book will change the way you think about language and it might challenge your assumptions about the world around us and the species we share the planet with. Krissy Kneens latest book is The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen. Debra Oswald recommends See What You Made Me Do

Debra Oswald praises Jess Hill, author of See What You Made Me Do, as a true storyteller. Credit:Alex Vaughan A book about power, control and domestic abuse, See What You Made Me Do is enraging and enthralling. Jess Hills writing is always bedded in compassion and respect for victims; nuanced without ever reducing the ferocious power of this examination of toxic relationship patterns and the systemic failures to protect women. Hill is a true storyteller  folding her rigorous research into precise and evocative prose that conjures up vivid scenes and kept me reading long into the night. Im full of admiration and gratitude for this urgent and important book. Debra Oswalds latest book is The Family Doctor. Rick Morton recommends Black and Blue Rick Morton says Veronica Gorries Black and Blue crackles with urgency.

Veronica Heritage Gorries book is the read for Australia now. Clearly, it speaks to a colonial system that has never atoned for its original hurt. And yes, this is a book about the blunt force of the police and justice system, which was never designed to account for the lives of First Peoples. It calls this for what it is: racism. Notably, however, Gorrie writes with a deadly precision and has developed the dry wit of a woman who has seen it all. She speaks, in this book, and it crackles with urgency. Honestly, I was left with a startling clarity after reading Black and Blue. This should be taught in schools, alongside the rest of our history. Rick Mortons latest book is the My Year of Living Recklessly. Evelyn Araluen recommends Comfort Food Evelyn Araluen says Comfort Food is guided by a passionate voice and belly. I first encountered Ellen Van Neervens Comfort Food shortly after its publication in 2016, and must have now returned to it about a dozen times. Its a soulful collection, guided by a passionate voice and belly. An award-winning Mununjali writer, Van Neervens rhythms and subtle invocations of country, culture, language, friend and family were astounding for me as an Aboriginal woman and baby-fresh poet. Re-reading it last year after the publication of Van Neervens second poetry collection, Throat, was a truly remarkable experience. Their voice has grown in complexity and sharpness, but at its core there is still the deep reverie of all things they know as holy, as needing to be protected and fought for. A lot of people will be reading Throat this year, as they should  its full of stunning poems. I hope those who havent yet read Comfort Food are inspired to pick up Van Neervens first collection and will treasure it as I continue to do.
Western Australia recorded no further community cases of coronavirus overnight as a new threat of infection emerged with the arrival of a planeload of people via India on Saturday.

Premier Mark McGowan said four positive cases had already been detected among the cohort, who were now in Perths hotel quarantine system, with a fifth suspected case yet to be confirmed.

The news comes as two million people in the Perth and Peel regions emerge from a snap three-day lockdown, sparked by the virus spreading through hotel quarantine from a couple who returned from the virus-ravaged country in mid-April.

Ive just been advised at this mornings emergency management team meeting that 78 of the 79 passengers on this flight had been to India recently, our expectation is the number of positive cases from this group of people will grow and potentially grow significantly, Mr McGowan said.
Harry Derbidge was seen for the first time since the tragic death of his ex-boyfriend Rhys Alan Smith when he stepped out on Saturday.

The TOWIE star, 27 was on hand to film the latest series of the reality show and joined his cast members to shoot new scenes at Thorpe Park, it is not known if Harry was aware of Rhys' passing at the time.

His outing comes as it was revealed to MailOnline that Rhys' death was not being treated as suspicious by police.

Putting on a brave face: TOWIE star Harry Derbidge was seen on Saturday for first time since ex Rhys Alan Smith's passing as it was revealed his death is not being treated as suspicious

Harry opted for a sombre look as he stepped out in an all-black ensemble that paired a varsity jacket with sleek cargo trousers.

He completed the look by wearing a simple black shirt and lace-up boots, while he accessorised with a silver pendant necklace.

Last week, it was revealed that Rhys had been found dead in Tenerife where he had been living, with the cast of the The Only Way Is Essex paying tribute.

Heartbreaking: Harry's outing comes as it was revealed Rhys' death was not being treated as suspicious after he was found dead last week (pictured left with ex Harry Derbidge)

Keeping busy: Harry was on hand to film the latest series of TOWIE and joined his co-stars to shoot scenes at Thorpe Park, it is not known if Harry was aware of Rhys' passing at the time

Police sources on the island confirmed on Tuesday that officers had been called to an address in Granadilla de Abona in the south of the island in the early hours of last Thursday morning.

An insider told MailOnline: 'The alarm was raised around 3.50am and a man was confirmed as being dead at the address officers went to.

'An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death is still ongoing and a report has been sent to a local court coordinating the probe.

'But there were no obvious signs of any violence and at this stage the death is not being treated as suspicious or the result of a crime.'

Look: Harry opted for a sombre look as he stepped out in an all-black ensemble that paired a varsity jacket with sleek cargo trousers for the day's shoot

Loss: Police sources confirmed on Tuesday that officers were called to an address in Granadilla de Abona on Thursday, and an insider said 'the death is not being treated as suspicious' (Rhys pictured)

The news comes after Rhys' ex boyfriend Harry broke his silence with an Instagram tribute to his former flame.

The TOWIE star penned a heartfelt post to his ex-boyfriend, who he dated in 2013, which he shared to Instagram on Monday alongside a series of photographs of the pair together.

Alongside three photos of himself with Rhys, Harry penned: 'I can't believe I'm even writing this. Rhys was such a big part of my life and I will never forget the memories we shared together.

'He was the most caring and thoughtful man and this news has truly broken my heart.

Heartbroken: Harry (right), recently broke his silence following the death of his ex Rhys (left)

'My thoughts right now are with he's family, mum, brother, sister, nieces, nephews, Nan and all he's friends. I still can't believe this is true. RIP Rhys, I will never forget you. (sic)'

In the three images which Harry shared to his Instagram, the former couple appeared to be incredibly close.

Harry's statement comes after sources said the reality star was 'absolutely devastated' and had been 'crying all day' while being comforted by his cousin Amy Childs, who is reportedly just as shocked by the tragic news.

Moving: The TOWIE star penned a heartfelt tribute to his ex-boyfriend, who he dated in 2013, which he shared to Instagram on Monday alongside a series of photographs of them together

A source close to Harry told OK!: 'Harry's absolutely devastated to hear that Rhys has died. It has come as such a huge shock to him. He's been crying all day.'

They added that Amy has been just as heartbroken by news of Rhys' passing.

'She is so shocked, she couldn't believe it when she heard the news,' the source said. 'She's been trying to comfort Harry, but he is inconsolable. It's just so, so sad.'

Rhys was also close friends with cast members Gemma Collins and James Argent, who paid tribute in the comments of his last social media post.

Emotional: Harry penned: 'I can't believe I'm even writing this. Rhys was such a big part of my life and I will never forget the memories we shared together'

Gemma said in an emotional tribute: 'My heart will never be the same. I won't ever be the same, love you Reece', while Arg added: 'Love you mate.'

Rhys dated TOWIE star Harry in 2013 with the former couple regularly appearing at events together before Harry dated Bobby Norris.

In 2014, Harry, who is now engaged to beau Dean Rowland, split from Bobby after he told the reality star he had slept with his ex at the beginning of their romance.

Only recently on TOWIE, Harry and Bobby have been caught in several bitter rows as they addressed their past split, although Rhys was never directly named on the show.

Close: Harry's cousin Amy Childs has reportedly been consoling him, with a source adding: 'She is so shocked, she couldn't believe it when she heard the news'

Rhys' last Instagram post was on April 3 where he shared a photo of himself in Tenerife captioned: 'Quality time with myself.'

Prior to that, he had spent time in Dubai where he had shared several pictures of himself enjoying various activities such as kayaking with friends.

He then returned to his former base in Spain where he is believed to have been training as a masseuse.

Rhys dated TOWIE star Harry in 2013 with the former couple regularly appearing at events together before Harry dated Bobby.

In 2014, Harry split from Bobby after he told the reality star he had slept with an ex at the beginning of their romance.

He said at the time: 'Before I tell you this I absolutely love you so much. Please don't cry, please. When we was in Tenerife I did sleep with my ex. I'm f**king so sorry because I f**king never meant to hurt you, I really didn't.'

Exes: Rhys dated TOWIE star Harry in 2013 with the former couple regularly appearing at events together before Harry dated Bobby Norris (Harry and Bobby pictured in 2014)

Bobby, who went on to 'take a break' from the ITVBe series, branded Harry a 'compulsive liar' and accused him of trying to 'rewrite the history' of their break-up, which took place seven years ago.

The reality star's pal Amy Childs - who is also Harry's cousin - tried to build bridges between the pair by inviting them both to dinner, however the meeting ended in a bitter row and Bobby stormed off.

Harry had been unhappy with Amy carrying on a friendship with his ex, despite the fact their relationship ended seven years ago and Harry is now engaged.
Universities are 'hubs of teaching and learning' which to an extent 'establish the terms of civilised engagement in democratic citizenship' and encourage an 'emancipatory, transformative impulse' -- these are the meaningful observations of a thinking academician commenting on the issue but the contention of the same writer that 'depoliticised classroom is an oxymoron' for it marred 'critical thinking' seemed to abandon the fine distinction between 'education' and 'politics' -- maintaining this separation should be the hallmark of a university.

Education is a positive phenomenon, different from indoctrination and political tint, and is really in no need for banking on an adjective like 'liberal' as a crutch. Someone once said that education is what is left behind when 'you read a book and forget about it'. The subtlety of education in a democratic state lies in spreading the awareness of the secular foundation of 'one man one vote' on which it rests and the twin principles of 'development without discrimination' and 'equal protection of law for all' that define its secular performance in terms of what the Constitution had mandated. The students would then be well equipped to make an evaluation of the existing governance.

In fact, the charter of educational institutions has been impacted by the transition of the world in the beginning of the Nineties, from Industrial Age to the Age of Information -- thanks to the success of the IT revolution that produced instant connectivity, borderless markets and a global mindset. In the new age 'ignorance is bliss' no more since 'being well informed' is the basic requirement of success in any sphere. There is a newfound importance of knowledge -- the new age has changed the concept of 'leadership', put a new emphasis on the word 'employee' and altered the organisational approach. A leader has to take knowledge-based decisions -- he cannot rely on 'charisma' or inheritance -- and an employee has to be regarded as a 'knowledge worker'.

Successful companies are aware of the importance of garnering all the 'tacit' knowledge that the members, high and low, carried with them as they realised that 'nobody knows everything but everybody knows something'. Places of learning have so much to give to their wards in a rather compressed time frame that education has of necessity to be anchored on acquisition of knowledge and the ability to analyse and absorb it. Understanding how the country was being governed is a part of that knowledge and the role of a student as an adult voter would reflect that awareness. However, the university days were not to be spent on political activism -- that could wait till the time for making a choice about the path ahead was reached at the end of the education phase. Universities are, of course, always open to researching on the current policies of the government in the higher realm of Political Science, Sociology or Human Psychology. A classroom is the place for defining principles, concepts and learnings from history that would govern public life but it is not a forum for discussing party politics.

The autonomy of a university is reflected in the wide spectrum of responsibilities that it has to undertake and the complex issues that it had to tackle in both academic and administrative spheres. There are no doubt questions raised about the quality of leadership at Indian universities as situations developed around campus discipline and fair evaluations and standards of teaching and research took a dip. If the professor becomes 'an entrepreneur and not a pursuer of truth' and the student comes off 'as a consumer and not a learner' then the forces of intellectualism available at the universities should get focused on this basic internal threat to the centres of higher education. The critique should also invite attention to any unhealthy links of the university with state power, the practice of putting placements for jobs above the inculcation of critical thinking and abandonment of the goal of excellence set by a globalised world.

The Vice Chancellor today does not look as 'big' as he or she did some decades ago -- the President of a university in a country like the US is, more often than not, a major influencer in regard to the socio-economic facet of the nation but without compromising with one's complete political neutrality. Centres of learning and politics do not go together and the role of intellectuals based there should be to keep the atmospherics politically 'clean' by not becoming a part of government-opposition rhetoric and narratives. Enhancing the capacity for contributing to reasoned dialogue and debate is a dividend of real education but this should happen without the university being drawn by its faculty into the politics of the day.

A university is benefitted by intellectualism that is rooted in academic excellence -- it may be disadvantaged by an excessive involvement of an intellectual on its rolls in controversies of public life, particularly those linked to political governance. There are always two sides of an argument in politics and one has to be ideologically neutral enough to support only the side that upheld such unexceptionable principles as 'largest good to the largest number', 'constitutional' obligation of the state to work for removal of gross inequalities and 'equal treatment to all' regardless of caste, creed and region. Bringing in political slogans like 'pluralism', 'majoritarianism' and 'intolerance' in the classroom debates can create avoidable confusion and ambiguities unless they figured in a natural structured discussion on democratic governance as a subject. The point is that the free-for-all that the intellectuals in public space enjoy cannot be the norm in a place of higher learning for those whose responsibility was to impart education -- howsoever prominent their standing might be as a speaker or writer on the real-time political matrix.

The challenge for India is to keep the universities out of politics. Some serious thinking needs to go into this. Socratic spirit of putting the known 'truths' to constant scrutiny on the strength of new knowledge is one thing but calls for agitation against 'uniformity' and 'totalitarianism' smack of politics and could not be at the core of university education. The role of public intellectuals in a society served by a democratic rule cannot be overemphasised -- they should be devoted fully to curing political life of the pitfalls of 'identity' divisions, 'doctrinaire' outlook and 'corruption' in all its forms. Let them not, however, stir up the campus of a university that had a full-time job of providing wholesome education to youth within a limited timeframe and preparing them to take on the world with all its complications for carving out a pathway of their choice, later. In the context of a university, intellectualism should not become a pursuit of politics by proxy.

(The writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau)
Ukraine has developed a strategy for the transition to renewable energy sources, which focuses on the development of nuclear energy in Ukraine, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said at a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

"Ukraine has developed a strategy for the transition to renewable energy sources. At the same time, the document focuses on the development of nuclear energy in Ukraine," Shmyhal said, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Government portal.

He also stressed that nuclear energy is the basis of Ukraine's energy system.

"Our nuclear energy sector operates in accordance with national and international standards and IAEA requirements for ensuring nuclear and radiation safety. At the same time, Ukraine demonstrates the reliability and transparency of the existing system of control over nuclear materials," the prime minister said.

Shmyhal informed the IAEA director general that in 2023 the Ukrainian energy system would be synchronized with the European ENTSO-E network, which will contribute to the further development of the nuclear energy sector in Ukraine.

In addition, the interlocutors discussed overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl NPP disaster.

The prime minister said that a license was issued for the operation of a dry storage facility for used nuclear fuel (SNFS-2) of the Chornobyl NPP, which will allow moving nuclear fuel from the SNFS-1 storage facility, built during the liquidation of the accident in 1986.

Shmyhal thanked the IAEA for the assistance in overcoming the consequences of the Chornobyl disaster as well as in transforming the facility into an environmentally friendly system

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an international intergovernmental scientific and technical organization, with 172 member states.

iy
A year ago in March 2020, 26% reported feeling angry at government responses to COVID-19 all the time or often. Today that is up to 35%.
Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) said on Tuesday it had fined U.S. tech giant $12 million for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the mobile applications market.

The FAS said Apple's distribution of mobile applications through its iOS operating system had resulted in giving its own products a competitive advantage.

said it disagreed with the ruling and that it would appeal in due course, the TASS news agency reported.

Western tech companies have come under increasing pressure in in recent months.

Social network Twitter has been punitively slowed down over a failure to delete content Moscow says is illegal while Alphabet's Google, Facebook and TikTok have all come under fire.

"On April 26, 2021, the FAS of imposed a turnover fine on Inc of 906.3 million roubles ($12.1 million) for violating antimonopoly legislation," the FAS said in a statement.

The FAS investigation followed a complaint from cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab, which had said that a new version of its Safe Kids application had been declined by Apple's operating system.

The FAS statement referred to August 2020, when it determined that Apple had abused its dominant position and said it would issue an order demanding the company resolve regulations breaches.

(Reporting by Alexander Marrow and Anton Kolodyazhnyy; Editing by David Clarke)
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Lockheed Martin and Thales closed negotiations for the supply up to 55 ALFS anti-submarine warfare sonars to the U.S. Navy and foreign navies.

anti-submarine warfare sonars to the U.S. Navy and foreign navies. As a tier-one supplier to Lockheed Martin, Thales will deliver the ALFS systems for installation on the MH-60R helicopter platform.

systems for installation on the helicopter platform. The navies of India, Greece and Denmark will receive the helicopter dipping sonars through U.S. Foreign Military Sales of the MH-60R

Thales has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin as a tier-one supplier for the delivery of up to 55 airborne anti-submarine warfare sonars. The ALFS (Airborne Low Frequency Sonar)* dipping sonars will be installed on the MH-60R platform for the U.S. Navy and three navies. Delivery of the first 42 systems will occur over the next five years with a delivery of 13 optional systems to occur in year six.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005026/en/

ALFS dipping sonar on MH-60R helicopter Lockheed Martin

Thales has delivered more than 300 ALFS sonars to the U.S. Navy since the early 2000s and this new contract with Lockheed Martin will continue to support the Navy's readiness strategy. The navies of India, Denmark and Greece will receive their first deliveries of the ALFS sonar system through direct U.S. Foreign Military Sales of the MH-60R platforms.

To maintain control over their maritime space and protect security interests around the world, naval forces need reliable, high-performing systems to operate with optimum effect on missions including anti-submarine warfare, maritime search and rescue, defence of maritime approaches and fleet protection for naval forces on deployment.

Offering unparalleled protection to maritime convoys, the ALFS anti-submarine warfare system is capable of detecting, classifying, prosecuting, harassing or attacking submarines, making Thales the benchmark for the world's major navies. In addition to the U.S. Navy, the other navies that have chosen Thales dipping sonar solutions include the navies of Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, Poland, South Korea and the Philippines.

As a low frequency active sonar, ALFS is designed for the initial detection and tracking of opposing submarines. It offers a long detection range with a wide coverage rate and a low false alarm level, both in deep and coastal waters. It can be used autonomously to clear a particular area or as a complementary anti-submarine warfare asset to sonars on board surface vessels for target relocation and attack.

"Earning the trust of the U.S. Navy and its allies and partners around the globe is a source of pride for our team. This contract enhances our position as a strategic supplier to Lockheed Martin and further consolidates the Group's world leadership position in anti-submarine warfare systems. We will continue to improve the performance and competitiveness of our airborne sonars to meet the new anti-submarine warfare operational challenges of our customers." Alexis Morel, VP Underwater systems, Thales.

Note to Editors

The Thales ALFS and FLASH systems are from the same product family of airborne anti-submarine dipping sonars but each product has variances due to system destinations and the local technological requirements to comply with including U.S. ITAR.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies, investing in digital and "deep tech" innovations connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum computing to build a confident future crucial for the development of our societies. The Group provides its customers businesses, organisations and governments in the defense, aeronautics, space, transport, and digital identity and security domains with solutions, services and products that help them fulfil their critical role, consideration for the individual being the driving force behind all decisions.

Thales has 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2020 the Group generated sales of 17 billion.

About Thales in the USA

In the United States, Thales has conducted significant research and development, manufacturing, and service capabilities for more than 100 years. Today, Thales is present in 22 states, operating 46 different facilities and employing nearly 5,000 people. Working closely with U.S. customers and local partners, Thales is able to meet the most complex requirements for every operating environment.

PLEASE VISIT

Thales Group

Defence

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Contacts:

PRESS CONTACT

Thales, Media Relations

Land Naval Defence

Faiza Zaroual

+33 (0)7 64 25 99 31

faiza.zaroual@thalesgroup.com

Thales, Media Relations

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Adam Kostecki

+1 (703) 838-5645

adam.kostecki@us.thalesgroup.com
OREM, Utah, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SecurityMetrics Podcast was named a Silver winner in the category of Best Cybersecurity Podcast from the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards . Now in its second season, SecurityMetrics Podcast aims to help businesses protect payment data in a volatile threat climate and support individuals to succeed in cybersecurity.

E-commerce is changing, and along with it the cybersecurity industry. SecurityMetrics Podcast guests explore topics relevant to both industry veterans and newcomers, including:

Threat detection and mitigation

Payment data security trends

Forensic data breach investigations

Security concerns based on role (CISO, IT, staff)

Communication within organizations

Security tools, services, training, and education

Host and SecurityMetrics Principal Security Analyst, Jen Stone (MCIS, CISSP, CISA, QSA), said, "I'm delighted we received a Cybersecurity Excellence Silver Award for Best Podcast! It's a pleasure talking to others in our industry about cybersecurity, and I hope others learn as much from the conversations as I do."

Guests on SecurityMetrics Podcast include CISOs, security architects, security researchers, IT managers, former military, journalists, and SecurityMetrics analysts and experts.

Subscribe to SecurityMetrics Podcast here. Podcast episodes are released bi-monthly. Also available on the SecurityMetrics Learning Center and on major podcast platforms including Apple , Google , Spotify , and Stitcher .

For press inquiries, contact Meagan Elguera at 801-372-1705 or [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 21 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


SAN JOSE, Calif., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Chef Avenue, a Silicon Valley Startup that designs high-performance, modernized cookware, proudly introduced its first product earlier this month  Omnipan.

A bold, groundbreaking cookware that is fiercely aggressive both in its design and potential, Omnipan enables cooks at every level to prepare homemade recipes flawlessly. It is engineered to eliminate many of the once thought to be unavoidable steps in the cooking process.

An Omnipan Mega Set for all your cooking needs. Prep, cook, bake, steam, eat, store, reheat - all without moving food from one container to the other. This is hands-off cooking at its best. Use your own recipes or get our cookbook with recipes specifically created for Omnipan. Either way, your food will be perfectly cooked every single time. And when done, let the dishwasher do the cleaning.

On April 6, 2021, Chef Avenue's Omnipan debuted on the most popular crowdfunding platform and leaped out to instant success, racing past its original funding goal in 5 short hours. The excitement did not end there as Omnipan crossed 2200% of its funding goal in only 3 weeks.

Omnipan is more than a revolutionary cookware. It is a profound statement by a brilliant, energetic company that is out to prove that modern cookware is still very much about people.

Sleek, versatile, and fluid. Anyone with the desire to cook can quickly and effortlessly cook delicious meals at home with Omnipan and its list of inventive features:

Multifunctional  Prep, cook, bake, and steam with ease.

 Prep, cook, bake, and steam with ease. Modular and Compact  Conveniently stack and store when you are done cooking.

 Conveniently stack and store when you are done cooking. Sturdy Frame  Engineered with the precise height and thickness for uniform heat circulation and retention.

 Engineered with the precise height and thickness for uniform heat circulation and retention. Transparent Lids  Oven-safe lids with dual steam vents.

 Oven-safe lids with dual steam vents. Naturally Non-stick  Cleanup is simple.

Omnipan was designed to remove the friction in the kitchen. It can easily go from the oven to the table to the refrigerator to the microwave and then to the dishwasher. A colorful 176-page hardcover cookbook offers further inspiration.

"I want to thank all our Kickstarter backers," said Seema Shenoy, Founder and CEO of Chef Avenue. "People from 64 countries have come together to support us. Seeing this phenomenal support has been an incredibly humbling experience."

Visit Omnipan's Kickstarter page to meet the company that is redefining cooking for the home chefs.

About Chef Avenue

Chef Avenue is a cookware startup headquartered in Silicon Valley, California. It produces innovative, modern, and accessible cookware. It is also a socially and environmentally responsible company. For more information, visit https://www.chefavenue.biz/ .

Chef Avenue and Omnipan are trademarks of Chef Avenue LLC.

Contact Information

Chef Avenue

Media Inquiry:

Becca Benevento

(209) 597-1977

[email protected]

Related Links

https://www.chefavenue.biz/

SOURCE Chef Avenue
Chennai, April 27 : Tamil Nadu government has been working closely with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to augment the Oxygen production and to divert it to the health facilities across the state.

The Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL) has installed a capacity of 1,400 normal cubic metres per hour (Nm3/hour) of Oxygen.

The CPCL is however producing only 800 Nm3/hour and to increase the production it has to install a compressor. This will take a couple of weeks for the plant to become fully operational.

The CII, has already communicated with all the industry bodies across Tamil Nadu to divert the production of Industrial Oxygen to the health facilities.

The CII has already constituted a Covid task force which has been monitoring the industrial units of the state and already established contact with around 30 major hospitals.

Tamil Nadu's Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan told IANS: "We are already in touch with the Industry bodies including CII for Oxygen requirements. Currently, we have the Oxygen required for the state but we are anticipating more requirements and hence are trying to source maximum Oxygen." Covid -19 active cases in Tamil Nadu has crossed 1 lakh and hence the requirement of Oxygen is around 350MT per day while during last year at the peak of Covid, requirement was around 260 MT.

In the state, the gap of demand and supply is very near and hence the government is increasing the production of Oxygen as it does not want any shortage if the Covid cases surge again.

Tamil Nadu is producing 400 MT of Oxygen per day but the central government has diverted 80 MT of Oxygen per day to other states and this is a cause of concern.

Union Territory of Puducherry has a production capacity of 120 MT of Oxygen per day and Tamil Nadu is taking 40 MT of Oxygen from Puducherry on a daily basis.

The number of people who require Oxygen has gone up to 3 to 4 times and also the requirement of Oxygen to patients have gone up from 4 to 6 litres to 10- 15 litres.

CII Tamil Nadu Chairperson, S Chandrakumar said, "We are in total support of the government and have already set up a Covid task force for the requirement of Oxygen and we have already associated with 25 to 30 large hospitals of Tamil Nadu."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
MINSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th April, 2021) Belarus intends to hold its referendum on constitutional changes in January or February 2022, the government does not even consider holding it in the end of the summer or the beginning of the fall, Lidia Yermoshina, the head of the Belarusian Central Election Commission, told Sputnik on Tuesday.

"The referendum will be held in January or February of the next year, like the president said at the All-Belarusian People's Assembly. In fact, if we talk about January and the possibility to combine the vote with local elections, then there is no other date except for .

.. January 16," Yermoshina said.

Commenting on the emerging claims that the vote could be held in the end of the summer or the beginning of the fall, Yermoshina said "this is not even discussed.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that a draft of the new constitution would be put to a vote early in 2022, as it has to be prepared by the end of 2021. On March 16, Lukashenko signed a decree establishing a special 36-member commission to focus on drafting the amendments. The commission has to present its offers to the president by August 1.
This is not a simple rebranding or office conversion. We are going to deliver three, next generation biomanufacturing and research buildings." - Mark Matan, Matan Companies

Matan Companies announces today plans to transform its Milestone Business Park into a vibrant and collaborative life sciences destination known as Milestone Innovation Park. The key component of the evolution is the addition of 532,000 square feet of best-in-class biomanufacturing and life science research space in three, brand new facilities. This highly sought-after location sits along the I-270 Biotech Corridor with prominent visibility on I-270 at Father Hurley Boulevard in Germantown, MD., centrally located between NIH in Bethesda and Fort Detrick in Frederick. Just 20 miles northwest of Downtown Washington D.C., the site offers easy access to points north and south via I-270 and points east via the Intercounty Connector (ICC). Once complete Milestone Innovation Park will be one the largest, science-based destinations in the BioHealth region at over 1.2 million square feet.

This is not a simple rebranding or office conversion, said Mark Matan of the Matan Companies. We are going to deliver three, next generation biomanufacturing and research buildings. Milestone already consists of 40% research, development, and tech manufacturing users, so this is a natural evolution. The existing Class A office space will allow for co-location of collaborative, synergistic users to support the research, production, supply-chain, technological needs, and administrative support of the rapidly evolving life sciences industry.

Slated to break ground in early 2022 and be fully complete by summer 2023, this will be the premier location for companies with large research and biomanufacturing requirements. Fronting I-270, the development offers 33 clear ceiling heights to accommodate a wide array of bio users and their supply chain, as well as 40x40 column spacing and significant floor loads to support their mezzanine requirements. Tenants can expect ample parking and loading spaces, solar vehicle charging stations and secure outdoor equipment areas.

As Montgomery Countys BioHealth region continues to mature from early stage to large scale commercialization, there is a burgeoning demand for facilities that are more technical in nature to meet tenants biomanufacturing production needs, said Pete Briskman, Broker Lead for JLLs Maryland Region. Milestone Innovation Park will fit this immediate need and will help further solidify Maryland as one of the countrys top BioHealth clusters.

Matan intends to take advantage of Montgomery Countys new Speed to Market initiative. This new program will provide a more streamlined, concurrent review of the sketch, preliminary, and site plans, saving valuable time for potential new tenants and helping spur new economic and employment growth opportunities in the county.

The need for Milestone Innovation Park demonstrates how quickly the demand is rising for life sciences companies looking to locate, expand and grow in Montgomery County, said Benjamin H. Wu, MCEDC President and CEO. This smart and significant investment by Matan Companies recognizes our fast-paced growth as an international Immunology Capital. Global leaders are drawn to our highly educated workforce and proximity to NIH, the worlds largest federal researcher, and the FDA, the worlds largest federal regulator. The timely completion of Milestone Innovation Park will help create faster access to the biomanufacturing and research space sought out by immunology companies.

For more information, visit https://progresslabs.com/properties/milestone.

Rendering Link: https://mataninc.sharefile.com/d-s51c9553d62904c6b9cdbd8fc6f907d32

About Matan Companies

Matan Companies, headquartered in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, is one of the regions premier commercial real estate services and development firms. Founded over 40 years ago on the principle of providing a comprehensive, full-service approach, the firms current portfolio consists of over 7 million square feet of industrial/bio-life science/office assets, 4 million square feet in the development pipeline, several active residential developments, and a separate portfolio of multifamily and manufactured housing units. The company delivers a full range of services to their real estate investors and tenants including asset and property management, leasing, and tenant services. For additional information about the Matan Companies, please visit http://www.mataninc.com.
The Ministry of Health Ethiopia in its release said, that the country registered 841 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 253,120 as of Monday evening. The ministry further reported 19 new deaths from Covid-19 in a day, bringing the national death toll to 3,570. A total of 750 patients have recovered from the disease, taking the national count of Covid-19 recoveries to 193,497.

Ethiopia, Africa's second-most populous nation, currently has some 56,051 Covid-19 patients, with 990 of them in severe condition. The country has so far reported the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the East Africa region and is so far the fourth most Covid-19 affected country in Africa in terms of positive cases.

Ethiopia is supplying Covid-19 vaccines to its population after the country received its first batch of Covid-19 vaccines from COVAX, a WHO-led initiative aimed at providing more equitable access to vaccines for low- and middle-income countries.

The East African country had also received a batch of China's Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines that was donated by the Chinese government.

Taiwan pledges solidarity with India, helping combat COVID-19

Biden to sign executive order to raise the minimum wage for federal contractors to USD15/hour

Mongolia receives medical equipment from abroad to fight against Covid-19
WASHINGTON, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With a second wave of COVID-19 spiraling out of control in India - record numbers of positive cases and the death toll mounting - the U.S.-India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) has been working behind the scenes to negotiate the release of unused vaccines, raw materials for the creation of vaccines, and oxygen concentrators to help support the nation's healthcare system.

"The people of India are becoming infected and dying at an alarming rate," said USINPAC Chairman, Sanjay Puri. "There is a double-mutant variant of the virus in India that the dwindling supply of available vaccines is largely ineffective against. The nation's healthcare system is on the brink of collapse, and hospitals and other healthcare facilities are being forced to turn people away due to the lack of oxygen. People in India are dying in the streets, outside of hospitals, just waiting for a chance to get in. USINPAC is coordinating efforts between the U.S. government and private corporations to secure any assistance we can for the people of India."

Just last week, India started posting record numbers for new positive COVID cases compared to anywhere else in the world since the outbreak of the virus last year. Vaccines have been in short supply for the world's second-most populated country. Making matters worse is the oxygen shortage. Hospitals in states throughout India lack anywhere close to the amount of oxygen points needed to serve the growing number of those in need. Healthcare facilities in India typically consume 15 percent of the nation's oxygen supply, but during this second wave of the pandemic, nearly 90 percent of the supply is being used for medical purposes.

To address the ongoing crisis, USINPAC has been in contact with current and former ambassadors, large global companies like Philips, and members of Congress including the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. In addition to requesting the delivery of supplies to India, the PAC is arranging a congressional briefing to identify any supply chain issues, ensure inter-agency coordination, and acquire any congressional approvals that may be needed to complete such an effort.

"We applaud the ongoing efforts of U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, as co-chairmen of the Senate India Caucus, as well as several other members of Congress, for their forthright message to the White House to expedite aid to India," said USINPAC's Director of Government Affairs, Santino R. Thomas.

USINPAC represents millions of Indian Americans in the United States, the vast majority of whom have loved ones still living in India. The PAC continues to receive reports of U.S. citizens losing loved ones during this second wave, in addition to requests for any assistance possible.

USINPAC is a nonpartisan organization. We advocate on behalf of the needs and concerns of Indian Americans and work to keep them informed on issues that matter to them. Contact: Santino R. Thomas 1-607-727-4280

SOURCE USINPAC
In the 35 years since the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, the nearby main thoroughfare in Pripyat, Ukraine, has been taken over by plants, trees and wildlife. Abandoned hours after the meltdown of the Soviet nuclear reactor in 1986, the town that once housed workers of the nuclear plant and their families has existed ever since as an eerie ghost town. But Euronews reports that now its central boulevard has been cleared of trees and shrubs, and even reconnected to the electricity grid. In 2020, the former residents of this once-thriving town visited it for the first time to mark five decades since it was first established in the then-Soviet Union.

While only a trickle of hardy tourists have made their way to Chernobyl and its environs over the last decade, the Ukrainian authorities believe this could soon turn into a stream - if not a flood.

HBO mini-series

Public awareness of what happened at Chernobyl 35 years ago on April 26 has been heightened by a popular and critically-acclaimed HBO mini-series about the disaster and its aftermath. Mass tourism would not only help to keep the events of Chernobyl alive, the Ukrainian authorities believe, but also bring in cash to help with further restoration work.

As well as the restoration in Pripyat, the government plans a new museum showcasing rescue equipment used during the clean-up more than three decades ago. In the aftermath of the worlds worst ever nuclear disaster, some 350,000 people were relocated from the region surrounding Chernobyl. A new town, Slavutich, was established to house plant workers and scientists around 30km from the site of the explosion.

But the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone remains a vast, empty monument to the massive human errors committed by the Soviet authorities 35 years ago, which led to Reactor No. 4 exploding, catching fire and then spewing radioactive material into the atmosphere.

The Soviet authorities attempted to keep the disaster quiet. The wider world only learned something had happened at Chernobyl after radiation levels were detected as far north as Sweden. In Kyiv, residents were initially not told about the meltdown, which occurred just 65 kilometres to the south.

The reactor was initially housed inside a huge sarcophagus, which as recently as 2019 was still leaking radiation. That year, it was finally encased in an arch-shaped shelter. Inside, robots continued the painstaking process of dismantling what remained of the reactor.

Only now are officials Ukrainian officials comfortable in suggesting that, eventually, the exclusion zone, Prypat and even the entombed reactor could become a tourist destination: a monument not only to mankind's past mistakes, but to its ability to pick itself up and carry on. Our tourism is unique; it is not a classic concept of tourism, said Bohdan Borukhovskyi, Ukraine's deputy environment minister. "This is an area of meditation and reflection, an area where you can see the impact of human error, but [where] you can also see the human heroism that corrects it.

The airing of the HBO series saw tourist numbers double in 2019, authorities say, before the COVID-19 pandemic had brought it to a complete halt by the middle of 2020. When the pandemic recedes, officials hope that they can harness Chernobyls tourist potential.

Hence the work in Pripyat, where as well as vegetation-clearing and electrification, the authorities plan to construct set paths through the ruins so tourists can take in sights such as the citys abandoned swimming pool and amusement park.

Thriving wildlife

All four of the plant's reactors are in the process of being dismantled, but this work in itself will not be completed until 2064 at the earliest. Parts of the site could be radioactive for centuries but levels are now low enough for tourists to safely visit and for scientists to carry out their work. Ukraine still forbids long-term habitation inside the zone, although about 100 people - mainly elderly former residents - are thought to have defied the order and continue to live there.

The absence of humans has led to the flourishing of wildlife, with bears, bison, wolves, lynx, wild horses, and dozens of bird species living around the site. It has also attracted scientists, who welcome the opportunity to study how animals respond to the relative absence of human development. This is a gigantic territory... in which we keep a chronicle of nature, said biologist Denis Vishnevskiy, 43, who has been observing nature in the reserve for the past 20 years. The exclusion zone is not a curse, but our resource 

Now Ukraine is looking to have the exclusion zone listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Chernobyl should not become a wild playground for adventure hunters, Ukrainian Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko told AP. People should leave the exclusion zone with the awareness of the historical memory of this place and its importance for all mankind.
Carrie Bickmore has revealed she developed an American accent at age six.

The Project host, 40, shared incredible audio of herself speaking with a distinctive US twang on her Fox FM show with Tommy Little.

She also revealed she picked the accent up while she and her mum Jennie went to live in Colorado for a year.

A lifetime ago: Carrie Bickmore has revealed she developed an American accent at age 6

In the audio, a young Carrie could be heard reading a book in what was clearly a US accent.

Her mum, meanwhile, retained her natural accent, which Carrie described as 'ocker'.

The Adelaide-raised television host gave more details about the trip in a Tuesday Instagram post, complete with throwback pictures.

Memory lane: The Project host, 40, shared incredible audio of herself speaking with a distinctive US twang on her Fox FM show with Tommy Little

Adventures: She also revealed she picked the accent up while she and her mum Jennie went to live in Colorado for a year

Bickmore began, 'When I was 6, my mum and I went to Colorado to live for a year as part of an exchange teaching program.'

'I have no idea how she did it, travelling to the other side of the world away from family and friends with a young daughter! Much braver than me.'

'It was an incredible year,' continued the Gold Logie winner.

US getaway: The television host gave more details about the trip in a Tuesday Instagram post, complete with throwback pictures

The story: Bickmore began, 'When I was 6, my mum and I went to Colorado to live for a year as part of an exchange teaching program'

Carrie wrote: 'I recently found old cassette tapes of 6 year old American Carrie and I have an American accent.'

'If you wanna have a laugh and also hear my gorgeous mum talk about the adventure have a listen on the Carrie and Tommy podcast!'

The throwback photos showed a young Carrie in Colorado with her mother.

Spitting image: The throwback photos showed a young Carrie in Colorado with her mother

A taste of home: In one, young Carrie posed proudly in front of a table of Australian memorabilia, including a stuffed Kangaroo toy

In one, young Carrie posed proudly in front of a table of Australian memorabilia, including a stuffed Kangaroo toy.

The six-year-old wore a brightly coloured jumper for the photo.

Another picture showed the radio host dressed in a Colorado T-shirt while wearing roller skates.
The war of words that erupted between Queensland mining heavyweight-turned-politician Clive Palmer and the West Australian Premier Mark McGowan at the height of COVID-19 fears last year will continue to trial, with both parties claiming to have had their reputations tarnished.

Mr Palmer is suing Mr McGowan over six statements made against him from July 30 to August 14, during what came to be known as the $30 billion WA border war that was fought before the High Court of Australia. Mr Palmer claimed he was depicted as the enemy of West Australia, with Mr McGowan alleging the billionaire wanted to bankrupt the state.

Mining magnate Clive Palmer and WA Premier Mark McGowan are still destined for the courts. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen/Trevor Collens

Mr McGowan is countersuing, calling into question nine embarrassing statements Mr Palmer made in a month-long media campaign starting on August 1 in which the Premier was accused of having lied to the people of Western Australia and was abusing the parliamentary system.

Mr Palmer at the time was also the United Australia Party leader, as well as representing his Mineralogy business interests.
Polands Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development, Labour and Technology Jarosaw Gowin will pay a visit to Ukraine on April 29.

He will hold talks with representatives of the Ukrainian government and take part in a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in Kyiv, Ukrinform reports with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Economic Development, Labour and Technology of Poland.

As part of the one-day visit, the Vice Prime Minister will meet with Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture Ihor Petrashko, and will also take part in the plenary meeting of the Ukrainian-Polish Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation," the report reads.

In addition, he will meet with representatives of Ukrainian enterprises.

The ministry said that the main topics of the talks would be Ukrainian-Polish trade and investment cooperation, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economic situation in both countries, obstacles to the development of Polish investment in Ukraine, as well as the prospects for Ukraine's economic cooperation with the EU.

As a reminder, the previous meeting of the Ukrainian-Polish Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation was held in 2017.

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Its official: the first woman to step foot on the Moon will land in a fully reusable SpaceX rocket.

Last week, NASA revealed that it has chosen SpaceXs Starship as the lander that will bring two Americans to the Moons surface in 2024. The touchdown will be the climax of the Artemis program, which aims to put humans on the Moon for the first time in over 50 years. For SpaceX, the contract is a huge vote of confidence; for NASA, it represents a major step toward reusability and cost efficiency.

This means two separate launches will be needed for the mission. The Starship will be put into space by a Falcon Heavy, but its crew will leave Earth on an Orion spacecraft launched with NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Once in orbit around the Moon, the spacecrafts will dock together and two astronautsat least one of whom will be a womanwill take the Starship down to the lunar surface.

MAKING HISTORY: China will be first country after America to leave solar system

The contract is worth nearly $3 billion, and SpaceX beat out proposals by competing aerospace companies Blue Origin and Dynetics to win it. In a statement on its website, the private space company founded by Elon Musk said it was humbled to help NASA usher in a new era of human space exploration.

Gratitude is not uncalled for. SpaceX Starships have yet to demonstrate a successful landing from high altitude, with four recent tests all ending in explosions. Nonetheless, Starship is expected to provide a cheaper and potentially more efficient alternative for NASA than its usual SLS, which has been plagued by cost overreaches and delays. A single-use SLS rocket carries a price tag of nearly $2 billion, while a Falcon Heavy and Starship are expected to cost a fraction of that per launch and can (potentially) be used many times.

NASAs choice of Starship is also an investment in the long term. With a payload of over 100 tons, the spacecraft can hold much more than two astronautsmaterials for building infrastructure or next-generation space telescopes, for example. Cheaper, more sustainable forms of transporting humans and cargo in space could make future missions to establish a human presence on Mars and the Moon much easier. As Ars Technicas Eric Berger says, Suddenly, human landings on Mars about a decade from now seem a lot more realistic.

For now, SpaceX will continue to whip Starship into shape, with a new prototype scheduled to launch on Monday. Heres hoping this one doesnt end in a fireball.
Buba Galadima, a former ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, has advised the federal government to recruit mercenaries to assist Nigerian t...

Buba Galadima, a former ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, has advised the federal government to recruit mercenaries to assist Nigerian troops in fighting insurgency.

Speaking when he featured on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, on Tuesday, Galadima said Nigeria has become extremely vulnerable and may witness more violent attacks if the morale of the Nigerian military is not boosted.

He said Nigeria lost a good chance of seeking foreign help when the president refused to attend the burial of the late President Idris Deby of Chad.

Nigeria has become extremely vulnerable and we lost a very good chance when our president refused to attend the burial of the Chadian strongman, he said.

Because there were world leaders including France and it could have been a very big opportunity if the president was there and discuss the security situation in both West and Central Africa. As we know, the Chadian strong man was the super cop in this region. He has soldiers stationed in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic to maintain peace.

We lost this chance again because two days ago, the military council in Chad said they will never negotiate with bandits which means Chad will fall into civil war and you have the proliferation of small arms coming into Nigeria. And Nigerian military is overstretched; not enough manpower to tackle insecurity in the south-east, north-east, north-central, it means that the north can be overrun anytime.

For now, I sympathise with the military because they are overstretched, under-armed and their morale is so low, so all we need to do is to boost their morale

Tribal wars in Chad will make small arms filter into Nigeria and our military will be incapacitated. We have to recruit mercenaries to assist the spirit and carriage of our own troops.

BRUTE FORCE ALONE CANNOT WIN THE WAR AGAINST INSURGENCY

Galadima added that it is no longer advisable to use only brute force to tackle insecurity in the country.

Our solution is simple and difficult. You cannot use only brute force of human strength now anymore to fight this war, he said.

I have said severally what you need is a merger of intelligence and technology. Unless Nigeria does that, we are likely to get into trouble.

We are only attacking symptoms. Why dont we go into the root cause? The root cause is simply that very few people corner Nigerias resources to themselves. An ordinary man has nothing to do, to eat. All we need to do, we must attack the foundation of insecurity in Nigeria, that is fighting corruption.
Deal expands company's expertise in connecting reputation building to revenue generation bringing a greater return on investment to CMOs in the tech industry

Hotwire, recognised as the pre-eminent global tech communications consultancy, has acquired McDonald Butler Associates (MBA), a strategic B2B sales and marketing agency specializing in the $5.2 trillion technology industry.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005480/en/

(L-R): Tara O'Donnell, Managing Director of Hotwire UK, Mike Butler, Managing Director of McDonald Butler Associates (MBA) and Maeve McDonald, CEO of MBA. (Photo: Business Wire)

Together, Hotwire's award-winning communications expertise and MBA's specific sales and marketing expertise will support CMOs with both near-term sales results and long-term brand building. Synergies between the two firms include a strong tech customer base and a heavy investment in insights, strategy, and creative teams to drive integrated communications programmes. The companies also share a number of clients including Adobe, Citrix, and Dell Technologies.

"Tech CMOs are under pressure to deliver immediate results today and continue building the brand for the future," said Barbara Bates, Hotwire Global CEO. "By adding MBA's extensive account-based marketing and channel marketing experience, Hotwire will deliver a new level of communications programmes designed to build brand reputation, strengthen stakeholder relationships and deliver revenue growth."

This investment gives Hotwire clients access to new skills and services including account-based marketing, industry marketing and channel and alliances programmes. For MBA's clients, they'll now have access to a global network, offering an even wider set of communications disciplines including brand development, media relations, corporate communications and deeper expertise in content and social media marketing. Tune into the latest episode of The Hotwire podcast, HotTakes to hear more about the opportunities ahead.

Incorporated in the U.K. in 2005, McDonald Butler supports a strong client roster of technology clients including Accenture, Adobe, AWS, Citrix, Dell Technologies, Deloitte, DXC Technology, Honeywell, IBM, Pegasystems, and PWC.

"This is an extremely exciting opportunity for both MBA's clients and our team," said Maeve McDonald, MBA CEO. "Both MBA and Hotwire have been dedicated to helping technology companies solve their most pressing business and communications challenges. Now we have a great opportunity to offer a wider range of communications, lead generation, and digital marketing services to our clients globally."

Maeve McDonald and Mike Butler, founders of MBA, will take on UK roles of Managing Consultant Account Based Marketing and Marketing respectively, reporting to Tara O'Donnell, UK MD and Global Leadership Team member. Together, the combined team brings Hotwire's UK headcount to more than 100 and more than 300 globally.

This announcement builds off Hotwire's continued industry leadership, most recently being named the 2020 Global Technology Agency of the Year by PRovoke Media and its legacy of over 20 years of fuelling positive action for tech companies of all sizes. The investment for the acquisition came from Hotwire's parent company, Enero Group Limited (ASX: EGG), a boutique network of marketing and communications businesses.

"The acquisition of MBA reflects not only the Group's strong momentum and ambition but our commitment to deliver on our global strategy of building scale and additional digital capabilities of our core agency brands," said Brent Scrimshaw, Enero Group CEO. "Hotwire is already one of the world's most highly-regarded tech specialist communication businesses and we have no doubt that adding MBA's specific sales and marketing expertise and complimentary client roster, will unlock new possibilities of growth."

About Hotwire

Hotwire is the global technology communications consultancy. Founded in 2000, we operate a worldwide network of wholly owned offices and partners serving a range of clients from scale ups to established multi-nationals. We unleash the possibilities of innovative technology through integrated communications that ignite curiosity, spark action and fuel success. We do this using our proprietary methodology which is underpinned by robust insight and strategy, purposeful creative, integrated planning and a core emphasis on measurement and evaluation.

About Enero

Enero Group is a boutique network of marketing and communications businesses listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX:EGG) that includes creative agency BMF, PR agencies Hotwire and CPR, research consultancies The Leading Edge and The Digital Edge, digital agency Orchard and programmatic marketing specialist OBMedia.

For more information, please visit www.enero.com.

About McDonald Butler

McDonald Butler Associates is a strategic B2B sales and marketing agency specializing in Account-Based Marketing, Channel Alliances, and Industry Demand Programs for the technology sector. We unite strategic insight and creative cut-through to drive better audience engagement, forge stronger relationships and accelerate sales. We're proud to be working with some of the world's largest and most innovative B2B companies, delivering ROI-focused campaigns.

McDonald Butler is passionate about business as a force for good. We are active supporters and advocates of Mellon Educate and Pennies, donating a percentage of our profits and time each year as part of our giving back commitment.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005480/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Lindsey Hill (UK)

Lindsey.hill@hotwireglobal.com



Krissie Vitasa (AUS)

krissie.vitasa@hotwireglobal.com



Kelsey Quickstad (US)

kelsey.quickstad@hotwireglobal.com
The digital future of customs clearance in Switzerland

Posted by Publisher Telecommunication

The future of logistics is digital. With the revision of the customs law in the course of the ?Digital Switzerland Strategy?, the foundation stone for the digital future of customs clearance was already laid in 2005. DaziT, the program of the Swiss Federal Customs Administration (FCA), is a further step towards digitalization in customs clearance at the Swiss border crossing. Riege Software participates in the ?Software Development? working group of the DaziT program, which consists of companies that develop customs systems for the movement of goods. Passar, the new goods traffic system of Swiss Customs, is to be made available to forwarding companies throughout the EU in 2023.

Customs clearance in Switzerland today

On an average day, about two million people, one million vehicles and 21,000 trucks cross the Swiss border. Switzerland\-\-s most important partner in cross-border traffic is the European Union. After a short-lived low in December 2020, Swiss foreign trade grew by a seasonally adjusted 5.4 percent in January 2021 to 18.9 billion Swiss francs in exports and by 3.3 percent to 15.3 billion Swiss francs in imports. In both directions, the positive trend is largely driven by the pharmaceutical industry. Simplifying processes for importing and exporting trade goods is therefore an important factor for Switzerland in connection with the Europe-wide digitalization approach in logistics.

European customs regulation as a benchmark for Passar

Digitizing processes in customs clearance puts cooperation with European logistics giants on a modern, future-proof foundation. Jordi Barreiros, Branch Manager Riege Software Switzerland, says: ?Passar represents a major and important step forward in the digital future of customs procedures.? The decisive factor for a realignment of customs clearance in Switzerland was the European Customs Code, which defines the basic features of today\-\-s European customs law. This includes a gradual introduction of Europe-wide standardized IT procedures and cross-border databases. With the revision of the Swiss Customs Act in 2005, the Swiss FCA moved a step closer to the European Customs Code.

Digital pass in the future

All goods moving across the border to Switzerland must be declared to customs beforehand. Until now, this process involved time-consuming checks and double data entry. This in turn led to waiting times at the border and slowed down the supply chain. With the DaziT program, the Federal Customs Administration will consistently simplify and digitalize all Swiss customs processes by 2026. Representatives of the business community will be involved at several levels, including in the ?Software Development? working group, which Jordi Barreiros chairs. With the customs module in Scope, Riege Software already enables direct data exchange between the German customs module ATLAS and its Swiss counterpart e-dec, saving forwarders on both sides of the border from having to enter data twice.

?The digitization of customs clearance processes is an important and forward-looking step in the right direction.?  Jordi Barreiros, Branch Manager Riege Software Switzerland

Passar replaces previous e-dec module

With the introduction of the new goods traffic system Passar, the existing systems NCTS as well as e-dec will be replaced. In addition to merging the two systems, the overall customs declaration processes are to be simplified, standardized and digitalized. The involvement of the business community, in particular software developers such as Riege Software, who have contributed significantly to borderless customs clearance to date, is a decisive success factor in the transition to Passar. With its Transport Management System Scope, Riege Software has already defined the digital standard for digital logistics and, as an expert in digitalization, is happy to participate in the ?Software Development? working group of the DaziT program. In terms of content, the working group deals with the technical fundamentals of the changeover to the new system as well as the joint planning and implementation of tests and pilot projects.

Borderless data exchange with Scope

Thanks to a new function in Scope, key players in logistics can already benefit from direct data exchange between the German ATLAS and the Swiss e-dec module. Scope provides the solution for cross-border processing of all customs procedures in just one system and, with this function, forms a solid basis for digital data exchange at international level.

Riege Software is the creator of Scope, the leading cloud-based software for air freight, ocean freight and customs. Developed as a digital standard for digital logistics, Scope enables participants in the global supply chain to collaborate fully with just one system.

Founded in 1985 and privately held ever since, the company has a long-standing, in-depth understanding of the logistics industry\-\-s needs and serves more than 575 companies of all sizes in 46 countries. The future of logistics is digital. Scope is the future of digital logistics.
Paducah Bank-Columbia Art House Partner to Restore

By West Kentucky Star & Save The Columbia Staff

PADUCAH - Paducah Bank has partnered with the Columbia Art House Restoration Project in order to avail the project of funding through the usage of historic tax credits. The Kentucky Historic Preservation Tax Credit program is administered by the Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), an agency of the Kentucky Tourism Arts and Heritage Cabinet. The Kentucky Heritage Council is charged with identifying, preserving, and protecting the historic resources of Kentucky. Its mission is to partner with Kentuckians to strengthen preservation networks so that our historic places are valued, protected, and used to enhance the quality and economy of communities like Paducah, commented Darlene Mazzone, Chair of the Columbia Art House Restoration Project board.The Columbia is partnering with Paducah Bank, who is purchasing the historic tax credits and issuing the working funds to the theater. We are so grateful for this public/private partnership, added Mazzone. This allows Paducah Bank to take advantage of this opportunity and it provides much-needed funding for our Columbia restoration project. Consequently, both entities gain a financial advantage all the while taking steps forward to preserve this masterpiece in our midst.Melinda Winchester, a member of the Columbia Art House board and a Relationship Manager for Paducah Bank, created the application for the Columbia and provided the liaison between the two entities. This is a classic case for historic tax credits, Winchester said. The use of historic tax credits encourages the adaptive reuse of historic buildings in all contexts and also supports the idea of these types of projects being a key part of a communitys public policies.The landmark building was built in 1927 and has been closed since 1987. The project has been the recipient of several local, state, and national grants and became a signature mission of Paducahs Main Street nearly nine years ago. Our current goal is to simply save the building and then take steps to develop its potential as a viable operation in the future, Mazzone added. It would be a complete travesty to lose this magnificent structure in the heart of our historic district.This preservation project is yet another investment by Paducah Bank in the development of Paducahs downtown culture. Paducah Bank was instrumental in the creation and support of the Artist Relocation Program. Paducah Bank has been a foundational part of this community since 1948, commented Joe Framptom. In every facet of our lives here for 73 years, the leadership of this community bank has chosen to look beyond the activities of our daily operations to see how we can facilitate the future of the place we call home.Information about the Columbia Art House Restoration project is available at savethecolumbia.org .
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas has revealed he feels a sense of schadenfreude about the federal governments failure to legislate its national wage theft laws.

Mr Pallas said the federal bill, which included penalties of up to four years jail for the worst cases of wage theft compared to Victorias 10 years, would probably have overridden his states laws.

Treasurer Tim Pallas has lashed the federal government for attempting to override his states wage theft laws. Credit:Wayne Taylor

Its sort of a case of schadenfreude, I suppose ... I think what they were attempting to do was to water down the effectiveness of the [state] proposals, said Mr Pallas, who is also Industrial Relations Minister.

Had the federal governments bill, which required a higher standard of systematic rather than just dishonest underpayment of workers to trigger a prosecution, became law, Mr Pallas argued fewer cases would have been brought.
ST. PAUL, Minn., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 3M (NYSE: MMM) today reported first-quarter 2021 results.

"The first quarter was highlighted by broad-based organic growth, robust cash flow and a double-digit increase in earnings per share," said Mike Roman, 3M chairman and chief executive officer. "Our four industry-leading businesses are delivering strong results, while we accelerate 3M's digital transformation and sustainability efforts with significant new goals to improve air and water quality. While uncertainty related to COVID-19 remains, we will stay focused on driving growth, building on favorable market trends, improving operational performance and delivering for customers and shareholders."

First-Quarter Results

Sales grew 9.6 percent year-on-year to $8.9 billion. Organic local-currency sales increased 8.0 percent while divestitures decreased sales by 1.4 percent. Foreign currency translation increased sales by 3.0 percent year-on-year.

Total sales grew 13.7 percent in Safety and Industrial, 13.1 percent in Transportation and Electronics, 9.8 percent in Consumer, and 6.8 percent in Health Care. Organic local-currency sales increased 10.3 percent in Safety and Industrial, 9.8 percent in Transportation and Electronics, 9.3 percent in Health Care, and 7.8 percent in Consumer.

On a geographic basis, total sales grew 18.1 percent in Asia Pacific, 10.4 percent in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), and 4.5 percent in the Americas. Organic local-currency sales grew 12.8 percent in Asia Pacific, 6.3 percent in the Americas, and 5.5 percent in EMEA.

Both first-quarter GAAP and adjusted earnings were $2.77 per share, resulting in year-on-year increases of 23 percent and 27 percent on a GAAP and adjusted-basis, respectively. First quarter operating income was $2.0 billion with operating margins of 22.5 percent, as referenced in the "Supplemental Financial Information Non-GAAP Measures" section.

The company's operating cash flow was $1.7 billion with adjusted free cash flow of $1.4 billion contributing to adjusted free cash flow conversion of 86 percent. 3M returned $1.1 billion to shareholders in the first quarter of 2021, including $858 million in cash dividends and $231 million of gross share repurchases. The company reduced total debt by $0.6 billion, or 3 percent, and net debt by $0.7 billion, or 5 percent, sequentially. See the "Supplemental Financial Information Non-GAAP Measures" section for applicable information.

As previously disclosed in the company's Form 8-K dated March 22, 2021, effective in the first quarter of 2021, 3M changed its accounting principle for pension/postretirement plan costs and its measure of segment operating performance. The information provided herein reflects the impact of these changes for all periods presented.

First-Quarter Business Group Discussion

Safety and Industrial

Sales of $3.3 billion , up 13.7 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 10.3 percent and foreign currency translation increased sales by 3.4 percent.

, up 13.7 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 10.3 percent and foreign currency translation increased sales by 3.4 percent. On an organic local-currency basis:

Sales increased in personal safety, roofing granules, industrial adhesives and tapes, automotive aftermarket, electrical markets, and abrasives; sales declined in closure and masking.



Sales grew across all geographic areas.

Segment operating income was $811 million , an increase of 17 percent year-on-year; operating margins of 24.4 percent.

Transportation and Electronics

Sales of $2.5 billion , up 13.1 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 9.8 percent and foreign currency translation increased sales by 3.3 percent.

, up 13.1 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 9.8 percent and foreign currency translation increased sales by 3.3 percent. On an organic local-currency basis:

Sales increased in electronics, automotive and aerospace, and advanced materials; sales were flat in transportation safety; sales declined in commercial solutions.



Sales grew in Asia Pacific ; sales were flat in EMEA; sales declined in the Americas.

; sales were flat in EMEA; sales declined in the Americas. Segment operating income was $591 million , an increase of 27 percent year-on-year; operating margins of 23.3 percent.

Health Care

Sales of $2.2 billion , up 6.8 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 9.3 percent, foreign currency translation increased sales by 3.1 percent and divestitures decreased sales by 5.6 percent.

, up 6.8 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 9.3 percent, foreign currency translation increased sales by 3.1 percent and divestitures decreased sales by 5.6 percent. On an organic local-currency basis:

Sales increased in oral care, separation and purification, medical solutions, and health information systems; sales declined in food safety.



Sales grew across all geographic areas.

Segment operating income was $509 million , an increase of 13 percent year-on-year; operating margins were 22.7 percent.

Consumer

Sales of $1.4 billion , up 9.8 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 7.8 percent and foreign currency translation increased sales by 2.0 percent.

, up 9.8 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 7.8 percent and foreign currency translation increased sales by 2.0 percent. On an organic local-currency basis:

Sales increased in home improvement, stationery and office supplies, and home care; sales declined in consumer health and safety.



Sales grew across all geographic areas.

Segment operating income was $289 million , up 9 percent year-on-year; operating margins were 21.1 percent.

Full-Year 2021 Outlook

3M's full-year 2021 guidance remains unchanged with earnings expected to be in the range of $9.20 to $9.70 per share. The company expects its full-year total sales growth in the range of 5 to 8 percent with organic local-currency growth between 3 to 6 percent. 3M also expects its full-year free cash flow conversion to be in the range of 95 to 105 percent, as referenced in the "Supplemental Financial Information Non-GAAP Measures" section.

Committed to Leadership in Sustainability

In February, 3M announced plans to invest approximately $1 billion over the next 20 years to accelerate its new environmental goals: achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, reduce water use by 25% at its facilities, and return higher quality water to the environment after use in manufacturing operations.

Achieving Carbon Neutrality

By applying science and technological expertise, 3M expects to further reduce carbon emissions 50% by 2030, 80% by 2040, and achieve 100% carbon neutrality in its operations by 2050.1,2

Reducing Water Use

3M is targeting water use reductions of 10% by 2022, 20% by 2025, and 25% by 2030.1,3 Through various efforts, 3M expects to reduce its overall water usage by 2.5 billion gallons per year. The new commitments build upon the company's existing 2025 goal of engaging with all of the water-stressed/scarce communities where it manufactures on community-wide approaches to water management.

Returning Higher Quality Water

3M expects to install state-of-the-art water purification technology by the end of 2023 and be fully operational in 2024 at all of its largest water-using locations. This will enable the company to return even higher quality water to the environment after its use in manufacturing operations. The company will use its expertise and advanced technology to remove impurities from the water it uses.

In addition, 3M announced last week it expects to reduce its dependence on virgin fossil-based plastics by 125 million pounds by 2025.4 To achieve this new goal, 3M is innovating the products and packaging in its Consumer Business Group with advancements focused on the use of recycled content and bio-based plastics, as well as more sustainable product and packaging designs to decrease overall plastic use.4

Over the last two decades 3M has reduced its emissions by 70 percent, while doubling its revenues. The company's headquarters in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is powered by renewable electricity, and 40 percent of 3M's global electricity use is renewable, on its way to 100 percent. Sustainability is embedded in every new 3M product, and over the last five years the company's innovations have helped customers avoid 75 million tons of emissions. The company will provide its annual sustainability report in early May which will provide further details.

3M will conduct an investor teleconference at 9:00 a.m. EDT (8:00 a.m. CDT) today. Investors can access this conference via the following:

Live webcast at http://investors.3M.com.

Live telephone:

Call 800-762-2596 within the U.S. or +1 212-231-2916 outside the U.S. Please join the call at least 10 minutes before the start time.

Call 800-762-2596 within the U.S. or +1 212-231-2916 outside the U.S. Please join the call at least 10 minutes before the start time. Webcast replay:

Go to 3M's Investor Relations website at http://investors.3M.com and click on "Quarterly Earnings."

Go to 3M's Investor Relations website at http://investors.3M.com and click on "Quarterly Earnings." Telephone replay:

Call 800-633-8284 within the U.S. or +1 402-977-9140 outside the U.S. (for both U.S. and outside the U.S., the access code is 21972035). The telephone replay will be available until 11:30 a.m. EDT ( 10:30 a.m. CDT ) on May 4, 2021 .

Footnotes:

1. 2019 is the baseline measure year.

2. Expands previous 2025 goal of staying below 50% of 2002 baseline. 3M's 2030 Scope 1 and 2 emissions will now be reduced more than 85% from 2002 levels.

3. Expands previous commitment to reduce water use by 10% between 2015-2025.

4. 2020 is the baseline measure year.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information about 3M's financial results and estimates and business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "aim," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will," "should," "could," "target," "forecast" and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance or business plans or prospects. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: (1) worldwide economic, political, regulatory, capital markets and other external conditions and other factors beyond the Company's control, including natural and other disasters or climate change affecting the operations of the Company or its customers and suppliers; (2) risks related to public health crises such as the global pandemic associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19); (3) foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates; (4) liabilities related to certain fluorochemicals, including lawsuits concerning various PFAS-related products and chemistries, and claims and governmental regulatory proceedings and inquiries related to PFAS in a variety of jurisdictions; (5) legal proceedings, including significant developments that could occur in the legal and regulatory proceedings described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2020, and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (the "Reports"); (6) competitive conditions and customer preferences; (7) the timing and market acceptance of new product offerings; (8) the availability and cost of purchased components, compounds, raw materials and energy (including oil and natural gas and their derivatives) due to shortages, increased demand or supply interruptions (including those caused by natural and other disasters and other events); (9) unanticipated problems or delays with the phased implementation of a global enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, or security breaches and other disruptions to the Company's information technology infrastructure; (10) the impact of acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures and other unusual events resulting from portfolio management actions and other evolving business strategies, and possible organizational restructuring; (11) operational execution, including scenarios where the Company generates fewer productivity improvements than estimated; (12) financial market risks that may affect the Company's funding obligations under defined benefit pension and postretirement plans; (13) the Company's credit ratings and its cost of capital; and (14) tax-related external conditions, including changes in tax rates, laws or regulations. Changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. A further description of these factors is located in the Reports under "Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results" and "Risk Factors" in Part I, Items 1 and 1A (Annual Report) and in Part I, Item 2 and Part II, Item 1A (Quarterly Reports), as updated by applicable Current Reports on Form 8-K. The information contained in this news release is as of the date indicated. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this news release as a result of new information or future events or developments.

3M Company and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (Millions, except per-share amounts) (Unaudited)





Three months ended



March 31,



2021

2020 Net sales

$ 8,851

$ 8,075













Operating expenses











Cost of sales



4,525



4,109 Selling, general and administrative expenses



1,808



1,768 Research, development and related expenses



524



537 Gain on sale of businesses







(2) Total operating expenses



6,857



6,412 Operating income



1,994



1,663













Other expense (income), net



49



75













Income before income taxes



1,945



1,588 Provision for income taxes



319



278 Income of consolidated group



1,626



1,310













Income (loss) from unconsolidated subsidiaries, net of taxes



1



 Net income including noncontrolling interest



1,627



1,310













Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest



3



2













Net income attributable to 3M

$ 1,624

$ 1,308













Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding  basic



580.5



576.8 Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders  basic

$ 2.80

$ 2.27













Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding  diluted



586.3



581.5 Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders  diluted

$ 2.77

$ 2.25

3M Company and Subsidiaries CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Dollars in millions) (Unaudited)





March 31,

December 31,



2021

2020 ASSETS











Current assets











Cash and cash equivalents

$ 4,636

$ 4,634 Marketable securities  current



501



404 Accounts receivable  net



4,817



4,705 Inventories



4,458



4,239 Prepaids



535



675 Other current assets



398



325 Total current assets



15,345



14,982 Property, plant and equipment  net



9,240



9,421 Operating lease right of use assets



871



864 Goodwill and intangible assets  net



19,351



19,637 Other assets



2,373



2,440 Total assets

$ 47,180

$ 47,344













LIABILITIES AND EQUITY











Current liabilities











Short-term borrowings and











current portion of long-term debt

$ 1,368

$ 806 Accounts payable



2,670



2,561 Accrued payroll



655



747 Accrued income taxes



277



300 Operating lease liabilities  current



267



256 Other current liabilities



3,126



3,278 Total current liabilities



8,363



7,948 Long-term debt



16,819



17,989 Other liabilities



8,170



8,476 Total liabilities

$ 33,352

$ 34,413













Total equity

$ 13,828

$ 12,931 Shares outstanding











March 31, 2021: 579,675,002











December 31, 2020: 577,749,638











Total liabilities and equity

$ 47,180

$ 47,344

3M Company and Subsidiaries CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Dollars in millions) (Unaudited)





Three months ended





March 31,





2021

2020

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

$ 1,688

$ 1,213

















Cash flows from investing activities:













Purchases of property, plant and equipment



(310)



(332)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired







(25)

Purchases and proceeds from sale or maturities of marketable securities and investments  net



(110)



(111)

Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of cash sold







86

Other investing activities



51



7

















NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES



(369)



(375)

















Cash flows from financing activities:













Change in debt



(444)



2,207

Purchases of treasury stock



(231)



(365)

Proceeds from issuances of treasury stock pursuant to stock option and benefit plans



293



149

Dividends paid to shareholders



(858)



(847)

Other financing activities



(11)



(36)

















NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES



(1,251)



1,108

















Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents



(66)



(46)

















Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents



2



1,900

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year



4,634



2,353

















Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$ 4,636

$ 4,253



3M Company and Subsidiaries SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION NON-GAAP MEASURES (Unaudited)

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)



Operating

Income

Operating

Income

Margin



Income

Before

Taxes



Provision

for

Income

Taxes

Effective

Tax

Rate



Net Income

Attributable

to 3M



Earnings

Per

Diluted

Share

Earnings

per

diluted

share

percent

change

Q1 2020 GAAP

$ 1,663

20.6 % $ 1,588

$ 278

17.5 % $ 1,308

$ 2.25





Adjustments for special items:











































Significant litigation-related charges/benefits



17







17



56







(39)



(0.06)





Gain/loss on sale of businesses



(2)







(2)



(3)







1









Q1 2020 adjusted amounts (non-GAAP measures) (a)

$ 1,678

20.8 % $ 1,603

$ 331

20.7 % $ 1,270

$ 2.19



















































Q1 2021 GAAP

$ 1,994

22.5 % $ 1,945

$ 319

16.4 % $ 1,624

$ 2.77

23.1 % Adjustments for special items:











































None

































Q1 2021 adjusted amounts (non-GAAP measures) (a)

$ 1,994

22.5 % $ 1,945

$ 319

16.4 % $ 1,624

$ 2.77

26.8 %















(a) In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company also provides non-GAAP measures that adjust for the impact of special items. Special items for the periods presented include the items described in the section entitled "Description of Special Items". Operating income (measure of segment operating performance), income before taxes, net income, earnings per share, and effective tax rate are all measures for which 3M provides the reported GAAP measure and a measure adjusted for special items. The adjusted measures are not in accordance with, nor are they a substitute for, GAAP measures. The Company considers these non-GAAP measures in evaluating and managing the Company's operations. The Company believes that discussion of results adjusted for these items is meaningful to investors as it provides a useful analysis of ongoing underlying operating trends. The determination of these items may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

3M Company and Subsidiaries SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION NON-GAAP MEASURES  (CONTINUED) (Unaudited)



















Three months ended





March 31,

Major GAAP Cash Flow Categories (dollars in millions)

2021

2020

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$ 1,688

$ 1,213

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities



(369)



(375)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities



(1,251)



1,108

























Full-Year 2021

Free cash flow (non-GAAP measure) (dollars in billions)

Forecast

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$7.1 to $7.8

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

($1.8 to $2.0)

Free cash flow (b)

$5.1 to $6.0









Net income attributable to 3M

$5.4 to $5.7

Free cash flow conversion (b)

95% to 105%





















Three months ended





March 31,

Adjusted Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP measure) (dollars in millions)

2021

2020

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$ 1,688

$ 1,213

Purchases of property, plant and equipment



(310)



(332)

Free cash flow

$ 1,378

$ 881

Adjustments for special items:













Significant litigation-related after-tax payment impacts

$ 3

$ 50

TCJA transition tax payment



9





Divestiture-related restructuring after-tax payment impacts



1





Adjusted free cash flow (c)

$ 1,391

$ 931

















Net income attributable to 3M

$ 1,624

$ 1,308

Adjustments for special items:













Significant litigation-related charges/(benefits)







(39)

(Gain)/loss on sale of businesses







1

Adjusted net income attributable to 3M (a)

$ 1,624

$ 1,270

Adjusted free cash flow conversion (c)



86 %

73 %















(b) Free cash flow and free cash flow conversion are not defined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Therefore, they should not be considered a substitute for income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. The Company defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment. It should not be inferred that the entire free cash flow amount is available for discretionary expenditures. The Company defines free cash flow conversion as free cash flow divided by net income attributable to 3M. The Company believes free cash flow and free cash flow conversion are meaningful to investors as they function as useful measures of performance and the Company uses these measures as an indication of the strength of the company and its ability to generate cash.



(c) Adjusted free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow conversion are not defined under U.S. GAAP. Therefore, they should not be considered a substitute for income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. The Company defines adjusted free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities, adjusted for special items, less purchases of property, plant and equipment. Cash payments associated with special items in the determination of adjusted free cash flow are reflected net of applicable tax using the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate during the period of payment. It should not be inferred that the entire adjusted free cash flow amount is available for discretionary expenditures. The Company defines adjusted free cash flow conversion as adjusted free cash flow divided by net income attributable to 3M, adjusted for special items. Special items for the periods presented include the items described in section entitled "Description of Special Items". The Company believes adjusted free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow conversion are meaningful to investors as they are useful measures of performance and the Company uses these measures as an indication of the strength of the company and its ability to generate cash.

3M Company and Subsidiaries

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

NON-GAAP MEASURES  (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)



Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP measure) (d)

Adjusted EBITDA Margin (non-GAAP measure) (d)





Three months ended March 31,

Three months ended March 31,

(Dollars in millions)

2021

2020

2021

2020

Safety and Industrial

$ 952

$ 818

28.6 % 27.9 % Transportation and Electronics



690



564

27.3

25.2

Health Care



667



604

29.7

28.7

Consumer



323



299

23.5

23.9

Corporate and Unallocated



(19)



(54)









Elimination of Dual Credit



(159)



(113)

































Total Company

$ 2,454

$ 2,118

27.7 % 26.2 %























Three months ended

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP measure) (dollars in millions)



















March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

Net sales



















$ 8,851

$ 8,075



































Net income attributable to 3M





















1,624



1,308

Add/(subtract):































Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest





















3



2

(Income)/loss from unconsolidated subsidiaries, net of taxes





















(1)





Provision for income taxes





















319



278

Other expense/(income):































Interest (Income)/expense





















128



113

Pension & OPEB non-service cost (benefit)





















(79)



(38)

Depreciation and amortization expense





















460



440

Adjustments for special items:































Significant litigation-related charges/(benefits)

























17

(Gain)/loss on sale of businesses

























(2)

Adjusted EBITDA (d)



















$ 2,454

$ 2,118



































Adjusted EBITDA margin (d)





















27.7 %

26.2 %

3M Company and Subsidiaries SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION NON-GAAP MEASURES  (CONTINUED) (Unaudited)













































Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP measure)

Three months ended March 31, 2021 (dollars in millions)

Safety and

Industrial

Transportation

and

Electronics

Health Care

Consumer

Corporate

and

Unallocated

Elimination

of Dual

Credit

Total

Company

Net sales

$ 3,327

$ 2,531

$ 2,248

$ 1,373

$ (2)

$ (626)

$ 8,851















































Business segment operating income (measure of segment

operating performance)



811



591



509



289



(47)



(159)



1,994

Add/(subtract):











































Depreciation and amortization



141



99



158



34



28









460

Adjustments for special items:











































None











































Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP measure) (d)

$ 952

$ 690

$ 667

$ 323

$ (19)

$ (159)

$ 2,454















































Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP measure) (d)



28.6 %

27.3 %

29.7 %

23.5 %













27.7 %



























































































Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP measure) Three months ended March 31, 2020 (dollars in millions)

Safety and

Industrial

Transportation

and

Electronics

Health Care

Consumer

Corporate

and

Unallocated

Elimination

of Dual

Credit

Total

Company

Net sales

$ 2,927

$ 2,239

$ 2,104

$ 1,250

$ 

$ (445)

$ 8,075















































Business segment operating income (measure of segment

operating performance)



694



464



452



265



(99)



(113)



1,663

Add/(subtract):











































Depreciation and amortization



124



100



152



34



30









440

Adjustments for special items:











































Significant litigation-related charges/(benefits)



























17









17

(Gain)/loss on sale of businesses



























(2)









(2)

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP measure) (d)

$ 818

$ 564

$ 604

$ 299

$ (54)

$ (113)

$ 2,118















































Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP measure) (d)



27.9 %

25.2 %

28.7 %

23.9 %













26.2 %















(d) Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are not defined under U.S. GAAP. Therefore, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin should not be considered a substitute for other measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to 3M, adjusted for net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, (income)/loss from unconsolidated subsidiaries, provision for income taxes, other expense/(income), depreciation and amortization expense, and special items. For business segments, the Company defines adjusted EBITDA as business segment operating income (3M's measure of segment operating performance) adjusted for depreciation and amortization expense. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA margin as adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales. Special items for the periods presented include the items described in the section entitled "Description of Special Items". The Company considers these non-GAAP measures in evaluating and managing the Company's operations. The Company believes adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are meaningful to investors as they provide useful analyses of ongoing underlying operating trends.







March 31,

December 31,

Net Debt (non-GAAP measure)

2021

2020

Total debt

$ 18,187

$ 18,795

Less: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities



5,168



5,068

Net debt (e)

$ 13,019

$ 13,727















(e) Net debt is not defined under U.S. GAAP and may not be computed the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies. The Company defines net debt as total debt less the total of cash, cash equivalents and current and long-term marketable securities. 3M believes net debt is meaningful to investors as 3M considers net debt and its components to be an important indicator of liquidity and a guiding measure of capital structure strategy.

3M Company and Subsidiaries

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

NON-GAAP MEASURES  (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

Description of Special Items:

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company also provides various non-GAAP measures that incorporate adjustments for the impacts of special items. Special items incorporated in the preparation of these non-GAAP measures for the periods presented include the items described below:

Significant litigation-related charges/benefits:

In the first quarter of 2020, 3M recorded a net pre-tax charge of $17 million ( $13 million after tax) related to PFAS (certain perfluorinated compounds) matters. The charge was more than offset by a reduction in tax expense of $52 million related to resolution of tax treatment with authorities regarding the previously disclosed 2018 agreement reached with the State of Minnesota that resolved the Natural Resources Damages lawsuit. These items, in aggregate, resulted in a $39 million after-tax benefit. In the first quarter of 2021 and 2020, 3M made payments of approximately $4 million and $63 million , respectively, related to significant litigation-related matters.

Gain/loss on sale of businesses:

In the first quarter of 2020, 3M recorded a pre-tax gain of $2 million ( $1 million loss after tax) related to the sale of its advanced ballistic-protection business and recognition of certain contingent consideration.

Divestiture-related restructuring actions:

In the first quarter of 2021, 3M made payments of approximately $1 million associated with divestiture-related restructuring actions.

Enactment/measurement period adjustments related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)

In the first quarter of 2021, 3M made payments of approximately $9 million related to the transition tax expense incurred as a result of the 2017 enactment of the TCJA.

3M Company and Subsidiaries SALES CHANGE ANALYSIS (f) (Unaudited)























Three months ended March 31, 2021













Europe,

















Middle



Sales Change Analysis





Asia-

East and

World-

By Geographic Area

Americas

Pacific

Africa

Wide

Volume  organic

5.1 % 13.3 % 4.5 % 7.3 % Price

1.2

(0.5)

1.0

0.7

Organic local-currency sales

6.3

12.8

5.5

8.0

Divestitures

(1.6)



(3.0)

(1.4)

Translation

(0.2)

5.3

7.9

3.0

Total sales change

4.5 % 18.1 % 10.4 % 9.6 %







Three months ended March 31, 2021

Worldwide Sales Change

Organic local-













Total sales

By Business Segment

currency sales

Acquisitions

Divestitures

Translation

change

Safety and Industrial

10.3 %  %  % 3.4 % 13.7 % Transportation and Electronics

9.8





3.3

13.1

Health Care

9.3



(5.6)

3.1

6.8

Consumer

7.8





2.0

9.8

Total Company

8.0 %  % (1.4) % 3.0 % 9.6 %



















(f) Total sales change is calculated based on reported sales results. The components of sales change include organic local-currency sales, acquisitions, divestitures, and translation. Organic local-currency sales include both organic volume impacts (which excludes acquisition and divestiture impacts) and selling price changes. Acquisition and divestiture impacts are measured separately for the first 12 months post-transaction.



3M Company and Subsidiaries

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

(Unaudited)

3M discloses business segment operating income as its measure of segment profit/loss, reconciled to both total 3M operating income and income before taxes. Note 19 to 3M's consolidated financial statements in its 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K describes 3M's business segments and measure of segment operating performance used by 3M's chief operating decision maker (CODM). As discussed therein, the measure of segment operating performance includes dual credit for certain related operating income and excludes certain expenses and income that are not allocated to business segments and instead reflected in Corporate and Unallocated.

Additionally, the following special items are excluded from business segment operating income and, instead, are included within Corporate and Unallocated: significant litigation-related charges/benefits, gain/loss on sale of businesses, and divestiture-related restructuring actions.

Effective in the first quarter of 2021, the measure of segment operating performance used by 3M's CODM changed and, as a result, 3M's disclosed measure of segment profit/loss (business segment operating income) was updated. The change to business segment operating income aligns with the update to how the CODM assesses performance and allocates resources for the Company's business segments. The change included the following:

Changes in cost attribution

The extent of allocation and method of attribution of certain net costs were updated to result in fewer items remaining in Corporate and Unallocated and, instead, including them in 3M's business segments' operating performance. Previously, a larger portion of ongoing corporate staff costs and costs associated with centrally managed material resource centers was retained in Corporate and Unallocated. In addition, portions of pension costs and costs associated with certain centrally managed but ongoing business-related legal matters, along with certain insurance-related costs, were retained in Corporate and Unallocated.

Continued alignment of customer account activity

As part of 3M's regular customer-focus initiatives, the Company realigned certain customer account activity ("sales district") to correlate with the primary divisional product offerings in various countries and reduce complexity for customers when interacting with multiple 3M businesses. This impacted the amount of dual credit certain business segments receive as a result of sales district attribution.

Also effective in the first quarter of 2021, within 3M's Consumer business segment, certain safety products formerly within the Construction and Home Improvement Division and the Stationery and Office Division were moved to the newly-named Consumer Health and Safety Division (formerly the Consumer Health Care Division).

The financial information presented herein reflects the impact of the preceding changes for all periods presented.















BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

Three months ended NET SALES

March 31, (Millions)

2021

2020 Safety and Industrial

$ 3,327

$ 2,927 Transportation and Electronics



2,531



2,239 Health Care



2,248



2,104 Consumer



1,373



1,250 Corporate and Unallocated



(2)



 Elimination of Dual Credit



(626)



(445) Total Company

$ 8,851

$ 8,075



























BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

Three months ended OPERATING INCOME

March 31, (Millions)

2021

2020 Safety and Industrial

$ 811

$ 694 Transportation and Electronics



591



464 Health Care



509



452 Consumer



289



265 Elimination of Dual Credit



(159)



(113) Total business segment operating income

$ 2,041

$ 1,762 Corporate and Unallocated











Special items:











Significant litigation-related (charges)/benefits







(17) Gain/(loss) on sale of businesses







2 Other corporate expense - net



(47)



(84) Total Corporate and Unallocated

$ (47)

$ (99) Total Company operating income

$ 1,994

$ 1,663













Other expense/(income), net

$ 49

$ 75 Income before income taxes

$ 1,945

$ 1,588

About 3M

At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily as our employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M's creative solutions to the world's problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.

Contacts

3M

Investor Contacts:

Bruce Jermeland, 651-733-1807

or

Tony Riter, 651-733-1141

or

Media Contact:

Tim Post, 651-733-9789

SOURCE 3M

Related Links

www.3m.com


Local officials in Houston, Texas, are petitioning the governor to award George Floyd a posthumous pardon for a low-level 2004 drug charge that was based on the lone word of a police officer we could no longer trust, KPRC reported on Monday.

The pardon request comes the Harris County Public Defenders office, in regards to a February 2004 arrest, where Mr Floyd was charged with delivery of a controlled substance  $10 worth of crack cocaine  and sentenced to time in jail.

The arrest was based off information from an officer named Gerald Goines, who is now himself accused of drug trafficking, murder, and lying to obtain a search warrant.

Prosecutors determined in 2019 that Floyd had been convicted on the lone word of Gerald Goines, a police officer we could no longer trust; we fully support a request that the Governor now pardon George Floyd from that drug conviction, Harris County district attorney Kim Ogg told KPRC.

In a 2019 incident, Officer Goines allegedly made up a confidential informant to justify a no-knock drug warrant to search a Houston house, where two people, Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas, were killed. Prosecutors allege Mr Goines later said he lied about the informant and bought drugs there himself.

Hes charged with felony murder and other crimes, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

More than 160 convictions that relied on Mr Goines police work have been dismissed amid wider scrutiny of his record and how the city at large policed drug crime.

The Harris County DA is reviewing Mr Floyds case among others, which it says ensnared George Floyd in the criminal justice system so long ago.

No one bothered to question the word of a veteran cop against that of a previously convicted Black man, assistant Harris County public defender Allison Mathis wrote in her pardon request. Goines manufactured the existence of confidential informants to bolster his cases against innocent defendants, consistent with the unnamed, unidentified second suspect he mentions in his offence report in his interaction with George Floyd, she added.

More than a decade-and-a-half after his 2004 drug charge, Mr Floyd became a household name due to the since-condemned actions of another local officer during another low-level arrest. Last week, a white former Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering Mr Floyd, an unarmed Black man, when he knelt on the mans neck for more than nine minutes during an arrest for a counterfeit $20 bill last May.

Mr Floyd, like many Black men who grow up in poverty in America, was frequently in contact with law enforcement, who reportedly began questioning him from his days as a schoolboy on through his adult life.

He came of age in Houston at a time where multiple chiefs described trying unsuccessfully to reform a police department with a culture of bias and excessive use of force.

Mr Floyd was stopped or charged by police at least 19 times, according to the Washington Post, on charges ranging from low-level drug offences, to an armed robbery where a woman was pistol-whipped by a group of men while at home with her children.

By 2014, feeling like hed lost a significant portion of his life to the criminal justice system and other, related challenges of homelessness and poverty, Mr Floyd sought to leave his Houston neighbourhood for a new beginning in Minneapolis, friends told the AP.

He came home with his head on right, a friend named Travis Cains said.
CEO Richard MacPherson said that as power generation in the US has evolved and expanded, so has the need for our technology and expertise

MacPherson said that with new license agreements through the firms patent portfolio and a stronger balance sheet, ME2C moves through 2021 with a growing investor base, along with new technologies and growth opportunities

Midwest Energy Emissions Corp ( ), known by its trade name ME 2 C Environmental, is on an upward trajectory. The company helps coal-fired utilities and other energy providers optimize operations, meet compliance regulations, and reduce costs in the area of mercury emissions control.

Between July 2020 and January 2021, the Corsicana, Texas-based environmental technologies company signed agreements with four of the largest US coal-fired power producers, each of whom were defendants named in the companys 2019 lawsuit. With a solid customer base for their mercury emissions business and growth opportunities in new technologies, the companys potential recurring, high-margin revenue model puts it on a steady growth track for at least the next five years.

At a 70% conversion rate of potential customers into supply/licensing contracts, the company anticipates that recurring annual revenue could exceed $100 million by 2023, analysts at Taglich Brothers said in a recent note to clients.

ME 2 C is the commercial extension of over $60 million poured into research and development and many years of in-field testing. The company has gained strong credibility as it has worked with coal-fired utilities across America to provide the best mercury emissions capture technology, known as Sorbent Enhancement Additive (SEA), an innovative, two-part approach to mercury capture.

With an eye on long-term growth, ME 2 C is actively working to introduce new technologies that address coal ash clean-up and wastewater remediation from coal, methane gas emissions from the oil and gas power industries, and improve the processing of rare earth elements. The company believes US methane emissions represent a $10 billion addressable opportunity for its new technologies.

Proactive sat down with ME 2 C Environmental founder CEO and President Richard MacPherson to discover how the company has a wide reach of capabilities that can be beneficial to multiple facets of the energy industry.

MacPherson founded Midwest Energy Emissions in 2008 to commercialize SEA technologies and launch the patented emissions control technologies across the coal-fired utility markets in the US and Canada.

Proactive: How does ME 2 C help energy providers and coal-fired utilities with solutions and emissions control technology?

Richard MacPherson: The company provides a highly effective, patented process to significantly reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. Our patented SEA approach to mercury capture is specifically tailored for each application to match a customers fuel type and boiler configuration for optimal results. This high-grade sorbent enhancement additive (SEA) is injected into the boiler in minimal amounts and works in tandem with our proprietary sorbent products to ensure maximum mercury capture with superior economics compared to typical mercury removal techniques in use today.

This tailored approach has the added advantage of substantially reducing the impact of mercury capture on balance-of-plant systems and operations. Our teams complete understanding of the complexity of mercurysorbentflue gas interactions and chemisorption mechanisms allows for optimal control strategy and product formulation and when combined with a thorough proprietary audit of the plant, along its configuration and instrumentation, results in the most effective mercury capture achievable.

US power plants are going to consume 16% more coal this year than in 2020, and then another 3% in 2022, according to the Energy Information Administration. Does this denote a bigger need for ME 2 Cs mercury emission control solutions?

With gas prices on the rise, coal usage is expected to surge significantly. In addition, the current administrations focus on climate change will bring more stringent regulations for harmful emissions, including mercury, methane, and emissions that leach into soil and water. Through our full scope of technologies, ME 2 C Environmental can address these issues facing the power generation sector. Our expertise in sorbent technologies, chemisorption, and power plant operations allows us to be a strong partner with these utilities.

The SEA approach for mercury capture is currently in use throughout most of the coal-fired US fleet (over 44% are expected to be using our patented system). This technology is the best alternative to mercury capture available today providing the utility with significant cost-savings long-term through use of less material going into the boiler and minimal effects to the overall balance of plant impact and equipment. Further, the SEA technology maintains the quality of the coal ash, a byproduct produced by coal-fired emissions that can be sold as a recyclable commodity to other industries, such as construction. Overall, our approach provides significant cost-savings and potential revenue stream.

This year the company announced the development of new emissions capture technologies for methane gas abatement in the oil and gas industries and rebranded to ME 2 C Environmental. What does this means for the company?

We rebranded this year to ME 2 C Environmental to reintroduce ourselves to the power industry as an expanded environmental technologies company. Our core business will remain in mercury emissions capture, but the strong know-how and expertise in sorbent technologies translates well to other areas of emissions control, including methane emissions produced by the oil and gas industry. When we introduced our SEA approach roughly 15 years ago, the US was beginning to look at reducing harmful coal-fired emissions. We helped this industry significantly reduce these harmful emissions. As power generation in the US has evolved and expanded, so has the need for our technology and expertise. We are a small company with a wide reach of capabilities that can be beneficial to multiple facets of the energy industry.

ME 2 C has 42 patents and 20 patent-pending applications in North America, Europe and Asia and has taken legal action against energy companies that have tried to utilize ME 2 Cs patented processes without a license. The four utility defendants  Vistra Corp, NRG, American Electric Power, and Talen Energy  have struck license agreements with ME 2 C and have since been removed from the lawsuit. Do you expect other infringers to settle with ME 2 C?

These four major defendants who have entered into agreements are among the largest coal-fired power producers in the country and positioned as market leaders. We are currently in communication with other utilities to reach licensing or commercial solutions. Our focus remains a business-first approach, which means that we would prefer to work directly with these utilities as their supply and technology partners. Through supplying plants directly, we provide a license to operate our patented technologies, as well as support their plants operations through maintenance and service - at no additional cost.

We fully expect to grow our customer base through either license agreements or supply contracts with additional infringers, some of whom are already in contact with Caldwell, Cassady, and Curry. The Refined Coal Companies named in our July 2019 lawsuit represent a very significant financial opportunity to restore some of the revenue lost over the past nine years that these companies have benefitted from our patented mercury emissions technologies.

Do you have any major deal or joint venture partnership on the anvil which will bolster the companys technology?

We recently announced our affiliation with Eleclear Technologies, which is a new technologies firm based in Alabama that will be initially funded with $1.2 million of new capital on a 70/30 basis between Dr Scott A Drummond and ME 2 C Environmental. We will provide technical and research direction, along with the commercialization of the anticipated technologies. The initial technologies now being developed by Eleclear will move to full pilot-scale testing in the near future. We will continue to update the market on these exciting new developments that will provide an additional revenue stream for ME 2 C Environmental, as well as innovative and affordable solutions that address critical environmental challenges within the US power industry. ME 2 C will manage the commercialization, as well as the development efforts going forward, as part of the Eleclear arrangement.

What is ME 2 Cs business outlook as a dominant environmental technologies firm?

We are a very different company in 2021 than we were just 12-18 months ago. With key announcements of new license agreements through our patent portfolio and a stronger balance sheet, we move through 2021 with a growing investor base, along with new technologies and growth opportunities. Our success thus far has been based on the strong support of our staff, who have remained with our company for the last several years, and our strong partnerships with our loyal customers. Starting now, moving into the next six to 12 months, our company will see organic growth quarter on quarter as we maintain and increase our core customer base.

Next year, we will introduce licensing opportunities for our new technologies. Beyond the US, our technologies are relevant, and we have had key discussions with groups in Southeast Asia who will be facing regulations coming down in the next three to five years. We expect to continue to grow and adapt our technologies, as needed, to face current environmental concerns.

What are some of the catalysts for ME 2 C Environmental?

Our growth will be marked by realizing the value of our patented technologies through growing our customer base with coal-fired power plants. Additional markers will include strong results from our field tests in our new technologies currently under development. We also expect to reach agreements with other infringers of our patented technologies specifically including the refined coal operators. The timeframe for these drivers is expected to be within the next six to 12 months and onward.

Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive
Aphro, an unapologetically African spirit, has been adjudged the Spirit of the Year in Ghana. The win was announced this weekend at the 2020 Ghana Beverage Awards, organized virtually as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.



The made-in-Ghana triple distilled spirit won the prestigious award just after a year of retailing on the Ghanaian market.



Commenting on the award, the Chief Executive Officer of Aphro Spirit, Charles Kojo Bucknor, said Aphro is not the palm spirit our ancestors knew. We have refined the quality and flavor profile; it is triple distilled and further infused with tropical fruits, herbs and spices indigenous to the African region. These, coupled with Aphros unique branding, and ability to be enjoyed by both young and old has made the Aphro Spirit resonates across generations



Aphro Spirit is available in two flavours: the Moor (Ginger Spice) and the Nubi (Pineapple Passion), in 25ml, 200ml and 750ml sized packaging. The premium palm spirits taste and distinctive branding was recognised by President Nana Akufo Addo in his second inaugural speech, during which he boasted that Aphro can compete in the most sophisticated markets in the world.



Mr. Bucknor explained his teams vision of making Aphro Spirit a global brand: Aphro is a product proudly made in Ghana. We believe the Africa Free Trade Agreement will be a significant enabler to the Aphro product gaining presence, scale and market share across the continent; our application to this convention is currently underway. This recognition by the organizers of the award, the Global Media Alliance Group, in our maiden year of operation is an honour and testament to the quality of product and innovation of the team behind the product. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them and extend an ode to our ancestors- Aphro to the world!.



Aphro Spirit was launched in Ghana in star-studded event in December 2020. The Spirit is now one of the countrys fastest growing high end alcoholic beverages in the country.



Aphros soft launch in Nigeria in April 2021, demonstrated the Brands accelerated growth and pan African appeal. The beverages pre-orders reflect the fact that Nigeria will be a pivotal market for this product amongst the upwardly mobile and affluent.

The pre-launch tasting of Aphro in Lagos, hosted at stylish E Bar Metro in the Admiralty Way area of Lekki, was met with significant enthusiasm and market acceptance. Mr. Chike Agbakoba Obinna, The Owner of E Bar metro and the View Hotel stated that Aphro has the potential to be a market leader in Nigeria and the product packaging to rival any global brand that is available for sampling at our venues.



About Aphro Beverages



Aphro Beverages is an African beverage and lifestyle company currently headquartered in Accra, Ghana. It is the brainchild of a group of African business professionals and entrepreneurs and is 100 per cent self-funded by that consortium. It will also operate as a Free-zones entity with the goal of exporting much of the product to the rest of Africa and the diaspora. Aphro is available in select retail outlets in Accra such as; Say Cheers, CityDia, Baatsona Total, Evergreen Supermarket, Wine Shoppers and at Daddys Lodge in Kumasi.

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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The Biden administration is working nonstop to do all it can to deliver on an urgent basis the supplies most needed by India to combat the deadly COVID-19 wave, the US State Department said here.

The current situation in India is of great concern to the United States, State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference on Monday.

"We have always stood in solidarity with our friends and our partners in India," he added.

"We are working nonstop across the government to do all we can to deliver on an urgent basis the supplies most needed within India, and that includes oxygen assistance and related materials, but it also includes supplies for therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, personal protective equipment, or PPE, all supplies to protect India's frontline healthcare workers," Price said.

The assistance includes raw materials urgently required for the manufacture of the Covishield vaccine, he said.

The US is also deploying an expert team of public health advisers from the CDC to work in close collaboration with the US embassy on the ground, India's health ministries and its epidemic intelligence staff.

On Monday, US President Joe Biden spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The Secretary (of State) Tony Blinken has had an opportunity in recent days to speak to his counterpart, Foreign Minister Jaishankar. Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, spoke to his counterpart," Price said.

Wendy Sherman, Deputy Secretary of State, spoke to her counterpart as well, he added.

"We have been doing that to demonstrate our solidarity with the Indian government, with the Indian people, but also to hear about the needs of the Indian government and to assess, based on our own capacity, what more we could do," Price said.

Responding to a question, Price said India is a priority given that the country is experiencing a horrific outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We have a global comprehensive strategic partnership with India. But the secretary has been clear this is not about shots in arms in return for political favours, in return for any sort of transactionalism. This is about America's humanitarian leadership, the commitment that this administration has to help those most in need," Price said.

"Of course, what India is enduring now is profoundly concerning on so many levels. And so, that's why you see not only the United States stepping up, but other countries in the region well beyond stepping up to attempt to help and do all we can to help India in its time of need," he said.

From the earliest days of this pandemic, the United States has provided much needed assistance to India, just as India came to our aid to when the US was in the worst phase of the outbreak, he said.

"Since the beginning of the pandemic, the United States has provided nearly USD19 million in total assistance, and that includes nearly USD11 million and health assistance to help India so the spread of COVID-19," Price said.

The American assistance has helped India provide care for the affected, disseminate essential public health messages to various communities, strengthen the epidemiological surveillance capabilities, mobilise innovative financing mechanisms for emergency preparedness and response to the pandemic, he said.

The CDC has also committed USD3.6 million to assist the government of India's response to the epidemic.

"We recognise that, as the current outbreak has taken incredibly concerning turns in India, that there was more we could do. And we, in consultation with our Indian partners, have determined that the steps I referred to earlier are available to us, and they would be of great benefit to our partners in India," Price 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.)
Biden admin. to allow US embassies to fly LGBT pride flags, reverses Trump-era policy Franklin Graham criticizes move: 'Only US flag should be flown'

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The U.S. State Department has authorized embassies worldwide to display the rainbow pride flag on embassy flagpoles along with the American flag, which reverses the Trump-era policy.

In a State Department cable reviewed by news outlets, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the diplomatic outposts are not required to fly the LGBT pride flag but can decide if it is appropriate to display on the flagpole in light of local conditions.

The rainbow pride flag can be displayed before May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, through the end of June, according to the cable and a State Department official who spoke with the New York Times.

June is officially recognized as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, which are viewed by many as the beginning of the gay rights movement.

In the cable reported originally by Foreign Policy, State Department officials were told to follow the do no harm policy to prevent backlash against the local LGBT population.

Posts should support efforts to repeal [criminalization] legislation, while ensuring that do no harm remains our overarching principle so U.S. efforts do not inadvertently result in backlash or further marginalization of the LGBTQI+ community, the cable was quoted as stating.

Though the flag would be relatively non-controversial in some countries, in many Middle Eastern or North African countries where same-sex relationships are banned, the pride flag could stir up contention.

Franklin Graham, a prominent conservative evangelical leader and president of Samaritans Purse, criticized the decision on Facebook. He said just because something is authorized does not make it right.

Why should a flag representing one group of people and a specific agenda be literally raised up above all others and allowed to fly at our embassies and consulates? Graham, the son of legendary evangelist Billy Graham, wrote.

The embassies represent the United States of America on foreign soilonly the U.S. flag should be flown. Not the gay pride flag, not the Christian flag, not any other flag.

The previous administration had a one-flag rule that the Biden administration has rescinded, he continued. Our U.S. flag represents the sacrifice, the honor, the unity, the patriotismand the bloodthat made America great. Pray for our nation and our leaders.

The Trump administration denied requests from U.S. embassies to display the rainbow flag on the embassy flagpole to celebrate LGBT Pride Month and only allowed the American flag to be flown on the flagpole.

In defense of former Secretary of State Mike Pompeos one-flag rule, former Vice President Mike Pence told NBC News in June 2019 that he and the president believe only the U.S. flag should be displayed on the embassy flagpole.

"We both feel that way very passionately, but when it comes to the American flagpole, and American embassies, and capitals around the world, one American flag flies," Pence proclaimed.

The Trump administrations State Department reportedly denied requests from U.S. embassies in Brazil, Germany, Israel and Latvia to fly the rainbow pride flag for LGBT Pride Month.

Embassies were still allowed to display the pride flag outside of the embassy under Trump, and some embassies displayed the flag elsewhere.

South Korea, for example, displayed the pride flag on the building instead of the flagpole until embassy officials removed it and a Black Lives Matter banner, the New York Times reported.

During the Obama administration, embassies were allowed to fly the rainbow flag under the American flag on the embassy flagpole.

Blinken pledged to support the LGBT agenda by flying the pride flag at U.S. embassies and reinstating the special envoy for the human rights of LGBTI persons upon being sworn in this January.

The State Department is yet to make a formal announcement regarding this decision.
General Assignment Reporter

Chris Mays is a general assignment reporter for the Brattleboro Reformer. He has been with New England Newspapers Inc. since 2012.
NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

Naphtha Market Procurement Research Report

The Naphtha market will register an incremental spend of about USD 22.81 Billion, growing at a CAGR of 3.58% during the five-year forecast period. A targeted strategic approach to Naphtha 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:

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.

Request 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 Naphtha market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Naphtha 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.

Insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers

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 Naphtha 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 Naphtha suppliers listed in this report:

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

Story continues

Chevron Corp.

Royal Dutch Shell plc

Exxon Mobil Corp.

PetroChina Co. Ltd.

BP plc

Saudi Arabian Oil Co.

Vitol Netherlands Cooperatief U.A.

Eni S.p.A.

PAO NOVATEK

Reliance Industries Ltd.

Related Report on Materials Include:

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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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SOURCE SpendEdge
I read today that President Biden wants to give an extra $80 billion to the IRS to crack down on tax evasion. If the Treasury Department is a viable source of information the total IRS budget is $12.039 billion.

My first take on all the above is, what the heck? The entire department has a budget of $12 billion and someone wants to give them $80 billion more. Only in America would this even be considered.

Anyway, my point is not specifically about all that craziness but I have a cost savings plan that many have advocated in the past. Lets approve a flat tax of X to every person who makes more than Y income in any fiscal or calendar year. No deductions. No write-offs. No excuses. Just pay the percentage due based on wages earned.

All of this fits on an index card with no fancy software required to complete your filing. This applies to all working individuals (even members of Congress and The President), all businesses, companies, agencies, entertainers, athletes, lawyers, yard mowers, and hot dog sales people.

I know the flat tax will not be considered by Congress or supported by either of the major political parties. It takes away their power over us minions who make the wages and pay the taxes. They prefer the power, the sound bite, and too many people believe they (the politicians) are the only smart people in the room capable of making this type decision. I say horse feathers to those thoughts.

Dewayne Belew
MUNICH, Germany, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ATR International, Bosch, CARAT, CARUSO, Continental, Global One Automotive, Schaeffler, and ZF jointly launch the industry solution for online appointment bookings for workshops in Europe.



With Repdate, the companies present a cost-effective and powerful workshop platform that can be easily integrated into existing solutions. Part of Repdate is a customer management system that enables vehicle owners to conveniently book their service appointments using their smartphones - in almost all European languages. If the vehicle's telematics data is available, the workshop can create a needs analysis as well as an automated cost estimation in the same booking process. And this regardless of whether the data comes directly from the vehicle or via a dongle. A first dongle provider is currently being connected to the system. These digital contact points enable independent workshops to increase their customer loyalty and, what's more, mobility providers and fleet operators benefit from the solution, as they can use the system to direct their vehicles to the respective workshops.

Currently, more customers than ever before are using online sales channels to interact with companies from a wide variety of industries. In line with this customer expectation, independent workshops must be able to offer an end-to-end solution for booking and fully processing a repair and maintenance order.

Not every independent workshop should have to build its own solution. This is exactly where Repdate comes into play and is made available to the entire market in the form of an industry solution - operated by Caruso GmbH. In addition, the initiative is open to participation by other trade groups and manufacturers and gives each of the concept providers the opportunity to operate the online booking system under their own branding. Further information is available via https://www.caruso-dataplace.com/repdate/, or from the participating companies.

About Caruso GmbH

From Connected Cars to Connected Business. CARUSO is a neutral, open, and secure mobility data marketplace. The platform enables third parties to consume data standardized across multiple vehicle manufacturers. Additionally, their built-in consent management technology ensures data privacy by giving vehicle end-users full control over data sharing. With that, CARUSO empowers its customers to easily build life-improving solutions based on data from connected cars.

Company Contact

Tina Rauschenbach

Head of Customer Experience

customerexperience@caruso-dataplace.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e8a0506-752e-419c-aaf6-ca8887755789
KITCHENER, Ontario, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With vaccinations shifting into high gear, the Grand River Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce the Canadian release of the VACCINATED. Collection - wearable merchandise for individuals to declare their commitment to help stop the spread of COVID-19, and support herd immunity.



We know there are strong emotions around the vaccine rollout, and we also believe that many are keen to show their support of Canadas vaccination program and the science behind it, explains the Foundations President & CEO, Paul McIntyre Royston. The collection is a testament to our path to celebrate the beginning of the end of COVID-19.

From wristbands and masks, to a hat, buttons and stickers, are all available as part of the new collection that promotes its wearer as vaccinated. Acknowledging that Canadians are eager to be vaccinated as quickly as possible, the collection also features products that include reversible masks and wristbands that can be switched from a pre to post-vaccination status.

All proceeds support building a world class health system, that requires public methods of funding. Because the Care. Never. Stops.

VACCINATED. Products can be purchased on www.illbevaccinated.ca and photos of products are attached.

For more information, please contact:

Angela Olano, Director, Community Engagement & Marketing

Grand River Hospital Foundation

519 581 8796

angela@grhf.ca

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ac1a447b-e1f4-4351-abfa-694441a93a6f

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/024e7ca4-3333-427b-b115-90f7ea93ffdb

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3e0e4633-85e4-416b-8dad-89b8a1d578ab

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a2cb4bd9-acbc-4891-b7c5-918cbd50d78a
After more than a year into the pandemic, you might feel like celebrating when you get your COVID-19 vaccine.

But doctors are warning Americans not to drink too heavily before or after being immunized against the virus.

There is currently no evidence to suggest that consuming copious amounts of alcohol can reduce the effects of the coronavirus shots approved for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

However, several studies suggest that binge drinking can not only affect the immune system, but also directly suppress it and that drinking 'round the time' of getting the COVID-19 vaccine could prevent the body from generating antibodies..

Past research has shown that chronic heavy drinking can alter the number of microbes in the gut and can prevent immune system cells from reaching a site of infection to mount a response (file image)

Dr Ilhem Messaoudi, director of the Center for Virus Research at the University of California, Irvine, spoke to The New York Times effects of alcohol on the immune response.

She said the people who drink moderately - no more than two drinks a day for men or one drink a day for women - have no cause for concern.

One drink is equivalent to 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine, eight ounces of malt liquor and 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor.

'If you are truly a moderate drinker, then there's no risk of having a drink around the time of your vaccine,' she told The Times.

'But be very cognizant of what moderate drinking really means. It's dangerous to drink large amounts of alcohol because the effects on all biological systems, including the immune system, are pretty severe and they occur pretty quickly after you get out of that moderate zone.'

However, heavy drinkers - men who have four or more drinks daily and women who have three or more drinks - should be concerned.

Consuming alcohol heavily every day can weaken the immune system and make you more susceptible to the common cold, the flu or other infections.

When alcohol passes through the body and comes into contact with the gastrointestinal tract, it can alter the number of microbes in the gut, which affects the immune system, because it may get rid of good bacteria that protects you..

Liquor can also prevents immune system cells from reaching a site of infection and destroying bacteria, viruses and other pathogens.

Because it takes two weeks after your final dose to build up antibodies, a night of heavy drinking could prevent or delay the immune system from doing so.

In one study, published in the journal Vaccine, Messaoudi and her colleagues gave rhesus monkeys alcoholic beverages for seven months and then vaccinated them against poxvirus.

Results showed that the primates who often drank heavily had very weak immune responses after being inoculated.

'They had almost a nonexistent immune response,' Messaoudi told The Times.

Conversely, the monkeys that drank moderately had very strong immune responses to the shot, likely because research has shown small amounts of alcohol can decrease inflammation and improve cardiovascular health.
Days after and other platforms removed content related to the COVID-19 pandemic in India following a government order, the White House said the move was not aligned with America's view of around the world.

and other platforms have taken down around 100 posts and URLs after the government asked them to remove content that was critical of the handling of the current medical crisis or spreading fake news around the pandemic.

"That certainly wouldn't be aligned with our view of around the world," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki replied when a reporter said the ordered and Facebook to block posts on its handling of the pandemic and sought her response.

The Lumen Database, a Harvard University initiative that tracks takedown requests, said at least 52 tweets from prominent figures, including opposition politicians, journalists and filmmakers, have been censored.

According to The Washington Post, Twitter said the posts, which remain visible in the United States and other parts of the world, are being blocked in India in accordance with local regulations.

"When we receive a valid legal request, we review it under both the Twitter Rules and local law," a Twitter spokesperson told The Washington Post.

"If the content violates Twitter's Rules, the content will be removed from the service. If it is determined to be illegal in a particular jurisdiction, but not in violation of the Twitter Rules, we may withhold access to the content in India only," the spokesperson was quoted as saying by the daily.

(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| 2021-04-27 10:37:00|Editor: huaxia

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LAGOS, April 26 (Xinhua) -- At least five policemen were killed after gunmen attacked a police station in southern Nigeria's Imo state on Monday, local police said.

A gun battle erupted after unidentified attackers broke into the police station and freed some inmates. "Five officers have been killed, while one is yet to be accounted for," said Orlando Ikeokwu, an Imo police spokesperson, in a statement.

Earlier this month, the state saw a major attack on security formations.

On April 5, armed men attacked the headquarters of the Imo state police command and a correctional facility in Owerri, capital city of the state, and freed over 1,800 inmates. Enditem
If you havent had your COVID-19 vaccine, San Antonio officials are using every way imaginable to get you to roll up your sleeve.

After weeks of lamenting that they didnt have enough vaccines, San Antonio and Bexar County officials now say they have more supply than demand. According to Mayor Ron Nirenberg, 855,326 people, about 55 percent of those eligible, have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. About 36 percent are fully vaccinated.

Health experts believe that at least 70 percent of residents need to be fully vaccinated to halt the spread of the virus.

If vaccination rates dont pick up, Fiesta, already delayed to June 17-27, could be affected, according to Nirenberg.

We need to keep those numbers moving in the right direction, he said.

Though there was an initial rush to get the shots, more people are skipping their appointments at the four main vaccination hubs. The Alamodome now accepts drive-up visits without appointments from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and the city is shifting to small mobile clinics in areas with low vaccination rates that have been hit hard by the pandemic.

A vaccine waitlist targeting county residents ages 65 and over launched April 14, but only 8 percent of the people who registered met the age requirement, according to Craig Hopkins, the citys chief information officer. As a result, the list was opened up to anyone over 16.

Last week, the waitlist had generated only 4,300 names  far less than the 50,000 Hopkins expected.

There should be more conversation about how we can drive more demand for people to know this is here and they can put their names on here if they want to, Hopkins said.

Myth busting

City health officials are worried that unfounded rumors may scare people away from getting the shot. For example, one widespread myth is that vaccines could cause infertility in young women or loss of neurological function.

The What Will It Take campaign was launched during the pandemic to slow the spread of the virus. According to Laura Mayes, the citys assistant director of government and public affairs, a second phase will promote vaccinations, answer frequently asked questions and address any other concerns.

On ExpressNews.com: Fixing data crucial as Texas shifts vaccination strategy

City Council members said the campaign needs to stay ahead of misinformation and rumors that the free vaccination could involve an administrative fee or co-pay. Councilwoman Jada Andrews-Sullivan said the stories shes heard  that people who are vaccinated are injected with a microchip and placed on a government watchlist  are concerning.

Its a little disheartening when youre trying to protect your community and they think theyre going to become zombies if they take this vaccine, she said.

The city uses its 311 call center, COVID-19 hotline and a Q&A page on its website to dispel rumors. City officials also are working with faith leaders and other respected figures in the council districts to address widely circulated misstatements. Health experts answer frequently asked questions during COVID-19 briefings held Mondays and Thursdays and streamed live.

Anita Kurian, assistant director of the Metropolitan Health Districts communicable disease division, addressed concerns that the vaccines can alter a persons DNA. Kurian said the vaccines mRNA, which activates the creation of a protein to fight the virus, never comes in contact with the DNA.

Theres a lot of misinformation, mistrust about vaccines going on, Kurian said.

She suggested the confusion may push people to wait at least a year to see whats reported on long-term effects.

According to Kurian, the citys major vaccination hub at the dome has seen a no-show rate of about 30 to 50 percent.

That tells us that they probably got the vaccines elsewhere, Kurian said.

Other people, she said, might be waiting for providers to resume use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine after a recent pause and safety review. WellMed announced Monday that it is resuming use of that vaccine Wednesday at two local sites. Walk-in visits for the two-dose Moderna vaccine also are available.

Getting proactive

The city and Metro Health are working with Giant Noise, MM Creative and Left Brain + Right Brain to develop proactive communication and messaging. The campaign targets the citys East, West and South sides and focuses on the importance of vaccination and continued use of masks and social distancing.

The second phase of the What Will It Take campaign uses federally funded media buys on radio and television; videos on social media and digital messaging to reach millennials; and personalized outreach through schools, churches and community murals. A Paletas in the Park program launched last weekend at Pearsall Park on the Southwest Side. More free paletas, masks and educational flyers will be handed out from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at South Side Lions Park.

Martha Martinez-Flores, owner and creative director of MM Creative, said her team shot a video of Petra Mata, co-founder of Fuerza Unida, last week. The organization, led by South Side women and formed in the wake of the 1990 closure of the Levi Strauss plant, has since been fighting for environmental, economic and social justice. Now, organizers are promoting vaccinations.

(Mata) has an army of people on the ground just reminding everybody to get vaccinated. So were really boots-on-the-ground, knocking on doors at the grassroots level, Martinez-Flores told members of the City Councils Community Health and Equity Committee last week.

To spread the word to neighborhoods, the marketing team created toolkits  filled with information, flyers and T-shirts  that were delivered to 50 neighborhood leaders.

On ExpressNews.com: City moves to create vaccine registry

Some residents arent physically able to make it to a vaccination clinic. The Fire Department has been working with Meals on Wheels to identify homebound people and is accepting referrals for the vaccination program. To submit a name, call 311 or send an email to safdmvp@sanantonio.gov to ask for help. Businesses can also request a vaccination clinic.

Joe Arrington, the Fire Departments public information officer, said the vaccines have been thoroughly researched and offer the best way we can get life back to as normal as we can.

Its obviously a personal choice, he said. But I can tell you how important it is for those that could have pre-existing conditions or our older population.

shuddleston@express-news.net
New Delhi [India], April 27 (ANI/PRNewswire): Hospitality stalwarts and professionals from across the world joined in on the virtual platform to celebrate the 6th International Hospitality Day on 24th April. Celebrations started in advance in various parts of the world.

Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute celebrated International Hospitality Day a day in advance. Augustinian University Columbia, celebrated IHD by sharing their rich culinary heritage with IIHM. This showed how the spirit of hospitality is upheld in every part of the world. In view of the ongoing pandemic, IHC and IIHM celebrations had to be restricted to the online platform. However, there was no dearth of enthusiasm as everyone joined in from across the world to experience the celebration.

The International Hospitality Day celebration kickstarted with a global celebration where international members of the International Hospitality Council were present. Prof. David Foskett, MBE, Chairman, International Hospitality Council (IHC) opened the global celebration with an inspirational address to all those associated with the Hospitality industry.

"The hospitality industry is vital to the world economy. Despite the troubles of the world, there is no lockdown on friendship and hospitality. It is a wonderful industry that will surely bounce back better once it opens up completely. It provides key skills and opportunities to young people. IIHM is an institution that leads in world initiatives like IT in the hospitality industry, creating opportunities and bringing people together. IIHM is a fantastic institution that has done so much to connect the World."

"Hospitality is very close to our heart. We live and die for hospitality On International Hospitality Day, the entire hospitality fraternity has come forward to stand next to each other and support each other. We dedicate this International Hospitality Day to all the brave hearts of this industry, who, despite difficult times have tried to put a smile on people's faces," said Dr Suborno Bose, CEO and Convenor, International Hospitality Council and CEO and Chairman, IIHM, adding a note of positivity and passion.

Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO, Indian Hotels Company, was Guest of Honour at the event. "It's a wonderful way to celebrate International Hospitality Day bringing in 50 different countries from different time zones on a single platform which has been made possible by IHC and IIHM. Hospitality has shown resilience, patience and compassion through the past year," said Chhatwal.

Padma Chef Sanjeev Kapoor was also present and said, "Celebration is a feeling that comes from within and today the world has come together on International Hospitality Day to celebrate Hospitality. Congratulations to IIHM for instituting International Hospitality Council and establishing International Hospitality Day on 24th April. Hospitality industry has shown a lot of compassion in this pandemic period and has redefined its meaning. IHD has brought the world together to celebrate this compassion and hard work of individuals in this field."

Eminent personalities related to the global and Indian hospitality industries attended the online celebrations on International Hospitality Day. Michelin star chef Chris Galvin, Chef Patron, Galvin Restaurants, Chef Karl Guggenmos, Dean of Culinary Development, Johnson and Wales University, USA, Chef Garth Stroebel and Chef Shaun Leonard from BHMS, Switzerland were among the attendees of at the virtual event.

"I congratulate IIHM, IHC and Dr Suborno Bose and everyone for keeping the spirit of hospitality alive. The Hospitality industry is invaluable to the world and there are essentially five pillars that will bring this industry back on its feet. First of all is our commitment to the industry that we love. Second is maintaining confidence that the industry will definitely come back after this brief setback. We all know that travelling is not just a physical journey but a mental journey as well and that is where hospitality plays a key role. Third is communication. There is a need to connect with people to make sure no one is alone. Fourth is compassion which so many people in this industry are showing through this pandemic, braving the virus to take care of people. The final one is connection. Connecting hospitality to other industries will help build the new future of this industry," said Anita Mendiratta, Global Advisor and Author, Tourism and Development, Special advisor to Secretary General, UNWTO.

The Global celebration was marked by the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards to several deserving persons from the Hospitality industry. The Lifetime Achievement Awards went to:

* Nakul Anand, Executive Director, ITC Limited

* Patu Keswani, MD, Lemon Tree Hotels

* Dr Rupinder Singh Sodhi, MD, Amul India

* Paul P John, Chairman and MD, John Distilleries Pvt Ltd

* Rajeev Samant, Founder and CEO of Sula Vineyards

* AD Singh, Founder and MD, Olive Group of Restaurants

* Deepak Ohri, CEO, Lebua Hotels and Resorts

* Ranju Alex, Market Vice President, West India, Marriott International

* Visheshwar Raj Singh, VP and GM, The Oberoi

* Veer Vijay Singh, CEO and MD, Trance Hotels

Beside the Global celebrations, IHD was celebrated at every IIHM campus across India where deserving hoteliers in the region were presented with special awards for their achievements. IHC Entrepreneur of the Year were Kapil Chopra, Founder and CEO, The Post Card Hotel, Zorawar Kalra, Founder, Massive Restaurants and a few other stalwarts who graced the occasion to accept the awards.

The IHC Woman Achiever of the Year were given to Chef Manisha Bhasin, Corporate Chef, ITC Ltd, Hotel Division, Kanika Hasrat, Area Director, UP, Uttarakhand & MP Indian Hotel Company Ltd, Ms Sherry Padda, Executive Asst Manager, The Leela Palace, New Delhi, Ms Shraddha Sharma, CEO, Your Story Digital were the few awardees from the list for the IHC Women Achiever of The Year.

IHC Rising Star of The Year was given to Sachin Talwar, Executive Chef, Hyatt Regency, Lucknow, Shaiban Hasan, Executive Assistant Manager, West Goa, Ankit Nagori, Co-Founder, Cult and Eat Fit, Tarun Seth, Hyatt Regency, Chennai, Chef Vikas Singh, Executive Chef, Hyatt Regency Kolkata were few of the awardees for the Rising Star

IHC Hospitality with A Cause was Roseate Hotels and Resorts, Sachin Maheswary, GM, Grand Mercure, Bangalore, Sonam Kapse, Owner of Terrasinne (First restaurant run by Mute/deaf) were a few from the list awarded amongst a glitterati present on the virtual platform on the International Hospitality Day.

The International Hospitality day can be seen at :- (https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=535695850750112 & ref=watch_permalink)

This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
MINSK -- Belarusian authorities expect to hold a referendum early next year on the constitutional amendments promised by authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka amid mass protests after a presidential election last year that opposition leaders and the West say was rigged.



The chairwoman of Belarus's Central Election Commission, Lidziya Yarmoshyna, said in an interview with Russia's RIA Novosti news agency on April 27 that the referendum is likely to be held in January or February 2022 and not by the end of this year as some media reports have said.

She added that, if the referendum were to be held alongside local elections, the most likely date for the poll would be January 16.



Lukashenka's opponents have expressed doubts about the amendments, calling them a sham exercise to help him to cling to power after the opposition rejected his victory in an August 9 presidential election.



Earlier in February, at a Soviet-style "All-Belarusian People's Assembly," Lukashenka, 66, reiterated an idea he started pushing in December that the Belarusian Constitution needed unspecified amendments.



In mid-March, he signed a decree to create of a commission on constitutional amendments which will, by August 1, outline the amendments and present them to Lukashenka.



Opposition and public outrage over what they saw as a rigged vote in the presidential election has sparked continuous protests, bringing tens of thousands onto the streets with demands for Lukashenka to step down and new elections to be held.

Security officials have cracked down hard on the demonstrators, arresting thousands, including dozens of journalists who covered the rallies, and pushing most of the top opposition figures out of the country.



Several protesters have been killed in the violence and some rights organizations say there is credible evidence of torture being used by security officials against some of those detained.



Lukashenka, who has run the country since 1994, has denied any wrongdoing with regard to the election and refuses to negotiate with the opposition on stepping down and holding new elections.



The European Union, the United States, Canada, and other countries have refused to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimate leader of Belarus and have imposed sanctions on him and several senior Belarusian officials in response to the "falsification" of the vote and the postelection crackdown.

With reporting by RIA Novosti
The ethics/morality of war was a theme that cropped up in the dispiriting second season of Serial and is evident in The Line, an ongoing six-part series from Apple TV/Jigsaw Productions.

It focuses on a US Navy SEALs team led by special operations chief Eddie Gallagher, who was convicted in July 2019 of posing for a photograph with the corpse of a 17-year-old Isis fighter in Iraq. Gallagher was subsequently acquitted of having killed him.

Former US president Donald Trump pardoned Gallagher, and they were later pictured together, with their wives, at Trump's Florida Mar-a-Lago resort. None of this is a spoiler for The Line, which rather seeks to explore the sheep/wolves/sheepdogs moralities of the commando units (the SEALs mostly think they're the good sheepdogs; some call themselves lions, out to get any bad guys). It's a series that Call of Duty gamers might well savour.

Gallagher's conduct in Iraq was reported by former members of his unit - their testimony was published by the New York Times, the audio of which is played in The Line alongside interviews of various soldiers. Among those we hear is Gallagher, who posits in episode three that it was all a conspiracy by his team, who set him up by deleting the video.

The Line is narrated by Dan Taberski (Missing Richard Simmons), who's got an idiosyncratic, humorous interviewing and presenting style that includes references to Charlie Sheen in the 1990s film Navy SEALs, and prodding the grudge between a journalist and scholar over who coined the term "forever war".

An interesting note about The Line is that it's not just a podcast - a four-part limited documentary series will premiere on Apple TV in the autumn. The podcast is stimulating in itself; with two more episodes to come, will the TV series just be going over the same material or will the podcast leave us on a cliffhanger?

The BBC did a similar audio/visual tie-in recently with I'm Not a Monster, a 10-part podcast series/Panorama documentary. Apple TV also had a bonus 'official podcast' for its series For All Mankind. Expect more such companion series to follow in the years to come.

LOOKING AT CATASTROPHE

Slow Burn has returned for its fifth season. After focusing variously on David Duke, Watergate, Tupac vs Biggie, and the Bill Clinton scandal of the 1990s, the acclaimed Slate show is turning to the Iraq War, asking how did "the catastrophe" happen, and what was it like to watch the US make "one of its most consequential mistakes".

It's hosted by reporter Noreen Malone and available wherever you listen to podcasts.




Muhammadu Buhari

The Nigerian senate has called out President Muhammadu Buhari for the incessant killings taking place in the country. Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has come under fire in the Senate.

This comes after senators on Tuesday called out Buhari over the worsening security situation in the country, saying the country is falling under his watch.

The Senates position followed an outcry in a motion sponsored by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa representing Niger East Senatorial District, revealing that activities of bandits and Boko Haram insurgents have taken a dangerous dimension in Niger State.

He said Boko Haram and bandits have taken over three Local Government Areas and are effectively in charge, to the helplessness of security agents.

Sani said the take over of the three local government areas, Shiroro, Munya and Rafi was not only an embarrassing situation to the government but the next target of terrorists would be Abuja.

He expressed frustration that for seven years, Niger East has been under the occupation of terrorists, wondering how it became difficult for security agents to tackle them despite huge budgets that have been committed over the years.

He said: Almost seven years now Niger East Senatorial District of Niger State have come under constant and sustained multiple deadly attacks by heartless, venomous and hydra headed Boko Haram terrorists.





They are always heavily armed with assorted sophisticated and dangerous weapons unleashing their horror on our innocent populace.





Cognisance that about 42 communities across the two local government areas of Shiroro and Munya Local Government have so far fallen under the Boko Haram control with about 5,000 villagers already displaced in the last three days.





They have kidnapped many and their wives seized from them and forcefully attached to Boko Haram members.





Three military camps in Allawa, Bassa and Zagzaga in the two local government areas have been sacked and some security personnel killed by the insurgents in the last one month of renewed attacks.

The lawmaker further confirmed that Boko Haram terrorists have mounted their flags in many of the villages they have captured such as Kaure, Alawa and Magami.

Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwerewmadu called for drastic action if insecurity must be put to an end.

He suggested shutting down the government and declaring a state of emergency in affected areas.

Mr President, the situation we found ourselves today is not irreversible, but the problem is that we have not been able to take this matter seriously.





Sri Lanka, Israel and Colombia went through this and they overcame successfully, so we should not be ashamed to seek the assistance of those countries to help us.





I think the time has come for Niger State to be completely shut down to protect their citizens and save those who are alive.

Senator Gabriel Torwua Suswam regretted that some students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi were on Sunday kidnapped while five of those kidnapped from Greenfield University, Kaduna last week have been killed.

Senators Biodun Olujimi and Danjuma Laar were unanimous that the approach of tackling insecurity in Nigeria was not good enough.

They maintained that insecurity has reached a level where all arsenals should be rolled out against what is happening in the country.

All the lawmakers who spoke on the motion utterly condemned the inability of the government to change the narrative.
GameStop Corp's George Sherman, pictured, will step down as chief executive officer at the end of July, it has been announced

The outgoing Gamestop CEO is leaving the company after just two years with a $170million pay out thanks to Redditers who boosted the retailer's value.

George Sherman will step down as chief executive officer at the end of July following a tenure marked by falling sales and losses of $700 million.

Despite that, he will walk away with a sweetheart deal that was turbocharged by this year's furious meme stock rally.

Sherman, who has been CEO since April 2019, forfeited $98 million worth of stock this month because he did not meet performance targets, GameStop disclosed last week.

But he still stands to receive a stock payout currently worth around $170 million because GameStop granted him more shares linked to his tenure at the company rather than to his performance.

When he took over GameStop it enjoyed fiscal-year sales of $8.3 billion and an operating income of $310 million, CBS reports.

In its latest fiscal quarter it had $5 billion in sales and an operating loss of $253 million, they add.

Losses since Sherman has been at the helm total nearly $700 million.

Sherman's move to step down comes as Ryan Cohen, co-founder and former CEO of online pet food company Chewy Inc, tightens his grip on GameStop after taking over as chairman earlier this month.

GameStop's former CFO, Jim Bell, and former chief customer officer, Frank Hamlin, are among the senior executives who have also left the company in recent weeks.

Sherman stands to receive the huge stock payout because GameStop granted him more shares linked to his tenure at the company rather than to his performance as most companies do with their CEO, said Eric Hoffmann, a vice president at compensation consultant Farient Advisors LLC.

'Investors like awards that are performance-based, that have hard pre-established financial goals that the executives have to meet to earn, as opposed to time-based shares, where they just have to hang on to get them,' Hoffmann said.

George Sherman will step down as chief executive officer at the end of July following a tenure marked by falling sales and losses of $700 million. Despite that, he will walk away with a sweetheart deal that was turbocharged by this year's furious meme stock rally

GameStop decoupled some of Sherman's pay from his performance last year in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and granted him stock when its shares were worth a tiny fraction of their current value, according to a Reuters review of security filings and interviews with compensation consultants.

As a condition of his exit, GameStop is speeding up the time frame for Sherman to receive the shares, generating the award.

The value of Sherman's severance payout surpasses annual salaries given to many top U.S. CEOs. ViacomCBS Inc CEO Joseph Ianniello took home $112.9 million in realized pay in 2019; JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon's 2019 realized pay hit $107.8 million, according to the most recent tally by corporate governance data provider CGLytics.

Other GameStop employees will not share in Sherman's windfall. The retailer has been shuttering hundreds of stores, according to securities disclosures.

GameStop's shares were around $177 Tuesday, a stratospheric rise from around $5 last summer, when the company granted the bulk of the stock award to Sherman.

They skyrocketed in January as individual traders on Reddit and other social media platforms snapped them up, squeezing short sellers.

Reuters reported last year how some companies were shielding executives from the financial fallout of the pandemic by moving from performance-based to time-based payouts.

They reasoned that the market disruption made it difficult to meet financial targets, and Sherman will benefit from that trend.

GameStop's former CFO, Jim Bell, right, and former chief customer officer, Frank Hamlin, left, are among the senior executives who have also left the company in recent weeks

GameStop's shares were around $177 Tuesday, a stratospheric rise from around $5 last summer, when the company granted the bulk of the stock award to Sherman

Sherman, 59, has been credited internally with slashing costs and steering GameStop through the pandemic that put other retailers out of business, Reuters reported last week.

But his 25 years of experience have been largely with brick-and-mortar retailers, such as Advance Auto Parts Inc and Home Depot Inc. Cohen wants a top executive with skills better suited for GameStop's digital transformation, Reuters reported.

GameStop granted Sherman roughly 925,000 shares last June that he was set to receive in thirds over three years, according to regulatory filings.

He is set to receive them all at once upon his exit under terms of a 'transition agreement' negotiated this month, as well as roughly 200,000 more shares that had not previously vested, the filings show.

The filings do not disclose how GameStop's board decided on these awards.

Sherman's move to step down comes as Ryan Cohen, pictured, co-founder and former CEO of online pet food company Chewy Inc, tightens his grip on GameStop after taking over as chairman earlier this month.

Sherman also stood to eventually receive 308,477 shares awarded last June that were tied to his performance, separate from the stock he forfeited last week. He agreed to forgo those performance-based shares as well, one of the filings shows. It was not clear whether he would have met the performance targets.

GameStop has said Sherman plans to remain on the board of directors without pay to help the next CEO transition into the role.

On Monday GameStop Corp raised $551 million through an equity offering, sending its shares 15% higher in extended trading. The company said in a statement it had sold 3.5 million shares in the at-the-market offering.

Based on Reuters calculation, the average price of the shares sold was $157.43. The company's stock has gained more than 850% this year thanks to a push by retail investors to drive up prices of heavily shorted stocks.
ROSEVILLE, Calif., April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VeeMed , a leading telemedicine technology and services company based in California, is offering assistance to the Indian government amid the countrys public health emergency caused by the Covid-19 outbreak. Founded by two Pakistani-American entrepreneurs, VeeMed has operations globally with offices in the US, Middle East, and Pakistan.



In an email sent yesterday to Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, VeeMed CEO and Co-founder Ijaz Arif said, We have grown into a diverse team comprising people from many nationalities and backgrounds, including people from India. Our Indian-American team members have helped progress our company to where it is today, working side-by-side with our Pakistani colleagues. Now their extended families are suffering back home, and by extension our VeeMed extended family is suffering.

Arif highlighted how VeeMeds vast network of telephysician services and its VeeClinic solution can help alleviate the crisis. We are with you, Arif said. It's harrowing to see endless lines of patients outside hospitals, unable to seek medical attention. VeeClinic has proven to be instrumental for doctors and patients alike during the pandemic, affording a convenient platform for physicians to deliver care remotely. We are confident that our platform and services could help in assuaging the crisis.

VeeClinic is a virtual care solution designed for outpatient settings, enabling physicians to treat patients remotely from the convenience of their mobile device, tablet, or computer. VeeClinic can be deployed immediately to assist Indias hospitals manage the surge in patient numbers, and to protect their physicians and nursing staff from infection. VeeMed is also offering to provide telephysician services to support these efforts.

The VeeMed team also took to social media to offer its assistance and aid. The company posted a message on LinkedIn and various social media channels offering its technology and services to all levels of Indias government to help with the crisis.

About VeeMed

Based in Roseville, CA, VeeMed is a global leader in the Virtual Care as-a-Service (VCaaS) space, focused on virtual technology, physician services, and operations. Founded in 2016, VeeMed has the most advanced telemedicine solutions for the entire continuum of care  from acute care settings to outpatient and remote patient monitoring. For more information about VeeMeds vision for the future of virtual care see veemed.com .

Media Contacts:

Aylin Zafar

VeeMed, Inc.

+1 408-461-7764

aylin.zafar@veemed.com
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 00:49:23|Editor: huaxia

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A seminar hosted by the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is held in Hong Kong, south China, April 27, 2021. The national development offers great opportunities and a broad room for the young people in Hong Kong to stretch their wings, representatives of Hong Kong youth said Tuesday at the seminar in Hong Kong. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

HONG KONG, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The national development offers great opportunities and a broad room for the young people in Hong Kong to stretch their wings, representatives of Hong Kong youth said Tuesday at a seminar hosted by the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

With the implementation of the "patriots administering Hong Kong" principle, young people can give full play to their talent, Qiu Hong, deputy director of the liaison office said during the seminar.

Qiu cited the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a major platform for Hong Kong youth to realize their ambitions through participating in the development of the country.

Tan Tieniu, another deputy director of the liaison office, said the country is the strongest support for Hong Kong and the central authorities have always cared for the young people here.

Hong Kong's young people embrace a new era to pursue their careers and make their dreams come true, Tan said, encouraging them to make contributions to the country and Hong Kong.

More than 20 young people from different walks of life in Hong Kong, including college students and news media representatives, among others, shared their views about how to seize opportunities in the mainland and promote patriotic education in Hong Kong at the seminar.

Man Sze-wing, principal of Hong Kong's Po Leung Kuk Lam Man Chan English Primary School, said that after the social unrest in 2019, Hong Kong people longed for peace and stability and it is high time to improve patriotic education and realize national identity.

Jo Nip, principal of the primary school of G.T. (Ellen Yeung) College, said the school has adopted multiple methods to help students learn about the country's development and history, including launching the sister school scheme and organizing students to study in mainland cities.

Attendees also said Hong Kong's young people should visit the mainland more often and see the country's rapid development with their own eyes.

As some Hong Kong youths have achieved success in mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area, their stories will inspire more young people to take action and seize opportunities in the area, Joephy Chan Wing-yan, a community organizer of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, said. Enditem
Entergy's solar farm is nearing completion and is slated to be online sometime in the fall with 50 megawatts of power being produced for the electrical grid Wednesday June 10, 2020, in Port Allen, La. Fifty megawatts would power about 9,600 homes daily.
Photo: Contributed

Midas, the mythological Greek king who turned everything he touched into gold, has nothing on me.

I have the best job in the world. Every week, I'm showered with gifts of generosity, submerged in enlightenment by talented artists, and surrounded with priceless beauty.

Last week, I met Susan Burnham Neilson. She is an oil painter, water-colourist, artist, art educator, and lover of nature with a passion for conservation.

I was invited into her magical world of geometry, nature, and colours, and had a private tour of her paintings.

We then moved to her deck where I drank freshly brewed coffee and ate chocolate.

That sure beats a cubicle on the 19th floor working in front of a computer.

While sipping that coffee, I watched a red squirrel hopping from branch to branch.

OK, I became lunch for some mosquitoes, but that was a small price to pay for hearing Susans story.

She came from a family on the move. Her dad was an engineer and corporate executive, and they would move every three to four years to a new city in Canada.

She always sketched. It was the one constant during all the moves. She also liked sciences. Physics was easy, she said.

Her family  parents and three brothers  supported her love of art, but not for a profession.

During her last year at Lindsay Place Secondary school in Pointe Claire, Que., she found time for an art class.

I loved that there were no right or wrong answers, so the creative possibilities were endless.

She knew she wanted to pursue art.

She attended McMaster University in Hamilton after high school and began her lifelong pursuit of learning. The art program at McMaster was considered very classical. Her days were filled with life drawings and sculptures.

She has achieved:

Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts  McMaster University,

Post Graduate credit  Lithography and Printmaking

Bachelor of Education  Intermediate/Senior Art and Industrial Arts University of Toronto. She was the only woman in the program.

Honours Specialist Visual Arts  OISE  University of Toronto

She juggled all this learning while being married and raising two girls.

She wanted to travel, but this wasn't possible unless it was paid for by others:

She was a flight attendant for Ontario World Air, and visited museums in London and Greece during her layovers.

Kingsbrae Artists Residency 2019  New Brunswick She painted Seeds of Change, a water colour painting with 23 separate sections

Offered a 2020 residency connected to Artists for Conservation - Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Art Institute. She was slated to teach a two-day workshop on painting on alternate surfaces especially natural materials. This has been postponed because of COVID

In 1991, Susan and her family came to the Okanagan in search of a great place to live. She had fond memories of visits with her grandparents in Vernon when she was young

She began teaching at Spring Valley Secondary School and continued to teach her whole career at various schools in Kelowna. She still managed to find time in the evenings and weekends to develop her painting. Oil paint is her favourite medium with watercolour a close second.

She loves experimenting with different surfaces for her paints.

"Drawing and painting are always a big focus for me, but not always on traditional surfaces, and not always on two-dimensional surfaces."

In a corner of her studio, tucked away near the entrance to her deck, is a baby deer painted on a four-foot-high strip of bark and wood, which was a left-over from de-barking a log.

The detail is masterful; you can almost feel the fur. Yet, the paint is so translucent you can see the wood grain throughout the image of the deer. The deer and the wood become one. Captivating.

I love the way her paintings are so realistic. Her detail of animals, birds, and fencing are phenomenal.

She also incorporates geometrics  circles, squares, and grids in her works.

Why?

Nature is full of them. Look at a cosmos plant; its leaves are made up of thousands of perfectly formed grids. These geometrics create a visual link between her love of nature and science-math.

We sat on the deck, observing Woodhaven Regional Park through her chain link fence. She explained how COVID has given her the time to combine her love of science, art, and nature with giving back.

I celebrate the subtle balance of order and disorder in nature. My work is inspired by the resilience of wild survivors and by intricate connections in ecosystems right at our doorsteps."

She has become very active in the Woodhaven Nature Conservancy, the brainchild of Lori Janice Mairs. Friends of Woodhaven Nature Conservancy is a non-profit society to protect and improve the conservancy for all of us.

Susan has also started a sketch club  Open Window Sketch Club  which is open to anyone interested in establishing connections and learning about nature stewardship.

As we talked, time slipped away without us noticing. Having the opportunity to explore art and nature with someone like Susan is what makes my job the best job in the world.

Sorry, you cant have it. Its all mine.

You can contact Susan at [email protected].
The Duke of York (left) and the Prince of Wales attend the annual Order of the Garter Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

The Prince of Wales has become patron of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO)  a role previously held by his brother the Duke of York.

Andrew was relinquished of the post by the RPO Board in November 2019 following the controversy around his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

He stepped down from public duties following his disastrous Newsnight interview in which he was accused of lacking empathy for Epsteins victims.

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Heir to the throne Charles stressed the importance of protecting the arts during the pandemic.

The orchestra, which has welcomed a new music director, Vasily Petrenko, has pledged to help communities recover from the Covid-19 crisis as it prepares to mark its 75th anniversary.

RPO managing director James Williams said he was honoured to have Charles as patron.

At the RPO, we have been hard at work for some months, shaping a bold strategy for our concert, community engagement, inclusion and education programmes to enrich communities when it matters most; we aim to help people and businesses to rebuild after the long, dark months of lockdown, he said.

With the announcement of the Prince of Wales as our patron and the appointment of Vasily Petrenko as our new music director, the RPO is well placed to lead the resurgence and spread the joy of orchestral music in a post-Covid world.

Andrew was involved in supporting the RPO for 15 years.

The Duke of York at Philips funeral (Chris Jackson/PA)

The funeral of his father the Duke of Edinburgh, on April 17, was his first appearance at an official royal event since he ended his time carrying out public duties.

Andrew has faced calls to speak to US prosecutors and the FBI, which intensified after his friend Ghislaine Maxwell was charged with recruiting girls for Epstein to sexually abuse.

Virginia Giuffre, who says she was trafficked by Epstein as a teenager, said in an interview with BBC Panorama that she was left horrified and ashamed after an alleged sexual encounter with the duke in London in 2001.

Andrew categorically denies he had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Ms Giuffre.
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The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on security, following the recent taking over of 42 communities in Niger State by Boko Haram.

This was one of the 12 resolutions by the lawmakers following over three hours of executive session.

Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House, read the resolutions after the session.

This latest legislative intervention is coming in the wake of the revelation by the Niger State governor, Abuabakar Bello, that Boko Haram terrorists are in control of territories in Kaure and Shiroro local governments of the state.

The lawmakers asked the federal government to recruit more personnel into the military and the police, saying the current capacity falls far short of the required number to effectively secure the country.

The lawmakers also resolved to summon the Service Chiefs, the National Security Adviser, and heads of paramilitary agencies.

Other resolutions reached include: a call on the judiciary to accelerate the prosecution of those awaiting trial due to banditry or terrorism, and a call on the federal government to as a matter of urgency provide relief materials to those affected by the recent attacks across the country.

The lawmakers also urged the president to as a matter of urgency, ensure financial autonomy for local governments to guarantee their functionality to the people.

In addition, the lower chamber mandated all security committees in the House to immediately commence a comprehensive audit of all military and paramilitary assets and arms in our armed services and revert back to the House in four weeks.

The lawmakers then urged the federal government to ensure the protection of national infrastructure and assets, particularly the Shiroro and Kanji dams in Niger State.

Mr Gbajabiamila said the resolutions cover all the affected communities in Nigeria. He added that the special ad-hoc committee will be inaugurated tomorrow.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported the formation of a special ad-hoc committee on security. The committee will be headed by Mr Gbajabiamila.
GREEN BAY, Wis., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE:ASB) ("Associated") today announced the results of the actions taken at its 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

The following directors were re-elected:

John (Jay) B. Williams , chairman, Associated Banc-Corp, and chairman, Church Mutual Insurance Company

, chairman, Associated Banc-Corp, and chairman, Church Mutual Insurance Company Philip B. Flynn , president and chief executive officer, Associated Banc-Corp

, president and chief executive officer, Associated Banc-Corp John F. Bergstrom , chairman and chief executive officer, Bergstrom Corp.

, chairman and chief executive officer, Bergstrom Corp. R. Jay Gerken , director of 19 mutual funds associated with Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc.

, director of 19 mutual funds associated with Sanford C. Bernstein Fund, Inc. Judith P. Greffin , former chief investment officer, Allstate Corporation

, former chief investment officer, Allstate Corporation Michael J. Haddad , chair of the board of directors, Schreiber Foods, Inc.

, chair of the board of directors, Schreiber Foods, Inc. Robert A. Jeffe , senior operating partner, BlackWatch

, senior operating partner, BlackWatch Eileen A. Kamerick , adjunct professor of law and consultant

, adjunct professor of law and consultant Gale E. Klappa , executive chairman, WEC Energy Group

, executive chairman, WEC Energy Group Cory L. Nettles , founder and managing director, Generation Growth Capital, Inc.

, founder and managing director, Generation Growth Capital, Inc. Karen T. van Lith, CEO of APEL Worldwide, LLC

Shareholders also (1) gave advisory approval to named executive officer compensation, and (2) ratified the selection of KPMG LLP as Associated's independent accounting firm for 2021.

Dividends

The Associated Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per common share, payable on June 15, 2021, to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2021.

The Board of Directors also declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.3828125 per depositary share on Associated Banc-Corp's 6.125% Series C Perpetual Preferred Stock, payable on June 15, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2021.

The Board of Directors also declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.3359375 per depositary share on Associated's 5.375% Series D Perpetual Preferred Stock, payable on June 15, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2021.

The Board of Directors also declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.3671875 per depositary share on Associated's 5.875% Series E Perpetual Preferred Stock, payable on June 15, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2021.

The Board of Directors also declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.3515625 per depositary share on Associated's 5.625% Series F Perpetual Preferred Stock, payable on June 15, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2021.

6.125% Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C Redemption

In addition, the Board called for redemption on June 15, 2021 (the "Redemption Date") of all of its outstanding depositary shares (NYSE: ASB PR C) representing a 1/40th interest in a share of Associated's 6.125% Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C (the "Depositary Shares"). As of today, there are 2,600,000 Depositary Shares outstanding. The Depositary Shares will be redeemed at a redemption price of $25 per Depositary Share, plus an amount equal to any declared and unpaid dividends to the Redemption Date.

A notice of redemption and related materials will be transmitted to holders of record of the Depositary Shares on April 27, 2021. The Depositary Shares are held through The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and will be redeemed in accordance with the procedures of DTC. Payment to DTC will be made by Equiniti Trust Company, in accordance with the Deposit Agreement among Associated, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (now known as Equiniti Trust Company) and the Holders from Time to Time of the Depositary Receipts Described Therein, dated as of June 8, 2015. Questions related to the notice of redemption and related materials should be directed to Equiniti Trust Company, as Associated's redemption agent (the "Redemption Agent"), at 1-800-468-9716. The Redemption Agent's address is Equiniti Trust Company, Attn: Corporate Actions Department, 1110 Centre Pointe Curve Suite 101, Mendota Heights, MN 55120.

ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $35 billion and is one of the top 50, publicly traded, U.S. bank holding companies. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from more than 220 banking locations serving more than 120 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, and commercial financial services in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements made in this document which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This includes any statements regarding management's plans, objectives, or goals for future operations, products or services, and forecasts of its revenues, earnings, or other measures of performance. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "should", "will", "intend", "outlook", "target", or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations and, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements include those identified in the Company's most recent Form 10-K and subsequent SEC filings. Such factors are incorporated herein by reference.

Investor Contact:

Ben McCarville, Vice President, Director of Investor Relations

920-491-7059

Media Contact:

Jennifer Kaminski, Vice President, Public Relations Senior Manager

920-491-7576

SOURCE Associated Banc-Corp

Related Links

http://www.associatedbank.com


A prominent Muslim political leader in Sri Lanka and his brother were arrested over the weekend due to their suspected connection to the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings of three churches and three hotels in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa that killed over 269 people.

Rishad Bathiudeen, a former cabinet minister and the leader of an opposition party in Parliament, and his brother, Reyaj Bathiudeen, were arrested in pre-dawn raids due to circumstantial and "scientific" evidence connecting them to the attacks, according to a police spokesperson.

Police spokesperson Ajith Rohana said the brothers allegedly aided and abetted those who committed the Easter Sunday carnage, The Associated Press reports.

On April 23, Bathiudeens post on Facebook called the arrest unjust, saying his brother had already been arrested.

Source:The Christian Post
EUGENE, Ore. -- Eugene Police arrested the man involved in a case of three missing children Monday.

Officials say 32-year-old Jeremy Michael Cantu was arrested at Motel 6 near Gateway and Beltline in Springfield.

Cantu is the non-custodial father of three children who were last seen at 2050 E 23rd Avenue in Eugene on Thursday, April 22. Officials say the children were taken during a non-custodial parent visit.

RELATED: THREE CHILDREN LAST SEEN WITH NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT, POLICE SAY

Police are still searching for 29-year-old Whitley Morgan McGrady and the three children.

Descriptions of the children are below:

Kyden Matthew Cantu, age 1, Hispanic male, last seen wearing red shirt, plaid shorts

Trulee Lynay Cantu, age 6, Hispanic female, last seen wearing a purple shirt

Robert Samuel Mena III, age 10, white male, last seen wearing a white t-shirt

Cantu is charged with custodial interference in the second degree.

The Oregon Department of Human Services reported that the children are in foster care and went missing from Eugene with their parents. DHS reported that they could be in Grants Pass, Oregon or Terry, Montana.

If you have information or see the children or suspect, please call 911.

This is a developing story.
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Foreign ministers from China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh will hold a meeting on coping with COVID-19 on Tuesday via video link.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will chair the meeting, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Monday.

The six foreign ministers will exchanges opinions on such issues as consolidating consensus of fighting the pandemic through solidarity, deepening anti-pandemic cooperation, and advancing the post-pandemic economic recovery, according to the spokesperson.
Security tipped the scales of justice as Northampton County has decided to add a new court to handle certain preliminary hearings, President Judge Michael Koury said Monday.

In an administrative order issued Friday, Koury said Central Court will debut July 6 in Courtroom 4 in the Northampton County Courthouse in Easton for all such hearings involving incarcerated people or those out on bail.

The court administration weighed a number of sometimes competing elements in deciding to go forward with the new court, Koury said in a phone call Monday that included Court Administrator Jermaine Greene and Deputy Court Administrator Debra French.

It can take 45 minutes to get from one side of Northampton County to the other. By LANTA bus from Lehigh Township, that can be a nearly three-hour trip, one way.

The district court system places courtrooms far closer to people, although not necessarily in their neighborhoods.

Before COVID-19 emergency, which has allowed various court proceedings to be done by video, the great majority of preliminary hearings happened in district court. Every now and again, such an action would be held at the Easton courthouse due to security or space concerns.

Certain assumptions were made -- that most families on either side or witnesses would be able to drive a car to get to Easton, for example -- in allowing for the new court. But, Koury and Greene said, if someone wants to come to a preliminary hearing and doesnt have a car and cant afford a cab, the county will reimburse for an Uber.

The 14 district courts in the county have varying degrees of security. The county court gets a $35,000 grant each year from the Pennsylvania state court system to add security to the district courts -- in 2020 it provided for plexiglass protection in the lobbies of the courts in Easton and Lehigh Township, Greene said. Some courts have secured doors and external camera systems.

But none of the courts has metal detectors or X-ray machines such as at the county courthouse. While district court has constables and oftentimes police are present, its not the same as the county sheriffs deputies who oversee the entry checkpoints in the courthouse and protect the courtrooms.

Hellertown/Lower Saucon Township District Judge Alan R. Mege, who heads up the countys district judge association, said he would be happy if the county were to add protection at the district courts that is similar to the courthouse. But Greene said that isnt financially feasible at this point when compared to the current courthouse setup, which is already budgeted.

Mege reminds that the majority of preliminary hearings, especially after bail reform, involve defendants who were not jailed, so those cases still would be heard in the individual district courts. And there are dangers as great or greater in a neighborhood dispute being settled in district court as there can be with a violent felon. Those court proceedings happen in a courtroom the county judiciary admits isnt as safe as the county courthouse.

Kourys example of a defendant stabbing herself in District Judge Robert Hawkes court actually supported Meges argument for better security at the district courts. The woman came into that hearing from home, not prison, and never went through a metal detector. But, since she was out on bail, that type of preliminary hearing after July 6 of this year would be held in the courthouse.

Mege said he is still looking over Kourys order. Theyve only met once -- in May 2019 -- to discuss the possibility of the court, they both said. Koury recalled that as discussion that focused on the district judges concerns about personal inconvenience and mileage reimbursement. But Mege said even though he wasnt prepared for the conversation, that he raised several other issues, including the difficulty of witnesses and interested parties getting to the county courthouse and the difficulty in scheduling police officers who may be off or on other duty on any specific day. Greene and French said no further meetings were requested by the district judges.

A district judge will cover Central Court for a day and then not do so again for nearly three weeks, Koury, who was a district judge for 12 years before becoming a county judge, said. The district judge on night duty -- which lasts for a week every 14 weeks for any particular district judge -- will not have Central Court duty at the same time, Koury said.

District Judge Alan Mege still has some questions about Northampton County's new Central Court.Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com

It is expected there will be about five preliminary hearings per day from across the county in the new court, Koury said. When the county began to toy with the idea, French brought two Northampton County district judges with her to the central courts in Lehigh County and Lackawanna County to get a sense of how they worked, she said.

We got to ask in-depth questions, she said, thanking the other court systems for the generous allotment of time. The county has also worked with the state system, as well, in developing Northampton Countys Central Court, she said.

Court administration, rather than the district courts, will handle the court and its scheduling, officials said. Since most preliminary hearings are rescheduled due to difficulties getting all involved in place for the originally scheduled date and time, much of that effort will be handled by court administration as well, Koury said in his order.

Greene said he shifted around work and was able to use someone already in the department to be a full-time staff person for the new court. Information after a hearing will be digitized and uploaded in realtime, keeping the district court staffs in the loop, French said. Court administration will coordinate with the district attorneys office, the public defenders office, police departments, attorneys, litigants and witnesses, Koury said.

Holding such hearings at Northampton County Courthouse will be more efficient, secure and cost-effective, not only for court personnel but also for attorneys, litigants, witnesses, law enforcement agents and the general public, Koury wrote in the order.

Attorneys from both sides wont have to go across the county for specific clients preliminary hearings and likely would have fewer scheduling conflicts, Koury said. And over the past five years, the county has spent more than $800,000 on constables driving inmates from the prison in Easton to preliminary hearings, Koury said. He estimated that would hit $1 million over the next five years, all of which would be saved by having those preliminary hearings in the courthouse and the inmates walked over through tunnels into the courthouse. Money could also be saved with the more efficient scheduling of foreign language interpreters for preliminary hearings in one location, Koury said.

The county police chiefs association is in favor of Central Court, Koury said, but Mege said when Hawke and he met with the group about a year ago, they appeared opposed.

The court will run 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Hearings will be scheduled at one-hour intervals.

There are going to be some details to be worked out with court administration, Mege said, including scheduling and the use of new forms. The district courts are going to have to work through scheduling other duties of the district judges on the day he or she has to be at Central Court, Mege said.

But there are two months to work through that agenda. Central Court is coming and it is coming in July, Koury said.

Ive weighed everything in terms of efficiencies and dangers, Koury said. ... I truly believe this is in best interest of all those participants.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting lehighvalleylive.com with a subscription.

Tony Rhodin can be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com.
A Kmart shopper has sparked confusion after sharing a theory the department store has secret 'impulse buy' sections.

The shopper who was visiting a store in Penrith in Sydney's west said when they asked where a certain product was, a staff member pointed them in the direction of the 'impulse buy' area.

'It turns out the store is dotted with these places, but funnily enough there are no signs,' the customer wrote on Reddit.

'I never found what I was looking for and because my guard up I was able to resist the urge to buy random stuff on impulse. Be safe intrepid shoppers!'

The post quickly caused a stir with other Kmart shoppers online with some saying these areas always existed and are usually found next to the checkout to encourage shoppers to make a last minute purchase.

A Sydney Kmart shopper has said the store is encouraging customers to splurge on more items through their 'impulse buy' sections

Often the 'impulse' items are products which have been discounted or are on sale.

They're usually confectionary products like snacks and drinks, one shopper pointed out, while the customer from Penrith said they saw kids' toys and hats in the 'impulse buy' category.

'This (impulse buy section) was embedded in another section of the store, then I noticed others,' the Penrith customer wrote.

'I thought it was great they were willing to name it, like we've come this far and we all know what they're trying to do so no sense in beating around the bush.'

Others suggested the 'impulse buy' sections weren't limited to Kmart and that most major retailers used the technique to attract more shoppers.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Kmart for comment.

Last year another shopper of the popular department store revealed she often scored discounts by trawling through the 'Soiled/Damaged/Faulty' merchandise trolley or section.

'Don't be afraid to buy from your local Kmart ''Soiled/Damaged/Faulty'' merchandise trolley or section,' she said

The woman from Perth revealed that she picked up a drinks trolley for $7.50 after it was relegated to the sale area.

The merchandise area, which is in different parts of the store depending on where you live, is frequently refilled with 'broken' returns and mismatched toys, bedding and clothing.

But, as some people have discovered, the products aren't as 'soiled' as their labels would make you believe.

'Reminds me of years and years ago I got a framed New York picture reduced because the sales person saw a scratch in the corner. I didn't notice until I got home it was the artist's signature,' one woman said.

'I got one of the huge circle mirrors for $11 because it had a black mark on it. The mark was smaller than a 5c piece and is almost unnoticeable,' said another.
Toyota City, Japan, Apr 27, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - AEON GLOBAL SCM Co., Ltd. and Toyota Motor Corporation agreed to continue considering new collaborative initiatives concerning the logistics field, a major issue that Japanese society is currently facing.By integrating the retail logistics expertise cultivated by AEON GLOBAL SCM with Toyota's know-how regarding the Toyota Production System (TPS) and connected and electrification technologies, the two companies will work to devise solutions to shared problems in the logistics industry including personnel shortages and achieving carbon neutrality, create mechanisms for raising efficiency throughout the supply chain, and build connected systems. By doing this, they will support people's lives and create the future of logistics.These initiatives will also promote collaboration for the development of an affluent society with Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation that intends to accelerate CASE responses, which Toyota announced with Isuzu Motor Limited and Hino Motors, Ltd.We will continue to deepen our cooperation and openly consider collaboration with new like-minded partners moving forward.Source: Toyota Motor CorporationCopyright 2021 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.

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.
Farfetch Limited (NYSE: FTCH), the leading global platform for the luxury fashion industry, announced that the company's first quarter 2021 financial results will be released after the U.S. market close on Thursday, May 13, 2021.

Farfetch will host a conference call to discuss its results at 4:30 p.m. ET the same day. The live webcast of the call, along with the company's earnings press release, can be accessed at the Farfetch Investor Relations website at www.farfetchinvestors.com. Following the call, a replay will be available at the same website.

About Farfetch

Farfetch Limited is the leading global platform for the luxury fashion industry. Founded in 2007 by Jose Neves for the love of fashion, and launched in 2008, Farfetch began as an e-commerce marketplace for luxury boutiques around the world. Today the Farfetch Marketplace connects customers in over 190 countries and territories with items from more than 50 countries and over 1,300 of the world's best brands, boutiques and department stores, delivering a truly unique shopping experience and access to the most extensive selection of luxury on a single platform. Farfetch's additional businesses include Browns and Stadium Goods, which offer luxury products to consumers, and New Guards Group, a platform for the development of global fashion brands. Farfetch offers its broad range of consumer-facing channels and enterprise level solutions to the luxury industry under its Luxury New Retail initiative. The Luxury New Retail initiative also encompasses Farfetch Platform Solutions, which services enterprise clients with e-commerce and technology capabilities and innovations such as Store of the Future, its connected retail solution.

For more information, please visit www.farfetchinvestors.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005585/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations:

Alice Ryder

VP Investor Relations

IR@farfetch.com

Media:

Susannah Clark

VP Communications, Global

susannah.clark@farfetch.com

+44 7788 405224

Brunswick Group

farfetch@brunswickgroup.com

US: +1 (212) 333 3810

UK: +44 (0) 207 404 5959
TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp. has acquired the self-driving division of American ride-hailing company Lyft for $550 million, in a move that highlights the Japanese automakers ambitions in that technology.

FILE - In this March 24, 2020, file photo, a Lyft sign is shown at a ride-hailing pickup location for automobiles in Detroit. Toyota Motor Corp. has acquired the self-driving division of American ride-hailing company Lyft for $500 million, in a move that underlines the Japanese automakers ambitions in that technology, announced Tuesday, April 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp. has acquired the self-driving division of American ride-hailing company Lyft for $550 million, in a move that highlights the Japanese automakers ambitions in that technology.

The acquisition, announced Tuesday, was carried out by Woven Planet Holdings, a Toyota subsidiary that began business in January and focuses on innovations and investment in projects such as smart cities, robotics and automated driving.

Of the payment, $200 million will be paid upfront, and $350 million over a five-year period, according to Toyota.

The Woven Planet project will bring together engineers and researchers in mobility services, software and sensor assets and automated driving systems to further develop the technology, according to Toyota.

FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2020, file photo, visitors walk at a Toyota showroom in Tokyo. Toyota Motor Corp. has acquired the self-driving division of American ride-hailing company Lyft for $500 million, in a move that underlines the Japanese automakers ambitions in that technology, announced Tuesday, April 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)

This deal will be key in weaving together the people, resources, and infrastructure that will help us to transform the world we live in through mobility technologies that can bring about a happier, safer future for us all, said Woven Planet Chief Executive James Kuffner.

Woven Planet and Lyft also signed commercial agreements to use the Lyft system and fleet data to speed up commercialization of the technology.

Toyota also said the deal will mean Woven Planet will have Tokyo, Palo Alto, California, and London as locations.

A centerpiece of Woven Planet is the Woven City, which held a ground-breaking ceremony in Japan recently, to build a community showcasing intelligent homes, autonomous vehicles and other mobility products for Toyota's workers and other people.

Woven Planet is driving towards its mission to combine the innovative culture of Silicon Valley with world-renowned Japanese craftsmanship to create the mobility solutions of the future, said George Kellerman, who oversees investments at Woven Planet.

All the worlds top automakers are working on technology to make vehicles smarter, cleaner and more connected. Lyft, founded in 2012, offers a ride-sharing and rental network.

Also Tuesday, Toyota announced it will work with Japanese automakers Suzuki Motor Corp., which makes small cars, Subaru Corp., Daihatsu Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. on next-generation vehicle communications devices.

Despite the economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic, Toyota has been relatively resilient and continues to invest in clean emissions technology, including electric vehicles, fuel cells and hybrids, robotics and other innovations.

But the advent of such technology is a challenge for old-timers like Toyota because newcomers can emerge as leaders in a totally new game.

Who will be the economic winners in all of this? Auto companies around the world are girding themselves for the disruption ahead, Daniel Yergin, IHS Markit vice chairman, wrote in a recent commentary.

Toyota is rebranding itself as a mobility company. Volkswagen goes farther, now billing itself as a software-driven mobility provider. But the big beneficiaries could well be companies that dont yet exist.

Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama
Scotland Mom Lost Her Son to Street Valium, Warns: Drugs Are So Easily Accessible

Tracy Hadlow, a resident of West Lothian, Scotland, is creating awareness about drug abuse after losing her 20-year-old son to street valium.

Not wanting more people to go through the pain that she endured, Tracy, an NHS clinical support worker, spoke to the BBC and allowed the media company to film her sons funeral.

She believes that this will push lawmakers to take the required action and make Scotland safe for its citizens.

For Nathan it was all about fun, he was having the time of his life out there, and it took years to progress to the dangers of drugs. They were so easily accessible, at the school gates, everywhere, she told the news outlet.

According to Tracy, her son started doing drugs out of boredom when he was just 13.

I didnt expect his life to end at 20 but I knew he was on a really dark path the last six months, she said. Throughout all of this, he would always say he loved me and give me a hug. He was a caring son but he was also a nightmare.

The grieving mother received the news of her sons death on March 16.

The Saturday before he died I know now that hed taken street valium that whole weekend, the mom added.

Nathans funeral was only attended by 17 people, including Aidan Martin, a former drug addict-turned-activist who spoke about the need to improve the system.

His mum told me that he didnt always engage well with services. That sometimes his choices caused his loved ones pain, said Martin.

But in West Lothian we have no rehabs or recovery houses.

In fact we lack so many services that could have saved his life and are being used successfully in other countries.

Scotland has a major drug problem that doesnt seem to be slowing down at the moment. Tracy hopes to help more people come out of the dark and lead a drug-free life.

Somebody needs to do something, said Tracy. There needs to be more services out there for people like him. There needs to be more help and understanding and no judgement.

Im hoping that people understand my pain, that people look at their own kids, talk to them more, listen to them more, that parents have a better understanding of how mental health and drugs can rip your life apart.

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
USOSM President and CEO Richard Hall says company is honored to work with Dr. David Seago and Dr. Jeffrey Brown of Mississippi. Were grateful for each of our partners and are excited to welcome our newest partner, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of Mississippi.

U.S. Oral Surgery Management (USOSM)  a specialty management services company that exclusively serves premier oral and maxillofacial surgeons  has formed a new partnership with Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, an oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) practice with two locations near Jackson, Mississippi. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, this is USOSMs first partner in Mississippi.

Less than three years ago, we announced our first partners, which are located in our home state of Texas, and our desire to work with premier oral and maxillofacial surgeons throughout our great nation. Were pleased with the tremendous progress weve made in such a short time, and we look forward to continuing that momentum, said Richard Hall, USOSM president and CEO. Were grateful for each of our partners and are excited to welcome our newest partner, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of Mississippi, which is led by Dr. David Seago and Dr. Jeffrey Brown, who embody the best qualities in the OMS industry. Were honored to work alongside them.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates has two state-of-the-art locations serving central Mississippi. They are located at 100 Luckney Station, Suite B, in Flowood; and 106 Highland Way, Suite 207, in Madison. Well-known and well-liked throughout the communities they serve and the OMS industry as a whole, Dr. Seago and Dr. Brown are dedicated oral surgeons who put their patients first, making patient comfort, health and recovery their top priority. They offer a full scope of OMS services, such as tooth extraction, wisdom tooth removal, dental implants, TMJ disorder treatment, bone grafting, frenectomy, orthognathic surgery, tori reduction and more.

We decided to partner with USOSM to remove our administrative and clerical duties, allowing us to concentrate more on clinical aspects. We're extremely excited to propel the practice into the future with like-minded individuals; individuals who take pride in delivering excellence in patient safety and care, while fostering continuous improvement within ourselves and our staff, said Dr. Brown.

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, USOSM has partner practices in Texas, Colorado, Georgia, Tennessee, Minnesota, Alabama, Oklahoma, Louisiana, South Carolina and Mississippi. 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.
BOSTON, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Starry, Inc., a hybrid fiber licensed gigabit wireless internet service provider, today announced that Komal Misra has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer. In this role Misra will lead all financial operations and planning for the company and strategic corporate development. Misra joins Starry after having most recently served as Global Head of Corporate Finance for IPsoft where she was responsible for all FP&A, procurement, investor relations and corporate development.

"Over the last two years, Starry has experienced a tremendous acceleration in our business across every metric - our people, technology innovations, network coverage and customers. We're entering our next critical phase of growth and we're thrilled to welcome Komal to helm our company's financial operations," said Chet Kanojia, co-founder and CEO of Starry. "Starry has an ambitious roadmap that will take us to new cities, covering millions of new households over the next several years. Komal will be an important part of the executive team that helps guide and shape our expansion. We're thrilled to welcome her to Starry."

"I am excited for the opportunity to join a fast-growing, mission-driven company like Starry," said Komal Misra, Chief Financial Officer of Starry. "Over the course of my career, I've sought out opportunities to not just challenge myself, but work with teams that I feel are building something unique in the marketplace. Starry is doing precisely that with its innovative broadband access technology. Broadband access has never been more important and Starry is playing a central role in shaping how we deliver affordable, high-quality access across this country."

Misra brings more than 20 years of corporate finance and investment experience to her new role at Starry. Prior to her role at IPsoft, she served as Vice President of Corporate Development and Vice President of Finance at Cognizant, a Fortune 200 Company. Prior to Cognizant, she spent over a decade in the asset management industry as a technology investor and portfolio manager at AllianceBernstein. She has also held engineering and finance roles at AT&T Bell Labs, Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) and Punj Lloyd Private Ltd.

Misra earned her MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, she holds a Master's Degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Misra joins Starry's executive team led by co-founder and CEO Chet Kanojia along with co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Joe Lipowski; co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Alex Moulle-Berteaux; General Counsel William Lundregan; co-founder and Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Strategic Advancement Virginia Lam Abrams; and Senior Vice President of People Resources Tiffany Mosher.

Starry Internet is available across five major metro areas including Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, DC and Denver, with an expansion roadmap that will cover more than 40 million U.S. households. To learn more, visit: https://starry.com

ABOUT STARRY, INC.

At Starry, Inc., we believe the future is built on connectivity and that connecting people and communities to high-speed, broadband internet should be simple and affordable. Using our innovative, wideband hybrid-fiber fixed wireless technology, Starry is deploying gigabit-capable broadband to the home without bundles, data caps, or long-term contracts. Starry is a different kind of internet service provider. We're building a platform for the future by putting our customers first, protecting their privacy, ensuring access to an open and neutral net, and putting the customer experience at the heart of everything we do. Headquartered in Boston and backed by world-class investors, Starry is currently available in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Washington, DC and Denver and is expanding nationwide. To learn more about Starry or to join our team and help us build a better internet, visit: https://starry.com/ .

SOURCE Starry

Related Links

https://starry.com


From Virginia to Florida and from North Carolina to Texas, Democratic state attorneys general and Democratic state lawmakers demanded that the civil rights organization divulge its supporters' names as a condition for operating within their states.?

They assumed many supporters would withdraw their support if doing so meant risking reprisals from segregationists, and they were right. Between 1955 and 1957, the civil rights organization's southern membership declined by more than 50%.

Rather than allow the Democrats to run it out of the state, the NAACP's Alabama affiliate challenged the disclosure requirement in federal court, and in 1958 it won a decisive victory.

In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Alabama's disclosure law. Unfortunately, instead of finding that the law was unconstitutional on its face, the court found it was unconstitutional as it applied to the NAACP in that particular case.

That narrow ruling is what gives today's Democrats their opening.

This post appears here courtesy of the John Locke Foundation . The author of this post is Donna Martinez It's an incredibly ugly piece of history, yet, in H.R. 1, Democrats have revived the plan to take away the right to privately donate to nonprofits. But Locke's Jon Guze hasn't forgotten the history that dates back to the 1950s, history grounded in the work of the NAACP to fight discrimination. Here's what really happened in the 1950s  and who was behind it.It's a shameful piece of history. Yet, today's Democrats, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have revived their push to force that donor names be disclosed. While some might think that a 2021 revival of forced disclosure isn't a big deal, Jon vehemently disagrees. He notes that our right to privately join with others who share our views or ideals is fundamental to a free society.We're fortunate that several North Carolina lawmakers are taking a stand to defend freedom and privacy at the state level. Several bills have been filed in the North Carolina Senate. But still, H.R. 1 looms large. If passed into law, H.R. 1 could render moot any state-based efforts to protect privacy. We're living in strange times, an era of political correctness that rewards monolithic thinking and punishes those who dare to have a different point of view.Now you know why Locke is paying such close attention to H.R. 1. Your privacy is at stake.
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Weather

It will feel like summer today as highs will reach the low 80s with mostly sunny skies. It will be breezy as gusts will be around 23 mph. It will grow cloudy overnight and lows will be around 60 degrees. Read more.

Local scores: Toronto Raptors 112, Cavs 96

Indians 5, Minnesota Twins 3, 10 innings

The headlines

Congressional seat: Ohio will lose a congressional seat for the next decade, dropping from 16 to 15 starting with next years election, as a result of the 2020 U.S. Census. Apportionment of the 435 seats in Congress is determined by the census each 10 years, based on the share of U.S. population. Rich Exner reports this marks the sixth consecutive time that Ohio has lost seats, starting after the 1970 census, when the Buckeye State at the time had 24 representatives in the U.S. House.

Luring events: Mayor Frank Jackson wants to promote Cleveland for major events and as a location for filmmakers, aiming to replace the citys Office of Special Events with the Division of Special Events, Filming and Tourism. Robert Higgs reports the new division would ease the permitting process for smaller, local events and activities, but the concentration would be on landing big events.

This Week in the CLE: While COVID vaccines a few months ago were almost impossible to find, appointments are now available in every corner of the state. Were talking about whether demand may grow as people feel more informed and confident about the vaccines on This Week in the CLE, cleveland.coms daily half-hour news podcast.

New numbers: The number of coronavirus cases in Ohio increased by 1,396 on Monday, bringing the total since the beginning of the pandemic to nearly 1.07 million. Laura Hancock reports Mondays new cases were below the 21-day rolling average of 1,846 cases.

ACT and SAT: Included in the Ohio House budget bill is a provision that allows 11th-grade students and their parents to decide whether to take college entrance exams, which for years have been mandatory in public schools. Laura Hancock reports House Bill 110, which is now being considered in the Senate, would let parents or guardians choose to opt out of the SAT or ACT tests.

A Kent State University student has her Covid-19 vaccination administered in early April.Phil Long | AP Photo

Second shot: No-show rates for the second vaccine dose at Northeast Ohio hospitals ranged from 1.5% at University Hospitals to 31% at the Cleveland Clinic, but numbers change daily as more people complete their second shots. If too many Ohioans miss their second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine shots, it could hinder the states efforts to reach herd immunity and put more people at risk for severe COVID-19, reports Julie Washington.

University of Akron: After pausing its coronavirus vaccination clinics due to concerns surrounding the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the University of Akron announced Monday it will resume clinics for students and employees at UA and students at the Akron campus of Stark State College. The clinics were previously only open to students, but university employees are now eligible, Robin Goist reports.

Telehealth: The class Telehealth for Health Care Professionals offered at Ursuline College teaches health care providers the best way to conduct virtual doctor visits and how to overcome some of the problems they may encounter, reports Julie Washington.

Senate race: U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of the Niles area on Monday became the first Democrat to officially enter Ohios 2022 U.S. Senate race, a move anticipated since incumbent Republican Sen. Rob Portmans January decision against seeking re-election. Sabrina Eaton and Seth Richardson report Ryan has teased the idea of replacing Portman with frequent fundraising emails and social media posts.

Special election: Gov. Mike DeWine has set Tuesday, Aug. 3, as the date of a special election primary to fill U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers congressional seat, followed by a general election on Nov. 2, Jeremy Pelzer reports. The special election date for the 15th Congressional District, in central and southern Ohio, is the same date DeWine has set for a special primary election to replace Marcia Fudge, who became U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Jim Jordan: The American Conservative Union says Rep. Jim Jordan, a Champaign County Republican, earned his 14th straight 100 percent rating on its yearly voting record rating of Congress members, an all-time record for a member of Congress over the 50 years it has issued ratings. Sabrina Eaton reports the union examined votes it considered critical on issues relating to fiscal, tax, regulatory, education, environment, Second Amendment rights, election security, life, and government integrity.

Home sales: Ohio home sales are still climbing steadily in March, with the average sales price jumping 10.6% from last year to $220,603. Alexis Oatman reports the 12,473 sales last month are also 3% higher than last March, when the coronavirus pandemic shut everyone in their homes, according to data from the Ohio Realtors.

In this Dec. 29, 2015, file photo, "R.I.P. Tamir Rice" is written on a wooden post near a makeshift memorial at the gazebo where the boy was fatally shot outside the Cudell Recreation Center in Cleveland. (Tony Dejak, Associated Press file photo)The Plain Dealer

Timothy Loehmann: The union representing rank-and-file Cleveland police officers wants the Ohio Supreme Court to revive its challenge to the firing of Timothy Loehmann, the officer who shot Tamir Rice, after an appeals court thwarted the effort last month. Cory Shaffer reports the Cleveland Police Patrolmens Association on Friday appealed the 8th District Court of Appeals holding that the union failed to properly serve the attorneys for the city of Cleveland with court filings when it challenged an arbitrators decision.

6-year-old killed: A Parma woman is accused of fatally shooting her daughter inside a Brooklyn hotel room, Adam Ferrise reports. Daneicha Bringht, 30, is charged with murder in the fatal shooting of her 6-year-old son Kaamir.

Oscars: Clevelands film industry hasnt produced many Academy Awards, but that changed Sunday with Judas and the Black Messiah, reports Joey Morona. Daniel Kaluuya won Best Supporting Actor and H.E.R. won Best Original Song for Fight for You, creating a source of pride for the Greater Cleveland Film Commission.

Burrito battle: Pro chef Saul Montiel from Cantina Rooftop and home cook Bianca swap their recipe ingredients for burritos and hope for the best! See how it turns out in this video from cleveland.coms sister site, Epicurious.

Cedar Point: Cedar Point wont require guests to wear face masks on rides this season, an end to a controversial policy that irritated many longtime park fans. Susan Glaser reports Cedar Point said face coverings would still be required while guests are indoors, unless actively eating or drinking.

Other headlines

Ohio coronavirus cases and hospitalizations trend down; state and county updates Read more

Earliest coronavirus variants from spring 2020 were more contagious but less severe than initial strains, Cleveland Clinic and CWRU study finds Read more

Man fatally shot in Akron alley Read more

Shooting in West Akron wounds woman, 33 Read more

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court resumes jury trials after COVID-19 hiatus Read more

University Heights Mayor Brennan offers apology to city for his profane comments toward resident Read more

14 Solon Schools students test positive for COVID-19 since April 16 Read more

CH-UH State of Our Schools puts some perspective, distance on year of the pandemic Read more

Avon Lake EMS, library levy renewals on May 4 ballot Read more

Rocky River Schools has new-money levy on May 4 ballot Read more

Strongsville mulls regulating food trucks and amending code on street vendors Read more

Medina officials hope vote on Issue 1 will settle courthouse debate Read more
Over a week ago, NASA awarded Elon Musk's SpaceX a $2.9 billion contract to build a lunar lander for its upcoming Artemis Moon project. In deciding on SpaceX, NASA passed over defense contractor Dynetics and Blue Origin. The latter is now challenging the decision. In a protest filed with the federal Government Accountability Office (via The New York Times), Jeff's Bezos' rocket company claims NASA improperly awarded the contract to its rival.

"NASA has executed a flawed acquisition for the Human Landing System program and moved the goalposts at the last minute. In NASA's own words, it has made a 'high risk' selection," a spokesperson for Blue Origin told Engadget. "Their decision eliminates opportunities for competition, significantly narrows the supply base, and not only delays, but also endangers America's return to the Moon."

When it comes to its marquee programs, NASA has historically picked multiple contractors. It's taken that approach to promote competition and protect itself if an organization can't deliver a project on time. To that point, NASA chose SpaceX, Blue Origin and Dynetics when it awarded the initial lunar lander contract last year. [NASA are] generally quite good at acquisition, especially its flagship missions like returning America to the surface of the moon. We felt that these errors needed to be addressed and remedied, Bob Smith, the CEO of Blue Origin, said in an interview with The New York Times. "We didnt get a chance to revise and thats fundamentally unfair.

As to SpaceX being a "high risk" selection, the plan it won the contract on involves using its in-development Starship to transport astronauts to the Moon. So far, most of the company's test flights have ended in fiery explosions. However, the company has had significant success with both its Falcon 9 rocket Crew Dragon craft, with the two achieving several milestones for SpaceX when NASA's Crew-2 mission recently docked with the International Space Station.

Notably, Blue Origin is the second Bezos-affiliated company to get into a contract dispute with the US government. Last year, Amazon, citing comments made by former President Donald Trump, challenged the integrity of the $10 billion JEDI cloud computing deal the Department of Defense (DoD) awarded to Microsoft. After an internal investigation, the DoD ended up sticking by its decision.
This summer, publishers and authors are pitching in to raise more money to support independent bookstores as well as We Need Diverse Books.

First is the return of Indie Shindig, a virtual event series for booksellers created by Workman Publishing, Abrams Books, Bloomsbury Publishing, Candlewick Press, Chronicle Books, and Sourcebooks that benefits We Need Diverse Books and the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation.

The Indie Shindig was first held last year as a 14-part event series in which publishers pitched books to booksellers. For each bookseller who attended the event, the combined publishers donated $10 to Binc, with a cap of $15,000. By the end, the Shindig raised, $5,000 for Binc and attracted participants from163 bookstores.

This years event is similar, but will offer just six events. That said, the stakes are higher: for each bookseller who attends one of the events, the combined publishers will split a donation of $20 per bookseller attendee between WNDB and Binc with a cap of $18,000 total.

Each event this year will last one hour, and occur on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, from Monday, May 10, through Monday, July 26 at 4 p.m. EST and take place on Zoom. The whole series will feature 130 titles across a variety of genres. The first event on May 10 will have two panels. The first will include authors Shruti Swamy, Jamise Harper and Jane Mount, Xio Axelrod, Hilma Wolitzer, and Gene Kwak in an Adult Fiction Panel moderated by Pamela Klinger-Horn of Valley Bookseller in Stillwater, Minn. This will be followed by authors Mari K. Eder, Molly Wizenberg, Trystan Reese, Emma Marris, Colin Nissan, Rowan Jacobsen, and Brian A. Primack featured on an Adult Nonfiction Panel moderated by BrocheAroe Fabian of Sourcebooks and the online River Dog Book Co.

Individual authors too are also getting into the act of helping support stores. Gayle Forman, the award-winning YA author, has partnered with her publisher, Viking Childrens Books, for a campaign that will also raise money for Binc. To start, all preorders and first week of sales of Formans new novel, We Are Inevitable, will be donated to Bincs Survive to Thrive fundraising campaign. The novel, which publishes on June 1, involves a teenager, who together with a friend, rallies a town to revive his fathers dying used bookstore. Penguin Young Readers will match the donation to Binc.

Then, throughout the month of June. Forman will team up with other authors and booksellers for a series of virtual events for independent bookstores. The campaign has been dubbed the "We Are Irreplaceable independent bookstore campaign taking and the entire series of is being called the Summer of Support.

When I started writing We Are Inevitable four years ago, pandemics were the stuff of dystopian fiction, said Forman in a press release. But I finished the novel, about a teen boy and his father struggling to keep their bookstore afloat, against a reality of lockdowns, sirens, nightly claps for essential workersand existential threats to indie bookstores. As with so many things, Covid-19 has revealed what has always been true: not just that we need books to connect us, we need booksellers and bookstores to do that as well. The We Are Irreplaceable campaign is the natural outgrowth of that, to celebrate the importance of indies, and to support the bookstores and booksellers who have proven themselves to be absolutely essential.
Harrisburgs lone Republican candidate for mayor drew attention with a recent Facebook post declaring that same-sex relationships are immoral and products of abuse.

Tim Rowbottom also said he fears those advocating for equal treatment of gays and lesbians are colluding to indoctrinate Americas youth.

But the thousands of angry social media responses may not be the biggest problem facing the 41-year-olds campaign.

Dauphin County court records show Rowbottom faces criminal charges, including a second-degree felony charge of strangulation.

Rowbottom, contacted by PennLive on Monday, declined an interview request, but invited emailed questions. He did not respond by Tuesday afternoon to questions sent to him Monday afternoon.

According to charging documents, Harrisburg police were dispatched to Rowbottoms home at 333 S. 18th St., on May 16, 2020 to check on the welfare of a child.

Officer Aida Eminagic said in court documents that a juvenile there said Rowbottom had hit her repeatedly with a belt. Eminagic said she saw marks on the childs left forearm and left leg that, in her opinion, went beyond just discipline and rose to the level of abuse.

The child had sent photos of the injuries to a relative who alerted police, prosecutor Jennifer Gettle said.

Rowbottom was charged with simple assault and child endangerment. Prosecutors later added the strangulation charge after, Gettle said, they established that Rowbottom had placed a knee on the childs neck during the course of the assault. The case is awaiting trial in Dauphin County Court.

If Rowbottom is convicted of a felony, he would be ineligible to hold elected office under the state Constitution.

In the meantime, though, he is free to pursue his campaign.

A criminal history check showed Rowbottom has had a number of brushes with the law, including a drug possession conviction in York County in the 1990s, two DUI convictions and a 2015 case in which he was convicted of unlawfully possessing a 150-pound fiberglass chicken stolen years earlier from a Lower Paxton Township bar, a misdemeanor.

In the April 22 Facebook post on his Tim Rowbottom for Mayor of Harrisburg page, Rowbottom argued that same-sex relationships go against Gods law, and he believes are the result of abuse.

It is not my intention to degrade or attack them in any way, Rowbottom wrote.

I say these things in concern for those that are a product of abuse, but (I) do not believe in enabling bad seeds inflicted upon them to continue a cycle of abuse. The Bible makes it clear to me that these things are an abomination and the reasons that oppression and repression are plaguing the LGBT community and those in direct contact (CITY RESIDENTS).

Rowbottom in the post promises to encourage and promote values that align with the Word of God (BIBLE), and work to end methadone clinics or other policy initiatives he sees as enabling or promoting addiction, another problem he said is preventing Harrisburg from reaching its potential.

The post drew scores of angry responses from readers incensed that anyone would describe Harrisburgs LGBT residents as a problem.

you know you could have just said i dont want to be mayor because i hate anyone who isnt exactly like me and gotten the same message across, said one commenter.

City and political leaders added their voices to the criticisms.

I think anybody who reads that can see that this man is not qualified to be mayor, said City Treasurer Dan Miller, who is gay. Its just so hard to understand how someone could be so opposed to people who just want to live their lives and love other people.

Dauphin County Republican Committee Chairman Dave Feidt, who spoke to PennLive Saturday before the pending criminal charges were found, also condemned Rowbottoms post.

Feidt said the county committee has not endorsed Rowbottom, and said that he is not aware of any connection between Rowbottom and the county party, aside from Rowbottoms choice to register as a Republican.

I dont agree with what hes saying, Feidt said. I think its far afield of what the Republican Party stands for.

In announcing his candidacy last month, the self-described Christian conservative issued a 12-point platform that included calls to reopen the former William Penn High School building for vocational and other employment training; ending what he sees as selective codes enforcement; and prioritizing spending of grant money on Harrisburg-resident business and property owners.

Rowbottom has clashed with the Papenfuse administration, including blaming the mayor for quashing his plans to redevelop a parcel of land on South 18th Street in Allison Hill. Rowbottom filed a civil suit in federal court seeking damages from the city, Dauphin County and the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority. The suit is pending.

Barring a write-in challenge, Rowbottom will face the winner of the May 18 Democratic primary in the November election.

Any Republican candidate running for mayor faces long odds.

The citys 22,828 registered Democrats outnumber the 3,758 Republicans 6 to one. Another 5,177 people are independents or members of other parties. The last registered Republican to run for mayor was Nevin Mindlin in 2009.

And Rowbottoms struggles could open the door for another candidate  from the GOP, or even one of the five candidates in the Democratic primary  to win the Republican nomination with write-in votes.
A Russian tourist was found dead in Dak Nong Province, located in Vietnams Central Highlands region, on Monday after visiting a local waterfall on Saturday.

Authorities of Dak Sor Commune in the provinces Krong No District said the body of 35-year-old Raphael Agiliga Chukwunwike, a Nigerian-born Russian citizen, was discovered amid rocky caves at the Dray Sap-Gia Long waterfall ecotourism site around noon on Monday.

On Saturday, Chukwunwike visited the site along with T.T.C.H., a female resident from Ho Chi Minh City, to enjoy the beautiful landscape.

He used a camera drone to capture footage at the waterfall.

The Russian set the drone in the autopilot mode and walked to the waterfall himself.

H. saw that the drones signal disappeared on the mobile phone screen, so she went off to look for him.

She decided to report to local authorities after failing to find him.

According to initial assessments, Chukwunwike died after slipping and falling down the waterfall.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Raytheon chairman Kennedy to retire

One of the architects behind the merger with UTC calls it a career

One of the main architects behind the merger to create Raytheon Technologies plans to retire following the one-year anniversary of that deal, the company said Monday.

Tom Kennedy, executive chairman of the board of directors, will step down from the role on June 1 and be succeeded by CEO Greg Hayes.

Kennedy led Raytheon as CEO in the six years prior to the April 2020 merger of that company with United Technologies Corp. His career at Raytheon spanned 38 years in total.
EATON COUNTY, MI  Police have identified and mother and son killed in a car crash that occurred just before a funeral scheduled for her husband.

According to the Eaton County Sheriffs Office, Loralie Hunter, 71, of Bellevue and Troy Bass, 53, of Vermontville, were killed in the crash which occurred when their vehicle was hit by a pickup truck on Cronk Highway, west of Battle Creek Highway, just before 10 a.m. on Friday, April 23.

A third person in the vehicle was injured, the Associated Press reported. Hunter died at Sparrow Hospital following injuries sustained in the auto accident, according to her obituary.

Hunters husband, Ross Hunter, died on April 10. His funeral had been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on April 23, but it will now be held at 2 p.m. on May 1 during which the couple will be remembered together, according to Hunters obituary.
DENVER, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlas Real Estate, a full-service real estate company specializing in investment brokerage, property management and institutional acquisition, today announced that it has entered into a joint venture (JV) partnership with San Francisco-based DivcoWest to invest $250 million of equity in single-family homes as rentals throughout the Western United States. The JV expects to deploy $1 billion acquiring and renovating homes in high-growth states, including Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada and Utah, where Atlas currently manages more than 4,200 units.

"DivcoWest's partnership with Atlas is a testament to our decade plus history as an acquisition partner and the long-standing relationships we have cultivated with institutional investors since our inception," explains Ryan Boykin, co-founder of Atlas Real Estate. "The start of this new joint venture also points to the strength of the SFR housing sector and to the full-service real estate investment platform Atlas has created."

"The new partnership between Atlas and DivcoWest enables us to live up to our mission as a company: 'To Uplift Humanity Through Real Estate,'" says Tony Julianelle, CEO of Atlas Real Estate. "The joint venture will function to increase the inventory of single-family rentals in Atlas-managed markets, presenting a tangible opportunity to serve people and create a positive resident experience while helping meet the supply demands by providing high quality housing."

Since its inception in 2013, Atlas Real Estate has been recognized as a leader in the real estate industry. The Denver Business Journal named Atlas as a Fast 50 Honoree, Bank of America selected Atlas as one of its Colorado Companies to Watch, and ColoradoBiz Magazine has honored the firm with the Best of Colorado: Property Management award for the past four consecutive years.

About Atlas Real Estate

Atlas Real Estate is a full-service real estate company specializing in investment services, property management and institutional acquisitions. A buy/sell brokerage, Atlas is also a Zillow Offers Partner Agent. Since its inception in 2013, Denver-based Atlas Real Estate has made a commitment to Uplift Humanity Through Real Estate. With offices in eight markets nationwide, Atlas transacts over $1 billion in real estate annually and manages more than 4,200 residential units. Atlas has been recognized by leading media outlets as a one of the Best Places to Work in Denver, the Best Property Management Company and a Top Company in Real Estate. To learn more about Atlas, visit www.realatlas.com.

About DivcoWest

Founded in 1993, DivcoWest is a vertically integrated, real estate investment firm headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Los Angeles, Menlo Park, Boston, Washington DC and New York City. Known for long-standing relationships and experience across the risk-spectrum in markets where innovation thrives, DivcoWest combines entrepreneurial spirit with an institutional approach to deliver real estate solutions and opportunities to the world's most forward-thinking companies and investors. DivcoWest aims to create environments that inspire ingenuity, promote growth, and enhance health and well-being. Since inception, DivcoWest and its predecessor have acquired approximately 48 million square feet of commercial space - primarily throughout the United States. DivcoWest's real estate portfolio currently includes existing and development properties in the office, R&D, lab, industrial, retail and multifamily spaces. www.divcowest.com

Media Contact: Victoria Evans, [email protected]

SOURCE Atlas Real Estate
montreat.org

Celtic theologian John Philip Newell will examine the reasons people leave or are exiled from their religious traditions in Yearning From Home: The Cry of the Earth, a May 8 virtual event.
North America & Europe Luxury Interior Fabric Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Curtains, Upholstery, Bed Linen), By Raw Material, By End User, By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

New York, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "North America & Europe Luxury Interior Fabric Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product, By Raw Material, By End User, By Distribution Channel, By Region And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06064469/?utm_source=GNW



North America & Europe Luxury Interior Fabric Market Growth & Trends



The North America & Europe luxury interior fabric market size is expected to reach USD 2.7 billion by 2028. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 11.9% from 2021 to 2028. Rising awareness about the benefits and comfort offered by these stylish interior fabrics is boosting the market growth. As lifestyles are changing, consumers are inclined towards good quality, comfortable, and visually attractive interior fabrics.



With the expansion of real estate, the market is bound to witness growth in the interiors industry, which is likely to propel the demand for the fabric in the segment. In accordance with the index specialist, the value of property owned for the purpose of achieving investment returns reached USD 9.8 trillion in 2019, 7.8% more than in 2018. The rising demand for new houses owing to the growing population is also expected to boost the market growth in the foreseeable future.



The number of single-family permits in the U.S. increased by 8.4% in 2018, from the previous year, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Thus, developments in the domestic category are projected to drive the demand for luxury interiors, thereby pushing the market growth. Changing trends in home furnishing are also expected to boost the market growth. Consumers are seeking attractive statement interior pieces that can stand on their own in their minimalistic-decorated homes. Moreover, rising environmental consciousness among consumers is bringing the spotlight on organic and sustainable materials and fabrication that includes repurposed and recycled elements. In addition, with consumer interest shifting towards sustainability, a surge in demand for more natural textures and colors is being observed. This, in turn, is expected to boost the demand for luxury interior fabrics in the forecast period.



Technological advancements are also changing how people are shopping for luxury interior fabrics in stores. Physical stores are expected to provide better experiences with the proliferation of digitalization and consumer-facing technology that is used to make it easier for shoppers to research, find, and buy interior fabrics.



As more customers commence to leverage technology to guide their purchasing decisions, retailers are using that data to drive sales.Now retailers can make decisions that are profit-driven on the basis of the data provided by browsing the web, online shopping, and digital couponing.



Moreover, as manufacturers are learning more about what consumers are looking for, the better they will be at generating offers that attract shoppers and increase sales.



The upholstery product segment held over 52.7% of the revenue share in 2020. Upholstered furniture is one of the fastest-growing segments in the furniture industry. Upholstered furniture such as beds, chairs, sofas, and cushions have been witnessing significant demand. Upholstered furniture is more comfortable since it is padded and covered with a piece of fabric. Increasing purchasing power of consumers, improvements in the standard of living, and changing lifestyles have led to the development of luxurious upholstery fabrics for various types of seating furniture. An increase in the number of building constructions also supports the industry owing to new furniture requirements, once new homes have been built.



North America & Europe Luxury Interior Fabric Market Report Highlights

 In North America, the U.S. is expected to register a CAGR of 12.2% from 2021 to 2028. Manufacturers operating in the U.S. continue to offer luxury furniture made using sophisticated and visually appealing materials. The demand for luxury and premium furniture from certain consumer sections is boosting the market growth

 The jacquard raw material is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 12.4% from 2021 to 2028

 The domestic end-user segment held the largest revenue share of 60.0% in 2020 owing to its higher penetration across households

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Millions of Americans are not getting the second doses of their COVID-19 vaccines, and their ranks are growing.

More than 5 million people, or nearly 8% of those who got a first shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, have missed their second doses, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is more than double the rate among people who got inoculated in the first several weeks of the nationwide vaccine campaign.

Even as the country wrestles with the problem of millions of people who are wary about getting vaccinated at all, health authorities are confronting an emerging challenge of ensuring that those who do get inoculated are doing so fully.

The reasons vary for why people are missing their second shots. In interviews, some said they feared the side effects, which can include flulike symptoms. Others said they felt that they were sufficiently protected with a single shot.

Those attitudes were expected, but another hurdle has been surprisingly prevalent. A number of vaccine providers have canceled second-dose appointments because they ran out of supply or did not have the right brand in stock.

Walgreens, one of the biggest vaccine providers, sent some people who got a first shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to get their second doses at pharmacies that only had the other vaccine on hand.

Several Walgreens customers said in interviews that they scrambled, in some cases with help from pharmacy staff, to find somewhere to get the correct second dose. Others, presumably, simply gave up.

From the outset, public health experts worried that it would be difficult to get everyone to return for a second shot three or four weeks after the first dose. It is no surprise that, as vaccines are rolled out more broadly, the numbers of those skipping their second dose have gone up.

But the trend is nonetheless troubling some state officials, who are rushing to keep the numbers of partly vaccinated people from swelling.

In Arkansas and Illinois, health officials have directed teams to call, text or send letters to people to remind them to get their second shots. In Pennsylvania, officials are trying to ensure that college students can get their second shots after they leave campus for the summer. South Carolina has allocated several thousand doses specifically for people who are overdue for their second shot.

Mounting evidence collected in trials and from real-world immunization campaigns points to the peril of people skipping their second doses. Compared with the two-dose regimen, a single shot triggers a weaker immune response and may leave recipients more susceptible to dangerous virus variants. And even though a single dose provides partial protection against COVID, it is not clear how long that protection will last.

Im very worried, because you need that second dose, said Dr. Paul Offit, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the Food and Drug Administrations vaccine advisory panel.

The stakes are high because there is only one vaccine authorized in the United States that is given as a single shot. The use of that vaccine, made by Johnson & Johnson, was paused this month after it was linked to a very rare but serious side effect involving blood clotting. Federal health officials on Friday recommended restarting use of the vaccine, but the combination of the safety scare and ongoing production problems is likely to make that vaccine a viable option for fewer people.

The CDCs count of missed second doses is through April 9. It covers only people who got a first Moderna dose by March 7 or a first Pfizer dose by March 14.

While millions of people have missed their second shots, the overall rates of follow-through, with some 92% getting fully vaccinated, are strong by historical standards. Roughly three-quarters of adults come back for their second dose of the vaccine that protects against shingles.

In some cases, problems with shipments or scheduling may be playing a role in people missing their second doses. Some vaccine providers have had to cancel appointments because they did not receive expected vaccine deliveries. People have also reported having their second-dose appointments canceled or showing up only to find out that there were no doses available of the brand they needed.

Some people can be flexible about being rebooked. But that is harder for people who lack access to reliable transportation or who have jobs with strictly scheduled hours, said Elena Cyrus, an infectious disease public health researcher at the University of Central Florida.

Walgreens booked some customers for their second appointments at places that did not have the same vaccine that they had received for their initial doses. The company said it fixed the problem in late March.

Susan Ruel, 67, was scheduled to get her two vaccine doses at different Walgreens stores in Manhattan. She said she got her first Pfizer dose without incident in February, but when she arrived for her second appointment, she was told that the store only had Moderna doses in stock.

A Walgreens pharmacist told Ruel that there was another Walgreens pharmacy less than 2 miles away with Pfizer doses in stock. While Ruel was waiting for the subway to take her there, she got a phone call: That Walgreens store had run out of Pfizer doses, too.

Ruel managed to get the Pfizer dose at yet another Walgreens the next day. But she said many people in her situation probably would not have tried so hard. All you need is hassles like this, she said.

In the Chicago area, for example, pharmacists at two Walgreens locations said the problem was causing headaches. They said that Walgreens appointment system was sending each pharmacy anywhere from 10 to 20 customers a week who need a second Pfizer shot, even though both pharmacies stock only the Moderna vaccine.

It is not clear how widespread the Walgreens dose-matching problem has been or how many people have missed their second doses because of it.

Jim Cohn, a spokesperson for Walgreens, said that the problem affected a small percentage of people who had booked their appointments online and that the company contacted them to reschedule in alignment with our vaccine availability. He said that nearly 95% of people who got their first shot at Walgreens have also received their second shots from the company.

Walgreens has also come under fire for, until recently, scheduling second doses of the Pfizer vaccine four weeks after the first shot, rather than the three-week gap recommended by the CDC. Pharmacists have been besieged by customers complaining, including about their inability to book vaccine appointments online.

In other cases, though, access to vaccines is not the sole barrier; peoples attitudes contribute, too.

Basith Syed, a 24-year-old consultant in Chicago, nabbed a leftover Moderna vaccine at a Walgreens in mid-February. But when the time came for his second shot, he was busy at work and preparing for his wedding. After the first shot, he had spent two days feeling drained. He did not want to risk a repeat, and he felt confident that a single dose would protect him.

I didnt really feel the urgency to get that second dose, Syed said.

By early April, his schedule had calmed down a little, and he went looking for a second Moderna shot. But by then, the Walgreens where he had gotten his first shot was only offering Pfizer shots. He could not find slots at other Walgreens stores. Syed is no longer actively looking for a second shot, though he still hopes to eventually get one.

The CDC said there is limited data on the vaccines effectiveness when shots are separated by more than six weeks, although some countries, including Britain and Canada, are giving shots with a gap of up to three or four months.

Syeds experience is part of a broader shift in Illinois. When vaccines were mostly being given to health care workers, residents of long-term care facilities and people older than 65, almost everyone was getting their second shots. In recent weeks, though, the number dipped below 90%, though it has since rebounded slightly, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

In Arkansas, about 84,000 people have missed their second shots, representing 11% of those eligible for those shots, said Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, the state public health researcher. Workers recently began calling people who are due or overdue for their second shots.

College students pose a particular challenge. Many recently became eligible to be vaccinated and are getting their first shots, but they will have left campus by the time they are due for their second doses.

In Pennsylvania, health officials have instructed vaccine providers to give second doses to college students even if they did not receive their first doses from that location.

Some vaccine providers have put on special clinics for people who need a second dose. In South Carolina, the health system Tidelands Health started a program specifically for people who received their first Pfizer doses more than 23 days earlier but had not been able to find a second shot. The state health department sent the health system 2,340 doses for the effort.

Demand has been strong, and Tidelands only has a few hundred doses left. The majority of takers have been people who were having difficulty navigating all the various scheduling systems and providers, said Gayle Resetar, the health systems chief operating officer.

In many cases, vaccine providers had canceled second-dose appointments because of bad winter weather. It was up to the individual to reschedule themselves on a web portal or web platform, and that just became difficult for people, Resetar said.

There are rare cases in which people are supposed to forgo the second shot, such as if they had an allergic reaction after their first shot.

Zvi Ish-Shalom, a religious studies professor from Boulder, Colorado, had planned to get fully vaccinated. Then, an hour after his first shot of the Moderna vaccine, he developed a headache that has not gone away more than a month later.

There is no way to know for sure whether the vaccine triggered the headache. But after weighing what he saw as the risks and benefits of a second dose, Ish-Shalom reached a decision about how to proceed.

At this point in time, I feel very clear and very comfortable, given all the various elements of this equation, to forgo the second shot, he said.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Lee Kun-hee, the man who made Samsung what it is today, passed away at the age of 78 in October last year, leaving behind a fortune in stocks and assets with a total value of around 23 trillion won (~$21 billion). Lees heirs are now expected to inherit that fortune. However, they will have to pay an inheritance tax that could go as high as 13 trillion won ($11.7 billion), the highest in South Koreas history.

Now, according to the Korean media, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong is looking to secure a personal loan of 500 billion won ($450 million) for financing the inheritance tax. This would also be the highest single personal credit loan in South Koreas history. But, if someone can obtain it, that would be Lee Jae-yong, of course. He is the de-facto leader of the Samsung conglomerate, after all.

Vice Chairman Lees mother, Mrs. Hong Ra-hee, is also reportedly in the process of securing a loan for financing the inheritance tax. However, its unclear whether her two daughters  Lee Bu-jin, president of Hotel Shilla and Lee Seo-hyun, chairman of the Samsung Welfare Foundation  have similar intentions.

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There is no reason why banks would not lend credit to the Samsung heirs, The Bell cited an official in the financial sector as saying. They have excellent personal creditworthiness and cash-generating power. Moreover, the use of funds is also clear.

However, securing a personal credit loan worth 500 billion won from a single financial institute could lead to a negative public opinion, industry watchers believe. Many people may see it as preferential treatment. As such, Vice Chairman Lee is reportedly to secure multiple loans from different financial institutions. This would also reduce the burden on the lending banks.

Banks could approve the $450 million loan to Lee Jae-yong this week

Samsung is reportedly preparing to reveal the details of the inheritance of the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee this week. But before that, the four Samsung heirs need to pay the inheritance tax. The deadline for filing the inheritance and paying the tax is April 30.

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However, the heirs can choose to pay the inheritance tax in six installments over the next five years. So they essentially have to pay only one-sixth of the value right now. But thats still a huge sum of money (nearly $2 billion). As such, they are looking to secure personal credit loans to finance the inheritance tax.

According to the report, the loans could get approved this week. Bank officials will meet Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong personally at the Seoul Detention Center, where hes imprisoned since January this year. He is serving a two-and-a-half-year sentence in the infamous 2017 bribery case involving then South Korea president Park Geun-hye.

His absence is hurting Samsung big time amid an unprecedented global semiconductor chip shortage. South Korean businesses are even seeking a presidential pardon for him so that he could facilitate the companys investments. However, its unclear whether he will get such a big relief. Meanwhile, he is all set to officially take over as the leader of the Samsung Group.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan praised President Biden on Saturday for formally recognizing the mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turkish forces in 1915 as an act of genocide, saying the move "reaffirms the supremacy of human rights," according to AP.

Why it matters: The unprecedented designation  which has been largely avoided by previous administrations over fears of straining relations with Turkey  and Pashinyan's response come on Armenian Remembrance Day.

Context: The mass killing occurred when the Ottoman Turks attempted to transport Armenians from eastern Anatolia to the Syrian desert during World War I. Armenians and several other countries estimate that up to 1.5 million died.

Turkey has recognized atrocities that occurred during this time, but denies it was an act genocide and claims the death toll has been exaggerated.

What they're saying: Pashinyan said the recognition reaffirms the supremacy of human rights and values in international relations. From this point of view, it is an ... inspiring example for all who want to build a just and tolerant international society together," according to AP.

I highly appreciate your principled position, which is a powerful step towards the restoration of truth and historical justice, invaluable support to the descendants of the victims of the Armenian genocide," he said to Biden in a message.

Of note: Armenia officials, including Pashinyan, commemorated the 106th anniversary of Armenian Genocide with a ceremony at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex on Tsitsernakaberd Hill in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

The big picture: The genocide designation has been strongly opposed by Turkey and is likely to infuriate Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has previously warned that such an assertion would harm U.S.-Turkey relations.
Photo taken on April 23, 2021 shows the view of Qutang Gorge, one of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River, in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) In its journey toward modernization, China will strive to foster a new relationship where man and nature can both prosper and live in harmony. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday reaffirmed the significance of ecological conservation during his latest inspection visit to south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Hailing the Lijiang River as "the one-and-only treasure" of China and the world, Xi said that its ecological environment should never be damaged. During his previous inspection tour to Guangxi in 2017, Xi visited a mangrove conservation area in the Beihai Golden Bay and stressed that "the region's ecological advantages shouldn't be traded even for gold." Ecological protection is always high on the Chinese leader's agenda. As part of his Fujian tour this year, Xi visited the Wuyishan National Park, emphasizing the need of building a nature reserves system centering on national parks to keep the ecosystem intact and protect biodiversity. Xi's special concerns during his tours shed light on what type of modernization the world's second-largest economy is seeking to embrace from a new historical starting point. According to the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, an essential part of China's modernization will be the harmony between man and nature. In other words, in its journey toward modernization, China will strive to foster a new relationship where man and nature can both prosper and live in harmony. It will be a tough path, a road sort of different from what mankind has ever taken. Since the industrial civilization, mankind has created massive material wealth. Yet, it has come at a cost of intensified exploitation of natural resources, which laid bare growing tensions in the human-nature relationship. In the 21st century, however, there is a chance for countries seeking modernization to ride the trend of technological revolution and industrial transformation, to seize the enormous opportunities in green transition, and let the power of innovation upgrade economic, energy and industrial structures. China has obviously made its choice and set itself on a course chasing the dawn of a new type of modernization. In 2018, China incorporated ecological civilization into its Constitution for the first time. In its 14th Five-Year Plan, China has vowed to lower the energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) and its carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 13.5 percent and 18 percent, respectively. China has also announced its goal of striving to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, which requires extraordinarily hard efforts by the country, considering the nation is still experiencing industrialization and urbanization and holds high expectations of economic growth. With the Chinese leader's remarks "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" spreading far and wide across the country, people have seen a change in their perception. Trade-offs between economy and nature have been taken more as a false assumption while "protecting the environment is to protect productivity" has increasingly become a mainstream agenda. Take the Lijiang River for instance. After local governments made all-out efforts to reduce pollution and improve the river's ecology, local residents have seen tourism booming, with hundreds of thousands of visitors attracted each year before disruption due to COVID-19. Guilin, where Lijiang scenic spot is located, received 138 million tourists and generated consumption totaling 187.4 billion yuan (about 28.87 billion U.S. dollars) in 2019, up 26.7 percent and 34.7 percent year on year, respectively. Achieving modernization featuring man-nature harmony is obviously more complex and challenging than treating the environment of a river. With less than 10 years left for the country to peak carbon dioxide emissions, China is faced with great challenges and has much to do. Despite advantages accruing from consistent policy-making and formulating long-term development plans, China needs to encourage more technological and institutional innovation, curb fossil fuel consumption, advance its carbon trading market and create more market space for renewable energy, amid other efforts. As Xi has noted, the period of China's commitment to move from carbon peak to carbon neutrality is much shorter than what many developed countries might need. With all those challenges ahead, China has taken a path less beaten. If the country's grand vision materializes, it will be a blessing to both mankind and nature. The high-quality development which the Chinese people are seeking will show its far-reaching influence toward the future.
To call the house at 494 College Ave. anything other than a castle would seem wrong, so well call it the Castle. Its three storeys tall but seems taller, 115 years old but seems older, and it is right smack in the middle of a neighbourhood, right in the middle of a city, where its turreted existence inspires confusion, bewilderment and a touch of awe. Its a place both out of time and out of place, but somehow, it feels like its exactly where it belongs.

To call the house at 494 College Ave. anything other than a castle would seem wrong, so well call it the Castle. Its three storeys tall but seems taller, 115 years old but seems older, and it is right smack in the middle of a neighbourhood, right in the middle of a city, where its turreted existence inspires confusion, bewilderment and a touch of awe. Its a place both out of time and out of place, but somehow, it feels like its exactly where it belongs.

"It definitely stands out around here," says Ryan Lavallee, a 33-year-old man who lives two doors down, on the second floor of a house without turrets of its own. "Kids are always stopping to look at it. Even adults do. I have."

In 2015, Vanh Thiep Hoang looked at it, and couldnt stop. Hoang had come to Winnipeg with his family from Vietnam, where he worked as a surgeon. He marvelled at the Queen Anne-style castle  its gabled roof, its orange bricks, its ten-foot ceilings, and its playful disregard of convention and defiance of expectation. It cast a bit of a spell.

"It reminded me of palaces Id seen where I was from," and of buildings in Ukraine, where he studied, says the 63-year-old Hoang, who emerges from the castles front door wearing board shorts and metal-rimmed glasses, his thick head of hair as attention-grabbing as the castle he calls home.

So he bought it, and has resided there for the past six years, renting out the top two storeys and living on the main floor with his family.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Vanh Hoang, a 63-year-old surgeon who migrated to Canada in 2015 from Vietnam, is working to restore the interior of a castle on College Avenue while it is on the market.

But now its on the market, listed for $315,000, with Hoang and his family eyeing a move to British Columbia. Realtor Cam U. Tang says that at over 3,000 square feet, the home will make its next owner feel like a king, and that isnt a stretch.

"When he told me the address, I knew the area, but not the house," Tang says. But he did some investigating and saw that 494 College Ave. was no ordinary listing.

"I saw that this was a castle," he says. "In 35 years in real estate, this is the most unique house Ive listed. You dont see many like it."

When the Castle was built in 1906, it was built to be noticed by newcomers looking to leave their mark on the city.

According to the city, the house was commissioned by John Arbuthnot, a lumber merchant and the citys mayor from 1901 to 1903. To design and construct the home, he enlisted a group of Italian immigrants led by Santi, Angelo and Olivo Biollo, brothers who came to the city from Venice in the early 20th century.

As documented in local historical site West End Dumplings, as well as in local newspaper and city archives, the Biollos quickly made good in several industries, investing in restaurants and hotels, and eventually founding a construction company. "Their first project was the Mount Royal Hotel on Garry Street," West End Dumplings Christian Cassidy wrote. Today, that hotel is called the Garrick.

Then came the Castle, where the brothers lived for a few years after building it: Arbuthnot never lived there but rented it to Olivo Biollo.

City historical officer Murray Peterson calls it one of Winnipegs best examples of Queen Anne architecture, a style popular at the time but not very much so now.

HERITAGE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION The Biollo home at 494 College Avenue was constructed by Italian immigrants.

"Its spectacular because theres so much going on with it," says Peterson, who said the prewar period in which it was built was like the Wild West for residential development; home building happened without much restriction. Many unique houses, including several nearby, sprung up in short order. Perhaps none as unique as the Castle still stand.

But as quickly as success came, so did heartache. One Biollo brother, Angelo, lost three of his children to scarlet fever in a single week in 1907, Cassidy writes, and soon, a "typographical" error led to the demise of what was a burgeoning business empire.

The hotel was intended to be a "wet" establishment, selling liquor to the public, and the brothers were under the impression that it was in the legal liquor-selling zone set out by the province. But the commissioners refused a liquor permit, effectively killing the Biollos investment of $60,000. (Meanwhile, a neighbouring hotel got a licence.)

By 1909, Olivo Biollo told the Free Press he felt "grossly wronged," as he lost everything he had in short order. The hotel was sold off at a loss, assets were seized to pay off debts.

In 1911, Santi Biollo was still listed as the occupant of 494 College Ave., a city report shows. But a few years later, the Castle got its next king.

His name was David Cantor. He came from a town in Poland called Miedzerich in 1903, brought to Winnipeg in principle to become a rabbi at Tefereth Israel Synagogue, as well as a shoichet (ritual slaughterer) and mohel (circumcision practicioner) for the growing Jewish community. He and his wife, Ada, along with their children, were the first immigrants to Canada from their district.

For a few years, they lived in a smaller abode. But in the 1910s, the College Avenue house came on the market, and the Cantors  who over the previous decade had written glowingly about Winnipeg to townspeople in Poland, resulting in the estimated immigration of more than 600 families of Ashkenazi Jews to Canada  moved in.

"Let me tell you about the house," says Allan Cantor, the grandson of David and Ada, now in his early 90s and still living in Winnipeg with his wife, Gloria. "You gotta understand. I was just a child, but this is what I remember and what I know."

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The unique interior of the Castle features hardwood flooring and ten-foot ceilings.

The house was massive. In those days, a wide veranda spanned the second floor, painted dark green. To the south, there was at least 12 or 15 metres of lawn; its where his grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1936, wearing the same clothes they wore in Poland half a century earlier, and where his parents celebrated their engagement party.

To the front of the building, there was a "wonderful fountain," which ceased to work in 1931 or so because the water was redirected to a dental office on the second floor run by an uncle, Cantor recalls.

In the back, there was a barn, where the elder Cantor would slaughter kosher chickens. The kitchen floor had a trap door that led to the basement. The ceilings were marvellously high.

Over the years, as dozens of Jewish immigrants arrived from Poland, theyd come to the Cantor house for help. Most businesses wouldnt hire the men for work because they required a day of rest on Shabbat, or the Sabbath, and Cantor would help them find their way as shopkeepers or pedlars, jobs that allowed for their continued religious observance. He helped them co-ordinate payments to bring their families over from Europe, Allan says, often depositing their money on their behalf to the banks and keeping track of when they had enough.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS There are only a few rooms in the castle that have been renovated.

Once, family lore goes, Cantor told a stove salesman he had a beautiful stove to sell him. When the salesman arrived at the Castle, he found a wagon covered by a large curtain. He removed the curtain, and underneath were his wife and kids, just arrived from Poland, which startled the salesman and left him in disbelief.

"Thats a stove that will keep you warm all year," is what the rabbi said, Allan recalls.

Rabbi Cantor died in 1953 at the age of 88, his wife in 1954 at the age of 89, and the house was sold thereafter.

But not before in 1949, when new sidewalk was being poured in front of the home, a city worker  as a sign of respect  wrote "REV. DAVID CANTOR" in the still wet cement.

The sidewalk hasnt changed in 72 years, it turns out. Under a thick patch of dirt, "REV. DAVID CANTOR" still can be read.

"I had no idea," said Hoang, peeking at the tiny bit of history. "That is very, very interesting."

BEN WALDMAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The sidewalk outside 494 College Avenue still carries a mark made by a city worker in 1949, where they wrote REV. DAVID CANTOR in the still-wet cement.

After the Cantors, the house was subdivided and rented out, usually at relatively low prices. In 1966, it was put up for sale by a Mr. Dudzik, who wished to retire and listed it thusly: "A most unusual house: This distinctive residence, located at 494 College Avenue, is presently a seven-suite apartment block. The building has many other possibilities spacious grounds (93 feet of frontage) with 19 rooms."

Up for private sale again in 1987, a woman named Maria at 582-2141 entitled her advertisement "The Castle," calling it one of a kind.

Eventually, Vanh Thiep Hoang saw it and fell for it for all those reasons, not even knowing at first the history the building held. Over the past months, with a handyman friend hes restored the top two floor units, installing hardwood flooring, repainting and restoring the light fixtures.

He says leaving the house is not an easy thing to do, and something he at times doesnt even want to do. He hopes any person who buys the Castle takes good care of it and understands what a unique opportunity they have to own a piece of history that somehow has remained standing for 115 years.

Who will be the next monarch at the Castle of College Avenue?

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca
A quarter of vulnerable children are still struggling with laptop access for remote learning, Ofcom figures have revealed.

The regulator said that the lockdown had 'only served to intensify the digital divide' for pupils from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown is today calling on the Government to set up a taskforce to tackle the problem and put it at the heart of its pandemic recovery plan.

Children are facing the mammoth task of catching up on months of lost learning  but the challenge is more difficult for some.

Around 1.5million households still do not have the internet while an estimated 400,000 schoolchildren do not have consistent access to a device to work on at home.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown is today calling on the Government to set up a taskforce to tackle the problem and put it at the heart of its pandemic recovery plan

The Daily Mail's Computers for Kids campaign saw readers, philanthropists, and corporations help plug this gap with donations in cash and computer pledges reaching 13.1million. Ofcom found the UK's digital divide had broadly narrowed over the past year, with the proportion of UK homes without internet falling from 11 per cent to 6 per cent.

But it was access to a device that appeared to remain the biggest barrier for children working from home. Some 17 per cent did not have consistent access to a suitable device to do school work while at home, the research revealed.

This increased to 27 per cent for children from households classed as the most financially vulnerable. At least 400,000 children are still without access to devices to support their education at home, according to a report by the Alliance for Full Employment, also released today. Mr Brown, who co-founded the campaign group, has called on the Government to set up a digital inclusion taskforce chaired by the Prime Minister.

Mr Brown, who co-founded the campaign group, has called on the Government to set up a digital inclusion taskforce chaired by the Prime Minister

The report also calls for every child to have access to a free laptop at home and in class. These recommendations are backed by Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the world wide web, and Martha Lane Fox, the former UK digital tsar and Open University chancellor.

Yih-Choung Teh, of Ofcom, said: 'For many people, lockdown will leave a lasting legacy of improved online access and better digital understanding. But for a significant minority of adults and children, it's only served to intensify the digital divide.

'We'll continue to work with the Government and other partner organisations to promote digital literacy and ensure that people of all ages and backgrounds are empowered to share in the benefits of the internet.'

GORDON BROWN: If we don't act now, we will fail a generation... We need a national plan to get disadvantaged children the devices and catch-up tuition they need

Businesses, shops, hospitals and even churches have all moved online during the pandemic. But a year on, as many as 400,000 children continue to lose out, with no laptops or computers at all.

Shockingly, nearly 2 million children have had no internet access during this crisis, as their parents could not afford it. That means one in five children has been unable to connect to online lessons.

Today Britain stands tall for having developed and then injected vaccines into the arms of millions. But we are still far behind in the more basic task of getting computers into the hands of the children who need them most.

It took the threat of court action last year  and a powerful Daily Mail campaign  to get the Department for Education to commit 85 million for more than 200,000 laptops and nearly 50,000 Wi-fi routers. But even now, education ministers dont know how many devices are still required, let alone have a workable plan to supply them.

Gordon Brown: Shockingly, nearly 2 million children have had no internet access during this crisis, as their parents could not afford it

In the most deprived schools, up to 20 per cent of children lack devices, compared to just 3 per cent at private schools. Thousands of parents are often forced to choose between internet access and food.

Quite simply, we need a change of policy. All educational courses  and not just the BBC and the online classroom Oak National Academy  should be transmitted free over the internet, as we have done with NHS services thanks to an agreement with internet providers.

Lets also reduce charges for those parents who are too poor to pay in full. Ofcom has mandated that two providers, BT and KCOM, implement social tariffs. But these tariffs are not automatic or even easy to secure: people applying for BT Basic need to call a phone number, wait for a form to be sent and then, having filled it in, wait for up to another 30 days before learning if their application has been successful.

Virgin Media and Hyperoptic have voluntarily implemented social tariffs, but these have different eligibility criteria, adding to the confusion. Ofcom should work with Government to agree that all parents on Universal Credit are eligible, and make this an obligation on the internet providers.

We need a robust national plan to get disadvantaged children the devices and catch-up tuition they need

But people have to be connected in the first place.

The Good Things Foundation has called for a 130 million investment in skills to get at least 4.8 million more people online.

We need a robust national plan to get disadvantaged children the devices and catch-up tuition they need. The Sutton Trust estimates this will cost 750 million. But can we afford not to pay?

The jobs of the future demand digital skills: putting these on the same footing as literacy and numeracy targets in the national curriculum is the way to future-proof our children against further damage to their education.

A failure to act now will not only fail a generation. It will hurt us all, depriving us of the workforce our country needs.

Gordon Brown was the Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010
ROME, APR 27 - A 48-year-old man with acute rheumatoid arthritis was acquitted of drug pushing Tuesday after a court ruled that it was OK for him to exceed the legal limit of cannabis cultivation because it was for his personal health use. Walter De Benedetto was acquitted by an Arezzo court after growing the cannabis after running out of an adequate supply due to the COVID crisis. Therapeutic cannabis, or medical marijuana, has been legal in Italy for 14 years, but De Benedetto was accused of exceeding the legal limits for growing it. Youth Policy Minister Fabiana Dadone was among those calling the sentence "historic". De Benedetto himself said "I'm happy, not only for myself but also for all those who are going through the same difficulties as me, precisely because the right to treatment with cannabis for solely therapeutic purposes has been confirmed". The Radical Party, which has been campaigning for years to legalise cannabis completely, posted a photo of De Benedetto captioned "Acquitted!". (ANSA).
Cryopreservation, or the long-term storage of biomaterials at ultralow temperatures, has been used across cell types and species. However, until now, the practical cryopreservation of the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) -- which is crucial to genetics research and critical to scientific breakthroughs benefiting human health -- has not been available.



"To keep alive the ever-increasing number of fruit flies with unique genotypes that aid in these breakthroughs, some 160,000 different flies, laboratories and stock centers engage in the costly and frequent transfer of adults to fresh food, risking contamination and genetic drift," said Li Zhan, a postdoctoral associate with the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering and the Center for Advanced Technologies for the Preservation of Biological Systems (ATP-Bio).



In new research published in Nature Communications, a University of Minnesota team has developed a first-of-its-kind method that cryopreserves fruit fly embryos so they can be successfully recovered and developed into adult insects. This method optimizes embryo permeabilization and age, cryoprotectant agent composition, different phases of nitrogen (liquid vs. slush), and post-cryopreservation embryo culture methods.



Researchers were able to:

show that the method is broadly applicable and easily adopted by non-specialists, with it being successfully implemented in 25 distinct strains for fruit flies from different sources (e.g., laboratories); demonstrate that for most strains, more than 50% of embryos hatch and more than 25% of the resulting larvae develop into adults after cryopreservation; and show that flies retain normal sex ratio, fertility and original mutation after successive crypropreservation through generations and long-time storage in liquid nitrogen.

"Our multi-disciplinary team is pleased to contribute an accessible protocol to cryopreserve numerous strains of Drosophila, an important biomedical model, while also hopefully informing other insect and related species embryo preservation," said study co-author John Bischof, director of the Institute for Engineering in Medicine and a professor in the College of Science and Engineering and Medical School.



As humans share more than half of their genes with the fruit fly, Drosophila research and its implications for human health are significant.



"By studying mutants in the Drosophila model system, it can reveal how those genes function in human development and disease," said Tom Hays, head of the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development in the Medical School and College of Biological Sciences. "Fly studies have provided crucial insights on human diseases from Alzheimer's to Zika and revealed genetic pathways and mechanisms underlying embryonic development, olfaction and innate immunity."



Beyond training individuals in this method, the University of Minnesota team is looking to adapt it to other applications.



"It will be important to understand the genetics that influence cryopreservation in Drosophila and other insects," said study co-author Mingang Li, a research associate in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development. "This method could support research aimed at pest control for Drosophila suzukii, a fruit fly that infests ripening fruits and has become a pest in the Americas and Europe, as well as for malaria research in Anopheles mosquitoes."



Funding for the research was provided by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, ATP-Bio from the Institute for Engineering in Medicine, and the University's Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship.

###

About the U of M Twin Cities

One of five campuses in the University of Minnesota System, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is the flagship and founding campus of one of the most prestigious public research universities in the nation. With more than 47,000 undergraduate and graduate students, it is also one of only five university campuses in the U.S. with an engineering school, medical school, law school, veterinary medicine school, and agricultural school all on one campus. Visit umn.edu.
The government on Tuesday imposed night curfew across the state from 8 pm to 5 am with immediate effect, as part of its efforts to control the surge in COVID-19 cases.

The state disaster management authority, in its order, said the curfew will be in place till May 1.

"The COVID-19 situation in has been reviewed... It has been observed that there has been a rapid increase in the number of active cases of COVID-19 across the state.

"...and therefore, it is felt that night curfew needs to be imposed in all districts of Assam, except for essential and emergency activities/services," the order signed by Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua said.

Barring emergencies, movement of individuals will not be allowed during the curfew period, it added.

The state government has also ordered all markets and shops to down shutters by 6 pm, and face mask has been made mandatory for everyone, including a person driving a vehicle.

reported 15 fresh fatalities due to COVID-19 on Monday, while the total number of cases rose to 2,40,670 with 3,137 more people testing positive for the disease.

(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.)
Kate Rose (left) working with colleagues at Amarna, an Egyptian archaeological site. Credit: Kate Rose

Harvard archaeology students routinely venture into the past, traveling all over the globe in search of new knowledge. This semester, they are using the technology of today to travel into nearly 90 virtual classrooms as special guest speakers, telling more than 2,500 public and private school students and teachers from elementary, middle, and high schools about subjects ranging from ancient tombs offerings in Mexico to trade practices in the Red Sea region.

Like all the student guest speakers, anthropology Ph.D. candidate Kate Rose produced a video for the grade school students, introducing herself and her field work using animation, still photographs, video, or illustrations. Though she has excavated in Spain, Jordan, Amarna in Egypt, and Catalhoyuk, Turkey, Rose highlighted her use of drones at the Nubian pyramid site of El-Kurru on the Nile (850650 B.C.), showing students how aerial views of royal burial sites became 3D models that may reveal insights about gender and power in this African country.

"I was excited to share my work, which uses drones and new technology to find and record sites in Sudan," said Rose. "The kids have a concept of drones now that you can find them in toy stores, and some kids had even flown drones themselves. So, I was able to relate that to science and archaeology, and to 3D models that we use to experience the site in an accurate way."

After each video, the young students got to engage directly with the guest speaker during a live 30-minute Zoom call that touched on favorite finds, college choices, careers, and life in the field.

The Harvard students focused on a wide array of excavations and inquiries across the globe. Grad student Sara Zaia dazzled her classes with a 3D model of an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus, revealing the painted deity inside. Andrew Bair transported his students to a 14th-century Anglo-Norman castle in Ballintober, County Roscommon, Ireland, where he used high-tech field equipment including ground-penetrating radar, magnetometry, and global-positioning systems. Sarah Loomis focused on Los Guachimontones in Jalisco, Mexico, where she analyzed cemetery and household goods to learn about gender roles from 200900 A.D.

Rose fielded questions about the cemeteries where her aerial research took place. "Sometimes the students would ask about mummies or skeletons. I would tell them how, when we're studying the past, we're also studying real people, so we are very careful, and very respectful of them."

Outreach by Harvard students is a win-win situation, said anthropology Professor Matt Liebmann. "It opens a door into Harvard for grade school students who otherwise might not have any experience with the University," he said. "So it helps to demystify both Harvard and the discipline of archaeology. At the same time, it provides valuable training for our graduate students who are just embarking on careers in education."

A drone view of El Kurru, Sudan, piloted by archaeology student Kate Rose. Credit: Harvard University

"One of the biggest challenges for us student archaeologists is talking to diverse audiences about our research," said Rose. "This is good practice and helps broaden how we relate to our own research. Sharing with kids and teachers gives our own projects more meaning."

The Harvard Museums of Science and Culture launched the pilot program in January to engage kids with social studies. "These articulate and enthusiastic grad students model the skills needed to actively explore the past and discover history," said Polly Hubbard, director of education for the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East. "Teachers looking for links to curriculum tell us they love having ancient history brought alive by field researchers. And it is not just social studies. Science teachers, vocational trade teachers, and English teachers have also responded."

Hubbard designed the program to meet several goals.

"We are a tiny but mighty department with one staff person devoted to school programs, so we tend to think in terms of things that do double or triple duty," she said. "When in-person fee-based school field trips were canceled due to the pandemic, we wanted to support the teachers with expertise that was live but safe, uniquely in our wheelhouse as an anthropology museum, and affordable."

Another goal was to benefit the graduate students. They practice how to communicate effectively about archaeology, a skill that can help enlist community support for field research or attract funding. Students are paid hourly stipends and choose presentations schedules that work with their class commitments.

In anonymous follow-up surveys, the elementary to high school teachers gave the archaeology experience good marks. Several appreciated how the program met teaching standards for ancient civilizations and differentiated fiction from non-fiction; a few noted how a special program makes a big difference to remote teaching. One wrote, "We've been virtual since the start of the school year, and in all honesty, the idea of an educational (and free) program to switch things up for the kids was like music to our ears!"

Demand for the program has been high. Group size averages 26 per session but some presentations have had as many as a hundred students. Teachers from New England are the most frequent responders and the program has received eager requests from Florida, Washington, Canada, and England.

"Next year we hope to support requests from non-school groups like Girl Scouts and to offer more than one program per teacher," Hubbard said. "Oh, and we hope to add more grad students. They are so great!"

Explore further How teachers can use social media to improve learning this fall

More information: The The Virtual Classroom Visit with Harvard Student Archaeologists program is offered at no cost to schools through June, and will be offered again with undergraduate and graduate students starting in October 2021.

This story is published courtesy of the Harvard Gazette, Harvard University's official newspaper. For additional university news, visit Harvard.edu.
[April 27, 2021] Liberty Advisor Group Named One of 2021 Best Places to Work in Chicago

CHICAGO, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Advisor Group (Liberty), a premier management consulting firm that helps clients tackle their toughest business and IT challenges, has been named one of the 2021 Best Places to Work in Chicago. Crain's Chicago Business partnered with Best Companies Group on this survey and awards program to identify companies that have excelled in creating quality workplaces for employees. "I am so proud to work at a company that does great work for our clients and enjoys spending time together." "More than ever this year, our team has joined together to support each other remotely during this pandemic," said Chad Smith, CEO, Liberty Advisor Group. "Our people are what makes Liberty a truly unique and special place. I am so proud to work at a company that does great work for our clients, cares for each other, and enjoys spending time together. Thanks to Crain's Chicago Business for this honor, and to everyone at Liberty for exemplifying our core values of inquiry, resolve, candor, integrity, courage, community and entrpreneurship."



Founded in 2008, Liberty's world-class team has added an impressive $1 billion to our clients' operating incomes over the years, and been involved in 300+ mergers, acquisitions and carve-out projects. The company aims to drive future growth by continuing to align with our clients on their toughest business and IT challenges; further strengthening our collaborative, problem-solving culture; and building genuine and trusting relationships both inside and outside of the firm. In short, we will continue to grow, evolve, and improve. Determining the Best Places to Work in Chicago involved a two-step process. The first step consisted of evaluating each participating company's workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of employee surveys aimed at assessing the experiences and attitudes of individual employees with respect to their workplace. This part was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the best companies and the final ranking. For more information on the Best Places to Work in Chicago program, visit www.bestplacestoworkchi.com

The full list of Best Places to Work in Chicago is featured in Crain's Chicago Business and is available online here. ABOUT LIBERTY ADVISOR GROUP

Liberty Advisor Group is a goal-oriented, client-focused, and results-driven consulting firm. We are a lean, handpicked team of strategists, technologists, and entrepreneurs  battle-tested experts with a steadfast, start-up attitude. We collaborate, integrate, and ideate in real-time with our clients to deliver situation-specific solutions that work. Liberty Advisor Group has the experience to realize our clients' highest ambitions. Liberty has been named as Great Place to Work , to the Best Places to Work in Chicago- 2019, and to FORTUNE's list of Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services.

https://www.libertyadvisorgroup.com/ About Crain's Chicago Business

Crain's Chicago Business is the top source of news, analysis and information on business in metropolitan Chicago for decision-makers in the private and public sectors. Crain's publishes a weekly business magazine, providing deeper analysis, commentary, special reports and features. Crain's also produces databases, live events and sponsored content, all with the aim of deepening readers' understanding of local business. Crain's Chicago Business is the leading source of information on Chicago's economy, the companies, industries and institutions that operate here and the entrepreneurs and innovators who drive the city's growth. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liberty-advisor-group-named-one-of-2021-best-places-to-work-in-chicago-301277342.html SOURCE Liberty Advisor Group

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DALLAS - April 27, 2021 - Researchers with the Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute at UT Southwestern have identified a new protein implicated in cell death that provides a potential therapeutic target that could prevent or delay the progress of neurodegenerative diseases following a stroke.

Scientists from the departments of pathology, neurology, biochemistry, and pharmacology at UTSW have identified and named AIF3, an alternate form of the apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), a protein that is critical for maintaining normal mitochondrial function. Once released from mitochondria, AIF triggers processes that induce a type of programmed cell death.

In a study published in the journal Molecular Neurodegeneration, the UT Southwestern team collaborated with researchers at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and found that, following a stroke, the brain switches from producing AIF to producing AIF3. They also reported that stroke triggers a process known as alternative splicing, in which a portion of the instructions encoding AIF is removed, resulting in the production of AIF3. Defective splicing can cause disease, but modifying the splicing process may offer potential for new therapies.

In both human brain tissue and mouse models developed by researchers, AIF3 levels were elevated after a stroke. In mice, the stroke-induced production of AIF3 led to severe progressive neurodegeneration, hinting at a potential mechanism for a severe side effect of stroke observed in some patients. Stroke has been recognized as the second most common cause of dementia, and it is estimated that 10 percent of stroke patients develop post-stroke neurodegeneration within one year.

The molecular mechanism underlying AIF3 splicing-induced neurodegeneration involves the combined effect of losing the original form of AIF in addition to gaining the altered AIF3, leading to both mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death.

"AIF3 splicing causes mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegeneration," says senior author Yingfei Wang, Ph.D., assistant professor of pathology and neurology and a member of the O'Donnell Brain Institute. "Our study provides a valuable tool to understand the role of AIF3 splicing in the brain and a potential therapeutic target to prevent or delay the progress of neurodegenerative diseases."

The findings are important for understanding the aftereffects of stroke, which strikes nearly 800,000 U.S. residents annually. Stroke kills one person every four minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and about one in every six deaths from cardiovascular disease is attributed to stroke - with ischemic strokes accounting for about 87 percent of all cases. Leading causes of stroke include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and diabetes. Stroke also disproportionately affects certain populations and occurs more often in men, though more women than men die from stroke. CDC figures show Black people have twice the risk of first-time stroke than white people and a higher risk of death. Hispanic populations have seen an increase in death rates since 2013, while other populations have not.

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Other researchers who contributed to this study are Shuiqiao Liu, Mi Zhou, Zhi Ruan, Yanan Wang, Veena Rajaram, Andrew Lemoff, Jennifer E. Wang, Kimmo Hatanpaa, and Weibo Luo of UT Southwestern; and Calvin Chang, Masayuki Sasaki, Kalyani Nambiar, Ted M. Dawson, and Valina L. Dawson of Johns Hopkins.

This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Darrell K Royal Research Fund, American Heart Association, NCRP Scientist Development Grant, The Welch Foundation, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, Texas Institute for Brain Injury and Repair, UT Southwestern Medical Center Startup funds, and UT Rising STARs.

About UT Southwestern Medical Center

UT Southwestern, one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institution's faculty has received six Nobel Prizes, and includes 25 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 17 members of the National Academy of Medicine, and 13 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators. The full-time faculty of more than 2,800 is responsible for groundbreaking medical advances and is committed to translating science-driven research quickly to new clinical treatments. UT Southwestern physicians provide care in about 80 specialties to more than 117,000 hospitalized patients, more than 360,000 emergency room cases, and oversee nearly 3 million outpatient visits a year.
Global health experts are calling on the U.S. government to send its stockpile of AstraZeneca-University of Oxford coronavirus vaccines to India immediately as health officials say they don't anticipate using any of the doses.

During a news briefing on Tuesday, Andy Slavitt, the White House senior COVID-19 advisor, addressed a report stating that the country will be shipping 60 million doses to countries like India over the next two months.

'We are in a position now where we can foresee that we will not be using the AztraZeneca doses that we expect to come on line,' he said.

He clarified that none of the doses in the stockpile are available now because they have not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but that they will begin sending shots once they are authorized.

However, doctors say India is facing a horrendous surge now and that waiting will only allow more hospitalizations and deaths to occur.

In a separate press conference on Tuesday, President Joe Biden said he has discussed with Prime Minister Nareem Modi about sending shots to the country.

We are sending actual mechanical parts that are needed for the machinery they have to build a vaccine,' he said.

'I've discussed from him when we'll be able to send actual vaccines to India, which is my intention to do'

Andy Slavitt, the White House senior COVID-19 advisor, said on Tuesday that doesn't foresee the U.S. using any of its AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine stockpile and will be sending them to other countries after FDA approval. Pictured: A doctor hold a vial of the AstraZenece vaccine near Munich, Germany, March 32

Doctors from Brown University and Harvard Medical School are calling on the U.S. to send its stockpile to India now as the country faces a surge of roughly 350,000 cases per day

'We are sitting on 35-40 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine Americans will never use,' Dr Ashish Jha, Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, wrote on Twitter last week.

'Can we please give or lend them to India? Like maybe now? It'll help. A lot.'

Other public health experts agreed, stressing that India is reporting a record number of infections - more than 350,000 - every day.

'We should be diverting vaccine stock to India now,' wrote Dr Adam Gaffney, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School tweeted.

'Patents should be disregarded and technology transferred as needed to maximize global vaccine production everywhere.'

During the conference on Monday, Slavitt said the AstraZeneca vaccine is highly safe and effective, but that the U.S. has enough doses of vaccines already approved by the FDA without the 300 million ordered from the UK.

'Since it is not approved for use in the U.S, we do not need to use the vaccine here during the next few months,' he said.

'We have sufficient supply of vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson to accomodate our needs in the U.S.'

Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna shots, both of which use new technology known as messenger RNA (mRNA), AstraZeneca developed what is known as a viral vector vaccine.

The immunization combines genetic material from the new virus with the genes of the adenovirus, which causes the common cold.

It codes for the spike protein that the coronavirus uses to enter and infect cells in order to train the body to recognized the virus and induce an immune response if infected.

The storage requirements between the US and UK vaccines are also different.

Moderna's vaccine needs to be shipped and stored at -4F (-20C) and Pfizer's shot needs needs to be at -94 F (-70C), but AstraZeneca's only requires refrigeration.

However, the White House is increasingly feeling assured about the supply of the three vaccines being administered in the U.S., particularly following the restart of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot over the weekend.

The U.S. has also been under mounting pressure in recent weeks to share more of its vaccine supply with the world, as countries like India experience devastating surges of the virus and others struggle to access doses needed to protect their most vulnerable populations.

'Given the strong portfolio of vaccines that the U.S. already has and that have been authorized by the FDA, and given that the AstraZeneca vaccine is not authorized for use in the U.S., we do not need to use the AstraZeneca vaccine here during the next several months,' said White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients on Monday.

'Therefore the U.S. is looking at options to share the AstraZeneca doses with other countries as they become available.'

About 10 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine have been produced but have yet to pass review by the FDA to 'meet its expectations for product quality,' Zients said, noting the U.S. regulator is recognized as the 'gold standard' for safety around the world.

That process could be completed in the next several weeks. About 50 million more doses are in various stages of production and could be available to ship in May and June pending FDA sign-off.

The U.S. has yet to finalize where the AstraZeneca doses will go, Zients said.

Neighbors Mexico and Canada have asked the Biden administration to share more doses, while dozens of other countries are looking to access supplies of the vaccine.

'We're in the planning process at this point in time,' said White House press secretary Jen Psaki, when asked where the doses would go.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 28)  Metro Manila mayors have recommended a "flexible modified enhanced community quarantine" over their cities, in a bid to keep COVID-19 under control while slowly opening up more industries in their respective areas.

This was revealed Tuesday by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos, who said mayors chose between three options: keeping the MECQ, shifting to a more relaxed general community quarantine, or choosing the proposed flexible MECQ -- or retaining the MECQ status but allowing more economic activities.

The proposed flexible MECQ is a middle ground where border control will remain, health protocols are strict, and some businesses will be allowed to operate, like those in construction and personal hygiene services.

Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro voted in favor of the flexible MECQ, saying a balance between public health and safety and economic activity must be made.

Mayors also voted for shortened curfew hours although the times are not yet definite.

Mayors were earlier divided about what quarantine classifications should be set for May. The current MECQ status will last until April 30.

READ: Health Chief Duque backs extended MECQ in NCR Plus bubble

The mayors' suggestions will be carried to the meeting of the Inter-agency Task Force for pandemic response, then a recommendation will be made to President Rodrigo Duterte.

The President is expected to announce a decision on the quarantine status for next month during his address on Wednesday.

CNN Philippines correspondent Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  Deputies in a South Florida county are being instructed not to enforce an anti-rioting law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last week, unless its absolutely necessary.

When it is deemed necessary, the decision must run it up the chain of command before taking action, according to an internal memo obtained by the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Col. David R. Holmes, the Broward County Sheriffs Offices executive director of law enforcement, emailed district captains Wednesday to say the anti-rioting law threatened to diminish the sheriffs offices attempts to connect with the community.

The sheriffs office doesnt need any overzealous deputies utilizing the new law to conduct enforcement that could violate peoples civil liberties, Holmes said in the email.

The so-called anti-riot law that DeSantis signed last week was a response to nationwide demonstrations that occurred in the wake of George Floyds murder. Most of the protests against racial injustice were peaceful, but some turned violent.

A nonprofit group last week filed a lawsuit in federal court in Orlando, challenging the new law.

Opponents of the law said it was a racist reaction to a problem that hasnt occurred in Florida. They saw it as an attempt to squash the voices of groups like Black Lives Matter.

The new law enhances penalties for crimes committed during a riot or violent protest. It allows authorities to hold arrested protesters until a first court appearance and establishes new felonies for organizing or participating in a violent demonstration.

It also strips local governments of civil liability protections if they interfere with law enforcements efforts to respond to a violent protest and adds language to state law that could force local governments to justify a reduction in law enforcement budgets.

It also makes it a second-degree felony to destroy or demolish a memorial, plaque, flag, painting, structure or other object that commemorates historical people or events. That would be punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Hyderabad, April 27 : The Telangana High Court on Tuesday directed the State Election Commission to submit a report on the steps being taken to check the spread of Covid-19 during April 30 elections to seven urban local bodies.

The court expressed the apprehension that the municipal polls could add to the intensity of Covid wave in the state and asked the poll panel to inform the court about the steps being taken to contain the spread during polling.

The SEC was asked to submit a detailed report by April 29, providing details of the preventive steps being taken at polling booths and during the counting of votes.

Elections to the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation, the Khammam Municipal Corporation, and the Atchampet, Siddipet, Nakrekaral, Jadcherla and Kothur municipalities are being held on April 30.

The SEC is going ahead with the conduct of the polls despite demands by opposition parties, who fear that the elections could lead to a further spike in Covid cases.

The high court also expressed its unhappiness over the report submitted by the state government on Covid situation in the state, observing that the government has not provided the details in its report.

Voicing concern over the continuing surge in number of cases and deaths, the court again asked the government as to why it is not increasing the number of RT-PCR tests despite repeated directions.

The court directed that HITAM app be revived for those in home isolation. It also asked the health authorities to release district wise bulletin on Covid.

It also asked the government to increase toll free numbers of Covid control room. It also expressed its anguish over lack of sufficient number of ambulances to transport dead bodies.

The high court also termed as ridiculous the information that police registered only four cases in the state for violating social distancing norms.

The government in its report stated that from April 1 to April 25, a total of 23.55 lakh Covid tests were conducted. These comprised 4.39 lakh RT PCR tests and 19.16 lakh rapid antigen tests. It informed the court that steps are being taken to increase the number of tests.

The court directed the government to submit a report with all the details and adjourned the hearing to May 5.
Lottie Moss looked typically stunning as she filmed herself posing up a storm in a black leather corset and shorts on Monday.

The model, 23, used a devil Instagram filter that made horns appear on her head and she captioned the sultry snap 'The devil inside'.

The younger sister of Kate Moss, styled her signature blonde locks into loose waves, she added a slick of glamorous make-up.

Pose: Lottie Moss looked typically stunning as she filmed herself posing up a storm in a black leather corset and shorts

The star paired her outfit with a gold cross necklace and a choker.

Lottie arrived back to the UK last week after four months away in the sunshine of LA and New York.

Since she has arrived from the US, Lottie will have to quarantine for 10 days back at her London home.

Filter: The model, 23, used a devil Instagram filter that made horns appear on her head and she captioned the sultry snap 'The devil inside'

Recently, the model marked 420 - the annual cannabis celebration day - by posing with a roll-up in an Instagram snap.

In 2016, growing, possessing and using limited quantities of weed became legal in California.

It was recently claimed that Storm Management appears to be fighting a desperate campaign to stop the blonde from ruining her career.

Blonde beauty Lottie, who rose to prominence as a starlet with promise of a successful fashion career, now sells raunchy photos of herself on the site, where erotic photos of influencers sell for as little as 3.

And now, sources say, Storm is working frantically to protect Lottie and 'save her from herself'  though some family members fear she could have already sabotaged her future.

Home: Lottie arrived back to the UK last week after four months away in the sunshine of LA and New York

An insider told The Mail On Sunday: 'These photos and the path she's on will affect her future as a model, but also as a woman. What if one day she wants a normal job?

'Storm can't let Lottie become another victim of this crazy influencer-meets-celebrity, image-obsessed culture. Her mental health needs to be protected.'

Another source close to the agency said: 'Storm feels very protective of the lovely Lottie. They are hoping this phase will pass.

'Lottie is still pretty and is far from finished, but she needs to stop messing with her appearance and underselling herself.

'Not so long ago she... was modelling for Chanel and appearing in Vogue. She showed a lot of promise and now she has lost her way.'
A former York man who was staying in a local motel this weekend is now locked up, accused of beating his girlfriend and shocking her in the head with a stun gun, according to police.

Jeffrey Lynn Dorm, 60, of the 6000 block of Guyer Avenue in Philadelphia, remains in York County Prison on $100,000 bail, charged with the misdemeanors of unlawful use of an incapacitation device, simple assault and possessing a prohibited offensive weapon. Hes also charged with summary harassment.

After Northern York County Regional Police separated Dorm from his 50-year-old girlfriend, she told an officer that Dorm beats her, charging documents allege.

She also told the officer, thanks to you, I will be able to get out of here, those documents state.

The woman also told officers she bought the stun gun for protection because Dorm  who is 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds  physically assaults her, charging documents allege.

Officers were called to the Motel 6 at 125 Arsenal Road in Manchester Township about 12:30 a.m. Saturday for multiple reports of someone being assaulted, Northern Regional Police said.

Patrol Officer Brian Schantz wrote in charging documents that he could hear yelling coming from the fourth-floor room where Dorm was staying. Schantz knocked on the door, and Dorm opened it and said, were fine. I am going to handle it, documents state.

Dorm told the officer there had been other people in the room who had been fighting, and they had just left, according to police.

Gestured to cop: As Dorm spoke with Schantz, Dorms girlfriend was sitting on a bed in the room, waving to get the officers attention and gesturing for him to come inside, documents state.

But when Dorm would turn around and look in her direction, the woman would stop and act as if shed simply been sitting there, police said.

Schantz noted that the towel Dorm had wrapped around his hand had drops of blood on it, police said. He had a fellow officer whod just arrived continue speaking with Dorm while Schantz spoke with the woman in the room.

I immediately noticed a large lump, bruising, and blood above (her) left eye and blood and bruising on the right side of her face near her nose, Schantz wrote in charging documents.

The woman said Dorm punched her in the face and also used her pink stun gun to shock her in the head, above the left eye, documents allege.

Officers then found a pink stun gun in Dorms pocket, documents state. The only injuries he suffered were cuts to his knuckles from punching the woman, police allege.

In response to Dorm claiming some friends had just left his room after arguing there, Motel 6 employees told police that no one else had been in the room.

Its unclear if Dorm has retained an attorney, and he could not be reached for comment.



Reach senior crime reporter Liz Evans Scolforo at levans@yorkdispatch.com or on Twitter at @LizScolforoYD.

Liz Evans Scolforo of The York Dispatch, Pa. wrote this story.

(c)2021 The York Dispatch (York, Pa.)

Visit The York Dispatch (York, Pa.) at www.yorkdispatch.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A new online tool shows you how many social media followers you'll need to earn a living from being an 'influencer' and quit your 9-5 job for good.

The 'social salary calculator', created by music licensing platform Lickd.co, works out a level of social media engagement that would earn you your ideal salary.

For example, if your desired yearly salary is 50,000, you'll need a minimum of 1,000 YouTube subscribers and 16.6 million yearly views on your videos.

Alternatively, on Instagram, you'll need a minimum of 5,000 followers and 214 sponsored posts a year on the platform to earn the desired 50,000.

Or you could earn 50,000 a year from having at least 10,000 TikTok subscribers and 187.6 million TikTok video views a year.

So-called 'influencers' with millions of follows can make a handsome living from promoting products on their social media accounts.

The 'social salary calculator' from Lickd.co lets you enter your desired salary and provides an estimate of how much social media engagement you'd need

WHAT IS AN INFLUENCER? Influencers are people paid by companies to endorse their product on their social media accounts. Influencers can charge thousands of pounds to endorse a single product. This means posting one photo to Instagram with an endorsement can constitute a day's work. And the more followers an influencer has, the more they're likely to get paid for a single post. Influencers don't have to be celebrities or specialists in any particular field - they just have lots of followers and get paid to post certain content. Advertisement

Lickd.co says being a social media influencer is the new 'dream job', as it usually involves getting paid to simply post photos online next to a particular promotion, like beauty products, vitamins or clothing brands.

About 22,000 people each month search for 'how to become an influencer' on Google, Lickd.co claims  showing there is a demand to quit the day job in favour of earning a living entirely through social media.

Lickd.co has used various industry estimates to come up with the new tool, including Influencer Marketing Hubs YouTube Money Calculator, which estimates that the average YouTube creator received $7.60 (5.46) per 1,000 views.

'Influencers are a rapidly growing breed and the top ones are making some serious money, so it's no wonder that more and more people are looking to give up the day job,' Lickd.co says.

'So when it comes to the cold, hard numbers, how many followers, views, and posts would you need to make the wage that youre currently earning?

'Using various industry estimates, weve created the following calculators so you can work out just that.'

Annoyingly, even the calculator's estimate for earning the average salary in the US (24,554) as an influencer sounds like a lot of effort.

To earn this much per annum, you'd need a minimum of 1,000 YouTube subscribers and 8.1 million yearly views, or a minimum of 5,000 Instagram followers and 105 sponsored posts, or at least 10,000 TikTok subscribers and 92.1 million views a year.

It's estimated that you need at least 5,000 followers before you can start to actually make any money from Instagram (Stock image)

As an example, if wannabee influencers opted for YouTube as their platform of choice, Likd.co estimates they'd need 1,000 subscribers or 4,000 hours of content uploaded in the last 12 months to start making money.

They'd also need to be eligible for monetisation through YouTubes Partner Programme (YPP)  a first step for making money from a YouTube channel.

'The average advertiser pays $7.60 for every 1,000 impressions on their ad, but bear in mind that Google keeps 45 per cent of this ad revenue,' Lickd.co says.

Lickd.co says: 'Influencers are a rapidly growing breed and the top ones are making some serious money'

'This means that you can expect to make $4.18 for every 1,000 views.'

It's also estimated that you need at least 5,000 followers before you can start to actually make any money from Instagram, or 10,000 followers and more than 10,000 views in the last 30 days to make money from TikTok.

Although 'influencers' are generally seen as having it easy, many of them insist that posting content online is hard work.

Influencers don't have to be celebrities or specialists in any particular field  they just have lots of followers and get paid to post certain content.

Many tend to be ex-reality TV contestants who have garnered enough exposure from their stint on TV to accumulate followers on social media  and then be noticed by companies for their potential.

Examples include former BA air stewardess Amy Hart, who can earn 1,000-plus for posting a picture of herself holding a bottle of hair conditioner or a packet of chewing gum.

'Influencing is a new form of advertising, Hart said. If someone said they worked in advertising and they had to go to Dubai, you wouldnt bat an eyelid.'

However, influencers have been criticised for spreading falsehoods about topics that lie outside their areas of expertise, such as the coronavirus pandemic.

Last year, New Zealand influencer Zoe Fuimaono told her 63,500 followers not to get Covid tests if they didn't want to and questioned the effectiveness of wearing a face mask.

'Message your friends who are nurses and doctors and ask them what they think about the community wearing them,' she said.

'They will tell you they won't work because we won't use them properly because we aren't medical professionals.'
Hina Khan Tests Positive For Novel Coronavirus; Goes Under Home Quarantine

TV actor Hina Khan informed on Monday night that she has tested positive for COVID-19. The 33-year-old TV star took to Instagram and posted a statement confirming that she has quarantined herself at her home. She wrote, "In these extremely difficult and challenging times for me & my family, I have tested positive for Covid-19."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by HK (@realhinakhan)

"Following the guidance of my doctors, I have home quarantined myself and taking all necessary precautions. Requesting everyone who came in contact with me to get themselves tested. All I need is your prayers. Be safe and take care," added Khan. Along with the post on the photo-sharing platform, the actor posted a folded hands emoticon. As soon as the actor informed about her COVID prognosis, scores of fans chimed into the comments section and wished the former Bigg Boss contestant a speedy recovery.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by HK (@realhinakhan)

The second wave of coronavirus has infected many people, and the number of COVID-19 positive cases has been rapidly rising. In Bollywood, an array of celebrities have got infected within a span of a few weeks. Maharashtra recorded 66,191 fresh COVID-19 cases and 832 related deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the state health bulletin update on Sunday evening.
PORTLAND, Ore.  After the protests have concluded, sometimes in the early morning hours, Margaret Carter finds herself climbing into her gray Toyota Camry and cruising the streets of Portland so she can see the latest damage for herself.

Carter, 85, has been downtown to the Oregon Historical Society, where demonstrators have twice smashed out the windows, recently scrawling No More History on the side of the building. She has driven past the local headquarters of the Democratic Party, where windows have also been shattered. Last week, she found herself at the Boys & Girls Club in her own neighborhood, nearing tears at the scene of costly window destruction at a place she has worked so hard to support.

Portland was a beautiful city, said Carter, who was the first Black woman elected to the Oregon Legislative Assembly and is now retired. Now you walk around and see all the graffiti, buildings being boarded up. I get sick to my stomach. And I get angry.

After almost a year of near-continuous protests since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Portlands city leaders are signaling that it may be time for a more aggressive crackdown on the most strident street actions.

Mayor Ted Wheeler, himself a target of many of the protests as he oversaw a police department that has repeatedly turned to aggressive tactics, last week put into place a state of emergency that lasted six days and vowed to unmask those demonstrators who engaged in repeated acts of vandalism or arson, saying it was time to hurt them a little bit.

The demonstrations over racial justice and police violence have struck a chord with many Portland residents, and the mayors effort has infuriated some in the progressive citys more liberal corners. Wheelers call for crowdsourced surveillance has alarmed civil rights advocates, and critics say the city has failed to bring an end to acts of violence by the Portland Police Bureau, a demand echoed by hundreds of demonstrators who have not destroyed property.

One of the latest flash points came this month, when a police officer fatally shot a man in a city park  a shooting that authorities have largely not explained.

Teressa Raiford, a community organizer who founded the nonprofit Dont Shoot PDX, said activists were focused on saving lives while city leaders seemed to be focused on saving windows.

There would not be protests if police didnt continue to murder people, Raiford said. I wish we cared about life as much as we care about property.

Protests erupted in thousands of communities around the country after Floyds death, but most gradually petered out. Portland, by contrast, had nightly protests for months, with a broad swath of the community demanding changes to confront racism and inequality in the criminal justice system. The Police Bureau exacerbated tensions, using force and tear gas in ways that have drawn the ire of judges and the Justice Department.

But the crowd sizes have waned, and figures such as Terry Porter, the former Portland Trail Blazers player, have called for an end to destructive demonstrations. Wheeler seemed to use last weeks conviction of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who murdered Floyd, as an opportunity to bring the most raucous of the protests to a close.

As people around the country went into the streets to cheer the conviction, some businesses in Portland boarded up their windows once again. That night, a small group of activists wearing black approached a group of journalists, threatening to smash the cameras of those who remained on scene. The group later shattered windows at two Starbucks stores. One man was arrested after throwing a punch at a police officer.

The crowds the city has seen are often made up of amorphous groups of people who come for different reasons. Chris Davis, the deputy police chief, estimated there were 150 to 200 people among the regular protesters who were prone to engage in property destruction, although the demonstrations often feature smaller numbers.

Those protesters often seen in identity-concealing black apparel and engaging in vandalism are a mix of anarchists and police abolitionists, said David Myers, an activist who has joined many of the citys protests. He said that while he was OK with those who engaged in property damage to apply pressure on city officials unwilling to impose change, he bemoaned that some of those demonstrators seemed to be sidelining the original Black Lives Matter message and harming the cause. In some cases, he said, businesses owned by Black people or which support the Black community have been attacked.

I think everybody in that mix wants to say they are BLM, but their actions show otherwise, Myers said.

Myers was among a group of Black activists who posted a letter to the protest community last week, decrying ongoing behavior seen as detrimental to Black Liberation. Success, it said, requires thoughtful action.

The increasing consternation among protesters themselves provided an opening last week for Wheeler to announce a crackdown.

In his call for the publics help, Wheeler urged people to report anything they might overhear about property destruction plans or boasts. He also called for residents to report protesters who appeared to be disguising their identity and to document their license plates for the police. He urged a local college to expel one student currently facing charges in connection with a demonstration if the student is convicted.

Police officers have been attempting to target and arrest demonstrators who engage in property destruction. Using a tactic known as kettling that has been used in policing protests around the country despite concerns from civil rights advocates, officers last month surrounded a crowd and began gathering information about each person caught inside the perimeter. The effort yielded a lot of information, Davis said.

In another recent case, after activists lit a fire at the police union headquarters, investigators reported working with an informant in the crowd to identify a suspect.

Mike Schmidt, the Multnomah County prosecutor, has taken a forgiving attitude toward protesters who remained peaceful. When he took office last summer, he effectively dismissed protest-related charges against hundreds of people.

Since then, he said, his office has been focused on protesters who have committed violent crimes or those involving property; for those who are arrested after such crimes, prosecutors will consider restoring lesser criminal charges that were previously dropped. He said his office was also asking judges to impose additional conditions for the pretrial release of some people charged with crimes, requiring them to leave any demonstration in which police officers declare an unlawful assembly or a riot.

Schmidt said he was frustrated that people were still engaging in property destruction, noting cases like the Boys & Girls Club.

These are not just attacks on windows, he said. These are attacks on our community. These are attacks on the values of who we are.

Myers, the activist, said he was worried about the mayors call for members of the public to alert the police when they see people wearing black protester-style clothing, saying it raises the prospect of vigilante actions. It puts people at risk, he said.

Myers said he expected the protests to continue despite the mayors efforts to quash them.

Eric Murfitt, who manages Mercantile Portland, a high-end womens clothing store, said he had heard leaders such as Wheeler expressing the right determination to end the unrest. But he said he still had not seen a lot of follow-through or results.

Do we want to live in chaos where there are no laws, no police, no accountability? Murfitt said. Or do we want to live in a civil society?

Murfitt said a night of looting in May resulted in $1 million in damage at his store, only days after it had reopened after the coronavirus lockdowns. Later in the year, Murfitt said, the stores insurer declined to renew the policy.

The store eventually found another insurer but must pay four times more than the previous policy  tens of thousands of additional dollars per year  for a new policy that does not cover losses from civil unrest, Murfitt said. He said he was also spending tens of thousands of dollars to put bars over the windows and film on the window glass.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
On 26 April 2021, Documento publisher and journalist Kostas Vaxevanis was given increased police protection after the Athens Prosecutors Office ordered a preliminary investigation into information received by Vaxevanis about a murder contract issued against him. The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ/EFJ) joined their affiliates in Greece, JUADN, in welcoming the police action and expressing support to Kostas Vaxevanis.

Publisher of Documento newspaper and journalist Kostas Vaxevanis has publicly stated that he fears for his life after receiving several credible information that he was a target since 6 April. The police increased protection for Kostas Vaxevanis and the newspapers building in Athens.

According to Kostas Vaxevanis, these threats are linked to recent revelations in his newspaper about a controversial TV host who was given too much police protection by the government. Vaxevanis is known for his investigations into corruption.

All this is taking place in the light of the murder of a journalist, only some days ago, he wrote on Documento.

Giorgos Karaivaz, a veteran Greek television journalist who specialised in reporting on crime was shot dead on 9 April near his home in Athens in a mafia style murder. An investigation is currently underway.

We urgently demand public the prosecution authorities and the police to investigate Kostas Vaxevanis allegations and shed light into the case, said the Journalists Union of Athens Daily Newspapers in a press release.

The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ/IFJ) welcomed the protection provided by the police and call for a swift investigation.

No journalist should work in a situation of fear and what our colleague is going through is everyones concerns. The Greek authorities must understand the seriousness of the situation and do everything possible to avoid other attacks against journalists, said EFJ General Secretary Ricardo Gutierrez.

Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary said: I welcome the commitment of our Greek affiliates to journalists at a time when the profession has been plunged into mourning with the murder of Giorgos Karaivaz a few weeks ago. It is the responsibility of the public authorities to ensure the safety of our colleague, and I welcome this vital decision.
The ad wars in the New York City mayors race are officially on.

The city comptroller, Scott M. Stringer, is kicking off his first television ad campaign this week, marking the beginning of a new, intense and expensive phase of the race eight weeks out from the June 22 primary that is likely to determine the next mayor of New York.

While other lower-profile Democratic candidates  Shaun Donovan, the former secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Raymond J. McGuire, a former Citigroup executive  have already been advertising on television, Mr. Stringers new buy will be the most significant on-air expenditure of any of the top-polling candidates to date.

After months of campaigning by Zoom and, increasingly, at in-person events, the candidates are moving toward pricey on-air advertising, signaling the start of an aggressive chapter in the race, designed to capture the attention of voters who have yet to tune in to the most consequential mayoral contest in a generation.

Mr. Stringer, one of the best-funded candidates in the contest, intends to stay on air with advertising through the primary, his campaign said. His first ad, starting Wednesday, is running on broadcast, cable and digital, and the weeklong initial buy cost just under $1 million, his campaign said.
STORY: Mauritania Virus Vaccine - Mauritania receives more vaccines through COVAX

LENGTH: 01:28

FIRST RUN: 0022

RESTRICTIONS:

TYPE: Arabic/Natsound

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

STORY NUMBER: 4322910

DATELINE: 26 April 2021 - Nouakchott

SHOTLIST:

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nouakchott - 26 April 2021

1. Wide of plane landing at NouakchottOumtounsy International Airport

2. Various of boxes with AstraZeneca vaccines being unloaded from plane

3. Members of UNICEF putting stickers on boxes reading "COVAX. Gavi. Cepi. Unicef. World Health Organization"

4. Mid of Mohamed mahmoud Ely mahmoud, Director of Strategic Information and Epidemiological Surveillance at Mauritania Health Ministry

5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohamed mahmoud Ely mahmoud, Director of Strategic Information and Epidemiological Surveillance at Mauritania Health Ministry:

"Today we have received a new batch of vaccines via COVAX, 31,200 doses, provided by the global mechanism COVAX. The vaccine that we have received is the AstraZeneca one."

6. Various of boxes containing vaccines being loaded into truck

7. Truck leaving

STORYLINE:

The first doses of vaccines donated by Europe and delivered through the COVAX programme arrived in Mauritania on Monday.

Last week France became the first rich country to donate COVID-19 vaccines from its national supply to a developing nation through the U.N.'s jab rollout program for low- and middle-income countries, shipping doses to Mauritania.

COVAX is an international collaboration to deliver vaccines equitably across the world.

"Today we have received a new batch of vaccines via COVAX, 31,200 doses" said Mohamed mahmoud Ely mahmoud, Director of Strategic Information and Epidemiological Surveillance at Mauritania Health Ministry who was at the airport in Nouakchott, receiving the shipment that arrived in an Air France plane.

On Twitter, the French embassy in Mauritania said the objective of the donation is to help the African country to speed up the vaccination.

Leaders of the COVAX program hailed the French donation, which was announced by President Emmanuel Macron last Friday, and called on other rich countries to follow suit at a time of intense competition for short supplies of vaccines, as coronavirus infection counts are on the rise.

Macron said France would donate at least 500,000 doses through to mid-June to the program, and the total could reach around 13 million from France alone by year-end, officials said.

While New Zealand has pledged to donate 1.6 million doses of vaccine that it had been set to receive through COVAX, the French donation is the first from a national supply.

Spain has pledged to start donating up to 7.5 million doses to COVAX this year, once half of its own population is vaccinated.

Based on current vaccination rates, that milestone is expected to be reached by July.

Spain's donations would benefit Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Gavi, a Geneva-based public-private partnership, said other countries have expressed interest in donations of doses through COVAX  including Britain, Canada and Norway.

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'Captured alive on May 8, killed on May 17 in alleged clash with Sabah police' FIVE ABU Sayyaf terrorists were killed following an a...
Princeton University is apologizing for its role in mishandling bones of victims of the 1985 bombing of the MOVE organization in Philadelphia that were never returned to the family.

Retired Princeton Professor Emeritus of Anthropology Alan Mann was in custody of remains of children who were killed in the police bombings, which burned two city blocks and left 11 people dead. He was hired in 2000 from the University of Pennsylvania, where he began his attempts to identify remains and continued to study one set of remains that couldnt be identified.

Given (Professor) Manns affiliation with our department, coupled with what we know about the troubled history of the field of physical anthropology, we should have asked more questions about his research, the universitys anthropology department said in a statement.

As anthropologists we acknowledge that American physical anthropology began as a racist science marked by support for, and participation in, eugenics. It defended slavery, played a role in supporting restrictive immigration laws, and was used to justify segregation, oppression and violence in the USA and beyond.

The Ivy League schools have been at the center of controversy since a BillyPenn and Philadelphia Inquirer report revealed the victims remains had sat in museums for decades, were used in curriculum, and traveled between the two universities.

Princeton spokesman Ben Chang said on Twitter that based on an initial investigation, there currently are no remains of the victims stored at Princeton University. The anthropology policies also state there is no research or teaching trajectory focused on human remains, and no plans to create a collection of human bones. All teaching materials are casts and replicas.

The statement acknowledged the universitys complicity in this history and are committed to working against elements of the anthropological approaches that facilitate, perpetuate or reiterate the racist and harmful practices relating to human bodies, lives and experiences.

Princeton also apologized to the Africa family, the remaining members of the MOVE organization that clashed with police and city government, and is still active today. The family said they did not know the universities ever had possession of the remains.

The University of Pennsylvania apologized earlier this week for retaining the remains for far too long.

We understand the importance of reuniting the remains with the family, and we are working now to find a respectful, consultative resolution, the Penn Museum said in a statement.

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Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz.

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Nearly One Million Orange County Residents Fully Inoculated

Nearly one million people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in Orange County, according to federal data.

It means 30 percent of the county, or 39.2 percent of the adult population, has completed its vaccination schedule, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of April 27, 981,133 people were fully vaccinated.

The county is still on track for Operation Independence, its target of vaccinating the large majority of county residents by July 4, said Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee.

The governor has said June 15. I think that may be a little optimistic, so I feel comfortable at this point with July 4, Chaffee told The Epoch Times.

Achieving the goal of Operation Independence would mean reaching herd immunity, he said. While the numbers are debated, herd immunity would reportedly require 70 to 80 percent of the population to be vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Orange County health officials will resume use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine following a recommendation by the California Department of Public Health.

The vaccine was temporarily paused by the CDC after six women suffered rare and severe blood clots 6 to 13 days after receiving a Johnson & Johnson dose.

We give people a choice, we dont make them take a particular vaccine, Chaffee said, adding that some people prefer the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. But if they are afraid of it or have some other concerns, we have a Moderna and Pfizer available and they can choose which one they want.

The county so far has not dealt with people reluctant to receive the vaccine, as appointments are still being quickly filled, Chaffee said.

However, he added, that could change.

We think that the demand is going to be good at least until mid-May, and then maybe well have some hesitancy to have to deal with, he said, noting that many of those hesitant to take the vaccine can likely be persuaded eventually.

To help encourage those reluctant to receive the shots, the county will be sending out mailers and emails, though the best messengers are those who have received the vaccine and are happy with it, Chaffee said.

We encourage [people who are vaccinated] to talk it up to others in the community. So it will be ongoing, when we get thereI think we cant wait just to find out that Gee, today people are not showing up for their appointment so we need to get on that [now, and] I think well be rolling some stuff out the end of the week.

Additionally, the city of Irvine opened a mass drive-thru vaccination clinic at Orange County Great Park on April 26.

Its opening came as the County of Orange announced it would close its Disneyland point of dispensing (POD) site as of April 30, with drive-thru compliant service being offered at Soka University, Santa Ana College, and the Orange County Fairgrounds instead.

The Disneyland site opened Jan. 13 and was the countys first super POD. By April 30, officials are estimating the site will have administered 233,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) made the determination to close the site in order to reallocate existing staff resources to other super-POD locations, it said.

Were not going awaywere just balancing the changing needs of eligible patients with our staffing and vaccine allocations to ensure we can be as responsive as possible, OCHCA director Dr. Clayton Chau said in a prepared statement.
An international student from China attending the University of Alberta in Canada was punched and stabbed by a man while exiting a train at University Station on April 24.





What happened: The assault occurred around 9:30 p.m., according to The Gateway. The victim requested for his name to be withheld so that his parents in China wouldn't worry.



The suspect, identified by the Edmonton Police Services (EPS) as David Durocher, 30, allegedly followed the student on the train.

Durocher allegedly verbally harassed and followed the victim when he exited the train onto the platform, Global News reported.

The man then punched him in the face. Durocher pulled a knife and stabbed the victim in the arm before fleeing via the University Station escalators.

Authorities arrested Durocher near University Avenue and 114 Street.

The victim said he waited 15-20 minutes for an ambulance to arrive after using an emergency button to call for help.

Durocher was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon x2 (knives and bear spray), EPS told NextShark.



No bystander intervention: The student said nobody near him came to help after Durocher left the scene. Bystanders allegedly prevented other passengers from helping, saying it was "his problem."



Gurbani Baweja, vice president of the International Students Association, said the student is doing okay now, adding the ISA and Students Union have reached out to the Dean of Students and International Student Services so he can receive the support for recovery.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the ISA called the University of Alberta Protective Services (UAPS) to work with the EPS for a shorter response time.





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The victim said he did not feel safe using the transit system following the assault, reported CityNews Edmonton.

International students are most dependent on public transit and thus as a City, it is a responsibility of the local authorities to ensure that our public transit is safe to use, the association added. This incident also highlights the stronger need for EPS to be engaged on the Campus Security.



Not a hate crime: The student said the attack was not racially motivated, a sentiment that ISA also mirrored in its statement.



Story continues

We would like to clarify that this violent incident was not an Asian hate crime, it reads. At the university, we cherish our diverse community and request that this incident shall not be seen as an attack on the Asian community at the UofA.

The organization also reassured the university community that the campuses are safe for international students.

[The student] said it was just a random incident, Baweja told The Gateway. We dont want people to perceive it in that sense because if there is any false information out there it will impact our Asian community.

University President Bill Flanagan called the incident "deeply concerning" and emphasized the "well being and safety" of students as "top priority," in a statement to the university on Monday.



NextShark has reached out to the student for further comment. But in an update to a Facebook post, which was initially taken down, the victim thanked the public for the messages of support.



"I will update this case when I feel better about my mental and physical health," he said.



Feature Image via CityNews Edmonton

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[April 27, 2021] Bitdeer Group Outlines Global Computing Partnerships and Plans for Greener Cryptocurrency Mining

SINGAPORE, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- During the Second 421 Wet Season Festival and Mining Ecology Conference, Bitdeer Group, a global leader in digital assets mining through their cloud computing platform, announced the company's vision to develop a globally strategic mining infrastructure. "The Bitdeer Group has made preparations in order to adapt to the mining industry trends and market changes head on," said Matt Kong, Bitdeer Group CEO, during the event. Kong stated the digital asset industry is entering its strongest moment in history. The value of digital assets stem from the foundation of credibility due to blockchain's decentralization property. "Creating Credible Value" is not only the theme of the conference, but also the business philosophy of the Bitdeer Group. In addition to their mining hub in Asia, BitDeer.com has partnerships with mining providers in North America and Europe. By distributing BitDeer's computing power on a global scale, BitDeer.com's mining operations are more balanced and risk resistant. Bitdeer Group also has a myriad of high-performance mining machines and the ability to procure additional hardware to avoid bottlenecks due to global computer chip shortages. Jihan Wu, Chairman of the Bitdeer Group, joined the conference via a webcast to welcome the Wet Season and share his insight on the bull market. "In the long run, the blockchain industry is bullish and is the biggest opportunity. The innovations in this industry may even surpass the Internet itself," Wu said to a full conference of miners and investors. Wu explained the main problems miners face are sharp drops in cryptocurrency prices which force miners re-evaluate risks. He noted other concerns, including the fact that mining has become increasingly specialized and centralized within large-scale operations. Bitdeer Group is in a prime position to solve these issues with the group's sheer computing power and short-term contracts. Wu also views institutional involvement as a positive sign that the mining industry has been recognized by mainstream investment funds. Bitdeer Group is also advancing greener mining operations by using low-cost, clean energy solutions for all of their self-operated mines in China. The group will complete a 100M hydropower consumption park which will be put into use this year. "The trends in green energy and the beneficial impacts of hydropower for the mining industry will have long lasting effects," Wu said. BitDeer.com shares the risk of ryptocurrency mining with its customers by making it a priority for their customers to be paid back with an acceleration plan. BitDeer.com has high-quality mining farms in Texas and Tennessee in the US as well as Norway and other countries to reduce risks for customers and help provide additional income from mining during this bull market run.



The second BitDeer 421 Wet Season and Mining Ecology Conference was co-sponsored by the Bitdeer Group, BitDeer.com, Mining++, BTC.com, Matrixport, and media provider Blockbeats. Leading mining representatives at 421 Wet Season conference included:

Jihan Wu , Bitdeer Group Chairman

, Bitdeer Group Chairman Matt Kong , CEO at Bitdeer Group

, CEO at Bitdeer Group Ye Jiejie, Operations Manager at BitDeer.com

Liang Baoqing, MinerPlus Leader at Bitdeer Group

Wang Wenguang, Data Center Leader at Bitdeer Group

Fan Xiaojun , Head of Sales and Marketing at Bitdeer Group

, Head of Sales and Marketing at Bitdeer Group Ge Yuesheng, CEO at Matrixport

Meng Xiaoni, Vice President at Bit Mining and BTC.com

Jiang Zhuoer, CEO of BTC.TOP and B.TOP

Qingqing, CMO of F2Pool

Yang Xiao , Cofounder of Pandaminer

, Cofounder of Pandaminer Li Peicai, Cofounder of WAYI.CN

Yang Xianfeng, CEO of 500.com

Liu Jibin, Vice President of 500.com and General Manager of Changhe Hydropower Consumption Park

Hu Tao , CEO of Blofin and founder of TokenInsight

, CEO of Blofin and founder of TokenInsight Mike Colyer , CEO of Foundry The Bitdeer Group is committed to working with outstanding industry partners to build the top mining service ecosystem. By creating a rich and open mining ecology, cooperating with high-quality mining providers for mutually beneficial partnerships, and maintaining the highest standards of customer service as a trustworthy mining cloud service, the Bitdeer Group will "Create Credible Value" for the mining industry. About BitDeer.com BitDeer.com is the world's leading all-in-one mining and cloud service platform, enabling global users to mine cryptocurrencies in a transparent, reliable, and convenient way. It saves users from the complicated process of purchasing, installing, and hosting mining machines. Individual miners can enjoy the service with just one click. For more information, please visit Website: https://www.bitdeer.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BitDeerplatform Twitter: https://twitter.com/BitDeerOfficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu95K9N5CM4 VK: https://vk.com/public174640639 Media Contact

contact@bitdeer.com Related Images bitdeer-group-outlines-global.jpeg

Bitdeer Group Outlines Global Computing Partnerships and Plans for Greener Cryptocurrency Mining View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bitdeer-group-outlines-global-computing-partnerships-and-plans-for-greener-cryptocurrency-mining-301278159.html SOURCE Bitdeer Group

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Armenias Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan today received Member of the British House of Lords of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Baroness Caroline Cox, the Office of the Human Rights Defender reported.

The Ombudsman thanked the Baroness for raising the issue of Azerbaijans inhuman attitude towards Armenian prisoners of war and the use of banned weapons during the war [in Nagorno-Karabakh] before a British government official during a question-and-answer session in the British parliament.

During the meeting, Tatoyan showed evidence of how the Azerbaijani elite encourages Armenophobia and the murder of Armenians. He also stated that the so-called trophy park located in Baku and devoted to the war of September-November 2020 serves as evidence of Azerbaijans genocidal policy.

Tatoyan called Coxs attention to the fact that the mannequins of Armenian soldiers at the park are specifically presented in a humiliating situation and that the park is even open for little children. The Ombudsman also touched upon the urgency of the return of Armenian captives being kept in Azerbaijan and stated that Azerbaijan is grossly violating international requirements by referring to the captives as terrorists and saboteurs.

Tatoyan stated that all the servicemen and civilians of the Armenian side were captured by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces during the ongoing armed conflict, meaning they are all captives and must be immediately released without any precondition.

Baroness Caroline Cox highly appreciated the work of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, and the parties expressed willingness to expand cooperation.
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KABUL, Afghanistan  Tribal elder Dawlat Khan still has nightmares about fighters from the local affiliate of the global Islamic State terror network who swept across his and other villages in eastern Afghanistan five years ago.

The extremists, including Afghans, Pakistanis, Arabs and men from Central Asia, quickly imposed a reign of terror. They kidnapped some locals who worked for the Afghan government, later dropping off their decapitated corpses in public places. In one instance, villagers were summoned to a beheading where some fainted while others froze as they watched in horror.

Militants of the Islamic State group have since been driven back into the mountains by blistering U.S. and Afghan bombing raids and a fierce ground campaign by the Taliban, Afghanistans homegrown insurgents. The Taliban, eager to expand their domestic political power, pledged to the Trump administration last year they would prevent any attacks on the West from Afghan soil after foreign troops leave.

Recent success in containing IS is central to the calculus of President Joe Biden, who decided earlier this month to pull all remaining U.S. troops out of Afghanistan by the summer. Biden argues that threats to the West, whether by IS or remnants of the al-Qaida network, can be defused from a distance.

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Yet there are concerns that in the potential chaos of a post-withdrawal Afghanistan, IS will be able to find additional space to operate, said Seth Jones, senior vice-president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Some note that it took more than three years to dislodge and degrade IS fighters, many of them ethnic Pashtuns from Pakistans tribal regions and Afghans from the northeastern Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. The retreating militants left behind mined roads and fields.

Khan, the tribal leader, fled his village of Pananzai with his six brothers and their families at the height of the battles against IS. Theyre not rushing home, even though the family of 63 people is crammed into nine small rooms in Nangarhars provincial capital of Jalalabad.

We are afraid they will return, Khan, a father of 12, said of IS fighters.

Biden has said he will hold the Taliban accountable for their commitment not to allow terror threats against the U.S. or its allies from Afghan soil. The U.S. invaded Afghanistan 20 years ago after al-Qaida militants, hosted by the Taliban, staged the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

In recent years, Washington has come to see the Taliban as a national force, with no ambitions beyond their borders, according to a U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

The Taliban, familiar with mountain caves and dirt paths in remote terrain, are a useful ally against IS, which is viewed by the U.S. as the greatest threat emanating from Afghanistan, the official said.

In justifying his withdrawal decision, Biden noted that terror threats are metastasizing around the globe and that keeping thousands of troops grounded and concentrated in just one country, at the cost of billions each year, makes little sense to me and our leaders.

The withdrawal is under way, with the final phase starting Saturday. By Sept. 11, America will have withdrawn its last 2,500 to 3,500 troops, and about 7,000 allied forces from NATO are following the same timetable.

But there are concerns about IS re-emerging, particularly if the Taliban and the Afghan government cant reach a power-sharing deal. Intra-Afghan peace talks remain stalled, despite U.S. efforts to jump start them.

Ongoing fighting between the Taliban and the government could further erode the morale of Afghanistans 300,000-plus security forces who sustain heavy casualties daily and are plagued by widespread corruption. Its unclear how the troops can be a bulwark against new terrorist threats.

At the same time, IS continues to recruit among radicalized university students and disgruntled Taliban, said a former Afghan security official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters.

IS has also resumed a campaign of targeted killings of minority Shiite Muslims, many of them ethnic Hazaras, as well as womens rights activists and media workers. They claimed attacks last year on two educational facilities, including Kabul University, that killed more than 50 students. Washington blamed IS for a brutal assault last year on a maternity hospital in a largely Hazara neighborhood of Kabul. Infants and pregnant women were killed.

In March, seven Hazaras who worked in a stucco factory in the eastern city of Jalalabad were killed in an attack claimed by IS. The assailants tied their victims hands behind their backs and shot each with a single bullet to the back of the head.

Some residents there are afraid to point the finger at IS, fearing they might be targeted next.

IS operatives are said to occupy an entire neighborhood near the central Talashi roundabout. They have infiltrated the motorized rickshaw business and use the vehicles for targeted killings, said taxi driver Saida Jan.

Evan Kohlmann, a terrorism consultant, said for a while it appeared the IS presence in Afghanistan and surrounding regions was all but dead, but the groups operations have since resumed in earnest.

They represent a significant terrorist threat, but their tactics remain in the realm of assassination and sabotage, said Kohlmann, who has worked with the FBI and the Nine Eleven Finding Answers Foundation that emerged following the assaults on America.

They dont seem to be in a strong position of conquering and holding territory, or of threatening the U.S., he said.

The Taliban say they have made good on promises to the U.S. by ordering fighters to keep non-Afghans from their ranks, and telling al-Qaida to leave the region. Some analysts say theyre not convinced the Taliban have distanced themselves from groups like al-Qaida.

U.S. officials, meanwhile, acknowledge the withdrawal will reduce Washingtons intelligence gathering capacities, even if IS and al-Qaida arent in a position to attack U.S. targets from Afghanistan.

Asfandyar Mir at Stanford Universitys Center for International Security and Cooperation said the U.S. will be able to continue technical eaves-dropping from a distance, while on-the-ground intelligence gathering will weaken further.

The U.S. campaign in Afghanistan has been notoriously poor at getting good information and being played by rent-seeking actors, the cost of which is borne by innocent civilians in raids and strikes gone wrong, said Mir.

With U.S. forces out, and unable to provide security to potential informers, existing sources will dwindle and opportunities for bad actors to dupe the U.S. will grow, he said.
Oil climbed amid signs that demand is improving, even as COVID flare-ups in India and other nations dragged on the near-term outlook.

Futures in New York rose above $62 a barrel after slipping 0.4 percent on Monday. An OPEC+ technical committee raised its forecast for demand growth in 2021, but cautioned that a resurgent virus in India, Japan and Brazil could derail the oil-demand recovery. Indias second wave has been particularly deadly as it overwhelms the health-care system and hits fuel consumption.

The deteriorating outlook in some countries may pose a challenge to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries as some ministers meet Tuesday to discuss the market outlook. A full ministerial meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, although the group has already agreed to start adding more supply to the market from May. The alliance will have to counterbalance those bearish signs with a robust picture elsewhere. OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said Monday that there are positive signals the global economy is recovering.

Still, the outlook beyond those countries remains robust. Shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S raised its earnings guidance citing surging demand for its services, underscoring a boom in global trade. All the while road use continues to recover in the U.S. and U.K.

Youre seeing incredibly strong demand in America and China, said BP Chief Executive Officer Bernard Looney in a Bloomberg TV interview, adding that Chinas oil demand is above pre-pandemic levels.

America is almost back to where it was. The vaccines are going to kick in now in Europe. Then of course the question is what happens in the rest of the world, he added.

The OPEC+ committee of technical experts forecast that oil consumption will rebound by 6 million barrels a day this year, according to delegates who attended the panel on Monday. Most of the fuel inventories glut built up during the pandemic will have cleared by the end of this quarter, they said.

The recovery is being driven by a strong rebound in China -- although an oil spill outside Quingdao could threaten operations at the countrys biggest crude-receiving terminal -- and there are some positive signs emerging in the U.S. and parts of Europe. South Koreas economy recovered at a stronger pace than expected last quarter, as investment picked up with export growth.
Cosc  Seven Drunken Nights

RTE One, 7pm

The chorus is just so familiar once you hear it and was even taught in schools once upon a time: "Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool, Still you can not see..." but the song is so 'raunchy' that it was banned from our national airwaves.

This is the story of the banning of Seven Drunken Nights. 1967 is the year a ditty from The Dubliners proved a little too much for RTE.

The song tells of a gullible drunkard returning night after night to see new evidence of his wife's lover, only to be duped by increasingly implausible explanations.

1967 is known as the summer of love. Hippies in San Francisco were in full flight, Elvis married Priscilla, London was swinging and the Beatles released Sgt Peppers. But as Ronnnie Drew noted: "In 1967 Ireland or parts of it were living in the 30s when you couldnt mention such things as S.E.X..you could spell it but you certainly couldnt say it.

Im sure whoever was responsible in Radio Eireann would say now werent we terrible gobshites.  Ronnie Drew.

Slowly the song started creeping up the English charts surrounded by the big chart acts of the day, The Beatles, The Rolling stone, The Kinks.but RTE decided its subject matter was not acceptable. The band was delighted with the publicity. They even sent a letter to the Taoiseach asking for him to intervene, as their success was now bringing them to venues like the Royal Albert Hall.

Headlines in newspapers and the letters pages were filled with reaction to the story.

If it is good enough to get into the English charts, surely its good enough to be played on RTE!  signed broadminded girls from Balbriggan.

The public voted with their wallets: Seven Drunken Nights went straight to Number One here.

Prime Time Rewind: The Lives of Julia Holmes - Story of a Conwoman

RTE One, 10.15pm

An updated report on serial fraudster Julia Holmes, who spent more than two years in prison in America before being deported back to Ireland. She was linked to property frauds, medical swindles, and even a honey scam.

The late Julia Holmes, 63, and her partner Thomas Ruttle, aged in his 50s

Alias Grace

TG4, 10.30pm

Series finale: The committee begins the anticipated neuro-hypnosis experiment. Once Grace is fully hypnotised and asleep, Mary Whitney's voice echoes from within her body, joyfully claiming to have possessed Grace on the day of the murders, and driving her to assist in the murders.

Alias Grace

Sport

Racing from Punchestown, RTE 2, 4pm each day until Friday

Champions League Live: Real Madrid v Chelsea, RTE2, ko 8pm
A colorized scanning electron micrograph of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Credit: NIAID

As researchers continue to study the neurological impacts of COVID-19, a Houston Methodist international collaboration has documented an unexpectedly frequent occurrence of acute transverse myelitis (ATM)inflammation of the spinal cordin 43 COVID-19 patients.

Led by Houston Methodist neurologist Dr. Gustavo Roman, the study of existing scientific literature found that patients from 21 countries developed spinal cord lesions after contracting the virus. Symptoms included paralysis and sphincter/bowel dysfunction.

The patients ages ranged from 21 to 73 and included about half-and-half women and men. ATM, a rare neurological condition, affects between 1.34 and 4.6 cases per million per year, and researchers believe the unusually high rate in post-COVID-19 patients merits additional investigation. Moreover, 3 ATM cases were reported during the trials of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.

The study is published in Frontiers in Immunology.

Dr. Roman collaborated with researchers from Hospital Paitilla, Interamerican University of Panama and Hospital Santo Tomas (Drs. Fernando Gracia, Antonio Torres, Alexis Palacios, Karla Gracia and Diogenes Harris).

More information: Gustavo C. Roman et al, Acute Transverse Myelitis (ATM):Clinical Review of 43 Patients With COVID-19-Associated ATM and 3 Post-Vaccination ATM Serious Adverse Events With the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccine (AZD1222), Frontiers in Immunology (2021). Journal information: Frontiers in Immunology Gustavo C. Roman et al, Acute Transverse Myelitis (ATM):Clinical Review of 43 Patients With COVID-19-Associated ATM and 3 Post-Vaccination ATM Serious Adverse Events With the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccine (AZD1222),(2021). DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.653786
Myanmar's deposed de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi made another court appearance Monday as the country's regional neighbors increase pressure on the military junta to bring an end to the deadly chaos. Lawyers for the 75-year-old Suu Kyi also appeared via video conference in a courtroom in the capital Naypyitaw for a procedural hearing.

Suu Kyi has been detained since the Feb. 1 coup and is facing six criminal charges, the most serious of them a charge of breaking the country's colonial-era secrets law that could put her in prison for 14 years if convicted.

Her lawyers say on Monday she again demanded a face-to-face meeting with her legal team, which has not occurred during her detention. Two other leaders from the overthrown civilian government, President U Win Myint and Dr. Myo Aung, Naypitaw Council Chairman, also appeared before the court via video conference. The next hearing for all three will be held on May 10.


Porterville, CA (93257)

Today

Plentiful sunshine. High near 95F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 58F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
An attorney who represents administrators in the Scranton School District claims the school board has refused to meet with the group before a tentative vote on a salary and benefit agreement next week.

Meanwhile, the solicitor for the school board says directors have no legal obligation to meet and a committee of representatives has met several times with the employees on the boards behalf.

The school board plans to vote next week on a new Act 93 agreement, which details salaries and benefits to administrative employees, including principals and supervisors. The tentative agreement changes the structure of health insurance benefits to a referenced-based system. With the change, there would no longer be a network, and all bills would be submitted to the patient. The patient then must submit the bills to a company that negotiates costs. The district would use savings from that change to fund salary increases. The financial recovery plan requires that any salary increases must come from savings found in contracts or agreements.

Unlike a union contract, the Act 93 agreement only requires the parties meet and discuss the issues, with the board having control of approving the agreement without requiring the backing of the employees.

While Act 93 members dont necessarily object to the change to health insurance, they want to exercise their right to speak to the board directly, said Frank Tunis, the attorney who represents the employees. Pennsylvania School Code requires school employers meet with the administrators before the board adopts the agreement if the meeting is requested in writing by a majority of the group. The term school employers is later defined as the board of directors.

John Audi, solicitor for the board, said the law does not prohibit a group to represent the board on its behalf. That group, including the superintendent and chief recovery officer, have met with Tunis multiple times, Audi said.

Its not that we wont meet; we have met for years with the Act 93 group, Audi said. (Tunis) wants to pick who he wants to meet with, and he doesnt have that right.

Meanwhile, with issues such as retention and job responsibilities also on the minds of employees, Tunis said he plans to go to court this week seeking a judge to step in and not allow the board to vote before meeting with Act 93 employees.

For me, its crystal clear, he said. I wont have a hard time getting an injunction.
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Porte Brown LLC, www.PorteBrown.com, a Chicagoland accounting firm, is pleased to announce the firm has been named as one of the 2021 Best Places to Work in Illinois. The Best Places to Work competition is a combination survey, study and awards ceremony established to identify the top employers in the state of Illinois. This is the ninth consecutive time Porte Brown has made the list and the sixth time within the medium employer category. The awards program began in 2006 and is sponsored by HR Source and promoted by The Daily Herald Business Ledger.

Best Places to Work

This statewide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Illinois, benefiting the state's economy, workforce and businesses. The 2021 Best Places to Work in Illinois list is made up of 35 companies in the small employer category (15-99 U.S. employees), 22 companies in the medium employer category (100-499 U.S. employees), and 12 companies in the large employer category (500 or more U.S. employees).

The ranking of the Best Places to Work in Illinois will be unveiled at a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, May 13, 2021. The final rankings will be announced at the event, posted on the Business Ledger website (www.dhbusinessledger.com), and published in a special commemorative section on June 21. An unranked list of all honorees was announced in the April 26 issue of the Business Ledger. For more information on the Best Places to Work in Illinois program, visit www.BestPlacestoWorkinIL.com.

About Porte Brown

Porte Brown LLC is a full-service accounting and consulting firm headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove Village, Illinois. For more than 70 years, Porte Brown has focused on providing the highest level of service to individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the region. In addition to the traditional accounting services such as tax planning and preparation, audit, business valuations, and retirement plan administration. Porte Brown also provides strategic consulting and leading-edge technology implementation for clients in cloud and non-cloud environments. Wealth management services provided by Porte Brown Wealth Management LLC.*

Porte Brown serves accounting and consulting clients from offices in Illinois, Indiana, and Texas. For more information, visit www.portebrown.com or call 847-956-1040.

*Wealth Management Services provided by Porte Brown Wealth Management LLC. Securities offered through Avantax Investment ServicesSM, Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Avantax Advisory ServicesSM. Insurance services offered through an Avantax affiliated insurance agency.

Contact:

Pam Metzger

[email protected]

847-956-1040

SOURCE Porte Brown
A release from the Indian mission in Bhutan said that Bhutan would supply liquid oxygen to India from a new plant being set up at the Motanga Industrial Estate, Samdrup Jongkhar district by S.D. Cryogenics Gases Pvt. Ltd, a Bhutanese company.

Guwahati/Shillong, April 27 (IANS) Bhutan will supply 40 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen to Assam daily for Covid patients, an official release said on Tuesday.

"Every day, 40 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen produced by the oxygen plant would be exported to Assam using cryogenic tankers. The oxygen plant has domestic investment of 51 per cent by S.D. Cryogenics and FDI component of 49 per cent by Meghalaya Oxygen Pvt Ltd, an Assam-based Indian company.

"The provision of oxygen by Bhutan would augment India's efforts to win the fight against Covid-19 and save precious lives, the release said adding that this is a practical manifestation of the uniquely close and friendly ties between India and Bhutan.

Meanwhile, Assam's Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pijush Hazarika accompanied by Rajya Sabha Member Biswajit Daimary on Sunday visited the under construction oxygen plant at Bhutan. "Once it is completed, Assam would get 50 MT oxygen per day which would be highly beneficial to combat Covid," Hazarika said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Assam Health and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state government has installed eight oxygen plants in five medical colleges and hospitals including Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, producing 5.23 metric tonnes of oxygen per day. Sarma told the media on Tuesday that five more oxygen units are in the process of being installed and two more units would become operational in the next three-four days.

--IANS

sc/vd
A woman prepares a placard out of crossed out portraits of Myanmar's junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, during a protest against the military coup in Myanmar, in Jakarta, April 24, 2021.

ASEAN needs to set a timeline for implementing actions announced at a summit of regional leaders on Myanmar last weekend, analysts said, even as another civilian was shot dead in that country Monday despite the meetings call for an immediate end to violence.

The Association of Southeast Nations will find it hard to ensure that the Myanmar military, which overthrew an elected government on Feb. 1, does not renege on junta chief Min Aung Hlaings word that he would end violence, among other actions, analysts said.

Even though the Burmese junta agreed to end the violence against pro-democracy protesters, there was no timetable mentioned at the summit to execute that promise, said Azmi Hassan, a Malaysian political analyst.

No wonder the people in Myanmar, the NGOs and the activists fighting for the Myanmar people are upset with ASEAN in this case. There was no timeline, there was no attempt to put pressure on the junta leaders to follow up on their promise, Hassan told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, on Monday.

Im quite disappointed with the outcome since the opportunity was there. ASEAN had the opportunity to put forward a more concrete timeline, but again nothing came out of it. If there had been no meeting in Jakarta, it wouldnt have made any difference.

ASEAN must act swiftly and set a schedule for the Myanmar junta chief to deliver on ending the violence, or stand ready to hold him accountable, Malaysian lawmaker Charles Santiago said Monday.

I fear that not giving a specific timeline on the Special Envoy is going to give a new lease for the general to do what he wants to do, and finish the job he started, Santiago, chairman of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), told a press conference, according to the groups Twitter feed.

How willing ASEAN is in responding seriously to the Myanmar crisis is dependent on them holding Min Aung Hlaing to account, ensuring he does not take them for a ride, and delivers on the agreed points.

Since the coup nearly three months ago, the Burmese military and security forces have killed hundreds of pro-democracy protesters.

Even as Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with ASEAN leaders in Jakarta, soldiers and police fired on protesters near Myanmars capital Naypyidaw, killing a 50-year-old protestor, eyewitnesses told Agence France-Presse.

And on Monday, two days after the ASEAN said it had reached a consensus on ending the violence, Myanmar security forces shot dead a man in the city of Mandalay, Reuters said, citing national media.

Demonstrators calling for democracy in Myanmar take part in a rally outside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) building in Jakarta on April 24, 2021. Credit: AFP

Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led dialogue

ASEANs Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, which was issued by the blocs 2021 chairman, Brunei, called for an immediate cessation to violence, with all parties exercising utmost restraint; a constructive dialogue among all parties; and the mediation of such talks by a special ASEAN envoy.

Leaders also agreed on the provision of ASEAN-coordinated humanitarian assistance and a visit to Myanmar by an ASEAN delegation to meet with all parties.

Timely and comprehensive implementation of ASEANs five points of consensus from that meeting will be important, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, said during a daily press briefing Monday in New York.

We continue to urge the release of all detainees and for the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the spokesman added in confirming that Christine Schraner Burgener, the U.N. special envoy on Myanmar, held talks with ministers and other officials from ASEAN states in Jakarta on the sidelines of Saturdays summit.

Haq said that the envoy met with the Burmese junta chief but declined to give more details about their discussion.

The five-point consensus did not include the release of political prisoners as the president of Indonesia and prime minister of Malaysia had demanded in their speeches during Saturdays three-hour summit.

In fact, the proviso to free political prisoners was included in a draft consensus the day before the meeting but omitted from the final version of the chairs statement, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources.

However, Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on Sunday that any constructive dialogue would have to involve those political prisoners held by the Myanmar military, The Jakarta Post reported.

Ideally, if we have dialogue, it has to be inclusive dialogue that is Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led, she said in an interview.

The leaders met as a family and agreed to have this years ASEAN chair, Brunei, appoint a special envoy for Myanmar, who will be assisted by ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi in mediating dialogue between all parties in Myanmar, Marsudi said.

As of Monday, the Myanmar military had detained 3,371 people, including civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to a Bangkok-based group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Agonizingly slow pace

It will be difficult to ensure that the Myanmar junta implemented what was agreed upon even in the consensus document, several analysts said.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong acknowledged that it would be a challenge to implement any action plan agreed to by ASEAN leaders during the meeting and ensure that Myanmar follows through.

Im sure that in implementing this, theres a long way forward because [it is] one thing to say youll cease violence and release political prisoners; its another thing to get it done, Lee told reporters after he attended the summit, ChannelNews Asia reported.

And to have an inclusive discussion in order to reach a political resolution is even harder still, but at least there is some steps forward which we can take.

Similarly, Aaron Connelly, a research fellow the Singapore-based The International Institute for Strategic Studies, agreed that a resolution to the crisis in Myanmar would take time, but said the summit was a good first step.

This will all happen at an agonizingly slow pace, particularly for the people of Myanmar, if it happens at all. But it would be a mistake to dismiss an opening like this out of hand, given limited other options.

Yuyun Wahyuningrum, Indonesian representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, said he welcomed the results of the summit, but the hard work begins now.

The next challenge is to ensure the compliance of ASEAN and Myanmar in respecting their commitment, Yuyun told BenarNews.

Engage with NUG

ASEAN also needs to meet at once with the National Unity Government (NUG), Myanmars recently launched parallel civilian government, Burmese rights activists and regional analysts said.

ASEAN cannot paper over the fact that there is no agreement for the Myanmar junta to release the more than 3,300 political prisoners currently in detention in the country, including senior political figures like Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi who presumably would be involved in any negotiated solution to the crisis, said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch.

Not only were the representatives of the Myanmar people not invited to the Jakarta meeting but they also got left out of the consensus that ASEAN is now patting itself on the back for reaching.

Involving the NUG is the only way to end the Myanmar crisis in a way that could benefit its people, said Hunter Marston a non-resident fellow at the Pacific Forum, a foreign policy research institute.

If ASEAN wants a genuine resolution to the crisis, it needs to nominate and send a special envoy to engage NUG and insist on real dialogue moving ahead, Marston said on Twitter.

Burmese pro-democracy activist Khin Ohmar said ASEAN had wasted an opportunity like the summit, because it did not reach out to key stakeholders like the parallel government.

Without their [stakeholders] agreement, there is no consensus. This meeting could have been a historic moment, not only for Myanmar people, but for ASEAN people as well ... but it didnt happen, she said at the APHR press conference

But there is still time to change the discourse.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime has responded to Washingtons sanctions and escalating threats by whipping up a foul nationalist campaign at home and the boycott of foreign companies involved in the bogus human rights campaign to stop buying cotton from Chinas western province of Xinjiang.

Chinese President Xi Jinping in British Parliament (Wikimedia Commons)

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) involving European and American clothing manufacturers has emerged as the Biden administration is ramping up the false claim that the Chinese government is engaged in the genocide of the minority Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang and horror stories of mass detentions, forced sterilisations and the placement of children in state institutions.

While the CCP is undoubtedly using police-state measures to suppress opposition in Xinjiang, as is the case throughout China, the US denunciations have nothing to do with defending democratic rights but are a central feature of the demonisation of Beijing as Washington prepares for war.

The Chinese regime has reacted by deliberately encouraging anti-foreign hysteria and has given all but formal support to a boycott of foreign clothing manufacturers.

The Communist Youth League (CYL) was one of the main instigators with a statement on March 24 on its Weibo account targeting the Swedish fashion brand H&M. The CYL declared that H&M, which supported the BCI campaign against Xinjiang cotton last September, has not cooperated with any garment factory in Xinjiang, nor has its sourced products or raw materials from this region.

The CYL attacked the Swedish company for deliberately making trouble for Xinjiang cotton and spreading rumours, and encouraged the public to boycott H&M. Within hours, a storm of nationalist protest on social media hit out at international brands such as H&M, Nike and Uniqlo. Nearly a hundred major international brands, most of which have partnerships with BCI, were identified and condemned.

At the same time, Chinas state media also began to publish incitements to nationalist anger, with netizens spreading the content across the Chinese internet. A large number of videos were circulated on the internet showing that within a few days, the stores of the targeted brands in many regions were closed. Well-known online shopping platforms such as Taobao have also blocked related brands and products.

Some groups held rallies in front of the malls. The very fact that these protests proceeded and were ignored by police indicates high-level official support for the campaign.

On March 31, H&M issued a statement which declared that the companys long-term commitment to the Chinese market remained firm and it hoped to serve and act in a respectful manner. However, the Peoples Daily, the CCPs chief media organ, replied on its Weibo account that the Chinese people do not buy it and that national interests are above all else.

Comments by Chinese officials became increasingly strident. On March 25, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying defended the boycott of foreign brands declaring it was simple patriotism, adding that anyone with integrity will not tolerate damage to the interests and dignity of their motherland by people with ulterior motives.

At a press conference on March 29, a spokesperson for the Xinjiang government declared that China is no longer in 1840a reference to the imperialist subjugation of China by the European powers in the 19th Century. The current CCP regime, however, is not opposed to imperialism as such, but rather has ambitions to have a place in the international imperialist order.

The anti-foreign campaign erupted just days after top US officialsSecretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivandeliberately provoked an angry public exchange at the start of their meeting in Alaska with their Chinese counterparts, with a long list of condemnations of Beijing including over human rights in Xinjiang.

The US propaganda broadside clearly demonstrated that the Biden administration, far from toning down Trumps vitriolic anti-China attacks, is going to step them up, along with its punitive economic measures and military build-up against China throughout Asia. The coronavirus pandemic, by further exposing the historic decline of the US, has accelerated Washingtons determination to use all available means including war, if necessary, to prevent Beijing from eroding US global dominance.

While it claims that the anti-foreign campaign is the spontaneous expression of the patriotic sentiments of the Chinese people, Beijing has been careful to keep the protests within its confines. It fears that any movement, no matter how limited, could become the focus of the countrys extreme social tensions and trigger broader oppositional protests by working people that could threaten the regime.

The last major boycott campaign took place in 2012 in opposition to the Japanese governments decision to nationalise the disputed rocky outcrops in the East China Sea known in Japan as the Senkakus and as the Diaoyu Islands in China that were previously privately owned. Protests involving hundreds of thousands erupted in many parts of China calling for a boycott of Japanese goods, which led to violent attacks on Japanese shops and businesses, Japanese citizens and even Chinese people carrying Japanese goods.

Beijing shut down the demonstrations when they began threatening the CCP itself. In Shenzhen, paramilitary police were mobilised and used water cannons and tear gas against thousands of protesters who tried to storm the local CCP headquarters.

There is nothing progressive about the current nationalist campaign in China, which the CCP is using to advance its interests internationally, while driving a wedge between Chinese workers and their class brothers and sisters around the world.

Beijing is seeking to exploit the boycotts to counter intense US pressure and also to try to open up divisions between Washington and its European allies. In the immediate lead-up to the US-China confrontation in Alaska, the European Union joined the US, Great Britain and Canada in imposing sanctions on top Chinese officials in Xinjiang.

China has imposed reciprocal sanctions on the European Union which threaten to undermine the in-principal investment agreement reached between Beijing and the EU last December. The deal reportedly contains the most ambitious outcomes that China had ever agreed to in terms of market access with far wider access for European investors to China and broader opportunities for Chinese investment to some manufacturing and energy sectors within the EU. The deal has been opposed in the US by both the Trump and Biden administrations.

At the same time, the CCP regime is stirring up the nationalist campaign against foreign companies in a bid to divert social anger and hostility in a reactionary direction. The anti-foreigner xenophobia finds support particularly among middle-class youth who regard their future as bound up with the continued expansion of Chinese capitalism and are hostile to attempts of the US and its allies to block that.

The CCP, which nakedly defends the interest of the countrys super-rich oligarchs, is incapable of making any appeal to the working class on the basis of socialism and is increasingly relying on nationalism to suppress dissent. Egged on by the government, extreme nationalists, online and offline, attack people who are disloyal to the government, and use the boycott to support national interests.

The prospect of a war between the worlds largest and second-largest economies both armed with nuclear weapons is looming ever larger. The allies of the working class in China are not the regime in Beijing, which is responsible for capitalist restoration and the growth of immense social inequality, but the working class in the US, Europe and internationally.

The rejection of all forms of nationalism and chauvinism is the first step in building a united international movement of workers based on socialist principles to put an end to capitalism and its outmoded division of the world into rival nation states that is the root cause of war.
JSC Ukrzaliznytsia has prepared for the upcoming change in the logistics of transporting diesel fuel in Ukraine after stopping the supply of these products from Russian factories and the temporary closure of Mozyr oil refinery in Belarus for repairs, the press service of the company reported with reference to acting chairman of the board Ivan Yuryk.

This was discussed at a meeting at the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture, where it was discussed that starting from May, the main directions of the supply of petroleum products will be redistributed, and the increased share will be transported through the seaports of Ukraine.

According to Yuryk, at present, Ukrzaliznytsia is ready to export through seaports up to 200,000 tonnes of oil products per month.

"Ukrzaliznytsia promptly responds to changes in the logistics of deliveries of oil products to the country and has already prepared for their transportation through the ports. Today, the railway workers have all the necessary resources to ensure the rhythmic export of up to 200,000 tonnes of fuel per month. And these capacities of the railway will only grow in the future," he said.

He also said that now there are 1,300 tanks in the working park of Ukrzaliznytsia, including 952 for the transportation of light oil products.

"In order to increase the volume of traffic, we plan in the near future, in May-June, to repair and put into operation up to 300 cisterns a month," he said.
Indonesias top intelligence official in Papua Province was a one-star general who did not believe in leading from his office. A Bali native, Brig. Gen. I Gusti Putu Danny Karya Nugraha rose through the ranks of Indonesias feared special forces and often went on patrol with troops in areas where separatist rebels were known to stage attacks.

Ambushes and gunfights are common, said Wawan Hari Purwanto, a spokesman for the State Intelligence Agency. But he always chose to be at the front in every patrol and observation, including in gunfights. He didnt want to be just behind a desk.

On Sunday, General Danny, 51, walked into his final ambush. He was shot and killed near a church in remote Dambet Village in Papuas central highlands. Now, human rights activists fear that President Joko Widodos call for a strong response to the generals death may prompt harsh reprisals against the Indigenous population in Indonesias easternmost province.

In announcing the killing on Monday, Mr. Joko called on the army and the police to hunt down and arrest every member of the group responsible for the generals death. General Danny was the first general to die in action in Indonesias history, an army spokesman said.
The Tories have accused Angela Rayner of a 'slur' against their Hartlepool by-election candidate after Labour's deputy leader suggested Jill Mortimer had 'links to tax havens'.

Ms Rayner sent a letter to Conservative Party chairman Amanda Milling in which she said 'it is being reported that your candidate... spent time living in a tax haven where her former husband worked as a banker'.

Ms Rayner said: 'I am sure I do not need to remind you that businesses that set up in places like the Cayman Islands tend to have a very specific motivation for doing so: namely, to avoid paying their fair share of taxes that contribute to running the public services we all rely on in this country.'

But Sir Keir Starmer's deputy risked humiliation after Ms Milling replied that Ms Mortimer 'was in Cayman with her family because her then husband was a REGULATOR, working on counter-fraud, anti-corruption, and anti-terrorist financing'.

Ms Milling accused Ms Rayner of making 'an eye popping error' as she labelled it a 'slur'.

Tory chair Amanda Milling (pictured right) has accused Angela Rayner (pictured left) of a 'slur' against Conservative Hartlepool by-election candidate Jill Mortimer

Ms Rayner said in a letter to Ms Milling that reports suggested Ms Mortimer (pictured above) had 'spent time living in a tax haven where her former husband worked as a banker'. But Ms Milling said Ms Mortimer 'was in Cayman with her family because her then husband was a REGULATOR'

The Hartlepool by-election will take place on May 6 and Ms Rayner yesterday tweeted a copy of her letter to Ms Milling and said: 'The Tory candidate in Hartlepool has more connections with tax havens than she does with Hartlepool.

'Why do people do business in the Cayman Islands? To avoid paying tax. Ive written to the Chair of the Conservatives demanding that their candidate publishes her tax returns.'

Ms Milling replied: 'Wow. This is an eye-popping error from Angela Rayner.

'UK Labour tried to slur Jill for 'living in a tax haven' But... she was in Cayman with her family because her then husband was a REGULATOR, working on counter-fraud, anti-corruption, and anti-terrorist financing. Yikes!

'Contrary to Angelas claim, Jills ex husband isnt a banker.. ...Hes a highly respected barrister, experienced financial services regulator awarded an OBE for services to regulation!

'Surely Lab doesnt oppose this work? Is Angela judging a woman by the work of her ex?'

Ms Rayner tweeted a copy of her letter to Ms Milling and demanded that Ms Mortimer publish her tax returns

But Ms Milling said Ms Rayner had made 'an eye-popping error' and accused her of a 'slur' against Ms Mortimer

Ms Milling said 'Jill is focused on the priorities of voters in Hartlepool' and 'even by Angelas standards this is embarrassing'.

Ms Rayner then hit back and accused Ms Milling of a 'patronising response' as she asked: 'When will your candidate publish her tax returns?

'If your candidate in Hartlepool didn't benefit from living in a tax haven then I'm sure she will be happy to prove it and publish her tax returns showing she paid taxes in the UK?'
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Vietnam's delegation attended the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting in Indonesia on April 23-24.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the ASEAN Leaders Meeting (Photo: VNA)

The ASEAN Leaders' Meeting, which took place in Jakarta on April 23-24, focused on exchanges on Myanmar's situation, the Community Building process, Covid-19 response, and ASEANs external relations.

This was the first live conference among ASEAN leaders in 2021 and nearly 18 months since ASEAN conferences were first held online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Reinforce solidarity and mutual assistance

This was also the first foreign business trip of newly elected Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to highlight Vietnam's priority to tighten and strengthen solidarity and mutual assistance with ASEAN member countries, and contribute to enhance ASEAN's central role and position in solving emerging challenges, thereby creating a peaceful and favorable environment for sustainable development of each member state and the entire region.

This trip also contributed to affirm Vietnam's efforts to make a positive contribution to the ASEAN Community building process, continuing the results achieved in 2020  the year of Vietnams ASEAN Chairmanship; affirming Vietnam's commitment, responsibility and active contribution to regional and international issues; and affirming Vietnam's priority to tighten and strengthen solidarity and mutual assistance with ASEAN member countries, contributing to enhancing ASEAN's central role and position in solving emerging challenges, thereby creating a peaceful and favorable environment for sustainable development of each member state and the whole region.

During the trip, the Vietnamese Prime Minister had bilateral meetings with ASEAN leaders.

ASEAN leaders congratulated Mr. Pham Minh Chinh for being elected the Prime Minister of Vietnam.

At the meeting, ASEAN leaders focused on three main contents: cooperation to build ASEAN Community, ASEANs external relations, and regional and international issues of common concerns.

Regarding community building cooperation, leaders of ASEAN countries all said that ASEAN is facing many challenges that threaten the peace, stability and development of nations and people's lives. Therefore, ASEAN more than ever needs to promote solidarity, unity and mutual assistance to steadily overcome the current difficult period, and maintain its central role, prestige and position.

One of ASEAN's priorities at the moment is to step up the response to the Covid-19 pandemic and promote comprehensive recovery. The member countries agreed to continue to effectively implement the Covid-19 response initiatives adopted in 2020, to soon complete and implement the plan to use the ASEAN Foundation for Disease Response to purchase vaccines as well as support people and businesses to stabilize their lives, restore production and business.

Countries expressed their high support for the initiative to strengthen ASEAN's strength in response to natural disasters (ASEAN SHIELD Initiative) proposed by Brunei.

Recognizing the importance of ASEAN's relations with its partners, leaders agreed to continue to pay attention to promoting and deepening effective, substantive and balanced dialogue and cooperation relationships with partners on the basis of ASEAN fundamental principles, ensure the promotion of ASEAN's central role, and strengthen relations between ASEAN and China, Australia, the US and UK.

On international and regional issues, leaders expressed concern that the situation was continuing to worsen, seriously affecting the lives of the people, and they asked the parties to refrain from and terminate the use of force, creating favorable conditions for finding solutions for Myanmar's future.

As the Chairman of the UN Security Council in April, Vietnam is working to promote ASEANs central role, serving as a bridge between ASEAN and the UN Security Council to ensure objective, balanced and supportive information, to support Myanmar to overcome difficulties.

The fact that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the conference right after taking up his new position demonstrated Vietnam's proactive attitude and high responsibility towards the region and ASEAN.

PM Chinhs remarks focused on promoting the implementation of cooperation orientations that ASEAN agreed to in 2020, meeting the urgent requirements of ASEAN in the current period, especially disease control, ensuring people's lives, and maintaining peace, security and stability in the region, including at sea, for economic recovery and development.

During the meeting with the Secretary-General of ASEAN, the Vietnamese Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the cooperation and coordination of the Secretary-General and the ASEAN Secretariat to Vietnam. He said that the Secretary-General and the ASEAN Secretariat played a central role in coordinating the operation of the entire ASEAN apparatus in the process of developing and strengthening ASEAN links.

The Vietnamese Prime Minister also pointed out that ASEAN's priorities at this time were to focus on disease control, promote recovery, properly handle emerging problems, and maintain ASEAN's central role, prestige and position.

Bilateral meetings

During a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his counterpart agreed to continue to support each other under the ASEAN framework as well as at regional and international fora, continue to promote the role of ASEAN in promoting the search for solutions to the Myanmar issue, and coordinate to maintain ASEAN's common position and voice in the East Sea issues, strictly implement the DOC, and soon achieve a substantial and effective COC on the basis of international law and the UNCLOS 1982.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen during his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also agreed to promote COC negotiations consistent with international law and the UNCLOS 1982.

Singapore Prime Minister Ly Hien Long agreed with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on continuing to promote good cooperation between the two countries at regional and international forums, especially ASEAN and APEC cooperation; and on working together to promote member countries to complete ratification and effective implementation of the CPTPP and the RCEP.

The two sides agreed to work together to maintain ASEAN's stance on the East Sea issue, support ASEAN's role in solving the Myanmar issue, and contribute to peace, stability and cooperation in the region as well as contribute to maintain the image and position of ASEAN.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh was the first ASEAN leader to be welcomed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the conference. President Widodo praised Mr. Pham Minh Chinh's attendance at the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting right after he took office, demonstrating Vietnam's sense of responsibility.

The two sides affirmed that they will continue to cooperate closely and effectively at regional and international forums, especially ASEAN and the United Nations, and coordinate with other ASEAN countries to promote solving the Myanmar issue in the direction of stabilizing the situation early, reducing violence and casualties, and resuming dialogue between the parties to seek a peaceful solution, for peace and stability in the region and in the world. The two sides also agreed to uphold ASEAN's common stance on the East Sea issue, including the maintenance of peace, stability, security and safety of navigation and aviation, and effective implementation of the DOC and early completion of negotiation for COC in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS 1982.

The two leaders also affirmed that they attach special importance to the need to soon complete the negotiation on the boundary of the exclusive economic zone between the two countries to create a legal corridor for the two sides to strengthen cooperation and reduce cases of illegal fishing, creating a model for settling differences at sea among nations, contributing to maintain peace, cooperation and development in the region.

Hoang Viet
Chinese FM to chair COVID-19 meeting

Xinhua) 10:30, April 27, 2021

BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers from China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh will hold a meeting on coping with COVID-19 on Tuesday via video link.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will chair the meeting, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Monday.

The six foreign ministers will exchanges opinions on such issues as consolidating consensus of fighting the pandemic through solidarity, deepening anti-pandemic cooperation, and advancing the post-pandemic economic recovery, according to the spokesperson.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
When Sex and the City fans first met Charlotte York, she was introduced as a gallerina. Her art history degree helped her land a job in one of Manhattans art galleries, and while she was a consummate professional at work, her real goal was to leave the art world behind to become a wife and stay-at-home mother. While she ultimately got what she wanted, the road to get there wasnt as easy as Charlotte initially thought. She kissed a lot of frogs to find her prince. So, who was Charlottes absolute worst and absolute best boyfriend during the shows run?

Smith-educated Charlotte came from a rich world. Her father, a doctor, and her mother, a socialite, raised Charlotte and her brother, Wesley York, in a rich enclave in Connecticut. She went to college and expected to get married young to a man from a similar background. Her life objective led her to date a fair number of men. Most turned out to be awful.

Kristin Davis | James Devaney/WireImage

RELATED: Julia Child Graduated From a College Featured in Sex and the City, Greys Anatomy and Other Shows

During the shows six-season run, Charlotte dated 18 different men. Somewhat surprisingly, the majority of those relationships were incredibly short-lived. Most people would have considered most of her romances casual dates rather than relationships. Charlotte only ended up having two serious, long-term relationships in the six years that Sex and the City fans had to get to know her. Both of those relationships resulted in marriage.

Charlotte Yorks worst boyfriend didnt last long

While some Sex and the City fans would argue that Trey MacDougal was Charlottes worst relationship because of his meddling mother, he wasnt all bad. Sure, Trey had flaws, but in the end, he wanted to see Charlotte happy, even though it would not be with him. Plus, Charlottes dating life before Trey wasnt exactly impeccable. The worst boyfriend award must go to Ned, the mourning widow.

Kristin Davis as Charlotte York and Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City | Tom Kingston/WireImage

RELATED: Sex and the City Foreshadowed the Demise of Charlotte Yorks First Marriage

Charlotte met Ned at a cemetery in Four Women and a Funeral, the fifth episode of season 2. Charlotte was attending the funeral of a fashion designer, and Ned was at a different gravesite mourning the loss of his wife. Ned told Charlotte all about his late wife and had her believing he was a caring and sensitive man. Later, she found out that Ned was exploiting his wifes death to get women to sleep with him. Many troubled guys walked into Charlotte, Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, and Miranda Hobbes lives, but Ned has got to be the worst.

Charlotte found true love with Harry Goldenblatt

Charlotte didnt find forever after her first trip down the aisle. She did the second time she said, I Do, though. Charlotte met Harry Goldenblatt during her divorce proceedings. He served as her divorce lawyer. While he was instantly smitten with Charlotte, she didnt think he was a suitable partner. Eventually, Harrys sweet nature won her over, and they fell into an easy relationship. Charlotte realized she wanted to marry Harry when he told her he had no problem with adopting children if they could not have kids of their own.

Kristin Davis as Charlotte York-Goldenblatt, Alexandra Fong as Lily Goldenblatt and Evan Handler as Harry Goldenblatt | Arnaldo Magnani/Getty Images

RELATED: Sex and the City: Could Charlotte York Really Afford Her Park Avenue Pad?

The couple married in the final season of Sex and the City and adopted their daughter Lily. In Sex and the City: The Movie, their family was completed by a surprise pregnancy. While Evan Handler, the actor who portrayed Harry, hasnt yet confirmed his involvement in And Just Like That, the Sex and the City reboot, fans are certain that Harry and Charlotte are still deeply in love.
Every COVID-19 Lockdown Fine Must Be Reviewed: UK Lawmakers

Every fine issued under the UK governments COVID-19 lockdown rules must be reviewed, said a cross-party committee of British lawmakers who called the system muddled, discriminatory, and unfair.

In a report published on April 27, the Parliaments Joint Committee on Human Rights, which is composed of both MPs and peers, set out significant concerns over the so-called fixed penalty notices (FPNs).

 Every Fixed Penalty Notice issued under #coronavirus Regulations must be reviewed. Read our Report published todayhttps://t.co/H322RD9UgV  UK Parliament Human Rights Committee (@HumanRightsCtte) April 27, 2021

Since the first CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus lockdown began in March 2020, more than 85,000 fixed penalty notices have been issued to people said to have broken COVID-19 restrictions.

The fines, which allow people to pay a penalty instead of facing prosecution and a potential criminal record, range from 200 ($278) for the failure to wear a face covering to 10,000 ($13,905) for organising illegal gatherings.

The committee found that a significant number of FPNs are incorrectly issued.

A police officer speaks to people sitting outside a pub in Soho in London on Sept. 24, 2020. (Peter Summers/Getty Images)

According to a Crown Prosecution Service review of prosecutions brought under COVID-19 regulations that reached open court in February 2021, as many as 27 percent were incorrectly charged.

Many more penalties may have been paid by people too intimidated by the prospect of a criminal trial to risk contesting their FPN through a criminal prosecution, said the report.

The committee was concerned about the high rates of error and the disproportionate impact on different groups in society and recommended a more graduated approach and consideration of removing these convictions from criminal records.

According to the report, regulations related to COVID-19 restrictions have changed at least 65 times since March 2020, making it hard for police to understand and enforce the rules correctly.

Harriet Harman, a Labour MP who chairs the committee, noted that since January there have been greater numbers of FPNs as police move more quickly to enforcement action, and because of a lack of legal clarity, likely greater numbers of incorrectly issued FPNs.

She said that the governments COVID-19 regulations are neither straightforward nor easily understood either by those who have to obey them or the police who have to enforce them.

With fixed penalties of up to 10,000 [$13,905] awarded irrespective of the individuals financial circumstances, there is much at stake, she said. The government needs to review the pandemic regulations and create new checks and balances to prevent errors and discrimination.
A celebrity TV doctor is to be offered a 'last chance saloon' opportunity to prove his credibility in a libel battle with Northern Irish First Minister Arlene Foster.

Embarrassing Bodies star Dr Christian Jessen is being sued by Mrs Foster over a tweet he posted in December 2019 making an unfounded claim that she was having an extra marital affair.

A key issue in the case is the TV doctor's repeated failure to engage in the legal process and respond to papers served on him by Mrs Foster's representatives.

The doctor belatedly engaged with the legal proceedings last week, after Mrs Foster had already given evidence to the court.

He claimed he had been previously unaware the case at Belfast High Court was happening.

Mr Justice McAlinden said Dr Jessen's representatives can make submissions proving their client's credibility as the judge rules on whether the doctor is being truthful.

But Justice McAlinden said this is the TV star's 'last chance saloon'.

Embarrassing Bodies star Dr Christian Jessen (right) is being sued by Northern Irish First Minister Arlene Foster (left) over a tweet he posted in December 2019 making an unfounded claim that she was having an extra marital affair

Celebrity television presenter Doctor Cristian Jessen leaves the High Court on April 23, 2021 in Belfast

During three hours in the witness box last Friday, the doctor was pressed repeatedly on his claims that he had not received certain legal papers.

Offering an explanation, the doctor said he was suffering from mental health problems at the outset of 2020 and had stopped working and moved home to his parents.

Ahead of ruling on the wider defamation claim, judge Justice McAlinden told a review hearing on Tuesday morning that he was to make a determination on whether Dr Jessen was being truthful in contending that he did not receive the papers.

The judge agreed to a request from the medic's counsel Gavin Millar QC to receive submissions as to his client's credibility.

'This is an important aspect of the case, this is the last chance saloon for Dr Jessen,' said Justice McAlinden.

The doctor (pictured outside court last week) belatedly engaged with the legal proceedings last week, after Mrs Foster had already given evidence to the court

Mrs Foster (pictured outside court in April) previously told the court that the tweet came at a particularly stressful time when she was involved in talks to resurrect the powersharing government in the region

'If it's a case where he loses his opportunity to belatedly defend this action on the credibility point then I think it's important that all opportunities are given to him and his representatives to make points in his favour.'

The judge added: 'Dr Jessen's representatives wish to make submissions and I'm certainly not going to deprive them of that opportunity in respect of that important issue.'

Dr Jessen's lawyers have been given until May 4 to lodge written submissions on the credibility issue, with Mrs Foster's representatives given until May 10 to respond to those.

A hearing has been scheduled for May 14 for the two sides to make oral submissions on the matter.

At Tuesday's short review hearing, both legal parties indicated that they did not intend to call any further evidence or witnesses in the case.

Mr Millar also said he would not be seeking to cross examine any evidence already presented to the court by Mrs Foster's legal team prior to Dr Jessen engaging in the case.
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San Francisco, 27 April 2021: The Report In-vitro Fertilization Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Instrument (Disposable Devices, Culture Media), By Procedure Type (Fresh Donor, Frozen Donor), By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

The global in-vitro fertilization market size is expected to reach USD 33.9 billion by 2028, based on a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2021 to 2028. The growth of the market is driven by the continuous efforts of the market players, government initiatives to make available better reimbursement policies, and an increase in the incidence of infertility due to lifestyle changes. Expansion of fertility procedures such as ICSI for treating infertility is expected to positively impact market growth in the near future.

Moreover, the availability of genomic testing facilities that enable the prevention of the transfer of genetic disorders during In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is further expected to drive the market. The insurance providers are providing coverage to IVF procedures owing to an increase in the number of IVF treatments. This has led to competitive pricing and has moderated the IVF treatment costs as the procedure has been a successfully practiced technology, driving the market with more treatment automation and standardization.

A decline in the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is a result of factors such as a behavioral shift in society. These factors include a shift from rural to urban societies, the increased age of the first birth, an increasing number of women in the labor force, postponement of marriage, and lower marriage rates.

The in-person fertility treatments in U.S. and Canada were suspended in March 2020 by the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society and American Society of Reproductive Medicine due to the COVID-19. However, treatment is resuming in many countries with ease of COVID-19 restrictions, including the developing nations. Medicover Fertility, IVF center in India, in July 2020 announced to resume the IVF procedures after initial COVID risk assessment.

Access Research Report of In-vitro Fertilization Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/in-vitro-fertilization-market

In-vitro Fertilization Market Report Highlights

Culture media dominated the market for IVF in terms of revenue in 2020. A number of research activities are being undertaken to improve the efficiency of culture media. For instance, Vitrolife showcased its research on SpermFreeze solution at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) that established the effectiveness of its solution for sperm recovery and sperm-hyaluronic acid-binding

Europe dominated the market for IVF in 2020. Adoption of advanced technologies such as time-lapse microscopy by the clinics, availability of affordable treatment, and adherence to medical standards contribute to market growth in the region

The APAC region is expected to witness increased demand for IVF owing to fertility tourism and the availability of funding for the treatment. In Japan, eligible couples can apply for co-funding for a maximum of three cycles with USD 1,920 for each cycle

The developing countries in Asia Pacific are undertaking legal reforms to promote treatment adoption in the region. For instance, in February 2020, the Government of India approved a bill for the regulation of clinics offering reproduction assistance services, including IVF, artificial insemination, and surrogacy

In January 2020, Merck received Marketing Authorization (MA) from the European Commission (EC) for its recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone, GONAL-f (follitropin alfa) 150 IU pen

List of Key Players of In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) Market

OvaScience

EMD Serono Inc.

Vitrolife AB

Irvine Scientific

Cook Medical Inc.

Cooper Surgical Inc.

Genea Biomedx

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Progyny, Inc.

Boston IVF

Access Press Release of In-vitro Fertilization Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-ivf-market
Catonsville, MD | April 27, 2021. Recently First Lady Jill Biden announced renewed support of Joining Forces, a White House initiative to support military and veteran families that she began with then-First-Lady Michelle Obama in 2011. A key plank in the current program is helping military spouses overcome challenges that make finding employment difficult. These barriers include frequent moves and transfers, and difficulty in explaining gaps in their resumes. Read the Briefing Room Report here.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/

"How can we keep our military strong if we don't give our families what they need to thrive?" said Dr. Biden, who herself is a military mother and grandmother.

Employment of military spouses is one of Kathryn Troutman's specialties. In fact, this leading federal jobs expert wrote a guide on it that received Best Career Book of 2020 in the Independent Publisher Award's Distinguished Favorites competition. The winning 2nd edition of The Stars Are Lined Up for Military Spouses was written to highlight new opportunities for federal employment for these jobseekers.

What does the author think of Dr. Biden's announcement? "It's great to have this visibility for the employment of military spouses," responded Troutman. "It takes a lot of time and effort to relocate a family every three to four years and start over at a new base, including getting another job."

Joining Forces will work with the government, non-profits and the private sector to address military spouse employment issues, and Troutman sees a vital part of the solution to be federal jobs. She points out that there is federal employment on every military installation. "The federal government is a great employer for military spouses, in particular," Troutman noted. "The federal government jobs are very flexible. They give family members time off if needed to take care of their families. In many cases, they can telecommunicate."

A major feature in Troutman's Stars book is the new Military Spouse Federal Resume format; it highlights a spouse's PCS (Permanent Change of Station) history as a job block for their career. So if they have been married to a service member, they create a "volunteer job" called Military Spouse History. This block will include the titles of their installations and dates. It will also cover any skills that they have gained, such as document review, policy interpretation, planning and coordination, logistical knowledge, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and diverse knowledge in different cultures. Troutman recommends listing the hours worked per week around 20.

"If you have a volunteer position and you don't earn any money, the federal government will still use that experience to qualify you for a job," Troutman explained. "This is a really big deal. Before military spouses put their PCS history on their federal resumes, they were getting no credit for all they do for their families."

Troutman shared that these jobseekers were even hiding the fact that they were military spouses on their resumes. The spouses feared that an employer would reject them, knowing they would be leaving the position within three to four years. "But statistics show that people don't stay in jobs very long these days," commented Troutman. "The idea of a life-long job isn't popular anymore. So a military spouse can still give three to four good years of service."

At one of Troutman's federal job trainings, a student came up to her and shared a story that illustrates the problem with leaving this information out. The woman was a military spouse herself, and she recalled once sending out a resume that was crazy-looking because she had moved so many times. This pupil was called in for an interview. Once there, she was told that the HR rep had wanted to meet this person who had Italy, Germany, South Korea, San Antonio and San Diego on her resume. The HR official had wondered, "How could this be?"

In the 2nd Edition of the Stars book, another change covered is that military spouses can now apply for many positions open to federal employees. Before April 2019, they could only respond to vacancy announcements targeted to the general public. The military spouses even have their own widget now that highlights the positions available to them. It can be found in the "Who Can Apply" section of vacancy announcements on USAJOBs.gov, the official hiring website of the federal government.

"The Military Spouse Hiring Authority created an even playing field for the military spouses against federal employees and veterans," Troutman noted. "For the federal employee jobs, none of these groups gets special preference."

The Stars Are Lined Up for Military Spouses, 2nd Edition presents six case studies of actual military spouses who succeeded in landing federal jobs. It walks the reader through a ten step process for applying to work for Uncle Sam. The guide includes six "before and after" federal resume samples, and more.

"Every day there are hundreds of jobs posted on USAJOBs that are open to military spouses," notes Troutman. "The advantage of working for the U.S. government is that these workers can often stay with the same employer when they move, as there are federal jobs throughout the country. This builds a more solid career."

In addition to the Stars book, military spouses can also get help applying for federal openings from their military employment services office on base. The Navy has the Fleet and Family Support Centers; the Army, Army Community Services; and the Air Force, Military and Family Readiness Centers[RQ1] ; USMC Community Services; and the USCG Work Life Program.

The Resume Place, Troutman's federal resume writing business in Baltimore, also offers Federal Career Consultations for $190. For this fee, you receive a detailed, expert report written by a Certified Federal Resume Writer on a resume targeting one vacancy announcement. This is followed by a 30-minute phone consultation.

"So much of a ship's power is unseen beneath the waves: the engines, the anchor, the rudders that give it direction and purpose," said Dr. Biden of military and veteran families in her Joining Forces announcement. "You are the rudder that steers our military, and supporting your physical, social and emotional health is a national security imperative."

The Official Hiring Website of the United States Government

USAJobs.gov

Resume Place Federal Career Consulting and Presidential Appointee Consulting

More info is here.

The Stars Are Lined Up for Military Spouses, 2nd Edition

More info is here.
The idea of a surgeon blasting hip hop while performing intricate surgeries may sound like a bad idea, but a new study suggests it could actually improve their performance.

Researchers from Germany have looked at the effects of different genres of music on surgeons' performances, ranging from rock to classical.

Their findings suggest that listening to either hip-hop or classical music can make surgeons more efficient in theatre, while rock or radio music is less effective.

Scroll down for video

Researchers from Germany have looked at the effects of different genres of music on surgeons' performances, ranging from rock to classical (stock image)

MUSIC IN OPERATING THEATRES Music was first introduced into operating theatres in 1914 to reduce anxiety in patients. Now, patients are placed under anaesthetic outside the theatre and music is routinely played for the benefit of clinical staff. New theatre suites are often equipped with docking stations and MP3 players and portable speakers are routinely used during operations. Advertisement

While playing music in the operating room is a common practice, researchers from Heidelberg University Medical School set out to understand the effects of different genres.

In the study, the team monitored 82 medical students as they performed laparoscopic exercises in a theatre.

Laparoscopy, otherwise known as keyhole surgery, is a type of surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to access the inside of the abdomen and pelvis without having to make large incisions in the skin.

During the exercises, the students were exposed to one of four genres of music (hip hop, classical, rock or mixed radio music), or listened to no music.

The results showed that students who were exposed to music at a constant sound level of 70 decibels performed better than those listening to no music.

What's more, hip hop and classic music led to better outcomes than rock or radio music, according to the researchers.

Fabian Riedel, who led the study, said: 'Our findings suggest that certain genres of music may have benefits for students during surgical training, which could make the process more efficient.'

Music was first introduced into operating theatres in 1914 to reduce anxiety in patients.

The findings contradict previous research which has suggested that listening to music during surgery can be disruptive (stock image)

Now, patients are placed under anaesthetic outside the theatre and music is routinely played for the benefit of clinical staff.

New theatre suites are often equipped with docking stations and MP3 players and portable speakers are routinely used during operations.

However, previous research has suggested that listening to music during surgery can be disruptive.

In 2018, a study by Imperial College London and the Institute of Education (IOE) found that communication within the theatre can be impaired when music is playing.

The team used innovative video technology to understand whether music affected nursing and theatre staff during 20 'real time' surgeries.

Dr Terhi Korkiakangas, a lead author from the IOE, said: 'In the operating theatres we observed, it was usually the senior medics of the team who made the decision about background music.

'Without a standard practice of the team deciding together, it is left up to junior staff and nurses to speak up and challenge the decisions of senior doctors, which can be extremely daunting.'
A civil servants' union has won the right to challenge Boris Johnson in High Court after he backed Priti Patel in the bullying row.

The Association of First Division Civil Servants (FDA) launched judicial review proceedings in February over the Prime Minister's decision to disregard the findings of his adviser on ministerial standards.

Sir Alex Allan left his advisory role in Downing Street when Mr Johnson decided Ms Patel did not breach the rules, even after she was found to have bullied staff.

In February Ms Patel's permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutman resigned, claiming there had been a 'vicious and orchestrated' campaign against him. He said he intended to sue the Government for constructive dismissal.

His bullying claim was later settled with a 'substantial' payout worth 370,000. In a statement the Government said it 'regretted' the circumstances surrounding Sir Philip's resignation - although it did not accept liability and defended its decision to defend the case.

Sir Alex Allan left his advisory role in Downing Street when Boris Johnson decided Priti Patel (pictured) did not breach the rules, even after she was found to have bullied staff

At a hearing in London on Tuesday, Mr Justice Linden granted the FDA permission for a full hearing of the judicial review claim.

In an investigation into Ms Patel's behaviour, published in November, Sir Alex found the Cabinet minister had not always treated civil servants with 'consideration and respect'.

Sir Alex concluded that Ms Patel's behaviour met the definition of bullying adopted by the Civil Service.

Ministers are usually expected to resign if they breach the code but Mr Johnson, who is its arbiter, judged, in a decision that is being challenged by the FDA, that Ms Patel had not fallen foul of the rules.

The FDA is challenging Mr Johnson's decision that Ms Patel's conduct did not breach the ministerial code.

In an investigation into Ms Patel's behaviour, published in November, Sir Alex (pictured) found that the Cabinet minister had not always treated civil servants with 'consideration and respect'

Mr Justice Linden said while it is arguable Mr Johnson was entitled to rely on his own interpretation of the word 'bullying' when reaching his decision, it is also arguable the court may be persuaded the word should be interpreted in the context of the Civil Service staff policies.

The judge who hears the full case will also have to decide whether the court is capable of determining the issue and whether the FDA has standing to bring the claim.

Dave Penman, the union's general secretary, said in a statement: 'We are very pleased that Mr Justice Linden has today granted permission for a full hearing in our judicial review.

'The ministerial code is the only means by which civil servants can raise complaints against the conduct of ministers and it is vital that decisions on this are subject to the rule of law.

'Ministers should be held to the same standards of conduct as civil servants.

'We welcome the opportunity now granted to argue that point fully that the Prime Minister erred in his interpretation of the ministerial code when deciding that the Home Secretary did not break the code.'

Mr Penman said in February the affair had obliterated Civil Service trust in the ministerial code.

He said a survey taken since of FDA members who are most likely to work with ministers found that nearly 90 per cent said they have no confidence in the ministerial code as a mechanism for dealing with bullying and harassment by ministers.

Speaking at that time, he added: 'This is not about whether the Home Secretary should be forced to resign, that is a matter for the Prime Minister, this is simply about how the ministerial code is interpreted.'

Following the publication of Sir Alex's report, Ms Patel issued an 'unreserved, fulsome apology' and said there were 'no excuses' for what happened.

Mr Johnson later wrote to ministers and heads of Government departments reminding them there is 'no place for bullying'.
D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) confirmed on Monday that a hacking incident has occurred on their department's server. The FBI is now in the process of investigating the incident that allowed unauthorized access on servers of the department, Fox Business reported.

It can be remembered that earlier in the year, about 30,000 organizations in the United States have also been affected by a different software hacking incident where Microsoft Outlook was targeted by hackers. The hacking incident in early March victimized different sectors such as town governments, credit unions, and small businesses.

READ NEXT: Security Alert! Twitter Hacking Spree Alarms Experts

D.C. Police Department Server Hacked

Despite confirming unauthorized access on their servers, the department is still determining the full impact of the said hacking incident, NBC News reported.

"We are aware of unauthorized access on our servers," said a spokesperson in a statement acquired by Fox Business. The spokesperson who was not identified also furthered that they are still in the process of continuing their "review activity." However, the spokesperson from D.C. MPD has noted that they sought the help of the FBI to "fully investigate" the depth of the said incident.

The recent breach in the servers of D.C. MPD is the latest in the series of apparent hack attacks targeting the federal government agencies and the businesses in the U.S. in recent months, Axios noted.

Babuk Ransomware Group has breached @DCPoliceDept. Extortion demand has not been stated. Some data has already been leaked online - images shown are of police reports, FBI arrest details, internal memos, and more.



Images from Babuk Ransomware Groups website: pic.twitter.com/8ChSmXyaW4  vx-underground (@vxunderground) April 26, 2021

Meanwhile, a tweet from a Twitter account VX-Underground surfaced claiming that Babuk Ransomware Group is the one behind the hacking incident on D.C. MPD's servers. VX-Underground noted that some data from the department have already been leaked online, such as police reports, FBI arrest details, and internal memos.

However, D.C. MPD has not yet confirmed the allegations raised by VX-Underground on Twitter.

Babuk Ransomware

Babuk Ransomware is reported to be a ransomware threat that was discovered in 2020. McAfee noted that the said ransomware has already impacted at least five big enterprises or companies as of January 15, 2021.

Despite the threat identified, McAfee also emphasized the complete tactics, techniques, and procedures used by the criminals behind Babuk remained to be unconfirmed. Moreover, the individuals behind the Babuk Ransomware have expressed that they are against the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and the LGBT community.

Although D.C. MPD has not yet furthered on the depth of the recent incident their servers had faced, the police department is known to have more than 4,000 sworn and civilian members. Furthermore, the department is also known as the largest department in the United States.

Among all the five big enterprises that were victimized by Babuk, McAfee noted that one enterprise or company is already paying the criminals about $85,000 after the negotiations.

Meanwhile, the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department has not yet released a piece of clear information and details if there are any data or information stolen during the unauthorized access. Axios also noted that it is still unclear whether police operations were affected by the breach.

READ MORE: White House Considers New Approach on Cybersecurity Following Undetected Hacks

WATCH: Cybersecurity for Federal Government - from KPMG US
EXTON, Pa., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ricoh USA, Inc. today announced that AngstromGraphics, a division of the family-operated marketing services provider (MSP) the AngstromGroup, has teamed up with Ricoh to deliver enhanced color and advanced finishing options for its customers. AngstromGraphics has added the RICOH Pro C7210X sheetfed press to deliver faster turnaround times, increased color gamut through 5th color capability, and advanced finishing options such as square-back catalogs. AngstromGraphics further enhances their creative toolbox with the ability to mimic metallics using Color-Logic, the first metallic color communication system for embellishing printed materials with striking decorative effects in one printing pass.

With public safety precautions impacting the ability for in-person meetings, AngstromGraphics  like many MSPs  was eager to find a way to differentiate themselves from competitors. At the same time, AngstromGraphics wanted the flexibility to efficiently handle increasingly popular short runs. By partnering with Ricoh, they were able to accomplish both goals, while expanding finishing capabilities to bring traditionally outsourced work back in house to best meet their customers' evolving needs thanks to the award-winning RICOH Pro C7210X.

"Working with Ricoh has really taken our operation to the next level," said David Neumann, President and CEO, AngstromGraphics. "The beauty of the RICOH Pro C7210X is it does jobs we've historically not been able to quote. Its quality brings people in the door, and its versatility keeps them there, because we can now deliver at such a high level across a marketing campaign's or brand's various needs. Ricoh worked with us to understand where our business had room to grow, then developed and executed a plan to make that growth happen."

The AngstromGroup commercial printing and direct mail facility is located in Cleveland, Ohio. The facility has been in business for more than a century and was purchased in 2009 by Chairman Wayne R. Angstrom. AngstromGraphics taps into its vast experience and forward-looking vision to deliver for its customers, today and tomorrow. The highly diversified company offers a wide array of print, omni-channel and marketing solutions managed by a carefully assembled team of industry-leading professionals. The team's expertise spans print, design, digital applications, photography, mailing solutions, marketing and more.

"The AngstromGroup's commitment to delivering their customers the highest quality, along with the agility to address evolving customer needs, positions them for success, even in the current challenging climate," said Heather Poulin, Vice President, CIP Marketing & Portfolio Management, Ricoh USA, Inc. "The team at AngstromGroup has such a strong focus on customer experience, that success is bound to follow. These investments have given them the expanded toolset to increase the impact of their customers' applications, with the innovative use of color, substrates and finishing, while also driving efficiencies crucial to fast turns and controlled costs."

With 5th station capabilities, embellishments can be made more efficiently with a one-pass process by adding cyan, magenta, yellow and key (CMYK) vibrancy with a white toner underlay or clear toner on top for extra pop, while also having the flexibility to switch 5th station colors based on customer applications. Color-Logic empowers AngstromGraphics to offer even more impressive color effects, including the ability to mimic metallics and print on reflective substrates using white ink and CMYK.

For more information on the RICOH Pro C7200 series, visit https://5thcolor.takealookatricohproduction.com/ or follow along and engage on Facebook , LinkedIn and Twitter using #LookAtRicoh.

For more information on the AngstromGroup visit https://www.theangstromgroup.com/.

| About Ricoh |



Ricoh is empowering digital workplaces using innovative technologies and services enabling individuals to work smarter. For more than 80 years, Ricoh has been driving innovation and is a leading provider of document management solutions, IT services, communications services, commercial and industrial printing, digital cameras, and industrial systems.



Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in approximately 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ended March 2020, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,008 billion yen (approx. 18.5 billion USD).



For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com

| About AngstromGroup |



AngstromGroup

AngstromGroup is a family owned Us MSP offering a full range of services to meet all your creative needs from photography, design, digital, video, print and mail.



AngstromGraphics

Family owned and operated, we offer a wide array of commercial print, fulfillment, omni-channel, and marketing solutions.



AngstromDirect

Data processing and list management services, we maximize the power of your data to deliver integrated multi-channel marketing solutions.



AngstromCreative

With over 30 years of studio excellence, AngstromCreative are experts in photography, design, digital, and video.



theangstromgroup.com

angstromgraphics.com

angstromdirect.com

angstromcreative.com

 2021 Ricoh USA, Inc. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

SOURCE Ricoh USA, Inc.

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EUR/CHF has been trading in narrow ranges recently, but pressure should be building for an upside break-out.

We think EUR/CHF could break up to 1.1120/1150 this week - en route towards a 1.15 target by year-end.

Above: EUR/CHF exchange rate chart

EUR/CHF edged higher to 1.1060 on Monday.

Demand for SWiss Franc Longs to Fade

ING expects the more predictable US economic policies will tend to curb potential demand for the Swiss currency; The European story is improving and our core view is that precautionary CHF longs acquired during Trumps trade war can be offloaded.

ING also notes positive developments on the EU Recovery fund. Last week, the German Constitutional Court ruled that it would not block ratification of the fund by Germany.

This should remove the last legal block for full ratification.

ING also notes that there have been signs of headway in Italy; Progress on Italy's disbursement of the EU Recovery Fund would be welcome progress for the European project.

The Euro has also been boosted by expectations that the EU will make strong headway in its vaccination programme over the next few weeks. Strong headway would limit any potential defensive demand for the Swiss currency, especially with the potential for a gradually easing of restrictions.

ING notes that CHF rates are the most negative in the world.

If the franc loses ground, there will be scope for Pound to Swiss franc (GBP/CHF) exchange rate gains. GBP/CHF traded just above 1.2700 on Monday.

Reservations over Polish CHF Mortgages

There are still potential factors that could delay the potential for Swiss Franc losses. ING notes that the issue of Swiss franc mortgages taken out by Eastern European borrowers has still not been resolved.

As weve been discussing over recent weeks, the Polish CHF mortgage story (circa CHF25bn in CHF mortgages still outstanding) still hangs over EUR/CHF as Polish banks await a local constitutional court ruling on 11 May. This story may hold EUR/CHF in check until mid-May.

The Swiss franc could also gain fresh support if there is a slide in global risk appetite and decline in equity markets.
New Delhi: Taiwan has stepped forward to help India over the alarming COVID-19 situation, the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Tuesday (27 April) said that the island nation is ready to 'provide help'.

The Taiwanese President, in a tweet, said that Taiwan "stands with India in this difficult time".

"On behalf of all Taiwanese people, I would like to express my serious concern over the rapid spread of COVID-19 in India. Taiwan stands with India in this difficult time, & we are ready to provide help," President Tsai Ing-wen said.

On behalf of all #Taiwanese people, I would like to express my serious concern over the rapid spread of COVID-19 in #India. Taiwan stands with India in this difficult time, & we are ready to provide help.   Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) April 27, 2021

The deteriorating COVID-19 situation in India has prompted global leaders to express solidarity and provide help amid the surging second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, the United States President Joe Biden asserted that his country is determined to support India, while France announced that it will provide oxygen generators, liquid O2, ventilators to help combat the COVID-19 crisis.

While, the United Kingdom has transported medical equipment to India on Tuesday morning via Air India flight.

Meanwhile, India on Tuesday reported 3,23,144 fresh coronavirus cases taking the caseload to 1,76,36,307. The country's total COVID-19 caseload has now increased to 1.76 crore (1,76,36,307), of which, 28.82 lakh (28,82,204) are active cases. India has also witnessed 1.97 lakh (1,97,894 ) coronavirus-related deaths, as per data by the health ministry.
San Francisco Mixed Use Tower Features the 181 Fremont Residences

SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- San Francisco developer Jay Paul Company's first foray into luxury residential development, 181 Fremont, has earned LEED Platinum certification from the standard-setting U.S. Green Building Council. A landmark of imagination and ingenuity, 181 Fremont is the result of the world's foremost architects, engineers and designers coming together and striving for perfection. The tower's lower 38 floors are home to Facebook's San Francisco headquarters, while the top 17 floors feature 55 luxurious and sustainable private residences. 181 Fremont is the tallest residential building on the West Coast and represents the height of refined living in San Francisco.

Jay Paul Company's 181 Fremont tower achieves LEED Platinum certification. 181 Fremont is home to the West Coast's most luxurious residences on the top 17 floors of this award winning building.

"We are extremely happy to know that we have achieved LEED Platinum, the goal we set for 181 Fremont," says Matt Lituchy

"We are extremely happy to know that we have achieved LEED Platinum, the goal we set for 181 Fremont," says Matt Lituchy, Chief Investment Officer for the Jay Paul Company. "This exceptional building is proof that it is possible to create a striking and unforgettably beautiful new landmark for the skyline of a major global city like San Francisco that is both sustainable and safe."

In an era of the COVID-19 pandemic, safety and access to healthy air and space is paramount and 181 Fremont delivers on this, meeting LEED's top requirements for certification. USGBC's certification ensures that buildings, communities and cities are more sustainable, healthy, resilient and equitable. More than two-thirds of LEED credits support human health, as the rating system addresses ventilation and filtration, daylighting, low-emitting materials, access to outdoor spaces, acoustics and other key factors.

"If we are to rebuild an economy that supports our health and our planet, we must lead with changing the way we design and build," said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of USGBC. "Last year was a stark reminder that the quality of our buildings impacts the quality of our life. Looking ahead, people want to trust that the spaces they occupy are good for them and their communities, and LEED has always been a tool to support those goals.

Story continues

No other building in the U.S. has received more commendations for its engineering and design than 181 Fremont. Recognized by the esteemed international Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in 2019, Jay Paul Company's 181 Fremont holds global awards for Best Structural Engineering and Best Geotechnical Engineering. This is in addition to Awards of Excellence for Best Tall Building (200-299 meters), MEP Engineering Award, Structural Engineering Award, Fire and Risk Award, and Geotechnical Engineering Award.

Opened in 2018, the completed mixed use tower soars over 800 feet into the sky and was designed by Heller Manus Architects with structural engineering by ARUP Group. Its location at San Francisco's downtown high-tech nexus has set a new bar for luxurious residential living on the West Coast. The $850 million tower features a state-of-the-art exoskeleton designed in a saw tooth pattern, with a magnificent spire that ascends from the crown of the building. 181 Fremont's central location in the East Cut invites easy access to Silicon Valley and is surrounded by icons of technology including Salesforce, Facebook, Google and Twitter. The award-winning architecture reaffirms San Francisco as a global city on the forefront of innovation and design. It stands to redefine not only the neighborhood, but also the very definition of San Francisco living. Exclusivity at its finest, 181 Fremont provides access to the entire city all from the privacy  and security  of home. Sales and marketing for 181 Fremont are handled by Compass Development Marketing Group.

About Jay Paul Company

Jay Paul Company is one of the foremost real estate development and investment firms in California, distinguished by over 13 million square feet of trophy caliber projects in its portfolio. Since 1975, Jay Paul developments bear signature features including striking award-winning architecture, landscaping and state-of-the-art sustainable design in unsurpassed locations. Its modern, inspired campuses and towers provide the most advanced workplace environments for the world's leading technology companies including Facebook, Google, Amazon, Apple, Comcast, Instagram, Microsoft and Northrup Grumman. Jay Paul Company projects include the world-renowned 181 Fremont Tower in San Francisco, named as one of the world's best high rises by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat; Pacific Shores Center, Moffett Towers, Moffett Place and the soon to be completed 200 Park Avenue, which are all recognized as Silicon Valley's most cutting edge, large scale developments. Jay Paul Company is privately held and based in San Francisco.

For more information, visit www.jaypaul.com.

About Compass Development

From project inception to building sellout, Compass Development partners with the world's most forward-thinking developers and innovative architects through the lifespan of a project. Leveraging tenured expertise and the industry's most powerful technological resources, we provide strategic advice for record-breaking results. The company offers a comprehensive range of developer services, including research and analysis, planning and design, marketing and sales for luxury real estate. With nationwide representation in over 200 Compass offices, Compass Development empowers residential developers with an unparalleled sales footprint in the United States. Licensed as Compass.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jay-paul-companys-181-fremont-achieves-leed-platinum-certification-301278462.html

SOURCE Jay Paul Company
International relations specialist Suren Sargsyan posted on his Facebook page, responding to the question whether Turkey will become more aggressive towards Armenian after Bidens recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

He stated the following:

1. I dont think Turkey will become more aggressive towards Armenia. Turkey can become aggressive without any occasion. Examples of this are the 44-day war, as well as Libya, Syria, Iraq, Cyprus and Greece. Turkey has its calculations, interests and its scaled independence.

2. What does Armenia have to do with Bidens recognition? Biden promised his citizens, that is, the Armenian Americans who voted for him, and he fulfilled his promise. He didnt promise Armenia. So, let Turkey become aggressive towards the US, if it can.

In fact, if you noticed, the Americans manipulated the shock. Basically, they made sure the decision wouldnt be shocking for Turkey. This is why US presses were filled with news about recognition of the Armenian Genocide two weeks before Bidens recognition.

Moreover, a day before recognition, Biden called Erdogan on the phone and informed him about his decision. I think this is why Turkeys response wasnt very coarse. At the same time, Turkey didnt respond coarsely so that it wouldnt attach importance to the recognition in front of the internal audience. Turkey hasnt even recalled its ambassador, as it usually does in such cases.
BARI - Italian finance police picked up 49 migrants late Monday evening in the waters of Morciano di Leuca (Lecce) aboard a motorsailer about 10 metres long.



This is the third group of migrants who have arrived in Salento in about 24 hours.



On Monday, also in Capo di Leuca, 112 migrants arrived aboard two boats.



The last group is made up of people from Sri Lanka, Syria, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, including 15 unaccompanied minors.



Rescue operations were hindered by poor weather at sea and concluded after midnight.



The Red Cross provided first aid to the 49 migrants, who were in fair condition generally but were tired and suffering from hypothermia.



The migrants were then transferred to the reception centre.



Caritas also provided food and basic provisions for the migrants.
[April 27, 2021] Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS Adds Support for AMD Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 Processors, and 12 New Chromebook and Chromebox Devices with Intel and AMD Chips

Zoom, Cisco Webex, and GoToMeeting Windows Apps Enabled by Parallels Desktops Added Camera and Microphone Redirection; USB Support enables Smart Cards and Flash Drives to Run in Windows on Chrome Enterprise Devices

BELLEVUE, Wash., April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parallels today announced that Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS (parallels.com/chrome, formerly Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise), now supports both AMD and Intel processors, as well as 12 new Chromebook and Chromebox devices from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. Enterprise and education organizations now have 21 supported Chrome Enterprise device options that can run full-featured Windows apps in Parallels Desktop, both online and offline. Employees, staff and students located anywhere can seamlessly run Zoom, Cisco Webex and GoToMeeting Windows apps in Parallels Desktop to enjoy full-featured video conferencing on their Chrome OS devices. Chromebooks have made substantial market gains in recent years, especially in the education market, said Shannon Kalvar, IDC Research Manager. As they become more prevalent in the broader market, Chromebooks will increasingly need to offer the functionality and capabilities embedded in full-featured Windows applications, an ability most simply offered by application and desktop virtualization. This is especially true in the broader commercial market, where both legacy and new Windows applications enable a wide range of business activities. With Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS, we make it simple for enterprises and education organizations to securely run fully featured Windows applications on powerful new Chrome Enterprise devices, both online and offline, said Christa Quarles, Chief Executive Officer of Corel. We want you to be able to get the job done, no matter where you are and what device you are using. This is why we also made Parallels Remote Application Server (parallels.com/ras) so simple that organizations of any size can deploy virtual Windows desktops and full-featured Windows apps to any device in as little as one day. This includes older Chromebooks, Macs, PCs, iPads, iPhones, Android tablets and phones, or any HTML5 web browser, so that workers and students, regardless of location, can use devices they already have in order to be productive. See how fast and simple it is to set up full-featured Windows on a Chromebook in Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS in this short video at parallels.com/fastsetup. Enterprise

As a contractor for the United States Department of Defense, cybersecurity is critical, said Walter Gartner, Chief Information Officer of Cervello Technologies. If a company is using Chromebooks with Chrome Enterprise and its employees need to easily run full-featured Windows applications online and offline, then Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS is definitely the way to go?its secure, cost-effective, easy to install, and user friendly. Education

We chose Chromebooks as the most cost-effective devices for our school but many teachers needed SMART Notebook, a legacy Windows application for creating dynamic lessons, and preferred to work with full-featured Windows apps rather than the feature-limited online versions, said John Byron, IT manager of Wheelers Lane Primary School, United Kingdom. Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS enabled our teachers to easily run the full-featured Widows apps they need on their Chromebooks. Within a week and a few working hours, our Chromebooks were equipped with Parallels software which was so simple that no training was needed to use it. Healthcare

We chose Chromebooks for our employees who travel frequently throughout the 5,300 square miles of Washingtons Okanogan Countythe largest county in the United States?to support primary medical, dental, orthodontic care, and pharmacies that serve 40 percent of the population, said Mike Ellis, Chief Information Officer of Family Health Centers. The need to run full-featured Windows applications on our Chromebooks is sometimes inevitablelike when Washington state provides us Microsoft Word documents, or when we need to securely work with medical records in Athena Healthcare systems. Solutions we tried from the largest service provider companies were complex, became very expensive, and failed to work well. Fortunaely, Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS provided us massive cost savings and enabled our employees to easily run the full-featured Windows apps they need on their Chromebooks?both online and offline.



New Supported Features in Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS

New Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS camera and microphone redirection enable Chrome OS Enterprise device users to run popular Windows desktop versions of video conferencing apps so they can enjoy key features that are not available in the web app versions. Zoom: Whiteboard, annotate, advanced chat, and remote-control features are only available in its Windows desktop app. 1

Whiteboard, annotate, advanced chat, and remote-control features are only available in its Windows desktop app. Cisco Webex: Whiteboard, end-to-end encryption, and remote-control features are only available in its Windows desktop app. 2

Whiteboard, end-to-end encryption, and remote-control features are only available in its Windows desktop app. GoToMeeting: Drawing tools, whiteboard, and always-on control panel are only available in the Windows desktop app.3

USB support has been added to Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS to enable popular USB devices to work in Windows virtual machines, including Smart cards and flash drives. Additional features are available online on the Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS product page at parallels.com/chrome.

Availability, Free Trial, and Pricing

Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS is available today for $69.99 USD annually per user. Product details, including a free full-featured one-month trial with five user licenses, are available online at parallels.com/chrome. System Requirements Recommended hardware:

Minimum (to run one or two simple Windows applications) Processor: Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 AMD Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 Memory: 8GB or more Storage: 128 GB SSD or more





(to run one or two simple Windows applications) Best Performance (for active multitasking and resource-intensive Windows applications): Processor: Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 + fan cooling AMD Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 + fan cooling Memory: 16GB or more Storage: 256 GB SSD or more



(for active multitasking and resource-intensive Windows applications): To provide full-featured Windows applications to users of lower-spec devices consider Parallels Remote Application Server (parallels.com/ras).

Supported devices: New Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS supported Chromebook and Chromebox Chrome Enterprise devices below are noted with asterisks (*) before their names: HP: HP Elite c1030 Chromebook, Intel

HP Pro c640 Chromebook, Intel

*HP Pro c645 Chromebook, AMD

HP Chromebox G3, Intel Lenovo: *Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook, AMD

Lenovo Yoga C630 Chromebook, Intel Google: Google Pixelbook, Intel

Google Pixelbook Go, Intel Acer: Acer Chromebook Spin 713, Intel

Acer Chromebook Spin 13, Intel

*Acer Chromebook Spin 514, AMD

*Acer Chromebook 714, Intel

*Acer Chromebook 715, Intel

*Acer Chromebox CXI4, Intel Dell: *Dell Latitude 5300 2-in-1 Chromebook, Intel

*Dell Latitude 5400 Chromebook, Intel

*Dell Latitude 7410 Chromebook, Intel

ASUS: ASUS Chromebook Flip C436FA, Intel

*ASUS Chromebook Flip CM5, Intel

*ASUS Fanless Chromebox, Intel

*ASUS Chromebox 4, Intel  Windows 10 license: Microsoft Windows image and Windows license are required.  Google Admin console: IT administrators can manage Chromebook and Chromebox devices that are covered by Chrome Enterprise or Education Upgrade.  Corporate Storage Server: To deploy a Windows virtual machine image on user devices, you need a corporate storage server from where the image can be downloaded to individual Chrome Enterprise devices in your organization via HTTP or HTTPS. CDN is recommended for very large deployments.

About Parallels

Parallels is a global leader in cross-platform solutions that make it possible and simple for businesses and individuals to use and access the applications and files they need on any device or operating system. Parallels helps customers leverage the best technology out there, whether its Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, or the cloud. Parallels solves complex engineering and user-experience problems by making it simple and cost-effective for businesses and individual customers to use applications wherever they may belocal, remote, in the private datacenter or in the cloud. Parallels, a business unit of Corel, has offices in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Visit parallels.com/about for more information. About Corel

Corel products enable millions of connected knowledge workers around the world to do great work faster. Offering some of the industry's best-known software brands, Corel gives individuals and teams the power to create, collaborate, and deliver impressive results. Success is driven by an unwavering commitment to deliver a broad portfolio of innovative applications  including CorelDRAW, MindManager, Parallels, and WinZip  to inspire users and help them achieve their goals. To learn more about Corel, please visit www.corel.com. Media Contacts

John Uppendahl, Vice President of Communications, john@parallels.com, +1 425 282-1734

Ryan Donough, Burson Cohn & Wolfe, ryan.donough@cohnwolfe.com, +1 415 403-8311 1. https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360027397692-Desktop-client-mobile-app-and-web-client-comparison

2. https://help.webex.com/en-us/n0rqd8g/Webex-Meetings-Web-App-Known-Issues-and-Limitations

3. https://support.goto.com/meeting?articleID=1195847931  2021 Parallels International GmbH. All rights reserved. Parallels, and the Parallels logo, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Parallels International GmbH in Canada, the U.S., and/or elsewhere. Corel, CorelDRAW, MindManager, and WinZip are trademarks or registered trademarks of Corel Corporation in Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere. Mac, iPad, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc. Android, Chrome, ChromeOS, Chromebook, and Chromebox are trademarks of Google LLC. All other company, product and service names, logos, brands, and any registered or unregistered trademarks mentioned are used for identification purposes only and remain the exclusive property of their respective owners. Use of any brands, names, logos or any other information, imagery, or materials pertaining to a third party does not imply endorsement. We disclaim any proprietary interest in such third-party information, imagery, materials, marks, and names of others. For all notices and information about patents please visit https://www.parallels.com/legal/

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/277c5ead-8567-46e2-a0a9-d3039fad6b7f



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The (WHO) has warned against jumping to conclusions about a new variant discovered in India, saying it had not yet classified it as worrying.

A WHO spokeswoman said that it was not clear at this point to what extent the variant was responsible for the rapid increase in cases in India in recent months, DPA news agency reported.

There are many factors that could have contributed to this, she said. For example, festivals and other events with many participants may have accelerated infections.

The British variant may also be affecting India's epidemiological situation.

In India, more than 350,000 infections were reported within 24 hours on Monday, more than any country has reported in that timespan. With its 1.3 billion inhabitants, India has recorded a total of more than 17 million infections.

The British, South African and Brazilian variants of Covid-19 have all been classified by the WHO as "variants of concern."

The newest variant was first detected in India on December 1, 2020.

According to the WHO, a variant is considered worrying if it spreads more easily, causes more serious cases of the disease, bypasses the immune system or reduces the effectiveness of known treatments.

Overall, the number of reported infections per week has been increasing for nine weeks, while the number of reported deaths has been increasing for six weeks, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva on Monday.

"There were almost as many cases last week as in the first five months of the pandemic combined," said Tedros. In India in particular, the situation is "more than heartbreaking."

The WHO did not have the latest number of infections reported within a week on its website as of Tuesday. On April 19, it reported almost 5.7 million cases worldwide within a week, some 400,000 more than the week before.

On the Gisaid platform, which contains genetic sequences of influenza and the coronavirus, more than 850 sequences of Covid-19 from more than 18 countries had been uploaded by April 23. Most came from India, Britain, the US and Singapore.

However, this does not give an accurate picture of the distribution, as many countries sequence significantly less, others not at all due to a lack of capacity.

--IANS

int/pgh

(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, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / Theralase Technologies Inc. ("Theralase" or the "Company") (TSXV:TLT)(OTCQB:TLTFF), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development of light activated Photo Dynamic Compounds ("PDC") and associated drug formulations to safely and effectively destroy various cancers, bacteria and viruses has released the Company's Quarterly Newsletter ("Newsletter") which provides updates on the previous quarter and progress on the Phase II Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer ("NMIBC") Clinical Study ("Study II").

The Newsletter can be found on the Company's website at www.theralase.com/quarterly-newsletters/

Highlights from the Newsletter:

Clinical Study Sites ("CSS")

11 CSS's have been launched in Canada (5) and the US (6) for patient enrollment and treatment for Study II.

11 CSS's have been launched in Canada (5) and the US (6) for patient enrollment and treatment for Study II. Patients Treated

Study II has enrolled and provided the primary study treatment for 18 patients ( including three patients from the Phase Ib study treated at the Therapeutic Dose ) for a total of 21 patients.

Study II has enrolled and provided the primary study treatment for 18 patients ( ) for a total of 21 patients. Study II Preliminary Results

An analysis of the primary (Complete Response ("CR") at any point in time) and secondary (Duration of CR) objectives, at 90 and 180 days, the CR rate (negative urine cytology and negative cystoscopy) is 33.3% and 28.60%, respectively, while the Partial Response ("PR") rate (positive urine cytology and negative cystoscopy) is 9.5% and 9.5%, respectively, leading to a 42.8% and 38.10%, Total Response rate (CR and PR), respectively.

*Includes 3 patients at the Therapeutic Dose from the Phase Ib NMIBC Clinical Study

Comparing the 90 and 180 day assessment data, demonstrates that once a patient has obtained CR or PR, the duration of the response remains fairly durable.

In accordance with FDA guidelines to industry, the patients who have achieved a PR are being further assessed via CT scan and biopsy of the prostatic urethra to determine if upper tract Urothelial Cell Carcinoma ("UCC") or prostatic urethra UCC can be detected to allow these patients to be re-categorized as CR.

An analysis of the tertiary objective (Adverse Events ("AE") > 4, that do not resolve within 450 days) showed that 1 patient, who had a negative cytology (no presence of cancer cells in urine) after a single Study Treatment, experienced a grade 3 (Acute Kidney Injury) that was discovered at the 30 day check-up that was considered unlikely related to the Study Drug, probably related to the Study Procedure and possibly related to the Study Device, by the Principal Investigator ("PI"). This same patient, 5 days later, experienced a grade 5 adverse event (Death due to cardiac arrest) that was considered unlikely related to the Study Drug, unlikely related to the Study Procedure and unlikely related to the Study Device, by the PI. The patient had a complex medical history, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, as well as suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia. Based on the patient's history and the timing of the AE, the Company has concluded that both these events were unrelated to the Study Drug and/or Study Device.

Study II Optimized Treatment Preliminary Results

Commencing August 1, 2020, all new and existing patients enrolled and treated (primary and maintenance Study Treatments) in Study II were treated using the Study II treatment optimizations as communicated via press release on July 30, 2020. In total, 6 patients were treated using the Study II treatment optimizations.



Although very early for a statistical analysis the primary objective at 90 days for patients receiving the optimized primary Study Treatment demonstrates a 33.3% CR rate, with 50.0% data pending and only 16.7% with no response.

To receive future Newsletters, please contact info@theralase.com

About Theralase Technologies Inc.

Theralase is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development of light activated Photo Dynamic Compounds and their associated drug formulations intended to safely and effectively destroy various cancers, bacteria and viruses.

Additional information is available at www.theralase.com and www.sedar.com

Forward Looking Statement:

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" which reflect the current expectations of the Company's management for future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's proposed development plans with respect to Photo Dynamic Compounds and their drug formulations. Wherever possible, words such as "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "potential for" and similar expressions have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's beliefs with respect to future events and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions; including, with respect to the ability of the Company to: adequately fund, secure the requisite regulatory approvals to commence and successfully complete a Phase II NMIBC clinical study in a timely fashion and implement its commercialization plans. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements; including, without limitation, those listed in the filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed at www.sedar.com). Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. These factors should be considered carefully, and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in the press release are based upon what management currently believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure prospective investors that actual results, performance or achievements will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise except as required by law. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

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.

For More Information:

1.866.THE.LASE (843-5273)

416-699-LASE (5273)

www.theralase.com

Kristina Hachey

Chief Financial Officer

khachey@theralase.com

416-699-LASE (5273) x 224

SOURCE: Theralase Technologies Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642333/TheralaseR-Releases-Quarterly-Newsletter
The deadly COVID-19 has since beginning taken many lives. Many people across the country have lost their loved ones to the virus without even getting access to adequate treatment for them. In a time like this, the news of a 75-year-old patient recovering from coronavirus after a 100% lung involvement comes like a ray of hope, according to a report published in The Times of India.

BCCL

What happened?

The good news comes from Mumbais Ghatkopar. A patient named Shailaja Nakwe admitted in Sonagra Medical and Surgical Centre was informed by the doctors that she may not survive for more than 24 hours. However, the woman who is a diabetic patient put up a tough fight against the deadly virus and got discharged from the hospital after 13 days of being admitted.

Her discharge was celebrated by the hospital staff by cutting a cake. The Mumbai resident was rushed to the hospital by her son after he found out that her oxygen saturation was an alarming 69%. On reaching the hospital, the womans family was informed that her Computed Tomography (CT) score is 25/25, which is the most severe count.

Zee

Dr Rajaram Sonagra, who was treating her, told TOI that she has 100% lung involvement and required complete ventilator support. He went on to add, She was a diabetic who came to us with near 100% lung involvement. All five lobes of the lung had over 75% involvement. She was breathing with great difficulty.

Shailaja, as most COVID-19 patients, was given Remdesivir along with some other antibiotics. Her son Prashant Nakwe recollected the difficulties he had to face for managing six doses of Remdesivir for his then critical mother. He mentioned that even though the doctors had said that his mother may not survive for more than 24 hours, he did not give up hope and continued to have faith.

Reuters

Though out of danger and discharged from the hospital now, the 75-year-old patient's full recovery is likely to take up to six months. At present, she requires a two-litre oxygen cylinder at home to ease her breathing.
NAPA, Calif.Vibratex, exclusive North American importer of the Magic Wand massager brand, seeks to repurpose its unusable units as commissioned art pieces with what it has dubbed the inaugural "Pleasure as Art" commission search.

Beginning May 10, Magic Wand will open applications from individual artists and collaborative teams with ideas for creating art works using up to 100 decommissioned Magic Wand Originals.

Interested artists must complete an entry form and submit descriptions and sketches of their proposed design. One entry will be selected by a panel of judges to receive a $10,000 commission to bring their design to life. Once complete, the finished piece will be brought on tour and featured in prominent locationsincluding adult retailersacross the United States.

"As a true cultural icon, Magic Wand has been inspiring fan art for years," Vibratex CEO Ken Herskovitz explained. "From digital art to tattoos, people love to get creative with our wands. That inspired this ideato engage with our fans and retailers and give these unusable products a new purpose."

Design submissions will be accepted through June 30. Additional competition details will be released soon, including tour dates and locations. Interested parties may submit contact information via the "Pleasure as Art" website to receive updates and announcements.

More information about the "Pleasure as Art" initiative, including entry requirements and a detailed description of the selection process, can be found at magicwandoriginal.com/art.

For all Vibratex and Magic Wand sales inquiries, contact director of business development Eddie Romero at [email protected].

To learn more about Magic Wand, visit magicwandoriginal.com and follow the brand on Instagram @truemagicwand.
(CNN)  Hiromi spent most of her life feeling trapped.

Growing up, the now 58-year-old Japanese acupuncturist felt pressure to conform to Japan's rules-based society, and to become a model worker and wife. She married young and had three children, but later divorced and says she still struggles to make ends meet.

"I'm sure some Japanese people question this way of life where we take the same crammed train at the same time; we get sucked into corporate life. It's like we don't think for ourselves; instead, we follow someone else's outline for us," Hiromi told CNN Business. She withheld her full name to keep her privacy.

Convinced there was something wrong with society, Hiromi looked for answers online. While reading the tweets of a medical influencer, who alleged big pharmaceutical companies used the public as human guinea pigs, Hiromi stumbled across Japanese QAnon influencer Eri Okabayashi's Twitter account.

It translated QAnon information into Japanese, and had more than 80,000 followers before it was shut down in January as part of a mass purge of QAnon-related accounts by Twitter. Hiromi started speaking to Okabayashi, who claimed to offer her the opportunity to make the world a better place.

For Hiromi, QAnon provided an escape from the realities of daily life.

"I have no idea what other people would think of me, but I feel like I became so free," she said.

The baseless QAnon conspiracy theory began in October 2017 when a person or persons using the name "Q" (which is a level of US security clearance) posted a thread on 4chan, an anonymous American messaging board regarded as the birthplace of the alt-right movement. The poster spread several conspiracy theories, including ones claiming that then-President Donald Trump is facing down a shadowy cabal of child-trafficking elites, and others about the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election. The theory quickly moved from the darkest corners of the internet to draw in people around the world.

Japan has become one of QAnon's most sophisticated and active networks outside of the United States with its own ideologies and influencers, according to social network analysis research firm Graphika. Though there aren't solid estimates for the number of QAnon followers worldwide or in Japan, Hiromi is just one of a niche number of people who have fallen into fringe QAnon groups that have emerged in Japan.

QAnon is rooted in the belief that governments and established institutions are lying to the public, an idea with broad appeal around the world. Experts say QAnon adherents are searching for meaning in a society they feel is broken, manipulated to believe QAnon answers all the world's problems.

And while QAnon's roots are in American politics, experts argue that in Japan the conspiracy theory has diverged so sharply that it has taken on a life of its own.

QAnon's Japanese roots

Cults and conspiracy theories are far from mainstream in Japan, according to Yutaka Hori, a Japanese and religious studies expert at Tohoku University. But the country still has a history of those types fringe belief systems, many of which long predate QAnon.

During World War II, a state-sponsored version of Shintoism promoted the idea that the Japanese Emperor was an absolute God ruling over the country.

However, once the United States began its occupation of Japan following Tokyo's defeat in WWII, the Emperor issued a declaration in which he said he was not a living god. This sharp departure led many observant Shintoists to have a crisis of faith, Hori said.

According to Hori, while the sudden cultural shift away from nationalistic Shintoism allowed people to choose their own belief systems, it also paved the way for fringe religious movements  some with radical leanings.

By the 1990s, Japan had entered a period of economic uncertainty, and it became easier for cults to play on people's anxieties, according to Matt Alt, author of "Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World."

Infamous doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo, which emerged in the 1980s, grew its membership during this period and perpetrated the deadly 1995 sarin gas attack in a Tokyo subway station.

And as the internet took off, the '90s saw the rise of anonymous imageboards. The first widely used imageboard, 2chan (now known as 5chan), spawned chan culture  from which QAnon later emerged  and brought about an era of anonymous unfettered expression. While 2chan provided a space for people to speak their minds without being judged, the platform quickly became synonymous with Japan's right-wing sympathizers or "netto-uyoku," who used the board to spread anti-immigrant attitudes and hate speech against Koreans.

Japan's internet right-wingers harbor hostile views towards regional neighbors like Korea and China, reflecting the anti-communist and anti-China views that some QAnon adherents in Japan hold today, according to Alt.

"I think QAnon in Japan is bootstrapping itself on a bunch of pre-existing, far-right extreme movements that already existed in Japan," Alt said.

Japan's two QAnons

Since its inception in 2017, QAnon has quickly metastasized, infiltrating American politics, internet culture and religious groups.

In Japan, two QAnon splinter groups have emerged: J-Anon and QArmyJapanFlynn, which takes its name from Trump's former National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn.

The belief systems that underpin the groups have similarities  both mistrust the Japanese government and support Trump. But there are important differences as well.

J-Anon adherents, for example, have taken part in large, well-publicized demonstrations in support of Trump. In contrast, a QArmyJapan Flynn (QAJF) believer told CNN Business that the group does not see the value in holding public rallies to support Trump.

Hiromi and 2Hey, a 33-year-old former real-estate agent turned delivery driver, are members of QArmyJapanFlynn. 2Hey is divorced and has a son. He told CNN Business that at one point he wanted to be a politician to help change Japan, but later decided politics was a farce.

"It's so tough to stay afloat even with both parents working. I kept thinking something was so wrong and that's when I discovered QAnon," he said.

Neither 2Hey nor Hiromi say they were believers of any other online or religious groups before joining QArmyJapanFlynn, which they claim is different from J-Anon and other QAnon groups. They said the US elections may have been stolen from Trump but their group did not support the violence during the Capitol Hill riots in January. They claim their mission is a peaceful one that goes beyond Trump: They say it's about convincing people to challenge the status quo.

Lost in translation

According to Yasushi Watanabe, an American studies expert at Keio University, information on QAnon can be lost in translation as groups rely on English material being turned into Japanese.

"The difference between Japan and the US is that many QAnon believers in Japan do not understand English so well," said Watanabe.

He cited the example of how Trump supporters in Japan wrote the American national anthem lyrics in katakana, a Japanese phonetic alphabet, so they could easily sing along without necessarily understanding each word.

"They are not necessarily responding directly to Trump's literal message, but thinking of him as an anti-establishment cultural icon," added Watanabe.

But the subtle change in meaning across continents has led to confusion.

CNN Business reached out to multiple names listed on J-Anon's website. Only two people responded. Matsumoto, who withheld his full name due to privacy reasons, is a Japanese pro-Trump supporter who helped organize a rally for the former president in Fukuoka prefecture in January. Matsumoto has been an avid Trump supporter since 2015. He says he flew from Japan to America in 2019 to attend a Trump rally in Pennsylvania.

Since 2016, Matsumoto has believed the world is controlled by a "Deep State" comprised of influential banking figures, but Trump is fighting against them. He also said he felt frustrated with China's mistreatment of Hong Kongers, Tibetans and Uyghurs.

Although Matsumoto's details appear on J-Anon's website, he said he wasn't a believer and didn't know how his information got there. He said he was familiar with QAnon, but it was not until after the Capitol Hill riots that he began to question the movements' motives.

"I started to feel like QAnon was manipulating people who loved Trump and exploiting them for a different purpose," said Matsumoto. "I think that in Japan, people didn't fully understand what QAnon was. Some people got sucked in because they sincerely supported Trump and thought that Q also endorsed him," said Matsumoto.

Nowadays, whenever Matsumoto meets QAnon supporters in Japan, he cautions that QAnon might be manipulating Trump supporters.

Misinformation in Japan

People often seek out conspiracy theories in times of crisis, and the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated feelings of uncertainty, according to Watanabe, the American studies expert.

"People's frustration with Covid-19 might have provided a ground for some conspiracy theories to grow," he said.

The Japanese public's deep-seated mistrust of political institutions and the media doesn't help matters. For instance, a 2018 report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism and the University of Oxford points out that though the Japanese have traditionally trusted in authority and mainstream news media, a "series of high-profile mistakes" by news organizations have eroded trust in recent years.

According to a 2019 report from Genron, a Japanese think tank, Japan, 67% of 1,000 people surveyed said they didn't trust political parties or expect them to solve issues, and 56% of people had little to no trust in the media.

Yoshiro Fujikura, a Japanese journalist and cult expert, said the mistrust in mainstream media had spurred some people to seek alternative information sources online.

"People start thinking that Japanese media was so untrustworthy in the past, so they must still be hiding the important facts," said Fujikura. "Some people became influenced by opinions they came across online and became susceptible to misinformation."

Taking down the QAnon networks

When Twitter shut down 70,000 QAnon-related accounts in January, the QAnon-affiliated Twitter accounts tweeting in Japanese saw around 45% of the community deactivated, according to Melanie Smith, the director of analysis at Graphika, the social network analysis research firm.

Smith, who has mapped the spread of QAnon online, quantifies the influence of communities by measuring the strength of their networks.

"[QAnon in Japan] was the first international community we saw being coherent and cohesive enough to show up on a network map, which means it has its own influencers, it has its own kind of linguistic markers, its own signals in terms of content that's being produced and consumed," said Smith.

"We can tell that even with the enforcement action that's now happening on Twitter, that community remains relatively strong," she added.

In Japan, QAnon adherents have created a network where Twitter accounts follow each other, Smith said. She said her concern isn't over whether QAnon conspiracy theories will become mainstream in Japan, but whether people will take on radical ideas as they congregate in fringe echo chambers.

"It's almost like when you drop a jar of marbles, and they scatter and try and reconstitute in different places," said Smith. "What we see with that in the US is a movement towards alt tech platforms and places where these accounts know that they're not going to be moderated."

2Hey, the QAJF member, said he felt angry when he discovered his Twitter account had been blocked by the social media giant, but the group has moved to other platforms.

QAJF adherents also recruit offline, continuing the cycle of luring others into the baseless conspiracy theory. Hiromi organizes local meetups regularly with mostly middle-aged women who weren't aware of QAnon theories before.

Another member, J, 30, who didn't want to disclose his name for privacy reasons, told CNN Business he used to be a financial consultant. J, who is now in Hokkaido in northern Japan, said he travels across the country with donated funds, promoting QAnon by passing out flyers, hosting events and livestreaming online.

Despite the recent social media clampdown, QArmyJapanFlynn members alleged their numbers have increased more than ten times to 1,000 members during the pandemic. They say their members are from across the country: male, female, rich and poor. In contrast, over in America, QAnon has lost support since President Joe Biden's inauguration, with many adherents renouncing their beliefs after a popular Q prophesy known as "the Storm" failed to come true.

Looking to the future

Hori, the Japanese and religious studies expert, said the rise of social media had allowed people to more easily explore unconventional beliefs and religious practices. That, he added, could even lead to the spread of new religious movements in the future.

Fujikura, the cult expert, cautioned that even if the QAnon-affiliated pro-Trump demonstrations wane, the anti-Communist China messaging and protests that J-Anon has rallied around will carry on in another form given such sentiment existed long before the advent of QAnon.

"We could reach a point where those anti-Chinese groups gain more members, gain political power and start organizing more radical activities ... Even if QAnon crumbles, I don't think J-Anon will," said Fujikura.

Ultimately, Fujikura said it was essential to create a dialogue with people who have fallen into the conspiracy rabbit hole.

"We need to make sure people have access to the facts, so they don't believe in baseless conspiracy theories. I think those things are important. We need media literacy and cult literacy," added Fujikura.

But that may be tough to do. Hiromi, 2Hey and J  members of QArmyJapanFlynn  have already decided that public institutions and society are deceiving them, choosing instead to live in the imagined reality of QAnon.

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the name of Japanese QAnon influencer Eri Okabayashi.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misquoted remarks from Graphika's Melanie Smith about the US shift toward alternative tech platforms.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Japan's QAnon disciples aren't letting Trump's loss quash their mission."
A vice principal at a Monmouth County school is under investigation after a social media post shows him angrily throwing a cup of beer at restaurant patrons in Atlantic County this past weekend.

The drink toss by Michael Smurro occurred after his wife argued with patrons over an apparent transgender woman using the womens bathroom with her at the restaurant, Fred & Ethels Lantern Light and Tavern in Smithville, Galloway Township, on Saturday. The incident was first reported by BreakingAC.com.

Smurro is a vice principal at Neptune Middle School, in Neptune Township. The districts superintendent, Tami Crader, said Monday morning shed just learned of the incident, that it is under investigation and will be taken seriously.

Crader declined to say if any action had been taken against Smurro. She said the board of education and the school administration will not condone any kind of violent behavior or discriminatory behavior.

A witness to the confrontation who recorded parts of it said the woman, Lisa Smurro, made repeated insensitive and transphobic remarks, and that Smurro made them loudly within earshot of three outdoor dining tables at the restaurant  including a party of five with a young child.

It was just disgusting, said the witness, Carrie, who goes by Peach CC on Facebook. She asked that her last name be omitted for fear of retaliation.

Carrie said Smurro kept complaining about a transgender woman using the bathroom while she was also in the facility, and would not let it go, repeating, Shes a man!

A man just went in the womens bathroom and its just not right, Lisa Smurro says in one of three videos Carrie posted.

According to New Jersey law, people cannot be discriminated against based on gender identity. Under the law, people are permitted to use restrooms in public places that correspond to their gender identity. In recent years, the state has passed laws aimed at further protecting transgender rights, including a 2017 bill that created additional layers of protection at New Jersey public schools. In 2018, the state created a Transgender Equality Task Force.

Lisa Smurro told NJ Advance the matter was a private conversation with her husband after seeing someone she believed was transgender using a womens restroom. My whole thing is, that restaurant provided a bathroom for transgenders, and thats where they should have gone. I just felt a little uncomfortable. Our daughters not young anymore, but if she was young and I brought her in there, that would have made me very uncomfortable.

Lisa Smurro couldnt understand why anyone was recording their conversation. Her husband asked them to stop video recording, and he grew frustrated because his wife was clearly upset, she said.

They were just mocking us and smiling and sneering. We absolutely assaulted no one. We touched no one, we spoke to no one. We werent bothering anyone. We were minding our own business, having our own conversation.

The videos Carrie posted show the incident grew into a confrontation.

Michael Smurro says little during most of the incident, Carrie said, and the videos show that the couple eventually left their table. Outside the restaurant, Lisa Smurro again would not let it go and approached Carries table and argued with her and her boyfriend, and then a waitress.

Shes a man not a woman, Lisa Smurro said. Shes a man, How are you OK with this? Lisa Smurro says to Carrie.

A waitress then asks Smurro to leave, and goes to get a manager. Michael Smurro was further away, the videos show.

Then, Michael Smurro walked back to the tables and tosses the open cup of beer, which sprayed on Carrie, her boyfriend and the table with the child, Carrie said.

We did nothing wrong, other than he did spill, throw a little bit of a beer. Yes, he got upset when he asked the guy to please stop videotaping me, Lisa Smurro said.

Carrie said she never saw the woman Lisa Smurro was complaining about.

On their way home, Lisa Smurro said she contacted the restaurant and someone there apologized about the restroom situation, she said. When the restaurant told me they had an appropriate bathroom, thats when I really was very upset, she said.

The restaurant did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Lisa Smurro doesnt understand why the incident has attracted so much attention. This is my business. We were out for a nice Saturday afternoon and we dont appreciate being videotaped.

She declined to comment over whether this was creating any issues for her husband at work.

Police were not contacted at the time of the incident and have not heard from anyone reporting the fracas, said Galloway Township Police Lt. Chris McGinty. They have been in contact with the restaurants owners in the meantime.

Police also do not know the identity of the transgender person referenced in the rant. We have not been contacted by that person, McGinty said. We have no idea who that person may be, as well as the person that got the drink thrown in their face. We have not been contacted by them to report an incident to us.

McGinty encouraged anyone who wants to report an incident to step forward.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / Rockland Resources Ltd. (the "Company" or "Rockland") (CSE:RKL) is pleased to announce that further to its press release dated April 6, 2021, the Company has closed the oversubscribed non-brokered private placement. The Company issued 10,440,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.20 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $2,088,000. Each Unit is comprised of one common share ("Share") and one half of one transferable common share purchase warrant of the Company ("Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the Subscriber to purchase one Warrant Share for a 24-month period after the Closing Date at an exercise price of $0.30 per share.

Proceeds raised will be used for advancing the Company's Cole Gold Mines property in Red Lake as well as the Old Timer property near Nelson B.C. as well as for general working capital.

Finders' fees of $78,080 cash and 425,400 finders' warrants were paid to arm's length parties.

Shares issued pursuant to the Financing will be subject to a four-month hold period according to applicable securities laws of Canada.

About Rockland Resources Ltd.

Rockland Resources is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets in Canada. Its objective is to locate and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit and to conduct its exploration program on the properties. In addition to the Cole Gold Property, Rockland is exploring the Summit Old Timer Property that consists of three (3) mineral claims covering an area of 1,915 hectares located approximately 17 km southeast of the City of Nelson, within the Nelson Mining Division, British Columbia.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mike England

CEO, President and Director

For further information, please contact:

Mike England

Email: mike@engcom.ca

Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward -looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at WWW.SEDAR.COM).

SOURCE: Rockland Resources Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642696/Rockland-Resources-Closes-Private-Placement
Now Open

27 April 2021

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest hotel franchising company with over 8,900 hotels across nearly 95 countries, announced today the opening of La Quinta by Wyndham Selma, the milestone 120th hotel in the La Quinta portfolio featuring the sought-after Del Sol prototype. There are 175 La Quinta hotels in the development pipeline, with openings scheduled this year in key markets such as Nashville, Tenn.; Santa Cruz, Calif.; Austin, Texas; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Denver, Colo.; and Corpus Christi, Texas. The brand has also announced plans to bring La Quinta to other countries including Dominican Republic, China, United Arab Emirates, Mexico and Georgia.

Owned by Jay Sai Corporation, the new-construction La Quinta by Wyndham Selma features 80 modern guestrooms, a sleek lobby design and an outdoor pool. The hotel is conveniently located by both I-95 and US-70, near Smithfield Community Park, and is easily accessible from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Developer interest continues to thrive for the Del Sol prototype, which features a fresh and stylish design providing comfort and convenience while enabling productivity, making it appealing to both business and leisure travelers. Since Wyndham's acquisition of the La Quinta brand in 2018, 122 new franchise contracts have been executed, helping to drive franchise system growth to eight percent. La Quinta has been among the strongest performing brands throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, gaining 490 basis points of RevPAR Index in 2020 against its competitive set, according to STR data.

As a leading upper-midscale brand, La Quinta offers contemporary design and a great guest experience at nearly 940 hotels across the United States, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Turkey, and New Zealand.
Legislation allowing for state, county and municipal government agencies in Oklahoma to contract with third-party examiners for commercial drivers license (CDL) exams and other similar tests has been signed into law.

House Bill 2183 was authored by Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, who said he hoped the change would allow Oklahomans to receive licenses in a more timely fashion.

Although I started working on this legislation several years ago, there is certainly even more demand for a better designed process for testing and receiving of drivers licenses now, Johns said. We were already developing this legislation prior to the rollout of Real ID and the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, which both slowed the licensing process way down, so the demand is even more necessary today. Adding additional examiners would address the needs of our constituents.

The bill was coauthored by Rep. Josh West, R-Grove.

This is common-sense legislation that will help us clear up our backlog so people can get their drivers licenses or renewals without further delay, West said.

HB2183 was approved by both chambers unanimously and takes effect Nov. 1, 2021.

Source: Oklahoma Legislature

Topics Personal Auto Oklahoma
STAMFORD  With only three voting districts casting ballots Tuesday, it took only about half an hour after the polls closed for Democrat Corey Paris to claim victory as the winner of the special election for the 145th House District.

Paris garnered 730 votes compared to Republican Juan David J.D. Ospinas 225, according to unofficial results from Stamford Democratic City Committee headquarters.

I am so excited because I can finally go to sleep tonight. But Im also so excited because I get to represent one of the best districts, Paris said.

I want to thank every constituent in the 145th District that went out of their way to give me not only their trust, not only their confidence, but their vote because theyre whats most important, he added.

After the November elections, a special election took place in March for the state Senates 27th District seat. Patricia Billie Miller, who was the representative of the state Houses 145th district, won that election. Now, voters in Stamfords Waterside and West Side neighborhoods have chosen Millers replacement.

I want to thank all of the young people, all of the young families, Paris said. This is for you. I will work hard for you and be a champion of progress for you every single day in Hartford, and if I dont, then you can vote me out, but I promise you this is not going to be a mistake on our part. Stamford, we are still at the forefront of being the powerhouse delegation, and I am proud to join this delegation.

First and foremost, everyone who knows me knows that my faith, my faith in God and my faith in just doing the right thing  is such a huge focal point to who I am as an individual, added Paris, the director of development for the Childrens Learning Centers of Fairfield County. He also is the vice chairman of the Mayors Multicultural Council.

Paris said it was a tough race and he and his campaign knocked on nearly 2,000 doors over six weeks and made over 1,000 calls.

Ospina, a U.S. Army veteran, said Tuesday evening that he conceded the race, which he said became much more hostile than he wouldve liked.

Republicans had knocked city Democrats for endorsing Paris, who returned to Stamford in recent weeks after living in Bridgeport for about a year. He has said that he moved because of a divorce.

A Stamford Republican, Joshua Esses, who ran against Miller in the special state Senate election, filed a complaint against Paris alleging that he engaged in voter fraud by voting in Stamford after moving to Bridgeport.

Paris has said that he always planned to move back to Stamford, and that he voted in Stamford after receiving information from the Secretary of the States office indicating that it was OK for him to do so.

Last week, the State Elections Enforcement Commission determined that it was necessary to investigate the complaint, spokesperson Joshua Foley said. Its unclear how long the investigation will take.

Low  but motivated  voters

Turnout was low at the polls Tuesday as some Stamford voters cast their third ballot in six months.

Its a light crowd today, but every vote counts, Ramon Medina, the poll moderator at the Salvation Army Community Center, said Tuesday morning.

READ MORE: Up-and-coming Democrat seeks state House in special election

READ MORE: Republican launches second bid in six months for 145th District

A few minutes drive away, Westover Magnet Elementary School saw a steady stream of voters in the afternoon.

I think the middle of the day was the busiest time of the day, said Tom Laman, an assistant moderator, adding that it was very slow this morning.

Considering that there wasnt much publicity for the special election, I think the turnout is probably reasonable, he said.

Moderator Bunny Sempey said even though it was a special election, residents seem to be excited about coming out to vote.

One voter at the school, Iceypheen McClain, said she voted for Paris because she is a Democrat and she believes in what Democrats stand for. Even for a special election, she said it was important for residents to get out and vote.

We have to get out. If you want to make a difference, make a difference by voting, McClain said.

Like McClain, Carole Greenberg said she planned to support Paris, saying he brings a lot to the table that would be very helpful for this area, and that she shares many of his beliefs.

April Kish and her husband James also cast ballots in favor of the Democrat.

I saw him in the news a few times, and he seems pretty down to earth, said April Kish, who voted at Cloonan Middle School.

She added that she almost forgot about Tuesdays election, but she remembered after seeing signs in the area.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 27, 2021 - 21:00 | World, All

China on Tuesday launched the Japanese and English versions of a digital museum aimed at demonstrating the country's claims to the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

By displaying "legal and historical proofs" that the islets belong to China, the website "helps the international community further understand the indisputable fact" that Diaoyu Islands are China's inherent territory," Xinhua said.

China calls the uninhabited islets in the East China Sea Diaoyu. The museum had been viewable only in Chinese since it was officially opened in October last year.

Sino-Japanese relations have often been frayed by the territorial issue, although the two Asian powers have been trying to improve their ties for the past years by effectively shelving it.

China has frequently sent official ships to waters around the islands in a bid to push its claims to them, while Washington and Tokyo have agreed that the islets fall under the scope of a Japan-U.S. security treaty.

On Monday, meanwhile, the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources issued a landform survey report on the islands, saying it was designed to obtain data to manage resources and protect the ecological environment of the islets.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry has lodged a protest against China over the survey through diplomatic channels, criticizing it for being based on the assumption that the Asian neighbor has claims to the islands, according to sources familiar with bilateral relations.

Rapidly building artificial islets with military infrastructure, Beijing also claims sovereignty over the almost entire South China Sea -- a strategic waterway through which more than one-third of global trade passes.

Chinese President Xi Jinping late last week instructed his People's Liberation Army to strengthen exercises to seize islands in the nearby waters, sources close to the matter said.

The move is apparently a warning against the United States and other Western democratic nations that have been stepping up their involvement in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, foreign affairs experts say.
Every four minutes, someone on supervision is sent to prison, not for committing a new crime, but because of a technical violation of a parole or probation term. The current system allows people to be locked up for the most minor and non-criminal violations of those rules, such as being broke and not able to pay a bill, picking up kids from school or an event in a different county, seeing a loved one who is also on probation or parole, or running an errand past curfew.

The launch of Give Life Back marks the three-year anniversary of REFORM's co-chair Meek Mill's release from a controversial prison sentence. The Grammy-nominated recording artist was given a 2-4 year sentence in November 2017 for popping a wheelie -- deemed a technical violation of his probation rules -- sparking the #FreeMeek movement and later the formation of REFORM Alliance.

"The probation system isn't designed to rehabilitate, it's intended to reincarcerate," said Meek Mill. "For our team at REFORM, it's important to educate the public about these issues because no one should ever be sent back prison for non-violent, technical probation offenses like being late to a meeting with a probation officer or being unable to pay a fine."

"To create meaningful change to our criminal justice system, we must also reform the cultural perception of probation," said Michael Rubin, co-chair of REFORM Alliance. "Our hope is that REFORM's Give Life Back initiative will continue to raise awareness to the flaws within our probation system and pave the way for a collaborative, bipartisan solution."

The campaign kicks off a summer of activism for probation and parole reform. In the coming weeks, REFORM Alliance and its partners also plan to introduce legislation to reform policies at the federal level.

"Transforming the failed and costly parole and probation system to provide people with a meaningful and effective pathway to take care of themselves and their families would give life back to millions of people throughout this country," said Mr. Rooks, who has dedicated his life to social justice as co-founder of the Alliance for Safety and Justice and former Criminal Justice Director for the NAACP.

"The outcome of replacing the current broken system with one that is restorative, accountable and focused on making the right investments will mean increased stability, stronger families and safer communities," Mr. Rooks said.

Probation and parole systems were originally created to avoid sending people to prison, and meant to hold people accountable while redirecting them back to work, school, family, and community. Unfortunately, in practice probation and parole have become a revolving door to prison that excludes people, families, and entire communities from wellness and stability. The current system fails to prepare people for a life outside.

Of the approximately 6.6 million Americans in the criminal justice system, more than 4.5 million are currently on probation and parole. Nearly 25% of all state prison admissions each year are results of supervision violations. This broken and failed probation and parole system costs taxpayers 2.8 billion dollars annually.

Developed in partnership with creative agency Droga5 and directed by acclaimed cinematographer Malik Hassan Sayeed, the scenes in Technically Illegal* have been informed by the lived experience of people in the justice system and highlight examples of the everyday things considered technical violations of probation or parole terms that can send people back to prison.. The film gives audiences a chance to witness the difficult web of rules and the impact these systems have on mental health, families, and communities.

To build on the stories included in the film, REFORM is using Instagram to highlight the stories of real people who are on or have been on probation or parole, and have had to deal with the effects of the flawed system. "I used to think, what if I'm at the supermarket and come across somebody I know? What if they had been convicted of a felony? Do I have to constantly be reporting this to my probation officer and do they have to report it too? And what happens then?" said Judith , who is one of the profiles featured by the campaign. "I remember one particular case where the person had become so exhausted by the restrictions of their probation rules that they decided to come back to prison and finish the term, because that was the easier option. You tend to want to just crawl in bed and stay there because of fear of being violated for whatever reason, and having your life turned upside down maybe out of your control."

Over the coming weeks, REFORM will also introduce an augmented reality experience that will help people begin to grapple with the impossible choices people on probation and parole face everyday.

To be part of the movement that will Give Life Back to millions of people trapped in a failed and costly system, go to www.reformalliance.com and sign up to become a Reformer.

About REFORM Alliance:

REFORM is committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States by changing laws, systems, and culture. The organization is working to replace America's criminal justice system with a restorative approach that is fair, accountable and invested in rehabilitation. Our goal is for people to reenter society with dignity, create meaningful pathways to work and equip them with the tools to succeed all while making families and communities safer and stronger.

The nonprofit organization was founded in the wake of the #FreeMeek movement by award-winning recording artist Meek Mill; Philadelphia 76ers partner and Fanatics executive chairman Michael Rubin; Arnold Ventures co-founder Laura Arnold; entrepreneur and business mogul Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter; Kraft Group CEO and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; Galaxy Digital CEO and founder Michael E. Novogratz; Vista Equity Partners founder, chairman, CEO Robert F. Smith; Brooklyn Nets co-owner and philanthropic investor Clara Wu Tsai; and CNN host and activist Van Jones. Veteran criminal justice advocate Robert Rooks leads the organization as CEO.

SOURCE REFORM Alliance

Related Links

reformalliance.com


MANZINI  Dramatic!

Almost four days after a court order for his arrest was issued, Sibusiso Vilakati was apprehended during a joint operation at Judge Sipho Nkosis home at Mafutseni yesterday. His arrest was, however, not without drama.

In the early hours of yesterday, Vilakati attempted to flee from about five male officers, who had arrived at Judge Nkosis private residence to apprehend him, as per the court order issued last Friday. When the officers from the Hhohho Serious Crimes Unit, in a joint operation with colleagues under the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at Mafutseni, arrived at the judges private residence, security officers posted at the residence refused to allow them entry, despite that the officers were armed with a court order.

Premises

It was reliably gathered that the security officers were informed to make a phone call when any police vehicles approached the premises. However, when the judge was informed that there were police officers tasked with effecting a court order, he came out of his house and addressed the officers, and subsequently allowed them into the premises. Shortly after that, Vilakati bolted out of the house and headed towards a fence on the south side of the house. The officers took chase as he ran towards the gate situated in the north. He continued running in different directions and the officers closed in until they apprehended him at the corner of the fence. Two of the officers held him with his hands behind his back and walked with him towards a police vehicle.

However, upon seeing that Vilakati was being apprehended, a female started screaming at the police officers, demanding that her brother not be handcuffed. The judge did not state his relationship with the woman but only described her as Make wakakhe. This she was said to have done while officers warned they would apprehend her as well, if she obstructed the apprehension of her brother. As the police put Vilakati into the police vehicle, the judge was seen going to the house after which he returned with a black sports bag believed to be containing Vilakatis clothes. One of the officers asked to search the bag and as he searched it, some items were visible including a toothbrush. The officer then closed the bag and the police vehicle drove off. Vilakati was taken into the custody of officers from the Mafutseni Police Station, who handed him over to officers at the Piggs Peak Police Station.


The 252.83-foot long Moving Wall lists 58,245 names of Americans who died in the Vietnam War. The wall was put up at the Vermont Veterans home in Bennington in 2016.
A driving disqualification and fine have been handed down to a man convicted of drink driving by Kilkenny District Court.

Alexandru Secui, Apt 2 The Elms, Priors Court, Kildare, had contested the charge, which arose from an incident at Applegreen Service Station, Paulstown, on Saturday, May 9, 2020.

Garda Phil Walsh gave evidence she went to the service station following a call to gardai by a person concerned for two males with a child on the forecourt of the service station.

Garda Walsh arrived at 9.30pm and observed the car. There was a man in the drivers seat with the car keys, he was the registered owner. He told her the car had broken down, and when he turned the key in the ignition the garda said it jumped forward but did not start.

Another man was present, Mr Secui. The garda said both seemed to have alcohol taken.

The man in the drivers seat was cautioned and he said he had not been driving. Mr Secui said he was driving.

Garda Walsh viewed CCTV footage from the service station. She saw the car drive onto the forecourt with Mr Secui driving.

At the car she said Mr Secui smelled of alcohol and his eyes were glassy. He said he left his licence at home.

He attempted a breath test four times before a sufficient volume of breath was sampled, and it tested positive for alcohol.

A female arrived with his driving licence.

Mr Secui was arrested and taken to Kilkenny Garda Station. Before leaving Garda Walsh assisted in pushing the car off the service station forecourt.

At the garda station a doctor was called and Mr Secui gave a urine sample.

Garda Walsh said Mr Secui had a good level of English and she had complimented him on it. He seemed to understand her directions and she was satisfied he understood.

Aidan OHiggins BL said he was instructed that his client was not driving. Garda Walsh identified the man she spoke to at the service station in the court.

Garda Lisa Mullins was the member in charge at Kilkenny Garda Station when Mr Secui was brought in. She said he told her he had two or three beers that day. She had no problem communicating with him, they chatted while he was in the station. She said she gave Mr Secui a leaflet on his rights in Romanian and if he didnt understand she would have rung an interpreter.

Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted Mr Secui.

The court heard the defendant is in his 30s and worked in the construction industry prior to Covid. He has two children and drives from Kildare to Dublin for work.

Judge Carthy imposed a fine of 1,250 and disqualified Mr Secui from driving for two years.

Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.
Deputy PM Dan Barna on Monday stated that he has a "very good relation, one of mutual respect, collegial" with PM Florin Citu, reports agerpres.

Barna told DIGI 24 television channel when asked about his relationship with Florin Citu, that their relationship is: "Very good, collegial. Those two days last week when we worked together to strengthen the coalition and make it work better, to reset its functioning, were specially meant for that, and I can say that we have a relationship of mutual respect, collegial, which I consider good. There the coalition faced a difficult moment, but I believe that we had the maturity to overcome it and we are now focusing on building and strengthening the trust between us."

Barna said he did not exaggerate when saying that USR PLUS (Save Romania Union - Freedom, Unity, Solidarity Party) couldn't go further in the coalition with Florin Citu as PM."At that point that was the correct thing to do. However, after the dialogue that we had, we found a way to go further, especially considering this time of crisis that we are crossing, a dramatic time for Romania, for many people suffer because of this pandemic and it was important to find a solution and rediscover the things that brought us together in the first place and keep us together, instead of deepening those who separate us," said the Deputy PM.He also said that he started to keep a journal one month ago that he would publish when he withdrew from politics, where he would give all the details about the day when the former Minister of Health, Vlad Voiculescu, was dismissed.
(Newser)  A horrifying story out of Kansas City, where a 24-year-old journalist was in her apartment when she was struck and killed by what appears to have been a stray bullet that came through a window. Aviva Okeson-Haberman was found unconscious Friday afternoon by a co-worker who was concerned she wasn't responding to texts, reports KCUR, the NPR affiliate for which Okeson-Haberman worked. Okeson-Haberman was put on life support, but died Monday. Hours before the shooting, the reporter had been looking at an apartment in nearby Lawrence, Kansas. The shooting is being investigated as a homicide.

story continues below

The governor of Kansas, other public officials, and colleagues were all memorializing Okeson-Haberman on social media, the Kansas City Star reports. "Aviva was a creative, thorough, challenging, and insightful reporter. Always prepared, she told the full and complex story of our city in one of the most challenging years in its history. Her life showed us her compassion for those who too often were voiceless," the mayor of Kansas City tweeted. "Her death lays bare our gravest unsolved epidemic and the preventable tragedies too many families endure." Says KCUR's news director, "Her instincts as a journalist were spot-on. Aviva knew when something was amiss and was unrelenting in her pursuit of the truth." (Read more Kansas City stories.)
SITEKI - Alcohol imbibers at KaMzilikazi in Siteki do not have to stock their favourite drinks for weekends as a bottle store run by a police officer operates every day.

This publication first received a tip-off about the matter at the beginning of the month and last Saturday, a visit to the place was made. The officer operates Amahle Bottle Store, which is situated on the outskirts of Siteki town. At the bottle store, this publication found that it operates more like a bar since the operator allows imbibers to drink around the place, including under a shelter at the establishment. The bottle store in question is of the same size of a standard one-room and since a lot of space was taken by the stock, alcohol beer quarts is sold through the window, while cases are sold via the door.

Enjoying

Imbibers, who were not wearing face masks, were found enjoying their alcoholic beverages around the place and some of them were sitting outside in their cars which were parked in front of the bottle store. This publication spent about three hours at the premises of the bottle store and people were buying alcoholic beverages as if it were a normal day. By normal day the reporter is reffering to as if COVID-19 did not exist.

According to the sources, the bottle store had been operating every day since government banned the sale of liquor early this year. They alleged that it opened around 9am and closed late at night. On busy days, it closes after midnight, said one of the sources. Again, the sources who tipped off this publication about the matter, said their concern was that they also found people below the age of 18 years at the bottle store. We also find women breastfeeding their babies while enjoying their alcoholic beverages, claimed one of the sources.

The sources alleged that the place was toxic to the community as there were other businesses in the complex, which attracted young people, who then observed things that were not good for their eyes and mind. In terms of COVID-19 protocols, the sources said no one monitored the wearing of face masks and that social distancing was observed at all times. They added that there was also no sanitiser or hand-washing facility and this publication confirmed this by sending one of its staff members to ask to use the bathroom, which is not even there. Again, this publication talked to some of the people who run businesses next to the bottle store and they expressed a litany of concerns, including land pollution. They said during their operation hours (during the day), the concern they had was that the imbibers made noise for their customers, especially on weekends.


Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of apartheid and persecution against Palestinians as a report finds the country has crossed a vital threshold and is privileging one group of people at the expense of another and carrying out inhumane acts.

Both apartheid and persecution are deemed crimes against humanity under international law. Human Rights Watch is calling on countries including Australia to impose sanctions on Israel, which dismissed the report as preposterous and false.

Israeli border police officers clash with Palestinians during a protest against the expansion of Israeli settlements near the West Bank town of Salfit in December. Credit:AP

The controversial finding of apartheid evokes the South African policy of institutionalised racial segregation until the early 1990s.

A number of countries and prominent commentators have argued in recent years Israels policies towards Palestinians, particularly in the West Bank, would eventually amount to apartheid if they continued. But this is the first time Human Rights Watch has argued they fit the legal definition of the term under the Apartheid Convention and Rome Statute.
Sean Hannity on Monday night criticized the Oscars for being overly political, agreeing with his former Fox News colleague Megyn Kelly that the 'woke' show had alienated viewers and driven ratings to an all-time low.

Just 9.85 million viewers tuned in - a 58 per cent drop on last year, which was already a record low, with 23.64 million viewers, according to early Nielsen numbers.

Hannity derided the Oscars as 'one big far left protest where self-obsessed celebrities berate the American people and tell them how to think'.

He likened the Oscars ratings dip to that suffered by the NFL, after former San Francisco 49ers star Colin Kaepernick in 2016 began protesting against police brutality by taking the knee during the national anthem.

Viewing figures for football games dropped eight per cent in the wake of Kaepernick taking the knee, with internal research by TV network CBS suggesting the protest was at least partly to blame for that slump.

Sean Hannity on Monday night attacked the Oscars for its series of political speeches

Colin Kaepernick (center) began his kneeling protest in 2016

'Remember the NFL also had their serious dip in ratings when backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided to turn the game into one big political protest against the U.S,' said Hannity.

'In 2016, after he kneeled for the first time, ratings dumped a whopping 12 per cent, and 34 per cent of Americans said they were less likely to watch an NFL game due to players taking a stand and protesting the national anthem.'

He continued: 'And then there are Academy Awards.'

Hannity pointed out that in 1998, more than 55 million people tuned in.

'In 2021, now that the Awards have turned into one big far left protest, where self-obsessed celebrities berate the American people and tell them how to think, now the viewership is completely bottomed out,' he said.

He said viewers were turned off by celebrities delivering speeches with 'plenty of sanctimonious political rhetoric, including a healthy dose of anti-police slander.'

Kelly, who used to work for Fox News, but now hosts a podcast, agreed. She wrote earlier on Twitter: 'How's all that incessant, insufferable woke, depressing lecturing via film, interviews, social media & at the actual, awful awards show going, Hollywood?'

Kelly has positioned herself as an 'anti-woke' champion since she was fired from NBC in 2018 for commenting about blackface, and her new podcast gives voice to conservative criticism.

Kelly, who now hosts her own podcast, laughed at the low ratings for the Oscars on Monday

Tyler Perry, right, gave a speech about 'refusing hate' after being presented with a special award by Viola Davis, left, at Sunday night's ceremony in Los Angeles

Actor and director Tyler Perry, who was presented with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, was among those urging the audience to re-evaluate their lives.

'I refuse to hate someone because they are Mexican or because they are black or white or LBGTQ,' he said.

'I refuse to hate someone because they are a police officer. I refuse to hate someone because they are Asian.'

Regina King, meanwhile, opened her monologue with a discussion of George Floyd, and Derek Chauvin's conviction.

Kelly's condemnation was echoed among her followers on Twitter.

'I used to love watching The Oscars, but I don't enjoy it anymore because of the political lecturing, so I no longer watch,' said one woman.

Another called for the return of host Billy Crystal.

'Oscars were fun when there were hosts who kept it funny, moved it along, and poked fun at the participants. I especially enjoyed the days of Billy Crystal.

'One-off rants used to be funny, but now it's the norm as celebrities worry they'll be called out if they aren't woke enough.'

Another agreed, adding: 'I remember looking forward to seeing Kevin Hart host. He was canceled. I haven't watched a second of it since,' said one man.

Hart was due to host in 2019, but he lost the job when past homophobic tweets of his resurfaced.

Others pointed out that the pandemic meant people were not going to cinemas, and so less engaged in the year's offerings - which were not necessarily the studios' finest.

'Did you ever think the studios held off their top movies this year cause theaters weren't open fully? Try using common sense before pushing your narrative,' he said.

The huge drop in ratings for Hollywood's biggest night, however, continues an overall multi-year downward trend for the Academy Awards, which were above 43 million as recently as 2014.

It comes after the Grammys, Golden Globes and SAG Awards all experienced more than 50 percent declines in viewership this year as well.

The number of people who tuned in to watch the 93rd Academy Awards on Sunday night was at an all-time low of 9.85 million viewers. It is a 58 percent drop compared to last year's already record-low 23.64 million viewers

The number of people who tuned into watch the Oscars last night has hit an all-time low with just 9.85 million viewers. Pictured above in Regina King presenting the Oscar for Original Screenplay

The Oscars broadcast, which aired on ABC, had a small in-person attendance amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's ceremony was moved from a Hollywood theater to a glammed-up Los Angeles train station to abide by strict pandemic protocols

According to the latest figures available on Nielsen, CBS' NCIS show would have attracted more viewer than the Oscars. NCIS attracted 10.2 million viewers based on data the week ending April 5.

Film fans already had criticized this year's ceremony as the 'wokest ever' after a string of virtue-signaling speeches by stars before Anthony Hopkins was attacked for winning the best actor award above Chadwick Boseman.

Director Travon Free showed off a jacket emblazoned with the names of black people killed by police and Mia Neal then spoke about 'breaking the glass ceiling' for trans and minority ethnic people in her acceptance speech for best hair and makeup.

With movie theaters shut for most of the year amid the COVID-19 pandemic and several blockbuster films starring big-name actors postponed, a less familiar crop of nominees was competing.

Chloe Zhao's 'Nomadland' was the big winner with the director becoming the second woman and first woman of color to take home the best picture prize.

The Oscars broadcast, which aired on ABC, had a small in-person crowd - just 170 - amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year's ceremony was moved from a Hollywood theater to a glammed-up Los Angeles train station to abide by strict pandemic protocols.

After years of criticism over racial diversity, Zhao became the first Asian woman and only the second woman ever to win best director for Nomadland, British actor Daniel Kaluuya won best supporting actor for Judas and the Black Messiah and 73-year-old South Korean Youn Yuh-jung won best supporting actress for Minari.

The Best Picture winner Nomadland grossed just $2.5 million. Pictured: Producer Peter Spears, Frances McDormand, director Chloe Zao, Mollye Asher and Dan Janvey

Sunday night's Oscars - widely condemned as the most boring in history - ended with further upset after Anthony Hopkins beat Chadwick Boseman to win Best Actor

Many then assumed the night would end with a posthumous award for Chadwick Boseman, given the organizers decided to make it the last category even though the ceremony usually concludes with the best picture gong.

Anthony Hopkins, however, unexpectedly won the best actor category.

Despite breaking the record for oldest best actor winner at 83 for his portrayal of a man with dementia in The Father, it prompted fury among viewers who declared he had 'stolen' it.

'Chadwick Boseman was robbed,' one furious viewer tweeted, before another added: 'The Oscars have proven once again that they have no idea what they're doing.'

Hopkins' lack of an acceptance speech at the show's grand finale was also criticized by many viewers as anti-climactic. He was asleep at his home in Wales when his name was called out, the veteran actor's agent later revealed.

'At 83 years of age, I did not expect to get this award, I really didn't,' Hopkins said in video posted to his Instagram page from Wales on Monday morning.

'I want to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman who was taken from us far too early,' he added, referring to the late 'Black Panther' star who had been expected to win best actor for his final role in 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.'

Director Travon Free turned his Oscars acceptance speech into a condemnation of police killings during the 93rd Academy Awards on Sunday night. Earlier, as he walked the red carpet, Free also made a political statement, showing off the inside of his jacket which was emblazoned with the names of black people killed by police, including Philando Castile, Tamir Rice, Rayshard Brooks and Daunte Wright

Actor Daniel Kaluuya, who won best supporting actor for Judas and the Black Messiah, poses alongside musicians Dernst Emile II, H.E.R., and Tiara Thomas who won the Oscar for best original song which featured in the film

King set the tone for the evening early on by speaking about the Derek Chauvin verdict.

The 50-year-old said: 'It has been quite a year, and we are still smack dab in the middle of it. We are mourning the loss of so many.

'And I have to be honest, if things had gone differently this past week in Minneapolis, I may have traded in my heels for marching boots.

'Now, I know that a lot of you people at home want to reach for your remote when you feel like Hollywood is preaching to you. But as a mother of a black son, I know the fear that so many live with, and no amount of fame or fortune changes. That okay?'

Meanwhile, Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal, and Jamika Wilson also spoke about identity politics as they accepted the award for Oscar for Best Hair and Makeup.

Neal and Wilson are the first two black women to win the award, with Neal speaking out about breaking barriers as she took to the podium.

Stars of the film Minari, including Oscar winner Youn Yuh-jung, relax after the award ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday

Mia Neal, Sergio Lopez-Rivera, and Jamika Wilson, winners of the Makeup and Hairstyling award for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom share a moment of emotion backstage at the Oscars

Reese Witherspoon poses backstage during the Oscars ceremony at Union Station in Los Angeles on Sunday night

'I want to say thank you to our ancestors who put the work in. Who were denied but never gave up. And I also stand here, as we break this glass ceiling with so much excitement for the future,' she stated to cheers from the crowd.

'Because I can picture black trans women standing up here, Asian and Latina sisters, and indigenous women. And it won't be unusual or groundbreaking one day, it will just be normal'.

Meanwhile, director Travon Free turned his Oscars acceptance speech into a condemnation of police killings.

The 35-year-old won Best Live Action Short along with co-director Martin Desmond Roe for their drama Two Distant Strangers - a 29-minute movie that examines the deaths of black Americans during encounters with police.

'Today, the police will kill three people,' Free stated as he took to the stage to accept his award. 'Tomorrow, the police will kill three people. And the day after that, the police will kill three people. Because on average, the police in America every day kill three people. Which amounts to about 1,000 people a year. '

He continued: 'Those people happen to be disproportionately black people. I just ask that you please not be indifferent. Please don't be indifferent to our pain.

Earlier, as he walked the red carpet, Free also made a political statement, showing off the inside of his jacket which was emblazoned with the names of black people killed by police, including Philando Castile, Tamir Rice, Rayshard Brooks and Daunte Wright.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

The Albuquerque Police Officers Association has launched a campaign urging the public to tell city leaders that crime matters more and that they want to focus on the growing crime problem, instead of wasting millions of dollars on endless Department of Justice oversight.

The city has been under a settlement agreement with the DOJ after a federal investigation found in 2014 that officers had a pattern and practice of using excessive force and violating citizens constitutional rights. The investigation was spurred by numerous shootings of people who did not seem to pose a threat. Many of those cases also resulted in high-dollar settlements from lawsuits.

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The APOAs campaign cost $70,000 and involves billboards around the city and testimonials on TV, radio and social media from former Albuquerque Police Department officers explaining how hard it is to just succeed, said Shaun Willoughby, the unions president.

The push includes providing an email template for people to tell leaders they believe in police reform and think APD has made progress but they are tired of living in a city filled with murder, theft and violence.

Im urging you to fight for this city, stand up to the DOJ, and help us save the city we love, before its too late, the template states.

The campaign comes about seven months before the mayoral election in which crime has already emerged as the biggest issue. Willoughby said the union has not yet considered who its going to endorse.

Willoughby stressed that the union is not trying to get the city to end the reform process, but it is asking for the city of Albuquerque to stand up and support Albuquerque police officers and support common sense reforms that allow our officers to succeed.

Were talking about the bureaucracy of police officers being taken off the street because somebody that was not used force on said ow,  Willoughby said. And how that impacts this community, our ability to respond to the community and this communitys ability to control crime. Your Albuquerque police officers are terrified that they will lose their job for simply doing their job and its not fair.

In order for the reform process to come to an end, the city has to be in full and effective compliance with the Court Approved Settlement Agreement for two years. In the most recent report from the Independent Monitor, the city was at 100% primary compliance  which refers to the creation of policies; 91% secondary compliance  regarding training of officers; and 64% operational compliance  regarding whether officers and supervisors are acting according to procedures and being corrected when they dont.

Peter Simonson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico and a member of the advocacy group APD Forward, said they have seen a lot of benefits of having the DOJ oversight over the past six years.

We have a much better system for moderating interactions between law enforcement and people who are mentally ill, people who are living on the streets, Simonson said. We now have a (SWAT) unit that is operating according to tactical plans, that is much more organized and professional than before the DOJ came to town. We now have a Use of Force policy that probably stands among the better, more rigorous policies in the country.

But, he said, more work is needed.

The only unfortunate thing is that so far the department has failed to demonstrate that it can hold officers accountable when they violate internal policies and the union bears a portion of the blame for that, Simonson added. They have found ways to undermine various measures that are required under the consent decree and they have found ways to undermine accountability itself. This is just another example of that.

Much of Willoughbys ire seemed directed at the city attorneys  you dont need enemies when you have friends like the city attorney  who he said arent supporting officers at the federal court hearings held periodically throughout the year.

We believe that our community deserves better from this police department, he said. We believe our community deserves better from this consent decree process.

The city attorneys who have been working on the reforms did not respond to questions, but APD Chief Harold Medina said in an interview on Monday that he was pushing back against the DOJ himself. He said Willoughby and union leaders are not always in the room so they might not see whats happening.

For example: in his last report, Independent Monitor James Ginger repeatedly brought up a case he said bordered on sadistic in which an officer could be seen on video shutting a vehicle door on a handcuffed suspect who was in the midst of a mental health crisis. Ginger criticized every level of APD for failing to identify this as a use of force and failing to discipline the officer for it.

Medina said he forwarded the case to the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office and was told there was no basis to charge the officer. He said he then sent that finding on to the DOJ pushing back basically saying, the monitor says this, the DAs office says this, have DOJ criminal review it and if its as bad as stated, and lets get this resolved.'

He also said in 2018 the city gave officers one of the best (compensation packages) weve had in years, and that police have been getting more new equipment than at any other time in his APD career.

Medina acknowledged that the Internal Affairs process is cumbersome and investigations take time and manpower away from the field. He said hes brought this up to the DOJ, is trying to find ways for it to be more efficient and is trying to hire civilian investigators to staff the IA division since few police officers want to take on that role.

However, Medina said everything takes time, and policy revisions in particular need to be reviewed by multiple parties before they can be implemented.

In any case, he said, the DOJ isnt going anywhere anytime soon.

Whether its me the chief, or somebody else is the chief or this mayor or another administration, they better understand they have to contend with DOJ and they cant terminate this, Medina said. Its not a contract. Its a court order.

Journal staff writer Jessica Dyer contributed to this report.
EOH Group CEO Stephen van Coller has done a phenomenal job to turn the company around, but until its management starts to believe, the market wont.

This is the view of some of South Africas top portfolio managers who were commenting on the companys latest financial results.

EOHs results for the six months to 31 January 2021 showed an operating profit of R59 million  a big improvement over the R915 million loss in the prior period.

There was a revenue decline of 29% from R6.194 billion to R4.376 billion, which Van Coller said was a result of the disposal of non-core assets and the exit of under-performing businesses.

He said these strategic decisions made EOH a more sustainable business delivering better quality earnings.

Despite the successful turnaround, there has not been an influx of institutional investors putting their money behind the company.

Wayne McCurrie, portfolio manager at FNB Wealth and Investments, explained that a lack of trust was to blame.

McCurrie said Van Coller has done a phenomenal job to turn the company around amidst tremendous challenges.

He added that there are good businesses in EOH with long-term contracts which generate annuity income.

There is, however, a problem. Institutional investors were badly burned by EOH.

Once the darling technology stock on the JSE, the EOH share price plummeted from nearly R180 per share in 2015 to under R3 per share last year in 2020.

Although the share price has recovered to around R8, it did not help too much.

Institutional investors have a very long memory, so I cant see institutions starting to invest in EOH yet, he said.

Another problem, Perpetua Chief Investment Officer Delphine Govender and Biznews founder Alec Hogg said, was a lack of belief in the company.

Hogg asked Van Coller why long-term shareholders should keep the faith considering many had lost 95% of their capital.

According to Hogg, the EOH CEOs response was bland. There was not a clear good news story and enthusiasm about the companys future.

Maybe Van Coller was reverting to his conservative banking roots. Or perhaps the former head of Absa Capital is gun-shy after overseeing two years of retrenchments, asset sales and having to fess up on behalf of corrupt predecessors, Hogg said.

This is acceptable from a CEO running a corporate  but not one leading an entrepreneurial tech company.

Hogg pointed to a Howard Marks memo to clients which argued that equity investors were looking for upsides and therefore required a good news story to support the numbers.

After delivering its first half year of operating profit since cockroaches emerged, at last EOH looks to be at a tipping point, Hogg said.

But until its managers believe this, the market wont.

Now read: EOH doing better despite revenue decline
BOSTON, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- KingsCrowd, the online private market's first and only data-driven ratings and analytics platform, today announced the publication and availability of the KingsCrowd Regulation Crowdfunding 2018-2020 Intelligence Report.

The KingsCrowd Regulation Crowdfunding 2018-2020 Intelligence Report covers over 150 Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) market statistics, insights, and analytics presented in an easy-to-read visual format. Readers receive a comprehensive overview of the Reg CF market as of 2020, as well as a look ahead at what could be a record-shattering 2021.

Last year, startups raised more than $210 million through equity crowdfunding. This total represents YoY growth of 110% from 2019's total funding and marks the 4th year early-stage companies have been able to raise investment capital from the public under the JOBS Act's Regulation Crowdfunding rules.

"The release of this first edition of our Regulation Crowdfunding Intelligence Report couldn't come at a better time," said KingsCrowd Founder and CEO Chris Lustrino. "On March 15, the U.S. Securities and Exchange increased the maximum raise amount under Regulation Crowdfunding rules from $1.07 million to $5 million. This marks a watershed moment for our industry and makes Regulation Crowdfunding a viable alternative to traditional venture capital and. KingsCrowd's Regulation Crowdfunding 2018-2020 Intelligence Report was written for anyone interested in the Reg CF market and looking to update themselves on this fast-growing space quickly."

KingsCrowd's 2018-2020 Intelligence Report covers a wide range of key data points, including:

Valuation trends, raise amounts and deal statistics.

Representation of diverse founding teams (female founders, minority founders) and startups with social impact.

A deep breakdown of RegCF online private market platforms, including deal flow share.

Amounts raised by industries, states, and security types.

Investor data including the average number of investors per round, and average dollar amount invested per deal.

KingsCrowd platform-specific data including our own anonymous user portfolio data, the number of investments per tracking portfolio, dollars invested per portfolio, and top-performing industries.

KingsCrowd Merlin rating system statistics including a breakdown of raise ratings by platform, industry, and more.

Key insights from the report include:

For the year 2020, more than $210 million was invested in Reg CF raise campaigns.

was invested in Reg CF raise campaigns. The average valuation of companies raising funds in 2020 was $11.35 million , a 24% increase from 2018's average valuation and up slightly from 2019's $11.19 million figure.

, a 24% increase from 2018's average valuation and up slightly from 2019's figure. Second half 2020 data shows 291 out of 964 start-up companies raised capital exhibited mixed-gender founding teams while 27% of all entities that raised funds through Reg CF included minority founders.

Parties interested in obtaining a copy of KingsCrowd's Regulation Crowdfunding 2018-2020 Intelligence Report should visit trends.kingscrowd.com .

About KingsCrowd:

KingsCrowd stands at the intersection between early-stage companies seeking growth capital and startup investors. By providing institutional-grade data and analysis that all stakeholders can trust, KingsCrowd enables anyone to "invest like a venture capitalist."

KingsCrowd's Merlin Ratings Platform analyzes 150+ data points to provide trusted insights, analytics, and ratings to help investors navigate the startup investing market and vet the best deals worth adding to their investment portfolio.

With KingsCrowd, investors never miss out on promising private market investments and eliminate hours of work searching for and vetting deals. For more information, visit us at kingscrowd.com, or follow up on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Ted Parker

[email protected]

P: (949) 933-9765

SOURCE KingsCrowd

Related Links

www.kingscrowd.com


Considered to be the Ten Best UFO Photos Ever Taken I am sure that we could add more pictures to this list but these are considered ten o...
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Peekaboo Beans Inc. (CSE: BEAN) (OTC Pink: PBBSF) ("PK Beans" or the "Company") an innovative children's wellness brand is pleased to report positive margin growth in Q2.

The Company experienced a fluctuation of gross margin at the beginning of Q2 between 13-16% ending the quarter with a stronger gross margin of 38%. Increase in margins can be attributed to the Company's continued efforts in marketing strategy as well as their Spring Collection Launch. The collection boasts bright and colourful basics as well as customer style favourites from previous collections ranging in sizes from newborn to size 12. This size expansion has met much positive reception in the children's apparel retail space, with the larger size ranges being the first to sell out.



Strong margins continue to be seen with the Company's PK RePlay sustainability initiative supported by steady growth in demand since launching in April 2020. Second hand and vintage PK Beans styles currently provide an average of 55% margin and repurposed items boast an 80% gross margin for the Company.



"Margin improvement has been the main focus of my team and we are very pleased with our results. This combined with our recent entry point into the kids health food space and our sustainability program are big steps for us as we strengthen the fundamentals of our business" states Traci Costa, PK Beans Founder and CEO.

About Peekaboo Beans Inc.

PK Beans is an integrated and innovative children's wellness brand. From sustainable clothing options that kids love to wear, to healthy foods that fuel children's play, our mission is to provide the ingredients for a playful life. Together with our monthly adventure subscription box, consisting of interactive and engaging activities that educate and entertain, developed by an Emmy award-winning child psychologist and devoted kid-experts, our goal is to enrich, empower and nourish children through quality nutrition, clothing and play - every day. The company maximizes revenue by reaching sellers and online retailers through an omnichannel approach.

To learn more about PK Beans, visit: www.pkbeans.com

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Peekaboo Beans Inc.

Ms. Traci Costa, President and CEO

(604) 279-2326

For more information, please contact the Company at:

IR@pkbeans.com

1-604-279-2326

Reader Advisory

This news release may include forward-looking information that is subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking information are based on reasonable assumptions, such information is not a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81820
Renowned Canadian Artists Set to Debut Original Works this Fall

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Luminato Festival Toronto - the city's international festival of arts and ideas - confirmed today that it is rescheduling the 2021 summer festival to October for the first time in its 15-year history.

"Luminato Festival, in collaboration with dozens of artists and a large community of funders and supporters, is committed to presenting a dynamic series of film and digital experiences from across the Greater Toronto Area," says Luminato Festival Toronto CEO Celia Smith.

Arts, Culture and Creativity will Draw Us Together Again

"The latest restrictions are a new challenge that require us to move the Festival forward to the Fall season to ensure that we can safely deliver a powerful program which shares the artists' collective vision and offers hope and inspiration," explains Smith. "Moving the Festival forward to October puts the health and safety of artists, production teams, and creators first."

Smith says Luminato Festival is excited to join the wave of arts and culture events which will return to Toronto this Fall. "After a year of lockdowns that have shuttered live performance, there is a growing hunger among audiences for cultural events as vaccinations continue to roll out. Arts, culture and creativity will help us find our way through this difficult time and draw us together again," she says.

Acclaimed Art Makers at the Heart of Luminato Festival Toronto 2021

2021 marks the 15th anniversary of the Luminato Festival. Smith says that this year's Festival has attracted provocative and acclaimed storytellers, art makers and performers, including original, debut works by many renowned names in the industry.

Luminato Festival: Beacon of Hope for Toronto

"The Luminato Festival is an example of Toronto's tremendous resilience and is an important beacon of hope as we begin rebuilding our great city. The arts, as demonstrated by Luminato's exciting programming, will play a critical role in bringing this city back to life," says Toronto Mayor John Tory. "The City of Toronto is delighted that, despite facing so many challenges, Luminato Festival will go forward this Fall with an exciting line up of films and digital experiences. I'm proud of our partnership with Celia Smith and the Luminato team that has seen us maintain critical funding for the event, while City staff work closely with the event organizers to assist in Luminato's adaptation," he adds.

According to Smith, the Festival anticipates sharing more announcements about programming, premieres, trailers and previews in June.

Luminato Festival is working closely with the City on all its plans, and has engaged a COVID health and safety specialist to ensure all of the artists and technicians are safe throughout the creation and production process.

2021 Supporters

Founding Government Partner Province of Ontario

Major Partners Government of Canada, City of Toronto

Festival Supporters RBC, Anonymous, Gretchen and Donald Ross, O.C., TD Bank Group, Kiki and Ian Delaney, C.M., Sandra and Jim Pitblado, C.M., The Michael Young Family Foundation, Joan and Jerry Lozinski, Alice and Grant Burton, Louise MacCallum and Michael Barnstijn, The Hal Jackman Foundation, Larry and Judy Tanenbaum and Family, Bloomberg, CIBC, David W. Binet, Richard W. and Donna Ivey, Power Corporation of Canada, John and Leanna Bayliss, Mohammad and Najla Al Zaibak, Douglas Knight and Shelley Ambrose, The Bennett Family Foundation, Helen Burstyn, C.M. and Family, Tony and Lina Gagliano, Kevin and Roger Garland, C.M., Anthony and Helen Graham, O. Ont., Eva Czigler and Peter Herrndorf, C.C., Lucille and Urban Joseph, O.C., Downtown Yonge BIA, The McLean Foundation, Medcan, Michael Foulkes and Linda Brennan, Partners in Art, and many others.

Government Partners Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, Canada Council for the Arts

Media Partners St. Joseph's Media, CBC, Branded Cities, Astral, OUTFRONT, Pattison, The Globe and Mail

About Luminato Festival Toronto

Luminato Festival Toronto is an international arts festival dedicated to performance, media and visual arts, and programming that cuts across traditional artform boundaries. Luminato works closely with Canadian artists to support the development and creation of distinctive new work, as well as presenting artists from around the world.

For more information visit https://luminatofestival.com/ or follow us on Twitter: @Luminato | Facebook: LuminatoFestival | Instagram: @LuminatoFestival | LinkedIn: Luminato | Youtube: LuminatoEvents

For media information, visuals and to book an interview with Celia Smith, please contact:

debquinn@sppublicrelations.com

soniaprashar@sppublicrelations.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81865
Scientists hope the proposed Interstellar Probe will teach us more about our home in the galaxy as well as how other stars in the galaxy interact with their interstellar neighbourhoods. Credit: Johns Hopkins APL

When the four-decades-old Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft entered interstellar space in 2012 and 2018, respectively, scientists celebrated. These plucky spacecraft had already traveled 120 times the distance from the Earth to the sun to reach the boundary of the heliosphere, the bubble encompassing our solar system that's affected by the solar wind. The Voyagers discovered the edge of the bubble but left scientists with many questions about how our Sun interacts with the local interstellar medium. The twin Voyagers' instruments provide limited data, leaving critical gaps in our understanding of this region.

NASA and its partners are now planning for the next spacecraft, currently called the Interstellar Probe, to travel much deeper into interstellar space, 1,000 astronomical units (AU) from the sun, with the hope of learning more about how our home heliosphere formed and how it evolves.

"The Interstellar Probe will go to the unknown local interstellar space, where humanity has never reached before," says Elena Provornikova, the Interstellar Probe heliophysics lead from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL) in Maryland. "For the first time, we will take a picture of our vast heliosphere from the outside to see what our solar system home looks like."

Provornikova and her colleagues will discuss the heliophysics science opportunities for the mission at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2021.

The APL-led team, which involves some 500 scientists, engineers, and enthusiastsboth formal and informalfrom around the world, has been studying what types of investigations the mission should plan for. "There are truly outstanding science opportunities that span heliophysics, planetary science, and astrophysics," Provornikova says.

Scientists plan for the Interstellar Probe to reach 1,000 AU -- 1 AU is the distance from the sun to Earth -- into the interstellar medium. That's about 10 times as far as the Voyager spacecraft have gone. Credit: Johns Hopkins APL

Some mysteries the team hopes to solve with the mission include: how the sun's plasma interacts with interstellar gas to create our heliosphere; what lies beyond our heliosphere; and what our heliosphere even looks like. The mission plans to take "images" of our heliosphere using energetic neutral atoms, and perhaps even "observe extragalactic background light from the early times of our galaxy formationsomething that can't be seen from Earth," Provornikova says. Scientists also hope to learn more about how our sun interacts with the local galaxy, which might then offer clues as to how other stars in the galaxy interact with their interstellar neighborhoods, she says.

The heliosphere is also important because it shields our solar system from high-energy galactic cosmic rays. The sun is traveling around in our galaxy, going through different regions in interstellar space, Provornikova says. The sun is currently in what is called the Local Interstellar Cloud, but recent research suggests the sun may be moving toward the edge of the cloud, after which it would enter the next region of interstellar spacewhich we know nothing about. Such a change may make our heliosphere grow bigger or smaller or change the amount of galactic cosmic rays that get in and contribute to the background radiation level at Earth, she says.

This is the final year of a four-year "pragmatic concept study," in which the team has been investigating what science could be accomplished with this mission. At the end of the year, the team will deliver a report to NASA that outlines potential science, example instrument payloads, and example spacecraft and trajectory designs for the mission. "Our approach is to lay out the menu of what can be done in such a space mission," Provornikova says.

The mission could launch in the early 2030s and would take about 15 years to reach the heliosphere boundarya pace that's quick compared to the Voyagers, which took 35 years to get there. The current mission design is planned to last 50 years or more.

Provornikova will present the latest on the Interstellar Probe heliophysics plan on Monday, 26 April at 14:00 CEST.

Explore further NASA rocket to survey the solar system's windshield

More information: Elena Provornikova et al, Unique heliophysics science opportunities along the Interstellar Probe journey up to 1000 AU from the Sun, (2021). Elena Provornikova et al, Unique heliophysics science opportunities along the Interstellar Probe journey up to 1000 AU from the Sun,(2021). DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu21-10504
Regarding No vaccine, no job at Houston Methodist, (A1, April 23): Im glad that Houston Methodist is my nearest hospital. I would never choose to be served by so-called health care providers who endanger me because they dont have the good sense to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Kudos to CEO Marc Boom. I hope other Harris County health care professionals will follow his lead.

Mary Lee Johns, Houston

A police stand-down

Regarding Policing reform talks get a push, (A1, April 22): A number of prominent congressional voices have suggested that conventional law enforcement practices are a significant problem in this country. Some speak of defunding and eliminating conventional law enforcement completely. I suggest that all law enforcement officers in this country stand down completely for a 72-hour period. Fire and medical response personnel would not be included in this stand-down. Local governments would be responsible for reacting to all other calls for assistance using non-law enforcement assets. These local governments would be given 45 days to prepare for the stand-down. At the least this would provide us with some additional data to use in the ongoing dialogue.

D.J. Bradt, Montgomery

Witness for justice

Regarding Athletes like Kaepernick make difference, (C1, April 22): Jerome Solomons column on Colin Kaepernicks decision to kneel during the national anthem reminds us that Kaepernick was protesting police brutality.

Kaepernick had reason to protest. While Derek Chauvin has been convicted of murdering George Floyd, many similar attacks have never been brought to trial.

Telling a painful truth exacts a great cost. Kaepernick has lost five years in the prime of his career and millions of dollars in salary and endorsements. Many, including the former president, ridiculed and mocked him.

We all preach with our lives. Some like Kaepernick give heroic sermons. Some choose to remain silent or say little. Anyone who believes truth matters can be grateful for Kaepernicks fearless witness for justice.

Nancy Perich Daly, Houston

Regulate builders

Regarding Texans should know homes flood history, (A13, April 23): Absolutely true, but you dont expect builders who stand to make millions from developments in the worst of places to tell potential buyers, Hey, the house youre looking at will likely flood since this subdivision is built on low land that floods with the slightest rain because of that creek that runs through it, or Just so you know before you buy, subsidence caused by those petrochemical plants around the area has lowered the land elevation to the point it floods frequently. The state needs to regulate these guys even if it means smaller kickbacks.

J. Jones, La Porte
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Researchers have discovered neutralizing nanobodies that could stop the SARS-CoV-2 virus from intruding cells in preclinical models.

These findings would lead to further studies on nanobody-based therapies for COVID-19, a News Medical report said.

The study, "Nanobody cocktails potently neutralize SARS-CoV-2 D614G N501Y variant and protect mice," published in PNAS, brought together Australian academic leaders in infectious diseases and antibody therapeutics in the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, the Doherty Institute, and the Kirby Institute.

All About Antibodies and Nanobodies

Antibodies are important infection-fighting proteins in our immune system. A key aspect of antibodies is that they attach tightly to another protein. Antibody treatments or biologics employ this characteristic of antibodies, attaching them to a protein that is part of a disease.

Nanobodies are distinct antibodies, or small immune proteins, produced by alpacas as they respond to infection.

ALSO READ: Nanobodies from Alpacas Could Help Solve a Problem in the Cancer Field





In the study, alpacas from the state of Victoria in Australia were immunized with a non-infectious, artificial part of the SARS-CoV-2 "spike" protein to make them produce nanobodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a Phys.Org report said.

The establishment of a WEHI nanobody platform eased the development of antibody-based treatments against COVID-19.

While the artificial spike protein was not infectious and did not cause the alpacas to contract the disease, it allowed them to create nanobodies, the researchers emphasized. They would then extract the gene sequence encoding the nanobodies, then choose one that attaches best to the spike protein.

The leading nanobodies that stopped the virus entry were then combined into what the researchers call a "nanobody cocktail." Combining the leading nanobodies into the nanobody cocktail, the researchers were able to test its efficiency in obstructing SARS-CoV-2 from intruding into cells and lowering viral loads in preclinical models.

Nanobodies' Neutralizing Power Revealed

Australia Nuclear Science and Technology Organization's (ANSTO) Australia Synchrotron and the Monash Ramaciotti Center for Cyro-Electron Microscopy were important resources in this effort, allowing researchers to plan how the nanobodies would attach to the spike protein and how this affected the virus' ability to attach to a human cell.

Using high-end Cryo-EM facilities, the scientists could directly image and map out the nanobodies' neutralizing interaction with the spike protein utilizing Cryo-EM at close to atomic resolution.

Cyro-EM, they said, was a key drug discovery tool in the worldwide response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Researchers then pinpointed a nanobody that identified the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants that have caused worldwide concern. The nanobody was also efficient in fighting the original SARS virus (SARS-CoV), showing that the nanobody may offer cross-protection against the two important coronaviruses.

A lot of discussions have been made on COVID-19 readiness, the researchers said. The nanobodies that could attach to other human beta-coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS, may prove efficient against future variants of the coronavirus, they added.

RELATED ARTICLE: CRISPR Genetic Tool May Switch Genes 'On' and 'Off' Using Nanobodies

Check out more news and information on SARS-CoV-2 on Science Times.
LAVAL, QC, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) ("Bausch Health" or the "Company") today announced the Company is providing a presentation on its business during the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders on April 27, 2021. The presentation will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Bausch Health website. The Company has filed a Form 8-K this morning, annexing this presentation.

About Bausch Health

Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) is a global company whose mission is to improve people's lives with our health care products. We develop, manufacture and market a range of pharmaceutical, medical device and over-the-counter products, primarily in the therapeutic areas of eye health, gastroenterology and dermatology. We are delivering on our commitments as we build an innovative company dedicated to advancing global health. More information can be found at www.bauschhealth.com.

SOURCE Bausch Health Companies Inc.

Related Links

https://www.bauschhealth.com


Marine scientists have found at least 27,000 barrels of toxic pesticide DDT dumped off the coast of Los Angeles.

It has long been suspected that the site by Catalina Island has been a massive underwater toxic waste zone dating back to World War II.

The first 60 barrels were spotted in 2011, but now ten years later, new technology has shown the huge extent of the dumping ground which far exceeded what the researchers expected.

DDT was once hailed as a wonder pesticide after saving crops and fighting off malaria but it was banned in the US in 1972 after it was linked to cancer and threatened wildlife.

The largest DDT producer in the US, Montrose Chemical Corp, was one of the companies stationed on the border of Los Angeles and Torrance and dumped waste between the 1940s and 1970s.

A $140million legal battle in the 1990s exposed it and three other companies for their disposal of toxic waste through sewage pipes heading to the sea.

The 27,345 'barrel-like' images, some of which were leaking and corroding, were captured by researchers at the University of California San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography on board the Sally Ride research vessel.

Regulators said in the 1980s that barrels were deliberately punctured when they were too buoyant to sink, sending the toxic chemicals spewing into the sea inhabited by diverse marine life.

The site has been rumored for decades and the first 60 barrels were spotted in 2011 using an underwater camera by UC Santa Barbara professor Dr David Valentine.

The latest investigation using high-tech autonomous vehicles on the ocean floor has now revealed the extent of the dumping ground with thousands upon thousands of abandoned waste barrels.

DDT in the region has been found in dolphins, linked to aggressive cancer in 25 per cent sea lions and entered the food chain endangering sea birds, even causing reproductive issues in bald eagles because the chemical caused egg shells to break.

Marine scientists have found at least 25,000 barrels of toxic pesticide DDT dumped off the Southern Carolina coast. Pictured: a leaking barrel on the seafloor found in 2011

The researchers mapped more than 36,000 acres of seafloor between Santa Catalina Island and the Los Angeles coast

A heat map shows where the targets were concentrated on the sea floor which scientists are trying to map

In the first underwater research carried out in 2011, the autonomous vehicle Sentry (top right) mapped out the seafloor while the remote operated Jason (left) collected samples

Researchers aboard the research vessel Sally Ride deploy an autonomous underwater vehicle near Santa Catalina Island during the latest research mission

The 27,345 'barrel-like' images were captured by researchers at the University of California San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography on board the Sally Ride research vessel (pictured during the research)

The scientists have spent two weeks mapping an area of the ocean floor larger than San Francisco but could not find an end to the extensive dumping ground, the LA Times reported.

It is estimated that as many as half a million barrels could still be underwater today according to old logs and a recent study, and scientists said they were overwhelmed with the debris which they said was like counting stars in the Milky Way.

Records show many companies dumped industrial waste in the area since the 1930s.

The researchers mapped more than 36,000 acres of seafloor between Santa Catalina Island and the Los Angeles coast in a region previously found to contain high levels of the banned chemical in sediments and in the ecosystem.

Underwater drones using sonar technology captured high-resolution images of barrels resting 3,000 feet below the surface. Pictured: scientists recover the robot in the latest mission

Pictured: Marine researcher Eric Terrill prepares Remote Environmental Monitoring UnitS (REMUS). The robot subs come equipped with sonar tech that collects data from the ocean floor

Developed as an insecticide, DDT became an effective way to limit the spread of typhus and malaria during World War II. Pictured: researcerers deploy an autonomous vehicle near Santa Catalina island

Sonar data shows a white line of the path of the underwater robot, while white specks indicate acoustic data of the barrels' locations

It has long been suspected that the site by Catalina Island has been a massive underwater toxic waste zone dating back to World War II. Pictured: a barrel found in 2011

DDT: From wonder pesticide to toxic waste DDT was used widely across the United States to kill off the mosquitoes that were spreading polio. The chemical compound was first synthesized in 1874 and in 1939, a Swiss chemist discovered its insecticidal properties, winning him a Nobel Prize. It was used widely in World War II to limit the spread of malaria and typhus among troops before it was adopted by the WHO in civilian populations. It was publicly sold in the US by 1945 and was promoted as an agricultural and household pesticide. But soon after, concerns grew about its safety for humans, wildlife and the environment. It is toxic to many animals including marine animals and birds. It has been proved as a main factor in the decline of birds of prey in the US because the chemical's breakdown products cause eggshells to thin. Studies have also found it is likely a carcinogen for humans and it is now classified 'moderately toxic' by the US National Toxicology Program. Other analysis has found DDT impacts human semen quality, menstruation, thyroid function and autism in children. In 1972 the Environmental Protection Agency banned the chemical because of the adverse effects. Mammals exposed to DDT have an increased risk of liver tumours, and rats become sterile. DDT accumulates in fatty tissue and there have been a number of studies linking it to cancer but it has not been proven conclusively. The Stockholm Convention bans DDT for all uses apart from attempts to stop the spread of malaria. Advertisement

Historical shipping logs show that industrial companies in Southern California used the basin as a dumping ground until 1972, when the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, also known as the Ocean Dumping Act, was enacted.

Resting deep in the ocean, the exact location and extent of the dumping was not known until now.

The territory covered was 'staggering,' said Eric Terrill, chief scientist of the expedition and director of the Marine Physical Laboratory at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Underwater drones using sonar technology captured high-resolution images of barrels resting 3,000 feet below the surface all along the steep seafloor that was surveyed. They also were seen beyond the dumpsite limits.

'It really was a surprise to everybody who's worked with the data and who sailed at sea,' he told reporters Monday.

The survey provides 'a wide-area map' of the barrels, though it will be up to others to confirm through sediment sampling that the containers hold DDT, Terrill said.

Barrels that are half buried in sand may have been invisible to the computer and the robot submarine scouting the ocean floor, meaning there could be thousands more in the sea.

It's estimated between 350 and 700 tons of DDT were dumped in the area, 12 miles from Los Angeles, and 8 miles from Catalina Island.

The long-term impact on marine life and humans is still unknown, said Scripps chemical oceanographer and professor of geosciences Lihini Aluwihare.

In 2015, she co-authored a study that found high amounts of DDT and other man-made chemicals in the blubber of bottlenose dolphins that died of natural causes, while sea lions have also had aggressive cancer linked to the toxic waste.

'These results also raise questions about the continued exposure and potential impacts on marine mammal health, especially in light of how DDT has been shown to have multi-generational impacts in humans,' said Aluwhihare, who was not part of the survey expedition.

Diana Aga, a chemistry professor at University at Buffalo who is not affiliated with the study, said the findings were shocking if the barrels are proven to contain the toxic chemical. 'That's a lot of DDT at the bottom of the ocean,' she said.

Sentry, an underwater robot, mapped out the ocean floor during the original 2011 investigation

Regulators said in the 1980s that barrels were deliberately punctured when they were too buoyant to sink (pictured in 2011)

The long search for the truth of the toxic waste scandal The waste was dumped many years ago but it is only now that researchers are understanding the extent of the problem. A Superfund battle in the 1990s showed that companies were disposing DDT through sewage pipes that poured into the ocean. But the barrels that were barged out to sea drew little attention, even though extensive boat logs show how they were shipped out every month to Catalina. Researcher David Valentine identified the first 60 barrels between 2011 and 2013 using an underwater robot that was on loan from a different project. He tried to alert officials but his emails got no response and he struggled to take the research further. Now a new research team from UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography has used similar marine robot technology to map out the huge site where the barrels were dumped. Advertisement

If the barrels haven't leaked, they could be moved to a place where disposal is safer, Aga said. If they leaked, scientists could take samples from the water, sediment and other marine life to gauge the damage.

Scientists conducted the survey from March 10-24 following a Los Angeles Times report last year about evidence that DDT was dumped into the ocean.

'Unfortunately, the basin offshore Los Angeles had been a dumping ground for industrial waste for several decades, beginning in the 1930s. We found an extensive debris field in the wide area survey,' Terrill said.

Scientists started the search where University of California Santa Barbara professor David Valentine had discovered concentrated accumulations of DDT in the sediments and spotted 60 barrels about a decade ago.

High levels of DDT have been detected in the area's marine mammals, and the chemical has been linked to cancer in sea lions.

The Los Angeles Times reviewed shipping logs from a disposal company supporting Montrose Chemical Corp. of California, a DDT-producing company.

The logs showed 2,000 barrels of DDT-laced sludge were dumped in the deep ocean each month from 1947 to 1961 off Catalina, and other companies also dumped there until 1972.

Scripps researchers say they hope their survey will support clean-up efforts.

The expedition on the Sally Ride included a team of 31 scientists, engineers, and crew conducting 24-hour operations and two autonomous underwater vehicles.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who has been campaigning for action on the toxic waste, shared the recent findings in a Congressional hearing on Monday.

About 60 barrels were identified in the first round of research carried out between 2011 and 2013. Pictured: a robot collects samples from the ocean floor in 2011

The expedition on the Sally Ride included a team of 31 scientists, engineers, and crew conducting 24-hour operations and two autonomous underwater vehicles

She said: 'This mission confirms my worst fear: that possibly hundreds of thousands of barrels and DDT-laced sediment were dumped just 12 miles off our coast.

'I'm pleased the Biden administration shares my concern about this issue and took action quickly. It's critical that this momentum continues.

'We need everyone to come to the table with all the resources necessary to solve a problem of this size.'

Feinstein added she plans to ask the Justice Department to look into companies that may have illegally dumped the waste into the ocean and see if they can be held accountable.

Developed as an insecticide, DDT became an effective way to limit the spread of typhus and malaria during World War II.

In the 2011 mission where the barrels were first identified scientists used an autonomous underwater vehicle to scope out the seafloor (pictured)

DDT in the region has been found in dolphins, linked to aggressive cancer in 25 per cent sea lions and entered the food chain endangering sea birds, even causing reproductive issues in bald eagles because the chemical caused egg shells to break

After the war, it took off as both an agricultural and household pesticide.

In 1959 alone, nearly 80 million pounds of DDT were applied to US soil, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

But by the 1960s, environmentalists were pointing to it as a threat to both animal life and humans.

In 1972, the EPA banned DDT in the US, classifying it as a probable human carcinogen.

DDT has been connected to cancer growth in sea lions, shorter lifespans in shrimp, and numerous other problems for marine life.

It also led to a decline in bald eagles, peregrine falcons and other birds: The pesticide caused their eggshells to become too thin and to break open prematurely.

According to the CDC. the health effects from DDT at low environmental doses 'are unknown.'
SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Embraer (NYSE: ERJ; B3: EMBR3) delivered a total of 22 jets in the first quarter of 2021, of which nine were commercial aircraft and 13 were executive jets (10 light and three large). As of March 31st, the firm order backlog totaled USD 14.2 billion.

Deliveries by Segment 1Q21



Commercial Aviation 9 EMBRAER 175 (E175) 2 EMBRAER 190-E2 (E190-E2) 2 EMBRAER 195-E2 (E195-E2) 5



Executive Aviation 13 Phenom 100 1 Phenom 300 9 Light Jets 10 Praetor 500 1 Praetor 600 2 Large Jets 3



TOTAL 22

During 1Q21, KLM Cityhopper, the regional subsidiary of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, received its first E195-E2 jet. This first E2 delivery to KLM, and lessor ICBC Aviation Leasing, elevated the total number of Embraer jets in the KLM Cityhopper fleet to 50 aircraft.

In the same period, Air Peace, Nigeria and West Africa's largest airline, took delivery of its first E195-E2 aircraft. Air Peace is the launch customer in Africa for the E2. The airline is also the global launch customer for Embraer's innovative premium staggered seating design.

Also, during the first quarter, Embraer delivered the first conversion of a Legacy 450 to a Praetor 500 jet for AirSprint Private Aviation. The Canadian fractional ownership company has another Legacy 450 scheduled to convert to a Praetor 500 this year, in addition to the delivery of a brand-new Praetor 500, also expected in 2021. With these additions, AirSprint will have three Praetor 500s in its fleet, and a total of nine Embraer aircraft.

Backlog - Commercial Aviation (March 31, 2021) Aircraft Type Firm Orders Options Deliveries Firm Order Backlog E170 191 - 191 - E175 798 274 668 130 E190 568 - 565 3 E195 172 - 172 - 190-E2 22 61 17 5 195-E2 153 47 19 134 Total 1,904 382 1,632 272 Note: Deliveries and firm order backlog include orders for the Defense segment placed by State-run airlines (Satena and TAME).







Follow us on Twitter: @Embraer

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 23:13:54|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks to people of different ethnic groups who are participating in festive activities outside the Anthropology Museum of Guangxi in the city of Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 27, 2021. Xi made an inspection trip to south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from April 25 to April 27. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

NANNING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for more efforts to break new ground in promoting high-quality development in ethnic border regions.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his inspection trip to south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from Sunday to Tuesday.

Xi called on these regions to better serve and integrate into the country's new development pattern, make new progress in advancing green development, and be more committed to consolidating and developing ethnic unity, social stability and border security.

During his inspection tour, Xi went to Guilin, Liuzhou and Nanning, visiting a local revolutionary memorial, an ethnic museum, villages and enterprises to inspect the localities' work in implementing the country's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).

On Sunday morning, Xi visited a memorial park dedicated to the Battle of the Xiangjiang River during the Long March in the 1930s in the city of Guilin. He presented a flower basket in memory of the martyrs in the battle.

Noting that the battle was a life-or-death event in China's revolution history, Xi stressed the importance of CPC members staying true to their ideals and convictions.

Xi then visited Maozhushan village in Guilin to inspect the local grape growing industry. He called for efforts to pursue rural vitalization based on local specialty industries and make better use of science and technology in promoting the agricultural sector.

He also stressed measures that can ensure farmers benefit more from the development of rural industries.

Xi walked through the village, dropping by the home of villager Wang Deli and chatting with the family.

He said that as the CPC is about to celebrate its centenary, the country has scored a complete victory in its fight against poverty. However, he said promoting rural vitalization on all fronts will be no easier than the anti-poverty battle, allowing no letup or sluggishness.

On Sunday afternoon, Xi went to a dock on the Lijiang River in the city of Guilin. He called for more efforts in ecological restoration and pollution prevention and control to improve the environment, the ecosystem, and the overall function of the river basin.

On Monday, Xi visited a scenic park in Guilin. He lauded the city as a treasure bestowed on the Chinese nation by nature and called for efforts to improve its protection.

In the afternoon, Xi went to the city of Liuzhou. Inspecting machinery manufacturer Guangxi Liugong Group Co., Ltd., Xi said the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry is the top priority in promoting China's high-quality economic growth.

He urged efforts to keep a firm hold on the initiative in pursuing innovation-driven development and uphold the overall leadership of the Party in state-owned enterprises.

Xi then went to a food-processing zone for local specialty Luosifen rice noodles. He praised the role of local signature industries in developing the real economy and called for more support for private enterprises to help them grow and tackle challenges.

On Tuesday morning, Xi visited the Anthropology Museum of Guangxi in the regional capital city of Nanning.

As the country's demonstration zone of ethnic unity and progress, Guangxi should continue to play its exemplary and leading role, Xi said.

In the morning, Xi also heard the regional Party committee and government of Guangxi report their work.

Xi urged efforts to promote the high-end, intelligent and green transformation of traditional industries, optimize and upgrade their entire industrial chains, and actively cultivate emerging industries.

Calling for joint efforts to build the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, Xi stressed the importance of strengthening China-ASEAN cooperation and carrying out solid work on pilot free trade zones.

Amid the fight against pollution, authorities should incorporate the goal of peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality into the overall plan for economic and social development and building an ecological civilization, Xi said.

Xi also underscored the introduction of job policies targeting key groups including college graduates and migrant workers, and the protection of the legitimate interests of truck drivers, couriers and food delivery riders.

He also called for maintaining COVID-19 control measures and highlighted the importance of raising public awareness of ethnic unity and progress.

Urging Guangxi to utilize its abundant revolutionary resources in boosting Party history learning and education, Xi asked Party members to appreciate the power of belief from CPC's centenary endeavor to maintain firm resolve and the courage to prevail over major difficulties and challenges.

All Party members and cadres must realize that socialism with Chinese characteristics is the only path to the development of China, and have complete trust in the CPC in rallying the Chinese people and leading them in following the path to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Xi noted. Enditem
[April 27, 2021] Arturo Raises $25 Million in Series B Funding for AI Platform to Help P&C Insurers and Banks Better Understand Physical Properties

Arturo, an AI-powered platform that derives property insights and predictive analytics from aerial and satellite imagery, raised $25 million in a Series B funding round led by Atlantic Bridge Capital, with participation from RPS Ventures and existing investors Crosslink Capital and IAG Firemark Ventures - the venture capital fund for IAG, Australia's largest general insurer. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005718/en/ Some of the insights Arturo's AI engine is able to deduce from aerial, satellite and stratospheric photography (Photo: Business Wire) With the capital in hand, Arturo plans to expand its technical team to refine its industry-leading technology, which extracts valuable property data from the latest satellite, stratospheric, aerial and ground-level imagery, as well as unique proprietary data sources, in as little as five seconds. The round will also enable the company to further establish partnerships with imagery providers to offer coverage in Europe and Southeast Asia and expand its client base of leading property and casualty insurers. In the coming months, the company also aims to roll out its offering to the commercial property sector and other businesses that engage with the built environment, including banks, other financial institutions, asset managers, among others. In conjunction with the funding round, the company appointed two new members to its board: Sunir Kapoor of Atlantic Bridge, who brings a background in growing technology businesses to enterprise scale; and Samantha Wang of RPS, a board observer, who brings expertise working with technology companies in the U.S. and Asia. "Over the past twelve months, Arturo increased its revenue over 300%, which speaks directly to the tangible value it offers to leading insurers," said Sunir Kapoor, Operating Partner, Atlantic Bridge. "With these new client wins, Arturo now counts among its clients two of the top five P&C insurers in the US, in addition to the two leading insurers in the Australian market. With the success that jC and his team have had onboarding several new clients fully remotely over the past year, we're confident in Arturo's continued expansion in bringing AI to the insurance industry and beyond." Arturo is a deep learning spin-out from American Family Insurance that delivers highly accurate physical property characteristic data and predictive analysis for residential and commercial properties for use in the property & casualty (P&C) insurance, reinsurance, lending and securities markets. Since spinning out from American Family Insurance to become commercially available in 2018, Arturo has completed over 35 million on-demand property analyses for customers in North America and Oceania. As it has rolled out its platform to a growing number of leadng clients, the company has also refined its technology, which increased the number of property attributes it can extract from aerial photographs to 71 within the past 18 months. The company recently announced partnerships with stratospheric imagery providers Urban Sky and Near Space Labs to bolster the frequency of its high-resolution image collection and to expand coverage in remote areas. It also announced the appointment of Roman Buegler to VP of research and development and Daniela Moody to VP of artificial intelligence.



"Arturo's vision is to revolutionize the way businesses interact with properties by providing greater transparency into a building's physical make-up, and we believe we're only scratching the surface in terms of the level of value we can bring to our customers," said John-Isaac "jC" Clark, CEO, Arturo. "Our insurance clients are already using our technology to bolster their quoting, underwriting, and claims processes, but with an increasingly granular level of property information available in real time, we can envision insurers improving their customer responsiveness, offering things like a 'safe driver discount'-type bonus for a client whose property's condition is well-maintained. A deeper property understanding stands to benefit virtually every building stakeholder, and this capital infusion will enable us to accelerate our product roll-out to serve a growing array of business sectors and geographic markets." About Arturo

Arturo is a deep learning spin-out from American Family Insurance relentlessly committed to delivering highly accurate physical property characteristic data and predictive analysis for residential and commercial properties for use in the Property & Casualty (P&C) Insurance, Reinsurance, Lending, and Securities markets. Leveraging the latest satellite, aerial, and ground-level imagery, as well as unique proprietary data sources, Arturo's deep learning models provide differentiated property data unparalleled by any other provider - often in as little as 5 seconds. To learn more about Arturo, Inc., visit: www.arturo.ai or follow on Twitter (News - Alert) @arturo_ai. About Atlantic Bridge Capital Atlantic Bridge is a 1 Billion Pan European Technology Growth Firm founded in 2004 by successful technology entrepreneurs and executives. With offices in London, Dublin, Munich, Paris, Palo Alto (News - Alert) , and Beijing, Atlantic Bridge invests in deep tech sustainable sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, Digital Health and Computer Vision. With 8 Funds under management, the Firm leverages its deep operational experience and unrivalled networks to help build deep technology companies into global market leaders across Europe, the US and Asia. For further information, please visit www.abven.com. About RPS Ventures RPS Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on investing in revolutionary technology companies led by exceptional teams. RPS is a dedicated group of investment professionals who think outside the box and specialize in helping companies navigate the global environment in later-stage company growth, with access to a key network of some of the world's most successful entrepreneurs. RPS investments include such notable companies as RentTheRunway, Molekule, Meesho, and Glovo. For more, visit www.rpsventures.com. About Crosslink Capital Crosslink Capital is a leading early-stage investor based in Menlo Park, investing in emerging growth companies since 1989. They are a proven team of early-stage business builders investing out of their ninth fund ($350M) and managing over $3.6 billion. Crosslink partners with ambitious entrepreneurs who are reshaping markets with disruptive technology. For more information, visit crosslinkcapital.com. About IAG IAG is the parent company of a general insurance group (the Group) with controlled operations in Australia and New Zealand. The Group's businesses underwrite over $12 billion of premium per annum, selling insurance under many leading brands, including: NRMA Insurance, CGU, SGIO, SGIC, Swann Insurance and WFI (Australia); and NZI, State, AMI and Lumley (New Zealand). IAG also has an interest in a general insurance joint venture in Malaysia. For further information, please visit www.iag.com.au. Firemark Ventures is IAG's strategic $75m venture capital fund. Its purpose is to bring the outside world into IAG, by strategically partnering with and investing in startups that have the potential to reinvent the insurance customer experience. This is IAG's second investment in Arturo. Firemark Ventures investments include Airtasker, Life360, HyperAnna, UpGuard and ActivePipe. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005718/en/

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Convenient at-home saliva COVID-19 tests available now

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / EMPOWER CLINICS INC. (CSE:CBDT)(Frankfurt:8EC)(OTCQB:EPWCF) ("Empower" or the "Company") an integrated healthcare company - serving patients through medical centers, telemedicine platforms and a highly complex medical diagnostics laboratory processing thousands of COVID-19 specimens - officially launched its direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce solutions in partnership with industry leader The Snow Agency.

Starting today Empower patients, both existing and prospective, can access an accessible, seamless and educative online experience when purchasing at-home diagnostics test kits. U.S. patients can purchase Kai Care's at-home COVID-19 saliva test kits with same-day shipping at www.kaitests.com. Canadian e-commerce options via www.kaitests.ca will be available in the near future.

"Empower is committed to making access to our products as convenient as possible to all patients in North America. A DTC e-commerce solution is a key part of that solution," said Steven McAuley, Chairman & CEO of Empower. "With The Snow Agency as our outstanding digital marketing partner, we're providing innovative and convenient at-home testing solutions to more patients looking to take control of their health data. Our labs at Kai Medical process up to 4,000 tests a day, screened by highly capable scientists and medical professionals. While vaccines are key, this increased testing instills trust and confidence to help everyone resume their normal lives as safely as possible.

"With COVID-19, speed matters. Today's e-commerce launch of Kai Care connects accessible health care and convenience so you and your loved ones can get both a COVID-19 test and your results in record time. Collaborating with Empower to help reopen the economy, allow people to travel, and feel safe in their communities is a partnership we're so proud to be a part of," said Dan Snow, CEO and Co-founder of The Snow Agency.

"As a trained medical professional and a digital marketing entrepreneur, I know this tool will give patients the confidence to take control of their health and wellness. Today's e-commerce launch is one step closer to putting COVID-19 in our collective rear-view mirror so we can get back to enjoying events and get-togethers of all shapes and sizes. Steven and his team have a fantastic vision for KaiTests.com that's built on knowledge and empathy. We're thrilled to be a part of the solution." said Dr. Jonathan Snow, COO and Co-founder of The Snow Agency.

The next phase of the collaboration between Empower and The Snow Agency will focus on educational, simple, and fun digital campaigns to create awareness about Kai Care's ground-breaking testing solutions, starting with their at-home COVID-19/Influenza saliva test kit. To learn more about the test, visit www.kaitests.com.

The Snow Agency is a performance digital marketing and creative agency whose customized brand strategies and content production maximize the impact of direct response ads and creatives on Facebook/Instagram, Google/YouTube, Snapchat, and Email/SMS. To date, they've brought in more than $250 million USD in sales for their clients. The Snow Agency has been recognized on Yahoo! Finance ranked as the #1 US Digital Marketing Agency & Digital Agency in January 2021 by Design Rush, a top B2B marketplace connecting brands with agencies.

This press release is available on the Empower Clinics Verified Forum on AGORACOM for shareholder discussion, questions and engagement with management https://agoracom.com/ir/EmpowerClinics

ABOUT EMPOWER:

Empower is an integrated healthcare company that provides body and mind wellness for patients through its clinics, with digital and telemedicine care, and world-class medical diagnostics laboratories. Supported by an experienced leadership team, Empower is aggressively growing its clinical and digital presence across North America. Our Health & Wellness and Diagnostics & Technology business units are positioned to positively impact the integrated health of our patients, while simultaneously providing long term value for our shareholders.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Steven McAuley

Chief Executive Officer

CONTACTS:

Investors:

Steven McAuley CEO

s.mcauley@empowerclinics.com

604-789-2146

Investors:

Tamara Mason

Business Development & Communications

t.mason@empowerclinics.com

416-671-5617

DISCLAIMER FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements can frequently be identified by words such as "plans", "continues", "expects", "projects", "intends", "believes", "anticipates", "estimates", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or information that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the expected benefits to the Company and its shareholders as a result of the acquisition of Kai Medical Laboratory; the transaction terms; the expected number of clinics and patients following the closing; the future potential success of Kai Medical Laboratory, Sun Valley's franchise model; launch of new healthcare centers and the occurrence thereof; that the Company can bring healthcare to millions of Canadians; that new healthcare services can be added and that the Company will be positioned to be a market- leading service provider for complex patient requirements in 2020 and beyond. Such statements are only projections, are based on assumptions known to management at this time, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including: that Kai Medical Laboratory will successfully win any US Government RFP; that the MedX Health pilot program will be successful; that Empower will place the MedX Health teledermatology product in health centers in North America; that the Company's products may not work as expected; that the Company may not be able to expand COVID-19 testing; that legislative changes may have an adverse effect on the Company's business and product development; that the Company may not be able to obtain adequate financing to pursue its business plan; that the Company will be able to commence and/or complete build-outs and tenants improvements for Canadian clinics or Kai Medical Laboratory expansion inn 2Q 2021; that general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; failure to obtain any necessary approvals in connection with the proposed transaction; and other factors beyond the Company's control. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this release, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable laws.

SOURCE: Empower Clinics Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642454/Empower-Clinics-Launches-Direct-To-Consumer-E-Commerce-Solutions
NASA and the Johns Hopkins APL are working on the Interstellar Probe , a spacecraft that will fly 1,000 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun to shed some light on how our heliosphere evolved and how it is behaving. To put it into perspective, that's about ten times the distance traveled by the Voyager spacecraft."The Interstellar Probe will go to the unknown local interstellar space, where humanity has never reached before," said Elena Provornikova, the Interstellar Probe heliophysics lead from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL) in Maryland."For the first time, we will take a picture of our vast heliosphere from the outside to see what our solar system home looks like.", she added.The team is planning to observe how the Sun's plasma interacts with interstellar gas to create our heliosphere, what lies beyond our heliosphere, and what the heliosphere looks like. The project also aims to use energetic neutral atoms to capture "images" of the heliosphere and discover more about how our Sun interacts with the local galaxy.The Sun travels through our galaxy, passing through regions of space . The heliosphere plays a crucial role in protecting our solar system from cosmic rays. Our Sun is now in the Local Interstellar Cloud, but new evidence shows that it is heading toward the cloud's edge, after which it will reach the next space region.According to Johns Hopkins APL, such a transition could cause our heliosphere to grow bigger or smaller, changing the amount of cosmic rays that add to Earth's background radiation level.The project will be discussed and analyzed at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly which will take place between 19-30th April.The Interstellar Probe will be the first NASA spacecraft to investigate the origin of deep space and determine if the Sun will enter a new region.The probe is scheduled to launch in 2030. Compared to the Voyagers that needed 35 years to get to the heliosphere boundary, this spacecraft aims to reach the same place in only 15 years, and it is built to last for at least 50 years.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 22:23:00|Editor: huaxia

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NEW YORK, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The so-called "genocide" against Uygurs in Xinjiang is "unjustified," and unless providing evidence, the United States "should withdraw the charge," scholars said in an article.

Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, and William Schabas, professor of Law at Middlesex University, London, drew the conclusion in the article titled "The Xinjiang Genocide Allegations Are Unjustified," released by Project Syndicate last week.

"The U.S. government needlessly escalated its rhetoric against China by claiming that a genocide is being mounted against the Uygur people in Xinjiang," said the article, noting that Washington has offered no proof.

The professors also warned that a genocide charge should never be made "lightly," adding "Inappropriate use of the term may escalate geopolitical and military tensions." Enditem
Administrative Assistant (GS 4 TA Temporary Appointment), Santiago, Chile

Organization: Unicef

Country: Chile

City: Santiago, Chile

Office: UNICEF Santiago, Chile

Closing date: Monday, 10 May 2021

Administrative Assistant (GS/4 TA Temporary Appointment) Santiago, Chile

Job no: 539671

Position type: Temporary Appointment

Location: Chile Division/Equivalent: Latin America and Caribbean Regional Off

School/Unit: Chile

Department/Office: Santiago, Chile

Categories: Finance and Administration, Supply/Logistics, Operations and Business Management

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to childrens rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a societys most disadvantaged citizens addressing inequity not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF works in some of the worlds toughest places, to reach the worlds most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a reason

The Administrative Assistant is accountable for communications, operational and secretarial support services to enhance the smooth running of the team and its workflow.

Under the supervision and guidance of the Administrative Assistant GS5, the incumbent is responsible for executing a broad variety of routine tasks for the respective unit requiring full knowledge of UNICEF administrative procedures, processes and policies. Mainly support to the fundraising area.

How can you make a difference?

Communications & Workflow:

Facilitates the communications and workflow of the organizational unit to enhance the efficiency and timeliness of operations and outputs.

Communicates routine and some non-routine information pertaining to the work of the team.

Establishes and maintains the office filing and reference systems, both traditional and digital; and ensures the inter/intra-net websites are up-to-date and accurate.

Procurement / Supply:

Receives and reviews procurement requisitions for clarity, adequacy of specifications, and completeness, confirms the availability of funds, and obtains additional information considered necessary.

Prepare purchase orders and contracts in SAP (ERP - Enterprise Resource Planning system), and submit for relevant approvals, ensuring completeness of documentation in UNICEF systems.

Drafts purchase order documents for supervisors signature ensures distribution of signed purchase document to all required offices and ensures obligation of funds is recorded.

Drafts bid invitations and/or requests for price quotations and dispatch them to potential suppliers.

Facilitates bids opening transparently and efficiently.

Prepares bids tabulation and award recommendation forms and obtains approvals before preparing contracts.

Generate and prepare regular procurement/supply reports from VISION system.

Prepares correspondences concerning supply unit requirements.

Maintains proper manual and automated procurement files and records.

Provides purchase information to receiving and inventory staff.

Maintains procurement/supply and vendor references for easy retrieval.

Compiles lists of local sources of procurement, contacts local vendors for price quotations, prepares a summary of bids including information on price and conditions of offer.

Keep stakeholders/partners informed on the progress of procurement processes. Liaise with suppliers, ensuring timely follow-up on delivery schedules.

Implement appropriate vendor management practices e.g. supply performance reviews.

Regularly monitor dashboard reports and coordinate to ensure necessary supply action is taken on time.

Regularly extract reports on the status of the existing LTAs, contracts, Purchase Orders (POs) and take necessary action in coordination with the relevant unit.

Conduct local market surveys on ongoing and regular basis for the identification of potential suppliers to procure the goods and services at competitive costs.

Events/Logistics:

Supports capacity development activities and conferences by making logistical arrangements, through engaging with facilitators, caterers and hosts.

Liaises with budget focal points and section over costs and needs.

Prepares and maintains agendas on meetings and events related to the workgroup commitments.

Travel:

Provides travel assistance to staff members in the section for travel arrangements and entitlements based on the organizations rules and policies. Liaises with relevant travel focal points to ensure that the organization obtains the best service and price for all travel.

Extracts, inputs, maintains and verifies the correctness of travel records in the organizations travel system to ensure accurate transactions related to travel costs and staff travel.

Assists in the preparation of budgets on travel costs and maintains travel plans and budgetary control records.

Monitors travel certification and report back to the team.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...

Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the field of work of procurement, supply, logistics and/or travel. Knowledge in SAP is an asset.

A minimum of 4 years of relevant administrative or clerical work experience is required. Job experience in the UN system is also considered as an asset.

Fluency in Spanish is required. Intermediate level of English is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEFs values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are: Core Competencies:

Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)

Works Collaboratively with others (1)

Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)

Innovates and Embraces Change (1)

Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)

Drive to achieve impactful results (1)

Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Functional Competencies:

Analyzing (1)

Learning and Researching (1)

Planning and Organizing (1)

Following Instructions and Procedures (1)

Skills:

Training and experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other related software such as SharePoint; knowledge of integrated management information systems required.

Good knowledge of administrative policies and procedures.

Organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities.

Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with visitors.

High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.

Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural background.

Ability to work in a team environment to achieve common goals.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEFs values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

This is a Temporary Appointment position with a maximum of 2 years of contract.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Salary Estimator Tool - This tool enables you to calculate an estimate of the various elements of your salary and provides you with an overview, so you can better understand your finances and plan for future assignment.*

*While UNDP makes every attempt to ensure that information is up-to-date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Advertised: Apr 23 2021 Pacific SA Standard Time Application close: May 09 2021 Pacific SA Standard Time

Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1619357498572
English Lithuanian

The Annual General Meeting of Telia Lietuva, AB (hereinafter the Company or Telia Lietuva) shareholders was held on 27 April 2021.

All shareholders that participated at the General Meeting voted in advance in writing by filling in General Voting Ballots.

The Annual General Meeting of Telia Lietuva decided:

To approve the audited annual consolidated and separate financial statements of the Company for the year 2020. The consolidated annual report of the Company for the year 2020, prepared by the Company, assessed by the auditors and approved by the Board, was presented.

To allocate the Companys profit for the year 2020 as follows: from the Companys distributable profit of EUR 145,652 thousand to allocate an amount of EUR 58,261 thousand for the payment of dividends for the year 2020, i.e. EUR 0.10 dividend per share, and carry forward to the next financial year an amount of EUR 87,391 thousand as retained earnings (undistributed profit). For two independent members to the Board  Tomas Balzekas and Mindaugas Glodas  as tantiems (annual payment) for the year 2020 to allocate in total an amount of EUR 31,280, or EUR 15,640 each.

The Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania provides that dividends shall be paid to the shareholders who at the end of the tenth business day following the Annual General Meeting that adopts a decision on dividend payment (rights accounting day) will be on the Shareholders List of the Company, i.e. will be shareholders of Telia Lietuva, AB on 11 May 2021.

Following the Law on Companies the Company should pay dividends within the one month following the day on which the decision on profit distribution was adopted. The Company plans to pay out dividends for the year 2020 on 25 May 2021.

Following Lithuanian laws dividends paid to natural personsresidents of the Republic of Lithuania and natural personsresidents of foreign countries are subject to withholding Personal income tax of 15 per cent. Dividends paid to legal entities of the Republic of Lithuania and legal entitiesresidents of foreign countries are subject to withholding Corporate income tax of 15 per cent, unless otherwise provided for by the laws.

To approve the Companys Remuneration Report for the year 2020.

To elect UAB Deloitte Lietuva as the Companys audit enterprise to perform the audit of the annual consolidated and separate financial statements of the Company for the year 2021 and 2022, and to assess the consolidated annual report of the Company for the year 2021 and 2022. To authorize the CEO of the Company to conclude the agreement for audit services, establishing the payment for services as agreed between the parties but in any case not more than 270,000 (two hundred seventy thousand) euro (VAT excluded) for the audit of the Companys annual consolidated and separate financial statements and the assessment of the consolidated annual report (i.e. 135,000 (one hundred thirty five thousand) euro (VAT excluded) per each financial year).

Taking into consideration that the current term of the Companys Board expired on 26 April 2021, to elect to the Board of the Company for the two-year term of the Board:

- Mr. Douglas Gordon Lubbe (proposed by Telia Company AB)

- Ms. Agneta Magdalena Wallmark (proposed by Telia Company AB)

- Mr. Claes Johan Ingemar Nycander (proposed by Telia Company AB)

- Mr. Hannu-Matti Makinen (proposed by Telia Company AB)

- Ms. Dovile Grigiene (as independent member of the Board proposed by Telia Company AB)

- Mr. Mindaugas Glodas (as independent member of the Board proposed by Telia Company AB)

Douglas Lubbe (born in 1972)  Chair of the Board, member of the Board of Telia Lietuva since 23 November 2020 (nominated by Telia Company AB), member of the Remuneration Committee. Education: University of Southern Queensland, Australia, Master of Business Administration; South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, Certificate of Membership; University of South Africa, Bachelor of Accounting Science; Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, South Africa, Bachelor of Commerce. Employment  Telia Sverige AB (Sweden), Chief Financial Officer. Involvement in activities of other entities: TeliaSonera Mobile Networks AB (Sweden), member of the Board; Sonera Holding BV (Netherlands), member of the Board; TeliaSonera UTA Holdings BV (Netherlands), member of the Board. Douglas Lubbe has no direct interest in the share capital of Telia Lietuva.

Agneta Wallmark (born in 1960)  member of the Board of Telia Lietuva since 25 April 2018 (nominated by Telia Company AB), Chair of the Audit Committee. Education: Stockholm School of Economics (Sweden), B. Sc. Econ with special focus on Accounting and Finance; Stockholm University (Sweden), LL M with special focus on Tax and Economics. Employment: Telia Company AB (Sweden), Vice President  Head of Group Treasury. Involvement in activities of other entities: Telia Insurance AB (Sweden), Chair of the Board; Swedish Pension Fund of Telia (Sweden), member of the Board; Telia Towers AB (Sweden), member of the Board; Skandia Life Insurance (Mutual) (Sweden), Chair of Nomination Committee for General Council elections. Agneta Wallmark has no direct interest in the share capital of Telia Lietuva.

Claes Nycander (born in 1963)  member of the Board of Telia Lietuva since 29 April 2014 (nominated by Telia Company AB), Chair of the Remuneration Committee. Education: Uppsala University (Sweden), Master of Business and Administration; Stanford University Palo Alto (U.S.A.), Master of Science in Electrical Engineering; Institute of Technology at University of Linkoping (Sweden), Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and University of Linkoping (Sweden), Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Employment: Telia Company AB (Sweden), Vice President and Head of Chief Operating Officer Office & LED (Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark) Management at Common Products and Services (CPS). Involvement in activities of other entities: TT-Netvrket P/S (Denmark), Chair of the Board; Telia Towers AB (Sweden), Chair of the Board; Telia Company Danmark A/S (Denmark), Chair of the Board; Telia Mobile Holding AB (Sweden), Chair of the Board; Telia Nattjanster Norden AB (Sweden), Chair of the Board; Systecon AB (Sweden), member of the Board; Systecon Group AB (Sweden), member of the Board; Systecon Software AB (Sweden), member of the Board; Svenska UMTS-Nat AB (Sweden), member of the Board; Svenska UMTS-licens AB (Sweden), member of the Board; Telia Eesti AS (Estonia), member of the Supervisory Council; Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT) SIA (Latvia), member of the Supervisory Council. Claes Nycander has no direct interest in the share capital of Telia Lietuva.

Hannu-Matti Makinen (born in 1970)  Member of the Board of Telia Lietuva since 25 April 2018 (nominated by Telia Company AB). Education: University of Arizona (U.S.A), College of Law, LL.M (Masters of Laws) in International Trade Law, and University of Lapland (Finland), School of Law, LL.B (Bachelor of Laws) and LL.M (Masters of Laws) in Finnish and EU-Law. Employment: Telia Company AB (Sweden), Vice President and Head of Legal Practice Group B2B & Carrier. Involvement in activities of other entities: Telia Finland Oyj (Finland), member of the Board; Tilts Communications A/S (Denmark), member of the Board; Tet SIA (Latvia), member of the Supervisory Council. Hannu-Matti Makinen has no direct interest in the share capital of Telia Lietuva.

Dovile Grigiene (born in 1977) till March 2021 was Chair of the Board and Head of Administration of Swedbank, AB, Lithuania; member of the Supervisory Council of Swedbank Investiciju Valdymas, UAB, Lithuania; member of the Supervisory Council of Swedbank Life and P&C Insurance SE, Lithuania/Latvia/Estonia; member of the Board of Association of Lithuanian Banks, Lithuania. Education: Concordia University Wisconsin, U.S.A., Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management Information Systems; Concordia International University Estonia, Estonia, Bachelors degree in International Business. Involvement in activities of other entities: Association Lydere, Lithuania, founder and member of the Board (2017-2019); Young President Organization Lithuanian Chapter, founder and member of the Board; UAB Urbo Slenis, Lithuania, shareholder (22.5 per cent). Dovile Grigiene has no direct interest in the share capital of Telia Lietuva.

Mindaugas Glodas (born in 1972)  independent member of the Board of Telia Lietuva since 25 April 2018 (as independent member of the Board nominated by Telia Company AB), member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees. Education: University of Antwerp, Centre for Business Administration UFSIA (Belgium), Master in Business Administration (MBA), Vilniaus University, Faculty of Economics (Lithuania), Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA). Employment: NRD Companies AS (Norway), General Manager; Norway Registers Development AS (Norway), General Manager; Norway Registers Development AS Lithuanian branch, General Manager; NRD Systems, UAB (Lithuania), General Manager. Involvement in activities of other entities: Association Ziniu Ekonomikos Forumas (Lithuania), member of the Council; Lithuanian National Committee of the United Nations Children's Fund, Chair of the Board; Association INFOBALT (Lithuania), Chair of the Board and President; MB Vox Proxima (Lithuania), member of partnership (50 per cent) Mindaugas Glodas has no direct interest in the share capital of Telia Lietuva.

All elected member of the Board are regarded as non-executive members of the Board, and in addition Dovile Grigiene and Mindaugas Glodas are regarded as independent members of the Board.

To authorise the CEO of the Company to implement all above mentioned decisions, sign all the related documents and conclude all the transactions required for the implementation of the aforementioned decisions. The CEO of the Company shall be entitled to authorise any other person to perform the aforementioned actions and to sign the aforementioned documents.



ENCL.:

- Telia Lietuva, AB Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements, Consolidated Annual Report and Independent Auditors Report for the year ended 31 December 2020.

- Profit allocation for the year 2020.

- Telia Lietuva, AB Remuneration Report for the year 2020

- Curriculum Vitae (CV) of elected member of the Board.





Darius Dziaugys,

Head of Investor Relations,

tel. +370 5 236 7878,

e-mail: darius.dziaugys@telia.lt









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Kim Kardashian is said to have moved on from Kanye West and is now dating an unexpected celebrity. The billionaire reality star is said to be dating CNN journalist Van Jones, in one of the most shocking dating rumors to come from Showbiz in recent memory.

Who is Kim Kardashian's alleged boyfriend?

Van Jones, 52, is a New York Times best-selling author and Emmy Award recipient and one of the most well-known faces on the U.S. network. In 2009, he worked as a special advisor to former U.S. President Barack Obama, and he has founded many non-profit organizations.

When studying lawyer Kim Kardashian, 40, got interested in lobbying for criminal justice reform in 2018, it's believed he became close to her. Jones is the president and CEO of the REFORM Alliance, created by Jay Z and Meek Mill to reform the criminal justice system, as per News.com.

Cindy Adams, a writer for the New York Post, wrote on Sunday that rumors of their relationship were beginning to circulate. "The Kim Kardashian klub has released a new burble. After whispering the name Van Jones, throats are clearing," Adams said.

Jones and Kardashian were credited with persuading former U.S. President Donald Trump to endorse the First Step Act in late 2018, which changed harsh sentencing rules, along with Ivanka Trump's husband, Jared Kushner. The bill was approved by an overwhelming 87-12 vote in the Senate.

Kendall Jenner Wins Second Five-Year Restraining Order Against Alleged Stalkers

Kim Kardashian's rumored boyfriend had a dramatic life

Van Jones has been in the news recently due to rumors of a relationship with a newly single Kim Kardashian. Still, due to his latest split from Jana Carter and feud with Wendy Williams, the CNN reporter has been making headlines of his own. Van and producer Jana Carter divorced in June 2019 after 13 years of marriage.

Carter filed for divorce in September 2018 after the pair married in 2005 and had been together for more than a decade. "Divorce means the end of a marriage, not the end of a family," Jones wrote on Instagram about his impending divorce. "#FamilyForever" is a hashtag that stands for "Family Forever."

Real Reason for Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez Break Up

"Though we have agreed to end our marriage, we do love each other so much," the political commentator said in a statement to PEOPLE. Mattai and Cabral are the couple's two sons.

Carter requested joint legal and physical custody in the divorce case, and the pair continues to co-parent their children. In February, Van Jones, who was first linked to Kim Kardashian, evidently wanted to hide his divorce from the public eye, as he yelled at Wendy Williams when she asked him about it, The Sun reported.

Williams said to Jones on her show in April 2019: "They're going to get divorced. The divorce is still pending. Your ring is still on your finger." Jones interjected, "You got something on your back, too, "so I ain't talking about it."

The host of the Van Jones Show was pointing to Wendy's big floral diamond ring on her left hand. The talk show host retorted: "Please excuse me. This side of the couch is where the questions are asked. That side is responsible for disclosing the details."

Oscars 2021 Event Highlights: Remarkable Winners, Unexpected Speeches

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President Klaus Iohannis declared on Tuesday that his participation in different events together with the Prime Minister Florin Citu is a sign of support for the latter and pointed that he is not in the habit of expressing about procedures within political parties, asked if he would be suitable for the position of chairman of the National Liberal Party (PNL).

The president was also asked if he would support Florin Citu for the position of chairman of PNL.

"The President of Romania is not a party member and, as such, is not in the habit of expressing about procedures from within political parties. The fact that I am going together with the PM to various events is a sign of support for PM Florin Citu, the Prime minister proposed for by the governing coalition, and it is obviously in my interest, the coalition's interest, and Romania's interest, for this Government to perform, which is what it is doing now. (...) The party discussion will be made in the party," president Iohannis said, at the Cotroceni Palace, during a press conference.
US Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday told world leaders that it was time to put in serious work into how the world was going to respond to the next pandemic. Speaking at the virtual UN meet co-hosted by the permanent representatives of Argentina, Japan, Norway, and South Africa, the US Vice President said At the same time that the world works to get through this pandemic, we also know that we must prepare for the next. Her remarks came as more than 40 percent of the US population, and at least 75 percent of high-risk vulnerable groups were fully vaccinated as Biden administration ramped up the inoculation drive making jabs available for all adults.

US has been administering an estimated 49 doses per 100 people, as per local press reports, while across some states more than eight in 10 seniors were immunized against the COVID-19, which continues to wreak havoc across many countries in the world, including India. However, in her speech made remotely, Monday, Harris stressed that as theyve been successfully dealing with the health crisis, the leaders must now turn attention to the future outbreaks.

Harris suggests world leaders must focus on gearing up their health systems, invest in science, health workers, and the well-being of women, and surge capacity for personal protective equipment (PPE) and vaccine and test manufacturing. She stressed, that much has been learned about the lack of preparedness last year when the coronavirus pandemic hit the world. She called it unwise to remain easy and not take robust measures in advance to effectively tackle such a daring health crisis.

We have been reminded that the status quo is not nearly good enough, and that innovation is indeed the path forward, Harris was quoted as saying by AP.

As we work to get through this pandemic, we must rally the world to prepare for and prevent the next. That's what I said to members of the United Nations today. https://t.co/JM2qkNXik0  Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) April 26, 2021

'Lot of work to do,' Biden says

As Biden administration, this week marks its first 100 days in office, US President is set to deliver remarks about the response that his administration delivered to tackle one of the most challenging public health crises in over a century. On April 19, Biden had pushed the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility target for all adults as he called the variant wave a life-and-death race. He warned, stressing the danger of the pandemic that even as Americas vaccination campaign was in overdrive, and inoculations were in incredible progress, the US wasnt at the finish line yet. Were still in a life-and-death race against this virus, Biden stated while delivering remarks following his visit to a vaccination clinic at the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. Furthermore, he added, inspire of the vaccination, there was still a lot of work to do to manage the pandemic-like health chaos in near future.
April 27 : Priyanka Chopra often shares her opinions and comments on Indias current coronavirus situation, and urges people to take all precautions to brave the pandemic. Today, the global icon shared her concern over Indias struggle to get vaccines for its people, whereas USA has ordered much more than it required.

Taking to her Twitter handle, The White Tiger actor urged for more vaccines for India as the country is battling a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, stating that the US has ordered much more vaccines than it required. Urging the US to share vaccines with India, the actor tweeted, My heart breaks. India is suffering from COVID19 & the US has ordered 550M more vaccines than needed @POTUS @WHCOS @SecBlinken @JakeSullivan46 Thx for sharing AstraZeneca worldwide, but the situation in my country is critical. Will you urgently share vaccines w/ India? #vaxlive, Priyanka tweeted.

My heart breaks. India is suffering from COVID19 & the US has ordered 550M more vaccines than needed @POTUS @WHCOS @SecBlinken @JakeSullivan46 Thx for sharing AstraZeneca worldwide, but the situation in my country is critical. Will you urgently share vaccines w/ India? #vaxlive  PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 26, 2021

Many netizens praised Priyanka for her concern. So proud of you Queen for having the guts to talk about such important issue we are facing currently, wrote a fan. However, many said that the tweet came much late. This tweet was required Atleast 2 weeks back. You shouldnt have waited for #VaxLive campaign to tweet for your fellow countrymen, wrote a netizen.

This tweet was required Atleast 2 weeks back. You shouldnt have waited for #VaxLive campaign to tweet for your fellow countrymen.  PRABHAKAR PANDEY (@Prabhakar_24) April 26, 2021

Another Twitter user wrote, Set an example of bravery refuse to work in america Otherwise stop saying India my heart.

Set an example of bravery refuse to work in america 

Otherwise stop saying India my heart  Mohammad Ali Khan Shida (@MohammadShida) April 26, 2021

Another commented, US already agreed to supply the raw materials for vaccine development. This should have been posted yesterday.

Good morning. US already agreed to supply the raw materials for vaccine development. This should have been posted yesterday.  The Saffron Knight (@anshujgarg) April 26, 2021

Meanwhile, on the work front, Priyanka is currently in London, shooting for the spy series Citadel. The series also stars Richard Madden, and is backed by Amazon. Chopra has already wrapped up shooting for Text for You alongside Sam Heughan, Celine Dion, Russell Tovey, and Omid Djalili. The actress also has an Indian wedding comedy with Mindy Kaling, which she is co-producing, and starring in. Priyanka also has Matrix 4 and a film on Maa Anand Sheela in the pipeline.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Despite the repeated warnings, some citizens, unfortunately, are still trying to enter the Azerbaijani territories liberated from the Armenian occupation, bypassing the checkpoints, the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry said.

Residents of Aghjabadi districts - Shahin Verdiyev and brothers Aydin Guliyev and Firdovsi Guliyev, when trying to enter the liberated territories by a side road, bypassing checkpoints, suffered as a result of the mine explosion.

As a result of the explosion, Shahin Verdiyev died on the spot while wounded Aydin Guliyev and Firdovsi Guliyev were taken to the Aghjabadi district central hospital.

An investigation team consisting of prosecutors and police officers immediately went to the scene.

During the preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the late Shahin Verdiyev, while trying to enter the liberated territories on March 30, was detained by police officers and upon the decision of the Aghdam district court he was arrested for 16 days upon administrative procedure.

The Interior Ministry called on citizens to draw conclusions from such cases, not to make illegal trips to the liberated territories, endangering their lives and health.
First Lt. Sharon Lowe Carvajal, a Philippine Air Force pilot, buckles her seatbelt aboard an MG-520 helicopter during a photo opportunity at the military airbase in Sangley Point, Cavite city, Philippines, April 3, 2007.

A military helicopter crashed in waters off Bohol Island in the central Philippines during a maintenance-check flight on Tuesday, leaving its pilot dead and three other people on board wounded, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) confirmed.

The MG-520 attack helicopter, made by McDonnell Douglas in the United States and whose model dates back to 1967, plunged due to still unknown reasons, the air force said.

We can confirm that we have a downed aircraft in the vicinity of Bohol, air force spokesman Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano said. Right now, we are still gathering all the information needed so that we would be able to give you the cause of the crash.

The pilot, Capt. Aurelios Olano, died in the crash while three others survived but were rushed by rescuers to a nearby hospital to be examined and treated for injuries.

The crash was the latest involving government-owned helicopters, many of which are used to ferry soldiers to remote areas and officials needing quick air transport between camps.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said he was saddened to hear the report of the demise of one of our Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots who succumbed in a crash landing  in Getafe, Bohol, the state-run Philippine News Agency said, citing a statement from the military.

We send our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues as we offer our support in any we can, Sobejana said.

PNA said all 520s in the Philippine militarys helicopter fleet were grounded after Tuesdays crash.

It happened months after seven soldiers died in a similar accident when the helicopter they were flying in, a refurbished UH-1H Vietnam-era craft commonly known as a Huey, went down in the mountains of Bukidnon, a province in the southern Philippines, on Jan. 17.

In September last year, an air force helicopter used as an air ambulance crashed en route to the southern island of Jolo, leaving four crew members dead. In July 2020, four soldiers were killed when their Huey chopper crashed after takeoff in the northern province of Isabela.

In March last year, the countrys police chief and three police generals were among eight people injured when their Bell 429 helicopter crashed near Manila.
The former soldier who allegedly assassinated a bikie boss in front of his wife and child with a sniper from 300m away now faces more charges.

Rebels boss Nick Martin was shot dead at a drag racing event in Perth in December, and police since arrested a 34-year-old member of 'the world's most fearless charity' for his murder.

The expert marksman is part of Shadows of Hope, which works in war zones around the world both in combat and delivering aid and medicine for both sides.

The man who allegedly assassinated a bikie boss infront of his wife and child with a sniper from 300m away has been hit with fresh new charges. He is pictured in camouflage gear

Rebels boss Nick Martin (pictured with his wife) was fatally shot at a drag racing event in Perth in December, 2019 and police since arrested a 34-year-old in relation to the alleged murder

He is now facing five more charges: Failure to provide storage facilities for firearms or ammunition, drug possession, possessing a silencer, driving a vehicle with false plates, and contravening a learner's permit.

He was brought before a Perth court in secret last week, where the charges were quietly laid and he was shuffled back to jail, the West Australian reported.

The 34-year-old will face court later this week after ongoing inquiries from police in relation to the alleged murder.

Martin, 51, was shot in the back at a packed drag racing event at the Perth Motorplex, Kwinana Beach at 8.30pm on Saturday, December 12.

He died at the scene in front of hundreds of horrified families and children including his own wife and step-daughter.

After being hit, Martin told his wife Amanda 'babe, I've been shot', as she tried to give him CPR while he died in her arms.

Another man, convicted drug dealer Ricky Chapman, was injured in the shooting at the Kwinana Raceway, south of Perth.

Police said the same bullet that killed Martin passed through his body and hit Chapman - with a bullet fragment recovered from his arm.

Martin died at the scene in front of hundreds of horrified families and children including his own wife and step-daughter

The alleged killer (pictured in the field), who describes himself as a 'daredevil', was backing living in Australia after being unable to return to Iraq to battle the remnants of ISIS due to the coronavirus pandemic

Rebels bikies escort the coffin of their former leader to his funeral

The alleged killer, who describes himself as a 'daredevil', was living in Australia after being unable to return to Iraq to battle the remnants of ISIS due to the coronavirus pandemic. He was working as a BASE jumping instructor in Perth.

Police posted a $1million reward for information leading to an arrest which led them to shut down a quiet suburban street in Waikiki, in Perth's south, and storm the man's red-brick home before hauling him away.

Shadows of Hope profiled the suspect last year, paying tribute to the soldier for his service in Iraq, describing him as its 'resident thrill-seeker and heartbreaker'.

'He was a natural fit for this role, and his tireless work, courage, and unique humor have given so much to those we serve,' it wrote.

Robert Hoey (pictured), Shadows of Hope's founder, said his organisation was shaken up and he was still trying to find out what happened before he could say much

Mr Hoey (pictured) describes the organisation as 'the world's most dangerous and fearless charity' that helps people in conflict areas without government red tape

Robert Hoey, the group's founder, said the star recruit was on leave at the time Martin was assassinated, but the group would not 'abandon' him.

'We have no knowledge of the alleged crime, and offer no support or judgment of these alleged crimes,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'He is one of us, and we do not abandon our members when it becomes inconvenient or dangerous. He will forever remain a brother to us no matter what happens.

Mr Hoey said the arrested fighter served in the Australian SAS and later in SoH 'in a way very few will understand'.

'From working in threadbare medical clinics in Kurdistan under the constant threat of the Islamic State to anti poaching operations in sweltering Burmese jungles, he has done things for humanity that would crush most people,' he said.

'He has suffered and bled for those who were most vulnerable and abandoned by all others.'

Mr Hoey describes the organisation as 'the world's most fearless charity' that helps people in conflict areas without government red tape.

The daredevil sportsman and accused murderer is a lifelong passion and on March 31, 2017, he jumped off a 70-storey skyscraper in Hong Kong with former Bachelor Locky Gilbert (left)

He and the reality TV star are close friends and were travelling for months before the stunt, which saw them and fellow Perth adventurer Wes Burrows arrested. They are pictured with police after their arrest

Starting by treating wounded on both sides of the war against ISIS, it has since worked in Burma, China, Iraq, Syria, Congo, Philippines, and Papua New Guinea.

Away from the front lines, their tactics include paying river pirates to smuggle medicine, investigating massacre sites, and rescuing child sex slaves.

The daredevil sportsman and accused murderer is a lifelong passion and on March 31, 2017, he jumped off a 70-storey skyscraper in Hong Kong with former Bachelor Locky Gilbert.

He and the reality TV star are close friends and were travelling for months before the stunt, which saw them and fellow Perth adventurer Wes Burrows arrested.

It is not suggested that Gilbert or Burrows were in any way involved in the shooting of Martin.
Vast Resources has an attractive portfolio of assets in Romania and Zimbabwe

( ) has said that the decline project to Level 19 is progressing on schedule and the company has commenced mining fresh higher grade ore at its Baita Plai polymetallic mine in Romania.

Mining and concentrate production has and will continue uninterrupted during this development phase at Baita Plai, with underground production currently focused on Levels 17 and 18 in addition to the new mining area on Level 19.

Exploration drilling targeting the downdip extension of the Antonio skarn from 19 level to 22 level is expected to commence in June 2021 as per the new mechanised mine plan.

The arrival of the new mechanised mining equipment has commenced on site with the remaining equipment expected to arrive in accordance with the new mine plan schedule.

The company also confirmed that it is not planning a fundraising following its ongoing proposed capital reorganisation.

"I am delighted with the operational progress that we have made in recent weeks and we remain well capitalised to achieve our development plan at Baita Plai without needing to come back to the market for the foreseeable future, said Andrew Prelea, chief executive of Vast Resources.
It's well established that deepfake images of people are problematic, but it's now clearer that bogus satellite imagery could also represent a threat. The Verge reports that University of Washington-led researchers have developed a way to generate deepfake satellite photography as part of an effort to detect manipulated images.

The team used an AI algorithm to generate deepfakes by feeding the traits of learned satellite images into different base maps. They could use Tacoma's roads and building locations, for example (at top right in the picture below), but superimpose Beijing's taller buildings (bottom right) or Seattle's low-rises (bottom left). You can apply greenery, too. While the execution isn't flawless, it's close enough that scientists believe you might blame any oddities on low image quality.

Zhao et al., 2021, Cartography and Geographic Information Science

Lead author Bo Zhao was quick to note there could be positive uses for deepfaked satellite snapshots. You could simulate locations from the past to help understand climate change, study urban sprawl or predict how a region will evolve by filling in blanks.

However, there's little doubt the AI-created fakes could be used for misinformation. A hostile country could send falsified images to mislead military strategists  they might not notice a missing building or bridge that could be a valuable target. Fakes could also be used for political aims, such hiding evidence of atrocities or suppressing climate science.

Researchers hope this work will help develop a system to catch satellite deepfakes in the same way that early work exists to spot human-oriented fakes. However, it might be a race against time  it didn't take long for early deepfake tech to escape from academia into the real world, and that might well happen again.
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the United States to reconsider relocating U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) from Stuttgart, Germany, to Africa.

President Buhari made the plea in a virtual meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, on Tuesday.

A statement by Mr Buharis office did not indicate if the Nigerian leader offered Nigeria as a headquarters for AFRICOM.

Presidential spokesperson Femi Adesina quoted the president to have pleaded with the the international community to support Nigeria and West Africa in tackling growing security challenges.

The presidents plea comes amidst worsening insecurity across all zones of Nigeria.

On Monday, the Niger State Governor, Abuabakar Bello, said Boko Haram terrorists are in control of territories in Kaure and Shiroro local governments of the state.

The terrorists, who have operated mainly in the North-east region, have terrorized the zone for more than a decade.

This has led to the death of thousands of soldiers and civilians and has displaced thousands of residents.

Despite repeated attacks on troops and vulnerable citizens, the government has continued to claim that the terrorists have been defeated.

According to the Tuesday statement, President Buhari stated that moving the AFRICOM headquarters nearer the Theatre of Operation will strengthen ongoing efforts to check the security situation, with likely effect on other nations.

Read the full statement by Mr Adesina below.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

SECURITY: PRESIDENT BUHARI ASKS U.S TO RELOCATE HEADQUARTERS OF AFRICOM TO AFRICA, WARNS OF LIKELY SPILLOVERS

President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday urged the United States to reconsider relocating US Africa Command (AFRICOM) from Stuttgart, Germany, to Africa, nearer the Theatre of Operation, admonishing the international community to support Nigeria and the sub-region in tackling growing security challenges to avoid spillovers.

President Buhari, in a virtual meeting with the US Secretary of State, Mr. Anthony Blinken, said AFRICOM, which partners with countries to counter transnational threats, should be relocated to Africa to strengthen ongoing efforts to check the security situation, with likely effect on other nations.

The security challenges in Nigeria remain of great concern to us and impacted more negatively, by existing complex negative pressures in the Sahel, Central and West Africa, as well as the Lake Chad Region.

Compounded as the situation remains, Nigeria and her security forces remain resolutely committed to containing them and addressing their root causes. The support of important and strategic partners like United States cannot be overstated as the consequences of insecurity will affect all nations hence the imperative for concerted cooperation and collaboration of all nations to overcome these challenges.

In this connection, and considering the growing security challenges in West and Central Africa, Gulf of Guinea, Lake Chad region and the Sahel, weighing heavily on Africa, it underscores the need for the United States to consider re-locating AFRICOM Headquarters from Stuttgart, Germany to Africa and near the Theatre of Operation, he said.

The President said Nigeria will enhance collaborations in all forms, with friends and strategic partners, to work together for greater security for all, which remain the most significant condition for overcoming the existential challenges.

President Buhari congratulated Blinken on his appointment by President Joe Biden, and commended the United States for the decision to repeal the immigration restriction known as the Muslim ban, re-joining the World Health Organization (WHO) and Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Nigeria attaches great importance to its relations with the United States. Let me in this connection express appreciation to President Joe Biden for his welcome and reaching decision to repeal the Immigration restriction known as the Muslim ban on travel and visas for citizens predominantly from Muslim Nations and African Countries, including Nigeria.

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I also wish to congratulate the United States for re-joining the World Health Organization (WHO) and Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The leadership of the United States in these two organizations is crucial for international community.

This action is a demonstration of the United States commitment in championing and supporting international organizations with the aim to build a better world for all, he added.

ALSO READ: Reps ask Buhari to declare state of emergency on security

President Buhari noted that Nigeria remains resolute in her commitment to supporting global efforts as enshrined in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which seeks to limit global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the President, the convening of the Climate Change Summit last week by President Biden was a strong indication of the renewed interest of the United States to the Paris Agreement.

I would like to extend our goodwill message to President Joe Biden and his Administration. May I also thank you for initiating this meeting, which I am confident, given your background and current position, you will use to promote the existing bilateral relations between our two countries, the President said.

The Secretary of State said he was pleased to make Nigeria part of his first virtual visit to Africa, noting that Nigeria and the United States of America, share a lot in bilateral issues.

He added that he would be delighted to build on the foundation that was laid between the two countries over 60 years ago, disclosing that areas of discussion with Nigeria would include how to build our economies back after the COVID-19 pandemic, security for vulnerable communities, and climate issues.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

April 27, 2021
Decatur, Ala., April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 50 big beautiful hot-air balloons will fill the sky above Decatur, Ala., the last weekend in May during the annual Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic. The must-see event of North Alabama is set for May 29-30, 2021, at Point Mallard Park and features hot air balloons, live music, a balloon glow, antique cars and tractors, motorcycles, arts and crafts, fireworks, other family fun with activities on the ground and in the air.

The Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic has become a Memorial Day weekend tradition for many families for 44 years. The celebration begins bright and early Saturday, May 29, at 6:15 a.m., with the hound and hare balloon race: one balloon flies off the Jubilee field and the others try to follow to see which pilot can get closest to a target put down by the hare balloon.

Saturday's activities include an antique and classic auto expo from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. behind the Ice Complex and the popular Decatur Art Guild arts and crafts show from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the pavilion. The Sons of Liberty Bike Show will take place Saturday next to T.C. Almon Recreation Center with registration from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. The Southland Flywheelers will host an antique tractor show, featuring some of the best restored and maintained tractors in the Southeast, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. A tractor parade follows at 10 a.m., and at 11 a.m., there will be tractor games and a pedal tractor park opens for kids 6 years old and under. An afternoon hot-air balloon flight is set for 5:15 p.m. and at 8:15 p.m., the Balloon Glow is a must see as towering balloons of all colors light up Point Mallard Park.

Another round of friendly competition between the hot-air balloon pilots is scheduled for Sunday, May 30 with the Lynn Layton Chevrolet Key Grab. Balloons should start flying into the Jubilee field starting about 7 a.m. The Decatur Art Guild arts and crafts show reopens from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering festivalgoers plenty of time to shop for handmade items in between the balloon activities. Another fun flight is set to launch about 6:30 p.m.

Bands will perform on stage both days at 7 p.m. and the two-day event concludes with the Alabama Jubilee Fireworks Spectacular at 9:30 p.m.

Admission to the Alabama Jubilee is free. Visitors are encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Please note all balloon activities are weather permitting. Balloons do not fly, tether or glow in the rain or if wind on the ground is stronger than about 8 mph or if there are thunderstorms nearby. During the Alabama Jubilee, Point Mallard Park is a No-Drone Zone according to FAA regulations. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged. For safety reasons, pets are strongly discouraged due to the loud noise caused by the balloons and the large number of people present.

All activities take place inside Point Mallard Park, a 750-acre municipal park providing year-round recreation facilities in Decatur, Ala. For more information and a schedule of events, please visit www.alabamajubilee.net.

About Decatur Morgan County Tourism

Decatur Morgan County Tourism is a not-for-profit organization promoting tourism and economic growth in Morgan County. Travel-related expenditures for Morgan County in 2019 exceeded $278 million and state lodging taxes collected reached nearly $1.4 million, an increase of 10.3 % from 2018. The tourism and travel industry within Decatur and Morgan County provided 2,993 direct and indirect jobs for local residents and total travel-related earnings exceeded $74 million. For information on special events and attractions in Decatur and Morgan County, call 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028; or visit www.decaturcvb.org.

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Six people were injured in the ambush on the convoy on Monday, and a Burkinabe soldier was still missing on Tuesday evening. The fate of the others in the convoy, and the identities of those who carried out the killings, remained unclear.

The eastern parts of Burkina Faso, particularly around the city of Fada-Ngourma near the reserve where the journalists were abducted, have been a perilous area because of the armed groups operating there over the past few years.

Last year was the deadliest for militant Islamist violence in the region, according to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, a U.S. Defense Department research institution. About 4,250 people were killed  a 60 percent increase over 2019  with the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara linked to more than half of the deaths.

On Tuesday, the United Nations said a record 29 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance and protection in six countries of the region, among them Burkina Faso and Chad, where the killing of the president, Idriss Deby, last week could further destabilize the region.

Mr. Deby, who had a poor human rights record, was a key figure in regional efforts to fight off Islamist insurgents in alliance with French and African forces. About 1,200 Chadian troops were deployed this year in the border area between Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, where Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has made significant strides.

In Burkina Faso, violence has fueled a fast-growing displacement crisis, with more than a million people fleeing their homes since 2019, according to the United Nations humanitarian affairs body. Three million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, in a country with a population of 20 million.

In addition to violence from militants, Burkina Fasos military has killed growing numbers of civilians, sometimes in proportions similar to those killed by Islamic insurgents, according to rights groups and analysts.
In early 202o Japan put a third Hibiki-class of Ocean Surveillance Ship into service. The first two entered service in 1991 and 1992. Why the long delay? It has to do with what these ships were designed for. Hibiki-class ships are catamaran (twin hull) designs that are 67 meters (214 feet) long 30 meter (99 feet wide) and manned by a crew of 40. There is room for a helicopter landing pad. These ships can remain at sea for 90 days at a time. They have a top speed of 20 kilometers an hour and can cover 7,000 kilometers per trip. Hibikis are equipped with an American made SURTASS (Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System) that is designed to detect submarines in shallow or deep water. The twin-hull design provides a very wide ship and stability when slowly moving through rough seas towing the SURTASS apparatus.

The first two Hibikis were part of a Cold War era SURTASS network that include five American SURTASS equipped ships. The U.S. shared the cost of building and equipping the Hibikis, which had to go the United States to have the SURTASS added. The Japanese and American SURTASS vessels all transmitted their SURTASS data to a central control center that combined the data to create a larger picture of what was out there. Originally intended to counter Russian subs in the Pacific, that mission disappeared after the Soviet Union, and the Russian submarine force, disappeared in 1991. The much-reduced Russia, which lost half its population and 80 percent of its military personnel in the 1990s, was no longer a naval threat. Twenty years later a new threat, in the form of a growing Chinese sub fleet appeared and that led to the building of a third, and possibly more, Hibikis. In 2019 the Chinese put the first of three similar ships into service.

The U.S. has had five similar ships in service since 2003. These ships were built during the 1990s. One of them, USNS Victorious, was aggressively harassed by Chinese naval warships in 2009 while it was more than 200 kilometers off the Chinese coast in the Yellow Sea. The Chinese harassed other navy surveillance ships as well. The Americans threatened retaliation and the Chinese backed off but did not halt the harassment.

The U.S. Navy took longer to get its first SURTASS into service. This was despite a problem with lawsuits seeking to ban the new sonar because of possible injury to whales and other seagoing mammals. There were also problems with budget cuts to this Cold War era technology in the decade after the Cold War ended in 1991. At the time SURTASS was seen as necessary to deal with increasingly quiet non-nuclear submarines operating in coastal waters. Initially, the main threat was Russian Kilo class diesel-electric subs equipped with AIP (air-independent propulsion system). Western subs were the first to receive AIP so the U.S. Navy knew how effective AIP subs could be. Diesel engines, while reliable, are noisy, and making noise is a good way to attract the not-so-friendly attention of opposing naval forces. The fuel cell and air-independent propulsion systems are much quieter, and, most importantly, enable the sub to stay underwater for days or weeks at a time. This allows them to get closer to potential targets, most likely carriers and amphibious vessels, before they are detected.

In anti-submarine warfare detection range is important. The newer, quieter subs have the potential to get close enough to launch anti-ship missiles which can, depending on design, be launched from a torpedo tube, head for the surface and then the missile takes to the air for ranges up to several hundred kilometers before they are detected. Those missiles could ruin any surface ship's day. Particularly when those ships have to enter coastal (littoral) waters. These sub-launched missiles were already in use at the end of the Cold War.

By 2019 Chinese Type 39 subs with AIP began to enter service. The first Chinese AIP had less power and reliability than Western designs, and appear to be less capable than Russian or Western AIP. But the Chinese have kept improving their AIP, just as they have done with so much other military technology. Western AIP allows diesel-electric subs to remain underwater for several weeks. AIP drove the need to get SURTASS expanded.

The American SURTASS (WQT-2) equipment was developed during the Cold War. Testing of SURTASS ran into legal problems and was initially limited by a legal settlement that allowed limited training. SURTASS uses a new active sonar, adjunct to the passive UQQ-2 is deployed on a transducer lowered to a depth of 100 meters (330 feet) from a vessel moving at six kilometers an hour, with the active (transmitting) sonar operating for short periods. WQT-2 is an upgrade to an earlier SURTASS system which used entirely passive sonar. The passive UQQ-2 sonar uses a large number of microphones attached placed to an 1,830-meter cable. For shallow water two shorter cables with microphones are used. Ships operating the passive system used the SURTASS Block Upgrade, which was mainly about new microphone technology plus new satellite communications so that ocean surveillance ships can more easily and effectively communicate with destroyers and other warships that can act on submarine location information.

The WQT-2 is intended to increase detection range, particularly in shallow waters near the coastline, and thus regain the reaction time that passive systems can no longer provide reliably. The increased reaction time could be used to evade the submarine, forcing it to either attack from an unfavorable position, or speed up to get into a good attack position and thus make noise. The latter would make the submarine easier to detect. Once a hostile submarine is detected, you can go after it. This could involve using anti-submarine aircraft (fixed-wing or helicopter) to use their own sensors and weapons (Lightweight Torpedo) and destroy the sub before it can launch an attack. Another would be to allow a friendly submarine (probably nuclear-powered) to deal with it.

After testing on a leased vessel, SURTASS (WQT-2) was installed in the USNS Impeccable (T-AGOS 23). The original plan was to build six twin-hull T-AGOS ships so they could operate two in the Atlantic and two in the Pacific. Only one 5,000-ton T-AGOS was built and a compact version of SURTASS (WQT-2) was developed for the smaller 3,300 ton Victorious class T-AGOS ships.

India has also recently completed a ship similar to the Chinese and American acoustic surveillance ships. India is concerned about Pakistani and Chinese AIP subs in the Indian Ocean.

SURTASS was originally developed to complement the much more expensive SOSUS (SOund Surveillance System) networks. These were Cold War era systems that were largely abandoned after the Cold War ended in 1991. Now SOSUS is back. China began installing underwater passive sonar systems in its coastal waters back in 2011. This enables China to monitor submarines operating off its coasts and, presumably, in the South China Sea. South Korea did the same in 2011 when it announced that it was installing underwater submarine sensors off its coasts and this was completed in 2013. The South Korean effort was in response to North Korea using a small submarine to torpedo a South Korea patrol ship in 2010. China simply wants to keep foreign warships as far away as possible, even if it means trying to force them out of international waters.

Technical details were not revealed by China or South Korea, but this sort of thing is similar to the system of passive (they just listen) sonars the United States deployed on the sea bottom in key areas during the Cold War. SOSUS consisted of several different networks. On the continental shelf areas bordering the North Atlantic was the CAESAR network. In the North Pacific, there was COLOSSUS plus some sensors in the Indian Ocean and a few other places that no one would talk about. The underwater passive sonars listened to everything and sent their data via cable to land stations. From there it was sent back to a central processing facility, often via satellite link. SOSUS was accurate enough to locate a submarine within a circle no wider than 100 kilometers. That's a large area, but depending on the quality of the contact, the circle might be reduced up to ten kilometers. The major drawback of the system was that it did not cover deepwater areas more than 500 kilometers from the edge of the continental shelf. This is not a problem for the South Korean or Chinese systems, as both only cover coastal waters or shallow offshore areas like the South China Sea.

SOSUS systems are very expensive to maintain. Some SOSUS managed to survive the end of the Cold War by making its sensors available for civilian research and by using cheaper and more powerful electronics and communications technology. While many parts of the SOSUS have been shut down, additional portable SOSUS gear (SURTASS) has been put in service, to be deployed as needed.

South Korea had the advantage of being able to get help from the United States about SOSUS and how to collect and process the sound signatures of submarines operating in the area. The U.S. was also able to help South Korea obtain more sensitive passive sonar systems that can identify submarine locations more accurately. The U.S. has been doing research in this area and knows that such cooperation would result in American access to the South Korean SOSUS. South Korea also has the design and manufacturing capability for this sort of device. The first South Korea SOSUS system was placed off the west coast, near the North Korean border. North Korean submarines, traveling underwater, using battery power and near the coast, are very hard to detect. The South Korean SOSUS will help even the odds.

Chinas Internet-based espionage efforts have probably already stolen a lot of American SOSUS secrets and that helped them a lot.
How do we solve the mass shootings? Do we take away all the guns? Or do we require that every American carry a gun and be prepared to shoot back? Do we eliminate the assault rifles? Or do we have more security guards at malls, grocery stores and work places carry assault rifles? We have a crisis in America with gun violence and mass shootings. What will Joe Biden and Congress do about this problem? Will they even attempt a solution?

Mr. President and members of Congress, we need a solution.

How do solve the ongoing COVID-19 crisis? Many have resumed life as though the problem is solved but in too many states people are still dying from the virus. A great effort has been made to solve this world pandemic. The creation of vaccines that seem to be working and an all-out effort to protect people with mask and distancing has made for an unforgettable year. But, what do we do now? Its not over. The virus and different strains of the virus are still alive.

Common sense is critical. The world must go on. The government cannot spend the next year printing off stimulus money and paying people to stay home with nice unemployment checks. This mess is not over and we need a good game plan from our President and Congress.

The previous paragraph leads us to another crisis in this country. Businesses are trying to get back into business but the workers are few. Restaurant owners across the nation are crying because they cant find enough cooks and servers. Many of the former workers are collecting unemployment. They are collecting as much or more than they made showing up for work and thus we have a shortage of willing workers. Unemployment and the stimulus were a shot in the arm for the country but not one with lasting favorable results. Unemployment eventually ends and people must go back to work. In the meantime, many businesses in America are facing a crisis of trying to come back to life with very little help. We need a get back to work plan from our president and Congress. Everybody cannot do their jobs at home. The factory worker, the restaurant worker, the medical community, public workers, and much more have to be able to safely leave their homes and do their jobs.

America has been filled with tension and pain this year over the senseless killing of George Floyd. We have viewed too many other senseless police shootings on national television. We dont need racial tension in this country. Most of the people in this country are good people and we cant let these incidents destroy our American family. However, we need a plan from Biden and Congress. What is your idea?

And then there is our crisis on the border. Our government needs to send a stronger message to those people south of the border. What will Congress do?

What would you do? Let your representatives and senators know.

Glenn Mollette can be reached at GMollette@aol.com or www.glennmollette.com.
"The ability to sense and respond to human needs is the future of our industryand achieving that promise means bringing the best people to the table," said W. Joe DeMiero, chief executive officer of Hawkeye. "Jill, Mike and Brendonthey are the best. Intellectually curious, endlessly credentialed, ready to break down siloes, and the kinds of people who see the humanity in all that they do. They are Hawkeye through and through, and I'm thrilled they are here."

Hawkeye, which is part of Publicis Groupe, launched at the beginning of 2020 as a merger of the industry's leading CRM agencies and point of infusion for Epsilon data following the $4B acquisition. The heart of Hawkeye's experience orchestration (XO) is Let's Humanan operating system designed to distill myriad data points to singular consumer profiles and anticipate people along their consumer journeys. Across their respective roles, Lyons, Chung and Volpe will focus on maximizing the scale, efficiency and impact of the agency's proprietary and industry-leading capabilities to create the best next experience between brands and consumers.

Jill Lyons (Executive Vice President, Delivery) will oversee Hawkeye's activation studios, responsible for connecting client needs with 'maker' solutions from the outset of strategy and development, including through enterprise technology, change communications and media. She is also responsible for articulating the agency's internal experience orchestration through project management and workflow culture.

She assumes the newly created role following a client-side stint at Allstate as head of creative agency operations. Prior to that, she was a senior supervising producer at Harpo, where she worked closely with Oprah to build platforms for programming within the growing network. Lyons' arrival at Hawkeye marks a return to Publicisshe previously led business operations at Epsilon Agency.

As she explains her passion for content that matters: "Data can get you there and provide authenticity in storytelling."

Mike Chung (Senior Vice President, Strategy Director) will be responsible for building Hawkeye's strategic approach to true experience orchestration (XO)working with teams and clients to synchronize experiential within the full spectrum of CRM, and setting the standard for omnichannel marketing of the future.

He is a data-driven marketing strategist with more than 20 years of experience split between financial consulting, first at Accenture, and numerous automotive brands, including Acura, Chrysler, Genesis, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia, Lexus, Nissan, Scion, and Toyota. His expertise is in converting market needs into customer solutions, with an emphasis on opportunity identification, partnership acquisition, product adoption and go-to-market strategies.

He believes that strategy is the great unifier of brand experiences, and that "our understanding of technology and our empathy for others can and should be fully synchronized and cohesive."

Brendon Volpe (Senior Vice President, Strategy and Product Marketing) will focus on scaling Hawkeye's capabilities and the power of Epsilon to anticipate continued industry disruption and consumer behavior change, leveraging sophisticated psychological profiles to reframe data analysis from the "what" to the "why."

He arrives at Hawkeye from Conde Nast where, as the head of strategy for their in-house agency CNX, he established the brand planning and consulting practice. Volpe previously led digital strategy for Team One, a Publicis Groupe agency, where he coordinated across media, creative and product teams to develop brand strategies and roadmaps.

As he puts it: "I believe that customer-centricity, rigorous thinking, and creativity drive strategic decisions that move businesses forward."

The arrival of Lyons, Chung and Volpe follows a year of significant growth for Hawkeye. In 2020, the Dallas-based agency grew its team 300% to more than 930 employees in 20 offices across seven time zones. Notably, in June 2020, Hawkeye hired Ian Sohnpreviously CEO of Wunderman Thompsonas president and chief client officer.

About Hawkeye

In 2020, Publicis Groupe brought together the industry's leading CRM agenciesEpsilon Agency, Publicis Hawkeye, Catapult, and Aspen Marketing Servicesto create a new kind of agency that's unparalleled in capability and scale, with the integration of Epsilon data at its very core.

Thus, Hawkeye was born, ushering in a new era of personalized, addressable marketing services at scale across all channels. Headquartered in Dallas and Chicago with more than 930 employees and 20 offices across North America and Europe, Hawkeye orchestrates experiences for people across their customer journeysleveraging human insight, the world's best data, empathetic creativity, and the most powerful technology available. "We do all this to deliver business results for our clients and to create more meaningful connections between humans and brands called Connections Designed to Matter." W. Joe DeMiero.

Contacts

Kappie Kopp

Vice President, Corporate Reputation

MSLGROUP

[email protected]

Olivia von Plonski

Director, Business Development

Hawkeye

[email protected]

SOURCE Hawkeye
TICKERS: BSK; BKUCF; MAL2

Source: Streetwise Reports (4/26/21)

Blue Sky's Amarillo Grande Uranium-Vanadium Project in the Rio Negro province includes the flagship Ivana project, which boasts Argentina's largest NI 43-101 resource estimate for uranium, with a significant vanadium credit.



Blue Sky Uranium Corp. (BSK:TSX.V; BKUCF:OTCQB; MAL2:FSE) controls a district-scale (300,000-hectare) uranium and vanadium exploration project in southern Argentina.

Uranium is required for nuclear power plants. Like aeroplanes, when something goes wrong with nuclear  it's dramatic  it makes headlines and burns into everyone's brain.

But judged by the cold metric of human deaths per Kilowatt/hournuclear reactors are safer than solar power.

[A DYI home-owner in Oregon keeled off his garage roof while installing a solar paneland it skewed the data].

Nuclear energy now supplies 10% of the world's electricity and is responsible for one-third of global carbon-free electricity.

Vanadium is used as a steel additive in crankshafts, gears, tools and knives. Brain surgeons typically use vanadium scalpels.

After a series of deadly building collapses, the Standardization Administration for the People's Republic of China announced a new rebar standardrrequiring the use of vanadium.

BSK is part of the Grosso Group, led by Joe Grosso. The group has a vast network of local and regional contacts in Argentina. Joe Grosso is in the Argentina Mining Hall of Fame.

"Joe Grosso can get a meeting with anybody in Argentina at any time," confirms Niko Cacos, president and CEO of Blue Sky.

We asked Cacos to explain the difference between a "district" and a deposit.

"A single deposit, could occupy a footprint, maybe 10 kilometers wide," explained Cacos. "We have 300,000 hectares of tenements. A corridor that is 145 kilometers in length by 50 kilometers wide, almost the distance from Vancouver to Seattle."

A Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on the Ivana deposit confirmed an Inferred mineral resource estimate of just under 23 million pounds of uranium and 11.5 million pounds of vanadium.

"The PEA numbers indicate that if the project was in production today, it would rank amongst the lowest operating costs on the planet," stated Cacos.

BSK has also identified at least four areas as compelling targets with a high potential for making additional new uranium-vanadium discoveries, similar to the Ivana deposit.

At a typical uranium long-term contract of $50/lb, and a vanadium spot price of $8/lb, the minerals have a current market value of about $1.2 billion.

Recovery of uranium oxide is 84.6%, and of vanadium pentoxide 52.5%, so the value of recovered minerals will be less than that.

BSK has a current market cap of $42 million.

"The drill program that's currently underway on the Amarillo Grande district is testing the scalability of our asset," stated Cacos. "How big can this project get? 100 million, 200 million pounds of uranium?"

BSK has the same kind of grades you find in Kazakhstanthe world's biggest uranium producer.

"The metallurgy is simple, cost effective and environmentally friendly," confirmed Cacos. "It's cheap to extract. And we announced recently that we're further refining that."

Electricity generated by nuclear reactors is becoming more accepted as a safe, reliable and secure way to generate electricity," stated Cacos. "And because of that, we're seeing more reactors being built."

An example of the shifting nuclear landscape: Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are making small modular reactors, to power off-the-grid Industrial projects.

"Argentina is a nuclear country," stated Cacos, "They've been in the nuclear business since the 1950s. They have a pilot enrichment plant not far away from our project. They also having three nuclear plants, with more coming on line."

If Argentina was a country with no nuclear infrastructure, it would take a decade to implement the legal framework to transport nuclear materials.

That legal framework is already in place.

"The only thing Argentina does not do is mine uranium," explained Cacos, "they have to import it and they're paying a long-term contract price of about $85/lb to Kazakhstan."

That contract expires in the next couple years. Blue Sky's objective is to supply Argentina with a domestic source of uranium, and export whatever is left over.

Politically, that would make any BSK problem, an Argentina government problem, whichfrom BSK's point of viewwould turn a good jurisdiction into a great one.

There is a law in Argentina that stipulates that if there is a domestic uranium supply, Argentine nuclear reactors must purchase from domestic producers at prevailing world prices.

Part of the reason for The Grosso Group's success in international mine development is its history of strong community relations.

The Grosso Group has been practicing "Social Responsibility" before it was a thing.

"The business of mining carries great responsibility for the well being of communities that surround our operations and to the protection of the environment," states the Grosso Group.

Grosso Group's commitment encompasses:

Respect and preservation of local customs, traditions, heritage

Timely and frequent consultation and transparent communication

Environmental protection and risk management

Health, safety and education

Sustainable economic development that ensures the welfare of all

Accountability and fulfillment of commitments

Foster long term relationships with communities, local governments and all stakeholders through responsible sustainable practices.

"In Argentina, we have a very few farmers on our land package," confirms Cacos, "You can probably count them on fingers of both hands. We've signed formal agreements. Blue Sky has permission to do drill work on the farmer's land. We're on good terms with everybody."

The PEA anticipates an open pit mine with a 13-year life-of-mine (LOM).

The PEA also reveals attractive economics. At USD $50/lb U3O8 and USD $15/lb V2O5, the post-tax NPV is USD $135.2M, internal rate of return is 29.3% and capex is USD $128.05M.

"The $128 million capex includes a $28 million contingency," stated Cacos. "If we add more pounds of uranium, the capex is not going to increase much. Whatever pounds we add will be gravy."

"With all in sustaining costs of $18 a pound, if this project were in production today with current prices, it would make money," added Cacos.

Blue Sky has 162 million shares outstanding, 95 million warrants priced at $0.28 and 16 million options priced at $0.26. The stock is currently trading at $0.26up 160% in the last six months.

[NLINSERT]

Disclosure:

1) Lukas Kane compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor. He or members of his household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. He or members of his household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. His company has a financial relationship with the following companies referred to in this article: None.

2) The following companies mentioned in this interview are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: Blue Sky Uranium. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

3) The interview does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.

4) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the decision to publish an article until three business days after the publication of the article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Blue Sky Uranium, a company mentioned in this article.
I've been thinking an awful lot about Pixel phones lately. And it seems safe to say the cause for my current contemplation is a teensy bit unusual.

The burning question in Android Land at this particular moment, y'see, is why Google appears to be preparing to launch a new Pixel phone that seems shockingly similar to one of its previous-generation Pixel models  which itself existed in a strange in-between position, with no obvious reason for its presence in last year's quirky lineup. (Oof. My head hurts.)

That, however, is not the question we're here to consider today. Until Google actually releases that device, we don't necessarily know the full picture of what it entails, and all we can do is speculate.

Today, the puzzler I want to ponder is a bigger-picture question about the Pixel line's existence and how Google is  or maybe isn't  positioning the phone for success.

As part of my just-launched Pixel Academy e-course, I've been leading folks on a deep-dive journey to explore some of the most useful  and, in many cases, unique  possibilities presented by Google's Pixel phones. And while chatting with some of the smart and attractive land-mammals who've signed up to uncover the hidden secrets of their pocket-sized Pixel pals, I've been reminded of something: Google really does a mind-bogglingly bad job of publicizing the Pixel's strengths.

[Check out JR's free Pixel Academy e-course for yourself and discover all the advanced intelligence lurking within your favorite Pixel phone!]

Now, I'm not talking about the higher-level Pixel advantages, like the phone's exceptional user experience or its peerless level of post-sales software support. Those are critically important qualities, without a doubt, but they aren't exactly perks that are easy to articulate to the phone-buying masses. They're fairly abstract, somewhat technical, and just not the sorts of things you can placard on a billboard and use to grab the attention of an average tech-seeking Homo sapien (and/or platypus).

But you know what types of perks are easy to market? Yep, you guessed it: the ones that involve specific features designed to address common pain points and make your life a little easier. (Man, you're good!) And that's especially true when those perks revolve around futuristic-sounding Google smarts  smarts no other company can even come close to matching.

Those are the features that set the Pixel apart in meaningful, practical, and impossibly enticing ways  and yet, Google does practically nothing to promote those sorts of possibilities. Not only is the general phone-buying public woefully unaware of their existence, but Pixel owners themselves, as my Academy interactions have reminded me, are positively blown away when they learn what their devices have been able to do all this time.

We can find numerous examples that fit into this narrative, but two Assistant-connected systems stand out the most. The first is a feature that automatically screens calls from private, unknown, or suspected spam numbers and can also answer and screen any incoming call on demand. Google's silky-voiced virtual helper actually picks up the phone and asks the caller what they're calling about, then relays that info to you on your screen. You can even ask follow-up questions to get extra info, if you want, before deciding if you want to deal with the call yourself or let Assistant take a message.

I mean, really: Who wouldn't want access to that?!

The second feature is a vaguely related system that relies on Assistant to hold for you anytime you find yourself in the unenviable position of hearing how "important your call is" (and how it'll be answered, of course, in the order it was received  insert retching sound here). Whenever such a situation arises, a Pixel phone puts a prompt on the screen offering to take over the holding for you and then alert you as soon as an alleged human comes back on the line.

Pretty forkin' incredible, right? You'd better believe it. And both features work impressively well, too.

Now riddle me this: How often have you seen those features advertised or promoted, whether within an actual Pixel phone or in some form of external marketing? Unless you've been living in a dramatically different world from the one I've been wading around lately, the answer probably falls somewhere between "extremely rarely" and "never."

I mean, heck, even on the storefront page where Google explicitly tries to convince people to buy Pixel phones, the company makes absolutely no mention of either of these awe-inspiring elements. Instead, its top selling point is the fact that Pixel phones "come preloaded with all the Google apps you love."

Erm, right. That's what makes these phones special? That's what's gonna convince regular phone-buyin' folk to leave behind the brilliantly marketed brands they've known and trusted for ages  devices where, mind you, said Google apps are also readily available? Really, Google?!

Now imagine if the next iPhone came with these exact same features  the A.I.-enabled call screener and hold-for-you technology. Imagine how Apple would market those possibilities. They'd be innovative, groundbreaking, magical and revolutionary, damn it! They'd be life-transforming systems available "only on iPhone" (because when someone pretentiously avoids the use of articles while referring to their products, you know they have to be important).

Plain and simple, we'd never hear the end of it. And with Google? Google's got the goods this very minute. And we never hear a single peep about it.

It's not just these newer Assistant-connected bits of intelligence that fit into this pattern, either. From more or less the get-go, Pixel phones have had a clever system for working hand-in-hand with Google Photos and automatically clearing out local copies of backed-up media whenever a phone's storage starts to run low. It's a simple thing, but it's such a nice little addition and another perfect example of a high-impact, hassle-eliminating feature. We've all had the frustration of running low on local storage, after all. And even if you use Photos for backing up your images, the onus still falls upon you to periodically go in and clean up the local copies  unless you own a Pixel, in which case, Google services can work together in harmony and handle it all for you without any ongoing effort.

That's the very first item in day 5 of my Pixel Academy e-course. And guess what? It's one of the things I've heard the most reactions about  reactions from people who own Pixels and had no idea it was present or possible.

And all of that's to say nothing about the equally underplayed notion of Pixels and privacy  an almost ironic-seeming advantage, considering the endless questions surrounding the subject of Google and privacy these days, but an area where Google could seriously set its phones apart from the invasive ad-injecting, shady data-selling setups its Android-embracing partners provide without most folks even realizing it.

Marketing has never been Google's strength, to put it mildly. But as we gear up for the Pixel line's sixth generation of devices  a generation that's expected to be a real turning point for the products, with the first-ever Google-made processor and all the intriguing possibilities that could enable  it's hard not to wonder how the company continues to miss the mark so badly on emphasizing the Pixel's most outwardly impressive advantages. And it's hard not to wonder how different the sales picture could be if it ever figured out how to present its products in a way that actually resonated on a large scale.

Google's got the goods. Now it's gotta figure out how to let people know about 'em instead of hiding 'em away as Android's best-kept and most mystifying secret.

Don't let yourself miss an ounce of Pixel magic. Sign up for my new Pixel Academy e-course and discover tons of hidden features and time-saving tricks for your favorite Pixel phone.
New Delhi, April 27 : The Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) said that it on Tuesday afternoon received 1.5 tonnes of oxygen sent by Delhi government and the new supply will last for about five hours.

"Received 1.5 tonnes of oxygen sent by Delhi government at 3.30 p.m. today through DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation). With this supply, there is 4,500 cubic meters of oxygen which should last for five hours or around 8.30 pm.

"In the morning, the SGRH received two tonnes of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) from Inox Air Products.

"We have 6,000 cubic meters of oxygen in storage tanks which may last for 10 hours," it said.

For the last few days, the SGRH has raised several alarms about shortage of oxygen and oxygen cylinders.

On Monday, the SGRH said that hospital has failed to get over 104 oxygen cylinders refilled in three days. These oxygen cylinders are used for transferring extremely sick Covid patients from Covid emergency to the ICU and from the wards to the ICU in case of emergency. Late in the evening, the SGRH had received 64 refilled cylinders.
Monday.com went from a local startup to an international company in the span of four years. During these four years, the company grew from a few thousand customers to over a hundred thousand. From a customer success perspective, this kind of growth needs to be handled with the utmost care to ensure customers arent impacted by the growth as far as the quality of service and support they are receiving.

Tom Ronen, monday.coms Head of Customer Success, was at the helm during the entire growth spurt. As such, Ronen holds actionable insights into how to manage a customer-facing operation and how to lead an ever-expanding team.

Tom Ronen

At the beginning of April Ronen spoke in a KMS Lighthouse webinar about the challenges of scaling customer experience and how Monday.com utilized automation to that end. We reached out to Ronen after the webinar to get more actionable insights for SaaS customer success teams on how to manage growth.

During 2020 monday.com has experienced fantastic growth. Can you give us a glimpse of how it feels from the inside?

It has been an incredible experience to be part of our rapid growth. In an ever-changing environment, scaling so quickly has kept us motivated to think and act fast on our feet.

Especially from a CS (customer success) perspective, were always learning about new use cases and different kinds of people around the world using our Work OS. By depending on data, being transparent, and always putting our customers first, we navigate the changes to the product, new types of customers, new languages, and more. All that to say - every day is a new adventure!

As far as customer growth, according to data provided by the company, there are currently over 110,000 paying organizations. When you first joined, how many clients did you have?

When I joined the company, we had just over 3,000 paying teams. At the time we were just 25 people working out of our offices in Tel Aviv. Today, monday.com is used by over 110,000 organizations from over 190 countries with over 600 employees across offices in Tel Aviv, New York, San Francisco, Miami, London, and Sydney.

Story continues

How did you handle this growth from a personal perspective? Being in charge of a few thousand clients compared to a hundred thousand, are there different self-imposed rules you manage yourself by now?

Personally, I have always made sure that we as a team are transparent with one another, allowing data to drive our decisions. With so much going on, at times you lose sight of the forest for the trees. Data is what shows us the way. For example, a dashboard that aggregates what features are being requested the most to reflect the voice of our customers to our Product team.

With such rapid growth, teamwork is essential. By sharing information with the brilliant people surrounding me, I ensure that we are all on the same page, and can see the full picture, moving forward together, creating impact, and bringing value to our customers and the company.

Now professionally speaking, how did you ensure that monday.coms clients get the same support throughout the growth spurt? Can you share your tips & tricks for maintaining consistent CX?

We always put our clients first, and throughout our growth, staying client-centric has been integral to our success. While some practices changed, the goal never did - keeping our customers happy. For over three years our average response time for every support ticket was less than 10 minutes. Today its a couple of hours, which remains world-class in our industry. What Im most proud of is how we lead the way in how its easy for our customers to get support.

Customer experience (CX) is all about exceeding customer expectations and these vary from case to case. One way of doing this is by properly prioritizing customer inquiries through a deeper understanding of context. Think of a customer angry over a software bug versus a nice-to-have feature request; insight into the mindset behind the inquiry allows you to match the level of service needed to win a customer over.

Another important practice is to segment your customers to meet their expectations. Enterprise customers are used to doing business in a very specific way and expect service accordingly. By simply segmenting your customers you can learn more about each customers appropriate experience and create an experience that is right for them.

Many SaaS companies are struggling to keep good relations with their clients due to the low-touch nature of the product. From your experience, what can Success Managers do to negate the low-touch and ensure their clients feel cared for?

Our customers, at the end of the day, want to be able to make use of the platform in the best possible way. Our goal is to make sure they can reach that desired outcome seamlessly and easily, with or without our touch.

From my experience one of the most important values in successful low-touch CS is transparency. You dont want a customer to think they are engaging with a dedicated success manager while in fact they are interacting with a bot. Data-driven automation and personalization are key as well, as you can deliver an amazing low-touch experience with the right tools and data.

Many SaaS companies need to adopt a low-touch CS approach since theres almost no way around it. Customers have desired outcome from your product in mind. As long as you are able to deliver on it they will be happy.

Another pain point for SaaS is the Freemium to Paid jump. You need the Freemium to attract new clients, and you need the Paid because, well, its a business after all. What can other SaaS companies learn from monday.coms experience about creating that magic balance of features between the two - make the Freemium attractive enough to join AND the Paid worth their credit card?

For us, it always comes back to the customers' needs. Ive always encouraged my teams to work towards understanding where to draw the line through feedback from our users. A great example is that, for clients that express interest, we make specific features that are usually blocked available for a trial period in addition to the premium features. This way they fall in love with the features they will be paying for. Its a challenge that you have to iterate through to find the right answer.

We have a dedicated Product team that runs myriads of tests with different versions to learn where we should draw the line between freemium and paid features. This approach helps ensure that customers who sign up for the paid version will stay with it as they arent surprised by any lack of functionality.

Looking internally, you now manage a team of 30 success managers, a team you grew over the past four years. What are your top three pieces of advice for team leaders for managing expanding teams?

Strong leadership: Hire or promote amazing leaders and empower them to elevate other managers into leaders themselves.

Quality over quantity: The pressure to give in to high demand for manpower is tough. Dont give in, hire only amazing people to take your team to the next level.

Culture: Be intentional about building your teams culture. Culture changes fast during growth, so lead by example and show your team what is expected.

Do you find similarities between onboarding a new client and onboarding a new team member?

Yes, there are many similarities. My team members are my customers. A structured onboarding process helps ensure a successful result with both employees and clients.

In CS our first step is understanding our customers desired outcome from the product. With team members, its important to understand their passions, their goals, and style to create a supportive environment to bring out the best in them.

Personally, with my team, I make sure to learn what their career goals are and what they enjoy at work to be able to give them the best experience that will bring out the best in them.

Last question - and be honest - does your team use monday.com? And what is your dream feature you keep nudging Product about?

We are power users of monday.com! When the pandemic hit early last year, it was only due to the fact that our entire workflow was monday-based that we managed to transition the entire company worldwide to remote work within 24 hours. Our day-to-day had already lived on the platform, and still does!

My dream feature will be to upgrade our Llama Farm feature that visualizes all of my monday.com data in the form of colorful llamas to include more animals :)
Burma Myanmars National Unity Government Disappointed With ASEAN Consensus

Anti-regime protesters flee a violent crackdown on a protest in Mandalay in March. / The Irrawaddy

Myanmars civilian National Unity Government (NUG) has responded to the five-point consensus on the crisis in the country agreed by ASEAN leaders in Jakarta on April 24, saying that the discussions didnt reflect the true situation and aspirations of Myanmars people.

Prime Minister Mahn Winn Khaing Thann of the NUG also rejected the first point of the consensus, which states that all parties shall exercise utmost restraint, as wrong because the sole perpetrator of the violence is the military.

I wish to highlight that the violence is one-sided and committed by only one party, he was quoted as saying in the NUG statement released on Tuesday in response to the ASEAN-junta consensus.

The regional bloc declined to invite representatives of the NUG recently formed by elected lawmakers from the 2020 general election, and which has the mandate and support of the Myanmar people. Instead ASEAN invited coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to the summit, which comes after at least 750 civilians have been killed by the regimes forces.

Prime Minister Mahn Winn Khaing Thann said that while the NUG didnt have the opportunity to brief the bloc about the daily reality of life under military rule that the people of Myanmar face, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was given the opportunity to justify the militarys actions regarding law and order and stability in the country. That is despite the fact that the documented visual and reported evidence points to the contrary.

The five-point consensus released hours after the ASEAN meeting on Saturday lists five points: 1) the immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and that all parties shall exercise utmost restraint; 2) constructive dialogue among all parties concerned to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people; 3) mediation to be facilitated by an envoy of ASEANs chair, with the assistance of the secretary-general; 4) humanitarian assistance provided by ASEANs Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre); and 5) a visit by the special envoy and delegation to Myanmar to meet all parties concerned.

Many people in Myanmar are distressed by the first item and disappointed by ASEANs exclusion of the NUG from the summit, and believe it shows that ASEAN does not understand the true situation in Myanmar.

Since the Feb. 1 coup, human rights violations such as the use of excessive or lethal force against unarmed civilians have been committed exclusively by the military. Just hours after the announcement of the five-point consensus, the military and police were harassing people who were banging pots and pans in protest at the junta, the prime minister said in the statement.

The prime minister called on ASEAN in the statement to engage with the NUG as the true representative government of the people of Myanmar. He also called for the NUG to be consulted on the ASEAN envoys mission and mandate, humanitarian assistance mission and also to establish accountability mechanisms for monitoring the regimes compliance with the five-point consensus.

The statement added that while it appreciated that ASEAN wishes to facilitate constructive dialog among key stakeholders, there must be an unconditional release of political prisoners, including President U Win Myint and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, before any such dialog can take place.

The bloc failed to urge the military to release the political prisoners arrested by the regime since the coup, while only some ASEAN leaders have called individually for that. At least 4,484 people have been arrested since the military overthrew the elected civilian government. 3,441 of them, including elected leaders, lawmakers, activists and student protesters, are still being detained by the junta.

The NUG prime minister expressed his thanks to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for reiterating their call for the release of political prisoners in the Tuesday statement.

The NUG also stressed the importance of including representatives of the civil disobedience movement and ethnic armed organizations in the dialog process to ensure that all voices against military rule in Myanmar are heard by ASEAN.

During the meeting with the assembled leaders of Southeast Asian nations, the coup leader said he is not opposed to a role for the bloc but made no vows to end the use of force or to free detainees.

In an announcement made on Monday, two days after the meeting, the coup leader said he would carefully consider ASEAN leaders recommended steps for solving the political crisis in his country after the situation stabilizes.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Military Launches Air Raid in Karen State

Myanmar Swimmer to Forgo Tokyo Olympics in Protest at Junta Violence

Myanmar Junta Troops Killed in Chin State Fighting
The plea also sought directions to 'ensure compulsory home quarantine of persons who campaigned in the last one week of in West Bengal'

The application by Vikram Singh, the former DGP of Uttar Pradesh and also the chairman of think tank Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC), has also sought directions to the Centre and the Election Commission to "ensure compulsory home quarantine of persons who campaigned in the last one week of in West Bengal". (PTI)

New Delhi: A plea was moved in the Delhi High Court on Tuesday seeking directions to the EC to take action like imposing penalty and lodging FIRs against "star campaigners" and leaders of all political parties for allegedly violating COVID-19 norms during the assembly polls in West Bengal.

The application by Vikram Singh, the former DGP of Uttar Pradesh and also the chairman of think tank Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC), has also sought directions to the Centre and the Election Commission to "ensure compulsory home quarantine of persons who campaigned in the last one week of in West Bengal".

Singh, represented by advocate Virag Gupta, claimed in his plea that "masking rules were flouted with impunity" by the political parties, their leaders and campaigners during the rallies, public meetings and roadshows conducted during the ongoing pandemic.

This "unhindered and uncared-for all out campaigning" has resulted in the rise in coronavirus cases in that state where the positivity rate has gone up from 5 per cent to 24 per cent, claimed the application filed through advocate Gaurav Pathak.

It further contended that "the lackadaisical action of ECI in implementing its own guidelines and non-cancellation of permission given for roadshows and rallies is evident from the number of campaigners catching COVID".

"The Election Commission had guidelines for conduct of general elections/bye-elections during COVID-19 published in August 2020, but failed to implement the same," it said and sought prosecution of ECI officials "who failed to enforce their own mandatory COVID guidelines".

"Whatever little action that the commission is now taking is only under huge public pressure and amounts to only lip service," it contended.

The application also alleged that "most of the political leaders who were involved in election campaigning were not seen to be following any rules on home quarantine, even after their contacts were turning out to be COVID positive".

Singh had earlier this month moved an application for ensuring that masks are worn mandatorily by everyone involved in poll campaigns during the ongoing elections in various states and union territories.

The high court had issued notice to the Centre and EC on April 8 on the earlier application.

The earlier and latest applications have been filed in Singh's main petition seeking to debar campaigners and candidates from campaigning in the assembly elections for repeatedly violating the mandatory guidelines issued by the poll panel in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry were held in various phases. The polls started on March 27 and will conclude on April 29.

Singh has contended in his petition that despite the orders and guidelines of the Centre and EC, "election campaigning is going on in full swing, without any regard to the COVID-19 regulations".

He has claimed that there is an "indirect discrimination" against the general public as fines are collected from them for violating COVID-19 norms, but no action is taken against politicians.
In this Oct. 29, 2018, photo, children eat lunch at an elementary school in Paducah, Kentucky. The Biden administration is expanding a program to feed as many as 34 million school children during the summer months. Its using funds from the coronavirus relief package approved in March 2021.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - If you're looking to get away after a year of limited travel the Rochester International Airport has new direct flight destinations coming soon.

You will be available to fly non-stop from Rochester to either Phoenix, Arizona or Fort Myers, Florida. Sun Country Airlines announced Tuesday that the offering from RST will begin Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 of 2022.

"We know folks are excited to resume traveling, and were happy to be able to offer them the opportunity to travel to these destinations with us, said Sun Country Airlines Chief Revenue Officer Grant Whitney. Rochester-area residents are familiar with our brand of convenient, affordable travel, and these new routes will make it even easier for them to get away on the warm, sunny vacations theyve been dreaming about.

Flights for Phoenix will start as low as $69 for a one-way ticket and flights to Fort Myers will cost as low as $79.

RST is hoping to double passenger volume in the next five years even as the pandemic set airlines back across the country.

Marketing & communications manager Tiana O'Connor explained, "RST has had a strategic plan in place for some time to work on building our local air service and increasing our passenger volumes here. We know that there is a tremendous opportunity to continue growing. The community knows that we've brought more flights and more options and people are using it that's what's really great."

Destination Medical Center representatives and Mayor Kim Norton were at RST during the announcement. Norton says RST is the second busiest airport for air travel in Minnesota and these new flights will contribute to boosting Rochester's economy.

She said, "This provides for a super vibrant community and really opens the door for the growth we're going to be seeing in the years ahead. We're really excited about that."

Norton also encouraged the community to 'fly local' just like other agencies ask us to 'buy local' during the holiday season.

Both flights will operate twice a week. Flights to Fort Myers will be taking place on Thursdays and Sundays while flights to Phoenix will take off on Mondays and Fridays.

You can begin booking your flights now by clicking here.
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The state has launched a program designed to help provide vaccine education and resources statewide.

The Pandemic Health Navigator program, already operating around the state, integrates community health centers, organizations and public health partners to coordinate resources for Illinois regions affected by the pandemic.

To date, 65 organizations and 23 health centers are participating in the program.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the program will target, among others, those hesitant to get vaccinated.

Building confidence among our unvaccinated residents, educating them on what COVID-19 really is, what the vaccine can do for them and how they can protect themselves and their families, Pritzker said.

A recent survey of 800 people by the Illinois Public Health Association found that 21% of residents would not be getting a COVID-19 shot. The survey also found that one in five residents indicated they were not able or unsure of their ability to tell the difference between scientific facts and misinformation or false claims on the internet.

Misinformation, packaged as truth-telling on social media, makes the decision to get vaccinated nerve-racking, Pritzker said.

The Illinois Department of Public Health granted $60 million from federal pass-through funds to regional coordinators to ensure resources are available either through direct services and/or sub-awarding to Federally Qualified Health Centers and other community-based agencies.

According to the governors office, the partnerships have helped hire more than 400 community health care workers and regional supervisors, with the goal to hire hundreds more in the next three months.

Healthcare providers have been on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 from Day 1, said Linnea Windel, president and CEO of VNA Health Care, a participant in the program. The Pandemic Health Navigator Program will provide us with additional tools, resources, and community health workers to support our fight against this virus.

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Total cases in west-central Illinois counties as of Monday, according to individual county health departments, and vaccination rates, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, were:

Brown County

691 total, 680 recovered, seven deaths

One new case.

Fully vaccinated: 20.3%; 65 or older: 69%

Cass County

1,962 total, 1,923 recovered, 33 deaths

Two new cases.

Fully vaccinated: 32.01%; 65 or older: 71.39%

Greene County

1,414 total, 1,357 recovered, 48 deaths

Fully vaccinated: 23.47%; 65 or older: 56.53%

Jersey County

2,632 total, 2,556 recovered, 49 deaths

Fully vaccinated: 31.67%; 65 or older: 76.06%

Macoupin County

4,786 total, 4,453 recovered, 110 deaths

Six new cases.

Fully vaccinated: 30.28%; 65 or older: 74.82%

Morgan County

3,891 total, 3,737 released from restrictions, 101 deaths

16 new cases.

Fully vaccinated: 30.42%; 65 or older: 74.5%

Pike County

1,752 total, 1,695 recovered, 47 deaths

Eight new cases.

Fully vaccinated: 24.58%; 65 or older: 63.07%

Sangamon County

18,106 total, 231 deaths

106 new cases and two additional deaths, those of a woman in her 30s and a man in his 80s.

Fully vaccinated: 35.62%; 65 or older: 81.97%

Schuyler County

691 total, 676 recovered, 16 deaths

Six new cases.

Fully vaccinated: 30.1%; 65 or older: 66.52%

Scott County

470 total, 466 recovered, one death

Fully vaccinated: 24.71%; 65 or older: 62.31%

Statewide, 2,137 new cases of coronavirus disease and 10 deaths were reported Monday, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

There have been 1,332,170 cases and 21,836 deaths in Illinois.
SPRINGFIELD, Ore.  The Lane County Sheriffs Office arrested Terry Conner, 51, Monday night after authorities said he led them on a high-speed chase from outside Jasper into Springfield.

The chase came to an end on Bob Straub Parkway near Main Street, closing down the road while deputies arrested Conner and processed the scene.

The sheriffs office said deputies were responding to a call related to Conner and his vehicle near Jasper before the chase, but would not say what the call was regarding.

Conner was booked into the Lane County Jail overnight facing 18 charges, including reckless endangerment, attempting to elude police, hit-and-run, reckless driving, and possession of a stolen vehicle among others.

According to jail records, Conner is also wanted by the U.S. Marshals. Conner has a lengthy criminal record throughout Oregon dating back decades.

The Oregonian newspaper reported in 2012 that Conner was living in Albany when he was arrested and charged for passing fake $100 bills at a casino.
Migration: New EU Strategy on voluntary return and reintegration

(27 April 2021) - Today, the Commission adopted the first EU Strategy on voluntary return and reintegration as an integral part of a common EU system for returns.

The strategy sets out measures to strengthen the legal and operational framework for voluntary returns from Europe and from transit countries, improve the quality of return and reintegration programmes, establish better links with development initiatives and strengthen cooperation with partner countries.

Gaps between asylum and return procedures, challenges in preventing absconding, insufficient resources, lack of data, overall fragmentation and limited administrative capacity to follow-up on return decisions all contribute to the low uptake in assisted voluntary returns programmes.

The EU will support the ownership of reintegration processes in partner countries with capacity building, providing staff with the necessary skills, or supporting governance structures to cater to the specific economic, social and psychosocial needs of returnees.

The EU will also strengthen links between reintegration programmes and other relevant development initiatives in partner countries.

More information
Striking dockworkers from the Port of Montreal walk the picket line during the first day of a strike in Montreal on Monday, April 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
A high-ranking Burkina Faso security source said Tuesday that "terrorists" may have killed "at least two" of three Westerners and a Burkinabe abducted in the east of the West African country

Ouagadougou, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Apr, 2021 ) :A high-ranking Burkina Faso security source said Tuesday that "terrorists" may have killed "at least two" of three Westerners and a Burkinabe abducted in the east of the West African country.

Eyewitness accounts have led to "fears that they... may have been killed by the terrorists", the source told AFP.

He added: "It is too early to make any conclusions," but said hopes of finding the foreign victims -- two Spaniards and an Irishman -- alive "diminish with each passing hour".

He said "large-scale searches... have still produced no results" following the attack on Monday.

The source said he could not authenticate images circulating on social media claiming to show the victims.
The 2021 GG Spring Festival has all but concluded and one of the last high-stakes tournaments to determine a champion has done so in just over three hours of play. Out of a field of 172 entries in Event H-109: $25,500 Sunday Millions, it was American poker pro Seth Davies who walked away with the biggest portion of the $4,300,000 prize pool.

Davies came out on top to earn a payday of $956,440 after sending his final three contenders to the rail in consecutive hands. His victory may have seemed unlikely when the final table kicked off, as Davies was at the bottom of the counts with just 16 big blinds. However, he doubled several times to get back into contention.

Finnish pro Sami Kelopuro laddered to a consolation prize of $717,228, which more than made up for the nine bullets he fired in the joint most expensive tournament of the series. Elio Fox added another big payday to his resume and earned $537,846 for his efforts while the comeback from half a big blind with four remaining by Niklas Astedt was cut short for a $403,327 prize.

Joni Jouhkimainen entered the final table with nearly two times as many chips as Fox but had to settle for sixth place. Among the other finalists were also the High Roller regulars Andras Nemeth, Joao Vieira, Isaac Haxton, and Artur Martirosian.

Final Result GGSF Event H-109: $25,500 Sunday Millions

Place Winner Country Prize (in USD) 1 Seth Davies United States $956,440 2 Sami Kelopuro Finland $717,228 3 Elio Fox United States $537,846 4 Niklas Astedt Sweden $403,327 5 Andras Nemeth Hungary $302,453 6 Joni Jouhkimainen Finland $226,808 7 Joao Vieira Portugal $170,082 8 Isaac Haxton Canada $127,543 9 Artur Martirosian Russia $95,644

The action of the final day

It was a very tense affair at the start and no player busted in the first hour. Nearly one dozen double-ups occurred and Davies survived two times. Sami Kelopuro became the short stack only to double twice and even take over the lead. Eventually, the fortune had to run out for one of the contenders and it was Artur Martirosian who became the first casualty. Soon after, Isaac Haxton busted to Davies, who took over the lead with seven remaining.

Joao Vieira and Joni Jouhkimainen lost the race with their short stacks to reduce the field to the final five. Davies then won a pivotal clash against Andras Nemeth when he had to come from behind with a dominated ace.

From there on out, Davies went on a hot run to establish an overwhelming lead. Astedt managed to spin back a fraction of a big blind to double twice through Davies, who retained his lead. The next key hand was the elimination of Astedt in fourth place, who called it off with a set on a straight and flush board, as Davies turned over the nut flush. Elio Fox was gone the very next hand and Davies then made it three knockouts in as many hands to also dispatch Kelopuro.

One more tournament of the GG Spring Festival will determine a champion and that's Event H-108: $10,300 Super MILLION$. The largest Super MILLION$ in the history of GGPoker is live-streamed on Tuesday, April 27 and the PokerNews team will be back then to provide all key hands.

All $25,500 High Rollers during the GGSF
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The police in Lagos have said the reported attack by commercial motorcyclists (popularly known as Okada riders) on police personnel in Lekki area of Lagos State, as captured in a viral video, is false and mischievous.

Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu said after carefully studying the video, they noticed that the originators of the video distorted the fact and raised false alarm.

This was in order to cause confusion and create fears in the minds of the general public for reasons best known to the originators or sponsors as the case may be, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson in Lagos, said in a statement.

The command wishes to set the record straight that on Monday, April 26, at about 09:30am, the Divisional Police Officer in Maroko, Lagos State, was informed that some okada riders were on rampage by resisting the police from impounding their motorcycles at Lekki Phase 1 Gate.

The area falls within the restricted areas for okada operations in the state. The Divisional Police Officer then called for reinforcement and ordered his policemen to race to the place to take charge and restore normalcy.

The policemen were able to curtail their activities and chased them to their hideout where 31 of their motorcycles were impounded and one of the leaders, one Mohammed, was arrested. Normalcy has been restored to the area. he said.

The police spokesperson said the command will always maintain law and order across the state, especially on the enforcement of the restriction order and traffic law on operations of okada in the state.

He added that the Commissioner of Police (CP) urged the general public to disregard the viral video and perceive the originator and his peddled rumour as baseless and mischievous.

The CP enjoins Lagosians to go about their lawful businesses and support the police command in its bid to maintain law and order across the length and breadth of Lagos State.

In conclusion, the originator of the video is being traced for necessary investigation. he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Lagos State Government has made a series of pronouncements on the ban on commercial motorcycle operations in some restricted areas/routes, including Lekki axis. (NAN)
Bounty hunter Khalil Abdullah, 51, was arrested on aggravated assault and deadly weapons charges on April 15

Three bounty hunters allegedly broke down a Nashville man's door and held him at gunpoint before realizing the person they were looking for didn't live there.

The terrifying incident unfolded on February 8 when Khalil Abdullah and two men who worked for his company, Matador Recovery, charged into the home of Lavaris Comer looking for a man named 'Tavaris', according to a police report obtained by DailyMail.com.

The men allegedly knocked Comer to the ground and pointed their guns at him while ignoring his insistence that he was not the man they were looking for.

The bounty hunters' true target - 'Tavaris' - had allegedly failed to show up in court.

They eventually realized they were in the wrong house and fled the scene before Comer called police and reported their license plate number.

More than two months later Abdullah, 51, was arrested on April 15 and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated criminal trespass in connection with the incident. The other two men have not been identified.

Police say Abdullah and two other men who have not yet been identified forced their way into Lavaris Comer's house in Nashville (pictured) on February 8

According to court documents, Abdullah and two other men had arrived at Comer's home on Westchester Drive on the night of February 8 and knocked on the door.

Comer answered and told the men they had the wrong address before closing the door.

That's when police said Abdullah kicked open the door, grabbed Comer and threw him on the floor, where he held him at gunpoint.

A second bounty hunter then allegedly entered the home and also pointed a firearm at Comer.

The men allegedly told Comer that they knew he was lying and that he was really 'Tavaris.'

The ruckus drew the attention of a 16-year-old in the home, who went downstairs to see what was happening.

The teenager was then allegedly also thrown to the ground by the two gunmen, and had a firearm pointed at his head.

It is unclear how long the men were in the house before they realized they had the wrong address and fled from the scene.

As they drove away, though, the Comers caught their license plate number and reported it to police. Warrants were issued for Abdullah's arrest after the family positively identified him as one of the men who broke into their home.

Abdullah is now facing three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated criminal trespass.

He was released on a $16,000 bond, posted by Brooke's Bail Bonding, and is due back in court in Nashville on June 18, when he is expected to reach a settlement.

This was not the first time Abdullah has been arrested in an attempt to bring in one of his charges.

In 2014, Abdullah was arrested in Georgia and charged with kidnapping and aggravated assault after he and a partner were accused of breaking into a woman's home in their search for her husband, who was accused of not showing up for traffic court.

When the two couldn't find Tiffany Hayes' husband, who she said did not live at the house, the bondsmen held the family hostage. One of the children took cellphone video of the men making threats.

'I told you to go into your room and stay out of the way, or youll get shot,' one of the bondsmen said in the video.

They proceed to tell Hayes that she was harboring a fugitive and is going to prison.

As she is shoved into the bondmen's truck, the video shows, she urged them to keep their hands off her daughter, who was filming the incident.

Ultimately, though, a jury found Abdullah and his partner, Kevin Roberson, not guilty on all charges.
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews says the federal government has an obligation to support the 8,000 Australians stranded in India, which is suffering a coronavirus catastrophe.

The national security committee is meeting on Tuesday to discuss the devastating outbreak, with India setting consecutive world records for daily cases.

Australia is considering sending supplies of oxygen and ventilators, and could also impose harsher inbound travel restrictions.

A health worker wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) walks past the funeral pyres of those who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during a mass cremation at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, April 26

Ms Andrews, who sits on the committee, said the meeting would consider how to help Australians in India trying to return.

'Our primary responsibility is to keep Australians safe and secure, so that is our overarching responsibility,' she told Nine.

'We do have obligations though to make sure that we can support Australians to come back home.'

Ms Andrews said any decisions on further travel restrictions would be based on medical advice.

'Clearly the situation in India is absolutely devastating. Hundreds of thousands of new cases each day, multiple deaths. It's just an awful situation,' she said.

'I'm sure that there will be a broad range of discussions today about what the future action may need to be.'

Last week, the government cut repatriation and direct flight arrivals from India by 30 per cent.

Health Minister Greg Hunt confirmed stopping all flights from India could be an option if health authorities advised the move was necessary.

In this aerial picture taken on April 26, burning pyres of victims who lost their lives due to the Covid-19 coronavirus are seen at a cremation ground in New Delhi

'If those additional measures are recommended, we will take them with the heaviest of hearts but without any hesitation,' he said.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said the situation in India was desperate.

'They are our good friends, we should be assisting in whatever way we can,' he told ABC radio.

'A breakout of this virus in one part of the world is a breakout everywhere.'

Mr Albanese said the crisis also highlighted the need to establish dedicated quarantine facilities with open air for returning travellers.

'The Commonwealth needs to get quarantine right,' he said.

'We know the issue of housing people in CBD hotels doesn't make sense compared with making sure appropriate facilities are put in place.'

Meanwhile, West Australians have emerged from a three-day snap lockdown but some restrictions remain in place.

The outbreak scare has been pinned on a man who returned from India after travelling to get married.

The federal government insists tighter rules around who can travel to the disease-stricken country mean a similar exemption would no longer be granted.

Ms Andrews said the man's travel was approved months ago under the old criteria, which has since been dramatically tightened.

'A wedding would be very unlikely to be approved,' she said.

Australia's vaccine rollout is set to come under further scrutiny with Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly and Health Department boss Brendan Murphy to face a Senate committee.

The inquiry will also hear from Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid and medicines regulator head John Skerritt.

More than 1.93million vaccine doses have been administered nationally, with Anzac Day public holidays in some parts of the country expected to hamper Monday's rate.

Slightly more than 3,400 shots were administered on Sunday.
Russia-occupation forces in Donbas violate ceasefire three times over this day, no casualties  JFO HQ

Since the beginning of the current day, Russia-occupation forces in Donbas have violated the ceasefire three times, Ukrainian servicemen have not been wounded, the press center of the Joint Force Operation (JFO) said.

"As of 07:00, on April 27, three shelling was recorded from the Russia-occupation forces. Thus, near Vodiane, , Russian-occupation forces used 120 caliber mortars prohibited by the Minsk agreements. Not far from the settlement of Mayorske, the enemy opened fire from large-caliber machine guns and small arms, and from heavy anti-tank grenade launchers near Talakivka. There are no combat losses among our defenders," the JFO headquarters said in the morning report on Facebook on Tuesday.

The headquarters said that over the past 24 hours, on April 26, Russian-occupation forces violated the ceasefire nine times in the JFO area.

"Over the past day, on April 26, in the JFO area, the Russian armed formations violated the ceasefire nine times [...] As a result of enemy fire, one Ukrainian defender was wounded by shrapnel," the JFO said.

The Ukrainian side of the JCCC promptly informed the OSCE SMM of all the facts of violations.
Myanmar's military should end bloodshed immediately



Myanmar's military junta is under growing international pressure to end its bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, and eventually restore democracy. It should abide by a five-point agreement reached by the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday.



The agreement called for an immediate end to violence in Myanmar and the establishment of dialogue between the contending parties. The leaders also committed to providing humanitarian aid to the country and appointing a special ASEAN envoy for the Myanmar crisis. We hope that these measures will be implemented without any glitch to pave the way for a return to civilian rule there.



It is meaningful that the 10-nation regional group has begun to make efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Myanmar issue triggered by the junta's Feb. 1 military coup. ASEAN has adopted a long-standing policy forbidding member states from interfering in each other's domestic affairs.



But this time the ASEAN leaders flouted the non-interference principle in a bid to restore peace, stability and democracy in Myanmar, also a member of the regional bloc. This could enable it to play a mediating role in Myanmar. Yet it is still doubtful if the association can take any effective action against the junta which shows no signs of backing down.



Thus it is difficult to have high hopes that ASEAN will make real progress in ending the bloodshed. More importantly, Myanmar's military junta seems to have no intention of complying with ASEAN's call for the cessation of violence and engaging in dialogue with the country's National Unity Government (NUG).



It is also true that ASEAN is being criticized for allowing the coup leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, to attend the Jakarta summit, although he was not treated as Myanmar's head of state. The junta should not use his attendance to legitimize its overthrow of the democratic government led by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD). It must also release Suu Kyi and other party leaders, who have been detained since the coup in February, if it really wants to solve the problem through dialogue.



The first thing Hlaing should do is to issue an order to ban the use of violence by police and the armed forces. Then the junta must release political prisoners and start a dialogue with the NLD and other parties. Most of all, the military leaders should give up their political ambitions and go back to their barracks immediately.



Regrettably, however, the junta has yet to put down its guns, continuing to kill people protesting the coup and calling for democracy. More than 750 people have so far been killed with over 3,400 arrested. The international community should take stern action, including economic sanctions, unless Myanmar's military stops its killing and trampling on democracy.


New Delhi, April 27 : The second wave of Covid-19 has turned more lethal, infecting more people and taking more lives. Besides causing financial and physical problems, it has also affected people mentally, creating panic in their minds.

The uncertainty about their present and future, coupled with government mandates to stay at home, is all exacerbating mental illness. The feeling of being cooped up at home, distant from their loved ones, devoid of social support and fear about new variants is increasing mental illness, according to mental health experts.

"The current situations are affecting the mental well-being on account of the uncertainty of the present and the future, the impact on the physical health of the self and loved ones, impact on work and productivity, and as a result, an effect on the relations that surround them," Dr Samir Parikh, Director, Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare, told IANS.

While the current scenario is affecting all individuals, regardless of their age, gender or other demographics, more adolescents and adults have reached out seeking help for mental health issues.

"Since the beginning of April, there has been a rise in tele-psychiatric consultations by at least 20 per cent. While the face to face consultations have plateaued, teleconsultations requests for seeking help have steadily increased," Dr Satish Kumar, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru, told IANS.

The most prominent problem reported by people is anxiety and depression. Teens are more stressed out about their future plans, resulting in an existential crisis while the adults are overwhelmed by the fear of survival, financial insecurity and job security.

These fears are coupled by "Covid anxiety/pandemic anxiety. People fear that they are going to die, increasing their death anxiety issues", Kumar said.

"People are also worried about being spreaders and causing harm to their loved ones. Even those people who never had mental health issues, even in their family history, are now reaching out for medical support as they are facing a lot of emotional stress," Kumar.

"Many experience guilt around not being able to adequately support those around them. These experiences can impact people's sense of self, their confidence and belief in the worldviews they hold as well as their positivity, optimism and resilience to cope with situations," Parikh said.

"Anyone else feeling survivors guilt? I certainly am. Each death I hear of is like a hard blow," Bollywood actress Pooja Bhatt shared in a tweet last week.

To cope with the current situation, Parikh suggested that one must: focus on the here and now; try and look at the things that you can control; attempt to maintain a routine and follow a balanced schedule; integrate relaxing and recreational activities to help unwind and relax; not engage in excessive information overload to not feel overwhelmed; focus on the small good things that will allow you to maintain positivity in your thoughts; speak to people around and maintain social connectedness; and ensure to follow all safety protocols and maintain Covid appropriate behaviour.

While the general public has the luxury to take a break from the situation, frontline workers including policemen, healthcare workers and journalists suffer from what is called occupational hazard.

The frontline workers are more likely to get demotivated when they are taking the effort and yet people do not follow appropriate Covid behaviour.

"The only way to cope with the situation is by having an optimistic outlook and repeating the mantra, 'this too shall pass'. Policemen, doctors, nurses and journalists should practice positive self-talk every day, and also engage in de-stressing activities, at least 10 mins a day by watching comedy or by talking to their loved ones or by indulging in their favourite activity. A positive end to the day is the only way to cope with the situation," Kumar noted.

The lockdown-related stress, in 2020, reportedly caused over 300 cases of suicides from March 19 till May 2. As a result, in September 2020, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment introduced a 24X7 toll-free mental rehabilitation helpline 'KIRAN' (1800-599-0019) in 13 languages.

Several others have announced a Covid emotional support helpline number, where people can reach out. This includes PeakMind (08047092334), Narayan Seva Sansthan (NSS) and NGO, Parivartan (07676602602).

India on Tuesday recorded 3,23,144 coronavirus cases and 2,771 deaths.

(Rachel V Thomas can be contacted at rachel.t@ians.in)

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
A municipal fiber-optic network is faster, less costly and more responsive to customers than internet through a cable television company  and can be profitable for a city, advocates told a group of city councilors this week.

In a public forum Monday, managers from municipal internet providers in South Hadley and Westfield encouraged six councilors representing Agawam, Holyoke, Northampton, Springfield and West Springfield to investigate stringing city-owned fiber in their communities.

One of the keys for Westfield is that we can bring in non-tax revenue, said Thomas Flaherty, general manager of Westfield Gas + Electric, which operates the Whip City Fiber network. Once you get to the point of paying off your debt service, you have the capacity to have non-tax revenue as a bonus.

The five cities represented by councilors at the forum each contract for cable television with Comcast, which also offers a high-speed internet service. Springfield City Councilor Jesse Lederman said the group of councilors began talks about municipal fiber networks last year, when Comcast announced it would implement surcharges of up to $100 per month for customers who use more than 1.2 terabytes of data. All five cities endorsed a resolution opposing the data caps, and Comcast has delayed the charges indefinitely.

Lederman co-hosted the April 26 forum along with Holyoke City Councilor Rebecca Lisi. Also participating were Northampton City Council President Gina-Louise Sciarra, Northampton City Councilor Bill Dwight, West Springfield Town Councilor Sean Powers and Agawam City Councilor Rosemary Sandlin.

The data cap issue caught on so quickly because at home, during the pandemic, families became so aware of how much of their daily lives demanded access to the Internet, said Lisi. We are seeing that families really want to know that they can access that utility with dependability and the speed that fiber offers.

Caitrin Ferriter, a sales manager at Whip City Fiber, said customers are happy to make the switch. Not only are the monthly rates competitive, but subscribing to a city-owned utility means no taxes, no equipment fees and no restrictive contracts. She also said customers appreciate knowing that their technicians and customer service representatives are local people who work for their own city government.

They trust in us, said Ferriter. Thats a key factor. The trust and familiar faces.

Flaherty said Whip City Fiber began with a $21 million taxpayer investment to build a network covering 70% of Westfield. He said planners estimated they needed a 30% subscription rate to break even. They exceeded expectations, with 50% of potential customers signing up, and are using the excess revenues to extend service to the rest of the city. Once every street is wired, he said, Whip City Fiber will begin turning a profit for the city. The 50% subscription rate is about average for communities nationwide where municipal fiber competes with a privately owned broadband network, Flaherty said.

In the smaller town of South Hadley, it cost $15 million to build the Fibersonic network, said Sean Fitzgerald, general manager of South Hadley Light and Power. He estimated that most towns in Hampden and Hampshire counties would fall in a $15 million to $30 million range to build their networks, though larger population centers like Holyoke and Springfield would cost more.

The expert panel also included Timothy Paul, president and CEO of Springfield-based Omnipoint Technology. Paul said he has submitted a proposal to the city of Springfield to build a city-owned fiber network for $100 million to $120 million. Its a big investment, he said, but in large cities its a no-brainer not only for the residential consumer, but for economic development.

If your municipality has a fiber infrastructure, you can also attract the kind of businesses that can stimulate your economy, he said.

One advantage that South Hadley and Westfield had over most other municipalities was an existing taxpayer-owned gas and electric utility, also known as a municipal light plant. Not only did they already have billing and maintenance systems in place, but by owning the local electricity utility, these communities also owned the utility poles  simplifying the process of stringing fiber-optic cable. Of the five cities that hosted Mondays forum, only Holyoke has its own municipal light plant. The rest would have to set up new utility companies from scratch, and negotiate with Eversource for space on the utility poles.

Sandlin noted that in Agawam, a private company, OTELCO, has proposed setting up its own fiber-optic network.

Flaherty said the demand for fast internet speeds  1 gigabit per second and higher  will only grow. Even with the return of in-person schooling, homework will continue to require internet connections, as will telecommuting, video games and even household appliances on the internet of things.
New Delhi: To address the shortage of oxygen tankers in the country, the Centre government has imported 20 cryogenic tankers of 10 MT and 20 MT capacity and allocated them to the states.

Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat will get two 20 MT cryogenic tankers each. Uttar Pradesh (three), Rajasthan (four), Delhi (three) and Gujarat (two) will get 10 MT cryogenic tankers.

"The mapping of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) from the manufacturing plant to different States being a dynamic process and transportation of medical oxygen through cryogenic tankers becoming a bottleneck in making available LMO from the eastern part of the country to other parts, twenty cryogenic ISO containers of capacity 20 MT and 10 MT have been imported to augment the transportation of Oxygen," the Union Health Ministry stated.

To address shortage of oxygen tankers in the country, the Union Govt has imported 20 cryogenic tankers of 10 MT and 20 MT capacity and allocated them to States: Government of India #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/pyoSbxjge1  ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2021

"The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in consultation with Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the overall guidance of the Empowered Group-II (EG-II) have mapped the allocation of these containers to suppliers of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Gujarat.

The announcement comes on the day when India reported 3,23,144 fresh coronavirus infections, taking the cumulative caseload to 1,76,36,307 on Tuesday (April 27), as per data by the health ministry.

The country's total COVID-19 caseload has now increased to 1.76 crore (1,76,36,307), of which, 28.82 lakh (28,82,204) are active cases. India has also witnessed 1.97 lakh (1,97,894 ) coronavirus-related deaths.

The country has also recorded 2,51,827 discharges in the last 24 hours, taking the total recoveries to 1.45 crore (1,45,56,209). The five most affected states by the total COVID-19 cases are Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Reeling under the second COVID-19 wave, several state governments have announced stringent guidelines to curb the unprecedented rise of COVID-19 infections in the country.

These states include Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and others.

Live TV
Disclaimer: The aim of the video, article, post is not to dispense medical advice. If you or anyone around you are exhibiting any symptoms, do consult a medical health professional.

Is the second wave of COVID-19 impacting children and young adults more? Three out of four top pediatricians that ET Now spoke to say they are definitely seeing more cases of children with Covid-19 now as compared to last year.

Indiatimes spoke to Dr Kirti Kumar Jain, pediatrician, who said that most children are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms of coronavirus which could range between flu-like illness, minor cold, infection of the gastro-intestinal tract.

Pixabay

Dr Jain says contract tracing should be the first and the foremost thing to do. The symptomatology in children is very similar to that in adults - loose motions, vomiting, headache, cold and fever.

"Even if there is no history of contract, it could still be a case of COVID," says Dr Jain.

What should you be doing?

- Get in touch with your family physician or call a local doctor

- Watch the nutrition of the child. Ensure that COVID positive child is drinking enough fluids

- Keep a watch on the oxygen levels of the child. A device called an oximeter should be used to measure the oxygen saturation levels in the child and it is widely available. If the oxygen levels drop below 95, be vigilant

- Be mentally strong and believe you can fight it out
- EQT Infrastructure to sell Segra's Commercial Services Business, a leading fiber-based provider of bandwidth services to commercial enterprise and wholesale carrier customers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the U.S., to Cox Communications

- EQT Infrastructure to retain Segra's residential and SMB business, where EQT Infrastructure has strengthened its commitment to support the business' next phase of growth

- Segra was created by EQT Infrastructure through the combination of three geographically contiguous businesses into a super-regional fiber infrastructure provider with an enhanced product portfolio and improved service capabilities

- During EQT Infrastructure's ownership, Segra experienced substantial growth and margin expansion through its investment in both new and existing markets, strategic add-on acquisitions and other operational initiatives

STOCKHOLM, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- EQT is pleased to announce that the EQT Infrastructure III fund ("EQT Infrastructure") has agreed to sell Segra's Commercial Services Business to Cox Communications ("Cox"). EQT Infrastructure will retain Segra's residential and SMB business, which operates under the Lumos Networks and NorthState brands.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Segra employs more than 1,200 people and provides broadband data services across a 26,000-mile fiber network to a variety of customers including wireless carriers, healthcare providers, local government agencies, financial institutions, education institutions, and residential customers. Ongoing digitalization and outsourcing trends are driving demand for broadband services, particularly in rapidly growing US metro markets such as the ones Segra serves. Together with the management team, EQT supported Segra in its organic and inorganic growth strategies and integration success to develop into the leading super regional fiber company it is today.

At the same time, EQT and the management team scaled Segra's residential and SMB business by building out fiber to existing and new customers as well as through strategic add-on acquisitions. Following the transaction, EQT plans to significantly accelerate the build-out of fiber-to-the-premise ("FTTP") throughout the region, bringing high speed fiber bandwidth for the first time to a large number of markets, many of which to date, have been disadvantaged by no or low availability of quality high speed broadband connectivity.

"We are pleased to have found a good long-term home for Segra's Commercial Services Business with Cox. Segra has transformed into an integrated, leading provider of broadband services to a variety of enterprise and carrier customers, and we are proud of the achievements we have accomplished alongside management. We thank Tim, the management team and employees, and the advisors in the EQT Network for their vision and guidance," said Jan Vesely, Partner and Investment Advisor at EQT. "Furthermore, we are excited to retain the residential business and to accelerate the buildout of fiber to residential and SMB customers, bringing fiber to many underserved markets."

Timothy Biltz, CEO of Segra, said, "EQT has been a great partner throughout Segra's transformational journey, and we thank them for their guidance and support for nearly four years. Going forward, we are excited to work with Cox and look forward to leveraging their resources, capabilities and strategic insights to meet growing customer demand and accelerate long-term growth."

The transaction is subject to customary conditions and approvals and is expected to close later in 2021.

Bank Street Group LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as financial advisors and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP acted as legal advisor to Segra.

Contact

US inquiries: Stephanie Greengarten, +1 646 687 6810, stephanie.greengarten@eqtpartners.com

International inquiries: EQT Press Office, +46 8 506 55 334, press@eqtpartners.com

About EQT

EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with more than EUR 67 billion in assets under management across 26 active funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas with total sales of approximately EUR 29 billion and more than 175,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com

Follow EQT on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram

About Segra

Segra is one of the largest independent fiber infrastructure bandwidth companies in the Eastern U.S. It owns and operates an advanced fiber infrastructure network throughout nine Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states. Segra provides Ethernet, MPLS, dark fiber, advanced data center services, IP and managed services, voice and cloud solutions, all backed by its industry-leading service and reliability. Customers include carriers, enterprises, governments, higher education and healthcare organizations. For more information about Segra's technology and commitment to customer care, visit www.segra.com.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/eqt/r/eqt-infrastructure-to-sell-segra-commercial-services-business,c3334814

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Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - OBSIDIAN ENERGY LTD. (TSX: OBE) (OTCQX: OBELF) ("Obsidian Energy", the "Company", "we", "us" or "our") announces that we expect to release our first quarter 2021 financial and operational results before North American markets open on Friday, May 7, 2021. In addition, the first quarter management's discussion and analysis and the unaudited consolidated financial statements will be available on our website at www.obsidianenergy.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov on or about the same date.

ADDITIONAL READER ADVISORIES

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking statements or information (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the "safe harbour" provisions of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "budget", "may", "will", "project", "could", "plan", "intend", "should", "believe", "outlook", "objective", "aim", "potential", "target" and similar words suggesting future events or future performance. In particular, this document contains forward-looking statements pertaining to, without limitation, the following: our expected release date for our first quarter financial and operational results and other associated documents.

With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this document, we have made assumptions regarding, among other things, our quarter release date. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this document, and the assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are made, are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements included in this document, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the forward-looking statements contained herein will not be correct, which may cause our actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the factors described under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Information Form and described in our public filings, available in Canada at www.sedar.com and in the United States at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document. Except as expressly required by applicable securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

CONTACT

OBSIDIAN ENERGY

Suite 200, 207 - 9th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 1K3

Phone: 403-777-2500

Toll Free: 1-866-693-2707

Website: www.obsidianenergy.com;

Investor Relations:

Toll Free: 1-888-770-2633

E-mail: investor.relations@obsidianenergy.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81931
GUIN, Ala., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Deer Valley Corporation, a Florida corporation ("DVC" or the "Company") (OTCMKTS: DVLY) announced that it entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated April 7, 2021 (the "Merger Agreement") with Deer Valley Merger Sub, Inc., a Florida corporation ("Merger Sub"), and Peerless Homes Corporation (the "Parent"), pursuant to which the parties completed a short form merger of Merger Sub with and into DVC, with DVC being the surviving corporation (the "Short Form Merger"). The Short Form Merger was recorded by the Florida Department of State on April 26, 2021, effective as of April 20, 2021.

Background and Transaction

Prior to completion of the Short Form Merger, the Parent owned in excess of 80% of the outstanding capital of DVC and 100% of Merger Sub. The Board of Directors of DVC, the Merger Sub, and the Parent, each approved the Short Form Merger. Approval by the shareholders of DVC was not required for the Short Form Merger. No regulatory or third party approvals are required.

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Short Form Merger resulted in (1) the Merger Sub being merged with and into DVC, with DVC being the surviving entity, (2) each share of DVC's common stock issued and outstanding immediately on the effective date of the Merger (other than shares owned by the Parent) converted into the right to receive $0.91 in cash per share (the "Merger Share Price"), (3) Parent retaining the issued and outstanding shares it owns in DVC, resulting in Parent owning 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock of DVC, the surviving corporation, upon completion of the Short Form Merger, and (4) the current directors and officers of DVC remained as the directors and officers of DVC, the surviving corporation. The Merger Share Price was determined by an independent appraiser.

Each record shareholder may elect to assert his, her or its statutory appraisal rights pursuant to Florida Statutes, 607.1301-607.1340. DVC is mailing to all record shareholders information concerning (a) his, her or its statutory appraisal rights, and (b) payment of the Merger Share Price (the "Shareholder Mailing").

About Deer Valley

DVC designs and manufacture factory-built homes marketed through a network of independent dealers, builders, developers and government agencies located primarily in the southeastern and southcentral regions of the United States. DVC is dedicated to building premier heavily constructed high-quality, energy-efficient homes for our valued homebuyer.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", " expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning the Transaction. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, DVC disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, DVC undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

CONTACT: Steve Lawler

205-468-8400

SOURCE Deer Valley Homebuilders
Mumbai: Bollywood stars John Abraham and Emraan Hashmi starrer action thriller Mumbai Saga will have its digital premiere on Amazon Prime Video on Tuesday (April 27).

Amazon Prime Video took to Instagram on Monday (April 26) and announced the digital premiere of the recently released film.

They wrote, "@TheJohnAbrahamv/s @emraanhashmi Whose side are you on? The chase begins tonight, watch #MumbaiSagaOnPrime."

Directed by Sanjay Gupta, the film features an ensemble star cast including John and Emraan in the lead alongside Mahesh Manjrekar, Kajal Aggarwal, Suniel Shetty, Prateik Babbar, Rohit Roy, Amole Gupte, Samir Soni, Gulshan Grover, and Anjana Sukhani.

Mumbai Saga is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Anuradha Gupta, and Sangeeta Ahir.

The plot of the film chronicles a fictional story of the duel between Amartya Rao (John Abraham) and Senior Inspector Vijay Sawarkar (Emraan Hashmi) that explores different tangents of hopes, aspirations, friendships and betrayals against the backdrop of Mumbai in the early 90s.

However, Mumbai Saga is a tale of the Bombay that it was and the Mumbai that it became. Talking about the digital release of the film, the Force actor said, "The movie released in cinema halls this March and I am delighted with the response from fans who watched the movie. Mumbai Saga will now premiere on Amazon Prime Video and this feeling of sharing our hard work across the world is amazing. Mumbai Saga is my third project with Sanjay after having worked together on Zinda and Shootout at Wadala.

I absolutely love working with him as I believe he brings out the best in me and more importantly, he understands the pulse of the audience and delivers films that are loved by them. Mumbai Saga is an out and out entertainer, the audiences will enjoy. I essay the character of Amartya Rao, a gangster, which is very different from the ones I have done in the past. It was a delight to work alongside Emraan for the very first time. We shared some great moments on the set while shooting for the film, he added.

Speaking about his collaboration with Sanjay Gupta for the first time in Mumbai Saga, the Murder star said, I am thrilled to announce the digital premiere of Mumbai Saga on Amazon Prime Video. Mumbai Saga is very close to my heart.

Vijay Savarkars character, while being a cop, has some grey shades to it, and that's something that excited me to take this role on. Sanjay is a prolific director who has created the most iconic action films in Indian cinema, and I was thrilled when he approached me to take on this powerful role,"said Hashmi.

The gangster drama produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Anuradha Gupta, and Sangeeta Ahir, was released in theatres on March 19.
AUSTIN, Texas, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Esper Regulatory Technologies is pleased to announce its recent partnership with the New Hampshire Department of Education, where the agency will utilize Esper's policy management platform to support their regulatory work.

"Our mission is to help agencies focus on policy, not paperwork. From day one, NH Department of Education has been focused on unlocking efficiencies and driving best practices in regulation. We're excited to roll out Esper to support their work," says Esper CEO Maleka Momand.
The African telecommunications giant MTN Group has confirmed yesterdays news that it is involved in a bid for a telecoms licence in Ethiopia.

Africas second most-populous country, as we are often reminded, represents one of the last telecommunication liberalisation opportunities in the world, and certainly the largest.

MTN has also confirmed that it is participating with equity partners, although only one, the Silk Road Fund, a Chinese state-owned investment fund, has been confirmed. Other partners will be disclosed on a successful bid outcome, the company has said.

MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita was quoted as saying, Ethiopia provides the largest telecommunication and digital services growth opportunity in Africa over the medium term and fits into our pan-Africa focus and platform strategy. We are being guided by our capital allocation framework in our assessment of this opportunity.

He also suggested that MTNs participation is aligned with the companys, Ambition 2025 strategy, focusing on capturing growth from digital acceleration across the continent. Ambition 2025, is, we are told, anchored in building the largest and most valuable platform business with a clear focus on Africa.

The Ethiopian licence award, if MTN wins it, will greatly expand an already impressive MTN subscriber base. At the end of 2020, MTN Group had 280 million subscribers across 21 markets.

As our report yesterday indicated, MTN may not have long to wait to find out whether it will be able to offer services in Ethiopia. A senior advisor at the Ethiopian finance ministry believes it should not take more than a week for the winners of the two operating licences on offer to be announced.
Nigeria's National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has fined Channels Television 13,000 ($9,300) for airing an interview with a banned group, breaching the broadcast code.



It also suspended one of its popular shows, Politics Today, which did the interview.



"The commission referred to Channels 7.00 pm live broadcast programme of Sunday, 25 April 2021, in which it accused the TV station of allowing a leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, (Ipob) to make secessionist and inciting declarations on air without caution or reprimand by the station," the Vanguard newspaper website said.



Ipob campaigns for the independence of Nigeria's south-eastern region, where the ethnic Igbo people form the majority. It is outlawed in Nigeria, which labelled it a terrorist organisation in 2017.



In a statement signed by Acting Director-General Prof Armstrong Idachaba, NBC also accused Channels TV of allowing the leader to make derogatory, false and misleading statements about the Nigerian army, the Daily Nigerian news website reported.



On Saturday, security forces killed Commander Ikonso Don and six other militia members of Ipob's armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, during an early morning raid on their hideout in the southern Imo State.



In October last year, Channels TV was one of three privately owned television stations that were fined by NBC for unprofessional coverage of the EndSars protests against police brutality and the crisis that followed.

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
Couple Welcome 200 Million to One Premature Identical Triplets in Britain

A couple have defied the odds of 200 million to one to welcome one of the most premature sets of identical triplets ever to be born in Britain.

Parents Lauren and Jack Mountain, from Bewdley, Worcs, were shocked to learn during their 12-week scan that they were not expecting their first child, but their first three.

When we found out we were having triplets it was a complete shock, we couldnt believe it, Lauren, 28, said. It was pretty hard to process and get our heads around it as there are no twins or multiples in the family.

Lauren, who works as a sustainability adviser, shared that the couple were worried about how they would manage to look after three kids at the same time because her husband has been the only child and they had always envisioned having a small family themselves.

It took a few weeks to process, then we became really excited, Lauren said.

The first-time parents were referred to a specialist following their 12-week scan, due to a high risk of TTTS (twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome) because of the shared placenta. As it was a high-risk pregnancy, Lauren said they were a bit scared and a bit nervous.

We FaceTimed family and friends to break the news and see the reaction on their faces, Lauren said. A lot of people couldnt believe it and thought we were having them on. We had to show them the scan pictures to prove there really were three of them.

At their 16-week scan, the then-expectant parents were told by doctors that the triplets would be boys. The excited parents then began choosing names.

Because there were three there was less pressure than having to choose one name, Lauren said. We went for unusual names because they are so unusual themselves.

Although Jack, 29, a plumber and heating engineer, was nervous initially, he was excited once he knew that the pregnancy was going well.

Due to the pandemic, Jack was unable to be with his wife during her hospital scans, which he admits was hard.

Laurens waters broke 10 weeks early and Jack rushed her to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

I had to go under general anesthetic, Lauren said. It was very intense because they were born within eight hours.

On Jan. 16, the triplets, River, Beau, and Leo, were born via emergency C-section within six minutes of each other. River and Beau weighed 3lb 1oz (1. 39 kg) while Leo weighed in at 3lb (1.36 kg) after being born at 6.59 a.m., 7.04 a.m., and 7:06 a.m. respectively.

I woke up 12 hours later when they were already in the neonatal unit so I didnt meet them until later that night, Lauren said. I saw them first on Jacks phone because hed been allowed to meet them earlier on.

The couple had been worried about not being able to be together because of restrictions due to the pandemic, but because it was an emergency delivery, Jack was able to be by Laurens side.

After the healthy birth, the couple were told that the odds of having naturally conceived identical triplets is one in 200 million.

Three identical is very rare, Lauren said. With triplets most of the time you get twins and one singleton.

Im in a Facebook group for triplet moms and there are a few that have been born more premature but none that are identical and naturally conceived.

Beau and Leo have now returned home with their mom and dad while River remains in hospital as he still requires breathing assistance.

Its been a very tiring few weeks, months actuallybut we are doing good now, Lauren said. Its madness with Beau and Leo at home and we are going back and forth to hospital to see River every day.

It is bittersweet being able to take the two home and leaving River in the hospital when he is otherwise so strong and healthy. We are just waiting for him to grow a little bit more and build up his lung strength so he can come home.

The couple believe the situation is very hard, but they have been able to be hopeful and believe that River would be able to join the family in weeks, rather than months, although Lauren said everything depends on the baby.

However, the new parents are grateful to have some support from the boys grandparents who have been able to look after Leo and Beau while they visit River in the hospital, or even when they take a shower.

As for telling the triplets apart, Lauren said currently only she, Jack, and a few family members are able to tell them apart. The new mom said even the nurses at the hospital found it hard to tell the triplets apart.

There are differences in their head shape we use to distinguish them but they might grow out of those, Lauren said.

Epoch Times Staff contributed to this report.

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
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 14:07:24|Editor: huaxia

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MANILA -- A Philippine Air Force (PAF) helicopter crashed into the waters off Getafe town in central Philippine Bohol province on Tuesday morning, a military spokesman said.

Lieutenant Colonel Maynard Mariano said the MD520MG attack helicopter was on maintenance flight when it went down around 9:30 a.m. local time. (Philippines-Helicopter Crash)

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ULAN BATOR -- Mongolia reported 1,098 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing its national tally to 32,437, the country's National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) said Monday.

Six of the latest confirmed cases were imported from abroad, and the remaining ones were locally transmitted, the NCCD said in a statement. (Mongolia-COVID-19)

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SEOUL -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday that the time is approaching for the resumption of dialogue with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), emphasizing the importance of the Panmunjom Declaration announced three years earlier.

"The Panmunjom Declaration is a milestone of peace that can not be harmed by anyone. The path of peace, promised in the declaration, can not be set back under any circumstance," Moon told a regular cabinet meeting, according to the presidential Blue House. (South Korea-DPRK-Dialogue)

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WASHINGTON -- As the United States is hoarding COVID-19 vaccines, many developing countries are still struggling to get access to doses, with exacerbating inequality of vaccine access, according to U.S. media.

"In India, just 1.4 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated, and overwhelmed hospitals have been running short of oxygen. Meanwhile, in the United States -- where one in four Americans are fully vaccinated and more than 40 percent have gotten at least the first dose," said a report published by the Washington Post on Sunday. (US-Vaccine Inequities-COVID-19)

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BELGRADE -- Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic welcomed another batch of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccines together with Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo at the Belgrade Airport on Monday.

Together with the latest shipment, vaccine doses that have been delivered from China will help Serbia reach the target of vaccinating 37 percent of its population by the end of April, said Brnabic. (Serbia-China-Sinopharm vaccines) Enditem
President Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Florin Citu on Tuesday will join, at 1.30 p.m., the "Together with Veterans" campaign organised by the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) on the occasion of the National Day of War Veterans, reports agerpres.

The event takes place at the National Military Centre. Also, Custodian of the Crown Margaret and Prince Radu will be at this event and will symbolically wrap gifts for World War II veterans.

The "Together with Veterans" campaign started on April 23 being organised by the Ministry of National Defence in partnership with the "Together with Heroes" Association. It will take place over several days and will include an action to distribute gift baskets on the occasion of the Easter Holidays for all the 2,610 war veterans in Romania, as well as for the eight in the Republic of Moldova. The distribution of the baskets to the war veterans will take place between April 28-30.
Biden, Modi have phone conversation on tackling COVID-19

Xinhua) 09:14, April 27, 2021

Combo photo of U.S. President Joe Biden (L) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Xinhua)

The United States is providing India with a range of emergency assistance, including oxygen-related supplies, vaccine materials, and therapeutics, the White House said.

WASHINGTON, April 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday promised to support India hit hard by COVID-19 in a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House said.

Biden pledged "America's steadfast support for the people of India who have been impacted by the recent surge in COVID-19 cases," the White House said in a statement.

The United States is providing India with a range of emergency assistance, including oxygen-related supplies, vaccine materials, and therapeutics, said the statement.

The phone call between the two leaders came amid mounting pressure for the Biden administration to lend a hand to India.

Last Thursday, when asked about whether the United States would lift the export ban of vaccine raw materials, State Department spokesman Ned Price said that "it's in the interests of the rest of the world to see Americans vaccinated." His remarks drew criticism among the Indian public and health experts.

India is witnessing a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. On Monday morning, the country reported the world's biggest-ever daily surge with 352,991 new cases and 2,812 related deaths in the past 24 hours.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
Chandigarh, April 27 : The Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority on Tuesday said it has issued regulations for the sale of an apartment or a building in any real estate project on carpet area basis regulations only.

The Gurugram-based regulator warned that penal proceedings would be initiated against the promoter or the real estate agent violating the instructions.

The sale on super area basis shall be treated as fraudulent and an unfair trade practice by the promoter, said a statement quoting Chairman K.K. Khandelwal.

The conveyance deed shall be executed only on carpet area basis. The sale of apartment or building is only on the carpet area basis. So the sale of super area or any other basis is illegal, it said.

Khandelwal said the "definition of super area as provided in various builder-buyer agreements is vague and there are wide variations in the definitions".

"The property in real estate projects is not properly described by way of mentioning super area without specifically giving details and breakup of the components included in the super area. The practice of sale of the real estate on super area basis is misleading, ambiguous, opaque, and gives rise to confusion and complexities and at times result into avoidable litigation," he said.

These regulations have been made by the authority to ensure sale of plot, apartment, or building, as the case may be, or sale of real estate project, in an efficient and transparent manner and to protect the interest of consumers in the real estate sector, he said.

Noting that before Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act of 2016 came into existence, there was lack of a legal description for the term 'carpet area', he said the Act has provided specific and concrete definition of carpet area which now has addressed the vagueness and uncertainty in this regard.
Mumbai, April 27 : Actor Arslan Goni is currently seen playing the negative character of Lala in the series "Main Hero Boll Raha Hun". However, he shares that he wasn't confident about taking up such a character at first.

"I was skeptical about playing the negative role but (producer) Ekta (Kapoor) was sure about me as Lala, and I am very glad whatever creative freedom I had to play a negative character, I wouldn't have that in a positive character. I could add on to my emotions and expressions and had a space to explore Lala in his own form," Arslan tells IANS.

The actor also believes that working in an OTT show has its perks.

"Acting on an OTT platform we don't need to filter any emotions, it can be raw and justifiable. Ekta was also happy with my performance, it was a very interesting character to play as I have never ventured into something like this before, " says Arslan.
As Joe Biden prepares for his first address to a joint session of Congress, security at the US Capitol has shifted into overdrive to ensure the safety of both the president and the lawmakers who will gather to hear him.

The continued targeting of the Capitol  first during the 6 January insurrection by Donald Trump loyalists, then later by Noah Green, a 25-year-old member of the Nation of Islam who rammed his car into a Capitol Police Officer, killing him  has caused security personnel at the seat of the federal legislature to prepare beyond the already heightened security levels demanded by a joint meeting of Congress with the president in attendance.

Typically, hundreds of members of Congress, many of the Supreme Court justices and many other government officials attend the president's speeches to the assembled Congress.

However, this year the event has been designated a "National Special Security Event," and the Secret Service will oversee preparations. As a result  and due to the ongoing pandemic  the number of people allowed inside during Mr Biden's address will be greatly reduced, from 1,600 to just 200.

The Capitol has been surrounded with steel mesh fence, and more than 2,250 National Guard troops representing 18 states plus the District of Columbia have been tasked with defending the building.

The District of Columbias city government have asked for help managing protests that might arise in response to Mr Bidens speech on Wednesday. City officials have asked the Pentagon to authorise their use of the National Guard in order to bolster their police force.

Thus far, that authorisation has not been granted.

Access to the speech is by invite only  primarily due to Covid-19 precautions  and anyone without an invite to the event must leave the Capitol by 5pm on Wednesday.

The House of Representatives is not in session this week, so many lawmakers are not in Washington, as they have been working from home.

Both the Democrats and the Republicans have been given a limited pool of invitations to the speech.

While Democrats will likely exhaust their invitations, House Republicans are participating in a private retreat to Florida this week. It is unlikely they will leave to listen to Mr Biden's speech live.

Only one Supreme Court Justice, Chief Justice John Roberts, was invited. He said he planned to attend.

While Mr Biden's speech may have similarities to the State of the Union, a US presidents first official speech to Congress is considered a joint address. Speeches in subsequent years, once the president has served a longer tenure, are then considered State of the Union addresses.
JB Hi-Fi boss Richard Murray has been poached by billionaire rag trader Solomon Lew to lead his fashion empire Premier Investments, with the appointment blindsiding the electronics retailers board and investors.

The two businesses told shareholders on Wednesday morning that Mr Murray, who has been at the helm of JB Hi-Fis for the last seven years, would replace Premiers former chief executive Mark McInnes at the end of August. JB Hi-Fi will be led by Terry Smart, the current head of the electronics retailers Good Guys unit.

Billionaire Solomon Lew and the new head of his business empire Premier Retail, Richard Murray.

Its understood Mr Lew directly approached the JB Hi-Fi boss to offer him the job. The industry veteran told investors on Wednesday that Mr Murray was unquestionably one of the best retailers in Australia and would be a significant boon to the Smiggle and Peter Alexander owner.

Richards appointment continues Premiers track record of recruiting and retaining the best executives in the industry, Mr Lew said.
When Joe Biden speaks in front of both houses of Congress on Wednesday, it will be the first time he does so as US President.

Mr Biden is expected to address the coronavirus pandemic and a range of other issues in front of members of Congress, on what will be the eve of 100 days of being in office.

It follows an invitation for Mr Biden to deliver a "vision for addressing the challenges and opportunities of this historic moment," from House speaker Nancy Pelosi.

It will not be an official State of the Union address, although the two speeches are almost identical, in accordance with tradition for US presidents.

The first speech in front of both houses of Congress  also called a joint session  is not a State of the Union address.

That is scheduled for the years following a presidents inauguration, because in theory, a president is unable to speak about the State of the Union after a few weeks of being in office.

Typically, the annual speech from the president to Congress  whether in the form of a joint address or a State of the Union  takes place in February.

But following the 6 January Capitol riot and continuing Covid restrictions, Mr Bidens first speech was delayed.

Four years ago, former president Donald Trump called for a new chapter of American greatness in front of a joint session of Congress.

Because of Covid restrictions, Mr Biden will be speaking in front of a select few members of Congress from both political parties, with social distancing and other restrictions in force.

The address is also designated as a National Special Security Event, with the Secret Service in control of planning and security, in the aftermath of the January insurrection on the Capitol by supporters of Mr Trump.

Following the address from Mr Biden, Republican Sen Tim Scott of South Carolina will deliver a response to the speech. Progressive members of Mr Bidens party are also expected to deliver their own response.
KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Kansas City Life Insurance Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share on April 26, 2021. The dividend will be payable on May 12, 2021, to stockholders of record on May 6, 2021.

Kansas City Life Insurance Company (OTCQX: KCLI) was established in 1895 and is based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Company's primary business is providing financial protection through the sale of life insurance and annuities. The Company operates in 49 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, please visit www.kclife.com.

SOURCE Kansas City Life Insurance

Related Links

http://www.kclife.com


Today, dentsu international launched a new internal initiative for its 11,000 employees in 17 markets in Asia Pacific, entitled Common Ground.

Common Ground is a way for employees at dentsu to make connections in other markets and regions based on their common interests, whether thats food, sport, music, travel, books, film or as obscure as stamp collecting. By using common interests as a way to reflect diversity, dentsu believes its people will shine through.

The team had a compelling start point: what if the pandemics impact on virtual meetings was an opportunity to bring people together across APAC? How could the network get its people to see through different windows and expand their perspectives? What if the virtual environment became the most unfiltered way to strike a conversation, beyond the work itself? To find out, they piloted the program with eight volunteers with incredible outcomes and have scaled it to the rest of the region.

Anyone at dentsu APAC is able to participate by applying through a matching form, where dentsu twins are matched for a surprise 30-minute phone call.

Dentsus DEI lead in APAC, Merlee Jayme partnered with Gautam Reghunath, CEO, Dentsu Webchutney, to bring this initiative to life for diversity month. Believing that building strong relationships by understanding each others backgrounds is a big step to diversity she said People are at the heart of every great creative business and dentsu is a hallmark of that. With a clear strategy on how we want to build our identity in the region, bringing our people together in a fun, informal way is a meaningful start. Were thrilled with Common Ground volunteers in Japan, Thailand, India, Philippines, and Australia exchanging Instagram handles and making travel plans to countries already. Common Ground has something for everyone at dentsu, and were proud to launch during diversity month. I cant wait to see how it bring people together in new ways across our network.

Ashish Bhasin, CEO, dentsu APAC said, Our talent is as ingenious as they are diverse. Dentsu has always bet on the serendipitous connections across regions and fostering that kind of networking in such an organic manner is going to take us to new places. In a data-rich world, Im proud all the pairings will happen based on actual interests and actual people. The team has asked me to be patient before I get to meet my dentsu twin!
A 10,000 fine for breaching coronavirus laws could be proportionate for someone like Rita Ora, according to a Government minister.

Kit Malthouse told MPs a fixed penalty notice of that size  designed to be a serious deterrent against flouting restrictions  may be appropriate for someone like the pop star, who had enjoyed international success.

The policing minister made the comments after being asked by members of the Commons Justice Committee whether a 10,000 fine was a proportionate amount to pay for a Covid breach.

The fines were introduced to address indoor gatherings and others considered super-spreader events which were seen as extremely dangerous and often took place in virus hotspots, he said, telling MPs they were meant to be a serious deterrent to bring significant consequences for such behaviour.

But he pointed out that fixed penalty notices can be challenged in court and it is then for the court to decide what is an appropriate amount depending on individual circumstances.

He said: Now if you are Rita Ora, who happened to fall foul I think at one point, then probably 10,000 might be proportionate given that very talented performers enormous success internationally  that might be a fine that is proportionate.

But for others who still committed the same offence, but want to challenge it in court, then its for the court to decide how they can achieve the same impact financially on that individually.

The pop star apologised last year for an inexcusable error of judgment after admitting breaching lockdown restrictions when she held a small gathering at a west London restaurant to celebrate her 30th birthday.

The incident was described as one of the most egregious, and certainly the most notorious, breaches of the regulations committed on licensed premises by police lawyers at a subsequent licence review hearing for the restaurant.

At the time it was understood Ms Ora offered to pay any fine imposed as a result of her actions.

Police later confirmed four people were reported for coronavirus rule breaches but would not disclose details about any fines that may have been issued.

It comes after a group of MPs and peers branded coronavirus fines muddled, discriminatory and unfair and called for a review of all of those issued under lockdown laws.

The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) said the system criminalises the poor over the better-off and no Covid-19 fine should result in a criminal record.

Significant concerns about the validity of the fines, the inadequacy of the review and appeal process, the size of the penalties and the criminalisation of those who cannot afford to pay were set out in a report.
AstraZeneca is facing a lawsuit charge filed by the European Union (EU) on Monday, Apr.26. The international organization complained about the delivery delays for the COVID-19 vaccine in the continent.

Why EU Sued AstraZeneca

There was an agreement between AstraZeneca and the 27 members of the EU about the delivery of the vaccine. It was stated that the union has requested the British-Swedish manufacturer to produce 300 million doses at the end of June.

Additionally, there was an extra 100 million that was considered an option in the negotiation. However, the postponements of the COVID-19 vaccines persisted which prompted the organization to file charges over a missed contract.

It was expected in the first half of 2021, the vaccine maker should have sent 100 million doses already, yet only a third of the supplies have been delivered.

Read Also: COVID-19: Social Distancing at '6-Foot-Rule' Does Not Guarantee Safety [STUDY]

Earlier this week, European Commission spokesperson, Stefan De Keersmaecker said that what triggered them to sue AstraZeneca is its unreliable tactic to deliver the vaccines on time. There was also a continuous breach of contract that the company has failed to obey.

De Keersmaecker highlighted that the lawsuit happened in Brussels, Belgium last Friday, Apr.23. Moreover, he added that there will be an upcoming hearing on Wednesday, Apr. 28.

AstraZeneca 'Regrets' EU's Decision on Filing a Lawsuit

After the EU finalized its legal action, AstraZeneca stated that it has "regrets" over the org's decision. Furthermore, the company disapproved that it has breached its contract, CNN reported.

"Following an unprecedented year of scientific discovery, very complex negotiations, and manufacturing challenges, our company is about to deliver almost 50 [million] doses to European countries by the end of April, in line with our forecast," the company said."

It added that it has complied with the EU's Advance Purchase Agreement. At the time, AstraZeneca seems to be ready for the legal action initiated by the organization.

However, EU officials were pointing out that the company has failed to meet its targets mentioned in the agreement. They added that what they prioritize right now is the fast delivery that is agreed upon within the contract's basis.

Over the past months, AstraZeneca has been on the sideline while facing a lot of controversies. Previously, the company has received criticism when it comes to the data on clinical trials in the United States and Europe.

There was general advice from numerous nations from Europe that there should be a postponement of shots for older adults. This is because they become doubtful in taking a jab due to the discrepancy in the trial data on the said age bracket.

Some reports about the AstraZeneca vaccine have caught the attention of the world. The blood clotting condition that happens when a patient receives the AstraZeneca vaccine has brought panic to the nation. This scenario has prompted the countries to limit vaccine usage to old groups only.

This was an action imposed by Denmark on the COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer. It has ordered operations to be stopped following the effects of the vaccine on some patients.

On Friday, Apr. 30, AstraZeneca will submit its Q1 financial report.

Related Article: COVID-19 Vaccination 'Finish Line:' How Would the People Return to Normalcy?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
BANTAM  A group of investors has purchased the Bantam Cinema, with plans to make it a nonprofit and open in September.

The new organization will be called the Bantam Cinema & Arts Center, Inc., and will offer movies and other activities.

Litchfield resident Jodiann Tenney said a plan to purchase the moviehouse, which first opened in the late 1920s, have been in the works since last summer. The cinemas former owners, including Sidney Koch and Ken Merz have been trying to find a buyer for a number of years, and officially closed it in March 2020.

Its kind of interesting, how it happened, Tenney said. We started reaching out to Sidney Koch and Ken Merz, the other owners, and a couple of us made offers and they were rejected. But Ken knew that for the cinema to succeed, it would need either a super-rich person to run it, or for it to become a nonprofit. Ken was really the linchpin that made this happen.

The cinema on Route 209 in the Borough of Bantam was originally called The Rivoli, and opened to the public in 1929. Located at 115 Bantam Lake Road/Route 209, it includes a two-story, 3,200-square-foot building with two indoor theaters, each with seating for 100 people.

Emily Olson

From its initial opening until shuttering during the pandemic in March 2020, the Bantam Cinema had been Connecticut's oldest continuously-operating movie house, a home for movies and the people who love them since the beginning of the talkies, Tenney said.

During the previous owners tenure, the cinema offered a variety of events and movie screenings of independent and foreign films such as The Times of Bill Cunningham, about the famous fashion photographer; Fleabag, a play from London made into a film; and Londons stage version on film of All About Eve. The theater sometimes welcomed directors or screenwriters to talk about their work before the screenings.

Members of the Bantam Cinema & Arts Center are now seeking community support to help with necessary building updates, according to Tenney. Working alongside architect Julia Metcalf, the board has created a long-term, phased plan for building improvements. The renovations are necessary not only for comfort and aesthetics, but also for the safety of the theater's patrons, volunteers, and employees.

We need money, and weve applied for grants, Tenney said. We want to restore it; it needs a lot of work. To really sustain it for the next 100 years, were going to have to do a lot of fundraising. Weve applied for the Shuttered Venues Grant (a federal program for arts organizations), but we wont hear about that for at least a month.

Emily Olson

The groups vision for the cinema is to continue to show independent films.

We really want to stick to the great films the cinema has always show; thought-provoking films, but we also want to expand to offer small, live performances, local musicians, local art; maybe a cabaret night or open mic night. We want to turn it into an arts center for film and art, said Tenney, who will serve as executive director when the building reopens in the fall.

They have also applied for a liquor license. We want to have a vibe like the Gilson Theater (in Winsted) with a lounge-type feel, she said.

But we also want to do more family programming. The audiences before have been an older crowd, so we want to make it available to families, too, Tenney said.

The cinema and arts center officials hope to collaborate with community organizations through partnerships, for example, for school field trips and screenings. It will also seek to highlight films produced by Connecticut filmmakers, which will include post movie discussions with filmmakers or actors. Student theater classes or presentations, a film or movie camp and forums are all possibilities, Tenney said.

The size of the theater is small, so were limited in some ways, but the idea of connecting with schools  wed love to do that, she said. Were all really excited. What we want to say is, we really want this to be a community arts center. Its an endeavor for the community.

The cinema is next door to Woods Pit BBQ & Mexican Cafe. Around the corner on Route 202 is the Bantam Borough Hall, a variety of restaurants, a market, salons and other businesses. Just down the hill on Route 202 is the Bantam Arts Building, which houses a variety of businesses and art studios.

The new owners want people to consider the cinema their own.

"We want the community to know that, now as a non-profit, the Bantam Cinema & Arts Center belongs to them. We are getting the ball rolling, but the community needs to show its love for it by supporting it as patrons, members, volunteers, and/or donors," Tenney said.

For more information, contact Tenney at execdir@bantamcinema.com, 860-733-2108 or Kennedy Cogan, president/board of directors, kennedy.bantam@gmail.com, 646-483-9711

Emily Olson

To Donate, go to www.bantamcinema.org
New Delhi: India ordered its armed forces on Monday (April 26) to help tackle surging new coronavirus infections, as nations including Britain, Germany and the United States pledged urgent medical aid to try to contain an emergency overwhelming the countrys hospitals.

In a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat said oxygen would be sent to hospitals from armed forces reserves and retired medical military personnel would join COVID-19 health facilities.

Wherever possible, military medical infrastructure will be made available to civilians, a government statement said, as new coronavirus infections hit a record peak for a fifth day.

"Air, Rail, Road & Sea; Heaven & earth are being moved to overcome challenges thrown up by this wave of COVID19," Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Twitter.

Air, Rail, Road & Sea; Heaven & earth are being moved to overcome challenges thrown up by this wave of #COVID19 Salute #CovidWarriors expediting supply of oxygen tankers, concentrators, equipment & meds across borders@PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA @MoCA_GoI @RailMinIndia @shipmin_india pic.twitter.com/l2WkC570DZ  Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) April 26, 2021

PM Narendra Modi said he had spoken to the U.S. President Joe Biden about the crisis, discussing supply chains for COVID-19 vaccine raw materials and medicines. On Sunday Biden said his country would send medical supplies to India to help fight the pandemic.

PM Modi has urged all citizens to get vaccinated and to exercise caution amid what he called a "storm" of infections, while hospitals and doctors in some northern states posted urgent notices saying they were unable to cope with the influx.

In some of the worst-hit cities, bodies were being burnt in makeshift facilities offering mass cremations.

The situation in the worlds second most populous country is "beyond heartbreaking", World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, adding that WHO is sending extra staff and supplies including oxygen concentrator devices.

Lockdowns:

The southern state of Karnataka, home to the tech city of Bengaluru, ordered a 14-day lockdown from Tuesday, joining the western industrial state of Maharashtra, where lockdowns run until May 1, although some states were also set to lift lockdown measures this week.

The patchy curbs, complicated by local elections and mass festival gatherings, could prompt breakouts elsewhere, as infections rose by 352,991 in the last 24 hours, with crowded hospitals running out of oxygen supplies and beds.

"Currently the hospital is in beg-and-borrow mode and it is an extreme crisis situation," said a spokesman for the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in the capital, New Delhi.

Following a fire at a hospital in the western diamond industry hub of Surat, five COVID-19 patients died after being moved to other hospitals that lacked space in their intensive care units, a municipal official told Reuters.

One of the national television channels broadcasted images of three health workers in the eastern state of Bihar pulling a body along the ground on its way to cremation, as stretchers ran short.

"If youve never been to a cremation, the smell of death never leaves you," Vipin Narang, a political science professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, said on Twitter.

"My heart breaks for all my friends and family in Delhi and India going through this hell."

In Russia, which expects 50 million doses of its Sputnik V vaccine to be made each month in India this summer, a Kremlin spokesman expressed concern over the situation.

India, with a population of 1.3 billion, has an official tally of 17.31 million infections and 195,123 deaths, after 2,812 deaths overnight, health ministry data showed, although health experts say the figures probably run higher.

The surge in infections hit oil prices amid worries about a fall in fuel demand in the world's third-biggest oil importer.

Political rally backlash:

Several cities have ordered curfews, while police enforce social distancing and mask-wearing. Politicians, especially PM Modi, have faced criticism for holding rallies during state election campaigns that draw thousands into packed stadiums.

About 8.6 million voters were expected to cast ballots on Monday in the eastern state of West Bengal, in the final phases of a contest set to wrap up this week. Also voting in local elections was the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, which has been reporting an average of 30,000 infections a day.

Virologists said more infectious variants of the virus, including an Indian one, have fuelled the resurgence.

The government told people to stay indoors and follow hygiene protocols.

Vaccine demand has outpaced supply as the inoculation campaign widened this month, while companies struggle to boost output, partly because of a shortage of raw materials and a fire at a facility making the AstraZeneca dose.

However, the federal government will not import vaccines itself but expects states and companies to do so instead, in a step aimed at backing domestic manufacturers, two government officials told Reuters.

Neighbouring Bangladesh sealed its border with India for 14 days, though trade will continue. Air travel has been suspended since Bangladesh imposed a lockdown on April 14 to combat record infections and deaths.

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RTHK: Blinken warns Africa over China's motives

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday cautioned Africa to beware of China's growing role as he vowed a greater US commitment in talks with Nigeria and Kenya.

In what was billed as a virtual trip due to Covid-19 restrictions, the top US diplomat was holding talks with the two nations' leaders and "touring" sites including a US-funded mobile hospital and renewable energy project.

Responding to questions from young Africans who have studied in the United States, Blinken said he hoped that African nations approach all their relationships "with your eyes wide open."

"We're not asking anyone to choose between the United States or China, but I would encourage you to ask those tough questions, to dig beneath the surface, to demand transparency and to make informed choices about what is best for you and your countries," Blinken said.

The United States has increasingly had a competitive relationship with China, which has ramped up investment in Africa with a focus on natural resources and without claiming to advance democratic values.

Blinken pointed to concerns that a number of nations have been saddled with unsustainable debts after taking Chinese loans, with Zambia last year defaulting.

"You should be looking hard at whether when other countries come in to build a big infrastructure project, are they bringing their own workers with them or are they giving jobs to people in the country where they're making investments?" Blinken asked.

On the part of the United States, "We believe in Africa. We believe in the extraordinary potential."

"Your success is our success, and we want to invest in it but in the right way."

President Joe Biden has shown an early interest in Africa, even without specific initiatives, in contrast with his predecessor Donald Trump, who was the first US president in decades not to visit Africa while in office and notoriously was quoted as dismissing majority-black nations with an epithet.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, speaking to Blinken, thanked Biden for easing Trump's harsh restrictions on visas to the United States.

Buhari vowed to step up close security collaborations with the United States on hotspots including the Sahel.

"Nigeria and our security forces remain resolutely committed to continue them and addressing the root causes," he said.

"The support for important and strategic partners like the United States cannot be overstated." (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2021-04-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
U.S. drugmaker Merck & Co joined Gilead Sciences on Tuesday in lending support to India as the world's second-most populous country scrambles to address drug shortages and bring a raging new wave of COVID-19 cases under control.

Gilead said it would give India at least 450,000 vials of its antiviral drug remdesivir, while Merck said it was partnering with five Indian generic drugmakers to expand production and access to its experimental COVID-19 drug molnupiravir.

With the death toll from COVID-19 racing towards the 200,000-mark in India, medical supplies from across the world are being flown into the country to help overburdened hospitals struggling with a severe shortage of life-saving oxygen and drugs.

Nations including Britain, Germany and the United States have pledged support, while the World Health Organization said it was working to deliver 4,000 oxygen concentrators, calling the situation in India "beyond heartbreaking".

In addition, India expects to secure the biggest chunk of the 60 million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses that the United States will share globally, two Indian government sources told Reuters.

Gilead said on Monday it would help boost the production of remdesivir in India, where the drug is approved for restricted emergency use to treat severe COVID-19 cases, by offering technical assistance to its manufacturing partners.

Seven Indian companies have licensed the drug from Gilead, with a total installed capacity of about 3.9 million units per month. Gilead said the companies were scaling up their batch sizes and adding new manufacturing facilities and local contract manufacturers.

Hospitals are facing supply shortages of remdesivir due to indiscriminate use. The drug is being sold at over 10 times its listed price in the black market, stoking fears of hoarding as people queue up outside clinics and millions take to social media to secure supplies.

Earlier this month, India banned the export of the drug and the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) used to make it.

The WHO in November issued a conditional recommendation against the use of remdesivir in hospitalised patients due to doubts about its effectiveness in treating COVID-19, but India has continued to use it.

A senior Indian government health official said last week that remdesivir is only for those patients who need oxygen. "I am appealing that the hype over this medicine should be decreased, and it should be used in a rational manner," Vinod Kumar Paul said.

Merck said on Tuesday its partnership with Indian drugmakers, including Cipla Ltd and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, will give the companies license to supply molnupiravir to India and more than 100 low- and middle-income countries after the treatment is authorized.

Merck also said it would donate more than $5 million worth of oxygen-production equipment, masks, hand sanitizers and financial aid to India.

(Reporting by Trisha Roy in Bengaluru and Sayantani Ghosh in Singapore; Additional reporting by Anuron Mitra, Manojna Madipattla and Ankur Banerjee; Editing by Arun Koyyur and Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)
Let's get this straight.

Under new public health restrictions unveiled Monday by Premier Brian Pallister, no one will be allowed to visit another person's home, either indoors or outdoors, in any numbers, for at least four weeks.

But, at the same time, four people from different households can gather on the patio of a local bar or restaurant and share the same table without (obviously) having to wear masks.

And while gatherings of up to 10 people in a private backyard is no longer allowed, you can have a similar-sized gathering in a park or other public space.

If you're having trouble seeing the epidemiological wisdom in these rules, you are not alone.

This new round of public health restrictions  made necessary because of an alarming surge in new COVID-19 infections over the past two weeks  has been buried, once again, under a steaming pile of inconsistency that is casting serious doubt on Pallister's moral capacity to govern through the pandemic.

It should be noted that some of the restrictions make sense and are, in fact, way overdue.

The concession that allowed church-goers to take off their masks while attending an indoor service has thankfully been reversed; now, capacity for services has been reduced to no more than 10 people and worshippers must wear masks at all times.

For reasons that are not entirely clear, retail stores will have their capacities chopped again, while shopping mall food courts have been closed, which is probably a good idea.

And personal services, which involve very small numbers of people who are able to keep masks on during their procedures, have been left largely untouched.

But these reasonable decisions are largely obscured by the idiocy of the restaurant patio exception and the decision to allow groups of up to 10 to continue gathering outside, but only in public places.

With COVID-19 variants stalking us, there can be no reasonable explanation for allowing patio interactions. Clearly, the government is trying to throw some sort of bone to bars and restaurants, which are among the hardest hit businesses during the pandemic.

However, sharing a table (which does not allow for social distancing) and removing your mask (a necessity when eating and drinking) make any visit to a bar or restaurant risky.

The same concerns exist with outdoor social gatherings. The novel coronavirus is not less virulent in a public park than it is in someone's backyard. And while a public space is likely larger than most backyards, people who socialize in a park are likely to stand as close to others as they would in a private yard.

Which is to say, the risk is the same in both places.

At this critical stage in the pandemic, it's important the people in charge of the public health rules demonstrate they understand the basics of pandemic risk assessment, and that they are using the lessons of past mistakes to guide future actions.

The same concerns exist with outdoor social gatherings. The novel coronavirus is not less virulent in a public park than it is in someone's backyard. And while a public space is likely larger than most backyards, people who socialize in a park are likely to stand as close to others as they would in a private yard.

Pallister is not one of those people.

On Monday, he repeatedly said the third wave arrived "despite our best efforts" and that his government continues to respond "proactively" to control COVID-19 by introducing "the right kinds of restrictions, adopted at the right time to protect people in the right ways."

The premier should count himself lucky that acts of gross dishonesty are not punishable under the Public Health Act. None of what he said on Monday is even remotely true and his continued insistence on uttering those falsehoods defies all logic.

Even when he's asked directly about whether he takes any responsibility for the current surge in new infections, Pallister comes across as disingenuous. That was evident when a reporter dropped a snarky comment suggesting that in looking for the cause of the third wave, the premier should look in the mirror.

"I look in the mirror every day," Pallister shot back. "It's not that pleasant but I do it. And I look at myself for being responsible for every failure and I look at Manitobans being responsible for every success."

That's a pretty glib response. It was the premier's way of saying, 'You know, theoretically I'm totally responsible but then again, we've done everything we can and introduced the right restrictions at the right time. So, let's leave open the possibility that it's your fault.'

Manitobans might have been able to look beyond the dishonesty and the lack of accountability if somehow Pallister was able to eventually deliver public health rules that were fair and sensible. Rules that gave Manitobans a modicum of social and economic freedom, but under conditions that make them as safe as humanly possible.

As well, rules that clearly ban risky activities so that we can shorten the amount of time we have to live with restrictions of any kind.

Unfortunately, Monday dashed any hope this premier was going to wake up one day and, realizing the mistakes he had made in the past, embrace a new approach to pandemic rules that is based less on political gut instinct and more on science.

To the end, it seems, Pallister will be the picture of unrepentant and unaccountable.

And that makes him the wrong kind of leader, left in charge at the wrong time, coming up with the worst kinds of solutions.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
On April 5, Bridge Michigan reported that 246 fully vaccinated people in Michigan were later infected with the coronavirus, including 11 hospitalized and three who died. A spokesperson from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) was quoted by Bridge Michigan a week later that the deaths have since undergone a more detailed review, and all three had histories of earlier infections before vaccination. Moreover, neither COVID-19 nor any other acute respiratory infection was identified on the trios death certificates.

A child receives a COVID-19 test (Credit: Envato)

Vaccinations have shown to be safe and highly effective at reducing hospitalization and death. Recently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that out of 75 million people that had been fully vaccinated, there had been 5,800 reported infections, of which 396 required hospitalization, of which 74 died. While the deaths might appear to be literally one in a million, many of the 75 million continued to quarantine and social distance, and so were protected by other means than just the vaccine.

An alarming study published by the CDC last week was based on an investigation conducted by the Kentucky Department for Public Health on a COVID-19 outbreak at a skilled nursing facility attributed to an unvaccinated symptomatic health care worker.

It was reported that 75 of the 83 residents (90.4 percent) had already received both doses of the Pfizer mRNA vaccine, while only 61 (53 percent) of the 116 health care personnel had completed their immunization. The investigation found that 26 residents and 20 workers were diagnosed with a COVID-19 infection. Eighteen of the infected residents and four infected workers were beyond the 14-day window of their second dose.

The CDC report mentioned that the genetic sequencing of the virus identified it as an R.1 lineage variant, characterized by the E484K and other mutations within the spike protein. Though this variant has not been classified as a variant of concern or interest, it possesses several mutations known to make it more transmissible and immune evading.

The report attempts to downplay concerns raised by the infection of fully vaccinated individuals arguing that the attack rate was four times higher among unvaccinated individuals. Those who were vaccinated were much less symptomatic and required fewer hospitalizations. However, one fully vaccinated resident did die. The infection rate among vaccinated residents was 24 percent. Among the health care workers, it was 6.6 percent. These findings raise serious and critical questions about the safety of a reopening campaign relying largely on vaccines to assure the public they are safe from catching and spreading the infection.

Though vaccinations have demonstrated their ability to reduce the chance of hospitalizations and death, vaccination alone is wholly inadequate to stop the pandemic. The quantitative assessment of viral transmission among vaccinated people is woefully lacking, and suppositions like those made by the CDC are premature and ill-conceived, motivated by pressures to reopen all aspects of commerce. There is also the issue that a significant number of the US population has yet to receive a vaccine dose.

Dr. Nick Gilpin, medical director of infection prevention and epidemiology at Beaumont Health in Michigan, recently referred to the crisis plaguing his state as a runaway train. The slow rollout has meant that Michigan has vaccinated less than a third of its population and, without a massively expanded rollout, many more will suffer and die needlessly or suffer the consequences of its acute and chronic health complications, which are considerable. As evidenced by recent disturbing reports of younger people and children becoming infected and hospitalized, no one should assume they are impervious.

The politics of variants of concern and the COVID-19 vaccines

In January, a second wave of the virus devastated the Brazilian city of Manaus, capital of Amazonas state, with reinfections with a more virulent strain P.1 likely playing a part. A study led by Nuno Faria, a virologist at Imperial College London, titled Genomics and epidemiology of a novel SARS-CoV-2 lineage in Manaus, Brazil published in March, found that within seven weeks, starting from early November, the fraction of samples classified as P.1 increased from zero to 87 percent. By February, P.1 had taken over completely. Dr. Faria and his colleagues conducted an experiment that estimated that in 100 people infected with non-P.1 lineage in Manaus last year, somewhere between 25 and 61 could have been reinfected if they were exposed to P.1 in Manaus.

A recent study of 149 people in Israel who became infected after vaccination with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (BNT162b2) found that the South African variant (B.1.351) was eight times more likely to cause breakthrough infections on infections that occurred at least a week after the second jab. The authors suggested that while this pointed to an increased breakthrough of B.1.351 occurring mainly in a limited time window post-vaccination, that further research with larger sample size is required to validate this hypothesis. This study suggests that B.1.351 has the ability to evade the vaccine.

William A. Haseltine, a world-renowned infectious disease expert, referring to the study by Dr. Nuno R. Faria of Sao Paulos Institute of Tropical Medicine, wrote to Forbes in March: Natural infections do not seem to protect against reinfection, yet vaccines remain to be seen. While Faria found that antibodies derived from the CoronaVac vaccine [COVID-19 vaccine made by the Chinese company Sinovac Biotech] in Brazil were less effective at stopping the P.1 variant, little data is yet available on reinfections after vaccine administration. We know that antibodies fade over time, and data suggest that you lose tremendous antibody potency six to eight months after natural infections. It is possible that vaccine protection wanes six months to a year after administration, but that data will not be available for many months.

A strategy of relying solely on vaccines is dangerous. As effective as the vaccines may have shown to be, it does not guarantee that the vaccines will continue to be effective on all possible variants. The SARS-CoV-2 has shown to evolve under pressures of mass community transmission into more virulent strains. That the coronaviruses from different regions of the globe have found common strategies to evade and become more transmissible speaks to the dangers raised by these measures to allow the world to live with it.

The danger of mutations

Viruses independently acquire these mutations, which then gives them an advantage in disease spread, which scientists refer to as convergent evolution. Stephen Goldstein, an evolutionary virologist who studies coronaviruses at the University of Utah, was quoted in Wired magazine that These different lineages are essentially arriving at the same solution for how to interact more efficiently with the human receptor, ACE2. ACE2 is a protein molecule that sits on the outside of some human cells. The spike of the coronavirus latches onto ACE2, enters the cell, and starts replicating. All the mutations of concern have evolved at the virus receptor binding domain, a region of its RNA that carries the blueprint for the spike protein.

The currently known mutations of concern to the receptor-binding domain include:

N501Y, a mutation in the South Africa, U.K, and Brazil variants, replaces the coronaviruss 501st amino acid, asparagine, with tyrosine. Studies in cells and animal models suggest that the change makes it easier for SARS-CoV-2 to grab onto ACE2.





The Brazilian and the South African variant also have a second and third mutation in common: K417T and E484K. E484K (also referred to as eek) changes an amino acid that was negatively charged to one thats positively charged. This causes the negatively charged ACE2 to snap with the tip of the spike, known as the receptor-binding domain (RBD). It is known to assist with evading the infected hosts immune system.





The B.1.617 variant identified in India carries a double mutation. One named L452R is also present in the dominant strain current in California. The other is called E484Q, which is like the E484K mutation.

In early March, Brian ORoak, a geneticist at Oregon Health and Science University, reported a new variant that surfaced in Oregon with the E484K mutation. The B.1.526 variant, which incorporates E484K, remains the most prevalent variant in New York City, comprising, as of April 13, about 45 percent of cases sequenced from the fourth week of March.

Dr. William Haseltine reported in Forbes on April 13 on yet another variant discovered in Oregon, which he dubbed B.1.1.7-O, which adds to the UK variant both the E484K and N501Y mutations: The combination of these two mutations in the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein is the principal cause of vaccine resistance of the Brazilian isolate B.1.1.28.1 and the South African variant B.1.351. Together these two mutations are associated with an increased transmission and vaccine resistance. Dr. Haseltine concluded his article with a warning that without effective public health mitigation measures, the evolution of the virus could become a severe threat to vaccine effectiveness.

The American ruling class has pushed the mismanaged and entirely inadequate nationalist program of vaccination as a sufficient response to a pandemic that is causing 60,000 new infections and 700 deaths every day, as computed by a seven-day moving average.

The US has done a poor job in genome sequencing, an absolute prerequisite to get a sense of how widespread the variants are. GSAID Initiative, a global genome sequencing database project, notes that only 1.04 percent of samples are being sequenced in the United States to date, which ranks 43rd in the world. Scientists at Illuminaa lab that conducts genome sequencing for the USestimate that 5 percent of new coronavirus cases would need sequencing to detect a new variant before it grows to more than 1 percent of total cases.

In February, scientists predicted that the $200 million infusion by the Biden administration would be sufficient to ramp up the nations sequencing capacity from 7,000 to 25,000 samples per week, putting the US on track to capture about 5 percent of new coronavirus cases. This estimate was predicated upon the downward trend of new COVID cases seen in the winter, which now has somewhat reversed under the administrations disastrous policies. Under such conditions, while the American Rescue Act that became law on March 11 provides for $1.75 billion for genomic surveillance, the US is still woefully behind in its gene sequencing initiative.

The ruling elites are pushing to exit the pandemic and return to normalcy using mass vaccination in the United States alone, and perhaps a few other advanced industrialized countries, as a strategy to put their plans into action. However, the pandemic remains far from over as a significant portion of the globes population has neither been infected nor received a vaccine. Little is known or clarified on the nature of the pressures the vaccine will impose on mutations nor how reinfections in the vaccinated population will promote the continued transmission of the disease. Vaccinated individuals will function as new vectors and weapons to promote the policy of herd immunity and ensure the virus becomes endemic throughout the world.
The Charger Blog

Shelley Stewart Jr. 90 EMBA, 16 Hon. was the first member of his family to go to college, and he went on to become a leading expert in supply chain management. He recently shared his experiences and wisdom with the University community. By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

University President Steven H. Kaplan congratulates Shelley Stewart 90 EMBA, 16 Hon. (right) after Stewart is presented an honorary doctorate from the University.

The first member of his family to go to college, Shelley Stewart 90 EMBA, 16 Hon. earned bachelors and masters degrees in criminal justice. After changing career paths, he began working at United Technologies in procurement. His experience changed the course of his career.

I found that procurement and supply chain was where my skills were suited, he said. I began working in communications, negotiations. I like people, so it was a really great fit, as it enabled me to work with people.

In his nearly 20 years with the company, Stewart rose through the management ranks, holding about 10 different positions. During that time, he helped write Straight to the Bottom Line: An Executives Roadmap to World Class Supply Management, a book that has been called the foremost source for conveying how supply chain management reduces costs and creates value for businesses, and he earned his Executive MBA (now MBA Cohort) from the University of New Haven.

Stewart recently shared his experience, advice, and insights with current students at the University as part of the Pompea College of Businesss EMBA Speaker Series, which brings graduates of the program back to interact with current students.

Stewart rose to chief procurement officer at E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., where he reported directly to the chief executive officer in leading procurement, global sourcing, and logistics. As part of his virtual visit, he discussed the power of branding as well as balancing his career, which included frequent business travel to China and raising his young family.

While I was in the EMBA program, I did most of my work on an airplane since I was traveling so much, he said. Work/life balance is something everyone has to deal with.

Shelley Stewart 90 EMBA, 16 Hon. recently spoke to the University community as part of the EMBA Speaker Series.

An opportunity to lead, to deliver value

Stewart later held senior-level supply chain and operational roles at Invensys, Raytheon Corp., and Tyco. A certified professional in supply management, he led DuPonts $20 billion global procurement and logistics activities from 2012 to 2018, including overseeing facilities services and real estate management across the companys global operations.

He also played a key management role in DuPonts merger with Dow Chemical Corp. He now leads Bottom Line Advisory LLC, a boutique consulting firm focused on procurement, logistic and operational improvement.

All of those experiences for me were learning experiences, he said. I learned along the way, and I had really good people working with me, as well as external resources. Sometimes you can wonder why something happened to you when you have a situation that is a mess, but for me, it was always an opportunity to lead, to deliver value, and to be sure the people working for me were being taken care of.

Shelley Stewart 90 EMBA, 16 Hon. (left) at the Universitys Centennial celebration in Florida.

Ive championed diversity throughout my career

Discussing the lessons he has learned throughout his career, Stewart reflected on the importance of lateral learning. He told students that he owns real estate in New Hampshire, years after taking the opportunity to get involved with investment property. It was a lateral learning opportunity that paid off in ways he might not have expected.

I used to think that anytime I took on additional responsibilities I needed to get a raise or a promotion, but thats not how I look at it now, he said. The things I got to do later in life are because of things I did earlier. As you move through your careers, when people suggest that you take on other assignments, volunteer to do it.

A member of the Universitys Board of Governors, Stewart is also a member of the Board of Trustees for Howard University. Passionate about fostering diversity and inclusion, he is a member of the Executive Leadership Council, which works to increase the number of African-American executives in corporate suites, boards, and leadership positions.

Often Im the only person who looks like me in these rooms, and Ive championed diversity throughout my career, said Stewart, who has been involved with The Boys and Girls Club of Trenton/Mercer County in New Jersey for many years. Im passionate about people, my profession, my family, and helping people. They make me who I am, and they have allowed me to have an amazing career.
Instant Bank Pay leverages the unique combination of the GoCardless global bank debit network and open banking technology

The feature provides merchants a low-cost, seamless and convenient way to collect instant payments from new and existing customers through a single platform

Although half of Americans have no clue what open banking is, the introduction of open banking payments helps address their day-to-day annoyances, such as updating their payment details every time they get a new credit or debit card

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GoCardless, a leading fintech for bank-to-bank payments, today launched Instant Bank Pay, a new open banking feature directly integrated into its global payment platform. With Instant Bank Pay, merchants can take instant, one-off bank-to-bank payments from new and existing customers while still reaping the benefits of bank debit for their recurring payments.

The announcement marks the first milestone in GoCardless journey to accelerate its open banking strategy, for which it received $95 million in funding at the end of 2020. By combining open banking technology with its existing global bank debit network, GoCardless can offer its more than 60,000 merchants a new low-cost, seamless and convenient way to collect instant payments that works for any revenue model.

Weve specialized in bank-to-bank payments for over 10 years, with bank debit being the primary payment method. And, while it provides many advantages to consumers and businesses, speed of payment authorization is a drawback, said Hiroki Takeuchi, co-founder and CEO of GoCardless. Instant Bank Pay addresses this pain point by giving merchants the best of both worlds: open banking will provide instant confirmation of payment authorization, enabling them to have immediate visibility of their one-off payments, and bank debit will continue to offer the cash flow, cost and retention benefits business owners have come to expect.

With the introduction of Instant Bank Pay, GoCardless will expand its offering into the adjacent e-commerce market, where it can take on both one-off and card-on-file payments.

Takeuchi added, By enabling businesses to take any kind of payment through GoCardless, we can challenge the dominance of cards and move beyond collecting subscriptions, invoices and installments. The launch of this open banking feature means we can now serve any merchant, regardless of whether they have an ongoing or one-off relationship with their customers.

Benefits for businesses

While it can be used in many scenarios, Instant Bank Pay addresses an issue that is particularly acute for recurring revenue businesses. According to research from GoCardless, 85% of merchants with this business model have a need for collecting additional one-off payments. Examples include collecting a payment upfront at the start of a subscription, purchasing additional goods or services, or adding money to an account outside of a customers regular payment schedule.

Bank debit is not suitable for some one-off payments because it doesnt provide instant visibility of payment authorization. This has forced many merchants to turn to card payments, often with high fees attached, or time-consuming manual bank transfers. Instant Bank Pay is a fast and easy way for customers to make a one-off account-to-account payment. Instant confirmation provides better visibility of payments, eliminates costly credit card fees, and reduces late payments, thanks to a seamless payer journey.

Merchants can build the Instant Bank Pay option straight into their checkout flow or simply send a payment request with a link to pay. Similar to a mobile wallet payment, payers are seamlessly connected to their bank and can authorize a payment directly from their bank account in just a few taps.

Benefits for consumers

According to research from GoCardless, open banking is still a nascent concept in the U.S. Half of Americans (52%) say they have no clue what open banking is, and, of those who have heard of it, over a third (37%) reveal they think of it like 5G  I know itll benefit me but dont know what it is.

Regardless of whether open banking is well known, the technology will solve problems that consumers currently face.

Seven in 10 Americans (70%) indicate they would be annoyed if they had to pay for goods or services using multiple payment methods. One example is paying with a card for on-the-spot access when they join a new gym, then needing to fill out forms to set up another payment type for ongoing transactions. Instant Bank Pay would eliminate this extra step by offering a single payment sign-up process, delivering a seamless customer experience.

Furthermore, 61% of Americans believe it's a hassle to update the payment details for all of their regular expenses, such as streaming subscriptions, when they get a new credit or debit card. Using open banking payments means they wont have to  their payment details stay the same unless they switch bank accounts.

The business research cited in this release was conducted by GoCardless and covers 2,400 businesses across the UK, France, Spain, Germany, the U.S., and Australia. The survey was carried out online from February 8 to February 22, 2021.

The consumer research cited in this release was conducted by Propeller Insights and GoCardless to highlight the state of open banking in the U.S. and the payment preferences of American consumers. The study took place in April 2021 and surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults, ages 18 and over.

About GoCardless

GoCardless is a global leader in recurring payments. The GoCardless global payments network and technology platform takes the pain out of getting paid for more than 60,000 businesses worldwide, from multinational corporations to small businesses. Each year GoCardless processes more than $20 billion of payments across more than 30 countries. GoCardless is headquartered in the UK, with additional offices in Australia, France, Germany, and the United States.

For more information, please visit www.gocardless.com and follow us on Twitter @GoCardless.  2020 GoCardless Ltd. All Rights Reserved. GoCardless is a registered trademark of GoCardless Ltd in multiple countries. Third-party trademarks mentioned above are owned by their respective companies. Unless explicitly identified as such, nothing in this press release should be construed to the contrary, or as an approval, endorsement or sponsorship by any third parties of GoCardless Ltd. or any aspect of this press release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005762/en/

Linda Yang, Head of PR, GoCardless

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Source: GoCardless
FREMONT, Calif., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PathPartner, in collaboration with Quectel, has announced a reliable and cost-effective Driver Monitoring Solution that utilizes Quectel's SC600 smart module. Leveraging Quectel's SC600 smart module's power, the solution meets the need for computation, intelligence on the edge, connectivity, and other functional requirements for next-generation driver monitoring and in-cabin occupancy applications, all packed in an extremely small form factor.

The DMS solution does more than driver monitoring (identification, drowsiness, inattention). It can detect cabin occupancy and left-out passengers alongside out-of-place detection for sending a reminder for seat-belt or airbag deployment. Designed to be extremely modular and customizable, the solution is available in multiple formats and packages to suit various needs and requirements.

Quectel's SC600, just one among a vast range of robust smart modules from Quectel, is a multi-mode Smart LTE Cat 6 module that includes 64-bit Octa-core ARM cortex A53 and integrated Android OS/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/GNSS in one module. It offers industry leading performance for implementing the complex vision and AI algorithms combined with a rich set of interfaces including LCM, Camera, Touch Panel, MIC, SPK, UART, USB, I2Cand SPI, which make it an ideal choice for such a multifunctional ECU.

"Driven by the current need and regulatory tailwind, automakers across the globe are looking up to the aftermarket product makers and retrofitted safety devices for various advanced safety solutions, and driver monitoring is quickly becoming a key priority for them. PathPartner's DMS based on Quectel's SC600 smart module offers a very reliable and highly accurate driver monitoring solution," said Raman Narayanan, Country Manager (North America) at PathPartner. "The Quectel SC600 is designed to support leading performance and various multimedia features, making it ideal for a robust driver monitoring solution. This enables our customers to easily deploy advanced safety solutions in their next automotive and telematics solutions."

Quectel "We're delighted PathPartner has selected our SC600 LTE Cat 6 smart module for its driver monitoring solution," said Michael Wallon, VP Sales APAC and ANZ, Quectel Wireless Solutions. "Driver monitoring and passenger safety are vital for keeping travelers safe and ensuring efficient operations. With Quectel, PathPartner is enabling exactly that and helping to build a smarter world."

About Quectel

Quectel's passion for a smarter world drives us to accelerate IoT innovation. A highly customer-centric organization, we create superior cellular and GNSS modules backed by outstanding support and services. Our growing global team of 2200 professionals, the largest in the IoT modules industry worldwide, ensures we are first to market and continue to set the development pace. Listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (603236.SS), our international leadership is devoted to advancing IoT worldwide.

For more information: http://www.quectel.com/ , LinkedIn , Facebook and Twitter .

About PathPartner

PathPartner is a product R&D and engineering specialist. We help our clients develop, productize, and maintain advanced technology products. With our full stack engineering services, re-usable solution accelerators, and unparalleled experience in transforming innovative ideas into full-fledged products, PathPartner provides its clients with the advantage of top-of-the-line technologies, superior performance and faster time-to-market. With extensive expertise in embedded systems, computer vision, deep learning, multimedia and imaging technologies, PathPartner provides next-gen technology solutions to customers in the automotive, internet of things, intelligent devices and digital media products domain.

PathPartner's catalog of products and services continues to expand. To know more details and collaborate on next-gen products, please visit http://www.pathpartnertech.com/ and LinkedIn or write to us at [email protected] .

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Australians have always been interested in their prime ministers personal faith for the simple reason that it can be essential to the way someone leads the nation.

So there should be no surprise that Scott Morrison is guided by his Pentecostal brand of Christianity. It is essential to who he is as Prime Minister and the approach he takes to every big decision.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and wife Jenny sing during an Easter Sunday service at his Horizon Church in Sydney during the 2019 election campaign. Credit:AAP

Which means the more we know about it, the better.

There was no alert from Morrisons office when he flew to the Gold Coast last week, at taxpayer expense, to speak to the Australian Christian Churches national conference. His office did not release the speech, which only went public when a secular advocacy group, Rationalists Australia, released the video online.
Hacked data from the Washington, D.C., Police Department started leaking onto the internet on Monday, making it the third police department in the United States to be hit by cybercriminals in six weeks.

A group that emerged this year called Babuk claimed responsibility for the leak. Babuk is known for ransomware attacks, which hold victims data hostage until they pay a ransom, often in Bitcoin. The group also hit the Houston Rockets N.B.A. team this month.

In their post to the dark web, Babuks cybercriminals claimed they had downloaded 250 gigabytes of data and threatened to leak it if their ransom demands were not met in three days. They also threatened to release information about police informants to criminal gangs, and to continue attacking the state sector, including the F.B.I. and the Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The information already released appeared to include chiefs reports, lists of arrests and lists of persons of interest.

The attack appeared to add another high-profile victim to what has become a digital plague in the United States. Since the start of 2021, 26 government agencies have been hit by ransomware, and 16 of those have been the targets of a novel extortion attack in which cybercriminals do not just hold data hostage, but leak it online when victims refuse to pay.
By Patricia Zengerle and Jonathan Landay

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. lawmakers grilled President Joe Biden's Afghanistan peace envoy on Tuesday about how women will be protected if the hard-line Islamist Taliban take control after U.S. troops withdraw, and threatened to withhold funding if rights gains are reversed.

"I dont believe under any circumstances that the United States Senate will support assistance for Afghanistan, especially under the World Banks program which provides budget support, if the Taliban has taken a governing role that ends civil society advances and rolls back womens rights," said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez.

Zalmay Khalilzad, special envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation, testified at the committee's first public hearing on Afghanistan policy since Biden announced plans to withdraw troops by Sept. 11 after two decades of war.

When Biden made his announcement on April 14, he said Washington would continue providing assistance to Afghan security forces and civilian programs, including those for women and girls.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration was working with Congress to provide nearly $300 million in civilian aid to the country.

Members of Congress, many of whom are skeptical about the plans to bring home the 2,500 remaining troops, worry the departure would cede control to the Taliban, whose 1996-2001 rule severely curtailed activities for Afghan women.

Lawmakers of both parties expressed concerns about rights, the potential for civil war and whether Afghanistan would again become a refuge for extremists.

"I'm concerned that the administration's decision may result in a Taliban offensive that topples the government," said Senator Jim Risch, the committee's top Republican.

The State Department on Tuesday ordered government employees out of its embassy in Kabul if their work could be done elsewhere, citing increasing violence in the Afghan capital.

Story continues

'ACCOUNTABILITY'

The international community has poured billions into Afghanistan since the Taliban was driven from power. Gains for women and girls in access to education and public life are repeatedly touted as a major success.

Women have been underrepresented during peace talks despite promises that they would have a place at the table.

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the only woman on the committee, said Khalilzad, who also served under former Republican President Donald Trump, had not made including women enough of a priority.

She said there was too much uncertainty about the plans for Afghanistan after Sept. 11 to know whether women's rights would be protected. She said women in Afghanistan remain targets of violence, something that must be stopped.

Shaheen referred to seven women who had been killed by the Taliban for advocating for human rights.

"I will not support any efforts that will allow them to continue to commit these horrific acts without any accountability," Shaheen said.

Khalilzad insisted Washington was pressing for women and minorities to be included in future peace talks. He said Washington and partner countries would punish backtracking in Afghanistan with isolation and sanctions.

Blinken echoed that sentiment. "I can say very clearly and categorically that an Afghanistan that does not respect their rights, that does not sustain the gains we've made, will be a pariah," he told CNN.

Under the Taliban, women were barred from education or work, required to fully cover their bodies, and could not leave home without a male relative. "Moral offenses" were punished by flogging and stoning.

The Sept. 11 deadline - 20 years after the attacks that sent Washington to war - extended the U.S. presence there beyond a May 1 deadline negotiated under Trump.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Jonathan Landay; additional reporting by Daphne PsaledakisEditing by Kieran Murray, Sonya Hepinstall and Jonathan Oatis)
In the run up to the four week limited lockdown reluctantly implemented by the Conservative government last November, Prime Minister Boris Johnson blurted out bitterly, No more f***ing lockdowns, let the bodies pile high in their thousands!

The Daily Mail reported, He [Johnson] agreed to fresh restrictions but his frustration is said to have boiled over after the crucial meeting at No 10 in October. The meeting was held on October 30, 2020.

The revelation is one of a series of leaks during ongoing factional warfare within the Tory Party. It provides an unvarnished glimpse into the discussions behind closed doors during the pandemic within this gang of murderous criminals.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson pauses during a coronavirus briefing in Downing Street, in London, Monday April 5, 2021. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool via AP)

Johnsons outburst confirms what he really thought all along, behind the cynical public pose of concern. The Tory advocates of herd immunity, with Johnson in the forefront, never wanted the first lockdown, let alone a second. But with cases and deaths shooting up following the end of the first lockdown in July/Augustfuelled by sending millions of pupils back to school in Septemberthere were fears that not doing so would provoke social and political unrest.

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove was identified by the Daily Mail as playing a key role in shifting Johnson to backing a lockdown at the meeting. As told to the newspaper by a source close to Mr Gove:

Michael said that if he [Johnson] didnt impose a second lockdown there would be a catastrophe Hospitals would be over-run, people would be turned away from [accident & emergency] and people would be dying in hospital corridors and hospital car parks He [Gove] told the [prime minister] he would have to send soldiers into hospitals to keep people out TV film of that would be beamed around the globe. Was that the image of his post-Brexit Britain he wanted the world to see? It was devastating. The PM had no answer.

On Monday, Johnson denied making the attributed comments, but the BBC cited sources familiar with the conversation confirming that he had. ITVs political editor, Robert Peston, wrote that he had been told by two witnesses who said they did not brief the Mail that they had also heard Johnson say it.

Moreover, while Johnson agreed to the November lockdown the perspective he blurted out, no more f***ing lockdowns, let the bodies pile high in their thousands, is now being implemented as official government policy.

The November lockdown ended on December 3. Following a surge of COVID-19 cases, due to the relaxation of rules to allow a pre-Christmas shopping spree, on January 5, Johnson was forced to implement a third significantly less restrictive lockdown. But from then on, he and his government have insisted this would be the last lockdown.

In February, despite the spread of new variants of COVID-19, including the more infectious and more deadly Kent variant that has become the dominant strain globally, Johnson announced that restrictions would be loosened from March, with the entire economy to be reopened by June 21.

Johnson has repeatedly stated, albeit in somewhat less crude language, that thousands will die from coronavirus, as did his former advisor Dominic Cummings, who is now in the frame as orchestrating the leaks against his former boss.

At the end of February 2020, as the pandemic hit Britain, Cummings, according to the Times, said at a closed door event of the UKs coronavirus policy, herd immunity, protect the economy, and if that means some pensioners die, too bad.





On March 12, 2020, Johnson said, I must level with the British public: many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time. This wasnt candour, but policy, with Johnson and his Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir Patrick Vallance, advocating a herd immunity agenda of mass infection and a stated plan to see tens of millions exposed to coronavirus. At the time of Johnsons statement there had been less than 11 deaths due to Covid-19 in the UK. Thirteen months on, there have been more than 150,000.





On September 18, 2020, Johnson said, We are now seeing a second wave coming in. Weve seen it in France, in Spain, across Europe. Its been absolutely inevitable, Im afraid, that we would see it in this country.





On February 22, 2021, Johnson announced the end of the national lockdown by declaring, Weve got to be realistic and accept that there will be more infections, more hospitalisations and therefore, sadly, more deaths





On March 10, 2021, Johnson wrote in the Daily Telegraph, We can see the signs of a surge of Covid among some of our European friends, and we remember how we in the UK have tended to follow that upwards curve, if a few weeks later Mondays successful return to school will inevitably add to the budget of risk.





On April 20, 2021, Johnson declared, There will be another wave of covid at some stage this year We mustas far as possiblelearn to live with this disease, as we live with other diseases.

Aside from Johnsons crudity, ending all lockdowns and letting the bodies pile high is the position of capitalist governments the world over. The latest and most horrific consequences are being witnessed in India, with around 2 million more people infected in the last week alone and thousands dying every day.

Even in reporting Johnsons homicidal comments, the Mail ran an accompanying comment by Andrew Pierce headlined, Lonely losing battle of PM whod resisted the clamour for lockdowns: Yes, his outburst was shocking. But libertarian Boris knew it wasnt just Covid lives at stake.

The prime minister should have everyones sympathy, opined Pierce. He bemoaned how poor Boris, who once said the real hero of the film Jaws was the mayor of Amity who kept the beaches open despite the presence of a killer sharkwas devastated that he had lost the battle. Boris," wrote Pierce, true to his libertarian instincts, was opposed to once more shutting shopping malls, pubs and restaurants.

Everything that has happened since the first day of the pandemic confirms that the working class is up against a gang of political criminals responsible for social murder on a vast scale.

The fight to end the pandemic must proceed on the understanding that what is a required is a determined political struggle, not only against the Johnson government but all those who seek to derail such a fightabove all the Labour Party and trade unions bureaucracy.

For more than a year, in the name of national unity, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has pledged only constructive criticism of Johnson, while the trade unions have ensured that the Tories back to work/reopen the economy herd immunity agenda is enforced.

Any prime minister exposed for advocating the mass death of British citizens in any previous era would have faced calls to stand down from the main opposition party and demands for an immediate general election. Not so Johnson. The Scottish National Party said as politely as possible that Boris Johnson has a duty to resign for the comments, if they are true. Starmer merely responded that he was astonished by the reports, adding that if he did say those things, hes got to explain it.

The Socialist Equality Party calls for the working class to form rank-and-file safety committees, independent of the trade unions and the Labour Partybased on the fight for a socialist programme and a workers government. The SEP stands fully behind the call by the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) for the formation of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). We urge attendance at the ICFIs annual Online May Day Rally to be held May 1 to discuss these critical issues and to organise the global fightback by the working class.
The Western mainstream media has often lashed out against the Chinese government and the country, but that has not resulted in a negative impact on China when it comes to attracting substantial flows of inbound foreign direct investments (FDI).



According to China's Ministry of Commerce, the nation welcomed 302.4 billion yuan of FDI for the first quarter (Jan-March 2021), surging 39.9% higher, when compared to the same time period last year. FDI inflows valued in U.S. dollars stood at $44.86 billion, rising 43.8%, year-on-year.

China has already surpassed the pre-pandemic levels of volume of inbound FDI from the same period, January to March, 2019 by over 24.8%. That's a significant achievement considering the turbulent times and rocky geo-political landscape of our world today. A number of national and regional sovereign governments have imposed economic sanctions on Chinese officials and private enterprises connected to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Economic experts had expressed concerns that China's outlook would begin to dim as the rest of the world begins to crawl out of lock downs, quarantines and strict social distancing measures stemming from the outbreak of the Coronavirus. But Western nations have not turned the corner like China has done to curtail the spread of the pandemic, while in Europe and elsewhere many countries continue to report high numbers of new infected cases.

China has barely been impacted by the virus in recent months and this explains why many foreign-owned companies and investors have poured huge cash flows into the country as they see the benefits of strong social stability, resilient domestic supply chains and manufacturing sectors along with soaring global demand for Chinese imports. China has withstood the virus when it was spreading from late December 2019 to early April last year. The central government of China had taken prompt actions by announcing the Wuhan Lockdown, implementing partial quarantines nationwide and blocking the free flow of inter-city transportation. Back then, so-called China experts from the West were cheering the pandemic as they hoped the virus would cause the collapse of the country.

But the countries of Europe and much of the Western world should have spent more time focusing on their own Covid prevention efforts since the virus had struck those nations with a terrible vengeance. China was the only major economy last year to see a rise of its GDP (gross domestic product) by the end of 2020 to 2.3%.

There's also a common understanding among business people that "money chases after money." Smart companies are trend spotters and they place their investment bets on perceived winners. China is holding the winning hand for the moment and the country will continue to attract more FDI since many other countries have struggled to rebound. But we should ask: What are the strengths of China's economy and what are foreigners investing into? According to the Shanghai Daily, about 40% of FDI growth came from foreign companies expanding operations and investing into fixed assets, which includes real estate, manufacturing and infrastructure. Meanwhile, China's services industry received 237.79 billion yuan of FDI, an increase 51.5%, year-on-year and FDI to China's hi-tech service industry rose 43.9%. Investments from southeast Asia rose 60%, countries aligned with the Belt & Road Initiative had 58.2% increase and investments from the EU rose 7.5%.

During the first quarter 2021, 10,263 new foreign-funded firms were opened and registered in the country. By reviewing the figures, we see China has deepened its business ties with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nation States). The RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) is a free trade agreement signed last December by leaders of ASEAN member states, Australia, New Zealand, China, South Korea and Japan. China's cross-border trade and investment activities have soared while its regional partners in southeast Asia's are boosting their respective national economies. ASEAN participates in the BRI and that has delivered positive results for them.

Another bright shining star for China's economy has been retail sales, which increased by 33.9% in the first quarter, year-on-year while fixed assets investments had risen by 25.6%. China has emerged as one of the leading drivers of growth for the global economy and that's leading to a significant rise in imports for China, which in return boosts the manufacturing industry worldwide. Chinese people are going on shopping sprees as they have had stable labor market conditions. I have witnessed the rise of China's retail sector first-hand. I go shopping on the weekends with my Chinese wife, Zhou Yawei, and our son Peter in the capital city. The shopping centers, department stores and outlets malls are bustling with many customers carrying bags loaded with goods.

Foreign investors should also take a closer look at China's tourism and hospitality sectors. During the pandemic times, many Chinese citizens were required to stay in the cities and towns they lived and worked in. They were not permitted to travel to other cities or provinces; but in recent months China has re-opened intercity travel. The Chinese are eager to travel and there will be good business opportunities for companies investing into domestic tourism venues. China's five-day May Day holiday is coming soon, May 1-5, and we will witness a huge upsurge of Chinese travelling to other cities within the nation's borders. This will set the stage for a blockbuster season of vacation travel in China this year. They have waited a long time to become tourists again, although international travel restrictions may not be completely lifted until after the summer. And the delays in international travel could prove to be beneficial to China's domestic tourism.

Another sector for foreign investors to explore will be China's science and hi-tech industry. There have been rumblings that Washington stands prepared to lead its allies, from the UK, EU and Japan, to march ahead on imposing more sanctions on Chinese hi-tech firms and to begin the decoupling process with Beijing. But such threats appear as bluffs. Chinese technology companies are tightly integrated with Western-based tech companies and to decouple would inflict serious disruptions to the global economy. We may witness a backing down of the West's tough stance on Beijing as they realize decoupling could cause more harm than good.

If the West turns around and embraces Chinese innovations in the hi-tech sector, you will see a big wave of fin-tech investments flowing into Shenzhen and its surrounding communities in Guangdong province, which is recognized as China's Silicon Valley. The upsurge of investments into Chinese hi-tech will enhance 5G telecom networks, boost automated manufacturing, as well as making people's daily lives much more convenient.

China's economic rebound is marching full speed ahead and that will attract much more inbound FDI for the rest of the year.

Tom Pauken II is author of U.S. vs. China: From Trade Wars to Reciprocal Deal, geo-political analyst on Asia-Pacific affairs, based in Beijing.
New Delhi, April 27 : The Ministry of Home Affairs lashed out at the Delhi government for mismanagement of available infrastructure and support in the fight against Covid-19, leading to tragic loss of lives. The ministry directed the state government to resolve the logistics issue immediately and set up a control room to address the crisis on an "urgent, effective, innovative and result oriented" way.

Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla in a letter on April 25 to Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev said that efforts of the administration have not been up to the mark.

Bhalla stated that due to the unprecedented Covid crisis and the alarming rise in the number of cases throughout the country, the Central Government has started procurement and augmentation of medical oxygen on a war footing from all available sources.

Over and above other immediate steps for augmenting the supply of oxygen, the Centre has prohibited all major industries from using oxygen for industrial purposes. They have been directed to supply this oxygen only for medical use.

The Government has launched all out efforts to augment the supply of oxygen both from within the country and also from abroad by importing as much as possible on a war footing.

The Government has not only arranged some tankers both from within the country and abroad but has also airlifted empty tankers to distant supply sites like Durgapur and Jamshedpur to ensure speedy supply across the nation. Special trains have been deployed for the speedy supply of oxygen. "Number of tankers are mounted on these trains and it gets an uninterrupted passage," Bhalla said.

The Centre has also issued directions to all the state governments to ensure uninterrupted movement of oxygen tankers by passing orders under the Disaster Management Act.

It is also facilitating the states/UTs in the production, movement and supply of medical oxygen and essential medicines.

"The Government of India has specially created an inter-ministerial "Virtual Central Control Room" at national level having a team of dedicated senior officers of Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary rank from Health, DPIIT, MHA, MoRTH, Railways, Steel Ministries etc. and senior officers of States/UTs which monitors and finds solutions to any problems in this regard 24x7 on real time basis," the officer said.

All state Governments/UTs have been making continuous efforts for the last few days to arrange tankers for medical oxygen and a specially designated virtual group has been formed by MoRTH which facilitates States/UTs in this regard.

"The States/UTs have also converted some nitrogen/argon tankers into oxygen tankers. Even the States having no industrial development or insignificant industries within their territories are finding innovative solutions and arranging the tankers using all possible resources at their command," he said.

However, the Delhi Government has hardly been able to arrange any tankers so far.

"You are requested to urgently take immediate action in this regard as is being done by Chief Secretaries and other officials of other States/UTs," Bhalla said.

Delhi had been allocated 480 MT on 21.04.2021 after consultation with officers of the Delhi Government.

However, it has been brought to my notice that Delhi has received less supply than its actual allocation made by the Government of India largely due to logistical issues which are not at all addressed by the State Government, said Bhalla.

Other States/UTs have been making earnest and professional efforts to solve all logistical issues and are being actively aided by Govt of India officials and the virtual groups referred to above, he said.

"However, efforts of Delhi Government have not been up to the mark," the officer pointed out.

The Delhi Government had directed INOX (one of the main supplier of oxygen) to supply 98 MT to 17 hospitals situated within Delhi, while INOX was supplying 105 MT to 45 hospitals situated within Delhi for a long time.

Furthermore, alternative arrangements for the left out 28 hospitals were not properly tied up by the Delhi Government.

As a result, some of these hospitals have been complaining about severe shortage of medical oxygen and one hospital mentioned that some persons died because of it.

"This could had been avoided had proper, effective, and meaningful consultations with various stakeholders, specially the suppliers and recipient hospitals, had been done well in time by Delhi Government," Bhalla said.

"You must also be aware that most of the hospitals in Delhi are converted into Covid hospitals in view of the sudden and alarming rise in Covid cases. Such hospitals, by the very nature of their earlier functioning, did not have adequate storage capacity to store the oxygen supplied as per their present requirements since in their earlier functioning most of them did not need more quantity of oxygen," he pointed out.

For the same reason their oxygen dispensing infrastructure also may not have been up to the mark, especially for the augmented oxygen supply required for Covid patients.

"A virtual meeting with all hospitals in Delhi, taking stock of their respective capacities and infrastructure, guiding them to suitably augment their storage/pressure facilities to the required level with the help of experts of the field would have avoided tragic incidents," Bhalla said.

Bhalla requested the Delhi Chief Secretary to take urgent, effective, innovative and result oriented measures like the chief secretaries of other States/UTs have taken.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27)  A military helicopter that crashed off the coastal town of Getafe in Bohol on Tuesday morning left one pilot dead, while three other aircrew survived, the Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed.

"The AFP Chief General Cirilito Sobejana is saddened by the report of the demise of one of our Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots who succumbed in a crash landing of a PAF MG 520 helicopter today 27April2021 in Jetafe, Bohol," said a statement released by AFP Spokesperson Marine Major General Edgard Arevalo. "We send our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues as we offer our support in any way we can."

Arrevalo said the co-pilot of the MG 520 helicopter and two members of the crew who survived are undergoing treatment in a medical facility in Talibon, Bohol.

The PAF is set to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, he added.

"The men and women of the Philippine Air Force, led by the Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Allen T. Paredes deeply grieves the loss of an aircrew who offered his life in the line of duty," the PAF also said in a statement.

It vowed to provide all the necessary assistance, including financial aid, to the bereaved family.

The aircraft was on a "maintenance flight" when the incident happened, PAF spokesman LtCol Maynard Mariano earlier told reporters.

"They took off [from] Mactan island, from our base, they are performing maintenance flight," he said, adding they were doing a periodic "equipment check."

The PAF said it has grounded the MG 520 fleet following the crash. It also assured the public added that all of its air assets "are undergoing strict, regular, and redundant maintenance inspections before and after flight missions."

CNN Philippines Correspondent David Santos contributed to this report
Many residents in one of the Bay Area's most popular day-trip destinations are being told that they may need to abandon their homes as sea levels rise, KPIX reported this week, and the state coastal commission and county is now battling over the town's future

Studies show that numerous homes in Stinson Beach will flood with just one foot of sea rise, an unavoidable result of human-caused climate change. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projects that this will likely happen in under 20 years (the same data set shows a rise of nearly four feet by the end of the century.)

Six years ago, residents in two of the lowest lying neighborhoods in Stinson Beach  Calles and the Sonoma-Patio  received notice from the county informing them that sea level rise would "have an impact on their ability to get permits for improvements on their properties," KPIX reported.

"Lots of people delighted with their beach house and their one-and-a-half-minute walk to the beach all of a sudden discovered that you wouldn't be able to get a permit, for anything," resident and HOA President Mike Matthews told the station. "That equates to 'cant sell your house,' and that equates to loss of the value of it so there was an extreme reaction."

This has resulted in years long negotiations between residents and the California Coastal Commission on what to do with the at-risk homes, as the commission wants the community consider a range of approaches to help protect it against sea level rise. These include living shorelines, managed retreat, beach nourishment and even sea walls when appropriate.

"If much of the coastline is lined with sea walls, Californians all lose beaches, public access, wildlife habitat and the associated economic benefits. Californias $40 billion coastal economy is at risk if the state loses its beaches," Noaki Schwartz, public information officer for the California Coastal Commission, told SFGATE.

"Seawalls can provide some temporary protection for a structure, but in the long-term, the trade-off is the public can lose a beach. They increase erosion for downcoast properties, disrupt the natural sand flow and shrink beaches until they disappear," Schwartz added.

The more affluent area of Seadrift at the north end of the beach, however, installed an expensive rock wall along the ocean when it was built. Many of the multi-million dollar homes in the Seadrift community are based on raised foundations, unlike the housing down the beach.

According to the United States Geological Survey, global warming and expanding seas could cause the waters beneath the Golden Gate Bridge to rise by up to four feet by the end of the century, and many other neighborhoods across the Bay Area are vulnerable to the rising seas.

According to a 2016 study from the San Francisco Chronicle, without new infrastructure to protect San Francisco, a rise of 36 inches would mean water flooding into the Ferry Building twice daily at high tide. It also projects that the toll booths of the Bay Bridge would flood during rainstorms. Mission Bay, the Marina and the Embarcadero are also at risk, per the report.

Three years ago an "adaptation report" from the county regarding vulnerable coastal zones that presented a more moderate "managed retreat" was rejected. The commission is pushing the county to update its plan, and reckon with a future wherein the low-lying residences and everything within 1,000 feet of the shoreline may eventually be lost to the ocean.

The commission told SFGATE they are seeking to avoid the loss of the waterfront properties "through phased adaptation measures," adding they have worked "on and off with the county and had made a lot progress over the years with compromise on both sides."

The county and residents are hoping that renewed negotiations with the commission result in compromise, and a future where they need not sacrifice their homes.

Editor's note: This story previously stated that the Coastal Commission had not provided a range of options on what to do with the at-risk homes. The story has been updated to reflect this.
As I read the New York Times' recent report about clashes in Jerusalem, subtitled, in the best man-bites-dog tradition "The violence broke out as an extremist Jewish supremacy group marched in the city, chanting, Death to Arabs," my mind turned not to the scenes of violence or the admittedly vile chant, but to something that Aristotle said twenty-five centuries ago regarding the rules of story-telling: the story should have the beginning, the middle, and the end.

Why this turn to philosophy? Because as I read on, it became clear that the Times' Isabel Kershner decided to start her story at the end rather than at the beginning, sensationalizing her headline at the expense of chronology, context, and therefore, journalistic accuracy.

Cutting her so-called "report" into snippets and putting them into chronological order turns the story she is trying to tell into a commonplace report of Palestinian violence propelled by Ramadan and PA propaganda:

"Israeli-Arab tensions have been on the rise since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan about 10 days ago. Fueling the friction, Palestinian youths posted some clips on the video-sharing app TikTok in recent days showing attacks on religious Jews, including one being slapped in the face while riding the light rail in Jerusalem. Another had a drink thrown at him while walking in the Old City an Orthodox Jewish man was beaten by Arab residents, setting off protests and clashes [...] Young Palestinians... have been clashing nightly with police in the vicinity of the Old City. In response, Jewish youths have been attacking Palestinians in downtown West Jerusalem, and Lehava called for Thursday nights march to restore Jewish honor. [...] hundreds of police officers, some mounted on horseback, created a buffer between the Jewish and Palestinian protesters, and both camps ended up clashing with the police, who dispersed the crowds with stun grenades and water cannons. [...] Palestinian leaders blamed Jewish extremists and the Israeli government for the outburst of violence. East Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Palestine and is a red line, the office of Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, said in a statement on Thursday. [...] Video images showed Palestinians pouring into the mosque for prayers on Friday chanting Allahu akbar, or God is Great, and Martyrs are marching to Jerusalem in their millions, a Palestinian rallying cry."

Put the events in sequence, and where is the drama? No man bites a dog. This is business as usual -- drunk on religion and PA incitement, Palestinians resort to violence, some Israelis respond in kind, and Israeli authorities bring a measure of order by police action. Not much to write home about.

But Ms. Kershner has to write home. The Times has to show how bad the Israelis are. And where there is a will, there is a way -- reshuffle the facts, put the end at the beginning, mention the beginning at the end, and you have a "story" to report, a sensational story of vile Jews chanting Death to Arabs!

We often see the Times lie by omission -- a key fact is quietly dropped, totally altering the picture, as the paper does on a regular basis in its pro-Iran "reporting," as was noted in the past. But there's more than one way to skin a cat. Simply transposing facts does the trick, too. Change the sequence of events -- and you crated enough confusion to convince the reader that whoever is guilty is innocent, and whoever is innocent is guilty.

This is, of course, is the classical propaganda technique -- but the New York Times has yet to learn the difference between journalism and propaganda, and the value of Aristotle's advice in separating the two.

Image: NY Times

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The flagship Conscious Mind Clinic strengthens the company's efforts to deliver a diverse portfolio of research-backed mental health solutions at scale.

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / Conscious Mind Labs Inc., a revenue-focused and research-driven alternative medicine and mental health company, is excited to announce the planned opening of its flagship Conscious Mind Clinic, located in the trendy Yaletown neighborhood of downtown Vancouver, BC, Canada.

"Our flagship Conscious Mind Clinic will reinvent the way mental health and wellness is addressed with its one-of-a-kind, research-led Personalized Treatment Platform. We will be incorporating unique treatment protocols and alternative medicine formulations, including nature-derived psychedelics, that will provide immediate benefits to our patients," says Conscious Mind Labs Founder and CEO Donald Gauvreau.

Conscious Mind Clinic will employ a wide range of modalities as part of its personalized treatment offerings, including psychedelic therapy and integration, breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, yoga and massage therapy. The clinic will incorporate a wide range of natural medicines, including plants, herbs and its specialty, psychoactive plants and medicinal mushrooms. "Our holistic approach to addressing mental health and cognitive performance means we use an alternative medicine 'toolbox' to create personalized treatments, medicines and supplements for each and every individual we work with," adds Conscious Mind's board-certified Integrative Medicine Doctor and Clinic Director, Dr. Jody Toor.

Not only is the Conscious Mind Clinic revolutionizing treatments and medicines for mental health, but it's also reinventing the look, feel and "consciousness" of a clinic so patients can feel relaxed, comfortable and inspired to make positive change. The Vancouver Conscious Mind Clinic is a nature-inspired oasis set among a busy and bustling downtown core. Its modern, clean and natural designs will offer patients a welcoming place to embark on their therapeutic journey. The clinic is set to open early June 2021.

About Conscious Mind Labs Inc.

Conscious Mind Labs Inc. is a revenue-focused and research-driven alternative medicine and mental health company. Conscious Mind discovers, researches and develops innovative medicines and therapy protocols to address mental health disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Conscious Mind takes an integrated approach to deliver mental health solutions at scale through the development of research-proven psychedelic drugs and alternative medicines and "outside-the-box" treatment protocols tailored to different neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's and mental health conditions, such as depression, PTSD and addiction. Conscious Mind is accelerating consumer access to alternative medicines and therapy through its Applied Research Platform, Clinics and TeleHealth application. Conscious Mind is positioning itself to deliver the world's most comprehensive portfolio of alternative medicines and treatment solutions for neurodegenerative diseases and mental health and wellness.

For further information, contact:

Investor Relations

ir@consciousmindslabs.com

Website

www.consciousmindlabs.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future plans, programs, estimates, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, are "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expects" or "does not expect," "plans," "is expected," "estimates," "intends," "anticipates" or "does not anticipate," or "believes," or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such uncertainties and risks include, among others, dependence on obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals, including acquiring and renewing federal, provincial, municipal, local or other licenses and any inability to obtain all necessary governmental approvals licenses and permits to operate and expand the Company's facilities; engaging in activities which currently are illegal under Canadian federal law and the uncertainty of existing protection from Canadian federal or other prosecution; regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations, including federal and provincial legalization, due to inconsistent public opinion, perception of use of psychedelic therapies, bureaucratic delays or inefficiencies or any other reasons; any other factors or developments which may hinder market growth; the Company's limited operating history and lack of historical profits; reliance on management; the Company's requirements for additional financing, and the effect of capital market conditions and other factors on capital availability, including closing of the financings contemplated herein; competition, including from more established or better financed competitors; and the need to secure and maintain corporate alliances and partnerships, including with customers and suppliers. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other risk factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. The Company has no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information or for any other reason except as required by law.

SOURCE: Conscious Mind Labs Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642474/Conscious-Mind-Labs-Is-Ready-to-Revolutionize-the-Way-Mental-Health-Is-Addressed-With-Its-Innovative-Clinic-in-Vancouver-BC-Canada
Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin are not happy with NASA making a deal with SpaceX. And they're not shying away from making it known.

According to a report by The Verge, Bezos and Blue Origin is protesting NASA's decision to enter into a massive USD $2.9 billion deal with Elon Musk and SpaceX. The contract, which is meant to help SpaceX land astronauts on the moon in 2024, was contested in a very lengthy 175-page document.

Blue Origin filed the protest against NASA with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), claiming that the deal with SpaceX is "flawed," reports CNBC. Furthermore, Blue Origin also states that the deal only went down because NASA "moved the goalposts at the last minute." That is, there might've been a little government-backed greasing going on there.

So far, NASA has declined to comment on the Blue Origin protest "due to pending litigation," reports The Washington Post.

Read also: Blue Origin Conducts Space Tourism Rehearsals: What Does This Mean For The Future Of Commercial Space Travel?

Sending Humans Back To The Moon

With what SpaceX would be accomplishing with the contract, it's understandable why Blue Origin is protesting. The 2024 Artemis Moon Mission will allow the company to build the next lunar lander. Called a human landing system (HLS) Starship, the lander will be the first one since the 1969 Apollo mission to land people on the moon. That's kind of a big deal.

Aside from preparing things on the more science-y side, NASA is also promoting the upcoming 2024 lunar mission to build public excitement. Back in October 2020, they announced the hashtag #NASAMoonKit which asked people what they'd bring with them if they were given the chance to go to the moon.

Related: Wonder How The Artemis Program Will Bring NASA From Moon To Mars?

What Does The Artemis Mission Look To Achieve?

We've gone to the moon before, so why go back? That's the question a lot of people are asking about the Artemis Moon mission. But frankly, it's more than just picking up moon rocks and studying them.

One of Artemis' goals is to land the first female astronaut on the lunar surface. This is a massive step forward in terms of inclusion since Valentina Tereshkova first flew into space in 1963. Aside from that, Artemis is also part of the so-called "Moon To Mars" plan. What this means is that NASA is looking to build a space station in lunar orbit, alongside a habitable moon base, to prepare for future manned travels to Mars, as revealed by the Royal Museums Greenwich website.

What's Next?

If it doesn't win its protest, Blue Origin is still not going to lose a lot. It's still one of the foremost private companies that will likely help improve space travel technologies further, and by competing with SpaceX, the future of space exploration is even brighter. Who knows? With these upcoming missions, scientists might discover the long- lost secrets of the universe.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by RJ Pierce

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A woman who was jailed for 21 years after decapitating her mother and stabbing her head and face 100 times is set to appeal the severity of her sentence.

Jessica Camilleri was found guilty of manslaughter and is being held at the Silverwater Correctional Centre in Western Sydney, after killing her mother Rita on July 19, 2019.

Camilleri used seven kitchen knives in the attack - four of which broke due to the force of the strikes - before taking her mother's head outside their St Clair home and placing it on the footpath.

Jessica Camilleri (pictured) is appealing against the severity of her 21-year jail sentence after beheading her mother in July 2019

Camilleri used seven kitchen knives in the attack (pictured, Camilleri's mother Rita), four of which broke due to the force of the attack

Justice Helen Wilson sentenced Camilleri to 21 years in jail in March with a non-parole period of 16 years and two months.

The 27-year-old recently filed a notice of intention to appeal against the severity of her sentence to the NSW Supreme Court, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Camilleri's team has until September to file further paperwork including on what grounds they will base her appeal.

The move comes as Camilleri fronted Burwood Local Court last week claiming she has been the victim of constant bullying after she was charged with assaulting an inmate.

Jessica Camilleri (pictured) is being held at the Silverwater Correctional Centre, in western Sydney, after killing her mother Rita on July 19, 2019

She appeared via video link at Burwood Local Court last Thursday where she claimed she was being told to 'watch her back' by inmates who were making life a 'living hell'.

'They single me out in prison because of the nature of my crime,' she said.

'No matter what I do, no matter where I go other prisoners will make my life a living hell.'

Court documents state Camilleri, who says she suffers from bulimia, told police she believed the inmate was making fun of her eating disorder.

Jessica Camilleri took her mother's head outside their St Clair home and placed it on a footpath (pictured: Camilleri's mother Rita)

Camilleri approached the inmate in the recreation room and told her she was still hungry, according to the documents.

'Who should I ask for more food?' Camilleri said.

'I don't know who to ask, haven't you had enough food already?' The inmate said.

Camilleri believed the inmate was conspiring with others to attack her and walked behind her, pulled her by the hair and then 'vaulted' her, the documents state.

She told the court life in prison was 'hard' and that correctional officers 'can't protect you.'

'Sometimes, and I hate to say it in this courtroom, but other prisoners have been murdered by other prisoners in jail, that's how it is in jail,' she said.

Camilleri has since fronted court again after she was charged with assaulting an inmate at Silverwater Correctional Centre

She was found guilty of manslaughter and ordered to serve 21-years in jail where she is being monitored closely by prison officials (pictured, a crime scene was established following the incident in 2019)

Magistrate Sharon Freund convicted Camilleri of common assault.

During Camilleri's trial, following the attack on her mum, the court heard the defendant had an obsession with horror films, owning eight copies of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and five of Jeepers Creepers, which she watched 'over and over again'.

Two forensic psychiatrists had told the trial the frenzied knife attack was prompted by an intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder that features a fixation on horror films, though only one attributed the loss of control to the mixture of those conditions.

The other expert said an intermittent explosive disorder had a significant role to play.
He graduated from Northwestern University at a time that they did not allow Blacks to stay on campus, Neal said. So he stayed at the YMCA. And after all of his accomplishments he went back to his hometown in hopes of becoming a teacher. But they did not hire Blacks in the school system.
The Brandon School Division board of trustees passed several motions during Mondays regular meeting to help lay the groundwork for the next couple of school years.

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The Brandon School Division board of trustees passed several motions during Mondays regular meeting to help lay the groundwork for the next couple of school years.

To kick things off, the board approved their proposed budget dates for the 2022-23 school year, which will take place Feb. 17, 2022 (budget presentations), Feb. 22, 2022 (budget deliberations), Feb. 28, 2022 (public budget consultation) and March 7, 2022 (final budget approval).

Of course, these dates could be subject to change based on the provincial funding announcement made prior to Jan. 31, 2022.

The trustees also set the divisions tuition fees for the 2021-22 school year, settling on $1,300 for transfer fees, $5,796 for residual fees, $12,500 for non-resident (First Nation) fees and $12,500 for international student fees.

Additionally, the board decided to set aside $103,400 for an additional project support from the province for additional costs related to the construction of Maryland Park school, which just opened its doors to students in January.*

The board also reaffirmed the divisions 2021-22 financial commitment to the Brandon Schools Instrumental Music Association and the Comprehensive Health Care Aide program, the latter of which is run by Assiniboine Community College at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School.

Finally, the board approved the divisions five-year capital plan from 2022 to 2027.

BSD secretary-treasurer Denis Labossiere clarified that the division has targeted capital projects based on five categories, including construction of new facilities and renovations, accessibility, roofing, structure and systems.

These capital requests, along with others in BSD's capital plan, haven't been approved yet and will be submitted to the province for consideration.

Outside of requesting an addition to Maryland Park School, Labossiere said that BSD also wants to conduct significant renovations at Vincent Massey High School to keep up with enrolment.

With regards to accessibility, the division will be focusing on projects at Green Acres School and St. Augustine School throughout the next five years.

BSD is looking to focus some attention on Crocus Plains, Meadows School and J.R. Reid School in the roofing department.

In terms of structure, the division wants to give Alexander School (foundation), Riverheights School (asphalt roof) and Ecole secondaire Neelin High School (foundation) an overhaul.

Finally, the boilers at J.R. Reid, Earl Oxford School and George Fitton School are the top projects earmarked in the systems replacement category.**

The BSD trustees passed all these motions unanimously with very little discussion.

Of course, Mondays meeting took place under the shadow of Bill 64, the Education Modernization Act, which could dissolve the BSD and its board by 2022-23 if it is passed into law this coming fall.

However, BSD chairperson Linda Ross told the Sun on Monday night that the board is still approaching these meetings as "business as usual" regardless of whether massive change is looming on the horizon.

"We just carry on," she said over the phone. "The business of education doesnt stop because the government is reconsidering how to organize it. So we just keep working."

The BSD boards next regular meeting will take place May 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Due to new incoming COVID-19 health restrictions, Ross said that trustees will conduct this upcoming meeting totally online as opposed to meeting in person at the divisions headquarters.

* A previous version of this article incorrectly identified that this $103,400 is being used to construct an addition to Maryland Park School.

** A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that all these capital projects had already been approved, when, in fact, they still need to be submitted to the province.

 kdarbyson@brandonsun.com

 Twitter:@KyleDarbyson
Chile is going through a time of great social and political unrest. The National Congress of Chile is very fragmented and faces more division as at least 16 people have announced they will be running as candidates in the presidential election in November. There are only three weeks to go before the Constitutional Convention election, where Chileans will choose 155 people to write a new Constitution, the first since the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. And there will also be parliamentary, regional and local elections on this date. But Chile, 31 years since the return of democracy, is facing this historic moment amid great uncertainty. The country is in pieces and there is not even consensus about when it began to break apart, nor if the new Constitution will be able to remedy the problem.

The political class is throwing around populist measures, while the conservative government of President Sebastian Pinera is struggling to stay afloat. Without control of parliament, the executive has not been able to bring an end to the crisis that erupted in 2019, when social uprisings  with no visible leaders  backed the government into a corner. But while most opposition groups want to oust Pinera, there are no potential contenders either or on the left or the right since the project for political renewal has barely happened. Instead, eccentric lawmakers polarize the debate and appeal for cheap applause. And social media is only adding fuel to the fire.

Historical interpretation is broken in Chile, says Ascanio Cavallo, a political journalist and the author of important research into the recent past of the country, which is home to nearly 19 million people. According to this journalist, Chileans have very different perspectives on the 2019 social uprisings, the first democratic governments and even on the Pinochet dictatorship. We dont even have a name for the [social] upsurge of two years ago. Some talk of uprisings and others of pre-revolution. There is no way to name what happened because there is still no way to understand it, says Cavallo, who is the author of the book La Historia Oculta de la Transicion (or, The Hidden History of the Transition).

The social protests of 2019 came to a complete stop when the coronavirus pandemic hit Chile in March 2020. Like almost all of the world, Chile was plunged into an economic and health crisis. This only compounded the political and social upheaval that had been raging in the country since before the coronavirus, which has officially killed 25,000 Chileans and infected more than one million people. The pandemic found Chile with a weak government. Even with its early purchase of Covid-19 vaccines  which has allowed 49.6% of the target population (nearly 16 million people) to receive the first dose and 37.8% the second, quite a record in the region  the government still hasnt recovered its standing. And the populations distrust is not only affecting the government, but also political parties from across the ideological spectrum, Congress and all state institutions.

A woman plays violin beside her child in Santiago, the capital of Chile. SOFIA YANJARI

For historian Sol Serrano, the promise of prosperity during the transition to democracy and the center-left governments of 1990 to 2010 was not just a mirage. She explains that Chile has modernized very quickly and undergone many changes in the last three decades since the return to democracy. An open society emerged, with greater access to goods and resources. Not only was there a huge drop in poverty, but also a different, heterogeneous poverty, says Serrano. Chile has been one of the countries that has grown most quickly with respect to higher education. But nowhere in the world is there a perfect formula to adapt to the speed of change, she explains, and in the case of Chile, it went very quickly from a very hierarchical social structure to a transformation of class structures, which is different from inequality.

Moving towards active discontent

Other experts also have opinions on the multiple crises facing Chile, such as the sociologist Rodrigo Marquez, who is one of the coordinators of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) report, which has been warning of the social discontent in the country since at least 1998. During the following years, there continued to be a strong demand from a society that did not have the conditions for basic security, he says, referring to the period after 1999. There were options to move ahead and have a better life than your parents and grandparents, but at a cost that fell short of the sacrifice, says Marquez. According to the sociologist, what changed was not the sense of unrest but rather the degree of tolerance. Certain issues became unacceptable, he explains. It went from a diffuse discontent to an active discontent over injustices and inequality.

Marquez, however, does not believe that the average person in Chile is polarized because there has been a constant and majority call for change for a long time. According to the sociologist, this is reflected in the results of last Octobers referendum where eight in 10 people voted to replace the 1980 Constitution passed during the dictatorship. Marquez says that divisions in Chile are the result of differences between the part of society that is calling for transformation and those in power who govern for their convenience and do not want to understand.

A child plays in San Bernardo, a makeshift settlement home to more than 50 families. Sofia Yanjari

The tension is evident in the language being used. Opposition parties in Congress, for example, used the hashtag #estallido2020 (or #uprising2020) to call for more protests after President Pinera announced last week that he had appealed to the Constitutional Court to stop a bill allowing citizens to withdraw a third 10% tranche from their privately held pension funds. Adriana Valdes, the director of the Chilean Academy of Language, who is active on social media, warned in a message on Twitter that they are throwing about several powerful words, including genocide [to criticize Pineras handling of the pandemic]. When these words are needed, they are not going to mean anything. Careful.

Polarization is not new, says playwright Guillermo Calderon, who is renowned for work focused on Chiles contemporary history. It appears as a political expression in the segregation of education, health, cities and the transportation system, which in Chile is ordered by design, he says. Calderon is not surprised by the rising political tensions and does not mind that they are coming to light. Before, the entire project was based on a kind of collaboration between a business elite that would bring development to the country and the rest of the country that had to wait for some of the success to reach them, he says, a situation he describes as a dishonest trick.

Contradictory arguments

Karina Nohales, the spokesperson of the Womens Day march, also has no problem with Chiles divisions being exposed. According to Nohales, during the transition to democracy an effort was made to build an image of the country at peace with its contradictions through language. But since the social uprisings of 2019 everything is tense and this gives way to a language that is chemically pure of the social antagonisms that existed before, she says. They [the elite] begin to say how they really see us. This is a reference to statements made by Ricardo Ariztia, the head of the National Agriculture Society (SNA), who said that people were not going to work because they received handouts from the government as part of coronavirus relief.

A woman takes part in an event in Santiago to mark this years Womens Day. Sofia Yanjari

Anthropologist Pablo Ortuzar speaks of a ruptured middle class made up of politicians, businesspeople and priests marked by the signs of corruption and abuse and of an upper class in civil war. The fight for power, domination, appearance has become increasingly unforgiving in the context of the elite, says Ortuzar. Then, the possibility of pragmatically moving forward down the path that the middle class needs  i.e. the gradual construction and consolidation of a social state with greater guarantees  is blocked from above by the delirium and fury of the dominant groups of all sides. According to Ortuzar, the populist messages of political leaders are both a way to punish the insolence of the elite and give voice to the middle class.

Resurgence of violence

The call for street protests has not been completely silenced. Violence erupted once again last Tuesday when President Pinera announced that he had appealed the latest pension withdrawal at the Constitutional Court. The decision to allow citizens to withdraw 10% of their pensions had been approved by Congress, and has popular support, given that, according to the governments critics, economic aid has not reached the people during the pandemic. But experts from across all sectors warn of the difficulty of breaking this system without first having a replacement. Facing opposition from even within his own coalition, Pinera is now negotiating against the clock to overcome this latest political setback.

But the call for street protests has already raised alarm bells in the government. We are calling on all political groups, on all leaders, not to make calls that incite violence, and instead, to call for calm among citizens at a time when we are in a pandemic, said Juan Francisco Galli, the undersecretary of the Interior Ministry.

The tense climate in Chile now threatens to tarnish a year in which the South American country will head to the polls to vote in several different elections. On May 15 and 16, Chileans will elect mayors and municipal councilors, the Chilean Constitutional Convention, and for the first time, regional governors  a position previously appointed by the government. In November, there are parliamentary and presidential elections, and in 2022, the text of the new Constitution will be put to a referendum.

English version by Melissa Kitson.
A single dose of vaccine slashes the risk of spreading coronavirus by up to half, a major study reveals today.

Not only does the jab reduce a person's chance of catching Covid in the first place, it greatly reduces their chances of passing it on, should they get infected.

The research by Public Health England (PHE) which involved almost 1.5million adults is the first of its kind to confirm the effectiveness of the vaccines in curbing the virus's ability to spread.

The new study on transmission of the virus found that adults who received the Pfizer vaccine  but still caught the virus  were 49 per cent less likely to spread it to other household members than those who weren't inoculated.

The results for the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab were not quite as good but nonetheless, those who received it were 38 per cent less likely to transmit it to others in their household.

But the fact that both vaccines dramatically reduce the virus's ability to spread  as well as preventing serious illness  offer renewed hope that they hold the key to a return to normal life.

They have already been shown to reduce coronavirus hospitalisations and deaths by 80 per cent after one dose, rising even higher after full immunity.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: 'This is terrific news, we already know vaccines save lives and this study is the most comprehensive real-world data showing they also cut transmission of this deadly virus.'

The results will come as a huge boost for the country's lockdown easing plans, given that almost 34million Britons - more than half the entire population - have had one dose. Some 13.2m of them have been given both injections.

It comes as Boris Johnson said yesterday that the 'road ahead looks positive' as separate figures revealed Covid deaths have plummeted 97 per cent since the second peak.

Adults who received the Pfizer vaccine (red) but still caught the virus were 49 per cent less likely to spread it to other household members than those who weren't inoculated. Those given the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab (blue) were 38 per cent less likely to transmit it to others in their household. The graph shows that in the first few days after vaccination (right), people are more likely to pass the disease on compared to weeks later, when immunity has time to build up (left). The figures are based on an odds ratio, meaning anything above one is an increased risk - and anything below is the opposite

Vaccines DO slash transmission! A single dose of vaccine slashes the risk of spreading coronavirus by up to half to those in their own household, a major study reveals today

It comes after previous analysis by PHE found the number of vaccinated people testing positive for the disease plummets by about 60 per cent after a month

Results from a study in March showed that, among over-80s who got both doses of the Pfizer vaccines, the risk of infection plummets more than 80 per cent

How the Pfizer (left) and Oxford (right) vaccines compare in all age groups after one dose: The British jab appears more effective when just a single dose is administered

Previous analysis had already confirmed the jabs were excellent at preventing severe disease and death but one of the unanswered questions was how much they stopped transmission.

Scientists have repeatedly warned a jab that is poor at halting the disease's spread meant there was always a risk of the virus circulating in high numbers and eventually spilling into the small number of vulnerable people who aren't jabbed or for whom the jabs don't work.

On PHE's latest analysis, Mr Hancock added: 'It further reinforces that vaccines are the best way out of this pandemic as they protect you and they may prevent you from unknowingly infecting someone in your household.

UK humiliated us! Italian MEP slams EU's slow vaccine rollout An Italian MEP yesterday launched a verbal attack on the European Union, declaring 'the UK humiliated us' with the speed of its vaccine rollout. Antonio Maria Rinaldi spoke out as members of the European Parliament debated Brexit for the final time, ahead of the EU's formal ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement. The former banker and member of the Eurosceptic Lega party said the UK will see higher economic growth than Europe and apologised for Brussels' Brexit doom-mongering. He attacked the EU's 'swamps of regulations' and 'the lies that have been told [against Britain] just for daring to no longer follow diktats'. His comments came as the Commission announced it was suing AstraZeneca over vaccine shortfalls, the latest development in a furious row that has seen European leaders bitterly attack Britain for having secured more doses than them. Mr Rinaldi said: 'I learned that the European Union has sued the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. We hope that the lawyers in charge are not the same ones who formulated the contracts last year. 'Why is the Commission not using some very good London law firm this time? They would be sure to win.' Advertisement

'I urge everybody to get their vaccines as soon as they are eligible and make sure you get your second dose for the strongest possible protection. This is a huge national effort and we will beat the virus together.'

Professor Openshaw, a member of the Covid-19 clinical information network, described the results as 'very, very reassuring and 'certainly better than many of us expected just a few months ago'.

He told the BBC Radio Four Today programme: 'It shows that the immune system is doing something a lot more than we were expecting of it really.'

He said it is known from other studies that infection is 'typically much milder' in people who have been vaccinated and added that with two doses the outcome is 'almost certainly going to be even better'.

The jabs' ability to prevent virus transmission kicked in after just 14 days and they worked regardless of a person's age or the number of people within their household, with whom they had close contact.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at PHE, said: 'Vaccines are vital in helping us return to a normal way of life.

'Not only do vaccines reduce the severity of illness and prevent hundreds of deaths every day, we now see they also have an additional impact on reducing the chance of passing Covid-19 on to others. I encourage anyone who is offered a vaccine to take it as soon as possible.

'While these findings are very encouraging, even if you have been vaccinated, it is really important that you continue to act like you have the virus, practise good hand hygiene and follow social distancing guidance.'

Last week, a major Oxford study found that a single dose of either the Oxford/AstraZeneca or the Pfizer vaccine reduced symptomatic infection by nearly three quarters, compared to in people who had not had the jab.

The authors were so encouraged by the findings they said the jabs would enable the country to control the pandemic without the need for future lockdowns.

There were 2,685 new coronavirus cases and a further 17 deaths reported yesterday.

Matt Hancock reveals people aged 42 and over - which includes him - can now get a Covid vaccine in England NHS England lowered the age for people to get a coronavirus vaccine for the second time this week on Tuesday. Everyone over the age of 42  or who have their 42nd birthday before July  is now being invited to come forward for their jab. Matt Hancock, 42, revealed the expansion in a video posted on Twitter, adding that he was 'very excited' to come forward for a vaccine himself. The Health Secretary said the rollout was going 'extraordinarily well' and uptake was 'astonishingly high'  more than nine in 10 Brits invited for a jab so far have turned up. All 1.3million people aged 42 and 43 will invited via text from 'NHSvaccine', which includes a web link to the health service's online booking service. Those who can't access the internet can call 119 instead to get an appointment at one of 1,600 sites administering the vaccines across England. It comes after the age limit in England was dropped to 44 on Monday. Two-thirds of 45 to 49-year-olds have already received their first dose, despite the programme only opening to them a fortnight ago. The scheme is expected to widen even further to people in their 30s next week. NHS medical director Professor Stephen Powis said it was a 'testament to the hard work of NHS staff' that the programme had moved so quickly. Advertisement

The Prime Minister's optimism about getting life back to normal comes as Office for National Statistics figures showed there were 266 deaths in the week to April 9 where Covid was recorded on the death certificate. This is down 97 per cent from 8,965 in the week to January 22, when there were more than a thousand deaths each day.

After Mr Johnson's Cabinet meeting yesterday, a No10 statement said: 'The PM said that while the road ahead looks positive, there will still be challenges and this Government will continue to take tough decisions where necessary to protect both lives and livelihoods.'

Yesterday the Government also announced that more than 13million adults had received both doses of the jab, meaning a quarter of the population now have the strongest protection against the virus.

All over-40s are expected to be invited for their jabs by the end of the week and officials are confident that they will hit their target of offering all adults their first dose by the end of July.

Dr Mike Tildesley, from the University of Warwick and a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M) group, told BBC Breakfast the PHE findings on transmission were 'significant'.

He added: 'We know that these vaccines are very good at preventing severe symptoms but they're not 100% effective, so it's really important if someone does get infected having been vaccinated, they aren't likely to pass the virus on to others, because then that reduces the risk of the virus spreading further and potentially putting vulnerable people who may not have protection at risk.'

He said the study offered 'extra evidence to suggest we do need as many people to be vaccinated as possible, even if you are not at severe risk of developing severe symptoms, because that way we're getting much higher levels of protection across the population, protecting the vulnerable and, hopefully, further reducing the number of people who will get severely ill and sadly die from the disease.'

The vaccines' effects on cutting transmission are likely to be even higher after two doses, though further evidence was needed, he added.

Dr Tildesley said the findings should also relate to other environments such as schools and places where people are in close proximity, adding: 'This is really, really good news that in indoor settings, it seems that the vaccine is highly effective.'

He said the UK was in a good position and the fact the 'vaccines seem to be effective hopefully puts us in a good position to continue with the road map and the full relaxation by June 21.'

Yesterday NHS England lowered the age for people to get a coronavirus vaccine for the second time in a week.

Everyone over the age of 42  or who have their 42nd birthday before July  is now being invited to come forward for their jab.

Matt Hancock, 42, revealed the expansion in a video posted on Twitter, adding that he was 'very excited' to come forward for a vaccine himself.

All 1.3million people aged 42 and 43 will invited via text from 'NHSvaccine', which includes a web link to the health service's online booking service.

Those who can't access the internet can call 119 instead to get an appointment at one of 1,600 sites administering the vaccines across England.

Two-thirds of 45 to 49-year-olds have already received their first dose, despite the programme only opening to them a fortnight ago.

The scheme is expected to widen even further to people in their 30s next week.
The Hudson County Prosecutors Offices Homicide Unit and the Jersey City Police Department are investigating the death of a 40-year-old Jersey City man who was found dead in his apartment, authorities said Tuesday afternoon.

Just after 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jersey City police officers responded on a welfare check to an apartment at 44 Storms Ave., between Howard Place and Monticello Ave., and found a lifeless 40-year-old man, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. The man, identified as Benjamin Stone, was pronounced dead at 2:01 a.m.

The death is considered suspicious at this time because of injuries noticed on his body, Suarez said. The final determination of cause and manner of death are pending the findings of the Regional Medical Examiners Office.

If it is ruled a homicide, it would be the seventh in Jersey City and 10th in Hudson County in 2021.

No arrests have been made at this time and anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/.

All information will be kept confidential.
It seems like comedian Whitney Cummings enjoyed her time in San Antonio last week.

The "Good For You" podcast host headlined several shows from Thursday through Saturday at the Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club, selling out most of her performances, according to the venue's Facebook.

On Saturday, Cummings posted on Instagram about her visit at Little Death on the St. Mary's Street, thanking the wine bar and San Antonio for its art that spoke to her blue-haired self.

"Thank you, San Antonio, for having topless blue-haired mermaids everywhere so feel seen and don't internalize all the YouTube comments about me being on crack," she wrote as a caption.

READ ALSO: TxDOT HAD TO FIX THIS MISSPELLED SIGN OVER THE WEEKEND

Cummings also posted a video clip of her and an audience member, who's never touched fake boobs before. She allowed him on stage to feel her up (calm down, it was over her sweater).

"This English silver fox is 65 and has never touched fake boobs," she wrote in her post. "We made his nightmare come true and no he did not mind the gap."

In the video, the man thanked Cummings for the educational experience, smiling and all.

If you missed her in San Antonio, she'll be in Houston May 13-15 and Dallas May 20-22. Click here to find tickets.
MSP and MDOT partner to increase work zone enforcement and awareness to work zone safety

MSP and MDOT partner to increase work zone enforcement and awareness to work zone safety

Transportation

Sgt. Joseph Rowley, Michigan State Police 989-329-8339, RowleyJ@Michigan.gov

Jocelyn Hall, MDOT Office of Communications, 989-245-7117, HallJ20@Michigan.gov

Fast facts:

- MSP and MDOT are partnering to improve work zone safety by increasing enforcement in major work zones.

- Approximately 3,900 crashes occurred in work zones in 2020, resulting in 14 fatalities.

- Drivers should expect additional patrols in Saginaw County and Genesee County work zones as MSP works to improve safety for road workers.

April 27, 2021 -- As orange barrels continue popping up across mid-Michigan, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Michigan State Police (MSP) are partnering to ensure work zones remain as safe as possible. National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an opportunity to remind drivers of the risks associated with distracted driving and speeding through work zones.

While the annual awareness event has been recognized for more than 20 years, work zone crashes, injuries, and fatalities continue to haunt road workers. Traffic volumes trended down through much of 2020, but preliminary data indicates there were still more than 3,900 crashes in work zones, with 14 fatalities. To bring additional awareness to the seriousness of responsible driving through work zones, MSP is partnering with MDOT to increase enforcement through work zones.

"We know the best resource to improve safety for drivers and road workers alike is to ensure everyone is abiding by the posted speed limits in work zones, and eliminating distractions while they drive," said MSP Sgt. Joseph Rowley. "Our troopers have been patrolling these construction sites for the past few weeks, and we plan to increase the number of units patrolling this coming week."

MSP troopers regularly conduct enforcement through all MDOT work zones. In an effort to further improve the safety of several major work sites, MSP intends to double their enforcement efforts in the I-75 work zone in Saginaw County, and the I-75/US-23 and I-69/I-475 work zones in Genesee County.

"Crews have been back out on I-75 in Saginaw County for over a month," said MDOT Construction Engineer Brian Ulman. "With lane closures and traffic shifts in place now, we really need to see drivers start to obey the posted speed limit and put an emphasis on safe driving practices. The number of speeding vehicles and crashes occurring just since work started back up is very concerning."

Michigan will host this year's annual NWZAW campaign, with a live stream media event scheduled for Tuesday, April 27, at https://livestream.com/mdot/2021nwzawkickoff. More information about this year's NWZAW efforts is available.
At a mangrove plantation with juvenile mangrove trees. Credit: University of Maryland

In collaboration with researchers at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, a University of Maryland (UMD) postdoctoral researcher recently co-published a large-scale study examining the genetic diversity of mangroves over more than 1,800 miles of coastline in the Western Indian Ocean, including Eastern Africa and several islands. While the mangroves of Asia, Australia, and the Americas have been more extensively studied, little work has been done classifying and highlighting genetic diversity in African mangrove populations for conservation. Similar to other wetlands, mangrove trees like the species studied in the new paper in Scientific Reports (Rhizophora mucronata) create habitats for myriad animal and plant life, acting as hubs of biodiversity while also economically supporting many local communities. This work showcases how oceanic currents create both connectivity and barriers between mangrove populations, with important implications for how to protect these ecosystems.

"Whenever I get asked about mangroves, I always say they are my happy place," says Magdalene Ngeve, postdoctoral researcher at UMD in Maile Neel's lab (professor in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture and Department of Entomology). "They are very fascinating systems to work with. When I went to do my field work for my Master's thesis and got to experience mangroves, be close to the trees, and see how much biodiversity they host, I instantly fell in love and knew this is what I should be studying."

Born and raised in Cameroon, Ngeve grew up near the coast, but didn't give her local mangroves much thought until she left to pursue her graduate degrees on a scholarship to the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. After studying zoology for her undergraduate work, Ngeve became a biologist with a specialization in environment, biodiversity, and ecosystems for her Master's and conservation ecology and genetics for her Ph.D. It was there that her love of mangroves blossomed, and she brought that passion with her to UMD as a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow.

"I am so excited we got this study out there, with the collaboration of mangrove experts in Brussels [Belgium] and around the world," says Ngeve. "In conservation, we have limited resources to manage everything on the planet, so we talk about these evolutionary significant units, which are units we should focus on to preserve as much genetic variability as possible to preserve their evolutionary potential and ensure the ecosystem is resilient. This work showed us that we actually have even more distinct populations than we realized, and that is important for conservation."

As Ngeve explains it, people don't often think about ocean currents as a way to spread seeds and seedlings (known as propagules), or even pollen. But for many species, water is the primary way seeds are spread and diversity is ensured. "Ocean currents can be genetic barriers, and they can be facilitators of genetic connectivity at the same time," explains Ngeve. "It just depends on how they all come together and connect. In this study, we saw that ocean current patterns maintain genetic diversity of remote island populations like Seychelles, and cause an accumulation of genetic diversity around where the South Equatorial Current [near the equator] splits near the Eastern African coastline. Seychelles and Madagascan populations likely came to existence from ancient dispersal events from present day Australia and Southeast Asia, and these island populations act as an important stepping stone in spreading diversity to the East African coastline, which we found was a much younger population. Splitting currents also create a barrier to genetic connectivity between even nearby northern and southern populations of the East African coast and the Mozambique Channel."

This study helps fill in an important gap in the research, since African mangroves, especially the genetics aspects, have been understudied according to Ngeve. For her doctoral work, Ngeve presented some of the first genetic work on the mangroves of the West African coast, so this work expanding to the East African coast is a natural next step. By understanding the genetic diversity of these species locally, researchers can make connections across populations for global conservation.

Measuring seedling (propagule) growth under different salinity, light, and sediment with a young mangrove science enthusiast, Elizabeth Woloa (Cameroon). Credit: University of Maryland

Ngeve is particularly interested in coastal environments, or the intersection of land and sea as a way to look at larger global change phenomena. "Almost everything we do on land affects the ocean, and those intermediate environments are like the bridge," says Ngeve. "We talk a lot about climate change and sea level rise, and coasts and estuaries [like the Chesapeake Bay and Hudson River Estuary] are on the front lines. How are species in these ecosystems surviving and adapting? Foundational species like mangroves and submerged aquatic vegetation, which I also study as a postdoc, are home to so many species and host high biodiversity. Making sure they are resilient means protecting that biodiversity for all that depend on them."

Ngeve is also considering how humans depend on the mangroves, and hopes to find ways that rural communities in her home country of Cameroon can protect the mangroves while still providing for their families. Through her start up project called BeeMangrove, she hopes to transition locals from overharvesting the mangroves for wood as a livelihood to raising honey bees that can simultaneously help pollinate the mangroves and produce honey to sell.

"While studying the Rhizophora racemosa mangrove species which is pollinated by both wind and insects, I had observed that mangroves that are more windward produced more seedlings. From my genetic work, I also observed pollination limitations at study sites. So clearly, there is a pollination problem in the mangroves that don't get the wind," explains Ngeve. "At the same time, there are also mangrove markets where people sell nothing but mangrove wood, and the logging is an issue. It's no doubt that mangroves like other ecosystems are declining, and we are losing so much biodiversity. In rural Cameroon, I began to wonder what these people could do differently. But they are relying exclusively on the mangroves for their livelihood. It's all they have for food, they harvest the wood for building their homes, and sell it to provide for their families and send their children to schoolmangroves are everything to them. How do you tell people so dependent on the system to stop logging? You have to provide an alternative."

Ngeve hopes that with future funding, BeeMangrove can be that alternative. She is currently examining perceptions about mangroves in Cameroon. She has worked with local organizations to provide education and outreach to communities, and the first beehive has been installed. The goal is to work with locals from the start to pilot and grow this program with their support.

Growing up in Cameroon, this project is very personal to Ngeve. She is grateful for all the support from her family as a researcher. "My mother became a mangrove researcher herself, tending to my juvenile mangrove plants even after my growth experiment was over," she says. Her father, Jacob Ngeve, is in fact an '88 doctoral alum of the UMD Department of Plant Sciences and Landscape Architecture (then Department of Horticulture). As a quantitative plant geneticist, he has had an international career as an agricultural researcher, and his influence is carried through in her work to this day.

"Growing up in Africa, I remembered seeing photos he would send of him in these very same walls in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources," says Ngeve. "I never imagined I'd be here one dayit is a real privilege. My father would always tell me, 'Education is the only thing a father can give his child, because that, no one can take away from you.' And that meant so much to me because I clung to those words, and against all odds, I studied and followed my dreams. I look forward to making an impact here the way he did."

Ngeve is also incredibly thankful for the mentorship she has received on her road to this work and to UMD, from Neel as her current mentor, to those in Brussels, to her family. "My mentors are the reason I am here, and I look forward to paying forward all they have invested in me."

Explore further The Malay Peninsula is a dispersal barrier to certain mangrove species

More information: Ludwig Triest et al, Expansion of the mangrove species Rhizophora mucronata in the Western Indian Ocean launched contrasting genetic patterns, Scientific Reports (2021). Journal information: Scientific Reports Ludwig Triest et al, Expansion of the mangrove species Rhizophora mucronata in the Western Indian Ocean launched contrasting genetic patterns,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84304-8
CSE: CDPR

MONTREAL, April 27, 2021 /CNW/ - Cerro de Pasco Resources Inc. (CSE: CDPR) (OTCPK: GPPRF) (FRA: N8HP) ("CDPR" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed a second tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering (the "Offering"). In connection with the closing of the initial tranche, the Company issued 3,022,128 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.35 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,057,745.

Each unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each full warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase an additional common share at a price of $0.50 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for general working capital purposes and for the advancement of the Quiulacocha tailings retreatment project in Peru.

Corporate Update on Quiulacocha Tailings Project

In compliance with the requirements for the formulation of an Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA) for the exploration of the Quiulacocha Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), on April 18, 2021, CDPR successfully held a participatory workshop with the local Quiulacocha Community and authorities. The workshop was preceded by the Ministry of Energy and Mines. Due to the pandemic, the workshop was held using a virtual internet conferencing platform, transmitted live on local radio and simultaneously streamed on the website and Facebook page of the local radio station.

Members of the general committee of the workshop as well as the president of the Quiulacocha Community and the mayor of Quiulacocha expressed their interest in and support of the tailings exploration program. During the workshop CDPR and its advisors Yaku Consultores SAC, responded to over 80 questions and comments from the Quiulacocha Community, authorities, and the general public. The workshop airing on Facebook was viewed over 9,500 times.

On April 19, 2021, CDPR received the official minutes of the workshop from the Environmental branch of the Ministry (DGAAM). Now that this important milestone has been reached CDPR is working to complete the DIA and present the document for review and approval by the Ministry of Energy and Mines towards the end of April 2021.

The DIA provides the details and coordinates for the 40-hole drilling program that CDPR intends to carry out across the Quiulacocha TSF, within the boundaries of its El Metalurgista concession. The Quiulacocha TSF is estimated to contain approximately 70 million tonnes of material with recoverable silver, zinc, lead, copper, gold and other strategic metals as described in CDPR's press release of April 7, 2021.

CDPR continues to maintain its social license with the Quiulacocha Community and is already in discussions to extend its surface rights agreement obtained in 2019 (See corporate press release dated October 17, 2019).

About the Financing

The Company shall be entitled to accelerate the expiry of the Warrants to the date that is 30 days following the date a notice is provided to the holder in the event that the volume weighted average price of the Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange exceeds $1.00 per Share for any twenty (20) consecutive trading days at any time prior to the expiry of the Warrant.

In connection with the completion of the second tranche of the Offering, the Company paid finder's fees of $60,602.50 to certain parties who assisted the Company by introducing subscribers to the placement. The Company may pay additional finder's fee on subsequent tranches of the placement.

The Company anticipates closing a subsequent tranche of the Offering on or before April 30, 2021.

All securities issued in connection with the closing of the second tranche of the Offering, and any subsequent tranches, will be subject to a four-month-and-one-day statutory hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction.

About Cerro de Pasco Resources

Cerro de Pasco Resources Inc. is a resource management company, founded in 2012 and publicly listed in 2018, with the purpose of treating and reprocessing all dumps, tailings, mining waste and material resources in the Cerro de Pasco Region in Peru. Our ambition is to restore long-term sustainability to the mining activity in the Cerro de Pasco Region, in harmony with a healthy and motivated local population. Our team brings first-hand experience and ideas based on innovative solutions and a holistic approach, aiming to create numerous opportunities in a circular economy.

The CSE has in no way passed upon the merits of the transactions and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements and Disclaimer

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "seeks", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "could", "might", "likely" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "will", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements, including the expectations of CDPR's management regarding the completion of the Transaction as well as the business and the expansion and growth of CDPR's operations, are based on CDPR's estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of CDPR to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic factors and uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, including the relevant assumptions and risks factors set out in CDPR's public documents, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 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. Although CDPR believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements and forward-looking information. Except where required by applicable law, CDPR disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Cerro de Pasco Resources Inc.

For further information: Guy Goulet, CEO, Telephone: +1-579-476-7000, Mobile: +1-514-294-7000, [email protected]

Related Links

http://pascoresources.com/


As the death toll from the military crackdown against peaceful protesters in Myanmar mounts, some in the Southeast Asian nation are turning to armed combat to fight back. They are trading peaceful resistance against the coup in the cities and heading to the countrys remote borderlands to join a patchwork of rebel armies.

One of the oldest and largest ethnic armed groups, the Karen National Union (KNU), told VOA protesters coming from the lowlands of central Myanmar have been trekking to the rebels hilly jungle redouts for training since late March.

We train people who want to be trained and who want to fight against the military regime, said Maj. Gen. Nerdah Bo Mya, chief of staff of the Karen National Defense Organization, an armed wing of the KNU.

We are [on] the same boat, helping one another. [We] help each other to survive and get rid of the military regime and to re-establish what we call the democratic government, he said.

The general said ethnic Karenni, Rakhine and Shan rebel groups were doing the same.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a local rights group, says security forces have killed more than 750 people by opening fire on the mass demonstrations that swept the country in the wake of the February 1 coup. The military junta disputes the number, putting the figure well under 300, and claims to be responding to the protests with all due restraint.

The protests have wilted from the pressure, but a dogged civil disobedience movement continues to cripple much of the public and private sectors, from banks to hospitals. Earlier this month the U.N.s human rights chief, Michele Bachelet, warned that the country could still tip into an all-out civil war with echoes of Syria.

Come one, come all

The military has been battling sundry rebel armies vying for autonomy for each of their own ethnic minorities on Myanmars fringes for decades. What concerns the United Nations and others is the fighting spilling into Myanmars middle, home to the countrys ethnic majority Bamar, and where some of the largest protests against the coup have broken out.

Nerdah Bo Mya said many of the urban protesters turning to the KNU are coming with the intent of heading back to their towns and cities to put their new training to use.

Definitely the purpose of coming to the area is to go back and to survive and also to train other people, he said.

All were welcome  Karen, Bamar and otherwise  for a regimen of physical training, a crash course in guerrilla tactics and practice with small arms, AK-47s, M-16s and so forth, he said, but no explosives.

The general refused to say whether the trainees would be taking any of the weapons back with them.

He said the aim was to teach the protesters how to defend themselves and others from attack. But he also warned of a sweeping armed resistance if the junta refused to retreat, blurring the line between defense and offense.

Were training them to defend themselves  against the corrupt military regime, he said. They are not children anymore, so they know what to decide. If the [Myanmar] military regime is not giving up their power and [will not] hand over the power back to the democratic government, then there will be bloody battles in the cities, in the jungles, everywhere.

A call to arms

One KNU trainee said he had given up on peaceful resistance.

I dont like protesting anymore. No, it doesnt work. We just get shot. Its over 700 people already, he told VOA, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal from the military.

The 26-year-old said he left Yangon for the KNUs bases along the Thai border soon after the coup, and that a friend who stayed behind was later hit in the head and killed by a stray bullet from security forces shooting at protesters up the street.

The young man from Yangon, Myanmars largest city and commercial capital, said he believed in meeting force with equal force.

I need to know how to hold a weapon. Its not fair if we fight them with a knife or something like that. We should be trained. They are well trained, they are soldiers, they can shoot pretty well. For us, we need training, otherwise we cant do anything, he said.

The trainee said he would head back to Yangon, Myanmars largest city and commercial capital, as soon as the KNU deems him ready.

After we are trained here, we will go back, and we will do something. We have to fight for our freedom, otherwise a lot of people will just die, just die, they just protest, and they just die. Its not worth it, he said. If we could fight them, its worth it.

Courting disaster

Nerdah Bo Mya would not say how many protesters his group was training but claimed that between the KNU and the other rebel armies doing the same they numbered in the thousands.

Richard Horsey, a Myanmar analyst and senior adviser to the International Crisis Group, said they were more probably in the hundreds, so likely to make any urban fighting relatively small-scale.

Its not easy to set up an urban guerilla force from scratch, especially with people who have not had previous military training, he said. While I do think there could be some violent incidents, and there already have been, thats very different from being able to launch a sustained urban guerilla campaign.

The stiffest armed resistance outside of areas held by the ethnic rebel armies has sprung up in Sagaing Region, in Myanmars northwest. Local news reports say residents there have formed their own civil army and managed to supplement their homemade air guns and old hunting rifles with some AK-47 and M-16 automatic assault rifles. The military has reported casualties on its side.

How sustained that will be, Im not sure. But its happening, and I think it could happen in other parts of the country as well, Horsey said.

If the rebel groups prove reluctant to arm the protesters themselves, decades of civil war have created a substantial black market in military weapons those with the cash and connections could tap, he added.

Whether or not Myanmar goes the way of Syria, Horsey said the country was edging toward catastrophic state failure with widespread hunger and displacement on the horizon.

All of this is a very real prospect, as is continued or increased violence, he said, and all of that should be very alarming to the region and to the world.
The explosions at munitions depots in Vrbetice in 2014 were part of an operation by Russian special services to limit Ukraine's capabilities to purchase ammunition to counter Russian aggression, according to an investigation conducted by Bellingcat.

According to the report, the 2014 explosions in the Czech Republic were part of a longer-term GRU operation aimed at disrupting Ukraine's capabilities to procure weapons and munitions critical to its defense against Russian troops and Russia-sponsored militants in the war in eastern Ukraine.

The mission included several contiguous operations among which were the explosions at the Vrbetice depots, the assassination attempt on Emilian Gebrev, the head of Bulgaria's arms manufacturer EMCO, and  with increasing likelihood  at least one of the three explosions at munition depots in Bulgaria in early to mid-2015.

In addition, telephone records analyzed by Bellingcat show that several members of a special GRU unit communicated actively with Russian military officers deployed to the Donbas, as well as with local militant commanders fighting against the central Kyiv government, in 2014 and 2015.

Earlier, EMCO confirmed that it supplied ammunition to Ukraine in late 2014. At the same time, sources close to Ukraine military procurement confirmed that these supplies played a crucial role in boosting Ukraine's defense capability at a time when its territorial integrity was at stake.

At the time, EMCO was one of only two EU companies specializing in the production of state-of-the-art munitions compatible with Soviet-era weapons. The other company was "under effective Russian control."

Bellingcat notes that Russian military intelligence approached arms traders who had ammunition compatible with Ukraine's artillery, offering them "significantly above market prices" to purchase their stock, in order to prevent Ukraine's access to the market.

EMCO confirmed that Ukraine imported its ammunition in the 120 mm to 152 mm range for Ukraine in the period December 2014  February 2015, based on a contract signed on November 10, 2014. Most of the ammunition including the 5,000 large-bore 152 mm rounds was exported in January 2015, with the last shipment realized on February 26, 2015.

The company says part of the contractual commitment remained unrealized, as it says it abstained from shipping to Ukraine after the February 2015 signing of the Minsk-2 de-escalation agreement. The total value of the contract was over EUR 25 million ($30 million). However, not all of the contracted volume was sold to Ukraine.

op
American comic Pete Davidson has been caught breaking Britain's Covid quarantine laws while visiting his Bridgerton star girlfriend, Phoebe Dynevor.

The couple were pictured together for the first time on Sunday, with 26-year-old Phoebe showing her boyfriend, 27, around Stoke-on-Trent, where she is currently shooting new film The Colour Room.

However, MailOnline can reveal that Pete, 27, only flew into Londons Heathrow Airport on Thursday evening, which means he should have been isolating until Tuesday at the earliest.

Passengers arriving in Britain from the US are required to quarantine at home for 10 days, though they can be released after five clear days, not counting the day they arrived, provided they test negative for Covid.

Rule break: American Pete Davidson has been caught breaking Britain's Covid quarantine laws while visiting girlfriend Phoebe Dynevor after being spotted outside on Sunday

Caught on camera: Pete, 27, only flew into Londons Heathrow Airport on Thursday evening, which means he should have been isolating until Tuesday at the earliest

In order to comply with rules, Davidson's quarantine would have begun on Friday and he would take a test no earlier than Tuesday - having to remain in quarantine until he received a negative result.

The stroll was not their only outing of the day, as pictures later emerged of the duo at a supermarket in Greater Manchester taken on the Sunday morning.

A photographer who spotted him arriving at Heathrow from a Virgin flight on Thursday said the comic went out of his way to try and avoid being photographed as he walked through the Arrivals hall.

The comedian flew back to New York on Monday.

MailOnline has contacted Davidson's representatives for comment.

Cosy: The couple were pictured together for the first time on Sunday, with 26-year-old Phoebe showing her boyfriend, 27, around her hometown of Stoke-on-Trent

Breaking rules twice: The stroll was not their only outing of the day, as pictures later emerged of the duo at a supermarket in Greater Manchester taken on the Sunday morning

Its the third time the couple are said to have met up in recent months.

In February, former Waterloo Road star Dyvenor, daughter of Coronation Street actress Sally Dynevor, flew to New York City where he is based.

Although she didn't share any pictures with Davidson, the Netflix star shared photos of Brooklyn on Instagram, as she penned: 'Grateful I got to be here for a hot sec .'

Camera shy? A photographer who spotted Davidson arriving at Heathrow from a Virgin flight on Thursday said the comic went out of his way to try and avoid being photographed

WHAT ARE THE TRAVEL RULES FOR TRIPS FROM THE US TO ENGLAND? Before travelling Take a Covid test and get a negative result during the three days before you travel Book and pay for a travel test package, which will include Covid tests to be taken on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 of your quarantine Complete a passenger locator form with details of where you will home quarantine when you arrive and the travel test package (if you are arriving from a non red-list country) booking reference number After landing Quarantine for 10 days (the day you arrive in the UK does not count towards your 10 day total) Take a Covid test on day 2 and day 8 of quarantining unless your job qualifies for a travel exemption Follow the national restrictions What happens if you do not follow the rules? Providing false or deliberately misleading information when filling out your passenger locator form is an offence punishable by imprisonment. You could be fined up to 10,000, imprisoned for up to 10 years or both if you do not provide accurate details about the countries you have visited in the 10 days before you arrived in the UK. If you break the quarantine rules, you may face a penalty of up to 10,000. Advertisement

Rumours of their romance took off last month when Davidson was spotted out in Davidsons leafy hometown of Altrincham, Cheshire.

Meanwhile, an insider told People magazine: 'Pete is telling friends he's serious about [Phoebe]', as they continued to visit each other on both sides of the Atlantic, while another source added the pair are 'really into each other.'

Davidson's trip to the UK appears to coincide with some of his free time from Saturday Night Live, as the show is on a break without a live episode until May 8.

Across the pond: In February, former Waterloo Road star Phoebe, daughter of Coronation Street actress Sally Dynevor, flew to New York City where Pete is based

The couple added to relationship speculation last week when they wore identical necklaces featuring their initials - which are the same - during interviews.

'Pete is wearing it as a romantic gesture to Phoebe,' a source told The Sun after viewers noticed their matching jewellery.

'He wanted to show just how much she means to him and just how serious he is about them,' the source continued.

'She's in London and he's in America. So they wanted to feel like they're together when they're not. Any time they're feeling a bit lonely and missing each other they look down at the PD!'

Spotted: The couple added to relationship speculation last week when they wore identical necklaces featuring their initials - which are the same - during interviews

Earlier this month, Davidson seemed to confirm the relationship during a virtual conversation with Marquette University students.

When a student asked him to share his 'celebrity crush' during the Q&A session, he told them he wasn't available anymore.

'I'm with my celebrity crush,' he said, while grinning - though without mentioning Phoebe - months after the romance rumours first began.

One to watch: Phoebe is best known for her role in Netflix drama Bridgerton (pictured) where she was rumoured to be dating her co-star Rege-Jean Page

Dyvenor is best known for her leading role as Daphne Bridgerton in the Netflix's raunchy period drama series, Bridgerton, where she starred alongside Rege-Jean Page, with whom she was rumoured to have been dating.

She is currently working on Sky Original drama The Colour Room alongside Matthew Goode.

The film tells the true story of Clarice Cliff, a pioneering ceramic artist who became a rising star in the pottery industry in Stoke-On-Trent in the 1920s.

From political scandals to religious controversies and some VERY high-profile romances... a look back at Pete Davidson's bad boy past

With his hoodies, trademark tattoos and oversized roll-ups, Pete Davidson looks every inch the bad boy who has dated an impressive list of beautiful A-listers from Ariana Grande to Kate Beckinsale.

But the truth about the young comic who lost his New York firefighter father in 9/11 at the age of seven is more complex.

He claims he cannot function without marijuana due to being diagnosed with the debilitating bowel condition Crohn's Disease at 17.

Young love: Before Davidson became the youngest regular on SNL, he dated Carly Aquilino between 2014 and 2015 when they starred together on MTV's Guy Code and Girl Code

Before he became the youngest regular on Saturday Night Live, he dated Carly Aquilino between 2014 and 2015 when they starred together on MTV's Guy Code and Girl Code.

Although the romance didn't work out, Pete and Carly stayed friends and he later described her as 'one of the coolest chicks I've ever met' and said they still 'hang out all the time' following the split.

Pete next dated Cazzie David, daughter of comedian Larry David, for two years and they made several public appearances together. He went on to date Ariana Grande soon after they parted ways

Former flame: Pete's dating history includes a long-term relationship with Larry David's daughter Cazzie but he confirmed their split in 2018

In the same month he split from Cazzie, Pete began dating singer Ariana in 2018. The relationship progressed quickly and the couple were engaged after only a matter of weeks.

They broke up later the same year, with Pete admitting he 'knew it was over' after Ariana was left grieving the death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller. Ariana later mentioned Pete in her hit single 'Thank U, Next', with the words And for Pete, I'm so thankful.

Pete then moved on with actress Kate Beckinsale, who is twenty years his senior. They were first linked with in January 2019 and dated until at least April.

The way they were: Pete's dating history includes a whirlwind summer romance with Ariana Grande in 2018. The couple got engaged but were broken up by October

Pete admitted the age difference 'never bothered' the couple. A source told In Touch that Pete was 'an exciting breath of fresh air' for Kate.

Next to join his list of girlfriends was actress Margaret Qually. A source told Us: 'Theyve been seeing each other for a couple of months and Margaret is really excited about him.'

It didn't last long though, with the pair reportedly dating for just two months between August and October 2019.

Smitten: In 2019, Pete hit the headlines for his brief romance with Underworld actress Kate Beckinsale who is 20 years his senior

Pete quickly moved on from Margaret to date model Kaia Gerber, who is the daughter of Cindy Crawford. He and Kaia were seen holding hands a few times but the whirlwind romance came to an end after just three months in January 2020.

His edgy comedy has often strayed into controversy, such as when he compared the Roman Catholic Church to alleged paedophile musician R. Kelly, currently awaiting trial on numerous child sex abuse charges.

In a SNL sketch, Davidson said If you support the Catholic Church, isn't that like the same thing as being an R. Kelly fan? I don't really see the difference, except for one's music is significantly better.

Former flames: Later in the year, Pete was linked to Once Upon A Time In Hollywood actress Margaret Qualley whose mother is Andie MacDowell

The Church demanded an apology in vain.

In 2018 he was criticised for making fun on Republican congressional candidate Dan Crenshaws eye patch, a legacy of a combat wound from his days as a Navy SEAL in Afghanistan.

Davidson compared Crenshaw to a hitman in a porno movie, and added, I'm sorry; I know he lost his eye in war, or whatever.

Controversy: His edgy comedy has often strayed into controversy, such as when he compared the Roman Catholic Church to alleged paedophile musician R. Kelly

Although he made a fulsome apology on the following weeks show (accepted by Crenshaw), in 2020, he backtracked, claiming he had been forced to apologise, saying: I didn't think I did anything wrong. It was like words that were twisted so that a guy could be famous.

In addition to being a regular fixture on the late-night sketch and variety show SNL, now in its 46th year, Pete Davidson has landed a new film role as The Ramones frontman Joey Ramone.

He'll play the legendary punk rocker in the Netflix original I Slept With Joey Ramone.
Geneva, April 27 : The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against jumping to conclusions about a new coronavirus variant discovered in India, saying it had not yet classified it as worrying.

A WHO spokeswoman said that it was not clear at this point to what extent the variant was responsible for the rapid increase in cases in India in recent months, DPA news agency reported.

There are many factors that could have contributed to this, she said. For example, festivals and other events with many participants may have accelerated infections.

The British coronavirus variant may also be affecting India's epidemiological situation.

In India, more than 350,000 infections were reported within 24 hours on Monday, more than any country has reported in that timespan. With its 1.3 billion inhabitants, India has recorded a total of more than 17 million infections.

The British, South African and Brazilian variants of Covid-19 have all been classified by the WHO as "variants of concern." The newest variant was first detected in India on December 1, 2020.

According to the WHO, a variant is considered worrying if it spreads more easily, causes more serious cases of the disease, bypasses the immune system or reduces the effectiveness of known treatments.

Overall, the number of reported infections per week has been increasing for nine weeks, while the number of reported deaths has been increasing for six weeks, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva on Monday.

"There were almost as many cases last week as in the first five months of the pandemic combined," said Tedros. In India in particular, the situation is "more than heartbreaking." The WHO did not have the latest number of infections reported within a week on its website as of Tuesday. On April 19, it reported almost 5.7 million cases worldwide within a week, some 400,000 more than the week before.

On the Gisaid platform, which contains genetic sequences of influenza and the coronavirus, more than 850 sequences of Covid-19 from more than 18 countries had been uploaded by April 23. Most came from India, Britain, the US and Singapore.

However, this does not give an accurate picture of the distribution, as many countries sequence significantly less, others not at all due to a lack of capacity.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Carol Strike, a professor at U of T's Dalla Lana School of Public Health, and Natalie Kaminski, a research assistant, are studying a remote supervised-consumption model known as "spotting." Credit: University of Toronto

A group of researchers at the University of Toronto and the Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs are studying a remote supervised-consumption model known as "spotting" to understand its benefits among people who use drugs during the pandemic.

The research team coined the term because the model involves a "spottee" consuming drugs in a safe location such as their home while a friend, family member or an acquaintancethe spotter monitors them virtually.

"Before someone consumes a drug, they call their spotter on the phone who will be there on the call with them as they use," says project lead Carol Strike, a professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. "The spotter stays on the line with the spottee for another five to 15 minutes to ensure they are safe or call for help if needed."

So far, Strike says the researchers have found that spotters and spottees view the model as a way to be safe during the pandemic.

"If the spottee overdoses, the spotter will call a neighbor, friend or an ambulance to come and help," says Natalie Kaminski, a research assistant on the project.

The plan for overdose response is created by both parties before the spottee consumes a substance.

While people who use drugs have spotted each other in person for a long time, the study is exploring how it is being used amid COVID-19, Kaminski says.

Research team members with lived experience of drug use recruited 30 participants from their personal networks in Nova Scotia and Ontario to take part in the study. The participants reported an increase in their safety and said they appreciated the privacy and stigma-free environment that spotting offered. Spotters, meantime, reported an improved connection with their community and a sense of accomplishment when working with spottees.

"Also, given COVID, they can consume at home instead of coming to the safe injection site," says Strike.

The researchers say such tactics are needed amid reports of a growing number of fatal opioid overdoses in Canada during the pandemic.

However, the spotting model isn't foolproof. For one thing, some spotters fear help may not arrive in time to revive spottees.

"There are also concerns about police intervention if 911 is called, especially among people who use drugs who are racialized," says Strike, pointing to recent headlines about over-policing and criminalizing of racialized people.

The research team has produced recommendations to improve spotting programsnotably the development of guidelines for spotters and spottees, awareness programs for spotting services in the community and trauma support for spotters.

They are also presenting results to conferences and will submit their findings to an open-access journal. Strike and her team are poised to receive additional funding to create educational materials such as animated videos and tip sheets. The team hopes to do more research about app-based supervised consumption and the recently-launched National Overdose Prevention Servicea service funded to provide spotting 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"The primary goal of this project is to improve options for overdose prevention," says Kaminski. "We're hoping to make spotting safe for more peoplein particular, those who don't have access to supervised consumption sites."

Explore further Large numbers of regular drug users report increased substance use during COVID-19
Monday, April 26, 2021

Today the U.S. Supreme Court declined to grant certiorari in Texas et al. v. Cook County, IL et al., a suit by Texas and thirteen states to defend Trump's public charge rule that makes it difficult to become a lawful permanent resident after using certain public benefits. The Court's order, which leaves open the possibility of a renewed review in the Supreme Court after first raising arguments in the District Court, reads in full as follows:

In 2019, the Department of Homeland Security promulgated through notice and comment a rule defining the term public charge. The District Court in this case vacated the rule nationwide, but that judgment was stayed pending DHSs appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. On March 9, 2021, following the change in presidential administration, DHS voluntarily dismissed that appeal, thereby dissolving the stay of the District Courts judgment. And on March 15, DHS relied on the District Courts now-effective judgment to remove the challenged rule from the Code of Federal Regulations without going through notice and comment rulemaking. Shortly after DHS had voluntarily dismissed its appeal, a group of States sought leave to intervene in the Court of Appeals. When that request was denied, the States filed an application for leave to intervene in this Court and for a stay of the District Courts judgment. The States argue that DHS has prevented enforcement of the rule while insulating the District Courts judgment from review. The States also contend that DHS has rescinded the rule without following the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act. We deny the application, without prejudice to the States raising these and other arguments before the District Court, whether in a motion for intervention or otherwise. After the District Court considers any such motion, the States may seek review, if necessary, in the Court of Appeals, and in a renewed application in this Court.

More detailed reporting on the decision is available on Law360.

IE

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2021/04/cert-denial-without-prejudice-in-texas-et-al-v-cook-county-il-et-al.html
KABUL, Afghanistan  Tribal elder Dawlat Khan still has nightmares about fighters from the local affiliate of the global Islamic State terror network who swept across his and other villages in eastern Afghanistan five years ago.

The extremists, including Afghans, Pakistanis, Arabs and men from Central Asia, quickly imposed a reign of terror. They kidnapped some locals who worked for the Afghan government, later dropping off their decapitated corpses in public places. In one instance, villagers were summoned to a beheading where some fainted while others froze as they watched in horror.

Militants of the Islamic State group have since been driven back into the mountains by blistering U.S. and Afghan bombing raids and a fierce ground campaign by the Taliban, Afghanistan's homegrown insurgents. The Taliban, eager to expand their domestic political power, pledged to the Trump administration last year they would prevent any attacks on the West from Afghan soil after foreign troops leave.

Recent success in containing ISIS is central to the calculus of President Joe Biden, who decided earlier this month to pull all remaining U.S. troops out of Afghanistan by the summer. Biden argues that threats to the West, whether by ISIS or remnants of the al-Qaida network, can be defused from a distance.

Yet there are concerns that in the potential chaos of a post-withdrawal Afghanistan, ISIS will be able to find additional space to operate, said Seth Jones, senior vice-president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Some note that it took more than three years to dislodge and degrade ISIS fighters, many of them ethnic Pashtuns from Pakistan's tribal regions and Afghans from the northeastern Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. The retreating militants left behind mined roads and fields.

Khan, the tribal leader, fled his village of Pananzai with his six brothers and their families at the height of the battles against ISIS. They're not rushing home, even though the family of 63 people is crammed into nine small rooms in Nangarhar's provincial capital of Jalalabad.

We are afraid they will return, Khan, a father of 12, said of ISIS fighters.

Biden has said he will hold the Taliban accountable for their commitment not to allow terror threats against the U.S. or its allies from Afghan soil. The U.S. invaded Afghanistan 20 years ago after al-Qaida militants, hosted by the Taliban, staged the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

In recent years, Washington has come to see the Taliban as a national force, with no ambitions beyond their borders, according to a U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

The Taliban, familiar with mountain caves and dirt paths in remote terrain, are a useful ally against ISIS, which is viewed by the U.S. as the greatest threat emanating from Afghanistan, the official said.

In justifying his withdrawal decision, Biden noted that terror threats are metastasizing around the globe and that "keeping thousands of troops grounded and concentrated in just one country, at the cost of billions each year, makes little sense to me and our leaders.

The withdrawal is under way, with the final phase starting Saturday. By Sept. 11, America will have withdrawn its last 2,500 to 3,500 troops, and about 7,000 allied forces from NATO are following the same timetable.

But there are concerns about ISIS re-emerging, particularly if the Taliban and the Afghan government can't reach a power-sharing deal. Intra-Afghan peace talks remain stalled, despite U.S. efforts to jump start them.

Ongoing fighting between the Taliban and the government could further erode the morale of Afghanistan's 300,000-plus security forces who sustain heavy casualties daily and are plagued by widespread corruption. It's unclear how the troops can be a bulwark against new terrorist threats.

At the same time, ISIS continues to recruit among radicalized university students and disgruntled Taliban, said a former Afghan security official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters.

ISIS has also resumed a campaign of targeted killings of minority Shiite Muslims, many of them ethnic Hazaras, as well as women's rights activists and media workers. They claimed attacks last year on two educational facilities, including Kabul University, that killed more than 50 students. Washington blamed ISIS for a brutal assault last year on a maternity hospital in a largely Hazara neighborhood of Kabul. Infants and pregnant women were killed.

In March, seven Hazaras who worked in a stucco factory in the eastern city of Jalalabad were killed in an attack claimed by ISIS. The assailants tied their victims' hands behind their backs and shot each with a single bullet to the back of the head.

Some residents there are afraid to point the finger at ISIS, fearing they might be targeted next.

IS operatives are said to occupy an entire neighborhood near the central Talashi roundabout. They have infiltrated the motorized rickshaw business and use the vehicles for targeted killings, said taxi driver Saida Jan.

Evan Kohlmann, a terrorism consultant, said for a while it appeared the ISIS presence in Afghanistan and surrounding regions was all but dead," but the group's operations have since resumed in earnest.

They represent a significant terrorist threat, but their tactics remain in the realm of assassination and sabotage," said Kohlmann, who has worked with the FBI and the Nine Eleven Finding Answers Foundation that emerged following the assaults on America.

"They don't seem to be in a strong position of conquering and holding territory, or of threatening the U.S., he said.

The Taliban say they have made good on promises to the U.S. by ordering fighters to keep non-Afghans from their ranks, and telling al-Qaida to leave the region. Some analysts say they're not convinced the Taliban have distanced themselves from groups like al-Qaida.

U.S. officials, meanwhile, acknowledge the withdrawal will reduce Washington's intelligence gathering capacities, even if ISIS and al-Qaida aren't in a position to attack U.S. targets from Afghanistan.

Asfandyar Mir at Stanford Universitys Center for International Security and Cooperation said the U.S. will be able to continue technical eaves-dropping from a distance, while on-the-ground intelligence gathering will weaken further.

The U.S. campaign in Afghanistan has been notoriously poor at getting good information and being played by rent-seeking actors, the cost of which is borne by innocent civilians in raids and strikes gone wrong, said Mir.

With U.S. forces out, and unable to provide security to potential informers, existing sources will dwindle and opportunities for bad actors to dupe the U.S. will grow," he said.

This article was written by KATHY GANNON from The Associated Press and was legally licensed through the Industry Dive publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
Pictured: Former Cleveland cop Timothy Loehmann

The police officer who killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice in 2014 is now appealing to the Ohio Supreme Court to get his job back.

Timothy Loehmann was the man behind the trigger in November 2014 when he shot Rice outside the Cudell Recreation Center in Cleveland.

Rice was reaching for a toy gun when he was shot by Loehmann, who thought the 12-year-old was reaching for a weapon.

The City of Cleveland fired Loehmann from the job in 2017, though the cop never faced charges in the case.

Now, Loehmann is taking his argument all the way to the Ohio Supreme Court as he tries to get his job back.

His attorneys appealed the case to the Ohio Supreme Court on Friday after the Eighth District Court of Appeals wouldn't hear the case.

Scroll down for video

Timothy Loehmann is appealing his firing all the way to the Ohio Supreme Court

'Theyre trying to say that we didnt file this in a timely manner, and were saying, Yes we did and we want the appeal and its merits to be heard,' Jeff Follmer, president of Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association, told FOX 8.

Loehmann was not fired because of the shooting, but was fired because he lied on his job application by failing to disclose that he was previously forced to resign from the Independence Police Department for poor performance on the shooting range.

Cleveland's Police Patrolmen's Association is disputing the claim that Loehmann lied on his application.

'The only thing they found that he did wrong was lied on his application, which were disputing that he did not lie on his application Everything else was justified,' Follmer added.

Loehmann was the officer who shot Tamir Rice as the 12-year-old was using a toy gun

Tamir Rice was shot in the stomach by Loehmann and died of his injuries the next morning

When Loehmann was fired, those connected with the Rice family expressed disappointment that he wasn't actually charged in Rice's death.

'As satisfying as it is that he was terminated, he was never brought up on charges for killing Tamir Rice,' Earl Ward, lawyer for the Rice family, told the New York Daily News at the time.

The reaction from the Rice family with the latest development has been negative as well.

'The police union should be ashamed of itself for still trying to put a dangerous police officer back on the street,' Tamir's mother, Samaria Rice, said to FOX 8.

'Every time they try to do this, they hurt my family and put the public at risk.'

Meanwhile, Cleveland' Police Patrolmen's Association claims Loehmann's continued dismissal is political.

'It's his constitutional right to go forward on this and its a political thing. Hes not getting his job back because of all the politics,' Follmer added.

Loehmann's dismissal has been upheld on two different occasions so far. The court of appeals cited a paperwork snafu as a reason for not hearing his appeal.

If the Ohio Supreme Court rules in favor of the police union, the case would then be sent back to the Eighth District Court of Appeals for a new ruling.

Two cops had been called on November 22, 2014, after someone reported there was a man nearby pointing a gun at people.

Pictured: Tamir Rice. Loehmann was not charged in Rice's death following the shooting

Loehmann also wasn't fired for shooting Rice (pictured), but was instead fired for allegedly lying on his job application about how his time ended at a previous police department

The 911 caller told the operator that the gun may have been fake and that Tamir - who was about 5'7 tall - was possibly a minor but those two pieces of information were never relayed to the officers.

Loehmann, six months into the job, jumped out of his partner's squad car after it stopped skidding on the grass and shot Rice in the stomach within seconds - he died of his injuries the next morning.

Both cops were cleared of criminal charges by a grand jury in 2015 despite widespread calls for them to face harsh punishment for the boy's death.

According to Cleveland.com, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty lost his re-election bid because the community felt the probe was not handled well.

The city wound up settling a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Samaria Rice for $6 million.

Towards the end of 2020, the Justice Department announced they would not bring federal criminal charges against the two cops involved in the shooting.

They cited the poor quality of video evidence as a reason they couldn't come to a conclusive decision about charges.

The Justice Department needed to prove that an officer's actions willfully broke the law in order to bring federal charges.

In recent weeks, however, there has been a renewed push for the the DOJ to reopen its investigation.

'The election of President Biden, your appointment, and your commitment to the rule of law, racial justice, and police reform give Tamirs family hope that the chance for accountability is not lost forever,' lawyers for Samaria Rice wrote in a letter to Merrick Garland two weeks ago.

'We write on their behalf to request that you reopen this investigation and convene a grand jury to consider charges against the police officers who killed Tamir.'

The DOJ extended their condolences while stating they would review the letter.

Miss Neal holds Tamir Rices picture during a night protest outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 9, 2021

'Im asking D.O.J. to reopen the investigation into my sons case; we need an indictment and conviction for Tamirs death,' Samaria Rice added, according to the New York Times.

It's not clear what the timeline is for the Justice Department to make a decision on reopening the investigation.

The shooting of Tamir Rice was one of the galvanizing events for the Black Lives Matter movement.

The latest developments come in the aftermath of the conviction of former Minnesota cop Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd last May.
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Alabama has a lot more people than the experts thought.

The U.S. Census Bureau on Monday released its first batch of official numbers from the 2020 Decennial Census, the actual 10-year headcount, and the totals for Alabama were surprising. The Yellowhammer state officially crossed the five million people mark for the first time in the states history.

Alabamas resident population came in at 5,024,279, significantly higher than federal estimates had suggested over the last few years.

Estimates from the Census Bureaus Vintage 2020 population estimates - which are compared to the 2020 Census to gauge the accuracy of the Bureaus estimates, projected Alabamas population to be just over 4.9 million in 2020, or about 102,000 fewer people than the official count released Monday.

That difference in actual growth versus projected growth makes Alabama one of the most under-estimated states in the nation during the past decade. Estimates put Alabamas population on track to grow by 3 percent since 2010, but Census numbers show it actually grew by 5.1 percent. That 2.1 percentage point difference was the sixth largest in the country.

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Those extra people are important for Alabama. Heading into Mondays announcement, the state appeared to be on the verge of losing a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives as other states have been growing even faster.

The South as a whole is growing at the fastest rate of any region in the country. However, unlike Alabama, many Southern states failed to reach their estimated growth numbers.

Texas, which grew enough over the last decade to add two new congressional seats, is likely disappointed not to add a third. The state grew almost a full percentage point slower than expected since 2010, which equates to about 215,000 people. Florida was in a similar situation. It grew quickly, too, and added a seat in Congress, but many projected the Sunshine state to add two seats.

North and South Carolina both missed their estimated growth rates, as well - South Carolina grew by more than 10 percent, but added about 100,000 fewer people than expected. Its 2.2 percentage point gap was the second biggest over-projection in the country, behind only Arizonas huge 4.2 points.

New York was one of the biggest winners in terms of population from this weeks numbers, but oddly might have been the most disappointed of any state. And it is a good example of why counting every person matters.

New York was actually projected to lose population from 2010 to 2020. Estimates suggested it would shrink by about 41,000 people. Instead, the state added more than 823,000 people, a huge turnaround. But it still ended up losing a congressional seat, and by the slimmest of margins. Data from the Census Bureau shows if New Yorks apportionment population had included just 89 more people, and everything else has remained constant, it wouldnt have lost a seat. That was the slimmest margin since 1940, when the current method for apportionment was adopted.

Note that Alabamas apportionment population - the population used to determine how many congressional seats it gets - was just over 5,030,000, slightly higher than its residential population. Thats because the apportionment population includes military families overseas who could be counted towards Alabamas population.

The states residential population grew by about 245,000 between 2010 and 2020. That was 24th in the country over that span. Its 5.1 percent growth rate ranked 27th.

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Nationally, just three states - West Virginia, Illinois and Mississippi - lost population between 2010 and 2020. West Virginia lost nearly 60,000 people, a decline of about 3.2 percent. Both marks were the worst in the country. Mississippi lost about 6,000 people, which was worse than the estimates predicted.

Utah was the fastest growing state in the country - its population grew by 18.4 percent. Neighboring Idaho was second at 17.3 percent. Texas was third at 15.9 percent, but it added 4 million people - the highest total population gain of any state by far. Florida was second in that category with 2.7 million new residents.

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.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. has opened a new venture within their company and it involves the trading of the popular cryptocurrency that has been one of the top-grossing among the competition. The investment bank calls this "Bitcoin Fund" and it encourages investments and trading of digital money, but is currently limited to wealthy clients.

JPMorgan Bitcoin Fund: What Is It?

The company is somehow investing in Bitcoin, through its clients and interested investors to take part in using JPMorgan as a platform to trade, invest, and buy stocks of the cryptocurrency. According to CoinDesk's report, the so-called "Bitcoin Fund" could roll out this summer season, which is in the coming months, open for interested parties.

The company is offering an "actively managed fund" for all Bitcoin investors in the platform, placing the highest priorities and assistance regarding the money that was put in the blockchain digital money. CoinDesk referred to this as the "unlikeliest" move by JPMorgan, especially as its CEO has previously divulged his massive distaste against Bitcoin.

Sources also indicated that his venture would be primarily targetting its private "wealth clients" which suggests that it would be closed for known and trusted ones only.

Read Also: Chadwick Boseman NFT to be Auctioned at Oscars 2021, Starting Bid is at $1.2M, as Tribute to Late Actor

Why Did JPMorgan Open a Bitcoin Fund?

According to Markets Insider, a crypto-service provider known as "NYDIG" would help the bank and act as its custody provider for all transactions regarding cryptocurrency investments. There are no exact reasons as to why JPMorgan has opened a Bitcoin fund on its platform, especially as the CEO initially commented negatively against the crypto-money.

The company has also claimed that the liquidity of the current performance of Bitcoin in the market is expected to "rise quickly" and recover from its recent losses that resulted in more than $10,000. It was during the IPO of Coinbase where Bitcoin grew in stocks, having a record price of $63,000 before its fall to $53,000.

Will It Open to Regular Clients Soon?

As to opening to regular clients like a trading platform with the likes of Binance and Robinhood, it is unlikely to happen at the time being, especially as insiders have indicated its private funding. Moreover, the assets and investments made towards the cryptocurrency would be actively managed, suggesting it would take a lot of resources to keep this going, on JPMorgan's side.

Related Article: Paypal's Venmo App Feature: Users Could Now Land Crypto Investment in the Platform-- Starts at $1 Minimum Requirement

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Who will be selected as Michigans Best Vacation Spot in Upper Peninsula?

Northern Lower Peninsula?

And along the Lake Michigan shoreline? Thumb?

We have a total of eight regional polls in our search for Michigans Best Vacation Spot, and we want you to vote for your favorites. The deadline to vote in our polls is 11:59 p.m. Friday, April 30.

As always in our Michigans Best polls, you can vote once every three hours, per email address.

Overall we had more than 130 nominations.

Michigans Best Vacation Spot - Regional Polls

Click on the links below to cast your vote.

Look for the poll winners and more stories next week.

People enjoy the sunshine on the beach at Pere Marquette Park in Muskegon, Michigan on Friday, June 5, 2020. Alison Zywicki | azywicki@mlive.com

Vote for your favorite vacation spot in Muskegon and on the Lakeshore

From our base in Traverse City, we ventured around northern Michigan, from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to Mission Point and cherry picking in Williamsburg.

Vote for your favorite vacation spot in the Eastern Northern Lower Peninsula

The South Manitou Island Lighthouse at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.LC- Terry Richard/Staff

Vote for your favorite vacation spot in Western Northern Lower Peninsula

Lake of the Clouds is one of the most popular spots in the U.P.'s Porcupine Mountains.MLive.com files

Vote for your favorite vacation spot in the Western Upper Peninsula

The last leg of our Michigan adventure journeyed from the Straits of Mackinac to Sault Ste. Marie.

Vote for your favorite vacation spot in the Eastern Upper Peninsula

The Blue Water Bridge connecting Sarnia, Ontario to Port Huron, Mich., is shown Friday, May 15, 2015. The westbound span will be closed for resurfacing beginning in April and will reopen by July 1. All traffic will be diverted to the eastbound span. Both the Michigan portion and the Ontario portion of the bridge will be resurfaced. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)AP

Vote for your favorite vacation spot in Bay City and the Thumb

The beaches are a highlight in Southwest Michigan, with powdery sand and clear blue waters.

Vote for your favorite vacation spot in Southwest Michigan

Swimmers enjoy the Detroit River on the Belle Isle swimming beach at sunset during a heat wave in Detroit, Jul 20, 2012. (Tanya Moutzalias) FreelanceFreelance

Vote for Michigans Best vacation spot: Other favorite destinations

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of Michigan's Best meet up with a park ranger at Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigans largest freshwater spring, located at Palms Book State Park in Manistique in the Upper Peninsula.John Gonzalez

Follow along on our Michigans Best adventures!

@mlivemibest on Twitter

@mlivemibest on Instagram

Facebook at MLiveMIBest.

Join in by using the hashtag #mibest. Our most recent search was for Michigans Best Fish Fry.

In addition:

Amy Sherman is on Twitter @amyonthetrail, as well as Facebook and Instagram @amyonthetrail.

John Gonzalez is on Twitter @michigangonzo, as well as Facebook and Instagram @MichiganGonzo.

More Michigan Travel

Ludingtons famous House of Flavors opens for the season

5 of the prettiest wildflowers youll see in Michigan this spring

New rustic backcountry cabin at Porcupine Mountains opens for summer reservations

Historic Keweenaw lodge applying to become Upper Peninsulas first international dark sky park

DNR shares tips on how to help nesting birds
Well that was quick. Its been all of a month since CBA tapped former Air New Zealand executive Mike Tod to head its corporate affairs arm, and already his boss Priscilla Brown has headed for the exit.

Staff inside the bank were notified last week that the US-educated Brown  who holds the rather impressive title of CBAs group executive of marketing and corporate affairs  would be wrapping up around the end of May. Bank sources said Brown would be returning to the US and the decision had been partly prompted by COVID travel bans which had prevented her from seeing her adult children in the US for months and her mother in Africa since the start of the pandemic.

Priscilla Brown is heading back to the US. Credit:

Its a big change inside the bank where Brown had emerged as one of chief executive Matt Comyns highest-profile hires in recent years. A career insurance executive lauded in the US as a branding and marketing visionary, Brown also served on the US National Finance Committee for president Barack Obama. Its those sort of accolades that presumably landed her the gig in June 2019 when Comyn split the corporate affairs and general counsel functions to create a new role with a laser-focus on helping the bank rebuild public trust and a reputation battered by the Banking Royal Commission.

Priscillas appointment will help us continue the changes and improvements we need to make to earn the trust of our customers and the community and build a better bank for the future, Comyn said shortly after Browns appointment, noting that she would report directly to him.
Dhaka, April 27 : A day after the decision was taken to ban commuting at India-Bangladesh land port for 14 days, about 250 Bangladeshis were stranded at the Benapole-Petrapole border.

Many people who went to India for treatment of their relatives were unaware of the government's decision. They entered the neighbouring country but couldn't return to Bangladesh.

One of the travellers, Habibur Rahman, said, "We came to India to get treatment with medical visa. I came to know that we will not be able to return to the country. We are running out of money. How can I stay here if I can't come back?" Tarun Biswas, Petrapole Chief Immigration Officer, said, "We can do anything ... due to the instruction of the Bangladesh government we are not allowing them to go. It is the decision of the Bangladesh government," he emphasised.

However, the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission has informed that those whose visas are coming to an end can contact them and return to Bangladesh with No Objection Certificate and Corona Negative Test Report.

There are many others who are facing the similar situation and are unable to return to their country and moreover, they are running out of money.

According to the information, there are around 250 people who have been stranded at the border and urging the Indian Immigration Department to allow them to go to Bangladesh.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
In collaboration with researchers at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, a University of Maryland (UMD) postdoctoral researcher recently co-published a large-scale study examining the genetic diversity of mangroves over more than 1,800 miles of coastline in the Western Indian Ocean, including Eastern Africa and several islands. While the mangroves of Asia, Australia, and the Americas have been more extensively studied, little work has been done classifying and highlighting genetic diversity in African mangrove populations for conservation. Similar to other wetlands, mangrove trees like the species studied in the new paper in Scientific Reports (Rhizophora mucronata) create habitats for myriad animal and plant life, acting as hubs of biodiversity while also economically supporting many local communities. This work showcases how oceanic currents create both connectivity and barriers between mangrove populations, with important implications for how to protect these ecosystems.

"Whenever I get asked about mangroves, I always say they are my happy place," says Magdalene Ngeve, postdoctoral researcher at UMD in Maile Neel's lab (professor in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture and Department of Entomology). "They are very fascinating systems to work with. When I went to do my field work for my Master's thesis and got to experience mangroves, be close to the trees, and see how much biodiversity they host, I instantly fell in love and knew this is what I should be studying."

Born and raised in Cameroon, Ngeve grew up near the coast, but didn't give her local mangroves much thought until she left to pursue her graduate degrees on a scholarship to the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. After studying zoology for her undergraduate work, Ngeve became a biologist with a specialization in environment, biodiversity, and ecosystems for her Master's and conservation ecology and genetics for her PhD. It was there that her love of mangroves blossomed, and she brought that passion with her to UMD as a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow.

"I am so excited we got this study out there, with the collaboration of mangrove experts in Brussels [Belgium] and around the world," says Ngeve. "In conservation, we have limited resources to manage everything on the planet, so we talk about these evolutionary significant units, which are units we should focus on to preserve as much genetic variability as possible to preserve their evolutionary potential and ensure the ecosystem is resilient. This work showed us that we actually have even more distinct populations than we realized, and that is important for conservation."

As Ngeve explains it, people don't often think about ocean currents as a way to spread seeds and seedlings (known as propagules), or even pollen. But for many species, water is the primary way seeds are spread and diversity is ensured. "Ocean currents can be genetic barriers, and they can be facilitators of genetic connectivity at the same time," explains Ngeve. "It just depends on how they all come together and connect. In this study, we saw that ocean current patterns maintain genetic diversity of remote island populations like Seychelles, and cause an accumulation of genetic diversity around where the South Equatorial Current [near the equator] splits near the Eastern African coastline. Seychelles and Madagascan populations likely came to existence from ancient dispersal events from present day Australia and Southeast Asia, and these island populations act as an important stepping stone in spreading diversity to the East African coastline, which we found was a much younger population. Splitting currents also create a barrier to genetic connectivity between even nearby northern and southern populations of the East African coast and the Mozambique Channel."

This study helps fill in an important gap in the research, since African mangroves, especially the genetics aspects, have been understudied according to Ngeve. For her doctoral work, Ngeve presented some of the first genetic work on the mangroves of the West African coast, so this work expanding to the East African coast is a natural next step. By understanding the genetic diversity of these species locally, researchers can make connections across populations for global conservation.

Ngeve is particularly interested in coastal environments, or the intersection of land and sea as a way to look at larger global change phenomena. "Almost everything we do on land affects the ocean, and those intermediate environments are like the bridge," says Ngeve. "We talk a lot about climate change and sea level rise, and coasts and estuaries [like the Chesapeake Bay and Hudson River Estuary] are on the front lines. How are species in these ecosystems surviving and adapting? Foundational species like mangroves and submerged aquatic vegetation, which I also study as a postdoc, are home to so many species and host high biodiversity. Making sure they are resilient means protecting that biodiversity for all that depend on them."

Ngeve is also considering how humans depend on the mangroves, and hopes to find ways that rural communities in her home country of Cameroon can protect the mangroves while still providing for their families. Through her start up project called BeeMangrove, she hopes to transition locals from overharvesting the mangroves for wood as a livelihood to raising honey bees that can simultaneously help pollinate the mangroves and produce honey to sell.

"While studying the Rhizophora racemosa mangrove species which is pollinated by both wind and insects, I had observed that mangroves that are more windward produced more seedlings. From my genetic work, I also observed pollination limitations at study sites. So clearly, there is a pollination problem in the mangroves that don't get the wind," explains Ngeve. "At the same time, there are also mangrove markets where people sell nothing but mangrove wood, and the logging is an issue. It's no doubt that mangroves like other ecosystems are declining, and we are losing so much biodiversity. In rural Cameroon, I began to wonder what these people could do differently. But they are relying exclusively on the mangroves for their livelihood. It's all they have for food, they harvest the wood for building their homes, and sell it to provide for their families and send their children to school - mangroves are everything to them. How do you tell people so dependent on the system to stop logging? You have to provide an alternative."

Ngeve hopes that with future funding, BeeMangrove can be that alternative. She is currently examining perceptions about mangroves in Cameroon. She has worked with local organizations to provide education and outreach to communities, and the first beehive has been installed. The goal is to work with locals from the start to pilot and grow this program with their support.

Growing up in Cameroon, this project is very personal to Ngeve. She is grateful for all the support from her family as a researcher. "My mother became a mangrove researcher herself, tending to my juvenile mangrove plants even after my growth experiment was over," she says. Her father, Jacob Ngeve, is in fact an '88 doctoral alum of the UMD Department of Plant Sciences and Landscape Architecture (then Department of Horticulture). As a quantitative plant geneticist, he has had an international career as an agricultural researcher, and his influence is carried through in her work to this day.

"Growing up in Africa, I remembered seeing photos he would send of him in these very same walls in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources," says Ngeve. "I never imagined I'd be here one day - it is a real privilege. My father would always tell me, 'Education is the only thing a father can give his child, because that, no one can take away from you.' And that meant so much to me because I clung to those words, and against all odds, I studied and followed my dreams. I look forward to making an impact here the way he did."

Ngeve is also incredibly thankful for the mentorship she has received on her road to this work and to UMD, from Neel as her current mentor, to those in Brussels, to her family. "My mentors are the reason I am here, and I look forward to paying forward all they have invested in me."

###

The paper entitled "Expansion of the mangrove species Rhizophora mucronata in the Western Indian Ocean launched contrasting genetic patterns" is published in Scientific Reports, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84304-8.
[April 27, 2021] MyHomeDoc Announces Rebrand as NONAGON - Reflecting Commitment To Make Healthcare Accessible To All

RAANANA, Israel, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, medical start-up MyHomeDoc announced that its brand name will from now on be known as NONAGON. The new branding will begin effective immediately on all products, digital assets, and communications worldwide. The NONAGON name refers to a nine-sided polygon. In a literal sense, the NONAGON name alludes to the nine physical exams that the N9 device can conduct in conjunction with a regular smartphone. Additionally, the NONAGON brand name symbolizes the inner meaning that is ascribed to the number nine throughout the world, which, in many cultures and traditions, is regarded as a numeric conduit for personal fulfillment and spiritual and physical good fortune. The nine physical exams that are conducted with the NONAGON N9 device enable telehealth providers to raise the bar higher. The medical-grade patient exams, conducted remotely, help to increase physician confidence in remote diagnosis, and, moreover, allow patients and physicians to follow up and monitor the patients' ongoing clinical measurementsan advantage that can help confirm the chosen medical pathway. NONAGON's N9 device is FDA cleared, CE marked and approved by the Israeli Ministry of Health (AMAR). For patients, the device is compact, cost-friendly, and easy to use along with the associated smartphone app. For physicians, NONAGON makes it possible to make clinical decisions remotely based on clinically valid data. For Health Care Systems, NONAGON makes it possible to reach out to more patients andmake healthcare more accessible to everyone, everywhere.



"The company was founded in 2016 with a dream to elevate the telehealth process and make it more accessible for everyone. As part of that vision, the N9 device was developed to be simple-to-use, yet robust, financially efficient, and state-of-the-art," according to CEO Alon Natanson, "the new NONAGON brand aligns with our core values and motivations that include giving patients and physicians the peace of mind that comes with knowing they are in control by adding validated clinical data to their telehealth experience. We believe that NONAGON's potential to make healthcare more convenient and accessible is the innovation for which the telehealth industry has been waiting." The new NONAGON brand identity expresses a novel approach to healthcare. By welcoming patients to a range of affordable, high-quality healthcare services, NONAGON represents an open portal to 24/7 healthcare for patients. The NONAGON product and brand identity are based on the image of a trusted member of the family who is always there and always willing to help. The brand tagline, "care at hand," is a double entendre that refers to the system's ease of use as well as its ability to make high-quality healthcare more convenient and accessible.

You can reach us for more details: info@homedoc-care.com. NONAGON is participating this week in the ACP - Internal Medicine Meeting 2021. Come see us at our virtual booth, or schedule a time to learn about the NONAGON solution, and also watch our live demonstration with doxy.me showing how our technologies can work synergistically to make telehealth better. Follow us on LinkedIn Contact: Omer Maman, VP Marketing & Products

omer@nonagon-care.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/myhomedoc-announces-rebrand-as-nonagon---reflecting-commitment-to-make-healthcare-accessible-to-all-301277917.html SOURCE NONAGON

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Budget airline Jet2 has hailed the high number of bookings for this year's winter and next year's summer season, but forecasts making a massive loss for the last financial year.

The company said that package holidays were particularly popular with customers, and welcomed the announcement from the government's Global Travel Task Force that overseas travel plans to restart from mid-May.

Jet2 added that holidaygoers for the upcoming summer season were making reservations closer to their intended departure date 'given the short-term uncertainty.'

Grounded: Airline Jet2 has suspended all flights and package holidays until June 23

However, it announced that the collapse in international travel due to the coronavirus pandemic had led them to predict recording a massive loss of between 375million and 385million for the year to March 2021.

The Leeds-based company also criticised the lack of certainty over the government's proposed 'traffic light' system for destinations and information on testing passengers.

It said it was unable to forecast the impact proposed travel restrictions will have on this summer's travel market, which has already led them to extend the suspension of its flights and package holidays from mid-May to June 23.

At the start of the pandemic, Jet2 cancelled all flights for four months, causing its passenger numbers to plunge by 90 per cent and to make a 68.7million loss in the half-year to September 30 compared to a 278.6million the year before.

To alleviate problems arising from the downturn in travel, it has raised 1billion in liquidity, including 422million from investors in February soon after it extended the period of suspended flights and holidays to mid-April.

The company stated: 'Both pre-pandemic and throughout the last 12 months, our airline Jet2.com has demonstrated a high level of operational flexibility by responding rapidly to evolving market conditions, generating cash in doing so, and we retain that flexibility to react quickly as travel restrictions change.'

Empty terminal: At the start of the Covid-19 crisis, Jet2 cancelled all flights for four months, causing its passenger numbers to plunge by 90 per cent

It currently has 1.06billion in total liquidity, which analysts at Jefferies estimate could allow them to operate for 15 more months without any flights.

The UK government currently prohibits Britons from travelling abroad for holidays at risk of a 5,000 fine and insists that all people coming to the country have to self-isolate upon arrival.

Overnight staycations in England are currently allowed though if people are going to self-contained holiday accommodation like caravan parks, boats and second homes.

From no earlier than May 17, the government hopes to allow Britons to stay in domestic B&Bs and hotels, and take foreign holidays, but has warned it is taking a cautious approach to loosening lockdown restrictions.

Holidaymakers may also require proof of having received the Covid-19 vaccine or a negative test before they can travel to specific foreign destinations.

Greece's tourism minister Harry Theoharis told The Times that the Mediterranean country would only allow Britons entry if they could produce a handwritten NHS card showing they had been vaccinated.

Shares in Jet2 closed trading 3 per cent higher today at 14.58.
Australias rail track corporation has agreed to reconsider contentious plans to dramatically raise the height of road bridges at two historic towns in north-east Victoria, but is set to proceed with an overpass at the site of Ned Kellys last stand.

The proposed road overpasses were to be part of the 1700-kilometre Inland Rail project running from Brisbane to Melbourne.

The current road overpass at Euroa. Credit:Joe Armao

The freight rail project has already blown out in cost from its original $4.4 billion estimate to more than $14.5 billion.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is leading the Inland Rail project and had planned to build the new road overpasses at Euroa, Benalla and Glenrowan to allow trains with double-stacked containers to pass beneath.
Bankruptcy. Imprisonment. And, in some cases, suicide. The Post Office IT scandal, in which postmasters were falsely accused of stealing due to a dicky computer system  many of their lives being ruined as they were subsequently dragged through the courts  is an issue of gut-wrenching, hair-tearing horror.

Emotive issues call for emotive politicians. Which makes the appearance of business minister Paul Scully yesterday rather unfortunate, as he issued a statement following last week's Court of Appeal verdict that dramatically overturned 39 convictions.

Mr Scully exhibits flashes of competence but lacks, shall we say, a certain bedside manner. Those caught up in this cruel saga are the victims of one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in modern times, yet there were moments when Scully spoke with the contrition of a waiter who'd just cocked up a drinks order.

It doesn't help that he's a nervy presence at the despatch box. He jerks and hops from side to side like a barefoot man on hot sand. Occasionally, there is a roll of the neck and twiddle of the Timmy Mallett specs. Anyway, the gist of his statement advised members to sit tight and wait for former High Court judge Sir Wyn Williams' report into the scandal, which Scully expected to land on his own desk by the summer.

Emotive issues call for emotive politicians. Which makes the appearance of business minister Paul Scully yesterday in the House of Commons (pictured)

The thought of Sir Wyn's impending report did not pour joy into members' hearts. Henhouses may well have given warmer prospective welcomes to members of the local fox community.

It was too weak in its remit, the MPs cried. 'Toothless!' yelled Chi Onwurah (Lab, Newcastle C). The word 'whitewash' was bandied around. They wanted a proper gowns-and-wigs judicial inquiry.

Anger throbbed on both sides of the chamber. Andrew Bridgen (Con, NW Leicestershire) looked sullen and fed up. He's been fighting for Post Office victims for years. He announced that only a full-scale inquiry could 'lance the boil'.

Mr Scully exhibits flashes of competence but lacks, shall we say, a certain bedside manner

Angriest of all was Kevan Jones (Lab, N Durham) who spent most of the session blurting inaudible insults through his facemask. Like Bridgen, he's been pushing this campaign for yonks. Jones curtly informed Scully his name was in danger of being added to the list of 'useless' ministers who had dithered over this issue previously.

To whom was Mr Jones referring? Well, Vince Cable, Ed Davey and Jo Swinson  all Lib Dems  are thought to have dropped the ball on this while in government. Notably, there was no Lib Dem representation in the chamber yesterday.

Father of the House Peter Bottomley raised eyebrows in the Press gallery when he said people should pay attention to the journalists who'd been alerting their readers to the scandal right from the start. Believe me, this is not a view you often hear expressed in the Commons  and of course the Mail has doggedly fought the postmasters' corner for years.

Meanwhile, there came further loud calls for disgraced former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells to hand back her CBE.

The Post Office IT scandal, in which postmasters were falsely accused of stealing due to a dicky computer system is an issue of gut-wrenching, hair-tearing horror. Stock image

Marion Fellows (SNP, Motherwell) seemed to suggest Vennells should also be made to hand back any bonuses she received. Even better.

Emma Lewell-Buck (Lab, S Shields) wanted executives prosecuted. Andrew Mitchell (Con, Sutton Coldfield) mused that this was the sort of human rights breach we complain about in other countries. Troublingly, Laura Farris (Con, Newbury) warned that with all the technology about these days  particularly artificial intelligence  a similar incident was all but inevitable. Lessons needed to be learned.

But the most poignant moment came from Kevin Hollinrake (Con, Thirsk & Malton), who didn't sound hopeful. He quoted a nugget of wisdom from the billionaire American investment guru Warren Buffet: 'What we learn from history is: people don't learn from history.' A bleak thought.
NPP National Youth Organizer, Nana Boakye has clarified President Nana Akufo-Addo's position on mining in the country.



The fight against illegal mining (galamsey) is one of the toughest fights in the country as any government that attempts to clamp down on the illegal miners rather incur the wrath of the people.



Assuming office in 2017, the President promised Ghanaians he will eradicate illegal mining and further put his Presidency on the line should he fail to honor his promise.



Despite the efforts of the President, galamsey is still operational.



However, the newly appointed Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has pledged to deal with the situation.



The Minister, during a two-day National Consultative Dialogue on Small Scale Mining, cautioned against illegal mining stressing sanctions and penalties imposed by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995) should be applied to all those who infringed the law, irrespective of political colour, socio-economic status or class.



In a communique, Hon. Abu Jinapor charged all political parties, stakeholder groups and individuals to join the development and execution of this national, not parochial, agenda to rid ourselves of the long-standing issue of illegal small-scale mining and the need to implement measures to eradicate it from our society.



Speaking on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Nana Boakye applauded the Minister for his efforts to combat the menace of illegal mining in the country.



In commending the Minister, the NPP Youth Organizer clarified that ''Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, he is not against legal mining. Small-scale mining, he's not against it but he is against illegal mining and activities that are polluting our waterbodies and forest'' and hoped the citizenry will assist him to end the menace.





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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LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on before the match against the Brooklyn Nets during a preseason game as part of 2019 NBA Global Games China at Shenzhen Universiade Center in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China on Oct. 12, 2019. (Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)

LAPD Officer Hopes Hatred From LeBron James Will Stop, Requests to Meet and Talk About Policing

A police officer in Los Angeles has reached out to LeBron James in relation to a post the LA Lakers star shared on social media about a police-involved shooting that happened in Ohio.

LAPD Officer Deon Joseph noted in a lengthy post on Facebook that Jamess understanding of policing is so off base and extreme and hopes he will have a conversation with an officer instead of constantly painting such a diverse group with a broad brush.

Your current stance on policing is so off base and extreme. Your tweet that targeted a police officer in Ohio who saved a young womans life was irresponsible and disturbing, he wrote.

It showed a complete lack of understanding of the challenge of our job in the heat of a moment. You basically put a target on the back of a human being who had to make a split-second decision to save a life from a deadly attack.

Josephs message was related to a shooting incident that happened shortly before a jury in Minneapolis convicted former police officer Derek Chauvin for second and third-degree murder as well as manslaughter in the police custody death of George Floyd.

James wrote in the since-deleted post on Twitter in full captions: YOURE NEXT, along with a picture of Columbus Police Officer Nicholas Reardon, who fatally shot a teenager who was engaged in a fight with another girl.

Body camera and surveillance footage of the incident showed that the girl, identified as 16-year-old MaKhia Bryant, was armed with a knife and appeared to be on the verge of stabbing the other girl at the time Reardon fired at her. She was hospitalized with critical injuries and later died.

James, 36, who has frequently posted about alleged racism and police misconduct, deleted the tweet amid backlash from some in his 49 million follower base.

James claimed he took the post down because it was being used to create more hate, saying he is tired of black people being shot by police.

This isnt about one officer, he wrote. its about the entire system and they always use our words to create more racism.

Im so damn tired of seeing Black people killed by police. I took the tweet down because its being used to create more hate -This isnt about one officer. its about the entire system and they always use our words to create more racism. I am so desperate for more ACCOUNTABILITY  LeBron James (@KingJames) April 21, 2021

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has also criticized James, saying his recent message on social media about policing in the United States is inciting violence and disgraceful and dangerous.

Joseph, who is black, called out James in his message.

You said you took your tweet down because you did not want it to be used for hate, when the tweet itself was the embodiment of hatred, rooted in a lack of understanding of the danger of the situation, the officer wrote.

This division and hatred must stop, he added. Its clear based on rising crime in marginalized communities that cops and the community need to build bridges to save lives on all sides. That cannot be done through the demonization of any group of people.
RALEIGH, N.C., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The global staffing industry revenue was expected to decline 18 percent in the base case scenario in 2020, and 25 percent if the COVID-19 outbreak lasts longer, says Beroe Inc.

After a lockdown of three months in 2020, the labor market trends have undergone a drastic change in terms of loss of employment, government regulations, and salaries falling. According to Beroe's labor market analysis report, the industry would experience only a partial recovery in 2021. While the pandemic has affected the labor market of all countries worldwide, some countries like the U.S., Japan, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, China, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Belgium, and Spain are forecasted to decline even more under the base case scenario. India was forecasted to experience an increase of 11 percent in 2020.

Beroe, which is based in North Carolina, further stated that procurement experts can access this report on its recently launched market intelligence platform Beroe LiVE.Ai: https://www.beroeinc.com/beroe-live-ai/

The current high market maturity countries for the labor market in the world are the U.S., UK, Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, followed by medium maturity markets like Indonesia, India, Spain, Argentina, Poland, China, and more. The pandemic has affected not only companies but has also left many jobless. As per the World Economic Forum (WEF), the age group between 18 and 24 has been most affected. This age group is also highly correlated to economic growth.

Temporary workers are contract-based workers and this kind of employment is preferred for labor-intensive work like the construction, logistics, and healthcare industry. Staffing firms don't see this industry getting back to normal anytime soon. Additionally, a change in government regulations - for example, the suspension of H-1B and L-1 U.S. visas in 2020 - forced many workers back to their home countries. Although government regulations worldwide are now getting more flexible, there is still uncertainty of a second wave of the virus that makes temporary labor hiring difficult.

On the other side, e-commerce websites are hiring logistics temporary workers in full swing, and the healthcare industry is hiring temporary staff for sanitization. In other industries like IT and digital jobs, remote working is becoming the new normal and companies are getting back to hiring consultants and freelancers with remote working.

In all, temporary contract migrant workers have been affected the most and this situation might get better if the pandemic is short-term. The impact on the labor market has been highest in the U.S., UK, and India. Temporary staffing constitutes 90 percent ($438 billion) of the global staffing revenue and the pandemic has affected the manufacturing sector more than the services sector. Another challenge faced by companies worldwide in terms of both manufacturing and services markets is the lack of skilled labor. In that case, sourcing models by staffing companies are ensuring to fill positions with the talent at competitive rates.

The Beroe report throws light on temporary workforce statistics, global temporary market, current labor market trends, manpower share price forecast, U.S. labor market trends, and other market trends worldwide. While the labor market is slowly recovering but the question of uncertainty is still prevailing. The drivers for the labor market are dominated by SOW, growth of the gig economy, demand for professional staffing, and rise in global penetration rate. KPIs that hiring companies should take under consideration are quality of the candidate, order fill rates, time to fill, and more.

Key Findings:

The global staffing industry revenue was expected to see a decline of 25 percent if the coronavirus outbreak lasts longer. It is expected to see a bounce back in 2021 but the recovery will only be partial.

The market was forecasted to decline in countries like the U.S., China , Canada , Japan , UK, and Germany . However, in India , the market was expected to remain upbeat in 2020.

, , , UK, and . However, in , the market was expected to remain upbeat in 2020. The drivers for the labor market are dominated by SOW, growth of the gig economy, demand for professional staffing, and other factors.

The cost of sourcing labor is forecasted to increase since it would be difficult to find the workforce for ground-level support.

In its long-term impact, due to the pandemic, the monthly wage would further increase in many countries, which will lead to the overall rise in labor cost.

The Report from Beroe includes:

Labor market trends analysis

analysis Sourcing models

MSP Key Factors

Supplier Trends

Procurement best practices

COVID-19 Impact on the Labor Market

About Beroe Inc

Beroe is the world's leading provider of procurement intelligence and supplier compliance solutions. We provide critical market information and analysis that enables companies to make smart sourcing decisions - leading to lower costs, greater profits, and reduced risk. Beroe has been providing these services for more than 15 years and currently works with more than 10,000 companies worldwide, including 400 of the Fortune 500 companies. For more information about Beroe Inc., please visit https://www.beroeinc.com/ .

Media Contact:

Debobrata Hembram

debobrata.hembram@beroe-inc.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/777512/Beroe_Logo.jpg
(Natural News) Chinese-born American immigrant You Xiaorong was convicted on April 22 for stealing trade secrets worth $120 million from several companies, including American firms. The 59-year-old, who is also known as Shannon You, was working alongside her Chinese associates to start a company in China using stolen BPA-free coating technology. Besides establishing this new company, prosecutors also argued that her purpose for stealing was to benefit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

After a 12-day trial, You was found guilty of conspiracy to commit economic espionage, conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, possession of stolen trade secrets, economic espionage and wire fraud.

You stole trade secrets related to BPA-free coating technology while working for two American firms  Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia and Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, Tennessee. She was a principal engineer for global research at Coca-Cola from December 2012 to August 2017 and a manager at Eastman Chemical from September 2017 to June 2018. These positions gave her access to the BPA-free technology of several firms, allowing her to conduct the theft.

The stolen trade secrets cost almost $120 million to develop. They belonged to the Netherlands AkzoNobel, Germanys BASF, Japans Toyochem, and Americas PPG, Sherwin Williams and Eastman Chemical, among others.

BPA, or bisphenol-A, is commonly used to line the inside of food containers to prevent flavor loss, corrosion and hazardous reactions with food and beverage. In recent years, many companies have turned to BPA-free coatings due to the potential health risks of the chemical. But developing these alternatives is expensive and time-consuming, witnesses from chemical companies said during the trial.

Immigrant colluded with Chinese corporations, CCP

Evidence presented during the trial indicated that You stole trade secrets to start a new BPA-free coating company in China. She was working alongside Liu Xiangchen, a 63-year-old man from eastern Chinas Shandong Province, as well as an unnamed relative of Liu.

Liu was charged at the same time as You in February 2019. He hatched the plot to steal American technology and use it to establish a firm that would make BPA-free packaging. In return for the stolen tech, he promised You an ownership share in the new company, prosecutors found.

You found a Chinese corporate partner in the Weihai Jinhong Group. According to a 2018 Chinese media report, the corporation agreed in 2017 to invest $26.58 million in the new companys production line. Moreover, it also sponsored the immigrants application for the Thousand Talents Plan, a CCP-backed recruitment program formed to entice foreign experts to work in the country.

Through the program, You would be rewarded $443,000 from the CCP, Shandong provincial government and Weihai City government for stealing BPA-free technology. At the same time, the production line also received $7.4 million in funding from those same governments, the report indicated.

The evidence presented during the trial, including Yous Thousand Talents application documents, showed that the Chinese-born American intended to benefit not only WeiHai Jinhong Group but also the CCP, prosecutors argued. (Related: DOJ indicts two Chinese hackers, says Beijing now targeting COVID-19 research.)

You is due to be sentenced on Nov. 1.

CCPs policies encourage theft of American technology

This case was the latest in a string of prosecutions involving Chinese-sponsored theft of American intellectual property. On April 19, a Chinese hospital researcher was sentenced to 33 months in prison for stealing trade secrets from an Ohio childrens hospital to sell in China. The researchers co-conspirator was his Chinese wife, who was sentenced to 30 months in prison last February.

The pair started a company in China using stolen trade secrets. They received funding from state authorities and applied for several CCP-backed programs, including the Thousand Talents Plan. (Related: New report shows China using students to steal American tech.)

Adam Hickey, Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the DOJs National Security Division, said in 2019 that China was implicated in more than 80 percent of economic espionage cases filed by the division since 2012. He said that the frequency of cases had been steadily rising in recent years. This increase might be due to an increase in reporting, he told CNBC.

However, the attorney noted that Chinas recent policies were also inherently problematic. Speaking about Chinas goal to reduce dependence on critical technologies, he said: The issue isnt that China has set out to do that. Its that part of their industrial policy, part of the way they try to accomplish that, is state-sponsored theft or creating an environment that rewards or turns a blind eye to it.

Read more about Chinas theft of American tech at NationalSecurity.news.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com 1

WILX.com

TheEpochTimes.com 2

CNBC.com
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Executes definitive agreements to acquire 70% of Bel Medic

6 th hospital of Acbadems European portfolio and 4 th country of operations (3 hospitals in Bulgaria, 1 in Netherlands and Macedonia)

hospital of Acbadems European portfolio and 4 country of operations (3 hospitals in Bulgaria, 1 in Netherlands and Macedonia) Bel Medic currently operates with one hospital and five outpatient clinics in Belgrade

Leverages on the global brand and reputation of Acibadem and emphasizes to continuing the provision of the highest level of clinical care in the country

BELGRADE, Serbia, March 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acbadem Saglk Hizmetleri ve Ticaret A.S. (Acbadem), via its subsidiary, Acbadem City Clinic B.V. (ACC BV), announced today that it has signed definitive agreements for the acquisition of Serbian-based Bel Medic Group and its subsidiaries (Bel Medic), leading private healthcare operator in Serbia.

The transaction is an acquisition of 70% of the Bel Medic Group by ACC BV which is the entity for holding Acbadems investments in Eastern Europe.

Bel Medic, founded in 1995 by Dr. Jasmina Knezevic and Milan Knezevic, is a leading high-quality private healthcare provider in Serbia, operating in Belgrade. It operates one hospital and five outpatient clinics.

The group will operate under the name Acbadem Bel Medic.

Mr. Mehmet Ali Aydnlar, Founder and Chairman of Acbadem, said, We are pleased to have Acbadems sixth European hospital in Belgrade. As a result of our partnership with Bel Medic, as one of the key healthcare service providers in the country, we will be transferring Acbadems know-how into Serbia. I believe that healthcare service delivery level in Serbia will be elevated to a much higher level led by synergies to be created with Bel Medic.

Mr. Angel Angelov, Chief Executive Officer of Acbadem City Clinic B.V., said, We are extremely excited to further extend our operations in the West Balkans. We believe that our Groups strive for excellency and first-class patient service will have a positive contribution to the Serbian healthcare market.

Mrs. Jasmina Knezevic, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bel Medic, said, It is my great pleasure that Bel Medic successfully entered into partnership with a world class hospital chain. Acibadem is also in Serbia recognized as the leading foreign healthcare institution. From my standpoint, it is of crucial importance that both our institutions share the same core values with focus on top-quality state of the art medicine, excellent patient care and satisfaction. I am sure that strategic merger of two strong brands, Bel Medic and Acibadem will bring premium class healthcare as well as an important impact to the Serbian economy.

The Transaction boosts Acbadems beds globally to more than 4,200 across 22 hospitals in 5 countries. Pending necessary approvals and satisfaction of certain conditions, the deal is expected to close within 3 months. PWC acted as the financial and tax advisors to Acbadem for the Transaction. Acbadems legal advisor leading the Transaction is Esin Attorney Partnership, a Member Firm of Baker & McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein and local legal advisor is Prica & Partners.

Ernst & Young acted as the financial and tax advisors to Bel Medic Group and its shareholders. Bel Medic Groups legal advisor for the acquisition is Karanovic & Partners.

For further information;

Please contact:

Deniz Sentop Ceren Tarhanl e. deniz.sentop@acibadem.com e. ceren.tarhanli@acibadem.com

About Acbadem Healthcare Group

Acbadem Healthcare Group (http://www.acibadem.com/en/) is the leading private provider of diagnostic and treatment services in Turkey since 1991. Acbadem has 21 general-purpose hospitals (1 located in Macedonia, 3 in Bulgaria and 1 in Netherlands), 13 outpatient facilities and support services companies and a team of more than 22,500 employees and 4,000 physicians.

Acbadem is a part of a larger global network known as IHH Healthcare Berhad (IHH) (http://www.ihhhealthcare.com/about-overview.php). IHH operates an integrated healthcare business and related services and has leading market positions in its home markets of Singapore, Malaysia and Turkey, and it also has healthcare operations and investments in the Peoples Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) (PRC), India, Hong Kong, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Netherlands (through Acbadem) and Brunei. IHH Healthcare Berhad is listed on the main markets of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad ("Bursa Securities") and Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited ("SGX-ST"), and is the world's second largest listed healthcare operator by market capitalization.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c3289730-2a52-4259-934f-6079ec43c5f3

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b52e40c4-364a-46eb-a3aa-3b466b573874
NEW YORK, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against MultiPlan Corporation f/k/a Churchill Capital Corp. III ("Churchill III" or the "Company") (NYSE: MPLN; MPLN.WS; CCXX; CCXX.WS; CCXX.U) and certain of its officers, directors, and sponsors. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and docketed under 21-cv-01965, is on behalf of a class consisting of: (i) all purchasers of Churchill III securities between July 12, 2020 and November 10, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period"); and (ii) all holders of Churchill III Class A common stock entitled to vote on Churchill III's merger with and acquisition of Polaris Parent Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, "MultiPlan") consummated in October 2020 (the "Merger").

Fighting for victims of securities fraud for more than 85 years (PRNewsfoto/Pomerantz LLP)

If you are a shareholder who purchased Churchill III securities during the Class Period and/or a holder of Churchill III Class A common stock entitled to vote on the Merger, you have until June 7, 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 newaction@pomlaw.com 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]

Churchill III was formed in October 2019 as a blank check company. A blank check company is sometimes referred to as a special purpose acquisition vehicle, or "SPAC," and does not initially have any operations or business of its own. Rather, it raises money from investors in an initial public offering and then uses the proceeds from the offering to acquire a business or operational assets, usually from a private company that does not publicly report financial or operating results. As a result, investors in blank check companies rely on the skill, transparency, and honesty of the blank check company's sponsor to spend the offering proceeds to acquire a fundamentally sound target company that offers attractive risk-adjusted returns for investors.

Story continues

On or about February 14, 2020, Churchill III completed its initial public offering, selling 110 million ownership units to investors for gross proceeds of $1.1 billion. Each unit was priced at $10 and consisted of one share of Class A common stock and one-fourth of one warrant to purchase Class A shares. Each whole warrant entitled the holder to purchase one share of Churchill III Class A common stock at $11.50 per share.

In July 2020, Churchill III announced that it had entered into a preliminary agreement, subject to shareholder approval, to merge with MultiPlan, a New York-based data analytics end-to-end cost management solutions provider to the U.S. healthcare industry. MultiPlan's customers include large national insurance companies, provider-sponsored health plans, bill review companies, Taft-Hartley plans, and other entities that pay medical bills in the commercial healthcare, government, workers' compensation, auto, medical, and dental markets.

On October 7, 2020, shareholders voted to approve the Merger at a special shareholders meeting.

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading because Defendants made false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) MultiPlan was losing tens of millions of dollars in sales and revenues to Naviguard, a competitor created by one of MultiPlan's largest customers, UnitedHealthcare, which threatened up to 35% of the Company's sales and 80% of its levered cash flows by 2022; (ii) sales and revenue declines in the quarters leading up to the Merger were not due to "idiosyncratic" customer behaviors as represented, but rather due to a fundamental deterioration in demand for MultiPlan's services and increased competition, as payors developed competing services and sought alternatives to eliminating excessive healthcare costs; (iii) MultiPlan was facing significant pricing pressures for its services and had been forced to materially reduce its take rate in the lead up to the Merger by insurers, who had expressed dissatisfaction with the price and quality of MultiPlan's services and balanced billing practices, causing the Company to cut its take rate by up to half in some cases; (iv) as a result of all the foregoing, MultiPlan was set to continue to suffer from revenues and earnings declines, increased competition, and deteriorating pricing dynamics following the Merger; (v) as a result of all the foregoing, MultiPlan was forced to seek continued revenue growth and to improve its competitive positioning through pricey acquisitions, including through the purchase of HST for $140 million at a premium price from a former MultiPlan executive only one month after the Merger; (vi) as a result of all the foregoing, Churchill III investors had grossly overpaid for the acquisition of MultiPlan in the Merger, and MultiPlan's business was worth far less than represented to investors; and (vii) as a result of all the foregoing, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On November 11, 2020, just one month after the close of the Merger, short research investment firm Muddy Waters published a report on Churchill III titled "MultiPlan: Private Equity Necrophilia Meets The Great 2020 Money Grab" (the "Muddy Waters Report"). The Muddy Waters Report was based on extensive non-public sources such as interviews with former MultiPlan executives and other industry experts, as well as proprietary analysis. The Muddy Waters Report revealed that MultiPlan was in the process of losing its largest client, UnitedHealthcare, which was estimated to cost the Company up to 35% of its revenues and 80% of its levered free cash flow within two years.

According to the Muddy Waters Report, MultiPlan was in significant financial decline because of its fundamentally flawed business model, which profited from excessively high healthcare costs. UnitedHealth had purportedly launched a competitor, Naviguard, to reduce its business with MultiPlan and bring the over-priced and conflicted services offered by MultiPlan in-house. The Muddy Waters Report also accused MultiPlan of obscuring its deteriorating financial position in presentations to investors by, among other things, manipulating cash reserves to show inflated earnings figures in the years leading up to the Merger. The Muddy Waters Report also stated that MultiPlan had suffered from material, undisclosed pricing pressures that had caused it to slash the "take rate" it charged customers in half in some instances and falsely characterized revenue declines as "idiosyncratic" when in fact they were due to sustained, negative pricing trends afflicting MultiPlan's business.

The Muddy Waters Report further stated that MultiPlan's four previous private equity firm owners had "loot[ed] the business" for cash in the lead up to the Merger. According to the Muddy Waters Report, the sale to Churchill III was necessitated because MultiPlan's private equity owners could not find anyone else willing to buy the failing business after these deep cuts, which had resulted in deteriorating service quality and increased customer complaints. The Muddy Waters Report quoted two former MultiPlan executives who spoke about the private equity stewardship of the Company right before the Merger, which had purportedly left Churchill III's unwitting shareholders "hold[ing] the bag."

The Muddy Waters Report stated that the decline in MultiPlan's sales left the Company "no choice but to try to buy some form of revenue growth to mask eroding fundamentals." Indeed, MultiPlan had just recently announced the acquisition of healthcare technology company HST for $140 million, which performed similar functions to those offered by Naviguard. The Muddy Waters Report described HST as "an attempt to buy an inferior, significantly smaller Naviguard stand-in, and at a premium price" from a former MultiPlan executive.

As a result of this news, the price of Churchill III securities plummeted. By November 12, 2020, the price of Churchill III Class A common stock fell to a low of just $6.12 per share, nearly 40% below the price at which shareholders could have redeemed their shares at the time of the shareholder vote on the Merger.

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

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com

888-476-6529 ext. 7980



Cision

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SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
Philippine activists carry signs outside the Chinese Consulate in Metropolitan Manila as they protest against Beijings maritime activities in disputed waters of the South China Sea, April 23, 2021.

Philippine opposition senators, in a resolution Tuesday, accused Beijing of creeping hegemony in the South China Sea through what they described as the illegal presence of Chinese ships in Manilas exclusive economic zone.

The 11 senators, mostly critics of President Rodrigo Duterte, released Resolution 708 that hit out at the lingering presence of Chinese vessels in disputed waters in the Spratly Islands, despite multiple diplomatic protests lodged by the Department of Foreign Affairs this month.

While Chinas increasing dominance as regional and world power cannot be denied, its open and serious contempt of the UNCLOS, as well as its expansion of influence in the area at the expense of legitimate interests and legally recognized maritime entitlements of smaller nations like the Philippines, must be firmly resisted and denounced and the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration Award vigorously asserted, said the resolution filed on Monday.

UNCLOS refers to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The 2016 ruling supported the Philippines territorial claims to the South China Sea.

Close diplomatic ties and Manilas acceptance of economic help from Beijing should not be mistaken as acceptance of Chinas creeping hegemony over our region and country, the senators emphasized.

On Monday, Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon urged the president to rally the countrys neighbors and allies to form a united front against Beijing and its actions in the South China Sea.

Apart from the protests, which I support, we should, as an objective, get the other nations to confront China, including our allies  United States, Japan, and Australia. We must unite against the unlawful Chinese incursion in the West Philippine Sea, Drilon told reporters, referring to the weeks-long presence of Chinese ships in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Duterte administration was aware of Tuesdays resolution, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

The Palace respects that as the views of 11 policymakers of the country, he told reporters.

Last week, President Duterte said he would send military ships into the disputed areas only if China began drilling for oil and minerals.

On Tuesday, the Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to BenarNews requests for comment.

Beijing had said in the past that it was not bound by the international arbitration courts ruling in 2016.

Chinese ships in EEZ

Two weeks ago, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea reported that government patrols had spotted an estimated 240 Chinese ships in Philippine waters  more than the 220 spotted in March. The West Philippine Sea is Manilas designation for claimed territory in the South China Sea.

In mid-April, the task force said nine ships were still present at Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef), a shoal in the Spratly chain that became the epicenter of a bilateral flare-up when scores of Chinese ships were first spotted moored together there in early March. China also claims the reef as part of its territory.

Chinese ships and boats were also spotted in other areas in the South China Sea, including in Manila-claimed Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, the task force reported.

Philippine patrols, it said, had also seen Chinese navy ships, including two Houbei-class missile warships at Panganiban Reef, one Corvette-class warship at Fiery Cross Reef, and one Navy tugboat at Zamora Reef.

Diplomatic protests

Last Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced it had lodged two new diplomatic notes of protest with Beijing because, as of April 20, Philippine maritime law enforcement patrols had observed the continuing unauthorized presence and activities of 160 Chinese fishing vessels and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels in Philippine waters, it said.

The diplomatic notes were in addition to the daily protests being filed by the DFA against the continuing presence of Chinese vessels in Julian Felipe Reef, the foreign office said in a statement.

On Saturday in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard began training exercises with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

We are supporting the whole-of-nation approach in securing our maritime jurisdiction, especially the efforts of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea to undertake maritime security, maritime safety, maritime law enforcement, maritime search and rescue, and marine environmental protection roles in our countrys waters, Commodore Armando Balilo, said in a statement on the coast guards website.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea as its own, but five other Asian governments  Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam  have territorial claims. While Indonesia does not regard itself as party to the South China Sea dispute, Beijing claims historic rights to parts of the sea overlapping Indonesias EEZ.

On Saturday, the European Unions External Action Service expressed concern about the Chinese ships and called for peaceful, diplomatic solutions.

Tensions in the South China Sea, including the recent presence of large Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef, endanger peace and stability in the region, the EU said in a statement. The EU reiterates its strong opposition to any unilateral actions that could undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order.

Jeoffrey Maitem in Cotabato City, Philippines, contributed to this report.
New Delhi, April 27 : Indian Railways' Oxygen Express trains have delivered 450 metric tonnes (MT) to different states through 26 tankers.

In a statement, the Railway Ministry said: "Indian Railways is continuing its journey of delivering liquid medical oxygen to various parts of the country. So far, 450 metric tonnes have been delivered to Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in six 'Oxygen Expresses through 26 tankers covering more than 10,000 km (in empty and loaded conditions)." As per the Ministry, currently, another Oxygen Express is on the run from Bokaro to Bhopal via Jabalpur carrying 64 metric tonnes of liquid medical oxygen in six tankers, which will replenish oxygen demand in Madhya Pradesh, in Bhopal and Jabalpur.

"Another empty rake from Lucknow has reached Bokaro, which will bring another set of oxygen tankers replenishing oxygen supply to Uttar Pradesh," the Ministry said.

Delhi has also received its first Oxygen Express carrying more than 70 metric tonnes of liquid medical oxygen on early Tuesday morning.

"So far, as per provisional estimates, Indian Railways has delivered 202 metric tonnes to Uttar Pradesh, 174 metric tonnes to Maharashtra and 70 metric tonnes to Delhi. Madhya Pradesh will receive 64 metric tonnes in the next 24 hours," the Ministry said.
Kinshasa, DRC (PANA) - A recent spike in inter-community violence in the eastern province of Ituri in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is worsening the plight of children there, the UN Childrens Fund, UNICEF, said on Monday, urging greater international support
SBI Recruitment 2021: The State Bank of India has invited applications for the recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) in the clerical cadre in 18 different circles around the country.

A total of 5000 vacancies have been notified. The window to apply for the jobs opened on Tuesday (April 27, 2021). The last date to apply is May 17, 2021.

Interested candidates can visit the official website of SBI at sbi.co.in to apply for the post.

Applications are invited from eligible Indian Citizens for appointment as Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) in clerical cadre in State Bank of India. Candidates can apply for vacancies in one State only. Candidates can appear for the test only once under this recruitment project. The candidates applying for vacancies of a particular State, should be proficient (reading, writing, speaking and understanding) in the specified opted local language of that State/UT/Special area (mentioned in the under given vacancy table against each state), the official notification said.

The preliminary examination will be conducted tentatively in June while the Main Examination will be conducted tentatively on July 31, 2021.

SBI Recruitment 2021 - Age Limit of candidate:

A candidate must not be below 20 years and not above 28 years as on 01.04.2021, i.e. the candidate must have been born not earlier than 02.04.1993 and not later than 01.04.2001 (both days inclusive).

The relaxation in age limit will be applicable as per the government rules.

SBI Recruitment 2021 - Essential Academic Qualification:

A candidate must have graduation in any discipline from a recognised University or any equivalent qualification recognised as such by Central Government. Candidates having integrated dual degree (IDD) certificate should ensure that the date of passing the IDD is on or before 16.08.2021.

Also Read: Indian Navy Sailor Recruitment 2021: Vacancy begins for 2500 posts

Live TV
"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
High street bank TSB has unveiled plans to launch 43 'pop-up' face-to-face services in town halls, libraries and community centres across Britain after announcing plans to close more than a third of its branches last year.

'Mobile money confidence experts' will be on site to help customers with internet and mobile banking registration, forgotten passwords, reporting stolen cards, existing payments and assistance with bereavements, the bank said.

But the pop-ups will be open only one day a week - and customers won't be able to make cash withdrawals or deposits, set up new direct debits, open or close accounts or change their bank account details.

TSB pop-ups: They will be open one day a week and customers won't be able to withdraw cash

The fact that customers won't be able to withdraw cash at the new pop-ups is expected to be criticised by consumer groups as ATMs and bank branches are closing at record levels - and the Government is under pressure to introduce legislation to protect access to cash.

It comes as TSB announced it would close 164 of its high street bank branches last year, or a third of its network, due to a decline in customers using branches.

The lender, owned by Spanish bank Sabadell, said the 43 pop-ups will be spread across the country, with 22 in England, 19 in Scotland and two in Wales.

The new hubs will be located in 'popular locations already used by members of the local community for other services' like town halls, libraries or community centres, it said.

And the majority will be in locations where it takes customers longer than 20 minutes to travel to their nearest TSB branch, the bank added.

Consumer groups have previously said pop-up operations from banks are better than nothing but cautioned they cannot fully replace the benefits of a permanent branch.

The pop-ups will be open for just a day, and customers will be able to book an appointment by phoning the supporting branch for that pop-up.

TSB pop-up branches launching between April and the summer Pop-ups in England Albrighton: Albrighton Village Hall Blackburn: Bangor Street Community Centre Canterbury: Canterbury Umbrella Centre Ellesmere: Ellesmere Town Hall Liverpool, Waterloo: Waterloo Community Centre Long Sutton: The Market House Murton: Glebe Centre Netherfield: St Georges Centre Ramsey: Ramsey Library Skegness: Aura Business Centre Winslow: Winslow Council Offices Pop-ups in Wales Glynneath: Glynneath Town Hall (Opened during week of 12 April) Prestatyn: Prestatyn Library Pop-ups in Scotland Alford: Dog Action Rehoming Anstruther: Anstruther Town Hall Grantown-on-Spey: Grantown YMCA Huntly: Orbs Community Bookshop Wick: Pulteney Town People's Project

TSB said that if its advisers are not able to help customers on the day, they will arrange for another day or put customers in touch with someone who can help them 'by phone, there and then'.

As the new pop-ups are located in public buildings such as community halls, centres and libraries which only reopened on 12 April along with 'non-essential' retailers, they could be forced to close if new lockdowns are imposed.

'In terms of future lockdowns we are operating in third-party locations, so would have to comply with guidance relevant to that location,' TSB said - adding that their experts would continue to support customers via phone or virtually.

Carol Anderson, Director of branch banking at TSB, said: 'Although we've seen a significant rise in customers using digital banking, we know accessing banking services and cash remains important to many customers and we're always looking for innovative and inclusive ways to help them.

'The pop-up service will support our customers in parts of the country where it takes longer to get to a branch.

'The pop-ups and future access to cash pilot will test demand for these types of services, giving us insight on what more we can do for customers in the future.'

TSB also announced the launch of a pilot scheme to allow its customers to deposit cash in their accounts in local shops and supermarkets using a 'digital platform'.

Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham will be the first cities to trial the new service, which is in partnership with American payments company Diebold Nixdorf and platform Paysafe.

TSB is also part of a scheme trialling shared banking 'hubs' run by the Post Office in Cambuslang - which has lacked a bank branch since 2018- Denny and Hay-on-Wye.

The 'community access to cash pilots' project is aimed at improving access to physical money and is funded by banks taking part via trade organisation UK Finance.
Myanmar protesters flash a three-finger salute of defiance while holding a banner during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon, April 26, 2021.

As many as 15 Myanmar soldiers were killed in western Chin state Monday by a newly formed ethnic militia, one of whose fighters vowed to inflict damage on the junta that ousted the countrys elected government, witnesses and a local rights group said.

Mondays ambush by the Chinland Defense Force in Chin state, a mountainous, impoverished area near the border with India and Bangladesh, came amid sporadic protests across Myanmar that were met by violent repression by security forces, and heavy-handed efforts to halt citizens donations to the anti-junta movement.

As many as 15 Burmese soldiers have reportedly been killed in a firefight with local civil militia in Mindat, southern Chin state, the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) said on its Facebook page. A truck was also seen burning in the town, the group said.

The CHRO said about 10 of the slain soldiers were in a convoy of three trucks sent as reinforcements from the armys Tactical Operations Command headquarters in nearby Matupi town, while five other troops were reported killed in Mindat, a town of 10,000 people.

Sources further said the army is sending more reinforcements in another convoy of five army trucks from Pakokku, the social media post said. Pakkoku is a city of 400,000 people in central Magwe region.

A member of the Chinland Defense Force, formed on April 4 by anti-coup protesters, said that the group aims to end the military dictatorship, abolish a constitution imposed by the army to entrench its power, and establish a federal union.

We cannot say right now what the strategy will be, but we plan to inflict damage on them, he told RFA.

If the threats and violence do not end, we, the CDF, will use all available weapons and other means. We have tumee rifles and other weapons to confront them, said the Chin fighter, referring to homemade hunting rifles that people in western Myanmar have used to fight off junta troops.

Currently, we have no casualties on our side, he told RFA Monday night. Casualties are only on their side.

Myanmar protesters flash a three-finger salute of defiance while holding a banner that reads "Yangon strike will defeat all enemies" during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon, April 26, 2021. Credit: RFA





Three other soldiers dead

At least three soldiers died in a similar battle in Mindat on Sunday night, the CHRO said on Facebook.

Another member of the CDF from Mindat said more people from Chin state will join the militia to fight Myanmar forces.

In the long run, other townships will join us to fight them, to protect the Civil Disobedience Movement [CDM], and to protect their own people, he said. There might be fear and concern among the people, but we need to end the military dictatorship.

RFA could not reach junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment on the clashes in Chin state.

Kyaw Saw Han, a national security researcher, said militias across the country, including the Chin forces, could form a collective national force and use guerrilla tactics to defend their areas.

I dont think these groups are formed to directly confront the military, he said.

Their strategy is not clear, but it can be assumed that they will strive to defend their region, he said. They could launch attacks on military bases and other state-owned structures like police stations.

Twelve weeks after troops overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi and her elected civilian government, sporadic anti-junta protests continued to erupt across the country of 54 million people, resulting in violent crackdowns and clashes between security forces and protesters.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a Thailand-based rights group, said that as of Monday, 753 people had been killed in the violence since Feb. 1, while 4,484 others had been arrested.

Restrictions on cash flows

In a new tactic to derive the CDM of funds to oppose the junta and support a fledgling parallel government launched in mid-April, security forces are stopping and searching people in the streets and warning them against carrying large sums of money.

The junta has made restrictions on cash flows because they fear a normal cash flow will help support dissident groups and civil servants who have joined the CDM movement, said a member of the parallel government in exile representing a group of lawmakers ousted in the coup.

A woman from Sagaing region told RFA that she was stopped by security forces on her way to town to go shopping carrying 1.8 million kyats (U.S. $1,270).

I used to go to town with a lot of cash like that because there were no inspections before, [but] the other day when I went to town, they stopped me on the way and asked what I had in my handbag, she said, adding that security forces told her to carry no more than 50,000 kyats (U.S. $35) in public.

With nearly all banks closed since shortly after the coup when their employees left their jobs and joined the CDM, and the internet shut down by the junta, the cash restrictions are hurting businesses that already have been struggling after a year of coronavirus closures and political turmoil.

Some of the companies we are dealing with use online mobile money transfers, said a businessman in Monywa, Sagaing region. They deposit money through the online payments, and then we send it to the merchants. Now, the companies in Yangon are not accepting mobile transfersonly cash  so we are stuck.

Hundreds of people continued protesting on Monday in the regions of Yangon, Mandalay, Bago, and Magwe region, as well as in Shan and Kachin states.

A small bomb exploded near a Yadanabon Bank office in Myanmars second-largest city Mandalay, and a local resident said there was clash between junta forces and local protesters who demanded the release of six detainees grabbed by military forces on Sunday.

Myanmar protesters flash a three-finger salute of defiance on a message card during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon, April 26, 2021. Credit: Associated Press





Aung San Suu Kyis latest court hearing

Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, under house arrest in the capital Naypyidaw, attended a virtual court session Monday on a charge against her for allegedly violating the Official Secrets Act in Yangon, Khin Maung Zaw, the leader of her defense team told RFA, adding the reason is still unknown.

The lawyers on Monday submitted an application for the transfer of power of attorney required for the defense for the most recently added charge against Aung San Suu Kyi, but the prosecutors said police were waiting for further instructions from higher authorities, said defense attorney Min Min Soe.

Mother Suu said it has been so long already, and more and more charges have been added since the first case, Min Min Soe said. She said it is imperative that the client meet her defense lawyers.

The 75-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi faces other charges for alleged incitement and sedition, violating the telecommunication law, possession of unlicensed walkie-talkie radios, and violating the Natural Disaster Management Law for breaching COVID-19 pandemic restrictions during the 2020 election campaign.

Detained President Win Myint and Naypyidaw Council Chairman Myo Aung also attended video-conference hearings on Monday. The next hearing date for all three is May 10.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Kyaw Min Htun and Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Sex, drugs and jealousy were at the center of a 2016 homicide in Adams County that resulted in the arrest Monday of a Carlisle man, according to authorities.

Carl Scott Lybrand, 41, was indicted by a grand jury after an investigation found that he killed a co-worker, Fred Alan Ramos, who was in a sexual relationship with his girlfriend.

Although there were witnesses to the immediate aftermath of the crime, Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett said they were not cooperating with investigators at the time and there was limited forensic evidence. Because of this, he said unusual methods had to be used to bring charges in the case.

According to the affidavit filed against Lybrand, those witnesses eventually testified in front of the grand jury, who also saw evidence from a medical examiner and testimony about electronics used by those involved in the case.

Ramos, 48, died as a result of blunt force injuries to the head that he suffered on May 12, 2016, Dr. Barbara Bollinger testified, according to the affidavit. Physical evidence of the hit included a cut behind his left ear lobe, but Bollinger said there was also an abundant hemorrhage of the muscle on the side of his head.

The hit, she said, was forceful enough to damage his skull on the right side of his head, and his brain was swollen from bleeds throughout.

The assault stemmed from jealousy over relationships both men had with their then-23-year-old co-worker, according to the affidavit.

All three worked at OMalley Lumber in Tyrone Township, where Lybrand worked as a supervisor throughout the investigation, according to the affidavit.

The woman involved had a sexual relationship with Ramos, which investigators say was a trade-off for drugs like Percocet. Her relationship with Lybrand was more romantic and sexual, and she was living with him into 2021.

Lybrand was aware of the relationship with Ramos, and took issue with it according to the affidavit. Testimony from witnesses included that his co-workers knew Lybrand was prone to violent outbursts, including threats to assault Ramos.

The day Ramos was killed, police said they believe Lybrand made a threatening phone call to him, according to the affidavit. Ramos told several people about the threats, including that Lybrand would assault him if he didnt end his relationship with the woman.

Ramos and the woman discussed the threats over text messages, which were shown to the grand jury.

In one message, the woman said This [expletive] has to stop. Not [expletive] kids anymore, according to the affidavit. She said they are grown men, too old to be fighting especially because of me.

That same morning, she asked Ramos for help because she was having transportation issues, according to the affidavit.

Text messages show she asked Ramos to pick her up at OMalley Lumber later that day, according to the affidavit.

Investigators then tracked Ramos movements throughout the day through surveillance footage, witness statements and cell phone records. He visited family, bought cigarettes and gas, and appeared fine just before he went to pick the woman up.

Five people, including Lybrand and the woman, were present at the lumber company when Ramos arrived shortly before 8 p.m., according to the affidavit.

Two employees testified that Lybrand was acting strange that evening, pacing and watching the lot where Ramos body was later found.

Around the time Ramos arrived, Lybrand left on a forklift, witnesses testified, according to the affidavit.

Lybrand was gone for about 15 to 20 minutes, witnesses testified, and he returned without the forklift.

The assault was not caught on surveillance or seen by witnesses, but investigators believe Lybrand assaulted Ramos inside the car, then ran back to the office area.

The first person to see Lybrand after he returned testified that Lybrand was panicked and said he had just knocked out Ramos, according to the affidavit.

The witness was ordered to check on Ramos in his car and found him in what appeared to be a dire condition, according to the affidavit.

When the witness returned to update Lybrand, he was with the woman in the office, he testified. He told Lybrand to call 911, and the woman left for a few minutes.

When she returned, she accused Lybrand of killing Ramos, according to the affidavit.

The witness testified that Lybrand responded to her by saying I did it for you babe.

When Lybrand did call 911, he claimed he found someone in the car, according to the affidavit.

Ramos was alive when first responders arrived, but died soon after, according to the affidavit. Lybrand denied any involvement in Ramos death when investigators arrived.

Charges were filed against Lybrand on Monday, including criminal homicide and aggravated assault.

Lybrand was arraigned Monday and is being held at the Adams County Adult Correctional Complex, according to online court dockets. He was denied bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 12, the five-year anniversary of Ramos death.
A Minnesota corrections officer has been placed on leave after a video emerged of him shouting profanities at protesters who were demanding more serious charges against the police officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright.

Paul Gorder, a sergeant at the state's prison in Stillwater, and his wife, Kimberly Beer, were seen on social media clashing with activists who gathered on Sunday outside the home of Washington County Attorney Pete Orput.

Orput charged Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter with second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 death of Wright, a 20-year-old black motorist.

Sgt Paul Gorder, with the Minnesota Department of Corrections, has been placed on leave over a video showing him yelling obscenities at Black Lives Matter protesters

Video that was shot on Sunday and shared on Twitter shows Gorder (left), dressed in a pair of American flag shorts, yelling at protesters: 'f*** you, f***ers.' His wife, Kimberly Beer (right), is heard hurling the N-word as she tells people to 'get out of here'

Multiple witnesses said Beer, a now-former hair salon worker, appeared drunk

Gorder, seen above yelling at protesters on Sunday, was said to have also verbally harassed BLM activists last Thursday by shouting homophobic slurs

Police on the scene in Stillwater, Minnesota, escorted Gorder and his wife back inside their home on Sunday

The Brooklyn Center police chief said he thought Potter, a 26-year veteran, meant to pull her Taser when Wright pulled away from officers, but pulled her handgun instead. Potter's body camera video recorded her shouting 'Taser! Taser!' before she fired her weapon.

Both Potter and the chief resigned soon after Wright's death. Some have said they don't believe Potter made a mistake.

Nekima Levy Armstrong, an activist who helped organize protests at Orput's home, posted a 39-second video on Twitter that appeared to show Gorder, sporting a pair of star-spangled shorts, giving protesters the finger and shouting: 'F*** you, f***ers!'

Gorder's wife is heard hurling the N-word at protesters as she tells them to 'get out of here!'

Multiple witnesses told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that Kimberly Beer appeared drunk and tried to climb into a protester's vehicle.

The clash took place as activists were protesting outside the home of Washington County Attorney Pete Orput

Orput charged Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter (left) with second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 death of Wright (right), a 20-year-old black motorist

Three police officers at the scene eventually led Gorder and Beer, who live near the prosecutor's home, back into their house.

After Armstrong posted the video Sunday evening, the Minnesota Department of Corrections replied in a tweet that the 'actions and comments made here do not reflect the values of the MN DOC' and said Commissioner Paul Schnell had ordered an investigation.

The agency tweeted Monday that the employee shown in the video, who has worked at the correctional facility in Stillwater for nearly 30 years, had been placed on paid leave.

In a statement, Schnell called Gorder's actions 'deeply disturbing and contrary to the mission and values of the Department of Corrections' and apologized to protesters.

'Even while off-duty, we expect that employees conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the values of the agency,' he wrote. 'The Department of Corrections is actively focused on promoting racial equity and reducing racial disparities in the states correctional system.

'The conduct and comments by this sergeant make the work of growing trust that much more difficult.'

Armstrong said that Sunday's altercation was not the first time that Gorder has clashed with protesters. She said that he was heard verbally harassing activists last Thursday, and using homophobic slurs.

Gorder, pictured with his wife, has worked as a corrections officer in Stillwater for nearly 30 years

Gorder's attitude during that event abruptly changed, however, when he saw in the crowd Myon Burrell, the Minnesota man whose life sentence was recently commuted after he served 18 years for the killing of an 11-year-old girl.

Armstrong said Gorder appeared to weep as he embraced Burrell, whom he knew from prison.

Meanwhile, Fantastic Sam's Cut and Color, a hair salon in Maplewood where Gorder's wife worked, posted a status update on Facebook Monday, saying that she was 'no longer an employee.'

'We understand that these words are deeply offensive and hurtful and we want everyone to know that they DO NOT reflect our beliefs,' the post said, apparently referring to the video from the protest.
WASHINGTON  The Department of Homeland Security will undergo an internal review to root out white supremacy and extremism in its ranks as part of a larger effort to combat extremist ideology in the federal government, officials said on Monday.

The task of identifying extremists throughout the United States, and specifically in government agencies, has come to the top of President Bidens agenda since Jan. 6, when a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol. Many of the rioters were found to be members of extremist groups.

We recognize that domestic violent extremism and the ideology, the extremist ideologies that spew it, are prevalent, said Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary. We have a responsibility, given what we do, to ensure that that pernicious influence does not exist in our department.

The review comes shortly after the Pentagon completed a 60-day stand down to address extremism after a number of veterans were found to have taken part in the Capitol riot. The Biden administration is assessing whether other agencies will have similar inquiries as part of a broader review started this year to assess how the federal government combats domestic extremist threats.
The Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) relayed on Tuesday that it disapproves of the "concerted attacks" on the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova and the constitutional crisis created in this country, report agerpres.

"The Constitutional Court of Romania is concernedly watching the development of events that regard the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova. We express our full solidarity and empathy towards our colleagues, members of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova, We disapprove the concerted attacks towards the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova and the constitutional crisis created in the Republic of Moldova, which has as a target to annihilate efforts to build, maintain and consolidate an authentic democracy. To encourage disrespect of the decisions of the Constitutional Court equates, without a doubt, to an instigation to breach the law, the rule of law, to annul the essence of democracy itself. The supremacy and prevalence of the Constitution are joint ideals that find their fount in our joint history, but also in our European future," says the CCR, in a release sent on Tuesday.

The CCR states that, since its establishment through the 1994 Constitution, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova earned a good international reputation, which also justified its election to exercise the chairmanship of the Conference of European Constitutional Courts, for a three year mandate (2021-2024), a body that gathers 41 courts with constitutional jurisdiction."This meant a new European confirmation we are proud of, being the expression of a true European constitutionalism. It's eloquent in this sense to recall the international events hosted by the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova, with a constitutional theme, the variety and actuality of the subjects discussed which rendered a positive echo, a full and well-founded recognition and international support. We are in step and we will walk together down the path that proves difficult for us, as well, sometimes, in the difficult task of validating and consolidating constitutional democracy and the rule of law," the CCR also says.
Burma Fighting Resumes in Chin State After Talks with Myanmar Military Fail

Mindat in Chin State, northwest Myanmar. / Booth

Fighting resumed in Mindat in Chin State at 6 pm on Tuesday, after a few hours peace following moves by junta forces to hold negotiations with the towns civilian defense force.

Clashes have been taking place in Mindat since April 24 but have intensified since Monday. On Tuesday morning, three soldiers were killed by civilian fighters. At least 16 junta soldiers have been killed by Tuesday morning after resistance fighters attacked reinforcements on their way to the mountainous town.

Firing has resumed in the town, said a Mandate resident on Tuesday evening. I just got back home from the town center. It means the negotiations have failed. I think the fighting will intensify tonight, he said.

The junta forces told community leaders that their troops must be allowed to enter the town while residents insisted on the release of detainees.

Fighting erupted in Mindat on April 24 after the police refused to release six anti-regime protesters. Residents said they have used traditional firearms to defend themselves after the military shot first.

The Irrawaddy could not yet independently confirm why the negotiations failed. A resident said young activists have refused to believe a town elder, U Shwe Naing, who took part in the negotiations.



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After authorities responded to a 911 call in a home in Largo City, Florida, officers are now investigating the homicide incident of two females inside a home in Largo.

According to authorities, the Fire Rescue and the Police Department of the city of Largo responded at a house in the 1000 block, 8th Avenue NW at approximately 1:53 a.m. on Monday, April 26. At first, officials stated that they did not believe that there was an ongoing threat to the public. Later on, officials announced that a man was arrested linked to the emergency call.

According to Crime Online, officers of the Largo Police Department located an adult male at the doorstep of a home, in the vicinity, with traumatic injuries. The man was immediately transported to the Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. However, he also directed the police to a home a couple of doors down. Authorities discovered there the two bodies of females at around 2 a.m.

The police identified the man as Sage Gayle Curry, 19, a Largo resident. It is believed that Curry was the subject that arrived at the doorstep of a nearby home.

The police did not release the names or the ages of the victims in the incident, but their neighbors were shocked when they learned about the tragic incident.

ALSO READ: Web Designer Owned Google Argentina Domain for a Few Minutes, Bought It for Only $2.90

Neighborhood Nightmare

One among the neighbors of the two females, Jeffrey Williams, shared that he was shocked about the incident, and he did not expect that this could happen to both of them. Even another neighbor in the vicinity, Sarah Mulroy, thought it was so unexpected and crazy as she drives around the area all the time.

Kyna Miller-Cole, another resident, was concerned about having tragic incidents like this in their neighborhood. She said she was also frightened seeing cop cars and flashing lights without knowing what was happening.

In addition, Miller-Cole mentioned that she was saddened about losing a life, especially close to her home. She also added that the discovery did not only bring them sadness but also fear.

As of writing, no additional information has been released by the authorities. Updates will be posted once it will be available. Officers with the Largo Police Department, together with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, will be conducting an additional investigation regarding the double murder discovery as the whole neighborhood has been alarmed, Patch reported.

RELATED ARTICLE: California Senator Proposes Changes to 911 Response, Cites Experience of Abuse

WATCH: 19-year-old charged in Largo double murder - WFLA News Channel 8
A law enforcement task force said Monday that 68 people have been arrested for unemployment fraud involving prison inmates. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A California task force formed five months ago to investigate fraudulent unemployment claims involving incarcerated people said Monday that there have so far been 68 arrests and it has opened 1,641 other inquiries.

The report by the statewide task force comes after local prosecutors warned that potentially tens of thousands of fraudulent claims have been filed involving people in prison and jail that could total $2 billion.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced in November that he was asking state officials to form a task force with federal prosecutors and county district attorneys who had already begun investigating improper claims filed in the names of people behind bars, including those on death row.

The Newsom administration released an update on its investigations Monday shortly after Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber reported there were sufficient signatures to qualify for the ballot an effort to recall the governor.

This coordinated and targeted partnership between government and law enforcement has been very successful so far in detecting and disrupting COVID-19-related fraud schemes, Mark Ghilarducci, director of the Governors Office of Emergency Services, said in a statement.

Some state lawmakers remain critical of Newsom, saying the state did not act fast enough to stop fraud in prisons.

"His response to the outrageous amount of fraud was so underwhelming, the same DAs he's now wisely working with actually started cracking down on EDD fraud without him," Assemblyman Jim Pattterson (R-Fresno) said on Monday.

Before Newsom formed the task force, nine district attorneys and a federal prosecutor said in November they saw indications that potentially tens of thousands of fraudulent claims were filed in the names of people in prison or jail who are ineligible to receive unemployment benefits.

Those whose names were used in claims include San Quentin inmate Scott Peterson, who was convicted of killing his wife and unborn son but denied seeking unemployment benefits.

Story continues

Investigators said some claims are filed in the names of those in prison without their knowledge, but several cases have emerged in which incarcerated people coordinated with friends and family to file fraudulent claims.

Until late last year, the state prison agency refused to share the personal information of prisoners, including Social Security numbers, with the state Employment Development Department to allow EDD to match it with unemployment claims, but attorneys later determined that the information could be shared.

On Monday, the state Senate Labor Committee approved a bill by Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) that requires the prison agency to share information with the EDD.

State officials said law enforcement in regional task forces have served 382 search warrants, 94 charges have been filed and 68 people have been arrested outside of the prison system.

In Southern California, law enforcement agencies said they have launched 68 investigations since August that involved 100 search warrants and 23 people being charged, with nine arrested outside prison.

Sacramento County Dist. Atty. Ann Marie Schubert said Monday that the amount paid to criminals may total $20 billion, although the EDD has said that it has identified about $11 billion in fraud, which includes people not in prison.

The magnitude of EDD fraud in California is astronomical, Schubert said in a statement released by the Newsom administration. While there is much work to be done, significant progress has been made not only to identify those committing these crimes but also to prevent further EDD fraud.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
[April 27, 2021] Innovation, Development, Cooperation and Win-win - The 19th CIEP opens in Shenzhen

SHENZHEN, China, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The 19th Conference on International Exchange of Professionals (CIEP) opened in Shenzhen on the morning of April 24. Wang Zhigang, Minister of the Science and Technology, declared the opening of the conference and delivered a speech. Wang Weizhong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Wang Xi, Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, Horst Vogel, Chief Scientist of Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology and Member of the Swiss Academy of Sciences, and Dr. Thorsten Keiter, Senior Vice President of Greater China of TUV Rheinland attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches, respectively. Qin Weizhong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Secretary of Party Group of Municipal Government, and Lu Ming, Member of the Party Group of Ministry of Science and Technology attended the opening ceremony. Wang Zhigang pointed out that the new scientific and technological revolution as well as the industrial transformation are major opportunities that all countries must capture for the future. To implement the new development concept and construct the new development pattern based on the new development stage, we must adhere to the principle of taking science and technology first and taking scientific and technological innovation as the logical starting point to promote high-quality economic and social development, and build a systematic layout from scientific and technological innovation to industrial development and engineering construction. With the theme of "Innovation, Development, Cooperation and Win-Win", the Conference will probe into the vision of science and technology and the grand plan of innovation. We are willing to work with all peopleacross the world, make use of all strength from all fields, and take the initiative to integrate us into the global innovation network to deal with major global challenges pragmatically and effectively. we will cultivate and attract high-level scientific and technological talents from an international perspective, provide "ideal ecology" for global innovation and entrepreneurship talents, accelerate innovative construction under the Belt and Road Initiative, and strengthen the innovative link to build up national exchanges and cooperation. We will take a more open stance and more pragmatic measures to actively participate in global innovation governance, and establish a closer "technological innovation community" with more new and old friends around the world so as to provide more scientific and technological innovation solutions for tackling the challenges brought by global problems and enhancing the well-being of human civilization, and work together to make new contributions to the prosperity and development of the world.



According to Wang Weizhong, Shenzhen has thoroughly studied and implemented the important discourses on the work of talent, implemented the strategy of strengthening the country by talents, insisted on the Party's management of talents, systematically restructured the talent policy system, made unprecedented efforts to build major platforms for talents and focused on the optimization of services for talents, which promoted the formation of a new talent gathering peak. At present, since Shenzhen has ushered in a major historical opportunity to build Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the leading demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and implement the comprehensive reform pilot, we will, unswervingly give priority to the development of talents as the core strategy of urban development. By adhering to the global vision, deepening of reform and the market orientation, we will introduce talents from different regions, develop talents without seeking return from them, and make good use of talents in different manners, so as to strive to create a gathering place for world-class scientific and technological innovation talents. We sincerely welcome talents from home and abroad to Shenzhen to integrate into and "take root" in Shenzhen to continuously compose more "Spring Stories" together with us and create new greater miracles that will impress the world in different ways. Wang Xi said that Guangdong, by taking the major opportunities in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Shenzhen Pilot Demonstration Zone, optimizes the implementation of the "Pearl River Talent Program" and "Guangdong Special Support Program" and other talent projects, vigorously introduces strategic scientific and technological talents, leading scientific and technological talents and high-end innovation teams, and strives to build a global highland for innovative talents. This conference will play an important role in promoting the introduction of high-level talents, promoting the exchange and cooperation of talents, and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in Guangdong. We sincerely welcome all talents from home and abroad to Guangdong to start entrepreneurship and yield unusually brilliant results.

This two-day conference will be held in the "online + offline" exhibition mode, including nearly 100 forums and activities. It is estimated that more than 1,200 professional institutions and organizations from more than 30 countries and regions, as well as more than 10,000 domestic and foreign government representatives, experts and scholars, and high-end talents will be present at the conference. Before the opening ceremony, Wang Zhigang, Wang Weizhong and their parties visited the venue, and city leader Nie Xinping also attended relevant activities. Contacts:

CIEP, Wang Chan, wangchan@ciep.gov.cn

+86-755-8170-7961 SOURCE CIEP

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Lyft debuted the Autonomous Driving technology venture in 2018 supposedly for the ride-hailing service's future of the company, but now, the company abandons it after selling to Toyota's Woven Planet for $550 million. Instead of developing their tech, Lyft would be refocusing its venture to accepting vehicles with self-driving features.

While being a prominent ride-hailing company, Lyft has been focused on creating its self-driving technology to use for its services and debut a driverless world that could take passengers from one place to another. The venture was ideal as the company aims to transition to futuristic technology and preventing the different cases of harassment and dangers with a human driver.

In 2018, Lyft's move to go and develop its autonomous technology is to save money on the different needs and requirements for employing a driver with a self-driving vehicle or vice versa.

Read Also: Willing to Wait? Lyft is Offering Low-Cost Rides if You Can Wait Longer

Lyft Sells Autonomous Driving Tech to Toyota

What better way to go out than regaining the investments and everything that was spent on the venture if the plans or technology hits a dead end? Sell it to another company that is interested in the technology, and who would also benefit from the venture, as much as Lyft did during its development stages and getting to know the pros and cons to it.

According to Reuters, Lyft's multi-million sellout of $550 million to Toyota Motor Corporation and Woven Planet division is a massive one for the company, as it has given the company an earlier timeline for its business. Currently, Lyft has received $200 million of the amount and would be paid the remainder of $350 million for five years.

Toyota and Lyft have already closed the deal, and the ride-hailing company is already free of their autonomous driving technology, which the Japanese car manufacturer now owns. As of now, this is a massive win for Lyft, as it can advance to other plans of the company, and fast track other projects that it has lined up.

Lyft to Focus on Acquiring Self-Driving Cars Instead

After Lyft saying that it is more expensive to entertain vehicles with self-driving technology already, it is now going down that path and focus on getting service cars that have self-driving cars instead. These would mainly consist of electric vehicles from Tesla and other companies that already offer the first iterations of autonomous vehicles.

According to The Verge, Lyft was more successful than Uber with its self-driving technology as it was more productive in a sense and has not resulted in any accidents while testing the feature out. Moreover, both ride-hailing companies are now out of their autonomous vehicle development and focusing on ride-hailing services with self-driving cars.

Related Article: Lyft Announces Health Care Transportation Program to Assist Patients on Car Rides to Hospitals and Clinics

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
[April 27, 2021] Tech-AdaptiKa Announces the Launch of the First Virtual Incubator in Northern Ontario

TORONTO, April 27, 2021 /CNW/ - Tech-AdaptiKa, focused on transforming eLearning, conferences, and training through immersive virtual technology, today announced that it has launched an avatar-based business incubator in northern Ontario called IDENO. The IDENO program allows these incubators and business centers to operate in more collaborative ways. With Ontario entering a third wave of COVID-19 infections, many business incubators had to close their doors leaving thousands of entrepreneurs with minimal service. The IDENO program allows these incubators and business centers to operate in more collaborative ways. Through their personalized avatars, entrepreneurs and service providers can talk, learn and work together towards business goals.



Northern Ontario will benefit from being connected to the right decision makers to create meaningful interactions safely," said Carrie Purcell , Co-founder, Tech-AdaptiKa. "Our platform empowers users with multiple opportunities to interact with the right people anywhere in the world and work together in a more human-centric way." Tech-AdaptiKa's avatar-enabled virtual technology will allow hundreds of entrepreneurs to connect with service providers, venture capitalists, government agencies and non-governmental organizations in an ecosystem that fosters innovation and business development.

The program aims to connect with as many as 1,200 entrepreneurs on a weekly basis and will run for one year. Interested parties will have the ability to use Tech-AdaptiKa's technology to power their own events, conferences, workshops, etc. free of charge. The program is being offered in partnership with Voila Community Help and is proudly supported by the Government of Canada's economic development organization for Northern Ontario, FedNor. For more information head to adaptika.tech/ideno About Tech-AdaptiKa Headquartered in Toronto, Tech-AdaptiKa is on a mission to transform education and empower universities & corporations to provide quality education and training to as many learners as possible. Tech-AdaptiKa's avatar-based virtual event and learning platforms are currently enabling students and professional learners across the world. Both the LiVe Virtual Campus and Virtual Event Platform are currently being used by both educational institutions and enterprise & mid-market organizations globally. SOURCE Tech-AdaptiKa

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The fact that a Russian diplomat was declared persona non grata by Bucharest has no direct connection with recent tensions in the the region of our country, declared, on Tuesday, president Klaus Iohannis, within a press conference, at Cotroceni Palace.

The Romanian authorities have decided to declare persona non grata on Romania's territory, of the deputy to the military attache within the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bucharest, Alexey Grishaev, given that "his actions and activities contravene the provisions of the Vienna Convention regarding diplomatic relations of 1961," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, on Monday.
PORTLAND, Ore., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Insurance Brokerage Market By Insurance Type (Life Insurance and Property & Casualty Insurance), and Brokerage Type (Retail Brokerage and Wholesale Brokerage): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027". According to the report, the global insurance brokerage industry was estimated at $265.03 billion in 2019, and is expected to hit $395.04 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 7.3% from 2020 to 2027.

Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities

Increase in demand for insurance policies, offering professional solutions and services, and integration of IT & analytic solutions propel the growth of the global insurance brokerage market. On the other hand, direct purchases of insurance policies by customers and availability of different platforms to avail insurance policy restrain the market growth to some extent. However, implementation of technologies in current products and service lines and supportive government initiatives about insurance policies are expected to create lucrative opportunities in the future.

Download Sample Report (Get Full Insights in PDF - 278 Pages) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/10715

COVID-19 Scenario

The outbreak of the virus led to implementation of lockdown by governments in most countries and closure of businesses and public & private organizations across the globe. This, in turn, impacted the insurance brokerage market negatively.

Also, the shareholders of the publicly hold insurance brokers companies happened to withdraw their contribution from the organizations to increase fund in order to fulfill their daily requirements. This factor has also affected the global insurance brokerage market.

The Property & Casualty Insurance Segment to Retain Its Dominance By 2027

By insurance type, the property & casualty (P&C) insurance segment garnered the highest market share in 2019, generating more than half of the global insurance brokerage market. The segment is also anticipated to manifest the fastest CAGR of 7.9% from 2020 to 2027. This is because it provides a wide variety of plans & associated with coverage such as protection of property/ vehicles, or any other assets from hazards such as earthquake, fire, flood, cyclone, among others.

The Retail Segment to Rule the Roost

By brokerage type, the retail segment contributed to more than four-fifths of the global insurance brokerage market, and is projected to dominate by 2027. This segment is also expected to register at the fastest CAGR of 7.6% throughout the forecast period. Retail insurance brokerage firms keep researching on insurance policies. They are also known to negotiate with insurance providers in order to secure favorable terms for their clients, owing to which many end users are adopting retail brokerage solutions. These factors fuel the segment growth.

North America had the Major Share in 2019

By region, North America garnered the major share in 2019, holding nearly two-fifths of the global insurance brokerage market, owing to rise in adoption of various types of insurance across the province, which include home insurance, travel insurance, and health insurance. Simultaneously, the market across Asia-Pacific would portray the fastest CAGR of 9.3% from 2020 to 2027, due to emerging economies, increase in awareness toward various type of insurances, and adoption of product insurances among the middle-income populace.

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Frontrunners in the Industry

Brown & Brown, Inc.

Acrisure, LLC

Aon plc

HUB International Limited

Gallagher

Willis Towers Watson

Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.

Lockton companies

USI Insurance Services LLC

Truist Insurance Holdings

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Property Insurance Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2020-2027

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Tim Putnam operates a small hospital in rural Indiana. In March 2020, the 25-bed facility got hit very hard by COVID-19.

We had more cases per capita in our region than, I believe, anywhere, said Putnam, head of Margaret Mary Health. We were equal to New York City.

At the worst point of the pandemic, Putnams employees were caring for 40 patients. One of the hospitals biggest struggles was trying to effectively treat a flood of long-term patients.

Many local community members came forward to do what they could to help. Some donated or made face coverings for health care workers. A local dealer of recreational vehicles offered to provide free use of the vehicles for treating patients or as a place for workers to sleep.

Several hospital employees at Margaret Mary Health got sick, but all of them recovered.

Hospitals across the United States have faced similar problems during the pandemic. Before the crisis, they had not thought much about how to quickly adapt during a health care emergency.

Today, many American hospitals remain more centered on services for outpatients  people who come to the hospital for treatment, but do not need to stay overnight.

Putnam said 83 percent of his hospitals money comes from outpatient work. As a result, he said a lot of the hospitals inpatient areas were unused before the COVID-19 health crisis.

The pandemic has forced many hospitals to rethink how to keep their communities safe and healthy. Putnam has spoken to hospital design experts to better prepare his hospital for the next disaster.

Jim Albert designs health care centers for a living. He says most hospitals were not designed to serve a large increase in patients. But that is starting to change, with designers working to create more adaptable spaces. For example, putting more power outlets on a wall or increasing pipe sizes could support more machines to assist breathing.

Albert said effective planning can save money and permit far greater flexibility in how spaces are used. "Could we put two patients in every room in a true emergency, if we had to?

Putnam is seeking a hospital design that can adapt to changing needs in different emergency situations that could arise. "The design cannot be a static design," he said.

As an example, Putnam said that during a crisis, the physical therapy center might need to become an operating room. Administrative offices may need to turn into space for patient care. That kind of adaptability needs to be built into the buildings design, he added.



Emergency waiting rooms

Another much bigger concern for hospitals after COVID-19 is preventing the spread of infection. This could greatly change the way public spaces in hospitals, like waiting rooms, are designed.

For example, patients could be asked to wait in their vehicles outside the building until they can be seen. Or, a whole area of the emergency department might be created to only treat infectious patients.

Spaces for hospital employees might also change. Fewer people could share workspaces and there could be fewer break rooms. Non-medical workers could be moved out of the hospital to work from home, Albert said.

Another concern is ventilation. In most hospitals, only about one-third of the air is brought in from the outside. But one hospital Albert is currently designing would provide fully fresh air to some rooms.

Hospitals of the future

Hospitals are also looking for new ways to keep patients healthy so they will not need to go to the hospital. One plan is to increase the number of online doctor visits.

Putnam and other hospital officials say community hospitals need to be ready and flexible to deal with the next medical emergency, whatever that may be. That is why it will be important to design centers that can meet that need.

"I would really encourage people not to design the hospital they wanted for this pandemic, but think of all the other possible things, Putnam said.

Im Dorothy Gundy.

Dora Mekouar reported this story for Voice of America. Dan Novak adapted it for VOA Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor.

________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

per capita -adj, adv. by or for each person

recreational vehicle-n. a large motor vehicle in which you can sleep and often cook

adapt-v. to change your behavior so that it is easier to live in a particular place or situation

flexibleadj. able to change or to do different things

static-adj. showing little or no change, action, or progress

ventilate-v. to allow fresh air to enter and move through (a room, building, etc.)

encourage-v. to talk or behave in a way that gives someone confidence to do something
New brewery Ramblers Ale Works has leased the 349 sq m building on a 450 sq m site at 96 Riversdale Road, next to busy Glenferrie Road. Fitzroys Tom Fisher negotiated the 5-year deal at $100,000 per annum. The brewhouse will open early this year and serve independent craft beer brewed on-site and plumbed straight from tank to tap. New brewery Ramblers Ale Works has leased the 349 sq m building on a 450 sq m site at 96 Riversdale Road. Credit: Mildura Anaconda will move into a 1434 sq m showroom in the Mildura Homemaker Centre at 636 Fifteenth Street. Leedwell Propertys Tom Perkins, Chris Parry and Nick Segran, acting on behalf of MPG Funds Management, negotiated the 9-year lease for the 1434 sq m site. Other retailers in the centre include Rebel Sport, The Good Guys and Chemist Warehouse. Recent transactions for similar sized showrooms range between $100 to 150 per sq m. South Melbourne

OzLook will relocate to a 100 sq m office at 24 Albert Road in a deal negotiated by Colliers James McMahon and Lachlan Fitzpatrick. The 104 sq m premises leased at gross face rent of $400 per sq m. We are seeing a large influx of demand for office space in the sub 200 sq m market, Mr McMahon said. Hoppers Crossing An office/warehouse, Unit 3 at 16-18 Industrial Avenue, has leased to a plastics processing firm at a building rate of $80 per sq m. CVAs Leo Mancino rent rates were steady even though there was more appetite in a buyers market. Dandenong South 23 Jamieson Way is the latest A-grade facility to find a tenant before an on-market campaign, Colliers James Stott and Gordon Code said. Mr Stott said the 4870 sq m property leased to One Stop Warehouse at asking rent of 103 per sq m on a five-year term.

Werribee Three combined suites at the new Hunter Werribee Development at 22 Synnot Street have leased through CVAs Leo Mancino for $95,000 per annum to a real estate agency, representing a building rate of $337 per sq m. Clayton Ateco Automotive will establish a new office at 195 Wellington Road after recently acquiring the distribution rights to Renault in Australia. In a deal facilitated by Colliers Ash Dean and Tom Rothel, Ateco will occupy 350 sq m on a 2-year lease on a net face rent of $300 per sq m. Bentleigh
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The Marcellus Formation straddles the New York State and Pennsylvania border, a region that shares similar geography and population demographics. However, on one side of the state line unconventional natural gas developmentor frackingis banned, while on the other side it represents a multi-billion dollar industry. New research takes advantage of this 'natural experiment' to examine the health impacts of fracking and found that people who live in areas with a high concentration of wells are at higher risk for heart attacks.

"Fracking is associated with increased acute myocardial infarction hospitalization rates among middle-aged men, older men and older women as well as with increased heart attack-related mortality among middle-aged men," said Elaine Hill, Ph.D., an associate professor in the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) Department of Public Health Sciences, and senior author of the study that appears in the journal Environmental Research. "Our findings lend support for increased awareness about cardiovascular risks of unconventional natural gas development and scaled-up heart attack prevention, as well as suggest that bans on hydraulic fracturing can be protective for public health."

Natural gas extraction, including hydraulic fracking, is a well-known contributor to air pollution. Fracking wells operate around the clock and the process of drilling, gas extraction, and flaringthe burning off of natural gas byproductsrelease organic compounds, nitrogen oxide, and other chemicals and particulates into the air. Additionally, each well requires the constant transportation of equipment, water, and chemicals, as well as the removal of waste water from the fracking process, further contributing to air pollution levels. Fracking wells remain in operation for several years, prolonging exposure to people who work at the wells sites and those who live nearby.

Instead of the typical single source of industrial air pollution, such as a factory or power plant, fracking entails multiple well sites spread across a large, and often rural, geographic area. In 2014, there were more than 8,000 fracking well sites in Pennsylvania. Some areas of the state have a dense population of fracking wellsthree Pennsylvania counties have more than 1,000 sites. Contrast that with New York State, which has essentially banned the process of hydraulic fracking since 2010.

Exposure to air pollution is recognized as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Other research has shown that the intensity of oil and gas development and production is positively associated with diminished vascular function, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers associated with stress and short-term air pollution exposure. Light and noise pollution from the continuous operation of the wells are also associated with increasing stress, which is another contributor to cardiovascular disease.

The research team decided to measure the impact of fracking on cardiovascular health by studying heart attack hospitalization and death rates in 47 counties on either side of the New York and Pennsylvania state line. Using data from 2005 to 2014, they observed that heart attack rates were 1.4 to 2.8 percent higher in Pennsylvania, depending upon the age group and level of fracking activity in a given county.

The associations between fracking and heart attack hospitalization and death were most consistent among men aged 45-54, a group most likely to be in the unconventional gas industry workforce and probably the most exposed to fracking-related air pollutants and stressors. Heart attack deaths also increase in this age group by 5.4 percent or more in counties with high concentrations of well sites. Hospitalization and mortality rates also jumped significantly in women over the age of 65.

Fracking is more concentrated in rural communities, which the authors speculate may further compromise cardiovascular heath due to the trend of rural hospital closures. People who suffer from cardiovascular disease in these areas may be at increased risk of adverse health outcomes, including death, due to less access to care. The authors suggest that more should be done to raise awareness about fracking-related risks for cardiovascular disease and physicians should keep a closer eye on high risk patients who reside in areas with fracking activity. They also contend that the study should inform policymakers about the tradeoffs between public health and the economic activity generated by the industry.

"These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence on the adverse health impact of fracking," said Alina Denham, a Ph.D. candidate in Health Policy at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and first author of the study. "Several states, including New York, have taken the precaution of prohibiting hydraulic fracturing until more is known about the health and environmental consequences. If causal mechanisms behind our findings are ascertained, our findings would suggest that bans on hydraulic fracturing can be protective for human health."

Explore further California to ban new fracking from 2024

More information: Alina Denham et al. Acute myocardial infarction associated with unconventional natural gas development: A natural experiment, Environmental Research (2021). Journal information: Environmental Research Alina Denham et al. Acute myocardial infarction associated with unconventional natural gas development: A natural experiment,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110872
Dallas megachurch pastor who confessed to sin of pride resigns

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Todd Wagner, senior pastor and co-founder of Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas, who temporarily stepped down from his pulpit late last summer due to the sin of pride, revealed Sunday that he has resigned from his position in an emotional announcement to congregants.

We are fully convinced that today, in the interest of Christ, for me and for my family, and for Watermark in this next season, it would be best served by me ending my season in serving as pastoral elder of Watermark Community Church, Wagner said in a statement.

Wagner explained that he had been contemplating the decision to resign for more than a year, during a process that I can only describe as miraculous.

Church elders Kyle Thompson and Mickey Friedrich noted in a statement that Wagners resignation was submitted and accepted by the elder team on April 17, three weeks after longtime Watermark Community Church Elder David Leventhal resigned on March 26. Leventhal cited a lack of trust in Wagners ability to continue leading the megachurch.

On March 26th, I shared this with the elders. I shared that the reason for my resignation was a loss of trust in Todds ability to lead in the role of pastoral elder and senior pastor, which was the direction the elders had been wanting to move to, Leventhal said as Wagner rubbed his back and struggled to maintain his composure.

I want you guys to hear that this has been a heartbreaking, exhausting and expensive process for me, for my wife, my family, the elder team.

While citing his lack of trust in Wagners leadership abilities, Leventhal made it clear that Todd and I are good. There is no anger, no wrath.

Wagner also acknowledged that they were friends and is looking forward to continuing as a member of the church and serving as elder emeritus with Leventhal.

Church, these last few days have been long and sad as we mourn the loss of serving alongside David and Todd as we once had. Both men have served our God and our church faithfully. However, amidst our grief we have seen clearly that God is sovereignly and providentially at work in the details of these transitions. Tangible evidence of Gods leading is the unity, alignment and peace He has provided all those involved, Thompson and Friedrich wrote in their statement Sunday.

Wagner, a married father and grandfather, took a break from the pulpit for the first time in 20 years last year to work on his pride after it became a problem for his staff.

"It's not paid leave so I can read and write and relax as a reward for 20 years of service, Wagner explained last year when he decided to take time off. What it is is a temporary rest from teaching and leading and anything else in the way of my letting the Lord strengthen me, restore me, and lead me to daily greater repentance.

The pastor said he had gotten to a point in ministry where he was just not listening enough to his leadership team and failed to lead with the usual grace in my relationships with my closest friends.

Ive been short and irritable. Im invalidating at times. Im impatient enough that people were noticing a difference. And worse, I didnt hear them when they asked me and said things like,  Are you OK? Wagner explained, saying that he was dismissive at times.
In the aftermath of the Bangladesh Rana Plaza tragedy in 2013, two initiatives were set up to oversee the countrys clothing factories for fire, electrical and structural issues  the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety and the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety. The Accords tenure comes to an end next month, and there are serious concerns for garment workers if another agreement is not signed soon.

Under the oversight of the Accord and Alliance, Bangladesh now has one of the safest and most transparent ready-made garment (RMG) industries in the world. But that could now under threat.

After an initial five-year term, the remit of the Accords remit was extended until the end of May 2021. Its technical responsibilities have transitioned to the national RMG Sustainability Council (RSC), which was set up last year, but brands and retailers have no legally binding obligation to it. And while there have been discussions to renegotiate the Accord, nothing has yet been agreed or signed.

In this current situation, where we are running up against the clock, where the Accord has been such a successful programme, it is really on the brink of not continuing because of the current refusal of the brands to continue with an agreement that goes along the same lines and principles of the one we have now, Alke Boessiger, head of commerce department at UNI Global Union, signatory to the Bangladesh Accord, told a panel discussion last week hosted by the Clean Clothes Campaign and facilitated by the Worker Rights Consortium.

There is no doubt, in the years since 2013, there has been a lot of progress made in Bangladesh, but the RSC does not have the same accountability, the same enforcement mechanisms, to hold brands accountable like we have in the Accord. This question of holding individual brands accountable for their supply chains is an important one. We cannot do that with just the RCS. We need a global agreement with the brands and the unions.



Transforming an industry

According to the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation (BGIWF), the Accord has driven phenomenal change over the last eight years, inspecting over 1,600 factories and improving the safety of more than 2m workers. According to Clean Clothes Campaign, over 120,000 safety hazards have been corrected.

If wed had an Accord before Rana Plaza, we couldve saved all those lives, says Kalpona Akter, president of the BGIWF and founder of the Bangladesh Centre for Worker Solidarity (BCWS). Under the Accord the workers voice has been included, so the workers could tell very freely how they feel when they are working in the factory, if there is a crack in the building or a fire door was needed. This is the first time the worker has been recognised as a human, not like the equipment in the factories.

If there is no binding accountability then [the RSC] will not be credible at all and unions will likely pull out. That is very loud and clear. The unions will not be with anything where it has no legal obligation or workers voices cannot be heard.

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Last month, the European Parliament adopted a report calling on the Commission to propose legislation forcing companies to fix human rights in their supply chains. It calls for the urgent adoption of a binding EU law that ensures companies are held accountable and liable when they harm  or contribute to harming  human rights, the environment and good governance.

Yet Christina Hajagos Clausen, garment director at IndustriAll global union, a signatory to the Bangladesh Accord, notes that increased calls for companies to exercise due diligence for all parts of their operations are exactly in line with what the Accord has been doing: They had to take responsibility for all their suppliers in Bangladesh. That was possible because we had a legally binding agreement that held them accountable for everything they were doing.

The new legislation is going to impose that on all the brands, and having an agreement like the Accord, which we want to continue and expand into other countries, its the perfect tool for companies to comply with these calls for legislation because it requires companies to develop internal systems, internal mechanisms, to really have control over their supply chains.

For companies to sign on to a new successor agreement of the Accord and to expand it with us into other countries is what they should be doing if they want to be in line with these calls for due diligence legislation in Europe.

A blueprint for international adoption

Alongside negotiations between unions and brands to extend the Accord in Bangladesh, there are also discussions to expand it to other countries where building and worker safety is threatened. For instance Pakistan.

Nasir Mansoor, president of the National Trade Union Federation in Pakistan, a strong advocate for decisive binding action on workplace safety in the country, told the panel he would like to see the initiative extended to other merchandise producing countries.

In Pakistan we are working with IndustriAll and Clean Clothes looking for a Bangladesh-style Accord. At the moment brands are detracting from their responsibility. We saw that in the Covid situation. The workers conditions are worsening, so the only way to resolve the issues in the RMG sector is to have some kind of binding treaty with the brands.

When there is pressure on the brands they accept responsibility; when there isnt they dont accept it. So we need some kind of joint strategy and we force, somehow, the brands to fulfil their commitment. I learnt from Rana Plaza and Ali Enterprises that if we dont have the strength and unified actions, the brands will always try to escape their responsibilities. If we want workers to get something from the brands and make them commit we need some kind of binding treaty and agreement otherwise it cant work.

Boessiger says it is important the lessons, protocols and processes of the Accord are taken and built on for other countries.

Of course, we need to see in each country who are the local stakeholders. Each will have different governance. What is important is that all stakeholders are involved, like the workers, the unions, the brands buying from the country and the governments. We want the government on board from the beginning. Lets take the successful with us, but lets adapt it with each country with all the local stakeholders.

Global call

Unions and industry organisations are now calling on brands to sign a global agreement that will take the work of the Accord into the future and remove any risk of a return to self-monitoring.

In March alone this year 40 garment workers in Egypt and Morocco lost their lives in unsafe factories, says Clausen. So our call as global unions is to sign a global agreement that we can take the best lessons learnt from Bangladesh, a proven safety programme that we have collectively done a lot of work on, that this is the right way forward. Factory problems are not new to this industry and we dont think the issues around safety should be put to the side right now. Right now is the time to move forward with the global agreement. It would be legally binding and that is the key component to this next step that we need. It is important to workers globally to be able to go to work safely.

Ineke Zeldenrust, international coordinator at Clean Clothes Campaign, says brands are proposing a new agreement that will not be legally binding, and has no independent secretariat to oversee compliance.

Under the guise of setting up a new structure, what is happening is a return to self monitoring. Between these two things, the dismantling of the independent secretariat and the unions no longer being able to take brands to court, two of the key features of the Accord success will be removed.

I find it incredible that in the context of Covid, and in light of all the other problems plaguing the industry in Bangladesh and in other countries, that eight years on we have to fight again to keep in existence the one programme we all agree is functional.

To mark the eighth anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse, industry executives have also spoken with just-style about why there is No room for complacency on Bangladesh worker safety.
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the owners of Jenkinsons Boardwalk, who sought to allow alcohol consumption on its privately run beach in violation of Point Pleasant Beach laws.

Business owners Anthony and Frank Storino filed suit in U.S. District Court against the borough in August 2020 over new ordinance prohibiting alcohol on the beach and banning coolers larger than 13 inches wide. They also objected to local cops patrolling their section of beach.

The municipal ordinance was enacted last summer around the time of a large, rowdy party and a stabbing of two people at Jenkinsons.

I think the judges ruling is an utter and complete validation for common sense measures, Mayor Paul Kanitra told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday.

Kanitra said drinking was never allowed on the wide swaths of beach in Point Pleasant but there had been undiscussed, unapproved practices where Jenkinsons beachgoers brought alcohol outside designated areas.

The New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control designates certain areas of Point Pleasant Beach for alcohol consumption  mostly in areas near Jenkinsons bars and behind Martells Tiki Bar, Kanitra said.

But the beaches where families gather is  and always has been  off limits to alcohol consumption, the mayor said, adding that all borough beaches are alcohol-free.

In June 2020, thousands gathered for a party at Jenkinsons and surrounding areas that horrified borough residents who said they saw people urinating in public, smoking marijuana and dumping trash everywhere.

In September 2020, two people were stabbed near a bar at Jenkinsons after men got into a drunken fight over a woman, according to reports at the time.

Jenkinsons was asserting that we as a borough did not have the ability to set any rules on our beaches, Kanitra said. Its not Spring Break USA, and were not going to allow any entity to change the rules in favor of themselves.

Were trying to keep Point Pleasant Beach a family-friendly destination, the mayor said.

Kanitra said cooler size had been an issue because the larger a cooler is, the easier it is to hide things. He said Jenkinsons hired employees as young as 14 to search coolers for contraband.

The new ordinance requires employees be at least age 18 before they can check for alcohol and other substances.

In its suit, the Storinos claimed requiring a minimum age for employees was a violation of their Fourth Amendment rights. They also objected to borough police being allowed to patrol Jenkinsons private beach.

But U.S. Chief District Judge Freda L. Wolfson disagreed on Monday, saying Jenkinsons arguments cannot meet the standing requirements based on the factual allegations contained in the complaint.

Because the court is unable to discern the meaning of this convoluted and ambiguous allegation, it is insufficient to form a basis for this cause of action, Wolfson wrote.

The Storinos could not immediately be reached to comment on the judges decision. They have until next week to notify the court as to whether they plan to appeal Wolfsons decision.

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.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP)  For Tom Sanders, its the void left by the death of a cousin and the mans wife, killed when a tornado mowed through a placid Alabama valley. To Markedia Wells, its the stolen innocence of her sons, who still get nervous anytime it starts raining. Darryl Colburn laments a lost way of life in his hometown, which was all but leveled in seconds.

Waves of tornadoes pummeled the Eastern U.S. over four days in the spring of 2011, killing more than 320 people in six states, including about 250 who died in Alabama on April 27 of that year. A decade has passed, but time has been unable to erase the pain or replace the losses inflicted by the terrifying storms.

Homes and businesses were rebuilt and new trees have grown; empty seats around dinner tables were filled as babies were born and a new generation came of age. Yet theres still a sense of absence, a lingering feeling of sorrow, in communities where so much was lost so quickly.

I dont know if its a day to remember, but its a day you cant forget, said Colburn, the mayor of tiny Hackleburg, where 18 died in an EF-5 twister with winds estimated at 210 mph (338 kph). The same twister hit nearby Phil Campbell, where a granite monument at the center of town honors 27 who were killed.

Storms that began in eastern Texas mushroomed by the time the line reached Mississippi, where one twister was so intense it scoured 2 feet (0.61 meters) of dirt from the ground. More than 60 tornadoes then struck Alabama, including one that was captured on video as it decimated the city of Tuscaloosa, and storms continued as far north as New York state.

Another major tornado outbreak had killed more than three dozen people across the South about two weeks earlier, and a spring of pain got even worse two weeks later, when an EF-5 ripped through Joplin, Missouri. About 160 people died there.

The government funded construction of hundreds of residential safe rooms and community storm shelters following the outbreak, still one of the deadliest in U.S. history, and meteorologists improved forecasting systems. One study suggested better ways of communicating weather threats through live TV, including the constant presence of maps on screen so viewers can understand where dangerous storms are located.

But better preparation for future disasters has done little to ease the pain of those who still relive the horror of past storms and the loss of loved ones.

In east Alabamas Shoal Creek Valley, where 12 died, families are still coping with unforgettable images and stories like that of Albert Sanders, 44, who died in the arms of his father, Buford Sanders, after being flung by a twister in a field.

He basically held him in his arms, and then finally Albert told him that he felt like he was fixing to die and (said), `I just want you to know I love you, daddy,' said Alberts cousin Tom Sanders. And then he died right after that.

Tom Sanders home was badly damaged. Another relative, Jim Wilson, dug the graves for Albert and his wife, Angie Sanders, a few days later. A shiny black tombstone marks the spot in the cemetery of a country church. The couples three daughters, teens at the time, were injured but survived, Wilson said.

Markedia Wells, 39, and her two young sons survived a monster tornado that left a path of destruction through the heart of Tuscaloosa, but their house was twisted off its foundation. She recalls shielding the boys eyes from the sight of a dead neighbor being carried out of the rubble of a home by volunteers who used a door like a stretcher.

Recently married, Wells lives with her husband and sons, now 14 and 16, in one of dozens of homes built by Habitat for Humanity volunteers in the same neighborhood. But dozens of empty lots and barren concrete slabs mark the spots where homes once were, and the boys are still skittish about the weather, she said.

Ill be the first to admit the emotional loss in it all, she said. Were still very much nervous when it rains. When the weatherman is talking about bad weather or they speak about a tornado that may be coming, it all comes flooding back.

Located about 95 miles (153 kilometers) northwest of Birmingham, the town of Hackleburg lost nearly all of its 30 or so businesses, two schools, 180 homes, several churches, a doctors office, pharmacy and most municipal buildings to the twister, said Colburn, the mayor. He can still point out the underground shelter where he survived the storm with 11 others.

We came out and wondered if we were the only ones who survived, said Colburn, whose wife lost an uncle in the tornado.

Fewer than 60% of the towns homes have been rebuilt, and bare foundations are all that remain of the old brick storefronts that used to make up Hackleburgs downtown. The citys 1,500 or so residents still struggle with a lack of housing and retail options, he said.

The schools were rebuilt along with a new City Hall and a textile warehouse that was leveled, and churches that were wiped out have new buildings. But long gone are the old school buildings that graduates used to visit during homecoming. So are the sanctuaries where generations were baptized, married and eulogized, along with nearly every familiar sight that made the place home.

The landscape of the town was forever changed, Colburn said.

The story is much the same about 70 miles (113 kilometers) away in Cordova, where four died. The entire downtown was badly damaged by twisters, and what little remained caught fire a few weeks later. Today, 20-year-old Austin Thomas skateboards across the bare concrete foundations of a place he barely remembers from childhood.

One tornado just ruined everything, he said.

About the photo: The remains of a home destroyed during a tornado outbreak a decade ago are shown on April 13, 2021, in Shoal Creek Valley near Ashville, Ala. Time hasent fill the voids created by a massive tornado outbreak that killed more than 320 people in six states a decade ago. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 22:32:55|Editor: huaxia

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MADRID, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya confirmed on Tuesday that two Spanish journalists have been killed in an ambush in the West African country of Burkina Faso.

The two journalists, named David Beriain and Roberto Fraile, were filming a documentary about efforts to prevent poaching in the country.

They formed part of a group of around 40 people, including other reporters, soldiers and anti-poaching rangers, who were carrying out an anti-poaching patrol in the Pama nature reserve in the southeast of the country, close to the border with Benin.

This patrol was ambushed by attackers who were reported to have used two pickup trucks and around a dozen motorbikes. Several people were injured by gunfire in the initial attack, while the two Spaniards and an Irish reporter were kidnapped and subsequently murdered by the attackers.

"At the moment, after being in contact with the authorities in Burkina Faso and with the families, we can confirm the bodies of the two Spanish reporters have been discovered," said Gonzalez Laya at a press conference following Tuesday's cabinet meeting.

She warned that the region where the attack was carried out "is a dangerous area as it is habitually used by terrorist groups, poachers and jihadists."

Nine Spanish journalists have died while working abroad since 1980, with perhaps the most famous case being that of Jose Couso, a cameraman who died after a U.S. army tank fired a shell into the hotel where he and other journalists were staying during the Iraq war in 2003. Enditem
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

There was more than a little partying in the air at Amazon's first COVID-19 vaccination clinic for its warehouse and delivery workers in Washington state Monday.

In a conference room festooned with balloons and streamers, just off the deafening hum of the company's warehouse floor in Kent, grinning workers rolled up their sleeves to show their fresh Band-Aids and snapped photographs next to a selfie wall. "I GOT VACCINATED," read a massive balloon display on the way out of the clinic.

"At first, I was hesitant to take the shot," said Amazon senior operations manager Alex Ivanov, who was vaccinated at the clinic Monday. Ivanov said he was nervous that the vaccine had been authorized for emergency use before receiving Food and Drug Administration approvalbut as he watched friends and family get their shots with no ill consequences, he decided to join them.

Plus, he said, he's looking forward to visiting his parents in St. Petersburg, Russia, for the first time since before the pandemic. "There's a lot of convenience, having it on site. If it wasn't on site, I probably wouldn't have done it," he said.

By the end of the clinic Saturday, the company aims to have given thousands of its Washington warehouse and delivery workers, contractors and their families the first shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. A second vaccination clinic will open Tuesday at a Spokane warehouse, followed by additional vaccination opportunities at other Amazon facilities in the state, company spokesperson Karen Riley Sawyer said.

The clinics fulfill Amazon's goal, expressed in a letter last year to Gov. Jay Inslee, of vaccinating its front-line workers as soon as they become eligible. Amazon's vaccination efforts, which kicked off last month in the Midwest, also serve as a rebuke to Amazon's critics, who over the past year have lambasted what they described as the company's inadequate safety precautions.

The experience of Amazon workers during the pandemic emerged as a symbol of the divergent realities for the company's office and warehouse workers over the past year. Tens of thousands of Amazon's corporate employees have been allowed to work from home for more than a year, the value of their compensation packages rising as Amazon share prices soared.

Meanwhile, the company's roughly 1 million warehouse workers globally were still expected to report to their facilities, where workloads surged even as the virus ravaged communities.

As concerns about the spread of the coronavirus at Amazon intensified, warehouse workers stopped showing up to work en masse. The company rolled back COVID-19 benefits for warehouse employees, including pay bumps and unlimited unpaid sick leave. (Amazon has said its workers contracted the virus at rates comparable to or lower than nationwide averages, and that it's not clear whether its infected workers got sick at work or in their communities.)

Amazon, like many companies, made what would later be seen by its critics as blunders as it strove to adhere to rapidly evolving public health guidance during the pandemic's initial onslaught. Initially, employees said, they were required to stay only 3 feet apart and were not checked for coronavirus symptoms before starting their shifts. New recruits described being crammed into tiny rooms to complete paperwork as Amazon embarked on one of the largest hiring sprees in U.S. history, onboarding more than 400,000 workers in 10 months to meet pandemic-juiced demand for online shopping.

Anger over Amazon's response to the virus helped propel an unprecedented wave of organizing among Amazon workers in Seattle, New York, Michigan, Germany, Italy and, most notably, Alabama, the site of a rare, high-profile unionization attempt. That effort ended in defeat after a lopsided vote count this month, though the union representing Amazon workers has challenged the results over what it says was Amazon's illegal conduct during the election.

By midsummer, the companyand many warehouse employeessaid Amazon had made major changes to its safety protocols to better protect workers from the coronavirus.

The ire heard at the start of the pandemic that Amazon workers were compelled to go to work, where they were falling ill while shipping frivolous itemslike sex toyshas largely faded.

Still, warehouse workers, including at the Kent facility, say a steady drumbeat of notifications that their colleagues have tested positive for the coronavirus continue to arrive in their email inboxes. Last month, Amazon was forced to close a warehouse outside of Toronto as cases there spiked.

Some of Amazon's health and safety measures were evident at the Monday clinic, where signs with a picture of the elusive Sasquatch reminded employees to spread out: "Social distancing expertif Bigfoot can maintain a 6 foot distance, so can you!" An employee in a plexiglass booth remotely scanned clinic-goers' temperatures as they entered the building.

Soft jazz played inside the clinic, which took place in a conference room named after Seattle grunge band Candlebox with Amazon's 14 leadership principles painted on the walls. Pharmacists from Walgreens pushed a rolling vaccination cart along the rows of Amazon workers and partners who had signed up to get their shots.

Alfonzia Bell, who has worked in the Kent warehouse for five years, said he was "really, really excited" to get his vaccine at the clinic Monday afternoon. As soon as he's fully vaccinated, he said, he wants to go on a "long drive, go to a hotel room," maybe in Ocean Shores or the San Juans, "and just " he mimed throwing open the windows, sighed, and grinned, "relax."

Explore further After union vote, Bezos vows to do better for Amazon workers

2021 The Seattle Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Appointment

27 April 2021

In his new leadership position, he will be responsible for spearheading operations at the hotel and leading the team to newer heights of success. He brings rich experience from his previously served designations and strongly believes in taking calculated risks for enhanced financial outcomes.

Being a proficient hospitality professional and having honed his skills over time, he has a penchant for perfection and an astute mindset to raise the bar in every aspect of the hospitality business.

In the past he has been associated with leading hospitality companies like Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Starwood Hotels and Resorts and Oberoi Hotels.

Bose enjoys a good read during his spare time and calls himself a curious traveller.
New Delhi:

An Indian soldier, who had crossed over the Line of Control (Loc) to Pakistan during the surgical strikes last year and was handed over to India in January by that country, has been found guilty by an Army court which has recommended nearly three months imprisonment for him.

Official sources said that the Army court sentenced Chandu Babulal Chavan to nearly three months in prison but the quantum of punishment is yet to be approved by appropriate authorities.

Sepoy Babulal Chavan was tried by a General Court Martial and he has pleaded guilty, they said. Chavan can appeal against his sentence. Chavan, posted with 37 Rashtriya Rifles, had mistakenly crossed the boundary in Kashmir hours after India's surgical strikes on terrorist bases across the LoC in September last year.

In January, he was handed over to India by Pakistan. Chavan belongs to Borvihir village in Dhule district of Maharashtra. His grandmother had died of shock following the news of his capture by Pakistani troops.

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We've been down this road before. Week one will not produce results, because that's not how this works. Case numbers are delayed by a minimum of 2 weeks. So we can definitely expect week two of current restrictions, but likely more.

Some good things -----

Nepal's gov finally got off their butts and now banned flights through TIA to third countries. This is a direct response to limit Indians from using TIA to fly as they are banned from flying from India. For good reason.

The border is going to be more tightly controlled, but payoffs and corruption will still mean Indians will continue to enter Nepal at will as they have done for months.

Restrictions will be applied by district. This should give better control than locking down the entire country.

All the same, I would definitely not come to Nepal now. If you do, you must expect major setbacks to your plans, including spending all your time in a hotel. As someone who spent 97 days in a Nepali hotel last year, you do not want that.
LONDON & PARIS & HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

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TechnipFMC plc (TechnipFMC) (NYSE: FTI) (Paris: FTI) (ISIN: GB00BDSFG982) announces the availability of its Earnings Call Presentation in connection with its teleconference on Wednesday, 28 April 2021 to discuss the first quarter 2021 financial results and updated outlook for 2021.

A copy of the Earnings Call Presentation can also be accessed on TechnipFMCs website (www.technipfmc.com).

About TechnipFMC

TechnipFMC is a leading technology provider to the traditional and new energy industries, delivering fully integrated projects, products, and services.

With our proprietary technologies and comprehensive solutions, we are transforming our clients project economics, helping them unlock new possibilities to develop energy resources while reducing carbon intensity and supporting their energy transition ambitions.

Organized in two business segments  Subsea and Surface Technologies  we will continue to advance the industry with our pioneering integrated ecosystems (such as iEPCI, iFEED and iComplete), technology leadership and digital innovation.

Each of our approximately 20,000 employees is driven by a commitment to our clients success, and a culture of strong execution, purposeful innovation, and challenging industry conventions.

TechnipFMC uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. To learn more about how we are driving change in the industry, go to www.TechnipFMC.com and follow us on Twitter @TechnipFMC.

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Neurons result from a highly complex and unique series of cell divisions. For example, in fruit flies, the process starts with stem cells that divide into mother cells (progenitor cells), that then divide into precursor cells that eventually become neurons.

A team of the University of Michigan (U-M), spearheaded by Nigel Michki, a graduate student, and Assistant Professor Dawen Cai in the departments of Biophysics (LS&A) and Cell and Developmental Biology at the Medical School, identified many genes that are important in fruit flies' neuron development, and that had never been described before in that context.

Since many genes are conserved across species such as between fruit flies (Drosophila), mice, and humans, what is learnt in flies can also serve as a model to better understand other species, including humans. "Now that we know which genes are involved in this form of neurogenesis in flies, we can look for them in other species and test for them. We work on a multitude of organisms at U-M and we've the potential to interrogate across organisms," explains Michki. "In my opinion, the work we did is one of the many pieces that will inform other work that will inform disease," adds Michki. "This is why we do foundational research like this one."

Flies are also commonly used in many different types of research that might benefit from having a more comprehensive list of the fly genes with their associated roles in neuron cell development.

The discovery

Neurons are made from stem cells that massively multiply before becoming neurons. In the human brain, the process is extremely complex, involving billions of cells. In the fly brain, the process is much simpler, with around 200 stem cells for the entire brain. The smaller scale allows for a fine analysis of the neuronal cell division process from start to finish.

In flies, when the stem cell divides, it yields another stem cell and a progenitor cell. When this last one divides, it makes a so-called precursor cell that divides only once and gives rise to two neurons. Genes control this production process by telling the cells either to divide --and which particular type of cell to produce-- or to stop dividing.

To this day, only a few of the genes that control this neuron development process have been identified and in this publication in Cell Reports, the scientists have characterized many more genes involved. Along the timeline of the neuron development process, the U-M team could precisely record which genes were involved and for how long.

In particular, at the progenitors' stage, the scientists identified three genes that are important at this stage for defining what 'kind' of neuron each progenitor will make; these particular genes had never been described before in this context. They also validated previously known marker genes that are known to regulate the cell reproduction process.

When they applied their analysis technique to the other phases of the neuron development process, they also recorded the expression of additional genes. However, it is still unknown why these genes go up in expression at different steps of the neuron development process and what role they actually play in these different steps. "Now that many candidate genes are identified, we are investigating the roles they play in the neuron maturation and fate determination process," says Cai. "We are also excited to explore other developmental timepoints to illustrate the dynamic changes of the molecular landscape in the fly brain."

"This work provides rich information on how to program stem cell progeny into distinct neuron types as well as how to trans-differentiate non-neuronal cell types into neurons. These findings will have significant impact on the understanding of the normal brain development as well as on neuron regeneration medicine," adds Cheng-Yu Lee, a Professor from the U-M Life Sciences Institute who collaborated with the Cai Lab.

The techniques

This study is mostly based on high-throughput single-cell RNA-sequencing techniques. The scientists took single cells from fruit flies' brains and sequenced the RNA, generating hundreds of gigabytes of data in only one day. From the RNA sequences, they could determine the developmental stage of each neuron. "We now have a very good understanding of how this process goes at the RNA level," says Michki.

The team also used traditional microscope observations to localize where these different RNAs are being expressed in the brain. "Combining in silico analysis and in situ exploration not only validates the quality of our sequencing results, but also restores the spatial and temporal relationship of the candidate genes, which is lost in the single cell dissociation process," says Cai.

At the beginning of their study, the scientists analyzed the large data set with open-source software. Later, they developed a portal (MiCV) that eases the use of existing computer services and allows to test for repeatability. This portal can be utilized for cell and gene data analysis from a variety of organs and does not require computer programming experience. "Tools like MiCV can be very powerful for researchers who are doing this type of research for the first time and who want to quickly generate new hypotheses from their data," says Michki. "It saves a lot of time for data analysis, as well as expenses on consultant fees. The ultimate goal is to allow scientists to focus more on their research rather than on sometimes daunting data analysis tools." The MiCV tool is currently being commercialized.

###

The collaborators of this study are from the Dawen Cai lab at the University of Michigan Medical School as well as Dr. Cheng-Yu Lee, from the U-M Life Sciences Institute. The Cai lab is a member of the U-M Center for RNA Biomedicine. The team used two U-M core facilities, the Flow Cytometry Core and the Advanced Genomics Core. This work is supported by funding from the University of Michigan, including the MCubed program, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology's IDEA Awards in Stem Cell Biology, and the MTRAC program.
Pedigree Irish Moiled bulls and a selection of females will go under the hammer in a virtual online sale as part of the annual Spring Pedigree Bull Sales.

Following on from last years successful sale of females, Harrison & Hetherington (H&H) will host an Irish Moiled Cattle Pedigree Bull Sale for the very first time.

Conducted on behalf of the Irish Moiled Cattle Society, the online timed auction will see 16 bulls and 9 females of this native breed put forward for auction.

The bull sale, taking place in May, will see entries from top breeders across Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.

Irish Moiled is an Irish and UK native breed of cattle that is indigenous to Ireland.

They have gained increasing interest from across the globe over the last few years, known as a breed with quality and distinction.

The Moilies still retain their original characteristics, and the Irish Moiled Cattle Society has been at the forefront in protecting its unique genetics.

Brian OKane, society chairman said: "We are seeing that breeders are increasingly keen to introduce these bulls to their commercial herds, because they cover the cows in a short time frame and the cows very rarely need support with calving.

Another benefit of the breed is that it supports the increasing demand for sustainability and reducing the farms carbon footprint.

"With more and more butchers looking for Irish Moiled beef because of its traceability and flavours, in recent years, those breeders who have started their own herds are now capitalising on this.

The society has a certification scheme which verifies the cattle as 100% Irish Moiled pure bred, which includes DNA parent profiling.

This assures sale confidence in buyers, wholesalers and bidders as all animals offered for sale will have full registration status or pending for young calves.

The breed has held onto original traits: they are docile in nature, hardy and can live outdoors 365 days a year.

They are also fertile from a young age, with young bulls suitable for use on two-year-old heifers.

Heather Pritchard, pedigree sales manager for H&H said: Last summer we were delighted to hold our first ever female sales of Moiled Cattle which saw the breed records broken for a female.

"Holding this sale as part of our annual pedigree bull sales is a huge step for the Irish Moiled Cattle Society, but in doing so they are maximising potential interest from buyers throughout the UK.

All of the livestock entered for this sale have been DNA tested and consigners include  Glassdrummond, Lisnolan, Ballylinney, Rossighn, Beltany, Inis Fraoigh, Beechmount, Curraghnakeely, Ravelglen, Rathcarn Meenacraig and Ballyreagh pedigree Irish Moiled herds.

Stock will be available to view online from 1 May, with bidding taking place between 12 on 6 May until 12 on 8 May.
Australian clinical-stage drug development company Noxopharm Limted (ASX:NOX) today announced that in a cohort of 18 patients with moderately severe cases of COVID-19, interim data in its NOXCOVID study suggests Veyonda provides protection against progression of the severe inflammation associated with a worsening of the disease.

"Until enough people are vaccinated to achieve global herd immunity in the face of waves of emerging mutant strains of the virus, millions of people are likely to continue to suffer severe COVID-19 disease involving major disabilities and death," said Noxopharm CEO Graham Kelly. "That is where we see Veyonda playing a key role, with its STING blocking action stopping the destructive inflammatory process in patients with moderate COVID-19. The interim data released today points to Veyonda delivering on this promise."

The major challenge for hospital services during the current pandemic is the high level of care required for those patients experiencing rapid deterioration of lung function, leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, and major disabilities or death. A key factor associated with disease worsening is the excessive production of inflammatory factors normally invoked to facilitate tissue repair and combat infection in a process known as the cytokine storm.

Biomarker data from the top Veyonda dose cohort is expected within the next few weeks. That will be followed by a review of the final clinical data on completion of treatment of the final patient. Clinical status (WHO COVID-19 grade, comorbidities) and other therapies will be considered, and after reviewing all the data, the Company will then consult with government, regulatory, medical, and business development advisors.

About Noxopharm

Noxopharm Limited (ASX:NOX) is an Australian clinical-stage drug development company focused on the treatment of cancer and septic shock. Veyonda is the Company's first pipe-line drug candidate currently in Phase 2 clinical trialing. Veyonda has two main drug actions a moderating effect on the ceramide/sphingosine-1-phosphate balance and inhibition of STING signaling. Activity against the former target contributes to its dual-acting oncotoxic and immuno-oncology functions designed to enhance the effectiveness and safety of standard oncology treatments, i.e., chemotherapies, radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Activity against the latter target provides an anti-inflammatory effect, also contributing to an anti-cancer action, but also potentially blocking septic shock.

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"Eternal Fifty Minutes" tells the story of six Falun Gong practitioners from Changchun who successfully intercepted the citys state-controlled cable television to broadcast the true story behind the communist regimes persecution against adherents of the meditation practice. (Minghui)

Defiance in the Kingdom of Fake News: Six Chinese Achieve the Impossible

In China, six people hijacked the cable TV airwaves on March 5, 2002, to broadcast uncensored information that exposed a state-sponsored lie; the lie was exposed in two cities for 50 minutes, but at the cost of their lives.

Defiance in the Kingdom of Fake News, a mini-documentary recently produced by FalunInfo TV, presents the real story of six Falun Gong practitioners from Changchun, a northeastern city of China, who successfully took over the cable television distribution lines controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and broadcasted a series of programs reporting the true facts about the persecution campaign against the faith group for 50 minutes.

The six, known as the Airwave Six, include Liang Zhenxing, Zhou Runjun, Lei Ming, Liu Haibo, Hou Mingkai, and Liu Chengjun, all of whom have been tortured to death.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice rooted in the Buddhist tradition, that attracted 70100 million adherents by the late 1990s. Practitioners come from all walks of life, from the central government to ordinary families.

Fearing its immense popularity, on July 20, 1999, then-Party leader Jiang Zemin launched a campaign to smear Falun Gong to justify a campaign of violence against them.

Suppression was escalated when a triggering eventa self-immolation eventwas staged on Tiananmen Square and later broadcast nationwide by state media.

On Jan. 23, 2001, the day before the Chinese Lunar New Year, five Chinese people posing as Falun Gong practitioners publicly set themselves on fire, which is believed to have been at the direction of the state in order to demonize the group and incite the public against Falun Gong.

On August 14, 2001, the NGO International Educational Development made a formal statement which declared the incident as Beijings attempt to slander Falun Gong.

Although western reporters, international organizations outside China acknowledged holes in the so-called self-immolation, the truth was not revealed inside China.

This was the turning point  when police and labor camp leaders lost all remaining restraint in torturing and killing Falun Gong practitioners, said in the documentary. For the millions of people who practice Falun Gong across China, it seemed at this point all hope was lost.

In the northeast of the country, however, a secret plan was afoot in a rented house.

Liang Zhenxing, one of the Airwave Six, recruited the other fellow Falun Gong practitioners with various technical and electrical skills, plotting strategies of broadcast interruption.

On the night of March 5, 2002, using bicycles and cabs to get around, practitioners in official-looking clothes tapped into eight cable channels in Changchun and nearby Songyuan City and broadcast Falun Gong truth-clarification videos simultaneously.

The 50-minute program, without being interrupted, soon shocked the city by reaching out to 300,000 cable subscribers in Changchun. Nearly 100,000 households were able to watch Self-immolation or Hoax? and Falun Dafa Spreads Worldwide.

The cable network tapping succeeded.

Consequently, all six members of the core broadcast team died at the hand of Chinese authorities. Liu Haibo was arrested on the night of March 10 and died a few hours later while in custody.

However, the loss of the six lives was not in vain. In the following months, other groups of individuals in other cities made similar attempts to take over the CCP controlled distribution lines, achieving success in other Chinese cities as well.

An information revolution began that challenged the oppressive CCP regime, had also been launched worldwide.

In 2006, overseas Falun Gong practitioners were inspired to form the Global Internet Freedom Consortium, a U.S.-based alliance of organizations that developed anti-censorship software that helped people break through the Chinese firewall, allowing Chinese people to freely access websites outside of China that the CCP had blocked. It advanced the cause of the freedom of information not only in China, but also Burma (also known as Myanmar), and Iran.

A full version of the story, created by New Realm Studios in Canada, is called Eternal Fifty Minutes.
Critical Race Theory Is About to Face Its Day(s) in Court

As recently as last summer, few people outside academia had heard of critical race theory, whose central claim is that racism, not liberty, is the founding value and guiding vision of American society. Then, President Trump issued an executive order last September banning the teaching of this malign ideology to federal employees and federal contractors.

Trumps ban was blocked by a federal judge in December and immediately revoked by Joe Biden upon occupying the White House in January. Since then, federal agencies and federal contractors have resumed staff training on unconscious bias, microaggressions, systemic racism and white privilege  some of the most common but also most disputed concepts associated with the four-decade-old academic theory.

Now critical race theory is about to face a major real-world test: a spate of lawsuits alleging that it encourages discrimination and other illegal policies targeting whites, males and Christians. But unlike Trumps executive order, which ran into First Amendment problems by prohibiting controversial speech, the lawsuits name specific policies and practices that allegedly discriminate, harass, blame and humiliate people based on their race.

The common thread of these legal challenges is the inescapable logic that making accommodations for critical race theory will erode the nations anti-discrimination law as it has developed since the 1960s. This would mean replacing the colorblind ideal of treating all people equally, which has been widely viewed as the crowning achievement of the civil rights movement, with a contrary strategy: implementing race-based policies, which can range from affirmative action to reparations for compensating African Americans for the injustices of the past and for producing equitable outcomes in the future.

Critical race theory is a Trojan horse of sorts, said David Pivtorak, a Los Angeles lawyer representing two white men who are suing two California state environment agencies. It disguises itself as the gold standard of fairness and justice but, in fact, relies on vilification and the idea of permanent oppressor and oppressed races. Its goal is not ensuring that all people play by the same rules, regardless of race, but equity, which is a euphemism for race-based outcomes.

About a dozen lawsuits and administrative complaints have been filed since 2018, with another wave planned this summer by conservative public interest law firms and private attorneys. Their goal is to draw attention to some of the more pronounced practices and win court judgments to slow down the spread of CRT in K-12 schools, government agencies other organizations.

Children arrive for class on the first day of school reopening in Brooklyn, New York City, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2020. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)

A pair of lawsuits filed in 2019 by four white women against the New York City public school system allege that a diversity trainer told employees, White colleagues must take a step back and yield to colleagues of color, and that they should recognize that values of White culture are supremacist. The California suit filed last year by the two white men alleges that the state hosted a discussion series in 2020 in which speakers stated that any disparate outcomes in society must be the result of white supremacy.

A 2019 complaint filed by an Illinois public school teacher led to a finding that as part of a year-long course on equity and diversity, seventh- and eighth-graders participated in a white privilege awareness exercise that required them to remain in silence and with eyes lowered as they responded to a facilitators prompts. A 2020 lawsuit filed by a 12th-grade biracial student and his African American mother says that a civics class in a Nevada charter school taught that reverse racism doesnt exist and that people of color CANNOT be racist.

Critical race theory scholars assured RealClearInvestigations that white people should never be fired, penalized or gratuitously humiliated for the historical accident of being born white. But organizations should be granted wide leeway in adopting diversity training and equity policies, they say, even if asking white people to acknowledge their unearned privilege and think about their complicity in white supremacy makes them feel singled out and induces anxiety.

Part of being an employee or a public official or a school teacher requires you to appreciate your own standing  your identity and your positionality, said Margaret Burnham, a law professor at Northeastern University and a former Massachusetts state judge, using CRT terms that describe racial and gender power hierarchies.

Anything that is about the education of the person so that they can do a better job is fair game, Burnham said. Just like you have to learn new technologies, new languages, I consider this part of being an employee, part of being in a public space where youre going to interact with other people.

Proponents of critical race theory say the lawsuits are a form of white denialism that confirms the pervasiveness of the problem that CRT exposes. Many critical race theorists believe that the United States has functioned as an elaborate affirmative action scheme to empower and enrich white males, a strategy that depends on a certain degree of coverup.

I see these lawsuits as a last gasp attempt of those who benefit from the racial hierarchy to cling to the power and the privileges that have been associated with whiteness from the beginning of the country, said andre douglas pond cummings (who writes his name in lowercase letters), a business law professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock who has taught courses on corporate justice and Hip Hop & the American Constitution.

Critical race theory challenges the very legitimacy of the legal system in which these lawsuits are situated, cummings said. Treating people with dissimilar histories equally, where some have been historically oppressed, can lead to unjust results and outcomes, thereby requiring a focus on results and outcomes, not on blind process, with the goal being equal economic opportunity and equity.

President Donald Trump speaks during the first presidential debate at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sept. 29, 2020. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

The central unifying insight of critical race theory is that racism is embedded in the U.S. legal system and social structures, so that you dont have to think about it anymore and you can have racism without racists at this point, said Robert Westley, a Tulane University law professor who specializes in critical race theory and reparations.

You dont have to be an avowed racist in order for there to be race-based outcomes in this society, Westley said, noting that confronting these matters is going to entail talking about things that make a lot of people very uncomfortable.

CRT rejects the foundational premises of classical liberalism  such as legal neutrality and individual rights  and from that perspective, colorblindness is not understood as a strategy to overcome racism but as a method to perpetuate it.

Its a white ideology, Burnham said. Colorblindness really comes into fashion as a means of denying the persistence of racial stratification in the United States.

The lawsuits face a number of challenges, a point borne out by early setbacks some of the claims have experienced so far, including the defeat of Trumps executive order on free-speech grounds. In another case, lawyers dropped the discrimination allegations in one of the first such lawsuits, filed in 2018 against the Santa Barbara Unified School District in California, because, they said, students and staff who supported the lawsuit were deathly afraid of repercussions if they spoke out and came forward publicly as plaintiffs.

Claimants generally have to prove the alleged discrimination is severe and pervasive. They also have to overcome the freedom-of-speech rights of those who are professing to be dismantling systemic racism. Whats more, lawyers on both sides say that courts traditionally defer to employers and educators to set policy on workplace training and classroom curricula, a built-in restraint on activist judges.

Perhaps the biggest wild card in these lawsuits is the staggering cultural shift of the past five years, during which many of the precepts of CRT have become widely accepted, especially among many in the nations intelligentsia and the professional managerial class.

President Biden has adopted the language and made equity part of his platform, including a proposal to establish an Equity Commission to support the rights of Black, Brown and Native farmers. Immediately upon taking office, he issued an Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity to address systemic racism and affirmatively promote equity and racial justice in the federal government.

Our Nation deserves an ambitious whole-of-government equity agenda that matches the scale of the opportunities and challenges that we face, the executive order states.

And last week, Bidens Education Department proposed new priorities for its American History and Civics Education programs in recognition that the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing national reckoning with systemic racism have highlighted the urgency of improving racial equity throughout our society. The priorities include incorporating diverse perspectives and anti-racist practices into the teaching of history, with The New York Times 1619 Project cited as an example.

President Joe Biden signs a bill in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on March 11, 2021. (Doug Mills/Pool/Getty Images)

This paradigm shift has catapulted anti-racist experts like diversity trainer and best-selling White Fragility author Robin DiAngelo into the stratosphere of fame. Another beneficiary of the zeitgeist is Ibram X. Kendi, the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University who runs the schools Center for Antiracist Research. Kendi is the author of the 2019 bestseller How to Be an Antiracist, which contains a succinct antiracist formula that rests on the distinction between bad discrimination (racism) and good discrimination (antiracism): The only remedy to racist discrimination is antiracist discrimination. The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination. The only remedy to present discrimination is future discrimination.

The nations current anti-discrimination law does not make such a distinction, and would read Kendis proposal as absurd as claiming that theres a meaningful difference between good theft and bad theft; instead, all discrimination is wrong in the existing legal framework, with the exception of limited, narrowly tailored exemptions that are subject to strict scrutiny by the courts.

A sampling of recent lawsuits and complaints shows how critical race theory practices have played out in a variety of circumstances.

The suit against the New York City Department of Education alleges that employees were told at a diversity retreat that there is White toxicity in the air and we all breathe it in. Examples given included the Protestant work ethic and being socialized to be defensive. Such messages about interrogating Whiteness were repeated over the course of a year, during which time four white employees who later filed suit were accused of privilege, shamed, demoted and replaced by African Americans. The pair of lawsuits, filed in 2019, are in the discovery phase as the Department of Education and the lawyers for the four white women suing exchange documents and evidence.

A fall 2020 civics curriculum at a Nevada charter school encouraged students to unlearn the oppressive structures within their families, their religion and their intersectional identities. The teacher, who identified herself in class materials as a bisexual agnostic with a mental health disability, asked 12th-graders to reflect on the parts of their identity that have privilege attached to it, according to a discrimination suit filed by the biracial male student and his black mother who allege he was coerced to affirm a political ideology against his conscience and his Christian faith. The case, filed last December, is headed for trial after a judge, saying the allegations raise some serious constitutional issues, refused to toss it out.

In the California lawsuit brought by the two white men, a discussion hosted by the state Department of Fish & Wildlife featured speakers who said that black people dont use the outdoors in proportion to their population because of white racism, generational trauma and a historical fear of lynching. White employees were instructed on the countrys deeply racist legal system and advised that silence is complicity when it comes to racial injustice. According to the lawsuit, employees were subjected to implicit bias training that amounted to compelling staff to take loyalty oaths to CRT ideology. The lawsuit, filed last October, is in the early procedural stage; the states lawyers are seeking to have the case dismissed.

In one of the more unusual cases, the Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights agreed in early January with an Illinois public school teacher that her school district violated anti-discrimination law when it implemented a discipline policy that explicitly directed staff to consider a students race when evaluating behavioral and disciplinary issues.

The case offers indications that different judges will likely reach opposite conclusions in such disputes: Just two weeks after ruling for the schoolteacher under the Trump administration, the Department of Education put the case on hold when President Biden took office and issued the advancing racial equity executive order.

The Department of Education initially found that the K-8 school district engaged in illegal stereotyping when administrators and staff were invited to write down some defining aspects of white culture in a white privilege awareness exercise. The materials provided several examples of common white reasoning, including: we [whites] havent had to develop the skills, perspectives or humility that would help us engage constructively in cross-racial conflicts. The agency also flagged a segregated affinity group for white students that served as a safe space for students to learn about white privilege, internalized dominance, microaggressions and how to act as an ally for students of color.

Students participate in school online at STAR Eco Station Tutoring & Enrichment Center in Culver City, Calif., on Sept. 10, 2020. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Hovering in the background of these lawsuits is the unresolved question: To what extent does truth provide a defense against charges of discrimination? It will come as no surprise that to conservatives and other critics of CRT its fatal flaw is its factual wrongness.

The ideology is so patently stupid and racist to the common person that the only way you can implement it or teach it is with an element of coercion, otherwise it would just be laughed at, said Jonathan OBrien, the lawyer representing the student and mother who filed the Nevada lawsuit. Thats why the training sessions are like pressure cookers.

But if critical race theory is true, as its adherents believe, then labeling the truth as discriminatory smacks of censorship.

The lawyers who successfully challenged Trumps executive order last year, for example, claimed truth as a defense when they argued that their clients offer instruction about systemic racism and white privilege as an essential part of their social justice mission to provide equitable health care services. Systemic racism is understood as the totality of social institutions operating in such a way as to generate disparate outcomes for people of color in criminal justice, health care, education and other areas.

Were talking about a structure, a system, that was set up to benefit white people. Whether people realize it or not, theyre often continuing that system in a way that hurts people of color, said Camilla Taylor, director of constitutional litigation for Lambda Legal, which calls itself the nations oldest and largest LGBTQ rights group. And to undo that structure you need to be able to name who it benefits and who it disadvantages.

Lambda Legal represented the NO/AIDS Task Force, Los Angeles LGBT Center and Dr. Ward Carpenter, the Los Angeles centers co-director of health services who specializes in transgender medicine and personally treats 200 patients. Their successful legal challenge argued that the restrictions in Trumps executive order not only run afoul of First Amendment protections, but they ignore verifiable and truthful information, and therefore restrict highly protected professional speech.

In a phone interview, Taylor cited medical research published in 2019 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that contended when African American newborns are cared for by African American physicians, their mortality rate is cut by half. There is no explanation for the disparity in death rates but the race of the provider, she said.

Implicit bias is a problem that is greater in white people than it is in people of color, Taylor said. To prevent people from talking about these facts, because they make you feel some sense of personal responsibility or guilt that you dont want to feel, is not only wrong but it hurts people in real time.

The stakes of this dispute couldnt be higher, at least judging by the rhetoric expressed by both sides.

One of the conservative groups planning to file lawsuits, the Upper Midwest Law Center in Golden Valley, Mich., is in talks with prospective clients who include non-whites, said the centers president, Douglas Seaton.

Seaton described the abandonment of the colorblind idea as giving up on the nation itself.

You cant have a country as diverse as ours without equality before the law, Seaton said. Its a recipe for communal violence, tribalism. You cant simply proceed that way. Youd be doomed to internecine battles between groups.

This article was written by John Murawski for RealClearInvestigations.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Myriad Genetics, Inc. (MYGN) has agreed to sell the Myriad myPath Melanoma, LLC, Laboratory, to Castle Biosciences for $32.5 million in cash. myPath Melanoma, LLC, Laboratory is the laboratory that offers the myPath Melanoma test. Myriad expects the transaction to close in its fiscal second quarter. Paul Diaz, president and CEO of Myriad Genetics, said: 'The divestiture of Myriad myPath Melanoma will allow Myriad to focus on it's core businesses in Women's Health, Oncology, and Mental Health and provide growth capital for future investment.' 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.
India will receive a first batch of Russias Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 on May 1, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, told Reuters on Monday.

He did not say how many vaccines would be in the first batch or where they would be made.

India, in the grip of a second wave of the pandemic, is struggling to tackle surging coronavirus infections that are overwhelming hospitals, and countries like Britain, Germany and the United States have pledged to send urgent medical aid.- ADVERTISEMENT -https://s.yimg.com/rq/darla/4-6-0/html/r-sf-flx.html

The first doses will be delivered on May 1, Dmitriev said, adding he hoped Russian supplies would help India navigate its way out of the pandemic in time.

Russias RDIF sovereign wealth fund, which is marketing Sputnik V globally, has already signed agreements with five leading Indian manufacturers for over 850 million doses of the vaccine a year.

The RDIF has said it expects production of the vaccine in India to reach 50 million doses a month by the summer and to rise further.

The World Health Organization chief described the situation in the worlds second-most populous country as beyond heartbreaking as the WHO was planning to provide extra staff and supplies including oxygen concentrator devices.

Russian pharmaceutical firm Pharmasyntez said earlier on Monday that it was ready to ship up to 1 million packs of the remdesivir antiviral drug to India by end-May, once it has received the approval of Russias government.

SOURCE: REUTERS
The urgent help announced by the White House ranged from oxygen supplies, raw materials for COVID-19 vaccines, critical life-saving drugs to PPEs."India was there for us, and we will be there for them," Biden said in a tweet soon after his phone call with Modi.This was the second telephonic conversation between the two leaders after Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on January 20."Today, I spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and pledged America's full support to provide emergency assistance and resources in the fight against COVID-19," Biden said.The call between the two leaders is believed to have lasted for about 45 minutes. During the call, Biden is understood to have offered all help that India needs in this hour of crisis."The president pledged America's steadfast ongoing support for the people of India, who have been impacted by the recent surge in the COVID-19 cases," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at her daily news conference.At India's request, the United States is exploring options to provide oxygen and related supplies. The Department of Defense and USAID are pursuing options to provide oxygen generation systems."We may be in a position to reroute shipments plan further countries with lower immediate needs given the urgency of the conditions in India, and we'll have more details, hopefully, on the possibility soon," she said.The Department of Defense, she said, is also exploring providing field oxygen generation systems, which the United States has used in its field medical hospitals.Each unit can provide oxygen for up to 50 to 100 beds. The administration is also exploring options to provide oxygen concentrators and ventilators and are in technical discussions with India to ensure the equipment that the US supplies can connect to Indian devices, the official added."The United States has already provided 200 ventilators to India last year and trained medical professionals on their use, so this is of course in addition to that and other assistance we have provided," Psaki said."Another one of the major needs is PPE, and we have identified US commercial suppliers as well. We have identified US commercial suppliers of remdesivir that are immediately available to help relieve the suffering of COVID-19 patients in India," she said.India has submitted a list of seven essential items that it needs on an urgent basis. These are oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders with 10 litre and 45 litre capacity, oxygen generators, oxygen generation plants, remdesivir, faviprivir, and tocilizumab.Psaki said the US has identified rapid diagnostic testing supplies, personal protective equipment, and additional ventilators available to be transferred to India immediately.The US is in close touch with India officials at all levels about the raw material needs that they have, she added."As requested by India, we will provide raw materials for the production of AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine at Serum Institute of India. I know some of these have been announced, but that's just a little bit of additional details. So, we're and ongoing discussions about what their needs are and how we can meet them," she said.Responding to a question, Psaki said that the United States has been one of the largest providers of assistance to address the COVID-19 pandemic around the world, including to India."We have obviously taken some significant steps over the last couple of days to address their immediate needs and been in close touch with them at every level, including with prime minister and the president discussing or, communicating," she said.India and the United States, she noted, have two of the highest challenges as it relates to fighting the COVID pandemic so we also take that into account."But I can assure people who are watching and paying attention that we want to work in partnership with India. We are committed to getting them assistance they need, whether that's oxygen, PPE, therapeutics, tests, raw materials for vaccines, and we'll continue to communicate at the highest level," Psaki said.
Help India!



A fire that erupted in a slum cluster in New Delhis Bawana on March 30, 2021, destroyed approximately 60 Jhuggis (a slum dwelling typically made of mud and corrugated iron), however, no injuries were reported. An autorickshaw and a bike that were parked nearby also caught fire. Fire accidents occur frequently in these slum clusters. This is the story, told through pictures, of how Bawanas residents are rebuilding their homes following the devastating fire.

Shadab Farooq, TwoCircles.net

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In an incident dating back to April 2013, a devastating fire engulfed Bawana. The fire had broken out in an unauthorised colony, in outer Delhis Bawana that killed three people and injured six others.

Roshan, 17, a 10th standard student remembers her ordeal during the 2013 fire incident. I was very small to understand anything. I got excited to see the crowd moving around hurriedly. But when I reached nearby I saw my home was in ashes. Everything was gone. I rushed towards the Canal and cried, she told TwoCircles.net.

Gulfisha, 23, who works as a head coordinator at Daily Young Artists forum, an organization which has two thousand active members from Bawana told TwoCircles.net, The Bawana Industrial Area was established 22 years ago after the Supreme Court ordered the relocation of small industrial units from Delhis residential areas to Bawana. However, shifting industries to Bawana, a designated industrial area, did not solve the systemic violations of labour and safety laws; rather, it simply shifted the problems out of the view of the more privileged and dominant. There is a canal in between the Bawana Industrial area and slum area of those who mostly work in their factories.

In 2017, fire at a firecracker factory in Delhis Bawana Industrial Area killed at least 17 workers, 10 of whom were women. It was reported that the factory was officially registered as a plastic factory, but it was illegally storing and packaging firecrackers, employing mostly migrant workers, who reside in these Jhuggis.

Again on April 12, 2012, a fire broke out which remained unnoticed.

Shobha, an eighteen-year-old girl who now studies in class 12th in Govt. secondary school in Bawana said, My uniform, books and toys, everything was burnt. I didnt go to school for fifteen days and when I finally made up my mind to go to school, the teachers didnt allow me to enter without a uniform and books. Due to this, I had to take a gap year.

Mohammed Salman, a twenty-year-old Pradhan of the sixty four Jhuggis that were burnt to ashes told TwoCircles.net, There was a survey by police and other authorities but no concrete action has been taken by now. Everyone from the Jhuggi, whether he/she is young or old, are the only ones making efforts to rebuild our Jhuggis. All we ask is help from the authorities.

Munni Begum, thirty-years-old, said, We have been seeing these fire accidents for years now. Fire accidents always happen when there is an election coming up. They do it all for votes. Human tragedies provide resettlement but we are tired of these resettlements because it is not us who are settled and we never will.

Sadre Alam, a social activist who leads Community Support and Social Development (CCSSD), is a on-ground worker in Bawana. Responding to the recent fire tragedy that destroyed sixty four Jhuggis in Bawana, he said, Most people here have migrated from various states like Bengal, Bihar and dont have land because of lack of documentation but the government knows that these people are political voters and vote bank for them, so they started settling them. The government only provides them with a plastic sheet to cover their roofs, which again is prone to fire.

Nineteen students from these sixty four Jhuggis are enrolled in the school. All of their books and uniforms were gutted in the fire. Noor Jahan, who is in her ninth grade impatiently asks, How will I study now? All my belongings are burnt, how will I go to school?

Parveena Khatoon, a resident of the slum area where fire broke out said, The residents of this area know that there would be a fire accident during the April month. Everytime, a fire breaks out in the month of April. The residents here are afraid and are not able to sleep during the night hours so that we can be safe and be able to save our lives, if anything happens.

The recent fire incident brought home the insecure lives of those living in slum areas, as well as the risks of leaving them alone. Now that summer has arrived, there are even more reasons to be concerned. Congested slums with highly flammable hazardous materials such as wood and plastic are prone to fires in scorching weather.
This article is part of our new series, Currents, which examines how rapid advances in technology are transforming our lives.

Imagine operating a computer by moving your hands in the air as Tony Stark does in Iron Man. Or using a smartphone to magnify an object as does the device that Harrison Fords character uses in Blade Runner. Or a next-generation video meeting where augmented reality glasses make it possible to view 3-D avatars. Or a generation of autonomous vehicles capable of driving safely in city traffic.

These advances and a host of others on the horizon could happen because of metamaterials, making it possible to control beams of light with the same ease that computer chips control electricity.

The term metamaterials refers to a broad class of manufactured materials composed of structures that are finer than the wavelength of visible light, radio waves and other types of electromagnetic radiation. Together, they are now giving engineers extraordinary control in designing new types of ultracheap sensors that range from a telescope lens to an infrared thermometer.
A consignment of containers for the transportation of medical has arrived in India from while some more empty tankers will be airlifted from Singapore, the Union Home Ministry said on Tuesday.

The empty containers from are the third such consignment to be flown to the country in the Indian Air Force's (IAF) transport aircraft by the home ministry amidst a surge in COVID-19 cases and a subsequent increase in demand for medical

"Some glimpses of airlift of oxygen containers from Bangkok by IAF last night. The airlift is being coordinated by MHA. It will enhance oxygen availability amid current COVID19 surge," a home ministry spokesperson said in a tweet, sharing pictures of the oxygen containers being loaded into an IAF aircraft.

In another tweet, the home ministry said, "IAF C17 transport aircraft gearing up to airlift more empty oxygen containers from Singapore today. These containers will further boost oxygen availability in the country in view of the current Covid-19 surge. The airlift is being co-ordinated by MHA."



The first consignment of empty oxygen containers was airlifted from Singapore on Saturday. Another batch of containers was brought from Dubai on Monday.

All three aircraft carrying the containers landed in West Bengal. From there, they were taken to oxygen generating sites to be filled up and for onward transportation to the high-demand areas, mostly through special trains.

India is struggling with the second wave of the pandemic and hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds as the number of cases rises.

The country's COVID-19 caseload mounted to 1,76,36,307 on Tuesday with 3,23,144 more people testing positive for the viral disease. The death toll climbed to 1,97,894 as 2,771 more fatalities were recorded, according to Union health ministry data.

Since April 23, the home ministry has been coordinating efforts to deploy empty oxygen tankers and containers at various filling stations across the country to speed up the distribution of life-saving oxygen.

The central government is trying to source oxygen from different parts of the country and making it available to the worst-hit states by running special trains.

(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 27, 2021] Calix Releases First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Calix (News - Alert) , Inc. (NYSE: CALX) today announced unaudited financial results for its first quarter 2021 have been posted as a letter to stockholders to the investor relations section of its website. Please visit the Calix investor relations website at https://investor-relations.calix.com to view the first quarter 2021 financial results in our letter to stockholders, along with accompanying supplemental financial information. A conference call to discuss these results with CEO, Carl Russo, CFO, Cory Sindelar, President and COO, Michael Weening and Investor Relations Director, Tom Dinges, will be held tomorrow, April 28, 2021 at 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time (8:30 a.m. Eastern Time). Interested parties can listen to a live webcast of the conference call by visiting the Calix Investor Relations website at http://investor-relations.calix.com/. The conference call is also available via teleconference by dialing (877) 407-4019 or international (201) 689-8337 with conference ID# 13717560 or participants can also click this link for instant telephone access to the event. The link will become active approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the conference call. The conference call and webcast will include forward-looking information.



A replay of the conference call will also be available at http://investor-relations.calix.com/ following the completion of the call. The call will be archived at http://investor-relations.calix.com/. About Calix

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) - Calix cloud and software platforms enable service providers of all types and sizes to innovate and transform. Our customers utilize the real-time data and insights from Calix platforms to simplify their businesses and deliver experiences that excite their subscribers. The resulting growth in subscriber acquisition, loyalty and revenue creates more value for their businesses and communities. This is the Calix mission; to enable communications service providers of all sizes to simplify, excite and grow. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005987/en/

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FILE PHOTO: The company logo for Johnson & Johnson is displayed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the company's listing at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., September 17, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

By Jessica DiNapoli and Ross Kerber

NEW YORK/BOSTON (Reuters) -Roughly 57% of investor votes cast backed healthcare company Johnson & Johnson's executive pay for 2020, a low level of support for a proposal most shareholders usually rubberstamp.

The low support, not including abstentions, for the non-binding proposal comes after the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer urged other shareholders to vote "No" on the company's pay practices, namely because J&J sets aside certain litigation costs when calculating executive compensation, including from the U.S. opioid epidemic.

J&J did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

Proxy advisors Glass Lewis and Institutional Shareholder Services Inc also recommended against J&J's pay. Johnson & Johnson had said it has always excluded certain one-time costs in its compensation for top brass.

"This vote demonstrates the significant disapproval among Johnson & Johnson shareholders," said Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs in a prepared statement. "This vote sends a strong message to the company that executives should be accountable for all consequences of corporate conduct."

Other companies facing low say-on-pay support have said they would change their executive compensation structures in the future.

Drug distributor Cardinal Health Inc has said it will engage with shareholders to incorporate their views in its executive compensation plan after a minority of them revolted in November against a executive pay structure similar to J&J's.

Walt Disney Co in 2018 adjusted the compensation of then-CEO Bob Iger after 52% of shareholders rejected his pay, Reuters has reported.

(Reporting by Jessica DiNapoli in New York and Ross Kerber in Boston; Editing by Karishma Singh)
A farmer in West Yorkshire has shot and killed an out-of-control dog after it savaged six of his lambs, police have confirmed.

The Hebden Bridge farmer shot the loose dog following a livestock worrying incident on Wednesday last week (21 April).

Six lambs had already been killed by the dog before the farmer intervened to prevent further loss of life.

By law, dogs must be controlled so that they do not scare or disturb livestock or wildlife.

Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, if a dog worries sheep on agricultural land, the person in charge of the dog is guilty of an offence.

Farmers are legally allowed to shoot dogs that are worrying their livestock as long as they hold a valid firearms licence.

The National Sheep Association says it recommends that farmers only shoot dogs as a last resort, as the legality of a shooting depends on whether a farmer had a lawful excuse for shooting the dog in that individual circumstance.

It comes as figures show that the cost of dog attacks on livestock increased by over 10% to 1.3m last year as the pandemic saw a surge in people visiting the countryside.

Anyone with any information on the Hebden Bridge attack have been told to contact West Yorkshire Police with reference number 13210196782.
After the website was down for two hours in the country on Wednesday, a web designer was able to buy the domain name of Google Argentina for only almost $3.

In a statement by 30-year-old Nicolas Kurona, he said he bought the domain name of Google Argentina (google.com.ar) through the legal process of obtaining domain names.

The thirty-year-old web designer was still in shock as he talked to BBC, explaining how he never imagined that he was allowed by the Network Information Center Argentina (NIC) to purchase the domain.

Meanwhile, Google Argentina said in an interview that the domain was acquired by someone for a short period of time, but they were able to regain control of it quickly.

How a Web Designer Bought the Google Domain

According to Nicolas, he was at his desk working on a website design for one of his clients on Wednesday night before everything happened. He added that he started receiving messages on WhatsApp that Google went down.

After that, Nicolas tried to go to Google Argentina website through his browser, and it did not work. He then started thinking that something strange happened.

Nicolas decided to check the NIC website since they are responsible for the operation of the'.ar' code domains. He then searched for Google and found that the domain for Google Argentina was available for purchase.

While he thought that buying the domain would not work, Nicolas followed the normal steps of acquiring a domain. He was then shocked when he received an invoice in his email stating that he is already the owner of the website, The Mirror reported.

Nicolas' invoice from the NIC showed that he was able to acquire 'google.com.ar' for only 270 Argentine pesos or $2.90.

ALSO READ: TikTok 'Blackout Challenge' Blamed for the Death of 12-Year-Old Colorado Boy

Still unable to process that he was then the owner of the Google domain, Nicolas typed in the website 'www.google.com.ar' on his browser and was dumbfounded when he saw his personal data. At 9:54 PM in Argentina on Wednesday, every person in the country who typed in the website, 'www.google.com.ar' are in theory directed to Nicolas.

In a statement, Nicolas said that he never had bad intentions. He simply tried to acquire it through the legal process as it was available o the NIC website, and he was allowed to. He also never thought that he would be a major news story.

Nicolas clarified what happened in a tweet.

Quiero aclarar que entre a https://t.co/XtzUy8WL36 vi el nombre de https://t.co/cK20BdyuxB disponible y lo compre legalmente como corresponde!  Nicolas David Kurona (@Argentop) April 22, 2021

What Happened to Google Argentina?

As of the moment, the reason why Nicolas was able to obtain the domain remains a mystery. There are theories stating that Google could have forgotten to renew their license to the domain name, but the tech giant stated that their domain for Google Argentina is still valid until July 2021.

Meanwhile, Nicolas stated that he was simply relieved that he did not get into trouble for what happened. He mentioned that NIC already took the Google Argentina domain back. However, his 270 pesos has not been refunded.

Nicolas also stated that Google did not reach out to him regarding what transpired in the few minutes that he owned their domain, PC Mag reported.

RELATED ARTICLE: Google, Apple Market Power Scares App Makers

WATCH: Google Argentina's domain name bought by a man for 2 - Outpost News
If 2020 was indicative of anything, it was of the capacity of people and businesses to quickly adapt.

The changing landscape of businesses and social interactions meant that new ways to go about things had to quickly come into fruition. It is often under duress or great pressure that dramatic change can be affected, setting the stage for something new, better or different. The tech sector has certainly been one to flourish as of late, and what better a place to view the latest emerging technologies than on the TSX Venture Exchange?

As opposed the to the traditional Toronto Stock Exchange, the Venture Exhange doesnt operate on a trading floor and instead sees all trades done electronically. In order to inform all interested parties of its best performing stocks, the Canadian exchange issues a list known as the TSX Venture 50. This list is subdivided into the following sectors: mining and technology, energy, diversified industries, and clean technology and life sciences. Below for your perusal are the top 5 performing tech companies on the TSX Venture 50.

5. Converge Technology Solutions (TSX:CTS)

Converge Technology Solutions is an ambitious multi-spoked solution IT company. Its consolidated its resources through a hybrid platform consisting of blockchain, multi-cloud, resiliency, identity management and security and data centre solutions. It has availed these services in Canada and the US to both public and private sector clients. In February 2021 Accudata Systems, an IT consulting and integration firm, became part of the Converge platform. By way of this acquisition, Converge can capitalise on Accudatas well-established ties with tech titans like Cisco Systems and Microsoft.

4. Quisitive Technology Solutions (TSXV:QUIS)

Quisitive Technology Solutions affiliation with Microsoft as a cloud solution provider has seen it assist companies with Microsoft 365, Dynamics and Azure. In addition to being a Microsoft cloud solution provider, the company has also leveraged Microsofts technology stack to license propriety software. Quisitive Technology has also created propriety solutions based on the SaaS ( software-as-a-service) model.

3. Bitfarms (TSXV:BITF)

Bitfarms doenst just service the cryptocurrency market, it does so by way of hydropower, a form of renewable energy. With five hydropower facilities situated in Quebec and Canada, Bitfarms provides its blockchain infrastructure services to a large segment of North Americas crypto-mining operations, including the likes of Bitcoin, and in late 2020 increased computing power through the deployment of 1,000 new Whatsminer M31S mining rigs. In February 2021 the company placed an order for another 3000. The correlation between USD and CAD is such, that at the time of writing, one bitcoin was equivalent to 60 439,60 USD and 75 799,12 CAD.

2. Bragg Gaming Group (TSX:BRAG)

Canada has long been a major draw-card for iGaming companies. One such company is the Bragg Gaming Group, known for its B2B online gaming solutions which includes the mobile, online and retail sector. Bragg Gaming is spearheaded by industry experts with a keen eye for the acquisition of leading brands. The company was listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange in January of this year.

1. Loop Insights (TSXV:MTRX)

Loops Insights is a company specialising in artificial intelligence (AI) by way of a propriety platform. The company caters to a broad spectrum of industries, including sports, entertainment, hospitality, casino and retail  to which it provides AI contactless solutions, contract tracing and automated marketing. Loops portfolio of services is equalled by its international footprint with bases in the US, Canada, Latin America, Australia, Japan, Indonesia and the UK.
OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. -- A 26-year-old Ocean Springs man was taken into custody Saturday after police say he robbed an Ocean Springs gas station at gunpoint and then went to a casino with the cash he obtained in the robbery.

Ocean Springs police Capt. Ryan LeMaire said officers responded to a report of an armed robbery last Thursday night at the Shell station on U.S. 90 east just east of the intersection with Washington Avenue.

Officers arriving at the scene were advised the a black male entered the store, brandished a black handgun and demanded money. He obtained an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene.

Investigators later identified the suspect as Gywan Ladarius Willis after he was spotted later that night at a Biloxi casino wearing the same clothing as in the robbery. Willis turned himself in to Ocean Springs police Saturday.

Bond was initially set at $250,000, but later revoked as it was determined Willis was already on parole for a prior conviction, making him ineligible to post bond. He remains in the Jackson County Adult Detention Center.

LeMaire credited the Jackson County Sheriffs Office and the Biloxi Police Department for assisting in the investigation, which is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Ocean Springs Police Department at 228-875-2211 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5989 or via the internet at www.p3tips.com/523.
YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. Head of the information department at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Vahram Melikyan commented on the reports according to which Azerbaijani servicemen banned pilgrims to enter into the Dadivank Monastery on April 25.

In an interview to Armenpress, Mr. Melikyan confirmed the reports, condemning Azerbaijans behavior.

-There has been a report that on April 25 Azerbaijani servicemen didnt allow the pilgrims to visit the Dadivank Monastery. Is this report true?

-Yes, the report is true. On April 25, the Azerbaijani servicemen banned Primate of the Artsakh Diocese, Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan and a group of pilgrims to enter into the Monastery, mentioning the pandemic as a reason. However, an ordination of a priest was scheduled in the Monastery on that day, which has been notified earlier and agreed upon with the Russian peacekeeping command.

However, it was impossible to approach the Monastery despite the agreements.

Its obvious that the Azerbaijani side wished to fail the priest ordination, but the ceremony was held in the Gandzasar Monastery on the same day in the evening.

-How would you comment on Azerbaijans such behavior, which, in fact, violates the agreements reached by Russias mediation over the visits of pilgrims to Dadivank?

-Such rejectionist behavior of Azerbaijan must be condemned as it creates artificial barriers for the Armenian historical monastery and its spiritual congregation mission, violates the agreements reached by the mediation of the Russian authorities.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
A China-based manufacturer of smart televisions has been accused of spying on its users by scanning their homes for other devices connected to the wifi network every few minutes, owners of the devices have reported on social media.



Smart TVs made by Skyworth were found to have an app -- Gozen Data -- installed on the Android-based operating system of the TV, according to a post on the V2EX website titled "My TV is monitoring all connected devices."



According to the post, Gozen Data scanned for and collected the names of his computer, his network interface card, IP addresses, and the usernames of those connected to his and other local wifi networks.



"I found that there was something called Gozen Data,' and I had no idea what it was doing," the post said.



"The service was sending back the hostnames, mac, ip, and even the network delay time, as well as detecting the nearby wifi SSID names and mac addresses and sending them off to ... a database," it said.



The data, according to screenshots posted by the user, was sent to gz-data.com, a data analysis platform managed by Gozen Data that counts among its international customers Sanyo, Toshiba and Philips, and which holds data harvested from 103 million smart TVs according to 2018 figures.

Project Xueliang

While the company told the Apple Daily newspaper in Hong Kong that the data wasn't used for surveillance, but for targeted advertising, former citizen journalist Xing Jian said the Android smart TV operating system has been repurposed by the Chinese government for surveillance of people's homes in rural areas, in an operation known as Project Xueliang.



"Project Xueliang uses the Android operating system to achieve full domain coverage, full network sharing, round-the-clock and remote-controlled video surveillance for policing purposes," Xing said.



"This app is a form of spyware that is inserted onto users' smartphones, TVs and other Android devices, and it will automatically scan and collect data about devices, usage information and social connections, and upload it to a government database for online monitoring," he said.



Analysts said the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) appears to be implementing a nationwide surveillance network that includes watching people in their own homes and monitoring their contacts and interactions.



Other social media posts have said that users are worried about using Android TVs at all, while others have reported on Xiaomi routers requesting wifi-related information every few seconds.



A Shanxi-based legal scholar surnamed Song said the surveillance is aiming for total control over what people are saying to each other.



"The government is strengthening control of people's data for the purposes of ideological control," Song said. "They are also hoping to penetrate people's minds and influence their lives with government propaganda."



"They will be the arbiters of what news and information is appropriate for people to have access to," he said.



CCP uses surveillance and propaganda

Xing Jian agreed, saying that the CCP uses surveillance and propaganda as a way to bolster its grip on power.



"[They are] using state power to stop people monitoring the government or pursuing corrupt officials, so as to stay in power," Xing said.



"The Cyberspace Administration of China uses methods such as sending letters and stopping domain name resolution to domestic websites, shutting down public opinion monitoring websites, and taking measures to block overseas websites; the propaganda department forces webmasters and moderators to delete posts under their control by sending letters, and through coercion and manipulation," Xing said.



An employee at Skyworths Hong Kong office surnamed Chan told the Apple Daily that the data is purely for commercial use, for the purposes of targeted advertising, and denied it was spying on users.



Users are asked if they accept the data collection policy when they activate the smart system, and could compromise their TV's functionality if they reject it, the paper quoted Chan as saying.



Chinese citizens are already monitored by more than 20 million surveillance cameras as they go about their daily business in public places, according state media reported in 2018.



Artificial intelligence can also identify and "tag" individual cars, cyclists, and pedestrians with distinguishing information that can be stored and searched for descriptions of wanted individuals.



The smart video tool correctly identifies the gender, age, and clothing descriptions of passersby, as well as distinguishing between motorized and non-motorized vehicles, recent media reports say.



The technology comes amid a growing trend towards using facial recognition as a secure form of ID, including to identify rail and airline passengers, physical and e-commerce customers, and missing persons cases.



Facial recognition technology is already used by ride-sharing and robotic package delivery apps, airport and college dorm security, and social credit schemes, as well against jaywalkers.



Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The NSW Rural Fire Service has issued a smoke advisory for greater Sydney, the Southern Highlands and Illawarra as smoke from several hazard reduction burns settles across the regions.

Between 7am and 8am on Tuesday, Campbelltown in the citys south-west had an extremely poor air quality reading, while conditions were very poor in Bringelly, Camden, Liverpool and Chullora, according to NSW environment department data.

Lidcombe and Rozelle also recorded poor air quality, along with Kembla Grange in Wollongong.

There were some signs of improvement by 11am with good, fair and poor readings across the state.
In Washington, Georgetown University has announced a fundraising goal of $400,000 a year to benefit the descendants of the 272 slaves who were sold to help keep the college afloat almost 200 years ago. Now students who had voted to pay for it through additional fees wont have to do so.
[April 27, 2021] Blackstone Continues to Build Global ESG Team

Blackstone (NYSE: BX) today announced that it is continuing to expand its Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) team, with five newly created senior positions across the U.S., Europe and Asia. The firm is adding new resources and capabilities within its business units and also building out a corporate ESG structure. Blackstone is committed to deepening ESG integration across its investment process and asset management. The team will continue to advance Blackstone's decade-long focus on ESG. With majority stakes in 200+ companies and 8,500+ real estate assets, Blackstone can create value through driving meaningful change for nearly half a million employees and countless communities. Last year, the firm announced a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 15 percent across all new investments globally where we control energy usage within the first three years of ownership; as well as two diversity initiatives starting in the U.S. and Europe - a target of at least one-third diverse representation on portfolio company boards for new control investments plus a program to support creating diverse hiring and career mobility. Jon Gray, Blackstone President and COO, said, "We view ESG as central to our mission of delivering strong returns for clients. Blackstone is using its scale and expertise to help strengthen our companies, assets and the communities in which they operate. We are thrilled to have Elizabeth, James, Nina, Caroline and Rita joining our global ESG team. They each bring a wide spectrum of domain expertise as we continue to drive value for our investors and create impact across our portfolio." The new team members include five Managing Directors: Elizabeth Lewis, Managing Director of ESG (Corporate) - Ms. Lewis will handle implementation of ESG policies across Blackstone's businesses. She has two decades of experience at the intersection of climate change, businss, and investment. Most recently, she led engagement on key ESG topics for the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Previously, Ms. Lewis held leadership roles at Global Environment Fund, where she developed the firm's first ESG policies and practices, and Terra Alpha Investments. She serves as a Harvard Alumni Association Committee Member and is a Trustee of the Maryland/D.C. Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. She also serves on the Corporation of the Winsor School in Boston. Ms. Lewis holds an A.B. in Environmental Science and Public Policy from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.



James Mandel, Ph.D., Managing Director of Sustainability (Portfolio Operations) - Dr. Mandel will support the work of Don Anderson, Blackstone's Chief Sustainability Officer, in leading Blackstone's carbon emissions reduction program. Since 2013, Dr. Mandel had been Managing Director of Global Carbon-Free Buildings Program for Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). He led a team focused on cost-effectively decarbonizing buildings. Previously, he served as Engagement Manager and Associate at McKinsey & Company (News - Alert) and as a consultant on market-based conservation for Advanced Conservation Strategies. Dr. Mandel is Board Chair of WattTime, an independent nonprofit startup focused on emissions analysis. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University and a B.A. from Princeton University. Nina James, Head of Real Estate ESG (Real Estate, Asia) - Ms. James will partner with the Global Head of Real Estate ESG, Eric Duchon, in building out our Asia-based capabilities in our Asset Management team. She was previously the General Manager of Responsible Investment and Corporate Sustainability for InvestaProperty Group. She sits on the Australian UNPRI Advisory Committee, the International WELL Building Institute WELL Portfolio Advisory Group, the ULI Australia Executive Counsel, and the Oceania GRESB Advisory Committee. Ms. James holds a B.A. Degree in Landscape Architecture, a Master's Degree in Environmental Management from the University of New South Wales and a Certificate in Sustainable Finance from Columbia University.

Caroline Hill, Head of Real Estate ESG (Real Estate, Europe) - Ms. Hill will similarly partner with the Global Head of Real Estate ESG, Eric Duchon, in building out our ESG capabilities across Europe in Real Estate Asset Management. She was previously Head of Responsible Business for Lloyds Banking Group. Before that she was Director of Group Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Landsec plc., developing one of the United Kingdom's leading real estate sustainability programs and establishing Landsec's net zero carbon strategy. She also held roles working on corporate responsibility and sustainability at PwC and Whitbread. Ms. Hill holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Cambridge. Rita Mangalick, Global Head of ESG for Blackstone Alternative Asset Management (BAAM) and Blackstone Credit - Ms. Mangalick will partner with both groups to lead ESG diligence, policy development, reporting and engagement. Prior to this role, Ms. Mangalick was instrumental in developing BAAM's ESG program, along with a focus on BAAM's Advisory Business. She was previously a member of the Business Financial Evaluation team performing operational due diligence of BAAM's hedge fund managers. Before joining Blackstone in 2013, Ms. Mangalick was a Director at UBS Asset Management. She was previously with Union Bancaire Privee and KPMG. Ms. Mangalick received her B.A. from The George Washington University. Read more about Blackstone's commitment to ESG here. About Blackstone Blackstone is one of the world's leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our $649 billion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter (News - Alert) @Blackstone. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005610/en/

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The Lead: A Beginning Revelation in the Daily Inspirations in Search of Peace and Serenity: a potent asset to those who seek recovery. The Lead: A Beginning Revelation in the Daily Inspirations in Search of Peace and Serenity is the creation of published author, RMA, a dedicated recovering alcoholic, veteran, and retiree from the engineering field.

The Lead: Daily Inspirations in Search of Peace and Serenity is essential reading for those who are just starting out in an alcohol recovery plan. It presents a substantial, unsparing, and deeply moving account of the day-by-day, meeting-by-meeting, step-by-step recovery of an alcoholic as he finds his way through the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

RMAs journey is also excellent inspiration for those living the twelve steps and seeking to awaken their past experiences as they recover from the trauma of addiction.

While there have been many books written over the years on recovery and the search for peace and serenity, The Lead is significantly different in that the author included dialogues from actual AA meetings (including the responses of group membersall anonymous, of course), fresh material for daily meditation, and a sensitive story about one mans recovery, detailing real-life use of all twelve steps in the AA program.

Now a recovering, sober alcoholic, RMA provides an invaluable source of reference and review for all those who have been through the steps and are searching for solutions or spiritual renewal.

Following AA tradition, the author, a member of an AA group in Cincinnati, Ohio, will remain anonymous.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, RMAs new book is a great resource for any individual who is seeking help with addiction to alcohol.

Following the traditional 12-step approach, this title provides an opportunity for reflection as a vital, daily portion of overcoming alcoholism.

View a synopsis of The Lead: A Beginning Revelation in the Daily Inspirations in Search of Peace and Serenity on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase The Lead: A Beginning Revelation in the Daily Inspirations in Search of Peace and Serenity at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about The Lead: A Beginning Revelation in the Daily Inspirations in Search of Peace and Serenity, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 14:20:22|Editor: huaxia

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NEW DELHI, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government and people firmly support the Indian government and people in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy to India Counselor Wang Xiaojian said.

"We will encourage and guide Chinese companies to actively cooperate with India to facilitate acquiring medical supplies, and provide support and help according to India's need," Wang said on Monday in response to a media query on the COVID-19 situation in India.

"The COVID-19 pandemic is an enemy of all mankind that necessitates international solidarity and mutual assistance," Wang said. "China expresses sincere sympathies for the recent severe epidemic situation in India."

India is experiencing a shortage of medical supplies as the country is hit by a new wave of COVID-19 outbreak.

India's COVID-19 tally rose to 17,636,307 on Tuesday with 323,144 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours, said the federal health ministry.

This is the sixth consecutive day when over 300,000 cases were registered in a single day, though there was a fall of nearly 30,000 new cases in a day compared to those reported on Monday.

According to the figures released by the federal health ministry, 2,771 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 197,894. Enditem
By Ahn Ho-young





During the early days of Donald Trump's presidency, U.S. officials used to talk about denuclearizing North Korea through a one-shot, Libya-style deal. I knew why they were attracted by such an approach. They were frustrated by the "salami tactics" of North Korea they had watched over the decades. Still, I thought such an approach didn't have a chance.



I thought the only practical way forward would be through further developing a phased package deal complete with North Korean registration of all nuclear weapons, materials and facilities and a credible program for verification, which I used to call a "roadmap." Thus, at every opportunity I had to talk with U.S. officials, starting with Steve Biegun, I tried to tell them the advantages of the roadmap. They agreed, but kept on saying that they were working on it.



Finally, they declared the roadmap idea in January, 2019, when Biegun came to speak at the Stanford University for his first public speech as the special envoy. Soon after that, Biegun visited North Korea, and Trump and Kim Jung-un met in Hanoi late in February for their second meeting. I was keeping my fingers crossed that the roadmap would take root through those visits and meetings.



It did not happen. As I later learned from U.S. officials, North Korean officials had one single response; they did not have any mandate to discuss a denuclearization plan. At the same time, they assured U.S. officials that their leader would come to Hanoi with a plan to meet U.S. expectations. This was not the case. What was offered by North Korea was a typical piece of North Korean "salami" and Trump walked out of the room.



Four years later, the new Biden administration is now reviewing North Korea policy, and Washington, D.C. is abuzz with what will be in the new plan. Among those suggestions, I observe one idea emerging, which can be summed up, citing David Ignatius' terminology, as preaching the virtue of finding a "way station" for Biden, meaning the U.S. initially moving its focus away from denuclearization to preventing proliferation and development of delivery vehicles such as SLBM's by North Korea.



Again, I know where the idea comes from. This is another form of expressing frustration with the "salami tactics" of North Korea, especially when the new Biden administration is inundated with both domestic and foreign policy challenges. Still, I think the idea raises far more problems than solutions for many reasons, some of which I want to share.



One, the "way station" idea will be very difficult to move forward, because North Korean demands will prove to be exorbitantly high. In my observation, North Korea, before Hanoi, 2019, seems to have had genuine expectation that Trump would be the person capable of moving away from demanding denuclearization by North Korea.



What North Korea realized in Hanoi instead was that even Trump held on to the same position. That realization explains the deep sense of frustration North Korea has been gripped with since then. Against such a backdrop, were the U.S. to offer something like a "way station" idea, North Korea would very likely take it as a sign of a long awaited U.S. departure from its consistent position; North Korea would think that its steadfast ambition of resolving economic, diplomatic and political challenges through all consuming weapons of mass destruction (WMD) development has been finally vindicated.



This will prove to be a huge moral, diplomatic and even economic boost for North Korea, which will try to bargain from a "position of strength" and make exorbitant demands.



Two, the "way station" idea will significantly undermine U.S. leverage over North Korean denuclearization. The advantages of a package deal arise from deploying the full range of diplomatic, information, military and economic tools to persuade North Korea to agree to the final goal of denuclearization at the exit of the roadmap, even if implementation of the roadmap would progress in pre-arranged stages.



The "way station" ideas look like a piecemeal approach, which can be easily taken advantage of by North Korea and its well-practiced "salami tactics." North Korea, having benefitted from a huge moral, diplomatic and even economic boost arising from the "way station" offer, will have little incentive to agree to denuclearization.



Three, such a development can seriously undermine the credibility of U.S. extended deterrence to Korea and Japan. As North Korean WMD capability goes up, the importance of strengthening U.S. extended deterrence also goes up for obvious reasons.



To meet that goal, we have to augment the combined allied capability for the four Ds: deter, defeat, defend and dissuade. At the same time, any action which may be interpreted as undermining the credibility of U.S. extended deterrence should be avoided. The "way station" ideas may be interpreted as decoupling the security interests of the U.S. from that of Korea and Japan, and thus undermine the credibility of extended deterrence.





Ahn Ho-young (hyahn78@mofa.or.kr) is president of the University of North Korean Studies. He served as Korean ambassador to the United States and first vice foreign minister.


New Delhi: India is currently struggling with the COVID pandemic. Usually, a health calamity such as this is confined to the hospital. However, in the present situation, the crisis has come out of the hospitals and the COVID battle is being fought in courts across the country.

Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary on Tuesday (April 27) discussed how the courts are leading the fight against the deadly pandemic.

At present various courts, including several high courts and the Supreme Court, are hearing cases related to the COVID situation in the country. They are passing orders and making observations regarding various issues the second wave of the pandemic has raised such as shortage of oxygen, essential medicines and hospital beds.

Today, the Delhi High Court came down heavily on the Delhi government over inadequacies in handling of the pandemic.

The court bluntly said that if the Delhi government is unable to handle the Oxygen Refilling Units, then they should tell the court. The court will hand over this responsibility to the central government.

The High Court also said that the Delhi government failed to stop the black marketing of oxygen.

The court further said that Our faith is shaking, fix your house. You are the administrator and should know how to run the government.

In a separate matter, the high court slammed the Delhi government for passing an order which stated that 100 rooms will be arranged for judges of the court on its request in a five-star hotel. The court said that it never demanded any such facility.

Today, a case related to the COVID crisis was also heard in the Supreme Court. The apex court made three key remarks.

Firstly, it said that the High Courts should keep an eye on the conditions in their respective states and pass necessary orders they deem fit to tackle the pandemic.

Secondly, the top court said that cannot remain mute spectators in the hour of this national crisis.

Thirdly, the court sought the central governments response on differential pricing of vaccines, an issue that has been raised by various state governments.

Several other courts including Madras High Court, Calcutta High Court and Allahabad High Court have taken a stern view of the current COVID situation in the country.

While the Calcutta and Madras high courts have reprimanded the Election Commission over failure to enforce COVID guidelines in places where elections were held, the Allahabad HC has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to impose a 14-day lockdown in the state.

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Al Schmitt, one of the most revered engineers and producers in the annals of the music business, died Monday at 91, his family confirmed. No cause of death has been given.

Schmitt received more Grammys for engineering  20, not including his separate Latin Grammys and a National Trustees Award  than anyone else in his field. In 2015, he received an even more rarefied honor for an engineer-mixer, becoming the first to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Among his most recent projects were Willie Nelsons Thats Life, released in February, and Diana Kralls fall 2020 release This Dream of You, which he and Krall put together from sessions they worked on with the late producer Tommy LiPuma.

Highlights in his discography included Steely Dans Aja and Ray Charles Genius Loves Company, marking just two of the 10 occasions on which he received the Grammy for best engineered recording or best engineered album (non-classical). In the case of Genius Loves Company, a duets album that was Charles swan song, Schmitt also shared in its Grammy win for album of the year, as well as sharing record of the year honors for Charles single, Here We Go Again.

Schmitt won 20 Grammys out of 36 nominations, according to the Recording Academy website. His last two Grammy wins, in 2012-13, came for working with Paul McCartney on his album of standards, Kisses on the Bottom, and its Live Kisses home-video sequel.

The more than 150 gold or platinum records that bore his name in the credits included recordings by Henry Mancini, Sam Cooke, Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, Josh Groban, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson.

Schmitts family posted on his Facebook page Tuesday afternoon. Al Schmitts wife Lisa, his five children, eight grandchildren, and five great grandchildren would like his friends and extended recording industry family to know that he passed away Monday afternoon, April 26. The world has lost a much loved and respected extraordinary individual, who led an extraordinary life. The most honored and awarded recording producer/engineer of all time, his parting words at any speaking engagement were, Please be kind to all living things.  He was a man who loved deeply, and the friendships, love and admiration he received in return enriched his life and truly mattered to him. A light has dimmed in the world, but we all learned so much from him in his time on earth, and are so very grateful to have known him.

Gonna miss you bad Al Schmitt! tweeted Steve Lukather of Toto, whose multiply Grammy-winning Toto IV afforded Schmitt another of his wins for best-engineered recording. Loved you since 1977 and there will never be another Today sounds a lot less good.

Al Schmitt was the guy, said Alan Elliott, a producer who had been working with Schmitt on preparing a project. He helped define the sound of Los Angeles  the cool of Mancini and Cal Tjader, the joy of Sam Cooke, the swag of Elvis in Hollywood, the swing of Sinatra, and when Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan wanted to sound like their heroes, they worked with Al Schmitt. He was a joy to be with, always humble and ready, and we all will miss his genius as well as his decency.

So sorry to hear about Al Schmitt, tweeted Greg Kurstin, one of the most successful contemporary producers. Such an honor to get a chance to work with him. What a legend.

Wrote songwriter Diane Warren, Legend. Mensch. So many people and animals are devastated today. Mix in Power, Al Schmitt.

Harvey Mason jr., the Recording Academys chair & interim president/CEO, called him a true legend who left an indelible mark on the recording industry. We are forever grateful for his contributions as a founding member of the Recording Academys Producers & Engineers Wing and to the art and craft of recorded music. We send our love and condolences to his family, friends and collaborators.

Schmitt was the primary subject of a 2016 documentary, The Art of Recording a Big Band, recorded at Capitol Studios, where he did much of his work.

Al Schmitt, a member of our family passed away yesterday evening. A legend. An icon. A friend. Al was not only the most celebrated and decorated engineer, but also the most beloved. Were thinking about you Al always.



With Love,

Your Capitol Studios Family pic.twitter.com/MDSFCcQded  Capitol Studios (@capitolstudios) April 27, 2021

Although most of his career was devoted to engineering and mixing, Schmitt also had a successful run as a producer. After first producing a collaboration between Paul Horn and Lalo Schifrin in 1965, he went on to produce four Jefferson Airplane albums, including Volunteers, and efforts for Hot Tuna and Papa John Creach. He was a producer or co-producer on Jackson Brownes classic Late for the Sky and Neil Youngs cult favorite On the Beach as well as several albums by Al Jarreau before reverting to what became his most familiar roles.

A sampling of the other hundreds of albums he engineered, mixed or did double-duty on, in reverse chronology: Leslie Odom Jr.s Standards (2020), Dylans Triplicate (2017) and Fallen Angels (2016), Alexandre Desplats Secret Life of Pets score (2016), Michael Bubles Christmas (2011), Josh Grobans Illuminations (2010), Barbra Streisands The Movie Album (2003), Kralls The Look of Love, Sinatras Duets (1993), Natalie Coles Unforgettable: With Love (1991), George Bensons In Flight (1977), Steely Dans FM single, Streisands The Way We Were (1974), Brownes For Everyman (1973), Linda Ronstadts Dont Cry Now (1973), Sam Cookes At the Copa (1964) and a solid run of Henry Mancini score projects in the late 50s and early 60s, including Peter Gunn, Breakfast at Tiffanys, Hatari and Mr. Lucky.

At a 2014 Recording Academy event for the producers and engineers wing where Young was being honored, the rocker paid tribute to Schmitt, saying, Hes the father of whats going on here, and hes still here. He has staying power. And he was recording the way that I want to record now.

Schmidt had turned 91 on April 21 and posted thanks to his friends then on a Facebook account he kept active up until the day before his death. I want to thank everyone for you warm birthday wishes. I wish I could hug everyone of you. Much love, he wrote.

More to come
A celebrated star of screen and stage, Vanessa Redgrave has accused the Victoria and Albert Museum of a fearful lack of knowledge over cuts planned by its director, the former Labour minister Tristram Hunt.

The actress is furious that Hunt plans to axe its theatre and performance department, which is home to her father Sir Michael Redgraves archive.

I believe that the V&A rightly received Covid furlough money for wages and vital expenditures during this prolonged lockdown, says the Call The Midwife narrator.

I am shocked to learn that the museum is now actively considering [making redundant] many of the staff who have curated and cared for the costumes, posters, stage properties and videos that are in the theatre department.

Vanessa Redgrave has accused the Victoria and Albert Museum of a fearful lack of knowledge

The museum, based in South Kensington, London, plans to abolish the department as part of a staffing restructure in response to the financial impact of Covid-19. It would join the furniture, textiles and fashion department.

Redgrave, 84 (right), adds: Unless these artefacts are curated and cared for prior to or following their transfer [to V&A East at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park], this unique and priceless heritage will be damaged and can disappear.

The very idea of making this skilled V&A staff redundant reveals a fearful lack of knowledge.

Her father was a distinguished actor, director and author who died in 1985.

Last month, the Public and Commercial Services Union said 50 out of 200 jobs across the organisations curatorial and research departments, library and archive were at risk.

The museum, based in South Kensington, London, plans to abolish the department as part of a staffing restructure in response to the financial impact of Covid-19

A V&A spokesman says: While we have received some emergency support, the catastrophic financial situation means we have no choice but to explore all routes to reduce costs across the museum.

However, preserving the National Collection of Theatre and Performance remains fundamental to the V&As mission as the worlds leading museum of art, design and performance.

Idriss anniversary day takes the biscuit

He's in the running to play the next James Bond, but unlike the fictional ladies man, Idris Elba only has eyes for one woman.

The 48-year-old actor was delighted to celebrate his second wedding anniversary with Sabrina, 32  a former Miss Vancouver  at the weekend.

Idris Elba celebrated his second anniversary with wife Sabrina by feasting on a giant cookie

While such an occasion is traditionally marked with cotton, the couple, who met at a jazz bar in Canada in 2016, celebrated at their London home with a giant cookie.

Sharing a picture of themselves about to take the first bite, Idris, who contracted Covid-19 last year, wrote to her in the caption: The last year has been one of the toughest of my life and I only got through it because of you.

Sharing a name with a Hollywood star led to a case of mistaken identity for TV presenter Davina McCalls boyfriend, celebrity hairdresser Michael Douglas. A journalist rang my agent and said: Wed love to interview Michael. I was like, This is amazing! recalls Lancastrian Michael, whos 46. I havent been on TV that much . . . and it turned out they wanted the other Michael Douglas . . .  Oh, well.

Dis pal Julia swears by it

Princess Dianas therapist friend Julia Samuel, who is a godmother to Prince George, is encouraging people to use more profanities to ease their pain.

What I find is when people are truly suffering because they have a life-threatening illness, or because someone they love has died, sometimes swearing is the only thing that does the business, says Julia, 61, daughter of James Guinness, scion of the banking side of the family.

Acknowledging that it is s*** gets to the heart of the matter. So I swear a lot with clients. I shouldnt and my mother would disapprove in heaven  although she did swear quite a bit, too.

He should be so unlucky! That surely must be what pop pixie Kylie Minogue is singing. Not, of course, because of any rupture in her relationship with dashing Welshman Paul Solomons, but because Solomons has just learned that his role as creative director at GQ magazine is imperilled by profound restructuring at the glossy. No one knows yet what the exact plan is, but the idea is to shed a lot of roles. Thats whats unsettling, one of Solomons colleagues tells me. Everyone is shocked and upset  stunned, actually. Solomons, 46, who has been happily dating Kylie for the past three years, has been at GQ for two decades, winning a clutch of awards in the process. Can Kylie trill a word or two on Pauls behalf?

A richly rewarding Crown role for Corrin

Her first major leading role has paid handsome dividends for Emma Corrin.

The 25-year-old actress, who was almost entirely unknown until she portrayed Princess Diana in the Crowns fourth season, has just signed off accounts for her company which shows it made 170,000 in its first year of trading.

After creditors were paid, Emmas enterprise, the Bucklers Hard Productions Limited was still left with almost 105,000.

Emma Corrin, 25, portrayed Princess Diana in the Crowns fourth season and has just signed off accounts for her company which shows it made 170,000 in its first year of trading

The Crowns storyline provoked howls of protest with many including Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden demanding Netflix state clearly that the drama was fiction.

Particular concerns over invented scenes included the false suggestion that the affair between Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles continued throughout his marriage to Diana.

Olivia Colman, who played the Queen in The Crown, praised Emma (left): She really became her, it was spooky to sit in front of her. It was like looking at the real thing. It was such a beautiful performance.

Nigella Lawson is in that rare group of people who can be identified by just one name.

But the domestic goddess declares: Ive got a stupid name, explaining, I mean, I didnt even need a surname when I was at nursery school.

The daughter of former Tory Chancellor Nigel Lawson adds: I find [the fame] a sort of very frightening, weird compliment.

Play like Bowie? Im an absolute beginner, says Lewis Hamilton

Formula One champion Sir Lewis Hamilton paid tribute to his favourite musician, David Bowie, when he died in 2016, but their relationship was far from one-sided.

The racing driver, 36, reveals Bowie gave him a guitar before his death aged 69, and Hamilton has shared a video of himself playing it at his home in Monaco ahead of the Portuguese Grand Prix this weekend.

Excuse the mistakes, Im far from good, Lewis says modestly. But this is my first take playing this guitar that David Bowie sent me. I love this guitar and will cherish it forever. I never got to say thank you to him or to his family, so if they see this, thank you so much.
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San Francisco, 27 April 2021: The Report Clinical Oncology Next Generation Sequencing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Workflow, By Technology (WGS, WES), By Application (Screening, Companion Diagnostics), By End-use, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

The global clinical oncology next generation sequencing market size is expected to reach USD 892.61 million by 2028 registering a CAGR of 14.70%, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Technological advancements in next-generation sequencing coupled with high adoption of companion diagnostics and personalized medicine drive the global market growth.

In addition, a rise in the utility of next generation sequencing (NGS) for liquid biopsy is expected to increase revenue generation in the market. NGS is employed to sequence circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for the analysis of liquid biopsy samples. This leads to efficient molecular profiling of tumors, which, in turn, facilitates real-time, non-invasive monitoring of tumors.

Moreover, a rise in market competitiveness, growth in oncology diagnostics spending, and increasing research activities to develop solutions that can potentially be used for clinical oncology drive market progression. For instance, in January 2021, Spectrum Solutions, LLC collaborated with the UCLA School of Dentistry on saliva-based NGS liquid biopsy research, which would be used for early diagnosis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

North America dominated the global market in 2020 owing to multiple initiatives taken by various government bodies in the region to screen and prevent cancer, such as Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network, a flagship program by the CDC. Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing regional market over the forecast period owing to continuous reforms in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries in the region.

Key players in this market have undertaken strategic alliances to strengthen their market position. For example, in March 2020, Thermo Fisher Scientific signed an agreement with Janssen Biotech, Inc. for the development of CDx for tumor management. Under the agreement, Janssen Research & Development, LLC would validate multiple biomarkers to be used with Thermo Fisher's Oncomine Dx target test for identification of patients with NSCLC

Access Research Report of Clinical Oncology Next Generation Sequencing Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/clinical-oncology-next-generation-sequencing-ngs-market

Clinical Oncology NGS Market Report Highlights

Targeted sequencing & resequencing accounted for the largest market share in 2020 owing to the high adoption of targeted gene panels for oncology diagnostics

Moreover, the discovery of novel cancer biomarkers further boosts the development of targeted sequencing oncology panels

Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) is projected to register the fastest growth rate from 2021 to 2028 as the technology offers a complete genomic survey of the tumor genome

This helps in the generation of a detailed map of indels, copy number changes, Single Nucleotide Variations (SNV), and complex structural rearrangements with a single assay

Companion diagnostics is projected to be the fastest-growing application segment from 2021 to 2028 owing to the high adoption and benefits offered by the technology

Therefore, major market participants focus on innovative R&D in companion diagnostics to gain approval for novel tests

For instance, in August 2020, the FDA approved Guardant360 CDx assay; an NGS-based liquid biopsy CDx to identify Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) gene mutations in metastatic NSCLC

List of Key Players of Clinical Oncology NGS Market

Illumina, Inc.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

Agilent Technologies

Myriad Genetics

Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI)

Perkin Elmer

Foundation Medicine

Pacific Bioscience

Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd.

Paradigm Diagnostics

Caris Life Sciences

Partek, Inc.

Eurofins Scientific S.E.

Qiagen N.V.

Access Press Release of Clinical Oncology Next Generation Sequencing Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-clinical-oncology-next-generation-sequencing-ngs-market
Teachers had to intervene between an 11-year-old child and his father when the man started hitting the boy after he was called to the school, a court has heard.

CCTV of the incident in which the teachers intervened as the father punched the child and hit him with his school bag in a school corridor was played in court.

The man called the child a scumbag and a waster during the incident. The child told his teachers: When I go home I am going to get it. I am dead.

The man, who has a number of previous convictions, later apologized and told gardai he was trying to prevent his son, who had behaviour issues, from going down the wrong path.

The 34-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the victim's identity, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a count of child cruelty at the child's school in September 2019.

Judge Martin Nolan said on the date the father appeared to be very frustrated to say the least with his child who was having difficulties. He said it was clear from the CCTV that the man lost his temper and patience when he should not have and it was very frightening for the child.

He said it appeared the man wanted to be a good father but on that date he lost control. He said it was the view of the court that the man did not deserve a custodial sentence at the moment.

Judge Nolan imposed a one year suspended sentence on strict conditions and asked that the Probation Service to liaise with Tusla to see if a program can be crafted for the man.

A prosecuting garda told Grainne O'Neill BL, prosecuting, teachers at the school had alerted the child's parents that morning that he did not have his school bag and had left school grounds.

The child's mother said someone would bring the school bag. The child returned to the school and shortly afterwards his father arrived. The man said there was no point talking to his son and he was going to kill him before he punched him.

The court heard the child whimpered and tried to protect himself as he was hit by his father.

Teachers intervened and alerted gardai who took the child to hospital. The accused man was arrested at his home in an agitated and aggressive state. The child and his mother declined to make a victim impact statement.

The accused man was interviewed and told gardai he wanted to apologize and was trying to stop the child from going down the wrong path.

The garda agreed he was aware the man said his son had behavioural issues and that he had to leave work in the past or go out at night looking for him. The garda agreed none of the man's previous convictions were for violent offending.

The man said he felt he was failing as a father and described being at his wits end.

Emmet Nolan BL, defending said the man was disgusted, appalled and ashamed of his behaviour. He said he deeply regrets and has deep shame for his actions. He said the man instructs this was an aberration and he has undertaken a parenting program and engaged fully with Tusla.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump speaks during a press conference in Florida on 23 April. (WESH 2 News)

Florida Highway Patrol has been accused of flying a surveillance plane in circles above a press conference where civil rights attorney Ben Crump was calling for a federal investigation into the killings of two black teenagers by law enforcement.

Publically available flight data reviewed by Motherboard show a plane with tail number N267HP flying in circles near the Moore Justice Center in Viera, southeast of Orlando around 10am on Friday, where the news conference was scheduled. The outlet noted that online plane registration records show that N267HP is a small Cessna aircraft registered to Florida Highway Patrol.

Chief of public affairs for the Florida Highway Patrol, Captain Peter Bergstresser, told Motherboard: The aircraft was used to monitor and ensure the proper flow of traffic and crowds around the immediate area.

He said that there was no monitoring equipment or cameras on the plane.

During the press conference, lawyers Ben Crump and Natalie Jackson announced a lawsuit against Deputy Jafet Santiago-Miranda and the Brevard County Sheriff's Office for the November shootings of Sincere Pierce, 18, and Angelo "AJ" Crooms, 16.

Mr Crump has represented the families of George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, and Breonna Taylor.

In November, Deputy Santiago-Miranda fired 10 shots into the car where AJ was behind the wheel. The officer discharged his weapon during a traffic stop as the car slowly moved forward with its wheels towards the side of the road.

State Attorney Phil Archer announced last week that the Brevard County officer will not face charges.

For allegedly running a Stop sign, you shoot and kill these babies, Mr Crump said during the news conference.

Aerial surveillance has been used during racial justice protests by law enforcement during the course of the last year after the murder of George Floyd on 25 May 2020.

Vice reported in June last year that the military and the FBI had been flying surveillance planes over protests.

Story continues

Military surveillance planes over America's cities are a rare visible indicator of tectonic increases in surveillance quietly underway, security researcher John Scott-Railton told the outlet at the time.

Authorities flew RC-26B aircraft over several cities, including Las Vegas and Washington DC. The RC-26B has previously been used for reconnaissance flights in Afghanistan and Iraq, and is equipped with infrared and electro-optical cameras.

Dozens of congressional Democrats signed a letter in June 2020 demanding that federal agencies stop spying on people taking part in peaceful protests, calling it a vast overreach of power.

Americans should not have to take proactive measures to protect themselves from government surveillance before engaging in peaceful demonstration, the letter said.

The FBI told CNET at the time that their efforts are focused on identifying, investigating, and disrupting individuals that are inciting violence and engaging in criminal activity, adding that they don't conduct surveillance based solely on First Amendment protected activity.

Read More

Fact check exposes bogus story that migrants shelter gave out Kamala Harris book to kids

Capitol riot suspect says her mesh mask, which may violate court order, is inspired by Lana Del Rey

George Floyd may get posthumous pardon for Houston drug charge
New Jersey energy customers can expect an increase on their electric bills to stick around after the state Board of Public Utilities on Tuesday approved a second round of subsidies for three aging nuclear power plants.

The board voted unanimously to award the maximum amount of subsidies  about $300 million annually  to PSE&G and Exelon Generation, the operators of the South Jersey plants.

The board had to decide whether or not it would give zero emissions credits to PSE&G, which insists it will have to shutter the plants without help. Critics have argued that the company does not need the subsidies to keep the plants afloat, and should take the financial hit rather than pass it on to customers.

The nuclear plants produce 90% of the states carbon-free energy and around 40% of the states total energy. Wind and solar, other clean energy options, are costly and slow to develop. Without nuclear energy, New Jersey may be forced to turn back to energy sources that produce carbon emissions.

Were these plants to close, we would lose the single largest sources of the states clean energy supply, and be forced to make up that supply with sources such as fossil fuels, said Joseph Fiordaliso, the president of the board.

The plants include Salem 1 and 2 reactors owned by PSE&G and Exelon, as well as the Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station owned solely by PSE&G. All are in Lower Alloways Creek in Salem County. The subsidies approved Tuesday will run from June 2022 to May 2025 and amount to the maximum allowed under a 2018 law that created the subsidies.

The program came alongside aggressive clean energy goals set by Gov. Phil Murphy. He wants New Jersey to use use 50% clean energy by 2030.

Wind and solar wont get New Jersey there alone, but the nuclear plants can help, their supporters say.

Awarding the subsidies in 2019 proved controversial, and this time around was no different. Theres no guarantee from PSE&G that it will keep the plants open upon receiving the subsidies.

This wont be new money on customers bills, but a continued rate hike. PSE&G first won the subsidies in 2019. The cost averages about $3 a month for the typical residential customer, according to the company. Other estimates put the cost at $70 annually, and as high as $1 million for large businesses.

While all commissioners on the board voted in favor of the subsidies, some expressed concerns that PSE&G insisted it needed the maximum subsidy amount, calling it an unnecessary all-or-nothing approach to the problem.

Bob Gordon, one of the boards commissioner, said shutting down the plants could lead to a 13% spike in carbon emissions. The poor air quality in parts of the state concern him, he said, but so does the increase put onto residents.

As much as I would have preferred a lower subsidy level, I do not want to shut down nuclear power in New Jersey, he said.

Tuesdays vote came on the heels of a state appellate court decision. The New Jersey Division of the Rate Counsel sued two years ago, arguing that the subsidies were not needed to keep the plants open. A state appellate court in March upheld the 2019 board decision. The Rate Counsel has asked the state Supreme Court to weigh in on the decision.

PSE&G applauded the decision.

The BPUs actions today helped the environment, saved jobs and avoided higher energy costs, the company said in a statement. We appreciate the BPUs detailed review and consideration of PSEG Nuclears ZEC applications.

Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, blasted the decision. The states Energy Master Plan counts on keeping the nuclear plants in play until 2050, far longer their usual lifespan. In that time, New Jersey energy customers could pay as much as $10 billion if the subsidies continue, Tittel estimates.

This money should be going into revamping solar and offshore wind to create clean, renewable energy and create new green jobs, Tittel said in a statement.

This unnecessary nuclear subsidy undermines our progress with renewable energy. More importantly, it will block us from reaching Governor Murphys 100% renewable energy goal by 2050. We will never be able to diversify our energy portfolio if we have to subsidize nuclear energy forever.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Amanda Hoover may be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj.
Bavarian audiences will continue to receive free-to-air local and regional HD TV channels via satellite

Bayerische Medien Technik GmbH (bmt) has extended its partnership with SES, the global leader in content connectivity solutions, in a multi-year agreement to continue using SES's satellites at its prime TV neighbourhood at ASTRA 19.2 degrees East to broadcast Bavarian local TV channels in HD. bmt is a subsidiary of the Bayerische Landeszentrale fur neue Medien (BLM), the regulatory authority for new media in Bavaria, and of the Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR), the Bavarian broadcasting association.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005948/en/

bmt Extends HD Capacity Agreement With SES on ASTRA 19.2 Degrees East (Photo: Business Wire)

bmt will continue to receive funding from the Free State of Bavaria, enabling the broadcasting of 14 free-to-air channels, including local TV stations from Munich and Nuremberg, to audiences across Bavaria.

"The increasing viewership and high popularity ratings of the current programming in the past two years show how much viewers appreciate reliable information from their region, especially in the news-heavy times of the pandemic. With the transmission of local TV programmes via SES's ASTRA satellites, we are able to successfully reach the widest audiences and bring their favorite content in HD quality," said Siegfried Schneider, President of BLM.

"SES's partnership with bmt underscores the growing significance of regional TV offerings and the value local content brings to audiences that look for a tailored viewing experience. With our prime satellites at 19.2 degrees East, we ensure consistent delivery of local programming to the millions of viewers in Bavaria with the best image and sound quality," said Christoph Muhleib, Managing Director of ASTRA Deutschland GmbH.

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About SES

SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world's only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world's leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES's video network carries over 8,200 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 361 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005948/en/

Contacts:

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External Communications

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suzanne.ong@ses.com
Prayagraj : , April 27 (IANS) At a time when several states are reeling under the impact of oxygen shortage amid the raging pandemic, a businessman in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj has initiated a plan to set up an oxygen plant in the city with a capacity to feed requirements of, at least, three government hospitals free of cost forever.

After getting the nod from the district magistrate, the project has started taking shape on a 7,400- square meter plot in Naini industrial area of the district and will be a boon for Beli, Dufferin and Colvin hospitals.

The businessman, Umesh Jaiswal, said that the plant would have a daily production capacity of 1,100 cylinders. He said that three government hospitals of the city have been adopted for free of cost supply of oxygen.

Jaiswal is into the business of road construction and presently, his company is constructing parts of some important national highways connecting Prayagraj to different neighbouring districts.

"I was never into medical business but when I read about the recent deaths due to oxygen shortage, I decided to set up this plant. Initially, my plan was to set up a small unit but some of my close friends and advisors suggested that if I want to serve the society, the project should be bigger," he said.

Jaiswal said that he spoke to SSP Prayagraj, Sarvashresth Tripathi, who helped him meet the divisional commissioner, Sanjay Goyal, who in turn, forwarded his proposal to the concerned authorities.

"The district magistrate gave his approval and now all the paper formalities have been done and I have given order to a Gujarat-based company for installing the state's maiden automatic oxygen synthesis plant where both, liquid oxygen and its gaseous form, will be manufactured simultaneously," he said.

This would be second such plant in the country, the first being installed at Godhra by the same company.

Jaiswal has adopted three government hospitals of the city, namely Beli, Dufferin and Colvin hospital, and would be giving free oxygen to them.

The plant, being constructed at a cost of Rs 14 crore, is coming up in sector III of Saraswati Hightech city, Naini and the registry of the land would be done in a couple of days.

The capacity if needed, could go up to 1,500 cylinders per day. The production is expected to start from August, this year.
ATLANTA, April 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just ahead of his light heavyweight match, MMA fighter Ryan Bader signs on to join the Clean Energy Team. Led by Kill Cliff, Americas undisputed clean energy drink champion, and Get Biofuel, an initiative from the supporters of renewable, plant-based biofuels, the Clean Energy Team is leading a movement of positive change. Choose clean energy for your body, cleaner fuel for your vehicle and be rewarded with better performance and a healthier world.



I put a ton of thought into what I put into my body and how my choices impact not only myself but my family and our communities, said MMA superstar Ryan Bader. I am pumped to join the Clean Energy Team and be part of a cleaner lifestyle. Kill Cliff is the first energy drink Ive ever supported, but I love the taste and clean ingredients and their mission to support military charities, a mission Ive been passionate about for years. And as a longtime partner of Get Biofuel, Im excited to continue showing how simple choiceslike selecting cleaner fuel at the pumpcan have a big impact on creating a better world to leave behind for my kids.

Bader has a long history of supporting veterans and military families, donating more than $150,000 from fight purses and sponsorship money over the years. Kill Cliff was founded by a former Navy SEAL and has donated more than $1 million to the Navy SEAL Foundation. The synergy and alignment between Kill Cliff and Bader is electrifying and will fuel Bader heading into his light heavyweight match on April 10, 2021.

Kill Cliff and Get Biofuel came together to form the Clean Energy Team to promote positive change and bring attention to alternative choices people have when committing to a cleaner, healthier lifestyle thats better for the planet.

Kill Cliff and Got Biofuel are a perfect match. Fueling up with Clean Energy in every part of their day is an important lifestyle choice consumers want more than ever, said John Brenkus, Kill Cliff CMO and six-time Emmy Award Winning producer of ESPN Sport Science. We are thrilled to have a partner who is aligned with our core values and our passion for ensuring a cleaner and greener world for the next generation.

The Clean Energy Team is made up of fighting legends including Israel Adesanya, Ryan Bader, Joseph Benavidez, Gilbert Burns, Aung La Nsang and Robbie Lawler.

Media Inquiries

Sarah Karger

sarah@commodditiesinc.com

About KILL CLIFF

Founded and created by a Navy SEAL with the spirit of giving back to the community, Kill Cliff makes the worlds best and first clean energy drink. Headquartered in Atlanta, the Kill Cliff team includes civilians and accomplished military veterans and is absolutely committed to serving and supporting the Navy SEAL community. Kill Cliff honors the dedication and sacrifice made by these warriors and their families by donating a portion of the proceeds through their Official Partnership with the Navy SEAL Foundation . Visit KillCliff.com and follow KILL CLIFF on Facebook , Twitter , YouTube , and Instagram @killcliff .

About Get Biofuel

Get Biofuel is a consumer awareness campaign from Growth Energy, a leading organization that believes in the preservation of our planet through expanded access to better fuel options. Biofuels like plant-based ethanol burn cleaner than fossil fuels and have a lasting impact on our planet. Biofuels like ethanol keep the air we breathe cleaner by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 46%. Learn more at getbiofuel.com and follow @getbiofuel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook .

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1cf79ddd-86a3-47af-b327-1b881f523cc7

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/665f1aab-b2b5-4a42-a09d-e3cadb5fd637
YEREVAN.  About 2,000 monuments are now endangered in the territories occupied by Azerbaijan during the second Karabakh war. The Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Lusine Karakhanyan, on Tuesday told this to a press conference in Yerevan.

She added that 13 monasteries, 122 churches, 52 fortresses, 523 cross-stones, 4 chapels, 127 school libraries, and 10 state-run and 2 private museums were endangered now.

According to her, the Tigranakert Archaeological Museum-Reserve and more than 800 samples from the carpet museum also have passed under Azerbaijani control.

In addition, as per the Artsakh official, Azerbaijan has launched a crackdown on the participants of archeological excavations. "Azerbaijan pursues an institutional policy of falsifying and destroying Armenian cultural monuments in these areas. We work with the Russian peacekeepers, the Foreign Ministry, and the international community to prevent such actions, but there are no tangible results in this regard yet. The visit of UNESCO representatives to Karabakh was scheduled for December 21, 2020, but Azerbaijan prevented it," Karakhanyan stressed.

The minister clarified that Azerbaijan is committing a cultural genocide, and noted the importance of pursuing an active and smart information policy against it.
Mumbai, April 27 : Actress Kangana Ranaut on Tuesday took a jibe at trolls using a hashtag demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has been trending on Twitter.

"Modi ji does not know how to lead, Kangana does not know how to act, Sachin does not know how to bat, Lata ji does not know how to sing, magar these chindi trolls know everything, please #Resign_PM_Modi ji and make one of these Vishnu avatar trolls next Prime Minister of India," Kangana tweeted.

The hashtag #Resign_PM_Modi has been trending on Twitter since morning with a section of netizens blaming the Prime Minister for the second wave of the pandemic in India.

Commenting on the actress' tweet, netizens expressed their mind. Some users feel PM Modi should not have permitted mass gatherings like Kumbh Mela and election rallies at a time when the second wave of Covid-19 was on.

"Don't get hyper for everything u also should realise this time he has made some mistakes like kumbh and elections rallies. It's time for him to act as a countries PM and take the onus on him and assure everyone he will make it right," commented a user.

There were many others who supported PM Modi and Kangana, too. "Why you people always blaming Modiji for every reason. We are responsible for this situation, we have not maintained social distancing, not wore mask etc. state govt has all rights to take decisions, why they have not taken," wrote a user.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
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Imo State residents have called for more effective security measures to forestall further attacks in the state.

The residents made the call in the wake of the killing of five police officers at the Okigwe South Zonal Police Area Command on Monday.

They also expressed worry over an attack on Ama Hausa and Douglas Road on Monday night by yet to be identified gunmen.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Tuesday, the residents called on the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, to ensure concrete plans were made to curb the looming security threats.

Chukwuemeka Okoronkwo, a resident of Douglas Road, said the attacks had become too rampant for comfort.

Mr Okoronkwo urged the governor to meet with all the security chiefs in the state with a view to coming up with new strategies to tackle the situation.

He said such a strategy should show how to identify the perpetrators, apprehend and bring them to book.

Another resident, Charles Onu, noted that the rising insecurity could ground the state to a halt if not quickly addressed.

Mr Onu said people were becoming too afraid to take their children to school as no one could predict the actions of the attackers.

He added that the attacks on police formations in the state were to create fear in the minds of the people and to ensure that the perpetrators actions were not challenged.

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Maria Ebere, another resident, expressed the view that the military should be invited to take over the security of the state to help the governor restore normalcy.

Mrs Ebere said the federal government should send to all the South-east states joint security forces for peacekeeping.

She noted that unless serious action was urgently taken, the situation could escalate beyond what it is today.

(NAN)
A truck driver drastically miscalculated the height of his semi-trailer, smashing into a railway bridge and blocking traffic for almost five hours.

The rig slammed into the Oxley Road railway bridge in Brisbane's south-west early on Tuesday morning, tearing most of the roof off the truck.

Police and emergency services were called to the Sherwood area just after 5am to find heavy vehicle stuck in the 3.6m clearance.

A truck driver has drastically miscalculated the height of his semi-trailer, smashing into a railway bridge and blocking traffic for almost five hours

The rig slammed into the Oxley Road railway bridge in Brisbane's southwest early on Tuesday, tearing most of the roof off the truck

The wreckage caused 'major delays' for motorists with northbound traffic diverted along Martindale Street and southbound traffic told to take Jerrold Street.

Trains were also suspended for several hours.

No one was injured in the crash although first responders did provide a medical check for an elderly motorist at the scene.

The massive clean up job eventually ended about 9:40am with traffic and train services returning to normal soon after.

Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia it is investigating to determine whether an infringement notice will be handed out, or charges laid against the driver.
Members of a scientific and technical committee for biological safety at Brazils Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) have recognized Russias Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine as safe, the committees head Paulo Barroso said.

"This is the third COVID-19 vaccine, which we are reviewing <...> and we have unanimously come to a conclusion that it is safe," the scientist said during the ministrys live broadcast on Twitter.

Brazils National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has not approved the use of Russias vaccine so far. The regulator explains the delay with considering the request for registering Sputnik V by the lack of the full package of documents for the drug, TASS reported.
A new judge was appointed to the 2020 election audit case after judge Christopher Coury recused. Coury, a Republican appointee, was replaced by Daniel Martin, a Democrat appointee. Democrats wanted to stop the audit because of possible results that might not be in their favor.

New judge appointed to the 2020 election audit case

Judge Christopher Coury was replaced by Judge Daniel Martin on April 25, after Coury was left no choice but to recuse the case. The Superior Court of Maricopa County made the last-minute announcement Monday, reported the Epoch Times.

The new judge will be looking out for the legal challenge to a Senate-led audit of votes in Maricopa county, where electoral fraud was reported.

Martin, who was confirmed to the bench by Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano in 2007, is serving in the civil division after being placed in the family, criminal, and juvenile court divisions before.

Martin's previous credentials include the Brown & Bain law firm, which joined with Perkins Coie, mostly manned by Democrats in 2004. Marc Elias, the director at Perkins Coie and the firm's Political Law Group chair, is one of the Democratic party's top lawyers.

In a previous Twitter post, Elias indicated that the Arizona GOP might face "punitive measures" due to a previous lawsuit requesting a hand count audit in Maricopa County.

Judge Coury exempted himself from the case after Chris Viskovic, an attorney with whom he had previously worked, was hired by the Dems to replace the lawyer they had initially tapped. Democrats have been criticized for trying everything to stop the audit. Hiring Viskovic removed an obstacle for them as Coury was a Republican-appointed judge.

Democrats Attempting To Stop Vote Audit Find Way for Judge Coury to Recuse

According to a transcript of the resignation acquired by 12 News, the court got the filings on April 25 at 4 p.m. that included the names of new lawyers, including Viskovic, who worked at Coury's office "as an extern over the last five years."

Viskovic has a position as a junior associate at Kolodin Law Group PLLC, the same law firm tapped by the Florida-based cybersecurity firm Cyber Ninjas in court. Cyber Ninjas is part of the four firms hired by the Arizona senate to make the recount of votes.

Coury must withdraw himself from any further involvement in the case, according to the state's code of judicial ethics and the rules of the Arizona Supreme Court, based on the current recusal.

The audit started last April 19. The state Senate has contracted companies to review 2.1 million ballots, audit voting equipment, look for IT violations, and perform a hand count. All to look for proof that the election was legit.

On February 25, the state-issued subpoenas that were needed for the audit to be determined authentic.

On April 22, Arizona Democrats submitted an emergency call to stop the audit. Coury granted the request the next day, but only on the provision that the group posts a $1 million pledge. Because Democrats declined, the audit continued.

The new judge appointed is not as opposed to the Democrats who called Coury an activist judge. The Dems have place judges who have decided in their favor before.

Arizona Senate Approves Major Audit of 2.1 Million Votes in the 2020 Presidential Election

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The board of Australia Post failed to seek legal advice or get a written commitment from Christine Holgate that she would stand aside for an investigation into the Cartier watches saga before publicly announcing that she had agreed to do so.

Ms Holgate is now considering legal action against Australia Post over her controversial exit as chief executive in November, claiming chair Lucio Di Bartolomeo unlawfully stood her down in breach of her contract amid pressure from the Morrison government.

Australia Post chair Lucio Di Bartolomeo maintains that Ms Holgate agreed to stand aside for an investigation into the Cartier watches on the afternoon of October 22. Credit:

At a fiery Senate inquiry hearing on Tuesday, six Australia Post board members defended their handling of the Cartier watches fiasco, agreeing with chair Lucio Di Bartolomeo that Ms Holgate was owed no apology by the company and backing his account that she had agreed to stand aside in phone conversations between the pair on the afternoon of October 22.

Ms Holgate insists she did not speak to Mr Di Bartolomeo at all that afternoon.
Canberra, April 27 : Australia has suspended flights from India in response to the country's Covid-19 outbreak.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Tuesday that all flights from India to Australia will be halted until May 15 at the earliest, the Xinhua news agency reported.

He said that indirect flights through other cities were suspended by their governments, and repatriation flights run by the Australian government aimed at getting Australian residents and citizens stranded in the country home would resume as soon as possible.

"We don't think the answer is to just forsake those in India and just shut them off," Morrison told reporters after a meeting of the National Security Committee.

Marise Payne, the minister for foreign affairs, said that there had been an increase in the number of Australians in India registering to come home with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

"When I spoke to the High Commissioner this morning we touched on this challenge (of people wanting to return)," she said. "They are all over India, literally in every single corner of the country." "That does make the process challenging but we will stay in touch with them and provide any support we are able to." Australia will send ventilators, masks, goggles, gloves and face shields to India to help the country fight its record-breaking outbreak.
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FARMINGTON  Indoor dining at restaurants on the Navajo Nation returned as the tribe moved into yellow status Monday under its reopening plan.

The yellow status means restaurants are allowed 25% capacity for indoor dining, while restaurants with permanent outdoor dining can operate at 50% capacity.

Drive-through and curbside pickup can continue at restaurants, and other businesses can operate at 50% capacity.

All businesses are required to submit reopening plans to the Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development before reopening, according to the public health emergency order by the Navajo Department of Health.

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Department officials released public health orders last week that outline conditions for businesses and for residents to follow as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Under the order for businesses, parks and marinas can reopen at 25% capacity, and only to those who live on the Navajo Nation and to tribal members and tribal government employees.

Businesses that operate tours must follow guidelines for reopening set by the Navajo Health Command and Operations Center.

Casinos under the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise can operate at 50% capacity, but only residents of the Navajo Nation, tribal members and employees can access facilities.

Museums can reopen at 25% capacity.

The order reminds the public that tribal land remains closed to tourists and visitors; this includes tribal parks and recreation sites.

Flea markets, roadside markets, programs for youth, gymnasiums, recreation facilities and movie theaters remain closed.

The order continues the mandate the wearing of masks in public, but the daily curfew for residents is now 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The order allows for social gatherings, including traditional ceremonies, of up to 15 people. Indoor church services can operate at 50% capacity, and face masks and social distancing are required for all activities.

Drive-in gatherings are limited to 50 vehicles. This activity is allowed outside curfew hours and participants are required to remain in vehicles, wear masks and have no person-to-person contact.

The tribes transition to yellow status comes as health officials reported 57 new cases of COVID-19 from Friday through Sunday.

We continue to take cautious steps to gradually reopen. We transitioned to orange status several weeks ago and the number of COVID-19 infections has remained relatively low, and we recently had 10 consecutive days with zero deaths reported, tribal President Jonathan Nez said.

He said that over half of the adult population on the Navajo Nation has been fully vaccinated, but that officials want that percentage to increase before considering reopening the land to visitors.
The verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial brought the world to a standstill. For the African American community and the Black Lives Matter movement, it was a moment of triumph. Justice, in this instance, had been served.

But it was also a tremendous moment of relief and light for all the communities of color who have suffered at the hands of rogue law enforcement officers who see them as less than human  Latinos, Muslims, and immigrants have all been victims of police brutality and many have lost their lives during or after violent encounters.

For Hispanics, the verdict represented hope that their solidarity with Black Lives Matter will help lighten the burden of systemic racism that also has crushed their own sons and daughters and has deeply affected their struggle to find a better life in this country.

On the morning of March 29, a 13-year-old boy named Adam Toledo was killed by a police officer in Chicago. Protests erupted even amid the Chauvin trial. This young Latino had been at the wrong place at the wrong time, but that did not warrant his murder by a law enforcement official. According to video of the scene, Adam had tossed a handgun to the side -- a gun that was given to him by an older man he was with -- and put his hands up, just like the officer yelled at him to do. He was shot and killed.

In December of 2020, 2nd Lt. Caron Nazario, an Afro-Latino in the Army Medical Corp, was pulled over by police with their weapons drawn, yelled at and pepper-sprayed. He supposedly was pulled over for having expired tags. His temporary tags were displayed on the window.

What happened to Adam and Lt. Nazario aligns with statistics that show that Hispanics suffer violence at the hands of police at greater rates that their white counterparts. In 2020, 18-year-old Andres Guardado was shot in the back five times by police in California. He died. In Tucson, Ariz., 27-year-old Carlos Ingram Lopez passed away while in police custody.

Also last year, highway patrol officers in the San Francisco Bay Area fired shots into the car of 23-year-old Erik Salgado, who was driving in east Oakland. Salgado died and his pregnant girlfriend was injured. Just four days later, 22-year-old Sean Monterrosa was killed in Vallejo, Calif., by police officers who had been called to the scene for looting. Monterrosa was down on his knees when shots came through an open window of a police car.

According to data compiled by the Los Angeles Times, since 2000, 465 Latinos had been killed by police in L.A. County alone. Nationally, 910 Latinos have been killed since 2015, though the number may be much higher as many states on keep stats on race and not ethnicity.

So when the Black Lives Matter movement was born, we were there supporting the black communitys efforts to demand justice in policing. Many national Hispanic civil rights organizations have joined their African American counterparts in programs and initiatives focused on the priorities of Black Lives Matter. The Hashtag #LatinosForBlackLivesMatter has been used widely as the Hispanic community shows its solidarity with their black brothers and sisters. It is not just a show of empathy. It is a similar reality that Latinos live.

While there has been much written about tensions between the black and Hispanic communities, we have been at an inflection point for a while. The conflicts of the past have given way to powerful coalitions focusing on solidarity that has come from our shared experiences and the pain our families have suffered disproportionately in so many areas  COVID-19, housing, education and economic disparities, and, most recently and revealing, the reality that police violence has taken a toll on both communities.

When the Trump administration put in place violent and inhumane policies at the border that ripped babies from the arms of their mothers, I was there protesting, and by my side were leaders from the African American community, bearing witness to these atrocities. Latinos are now bearing witness hand in hand with our African American hermanos and hermanas because this is a shared agony and injustice.

Just as the deaths of innocent African Americans have stricken black families, the deaths of these young Latinos have taken a toll not only on their families but also on Latino communities overall. Our shared suffering has strengthened our solidarity. According to a June 2020 report from the Pew Research Center, 77% of Hispanics supported the Black Lives Matter movement. Additionally, a July 2020 Pew report found 63% of Hispanics believed major changes in policing were needed.

Latinos support the Black Lives Matter movement not just because they want to ensure that policies in policing change or that justice is done in cases like Derek Chauvins, but also because the systemic racism that has buffeted the African American community for so long also has decimated Latinos.

Lets be clear. This is not the oppression Olympics. Latinos are not equating their experiences in the United States with those of black Americans. Both communities suffering deserves its own recognition and solutions in different and specific areas. But when it comes to systemic racism in policing, or in access to affordable housing, quality education, affordable health care, the communities can, should, and have united to show there is power in numbers.

Amy Hinojosa, president and CEO of MANA, a nationally recognized Latina civil rights organization said it best. Lt. Nazario, Adam Toledo, Andres, Carlos and Sean put a public face to the reality that weve always known: The black and Latino civil rights struggles are inextricably linked, she told me. As such, achieving justice for all has always required our Latino communities to stand in witness and solidarity with the black community in this fight. And this moment is no exception.

I agree. While the verdict in Minneapolis provided a collective sigh of relief, the hard work for justice continues, together.
Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill (pictured) was taken into federal custody on Tuesday

An Atlanta-area sheriff has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly violating the civil rights of detainees by restraining them in chairs for hours and ordering employees to use excessive force.

Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill was taken into federal custody on Tuesday following a federal indictment filed on April 14 that alleges he abused several victims in the county's jail by strapping them to restraint chairs for hours even though they posed no threat and had complied with deputies.

The indictment says that Hill regularly received training that said force may not be used as punishment, the Associated Press reported.

The sheriff had even approved a policy that emphasizes that the restraint chair 'will never be authorized as a form of punishment.'

Hill released a statement on Tuesday calling the prosecution 'a political motivated federal legal case.'

'I will continue to focus on the mission of fighting crime in Clayton County for continued success,' Hill said in the statement on Nixle, a public messaging system.

Hill (pictured) was indicted by a federal grand jury for alleged civil rights violations

The Indictment outlines Hill's alleged abuses against several prisoners who are referred to by their initials, starting with 'victim J.A' who was arrested without incident in February 2020 on charges stemming from an argument with two women at a grocery store three weeks earlier.

Hill confronted the man during booking, asking what he had been doing in Clayton County the day of the assault, the indictment says.

'It's a democracy, sir. It's the United States,' the man replied, according to the indictment.

'No, it's not. Not in my county,' Hill responded.

When the man asked twice whether he was entitled to a fair and speedy trial, Hill insulted him and said, 'You entitled to sit in this chair, and you're entitled to get the hell out of my county and don't come back,' the indictment says.

The man was then strapped into a restraint chair and left for hours on Hill's order, the indictment says.

A second victim, identified as 'victim C.H' was a 17-year-old boy who was arrested without incident by a deputy after he was accused of vandalizing his family home during an argument with his mother in April 2020.

The deputy spoke with Hill on the phone and texted him a photo of the teen handcuffed in a police car.

Hill texted the deputy inquiring about his age, when the deputy responded '17' Hill simply texted back the word 'Chair'.

The indictment against Sheriff Hill involves detainees being restrained in a chair inside Clayton County Jail

The teen was strapped into a restraint chair for several hours on Hill's orders despite having complied with authorities, the indictment says.

The indictment also mentions 'Victim J.H', who was arrested the same day in April 2020 after a domestic disturbance with possible drug use.

The victim fell out of a chair and pretended to pass out at the police station after his arrest and was taken to a local hospital where he refused treatment and walked out

When he was re-apprehended by police he was uncooperative but he was not combative once he arrived at the jail, the indictment says.

Despite that, Hill ordered him strapped into a restraint chair for several hours, not allowing him to use the bathroom.

The victim urinated on himself while in the chair, the indictment says.

Hill allegedly proceeded to berate both 'victim C.H' and 'victim J.H' while they were strapped in restraint chairs near each other.

After losing re-election in 2008, Hill (pictured) returned to office in 2012 after being acquitted of 27 criminal charges in a corruption case

The final victim, identified as 'victim G.H', entered a dispute with a deputy over landscaping in April 2020.

Sheriff Hill called the victim and asked why he was harassing the deputy and the man responded that the deputy should pay his bill and added 'you can go f*** yourself.' before hanging up, the indictment said.

Unsure it was actually Hill who had called, the man called back several times using FaceTime. Hill finally answered and removed a mask he was wearing. Hill then texted the man to warn him not to text or call anymore. The man responded by text, 'so this is Victor Hill correct.' Hill again warned him by text not to call or text anymore.

Hill then instructed a deputy the next day to take out a warrant for harassing communications and then texted the man to tell him to turn himself in, the indictment says. Hill then sent a fugitive squad armed with handguns and AR-15 rifles to try to arrest the man on the misdemeanor charge, the indictment says.

The man hired a lawyer and turned himself in and was strapped into the restraint chair for several hours, the indictment says.

Hill has been controversial since he first became sheriff in Clayton County, just south of Atlanta.

He fired 27 deputies on his first day in office in 2005 and used a tank owned by the sheriff's office during drug raids as part of a tough-on-crime stance adopted in his first term, AP reports.

After losing re-election in 2008 he returned to office in 2012 after being acquitted of 27 criminal charges in a corruption case.

Hill pleaded no contest to a reckless conduct charge in August 2016 for a shooting in 2015.

Hill claimed he was practicing police tactics with a woman when he shot her, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

The woman shot in the incident told police the shooting was an accident and Hill should not have been criminally charged and Hill was sentenced to 12 months of probation and $1,000 fine.

A civil rights groups sued Hill last year claiming he was failing to protect people held in the Clayton County jail from the risk of contracting the coronavirus, AP reports.

That suit is still pending.
AL.com has hired two more journalists to join its new Alabama Education Lab team, which officially launches later this summer. Rebecca Griesbach and Savannah Tryens-Fernandes are supported by grants from Report for America, a nonprofit that aids local newsrooms.

They join Education Editor Ruth Serven Smith, who joined AL.com in January after working as an education reporter and editor in Virginia, and Senior Reporter Trisha Powell Crain, who has reported on Alabama schools for years.

Were grateful for the support from Report for America to help us report and lead this conversation in Alabama, said Kelly Ann Scott, vice president of content for Alabama Media Group.

We are thrilled to build a team dedicated to reporting that will focus on what will move students in Alabama ahead. This is a conversation we all care about  the many teachers who work in our classrooms, parents with children in school, workplaces and community leaders looking to hire for future positions.

Griesbach joins as the teams Opportunity Gaps reporter. She is finishing up a masters degree in gender and race studies at the University of Alabama, where she also completed undergraduate studies. She serves as editor-in-chief of The Crimson White, where she led multiple investigations into administrative turnover at the states flagship university. She recently completed a year as a COVID-19 reporter for The New York Times and has focused on criminal justice and health care; her work also has appeared in ProPublica and Chalkbeat Tennessee.

Tryens-Fernandes will be the teams Child Health and Wellness reporter. She is finishing a masters degree at Columbia University, where she is a fellow at the prestigious Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism. She completed her undergraduate degree at Villanova University. Before going back to school, she was a senior associate at Human Rights Watch, where she tracked conflict and political issues across Africa and did field reporting in South Africa covering xenophobic violence.

The reporters are part of the 2021-22 cohort of corps members for Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities.

They will join the AL.com newsroom in June.

Im honored and excited to be a part of a team that will bring attention to both whats working and what could be better in Alabama education, Serven Smith said. We believe having more reporters committed to fact-based, nuanced, inclusive reporting, as well as efforts to add more student, parent and teacher voices, will help push for change across the state.

Stories from the Ed Lab team can be found here. More information about the Ed Lab project, and a signup link for its forthcoming newsletter, Ed Chat, can be found here.

The Ed Lab is supported in part by grants, sponsorships and individual contributions. If youd like to support the work of this team, contribute here: https://www.al.com/contributor/
President Biden will meet with former President Jimmy Carter and his wife on Thursday as part of a trip punctuating his first 100 days in office, the White House announced on Tuesday.

Mr. Biden intends to visit the Carters residence in Plains, Ga., while in the state for a drive-in rally in Atlanta.

Mr. Carter, 96, has been mostly absent from public life in recent years, with public statements for the former president coming through his organization, the Carter Center.

Because of the risks of the coronavirus pandemic, Mr. Carter did not travel to Washington for Mr. Bidens inauguration ceremony in January. Mr. Biden said he instead spoke with Mr. Carter by phone the night before.
Praise has today poured in for Hel the hero husky who found a newborn baby boy abandoned in a park in Birmingham.

Semi-retired royal engineer Terry Walsh, 64, was stunned when his dog miraculously uncovered the hours-old infant wrapped in a blanket at The Mound in Kings Norton at 5.30pm on April 22.

He has since explained he believes Hel was 'sent from heaven' to rescue the baby boy, who was dressed in a 1 Matalan T-shirt when he was found.



Without the help of his husky Mr Walsh may have simply walked by what he thought was a discarded blanket.

Fortunately, he heard the baby crying after Hel ran over, lay beside the rolled-up shawl and began 'gently nudging' the baby with his nose.

Semi-retired royal engineer Terry Walsh (pictured), 64, was left stunned when his female dog, Hel, miraculously uncovered the hours-old infant wrapped in a blanket at The Mound in Kings Norton at 5.30pm on April 22

Britons have since praised the actions of Hel, with some even claiming she 'deserves a medal' for her role in saving the abandoned baby boy.

It is understood the infant was hours old when he was found last Thursday.

The child was rushed to hospital and police are now trying to find the mother as they are 'extremely concerned' about her.

The baby boy is doing 'really well,' it was reported today.

Mr Walsh previously described how he was walking Hel on Thursday when the husky rushed over to a pile of blankets and alerted him to the shocking find.

'Suddenly I heard this baby cry. I think it was Hel's gentle nudging and the heat from my Husky's body that woke the baby up,' he said.

The baby boy was wearing an orange striped T-shirt with a picture of a dinosaur on it and the words 'Dino Dude'

'A bigger dog or another dog with a different temperament might well have just ripped and tugged at the blanket and the baby could have been treated like a rag doll and then you've also got the foxes and the rats and everything in there.

'How would they treat a baby?'

He added: 'I thank the Lord that the baby was alive, that could've been a lot worse. The baby could've been dead.

'I said to my neighbours, Heaven sent Hel to rescue newborn baby boy!'

Mr Walsh and his pup have since been praised online by locals.

Karen Lightfoot said: 'Well done, thankfully your dog found the baby - what a star. At that time of night it starts to get cold.'

Stuart Thom thinks Hel should be formally recognised, saying: 'This dog needs a medal.'

Also in awe of Hel was Ann Kelly, who said: 'It seems heroes have tails, not capes.'

Jean Aldrich said Hel's owner also deserved recognition, posting: 'Absolutely amazing dog.... finding baby and alerting his owner... dogs are so intelligent and caring.

'Well done to both dog and owner you are both to be commended. Do hope baby and mother can be reunited.'

Kerry Mcalinden said: 'Well done Terry and Hel - you're both heroes.'

The child was found by a passing dog walker in a park known in Birmingham as The Mound, off Shannons Road in Kings Norton

Heaping praise on Hel was Ian Lomas, who said: 'Brilliant job by all, team effort led by a beautiful four-legged beauty.'

Another person calling for Hel to get official recognition was Donny Grey who said: 'That dog deserve the K9 Medal of Honour.'

Michelle Louise Hill said: 'Look how well behaved this dog is. Credit to Terry - what an amazing dog you have trained and loved.'

It comes as West Midlands Police are today continuing their search for the baby's mother.

They are unable to reveal the ethnicity of the baby, but they wish to speak to a white woman in her early 20s who was seen by several witnesses around the area at the time.

Detective Superintendent Annie Miller said the baby was full term and most likely to have been born the day he was found.

He was dressed in an orange and white stripy 'Dino Dude' tee-shirt, grey trousers and was wrapped in a grey and white zig zag pattern blanket.

Det Supt Miller said their priority was finding the mother as she may be in need of urgent medical treatment after giving birth.

Anyone with information is asked to phone police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Data is the new oil or gold. But, possessing data is not enough. It needs to be mined, processed and used to generate value, writes Kavita Parikh, Founder Director, Disha Consultants.

The growing adoption of technology in our day-to-day lives has resulted in a generation of mind blogging quantum of data on a daily basis. Over 3.5 billion Google searches are conducted worldwide each minute of every day. That is 2 trillion searches per year worldwide. That is over 40,000 search queries per second! Every single website visited, the searches run on Google, the videos watched on YouTube, the things shopped for or simply surfed on Amazon or Flipkart, generate useful unimaginable amounts of data about peoples choices. India alone has a staggering 760 million mobile phone users, and there are as many, if not more, other devices such as laptops, tablets, or desktop computers, and we can imagine the data that is collected every minute. Data is the new oil or gold. But, possessing data is not enough. It needs to be mined, processed and used to generate value. While storing, mining, interpreting the humongous amount of data available is a huge challenge in itself, translating it into beneficial or useful information is another challenge altogether.

In the realm of Marketing, ever-increasing quantities of data about customers and customer behaviour, and technology, including social media, is gathered. Taking cognizance of these can alter the way companies interact with and engage their customers. The rush to mine this valuable resource has led to marketing analytics, which is the system of studying the data to evaluate the performance of marketing efforts, to see what is working and what is not, and the changes or improvements that need to be made to make the efforts more effective.

Marketing analytics allows an understanding of the customer behaviour, paving the way for introducing offerings that are relevant, and reaching out to the target audience. Ultimately, these are the basis of any successful campaign.

Data crunching to find patterns, anticipating future moves, and taking intelligence-based strategic actions has become a must for arriving at the right marketing mix, including each of the seven elements of marketing, more popularly known as 7Ps  Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People, Process, and Physical.

Without sifting through the data, and analysing customer behaviour, it is near impossible to find the most effective methods of reaching customers, and ensuring maximum returns from the marketing campaign(s).

Marketing analytics is a fast-growing reality today, and will become even more so in the future, so much so that it would not be an exaggeration to say that the future of marketing will depend on using data analytics and data-driven techniques to build customer relationships. Personalised communication with consumers is becoming an increasingly important aspect of overall marketing efforts, and marketing analytics is the one way that can show how to improve the conversation and have better connect.

While marketing remains a dynamic and complex field, the emergence of marketing analytics experts, along with the growing adoption of new and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, and Machine Learning (ML) will lead to more effective evaluation and analysis of the data, and help in deeper insights that can ultimately direct towards better decisions and enhanced outcomes, all based on data.

It is expected that the demand for marketing analytics experts will rise exponentially in the coming years. Any amount of data can be collected, but the data is as good as non-existent without the capability and knowhow to analyse it, and how to put it to use. Marketing Analytics is set to emerge as a rewarding career choice worldwide in the coming years.

With digital marketing efforts and initiatives on the rise, especially rapidly in a post-COVID-19 transformed world, marketing analytics is going to be absolutely critical and not just an essential part of any campaign. In fact, they could be the difference between the success and otherwise of the marketing effort.
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of London-listed company director and manager changes announced on Tuesday and not separately reported by Alliance News:







Rio Tinto PLC - London-based miner - Chief Legal Officer & External Affairs Barbara Levi to leave company by the end of October after accepting position of group general counsel at Swiss bank UBS Group AG. Levi has held her role since March, and has been part of the group for a year since 2020. Rio Tinto is currently searching for a suitable successor.







Qinetiq Group PLC - Farnborough, Hampshire-based defence technology company - Non-Executive Director Ian Mason dies on Monday. He had been part of the company's board for seven years since 2014. Most recent executive role was as chief executive officer of Electrocomponents PLC for 14 years from 2001 to 2015.







Asiamet Resources Ltd - focused on the development of copper-gold deposits on the Indonesian islands - Appoints Andrew Neale as general manager for the Kalimantan Surya Kencana licence in Indonesia. Will manage all aspects of the pre-development technical works and permitting needed to prepare the BKM project for construction and operations. Asiamet is in process of updating capital and operating costs estimates for the 2019 BKM feasibility study in preparation for debt financing discussions, and is reviewing all opportunities to reduce life-of-mine power costs by 20%.







Chamberlin PLC - Walsall, England-based castings and engineering firm - As part of restructuring process will promote Kevin Price to be CEO with effect on June 1, replacing Kevin Nolan. Price has been part of Chamberlin since 2015 and is currently operations director of the group's Foundry & Machining facility. Nolan will remain a director and responsible for key projects and client accounts.







Phoenix Copper Ltd - North American-focused base and precious metals producer - Appoints Catherine Evans as non-executive director with effect on May 1. In addition, Dennis Thomas will retire as non-executive director on the same date and join the company's new Advisory Board. Thomas will also continue role as vice-president of Investor Relations in a non-board function. Evans was part of the founding team of Fundsmith as institutional sales director prior to the launch of the Fundsmith Equity Fund.







By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27)  The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed a 2017 complaint over an alleged secret holding cell at a police station in Tondo, Manila.

The 10-page decision, signed in December 2020, said the Commission on Human Rights failed to prove those detained at the Raxabago Police Station 1 were held beyond the period allowed by law.

The CHR also failed to prove the cell lacked the facilities needed by those detained, it also said.

READ: Tondo police officials relieved after 'secret jail cell' exposed

The Ombudsman added that allegations of the detainees being maltreated were "not supported by independent, impartial and credible evidence."

The CHR had said the detainees were unlawfully arrested, not subjected to inquest proceedings, not fed, and that money was demanded in exchange for their release.

Among the other allegations by the commission was that the cell was cramped, "dingy, fetid and dark."

It also said there was only a single male urinal, causing the 12 detainees to relieve themselves using plastic bags.

Police Supt. Robert C. Domingo, station commander at the time, said the holding room had separate ingress and egress points, and that the shelf which was said to serve as the cell's door kept the detainees from escaping.

"Based on the sworn statements of the subject detainees, Indorsements to the Inquest prosecutor, and Joint Affidavits of arrest, they were arrested on either 26 April 2017 or in the afternoon of 27 April 2017," the decision said.

It added the arrests were done during a "one time big time operation (anti-criminality campaign)," thus given the number of those arrested, they had to be detained in cramped quarters.

The decision said there was no bad faith done when the detainees were placed in cramped quarters.

In a statement, the CHR said the Ombudsman's decision was a "setback," but it remains firm in its "pursuit of criminal and administrative cases against the police officers."

"CHR filed the charges to ensure accountability among erring police officers...The liabilities of the police not only breaches human rights standards but also their very own police operational procedures," the commission said.

"Their lapses and actions in this case negated their very mandate, which is 'to serve and protect.,'" it added.

READ: House committee recommends raps vs. cops in Tondo 'secret jail cell'

The CHR is appealing to the Ombudsman to review the decision.

As of this writing, the Office of the Ombudsman has not issued a statement on the matter.
New Delhi: In a tragic turn of events, Tamil director Thamira died due to COVID-19 at a private hospital in Chennai. According to reports, he was 53 at the time of death.



With all the suffering caused by the COVID-19 crisis and the lives it has already taken, the news of his sudden death comes as another tearful shock.

The South film industry is in shock and many of his colleagues and fans have taken to social media to condole his untimely demise and pay tribute to the late director.



Here are tweets by fellow film industry members and fans:

News is coming in that Tamil Dir #Thamira who directed #AanDevathai and #RettaiSuzhi passed away due to #Covid this morning in Chennai.. He was getting treatment in Maya Hospital, near Ashok Pillar.. Condolences to his near and dear ones.. May his soul RIP! @johnmediamanagr  Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) April 27, 2021

Director #Thamira (Aan Devathai, Rettai Suzhi fame) has unfortunately lost his battle to Covid. He passed away today mrng. May his soul RIP Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends! @johnmediamanagr  Kaushik LM ( #StaySafe) (@LMKMovieManiac) April 27, 2021

#RIPThamira sir cant believe this! An amazing human and a great creator. you will be truly missed sir  neelima esai (@neelimaesai) April 27, 2021

Sad to hear#AanDevathai and #RettaiSuzhi director #Thamira passed away due to #Covid this morning...

Condolences to his near and dear ones..

May his soul RIP! #RIPThamira sir  Jegatha (@p_jegatha) April 27, 2021

Absolutely shocking to hear. Very sad. Life is becoming very short for many. Director #Thamira is a fine gentleman & a good friend. Unable to accept these losses. #RIPThamira sir. You will be badly missed by us. Condolences to his family. Take care friends. Be safe  Dr. Dhananjayan BOFTA (@Dhananjayang) April 27, 2021

Before making his directorial debut, Thamira assisted filmmakers K Balachander and Bharathiraja on sets to learn the ropes of filmmaking.

Later, he came out with his self-directed film 'Rettaisuzhi,' starring K Balachander, Bharathiraja, Anjali, and Aari in 2010.

After that, he directed 'Aan Devathai' that released in 2018 which had music by Ghibran, who also took to Twitter to condole the late director's demise.



He also directed the upcoming web series 'My Perfect Husband' starring Sathyaraj and Seetha.
The Grand Canal harbour area in Naas is to be redeveloped.

Funding has been received under the Urban Regeneration and Development scheme.

The money is being provided to develop the public realm strategy around area so as to create a Canal harbour quarter.

At a Naas Municipal District meeting Cllr Colm Kenny asked if Kildare County Council had plans to upgrade facilities at the harbour  to encourage boats and barges to visit during the summer

Part of the project will to be examine potential uses of various buildings in the area and the redevelopment of the public realm areas.

However, the provision of mooring facilities at this location is a matter for Waterways Ireland.

KCC says it will liaise with Waterways Ireland in this regard about the canal quarter plan.

Naas town manager Eoghan Ryan said this is part of an overall plan to encourage the life and vitality of the area by encouraging boats to visit and boating activities in the harbour.

Councillors have also called for the amenity value of the Corbally stretch, which has no locks, to be recognised also.

The inconvenience of negotiating the lock along the waterway into Naas has been cited by some as a disincentive to use that stretch of water.
During an appearance on a popular YouTube channel, f(x) member Luna shed tears as she expressed how special the girl group is to her. Keep on reading for all the details.

f(x) Luna Sheds Tears as She Reveals How Special The Girl Group is To Her

On Friday, Apr. 23, the YouTube channel 14F shared a video titled "'We're not disbanded!' Can hate math, but can't hold back from f(x) (feat. Comeback Spoiler)."

In the video, f(x) member Luna was their special guest. She read fans' comments and answered commonly asked questions, as well as reminiscing over her days as a member of f(x).

In the video, Luna is seen watching a compilation video that featured videos of f(x)'s debut stage all the way to their first concert five years ago. She then proceeded to read comments from fans. Many of them looked back at f(x)'s last album, which was released on Oct. 27, 2015.

Others recalled how they grew up listening to f(x) and wondered if they would ever get to see f(x) perform again. As she read the comments, Luna could not help but tears up, saying, "Whenever I read comments like these, I cannot help but think that I have lived my life well."

She continued, speaking about her time as f(x), saying, "Every moment I spent as f(x) seems so precious. It feels even more precious because that time is also precious to our fans."

Luna then came across a comment that said that she understood why the members were f(x), and she loved them back in the day. She added that she also missed the girl group. At this comment, Luna laughed and questioned why the fan was writing in the past tense, as f(x) had not disbanded.

Luna then states that though all the members are doing their own solo activities, f(x) is still a group. She asks for fans to continue supporting f(x).

Check out the video here:

f(x)'s Last Activities as a Group

On Aug. 2019, f(x) members Luna, Amber, and Krystal reunited and performed together at the three-night SM Town Live 2019 concert in Tokyo. Victoria was not in attendance due to her activities in China. This is f(x)'s first time performing with each other since 2016.

On Nov. 2, 2016, f(x) released their second Japanese physical single album titled "4 Walls / Cowboys." The album included a Japanese version of "4 Walls" and the new song "Cowboys." The group performed the latter song live on the same day at f(x)'s encore concert in Yokohama.

ALSO READ: These Are The Most Loved 2nd Generation Girl Group Songs Of All Time According To Korean Netizens

A few months prior, on Jul. 22, 2016, f(x) released "All Mine" through the SM Station project. The music video was directed and edited by Amber. It is the group's last Korean release.

For more K-Pop news and updates, always keep your tabs open here on KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Alexa Lewis
Ruby Ahaiwe 21 is a biochemistry major and a Francophone studies minor

Ruby Ahaiwe will use the grant to return to her home in Nigeria this summer to set up a community health program, continuing work she began remotely last summer, when she received funding from Bowdoin's Peter Buck Student Internship Fund via the office of Career Exploration and Development.

Her aim then, as it is now, was to address the disparities between urban and rural healthcare in Nigeria. Healthcare services are concentrated in cities, and as a consequence, rural people often have lower life expectancies and poorer health.

Last year, she organized a public health workshop and outreach efforts in collaboration with a local hospital in the village of Isiala-Ngwa North, where she grew up. The inland town, in southern Nigeria, has about 2,000 residents.

Because she had to remain in the United States due to COVID-19 last summer, Ahaiwe enlisted the help of liaisons, including friends and relatives, to do the work she had been hoping to do herself. They fanned out in Isiala-Ngwa North to put up posters and speak to people about the importance of visiting the local health clinic when they are sick rather than relying solely on traditional medicine.

After setting up these programs, Ahaiwe realized two things: that hospital staff were too busy taking care of patients to accomplish much community work, and that local people could be effective public health educators. They could also help advocate for more local health-related resources from the government.

This sparked her idea for her new projectto train "community health advocates" whose primary role will be to speak with local people about medical issues, like reproductive and sexual health, and how to prevent and treat malaria, tuberculosis, and COVID-19.

She aims to enlist around thirty men and women, between the ages of eighteen and fifty-five, to participate in a five-week training for fifteen hours a week starting in June. Ahaiwe will teach the cohort of volunteers basic tenets of public health so they can chat with their neighbors, churchgoers, students, or market vendors about how to take good care of their mental and physical health.

"The idea is for them to take charge and take ownership of health care, to go house to house and serve as a bridge between hospitals and homes," she said. "Rural health care has been neglected in my home community, so hopefully I can spark change," she added.

At the start of the training, Ahaiwe will focus a lesson or two on cultural and social topicssuch as using sensitive language and projecting empathyand how to stay tuned to religious differences. The region is home to a mix of Muslims, Christians, and people who practice the traditional religions of Nigeria, all of which can influence someone's health care choices.

For the duration of the project, Ahaiwe will live with her family in the nearby city of Umuahia. (Her mother, a retired math and economics high school teacher, will drive her to the workshop and also help with instruction, she said.)

While Ahaiwe will lead most of the lessons (she has been taking online classes this year in preparation and is currently taking Bowdoin professor Nancy Riley's course Social Epidemiology), she is being supported by staff at Chinonye Hospital. A patient coordinator, for instance, is accepting applications for her program, and the hospital, too, will help distribute the end-of-training stipend Ahaiwe will pay the volunteers out of her Davis funding.

The king of Isiala-Ngwa North has also granted Ahaiwe permission to use a village meeting hall for free for her thrice-weekly classes.

Ahaiwe's community-health advocate project is aligned both with her career goals and her aspirations to make a difference in Nigeria. Next fall, she will begin a master's of science program at Johns Hopkins University that concentrates on population, family, and reproductive health.

"Ultimately, I want to focus on providing birth control to women back at home, and give them better access to birth control and health care," she said. "I am really hoping to be at the forefront of leading change for womens health and reimagining women's health and maternal health back at home."
Containers piled high on giant vessels carrying everything from car tires to smartphones are toppling over at an alarming rate, sending millions of dollars of cargo sinking to the bottom of the ocean as pressure to speed deliveries raises the risk of safety errors.

The shipping industry is seeing the biggest spike in lost containers in seven years. More than 3,000 boxes dropped into the sea last year, and more than 1,000 have fallen overboard so far in 2021. The accidents are disrupting supply chains for hundreds of U.S. retailers and manufacturers such as Amazon and Tesla.

a host of

There arereasons for the sudden rise in accidents. Weather is getting more unpredictable, while ships are growing bigger, allowing for containers to be stacked higher than ever before. But greatly exacerbating the situation is a surge in e-commerce after consumer demand exploded during the pandemic, increasing the urgency for shipping lines to deliver products as quickly as possible.The increased movement of containers means that these very large containerships are much closer to full capacity than in the past, said Clive Reed, founder of Reed Marine Maritime Casualty Management Consultancy. There is commercial pressure on the ships to arrive on time and consequently make more voyages.

After gale-force winds and large waves buffeted the 364-meter One Apus in November, causing the loss of more than 1,800 containers, footage showed thousands of steel boxes strewn like Lego pieces onboard, some torn to metal shreds. The incident was the worst since 2013, when the MOL Comfort broke in two and sank with its entire cargo of 4,293 containers into the Indian Ocean.

In January, the Maersk Essen lost about 750 boxes while sailing from Xiamen, China, to Los Angeles. A month later, 260 containers fell off the Maersk Eindhoven when it lost power in heavy seas.

The need for speed is creating precarious conditions that can quickly bring disaster, according to shipping experts. The dangers range from stevedores incorrectly locking boxes on top of one another to captains not deviating from a storm to save on fuel and time as they face pressure from charterers, they said. One wrong move can put cargoes and crew at risk.

The chances for mishaps are increasing as exhausted seafarers face deteriorating conditions during the pandemic. Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty estimates that human error contributes to at least three-quarters of shipping industry accidents and fatalities.

Almost all the recent incidents have occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a region where the busiest traffic and the worst weather collide. The sea route connecting Asias economies to consumers in North America was the most lucrative for shipping companies last year. Chinas exports have gone on a tear as the pandemic fuels demand for all the stuff people need to work, learn and entertain from home.

The journey has always been rough, but its become more perilous due to changing weather patterns. The rise in traffic from China to the U.S. this past winter coincided with the strongest winds over the Northern Pacific since 1948, increasing the likelihood of rougher seas and bigger waves, said Todd Crawford, chief meteorologist at The Weather Company.

With 226 million container boxes shipped each year, the loss of 1,000 or more can seem like  well  a drop in the ocean. Thats a very small percentage lost, said Jacob Damgaard, associate director of loss prevention at Britannia P&I at a conference in Singapore on April 23. But its almost 60% of the monetary value of all container incidents.

At an average of $50,000 per box, the One Apus was estimated to have lost $90 million in cargo alone, the highest in recent history, according to Jai Sharma, a partner at maritime law firm Clyde & Co. in London. Losses so far this year have totaled an estimated $54.5 million, Bloomberg datashow.

The issue is also gaining attention as last months grounding of the 400-meter vessel Ever Given in the Suez Canal threw a spotlight on the vulnerability of the shipping industry. The mega ship blocked traffic through the vital waterway for nearly a week, and the impact on global trade is still being felt.

So far, none of the recent container accidents has been directly attributed to safety lapses. The International Maritime Organization said it is still awaiting results of investigations into the latest incidents, and cautioned about making any conclusions before that.

But many experts say the situation has grown more dangerous because of pressure on supply chains since the pandemic. When ships approach heavy weather, captains have the option to steer away from the danger. But the attitude is dont go around the storm, go through, said Jonathan Ranger, head of marine Asia Pacific at American International Group Inc.

When you combine that with potentially poor maintenance of twistlocks and cabling required to secure these boxes, then its an accident waiting to happen, he said at the industry conference in Singapore.

Top Heavy

With boxes stacked ever higher, a ship can become more unstable in a storm  wave after wave can cause the vessel to roll at steep angles, putting strain on the securing of containers. The situation becomes even worse if the stack is top-heavy. That can happen when theres incorrect weightings on the bills of lading for containers, which many in the industry say happens too often.

You cannot see inside the containers, said Arnaldo B. Romero, a captain who sailed from Japan to South America late last year. So when the cargo is heavy and the officer in charge of cargo planning puts it high up, during the rolling of the ship, we may not have control anymore.

Overworked crews also heighten the risks. Reduced manpower onboard with an increased number of containers on deck make it increasingly difficult for crews to check every single bar and screw effectively, said Neil Wiggins, managing director of Independent Vessel Operations Services Ltd.

Theres also the health and safety of the seafarers at stake. The toppling of multiple tiers of 40-foot containers during a raging storm is one of the most terrifying experiences for a captain and crew. Post-traumatic stress disorder among crew members is common, according to Philip Eastell, founder of Container Shipping Supporting Seafarers.

Concern is growing for the industry to address the situation.

Traffic on the seas is different from what it was 10 years ago, said Rajesh Unni, founder of Synergy Marine Group, which provides services to ship owners. How do we adapt as an industry? Its convenient to blame the captain, but we need to look at how the port infrastructure needs to change, how ships transit.

The IMO, which is the United Nations agency responsible for shipping regulations, says countries whose flags the ships are sailing under are responsible for issuing safety certificates for vessels, while ports that the vessels call at are responsible for ensuring rules on loading containers are followed.

The agency said its sub-committee on the carrying of cargoes routinely looks at container issues, and has scheduled its next meeting for September.

AIGs Ranger says companies should be prepared to go around storms and maintain vessels properly. These vessels are designed to carry the boxes, and to have these losses is  dare I say it  unacceptable.

About the photo: A worker walks towards the One Apus container ship, berthed at the Kobe Port in Hyogo, Japan, on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020. The vessel, managed by NYK Shipmanagement Pte, suffered a massive stack collapse and lost 1,816 containers  64 of which are classified as dangerous goods  at sea due to severe weather on Nov. 30 while it was en route from Yantian, China to Long Beach, Calif.

About the photo: A worker walks towards the One Apus container ship, berthed at the Kobe Port in Hyogo, Japan, on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020. The vessel, managed by NYK Shipmanagement Pte, suffered a massive stack collapse and lost 1,816 containers  64 of which are classified as dangerous goods  at sea due to severe weather on Nov. 30 while it was en route from Yantian, China to Long Beach, U.S.
Alameda police released body-worn camera videos Tuesday afternoon that show officers deadly interaction with 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez.

Police said that Gonzalez, an Oakland resident, died in their custody on April 19 after a physical altercation and scuffle with officers and after suffering a medical emergency. They said in a news release he died later at a hospital.

But family members, who viewed footage from one officers body camera on Monday before police released videos to the public, said what they saw contradicted police accounts. At a news conference in Alameda, they called his death a murder and demanded the three officers involved be fired and prosecuted.

The three officers involved in the incident were identified Tuesday evening as James Fisher, whos been with the Alameda Police Department since 2010, and Eric McKinley and Cameron Leahy, who both joined the force in 2018, city spokesperson Sarah Henry said.

Police released video footage from their body cameras shortly after 4 p.m. It showed police arrive at a park-like area in the 800 block of Oak Street, where Gonzalez stood with two plastic baskets. He mumbled incoherently for several minutes, as police asked him questions. He did not appear combative, threatening or aggressive.

It was unclear why police attempted to handcuff him or whether Gonzalez comprehended their orders.

Police tried to get his hands behind his back and they ordered him to stop resisting, the videos showed. At one point, as police struggled to get his hands behind his back, one officer said, I think were going to have to put him down on the ground, and Gonzalez fell or was pushed face-down into grass.

Once on the ground, footage showed, officers used their knees, legs and arms to restrain him. They continued speaking with Gonzalez. At one point, one officer assured Gonzalez: Were just going to take care of you.

With officers on his back, Gonzalez began grunting and groaning and appeared to be in distress, the videos showed.

I think he just had too much to drink today, thats all, one officer said, according to the videos.

One officer suggested they roll Gonzalez to his side and another declined, saying: I dont want to lose what Ive got, apparently referring to his grip on Gonzalez, the videos show.

The officers continued to restrain Gonzalez, asking him to please stop fighting us.

When he suddenly appeared to stop resisting, the videos show, one officer asked: We have no weight on his chest? and another responded, No, no, no weight.

Within seconds, they checked his pulse, then began CPR, the videos show.

Police told arriving paramedics that they administered two doses of Narcan, a drug used to combat heroin overdoses, the videos show.

Before police released the videos to the public, family members and about 50 supporters  many waving Justice for Mario signs  gathered in front of Alameda Police Department headquarters and said they did not understand why police tried to arrest Gonzalez.

They killed him for what reason? said his mother, Edith Gonzalez. Because he was in the park? Why? He was doing nothing.

George Galvis, executive director of Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice, said: Her son did not die on the way to the hospital as the police report said. He died in the park, like George Floyd, with his face in the grass and a knee on his back.

Gonzalezs family and their supporters have demanded a complete and unbiased investigation.

Everything we saw in that video was unnecessary, said Gonzalezs brother, Gerardo Gonzalez. The police took a minor incident and made it fatal.

Alameda city officials expressed heartfelt condolences to the grieving family and friends of Gonzalez and saying it was committed to full transparency and accountability in the aftermath of Mr. Gonzalezs death.

City officials have hired Louise Renne, of Renne Public Law Group in San Francisco, to investigate the incident. The Alameda County Sheriffs Office and the Alameda County District Attorneys Office are also investigating the circumstances that led to Gonzalezs death.

The Alameda County coroners office has conducted an autopsy but has not yet released an official cause of death.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
U.S. troops are to all withdraw from Afghanistan, some 20 years after the start of a war provoked by the deadliest terror assault on the United States. Although American officials are satisfied that future militant threats can't reach U.S. shores from Afghanistan or can be defused from a distance fears and uncertainty about the future abound inside Afghanistan.

Tribal elder Dawlat Khan still has nightmares about fighters from the local affiliate of the global Islamic State terror network who swept across his and other villages in eastern Afghanistan five years ago. The extremists, including Afghans, Pakistanis, Arabs and men from Central Asia, quickly imposed a reign of terror. They kidnapped some locals who worked for the Afghan government, later dropping off their decapitated corpses in public places.

In one instance, villagers were summoned to a beheading where some fainted while others froze as they watched in horror. The IS militants have since been driven back into the mountains by blistering U.S. and Afghan bombing raids and a fierce ground campaign by the Taliban, Afghanistan's homegrown insurgents.

The Taliban, eager to expand domestic political power, pledged to Biden's predecessor last year that after a U.S. troop withdrawal they would prevent any attacks on the West from Afghan soil. Khan and a handful of villagers who lived under IS rule told horror stories of men decapitated, their heads brandished by IS fighters, villagers called to the market to witness "a slaughtering". "Still, we have nightmares," Khan said.

"When our children misbehave or cry at home, my mother shouts on them "Stop crying, or else Daesh (Islamic State group) fighters are coming," said Khan, a father of 12 who is in his 40s.

The recent success in containing IS is central to the calculus of U.S. President Joe Biden who decided earlier this month to pull all remaining U.S. troops out of Afghanistan by the summer and wind down America's longest war. Biden argues that threats to the West, whether by IS or remnants of the al-Qaida network, can be defused from a distance. Some note that it took more than three years of fierce battles to dislodge and degrade IS fighters, a majority of them ethnic Pashtuns from Pakistan's tribal regions and Afghans from the northeastern Nangarhar and Kunar provinces.

The retreating militants left behind heavily mined roads and fields. Khan, the tribal leader, fled his village of Pananzai with his six brothers and their families at the height of the battles against IS, seeking refuge in Nangarhar's provincial capital of Jalalabad. They are not rushing back home, even though the family of 63 people is crammed into nine small rooms.

"We are scared, because we fear that what happened in the villages, might happen in the cities even outside the presidential palace," said Khan.

Jalalabad residents say IS operatives occupy an entire neighborhood near the Talashi roundabout in the city center. They have taken over a large part of the motorized rickshaw business and use the vehicles for targeted killings, said 29-year-old Saida Jan, a Jalalabad taxi driver. "We have heard from the people that Daesh (Islamic State group fighters) are among rickshaw drivers, and a lot of incidents happen using the rickshaws," said Jan. The IS group has reignited a campaign of targeted killings.

Victims have included minority Shiite Muslims, many of them ethnic Hazaras, and increasingly women's rights activists, polio vaccinators and media personnel. The extremists claimed attacks last year on two educational facilities, including Kabul University, that killed more than 50 students. Washington blamed IS for a brutal assault last year on a maternity hospital in a largely Hazara neighborhood of the capital of Kabul in which infants and pregnant women were killed.

In March, seven Hazaras who worked in a stucco factory in Jalalabad were killed in an attack claimed by IS. The assailants tied their victims' hands behind their backs and shot each with a single bullet to the head at close range. Residents and business people in Jalalabad are afraid to point the finger.

"If we pinpoint anyone that would be a big danger to us," said Asmatullah Zaland, who operates a marble factory in Jalalabad.

Abdul Rauf's daughter Shahnaz, who was working with a local TV channel in Jalalabad city was among many victims killed in IS attacks. Shahnaz and her two other female colleagues were killed when they were going home from work in early March this year, by IS gunmen. Rauf regularly goes to his daughter's grave and spends time there. He said he's worried about the future of his other two daughters who are going to school, if the new wave of killings doesn't stop.

"This daughter of mine was martyred, but now I am worried about my other daughters' future," said Rauf.

The withdrawal of U.S troops is already under way, with the final phase to begin May 1. By Sept. 11, America will have withdrawn its last 2,500 to 3,500 troops, and about 7,000 allied forces from NATO are following the same timetable. But there are concerns about IS re-emerging, particularly if the Taliban and the Afghan government can't reach a power-sharing deal after the foreign troops are gone.

For now, the talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government are stalled, even as America tries to accelerate them. Ongoing fighting between the Taliban and the government could further erode the morale of Afghanistan's 300,000-plus security forces who sustain heavy casualties daily and are plagued by widespread corruption. It's unclear how the troops can be a bulwark about new terrorist threats.

At the same time, IS continues its recruitment drive among radicalized university students and disgruntled Taliban unhappy with the group's current direction, said a former Afghan security official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters. Haji Din Mohammad, the deputy chairman for the Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation, said Afghan security forces would face problems with the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

"It is obvious that with the withdrawal of U.S. troops, the Afghan Army would not have the current support and backup and they would face some problems," he said.

Analysts tracking militant movements in Afghanistan also say they are not convinced the Taliban have distanced themselves from groups like al-Qaida. But Taliban insist they have ordered their fighters not to allow non-Afghans into their ranks and told al-Qaida and other allies to leave the region. U.S. officials, meanwhile, acknowledged that the withdrawal will reduce Washington's intelligence-gathering capacities, but said that IS and al-Qaida aren't in a position to attack U.S. targets from Afghanistan.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
There could barely be worse news for a mother-to-be to receive. And because of pandemic regulations, Becky had to hear it alone.

'The sonographer said: 'I'm so sorry, there's something seriously wrong with your baby and she is in imminent danger,' ' the 28-year-old recalls.

'I couldn't stop crying.'

What should have been a routine mid-pregnancy scan revealed that Becky's baby's lungs were unable to form properly and her heart was failing.

Becky and husband Richard, who run a storage firm on the Isle of Wight, were immediately referred to Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton, where a follow-up scan the next day  this time with Richard in attendance  confirmed there was a life-threatening tumour on their unborn daughter's lung.

It's hard to reconcile that desolate situation confronting Becky and Richard with the chubby-cheeked six-month-old Annie who happily poses for photos with her proud parents today

The rare condition, known as a congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung, occurs when growths form in the air sacs.

It was so advanced there was no way that the baby girl  then only 19 weeks  could survive the pregnancy.

'The doctors sent us home to think about whether to terminate or allow the baby to die naturally over the next few days,' Becky recalls, who has a six-year-old son from a previous relationship.

'We were utterly heartbroken,' she recalls. 'In two days, we had gone from assuming everything would be fine to the worst news you can imagine.'

It's hard to reconcile that desolate situation confronting Becky and Richard with the chubby-cheeked six-month-old Annie who happily poses for photos with her proud parents today.

What happened owes everything to the skill of a team of doctors in London, whose work on unborn babies is the subject of a new Channel 4 series.

Their patients can be just centimetres long, yet each year Professor Basky Thilaganathan (who prefers to be known as Professor Basky), director of fetal medicine at St George's Hospital in Tooting, and his team perform hundreds of intricate procedures in the womb to help give these unborn babies a chance of life.

'It's not always possible to tell the parents what they want to hear,' says Professor Basky. 'But we try to give hope.'

Aday after their shock news, Becky and Richard received a call from their hospital telling them there was a professor in London who might be able to help them.

'We were happy to listen to anything he had to say,' says Becky. 'We were so desperate to give our baby a chance.'

What happened owes everything to the skill of a team of doctors in London, whose work on unborn babies is the subject of a new Channel 4 series. Their patients can be just centimetres long, yet each year Professor Basky Thilaganathan (who prefers to be known as Professor Basky), director of fetal medicine at St George's Hospital in Tooting, and his team perform hundreds of intricate procedures in the womb to help give these unborn babies a chance of life

She and Richard travelled straight to London to meet Professor Basky, who told them he believed their baby had a chance if he were to undertake delicate in-utero surgery, using a needle and laser to block off the blood vessel feeding the tumour.

He'd operate on their tiny baby in the womb, accessing her via a small needle inserted through Becky's abdomen.

However, there was a chance their baby would not survive the stress of the procedure.

'Her heart could have stopped at any moment,' recalls Becky. 'But we knew this was our only hope.'

The couple consented to the procedure being filmed, despite not knowing the outcome.

'My feeling was that whatever happened, it could help other people in my position  to know that this happens, and the feelings around it,' says Becky.

The viewer shares every moment as Professor Basky inserts a needle into a blood vessel less than the thickness of a matchstick  an error of just 1mm could be fatal.

'It was incredibly intense,' recalls Becky of the procedure. 'Professor Basky was always hopeful, but there were no guarantees about the ultimate outcome, so it was a very tough pregnancy.'

Becky gave birth naturally last October, and baby Annie spent just ten hours in the neo-natal intensive care unit before she was allowed to leave hospital with her parents. 'We practically floated home,' says Becky.

That rollercoaster of emotions is one that Noreen, 37, and IT consultant Andrew, 41, from South-West London recognise.

They arrived at St George's Hospital after learning there was a problem with their unborn baby's hands during the 12-week scan.

'I had already had one miscarriage, so this pregnancy was very precious,' Noreen recalls.

Her unborn son had a rare condition called amniotic band syndrome. It meant the blood supply had been cut to his fingers and his right foot was swelling and at risk of dying.

At St George's, Noreen and Andrew learned that by placing a small telescope inside the womb, doctors might release the band, hopefully saving the baby's foot.

That rollercoaster of emotions is one that Noreen, 37, and IT consultant Andrew, 41, from South-West London recognise. They arrived at St George's Hospital after learning there was a problem with their unborn baby's hands during the 12-week scan

However, the procedure came with a risk of miscarriage. Choosing whether or not to go ahead with the surgery was, Noreen says, the most challenging decision she and Andrew have ever faced.

'There was a lot of soul searching,' she recalls. 'Ultimately, we decided we wanted to help give our baby a free life.'

The nerve-wracking procedure was performed by Professor Asma Khalil, 41. A consultant in fetal medicine for nine years, she has seen extraordinary advances in that time, allowing interventions on babies smaller than a finger.

'The earliest we might do laser treatment to a foetus would be around 12 weeks, when it's the size of a plum,' she says.

'A fetal blood transfusion is usually not done before around 20 weeks when the umbilical cord is still just a few millimetres in diameter. You have to be so precise.'

Noreen's baby's lower limb was saved. However, at 30 weeks pregnant, Noreen's amniotic fluid started to leak when she and Andrew were visiting family on the Isle of Wight.

Transferred to hospital in Portsmouth, she underwent an emergency caesarean.

Happily, baby Paolo arrived safely, spending two months in the neo-natal unit. Now a healthy six-month-old, he will one day require surgery on his hands and right foot, but Noreen and Andrew are 'so grateful' that he is here.

Sadly, not every life can be saved. Among the anxious parents-to-be featured on the programme are Ann Marie and husband Paul.

They had discovered at the 12-week scan that they were expecting triplets, but that one of them had died three weeks earlier.

The pregnancy had ongoing challenges, as one of the remaining triplets had selective growth restriction, leading to a risk of stillbirth and early labour.

It was Professor Basky's job to keep the couple's babies in the womb as long as possible without collateral damage to the larger baby, named Poppy.

But two weeks later, the smaller baby, whom they had called Emily Marie, passed away.

Ann Marie went into labour nine days later, at 30 weeks, and had to give birth to Emily and Poppy together.

Emily will never be forgotten  her surviving sister now bears her name, too. 'We named her Poppy Emily Marie  so that she will always have her sister with her,' says Ann Marie.

For Professor Basky, having children of his own brings an 'extra dimension' to how he talks to parents and how he feels about his work.

'We see the hurt when things don't go well  but also the joy when someone fulfils their dreams of becoming a family,' he says.

And that is what has happened to Becky and Richard. While the growth on Annie's lungs is still present and may require intervention in the future, she is thriving.

'We can never thank Professor Basky enough,' Becky says.

Baby Surgeons, Monday, May 3, 9pm, C4. Watch the first episode on All 4.
New Delhi: Joining other global leaders in extending support to India amid the COVID-19 crisis, French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday (April 27, 2021) shared a message in Hindi and said that solidarity is at the heart of friendship between the two countries.

"No one is untouched by the pandemic we are going through. We know that India is going through a difficult period. France and India have always been united and we are ready to provide our support," read the rough translation by the French President's Facebook post in Hindi.

He added, "France will send medical equipment, ventilators and oxygen and 8 oxygen generators to India. Each generator can make a hospital 'aatmanirbhar' for 10 years by producing oxygen from the ambient air."

"Solidarity is at the heart of our nation. It is at the centre of friendship between our countries. We will win together," Macron wrote.

      ,                   ... Posted by Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, 27 April 2021

Earlier, French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain had also informed that in the next few days, France will deliver to India not only immediate relief but also long-term capacities including 8 high capacity oxygen generators, each providing yearlong O2 for 250 beds - Liquid O2 for 2000 patients for 5 days - 28 ventilators and equipment for ICUs," French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, India reported 3,23,144 fresh coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, which took the country's total caseload to 1.76 crores. India, going through the raging second wave of coronavirus, now has over 28.82 lakh active COVID-19 cases.
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday (April 27) announced that it has banned all victory processions on or after the counting of votes for the assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory, that is scheduled to be declared on May 2.

Detailed order by the Election Commission of India is yet to be released.

No victory procession after the counting on 2nd May shall be permissible. Not more than 2 persons shall be allowed to accompany the winning candidate or his/her authorised representative receive the certificate of election from the Returning Officer concerned: EC pic.twitter.com/fT3T3wvHUj  ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2021

The decision comes amid the nation's fight against the unprecedented surge in COVID-19 infections.

Meanwhile, India reported 3,23,144 fresh coronavirus infections, taking the cumulative caseload to 1,76,36,307 on Tuesday (April 27), as per data by the health ministry.

The country's total COVID-19 caseload has now increased to 1.76 crore (1,76,36,307), of which, 28.82 lakh (28,82,204) are active cases. India has also witnessed 1.97 lakh (1,97,894 ) coronavirus-related deaths.

Additionally, on Monday (April 26) the Madras High Court came down heavily on the Election Commission holding it responsible for the current mess the country is in.

The High Court yesterday said that the EC responsible for the second wave of the COVID pandemic by allowing political rallies in the country and that the officials should be booked for murder.

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Washington:

Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee helped pay for research that went into a salacious dossier on Donald Trump's alleged campaign ties to Russia, The Washington Post reported.



In April 2016, lawyer Marc Elias, working on behalf of the Clinton campaign and the DNC, retained Washington firm Fusion GPS to examine Trump's Russia links, according to the report.



The payments continued until just days before the November 2016 election.



Even before that deal, Fusion GPS's research into Trump was funded by a rival in the Republican presidential primary election. That Republican's identity is not yet known.



Fusion GPS has asked that a federal judge to block a House Intelligence Committee request to gain access to the company's bank records, saying it would violate its constitutional rights.



The 35-page political research dossier, prepared by former MI6 officer Christopher Steele, has become central to congressional probes into Russian interference in the 2016 US elections.



Trump has branded the dossier -- which contains salacious, and partially unconfirmed, political, financial and sexual allegations -- as "fake news."



On Saturday, Trump tweeted that the Justice Department and FBI "should immediately release who paid for it".



Two days earlier, he mused publicly on Twitter that Democrats may have funded the research.



"Workers of firm involved with the discredited and Fake Dossier take the 5th. Who paid for it, Russia, the FBI or the Dems (or all)?" the president wrote.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP)  Somalias president early Wednesday bowed to growing opposition to his extended stay in office, urging a return to negotiations on the country's delayed election and vowing that the sight of rival soldiers clashing in the streets of the capital would not happen again.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed delivered the national address after midnight following fast-moving events that saw two key regional states object to his two-year extension in office and the prime minister welcome their action.

The president did not resign, as some expected, but he said he will speak to parliament on Saturday to inform them of developments. He had faced growing opposition after the lower house of parliament approved the extension of his mandate and he signed it into law it, to the fury of Senate leaders who called the move illegal.

The president had not commented publicly since hundreds of soldiers opposing his mandate extension took up positions in the capital on Sunday and clashed with other security forces. Alarmed by the extraordinary sight, the United Nations, African Union, United States and others in the international community on Tuesday warned against the emerging fragmentation of the Somali National Army along clan lines.

Some residents fled, worried that Somalia was against collapsing into conflict after years of trying to rebuild.

Soon afterward, the regional states of Hirshabelle and Galmudug turned against the presidents extension in office and called for a return to talks on the national election that had been meant to take place in early February.

Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble backed that joint statement and called on security forces to return to their barracks. He also urged opposition leaders to stop any actions that could harm Somalia's stability.

In his brief speech, the president early Wednesday blamed unnamed foreigners for the recent troubles and accused unnamed political leaders of trying to use the blood of young Somalis to seek positions of power.

Story continues

Somalias election has been delayed amid disputes between the federal government and the states of Puntland and Jubbaland along with the opposition. The U.N. and others warned that the uncertainty jeopardizes a country rebuilding from three decades of conflict, and that the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group could take advantage of the chaos.

The president, a former U.S. citizen who gave up that status while in office, tried to defend his actions on the election standoff in a recent interview with his former local newspaper, The Buffalo News, asserting that Somalia cannot afford a power vacuum" and the extra time would allow officials to organize the first one-person-one-vote direct election in decades. He added, Who can lead, if we leave?

The goal of a direct election in Somalia remains elusive. It was meant to take place this time. Instead, the federal government and states agreed on another indirect election, with senators and members of parliament elected by community leaders  delegates of powerful clans  in each member state. Members of parliament and senators then elect Somalias president.

An alliance of opposition leaders, along with civil society groups, have objected, arguing it leaves them no say in the politics of their own country.

The president in his interview with The Buffalo News called the current election model undemocratic. But when asked if he would peacefully hand over power if someone else is elected, he replied, Absolutely, without any hesitation.
Earlier this month, activists from NextGen America and Jolt descended on the Texas Capitol to drop more than 250,000 rose petals from the top of the rotunda as Tori Baltierra, a 19-year-old Latina, sang Amazing Grace.

Its not that we found our beautiful state Capitol in need of redecorating, but lawmakers needed a reminder from our organizations  which help youths engage in politics and elections  that every year in Texas more than 275,000 people of color turn 18 and become eligible to vote.

More than half of the Texans turning 18 in this state are Latino, which means every year 205,000 Latinos turn 18. Another 68,000 Black and Asian American youth also become eligible to vote.

Republicans are aware of these facts, yet rather than embrace them, they are shutting out young people and people of color from the voting process. Politicians should win on the merit of their ideas, not on how they can bend the rules in their favor.

Decades ago, it was literacy tests and poll taxes that functioned to deny people of color their freedom to vote. During this legislative session, its anti-voter bills such as SB 7, HB 6 and HB 1026 that restrict who can vote by mail and early voting.

We know we stand on the right side of history as leaders from the civil rights, faith and corporate communities have come out against these voter-suppression bills.

In a state where 1 in 6 people is an immigrant and tens of thousands are becoming naturalized citizens each year, the GOP knows its grip on power is growing increasingly fragile. People of color make up the majority of the states population.

Editorial: Voting access, and our democracy, under assault

Sadly for American voters, the GOPs anti-voting legislation isnt restricted to Texas; nationally, more than 360 bills in 47 states have been introduced limiting the freedom to vote, according to an analysis from the Brennan Center for Justice.

We should be creating more opportunities for Texans and all Americans to exercise their rights, not advancing destructive legislation that disenfranchises. Drive-thru voting and extended early voting hours help working-class families practice their civic duty after long hours on the job. Online voter registration should be made available, and voter registration should be enforced in high schools to prepare incoming 18-year-olds to cast their first ballot.

When we were done with our action at the Capitol, we made sure to clean up all the roses  but we are certainly not finished with organizing to protect the dignity and rights of our people. Texas Republicans should expect to hear quite a bit more from young voters in the coming months and years.

If Gov. Greg Abbott and Republican lawmakers are worrying about their chances of re-election, just wait until they face an organized and determined youth vote. Young Texans have more guts than their Republican representatives can hang on a fence, and theyre ready to prove it at the polls.

Republicans will rue the day they decided to cross Americas largest, most diverse and most progressive generation. Count on it.

Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez is the executive director of NextGen America, the nations largest young voter turnout organization.
Her microbiologist father, Emmanuel, passed away from a heart attack six years ago.

And now, Clara Amfo, 36, has opened up about his death as she discussed the grieving process on the Make It Reign podcast, confessing that she can often feel the effects of his passing 'like it literally happened yesterday'.

The BBC Radio 1 presenter admitted that she's often overcome with emotion over the loss of her father at unexpected times and explained that it's about 'just learning how to deal with it.'

Clara Amfo, 36, has opened up about the death of her father Emmanuel as she discussed the grieving process on the Make It Reign podcast

Clara recalled: 'I remember when my dad died, that was at the start of Radio 1, and I was still heavily grieving and there were times where I'd be like "Ok up next is Little Mix" and then go urghhhh (crying sounds) underneath the desk

'It happens, but the good thing is that the job in itself is healing. Everybody processes their grief in different ways and it's not a race.

'There are some days where I still feel the effects of my father's passing like it literally happened yesterday.

'I will just be floored and won't be able to speak through my tears and most days I'm really at peace with it.

Grief is real: The Radio 1 confessed that she can often feel the effects of her father's passing 'like it literally happened yesterday'

Devastated: Clara recalled that when her father died, she would cry underneath her desk at Radio 1, adding: 'It happens, but the good thing is that the job in itself is healing'

'But it's taken time, you know that was in 2015. That was 6 years ago, and the emotions are still up and down.'

Clara also recalled being hit by a wave of grief at her brother's wedding as she saw her mother sitting alone, and asserted that there's 'no timeline' for dealing with the death of a loved one.

She said: 'I remember when my brother got married, and at weddings there is usually the top table where the bride sits

'I just remember looking at my mum and she was sat by my brother's side and it gutted me.

Candid: 'There are some days where I still feel the effects of my father's passing like it literally happened yesterday. I will just be floored and won't be able to speak through my tears'

'I wasn't expecting it to make me feel that sad but that's the nature of grief, it can creep up on you or be very present with you, it manifests in different ways. There's no timeline to getting over it, you just learn how to deal with it.'

Clara's father Emmanuel - originally from Ghana - arrived in the UK in the 1970s with just 25 pounds in his pocket.

He made a home for himself in Eltham, South East London, which Clara said was an area notoriously hostile towards new immigrants.

Her father than moved to Kingston, Surrey, where he studied his passion and graduated to become a microbiologist.

Missing you: Clara also recalled being hit by a wave of grief at her brother's wedding as she saw her mother sitting alone

Earlier this month, Clara was revealed as Annie Mac's replacement on BBC Radio 1's flagship music show, Radio 1's Future Sounds.

Annie Mac announced she was leaving the show after 17 years, amid several line-up changes at the station, and said: 'After 17 wonderful years I have decided it's time to leave Radio 1.

'This second home has been the thread that has run through nearly my whole adult life; I have grown up, fallen in and out of love, moved homes, climbed up the career ladder, got married and become a mother twice over.

'I have done this alongside you, my listeners, who have done your own versions of the same. I will be forever grateful to you all for welcoming me into your days.

Departure: Earlier this month, Clara was revealed as Annie Mac's replacement on BBC Radio 1's flagship music show, Radio 1's Future Sounds (Annie Mac pictured in 2019)

'I have never not walked out of the studio feeling lighter and happier than when I walked in, and that is all down to you.

'Working at Radio 1 has been like being at the best party ever and it is a wonderful feeling to be leaving with a huge smile on my face. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!'

Annie later took to Twitter and wrote a statement about her decision to leave, saying she wants to spend more time with her two children who she shares with her husband and fellow BBC Radio 1 DJ Toddla T.

She wrote: 'It's hard to articulate what this job has meant to me. It started with Annie Mac's Mashup on Thursday evenings. Then it was the big move to Fridays.

Statement: Annie took to Twitter and wrote a statement about her decision to leave Radio 1, saying she wants to spend more time with her two children

'Sunday nights was Switch with Grimmy and then The Musical Hot Water Bottle. Since March 2015 it has been every weeknight with the flagship new music show.

'I'm still in awe of the magic of music radio. Of the responsibility of handling these songs that are so powerful they can stop you in your tracks and make your emotions soar.

'I have never not walked out the studio feeling lighter and happier than when I walked in. So why leave? It's all about time really.

'I need more time to see my kids in the evenings now they are both in school. I would like more time to write fiction and to create podcasts.'

Message: The Irish DJ, whose full name is Annie MacManus, added that she likes the idea of leaving her gig while she is 'still having the most fun I can have'

Annie said: 'In my time on Radio 1, I have fallen in and out of love, moved homes, climbed up the career ladder, got married and become a mother twice over, alongside you doing your versions of the same'

The Irish DJ, whose full name is Annie MacManus, added that she likes the idea of leaving her gig while she is 'still having the most fun I can have'.

She wrote: 'I also love the idea of leaving the party (and make no mistake, working at Radio 1 does feel like a party) with a huge smile on my ace, when I'm still having the most fun I can have.'

'In my time on Radio 1, I have fallen in and out of love, moved homes, climbed up the career ladder, got married and become a mother twice over, alongside you doing your versions of the same.

'Thank you for allowing me into your lives. Thank you for brightening my days. Thank you thank you thank you for listening.'

Exciting: Clara (pictured earlier this month) is set to present Future Sounds from Monday to Thursday 6pm to 8pm starting in September

Annie was earning an annual salary of between 170,000-174,999 from 2019 to 2020 while Clara was said to have made between 155,000-159,999 in the same year.

Clara is set to present Future Sounds from Monday to Thursday 6pm to 8pm starting in September.

The former Strictly star previously presented The Official Chart and Live Lounge on the station and said she is 'beyond honoured' to start her new gig.

New role: Clara previously presented The Official Chart and Live Lounge on the station and said she is 'beyond honoured' to start her new gig

Taking to Instagram, she shared a snap of herself and Annie in the Radio 1 studio as she thanked the producers she has worked with on Live Lounge.

She said in a statement: 'How we all look @anniemacmanus TBH Presenting mid mornings and The Live Lounge on @bbcradio1 has been one of the most edifying and special times of my career and personal life.

'As a nation of music lovers, the experience of it live is nothing short of magical and to have had the honour of welcoming some of the world's most beloved and emerging artists in to The Live Lounge has created unifying moments that I and the listeners will never forget!!

'I am beyond honoured and ready to start this exciting new chapter on Radio 1. I'm such a fan of this show, the artists that is has championed and to be receiving the baton from Annie who I love and respect makes it extra special for me.

Delighted: Clara (pictured on Saturday) said in a statement: 'I am beyond honoured and ready to start this exciting new chapter on Radio 1. I'm such a fan of this show'

'Massive congrats to@rickiehw @melvinodoom @charliehedgesdj I love you 3 deep and you are gonna have THE most fun in the daytime!

'Massive big up to every single one of my daytime producers and The Live Lounge/smug life listener crew, I have loved hearing your stories and enjoying keeping you company with tunes in daytime and look forward to continuing that in September, so see you a few hours later!'

Other changes at the station include Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges taking on Live Lounge while Radio 1's Future Artists with Jack Saunders is moving to an earlier slot of 8am-10am, Monday to Wednesday.

For the full interview with Clara Amfo, listen to the Make It Reign podcast.
(Newser)  The man responsible for a rare murder on the Appalachian Trail won't be going to prison, but he won't be going free, either. A Virginia judge found 32-year-old James Jordan not guilty by reason of insanity and sent him to a psychiatric facility, reports the New York Times. He can't be released until doctors say he is no longer a threat. In 2019, Jordan attacked a group of hikers who had set up camp for the night and fatally stabbed 43-year-old Robert Sanchez. Jordan also stabbed a female hiker multiple times, though she escaped by playing dead and eventually hiked six miles to safety, per the Trek. Prior to the attack, Jordan had been ordered to stay off the trail because he'd been harassing other hikers. Afterward, doctors diagnosed him with schizoaffective disorder and concluded he couldn't "appreciate the wrongfulness of his acts," per the Washington Post.

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In a court statement, his lawyers say that he is now "deeply remorseful for the profound sorrow he has caused" and that he has suffered from lifelong mental illness. The woman who survived the attack, Kirby Morrill, gave a statement of her own to the court, saying she remains "haunted" by Jordan's actions. He "transformed before my eyes from a bewildered, confused man into a violent animal," she wrote. "I saw him attack and murder a good, kind man. And I remember his eyes when I tried to run, and when I looked back over my shoulder. They are burned into my mind." The Times notes that Morrill returned to the trail four months after the attack and climbed Maine's Mount Katahdin at its northern end. "Even if I was scared, are you really going to let a little fear stop you from what you want to do in life?" she said at the time. (Read more Appalachian Trail stories.)
UCLA materials scientists have developed a class of optical material that controls how heat radiation is directed from an object. Similar to the way overlapping blinds direct the angle of visible light coming through a window, the breakthrough involves utilizing a special class of materials that manipulates how thermal radiation travels through such materials.

Recently published in Science, the advance could be used to improve the efficiency of energy-conversion systems and enable more effective sensing and detection technologies.

"Our goal was to show that we could effectively beam thermal radiation -- the heat all objects emanate as electromagnetic waves -- over broad wavelengths to the same direction," said study leader Aaswath Raman, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering. "This advance offers new capabilities for a range of technologies that depend on the ability to control the flows of heat in the form of thermal radiation. This includes imaging and sensing applications that rely on thermal sources or detecting them, as well as energy applications such as solar heating, waste heat recovery and radiative cooling, where restricting the directionality of heat flow can improve performance. "

Every object emits heat as light, a phenomenon known as thermal radiation. Familiar examples include the filament in a light bulb, glowing coils in a toaster and even the natural light from the sun. This phenomenon also can be detected on our skin and in common objects -- from the clothes you're wearing to the walls around you.

On Earth, for objects at ambient temperatures to modestly hot objects, much of the emitted thermal radiation resides in the infrared part of the spectrum.

Previously, a fundamental challenge had prevented materials from directing their heat in specific directions over a broad spectrum to ensure a sufficient amount of heat is emitted. To solve the puzzle, the researchers created a new theoretical framework using nanophotonic materials. For the first time, the team demonstrated that this new class of effective materials allows broad bands of thermal radiation to disperse over predetermined angles.

"To demonstrate this concept, we layered several oxide materials, that each manipulate infrared light over different wavelengths, and beamed much of the emitted heat toward the same fixed angles, " said the study's first author Jin Xu, a UCLA materials science and engineering graduate student. "Additionally, the oxides we used are common, so supplies would not be a problem in the production of the material. "

The class of materials that directs heat is known as "epsilon-near-zero" or ENZ materials. The researchers call their new material a gradient ENZ material. They demonstrated two such material samples that can beam thermal radiation over broad bandwidths to narrow bands of angles -- from 60 to 75 and 70 to 85 respectively.

Using a thermal imaging camera, the radiation angles could be seen looking at silicon wafers coated with the gradient ENZ materials. Viewed from most angles, the heated discs appeared to be cold, similar to how polished metals such as aluminum look under a thermal camera. However, when viewed at the designed specific angles, the higher-heat signatures could be spotted on the discs.

###

The research was supported by the Sloan Research Fellowship in Physics from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

UCLA postdoctoral scholar Jyotirmoy Mandal is the paper's other author. Mandal is supported by the Schmidt Science Fellows program, a partnership with University of Oxford's Rhodes Trust.
EDMONTON - Five First Nations whose land stretches along most of Alberta's Rocky Mountains and three coal companies hoping to develop mines in the area have written the province to demand better Indigenous consultation.

Steam billowing from the Sheerness coal-fired generating station is reflected in a car roof near Hanna, Alta., on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

EDMONTON - Five First Nations whose land stretches along most of Alberta's Rocky Mountains and three coal companies hoping to develop mines in the area have written the province to demand better Indigenous consultation.

"Alberta has not engaged with Siksika in any meaningful way," says one letter from Chief Ouray Crowfoot.

Evan Steinhauer, manager of the Whitefish Lake First Nation, writes that "Alberta has failed to develop an adequate Indigenous-specific consultation process."

The Kainai, Ermineskin and Aseniwuche Winewak First Nations have also sent letters.

The coal companies asking for better consultation are Cabin Ridge, Montem Resources and Benga Mining, which currently has a project before a federal-provincial regulatory panel.

"We support and encourage the government of Alberta, and Siksika and Kainai Nations to press on with the important discussions that lead the parties through to an accommodation table," says the letter from Bradley Johnston, chief development officer for Cabin Ridge.

The First Nations say they have never been consulted on any of the United Conservative government's moves  from rescinding, then restoring a policy that protected the Rockies from open-pit coal mines to the current approach to consultations.

"Ermineskin was not even advised that the decision (to rescind the policy) was to be made or that it had been made," wrote Carol Wildcat, consultation co-ordinator for the First Nation located about 80 kilometres south of Edmonton.

"Ermineskin became aware through media reports."

The bands say they are concerned about the erosion of the land base they need to practise their treaty rights: hunting, gathering natural medicines and holding religious ceremonies. They're also worried about mining's potential environmental effects on water and land.

Energy Minister Sonya Savage said in an email that more details on consultation are coming.

"We have already connected with Indigenous leaders to provide more details outlining how we will seek their input. This process will run in parallel to the engagement being led by the coal policy committee," she said

Savage said last week there would be government-to-government talks.

The letters refer to a government offer to meet with the five chiefs. First Nations are also free to make a presentation to the coal consultation panel, which has one Indigenous member.

"(The government) appears to be relying on a public consultation process that was unilaterally developed," Steinhauer wrote. "A public consultation process will not suffice."

Others note the panel contains no elected band officials, nor is there funding available to help First Nations research their arguments.

The bands aren't even happy with how the government announced its public consultation.

"Quietly releasing the terms of reference onto a government website does not meet that expectation (of transparency) nor does it align with the honour of the Crown," wrote Tom McDonald, president of the Aseniwuche Winewak, a non-status group now living near Grande Cache.

"It's impossible to understand how the current process to replace the coal policy is adequate," wrote Clayton Leonard, lawyer for the bands. "The First Nations component is clearly intended to pave over legitimate concerns with five narrow and quickly held meetings and no resources to actually do any real engagement.

All the letters outline the importance of the foothills and eastern slopes of the Rockies to maintaining a traditional way of life. All describe the increasing encroachment of agriculture and industry.

"They're in my backyard," said Wildcat. "I have less and less land to hunt, to harvest, do ceremony."

Wildcat said Ermineskin has documented centuries of its traditional use of the Rockies.

"We need that space so we can keep teaching our children our history," she said. "This is our homeland.

"I still go there."

The First Nations say the province is well aware of their concerns. Several of them made the same points when they filed a request for a judicial review last year over the original decision to rescind the coal policy.

Response from the province has been minimal, said Wildcat.

"It's just a checkbox," she said.

"I've been to how many thousands of meetings with Alberta, and the things we talk about and have concerns about ... all I get is a paper that's titled 'What We Heard.'

"What good is that?"

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2021.

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bmt is a subsidiary of the Bayerische Landeszentrale fur neue Medien (BLM), the regulatory authority for new media in Bavaria, and of the Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR), the Bavarian broadcasting association. bmt receives funding from the Free State of Bavaria, enabling the broadcasting of 14 free-to-air channels, including local TV stations from Munich and Nuremberg, to audiences across Bavaria.The multi-year agreement with SES will see bmt continue using the ASTRA craft at its prime TV neighbourhood at 19.2 degrees East to broadcast Bavarian local TV channels in HD.The increasing viewership and high popularity ratings of the current programming in the past two years show how much viewers appreciate reliable information from their region, especially in the news-heavy times of the pandemic, commented BLM president Siegfried Schneider. With the transmission of local TV programmes via SESs ASTRA satellites, we are able to successfully reach the widest audiences and bring their favourite content in HD quality.SESs partnership with bmt underscores the growing significance of regional TV offerings and the value local content brings to audiences that look for a tailored viewing experience, added Christoph Muhleib, managing director of ASTRA Deutschland. With our prime satellites at 19.2 degrees East, we ensure consistent delivery of local programming to the millions of viewers in Bavaria with the best image and sound quality.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is now a divisive figure. She and Prince Harry were wildly popular when they got married in 2018. However, after recent events, some of their actions have attracted more and more criticism.

A royal expert now also claims that members of the British public might openly show their disdain towards Meghan if she attends an event in the United Kingdom.

Meghan Markle | Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Meghan Markle has not attended a U.K. event since moving to California

Meghan and Harry stepped down as senior royals in early 2020, Then, the couple moved to Montecito, California, a few months later. Because of the pandemic, the couple has mostly stayed put in United States for the past year.

Recently, Harry did fly back to the U.K. to attend the funeral of his grandfather, Prince Philip. As reported by The Independent, Harry returned to the United States after nine days in the U.K. During his stay, he met with several family members and had conversations with them. However, Meghan stayed behind in California due to her pregnancy.

It is likely Harry will fly back to the U.K. this summer for the unveiling of Princess Dianas statue at Kensington Palace. Meghan will give birth during the summer, so it is unclear whether she will travel as well.

A royal expert claims Meghan Markle could be booed by the public

RELATED: Prince Harry Reportedly Tried to Make Sure Meghan Markle Did Not Show Off During Her First Christmas With the Royal Family

Meghan and Harry have ignited a lot of strong feelings from the public after their interview with Oprah Winfrey in March. The couple discussed their grievances with the royal family, including accusing a royal of being racist and claiming Meghan did not receive help for her mental health struggles.

Royal reporter Dan Wootton recently wrote for the Daily Mail that the Oprah interview has not sat well with other royals and many members of the public. Meghans image is also largely negative in the U.K.

There are genuine concerns that she could be booed at an event attended by members of the public given her current unpopularity in the UK as a result of the Oprah interview, Wootton said, referencing alleged palace sources.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys popularity has drastically dipped

RELATED: Meghan Markles Marriage Shockingly Mirrors Princess Dianas in These 4 Ways

According to Yahoo, research firm YouGov recently surveyed 1,700 British adults to find out the publics perception of various royals. After Prince Philips funeral, many royals rose in popularity, including Prince Charles; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince William; and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

However, Harry and Meghan were the only royals whose popularity dipped. Harry had an approval rating of 45 percent before the funeral, but it is now 43 percent. Meanwhile, Meghans approval rating went from 31 percent to 29 percent.

They are not the least popular royals, though. Prince Andrew is in last place among the people listed in the YouGov poll. Nevertheless, even Andrews popularity increased by a bit after the funeralfrom 7 percent to 10 percent.
[April 27, 2021] SimpleNexus enhances eClose solution with remote online notarization (RON), enabling mortgage lenders to execute full eClosings

LEHI, Utah, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SimpleNexus ( https://simplenexus.com/ ), developer of the leading homeownership platform for loan officers, borrowers, real estate agents and settlement agents, today announced SimpleNexus eClose now supports remote online notarization (RON), enabling lenders to efficiently conduct fully-digital eClosings. SimpleNexus eClose brings together borrowers, lenders, settlement agents and notaries for a collaborative and efficient closing experience. Integrated eSign capabilities offer borrowers the modern convenience of signing eDocuments on any web-enabled device, including mobile phones. Intelligent workflows improve lender efficiency by automatically updating documents across all platforms and alerting lenders when actions have been completed. eClosing portal access for settlement agents more closely engages them in the process. In a RON eClosing, or full eClose, all documents are eSigned and electronically notarized by a commissioned remote online notary via webcam. SimpleNexus has partnered with market-leading, MISMO RON standard certified remote online notarization provider Notarize to debut RON in its eClose environment. In the future, SimpleNexus will partner with additional RON vendors. "Remote online notarization is rewiring the closing experience for the digital era, making it simple, more efficient, and secure to close from anywhere, any tim. In all market conditions, consumers are clamoring for the technology that streamlines closing, and Notarize is thrilled to be on the SimpleNexus eClose platform to close that 'last mile' of the transaction to make full eClosings a reality," said Pat Kinsel, Notarize Co-Founder and CEO.



With the addition of RON to SimpleNexus eClose, lenders can provide borrowers with a fully digital, single sign-on homebuying experience from application to closing. Currently, 32 U.S. states allow full eClosings in which all loan closing documents are eSigned and remotely notarized. RON bills have been introduced in several other states and at the Federal level. "SimpleNexus is committed to delivering lenders with a one-stop platform that seamlessly guides borrowers throughout the entire homeownership journey," said SimpleNexus President Cathleen Schreiner Gates. "The added capability of RON, which enables full eClose, gives lenders and borrowers the choice to make closing as digital as they want. In addition to improved borrower experience, full eClose offers lenders substantial return on innovation with improved operational efficiency, greater data integrity and faster delivery of loans to the secondary market."

To date, SimpleNexus empowers 300 mortgage lenders to "do more", by connecting its 34,000 active LO users with more than 3 million borrowers and 141,000 real estate partners to produce 13 million mortgages totaling more than $3 trillion in volume. About SimpleNexus, LLC:

SimpleNexus is a homeownership platform transforming the mortgage experience and connecting borrowers, loan officers, real estate agents and settlement service providers throughout the homebuying process. The platforms' native mobile toolset enables lenders to originate, process and close home loans from anywhere with increased efficiency and convenience. Loan officers can manage their loan pipelines, order credit, run pricing, send pre-approvals, sign disclosures and execute eClosings - all on the go. SimpleNexus provides borrowers with a single sign-on experience from home search to the application, document upload, eClose and beyond for a more streamlined homeownership journey. About Notarize:

Notarize is the first platform to enable thousands of people each day to sign and notarize documents online. From adopting a child to buying a home, Notarize builds trusted products and services that support and bring trust to life's most important moments. For more information, visit https://www.notarize.com/. Twitter: @SimpleNexus @Notarize #digitalmortgage #mortgageindustry #mortgagelending #eClose #RON This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/simplenexus-enhances-eclose-solution-with-remote-online-notarization-ron-enabling-mortgage-lenders-to-execute-full-eclosings-301277434.html SOURCE SimpleNexus

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In what is being deemed as revenge for the 2014 Kobani protests, Turkish authorities have put 108 Kurdish politicians on trial. The trial involves the members of HDP, 28 of whom are already serving prison terms. Peoples Democracy Party, colloquially known as HalklarAn Demokratik Partisi (HDP) is a Kurdish political party that has repeatedly slammed the Erdogan administration. The lawmakers, including Former HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtas are charged with felonies on including homicide and attacking the integrity of the state. Prosecutors are seeking multiple life sentences and thousands of years in prison.

However, in the virtual trial, defendants asserted that their right to defend themselves was being violated in the absence of their lawyers. Eventually, their lawyers were allowed, The Guardian reported. Later, the HDP party asserted that they represent nothing but the peoples will.

In 2014, ISIS launched a violent assault on the Kurdish town of Kobani. Despite the clash being visible from the Turkish side, the country's defence forces did not step in, ultimately leading to a brutal massacre. As a spillover, hundreds of Kurdish resident coalesced to demonstrate against the Turkish defence forces, whom they accused of encouraging the slaughter. Turkish police finally stepped in to quell the protests resulting in massive clash and death of at least 37 people.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has constantly tried to ban the HDP. Last month, the issue caught momentum after the United States warned Ankara that any efforts to ban the country's main pro-Kurdish political party would not undermine democracy but also deny representation to millions of Turkish residents. In a statement, State Department spokesman Ned Price later emphasised that Washington was monitoring Ankaras primary efforts to dissolve the Peoples Democracy Party (HDK).

Turkish opposition to Kurds

The Turkish administration has been engaged in an armed conflict with various Kurdish insurgent groups who have demanded separation from Turkey to create an independent Kurdistan or to secure autonomy and greater political and cultural rights for Kurds inside the Republic of Turkey. In addendum, the country, which shares its borders with Iran, Iraq and Syria has often been rocked by explosions and attacks. One of the most recent and prominent terrorist attack took place at Ataturk airport in Istanbul. Additionally, the nation is also suffering from deepening human rights issues.

(Image Credits: Associated Press)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 21:39:29|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects progress in promoting rural vitalization and grassroots-level governance in Maozhushan village of Caiwan, a town in Quanzhou County in the city of Guilin, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

NANNING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Tuesday said the Chinese people, the CPC, and the CPC leadership have honored and will continue to honor their commitments.

No individual or ethnic group has been left behind throughout the nation's battle against poverty, and this will remain true as China embarks upon its new journey toward socialist modernization, Xi said.

Xi made the remarks during an inspection tour of the city of Nanning in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. 
Joe Rogan, the buff broadcasting behemoth who commands a loyal following among his millions of fans, told listeners of his Spotify podcast there's no need to get vaccinated if they're fit and healthy.

His comments go against guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that say vaccinations are safe for everyone over 16, and are necessary for the country to reach herd immunity and safely open up.

Speaking on a newly-released episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan, 53, said he recommended 'vulnerable' people get the shot, adding his parents had received their vaccines.

'People say, Do you think it's safe to get vaccinated? I've said, yeah, I think for the most part it's safe to get vaccinated. I do. I do.

'But if you're like 21 years old, and you say to me, Should I get vaccinated? I'll go no,' he said.

'If you're a healthy person, and you're exercising all the time, and you're young, and you're eating well, like, I don't think you need to worry about this.'

His comments drew criticism on social media where people pointed out his lack of medical expertise; still, others said they were glad someone was speaking their mind about the issue.

Joe Rogan says he recommends vulnerable people get the vaccine, 'but if you're like 21 years old, and you say to me, should I get vaccinated? I'll go no'

On Twitter, user @juddlegum said: 'My feeling is that, no matter what your age, you should not take medical advice from Joe Rogan.'

Another user pointed out his own experience with COVID-19 and called for Spotify to fire the podcaster. User @aweiss tweeted: 'I spend 5 days in hospital and am still on supplemental oxygen because of COVID. I may have permanent lung scarring ... They need to fire Joe Rogan immediately.'

@juddlegum tweeted: 'My feeling is that, no matter what your age, you should not take medical advice from Joe Rogan'

User @aweiss tweeted: 'I spend 5 days in hospital and am still on supplemental oxygen because of COVID. I may have permanent lung scarring ... They need to fire Joe Rogan immediately'

Another podcaster, Brandon Farmahini, tweeted that Rogan's take was 'very cringy'. 'Young healthy people should get vaccinated beacuse they can easily contract Covid, spread it & potentially serve as a vessel for the virus to mutate to be deadlier and resistant to existing vaccines. Come on @joerogan, be better,' he tweeted.

User @downeast72 labeled Rogan irresponsible, tweeting: 'Healthy 20 year old just died of covid where I live today. 13 year old yesterday. Incredibly irresponsible of you to encourage young people not to be vaccinated. It protects them, their loved ones and helps control the spread of covid.'

Healthy 20 year old just died of covid where I live today. 13 year old yesterday. Incredibly irresponsible of you to encourage young people not to be vaccinated. Its protects them, their loved ones and helps control the spread of covid.

Brandon Farmahini, tweeted that Rogan's take was 'very cringy'. 'Young healthy people should get vaccinated beacuse they can easily contract Covid, spread it & potentially serve as a vessel for the virus to mutate to be deadlier and resistant to existing vaccines. Come on @joerogan, be better,' he tweeted

User @downeast72 labeled Rogan irresponsible, tweeting: 'Healthy 20 year old just died of covid where I live today. 13 year old yesterday. Incredibly irresponsible of you to encourage young people not to be vaccinated. It protects them, their loved ones and helps control the spread of covid'

The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are currently only authorized to be given to people over 18, while anyone over 16 is eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech jab.

Clinical trials are still being carried out to assess the effects of the vaccine on children under 18. A key aspect being studied in the trials is whether the vaccine prevents transmission among young people.

Speaking on the podcast, Rogan said his daughters - Lola, 12, and Rosa 11 - had COVID and 'it was nothing'.

'I mean, I hate to say that if someone's children died from this. I'm very sorry that that happened. I'm not in any way diminishing that. But I'm saying the personal experience that my children had with COVID was nothing.'

Rogan's guest, the comedian Dave Smith responds: 'Yeah, I'm not injecting my daughter with something to f***ing virtue signal.'

The CDC says children and adolescents are less likely to get extremely ill or die from COVID-19, but it's not impossible - and they can still spread the virus to others, including older people.

Comedian Dave Smith, a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience, said 'I'm not injecting my daughter with something to f***ing virtue signal'

In 2020, Rogan signed an exclusive content deal with Spotify for $100m.

His podcasts, previously mainstays at the top of the Apple podcast charts, have disappeared from the platform, but he is now easily the most popular podcast host on Spotify.

Spotify did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.

In a previous statement when Rogan has drawn controversy before, the company has said it was important to have 'diverse voices' on its platform.

Rogan cultivated an enormous following for his longform, free-flowing interview style on The Joe Rogan Experience, with episodes often lasting more than three hours.

He's smoked marijuana with Elon Musk on-air, discussed the origins of the universe with Neil deGrasse Tyson, and welcomed all manner of scientists, philosophers, sporting greats such as Mike Tyson and politicians like Bernie Sanders.

He's also courted controversy for hosting Infowars host Alex Jones, who was allowed to promote COVID-19 conspiracy theories unchecked when he appeared last October.

After Jones' appearance, Spotify defended Rogan, with one executive saying in a leaked internal email: 'we are not going to ban specific individuals from being guests on other peoples shows'.

Rogan is also a stand-up comedian, former Fear Factor host and MMA commentator.

Meanwhile, according to the New York Times, 43% of the US population have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 29% are fully vaccinated.

It's estimated for the country will reach herd immunity, 70-85% of the population needs to have been vaccinated

A CBS News poll released this week found about 40% of Americans remain hesitant about getting the shot.

When asked if they'd get the jab, 18% said 'maybe' and 22% were an outright 'no'.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden hailed the US's 'stunning progress' on Covid but warned it was not the time to let up.

The White House has pledged every American adult will be available for a vaccine by May 1.
There are few words which carry such a grave and devastating meaning than apartheid.

While many associate the word with South Africa, it is actually a universal legal term and a crime against humanity and so one of the most serious international crimes.

On Tuesday Human Rights Watch became the first major international rights group to accuse the Israeli authorities of being guilty of committing apartheid against Palestinians.
Hyderabad, April 27 : The Telangana government on Tuesday urged Bharat Biotech to supply maximum doses of its Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin to the state.

The state government also asked the Hyderabad-based company to give priority to Telangana, which plans to vaccinate all people in the state free of cost.

On the direction of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekar Rao, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar on Tuesday met Bharat Biotech Chairman and Managing Director Dr Krishna Ella at the state Secretariat.

Telling Ella that the Chief Minister decided to vaccinate the entire population against Covid-19 free of cost, the Chief Secretary requested him to supply maximum doses and give priority to Telangana to administer vaccine to all the people in the state.

Bharat Biotech has responded positively to provide maximum vaccine to Telangana, said an official statement.

It was, however, not clear if pricing issue was also discussed during the Chief Secretary's meeting with Ella.

The Chief Minister on April 24 decided to vaccinate the state's four crore residents against Covid-19 for free, irrespective of their age. The beneficiaries include people from other states who reside here as well.

The state government said it will spend Rs 2,500 crore for the vaccination programme. Around 35 lakh people have already been vaccinated in Telangana.

The same day, Bharat Biotech announced prices for the vaccine, fixing at Rs 600 the price per dose for supply to state governments. This is Rs 200 higher than the price fixed by the Serum Institute of India for Covishield.

They have been supplying their vaccines to the Central government at Rs 150 per dose since the launch of the nation-wide vaccination programme.

Different pricing by the two vaccine makers for the central and state governments kicked up a row. The Centre has reportedly asked both the vaccine makers to lower their prices ahead of the third phase of the vaccination drive from May 1.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi:

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said that the Bhartiya Janata Party will celebrate 'Anti-Black Money Day' in the nation on November 8, 2017. It was on the same day in 2016 that the Modi government had announced demonetisation of high denomination currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000.

Attacking Congress, the FM stated that Congress had adequate opportunity to be in power and he cannot recollect a single significant step that they ever took against black money.

Jaitley further said that Congress had reconciled to India living with a shadow economy and it is understandable that this would never be on political agenda of Congress leadership.

Earlier on Tuesday, Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said 18 opposition parties would observe November 8 as Black Day to mark their protest against demonetisation which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year on the very same day.

While addressing a press conference in the national capital, Azad said demonetisation is a scam of the century. He said Congress president Sonia Gandhi has constituted a coordination committee of six parties.

Azad said the government made 135 changes since demonetisation was implemented and several people lost their lives.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O Brien said that all opposition parties will question the government, and would observe November 8 as Black Day.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
TICKERS: NGE; NVDEF

Source: Streetwise Reports (4/27/21)

Nevada Exploration is using new methods for finding prospective land in Nevada and should have an indication in six months if its concept bears out.



Nevada is on everyone's list right now as THE place to search for gold. The annual Fraser Institute survey of mining companies put Nevada on top for investment attractiveness globally.

But James Buskard, president of Nevada Exploration Inc. (NGE:TSX.V; NVDEF:OTCQB), points out that gold is not evenly distributed throughout the state. "The vast majority of gold in Nevada is from Carlin-type deposits, of which 80% come from three camps: Carlin, Cortez and Turquoise Ridge," Buskard tells Streetwise Reports. "These big Carlin camps were discovered and ultimately put into production in the late 1970s, early 1980s. Nevada went from producing less than half a million ounces of gold per year in the early 1980s to 8.9 million ounces a year in 1998."

"The standard tools don't work well where you can't see the rocks, so more than half of Nevada has been underexplored." - James Buskard

Then Nevada discovery rates plateaued and began to fall by the mid-1990s, he noted. "The big Carlin discoveries are down to about one a decade or less, and Nevada's gold production has fallen 45%, from 8.9 million ounces a year in 1998 to about 5 million ounces a year. Expenditures have gone through the roof but discoveries have gone through the floor."

How do you get back to making those large discoveries, Buskard asks. "Every scrap of bedrock in Nevada that's sticking out of the ground has now been very well explored by competent people using the best tools available. That's resulted in an incredible gold endowment, but less than 50% of Nevada's bedrock is sticking out of the ground. The rest is hidden under vast desert valleys that are covered by sand and gravel. The standard tools don't work well where you can't see the rocks, so more than half of Nevada has been underexplored."

Buskard noted that the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology and the U.S. Geological Survey estimate Nevada's gold resource at 200250 million ounces in the rock that is visible, and the consensus is there is another 200 million ounces waiting to be discovered below Nevada's valleys.

"This is the biggest prize and the biggest challenge to be solved anywhere in the exploration space, and the rest of the industry hasn't had a strategy to even get started," Buskard said. "We founded Nevada Exploration to be the first company to build the workflows to systematically target Nevada's missing 200 million ounces of gold."

The company looked to Australia. "Some 75 to 80% of Australia's bedrock is hidden under cover," Buskard noted, "so Australia's government, industry and academia have looked at this issue and have leveraged much more sensitive laboratory tools with detection limits that are two or three orders of magnitude lower than before. This allows us to detect gold and other commodities in sampling mediums that weren't available to us before."

Nevada Exploration and other companies around the world are demonstrating that the most important new medium for undercover exploration is groundwater. "Groundwater flows along the bedrock, dissolves the bedrock and effectively samples it for us," Buskard explained. "We can drill relatively inexpensive holes to sample the groundwater; we can use existing wells, windmills, springs and ranches and can also drill our own relatively inexpensive holes to sample the groundwater. And we can begin to map the bedrock geochemistry using groundwater. This hydrogeochemistry is being used elsewhereAustralia, Chile, southern Africabut we are the first group to systematically incorporate this exploration tool to go after Nevada's covered gold endowment."

The company has focused its efforts in north-central Nevada and has collected more than 6,000 groundwater samples. "The valleys are wide open, which means that when we come up with prospects, we have been able to stake claims in areas where Nevada's other explorers haven't had the tools to know where to begin," Buskard said. "We've been assembling our land package for 15 years now."

The South Grass Valley project, located near the prolific Cortez district, has become Nevada Exploration's flagship property. "Having completed multiple geophysical surveys, multiple geochemistry surveys, and now two rounds of early drilling programs, we've built the geologic model that has confirmed that we've discovered really the largest new Carlin-type mineral system that's been found in Nevada in recent history outside of a mine fence," Buskard said.

The company has begun its next round of drilling to test a target, East Golden Gorge, for potential economic grade. "We've gone from looking at north-central Nevada, down to a particular project. We've identified all the features that we believe are required to support a camp-scale mineral endowment, and based on all the work we've done we are now focusing on one particular target that we're testing and hoping for some positive results," Buskard stated.

The planned drilling program includes 10 holes, each 4,000 feet deep, for a total of around 40,000 feet of drilling. "What's so exciting about East Golden Gorge is how big it is. The target is comparable in size to the Goldrush deposit at the north end of the valley that is 8 million ounces with a relatively high-grade, 10 grams per tonne, resource," Buskard noted.

The company expects each hole to take around six weeks to drill, and expects lab turnaround in the eight-week range. "So by the time we put three to four holes into the projectwithin the next six months or so we're going to have a pretty good idea of whether or not our exploration concept is hanging together," Buskard said.

Nevada Exploration is led by an experienced team, having collectively been involved in the discovery of more than 40 million ounces of gold in Nevada. CEO Wade Hodges was formerly senior exploration manager for Santa Fe Pacific Gold Corp. until its $2.5 billion merger with Newmont. While at Santa Fe, he led teams that discovered Lone Tree and Twin Creeks.

President James Buskard is a recognized leader in undercover exploration, with more than 15 years of experience in Nevada, and a background in generative exploration, applied hydrogeochemistry and environmental science..

Senior Technical Advisor Simon Griffiths was formerly Barrick's global chief geochemist and a member of the discovery team at the 8 Moz Goldrush at the north end of Grass Valley.

Lead independent technical director John Larson was formerly BHP'sthe worlds largest minerglobal porphyry copper exploration manager and involved in running successful exploration programs around the world.

Nevada Exploration has 131 million shares issued and outstanding, 189 million fully diluted. Insiders own 20%.

[NLINSERT]

Disclosure:

1) Patrice Fusillo conducted this interview for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee. She owns, or members of her immediate household or family own, shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: None. She is, or members of her immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None.

2) The following companies mentioned in this interview are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. As of the date of this article, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports has a consulting relationship with Nevada Exploration. Please click here for more information. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

3) The interview does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.

4) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the decision to publish an article until three business days after the publication of the article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Nevada Exploration, a company mentioned in this article.
Ayushmann Khurrana And Tahira Kashyap Contribute To The Maharashtra Chief Ministers Relief Fund

Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana and his wife Tahira Kashyap have come forward to contribute to the Maharashtra Chief Ministers Relief Fund to help aid people crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. Ayushmann and Tahira uploaded a note on their social media thanking each and every Indian who have constantly inspired the couple to contribute more towards helping people ravaged by the crisis.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk)

They said in the joint statement, We have been in the eye of the storm since last year. This pandemic has broken our hearts, made us endure pain and suffering like never before, showed us how solidarity with one another can make us handle this humanitarian crisis. Today, again, this pandemic asks us to show fortitude, resilience and mutual support.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk)

The couple added, People, across India, have stepped forward to do as much as possible for each other and Tahira and I thank each and every individual who have inspired us to do more. We have been constantly doing our bit to help as many people as possible and have now contributed to the Maharashtra Chief Ministers Relief Fund in this hour of need.

Ayushmann and Tahira requested more and more Indians to come forward to help aid people in need. They said, This is the time when we should come together as a community and care for each other. People need as much help as possible and we can all look to do our bit as we deem fit.
An environmentalist who believes that owning pets is 'selfish and cruel' has urged Brits not to replace their animals when they pass away because of their carbon footprint.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain today, environmental auditor Donnachadh McCarthy debated Countryfile host Julia Bradbury about whether we should stop owning pets all together, because of the detrimental impact they have on the environment.

McCarthy argued that 'most people do not need pets' amid a climate emergency, and that those who keep cats and dogs in urban homes are giving them a 'horrendous life', because they're not naturally domestic animals.

Viewers were not convinced by his arguments, with one saying that their animal is a 'loved and part of my family' while another said they often look for ways to be kinder to the environment, but wouldn't consider giving up their pet.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain today, environmental auditor Donnachadh McCarthy urged Brits not to replace their animals when they pass away because of their carbon footprint

Host Susanna Reid (pictured top) interjected, asking how to compare a pet, which are often like beloved members of the family, to a car or plane emitting carbon emissions

'We have to accept that our selfishness involved in keeping these pets locked up, cooped up, is involved in a massive amount of cruelty,' said Donnachadh.

Citing a 2019 study, Donnachadh said that emissions from the average dog is equivalent to two households of electricity in a year.

'Like everything else, cars are convenient, flights are convenient, pets are nice to have - but we have to think of the consequences behind them,' he said.

'It's about love, isnt it. Behind that love we have for cats and dogs there is a whole ocean of cruelty, whether it's the destruction of rainforests for the meat, the destruction of the seas for fish to feed our cats.'

Host Susanna Reid interjected, asking how to compare pets, which are often beloved members of the family, to a car or plane emitting carbon emissions.

'If we love members of our family, if we love our kids, do you not accept we have to look out for the climate crisis?' McCarthy asked.

He went on: 'I'm saying to look after and love your children, you have to look out for your carbon emissions because we are in an emergency.'

Julia went on to argue that while the impact pets have on the environment is an important issue to consider, there are several ways to mitigate the effects they have.

'I'm grateful Donnachadh has raised an important issue,' she said. 'What impact are our pets having on the planet, and there are things we can do to mitigate that.'

She went on: 'I think something that Donnachadh is missing here when he's talking about the bond we have with cats and dogs, they aren't just about being an extension for us, it's not that we want to just look after something.

Countryfile host Julia Bradbury said while the impact pets have on the environment is an important issue to consider, there are several ways to mitigate the effects they have

Donnachadh went on to argue that unless your pet is essential for your health, you should 'consider not replacing them when they pass away

'Sometimes they hav a very important value in our lives. Do we get rid of guide dogs? Special medical assistance dogs?'

Donnachadh went on to argue that unless your pet is essential for your health, you should 'consider not replacing them when they pass away.'

'What we need to do is think in an emergency. We have to look at essential needs and essential requirements.

When asked whether he'd had a pet of his own, he went on: 'My partner had a pet for three years and I noticed when my partner was out the dog slept all day .

'When we visited his parents in the country he was mad with energy running round the other dogs all day long and what I realised was millions of dogs are cooped up urban homes, living a horrendous life. I would argue that most people do not need pets.'

Viewers weren't impressed with Donnachadh's argument, with one writing: 'Never heard as much garbage in my entire life. Some peoples pets have literally saved their lives this last year. They are our family!'

Viewers weren't impressed with Donnachadh's argument, with one writing: 'I have never heard so much rubbish! People rely on pets for mental health and to aid loneliness! By all means mitigate with carbon offset - this man's an idiot.'

Another said: 'I drive an electric vehicle. I recycle. I continually look for new ways to be kind to the environment, including sourcing eco-friendly dog toys and food. This berk can kiss my recycle bin if he thinks Im giving up my dogs. Someone get him a pet.'

A third agreed: 'Who is this stupid person saying that we should not have pets, my dog is loved and part of my family not just a thing that this guy is making out. He really needs to live in the real world.'

'OMG Ive heard it all now some bloke on @GMB saying we should give up our pets to save the environment! The world has gone mad!!', wrote a fourth.
Sonipat, April 27 : Every order of the judiciary is likely to have an economic impact, thus judges must be guided by economic principles when adjudicating matters, said experts at a two-day virtual event hosted by O P Jindal Global University (JGU) and CUTS International.

The two-day national virtual conference, being held from April 27-28, is on the theme 'Economic Dimensions in Judicial Decisions'.

"The Judiciary needs to evolve a robust set of principles on the basis of which, on its own, it can differentiate interventions in matters which are not relating to law but are policy questions," said Professor (Dr) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, O.P Jindal Global University, at the inaugural ceremony of the conference.

"There has been a growing discourse that judges should be guided by economic principles when adjudicating matters. Every order of the Judiciary is likely to have an economic impact, big or small. One way forward is to appoint expert committees to examine the issue in depth, analyse its enforceability and then action," added Pradeep Mehta, Secretary General, CUTS International.

The virtual event is expected to include over 45 thought leaders including judges, legal practitioners, experts from the government and regulatory bodies, representatives from the private sector, academicians and scholars, representatives from media and the civil society including consumer protection groups, environmental advocacy groups and trade unions.

"In the world of globalisation, competition and the doctrine of level playing field is an important one and now courts are increasingly receptive to economic arguments. The economic analysis of law has expanded into many areas from its original scope to include family law, intellectual property laws, health and safety, discrimination in employment and beyond," said Professor (Dr) A. Francis Julian, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India.
(@fidahassanain)

President Arif Alvi has agreed to the request of Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz to hold a virtual conference with Ulema to chalk out a strategy for creating awareness among people about the COVID-19.

ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-April 27th, 2021) President Dr. Arif Alvi urged the Council of Islamic Ideology to play its role in ensuring the protection and promotion of womens rights, particularly their right to inheritance.

President Alvi said islam granted social and economic rights to women but unfortunately the cultural hindrances kept them deprived of their rights.

He expressed these views while talking to Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology Dr. Qibla Ayaz in Islamabad on Tuesday.

President Alvi said the government had enacted a law to protect womens property rights and ensure that such rights were not violated.

President Alvi said that Council through the services of Ulema and prayer leaders could play a key role in creating awareness to protect women s due rights.

The President agreed to the request of Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz to hold a virtual conference with Ulema to chalk out a strategy for creating awareness among people about the COVID-19.
Cairo Port District Enters Agreement with AFL-CIO

By West Kentucky Star Staff

CAIRO - Construction of a new inland port at Cairo took another step forward Tuesday as the Alexander Cairo Port District completed a project labor agreement with the Illinois AFL-CIO.The Alexander Cairo Port District says the agreement ensures that more than 500 jobs created by the construction of the Cairo port will be filled by local Illinois union workers.The Alexander-Cairo port represents one of the largest investments in southern Illinois in decades. Eighty percent of the nations inland barge traffic travels past Cairo, and the site is served by three major interstate highways and class 1 rail lines. The project is expected to have a major impact on U.S. shipping and the regional economy. Cairo is protected from flooding by recently reinforced levees and remains a deep, ice-free site year-round.The Cairo port district represents the best of Rebuild Illinois: investing in not only infrastructure, but also jobs and economic prosperity for a region left out for far too long, said Governor JB Pritzker.The Cairo Port is exactly the kind of project Illinois needs, said Tim Drea, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO. This port has the potential to transform the region and the men and women of Illinois organized labor have the talent to build it.In 2020 Governor JB Pritzker announced $40 million in state funding for construction of the port. The Port District is securing additional private investment and will structure the Cairo port as a public-private partnership.Major logistics and commodities businesses have already committed to using the new port to move crops, container shipments and bulk products once it is completed.We are ensuring that the jobs and economic growth created by this port flow back to Cairo and the surrounding region, said Larry Klein, chairman of the Alexander Cairo Port District. This labor agreement is another reason why the Cairo Port will be a game changer for southern Illinois.
WASHINGTON  The Trump administration pushed hard to free Austin Tice, an American abducted in Syria in 2012. The C.I.A. formed a special cell to gather intelligence, a powerful Persian Gulf ally was enlisted to help and, among other highly unusual personal entreaties, senior officials traveled to Damascus to plead their case with Syrias top spy.

None of it worked.

The kidnapping of Mr. Tice, a journalist covering the Syrian war who was abducted in a Damascus suburb and is one of the longest-held American hostages abroad, has been an enduring frustration for government officials.

They had found glimpses of hope over the years. Mr. Tice briefly escaped captivity shortly after he was kidnapped, according to two people familiar with the episode  but he was recaptured. And during the Obama administration, the C.I.A. obtained a tantalizing piece of information: a Syrian document indicating that its government had been holding Mr. Tice.

Former officials described it as a type of judicial form, possibly showing a prisoner or arrest number. It is not clear whether the United States or its proxies ever confronted Syrian officials with the document.
Commentary: Man-nature harmony, an essential part of China's modernization

Xinhua) 08:33, April 27, 2021

Photo taken on April 23, 2021 shows the view of Qutang Gorge, one of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River, in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

In its journey toward modernization, China will strive to foster a new relationship where man and nature can both prosper and live in harmony.

BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday reaffirmed the significance of ecological conservation during his latest inspection visit to south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Hailing the Lijiang River as "the one-and-only treasure" of China and the world, Xi said that its ecological environment should never be damaged.

During his previous inspection tour to Guangxi in 2017, Xi visited a mangrove conservation area in the Beihai Golden Bay and stressed that "the region's ecological advantages shouldn't be traded even for gold."

Ecological protection is always high on the Chinese leader's agenda. As part of his Fujian tour this year, Xi visited the Wuyishan National Park, emphasizing the need of building a nature reserves system centering on national parks to keep the ecosystem intact and protect biodiversity.

Xi's special concerns during his tours shed light on what type of modernization the world's second-largest economy is seeking to embrace from a new historical starting point.

According to the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, an essential part of China's modernization will be the harmony between man and nature.

In other words, in its journey toward modernization, China will strive to foster a new relationship where man and nature can both prosper and live in harmony.

It will be a tough path, a road sort of different from what mankind has ever taken. Since the industrial civilization, mankind has created massive material wealth. Yet, it has come at a cost of intensified exploitation of natural resources, which laid bare growing tensions in the human-nature relationship.

In the 21st century, however, there is a chance for countries seeking modernization to ride the trend of technological revolution and industrial transformation, to seize the enormous opportunities in green transition, and let the power of innovation upgrade economic, energy and industrial structures.

China has obviously made its choice and set itself on a course chasing the dawn of a new type of modernization.

In 2018, China incorporated ecological civilization into its Constitution for the first time. In its 14th Five-Year Plan, China has vowed to lower the energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) and its carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 13.5 percent and 18 percent, respectively.

China has also announced its goal of striving to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, which requires extraordinarily hard efforts by the country, considering the nation is still experiencing industrialization and urbanization and holds high expectations of economic growth.

With the Chinese leader's remarks "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" spreading far and wide across the country, people have seen a change in their perception.

Trade-offs between economy and nature have been taken more as a false assumption while "protecting the environment is to protect productivity" has increasingly become a mainstream agenda.

Take the Lijiang River for instance. After local governments made all-out efforts to reduce pollution and improve the river's ecology, local residents have seen tourism booming, with hundreds of thousands of visitors attracted each year before disruption due to COVID-19.

Guilin, where Lijiang scenic spot is located, received 138 million tourists and generated consumption totaling 187.4 billion yuan (about 28.87 billion U.S. dollars) in 2019, up 26.7 percent and 34.7 percent year on year, respectively.

Achieving modernization featuring man-nature harmony is obviously more complex and challenging than treating the environment of a river. With less than 10 years left for the country to peak carbon dioxide emissions, China is faced with great challenges and has much to do.

Despite advantages accruing from consistent policy-making and formulating long-term development plans, China needs to encourage more technological and institutional innovation, curb fossil fuel consumption, advance its carbon trading market and create more market space for renewable energy, amid other efforts.

As Xi has noted, the period of China's commitment to move from carbon peak to carbon neutrality is much shorter than what many developed countries might need.

With all those challenges ahead, China has taken a path less beaten. If the country's grand vision materializes, it will be a blessing to both mankind and nature. The high-quality development which the Chinese people are seeking will show its far-reaching influence toward the future.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
A farmer with experience in cocoa production has allayed fears about the supposed threat posed to Ghanas share of the global cocoa market following the entry of China into cocoa production.



The Akyeamehene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, Nana Aduna II, said Chinas entry into cocoa production should challenge Ghana to be more aggressive about adding more value to its cocoa beyond chocolate and cocoa powder.



In addition, he said, under the One-District, One Factory policy, there should have been a special initiative built around cocoa to boost the produce.



New motivation



Nana Aduna, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Ohene Cocoa Company Limited, told the Daily Graphic that Chinas entry could be the push and the boost Ghana needed to develop simple local technologies to add value to its cocoa.



Chinas entry, is a very positive move. It should spur Ghana on to be more aggressive about cocoa value addition beyond chocolate and cocoa powder, he said.



He said, for instance, the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) had already used cocoa to develop over 19 products, which could be tapped into to generate more revenue for the country.



CRIGs research had explored products such as cocoa juice, cocoa wine, cocoa brandy, cocoa jam, flavoured nibs, roasted nibs and sun-resistant chocolate; shampoo, shower gel and cocoa skin gel from pruned cocoa leaves.



Other products considered under the research were cocoa butter creams, anti-aging cream, black soap, cocoa butter soap, cocoa pod pellets for fish farming, cocoa potash for fertiliser and energy, furniture from cocoa wood, cocoa husk, biofuels and health benefits of cocoa.



China cocoa export



The Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science recently reported that Chinas island province of Hainan had exported cocoa beans to Belgium for the first time.



The first batch of 500 kilogrammes of cocoa beans worth $3,600 was produced in Xinglong, a town in Hainan with a tropical climate.



Global producer



Nana Aduna, who is also a medical doctor from a generation of cocoa farmers, noted that Ghana would always be a global cocoa producer given the volumes and consistency of its production across the years, and that Chinas entry isnt a threat to production and should rather spur the uses of cocoa and further demand beyond chocolate:.



Moreover, he said, innovative technology, which China could introduce, could make cocoa farming more attractive to the youth.



Currently, we have an aging farmer problem in Ghana with a farmer average age of close to 56 years, he said, adding that Ghana can adapt and apply the appropriate technology, which is currently being done half-heartedly.



Nana Aduna said the European Union (EU) had its own reasons as to why it was concerned about deforestation following the recent threat to ban Ghana cocoa from the EU market.



Ghana, he said, should be determined in its fight against illegal mining or galamsey, saying it was a threat to its water bodies and forest cover.



He wondered why China would venture into the EU market where Ghana sold its cocoa when there was a huge market in Asia.



Why should China bother (about the EU cocoa market) when there is such a huge demand in Asia already, which China is unlikely to meet? he asked.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Hyderabad, April 27 : Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on Tuesday celebrated its 20th foundation day but the celebrations were a low-key affair due to the surge in Covid-19 cases across the state.

With both TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and party working president K. T. Rama Rao infected by Covid-19, the foundation day celebrations were sans the usual pomp and gaiety.

Both the top TRS leaders had tested positive for Covid-19 with mild symptoms and isolated themselves.

For a second consecutive year, the TRS foundation day was a low-key affair due to the pandemic.

TRS general secretary K. Keshava Rao led the celebrations on Tuesday by hoisting the party flag at Telangana Bhavan, the party headquarters. He also paid tributes to Telangana talli and Telangana ideologue Professor Jayashankar by garlanding their statues.

Speaking on the occasion, the senior leader said people of Telangana will always remember April 27 as this was in 2001 that KCR (Chandrasekhar Rao) revived the movement for statehood to Telangana and achieved the long cherished dream of the people with the formation of Telangana state in 2014.

Keshava Rao recalled that the first phase of Telangana movement could not succeed due to some reasons but KCR revived it by floating TRS. He noted that the dream of Telangana state was achieved in a democratic manner.

The Rajya Sabha member, however, said the task had not completed with the formation of Telangana state and TRS is working to achieve the goal of 'Bangaru' or golden Telangana.

Keshava Rao paid tributes to those who laid down their lives for Telangana state. He said the party was not celebrating the foundation day in a grand manner due to Covid-19 surge.

Earlier, Rama Rao appealed to TRS leaders to hoist the party flag in every district and in every town and village while following the Covid-19 guidelines Rama Rao, who is son of KCR, called for hoisting the pink flag on every house as a mark of Telangana self-respect. He said after achieving Telangana state under KCR's leadership, the party is leading the state on the path of development.

KCR's daughter and TRS legislator K. Kavitha also recalled he went to extent the extent of sacrificing his own life for the freedom of people of Telangana.

"Difficulties break some men but make others - Nelson Mandela. Saluting to the real leader KCR garu who went to the extent of sacrificing his own life for the freedom of people of Telangana," she tweeted.

"Saluting to the millions of TRS family for all the hardship & sacrifice that you endured in the last twenty years for the betterment of people of Telangana," she added.

It was on April 27, 2001 that KCR had resigned as the Deputy Speaker of Andhra Pradesh Assembly and quit the Assembly and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to float the TRS with the goal to achieve statehood for Telangana.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
FCW Insider: April 27, 2021

The survey documents the rapid change to teleworking postures in government under the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Defense Department's internal watchdog found a lack of data on other transaction awards made through consortiums.

A new Senate bill would mandate the Department of Homeland Security continually reassess risks to critical infrastructure and that the White House provide a report to lawmakers outlining what legislative steps should be taken to mitigate potential problems.

DISA is driving cybersecurity, cloud and enterprise services across DOD, including the expansion of secure telework options.

Quick Hits

*** Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced a review of the DHS workforce to identify violent extremism among agency employees. "Violent extremism has no place at DHS and we will work with urgency and focus to address it," Mayorkas said in an April 26 message to agency employees.

*** On Monday, President Joe Biden signed an executive order establishing a new Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, intended to boost union density and support collective bargaining. Vice President Kamala Harris will chair the group. Their assignment is to identify executive branch policies and tools that can bolster worker organizing. The text of the executive order explicitly includes feds, and it instructs the task force to consult with the Federal Labor Relations Authority, the agency that governs labor-management relations in the federal government.

*** Under the pandemic, federal chief financial officers assumed a more influential and central role in agency operations, according to a new report from Accenture.
This has become a particularly pressing issue in and around the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region, near the Mediterranean coast, where the recent cold snap followed a cascade of other crises linked to climate change. What is most surprising over the last five years is the suddenness and magnitude of the problem, said Jean Natoli, a winemaker and oenology consultant. Floodwaters submerge vineyards near Cognac, south-western France, in February. Credit:AP In 2019, many grapes in the region were grilled by a summer heat wave, as drought emptied water reserves. In other years, warm winters have lulled grapevines into a misleading biological sense of security - known as false spring - that encourages the plants to grow and makes them more vulnerable to frost later in spring. Had temperatures in March been lower this year, the cold snap this month would have caused less damage, experts say. The overall rise in temperatures has already advanced grape harvests by several weeks and is changing the wines sensitive equilibrium of aromas. Warmer temperatures are making them more alcoholic and less acidic, which is changing their taste.

Faucheron said she had believed her vineyard - surrounded by lush Mediterranean trees and embedded in smooth hills - to be relatively protected. Even with the sound of a helicopter hovering over her neighbours estate and cold air seeping into her house early on April 8, she was optimistic that she had been spared the worst. So she rushed to help her neighbours. It wasnt until later that morning that she noticed the lifeless leaves and buds hanging from most of her own vines. In shock, she took out her phone and went live on YouTube (French link). In a country where wine is part of the national identity, the video struck a nerve. In the following days, her phone kept ringing, as experts offered their advice. A volunteer on a flooded road in Coussan, near Marmande, south- western France. The worst flooding in 40 years swelled the Garonne River between Bordeaux and Toulouse in February turning orchards and vineyards into lakes. Credit:AP Last week, President Emmanuel Macron met with regional representatives in nearby Montpellier and promised quick financial support. But few local winegrowers expect government help to be a lasting solution.

One cannot only live off state aid, Natoli said. Overlooking the devastated vineyard of one of his longtime consulting clients, Natoli said the wine region in the south was on the brink of a revolution that will fundamentally change the industry. Grape varieties that flourished here for hundreds of years may soon become unviable. Instead, winemakers will need to experiment with new varieties or techniques. Irrigation projects will need to be expanded to fend off drought. Natolis client, Thierry Guibal, had already begun to try out more robust grape varieties. This years frost added a new sense of urgency. But switching to different grapes takes at least three years, and success is not guaranteed, Natoli said.

A different sort of adaptation is on display on a plain outside the town of Piolenc, a two-hour drive from Faucherons vineyard, where researchers are hoping to turn southern Frances vineyards into solar power hubs. Above a small vineyard owned by the local chamber of agriculture, French solar power company SunR Group has installed photovoltaic panels that can follow the path of the sun - and may at the same time protect vines from some of the most dire consequences of climate change. In summer, the panels provide shade, reduce water consumption and cool the ground. During frost periods, the panels have the opposite effect and keep warmer air near the vulnerable buds. For each grape variety and vineyard, the company calculates the optimal ratio between shade and sunlight to determine the solar panels movements. From a control room in Lyon, technicians can monitor the smallest changes to the vineyards microclimate, from humidity to temperatures, measured by tubes and sensors around the plants. Every few minutes, a buzzing sound indicates the panels above are recalibrating their position. The French Chamber of Agriculture is conducting an experiment with solar panels to limit the effects of global warming on wine producing in Piolenc. Credit:Sandra Mehl/The Washington Post

The companys pitch is that the panels can help winemakers minimise the risk of climate change-related losses, while giving solar energy investors access to land that is increasingly scarce in the country. Only up to about 52,000 hectares of non-agricultural suitable land are still unused in France, said Jean-Edouard de Salins, director of global development at the company. The researchers say there is up to four times as much space still available on southern French vineyards and suitable farms that could be covered with solar panels. The company says it had more than 60 projects in development and a number of competitors are vying for a share of the market, too. But whether they can succeed will also depend on how far vineyard owners are willing to go to counter climate change. Loading If we do nothing, there will be no more vineyards, said Silvere Deveze, an employee with the local agriculture chamber. To make the solar panel installations less visually disruptive, SunR offers to plant trees around them.

But Faucheron, the wine producer in Montady, cautioned that it is a solution that is not going to be accepted everywhere. She would be willing to consider such an installation in parts of her estate where few visitors ever go, but not in the vineyards picturesque centre that can be rented out for receptions. Faucheron and Guibal hope their prior harvests will carry them through this year, but they are afraid of whats next. Some vines may still produce secondary buds in the coming weeks, though they often do not produce many grapes, offering only a slight relief. Inside Guibals wine cellar, each container is marked with the year of production. For now, some tanks are still filled with wines from prior harvests. Its a lifeline that may soon dry out. The disaster will strike next year, Guibal said.
English French

Roissy, 6 April 2021





Air France-KLM announces a plan of capital-strengthening measures with the objective of strengthening its balance sheet, preparing the recovery and repositioning the Group on a sustainable financial trajectory





Air France-KLM (the Group) announces the following measures in relation to Air France, which have been approved by the European Commission in its decision to authorize a 4 billion French State measures to recapitalise Air France and its Holding company:

A capital increase for an amount up to 1 billion, with a priority subscription period for shareholders, subject to market conditions and the prior approval on the prospectus by the Autorite des marches financiers (the AMF) and,

Simultaneously, conversion of the 3 billion French State direct loan drawn into perpetual hybrid bonds instrument.



The Dutch State is continuing discussions with the European Commission regarding potential capital-strengthening measures for KLM.



Additional measures to further strengthen the Groups capital are currently under consideration, with several steps to be taken before the 2022 Annual General Meeting.

On April 5 the Air France-KLM Groups Board of Directors approved a plan to start the restoration of the Group's negative equity and further reinforce its cash position:

Capital increase with priority subscription period for shareholders

The Group intends to launch a capital increase subject to market conditions and the approval on the prospectus by the AMF.

This capital increase will be launched without preferential subscription rights but with a priority period for the shareholders, within the limits of the nineteenth resolution approved at the Annual General Meeting on May 26, 2020, allowing existing shareholders to not be diluted, by subscribing shares during the priority period up to their stake in Air France-KLMs share capital. The offering will be composed of a private placement to institutional investors, a public offering and a priority period allowing all shareholders to support this transaction.

The French State commits to participate in the capital increase while keeping its stake strictly below 30% of the share capital and voting rights.

China Eastern Airlines intends to participate while keeping its stake strictly below 10% of share capital, as part of further reinforcement of strategical cooperation with the Group.

The Dutch State which holds 14.0% of the share capital, has informed the Group that it will not subscribe to this capital increase.

Delta Airlines which holds 8.8% of the share capital, has informed the Group that it will not subscribe to this capital increase due to the current framework of the CARES act in place in the United States.

This operation will improve the Groups equity by up to 1 billion under IFRS and French GAAP accounting standards, and bring the same amount of new money to the Group for the benefit of Air France.

Simultaneously, the fully drawn conversion of 3 billion French State loan into perpetual hybrid bonds instrument (Super Subordinated Notes):

The 3 billion direct loan provided by the French State to Air France via Air France-KLM late in May 2020 will be converted into Super-Subordinated Notes of the same nominal amount to Air France via Air France-KLM, allowing the Group to restore part of its equity under IFRS accounting standards.

This operation will improve the Groups equity by 3 billion under IFRS accounting standards with no cash impact, while increasing the Groups flexibility in its mandatory debt redemption profile spread over time (with Non Call period ranging from 4 to 6 years).

The Dutch State approved this set of actions and indicated that it was continuing discussions with the European Commission on potential capital- strengthening measures for KLM.

Together with the expected recovery in EBITDA, this first step of capital-strengthening measures will progressively help the Group to reduce the Net Debt/EBITDA ratio below 3.0x by 2023.

Additional measures to further strengthen the balance sheet are currently under consideration with several steps to be taken before the 2022 Annual General Meeting, as the Groups net equity will remain negative after this first step.

These measures could include the issuances of appropriate amounts of new equity as well as proportionate quasi-equity instruments, subject to market conditions. The hybrid perpetual bond instruments fully subscribed by the French State and resulting from this first step recapitalization could be used to compensate in part, by way of netting, to future equity and or quasi-equity raisings by the Group.

The objective of such additional measures will be to further reinforce the Groups equity situation and reduce its Net Debt/EBITDA ratio circa 2.0x by 2023. In order to achieve this, specific delegations would be then required and submitted at the Groups next General Meeting, scheduled on May 26.

Additionally, the French state-backed loan (Pret Garantie dEtat PGE) of 4 billion has been extended with a final maturity date in 2023. The Dutch State-backed loan guaranteed loan of 2.4 billion has a maturity date in 2025. These elements enable smoothen the debt redemption profile of the group and the airlines a smooth extension of the debt maturity profile of the Group.

Commitments made in order to comply with the European Commissions Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current Covid-19 outbreak (TF).

Air France-KLM will be subject to commitments made by the French government in order to comply with the European Commissions Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current Covid-19 outbreak (TF).

These commitments, specifically paragraphs 60-61 and 71-78 of the TF, include Air Frances release of up to 18 take-off and landing rights (slots) at Paris-Orly airport to a competing carrier in order to create or develop an existing base at that airport, provided that the competing carrier obtaining Air Frances slots bases its aircraft and crews at Paris-Orly airport, in compliance with national and EU labour laws. Other general commitments were made under the TF, including restrictions on acquisitions, share buy-backs dividend distributions and executive managements remuneration. These commitments are applicable to the entire Group with the exception of KLM and its subsidiaries.

The Group has reiterated the economic, financial and environmental commitments made in the framework of the State loan and reflected in its transformation plan. The Group therefore maintains an ambitious environmental roadmap to accelerate the Group's sustainable transition, in line with the objectives of the National Low Carbon Strategy (Strategie Nationale Bas Carbone SNBC).

Todays announcement demonstrates both the strong commitment of the French State and the renewed support of the Dutch State to help the Group weather this pandemic and this crisis, said Anne-Marie Couderc, Chair of Air France-KLM Board of Directors. The commitment of our long-standing partner China Eastern Airlines to participate in the forthcoming capital increase also highlights a resolute confidence in the strengths and prospects of the Air France-KLM Group.

These first recapitalization measures are an important milestone for our Group in this exceptionally challenging period, said Air France-KLM Group CEO, Benjamin Smith. They will provide Air France-KLM with greater stability to move forward when recovery starts, as large-scale vaccination progresses around the world and borders reopen. Ensuring Air France-KLM maintains a sustainable financial trajectory is paramount to realizing our strategic plan, continuing the execution of our transformation plans at the Group and at our airlines. I would like to thank our employees for their engagement and their responsibility throughout this crisis. We will continue to work together to drive new efficiencies as we seek to lower unit costs and emerge stronger when the industry rebounds with the ambition to achieve European leadership.

Outlook for Q1

As expected, the Air France - KLM Group continued to be negatively impacted by the COVID crisis during the first quarter of 2021, notably by the surge of a third wave of the pandemic in several European countries and by the continuation of air travel restrictions taken by a significant number of countries.

Based on the accounting results of January and February and on the reforecast made at the end of each month, the Group expects the operating result for the first quarter of 2021 to be around EUR -1.3 billion, and EBITDA to be around EUR -750 million, below Q4 2020 EBITDA as indicated at full year 2020 results presentation. It should be noted that in the first two months of 2021, operating result and EBITDA were significantly better than the Group's budgeted assumptions, and capital expenditure was also 10% below budget over that period, reflecting the effective control introduced by management on CAPEX, allowing the Group to have a solid 8.8 billion euros of liquidity and credit lines at disposal at 28 February 2021.

Over the coming months, and in particular at the beginning of the summer, the Group still expects a significant recovery in demand, assuming the positive effects of the accelerated vaccination campaigns in several countries could trigger less stringent restrictions on passenger travel across those countries.

Investor Relations Press

Olivier Gall Antoine Madre

+33 1 49 89 52 59 +33 1 49 89 52 60 +33 1 41 56 56 00

olgall@airfranceklm.com anmadre@airfranceklm.com





Disclaimer

This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to purchase any securities in any jurisdiction. This press release is not an offer for sale within the United States of any security of Air France  KLM or any of its affiliates. Securities of Air France  KLM or any of its affiliates may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or unless exempt from such registration. Release, publication or distribution of this press release is forbidden in any jurisdiction where such release, publication or distribution would violate applicable laws or regulations.

Certain information included in this press release are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, expectations and assumptions, including, without limitation, assumptions regarding present and future strategy and the environment in which the Group operates, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, in particular in the current context of the Covid-19 crisis, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results or other events, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those set out and detailed in Chapter 3 Risk Factors of the 2019 universal registration document of Air France  KLM filed with the Autorite des marches financiers on 17 April 2020 under number D. 20-0313 and available on Air France  KLMs website at www.airfranceklm.com, as will be updated (in particular to take into account the latest developments of the Covid-19 crisis and its impact on the Groups activities and financial position) in the 2020 universal registration document of Air France  KLM which will be filed with the Autorite des marches financiers and will be available on Air France  KLMs website on or about the date of this press release.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and Air France  KLM expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements included in this press release to reflect any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. Forward-looking information and statements are not guarantees of future performances and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Air France - KLM. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, forward-looking information and statements.

Estimated financial information for the quarter ended 31 March 2021 included in this press release have been reviewed by the Board of directors of Air France  KLM held on 5 April 2021 and have not been audited by Air France  KLMs auditors. The consolidated non audited financial statements established in accordance with IFRS for the quarter ended 31 March 2021 will be made available, pursuant to the financial agenda of Air France  KLM, on 6 May 2021. The accounting principles which have been applied for preparing the estimated financial information included in this press release comply with the IFRS rules and interpretations as in force in the European Union on 31 March 2021 and are consistent with those applied for preparing the consolidated financial statements of Air France  KLM for the quarter ended 31 March 2020.

Attachment
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TORONTO, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Alkemi Network is launching out of stealth as the world's first decentralized liquidity network to offer institutional DeFi. After closing a $4.6 million investment round with over $5 million of liquidity deposits seeded to the network, Alkemi is live on mainnet. The flagship borrowing and lending protocol, Alkemi Earn, provides centralized financial counterparties with compliant, turnkey access to DeFi.

Over the past 6 months, Alkemi has prioritized product, network reach and community buildout, whilst closing a growth round and onboarding 25 liquidity providers.

"We wanted to make our market debut in a revenue-generating state with a protocol live on mainnet." said Ryan Breen, the network's Founder and CEO.

Featuring an industry A-list of adopters including: LedgerPrime, Radar Relay, JST Capital, Shift Markets, Teller Finance, Quantstamp, Kronos Research, Fractal, Autonomy Capital, and Validation Capital, Alkemi Network is becoming the portal to the on-chain capital world whilst scaling out to the broader DeFi universe.

"Alkemi represents an ongoing transition between open finance and DeFi today. The nature of money in the future will simultaneously be institutionalized and decentralized. Our investment in Alkemi is a bet on this future. The team's prior institutional experiences combined with their understanding of DeFi is part of why we have invested in them. Over the past few months, LedgerPrime has been actively involved in setting up early pools. We look forward to being active governance participants in the network" - Shiliang Tang, Ledger Prime

The company is backed by industry leading investors including Outlier Ventures, Techstars, ConsenSys Mesh, LedgerPrime, GSR, GBV Capital, a195 Capital, Asymmetries Funds, Shift Markets, Genblock Capital, and Autonomy Capital as well as strategic angels Joyce Yang of GCR, Jeremy Drane of Nifty's, Quantstamp CEO Richard Ma, Ivan Brightly Former CISO Galaxy Digital, Justin Amos CEO of Lygon, Duke Kim, and Hashgraph founder, Jordan Fried.

"Nailing product market fit has been our priority. Before opening the liquidity floodgates, it was paramount we launched with a use case that would drive immediate value for our ecosystem stakeholders. It's time to lift the network veil." - said Brian Mahoney, CSO and Co-Founder of Alkemi Network.

"DeFi meets KYC is a killer cocktail for institutions. This is a monster opportunity and we're excited to be onboard." - Carson Cook, Fractal.

About Alkemi Network



Alkemi Network is bridging CeFi to DeFi, building an on-chain liquidity network with a suite of tools and products that serve as onramps for everyone to participate in decentralized finance. The flagship protocol, Alkemi Earn (Earn), facilitates institution-grade borrowing and lending within a compliant environment via Alkemi's primary 'permissioned' liquidity pool of digital assets (ETH, wBTC and stablecoins). Earn will also offer access to Alkemi's secondary 'permissionless' liquidity pool of digital assets at the network's Token Generation Event.

To find out more about how your organization can use Alkemi Network, please visit us at https://alkemi.network/ or follow updates on Alkemi Network's official Telegram channel.

SOURCE Alkemi AI Inc.
Over the past day, April 26, the armed formations of the Russian Federation violated the ceasefire in the Joint Forces Operation area in eastern Ukraine nine times.

"In particular, the enemy fired 120mm mortars and grenade launchers of various systems near Vodiane (94km south of Donetsk); 82mm mortars  outside Hnutove (20km north-east of Mariupol); heavy machine guns and automatic easel grenade launchers  near Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk)," the press center of the JFO Headquarters reports.

The invaders also opened fire from grenade launchers of various systems and heavy machine guns not far from Pavlopil (25km north-west of Mariupol); underbarrel grenade launchers and heavy machine guns  in the suburbs of Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk); automatic easel grenade launchers and heavy machine guns  outside Zaitseve (62km north-east of Donetsk).

One Ukrainian defender received a shrapnel wound and was promptly taken to a medical facility. His health condition is satisfactory.

Ukrainian soldiers returned fire in response to the enemy's shelling.

The Ukrainian side of the Joint Control and Coordination Center (JCCC) informed the OSCE SMM about the violations committed by the armed formations of the Russian Federation.

As of 07:00 on April 27, three ceasefire violations were recorded. No combat losses were reported.

ish
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- One Call, a leader in workers' compensation and ancillary services for Medicare and Medicaid, today announced Gunjan Bhow, Global Chief Digital Officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance, has been elected to One Call's board of directors effective immediately. Bhow brings more than two decades of experience leading transformations for organizations through customer-centric digital product strategy and business models across the private and public sectors.

Gunjan Bhow

"We are excited to welcome Gunjan Bhow to our board of directors. We are eager to put his innovative mind to work as we continue to leverage digital technology and automation to improve our stakeholder experience," said One Call CEO Thomas Warsop.

This announcement comes shortly after One Call announced a business transformation, affirming their commitment to getting people the care they need, when they need it, and championing their commitment to closely examining the entire claims process, from the time someone is injured at work to their return, to identify ways to improve outcomes for all stakeholders involved.

Bhow is leading the digital transformation of Walgreens' $130 billion global business spanning healthcare, pharmacy and retail, to improve the health and wellbeing of their customers. His agile, innovative, and human-centric approach closely aligns with that of One Call.

Previously, Bhow was the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital, Mobile, and e-Commerce at the Walt Disney Company for Disney, ABC, Marvel, Pixar, ESPN, and Star Wars. Prior to the Walt Disney Company, Bhow was the General Manager of Digital and Mobile Products at Amazon, overseeing the product strategy for Amazon Echo, Alexa, Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Prime Digital, Photos, Music, and Amazon Studios. He led the Fire TV Stick, the fastest selling product in Amazon history, from concept to completion.

Bhow received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California Berkeley and his Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

In addition to his position on One Call's board of directors, he also serves on the board of directors for WideOpenWest, Inc., the sixth largest cable and broadband network operator in the United States on the board of directors for REI, a leading retailer of outdoor and recreation products and services, and on the board of directors for The Child Mind Institute, a national non-profit dedicated to improving children's mental health.

About One Call

As a leader in the workers' compensation industry and ancillary services for Medicare and Medicaid, One Call has an unwavering commitment to getting people the care they need, when they need it. Leveraging over 30 years of industry experience and innovative solutions, we are moving people through their care journeys better than ever before, providing exceptional, predictive, and responsive care coordination. For more information and the latest news, visit us at onecallcm.com, LinkedIn (One Call), Facebook (@onecallcm), and Twitter (@onecallcm).

Media Contact:

Jessica Taft

One Call, Vice President, Marketing and Branding

[email protected]

SOURCE One Call

Related Links

www.onecallcm.com


New Orleans officials are considering easing coronavirus restrictions this week in light of new federal mask-wearing guidance and changes to the state's rules, though its unclear how far the city's rules will go.

Officials from Mayor LaToya Cantrell's administration plan to study new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Louisiana's new rules over the next day or two before announcing changes later this week, City Hall spokesperson Beau Tidwell said Tuesday.

The CDC said early Tuesday that fully vaccinated people can remove masks while outdoors unless they are in big crowds. Unvaccinated people can also go maskless when they walk, bike or run alone or with members of their households, or when they are at a small outdoor gathering with fully vaccinated people.

+2 In 'return of freedom,' vaccinated Americans can now go outside without a mask, CDC says NEW YORK (AP)  U.S. health officials say fully vaccinated Americans don't need to wear masks outdoors anymore unless they are in a big crowd 

Gov. John Bel Edwards was set Tuesday afternoon to announce what the changes would mean for Louisiana and what other restrictions will apply statewide in the coming weeks. His current Phase 3 order expires Wednesday.

[UPDATE: Edwards lifts Louisiana mask mandate ]

The city's rules aren't likely to mirror the state's, Tidwell said; such has been the case throughout the pandemic. However, city officials have also largely followed CDC recommendations over the past 13 months.

That means New Orleans could change its current mandate that masks are required in most public situations, except during outdoor exercise or when eating or drinking.

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

"Right now we want you to wear a mask when you are outdoors, period," Tidwell said. "The degree to which our guidance is going to change in relation to this new CDC information is going to be determined within the next 24 to 48 hours."

For the past three weeks, Louisiana has operated with no capacity limits on its businesses but kept its mask mandate in place. New Orleans has required masks and enforced a 75% capacity limit on restaurants, salons and barber shops, stores, movie theaters and other establishments.

City bars without food permits have been allowed to seat half of their customers inside; both restaurants and bars have been allowed to serve liquor only between the hours of 6 a.m. and 1 a.m.

The reasoning for the stiffer rules is because New Orleans saw alarmingly high cases of COVID-19 in the early days of the pandemic, and only about 43% of residents have gotten at least one vaccine dose, Tidwell said. About 36% are fully protected.

"The mayor has an obligation to keep people safe as best as she can. What that is going to mean is judging things by the data and not the date," Tidwell said.

Cantrell and Health Department Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno plan to announce, probably by Wednesday and certainly by Friday, what New Orleans' new rules will look like, Tidwell added.
A Mumbai resident filed a complaint against advertising giant WPP accusing the company of misrepresenting the Indian map. This happened during a global investor presentation held in August last year according to media reports.

The complainant alleged that J&K and Ladakh are missing from the Indian map and parts of India are being shown as parts of China (Aksai Chin). WPP has issued a response saying that it has removed the material in question and will engage with authorities on the matter.

The complainant emphasized that the depiction is not a mere graphical representation because it does media management work for publicly listed companies in India and is required to have correct geo data classification of Indian territories.

The complainant noted that after he brought the issue to the companys notice in October last year, the presentation was removed from the global website and the issue was attributed to a technical glitch.

The complainant added that it was WPPs obligation towards India to check data architectures of all digital publishers that the company buys on behalf of Indian clients.

The misrepresentation could potentially be a violation of the National Map Policy, 2005 which allows users to publish maps on hard copy or web subject to certification from Survey of India. According to the draft Geospatial Information Regulation Bill, 2016 incorrect depictions of the map of India could land violators in jail with maximum 7 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 100 crore. However, the draft legislation has yet to be made into a law.
Several big health insurers have quietly begun charging patients for their COVID-19 treatment, Kaiser Health News reports.

Why it matters: Insurers waived most cost-sharing for coronavirus treatments last year, but those waivers are now expiring. And the costs for people who end up in the hospital "could be substantial," per KHN.

Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.

The state of play: Anthem and Aetna have ended their cost-sharing waivers. UnitedHealth began rolling back in the fall and finished doing so by March, KHN writes.

Some smaller plans will continue to waive patients' costs into this summer.

COVID-19 vaccinations and testing should still be free, based on guidance from the White House.

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Minutes before the judge read the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, a Columbus, Ohio, police officer shot a 15-year-old Black girl dead in the driveway of her foster home. The officer fired four shots, and MaKhia Bryant dropped to the ground.

The killings were not similar. They were not comparable instances of police violence against an unarmed, subdued Black person. Bryant was apparently holding a knife and lunging toward another young woman. Perhaps the officer saved the life of the person who was threatened.

But it is no surprise that so many Black Americans  and some whites, as well  viewed the deaths of George Floyd and MaKhia Bryant through the same lens. As police violence has gone unchecked over decades  indeed, over generations  many of us have little reason to believe that white law enforcement officers value Black lives.

For much of my adult life, I believed the familiar excuse offered after a white police officer was caught on camera shooting an unarmed Black person in the back or beating a subdued Black man mercilessly: He (or she) is just one bad apple. There is nothing poisonous in the apple tree.

But the election of Donald J. Trump stripped the cover off the racism that fertilizes the apples. The former reality TV star campaigned as the new George Wallace, his rhetoric laced with explicit bigotry. He denounced Mexicans, stereotyped Muslims and described predominantly Black neighborhoods as crime-infested war zones. And he was endorsed by every major police union in the country.

Not that their enthusiasm for Trump was necessary to detect the pattern of bigotry. Footage from cellphone cameras and officer-worn body cameras had revealed a shocking level of police violence against unarmed Black people for at least a decade. So had statistics: According to data compiled by The Washington Post for the years 2015 to 2020, unarmed Black people were killed by police at three times the rate of white people, and unarmed Latinos at 1.45 times the rate of white people.

(Perhaps some grade-school arithmetic is needed for clarity. More white people have been killed, but there are far more white people in the United States than Blacks or Latinos. So the proportion of unarmed people of color killed is still much higher.)

While police officers are directly responsible for those deaths, white civilians have played a significant role in protecting them from accountability. Police unions are but one part of the problem. On the rare occasions that police officers have been charged with a crime, prosecutors and jurors shield them, finding their actions justified.

Why were we on tenterhooks awaiting the verdict in the Chauvin case? The evidence against him was overwhelming, as shown in agonizing video courageously recorded by then-17-year-old Darnella Frazier. Several police officers, including Chauvins superiors, testified that his use of force was not justified. Still, many of us were not sure what the jury would do. I am old enough to remember the 1991 case of an unarmed Rodney King, severely beaten by California police officers who were videotaped but later acquitted.

And what about those cases where there is no video? There has been no justice for Breonna Taylor, who had no criminal record and was gunned down in her own home. Using a no-knock warrant, Louisville police burst into Taylors apartment late on March 13, 2020. Her boyfriend fired at the door, thinking intruders were breaking in. Officers released a volley of gunfire, striking Taylor six times. Police allegedly were seeking evidence related to drug trafficking by Taylors ex-boyfriend, but neither narcotics nor cash were found.

When Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a Black Republican, presented the case to the grand jury, he minimized the actions of police, later stating that the officers firing into Taylors apartment was justified. Only one of the three officers involved was ultimately charged, and he was cited on three counts of wanton endangerment, a relatively minor offense.

It will take more activism, more protests and more legislation to change police behavior in this country. It will also take more cases of officers who are sent to prison for killing unarmed Black and brown civilians.

Cynthia Tucker won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2007. She can be reached at cynthia@cynthiatucker.com.
The rate of new Covid cases is declining in the United States, with the most recent seven-day averages dipping below the 60,000 mark for the first time in over a month as experts hailed the impact of vaccines

Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Apr, 2021 ) :The rate of new Covid cases is declining in the United States, with the most recent seven-day averages dipping below the 60,000 mark for the first time in over a month as experts hailed the impact of vaccines.

Data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention showed that as of April 24, the rolling average was 57,123 cases, and a month-long mini bump was now over.

It comes as the number of people vaccinated continued to rise, though the rate is beginning to taper off as domestic demand slows.

Almost 140 million people have now received one dose, or 42 percent of the whole population.

Writing on Twitter, Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University school of Public Health, said he believed this time the decline would be permanent, "Because in mid-March, when last mini-surge began, 21% of the population had been vaccinated.

Today, we're twice that." He said that 42 percent with one shot wasn't "enough," but added: "42% close to number at which we should see steady declines in infections. In Israel, once 45% of population was fully vaccinated, case numbers started to plummet." Experts are however worried by the vaccination rate, which peaked earlier this month at an average of more than 3 million doses per day and is now down to 2.6 million per day.

Many people who wished to get vaccinated have received jabs, though some access issues persist, particularly among communities of color.

On the other hand, vaccine skepticism remains high among some demographics, including political conservatives.

A government survey last month found the 10 states with the largest share of people who said they definitely or probably won't get vaccinated are all conservative-leaning.
Scientists from around the world are gathering to share the latest research at the forefront of biology during the Experimental Biology (EB) 2021 meeting. Many sessions focus on the year's most pressing priorities in bioscience: COVID-19 and the virus that causes it, SARS-CoV-2. Here are five highlights:

Legacy of COVID-19 in blood vessels may raise risk of heart disease

A study from the Medical College of Wisconsin suggests COVID-19 could cause long-term problems with the functioning of blood vessels, potentially increasing the risk of heart disease. Scientists examined arterioles, small branches of the cardiovascular system, in tissue samples from 14 people who had recovered from COVID-19 and 19 who had never had COVID-19. Arterioles regulate the flow of oxygen-rich blood to tissues by widening (dilating) and narrowing according to the body's needs at each moment. When exposed to stimuli (like chemicals or flow) that cause blood vessels to dilate, the arterioles from COVID-19 patients did not widen nearly as much as those from people without COVID-19. This effect was attributed to impaired functioning of the endothelium, the lining of the blood vessels. The effect was most pronounced in samples from people who had COVID-19 less than three months earlier; endothelium functioning was still impaired but closer to normal by eight months after infection. Over time, endothelial dysfunction in the blood vessels can lead to several forms of heart disease.

Yoshinori Nishijima will present this research online from 11:15-11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 29 (abstract). Images available.

Promising leads in the search for COVID-19 treatments

While vaccines are critical to curbing the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still a need for better treatments to improve the outlook for those who become infected. Research from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center suggests drugs that inhibit a key enzyme in the SARS-CoV-2 virus could offer promising leads for an antiviral treatment. In experiments using cell cultures, the researchers found that three naturally occurring compounds significantly reduced the activity of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, an enzyme the virus uses to replicate. The research team was able to trace how two of the compounds, phebestin and probestin, inhibit the main protease at the molecular level. They also found that these compounds did not harm mouse cells from the lining of the lungs, a test used to screen for safety concerns associated with delivering medicines through the nose. Based on these findings, the researchers say the compounds, which are members of a class of molecules called peptidic ?-hydroxy amides, warrant further study as potential antiviral drugs for COVID-19.

Nagendra Yarla will present this research online on-demand from April 27-30 (abstract). Images available.

Molecules found in stem cells could calm COVID-19 cytokine storm

Treatment options are currently limited for patients with COVID-19 who suffer an excessive immune response known as a cytokine storm, which causes life-threatening damage to organs and tissues. Research led by the Houston Methodist Research Institute demonstrates that stem cells isolated from amniotic fluid contain several molecules that might be able to help counter a cytokine storm. Unlike embryonic stem cells, these cells are routinely collected to test amniotic fluid during prenatal diagnosis, without harm to the mother or fetus. Researchers found that the amniotic stem cells contained molecules involved in communicating with immune cells, regulating immunity and inflammation, protecting and repairing the lining of the lungs and maintaining a healthy heart. The study suggests mesenchymal stem cells from amniotic fluid, which have previously been explored as a therapy for other conditions, could offer a new option for treating the severe and chronic inflammation resulting from COVID-19 infection.

Salvatore Vaiasicca will present this research online from 2:45-3 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 (abstract).

Expert roundtable: Toward understanding and containing the COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers will present a series of lightning talks on the mechanisms underlying COVID-19 infections along with updates on current and emerging treatments and vaccines. Topics include SARS-CoV-2 variants and genomic analysis; autopsy-derived insights into the pathobiology of COVID-19; the race for a vaccine; and mitigating COVID-19 in meat and poultry processing plants.

The session will be held online from 2-5 p.m. on Friday, April 30, and include a live Q&A with experts (more information).

How COVID-19 changed practices for science education

How did science educators and students adjust to constraints on in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic? A survey of educators in anatomy -- a field with a strong emphasis on in-person, hands-on learning -- sheds light on changing practices. Researchers from 10 universities across the U.S. and Canada conducted two surveys of anatomy educators in 2020. The first survey collected 67 responses from May through August, and the second collected 191 responses from August to December, reflecting the summer and fall terms, respectively. Respondents reported a drastic reduction of in-person lectures while remote instruction increased; they also reduced the use of cadavers and increased the use of other laboratory teaching materials, such as digital and virtual anatomical technology. These changes were most pronounced early in the pandemic. During the final months of 2020, respondents reported greater use of in-person teaching and use of cadavers, though these practices were still diminished and varied by institution compared with prepandemic levels. The researchers suggest further study can help elucidate whether these trends may represent long-term changes for anatomy education.

Derek Harmon will present this research online in poster R2047 (abstract). Images available.

EB 2021 is the premiere annual meeting of five scientific societies to be held online April 27-30, 2021. Contact the media team for more information or to obtain a free press pass to attend the virtual meeting.

###

About Experimental Biology 2021

Experimental Biology is an annual meeting comprised of thousands of scientists from five host societies and multiple guest societies. With a mission to share the newest scientific concepts and research findings shaping clinical advances, the meeting offers an unparalleled opportunity for exchange among scientists from across the U.S. and the world who represent dozens of scientific areas, from laboratory to translational to clinical research. http://www. experimentalbiology. org #expbio
Kirk Rivers addresses demonstrators outside City Hall as they await members of the city council who held an emergency meeting on Friday, in Elizabeth City, N.C., in regards to the death of Andrew Brown Jr., who was shot and killed by a Pasquotank County Deputy Sheriff earlier in the week.
As he rounds out his first 100 days in office, President Joe Biden's focus on reining in the coronavirus during the early months of his administration seems to have paid off: He can check off nearly all his campaign promises centered on the pandemic.

Biden has delivered on a number of his biggest campaign pledges focused on climate change and the economy as well. But some issues have proved to be tougher for the administration - including immigration, where Biden is grappling with how to enact promised reforms in the face of a steep increase in unaccompanied minors seeking to cross the border. On some of his promises, Biden is waiting for Congress to act.

Where Biden stands on some of his key promises:

IMMIGRATION

- Raise refugee cap to 125,000, up from the 15,000 set by President Donald Trump.

Nowhere close. The White House first said it would stick to Trump's 15,000 cap due to "humanitarian concerns." After facing backlash from Democrats, it shifted gears and said Biden would increase the historically low cap on refugees set by Trump - but probably not all the way to the 62,500 that Biden previously had planned. And the numbers actually admitted this year are likely to be closer to 15,000.

- Surge humanitarian resources to the border and encourage public-private partnerships to deal with an increase in migration there.

Yes, but is it enough? The Department of Homeland Security has deployed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help deal with the major increase of border arrivals, and Biden signed an executive order asking officials to prepare plans for using humanitarian resources there. He has yet to establish any new public-private partnerships. The largest number of unaccompanied children ever at the border created massive overcrowding at Customs and Border Protection facilities and set off a mad scramble for temporary space at convention centers, military bases and other large venues.

- Reform the U.S. asylum system.

Incomplete. Biden signed an executive order in February directing his officials to craft a strategy for migration, including refugees and asylum seekers. Biden has promised to unveil a new "humane" asylum system but he and his aides have been mum on timing and offered no specifics. Hes eliminated some Trump-era policies, like a requirement that new asylum seekers wait in Mexico. But he has kept a Trump-era policy that allows Customs and Border Protection to expel migrants who enter the country without authorization to avoid the spread of COVID-19. And Biden has yet to articulate a plan to manage asylum flows beyond proposing that billions of dollars be spent to address root causes in Central America.

- Deliver a comprehensive immigration reform bill to Congress within his first 100 days.

Done.

- End travel restrictions on people from a number of Muslim-majority countries.

Done.

- Reverse Trump-era order expanding criteria for deporting immigrants and return to Obama-era principle of prioritizing deportations of immigrants posing a national security, border security or public health risk.

Done.

- Stop funding and building the border wall.

Done.

- Reverse Trumps public charge rule discouraging immigrants from using public benefits.

Done.

- Restore the Obama-era principle of deporting foreigners who are seen as posing a national security threat or who have committed crimes in addition to the crime of illegal entry.

Done.

- Freeze deportations for 100 days.

Attempted, but blocked in court.

- Streamline and improve the naturalization process for green card holders.

In progress. Biden signed an executive order in February ordering a plan to improve the naturalization process, and the Department of Homeland Security has since revoked some Trump-era rules, sought public input into naturalization barriers and reverted to a 2008 version of the U.S. civics test for applicants, considered more accessible than the Trump-era revamp.

- End family separation and create task force to reunite families separated at the border.

In progress. Biden signed executive orders ending the policy and establishing a task force focused on reuniting families. The task force is making slow progress as it pores over thousands of records.

- Order a review of Temporary Protected Status.

No review has been ordered, but Bidens Department of Homeland Security has granted TPS for Venezuelans and Burmese, extended it for Syrians and extended a related program for Liberians.

- Convene a regional meeting of leaders, including officials from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Canada, to address the factors driving migration and propose a regional resettlement solution.

Not yet. Vice President Kamala Harris, tasked with dealing with the root causes of migration, has spoken to the leaders of Mexico and Guatemala, but no regional meeting is on the horizon.

- Protect those often described as "Dreamers" - young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally by their parents - and their families by reinstating DACA, the Obama-era policy defending them from deportation.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in March his agency was issuing a rule to "preserve and fortify DACA," but the policy faces a Texas court challenge that could invalidate protections for those often described as "dreamers."

- Ensure that personnel within Immigration and Customs Enforcement and within Customs and Border Protection abide by professional standards and are held accountable for inhumane treatment.

Biden included funding for training and investigating misconduct in his immigration bill and in the budget he proposed to Congress. His administration has faced questions about allegations of abuse in at least one Texas facility, which are being investigated.

- End prolonged migrant detention and invest in a case-management system to process people.

Theres been no announcement of added investments in case-management systems. The administration did roll out plans to release parents and children within 72 hours of their arrival in the United States in March. Officials subsequently acknowledged that hundreds of children have been held by Border Patrol for much longer, due to an increase in unaccompanied minors arriving at the border and a lack of facilities to house them.

___

DOMESTIC POLICY

- Reverse transgender military ban.

Done.

- Establish police oversight board.

Abandoned. The Biden administration said it was scrapping the idea, after consultations with civil rights groups and police unions that said it would be counterproductive.

- Direct attorney general to deliver a list of recommendations for restructuring the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other Justice Department agencies to better enforce gun laws.

Not yet.

- Direct FBI to issue report on delays in background checks for gun purchases.

Not yet.

- Reauthorize Violence Against Women Act

Requires congressional action.

- Sign Equality Act

Requires congressional action.

- Create Cabinet-level working group focused on promoting union organizing tasked with delivering a plan to increase union density and address economic inequality.

Not yet.

___

COVID-19

- Rejoin World Health Organization.

Done.

- Ensure 100 million vaccines have been administered before the end of his first 100 days, later increased to 200 million.

Done.

- Increase access to testing and establish pandemic testing board.

Done.

- Issue mask mandate on federal property and ask Americans to wear masks for 100 days.

Done.

- Extend nationwide restrictions on home evictions and foreclosures.

Done.

- Continue to pause student loan payments.

Done.

- Safely reopen a majority of K-8 schools.

According to data collected by Burbio, a school-tracking site, as of April 18 62% of schools offered in-person learning every day. Its unclear what percentage of those schools are elementary schools.

- Push for passage of $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief legislative package.

Done; the bill passed in March.

___

CLIMATE

- Rescind Keystone XL oil pipeline permit, protect the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, rejoin the Paris climate agreement and embrace the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to reduce harmful hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs.

Done.

- Convene climate world summit and persuade nations to set more ambitious emissions pledges.

Done.

- Ban new oil and gas leases on federal lands and offshore waters.

Sort of - he's imposed an indefinite moratorium on new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters.

- Reverse Trump rollbacks on 100 public health and environmental rules.

In progress. Biden signed an executive order on Inauguration Day ordering a review of Trump-era rules on the environment, public health and science, and has begun the process of rolling back some.

___

ECONOMY

- Roll back Trump's 2017 cuts to corporate tax rates.

In progress. Biden has proposed raising the corporate tax rate to 28% from the 21% rate set by Trump's 2017 overhaul of the tax code.

- Provide $2,000 in direct payments as part of COVID-19 relief.

Done. The aid package approved right before Biden became president offered $600 in direct payments to eligible Americans. Biden said the payment should have been $2,000. His $1.9 trillion relief package included $1,400 in additional direct payments, which with the prior round adds up to $2,000.

- Pause federal student debt payments.

Done.

- Order a review of U.S. supply chains.

Done.

___

FOREIGN POLICY

- "End the forever wars in Afghanistan and the Middle East" and terminate U.S. involvement in the Yemen civil war.

In progress. Biden announced that the American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan would begin by May 1 and the redeployment would be done no later than Sept. 11. Biden announced he was ending American support for the five-year Saudi Arabia-led military offensive in Yemen.

- Put human rights at the center of foreign policy.

Mixed. Biden has directly raised concerns with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Hong Kong, human rights abuses against Uyghur and ethnic minorities in the western Xinjiang province, and its actions toward Taiwan. Hes repeatedly raised concerns about the jailing and treatment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. But Biden declined to hold Saudi Arabias crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, directly responsible for the killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi even after the publication of U.S. intelligence showing Salman approved of the hit.

- Improving relations with allies who had rocky relations with Trump.

Mostly accomplished. Allies like Canadas Justin Trudeau and Germanys Angela Merkel, who had stormy relationships with Trump, have praised Biden for his efforts reclaim U.S. leadership on climate issues, and leaders in the Indo-Pacific have been pleased by early efforts at coordination on China policy.

- Reversing the embrace of "dictators and tyrants like Putin and Kim Jong Un."

Mostly accomplished. Biden has levied two rounds of sanctions against the Russians. His administration decided to be measured in its approach with Putin and has said that hes interested in finding areas where the U.S. and Russia can find common ground. Bidens team acknowledges they have sought to reengage with North Korea, but have been rebuffed.

- Quickly rejoin the nuclear deal with Iran so long as Tehran comes back into compliance.

Mixed. Indirect talks are under way among other signatories of the 2015 deal, including British, German, French, Chinese and Russian officials, with American officials down the hall. But the path forward is less than certain as Tehran has thus far refused to come into compliance with the old deal without sanctions relief and it recently began enriching uranium to its highest purity ever.

- Recognize World War I-era atrocities against Armenians as genocide.

Completed. As a candidate, Biden said, if elected, he'd make it U.S. policy to recognize the killings and mass deportations by Ottoman Empire forces of hundreds of thousands of Armenians more than a century ago - something past presidents have avoided doing out of concern of angering strategic ally Turkey. Biden followed through on the promise on the annual commemoration Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. Turkey swiftly condemned the move.

- Associated Press
Despite the threat by the Ekiti State Government to fire teachers who reject rural postings, fresh complaints have poured in from the communities that the practice is still endemic.

The Omu and Ijelu Ekiti communities in Oye local government area of Ekiti State have particularly lamented the paucity of teachers in their primary and secondary schools, as those posted to the towns sought immediate redeployment.

However, in February, the State Universal Basic Education Board disclosed that it had uncovered the practice of teachers rejecting postings to rural communities and would henceforth sanction such erring employees.

It was gathered that some of the teachers often worked their postings back to areas of their choice afterward, denying rural communities of adequate teachers.

The teachers are those hired under the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB).

The teachers often complain of difficult terrains and inaccessible villages as the reasons for their actions.

They also cite poor incentives and lack of basic amenities.

Communities lament

On Tuesday, the two Ekiti communities revealed that they were suffering a lack of teachers as those posted to the area continued to reject the postings.

The communities called on the state governor, Kayode Fayemi, to look into the crisis and make adequate corrections for the sake of their future.

The Elejelu of Ijelu, Adetoyinbo Ajayi, spoke on behalf of the two communities, in Ijelu Ekiti at a town hall meeting between constituents and Councillor of ward 12 in Oye Council.

The meeting, which held at the instance of the Justice Development and Peace Initiative (JDPI) and MISEREOR, also had in attendance religious leaders, trade associations, ethnic groups like Ebira, Igedde, Fulani and farmers in the communities.

The Councillor, George Owolabi, who represented the monarch said records showed that 22 teachers were posted to schools in the two communities at the State Universal Basic Education Board and the Teaching Service Commission.

But sad enough, only eight reported and they had all left, he said.

We later wrote the authorities for another six, only three of them are still here.

Teachers are now being engaged and paid by the communities.

The Director of JDPI, Ekiti Catholic Diocese, Emmanuel Akingbade, said the meeting was designed to deepen governance at the grassroots and to make elected representatives accountable to the people who elected them into political offices.

The first level of all government is the ward. Democracy is when everybody, that is, the rulers and the ruled participate in governance with constant interface between the constituents and their representatives, Mr Akingbade, who is a priest, said.

Such meetings must be held on regular basis with the elected representatives for the sake of the development of every community.

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Mental Health Month is celebrated every May as a time to help eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness and provide resources for continued education and support. This May, I want to stop and take a look at the current state of mental health as a result of the pandemic. It is apparent that the pandemic has been a challenge for every citizen of the world, with no exceptions.



We have seen this through phone conversations with our families, cancelled celebrations with our friends and, for Centerstone, an increased demand for quality mental health care. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic began, we had already seen two challenging epidemics of drug overdoses and deaths by suicide. The pandemic, along with its life-altering effects, has only exacerbated these and other mental health challenges.



As increasing mental health challenges are becoming more apparent, so is the shortage of mental health providers nationwide. As of September 2020, only 26.9 percent of people in the United States are able to have their mental health care needs met, with numbers as low as 11.1 percent in some states. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates that by 2025, the U.S. will have a shortage of 15,400 psychiatrists, 26,930 mental health counselors and 57,490 psychologists. It is clear that there is a growing need for mental health providers.

Its hard to talk about challenges from the pandemic without first recognizing the people for whom there has been substantial and life-altering loss. There are those who have experienced the tremendous loss of loved ones, permanent health injuries from the virus, unemployment, home and vehicle loss and more. For others, the fear of themselves or their loved ones contracting the virus has been damaging. One year into this major historical event, many of us feel a sort of pandemic fatigue.



We are fatigued from the isolation we have experienced over the last year. Before the pandemic started, Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy described loneliness and social isolation as the root of many mental health issues such as substance use disorders, depression and anxiety. As we have stayed isolated for these 13 months and seen the rise in mental health challenges, this has continually proven itself to be true. Beyond social isolation, we experience exhaustion from COVID-19 precautions, ongoing uncertainties, risks in every decision, financial stress and the overall change of routine.



So after looking at all the bad, where can we find hope? We look to the future: we will not live in this COVID-19 world forever. Infection rates in many communities are lowering, and more individuals are receiving the vaccine. As of the day Im writing this, more than 135 million people in the U.S. alone have received at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccine. Many schools and other organizations are looking at safely opening back up in full swing by the fall. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

But let us not forget the lessons weve learned this year. Practically, weve improved in our technological capabilities and learned that more jobs can be worked remotely. Weve learned how crucial social connection and self-care are, and ways to continue these even as we are physically separated. Through it all, weve learned to be resilient, always ready for the next challenge. As we grow closer to leaving our homes and adjusting to a new normal, let us carry these vital lessons with us.



David C. Guth, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Centerstone

Centerstone is a not-for-profit health system providing mental health and substance use disorder treatments.
IRISH Water has identified the reason many peoples water supply in Limerick was off-colour for the last day.

Scores of homes in Raheen, Dooradoyle, Patrickswell and its surrounds had seen the water running off their taps appearing as a murky shade.

Fine Gael councillor Olivia OSullivan also reported today that the water was running that colour in Coonagh, Bellfield, Farranshone and the Old Cratloe Road on the citys northside.

Ive had reports of water discolouration from #Coonagh residents this morning. The issue is reported to @IWCare and the Council. If anyone else on the northside is having issues please let me know or report directly to @IWCare 1850 278 278 #IWLimerick pic.twitter.com/sUZj6KVDOe April 27, 2021

#IWLimerick #IWCare quite concerning that there hasnt been an update or any bit of information if the water is save to use after 15hrs in 2021. Sure there has to be chemical tests around to do a quick test. pic.twitter.com/B1Q52QNqSX  Mario Beck (@mariobeck_lmk) April 27, 2021

Now, the State water utility has confirmed the discolouration occurred following a disturbance in a water main after routine reservoir maintenance works.

The pipe network is currently being flushed out, and its anticipated the supply will return to normal over the coming hours.

Ian OMahony, Irish Waters operations lead, said: These works necessitated a temporary reconfiguration of the local water network which resulted in increased pressure causing sediment in the water main to become dislodged. Chlorine levels have been maintained in order to disinfect the water and we are continuing to monitor the situation.

He confirmed: The water supply should return to normal for the majority of customers over the coming hours following flushing but it may take longer for the discolouration to clear in some isolated parts of the network. It is advisable to wait until the discolouration clears before drinking. However the water is safe to use for washing and it is important that people continue to follow the advice of the health authorities in relation to handwashing and hygiene.

Both Irish Water and Limerick City and County Council have apologised for any inconvenience as a result of this unplanned issue.

Irish Waters customer care helpline remains open 24/7 on 1850 278 278 to answer customers queries.

Irish Water can also be contacted on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates please visit the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website.
[April 27, 2021] Great Learning launches CareerPlus to make in-demand jobs more accessible to college students and freshers

NEW DELHI, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Great Learning, one of India's leading EdTech companies for professional and higher education, recently launched CareerPlus, a career support and jobs product that focuses on providing holistic career support to college students, freshers and recent graduates through (a) high-quality job preparatory programs, (b) live sessions to strengthen key skills tested in job interviews, (c) job-readiness assessments to assess their preparation and (d) job postings from corporate hiring partners. The company has partnered with 100+ corporates, which includes marquee organizations such as Informatica, Tech Mahindra, Nielsen, WNS, GE, Netskope, Ugam Solutions, etc to enable these job opportunities for the aspirants. Hundreds of job opportunities are posted every month on the platform and several hundred aspirants have already obtained successful career transitions. CareerPlus is part of Great Learning's open learning platform, Great Learning Academy. Great Learning Academy has 300+ English & Hindi free certificate programs on in-demand job domains such as Software Development & Programming, Digital Marketing, Business, Data Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Design, etc. Great Learning Academy currently has over 1.1 Million registered learners from over 160 countries including several hundred thousand Indian college students, fresh graduates and experienced working professionals. CareerPlus provides aspirants with specilly designed high-quality job preparation programs that consist of self-paced videos, quizzes and doubt-clearing live sessions delivered by subject matter experts. These help to strengthen general skills that are tested by most recruiters in the interview process such as logical reasoning, numerical ability, reading comprehension, etc. Aspirants can also submit a short video and receive feedback on their communication skills.



Once adequately prepared, aspirants can take a qualifying test, which will allow them to apply to relevant jobs available on the platform. To help aspirants when applying to specific jobs, further preparatory programs on high demand technical skills such as Java, Python programming, SQL, Data Structures & Algorithms, Digital Marketing, Sales etc are also offered. Interview preparation assistance is also provided in the form of live sessions that provide guidance on appropriate body language, attire, and etiquette for physical and virtual interviews for young aspirants.



Speaking on the launch Mohan Lakhamraju, CEO and Founder, Great Learning, said, "The past year was a difficult one for all of us, especially students pursuing their undergrad and post-grad degrees. With campus placements not being held in their usual capacity and organizations cutting down on manpower across verticals and sectors, we've witnessed learners facing a difficult time landing jobs of their choice. We also observed organizations facing a challenge in finding the right talent, skilled to take on their roles without much handholding. To bridge the gap at both ends, we came up with CareerPlus. We believe that the pandemic should not get in the way of young aspirants from kick-starting their careers. Hence, we want to provide students in the final year of their colleges and freshers an opportunity to crack sought-after jobs. We have a pool of companies who have partnered with us to open up vacancies on CareerPlus. The rigorous preparatory assistance and job ready tests we provide to aspirants ensures that they have a better chance of cracking job interviews and companies also need to spend less time and effort to find high quality candidates. This is one of our many endeavors to help learners in achieving their desired professional career trajectory irrespective of the external factors". About Great Learning Great Learning is one of India's leading ed-tech companies for professional and higher education. It offers comprehensive, industry-relevant programs in Software Engineering, Business Management, Business Analytics, Data Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Digital Marketing, Design Thinking, and more. Great Learning's programs are developed in collaboration with the world's foremost academic institutions like Stanford, MIT, The University of Texas at Austin, Northwestern University, IIT Madras, IIT Roorkee and Great Lakes Institute of Management and are constantly reimagined and revamped to address the dynamic needs of the industry. Great Learning is the only ed-tech company to provide these programs in a blended mode, classroom mode and in purely online mode, relying on its vast network of expert mentors and highly qualified faculty to deliver an unmatched learning experience for learners in India and the world. Through transformational learning, we have impacted over 1.1 million learners from over 160 countries. Great Learning is on a mission to enable transformative learning and career success in the digital economy for professionals and students across the globe. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1458111/Great_Learning_Logo.jpg

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Nine Radio has addressed their star Ben Fordham's recent slip in the ratings.

The media company's head of content Greg Byrnes said the talkback host would 'work harder' to claw back his share of the market, in an interview with Radio Today.

In the most recent ratings survey, Fordham's 2GB show fell 2.6 points to a 15.5% share.

Disappointed: Nine Radio has addressed their star Ben Fordham's [pictured] recent slip in the ratings

Meanwhile, the Wendy Harmer and Robbie Buck-hosted breakfast show on ABC Radio has climbed 0.5 points to a 13.2% share.

'Whats to remember is that hes still clear #1,' insisted Byrnes, while conceding that Fordham would be disappointed by the result.

'Hes a competitor, absolutely. Will they just go out and do the same thing when hes back on air next week? Absolutely. Work harder,' said the executive.

Despite the slide, Fordham still sits atop in the Sydney radio ratings.

Hot pursuit: Meanwhile, the Wendy Harmer [pictured in March] and Robbie Buck-hosted breakfast show on ABC Radio has climbed 0.5 points to a 13.2% share

Winners and losers: 2GB's Ben Fordham (left) has come out on top in the latest Sydney radio ratings. Meanwhile, 2Day FM's Morning Crew, hosted by Erin Molan (right), Dave 'Hughesy' Hughes and Ed Kavalee, has suffered a ratings backslide

Meanwhile 2Day FM's Morning Crew, hosted by Erin Molan, Dave 'Hughesy' Hughes and Ed Kavalee, dropped 0.6 per cent since the last survey.

2Day FM now holds a very slim 3.8 per cent of the Sydney breakfast radio audience.

KIIS 106.5's The Kyle and Jackie O Show grew its listenership by 1.1 per cent to obtain a 10.9 per cent share.

Across all stations and timeslots, 2GB leads with 13.4 per cent of the market, ahead of ABC Sydney (10.4 per cent) and Smooth FM (9.3 per cent).
Volcanoes deep in the ocean discharge so much energy potential when they erupt that they could theoretically power the whole of the United States. Scientists at the University of Leeds in the UK have gathered data via remotely operated vehicles from deep-sea volcanic activity in the Northeast Pacific. They found that ocean volcanoes were as intriguing to study as volcanoes on land, although the observer doesnt get as spectacular views from ocean-erupting volcanoes as from those on land.

The University of Leeds scientists suggest in their research, published this week in the journal Nature Communications, that submarine volcanoes create the so-called hydrothermal megaplumes when they erupt. The researchers estimate that extremely high rates of energy are being discharged during those eruptions. The rate of energy released and required to carry ash to the observed distances is extremely high  equivalent to the power used by the whole of the USA, the University of Leeds said about the research carried out by Dr Sam Pegler, from the School of Mathematics, and Dr David Ferguson, from the School of Earth and Environment, according to Oil Price.

The rapid release of immense energy from submarine eruptions means that submarine volcanic eruptions lead to the rapid emptying of reservoirs of hot fluids within the earths crust. As the magma forces its way upwards towards the seafloor, it drives this hot fluid with it, the scientists say.

Our results demonstrate that intervals of rapid hydrothermal discharge are likely commonplace during deep-ocean volcanism, the researchers said in their paper.

Observing a submarine eruption in person remains extremely difficult but the development of instruments based on the seafloor means data can be streamed live as the activity occurs, Dr. Ferguson said in a statement.

Although scientists have now begun to understand how ocean volcanoes work, the harnessing of the immense energy could be impossible.

Geothermal energy on land is one thing, but capturing the huge energy deep in the Pacific Ocean could be a whole different story.

Major oil corporations have moved to invest in geothermal energy on land. One of the latest was an announcement from U.S. supermajor Chevron last month that it invested in a private investment company focused on the development and operation of low-temperature geothermal and heat power assets in the United States and internationally.

The U.S. Department of Energy says that Geothermal is Americas untapped energy giant, highlighting in its analysis that this kind of always-on flexible renewable energy resource could grow 26-fold to generate 8.5 percent of U.S. electricity by 2050.

Geothermal resources in the U.S. are enormous, but geothermal energy accounted for just 0.4 percent of total utility-scale electricity generation in the United States in 2020, according to EIA data. Globally, America leads in geothermal electricity generation, but on a U.S. scale, geothermal is a negligible part of total electricity generation.

However, geothermal energy generation near volcanic activity is riskier to operate, as a recent incident showed.

In Hawaii, the lava flows from the Kilauea volcano led to the shutdown of the Puna Geothermal Venture power plant in 2018, which voluntarily ceased operations ahead of the approaching lava flow. The 38-megawatt (MW) facility is the only geothermal plant on the island, and it produced about 29 percent of the islands electricity generation in 2017, as per EIA data.

In 2018 during the Kilauea volcano eruption, production wells at a geothermal plant were plugged to prevent the release of toxic gases.

The power plant returned online in November 2020, sending electricity to the Hawaii Island grid two and a half years after the eruption of the Kilauea volcano put it out of operation.

Geothermal power development near active volcanoes on land is not without risks. In the ocean, the energy from submarine volcanoes could be enormous, but it will likely never be tapped. Still, understanding deep ocean volcano activity could give scientists more insight into how the earth works and how it affects marine life.
Flying aboard SpaceX's Crew-1 mission for NASA are astronauts (from left) Mike Hopkins, Soichi Noguchi, Shannon Walker, and Victor Glover. SpaceX; NASA; Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Update: Crew Dragon Resilience splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico early Sunday, safely delivering the Crew-1 astronauts back to Earth. Read more in our story.

A gumdrop-shaped fireball is set to plummet through the dark Florida skies overnight.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon spaceship, carrying four astronauts for NASA, is preparing to plow through the atmosphere at 25 times the speed of sound, deploy four parachutes as it approaches the coast of Florida, and then glide to a gentle splashdown in the ocean at about 2:57 a.m. ET on Sunday.

The return journey has already begun. The spaceship, named Resilience, has backed away from the International Space Station (ISS), carrying Shannon Walker, Victor Glover, and Mike Hopkins of NASA, along with Soichi Noguchi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

Resilience carried these astronauts to the ISS in November. They have been living and working there ever since.

Their mission, called Crew-1, officially restored NASA's ability to launch people into space on a US spacecraft for the first time since the Space Shuttles stopped flying in 2011. Six-month spaceflights have been routine for NASA astronauts launching on Russian Soyuz spaceships, but until now, the US had never flown such long-term missions on its own.

There were 11 humans aboard the International Space Station last week. NASA

Crew-1 is also SpaceX's first routine astronaut flight for NASA. The agency has already purchased five more Crew Dragon missions. The second one, Crew-2, launched four more astronauts toward the ISS on April 23; they reached the station the following morning.

Walker, Glover, Hopkins, and Noguchi greeted the new arrivals, but the ISS was getting crowded. So on Saturday evening, the Crew-1 team climbed back aboard the Crew Dragon Resilience for the journey home.

Story continues

Watch live as Crew-1 returns to Earth

NASA is broadcasting the nearly seven-hour journey - including the fiery plunge to Earth and the splashdown at the end - via the livestream below, which began at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Walker, Glover, Hopkins, and Noguchi boarded the Resilience capsule and closed its hatch behind them at 6:20 p.m. ET on Saturday. After about two hours of checkouts, the hooks keeping Resilience attached to the space station retracted at 8:35 p.m. ET, undocking the spaceship from the ISS. The vehicle then fired its thrusters to back away.

The Crew-1 return trip was originally scheduled for Wednesday, then for Saturday morning, but NASA delayed it twice after forecasts predicted high winds in the splashdown zones.

SpaceX has flown humans back to Earth from the ISS once before - on a crewed test flight called Demo-2. In May, that mission rocketed NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken into orbit. They stayed on the ISS for two months before splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico.

The entire descent and landing process is automated, but Hurley advised the Crew-1 astronauts to make sure they're "staying ahead of the capsule," according to Hopkins, the mission commander.

"Preparing for that landing is just going over our procedures and making sure when we get into that sequence of events, that we're ready to go, and we're following right along with all of the automation as it takes us to, hopefully, a safe landing," Hopkins told reporters in a call from the ISS on Monday.

If all goes well, Resilience is expected to spend the next few hours orbiting Earth and maneuvering into position. At 10:58 p.m. ET, the capsule should jettison its trunk - a lower section outfitted with fuel tanks, solar panels, and other hardware - which it will no longer need.

From there, the Crew-1 astronauts could be in for a bumpy ride.

"The landing was - I would say it was more than what Doug and I expected," Behnken told reporters after he returned to Earth aboard the spaceship. "I personally was surprised at just how quickly events all transpired."

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, aboard the Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft on August 2, 2020. NASA/Handout via Reuters

"It felt like we were inside of an animal," he added.

Behnken also said that pivotal moments of the landing process - such as when the capsule separated from its trunk and when the parachutes deployed - felt "very much like getting hit in the back of the chair with a baseball bat."

What to expect as the astronauts plummet to Earth

As the Resilience spacecraft approaches Earth, it is expected to fire its thrusters continuously, pushing itself further into the atmosphere.

An animation of Crew Dragon plowing through the atmosphere. SpaceX

Soon, the spaceship should be plummeting through the atmosphere, superheating the material around it to a blistering 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit. At that point in his flight, Behnken said, he could feel the capsule heating up, and the force of Earth's gravity pulling on him for the first time in two months. It felt like being in a centrifuge, he added.

The Crew Dragon's heat shield - a collection of heat-resistant tiles that line the spaceship's underbelly - must deflect that superheated material to protect the astronauts inside. After the Demo-2 landing, NASA and SpaceX found that one of those tiles had worn away more than expected. So SpaceX reinforced the heat shield with stronger materials.

Once it's about 18,000 feet above the ocean, Resilience should deploy four parachutes - which brings a "pretty significant jolt," Behnken said.

The Crew Dragon Endeavour lands in the Gulf of Mexico, returning astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to Earth on August 2, 2020. Bill Ingalls/NASA

From there, Resilience should glide to a gentle splashdown in the ocean at 2:57 a.m. ET on Sunday. A recovery crew is expected to retrieve the charred capsule and carry the astronauts to shore.

During Behnken and Hurley's return to Earth, a crowd of onlooking boats got dangerously close to the spaceship after it splashed down. To prevent that from happening again, SpaceX, NASA, and the Coast Guard plan to secure a 10-mile no-boat perimeter around the Crew-1 splashdown site.

The SpaceX GO Navigator recovery ship lifts the Crew Dragon capsule Endeavour out of the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, on August 2, 2020. Bill Ingalls/NASA

"Landings are always fairly dynamic, particularly with the capsules like this, particularly when the chutes are opening. So that's always a little bit exciting," Hopkins said.

When asked what he'd like to eat upon returning from the ISS, he replied, "If I have an appetite, that's going to be a bonus."

This post has been updated with new information. It was originally published on April 26, 2021.

Read the original article on Business Insider
OUTLAST AND OUTPLAY THE COMPETITION WITH THE RAZER OROCHI V2





[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press.]

With over 900 hours of battery life in an ultra-lightweight design, it is the perfect companion for notebook gamers.

For Release on April 27th, 2021, at 4pm BST / 5pm CET / 11.00pm SGT / 8am PST:

HAMBURG, Germany  Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers (Hong Kong Stock Code: 1337), today announced the Orochi V2, a compact, ultra-lightweight wireless gaming mouse capable of over 900 hours of use from a single AA battery. Equipped with ultra-low-latency Razer HyperSpeed Wireless technology and 2nd-gen Razer Mechanical Mouse Switches, the Orochi V2 combines performance and comfort in a compact design, ideal for notebook gamers. For laptop and notebook gamers, transporting high-performance gaming gear can be a challenge, with limited space for peripherals and accessories. The Orochi V2 was designed to deliver gamers a portable, high-performance gaming mouse that is small enough to slip into the pocket or in a carry bag. Razer HyperSpeed multi-device support allows gamers to connect their Razer Orochi V2 and wireless keyboard to a single USB dongle, saving up an additional USB port for other purposes. Ultra-lightweight universal design for all grip styles

Weighing less than 60 grams (excluding batteries), the Orochi V2s ultra-lightweight design has been created by Razers expert engineers and honed with the feedback from mouse enthusiasts, to give a symmetrical design, making the Orochi V2 a natural fit for many different grip styles. The tapered ends on the Orochi V2 provide a solid grip for quick, controlled flicks, while a raised back arch ensures a secure palm fit for less fatigue in extended sessions. Topped with a thumb-groove contour for stronger thumb grip and optimized side buttons for ease of access, the Orochi V2 allows users to dial in their focus on both work and play. Gamers shouldnt have to sacrifice performance for portability, said Alvin Cheung, Senior Vice President of Razers Peripherals Business Unit. The Orochi V2 uses state-of-the-art gaming grade components combined with unique lightweight design features, making it the ideal portable gaming mouse.



Performance that lasts Requiring only a single AA or AAA* battery, the Razer Orochi V2 features a hybrid battery slot, optimally positioned for balanced weight distribution. The Orochi V2 lasts over 900 hours of continuous usage in Bluetooth mode, ideal for mobile computing. Alternatively, gamers can select Razer HyperSpeed Wireless, for up to 425 hours of uninterrupted, lag-free connection. *AAA battery not included with purchase.

A first-class travel companion The Orochi V2 features the 2nd-gen Razer Mechanical Mouse Switches, with new gold-plated contact points that are less prone to degrading and have a longer lifespan of up to 60 million clicks, delivering a consistent, crisp click with every press. Additionally, the Orochi V2 features 100% PTFE mouse feet and an ultra-responsive 5G advanced optical sensor, resulting in a mouse that is the perfect add-on to any laptop-user who wants the best mouse for both productivity and performance.

Available in Black, White, or make it your own via Razer Customs The Orochi V2 is available as standard in either Black or White colors. Those who seek to add a personalized touch and display their passion and personality will be able to choose from over 100 different designs available through Razer Customs . With a wide variety of possibilities, including multiple designs, stickers and colors, or even game-specific designs, users can utilize the many options to customize the design of their Orochi V2 to match the rest of their gaming setup. For more information on the Razer Orochi V2, check here . Also recently announced is Razers Universal Grip Tape , for players that demand ultimate control at all times. Using a highly textured, polyurethane contact surface, the Universal Grip Tape is sweat absorbent, to provide maximum grip in even the most intense of gaming sessions. The Razer Universal Grip Tape is supplied in a variety of pre-cut, self-adhesive patches, for use on mice, keyboards or controllers, or anywhere needing a secure, reliable grip.



ABOUT THE RAZER OROCHI V2 Approximate size: 108mm (Length) x 60mm (Width) x 38mm (Height)

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Battery life: Up to 425 hours (2.4Ghz), 950 hours (BLE) with included Lithium AA battery

2nd-gen Razer Mechanical Mouse Switches rated for 60M clicks

AA/AAA battery slot (only one type at a time)

Six independently programmable buttons

Gaming-grade tactile scroll wheel

True 18,000 DPI 5G optical sensor with 99.4% resolution accuracy

Up to 450 inches per second (IPS) / 40 G acceleration

Undyed PTFE mouse-feet

On-The-Fly Sensitivity Adjustment (Default stages: 400/800/1600/3200/6400)

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Razer Synapse 3 enabled PRICE & AVAILABILITY Razer Orochi V2: 69.99 / $69.99 / 79.99 MSRP Razer Orochi V2 Customs Edition: 89.99 / $89.99 / 99.99 MSRP Razer.com and authorized resellers: April 27th, 2021 PRODUCT ASSETS Please find the Razer Orochi V2 press kit here . ABOUT RAZER Razer is the worlds leading lifestyle brand for gamers. The triple-headed snake trademark of Razer is one of the most recognized logos in the global gaming and esports communities. With a fan base that spans every continent, the company has designed and built the worlds largest gamer-focused ecosystem of hardware, software and services. Razers award-winning hardware includes high-performance gaming peripherals and Blade gaming laptops. Razers software platform, with over 125 million users, includes Razer Synapse (an Internet of Things platform), Razer Chroma RGB (a proprietary RGB lighting technology system supporting thousands of devices and hundreds of games/apps), and Razer Cortex (a game optimizer and launcher). Razer also offers payment services for gamers, youth, millennials and Gen Z. Razer Gold is one of the worlds largest game payment services, and Razer Fintech provides fintech services in emerging markets. Founded in 2005 and dual-headquartered in Irvine (California) and Singapore, Razer has 17 offices worldwide and is recognized as the leading brand for gamers in the USA, Europe and China. Razer is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 1337). PRESS CONTACTS United Kingdom Nick Haywood [email protected] Americas Julie Wu [email protected] EMEA Maren Epping [email protected] China Evita Zhang [email protected] Asia Pacific Vanessa Li [email protected] Global Jan Horak [email protected] Razer - For Gamers. By Gamers. # # #
Last Monday, the U.S. Special Climate Envoy John Kerry denied that leaked audio revealed that he betrayed state secrets Iran. This concerned top secret information about Israeli attacks.

John Kerry is under fire for revealing secret info on Israeli attacks

According to the report, Kerry betrayed the information about several attacks on Iranian targets to the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, reported NTD.

Immediate, the special envoy denied he did such a thing that will jeopardize America's Jewish allies in the Middle East. Before this, he was criticized for using a private jet.

On Twitter, he stated the charge that he compromised Israeli allies.

"This story and these accusations are utterly untrue, in my judgment. This never occurred when I was Secretary of State, and that hasn't happened since."

Kerry's response was attached to a tweet post from a Washington Post reporter, who mentioned a State Department spokesperson who claimed that Israelis had already announced the attacks.

The Post reporter also shared a Reuters story from September 2018 wherein an Israeli official said that the US ally had conducted 200 assaults in Syria against Iranian objectives.

It's unclear if Kerry's supposed leak happened before or after Israel's. He would not give any more details.

Soon after releasing the controversial leaked audio, republican Leaders pushed on Kerry to quit or be fired. Kerry's alleged error cause the GOP to demand his resignation after getting caught in the scandal.

One Republican Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.), said that what was reported by the press is disturbing that John Kerry shares state secrets with an adversarial nation like Iran about secret Israeli attacks.

UN Nuclear Watchdog Says Iran Is Enriching Uranium to 60 Percent

This should be a warning for the government to consider that Kerry is a liability. He should be isolated from all. If they prove that he betray an ally, then resigning will be expected.

Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) posted on Twitter, "If this is legitimate, Kerry is a traitor and has to resign."

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) wrote on Twitter, "This is a criminal act, and he must be investigated thoroughly immediately." "President Biden must remove John Kerry from any government or advisory role as soon as possible."

Zarif, Iran's top diplomat, argues in the secret recording that the Revolutionary Guards have more power in international policy and nuclear dossier than he does.

Zarif said that he could not tell a military commander to do something to aid diplomacy.

Ties between the government of pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani and the Guards are critical because hardline paramilitary force possesses such power that it can undermine any understanding with the West if it thinks it will negatively impact its economic and political interests.

Should talks involving Iran and world powers ever advance efforts to restart a 2015 nuclear agreement that President Donald Trump abandoned three years ago, the Guard's usual skepticism about any development of reconciliation with Washington may become meaningful.

According to the foreign ministry spokesman, the audio is not seen as bogus by many, and last Monday remarked the audio was published in excerpts with Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif. Still, John Kerry is facing problems for his sharing of info about the 200 reported Israeli attacks.

US Navy Warns Foreign Ships in the Persian Gulf to Keep Distance or Face the Consequences

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Burma Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Planes Bomb Kachin Villages

A civilian house in Myothit, Momauk Township is reduced to ashes after a regime airstrike on April 25. / Bhamo Platform

The Myanmar military has been conducting frequent airstrikes on villages in Momauk Township, Kachin State for the past several days, forcing thousands of local residents to flee their homes. The air raids follow fierce fighting between regime troops and a local ethnic armed group, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), in the area.

Fighting has intensified near Myothit and Sihark villages in Momauk Township since the KIA attacked two police outposts and a military base at the Tarpein Bridge on April 11.

The military has been bombing our villages for four days. Usually they carry out three or four airstrikes a day, said a local staying near Myothit Village.

There is shooting all day and night. No one dares to stay in the villages, he said.

As of Monday, more than 5,000 villagers had fled to churches and monasteries in Momauk from their homes in Sihike, Kone Law, Myo Haung, Myo Thit, Shwe Myaung, Namt Lan, Mone Khat, Naung Kon and Nant Ngoe villages.

Local residents said many homes in Myothit were destroyed in the airstrikes.

We did not have time to take our belongings when we fled. Now, most of our homes have been burned down and destroyed in the bombing by the military. Everything is gone, a resident of Kone Law Village said.

On Monday, the KIA also attacked a convoy of military vehicles that was reinforcing regime troops in Momauk Township. KIA spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu was unable to confirm whether there were any casualties, however.

Fighting has also been reported at Alaw Bum base near the Chinese border after the military made efforts to recapture it. The KIA seized the base from the Myanmar military (or Tatmadaw), on March 25. The KIA currently occupies the base. More than 100 junta soldiers, including a battalion commander, are believed to have been killed during heavy fighting in the area in early April.

Clashes between the KIA and regime troops were also reported in Waimaw, Hpakant and Tanai townships on Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday, the KIA warned junta troops not to establish bases in restricted areas including in religious buildings and schools in Bhamo and Momauk townships. The armed group also asked locals not to allow the Tatmadaw to use their vehicles to transport troops or food supplies or travel to combat zones.



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Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and US president Joe Biden had a "fruitful" telephonic conversation over the coronavirus situation in both countries.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi thanked President Biden for the support the US has provided to India. "Had a fruitful conversation with @POTUS @JoeBiden today. We discussed the evolving COVID situation in both countries in detail. I thanked President Biden for the support being provided by the United States to India," he tweeted.

The prime minister added that his discussion with Biden also emphasised the importance of "smooth and efficient supply chains of vaccine raw materials and medicines."

"India-US healthcare partnership can address the global challenge of COVID-19," PM Modi said in another tweet.





My discussion with @POTUS@JoeBiden also underscored the importance of smooth and efficient supply chains of vaccine raw materials and medicines. India-US healthcare partnership can address the global challenge of COVID-19.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2021

"Today, I spoke with Prime Minister @narendramodi and pledged America's full support to provide emergency assistance and resources in the fight against COVID-19. India was there for us, and we will be there for them," Biden tweeted after his conversation with Prime Minister Modi.

Today, I spoke with Prime Minister @narendramodi and pledged Americas full support to provide emergency assistance and resources in the fight against COVID-19. India was there for us, and we will be there for them.  President Biden (@POTUS) April 26, 2021

The hotline between PM Modi and Biden comes after the Biden administration lifted an embargo on exports of essential raw materials that are needed to manufacture vaccines in India under a US first policy, which came under severe criticism both domestically and globally.

After countries like Russia, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the UK, the UAE, Pakistan, Singapore, and Germany decided to help India, the US recently announced that it will send the raw material required to manufacture Covishield and medical supplies like therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) "immediately" to India.

The conversation included India's efforts to contain the second COVID-19 wave via expedited vaccinations and ensuring the supply of critical medicines, therapeutics and healthcare equipment.

Biden also conveyed his administration's solidarity with India during the phone call.

The US President affirmed that his administration is determined to support India's efforts by quickly deploying resources such as therapeutics, ventilators and identifying sources of raw materials needed for manufacturing Covishield vaccines, according to a statement by the Prime Minister's office.

While appreciating the offer of support from the US government, Prime Minister Modi also highlighted India's Vaccine Maitri programme and its participation in initiatives like the COVAX and the Quad Vaccine Initiative. He apprised Biden of India's initiative at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) seeking a relaxation in the norms of the TRIPS agreement to ensure quick and affordable access to vaccines and medicines.

"Both leaders underlined the potential of the India-US partnership in vaccine development and supply to address the COVID-19 pandemic, and directed their respective officials to maintain close coordination and cooperation in their efforts in this domain," read the PMO statement.

According to a White House statement, PM Modi and Biden said that India and the US will work together to fight coronavirus.

"The President pledged America's steadfast support for the people of India who have been impacted by the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. In response, the United States is providing a range of emergency assistance, including oxygen-related supplies, vaccine materials, and therapeutics," the White House said in its statement.

Edited by Mehak Agarwal

Also read: US to send India Covishield raw material, medical supplies 'immediately'

Also read: 'Heartbroken' Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella pledges support in India's COVID-19 battle

Also read: Google pledges Rs 135 crore in funding to help India fight Covid-19

Also read: COVID-19: Burj Khalifa lights up with tricolour, says #StayStrongIndia
Mumbai, April 27 : Author Twinkle Khanna on Tuesday announced on Instagram that she along with her husband, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, were donating 100 oxygen concentrators in an effort to contribute to the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Wonderful news -- Dr Drashnika Patel & Dr Govind Bankani of London Elite Health through Daivik Foundation are donating 120 oxygen concentrators and as @akshaykumar and I have managed to get our hands on 100 as well, we have a total of 220.Thank you for the leads. Let's all do our bit," tweeted Twinkle.

In a separate tweet, Twinkle wrote: "I think for the last few weeks with members of my own family ill I have been in a bit of a hole. But I couldn't stay there for long. I implore all of you in your own way to do whatever you can so we can look back at this bleak moment and at least say it took the worst but it brought out the best in all of us. #ILookForSilverLinings."
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Purdue University is at the forefront of Indianas fight against the spread of COVID-19 variants and remains uniquely able to assist should the pandemic surge or change course in the weeks, months or years ahead.

When challenges like this arise, Purdue steps in, said Willie Reed, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and head of the vaccine task force. The combination of scientific and engineering excellence makes us stand out from the crowd. We have STEM expertise, including a world-class veterinary medical school, biomedical researchers and more. People from all areas of the university have stepped up as we knew they would, using their expertise and willingness to immediately apply their knowledge to this worldwide challenge.

Read more on Protect Purdue website:
The United Kingdom has announced its first round of sanctions under its new global anti-corruption regime, freezing assets and imposing restrictions on 14 individuals from Russia, as well as eight others from different parts of the world.

The 14 Russians were hit with sanctions for their involvement in corruption uncovered by the late Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer and whistle-blower who helped reveal the theft of nearly $230 million from Russia's government through fraudulent tax refunds.

The targeted Russian nationals' assets in the United Kingdom have been frozen and they are barred from visiting the United Kingdom, according to the measures.

"As with our Global Human Rights sanctions approach, the anti-corruption sanctions are not intended to target whole countries or whole peoples, but rather to get the individuals who are responsible, and should be held responsible, for graft and the cronies who support or benefit from their corrupt acts," British Foreign Secretary Dominik Raab said in announcing the sanctions..

The sanctioned Russian citizens include Dmitry Klyuyev, identified as the owner of Universal Savings Bank in Russia.

The United Kingdom's new Magnitsky act, which is similar to a law enacted in the United States, is named after the Russian lawyer who was arrested and died in prison in Moscow in 2009 after accusing Russian officials of the massive tax fraud.

In the measures announced on April 26, Britain also targeted Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta, Indian-born brothers at the center of a South African corruption scandal that was one of the reasons for Jacob Zuma's resignation in February 2018.

Sanctions were also imposed on three people accused of corruption in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, including facilitating bribes to support a major drug-trafficking cartel.

Raab told British lawmakers that the sanctions would prevent the country from being used as "a haven for dirty money."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hailed the British sanctions, saying they strengthened efforts to counter corruption globally.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP
Apr. 27The Minnesota School Board Association has changed its guidance on how school boards should conduct meetings during a pandemic due to an advisory opinion by the Department of Administration that was released last week.

The advisory opinion request, submitted by Marshall Helmberger, publisher of The Timberjay newspaper, claims the St. Louis County School Board violated open meeting laws Sept. 22, Nov. 24, Jan. 5 and Jan. 26 by having an in-person quorum but not allowing the public to attend in person.

Alice Roberts-Davis, commissioner of the Department of Administration, said in her opinion, which was posted April 19, that the School Board did not comply with the open meeting laws on those dates.

"(Moberg v. Independent School District No. 281) indicates that a meeting consists of a gathering of a quorum of a public body. In order for public bodies to hold a meeting via telephone or other electronic means under Section 13D.021, it must first determine that 'an in-person meeting ... is not practical or prudent because of a health pandemic or an emergency declared under chapter 12,'" Roberts-Davis wrote in the advisory opinion. "In other words, Section 13D.021, subdivision 1 requires public bodies to determine that it is not practical or prudent for 'a quorum or more members of the governing body' to hold an in-person gathering, 'at which members discuss, decide, or receive information as a group on issues relating to the official business of that governing body.'"

St. Louis County Schools Superintendent Reggie Engebritson told the News Tribune they were working to correct language the School Board passed Jan. 26 that limited meetings to one resident at a time.

Engebritson said the public will be allowed to attend meetings in person while social distancing and wearing masks. If a bigger venue is determined to be needed, Engebritson said they'll work to provide one.

A Zoom link, which is posted on the meeting agendas, will still be available for residents to watch meetings online.

Story continues

This opinion prompted the Minnesota School Board Association to issue guidance stating that school board meetings should either be held in person  without restrictions on public attendance  or held completely virtually.

Due to this new guidance, the Duluth School Board is now holding all meetings virtually until further notice. This includes the Tuesday, April 27, regular School Board meeting. Duluth had been holding in-person meetings in April, but restricted the public to only attend virtually, which, according to the administration commissioner, was a violation of open meeting laws.

Duluth School Board meetings can be viewed at youtube.com/DuluthSchools or on Charter Channel 187.

Board Chair Jill Lofald was not immediately available for comment.
Biden Eyes Expanding Welfare State, Overturning Clinton-Era Reform

WASHINGTONPresident Bill Clinton in 1996 signed welfare reform into law, fulfilling his campaign promise to end welfare as we know it. A quarter-century later, advocates of that overhaul effort accuse the Biden administration of seeking to overturn the bipartisan accomplishment, calling its proposal an attack on the U.S. welfare system.

A majority of both Democrats and Republicans voted for the reform bill in 1996 in an effort to break what they termed a culture of poverty and dependence. Ten years after signing the legislation, Clinton took a victory lap to declare welfare reform a great success, in a New York Times op-ed.

The reform law ended more than 60 years of guaranteed cash assistance begun under President Franklin Roosevelts New Deal. It turned a dysfunctional cash welfare program into an effective jobs program for the poor, according to conservatives who now blame President Joe Biden for reintroducing a culture of dependence.

The welfare reform of the mid-1990s was the culmination of a long and unhappy period of lessons learned, according to Nick Eberstadt, political economist at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank.

The attack on welfare reform that we see today can only happen because those lessons have been forgotten, he told The Epoch Times.

The Biden administration significantly expanded the child tax credit for the 2021 tax year and announced its intention to make it permanent policy moving forward.

As part of the $1.9 trillion COVID relief package, the annual child tax credit was increased to $3,000 per child from ages 6 to 17, and $3,600 for children under 6. Before this, the maximum annual credit was $2,000 for every child under 17.

The credits would also be fully refundable, providing an unconditional cash transfer rather than a credit against taxes paid. So this makes the benefits available to nonworking families as well.

While Bidens plan could raise millions of children above the poverty line, conservatives say making it permanent policy has trade-offs in the long run, such as expanding the role of government, discouraging work, and lowering labor force participation.

Their design has been to essentially create an alternative program, which is virtually identical to the old welfare program and has no work requirements. Thats what this child allowance is, Robert Rector, senior research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, told The Epoch Times.

Public support for work requirements is high, Rector added, hence Bidens plan is designed to basically overturn welfare reform without telling the American public.

Welfare reform ended the unpopular cash assistance program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) that dated back to the New Deal. It was established by the Social Security Act of 1935 as a federal grant program to help states provide direct cash aid to low-income families with children.

However, critics argue that AFDC discouraged work, subsidized non-marital childbearing, and encouraged single parenthood, ending up disadvantaging the vulnerable children and mothers it was meant to help.

President Bill Clinton clinches his fist during a speech on welfare reform at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.. (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Before the Clinton reform, 1 in 7 children in the United States was on the AFDC program, Rector said.

Nearly all of those families were poor because the welfare wasnt enough to bring them out of poverty, but, more importantly, the typical family in that program spent at least 14 years on welfare, he added.

The welfare reform of 1996 replaced the AFDC with a program called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which provided a block grant to states to operate their own cash welfare programs. The key feature of the 1996 reform was that the block grants to each state were finite, not based on a matching formula, so the federal government didnt pay the states to increase welfare rolls, as with AFDC.

In addition, TANF established a work-focused program, requiring welfare recipients to work in order to receive benefits. It also introduced a time limit on the receipt of the assistance.

Clintons reform law was opposed bitterly by progressives who believed the work requirements were too harsh, especially for young mothers. Some called it a cruel monstrosity, an unconscionable retreat, and a moment of shame.

Critics argued that while welfare reform assisted poor families with incomes, it did less to help families in deep or extreme poverty.

Clinton, however, hailed the accomplishments of welfare reform in his op-ed, stating that it created a new beginning for millions of Americans.

Welfare rolls dropped substantially to 4.5 million in 2006, from 12.2 million in 1996. In addition, 60 percent of mothers who left the welfare program found a job.

According to Rector, the black child poverty rate, which had been constant for about a quarter of a century, just dropped like a stone, as a result of welfare reform.

Reversal of Socialism

Bob Carleson, a welfare reform pioneer and President Ronald Reagans top policy adviser, had advocated for repealing the AFDC program and replacing it with a system of block grants. His ideas were instrumental in shaping the 1996 federal welfare law.

Carleson helped then-Gov. Reagan to reform Californias welfare system in 1971 and save the state from bankruptcy.

The welfare reform of 1996 was a true American success story, according to Susan Carleson, chairman and CEO of the American Civil Rights Union and Bob Carlesons widow.

It was a reversal of socialism for the first time ever, she said.

The reform, however, has been under assault for a long time, according to Carleson.

The welfare caseload during the Obama administration surged considerably. Welfare also expanded during the George W. Bush administration, with the proportion of households receiving food stamps or other assistance increasing 36 percent.

Conservatives fear that the Biden administrations broader agenda is to introduce unconditional benefits for all.

There is a view, certainly held by a number of people in the current administration, but its also gaining popularity in academic and progressive political circles more generally, that the United States should be moving toward a universal basic income, towards an unconditional income guarantee, AEIs Eberstadt said.

Bidens Plan

Biden is expected to propose extending the fully refundable child tax credit in his American Families Plan this week. And he will lay out the details of his package during his address to a joint session of Congress on April 28, according to the White House.

Bidens plan would provide critical support for our economy by boosting labor force participation and future economic competitiveness, White House National Economic Council Director Brian Deese told reporters on April 26. Deese said that the president was incredibly proud of his COVID relief package that provided the American families with 66 million children a fully refundable, expanded tax credit.

According to some estimates, the relief plan will reduce child poverty by 50 percent, he added.

Irwin Garfinkel, a liberal scholar and co-director of Columbia Universitys Center on Poverty and Social Policy, called Bidens plan a great achievement.

Weve not had that kind of poverty reduction ever in our history for children, he told The Epoch Times.

Garfinkel said if Biden makes the child allowance permanent, it would be as important a development as Roosevelts New Deal and President Lyndon Johnsons Great Society.

Garfinkel agrees with conservatives on placing a high value on work, although he parts ways with them on the issue of making it a requirement. He believes that the fears that Bidens plan would increase welfare dependence are, in the long run, not based in reality.

It is the case that if you have a child allowance, there will be some decline in work, there will be an income effect, but it is small, very small, he said. Its virtually so close to zero, that its even hard to detect statistically, so I dont share their nightmare.

Garfinkel also criticized conservatives for giving all the credit in terms of poverty reduction to the 1996 welfare overhaul.

The scientific evidence is very clear that it gets no credit in terms of poverty reduction, he said.

Its the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) expansion in 1993 and the good economy that led to the reduction in poverty rates, not welfare reform, he argues. EITC is a refundable income tax credit for low-income working taxpayers.

Eberstadt rejected the claims that welfare reform had no effect on poverty.

There was no similar transition from welfare to work during the economic boom periods of the 1960s and the 1980s. While the U.S. had very strong economies in the 60s and the 80s, it had continuing increases in welfare dependence for single-parent families, he said.

So good economies before welfare reform didnt make this transition. That has to be explained.
MEXICO CITY, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Maxcom Telecomunicaciones S.A.B. de C.V. (B.M.V.: MAXCOM A, O.T.C.: MXMTY) (" Maxcom " or the " Company ") announced today that in order to maximize its short-term financial flexibility the Company will not pay the semi-annual interest on its 8% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 ("the Notes"), payable on April 26, 2021. Interest accrued to date on this coupon amount to USD$2.3 million. Payment of the interest is subject to a 30 day grace period.

Maxcom's liquidity has been adversely affected by the pandemic as well as restricted access to capital sources resulting from a dispute with the Mexican tax authorities.

Maxcom is currently analyzing strategic solutions and financial alternatives that would allow the Company to consolidate its value proposition for the long term, comply as far as possible with its financial obligations and maximize the benefit for all its stakeholders.

Maxcom reiterates its commitment to maintain close communication with the investing public.

About Maxcom

Maxcom Telecomunicaciones, S.A.B. de C.V. is headquartered in Mexico City and is a facilities-based telecommunications provider using a "smart-build" approach to deliver "last-mile" connectivity to enterprises and residential customers in Mexico.

Maxcom launched commercial operations in May 1999 and is currently offing local and long-distance telephony services; wired, wireless and cellular data transmission and value-added services in Mexico City metropolitan area, Monterrey, Puebla, Queretaro, Leon, Guadalajara, San Luis Potosi, Tehuacan, and Toluca, as well as in other cities in Mexico. The information contained in this press release is the exclusive responsibility of Maxcom Telecomunicaciones, S.A.B. de C.V. and has not been reviewed by the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) or any other authority.

The trading of these securities by an investor is the sole responsibility of such investor.

For more information contact:

Rodrigo Wright

Ciudad de Mexico

(52 55) 4770-1170

[email protected]

SOURCE Maxcom Telecomunicaciones, S.A.B. de C.V.

Related Links

http://www.maxcom.com


A disabled man who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and his wife have opened up about raising their daughter together and whether they can have more children after his life-changing accident.

Luis Gustavo, 32, and his wife Lexie, 29, from Tijuana, Mexico, were only married for two months when he was in a motorcycle crash on April 2, 2013. He hit the frontal lobe and right side of his brain, leaving him with severe traumatic brain injury. Eight years later, Luis is still learning to walk and talk.

The couple has an eight-year-old daughter, Clover, who was born before the accident, and in a recent video shared on their YouTube channel, The Accessible Van Life, they answered questions about their life.

Love: Luis Gustavo, 32, and his wife Lexie, 29, from Tijuana, Mexico, have opened up about their interabled marriage in a video shared on their YouTube channel earlier this month

Candid: The couple has an eight-year-old daughter, Clover, who was born before Luis's accident, and they answered questions about their family in the clip

It was the first video they had shared in nearly a year, and Lexie explained that their family had moved to another home.

'We ended up moving, which was just a big, big change for us,' she said. 'We found a one-story house, which is very difficult to find where we live. I guess it is pretty accessible.'

'The only thing with this house is the doorways to the rooms are very narrow, so Luis's wheelchair can't really go into all of the rooms,' she added.

'I had to take the door off of the room where we sleep because his wheelchair couldn't go through it. But other than that, it's a great place.'

Before they started answering their followers' questions, which were written on pieces of paper and placed in a jar, Lexie pointed to the blue medical mask around Luis's neck.

She explained that it's covering the tracheostomy tube that helps her husband breathe through a hole in his windpipe.

Trauma: Luis suffered a severe traumatic brain injury eight years ago and is still learning how to walk and speak

Teamwork: While Luis can communicate with gestures and words, Lexie was there to elaborate on what he was saying during the candid Q&A session

'The doctor was going to take Luis's trach off back in October,' she said. 'But, because of COVID, he decided to keep it a little bit more.'

Lexie said they started looking for devices a few years ago that would help Luis speak, but they are expensive and he doesn't have insurance.

He would need to try the device to make sure it works before they buy it, and they haven't been able to travel to San Diego, California, to do that because of the pandemic.

While Luis can communicate with gestures and words, Lexie was there to elaborate on what he was saying during the candid Q&A session.

The first question they answered was about whether they can have children following Luis's accident, and if so, do they plan on having another child.

Luis gestured, yes, they can have more children, but, no, they don't plan on it, prompting Lexie to joke, 'Well, you're speaking for yourself, mister.'

Life-changing moment: Luis and Lexie, pictured on their wedding day, were only married for two months when he was in a motorcycle crash on April 2, 2013

Accident: Luis, pictured with their daughter before the accident, hit the frontal lobe and right side of his brain, leaving him with severe traumatic brain injury

'We can have children,' she said, though she didn't elaborate further. 'We can have as many children as we want.'

When she asked Luis why he doesn't want more children, he replied: 'No money.' However, he then added that they would like one more.

'I guess we would like to have another child,' Lexie added.

The couple went onto say that they rarely argue, which they think is beneficial for their daughter.

'We don't really fight, so Clover doesn't see that with us,' Lexie said. 'We've talked about how that will impact her one day when she's in a relationship. She doesn't see us fight. She has never watched like an awful argument.'

One of the questions was about how Luis participates in their daughter Clover's upbringing.

Looking to the future: The couple explained that they are able to have more children, despite Luis's injuries, and they would like to have one more child

Looking back: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Luis went to physical therapy, but he hasn't been able to go this year

'With money,' Luis joked, while Lexie noted that if she tells Clover no, she will go to her dad.

'She doesn't really ask for anything, but if there is something on her mind, she'll go and ask her Papa,' she explained.

'I'm her favorite,' Luis said, adding that he listens to their daughter and gives her his 'unconditional love.'

Lexie went on to recall how someone once asked Clover how it feels to have a disabled father.

'I think people ask that [because] it's not just the wheelchair. It's Luis's way of expressing himself. They don't really understand it,' she said. 'It's normal for us. It's just, you know, this is our life. But other people have a hard time comprehending that.

'[Clover will] say, "No, this is my father, and I just don't see a difference." So I think that was very mature of her.'

Happy: The couple said they rarely argue, which they think is beneficial for their daughter

Love: Lexie recalled how someone asked Clover how it felt to have a disabled father, and she replied: 'This is my father, and I just don't see a difference'

At the end of the video, Luis said the best thing about being married is being with Lexie, whom he's been with for a total of 13 years.

In another video marking their anniversary last year, Lexie recounted Luis's accident and how she refused to give up on him.

Not only did he suffer a traumatic brain injury, but he also injured his right lung and heart. His radius bone came out of his arm, exposing him to bacteria. He had to be resuscitated three times and spent more than 20 days in a coma in the hospital.

'I was only allowed to see him three times a day for three minutes, and during those three minutes, I would sing to him our songs,' she said.

'I would whisper in his ear. I would talk to him. I would tell him that I loved him. I would ask him to come back, that I was there waiting for him, that I was going to support him. It didn't matter how long it would take, I was going to support him.'

The hospital eventually told Lexie there wasn't anything else they could do and sent Luis home in a vegetative persistent state. She was the one who took him home and cared for him.

'Slowly he came back. He came back to us,' she recalled. 'He started smiling, and almost a year after, he started talking and the first thing he said to me was: "I love you." I think those are the most beautiful words I have ever heard in my life.'
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Shura Council Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh praised Bahraini womens achievements in the entrepreneurship field and their contribution to the national economy.

He lauded the innovative and creative environment in the financial and business sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in the prosperous era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

The Shura Council head was speaking as he received yesterday Bahrain Businesswomen Society president Ahlem Janahi, in the presence of Shura Councils Woman and Child Affairs Committee head Dr Ibtissem Mohammed Saleh Al Dalal, Councils Services Committee deputy head Hala Ramzi Fayez and Dr Fawzia Yusef Al Jib, the assistant secretary General for Relations, Media and Research Affairs and head of the Equal Opportunities Committee. Janahi presented a briefing on the societys documentary bookmarking its 20th anniversary.

Al Saleh expressed pride and appreciation of the care accorded by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the private sector. He praised the initiatives aimed at ensuring the sustainability of economic growth, commending the unflinching support of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), to womens rights and empowerment.

Al Saleh lauded the important role played by the Society in supporting female entrepreneurs and directing them towards investing in promising fields.

He pointed out the societys numerous contributions over the past two decades in further engaging Bahraini businesswomen in economic development.

Janahi thanked the Shura Council chairman and members for their keenness on boosting legislation aimed at achieving more economic growth and prosperity.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nextech AR Solutions (Nextech or the Company) (OTCQB: NEXCF) (NEO: NTAR) (CSE: NTAR) (FSE: N29), reminds you to join us at our virtual 2021 Investor Day on Thursday, April 29th from 1:00pm-3:00pm EST. The CEO and members of the Nextech Leadership Team will provide perspective on the Companys preliminary Q1 numbers and 2021 financial outlook, corporate strategy, and a first look at the Companys new technology.

To register for the Investor Day event, please get your ticket here:

To participate in an exciting AR experience during the event, we encourage all participants to download the AirShow App in advance. Please use the following steps:

1. Download the AiR Show App on your mobile smartphone using the links below:

2. Follow along in our Investor Day for the cue to open the AiR Show app and scan the QR code.

3. Follow the directions in the AiR Show app. Scan your environment to place the livestream hologram of Evan into your space. Turn up the volume and enjoy the demonstration. We encourage you to take pictures and videos and share with the company and on social media.

Event Agenda

CEO Perspective Evan Gappelberg, Founder & CEO Q1 Preliminary Results Kashif Malik, CFO CEO Vision COO Strategic Perspective Evan Gappelberg, Founder & CEO Eugen Winschel, COO Innovation Perspective Special Projects Ad Network Initiatives Technology Dev. Overview Dawsyn Borland, VP Head of AR Innovation Lab Connie Cay-Santos, VP Special Projects Hareesh Achi, President AR Ad Network Rob Christie, SVP Head of Product Development Customer Perspective and Sales +Commercialization Strategy Paul Duffy, President Chris Burton, SVP Customer Experience and Head of Global Business Development Question and Answer Period Nextech Team

To accommodate a broader audience, a copy of the virtual presentation will be available on Nextechs website.

On behalf of the Board of Nextech AR Solutions Corp.

Evan Gappelberg

CEO and Director

About Nextech AR

Nextech develops and operates augmented reality (AR) platforms that transports three-dimensional (3D) product visualizations, human holograms and 360 portals to its audiences altering e-commerce, digital advertising, hybrid virtual events (events held in a digital format blended with in-person attendance) and learning and training experiences.

Nextech focuses on developing AR solutions however most of the Companys revenues are derived from three e-Commerce platforms: vacuumcleanermarket.com (VCM), infinitepetlife.com (IPL) and Trulyfesupplements.com (TruLyfe). VCM and product sales of residential vacuums, supplies and parts, and small home appliances sold on Amazon.

To learn more, please follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, or visit our website: https://www.Nextechar.com.

The NEO has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain information contained herein may constitute forward-looking information under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, will be, looking forward or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, or results will occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the Company increasing investors awareness are based on the Companys estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements of Nextech to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including capital expenditures and other costs. 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 and forward-looking information. Nextech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005258/en/

Shauna Mason

Shauna.Mason@Nextechar.com

Source: Nextech AR Solutions
A Charleston bow tie brand made its way onto national television on April 25 at the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony.

Don Cheadle, actor and presenter at the ceremony at Union Station in Los Angeles, wore a guinea bow tie from the Lowcountry's Brackish Bow Ties. He sported the neckwear along with a black shirt and textured navy jacket with black lapels.

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Cheadle has worn the brand before, including at the Emmys in 2019, where he was nominated for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for his work on "Black Monday." There, he wore Brackish Bow Ties' Bobwhite design.

In 2016 at the Kennedy Center Honors, Cheadle donned two of Brackishs designs over the course of the weekend.

The first was the Carew, an all-white goose feather bow tie, and the second was the Lynx, a pheasant feather bow tie. The Lynx has since been retired but can be ordered on special request.

"We're fortunate to have such a loyal brand ambassador in Don Cheadle, who has worn our designs several times before," said Brackish co-founder and CEO Jeff Plotner. "We're proud that our Charleston-based company continues to receive worldwide exposure."

Cheadle isn't the only celebrity to represent the Charleston brand on the red carpet. Bill Murray has worn handcrafted bow ties from the local company, like the peacock feather rendition he sported at the 2014 Oscars.

Blake Lively, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Cam Newton, Howie Mandel, Ted Danson, Danny DeVito, Andy Samberg, Ne-Yo and Terrence Howard are among other Hollywood names to represent the brand.

At the 2021 Academy Awards, Cheadle was seen in the Brackish design as he presented the awards for best costume design and best makeup and hair styling.

Best makeup and hair styling was won by Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson for their work on "Ma Raineys Black Bottom."

Best costume design was won by Ann Roth for her work on the same film, which Cheadle accepted on her behalf.

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" starred two South Carolina natives, Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman. Both were nominated, but neither won in their category.

Brackish Bow Ties was founded by Jeff Plotner and Ben Ross in 2012 out of their homes.
A new study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers finds that new mothers who receive opioids after uncomplicated vaginal births face an increased risk of serious opioid-related events regardless of the opioid dosage, a finding that could significantly impact care delivery.

Andrew Wiese, PhD, MPH, assistant professor of Health Policy in the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology, authored the paper published online April 15 in Women's Health Issues, with Sarah Osmundson, MD, MPH, associate professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and other researchers in the departments of Biostatistics and Health Policy.

The study examined roughly 147,000 women enrolled in TennCare -- Tennessee's Medicaid program -- between 2007 and 2014 who gave birth and had received one or fewer opioid prescriptions prior to delivery. The median age of the women was 23 years. Most women (68%) were white, and most were from Central and East Tennessee.

The study found that receiving an outpatient opioid prescription within four days after vaginal childbirth was associated with an increased risk of developing a serious opioid-related event, including becoming a persistent opioid user, developing an opioid use disorder, or experiencing an opioid-related overdose or death.

Even women prescribed less than 100 MME (morphine milligram equivalent) -- roughly equivalent to 20 hydrocodone or 13 oxycodone pills (5 mg strength) -- faced a 52% increase in the risk of a serious opioid-related event compared with those who did not fill a prescription.

We generally assume that higher dosages of opioids are associated with a greater risk of negative outcomes. But we wanted to answer the question of whether low-dose prescriptions were completely safe, and it turns out even low dose prescriptions harbor some increased risk of bad outcomes." Andrew Wiese, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Health Policy, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology

Although the absolute risk of these outcomes in the first year after birth is relatively rare, given the large number of births that occur annually, many women may be at risk for adverse outcomes with opioid exposure. This research also demonstrates that many of these negative events occur after the traditional 42-day postpartum period.

Wiese also said their primary finding could affect how clinicians, particularly those in obstetrics and gynecology, consider prescribing opioids for women after vaginal births in the future, but establishing best practices is still unclear.

"Our observation that no 'safe' opioid dose exists does raise some serious concern, and really should force researchers and clinical providers to take a hard look at what our routine opioid prescribing practices for uncomplicated vaginal births are, even at low doses, in Tennessee and beyond," Wiese said.
Hawaii DLNR/Handout

If you're looking for a little beach time along the Puna coastline on the island of Hawaii, your options are severely limited. And very, very crowded.

Because of lava overtaking other beaches, Kehena Beach is the only accessible spot on the Puna coastline, and over the past four weekends, more than 100 citations have been issued there for issues ranging from public nudity to drug use. A 17-minute video released by Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources shows officers patrolling the beach and writing up citations.


Xiaogan Waste-to-Energy Plant

TOKYO, Apr 27, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Environmental & Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd. (MHIEC), a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has delivered two state-of-the-art stoker furnaces* for a large-scale waste-to-energy (WtE) plant in Xiaogan, Hubei Province, China. This facility has capacity to process approximately 1,500 tonnes of waste per day, along with the capability to utilize waste heat from combustion to generate electricity. This is the first WtE plant in Xiaogan, and since the start of commercial operation in January 2021, has played a vital role in the life of the city as part of the environmental infrastructure.MHIEC is a leading company in the waste management industry, having supplied more than 300 waste treatment facilities in Japan and around the world, with more than 50 incinerators delivered to China since the 1980s. The advanced incinerators provided for this plant have enhanced combustion efficiency to allow for stable treatment of waste with high moisture content. Going forward, MHIEC will utilize its capabilities for technical development in the environmental facilities field accumulated over many years to support the creation of eco-friendly cities in China.MHIEC, through construction and operation of WtE plants and other facilities that contribute to lowering the environmental load by means of the effective utilization of energy, will continue to work toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and resolving global environmental issues.* A stoker furnace is an incinerator in which waste is placed on a bed of heat-resistant metal castings (a stoker) to be dried, heated, and incinerated while being stirred.Project SummaryClient: Xiaogan City, Hubei Province, ChinaOperator: Grandblue (Xiaogan) Solid Waste Treatment Co., Ltd.Construction Contractor: Grandblue Engineering Technology Co., Ltd.Project Name: Xiaogan Garbage Incinerating Power Plant ProjectCapacity: Stoker furnace 1,500 tonnes per day (750 t/day x 2) , power generation capacity 35 megawatts (MW)Start of Operations: January 2021Tags: waste to energy plant,energy saving,MHIECAbout MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world's leading industrial groups, spanning energy, logistics & infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on www.spectra.mhi.com.Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Xi Jinpings BRI Speech at Boao Forum for Asia Reveals CCPs Global Ambitions

News Analysis

Xi Jinping, leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), delivered a speech at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) 2021 via video on April 20, promoting the CCPs Belt & Road Initiative (BRI)also known as One Belt, One Road (OBOR)and the expansion of communism.

The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) 2021, which is an annual event, was held from April 18 to 21 in Boao, Hainan Province, China.

At the beginning of his speech, Xi said that the annual forum was held in a very special background, and that its theme was A World in Change: Join Hands to Strengthen Global Governance and Advance Belt and Road Cooperation, which is most opportune and relevant under the current circumstances.

About one-third of Xis speech focused on BRI. He described it as a public road open to all, not a private path and that it pursues development, aims at mutual benefits, and conveys a message of hope, saying that all interested countries are welcome aboard.

The Origin and Essence of the BRI

The BRI was initiated by Xi during his visits to Central and Southeast Asia in September and October 2013 via his proposed ideas for the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. In November of the same year, the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party upgraded the BRI to a national strategy.

The Belt, or the Silk Road Economic Belt, refers to the land that starts from mainland China and follows the ancient Silk Road through Central Asia and Russia to Europe.

The Road, or 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, refers to the CCPs idea to deepen cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), connecting China to Europe via sea. In recent years, China has expanded territorial claims in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean.

As of Jan. 30, 2021, the CCP signed 205 BRI cooperation documents with 140 countries and 31 international organizations.

The United States and Japan, on the other hand, have refused to join BRI since the beginning. Both countries believe that the infrastructure projects in the BRI threaten freedom and openness in the Indo-Pacific region.

Frank Tian Xie, a John M. Olin Palmetto professor in business at the University of South Carolina Aiken, wrote in a commentary for The Epoch Times that the CCP planned to establish a trade network via BRI with mainland China as its center and eventually to export communist ideology to the world. The BRI was a comprehensive project with multiple goals in politics, economy, and military, Xie said.

The BRI mission has extended from the expansion of the Chinese foreign trade market, exporting excess capacity, exporting the CCPs infrastructure model, exporting unemployment, and obtaining stable energy supplies, to gradually occupying strategic locations, building geopolitical alliances, uniting Europe against the United States, Xie said.

Infiltrating Europe Through BRI

Due to the economic crisis in Europe, the CCP began to use the BRI as a tool to entice major European countries such as the UK, France, Germany, and Italy to sign agreements, with the goal to control Europe economically and politically and unite Europe against the United States.

On March 23, 2019, Italy became the first G-7 country to sign on to the Chinese regimes BRI, defying the United States and its allies. Members of both governments signed 29 protocols of a memorandum of understanding (MOU), with a total value that could reach $22.6 billion.

One of the projects, the investment of $1.13 billion in the port city Trieste, is of strategic importance. It is connected to eight major seaports, backed by the Baltic Sea, and connected to the China-Europe Railway Expresss tracks, making it an important transportation hub in Europe, according to the CCPs Ministry of Commerce.

The China-Europe Railway Express, also known as China Railway Express (CR Express), is a railway freight service launched by the CCP to strengthen business and trade ties with European countries, according to Xie.

A crane is transferring a container to a China Railway Express train to Europe in the Chinese border city of Erenhot, Inner Mongolia Region, on April 18, 2019. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

According to CCP overseas mouthpiece CGTN, By the end of March 2019, the rail had connected 60 Chinese cities with 50 cities across 15 European countries, with over 14,000 cargo trains on the network. Huge amounts of Chinese products are transported to Europe via these freight trains.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Polish President Andrzej Duda (R) eat Polish apples as they greet the arrival of the first China Railway Express train that rolled into the Polish capital from China in Warsaw, Poland, on June 20, 2016. (Janek Skarzynski/AFP via Getty Images)

In Germany, the city of Duisburg has become an important inland transport hub for the CCPs CR express freight trains, as it is adjacent to the Rhine River, a major waterway in Western Europe that has a sound network of river shipping, rail, and road transport.

As of the end of 2018, 80 percent of the nearly 13,000 trains traveling from major Chinese cities to Europe terminated in Duisburg, according to a report on Yicai.com, a Chinese financial website.

In 2018, France and China had a trade deficit of more than $36 billion, which continues to grow. A CCP state-run media, Guanchazhe, published an article in April 2019 that said only a huge demand for investment and products brought by the BRI could solve this problem for France.

French President Emmanuel Macron said when he was visiting China in January 2018 that Chinas BRI projects in France and Europe could be beneficial to the region and that these roads can only be shared. If they are roads, they cannot be one-way.

In October 2015, during Xi Jinpings visit to the UK, China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) and the projects main contractor, Electricite de France (EDF), signed an investment agreement committing to invest $7.5 billion in the construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.

Development land on the west coast of England on Oct. 21, 2013, where the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station reactors will be built. (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)

In September 2016, then-Prime Minister Theresa May approved the nuclear power station project.

However, the CCPs plan to take full control of Europe in terms of economy and transportation was met with some resistance.

The CCP originally wanted to break through the EU countries in various ways, but Germany, France, Spain, and the UK demonstrated a very high degree of unity to sign the Belt and Road cooperation memorandum together rather than in a bilateral form by individual state, said Xie.

The greater EUs defense against the CCPs ambitions was shown as early as 2019, he said.

BRI Recipient Countries at Risk of Huge Debts

Former president and CEO of the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporationnow called the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)Ray Washburne, made remarks about BRI in a 2018 conversation with reporters at DFCs Washington headquarters, commenting that the Chinese regime was not in it to help countries out, theyre in it to grab their assets. He said that Beijing used BRI to debt trap countries in the project and then secure their rare earths and minerals and things like that as collateral for their loans, reported the South China Morning Post.

A Boston University study found that between 2008 and 2019, the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China lent $462 billion to foreign countries, just slightly less than the World Banks $467 billion. Beijings BRI is saddling developing countries with heavy debt.

A recent Center for Global Development report (pdf) also found that eight BRI recipient countriesPakistan, Djibouti, the Maldives, Laos, Mongolia, Montenegro, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstanare at a high risk of sovereign debt crisis due to BRI loans.

In April 2020, Pakistans foreign minister called Beijing with an urgent request to restructure billions of dollars in Chinese loans, as Pakistans economy was plummeting due to the pandemic.

Boats at the Gwadar Port in Pakistan on the Arabian Sea. China Overseas Ports Holding Company is leasing the port until 2059. (J. Patrick Fischer/CC BY-SA)

The New York Times reported that China was flooded with debt relief requests from countries including Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, and a number of African nations, requesting to restructure, delay repayments, or forgive tens of billions of dollars in loans due in 2020.

Chinas financial system was already struggling to maintain economic growth, burdened with a heavy debt accumulated by state-owned enterprises and local governments. The unprofitable BRI also added a heavy burden to Chinese taxpayers.

The BRI is a policy that is harmful both to the country and the people. It is a policy of expansion that Xi Jinping has proposed for his own fame within the party. In the face of the overall trend of Chinas economic downturn, the Chinese communist government is still bent on going ahead and consuming a large amount of foreign exchange and treasury funds, which will ultimately benefit the CCP, while all the people will pay for the losses, a Chinese netizen said.




[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press.]

Gliwice, Poland  April 27, 2021  War Mongrels , the grisly real-time tactics game set in World War II from publisher and developer Destructive Creations , demonstrates historical horrors on PC this September, with PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One versions arriving later. Stand up to the Third Reich as defecting European soldiers swept up in Nazi propaganda. Escape from the bowels of the German war machine using subtle stealth tactics to slip past guards or employ deadly era-appropriate weaponry. Find purpose as guerilla fighters attempting to amend past wrongs, and explore an often-unseen side of history. Control a squad of freedom fighters, battling more for the lives of others than their own. Sneak through enemy lines with tools to cause distractions such as breaking beer bottles, blasting music boxes, throwing rocks, and more to lure unsuspecting guards to their doom. Devise strategies with Planning Mode, where freedom fighters can create a sequence of commands and then execute them all at once. Coordinate multiple characters simultaneously, moving from shadow to shadow, taking out Nazis one-by-one in a dance of death. Should stealth fail, swap to twin-stick shooter style controls for brutal real-time battles. Dive deep into historys dark underbelly with unprecedented audio and visual fidelity in the real-time tactics genre. Rich, animated cutscenes convey the grim tale inspired by true events and real people. With the help of historians, Destructive Creations strives for accuracy in all realms, including events, dates, locations, uniforms, and in-game articles. War Mongrels aims to show a side of World War II people dont want to talk about, said Marcin Stanek, Business Development Manager at Destructive Creations. We want to explore the soldiers who woke up to the truth behind Hitlers actions and then fought for redemption. War Mongrels will be available on PC in September. Next-gen, and current-gen consoles will be announced later this year. War Mongrels supports English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Turkish, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian and Chinese (Simplified) language subtitles at launch with an English voiceover. For more information, please visit the official War Mongrels website and follow Destructive Creations on Twitter , Facebook and YouTube .

Assets Gameplay Preview Clips About Destructive Creations Destructive Creations is an experienced development and publishing team of highly-skilled game industry veterans. Since the teams first release in 2015, the common creative work has led to smooth workflow, team stability and increased efficiency. Destructive Creations main goal has always been to deliver original, uncompromising games, and its projects prove that it can handle unusual solutions perfectly, both in Development and Publishing. The teams motto is we know what developers need in a publisher, as we are developers ourselves, and we supply just that. For more information on Destructive Creations, please visit the official company website . Media Contact AJ Trulin Stride PR for Destructive Creations [email protected]
RESTON, Va., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Plus3 IT Systems, LLC (Plus3 IT) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a spot on the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Solutions for the Information Technology Enterprise (SITE) III contract as a Small Business (SB) Prime contractor. With this award, Plus3 IT will be able to compete on a broad range of Information Technology (IT) task orders, providing strategic, technical, and program management support services.

"This award is a critical milestone in Plus3 IT's continued support for the DIA and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). Having supported IT modernization at DIA since our company's inception and recently winning a Prime contract at NGA, Plus3 IT is excited to build upon our strong foundation of IT support for these agencies," said Emma Webster, Plus3 IT Director of Corporate Growth and Communication.

A multiple-award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a ceiling value of $12.6 billion over a 10 year ordering period, SITE III is the third generation of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) contract vehicles providing Information and Communications Technology advantage in support of warfighters, policy makers, and acquisition leaders across the Defense Intelligence Enterprise (DIE). SITE Ill facilitates worldwide coverage for integrated IT intelligence requirements and technical support services to the DIA and NGA.

"As one of Plus3 IT's primary accounts, our corporate experience with DIA extends more than 20 years through our support on multiple task orders and contract vehicles. We look forward to winning work as a Prime on SITE III, delivering Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) cloud and IT modernization expertise," said Christopher Isaacs, Plus3 IT Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer. "We are eager to compete on task orders with our winning combination of technical, proposal, and contract execution excellence at DIA and in the IC."

Plus3 IT is a privately-owned small disadvantaged business, headquartered in Reston, Virginia. As an expert-level cloud services firm, Plus3 IT supports mission requirements through cloud adoption, cloud security, cloud native application development, cloud enabled data analytics, and DevSecOps. Plus3 IT has proven success supporting the DoD, IC, and other Federal customers in all things related to cloud. Plus3 IT is also a GSA Multiple Award Schedule holder.

Visit our website: https://www.plus3it.com

Follow Plus3 IT news on LinkedIn , Facebook , and @Plus3IT on Twitter.

For Contract inquiries: [email protected]

For general inquiries: [email protected]

SOURCE Plus3 IT Systems

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ANNISTON, Ala., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 360K9 Group, North America's largest composition of canine companies, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership between Cargo Screening K9 Alliance, LLC (CSK9), a 360K9 Group company and Canadian K9, a Vancouver-based group 8108 Executive Protection, Inc. company. The alliance will ensure Canada-wide service coverage of explosive detection canines screening under Transport Canada's (TC) newly established Explosive Detection Dog Handler Team Program (EDDHT).

Cargo Screening K9

After several years of development, TC's EDDHT program sought input from aviation cargo stakeholders and North American canine companies who helped draft the regulations that were enacted into legislation in 2020. The EDDHT program addresses the need for explosive detection dogs and a federally regulated certification program to address the anticipated increase in cargo volumes, and difficult to screen commodities, that will be present in ever increasing volumes in Canada in the coming years. The program also ensures International freight forwarders and air cargo carriers comply with ICAO requirements on International air cargo security in a cost-effective manner. The ICAO International requirements take effect on June 30, 2021 with domestic air cargo security requirements targeted for 2023.

In February 2021, TC began accepting applications for the EDDHT Program. Once accepted in the program, the certified teams will be recognized by Transport Canada as an available screening method for all-cargo, mail and certain aerodrome screening services. This certification allows K9 companies and/or individual dog handlers to provide third party certified teams to support screening operations at cargo handing agent, freight forwarder, air carrier, and aerodrome operator facilities, Canada-wide.

Canine companies that participate in the EDDHT program will be held to the highest standards in aviation security. CSK9, a Certified Cargo Screening Facility K9 (CCSF-K9), under the TSA Third Party K9 Program (3PK9) has the experience and expertise to meet Transport Canada's stringent certification and compliance standards.

CSK9 has training facilities located in Anniston Alabama, and New Smyrna Beach Florida and currently deploys certified explosive detection dog teams across the United States - from Anchorage to Hawaii and San Francisco to Miami.

CSK9 expansion into Canada was a logical next step after playing its part in Transport Canada's EDDHT program development. We recently established offices in Eastern & Western Canada to pursue opportunities and support future EDDHT operations.

Aviation freight forwarders and air cargo carriers on Canada's west coast may be familiar with Canadian K9, established in 1997, as they were the first private security firm to offer canine detection services for both narcotics and explosives in western Canada. They have a client base and operational footprint that stretches from Vancouver International Airport's (YVR) Cargo Village Vancouver to as far east as Calgary. Forming this partnership with Canadian K9, ensures a National network of training and logistic hubs to support canine team service operations.

"The EDDHT Program is an effective and cost-efficient screening method of detecting explosive threats. This is a great tool for industry to use when securing cargo for transportation by air. The strategic alliance between CSK9 and Canadian K9 allows us to provide essential air cargo K9 screening services throughout Canada."

-CSK9 President, John Johnson

For more information visit www.cargoscreeningk9.com/Canada.

Media Contact:

Derek O'Rourke

647.906.2933

[email protected]

SOURCE Cargo Screening K9
Today marks the 10-year anniversary of the worst day in many Alabamians lives: The historic tornado super outbreak of April 27, 2011.

Its a day most cant forget  even though they may want to. Sixty-two tornadoes, more than an average years worth, tore across the Alabama in just 18 hours on that day.

April 27 was part of a multi-day severe weather outbreak that stretched from the Midwest to the Deep South and even into Canada.

Alabama was one of the states hit hardest: More than 240 died and thousands were injured, according to the National Weather Service.

The storms came in three waves and carved out a damage path of more than 1,200 miles.

April 27 not only changed the landscape  it changed a whole generation that may have thought they had seen it all when it comes to tornadoes.

Because this wasnt Alabamas first super outbreak. Not even close.

Another one had come only 12 days before on April 15, 2011, when the state was raked by 45 tornadoes that killed seven people.

Then theres the 1974 super outbreak, which the National Weather Service called one of the darkest times in Alabama weather history. The state was hit by eight tornadoes. Four of them were extremely violent and killed 86 people. The weather service said one tornado nearly wiped the town of Guin off the map.

There was another major outbreak on March 21, 1932, in which at least 15 tornadoes killed more than 300 people in Alabama. The 1932 outbreak had been considered the worst tornado event in Alabama history, according to the weather service.

But all those have been eclipsed by April 27.

And nothing has come close to that day in the decade since.

April 27, 2011, was a rare day. But how likely is it to happen again?

Meteorologists are still asked that question whenever severe weather threatens Alabama.

It can be a hard one to answer.

For climatology you really need that long-term trend, and you really dont have that for severe weather, said Matthew Elliott, the warning coordination meteorologist at NOAAs Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla.

You can maybe go back 10, 15, 20 years. But beyond that the records become much more unreliable. So its hard to get the trends, especially over a 30-year, 20-year period and take much from it.

Hes not the only one with that opinion.

Tornado outbreaks are rare, relatively speaking. Especially the big ones that will produce 50 or more tornadoes in one day, said Dr. Kevin Knupp, a professor of atmospheric and earth science at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

They are quite rare, and we just dont have that many examples of them so we have very little idea of what the climatology of those outbreaks really is.

But he said its fair to say that April 27 was what many have called a generational outbreak.

This event on April 27 was by far the most concentrated event of violent tornadoes that we have seen anywhere. Theres nothing else that would come close to that, he said. 1974 would be the next one, and that was distributed over a wider area from Alabama into southern Canada.

See all of AL.coms April 27, 2011 anniversary coverage here.

The atmosphere on steroids

There were ominous signs in the forecast at least a week before the April 27 outbreak.

It was quite obvious from the weather models that April 27 would be a bad day, Knupp said. Nobody realized before it all started that it would be as bad as it was.

As April 27 crept closer the forecast became more troubling.

A rare high risk for severe weather was in place for north and north-central Alabama on April 27, 2011. Sixty-two tornadoes would later touch down, a state record.

About two days in advance I remember just literally being nauseous for about a half day, thinking this is going to be really bad, and are we as the weather service doing enough to let people know? said Jim Stefkovich, who was the meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service in Birmingham at the time.

Im sure I said it to more than one person, but I was briefing Alabama Power Company, and they said how can you compare this to how big this events going to be? And I said this is truly going to be an Armageddon, something you have never seen before, he said.

Stefkovich described the atmospheric setup on April 27, 2011, as tornado weather on steroids.

It was showing all the classic things you look for  all the right ingredients were on the map right from the start, said John De Block, the warning coordination meteorologist at the weather service in Birmingham, who also had a front-row view of the storms that day.

And the day before April 27 when we saw some of the tornado parameter levels wed never seen before  and widespread across the whole area. All those ingredients that it takes to create severe weather came in place with maximum force all at the same time.

Even veteran meteorologists werent prepared for what happened next.

We were all probably taught about and learned from the super outbreak of 1974, but I dont think anything prepares you to deal with a super outbreak. You understand the atmospheric magnitude of it; you dont understand the societal impact of it when you havent experienced it, De Block said.

Now having experienced it, now when I see a big event coming, yes, I feel nauseous. Because those of us that have lived through April 27 know what its like to have a super outbreak, and none of us wishes to see another one.

This week marks the 10th anniversary of one of the largest, deadliest, and most destructive #tornado outbreaks in U.S. history.



This #TimelapseTuesday imagery from @NOAA's #GOES-13  shows the outbreak from April 2628, 2011.



Read more: https://t.co/ngpOk1BAOo pic.twitter.com/iQIeO44KpD  NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) April 27, 2021

Could it happen again?

April 27 was rare, but was it rare enough that it couldnt happen again?

Lets pray that this doesnt happen again, but it will, Stefkovich said.

It does appear that when you look at large tornado outbreaks it is about a 30- to 35-year time between them, Stefkovich said. That doesnt mean it couldnt happen again this year or next year. And thats not to scare anybody, but theres just no way to say we dont have anything to worry about for the next 30 or 35 years.

Knupp agreed.

I think the chances that were seeing the very worst event from the last 50 years are probably small, he said.

De Block also sees a good chance of another super outbreak at some point in Alabama.

Yes it will happen again, he said. The young children that were around in 2011 will have a high probability of seeing an event like that in Alabama.

I hate it. Im not sure I want to be around to see another one. In all likelihood theres going to be another one. And hopefully the lessons that weve learned from April 27 will mean that the next super outbreak is not as impactful especially with the loss of lives and injuries.

De Block was one of many from the weather service that spent time last month tracing damage from two separate tornado events  March 17, which had 25 tornadoes, and March 25, which had 11.

In our travels (after the March 17 and 25 storms) I dont think there was a person that we spoke with that didnt know it was coming and didnt do the right thing, said.

Thats a hopeful sign from one of Alabamas darkest days.

Whats changed since April 27

A lot has changed in the weather world since 2011.

Meteorologists have turned more to social science to study the warning process and how to make weather warnings more effective.

There have been lots of improvements in technology such as dual polarization Doppler radar and next-generation satellites.

Cutting-edge research is ongoing at UAH at the Severe Weather Institute Radar & Lightning Laboratory (SWIRLL), which came into being after the 2011 outbreak, Knupp said.

Theres a long way to go. Were only partway there in understanding tornadoes, he said.

The weather service offices have also cut down their false alarm rates from pre-2011.

In Birmingham we really worked hard to lower the false alarm rates. And I think to this day its one of the best in the country, Stefkovich said. When the weather service issues a warning you better take it seriously because more often than not somethings going to happen.

Social media has grown exponentially, and that and the proliferation of smart phones has made getting warnings easier than ever.

Make sure youre getting the warnings, Stefkovich said. And thats the thing I think has really changed since 2011. Theres really no excuse not to get a weather warning.

The weather service always emphasizes to not be scared, but be prepared.

One thing that people can do, whether its a March 17 or an April 27, is to be prepared and have a plan, De Block said.

Youre afraid youre going to say that too often, but thats the bottom line. If youre prepared, if you have a plan, you have helmets, you have shoes, you have flashlights, you have a way to get that information, you have an emergency kit  if you have all that available to you and a good place to go, you are doing everything you can to protect yourself from a tornado of any outbreak, whether its small outbreak or a big outbreak. The preparation is the same.

And dont wait for there to be another super outbreak on the horizon before you prepare.

Any violent tornado, any tornado really, has the potential to impact someones community and someones life and property. Take them seriously and not wait until a super outbreak to start heeding the warnings, the SPCs Elliott said.

Alabamas a vulnerable place for tornadoes, and you really need to be paying attention. Not afraid, but just have a plan and be ready to act if threatening weather is approaching your area.
Mexico City, April 27 : Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has said there are no signs in the country of a third wave of Covid-19, but called on the people to maintain protective measures.

"There is no upward trend that could signify that there is going to be a third wave," the president said on Monday during his regular daily press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Fortunately, the pandemic is on the decline, but we cannot neglect ourselves and say 'the worst is over,' we still have to wait, it is a very delicate matter," he added.

Lopez Obrador said he hoped that during the course of this week, his administration will conclude the vaccination plan for all adults over 60 years old in the country, with at least one dose.

At the same time, the government is inoculating education personnel, after the country began its phased national vaccination plan in late December with frontline doctors and nurses, totalling 16.4 million doses to date.

According to the most recent report from health authorities, Mexico has accumulated 2,328,391 Covid-19 cases.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses a strong protest due to the announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia of the employee of the Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow "persona non grata" and declares the consul of the General Consulate of Ruusia in Odesa as an undesirable person to stay on the territory of Ukraine, MFA Spokesperson Oleh Nikolenko said.

"In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine declares the consul of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Odesa an undesirable person to stay in Ukraine. He must leave the territory of Ukraine by the end of the day on April 30, 2021," Nikolenko said in a comment posted on the Foreign Ministry's website on Tuesday.

The spokesperson said that if the Russian side continues provocations against employees of diplomatic institutions of Ukraine in Russia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reserves the right to take further actions in response.

Nikolenko said that Ukraine is considering the announcement by the Russian Foreign Ministry of the employee of the Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow "persona non grata" as a continuation of the anti-Ukrainian campaign launched in Russia and another manifestation of unfriendly actions against employees of Ukraine's diplomatic institutions.

"We completely discard the unfounded accusations that the declared 'persona non grata' Ukrainian diplomat allegedly engaged in activities incompatible with diplomatic status. The employee of the Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow did not commit any actions that would go beyond his diplomatic and consular functions," he said.

He said the decision of the Russian Foreign Ministry grossly violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 and constant diplomatic practice.

As reported, on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that an employee of the Ukrainian Embassy in Russia has been declared "persona non grata," he will have to leave the country by the end of the day on April 30.
Some of the 2.1 million ballots cast during the 2020 election, are brought in for recounting at a 2020 election ballot audit ordered by the Arizona Senate at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2021. (Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo)

New Maricopa County Judge Assigned to Oversee 2020 Election Audit Case

A new judge has been assigned to oversee a legal challenge to a Senate-led audit of votes in Arizonas largest county for the 2020 presidential election, the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County announced Monday.

Judge Daniel Martin will be taking over the case after Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Christopher Coury, a Republican appointee, recused himself from the legal challenge on April 25.

Martin, who was appointed to the bench in 2007 by Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano, is currently assigned to the civil division after having previously been assigned to the family, criminal, and juvenile court departments.

According to Martins Superior Court biography, he formerly worked as an associate at the law firm Brown & Bainwhich merged with Perkins Coiea leading pro-Democrat law firmin 2004, after Martins time at the firm. Election attorney Marc Elias is a partner at that law firm, chair of Perkins Coies Political Law Group, and one of the Democratic Partys top lawyers.

Elias previously suggested in a Twitter post that the Arizona GOP may receive sanctions for a prior lawsuit that sought a hand count audit in Maricopa County.

The announcement comes after Coury recused himself when he learned that attorney Chris Viskovic, with whom he had a prior working relationship, had joined the case.

According to a copy of the recusal, the court received filings at 4 p.m. on April 25 that included names of new attorneys, including Viskovic, who worked at the office of Coury as an extern within the past five years.

Viskovic now holds a position as a junior associate at Kolodin Law Group PLLC, which is representing the Florida-based cybersecurity firm Cyber Ninjas in court. Cyber Ninjas is one of four firms hired by the state Senate to conduct the audit.

The recusal noted that in accordance with the states code of judicial conduct and rules of the Arizona Supreme Court, Coury must recuse himself from any further involvement in the case.

The audit started on April 19. Companies hired by the state Senate are examining 2.1 million ballots, testing voting machines, looking for IT breaches, and performing a hand count.

The state-issued subpoenas that were needed to execute the audit were ruled as valid on Feb. 25.

Real-time camera footage of Maricopa Countys large-scale audit of the 2020 election, Maricopa County, Ariz. (Screenshot/The Epoch Times)

Arizona Democrats filed an emergency request to block the audit on April 22. Coury granted the request the following day but only if the party would post a $1 million bond. Democrats refused, so the audit wasnt paused.

Coury hasnt been popular among Democrats, who campaigned to oust him last year from another four-year term on the bench over his ruling on an education ballot proposition called Invest in Ed.

The Maricopa County Democratic Party in October 2020 campaigned to oust Coury, creating a website that called him an activist judge after he ruled that the summary for the proposed tax hike for education was misleading.

The Superior Court has announced that all hearings previously scheduled under Coury are canceled. Each side of the legal challenge will have 10 days to tell Martin how they think the case should be handled moving forward.

After Martin was assigned to take over, the Arizona Democratic Party, however, requested an immediate hearing, 12 News reported. According to the news outlet, a new hearing has been scheduled for 11 a.m. on April 27.
[April 26, 2021] Dassian Announces Collaboration with Microsoft Azure Government ATLANTA, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dassian is pleased to announce a collaboration with Microsoft Azure Government. This relationship combines Dassian's deep industry expertise and standardized SAP ERP extension solutions with Azure's scalable and secure government cloud platform to provide a fully integrated environment for high security customers in Federal, State & Local governments as well as their respective suppliers. "...Dassian helps simplify our business processes through standardized solutions." - Mike Taylor , Microsoft Federal CIO In 2020, Microsoft's Federal business became a customer of Dassian. Microsoft Federal recognized the value of extending their SAP environment by selecting Dassian's standardized SAP solutions to support their regulatory federal contracting business system requirements. This combination of the standard, scalable, and secure Azure Government paired with Dassian's standardized solutions enabled Microsoft Federal to successfully implement within an 11-month project duration, which was realized during the pandemic with a large-scale pivot to remote work. Azure Government's secure cloud platform is one of te most trusted and deployed at the highest levels of federal cybersecurity requirements. As such, Dassian seeks to replicate Microsoft Federal's successful results as a customer to give governments and their respective industrial bases greater efficiency through standardization and extended digitization. This collaboration aims to fuel next generation innovations and automation for complex regulated government contracting business processes. "Partnering with Microsoft signals an exciting opportunity to grow our ecosystem and provide even further value to our customers," says Dassian CEO Kevin Kane. "We pride ourselves on living our message of simplification through standardization as our solutions, combined with SAP's platform, further unlock the security and features of Microsoft Azure Government. We also believe that future cloud adoption is going to be driven through simplifying and standardizing environments resulting in business transformation and innovation. We are excited to partner with Microsoft to be at the forefront of this change." "Together with SAP and Microsoft Azure Government, Dassian helps simplifying our business's processes through their standardized solution set," says Mike Taylor, Microsoft Federal CIO. "By becoming a Dassian customer with SAP, we are taking advantage of Dassian's integration within our own advanced and secure cloud architecture to further manage our rapidly growing federal business." Dassian also provided forward-looking innovation plans for a hybrid solution to manage complex contracts more efficiently and securely between government buyers and sellers. The plans were presented in a recent joint webcast with Microsoft, entitled Contracting and Security in SAP with Azure. For those interested in realizing the value that the Microsoft Federal team has already achieved with this strategic collaboration, please engage with either Dassian or the Azure Government team. About Dassian Dassian is a strategic Microsoft, SAP, and global system integrator partner that takes an intense, industry-focused approach to delivering innovative contract management, managerial accounting, program management, and material accounting & logistics solutions for highly regulated and project-centric industries. For more information about Dassian, please visit https://www.dassian.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dassian-announces-collaboration-with-microsoft-azure-government-301277212.html SOURCE Dassian

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When AMD launched their Ryzen 5000 series of CPUs, it sent Intel reeling. Now, the battle between the two leading CPU manufacturers is more one-sided than ever. But perhaps this specific 1v1 battle will help tip the scales.

PCWorld just pitted the brand-new AMD Ryzen 7 5800U against the Intel Core i7 1185G7, both top-end processors for laptops these days. The AMD CPU comes in the ASUS ZenBook UM325, and the Intel comes in the MSI Prestige 14 Evo.

Read also: New AMD X570 Motherboard Spotted With Ryzen 7 5700G APU

Tale Of The Tape

First of all, let's take a quick look at the specs of the CPUs being tested.

AMD's Ryzen 7 5800U is an 8-core 16-thread beast with a max boost clock of 4.4 GHz, featuring 8 GPU cores running at 2000 MHz effective, as stated on the AMD website.

Meanwhile, its competitor from Tiger Lake has half the cores and threads, but has a higher max boost of 4.8 GHz out of the box. It also has Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, according to Intel Ark.

Both laptops had 16 GB of DDR4 memory and at least 512 GB of PCIe 3.0 SSD storage, which would help put the CPUs through their paces without any slowdowns.

AMD vs. Intel Laptop Battle: Who Wins?

First up, the CPUs were put through these productivity benchmarks: CineBench R20, VRay Next, Handbrake 1080p and 4K video encode, and Microsoft Office/Adobe Creative Suite performance.

For multi-threaded applications, AMD's offering would be the much-better choice due to its high core and thread count. But here's the thing: many laptop owners don't deal with heavily multi-threaded workloads anyway, which kind of takes away the Ryzen chip's advantage. And this was evident in the single core performance, where the Intel CPU won by a 28-point margin in the CineBench single core test.

As for the multi-core benchmark, it's obvious who won: the 5800U was 979 points better.

The next benchmarks further show, however, that modern high-core-count-requiring workloads need a beefier processor, and the mobile AMD Cezanne APU doesn't disappoint.

It beats out the i7 1185G7 in four out of the five remaining productivity tests, sometimes even blowing the Intel chip out of the water. The one time that AMD didn't win was with the Adobe Creative Suite benchmarks, where mostly Intel-specific optimizations sealed its fate.

But when it comes to gaming, the Intel CPU actually wins with its Iris Xe integrated graphics.

Most of the gaming tests showed that while desktop versions of the Cezanne APUs had pretty impressive iGPU performance, their mobile counterparts don't have the same graphical horsepower. The 5800U was no exception, as it got beat in every single graphics-intensive test.

Final Conclusions

The conclusion here is simple: AMD is winning the desktop market, while Intel still owns laptops. It seems that Tiger Lake is doing a good job at keeping up with the juggernaut that is Ryzen, as long as you use it on a laptop where stronger single-thread performance matters more than high core count.

Here's the thing though: Ryzen-based laptops are still pretty good, as long as you pair discreet graphics with them, like what happened with the likes of the Dell G15. All in all, what this means for users is simple: get something that fits your needs, and you'll be able to maximize its performance.

Related Article: Dell Inspiron 14 5402 Stocks Are On Clearance: Good Laptop Deals!

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by RJ Pierce

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Chennai, April 27 : The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss on Tuesday urged the Tamil Nadu government to close down the liquor shops in the state to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Pointing out the growing Covid-19 infections in the state Ramadoss said as per the World Health Organisation (WHO) liquor will reduce the immunity levels in an individual and its consumption should be curtailed during a pandemic.

Ramadoss said crowding at liquor shops is not the only reason for the demand to close the liquor shops.

He said the spread of coronavirus due to the huge crowd at the shops in the evenings will surely spread the virus.

Moreover during the pandemic period the economic condition of the poor has worsened and alcoholics will spend on liquor even the meagre sum that is at their homes.

Liquor retail in Tamil Nadu is a state monopoly run by the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation or popularly known as Tasmac.

There are over 5,300 Tasmac liquor outlets in the state contributing over Rs 30,000 crore of tax revenue to the state exchequer.

Last year when the pandemic broke out, the state government ordered closure of liquor outlets for more than a month.

This time around the government has ordered closure of gyms, movie theatres, shopping malls, big format stores, places of worship for the public and others to prevent the virus from spreading.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. A Black man killed by deputies in North Carolina was shot in the back of the head and had his hands on his car steering wheel when they opened fire, attorneys for his family said Monday after relatives viewed body camera footage.

The account was the first description of the shooting of Andrew Brown Jr., who was killed by deputies serving drug-related search and arrest warrants. His death last Wednesday led to nightly protests and demands for justice in the town of Elizabeth City. Authorities have released few details, and the video has not been made public.

Attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter watched a 20-second portion of body camera video with Browns family. Lassiter said Brown did not appear to be a threat to officers as he backed his vehicle out of his driveway and tried to drive away from deputies with guns drawn.

There was no time in the 20 seconds that we saw where he was threatening the officers in any kind of way, she told reporters at a news conference.

When asked whether Brown was shot in the back, attorney Harry Daniels said, Yes, back of the head.

An eyewitness account and emergency scanner traffic had previously indicated Brown was shot in the back as he tried to drive away.

My dad got executed just by trying to save his own life, said Browns adult son Khalil Ferebee, who watched the video.

Lassiter, who watched the video multiple times and took notes, said the shooting started as soon as the video began and that she lost count of the number of gunshots fired by law enforcement officers armed with rifles and handguns. She said she counted as many as eight deputies in the video, some wearing tactical uniforms and some in plainclothes.

Theyre shooting and saying Let me see your hands at the same time, she said. She added: Lets be clear. This was an execution.

The familys lawyers were also angry about what they described as rude treatment by Pasquotank County Attorney R. Michael Cox, to whom they attributed the decision to limit the amount of footage shown. They criticized authorities for sharing only 20 seconds of video from a single body camera.

Theyre trying to hide something, attorney Benjamin Crump said.

Attorney Bakari Sellers said Cox used profanity toward him. Ive never been talked to like I was talked to in there, Sellers said.

Cox did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten II has said that multiple deputies fired shots. Seven deputies are on leave pending a probe by the State Bureau of Investigation.

In a video statement, the sheriff said Monday that Cox had filed a request to have the video released, which in North Carolina must be authorized by a judge. He asked for patience while the State Bureau of Investigation probes the case.

This tragic incident was quick and over in less than 30 seconds, and body cameras are shaky and sometimes hard to decipher. They only tell part of the story, he said.

Earlier Monday, a search warrant was released that indicated investigators had recorded Brown selling small amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine to an informant. Crump argued that authorities were trying to release negative information about Brown while shielding themselves by holding back the video.

The warrant was sought by Wootens office and signed by a judge to allow the search of Browns Elizabeth City home. It said that an investigator in nearby Dare County was told by the informant that the person had been purchasing crack cocaine and other drugs from Brown for over a year. The informant described purchasing drugs at the house that was the target of the search.

In March, narcotics officers used the informant to conduct controlled purchases of methamphetamine and cocaine from Brown on two separate occasions, according to the warrant, which said both drug transactions were recorded using audio and video equipment.

The search warrant said investigators believed Brown was storing drugs in the home or two vehicles. The document, which indicated the search was not completed, did not list anything found.

Two arrest warrants released last week charged him with possession with intent to sell and deliver 3 grams of each of the drugs.

Attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter speaks outside the Pasquotank County Public Safety building in Elizabeth City, N.C. Monday April 26, 2021 after viewing 20 seconds of police body camera video. The family of Andrew Brown Jr. and their attorneys were shown the video 5 days after Brown was fatally shot by Pasquotank County Sheriff' deputies. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP)AP

Calls have been growing to release the body camera footage. A coalition of media organizations have sought the footage, and city officials plan to do so as well.

Short of releasing it publicly, state law allows law enforcement to show body camera video privately to a victims family.

Also Monday, Elizabeth City officials declared a state of emergency amid concerns about how demonstrators would react to a possible video release. Protests since the shooting in the eastern North Carolina town of about 18,000 have generally been peaceful.

Danielle McCalla, who grew up in Elizabeth City before recently moving to Virginia, joined demonstrators who came to watch the news conference by the family attorneys. She said it left her in tears.

As soon as they started going into details, I started crying, she said. McCalla, 30, said she met Brown and had several conversations with him, making her sad about whats happening in her hometown and about police shootings elsewhere.

Its the same thing that keeps happening, she said. Its a bigger monster than we think it is.

___

Ben Finley and Jonathan Drew of The Associated Press wrote this story.

Drew reported from Durham, North Carolina.
(Newser)  The International Transport Workers Federation says cases of shipowners abandoning sailors on cargo ships are on the rise but few cases are as egregious as that of Mohammed Aisha. The Syrian man has finally returned home after four years stranded on the Bahrain-flagged MV Aman, which was detained by Egyptian authorities in 2017, the BBC reports. The ship's captain was ashore when it was detained for having expired safety certificates and a court declared Aisha, its first officer, to be its legal guardian. With the ship's owners in financial trouble, a lonely yearslong ordeal followed as other sailors left the ship, which had no power due to a lack of fuel. He says the lowest point came in 2018, when his mother died while he was trapped on the ship, legally obliged to stay aboard.

story continues below

Aisha says a storm that blew the ship off its anchorage last year actually improved his situation, as it ran aground in a place where he could swim to shore to buy food and water every few daysthough he almost drowned on more than one occasion. The ITF says it offered to pay to have Aisha, whose health dramatically declined during the ordeal flown home, but Egyptian authorities had seized his passport and refused to cooperate, Marine Insight reported last month. "This has to be one of the worst cases weve come across," a federation official said. "It is outrageous that after four years of serving as the legal fall guy for this ship, that the Egyptian port authorities still arent doing anything." After he was finally on the way home, Aisha told the BBC he was relieved and overjoyed to be returning to his family, but he still plans to return to his seafaring career. (Read more shipping stories.)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 02:38:56|Editor: huaxia

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NAIROBI, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday held bilateral talks with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his virtual visit to Kenya.

During the meeting, the two discussed trade and investment opportunities, touching on the untapped potential held by the Kenya-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Kenya's presidency said in a statement issued after the meeting that Kenyatta affirmed the country's commitment to strengthening its bilateral ties and forging a strong partnership with the United States of America.

Both Kenyatta and Blinken also discussed Kenya's elevated role in regional peace and security as a member of the UN Security Council.

"Other matters discussed by President Kenyatta and Secretary Blinken were human rights, refugees, health and climate change," the presidency said.

Kenyatta applauded the U.S. for rejoining the Paris Agreement and congratulated President Joe Biden for convening the recent virtual Leaders Summit on Climate which sought to consolidate global solidarity on the matter.

The Kenya talks were part of Blinken's first visit to Africa, virtually, where he will also meet with the president of Nigeria. Enditem
Singapore: The US governments decision to unlock millions of AstraZeneca doses and send raw materials to India may not be enough to avoid a global vaccine shortage and a record death peak next month.

India is the worlds largest vaccine producer but its crushing COVID crisis means it is also now the most in need. Its death toll is nearing 200,000 after another 2771 fatalities were reported on Tuesday.

A nurse holds a vial of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and provided through the global COVAX initiative to other countries. Credit:AP

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates India will hit a peak of 13,300 deaths per day in May, five times its current level as crematoriums struggle to keep up and the country runs out of oxygen. Its armed forces reserves have been called into staff health facilities.

World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the situation was beyond heartbreaking. Experts have criticised Western governments and pharmaceutical companies for their tight control over patents and resources restricting the flow of vaccines.
Costly post-transition period rules have been changed to allow UK pork exports to arrive in the European Union without the need for trichinella testing.

The change of rules means UK pork exports to the European continent will no longer have to be tested for the microscopic parasite trichinella.

The requirement came into force at the start of this year due to the UK's new trading status with the EU.

The National Pig Association (NPA) said the rule had added costs to UK pork exports, and even resulted in some shipments being refused at EU ports.

"A change to EU rules, which came into force on April 21, means UK pork shipments to the EU will no longer have to be tested for trichinella," the NPA said.

"While the legislation does affect live pig exports, this trade is currently halted due to a lack of border inspection posts at EU ports, as now required under the new Brexit rules.

"The NPA is continuing to work with other interested parties to find a solution."

The position for Northern Ireland is unchanged from previous guidance, as the region does not need to be listed as a third country for exporting to the EU.
[April 26, 2021] TVU Networks Delivers Multi-day Live Broadcast of Special Interest Programming from Five Global Locations

SHANGHAI, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TVU solved lots of problems occurring during the multi-region cooperation, long distance movement and long time live. Between March 24th and 26th, Chinese media giant Time-Island successfully live streamed a three day program called "Train Bound for Spring" across five global locations on social media. The five locations were three regions in China  Sichuan, Yunnan and Tibet, thecountries of Switzerland and Norway. The live program showed viewers how the start of spring 2021 was being celebrated in different parts of the world.



The ambitious program to showcase the local scenery and daily lives of citizens had a number of challenges which needed to be addressed. With the live broadcasts scheduled to take place up to twelve hours a day, the producers needed to ensure a reliable broadcast for their viewers. In addition, the transmission equipment needed to be portable and adaptable to unpredictable cellular transmission environments since the on-location camera crews intended to broadcast from moving high-speed trains, tunnels and remote locations including mountains and forests.

With multiple camera crews in different parts of the world, the teams needed also to be able to rely on bi-directional, ultra-low latency VoIP communication with each other during the live broadcasts. Time-Island chose TVU to help it meet all of the challenges. The company was already familiar with TVU's robust technology having used their cellular transmission equipment to successfully broadcast a fifteen hour live event in January for its "Seeing 2021" New Years show. The camera crews relied on 4G and 5G from the TVU One mobile cellular backpack transmitters, and the TVU Anywhere app on their mobile phones for live video capture. The company was able to successfully stage it's multi-location spring program using TVU. http://www.tvunetworks.com

SOURCE TVU Networks

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PLANTATION, Fla., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TradeStation Securities, Inc. ("TradeStation"), a Monex Group company and award-winning* broker-dealer and futures commission merchant, now offers its futures clients the ability to trade micro futures contracts from Eurex, one of the largest futures and options markets in the world. TradeStation clients can now trade Micro-DAX and Micro-EURO STOXX 50 futures through its TradeStation desktop platform, web and mobile applications, which provide advanced visualization and analysis tools.

"We're proud to offer our futures customers new micro futures. In addition to competitive margin rates and commissions, customers will have expanded access to European markets and overnight liquidity. By supporting new products like Eurex micro futures contracts, we aim to set ourselves apart from many other platforms," said John Bartleman, President of TradeStation Group, Inc., TradeStation's parent company. "TradeStation is among only a few U.S. brokerages supporting the Eurex micro futures contracts and we're excited to help Eurex continue expanding into the U.S."

"The new contracts are the right size not only for investors and traders with smaller investment accounts, but also for institutions and professionals seeking to scale their equity index exposure and to hedge existing equity portfolio positions," said Randolf Roth, member of the Eurex Executive Board.

To speak with an account executive to learn more about TradeStation or to open an account, call 1.800.808.9336 or visit TradeStation.com.

About TradeStation Group, Inc.

For more than 30 years, the TradeStation Group companies have been pioneering leaders in the online trading industry, committed to delivering the best trading technology, brokerage services, trading education and support to individual and institutional traders. TradeStation's award-winning trading and analysis platforms offer access to equities, options and futures trading at the major U.S. equities and options exchanges and market centers, as well as the major futures exchanges. TradeStation's clients have access to the powerful tools needed to design, test, optimize, monitor and automate custom trading strategies, and its mobile and web trading apps allow clients to take the power of the TradeStation trading experience on the go. TradeStation also provides a vast array of educational offerings to help beginning and advanced clients learn online trading and investing skills to help them meet their trading and investment objectives.

TradeStation Securities, Inc. (Member NYSE, FINRA, SIPC, NSCC, DTC, OCC & CME) is a licensed securities broker-dealer and a registered futures commission merchant (FCM), and a member of major stocks, options and futures exchanges in the United States. TradeStation Group's technology subsidiary, TradeStation Technologies, Inc., develops and offers strategy trading software tools and subscription services, and hosts the TradingApp Store.

*Visit TradeStation.com/Awards for more information.

SOURCE TradeStation Group, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.tradestation.com


(Natural News) The official story is that Officer Brian Sicknick, who engaged rioters during the Jan. 6 insurrection at the United States Capitol, conveniently died of natural causes just one day after the false flag event.

Early on, the government claimed that Trump supporters murdered Sicknick in cold blood, even though nobody was ever prosecuted and no murder investigation was ever conducted. Now, the Washington, D.C., chief medical examiner has declared that Sicknick died naturally.

In what appears to be a possible coverup  was Sicknick taken out by the deep state?  the new narrative is that Sicknick just so happened to pass away not even 24 hours after encountering a pro-Trump mob. Sicknick supposedly suffered two strokes, we are now told, and passed away not long after that.

The ruling, reports indicate, will make it difficult for prosecutors to pursue homicide charges in the case. The two men who some have accused of assaulting Sicknick by spraying him with a powerful chemical irritant during the siege can no longer be pursued.

Francisco J. Diaz, D.C.s medical examiner, ruled that the autopsy found no evidence that the 42-year-old officer suffered an allergic reaction to the chemical irritants. If they had, Diaz said, Sicknicks throat would have quickly seized.

Diaz also ruled that no evidence was found of internal or external injuries to Sicknicks body. The guy really did just die coincidentally immediately after the false flag event was over, Diaz claims.

According to Diaz, Sicknick did suffer two strokes at the base of his brain stem during the encounter that were caused by a clot in an artery that supplies blood to the brain. It is unclear, due to privacy laws, whether or not Sicknick had a preexisting health condition.

The pro-Trump mob narrative was just more fake news

What this all means, of course, is that acting U.S. attorney general Jeffrey A. Rosen lied in his Jan. 8 statement when he claimed that Sicknick died from the injuries he suffered defending the U.S. Capitol. The Capitol Police also lied when they said Sicknick was injured while physically engaging with protesters.

To back its lies, the deep state even went so far as to falsely accuse two men of assaulting Sicknick with chemical spray during the incident. At the time of their arrest, an autopsy on Sicknicks body had not even been completed.

The Washington Post, The Associated Press, and other fake news outlets repeated these lies on Twitter and other social media platforms, though as far as we know none of them were fact checked or suspended for spreading the false narrative.

This is what they do every day, tweeted Glenn Greenwald. Please internalize what dishonest propagandists they are. They have zero capacity for critical thought and absolutely no integrity. They only care about serving DNC interests.

The New York Times also published fake news claiming that Sicknick was killed by a pro-Trump mob. One wonders if the Times will now be deplatformed and have its bank accounts closed like many conservatives have had happen to them for publishing truth narratives that defy the mainstream lies.

Are the government officials who lied about it going to be censored and fired from their jobs? asks Chris Menahan from Information Liberation.

Weve been told for three months now that pro-Trump rioters staged an armed and deadly insurrection where they killed a cop, he adds. We now know that no cops were killed and not even one person was arrested for having a firearm in the Capitol building or on Capitol grounds.

More related news about the fake news narrative surrounding the Jan. 6 insurrection can be found at FalseFlag.news.

Sources for this article include:

InformationLiberation.com

NaturalNews.com
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 07:10:13|Editor: huaxia

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Members of the National Guard check people in at a COVID-19 vaccination site at the Javits Center in New York, United States, April 6, 2021. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

Vaccine hesitancy in the United States remains substantial, according to a poll. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans, 24 percent, are disinclined to get any of the coronavirus vaccines.

WASHINGTON, April 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. states have resumed administering the one-shot Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine after federal agencies lifted a pause, but public trust in the vaccine has been hindered.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced their decision to lift the pause regarding the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine last Friday, allowing its resumed use for adults.

They said following a thorough safety review, they found the shot's known and potential benefits "outweigh" its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older.

The pause was recommended on April 13 after reports of six cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

"We are no longer recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine," said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. "Based on the in-depth analysis, there is likely an association but the risk is very low."

Several states have resumed giving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. As part of the U.S. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, chains CVS and Walgreens will resume administering the vaccine this week.

But a latest poll showed public trust has been hindered by the pause.

Fewer than half of Americans considered the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as safe and barely more than a fifth of those not yet vaccinated would be willing to take the vaccine, according to the poll of ABC News/Washington Post.

About 46 percent of interviewees think the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is very or somewhat safe, compared with more than 7 in 10 for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, according to the poll results released on Monday.

About 73 percent of those not yet vaccinated said they were unwilling to receive Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 shot.

People line up to enter a mass COVID-19 vaccination site at the United Center in Chicago, the United States, on March 10, 2021. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)

Vaccine hesitancy in the United States remains substantial, according to the poll. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans, 24 percent, are disinclined to get any of the coronavirus vaccines.

About 230 million COVID-19 vaccine shots have been administered across the country as of Monday, while more than 290 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been distributed, CDC data showed.

Currently, there are over 95 million Americans fully vaccinated, accounting for 28.9 percent of the U.S. population, according to CDC data.

About 140 million Americans received at lease one COVID-19 shot, accounting for 42.5 percent of the population.

Among the fully vaccinated, 37 million are people 65 years of age or older, accounting for 67.7 percent, CDC data showed.

Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine was approved for emergency use in the United States in late February. It is the third COVID-19 vaccine that has received FDA's authorization, also the first single dose COVID-19 vaccine available in the United States. 
Just days after Lake Oswegos school superintendent announced she is stepping down, the district has a new superintendent: Assistant Superintendent and former Lakeridge High Principal Jennifer Schiele.

School boards typically name an interim superintendent when a current one departs on short notice. But the Lake Oswego school board voted unanimously Monday to hire Schiele without doing a national or even statewide search.

Dr. Schiele has demonstrated exceptional leadership during her tenure in the district, board chair Sara Pocklington said in a statement. We are confident her invaluable depth of knowledge, stellar credentials and trusted relationships will provide our learning community with the necessary continuity and healing to weather the remainder of the pandemic and come out of it stronger together.

A former guidance counselor and math teacher, the longtime school administrator held the top job at Lakeridge from 2012 to 2018 before ascending to the assistant superintendent role. As the districts No. 2, she was responsible for curriculum and instruction and technology.

She is still negotiating her salary and compensation package after Mondays vote to hire her. The district enrolls about 7,000 students.

Schiele will succeed Lora de la Cruz, who announced Friday she will step down in June after two years as superintendent to care for her ailing mother in another part of the country. De la Cruzs salary is $251,000.

As assistant superintendent, Schiele is paid $144,000. She holds a doctorate degree in education leadership and administration from Lewis & Clark College, a masters degree in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas and a bachelors degree in education from Iowa State University.

While principal at Lakeridge, Schiele was found liable of failing to protect a member of the schools dance team from hazing. The teen was awarded $70,000 for what the court deemed failings on the part of Schiele and the district.

Also while she was principal, The Oregonian/OregonLive noted in 2016 that Lakeridge equipped a bigger share of its juniors to read, write, think logically and do math than any other non-magnet school in the state. In addition, its proficiency rates among low-income students were tied with a small-town high school for best in Oregon.

-- Betsy Hammond; betsyhammond@oregonian.com; @ChalkUp
Though the national and global economies are suffering negative impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, Ninh Binh province has still set a target of 2.4 billion USD from exports in 2021.To reach the target, the province has set out synchronous and drastic measures to boost export-import activities and circulation of goods, especially seeking and expanding markets and speeding up administrative reforms.

In March, Ninh Binh's export value saw a decline of 6.6 percent as compared to the same month of last year. However, its export turnover still reached 602.6 million USD in the first quarter, up 0.7 percent year on year.

Some key export staples are garment products, footwear, cement and clinker, cameras and telephone components, and automobile wipers. Meanwhile, some export products witnessed declines such as canned pineapple and cucumber (down 33.2 percent), optical glasses (down 22.7 percent), and electronic components (down 456 percent).

Export has still maintained its growth momentum, while import has faced difficulties, leading to shortages of materials for production.

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, the province's import value was estimated at 247 million USD, representing a year-on-year drop of 8.8 percent, raising the total figure in the first quarter to 711.3 million USD, a year-on-year decrease of 13.8 percent.

In an attempt to support import-export activities, the Department of Industry and Trade has created favorable conditions for exporters by granting certificates of origin (C/O) to them, thereby helping businesses to reduce time for import-export procedures.

At the same time, it has actively built trade promotion and e-commerce programmes in 2021.

The department has also assisted local enterprises to expand export markets by building a database on international economic integration and free trade agreements (FTAs).

Besides, it will also continue to popularise legal regulations on e-commerce for officials and employees at state agencies and businesses in the province. It will also disseminate origin rules and provide C/O for exporters in Ninh Binh and neighbouring provinces.

The province defined that in the 2021-2025 period, the enforcement of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will create a wider market for ASEAN members, thus ASEAN will be the leading market for Ninh Binh businesses.

As for goods, local businesses are advised to enhance their capacity in the processing industry with high technology and using domestic materials and continue to boost the export of garment and textiles, footwear, electronic components, cement - clinker, and automobile parts.

The department has guided local enterprises to take advantages of bilateral and multilateral FTAs to step up the export of products to the Korean and Japan markets.

Building programmes to assist and increase the competitiveness for enterprises which have strong export goods like handicraft products, agricultural products, textile, camera moduls and electronic components in line commitments in the FTAs.

In a bid to reach the target of 2.4 billion USD in export value in 2021, the provincial People's Committee has asked local administrations and sectors to strictly implement the province's theme of work for 2021 "discipline, responsibility, stepping up administrative reform" in the fields of investment, customs, tax, land, import, export; continue improving e-customs clearance; minimise time of handing over land to investors; and issue land use certificates for organisations and local people.

At the same time, the province will improve the investment climate to draw more resources from all economic sectors, especially investors coming from nations which signed FTAs with Vietnam.

Provincial authorities will also supplement the lists of key investment areas and projects as well as investment incentives in prioritised fields and production of goods for export.

Translated by Nguyen Thuy
When a former air hostess named Grace Hightower was working as a meeter and greeter at Mr Chow in 1987, the Knightsbridge restaurant was a celebrity-spotters paradise.

It was where Eric Clapton, Michael Caine, David Bowie and Joan Collins sat down to over-priced Peking duck next to art world luminaries such as David Hockney, Peter Blake and Julian Schnabel.

And so it should have been no surprise to anyone when Robert De Niro, then one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood and son of a notable painter, turned up for dinner.

Even so, Ms Hightower, who was 32, insists she didnt recognise De Niro, then 44, as he peppered her with questions on everything from the restaurants tables to its menus.

It was only when she complained about him to a colleague that she was told who he was. This revelation evidently led her to review her initial poor impression of him and the pair soon started a relationship.

Acrimonious: Robert De Niro with his estranged wife Grace Hightower during the 'Begin Again' film premiere at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival in New York

It was an ease-in. It wasnt a whirlwind, she has said of their early days together.

In fact, whirlwind is about the best word for a turbulent on-off-on-off marriage which descended into mutual accusations of violence, alcohol and drug abuse.

A few days ago, the famously private couple  now engaged in a torturous divorce battle  clashed once more in a New York court during a virtual hearing over Ms Hightowers spending habits.

De Niro has previously gone to extraordinary lengths to keep such discussions private and its not hard to see why. The jaw-dropping sums involved and the lavish lifestyles exposed dont sit well with his image as a serious thespian and staunch, Trump-loathing Democrat.

The latest hearing answered many questions, not least why an actor widely regarded as one of the finest of his generation keeps making such utterly dreadful films.

According to his lawyer, Caroline Krauss, the star of Taxi Driver, Mean Streets and The Godfather: Part II nowadays makes howlers such as Dirty Grandpa and Little Fockers, not to mention commercials for baker Warburtons and car-maker Kia, because he has to pay for 66-year-old Ms Hightowers extravagant spending habits. Mr De Niro is 77 years old, and while he loves his craft, he should not be forced to work at this prodigious pace because he has to, Ms Krauss said.

When does that stop? When does he get the opportunity to not take every project that comes along and not work six-day weeks, 12-hour days so he can keep pace with Ms Hightowers thirst for Stella McCartney? He could get sick tomorrow, and the partys over.

As well as spending profligately on the British designers clothing, Ms Hightower spent an average $215,000 (154,000) a month on her credit card and another $160,000 (115,000) in cash, said the lawyer.

In 2019 alone, she reportedly spent $1.67 million (1.2 million), most of it on a $1.2 million (860,000) diamond from a high-end New York jewellers.

On top of Ms Hightowers rocketing financial demands, Ms Krauss revealed De Niro owes millions in unpaid taxes. She said the income from his next two films will be devoted to paying off this debt, which in 2015 was revealed to be $6.4 million (4.6 million).

Naturally, the Hightower camp hasnt taken all this sitting down. Her lawyer, Kevin McDonough, countered that his client was owed payments to maintain the status quo lifestyle she enjoyed with De Niro during their marriage.

And the actors own habits, he claimed, have not been cut back at all. When Mr De Niro goes to brunch on Sunday in Connecticut, he charters a helicopter up there, he claimed. When he flies down to see his friends in Florida . . . its a private jet.

De Niro leaving Manhattan Supreme Court after a divorce hearing in August 2019 in New York

(It should be said that the Hightower camp denied the diamond claim, while De Niros lawyer challenged the chopper allegation.)

Mr McDonough said that since the pair filed for divorce in 2018 (the second time they have done so), De Niro has been unfairly decreasing his payments to his estranged wife, including lowering her monthly American Express credit card limit from $375,000 (270,000) to $100,000 (71,900) as of January this year.

It was left to the judge, Justice Matthew Cooper, to remind the couple how ridiculous this all sounded.

There is nothing ordinary about these expenses. For 99.9999 per cent of the world, these are extraordinary to an almost unimaginable degree, he said. I want to get Ms Hightower and Mr De Niro to go their separate ways. They will still come out of this richer than almost any human being who walks this earth.

And, he could have added, many, many times richer than the woman Ms Hightower once was as the daughter of a farmer in Mississippi.

Its easy to see De Niro and his estranged wife as two enemies united by their overweening greed, but an insider who has been involved in their feud told the Daily Mail this week that its more complicated.

De Niro, he says, isnt so much venal as  in the bohemian tradition of his artist father, Robert Sr  incredibly wasteful with money: He fritters it away. His accountant used to tear his hair out.

The actor  father of six children by three mothers  has also been generous to his myriad dependants and has simply wanted to buy peace with his estranged wife. Theyre playing on Bobs generosity, he said of the continuing court battle.

The insider describes Ms Hightower as a little bit of a tiger but also as flighty and irrational, adding: Matrimonial disputes are usually more about anger than money. She feels scorned and shes never been successful in her own right.

Part African-American, part Blackfoot Indian, she grew up with seven brothers and two sisters near the town of Kilmichael, in an impoverished corner of the Deep South.

Ms Hightower says she did odd jobs to support the familys meagre finances  working at a local dime store and in a post room  before becoming a flight attendant for the TWA airline in her 20s.

She then embarked on a financial career trading mutual funds but it didnt work out because, she says, she was too cautious about investing other peoples money.

De Niro in an advert for Kia. According to his lawyer, the actor makes such commercials because he has to pay for 66-year-old Ms Hightowers extravagant spending habits

And so she gravitated to working in restaurants and relocated to London, where she met De Niro.

The actor, a compulsive womaniser according to biographers, has a penchant for statuesque, beautiful, black women, and the striking Ms Hightower certainly fitted the bill.

When they met, he was still married to Diahnne Abbott, but their 12-year marriage, which produced two children, ended in 1988.

All the signs are that De Niros relationship with Ms Hightower was by no means exclusive  at least in its early days. De Niro reportedly had a string of affairs  including with Bette Midler, Whitney Houston, Uma Thurman and even an English porn star  in the following decade.

Meanwhile, his longtime girlfriend, the model Toukie Smith, was still very much on the scene and, in 1991, the couple had twin sons conceived by in vitro fertilisation and delivered by a surrogate mother.

By 1996, Ms Hightower had won the battle for De Niros affections and a year later, with a reported $100,000 (71,900) engagement ring, she married the Raging Bull star.

The wedding was appropriately splashy, attended by his fellow on-screen gangster friends Harvey Keitel and Joe Pesci, and included a five-course meal at a smart restaurant outside New York.

Some of his pals werent there, having already fallen out with his new bride. In fact, a few of them had even warned him not to marry her  advice which, with hindsight, he might usefully have taken.

They had a son, Elliot, a year after they married, only for the relationship to swiftly become toxic and De Niro filed for divorce for the first time in 1999.

When, two years later, De Niro went to court to challenge her for custody of Elliot, the gloves really came off. Alleging that he was concerned for Elliots safety, De Niro said Ms Hightower had a violent temper, once fracturing his ribs in a jealous rage on a yacht after accusing him of having an affair with another woman on board.

She countered that the actor had alcohol and drugs problems that made him an unfit parent. His lawyer denied these claims.

If that sort of frank exchange of views sounded like the finale of their relationship, astonishingly, it wasnt. The divorce was never finalised and the couple renewed their vows in 2004 at De Niros upstate New York farm, watched by a celebrity crowd that included Martin Scorsese, Meryl Streep and Ben Stiller.

De Niro even joked that he made sure two judges were on hand to officiate so they can make sure this one sticks  an unwise remark if ever there was one.

Ms Hightower has done some modelling, had a few small acting roles and even sang a gospel song for the soundtrack of the Oscar-winning film Precious, whose director, Lee Daniels, is a friend. She also set up a company selling fair trade Rwandan coffee.

Although she generally avoids the limelight, she was dragged into it in 2004 when two ex-maids and a former driver testified that she was a raging bully who abused on a whim the staff of their $125,000-a-month (90,000) rented home on Manhattans Central Park West and even refused to give one of them three days off to attend her fathers funeral. The couples lawyers countered that the trio all had an axe to grind and their complaints were dismissed.

At the time, a source who knew the couple acknowledged to the New York Post that Ms Hightower could be a pain in the a** but said the accusations were exaggerated. The insider added: She carries herself as a tough broad, as a proud black woman. And theyre all like, What a b****.

De Niro in an advert for Warburtons. Mr De Niro is 77 years old, and while he loves his craft, he should not be forced to work at this prodigious pace because he has to, his lawyer said

In 2011, they announced they had a second child, Helen Grace, who was later revealed to have been delivered by a surrogate. In an interview two years later, Ms Hightower was asked about the secret to a successful marriage. I would say a lot of give and take, standing your ground because then you keep the respect you started out with, she said.

In 2016, the couple stirred up controversy when De Niro defended the inclusion of Vaxxed, an anti-vaccine film directed by disgraced British doctor Andrew Wakefield, at the actors Tribeca Film Festival.

De Niro revealed that their son Elliot has autism (which Wakefield, using bogus research data, alleged was linked to the MMR vaccine) and claimed that Ms Hightower noticed him develop the condition overnight after he received a vaccine.

They separated again in 2018, returning to court for another gruelling and hugely expensive divorce battle which  three years later  clearly has yet to be resolved.

She has demanded half his fortune, which she estimated at $500 million (360 million). This, she accepted, was far more than she was afforded by a pre-nuptial agreement she signed in 2004 which gave her a 4.7 million home, 393,000 in cash and  as long as De Niro was making at least $15 million a year (10.8 million)  an annual income of $1 million (720,000) a year.

However, Ms Hightower insisted that De Niro had hidden the extent of his wealth during their marriage and claimed she was entitled to a cut of 35 business ventures and 38 films he has made since 2004. On top of that, she also asked for 50 per cent of his earnings from his share in the Tribeca Grill and Greenwich Hotel in New York and his production company Canal.

Her lawyer said she earned just 11,800 a year and simply wanted to be treated equally.

De Niros lawyer saw it rather differently, telling the court: She is seeking essentially every piece of paper of De Niros receipts for meals on movie sets, wardrobe, payroll records of every employee . . . credit card charges. This all goes back 15 years.

The opposing camps are convinced the couple will never get back together as they did once before, and so the war goes on over the piles of money that have come to mean so much to them.
By Nikolaj Skydsgaard

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Despite mounting pressure from lawmakers and civil society organisations, Denmark is determined to push ahead with efforts to return refugees to war-torn Syria as it claims conditions in parts of the country have improved.

On Tuesday, the EU's top migration official expressed concern about the approach after the Nordic country decided last year to review hundreds of residency permits for Syrian asylum seekers.

In response, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Danish parliament last week to protest the move to revoke residency permits, echoing calls from NGOs and EU lawmakers, who say Syria is not safe to return to.

"Denmark has been open and honest from day one. We have made it clear to the Syrian refugees that their residence permit is temporary and that the permit can be revoked if the need for protection ceases to exist," Immigration Minister Mattias Tesfaye told Reuters on Tuesday.

Since 2019, more than 200 Syrian nationals from the Damascus region have had their residency permit revoked by Denmark out of more than 600 cases that were reviewed, according to the Danish Immigration Service.

The EU's migration commissioner, Sweden's Ylva Johansson, said she had raised the matter with Copenhagen, where the government assured her it would not force deportations.

"Nobody could be forced to return to Syria," Johansson told a news conference, expressing doubt that those who cannot be sent back should have their right to work or study revoked. "This is something that concerns me."

Also in 2019, the Danish government started offering Syrians money for leaving the country, around 175,000 Danish crowns ($28,427) per person. At least 250 Syrian nationals have voluntarily returned to Syria with such support since then.

"When the conditions in their home country have improved, former refugees should return to the home country and re-establish their life there," Tesfaye said.

Story continues

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, EU-lawmakers on Friday expressed regret at Denmark's efforts to "expel Syrian refugees" and urged Frederiksen to make a "180-degree turnaround" in the country's asylum policy.

"Deportations to a country at war must never be normal. Denmark should not take a vanguard role here," said the letter signed by 33 lawmakers from 12 EU countries, including Germany and France.

Sweden and the United Kingdom have also concluded that the general conditions in Syria's capital region have improved.

But the Danish Refugee Council, an NGO, said Denmark was the only country in Europe to start systematically rescinding Syrian refugees' residence permits on those grounds.

Both the European Council and the European Parliament have issued declarations saying conditions are not in place for the safe and voluntary return of Syrian refugees.

Similarly, the United Nations' refugee agency, UNHCR, has called on states not to forcibly return Syrian nationals to any part of Syria, even those areas controlled by the government, such as the capital region. ($1 = 6.1560 Danish crowns)

(Reporting by Nikolaj Skydsgaard and Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
CHANGSHA, China, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In April, Zoomlion Earthmoving Machinery Company held a grand departure ceremony for 100 units of its earthmoving machinery equipment on their way to Southeast Asia from the Zoomlion Weinan Industrial Park in Shaanxi, China.

The earthmoving machinery products shipped will contribute to infrastructure construction in those countries as an important initiative of Zoomlion to facilitate the development of the BRI. Since the beginning of the year, Zoomlion has successfully received large orders from a number of key BRI member countries in Asia. The company has been providing various comprehensive construction solutions to further meet customer needs.

Rapid development in Zoomlion's international earthmoving machinery markets benefit hugely from the continuous improvement of the company's product competitiveness. With joint efforts from R&D teams in China and North America, the company has significantly boosted its R&D capability and launched a new generation of products including the E-10 series and G series, to fulfil the demand of various working conditions. These highly efficient and reliable products have been optimized in terms of power matching, hydraulic control, cab operation among other key functions and significant energy-saving advantages have increasingly won recognition from global customers.

In order to ensure the operation of the company's earthmoving machinery equipment in various overseas projects during COVID-19, Zoomlion's service personnel have been stationed on construction sites in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East to ensure seamless back-up services for equipment in key BRI construction projects.

"With the ongoing and rapid recovery of the construction machinery market, we will accelerate our overseas business expansion, focusing on BRI countries to achieve a breakthrough in creating greener, more intelligent, and environmentally-friendly products for our global customers," said Deng Zhe, Deputy General Manager of Zoomlion Earthmoving Machinery Company.

Moving forward, Zoomlion will continue to make all-round efforts in product innovation, intelligent manufacturing and localized services, aimed at bringing an ever-growing array of products and services to the front line of global construction.

About Zoomlion

Founded in 1992, Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (01157.HK) is a high-end equipment manufacturing enterprise that integrates engineering machinery, agricultural machinery, and financial services. The company now sells more than 600 cutting-edge products from 56 product lines covering ten significant categories.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1497529/Zoomlion_Holds_Grand_Departure_Ceremony_for_Delivery_of_100_Units_of_Earthmoving_Machinery_to_BRI_Co.jpg
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The Kano State Government has directed the immediate closure of Bagauda Technical College, located along Kano-Jos road, following a security report.

This was announced in a statement issued to journalists on Monday in Kano, by the Public Relations Officer, Kano State Ministry of Education, Aliyu Yusuf.

Mr Yusuf said the closure of the college in Bebeji Local Government Area was announced by the Commissioner for Education, Sanusi Said-Kiru.

The closure of the College was necessary following a disturbing security report and the need to protect the lives of the students, teachers and other staff of the college.

Therefore, I urge parents to immediately evacuate their children from the College and wait for further directives, it said.

Mr Yusuf said the commissioner used the opportunity to express the state governments appreciation to parents and guardians for their support and cooperation to its policies and directives especially on security related matters.

States in Nigerias North-west region are witnessing cases of kidnapping and mass abduction of students from secondary and tertiary schools.

Kaduna, which shares a boundary with Kano, has been in the news over the past weeks for such cases of abductions, the latest involving the private Greenfield University where an undisclosed number of students was abducted last week.

The bodies of five of the kidnapped students have now been found. The bandits who abducted them are believed to have killed the students because the state government has vowed never to pay ransom to kidnappers. (NAN)
New Delhi, April 27 : The Rainbow Nation of South Africa celebrates 27 years since the first democratic elections were held, on April 27. Similar to India, it was possible thanks to the toil and sacrifices of its founding fathers and citizens. India and South Africa know what it is like to fight for the greater good.

An inseparable part of the historic fabric of South Africa remains its iconic leader -- Nelson Mandela, or as he is affectionately known -- Madiba. Mandela, born into a South African royal family, went on to become an influential political leader and then also the President, and was at the forefront of South African freedom struggle. From serving 27 years in prison to working as a philanthropist, his life was legendary to say the least. The 'Gandhi of the African continent' has received, and rightfully so, more than 250 honours including The Nobel Peace Prize and the Bharat Ratna.

From the rolling hills and scattered villages of Qunu in the Eastern Cape, to reverent reflections in the prison cells of Robben Island, to the sacred sidewalk on Vilakazi Street in Soweto -- South Africa offers a chance to follow in the footsteps to freedom of the nation's most iconic hero -- Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

Robben Island Nelson Mandela spent 18 immensely challenging years in prison on this little island situated off the coast of Cape Town. Yet he emerged from it filled with forgiveness instead of hatred. Robben Island is now a World Heritage site and museum. Although from the 17th to the 20th century the island was a place of imprisonment -- today it is a beacon of hope and a place where visitors can gain some insight into the life and times of Mandela and his fellow freedom fighters.

Google offers a narrated tour -- complete with a visit to Mandela's 6.5 x 6.5 foot cell -- led by Vusumsi Mcongo, an anti-Apartheid activist who was imprisoned on Robben Island from 1978-1990.

Constitution Hill Through the years, the Constitution Hill functioned mainly as a prison. It was here that many passive resistors and freedom fighters including the Father of our Nation -- Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela were held; the site has two permanent exhibitions that revolve around the lives of both these revolutionaries. A walk through section Number Four of the prison, reading up on the horrific conditions of the time and the difference on how prisoners of different races were treated, quickly hammers home the need for radical reform and equality for which Mandela was fighting -- and ultimately achieved. The Constitution Hill in Johannesburg is now a fascinating museum and the home to South Africa's constitutional court.

The website offers a virtual representation of what visitors can experience at the site.

Apartheid Museum Apartheid -- a system of institutionalised racial segregation and discrimination, had infiltrated every nerve of the country. These dogmas (or the resistance towards them) helped shape Mandela's entire life and nowhere can you get a better grip on what transpired during the proceeding struggle than at the Apartheid Museum, situated south of Johannesburg. The Apartheid Museum opened in 2001 and is acknowledged throughout the world for its illustrious display of the rise and fall of Apartheid. Allow yourself at least a couple of hours to soak it all in, and get over an emotional yet interactive and informative visit.

Google Street View offers several guided tours to the Apartheid Museum.

Capture Site This site has enormous significance in the history of the freedom struggle because it was here that, after 17 months if evading the apartheid authorities, Nelson Mandela was arrested. On August 5, 1962, the policed flagged down a car driven by Nelson Mandela in a chauffer's uniform while he was returning from a secret meeting with the African National Congress president -- this incident would go on to shape the future of an entire country. To mark the historic spot is a sculpture comprising of 50 steel rods, that align to create a magnificent portrait of Mandela.

Street View users can now view Marco Cianfanelli's extraordinary sculpture of Nelson Mandela at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site.

Mandela House Situated in Vilakazi Street, the humble home Mandela moved into in 1946, the Mandela House gives visitors great insight into the Mandela family. "It was the opposite of grand," he wrote in his autobiography, 'Long Walk to Freedom', ''but it was my first true home of my own and I was mightily proud.'' The house is filled with memorabilia about the family, complete with photographs and visuals and is a fitting tribute to the incredible struggle for freedom. Vilakazi Street is usually flooded with visitors wanting a glimpse into the home of the great Madiba -- hence getting an early start to this place might be a good idea.

The building, which is now a museum dedicated to his life, can be explored via Google Street View.

Route 67 Port Elizabeth includes Nelson Mandela Bay where one can find Route 67 --a collection of 67 art pieces by 67 local artists celebrating the 67 years Nelson Mandela devoted to public life, and his contribution to the freedom struggle in South Africa. It begins at the Campanile in Strand Street and winds its way through the CBD -- the heart of the city, through Vuyisile Mini Square, past the City Library, up the steps of St Mary's Terrace and up to the Great Flag in the Donkin Reserve.

Nelson Mandela once said, "For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.'' The Rainbow Nation beckons you to witness its journey of freedom.

(N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni@ians.in)
India has recorded a big rise in smartphone shipments during the first quarter of 2021, but this is likely to be reversed just as sharply during the second quarter, as the coronavirus takes a vice-like grip on the country.

The technology analyst firm Counterpoint Research said shipments increased by 23% year-on-year to reach 38 million units in the first quarter of the year.

The rise was attributed to product launches, promotions, financial schemes and pent-up demand from the previous year.

But senior research analyst Prachir Singh said there should not be rejoicing over these numbers as "a second and more virulent wave of COVID-19 is currently on in the country and is likely to impact the coming quarters. The consumer demand will take a hit due to the ongoing wave and subsequent lockdowns.

Of the first quarter, Singh said: "Continuing with its stellar run, Indias smartphone market registered a third consecutive quarter of record shipments, riding on pent-up demand. Consumer confidence also increased due to the beginning of a vaccination drive in the country."

Brands from Chinese companies dominated the shipments in the first quarter. Research analyst Shilpi Jain said: "The Chinese brands held a 75% share in the March-ended quarter. Xiaomi led the market with a 26% share, followed by Samsung, vivo, realme and OPPO.

"Xiaomi has recently expanded its manufacturing capabilities with new EMS partners, which helped the brand maintain strong shipments during the quarter. All the major brands are focusing on new product launches to drive consumer demand.

"Samsung maintained a high number of new product launches in its Galaxy M-series, Galaxy F-series as well as the Galaxy S21 series during the quarter. Besides, realme launched its 8 series, OnePlus announced its 9 series and Xiaomi launched its Redmi Note 10 series that has started well. Brands are also focusing on promotions and financial schemes to increase consumer demand.

The overall mobile handset market  which includes feature phones as well  grew by 19% year-on-year during the first quarter. The feature phone market saw 14% growth, driven by strong shipments of local brand JioPhone under its new model and subsequent promotions. However, itel, another local brand, was the top seller in the feature phone market with 21% market share.
Secretary Ross hosts states FFA officers at CDFA Headquarters

Sacramento, California - California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross hosted the states FFA officers for their annual visit at CDFA Headquarters this afternoon.

It was great to be able to meet in person under the circumstances, and to hear how theyve been so adaptable over the past year, Secretary Ross said. Im looking forward to speaking at the convention in a few weeks. Officers, from left: State Secretary Mia Arisman, State Treasurer Reese Gonsalves, State Vice President Emma Thorpe, State President Dean Hill, State Reporter Taylor Sollecito, and State Sentinel Maico Ortiz.
The Idaho Statesman has hired its first education reporter in nearly four years as part of a growing national trend of philanthropy-funded journalism.

Becca Savransky will join us June 1 with an emphasis on covering education from an accountability perspective. Her focus will be on K-12 education in the Treasure Valley and higher education across the state. Shell explore topics including how school districts will combat the learning disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, what Idaho can do to improve its ranking among states in education and the growing conflict between the Legislature and the education system.

Education coverage has always been a challenge for the Statesman: Readers tell us they want it, but digital readership statistics show that the stories can struggle to find an audience. Now we can take all that weve learned through our digital transformation that began in earnest in 2017 and apply it to this beat, giving us confidence that we can produce important, impactful and engaging coverage.

Becca will be our first education reporter since the great Bill Roberts retired in 2017  and she represents two other significant milestones for the Statesmans (virtual, for now) newsroom.

One, this is a new position for our newsroom, adding a journalist  rather than just refilling a position  for the first time in years.

Two, this will be our first donor-funded, full-time position.

Becca was hired in partnership with Report For America, which is placing about 300 journalists in more than 200 newsrooms this year and simultaneously working with those newsrooms to develop their philanthropy efforts. Report for America pays a portion of the reporters salaries; local newsrooms cover the rest.

For this position, the Statesman raised nearly half of our share through a fundraising campaign last fall. That leaves us needing to generate the other half this spring to cover the first year of the program. We launched our spring fundraiser Monday at IdahoStatesman.com/donate. Donations are tax-deductible through Journalism Funding Partners.

Story continues

Once we pay for the first year, well move immediately toward raising funds for the second year, which comes at a higher cost. The RFA program is designed with the idea that the reporter will stay for at least two years. Theres a third-year option  and the hope is that the position receives so much community support that it becomes a permanent part of our newsroom.

We know that the biggest global challenges of our time  like equitable health care, the impact of climate change and affordable housing  will require trusted, local public-service journalism if we are to come together to solve them, Charles Sennott, Report for America co-founder, said in a press release.

Becca was among 1,800 applicants for 100 new spots as RFA corps members in 2021. She was one of five impressive finalists vetted by Report for America for the Statesman, and she was hired from that pool after an extensive interview process that involved several Statesman journalists.

She graduated from Northwestern University in 2015 with a bachelors degree in journalism and served as managing editor of The Daily Northwestern. Originally from Connecticut, her journalism career has included stops at The Frederick News-Post in Maryland, The Hill in Washington, D.C., and most recently Seattle P-I. Her coverage areas have included homelessness, poverty, affordability, mental health and politics.

My passion is to share peoples stories in an effort to tackle greater problems and reach communities that feel ignored, she said.

Becca joins the Idaho Statesman as part of an overall reload of our newsroom staff. She is one of five new hires weve finalized in the past two months  with three more in the works. We have announced the hires of breaking news reporter Ian Stevenson, visual journalist Sarah Miller and Meridian/Eagle/Canyon County reporter Rachel Spacek. We also have a growth-and-development reporter hired, and were in the interview process for an assistant editor to run our accountability team, an investigative reporter and a Boise city government reporter.

When were done, well have 15 reporters and 23 total journalists in our newsroom  numbers we havent seen since 2018.

Most of those hires are filling holes created by attrition. But Becca represents something exciting and new: growth.

And its only possible because of the community support we enjoy.

Chadd Cripe was named editor of the Idaho Statesman in March. He has spent nearly 25 years on staff, most recently as assistant editor.
WBZ-TV's Paula Ebben reports.

Video Transcript

PAULA EBBEN: Massachusetts high schools have been given the date by which they have to resume full-time in-person learning.

State education officials announced today all students Grades 9 through 12 must return to classrooms by May 17. At this point, remote instruction will no longer count for learning hours unless the district is granted a waiver. Families, of course, do have the option to keep their child home.

Most elementary school students have been full-time in person since April 5. And middle schools must be back in classrooms by tomorrow.
Two-thirds of voters oppose Democrat push to add four seats to Supreme Court, new poll finds

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A little over two-thirds of Americans oppose the idea of expanding the number of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, according to a new poll.

The survey of over 1,100 U.S. registered voters was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy, Inc. and sponsored by the conservative legal nonprofit First Liberty Institute, which is devoted to protecting religious freedom rights.

The poll gauged the opinions of voters about the debate over adding seats to the nine-justice Supreme Court days after President Joe Biden established a commission to look into adding justices to the Supreme Court.

Specifically, respondents were asked: For over 150 years, the United States Supreme Court has had nine justices. Court-packing is generally defined as increasing the number of Supreme Court seats, primarily to alter the ideological balance of the court. Do you support or oppose court-packing?

The polling firm found that 68% of respondents opposed court-packing, while 27% supported the proposal.

When broken down by political party, it was found that 90% of Republicans and 47% of Democrats opposed expanding the Supreme Court, as did 68% of independents. Half of Democrats (50%) said they support the idea.

When asked about a recently introduced legislative proposal by congressional Democrats to add four seats to the Supreme Court, 65% of respondents said President Biden should oppose it while 31% said he should support the idea.

Party identification again showed a large gap, as 63% of Democrats surveyed supported adding four seats while 95% of surveyed Republicans opposed adding four seats.

Mason-Dixon conducted the poll from April 15 through April 19, interviewing respondents over the phone. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO and of The First Liberty Institute, said in a statement that the results showed that Americans recognize that court-packing is a brazen power-play by political extremists to overthrow our court system.

Court-packing is a direct assault on the independence of the judiciary, stated Shackelford. Other countries have done this, with disastrous results.

The last thing our country needs right now is a coup on the Supreme Court. We need our Constitutional system. It is the envy of the world.

The recent poll is not the first to indicate that most Americans are hesitant to support expanding the number of justices to the highest court in the land.

Last October, The New York Times and Siena College Research Institute conducted a poll of 987 likely voters in the U.S. with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.

When the Times and Siena asked if voters supported expanding the Supreme Court should Justice Amy Coney Barrett be confirmed and Joe Biden became president, 58% of respondents opposed expanding the court while 31% supported the idea.

Regarding party affiliation, the New York Times poll found that 89% of Republicans, 65% of independents and 28% of Democrats opposed expanding the number of justices on the high court. Fifty-seven percent of Democrats responded that Democrats should increase [the] size of Supreme Court.

Earlier this month, Biden signed an executive order creating the 36-member commission to assess the Supreme Courts current status and whether it should be reformed.
[April 26, 2021] UNITE HERE Local 11 Files Federal Labor Charge Against Owner of Four Points by Sheraton at LAX

The hospitality workers' union UNITE HERE Local 11 has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board against the owner of the Four Points by Sheraton at LAX. The charge alleges that an owner of the hotel, New Wynn Li LP Sheraton Four Points LAX, did not provide information the Union requested of its agent in connection with the owner's decision to lay off employees and potentially close the hotel. The hotel's workers, who are members of Local 11, were laid off en masse last year. In December 2020 and January 2021, the Union requested a range of information concerning the hotel, its plans, and its economic situation-including how funds obtained through a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) program loan were being utilized-as part of an effort to ensure laid-off workers are treated fairly. The unfar labor practice charge alleges that the Company never provided the requested information. Under the federal National Labor Relations Act, employers have a broad obligation to provide information to unions to facilitate collective bargaining.



The charge follows another complaint filed by the Union in early April 2021 with the federal Small Business Administration (SBA), relating to PPP loans obtained by a Four Points by Sheraton LAX company. The complaint asked the SBA to conduct investigation of the $4.4 million in PPP loans approved for the hotel as its owner permanently closed the hotel on February 5, 2021, only one week after being approved for its second loan. SBA records indicate the loans were approved for Rui Gao Inc. Property records indicate that Rui Gao Inc and New Wynn Li LP are owners of the hotel. Congress intended for PPP loans to be used by small businesses in order to keep workers on payroll, not to subsidize large hospitality conglomerates. The hotel originally received $2.4 million in April 2020, and the SBA may have already "forgiven" this loan, converting it into a taxpayer grant.

Workers carried out a socially distanced protest in front of the hotel on April 7, calling attention to the Union's complaint concerning the PPP loans and contrasting the "bailout" the hotel received to the dire economic situation facing its laid-off workers. Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11, stated: "These workers have given much of their lives to this hotel, greatly enriching its owners. They deserve to be treated with a basic level of respect. What is the company trying to hide?" ULP UNITE HERE Local 11 is a labor union representing over 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona who work in hotels, restaurants, universities, convention centers, and airports. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005953/en/

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Trained in reconnaissance at the Border Police Officer School since 1983, Major General Hoang Huu Chien, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Border Guard, has experienced many turning points in his career.

Major General Hoang Huu Chien

As one of two excellent graduates in the 15th class of the Border Police Officer School, now the Border Guard Academy, Lieutenant Chien was retained to work as a lecturer at the Reconnaissance and Law Faculty in 1986.

Just one year later, he took orders to go to the border area to become the head of the reconnaissance team of the Xuat Le Border Post which belongs to the Lang Son provinces border guard force.

Later, he assumed the positions of Deputy Head, Head of Reconnaissance Division, Deputy Chief Commander and then Chief Commander of the provincial Border Guard forces in Cao Bang and Quang Tri provinces.

Since June 2017, he has been Deputy Chief of Staff, and Party Committee Secretary of the Border Guards General Staff. He was promoted to the rank of Major General in 2020. Alternating his missions in border areas, Chien has returned to the school five times to work as a lecturer, deputy dean and dean there.

As a General with the title of Associate Professor of Military Sciences and doctorate in law, who has served in the army for 40 years, one can see a a person of great learning and a border soldier with typical characteristics.

The general as teacher

Having worked 18 years as a teacher at the Border Guard Academy, General Hoang Huu Chien has been pursuing a clear mindset. He believes that the center of training must be humans and the center of scientific research must be practical and highly feasible.

Border guards respect Chien because they admire his will to study and practice on his own. Having been away from home for 16 years to implement tasks assigned to him at the border areas of Lang Son, Cao Bang and Quang Tri, Chien still takes time to learn.

Border guards respect Chien because they admire his will to study and practice on his own. Having been away from home for 16 years to implement tasks assigned to him at the border areas of Lang Son, Cao Bang and Quang Tri, Chien still takes time to learn.

Always searching for new things with an amazing iron will to study, during his military career, he has completed many training programs with excellent results as a trainee at the Border Guard Academy, Hanoi Law University, the Border Guard Academy in Russia, the People's Security Academy, and the National Defense Academy.

In 2012, he successfully defended his doctoral dissertation on State management over security and order in the border sea areas implemented by the Border Guard.

In 2018, with worthy contributions in border management and protection and scientific research, he was granted the title of Associate Professor of Military Sciences.

When I was working as a teacher, and when I was following a literary career, I went to border areas for practice. This is called putting away the pen to use the sword. If I had something that was not understandable, I would ask the soldiers in my unit, he said.

During the time of working as Commander in Chief in Quang Tri, I invited the nautical chart officers to come to give instructions on how to read the charts. On Saturday and Sunday, when I was on duty, I spent time reading documents and maps. I always read documents before I did something, he said.

One door, one-stop-shop

With special love for the national border and scientific knowledge accumulated through practical work, Major General Chien has made contributions to the drafting of the national border protection strategy and the Law on Vietnam Border Guard project.

During his time working at the Quang Tri Border Guard, he gave advice to local authorities on effective welfare policies that would help them develop the economy.

In 2015, the High Command of the Border Guard gave advice to the Ministry of National Defence. The ministry submitted to the Government a plan to apply a one-door, one-stop-shop model at the Lao Bao (Vietnam)  Den Savan (Laos) international border gate under an EMS Agreement.

At that time, Chief Commander Chien instructed the Quang Tri Border Guard to join forces with appropriate agencies to deploy the model.

The model was considered a breakthrough in administrative procedure reform, promoting economic exchange and comprehensive integration among the Mekong sub-region countries.

In 2019, China sent a group of officers to the site to learn about the model. They planned to apply the model to Vietnam-China border gates.

Also during this period, General Chien successfully carried out two research projects with practical significance, titled "Border guards use inline reconnaissance in fighting drug crimes" and "Quang Tri Border Guard prevents and fights violations of entry/exit at land border gates".

Protecting the fatherland

On November 11, 2020, the National Assembly passed the Vietnam Border Guard Law, which will take effect on January 1, 2022.

Not many people know that General Chien and his co-workers had to spend 15 months and 17 days to study, compile and amend the draft law, and hold legal discussions with relevant ministries and branches.

During the compilation time, he was assigned to attend many large workshops with representatives of central ministries, branches and committees, local authorities and local departments of border provinces in the northern, central and southern regions.

There were also 10 workshops at border posts to consolidate the legal bases defending the need for a national border law.

Son Khang

Vietnam, Cambodias border guard forces step up cooperation An agreement on border defence cooperation was signed between the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defences Border Guard High Command and the Army Command of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in Hanoi on February 3.
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By Spotlight PA Staff

This May, Democrats and Republicans will head to the polls to consider judicial candidates  including one for the state Supreme Court  while all Pennsylvania voters (that includes you, independents and minority-party members!) will be asked to consider four ballot questions.

While two of the ballot measures are non-controversial, the others pertaining to Gov. Tom Wolfs emergency powers have caused quite the stir during the coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday, May 4 at 5 p.m., join Spotlight PA Deputy Editor Sarah Anne Hughes and WHYYs Politics Reporter Katie Meyer as they break down what you need to know before you vote. Plus, theyll answer your questions.

You can RSVP for FREE and submit your questions in advance here.

 Spotlight PAs events operate on a pay-what-you-can honor system. If you value this public-service event, pay it forward and contribute any amount to Spotlight PA now so we can keep our programming free for everyone: spotlightpa.org/donate.

WHILE YOURE HERE... If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.

ALSO READ: Five Democrats spar in lively Harrisburg mayoral debate
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The 20-year-old man shot by an undercover DEA agent in Cleveland this month was unarmed when the agent opened fire on him, his attorney said.

I was just coming home, Trayvon Johnson said at a Tuesday news conference outside the Beachwood office of his attorney, Stanley Jackson Jr. of the Cochran Firm. I didnt do anything wrong.

The comments that Johnson did not have a gun contradict statements from Cleveland police and DEA officials who said Johnson opened his jacket and revealed to the agent that he had a gun tucked into his waistband before the agent shot him.

They were Johnsons first public statements since the agent, identified in Cleveland police reports as Ryan Schumacher, shot him outside Johnsons familys home on the corner of East 82nd Street and Decker Avenue.

Johnson was flanked at the press conference by his mother and his brother, both of whom said they witnessed the shooting and backed up the claim that he was unarmed and did not threaten the agent.

Cleveland police and city prosecutors charged Johnson with carrying a concealed weapon and menacing by stalking, both fourth-degree felonies. He is currently free after posting 10 percent of a $10,000 bond in Cleveland Municipal Court.

Jackson said at the news conference that Johnson did not approach the agent. Rather, he said, Johnson was walking toward his home when the agent shot him. Jackson said the agent fired multiple shots at Johnson, including at Johnsons back as Johnson ran toward his house to escape the gunfire.

Jackson said that the shooting represented another failure to de-escalate a situation and shoot first, ask questions later scenario in law enforcement and said justice would be for Schumacher to face criminal charges.

We need to hold this officer accountable, Jackson said. This cannot happen.

The shooting came about 3:50 p.m. April 14. Schumacher was sitting inside an unmarked SUV parked on the street in front of Johnsons house as part of an undercover operation that did not have anything to do with Johnson or his home, officials said.

Security video from a nearby school building parking lot obtained by cleveland.com shows another SUV pulled up and parked in front of Schumachers SUV. Johnson and another person got out and Johnson appeared to walk up to the DEA agents truck. The other person stayed at Johnsons friends truck and did not approach Schumacher. Schumacher got out of the SUV and shot Johnson in the stomach.

The entire interaction lasted just a few seconds, the video showed. After the shooting, Schumacher ran and hid behind the SUV and Johnson ran into his front yard and collapsed.

Cleveland police homicide detectives, who are members of the use of deadly force investigation team, are investigating the shooting. They said in a complaint filed Monday that Johnson pulled his jacket open to reveal he had a handgun tucked into his waistband as he approached Schumachers SUV.

Investigators found a loaded 9mm pistol in the yard near where Johnson had collapsed, records said. Jackson said Johnson did not have a gun on him at the time of the shooting and did not know where the gun police say they recovered could have come from.

Johnson is not accused of pulling the gun out of his pants or reaching for it or knowing that Schumacher was a law enforcement officer.

The court document and the video contradicted the DEAs initial version of the shooting.

Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin told reporters at the scene nearly three hours after the shooting that two men approached the agent as he sat in the SUV, one of them brandished a handgun and gunfire was exchanged. Martin also suggested in response to a TV reporters question that Johnson could have been trying to carjack the agent, but he did not provide any explanation to back the claim.

A statement the DEA released two days after the shooting said that Johnson actively brandished a handgun.

Family members who spoke alongside Johnson at Tuesdays news conference said they witnessed the shooting and said Johnson never threatened the agent.

LaDon Johnson, Trayvon Johnsons brother who identified himself as a Navy veteran who was honorably discharged after seeing combat in Iraq, said he and his mother saw the agents SUV with tinted windows sitting in front of their house and grew suspicious of it. The family has lived in that house for four decades and family members have been targets of drive-by gunfire before. LaDon Johnson said he went out on the porch and tried to waive at the person inside of it, but the person inside refused to acknowledge him.

When Trayvon Johnson pulled up in the other SUV, LaDon Johnson said he called his brother and asked if he was expecting any one, and told him about the man in the SUV behind him.

LaDon Johnson said he watched his brother got out of the car and checked out the agents SUV. Trayvon Johnson then walked between the vehicles to go to his house when the agent jumped from the car and shot him, LaDon Johnson said.

Trayvon Johnson ran toward his house, and the agent kept firing at him, the family members said. Jackson said Schumacher fired at least four shots and possibly as many as eight or nine.

LaDon Johnson said that the agent never identified himself as law enforcement or gave any commands, even after the shooting. He said the family didnt realize the man who shot his brother was a law enforcement officer until other officers showed up after the shooting.

LaDon Johnson said he dragged Trayvon Johnson into the house and tried to tend to his wounds.

Ive been out of the service for a while but when this happened to my brother in front of my face, I felt like I was at war, he said.

Dianna Johnson, the mens mother, said she saw the shooting from her kitchen window.

[Trayvon] just got out the car, and [the agent] shot him. For no reason at all, Dianna Johnson said. Im glad my son is here. I dont know whats wrong with that man.

Trayvon Johnson said he did not pull open his jacket. He said he hitched up his pants as he crossed the street toward the house.

I dont know how you feel like I was a threat, Trayvon Johnson said. I was on my way home. I was just trying to see who it was in that car.

Jackson questioned the DEA agents tactics. He said once LaDon Johnson noticed him, the agent should have called off the undercover operation or moved to a new spot, because there was a good chance other people could notice him, too. He also said that, had the agent identified himself as a law enforcement officer, he could have given Trayvon Johnson commands.

Jackson also called for more transparency, citing the Cleveland school districts release of the video that he said completely contradicts the DEAs official version of the shooting.

A video doesnt lie. You see what you see, Jackson said.

Read more stories

DEA agent who shot Cleveland man during undercover investigation is identified

Cleveland man shot by DEA agent did not pull gun from waistband, arrest records say

Surveillance video of DEA agents shooting of Cleveland man released, mother calls it very disturbing

Undercover DEA agent shoots 20-year-old man police say was armed on Clevelands East Side
YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. For the first time ever, Romanian lawmakers held hearings about the Armenian Genocide at the Chamber of Deputies of the Romanian parliament.

Lawmakers from all political parties and blocs delivered speeches, emphasizing the moral importance of recognizing the Armenian Genocide, something Romania hasnt yet formally done.

The Armenian Ambassador to Romania Sergey Minasyan told ARMENPRESS that the hearings were held at the initiative of MP Varuzhan Pambukchyan, the head of the national minorities group of the Chamber of Deputies.

This is the first time that hearings about the Armenian Genocide are held in the Romanian parliament, Ambassador Minasyan said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 00:43:58|Editor: huaxia

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BEIRUT, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon registered on Tuesday 1,182 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number of infections to 522,763, the Health Ministry said.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the virus went up by 26 to 7,197.

Lebanon's Health Ministry noted that 5.9 percent of the total population have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines, and 3.2 percent both shots.

Lebanon's vaccination process is expected to accelerate in June as the country is scheduled to receive vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca. Enditem
A volunteer in the test chamber used for the research. The chamber is heated to simulate a heat wave while devices continually monitor whole-body heat exchange. Credit: James McCormick, University of Ottawa.

Taking a break from extreme heat, by visiting a cooling center for example, could help our cells protect themselves from damage, according to preliminary findings from a new study. The research, which focused on older people, suggests temporarily cooling down on a hot day helps cells maintain autophagy, a process cells use to rid themselves of dangerous protein buildups caused by stressors like extreme heat.

"By lessening the time spent in a state of elevated internal body temperature, cooling centers may help to preserve autophagy in older adults, which may translate to greater cellular protection and improved health outcomes during an extreme heat event," said James J. McCormick, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow at the Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit of the University of Ottawa in Canada, and the study's first author.

McCormick will present the research at the American Physiological Society annual meeting during the Experimental Biology (EB) 2021 meeting, held virtually April 27-30.

Sustained elevations in internal body temperature can lead to heat stroke, cardiovascular events and kidney failure. Older people are particularly vulnerable since the body's systems for regulating temperature degrade as we age.

During periods of extreme heat, health agencies recommend that people without home air conditioning spend a few hours in a cooled location, such as a cooling center or heat-relief shelter. However, there has been little research into how visiting a cooling center actually affects the physiological processes associated with heat exposure.

"With climate change, the global population is increasingly exposed to protracted periods of extreme heat," said Robert D. Meade, a doctoral candidate who is part of the research team. "Prolonged exposure to hot temperatures can overwhelm the body's ability to cool itself, particularly in older adults. Thus, there is a crucial need to develop evidence-based guidance for protecting older adults from extreme heat."

The researchers analyzed how older people responded to a simulated heat wave with and without a cooling break. A total of 17 volunteers spent nine hours in a room heated to 40 C (104 F). In the middle of the day, seven of the volunteers had a two-hour break in a room that was a comfortable 23 C (73 F).

While the cooling break did not result in lasting reductions in participants' core body temperature, these participants did show improved markers of autophagic function compared to the group that endured high heat for the full nine hours. The findings suggest that visiting a cooling center could help older people avoid some of the cellular damage that may contribute to serious health impacts of heat exposure, according to researchers.

The researchers plan to conduct further studies to determine whether other cooling strategies, such as using a fan, could also help to preserve autophagic function in older adults.

Explore further Wet T-shirts provide effective cooling for older adults during heat waves

More information: McCormick will present this research in poster R3744 ( McCormick will present this research in poster R3744 ( abstract ).

Provided by Experimental Biology
By Ritah Kemigisa

Following the current water shortages in the country, Mulago National referral Hospital has started rationing water supply.

The hospitals executive Director Dr Byarugaba Baterana says it is not true that the hospitals water supply has been cut off due to a huge debt but rather they are in talks with National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to increase supply.

He however says since the water is not enough at the moment, they have to evenly distribute it amongst key departments during the day and night.



NWSC has since revealed that water shortages is a battle they intend to win as soon as possible and are stepping up the fight to ensure 100% coverage dream despite the challenges at hand.

The corporation is currently constructing a 240million litres per day water treatment plant in Katosi, Mukono district.
A 'fit and healthy' engineer has tragically died just three weeks after taking the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.

Jack Last, 27, died at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge on Tuesday, April 20, just 11 days after attending A&E because he was suffering from headaches.

The field service engineer, from Stowmarket, Suffolk, who was 'fit as ever', according to his family, was surprised to be offered his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine because he did not have any underlying conditions.

Despite this, he went to an appointment at Trinity Park in Ipswich, Suffolk, on March 30 with 'no fuss', his sister Jasmine, 32, revealed.

He did not know why he was called forward for the jab at the age of 27, and neither did his family. MailOnline has contacted the Department of Health and Social Care for comment.

Now his devastated family want to know why he was offered the jab as they wait for the results of a post-mortem to confirm the cause of his untimely death.

Jack Last (pictured), 27, died at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge on Tuesday, April 20, just 11 days after attending A&E because he was suffering from headaches

Jasmine said: 'Jack was moved to Addenbrooke's Hospital from West Suffolk on April 11, as he started to get a bleed on the brain.

'We're waiting for the post-mortem results and the inquest date to be confirmed - but we do believe that his death was linked to the vaccine.

'It was very unusual for Jack to feel unwell at all. To my knowledge, he had never had a day off work due to illness.'

The AstraZeneca vaccine has been linked to rare and potentially life-threatening blood clots in the brain.

Last week, the UK's medicines regulator, MHRA, announced there have been 32 deaths in Britain linked to rare blood clots, out of 21.2m people receiving the AstraZeneca jab up to April 14.

Yesterday Jack's family, from Stowmarket, would not comment on the circumstances surrounding his death until they received the post-mortem results.

But Jasmine paid tribute to her younger brother saying he 'made everyone happy and was always smiling'.

She said: 'He really was an amazing brother. He bought us all so much happiness.'

Jasmine, mother to Jack's four-year-old nephew, Reggie, described her brother as an 'adventurer', and said: 'He did so much with his life.

In 2016 Jack spent six months working with the British Antarctic Survey in Antarctica (pictured in his uniform), where he drove a traverse system to drop off scientific equipment

Jasmine, mother to Jack's (pictured) four-year-old nephew, Reggie, described her brother as an 'adventurer', and said: 'He did so much with his life'

'He managed to fit in so much including canoeing, canyoning, going in a shark cage, bungee jumping, the world's longest zip wire, and saw AC/DC live.

'Everything you did with Jack was so much better just because he was there. He was always laughing and smiling, and he was an amazing uncle to my son Reggie who he adored.'

Aged 18, Jack got his Private Pilot's Licence, and regularly flew around East Anglia and beyond.

Jasmine said: 'He would always tell us to look for him in the sky.'

In 2016, Jack spent six months working with the British Antarctic Survey in Antarctica, where he drove a traverse system to drop off scientific equipment.

And in 2018, he got his US Pilot's Licence, and travelled to California, where he flew over the Golden Gate Bridge, past the Hollywood sign and over the deserts.

In 2018, he got his US Pilot's Licence, and travelled to California, where he flew over the Golden Gate Bridge, past the Hollywood sign (pictured) and over the deserts

Jasmine said Jack was 'an amazing uncle' to his nephew Reggie (pictured together)

Jasmine added that Jack was 'unsure' why he had been invited to have his vaccine, because he was 'as fit as ever'.

She said: 'He didn't know why he'd been told to book the appointment. But Jack was a very easy-going guy - he wasn't one to make a fuss.

'So quite simply, as he received the text that he should be booking it up, he did just that and booked it up with no fuss. That was was his nature.'

Jack's inquest is due to be held at a later date.

Jasmine added: 'He was the best brother I could have ever asked for, and I will really miss him.

'Jack's family and friends will remember how he always made them laugh with his witty sense of humour and how he made everyone feel happy to be with him.

'We are all devastated and are not sure what we are going to do without him.'

Lisa Nobes, Chief Nurse for the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System, said: 'We were deeply saddened to learn of Jack's passing and our thoughts are with his loved ones, who we remain in contact with as we fully investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.'

An Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency spokesperson said: 'We are saddened to hear about the death of Jack Last and our thoughts are with the family.

'As with any serious suspected Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR), reports with a fatal outcome are fully evaluated by the MHRA, including an assessment of post-mortem details if available.

'Our detailed and rigorous review into reports of blood clots occurring together with thrombocytopenia is ongoing.'
Athens, GA (30605)

Today

Overcast with showers at times. Thunder possible. Low around 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Overcast with showers at times. Thunder possible. Low around 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aunt Narmadaben Modi who was undergoing treatment for coronavirus infection died at the civil hospital here on Tuesday, the family said.

Narmadaben (80) lived in the New Ranip area of the city with her children.

"Our aunt Narmadaben was admitted to the civil hospital some ten days ago after her condition deteriorated following coronavirus infection," said Prahlad Modi, the prime minister's younger brother. "She breathed her last at the hospital today," he told PTI.

Her husband Jagjivandas, brother of the prime minister's father Damodardas, had died many years ago, said Prahlad Modi.
Blue whales have been slowly re-populating southern Africa's oceans after being almost wiped out by decades of whaling

The carcass of an endangered blue whale, the world's largest animal, washed up on a Namibian beach on Tuesday with lesions suggesting it collided with a ship, scientists said.

A whale-watcher first spotted the mammal on Monday, "floating upside down" off Namibia's port town of Walvis Bay, conservationist Simon Elwen told AFP.

The body drifted to shore on Tuesday morning, revealing a broken pectoral fin.

"The balance of evidence at the moment strongly suggests it was struck by a ship very close to the bay," Elwen said, noting the freshness of the animal's skin suggested the incident took place near to land.

Samples would soon provide more insight into the cause of death, he added.

Blue whales have been slowly re-populating southern Africa's oceans after being almost wiped out by decades of whaling.

Sightings remain rare, however, as numbers are still low and they do not usually venture near the coastline.

While it is not uncommon for other marine mammals to be hit by ships, Elwen said the blue whale's death would be a first in the regionevidence that both cetacean numbers and marine traffic had increased.

Only between 10,000 and 25,000 blue whales live on the planet today, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature.

The species, listed as "endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, is still threatened by habitat loss and pollution.

Explore further Blue whales return to South Georgia after near extinction

 2021 AFP
The parents of John Albers, the teenager who was fatally shot by an Overland Park police officer in 2018, said they plan to review an investigative report on the incident as soon as their attorney is available to accompany them.

Sheila Albers said she and her husband Steve received an email about 9 p.m. Monday from an attorney representing the city, asking them to view the report at the lawyers office.

The invitation came about a half-hour after the city announced it would release a report on the shooting this week after the Albers family had a chance to read it. It also came hours after a protest at City Hall calling for the firing of Overland Park Police Chief Frank Donchez.

The report would be the latest document made public after a Johnson County judge in March ordered the release of a severance agreement for Clayton Jenison, the former officer who shot Albers.

Sheila Albers has for years called for more information about the shooting to be made public.

In January, 41 Action News, or KSHB, sued the city for the release of the investigate file from the shooting.

But it was unclear if the report the city announced it would release was the whole investigative file or another type of report. And, Sheila Albers said Tuesday, she felt like the city was pressuring her to view the report as soon as possible, even though the familys attorney was not immediately available to go with them.

Sean Reilly, a spokesman for the city, declined to specify what type of document the city planned to release. And in response to questions about Sheila Albers being rushed, Reilly said: I dont know anything about that.

The announcement Monday of the reports release also said it would include redactions.

Continuing to withhold the Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team report has become an obstacle to restoring the communitys trust and confidence in the City of Overland Park, its officials, and the Overland Park Police Department, the citys statement said.

Story continues

The parties on Tuesday were still making arrangements for the Albers to view the report.

Government is supposed to be serving people and theres no way to know if our government is acting on our behalf if theyre not transparent, Sheila Albers said Tuesday.

A lack of transparency causes people to say Well what are you hiding? she said. And that doesnt create a healthy community.

John Albers was 17 years old when Jenison, then an officer with the Overland Park Police Department, shot the teen as he backed the family vehicle out of the driveway of his familys home in January 2018.

Police had been called for a welfare check on the teen, who was believed to be suicidal. The Johnson County District Attorneys Office reviewed the investigation and ruled the shooting justified.

In June 2019, Sheila Albers discovered Jenison had been paid $70,000 before resigning from the department.

Last year, The Star filed a lawsuit to obtain the severance agreement. The agreement showed Overland Park police reported to the state agency on law enforcement certification that Jenisons departure was a voluntary resignation under ordinary circumstances.

Sheila Albers filed a complaint with the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training, alleging that Donchez committed perjury on the form submitted to the commission.

The teens killing is also the subject of an investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys Office.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has withdrawn from membership in the National Attorneys General Association.

Yellowhammer News reported the decision on Monday.

Mike Lewis, spokesman for Marshall, confirmed the decision to AL.com but had no further comment. According to Yellowhammer, Marshall pulled out of the organization because he said it has moved too far to the left in its policies.

I cant justify spending taxpayer dollars to fund an organization that seems to be going further and further left, Marshall said. With the money we will save, I can add a young lawyer to my consumer protection division and yield a far better return on the taxpayers investment.

On the NAAG website, the organization describes its work: As the nonpartisan national forum for the 56 state and territory attorneys general and their staff, NAAG serves attorneys general by promoting the exchange of knowledge on subjects of importance to attorneys general and their staff, fostering engagement and cooperation on legal and law enforcement issues, and providing training, research, and analysis to attorneys general and their staff.

Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Marshall attorney general in 2017 to replace Luther Strange, who left to accept Bentleys appointment to fill Jeff Sessions seat in the U.S. Senate. Marshall, a Republican and the former district attorney in Marshall County, was elected to a four-year term in 2018.

Marshall is a member of the Republican Attorneys General Association and is chairman of the policy branch of that group, the Rule of Law Defense Fund.

In January, Marshall said there would be an internal review of unauthorized decisions by the Rule of Law Defense Fund staff related to the Donald Trump rally in Washington on Jan. 6 that turned into a storming of the Capitol that interrupted Congressional certification of Joe Bidens win in the election. Marshall did not say what those decisions were.

The Rule of Law Defense Fund put out a robocall urging people to march to the Capitol building and call on Congress to stop the steal, according to a story on the website Documented, which published a recording of the call.

Marshall and the RAGA put out statements condemning the violence at the Capitol. The RAGA said it had no role in planning or promoting the march.

Marshall supported a multi-state lawsuit challenging election results in Georgia and other swing states that Trump lost. Courts rejected the claims of election irregularities.
Queensland Health will treat infected crew members on board a ship off the Sunshine Coast after 12 people tested positive for COVID-19, including a man whose body washed ashore in Vanuatu.

Authorities were expecting the Inge Kosan bulk liquids tanker to arrive in coming days, with Queensland Health staff to board the ship to assess crew members.

At least 15 wharfies boarded the boat to conduct routine port activities before disembarking. Credit:Nine News

A Queensland Health spokesman said staff would board once it was safe to do so.

As always, any health workers who come into contact with confirmed or potential cases will take every precaution, including wearing full PPE, he said.
Polish pastor goes viral again in new confrontation with Canadian authorities: 'Communist fascists'

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Just three weeks after a video of himself forcefully telling local authorities seeking to enforce coronavirus restrictions to leave his church and comparing them to Nazis and the Gestapo went viral, a Canadian pastor has shared a video documenting another such visit to his church.

In a video posted to YouTube Saturday, Artur Pawlowski, pastor of Street Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, documented how The Gestapo came again attacking the church!

Two days after its posting, the video has received more than 130,000 views on YouTube as of Monday afternoon.

Ezra Levant, the founder of Rebel Media who amplified Pawlowskis previous encounter with law enforcement on Easter weekend, posted a shortened version of the video to his Twitter account, which has amassed more than 237,000 views.

I cannot believe that after the last fiasco on Easter weekend  that went viral globally  the thugs from @CalgaryPolice have returned, during a church service to the same church. With more cops, with more guns. They truly hate Christians and it shows," Levant tweeted.

I cannot believe that after the last fiasco on Easter weekend  that went viral globally  the thugs from ?@CalgaryPolice? have returned, again during a church service, to the same church. With more cops, with more guns. They truly hate Christians and it shows. pic.twitter.com/xSHwyAlWkD  Ezra Levant ???? (@ezralevant) April 25, 2021

While the first video began with Pawlowski forcefully telling a public health officer and local law enforcement to leave, the second video began with Pawlowski calmly greeting the officials at the front door.

The public health officer presented Pawlowski with a warrant, possibly hoping to avoid the type of confrontation that unfolded three weeks ago. He told them not to come back without a warrant.

As he videotaped the encounter, one of the police officers accompanying the public health officer told Pawlowski, you dont have to get into her personal space, as he attempted to zoom his phone in on the paperwork.

Youre in my personal space, Pawlowski responded.

When the public health officer requested the opportunity to explain why she was there, Pawlowski remarked that he was not really interested in what you have to say. He agreed to read over the paperwork she gave to him.

What we want to do is make sure that were not going to disrupt any of the religious service, she said. She expressed a desire to explain the order, serve the order and then we can stand in the back.

No, no, no, no, no, no! You can contact my lawyer, he replied. My lawyer takes care of this. Im not interested to listen to any word you have to say. I do not cooperate with Gestapo. I do not talk to the Nazis. You came in your uniforms like thugs. Thats what you are.

Pawlowski also referred to the officials as brown shirts and Nazi Gestapo communist fascists, reiterating that I do not cooperate with Nazis.

He urged the officials to talk to my lawyer, informing them that Youre not allowed here, youre not welcomed here, and Im not going to cooperate with Gestapo like you.

Is that fair enough for you? he asked. As the public health officer reiterated her desire to explain a little bit about the order and at least have a conversation, Pawlowski told her, Im not interested in talking.

This is what the Gestapo is doing, he asserted. You come into the place of worship to intimidate and to harass. So you can make an appointment.

As the public health officer continued to plead with Pawlowski, he told her, Lady, listen to me!

You can make an appointment another day, he added.

The public health officer informed him, You dont need to shout.

Another day! Not this day! Not this day! Not during the church! he yelled.

You understand? Make an appointment! he continued as the public health officer and the police officers began to walk away. She indicated an inaudible desire to comply, to which he retorted, Okay! So go!

The police officers told Pawlowski, See you later and Have a good day as he continued to scream at them.

You are sick! Thats what you are. And rightfully so, you change your uniforms to black because youre exactly acting like the Gestapo of old," he insisted.

Pawlowski turned the camera back on himself, arguing that it was sickening what this country came to.

He lamented that government officials were coming to the place of worship with their uniform, with their guns again, again, during the time of worship.

They could do it another time. They could do it another day. No, they are following the orders of their Fuhrer, Hitler, he asserted.

Describing them as communists and wicked, evil people, Pawlowski warned that If Canadians will not rise up and stand up, if they will not come to their senses while there is still a time  to wake up and push this evil, there will be absolutely no  rights whatsoever.

If they can get away with this, theyre going to come anywhere else, he predicted. Do you think that they are here for your health, seriously? They could come any day of the week. They could call me. They could say, hey, we want to inspect your facility, we want to come. No, no, they want to do it during the church service because they have a purpose, they have an agenda.

If you are not seeing it, then you are playing either stupid, blind and deaf. I have been warning you for 16 years about whats coming, and its here, he argued. Those types of people will never stop. Theyre going to keep coming, keep coming, keep taking your rights one after another."

Urging Canadians not to bow to the medical tyranny, he stressed that theyre coming for everything."

"Wake up or else," he exclaimed, claiming that "theyre pushing for a revolution."

"I truly believe that theyre pushing so hard because they want a reaction, they want a martial law, they want a revolution, they want to come heavy on the people and theyre not stopping, he concluded.

Thats the scary part. Theyre not stopping. Theyre  not slowing down. Theyre breaking every right under our constitution, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. They are breaking it in front of our eyes. And it looks like they can get away with the murder. They can get away with anything.

Pawlowski suggested that politicians who support the restrictions on places of worship should be charged with treason because what theyre doing is illegal, unconstitutional, [and] against the people.

According to Pawlowski, Theyre not serving people anymore. They are working against the people."

Pawlowski is not the first Canadian pastor to face adverse treatment for failure to abide by coronavirus restrictions.

Canadian pastor James Coates spent time in jail for not following the worship restrictions imposed on churches due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Editor's Note: This is the sixth in a series of reports on the lasting impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. military.

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the military realized that it had no choice but to keep mobility operations running.

Installations around the world needed fresh supplies and to move people in and out.

But the military's options for moving personnel and supplies were quickly dwindling, Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, deputy commander of Air Mobility Command, or AMC, told Military.com this month.

Read Next: How COVID-19 Prepared the Military for Future Biological Warfare

As host nations imposed travel restrictions to slow the pandemic's spread, commercial air travel -- which the military sometimes uses on a contract basis -- began to disappear, he said.

If AMC hoped to keep its fleet of mobility aircraft in the air, it had to keep its air crews safe and healthy, Robinson explained. The command swiftly rolled out a series of strict protocols for social distancing among air crews and decontaminating aircraft in transit to hold infection rates as low as possible.

At installations such as Ramstein Air Base in Germany, he said, AMC set up strict procedures for mobility aircraft after they landed: A bus took the air crew from the flight line to base lodging, where certain floors were set aside to house them. The air crew members weren't supposed to leave their rooms, even to go to the chow hall; meals were brought to their rooms.

Housekeeping was reduced to a minimum -- bringing in towels, for example, but not entering rooms unnecessarily.

After the rest period, another bus took the air crew back to their freshly sanitized aircraft for the next flight. Hotel rooms were also fully sanitized after each stay, Robinson said.

The 89th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, which operates Air Force One and other transport missions for VIPs such as the vice president, secretaries of state and defense, and senior military leaders, took even more precautions, he added.

Most locations tested personnel only when they were known to have been potentially exposed to COVID, or when they showed symptoms. But because the 89th's mission is so important and crews are in contact with the nation's highest-level officials, the wing began conducting "surveillance testing" to try to stop outbreaks before they happened, Robinson said.

"Basically, a crew member had to have a test that proved negative before they could fly," he explained.

The 89th kept backup crew members ready to swap in and replace anyone who tested positive for COVID.

As the science behind the virus became better understood, Robinson said, AMC rethought its strategies about turning air crews around for their next missions -- particularly how quickly to do so. For example, he said, AMC realized it wasn't smart to send a crew just back from Europe on another mission in less than five days, as it had done previously. Instead, AMC had crews wait 10 days to two weeks before flying again.

But this decision, necessary as it may have been to avert COVID outbreaks, came with its own costs and put a strain on the force, he said.

Letting Base Commanders Make the Call

Air Force efforts in recent years to push decision-making authority down to the lowest levels of command in the field -- which former Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein initiated to better prepare the force for a war against a major adversary -- was key to helping AMC units respond quickly to the unfolding pandemic, Robinson said.

Bases had different experiences with COVID-19, he explained. Some communities surrounding bases faced severe clusters of cases, but others had mild outbreaks.

So AMC gave commanders the discretion to decide how to pace their units' missions, allowing them to scale back missions if necessary to lessen the risk of air crews and maintainers getting infected.

AMC headquarters then collected the information on how many missions individual bases were capable of flying and made adjustments. When a base faced a higher risk of COVID, AMC would shift some of its missions to other locations with similar skill sets that had less of a COVID problem.

Many commanders also opted to scale back training flights for a while, Robinson said, to make sure crews would be healthy and available to fly real-world missions.

AMC also teamed up with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to study airflow patterns in aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster III and KC-135 Stratotanker, as well as commercial passenger planes, to figure out where the greatest chances of transmitting COVID might be and make modifications to reduce risk.

Doing Basic Training During a Pandemic

Basic training also posed a challenge.

Though Air Education and Training Command did scale back some aspects of basic military training, or BMT, last year due to the pandemic, bringing new airmen aboard wasn't a mission that the Air Force could afford to shut off entirely, AETC head Lt. Gen. Brad Webb said in an April 8 interview. So the command took a number of steps to ensure that accessions of new airmen continued.

AETC set up a satellite BMT location at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi last spring as a backup plan, in case Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas -- where the Air Force typically conducts BMT -- were to suffer a devastating COVID outbreak. No such outbreaks occurred, and the Keesler experiment was shuttered last November.

The Air Force isn't planning to restart training at Keesler, Webb said, but could if it became necessary.

But some changes AETC put into place made sense to keep going, he added.

The Air Force used to shuffle trainees between squadrons and military training instructors, Webb explained. To improve social distancing and limit contact between airmen that could spread the virus, AETC changed its process so that trainees now stay in the same group with the same instructors.

"You would have thought that that's the way we would have done it: One tranche of new trainees shows up, they get assigned to a squadron, they go through together," Webb said. "But that's not how we did business, for whatever strange reason."

Under the changes, AETC kept flights, each with roughly 54 basic trainees, separated from one another, which allowed a flight to keep training even if it was quarantined. If a member of a flight tested positive for COVID, that person was isolated. But as long as the rest of the flight stayed healthy, they kept training while being quarantined from the other flights.

"Obviously, we're monitoring that situation continually, [and] they're wearing masks the whole time," Webb said. "But they do not, for instance, go to a dorm room and fumble around on their iPhones for a couple of weeks."

He said AETC didn't see a serious dip in productivity, training nearly 33,000 new airmen last year -- about 96% of its goal of training 34,400 new airmen. The command is now bringing about 700 to 800 new trainees into Lackland each week, approximately where it was before the pandemic began.

AETC has averaged a 5% positive rate for coronavirus testing among trainees, but no trainees have been hospitalized, according to Webb.

-- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey.

Related: After the Virus: How COVID-19 Changed the US Military Forever
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Global Fracking Chemicals Market is anticipated to reach over USD 65 billion by 2026 according to a new research published by Polaris Market Research. In 2017, the horizontal well segment dominated the global market, in terms of revenue. North America is expected to be the leading contributor to the global market revenue during the forecast period.

A significant growth in urbanization, population increase, and industrialization along with government initiatives and funding is expected to support the growth of fracking chemicals market. Other driving factors include growing demand for natural gas as a fuel and favorable regulatory policies. Increasing demand from developing nations, development of environment-friendly fracking chemicals, and technological advancements are expected provide numerous growth opportunities to fracking chemicals market players during the forecast period.

Get sample copy of this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/fracking-chemicals-market/request-for-sample

North America generated the highest revenue in the fracking chemicals market in 2017, and is expected to lead the global market throughout the forecast period. The high economic growth in the region, growth in drilling and exploration industries, and growing energy demand are factors expected to drive the fracking chemicals market growth. Increasing disposable incomes, growing urbanization, and increasing industrialization in countries of North America are further expected to support fracking chemicals market growth. Rising shale gas explorations, and rising demand for natural gas as fuel in the region are expected to further provide growth opportunities during the forecast period.

The key players operating in the fracking chemicals market include Halliburton Co., E.I. Dupont De Nemours & Co., BASF SE, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, Baker Hughes Incorporated, The DOW Chemical Company, Calfrac Well Services Ltd., Albermarle Corporation, Akzo Nobel N.V., and Schlumberger Ltd. These companies launch new products and collaborate with other market leaders to innovate and launch new products to meet the increasing needs and requirements of consumers.

Browse for full research summary: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/fracking-chemicals-market

Fracking Chemicals Market Size and Forecast by Well Type, 2018-2026

Horizontal Wells Vertical Wells



Fracking Chemicals Market Size and Forecast by Function, 2018-2026

Gelling Agent Friction Reducer Clay Control Agent Cross-Linkers Corrosion Inhibitor Surfactant PH Adjusting Agent Others



Fracking Chemicals Market Size and Forecast by Fluid Type, 2018-2026

Foam-Based Fluids Water-Based Fluids Oil-Based Fluids Others



Fracking Chemicals Market Size and Forecast by Region, 2018-2026

North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Germany UK France Italy Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific China India Japan Rest of Asia-Pacific Latin America Brazil Middle East & Africa



Avail discount on this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/fracking-chemicals-market/request-for-discount-pricing

About Polaris Market Research

Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. We provide unmatched quality of offerings to our clients present globally. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for our clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve our diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world. We strive to provide our customers with updated information on innovative technologies, high growth markets, emerging business environments and latest business-centric applications, thereby helping them always to make informed decisions and leverage new opportunities.

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The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has apologised to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, over the walkout staged by ifs officers from the venue of a scheduled conciliatory meeting on April 20.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, made the unions apology letter available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.

The letter, according to NAN, was signed by the unions General Secretary, Isiah Adetola.

Walkout

One of the leaders of the union, Jimoh Musa, had told PREMIUM TIMES that his team members walked out of the venue of the meeting chanting solidarity songs after they were kept waiting for hours without any communication from Mr Ngige, who convened the meeting.

The meeting was scheduled to hold between the minister leading the Federal Governments delegation and the leaders of JUSUN, whose ongoing industrial action has now paralysed courts across the country for three weeks.

JUSUN embarked on the strike on April 6 to press home their demand for financial autonomy for the judiciary.

A conciliatory meeting scheduled to hold with Federal Government representatives failed to hold on April 20 due to lack of communication between the labour minister and the invited union leaders.

Apology

JUSUNs General Secretary, Adetoala, explained in the apology letter sent to the labour minister over the failure of the meeting to hold that the officers of the union, many of whom he said were Muslims undergoing fasting, left the venue after waiting for two hours without communication from the minister.

He appealed to the minister to continue with its role of organising meetings aimed at finding a solution to the crisis.

The letter read, Sir, information has reached our union that the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment, has expressed dissatisfaction with the way JUSUN members left your conference room on Tuesday, April 20.

JUSUN wishes to put it on record that many of our members at the conciliation meeting are Muslims and were fasting on the day in question.

Having stayed for about two hours without communication from any quarter of the ministry, JUSUN members, agitating and complaining that they needed to go and break their fast, had to leave.

All other things put aside, JUSUN commends and appreciates the role of the Ministry of Labour in ensuring peaceful relations at work place; in the case of JUSUN, by trying to ensure conducive environment, and justice for all Nigerians.

Therefore, we sincerely urge the minister to continue with the conciliation meetings, which you have commenced.

We are all concerned about the good of Nigeria and all annoyance should not be carried too far and be allowed to derail us.

According to Mr Adetola, JUSUN tenders its unreserved apology to Ngige in whatever way it has hurt the minister.

NAN also reports that the minister has already accepted the apology, and said a new date for continuation of the conciliation will be communicated shortly to all relevant stakeholders.

Indefinite postponement

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the minister, in a statement, on April 20, announced an indefinite postponement of the meeting.

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No new date for the meeting was announced by the labour ministry as of Tuesday.

(NAN)
(Newser)  New census numbers released Monday show that US population growth has slowed significantly in the last decade. The numbers also confirm that the population continues to shift to the West and the South and away from the Northeast and the Midwest, notes Intelligencer. A look at some of the other key takeaways:

Six winners: Texas will gain two House seats after the 2022 election, while five other states gain one: Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina, and Oregon.

Texas will gain two House seats after the 2022 election, while five other states gain one: Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina, and Oregon. Seven losers: Seven states will lose a House seat: California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Seven states will lose a House seat: California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. So close: The census counted New York's population as 20,215,751. If only 89 more people had returned their census forms, the state would not have lost a congressional seat, reports the New York Times. Instead, Minnesota would have. It's the smallest such margin in modern times.

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Bragging rights: At the Washington Post, Aaron Blake writes that Texas "continues to be the winner among winners," even though it gained only two seats instead of the expected three. Big picture: Its delegation has grown from 26 in 1980 to 38, with much of the increase thanks to a surge in residents of color, especially Hispanics, per the Texas Tribune. The state gained more residents than any other state in the last decade, going from 25.1 million in 2010 to 29.1 million in 2020.

At the Washington Post, Aaron Blake writes that Texas "continues to be the winner among winners," even though it gained only two seats instead of the expected three. Big picture: Its delegation has grown from 26 in 1980 to 38, with much of the increase thanks to a surge in residents of color, especially Hispanics, per the Texas Tribune. The state gained more residents than any other state in the last decade, going from 25.1 million in 2010 to 29.1 million in 2020. Others: New York, by contrast, has dropped from 45 seats in the 1940s to 26. Florida now has a bigger delegation than New York, with 28 seats, moving into sole possession of third place. California, meanwhile, lost a seat for the first time, per the Sacramento Bee. It will now have 52, still more than any other state.

New York, by contrast, has dropped from 45 seats in the 1940s to 26. Florida now has a bigger delegation than New York, with 28 seats, moving into sole possession of third place. California, meanwhile, lost a seat for the first time, per the Sacramento Bee. It will now have 52, still more than any other state. A contrast: The numbers illustrate the ascent of the South and the West, writes Chris Cillizza at CNN. All six states that gained seats "are in the two regions of the country that we have seen grow fastest over the past three decades," he writes. And of the "13 states that have gained seats in reapportionment since the 2000 census, all 13 are in either the South or the West." The Rust Belt, by contrast, continues to lose seats. Six of the seven states that lost seats are in this region, notes the Hill.

The numbers illustrate the ascent of the South and the West, writes Chris Cillizza at CNN. All six states that gained seats "are in the two regions of the country that we have seen grow fastest over the past three decades," he writes. And of the "13 states that have gained seats in reapportionment since the 2000 census, all 13 are in either the South or the West." The Rust Belt, by contrast, continues to lose seats. Six of the seven states that lost seats are in this region, notes the Hill. Rhode Island surprise: The smallest state by area in the nation defied expectations and kept both its House seats. CNN's Cillizza calls this "maybe the biggest surprise" of the new data. The state's existing representatives would have had to face off to keep the single seat.

The smallest state by area in the nation defied expectations and kept both its House seats. CNN's Cillizza calls this "maybe the biggest surprise" of the new data. The state's existing representatives would have had to face off to keep the single seat. What to watch: Generally, forecasters expected a shift of 10 congressional seats instead of the seven that emerged, Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report tells Axios. Another wrinkle: "Reapportionment itself means little compared to the redistricting fights to come," he says. "The bigger shift in House seats are likely to come from how districts are drawn, not how many districts each state gets."

(Read more US Census stories.)
Already on line. Do not post. St. Tammany Parish's economic development agency and the Port of New Orleans will work together to attract manufacturing, product assembly and distribution centers to the region.

The memorandum of understanding the agencies signed last week is the result of discussions between the state and the port about adding distribution centers as a way to create more business for the Port of New Orleans, a news release said.

St. Tammany Corp., which is the economic development arm of the parish, has focused on distribution centers as well. CEO Chris Masingill said distribution and logistics have always been a well-performing sector for St. Tammany, and he expects to see exponential growth from the from the partnership.

Amazon recently announced that it will build a 140,000-square-foot delivery station in Slidell, its third in Louisiana and one of several other projects the online retail giant has going in the state. Rooms to Go and Folgers, which have facilities in St. Tammany, are both significant existing customers of the port, Masingill said.

According to the news release from the Port of New Orleans, the agreement calls for the parish and port to work cooperatively, share information on trade, transportation and business trends and engage in joint marketing to attract manufacturing, product assembly and distribution and logistics centers.

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They'll also create workforce development programs and employment training to focus on manufacturing, distribution and logistics jobs.

The memorandum was signed by Masingill and Brandy D. Christian, president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans and CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. lopment District Board of Commissioners.

Louisiana is poised to attract value-added manufacturing, which often brings higher-wage jobs, and distribution business that's being driven by online commerce, Christian said in a prepared statement. "We are pleased to partner with the St. Tammany Corporation to promote our region's advantageous commercial location and our unmatched supply chain connectivity by river, rail and road."

The port also agrees to provide assistance where it can in St. Tammany's efforts to assess its infrastructure needs and identify locations that are ready for development, the agreement said.

"The advantage of our physical location at the intersection of three major interstates, in short proximity to New Orleans, coupled with an abundance of land and educated workforce, make St. Tammany a regional asset whose potential has just begun," Masingill said in an email.
New Delhi:

Police said, one Shivaji Kamble, 48, stabbed a 37-year-old woman in her stomach and neck on Tuesday evening at Mumbais Kurla. She was rushed to a local hospital by locals.

According to Nehru Nagar Police, the victim was later identified as mother of a rape survivor and her attacker as father of 22-year-old youth accused of raping the womans daughter.

Police sources said that Kamble's son, 22, has been in judicial custody since August after he was arrested for raping the complainant woman's daughter.

According to police, the incident occurred when the woman was purchasing vegetables at a nearby market. Kamble approached the woman asking her to withdraw the case. On denying he got furious and attacked the woman with a knife. The victim was kicked and dragged for few meters by the accused.

The victims standing nearby rushed the victim to a nearby hospital.

Police said, Kamble has been taken into custody.

Also read: Accenture techie stabbed to death for Rs 500 in Bengaluru

Also read: Delhi Police constable shoots self with service pistol



Mumbai Police has registered a case against Kamble under IPC Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
(Newser)  Turkeys president said Monday he was "highly saddened" by President Bidens decision to mark as genocide the mass deportations and massacres of Armenians in the early 20th century, calling it baseless and unjust. Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Bidens decision undermined Turkish-American relations but also expressed hope they would discuss that and other issues at the June NATO summit and "open the doors of a new period," the AP reports. Otherwise, Erdogan said, Turkey would have to take necessary steps but did not elaborate. On Saturday, Biden followed through on a campaign promise to recognize the events that began in 1915 and killed an estimated 1.5 million Armenians living in the Ottoman Empirethe precursor of modern Turkeyas genocide.

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"We believe the expressions in the statement were included with the pressure of radical Armenian and anti-Turkish groups, but this situation does not resolve the destructive effects it has on bilateral relations," Erdogan said. In his speech Monday, the Turkish president spoke at length about the events, which started during World War I. Erdogan claimed that Armenian rebels killed many defenseless Turkish civilians, since the men of military age were all away fighting. His country has "a clear conscience and assured heart and did not believe in a "competition of pain," Erdogan said. "If you call it genocide, go ahead and look in the mirror," he added, arguing that millions suffered at the hands of European powers and the US in recent centuries.

(Read more Turkey stories.)
N'DJAMENA, Chad (AP)  Thousands of people protested and two people were killed in Chad Tuesday in demonstrations against the rule of a transitional military council headed by the son of the late President Idriss Deby Itno, who was killed last week.

Those killed in violence surrounding the protests include a man shot dead in Moundou, in southern Chad, and another person who died in the capital, according to local reports.

The opposition coalition called for the demonstrations despite a ban on protests. Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Chad's capital, NDjamena, and there were also demonstrations in other parts of the nation.

Demonstrators carried signs demanding that power be handed to civilians. The protesters also ransacked a gas station and burned tires throughout NDjamena, where smoke covered some neighborhoods.

Authorities also detained several protesters and journalists.

France and Congo strongly condemned the crackdown on protests in Chad and called for the end to all violence, in a joint statement issued Tuesday.

The presidencies of both countries expressed their support for an inclusive transition process, open to all Chadian political forces, led by a civilian government with the aim to organize elections within 18 months.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Congo President Felix Tshisekedi issued the statement following a meeting the two leader had in Paris on Tuesday.

France and Congo also reaffirmed their attachment to Chads stability and integrity.

Chads military announced April 20 that Deby had been mortally wounded during a visit to the troops north of the capital, who were battling an anti-Deby rebel group. The announcement of Deby's death came just hours after Deby had been confirmed the winner of presidential elections held earlier in April.

The military then appointed a council to lead an 18-month transition to new elections, putting Debys 37-year-old son Mahamat Idriss Deby in charge of Chad in the first change of power in more than three decades.

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The appointment of the younger Deby provoked an immediate outcry from both Chad's political opposition and the rebel forces blamed for his fathers assassination. Those rebels have threatened to attack the capital, as the military transitional government says it will not negotiate with them.

___

AP writers Carley Petesch in Dakar, Senegal and Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed.
Islamist militia groups and terrorist organizations are increasingly active in central and southeastern Africa. The most notorious and largest in terms of manpower is the Ugandan Moslem ADF-NALU (Allied Democratic Forces-National Army for the Liberation of Uganda, often simply ADF). The ADF operates in eastern Congo, primarily in North Kivu province but has been reported in Ituri and South Kivu provinces. Intelligence estimates of ADF fighting strength run from 1,100 to 1,500 fighters. Thats a huge increase from the 2015 estimate of 200. Ugandan and Congolese intelligence believe Arab ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) extremists began sending the ADF money in 2017, which allowed the ADF to recruit more fighters and buy new weapons. The ADF, in some configuration, has been operating in the area for at least 30 years. Allegedly some of its original members were active in Ugandan Islamist groups in the 1990s. The ADF has ties to Somalias al Shabaab Islamic terrorists. Now ISIL also has cadres in central and east Africa. It is believed the ISIL cadres also have ties to Somalias al Shabaab. The African cadres now have a name: ISCAP (Islamic State-Central African Province). Think of it as an ISIL regional franchise. How many fighters does ISCAP deploy? Good question. It appears the largest contingent is in Mozambique, but ISCAP fighters have claimed credit for several attacks in eastern Congo, including an attack on a prison in October 2020. In late March the ISCAP gang in Mozambique raided the town of Palma, a seaport on the Indian Ocean and just south of the Tanzanian border. The group launched another raid in the area April 16. Mozambique authorities believe the majority of ISCAP-Mozambiques fighters are Moslems from Mozambiques northern Cabo Delgado province coastal zone. This is the only province with a Moslem majority. Only 20 percent of Mozambiques population is Moslem, the majority are Christian. Worldwide, that means the Islamic terrorists can survive as long as they get some outside help but without that are eventually overwhelmed by a coalition of non-Moslems and Moslems desperate to restore peace in their neighborhoods. Over 80 percent of those killed by Islamic terror groups are Moslems.

Islamic terrorists often try to exploit tribal conflicts by providing the Moslem tribes with assistance against infidel (non-Moslem) tribes. This works until the Islamic terrorists go after Moslem tribal leaders who oppose demands for recruits and contributions of cash, goods and services.

Tribal loyalties, governments and militias survive in many parts of the world because central governments have not been able to effectively replace the economic, judicial (settling disputes) and security services that tribes have long provided. In just about every major nation (China, India, Russia and even the United States) some tribes continue to function like this. In many more minor nations tribes constitute the main source of government services.

Nation-states appeared when a central government could provide better services. This usually took place when one or more tribes were able to build urban centers (cities) and attract more people to their superior rule. Some tribes were conquered, but unless the conquerors could provide the essential services the tribe provided, the conquered tribe would evolve into rebels. Particularly stubborn tribes were exterminated, often by dispersing population to distant parts of the empire. Such tactics continue to be used.

April 24, 2021: In northeast Congo (Ituri province) rebel violence during March forced 26,409 civilians to flee their homes.

April 23, 2021: In CAR (Central African Republic) renewed fighting has led to another surge in displaced persons. The majority of those displaced this time because of fighting in northwestern CAR, near Cameroon border. Currently there are about 11,000 CAR refugees in Chad with over 100,000 more CAR refuges in Congo, Cameroon and The Republic of Congo (Brazzaville).

April 22, 2021: Uganda has responded to the ICJ (International Court of Justice) lawsuit Congo filed on April 20. Uganda told the court that the billions of dollars Congo seeks as reparations and restitution for Ugandan actions in eastern Congo would ruin Uganda. The Congos demands are described by Uganda as disproportionate.

Congo contends that from 1998 to 2003 Uganda and armed groups it supported plundered eastern Congo, primarily in Ituri province. Congo claims it is due over $13.5 billion in damages. The claims break down like this: (1) $4.3 billion in reparations payments for victims of theft and violent attacks; (2) $2.8 billion for damage to wildlife; (3) $700 million for lost natural resources; and (4) $5.7 billion in what Congo calls macroeconomic damages. Congo first made accusations against Uganda in 1999. In 2005, the ICJ ruled that Uganda had violated international law when its forces occupied parts of Ituri province. At that time the ICJ also ruled that Congo had violated international law when its forces attacked Ugandas embassy in Kinshasa. It then ordered the Congo and Uganda to negotiate a settlement. The countries have failed to reach a settlement.

April 19, 2021: In Rwanda a government report claims that France bears significant responsibility for the 1994 genocide. The report contends France enabled the foreseeable genocide and has since tried to cover up its role. The report accuses the government of former French president Francois Mitterrand of knowing that preparations were being made to commit large-scale massacres. France recently acknowledged that it failed to act to stop the genocide and was blind to indications that radical Hutus were plotting a genocide.

April 18, 2021: The government of Malawi arrested 14 people on corruption charges related to the misuse, and possible theft, of funds to fight covid19. At least two of those arrested were identified as senior officials. One of the senior officials is Labor Minister Ken Kandodo who is accused of misusing funds. All of the accused were caught in an audit ordered by president Lazarus Chakwera.

April 17, 2021: The United States announced it will impose sanctions in the form of visa restrictions on several Ugandan government officials the U.S. State Departments claims have undermined the democratic process in Ugandas January presidential election. The U.S. said that members of the Ugandan security forces who assaulted opposition supporters will be among those facing travel restrictions. A spokesman for the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, the major opposition group, said that the NUP appreciated the U.S. action.

April 16, 2021: In southwest Congo (Kasai region) more Kuba and Luba tribal violence erupted. Disputes over farmland and farming rights have been going on for over five years. This time 21,000 civilians have been displaced by fighting in late March. The last major outbreak was in September 2020, followed by efforts to negotiate a settlement. That failed.

April 12, 2021: In Congo the prime minister (Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde) named a new government cabinet. Removing supporters of former President Joseph Kabila from power has been one of president Felix Tshisekedi major goals and the new cabinet is a major step to achieving that goal. Lukonde himself became prime minister in February.

April 11, 2021: In eastern Congo (South Kivu province) soldiers killed five rebels of the Makanika and Twigwaneho Coalition who attacked an army checkpoint near the town of Minembwe.

Uganda and Tanzania signed agreements with two oil companies, one French and the other Chinese, to construct an oil pipeline that will transport Ugandan crude to a Tanzanian port. The pipeline will cost an estimated $3.5 billion.

April 9, 2021: In eastern Congo (North Kivu province) two people died during violent protests near Beni against the UN peacekeepers. One of the people was reportedly shot by a peacekeeper after protestors burned two bridges that lead to a UN base. The protestors had also blocked a road in the area. The protest began after a rebel attack in the area left seven local people dead. The protests are under investigation as well as the incident. There have been several demonstrations in Congo where protestors claim peacekeepers have not done enough to protect civilians from violent attack.

April 8, 2021: Uganda and Egypt signed an agreement to share military intelligence. Egypt is seeking up river allies in its dispute with Ethiopia over filling the reservoir of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The dam is on the Blue Nile. The White Nile flows through Uganda.

April 6, 2021: In CAR (Central African Republic) the UPC (Unity for Peace in Central Africa), the most powerful rebel faction, announced it was withdrawing from the CPC (Coalition of Patriots for Change) rebel coalition that is attempting to remove from power CAR president Faustin Archange Touadera. The UPC said that it remains committed to the Khartoum Accord process," also knowns as the February 2019 peace agreement signed in Sudan.

April 5, 2021: Congos new state-run cobalt consortium EGC (Entreprise Generale du Cobalt) announced that unregulated miners have six months to shut down their operations. EGC now has a monopoly on all hand dug cobalt (cobalt extracted by individual miners, aka artisanal miners). EGC will limit hand dug extraction to a few approved mining sites which meet safety standards. Congo produces almost 70 percent of the annual global supply of cobalt. Accidents involving many individual miners working the same site are common.

April 4, 2021: In southwest CAR (Ombella MPoko province) the government confirmed that that Sidiki Abbas, the founder and senior commander of the 3R (Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation) rebel group, had died in late March. In November 2020 Abbas was wounded while participating in an attack on the town of Bossembele. He died from those wounds on March 25 at a hospital in Kambakota (300 kilometers north of the capital, Bangui). Abbas claimed he formed 3R in 2015 to protect the predominately Moslem Peuhl tribe from attacks by Christian anti-balaka militia. The anti-balaka militias were organized to protect their tribes from attacks by the Moslem Seleka rebels which succeeded in overthrowing CAR president Francois Bozize in 2013. 3R, however, immediately began committing atrocities, primarily in Ouham-Pende province. Some of his attacks were indiscriminate and were against tribal minorities. Abbas was under sanctions from the UN and the U.S. for rape, torture and crimes against humanity. (Austin Bay)

April 3, 2021: In Congo (Kinshasa, the capital) president Tshisekedi acted as host officials from Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia began another round of talks to resolve their disputes over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project on the Blue Nile. The AU (African Union) is mediating the talks.

April 1, 2021: In eastern Congo (North Kivu province) ADF Islamic terrorist rebels launched a night raid on the village of Manyama-Moliso near the city of Beni and murdered 23 civilians. Soldiers claimed they killed two ADF gunmen as they entered the village after the attack.

March 31, 2021: In southwest Congo (Kasai region) Kuba and Luba tribal militias continued fighting in the town of Bakuakenge. This battle has been going on sporadically since March 28. After the first clash, investigators found the bodies of 13 Kuba, all of the victims beheaded with machetes. Over 100 homes were burned in the area. Bakuakenge is on the border of Kasai and Kasai Central provinces. Kasai is predominantly Kuba, Kasai Central predominantly Luba. Control of the town has been disputed since 2015.
Physicians, assemble.

A group of Republican doctors serving in Congress  including Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), and John Boozman (R-Ark.), as well as several House Republicans  joined forces to film a new video ad promoting COVID-19 vaccinations.

Polls have suggested GOP voters are, on average, more hesitant about getting vaccinated, so the lawmakers decided to get proactive. In the video, they discuss the vaccines' safety and efficacy, but Marshall adds that getting a shot means "we can throw away our mask and live life as free as we did before." Operation Warp Speed, the initiative launched under the Trump administration, also got a shout for speeding up the Food and Drug Administration's approval process without cutting corners.

All told, the video was generally warmly received, especially for its ability to combine scientific and medical advice with an appreciation for conservative values.

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Still, some viewers joked, in reference to the polarized political climate in the United States, that Republican voters would have been persuaded more easily if the ad featured Democratic lawmakers recommending they don't get vaccinated.

More stories from theweek.com

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Travis Perkins shareholders have given the thumbs-up to plans to spin off its Wickes retail business.

Investors in the London-listed business almost unanimously voted to approve the demerger at Travis Perkins annual general meeting on Tuesday.

It said that 197,759,462 of votes, representing 99.9% of shareholders, voted in favour.

However, the company suffered a bloody nose from shareholders who rebelled over its plans to offer extra share awards to Wickes bosses after the demerger is completed.

It said that 44.7% of shareholder votes were cast against the plan, which could see the chief executive officer receiving a long-term incentives worth 175% of their salary, with another long-term award for its finance chief.

The incentive deal was criticised by shareholder advisory body ISS, which initially called on investors to reject the move.

However, ISS later revised its recommendation after discussions with Wickes.

It is more than a year since the group first outlined plans to demerge Wickes, although the move was paused after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK.

Last month, Travis Perkins said it was restarting the spin-off and that most of the preparations had already been completed before the move was halted.

Earlier this month, the builders merchants, which also owns the ToolStation brand, said sales ticked higher at the start of 2021 as it continued strong momentum from the second half of last year.

The business saw its like-for-like sales rise by 17.4% in the opening three months of the year, as it was propelled by 42% growth at Toolstation.

Total sales growth for the business was 6.8% compared to the same period last year.

Companies in the space have benefitted from increased house buying in recent months, after the Government paused stamp duty on some deals.
GRAND HAVEN, MI  The Grand Haven Art Festival and a Coast Guard Festival beer tent are among several events planned this summer that have received the go-ahead from the city of Grand Haven.

Among other events that have been approved are the VFWs Ribfest event, the weekly Music on the Grand series, a circus and a fishing tournament.

The city council, which approved the event applications on Monday, April 26, postponed a decision on the Coast Guard Festival Crafts Show proposed for Central Park. The council will consider that event May 3 after public safety officials have been able to nail down plans for crowd control.

The approvals are one sign that activities are starting to get back to normal after across-the-board cancelations due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

Still, the city has been cautious about the ability to control social distancing, having canceled the annual Fourth of July fireworks display.

Council members expressed concern about how pandemic-restricted capacities will be enforced at Central Park for the proposed craft show on Aug. 6-7. Public Safety Director Jeff Hawke said hed have answers for them at next weeks meeting.

Events approved by the city council Monday include:

-- Grand Haven Art Festival June 26-27 on downtown streets. An estimated 100 artists are expected to sell their wares from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Organizers from the Chamber of Commerce expect 7,500 people to attend. The festival will be on Washington Avenue between North Harbor Drive and Fourth Street and on First, Second and Third streets between Franklin and Columbus avenues. The use of Washington between Third and Fourth streets is new this year to accommodate for social distancing of vendors. The event also will include food trucks and vendors and live music.

--The Coast Guard Festival VFW beer tent Aug. 6-8 at the parking lot behind 20 N. First St. and on First Street between Washington and Columbus avenues. The event will include music, beer, wine and spirits. Hours will be 3 p.m. to midnight Aug. 6 and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Aug. 7-8.

-- Music on the Grand each Wednesday, except Aug. 4, from June 9-Aug. 25 at Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium. The event previously was known as Dancing on the Grand. The 11 events will be 6:30-9 p.m. and are expected to draw 120 to 300 participants weekly. Music on the Grand is sponsored by the Tri-Cities Historical Museum.

-- The VFW Post 2326 Ribfest May 28-30 at the parking lot behind 20 N. First St. and on First Street between Washington and Columbus avenues. The event will include a cooking competition, food trucks and vendors, live music and alcoholic beverages. Two large tents and 10 smaller tents will be erected, with an estimated 300 people per day expected to attend. Hours will be 3 p.m. May 28 to 1 a.m. May 29 and 10 a.m. May 29 to 1 a.m. May 30.

-- The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus June 26 on the north end of Harbor Island. Hosted by the Tri-Cities Kiwanis Foundation, the circus will include performances, food sales, rides, and souvenir vendors. An estimated 1,000 people are expected to attend two shows at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

-- The Grand Haven Offshore Fishing Challenge June 3-6 at the Grand Haven Municipal Marina and the Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium. The event will include weigh ins and sales of T-shirts and drink koozies, but no food or beverage this year. Sponsors are Grand Haven Custom Molding and Gull Lake Marine.

-- Grand Haven High Schools senior banquet from 6-9 p.m. May 15. The banquet, normally held at the Community Center, will be at Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium. The event will include boxed meals served from a food truck, a DJ and music, a hypnotist and a slide show. The ticketed event for high school seniors will be capped at 350 participants.

-- The Chamber of Commerce Annual Celebration at Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium on July 27. About 200 to 300 people are expected to attend the private networking and recognition event. The event from 6-8 p.m. will involve food and alcohol.

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The City of London, the square mile in the center of London that is the heart of Britains financial and legal services, once had more than half a million daily commuters bustling through its streets. But the coronavirus pandemic has ushered in a new era of working from home that risks leaving the area permanently depleted. The City of London Corporation, its governing body, is looking for ways to revive it.

One way it hopes to use vacant space is to create at least 1,500 new homes by 2030, the corporation said, as part of a five-year plan announced on Tuesday. The district, which has several train stations, has primarily been a commuter destination, with only about 8,000 residents.

The City, as it is called, is particularly vulnerable to the trend of flexible working. It hosts hundreds of large companies that have been keen to offer their employees latitude in how often they work from the office. Last summer, during Englands brief easing of pandemic restrictions, the Citys streets were deserted while the rest of London and other towns boomed with activity.

Firms have told us that they remain committed to retaining a central London hub, but how they operate will inevitably change to reflect postpandemic trends, such as hybrid and flexible working, said Catherine McGuinness, the policy chair at the City of London Corporation.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Apr, 2021 ) :The Ambassador of Pakistan to Niger, Ahmed Ali Sirohey has visited CSP Pioneer School Niamey at the invitation of its CEO Dr Diallo Mintou.

During the visit, she briefed the envoy about the school educational system and initiatives by former students to compete with Niamey other schools, said a message received here from Niger on Tuesday.

She informed the school was imparting quality education with affordable fees. "We also offer scholarships to needy and talented students", she added.

The envoy also visited classrooms and interacted with the students, they asked questions from him about Pakistan and its education system.

The students thanked the envoy for visiting their school for the first time in the creation of the Pioneers.

The ambassador informed that 200 scholarships were announced for Nigerien students. One hundred for local universities and one hundred for studying in Pakistani universities.

The teachers also presented compliments to the envoy and appreciated the embassy's dedication in the Niger education system for enhancing bilingual teaching which needs to be improved.
DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 27th Apr, 2021) Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) on Tuesday announced the start-up of the first section of an expansion to the companys Al Taweelah smelter.

The 26 new reduction cells at potline 1 at Al Taweelah will now ramp-up to produce some 30,000 tonnes of aluminium per year, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

In total, EGA is building 66 new reduction cells to extend all three potlines at Al Taweelah. The project will increase production capacity at Al Taweelah by some 78,000 tonnes of hot metal per year. The start-up of the extension to potline 2 and then potline 3 will take place later this year.

Overall project completion stands at 70 percent, on schedule despite the challenges of COVID-19.

Abdulnasser bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said, "This project to expand our production at Al Taweelah is part of our ongoing debottlenecking of production and investment in high return growth opportunities. The world requires aluminium to build back better after COVID-19, and this expansion will enable us to supply even more of the metal we all need."

Some 950 people are currently working on the Al Taweelah smelter expansion project, with over 2.

1 million hours of work completed so far with a world-class safety performance. There have been zero injuries leading to time off work.

Like all EGAs aluminium production lines, the extensions use EGAs proprietary aluminium smelting technology developed in the UAE. The new reduction cells in potline 1 and 2 are EGAs DX technology, whilst the new reduction cells in potline 3 are EGAs DX+ Ultra technology. Both technologies are amongst the most energy efficient in the world.

EGA has developed its own technology in the UAE for more than 25 years. In 2016 EGA became the first UAE industrial company to license its core process technology internationally, exporting its DX+ Ultra technology to Aluminium Bahrain.

EGA has early stage agreements with companies in both Indonesia and Colombia that could lead to exports of EGA technology to build aluminium smelters.

The start-up of the 26 new reduction cells takes EGAs total number of reduction cells in both Jebel Ali to Al Taweelah to 2,803. EGA makes one-in-every 25 tonnes of aluminium produced worldwide, and is the largest premium aluminium producer.
An infant boy and teenage girl were shot on Interstate 10 in Gentilly on Monday night, New Orleans police said.

The double shooting happened on I-10 West near the Franklin Avenue and Louisa Street exits, the New Orleans Police Department said. The two victims were rushed to the hospital via private conveyance some time before 10:45 p.m.

Authorities did not release any other details about the shooting, including the exact ages of the two injured or a possible motive.

At about 10:15 p.m., detectives shined flashlights at a silver car near Chickasaw and Velie streets (map) on the interstate. Several bullet holes could be seen in the hood, door and quarter panel of the car. At about 10:50 p.m., a tow truck removed the car from the scene.

Traffic cameras along the interstate showed flashing lights from police cars and a long line of vehicles either stopped on the interstate or getting off the interstate at Chef Menteur Highway.

The interstate was closed for about two hours while authorities responded to the shooting.

The double shooting of the child and teen follows a rash of other gun violence in New Orleans, where a man died and eight people were injured from the gunfire that erupted since Sunday evening.
Maruti Suzuki India's former Managing Director Jagdish Khattar has passed away on Monday morning following a cardiac arrest. He was 78 years old.

(Also Read: 10 cars that Indians loved to buy in last one year)

Jagdish Khattar joined Maruti Udyog Limited back in 1993 and worked with the largest automaker of India till 2007. Khattar joined Maruti as Director of Marketing and went on to become its MD in 1999, first as a government nominee, and then in May 2002, he was nominated by the Suzuki Motor Corporation.

Under his leadership, Maruti Suzuki witnessed remarkable growth, especially with the iconic small hatchback Maruti 800. When the government and the Japanese partner continued to squabble over various issues, including ownership and technology transfer, Khattar had to deal with industrial relations issues when workers at the company's Gurgaon plant went on an indefinite strike in 2000 demanding wage hikes, incentives, and pensions, among others.

Before joining Maruti Udyog Limited, Khattar worked as an officer of the Indian Administrative Service with 37 years of experience. He served as the joint secretary in the Union Ministry of Steel. Also, he served at various administrative positions in the Uttar Pradesh government.

After his retirement from Maruti in 2007, Khattar started his own company Carnation Auto India, which has a multi-brand pan-India sales and service network. However, Khattar's entrepreneurial venture did not reach the heights of success that he achieved when he was helming Maruti Suzuki.

In 2019, Khattar was booked by the CBI along with his company Carnation Auto India Limited for allegedly causing losses of 110 crore to Punjab National Bank (PNB). However, he defended himself stating that an exhaustive independent forensic audit at the behest of the bankers did not find any wrongdoings in the functioning of Carnation Auto.

Commenting on Khattar's death, Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group has said that Khattar's demise marks the passing of an era. "A bureaucrat-CEO-entrepreneur, his was a life of achievement and unceasing exploration. We need more like him...Om Shanti," Mahindra tweeted.

Mahindra & Mahindra's just former CEO and MD Pawan Goenka wrote on Twitter, "Very sad to lose a stalwart of the Indian Auto Industry, Jagdish Khattar. I was fortunate to have interacted with him on several occasions and learnt deep insights of the industry from him. RIP. Om Shanti."

MG Motor India CEO and MD Rajeev Chaba wrote on Twitter "Saddened to hear the demise of Mr Jagdish Khattar! His contribution to the auto Industry was huge! May God rest his soul in peace."

Sunjay Kapur, Vice President of ACMA, too wrote "Saddened to hear about the demise of Mr Jagdish Khattar, a doyen of the Indian automotive industry. May he rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. #JagdishKhattar."




New Delhi: India reported 3,23,144 fresh coronavirus infections, taking the cumulative caseload to 1,76,36,307 on Tuesday (April 27), as per data by the health ministry.

The country's total COVID-19 caseload has now increased to 1.76 crore (1,76,36,307), of which, 28.82 lakh (28,82,204) are active cases. India has also witnessed 1.97 lakh (1,97,894 ) coronavirus-related deaths.

The country has also recorded 2,51,827 discharges in the last 24 hours, taking the total recoveries to 1.45 crore (1,45,56,209).

The five most affected states by the total COVID-19 cases are Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Reeling under the second COVID-19 wave, the many state governments have announced stringent guidelines to curb the unprecedented rise of COVID-19 infections in the country.

These states include Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and others.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday (April 25) extended the lockdown in the national capital by a week in order to curb the COVID-19 spread. As per the new notification the lockdown will now remain in place till May 3.

"We had imposed a 6-day lockdown in Delhi. The lockdown is being extended to next Monday till 5 AM," the Delhi CM said in a presser.

The Karnataka government has also imposed a 14-day lockdown which begins from Tuesday night till May 12 morning.

"These guidelines, which are meant to break the chain of Covid-19 transmission across the state, will come into effect from 9 PM on April 27 and will be in force till 6 AM on May 12," Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar said in an order.

The Punjab government on Monday (April 26) imposed the Corona night curfew which will remain enforced from 6pm to 5am everyday till further notice. On the other hand, the weekend lockdown will remain from Friday 6pm to Monday 5am.

Additionally, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday (April 26) announced that a lockdown will not be announced in the state instead stricter restrictions will be enforced.

"In the all-party meeting today, the common opinion was that Kerala should not go into a complete lock down. But all parties suggested that strict restrictions should be enforced in the state to curb the spread of COVID-19," Vijayan said.

Live TV
MBABANE  Government is delivering and not sabotaging parliamentarians who are critical of it.

This is according to a majority of Members of Parliament (MPs) who dismissed assertions that government is not bringing services to constituencies of legislators who criticise it. In fact, several MPs have praised government for what they termed as service delivery on a number of projects which are ongoing under their various tinkhundla. The MPs have come to governments defence following a leaked audio recording where Nkwene MP Vulimpompi Nhleko said politicians who were less affluent were not vocal in Parliament because projects in their constituencies ended up being sabotaged or stopped.

The MP had made the utterances during a community meeting of the completion of a hall with Buseleni residents, where he submitted that if one spoke out, nothing would ever be done for their constituencies. However, several MPs begged to differ on the issue with one of them, a known government critic being Mhlume MP Victor Malambe. MP Malambe was one of the most vocal when government tried to introduce the Bill legalising the licensing of cannabis for medicinal purposes when he stated that government wanted to destroy the ordinary liSwati by taking the market away from them.

Hall

However, MP Malambe said this did not stop government from delivering a E2 million community hall project which was currently under construction at Lusoti. He said this would be a multi-purpose hall and that construction had started in February this year. MP Malambe said this would not only be used by the pupils to sit for exams or other things, but that the community would use it as a meeting area for any other activities. He highlighted that another project under his constituency was that of a tractor services hire, where government, through the Rural Development Fund (RDF), had purchased a tractor complete with implements for the use of Mafucula residents, which cost around E800 000.

He further stated that in his constituency, there was a recently introduced a service centre where the members of the public could get documents like passports. Through Micro-Projects we have also created three markets at Simunye, kaNgomane and Mafucula where the women are selling their wares, said MP Malambe. He said it was critical for other MPs including the Executive that they were not criticising or fighting the Head of State, but the Executive arm of government which was tasked with service delivery after being appointed into their positions.
Recent years have brought increased attention to the lasting effects of chemicals we unwittingly inhale, touch and ingest while going about our daily lives. The Experimental Biology (EB) 2021 meeting features the latest research on how environmental exposures affect health. Here are five highlights:

Study sheds light on health hazards of hog farms

People who work at or live near concentrated animal feeding operations, especially hog farms, commonly face an increased risk of respiratory problems and gastrointestinal diseases. New research from the University of California, Riverside, investigates the mechanisms through which exposure to hog farms may harm health. In studies using mice and cell cultures, scientists found evidence that breathing dust from hog farms leads to inflammation in the airways. The research also suggests that compounds from hog dust increase the permeability of the intestine, possibly by damaging the intestinal lining, which may help explain why farm workers are more susceptible to gastrointestinal disease. The research could help inform interventions to better protect the health of farm workers and people living near large farming operations.

Meli'sa Crawford will present this research online from 2-2:15 p.m. Friday, April 30 (abstract).

Common ingredient in antimicrobial soap and toothpaste linked with inflammation

Inflammation is a natural process our bodies use to heal and fight infections, but chronic or unwarranted inflammation can lead to diseases including arthritis and cancer. Researchers at Tennessee State University report new evidence that triclosan, an antimicrobial compound used in personal hygiene products such as soap, toothpaste and mouthwash, may cause inflammation and potentially increase the risk of associated health problems. The researchers exposed cell cultures to triclosan and measured interleukin-6 (IL-6), a biomarker used to assess inflammation. They found that triclosan exposure caused a substantial increase in IL-6 production over a 24-hour period, with levels peaking at six hours after exposure. The study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting potential detrimental effects of triclosan, which can be ingested or absorbed through the skin when using products that contain it, according to researchers.

Wendy Wilburn will present this research online in poster R318 (abstract).

Cigarettes may pose risk even after they're extinguished

Health problems associated with smoking and being near someone who is smoking (secondhand smoke) are well established. A new study from Texas A&M University suggests the residual smoke that remains even after a cigarette is put out -- called thirdhand smoke -- could affect the health of fetuses. The researchers exposed pregnant mice to smoke contaminants from extinguished cigarettes and traced health markers in their offspring. They found that mice exposed to thirdhand smoke in utero showed a significant increase in aggregation of platelets, a component of blood involved in clotting. In other tests, these mice showed markers indicating a predisposition toward cardiovascular problems related to blood clots. Researchers say the study draws attention to the need to further investigate the potential consequences of thirdhand smoke exposure.

Ahmed Alarabi will present this research online in poster R4465 (abstract). Images available.

Gulf War veterans may be more susceptible to alcohol-induced liver damage

Some veterans of the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War suffer Gulf War illness, a syndrome with a wide range of symptoms thought to be caused by chemical exposures encountered during combat. A new study from Central Texas Veterans Health Care System suggests these veterans may be more prone to liver damage from heavy alcohol consumption. Researchers exposed mice to chemicals similar to those thought to cause Gulf War illness and assessed the effects of ethanol on liver health in these mice, comparing them with mice that had not been exposed to the chemicals. They found that exposure to chemicals caused long-term changes to the liver, including low-level inflammation, suggesting a greater susceptibility to alcohol-induced liver disease. This type of liver disease is associated with heavy alcohol use, but researchers have struggled to understand why some people who drink heavily develop liver problems while others do not. The study bolsters the evidence that environmental exposures may play a role.

Suyeon An will present this research online in poster R4162 (abstract).

New evidence suggests role of epigenetic factors in determining anatomy

With the same genetic makeup, identical twins share many similarities. But new research suggests twins show subtle differences beneath the surface, possibly as a result of epigenetics (changes in gene expression) or environmental factors such as nutrition and chemical exposures. Scientists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus examined cadavers donated by a pair of identical twins. Comparing the structures of nerves, veins and arteries in the neck, trunk, pelvis and limbs, they found significant differences in these structures between twins. In addition, some paired structures showed asymmetric differences within a single individual. While the researchers were not able to attribute the differences to specific causes, the study, which is the first to demonstrate unique anatomic variations in identical twins, suggests further research could help elucidate how epigenetic factors may alter our bodies over the course of a lifetime.

Chelsea Lohman Bonfiglio will present this research online in poster R2536 (abstract).

EB 2021 is the premiere annual meeting of five scientific societies to be held online April 27-30, 2021. Contact the media team for more information or to obtain a free press pass to attend the virtual meeting.

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About Experimental Biology 2021

Experimental Biology is an annual meeting comprised of thousands of scientists from five host societies and multiple guest societies. With a mission to share the newest scientific concepts and research findings shaping clinical advances, the meeting offers an unparalleled opportunity for exchange among scientists from across the U.S. and the world who represent dozens of scientific areas, from laboratory to translational to clinical research. http://www. experimentalbiology. org #expbio
WESTLAND, MI  A 30-year-old Wayne man is dead and a Detroit woman is hospitalized after a shooting at a bowling alley over the weekend, police said.

The Westland Police Department responded Friday night, April 23, to Vision Lanes Bowling Alley for a reported shooting incident, police said in a news release.

A verbal argument had escalated into a shooting, police said. The injured man and woman were transported to a local hospital; the man succumbed to his injuries while the woman is still recovering.

On Saturday, April 24, police arrested three people in connection with the shooting, police said. At the advice of the Wayne County Prosecutors Office, they were later released pending further investigation. No charges have been filed.

READ MORE:

Fight turns into triple homicide in Michigan neighborhood

Body of missing teen with autism found in U.P.

Deaths of Michigan father, 2 young children is now murder investigation, not murder-suicide, police say

Michigan woman, son die in crash on day of her husbands funeral

Dozens of swans found dead around Michigan lake, poisoning suspected

Michigan DNR provides tips to deal with troublesome turkeys
It is a tale of bravery, heroes and ultimate triumph.

So it is fitting that young Max Rowlandsons battle with cancer has been turned into a film.

But instead of a documentary, Maximus is a fantasy featuring wizards and angels, portraying Max as a warrior fighting off monsters. And it has already received the major accolade of being selected for screening at this summers Cannes Film Festival.

Max, now 13, from Saffron Walden, Essex, was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was only two. He endured more than three years of chemotherapy but is now a fit and healthy teenager.

In Maximus, his story is told through the eyes of his sister India, now ten, and shows how his family owe everything to the NHS heroes who treated Max at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

A young Max played by Cailean Galloway in the film Maximus, which has already received the major accolade of being selected for screening at this summers Cannes Film Festival

Restored to health: Max Rowlandson, now 13, with sister India, ten. Max endured more than three years of chemotherapy but is now a fit and healthy teenager

His mother Jodie Rowlandson, 42, said the 15-minute film serves as a beacon of hope to children with cancer and their families.

She was pregnant with India when Max was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Even after he finished treatment, we had to be at the hospital once a month for a check-up, he was still having weekly bloods done, she said. It was a long, long time before life was returned to any sort of normality.

They emerged from the fight a bit bewildered but grateful for all the help theyd received from the NHS. I think its the families that are going through the same journeys that we did that we really want to see the film because it is a story of hope, she said.

It is a story of Youre going to get there in the end.

The film was written and directed by Richard Prendergast, who won acclaim for his 2019 short Sylvia.

On screen: Max's doctor Mike Gattens (Albert Clogston) with India (director's daughter Maisie Prendergast)

During treatment: Max with baby India. He was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was two

Mrs Rowlandsons friend Ben Pryke, head of film and media at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds, convinced her that Maxs story needed to be told and contacted Prendergast, whose daughter Maisie plays India.

When we read Richards script we just fell in love with it and we said, Yes, we love this, this is exactly the tale that we would like to tell, she said.

Because it just shows how we owe everything to the NHS heroes. And how were just always eternally grateful. Students from the college helped shoot the film.

They turned part of the college into a hospital waiting area and shot scenes in Thetford Forest and across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Action: The crew filming in Thetford Forest. Students from West Suffolk College worked alongside professionals as cast and crew

Magic: The doctor turns into a wizard to save Max. The film will be screened at Cannes in July

Maximus, which aims to raise funds for charities including the Team Max Foundation, has its premiere online tonight in aid of the Addenbrookes Charitable Trust.

Max cannot wait for his friends to see the film, especially as he, his parents and India have cameo roles. It was quite an emotional moment to watch it and then we showed it to the kids and they loved it, said Mrs Rowlandson.

Max is now full of energy and loves sports, she said, adding: Its nice to see now just how happy and healthy he is.

Maximus will be screened at Cannes in July.

To watch tonights premiere, visit https://birdbox.film/maximus
New Delhi: The Indian Army has released a recruitment notification for candidates looking to work as Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Army Dental Corps. The recruitment notification has been put on the official website joinindianarmy.gov.in and the online application process has been started.

The Indian Army will reportedly recruit candidates for a total of 37 vacancies and the interested candidates can apply by May 17 till 5 PM.

QUALIFICATION: Candidates must be BDS (with a minimum of 55 per cent marks in final year BDS/MDS having passed from a college, University recognized by the Dental Council of India (DCI).

The candidate is also required to have completed a one-year Compulsory Rotatory Internship, as mandated by DCI, by March 31 2021. He/she must be in possession of a Permanent Dental Registration Certificate of State Dental Council/DCI valid at least up to December 31 2021.

Only those candidates (BDS/MDS) who have appeared in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, NEET (MDS)-2021 conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) on December 16, 2020, are eligible to apply.

Interested candidates must submit a copy of the scorecard of NEET (MDS)-2021 along with the application.

AGE LIMIT: The candidate must not have attained 45 yrs of age as on December 31 2021.

Only those candidates who have ticked 'YES' for SSC in the AD Corps option while filling NEET (MDS)-2021 application form can apply.

Follow this link to check the applicant's eligibility -> https://joinindianarmy.nic.in/dental/eligibility
There has never ever been a better time for the "pro-life" movement of America to act urgently to, well, save some lives.

America's supply of COVID-19 vaccines will soon surpass demand. Meanwhile Israel, with the most aggressive (yet imperfect) vaccine rollout in the world, has recorded multiple days with zero pandemic-related deaths for the first time in 10 months  suggesting that a comprehensive national vaccination program could contain the killer virus that has already killed nearly 575,000 Americans.

Still, some Americans seem to be eager to stand in the way of any hope of what scientists call "herd immunity. Who are those Americans? Mostly Republican men and white evangelicals  aka the people whove spent the past 40 years or so telling us they are much more concerned about life than everyone else.

Secret COVID vaccine for Trump

Nearly all Americans have a chance step up to take a shot that might not only save us but also our families, our neighbors and our country from prolonging the deadliest pandemic in a century. Yet at this Dunkirk moment, elected Republicans have largely done the opposite of joining our armada of "little ships."

Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Rand Paul of Kentucky have spread garbage about the effort to vaccinate as many Americans as possible. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis acts far more concerned about efforts to make sure people are vaccinated than he does about the effects of COVID-19, which has already killed 35,000 Floridians  more than the 32,463-vote margin that put him in office in 2018.

Donald Trump urged his followers at the Conservative Political Action Conference to get their shots and has made a few supportive comments. But when he was still president, in January, he and first lady Melania Trump were vaccinated secretly at the White House. Their off-camera shots, revealed last month, denied the country the single most obvious image that might be used to persuade reluctant Trump supporters to join the war on COVID-19.

Story continues

Former Vice President Mike Pence was among the first Americans to get his shot last December. Since then, he has been busy avoiding nooses brandished by fans of his two-time running mate and getting a pacemaker. Nonetheless, he has found time to try to scaremonger about unaccompanied minors at the border.

COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 12, 2021, in Connecticut.

And Pence isnt alone. The entire Republican Party seems to want the nation to fixate on the tragic number of 18,500 kids arriving alone at the border in March. But the Republicans cant find the same energy to finish off a pandemic still infecting more than 50,000 Americans each day, still orphaning thousands of Americans each week.

And whos paying the cost of the GOPs insistence on Joe Biden and his administration almost solely responsible for the biggest public health mobilization in American history? In Michigan, the state with the worst spike of cases in the nation, we're learning that the answer increasingly is the kids.

Just say yes: Are we about to hit a vaccine wall? If you have doubts about getting the shot, reconsider.

Ive spent a lot of my adult life trying to shame pro-lifers into caring about actual children as much as they do about fertilized eggs. While this effort may get you some retweets, it doesnt change the rights behavior in the least. Its like trying to translate Republicans professed affection for Israel into an appreciation of Israels national universal health care.

Im sure President Biden, who has led an awesome nationalized rollout of vaccinations that has exceeded most reasonable expectations, will humbly call for all Americans to join the fight when he addresses Congress on Wednesday. Unfortunately, this clarion call from a man 70% of Republicans think stole the election with his tricky strategy of getting over 7 million more votes than Trump might only increase Republican hesitancy to get injected.

Please care about your voters' lives

The rights inherent suspicion of government power, which suddenly reappears when Republicans arent in power, is being compounded by the way COVID-19 was turned into a culture war with the bombastic leadership of the last president. Republican leaders recognize there are few rewards that come with breaking with their partys base. And who wants to help a Democratic president in the task that will largely define the success of his presidency? So were stuck.

Even talking about vaccine hesitancy helps normalize it, especially when its me, a lib, doing it. Would Republicans risk their own voters' lives just to own me? Ask the millions of Americans who have been denied Medicaid insurance because their Republican governors refuse to expand it under the Affordable Care Act  even though the federal government is footing almost the entire bill.

We have never been more desperate for Republican heroes who want to save their own constituents' lives, and theyve never been harder to find. Im begging GOP leaders to care as much about their fellow Republicans health and survival as much as this lib does.

Former CDC chief: Think diners, dentists and dollar stores. Make COVID vaccines easy to get.

We may disagree about when life begins, but we can all agree that every American who is 16 and over and now eligible for free vaccines has met that standard. Go out and brag about taking Mr. Trumps shots that were basically invented by Mr. Trump himself (even though the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were already in clinical trials before Operation Warp Speed was even announced).

Do whatever you have to do to make vaccination an issue of patriotism and not partisanship.

Since the sanctity of life is obviously not encouragement enough, think of the next election, the one you are busy trying to rig in state legislatures across the country. If you dont act to defeat this plague when it's possible, your next president could spend his entire term dealing with this pandemic. And if it is who I know you hope it is, we already know how much he hates doing that.

Jason Sattler, a writer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a member of USA TODAYs Board of Contributors and host of "The GOTMFV Show" podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @LOLGOP

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: COVID vaccine: We need Republican heroes to risk careers to save lives
The Herkimer Diamond Mines Rock, Gem, and STEM Camp wasn't able to open last summer, but they're very excited to welcome the kids back this summer. And are prepared to follow the new CDC guidelines that were issued today.

Many kids summer camps were affected by coronavirus restrictions last year, including the Herkimer Diamond Mines. The owner, Renee Shevat, said "Well, last year with covid we were unable to have the Rock and Gem Camp. That's our STEM and STEAM Camp. We've been doing that for 26 years so last year was the first time we couldn't do that."

The owner stresses how important summer camps are for kids education. I was Rock and Gem Camper of the year when I was younger and it encouraged me to choose a career in science. Mrs. Shevat told me "You are an absolute perfect example of what children can learn when they're young, and what inspires them. It's almost giving children not the depth of anything, but a broad perspective of a little bit of everything. And you sift and sort and figure out who you want to be when you grow up."

This is why Herkimer Diamond Mines is so excited to open their summer camp. And they've been preparing all year. Mrs. Shevat said "And we have been preparing for different versions of camp since January. You know we wanted to make sure that whatever guidelines came out, we would be ready for them."

The CDC guidelines state that masks are required and everyone must be six feet apart. They also recommend that most activities are outside, which is no issue for this camp. Mrs. Shevat said "You know we are going to be abiding by every rule, whether it's New York State Health Department, Herkimer County Health Department, covid regulations by New York State. Everything that we need to do, we are going to do to be extremely cautious."

The Herkimer Diamond Mines says safety is their priority. Making sure that your kids have a hard hat and a mask when they're going out mining.
FORT WORTH, Texas, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GCC, a leading producer of cement and concrete in the United States, Latin America and Canada, has signed a long-term agreement with CR Minerals Company, LLC, for raw, natural pozzolan material.

GCC will use the pozzolan as source feed for an inter-ground product (Type 1P cement) at its Tijeras cement plant near Albuquerque, New Mexico. GCC's Type 1P cement, which is now available to customers, has a demonstrated capacity to mitigate against harmful chemical attack on concrete. This means the concrete becomes more durable over time. Additionally, this product has been approved by both the New Mexico and Texas departments of transportation.

"We look forward to this relationship with GCC," said Jeffrey Whidden, president of CR Minerals Company. "This agreement is further testament to our company's continued growth into the pozzolans industry and will provide a great long-term solution to the shortage of quality fly ash for the construction industry in New Mexico and northwest Texas."

Ron Henley, president of GCC's U.S. Division said, "Blended cements are a strategic priority for GCC as we look to the future. Securing a long-term source of natural pozzolan material helps provide our customers with a product that eliminates the concern over dwindling fly ash supply. It also enables GCC to reduce our carbon footprint with a more environmentally-friendly product."

About CR Minerals Company, LLC: CR Minerals Company is a global leader in pumice products and is a manufacturer of pozzolanic materials (natural pozzolans and remediated fly ashes) for the construction and oil and gas industries. CR Minerals has operations in New Mexico and Colorado and is based in Fort Worth, Texas.

For more information about CR Minerals, visit http://www.crminerals.com or on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cr-minerals-company-llc.

About GCC: GCC is a leading supplier and producer of cement, concrete, aggregates and constructionrelated services in the United States, Latin America and Canada. Annual cement production capacity is 5.8 million metric tons. The company employs approximately 3,000 employees in the U.S. (Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming) and in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico.

GCC Contact: Mica Ward

720 576-6089

[email protected]

CR Minerals Contact: Ed Dvorak

720 201-4875

[email protected]

SOURCE CR Minerals Company, LLC
Provinces bordering Cambodia and Laos have prepared themselves for the worst-case scenario should Vietnam's two neighbors fail to contain their Covid-19 outbreaks.

For more than a week, following the spike of locally-transmitted Covid-19 cases in Cambodia, Ha Tien Town in southern Kien Giang Province has ordered mobile police, militia and self-defense forces to work closely with border guards to prevent people from crossing the border illegally and possibly bringing the virus to Vietnam, which has gone a month without local transmissions.

Forces have been working at full capacity to ensure there will be someone to keep an eye on the border area around the clock.

Lieutenant Nguyen Su Long, head of Sa Ky border control station in Ha Tien, said every night, a team would go on patrol 6-10 times aside from those standing guard at fixed posts. "The task is challenging, especially as the southern region has entered the rainy season, but all members are aware that it is a crucial one and none have grown discouraged," he said.

Kien Giang Province border guards patrol the sea area off Ha Tien Town, April 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Phuong.

Aside from doing their own jobs on Vietnam's side, they also coordinate with forces in Cambodia, with frequent phone calls having been made to raise the alarm any time someone suspicious appears near the border.

Vietnam shares a 1,137-kilometer boundary with Cambodia in Mekong Delta, near Ho Chi Minh City, and in the Central Highlands. The Kien Giang-Cambodia border stretches 56 kilometers (34.8 miles) in land and covers 62,000 square kilometers of sea area.

Phu Quoc Island off mainland Kien Giang has been identified as a hotspot for illegal entries.

In the past week, seven posts and 50 soldiers have been sent to the island, raising its capacity to 27 posts and 100 soldiers.

The Command of Naval Region 5 of the Vietnam People's Navy, in charge of protecting the southern sea area and the Gulf of Thailand, has sent more ships to patrol key areas, using radar to detect any boats coming from Cambodia. The 4th Coast Guard Region Command, which is tasked with enforcing laws, protecting national security, safety and order in the southwestern sea of the country, has also sent 32 boats of different sizes to the region.

Thanks to the tightened control and management, tens of people entering Vietnam illegally via the island have been found. As regulated, everyone entering Vietnam is quarantined for 14 days and tested at least twice.

Huynh Quang Hung, Phu Quocs chairman, said if necessary, the province would suspend the operations of all fishing vessels.

In An Giang, 200 posts and stations have been set up to watch over a border of 100 kilometers with Cambodia.

Major Nguyen Truong Phong, Head of Vinh Nguon border guard station, said with many rivers and canals adjacent to localities in Cambodia, An Giang provides the perfect conditions for people to break into Vietnam.

Cambodia has been in the grip of a Covid-19 spread since late February. Its caseload has crossed 10,000, with 580 new infections reported Monday alone, after recording only around 400 cases in the whole of last year.

With a border of 50 kilometers along Cambodia, Dong Thap has set up 16 mobile patrol teams aside from the existing 17 posts to watch over the frontier.

On Monday morning, border guards stopped a group of eight Vietnamese from entering Dong Thap illegally from the Cambodian province of Kampong Chhnang. They arrived on a boat along the Tien River, a branch of the Mekong.

Forces in northern and central Vietnam are also halting illegal entries from the Vietnam-Lao border, which runs 2,161 kilometers across 10 provinces.

Captain Hoang Kim Bac at a border station in Quang Tri Provinces Huong Hoa District said this season, water levels in rivers are low, making them ideal routes for illegal border crossings.

On April 23 and 24, nine people were caught breaking into Vietnam via the commune.

Another border station in the district has been supplied with 48 members for militia and self-defense forces to help reinforce the patrol task.

Ha Tinh Province this week set up 11 guard posts with 10 staff each, with five more members held in reserve should the situation intensify.

Border guards in Quang Tri Province patrol the border with Laos, April 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Tao.

The government of Laos last Friday closed the nation's borders and announced a two-week lockdown in the capital, Vientiane.

Laos on Monday saw its biggest jump in Covid-19 cases, with 113 new patients. Another 75 cases were recorded on Tuesday, bringing the nationwide total to 511.

Over the last few months, the National Steering Committee on Covid-19 Prevention and Control and the Health Ministry have been warning about a new outbreak in the country as many people have entered the country illegally and others have dropped their guard.
Were off to the races in the contest to see who will win ownership of Tabcorps wagering and media business. UK-based gaming giant Entain has just sprinted past a few others in the pack thanks to raising its offer price by half a billion dollars to $3.5 billion.

While there is a long way left to run, at this point Entain isnt in the lead.

The board of Tabcorp is proving a tough nut to crack and is considered unlikely to even offer Entain the opportunity to take a look at the wagering and media divisions books.

Tabcorp is whipping those racing for ownership of its gaming division. Credit:AP

While Entain has the highest offer on the table, Tabcorp continues to pursue its own corporate break up - separating the wagering and media division from the lotteries and keno business.
NSW reported 12 new overseas acquired cases on Tuesday, as an investigation concluded a recently returned traveller caught COVID-19 within Sydneys hotel quarantine system.

The person was staying at the Mercure on George Street earlier this month when they tested positive to the B.1351 variant of the virus, also known as the South African strain.

An investigation has concluded COVID-19 was transmitted within the Mercure quarantine hotel in Sydney CBD. Credit:Google Maps

Genomic sequencing last week revealed their infection was the same as the infections of two family members who were staying in accommodation next door before being moved to Special Health Accommodation after testing positive.

Although the three returned travellers flew into Sydney on the same plane from Kuala Lumpur, they all tested negative to the virus on day two of their stay, prompting an investigation into whether the virus had been transmitted within the hotel.
and Elon Musk, two of the richest men in the world, both with dreams of leading humanity out into the solar system, are fighting over the

On Monday, Blue Origin, the rocket company founded by Mr. Bezos, who will step down as Amazons chief executive later this year, filed a 50-page protest with the federal Government Accountability Office, challenging a $2.9 billion contract to from NASA to build a lander for American astronauts to return to the

NASA announced this month that Mr. Musks was the sole winner in the competition, beating Blue Origin and a third company, Dynetics of Huntsville, Ala., a defense contractor.

Dynetics also filed a protest with the G.A.O. on Monday.

NASA acknowledged it had been notified of the protests. NASA cannot provide further comment due to pending litigation, the agency said in a statement emailed by a spokeswoman.

The dispute highlights that whatever the outsize ambitions of Mr. Musk and Mr. Bezos for the future, the present fortunes of their space and the ability to generate the profits needed to pay for their grandiose dreams depend on mundane business concerns like jousting for government contracts.

Bob Smith, chief executive of Blue Origin, said NASAs decision was based on flawed evaluations of the bids  misjudging advantages of Blue Origins proposal and downplaying technical challenges in SpaceXs. He also said NASA had placed a bigger emphasis on bottom-line cost than it said it would.

Its really atypical for NASA to make these kinds of errors, Mr. Smith said in an interview. Theyre generally quite good at acquisition, especially its flagship missions like returning America to the surface of the We felt that these errors needed to be addressed and remedied.

He added that in any case, the space agency should have stuck with a desire it had stated many times, of wanting to hand out awards to two

In explaining why Dynetics had appealed the award, the company said in a statement released on Tuesday that it has issues and concerns with several aspects of the acquisition process as well as elements of NASAs technical evaluation and filed a protest with the G.A.O. to address them.

did not reply to a request for comment, but in a tweet directed at a Times reporter, Mr. Musk made a remark that played off the fact that Blue Origin has not yet achieved orbit with any of its rockets.

A year ago, NASA selected three lunar lander designs, by SpaceX, Blue Origin and Dynetics, for further study. NASA would then decide which designs it would finance to be built for lunar landings.

The Blue Origin proposal was a collaboration known as the National Team with three more traditional and experienced aerospace  Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Draper. The lander they proposed looked somewhat like a bigger version of the one used for NASAs Apollo moon landings of the 1960s and 1970s.

SpaceX, by contrast, proposed adapting a giant rocket called Starship that it is developing for trips to Mars. SpaceX has been testing Starship prototypes at its site in South Texas, often with explosive results.

During previous trips to the moon, NASA was in charge of designs and operations, an approach that triumphantly beat the Soviet Union to the moon. But it was expensive, and when interest in the moon waned, the technology had little value to the private sector.

In recent years, NASA has turned to private companies to design and operate spacecraft as a way to reduce the costs of space travel and spur commercial enterprise off Earth. That has proved successful for missions to send cargo, and now astronauts, to the Space Station.

SpaceX, in particular, has thrived in this new entrepreneurial approach to spaceflight. Its Falcon 9 rocket, used for the space station missions, is now a workhorse for launching commercial satellites. And its Crew Dragon capsule, which carried a third load of astronauts for NASA to the space station on Friday, will also be used for rides paid for by wealthy space tourists.

Blue Origin lags behind SpaceXs accomplishments. Its small, successfully tested New Shepard spacecraft is meant only for short, suborbital jaunts. A larger New Glenn rocket currently under development will compete with SpaceX and other rocket companies for sending satellites to orbit, but it will not make its maiden flight until at least 2022, two years later than originally announced.

Blue Origins partners have decades of space experience, however.

NASA announced the lunar lander competition in 2018, and officials had repeatedly said they wanted to choose more than one company to ensure competition to spur innovation and redundancy. Last September, Jim Bridenstine, then the NASA administrator, testified that he would worry if NASA chose only one lander design.

When you eliminate the competition, he told a Senate subcommittee, you end up with programs that inevitably get dragged out, and you end up with cost overruns and schedule delays.

However, for the current fiscal year, Congress provided only $850 million  a quarter of what Mr. Bridenstine and NASA were requesting for the development of lunar landers.

When NASA officials announced SpaceX as the single winner, they suggested that limited budgets influenced the decision. Kathy Lueders, NASAs associate administrator for human exploration and operations, said selecting one company to build the first moon lander was the best strategy at the current time.

In its rules for the competition, NASA did not promise it would choose two companies or even any at all. Instead, according to the document, the agency said it was planning to select up to two companies.

Ms. Lueders said a follow-up competition to build subsequent landers would be open to Blue Origin, Dynetics and other companies.

Mr. Smith said Blue Origin would put in bids on a future competition. But he added, The idea that were going to be able to restore competition with something that right now is completely undefined and completely unfunded doesnt make a lot of sense to us.

When Bill Nelson, a former senator from Florida whom President Biden has nominated to be the next administrator for NASA, testified at a confirmation hearing last week, Senator Maria Cantwell, Democrat of Washington and chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, asked him to commit to providing Congress with a plan for how NASA would ensure commercial competition in the moon lander program.

I do, Mr. Nelson said. Competition is always good.

Mr. Smith said that with similar programs in the past, like the space station missions, NASA had hired more than one company even though it lacked certainty on future budgets.

The Blue Origin-led bid, at $6.0 billion, was more than double the price of SpaceXs. But Mr. Smith said NASA had gone back to SpaceX and negotiated the price of its proposal, even though it did not have similar discussions with the other two teams.

We didnt get a chance to revise and thats fundamentally unfair, Mr. Smith said.

Less than $9 billion would have paid for two landers, and that is comparable to the $8.3 billion cost of the commercial crew program that now provides transportation to the space station, the protest argued.

NASA is getting some great, great value from these proposals, Mr. Smith said.

NASAs evaluations of the bids gave ratings of acceptable on the technical aspects of Blue Origins and SpaceXs proposals. Dyneticss rating was lower, at marginal. SpaceXs management was regarded as outstanding, while Blue Origin and its partners were judged, very good, as was Dynetics.

Mr. Smith said NASA misjudged aspects of its proposal, like the communications system and redundancy in guidance and navigation, as weaknesses. He also said it downplayed the risks in SpaceXs design like the need to refuel Starship in orbit, which has never been tried before.

The NASA evaluators largely dismissed the difficulty in the number of launches and rendezvous required in SpaceXs proposed solution, Mr. Smith said. The risk of SpaceX development is high.

The Government Accountability Office has 100 days to make a decision on the protest.

This is not the first time that Blue Origin and SpaceX have battled over a NASA contract. In 2013, NASA chose SpaceX to take over Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, which had been used for Saturn 5 launches during Apollo and then launches of the space shuttles.

Blue Origin argued that its proposal, which would allow the launchpad to be used by multiple companies, should have been favored. But the G.A.O. said NASA had not expressed a preference for multiple companies using 39A and denied the protest. SpaceX now uses the launchpad for missions to the space station, and that is where the Starship trips to the moon would likely start from.
Nobuhiko Obayashi is the Japanese film-maker who directed the cult 1977 horror Hausu, or House, and in his long and prolific career also specialised in TV ads starring American movie actors for the domestic market (satirised in Sofia Coppolas Lost in Translation).

Just before his death last year, at the age of 82, he completed this film, his valediction to cinema, to Japan and to life: an epic blitz of pop-culture hyperactivity: baffling, surreal, tragicomic, then simply tragic. At first, it looks as if it is going to be a sentimental lump-in-the-throat elegy to cinema-goings golden age. But then it takes us to the heart of Japanese darkness: the second world war and the atomic bomb.

In the present day, a movie theatre in Onomichi, near Hiroshima, is playing an all-nighter of war movies and three guys in the audience, cinephile Mario (Takuro Atsuki), owlishly bespectacled Shigeru (Yoshihiko Hosoda) and yakuza tough guy Hosuke (Takahito Hosoyamada) are so entranced that they are magically transported through the screen and into the films. There they repeatedly encounter a mysterious little girl called Noriko (Rei Yoshida), a symbol of innocence and hope.

Everything but the kitchen sink is thrown into the mix: there are cameos for John Ford and Yasujiro Ozu, there are hints of Kubrick and MGM musicals. There are war-movie sequences that may have been inspired by Fred Zinnemanns From Here to Eternity or even Richard Lesters How I Won the War. In the 19th century, there are battles against the Chinese, let by the fierce Lt Sako, played by veteran Japanese star Tadanobu Asano. In the 20th, we see fanatical Japanese soldiers ordering thousands of civilians at Okinawa to commit suicide rather than submit to the Americans. - theguardian.com
DSV Panalpina, a global transport and logistics company, and Kuwait-based Agility have signed an agreement for DSV to acquire Agilitys Global Integrated Logistics (GIL) business, in an all-share deal with an equity value of GIL of $4.1 billion.



The acquisition, which aims to create a top-three global freight forwarder based on revenues, will be an all-share transaction and closing is expected in the third quarter of 2021. Agility will become the second largest shareholder in DSV with an approximate 8% stake in the combined company.



Agility and DSV have reached an agreement that DSV will acquire Agilitys stand-alone GIL business in an all-share transaction. DSV will issue 19,304,348 shares, representing approximately 8.0% of all post-transaction outstanding shares of DSV.



The combination of DSV and GIL will fortify DSVs position as a leading global transport and logistics company with a combined pro forma revenue of approximately $22 billion and a combined workforce of more than 70,000 employees.



This deal creates significant shareholder value and marks a new milestone in Agilitys journey. Agility remains committed to the supply chain industry, and will become the second largest shareholder in one of the fastest-growing and most profitable logistics companies in the world, said Tarek Sultan, Agilitys Vice-Chairman.



I want to thank GILs leadership and employees for profitably growing the company and steering it through one of the most challenging periods the industry has ever seen during the global pandemic. Agility is proud of what GIL has achieved.



He added: Agility will be exploring opportunities between DSV and its other businesses, with promising areas of future cooperation potentially including Agilitys Logistics Parks business, Shipa group of companies, and technology ventures. Agility will remain an emerging markets leader, investor in emerging technologies, and champion of sustainable business.



Agilitys Global Integrated Logistics business and DSV are an excellent match, and we are proud that we can announce our agreement to unite, said Jens Bjrn Andersen, Group CEO of DSV.



The combination of our two global networks will provide us with the opportunity to offer our customers an even higher service level. GILs global network, industry competencies and strong market position in APAC and the Middle East complement DSVs network well and will support our long-term value creation ambitions. Our two groups of companies already share a culture of entrepreneurship and local ownership, and we look forward to welcoming GILs talented staff to DSV.



Scale remains one of the key competitive advantages in freight forwarding with significant operational and commercial benefits. The combination of DSV and Agility GIL is expected to increase DSVs annual revenue by approximately 23%, which will rank the combined company in the freight forwarding industry top three with a pro forma revenue of approximately $22 billion and a combined workforce of more than 70,000 employees. The combined company will have own operations in more than 90 countries, with expected volumes of more than 2.8 million containers (TEUs) and more than 1.6 million tonnes of air freight transported yearly.



GILs presence in fast-growing emerging markets in APAC, as well as Europe and Americas, will be a strong addition to DSVs existing network, said Jens Bjrn Andersen. GIL will bring additional warehousing capacity of more than 1.4 million sq m across the Middle East and Asia, significantly strengthening DSVs contract logistics capabilities and Solutions division. GIL will also add road freight activities to DSVs network in Europe and the Middle East.



DSV and GIL area strong match with many potential synergies as a result of similarities in business models, services and strategies:



 Strong customer relationships and vertical expertise

 Commercial synergies and cross-selling opportunities from stronger network and service offerings, new competencies and skills

 Consolidation of operations, administration and logistics facilities

 Consolidation of IT infrastructure

 Strong focus on corporate responsibility and sustainability



This deal is one of the largest private M&A deals made in the GCC to date. We expect that this transaction will have a positive impact on shareholders equity and the companys market value, Sultan said. It will give Agility the resources and flexibility to explore new opportunities and reposition the company for the next phase of growth.  TradeArabia News Service
In his latest publication, Growing Up in Berrima (published by Balboa Press AU), Trevor Wrightson gives readers a glimpse of the past as he recounts his life growing up in the 1930s to the 1950s.

Wrightson was born in 1934 during the Great Depression, in the small town of Berrima, located in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. He was 6 years old when the World War II commenced. His town was selected to train soldiers to fire guns, cannons, drive tanks and trucks, and march through the street of Berrima. In this memoir, he tells of the bombing of Darwin and 14 other towns and cities in Australia, after the Japanese invaded New Guinea. Their intention was to attack Australia and this story outlines how the Australian soldiers defended their country.

Growing Up in Berrima depicts the frightening effect the war had on a young boy and how his life changed after. It then continues with many interesting, life-changing events occurring during his teenage years, his development into a young man and, finally, his marriage in 1957.

When asked what he wants readers to take away from the book, the author says, How life is so much easier now, especially with the introduction of electricity.

To purchase a copy, visit https://www.balboapress.com/en-au/bookstore/bookdetails/823669-growing-up-in-berrima.

Growing Up in Berrima

By Trevor Wrightson

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 114 pages | ISBN 9781504324724

E-Book | 114 pages | ISBN 9781504324731

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Trevor Wrightson was born in 1934 in the small town of Berrima. He is also the author of Electricity for Beginners and A New Life.

Balboa Press Australia is a division of Hay House, Inc., a leading provider in publishing products that specialise in self-help and the mind, body and spirit genre. Through an alliance with the worldwide self-publishing leader Author Solutions, LLC, authors benefit from the leadership of Hay House Publishing and the speed-to-market advantages of the Author Solutions self-publishing model. For more information or to start publishing today, visit balboapress.com.au or call 1-800-844-925.
Was the attack on a military base in Borno State in which 18 soldiers were killed Sunday evening an act of sabotage to help Boko Haram insurgents steal weapons recently deployed to the base?

This appears to be the fear of the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, who has admonished the military authorities to show the fear of God in the movement of arms and ammunition to troops in the North-east frontlines.

A usually reliable military source also told Premium Times that newly deployed ammunition including a T72 tanker, were carted away by the insurgents after the attack.

Governor Zulum gave his admonition while reacting to the Sunday evening attack on a military base in Mainok, a community 55km west of Maiduguri.

Premium Times reported that at least 18 soldiers died and 43 were injured in the surprise attack on 156 Task Force Battalion in Mainok.

Our reporter gathered from military sources that the attackers targetted some high-calibre weapons deployed to the base on Friday.

It is so sad that the T72 battle tank that was escorted from Lagos has fallen into the hands of the Boko Haram terrorists, one of them said, a claim Premium Times has not been able to verify.

Some security sources said the authorities were forwarned of the attack by some non-military security sources but the soldiers did not respond on time due to the usual military regimented bureaucracy in the chain of command.

However, many sources who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES think that the Mainok attack could not have been successful without an insider or saboteur collaborating with the insurgents.

Mr Zulum had in his sympathy message to the Nigerian military over the attack alluded to a possible act of conspiracy by leaders saddled with transporting weapons to troops in the frontlines.

According to the statement issued by Mr Zulums spokesperson, Isa Gusau, the governor urged all stakeholders at the highest levels, to continually approach equipping and supporting front line troops with the fear of God, bearing in mind that everyone will one day account for his or her doing or misdoing.

Describing the incident as a setback, Governor Zulum said he was seriously disturbed by the incident, especially given the fact that the insurgents have ceaselessly operated along Maiduguri-Damaturu road, impacting on the safety of travellers and residents.

Mr Zulum assured the people of Borno that the setback in Mainok will not deter the state government from its continued collaborative efforts towards ending the insurgency.

The governor also called on the military, other armed forces and volunteers at the battlefronts to remain resolute.

Condoles berieved families

Governor Zulum sympathised with the families of all that died in the Sunday attack even as he described them as heroes, who died protecting the people of Borno and defending Nigerias sovereignty.

Regardless of what happened in Mainok and how it happened as we collectively review the incident, we must first, and importantly, recognise that those soldiers who lost their lives at the weekend were fellow Nigerians; they were parents of children who are now orphans, husbands to wives who are now widows, and loved ones to families and friends now bereaved.

They were soldiers of our armed forces who chose, out of love for our country, to risk their lives in trying to keep us as safe and to protect the sovereignty of our country.

We mourn these heroic soldiers and anyone caught at the unfortunate setback in Mainok. We salute these fallen soldiers for their immeasurable sacrifices and we pray for the repose of their souls.

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We mourn with the families of these soldiers; we share their grief, commiserate with them and commiserate with the Nigerian military.
(Newser)  Liz Cheney for president? Maybe someday. "Im not ruling anything in or outever is a long time," the congresswoman, and daughter of former VP Dick Cheney, tells the New York Post, which asked if the House Republican Conference Chair would consider a run someday. Politico describes "considerable disdain" for Cheney among the GOP's pro-Trump wing, but the Wyoming lawmaker has "almost the entire traditional Republican power structure" behind her, per the Washington Post, as her campaign preps for what is likely to be an intense primary challenge next year.

story continues below

As for who Cheney does not think should be running for president in 2024, she tells the Post she believes anyone who worked against certifying the 2020 presidential election results should be disqualified. She says she's confident about her own 2022 race as well as Republicans' chances of taking back the House and Senate in that election, then the White House two years later. (Read more Liz Cheney stories.)
Chennai, April 27 : The Tamil Nadu hairdressers union has petitioned the state government to allow them to work for at least five hours a day.

The state government has banned salons, barber shops, beauty parlours and spas.

The petition was submitted to the district collectors and Chief Secretary of the state on Monday evening after the state government prevented beauty parlours and saloons from functioning.

"Our business has come down by 80 per cent, we were done after the pandemic and had only recently slowly started looking up when this has come as a bolt from the blue," M.R. Vijayakumar, Chennai unit secretary of the Tamil Nadu Hairdressers Union while speaking to IANS said.

"We were now getting hardly one to three persons a day and with the new order it's all gone and I am staring at a future wherein my family and the families of lakhs of our people are to suffer. Government must allow a five hour time for us to open the salons so that at least the hunger pangs can be quenched." The Hairdressers in Kanyakumari and Nagercoil areas of Tamil Nadu are also worried about the government decision.

Shanmugan, a salon owner at Kaliyakkavilai in Kanyakumari district told IANS: "We are totally devastated after the pandemic and I have to sell my home to meet the expenses.

"We were almost coming back when the second wave hit and the government has now issued a notification to shut down all the saloons and beauty parlours. Our association has already petitioned the government to at least allow us to open the salons for five hours a day from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. so that we survive.

"We have workers in our place who also have families to support. Hope the government will heed to our plea."
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HOLYOKE  The citys public school system has set dates for high school graduations and senior year events.

Acting Superintendent Anthony Soto updated the School Committee Monday on graduation and senior events for May and June.

A majority of staff and students favored separate graduations for the Holyoke High School North and Dean Campuses. Both schools formed graduation task forces, which comprise students, teachers, parents, school district and health officials.

The North Campus graduation occurs Sunday, June 6 at 1 p.m., with Class Day scheduled for June 4. Cap and Gown Day is May 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dean Tech will hold graduation Friday, June 4 at 5:30 p.m., with Cap and Gown Day booked for May 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Class Day and breakfast slated for June 2, and barbecue and rehearsal on June 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Dean Campus will host a Beautification Day on May 8 from 9 a.m. to noon and the Markiyan Memorial Tree Planting Ceremony on June 1 at 11 a.m.

Seniors can invite three guests to graduation.

War3 School Committee Member Rebecca Birks said the graduation task forces are genuinely listening to students. She also praised the Holyoke Public Schools staff for going above and beyond in planning for graduation.

The district will hold the Senior Car Parade on May 24 from 9 a.m.  noon, with the annual Gary Rome Car Giveaway to follow. Lawn signs for graduates will be distributed May 14, senior photos taking April 28 from 1  6 p.m., and banners hung by May 22.

In his updates, Soto noted 55% of PreK  5 graders returned to the classroom five days a week, which Soto dubbed a huge success. Schools used the reopening as a way to reintroduce COVID-19 safety protocols and classroom routines.

Some of these students havent stepped foot in well over a year into their school, Soto said. By the fall opening, remote learners would not have been in a classroom for a year and a half. It was exciting to see staff returning to in-person learning.

Challenges remain for in-person instruction, including obeying the six-feet of space at lunch and three-feet between desks. One school reached 79% student capacity, which created spacing issues.

Soto commended teachers and principals for overcoming the obstacles with in-person and remote learning. Its unclear if remote learning would be in place for the fall, he said.

About 40% of middle schoolers returned to the classroom Monday. A recent survey found 340 high school students chose in-person learning. This week, the state planned to release guidelines and return dates for high schools.

School Committee Vice-Chair Mildred Lefebvre said that some parents are still uncomfortable sending their children back to the classroom. She added that multigenerational homes are at risk for COVID-19.

Its all factors that play into it, Lefebvre said. There are a lot of factors as to why students are going back. She said schools each have their own unique issues and challenges.

In an email, parents Carrie and Marcus Humber opposed the early start for the 2021-2022 school year, stating classes typically begin at the end of August.

The Humbers said staff and teachers have experienced physical, emotional, and mental stresses since the pandemics start and suggested teachers get recharged before returning to the classroom.

Meanwhile, the Massachusetts School Building Authority approved the City of Holyokes statement of interest to construct a single middle school. Soto said the district was invited to join in the authoritys eligibility period. Its a huge milestone for Holyoke, he said.

Holyoke officials met with the authority during an April 14 meeting. The Holyoke delegation included Soto, State Rep. Patricia Duffy, D-Holyoke, state Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield, acting Mayor Terence Murphy, city councilors, and School Committee members.

It was great to see so many individuals in support of the project. We know how important this project is for Holyoke and what it means for our kids, Soto told the School Committee.

The one middle school proposal entails razing Peck School and building a new structure. In 2019, Holyoke voters defeated a referendum that called for raising property taxes to bond for two middle schools.
YEREVAN, APRIL 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenias defense ministry doesnt plan participation of the units of the Armed Forces to the NATOs Defender Europe 21 military exercises, the ministry said in a statement.

Despite the official clarification made earlier, in response to inquiries received from media, we want to state once again that the defense ministry of Armenia doesnt envisage participation of the Armenian Armed Forces to the NATOs Defender Europe 21 exercise, the statement says.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
Tesla CEO Elon Musk wants to turn every home into a distributed power plant that would generate, store and even deliver energy back into the electricity grid, all using the company's products.

While the company has been selling solar and energy storage products for years, a new company policy to only sell solar coupled with the energy storage products, along with Musk's comments Monday, reveal a strategy that aims to scale these businesses by appealing to utilities.

This is a prosperous future both for Tesla and for the utilities, he said. If this is not done, the utilities will fail to serve their customers. They wont be able to do it, Musk said during an investor call, noting the rolling blackouts in California last summer and the more recent grid failure in Texas as evidence that grid reliability has become a bigger concern.

Last week, the company changed its website to prevent customers from only buying solar or its Powerwall energy storage product and instead required purchasing a system. Musk later announced the move in a tweet, stating solar power will feed exclusively to Powerwall" and that "Powerwall will interface only between utility meter and house main breaker panel, enabling super simple install and seamless whole house backup during utility dropouts.

Musk's pitch is that the grid would need more power lines, more power plants and larger substations to fully decarbonize using renewables plus storage. Distributed residential systems  of course using Tesla products  would provide a better path, in Musk's view. His claim has been backed up in part by recent studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which found that the U.S. can reach a zero-carbon grid by more than doubling its transmission capacity, and another from Princeton University showing that the country may need to triple its transmission systems by 2050 to reach net-zero emissions.

Musk is imagining a radically different electricity grid system than the one we have today, which is centrally controlled and run by grid operators, independent organizations such as the California Independent System Operator or the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. It's a vision that is riddled with bureaucratic and logistical challenges. Utilities and regulatory policy would need to solve how to handle a large influx of so-called "distributed energy resources," such as solar panels on residential roofs, which may run contrary to utilities long-established business models.

Its important to note that whether renewables-plus-storage will be alone sufficient to decarbonize the energy grid is a contentious question. Many experts believing that the land use demands, storage requirements and intermittency issues of renewables may make their role as the countrys primary electricity generator a pipe dream. But Musk has long been bullish on the renewables-plus-storage model, tweeting last July that physics favors electric transport, batteries for stationary storage & solar/wind for energy generation.
WASHINGTON - The United States' population growth slowed in the past 10 years to its lowest rate since the 1930s, according to new data released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The first numbers to come out of the 2020 Census show that the U.S. population on April 1, 2020 - Census Day - was 331.5 million people, an increase of 7.4% between 2010 and 2020. It is the second-slowest rate of expansion since the government began taking a census in 1790. In the 1930s, the decade with the slowest population growth, the rate was 7.3%.

Unlike the slowdown of the Great Depression, which was a population blip followed by a boom, the slowdown this time is part of a longer-term trend, tied to the aging of the country's White people, decreased fertility rates and lagging immigration.

But within the United States, some regions are booming while others are stagnating. Populations in the South and the West grew the fastest in the past decade. Growth in the District of Columbia mushroomed, possibly predicting trends in other cities once more detailed census data is released this year.

The data, which is used to determine the reapportionment of House seats and electoral college votes, veered from the bureau's estimates by about 1%, according to Census Bureau officials. It resulted in fewer seat shifts than anticipated, with Texas and Florida gaining two and one, respectively, and Rhode Island holding on to its second seat. A couple of the shifts were by razor-thin margins, with New York losing a seat by 89 people and Minnesota holding on to one by 26 people.

"This is the closest I've ever seen," said Kimball Brace, president of Election Data Services, a political consulting firm specializing in redistricting, election administration, and the analysis and presentation of census and political data. "It shows you how just little, tiny things can make a difference. . . . When you've got so many seats shifting around, 1%'s not going to cut it."

Brace said the fact that the data was so "dramatically different" from the estimates probably was due to the coronavirus epidemic, which delayed and complicated the count, and the Trump administration's efforts to add a citizenship question to the survey and exclude undocumented people from being counted in apportionment. "All of that is causing things to go rather haywire," he said.

In a preliminary report on quality metrics released Monday afternoon, Census Bureau demographers said the initial population counts from the 2020 Census were "generally aligned with benchmark data," and added that their analysis should not be taken as "an assessment of the accuracy or reasonableness of the 2020 Census results." They said further assessments would follow.

The overall slowdown was not a surprise. Since 2010, immigration has declined, driven by the economic crisis early in the decade and government restrictions later in the decade. The birthrate has also dropped, and life expectancy has dipped in the past couple of years - a reversal that has been driven by factors such as drug overdoses, obesity, suicide and liver disease, and that sharply accelerated last year during the coronavirus pandemic.

The extent to which the coronavirus pandemic has contributed to population patterns is not apparent in the new census data, because much of the related displacement and the deaths of over half a million people took place after Census Day. According to the Pew Research Center, 5% of U.S. adults said they moved because of the pandemic; it is not clear whether these moves will be permanent.

But it is clear that going forward, older populations, especially those over age 65, will continue to see far higher rates of growth than young ones. The percentage of Americans 65 and over has grown by 35%, based on census estimates released last year. In the coming decade, the large baby boomer generation will reach their 60s, 70s and 80s.

Without robust immigration, the United States would look more like Japan, Germany and Italy, where births and the influx of newcomers have not kept pace with the graying of the population, placing burdens on social services and the labor force. A Pew Research Center analysis showed that more than half the U.S. population increase between 1965 and 2015 was because of immigration, which added about 72 million people. With no immigration in the next half-century, growth in the United States would nearly flatten.

But the rate of population growth for a nation or a state does not tell the whole story, said Steven Martin, a senior demographer at the Urban Institute.

"While growth creates many advantages for a state - a more vibrant economy and easier-to-balance state budgets - perpetual growth cannot be a long-run solution in a finite world," he said. The fertility rate in the United States is 1.73, below the 2.1 figure considered to be the replacement rate, producing as many births each year as deaths. "Overall population growth is going to be small, and eventually flat, which has to happen at some point," Martin said.

He added: "A lot of people talk about cultural extinction if a nation doesn't bring it up to two children per couple. That's like saying that a 19-year-old is growing less than ever."

If the nation were to keep growing at the rate it did in the 20th century, when it quadrupled from about 70 million to about 280 million, "essentially, within a couple of centuries, we'll run out of space," he said.

Over the nation's history, growth ebbed and surged during wars, economic downturns and immigration waves. But the overall arc has been in the direction of a slowdown.

For the first century after the United States gained its independence, the country grew at a feverish pace, staying above 30% most decades. The percentage rate hovered in the 20s in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and mostly in the teens through the 1960s. It continued to flag toward the end of the century, and between 2000 and 2010 it fell to 9.7%.

The growth this past decade was about half the rate of the 1990s, when rising immigration and millennial-generation births pushed it up to 13.2%.

The slowdown was uneven across regions. Growth was less robust in the Northeast and the Midwest, compared with the South and the West. Three states - Illinois, Mississippi, and West Virginia - saw their populations shrink in the past decade.

West Virginia shrank most radically, losing 3.2% of its population. That continued a decades-long downward trend and reflects emigration and aging of the population. The state, which is more than 90% White, is the only one to have a smaller population compared with 1950, when it peaked at slightly over 2 million people.

Most of the loss there has been in rural areas, where job losses and emigration started several decades ago and continue to reverberate. "In the '80s we saw the loss of a lot of coal jobs and a lot of manufacturing jobs, shifting from miners to machines," said Sean O'Leary, a senior policy analyst at the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. "And in the past decade . . . dwindling coal supplies and the rise of natural gas have been putting pressure on the coal industry."

West Virginia is also one of two states where deaths exceeded births over the decade (the other is Maine, which grew because it had a higher rate of immigration). The median age in West Virginia is between 42 and 43, compared with the national average of 38. The state's population is projected to keep shrinking through 2040, according to the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service.

While most states registered an uptick rather than a decline, the growth was in many cases much slower than in previous decades. California, for example, grew by 2.3 million people, or 6.1%, but lost a seat in Congress because other states outpaced it.

"California is kind of a signal that people are leaving expensive states to go to lower-cost states," said William Frey, a demographer and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, adding that trends show people increasingly moving inland from more costly coastal places.

Most of the fastest growth was in the South and the West, which have seen an influx in recent years of people moving in from other countries and other states. Utah grew by 18.4%, the highest rate of any state. That reflects its relatively high birthrate now and in recent decades, which has resulted in a young population compared with other states, but it also reflects the fact that more people are moving to Utah from other states than moving out of Utah to other states, Martin said.

Based on census estimates, in more than a dozen states, about half the gains are Hispanic people, Frey said, including Arizona, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas. White people accounted for more than half the growth in five states, plus the District of Columbia. In 27 states, the number of White people declined.

Data on race and ethnicity will be released this year, but some states with high immigrant populations, such as Arizona, Florida and Texas, came in with lower populations than projected. "So I think it is reasonable to ask whether there was some undercount of Latinos," Frey said.

The District of Columbia grew at 14.6%. A decade ago, D.C.'s growth rate was 5.2%.

"It's an inkling of what might happen to other cities over the course of this decade," Frey said, noting that early in the decade many people moved to and stayed in cities.

There was a continuation of economic trends, such as a diminishing of industrial and manufacturing jobs in the Mid-Atlantic and the Rust Belt. In some cases, the changes were driven by technology: "Air conditioning," Brace said. "Once air conditioning came into being, people moved south."

Florida is also growing because it continues to be a retirement destination, Martin said. The average age there is between 42 and 43. Puerto Rico's population shrank by 11.8%.

Other contributors to population change were similar among all states, with birthrates and life expectancy down across the board, Martin said.

"At a time when Americans appear to be profoundly different from each other politically and culturally, their demographic patterns are moving in much the same ways," he said. "The raw statistics of our lives seem to be telling us that in fundamental ways we are much more alike than we are different."

- - -

The Washington Post's Ted Mellnik contributed to this report
Mayor Michael Bloomberg came to the Lower East Side this morning to announce that the Seward Park project, delayed for four decades, was finally a done deal.

Standing in an abandoned building of the Essex Street Market with some of the citys biggest developers, community partners and neighborhood activists, he called Essex Crossing (the official name of the project) a wonderful thing that will bring the new housing, jobs and open space Lower East Siders want and need and deserve.

Word got out yesterday that the residential, commercial and community-oriented complex would be built by L+M Development Partners, BFC Partners, and Taconic Investment Partners. Theyre paying the city $180 million for the site and investing a total of $1.1 billion to build the new community at the base of the Williamsburg Bridge over the next decade. Groundbreaking is expected in the spring of 2015; the first buildings are projected to open in the summer of 2018. The architectural team is being led by ShoP Architects and Beyer Blinder Belle.

The developers and city officials are expected to provide Community Board 3 with a full breakdown of the plan next month. Heres what we know so far:

HOUSING

1000 apartments, half of which will be permanently affordable to low and middle income families and individuals.

Approximately 155 apartments will be condos located in four buildings, most of them north of Delancey Street.

20% of the condos will be available to middle income residents (maximum income about $94,000 for a family of four)

There will be 580 apartments built in the first phase of construction (completion expected Summer 2018)

316 of those apartments will be designated as affordable

CULTURAL/COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Grand Street Settlement will develop supportive housing for low income seniors on Site 6, east of Clinton Street. There will also be a preschool for special needs students and a community center.

Educational Alliance will operate the nations first dual generation school on Site 5 for 100 kids and 200 adults. We wrote about this program earlier today.

Also on Site 5, the city is setting aside space for a new public school, if the Department of Education decides the LES needs one.

A 20,000 square foot annex of the Andy Warhol Museum will open on Site 2, at Broome and Essex streets.

ESSEX STREET MARKET

The market will be moved to a new 30,000 square foot facility on the south side of Delancey Street, doubling its size. its expected to open in 2018 and will include all of the vendors in the current market who wish to make the move, plus quite a few new ones.

An adjacent concourse called the Market Line will run from Essex to Clinton Street and will include 40 micro retail stalls as well as a culinary incubator and a version of the Smorgasburg, which is part of the Brooklyn Flea. The Market Line will be big, consuming 90,000 square feet.

OTHER FEATURES

A large grocery store

A movie theater

A bowling alley

250,000 square feet of office space

An enhanced pedestrian plaza on Delancey Street

A rooftop urban farm

During todays press conference, Mayor Bloomberg noted that the project will create 4400 construction jobs and 1600 permanent jobs. He said Essex Crossing would respect and complement the Lower East Sides history and traditions. Like many other speakers today, he asserted that  after 45 years of failed development efforts  progress was finally being made because the city made one basic decision letting the community take the lead in shaping this proposed development. The basic contours of the plan closely follow a Community Board 3 compromise that was hashed out during three years of painstaking negotiations.

The three real estate developers have formed a firm called Delancey Street Associates to build Essex Crossing. First up at the podium today was Ron Moelis, CEO of L+M Partners. He praised the communitys collaborative process and said the new project would shape the next chapter of one of New Yorks most historic and significant neighborhoods. Moelis said hes looking forward to continuing to work with the community and added, it is a life goal of mine and I think my partners to do this kind of community work I hope it will be a model for other communities.

Charles Bendit of Taconic Investment Partners made reference to his own familys immigrant roots on the Lower East Side, adding, this is an incredible chance to create a 21st century addition to an historically significant and diverse neighborhood, bringing both amenities that the residents need and attractions that will bring visitors from throughout the city and the country. Noting that entrepreneurship had thrived for generations in the neighborhood, he promised, Essex Crossing will transform one of the citys few remaining underutilized spaces into an incubator for economic growth.

In his remarks, the mayor thanked Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, among other elected officials, for helping to bring the project to fruition. For years, Silver was seen as an impediment to developing the former urban renewal site, but got behind Seward Park redevelopment after the Community Board struck a deal. During todays event, City Council member Margaret Chin said, people put aside their differences and were willing to compromise. Referring to protests from some community groups, she said, Mr. Mayor people were criticizing me because we asked for 100% affordable housing and we only got 50. 50% permanent affordable housing I think its very good!

Chin also called on Bloomberg to support the communitys campaign for a new school on the Seward Park site. Although space is set aside for one, the School Construction Authority insists theres no need for more classroom seats on the Lower East Side. And addressing the developers she raised the issue of union labor to build Essex Crossing. I expect you to work with the labor unions because the jobs were going to create here, I want to see those as middle class jobs, good paying jobs for the neighborhood, she said. So I challenge you, sit down, work with our community.

Later, during a brief question and answer period, Kyle Kimball, head of the citys Economic Development Corp., said theres fair labor language in the contract signed by developers this week, covering jobs within the project once it is built. Ron Moelis of L+M Partners added that its our intention to engage as soon as possible with the (trade unions) This is really a collaborative effort with the community and with government and we would hope to collaborate with the trades to (create) fair and good middle income wages.

Union representatives were present at todays news conference. While they might be somewhat encouraged by what they heard, a statement landed in our in-box this afternoon questioning the commitment of the development team to fair wage jobs. The statement from the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and 32BJ SEIU, read, in part, we have serious concerns about the labor records of the developers selected Its bad for all New Yorkers that a developer that pays substandard wages was selected over three other experienced developers that have a proven track record of commitment to creating good jobs.

Other speakers today included Margarita Rosa, the executive director of Grand Street Settlement, the lead community partner. The longtime LES social service agency will be involved in creating 100 units of low income housing, providing training programs and for running a special needs school on the site. During her remarks, she said, we really believe the Essex Crossing Project is reflective of the values that we hold dear: inclusiveness, a belief in the value of diversity, an understanding that a diverse community made up of immigrants and others is what America is all about and Im very appreciative to Mayor Bloombergs commitment to that vision of the city.

Gigi Li, the chairperson of Community Board 3, praised the city for collaborating with LES stakeholders to come up with a plan most constituencies could accept. She thanked, Dominic Berg, her predecessor as chair, who guided the Seward park process until last year. He was instrumental in creating a community task force, which helped city planners choose the development team. Li also thanked David McWater and Linda Jones, the co-chairs of CB3s land use committee.

As he began the news conference, Bloomberg said it would be hard to find anyone against the Seward Park plan. Later on, a reporter questioned this assertion, noting opposition among several groups, and she asked whether Bloomberg could be sure the project would not be derailed by the next mayor. In response, he said:

Everything is a compromise. People want different things. Everybody gets something. I guess if any one person gets everything we didnt try hard enough but I think this is exactly the right thing for the neighborhood. Theres enormous support for this in the neighborhood and weve signed contracts so this is a done deal It really is a wonderful thing that was done here and I think the community board and everyone else who is here deserve an enormous amount of credit.

The community task force will continue to be involved in the planning process. The developers have agreed to meet with them at least quarterly.
Boris Johnson's new chief of staff warned it was 'crazy' to ask wealthy Tory donors to fund a lavish renovation of the Prime Minister's flat.

Sources told the Mail that Dan Rosenfield reacted angrily when he started his job in January and discovered the details of plans drawn up by officials to help the Prime Minister pay for the six-figure overhaul of the Downing Street flat he shares with fiancee Carrie Symonds.

A well-placed source said: 'He couldn't believe anyone had allowed such a crazy arrangement to go ahead in the first place  or that so much time had been spent on trying and failing to sort out the mess.'

Last night it emerged that former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling turned down an invitation to join a new trust overseeing the maintenance of No10. Lord Darling is said to have feared it could be used by wealthy donors as a way of trying to gain influence over the PM.

Parliament was told last week that Mr Johnson has now paid the 58,000 excess cost of the refurbishment carried out by trendy designer Lulu Lytle. It is thought the cash-strapped PM had to take out a personal loan to cover the cost, which ran far beyond the 30,000 annual maintenance allowance available to prime ministers.

Sources told the Mail that Dan Rosenfield (pictured) reacted angrily when he started his job in January and discovered plans drawn up to help the Prime Minister fund his flat renovation

Sources have told the Mail the bill was initially settled last summer by the Cabinet Office before being repaid by the Conservative Party in July. This newspaper has revealed that Tory donor Lord Brownlow later made a 58,000 donation to cover the sum.

Sources told the Mail yesterday that the PM also discussed asking either billionaire Tory donor Lord Bamford or multi-millionaire environment minister Zac Goldsmith to foot the bill.

The revelations suggest that No10 officials may have been diverted from work on the pandemic to try to devise a way that would allow someone else to pay for the makeover of the PM's flat. No10 declined to comment on the claim or on the role played by Mr Rosenfield.

Labour raised the temperature last night by accusing the PM of 'lying' about who settled the original bill. Sir Keir Starmer is expected to challenge Mr Johnson over the issue in the Commons today, along with the explosive claim that he said he would rather see 'bodies pile high in their thousands' than order a third lockdown.

Boris Johnson gestures as he visits Llandudno, Wales, Britain, April 26, 2021

Mr Johnson has denied the claim, which has now been reported by the Mail, the BBC and ITV from multiple sources.

But No10 did not deny reports yesterday that the PM told officials last September he would rather 'let Covid rip' than order another lockdown, saying only it was a 'distortion' of his views.

Amid signs of Tory disquiet, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross yesterday refused three times to say he believed the PM is 'a man of integrity and honour'.

No10 yesterday tried to distract attention away from the audit trail leading back to the Conservative Party by issuing a statement saying: 'Any costs of wider refurbishment this year beyond those provided for by the annual allowance have been met by the Prime Minister personally. Conservative Party funds are not being used for this.' However, sources acknowledged the statement did not cover the question of whether the Tory Party bailed out the PM last year.

Last night it emerged that Mr Johnson could be fined or even suspended from Parliament if he failed properly to declare donations that helped to fund the renovations. Parliamentary sources said the PM is likely to face 'enhanced sanctions' if he is found to have breached rules on declaring political donations.

Parliament was told last week that Mr Johnson has now paid the 58,000 excess cost of the refurbishment carried out by trendy designer Lulu Lytle

The Electoral Commission yesterday confirmed it is still examining whether failure to disclose the arrangements may have breached electoral law.

Mr Johnson ducked questions on the issue this week, saying: 'If there's anything to be said about that, any declaration to be made, that will of course be made in due course.'

Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey defended the refurbishment and said it was 'no surprise' that he wanted to make changes as he has a young family.

'The Prime Minister has probably spent more time in the No10 flat than prime ministers normally would,' she said. 'Also, the birth of his young son, having his family there, so I think it's no surprise if people with a different sort of family atmosphere moving into a private residence in No10 want to make changes.'

Asked if she would spend 5,900 on an armchair as reported, Miss Coffey said: 'The point is that the Prime Minister has paid for those. I think it's perfectly acceptable for people to spend their money how they wish.'

Hannah White, deputy director of the Institute for Government, said any financial assistance with the flat would have to be declared to Parliament, as well as on the much-delayed register of ministerial interests.

Dr White noted that Mr Johnson has a 'bit of a record of being late' in declaring interests, adding: 'It's not something he has a history of giving great priority to.' Records show he has been reprimanded for making ten previous late declarations of financial interests.

In 2019, the Commons standards committee warned he would face a 'more serious sanction' than a simple apology if he repeated the transgression.

Downing Street hopes to bypass Parliament by declaring the financial help in the next edition of the register of ministerial interests.

But the PM is still trying to persuade someone to take the role of adviser on ministerial standards following the resignation of Sir Alex Allan in the wake of the Priti Patel bullying row last November.

The lead candidate is said to be 'wobbling' over concerns about the freedom and authority they will have to pursue allegations.

And ministers acknowledged that Labour is certain to demand an investigation if the donations are not also reported.

David Howarth, a former commissioner at the Electoral Commission, said it was clear that any loans and donations of more than 1,500 made to help pay for the flat should have been declared to the watchdog via Parliament.

He said failure to declare the funding within a month of it being accepted would be 'a breach of the rule'.

It's hardly the first time he's been slow to declare interests

By Daniel Martin Policy Editor

The Prime Minister was ticked off by the Parliamentary standards watchdog two years ago for registering his financial interests late.

Following two separate investigations, he was found guilty of declaring his interests late on at least five occasions.

It comes amid concern that Boris Johnson failed to register a donation or loan of 58,000 for the refurbishment of his flat at No11 Downing Street.

Two years ago the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards concluded that Mr Johnson had been late reporting on a number of other occasions.

Boris Johnson visits a farm as he campaigns on behalf of the Conservative Party for local elections, at Moreton farm near Wrexham, north Wales, Monday, April 26, 2021

In January 2019, six months before he became Prime Minister, he registered an interest in the form of a 20 per cent share of property in Somerset  a year after he learned he had acquired the stake. Mr Johnson apologised for the mistake, saying he had misread the rules.

Kathryn Stone, Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, wrote: 'I accept that the Member had misunderstood the House's rules but he should have checked more carefully what was required of him'. She noted that this was not the first time the PM had fallen foul of the rules.

In autumn 2018 she concluded an investigation into a complaint against Mr Johnson which established that on four previous occasions in the recent past he was late in registering financial interests. This involved nine separate payments.

He had to apologise to the House of Commons, which he did that December.

The Commissioner stated: 'His failure to check properly that he brought his Register entry up to date during the last inquiry might be regarded as a lack of respect for the House's rules and the standards system. That does not demonstrate the leadership one would expect.'

The Commons standards committee said: 'We conclude with concern that these two investigations in rapid succession demonstrate a pattern of behaviour.

'While there is no suggestion that he has tried deliberately to conceal his interests, this latest breach reinforces the view we expressed in our previous report, that he has displayed 'an over-casual attitude towards obeying the rules of the House'.

'Should we conclude in future that Mr Johnson has committed any further breaches of the rules on registration, we will regard this as a matter which may call for more serious sanction.'
American biopharmaceutical company Gilead has announced steps to expand the availability of remdesivir, a key therapeutic medicine used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, in India. The recent surge of COVID-19 cases in India is having a devastating impact on communities and has created unprecedented pressure on health systems, Johanna Mercier, chief commercial officer of Gilead Sciences said on Monday.

The company announced that it was providing its voluntary licensing partners technical assistance, support for addition of new local manufacturing facilities and donation of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to rapidly scale up the production of remdesivir. Remdesivir is approved in India for restricted emergency use for the treatment of suspected or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in adults and children hospitalised with severe disease.

In addition to providing support to its licensees to expand their local manufacturing capacity, Gilead will also donate at least 450,000 vials of Veklury (remdesivir) to help address the immediate needs of Indian patients, the company said.

We are committed to doing our part to help tackle this crisis. Our immediate focus is to help address the needs of patients in India who may benefit from remdesivir as quickly as we can by working together with the government, health authorities and our voluntary licensees, Mercier said.

All seven of Gilead's licensees based in India have significantly accelerated production of remdesivir by scaling up their batch sizes, adding new manufacturing facilities and/or onboarding local contract manufacturers across the country, it said. While these efforts are expected to increase the availability of remdesivir in the coming weeks, Gilead said that it will also donate at least 450,000 vials of Veklury to the government of India to help ease the immediate need for treatment.

Gilead's voluntary licensing program for remdesivir, established in May 2020, has already enabled access to the drug for more than 2.3 million people in more than 60 low and middle-income countries.

The program, which builds on Gilead's pioneering voluntary licensing model for its HIV and viral hepatitis medicines, provides long-term licences to nine manufacturers, seven of which are based in India, to enable access to remdesivir in 127 countries.

Also read: Centre asks Bharat Biotech, Serum Institute to lower COVID vaccine prices

Also read: Remdesivir production to rise to 3 lakh vialsday, 25 new manufacturing sites approved
Fueled by partisan fury and a backlash against pandemic shutdowns, a Republican-led campaign to oust Gov. Gavin Newsom of California has officially qualified for the ballot, setting the stage for the second recall election in the states history, officials said on Monday.

In a widely expected filing, the California secretary of states office found that recall organizers had collected 1,626,042 signatures on their petition, more than the roughly 1.5 million required to ask voters to remove Mr. Newsom from office.

The announcement sets in motion a series of procedural steps that will culminate in a special election. No election date has been scheduled, but it is expected to be sometime in November. Between now and then, the state will review the cost of the election, and voters who signed the petition will have 30 business days to ask to have their names removed if they so choose.

State officials say, however, that those hurdles are unlikely to prevent a vote, even though only a year or so will remain before Mr. Newsom, who was elected in 2018, comes up for re-election.
SFS's Mission This license agreement gives school districts a choice of technology to digitize the Framework and to use our award-winning platform to grow better teachers.

Standard For Success, a leading provider of teacher evaluation and program evaluation software, has signed an agreement with the Danielson Group to license copyrighted frameworks in the United States and internationally.

Many states have approved the Framework for Teaching as an instrument of choice and it is popular across the country particularly in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and New York.

The Danielson Groups well-known and highly utilized products include The Framework for Teaching Evaluation Instrument, The Framework Clusters, and The Framework for Remote Teaching. Millions of educators worldwide have used the Framework for Teaching since it was first published by Charlotte Danielson in 1996.

The Danielson Group is a well-respected brand in education circles. Partnering with them not only deepens SFSs bench of services and products, but also provides the opportunity for even more great schools and school districts to access these frameworks, which are the underpinning of great teaching and learning, said Todd Whitlock, CEO and co-founder of SFS.

One of our goals, said Jim Furman, Executive Director of the Danielson Group, is to make the Evaluation Instrument and other tools and resources that support the use of the Framework for Teaching available to as many educators as possible. Adding SFS as a content partner will increase the impact of the Framework and its use as a tool to support professional growth.

Whitlock added, This license agreement gives school districts a choice of technology to digitize the Framework and to use our award-winning platform to grow better teachers.

Since January, SFS has announced several national partnerships, including with SERRC, Alaska's Educational Resource Center, Jason Learning, and Virginia-based Stride, the nations leading provider of online and blended education.

About The Danielson Group

The Danielson Group supports educators and school systems across the country and around the world to create professional learning systems that equip, inspire, and empower teachers in their pursuit of equity and excellence. The DGs vision is that each educator and student experiences safe and inclusive learning environments that promote joyful inquiry, efficacy, intellectual rigor, and reflection grounded in the Framework for Teaching. Through support of educators in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, as well as schools and systems in Canada, Mexico, Lebanon, Colombia, and eleven other countries worldwide, the DG has influenced professional learning programs and policies at all stages of a teacher's career. The DGs proven framework, customizable approach, and comprehensive solutions help instructional leaders design and implement responsive, teacher-centered professional learning systems so educators are empowered to realize their full potential and equipped to support the success of each and every student.

About Standard for Success

Recently featured in the Inc 5000 list as the 55th fastest growing company in the Education sector, Standard For Success is the award-winning provider of education evaluation and feedback software tools and services. Founded in 2011 by former classroom teachers, SFS is now used by educators in 38 states, the District of Columbia as well as schools in Canada, Australia, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Convenient, easy to use and customizable, Standard For Success is quickly becoming the performance and program evaluation tool of choice for educators in schools across the globe while bringing value-added resources to schools to help develop better teachers, better students, and a better world.
[April 27, 2021] The Talent Enterprise and EdCast Announce Skilling and Workforce Development Partnership: Upskilling Initiative to Target Emerging Economies in Middle East, Asia and Africa

The Talent Enterprise and EdCast announced today a partnership focused on upskilling and workforce development that will be rolled-out in key emerging and fast-growing economies of the Middle East, Asia and Africa, as well as key regions in Europe and the Americas. The vision of transitioning to a service-led economy in order to drive continued economic growth demands a qualified and competent workforce. Learning and assessment will form a critical component of this career transitioning. The synergy this partnership offers will help companies effectively navigate both in the dynamic new world of work. With this strategic partnership, EdCast and The Talent Enterprise aim to bridge the widening knowledge and skill gaps impacting both the government institutions and private enterprises in the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Europe. The collective intent of the two companies is to focus on leadership and assessment of future skills that will help build a smarter workforce, leading to learning aligned with purpose, thereby delivering the greatest impact to both learners and organizations. COMMENTS ON (News - Alert) THE NEWS "We are excited about our partnership with The Talent Enterprise and are committed to working with clients in the region towards building tomorrow's workforce," said Mayank Pande, VP, Markets & Partnerships at EdCast. "Enhancing individual performance and equipping institutions and enterprises with world-class learning technologies, capabilities, processes and tools to enable sustainable learning efforts is our top priority with this unique collaboration." "The Talent Enterprise is delighted to be collaborating with EdCast in a way that complements our respective strengths," said David B. Jones, Founder and CEO at The Talent Enterprise. "EdCast provides a wealth of varied learning opportunities and options on one platform, and we provide meaningful and insightfu talent and capability assessments, both of which are needed and demanded by enterprises today. The synergies that we offer together in our partnership by linking assessments and learning are critical for both organizations and individuals in this dynamic new world of work."



ABOUT EDCAST EdCast offers a unified platform providing end-to-end employee experience journeys spanning learning, skilling and career mobility. Its award-winning platform is used by organizations ranging from large Global 2000 companies to small organizations, including Dell (News - Alert) , Diageo, Danone, Genpact, Spotify, Standard Chartered Bank, ANZ Bank, Charles Schwab, CHRISTUS Health and NASSCOM, among many others. Deploying EdCast's platforms, organizations can attract, develop and retain a high-performance and future-ready workforce. EdCast's offerings include its Talent Experience Platform, Spark for SMBs, EdCast Marketplace and MyGuide Digital Adoption Platform. EdCast is a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer award recipient.

For additional information, visit www.edcast.com or follow on Twitter @EdCast. ABOUT THE TALENT ENTERPRISE The Talent Enterprise is a global human capital management company. It specializes in providing extensive and exceptional insights into the intricacies of behavior in individuals, teams, and organizations, through its leading-edge, technology-enabled talent assessment and capability development solutions. The company is the first & only company in the world to pioneer the Science of Behaviourmetrics. The Talent Enterprise's talent, assessment and capability solutions are powered by the Lighthouse technology platform that leverages the latest developments in AI & Machine Learning. Headquartered in Dubai, the company has a fast-expanding global network of offices and partners, with over 250 clients across Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, UK and Europe as well the Americas; partnering with policy-makers, employers and educators. For additional information, visit www.TheTalentEnterprise.com or follow us on LinkedIn @TheTalent Enterprise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005976/en/

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Amid a massive surge in COVID-19 cases, the fierce campaigning for the final phase of polling in ended on Monday with top leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee making accusations and counter-accusations on the issues of governance.

Speaking at a public meeting in the state capital, the Chief Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Election Commission (EC) are responsible for the '"increase in COVID-19 cases".

"I am sorry to say, we respect Election Commission but you have become BJP's 'tia, Moina and Aaina' (parrot, myna and mirror)...Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Election Commission are responsible for the increase in COVID-19 cases," she said.

Banerjee also hailed the Madras High Court's order that said the Election Commission holds the responsibility of surge in COVID-19 cases.

"I welcome Madras High Court's order. The court has clearly said that Election Commission can't shrug off its responsibility. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, elections were held in one phase. Why elections were conducted in eight phases in Bengal, to kill the people of the state?" she asked.

As per the union health ministry, has 88,800 active cases currently, while 10,941 people have lost their lives to the deadly virus.

As many as 35 constituencies covering the district of four districts -- Malda, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Kolkata North will go to polls in the eighth and final phase of West Bengal assembly elections on Wednesday.

Amid a record spike in COVID-19 cases in the country, the Election Commission had decided to curtail the timings of campaigns for the remaining phases and extended the silence period to 72 hours for each of the phases.

West Bengal saw the seventh phase of polling on 34 seats on Monday. Polling for phases 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the state elections took place on March 27, April 1, April 6, April 10, April 17 and April 22 respectively.

The counting of votes will take place 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.)
(Natural News) (Article by Kane republished from CitizenFreePress.com)

Ready for the pop? Here comes the pop.

The quote above is from a Loveland Police officer  Austin Hopp  said in reference to the sound it made when he dislocated and fractured Karen Garners shoulder. Hopp made this comment to two fellow Loveland Police officers while they watched his body camera video together at the police station. They all laughed about it. The comment was made while Karen Garner, who has dementia, remained handcuffed to a bench in a cell just 10 feet away from them, alone, confused and crying in pain. She would ultimately go over six hours without any medical attention.

This horrific statement comes to light after Ms. Garners family hired a sound engineer to enhance the audio on Loveland Police station booking videos from the day of Karens arrest. The video reveals a grotesque culture of callous disregard for the health and safety of citizens. The officers fist-bump one another multiple times in self-congratulation for both the assault on Garner and the intimidation of the citizen who attempted to complain about it.

In an April 26, 2021 press release responding to the revelations seen in this video, Ms. Garners attorney, Sarah Schielke of The Life & Liberty Law Office states: This is utterly disgusting. These videos cannot be unseen or unheard. I am sorry to have to share them with the public. This will be traumatic and deeply upsetting for everyone to see. But as it often goes with bad police departments, it seems this is the only way to make them change. They have to be exposed. If I didnt release this, the Loveland Polices toxic culture of arrogance and entitlement, along with their abuse of the vulnerable and powerless, would carry on, business as usual. I wont be a part of that.

Loveland knew. Theyve known all along, Schielke continues. They failed Karen Garner. They failed the community. And they did it all on camera. Do you realize how horrifying that is? That means they were used to getting away with it. That the comfortable norm in Loveland is one of zero accountability. That this is not just some isolated incident. It is not just one single problem. It is widespread, sociopathic criminality. And to attempt to shift the burden to Karen, or a bystander, or her family, or counsel, to report this? Shame on you, Loveland. You took an oath to protect and serve. This is a disgrace.

Since filing a federal lawsuit against the City of Loveland and three of its officers on April 14, 2021, the Loveland Police Departments gruesome arrest and abuse of 73-year-old grandmother Karen Garner has horrified the country, making national headlines (New York Times, Washington Post, CBS News, NBC News, CNN, Newsweek, The Guardian, Vice). The 8th Judicial District Attorneys office, in conjunction with the FBI and Fort Collins Police, has since opened a criminal investigation into the Loveland Police.

Meanwhile, the City of Loveland has vowed to protect the due process rights of its officers, with Chief Robert Ticer putting one officer on administrative leave (Hopp) and reassigning the other two officers (Sergeant Metzler and Officer Jalali) to administrative duties (desk duty) until the various investigations are completed. To date, the City has yet to extend any apology to Ms. Garner or her family for the various atrocities witnessed on these videos.

Read more at: CitizenFreePress.com and PoliceViolence.news.
Queen Elizabeth II shows no sign of retiring from royal life anytime soon. The 95-year-old monarch has carried out her first royal engagements since Prince Philips death on April 9, 2021. The queen held a virtual audience with the Republic of Cote dIvoire, Her Excellency Sara Affoue Amani, and the ambassador from the Republic of Latvia, Her Excellency Ivita Burmistre.

It looks like the queen is willing and eager to press forward despite the loss of her husband of more than 70-years. In fact, it seems that Buckingham Palace is already looking toward the future.

The queens social media pages just got a really sad update.

Queen Elizabeth II | Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth IIs mourning period following Prince Philips death just ended

After Prince Philips death, the queen began an eight-day period of mourning where she did not take on any royal duties. During the period, many things in the U.K. came to a standstill. The laws in the U.K. were not given the Royal Assent, and all of the affairs of state were also paused.

However, the queen did release a statement immediately following the Duke of Edinburghs death. The royal family also held a paired-down funeral for the beloved Navy man.

Though the U.K. flags are still flying at half-mast, it looks like the queen has no plans of fading into the background. Since the royals were already experiencing some rocky times before Prince Philips death due to Prince Andrews alleged indiscretions, Megxit, and the Sussexes Oprah interview, we can see why the queen would want to get things back in order.

Queen Elizabeth II appears on a screen by videolink from Windsor Castle, where she is in residence, during a virtual audience to receive Her Excellency Ivita Burmistre, the Ambassador of Latvia, at Buckingham Palace, London.



Yui Mok  see more at https://t.co/jR0m7riAHz pic.twitter.com/wGdgWq3FHl  PA Images (@PAImages) April 27, 2021

RELATED: Prince Harry Met With Queen Elizabeth II Privately at Least Twice While He Was Visiting the U.K.

Queen Elizabeth II released a statement thanking fans for their support on her 95th birthday

Queen Elizabeth II released a statement thanking fans for their support on her 95th birthday. While as a family we are in a period of great sadness, it has been a comfort to us all to see and to hear the tributes paid to my husband, from those within the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and around the world, she said in the statement via Town & Country. My family and I would like to thank you all for the support and kindness shown to us in recent days. We have been deeply touched, and continue to be reminded that Philip had such an extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life.

Though the queen is trying to move forward, the updates on social media prove just how sad this time is for her.

Today is The Queens 95th birthday.



HM was born on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in London, the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York.



This year The Queen remains at Windsor Castle during a period of Royal Mourning following the death of The Duke of Edinburgh. pic.twitter.com/kOeH399Ndp  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 21, 2021

The queens photo on the royal familys official Instagram account was just updated. At present, the photo is a close-up shot of Queen Elizabeth taken in February 2020 during a visit to the MI5 headquarters at Thames House.

Before the update, the photo was one of the queen with a glimpse of Prince Philip in the background. Fans immediately noticed the sad change. Very beautiful pic, very beautiful Queen, butso sad, so sad, one said on Instagram. Another added, Lovely picture, but a sad reason for change.
Contrary to popular belief, a new study from the Lifebrain consortium at the University of Oslo finds that higher education does not slow brain aging.

All brains shrink with age, and the dominant view has been that more education slows the rate of shrinking.

However, the evidence has been inconclusive because studies have not been able to track the rate of change over time. Until now.

Brains shrink at the same rate

Through the pooling of several European brain data sets from the Lifebrain consortium, the current study has been able to track brain changes in individuals over many years.

They found that whereas highly educated people have slightly larger brain volumes than less educated people, their brains shrink at the same rate throughout life.

"This finding suggests that higher education does not influence brain aging" says Lars Nyberg from Umea University in Sweden, first author of the study and also a part of the Lifebrain consortium.

Measured brain shrinkage over time

The researchers measured brain aging by measuring the volume of the cortical mantle and hippocampus regions of the brain, in MRI scans from more than 2000 participants in the Lifebrain and UK biobanks. These areas of the brain are prone to shrinkage over time, as a natural part of aging. Participants' brains were scanned up to three times over an 11 year period, in what is known as a "longitudinal" study.

"This is what makes this study unique," says Nyberg. "The study is a large-scale longitudinal test, with replication across two independent samples, and is one of the largest of its kind."

The researchers compared the rate of the shrinkage of these areas in people who had attained higher education before the age of 30 and those without. The participants ranged from 29-91 years of age.

Higher education is modestly related to bigger brains

Whereas the rate of brain change was similar in participants with and without high education, the researchers found that those with high education had slightly larger cortical volume in a few regions, but even in these regions the rate of change was unrelated to education.

"The study does not say that education is not important," stresses Anders Fjell from the University of Oslo, also one of the main authors of the paper.

"Education is associated with advantages in life, but we cannot from this study say whether education caused these advantages. If people with high education have larger brains to begin with, this may delay the onset of dementia or other conditions associated with lower cognitive functioning," says Fjell.

"The bottom line is that all people's brains shrink eventually, but the rate of this shrinkage does not seem to be affected by how many years you spent in school," concludes Fjell.

###

About the Lifebrain consortium

Lifebrain is an EU-funded Horizon 2020 consortium integrating data from 6000 research participants collected in 11 European brain-imaging studies in 7 countries. The major goal of the project is to ensure a fuller exploitation, harmonization and enrichment of some of the largest longitudinal studies of age differences in brain and cognition in Europe.

About the study

Lars Nyberg serves as professor of neuroscience and director of the Umea Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI) in Sweden, and as professor II at the Department of Psychology at the University of Oslo (Norway).

Anders Fjell serves as professor of cognitive psychology at the Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition at the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo (Norway), and as a researcher at Oslo University Hospital, Department of radiology and nuclear medicine.

The study was performed in collaboration with Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, University of Barcelona, University of Lubeck, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, Vitas AS, University of Oxford, Universite de Geneve, University of Cambridge, VU University Medical Centre Amsterdam, Oslo University Hospital and University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf.

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 732592.

Reference
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now listed below Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex, as well as the Princess Royal and the Duke of York on the official royal site. The Prince of Wales' growing role as an active heir preparing to ascend to the throne is reflected in his own promotion to the top of the 'Royal Family' section. The Queen has been removed from the section and is instead featured higher on the page. Despite the reshuffle, the website still claims the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be 'balancing their time' between the UK and the US. It comes as Prince Edward and his wife the Countess of Wessex took part in their first major interview since their marriage in 1999. The couple shared a laugh over Harry and Meghan's controversial Oprah interview as they insisted the royals remain a family 'no matter what happens'. It was recently revealed Sophie is one of four loyal, discreet and 'utterly trustworthy' women of the Queen's inner circle who are offering crucial support as she faces life without her beloved Prince Philip, who died on April 9, aged 99.


President Joe Biden is nearing his 100th day in office as president of the United States. During his campaign, Biden promised to reach several goals in his first 100 days as leader.

So far, his administration has centered its efforts on gaining control of the COVID-19 crisis. And Biden has honored most of his campaign promises connected to that issue.

The president also met a number of promised actions on climate change and the economy. But other issues have proved to be more difficult for the administration, including immigration. Biden is struggling with how to enact promised reforms in the face of a sharp increase in the number of foreign children seeking to cross the border. On some of his promises, Biden is waiting for Congress to act.

Here is Bidens current position on major campaign promises:



Immigration

Biden has completed seven of the seventeen promises he made for immigration.

He sent Congress a bill that would offer an eight-year path to citizenship for people without documentation.

He ordered immigration agents to deport people who entered the US illegally only if they also have violated other laws.

He has taken steps to reunite immigrant families separated at the Mexican border. He protected children who arrived in the US illegally from deportation. He has also ended the travel ban for some Muslim-majority countries.

Finally, he has ended work on a border wall that began with the Trump administration.

Nine of his other immigration promises are still in progress. He was unable to keep one of his promises. A federal judge in Texas did not permit Biden to freeze deportations for 100 days.

Domestic policy

Biden fully honored his promise to permit transgender individuals to join the military.

He decided against meeting his promise to create a police oversight board. After meeting with several rights groups and police representatives, Biden said such a board would not be productive.

He also has not yet met his promise to restructure the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other Justice Department agencies to better enforce gun laws.



COVID-19

Biden has successfully completed all of his COVID-19 promises.

The US rejoined the World Health Organization. He met his goal to administer 100 million vaccines, which was increased to a goal of 200 million. He pushed for a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 assistance bill which was passed by Congress.

Climate

Biden canceled the Keystone XL oil pipeline permit. He protected the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve. He rejoined the Paris climate agreement. Finally, he accepted the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to reduce a harmful chemical called hydrofluorocarbons.

He also created a world climate meeting for top officials where he persuaded nations to set lower emissions targets.

Biden will not permit new oil and gas structures on federal lands and offshore waters. He is also working to change back 100 public health and environmental rules set by Trump.



Economy

Biden is working to cancel Trumps 2017 cuts to corporate tax rates.

He has completed his goals to provide $2,000 in direct payments as part of COVID-19 aid. He also completed his goals to pause federal student debt payments and to order a review of where the US gets its supplies.

Foreign policy

Biden has had mixed success with completing his goals for foreign policy. The one goal he fully met was recognizing the events that happened to Armenians during WWI as genocide.

His other foreign policy goals are either in progress or are hard to measure. For example, he has moved toward putting human rights at the center of his foreign policy, but he is not consistent with US allies. He did not hold Saudi Arabias crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, responsible for the killing of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

He is working to end the US involvement in the wars in the Middle East. He is also working to improve relations with allies which suffered under the former Trump administration.

He has completed actions to reduce the support shown to dictators like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. Finally, he is working to rejoin the nuclear deal with Iran, but Iran is resisting.

Im Jonathan Evans.

Alexandra Jaffe, Aamer Madhani, and Kevin Vineys reported this story for the Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

______________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

deport  v. to force (a person who is not a citizen) to leave a country

transgender  adj. of or relating to people who feel that their true nature does not match their sex at birth

emission  n. something sent out or given off
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Brazil's health regulator on Monday denied a request from several states to import Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, saying it did not have the data needed to verify the jab's safety and efficacy.

"We will never allow millions of Brazilians to be exposed to products without due verification of quality, safety and efficacy, or at minimum, facing the grave situation we are now going through, that the benefits will outweigh the risks," said Antonio Barra Torres, president of federal health regulator Anvisa.

Anvisa said its experts had flagged "uncertainties" about the jab, which has not yet been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the United State's Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Anvisa, which received a request last month for emergency use of the Russian formula, has not released its findings, or cited the specific information it determined was lacking.

Russia registered Sputnik V last August ahead of large-scale clinical trials, prompting concern among experts over the fast-track process.

But later reviews have been largely positive, The Lancet medical journal publishing results showing it to be safe and more than 90 percent effective.

Experts at Anvisa said the medical journal's study had a different scrutiny process from the regulatory body.

"A journal does not have the same objectives of determining whether or not to approve the use of a vaccine," said Gustavo Mendes, one of Anvisa's technical managers.

Brazil has recorded more than 390,000 COVID-19 deaths, the second-highest number globally, behind only the US. But the government has struggled to secure enough vaccine doses for the country's 212 million people.

So far, it has managed to administer over 38 million vaccine doses.

But the country's outbreak, which has sickened more than 14.3 million people, has continued to surge, pushing hospitals to the breaking point.

In an attempt to speed up their vaccine rollout, about a dozen states in the north and northeast of Brazil had signed contracts with Russia's RDIF sovereign fund to acquire more than 30 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine. The federal government had ordered 10 million more.

"I hope that the Sputnik V vaccine process adapts its information and quickly resolves any compliance problems because millions of people need access to safe and effective vaccines," said Meiruze Freitas, one of Anvisa's directors.

The Brazilian regulator gave the green light to two COVID-19 vaccinesAstraZeneca and Coronavacin January, and has also approved both Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson's shots, which have yet to arrive in the country.

The Sputnik vaccine has so far been approved for use in 60 countries, including more than 10 in Latin and Central America.

Argentina signed a deal with Russia earlier this month to become the first Latin American country to produce Sputnik V shots, and will aim for full-scale production to start in June.

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

 2021 AFP
There are new guidelines issued by the CDC today for safety at kids summer camps. We spoke to some local camps about their plan for this summer.

Utica City FC is excited for their third annual summer camp at the Adirondack Bank Center. The General Manager of the Utica City FC, Tommy Tanner, said "We just want to get the kids back out into the community and being active." The camp begins in July, but they are getting a head start on their coronavirus safety plan. Mr. Tanner said "Well obviously we'll follow all of the local and state guidelines along with CDC. The kids will have to wear a mask as it currently stands, and so we'll wear a mask. All our players, most of them have already been vaccinated or will be." The CDC guidelines issued today say that masks are required, along with six feet social distancing. Mr. Tanner said "There's plenty of space to socially distance. And we'll keep it at a max number of most likely 40."

The local Boy Scouts Leatherstocking Council weren't able to have summer camps last year, but they are ready for this summer. The Assistant Scout Executive/COO, Thomas Labayewski, said "We've been ready. We've been anticipating these guidelines. A lot of states actually did run camps last year and did it safely, so we've been following and developing plans based on a lot of those types of situations." And for parents that are hesitant, the Boy Scouts Leatherstocking Council says safety is their priority. Mr. Labayewski said "I am a leader of a scout troop and I can tell you, when we can go camping the kids are excited. It's different, it's masks, it's six feet apart, it's lots of other rules on how we're doing food prep and things like that. But you know we're doing everything in our power to make sure that the kids and adults that come to our camp stay safe."

If you are sending your kids to camp this summer, make sure they're educated on how to stay safe by wearing a mask and proper hand hygiene.
A state lawmaker in Alaska has taken a nearly 40-hour trek by car and ferry to the state capitol after being banned from the route's only air carrier over a dispute about mask rules.

State Senator Lora Reinbold completed her more than 500-mile journey from Anchorage to Juneau on Sunday, in time to vote against a key bill extending Alaska's pandemic state of emergency.

Reinbold, a Republican from the Anchorage suburb of Eagle River, was banned indefinitely from Alaska Airlines after she was last week caught on camera arguing with airline employees, who appeared to warn her that the surgical mask she was wearing must cover her nose.

The state lawmaker in a statement insisted that she had been 'respectful' of the airline's policy, and darkly insinuated that the airline ban was part of a plot to prevent her from voting against the disaster bill.

State Senator Lora Reinbold is pictured completing her more than 500-mile car and ferry journey from Anchorage to Juneau on Sunday, after being banned from Alaska Airlines

Last week, Reinbold (third from right) was filmed in a dispute over mask policy with Alaska Airlines staff. The airline later said she was banned indefinitely from flights

After the video of her in the airport emerged on social media, Alaska Airlines told local press that Reinbold had been banned from flights indefinitely -- a ruling she says she was never informed of and plans to appeal.

'I was reasonable with all Alaska Airlines employees,' Reinbold said, noting that she has 'MVP gold' status with the carrier. 'I inquired about mask exemption with uptight employees at the counter.'

'The timing of complaint and a specific employee is of keen interest. The most divisive disaster bill hb76 is up Monday. I have been assured this be looked into,' she added.

The video in question appears to have been taken in Juneau as Reinbold was returning home to her district, and she said that she was allowed on the flight and wore a mask on the plane, despite having an 'exemption'.

'I was respectful of Alaska Airlines policies. We had a pleasant safe flight with happy flight attendants and great talented pilots. I hope to be on an Alaska Airlines flight in the near future,' she said.

On Sunday, Reinbold documented her triumphant return to Juneau on Facebook, posting a picture of herself and her husband Eric on the deck of a ferry as it approached the state capital.

On Sunday, Reinbold documented her triumphant return to Juneau on Facebook, posting pictures from the ferry as it approached the state capital

The exact route that Reinbold took was not clear, but ferries departing from Whittier, about an hour's drive from Anchorage, take about 36 hours to reach Juneau

'Alaska I went to new heights to serve you & have a new appreciation for the marine ferry system. I am keenly aware of the monopoly in air transport to Juneau that needs reviewed!' she wrote.

Plane vs Boat: Anchorage to Juneau Alaska Marine Highway System Ferry Roughly 36-hour journey

Tickets $266

Runs three times a month Alaska Airlines Flight Flight takes 90 to 100 minutes

Tickets around $400

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'Please thank my husband for giving up his birthday to make a long unexpected trip to Juneau by road/ferry system!' she added.

The exact route that Reinbold took was not clear, but ferries departing from Whittier, about an hour's drive from Anchorage, take about 36 hours to reach Juneau, according to ferry timetables.

The price for a single adult ticket along the route is $266 dollars, and the ferry runs three times a month at this time of year.

The journey takes place aboard the MV Kennicott, which is designed to carry 499 passengers and approximately 67 to 78 vehicles.

The 382-foot vessel 48 cabins for four and 58 cabins with two berths.

Amenities include observation lounges, a covered heated solarium, a cafeteria-style restaurant, a movie lounge, showers, coin-operated lockers, writing and quiet lounges, and a child's play area.

Photos posted by Reinbold show a ferry that appears to be smaller than the Kennicott, so it is unclear whether she drove part of the way and caught a local ferry.

Reinbold's staff did not immediately respond to an inquiry from DailyMail.com about her travel arrangements on Monday evening.

Alaska Airlines, the only carrier that runs the route, has flights between Juneau and Anchorage that take about an hour and a half. The airline runs three flights a day and tickets run about $400.

'Nothing could get in the way to be in the Capitol to fight [the] executive branch infringement on the legislature & defending your rights by trying to stop HB76 which is on the Senate floor tomorrow!' Reinbold added, referring to the disaster bill.

On Monday, Reinbold appeared on the Senate floor of the state legislature, wearing an unusual mask made of clear plastic that covered her nose and mouth.

On Monday, Reinbold appeared on the Senate floor of the state legislature, wearing an unusual mask made of clear plastic that covered her nose and mouth

Reinbold, seen Monday, has drawn criticism from Republican colleagues in the Senate over her unusual plastic mask, which they say does not meet guidelines

HB76, which extends the emergency powers of Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy, passed the evenly divided state House, but faces opposition in the Senate, where Republicans wield a 13-7 majority.

The video of the encounter which apparently led to Reinbold's airline ban seems to show airline staff telling Reinbold her mask must cover her nose and mouth. In a second video, Reinbold appears to be filming the staff.

In both videos, Reinbold is wearing a surgical-style face mask, and the exact nature of the dispute is unclear from the footage. Reinbold says she was seeking an exemption to the airline's mask rules.

'We have notified Senator Lora Reinbold that she is not permitted to fly with us for her continued refusal to comply with employee instruction regarding the current mask policy,' Alaska Airlines said in response to the video.

Reinbold has been a vocal opponent to Covid-19 mitigation measures and has repeatedly objected to Alaska Airlines' mask policy, which was enacted before the federal government's mandate this year.

The ferry to Juneau passes Glacier National Park, a national monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site (file photo)

A whale is spotted in Yakutat Bay in a file photo. Yakutat is also on the ferry route from Whittier to Juneau

Last year, she referred to Alaska Airlines staff as 'mask bullies' after being asked by flight attendants to wear a mask aboard a flight, the Anchorage Daily News reported.

After the incident, she reportedly sent a cake to some flight attendants bearing the inscription: 'I'm sorry if I offended you.'

It is not the first time Reinbold has stirred controversy over her stance on pandemic mitigation measures.

In March, fellow Republican lawmakers accused her of breaking COVID protocols and slammed her unique clear plastic mask, which they said runs afoul of masking guidelines.

The Senate held a 18-1 vote allowing leadership to enforce COVID-19 mitigation policies on members 'until they are fully compliant,'. It marked the first apparent public signs of pushback against Reinbold's strange face shield by leadership.

Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, holds a copy of the Alaska Constitution during a January committee hearing in Juneau, Alaska.

In the video that sparked the airline ban, Reinhold is seen wearing a mask, and the exact nature of the dispute is unclear. She says she had asked 'uptight' employees about a mask exemption

Senate Rules Chair Gary Stevens, a Kodiak Republican, said Reinbold also is not following testing protocols or submitting to temperature checks and questions that are standard for admittance to the building.

'Inordinate' amounts of time have been spent 'trying to reason' with her or provide masks that meet U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, he said.

Senators on the floor do not use each other's names but after recent dustups, including a back-and-forth between Reinbold and Senate President Peter Micciche before Wednesday's floor session, it was clear who Stevens was speaking about. Reinbold was not present for the vote.

Micciche later told reporters things came to a head following COVID-19 cases associated with the Capitol, including a person he says is close to him and hospitalized with the illness.

He said the Legislature needs to ensure it can get its work done, and staff have raised safety concerns. While many people do not like the rules, 'we recognize the responsibility to keep each other and our employees safe,' he said.

'And we have a zero tolerance at this point for anyone unwilling to observe those rules,' said Micciche, a Soldotna Republican.
IIAT

Connie Gomez has joined the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Texas IIAT Advantage team as an Advantage Market support specialist and RLI account manager. Gomez previously served as education coordinator for IIATs education department. In her new role, Gomez will assist IIAT members with enrollment into the Advantage Markets programs. She also also be the primary contact for the RLI Umbrella and In Home Business Program.

Gomez succeeds Cortney Copeland, who recently moved to the IIAT E&O team full-time where she now serves as an E&O customer service representative. Copeland joined IIAT in 2017 as a receptionist and started managing the RLI book of business in 2018. In her new role, Copeland will assist the E&O Team with policy renewals and provide customer service to E&O clients.

Global Special Risks

Global Special Risks LLC (GSR), a Houston-based upstream energy risk-focused managing general underwriter and a part of RSG Underwriting Managers, has named a new team of directors.

Helen Tarr, previously GSRs senior vice president and Operators Extra Expense (OEE) underwriting manager, is now director of GSR.

Connie Garrett, Justin Jenkins and Jeremy Fyhn have each been named associate directors.
Residents of Mae Sam Lab village carry their belongings as they wait to board a truck to evacuate to safety about four miles away in Mae Hong Song, a province in northern Thailand near the Myanmar border, April 27, 2021.

Hundreds of Thai villagers who live along Thailands border with Myanmar were evacuated to safe areas after Karen rebels attacked a Burmese army outpost near the frontier on Tuesday, the governor of Mae Hong Song province said.

The borderland residents were moved to an area farther inside Thai territory where they could shelter, amid reports of fresh fighting between the Myanmar government forces and Karen rebels, who claimed they seized a military base early Tuesday.

About 450 villagers in Mae Sam Lab were evacuated to safe areas in Mae Kong Kard village, Gov. Sithichai Chindaluang told reporters.

A stray bullet from the other side of the border wounded a female evacuee in the knee, the governor said about Tuesdays fighting nearby in Myanmars Karen state.

Meanwhile in Bangkok, the Thai foreign ministry said that if any displaced ethnic Karen were to flee into Thailand, the country would give them sanctuary and humanitarian aid.

The flare-up in fighting along the border came three days after a consensus reached among leaders at a special meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called on all parties in Myanmar to cease violence immediately.

About 250 families, or 1,200 people, were still to be evacuated from the borderland because they lacked the means to leave on their own, Matcha Phorn-in, a human rights activist who monitors the situation along the frontier, told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.

Some residents who stayed behind in Mae Sam Lab village said they were terrified.

I heard distant sounds of gunfire since early in the morning and all of us were fearful, a woman in Mae Sam Lab who asked to be identified as Rawee, for privacy reasons, told BenarNews.

Some were evacuated to other areas because they feared more escalated fighting such as air strikes.

A Thai soldier is seen in a village of ethnic Karen settlers in Mae Sam Laep town, on the Thai side of the Salween River in Mae Hong Son province, March 31, 2021

Fight military to military

At about 5 a.m. Tuesday, troops from the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) rebel group attacked a Myanmar army outpost opposite Thailands Mae Sam Lab village, and then pursued fleeing Burmese troops, said Sithichai, Mae Hong Songs governor.

KNU, an armed ethnic insurgent movement, has been fighting for federalism in Myanmar for decades. KLNA is the military wing of the Karen National Union (KNU) that holds large swathes of territory in the borderlands with Thailand.

The rebels raided and took over the Burmese militarys Thaw Lae Hta base on the Thai-Burmese border, the KNU and local residents told RFA.

KNU/KNLA attacked and seized the military terrorists Thaw Lae Hta camp at around 4:30 a.m. early morning on April 27, 2021, the Karen National Unions information unit said in a statement.

Likewise, (the KNU) forces will attack and seize the military camps which are disturbing the peoples livelihoods and threatening their life in the future.

The KLNA attacked the military camp in response to Burmese soldiers from the Thaw Lae Hta base allegedly shooting last week at civilian boats on the Salween River, including boats carrying Thai border security forces, spokesman Col. Saw Kler Doh told KarenNews.

Fight military to military. We cant accept when they go after unarmed civilians. We will do what we can to stop them from harming civilians, Saw Kler Doh said.

The camps have been set on fire, a Thai villager said.

As I was speaking, I saw seven Burmese soldiers fleeing from the shore. They were still holding their guns, the eyewitness told the Karen Information Center (KIC), a local news group.

Local outlets reported casualties from the early morning attack but RFA could not confirm the number.

Hours after the rebels attack, the Myanmar military retaliated with at least one air strike on villages in rebel-held territory, observers said.

In midday, a jet fighter came to the area and dropped two bombs in the Dah Gwe area but it was raining so we could not see clearly. We still have not heard of any casualties from the air raids yet, Saw Thu Bee, with the Karen Peace Support Network, told RFA.

The rebels attacked the army base because government forces had been disturbing, threatening and shooting at local residents who supported Myanmars pro-democracy movement in the wake of the Feb. 1 military coup, Saw Thu Bee said.

Burmas air force conducted air strikes against two areas in Bu Tho township, Hpapun District in Northern Karen State today. We dont know the casualties yet, David Eubank, of the Free Burma Rangers (FBR), a Thai-based group that monitors activity on the border with Myanmar, told RFA.

And we do know they may bombing  the village area of Bu Tho township as well as the Dah Gwe area. These are both areas with villagers, farmers and IDPs there. And we are waiting for the news of the casualties, he said.

This handout from the Karen National Union (KNU) shows soldiers taking part in a parade for the 70th anniversary of the Karen revolution at a remote base on the Thai-Myanmar border, Jan. 31, 2019. Credit: AFP

Myanmar junta moves to walk back ASEAN agreement

The fighting in Karen state occurred days after a summit of ASEAN leaders to discuss the turmoil in that country, which is one of the blocs 10 members.

Since the coup on Feb. 1, military and security forces in Myanmar have killed 755 mostly pro-democracy protesters, according to a Thai-based NGO, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

The ASEAN meeting in Jakarta on Saturday came out with a Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar. Among other things, it called for an immediate cessation of violence, with all parties exercising utmost restraint; a constructive dialogue among all parties; and the mediation of such talks by a special ASEAN envoy.

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing attended the special in-person meeting. But in a statement published late on Monday, Myanmars military regime indicated that it would consider ASEANs five points when there was stability in the country.

[M]yanmar informed the ASEAN meeting that it would give careful consideration to constructive suggestions made by ASEAN leaders when the situation returns to stability in the country since priorities at the moment were to maintain law and order and to restore community peace and tranquility, the State Administration Council  the official name for the junta  said in a statement that was tweeted by many political observers.

The suggestions would be positively considered if it ... serves the interests of the country and was based on purposes and principles enshrined in the ASEAN charter.

Political analysts said this indicated that the junta was going back on its word to ASEAN.

ASEAN cannot dither here, as the junta moves to walk back even the limited agreement reached Saturday, Scot Marciel, the former American ambassador to Myanmar, tweeted on Tuesday.

There should be urgent follow up, and costs imposed on the junta for [the] delay. There is a reason no one in Myanmar trusts the Tatmadaw, Marciel said, referring to the Burmese name of Myanmars armed forces.

Thailand will provide sanctuary

The Myanmar militarys crackdown on anti-coup protests has displaced almost 250,000 people, a United Nations human rights envoy said last week.

Also last month, Burmese military jets bombed villages controlled by KNU, following which 20,000 Karen people went into hiding in the jungles and thousands crossed into Thailand, Karen sources and Thai NGOs had said.

If Karen were to flee again, Thailand would take them in, Tanee Sangrat, the Thai foreign ministry spokesman, said in a statement.

Should there be displaced persons from Myanmar crossing into Thai soil, involved agencies will follow the planned procedure by harboring them at a temporary safe sanctuary under the military supervision and with COVID screening measures, Tanee said.

If the fighting escalates, we have a plan to move them to another place, one kilometer away from the borderline and provide humanitarian assistances [like] food, water and medicine, with the support of government agencies and private sectors.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
The vice-rector of the "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu, Andrei Terian, has been elected member of the Steering Committee of the Council for Doctoral Education within the Association of European Universities (EUA-CDE), being the first Romanian who becomes a member of this forum, informs a press release sent to AGERPRES.

According to the same source, in 2020, Andrei Terian obtained financing of 1.45 million euros to make a history of Romanian literature in English.

"The Association of European Universities (EUA) represents more than 800 higher education institutions in 48 European countries, making it the most important professional organization of its kind. EUA's quality standards are recognized worldwide and the organization evaluates the degree to which they are achieved by a particular university based on the requests it receives in this respect and offers suggestions for improving the quality of the institution in question. In 2013, ULBS was also the subject of an evaluation visit by the EUA. The Council for Doctoral Education (CDE) is the component representing the vision and policies of the EUA regarding doctoral education in Europe (...) EUA-CDE is chaired by a Steering Committee (CD) composed of 10 members, in which, thanks to the ULBS, Romania has a representative for the first time. The term of the members of the Steering Committee is for 3 years, with the possibility of renewal," reads the press release.On the occasion of his validation as a member of the Steering Committee, University Professor Andrei Terian specified that the priorities of his term will be to reduce disparities between various European countries in doctoral education, guarantee the autonomy of doctoral students as young researchers, clearer institutionalization of postdoctoral work and promotion of the values and image of the ULBS internationally.
A target plate is used in a mass spectrometer. Proteins from the sample are ionized with a laser, then measured and analyzed to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Credit: UC Davis Health

A partnership between UC Davis and Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., chairman and CEO of Allegiant Travel Company, has led to a new rapid COVID-19 test.

A recent study published Nature Scientific Reports shows the novel method to be 98.3% accurate for positive COVID-19 tests and 96% for negative tests.

"This test was made from the ground up," said Nam Tran, lead author for the study and a professor of pathology in the UC Davis School of Medicine. "Nothing like this test ever existed. We were starting with a clean slate."

The novel COVID-19 test uses an analytical instrument known as a mass spectrometer, which is paired with a powerful machine-learning platform to detect SARS-CoV-2 in nasal swabs. The mass spectrometer can analyze samples in minutes, with the entire process taking a total of about 20 minutes.

The accuracy matches or outperforms many of the current COVID-19 screening tests. The new testing method may allow for the rapid screening of large numbers of individuals for businesses, schools, venues and other large facilities. The project originated with Gallagher, a UC Davis alumnus and a longtime supporter of innovation and entrepreneurship at UC Davis.

Last year, when the pandemic brought the airline and hospitality industries almost to a standstill, he began conceptualizing approaches that would allow people to gather again safely.

Gallagher approached H. Rao Unnava, professor and dean of the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, who connected him with Tran at the School of Medicine.

Gallagher and UC Davis entered into a Sponsored Research Agreement, with support from Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, to develop an automated COVID-19 test on a mass spectrometer.

Mass spectrometers are essential analytic tools used by a wide variety of industries for research and testing.

This is the first test for COVID-19 that pairs mass spectrometry with robotics and a robust automated machine learning platform to rapidly deliver test results. The coupling of these unique elements not only allows testing for COVID-19 but may be able to quickly adapt to detect other diseases and perhaps future pandemic organisms.

"Mr. Gallagher, through his generosity as an alum, has shown how business and universities can work together in solving problems of critical importance to the world," said Unnava. "I am glad that this groundbreaking work will continue to build on the reputation of UC Davis as a place where you always 'Expect Greater.'"

Project builds on the prior success of MILO platform

The collaboration is part of a new center in the School of Medicine, the UC Davis Center for Diagnostic Innovation.

"This game-changing, rapid new COVID-19 test speaks to the deep expertise of our faculty and scientists to find novel solutions to pressing global health challenges," said Allison Brashear, dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine. "It's this kind of innovation and collaboration that has been the hallmark of our response to the pandemic."

To ensure support for the study's analytic portion, Tran enlisted Hooman Rashidi, a longtime collaborator and a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

The machine, a mass spectrometer MALDI-TOF, or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight, uses a laser to create small particlesionsfrom large molecules in the testing sample. These ionized particles create signals that can be used to identify many compounds, including those associated with microorganisms and pathogens.

For the study, 226 nasal swabs from UC Davis' biorepository of COVID-19 tests were ionized in the Shimadzu 8020. The swabs were from leftover samples and volunteers who consented to the study. Some of the participants had COVID-19 symptoms, and some were asymptomatic.

The hundreds of peaks and signals produced by the ionized test swabs were analyzed by the automated machine learning platform MILO (Machine Intelligence Learning Optimizer). Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence, or AI. Tran, Rashidi and Samer Albahra are the co-developers of MILO. The platform has previously been used to predict severe infections and acute kidney disease.

For the COVID-19 test, MILO finds distinguishing patterns among the many mass spectrometry peaks and signals and deciphers which patterns correspond to the presence or absence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the samples.

MILO accomplished the analysis in a fraction of the time that a non-automated machine-learning approach would have taken. "This meant drastically expediting the study without compromising any performance measures," said Rashidi.

Gallagher has launched a new startup, SpectraPass, to develop the rapid, automated system into a means to facilitate opening businesses and the economy.

Experts at UC Davis Health are helping guide the SpectraPass team through the scientific, machine learning and clinical steps needed to move the COVID-19 testing technology closer to emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"The COVID-19 pandemic not only brought the world's commerce and travel to a haltit also took away our fundamental human interaction, our freedom to be together," said Gallagher. "This project has resulted in a real breakthrough that can not only provide instant, accurate information about COVID infection, but can be an important part of addressing other viruses and even developing therapies. The excitement of working with the team at UC Davis is in knowing we are helping make sure our children and grandchildren are better equipped to deal with potential pandemics in the future."

The partnership exemplifies the goals of Aggie Square, which brings together the university, community and industry to connect and collaborate.

"As a top-tier research university known for its excellence and disciplinary breadth, UC Davis is exceptionally well-positioned to work with our industry partners on groundbreaking innovations that benefit society," said Mary Croughan, provost and executive vice chancellor.

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

More information: Nam K. Tran et al, Novel application of automated machine learning with MALDI-TOF-MS for rapid high-throughput screening of COVID-19: a proof of concept, Scientific Reports (2021). Journal information: Scientific Reports Nam K. Tran et al, Novel application of automated machine learning with MALDI-TOF-MS for rapid high-throughput screening of COVID-19: a proof of concept,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87463-w
A shark has been filmed just metres from surfers and the shore as it glides through the shallows in Byron Bay.

Drone footage from Sunday morning shows the two-metre fish cruising up and down the beach.

Dozens of surfers in the background ride the waves, unsuspecting to the inquisitive creature below the surface, while tourists paddle close to shore.

A shark has been filmed just metres from surfers and the shore as it glides through the shallows in Byron Bay

The juvenile shark doesn't appear to be interested in any of the surfers, instead stalking the shallower water for fish.

The area between Byron Bay and Evans Head, particularly Ballina and Lennox Head, is known for hosting lots of big sharks.

New SMART drumlines off the popular surf spots in the northern New South Wales coast have seen hundreds of sharks tagged and released.

Contractors tagged 14 great whites in a four-day span alone in July last year.

'SMART' is an acronym for Shark-Management-Alert-in-Real-Time. Once a shark is caught by a drumline, catchers are immediately alerted.

They then go by boat to the shark, tag it, and release it 1km away from shore.

The drone footage captured on Tuesday morning shows the two-metre fish cruising up and down the beach

The area between Byron Bay and Evans Head, particularly Ballina and Lennox Head, are known for hosting lots of big sharks

The DPI is also using drones to detect sharks, with SharkSmart saying: 'Drones are the future for localised beach surveillance.'

Shark attacks decreased in 2020 for the third-consecutive year, but it was the deadliest year since 2013 with 12 bites resulting in fatalities, more than the four-per-year average.

Eight of those deaths were in Australia alone, making it comfortably the most deadly spot for shark attacks, five ahead of the US.

This suggests commercial overfishing is leading bigger, hungrier sharks closer to the shore and the people swimming and surfing on the world's beaches.
Police tape is seen outside the White House as several blocks are closed down by the United States Secret Service on March 3, 2018 in Washington, DC. ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images

A San Diego woman died after a man who jumped off the ninth floor of a building fell on top of her as she was passing by.

According to local police, Taylor Kahle, 29, was walking on the sidewalk past with a friend when the unidentified man jumped from the parking garage on Sunday night, NBC San Diego and CBS 8 reported.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office said the man landed on Kahle, and she died at the scene.

"The unidentified male was transported to UCSD Medical Center, where his death was later pronounced," the medical examiner's office said.

Video: How the suicide hotline saved my life

NBC San Diego reported that Kahle's friend was not injured.

"It's hard to believe that something so senseless could take an innocent person," Kahle's colleague, Dean Williams, told NBC San Diego.

Kahle was prepared to celebrate her 30th birthday with friends, KSWB-TV reported. Her boss, Laurel McFarlane, told the outlet that Khale lived with and had a close relationship with her father.

"We pray for her family, and we pray for the family of the gentlemen who jumped, along with the gentleman she was with," Williams told NBC San Diego. "It's just a triple tragedy."

The San Diego Police Department did not immediately respond to Insider's request for further comment.

Read the original article on Insider
KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine has agreed with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development on a $90-million loan to procure vaccines against COVID-19, the finance ministry said on Tuesday.

"The project will provide funds for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines for the population of Ukraine in addition to the number of vaccines that were guaranteed under the COVAX and GAVI partnership," the ministry said in a statement.

It did not disclose how many doses the country of 41 million people will be able to buy.

"This will allow Ukraine to achieve its primary goal - full vaccination coverage of at least 20% of the country's population," the ministry said.

Ukraine has lagged behind other European countries in its immunisation campaign. It has so far relied on a single batch of 500,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines bought in India and received in late February, and 215,000 Sinovac doses from China received in late March. In April Kyiv also received 117,000 Pfizer doses, provided under the global COVAX scheme.

The health ministry said on Tuesday that about 540,000 people had received the first jabs while the number of registered infections exceeded 2 million with almost 43,000 deaths.

(Reporting by Natalia Zinets; Editing by Peter Graff)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 02:19:26|Editor: huaxia

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JERUSALEM, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Israeli troops intercepted on Tuesday a drone belonging to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group after it crossed from southern Lebanon into Israeli airspace, the Israeli military said.

"IDF (Israel Defense Forces) troops downed a drone that crossed from Lebanon into Israeli airspace in the eastern part of the Blue Line," the Israeli military said in a statement, referring to a border demarcation drawn in 2000 by the United Nations after Israel withdrew its forces from southern Lebanon.

"The drone was monitored by the IDF throughout the incident," the statement read.

Israel and Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based Shiite movement and party, fought a full-fledged war in 2006 that took place mostly on Lebanese soil. Enditem
TICKERS: GWM

Source: Ron Struthers for Streetwise Reports (4/27/21)

Ron Struthers of Struthers Resource Stock Report details the investment thesis for Galway Metals, which has two "advanced-stage" prospects in Canada.



Rokmaster Resources (RKR:TSX.V) was my top gold junior for 2021, but that was until I learned of Galway Metals Ltd. (GWM:TSX.V). Nothing against Rokmaster, as they will expand to a multi-million-ounce discovery; I just think Galway will be bigger.

Galway Metals

Current Price - $1.00/share

52-week trading range: $0.33 to $2.09/share

Shares outstanding: 178.6 million; management/insiders own 21%, institutions own 52%

Highlights



Galway has 3 dozen institutional shareholders;

Strong insider ownership at 21%;

Two advanced-stage projects in Canada with drilled resources;

Clarence Stream, New Brunswick first-mover status, 100% control of 65 kilometers (65 km) of strike in emerging gold belt;

Clarence Stream, 2017, NI 43-101 of 390,000 (390k) gold ounces Measured and Indicated (M&I) with 277k gold ounces Inferred;

Clarence Stream resources are in just two of six deposits and all six are open to expansion;

>140,000 meters of historical/recent drilling and adjacent to Mount Pleasant Mill;

Current 100,000-meter drill program with sevel rigs underway at Clarence Stream;

Estrades polymetallic project, Quebec; a 10,000-meter drill program underway;

High-grade gold/zinc resource, 540,000 Au equivalent Indicated resource, plus 520,000 Au equivalent Inferred resource (NI 43-101 report here);

Strong expansion potential: Apr 19 drill hole 57 with 10.7 g/t gold, 423 g/t silver, 22.8% zinc, 2.8% copper and 2.6% lead over 2.7 meters;

Strong financial position, CA$24 million cash and no debt.

Management (from company website)

Robert Hinchcliffe, President, CEO & Director, has over 25 years working in the mining industry and has been directly involved in capital raises and transactions in excess of $600 million. Mr. Hinchcliffe founded Galway Resources in 2005 and went on to raise over $100 million and successfully negotiate the sale to AUX for $340 million and establish two new, well-capitalized, spinout companies. Prior to that, he worked as Chief Financial Officer of Kirkland Lake Gold, wherein the company raised over $50 million in funds to re-commission the Kirkland Lake Gold Mine. Kirkland Lake currently has a market value of approximately CA$13 billion and produces approximately 1,400,000 ounces per year. He also worked for seven years on Wall Street as a Mining Analyst for Prudential Securities, SG Cowen, and Santander Investment, covering U.S., international, and Latin American mining companies, in addition to other sectors.

Robert Suttie, CFO, currently works with Marrelli Support Services as its senior manager of financial reporting and compliance, possessing more than sixteen years of experience, ten of which were in public accounting prior to his tenure with the company.

Michael Sutton, Chief Geologist and Director: his career spans over 30 years as an exploration geologist. Mr. Sutton has worked in some of the largest gold camps in the world, including Witwatersrand, Timmins, and Kirkland Lake, serving in various capacities related entirely to the exploration and mining of gold. Mr. Sutton was awarded the Prospector of the Year for Ontario (along with Stew Carmichael) for the discovery of the South Mine Complex while he was chief geologist and assistant manager at Kirkland Lake Gold Inc. He guided Vault Minerals as vice president of exploration to a takeover by Queenston Mining Inc. He has since worked as senior geologist (consultant) at Queenston, Osisko, and now Canadian Malartic. Previous to that, he worked for Kinross, Barrick, Lac Minerals and Corona.

Larry Strauss, VP of Corporate Development and Director, has over 30 years' working in the mining industry in different capacities. More specifically, Mr. Strauss has 18 years of experience as a mining and commodities analyst in both Canada and the United States, followed by 13 years as a director and advisor to resource exploration companies. He was most recently a director at Galway Resources from April 2009 until its acquisition in December 2012. Prior, Mr. Strauss was a director at GMP Securities, where he spent seven years as a mining analyst.

Joseph Cartafalsa, Director, is partner at the New York-based law firm of Putney, Twombly, Hall & Hirson LLP, one of the oldest law firms in New York. He has over 20 years' experience as a management-side labor and employment attorney, representing clients in a myriad of industries, including exploration and mining, finance, media and manufacturing.

Alfonso Gomez Rengifo, Director, has over 30 years working in the resource sector, holding various positions with prominent international mining companies in Colombia. Mr. Gomez was a director for Galway Resources and is currently the Colombia country manager and director for Galway Gold, in charge of the company's efforts in Colombia regarding financial, legal, permitting, environmental and community affairs, among other areas.

Rob White, Director, is cofounder of M&T Bank's M&A and Corporate Finance Group and currently comanages the practice. Mr. White's primary responsibilities involve advising on divestitures, acquisitions, and private capital raising activities for middle market clients. Mr. White has also performed strategic consulting services, including Fairness Opinions and shareholder value studies.

Galway has a top-notch management team with lots of experience and past discoveries. I have known many of the principals since their involvement with Galway Resources in Colombia. That project was sold off for $340 million and today's Galway Metals was spun out from that sale, along with Galway Gold.

Projects

Clarence Stream, 100% interest, 60,465 hectares

Clarence Stream is a new, emerging gold belt where Galway Metals controls the whole thing, some 65 km of strength length. The project is advanced, with the last NI 43-101 in 2017 revealing 390,000 ounces gold in the M&I category with another 277,000 ounces Inferred. This is in the North and South zones, which are both open along strike in both directions and at depth.

These resources are only in two of six deposits and all six are wide open for expansion.

The location and infrastructure is excellent. New Brunswick is a mining-friendly jurisdiction, always rated highly by the Frazer Institute. You can see on the location map below that the project is very close to all major infrastructure. This will result in lower development costs.

Many investors may not think of New Brunswick with large gold deposits, but it is part of the Appalachian Gold Trend, which includes the Carolinas with 6 to 8 million ounces, Nova Scotia's Moose River and Newfoundland's Hope Brook and Valentine Lake project. In the Carolinas, Romarco Minerals was acquired by OceanaGold Corp. (OGC:TSX; OGC:ASX), and in Nova Scotia, Atlantic Gold was acquired by St. Barbara Ltd. (SBM:ASX), with each acquisition being in excess of CA$800 million.

Clarence Stream is located in the Appalachian Gold Trend

At Clarence Stream there has been historical drilling of 61,703 meters and 80,000 meters completed by Galway. Metallurgic testing reveals 90% gold recovery with gravity, flotation and CIL milling. The Mount Pleasant Mill, on care and maintenance, is adjacent to the property, with a permitted tailings dam.

What stunned me about this project is when I went over the presentation with Larry Strauss, is that they are pretty much hitting on most drill holes all over the property. I have struggled with how I would present the large potential and how undervalued this company is. I strongly advise watching a video on Clarence Stream here and going over the presentation here. If there is a Zoom conference by the company, I will let you know.

I decided I would list a few drill intersects in the zones discovered outside the NI-43-101 resource and provide that map.

George Murphy zone

 241.5 g/t Au over 4.2 meters

 13.0 g/t Au over 8.7 meters

Adrian Zone

 13.4 g/t Au over 12.95 meters

 24.3 g/t Au over 6.55 meters

Richard Zone

 10.6 g/t Au over 47.0 meters + 1.2 g/t Au over 32.0 meters

 19.8 g/t Au over 9.5 meters +4.7 g/t Au over 29.65 meters

Jubilee Zone

 1.9 g/t Au over 43.3 meters

 14.5 g/t Au over 3.1 meters

New Discoveries (neither of these have been followed up with more drilling)

 4.8 g/t Au over 3.1 meters

 186.5 g/t Au over 0.6 meters

This map also shows the soil and glacial till anomalies that Galway has found to be very successful exploration tools for this project.

There are numerous high-grade samples and I did not mention any at all outside these zones. They seem to be everywhere. There will be numerous deposits in this belt and some outlined so far might join with each other.

Galway has a 100,000-meter drill program with seven rigs underway at Clarence Stream. The near-term focus is to expand the Jubilee, Richard, GMZ and Adrian zones and test other highly prospective targets. The last drill news was March 30. The main takeaways from drill results are as follows (I made some bold highlights):

The northern GMZ veins appear to be connecting to the Adrian zone to give a combined horizontal strike length of 450 meters to date. Hole CL20-84, for which visible gold (VG) was previously reported but no assays were received, returned 64.6 grams per tonne gold over 0.5 meters (0.5 m) within a broader intersection of 3.0 g/t Au over 15.5 m, located 35 m east of previously reported hole CL20-50 (4.8 g/t Au over 34.0 m , including 20.2 g/t Au over 7.0 m). New hole CL21-51 returned 9.0 g/t Au over 7.4 m, including 20.3 g/t Au over 1.5 m and 19.9 g/t Au over 1.5 m, located 79 m west of hole CL20-50. New hole CL21-53 returned 3.0 g/t Au over 30.5 m, including 26.5 g/t Au over 3.0 m. Other new intersections between the veins to the north of the GMZ and the Adrian zone include 1.3 g/t Au over 41.5 m, 2.1 g/t Au over 7.5 m, 2.9 g/t Au over 7.75 m, 2.2 g/t Au over 9.0 m and 1.7 g/t Au over 13.8 m.

to give a combined horizontal strike length of 450 meters to date. Hole CL20-84, for which visible gold (VG) was previously reported but no assays were received, returned within a broader intersection of 3.0 g/t Au over 15.5 m, located 35 m east of previously reported hole CL20-50 , including 20.2 g/t Au over 7.0 m). New hole CL21-51 returned and located 79 m west of hole CL20-50. New hole CL21-53 returned including Other new intersections between the veins to the north of the GMZ and the Adrian zone include 1.3 g/t Au over 41.5 m, 2.1 g/t Au over 7.5 m, 2.9 g/t Au over 7.75 m, 2.2 g/t Au over 9.0 m and 1.7 g/t Au over 13.8 m. Two new veins were also discovered in hole CL21-51, returning 70.3 g/t Au over 1.5 m, including 104.2 g/t Au over 1.0 m, plus 7.2 g/t Au over 1.5 m, located 115 m north of the 9.0 g/t Au over 7.4 m intersect discussed above and 290 m west of the westernmost intersection of the Adrian zone. These two new veins are near the interpreted location of the Sawyer Brook fault and extends the depth of the GMZ/Adrian zones by 50 m to 385 m. The previous deepest significant intersects were in hole BL20-88, which extended mineralization on the west side of the GMZ to 321 m and 335 m with 6.5 g/t Au over 14.05 m and 4.9 g/t Au over 2.35 m, respectively.

m, plus 7.2 g/t Au over 1.5 m, located 115 m north of the 9.0 g/t Au over 7.4 m intersect discussed above and 290 m west of the westernmost intersection of the Adrian zone. The previous deepest significant intersects were in hole BL20-88, which extended mineralization on the west side of the GMZ to 321 m and 335 m with and 4.9 g/t Au over 2.35 m, respectively. High grades continue to be returned from the new Adrian zone, with hole CL21-89 returning 78.4 g/t Au over 3.0 m, including 313.0 g/t Au over 0.5 m, and 147.0 g/t Au over 0.5 m. This intersect is located 7 m above the 24.3 g/t Au over 6.55 m (previously released as 33.7 g/t over 4.7 m) in hole CL20-81 and 28 m northeast of the discovery hole intersect in hole CL20-65 that returned 13.4 g/t Au over 12.95 m.

We can expect a steady stream of excellent drill results from this project. You may find it hard to believe but Galway's second project is also very excellent, with drilling and great results reported and to continue.

Estrades Polymetallic Project: 100% interest; 20,000 hectares; Abitibi Belt, Quebec

Galway has consolidated about 31 kilometers strike in this high-grade, polymetallic, volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) area. It includes the former producing, high-grade Estrades mine, which has be mostly dormant for the last 25 years. Production in 1990/91 was 174,946 tonnes grading 6.4 g/t Au, 172.3 g/t Ag, 12.9% zinc and 1.1% copper.

Breakwater Resources Ltd. (BWR:TSX) spend $20 million on a 200-meter decline and the production has been from relatively shallow depths. There has been 90,000 meters of historical drilling, and Galway has completed over 20,000 meters on the Estrades and Newiska horizons. Galway's land package also contains the Casa Berardi horizon, where over 90,000 meters of historical drilling has occurred. The NI 43-101 resource on the Estrades horizon was last updated and amended in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and is now 540,000 ounces gold equivalent in the Indicated category, plus 520,000 ounces gold equivalent in the Inferred category. From zinc equivalent perspectives, Indicated resources amount to 680 million pounds plus Inferred resources total 660 million pounds.

You can see on the location map that there is excellent infrastructure and there are three mills nearby that can process Estrades' VMS mineralization, plus Hecla Mining Co.'s (HL:NYSE) Casa Berardi mill is closest, but a flotation circuit and additional capacity would likely need to be added.

The property is immediately adjacent to, and west of the Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (AEM:TSX; AEM:NYSE)/ Maple Gold Mines (MGM:TSX.V; MGMLF:OTCQB) joint venture, which hosts 2.8 million ounces of gold resources, and where Agnico has agreed to spend $18 million on exploration during the next four years. The property is also 24 kilometers east of Hecla Mining's Casa Berardi gold mine (currently producing; 6.2 million ounces of gold between total production and current reserves and resources).

This will give you an idea of the property location relative to other mines and deposits.

Galway began a 10,000-meter drill program with three rigs in January. They are targeting the three primary horizons of mineralization:

the formerly producing, high-grade Estrades volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) mine;

the Newiska VMS horizon to the south; and

the Casa Berardi break horizon (Au) to the north.

Galway reported the first two drill holes of this program on Monday:

Hole 57 returned 10.7 g/t gold, 423 g/t silver, 22.8% zinc (Zn), 2.8% copper and 2.6% lead (Pb) over 2.7 meters.

Hole 38A returned 14.8% Zn, 1.2 g/t Au, 153 g/t Ag and 1.1& Pb over 2.35 m.

These holes are located 296 m southeast of the mined area.

Hole 57 is located at a vertical depth of 222 m, 66 m above previously released hole 48 that returned 4.3 g/t Au, 115.2 g/t Ag, 11.0% Zn, 0.8% Cu and 0.9% Pb over 7.1 m (5.2 m true width [TW])

Galway's deepest exploration holes that intersected the zone in 2018 are holes 27 and 32. Hole 27 returned 2.2 g/t Au, 181.0 g/t Ag and 28.5% Zn over 3.3 m (2.1 m TW), plus 190.7 g/t Ag and 18.6% Zn over 2.7 m (1.7 m TW) at vertical depths of 435 meters and 453 meters, respectively. Hole 32 returned 5.4 meters (3.4 m TW) grading 17.9% Zn, 3.0 g/t Au and 176.0 g/t Ag at a vertical depth of 456 m.

Galway completed Titan IP/EM surveys and gravity surveys. Along with other geological and drill hole data, it indicates significant resources will likely be found down-plunge from current known mineralization. The big rectangles in this graphic indicate the approximate location of these targets.

I have little doubt that Estrades will become an economic deposit. Most juniors would like one good discovery, Galway has two and the money to advance them.

Financial

Last financial statements indicate CA$18.7 million in cash and no long-term debt. Since then, on March 25, Galway closed a CA$15 million bought-deal financing. Flow-through shares included 5,99,900 shares at CA$1.45 per share and 1,087,000 shares at CA$1.84 per share. They also issued 4,095,400 non-flow-through common shares at CA$1.05 per share. With approximately 24 million cash currently, Galway is in a strong financial position.

Summary

This advanced gold junior should be in everyone's precious metals or resource portfolio. The recent correction in the gold juniors provides an ideal entry point. The stock is even a little below the last finance level.

At an even $1.00 the market cap is about CA$178 million with $24 million cash. Clarence Stream and Estrades have a combined M&I resource of 933,051 gold equivalent ounces. The current stock price is putting an enterprise value on these ounces at US$130 per ounce. This is better than some juniors, but when you consider these ounces are located in areas of strong infrastructure, are high grade and there's very strong upside potential, this valuation is low. There are 870,830 ounces in the Inferred category, and given the strong upside in the current resource, the market is probably giving some value for these, where I am considering zero value with the $130 per ounce number. A Clarence Stream resource update is scheduled for this summer and could dramatically increase valuations

Management/insiders have a 21% interest in the stock so their interests are well aligned with shareholders. Further, there are large active drill programs at both projects so we can count on a steady stream of drill news. I have no doubt we will continue to see high grade and economic results in most drill holes.

So we have great management with past success, two very strong projects with aggressive exploration programs in great jurisdictions and, to top it off, an excellent level and technical entry point on the stock chart.

On the chart you can see the correction since the August highs that coincides with the general correction in gold and the gold stocks. There was a good, wash-out bottom when the financing was announced that saw this RSI go to 20, a very good bottom indicator. The stock is around its natural support level, and has been consolidating there. I indicate with the red lines where I see near-term resistance. These are my first two targets on the upside.

Ron Struthers founded Struthers' Resource Stock Report 23 years ago. The report covers senior and junior companies with ample trading liquidity. He started his Millennium Index of dividend stocks in 2003 - $1,000 invested then was worth over $4,000 end of 2014 and the index returned 26.8% in 2016. He retired from IBM after 30 years in customer service, systems and business analyst, also developing his own charting software. He has expertise in junior start-ups and was a co-founder of Paramount Gold and Silver.

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Disclosure:

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Struthers Disclosure: All forecasts and recommendations are based on opinion. Markets change direction with consensus beliefs, which may change at any time and without notice. The author/publisher of this publication has taken every precaution to provide the most accurate information possible. The information & data were obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but because the information & data source are beyond the author's control, no representation or guarantee is made that it is complete or accurate. The reader accepts information on the condition that errors or omissions shall not be made the basis for any claim, demand or cause for action. Because of the ever-changing nature of information & statistics the author/publisher strongly encourages the reader to communicate directly with the company and/or with their personal investment adviser to obtain up to date information. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. Any statements non-factual in nature constitute only current opinions, which are subject to change. The author/publisher may or may not have a position in the securities and/or options relating thereto, & may make purchases and/or sales of these securities relating thereto from time to time in the open market or otherwise. Neither the information, nor opinions expressed, shall be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any stock, futures or options contract mentioned herein. The author/publisher of this letter is not a qualified financial adviser & is not acting as such in this publication.
An Atlanta-area sheriff whos no stranger to controversy is accused of violating the civil rights of several people in his agencys custody by ordering that they be unnecessarily strapped into a restraint chair and left there for hours, according to a federal indictment.

The indictment against Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill was filed April 19 and was unsealed by a federal judge Monday. It says Hill regularly received training that said force may not be used as punishment and had approved a policy that says a restraint chair may be used with a violent or uncontrollable person to prevent injury or property damage if other techniques are ineffective.

The policy emphasizes that the restraint chair will never be authorized as a form of punishment.

But the indictment says Hill repeatedly ordered people restrained for hours even though they posed no threat and had complied with deputies.

In a statement released Tuesday, Hill called the prosecution a political motivated federal legal case.

I will continue to focus on the mission of fighting crime in Clayton County for continued success, Hill said in the statement on Nixle, a public messaging system.

A man was arrested without incident in February 2020 on charges stemming from an argument with two women at a grocery store three weeks earlier. Hill confronted the man during booking, asking what he had been doing in Clayton County the day of the assault, the indictment says.

Its a democracy, sir. Its the United States, the man replied, according to the indictment.

No, its not. Not in my county, Hill responded.

When the man asked twice whether he was entitled to a fair and speedy trial, Hill insulted him and said, You entitled to sit in this chair, and youre entitled to get the hell out of my county and dont come back, the indictment says. The man was then strapped into a restraint chair and left for hours on Hills order, the indictment says.

A 17-year-old boy accused of vandalizing his family home during an argument with his mother in April 2020 was arrested by a deputy without incident a short time later. The deputy spoke with Hill and texted him a photo of the teen in a police car.

How old is he? Hill texted, according to the indictment.

17, the deputy responded.

Chair, Hill responded.

The teen was strapped into a restraint chair for several hours on Hills orders despite having complied with authorities, the indictment says.

A man arrested in April 2020 after a domestic disturbance with possible drug use pretended to pass out and then walked out of a hospital after refusing treatment and was uncooperative with arresting officers. He wasnt combative once he arrived at the jail, but Hill ordered him strapped into a restraint chair for several hours, the indictment says.

Hill berated him and the teen while they were strapped into restraint chairs near each other, the indictment says.

After a man had a dispute in April 2020 with a Clayton County sheriffs deputy over some landscaping work hed done for the deputy in Butts County, Hill called the man to ask why he was harassing the deputy. The man responded that the deputy should pay his bill and used an obscenity.

Unsure it was actually Hill who had called, the man called back several times using FaceTime. Hill finally answered and removed a mask he was wearing. Hill then texted the man to warn him not to text or call anymore. The man responded by text, so this is Victor Hill correct. Hill again warned him by text not to call or text anymore.

Hill then instructed a deputy the next day to take out a warrant for harassing communications and then texted the man to tell him to turn himself in, the indictment says. Hill then sent a fugitive squad armed with handguns and AR-15 rifles to try to arrest the man on the misdemeanor charge, the indictment says.

The man hired a lawyer and turned himself in and was strapped into the restraint chair for several hours, the indictment says.

Hill has been controversial since he first became sheriff in Clayton County, just south of Atlanta.

He fired 27 deputies on his first day in office in 2005 and used a tank owned by the sheriffs office during drug raids as part of a tough-on-crime stance adopted in his first term.

He failed to win re-election in 2008, but voters returned him to office in 2012 despite the fact that he faced more than two dozen criminal charges in a corruption case. A jury later acquitted him of all 27 charges, clearing the way for him to continue as sheriff.

Hill pleaded no contest to a reckless conduct charge in August 2016 after shooting and injuring a woman in a Gwinnett County model home in May 2015. Hill and the woman said it was an accident that happened while they were practicing police tactics.

Civil rights groups sued him last year, claiming he was failing to protect people held in the Clayton County jail from the risk of contracting the coronavirus. That suit is still pending.
Australian universities have been the hardest hit, compared to those in Canada, the US and UK, according to an international report which says the sector may resort to lowering fees and entry standards to poach students from each other.

S&P Global Ratings, which revised its positive outlook for the University of NSW and the University of Wollongong to negative last year, has provided another bleak sector outlook for this year because of their heavy reliance on international student enrolments.

S&P Global Ratings has warned of a multi-year upheaval for Australian universities. Credit:The Age

Our overall sector view remains negative, the report says.

Australias university sector had a devastating year, with border closures preventing overseas students from attending, leading to significant budget cuts and staff layoffs.
APATZINGAN, Mexico  The town of Aguililla, situated deep in one the Mexicos most lawless regions, made news this month when eight headless bodies were dumped there.

Three weeks later, it is at war. Hardly anybody enters or leaves  at least not without the permission of rival gangs that have blocked the roads.

In telephone interviews and in social media postings, trapped residents described a community living in terror of armed thugs who stroll the streets and shoot at one another. Some shops remain open, residents said, but the food supply is dwindling and there is no access to hospitals.

If the groups want to keep fighting among themselves, thats their problem, said Father Gilberto Vergara, the parish priest. But this situation is suffocating us.

The priest has publicly called on the gangs to let townsfolk travel to the nearest city  Apatzingan, a two-hour drive northeast  for food, medical care and gasoline, and to be able to sell their produce and cattle.

At the root of the mayhem is a struggle for control of a large segment of the narcotics trade in strife-ridden Michoacan state, and a government that has been powerless to prevent cartels from taking over large swaths of the nation.

In recent years, Aguililla, population 15,000, branched out from tomato farming, cattle ranching and marijuana cultivation to become a strategic hub for the manufacture of methamphetamine bound for the booming U.S. market.

ENRIQUE CASTRO/AFP via Getty Images

Authorities say that dozens of illicit production facilities scattered in the nearby countryside process precursor chemical smuggled from Asia into the Pacific port of Lazaro Cardenas, 175 miles to the southwest.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of residents have fled the violence, some to the United States but many more to other parts of Mexico.

I worked in Aguililla all my life. I have plots of tomatoes, corn, chile.  But we had to leave it all behind out of fear, said Victor Arnoldo Aguaje, 68, who left last June with 14 relatives for Uruapan, the second-largest city in Michoacan.

In Aguililla, one lives with a constant fear that you may be killed or kidnapped at any moment, he said.

The conflict demonstrates how gangs have infiltrated regional governance in much of Mexico. Authorities blame two cartels for the turmoil.

One, known as United Cartels, is a confederation of various mobs, including the Michoacan Family, the Knights Templars and Los Viagras, that U.S. prosecutors say is led by Adalberto Fructoso Comparan Rodriguez, 57, a former mayor of Aguililla.

He was arrested in Guatemala last month at U.S. behest for his alleged part in a scheme to smuggle more than 1,100 pounds of Mexican methamphetamine into Florida hidden inside concrete tiles and dissolved in five-gallon buckets of house paint.

The competing group is the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexicos largest syndicates, known for its expansionist bent and lurid social media displays of armored vehicles and military-grade weaponry.

Its leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes  who is called El Mencho and once peddled heroin in bars in San Francisco  is wanted in both Mexico and the United States. He is reportedly a native of Aguililla.

El Mencho wants to control the area where he grew up, said Mike Vigil, former head of international operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Its part of his big plan to move into strategic areas where he can control various criminal activities.

Many in Aguililla are calling on the Mexican government to intervene.

Of course we want the military to come and fight the criminals, Maribel Lopez, 53, a nurse, said by telephone. Is it too much to ask that they at least open up the roads to Apatzingan?

Her diabetic aunt died a few weeks ago because the roadblocks prevented relatives from getting her to the hospital, Lopez said.

ENRIQUE CASTRO/TNS

There is a widespread belief in Aguililla that security services and the military collaborate with the cartels. Footage on social media showed townsfolk jeering Mexican national guard units as they retreated from the town.

A Mexican military base of 200 soldiers is situated in Aguililla, its troops re-supplied by helicopter, but forces have avoided direct conflict with the warring gangsters.

A Pentagon official recently estimated that cartels control about one-third of Mexican territory. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador disputed that figure at a recent news conference but declined to provide his own.

For more than a decade, Mexico waged a war on drugs that led to tens of thousands of deaths but did little to weaken organized crime  an approach that Lopez Obrador abandoned in favor of avoiding direct conflict while providing economic opportunities for poor youth to keep them out of gangs

But the strife in Aguililla is severely testing his strategy in the run-up the national midterm elections in June.

The approach of the current administration to insecurity, to the whole armed conflict, has been silence, said Falko Ernst, a senior analyst in Mexico with the International Crisis Group, a nonprofit that researches conflict. Their political calculation is that its better not to talk about it.

Lopez Obrador has defended his decision to hold back from a military assault on Aguililla.

If we take towns and use force, invade with police, with soldiers, well that will lead to nothing good, Lopez Obrador told reporters this month. We have to call to everyone for serenity, for tranquility, to look for peace. No to violence.

In 2019, 14 state police officers were killed in an apparent cartel ambush in Aguililla. This past week state police dispatched to Aguililla were attacked by at least one cartel drone armed with explosives. Authorities said two officers suffered minor injuries.

The president backed dialogue in hopes of resolving the situation there.

But Silvano Aureoles, the governor of Michoacan, said that a solution was elusive without the deployment of federal forces.

One can dialogue with communities in conflict, with social groups, but to dialogue with criminals is another matter," Aureoles told Mexicos Milenio news outlet.

Not that his own efforts have fared any better.

The governor flew into Aguililla in a military helicopter earlier this month in a much-hyped display to show that security had improved.

Accompanied by heavily armed body-guards, he was met by several protesters in the towns central square who hoisted handwritten signs demanding that authorities restore the peace and open the roads. I want to live free in my pueblo, read one placard.

The people dont believe in the government  we have no security or tranquility, said Fernando Padilla, 43, a teacher in Aguililla, who brought his 10-year-old son to the protest.

The government comes here to make a show, says the situation is tranquil, but its not true.  We are at the mercy of the criminals, we are trapped here. This is not a life.

Video footage from the scene showed the governor approaching the protesters and shoving Padilla as security guards grabbed two of the protesters signs.

After the shove went viral on social media, the governor asserted on Facebook that he had been confronted by hostile cartel lookouts.

Padilla, who has been a teacher for 20 years in Aguililla, denied any links to drug traffickers.

The governors characterization of the protesters as mob lookouts, he said, had put their lives in further danger. He said his salary was suspended after the incident  a move he viewed as retaliation for his protest  but was later restored when he complained to local press.

Ominously, Padilla said, armed men have been passing by his house.

One doesnt know anymore if this is normal or whether these delinquents are coming for me, he said. The people of Aguililla are stuck in a living hell, trapped and governed by criminality.



(Los Angeles Times special correspondents Sanchez and Liliana Nieto del Rio contributed from Apatzingan, Mexico.)
The old CCC was hardly generous in compensation, paying the equivalent of less than $600 a month  raising the ire of organized labor, which saw it as depressing wages. A major purpose of Bidens version, however, is not limiting costs but, as he puts it, placing good-paying union jobs within reach for more Americans. With that approach, he would load an unnecessarily heavy burden on taxpayers while reducing the number of projects his climate corps could complete.
By Lee Hyo-jin



Police are looking for the suspect who allegedly applied super glue on the front door of a house in Incheon, sealing the door shut, according to Incheon Namdong Police Station, Tuesday.



The police said they received a report from a resident at a multi-family residence in the area, Saturday, who said she had been trapped in the house due to a sealed door.





Police are looking for the suspect who allegedly applied super glue on the front door of a house in Incheon, sealing the door shut, according to Incheon Namdong Police Station, Tuesday. gettyimagesbank
A 42-year-old man shot by police during a recent incident in Derry was today charged with the attempted murder of a PSNI officer.

Noel Quigley is charged with the attempted murder of the officer during an incident at a flat at Celandine Court in the Gobnascale area of the city on April 17.

A police officer told the court that on the night in question, Quigley rang the 999 emergency number around 10.45pm and said he was going to 'kill himself'.

Police officers were sent to his home address.

When they arrived, the court was told, Quigley was sitting in a chair holding a knife in each hand.

When police entered, he attempted to 'cut his own throat'.

The officer said that police intervened and tried to stop what he was doing.

They used 'irritant' spray after which, the officer said, Quigley 'lunged' at officers with both knives still in his hands.

He was warned to drop them but the officer said he 'kept coming forward' and was 'stabbing and slashing about the head' of one of the officers.

The officer said the 'attack' was only stopped when one of the officers used their firearm.

Quigley was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for treatment was arrested on April 19.

He was released from hospital on April 25.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting are now being investigated by the Police Ombudsman.

The officer told the court today that the officer injured in the incident had suffered a puncture wound to his arm and a number of cuts to his head.

The officer said that police would object to bail due to the seriousness of the charge and concerns that Quigley would reoffend.

She said that he has previously contacted police to say that he was going to 'kill himself'.

The officer said that Quigley has 15 previous convictions for assault on police.

Most of these assaults happened, the officer said, when officers were called to assist Quigley or members of the public who were having 'issues' with him.

Quigley's barrister, Eoghan Devlin, claimed that 'several' objections to bail had been put forward which had not been 'flagged up' beforehand.

Mr Devlin said allegations of 'stabbing and slashing about the head' were never put to his client during interview.

Mr Devlin also claimed that no allegations of a police officer being injured the incident had been put to Quigley.

The barrister claimed that 'the kitchen sink is being thrown at this man' in relation to the charge and bail objections.

We would have grave concerns that the reason for that is that a bullet went through him whenever police were called to assist him, he said.

Mr Devlin claimed that Quigley had tried to 'kill himself' before police arrived and had phoned 999 so that 'his decomposing body would not be found some time later'.

The barrister questioned the use of the equivalent of CS spray in a confined space during the incident and claimed that police officers could be heard 'repeatedly' asking for guidance 'no doubt from superior officers' on a 'tactical basis' prior to the gun being fired.

Mr Devlin said the shot fired went through Quigley's arm, entered his chest and lung and 'comes out the back of his body breaking three of his ribs'.

The barrister said the defendant was arrested in the intensive care unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital without his family having been informed.

They only learned of this, Mr Devlin said, from a member of staff at the hospital.

Mr Devlin said that during interview his client had told police that after the use of the spray in the flat, he had stood up 'in a blind panic'.

To use his phrase, the place seemed to go mental, said the barrister.

Mr Devlin quoted Quigley saying: I remember getting a glimpse of a long baton. I can recall being in a struggle with police. I don't know how many I was struggling with but I was able to glimpse I was out in the hallway. I was in no way trying to stab any officer but there was a lot of confusion. The gas was overpowering. I was trying to stay on my feet also.

The case was adjourned until tomorrow for a decision on the bail application.
OTTAWA  The leaders of the federal Conservatives and NDP say Canada should send aid to India as it struggles with a deadly surge in COVID-19 cases, while the Liberal government has yet to announce any details of how it plans to help.

U.S. President Joe Biden pledged to send help to the country of nearly 1.4 billion people, where hospitals are reporting that they are running out of oxygen to treat patients.

The White House has said it will send raw materials needed to make Covishield, the version of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine produced at the Serum Institute of India, along with therapeutics, rapid-testing kids, ventilators and potentially oxygen.

Procurement Minister Anita Anand said Friday Canada will "stand ready" with personal protective equipment, ventilators and "any items that might be useful," but as of Monday the federal government had yet to provide more specifics.

The Indian government is scrambling to source medical products including liquid oxygen and oxygen concentrators  a medical device that concentrates oxygen from ambient air  said Ajay Bisaria, India's high commissioner to Canada.

"We were ready for a big wave, but this became a tsunami nothing like Indias ever seen before, and nothing like we saw in the first wave," Bisaria said in an interview.

He said Anand has been "very helpful in connecting diplomatic officials in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver to manufacturers, but the degree to which Canada can help remains uncertain.

"Canada has some technologies where it makes ventilators and oxygen concentrators. With bedside oxygen concentrators, were not very clear about whether theyre manufactured in Canada or theyre imported from other sources in the U.S.," Bisaria said.

We havent got to any drug manufacturers yet."

In the meantime, Indo-Canadian community organizations have rushed in to help, he added. The Indian Red Cross Society has been authorized to handle donations related to COVID-19 from groups abroad.

Story continues

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole said he supports sending aid but also called for tougher travel restrictions. Canada announced last week a 30-day suspension of all flights from India and Pakistan, but O'Toole said the government should take a stronger stance.

"Let's help our friends in India, but let's also have an approach of stopping international flights until we can get a handle on keeping the variants out of Canada," he said.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said India's situation is "catastrophic" and Canada needs to act as a global citizen, because when the novel coronavirus spreads badly in one region, it affects others.

Early in the pandemic O'Toole was critical of the Liberal government sending personal protective equipment to China, but he said that was because Canada didn't have enough of its own supply, which is no longer the case.

His party points to the decision as one of the governments early failings in the pandemic. The Tories say Canada lacked an adequate stockpile of masks and gloves needed by health-care workers to battle the virus.

On the question of sending aide to India, Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet expressed support for doing so, saying the pandemic is taking a global toll and "sometimes we have to behave like a planet."

Canada says it has procured 2.7 billon items of personal protective equipment, with 1.5 billion pieces already delivered for use.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 26, 2021.

 With files from Christopher Reynolds

Stephanie Taylor, The Canadian Press
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In-Room VDO
The Government Kilpauk Medical College Chennai is selling the Remdesivir drug to prevent its black marketing.



This helps patients who are dependent on oxygen. A huge queue was witnessed at the Kilpauk hospital with the relatives of patients lining up to buy the drug.

Tamil Nadu health minister Vijayabhaskar said, The Remdesivir drug is available at the counter of Kilpauk Medical College with the doctor's prescription of the drug, Aadhar card, RT-PCR positive report and CT report of the patient. This is helping patients and private hospitals on a case to case basis.





Remdesivir is used against the Ebola virus and is now used regularly for patients affected by the corona virus. The central government has banned the export of the drug and its pharmaceutical components.



Hospitals are also allowed to purchase the drug by showing the details of the patient's records and the Tamil Nadu Medical Service Corporation (TNMSC) is selling the drug to the private hospitals on a case to case basis.



Director of TNMSC, Dr P Umanath while speaking to IANS said, "We are selling the medicine to the private hospitals after they produce the details of the patients and the records. This is on a case to case basis and we are insisting to these hospitals not to sell the medicine at a higher price. Government hospitals have the stock and hence we are monitoring the situation and providing medicine to private hospitals."



Source: IANS According to the guidelines of the ICMR, the drug is used for patients who have to depend on external supply of oxygen and to improve the condition of their lungs.Remdesivir is used against the Ebola virus and is now used regularly for patients affected by the corona virus. The central government has banned the export of the drug and its pharmaceutical components.Hospitals are also allowed to purchase the drug by showing the details of the patient's records and the Tamil Nadu Medical Service Corporation (TNMSC) is selling the drug to the private hospitals on a case to case basis.Director of TNMSC, Dr P Umanath while speaking to IANS said, "We are selling the medicine to the private hospitals after they produce the details of the patients and the records. This is on a case to case basis and we are insisting to these hospitals not to sell the medicine at a higher price. Government hospitals have the stock and hence we are monitoring the situation and providing medicine to private hospitals."Source: IANS

The medicine is priced at Rs 1565 per dose including GST and this is a method employed by the Tamil Nadu government to prevent black marketing of the drug. Patients who require oxygen support are prescribed six doses of the Remdesivir injection.
GBP/EUR Exchange Rate Buoyed as US Dollar Strengthens

The Pound to Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rates are trading with modest gains this morning, with the pairing ticking above 1.15 as the single currency is weighed down by USD demand.

Euro (EUR) Undermined by USD Strength

The Euro (EUR), is struggling to attract investors this morning as the single currencys negative correlation with the US Dollar (USD) leaves it on the back foot.

The US Dollar is on the rise again today, buoyed by rising US Treasury yields as well as the prevalence of a cautious mood amongst investors.

However, helping to limit the downside in the Euro are signs that the EUs vaccination rollout is continuing to accelerate, with officials confident that at least 70% adults in the EU will be inoculated by summer.

This comes as the European Commission claims that it is drastically speeding up the production of vaccines, which it estimates is doubling every month and will be able to produce 3 billion vaccines a year by the end of 2021.

European Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said: We are confident that we will be able to produce a sufficient number of vaccines to achieve the goal of collective immunity, which means that 70% of the adult population would have been vaccinated by mid-July.

Pound (GBP) Steady as Scottish Holyrood Elections Come into Focus

At the same time, the Pound (GBP) is only showing modest support this morning as GBP investors appear to becoming a little more cautious ahead of next weeks parliamentary election in Scotland.

As we approach the election on 6 May is clear that the Scottish National Party still remains favoured, with analysts predicting the SNP will be able to secure another majority.

This is of course raising concerns over another independence referendum, which the SNP will no doubt claim to have a mandate for if it retains control of Holyrood.

Economists at Westpac, suggest: Support for SNP has pulled back from its late 2020 heights as the Brexit trade deal was being finalised but remains high and so concerns over another Independence referendum may rattle markets into the 6th May elections, which is also when the BoE hold their next policy meeting.

While it seems unlikely that Boris Johnson will allow a second referendum to go ahead during the current parliament, concerns over the strength of the Union could test Sterling sentiment.

GBP/EUR Forecast: Euro to be Buffeted by Confirmation of Double-Dip Recession?

Looking ahead to latter in the week, the main catalyst of movement in the Pound to Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate will no doubt be the publication of the Eurozones latest GDP figures.

The preliminary figures are widely forecast to report that the Eurozone economy contracted again in the first quarter of 2021 as Europe struggled to contend with a third wave of coronavirus cases.

As a result, Fridays data looks to confirm expectations that the Eurozone suffered a double-dip recession over the winter after growth also declined in the last quarter of 2020, an outcome which is likely to weigh heavily on the Euro later in the week.

Meanwhile, in the absence of any notable UK economic data, GBP investors are likely to remain focused on domestic coronavirus and political developments for fresh impetus.
Chennai, April 27 : The counter at Government Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai, which is selling the Remdesivir drug to prevent its black marketing is helping patients who are dependent on oxygen. A huge queue was witnessed at the Kilpauk hospital with the relatives of patients lining up to buy the drug.

Tamil Nadu health minister Vijayabhaskar while speaking to IANS said, "The drug is available at the counter of Kilpauk Medical College with the doctor's prescription of the drug, Aadhar card, RT-PCR positive report and CT report of the patient. This is helping patients and private hospitals on a case to case basis." The medicine is priced at Rs 1565 per dose including GST and this is a method employed by the Tamil Nadu government to prevent black marketing of the drug. Patients who require oxygen support are prescribed six doses of the Remdesivir injection.

According to the guidelines of the ICMR, the drug is used for patients who have to depend on external supply of oxygen and to improve the condition of their lungs.

Remdesivir is used against the Ebola virus and is now used regularly for patients affected by the corona virus. The central government has banned the export of the drug and its pharmaceutical components.

Hospitals are also allowed to purchase the drug by showing the details of the patient's records and the Tamil Nadu Medical Service Corporation (TNMSC) is selling the drug to the private hospitals on a case to case basis.

Director of TNMSC, Dr P Umanath while speaking to IANS said, "We are selling the medicine to the private hospitals after they produce the details of the patients and the records. This is on a case to case basis and we are insisting to these hospitals not to sell the medicine at a higher price. Government hospitals have the stock and hence we are monitoring the situation and providing medicine to private hospitals."
Cambodia's telecommunications service provider Smart Axiata has announced it has deployed 68 new network base station sites in the Siem Reap province as part of its USD 90 million investment plan in 2021 to expand and upgrade its network across the Kingdom.

The newly completed sites in Siem Reap are among the 350 new sites announced by Smart in March this year, said the Cambodian operator in a press release.

"The new sites will enhance Smarts 4G LTE network for users nationwide and helps to ensure the network is fully ready to meet the growing customer demands during the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown situation," it added.

Smart currently operates more than 3,000 network base station sites across the Kingdom, allowing its 8 million subscribers to enjoy an exceptional digital experience on its 4G LTE network, which covers 91.5% of the population.

"With the rapid adoption of 4G by Smarts subscribers, Smart is also progressing to gradually shut down its 3G network in 2021, repurposing the residual 3G frequency spectrum for its 4G network," it said.

To showcase the improved network and coverage in Siem Reap, Smart is offering existing prepaid subscribers in the province 1GB of data for free until May 21, which they can redeem in the SmartNas app any day before that date.

For new customers who would like to enjoy the expanded Smart network coverage, a 50% discount on special number Smart 4G SIM cards worth up to 54 USD is being offered when purchased at any Smart Shop or official Smart Dealer across the Kingdom.

Existing Smart 3G customers can upgrade to a 4G SIM card for free, receiving a 900 USD on-net bonus, valid for three months, when they do so.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE: EHC), a national leader in integrated healthcare, offering facility-based and home-based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies, today reported its results of operations for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

"We're off to an encouraging start in 2021," said President and Chief Executive Officer of Encompass Health Mark Tarr. "Our first quarter performance was characterized by promising volume trends that are contributing to solid revenue and EBITDA growth. We are increasing our 2021 guidance to reflect our strong performance and the extension of the suspension of sequestration."

Consolidated results











Growth



Q1 2021

Q1 2020

Dollars

Percent



(In Millions, Except per Share Data)

Net operating revenues $ 1,230.4



$ 1,182.0



$ 48.4



4.1 %

Income from continuing operations

attributable to Encompass Health per

diluted share 1.07



0.87



0.20



23.0 %

Adjusted earnings per share 1.05



0.87



0.18



20.7 %

Cash flows provided by operating activities 158.5



29.3



129.2



441.0 %

Adjusted EBITDA 250.8



228.0



22.8



10.0 %

Adjusted free cash flow 107.4



74.6



32.8



44.0 %



Revenue growth resulted from favorable pricing partially offset by decreased volumes in both segments.

The increase in income from continuing operations attributable to Encompass Health per diluted share and adjusted earnings per share in 2021 primarily resulted from revenue growth and decreased stock-based compensation due to the reduction in long-term incentive compensation recorded in the first quarter of 2021.

The increase in full-year cash flows provided by operating activities and adjusted free cash flow primarily resulted from revenue growth and the timing of maintenance capital expenditures in 2021.

See attached supplemental information for calculations of non-GAAP measures and reconciliations to their most comparable GAAP measure.

Inpatient rehabilitation segment results











Growth

Q1 2021

Q1 2020

Dollars

Percent Net operating revenues: (In Millions) Inpatient $ 942.3



$ 890.0



$ 52.3



5.9 % Outpatient and other 17.6



19.2



(1.6)



(8.3) % Total segment revenue $ 959.9



$ 909.2



$ 50.7



5.6 %

















(Actual Amounts) Discharges 47,187



47,750



(563)



(1.2) % Same-store discharge growth











(2.2) % Net patient revenue per discharge $ 19,969



$ 18,639



$ 1,330



7.1 % Revenue reserves related to bad

debt as a percent of revenue 1.7 %

1.2 %





50 basis points

















(In Millions) Adjusted EBITDA $ 234.9



$ 215.5



$ 19.4



9.0 %

Revenue - Inpatient revenue growth resulted from favorable pricing partially offset by decreased volumes. New-store discharge growth of 1.0% resulted from a joint venture in Coralville, Iowa ( June 2020 ) and wholly owned hospitals in Murrieta, California ( February 2020 ), Sioux Falls, South Dakota ( June 2020 ) and Toledo, Ohio ( November 2020 ). Discharge growth was impacted by COVID-related limitations on elective procedures and capacity and staffing constraints at certain of the Company's hospitals.



Growth in net patient revenue per discharge primarily resulted from a higher acuity patient mix, an increase in reimbursement rates and the suspension of sequestration.



Revenue reserves related to bad debt as a percent of revenue increased to 1.7% primarily due to aging-based reserves.



Inpatient revenue growth resulted from favorable pricing partially offset by decreased volumes. New-store discharge growth of 1.0% resulted from a joint venture in ( ) and wholly owned hospitals in ( ), ( ) and ( ). Discharge growth was impacted by COVID-related limitations on elective procedures and capacity and staffing constraints at certain of the Company's hospitals. Growth in net patient revenue per discharge primarily resulted from a higher acuity patient mix, an increase in reimbursement rates and the suspension of sequestration. Revenue reserves related to bad debt as a percent of revenue increased to 1.7% primarily due to aging-based reserves. Adjusted EBITDA - The increase in Adjusted EBITDA primarily resulted from revenue growth.

Home health and hospice segment results











Growth

Q1 2021

Q1 2020

Dollars

Percent Net operating revenues: (In Millions) Home health revenue $ 219.9



$ 224.8



$ (4.9)



(2.2) % Hospice revenue 50.6



48.0



2.6



5.4 % Total segment revenue $ 270.5



$ 272.8



$ (2.3)



(0.8) %















Adjusted EBITDA $ 50.8



$ 41.0



$ 9.8



23.9 %















Home Health Starts of care: (Actual Amounts) Episodic admissions 40,215



42,476



(2,261)



(5.3) % Same-store episodic admissions growth











(5.4) % Episodic recertifications 28,083



26,553



1,530



5.8 % Total episodic starts of care 68,298



69,029



(731)



(1.1) %















Total admissions 50,799



52,754



(1,955)



(3.7) % Same-store total admissions growth











(3.8) % Total recertifications 31,902



29,463



2,439



8.3 % Total starts of care 82,701



82,217



484



0.6 % Revenue per episode $ 2,923



$ 2,909



$ 14



0.5 %















Hospice Admissions:













Same store 3,325



2,986



339



11.4 % New store 5







5



0.1 % Total admissions 3,330



2,986



344



11.5 %

Revenue - Total starts of care were up 0.6% due to increases in recertifications and non-episodic admissions. Non-episodic admissions increased 3% year over year primarily due to the new national contract with United Healthcare. Total home health admissions declined as a result of episodic admissions decreasing 22% from patients residing in senior living facilities, 35% from patients discharging from skilled nursing facilities, and 18% from patients receiving elective procedures in acute care hospitals. The combined impact of these declines represented a loss of approximately 3,700 admissions, or a 880 basis points negative impact on the episodic growth rate for the first quarter of 2021. During the first quarter of 2021, the segment averaged 250 home health employees per day on COVID-related quarantine, which further impacted its ability to accept referrals.



The increase in revenue per episode resulted from an increase in reimbursement rates and the suspension of sequestration partially offset by the impact of the timing of completed episodes. Revenue per episode in the first quarter of 2020 benefited from the reversal of a $1.6 million reserve for a Zone Program Integrity Contractor audit.



Hospice same-store admissions growth of 11.4% yielded a 5.4% increase in hospice revenue. Hospice revenue growth was impacted by a decrease in length of stay resulting from a change in patient mix.



- Total starts of care were up 0.6% due to increases in recertifications and non-episodic admissions. Non-episodic admissions increased 3% year over year primarily due to the new national contract with United Healthcare. Total home health admissions declined as a result of episodic admissions decreasing 22% from patients residing in senior living facilities, 35% from patients discharging from skilled nursing facilities, and 18% from patients receiving elective procedures in acute care hospitals. The combined impact of these declines represented a loss of approximately 3,700 admissions, or a 880 basis points negative impact on the episodic growth rate for the first quarter of 2021. During the first quarter of 2021, the segment averaged 250 home health employees per day on COVID-related quarantine, which further impacted its ability to accept referrals. The increase in revenue per episode resulted from an increase in reimbursement rates and the suspension of sequestration partially offset by the impact of the timing of completed episodes. Revenue per episode in the first quarter of 2020 benefited from the reversal of a reserve for a Zone Program Integrity Contractor audit. Hospice same-store admissions growth of 11.4% yielded a 5.4% increase in hospice revenue. Hospice revenue growth was impacted by a decrease in length of stay resulting from a change in patient mix. Adjusted EBITDA - The 23.9% increase in Adjusted EBITDA primarily resulted from lower cost per visit supported by the clinician compensation model changes implemented in May 2020 , as well as effective management of overall productivity of full-time staff.

General and administrative expenses





Q1 2021

% of

Consolidated

Revenue

Q1 2020

% of

Consolidated

Revenue



(In Millions) General and administrative expenses,

excluding stock-based compensation

$ 34.9



2.8%

$ 28.5



2.4%



























General and administrative expenses increased as a percent of consolidated revenue due to a $3.5 million year-over-year change in the mark-to-market adjustment on the Company's non-qualified 401(k) liability (offset in other income within the inpatient rehabilitation segment) and higher costs associated with incentive compensation.

2021 guidance

The Company increased its full-year guidance to reflect its first quarter results and the extension of the suspension of sequestration.



Full-Year 2021 Guidance Ranges

Previous Guidance

Updated Guidance

(in millions, except per share data) Net operating revenues $5,000 to $5,170

$5,060 to $5,230 Adjusted EBITDA $925 to $955

$1,000 to $1,030 Adjusted earnings per share from continuing

operations attributable to Encompass Health $3.31 to $3.53

$3.94 to $4.16

On December 9, 2020, the Company announced it is exploring strategic alternatives for its home health and hospice business. The review is ongoing. The Company's 2021 guidance assumes the continuation of the current structure of the business. The guidance may change depending on the outcome of the review.

For additional considerations regarding the Company's 2021 guidance ranges, see the supplemental information posted on the Company's website at http://investor.encompasshealth.com. See also the "Other Information" section below for an explanation of why the Company does not provide guidance for comparable GAAP measures for Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share.

Earnings conference call and webcast

The Company will host an investor conference call at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 to discuss its results for the first quarter of 2021. For reference during the call, the Company will post certain supplemental information at http://investor.encompasshealth.com.

The conference call may be accessed by dialing 877 587-6761 and giving the pass code 8188583. International callers should dial 706 679-1635 and give the same pass code. Please call approximately ten minutes before the start of the call to ensure you are connected. The conference call will also be webcast live and will be available for on-line replay at http://investor.encompasshealth.com by clicking on an available link.

About Encompass Health

As a national leader in integrated healthcare services, Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) offers both facility-based and home-based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies. With a national footprint that includes 139 hospitals and 241 home health locations and 82 hospice locations in 39 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, cost-effective integrated healthcare. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Other information

The information in this press release is summarized and should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 (the "March 2021 Form 10-Q"), when filed, as well as the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 2021 (the "Q1 Earnings Form 8-K"), to which this press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1. In addition, the Company will post supplemental information today on its website at http://investor.encompasshealth.com for reference during its April 28, 2021 earnings call.

The financial data contained in the press release and supplemental information include non-GAAP financial measures, including the Company's adjusted earnings per share, leverage ratio, Adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted free cash flow. Reconciliations to their most comparable GAAP measure, except with regard to non-GAAP guidance, are included below or in the Q1 Earnings Form 8-K. Readers are encouraged to review the "Note Regarding Presentation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" included in the Q1 Earnings Form 8-K which provides further explanation and disclosure regarding the Company's use of these non-GAAP financial measures.

Excluding net operating revenues, the Company does not provide guidance on a GAAP basis because it is unable to predict, with reasonable certainty, the future impact of items that are deemed to be outside the control of the Company or otherwise non-indicative of its ongoing operating performance. Such items include government, class action, and related settlements; professional feesaccounting, tax, and legal; mark-to-market adjustments for stock appreciation rights; gains or losses related to hedging instruments; loss on early extinguishment of debt; adjustments to its income tax provision (such as valuation allowance adjustments and settlements of income tax claims); items related to corporate and facility restructurings; and certain other items the Company believes to be non-indicative of its ongoing operations. These items cannot be reasonably predicted and will depend on several factors, including industry and market conditions, and could be material to the Company's results computed in accordance with GAAP.

However, the following reasonably estimable GAAP measures for 2021 would be included in a reconciliation for Adjusted EBITDA if the other reconciling GAAP measures could be reasonably predicted:

Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees - estimate of $164 million to $174 million

to Amortization of debt-related items - approximately $9 million

The Q1 Earnings Form 8-K and, when filed, the March 2021 Form 10-Q can be found on the Company's website at http://investor.encompasshealth.com and the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended March 31,

2021

2020

(In Millions, Except Per Share Data) Net operating revenues $ 1,230.4



$ 1,182.0

Operating expenses:





Salaries and benefits 687.2



679.1

Other operating expenses 162.3



159.6

Occupancy costs 20.2



20.2

Supplies 51.9



45.7

General and administrative expenses 38.6



35.6

Depreciation and amortization 62.5



58.8

Government, class action, and related settlements 



2.8

Total operating expenses 1,022.7



1,001.8

Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees 42.8



43.2

Other (income) expense (1.4)



1.9

Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates (1.0)



(0.8)

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense 167.3



135.9

Provision for income tax expense 34.5



27.1

Income from continuing operations 132.8



108.8

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 



(0.1)

Net and comprehensive income 132.8



108.7

Less: Net and comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests (25.5)



(21.7)

Net and comprehensive income attributable to

Encompass Health $ 107.3



$ 87.0









Weighted average common shares outstanding:





Basic 99.0



98.2

Diluted 100.2



99.6

Earnings per common share:





Basic earnings per share attributable to Encompass Health

common shareholders:





Continuing operations $ 1.08



$ 0.88

Discontinued operations 





Net income $ 1.08



$ 0.88

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Encompass

Health common shareholders:





Continuing operations $ 1.07



$ 0.87

Discontinued operations 





Net income $ 1.07



$ 0.87









Amounts attributable to Encompass Health common

shareholders:





Income from continuing operations $ 107.3



$ 87.1

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 



(0.1)

Net income attributable to Encompass Health $ 107.3



$ 87.0



Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)



March 31,

2021

December 31,

2020

(In Millions) Assets





Current assets:





Cash and cash equivalents $ 223.9



$ 224.0

Restricted cash 62.2



65.4

Accounts receivable 633.6



572.8

Other current assets 81.4



86.4

Total current assets 1,001.1



948.6

Property and equipment, net 2,280.5



2,206.6

Operating lease right-of-use assets 248.3



245.7

Goodwill 2,318.7



2,318.7

Intangible assets, net 419.2



431.3

Other long-term assets 274.4



295.0

Total assets $ 6,542.2



$ 6,445.9

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity





Current liabilities:





Current portion of long-term debt $ 137.2



$ 38.3

Current operating lease liabilities 44.2



44.8

Accounts payable 122.8



115.0

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 508.0



519.2

Total current liabilities 812.2



717.3

Long-term debt, net of current portion 3,160.0



3,250.6

Long-term operating lease liabilities 214.2



209.6

Deferred income tax liabilities 60.6



51.8

Other long-term liabilities 220.5



215.0



4,467.5



4,444.3

Commitments and contingencies





Redeemable noncontrolling interests 31.7



31.6

Shareholders' equity:





Encompass Health shareholders' equity 1,655.1



1,588.0

Noncontrolling interests 387.9



382.0

Total shareholders' equity 2,043.0



1,970.0

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 6,542.2



$ 6,445.9



Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended March 31,

2021

2020

(In Millions) Cash flows from operating activities:





Net income $ 132.8



$ 108.7

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 



0.1

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by

operating activities





Depreciation and amortization 62.5



58.8

Stock-based compensation 2.8



7.1

Deferred tax expense 8.7



1.4

Other, net 2.0



7.7

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions 





Accounts receivable (55.1)



(36.6)

Other assets 1.3



15.8

Accrued payroll 5.7



(24.0)

Other liabilities (2.2)



(109.6)

Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations 



(0.1)

Total adjustments 25.7



(79.5)

Net cash provided by operating activities 158.5



29.3

Cash flows from investing activities:





Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired 



(1.1)

Purchases of property and equipment (98.8)



(83.5)

Other, net 3.2



1.6

Net cash used in investing activities (95.6)



(83.0)











Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended March 31,

2021

2020

(In Millions) Cash flows from financing activities:





Borrowings on revolving credit facility 



330.0

Payments on revolving credit facility 



(25.0)

Dividends paid on common stock (29.1)



(29.0)

Purchase of equity interests in consolidated affiliates 



(162.3)

Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates (27.8)



(19.1)

Taxes paid on behalf of employees for shares withheld (15.6)



(15.6)

Other, net (5.0)



(7.9)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (77.5)



71.1

(Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (14.6)



17.4

Cash, cash equivalents. and restricted cash at beginning of year 310.9



159.6

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year $ 296.3



$ 177.0









Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash





Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period $ 224.0



$ 94.8

Restricted cash at beginning of period 65.4



57.4

Restricted cash included in other long-term assets at beginning of

period 21.5



7.4

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period $ 310.9



$ 159.6









Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 223.9



$ 104.9

Restricted cash at end of period 62.2



56.7

Restricted cash included in other long-term assets at end of period 10.2



15.4

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 296.3



$ 177.0



Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Earnings Per Share



Three Months Ended March 31,

2021

2020

(In Millions, Except Per Share Data) Adjusted EBITDA $ 250.8



$ 228.0

Depreciation and amortization (62.5)



(58.8)

Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees (42.8)



(43.2)

Stock-based compensation expense (2.8)



(7.1)

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets 0.1



(0.1)



142.8



118.8

Certain items non-indicative of ongoing operating performance:





Costs associated with the strategic alternatives review (0.9)





Gain on consolidation of former equity method location 



2.2

Change in fair market value of equity securities (0.1)



(2.5)

Government, class action, and related settlements 



(2.8)

Payroll taxes on SARs exercise 



(1.5)

Pre-tax income 141.8



114.2

Income tax expense (34.5)



(27.1)

Income from continuing operations (1) $ 107.3



$ 87.1









Basic shares 99.0



98.2

Diluted shares 100.2



99.6









Basic earnings per share (1) $ 1.08



$ 0.88

Diluted earnings per share (1) $ 1.07



$ 0.87



(1) Income from continuing operations attributable to Encompass Health

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Adjusted Earnings Per Share

Q1

2021

2020







Earnings per share, as reported $ 1.07



$ 0.87

Adjustments, net of tax:





Government, class action, and related settlements 



0.02

Costs associated with the strategic alternatives review 0.01





Income tax adjustments (0.03)



(0.04)

Change in fair market value of equity securities 



0.02

Gain on consolidation of former equity method location 



(0.02)

Payroll taxes on SARs exercise 



0.01

Adjusted earnings per share* $ 1.05



$ 0.87



* Adjusted EPS may not sum due to rounding.

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Adjusted Earnings Per Share



For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021





Adjustments





As Reported

Income Tax Adjustments

Costs Associated with the Strategic Alternatives Review

Change in Fair Market Value of Equity Securities

As Adjusted

(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Adjusted EBITDA* $ 250.8



$ 



$ 



$ 



$ 250.8

Depreciation and amortization (62.5)















(62.5)

Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees (42.8)















(42.8)

Stock-based compensation (2.8)















(2.8)

Gain on disposal of assets 0.1















0.1

Costs associated with the strategic alternatives review (0.9)







0.9









Change in fair market value of equity securities (0.1)











0.1





Income from continuing operations before income tax

expense 141.8







0.9



0.1



142.8

Provision for income tax expense (34.5)



(3.3)



(0.2)







(38.0)

Income from continuing operations attributable to Encompass

Health $ 107.3



$ (3.3)



$ 0.7



$ 0.1



$ 104.8

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, as

reported** $ 1.07



$ (0.03)



$ 0.01



$ 



$ 1.05

Diluted shares used in calculation 100.2



















* See reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA ** Adjusted EPS may not sum across due to rounding.

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Adjusted Earnings Per Share



For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020





Adjustments





As Reported

Gov't, Class Action, & Related Settlements

Income Tax Adjustments

Change in Fair Market Value of Equity Securities

Gain on consolidation of former equity method location

Payroll Taxes on SARs Exercise

As Adjusted

(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts) Adjusted EBITDA* $ 228.0



$ 



$ 



$ 



$ 



$ 



$ 228.0

Depreciation and amortization (58.8)























(58.8)

Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees (43.2)























(43.2)

Stock-based compensation (7.1)























(7.1)

Loss on disposal of assets (0.1)























(0.1)

Gain on consolidation of former equity method location 2.2















(2.2)









Change in fair market value of equity securities (2.5)











2.5













Government, class action, and related settlements (2.8)



2.8





















Payroll taxes on SARs exercise (1.5)



















1.5





Income from continuing operations before

income tax expense 114.2



2.8







2.5



(2.2)



1.5



118.8

Provision for income tax expense (27.1)



(0.7)



(4.3)



(0.6)



0.6



(0.4)



(32.5)

Income from continuing operations

attributable to Encompass Health $ 87.1



$ 2.1



$ (4.3)



$ 1.9



$ (1.6)



$ 1.1



$ 86.3

Diluted earnings per share from continuing

operations** $ 0.87



$ 0.02



$ (0.04)



$ 0.02



$ (0.02)



$ 0.01



$ 0.87

Diluted shares used in calculation 99.6



























* See reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA ** Adjusted EPS may not sum across due to rounding.

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA



Three Months Ended March 31,

2021

2020

(In Millions) Net income $ 132.8



$ 108.7

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to Encompass

Health 



0.1

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (25.5)



(21.7)

Government, class action, and related settlements 



2.8

Provision for income tax expense 34.5



27.1

Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees 42.8



43.2

Depreciation and amortization 62.5



58.8

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets (0.1)



0.1

Stock-based compensation expense 2.8



7.1

Costs associated with the strategic alternatives review 0.9





Gain on consolidation of former equity method location 



(2.2)

Change in fair market value of equity securities 0.1



2.5

Payroll taxes on SARs exercise 



1.5

Adjusted EBITDA $ 250.8



$ 228.0





Reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA to Income from Continuing Operations

Before Income Tax Expense

Three Months Ended March 31,

2021

2020

(In Millions) Total segment Adjusted EBITDA $ 285.7



$ 256.5

General and administrative expenses (38.6)



(35.6)

Depreciation and amortization (62.5)



(58.8)

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets 0.1



(0.1)

Government, class action, and related settlements 



(2.8)

Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees (42.8)



(43.2)

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 25.5



21.7

Change in fair market value of equity securities (0.1)



(2.5)

Gain on consolidation of former equity method location 



2.2

Payroll taxes on SARs exercise 



(1.5)

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense $ 167.3



$ 135.9



Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted EBITDA



Three Months Ended March 31,

2021

2020

(In Millions) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 158.5



$ 29.3

Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees 42.8



43.2

Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates 1.0



0.8

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in continuing

operations (25.5)



(21.7)

Amortization of debt-related items (2.0)



(1.4)

Distributions from nonconsolidated affiliates (1.0)



(1.0)

Current portion of income tax expense 25.8



25.7

Change in assets and liabilities 50.3



154.4

Cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations 



0.1

Costs associated with the strategic alternatives review 0.9





Payroll taxes on SARs exercise 



1.5

Change in fair market value of equity securities 0.1



2.5

Other (0.1)



(5.4)

Adjusted EBITDA $ 250.8



$ 228.0



Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted Free Cash Flow

Three Months Ended March 31,

2021

2020

(In Millions) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 158.5



$ 29.3

Impact of discontinued operations 



0.1

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations 158.5



29.4

Capital expenditures for maintenance (23.3)



(37.8)

Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates (27.8)



(19.1)

Items non-indicative of ongoing operations:





Cash paid for SARs exercise (inclusive of payroll taxes) 



102.1

Adjusted free cash flow $ 107.4



$ 74.6



For the three months ended March 31, 2021, net cash used in investing activities was $95.6 million and primarily resulted from capital expenditures. Net cash used in financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $77.5 million and primarily resulted from cash dividends paid on common stock, distributions to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates and taxes paid of behalf of employees for shares withheld under stock compensation arrangements.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, net cash used in investing activities was $83.0 million and primarily resulted from capital expenditures. Net cash provided by financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $71.1 million and primarily resulted from net borrowings on the revolving credit facility offset by the settlement of the final put and exercise of the Home Health Holdings rollover shares and SARs, cash dividends paid on common stock, and distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates.

Encompass Health Corporation and Subsidiaries

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release and the supplemental information which are not historical facts, such as those relating to the strategic alternatives review, the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Encompass Health's business and financial assumptions, financial guidance, balance sheet and cash flow plans, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, Encompass Health, through its senior management, may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date hereof, and Encompass Health undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information, involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and relate to, among other things, future events, Encompass Health's plan to repurchase its debt or equity securities, dividend strategies, effective income tax rates, its business strategy, its financial plans, its future financial performance, its projected business results or model, its ability to return value to shareholders, its projected capital expenditures, its leverage ratio, its acquisition opportunities, and the impact of future legislation or regulation. Actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those estimated by Encompass Health include, but are not limited to, the possibility that the Company may not be able to realize higher values for its home health and hospice business through strategic transactions; the possibility that the Company may decide not to undertake a transaction following the review of strategic alternatives or that it is not able to consummate any proposed transactions resulting from the review due to, among other things, market, regulatory and other factors; the potential for disruption to the Company's business resulting from the review of strategic alternatives or the undertaking of any transactions following the review; any potential adverse effects of the Company's stock price resulting from the announcement of the results of the strategic review; the continued spread of COVID-19, including the speed, depth, geographic reach and duration of the spread, which could decrease our patient volumes and revenues and lead to staffing and supply shortages and associated cost increases; actions to be taken by the Company in response to the pandemic; the legal, regulatory and administrative developments that occur at the federal, state and local levels; the Company's infectious disease prevention and control efforts; the demand for the Company's services, including based on any downturns in the economy, consumer confidence, or the capital markets and unemployment among family members; the price of Encompass Health's common stock as it affects the Company's willingness and ability to repurchase shares and the financial and accounting effects of any repurchases; any adverse outcome of various lawsuits, claims, and legal or regulatory proceedings involving Encompass Health, including any matters related to yet undiscovered issues, if any, in acquired operations; Encompass Health's ability to attract and retain key management personnel; any adverse effects on Encompass Health's stock price resulting from the integration of acquired operations; potential disruptions, breaches, or other incidents affecting the proper operation, availability, or security of Encompass Health's or its vendors' information systems, including unauthorized access to or theft of patient, business associate, or other sensitive information or inability to provide patient care because of system unavailability as well as unforeseen issues, if any, related to integration of acquired systems; the ability to successfully integrate acquired operations, including realization of anticipated tax benefits, revenues, and cost savings, minimizing the negative impact on margins arising from the changes in staffing and other operating practices, and avoidance of unforeseen exposure to liabilities; Encompass Health's ability to successfully complete and integrate de novo developments, acquisitions, investments, and joint ventures consistent with its growth strategy; increases in Medicare audit activity, including increased use of sampling and extrapolation, resulting in additional unpaid reimbursement claims and an increase in the backlog of appealed claims denials; changes, delays in (including in connection with resolution of Medicare payment reviews or appeals), or suspension of reimbursement for Encompass Health's services by governmental or private payors; changes in the regulation of the healthcare industry at either or both of the federal and state levels, including as part of national healthcare reform and deficit reduction (such as the Patient-Driven Groupings Model for home health) and Encompass Health's ability to adapt operations to those changes; competitive pressures in the healthcare industry and Encompass Health's response thereto; Encompass Health's ability to obtain and retain favorable arrangements with third-party payors; Encompass Health's ability to control costs, particularly labor and employee benefit costs, including group medical expenses; adverse effects resulting from coverage determinations made by Medicare Administrative Contractors regarding its Medicare reimbursement claims and lengthening delays in Encompass Health's ability to recover improperly denied claims through the administrative appeals process on a timely basis; Encompass Health's ability to adapt to changes in the healthcare delivery system, including value-based purchasing and involvement in coordinated care initiatives or programs that may arise with its referral sources; Encompass Health's ability to attract and retain nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals in a highly competitive environment with often severe staffing shortages, which may be worsened by the pandemic, and the impact on Encompass Health's labor expenses from potential union activity and staffing shortages; general conditions in the economy and capital markets, including any instability or uncertainty related to armed conflict or an act of terrorism, governmental impasse over approval of the United States federal budget, an increase in the debt ceiling, or an international sovereign debt crisis; the increase in the costs of defending and insuring against alleged professional liability claims, including claims associated with patient and employee exposures to COVID-19, and Encompass Health's ability to predict the estimated costs related to such claims; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in Encompass Health's SEC filings and other public announcements, including Encompass Health's Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, when filed.

Media Contact

Casey Lassiter, 205 447-6410

[email protected]





Investor Relations Contact

Crissy Carlisle, 205 970-5860

[email protected]



SOURCE Encompass Health Corp.

Related Links

http://www.encompasshealth.com


Richard 'Bigo' Barnett was arrested on January 8 for his role in the US Capitol riots two days prior

The Arkansas man allegedly armed with a stun gun who was photographed placing his foot on House Speaker Nancy Pelosis desk during the MAGA riot at the US Capitol on January 6 has been freed from jail.

Richard Bigo Barnett, 60, was released after filing a motion comparing himself to a Black Lives Matter protesters who took to the streets after the May 2020 police-involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

During the proceedings, Cooper said he was confused about Barnetts claim as stated in his legal motion that his actions were somehow linked to BLM protests of last summer, according to BuzzFeed News.

The events that took place on January 6, 2021, did not occur in a vacuum, Barnetts legal motion reads.

On May 25, 2020, the world watched as George Floyd was murdered by the government on national television.

Immediately thereafter, protest broke out across the United States. People simply had enough, and for a moment, the entire world agreed that Black Lives Mattered more than ever before.

The legal motion continued: Out of tragedy, something very beautiful began to take place. Change was coming - and it would happen through us.

Cooper asked McBridge to clear up the connection between BLM protests and Barnett.

McBride responded that the MAGA riot at the US Capitol was preceded by several protests throughout 2020. He said that those arrested during BLM demonstrations were granted release.

The judge, however, responded that he didnt see the relevance to Barnetts case. But he ruled Tuesday that Barnett should be granted house detention, with the alleged rioter set to be freed from jail in the coming days.

Barnett was able to get into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office during the raid

In seeking to reverse an earlier court ruling that kept Barnett in jail pending his trial, his attorney claimed that he is not a threat to society because he used the word biatch and not b**** in his letter to the speaker.

The government is claiming the letter read, 'Hey Nancy, Bigo was here b****',' but the defense attorneys are arguing it actually said, 'Hey Nancy, Bigo was here 'biatch.'

'On information and belief, the "d" was meant to be two letters a "c" and "h"; with the "c" connected to the "h" to spell "biatch", which is a slang and less offensive word for "b****",' the lawyers write.

They included a link to a definition for the term from FreeDictionary.com in their motion.

The website defines 'biatch' as 'rude slang, a variant of b**** used as a term of endearment or disparagement from another person.'

He went through the Democratic speaker's mail and left her a message

'As such,' the motion continues, 'Richard now asks this court to look past and ultimately disregard the government's distorted representations, which do not rise to the level of showing 'dangerousness' and grant Richard pretrial release as required by law.'

The claim directly contrasts a video taken after the raid in which Barnett, of Arkansas, could be seen proudly proclaiming that he wrote, 'Nancy, Bigo was here b****.'





But the lawyers representing Barnett in federal court further claimed in their motion on Friday that the government purposely distorted the verbiage of the note because it could not legally keep him detained.

'The government's misrepresentation of Exhibit 7 is its latest deliberate attempt to mislead this court by casting Mr. Barnett in the worst possible light in order to ensure that pretrial release is not granted in this case,' the lawyers wrote in the motion.

'The government has also utterly failed in demonstrating a specific articulated future threat of danger to the community.'

Barnett did not coordinate or plan the attack on the Capitol, they argue, and alleged the stun gun he is said to have carried was really just a 'collapsible walking stick.'

The two lawyers asked for him to be released until his trial on federal charges of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, violent entry and disorderly conduct.

US District Judge Christopher Cooper agreed with Barnetts attorneys that federal prosecutors failed to show that he was a threat to public safety.

Defense attorneys representing Barnett are now claiming he wrote 'biatch' instead of 'b****,' which they said is not as bad

Barnetts release comes with several conditions, including home detention. He is to wear an ankle monitor at all times and is not permitted to travel outside a 50-mile radius from his hometown of Gravette, Arkansas.

Barnett is also not permitted to possess firearms or any other weapons. His passport has been revoked and he is barred from applying for a new one.

He is also not permitted to associate with anyone from the January 6 riot at the US Capitol.

In arguing for Barnetts release, McBride also claimed that Barnett removed the batteries out of a walking stick stun gun that he allegedly carried with him to the Capitol.

Cooper challenged McBrides assertion, asking how he would know that.

McBride said that the government has yet to present evidence that the stun gun, which was never recovered, had its lights on on January 6.

Barnett was arrested for his role in the riots on Jan. 8 in Bentonville, Arkansas, and has remained in a federal detention center in D.C. ever since.

He is due in court on May 4.
Apr. 26A Michigan couple recently donated $52 million to support scholarships for college students in working families.

Bob and Ellen Thompson established the Working Families Scholarship Program in 2011, and since then have contributed $33 million to the fund, according to Bowling Green State University officials. With the most recent donation of $52 million, more than 5,200 students will receive financial support.

In 2020, the Thompsons donated the largest gift in BGSU's history  $27 million to expand the Thompson Working Families Scholarship and their other scholarship programs at the university, BGSU officials said.

Since 1981, 1,093 BGSU students have received Thompson scholarships, with funding totaling $6.5 million for Working Families Scholarships and $10.4 million for President's Leadership Academy Scholarships, according to BGSU officials.

In total, the Thompsons have donated $46.9 million to the university. Both Bob and Ellen Thompson hold honorary doctorates from BGSU.

"We are exceptionally grateful for the continued generosity of alumni Bob and Ellen Thompson, who have been incredible supporters of BGSU for decades," said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. "They have made an immeasurable impact on hundreds of BGSU students, and with this unprecedented gift, we will be positioned to ensure a BGSU education is accessible and affordable for many deserving students."

The Thompsons have also invested more than $125 million to provide nine rent-free, nonprofit, public charter schools in Detroit, BGSU officials said. Presently, more than 4,600 students attend these Thompson schools.

First Published April 26, 2021, 4:54pm
In the months since the election tech company Smartmatic sued Fox News and three of its anchors, the two companies have engaged in a prehearing back-and-forth that continued Monday when Fox filed briefs in support of a previous motion to have the lawsuit dismissed.

In its defamation suit, which was filed in New York State Supreme Court on Feb. 4, Smartmatic accused Fox and the anchors Lou Dobbs, Maria Bartiromo and Jeanine Pirro of promoting falsehoods about the company and widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

Shortly after the suit was filed, Fox canceled Mr. Dobbss program on Fox Business and filed a motion for a dismissal of the suit, arguing that the claims of electoral fraud broadcast on Fox News and Fox Business were newsworthy and handled fairly. Smartmatic replied on April 12, with a brief stating that the three Fox anchors had played along as their guests promoted election-related conspiracy theories.

In its latest volley, Fox asserted that its coverage of Smartmatic was part of its overall reporting on a challenge of the election outcome based on claims made by former President Donald J. Trump.
ALBANY  Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo answered questions in-person from reporters Monday for the first time since early December, which was months before he would face bipartisan demands to resign over a multitude of controversies that have engulfed him this year.

The allegations of personal and professional misconduct include his administration's policies and data reporting on nursing home deaths, sexual harassment and groping accusations, his use of government workers to help with a private book deal, and favoritism for his family members during the early stages of the pandemic, when his brother and other relatives received priority COVID-19 testing.

Cuomo had faced pressure in recent weeks for shutting off press access at his public events, choosing instead to talk to members of the media on conference calls or Zooms where his staff decide who gets to ask questions and whether follow-up questions are allowed. With less than two hours' notice, Cuomo held a press conference at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse on Monday.

Despite the short notice, a handful of reporters, including some based at the Capitol, attended the event and peppered the governor with incisive questions about his alleged misdeeds. It triggered more back-and-forth with the press than the governor has had in months.

A reporter asked Cuomo about the allegations of sexual harassment and assault against him: You were in the room, 'yes' or 'no,' did you do the things (you are) accused of?

"No," Cuomo said flatly, later adding that it was impossible any future investigation into the alleged sexual misconduct could turn up evidence against him. At least seven women have accused Cuomo of sexual harassment or touching them in a way that made them uncomfortable, including one who said the governor summoned her to the Executive Mansion under the pretext of fixing his mobile phone and then aggressively groped her.

The report cant say anything different because I didnt do anything wrong," he said. People say a lot of things. People say a lot of things in politics. Why do people say things? Who knows. People are venial. People want attention. People are angry. People are jealous."

Besides questions about sexual harassment, he fielded questions about his administration's nursing homes' policies and the alleged coverup by his administration of the true COVID-19 death toll in those facilities. He also was asked about his staff's assistance with the book, "American Crisis," he wrote and published about his administration's response to the pandemic while it was still unfolding.

People volunteered to work on the book," he said. "Do you know anyone who said they have to work on the book who didnt volunteer? Next question."

The reporter asking about that issue pressed on  something that would be impossible in a virtual press conference format  until the governor finally said: "I didnt have them sign a volunteer form if thats what youre asking. ... Do you know anyone who worked on the book who said they didnt volunteer?

The Times Union has reported that some staffers said they did not believe their work was voluntary.

He said allegations his administration underreported nursing home deaths are "ugly politics" resulting from a "political blame game" that began between himself and former President Donald J. Trump. He said reports that his senior staff edited reports to undercount the official death total instead reflect a desire from the administration to report only the most accurate numbers.

Toward the end, a reporter asked the governor whether he regretted asking young, female aides to come to the Executive Mansion to assist him, a practice that has emerged as a through-line between several of the allegations against Cuomo of sexual harassment.

"No. I have many women who were working in state government," he said. "I am very proud that we probably have more women in senior positions than ever before, and I think that is a good thing.
A tiny granny flat with no bathroom or kitchen has hit the rental market in Perth for $230 a week.

The renovated railway carriage at the bottom of a backyard in Bayswater - a short distance from the CBD - is fully furnished, but only has one room.

The studio has just enough space to fit a queen bed, a lamp, a few pot plants, some free-standing storage and a small table.

The tiny granny flat in the Perth suburb of Bayswater asks prospective tenants for $230 a week but has a separate bathroom and no kitchen

The bathroom of the private rental is located in the main house and there is no kitchen, just a small bar fridge, microwave and induction cooker.

'This lovely carriage is tastefully decorated with its own separate entrance and bathroom', a description of the rental reads on Airbnb.

'Situated in gorgeous Bayswater, it is close to the city, river and shopping districts'.

The owner posted photos of the rental property in the Facebook group 'Perth Housemate Finder Official' on April 15.

'Looking for someone reliable and relatively quiet. The street and neighbours are awesome!', they said.

The studio has barely enough room to fit a bed, a lamp, some free-standing storage, a few pot plants and a small table

However, one group member was unimpressed with the renovated train carriage.

'$230 per week for a shed', they said, with eight other users 'liking' their comment.

'It's furnished in a good location. Looked at the rental market lately?', another member responded.

The Bayswater carriage is just one of the properties part of a wave of new accommodation options to hit the market, as the states rental prices soar.

Damian Collins, head of REIWA, the peak body for real estate, said the trend of renting out a guest house to earn a second income was making a comeback.

The owner of the renovated railway carriage posted the listing to a local Facebook group, with one user describing the property as a 'shed'

'Granny flats were popular seven or eight years ago but that tapered away in the last four or five years,' he told the West Australian.

I expect that will become popular again because we're going to be in a rental shortage for some period.'

Mr Collins encouraged residents to think about opening their guest houses, caravans, sheds or sea containers to host prospective tenants.

However, having a tenant in such close proximity to a homeowner does mean taking some risks, Mr Collins admitted, the biggest being their relationship.

'We often find that they then become close and they don't put the rents up, they give let tenants go into arrears and don't take appropriate action.'

The real estate boss suggested owners look into getting a property manager as an intermediate third party and to always have lease agreements in place.

The listing is just one in a wave of new accommodation options hitting the city's rental market, as the vacancy rate in greater Perth continues to plummet

The vacancy rate in greater Perth is currently sitting at 0.4 per cent, having only dipped under one per cent three times in 40 years.

Michelle Mackenzie from housing non-profit Shelter in Western Australia, said she welcomed the new accommodation options that were popping up across the state.

Ms Mackenzie said the Residential Tenancy Act was in desperate need of updating, describing renters in WA as 'second class citizens'.

'The rental protections do not support long term renting and as more and more people rent for life, we need rental laws to support that.

'We need laws that make it more secure for people.'
[April 27, 2021] TNS Launches Managed Hosting Solution for JPX Traders

Transaction Network Services ( TNS (News - Alert) ) is strengthening its already robust portfolio by bringing its popular Managed Hosting solution to Japan Exchange Group's (JPX) Tokyo-based colocation facility. With its colocation at JPX, TNS now offers a full suite of low-latency services including order routing and market data access for the exchange's impressive portfolio including the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), Osaka Exchange (OSE) and Tokyo Commodity Exchange. By connecting with TNS, organizations can also access TNS' global network which includes more than 365 feeds for 110 exchanges in 22 countries. "TNS is a welcome addition to our colocation facility and connectivity roster," said Ryusuke Yokoyama, Senior Executive Officer and CIO at JPX. "TNS' well established and trusted reputation as a specialist financial connectivity provider complements our objective to provide traders with a range of technologically advanced connectivity options. We look forward to working with the TNS team and expanding JPX's access to their customers." TNS' Managed Hosting Solution is highly flexible and provides the benefits of proximity co-location, such as ultra-low latency exchange access and client cross connects, without the high cost and complexity of researching, procuring, installing and managing trading infrastructure themselves.



"This is an exciting development for TNS and a fantastic additional service we can now offer to latency sensitive traders," said Jeff Mezger, Senior Director of Product Management for TNS' Financial Markets business. "Being within the JPX colocation facility allows us to offer traders not only the ability to host their equipment at the site but also enables TNS to deliver access to other exchanges available globally on the TNS network." Trading on foreign exchanges requires investors to have a knowledge of, and be in compliance with, different rules and vendors, which can create significant complexity. TNS simplifies this by having a local presence that addresses language and cultural barriers.

TNS' connection to JPX also means it can make its ultra-low latency TNS Layer 1 offering available for JPX traders. TNS Layer 1 can deliver connectivity in as little as 5 to 85 nanoseconds, making it up to 10 times faster than traditional layer 3 architectures. TNS brings together over 2,800 financial community endpoints, supported by a global, 125-strong point-of-presence footprint. Specifically designed and engineered to address the needs of financial market participants worldwide, TNS offers a range of connectivity, colocation, cloud, market data and VPN solutions within its infrastructure as a service (IaaS) portfolio. Its solutions are monitored 24x7x365 by TNS' Network Operations Centers in the US, UK and Australia. For further information visit tnsfinancial.com. ENDS About Transaction Network Services (News - Alert) : TNS is a world renowned provider of Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solutions to the financial, communications and payments markets. Established more than 30 years ago, its extensive portfolio of innovative, value added services now supports thousands of organizations across more than 60 countries to interact efficiently, conduct mission critical processes securely and adopt new technologies flexibly. TNS' Financial Markets business brings global trading participants together and connect them to the world's exchanges through a range of managed hosting, global market data, resilient connectivity and other infrastructure solutions. Innovative technology enables TNS to deliver ultra-low latency solutions and its superior engineered architecture future-proofs clients against ever increasing exchange data volumes. For more information please visit tnsi.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005556/en/

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President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday opened a nanotechnology and semiconductor manufacturing facility at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Nyeri County.

The facility was established by Semiconductor Technologies Limited (STL) on the 177-acre Dedan Kimathi University of Technologys Science and Technology Park (DeST-Park) on a public-private partnership arrangement.

The company, which is the only one of its kind in Africa, will produce integrated circuits, sensors and related nanotechnology products for the world market. Its products have a high global demand and are used in electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, televisions, and laptop computers.

President Kenyatta reiterated the importance of public-private partnerships (PPP) in advancing the Governments manufacturing pillar of the Big 4 Agenda.

This is the dream some of us have for this country, our ability to become an industrialised nation, to be able to create good quality and well-paying jobs for our young people, the President said.

Uhuru noted that it was unique companies established by Kenyans like STL that will transform Kenya from a country that consumes products from other parts of the world to one that exports not only its products but also its technology across the globe.

The Head of State recalled that recently he launched a weapons factory which will save the country millions of taxpayers money every year as part of the Governments effort to produce and consume locally manufactured goods.

By producing locally, we are not only saving money but also creating well-paying jobs for our young people, President Kenyatta said.

In this regard, the President disclosed that he will soon launch a shipbuilding enterprise in Mombasa, adding that the country is also getting back to assembling motor vehicles locally as used to happen in the past.

I believe this is the vision that we all need to work on as we work on all the infrastructure, generating sufficient power, building roads and putting fibre networks.

We are doing all this so that we can attract industries such as this one in order to create employment, create hope and give opportunity especially to the young people of this country, the President said.

The Universitys collaboration with STL in this manufacturing venture is geared towards supporting the Governments policy of Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative.

The photos.
COLUMBUS, OhioGov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday signed bipartisan legislation designed to free up state psychiatric hospital beds and expand Ohioans access to online care from out-of-state psychologists.

Senate Bill 2, which passed the Ohio legislature unanimously, seeks to address a shortage of space at the states six psychiatric hospitals. Two-thirds of people at those hospitals right now are there for court-ordered treatment so they can be competent to stand trial, and about half of those patients have been charged with a misdemeanor, according to Republican state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, the bills sponsor, in written testimony earlier this year.

SB2 would require courts to consider treatment outside of a hospital for such defendants. During legislative testimony, Gavarone argued that many of these defendants facing low-level, non-violent charges can be treated at outpatient facilities instead of being fully admitted to a psychiatric hospital.

Under the current system, Gavarone testified, about half of those low-level defendants are released without connecting them to ongoing mental-health services, while the other half are released (because of the low level of the charge theyre facing) without getting to the point that they would be deemed competent to stand trial.

That results in people going through a revolving door of courts, jails, and state hospitals without any progress, Gavarone testified.

SB2 also makes Ohio the 16th state to join the Psychological Interjurisdictional Compact, or PSYPACT. That means psychologists licensed in Ohio can provide teletherapy to patients in other member states, and Ohioans can receive teleservices from psychologists living in those other states.

Right now Pennsylvania is the only PSYPACT member that borders Ohio, though Kentucky and West Virginia are each set to become member states this summer.

Gavarone said Tuesday the bill will allow many snowbirds or college students attending school outside Ohio to keep their psychologist.

Telepsychology had been growing even before the coronavirus crisis forced most therapy appointments to be conducted online, Ronald Ross, executive director of the Ohio Board of Psychology, testified in March.

(As) competence and comfort with telepsychology grows among psychologists, PSYPACT will provide citizens with expanded access to care while providing Ohios psychologists with opportunities to expand practice into PSYPACT-member states, Ross said in written remarks.

On Tuesday, DeWine also signed Senate Bill 57, which offers property tax exemptions to permanent supportive housing, which provides housing and services to people with mental illness or substance abuse issues.

The bill  which also passed unanimously  was introduced after Columbus City Schools handed a property tax bill to two such properties managed by a local nonprofit.

The Ohio Board of Tax Appeals sided with Columbus schools; the matter is now before the Ohio Supreme Court.

SB57 further allows county boards of revision to revise the taxable value of a property if its value went down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more Ohio politics and government stories:

Nina Turner becomes first to go up on TV with $500,000 ad buy in 11th Congressional District

University of Akron to resume coronavirus vaccine clinics with J&J for students, employees

Ohio coronavirus cases and hospitalizations trend down; state and county updates

DeWine sets Aug. 3 as special primary election date for Steve Stivers congressional seat

Rep. Jim Jordan sets new record for conservatism, group says
Osei Tutu II born Nana Barima Kwaku Duah is 22 years on the Golden stool.



Osei Tutu II is the 16th Asantehene who was enstooled on 26 April 1999.



He is also the Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the Grand Patron of the Grand Lodge of Ghana and the Sword Bearer of the United Grand Lodge of England.



Between 1981 and 1985, he was a senior consultant at the Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company in Toronto, Canada.



He returned to London in 1985 and became the Personnel Officer at the HPCC Stonebridge Bus Garage Project, in the London Borough of Brent.



He then founded his own mortgage finance firm, Primoda Financial Services Limited, located on Kilburn High Road, North West London.



He returned to Ghana in 1989 to start a transport business, the Transpomech International (Ghana) Limited.



The Asantehene is highly revered in the Ashanti Region and other parts of the country.



He headed the Committee of Eminent Chiefs that helped to end the over two-decade Dagbon chieftaincy crisis.



In 2009 he launched the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Charity Foundation to serve his people in two of his main focus areas: education and health.



In February 2020, he became the first person to receive the 'Pillar of Peace Award'. This was in recognition of the effort that he put into restoring peace to the kingdom of Dagbon.



He is also a recipient of the CIMG President's Special Award in 2019.





Source: class fm









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Thirty-six pro-democracy activists are still being held in Hong Kong jails more than a month after first appearing in court to face charges. The defendants are to remain in jail until their next planned court appearance on May 31. No trial date has been set.

Critics are denouncing the way the activists cases are being handled. They see the process as the latest attempt by China to sharply limit speech and other freedoms in Hong Kong.

The activists were arrested on charges related to a new national security law passed by the Chinese government last June. Critics say the law is meant to silence opposition in the former British territory.

In total, 47 pro-democracy activists were brought to court March 1 on charges of conspiracy to commit subversion. Eleven of them were permitted to leave jail after they were given bail.

The charges were related to an unofficial primary election the activists helped organize. The process was meant to choose the best candidates to win seats in Hong Kongs legislative elections. Those elections were supposed to happen last September but have been postponed until December.

The situation surrounding the jailed defendants has worried many in Hong Kong. They say it is a clear example of how the national security law is making extreme changes to the city. The law punishes what it considers unlawful acts, such as subversion, terrorism and working with foreign forces, with up to life in prison.

The bail process is ongoing. In one of the latest court hearings, on April 14, former journalist and democratic lawmaker Claudia Mo was denied bail for a second time.

The hearings started at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on March 1. Over the next four days, the defendants had more than 40 hours of hearings. They were denied a change of clothes throughout and, at first, not permitted to shower. Ten were taken to the hospital, some suffering physical exhaustion.

In the courtroom next to the hearings, some family members and supporters cried as they watched through a live video link.

At least 12 of the defendants announced on social media that they would no longer be involved in politics. Some resigned from their jobs. Some removed their Facebook accounts, including four members of the pro-democracy Civic Party.

In an open letter published April 16, the four called for the party to separate. Everyones peace and safety is what we care about deeply in our hearts, the letter said.

Law experts and government critics say the long hearings are part of a plan to crush Hong Kongs democracy movement after the protests of 2019.

Leaders in Beijing and Hong Kong have said the protests launched the city into a crisis and caused a serious security risk. On April 15, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam praised the national security law for effectively restoring stability.

The defendants situation is highly unusual in Hong Kong, an active judge and two retired judges told Reuters news agency. The city long took pride in the independence of its British-style judicial system. Now, the judges said, the long bail hearings have marked a real change from the territorys common law tradition.

Simon Young is a lawyer and law professor at the University of Hong Kong. Of the defendants, he said, We can ask whether it was necessary to charge everyone at the same time and process them all together.

One of the retired Hong Kong judges expressed disapproval for how the hearings are progressing and the way the defendants are being treated.

Some in the territory said they agreed with the process, including the denial of bail for many of the defendants. Pro-Beijing lawmaker Holden Chow told Reuters he thinks the court has rightly handled the entire process.

However, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights states that detaining defendants should not be the general rule. The exception is when there are clear risks of a defendant committing more offenses or running away. But now, whenever there is a conflict, the national security law replaces all local laws in Hong Kong.

The new law means defendants could spend months detained before trials begin. One active judge told Reuters the bail hearings were a reminder of show trials used by China and other governments to mentally weaken political opponents publicly. The judge spoke on the condition that Reuters would not publish his or her name.

Over the past year, Hong Kong officials have disqualified candidates from public office and stopped protests. And they have jailed well-known activists like Joshua Wong and media businessman Jimmy Lai. Chinas leaders are also now changing the citys electoral system to ensure only people it considers "patriots" can govern Hong Kong.

The Chinese government did not answer requests from Reuters for comment.

The Hong Kong Department of Justice decides who will be charged. It said in a statement to Reuters that generally people are only charged if there is enough evidence to support a conviction. And if it is in the public interest to do so, the statement noted.

The document charging the 47 people says that the defendants main aim was to force the citys chief executive to resign. Prosecutors have said the democracy movements primary election method was a violation of the national security law.

In comments to Reuters, the Hong Kong Judiciary said it was examining the overall arrangements of handling cases involving a large number of litigants and observers at all levels of courts. The examination was taking place with the goal of finding improvement measures to the process, it said.

While hearings have continued, the 36 jailed defendants have been given no information about when their trial might begin.

Im Dan Friedell. And Im Alice Bryant.

Reuters news agency reported this story. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

bail  n. the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, often on condition that a sum of money be paid to the court

conspiracy  n. a secret plan made by two or more people to do something that is harmful or illegal

commit  v. to do something that is illegal or harmful

subversion  n. the act of secretly trying to ruin or destroy a government or political system

exhaustion  n. the state of being extremely tired

pride  n. a feeling that you respect yourself and deserve to be respected by other people

patriot  n. a person who loves and strongly supports or fights for his or her country

prosecutor  n. a lawyer who represents the side in a court case that accuses a person of a crime and who tries to prove that the person is guilty

arrangement  n. a usually informal agreement

litigant  n. a person who is involved in a lawsuit
ABC has acquired UK police drama Viewpoint.

Starring Noel Clarke, Alexandra Roach, Amy Wren and Fehinti Balogun it premiered in Britain this week.

Based on an idea by Fleabag director, Harry Bradbeer (Killing Eve, No Offence) and co-created and written by Edgar award-winner Ed Whitmore (Safe House, Manhunt), the five-part drama follows a tense police surveillance investigation into a tight knit Manchester community and explores whether it is ever possible to observe the lives of others with true objectivity and zero effect.

Noel Clarke (Bulletproof) plays surveillance detective DC Martin Young, who sets up his observation post in the home of single mum and secret voyeur, Zoe Sterling, played by Alexandra Roach (No Offence, Black Mirror).

Zoes windows command a panoramic view of Westbury Square, and more importantly provides a direct sightline into the home of missing primary school teacher, Gemma Hillman, played by Amy Wren (Tutankhamun, The Last Kingdom); the home she shares with boyfriend and prime suspect in her disappearance, Greg Sullivan, played by Fehinti Balogun (Informer).

It has also been sold to Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland.

Claire Jago, SVP Nordics at Banijay Rights, stated, Im thrilled that Viewpoint will get to reach such a wide audience; the Nordics are typically avid crime drama fans and I know this gripping new series will not disappoint.

Source: VideoAge

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ROME, APR 27 - The situation at Alitalia is "tragic," with workers not getting their salaries on time, the CEO of ITA, the anointed heir of the troubled airline, said on Tuesday. Last week the government had to approve an advance of 50 million euros to Alitalia as part of aid for revenues lost in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions in order to enable the troubled airline to pay workers' salaries for April. But the money did not come through in time for workers to be paid on schedule on Tuesday. "The employees are not getting their salaries on time and this is a tragic situation," ITA CEO Fabio Lazzerini told a joint hearing of the Lower House's transport and industry committees. The loss-making former flag-carrier has been in extraordinary administration for years and the pandemic has made its plight even worse. The government wants to restructure the airline, via the launch of ITA, a new State-controlled company. According to the plan, ITA would get State cash to buy many of Alitalia's assets and it would hire around 11,000 of its workers. But the negations between Rome and Brussels on how to allow the move to proceed while complying with EU law are proving tough. The European Commission has asked ITA to show there will be "discontinuity", reportedly asking for the Alitalia name to be dropped and many of the carrier's slots at Milan's Linate airport to be released, among other things. Lazzerini said that ITA was "holding out" in the talks to be able to keep its own handling arm. "Out plan continues to be the aviation, holding and maintenance part (of the business)," he said. (ANSA).
A hotel owner in An Giang was arrested Tuesday for helping 25 Chinese illegally enter Cambodia.

Nguyen Thi Kim Huy, 54, along with her accomplices, Nguyen Van Ut, 34, and Nguyen Nhu Nho, 61, were arrested by police of the Mekong Delta province, which borders Cambodia, for allegedly "brokering illegal exit in Vietnam."

In March, Ut asked Nho to recommend a hotel for a group of Chinese before helping them enter Cambodia. Nho then requested help from Huy, who owns a hotel.

(From L) Nguyen Van Ut, Nguyen Nhu Nho and Nguyen Thi Kim Huy at a police station in An Giang Province. Photo by VnExpress/An Phu.

On April 14, an unidentified person in Cambodia called Ut and said eight Chinese had traveled to An Giang. Ut then took them to Huys hotel. Two days later, Ut called a cab for the Chinese group to leave the hotel, but was busted by police.

The Chinese group has been placed in quarantine for Covid-19 prevention. They confessed to police they had illegally entered Vietnam through the northern border.

Huy and Ut confessed they, with Nho, have helped 25 Chinese cross over to Cambodia illegally on three separate occasions.
Tesla does not finish solving a controversy when another one arrives. This time, Elon Musk , CEO of the company, admitted that they have made "significant mistakes" in their Solar Roof project, such as delays and cost overruns in the installation of solar roofs .

In a conference call with investors, Musk said the company is still struggling to meet the high demand for its solar roofs. However, they still need to make more efforts to increase distribution.

It may interest you: Elon Musk announces a contest for 100 million dollars: Here we tell you how to participate

Musk's remarks come right in the middle of complaints from customers upset with Tesla's Solar Roof . In addition to delays due to the inability to meet demand , many report increases of more than double with respect to the initial price after the installation of their sunroof.

For example, the case of a buyer who claimed to have paid $ 35,000 (about 700,000 Mexican pesos) at the time of signing the contract stands out. However, shortly after, he received an email stating that the new price was $ 75,000 (about 1.5 million pesos).

Solar Roof even clears off the snow - Tesla (@Tesla) February 21, 2021

Elon Musk explained that Tesla has had trouble "assessing the difficulty of certain roofs" and said that the "complexity of roofs varies dramatically ."

The founder of SpaceX detailed that if a roof has bulges or problems with the structure, or is not strong enough to support the solar tiles, then the cost can be two or three times higher than the initial estimates . However, he clarified that Tesla is reimbursing deposits to customers who do not want to pay the price increase.

Also read: This car of only 89 thousand pesos is beating Tesla in China

What is Tesla Solar Roof?

Elon Musk's electric vehicle company announced its ambitious solar roof project in 2016 and featured it on the set of the 'Desperate Housewives' series. Back then, Tesla was trying to acquire Solar City , a solar power company formed by his cousins of which Musk was president.

The roofs he showed at the event weren't quite working, Fast Company later reported, and even Musk reportedly called the shingle prototypes a "piece of crap ."

Despite this, the tycoon merged Tesla and SolarCity to boost its sustainable energy project. Since then, the solar roof has undergone multiple revisions and it is planned to increase installation of these during 2021. In fact, the CEO of Tesla announced last week that its solar panels and tiles will be sold as an integrated product with its Powerwall battery .

The Tesla Solar Roof is slightly hydrophobic, so water, snow or ice slide off easily - Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 22, 2021

The technology for these products, called 'solar fabric' consists of separate tiles, with built-in solar panels, that transfer the collected energy to a Tesla Powerwall battery. This in turn supplies voltage to a transformer to convert it into alternating current.

It may interest you: Elon Musk's SpaceX sent four humans into space on successful takeoff of the Falcon 9 rocket

Tesla, in the eye of public opinion

Just a week ago, the crash and fire of an allegedly self-driving Tesla left two dead and caused a drop in the company's shares, as well as million-dollar losses to Musk's fortune .

A couple of days later, a customer publicly protested Tesla's mishandling of her complaint, alleging that the faulty brakes on her parents' Tesla Model 3 caused an accident that left them hospitalized. While the firm apologized , the controversy was a major setback for Tesla's image in China.

These incidents are compounded by new problems for Tesla to meet the demand for solar roofs , as well as the increase in the final cost for customers. But that is not all.

According to the financial results report for the first quarter of 2021, the firm reported sales of $ 494 million . Despite this, Tesla's power generation products division is not profitable , reports The Verge .

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
The unprecedented surge in coronavirus infections in India has prompted rich families to escape the country by private jet.

Amid the mounting COVID-19 crisis in India and reports of oxygen, hospital bed, and drug shortages, the country's tycoons and others who can pay fares running into millions of rupees are booking flights to safe dens in Europe, the Indian Ocean, and the Middle East.

"It's not only the ultra-rich," Rajan Mehra, CEO, Club One Air, a New Delhi-based private jet firm, told Bloomberg. He added that anybody who can afford to take a private jet is booking a ticket.

Also Read: Air India to ferry 600 oxygen concentrators from US in 2 days

India registered 3,52,991 fresh coronavirus cases on Monday, April 26, the highest daily case tally globally since the COVID-19 pandemic began last year. With India's health infrastructure crumbling under the mounting strain of virus cases, Bollywood stars too have been spotted getting away to destinations such as the Maldives.

Some of the impetus for rich Indians to fly out of the country has also come from other nations taking steps to curb travel from South Asian state in the wake of the COVID-19 second wave. The UK, Canada, UAE, and Hong Kong are among over a dozen countries that have placed restrictions, while other nations are poised to announce measures.

The report added that the Maldives will restrain Indians from visiting all but some resort-only islands from Tuesday, resulting in a last-minute rush in departures.

"There was a huge surge to London and Dubai just before the restrictions took place, and the Maldives too before they announced the ban," Mehra who was earlier the head of Indian operations at Qatar Airways, told the news agency.

A one-way flight from New Delhi to Dubai is priced at around Rs 15 lakh ($20,000), comprising ground handling and other fees, Mehra said, adding that private-jet operators also charge for return flight if the plane is empty.

Also Read: Private jets industry wrecked; only 5% fleet flying, 40% aircraft to remain grounded after lockdown

The retreat to foreign locations has reverberations of last year, when India prohibited medical evacuation flights in view of the concern that wealthy people might falsely claim that they need treatment to jet around the country during the lockdown after the government proscribed commercial services.

Whilst private airfares were already high and haven't been increased, airline ticket prices have climbed.

There's little availability to foreign locales such as London in the wake of a spurt in bookings for "immediate travel", Nishant Pitti, Co-Founder, Easy Trip Planners India, told the news agency.

Meanwhile, Mehra said that the one-way economy class trips to Dubai cost around $1,300, over 10 times the regular fare. "That shows how desperately people are trying to get away," he noted.
The FBI searched troves of communications sucked up by the National Security Agency for information on 'racially motivated violent extremists' without a warrant, ignoring previous warnings it was breaking the law.

The FBI's requests for access to masses of electronic communications harvested by the National Security Agency (NSA) is revealed in a newly declassified report from the United States' secret surveillance court.

It shows the FBI has continued to perform warrantless searches through the NSA's most sensitive databases for routine criminal investigations, despite being told by a federal judge in 2018 and 2019 that such a use was an unconstitutional breach of privacy.

The FBI focused many of its warrantless searches - commonly referred to as backdoor queries - on suspected 'far-right' domestic terrorists, The Daily Beast reported.

It's unclear from the heavily-redacted Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) court report whether the FBI uncovered any criminal extremist behavior or made any arrests resulting from the searches.

In its gathering of 'foreign' communications data, the NSA often sweeps up Americans' communications, too.

It's unclear how many Americans had their data viewed by the FBI in its search for 'racially motivated' extremists.

The FISA report did reveal that a single request for data to the NSA from an FBI analyst for information on a suspected domestic terrorists returned 33 hits.

It's not clear how many other requests were tied to the hunt for alleged racially motivated extremists, nor who at the FBI asked for the data or approved the request.

A senior FBI official told DailyMail.com the FBI had taken 'numerous steps' to comply with the FISA court guidance over the past 18 months.

The official wouldn't answer other questions on specifics and referred questions to the NSA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

An NSA spokesman said it wouldn't comment when reached by the DailyMail.com. A spokeswoman for the ODNI said they had no additional information to what FBI had provided.

Under Director Christopher Wray, the FBI has continued to conduct warrantless searches, potentially in breach of the US Constitution. Above, he testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in March

The NSA's vast dragnet of electronic data is only supposed to be used by domestic agencies such as the FBI in cases of national security. Above is the NSA headquarters at Fort Meade, Maryland

Judges with the FISA secret surveillance court have repeatedly called out the FBI for its unconstitutional use of the NSA's electronic data. Above is US Cyber Command, home to the NSA headquarters in Maryland

The FBI did not say what it did with seized data that turned out to be harmless or irrelevant to its search, or whether its access to the NSA's electronic dragnet led to any arrests or convictions.

In 2019, a federal court ruled the US government can collect information about its citizens without obtaining a warrant if the information is gathered inadvertently while legally carrying out surveillance of non-nationals abroad, such as what the NSA does routinely.

The NSA monitors vast troves of global communications, including text messages, phone calls, emails and messages on encrypted apps, but is constrained by US law on how it uses the information against US citizens.

Incidental collection of Americans' data is allowed, according to a 2019 federal court ruling.

However, databases of stored NSA information could violate the Constitutions Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

The FBI has traditionally only been allowed to seek data in cases of national security.

But after the bureau began making requests for routine criminal investigations, the FISA courts have been cracking down on how the FBI can access the data of Americans who are caught in these sweeps.

The FBI has been repeatedly blasted by federal judges over its use of the NSA's vast electronic sweep of emails, texts and other electronic data.

In October 2019, the agency was found to have performed tens of thousands of illegal searches on Americans.

It probed the NSA database for information on US citizens - when legally it only could have been used to gather foreign intelligence information or in cases of national security.

The National Security Agency, operating inside the United States, is authorized to collect communications of foreigners overseas for foreign intelligence purposes.

The searches potentially breach a person's right to a fair trial, as The Fourth Amendment protects American citizens from 'unreasonable searches.'

A search of such raw data goes against the very same law that authorizes the surveillance program, the court ruled.

In December 2019, the top FISA judge called out the FBI for repeatedly submitting applications to wiretap former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page that were riddled with errors and omissions, and ordered the government to inform the court on how it plans to reform the process.

The scathing four-page order from Rosemary Collyer, the presiding judge over the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA), marks the first time the court has responded to the controversy, which became public last week with the release of a report by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas (seen above speaking to the press at the White House on March 1) announced an internal review to assess the threat of violent extremism from within the Department of Homeland Security

The internal review is part of a broader administration focus on domestic threats following the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. At least 52 of the more than 400 people arrested for taking part in the Capitol riot are either former or current military, law enforcement, or government service employees, according to ABC News

The NSA's vast dragnet of electronic data is only supposed to be used by domestic agencies such as the FBI in cases of national security.

In the newly released FISA report, which was dated November 2020, a judge says the FBI's Fourth Amendment violations were still 'apparently widespread'.

In a statement, a senior FBI official said the majority of the 'query incidents referenced in this report occurred prior to implementation of the FBI's system changes and training regarding the additional documentation requirements discussed above'.

FBI searches also looked into 'health care fraud, transnational organized crime, violent gangs' and 'public corruption and bribery'.

'The FBI is dedicated to full adherence with FISAs requirements and to keeping the American people safe from national security threats,' the senior FBI official said.

It's unclear if they have ever faced any legal repercussions for the repeated breaches.

Revelations that the FBI are continuing to access the NSA's database without a warrant comes as Congress is considering new domestic terror laws in response to the January 6 attacks on the Capitol.

Security agencies and police departments are also pledging to rid their ranks of violent extremists.

On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced an internal review to assess the threat within the agency.

Senior DHS officials will immediately begin the review, which is aimed at preventing, detecting and responding to extremism within the ranks of a sprawling agency that includes the Coast Guard and the nation's immigration enforcement organizations, Secretary Mayorkas said in a letter announcing the effort.
On 21 April, the University of Tartu and Bolt signed a significant agreement to expand collaboration in the development of autonomous vehicle technology. The Institute of Computer Science will considerably enlarge the autonomous driving technology research group, creating better opportunities for research, development and innovation in this field and for the practical training of students.

The five-year agreement aims to further develop the technical capabilities of the current Autonomous Driving Lab in the area of AI, maps and algorithms, create better conditions for connecting technology to urban traffic infrastructures, bring more students and researchers into the field, and enhance collaboration with various partners in Estonia and internationally to develop and validate new ideas. This is the largest cooperation agreement ever concluded between Estonian universities and the private sector without external public funding.

According to Rector of the University of Tartu Toomas Asser, the agreement is a good example of how researchers' collaboration with businesses supports the university's objectives. The powerful advancement of this rapidly developing field encourages a surge in the volume of research and teaching, and helps implement the cooperation model between the university and the business sector. The further development of an experimental platform enables enterprises to assess the performance of autonomous driving technology and foster the skills of students as future specialists.

"The self-driving test car currently driving in the centre of Tartu is a good and visible example of the cooperation that has provided researchers and students of different faculties, as well as enterprises with the possibility to develop autonomous driving technology," said Asser.

Rain Johanson, Chief Technology Officer of Bolt, said that ongoing cooperation with the University of Tartu is a great opportunity to develop world-class technology. "The University of Tartu has extensive knowledge, experience, and means to work out and develop innovative solutions for the future. In addition, Estonia has ideal climate and supportive laws to test autonomous driving technology," said Johanson.

According to the chief technology officer, people's needs for different means of transport are growing, making self-driving vehicles an excellent alternative to the current modes of transport. "To use innovative solutions in the future, however, the technology as well as the infrastructure and the legal environment requires advancement. Through this agreement, we hope the new generation of top-level experts will vigorously move the field forward," Johanson added.

Jaak Vilo, Head of the Institute of Computer Science, explained that autonomous driving vehicles require a variety of software solutions, including maps for the vehicle's location, destination and trajectory planning as well as the intelligence of the vehicle itself. The car needs to analyse the camera, radar, lidar and sensors, in order to detect the surrounding situation and make decisions. The different components of the software should be able to communicate with each other while ensuring reliability and safety.

"Thanks to the agreement, we will significantly enhance our cooperation, open a new professorship, recruit scientists, doctoral and graduate students. The expanded research lab will also be open to other interested parties to validate ideas, develop new technological solutions and conduct experimental projects. In addition, many more students will directly benefit from it, as we will prepare new courses and provide an internship base to them so they could become top-level professionals," said Vilo.

The collaboration between Bolt and the University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science has previously received a grant from the Archimedes measure "Support for applied research in smart specialisation growth areas", which is available for use from May 2019 to August 2021.

###
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Deveron Corp. (TSXV: FARM) ("Deveron" or the "Company"), a leading agriculture digital services and insights provider in North America, is pleased to announce that it has appointed Pranay Joshi as VP - Engineering. Pranay is a hands-on technical leader, experienced in building diverse and high performing engineering teams. He will lead the development of Deveron's technology strategy and accelerate the impact of the Company's recent acquisition, Farm Dog.

Pranay holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Computer Science and an MBA from Schulich School of Business.

David MacMillan, Deveron's President and CEO, commented, "We are excited to have Pranay join the team at Deveron. As we continue to look at unique ways to digitally organize agriculture data, Pranay will be a great hands on leader to significantly impact our growing digital ecosystem. With over 3 million acres in North American using our various products and services, we are excited for technology to accelerate our growth."

The Company has granted employees of the company 200,000 options to purchase common shares exercisable at a price of $0.74 per common share. The options expire on April 27, 2026, vest over 5 years. The shares issuable upon exercise of the options are subject to a four month hold period from the original date of grant.

About Deveron: Deveron is an agriculture technology company that uses data and insights to help farmers and large agriculture enterprises increase yields, reduce costs and improve farm outcomes. The company employs a digital process that leverages data collected on farms across North America to drive unbiased interpretation of production decisions, ultimately recommending how to optimize input use. Our team of agronomists and data scientists build products that recommend ways to better manage fertilizer, seed, fungicide, and other farm inputs. Additionally, we have a national network of data technicians that are deployed to collect various types of farm data, from soil to drone, that build a basis of our best in class data layers. Our focus is the US and Canada where 1 billion acres of farmland are actively farmed annually.

For more information and to join our community, please visit www.deveronuas.com /register

David MacMillan

President & CEO Deveron Corp.

416-367-4571 ext. 221

dmacmillan@deveronuas.com

"Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of that phrase under Canadian securities laws. Without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various degrees of risk. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current views with respect to possible future events and conditions and, by their nature, are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific to the Company. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: changes in the world-wide price of agricultural commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in agriculture, the uncertainty of future profitability and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. Additional information regarding the material factors and assumptions that were applied in making these forward-looking statements as well as the various risks and uncertainties we face are described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of our annual and interim Management's Discussion and Analysis of our financial results and other continuous disclosure documents and financial statements we file with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update this forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. The Company relies on litigation protection for forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81816
TROY  State fire investigators are leading the investigation of a fatal Sunday fire in South Troy in which a 7-year-old boy died, city officials said Monday.

Connor White, a second grader at Waterford-Halfmoon Elementary School, died in the 5 a.m. blaze that consumed four buildings at 384, 386, 388 and 390 Fourth St., city police said.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined by the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control, city fire officials said. Firefighters remained at the scene of the fire Monday.

The fire displaced 20 people, according to the Northeastern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross which provided assistance to 11 adults and nine children.

DiTonno & Sons of Albany had a demolition crew on the fire scene Monday knocking down the burned out remains of the buildings at the southeast corner of Madison and Fourth streets.

The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District announced Connor's death to its residents Monday on its website.

"It is with a heavy heart that we are informing our Waterford-Halfmoon school community of the loss of one of our second grade students, who perished in the fire on Sunday morning in Troy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family," the district stated.

"Connor was a sweet soul who will be greatly missed by his teachers and peers. He was considered by students to be the "little brother". Everyone looked after Connor!" the district said.

Connors extended family in New Jersey launched a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $10,000 to assist his family.

Connor White was tragically taken from his family at the age of 7 years old to a vicious fire. His family was not financially prepared for this unexpected event. Any amount will help them get back on their feet and give him the memorial services he deserves, the GoFundMe page entitled Connor White Memorial Fund states.

As of early Monday night, 75 people had contributed $5,725 toward the $10,000 goal.
A major threat is brewing for international oil and commodity markets in the coming months. There has been an increase in the amount of drone and missile attacks on Saudi oil and transportation infrastructure in the last couple of years, and now it seems that threat is evolving. The Saudi ministry of defense stated that an explosive-laden boat was intercepted off the Red Sea port of Yanbu, one of Saudi Arabias main oil export ports. The media is still waiting on further details to emerge from Saudi Arabia, but maritime security sources stated that it would likely have involved an attack on another vessel in the area. The Houthis and other rebel groups have already been involved already in several major anti-ship attacks, but this would be the first time a remote-controlled drone boat attack has been seen. As Turki Al Maliki, Saudi defense spokesman, stated the booby-trapped boat was dealt with and destroyed according to the rules of engagement. The Saudi response, as always, was very clear, calm, and factual. Security firm Dryad Global, however, claimed that several unconfirmed reports indicated that the drone-vessel was targeting Saudi national shipping company Bahris oil tanker NCC Dammam. Bahris CEO, Abdullah Aldubaikhi, has denied the reports. Still, several other security companies, such as maritime specialists Neptune P2P Group and British maritime security group Ambry both claimed that smoke was seen coming from a vessel in the area. According to United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), an incident approximately 2 nautical miles from Yanbu was reported and investigations are ongoing.

Early reports not only linked the Yemeni Houthis to the attack but also suggested a possible link with Iran. The ongoing JCPOA discussions in Vienna, rising tensions between Israel and Iran, and the possibility of discussions between Saudi Arabia and Turkey could all be considered incentives for this attack. A possible security discussion between Iran and Saudi Arabia, as has been reported by several Arab media sources, could also be a reason for increased aggression from the Houthis. Hardliners in Tehran will be eager to derail any thaw in relations between Iran and the U.S. or Saudi Arabia. At the same time, increased activity is expected from Iranian proxies in the run-up to the upcoming presidential elections on June 18. A new strongman is expected to be elected may want to demonstrate their influence before elections. Related: Get Ready For Big Oils Most Important Earnings Season Ever

The security threats to Saudi Arabia are part of broader regional developments. An expansion of Houthi or other Iranian proxy capabilities in the Red Sea area would be a direct threat to international markets. As the Suez Canal blockade has shown, when the area is blocked, the global economy is hit hard. Potential remote-controlled attack vessels represent a serious new threat in the region. Container vessels and VLCCs have been targeted before in the Red Sea, but this is a new form of attack that has the potential to be effective.

There has been an increase in Iranian-linked maritime attacks of late. At the beginning of April, U.S. and Iranian warships came close to a full confrontation in the Persian Gulf. Vessels of the IRGC Navy appear to be upping the ante even further, showing drone footage of a perceived fly-over of a U.S. carrier in the Gulf. These broader attacks could threaten maritime trade not only in and around the Red Sea but also around the Horn of Africa or in the Indian Ocean. Most of these activities are linked to the IRGC, which reports directly to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The recent increase in aggression from Iran and its proxies suggests that Iranian president Hassan Rouhani and his Minister of Foreign Affairs Zarif are losing influence by the day.

By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The Holy Light will be brought from Jerusalem on Saturday, May 1, by Archimandrite Father Teofil Anasatosoaie, Superior of the Romanian Patriarchate Establishments at the Holy Places, and will be distributed at the Romanian Patriarchate International Airport, while observing the safety rules in the context of the pandemic, reports agerpres.

Subsequently, on Colina Bucuriei, on Saturday, between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm, there will be a procession to receive the Holy Light, at the Patriarchal Cathedral, by Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church Daniel, according to a press release of the Romanian Patriarchate sent on Tuesday toAGERPRES.

The diocesan centres, through archdioceses, will distribute the Holy Light to each parish.***The Holy Light is considered a miracle of Orthodoxy, which happens every year of Easter in Jerusalem when, during the Great Vespers for Holy Saturday, between 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm, a fire appears above the Holy Sepulcher coming from the sky, manifesting itself differently every year and which, in the first minutes, does not burn.
Bethlehem Democratic mayoral candidates are planning to debate five days ahead of the primary election, which will be simulcast on PBS39 and 91.3 WLVR Radio.

The event airing at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 13 will feature candidates J. William Reynolds, 39, and Dana Grubb, 70. It is being hosted by PBS39, 91.3WLVR, lehighvalleylive.com and the Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley. The debate will be co-moderated by WLVR news director Jen Rehill and veteran lehighvalleylive.com journalist Kurt Bresswein.

The hour-long live debate also will be live streamed online and on the PBS39 Facebook and 91.3 WLVR Facebook pages.

Reynolds and Grubb both seek to replace outgoing Mayor Robert Donchez. Donchez cannot run again because of the citys two-term limit for mayor.

Reynolds was first elected to city council in 2008 and is the bodys longest-serving member. The Allentown teacher lost to Donchez in the 2013 Democratic primary. Reynolds did not challenge Donchez again in 2017, instead rolling out an ambitious legislative agenda as he served as council president, a parliamentarian position. Reynolds was elected to another four-year council term in 2019.

Reynolds previously said after a difficult year, Bethlehems businesses need support as they are a crucial draw for visitors. At the same time, he said, the city must better tie its two downtowns into the citys neighborhoods. He expressed support for targeted economic development incentives to spur development in areas of the city.

Reynolds also said the redevelopment of the crumbling Walnut Street garage presents the city with a unique opportunity to create more housing and development steps from Main Street. He also supports councils efforts to decriminalize marijuana in the city and police reform.

Grubb worked for the city for 27 years, first as sealer of weights and measures and then as a housing rehab finance specialist. He went on to become the citys grants administrator, acting director of community and economic development, and most recently, deputy director of community development.

Grubb helped create the tax increment financing district that ushered in the redevelopment of the former Bethlehem Steel plant into the SteelStacks campus. Some of Grubbs key issues include better housing availability, with an emphasis on resident-ownership and affordability; creating a gentler parking authority; and rebuilding the morale of the citys workforce, according to his website.

Tim Fallon, CEO of PBS39 and 91.3 WLVR, said at the heart of their mission is a commitment to promote civic engagement through dynamic public media platforms.

So it makes perfect sense for us to provide our stage as an opportunity for candidates for the Mayor of Bethlehem to share their views with the community, he said.

Lehighvalleylive.com editor Nick Falsone called the Democratic primary for Bethlehem Mayor one of the Lehigh Valleys most consequential races this year. Yet, there has been little in the way of public discourse between the two candidates during this election cycle, he noted.

Were grateful to PBS39 for inviting us to be a partner in this debate, and we hope it provides some insight about the candidates to undecided voters in Bethlehem, Falsone said.

Victoria Montero, executive director of the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, said her organization also is proud to partner with PBS39 to help spread awareness of area elections and the importance in addressing issues the community is facing.

Our Latino community has a voice, and we constantly seek to increase knowledge around voting rights and how important it is to participate in the electoral process, Montero said.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
Spain's Secretary of State for Tourism, Fernando Valdes, has set a date for the long-awaited return of international tourists to the country.

Valdes has announced that from June, Spain will be ready to receive international tourists because the European digital green certificate - the 'Covid passport' - will be available.

At the annual summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the Secretary of State assured that from now on there will be more and more positive news coming out. As a result, he looks at the future of the tourism sector "with more optimism", he said.

Even so, he explained that the digital certificate "is not a magic wand", but it gives certainty and provides security, because a tourist knows that they will be able to travel if they are vaccinated, have a negative coronavirus test if they are not immunised or have recovered from the disease.

Valdes said that Spain will participate in a pilot test of this tool in May, "and in June will be ready to receive travellers" in safety.

In addition, at the meeting that brings together more than 600 representatives of tourism from 20 countries, Valdes expressed his joy at the "excellent news" made by the president of the European Commission last Monday that fully vaccinated American tourists will be able to enter the European Union this summer.

For her part, the president and CEO of the WTTC, Gloria Guevara, said she was convinced that tourism will emerge stronger from this crisis and, to accelerate its recovery, highlighted the need for unity and doubling of efforts "by lifting travel restrictions and increasing the vaccination rate.
A demonstrator holds up a sign while marching April 21 in the Nubian Square neighborhood of Boston, a day after a guilty verdict was announced at the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin for the 2020 death of George Floyd. Chauvin has been convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of Floyd. The demonstrators called for racial equality and justice.
LONDON, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) has today announced a partnership with Shift Technology to build a powerful, new fraud detection system on behalf of the UK insurance sector.

Currently one insurance scam takes place each minute in the UK, devastating countless victims and costing the economy over 3 billion a year.

With insurance services becoming faster and increasingly digitised, so too are the tactics of fraudsters. To ensure the IFB remains cutting-edge in the fight against organised insurance fraud, it has partnered with Shift Technology to build a solution using AI. The new platform, which will be delivered in early 2022, will see the AI 'learn and grow' as it adapts to the evolving threat of organised insurance fraud networks, with the capability to alert fraud investigators to suspicious activity in real-time.

Ben Fletcher, Director of the IFB, said: "Our world is becoming increasingly automated and criminals are quickly adapting the way they carry out insurance scams. In the fast-changing world of fraud, we must do more to protect businesses and the public from its devastating impact. Our partnership with Shift Technology will support these ambitions by enabling our counter-fraud services to evolve and become even more intuitive and efficient".

The IFB is a not-for-profit organisation at the heart of the UK's fight against insurance fraud. Each year, it takes on over 100 new investigations into complex fraud networks to bring criminals to justice and circulates thousands of intelligence alerts to the insurance industry.

As fraudsters move away from traditional insurance scams to more complex schemes linked to cyber-crime and identity theft, technological innovations have never been more vital.

Sadly, the economic impact of Covid-19 could also inspire new waves and variants of fraudulent activity. With challenges to the fraud landscape rapidly evolving, Shift's SaaS-based, adaptive AI platform is the next step and will enhance the industry's fight against organised insurance fraud.

Jeremy Jawish, CEO of Shift Technology welcomed the 'landmark partnership' with the IFB: "The IFB is an iconic institution and an amazing reputation for helping the UK insurance industry mitigate the impact of fraud, benefitting both insurers and policyholders alike. Shift is honoured to now be an integral part of those efforts."

Delivering AI-powered fraud detection and claims automation solutions to insurers around the globe, Shift Technology has a proven track record in delivering industry scale counter-fraud platforms for insurance consortia in Canada, France, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Working alongside more than 100 insurers worldwide to deliver fraud detection solutions, the Shift team brings a wealth of global experience to the IFB project. For the IFB partnership, Shift will analyse millions of policies and claims records from industry databases to help expose organised insurance fraud networks.

Jeremy Jawish continued: "We will work side-by-side with the IFB and its members over the coming months to build a fraud detection solution which not only uncovers cross-industry fraud today but continues to evolve to the ever-changing fraud landscape in years to come. That's the beauty of AI - we have a living, breathing machine which thinks and adapts to the changing world around it."

Insurance service providers interested in partnering with the IFB to help fight fraud can find out more on their membership page .

For more information about Shift Technology's AI-powered insurance suite, visit www.shift-technology.com .

Industry commentary

Karl Helgesen, Chair of the IFB and Chief Claims Officer (UK & International) at RSA, said:

"The IFB's partnership with Shift Technology marks a significant milestone in our industry's evolution of counter-fraud activity. Organised crime groups continue to evolve their methods and cheat the system, which ultimately picks the pockets of innocent policyholders who pay the bill. By developing a new, agile fraud detection solution, the IFB can continue to disrupt organised crime, and secure convictions and sanctions against fraudsters."

Clare Lunn, Chair of the General Insurance Fraud Committee (GIFC) and Financial Crime Director at LV=, said: "The IFB has always been at the heart of the industry's fight against organised insurance fraud. With such significant challenges on the horizon the IFB's partnership with Shift Technology will help the industry to keep pace with change and find new variants of fraud as they emerge."

About the Insurance Fraud Bureau

The IFB is a not-for-profit organisation that works in partnership with the insurance industry and

UK police forces to investigate organised insurance fraud in the UK.

The IFB is also a sub-company of the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB). Since its inception in 2006 IFB investigations have led to over 1,250 arrests and 650 convictions (totaling more than 600 custodial years in prison). Follow the IFB on Twitter and LinkedIn

About Shift Technology

Shift Technology delivers the only AI-native decision automation and optimization solutions built specifically for the global insurance industry. Addressing several critical processes across the insurance policy lifecycle, the Shift Insurance Suite helps insurers achieve faster, more accurate claims and policy resolutions. Shift has analyzed billions of insurance transactions to date and was presented Frost & Sullivan's 2020 Global Claims Solutions for Insurance Market Leadership Award. For more information, please visit www.shift-technology.com .

Contacts



Christopher Little Campaign, Press & Social Media Officer Insurance Fraud Bureau 07595 792810 [email protected] Rob Morton Corporate Communications Shift Technology +1 617.416.9216 [email protected]

SOURCE Shift Technology

Related Links

https://www.shift-technology.com


Bengaluru, April 28 : A 24x7 call centre has been set up in this tech city to guide Covid patients isolated at home with mild symptoms across the state, Karnataka Health Minister K. Sudhakar said on Tuesday.

"The round-the-clock call centre with 1,100 staff will guide and monitor the health of asymptomatic Covid patients isolated at home to recover from the virus. They will counsel them on how to fight the virus," Sudhakar told reporters after chairing a task force committee meeting here.

The call centre, set up with the help of global software major Infosys at a cost of Rs 11 crore, has begun functioning with 400 employees and will be ramped up with an additional 700 staff in the coming weeks.

"We are also setting up a telemedicine system at a cost of Rs 20 crore for providing healthcare services, including counselling to people across the state on Covid-related and other diseases," said Sudhakar, a medical doctor by profession.

"Not all Covid patients need to be hospitalised, especially those who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms of the virus as they can be treated at home or at the Covid care centres. Only 10 per cent of active cases are in hospitals across the state," asserted Sudhakar.

Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan has offered to depute about 1,000 techies to operate the call centre.

The state government had formed a task force along with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Saturday to jointly fight the second wave of Covid-19 in the southern state.

With health department officials and the CII's state unit representatives as its members, the task force will help the state on using technology to source medicines, medical equipment and software applications, among other things.

According to the state health bulletin, a record 31,830 new Covid cases were reported on Monday, taking the state's Covid tally to 14,00,775, including 3,01,899 active cases.

As epi-centre of the pandemic in the state, Bengaluru registered 17,550 fresh cases on Monday, taking its Covid tally to 6,87,751, including 2,06,223 active cases.

Of the 180 lives lost to the infection on Monday, 97 were from Bengaluru, taking the state's death toll to 14,807 and the city's toll to 6,002 since the pandemic broke out in March a year ago.

Out of the 2,063 patients admitted to the ICUs across the state, 824 are in Bengaluru hospitals, followed by 265 in Kalaburagi, 134 in Tumakur and 122 in Dharwad.

"Positivity rate shot up to 18.17 per cent while case fatality rate stood at 0.56 per cent across the state on Monday," said the bulletin.

The state health department is setting up Covid care centres with 50-100 beds in each of the 31 districts across the state to admit asymptomatic patients.

"Portable oxygen will be provided to every 20 beds in each centre. We are procuring 40,000 portable medical oxygen units for deploying them in the state-run hospitals and Covid care centres across the state," said the minister.

As over 60 per cent of caseloads are from Bengaluru, two Covid care centres are being set up in each of its 28 Assembly constituencies for admitting patients who are asymptomatic or suffering from mild symptoms of the virus.

Refuting that the state government is hiding Covid data, Sudhakar said the fight against the pandemic should not be politicised, as the state machineries, including its healthcare workers and frontline warriors, are engaged in treating the patients and controlling the situation.

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
New York, April 27 : Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and US pointpersons for Covid-19 relief have met with business leaders to discuss mobilising the private sector to help efforts in India to fight the pandemic, according to State Department Spokesperson Ned Price.

Blinken held a virtual meeting on Monday with leaders of American businesses, the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-India Business Council "to discuss how the US and India can leverage the expertise and capabilities of the US private sector to support urgent Covid-19 relief efforts in India," Price said.

Blinken was accompanied by the Coordinator for Global Covid Response and Health Security, Gayle Smith, and the National Security Council Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs, Kurt Campbell, at the meeting.

They gave the business representative an update on US assistance and welcomed coordinating the assistance efforts with US industry, Price said.

The USIBC tweeted after the meeting that the US businesses are mobilising to meet the critical needs in India.

In a tweet, Blinken called the meeting "productive" and said they discussed how the US and India can leverage the expertise and capabilities of the US private sector to meet the Covid-19 crisis.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis)

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
SEOUL (dpa-AFX) - Hyundai Motor Company (HYMLF.OB, HYMTF.OB) unveiled the all-new KONA N, the latest addition to Hyundai's N lineup. The company said the all-new KONA N is its first 'True Hot SUV' possessing racetrack capability and the versatility of a utility vehicle. Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Division at Hyundai Motor Company, said: 'Our continuously growing and more balanced N portfolio will open new high-performance options, delivering the 'grin factor' no matter what the propulsion technology or body type may be.' Hyundai Motor is expanding the N and N Line lineup to 18 models through 2022. The company also introduced a new brand claim, 'Never just drive'. 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.
Kildare entrepreneur, Suzie ONeill has embarked on a brand-new business venture in Kilcock.

Creator of the award-winning online cosmetics brand, AYU, Suzie has teamed up with commercial marketing expert Olivia Reilly to set up Five Star Fulfilment in response to the growing online marketplace in Ireland.

The company aims to simplify fulfilment, customer service, and storage for eCommerce brands and online retailers.

Providing business expertise and the physical space required to store, pack and ship their partners goods to customers, it has set up home in Portgloriam Business Campus, outside Kilcock.

There, the business partners found a combination of office and warehouse space ideally suited to their needs.

Looking for the perfect premises for our new fulfilment company, Five Star Fulfilment, was made easy with ONeill and Co. Darac ONeill made the journey to finding the perfect place seamless, which was really impressive considering how sought-after warehouses are at present, said Suzie.

Portgloriam Business Campus is located, just off junction 8 on the M4 motorway, with close proximity to the M7 and only 30 minutes from the M50.

The campus is home to a host of other Irish businesses, including Irish Relocation Services Ltd., and OSheas Commercial Ltd.

Suzies make up brand, AYU already has a huge following online from all over Ireland and abroad.
A local TV personality is getting back to his roots with the launch of Tex's Hot Chicken. Though most KSAT 12 viewers might know David Elder for his show "Texas Eats," they'll soon learn his palate didn't just develop overnight.

A release shared the news of Tex's Hot Chicken, Elder's newest endeavor alongside restaurateur Cary Hamer of Infernos Wood-Fired Oven & Spirits. Hamer opened the restaurant eight years ago in downtown Gruene, and opened a second location in the Boerne area six years later.

According to Hamer, the two met and bonded over food, a passion Elder has shared with San Antonio audiences since developing the @sacuisinescout with wife Mallory, and later at SA Live, where he shared new, can't-miss restaurants with a daytime audience. The segments and Elder's growing Instagram popularity snowballed into an offshoot solo show, "Texas Eats," that sees the affable hosts trailblazing across the Texas Hill Country and beyond in search of show-stopping bites.

RELATED: Family-friendly San Antonio-area patio bar officially opens this weekend

Hamer, who previously operated regional Hooter's, was impressed with Elder's finesse on the flattop. Though most see Elder sampling bites on his show, many might not be aware he cut his teeth in area kitchens.

"They're all David's recipes," Hamer said of Tex's Hot Chicken's menu. "He got into the kitchen with chef and watching him was truly impressive."

The signature dish, The Big Tex, will tickle thrill seekers on the hunt for some heat. This 12-hour marinated chicken breast gets "hand-breaded, deep-fried, dunked in hot oil (optional), and served on a buttered and toasted brioche bun with Tex's sauce, house-made southern coleslaw, and sweet bread and butter pickles."

Hamer and Elder will anchor the remainder of their menu with the Tex's chicken as the star. Think loaded chips, tacos and sliders, as well as sides that will include Tex's Mac & Cheese, Tex's Potato Salad, and made-to-order seasoned potato chips.

As Hamer keeps firing up Infernos in shopping centers across Texas  a Cibolo location is up next  the plans are to bookend a Tex's Hot Chicken complete with a drive-thru in those same centers.

Tex's Hot Chicken will be the first restaurant for Elder, but it's not hard seeing the TV personality turning into our own South Texas Guy Fieri.

READ MORE: Al Carbon Pollos Asados' new location with a drive-thru is now open

Fans of Elder's and Infernos will get their first taste of Tex's in late spring or early summer, when the pair hopes to lease out a food truck that'll roam the New Braunfels and Boerne area. A brick-and-mortar location is in the works for sometime this fall or early winter in the Cibolo area.
Mark Carney Backs His Little Green Carrot with a Big Stick in Africa

April 26 , 2021 (EIRNS)Two days before Bidens April 22-23 Earth Day summit, UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance Mark Carney expanded on his green vision for Africa in a feeder session for the Nov. 1-12 COP26 in Glasgow. Sponsored by the Group of 30 financiers and South Africas Absa Group financial services network, The Road to COP26: Opportunities, Challenges and the African Transition to Net-Zero was held virtually April 22, with four financial representatives, led by Carney (formerly the longtime Bank of England governor), tripping over each other on their way to the elusive carbon offset jackpot.

Carneys job is to continually widen and deepen the pool of green finance, that already growing speculative bubble he called the core of the entire Paris Climate Agreement now leading to the Glasgow meeting. Meeting that core$100 billion per year transfer from developed to developing countries in exchange for carbon creditswill require a massive investment by private capital, he said, but only as a leverage to unleashing 10 times that from public capital sources (governments). Carney thinks $30 trillion of private capital is now committed, ready to be mobilized.

Since Africa has none of that, to encourage the skeptics he has one carrot: the carbon offset fund. In this way Africa will get even for the years of (colonialist) looting: by auctioning off (committing to not utilize) their resources and instead offer them as collateral for the carbon-addicts of the developed world in the form of carbon offsets, a market he fancied could grow to $100 billion per annum [and be the mega-speculators dream]. Carbon offsets are going to be key to directing that capital flow, he said, meaning, those countries which agree to cut their development the most, and the fastest, will get the cash. To an honest observer, this is paying African nations to kill off their populations.

However, We wont get to Net Zero in a niche, he said,

Climate Finance must mainstream. Thats why its so significant that the worlds largest asset owners, controlling over $30 trillion, have joined the Race to Zero, the gold standard for the Net Zero Plan to target. We need even more to join these standards, including ambition from insurers and banks. We can expect progress very soon.

The next milestone on that carnival ride will be the July G20 meeting in Venice, where developed countries and public finance will be expected to define their contributions to the swirling green maelstrom. Ultimately, Africa could look forward to $3 trillion in new investment in the next decade, alone, the UN Envoy for Climate Action and Finance Carney speculated.

That is provided the African countries give up the infrastructure they now want capital invested in.
For the first time, Belvoir is also offering a repertory season where the same cast will play on the same set, in alternating performances of two different plays.

Artistic director Eamon Flack has announced part two of its 2021 season comprising a three-week festival (September 7 to 26) featuring the comedic talents of Judith Lucy, Zoe Coombes-Marr, and Eddie Perfect and Lingalayam Dance Company.

We were dancing on the cliff edge for a long time last year and we took extreme measures to save costs, he says. But between fundraising, JobKeeper, and being able to reopen we are fine. The real test is going to be this post-vaccine world. We are very watchful.

We got knocked about last year but weve come out feeling more artistically ambitious because it made us go, What are we on about here, why would you have a theatre company if its this hard to keep it alive?, and thats a good question. So weve got very bold ideas for the next couple of years.

Belvoir split its 2021 season into two to manage COVID-19; the first part concluding with Nathan Maynards At What Cost? After the Festival of Everything, the stage will be transformed into 1970s Kings Cross for Wayside Bride, a new Australian play by Alana Valentine that turns on one day in the life of Ted Noffs Wayside Chapel when he was battling a heresy charge and the crushing forces of moderation that so often destroy space inside our cities for outsiders, as Flack puts it.

A family snapshot inspired Alana Valentine (in foreground) to write Wayside Bride. Credit:Alana Valentine

Wayside Bride will share the stage with Caryl Churchills Light Shining in Buckinghamshire, (October 7 to November 14). The work is set in 1647 at the end of the English Civil War when the constitution for a more modern Britain was up for debate.
The United States exported more energy in 2020 than it imported for the second consecutive year.

Energy exports, including petroleum, natural gas and coal, topped imports by 3.4 quadrillion British thermal units in 2020, the Energy Department said Tuesday.

U.S. exports totaled 23.4 quadrillion British thermal units in 2020, nearly matching the record high set in 2019, while energy imports fell 13 percent to 20 quadrillion British thermal units, the lowest level since 1992, the EIA said.

GAS PRICES: Houston gasoline prices dip over past week

Declining crude oil and natural gas imports are the main reasons for last year's changes in U.S. energy trade.

Crude exports, which have increased every year since 2010, reached a record high of 3.2 million barrels per day last year, as U.S. oil imports fell to 5.9 million barrels per day in 2020, the lowest level since 1991, the EIA said.

Gross exports of natural gas have increased every year since 2014. They reached a record high of 14.4 billion cubic feet per day in 2020, while gross imports of natural gas fell to 7 billion cubic feet per day, the lowest level since 1993, according to the EIA.

Both U.S. imports and exports of petroleum products declined in 2020, with imports down by 15 percent and exports dropping by 5 percent, according to the EIA.
MONTPELIER  The Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday unanimously approved its version of the states Fiscal 2022 budget.

The spending plan is expected to be presented by members of the committee to the full Senate later this week. The Houses $6.99 billion version of the bill, H. 439, passed unanimously in March.

The Senate Appropriations committee passed its version by a 7-0-0 vote, following weeks of hearings, and an intense effort over the weekend by the Legislative Joint Fiscal Office. Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint, D-Windham, and Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, are both on the panel.

This might have been most difficult and complicated budget to assemble, Appropriations Committee chairperson Sen. Jane Kitchel, D-Caledonia, said. I want to thank everybody for getting us to where we are today. Its quite an accomplishment.

The Senate spending plan makes a few changes from the House version, but Senators emphasized that one of the bigger changes  reducing the proposed outlay of funds for broadband expansion to $100 million from $150 million  is only a reflection on about how much money can realistically be spent on the effort in a fiscal year, and not its importance. They emphasized theyd be delighted to allocate more funds if needed.

If, by budget adjustment, they have spent $100 million, I will be perfectly happy to appropriate $50 million and then some, Kitchel said. I want to make it clear what we are appropriating is what can go through the pipeline in a fiscal year.

Another area of change is how the Senate approached the transformation of the Vermont State Colleges System. Kitchel clarified that the Senate left the $20 million in transformation funding and $5 million increase in the systems base appropriation intact.

What were doing is saying, we, out of all those ways that you would provide education or training to Vermonters, were selecting some but not the whole list, because we want to fund a broader range of training opportunities, Kitchel said. So I want to be clear, the transformation money is intact.

Its likely that the House and Senate will form a conference committee to hash out differences in the two editions, and then present that compromise to both bodies. Conference committee reports must be voted up or down without amendment.

Gov. Phil Scott has voiced concerns over the Legislatures use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the budget. Scott has put forward his own plan for the federal relief dollars, focusing on one-time investments, while the House and Senate have used those dollars to backfill the budget, allowing for General Fund dollars to be applied to other needs.
A plastic surgeon who operated offices in Michigan and Ohio pleaded guilty to federal charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and illegally distributing a controlled substance, according to the Associated Press. Manish Gupta, 50, entered his plea Monday in an Ohio court in relation to a sexual assault that took place in Los Angeles in 2016.

Prosecutors say Gupta shipped medical supplies to a hotel in California where he was attending a medical conference. Gupta is accused of then using the supplies to drug, rape and recorded a sexual encounter with a woman.

Federal authorities have accused Gupta of drugging and assaulting escorts around the country, whom he hired when he traveled to medical conferences throughout the U.S. Prosecutors allege Gupta drugged and assaulted 20 women in the U.S. over the years and recorded the assaults.

Gupta operated clinics in Taylor, Michigan, and in several cities in Ohio prior to his arrest last year. He is facing a minimum of 15 years in prison when he sentenced on Aug. 25.

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"We are very excited to extend our presence in the Chicago area by adding a new office in the flourishing Fulton Market district," said Koudounis. "Founder John Calamos and I are both native Chicagoans and we are committed to the growth and success of our city, especially as we move beyond the pandemic. We selected Fulton East in part because it was designed as one of the safest post-Covid office buildings in the country. Our new location in such a dynamic area of Chicago will be a showcase that will help position Calamos for the future."

"We look forward to deepening our ability to access and leverage the great synergies that Chicago has to offer as we roll out and debut our unique, innovative and unrivaled fund strategies, enabling us to continue to flourish across our businesses," said Calamos Investments Founder and Chairman John P. Calamos, Sr.

"Today's announcement is the third one in two short weeks of companies choosing Chicago because we offer a dynamic and desirable business environment," said Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. "I want to thank Calamos for committing to Chicago's future growth and economic success. It's companies like them that continue to strategically make their business in our city because of its diverse workforce and talent, ease of doing business, access to global markets, and commitment to driving inclusive, equitable economic development."

"News that Calamos Investments, a leading global asset manager, is expanding into Chicago demonstrates Chicago's strength as a major hub for finance, technology and global connectivity," said Michael Fassnacht, Interim President & CEO, World Business Chicago. "This expansion will not only benefit the firm's current employees and clients but will also provide job opportunities and help strengthen our rebounding economy. I look forward to watching the firm thrive, grow and expand in the city of Chicago for many years to come."

"We are honored to welcome Calamos Investments, one of our nation's leading investment management firms, to Fulton East," said Bob Wislow, CEO of Parkside Realty, Inc. the developer of Fulton East. "Our design decisions are validated when a global financial leader like Calamos recognizes the unique benefits provided by Fulton East, where innovative technology and biophilic design in an outstanding Chicago location creates a Class A office environment that prioritizes health, wellness, comfort and productivity for our tenants' employees."

Founded in 1977, Calamos is an active manager that specializes in risk-managed strategies and pioneered investing in convertible securities and liquid alternatives. During the tenure of John Koudounis as CEO, AUM has roughly doubled to over $37billion. For the one-year period as of March 31, 2021, five Calamos funds are ranked in the top 1% of their Morningstar category while 10 are in the top 10%.

Calamos Investments, which began its legacy on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, has a longstanding commitment to the city and is dedicated to deepening its ties with this new location. The firm is a lead sponsor of the Chicago Bulls, and the first company to have its logo on the stadium floor. As Founder of the Chicago CEO COVID-19 Coalition, John Koudounis united Chicago business leaders in a humanitarian campaign for COVID-19 relief and recovery benefiting ten Chicago-based charities. The organization raised more than $1.5 million via its "Sweet Home Chicago" telethon, which included an appearance by Mayor Lightfoot.

About Calamos

Calamos Investments is a diversified global investment firm offering innovative investment strategies including alternatives, multi-asset, convertible, fixed income, and equity. The firm offers strategies through separately managed portfolios, mutual funds, closed-end funds, private funds, and UCITS funds. Clients include major corporations, pension funds, endowments, foundations and individuals, as well as the financial advisors and consultants who serve them. Headquartered in the Chicago metropolitan area, the firm also has offices in New York, San Francisco, Milwaukee and the Miami area. For more information, please visit www.calamos.com.

About Fulton East

Fulton East, a 12-story, 90,000-square-foot office and retail building located at 215 N. Peoria St. in Chicago's Fulton Market District, is the nation's first next-generation office building designed to specifically address employee health, safety and wellness in today's post-COVID-19 environment. Fulton East features new, leading-edge products, such as Canada-based MAD Elevator Inc.'s new Toe-To-Go (T2G) hands-free elevator system and airPHX ("air fix") non-thermal, plasma technology throughout the entire building to help reduce cross-contamination risks and provide employees with cleaner air and work surfaces. Visit www.fulton-east.com.

SOURCE Calamos Investments

Related Links

http://www.calamos.com


SUV

Now, before we zoom in on the various details of this supercar killer for the family, if that's even a proper label for the contraption, one might want to find out why the GT-R was turned into a high-rider.Well, in today's ever more eccentric custom car world, such a digital build needs no other reason than standing out.In fact, the pixel master explains we're dealing with a nostalgia-fueled exploration of the badge's limits: "Woke up today and I thought about how superior the R34 is to the R35. But then my thoughts went south. This is the Skyline GT-R Max. As in Maximum why,"As those who know a thing or two about the Japanese brand will tell you, the brand's retired halo car has been mixed with a third-generation Pathfinder The transformation goes deep, obviously starting with the front end; even the GT-R's hood is involved, although it must sit at a different angle to connect the front fascia to the windshield.The wing is the only major aspect missing from the rear side of the conversion, but the latter brings quite a few styling bits familiar to velocity fans, from the light clusters to the diffuser and even the exhaust.Oh, and let's not forget the wheels and tiressuch high-performance hardware might be popular in today's super--populated landscape, but it would've been shocking back in 1999 when the said incarnation of the GT-R was born.Sure, the mix sitting on our screens will raise eyebrows all day long, but the current R35 GT-R has been mixed with high-riding machines before if you think about it.Examples range from aficionados in the Arab world gifting their Patrols with GT-R engine swaps to Nissan itself using the supercar challenger's powertrain in the limited-production crossover bomb that was Juke-R.
Britain imposed asset freezes and travel bans Monday on 22 people accused of bribery, kickbacks and fraud in its first use of new sanctions powers to target corruption around the world.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told lawmakers that the sanctions would prevent the U.K. from being used as a haven for dirty money.

The list includes 14 Russians implicated in a $230 million tax fraud and three members of the Gupta business family who are enmeshed in a corruption scandal in South Africa. Britain is also sanctioning businessman Ashraf Seed Ahmed Al-Cardinal, accused of stealing state assets in impoverished South Sudan, and individuals from Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala.

Britain previously imposed sanctions as part of the European Union or under the auspices of the United Nations. Since leaving the EU in 2020, it has introduced its own sanctions regime.

The anti-corruption sanctions  imposed in coordination with the United States  complement a set of measures targeting human rights abuses that Britain introduced last year. Both have been labelled Magnitsky sanctions after Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who died in a Moscow prison after exposing a tax fraud scheme involving Russian officials, including those sanctioned by the U.K. on Monday.

The U.K. has used the human rights sanctions against 78 individuals and entities, including senior Saudi intelligence officials accused of involvement in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and military commanders involved in the February coup in Myanmar.

Sanctioned individuals are barred from entering Britain, channeling money through British banks, or profiting from the U.K. economy.

Opposition politicians said the sanctions are welcome but do not go far enough, because they do not target corruption in Britains overseas territories and dependencies, several of which are tax havens, or clamp down on dirty money being funneled through London's financial district.

Labour Party foreign affairs spokeswoman Lisa Nandy said Britain remained a haven for dark money" and urged Raab to give financial crime investigators stronger powers.

The current rate of prosecutions for economic crime is ... woefully low, as he knows, and to put it bluntly if hes serious about what hes saying today he needs to put his money where his mouth is, she said.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Three Michigan high schools are rated among the top 100 best high schools in the country in the latest U.S. News & World Report best high school rankings released on Tuesday, April 27.

Rankings are based on several weighted factors, including: College readiness (30%), college curriculum breadth (10%), math and reading proficiency (20%), math and reading performance (20%), underserved student performance (10%) and graduation rate (10%). The data used is from the 2018-19 school year, so test scores were not affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Data used by U.S News is collected from third-party sources like Common Core Data, International Baccalaureate data, statewide math and reading level assessment tests and high school graduation rates.

Families can use the Best High Schools rankings to see how schools compare at the national, state and local level on factors like graduation rates and college readiness, said Anita Narayan, managing editor of education at U.S. News. The rankings also provide insight into academic performance among underserved groups showing how well schools are supporting these students.

Heres a look at the top 25 high schools in Michigan:

Forest Hills Central High School 5901 Hall Street SE, Grand Rapids.(Cory Morse | MLive.com)

25. Central High School

School district: Forest Hills Public Schools (Kent County)

National ranking: 894

Overall score: 94.99/100

24. Houghton Central High School

School district: Houghton-Portage Township School District (Houghton County)

National ranking: 890

Overall score: 95.02

Byron Center High School, 8500 Burlingame Ave, Byron Center.MLive/The Grand Rapids Press

23. Byron Center High School

School district: Byron Center Public Schools (Kent County)

National ranking: 887

Overall score: 95.03/100

Forest Hills Eastern High School, located at 2200 Pettis Ave NE, Ada.MLive file photo

22. Eastern High School

School district: Forest Hills Public Schools (Kent County)

National ranking: 861

Overall score: 95.18/100

21. Northern High School

School district: Forest Hills Public Schools (Kent County)

National ranking: 832

Overall score: 95.34/100

Pioneer High School Tuesday, July 9 2019. - Ann Arbor Public Schools Jenna Kieser | jkieser@mlive.comJenna Kieser | jkieser@mlive.com

20. Pioneer High School

School district: Ann Arbor Public Schools (Washtenaw County)

National ranking: 821

Overall score: 95.4/100

Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy.Henry Taylor/MLive.com

19. Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy

School district: Saginaw Public School District (Saginaw County)

National ranking: 749

Overall score: 95.81/100

Skyline High School Tuesday, July 9 2019. - Ann Arbor Public Schools Jenna Kieser | jkieser@mlive.comJenna Kieser | jkieser@mlive.com

18. Skyline High School

School district: Ann Arbor Public Schools (Washtenaw County)

National ranking: 730

Overall score: 95.91/100

17. Stoney Creek High School

School district: Rochester Community School District (Oakland County)

National ranking: 704

Overall score: 96.06/100

Saline High School.MLive file photo

16. Saline High School

School district: Saline Area Schools (Washtenaw County)

National ranking: 661

Overall score: 96.3/100

East Grand Rapids High School, 2211 Lake Dr, East Grand Rapids, MI.MLive file photo

15. East Grand Rapids High School

School district: East Grand Rapids Public Schools (Kent County)

National ranking: 643

Overall score: 96.4/100

14. Ernest W. Seaholm High School

School district: Birmingham Public Schools (Oakland County)

National ranking: 605

Overall score: 96.61/100

13. Okemos High School

School district: Okemos Public Schools (Ingham County)

National ranking: 526

Overall score: 97.05/100

12. Black River Public School

School district: Black River Public School (Ottawa County)

National ranking: 498

Overall score: 97.21/100

11. Athens High School

School district: Troy School District (Oakland County)

National ranking: 496

Overall score: 97.22/100

10. Northville High School

School district: Northville Public Schools (Wayne County)

National ranking: 466

Overall score: 97.39/100

9. University High School Academy

School district: Southfield Public School District (Oakland County)

National ranking: 464

Overall score: 97.4/100

8. Grosse Pointe South High School

School district: Grosse Pointe Public Schools (Wayne County)

National ranking: 438

Overall score: 97.55/100

7. Novi High School

School district: Novi Community School District

National ranking: 411

Overall score: 97.7/100

6. Troy High School

School district: Troy Public Schools (Oakland County)

National ranking: 275

Overall score: 98.46/100

5. Rochester Adams High School

School district: Rochester Community School District (Oakland County)

National ranking: 253

Overall score: 98.58/100

Washtenaw International High School and Middle Academy, 105 N. Mansfield St. in Ypsilanti.Jacob Hamilton | The Ann Arbor News

4. Washtenaw International High School

School district: Washtenaw Independent School District (Washtenaw County)

National ranking: 104

Overall score: 99.42/100

3. International Academy

School district: Oakland Schools (Oakland County)

National ranking: 43

Overall score: 99.76/100

City High Middle School in Grand Rapids, Michigan.MLive file photo

2. City High Middle School

School district: Grand Rapids Public Schools (Kent County)

National ranking: 31

Overall score: 99.83/100

1. International Academy of Macomb

School district: Chippewa Valley Schools (Macomb County)

National ranking: 24

Overall score: 99.87/100

To help you navigate this complicated school year, were pleased to offer you a simpler way to get all of your education news: Our new Michigan Schools: Education in the COVID Era newsletter delivered right to your inbox. To receive this newsletter, simply click here to sign up.

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A San Francisco man was charged with murder Monday with killing a 7-month-old boy who was in his care, prosecutors said.

Joseph Williams was charged with murder and assault on a child causing death, according to a statement from the San Francisco district attorneys office.

Williams had been babysitting the child, identified only as Baby S., on April 20, authorities said.

He brought the boy to a hospital later that day.

The baby died of traumatic head injuries caused by blunt force, the prosecutors office said. It didnt provide any details.

The boy wasnt related to Williams, prosecutors said.

Williams had two previous arrests for domestic violence against a girlfriend who wasnt the mother of the boy who died, the DAs office said.

However, no charges were filed after the woman told police that she started the fights  once after breaking into his apartment  and didnt want to press charges, according to the DAs office.

That would have made the cases impossible to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, the office said.

We believe the available facts of these two cases supported the decision to not move forward with charges but that is not enough, the DAs office said in the statement. In light of this tragedy, we will be reviewing all policies related to charging domestic violence crimes, including discussions with our law enforcement partners to ensure we are all using best practices to obtain admissible evidence and to support victims.
A partnership between UC Davis and Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., chairman and CEO of Allegiant Travel Company, has led to a new rapid COVID-19 test.

A recent study published Nature Scientific Reports shows the novel method to be 98.3% accurate for positive COVID-19 tests and 96% for negative tests.

This test was made from the ground up. Nothing like this test ever existed. We were starting with a clean slate." Nam Tran, Study Lead Author and Professor of Pathology, Davis School of Medicine, University of California

The novel COVID-19 test uses an analytical instrument known as a mass spectrometer, which is paired with a powerful machine-learning platform to detect SARS-CoV-2 in nasal swabs. The mass spectrometer can analyze samples in minutes, with the entire process taking a total of about 20 minutes.

The accuracy matches or outperforms many of the current COVID-19 screening tests. The new testing method may allow for the rapid screening of large numbers of individuals for businesses, schools, venues and other large facilities.

The project originated with Gallagher, a UC Davis alumnus and a longtime supporter of innovation and entrepreneurship at UC Davis.

Last year, when the pandemic brought the airline and hospitality industries almost to a standstill, he began conceptualizing approaches that would allow people to gather again safely.

Gallagher approached H. Rao Unnava, professor and dean of the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, who connected him with Tran at the School of Medicine.

Gallagher and UC Davis entered into a Sponsored Research Agreement, with support from Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, to develop an automated COVID-19 test on a mass spectrometer.

Mass spectrometers are essential analytic tools used by a wide variety of industries for research and testing.

This is the first test for COVID-19 that pairs mass spectrometry with robotics and a robust automated machine learning platform to rapidly deliver test results. The coupling of these unique elements not only allows testing for COVID-19 but may be able to quickly adapt to detect other diseases and perhaps future pandemic organisms.

"Mr. Gallagher, through his generosity as an alum, has shown how business and universities can work together in solving problems of critical importance to the world," said Unnava. "I am glad that this groundbreaking work will continue to build on the reputation of UC Davis as a place where you always 'Expect Greater.'"

Project builds on the prior success of MILO platform

The collaboration is part of a new center in the School of Medicine, the UC Davis Center for Diagnostic Innovation.

"This game-changing, rapid new COVID-19 test speaks to the deep expertise of our faculty and scientists to find novel solutions to pressing global health challenges," said Allison Brashear, dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine. "It's this kind of innovation and collaboration that has been the hallmark of our response to the pandemic."

To ensure support for the study's analytic portion, Tran enlisted Hooman Rashidi, a longtime collaborator and a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

The machine, a mass spectrometer MALDI-TOF, or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight, uses a laser to create small particles -; ions -; from large molecules in the testing sample. These ionized particles create signals that can be used to identify many compounds, including those associated with microorganisms and pathogens.

For the study, 226 nasal swabs from UC Davis' biorepository of COVID-19 tests were ionized in the Shimadzu 8020. The swabs were from leftover samples and volunteers who consented to the study. Some of the participants had COVID-19 symptoms, and some were asymptomatic.

The hundreds of peaks and signals produced by the ionized test swabs were analyzed by the automated machine learning platform MILO (Machine Intelligence Learning Optimizer). Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence, or AI. Tran, Rashidi and Samer Albahra are the co-developers of MILO. The platform has previously been used to predict severe infections and acute kidney disease.

For the COVID-19 test, MILO finds distinguishing patterns among the many mass spectrometry peaks and signals and deciphers which patterns correspond to the presence or absence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the samples.

MILO accomplished the analysis in a fraction of the time that a non-automated machine-learning approach would have taken. "This meant drastically expediting the study without compromising any performance measures," said Rashidi.

Gallagher has launched a new startup, SpectraPass, to develop the rapid, automated system into a means to facilitate opening businesses and the economy.

Experts at UC Davis Health are helping guide the SpectraPass team through the scientific, machine learning and clinical steps needed to move the COVID-19 testing technology closer to emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"The COVID-19 pandemic not only brought the world's commerce and travel to a halt  it also took away our fundamental human interaction, our freedom to be together," said Gallagher. "This project has resulted in a real breakthrough that can not only provide instant, accurate information about COVID infection, but can be an important part of addressing other viruses and even developing therapies. The excitement of working with the team at UC Davis is in knowing we are helping make sure our children and grandchildren are better equipped to deal with potential pandemics in the future."

The partnership exemplifies the goals of Aggie Square, which brings together the university, community and industry to connect and collaborate.

"As a top-tier research university known for its excellence and disciplinary breadth, UC Davis is exceptionally well-positioned to work with our industry partners on groundbreaking innovations that benefit society," said Mary Croughan, provost and executive vice chancellor.
The Minerals Commission says it has not granted permits to any company to mine near the Mole National Park in the Savannah Region.



This follows an allegation by three Civil Society Organisations, (CSOs) Centre for Public Interest Law and the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining, Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis that the government had granted rights to mining companies to explore gold near the Mole National Park.



Tt said, It has come to the attention of the Minerals Commission that certain Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have alleged that mining permits have been issued for mining in or near the Mole National Park in the Savannah Region. This allegation and/or assertion is not the case. No such Mining Permit has been issued for this purpose, a statement signed the Acting Chief Executive of the commission, Martin Ayisi said.



The Commission has therefore denied the claim.



Below is the statement from the Minerals Commission



REJOINDER: NO PERMIT ISSUED FOR MINING IN OR NEAR MOLE NATIONAL PARK.



It has come to the attention of the Minerals Commission that certain Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have alleged that Mining Permits have been issued for mining in or near the Mole National Park in the Savannah Region. This allegation and/or assertion is not the case. No such Mining Permit has been issued for this purpose.



The Commission as the repository of records of all Mineral Rights in Ghana, entreats the General Public particularly CSOs, who are partners and have been working closely with the Commission over the years, to seek clarifications from it before going public.





MR. MARTIN AYISI



AG CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER



MINERALS COMMISSION



HEADQUARTERS



ACCRA













Source: Graphiconline.com









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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 06:17:34|Editor: huaxia

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People walk past a restaurant in Rome, Italy, on April 26, 2021. Italy took a first decisive step toward a post-pandemic phase on Monday, the first day of reopening amid decreasing coronavirus cases. (Photo by Elisa Lingria/Xinhua)

ROME, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Italy took a first decisive step towards a post-pandemic phase on Monday, the first day of reopening amid decreasing coronavirus cases.

Restaurants, bars, outdoor sporting facilities and museums were among the activities allowed to restart in the 14 "yellow" regions, which show a low risk of contagion on the basis of local coronavirus data.

The government's reopening "roadmap" set a precise schedule for gradually lifting containment measures, with different timings for various restricted sectors to restart between late April and early July.

The country's Health Ministry reported 8,444 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, taking its total number of infections to over 3.9 million cases.

Some 301 new fatalities were also recorded, bringing Italy's total number of coronavirus-related deaths to 119,539. Recoveries grew by 16,539 to a total of 3.39 million people, the ministry said.

Also on Monday, Prime Minister Mario Draghi highlighted the importance of the 248-billion-euro (299.8 billion U.S. dollars) national resilience and recovery plan.

After a two-day discussion in parliament, the cabinet said the plan would be passed and then sent to European Union (EU) authorities in Brussels for final review between Wednesday and Friday.

If approved, the recovery plan will be mostly financed by EU resources, as provided by the Next Generation EU program launched last year.

"Thinking the National Resilience and Recovery Plan just as a simple set of projects-- although necessary and ambitious -- and of numbers, goals, and deadlines, would be a mistake," Draghi said.

"In this set of programs ... lies, also and above all, the destiny of our country."

So far, some 17.8 million doses of vaccine have been administered across Italy, and 5.2 million people have received both shots, according to government statistics.

"The European Immunization Week (April 26 - May 2) is focused on COVID-19 vaccines this year, which is undoubtedly a priority now," National Health Institute chief Silvio Brusaferro said on Monday.

"Yet, it is crucial not to leave other routine immunization (programs) behind, because this would have a negative impact on public health long after the coronavirus pandemic will be gone." Enditem
Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks at a news conference at the CSL facility in Melbourne, Australia, on Feb. 12, 2021. (Diego Fedele/Getty Images)

Social Media Being Used by the Evil One: Australian PM

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned that social media is facilitating the spread of identity politics, saying it is being used by the evil one and that younger generations were at most risk of its influence.

In a rare insight into the prime ministers personal beliefs, a video has emerged of his address delivered to the Australian Christian Churches conference on the Gold Coast.

Morrison spoke of how his Christian faith has guided him in his work, and said Australians needed to come together, especially as identity politics threatens to fracture communities.

There is a tendency for people not to see themselves and value themselves, as individuals, but to see themselves only defined by some group, and to get lost in that group, Morrison said.

We all know how that is corroding and desensitising our country and our society, not just here but all around the world, and I think its an evil thing. I think its a very evil thing, he added, calling on the attendees to pray and to use spiritual weapons against it.

He warned that unless people took actions to protect themselves, social media would cause harm to young people.

Its going to take our young people. Its going to take their courage. Its going to take their hope. Its going to steal their hope, he said.

Two children play video games on their phones. The world is seeing an explosion of smart phone usage that will have a long-term impact on human relationships. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Sure, social media has its virtues and its values and enables us to connect with people in ways weve never had before. But those weapons can also be used by the evil one and we need to call that out.

In the context of Christianity, Morrisons reference to the evil one is referring to Satan.

Morrison is the first Pentecostal Christian Australian prime minister. While he has been upfront about his faith, he has rarely espoused his personal views while discussing policy.

While on a visit to an art gallery in the New South Wales central coast region, during a difficult week of election campaigning, Morrison admitted he appealed to God for a sign or assistance.

Upon entering the gallery, the prime minister said, There right in front of me was the biggest picture of a soaring eagle.

The message I got that day was, Scott youve got to run, to not grow weary. Youve got to walk, to not grow faint. Youve got to spread your wings like an eagle, to soar like an eagle.

Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese makes his closing remarks at the end of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) National Conference at the Revesby Workers Club in Sydney, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Federal Opposition Labor leader Anthony Albanese said faith was a personal matter and he respected the spiritual beliefs of individuals.

But its also important that we have separation here of church and state, he told ABC radio.

Read More The Rise of Anti-Christian Sentiment in Australia

The idea that God is on any politicians side is no more respectful than the idea that when someones sporting team wins its because of divine intervention, he said.

Former Labor leader Mark Latham, himself not a Christian, said Judeo-Christian values were critical for stemming the influence of cultural Marxism in Australia.

Im not a Christian myself but I recognise that if we are to be serious about defending our civilisation, Christianity has never been more important, never been more essential in terms of its values and its significance, he told a National Civic Council dinner in 2018.

If we dont stand up and fight against these things, we will lose the very best not only of our national values and practices but also the best traditions of our culture and western civilisation.


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The way that Warkworth and the surrounding areas were affected during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 is the subject of a talk at Warkworth Museum next month.

Sandspit resident Dr Jenny Collins says her Living in Extraordinary Times: The experience of a 1918 flu pandemic in Warkworth and Rodney will focus on how the region dealt with the disease that killed close to 9000 New Zealanders.

She says that while the flu was very different to Covid-19, there are some parallels with the current pandemic  schools were closed and people quickly realised the importance of isolation and hygiene.

Jenny, who has a PhD in education and history, first became interested in the Spanish flu after researching family history following the death of her aunt late last year. She realised her relative had been born in November 1918, at the peak of the pandemic, which made her curious as to how local families had been affected by the disease.

The interesting thing about this area is that there are a lot of families whove lived here for generations.

Every family was affected in some way, she says.

Victims included soldiers returning from the First World War, as well as nine members of the same family, the Algies of Mullet Point, who all contracted the virulent disease.

The kind of grief those families experienced is something people can really relate to now, Jenny says.

She began her research during the first level 4 lockdown, emailing archivists and convents around the country and studying newspaper archives.

While Warkworth and Rodney had fewer resources than cities with which to face the pandemic, the area did have the advantage of social cohesion, Jenny says. The community formed citizen committees, where volunteers organised and set up local hospitals.

Jenny recommends her talk for anyone who is interested in local history, and who wants to frame the current coronavirus pandemic into a contextual historical experience.

The talk will start at 10am on Tuesday, May 11 and costs $5, which also includes a cup of tea or coffee and entry into the museum. Booking is essential and can be done by emailing warkworthmuseum@xtra.co.nz.
Local News, Health & Wellness, Press Releases

By Chris Boyle Published: April 27 2021

Upgrades will Continue to Protect Natural Resources while Maximizing the Facility's Energy Production and Increasing Revenue.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the completion of the upgraded wastewater collection and treatment facility located at the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District in Great Neck, Nassau County. This $12.3 million project included the construction of a first-in-the-state receiving station that uses cooking grease to power facility operations. That, plus the construction of a third microturbine and upgrades to its anaerobic digesters, makes this facility one of the most environmentally advanced wastewater treatment plants in the state. The Great Neck Water Pollution Control District serves more than 25,000 residents in Nassau County.

"New York is leading the way in creating green solutions to infrastructure issues that are vital to the health and livelihood of Long Islanders and all New Yorkers," Governor Cuomo said. "This project is a standout example in that effort and will further our efforts to protect Long Island's natural resources while innovatively repurposing waste products to help power what is one of the most environmentally advanced wastewater treatment plants in the State."

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO Eric Gertler said, "We are always looking for opportunities to incentivize growth while also ensuring the well-being of our communities. Empire State Development is proud to support this project that does both, with first-in-the-state technology and upgraded equipment to maximize productivity while also safeguarding the environment."

The completed project was supported by Empire State Development through a $12.29 million Transformative Investment Program grant included in the FY 2017-2018 New York State budget. The project included the construction of a 2,500-square-foot grease receiving station in Great Neck. This new feature will support the demand for electricity and heat in the facility using cooking grease to power facility operations. It will help to solve Long Island's restaurant grease disposal challenges, by reusing the grease as a fuel source for the digesters instead of carting it off Long Island as currently done. The second component involved the construction of a third microturbine for the Microturbine Cogeneration Facility, and an upgrade to its anaerobic digesters, doubling the present methane production and tripling the amount of gas storage at the facility.

The three components of the overall upgrade will result in the increase of the facility's capability to generate electricity by 50 percent and heating by 100 percent, thereby reducing dependency on traditional utility services. This is a waste-to-energy project and will be a municipal model for government efficiency and environmental conservation.

Senator Anna M. Kaplan said, "The upgrades made to the Great Neck Pollution Control District facility should serve as a model for what government can achieve when it makes smart, sustainable investments in our infrastructure that enhance our community, reduce energy use, and save taxpayers money. Thanks to smart investments by the State, our community will now be home to one of the most advanced wastewater treatment plants in the state that will simultaneously leave our water cleaner, help solve our restaurant grease disposal challenges, and dramatically reduce on-site energy use."

Assemblywoman Gina L. Sillitti said, "I am excited about the Governor's announcement of the completion of this historic project right here in the 16th Assembly District. The Great Neck Water Pollution Control District has always been on the forefront of cutting edge environmentally friendly technology but this first of its kind in our state takes it to another level. Imagine using cooking grease for power! That is exactly what they are doing here and helping our small businesses in the process. I am so proud of this project and congratulations to all involved who made it a reality."

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said, "Proud that Nassau County is now home to the most environmentally advanced and energy efficient wastewater treatment plant in the state. Innovation like this is key to protecting our environment and ensuring this essential service is conducted in an efficient manner for the benefit of the Great Neck residents for generations to come."

LIREDC Co-Chairs Kevin Law and Stuart Rabinowitz, President of Hofstra University said, "The LIREDC was glad to support this project. It's important for the region and serves as a model of a sustainable waste to energy project for the state and the country. Not only will it turn waste products into electricity and heat, but it will also save money for the utility district as well as the residents it serves."

Great Neck Water Pollution Control District Chairman Steve Reiter said, "On behalf of my co-commissioners and our dedicated staff, I would like to thank Empire State Development for enabling the District, through the completion of these projects, to become a municipal model of efficiency and for recognizing the District as one of the most environmentally advanced wastewater treatment plants in the state."

Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said, "The Town appreciates the efforts of the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District to find new and innovative ways to generate electricity and heating. Unique upgrades including the addition of a microturbine and using cooking grease to power the facility make it the first facility in New York State to do so. None of this would be possible without the support of Governor Cuomo and the Empire State Development Corp. These upgrades will help our community and protect our environmental resources for years to come. We are proud to have one of the most environmentally advanced wastewater treatment plants in the State, right here in North Hempstead."

Great Neck Plaza Mayor Ted Rosen said, "I commend the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District on the completion of improvements to its facility on East Shore Road in Great Neck. This plant serves many residents in Nassau County, including many in the Village of Great Neck Plaza. Among other things, the improvements include a receiving station that utilizes cooking grease to power facility operations, which will help the facility meet its demand for electricity and heat in the facility and thereby lower its reliance on traditional utility services, and in so doing, will assist in the disposal of restaurant grease. The renovated facility will be one of the most environmentally advanced wastewater treatment plants in our state. I also salute Empire State Development which provided funding for the improvements project through a grant of more than $12 million in the New York State Budget several New York State fiscal years ago. This is a great example of the use of public funding in the application of innovative, resourceful technology that will help generate increased energy in a manner that is environmentally protective. Congratulations to both the District and Empire State Development on a job well done."

About Empire State Development
Blue Origin is protesting NASA's decision to select SpaceX -- and only SpaceX -- to build the lander that will return NASA astronauts to the moon.

NASA has executed a flawed acquisition for the Human Landing System program and moved the goalposts at the last minute," Blue Origin said in a statement. "In NASAs own words, it has made a high risk selection. Their decision eliminates opportunities for competition, significantly narrows the supply base, and not only delays, but also endangers Americas return to the Moon."

More on the selection: NASA picks SpaceX Starship for lunar landing system

Last year, NASA began working with three companies to develop human landing systems that would lower its Artemis Program astronauts to the moon. NASA experts were embedded with Blue Origin, Dynetics and SpaceX as the companies refined their designs.

Then on April 16, NASA awarded a $2.89 billion contract to SpaceX for the program's first crewed mission. It promised to work with other companies on subsequent trips. But for now, only SpaceX would get a contract.

Dynetics is also protesting this selection.

In its source selection statement, NASA said it offered the contract to the company with the best overall rating and the lowest price. Funding for the lander has come in lower than hoped. For fiscal year 2021, NASA received $850 million for the human landing system. Former President Donald Trump had requested $3.4 billion.

"In light of the three HLS Option A offerors evaluation results and in consideration of NASAs available funding, it is my determination that the award of a single Option A contract is in the best interests of the Agency," Kathy Lueders, head of human spaceflight, said in the source selection statement. "This contract award is the catalyst for developing a critical element needed for the initial Artemis missionsa human lander to return astronauts to the Moon, including the first woman to touch the lunar surface."

Blue Origin argued that a heavier emphasis was placed on price because of perceived funding limitations.

NASA identified technical weaknesses for all three companies. Those listed for Blue Origin included development and schedule risks for its propulsion systems, which have complex major subsystems that are immature for Blue Origin's current phase of development, and communication issues that could interfere with the astronauts on the moon talking to astronauts orbiting the moon or to people in Houston's mission control.

Still, Blue Origin argued that NASA's award decision fails to comply with federal procurement statutes and regulations.

"NASA had indicated an overriding intention to make two awards, but due to perceived shortfalls in currently available and anticipated future budget appropriations, it made only the award to SpaceX," Blue Origin wrote in its protest filed with the Government Accountability Office, "eliminating HLS competition, and effectively locking down immediate and future lunar landing system development and launch and lunar landing opportunities."

Blue Origin argued that selecting just one company for the human landing system contract "puts all of NASA's eggs in one basket" and "introduces technical and schedule risk."

Questions during confirmation hearing: Former Sen. Nelson, Biden's NASA nominee, gets a warm reception in Senate

NASA selected two companies with its Commercial Crew program thats carrying astronauts to the International Space Station, and its leaders praised this redundancy when Boeing had a software issue that slowed its development. Boeing is not yet flying people, but SpaceX just flew its third crewed mission to the space station.

Blue Origin isn't alone in raising concerns about NASA's selection. Last week during former Sen. Bill Nelson's confirmation hearing to become the next NASA administrator, Sen. Maria Cantwell asked Nelson to provide Congress a plan for assuring resilience in the human lander program.

Cantwell, chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, represents Washington, and Blue Origin is based in Kent., Wash.
New Orleans police are investigating a double shooting in the St. Claude neighborhood, one of five shootings reported in the New Orleans area on Monday.

An initial report from the NOPD at 3:14 p.m. said gunfire erupted at France and North Villere streets, where a man was injured. The wounded man was taken to the hospital by paramedics.

Nearly three hours later, authorities said a woman was also injured in the same shooting and was taken to the hospital by paramedics.

Police had released no information on possible suspects or a motive as of Monday evening.

At least four more shootings were reported to police across New Orleans in the last 24 hours:

A 57-year-old man was struck by a bullet while inside his home in the 1600 block of North Roman Street at about 6:45 p.m. Sunday. Emergency Medical Services took him to the hospital, police said.

Authorities were investigating a shooting in which an 18-year-old man received a graze wound to the waist after suspects in a car shot at him in the 4700 block of Viola Street at about 11:35 p.m. Sunday. He was taken to the hospital by paramedics.

A 30-year-old man was taken to the hospital after he was shot in the back in the 1000 block of South Peters Street at about 1:30 a.m. Monday. Police said he was in stable condition.

A male juvenile was injured in a shooting in the 3700 block of Benefit Street some time before 1 p.m. Monday, authorities said. Paramedics took him to the hospital.

At least 149 shootings have been reported to police in 2021, a 60.2% increase compared to this time last year, which saw 93 non-fatal shootings, according to the city's crime dashboard.

This story has been updated to correct the number of shootings and the reported locations.
Manax, Southern Ontarios plumbing experts, celebrate 50+ years of growth and success. What started in 1965 as a plumbing company has expanded to include well pump service, water treatment and installation services, water tank services and repair, drain cleaning, emergency plumbing services, and more.

Not only has Manax expanded its service offerings, they have also expanded their service area to include a large portion of Southern Ontario bordered by Brampton North, Markdale, Schomberg and Grand Valley.

Manaxs success has not gone unnoticed. The Manax team has won the Orangeville Readers Choice award nine consecutive times for best plumbing company in the area.

The secret to success for Manax has been their focus on customers and their dedication to quality plumbing services. As a family owned and operated business Manax builds relationships with customers, and does so with integrity, respect and expertise. Manax does not see dollar signs when a customer calls for help, their first priority is to understand the issue at hand and go the extra mile to help solve the problem. They even provide basic plumbing information, tips and tricks on their social media channels to educate and help others at no cost.

This mindset is what sets Manax apart from the crowd. Manax is not listed on the home improvement databases, and does not pay for media coverage, because they dont have to - word of mouth is their referral stream, and it is incredibly successful.

Upon celebrating their 50+ year milestone, the Manax team looks ahead, projecting continued growth and expansion in the years to come. Recent initiatives include a partnership with Pure Water Canada to expand services and meet the evolving needs of customers and residents, and opening an office in Fergus so the team can now easily serve Elora, Marsville, Georgetown, Guelph and surrounding areas.

More about Manax:

Founded by the late Alexander Giger Sr. in 1965, Manax is a family owned and operated plumbing service provider in Southern Ontario. Alexander Giger Jr. now manages the Manax team, and their focus on customers and quality service has never faltered. Alexanders business philosophy is to do it right, every time, and the Manax team does.


PITTSBURGH, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB) announced the expansion of its commitment to drive economic development in the Hill District community of Pittsburgh, PA, with a significant investment in programs aiming to connect local businesses and entrepreneurs with essential funding.

Highlighting FNB's commitment is a $5 million investment in the launch of its new, proprietary Hill District Gap Lending Program, which is designed to address financing gaps for real estate projects in the community. FNB will provide loans of up to $400,000 and flexible lending parameters for local businesses that require additional funding to complete a capital structure so they can move forward with developing or redeveloping community assets. With an emphasis on serving low- to moderate-income and predominantly minority census tracts in the Hill District, the program intends to support projects that improve the community and promote wealth building through the development and ownership of commercial real estate.

To ensure resources are directed toward opportunities that will best benefit the Hill District, FNB will collaborate with community organizations including the Hill Community Development Corporation and Neighborhood Allies to identify and engage prospective participants.

The Company also has invested $2 million in the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) and Invest PGH, Inc., a newly certified Community Development Financial Institution that spun off of the URA, to support lending programs for businesses that traditionally have experienced financing challenges. As part of FNB's investment, $1 million will be utilized by the URA's Small Contractor Line of Credit Program for minority contractors in the Hill District who are taking on projects that require access to working capital. Pending URA Board approval, the line of credit program will be launched on May 13, 2021. In addition, $1 million will be provided directly to Invest PGH, Inc. for its Accelerating Business Expansion Loan (ABEL) Program, which stimulates growth for small- to medium-sized businesses through flexible financing for real estate purchases, development and other expansion needs. Through ABEL, FNB's funds will primarily benefit businesses in Pittsburgh's Hill District and Northside communities.

"Our commitment to these initiatives, including our own new gap lending program, both extends FNB's long history of service to the Hill District and affirms our plans for ongoing investment in this vibrant neighborhood," said Vincent J. Delie, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of F.N.B. Corporation and First National Bank. "Our goal is to connect historically underserved members of our community with access to capital and other resources so that we can foster opportunities and, ultimately, drive growth and success for the greater Hill District and the Pittsburgh Region overall."

These programs build on FNB's community lending, investments and strong relationships in the Hill District and aligns to its mission to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves. The Company has announced significant contributions to the Hill District Federal Credit Union and to the development of an innovative education facility in the Ammon Community Recreation Center. Throughout its footprint, FNB has strategically invested millions of dollars in local initiatives and relief funds that stimulate job growth, create affordable housing opportunities and foster overall social and economic development.

Visit FNB's website to learn more about its legacy of community engagement and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

About F.N.B. Corporation

F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a diversified financial services company operating in seven states and the District of Columbia. FNB's market coverage spans several major metropolitan areas including Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; and Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point) in North Carolina. The Company has total assets of more than $38 billion and nearly 340 banking offices throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

FNB provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking and wealth management solutions through its subsidiary network, which is led by its largest affiliate, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, founded in 1864. Commercial banking solutions include corporate banking, small business banking, investment real estate financing, government banking, business credit, capital markets and lease financing. The consumer banking segment provides a full line of consumer banking products and services, including deposit products, mortgage lending, consumer lending and a complete suite of mobile and online banking services. FNB's wealth management services include asset management, private banking and insurance.

The common stock of F.N.B. Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FNB" and is included in Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index with the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Regional Banks Sub-Industry Index. Customers, shareholders and investors can learn more about this regional financial institution by visiting the F.N.B. Corporation website at www.fnbcorporation.com .

SOURCE F.N.B. Corporation

Related Links

http://www.fnbcorporation.com


New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is refusing to commit to resignation if the states investigation concludes he committed sexual misconduct while in office.

Mr Cuomo has been accused by nine women, several of them employees of the governor, of having made unwanted sexual advances and comments toward them. New York Attorney General Letitia James has launched an investigation into the claims.

During a press conference on Monday, Mr Cuomo was asked whether he committed any of the actions his accusers attributed to him.

Mr Cuomo flatly denied any wrongdoing.

Then a reporter asked him if he would discipline himself or consider resignation if Ms James' investigation found that he had committed the acts.

Mr Cuomo refused to commit to any corrective action, saying that the report would not find any wrongdoing.

"The report can't say anything different because I didn't do anything wrong," Mr Cuomo said.

The governor has been accused of groping, kissing, and making unwanted sexual advances and comments toward women, some of whom were his staffers at the time of the incidents.

The press conference was the first public press conference Mr Cuomo has held in three months.

During the press briefing, the governor also downplayed the accusations against him, claiming the alleged victims just "want attention." Mr Cuomo said he did not regret inviting women to the Executive Mansion.

I have many women who were working state government. Im very proud that we probably have more women in senior positions than ever before, he said. And I think thats a good thing.

Mr Cuomo faced a barrage of questions regarding complaints about his behavior, which went beyond the sexual misconduct allegations to include inquiries about alleged anti-trans and anti-Semitic comments he is accused of making.

A recent New York Times Magazine cover story alleged that Mr Cuomo complained about these people and their f****** treehouses in reference to a Jewish Sukkot event. He denied ever saying the words, calling them "slurs and slander."

When asked why people would make up allegations against him, he suggested vanity was at the root of the claims.

People are venial. People want attention. People are angry. People are jealous," he said.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has faced multiple scandals over the past year (AP)

The storm of attention Mr Cuomo has received for his alleged behavior has not been the only scandal plaguing him; he has also faced claims his administration under-reported nursing home deaths during the coronavirus.

In the early months of the pandemic, Mr Cuomo ordered that nursing homes take in individuals who tested positive for coronavirus, despite elderly and sick individuals being most susceptible to Covid-19.

His office has been accused of under-reporting the deaths in nursing homes by excluding deaths that occurred in hospitals.

He shrugged off the allegations as "just more ugly politics at the time," and blamed former President Donald Trump of making it a "big issue."
HALIFAX - A rapid surge in COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia has led to a provincewide shutdown after health officials reported a record 96 cases on Tuesday.

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. Nova Scotia's COVID-19 numbers continue to climb with the province reporting 96 new cases today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Hannah A. Bullock, Azaibi Tamin/CDC via AP

HALIFAX - A rapid surge in COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia has led to a provincewide shutdown after health officials reported a record 96 cases on Tuesday.

Premier Iain Rankin said that as of Wednesday at 8 a.m., all schools and non-essential indoor services will be closed across the province for the next two weeks.

"COVID-19 and its variants are on the move and spreading faster than ever before," Rankin told reporters. "COVID is in every region of our province and it doesn't want to seem to slow down."

The premier said the closures affect malls, gyms, retail stores, bars and restaurants, although curbside pickup and takeout will be allowed.

Nova Scotia reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases for the third consecutive day; officials reported 66 cases on Monday and 63 on Sunday.

Ninety of the new cases were identified in the Halifax area. Another three were reported in the province's eastern zone, two in the western zone and one in the northern zone. The province has 419 active reported infections.

Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin takes questions from reporters in Halifax on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Rankin has announced a provincewide shutdown to combat a surge in COVID-19 cases. The CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

"We need to act now," chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang told reporters. "We cannot be chasing this virus. We have to be ahead of it to protect Nova Scotians, our health-care system and our vaccine rollout."

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the military will deploy 60 service members to assist at COVID-19 testing centres in Nova Scotia. Trudeau said the province requested the aid because of the rapid rise in cases, particularly in the Halifax area.

The military says personnel from Royal Canadian Navy ships and Canadian Army units based in Nova Scotia have been assigned to this task.

Under the provincewide lockdown, households of two or fewer members can socialize with one or two other people but they must be the same people for the two-week period.

Travel is restricted between communities unless it's for such things as work or medical appointments. Grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies can remain open at 25 per cent capacity. All daycares can stay open as long as staff, visitors and children over two years old wear masks.

Strang said several cases had been identified at daycares in Halifax.

Meanwhile, the Northwood long-term care facility in Halifax announced on its website it had received confirmation of one presumptive case of COVID-19 involving a staff member who is in isolation. It said the virus was contracted in the community.

An outbreak at the facility last spring led to the death of 53 residents  Nova Scotia has seen a total of 67 deaths since the onset of the pandemic.

Strang said with most residents in Northwood and other long term care homes already vaccinated, he's less concerned about the development. "I'm not complacent but it gives me the least anxiety of all the situations we are dealing with," he said.

Health officials imposed a lockdown in the Halifax area last week and had already closed all the schools in the region for the next two weeks.

In Sydney, parent Amanda Carroll had already decided to keep her two children home this week because of an increase in cases in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Carroll has a five-year-old son and a 16-year-old daughter who attends Sydney Academy.

Despite case numbers that are still significantly lower than those in the Halifax area, Carroll said in an interview she feels "completely uneasy."

"Our numbers are going the wrong way," she said. "And while they (health officials) don't see community spread here yet, I feel like it's only a matter of a few days before they do."

Cape Breton Mayor Amanda McDougall said in an interview that while she senses unease in her community, she's reassured by the number of people who have been turning out to get tested.

"We're getting the data that is required by the province to make decisions on restrictions going forward so that is a good thing," McDougall said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2021.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. Previous version said military staff would come from 14 Wing Greenwood.
Spotify and other music streamers say Apple abused its dominant position

EU competition authorities will "imminently" file formal accusations against Apple for unfairly squeezing out music streaming rivals, two sources close to the case said Tuesday.

The charge sheet would land as Apple faces a rebellion from firms that want to break free of the global Apple app store's terms, with anti-trust agencies in the US, Britain and South Korea also taking an interest.

It also comes as Apple gears up for an epic battle with Facebook over its new policy on better protecting the personal data of iPhone users.

The Financial Times, which first reported the development, said the "statement of objections", the formal name for the procedure, could fall as early as this week.

The European Commission's case is based on a complaint brought by Sweden-based Spotify and others that accuses Apple of making unfair use of its app store to promote its own Apple Music.

Spotify filed a formal complaint in 2019 that also accused Apple of unfairly taking a 30 percent cut from businesses using its store, which Spotify says amounts to a violation of fair competition rules.

The case is one of four taken up by the European Commission against Apple last year and could force the company to change the way it does business.

Once charged, Apple would have the chance to defend its side and offer to tweak its business model to satisfy EU regulators who can also impose fines.

The European Commission declined to comment on an ongoing investigation.

Apple declined to comment, but referred to a 2019 statement that said its App Store helped Spotify become Europe's largest music streaming service.

The tech giant was previously in the EU's crosshairs four years ago when Brussels ordered the California-based giant to repay 13 billion euros ($14.7 billion at current rates) in a tax case against Ireland.

Explore further Epic Games files EU antitrust complaint against Apple

 2021 AFP
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27) - Solicitor General Jose Calida on Tuesday linked lawyer Neri Colmenares and progressive groups to the communist rebellion during the resumption of oral arguments on the anti-terrorism law at the Supreme Court.

Calida claimed campaign paraphernalia for Colmenares and groups like Bayan Muna and Gabriela were found during a raid in an armory in Sta. Rosa, Laguna last March.

"Likewise, discovered in the armory were subversive documents, streamers, campaign paraphernalia of Congressman Colmenares, Bayan Muna, and Gabriela, and training materials on advanced revolutionary warfare," Calida said.

The solicitor general stressed that "the government is not the enemy." He added the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed-wing New Peoples' Army "always resort to acts of terror in its bid to seize control of the government through armed struggle."

The Anti-Terrorism Council has approved a resolution last year designating the CPP and NPA as terrorist organizations. Under the Anti-Terrorism Law, the designation allows the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze the assets of the designated individuals or organizations.

READ: Here are the major issues raised against the Anti-Terrorism Act

Calida also went after the petitioners, saying they never stood against past terrorist attacks in the country.

"Petitioners have never spoken out against the recent atrocities committed by terrorists against our people. If they have never taken a stand against these acts and if silence is complicity, there can be only one inescapable conclusion," he said.

Colmenares, for his part, described Calida's accusation as uncalled for. "Red tagging is a deadly offense. It is a threat to life, liberty, and security. I really feel this mentioning of our names is really uncalled for, when the respondent wants to establish the evilness of terrorism, because we have no relations at all to terrorism," he said.

The former Bayan Muna representative is one of the counsels to the 37 petitioners against the controversial law.
[April 27, 2021] Acknowledging the Agricultural Crisis in America

DALLAS, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ranchers are some of the hardest working people you will meet but are dealt some of the hardest blows in any industry. Not only have they had to rise above the challenges of COVID-19, but those in the South also succumbed to Winter Storm Uri's wrath. Cattle ranchers in particular were hit hard by the outbreak of the coronavirus with nationwide losses estimated at $13.6 billion. On top of that, Winter Storm Uri caused at least $228 million in losses and counting for livestock in Texas. This doesn't even include losses stemming from the US-China trade war, decreasing market share and increasing operational costs as just a handful of the issues looming over them. Small family ranches are suffering the most, yet have some of the best products to offer in the nation. These smaller ranches practice better control over their operations in setting strict quality standards and have strengthened their standards over multiple generations. Customers don't get 100% traceability, no artificial growth hormones and other guarantees when purchasing from big-box corporations. These are the qualities that smaller ranches pride themselves on and are virtues they've upheld and ingrained in their family legacies. When Carl Ratner, co-founder of Rancher's Prime, met an 8th generation cattle rancher in the Midwest, he couldn't believe the techniques they had developed over time to produce the highest quality meat. "It's incredible how these ranchers have dedicated years, sometimes even centuries, to their craft and have truly become artisans in the industry." What saddened him, though, was that despite their dedication and ingenuity, many were on the brink of bankruptcy for reasons out of their control. It's understood in the industry that ranching isn't for the faint of heart, but the agricultural crisis in America has become monstrous. The strife that our stewards of the land have endured in even the last decade is simply intolerable. With farm debt topping $416 billion in 2019, our ranchers are suffering and barely able to make ends meet, and Ratner knew he had to find a way to help. Ranches don't have the tools or the manpower to deliver their products on a national scale, especially when the majoity of them are in a deficit. For many ranchers, this was the intangible dream, until Rancher's Prime was founded.



Ratner grew a coalition of some of the most elite ranchers in the nation who are employing only the best techniques to make U.S.D.A. Prime Grade meat. He's sourcing only from American ranchers with particular emphasis on those who are producing the top 5-6% of meat in the U.S. to give them the market share they deserve. While they're up at the crack of dawn tending to their cattle, Ratner has been busy building the business to give ranchers nationwide shipping capabilities and offer consumers access to the most high-end meat made in the country. In addition, with every box sold, a portion of the proceeds goes to the Farm Rescue Foundation. As an organization who is dedicated to helping farming families recover from crisis, the Farm Rescue Foundation aligns with the mission of Rancher's Prime to give our stewards of the land a leg up. More Americans need to be aware of their struggles and to try to purchase from our American ranchers to support them and our country. Our ranchers are contributing to our GDP, providing jobs, and stimulating the economy, to name just a few benefits. Most companies outsource their products from foreign countries, and even products in the grocery store labeled "Product of the U.S.A." are falsely marketed as being raised on American soil. The repeal of the Country of Origin Labeling law makes it legal for foreign meat that is shipped and simply processed in the U.S. to be labeled as such.

By purchasing from Rancher's Prime, you're not only getting a U.S.D.A. Prime quality guarantee, but you're also supporting your neighborhood ranchers. In the last century, the number of U.S. farms has significantly declined from approximately 18.5 million to just over 2 million farms. Now more than ever, it's time for us to step up and show our support for our hardworking stewards of the land by purchasing their products and advocating for them. Rancher's Prime is doing just that by revolutionizing the agricultural industry, a key foundation of American culture. ABOUT RANCHER'S PRIME

Rancher's Prime is a meat delivery subscription service giving you only the prime of the prime steak, beef, pork and barbecue. Their elite network of ranchers has developed the best flavor and tenderness in the nation using heritage breeds, 100% traceability, open pastures and generations of improvement. This results in consistency in their quality and flavor with every cut time after time; truly, only the best make the cut. When you buy from Rancher's Prime, you are not only supporting stewards of the land, but a portion of their purchases also goes to the Farm Rescue Foundation. They are on a mission to give back to the humble and hardworking American farmers and ranchers while also giving you the best tasting meat. For more information on Rancher's Prime, please visit https://ranchersprime.com/ or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acknowledging-the-agricultural-crisis-in-america-301276227.html SOURCE Rancher's Prime, LLC

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Gandhinagar, April 27 : In order to curb rising Covid infections, the Gujarat government on Tuesday extended the night curfew to nine other major cities of the state from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m till May 5. This will come into force from Wednesday. Twenty major cities of Gujarat are already under night curfew for the last three weeks.

Gujarat, similar to the rest of the country, has been witnessing an unprecedented rise in Covid cases, losing lives due to the pandemic throughout the month of April. The central government came out with an order on Monday with regard to imposing lockdown-like measures in the states, if the positivity rate is more than 10 per cent.

Monday saw the highest spike of cases at 14,340 with the total caseload climbing to over five lakhs, following which the Gujarat government on Tuesday decided to extend the night curfew to nine more cities.

The night curfew will be effective from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and will come into force from Wednesday till May 5. The government has already banned political or social gatherings till April 30 and reduced the number of guests at marriages to fifty from hundred, following a Gujarat High Court order. Other gatherings have also been limited to a maximum of fifty people.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani chaired a core committee meeting late on Monday evening where the latest decision was taken, after the central government's order.

The existing night curfew has been in force in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Jamangar, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Gandhinagar, Anand, Nadiad, Mehsana, Morbi, Dahod, Patan, Godhra, Bhuj, Gandhidham, Bharuch, Surendranagar and Amreli till April 30 which has been extended to May 5 now.

All businesses and activities apart from essential services have been barred in Gujarat. Grocery, vegetable shops, milk booths will continue to operate. So will manufacturing units and industries, provided Covid protocols are strictly followed.

There is a ban on shopping malls, complexes, auditoriums, cinema halls, flea markets, swimming pools, gymnasiums, salons, spa, beauty parlours, amusement parks among others.

Public transport will continue to operate with fifty per cent capacity.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Manlius, N.Y.  The two people found dead in a Manlius home on Monday morning have been identified, police said.

Leah B. McIrwin, 23, of Manlius, and Oscar D. Sullivan, 25, of Manlius, were found dead Monday morning at 4601 Hadley Lane, according to a news release issued by the Manlius Police Department.

Police discovered the bodies while searching for a woman after her mother reported she failed to show up at work, police said.

Hours after the two people were found, police remained at the Manlius Academy Apartments at 4601 Hadley Lane.

Police have not released a cause of death. Police have said there is no threat to the community.

Manlius police asked anyone with information related to these deaths to call 315-682-2212 or the departments tip line 315-682-8673.

This is a breaking news story. We will update when more information is available.

Staff writer James McClendon covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? Reach him at 914-204-2815 or jmcclendon@syracuse.com.
Job Title: Officer Data Centre (4 No Experience Fresh Graduate Job Vacancies)

Organisation: Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About URA:

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) was established by the Uganda Revenue Authority Statute of 1991 and set up in September of the same year as a central body for assessment and collection of specified revenue, to administer and enforce the laws relating to such revenue and to provide for related matters. This statute incorporated all the laws that were in force then regarding tax collection. The new organization (URA) amalgamated the three tax administration departments that were responsible for all the taxes collected by the Central Government of Uganda.

Job Summary: The Officer Data Centre will monitor all operations in the URA data center in order to ensure high availability of IT services and Business Continuity.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Maintain equipment in the data centre in optimal working condition

Monitor the IT Hardware & Network Infrastructure to ensure they are free from alarms.

Maintain clean & optimal data centre environment conditions

Compile and submit weekly health monitoring reports on data centre state

Carry out preventive maintenance to ensure systems health

Supervise data centre works to ensure that vendors deliver as contracted

Conduct routine physical inspections of the data centre environment to ascertain the health of the data centre infrastructure and systems.

Oversee capacity planning, perform power audits and ensure appropriate supply of power to all equipment.

Maintain the physical security of the data center

Oversee datacentre physical security controls

Document and escalate any violations to data centre security

Monitor and Log access to the datacentre

Continually evaluate and report on identified risks to the data centre security

Oversee all changes to datacenter infrastructure

Monitor and document all works carried out in the data centre

Maintain an up to date inventory of data centre Assets

Monitor adherence to established data centre architecture

Support the organizations disaster recovery strategy

Carry out systems backups and periodic verification of backups

Execute periodic disaster recovery and failover tests

Enforcement of policies, procedures and associated plans for disaster recovery administration and business continuity based on industry-standard best practices.

Routinely verify the health of backup media

Continually evaluate risk and propose enhancements to the organizations disaster recovery strategy





Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

The applicant for the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Officer Data Centre job must hold an honors bachelors degree in Information Technology and compute, Electrical engineering, Computer science or a related computer science field.

Knowledge of Data Centre management

Knowledge of Modular data centre considerations

Power and networking designs

Facilities management

Backup and restore procedures

Knowing of disaster recovery mechanisms

Knowledge of data centre risks

The incumbent should be a good team player with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

S/he must be flexible, assertive, with good customer care and communication skills.

Will be on call outside of normal work hours for any emergencies or service interruptions.

Ready to work outside of normal hours on any planned major activities that require evening or weekends.

Highly self-motivated and directed.

Strong organizational skills.

Excellent attention to detail.

Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.

Desirable Requirements

Experience in IT in a large organisation

Certified Data Centre management Professional (CDCMP)

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

Experience with Backup management systems

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates who wish to join URA should apply online at the link below.

Click Here

Deadline: 15th May 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
Rohit Chopra, President Joe Bidens nominee to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, told lawmakers last month that racial inequality is reinforced and exacerbated" by workplace racism. Now, complaints of pay discrimination may be one of the first big challenges he addresses at his own agency.

According to the CFPB's union, Black employees last year were paid a median $20,000 less than white employees. Base pay was lower for employees of color even when job type and experience were the same, the union said in a pay study it conducted in the fall.

The problem has plagued the CFPB since its creation under former President Barack Obama, even as its management ranks have become more diverse than other federal agencies. The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents the agencys workers, is now pressing Chopra to make fixing the salary disparities a top priority.

NTEU is hopeful that the CFPBs new leadership will work with us to use this opportunity to close the pay gaps for Black, Hispanic and Native American employees, union president Tony Reardon said.

The long-running complaints by the CFPBs workers illustrate the internal challenges that the Biden administration faces as it promises to make racial equity a big focus of economic policy. A major part of the CFPBs financial oversight mission is combating discrimination in lending.

While I have been fortunate to work with, hire and advocate for many exceptional people of color, I believe that each of us must take more personal responsibility for transforming workplace cultures into ones that actively seek to spot and address racist and discriminatory practices, particularly in hiring and promotion, Chopra told lawmakers vetting his nomination last month.

According to former CFPB officials, the pay problems can be traced back to the agencys hiring process when it was first created 10 years ago and it sought to staff up quickly.

Congress established the powerful new financial regulator  the brainchild of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, then a Harvard Law professor  with the passage of the Dodd-Frank financial reform law in the summer of 2010. A year later, the agency opened its doors and resembled working at a startup, with little structure to the way new hires were brought on board, according to some of the bureaus first employees.

Story continues

The ad hoc hiring process meant that initial recruits who were sought out for specific jobs were largely hired according to the terms they set, with salaries ranging widely. As it grew over the years, the agency never undertook a systematic assessment of how employees stacked up against each other.

Now, the agency and the union have agreed to conduct an agency-wide salary review to inject more structure into the unwieldy pay system.

The review is the product of months of negotiations after the union raised concerns with management about disparities that are unfair to nonwhite employees, Reardon said. The review is scheduled to begin next month.

But the path forward remains fraught: CFPB management and the union are currently squabbling over criteria for the review. The two sides have not come to terms on a standardized way to assess employees experience.

In an April 13 blog post, the union told its members that "CFPB is stalling your salary reviews. CFPB spokesperson Michael Robinson said Friday that the bureau has since provided NTEU with its views concerning experience crediting and will not comment further on our ongoing discussions with the union.

The dispute is the latest hurdle in addressing yearslong complaints about disparate treatment.

In 2014, House Republicans who opposed the existence of the agency held hearings after a whistleblower came forward alleging discrimination and retaliation. A 2016 Government Accountability Office audit found that at least 40 percent of Black employees disagreed with the statement that success at CFPB is based more on merit than on personal connections or favoritism.

And last November, the head of the CFPBs union chapter, Catherine Farman, said the agency has serious problems with racist policies, and not just with pay.

Since 2013, CFPB has proposed firing 17 people: 12 of them were people of color, five were white women, seven were Black, Farman said at the time. That means that CFPB has never tried to fire a white man.

The CFPB is not disputing the charge that disparities exist at the agency.

CFPB Acting Director Dave Uejio takes pay equity at the Bureau very seriously, said Robinson, the agency spokesperson. As the Bureau works with NTEU on our compensation system, we will seek to ensure that it achieves fair and effective pay-setting practices and promotes comparability in total compensation with the Federal Reserve and other financial regulators, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act.

Chopra, who is awaiting Senate confirmation, pledged to work with CFPB staff and be transparent about workplace policies, salaries and benefits in written responses to questions for the record following his Senate Banking Committee nomination hearing. Chopra said he would work with staff on the agencys diversity, equity and inclusion strategic plan and make appropriate updates so that it is concrete and actionable.

Minority representation at the CFPB is growing, albeit slowly.

Over the last five years, the share of the CFPB workforce comprised by ethnic and racial minorities has grown from 37 percent to 41 percent, according to a report last month by the agencys Office of Minority and Women Inclusion. Thirty-seven percent of executives self-identified as minority, according to the report, compared with 20.7 percent of executives government-wide.

But just 50.1 percent of employees said they thought the bureau was fair in performance evaluations and procedures in the annual employee surveys for both 2019 and 2020.

The issue is both delicate and awkward for the agencys progressive champions in Congress.

Warren, who helped stand up the agency and who frequently criticized its operations under Trump appointees, declined to comment for this story. Senate Banking Chair Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), responsible for scrutinizing the agencys operations, also declined to comment. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), chair of both the Congressional Black Caucus and the Financial Services subcommittee on diversity, did not respond to repeated questions about the pay disparities.
Belagavi : , April 27 (IANS) Four-time Belgaum Member of Parliament and 85-year-old Congress leader, S.B. Sidnal passed away on Tuesday morning, his relatives said.

His son and industrialist, Shivakant Sidnal said that his father passed away due to age related ailments for which he was undergoing treatment in a hospital.

"The funeral will be at 5 p.m. at Sidnal Farms in his village Sanikoppa village at Bailhongal in Belagavi," his son told media persons.

He was considered to be close to Gandhi family until he lost his first Assembly elections from Kittur constituency in 1992 to his rival B.D. Inamdar.

After this loss, he could not secure party ticket from Belgaum Lok Sabha or Assembly ticket in consecutive elections, which remained cause of heartburn with him and quietly he distanced himself from party affairs in the district while remaining active with his son's businesses and farming activities, a close aide of Sidnal told IANS.

He was a good orator and knew how to nurture his relations even with his political rivals due to his soft speaking skills.

Sidnal was Belgaum MP between 1980 to 1991 when he won from the seat for four consecutive terms.

Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa expressed deep condolences over the former MP's demise. "Sidnal was a simple-minded, honest and efficient politician. May his soul rest in peace. Wishing his family and dear ones all strength during this painful hour," the CM's tweet in Kannada read.
[April 27, 2021] IDEX Corporation to Acquire Airtech

IDEX Corporation (NYSE: IEX (News - Alert) ) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Airtech Group, Inc., US Valve Corporation and related entities from investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital for cash consideration of $470 million, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. Airtech designs and manufactures a wide range of highly engineered pressure technology products, including vacuum pumps, regenerative blowers, compressor systems and valves. The company provides customized solutions across diversified end markets such as alternative energy, food processing, medical, packaging and transportation. Airtech serves clients globally, with operations in the United States, Europe and Asia. "The acquisition of Airtech expands our expertise in specialized, high-performing air moving technologies, increasing our ability to serve customers' needs," IDEX Chief Executive Officer and President Eric Ashleman said. "Airtech has an excellent record of providing highly engineered solutions for niche applications across a wide array of industries. We expect this acquisition to be an outstanding fit for IDEX. Our decentralized structure gives business units significant autonomy, while the common IDEX culture and operating model provid the foundation for operational excellence and growth that will enhance the business the Airtech team has already built."



"We continue to actively seek opportunities to deploy capital and acquire IDEX-like businesses, as well as make some calculated bets in new technologies to bolster our growth potential, further strengthen our portfolio and enhance our return to shareholders," Ashleman said. "It has been a pleasure collaborating with the Airtech team over these past years," said Robert Fogelson, Senior Partner at EagleTree Capital. "We are all delighted that Airtech will become part of IDEX, which will be a wonderful home for the business for the long term."

Airtech's headquarters office and largest manufacturing facility are in Rutherford, New Jersey. The company has other manufacturing operations in Werneck, Germany and Shenzhen, China. Airtech will join IDEX's Health & Science Technology segment. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2021, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. About IDEX IDEX (NYSE: IEX) is a company that has undoubtedly touched your life in some way. In fact, IDEX businesses make thousands of products that are mission-critical components in everyday activities. Chances are the car you're driving has a BAND-IT clamp holding your side airbag safely in place. If you were ever in a car accident, a Hurst Jaws of Life rescue tool may have saved your life. If you or a family member is battling cancer, your doctor may have tested your DNA in a quest to find the best targeted medicine for you. It's likely your DNA test was run on equipment that contains components made by our growing IDEX Health & Science team. Founded in 1988 with three small, entrepreneurial manufacturing companies, we're proud to say that we now call 40 diverse businesses around the world part of the IDEX family. With 7,000 employees and manufacturing operations in more than 20 countries, IDEX is a high-performing, global nearly $2.5 billion company committed to making trusted solutions that improve lives. IDEX shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "IEX". For further information on IDEX Corporation and its business units, visit the company's website at www.idexcorp.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427006063/en/

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NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- After months of failing to publicly disclose terms of how personal injury victims will be paid in the Purdue bankruptcy case, less than 48 hours before objections were due, Purdue publicly filed its distribution plan that allows adult victims to recover considerably more than the children.

Today, in response to the 11th hour disclosure in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan, the Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Ad Hoc Committee (NASAHC), which represents children born with NAS in the Purdue proceedings before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain in New York, filed its objection to that distribution process and, for the first time, exposed in stark terms the lack of adequate relief for infants and children swept up in the nation's opioid crisis.

The group criticized Purdue's month-old bankruptcy plan, which is said to be valued at over $7 billion and is partly funded by the Sackler family, heirs to the Purdue fortune, because, under the plan, very few infants and children born dependent on opioids will be eligible for any payment. On the other hand, hundreds of millions of dollars have been allocated to states and municipalities as well as giant insurance companies and hospitals.

While Purdue's bankruptcy plan allots $750 million to personal injury victims of Purdue opioid sales, including babies and children born suffering from opioid dependency, adult victims, and other parties, the overwhelming majority of children who make it through the claims process may only receive $3,500 before deducting attorney fees, expert costs, Medicaid lien resolution, and minor settlement costs. This amount is wholly inadequate for the potential decades of care that these children will need to survive and live healthy lives. Meanwhile, adult victims may receive significantly more.

The NASAHC's objection can be found here.

The thousands of children born opioid dependent have been documented to suffer from long-term motor problems, such as problems with bones, muscles, and movement, in addition to development delays, such as reaching developmental milestones like walking, sitting, talking, and other activities of daily life.

"Purdue needs to make this right by ensuring that the distribution plan provides more compensation to these permanently injured children and their families who are often unable to afford the necessary medical care for proper treatment," said Scott Bickford of New Orleans-based Martzell, Bickford & Centola, an attorney who is a member of the NASAHC and represents a number of children born with NAS.

"The current plan favors those adult victims who were prescribed opioids or who purchased them on the open market," continued Bickford. "It fails the most innocent victims of the opioid crisis who are born with lifelong injuries. Purdue must propose a distribution plan that takes into account the harm that these babies may face. Unlike adult addicts who have the chance to recover, these children will never experience a day without opioid impairment  they don't get to go to treatment facilities and get better. These children are suffering from NAS due to no fault of their own and they are being left behind. Purdue must dig deeper to ensure these young victims can get the care they need in years to come."

Last week, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed an objection on behalf of West Virginia, stating that proceeds should be allocated based on "the intensity of the opioid addiction crisis" in each state, as opposed to population size.

The NASAHC joined with West Virginia to support its objection as well, arguing that West Virginia has certainly been disproportionately impacted by the opioid epidemic, relying on the fact that grandparents are raising 76.3% of children with NAS in Boone County, West Virginia  a figure that is only rising with the severity of the crisis in the state.

Nationally, an opioid-dependent baby is born every 15 minutes and these infants (and children) will face lifelong physical, behavioral and emotional health challenges. Despite being one of the hardest hit communities, children and grandparents impacted by the crisis are not being provided the necessary relief and abatement resources to maintain healthy lives or realize their true potential.

Find out about these issues here: http://opioidjusticeteam.com/opioid-infants/

Media Contact:

Caroline Beckmann  Trident DMG

[email protected]

202-440-1783

SOURCE Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Ad Hoc Committee
The ACT government is probing how Pfizer vaccine doses reserved for specified critical and high-risk workers were provided to ineligible Canberrans after the number of a dedicated vaccine registration hotline was widely distributed at the weekend.

A medical centre established to vaccinate people in the first two phases of the national rollout was inundated with bookings after a phone number reserved for frontline workers was shared in an unauthorised message via text and social media groups.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith watches on as a COVID testing nurse received the first COVID-19 vaccination in the Garran surge centre in February. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith accused those who received the vaccine despite knowing they were ineligible of skipping the queue, saying their actions were unhelpful, inappropriate and unnecessary.

Health authorities also stressed that vaccine doses were not going to waste and only on occasion were specialised clinics offering vaccinations to ineligible residents, such as carers or those accompanying the patient to the vaccination clinic.
The universities minister has faced calls to take tougher action to ensure Jewish students are protected from anti-Semitism on campus, with one senior MP comparing the situation to '1930s Germany'.

MPs pressed Michelle Donelan to adopt a more heavy-handed approach - such as cutting off their funding or sacking university bosses - when the institutions fail to address reports of alleged anti-Semitism.

Education Select Committee chairman Robert Halfon urged ministers not to 'wash their hands' of concerns from Jewish university students, including those at the University of Bristol.

An investigation was launched by the University of Bristol last month after one of its academics, sociology Professor David Miller, received a barrage of criticism for comments he allegedly made about Israel.

Minister of State for Universities Michelle Donelan, who MPs today urged to adopt a more heavy-handed approach when universities fail to address reports of alleged anti-Semitism

Peers heard that the university lecturer's behaviour had led to Jewish students 'being subjected to weeks of harassment and abuse'.

Senior Tory MP Mr Halfon highlighted the incident - which he condemned as 'appalling' and 'a disgrace' - during an Education Select Committee session with the universities minister today.

Education Select Committee chairman Robert Halfon (pictured)

Addressing Ms Donelan, he said: 'Students should not feel that they're living in 1930s Germany who go to Bristol University and other universities.

'I think it's become such a serious national issue, been raised in Parliament a number of times, that you should take a proactive role and do what you can to speak to the senior management and tell them to get a grip and deal with this once and for all.'

But Ms Donelan said she was 'not washing her hands' of the issue as she stressed that incidents of anti-Semitism at universities was 'an area of focus' for the Government.

In October, Gavin Williamson warned that universities could have their funding cut if they refused to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism.

Ms Donelan told MPs on the education select committee that 98 universities had now signed up to adopt the internationally recognised definition.

She said: 'Anti-Semitism is abhorrent in universities and we have been working to encourage as many as possible to sign the IHRA definition, which Bristol already had done and that highlights the fact that that's not the panacea to addressing this issue.

Bristol University Sociology professor David Miller called for the 'end of Zionism' and said Israel is 'trying to exert its will all over the world' during an astonishing Zoom tirade

'In regards to specific cases, the Government doesn't comment. There's an investigation going on in Bristol and I believe it's still live.

'And I would urge Bristol University to ensure that is as thorough as possible because some of the reports that have come out are extremely concerning.'

Mr Halfon said: 'There's been some awful things going on in terms of Jewish students. They feel unsafe, they feel unprotected, they feel that now the university is a a hotbed of anti-Semitism, and yet all the Government can do is say 'we'll wait for a review and not intervene'.

'I mean, surely you should look at things like funding, or at least meet with the vice-chancellor early on and say 'What on earth is going on here? Why do thousands of Jewish students feel that Bristol University is not a safe place for Jews?'.'

He added: 'There's nothing to stop you picking up the phone and saying to the vice-chancellor 'What on earth is going on? Get your act together. Do something. Protect these students which is your duty to protect them.' Rather than to wash your hands of it and say they're autonomous.'

Meanwhile, Jonathan Gullis, Conservative MP for Stoke on Trent North, called for academics who have allegedly made anti-Semitic comments to be sacked, and for the Office for Students (OfS) to be able to remove vice-chancellors from their posts if they fail to tackle anti-Semitism.

An investigation was launched by the University of Bristol last month after one of its academics, Professor David Miller, received a barrage of criticism

He said: 'Until we start bringing that kind of scrutiny and action into our university sector, like you would do if you were in a primary or secondary school, these incidents will keep happening.'

But Ms Donelan said: 'We can't sack professors, or people like that, because we are not their employers and this is the difference with the university sector because they are autonomous we haven't actually hired them.'

However, she added: 'I agree with you that certain universities do need to go further on this area and it is deeply concerning that Jewish students feel put off from applying to certain universities. That's not modern Britain and that's not the country that we all want to live in.'

Mr Gullis added: 'Rules need to be put in place that these people can be got rid of. At the very least, the head of the Office for Students (OfS) should be able, in my opinion, to remove vice-chancellors if they're not upholding the protection of students, particularly those who are Jewish where we see time and time again anti-Semitism rife in the university sector and I think it's an absolute abomination in modern society that this is still going on.'
The 'unimaginably hot' outer layer of the sun's atmosphere can reach temperatures of 1.7 million degrees Fahrenheit due to 'campfires' on the surface, study finds.

In June last year, ESA released the closest images ever taken of the sun, by the Solar Orbiter, which, for the first time, showed campfires dotted across its surface.

The images revealed around 1,500 small, flickering brightenings that last for between 10 and 200 seconds and span between 248 and 6,500 miles across.

New data from the European Space Agency's (ESA) Solar Orbiter suggests these campfires are driven by a process that may also contribute to heating of the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona, triggering temperatures of 1.7 million Fahrenheit.

The left panel shows a simulated view of emission from the Suns corona, as would be seen by Solar Orbiters Extreme Ultraviolet Imager. The right panel shows the corresponding magnetic field as a magnetogram, where black and white are opposite polarities, and grey is zero field

This is one of the closest images ever taken of the Sun, captured in mid-June 2020 by the Solar Orbiter when it came within 47 million miles of the Sun's surface

'Campfires' on the Sun: Solar Orbiter captures the 'closest ever pictures' of the sun from 47 million miles away The British-built European Space Agency Solar Orbiter has captured the closest images ever taken of the Sun and it did so while flying between the orbits of Venus and Mercury, according to the UK Space Agency. The stunning images taken by the Solar Orbiter while 47 million miles away from the surface of our host star include signs of mini solar flares that have been dubbed 'campfires' by the scientists behind the probe. Solar flares are brief eruptions of high-energy radiation from the Sun's surface and these 'campfires' are millions of times smaller than normal flares from the star. The images were captured in the middle of June while the Solar Orbiter was still in its testing phase, so the team say images will become higher resolution as the probe gets closer to the Sun. At its closest approach to our star, the Solar Orbiter will be 26 million miles from the surface of the Sun - that is closer than the 37 million miles Mercury is from the Sun and it will get there by the end of next year. The most important discovery was the presence of these 'campfires', also known as 'nano-flares' that were seen dotted across the surface of the Sun, astronomers explained - they are bright and dynamic eruptions. Advertisement

The sun's corona is about 300 times hotter than the layers below  a phenomenon that has puzzled scientists and is one of the biggest mysteries in solar physics.

Solar flares are brief eruptions of high-energy radiation from the Sun's surface, which can cause radio and magnetic disturbances on the Earth.

Experts have previously wondered whether these eruptions are linked to the mysterious solar corona heating phenomenon.

Images captured by Solar Orbiter, a probe designed and built in the UK, when it came within 47 million miles of the Sun's surface have been helping scientists.

The latest findings are based on computer simulations conducted by an international team of researchers collaborating with ESA.

Professor Hardi Peter, from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany, said: 'Our model calculates the emission, or energy, from the Sun as you would expect a real instrument to measure.

'The model generated brightenings just like the campfires.'

The simulations also revealed a process known as component reconnection around the campfires, where magnetic field lines of opposite direction break and then reconnect, releasing energy when they do so.

Yajie Chen, a PhD student from Peking University in China, said energy released from the brightenings through component reconnection could be enough to maintain the temperature of the solar corona predicted from observations.

However, the researchers caution that their work is still in its early stages and requires further observations to confirm their findings.

Professor Peter said: 'We're looking forward to see what further insights our models bring to help us improve our theories on the processes behind the heating.'

This graphic provides a summary of what ESAs Solar Orbiter mission, as well as computer modelling, has revealed about solar campfires in the first year of the mission

The stunning images taken by the Solar Orbiter while 47 million miles away from the surface of our host star include signs of mini solar flares called 'campfires' - tiny dots of light visible within the swirls of plasma in this image. This image is a small part of the corona and in high resolution there is a lot going on

Aside from helping unlock the mysteries of coronal heating, the Solar Orbiter will also help scientists piece together the Sun's atmospheric layers and analyse the solar wind, the stream of highly energetic particles emitted by the star.

Understanding more about solar activity could also help scientists make predictions on space weather events, which can damage satellites and disrupt infrastructure on Earth that mobile phones, transport, GPS signals and the electricity networks rely on.

The spacecraft, which was constructed by Airbus in Stevenage, has been designed to withstand the scorching heat from the Sun that will hit one side, while maintaining freezing temperatures on the other side.

This graphic shows the breakdown of the sun and its makeup, from the inner core to the solar wind surrounding the star

In this image the white arrow points to one of the newly seen 'campfires' - a small flare similar to a solar flare on the surface of our star. In the bottom corner you can see Earth to scale against this 'small region' of our star

The Solar Orbiter is currently in 'cruise phase' as it calibrates all its scientific instruments and will begin co-ordinated observations from November this year.

Chris Castelli, director of programmes at the UK Space Agency, said: 'The UK space community can be proud that it's bringing us one step closer to answering some of the solar system's biggest questions.

ESA's Solar Orbiter mission will face the Sun from within the orbit of Mercury at its closest approach.

'UK engineering and science expertise has been core to the success of the Solar Orbiter mission.

'Airbus built the satellite on UK soil, and our world-leading research expertise has provided meaningful analysis of our Sun.

'I am eager to learn what further investigation enables us to discover as we continue to invest in our commercial and scientific capacities.'
Authors of the study said the results showed that policymakers were facing a false choice between climate change mitigation and poverty reduction

Ambitious climate policies could reduce extreme poverty in developing countries if governments opted for robust taxes on emitters that were then fairly distributed to help the poor, new research showed Tuesday.

Authors of the study said the results showed that policymakers were facing a false choice between climate change mitigation and poverty reduction.

Since fossil fuels and agricultural chemicals such as fertilisers are so heavily subsidised, any attempt to remove taxpayer support to these unsustainable practices frequently prompts fears of higher prices for consumers.

Industry lobbyists also argue that cheap sources of energy such as coal have a role to play in expanding access to electricity in developing countries.

Researchers at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) used computer models to predict how levels of global poverty might be affected by various interventions aimed at limiting global warming.

They found that the world was on course to have around 350 million people living in extreme policyi.e. on less than $1.90 a dayby 2030, far short of the UN goal to eradicate extreme poverty by the end of the decade.

The authors noted that this figure did not factor in the economic disruption caused by the pandemic, or the adverse effects of climate change.

They then modelled in ambitious climate policies consistent with the 1.5C temperature goal of the Paris Agreement, and found that this could increase the number of people living in extreme poverty by an additional 50 million.

But when they modelled in equitable redistribution of national carbon price revenueswhich would see poorer, and therefore lower-polluting sections of society receive money accrued from richer pollutersthey found that this could compensate for the other effects of climate mitigation.

They even found it slightly reduce the number of people living in povertyabout 6 million fewer by 2030.

"Climate policies safeguard people from climate change impacts like extreme weather risks or crop failure," said Bjoern Soergel a PIK researcher and lead author of the study, published in Nature Communications.

"Yet they can also imply increased energy and food prices. This could result in an additional burden especially from the global poor, who are already more vulnerable to climate impacts."

'Climate dividend'

Soergel said that governments could combine emissions prices with international redistribution of the revenues they generateda sort of "climate dividend".

"The revenues are returned equally to all citizens, which turns poorer households with typically lower emissions into net beneficiaries," he said.

The authors suggested a scheme of international climate finance transfers from high-income to low-income countries to offset the additional burden poorer nations face in seeking to limit climate change.

Just five percent of emission pricing revenues from industrialised nations would be enough to more than compensate for the policy side effects of climate mitigation in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the study.

"Combining the national redistribution of emission pricing revenues with international financial transfers could thus provide an important entry point towards a fair and just climate policy in developing countries," said co-author Elmar Kriegler.

Explore further Carbon pricing and financial transfers: Small changes can have a huge effect on climate equity

More information: Bjoern Soergel, Elmar Kriegler, Benjamin Leon Bodirsky, Nico Bauer, Marian Leimbach, Alexander Popp (2021): Combining ambitious climate policies with efforts to eradicate poverty. Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22315-9 Journal information: Nature Communications Bjoern Soergel, Elmar Kriegler, Benjamin Leon Bodirsky, Nico Bauer, Marian Leimbach, Alexander Popp (2021): Combining ambitious climate policies with efforts to eradicate poverty.

 2021 AFP
WASHINGTON: The United States still expects to send COVID-19 vaccines to India and other countries amid ongoing discussions over how soon doses could be shipped out even as it sends therapeutics and other equipment to India amid a surge in cases there, United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday (April 27). "I have discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when we will be able to send actual vaccines to India which will be my intention to do. We are sending immediately a whole series of help that it needs including providing Remdesivir and other drugs that can deal with disease and help recovery," President Biden said.

"I think we'll be in a position to be able to share, share vaccines as well as know how with other countries who are in real need. That's the hope and expectation," he told reporters after remarks on coronavirus at the White House.

Telephonic conversation between PM Modi, Joe Biden

On April 26, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden held a telephonic conversation during which they discussed India's COVID-19 situation and efficient supply of raw material required for vaccine manufacturing from the US. The Biden administration swung into action to provide assistance to India in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic during the conversation. The urgent help announced by the White House ranged from oxygen supplies, raw materials for COVID-19 vaccines, critical life-saving drugs to PPEs. "India was there for us, and we will be there for them," Biden said in a tweet soon after his phone call with Modi.

This was the second telephonic conversation between the two leaders after Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on January 20. The call between the two leaders is believed to have lasted for about 45 minutes. During the call, Biden is understood to have offered all help that India needs in this hour of crisis.

At India's request, the United States is exploring options to provide oxygen and related supplies. The Department of Defense and USAID are pursuing options to provide oxygen generation systems. "We may be in a position to reroute shipments plan further countries with lower immediate needs given the urgency of the conditions in India, and we'll have more details, hopefully, on the possibility soon," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at her daily news conference.

"The United States has already provided 200 ventilators to India last year and trained medical professionals on their use, so this is of course in addition to that and other assistance we have provided," Psaki said.

"Another one of the major needs is PPE, and we have identified US commercial suppliers as well. We have identified US commercial suppliers of remdesivir that are immediately available to help relieve the suffering of COVID-19 patients in India," she said.

India submitted list of 7 essential items: White House Press Secretary

India has submitted a list of seven essential items that it needs on an urgent basis. These are oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders with 10 litre and 45 litre capacity, oxygen generators, oxygen generation plants, remdesivir, faviprivir, and tocilizumab.

Psaki said the US has identified rapid diagnostic testing supplies, personal protective equipment, and additional ventilators available to be transferred to India immediately. The US is in close touch with India officials at all levels about the raw material needs that they have, she added.

(With PTI inputs)

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NEW YORK, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Kadmon Holdings, Inc. ("Kadmon" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: KDMN) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and docketed under 21-cv-01797, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Kadmon securities between October 1, 2020 and March 10, 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, against the Company and certain of its top officials.

Fighting for victims of securities fraud for more than 85 years (PRNewsfoto/Pomerantz LLP)

If you are a shareholder who purchased Kadmon securities during the Class Period, you have until June 2, 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 newaction@pomlaw.com 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]

Kadmon is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes small molecules and biologics primarily for the treatment of inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. The Company's lead product candidates include, among others, belumosudil (KD025), an orally administered selective inhibitor of the rho-associated coiled-coil kinase 2 ("ROCK2"), which is in Phase II clinical development for the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease ("cGVHD").

Story continues

On September 30, 2020, post-market, Kadmon announced the submission of a New Drug Application ("NDA") for belumosudil for the treatment of cGVHD (the "Belumosudil NDA") with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA").

Then, on November 30, 2020, Kadmon announced the FDA's acceptance of the Belumosudil NDA, and that the FDA had assigned the NDA a Prescription Drug User Fee Act ("PDUFA") target action date of May 30, 2021.

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) the Belumosudil NDA was incomplete and/or deficient; (ii) the additional new data that the Company submitted in support of the Belumosudil NDA in response to an information request from the FDA materially altered the NDA submission; (iii) accordingly, the initial Belumosudil NDA submission lacked the degree of support that the Company had led investors to believe; (iv) accordingly, the FDA was likely to extend the PDUFA target action date to review the Belumosudil NDA; and (v) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On March 10, 2021, Kadmon issued a press release "announc[ing] that the [FDA] has extended the review period" for the Belumosudil NDA and that, "[i]n a notice received from the FDA on March 9, 2021, the Company was informed that the [PDUFA] goal date for its Priority Review of belumosudil has been extended to August 30, 2021." Kadmon advised investors that "[t]he FDA extended the PDUFA date to allow time to review additional information submitted by Kadmon in response to a recent FDA information request," and that "[t]he submission of the additional information has been determined by the FDA to constitute a major amendment to the NDA, resulting in an extension of the PDUFA date by three months."

On this news, Kadmon's stock price fell $0.52 per share, or 10.57%, to close at $4.40 per share on March 11, 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

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shareholder-alert-pomerantz-law-firm-reminds-shareholders-with-losses-on-their-investment-in-kadmon-holdings-inc-of-class-action-lawsuit-and-upcoming-deadline--kdmn-301277285.html

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research pillar of Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), today announced that its Quantum Research Centre (QRC) has developed the first simulation version of 'Qibo', a versatile open-source quantum computing programming framework, in collaboration with researchers from around the world.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005389/en/

Professor Jose Ignacio Latorre, Chief Researcher, Quantum Research Centre (QRC), Technology Innovation Institute (TII) (Photo: AETOSWire)

The development follows a series of rapid announcements at TII since the first ATRC board meeting in August 2020.

TII strives to create innovation for a better world. The development of an open-source programming framework will have compelling benefits for the global research community.

Qibo is designed to support quantum algorithms across different computer systems, including support to hardware accelerators such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and multiple quantum devices. This versatility makes Qibo easy to use for quantum programming and accelerates research and applications. Written in programming languages such as Python and C/C++, Qibo is the entry point for a full stack programming platform, able to run quantum algorithms across different quantum computers and simulators.

Qibo is a joint project by Quantum Research Centre; Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech, the Barcelona-based quantum computing company; and researchers at other global centres. TIIs Quantum Research Centre team is led by Chief Researcher Prof Jose Ignacio Latorre. The first release of Qibo was published in September 2020, with the final version set for launch within the next two years.

Speaking on the announcement, His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary General of Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), said: The fact that Qibo is open-source will be a significant advantage to the world of programming and marks a major contribution to the research community and the advancement of scientific inquiry. Initial benchmark studies that show Qibo outperforming other computing languages is a clear indication of the quality of research currently being undertaken at Quantum Research Centre at Technology Innovation Institute."

Prof Jose Ignacio Latorre, Chief Researcher at Quantum Research Centre, said: We are committed to innovation that transcends boundaries. The quantum advantage in computing will offer notable benefits to broader society, ranging from life-sciences, artificial intelligence, and finance.

QRC is one of seven initial dedicated research centres that are part of TII. The Qibo code published in the research paper can be accessed via a GitHub link [https://qibo.science/].

About Technology Innovation Institute (TII)

Technology Innovation Institute (TII) is the dedicated applied research pillar of Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). TII is a pioneering global research and development centre that focuses on applied research and new-age technology capabilities. The Institute has seven initial dedicated research centres in quantum, autonomous robotics, cryptography, advanced materials, digital security, directed energy and secure systems. By working with exceptional talent, universities, research institutions and industry partners from all over the world, the Institute connects an intellectual community and contributes to building an R&D ecosystem reinforcing Abu Dhabi and the UAEs status as a global hub for innovation.

For more information, visit www.tii.ae

About Quantum Research Centre(QRC)

Quantum Research Centre  at Technology Innovation Institute (TII)  has been created to develop world-class quantum-theoretical and experimental research by building and operating the first quantum computer in the MENA region while advancing quantum communications and quantum sensors. The Centre aims to develop pioneering technologies backed by the expertise of an international team of leading researchers, dedicated to achieving a Quantum Advantage which will transform the power and scope of computers.

For more information, visit https://quantum.tii.ae/

Connect with us on social media:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/tiiuae/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TIIuae

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tiiuae/

*Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210426005389/en/
Americans breathed a collective sigh of relief last week after Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd. The crime was heinous, the verdict just, the moral neat. If you think that systemic racism is the defining fact of race relations in 21st-century America, then Chauvins knee on Floyds neck is its defining image.

But what about a case like that of MaKhia Bryant, a Black teenager who was shot and killed last week by Nicholas Reardon, a white police officer in Columbus, Ohio, at the instant that she was swinging a knife at a woman who had her back against a car?

Ben Crump, the Floyd familys lawyer, accused the Columbus police in a tweet of killing an unarmed 15yo Black girl. Valerie Jarrett, the former Obama adviser, tweeted that Bryant was killed because a police officer immediately decided to shoot her multiple times in order to break up a knife fight. Jarrett wants to Demand accountability and Fight for justice.

An alternative view: Maybe there wasnt time for Reardon, in an 11-second interaction, to de-escalate the situation, as he is now being faulted for failing to do. And maybe the balance of our sympathies should lie not with the would-be perpetrator of a violent assault but with the cop who saved a Black life  namely that of Tionna Bonner, who nearly had Bryants knife thrust into her.

Thats a thought that many, perhaps most, Americans share, even if they are increasingly reluctant to say it out loud. Why reluctant? Because in this new era of with-us-or-against-us politics, to have misgivings about the lefts new anti-racist narrative is to run the risk of being denounced as a racist. Much better to nod along at your offices diversity, equity and inclusion sessions than suggest that enforced political indoctrination should not become a staple of American workplace culture.

And yet those doubts and misgivings go to the heart of what used to be thought of as liberalism. The result will be a liberal crackup similar to the one in the late 1960s that broke liberalism as Americas dominant political force for a generation.

Morally and philosophically, liberalism believes in individual autonomy, which entails a concept of personal responsibility. The current model of anti-racism scoffs at this: It divides the world into racial identities, which in turn are governed by systems of privilege and powerlessness. Liberalism believes in process: A trial or contest is fair if standards are consistent and rules are equitable, irrespective of outcome. Anti-racism is determined to make a process achieve a desired outcome. Liberalism finds appeals to racial favoritism inherently suspect, even offensive. Anti-racism welcomes such favoritism, provided its in the name of righting past wrongs.

Above all, liberalism believes that truth tends to be many-shaded and complex. Anti-racism is a great simplifier. Good and evil. Black and white.

This is where the anti-racism narrative will profoundly alienate liberal-minded America, even as it entrenches itself in schools, universities, corporations and other institutions of American life.

Its possible to look at Floyds murder as the epitome of evil and not see a racist motive in every bad encounter between a white cop and a minority suspect, including the recent shootings of Adam Toledo in Chicago and Daunte Wright in Minnesota. Its possible to think that the police make too many assumptions about young Black men, sometimes with tragic consequences, and still recognize that young Black men commit violent crimes at a terribly disproportionate rate. Its possible to believe that effective policing requires that cops gain the trust of the communities they serve while recognizing that those communities are ill served when cops are afraid to do their jobs.

It is also possible to recognize that we have miles to go in ending racism while also objecting to the condescending assumptions and illiberal methods of the anti-racist creed. The idea that white skin automatically confers privilege in America is a strange concept to millions of working-class whites who have endured generations of poverty while missing out on the benefits of the past 50 years of affirmative action programs.

Similarly, the idea that past discrimination or even present-day inequality justifies explicit racial preferences in government policy is an affront to liberal values, and will become only more so as the practices become more common. In Oakland, Calif., the mayor backed an initiative that was to provide $500 a month to low-income families, but not if they were white. In Vermont, the state has given people of color priority for COVID vaccines.

Ibram X. Kendi, the most important anti-racist thinker today, argues that the only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination. The only remedy to present discrimination is future discrimination. Some liberals will go along with this. Many others will find themselves drifting rightward, much as a past generation of disaffected liberals did.

Joe Bidens resounding victory and his progressive policies are supposed to mark the real end of the Reaganite era of American politics. Dont be surprised if theyre a prelude to its return, just as the last era of progressive excess ushered in its beginning.

Stephens in a columnist for the New York Times.
A sharply divided state Superior Court panel on Tuesday ordered a new trial for a central Pennsylvania man who is serving a 6- to 14-year prison sentence on a rape conviction.

In an opinion by Judge Mary Jane Bowes, the court majority found that Colby Orners lawyer failed him at trial by failing to call a witness who would have testified that the alleged victim told her the rape allegation was false and that her sexual encounter with Orner was consensual.

Orner, now 48, of Mount Wolf, was convicted by a York County jury in 2014 for an incident that occurred at a home in Manchester on New Years Eve of 2012.

The woman who accused Orner of rape claimed she had been partying with him and her boyfriend earlier, had gone to bed and was awakened by Orner performing a sex act on her. Orner initially denied any sexual contact with the woman, but his DNA was found on her genitals, Bowes noted.

Orner was convicted of rape during his third trial. Mistrials were declared in his first two trials, in one case because his accuser told the jury that Orner was her marijuana dealer, Bowes noted.

The witness the state court majority decided the defense attorney should have called to testify was the female neighbor of Orners accuser.

That neighbor would have told the jury that the accuser admitted lying about the rape out of fear of her boyfriend, Bowes noted. The accuser and Orner had agreed to rendezvous at the boyfriends house the night of the supposed rape, but the boyfriend came home unexpectedly during their tryst, according to the neighbor.

Bowes noted the neighbor also would have testified that Orner and his accuser had a long-time relationship and would meet for sex when her boyfriend was away.

The Superior Court weighed in on the Orner case when the district attorneys office appealed a York County judges decision that Orner deserved a new trial.

In agreeing with the county judge, Bowes found that the neighbors testimony would have struck at the heart of the credibility of (the accusers) allegations and could have altered the outcome of Orners trial. Bowes was joined in that conclusion by fellow judges John Bender, Anne E. Lazarus, Judith Ference Olson and Victor P. Stabile.

Judge Megan King penned a dissenting opinion which was seconded by Judges Jack A. Panella and Maria McLaughlin.

King found the neighbors testimony wouldnt have helped Orners defense because some of it contradicted Orners own testimony. She concluded, therefore, that it is unlikely that (the neighbors) testimony would have influenced the

outcome of the proceedings.

Orners case has been on a roller-coaster ride through the courts. This is the second time the Superior Court has pondered whether he should receive a new trial. In October 2019, another Superior Court panel overturned an earlier ruling a county judge issued ordering a new trial for Orner, sending the matter back to the county court for more argument that ultimately resulted in Tuesdays decision.

The DAs office still could appeal the latest Superior Court ruling to the state Supreme Court.
India's current Covid-19 scenario is not very dissimilar to any movie surrounding events of an apocalypse.



Talk to your friends, relatives, or people anywhere across the country, and most would tell you that they might actually be having trouble sleeping at night. Such has been the travesty of the enormous second wave of Coronavirus infections.

 Twitter

All the myths surrounding the virus only seriously affecting people with co-morbidities and not anyone else has gone up in the air, just like the new "air-borne" mutated virus.



Moreover, the most common victim of the deadly virus has been indeed the common man, who has been forced to beg, borrow, and beg more for basic medical facilities like hospital beds, medicines, plasma, and oxygen.

Now, at a time when the basic health care system of the country has succumbed under the constant grip of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Delhi government has issued an order to Ashoka Hotel to convert its 100 rooms into Covid-19 care centers for Delhi high court judges and other judicial officers and their families.

 Twitter

Delhi government to convert 100 rooms of Ashoka Hotel for setting up of a Covid Health facility for Justices and other judicial officers of the Delhi High Court and their families. pic.twitter.com/6O4qnGu9Km  ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021

The order, under which the facility will be linked to Primus Hospital in Chanakyapuri, was passed by the Chanakyapuri Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Geeta Grover, on Sunday (April 26).

A request has been received from Delhi High Court for setting up of CHC facility for the Honble Justices and other judicial officers of Delhi High Court and their families."

"Now, therefore, I, Geeta Grover in exercise of powersand in overall imminent public interest, do hereby require the 100 rooms of Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi for setting up of Covid Health facility for the use of Honble Justices and other judicial officers of Delhi High Court and their families and place at the disposal of Primus Hospital, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi with immediate effect the order said, as per a report in The Indian Express.

Grover, while speaking to The Indian Express, later confirmed the same, and said that the facility will become operational at the end of the week.

It will take at least till the end of the week for the facility to become operational. It will be only for judges, HC staff, and their families, as is mentioned in the order, said Grover.

New Delhi has been one of the worst-hit cities in the country, with the national capital recording around 20,201 cases on Monday, marking a positivity rate of 35 percent along with around 380 deaths.

 Twitter

Now, at a time when there has been a shortage of all healthcare facilities for normal residents in the city, reports of the Delhi government setting up a separate Covid center for Delhi Hight Court judges angered many citizens, who took to Twitter to share their feelings.



Why special treatment.? Cant they b treated the way ordinary citizens r being treated.?@HMOIndia @PMOIndia @rashtrapatibhvn - what examples r being set in our country during these crucial times.?

R they above the law just because they handle judicial system.?

SHAMELESS VULTURES  Sunil Yeole (@Sunil_Yeole_) April 26, 2021

Kejriwal condemning Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/V91nElTgm1  Nandini Idnani (@idnani_nandini) April 27, 2021

Only to get favourism from Judiciary kejariwal obliged them.Common citizens are suffering. No bed in hospital for common man.Kejariwal obliged electronic media by giving advertisement hence media also tight lipped  LALATENDU MOHANTY (@LITUINDIA) April 27, 2021

why selective preference. yesterday same goverment was crying fr oxygen supply and people of delhi r still struggling for bed. infact doctors who r doing covid19 duty are not getting bed in the same hospital they work. if they same would been done for doctors every1 will protest  dr prakash parida (@doctwwt) April 27, 2021

Strange, such priority and facility for doctors and front line health workers is understandable,but why to judges and their families?  s.muzaffar ul haq (@Muzaffarhaq) April 27, 2021

@ArvindKejriwal bought media through advertisements n now judiciary through converting a Hotel for Mi lords. This IITian is a marketing expert n wins election by giving freebies. For masking his failure there is always blame Modi card.When Delhi is deing he is busy on PR stunts.  Yogi Kottary (@YogindramKotta2) April 27, 2021

Why? Does Delhi High Court come under Delhi Government? That's a Crystal clear bribe, conflict of interest and Fraud with people of Delhi.  Amit Bhatia (@ameet1012) April 26, 2021

Yes its too important to save the judiciary.

Doctors, Nurses and other frontline staff dont require these privileges despite doing their duty for 18 hrs in a day risking their own & families life.

Soon judiciary is going on annual leave. What better destination in the lockdown.  Rahul (@RahultheSeeker) April 27, 2021

@ArvindKejriwal wah kejriwal ji wah ! R they paying more taxes than https://t.co/sU0q3icfyb should hv been on priority basis not to be reserved. If everyone start reserving like this.thdn how will delhites or needy person will get treatment.@raghav_chadha  True Indian (@TrueInd11088157) April 27, 2021

Judges ko hotel

Aam logo ko playground



L ki aam aadmi ki sarkar hai  Professor buddy  (@ColFool_) April 26, 2021

This is a discriminatory decision with the common man, today there are poor people, who are dying in ambulances. Those who have every step of the government are proving to be inadequate, if all the people were involved in it then it would have been better.  Raju Tiwari (@rajutiwari98) April 26, 2021

Common people dy!ng before getting a hospital bed in playground while the delhi government setting up covid rooms in 5 stars reserved for the Judicial officers.



Pathetic too the core @ArvindKejriwal  Dr. TEJUsurya O2 (@Tejusurya_) April 27, 2021
BRUXELLES, 27 APR - The strain of the Xylella fastidiosa plant pathogen found in mainland Spain does not kill olive trees, studies have confirmed. Research discussed during the final conference of the XF-ACTORS Project showed that the variant that severely damaged almond trees in the Alicante province of Eastern Spain is not dangerous for olive trees. XF-ACTORS is the first EU-funded research project entirely devoted to Xylella fastidiosa. The Xylella fastidiosa pauca subspecies detected in Puglia "is the most dangerous" among those found in Europe, in particular for olive trees, said Brazilian expert Helvecio Della Coletta-Filho. Laboratory data discussed at the conference confirmed that the Puglia variant, called De Donno is more effective than others in clogging the vessels that carry raw sap from the roots to the leaves, causing the desiccation of infected olive plants. (ANSA).
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 15:05:16|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the opening ceremony of Exhibition of Achievements on China International Development Cooperation and delivers a speech in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Highlights of most recent remarks of Chinese President Xi Jinping on China's principles in international development cooperation including the fight against COVID-19, green development, economic recovery and global governance.



BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- As the Exhibition of Achievements on China International Development Cooperation kicked off here on Monday, viewers can learn about China's endeavor in foreign assistance and development cooperation through abundant pictures on exhibition.

While attending the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China will enhance development cooperation with the global community in four areas of fighting COVID-19, promoting green development, pushing for economic recovery, and improving global governance.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has, on various occasions, expounded on China's principles in international development cooperation. The following are some highlights of his most recent remarks.

Photo taken on Oct. 8, 2020 shows anti-epidemic supplies from China during the handover ceremony at Hamid Karzia International Airport in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. (Photo by Rahmatullah Alizadah/Xinhua)

FIGHTING COVID-19

April 20, 2021

Xi delivered a keynote speech via video at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021.

-- "We must put people and their lives above anything else, scale up information sharing and collective efforts, and enhance public health and medical cooperation," he said.

-- Xi called for efforts to bolster international cooperation on the research and development, production and distribution of vaccines in the ongoing fight against COVID-19.

-- Efforts should be made to ensure that everyone in the world can access and afford the vaccines they need, he said, adding that China will honor its commitment to making vaccines a global public good.

-- China will continue anti-COVID cooperation with the World Health Organization and other countries and do more to help developing countries defeat the virus, Xi said.

Aerial photo taken on March 6, 2020 shows people controlling sands with grasses in Gulang, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Fan Peishen)

GREEN DEVELOPMENT

April 22, 2021

Xi addressed the Leaders Summit on Climate via video link from Beijing.

-- "We need to take into full account people's longing for a better life and a good environment as well as our responsibility for future generations," he said.

-- To build a community of life for man and nature, we must be committed to harmony between man and nature, green development, systemic governance, a people-centered approach, multilateralism, and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, Xi said.

-- Developed countries need to increase climate ambition and action, and support developing countries in financing, technology, and capacity building, Xi said.

Aerial photo taken on Jan. 14, 2021 shows the container terminal of the Lianyungang Port in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Photo by Geng Yuhe/Xinhua)

ECONOMIC RECOVERY

April 20, 2021

-- At the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021, calling for the building of an open world economy, Xi said that openness is essential for development and progress and holds the key to post-COVID economic recovery.

-- "We need to promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, deepen regional economic integration, and enhance supply, industrial, data and human resources chains," he said.

-- Efforts should also be made to boost the digital economy, and step up exchanges and cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, biomedicine and modern energy, to turn the fruits of scientific and technological innovation into greater benefits for people in all countries, Xi said.

Photo taken on Sept. 14, 2020 shows the United Nations (UN) flag flying outside the UN headquarters in New York, the United States. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

Jan. 25, 2021

Xi addressed the World Economic Forum Virtual Event of the Davos Agenda.

-- "To uphold multilateralism in the 21st century, we should promote its fine tradition, take on new perspectives and look to the future," Xi said.

-- Xi underscored the need to stand by the core values and basic principles of multilateralism, adapt to the changing international landscape, and respond to global challenges as they arise.

-- "We need to reform and improve the global governance system on the basis of extensive consultation and consensus-building," he said.

-- State-to-state relations should be coordinated and regulated through proper institutions and rules, he said. "The strong should not bully the weak. Decision should not be made by simply showing off strong muscles or waving a big fist," Xi said. 
FOR the past few weeks, Ive been busy organising documentary shoots in New York for an upcoming RTE series.

In normal times, we would have flown the Irish director and cameraman to New York to film it, but because of Covid we have to hire local crew and shoot the whole thing remotely via Zoom. Good for our carbon footprints  no transatlantic flights  but bad for our blood pressure  the five hour time difference is a killer and Zoom cannot replace the human connection.

While liaising with participants and booking people for shoots its been interesting to hear the different ways New York city is managing Covid. They have neighbourhood drop in test centres dotted around the city, many of the kids in public schools are tested weekly and the most striking fact is that almost everyone Ive spoken to who is over-18 has been vaccinated.

The Americans are halting the Covid-19 pandemic one quickly administered vaccine at a time. 216 million doses have been given with 26.7% of the 328 million population fully vaccinated. In New York State 30% of people are fully vaccinated.

Their express vaccine rollout is pulling the emergency brakes on Trumps runaway train crash mishandling of the Covid crisis. Many are crediting Amtrak Joe or President Biden to you and me. His nickname, after the US railway company Amtrak, is reportedly because as a Senator he commuted by train everyday from Delaware to Washington DC.

After the tragic death of his first wife he wanted to be home at night for his kids so used public transport to make the 1.5 trip. Hes a big fan of the train and has written about how important the US rail network is for decarbonising transport and getting Americans out of their cars and out of planes.

Likely to serve just one term given his age Joe Biden appears to be an energetic man on a mission.

The vaccine rollout is just one job on his to do list. The next thing he wants to pull the brakes on are carbon emissions. He sees tackling climate change as the key to economic prosperity and a healthy planet. Last week at a virtual climate summit he committed the United States to halving its carbon emissions by the end of this decade.

He believes that by investing in renewables and green technology he can re-build the post-pandemic US economy into one thats more prosperous, fairer, cleaner and healthier while securing the future of his grandchildren. In his address to other world leaders he said scientists tell us this is the decisive decade where we must make big changes to avoid the worst of the climate crisis.

The virtual climate summit comes ahead of the next big climate meeting in November.

The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, will be held in Glasgow and will aim to get countries to revisit their pledges and commitments in the Paris Agreement and sign up to more aggressive emission reductions. Speaking at the virtual climate summit last week U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry said that if the world did everything pledged under the Paris Agreement average global temperatures would still rise by 4 degrees. So the climate agreements and the science dont square off and polluting countries need to pick up the pace of decarbonisation.

Many countries have already failed to fulfil their Paris Agreement commitments, it will be tough job to get them to sign up to bigger cuts.

While some were lauding Biden for his ambitious climate announcements, others such as climate activist Greta Thunberg were warning about the gap between promises and actions. Despite the Paris Agreement and its predecessors the trajectory of global emissions has continued upwards. The International Energy Agency warns that there might be a surge in emissions in 2021 in the economic bounceback after the pandemic.

The US is the worlds second biggest emitter after China, responsible for 15% of the worlds emissions, so Biden and his climate colleague Kerry are going to be busy in the run up to Glasgow trying to convince the worlds big polluters to also pull the brakes and change their carbon emitting ways.

There are nine years left to cut emissions drastically and climate meetings and pledges are only the first steps. Joe needs to keep full steam ahead to reach his climate action destination.

In Ireland Eamon Ryan presented the Climate Bill to Dail Eireann. The bill has a similar goal to Bidens pledge. A 51% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. Rural TDs heckled him accusing him of hoodwinking the people of rural Ireland. Farmers are worried what climate action will mean for their livelihoods.

A draft report of Irelands agrifood strategy to 2030 was also published last week. It indicated the agricultural sector is only committing to a 10% reduction in greenhouse gases despite being responsible for approx 33% of all of Irelands greenhouse gas emissions. That means other sectors of society such as transport and heating are going to have to pick up the slack. Continued growth and expansion in a sector that is responsible for a third of Irelands emissions seems incompatible with Irelands climate action ambitions.

For Eamon Ryan and his colleagues reconciling farming practices and emission targets will be key to stopping climate action plans coming off the rails.
The Unum Total Leave launch responds to the changing leave landscape, one that is more complex and difficult to navigate for human resource professionals. For large and growing business, managing employee leave well is ensuring compliance with the law while also helping employers attract and retain great talent.

"Unum Total Leave will offer a far better and more integrated experience compared to current market options," said Rick McKenney, President and CEO of Unum. "The increased importance of leave in our society has also come with increased complexity, and our new solution is specifically designed to simplify these events for everyone involved."

With Unum Total Leave, employees can easily plan leaves and access a virtual assistant that uses artificial intelligence to automate crucial HR processes, including filing a claim, eligibility questions, payments and direct deposits, as well as claims and return-to-work coordination. Employees also have the option to quickly connect with live leave and disability experts for more complex issues.

For employers, the interactive dashboard keeps leave communications in one place, making it easier to see when new leave requests are made, which employees are out on leave, and when they're returning to work.

"We have zeroed in on the common pain points employers experience when it comes to administering leave, while making the entire process simpler and faster for employees to access their leave benefits," said Zory Harter, Vice President of Absence Management Experience. "With Unum Total Leave, we're delivering a total solution."

Unum currently supports more than 2.9 million employees in the United States with leave management services, including for personal medical leave, caregiver leave, pregnancy and bonding leave, intermittent leave and sabbatical leave.

According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, only 19% of the U.S. workforce has access to employer-sponsored paid family leave, a small increase from 11% in 20101. In 2020, however, a Unum survey among more than 400 employers found 44% of companies planned to expand paid leave benefits this year. And in Unum's consumer enrollment study, paid leave was one of the top-wanted non-insurance employee benefits among U.S. workers. The pandemic has underscored the importance of having time to meet family and personal obligations, and Unum Total Leave makes it simple to plan, request and take any type of leave.

Unum Total Leave is part of Unum's leave and absence management portfolio of offerings and part of its broader suite of digital employer solutions. Visit Leave and Absence Management on Unum.com to learn more.

1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Compensation Surveys: Employee Benefits in the United States, 2010 to 2019.

ABOUT UNUM GROUP

Unum Group (www.unum.com) provides a broad portfolio of financial protection benefits and services through the workplace and is a leading provider of disability income protection worldwide. Through its Unum US, Unum UK, Unum Poland, and Colonial Life businesses, the company provides disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental and vision benefits that protect millions of working people and their families. Unum also provides leave and absence management services that streamline the leave experience for employers and employees and stop-loss coverage to help self-insured employers protect against medical costs. Unum reported revenues of $13.2 billion in 2020 and provided $7.6 billion in benefits.

For more information, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Unum Group

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About 10:15 a.m. Monday, Cruz and a female friend were walking north in the 2700 block of South Drake Avenue when they heard gunshots and dropped to the ground, police said. Cruz was shot in the head and died at the scene, police said.
The father of Wretch 32 was Tasered by police while officers arrested his younger son in a raid over 'illicit contact' with an alleged drug dealer, a court heard.

Omar Scott, 23, of Tottenham, north London, was detained by police in April last year and subsequently charged with encouraging another to commit an either way offence under the Serious Crime Act 2007.

He was today found guilty of encouraging an alleged drug dealer to continue using an illicit phone in prison.

Omar's father Millard, who is also the father of rapper Wretch 32, was Tasered during the incident, while a woman was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police.

Wretch 32, whose real name is Jermaine Scott, later protested against the police action by sharing a video on Twitter showing his 62-year-old father, who was not arrested, falling downstairs.

Stratford Magistrates' Court heard Omar was found to be in 'regular' contact with David Sika while the latter was remanded in custody at HMP Bristol accused of being in possession of class A drugs with intent to supply in 2019.

Wretch 32, whose real name is Jermaine Scott, later protested against the police action by sharing a video on Twitter showing his 62-year-old father, Millard, falling downstairs

Omar sent calls or messages to Sika's illicit mobile phone on around 66 occasions, while receiving 71 back between December 10 2019 and January 10 this year.

District Judge Ross Johnson, delivering his verdict, said: 'I find that by answering calls, making calls and by sending and receiving text messages between his own phone and the phone in prison, Mr Scott's (Omar's) actions were capable of encouraging the ongoing possession of the phone.

'By being one of the contacts who actively engaged in communication with the phone, I am sure that Mr Scott's (Omar's) actions were capable of encouraging Mr Sika to continue to possess and use the phone in prison to carry on that contact with the outside world.

'It matters not whether Mr Sika would have continued to possess the phone regardless of Mr Scott's actions.'

He continued: 'By admission, the defendant has engaged in communication over a period of time with a phone he knew was in the possession of a remand prisoner.'

After Sika's mobile phone was found in his cell on April 22 last year, police officers carried out a search of Scott's home address in Tottenham.

PC Nicholas Stylianou, who appeared in court as a witness, said the raid occurred as contact had been made with Sika, who had alleged links to the sale of drugs in the area.

He told the court: 'People involved in these activities tend to communicate with each other regardless of who's locked up.'

The police Taser Wretch 32's father, which apparently caused him to fall down the stairs. A woman was also arrested during the incident, on suspicion of obstructing police

Officers check on him as he lays on the floor. The father was not arrested during the incident

Matthew Groves, prosecuting, said: 'Sika and Scott (Omar) were known to each other, and the defendant knew full well that he was on remand in custody while the contact took place.'

Mr Groves told the court that among the messages sent were included words such as 'yo' and 'bro' and the defendant also asked Sika to ring him.

He added: 'These were illegal communications between Mr Scott and Mr Sika, who had been using a phone he knew he shouldn't have had.'

He went on to say: 'We don't know the precise nature of communications as to what was said in every text, message or phone call that was sent.'

Mr Groves said any message sent by Sika using the illicit phone could be deemed 'suspicious'.

However, Tim James-Matthews, defending, said that there was not a 'thread of evidence' to suggest any criminal wrongdoing.

Wretch 32, pictured above, in concert at the O2 Arena in London in November 2016

He told the court that Omar was not in the 'top three' of message recipients, adding that Sika's brother had been in contact 312 times.

Mr James-Matthews said: 'The phone was primarily used to contact his brother, a conversation which took place every day.

'There are other reasons why Mr Sika possessed the phone, which does not establish that the defendant's involvement was a criminal act.'

The court also heard that Omar's last communication with Sika was on January 10 this year, but the phone was confiscated 12 days later.

Mr James-Matthews said: 'When the defendant stops texting him (Sika) he continues to communicate with his main correspondent, his brother.'

He added: 'Mr Scott (Omar) is under no obligation to say you can't have the phone, the fact he didn't is no criminal act.'

Mr James-Matthews said that on many occasions, Sika made the first contact. He said: 'Mr Sika had his own reason for being in contact with Mr Scott (Omar), on some occasions there wasn't even a reply from the defendant.'

Omar was granted unconditional bail ahead of his sentencing at Thames Magistrates' Court on May 18.
New Chinese law to impose more personal information protection duties on internet giants

Xinhua) 10:50, April 27, 2021

BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- A new draft law submitted to China's top legislature for review has proposed imposing more requirements related to personal information protection on the country's big internet platforms.

The draft law on personal information protection on Monday returned to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) for a second reading.

According to the draft, big internet platforms that possess the personal information of a large number of users must set up an independent body mainly composed of outsiders to supervise how the information is handled.

The internet giants are also required to publish social responsibility reports on personal information protection on a regular basis.

How big internet platforms collect and use personal information is always opaque, said Zuo Xiaodong, vice president of the China Information Security Research Institute.

The new stipulations, which will put the big internet firms under the independent supervision of the public, are innovations that explore new regulatory measures to protect user data on internet platforms, Zuo said.

Targeting prominent problems in the sector such as the lack of transparency in collecting and using user data, the draft also bans "coercive" measures in handling personal information.

Internet platforms shall use the minimum amount of personal information possible in ways that have minimum impact on the rights and interests of users, according to the draft.

Lawmakers will deliberate the draft in group discussions during the ongoing session of the NPC Standing Committee, which runs from Monday to Thursday.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
NEW ORLEANS, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") are investigating the proposed sale of Cubic Corporation (NYSE: CUB) to Veritas Capital and an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management L.P. Under the terms of the proposed transaction, shareholders of Cubic will receive only $70.00 in cash for each share of Cubic that they own. KSF is seeking to determine whether this consideration and the process that led to it are adequate, or whether the consideration undervalues the Company.

If you believe that this transaction undervalues the Company and/or if you would like to discuss your legal rights regarding the proposed sale, you may, without obligation or cost to you, e-mail or call KSF Managing Partner Lewis S. Kahn ([email protected]) toll free at any time at 855-768-1857, or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-cub/ to learn more.

To learn more about KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General, visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

1100 Poydras St., Suite 3200

New Orleans, LA 70163

SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Related Links

http://www.ksfcounsel.com


Mayfield Man Jailed on Marijuana, DUI Charges

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MAYFIELD - A Mayfield man was arrested Sunday on DUI and drug charges.The Mayfield Police Department said officers responded to a local business on a report of a motor vehicle collision. During the investigation, police determined that one of the men involved in the collision was under the influence.Police arrested 19-year-old Austin Wayne Salmon on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.Salmon was lodged in the Graves County Jail.
Highlights Vivo India will donate Rs 2 crore to address the oxygen shortage in the country.

Xiaomi has also dedicated Rs 3 crore to buy 1000 oxygen concentrators in worst-hit states.

Tech companies like Google, Apple and Microsoft have also extended help and have dedicated funds for relief measures in India.

Tech companies and smartphone brands are coming forth to provide aid for covid resources as India witnesses a surge in covid cases. India recorded over three lakh cases on Monday, for the fifth day in a row, while deaths crossed the 2000 mark for the seventh consecutive day. Vivo India on Tuesday announced that it will donate Rs 2 crore to address the oxygen shortage in the country to aid COVID19 relief efforts and to help acquire Oxygen concentrators. Last year, Vivo had donated over 9 lakh masks, 15,000 PPE suits and 50,000 liters of sanitizer to the state and central government agencies. The smartphone brand notes that it wants to do its bit in the fight against the novel coronavirus as the country navigates through unprecedented times caused by COVID-19.

Nipun Marya, Director, Brand Strategy, Vivo India, said, "We are all in this together, and we must fight as a unit to defeat COVID-19. vivo is committed to providing support to the communities in these testing times. This small contribution will help save many lives. We must show tremendous resolve in responding to these unprecedented times."

The development comes after smartphone company Xiaomi came forth to dedicate money to covid relief measures in India. Xiaomi announced that it would donate Rs 3 crore to buy 1000 oxygen concentrators to states that have been worst hit by the pandemic which include Maharashtra, Delhi and Karnataka and a few other states. Last year Xiaomi donated Rs 15 crores and distributed masks all over the country. Xiaomi is also partnering with Give India to raise Rs 1 crore to support frontline COVID warriors. The donation page is on mi.com for all fans, partners, and consumers to donate.

Tech companies like Google, Apple and Microsoft have also extended help and have dedicated funds for relief measures in India. Apple CEO Tim Cook has pledged aid to India. Cook in a tweet said, "Amid a devastating rise of COVID cases in India, our thoughts are with the medical workers, our Apple family and everyone there who is fighting through this awful stage of the pandemic. Apple will be donating to support and relief efforts on the ground."

Google has announced Rs 135 crore in new funding for India including two grants from Google.org, the philanthropic arm of the tech giant. The total amount from these grants is Rs 20 crore. Microsoft that the company will support the purchase of critical oxygen concentration devices in addition to continuing support through aid relief efforts, technology, and other resources.




TORONTO, April 27, 2021 /CNW/ - Karora Resources Inc. (TSX: KRR) ("Karora" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce senior management will host a conference call / webcast on May 7, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss the Corporation's first quarter 2021 results. The access information is provided below.

Date: May 7, 2021

Time: 10:00 a.m. (Eastern time).

North American callers please dial: 1-888-231-8191

Local and international callers please dial: 647-427-7450

Webcast Link

(https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1457707&tp_key=bad1bad436)

Karora plans to issue a news release containing first quarter 2021 results before markets open on Friday, May 7, 2021.

A recording of the conference call will be available for replay through the webcast link, or for a one-week period beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on May 7, 2021, through the following dial in numbers:

North American callers please dial: 1-855-859-2056; Pass Code: 6279266

Local and international callers please dial: 416-849-0833; Pass Code: 6279266

About Karora Resources

Karora is focused on growing gold production and reducing costs at its integrated Beta Hunt Gold Mine and Higginsville Gold Operations ("HGO") in Western Australia. The Higginsville treatment facility is a low-cost 1.4 Mtpa processing plant which is fed at capacity from Karora's underground Beta Hunt mine and open pit Higginsville mine. At Beta Hunt, a robust gold Mineral Resource and Reserve is hosted in multiple gold shears, with gold intersections along a 4 km strike length remaining open in multiple directions. HGO has a substantial Mineral gold Resource and Reserve and prospective land package totaling approximately 1,900 square kilometers. The Company also owns the high grade Spargos Reward project which is anticipated to begin mining in 2021. Karora has a strong Board and management team focused on delivering shareholder value. Karora's common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol KRR. Karora shares also trade on the OTCQX market under the symbol KRRGF.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" including without limitation statements relating to the timing for the completion of technical studies, liquidity and capital resources of Karora, production guidance, organic growth profile and the potential of the Beta Hunt Mine, Higginsville Gold Operation, the Aquarius Project, Spargos Gold Project and Lake Cowan prospect.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Karora to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals; the results of drilling; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the properties; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; or delays in obtaining governmental approvals, projected cash operating costs, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. 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 Karora 's filings with Canadian securities regulators, including the most recent Annual Information Form, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Although Karora 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. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Karora disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Karora Resources Inc.

For further information: Rob Buchanan, Director, Investor Relations, T: (416) 363-0649, www.karoraresources.com

Related Links

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Viewers were left sobbing last night after watching a mother-to-be break down when doctors told her another of her triplets had died in the womb on Baby Surgeons: Delivering Miracles - before she delivered her stillborn baby.

Ann-Marie, from London, appeared on the Channel 4 documentary last night and described how she and her husband Paul had always dreamed of having children together.

She revealed she had learned during her 12 week scan that one of her triplets had died at around nine weeks, but was left devastated when, at the 28 week scan, she learned a second triplet had also died.

Cameras captured the heartbreaking moment Ann-Marie went through a stillbirth, before she welcomed a healthy daughter, Poppy.

Many of those watching the programme were left in tears, with one writing: 'Oh my heart is absolutely breaking for Ann-Marie and her husband. This is the saddest thing I've seen on the telly in such a long time.'

Another wrote: 'Ann-Marie is incredibly brave to have shared that incredibly sad, heartbreaking and personal moment.'

At the start of the programme, Ann-Marie shared a host of photographs pinned to the couple's fridge, saying: 'This is the 12 week scan, this is when they found out we were having triplets.

'At this scan, we found out that one of them had passed away at week nine.'

She said she had had to grieve the loss, revealing: 'It is emotional, definitely emotional because you'll have to explain it to them at some point.

Ann-Marie, from London, broke down in tears after learning two of her triplets had died during a scan which was filmed for Channel 4's Delivering Miracles: Baby Surgeons last night

Many of those watching said their hearts had 'broken' for the couple, and admitted the programme had left them sobbing

'Because they're all identical, you'd have to say, "she was going to look just like you".'

What is selective intrauterine growth restriction? Selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) is a condition that can occur in some identical twin pregnancies. The twins share a placenta (afterbirth) and a network of blood vessels. sIUGR happens when the placenta is not evenly apportioned between the twins. The placenta provides nourishment necessary for growth and development in the womb. Therefore, if an imbalance is present, one twin may become malnourished. sIUGR complicates 10 percent to 15 percent of monochorionic twin pregnancies. Advertisement

Meanwhile her husband Paul said the death of one of the triplets had 'dampened the excitement a little bit.'

Ann-Marie said: 'The challenge at the moment is one of the twins has selective growth restriction.

'The last time we went, she was just under a pound and her sister was two pounds. She's basically half her size.

'The risk is she won't get the nutrients that she needs.

'If the little twin stops growing and she potentially passes away because of that then she will affect her sister.'

She added: 'Usually when I'm sad, they actually kick. I can feel them now.'

After going to the Professor Basky Thilaganathan, Ann-Marie was amazed to learn both the babies were growing at a healthier rate.

But he explained that it didn't mean the couple were out of the woods yet, saying: 'As the smaller twin grows, it will demand more of the placenta.

'If we leave it too late, and something happens to the smaller one, there will be damage to the other baby as well. It's about getting that balance right.'

Paul said: 'It does feel like we're having a slow motion car crash and we're not doing anything about it.'

Ann-Marie revealed: 'I always wanted two children, and I think Paul is exactly the same. We dated at school together and then we broke up. Ten years later, and we're back together.'

Paul added: 'I always liked the idea of having girls, a daddy's girl. Take them to dance club and stuff.'

Ann-Marie added: 'We always thought, "Oh wouldn't it be great if we had twins". You don't realise there are things you have no idea about.'

The couple, who first met when they were in school, had been together for years and had dreamed of having daughters

At 28 weeks, Ann-Marie arrived for her next scan and told the doctor that she had felt some 'period-like cramps'.

But after finding the heartbeat for one of the babies, he was unable to find a heartbeat for the second baby.

Anne-Marie couldn't contain her emotion, and broke down in tears as she wailed: 'No, no no.'

After the scan, the couple sat down to speak to the doctor, with Anne-Marie asking: 'There wasn't anything I could of done?'

At her 28 week scan, Ann-Marie was devastated when she was told by the doctor he was unable to find a heartbeat for the second baby

Professor Basky explained: ' There is nothing you could have done. By the time you had symptoms, it's already too late.'

He continued: 'One third of the time, when a co-twin dies, the other twin doesn't survive. So I don't wish to be harsh, but I have to focus my concerns on her sister.

Professor Basky gave the baby a blood transfusion, before telling the camera: 'I ask myself, "did I do anything wrong? And what will I do better next time every time?" Every time.'

With Anne-Marie approaching her due-date, she revealed she had named the babies Emily-Marie and Poppy Emily-Marie so that she 'could always have her sister with her.'

Professor Basky Thilaganathan had tears in his eyes as he told the couple the news that one of the triplets had died

Professor Basky told her: 'Emily the first twin has passed away but Poppy the second twin is still alive and that's a difficult situation to be in. Emily will be pushed out first.'

Paul said: 'They've already said to us that she might come out not looking that normal.'

Anne-Marie delivered the baby with a single push, with doctors telling her: 'We're going to wrap her in a towel and then I'm going to pass her to you.'

The couple wept as they held the baby, with the doctors leaving the room to give the three of them some time before delivering the final baby.

Ann-Marie and Paul were in tears as Professor Basky warned her the third baby's life was also at risk

Cradling his wife, Paul said: 'You kind of just hope the science was wrong don't you.

'That she would just come out and "oh look, they got it wrong." It wasn't wrong.'

After Ann-Marie gave birth to Poppy, the couple wept with emotion as they heard the baby crying.

Paul said he had dreamed the doctors had 'got it wrong' and cried as his wife delivered their still-born daughter, who they named Emily-Marie

Paul said: 'We were saying it was such a shame. If she had made it 9 more days, we'd have two babies right now. Life can be cruel.'

Three months later, the couple were joined by the cameras with their daughter, saying: 'The last time I was here, they were both alive. It's quite hard actually.'

Paul revealed: 'Bittersweet is too simple of a term.'

After Ann-Marie delivered the still-born baby, the couple were given time with their daughter by the doctors

Viewers were left sobbing over the emotional programme, with one writing: 'I don't know how Ann-Marie did it. She's gone from the most awful, horrendous time to the happiest time within minutes. She's such a warrior.'

Another wrote: 'My heart breaks. Ann-Marie and Paul are so strong.'

One added: 'There is nothing more haunting than the cries of an expectant mother being told she's lost 2 triplets in the womb.'
[April 27, 2021] Catchpoint Announces Native Support for Google's Core Web Vitals

NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Catchpoint, the leader in Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM), today announced full support of Googles Core Web Vitals, giving companies actionable metrics for delivering the best possible user experience on the web. Combined with Catchpoints superior set of digital experience metrics and expansive monitoring vantage points, support for Core Web Vitals provides IT teams with the most accurate, simple and comprehensive metrics for optimizing web performance and subsequently, search ranking.

With this new addition and the existing Core Web Vitals support in WebPageTest, Catchpoint now offers the fullest suite of Core Web Vitals insights. The full gamut of stakeholders responsible for web performance, ranging from front-end developers to cloud architects, network engineers, SREs and IT operations practitioners, can leverage Catchpoints platform to deliver optimal website and web application performance, delight users and drive positive business outcomes. Core Web Vitals will become increasingly important for anyone that is doing business over the web. Over the summer, the signal produced by a websites Core Web Vitals score will play a much bigger role in the Google search algorithm, said Mehdi Daoudi, CEO of Catchpoint. Teams can leverage a set of actionable metrics to deliver a better experience to their users while improving their business performance. Its exciting to see that we finally have a set of metrics that will allow businesses to align IT and business performance. Blog: Five Reasons to Use Catchpoint for Measuring Core Web Vitals Core Web Vitals are made up of three specific page speed and user interaction measurements: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Inut Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS). These metrics are a subset of factors that will be part of Googles page experience score, an official Google search engine ranking factor, starting this year. This is critical for business visibility, web traffic, and, ultimately, sales.



What makes these metrics easy and actionable is the measurement of time. LCP is the time from when users click on a link to when they see the main content on-screen. Many other page speed metrics dont represent what its like for a user to open up a webpage. FID is the time it takes for a user to actually interact with your page. This is critical, as it takes into account how quickly webpages can begin to respond to users. CLS is the stability of a page as it loads. Users dont have to re-learn where links are located when the page is fully loaded. In addition to displaying measured LCP, Total Blocking Time (TBT is the lab complement of FID), and CLS values, WebPageTest provides Filmstrip View, an animated preview of page loading with the option to highlight layout shifts.

The most important aspect of our web performance monitoring program is how fast our website or application is presented to our customers, said Robin Schenck, QA and Release Manager at Blue Nile. Catchpoint offers us the most comprehensive set of metrics for measuring that performance and taking immediate action. The support for Core Web Vitals is included in Catchpoints Digital Experience Monitoring platform and it is available immediately. To see Catchpoints Core Web Vitals support in action, visit www.catchpoint.com and speak to a representative Connect with Catchpoint

Twitter: @Catchpoint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/catchpoint/ About Catchpoint

Catchpoint, the global leader in Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM), empowers business and IT leaders to protect and advance the experience of their customers and employees. In a digital economy, enabled by cloud, SaaS and IoT, applications and users are everywhere. Catchpoint offers the largest and most geographically distributed monitoring network in the industry  its the only DEM platform that can scale and support todays customer and employee location diversity and application distribution. It helps enterprises proactively detect, identify and validate user and application reachability, availability, performance and reliability, across an increasingly complex digital delivery chain. Industry leaders like Google, L'Oreal, Verizon, Oracle, LinkedIn, Honeywell, and Priceline trust Catchpoints out-of-the box monitoring platform, to proactively detect, repair, and optimize customer and employee experiences. Learn more at www.catchpoint.com Press Contact:

Holly Hagerman

Connect Marketing

801.373.7888

hollyh@connectmarketing.com

pr@catchpoint.com



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Human Rights Watch said Tuesday that Israel is committing the crime of apartheid by seeking to maintain Jewish domination over Palestinians and its own Arab population, an explosive allegation fiercely denounced by Israel.

Currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, Israel blasted HRWs accusations as preposterous and false, accusing the New York-based group of having a long-standing anti-Israeli agenda.

HRW said its finding that Israel is committing the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution against Palestinians was based on robust sourcing including government planning materials and statements by public officials.

The 213-page report finds that the Israeli government is the single authority with primary control over the area between the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea.

Within that territory, there is an overarching Israeli government policy to maintain the domination by Jewish Israelis over Palestinians, HRW said.

The group said its findings apply to Israeli treatment of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, the blockaded Gaza Strip, annexed east Jerusalem as well as Arab Israelis  a term referring to Palestinians who stayed on their land following Israels creation in 1948.

 Threshold crossed 

HRW said that while apartheid was initially coined with respect to institutional persecution of blacks in South Africa, it was now a universally recognised legal term.

An apartheid system is defined by an effort to maintain domination by one racial group over another, a context of systematic oppression by the dominant group over the marginalised group (and) inhuman acts, the group said.

Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch, told AFP there have been warnings for years that apartheid is around the corner.

I think its quite clear that that threshold has been crossed, Shakir said from Jordan.

A US citizen, Shakir was the first foreign national deported by Israel for allegedly supporting an international boycott movement that seeks to isolate Israel, an allegation he denies.

 Propaganda pamphlet 

Israels foreign ministry told AFP the HRW report amounted to a propaganda pamphlet from an organisation that has been actively seeking for years to promote boycotts against Israel.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since the 1967, the same year it annexed east Jerusalem.

Since then, Jewish settlers in both areas have absorbed increased amounts of land.

Palestinians in east Jerusalem and across much of the West Bank are regularly denied building permits, while Jewish home construction has steadily grown.

HRW called on nations to stop viewing the occupation as an issue that can be resolved through a peace deal, and foster accountability by reconsidering their Israel ties, including military cooperation.

While much of the world treats Israels half-century occupation as a temporary situation that a decades-long peace process will soon cure, the oppression of Palestinians there has reached a threshold and a permanence that meets the definitions of the crimes of apartheid and persecution, said HRW executive director Ken Roth.

 Sanctions call 

The group also called on the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority to cease security cooperation with Israel to avoid being complicit with apartheid.

The PA did not immediately respond to the HRW report.

Israel has said it will not cooperate with the International Criminal Court investigation, primarily expected to focus on alleged war crimes committed during the 2014 war against Hamas Islamists in Gaza.

Hamas  considered a terrorist group by most Western states  is also being probed by the ICC.

But HRW said the ICC should conduct additional investigations into those credibly implicated in committing the crimes of apartheid and persecution.

It called on nations to impose individual sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on officials responsible for committing these crimes.

While HRW is the first major international organisation to level the controversial apartheid charge against Israel, it is following a move made last year by Israeli civil society group BTselem.

The settler watchdog charged that the Israeli regime implements laws, practices and state violence designed to cement the supremacy of one group  Jews  over another  Palestinians.
Dharamsala, April 27 : Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has received his second dose of Covid vaccine at his residence, officials said on Tuesday.

The vaccine was administered by a medical team of Delek hospital led by Tseten Dorjee, personal physician to Dalai Lama.

According to his Secretary Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa, the entire staff and security details of the spiritual leader, including those living in the residence, were also vaccinated.

Dalai Lama had taken his first dose, on March 6, at the government hospital here in a bid to bolster public confidence in the vaccine.

Taking the jab, the Nobel Peace Laureate encouraged everyone to get the vaccine, describing it as "something helpful" for the greater good of humanity.
Lordstown Motors Corp. stock has plummeted from nearly $31 a share on Feb. 11 to just over $10 on Tuesday in the wake of a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission inquiry and the filing of four potential class-action lawsuits by investors who claim they have been defrauded.
Dauphin County has started to accept mail-in and absentee ballots for the May 18 primary election, according to officials.

Ballots can be returned now until 8 p.m. on election day. Nearly 15,000 ballots have been requested and mailed to county residents for the upcoming election.

Among the locations county commissioners said are ready:

A secured ballot box was placed by the front entrance of the Dauphin County Administrative Building, 2 South Second Street in downtown Harrisburg.

The elections office at 1251 South 28th Street extended hours until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday now until May 17. Ballots can be returned up until 8 p.m. on May 18.

Voters can also return their ballots at the Northern Dauphin Human Services Center in Elizabethville from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Trained county staff will be accepting completed ballots.

Voters needing to process over-the-counter ballots can at the Dauphin County Registration and Elections office at 1251 S 28th Street in Harrisburg.

Our elections office staff have been gearing up for the primary for some time now, so we can ensure voters they will have convenience and a fair election process, Dauphin County Commissioner Mike Pries said.

The 24-hour secure drop box in Harrisburg is located in the same place as it was during last years election. And, extended hours at 1251 South 28th Street give residents more flexibility to be able to vote.

Our new election office location provides easier access and free parking, Dauphin County Commissioner Chair Jeff Haste said, along with dedicated staff who, starting next week, will be in the office even longer.

Pennsylvania law requires only the voter to return their ballot; individuals may not drop off someone elses vote.

We are focused and intent on meeting the needs of voters and providing them with confidence that their vote will be counted, Commissioner George P. Hartwick III said.

Polling location changes

- Middletown Borough 1st Ward, 1st Precinct: Now located at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, 329 Market St., Miidletown, Pa. 17057.

- Millersburg Borough: Now located at Millersburg Area High School, Susquehannock Room, 799 Center St., Millersville, Pa. 17061.

- Swatara Township 9th Precinct: Now located at WITF Main Lobby, 4801 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, Pa 17111.

Voters in these districts will be issued new voter ID cards alerting them to the change as well as a postcard reminder.

Additionally, the board of commissioners reminds voters of the following important deadlines:
The Exploration Incentive Scheme grant of $120,000 is the full amount applied for by Maximus and contributes 50% of direct drilling costs.

There is potential to double the known down-dip extent of Redback Gold Deposit where recent drilling extended a high-grade domain.

Resources Ltd ( ) has secured a Western Australian Government Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) grant that will co-fund exploration drilling at Redback gold deposit within Maximus Spargoville tenements near Kambalda, Western Australia.

The EIS grant of $120,000 is the full amount applied for by Maximus and contributes 50% of direct drilling costs.

This co-funded diamond drilling program will comprise two deep (+600 metres) diamond drill holes designed to materially extend the down-dip plunge continuation of the known Redback gold mineralisation.

Excellent outcome

Managing director Tim Wither said: This is an excellent outcome for Maximus, as the Exploration Incentive Scheme is a highly competitive process and is an endorsement of the technical approach to expanding resources at the Redback deposit.

We are excited to have this opportunity to gain further geological insight these deep targeted holes will bring to the greater Wattle Dam area.

The Redback Gold Deposit, with a JORC inferred resource of 440,000 tonnes at 3 g/t gold for 42,900 ounces, is around 600 metres south-southeast of the previously mined high-grade Wattle Dam Gold Mine.

Recent high-grade drill results of 16 metres at 9.3 g/t gold from 229 metres, including 5.8 metres at 17.9 g/t gold demonstrates that Redback remains open along strike to the north-northwest and down plunge, which will be further tested with the application of the EIS co-funded diamond drill program.

Diamond drilling program

Maximus plan with the co-funding grant is to diamond drill beneath known Redback resources to better understand the stratigraphy and structural controls of the high-grade gold mineralisation through the Redback-Wattle Dam corridor, while testing the prospective mineralised position.

It is clear from recent exploration and concept development by Maximus that there is a broader mineral system encompassing and fundamentally linking the Wattle Dam Gold Mine, Redback, S5 and Golden Orb gold prospects.

Deep drilling under a known gold deposit gives a unique insight into the plumbing system of the gold deposit, or possibly an extension to considerable depth of potentially significant mineralisation.

The drill holes are intentionally placed to test the full width of the ultramafic hostrock, bounded to the east by a belt-parallel structure.

EIS granted drill holes will be incorporated into the second phase of diamond drilling at Redback planned for the second half of 2021, which forms part of Maximus near-term strategy aimed at building value by increasing gold resources and expanding the Companys future development options.
TECNO SPARK 7 Pro debuts to bring users immersive cinema experience with BIGGER and BETTER display

 Equipped with 48MP Clear Triple Camera, mighty Helio G80 chipset, the Super Night Mode and blazing-fast 90Hz/ 6.6-inch edge-to-edge display the Spark 7 Pro will be available at retail store soon.

TECNO mobile, a global premium mobile brand, has freshly launched the innovative Spark 7 Pro smartphone for Gen Z. Packed with the dynamic 48MP Clear Triple Camera and new Helio G80 chipset, the Spark 7 Pro delivers the most captivating cinematic experience simulated through its BIGGER and BETTER 6.6-inch edge-to-edge display with an unprecedented Super Night mode. Enabled through its micro intelligence integrant which grants the rising generation access to an innovative tool, allowing them to streamline many imperative tasks, creating the most rewarding experience yet. The Spark 7 Pro will be welcomed in the global market soon.

Stephen Ha, General Manager of TECNO Mobile, commented on the launch, \TECNO is always baring the young generations? demands in mind to provide them the best of contemporary technologies in artistic designs and elegant taste. With popularity in over 60 markets, TECNO showcases its mastery of serving the youth-generation consumers who are \young at heart\, and inspires them to never stop pursuing excellence. TECNO SPARK 7 series are the ones that reflect our promise to the Gen-Z and colleague students the most with the most advanced technologies like the BIGGER and BETTER display to bring them immersive cinema experience at the fingertips, and the ungraded 48MP Clear Triple Camera for them to embrace a clearer world.?

Spark 7 Pro?s ingenious 48MP Clear Triple Camera is an additional compelling feature that will enable the new breed of innovational youth, to capture every minuet detail of their busy lives through acute technological advances ensuring no occasion goes a miss be that day or night. The newly-added AI lens brightens the overall dark environment and has made it easier for your smile to stand out. The 48MP Clear Triple Camera is accompanied by Spark exclusive photo function ?Smile Snapshot?. AI Portrait focuses on the face and captures the photo when it sees a smile. You will never miss out on the perfect shot. Bring out your inner cinematographer and shoot films like the professionals. Video Bokeh always focuses on you and blurs the background giving your video that cinema touch. Intelligently adapting to different skin effects and individual features, Video Beautify offers more natural and gorgeous beautification effects. Spark 7 Pro in hand, you are the focus!

The Spark 7 Pro brings comprehensive updates on its exceeding visual performance. Users can enjoy the smooth, snappy, and refreshing experience with a 6.6 inch clear screen at a blazing-fast 90Hz refresh rate. The 6.6 inch edge to edge display is also equipped with ample room to navigate through multiple applications with prompt accessibility to different functions, that too within paramount time. Users also earn the privilege of experiencing the new technology of the 90Hz refresh rate at this accessible price.

Equipped with SoC Helio G80, an all-new 2.0GHz, Octa-core processor and dedicated 950MHz graphics unit, SPARK 7 Pro benchmarks at twice the speed of the previous generation. Animations are smoother, Apps load quicker, and photos are sharper. Connect with the world around you faster than ever before.

The smile snapshot function of TECNO SPARK 7 Pro enables AI Portrait focus on the face and captures the photo when it sees a smile. The users will never miss out on the perfect shot when taking a beautiful picture of the children that won?t sit still, or a fleeting moment that is gone in a flash.

Other highlighted features packed the competitive smartphone including:

 Bluetooth Audio Share 2.0: When happiness is shared, it multiplies. With Bluetooth Audio Share 2.0, you can spread your joy to even more people. Get the party started whenever, wherever and let your friends and family join in a music-blasting, merry-making fest.

 3 variants 128+4GB/64+6GB/64+4GB, and 5000mAh battery enable the Spark 7 Pro long-lasting storage and power. It promises fewer lags, fewer prompts about ?Storage Almost Full? and more space for snapping as many photographs as you need. The 5000mAh battery holds the exceptional capability of retaining power on your phone for 14 days without any recharging. Gone are the days when the users have to run around the street panicking and trying to find a charging station, because SPARK 7 Pro just never goes off easily.

 Built on Android 11, HiOS7.5 offers a richer and fun experience with extensive and immersive collection of features such as the Custom Timing Dark Theme, Chat Bubbles, Video Assistant, App Twin and more. With instant messaging the norm of the day in times like these, enhanced accessibility on a smartphone is on the top wish list of all users. HiOS 7.5?s Chat Bubbles help to minimize skipping apps or closing what you?re doing just to respond to a message. This means you can keep relevant chat notifications on the forefront in rounded bubbles that floats and you can easily tap it to respond or read chats without having to leave the page where you?re at.
President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that he will nominate Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, a vocal skeptic of cooperating with federal immigration authorities in certain circumstances, to serve as director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

As head of ICE, Gonzalez would help oversee one of the most contentious parts of Biden's agenda: enforcing U.S. immigration law. Biden has promised to unwind much of predecessor Donald Trump's hardline border policies.

Gonzalez is a former Houston police officer who served on the City Council before first getting elected sheriff in 2016. He won a second four-year term in 2020. During his first term, he was a vocal critic of Trump's approach to immigration.

In 2019, when Trump tweeted that his administration would be deporting "millions of illegal aliens," Gonzalez posted on Facebook that the vast majority of undocumented immigrants do not proposed a threat to the U.S. and should not be deported.

"The focus should always be on clear & immediate safety threats, he said.

And soon after taking office, Gonzalez ended a Harris County partnership with ICE that trained 10 deputies to specifically screen jailed individuals for immigration status and hold any selected for deportation. According to the Houston Chronicle, cutting the program still meant Harris County would hold inmates for deportation regardless of their charge, but only if ICE officials themselves made the request. According to a 2020 report by Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative, ICE responded to the program's cancelation by stationing nine ICE officers in the jail, who continued to screen and detain Harris County residents.

The program ended in late February of 2017, but between Jan. 20 and May 4 of that year, the number of people transferred into ICE custody from Harris County was 60% higher than it was for the same period in 2016. TRAC, a federal agency research center run by Syracuse University, found that Harris County received the most ICE immigration holds in both fiscal year 2018 and 2019, but its unclear how many resulted in deportations. The HILSC report estimated that ICE physically deported 6,612 Harris County residents in 2018.

Gonzalez also vocally opposed 2017 legislation that would prevent cities from banning local law enforcement from asking about immigration status and would push civil fines and a misdemeanor offense on law enforcement who dont comply with federal immigration enforcement.

In a letter to the Senate Committee on State Affairs, Gonzales opposed what supporters dubbed "anti-sanctuary city" legislation, saying it would take public safety resources away from addressing other local safety issues, such as human trafficking and murder.

I am also concerned about the risk of an unintended consequence: creating a climate of fear and suspicion that could damage our efforts to reinforce trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve, he wrote.

Also on Tuesday, Biden said he was tapping another Texan, Gina Ortiz Jones, to be under secretary of the Air Force. Jones is a former Air Force intelligence officer who twice ran as a Democrat for one of Texas' most competitive congressional districts.

Both positions are subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

Jones would be the No. 2 civilian leader of the Air Force as under secretary. Defense News, which first reported Biden's plan to nominate Jones, a Filipino American, said she would be the first woman of color to serve in the position.

Jones also is a member of the LGBT community and served in the Air Force under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." After her time in the Air Force, Jones went to work for the Defense Intelligence Agency and later the office of the U.S. trade representative. She ran against U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, in 2018 and lost by less than 1,000 votes. She made a second bid for the seat last year, when Hurd did not seek reelection, and lost by a wider margin to Republican Tony Gonzales.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
Subsidiary Cornerstone Construction Testing Cryptocurrency Payments to Reduce Fees and Potential for Fraud or Chargebacks

EL CAJON, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / Solar Integrated Roofing Corp. (OTC PINK:SIRC), an integrated, single-source solar power and roofing systems installation company, today announced it has selected Coinbase Commerce as a cryptocurrency partner and has completed the technical and financial integrations to begin testing the acceptance of cryptocurrency payments from customers at its subsidiary Cornerstone Construction.

Recently acquired Cornerstone Construction is a licensed roofing contractor in South Carolina and has served thousands of clients and gained hundreds of 5 Star Reviews throughout the southeastern United States since 2017 with quality solutions for residential and commercial roofing and solar projects. Roofing services include expert inspection, installation, repair, and replacement services as well as gutters, windows, siding and decking. The company designs and installs traditional solar and solar shingle arrays that integrate seamlessly into new and existing roofing systems.

The addition of a cryptocurrency payment integration allows Cornerstone to accept Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, DAI, Ethereum, Litecoin and USD Coin for all customer purchases including roofing and solar projects as well as related products and services.

"Accepting cryptocurrency offers us a significant opportunity to better service a new, affluent customer base and participate in the continuously expanding cryptocurrency economy," said David Massey, CEO of Solar Integrated Roofing Corporation. "With younger homeowners increasingly demanding alternative options for payments, Coinbase Commerce. allows us to accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment, yet receive U.S. dollars as we normally would, all without having to hold cryptocurrencies.

"During this trial phase, Cornerstone will be evaluating the cost savings from accepting cryptocurrency that include avoiding the high fees of traditional payment methods and reducing or eliminating issues related to fraud-related chargebacks or mistakes. This new purchasing option will add an additional competitive element to our growth strategy and will be a key marketing highlight for our millennial customers. If successful we expect to add this payment option at other subsidiaries to add value to our customers, and in turn, our shareholders and investors," concluded Massey.

About Solar Integrated Roofing Corp.

Solar Integrated Roofing Corp. (OTC:SIRC), is an integrated, single-source solar power and roofing systems installation platform company specializing in commercial and residential properties throughout the United States. The Company's broad array of solutions include sales and installation of solar energy systems, battery backup and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to roofing, HVAC and related electrical contracting work. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.solarintegratedroofing.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements made in this press release which are not historical facts contain certain forward-looking statements; as such term is defined in the Private Security Litigation Reform Act of 1995, concerning potential developments affecting the business, prospects, financial condition and other aspects of the company to which this release pertains. The actual results of the specific items described in this release, and the company's operations generally, may differ materially from what is projected in such forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based upon the best judgments of management of the company as of the date of this release, significant deviations in magnitude, timing and other factors may result from business risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the company's dependence on third parties, general market and economic conditions, technical factors, the availability of outside capital, receipt of revenues and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the company. The company disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in any forward-looking statement. This press release shall not be deemed a general solicitation.

Investor Relations Contact:

Lucas A. Zimmerman

Senior Vice President

MZ North America

Main: 949-259-4987

SIRC@mzgroup.us

www.mzgroup.us

SOURCE: Solar Integrated Roof Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642475/Solar-Integrated-Roofing-Now-Accepts-Cryptocurrency-Payments
Southern Pines, NC (28387)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms early, mainly cloudy late with a few showers. Low near 70F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, mainly cloudy late with a few showers. Low near 70F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
WASHINGTON  U.S. Reps. Joe Courtney and Jahana Hayes both spent thousands of campaign dollars on security in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and increasing numbers of threats against members of Congress.

Sixteen days after the Capitol invasion, Hayes, D-5, paid $3,627 in campaign funds to a company that installs security systems, a review of Federal Election Commission filings shows. She followed up with an additional smaller payment to the company in February.

The temperature in this space has been rising for some time, as evidenced by the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, said Barbara Ellis, Hayess campaign manager. For these reasons, it was time to invest in modest security precautions.

Likewise, Courtney, D-2, spent $3,245 on security systems in February and March, his campaign finance filings show. A spokesman for Courtney declined to comment on the investments.

No other members of the Connecticut congressional delegation spent campaign funds on security during the first quarter of 2021, according to their FEC filings. But as protective fencing enveloped the U.S. Capitol and National Guardsmen patrolled the grounds, many other members of Congress did spend campaign funds on additional security in their districts  often doling out much larger sums than Hayes and Courtney.

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a newly-elected Democrat from the Georgia special election in January, spent $132,000 on security from January to April, FEC filings show.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, one of eight Republican senators voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election results, spent $50,000 on security in the same quarter. U.S. Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, spent $20,000. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., spent $46,000.

These members paid for bodyguards, security consultants, event security and alarm systems, among other things. The Federal Election Commission permits members to spend campaign funds on expenses that result from their position as a federal officeholder, including residential security systems and locks.

Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman testified before Congress last week that threats against members of Congress have increased nearly 65 percent in the first quarter of 2021 compared with the same period in 2020. Pittman said such threats have more than doubled from 2017 to 2020. They now track thousands of threats against the 535 members of Congress a year, up from hundreds a few years ago.

U.S. Capitol Police provide security to top congressional leaders and members facing significant threats.

Members of Congress can also use their official funds to pay for some security purposes and those sums are not disclosed publicly. In the wake of Jan. 6, when supporters of President Donald Trump invaded the U.S. Capitol, forcing lawmakers into lock down and causing multiple deaths, members were notified they could spend an additional $65,000 on security through their official funds, Politico reported.

But there are rules about what they can put money from their office towards  home security systems and security details for campaign travel are excluded, for example. The burden of those expenses are shifted onto campaign funds and necessitate more fundraising for candidates with greater security needs.

Democrats and Republicans are in talks to offer more flexibility for how members of Congress can spend their funds on security, as part of broad discussions about Capitol security improvements after Jan. 6. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., have been working to craft a supplemental spending appropriation to address security at the Capitol.

A bipartisan group of 32 House members wrote to Pelosi in January asking for a longer list of permissible security expenses, for support to protect their personal information and for regular security briefings.

Members now regularly face threats in Washington D.C. and in their Districts, they wrote. Today, with the expansion of the web and social media sites, so much information about Members is accessible in the public sphere, making them easier targets, including home addresses, photos, personal details about Members families, and real-time information on Member attendance at events.

In Connecticut, the State Elections Enforcement Commission has not received any requests for an advisory opinion on spending campaign funds on security for candidates running for statewide office or the legislature, said Josh Foley, a staff attorney for the Commission. SEEC has not issued a ruling on whether this is an allowable expense.

In March, the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance ruled that candidates in that state could spend on items like body armor, bullet proof vests, gas masks, and pepper spray for themselves or their staff.

In light of recent events in our nations capital, it is reasonable for candidates and their staff members to be concerned about their personal security while at work in the State House or other governmental building, or in the performance of their official duties elsewhere, the Office explained.

emilie.munson@hearstdc.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson
Jacom Stephens/Getty Image

Two people died in a crash Monday night near San Jose's Archbishop Mitty High School after the driver allegedly refused to stop for police, officials said.

The crashed was reported at 9:57 p.m. on the Lawrence Expressway near Mitty Way.
She's preparing to celebrate her daughter's first birthday this weekend.

And, Millie Mackintosh was every inch the yummy mummy as she took baby Sienna on a coffee date with a fellow mum-and-daughter duo in London, on Tuesday.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 31, showcased her slim physique in nude coloured leggings and a plain white blouse, while keeping warm with the help of a taupe teddy coat.

Mum life: Millie Mackintosh, 31, was every inch the yummy mummy as she took baby Sienna on a coffee date with a fellow mum-and-daughter duo in London, on Tuesday

Millie doted on her daughter as she rested in her pram, while taking a phone call before meeting up with a friend.

During their catch up outside a cafe, little Sienna sat on her mummy's knee and played with a pair of sunglasses.

Millie opted for a bronzed make-up look for her outing and styled her brunette tresses into a sleek, straight 'do.

The mother-of-one smiled adoringly at her daughter, while chatting to her friend, who also had a child on her knee.

Nude pallette: The former Made In Chelsea star showcased her slim physique in nude coloured leggings and a plain white blouse, while keeping warm with the help of a taupe teddy coat

Happy baby, happy lady: During their catch up outside a cafe, little Sienna sat on her mummy's knee and played with a pair of sunglasses

It comes after television personality revealed she and her husband Hugo Taylor, 34, are closer than ever since welcoming Sienna last May.

The mother-of-one touched on going through 'the test of lockdown' with her spouse of almost three years in an interview for Women's Health UK's Going for Goal podcast.

Millie, who featured on the front cover of the publication's April issue in an accompanying swimwear shoot, also declared she loves her new curves and is embracing her postpartum figure.

On her strong marriage, the socialite said: 'I feel like we've got through the test of lockdown, and we're closer than ever.

Multitasking: Millie doted on her daughter as she rested in her pram, while taking a phone call before meeting up with a friend

Always stylish: Millie carried her belongings in a cowgirl inspired crossbody bag

'They say these things make you stronger, and to have had a baby and be in lockdown, that's two super intense situations for any relationship. I think it has taught us a lot about each other.'

The reality personality also recently opened up about how she struggled with the baby blues following Sienna's birth on Giovanna Fletcher's Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast.

She revealed that occasionally she felt 'completely blue' and out of control when it came to her emotions.

Chic: Glam: Millie opted for a bronzed make-up look for her outing and styled her brunette tresses into a sleek, straight 'do

Loving life: The mother-of-one smiled adoringly at her daughter, while chatting to her friend, who also had a child on her knee

Millie said: 'A couple of hours later I could just be feeling completely blue, really low, couldn't stop crying... There were days when it was hard with Hugo as he would be like are you ok?

'And then I would be like oh god I need you to tell me I'm ok don't you freak out about me not being ok!'

She continued: 'At the time, what I found really scary was that I didn't know what it was. I like to be quite in control and I couldn't gauge whether I did have post-natal depression or whether it was the baby blues.

'Because people talk about the baby blues and oh you are going to be a bit tearful and it is really normal to be a bit up and down, but I had some really low days and it was hard because I was so in love with Sienna and so happy.'
Burkina Faso: two Spanish journalists executed Together with an Irish man. Beriain victim of terrorists

(ANSAmed) - MADRID, APRIL 27 - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed on Twitter the assassination deaths of Spanish journalists David Beriain and Roberto Fraile, who were killed along with an Irish man in Burkina Faso.



A high ranking security official in the African country told AFP the journalists were executed.



"The bodies of the three expatriates were found lifeless," tweeted Sahel Security Alerts, which monitors the security situation in the area of Liptako-Gourma with particular attention on Burkina Faso.



"In an audio message, the suspects claimed to be in JNIM and said they had killed three 'whites', seized two vehicles, several motorcycles and weapons," it tweeted.



The Irish man had disappeared after an attack on an anti-poaching patrol that included Western trainers and journalists.



One of the two reporters killed is David Beriain, who is especially well known for hosting the TV programme "Clandestino", broadcast also in Italy, which examines organised crime in various parts of the world.



For a segment on the Calabrian 'ndrangheta mafia, which was broadcast in November 2009, the Milan prosecutor's office investigated suspicion that it was a fake.



The NGO Reporters Without Borders tweeted that the reporters were killed "while they were preparing one of their great reports on nature conservation".



Both of the reporters had long worked in conflict zones.



Sanchez expressed his "recognition of those, like them, every day carry out courageous and essential journalism in conflict zones".(ANSAmed).




[April 27, 2021] Boost Sales & CSI with New SafePoint Dealer Inventory & Customer Retention Platform

CYPRESS, Texas, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Omega Auto Tech has announced the launch of SafePoint, the industry's newest Asset Management/Customer Retention platform that combines the most desired GPS data analytics with state-of-the-art alerts and notifications to take dealership vehicle security, inventory management and customer retention to new levels. Using advanced connected car technology and data management, SafePoint combines real-time vehicle tracking, theft protection, vehicle health scans and "smart" alerts to keep dealers informed regarding location, performance and health conditions of vehicles. With SafePoint, dealers can: Have Real-Time Inventory Tracking & Theft Protection. Dealers can monitor and secure their inventory, instantly locate specific vehicles for customers, audits or service, and assist in stolen vehicle recovery. They can establish a virtual perimeter with geofencing, generate a location history and track mileage (a must-have for loaner programs, service vehicles and test drives).

Dealers can monitor and secure their inventory, instantly locate specific vehicles for customers, audits or service, and assist in stolen vehicle recovery. They can establish a virtual perimeter with geofencing, generate a location history and track mileage (a must-have for loaner programs, service vehicles and test drives). Receive Smart Alerts. Eliminate common lot management issues such as dead batteries and low fuel problems, and quickly identify vehicles speeding or taken off-lot using data delivered via smartphone, tablet or desktop.

Eliminate common lot management issues such as dead batteries and low fuel problems, and quickly identify vehicles speeding or taken off-lot using data delivered via smartphone, tablet or desktop. Improve Customer Experience & Loyalty/Retention. With its high penetration rate and customer satisfaction, SafePoint can boost CSI scores and help connect with customers long after the sale.

With its high penetration rate and customer satisfaction, can boost CSI scores and help connect with customers long after the sale. Increases the Bottom Line. SafePoint integrates with DMS Menus and generates additional F&I revene when sold through to the customer. SafePoint provides a VIP ownership experience to customers allowing them to work together with dealers to manage the health of their vehicle and minimize costly repairs by handling service and maintenance at the right time. In addition, dealers can send customized retention offers to customers when they are due for routine maintenance or require a specific service and customers can conveniently schedule service appointments directly through the app.



"SafePoint has become our #1 vendor program, generating over $5 million in gross profit in year one," says Joseph Pierce, General Manager at Beck & Masten GMC in Houston, Texas. "This is one of the few programs to delivered everything as promised."

According to Arnold Gacita, president of Omega Auto Tech, the company isn't standing on their laurels. "We're revolutionizing GPS systems. It's not just GPS, it's asset management for both dealers and customers. Our promise: we will continue to invest and innovate SafePoint so it remains the leader in dealer asset management and customer retention platforms." For more information on SafePoint, visit www.safepointgps.com. Or call 1-833-SAFEPOINT. About Omega Auto Tech

Omega Auto Tech, an automotive technology company, is headquartered in Cypress, TX, just outside of Houston. The company's mission is to provide automotive dealers with technology solutions that improve efficiencies, increase the bottom line and improve customer engagement and retention. Since its inception, OAT has sought to build product strength and value through the offering of innovative products and programs. To learn more about SafePoint, visit www.safepointgps.com or call 1-833-SAFEPOINT. CONTACT: John McGee

Allegra Marketing-Print-Mail

734-207-1339

308362@email4pr.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boost-sales--csi-with-new-safepoint-dealer-inventory--customer-retention-platform-301277782.html SOURCE Omega Auto Tech

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World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the situation in India is "beyond heartbreaking," pointing out that many countries are also witnessing high COVID-19 transmission.

India's Devastating COVID-19 Crisis

In the last 24 hours, India has recorded at least 349,691 new COVID-19 cases, the biggest single-day jump since the pandemic started. As India fights the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, global aid in the form of oxygen supplies, ventilators, vaccine raw materials, PPE kits, and oxygen concentrators have begun to flood in.

Officials declared Monday that the US would send doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to India and deploy a strike team and provide other supplies, as President Joe Biden promised to be there for the country in its hour of need. With a million new cases in just three days, India faces a second wave of the deadly virus that has swept the world.

Health centers have been running out of oxygen and ICU beds for the last two weeks, leaving people stranded outside hospitals, as per Daily Mail. According to Biden administration officials, the CDC will urgently deploy a strike team to assist public health experts in India in combating the growing tide of cases.

ASEAN Summit to Address Myanmar Crisis as Citizens Suffer Hunger, Entrepreneurs Struggle to Stay Afloat

Besides, the Biden administration will send doses of Remdesivir, which is used to treat coronavirus patients with severe symptoms that are admitted, as well as personal protective equipment and rapid COVID-19 tests. The US has stated its plan to send supplies and AstraZeneca, which is not approved in the country and would certainly not vaccinate Americans because the US has adequate doses of the other alternatives. "We will provide raw materials for AstraZeneca's production," the official said on the call.

No health sector worldwide can handle this influx of sick people, and India's healthcare system has collapsed. Hospitals are running out of beds, oxygen, and supplies, and most sick patients cannot get treatment. According to Forbes, the number of bodies taken to crematoria is too many to handle.

While several nations, including Canada, have halted travel to India, others have pledged assistance and relief to the country in the wake of the disaster. Others vowed to send supplies, including ventilators and oxygen concentrators, including the United Kingdom, the European Union, and even India's long-time geopolitical foe Pakistan.

Russia Pulls Back Troops in Ukraine Border but Keeps Weapons Near the Area

How to help India amid devastating COVID-19 surge

Humanitarian organizations provide ways to support India, which is in desperate need of resources, as it deals with an unprecedented increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere ( CARE), an international humanitarian organization that assists in delivering disaster aid, has collaborated with its India chapter to provide on-the-ground support during the crisis.

CARE India has provided PPE and dry ration support to over 400,000 people in the most marginalized parts of the country since the pandemic started, according to a CARE spokesperson. The CARE India team is currently in Bihar, coordinating with COVID-19 designated hospitals throughout the country to gather data, deliver IT services, and promote health care workers' well-being. There are some options to contribute to the India COVID-19 emergency on the organization's website.

According to a press release issued on Sunday, Sewa International, a nonprofit organization, sent an initial shipment of 400 oxygen concentrators and other emergency medical equipment to India as part of its "Help India Defeat COVID-19" campaign. The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin has since worked with the foundation to raise funds in the United States and by offering ways to donate, ABC News reported.

Officials in India reported 349,691 new COVID-19 cases and 2,767 new deaths on Sunday. President Joe Biden spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday and pledged that the US would immediately assist India in dealing with the crisis.

Indonesia Submarine: 53 Crew Members Confirmed Dead After Wreckage Found

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Matica Enterprises Inc. (CSE: MMJ) (FSE: 39N) (OTCQB: MMJFF) ("Matica" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Matica subsidiary RoyalMax Biotechnology Canada Inc. ("RoyalMax") DBA West Island Culture, has entered into a supply and packaging agreement with health Canada licence holder Green Gold Canada Inc. ("Green Gold"). Due to increasing demand for RoyalMax cannabis products management has entered in an agreement where Green Gold will provide additional packaging capacity. Further, Green Gold will produce pre-rolled product where RoyalMax will provide the cannabis flower for the finished product.

Matica CEO, Boris Ziger states, "As more provinces come online, additional capacity is quickly becoming a necessity in order to supply the ever increasing demand for our exceptional products." He goes to say that, "New strains and an increasing product mix mean that expansion is becoming a must."

Management continues to aggressively expand the Company's commercial and production footprint to additional Canadian provinces.

About Matica

Matica is a multi-faceted, innovative company in the Quebec cannabis space. Its subsidiary, RoyalMax Biotechnology Canada Inc. is a Dorval, Quebec based Health Canada Licence Holder with standard cultivation licence, standard processing, medical sales and sales licences. Matica continues to work with Yunify Natural Technologies, a Quebec based health and personal care research and innovation company to develop proprietary products for Matica and RoyalMax, including topicals and ionic mists. Through its acquisition of Trichome Treats, an award winning chocolatier, Matica and RoyalMax intend on introducing edibles into the RoyalMax product mix.

For more information on Matica Enterprises please visit the website at: www.maticaenterprises.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

MATICA ENTERPRISES INC.

Boris Ziger

Boris Ziger, CEO & Chairman

The Company's public filings are available for review at www.sedar.com and www.thecse.com.

For further information, please contact Boris Ziger, at:

Telephone: 416-304-9935

E-mail: info@maticaenterprises.com

Website: www.maticaenterprises.com, www.maticammj.com

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

Certain information in this press release may constitute forward-looking information. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. The Corporation assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to the Corporation. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in the Corporation's filings with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.

This news release contains statements about the Company's information that may be made available on the S&P Capital IQ Corporation Records Listing Program and the business of Matica that are forward-looking in nature and as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them as actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, except as required by law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. We seek Safe Harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81875
[April 27, 2021] RYAH Group Inc. To Commence Trading on the CSE on May 4, 2021, Under Ticker Symbol 'RYAH'

TORONTO, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via InvestorWire  RYAH Group Inc . (formerly Prime Blockchain Inc.) (the Company or RYAH), is pleased to announce that its common shares (Subordinate Voting Shares) will commence trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE) under the ticker symbol "RYAH" on May 4, 2021. A listing statement, prepared in accordance with the policies of the CSE, (the Listing Statement), has been filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and will be made available on the CSEs website. The information regarding RYAH in this press release is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed disclosure included in the Listing Statement. The announcement follows the Companys previously announced closing of a reverse takeover transaction (the Transaction) with Potbotics Inc. (Potbotics). The Transaction was effected by way of a triangular merger between the Company (formerly Prime Blockchain, Inc.), Potbotics, and a wholly-owned Florida subsidiary of the Company pursuant to the laws of the State of Florida. This is another major step in our journey in transforming patient care through our remote, connected devices and data analytics, to help unearth breakthrough discoveries that will reshape our understanding of plant-based medicines, nutraceuticals and beyond. We continue to live our mission and vision of delivering cutting-edge innovation to advance digital care and to provide shareholder and consumer value in all of our products and services, said Gregory Wagner , CEO of RYAH Group Inc. About RYAH Group, Inc.

RYAH is a company operating out of New York, which, directly and through its wholly-owned subsidiary RYAH Medtech Inc., is engaged in the development and commercialization of various innovative technology solutions (both software and hardware) for the plant-based medical industry. Since its formation, RYA Group Inc. has been focused on leveraging its know-how in predictive analytics to pioneer products to be used within its suite of vertically-integrated technologies, to provide users with added control over their health and wellness. As an emerging company, RYAH Group, Inc. is striving to establish itself as a leader in delivering innovative, user-friendly IoT devices in the plant-based medical industry. By utilizing its know-how in fields such as artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, Potbotics is moving towards building a portfolio of vertically-integrated products that facilitate harmonized data collection throughout the complete medical plant lifecycle, from seed to consumption.



Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements which constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect or similar expressions and includes, but is not limited to, statements about (i) the listing of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the CSE and the timing thereof, (ii) the Company being able to successfully execute its business strategy, (iii) internal expectations of the Company, (iv) the continued availability of capital and financing, and (iv) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect the Companys managements expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Resulting Issuer. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: (i) changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets, changes in applicable laws and regulations both locally and in foreign jurisdictions, (ii) compliance with extensive government regulation and the costs associated with compliance, (iii) the risks and uncertainties associated with foreign markets, and (iv) risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This forward-looking information may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of the Resulting Issuer and market conditions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended and such changes could be material. The Company does not intend, nor assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: RYAH Group Inc. For further information: Mr. Gregory Wagner C.E.O. and Director Telephone: 1-917-210-0543 Email: gwagner@ryah.com Corporate Communications:

InvestorBrandNetwork (IBN)

Los Angeles, California

www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com

310.299.1717 Office

Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com



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Swedish checkout credit colossus Klarna is not just Europe's most valuable start-up at an estimated $31billion, it's a verb too.

Rather than pay for something upfront using their debit card or put a big purchase on a credit card, increasing numbers of shoppers, especially younger ones, instead choose to 'Klarna' it.

That can mean paying for their clothes shop a month after they have purchased it, or spreading the cost over three, four or more weekly or monthly instalments with the promise of no interest.

Buy now, pay later platforms have signed up millions of users with offers of interest-free checkout credit

Although a small percentage of the online credit market, the buy now, pay later sector has been booming, and others wants a slice of it, however controversial it has proven to be.

Household names like John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Next have built or are in the process of building their own in-house deferred payment schemes, while retailers both on the high street and online have partnered with the likes of Klarna, PayPal, and Antipodean imports Clearpay, Laybuy and OpenPay.

And even if most of the providers which populate checkouts are imports, there are several home-grown versions which, even if you haven't heard of them, are hoping to cash in on the checkout credit craze.

These are Doncaster-based AppToPay, London-based Butter and Curve, which is based in Bristol and London.

How do these firms differ and what are there unique selling points? This is Money takes a look:

Butter: The 'original' British buy now, pay later provider

Claiming to be the original British BNPL provider, Butter, which comes with the tagline 'spread the cost', started life in 2017 as a service aimed primarily at travellers.

Founded by Timothy Davis, Nik Haukohl and Stefan Hobl four years ago, the company was previously called Pay Monthly Travel and then Sploor, and allowed borrowers to spread the cost of flights.

It still offers this, along with holidays, with breaks to the likes of Berlin, Istanbul and Oslo marketed as being available for under 20-a-month.

A return flight to Amsterdam from London Heathrow would cost 162.66 return, paid back over 10 instalments of 16.26 each.

Butter began life as a company called Pay Monthly Travel, and still lets borrowers spread the cost of flights over monthly instalments

Butter co-founder and chief executive Timothy Davis

However, with the coronavirus pandemic leading to a widespread grounding of international flights and a boom in online shopping, the company changed tack.

In July 2020, it changed its name to Butter, embraced the instalment checkout credit model which has become well-known thanks to the likes of Klarna, and raised 15.8million at the end of last month.

Although a relatively small and likely unknown name, with assets of just 2.06million at the end of 2019 per its latest accounts, it has already struck deals with some big high street names, including Argos, Asos, Currys PC World, IKEA, Smyths Toys and Zara.

Unlike some better-known BNPL providers, however, Butter cannot be used as a payment option on retailers' checkouts. Instead, users must download a mobile app and make purchases through there.

They can be spread over two, three or four instalments, and affordability checks are carried out beforehand with users having to provide their bank details through open banking and the reference agency Credit Kudos.

It charges no interest but late payment fees will see borrowers charged 12.

It has now pivoted into offering interest-free credit to shoppers in partnership with retailers like IKEA and Zara

AppToPay: The Doncaster-based family business

Founded in 2018 in Bawtry, a market town just south of Doncaster, AppToPay is a credit card and loan hybrid which developed out of a family clothing shop called Robinsons.

The concept, founder James Jones told This is Money, came from trying to sell 'considered purchases' like 1,000 Mulberry handbags 'for people with steady incomes who don't have a lump sum' to hand.

After an affordability check, again carried out through Credit Kudos, borrowers would be allocated a credit limit of up to 2,000, like a credit card.

AppToPay founder James Jones

AppToPay was launched after the experience of James Jones's family business, clothing shop Robinsons, in Yorkshire

However, all repayments are done on fixed monthly terms, of between two and 12 months, depending on how much borrowers can afford to pay back each month.

AppToPay is also fairly transparent with the potential drawbacks of missing payments, detailing at the bottom of its website that missed payments are subject to a 12 fee and 'all options other than an outright payment have a potential risk of damage to a credit score'.

AppToPay works as a hybrid between a credit card and a loan

The company is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and also bestows Section 75 credit card-style protections on borrowers, something This is Money reported could be more widely rolled out to the buy now, pay later sector.

Commenting on the more overt warnings on the site, Jones told This is Money 'people should be able to make an informed decision about what they're purchasing, both with AppToPay and the goods'.

The scheme is currently in a trial stage solely with Robinsons, with over 6,000 applications over the last two years, according to Jones, although not all are accepted as the trial is being 'funded off our own back'.

Although it is app-based, it is only available on in-store purchases, after which the app is downloaded and the purchase made through that, a process which takes 'about 25 seconds'.

He added: 'we're in rapidly progressing talks with a number of potential investors and strategic partners to allow us to expand our offering to consumers', but said he was unable to disclose more details at the moment.

Curve credit: The latest card in the wallet

Curve launched in 2016 and has become best-known as the 'card which lets you use multiple cards at once'.

At one point, briefly, it even became a way for people to use American Express cards in spots which otherwise did not accept Amex.

Since then it has broadened its product range, offering premium and metal cards with monthly fees and extra perks, and enabling people to rewind purchases in order to purchase them with a different card.

Curve lets users load multiple cards onto one app and choose which one to sync with a physical card

It is now trialling Curve Credit, which will let people pay back purchasers in instalments

Now, in order to muscle in on the pay later scene, it is trialling 'Curve Credit', which will allow 'customers to split any transaction into instalments with a single tap'.

Prospective customers can currently only join a waitlist, which does not require them to be a Curve customer.

Details remain fairly thin on the ground, but, according to Techcrunch, borrowers will either owe money back to Curve after making a purchase on the card, or to a different lender in a marketplace-style model.

The app-based card provider had 2million customers at the start of this year, although there has been persistent controversy over how many of them use those cards regularly.
Dieppe, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2021) - Colibri Resource Corporation (TSXV: CBI) ("Colibri" or the "Company") is very pleased announce the positive results of channel and grab samples reported yesterday by its potential partner Silver Spruce Resources (TSXV: SSE) at the Diamante 1 and Diamante 2 concessions when completing their due diligence on the Diamante Gold & Silver Project. Silver Spruce recently signed a Letter of Intent with Colibri Resource Corp. (TSXV: CBI) ("Colibri"), and its wholly-owned Mexican subsidiary, Yaque Minerales SA de CV ("Yaque"), to acquire up to 50% interest in four concessions with a cumulative land position of 1,057 hectares.

The Diamante Gold-Silver (Au-Ag) Project ("Diamante" or the Property") is a high potential - early stage precious metal property located 5 km northwest of the town of Tepoca, and 165 km southeast of the capital city of Hermosillo, eastern Sonora, Mexico. Diamante 1 is situated to the 180-ha El Mezquite project. Diamante 2, 700 metres south of Diamante 1, is located 1.6 kilometres northwest of the Company's 1,130-ha Jackie project.





Figure 1. Diamante 1 and 2 Concession Location Map. Note adjacent El Mezquite and Jackie Concessions. Nicho mine development by Minera Alamos located 12 km SE of Diamante.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/81912_1f76eb0514d3e815_001full.jpg

Due Diligence

Silver Spruce sent a team of two geologists to the Diamante Concessions to verify the known targets and carry out preliminary rock sampling (Figure 2). The sample data and assays from rock samples collected at five of the targets (Calton, El Cumbro, El Cazo-La Olla, La Prieta and El Chon) are reported below in Tables 1.

Table 1. Selected precious metal, base metal and pathfinder element assays from due diligence samples



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/81912_img1.jpg





Figure 2. Due diligence sampling of silicified breccia at El Chon artisanal workings - Diamante 1.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/81912_1f76eb0514d3e815_003full.jpg

Project Geology

Diamante 1 and 2 include more than ten known occurrences at La Prieta-El Aguaje, El Chon-El Pillado, La Olla, La Cruz and El Caso, Mezquite Raizudo, El Puerto, El Cumbro, Calton and the Southern Anomaly. The target location maps and sampling highlights were provided previously (see Press Release - Feb 24, 2021). Sampling highlights from areas of interest on the Diamante concessions, some with artisanal mining, have reported significant values of precious and base metals (Au, Ag, Pb, Zn) in individual samples collected from historical mine dumps, small-scale processing slag, and assays from vein (veta) and stockwork style mineralization.

The Property exhibits geological features of epithermal low to intermediate sulfidation Ag-Au (Pb-Zn), high sulphidation Au-Cu, and potential transition to porphyry style Au-Cu. Precious and base metal polymetallic mineralization occurs as disseminated, stockwork and vein styles accompanied by silicification (with quartz veining), and phyllic, argillic, advanced argillic (quartz-alunite-pyrite) and propylitic (chlorite) zones, with near-surface overprinting by oxidation, jarosite and vuggy silica.

Mineralization is reported as pyrite, chalcopyrite and galena, and probable secondary base metal oxides, carbonates and sulphates, including copper carbonate (malachite) and copper sulphates with jarosite, commonly is coincident with alteration, iron oxide and oxyhydroxide (hematite, goethite and limonite) staining, and structural lineaments identified in the historical exploration. Six known vein systems correspond to ENE, NE and NW orientations.

About Colibri Resource Corporation:

Colibri is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX-V (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. The Company has four additional projects, Pilar Gold & Silver Project (optioned to Tocvan Ventures (CSE: TOC), El Mezquite Gold & Silver Project , Jackie Gold & Silver Project, and the Diamante Gold & Silver Project (earn-in agreements with Silver Spruce Resources (TSXV: SSE) are also currently being actively advanced.

For more information about all Company projects please visit: www.colibriresource.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.

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.

For further information: Ronald J. Goguen, President, Chairperson and Director, Tel: (506) 383-4274, rongoguen@colibriresource.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/81912
COMPANIES

Raytheon offers upbeat forecast

Raytheon Technologies launched just as the COVID pandemic started, a year later it offers a different outlook

Raytheon Technologies as the world knows it today officially opened for business in early April of last year, just as the world was in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.

The company also had a very stark outlook for itself and the overall commercial aerospace market at the time.

One year later: the vaccines are rolling out and the company is hopeful of a recovery for its commercial aerospace business that was significantly disrupted by COVID-19 ever since.

During Raytheons first quarter earnings call with investors Tuesday, executives conceded their revised and slightly more upbeat sales outlook for the year remains contingent on the pace of vaccines being taken and passenger travel continuing to tick up.

"While it is still early in the year, the rate of vaccine distribution and signs of travel recovery within key domestic markets, specifically the U.S. and China, are better than what we expected just three months ago," CEO Greg Hayes told analysts, adding the daily air travel passenger numbers this month so far are double over what they were in January.

The company now sees full-year revenue of $63.9 billion-to-$65.4 billion, which suggests organic growth of between 1 and 3 percent. Both are nudges up from the low end of prior ranges, respectively $63.4 billion and flat.

Raytheon bids farewell to long-time leader Tuesdays call also saw Hayes give a farewell message to the retiring Tom Kennedy, the soon-to-be former executive chairman of the board of directors and CEO of old Raytheon before the merger of that company with United Technologies Corp. It was just over two years ago that Dr. Kennedy called me to suggest that we merge our two companies. He could see then that in combining our talent, technologies and capabilities, that we would have the breadth and scale to meet any challenge in aerospace and defense," Hayes said. Little did either of us realize then of course how quickly a global pandemic would put that value proposition to the test, and yet here we stand today one-year post merger. Weve made substantial progress not only in integrating the two heritage companies, but also in managing through an unprecedented downturn in commercial aerospace, all the while identifying new technology synergies and establishing an operational rhythm that allows us to meet many of the goals sooner than we had expected just about a year ago. So I want to thank Dr. Kennedy for his leadership, partnership and stewardship throughout this merger and congratulate him on a distinguished 38-year career with Raytheon. We wish you well, Tom.

But the defense side of Raytheon remains a similar story that it has been for 13 months. Hayes highlighted to analysts the companys roughly $65 billion defense backlog as of the quarters end.

Raytheon is recognizing cost synergies from the merger. Hayes told analysts that number is $440 million so far and the company has raised its expectation to $1.3 billion in savings from the prior $1 billion outlook, though he added they dont think were done yet on that four-year synergy effort.

The biggest opportunities we still have are on the digital front, where we have a lot of work to do to reduce the number of data centers, Hayes said. We just made a big investment to try and reduce the data centers from more than 30 to less than a dozen.

Were also working on the digital thread: how do you connect everything from product development, through operations, supply chain and sustainment, he said.

Hayes cautioned the effort will be a complex undertaking for Raytheons 178 manufacturing facilities around the world, all of which the company wants to eventually be on a single common operating system. Hence this other comment from Hayes regarding synergies: Its too early to declare victory.

More details to come from Raytheon at a May 18 investor day. They have a four-hour program planned.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has reached a $242,000 settlement with a factory farm and a manure applicator to resolve pollution violations stemming from manure spills several years ago.

Kaul announced the settlements with K&D Manure Handling Inc., its owner, Kevin Hintz, and Wild Rose Dairy LLC in a news release. He brokered the deals earlier this month.

The settlements resolve state Justice Department allegations that Wild Rose and K&D caused manure spills in Otter Creek in Vernon County in 2017 and 2019, resulting in significant fish kills each time. The agency also alleged that K&D and Hintz caused a spill in Bostwick Creek in La Crosse County in 2019.

Republican lawmakers passed a lame-duck law in 2018 that requires Kaul to get permission from the Legislatures GOP-controlled budget committee before he can enter into settlements.

Kaul got around that requirement by brokering the deals without filing a lawsuit.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Pollution Agribusiness Wisconsin
Missing Link Review: 2003 Toyota Alphard Electric-and-gasoline Hybrid Mini Van

By Justin Gardiner Japan Today

French movie star Jean Reno, aka "Mr Alphard," launched Toyota's flagship people carrier almost exactly a year ago. At that time, it was only offered with 3-liter V6 and 2.4-liter straight 4 gasoline engines, recent environmental legislation having reduced the attraction of diesels. Although they are not particularly inefficient engines, thanks to their BEAMS technology, they are, in fact, far more environmentally friendly than standard units. When coupled to a two-ton vehicle with all the aerodynamic grace of a barn, they became gas guzzlers, returning around 9 kilometers/liter, according to Toyota, but less than half of that in the real world.

Hence, this hybrid version, launched just over a month ago, and featuring the same technology as the 100 miles-per-gallon, 35.5km/L Toyota Prius. While the hybrid Prius has just a 1.5-liter engine, the Alphard is powered by the standard 2.4-liter, plus two electric motors, one up front, and one nestling above the rear axle. In a system that Toyota calls E-Four, the van is ordinarily a front-engined, front-wheel drive machine, but automatically becomes 4WD, or even (electric only) rear-wheel drive, depending on driving conditions.

Special attractions The first indication that this van is a bit special comes when you turn the ignition key. Initially it appears that nothing has happened, but if you listen carefully, the faint hum of electric motors can be picked up and the gas motor is just about audible. Select drive, release the brakes and away you whoosh, almost silently, under electric power. A digital display on the dashboard lets you know what's going on: power from the van's huge battery is turning the front wheels. Touch the accelerator and a second yellow arrow points from the display's virtual battery to the rear motor, doubling your power.

Depressing the throttle still further cuts out the yellow arrows, but an orange arrow to the front wheels appears in their place, indicating that the gas engine is now taking the load. Floor the pedal and the electric motors cut back in, providing the driver with all the power the machine can muster.

Fascinating-if not downright distracting-stuff, especially when the driver lifts off the throttle and the arrows reverse and turn green, showing that the van's forward momentum has turned the motors into dynamos, and the battery is now recharging, ready for the next stop-start. The upshot of this is not only that drivers spend less time watching the road ahead (bad thing), but that they end up trying to drive without using the gasoline engine as much as possible (good thing), resulting in smooth, highly economical journeys. Transitions between gasoline and electric power would be all but undetectable without that display, and the Alphard's silky smooth ride is compounded by its continuously variable automatic transmission, which keeps the gasoline engine at an even speed, and therefore, engine note, at all road speeds. Altogether, the hybrid system is capable of pushing out over 170PS; 131 from the engine, 17 from the front motor and 25 at the rear, which is enough to provide surprisingly sprightly acceleration for very little effort and to keep the van humming along at 140km/h on the highways.

Another added bonus of all that electric power is the three 100V AC power outlets, one between the front seats, one facing the second row of passengers, and the third in the trunk ready to power camping and outdoor gear. Each can knock out a belting 1500W, enough to run a hair dryer, though the engine does need to be started first. As with most three-row, eight-seater vans, all seats can be folded down to form a mammoth bed, and the center row slides backwards and forwards and spins, allowing the rear occupants to face each other. The rearmost row can also move fore and aft, or be folded out of the way, to increase luggage space.

Unlike most other people carriers, the center seats have fold-down trays in their backs for the back seat passengers, prompting wittier ones to look under their seats for flotation devices and to search the ceiling for oxygen masks. Nonsmokers can remove the circular ashtrays, thus doubling the number of cup holders, or use the separate rear air-conditioning to clean their space of second-hand smoke. Also, unusually for this class, there are slide doors on both sides, which for an additional 120,000 can be opened remotely. Airbags are of course fitted as standard up front, but the family man's pretty much essential "optional extra" of side and curtain airbags costs an additional 85,000.

Creature comforts Not that Alphards are being bought exclusively by families. The space and level of comfort inside equals or exceeds that of Lexus or Mercedes limousines, so it is hardly surprising that large companies and government ministries are adding them to their fleets. Starting at 3.6 million, only 20 percent more expensive than their all-gasoline stablemates, hybrid Alphards make financial sense, too.

We didn't come close to Toyota's claimed mileage in our long weekend of city driving, but we still managed just under 10km for every liter of regular octane gasoline-about double what could be expected from the petrol versions. And don't forget, vehicles that fail to qualify for at least three stars on the government's new emissions rating system will incur penalty taxes from 2010. The ultra-green Alphard, of course, passed with flying colors.
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NEW DELHI  India recorded more than 320,000 new cases of coronavirus infection Tuesday as a grim surge of illness and death weighed on the country and its sinking health system started getting much-needed support from foreign nations.

Tuesdays 323,144 new infections raised Indias total past 17.6 million, behind only the United States. It ended a five-day streak of recording the largest single-day increases in any country throughout the pandemic, but the decline likely reflects lower weekend testing rather than reduced spread of the virus.

The health ministry also reported another 2,771 deaths in the past 24 hours, with roughly 115 Indians succumbing to the disease every hour. The latest fatalities pushed Indias deaths to 197,894, behind the U.S., Brazil and Mexico. Experts say even these figures are probably an undercount.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi tweeted photos Tuesday of the first shipment of medical aid India received from Britain. It included 100 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators.

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Other nations including the U.S., Germany, Israel and Pakistan have also promised medical aid. The countries have said they will supply oxygen, diagnostic tests, treatments, ventilators and protective gear to help Indias crisis, which World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called beyond heartbreaking.

The surge, spurred by new variants of the coronavirus, has undermined the governments claims of victory over the pandemic. The country of nearly 1.4 billion people is facing shortages of space in intensive care wards. Hospitals are experiencing oxygen shortages and many people are being forced to turn to makeshift facilities for mass burials and cremations.

Indias top health official on Monday urged Indians to wear masks at home to prevent the spread of the virus. Its time people start wearing masks inside their homes as well, said Dr. V.K. Paul, the head of a government committee on medical emergency preparedness.

India has also called on its armed forces to help. Indias chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Bipin Rawat, said oxygen supplies will be released from armed forces reserves and its retired medical personnel will join health facilities to ease the pressure on doctors.

Meanwhile, in a bid to tackle the shortage of beds, authorities are turning to train carriages which have been converted into isolation wards. India has also started airlifting oxygen tanks to states in need. Special trains with oxygen supplies are also running in the country.

France is sending breathing machines, ICU gear and eight oxygen generators in a shipment expected to be sent later this week. Each generator can equip a hospital of 250 beds for several years, French President Emmanuel Macrons office said.

France will also send breathing machines, pumps and containers of liquid medical oxygen aimed at helping up to 10,000 patients per day, according to the French Foreign Ministry.

The White House was moving to share raw materials for the AstraZeneca vaccine by diverting some U.S. orders to the Serum Institute of India. White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients told The Associated Press the administration was working on other requests for personal protective equipment, tests and oxygen supplies.

In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:

 Japan will set up a large vaccination center in Tokyo and Osaka beginning in late May in a bid to speed up its snail-paced inoculation campaign so that at least the elderly people will finish their second shots by the end of July, officials said Tuesday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters a Tokyo vaccination center will be set up as early as May 24 to give shots for about three months. Details for the Osaka center are still being decided. Each will use the Moderna vaccine, whose approval by the health ministry is expected in May. Inoculations so far have covered only about 1% of Japanese people. Japan started its third state of emergency in Tokyo, Osaka and two neighboring areas Sunday to curb a rapid resurgence of the virus three months ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

 Sri Lanka on Tuesday closed schools in the capital and suburbs for four days and made work-from-home plans for state workers to contain a growing outbreak. After weeks of reporting fewer than 300 new cases daily, Sri Lanka confirmed 997 during the past 24 hours. Most were in the Colombo district that includes the capital. Health officials have warned of an expected increase because people engaged in crowded celebrations and shopping during the traditional new year festival that fell on April 14. From Tuesday, half of state employees would be called to offices while the balance would work from home. Already, the government has imposed lockdowns on nearly a dozen of villages in different parts of the country.

 Philippine officials are assessing whether to extend a monthlong lockdown in the Manila region amid a grim spike in cases or relax it to fight a recession, joblessness and hunger. The country has recorded more than 1 million cases, including more than 16,800 deaths. A spike last month prompted President Rodrigo Dutertes administration to reimpose a lockdown in the Manila region, where several hospitals reported being overwhelmed. Cabinet officials and medical experts are to meet Tuesday to recommend whether to continue the lockdown, and Duterte may announce the decision Wednesday.

 Australia will halt flights from India for two weeks due to its virus surge. Prime Minister Scott Morrison also announced Australia will give India 509 ventilators and 100 oxygen concentrators with tanks as well as personal protection equipment. Morrison said further aid would follow. Morrison announced last week plans to reduce the number of Australian citizens and permanent residents returning from India by 30%. But the number of travelers testing positive in Australian hotel quarantine jumped from 90 to 143 in a week, Morrison said.

 South Korean President Moon Jae-in has met with the CEO of Maryland-based Novavax and promised to push for swift approval of the companys coronavirus vaccine that will be produced through a local biotech firm. South Korean officials hope that SK Biosciences manufacture of the Novavax vaccine will help ease concerns over possible supply shortages in coming months. According to officials, SK Bioscience is contracted to manufacture 40 million doses of Novavax vaccine this year. Production could begin in June and as many as 20 million shots could be delivered through September, all of which will be used locally, they say. SK Bioscience is already producing vaccine developed by AstraZeneca at its factory in the southern town of Andong. South Korea hopes to obtain 190 million doses of coronavirus vaccines this year through deals with pharmaceutical companies and the World Health Organization-backed COVAX program. Around 2.4 million South Koreans have received their first doses as of Tuesday. Officials hope to vaccinate 70% of the countrys 51 million people by November.
Last week was big for new Apple releases. From AirTags to a purple iPhone, there are lots of new things for people to buy. But those with older iPhones werent forgotten; with new products come new iOS software, and todays 14.5 update brings lots of new and improved features for all iPhones that are 6S or newer.

The biggest change is App Tracking Transparency. All apps are now going to have to ask your permission before tracking your data across apps and websites for advertising or sale to data brokers.

You can now unlock your iPhone with your watch if youre wearing a mask.

We all know that Facebook, Google and other major advertisers are tracking us wherever we go, but theres a difference between knowing and having an app ask detailed permission to be creepy in order to sell you stuff. Up to 68 per cent of users are expected not to opt in ad tracking, according to AdWeek, and its going to be interesting to see how that changes mobile advertising in the future.

Siri no longer has a default voice. Before users were just given the female Siri voice on setup, but now new users will be asked if they want voice 1 or 2, no longer specifying the sex of the disembodied robot. This change comes two years after the UN released a report showing that AI assistants defaulting to female-sounding voices and names further entrenched gender inequality.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 23:46:20|Editor: huaxia

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BRUSSELS, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Over 3,500,000 vaccine doses have been administered in Belgium since the start of the vaccine rollout, said Sabine Stordeur, member of the country's Vaccination Task Force, on Tuesday.

"With 3,500,000 administered vaccines, we have achieved 30 percent vaccination coverage with a first dose," Stordeur said in a press conference.

The vaccination program is already containing the spread of the virus in some working sectors, according to a report based on a study carried out jointly by Hasselt University, KULeuven, and the Institute of Public Health Sciensano on the risks of infections at work.

There is a significant drop in COVID-19 cases in areas where there are high numbers of vaccinated people, according to the report.

The vaccine rollout is gaining momentum in Belgium, with nearly 900,000 vaccine doses expected to be delivered this week. Vaccinations are now being extended to pregnant women, prison officers as well as Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

"Pregnant women have an increased risk of serious infection with COVID-19 and preterm delivery. That's why we're giving them the opportunity earlier to get vaccinated against COVID-19," said Stordeur.

To date, Belgium has recorded a total of 976,088 COVID-19 cases and 24,065 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

Globally, 276 candidate vaccines are still being developed in countries including Germany, Britain, China, United States and Russia, according to data provided by the World Health Organization on Tuesday. Enditem
[April 27, 2021] Southeastern Grocers Raises More Than $461,900 for Children's Hospitals Across the Southeast

Southeastern Grocers, Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, together with generous customers and associates, is donating more than $461,900 to eight children's hospitals in the Southeast. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005278/en/ Southeastern Grocers, together with generous customers and associates, is donating more than $461,900 to eight children's hospitals in the Southeast. (Photo: Business Wire) As part of its ongoing commitment to serve local communities, SEG launched a community donation program on March 31 to support some of the nation's top children's hospitals. Customers at all Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi rounded up their grocery bills to the nearest dollar to benefit the eight pediatric care facilities. Anthony Hucker, President and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said, "We are tremendously proud to be part of a community of associates, customers and partners that care passionately about our neighbors in need. It is because of their kindnessand generosity that we are able to support our local children's hospitals with a donation that will truly make a difference and offer hope to families going through trying times. Through this donation, we continue to build stronger, healthier communities, together."



The donations received through SEG's community donation program will be given directly to the following eight children's hospitals to support each hospital's pediatric specialties, family centered support, therapeutic activities, research, child advocacy and additional programs: Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children - Orlando

Children's of Alabama - Birmingham, Alabama

Children's of Mississippi - Gulfport, Mississippi

Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida - Fort Myers

Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital - St. Petersburg

Nicklaus Children's Hospital - Miami

Studer Family Children's Hospital - Pensacola

Wolfson Children's Hospital - Jacksonville As a people first organization, this community donation program benefiting the eight children's hospitals is an expansion of SEG's commitment to serving its young neighbors in need. SEG is also a proud partner of Ochsner Hospital for Children and has donated more than $260,000 to the hospital since the beginning of their partnership in 2017.

About Southeastern Grocers

Southeastern Grocers, Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is one of the largest conventional supermarket companies in the U.S. SEG grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies serve communities throughout the five southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie are well-known and well-respected regional brands with deep heritages, strong neighborhood ties, proud histories of giving back, talented and caring associates and strong commitments to providing the best possible quality and value to customers. For more information, visit, www.frescoymas.com, www.harveyssupermarkets.com and www.winndixie.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005278/en/

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After more than a year without cruises, it looks like vacations at sea may finally become available for U.S. residents in the Caribbean and elsewhere this summer as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

But unlike before COVID-19, cruisers wont be able to hop on ships in U.S. ports just yet. Instead, theyll have to fly to the Caribbean if they want to cruise in June, July or August.

Several cruise lines are selling summer cruises to U.S. residents in the Mediterranean as well, though some still lack approvals from countries. Theres progress though: In late April, the European Commission announced it would allow American tourists who have been vaccinated to visit Europe this summer, though no timeline was given.

Heres where ships are going plus advice on whether you can cruise safely.

IS IT SAFE TO CRUISE?

According to CDC recommendations, the answer is no.

As of early April, vaccinated people can safely travel domestically by air, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the health agencys Level 4 warning  its highest  against cruise travel remains in place, citing the increased risk of getting COVID-19 on a cruise ship. The CDC recommends all people avoid travel on cruise ships worldwide.

Cruising in the Caribbean at this stage in the pandemic is a bad idea, according to Dr. Michael Callahan, director of the Clinical Translation, Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, who worked on the Diamond Princess and Grand Princess COVID-19 evacuations last year. Hes particularly worried about COVID-19 variants emerging in the Caribbean and the potential for cruise travel to spread those variants to countries with low vaccination rates and testing and hospital capacity.

Though testing before travel and requiring vaccinations can reduce risk to cruise passengers and crew, the protocols do not create an immunity bubble, he said, noting that tests and vaccines will not block everyone who has the virus.

Adding several partially effective steps to prevent infected passengers from boarding a cruise ship is not prevention, its risk reduction, he said.

That said, cruise companies have announced new pandemic cruising protocols that passengers will have to follow. In addition, Caribbean countries have their own evolving COVID-19 testing and quarantine requirements for visitors.

What if Im vaccinated?

If someone decides to take a cruise and is fully vaccinated, the CDC recommends they get a PCR test three to five days before the cruise. (Many countries require this; be sure to check.)

Dr. Mary Jo Trepka, an infectious disease epidemiologist and professor at Florida International University, said the number one way to lower the risk of getting COVID-19 on a cruise ship is to make sure everyone on board, both passengers and crew, is vaccinated. Still, the risk of getting COVID-19 in airport terminals while traveling to the ship and while on board remains. Other factors like the travelers underlying health conditions, the companys mask requirements, and the vaccination and hospitalization rates in the countries the cruise will be visiting are all important to consider, too, she said.

Theres nothing a pathogen likes more than a place crowded with humans, she said. Its a question of what someone is willing to tolerate.

Callahan recommends anyone considering taking a cruise this summer get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within 60 days of boarding the ship and take an antibody test within the month before boarding. If possible, he recommends passengers make reservations for meals and onboard activities that include only the people in their travel group, and avoid mixing and mingling with people outside their group, especially in settings like multi-story promenades. He recommends passengers wear masks at all times outside their cabin and prioritize cruises to nowhere over cruises with port calls.

What if Im not vaccinated?

If youre not fully vaccinated, the CDC recommends getting a PCR test three to five days before the cruise; afterward, you should stay home for seven days even if you test negative.

If youre not fully vaccinated and you dont test prior to your sailing, the CDC recommends you stay home for 10 days after your cruise.

If someone recovered from COVID-19 in the last three months decides to cruise, they do not need to be tested or stay home unless they have COVID-19 symptoms.

Where and when can I cruise?

 Beginning in June, Royal Caribbean Group plans to launch seven-night cruises on its Adventure of the Seas ship from Nassau, The Bahamas, visiting Cozumel, Mexico, Grand Bahama Island and the companys private island in the Bahamas and seven-night cruises on Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Millennium ship from Phillipsburg, St. Maarten, visiting Curacao, Aruba and Barbados.

In July, Royal Caribbean Group plans to launch seven-night cruises from Bermuda on its Vision of the Seas ship visiting its private island in the Bahamas and Carnival Corporations Seabourn plans to launch six-night and 13-night cruises from Barbados on its Seabourn Odyssey ship visiting Grenada, St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua, St. Maarten, Jost Van Dyke and Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

 Also in June, Windstar plans to launch seven-night cruises on its Star Breeze ship from St. Maarten visiting Anguilla; Jost van Dyke, Sopers Hole, Tortola, Norman Island and Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands; and Saint Barthelemy.

 In July, Crystal Cruises plans to launch seven-night cruises on its Crystal Serenity ship from Nassau and Bimini, The Bahamas, visiting Bahamian islands of Harbour Island, Great Exuma, San Salvador Island and Long Island.

 In August, Norwegian Cruise Line plans to launch six-night cruises on its Norwegian Joy ship from Montego Bay, Jamaica, visiting its private beach in Belize, Roatan, Honduras, Cozumel, Mexico and Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and six-night cruises on its Norwegian Gem ship from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, visiting Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten and Antigua.

In addition, several U.S. cruise lines are booking Americans on cruises in the Mediterranean. To date, only a handful of Western European countries have said they will allow Americans to cruise  though restrictions may soon be loosened for those who are vaccinated.

Which lines require vaccines?

 Royal Caribbean Group, including Celebrity Cruises, will require all crew and passengers over 18 to have completed their COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days before embarkation with vaccines authorized for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO).

 Windstar will require all passengers to have completed their COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days before embarkation using any vaccine approved by the passengers home country. It will not require crew to be vaccinated.

 Crystal Cruises will require all passengers to have completed their COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days before embarkation using vaccines approved by the country passengers are entering to get on the cruise. It will not require crew to be vaccinated.

 Norwegian Cruise Line will require all crew and passengers to have completed their COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days before embarkation using vaccines authorized for use by the FDA, WHO, or the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

 Carnival Corporations Seabourn will require all crew and passengers to have completed their COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days before embarkation

Are COVID tests required?

Many of the countries where cruises are launching this summer require COVID tests. Be sure to check requirements.

As for the cruise lines:

 Royal Caribbean Group, including Celebrity Cruises, will require passengers under the age of 18 to provide proof of a negative RT-PCR test result. The company did not set a time frame for the test.

 Windstar will administer a free COVID-19 antigen test for all passengers at the pier prior to boarding. A negative test result is required to board.

 Crystal Cruises will require passengers to provide proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than five days prior to arriving in the Bahamas, as required by the country.

 Norwegian Cruise Line will require all passengers to take a COVID-19 antigen test prior to boarding and receive a negative result.

 Seabourn has not yet announced its testing requirements.

Will ships sail full?

 Royal Caribbean Group, including Celebrity Cruises, has not yet announced at what capacity its ships will be operating.

 Windstar cruises will be operating at less than 80% this summer.

 Crystal Cruises will operate its Crystal Serenity ship with around 900 passengers, down from its regular occupancy of 980.

 Norwegian Cruise Line will operate its ships at reduced capacity. The company did not specify how full the ships will be.

 Seabourn will operate its ship at lower capacity, but did not specify what capacity.

Will masks be required onboard?

 Royal Caribbean Group, including Celebrity Cruises, has not yet decided whether passenger will be required to wear masks.

 Windstar will require passengers to wear masks indoors in public spaces except when eating and drinking.

 Crystal Cruises will require passengers to wear masks in restaurants before being seated, show lounges, casino, fitness center, elevators, ship tenders, shoreside terminals and tour dispatch areas.

 Norwegian Cruise Line will require passengers to wear masks while indoors except for in their rooms and while eating and drinking in restaurants, bars and lounges, and outdoors when social distancing is not possible.

 Seabourn will require passengers to wear masks whenever physical distancing cannot be maintained both on board and during excursions.

What happens if theres an outbreak?

 Royal Caribbean Group, including Celebrity Cruises, will end a cruise immediately if a certain threshold level of COVID-19 is detected onboard the ship. The company did not specify what that threshold is and how it will evacuate passengers and crew.

 Windstar said the company is setting aside rooms for isolation and quarantine on board and will comply with all government requirements at the time and place of the outbreak.

 Crystal Cruises said the company is currently developing evacuation and repatriation plans with guidance from each destinations health departments.

 Norwegian Cruise Line said it has a thorough mobilization and response plan in case of an outbreak to treat sick passengers and crew and get people home safely. The company did not provide more detail.

 Seabourn did not provide plans for what it will do in the case of an outbreak.

___

(c)2021 Miami Herald

Visit Miami Herald at www.miamiherald.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday that it wont hear a case filed by Texas and 13 other states that seeks to revive a Trump-era public charge immigration rule, stating they need an opinion from a lower court first.

The issue before the courts stems from the Trump administrations decision to broaden the definition of the term public charge in 2019 to include noncitizens who rely, or will likely rely, on Medicaid, food assistance such as food stamps, housing assistance, and prescription drug benefits through Medicare Part D.

READ ALSO: NASA picks SpaceX to land first woman on Moon in 2024

Under current law, a public charge is any noncitizen who will likely become primarily reliant on certain government assistance programs  meaning that the programs provide more than half of their income. Immigrants deemed a public charge cannot receive a green card for citizenship.

In March, the Department of Homeland Security under President Joe Biden announced that it would no longer defend the Trump policy in court, dropping appeals originally filed by the Trump administration in several courts.

In 2019, New York led a coalition that filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking to block the expanded public charge rule. After a judge ruled for the plaintiffs, the Trump administration appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, which also ruled in favor of the coalition.

The Trump administration appealed that decision to the Supreme Court, which agreed to review the case before Bidens DHS decided to drop the appeals.

A separate challenge to the Trump policy, led by Cook County, Illinois, and an advocacy group, led to it being struck down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in 2020.

READ ALSO: Texas lawmakers consider bills to prohibit homeless encampments statewide

The 2019 public charge rule was not in keeping with our nations values. It penalized those who access health benefits and other government services available to them, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said.

Texas and 13 other states filed a lawsuit last month in the 7th Circuit, seeking to uphold Trumps expanded public charge rule and arguing that the Biden administration rescinded it without following the Administrative Procedure Act.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also claimed that without the Trump rule in place, our Medicaid budget and other vital services will explode and be spread too thin, costing taxpayers millions more and reducing the quality of service we can provide.

After their lawsuit was denied in that court, the 14-state coalition took the case before the nations highest court. The Supreme Courts decision Monday means that it won't immediately take up the case led by Texas, at least until a lower court weighs in.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
If anyone is going to be caught wearing silly costumes to the Academy Awards, its South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker. The masterminds behind the comedy central series are known for their shocking sense of humor, and they love nothing more than going against the grain.

So in the year 2000, when Parker was nominated for an award, the South Park writers decided to attend the ceremony in the most outlandish costumes they could find. And although they ended up wearing gowns, they initially planned on wearing giant duck outfits.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone | Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Matt Stone and Trey Parker went to the Oscars in dresses while on acid

In a typical rebellious fashion, Parker and Stone attended the Oscars wearing gowns while on acid. But they werent your typical gowns. The South Park writers attended the award ceremony wearing replicas of Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Lopezs dresses from the year before.

The Oscars is kind of everything were against, said Parker during an interview with Conan OBrien. So we were thinking, what should we wear? Should we wear chicken outfits? Or pirate costumes? The academy awards should be like a costume ball, said Parker. It would be a lot more fun.

The South Park writers were going to wear giant duck outfits to the Oscars

Throwback to when South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker showed up to the 2000 Oscars red carpet dressed up as Jennifer Lopez and Gwenyth Paltrow, and tripping on acid.



pic.twitter.com/sSKVVxuEWE  Lights, Camera, Pod (@LightsCameraPod) April 25, 2021

During the documentary titled The Making of South Park: Six Days to Air, Parker and Stone talked about the magical night.

Trey got nominated for Blame Canada, recalls Stone. And I think I went as your date, right? He asks Parker.

Adorably, Parker asked Stone to be his date to the award show. And, of course, the comedic duo had to go in the most outrageous costumes they could find.

We talked about big duck outfits, said Parker. And if were going in these big duck costumes, then they have a reason not to let us in. But if were wearing what everyone else is wearing, then they really cant say you cant come in.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone during 72nd Annual Academy Awards | Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images

I also remember just having to sit there in the actual Oscars, recalls Parker. And we were coming down from the acid. So we were simultaneously coming down, and youre now having to sit through the Oscars which f*cking suck.

There were people there who were like, Dude. This is my big night. F*ck you, says Stone. And that was the funniest thing to us, because we were like Really? Come on, this is such bullsh*t. Its Hollywood, like, lets rock! You know?

But we dont have any friends anymore, he continues. I wonder why

Did Trey Parker win the Oscar?

Trey Parker and Matt Stone during The 72nd Annual Academy Awards | Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc

Parker was nominated for his song Blame Canada from Bigger, Longer, and Uncut. But his song ultimately lost to Phil Collins, who had composed the Tarzan soundtrack that year. And as Parker and Stone reveal, Collins was not happy about the two showing up in dresses. Apparently, he actively showcased how angry he was during the award ceremony.

And in response, Parker and Stone made an entire South Park episode making fun of Collins, called Timmy! 2000.
China Eastern Airlines (China Eastern) has saved more than 600,000 tons of fuel oil and reduced about two million tons of carbon emissions in 2020, thanks to its efforts to improve operation efficiency and promote green development in recent years, according to the company's latest corporate social responsibility (CSR) report.

Last year, the airline introduced more than 1,000 new-energy vehicles for ground services and actively took part in market-based mechanisms for reducing carbon emissions and international affairs concerning global climate governance, extending its environmental protection efforts to various links in air and ground services.

As China marches towards its goal of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060, China Eastern is also ramping up efforts to shoulder its responsibility and play an active role in promoting the reduction of carbon emissions and push forward with sustainable development.

During this year's annual conference of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), President of China Eastern Liu Shaoyong, submitted a proposal suggesting formulating a plan for peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060 in China's civil aviation sector.

Trying to realize the vision of green and sustainable development, China Eastern has observed strictly regulations on carbon reduction of the global aviation industry, strengthened assessment management in all links of daily operations, and actively taken part in carbon emissions trading in Shanghai, European Union's carbon emissions trading, activities of the national carbon market of China and endeavors concerning carbon emissions of the civil aviation industry.

China Eastern also attended the online Aviation Green Recovery Seminar held by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and online discussions organized by the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), sparing no effort to explore approaches to and concrete measures for green and low-carbon aviation development.

In fact, in addition to promoting energy conservation and carbon emissions reduction, China Eastern has also actively integrated its development with social value in such aspects as the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic, resumption of work and production amid the pandemic, safe development, and intelligent services, in a bid to constantly push forward with sustainable development.

China Eastern was the first airline company to undertake a flight for international aid since the outbreak of the COVID-19. It has performed 24,000 transport flights of various types for the global fight against the COVID-19, carrying a total of nearly 23,000 medical workers and approximately 70,000 tons of supplies.

The company innovatively developed an application that enables passengers to report their health status, and ensured that none of the over 60 million passengers who took its flights last year was infected with the COVID-19 in the passenger cabin.

In an effort to facilitate China's economic recovery and global anti-epidemic efforts, China Eastern has launched charter flight services to help take workers from their hometowns to places they work, and converted passenger flights into cargo flights to carry cargoes to various international destinations.

While fighting against the pandemic together with people around the world, China Eastern, as one of the safest airlines in the world, has never stopped enhancing its overall capacity for guaranteeing safe trips and safe management. According to its new CSR report, last year, the company managed to maintain its record of zero serious accident for the tenth consecutive year.

While continuously upgrading its smart services to bring more convenience to people's air trips, China Eastern became the first airline to roll out the "fly at will" air ticket discount packages in China. In 2020, a total of 2.75 million air trips were made with these ticket packages, which have effectively boosted the recovery of China's aviation and tourism industry chains.

As the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates the global trend towards sustainable development, more and more Chinese enterprises attach greater attention to fulfilling their CSR, and take the initiative to publish CSR report in multiple languages to respond to the demands and expectations of international media, the public, and various stakeholders.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005551/en/

Contacts:

Liu Jianhao

zhangyun3@ceair.com

http://www.ceair.com/
Several Saturday Night Live cast members have aimed sly digs at Elon Musk in their Instagram stories, expressing annoyance that the CEO and 'Technoking' of Tesla has been selected to host the show next month.

After SNL announced on Saturday that Musk will host the May 8 episode, cast members Bowen Yang and Aidy Bryant posted Instagram Stories taking aim at the billionaire.

After Musk, known for his unique banter on Twitter, tweeted 'Let's find out how live Saturday Night Live really is,' Yang posted the tweet on Stories with the response 'what the f*** does this even mean'.

And hours after the hosting announcement, Bryant seemed to aim a subtle shot at Musk, the world's second richest man, by posting an old quote from Senator Bernie Sanders calling it a 'moral obscenity' that the 50 richest people in America own more than the bottom half combined.

Several Saturday Night Live cast members have aimed sly digs at Elon Musk in their Instagram stories, expressing annoyance that the Tesla CEO has been selected to host the show

Bowen Yang posted Musk's tweet on Stories with the response 'what the f*** does this even mean' after Musk tweeted: 'Let's find out how live Saturday Night Live really is'

Aidy Bryant seemed to aim a subtle shot at Musk, the world's second richest man, by posting an old quote from Senator Bernie Sanders

Andrew Dismukes, who became a featured player this season after serving as a writer since 2017, also joined in, joking 'Only CEO I wanna do sketch with is Cher-E Oteri' in reference to the former SNL star.

The snide remarks were made on Stories that disappear after 24 hours, but eagle-eyed fans took screenshots.

Musk's selection as host is unusual for Saturday Night Live, which typically taps actors, comedians and other entertainers.

In one notable exception, Donald Trump hosted in November 2015, as he was pursuing his presidential bid, in a move that cast members grew to rue and looked back on as 'embarrassing and shameful'.

Musk's scheduled May 8 appearance on Saturday Night Live builds upon his recent run of success.

Tesla's stock is worth nearly six times more than it was before the pandemic started, leaving Musk with an estimated fortune of $177 billion, second only to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, according to Forbes.

Andrew Dismukes, who became a featured player this season, also joined in, joking 'Only CEO I wanna do sketch with is Cher-E Oteri' in reference to the former SNL star

And his SpaceX recently a launched a mission that sent astronauts to the International Space Station.

SNL doesn't make a habit of having business executives host its show, but Musk is far from a stuffy corporate type.

He regularly jokes around on Twitter, where he has nearly 52 million followers and has gotten into legal trouble for making disparaging remarks about critics.

He also once hinted that he might lead a buyout of Tesla, with that nugget resulting in Musk being fined $20 million by stock market regulators.

Miley Cyrus will be the musical guest on the night Musk hosts. Fan reaction to Musk's selection was largely negative, though it is seen as a lucrative move that will likely draw curious viewers.

Though visionary, Musk has become a controversial figure on account of his out of the box business moves and his often ludicrous Twitter antics.

Though a surefire way to get eyeballs on the screen, many fans took issue with the tech wizard hosting, as they felt he didn't need more exposure as he boasts a net worth of $177B dollars

He has shot himself in the foot on more than one occasion after going off on everything from his Tesla stock pricing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In May 2020 he tweeted: 'Tesla stock price is too high imo,' which wiped $14B off the company's value, as angry people fired back that his statements caused them to lose thousands.

In response to the COVID-19 lockdown he tweeted 'FREE AMERICA NOW,' and some began to dub him 'Elon Mask.'

And the marijuana-toking business mogul jeopardized his business again when he made what he dubbed a joke on the novelty holiday 4/20, writing: 'Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured.'

That tweet garnered a lawsuit from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and required him to pay a $20M settlement fine, in addition to being forced to step down as chairman of Tesla's board of directors for three years.
This obituary is part of a series about people who have died in the coronavirus pandemic. Read about others here.

Erica Chang, who was born in Flushing, Queens, graduated from Texas A&M University in 2019 with dual degrees. She was a rising star in the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers and had contemplated a career in medicine, possibly as a doctor. But when the coronavirus struck, she decided instead to focus on how to better deliver care.

She made the career change to become a project manager, the society said in a statement, seeing the need for process improvements in the health care system, especially during a pandemic.

Ms. Chang, who lived in Katy, Texas, just west of Houston, died of complications of Covid-19 on April 6, said Khanh Vu, the chief executive and executive director of the society. She was 24.
Mobile subscription fraud continues to remain a big problem in South Africa, with almost one in every four carrier transactions in South Africa being fraudulent.

This is according to David Lotfi, CEO at anti-fraud cybersecurity firm Evina, who recently spoke to MyBroadband about the state of fraudulent carrier billing in the country.

Evina provides telecommunications companies, merchants, and payment gateways with proprietary DCB (Direct Carrier Billing) technology which helps prevent malicious mobile apps from making payments.

The firms cybersecurity honeypot network, and data retrieved by its cyber threat intelligence observations found that 23.53% of mobile traffic in South Africa was fraudulent in the first quarter of 2021.

Lotfi said that the right measures were needed to protect one of the most used payment mediums in Africas most advanced economy.

It should be difficult to subscribe mobile users to digital services without their consent, just as its difficult today to open a bank account or even obtain a post box without proper consent, said Lotfi.

Mobile fraud is facilitated in a number of ways, including through nefarious applications commonly available on app stores.

These include apps which disguise themselves with general features such as flashlights, new wallpapers, pedometer, file manager, and video maker apps.

The top 3 most download malicious apps in South Africa all fell under the productivity category.

These were PDF Reader, Free Document & PDF Scanner, and Docx Reader.

The image below shows a description of each app.

In South Africa, however, mobile users continued to be most at risk of a more basic method, called clickjacking.

This method tricks the user into clicking on a hidden payment button which is disguised as a different button to the eyes of the user.

According to Evinas latest South Africa Fraud Report, clickjacking made up 76% of the fraud types active in South Africa in Q1 2021.

It was followed by spoofing, which accounted for 8.2% of fraudulent transactions.

The chart provides a breakdown of the most common ways in which mobile subscription fraud is carried out.

Lotfi said that clickjacking was a very basic type of mobile-based fraud that was several years old, and could easily be blocked very quickly by mobile network operators .

He called on networks to grasp the bigger picture and the scale on which fraud impacts the entire business and mobile market.

The responsibility of reducing mobile subscription fraud worldwide relies on the MNOs of each country. They are the true dictators of the state of their mobile ecosystem, Lotfi said.

Lotfi advised mobile network operators to partner with a cybersecurity company to clamp down on fraud.

He said these companies must posses the following characteristics:

Must not rely on traffic acquisition as a source of business income. Some companies that offer cybersecurity protection are also digital merchants that depend on traffic growth, no matter its origin.

An anti-fraud company must be 100% focused on cybersecurity.

MNOs should look for a mobile payment expert that knows how to protect any type of billing flow on direct carrier billing and offline, from a USSD flow to an SMS flow.

Lotfi added that Evinas software was used in 60 markets across the globe, and secured more than sixteen million transactions per day.

One example of this was one major West African network operator with whom the company had worked decreased its fraud rate from 18% to 1%.

He added that the use of Evina software had led to a 99.94% decrease in fraudulent transactions detected.

The images below from Evinas South Africa Fraud Report show how victims fall prey to the three most common mobile fraud techniques.

Clickjacking

Spoofing

Bypass fraud
Armenia's armed forces will not participate in a NATO 'Defender Europe 21' military exercise, the country's Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

"Despite the official clarification made earlier, in response to inquiries that continue to be received from the media, we reiterate that the RA Ministry of Defense does not envisage the participation of RA Armed Forces units in the Defender Europe 21 military exercise of NATO," News.am cited the statement as saying.

Earlier, it was reported on the United States Army Europe and Africa official homepage that Armenia's Armed Forces will take part in the large-scale U.S.-Army led DEFENDER-Europe 21 military exercises, which will be held in spring-summer. At the moment, Armenia is not listed among the participants in the exercises, their number has decreased from 27 to 26.
All amounts expressed in US dollars

BAMAKO, Mali, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX)  Barrick Gold Corporations giant Loulo-Gounkoto gold complexs third underground mine has reached its first mining level and is scheduled to start delivering ore tonnes to the plant during the current quarter, president and chief executive Mark Bristow told a media briefing here today.



At the same time, a prefeasibility study has started on two more mines on the Loulo permit: an underground operation at Loulo 3 and a large open pit at Yalea South. These, Bristow said, would add mining sources and improve feed flexibility, providing further support for the complexs robust 10-year plan. Meanwhile exploration programs designed to replace depleted reserves are continuing to deliver good results.

The complex produced 193,014 ounces of gold in Q1 and is on track to achieve its full-year guidance of 640,000 to 700,000 ounces1. Given its strong performance and the relatively high gold price, the joint venture board paid a combined dividend for the Loulo-Gounkoto complex of $80 million in the quarter.

Covid-19 testing and care capacities were upgraded during the quarter through the acquisition of new equipment and the complex has been largely unaffected by the third wave of the pandemic.

Bristow said the complex was continuing to invest in the development of the local community. One of its latest initiatives is the Accelerator program, which trains smaller suppliers and service providers in all aspects of business to enable them to grow and diversify. In addition, they are mentored by some of Loulo-Gounkotos larger, long-established suppliers and contractors. Since the program was introduced eight months ago, 63% of the participants have diversified their revenue streams and 80% now have five-year growth plans and long-term goals.

Loulo-Gounkoto remains a pillar of the Malian economy as well as a driver of local economic development. Over the past 24 years, Barrick and its legacy company Randgold Resources have contributed $7.7 billion to the economy, of which $3 billion went to the state in the form of dividends, taxes and royalties. Our long partnership with the country and its people is a testament to how mutually beneficial a relationship of this kind can be, Bristow said.

Enquiries

President and CEO

Mark Bristow

+1 647 205 7694

+44 788 071 1386

Group Regional Manager, West Africa

Mahamadou Samake

+223 66 75 61 36

Investor and Media Relations

Kathy du Plessis

+44 20 7557 7738

Email: barrick@dpapr.com

Endnote 1

On a 100% basis.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

Certain information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release, including any information as to our strategy, projects, plans, or future financial or operating performance, constitutes forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words schedule, further, will, continue on track, guidance, initiatives, plans, goals, remain, would, could and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with respect to: Loulo-Gounkotos production guidance and performance; the development of the third underground mine at Gounkoto and expected commencement of production; the expected results of the prefeasibility study and anticipated benefits from two additional mines on the Loulo permit including new mining sources and improved feed flexibility in support of the Loulo-Gounkoto complexs 10-year plan; exploration programs at Loulo-Gounkoto to replace reserves depleted by mining; and Barricks commitment to Mali and investment in the development of local communities, including training and development programs.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions including material estimates and assumptions related to the factors set forth below that, while considered reasonable by the Company as at the date of this press release in light of managements experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, copper, or certain other commodities (such as silver, diesel fuel, natural gas, and electricity); the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation, and exploration successes; risk of loss due to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances; risks associated with projects in the early stages of evaluation, and for which additional engineering and other analysis is required; the expected timing for the completion of the prefeasibility study for two new mines on the Loulo permit; failure to comply with environmental and health and safety laws and regulations; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and approvals; uncertainty whether some or all of targeted investments and projects will meet the Companys capital allocation objectives and internal hurdle rate; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and/ or changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices, expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in Mali and other jurisdictions in which the Company or its affiliates do or may carry on business in the future; damage to the Companys reputation due to the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including negative publicity with respect to the Companys handling of environmental matters or dealings with community groups, whether true or not; risks associated with new diseases, epidemics and pandemics, including the effects and potential effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic; litigation and legal and administrative proceedings; employee relations including loss of key employees; increased costs and physical risks, including extreme weather events and resource shortages, related to climate change; and availability and increased costs associated with mining inputs and labor. Barrick also cautions that its guidance may be impacted by the unprecedented business and social disruption caused by the spread of Covid-19. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and gold bullion, copper cathode or gold or copper concentrate losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks).

Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Specific reference is made to the most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities for a more detailed discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements and the risks that may affect Barricks ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Barrick 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.
It became, for me, a way of shutting out what was going on  this kind of war raging outside, he says. These poems became this kind of meditative balm for what was happening, so much finger-pointing and chaos and terror and things collapsing  I heard this incredible text come to life in Mariannes voice. I would sit locked in my studio and I would just put it on for half the day; let it run for 10 hours, just looping up slabs of atmosphere and recordings Id done in churches and things like that, and just be absolutely in awe of the delivery of this text that Id often found fell really heavily on the page. I realised, this is the one: Marianne Faithfulls latest album was made with Melbourne musician Warren Ellis. Having miraculously survived her COVID coma  a very dark place, but certainly not her first near-death experience  Faithfull is no less enraptured with her collaborators work.

It is something Ive dreamed of making, she says. I couldnt do it until I got to know Warren and then I realised, this is the one. We both listened to a lot of records of people reading poetry with music behind it. And they were awful. They were pretentious. And all these things we didnt want. And I knew what I really wanted. I wanted the beautiful poetry that I had loved forever. And I wanted a really sort of ambient sound. It might have been that word that led Ellis to coax some ethereal contributions from Brian Eno. Nick Cave volunteered to add piano parts when he heard some work-in-progress over the phone. And then, Faithfull says with a laugh, we had a bit of an argument, me and Warren, because I insisted on having cello and Warren didnt see why we should have cello and I said, No, no, no. We must.

Of course they did, courtesy of French cellist Vincent Segal, but when it came to harpsichord Ellis held his ground. Oh, Id forgotten that, Faithfull chuckles. Yes, I did want harpsichord. God! I dont think weve got any on the record, have we? In the end, Ellis richly layered, slow-moving soundscape found a unique and compelling character which, like any good film soundtrack, nonetheless manages to melt into the scenery as the drama commands our attention. Faithfulls delivery is almost confronting in its urgency, even if most of her favourite poems do seem to be, in the opiated words of Mr Keats, Half in love with easeful Death. Oh, I do love that line, she says. I definitely know what that feels like. In truth, as much as the leading lady might insist on distance from her characters, its impossible not to hear her life echoing through these poems. Ellis claims she told him that even as a girl, she always identified herself with the sinful young woman who ends her life in the cold river beneath The Bridge of Sighs. The tragic fate of The Lady of Shalott is spookier still: lured from her sequestered tower to the glory of Camelot only to die at Lancelots feet. She seems a close relative to the lady Jagger and Richards imagined in As Tears Go By, the very song that led the convent girl from gentility  her mother, Eva, was an Austro-Hungarian aristocrat  to rocknroll damnation.

No, it wasnt really a wrong turn, she reflects on that fateful choice today, despite her loathed years of typecasting and manhandling as the pretty blonde folk-pop princess. It felt like it at the time but eventually I realised that it was OK. And I did want to make records and I really did enjoy it in the end ... Marianne Faithfull with Mick Jagger in Sydney in 1969. Credit:Fairfax Media I havent talked to Mick for years, she says. I think it took me a long time to sort of get over it. But Im very fond of Keith. And I do see Keith and I do talk to him. And hes wonderful. You know, I didnt really mean to do this but I think I must have hurt Mick much more than I realised. Just his ego alone, you know? I dont know. I have good memories. And he taught me a lot. He taught me a lot about the blues; about music. And how to make records and how to write songs. I learned so much from Mick and Keith. Im very grateful. Its a slight mellowing from the bitter subtext of her 1994 autobiography, Faithfull. Her overriding memory in the book is of her sacrificial role, the one that female performers have been battling since Ophelia was a girl. Yes, Faithfull played her too, in Tony Richardsons Hamlet of 1969. By that time her association with those degenerate Rolling Stones had seen her tried and convicted in the court of public opinion. All the hate letters  I believed them, she told me on one Australian tour, 10 years ago. I did think I was worthless. I did think I should be dead. Thats where that started, all that stuff about wanting to kill myself. What shocked me was the different values [applied] to the woman compared to the men. The men emerged unscathed, with an even cooler reputation, and I got it. I got the full punch. And I was so young.

It turns out that even her record-straightening book is just another role that was foisted, to some extent, upon her. I made him rewrite it three times, she says of her co-writer David Dalton. I got it as close to how I wanted as I possibly could. But he just didnt see it like I did. You know, Ive never been like I was projected, she says. I was never a very sexual person for instance, really. I just wasnt. And yet I was projected as if I was. And now, Im not a sort of tragic, feminine figure any more. Its a long, long time since I took any drugs, she adds. And I think that was something that went with that, you know. I did have a certain amount of pain in love in my youth. But on the other hand, I had some wonderful times with Mick. Yeah, it was difficult. But at the same time, it was great. Its clearly a time she returns to often. Warren Ellis tells of one Christmas lunch where she entertained his kids with the whole country house drug bust story of 1967. It was the most fantastic telling of a classic story, he says, like your great aunt has come to the house to regale you with stories of when she was younger, but it was a cautionary tale about drug-taking. I remember dropping her home. My son Roscoe was probably 14 or 15 at the time and we helped her up the stairs and into bed and when we got out of the apartment he looked at me and said, F---, shes awesome. Confined to her home in south-west London, Faithfull concedes its not likely that shell climb those Parisian stairs again. I dont know, darling, she sighs. I know I wont be able to do those tours any more. Im just not strong enough. I wont be able to travel. Its sad. I wont get to Australia again. Or America. If I do anything, it will be maybe five shows: London, Paris, Berlin and two other cities. And thatll be it.

In that light, nearly 60 years since she packed her school poetry books for that first bus tour of England, the realisation of She Walks in Beauty feels especially poignant. I think theres something incredibly moving about the vulnerability, and also in it just being Marianne Faithfull, Ellis says. Theres this defiance in it, you know? He recalls the making of Skeleton Tree, Nick Caves album in the wake of his son Arthurs death in 2015: Records where you see people up against something; where theyre looking to their creativity and their art to kind of drag them out of it, to come to their rescue, you know? Loading He also touches on the unspoken gravity that old age and infirmity bring to a project like this. Theres something [that happens], I guess, when youre aware that youre getting close to your last gasp. Making it count. Maybe we bring something to that. Were in this sort of uncharted time now, with great artists who have had these long careers and theyre able to kind of get a last word in. Its been a tough interview for Marianne Faithfull. Even with a five-minute break for a breather, half an hour of Zoom audio  I dont like to be looked at!  has taken its toll. Im very happy with it, she says of the album. I just hope that people like it. Im going through one of those moments of insecurity that you get, you know. I listened to it yesterday and I suddenly had this awful thought, Oh, God, what if people dont like it? Shes survived worse. Anyway, there always seems to be another album up her sleeve. I hope so, yeah! My lungs have been so badly damaged. I dont know if I really can. Im trying. I do singing practice once a week. And Ill go on doing that. But I dont know. I really dont know. When Im a bit better, I will go and sit at my desk and try and write some songs. And well see.
DUBLIN, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Rising Competitive Intensity in Indonesia's Data Center Colocation Services Market" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

To increase their presence, hyperscale cloud service providers, such as Alibaba, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services, along with the local cloud vendors, are expanding their infrastructure, operations, and availability across Singapore. With the extensive penetration of Internet connectivity, as well as a keen focus on cybersecurity and data privacy, the demand for data storage and managed hosting services is expected to grow exponentially across the country.



The demand for wholesale colocation from global cloud service providers will drive data center services revenue growth in Indonesia. The Indonesian data centers market is considered to be one of the primitive data center markets in the world. However, it is poised to experience exponential growth, due to increase in the migration of OTT participants in Indonesia, increase in IT spending, and deployment of 5G, which will drive the data centers market.

Enterprises are looking to increase data centers adoption to promote digital transformation across industry sectors through effective strategic partnerships with global and local data center vendors. The market is expected to be highly competitive in the near future, due to existing and new participants entering and enhancing their data center services. However, lack of data privacy laws can affect the growth in the region.



The government of Indonesia is focusing on improving the readiness of the country to support hyperscale data centers by enhancing telecommunications and network infrastructure. The BFSI sector is the primary driver of the demand for data center services, followed by over-the-top (OTT) participants/content service provider (CSPs).

As the demand for data centers services is rising, service providers are adopting innovative solutions such as data center infrastructure management, data center modernization, and edge or modular data centers to optimize operational workloads and enhance service delivery by limiting latency-related issues to create significant competitive differentiation in the market.



Key Features

Indonesia's data centers market forecast

data centers market forecast Key industry technology trends in Indonesia's data centers market

data centers market Addressable market opportunities for data center service providers

Expected growth rates and key drivers of growth for specific services areas

Driving and restraining factors that will shape the future of the market

Significant developments and growth opportunities in the data center services space in Indonesia

Competitive positioning of key participants in the market, along with their latest developments and initiatives

Key Topics Covered:

1. Strategic Imperatives

Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow?

The Strategic Imperative

Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Data Center Colocation Services Market

Growth Opportunities Fueling the Growth Pipeline Engine

2. Growth Opportunity Analysis - Indonesia Data Center Colocation Services Market

Data Center Colocation Services Market - Scope of Analysis

Data Center Colocation Services Market Ecosystem

Key Growth Metrics - Data Center Colocation Services Market

Key Data Center Locations

Market Overview

Growth Drivers - Data Center Services Market

Growth Driver Analysis

Growth Restraints - Data Center Services Market

Growth Restraint Analysis

Forecast Assumptions

Revenue Forecast

Revenue Forecast Analysis

Competitive Environment - Data Center Services Market

Competitive Landscape

3. Growth Opportunity Analysis - Indonesia Data Center Colocation Services Market

Growth Opportunity 1: Focus on Building Hyperscale Data Centers to Support Demand

Growth Opportunity 2: Operational Efficiency for Customer Value Enhancement

Growth Opportunity 3: Deployment of AI-enabled Data Centers for Enterprises

4. The Last Word



5. Next Steps

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xwj5i4

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

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The province has not yet fully promoted its role as a gateway for international trade through the Trans-Asia axis that connects with other regions in ASEAN region through the Moc Bai and Xa Mat gateways.

Traffic congestion

Many of those who travel regularly on Highway 22 that crosses through Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh province are most likely overwhelmed with the heavy traffic congestion. Along the 20 km stretch in Hoc Mon district, and the approximately 7 km section through Trang Bang Industrial Park, the road is perpetually jammed with all forms of vehicles, from container lorries, trucks, and smaller vans, making travel time longer and causing extreme environmental pollution. Due to the rapid increase in vehicular traffic in recent years, it can take three to four hours to cover a distance of 120 kms from Tay Ninh city to the center of Ho Chi Minh City.

This serious congestion on Highway 22 has affected opportunities to attract investments to Tay Ninh province, especially high-tech industries that produce electronic components for exports to other countries through ports in Ho Chi Minh City. At the same time, traffic congestion also affects tourists every weekend, especially those who visit the special national relic area of the Central Department of the South in Tan Bien district, close to the border with Cambodia, about 180 km from Ho Chi Minh City.

It is not just domestic tourists from Ho Chi Minh City and the Eastern and Southwestern provinces visiting Tay Ninh province that are affected, but also those who are travelling from Thailand and Cambodia through the Xuyen A or Trans-Asia axis, making it difficult for travel companies to exploit cross-border and inter-regional tours of the Southeast and Southwest regions. One travel business in Ho Chi Minh City said that five years ago, three days tour from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia on the weekend attracted many domestic tourists, but recently, the number of tourists has decreased due to the effects of the pandemic and a tedious time consuming journey.

Boost for whole region

The entire province of Tay Ninh currently has 8,282 kms of roadways, including 8,128 km of locally managed roads, 740 km of provincial roads, 376 km of urban roads and 7,012 km of rural roads. The Central Government manages 154 km roads covering three national roads, including Xuyen A road or Highway 22 from An Suong intersection to Moc Bai international border gate of about 59 km; Highway 22B and 22B from Go Dau to Xa Mat international border gate of 50 km; and the Ho Chi Minh road connecting Tay Ninh with the Central Highlands and Mekong Delta provinces, which is the section passing through Tay Ninh of 21.7 km. Although accounting for only 1.86% of the total length of the road system, these are important roads with great significance for the socio-economic development of Tay Ninh province.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ngoc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Tay Ninh province, believes the Southern key economic region has six corridors for traffic. The corridor connecting Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai-Cambodia plays a particularly important role as it is the external economic corridor of the Southeast and the whole country. It is also the shortest transport corridor from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia and to the ASEAN countries via the main traffic axis of Highway 22. This highway has been used since 2002, but now it is overloaded, severely degraded, and creating more and more traffic congestion by the day. Therefore, the construction of the Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai Expressway is extremely important in both short-term and long-term planning.

This project is also of strategic significance for Ho Chi Minh City, not just for Tay Ninh province, creating a driving force for socio-economic development of the Southern key economic region. The two local governments have had many meetings, exchanges, and co-petitioned the Prime Minister to assign Ho Chi Minh City to implement the project under the public-private partnership mode, in which the compensation and site clearance will be done by the two localities. On 15 April, 2021, leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh province had a meeting to implement the project, set goal to complete the project, and put it into operation by the end of 2025.

Sections of the Chon Thanh-Duc Hoa part of the Ho Chi Minh road project, through the provinces of Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong, Tay Ninh and Long An, was approved by the Ministry of Transport under Decision 3950 dated 17 December 2007, covering a total length of 74 kms. The project was started in 2009 and the section passing Tay Ninh is 21.7 km long, of which the section without land clearance is 2.6 km, the rest has been completed with the construction of the bridge over Highway 22. The project was delayed according to Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP dated 24 February, 2011. Currently, the Ministry of Transport has submitted to the Government to include it in the public investment plan for the period 2021 to 2025, in which ODA capital for the project is VND 2,600 bn. It is expected to restart in early 2022 and complete by 2024.

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JUDGE ORDERS DISTRICT ATTORNEY REMOVED FROM OFFICE

District Attorney Greg Newman testifies during a hearing on whether he is removed from office. [AMY McCRAW/Hendersonville Lightning]

A Superior Court judge on Tuesday ordered District Attorney Greg Newman removed from office, finding grounds for his ouster in separate cases of misconduct presented in a three-day hearing two weeks ago.

In a 30-page order filed with the Henderson County Clerk of Superior Court, Judge Robert C. Ervin of Burke County spelled out 378 points from the inquiry and concluded that Newmans action warranted his removal under a state law governing a complaint filed with the Clerk of Superior Court to oust an elected prosecutor for misconduct.

Based on the foregoing finding of fact and conclusions of law, it is hereby ordered, adjudged and decreed that Gregory A. Newman is hereby permanently removed from office as district attorney and his salary shall be terminated as of the date of the filing of this order, Ervin wrote.

The inquiry covered three separate matters in which an independent counsel presented facts before Ervin April 12-14 in Henderson County Superior Court:

A plea deal Newman made that allowed James Sapp, a defendant charged with five child sexual abuse felonies, to plead guilty to a single misdemeanor in a brief proceeding that the victim was not made aware of. A complaint to the North Carolina Bar by the victim and her family resulted in a stayed order suspending Newmans law license for three years.

A charge of vindictive prosecution by a defendant, Leonard Schalow, who has been jailed for eight and a half years. The case currently is on appeal before the state Supreme Court.

Newmans dismissal of drug charges, while district attorney, in an unusual motion involving a former client when Newman was a defense attorney in private practice. A complaint arising from that case resulted in a Bar grievance and reprimand.

Citing state law and the removal of a district in the Wilmington area in 1995 that set state Supreme Court precedent, Ervin wrote that if the superior court judge (presiding over the inquiry) finds that one of the enumerated grounds for removal of a district attorney exists, he shall enter an order permanently removing the district attorney from office and terminating his salary. State law compels removal upon a finding of one of the enumerated grounds and leaves no discretion in this regard with the superior court, Ervin added, citing the ruling by the state Supreme Court that upheld the ouster of District Attorney Jerry Spivey. Removal is the only sanction available and is mandatory.

Ervin appointed James P. Cooney III and Emily Doll of Charlotte and Isaac N. Northup Jr. of Asheville as independent counsel. Newman was represented by David B. Freedman and Stuart L. Brooks.

Mr. Newman is honored to have served the people of Henderson, Polk and Transylvania since 2013, Freedman said. His office has done great things to ensure the safety of the people of the community and he looks forward to being able to help them in the future. As for an appeal, We have not discussed that.

Under state law, the judges order removed Newman from office immediately. Even if he appeals, hes removed this minute, Freedman said. If you appeal, you can try to get reinstated.

Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to appoint a new district attorney for Judicial District 29B.

In his order, Ervin presented findings of fact and conclusions of law in the three cases he had ruled in March found warranted investigation by the independent counsel and subject of a hearing.

In a March 17 order, Ervin limited the scope of the hearing to determine whether Newman had engaged in willful misconduct in office and whether he had engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the office into disrepute. Citing a court precedent that defined willful misconduct by a jurist, the judge said, Willful misconduct in office denotes improper and wrong conduct of a judge acting in his official capacity done intentionally, knowingly and generally, in bad faith. It is more than a mere error of judgment or an act of negligence.

In May 2015, a Henderson County grand jury returned indictments charging Sapp with rape of a child by an adult, sex offense with a child by an adult, and three counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. Citing what he described later as unusable evidence, Newman reduced the charge to one misdemeanor count of assault on a female, allowing Sapp to go free with no jail time and without registering as a sex offender. Evidence at the removal inquiry and last November at the state Bars Disciplinary Hearing Commission showed that Newman failed to notify the victim, Valerie Owenby, or her parents of the Sapp plea, depriving them of the opportunity to be heard.

Judge (Athena) Brooks would not have accepted that plea on that date if she had been advised that the victim wanted to be heard, Ervin wrote, citing the judges testimony at the inquiry. The court would not have accepted Sapps plea if the judge had been aware that the victim had not been notified of the hearing and wished to be heard by the court. Judge Brooks indicated that honesty and candor are very important and that judges assume that the information provided by court officials is truthful. Brooks noted that judges rely on attorneys appearing before the court to be truthful.

In addition to falsely telling Judge Brooks that his office had notified the Owenby family of the Sapp hearing and telling her that that they did not wish to be heard, Newman made false statements to the Disciplinary Hearing Commission in his response to the complaint filed by Oppie Owenby, Valeries father.

In connection with the Sapp case, Ervin said, Newman committed three separate acts each of which constitutes an independent ground for removal from the office of district attorney.

In the conflict of interest case, which resulted in a state Bar reprimand of Newman, Judge Ervin did not conclude by clear, cogent and convincing evidence that Newmans action in handling the motion for appropriate relief constituted willful misconduct. But he concluded that the district attorneys misrepresentations ... to the State Bar in connection with the investigation into the grievance did constitute willful misconduct and a fourth ground for removal under state law.

In the Schalow case, which involves a defense lawyers years long appeals based on double jeopardy and vindictive prosecution, Ervin cited legal errors Newman made in the filing of charges, alleged secret indictments Newman obtained in January 2017 and did not serve on Schalow for 14 months, a new round of indictments against Schalow that Newman obtained despite an appeals court order barring all further trial court proceedings while the case remained on appeal and extrajudicial statements made Newman made to the Hendersonville Times-News. Those facts notwithstanding, Ervin ruled that Newmans actions in the Schalow case did not constitute grounds for his removal.

Newmans attorneys argued during the inquiry that the complaint should be dismissed because voters had re-elected the D.A. in 2018, after some of the acts of misconduct had occurred. Ervin said that didnt matter because voters had no way of knowing about the state Bar outcomes.

No public records would have been available to the voters or Newmans opponent prior to the May 2018 primary to advise them that a false representation had been made to Judge Brooks, that Newman had failed to correct the false statement or that Newman had made false representations to the State Bar, he wrote. The voters of Newmans district should not be deemed to have condoned conduct of which they were unaware at the time of the May 2018 primary.

A district attorney, Ervin noted, serves as a servant of the law, who exemplifies fairness and equal justice under the law.

Newman, as district attorney, has on four separate occasions made false representations to the trial court or the State Bar, Ervin wrote at the tail end of his order. Testifiying on Newmans behalf, Sheriff (Lowell) Griffin admitted that if a law enforcement officer lied to the Court, his career would be over. It is difficult to see why Newman, pursuant to (state law) and the facts of this case, should be held to a lower standard.
In Defense of Christians (IDC), the nations leading advocacy organization for Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East and Africa, commends President Joseph R. Biden for becoming the first U.S. president to recognize the Armenian Christian Genocide, the systematic killing of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 to 1923. This historic recognition is a positive first step toward rectifying a historic injustice committed against the Christian faithful at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.

IDC also remembers the additional 1.9 million Greeks, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs, Arameans, and Maronites who were also killed for their Christian faith, and further calls on the administration to recognize the devastating effect this genocide had against the regions greater Christian community.

IDC thanks Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and countless others for their strong and tireless advocacy toward this milestone genocide recognition.

IDC was proud to work for years alongside the Armenian National Committee of America in advocating for genocide recognition.

IDC sends its deepest thanks and congratulations to President Biden on becoming the first president in U.S. history to recognize the Armenian Christian Genocide, said IDC President Toufic Baaklini. We look forward to working with his administration to bring greater awareness to the ongoing persecution of Christian genocide survivors, and descendants, by an increasingly rogue Turkey, even in the present day.
Krispy Kreme has transformed iconic chocolate bar Crunchie into a sweet range of decadent doughnuts - topped with a honeycomb truffle glaze.

The doughnut chain has teamed up with Cadbury to unveil two brand new honeycomb-inspired doughnuts in stores across Australia from Wednesday, April 27.

The ring is dipped in a honeycomb truffle glaze, topped with a delicate garnish of Crunchie pieces and milk chocolate ganache to create the perfect bite.

But the crunch doesn't stop there.

The shell doughnut is filled with a 'heavenly' honeycomb custard, topped with a chocolate ganache and Crunchie pieces, topped with a honeycomb truffle drizzle.

Krispy Kreme has transformed iconic chocolate bar Crunchie into a sweet range of decadent doughnuts - topped with a honeycomb truffle glaze

'No one can resist a Crunchie with it's delicious honeycomb covered in smooth milk chocolate,' Olivia Sutherland, marketing director at Krispy Kreme Australia, said.

'The Crunchie texture matched to our soft fluffy freshly made doughnuts is a real winner. We're so excited about this collaboration and hope Crunchie lovers enjoy it as much as we do.'

Described as 'delicious, decadent and truly delightful', the two new doughnuts mimic the flavour profile of one of the country's most popular chocolate bars.

The doughnut chain has teamed up with Cadbury to unveil two brand new epic honeycomb-inspired doughnuts in stores across Australia from Wednesday, April 27

'Our customers love a Crunchie bar so we're thrilled to be able to offer two new ways to enjoy that delicious taste in our stores,' Emma Metcalfe-King, 7-Eleven head of food, said.

'We think our customers will be big fans of these awesome new doughnuts.'

The freshly made and hand crafted doughnuts are available in all Krispy Kreme stores and 7-Eleven outlets.
Malcom McLeans Ideal X (pictured) was the first vessel to carry cargo in the standard shipping containers that have since become ubiquitous in global trade. Photo credit: Sea Land/JOC Image Archives. The 65th anniversary of the dawn of containerization on April 26, 1956, finds the industry struggling to handle a continuing surge of pandemic-driven trade, with delays endemic and costs and frustrations rising, but in an increasingly robust financial condition and no less essential as a key facilitator of global trade.

It took nearly a decade from the first sailing of American trucker Malcom McLeans Ideal X, a converted World War II tanker, from Newark, New Jersey, to Houston, Texas, for containerized ships to replace traditional breakbulk liner services on the major east-west trade routes. But today, container ships are ubiquitous in all of the worlds major and minor trade lanes, responsible for moving an estimated 45 percent of total global trade, according to United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

With half of international air freight capacity removed due to the shutdown of passenger service during the COVID-19 pandemic, container ships have become even more the workhorses of international trade, handling the surge in volumes driven by shift in spending by homebound consumers from travel and leisure to home improvement goods. But those additional volumes have brought with them unprecedented challenges in moving goods through an end-to-end system beset by COVID-related impacts on the transportation workforce. The practical result is that containers arent being unloaded, reloaded, and returned to origin points fast enough, resulting fewer containers available, despite a ramp-up in new container production, and chronic delays for shippers that many believe could persist throughout 2021.

I do think we have a long way to go before containerized supply chains are able to recuperate, George Goldman, US president of Zim Integrated Shipping Services, told the 2021 Georgia Foreign Trade Conference. I dont see us getting out of this thing any time soon.

Container shipping has become increasingly prone to disruption and inconsistent service; the Suez Canal blockage in late March was only the most recent example. And yet, there is no evidence that shippers regard it as risky enough to prompt a wholesale rethinking of long-haul supply chains due to transport disruption.

Over the past 15 years, shocks to the container system have occurred consistently  the squeeze on capacity during the 2010 restocking frenzy, longshore labor disruption on the West Coast in 201415, and the bankruptcy of Hanjin Shipping in 2016 can be added to dozens of container ship fires, fog delays, and at sea incidents caused by rough weather or rogue waves  but shippers havent been deterred. The share of US containerized imports originating in Latin America and the Caribbean, for example, declined from 12 percent in 2005 and to 11 percent in 2020, while the share arriving from all points in Asia grew from 66 percent to 67 percent during the same period. That indicates importers havent rushed to change their sourcing strategies to bring manufacturing closer to end consumers in the US.

As the cargo container celebrates its 65th birthday, the carriers themselves are in the strongest financial position in years, if not ever. Multiple tailwinds are propelling the market from one characterized by chronic overcapacity and financial underperformance over the past two decades, to one in which shipping lines are firmly in the drivers seat.

From 2015 through 2020, consolidation that removed half of the east-west carriers from the market occurred alongside a steady decline in ship ordering. In addition, global carrier alliances emerged from that period of consolidation as agile operating entities able to quickly flex capacity in response to short term changes in demand, something they had attempted but never done successfully before.

That shines a different light on the recent spate of ship ordering. Container lines ordered more than 70 ships in March alone, but at 3 million TEU, the current order book is equal to 12.8 percent of the worlds current fleet, according to data from IHS Markit, parent company of JOC.com. Thats an increase from the 10.7 percent level in 2020, but greatly reduced from an orderbook-to-fleet ratio of 54 percent in 2007, which resulted in severe oversupply when those vessels were deployed in 201012, when global trade was still recovering from the Great Recession.

If carriers discipline in quickly removing capacity after China locked down in early 2020 is a permanent change in their behavior, an increased order book is not necessarily a sign that a new period of overcapacity is approaching.
Norfolk radio hams contact more than 900 amateurs worldwide on International Marconi Day Norfolks radio hams managed to contact 923 other radio amateurs in 71 countries on Saturdays International Marconi Day. The Main Street and Wireless Telegraph Station in Caister-on-Sea in the early 1900s The Norfolk Amateur Radio Club (NARC) ran the all-day event to commemorate Caister's original Marconi Wireless Station, which was established in 1900.



The station was in a house in the High Street known as Pretoria Villa and its original purpose was to communicate with ships in the North Sea and the Cross Sands lightship.



NARC normally operates from Caister Lifeboat, but due to the Covid restrictions the amateurs operated from their own home stations this year.



Using the call GB0CMS, and a mixture of Morse code, speech (SSB) and digital modes (FT8), the operation ran from midnight to midnight and contacts were made with other radio amateurs across the UK, Europe, Asia, South America and the USA.



Notable contacts were made with New Zealand, The Philippines, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Panama, the Falkland Islands and Indonesia.



On Saturday, the closest to Guglielmo Marconi's birthday, stations around the world are set up at sites with historical links to the inventor's work. These include Poldhu in England; Cape Cod Massachusetts; Glace Bay, Nova Scotia; Villa Griffone, Bologna, Italy and many others.



NARC public relation officer Steve Nichols G0KYA, who organised the event for the club, said: Last years event was canceled due to COVID, so we were determined to put on a station this year to commemorate Marconis birthday.



Everyone pulled out the stops and we were able to operate through the night with Chris G0DWV making 300 contacts to start us off.



The rest of the event featured operations from Tony G0OOR, Gordon G3PXT, Malcolm, G3PDH, Roger G3LDI, Jim G3YLA, Steve G0KYA, Phil G4LPP and Andy M0NKR.



QSO levels were high, but tailed off as the day wore on as you would expect, Steve said.



I even received an email from John G7MAR/MM who was on the cruise ship Crystal Serenity, a few miles off the coast of Singapore. John heard us but couldnt get through unfortunately.



I think everyone made a great effort and it was nice to support International Marconi Day, even if we werent able to operate from Caister  hopefully we will be back next year, said Steve.
A new Center for State Policy and Analysis at Tufts University report concludes there's a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" sitting in front of the Legislature and Gov. Charlie Baker and advises that decisions about the American Rescue Plan investments be made quickly.
Dozen private clinics, labs face legal action over control measures

THAILAND: The Department of Health Service Support is threatening to take legal action against at least a dozen private clinics and laboratories offering COVID-19 testing services that failed to comply with coronavirus control measures.

CoronavirusCOVID-19healthVaccine

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 27 April 2021, 09:14AM

Officials hold up umbrellas for people arriving at the Thai-Japanese stadium in the capital for COVID-19 tests in the driving rain yesterday. The tests are free for Social Security Fund subscribers. Photo: Apichit Jinakul.

The department received complaints filed against these clinics and laboratories and found that 12 of them failed to perform their duties as required by the department in three areas, Dr Thares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the department, said yesterday (Apr 26).

The establishments failed to refer COVID-19 patients to hospitals, report detected COVID-19 cases and other details to the Disease Control Department or the Department of Medical Science and seek permission before advertising prices of their COVID-19 testing services, he said.

These COVID-19 testing facilities have already been warned so they can correct what they had done wrong or else they will face legal action, which includes a fine and criminal charges, Dr Thares said.

He also urged consumers to continue to alert the department if there are new incidents, such as misconduct, via the departments 1426 hotline.

Most importantly, medical clinics and laboratories are required to refer COVID-19 patients to hospitals when infections are detected, or at least report new cases to local public health authorities, Dr Thares said.

He said 14 clinics are authorised to offer COVID-19 testing services, and 11 have set up contracts with hospitals in order to refer patients, while the remaining three are in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with hospitals.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul has threatened to take legal action against any hospital refusing to admit COVID-19 patients or charging them excessively for treatment.

Mr Anutin, who is also deputy prime minister, was responding to a complaint accusing a hospital of charging up to B300,000 for COVID-19 treatment.

The kingdom recorded eight new COVID-19 deaths as of 7am yesterday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 148, according to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

It said the kingdom recorded 2,048 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, 10 of which were imported.

Dr Apisamai Srirangson, assistant CCSA spokeswoman, said the management of medical resources during the current outbreak is rather slow because information on confirmed cases comes from various labs, which usually deal with cases individually.

She said that previously, during the outbreak in Samut Sakhon, tests were carried out simultaneously and a field hospital was set up to handle a large number of patients.

The government is speeding up and enhancing its ability to manage hospital beds and hotlines used to help allocate hospital beds to COVID-19 patients, she said.
The disgusting moment water believed to be raw sewage gushed down a set of stairs and onto the sands of Sydney's Bondi Beach has been captured on camera.

A video of the water leaking onto the beach as surfers walked nearby was posted to social media on Monday afternoon with the caption 'ahh the smell of raw sewage... takes me back to the old days'.

The smelly water then filled the sand as it started to flow down towards the ocean where dozens of surfers were awaiting their next wave.

A sign had also been placed on the beach by Sydney Water warning residents to avoid the area because of sewage overflow.

Vision posted to social media on Monday afternoon showed water that smelt of raw sewage gushing down a set of stairs at Sydney's Bondi Beach

The water flowed over a wall and onto the sand at Bondi Beach as surfers walked nearby

'This area may be affected by sewage overflow,' the Sydney Water sign said.

'We are monitoring water quality and cleaning the area and apologise for any inconvenience. We advise you to avoid the area.'

Nearby residents reported a disgusting smell emanating from the water, although some joked 'what a sh*thole' and 'yeah Bondi's beautiful alright', with one even saying tounge-in-cheek the smelly water was a 'positive addition to the community'.

A blockage in an apartment building on Campbell Parade that may have been caused by wet wipes and fats, oils and grease is believed to be behind the water leak onto the beach but it was understood to have not contained sewage.

The water that residents reported gave off the smell of raw sewage filled the sand as it started to flow towards the ocean, where surfers were waiting for the next wave

A sign placed on Bondi Beach by Sydney Water warning residents to avoid the area as it 'may be affected by sewage overflow'

In October last year swimmers were told not to swim at the southern end of nearby Bronte Beach after sewage was detected in the water, caused by an overflowing sewer.

Sydney Water found the contamination at Bronte's Bogey Hole, a natural rock pool which forms a sheltered swimming area for young children.

On the same day swimmers were ordered out of the water at the Murray Rose Pool at Double Bay's Redleaf Beach due to sewage contamination caused by a blocked toilet.
The local government in northern Nigeria's Kaduna state says two more university students have been found dead.



Three students had already been killed by kidnappers on Friday.



Twenty students were kidnapped last Tuesday along with three non-academic staff from the privately-owned Greenfield University in the Chikun area of the state.



The state government has said it is saddened by what it calls "evil perpetrated against innocent students abducted while pursuing their education for a glorious future".



Unlike some neighbouring states, Kaduna state government has a policy of not negotiating with abductors or paying a ransom. Governor Nasir el-Rufai instead wants kidnappers arrested and prosecuted.



Mass kidnappings of students for ransom payments have been on the increase in Nigeria with authorities struggling to cope with poor security infrastructure.



Most states in the northwest have shut down schools to allow authorities time to come up with a solution to the crisis.

Source: BBC









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In November 2020, attendees of the Professional Liability Underwriting Societys first-ever virtual conference warned insurance brokers they should expect agency errors and omissions (E&O) claims to substantially increase in size and frequency in 2021. In this special market report, well look at how COVID-19 has been the catalyst for propelling the uptick in E&O claims activity and severity, what it means in an already hard insurance market, the impact on brokers, and what they can expect over the next few months.

PAST CATASTROPHIC TRENDS: E&O CLAIMS A LAGGING INDICATOR OF WHAT IS TO COME

When we look at claim trends, there is generally a 12-24 month lag time from when the exposure occurred to when E&O claims are filed. In fact, as history has demonstrated, its not uncommon for the industry to experience a surge in E&O allegations against brokers several months or even a year or more after a catastrophic event. The reason? Once a major crisis has passed and peoples lives begin to normalize, high volumes of claims typically enter the final stages of processing. At that time, insureds are more likely to contact their broker with tough questions, such as what their policies will and wont cover and addressing specifics regarding claim settlements and denials  all of which can trigger E&O allegations.

COVID-19 RELATED E&O CLAIMS

We recently passed the first-year anniversary of the onset of COVID-19 in the U.S. As recovery efforts slowly get underway, and based on lagging indicators from past crisis events, experts predict the bulk of initial first-party claims will begin to funnel through the claims process over the next several months. As final settlement determinations are made, carriers are anticipating a swarm of new E&O claims  perhaps even more than have occurred in the past. Why? Mainly because unlike notable crisis events such as hurricanes Katrina or Sandy, the pandemic wasnt limited to a single geographical location. This, coupled with emerging pandemic-related coverage and claims scenarios that the industry doesnt typically experience, has prompted multiple allegations from policyholders against their brokers and, in some cases, from brokers against their agents. According to MyNewMarkets, allegations against agents for E&O claims commonly include a failure to procure (or a misrepresentation of) coverage, not processing claims in a timely manner, and a failure to properly identify exposures and recommend appropriate coverages. For carriers that underwrite high volumes of E&O insurance, COVID-19-related E&O claims are likely to be attributed to brokers allegedly failing to advise insureds as to what their current policy wont cover as well as not recommending coverage that policyholders should have been advised to purchase. Currently, the main COVID-19 E&O issue is primarily property-driven, with a focus on business interruption-related litigation claims against brokers, along with other operational coverage concerns.

As of March, businesses in the U.S. have filed nearly 1,500 COVID-19-related lawsuits challenging insurers that denied business interruption and other property damage claims, according to the UPenn Litigation Tracker.

AN EVEN HARDER HARD MARKET

For the insurance industry, hard market conditions have been a catalyst for carriers to raise premiums, avoid certain risks, reduce coverage limits and increase exclusions. Historically, these conditions have also increased claims litigation and denials, leading to a higher number of E&O claims against brokers. Todays combination of hard market conditions and COVID-19 is creating even more challenges as pandemic-related exclusions, limits and supplemental applications are being added to nearly every line of business  including E&O insurance. These factors have put brokers in a situation where theyll need to communicate new policy changes to clients who are already frustrated by COVID- 19 restrictions, and this also can increase the likelihood of a professional liability claim.

Todays combination of hard market conditions and COVID-19 is creating even more challenges as pandemic-related exclusions, limits and supplemental applications are being added to nearly every line of business  including E&O insurance.

WHAT TO EXPECT OVER THE COMING MONTHS

Insurers will begin to adjust and define policy language in most product lines, making it crystal clear that pandemics are not considered a covered loss, i.e., adding restrictive exclusions for claims related to communicable diseases such as COVID-19.

Supplemental applications on products that were not required before the pandemic will likely accompany most policies as insurers determine COVID-19-related exposures.

Business interruption claims involving exclusions for loss of business due to virus or bacteria will continue to create legal challenges.

Brokers who assume the duty of reporting claims and potential claims on behalf of clients versus the client directly reporting a claim to the carrier will continue to expose themselves to additional liabilities.

Clients will continue to look to their broker for answers as to whether they have a potentially covered COVID-19- related loss.

Claims that are denied by carriers will continue to give rise to E&O claims alleging that the broker failed to procure the appropriate coverage.

States will require brokerage firms to file all claims and potential claims  regardless of whether a broker feels there is or isnt coverage for a loss.

Hard market conditions will likely exacerbate challenges for businesses already facing financial issues and may lead to policy lapses or cancellations.

Soft market enhancements will be removed, such as: Aggregate Deductible Caps Defense Outside the Limits First Dollar Defense

Insolvency exclusions will be added, related to placements specific to each agency (i.e. non-rated carriers, state backed funds, and carriers below A.M. Best B+ ratings). Soft market conditions for the last 10 years have relaxed the implementation of these exclusions, and in some cases, these exclusions have been completely removed.

Carriers will be cutting limit capacity, further increasing premiums and making it difficult to maintain existing coverage limits.

Premiums will increase drastically, while coverage terms & conditions are further restricted.

CONCLUSION

The Agents & Brokers E&O snowball is rolling downhill and may get even bigger over the next several months as limits, terms and conditions of Agency E&O policies are put to the test. While it cant be stopped, brokers who understand what may lie ahead will be in a better position to address some of the tougher concerns of their clients, including whether no coverage exists or coverage is insufficient. The bottom line is that its impossible to avoid all E&O issues. However, a risk management plan that includes a comprehensive E&O insurance coverage program that is placed by a Broker specializing in the space helps minimize the financial impact of a lawsuit alleging an Error and/or Omission by Agents & Brokers.

CONTACT

STEVE VALLONE

Senior Vice President & Broker

Direct: (415) 625-1277 | Cell: (925) 588-9250

steve.vallone@amwins.com

DISCLAIMER

This special report is Copyright  2021 by Worldwide Facilities, an Amwins Company. It may be freely redistributed in its entirety provided that this copyright notice is not removed. It may not be sold for profit or used in commercial documents without the written permission of the copyright holder. This special report is provided as is without any express or implied warranty. This special report is for educational purposes only and does not purport to provide legal advice. If you require legal advice, you should consult with an attorney. The information provided here is for reference use only and does not constitute the rendering of legal, financial, or other professional advice or recommendations by Worldwide Facilities, an Amwins Company. The listing of an organization or website does not imply any sort of endorsement and Worldwide Facilities, an Amwins Company, takes no responsibility for the products, tools, and Internet sites listed.

Topics COVID-19 Catastrophe Agencies Natural Disasters Claims Professional Liability
Two gun measures aimed at loosening permit requirements and prohibiting enforcement of federal gun laws or presidential executive orders, advanced out of an Alabama House committee on Tuesday.

But both measures are opposed by law enforcement, and some are skeptical either will advance out of the full Alabama House during the waning days of the 2021 session.

One of the measures, HB405 or otherwise referred to as constitutional carry, was also criticized for potentially undoing components of legislation  HB308 - that Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law last week that allows people to purchase lifetime permits to carry concealed handguns.

The other measure, SB358, is the referred to as the Alabama Second Amendment Preservation Act and establishes civil penalties against local officials who enforce federal gun laws.

Both were approved by the Alabama House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, which the gun control group Moms Demand Action labeled the House Public Danger Committee.

Said Rhonda Pendleton, a volunteer with the Alabama chapter of Moms Demand Action, between ignoring law enforcement concerns about people carrying guns in public without a background check and trying to punish police for doing their jobs, these hypocritical lawmakers have gone back on their clearly-empty promises to support law enforcement.

Constitutional carry

Under the constitutional carry proposal, Alabama residents would be allowed to carry a concealed pistol without having to obtain a permit or pay a fee for one. The measure has the backing from the National Rifle Association and the National Association for Gun Rights as well as U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville. Twenty states have constitutional carry laws in place that do not require residents to purchase a permit who are not prohibited from owning a firearm.

In Alabama, the measure has long been opposed by law enforcement who argue that permits are a safety tool for for them whenever they are making traffic stops, serving a warrant or conducting an arrest.

Permits make people safer  there is documented evidence these pistol permits save lives, said Randy Hillman, a representative with Sheriffs Association.

Concerns also exist about the potential loss of revenue to counties which rely on permit proceeds. Under the recently-approved lifetime permit legislation, 80 percent of the revenue from the cost of a permit would be funneled back into the sheriffs office where the permit is bought. The new lifetime permits cost $300, or $150 for people 60 and older.

State Rep. Andrew Sorrell, R-Muscle Shoals, and the bills sponsor, said he sympathizes with the sheriffs departments over the potential for loss revenue, and would back an effort to find ways to restore loss funding.

We 100 percent support funding the sheriffs, Sorrell said. We just dont support in doing it by selling peoples constitutional rights back.

Lifetime permits

Critics of the measure also believe it would undo much of the legislation that Alabama lawmakers recently adopted.

The Alabama Uniform Concealed Carry Permit Act, or HB308, was sponsored by Rep. Randy Price, R-Opelika and Rep. Proncey Robertson, R-Mount Hope, and was the result of three years of negotiations that allows Alabamians to purchase lifetime gun permits. The bill also established a database, overseen by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, to list people who are prohibited from carrying a firearm because of a state or federal criminal conviction or because of a mental illness adjudicated by a court.

Robertson, a retired police officer, said he felt his measure was a balanced approach that resulted from lengthy negotiations with multiple parties, and received support from law enforcement  a powerful lobbying interest in Montgomery.

I believe for us to go permit less in Alabama, there are obviously a lot of passionate parties involved in that, Robertson said. I would encourage the sponsor to really work with the entities (passionate about the issue) to find a balanced approach.

Sorrell disagreed that constitutional carry upends HB308. He argued that reciprocity agreements requiring out-of-state residents to purchase a permit in Alabama will allow agencies to recoup some of the lost funding.

Sorrell called the committees actions significant because constitutional carry has not received the backing from the Alabama House before. A similar measure, sponsored by state Senator Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa, has earned support from the Senate in previous years.

Hillman, though, said he cant see it advancing out of the House before the session ends in the coming two weeks.

Federal enforcement

Allen, meanwhile, is pitching SB358 that prohibits the use of public funds for local officials to enforce a federal gun law or executive owners viewed as overly restrictive to gun ownership and usage. A previous version of the bill that passed the Senate earlier this month would have made it a Class C misdemeanor offense for enforcing a new federal gun law or presidential executive order.

The proposal is similar to a wave of federal nullification bills backed by Republicans in statehouses around the country.

Each one of you, like myself and the officers in this room, took an oath of office to defend the Second Amendment, Allen said.

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said he was concerned the measure would endanger relationships state and county law enforcement entities have with federal agencies on joint task forces addressing terrorism response, drug enforcement, and other matters.

Hillman said the proposal, despite the removal of criminal penalties, could erode valuable partnerships local police have with federal agencies.

To do what we have to do every day, we rely on partners whether its the county next to you or the municipality and the feds, said Hillman. We are members of joint task forces. The bad guys have guns and a lot of the things they are doing are violating federal law. If our guys are participating on that task force with them, how do they draw a line and say, I can enforce A, B, and C but I cannot enforce D, E, and F, and that if they do (enforce), they are liable for it. Its crazy. It doesnt make any sense.

This story was updated at 2:52 p.m. on April 27, 2021, with comments from Mom Demands Action.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 27, 2021 - 20:30 | All, Japan

The Japanese government emphasized concerns over China's military expansion and growing activities in the East and South China seas in an annual foreign policy report released Tuesday.

The 2021 edition of the Diplomatic Bluebook said China's expansion of military capabilities that lack transparency and growing unilateral actions to change the status quo in Asian waters pose "strong concerns" in the region and to the international community.

Last year's report described such Chinese military activities as "common concerns," while highlighting Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Japan for the Group of 20 summit in Osaka and a thaw in Japan-China relations.

The report, which continues to refer to ties with China as "one of the most important bilateral relations," comes at a time when China is stepping up activities in the territorial waters around Japan's Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, a group of uninhabited islands Beijing claims and calls Diaoyu.

Later in the day, the Communist-led government lambasted Japan for "hyping up the so-called China threat, maliciously attacking China and unreasonably interfering in China's internal affairs."

China "has lodged a solemn protest with Japan through diplomatic channels," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wan Wenbin told reporters in Beijing, reiterating that the islets in the East China Sea are the nation's "inherent territory."

Related coverage:

China conducts landform survey of disputed islands in East China Sea

Quad members oppose attempts by China to alter regional status quo

Japan has recently turned to a grouping with the United States, Australia and India, called the Quad, to advance concepts such as freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region and the rule of law amid China's growing assertiveness.

The report said the framework's visions have gained international support, and Japan will seek to cooperate with more countries through bilateral and multilateral dialogues.

China accuses the Quad of being the beginnings of an Asian version of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization seeking to undermine its rise.

The report submitted to the Cabinet by Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi criticized China's new coast guard law which took effect earlier in the year authorizing the use of force by its coast guard in contested waters.

The report also cited China's alleged human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region and the crackdown in Hong Kong as issues of concern.

It did not, however, refer to issues surrounding China's increasing activities around Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a renegade province to be reunited with the mainland.

The report explained the outcome of the in-person summit talks earlier this month between Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and U.S. President Joe Biden in detail, but made no reference to their joint statement which explicitly mentioned Taiwan.

The statement after the summit in Washington earlier in April was the first time in more than half a century that such a document by Japanese and U.S. leaders has mentioned the self-ruled island.

As for Xi's postponed state visit to Japan, the bluebook said Tokyo and Beijing should focus on containing the coronavirus pandemic for the time being and are not ready to discuss rescheduling.

Related coverage:

South Korea ruling against Japan over "comfort women" finalized

South Korea seeks "amicable solution" to comfort women issue with Japan

On relations with the United States, it said the Japan-U.S. alliance continues to serve as the cornerstone of Japan's diplomatic and security policies and its significance has grown more than ever in the face of growing uncertainties in the region's security environment.

On South Korea, the latest report opposes a January ruling by a Seoul court ordering the Japanese government to pay compensation to plaintiffs over their treatment in Japanese military brothels during Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

The Japanese government takes the position that a 1965 bilateral agreement settled all claims related to its colonial rule of the peninsula, including those of the laborers and former "comfort women," and that the comfort women lawsuit should be dismissed based on sovereign immunity -- a principle under international law that allows a state to be shielded against the jurisdiction of foreign courts.

The South Korean court with a different panel of judges last week dismissed a similar damages lawsuit brought by a separate group of former comfort women, saying the country has no jurisdiction over the case.

The release of the report prompted South Korea's Foreign Ministry to summon Hirohisa Soma, a senior official at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, to lodge a protest over descriptions in it.

The ministry particularly took issue with Japan calling rocky islets in the Sea of Japan controlled by South Korea "an inherent part" of Japanese territory and with Tokyo's stance toward the comfort women ruling in January.

The South Korean government "strongly opposes the Japanese government for repeating a meaningless claim of its sovereignty over Dokdo, which is clearly our territory historically and geologically under international law," ministry spokesman Choi Young Sam said in a commentary.

Japan calls the islets Takeshima.

Choi also demanded Japan act responsibly in dealing with the comfort women issue in accordance with the apologies and reflection it had shown, including when the two countries struck an agreement in 2015 over the matter.
Part of the world-wide effort to scan and identify near-Earth objects, the European Space Agency's Test-Bed Telescope 2 (TBT2), a technology demonstrator hosted at ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile, has now started operating. Working alongside its northern-hemisphere partner telescope, TBT2 will keep a close eye on the sky for asteroids that could pose a risk to Earth, testing hardware and software for a future telescope network.

"To be able to calculate the risk posed by potentially hazardous objects in the Solar System, we first need a census of these objects. The TBT project is a step in that direction," says Ivo Saviane, the site manager for ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile.

The project, which is a collaboration between the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the European Space Agency (ESA), "is a test-bed to demonstrate the capabilities needed to detect and follow-up near-Earth objects with the same telescope system," says ESA's Head of the Optical Technologies Section Clemens Heese, who is leading this project.

The 56-cm telescope at ESO's La Silla and TBT1, its identical counterpart located at the ESA's deep-space ground station at Cebreros in Spain, will act as precursors to the planned 'Flyeye' telescope network, a separate project that ESA is developing to survey and track fast-moving objects in the sky. This future network will be entirely robotic; software will perform real-time scheduling of observations and, at the end of the day, it will report the positions and other information about the objects detected. The TBT project is designed to show that the software and hardware work as expected.

"The start of observations of TBT2 at La Silla will enable the observing system to work in its intended two-telescope configuration, finally fulfilling the project's objectives," says Heese.

While seriously harmful asteroid impacts on Earth are extremely rare, they are not inconceivable. The Earth has been periodically bombarded with both large and small asteroids for billions of years, and the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor event, which caused some 1600 injuries, most due to flying splinters and broken glass, further raised the public's awareness of the threat posed by near-Earth objects. Larger objects do more damage, but are thankfully easier to spot and the orbits of known large asteroids are already thoroughly studied. However, it is estimated that there are large numbers of smaller, yet-undiscovered objects we are unaware of that could do serious damage if they were to hit a populated area.

That's where TBT and the future planned network of Flyeye telescopes come in. Once fully operational the network's design would allow it to survey the night sky to track fast-moving objects, a significant advancement in Europe's capacity to spot potentially hazardous near-Earth objects.

TBT is part of an ongoing inter-organisational effort to build a more complete picture of these objects and the potential risks they pose. This project builds on ESO's previous involvement in protecting the Earth from potentially dangerous near-Earth objects. Both ESO and ESA are active in the United Nations-endorsed International Asteroid Warning Network and many observations of these objects have been performed with ESO's telescopes. ESO's New Technology Telescope at La Silla, for example, has been used for observations of small near-Earth asteroids in support of the European NEOShield-2 project.

The ongoing inter-organisational collaboration between ESO and ESA is particularly significant in the study of near-Earth objects. While TBT is the first telescope project to be realised under a cooperation agreement between the two organisations, ESO has been helping ESA track potentially dangerous objects since 2014, by using its Very Large Telescope at Paranal Observatory to observe very faint objects. These efforts combined are a significant leap forward for the worldwide search and management of asteroids, and have already proved useful in ruling out collisions of asteroids with the Earth.

The installation and first light of TBT2 at ESO's La Silla Observatory was achieved under strict health and safety conditions. ESO's observatories temporarily stopped operations last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but have since resumed science observations under restrictions that ensure the safety and protection of everyone at the sites.

More information

ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It has 16 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile and with Australia as a Strategic Partner. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope and its world-leading Very Large Telescope Interferometer as well as two survey telescopes, VISTA working in the infrared and the visible-light VLT Survey Telescope. Also at Paranal ESO will host and operate the Cherenkov Telescope Array South, the world's largest and most sensitive gamma-ray observatory. ESO is also a major partner in two facilities on Chajnantor, APEX and ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky".

The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe's gateway to space. ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Slovenia is an Associate Member. ESA has established formal cooperation with seven Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions. ESA develops the launchers, spacecraft and ground facilities needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global space activities. Today, it develops and launches satellites for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications and astronomy, sends probes to the far reaches of the Solar System and cooperates in the human exploration of space. ESA also has a strong applications programme developing services in Earth observation, navigation and telecommunications.
So why bother? Clearly, as an industry, we havent done a great job of explaining the benefits the private sector brings to public infrastructure. It should never have become a public versus private debate.

Its not a great conversation for a post-lockdown barbecue, but it is indicative of a growing concern among taxpayers that, despite governments outsourcing more and more infrastructure projects to the private sector, it falls to the public purse when things go wrong.

At least thats what I was told at a recent social gathering, immediately before the question was posed: If the private sector isnt taking on the financial risk of big infrastructure projects, why involve them at all? As a taxpayer, why bother?

In Sydney, stories about the government funding a major cost blowout of a few extra billions on the Metro project were almost enough to shift the focus from house prices.

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The reality is good infrastructure necessarily involves both the public and private sectors. When the system works well, the government acts as the board of directors. Its up to it to set the direction and determine what the public needs. The private sector then steps in to provide the workforce, finding the best way to deliver the product and the best people to do it.

No government can house world-leading tunnel engineers, traffic forecasters and acute-care design experts. The breadth of infrastructure managed by governments is immense. It is efficient to draw on the expertise of the private sector to bring new ways of thinking that reduce risk and costs and, most importantly, drive the best possible outcomes for the taxpayer based on the identified needs. The private sector brings expertise and insight that spans beyond any one government or geography.

The private sector is then better placed to assume and manage the bulk of the risks associated with their solution. Its not a complete risk transfer but nor should it be  certain risks will always remain with the government. Political risk, certain inherent project risks, the costs associated with changing needs and the ultimate responsibility for public services will always belong to the government.

One of the first arguments against private sector involvement is always that governments can raise money more cheaply. That ignores the significant amount of risk that is transferred. The government makes a promise to repay government bondholders even if the project is a disaster. No such promise is made to private sector financiers, who are asked to look to the project for repayment.
CHICO, Calif. - An alleged serial sex assailant was arrested Monday morning for multiple sexual assaults that happened in Chico and Red Bluff, Butte County District Attorney said.

Steven Craig Michael Haskins, 36-year-old from Chico, was arrested for suspected multiple sexual assaults that happened between 2014 and 2019.

A cross-match DNA hit on a member of the suspects family resulted in the arrest of Haskins.

Department of Justice agents used a process that searches DNA against the states convicted offender database to identify potential relatives in the database, which is called a familial DNA search.

Between 2014 and 2019, Haskins DNA was recovered from two sexual assaults in Chico and one sexual assault in Red Bluff.

Haskins was unidentified at the time of the assaults because the sexual assault DNA samples were not known to be associated with him as he had no known DNA sample in the states system.

Haskins did have a family member convicted of a felony who was in the states system, prompting a familial DNA search to be conducted.

DOJ agents established a possible familial connection with the DNA collected from the three assaults and the family member to identify and arrest Haskins.

The district attorneys office plans to charge Haskins with a count of rape, a count of kidnapping and a count of assault with intent to rape.

The cases will be combined and tried in Butte County. Haskins is being held on $450,000 bail and will appear in court to face charges on Wednesday.
By Mark Gokavi

Nicholas Nico Clarke was lost on the University of Dayton campus when he found out he wanted to attend UD. Four school years later, Clarke will become UDs first sustainability major graduate.

After my visit, I went on a walk and kind of got lost with my family, Clarke said. And then, ironically, we ended up in U Lot, which is weirdly close to Old River Park.

Looking back, its an interesting place to make a decision. I just really liked UD. I liked the feeling on campus.

Originally a philosophy major, Clarke said a professor asked him to take an environmental ethics class.

That got me really interested and more reflective about sustainability in general, Clarke said. I had been interested in it in high school, but it definitely got taken to the next level in college, I guess.

Clarke joined the Student Activation Program (SAP) as a volunteer on the education team when he saw a bunch of really cool people. That spurred him to join the Hanley Sustainability Institute student leader and become a zero waste team member.

The professor who asked him to take the environmental ethics class told Clarke there was going to be a sustainability major at UD.

I had never heard of it, Clarke said. So she put me in touch with (Sustainability Program Director Rebecca Potter) and we decided that I would be able to complete the major on time even though it wasnt a major at the time.

Clarke started taking sustainability minor classes and trying to line up courses that would become part of his urban sustainability bachelor of arts degree.

It was still kind of raw and it was kind of a leap of faith, Clarke said. Ill actually be the first one to graduate, which is pretty cool.

For Clarke, his passion fell in line with his education.

My interest in environmental ethics and environmental justice led me to choose UDs sustainability major and the urban planning concentration, he said. The sustainability major and urban planning concentration gave me the opportunity to pursue my interest in environmental ethics and environmental justice.

Potter said there will be many for firsts for Clarke.

Nico Clarke has been an innovative and engaged student who seized the opportunity to major in sustainability as soon as it was possible, she said. As the first student to earn a bachelor of arts in sustainability at UD he is headed for great success.

Clarke is headed to Pittsburgh to earn a masters degree in sustainability and work as a graduate assistant at Chatham University, like UD an institution that has been recognized nationally for its sustainability efforts.

In my career I hope to work to create and implement sustainability solutions in communities. Through my undergraduate coursework, I have afforded the opportunity to work with various communities locally and globally from Dayton to Nairobi, Kenya, Clarke said. In doing so I have developed an enthusiasm for understanding contexts of diverse communities and cultivating appropriate sustainability solutions. In my career I hope to work to analyze critical environmental and social policy issues and create and implement equitable solutions.

For more sustainability news and information, visit HSIs news blog, the Hanley Sustainability Institute website and the sustainability program website. To sign up for HSIs Sustainability Spotlight newsletter, register here.
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PHOENIX  A suspect in a shooting that left a woman dead at a west Phoenix business has been arrested, according to police.

Phoenix police said when officers arrived at the scene around 1 a.m. Sunday, they found 20-year-old Gloria Zermeno on the ground in the parking lot.

Zermeno had been shot in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said 37-year-old Vincente Diaz-Vargas is facing a first-degree murder charge after being identified as a possible suspect through collected forensic evidence, witness testimony and surveillance videos.

It was unclear Monday if Diaz-Vargas has a lawyer yet.

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Police said there was a fight in the parking lot earlier in the night and it included Zermeno.

Investigators reviewed surveillance video and saw that a car approached and slowed to a stop near the parking lot where Zermeno was standing.

Several shots were fired from the car before the driver sped off and Zermeno fell to the ground.

During a search of Diaz-Vargas home, police reported finding multiple handguns and rifles.
ROME - Italian Undersecretary for European Affairs Vincenzo Amendola told Radio24 on Tuesday Italy is "not satisfied" with European policies on migration.

"The European Union was supposed to end two big disappointments for its citizens: one was the lack of a common fiscal policy, and we succeeded with Next Generation EU," Amendola said.

"And then we know very well that in recent years the lack of solidarity on migration has caused big problems, and therefore the Commission presented a plan to regulate the management to the 27. But this plan still didn't take our objections into account," he said.

"At the moment it isn't satisfactory at all, especially in light of the grave situation. The deaths in recent days of people between Italy and Libya show us that Europe has to organise migration policies based on responsibility, certainly, but also on solidarity mechanisms," he said.


India has been struck by the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the deadly virus paralyzing the country's health care systems, leaving many citizens to cater for their own, be it the pursuit of hospital beds, ventilators, ICUs, medicines, and oxygen.



With lockdowns across many cities throughout the country, the haunting lone sirens of ambulances every now and then is indeed a sign that the situation is very grim.

 AP

However, despite its seriousness, the one thing never seems to stop in the country is a wedding, even if the groom is suffering from the Coronavirus.



So, how do you get married in a ceremony while maintaining the basic norm of social distancing?

The answer is, YOU DON'T. Instead, you both wear PPE kits, because, whatever happens, the show must go on!

 Augrav

Yes. In a bizarre incident on Monday (April 26), a couple in Ratlam city of India's central Madhya Pradesh state were married in PPE suits after the groom tested positive for Covid-19.



In fact, it was not just the couple who sported the new wedding outfit, with the three other people attending the ceremony also wearing the PPE kits.

#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: A couple in Ratlam tied the knot wearing PPE kits as the groom is #COVID19 positive, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/mXlUK2baUh  ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021

Say whatever about us Indians, one thing that we do not lack for sure is courage.

According to the video of the wedding, the groom can be seen walking behind the bride as they circle around the fire for the wedding pheras, with the pandit and the other people chanting the mantra in the background.

Gatherings for social and religious purposes have been restricted by the authorities in the state in order to stop the spread of the virus, with the limit on the number of people weddings put down to 50.

In an ideal scenario, the wedding would not have gone ahead, but according to Navin Garg, a district official, a way was found.

"The groom tested positive on April 19. We came here to stop the wedding but on the request and guidance of senior officials, the wedding was solemnized. The couple was made to wear PPE kits so that the infection doesn't spread,'' said Garg, while speaking with ANI.

The groom tested positive on April 19. We came here to stop the wedding but on request & guidance of senior officials the wedding was solemnized. The couple was made to wear PPE kits so the infection doesn't spread: Navin Garg, Tehsildar, Ratlam.#MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/Yr49n1xnKU  ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021

After the reports of the ceremony, citizens took to the microblogging website Twitter to show what they really felt about the incident.

Insanity of highest order. In Kannada we have a saying.. "madhuve agoo vargu huchhu bodola..." Some ppl will b so insane that until they get married they can't b sane.   The  Poorna (@IAnnapurnna) April 27, 2021

shadi aaj hi hogi pic.twitter.com/iRCup2x2yp  Naina (@Na1naaa) April 27, 2021

Why couldn't they wait?  Walnut Crumble  (@walnut_crumble) April 26, 2021

Height of desperation!  Sapna Madan /   (@sapnamadan) April 27, 2021

meanwhile first night : pic.twitter.com/kk4UBI1Aqg  SharmaJi KaBeta (@SharmajiKeTweet) April 27, 2021

As the doctors and many frontline workers' are working tirelessly...and few don't have access to the PPE kits and these jokers are wearing kits and getting married, what's wrong with these ppl , can wait till they get tested negative.. wasting the medical gear. Eg: idiots exists  Dr.Twarakavi shanmukha sai (@shanmukhasai08) April 26, 2021

Getting married is kinda a big event in life eh?  Pramod (@pillspramod) April 26, 2021

Kya ni ho raha tha susron ko shadi kiye bager.....yahan duniya khatm ho rahi...inko shadi ki jaldi hai  Dolli #maskpehnochupchap (@desh_bhkt) April 27, 2021

I can see no rational reason to have proceeded with the wedding at this stage. This is plain stupidity if you ask me. Waiting for 2 weeks would have been the wise thing to do.  Prasannasimha (@Prasannasimha) April 27, 2021

What was the need to get married at this point??  Dr.Deepa Sharma (@deepadoc) April 27, 2021

Hahaha..shaadi is the only aim   mistral (@pp_purohit) April 27, 2021

Look at the comfort & confidence of bride & others, baffling  Pradnya (@musttravelmore) April 27, 2021

Thoda wait nahi kar sakte they? Utmost stupidity coupled with desperation.  Manisha Kadyan (@Miss_Kadyan) April 27, 2021
W.W. Norton said in a memo to its staff on Tuesday that it will permanently take Blake Baileys biography of Philip Roth out of print, following allegations that Mr. Bailey sexually assaulted multiple women and behaved inappropriately toward his students when he was an eighth grade English teacher.

The announcement came after the publisher decided last week that it would stop shipping and promoting the title, which it released earlier in April. On Wednesday, the digital versions of the book were no longer available on Amazon or Barnes & Nobles sites, and Recorded Books, which published the audio version, said it was removing it from sale. It wasnt immediately clear what would happen with existing printed copies of the book.

Norton is permanently putting out of print our editions of Philip Roth: The Biography and The Splendid Things We Planned, Blake Baileys 2014 memoir. Mr. Bailey will be free to seek publication elsewhere if he chooses, the email said, which was signed by Nortons president, Julia A. Reidhead. A copy of the email was reviewed by The New York Times.

Ms. Reidhead also said that Norton would make a donation in the amount of the advance it paid to Mr. Bailey, who received a mid-six-figure book deal, to organizations that support sexual assault survivors and victims of sexual harassment.
ATLANTA, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Equifax (NYSE: EFX) has introduced a new InnovationX immersive experience to help fintechs, established financial institutions and other organizations accelerate innovation in today's competitive market. This unique testing ground for new financial services products enables organizations to validate ideas and understand new markets with ready access to real-time, cloud-native data and advanced analytics that only Equifax can provide. New innovations are developed in close collaboration with Equifax executive leadership and the best-of-the-best in data science. InnovationX will be led by Peter Maynard, Ph.D, the newly appointed Senior Vice President of Data and Analytics for Equifax United States Information Solutions (USIS).

Introducing InnovationX from Equifax

"E-commerce and financial services have converged. Customers expect the same convenience, flexibility and personalized experience from the financial services companies they interact with as they do major e-commerce retailers," said Sid Singh, Equifax USIS President. "InnovationX was created to help financial institutions of all sizes create experiences that stand apart from the competition. We're inviting organizations to test and validate their ideas using our unique data and analytics expertise - working hands-on with Peter Maynard and our USIS Data and Analytics team to innovate at the speed of now."

InnovationX brings fintechs and other companies the insights they need to drive change for their customers and smarter revenue for their businesses. By participating in the InnovationX immersive experience, organizations can:

Quickly test and bring new solutions to market with real-time access to data and analytics, and cloud-native, differentiated data assets that only Equifax can provide. Equifax Data Fabric will enable access to the precise data needed to expand an organization's view of their customers, create new financial opportunities for unbanked or underbanked individuals, and make more informed decisions while managing risk.

Leverage patented Equifax Explainable Artificial Intelligence (xAI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to analyze massive structured and unstructured data sets rapidly;

Choose from a menu of customizable options to create the model configuration with segmentation, data source and modelling techniques that works best for their business; and

Drive greater Digital Identity Trust for each identity behind every payment, account creation and login event  blocking fraud in real time and enabling personalized customer experiences.

"Predictive data and advanced analytics are at the heart of fintech innovation and competitive advantage," commented Maynard. "InnovationX enables us to work side-by-side with customers to help them harness the power of data as they prepare to launch new solutions, remain ahead of changing credit risk patterns, reduce fraud and create better customer experiences in an increasingly competitive environment."

Maynard has spent seven years in enterprise analytics leadership roles at Equifax. He brings more than two decades of experience to the role of Senior Vice President of Data & Analytics, and joined Equifax from a major financial institution, where he spent more than 10 years leading application risk and response modeling. Under Maynard's leadership, InnovationX will offer businesses the insights they need to deliver convenience, flexibility and a more personalized experience to their customers.

The Equifax InnovationX immersive experience is open now in Atlanta, with in-person and virtual sessions designed in accordance with COVID-19 social-distancing guidelines. For more information, or to get started, visit Equifax.com .

ABOUT EQUIFAX INC.

At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by more than 11,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Kate Walker for Equifax USIS

[email protected]

SOURCE Equifax Inc.

Related Links

http://www.equifax.com


As part of the transaction, EQT Infrastructure will retain ownership of Segra's fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) residential and small- to medium-sized business segment in Virginia and North Carolina and accelerate the plan to expand broadband services to neighborhoods and markets throughout their regions.

"Cox is focused on buying and investing where it makes sense, and we believe that the demand for broadband infrastructure will continue to grow, making fiber an attractive area for long-term investment," said Pat Esser, president and CEO, Cox Communications. "Acquiring Segra's commercial services business is another key milestone in our pursuit of strategic infrastructure to ensure that we're providing the best products and services to our customers."

In the last few years, Cox network infrastructure investments have included EasyTel, EdgeConneX, InSite Wireless, StackPath, Unite Private Networks and ViaWest. The Segra acquisition supports that ongoing focus.

"Our relationship with Cox will allow Segra to leverage expert resources, capabilities and strategic insights in order to scale up operations and accelerate long-term growth," said Timothy Biltz, CEO of Segra. "Cox and Segra are equally devoted to the communities we serve. We will be even more strongly positioned to meet growing demand from carrier and enterprise customers for high-bandwidth fiber-infrastructure solutions. I would also like to thank EQT for its continued guidance and invaluable support as we worked to grow the business over the last nearly four years."

Segra's existing management team will continue to lead the Segra enterprise and carrier organization following the acquisition, will retain the Segra brand and operate as a stand-alone business within the Cox family of companies.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Bank Street Group LLC and Goldman Sachs and Co. LLC acted as financial advisors and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP acted as legal advisor to Segra in connection with the transaction.

About Cox Communications:

Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. The largest private telecom company in America, we proudly serve six million homes and businesses across 18 states. We're dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that makes each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.

About Cox Business:

The commercial division of Cox Communications, Cox Business provides voice, data and video services for more than 355,000 small and regional businesses nationwide, including health care providers; K12 and higher education; financial institutions; and federal, state and local government organizations. The organization also serves most of the top-tier wireless and wireline telecommunications carriers in the U.S. through its wholesale division. For more information, please visit www.coxbusiness.com.

About Segra:

Segra is one of the largest independent fiber infrastructure bandwidth companies in the Eastern U.S. It owns and operates an advanced fiber infrastructure network throughout nine Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states. Segra provides Ethernet, MPLS, dark fiber, advanced data center services, IP and managed services, voice and cloud solutions, all backed by its industry-leading service and reliability. Customers include carriers, enterprises, governments, higher education and healthcare organizations. For more information about Segra's technology and commitment to customer care, visit segra.com.

SOURCE Cox Communications
[April 27, 2021] Sheppard Mullin Adds Appellate Specialist in Orange County

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is pleased to announce that Todd E. Lundell has joined the firm's Orange (News - Alert) County office as a partner in the Appellate practice group. Lundell is a Certified Specialist in Appellate Law and is an elected member of the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers. He was most recently a partner at Snell & Wilmer. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005899/en/ Todd Lundell, Partner, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP (Photo: Business Wire) "Todd's senior appellate expertise is a terrific complement to our existing capabilities," said Sheppard Mullin managing partner Robert Beall. "The fact that he is barred in California and New York is a real bonus for us, as he will be able to help our litigators on both coasts." Commenting on the addition of Lundell, Karin Vogel, Leader of the firm's Appellate team, said, "Our appellate team is busy across the board, so the timing of having Todd join us is perfect. Given his broad and deep experience, he'll be able to jump in right away and be a strong asset to the firm and our clients." Lundell has wored on various civil appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and D.C. Circuits, and in state appellate courts in California, New York, Oregon, and West Virginia. He has also prepared certiorari petitions and merits briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court. He has considerable experience drafting merits briefs, amicus briefs, petitions for review, and petitions for writ of mandamus and supersedeas. These cases have addressed a wide variety of substantive matters including product liability, insurance law, partnership fiduciary duties and liabilities, civil RICO, state copyright law, breach of contract, tortious interference with contract, tax, securities fraud, and labor and employment. Lundell also has broad experience assisting trial counsel both during and after trial with legal strategy, complex motions, appellate preservation issues, jury instructions and verdict forms, and post-trial motions.



Lundell received his B.A. from Brigham Young University and his J.D., with honors, from Columbia University School of Law, where he was Senior Editor of the Columbia Law Review. Following law school, Lundell clerked for The Honorable Wilfred Feinberg, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. About Sheppard Mullin's Appellate Team

Sheppard Mullin's appellate attorneys have handled hundreds of appeals, writ proceedings, and motions in state and federal courts throughout California and the United States. When litigation is still in the trial courts, they consult with the firm's litigators regarding record preservation, post-trial motions, and strategy. They then use their experience to provide clients with initial evaluations of whether filing an appeal makes sense, and they prosecute and respond to appeals with briefs that are clear, concise, and effective. Sheppard Mullin appellate lawyers have handled appeals in virtually every civil practice area affecting businesses and individuals, including specialized state and federal statutory claims, bankruptcy, and white collar crime. About Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP Sheppard Mullin is a full-service Global 100 firm with more than 980 attorneys in 15 offices located in the United States, Europe and Asia. Since 1927, industry-leading companies have turned to Sheppard Mullin to handle corporate and technology matters, high-stakes litigation and complex financial transactions. In the U.S., the firm's clients include almost half of the Fortune 100. For more information, please visit www.sheppardmullin.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005899/en/

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Apple fined $12 million for abuse of market power

 pixabay.com

17:36 27/04/2021

MOSCOW, April 27 (RAPSI)  Russias Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has fined Apple Inc 906.2 million rubles ($12 million) for abuse of dominant position, the watchdogs press service reports.

In August 2020, the antimonopoly agency completed consideration of a case against Apple Inc opened upon a claim of Kaspersky Laboratory.

FAS revealed that the company abused iOS mobile apps market power by committing certain actions resulting in affording competitive edge to its products and worsening of condition of distribution of the rivals products, namely the parental controls application.

The regulator issued warning to Apple demanding to eliminate violations. Its execution is suspended now because it was challenged in court.
ANN ARBOR, MI - Reggie the Campus Corgi swam in the Pacific Ocean, hiked through Zion National Park and flew on airplanes across the country.

There was no place he was happier, though, than walking through the University of Michigan campus to brighten the days of students and staff alike, Reggies owner Michael P. Sola said.

Reggie truly loved his UMich family, Sola said. He would be so excited and happy when I told him we will go into town. Of course, all his friends gave him treats and hugs every time he was with them, so its understandable.

The red-and-white Pembroke Welsh corgi, whose presence as a greeter on the UM campus and in downtown Ann Arbor made him a minor celebrity, died unexpectedly on Dec. 20, 2020, at the age of 10. Sola confirmed Reggies passing on his Facebook page last week.

Sola - a self-described townie who has lived outside Ann Arbor since 1977 - adopted Reggie when the dog was 2 years old. He began taking Reggie to the UM campus Diag during peak foot traffic hours when the dog was 4, letting students pet him, give him a treat and take their photo with him, which is shared on Reggies official Facebook page.

The page, which has more than 3,500 followers, has been flooded with memories and messages of sympathy from the UM and Ann Arbor communities.

I had the pleasure of meeting him a few years ago, and I always enjoyed watching him meet students, and even interact with other critters on campus, Bob Eccles said on Reggies Facebook page. Rest in peace, my furry friend.

Kim Clarke, a writer for UMs Heritage Project, said Reggie was always a welcome presence on campus, with the corgi starring in different videos and photo shoots for the universitys social media pages. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, UM social media made a Reggie backdrop for Zoom.

When UM celebrated its bicentennial in 2017, Clarke said Reggie joined in the campus fall festival celebration at the universitys request, trotting through the Michigan Union to greet people.

Whats not to like about a corgi? Clarke said. He was a very friendly, happy dog. I think we all owe his owner a tremendous thanks for sharing Reggie with the campus.

Beyond the UM campus, Sola said Reggie would attract crowds along Main Street, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market and even communities outside of Ann Arbor with his fearless disposition around strangers and with admirers knowing him by name.

His popularity even earned Reggie some support to be president of the universitys Central Student Government, despite being a dog.

There was always excitement when he launched himself into a crowd on the Diag or the Fishbowl, Sola said. We would meet his friends everywhere we went.

Through the years, Sola said the trained service and therapy dog impacted countless UM students who were missing their own dogs while away from home.

That includes some UM parents, Sola said, who would thank him online for helping their son or daughter get through a difficult semester.

I learned to stand back and let the moment be all about the student and Reggie, Sola said. So many students told me whatever problems they were having, melted away when he came running up to them with that happy smile on his face.

When he was away from campus, Reggie enjoyed the simple pleasures of being a dog, Sola said, including chasing after deer, chickens and squirrels in the backyard.

Reggie lived a very full, wonderful life for 10 years, Sola said. Every night I would put on YouTube videos of wolves howling, and we would sit on the couch and howl right back. He loved it.

READ MORE:

Group wants campus corgi elected UMich student government president

Meet Reggie, the University of Michigans celebrity campus corgi

COVID-19 vaccination required for University of Michigan students living on campus in fall
There is rarely a better sight then seeing our hometown or village spotless, glistening in the sunshine and creating images that the make the world jealous they dont have the privilege of living in Ireland.

But while we all contribute to creating that image by taking out our phones and creating a perfect picture, what is lost on many is the tremendous work the Tidy Towns Committees around the country do to keep those beauty spots looking just that, beautiful.

However sometimes the work of these volunteers is taken for granted and spoiled by the actions of others as was the case over the weekend, when the rubbish collected by Dundalk Tidy Towns was burnt.

On Saturday our volunteers gave up their time to clean a part of our town, unfortunately it wasn't appreciated by someone who set fire to the 23 bags of litter we had collected the group confirmed on their Facebook page.

We utterly condemn this needless, dangerous action and ask anyone who may have noticed anyone acting suspiciously in the area on Sunday night to please contact us.

The volunteers had been collecting rubbish along the walkway which links the Dublin Road and the Avenue Road and follows the Rampart River, with the bags left for collection.

Despite the incident, the group remains committed to keeping the town clean, but has decided to move the date of their weekly clean up from Saturday mornings to a weekday evening as they continue to take part in this months National Spring Clean.
Rockville, Md. (April 27, 2021)--A new study reveals that renin-angiotensin system (RAS) genes within the amygdala--the brain region important for traumatic memory processing--express differently when the brain develops fearful memories, such as when people undergo traumatic stress. Researchers have found that medication may potentially be used as a pharmacological blockade of the angiotensin type 1 receptor, thereby improving components of fear memory as assessed by freezing behavior. The research team from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., will present their findings virtually at the American Physiological Society's (APS) annual meeting at Experimental Biology 2021.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in the U.S. The RAS gene, which is critical for blood pressure regulation, is seen as a potentially important link between PTSD and CVD. This study examined the RAS within areas of the brain responsible for processing traumatic or fear-related memories and its effects on cardiovascular regulation. The researchers hoped that it would lead to new treatment and prevention strategies for both PTSD and PTSD-related CVD risk.

Current treatment options for PTSD are limited, and the causes of PTSD-CVD risk is unclear. These pre-clinical findings shed light on a potential therapeutic target and extend the current understanding for the regulation of brain RAS during fear learning and memory recall processes that are impaired in PTSD.

###

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: To schedule an interview with a member of the research team, and/or request the abstract, "Dynamic regulation of brain renin angiotensin system during fear memory reconsolidation," please contact the APS Communications Office or call 301.634.7314. Find more research highlights in the APS Newsroom.

About Experimental Biology 2021

Experimental Biology is the annual meeting of five societies that explores the latest research in physiology, anatomy, biochemistry and molecular biology, investigative pathology and pharmacology. With a mission to share the newest scientific concepts and research findings shaping clinical advances, the meeting offers an unparalleled opportunity for global exchange among scientists who represent dozens of scientific areas, from laboratory to translational to clinical research.

About the American Physiological Society

Physiology is a broad area of scientific inquiry that focuses on how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function in health and disease. The American Physiological Society connects a global, multidisciplinary community of more than 10,000 biomedical scientists and educators as part of its mission to advance scientific discovery, understand life and improve health. The Society drives collaboration and spotlights scientific discoveries through its 16 scholarly journals and programming that support researchers and educators in their work.
The World Health Organization chief voiced alarm Monday at India's record-breaking wave of Covid-19 cases and deaths, saying the organisation was rushing to help address the crisis

Geneva, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Apr, 2021 ) :The World Health Organization chief voiced alarm Monday at India's record-breaking wave of Covid-19 cases and deaths, saying the organisation was rushing to help address the crisis.

"The situation in India is beyond heartbreaking," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters.

His comments came as India battles a catastrophic coronavirus wave that has overwhelmed hospitals and crematoriums working at full capacity.

A surge in recent days has seen patients' families taking to social media to beg for oxygen supplies and locations of available hospital beds, and has forced the capital New Delhi to extend a week-long lockdown.

"WHO is doing everything we can, providing critical equipment and supplies," Tedros said.

He said the UN health agency was among other things sending "thousands of oxygen concentrators, prefabricated mobile field hospitals and laboratory supplies." The WHO also said it had transferred more than 2,600 of its experts from various programmes, including polio and tuberculosis, to work with Indian health authorities to help respond to the pandemic.

The country of 1.3 billion has become the latest hotspot of a pandemic that has killed more than three million people worldwide, even as richer countries take steps towards normality with quickening inoculation programmes.

The US and Britain rushed ventilators and vaccine materials to help India weather the devastating crisis, while a range of other countries also pledged support.

Since the virus that causes Covid-19 first surfaced in China in late 2019, the disease has killed more than 3.1 million people out of at least 147 million infected, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP.

Tedros on Monday lamented that global new case numbers have been rising for the past nine weeks straight.

"To put it in perspective," he said, "there were almost as many cases globally last week as in the first five months of the pandemic." The United States remains the worst-affected country, with some 572,200 deaths and over 32 million infections, followed by Brazil and Mexico.

But India, in fourth place, has in recent days been driving the global case numbers.

The country, which has recorded over 195,000 deaths, registered 2,812 new deaths and 352,991 new infections on Monday alone -- its highest tolls since the start of the pandemic.
Ben Franklin High School is the 64th best high school in the nation, according to a report issued Tuesday by U. S. News & World Report.

Ben Franklin atop New Orleans-area schools dominating Louisiana rankings; see full list Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans is the 73rd best public high school in the nation and tops in Louisiana, according to 2019 rankin

The school is also the top rated in Louisiana.

Lusher Charter School is listed as No. 156 by the digital firm.

Both schools are in New Orleans.

The report ranks 17,800 high schools nationally on college readiness, reading and math proficiency, reading and math performance, underserved student performance, the scope of college curriculum and graduation rates.

The data is from the 2018-19 school year, which means it was not affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Last year Ben Franklin was ranked the 71st best school and Lusher No. 148.

Among charter schools nationally Ben Franklin is ranked No. 13 and Lusher No. 42.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia is rated No. 1 in the nation.

"Families can use the best high schools rankings to see how schools compare at the national, state and local level on factors like graduation rates and college readiness," Anita Narayan, managing editor of education at U. S. News, said in a statement that accompanied the report.

"The rankings also provide insight into academic performance among underserved groups showing how well schools are supporting these students."

The full report is available at https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools?src=usn_pr.
Two children are fighting for life after a car veered off the road and slammed into a tree in a seaside town.

Detectives launched a public appeal for information into the horror crash in Wonthaggi south-east of Melbourne on Monday afternoon.

Police believe the driver of a black hatchback veered off Merrin Crescent and struck a tree about 3.50pm.

A 11-year-old boy in the front passenger seat suffered life-threatening injuries and airlifted to the The Royal Childrens Hospital in Melbourne in a coma.

A three-year-old girl in the back seat was also seriously injured and airlifted to the same hospital.

Two children were airlifted to hospital after a horror crash in Merrin Crescent, Wonthaggi (pictured) on Monday afternoon

The pair remain in a critical but stable condition, according to a hospital statement.

Another back seat passenger, a 17-year-old girl also suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the local hospital.

The circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined.

The driver of the car who also suffered minor injuries was arrested at the scene.

The 41-year-old Morwell man was later released pending further inquiries and is assisting police with their ongoing investigations.

Anyone who witnessed or has dashcam footage leading up to the crash is urged to contact them.




By Kim Hyun-bin







Hyundai Oilbank has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Honeywell UOP to transition-its oil refinery business into a renewable energy system or so-called "RE platform."







Honeywell UOP possesses the largest number of patents in the energy and petrochemical sector. The signing ceremony was conducted online with Hyundai Oilbank CEO Kang Dal-ho and Honeywell UOP CEO Bryan Glover in attendance.







Hyundai Oilbank has picked blue hydrogen, "white bio" and eco-friendly chemicals as its top three future businesses, which will make up 70 percent of the company's operating profit by 2030.?Blue hydrogen refers to splitting natural gas into hydrogen and carbon dioxide and capturing and storing the latter, while white bio is replacing materials from the chemical industry with renewables.







"Through technological cooperation with Honeywell UOP, we plan to swiftly transform our factories into RE platforms," Kang said. "Through it, we aim to find success in our top three future businesses."







As part of that goal, Hyundai Oilbank aims to use eco-friendly materials and utilities for its oil-refining business to swiftly shift into a renewable energy system.







The company is currently constructing a heavy-feed petrochemical complex (HPC) that can produce a diverse range of eco-friendly chemical products used to make solar panels and materials for electric vehicle components.







For a swift transition, Hyundai Oilbank is considering implementing Honeywell UOP's hybrid crude oil to chemical technologies.







Honeywell UOP also holds scores of patents in the white bio sector, as Hyundai Oil Bank aims to enter the global bio and aviation fuel market by 2025 and plans to enhance cooperation between them.







In addition, the two firms seeks to boost technological cooperation in other fields, including renewable energy and carbon dioxide capture and utilization.







Honeywell UOP was established in 1914 and has developed original technologies in diverse fields including energy, petrochemicals, white bio and renewable energy.


Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 15:57:39|Editor: huaxia

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SUVA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The B1617 variant of COVID-19 first detected in India has now been discovered in Fiji as the island nation reported on Tuesday six more COVID-19 cases.

According to Fiji's Health Ministry, four of the six are of soldiers returning from overseas and fraternizing amongst themselves, breaching the rules in place, while the other two are family members of the woman from the Cunningham case in the capital city of Suva.

The Health Ministry also confirmed that they received confirmation from the Melbourne lab that the COVID-19 variant in Fiji was first detected in India. This dangerous variant already exists in the countries such as Brazil, the United States and Britain.

Fiji has had 109 cases in total, with 42 active cases, 65 recoveries and two deaths since its first case was reported on March 19 last year.

Currently, Fiji has 24 locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 and 20 imported cases.

There are more than 40 screening clinics open throughout Fiji. More than 93,000 Fijians have been checked recently for COVID-like symptoms and travel histories that may place them in the path of Fijian living with COVID-19. More than 120,000 Fijians will be screened in the coming days.

To contain the spread of COVID-19, Fiji announced on Sunday the 14-day containment zones in the Lami-Suva-Nausori area. Beginning at 4:00 a.m. local time on Monday and for the next 14 days, Fijians will not be allowed in or out of the containment zones in the Lami-Suva-Nausori area.

Fiji has maintained a nationwide curfew from 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. local time since March last year. Enditem
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

That college degree may be useful in many ways, but new research suggests it probably won't keep your brain from shrinking with age.

Over the years, a number of studies have suggested that education might buffer people against age-related declines in memory and thinking. But those findings did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

In the new study, researchers asked whether people's education levels were related to an objective marker of brain aging: atrophy, or thinning, of the brain tissue.

Overall, the study found, there was no strong connection.

Based on MRI brain scans of over 2,000 Europeans, higher education level was only "modestly" associated with greater brain tissue volume. And over time, people with more education lost brain tissue just as quickly as those with fewer years of schooling.

The findings "suggest that education does not seem to have any causal protective impact in how the brain changes with age," said researcher Anders Fjell, a professor at the University of Oslo, in Norway.

The study does not, however, discount other brain benefits of education, according to Claire Sexton, who directs scientific programs and outreach for the Alzheimer's Association.

One theory is that education does not forestall age-related brain changes, but helps people weather them better, Sexton explained.

It's thought that better-educated people might have greater "cognitive reserve," meaning they are able to maintain more of their mental acuity even as brain tissue itself ages.

Education was not related to rate of change in cortical volume. Credit: Fredrik Magnussen, Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, University of Oslo, Norway

Sexton, who was not involved in the new study, said it offers important information.

But, she added, the findings "don't really call into question" prior studies tying higher education levels to lower dementia risk.

Besides the cognitive-reserve theory, Sexton said it's also possible that education has indirect benefits, to the extent that it protects people from other risk factors for dementia.

For example, conditions that affect the heart and blood vesselslike high blood pressure and diabetesare also linked to higher dementia risk. Better-educated people may have higher incomes, healthier diets, more opportunities for exercise and better cardiovascular health, Sexton said.

Fjell agreed that the new findings "do not go against education having potentially positive effects in aging."

But they do challenge the notion that education may somehow slow down brain aging, his team added.

The study, published online April 26 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, included over 2,000 European adults aged 29 to 91. All underwent at least two MRI brain scans over a period of up to 11 years.

As expected, older adults had less brain tissue volume than younger people, including in the hippocampus, a structure involved in memory that is often damaged in the early stages of dementia.

But when it came to education level, there was only a modest correlation with brain tissue volume, the study found. And there was no evidence that people with more education had a slower loss of brain volume over time.

Beyond formal education early in life, there is also a question of whether engaging in mentally stimulating activities over the life span can help slow age-related decline.

This study does not address that, said Lars Nyberg, a professor at Umea University in Sweden, and co-researcher on the work.

Nyberg said there have been some "promising findings" on the effects of mental stimulation, but also a lack of "large longitudinal" studies (the kind that follow people over years).

To Nyberg, there is a broader message from the latest findings.

"We still need to learn much more about factors that have been labeled 'modifiable," to know what to focus on as individuals and as a society," he said.

The Alzheimer's Association is currently funding a trial to get a better handle on what specific measures can help delay or prevent dementia.

The study is testing whether a combination of lifestyle measures can slow mental decline in older adults believed to be at high risk. Those measures include physical exercise, better control of high blood pressure and diabetes, and mentally stimulating activities.

But people do not have to wait to take those steps, Sexton noted. She said it's "never too early or too late" to adopt healthy lifestyle habits.

Explore further Your neighborhood may affect your brain health

More information: Lars Nyberg et al, Educational attainment does not influence brain aging, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2021). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Lars Nyberg et al, Educational attainment does not influence brain aging,(2021). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2101644118

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LOS ANGELESVeteran adult performer Siri Dahl shares her thoughts on society's vilification of sex work in a new op-ed piece for The Daily Beast, "'Get a Real Job, Whore': The Dark Reality of Sex Worker Hate."

Having worked in the adult industry on and off for nearly a decade, Dahl says she knows all too well "how pervasive that particular mentality is. Being told to get a 'real' job is a regular occurrence for all sex workers. The verbal denigration we face is just one facet of our culture's fear and hatred of sex workers.

"Regardless of what you think of my job, there is one thing I want and, frankly, need you to understand: Sex workers have a massive impact on our economy," she continues. "Last year, for the first time in my life, I was able to donate significantly to causes I care about, such as racial justice, trans rights, sex worker rights, LGBTQIA+ youth programs, and my local stray cat rescue.

"Many sex workers use their income to support their families ... many of us support our chose families, too ... this is just what sex workers do for our communities, in a culture that would rather see us dead or barely surviving."

Dahl also notes that "it's routine for sex workers to have trouble opening a bank account, or to have an existing bank account shut down and funds seized without warning ... and, yes, we're also far more likely to be victims of violencesexual or otherwise. Being a sex worker in 2021 feels like I'm waking up to a new dumpster fire almost every day, and I am exhausted.

"It's time that we stop erasing the efforts of sex workers simply because the word 'sex' is in our job description," she concludes. "If the impact of sex workers on our communities and economy were laid bare for all to see, that impact would be so undeniable that the new war on sex workers would be revealed for what it truly is: hatred masquerading as salvation."

To read Dahl's op-ed piece in full, click here.

Find and follow Siri Dahl at SiriDahl.com and on AVN Stars, Twitter and Instagram.
A man suspected of homicide in New York who authorities considered armed and dangerous was arrested Monday at a Days Inn Hotel in Massachusetts, police said.

New York City detectives contacted Methuen police around 5:45 a.m. about the suspect, noting he may be armed and dangerous and staying at the Days Inn Hotel at 159 Pelham St. in Methuen, according to the citys police department.

Uniformed Methuen patrol officers immediately started to surveil the hotel. The suspect, 57-year-old German Reynoso, was then detained without incident as he attempted to check out of the hotel, the department said.

Reynoso was taken to the Methuen police station where he was charged as a fugitive from justice. He is expected to appear in Lawrence District Court on Tuesday for arraignment and extradition proceedings, according to the department.

The suspect is accused of killing 50-year-old Ramona Rodriguez-Reynoso on April 23, New York police told The Boston Globe. Officers found the victim inside a bathtub with a gunshot wound to her head, and she was pronounced dead at her Washington Heights apartment, according to the newspaper.

The killing remains under investigation by the New York Police Department 33rd Precinct Detective Squad.
NEW HAVEN  Things will get a lot more convenient for would-be Tweed New Haven Regional Airport flyers with American Airlines soon returning to early-morning departures from Tweed, airport officials said.

Since American Eagle resumed serving Tweed Jan. 5, more than half of the outbound connections have required an overnight stay in Philadelphia, the only nonstop destination from Tweed and the gateway to the rest of Americans route system, according to airport figures.

Americans plan will allow for convenient connections for travelers flying through Philadelphia International Airport to more distant destinations, said Sean Scanlon, executive director of the Tweed New Haven Airport Authority.

So far this year, the single daily outbound flights from Tweed to Philadelphia have departed at 6:25 p.m. and arrived at 7:36 p.m. The flights only run five days a week, with no flights on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. The flight from Philadelphia to Tweed departs at 4:52 p.m. and arrives at 5:55 p.m.

That schedule will continue through May 31, according to Americans website.

Beginning June 4, American Eagle will park a plane overnight at Tweed and the one daily Philadelphia-bound flight will depart at 7:40 a.m. and arrive at 8:54 a.m. The one flight from Philadelphia to New Haven will depart at 6:29 p.m. and arrive at 7:39 p.m., according to Americans website.

The new flight times  and particularly the morning flight to Philadelphia  are optimal for connections, said Scanlon.

American announced Aug. 20, 2020, that it would suspend service to Tweed and 14 other airports for at least one month beginning Oct. 7, 2020, citing a decrease in demand and the expiration of coronavirus pandemic-related stimulus measures as rationale for the decision.

At the time, American Eagle flights were running between Tweed and Charlotte, N.C. The airline ceased service between Tweed and Philadelphia on Sept. 9, 2020, when it expanded service between Tweed and Charlotte.

When it resumed on Jan. 5, it resumed flights between Tweed and Philadelphia. There currently are no flights between Tweed and Charlotte.

Tweed, which long has pushed for a longer runway, recently completed its periodic airport master plan update, an 18-month process that included both community and technical advisory input. The master plan update calls for Tweed to move the airports main entrance and terminal to the East Haven side and extend the main runway from 5,600 feet to 6,635 feet.

The results are pending an environmental assessment, currently underway.

Tweed straddles the New Haven-East Haven border, and while it is owned by New Haven, it is located in both municipalities.

The prospect of future runway extension received a boost when the U.S. Supreme Court announced March 23, 2020, that it wont hear the states request to review a federal appeals courts ruling in favor of Tweed in the airports effort to extend its runway by paving portions of grassy runway safety areas at either end.

The decision clears the way for Tweed to ultimately lengthen its main runway, something Tweed officials and New Haven leaders have said is essential to the airports future and its efforts to attract additional air service. The airport is owned by the city.

Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that since American Airlines' American Eagle commuter airline resumed serving Tweed New Haven Regional Airport with flights to and from Philadelphia on Jan. 5, more than half -- not all -- of the outbound connections have required an overnight stay in Philadelphia.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
By REBECCA BOONE, The Associated Press

BOISE, Idaho (AP)  An Idaho lawmaker facing rape allegations from a 19-year-old intern was previously warned against hitting on women who work at the Statehouse after his colleagues heard complaints from other staffers, according to documents gathered by the Legislatures ethics committee and obtained by The Associated Press.

The investigation into Lewiston Republican Rep. Aaron von Ehlingers conduct began in March when a 19-year-old legislative intern told a supervisor that the 38-year-old lawmaker raped her at his apartment after the two had dinner at a restaurant.

The Boise Police Department has a criminal investigation underway and the Legislatures Ethics Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Wednesday to determine if the lawmaker engaged in conduct unbecoming a representative which is detrimental to the integrity of the House. The Associated Press obtained the investigatory documents on Monday via a public records request.

Von Ehlinger has denied the allegations and maintains the sexual encounter was consensual.

I take my my service seriously, both to my country and to my state and the idea that I would be out doing something like this is um, preposterous, he told the committee according to a transcript of the interview. And it disgusts me to even be accused of it.

His attorney, Edward Dindinger, told the AP in an email Monday night that the lawmaker is innocent of wrongdoing and looks forward to putting the matter to rest.

These are non-issues which only serve to distract from the heinous, demonstrably false allegations which have been leveled against Representative von Ehlinger, Dindinger wrote.

The ethics committee documents include text messages, letters and transcriptions of interviews the committee did with von Ehlinger, his colleagues, other Statehouse staffers and the young intern who made the rape report. The AP does not normally name victims in alleged sexual assault cases

Several of the people who were interviewed testified that concerns emerged about von Ehlingers behavior after they heard that he had flirted with staffers or otherwise made women who worked at the Statehouse uncomfortable.

One staffer asked a supervisor for help after she said von Ehlinger made her feel uncomfortable and asked her on a date.

That situation was resolved with an email from the staffer who told the lawmaker that she was married and not comfortable being alone with him, according to the documents.

In another instance, a lobbyist reported that von Ehlinger followed her around and made her feel uncomfortable during events outside the Statehousen and that at one event she was worried he might have even rifled through her purse, trying to find her home address.

During his testimony, von Ehlinger told the committee that he had previously asked out another woman who works on the Capitol grounds.

At various times, Idaho Speaker of the House Scott Bedke and House Majority Caucus Chair Rep. Megan Blanksma were alerted to the complaints, according to the documents.

Blanksma was concerned to the point that she asked a colleague to warn von Ehlinger that he needed to remain strictly professional and avoid any behavior that could be perceived as flirtatious.

Von Ehlinger did not seem receptive to the warning, Blanksma told the committee.

I hate to attribute, you know, any particular attitude to him but, it was, he was defensive when he came upstairs and I dont know that he appreciated the effort or the spirit in which the suggestion was made, Blanksma said. I felt that he was pushing back on me even suggesting that path forward.

Von Ehlinger told the committee that despite the warning, he still thought it was appropriate to ask staffers out on dates because he believed if the individual had a problem with him doing so, they would let him know, and that the matter would be closed.

The 19-year-old intern told the committee that von Ehlinger brought her back to his apartment instead of to her car after dinner because he said he had to pick up something first.

When they were inside, she said he physically carried her to the bedroom and at one point he was kneeling on her with his knees on top of her shoulders.

She said she told von Ehlinger she didnt want to have sexual contact and at one point lied and said she wasnt on birth control in hopes that he would be dissuaded. She said the lawmaker ignored her, forcing her to have oral sex.

Von Ehlingers attorney, however, says the lawmaker passed two lie detector tests with no signs of deception, and that the tests show he never picked up the intern, never sat on her or straddled her, and that he never used force, fear or persuasion to engage in sexual contact with the teen. The attorney, Edward Dindinger provided copies of the polygraphs to the AP.

The documents also include transcripts of a call between the intern and von Ehlinger, in which she confronted him and said he forced her to perform oral sex.

Like I told you I didnt wanna do that. I said I was was uncomfortable, she told von Ehlinger during the call.

Von Ehlinger countered that he thought she was enjoying the physical interaction, but said he now has regrets.

I um clearly made you feel uncomfortable, he said, according to the transcript. And um, I didnt know that at the time, but I do now. And thats why Im, uh, like seriously remorseful about it.

The intern told the ethics committee that the investigation had been overwhelming, but that she would do what she needed to in order to support the process.

And thats what Im doing. Im doing my job, she said. " ... Im doing my best to hold my integrity.

More:

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Luxury hotel brand Ruby Hotels has improved conversion and reduced costs through direct guest connections - a result of partnering with Bookboost Guest Messaging to better connect with guests to provide unique stay experiences.

On implementing the guest engagement platform, the Ruby team identified best use case scenarios to build guest relationships and drive cost-saving initiatives. Ruby Hotels identified products to offer by text message to achieve a better level of conversion, incorporating its Green Option - where guests skip a day room cleaning in return for a cocktail - which achieved a staggering 29 per cent conversion rate, compared to only 0.1 per cent by email.

This initiative represents a high five-digit saving per year in room cleaning services across its portfolio, based only on timid September 2020 occupancy levels. Ruby Hotels has also calculated that it saves 42 litres of water for each cleaning that is skipped, enabling the brand to save 42,000 litres of water weekly in a 200 room hotel - the equivalent to a private swimming pool.

In addition, the group identified an opportunity to request a Google review on check-out, improving review ratings by 8 - 11 per cent securing an average score of 4.7 compared to 4.4.

Bookboost has enabled each hotel to directly message guests with personalised messages relevant to their arrival and stay. The guest messaging platform works across numerous messaging channels including Email, SMS, Facebook, Whatsapp, among others giving guests freedom of choice.

Were an innovator in this stage, and we are looking carefully at how to test and implement innovation through proven use cases, said Tobias Koehler, Group Director Systems & Commerce at Ruby Hotels. We also look at how we can harness innovation ourselves through process improvement and reviewing leakage in our operations or service delivery. Its important that we make an effort to get this right for the customer. You only have so much attention from the guest that you can expect. And you need to care and look after this, protect it, and use it in the best possible way.

Ruby Hotels plans to deploy Bookboost in its 10 hotels across Europe as part of its philosophy to provide lean luxury for modern, cost- and style-conscious customers through adopting innovative technologies, which synergizes with Bookboosts mission to empower hotels to engage with guests through conversation for enhanced guest satisfaction and increased revenue.

We are working closely with Ruby Hotels to create personalized experiences for guests through Guest Messaging, said Daan de Bruijn, CEO of Bookboost. Together with Ruby Hotels, we aim to satisfy guests' needs throughout the guest journey according to their time, schedule and likings. And that we do by sending guests the right message, at the right time, on the most appropriate channel, in the right tone.

Bookboosts Guest Messaging solution includes the Omnichannel Website Chat, which automates replies to website visitor inquiries using artificial intelligence and enables guests to talk with Ruby Hotels on their preferred messaging channel. Ruby Hotels also utilises Bookboosts Proactive Direct Messaging to schedule and send personalised SMS to segmented guests.

Direct messaging is beginning to replace email as the communication channel of choice for guests, Bookboost connects to a variety of messaging apps to give guests choice and accommodation providers flexibility. The messaging platform connects to hotel systems including lead property management systems (PMS) such as Clock PMS, MEWS, Opera PMS, Protel, and others to make the experience seamless. - TradeArabia News Service
Using an antiseptic throat spray and an oral medication used to treat malaria and arthritis effectively prevent the transmission of COVID-19, study claims. More than 3,000 migrant workers from India, Bangladesh, China, and Myanmar lived in Tuas South dormitory during the six-week survey, which researchers led from the National University Hospital (NUH) in Singapore, according to Channel News Asia.

Just 46% of people who used throat spray three times a day contracted the infection, based on the findings. This compares to 49% for those taking hydroxychloroquine and 70% for those taking vitamin C.

Malaria drug found to be effective in preventing COVID-19

Voluntarily, 3,037 asymptomatic stable men between the ages of 21 and 60 took part in the study. Participants were ruled out if they had any signs of respiratory disease a month prior to the start of the study, such as fever, cough, or lack of smell. Many that had previously been infected with COVID-19 were also excluded.

Does COVID-19 Vaccine Change Menstrual Cycle? Here Are What To Know

Lead author Raymond Seet, Associate Professor at the NUH, said enrollment began in May of last year, with a "slow but steady rise in COVID-19 numbers" at the dormitory. It was made known to tenants of dormitories in India, Bangladesh, China, and Myanmar.

A six-week regimen was randomly allocated to forty clusters, each identified as individual floors of the dormitory over five blocks. Two groups were given the two medications, and a third group was assigned ivermectin, a parasitic disease treatment medication.

Another community was offered a zinc and vitamin C combination. Instead of a placebo, the test group received vitamin C. Three times a day; the povidone-iodine throat spray was needed.

Social Distancing At 6 or 60 Feet To Prevent COVID-19 Has No Difference, Study Claims

Antiseptic throat spray, malaria drug's efficacy in preventing COVID-19

The antiseptic throat spray and malaria drug were selected because they are readily available and they secure the throat, which is the virus's "main entry point." According to the paper, the results were published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases.

"We concluded that oral hydroxychloroquine was associated with a statistically significant reduction in infection by an absolute risk of reduction of 21%. Meanwhile, povidone-iodine throat spray was associated with a statistically significant reduction in infection by an absolute risk of reduction of 24%," Dr. Seet was quoted as saying. However, the said throat spray and malaria drugs are not intended to be used for COVID-19 protection in the general population if it is a lower-risk setting, as per AhmedBadMirror.

The NUH's Associate Professor Mikael Hartman was quoted as saying, "This is a very straightforward intervention with practically no side effects where we might potentially slash the transmission speeds in a serious way. This is the first research to show that prophylactic or preventive therapy with oral hydroxychloroquine or povidone-iodine throat spray reduces SARS-CoV-2 infection in quarantined individuals living in a closed and high exposure setting," Seet said.

The research procedure had been clarified by a translator, who emphasized the voluntary nature of attendance. Three times a day, the povidone-iodine throat spray was needed. More than half of the participants tested positive for COVID-19 after six weeks. According to the researchers, the antiseptic throat spray and malaria medication should be used in conjunction with other prevention measures in high-risk areas, MINT reported.

Countries Help India Amid Devastating COVID-19 Disaster, Here's How You Can Help Too

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-28 01:10:34|Editor: huaxia

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ULAN BATOR, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The ruling Mongolian People's Party (MPP) led by former Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) led by former President Nambariin Enkhbayar on Tuesday announced their intention to merge.

"The two parties with the same history and the same origins have been able to handle their political differences. This gives us an opportunity to work together," Dashzeveg Amarbayasgalan, general secretary of the MPP, told local media.

The process of merger of the two parties is successfully continuing, said Amarbayasgalan.

"This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of a political party in Mongolia. Therefore, our two parties, which share the same history and ideology, are discussing the merger, with the aimed at working together to address the major challenges facing the country," said Enkhbayar. "Our party is already aiming to join the MPP, so we will support a candidate of the MPP in the upcoming presidential election."

The MPP is the oldest political party in Mongolia. In 2010, the ruling party restored the name at its establishment and has become the MPP. Opposing this, Enkhbayar formed an independent political party and received approval from the Supreme Court of Mongolia in 2010 to use the MPP's previous name of MPRP. Enditem
New Delhi: Air India is going to airlift 10,636 oxygen concentrators from several countries in the next seven days, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Tuesday (April 27).

"Air India is airlifting 10,636 oxygen concentrators manufactured by Philips. 636 (concentrators) already flown in from US. Consignments flying in every day. Will be completed within this week," Puri said on Twitter.

India is struggling with a second wave of the coronavirus infection and hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds.

Twenty people died at Delhi's Jaipur Golden Hospital last Saturday amid a shortage of medical oxygen.

With 3,23,144 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day, India's total tally of COVID-19 cases has climbed to 1,76,36,307, while the national recovery rate has further dropped to 82.54 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

The death toll increased to 1,97,894 with 2,771 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

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MINNEAPOLIS, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Merchology, an online retailer of corporate branded merchandise, announced Ally Delgado has been named a 40 Under 40 Honoree by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Ally is a Co-Founder and the Chief Marketing Officer of the company, which she owns and operates alongside her father Dick Ward and brother Andrew Ward. Ally has been selected to receive this prestigious recognition due to her proven success and accomplishments throughout her career at Deloitte Consulting, General Mills, Harvard Business School, and now Merchology.

The publication received nearly 600 nominations for the list, which all endured a competitive selection process. Honorees are chosen because of their outstanding professional achievements, leadership qualities, and contributions to the broader Twin Cities community.

Merchology partners with top retail brands to create customized merchandise, using various decoration methods. Ally's accomplishments at Merchology are vast, including propelling the company to receive various awards such as landing on the Fast 50, Inc 5000, and Newsweek Best Online Shops lists. Her quick pivoting, adaptation to change and innovative spirit allowed for continued success throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Ally also created and launched Merchology's sustainable brand Zusa, which manufactures apparel and accessories from recycled water bottles, and brought in over $1.2 million in sales in its first year.

Outside of Merchology, Ally served on the board of Social Venture Partners Minnesota and also serves as an investment partner and volunteer. She also is a member of the Women Presidents Organization and leads Merchology's efforts with the 1% for the Planet Organization.

Ally's success in both her career and her personal endeavors have paved an inspiring path for young professionals, and this is just the beginning. "We want to build a great company that people love to work for and with," she states in her interview. "I also want to show my kids that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to if you work hard and are kind to people."

Click here to read the full interview with Ally.

SOURCE Merchology

Related Links

https://www.merchology.com/


STORY: Germany Slovakia - Maas discusses Ukraine with Slovakian counterpart

LENGTH: 02:08

FIRST RUN: 1723

RESTRICTIONS:

TYPE: Natsound

SOURCE: POOL

STORY NUMBER: 4323041

DATELINE: 27 April 2021 - Berlin

SHOTLIST:

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

POOL

Berlin - 27 April 2021

1. Wide of Heiko Maas, German Foreign Minister, Ivan Korcok, Slovakia's Foreign Minister, arriving for press conference ahead of meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (German) Heiko Maas, German Foreign Minister:

"Ultimately, it is good news that Russia has announced that it will withdraw its troops (from the border with Ukraine), and these words must now be followed by corresponding actions very quickly. And further steps are also needed, such as the lifting of sea closures in the Black Sea and the end of ceasefire violations in Ukraine."

3. Wide of presser

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ivan Korcok, Slovakia's Foreign Minister:

"We will discuss the situation in Ukraine where I want to support the German role in that endeavor of international community but rather more focus on the Normandy format to find a political solution to the conflict in the East (of Ukraine). I will underscore that Slovakia supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine and its sovereignty, that has no alternative."

5. Wide of news conference

6. SOUNDBITE (German) Heiko Maas, German Foreign Minister:

"My impression from the talks is that irrespective of (how) things developed in the past, everyone seems to be working to keep the JCPOA alive. For this, it will be necessary that things change massively, both in Iran and with regard to the sanctions. I think we will also see in the foreseeable future whether this path, which everyone seems to be taking, will also lead to a goal and a result."

7. Wide of presser

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Ivan Korcok, Slovakia's Foreign Minister:

"Slovakia has been part of a communication regarding (the) case of (Russian opposition leader Alexei) Navalny of the European Union. So I think this is an important channel of communication also for us. But the position is clear, a fair process and providing, granting him access to the medical treatment of his trust, this is what matters at this moment."

9. Maas and Korcak leaving news conference

STORYLINE:

Germany's foreign minister Heiko Maas met Tuesday with the foreign minister of Slovakia, Ivan Korcok, in Berlin.

In a news conference, the leaders commented on the situation in Ukraine, the ongoing talks in Vienna with Iran and the case of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

"It is good news that Russia has announced that it will withdraw its troops (from the border with Ukraine), and these words must now be followed by corresponding actions very quickly," Maas said.

Maas also discussed the ongoing JCPOA talks in Vienna focused on bringing the United States back into the nuclear deal with Iran.

"It will be necessary that things change massively, both in Iran and with regard to the sanctions. I think we will also see in the foreseeable future whether this path, which everyone seems to be taking, will also lead to a goal and a result," he said.

On Navalny, Korcok said Navalny should get "a fair process" from Russian authorities.

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[April 27, 2021] PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. Provides Career Opportunities for Professionals Located within the Nashville Metropolitan Area

PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: PFSI) (PennyMac), one of the largest publicly-traded residential mortgage companies in the country, announced today recruitment efforts are underway to hire prospective candidates within the Nashville Metropolitan Area. While an office location has yet to be announced, PennyMac is currently looking to hire Loan Officers and other key leadership and support roles for its Consumer Direct Lending business. Named a top three lender in the U.S. by Inside Mortgage Finance, the company continues to extend its workforce in order to serve its 1.9 million homeowners. "Extending PennyMac's operations into Tennessee will boost our coast to coast coverage allowing us to join a thriving business community with a superb talent pool," said Doug Jones, President and Chief Mortgage Banking Officer of PennyMac. "The added support will reinforce our strong stance on providing excellent customer service, while supporting the organization's overall growth initiatives." Since the beginning of the year, PennyMac also announced the opening of two new offices - one in Cary, North Carolina, which is in close proximity to the state's capital, Raleigh, and another in Phoenix, Arizona. Both sites were establihed to support the company's long-term business model, and its commitment to hiring the right talent to meet industry needs and promote career growth from within.



PennyMac currently has fifteen locations nationwide with a dedicated workforce of over 6,000 employees. The company hired over 2,000 new employees in 2020 and plans to continue its growth throughout 2021. PennyMac is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to attracting, developing and engaging an increasingly diverse workforce that reflects the communities where we live and serve. If you are interested in starting a career with PennyMac please visit https://www.pennymacusa.com/careers/more-opportunities-growth.

About PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. is a specialty financial services firm with a comprehensive mortgage platform and integrated business focused on the production and servicing of U.S. mortgage loans and the management of investments related to the U.S. mortgage market. Founded in 2008, the company is recognized as a leader in the U.S. residential mortgage industry and employs over 6,000 people across the country. For the year ended December 31, 2020, PennyMac Financial's production of newly originated loans totaled $197 billion in unpaid principal balance, making it the third largest mortgage lender in the nation. As of December 31, 2020, PennyMac Financial serviced loans totaling $427 billion in unpaid principal balance, making it the sixth largest mortgage servicer in the nation. Additional information about PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. is available at ir (News - Alert) .pennymacfinancial.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005200/en/

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British Columbias health care system is becoming increasingly strained as active COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations reach their highest-ever levels in Canadas West Coast province.

As of Saturday evening, 486 people stricken by COVID-19 were hospitalized and 160 in intensive care. The rapid rise in infections is the direct product of the provincial New Democratic Party (NDP) governments reckless open economy/open schools policy, which has created an ideal environment for the new, more infectious variants to flourish among younger, working-age adults.

Currently, there are 8,842 active COVID-19 cases in BC and a further 12,608 people are in self-isolation after public health agency warnings that they have potentially been exposed to infected persons.

Royal Columbian Hospital (Wikiwand)

Hospitals in four of the provinces five health regions are nearing capacity. Already on April 19, 94.9 percent of total beds were occupied and 80.9 percent of critical care beds. Hospitals in the Vancouver Coastal Health region were at 100 percent of critical care capacity before emergency surge beds were added. Surge capacity, it should be noted, commonly consists of patients being placed in hospital hallways, waiting rooms, shower rooms, sunrooms, or having to be kept in the emergency room for abnormally long periods due to a lack of availability of in-patient units.

Dr. Kelly Kasteel, a doctor from Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, wrote a public Facebook post last weekend detailing the conditions she is working under and the growing crisis hospital staff are bearing witness to. Last week, all of our emergency beds including suture beds and casting beds had admitted patients in them and I only had 2 chairs to assess patients in, she wrote. Let that sink in. ... 2 chairs in my entire department that I had at my disposal to assess every emergency patient that came in.

Dr. Kasteel went on to describe assessing a patient on the floor of the emergency room. She was in the Covid area, explained Dr. Kasteel, and after waiting four hours was feeling so faint she decided it was better to lay on a disgusting emergency floor than to collapse. Covid patients who are transferred in by ambulance because their oxygen is critically low are waiting 3 hours for a bed. ICUs are refusing our transfers out because they literally have no space to care for patients. This is dangerous care. Nothing about this situation is acceptable.

On April 20, there were only 23 unoccupied hospital beds in all of the BC Lower Mainland, where most of the provinces residents live.

Across the Lower Mainland, 1,750 surgeries have now been postponed at nine hospitals, in a desperate attempt to ease the strain on the health care system, by freeing up critical care staff and hospital beds for the influx of COVID-19 patients.

Over 1,550 people in British Columbia have lost their lives to the virus to date, including an infant under two years of age who is now the youngest person to have died from the virus in Canada.

According to data provided by the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BC CDC), as of April 13, 52 of those hospitalized with the virus were children under the age of 10. Yet, John Horgans trade union-backed New Democratic Party government continues to insist that schools remain open across the province, as part of its systematic prioritizing of corporate profits over working peoples health and lives.

The government has even refused to switch to a more appropriate stage of its own much-touted Five-Stage school reopening plan. The K-12 reopening framework was created by the NDP government at the beginning of the pandemic, with total remote learning due to high case numbers being the advisable measure to enact at Level 5, and full in-person schooling with no protective health measuresthe standard before the pandemic  reached at Level 1.

Schools entered Level 2 (full-time in-person learning but within learning groups of limited size) in September 2020. Despite pandemic conditions having dramatically worsened since then, there has been no indication whatsoever that Levels 3 or 4, let alone 5, will be returned to or even considered.

In a public address delivered on April 15, BC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry claimed, Most of the cases in the school setting were acquired outside the school and there was little transmission within the school itself. This is merely a restatement of the falsehood continually promoted by the ruling class in Canada, the US and around the world that schools are safe and children are not vectors of the virus.

The authorities in BC have perfected an especially perfidious tool to peddle this big lie. They describe a school outbreak, regardless of its size, as a single exposure event, meaning that nobody ever knows how many infections actually occur in a specific school. Nor, as a result, can they properly trace an exposures community impact.

COVID-19 infections in BC have been rising sharply since mid-March, driven by new, more infectious and lethal variants. Last Wednesday, BC health officials announced that a doubly mutated strain of the virus first identified in India, known as B.1.617, is now in the province.

Officials said that several cases of this variant had been identified in early April, but that at that time B.1.617 was not classified as a variant of concern (VOC) or variant under investigation, and so the development was not immediately made known to the public.

On Wednesday and Thursday, health officials in Quebec and Alberta announced respectively that B.1.617 cases had also been identified in those provinces. Ontario health officials followed suit, announcing on Friday that they were aware of 36 cases of the variant in the countrys most populous province.

Updated reports state that there are now 42 known cases of the variant in British Columbia. The province is already struggling with the spread of the VOCs first identified in Brazil (P.1.), the United Kingdom (B.1.1.7) and South Africa (B.1.351). As of April 22, more than 78,000 cases of these VOCs had been recorded across all 10 Canadian provinces.

B.1.617 is currently being labelled a variant of interest by the BC CDC, as scientists have yet to determine whether or not it is more contagious, deadly or vaccine-resistant than the original strain. But a March report from the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare states that the pair of double mutations found in the B.1.617 variant confer immune escape and increased infectivity.

From April 4 to April 16, 120 flights arrived in Canada with at least one COVID-19 positive passenger; 32 of these were flights from India, which is currently struggling with a staggering 2.5 million active cases of the virus. In response to mounting public pressure, the federal government announced at a press conference last Thursday that all commercial and passenger flights from India and Pakistan would be suspended for 30 days.

Domestic travel restrictions were announced for British Columbia by Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth on April 23. Farnworth told reporters that the provincial government will be splitting the province into three regional zones and that residents will soon be confined to their home region.

The restriction of travel between the three regions of the province will be enforced through the establishment of fixed police checkpoints on major roads and at ferry terminals. Farnworth stated that the police will not engage in random checks and made remarks that insinuated disapproval of the recent measures taken by Ontarios Ford government that saw police granted sweeping new powers, an action that was quickly retracted due to public outcry.

Farnworth repeatedly compared the new police checkpoint process to the roadside stops carried out by police to target intoxicated drivers. Many questions remain surrounding the grey area of what travel is considered essential versus non-essential, and on what legal grounds law enforcement can issue fines of up to $575 for those deemed to be in violation of the rules.

While the new, more infectious and deadly variants are undoubtedly facilitating the more rapid spread of COVID-19, the lions share of responsibility for the mounting health care crisis in BC is borne by the Horgan government, and its close political ally, the Justin Trudeau-led federal Liberal government.

Like Ottawa and its provincial counterparts across Canada, the ostensibly left-wing NDP government has kept schools and large workplacesespecially resource industries, manufacturing and construction sitesopen, while blaming working people when outbreaks occur.

This outlook was callously summed up by Horgan himself, who recently slandered workers for the resurgent pandemic. Dont blow this for the rest of us, Horgan demanded in a late March press conference, addressing people from the ages of 20 to 39.
I am secretary of my local pigeon racing club and our account has been closed by HSBC without reason.

The bank asked for additional information for 'know your customer' compliance, which I supplied at our local branch.

It has now sent a cheque for the 1,473.10 we had in our account. But the cheque is made out to the same account so we cannot cash it, and I am unable to open a new one under that title.

Bird brained: HSBC closed the bank account of a pigeon racing club for no apparent reason then sent a cheque for the balance made out to the same account

This leaves us unable to pay our fees to the Royal Pigeon Racing Association. I wrote to HSBC but have not had a reply.

A. D., Waterlooville, Hants.

Tony Hazell replies: I received a response from HSBC in which it mentioned the need for 'know your customer' checks to prevent financial crime.

But it didn't explain why a pigeon racing club with 1,400 assets should have its account closed, especially after you visited a branch twice.

It says an initial letter regarding the 'know your customer' checks was sent to you on November 28, 2019, plus reminders and an extension to keep the account open until September 20 last year.

The good news is that your cheque has now been reissued and HSBC has arranged for the account to be reopened. The bank is paying you 200 in compensation, too.

You have YOUR say Every week Money Mail receives hundreds of your letters and emails about our stories. Here are some regarding our article on the energy firms sitting on billions of pounds of customers' cash: The energy firm switching system is broken and, after many years, I have given up. I run two accounts  one for my elderly mother and one for myself. Both providers went bust in December, which caused a lot of stress. G. F., Portsmouth, Hants. One firm refused to refund us, even though we were in credit when we switched away. It sent us an unrealistic and huge bill, before threatening us with debt collectors if we questioned it. T. J., Bolton, Gtr. Manchester. There should be a law that forbids firms from taking more than what they charge you for the energy used that month. It would prevent large credits accumulating in accounts. D. C., Torquay, Devon. It really hacks me off when firms hike and lower monthly direct debit payments. Some of us would rather have a healthy amount of credit building up over the summer  rather than have our payments cut and then increased by 50 later on. G. T., Lincolnshire. Paying in is easy, but when it comes to getting your money back the whole process seems to be designed to frustrate you. Never give up if a firm owes you money  it's how they win. C. S., Kent. I pay 105 a month but my energy firm wants me to increase this. I appreciate that it's been cold lately, but surely it should be able to forecast for summer and lower your payments. G. D., via email. I went to Ofgem to get my refund. It took a while, but the provider was forced to pay me the money it owed as well as compensation. It seemed to run its business by sitting on customers' cash. M. G., London.

Speaking clock talked grandmother out of 107

My 87-year-old grandmother has advanced Alzheimer's and I am her only next of kin. I visit her almost daily, do her shopping and deal with all of her finances.

She has taken to ringing the 123 number (the speaking clock) many times each day.

Last year, she rang it 330 times, even though her telephone is no more than 12 in away from a normal clock. Last month alone she rang the number more than 100 times.

I have asked Virgin Media, her landline provider, to block these calls or release her from the contract.

Last year they cost her 107 nearly equivalent to a week of her pension.

R. W., Caterham, Surrey.

Tony Hazell replies: What a wonderful granddaughter you are. Those who have relatives with Alzheimer's will understand the extreme pain of watching someone you love fading, while having to cope with their obsessive behaviours.

Virgin Media at first appeared to respond well when I highlighted your plight, and refunded the 192.77 your grandmother had spent on the calls.

The firm also added a premium-rate call-barring service free of charge, and applied a month's worth of services at no extra cost. But then you told me that your grandmother was still able to call 123, and the company said it could not block this number.

When you requested that the contract be cancelled, Virgin Media initially demanded a 200 disconnection fee, but a more senior person agreed to you giving a month's notice instead.

Meanwhile, your grandmother could still make these 123 calls. So I went back to Virgin, which agreed to refund any 123 call charges your grandmother incurs until the account is closed.

Now for the good news. I asked BT if it could help. You told me a 'charming lady from customer service' called you to arrange a transfer to BT, which will block the 123 number.

She also provided you with her direct line and email address in case of problems. Now that's what I call service.

BT can come in for a lot of criticism, but on this occasion it wins all the accolades.

Straight to the point Every time I try to pay for a Just Eat takeaway order with a debit or credit card, my payment fails. My Barclaycard was compromised in March 2020, but I have not used it on the app since. Why won't Just Eat let me order a pizza with another card? J. M., Hackney, London. Just Eat blocked your card payments, but now says this was a mistake and has corrected it. It's also given you 25 credit on the app. *** My mother passed away in August last year. I sent the electricity meter reading to her provider, Bulb, and was told I would be paid more than 100 which was owed in credit. But I have yet to receive anything other than two emails asking how well I think the firm did when it came to handling my request. R. T., via email. Bulb has apologised and admitted it didn't handle this well. It says it owed 131 in credit on your late mother's account, but has doubled this by way of an apology. It has also paid back an extra 60 because of the delay. *** I ordered a Samsung fitness watch through a student website. It was meant to come with a free gift of Galaxy Buds Live wireless earphones, but these failed to arrive and I've been chasing Samsung since February. L. O., via email. Samsung says the buds were not correctly added to your basket, voiding the promotion, but admits you did not receive the best customer service. It has now given you a replacement code so you can get the buds. *** My husband bought me a 70 mobile phone from Carphone Warehouse in March last year, but the charging cradle didn't work and I wasn't happy with it. The store he visited closed permanently a week later, so I wrote to the retailer to request a refund. It has ignored all of my letters. L. H., Salisbury, Wilts. Carphone Warehouse apologised for the delay in resolving this. It has refunded you and given you 20 as a goodwill gesture.

Son's missing 250 Child Trust Fund cheque

My son was born in 2002 and received a Child Trust Fund cheque for 250.

We are an Army family and were posted to Germany, so I never had the opportunity to cash the cheque. I recall receiving a letter which said the money was automatically put in an account with RBS.

Last week, a friend dropped off old mail from nearly 15 years ago, which had been left in the post room at the camp in Germany. This included some information about the Child Trust Fund money.

Could you find out what became of his cash and bank account?

A. R., Co. Waterford.

Tony Hazell replies: I received your letter in November last year. As you know, this has involved quite a bit of detective work, but diligent RBS staff have finally found your son's account. So well done to them.

Now we come to the next hurdle. Although the account matches your son's date of birth and is linked to the barracks address in Germany, RBS requires his National Insurance number.

However, your son left the UK with you when he was 12 so did not receive his NI number ahead of his 16th birthday.

RBS has supplied a number for him to call so he can discuss how to gain access to his money.
Christians are being urged to pray for India as more than 300,000 cases of COVID-19 were reported for the fifth consecutive day Monday, taking the total number of infections to over 17.3 million amid the Indian governments lack of preparedness as hospitals turn away patients.

The country of 1.3 billion people recorded over 350,000 new infections in the last 24 hours for the first time, Hindustan Times reported Monday, adding that 2,812 people died from COVID-19 in a single day, taking the total number of deaths to 195,123.

Ram Gidoomal, who is of Indian origin and chair of the Christian charity South Asian Concern, described the situation as a meltdown.

People dying are in ambulances because they were picked up too late, Gidoomal, who is based in the U.K., told Premier Christian News.

Source:The Christian Post
New Delhi: Even as the COVID crisis creates havoc in India, Bhutan will be supplying 40 metric tonnes of liquid Oxygen to Assam. The Oxygen will be exported using cryogenic tankers. The Oxygen will come from a new plant from Motanga Industrial Estate in Eastern Bhutan's Samdrup Jongkhar district.

A release from the Indian mission in Bhutan said, "The provision of oxygen by Bhutan will augment Indias efforts to win the fight against COVID-19 and save precious lives" and "this is a practical manifestation of the uniquely close and friendly ties between India and Bhutan."

The plant has been set up by a Bhutanese company S.D. Cryogenics Gases Pvt Ltd. The plant has a domestic investment of 51% by Bhutan's Cryogenics Gases and FDI component of 49% by Assam-based Indian company Meghalaya Oxygen Pvt Ltd.

Meanwhile, a strong show of support has been seen by the people of Bhutan for India amid the COVID crisis. Many Bhutanese took to Twitter showing solidarity with India. Dechen Namgyal, a Bhutanese medical student tweeted, "This is what Bhutan can do as a friend", Bhutan sending Oxygen to India.

This is what Bhutan can do as a friend.#India https://t.co/O86fuB5MvS  Dechen Namgyal (@DechenNamgyal6) April 27, 2021

Namgay, a multimedia journalist in Bhutan tweeted, "My thoughts & prayers are with India, every day".

Reading several Indian articles that #Assam will be importing oxygen from #Bhutan - trying to verify it on our side. It'd make many Bhutanese happy to know we can reciprocate #India's goodwill towards us in some way, if true. My thoughts & prayers are with India, everyday.  namgay (@namgayzam) April 26, 2021

Tenzing Lamsang, Editor of The Bhutanese Newspaper recalling his student days in Delhi tweeted said,"I am so so sorry for what is happening to some of the warmest & most generous people on earth."

My entire education has been in India including 3 yrs of college in DU & 2 years of work as a journalist in Delhi. I am so so sorry for what is happening to some of the warmest & most generous people on earth. They dont deserve this. My prayers that you all come through this.  Tenzing Lamsang (@TenzingLamsang) April 26, 2021

A board at a coffee shop in Bhutan had written, "can we just take a moment today and pray for India"

India has reported over 3 lakh COVID cases consecutively for the last few days, as the case continues to surge. New Delhi, via its mission, has been trying to get Oxygen globally and has got the first consignment from Saudi Arabia. The country so far has also been able to bring Oxygen containers from Singapore, UAE, and Thailand.

Live TV
Spotify launched on Tuesday a paid subscription platform for podcasters in the United States and plans to expand in other regions in the coming months, a week after Apple unveiled a similar service.

A podcaster could mark episodes as subscriber-only and publish them on Spotify and other podcast listening platforms, the company said in a statement.

Spotify, the world's most popular paid music streaming service, said it won't take a commission from podcast creators' subscriber revenue for the next two years, and planned to charge a 5% fee starting in 2023.

Online stores such as Apple's app store usually charge developers a fee for purchases made on their platforms.

Spotify filed a complaint two years ago with European Union regulators saying that the fees Apple charges for taking payments through the store had made it unfairly difficult for rivals to compete for music subscribers.

Apple competes with Spotify for music streaming and earlier this month unveiled a subscription platform that will cost $19.99 per month and will provide creators the tools they need to offer podcast subscriptions.

Spotify has selected 12 independent podcasters to publish subscriber-only bonus content in their existing podcast feeds, and the company will also expand the programme to more creators over the coming months.

National Public Radio (NPR) will publish five ad-free shows for paid subscribers from May 4, including "How I Built This with Guy Raz" and "Planet Money".

Spotify has been boosting its podcast muscle by spending more than half a billion dollars in buying podcast networks Gimlet and Anchor, and podcast ad company Megaphone.

The new subscription tool is built using Anchor's platform.

The Swedish company is also testing a system where content publishers on other platforms with existing subscriber bases can deliver paid content using Spotify.

Also Read: CoWIN registration mandatory for 18-45 age group to get COVID-19 vaccine

Also Read: India fastest country in world to administer 14 cr COVID-19 vaccine doses: Health Ministry
POTTSVILLE  Kalvin L. Clark is headed to a mental health facility for an evaluation, as a Schuylkill County judge on Monday committed him for 60 days, thereby putting his homicide and other cases on hold.

I would like to have a chance to try and change things and make them right, Clark said during the 15-minute hearing before Judge Jacqueline L. Russell, who ordered his commitment.

Russell ruled that after the 60-day period, which is the maximum allowed, Clark will be returned to the county for another assessment of his condition. He is being held without bail in the homicide case.

He wants to get help, Assistant Public Defender Lora J. McDonald, Clarks lawyer, said of her client. She also said he is having epileptic seizures and subsequent losses of memory.

First Assistant District Attorney Michael J. Stine said county mental health authorities will determine to which facility Clark will be sent for treatment. Availability will be a key factor in that decision, he said.

Clark, 33, of Pine Grove, faces charges of first-degree murder, third-degree murder, aggravated assault, strangulation, recklessly endangering another person and simple assault in his most serious case.

In that, state police at Schuylkill Haven allege Clark killed Sharon L. Zimmerman, 74, around 3 p.m. Jan. 24 at their home on 89 N. Tulpehocken St. (Route 125).

Police allege Clark and Zimmerman argued in the house. Clark tried to quiet Zimmerman by giving her a fishhook in her mouth, pulling her cheek to keep her from yelling, police said. Eventually, Clark left Zimmerman lying at the foot of the stairs in the house, police said.

Zimmerman suffered bruises, abrasions and what appeared to be a substantial facial injury, and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

Clarks preliminary hearing in the homicide case, which would be before Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi, Tremont, will not be held until Clark is determined to be competent to stand trial. That competency will involve being able to understand the charges against him and to help his lawyer in his defense.

In his other cases, Clark faces charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment for an incident that allegedly occurred in October 2020 in Tremont and criminal trespass, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct for an incident that allegedly occurred in October 2020 in Pottsville. Each of those cases also is on hold pending Clarks evaluations.

Clark is an inmate at the county prison, and Russell conducted Mondays hearing by videoconference.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / Weekend Unlimited Industries Inc. ("Weekend" or the "Company") (CSE:POT)(FSE:0OS2)(OTCQB:WKULF) ) announces, further to its press release of April 23, 2021, that the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") has approved the subdivision of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") on the basis of four (4) post split Common Shares for every one (1) existing Common Share (the "Share Split").

Trading of the Common Shares on a post-Share Split basis on the CSE will commence on opening of trading on April 28, 2021 with the record date set at April 29, 2021. The Company's name will be changed to Potent Ventures Inc. and trading symbol will remain unchanged.

The new CUSIP and ISIN are for the Common Shares are 73758F107 and CA73758F1071, respectively. Shareholders do not need to take any action. The Company's transfer agent will send to all registered shareholders a notice under the direct registration system indicating the number of additional Common Shares that they received as a result of the Share Split. These additional Common Shares will be held in book-entry form and registered electronically in the transfer agent's recordkeeping system, unless a physical share certificate is requested by the registered shareholder. Currently outstanding share certificates representing Common Shares will continue to be effective. They should be retained by registered shareholders and should not be forwarded to the Company or its transfer agent. Non-registered shareholders will have their brokerage accounts automatically updated to reflect the Share Split.

The Company also announces it has appointed Robert Payment, its current Chief Financial Officer, as director of the Company. Mr. Payment will replace Michael Young, who has resigned from the Board to pursue other business opportunities.

Charlie Lamb, President and CEO of the Company, commented, "On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank Mike for all his efforts and support and wish him the best with future endevours."

Mr. Payment's appointment is subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Charlie Lamb, President & CEO, Director

Telephone: 1(236) 317-2812 - Toll free 1(888) 556-9656

E-mail: IR@weekendunlimited.com

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: Weekend Unlimited Industries Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642690/Weekend-Unlimited-Provides-Corporate-Update
People under the age of 50 should be free to choose any vaccine available, Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher has said.

His call comes as the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) is expected to recommend using the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine for the over-50s. Niac is also expected to recommend expanding the use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine from over-60s to over-50s.

The Fianna Fail MEP said: Citizens in the younger age cohorts should be allowed to voluntarily decide to take the AstraZeneca or J&J vaccines. The risk of not being vaccinated is many, many multiples of the risk of serious side-effects from either vaccine.

In a message posted on his social media account on Tuesday, Mr Kelleher was critical of the Irish approach when compared with some EU countries.

Citizens in the younger age cohorts should be allowed to voluntarily decide to take the AstraZeneca or J&J vaccines.



The risk of not being vaccinated is many, many multiples of the risk of serious side effects from either vaccine. #Covid19 pic.twitter.com/hsuTS96e5q  Billy Kelleher MEP (@BillyKelleherEU) April 27, 2021

He said: I have to say that I sometimes feel the Irish abundance of caution seems to be significantly greater than that of fellow EU member states. Ultimately, that will cause delays in vaccinations.

Health warnings

The European Medicines Agency has approved both vaccines for use in all ages. They did, however, ask for health warnings related to extremely rare cases of unusual blood clotting and low platelets. Symptoms of these conditions  cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and splanchnic vein thrombosis  are now explained to people getting the vaccine doses.

In Belgium and Italy the AstraZeneca vaccine is reserved for older people. But in the UK and Greece anyone over-30 can receive it.

In the US, where they have given more than 8m doses of the J &J vaccine, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) resumed use without age restrictions.

Vaccination teams in Ireland have made a great start in targeting the over-60s with the AstraZeneca vaccine, Mr Kelleher said.

He added: However, a pinch point will soon arrive where those left to be vaccinated, the under 60s, will have to wait for additional Pfizer supplies to arrive while we have AstraZeneca and possibly J&J vaccines building up in the fridges.

The MEP called on decision makers to allow the younger people volunteer for these vaccines if they choose to do so.

Waiver system

If there is a concern about liability, a waiver system should be put in place, he said.

Noting that some EU countries have not placed age restrictions on the vaccines, he said that has to count for something.

Ireland will receive about 605,000 doses of the J&J vaccine by the end of June. It is believed that Niac will recommend on Tuesday that this be used for over-50s with some exceptions for people in vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups.

About 813,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are expected. This is currently only being used for those aged 60 to 69 as a roll-out for people over-70 had already started using other vaccines.
Glen Powell attends the Newport Beach Film Festival fall honors, featuring Variety's 10 Actors to Watch at The Resort at Pelican Hill, in Newport Beach, Calif., on Nov. 3, 2019. (Phillip Faraone/Getty Images)

Newport Beach Film Festival Prepares for Comeback

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.The Newport Beach Film Festival is planning its return, and organizers say theyll pack as many live screenings into the event as possible.

Founded in 1999, the event has become one of the largest international cinema events in Southern California, and a coveted stop for movie writers, directors, and actors traveling the film festival gauntlet.

A significant cultural tourism draw for the city of Newport Beach, each year, the festival has partnered with more than 40 nonprofit organizations throughout Orange County, pairing each with a film that aligns with its mission.

Prior to the COVID-19 quarantine, the festival drew more than 55,000 attendees from throughout the world. In 2020, other than holding a drive-in world premiere of A Life of Endless Summers: The Bruce Brown Story, the festival was held through virtual events, which werent as widely attended as regular live events.

Along with other film festivals around the world, what weve found is that attendees want an overall experience tied to their travel, Todd Quartararo, the festivals co-founder and marketing director, told The Epoch Times.

No matter what part of the world film festivals take place, our audiences want experiences that include visiting local retailers, dining in local restaurants, and staying in luxury hotels like those we have here in Newport Beach.

Normally, the festival screens more than 300 films from 50 countries, including narrative and documentary films, as well as a curated collection of short films.

The festival is already receiving a significant number of entries and will screen as many as possible while abiding by all safety requirements, Quartararo said.

The final number will be decided depending on how many appropriate venues will be available for the event, which runs Oct. 21 to Oct. 28.

Plans are also coming together to feature celebrities, producers, and directors who will give workshops and lead discussions about their work, he said.

Watching for Rising Stars

Although not new to the event, organizers told The Epoch Times the centerpiece of this years festival will be its partnership with Visit Newport Beach and Variety magazines Top Ten Actors to Watch, an honor the publication has bestowed since 1998.

Past honorees include more than 35 now Oscar winners and nominees who all made Varietys list of actors who either enjoyed a breakthrough year, appeared in high-profile awards season contenders, or made their American film debut.

Making an Impression

Quartararo said that each year, the film festival garners millions of trackable media impressions, all telling a story about Newport Beach through the sharing of film festival experiences.

In 2019, millions of impressions resulted from Variety reporting on the years honorees, saying that the celebration was held at a brunch at the Resort at Pelican Hill where stars like Cynthia Erivo and Glen Powell dined against a stunning beachfront backdrop.

In 2020, actor Eugene Levy of Schitts Creek fame, received the Newport Beach Film Festivals inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented during a virtual awards ceremony that included video messages by family, friends, and fellow costars. The event drew more than one billion media impressions around the world.

This year, Quartararo said hes looking forward to giving moviegoers an in-person experience.

Being able to offer a wide range of experiences for audiences traveling to any film festival is key, he said. We are looking forward to working with our hotel and retail partners here in Newport Beach on new and special attractions and offerings, and plan to grow and evolve as a festival now that the economy is opening up.
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And since Savage has spent three decades aggressively getting up in people's business like the Gordon Ramsay of eating ass, these incidents allow Savage's detractors to pull out receipts long enough to wrap the 54-year-old newspaper writer head to toe like the mummy he is. They'll eagerly remind every fresh face on the internet of, among many other Savage controversies, his decades-long use of queerphobic slurs like "f****t" and "t****y." Or his previous insistence that most bi people should just pick a lane and stop pretending. Or when, in petty revenge for being asked to stop using "r*****ed as an insult, Savage starting calling everyone "leotarded" like the smuggest of 14-year-olds.

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One could argue if these misstep medleys of Dan Savage are an unfair representation (he has shown remorse for some of his edgelording -- some) or if it should undo a generation's worth of him pushing the self-licking sex envelope. But it hardly matters. As much as his diehard fans would want Savage to continue being seen as the champion of self-acceptance, it's becoming clear that his brand of in-your-face irreverence (he started his sex advice column as a way to mock straight people, how Gen-X can you get) is a relic of another time. Whether seen as an old hero or a new villain, the Savage of yore is about as welcome in today's LGBTQ+ climate as a surprise santorum.

For more, do follow Cedric on Twitter.

Top Image: soundfromwayout, Wiki Commons
Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu will conduct a working visit to Gyula, Hungary on Wednesday, where he will have political consultations with his Hungarian counterpart, Peter Szijjarto, and a number of important documents will be signed for the development of the bilateral relationship, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) informs.

According to a release sent to AGERPRES, Minister Bogdan Aurescu will also have a meeting with representatives of the Romanian minority in Hungary.

The meeting of the ministers Bogdan Aurescu and Peter Szijjarto takes place against the background of the completion of important projects for the bilateral relationship, agreed during the visit to Bucharest of the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs on 18 February 2021, the MAE says.

"The inking of the Protocol of the 8th session of the Romanian-Hungarian Select Committee on Collaboration on National Minorities issues represents a recognition of the importance of this special bilateral format of dialogue, created by the 1996 Basic Political Treaty, and which aims to discuss and identify the most appropriate solutions in terms of the protection of the rights of persons belonging to the Romanian minority in Hungary and, respectively, to the Hungarian minority in Romania. At the same time, the signing of the Protocol will allow the initiation of a new working session of the Committee and will thus mark the return to the bilateral approach to the issue of persons belonging to national minorities. At the same time, the establishment of two new border crossing points will contribute to the development of contacts between citizens of the two countries," stresses the MAE.

According to the release, in equal measure, during the meeting, the two foreign ministers will also address issues of priority interest on the bilateral agenda and will review the results of the recent session of the Joint Economic Commission, held in Budapest, from 8 to 9 April 2021, including regarding the operationalization of the Romanian-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce in Budapest, as well as the next steps needed to do so.

Minister Bogdan Aurescu will also have a meeting with representatives of the Romanian minority in Hungary, where concrete issues related to the protection and promotion of their ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious identity rights will be addressed.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday night, met with a leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Tinubu was accom...





President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday night, met with a leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu was accompanied to the meeting by a former national chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande.

The meeting was held inside the Presidents official residence inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Im hopeful Chibok schoolgirls, others will return, says Zulum.

Buhari also met behind closed doors with the Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum.

The meeting was said to have centred on the security situation in the state.





Details later
Portugal reported no coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours for the first time in nearly nine months on Monday.

The announcement by the health authority comes as the country emerges from a two-month lockdown.

Portugal has said it will open to vaccinated British travellers from May 17, which is the earliest date international leisure travel could be allowed under UK government guidelines.

The country has reported a total of 16,965 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic last spring and 834,638 cases. On Monday, 196 new infections were recorded.

The last time Portugal reported no coronavirus-related deaths was on August 3.

Portugal reported no coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours for the first time in nearly nine months on Monday. The announcement by the health authority comes as the country emerges from a two-month lockdown. Pictured: Shoppers at the re-opened Colombo shopping centre in Lisbon on April 19 [File photo]

The health authority highlighted that it remains in the green zone of the risk matrix, with a transmission risk below one and a national incidence rate of 70.4 cases of infection per 100,000 inhabitants.

About 20 per cent of the country's 10million people have now been inoculated with a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and seven per cent have had two doses.

Meanwhile, more than 90 per cent of people aged 80 or over - the group with the most deaths - has been vaccinated with at least one dose.

Portugal recorded no deaths within 24 hours on Monday, the last time it did so was on August 3

Infections have fallen dramatically after a two-month lockdown was imposed following a spike in cases in early 2020

Secretary of state for health Diogo Serras Lopes said on Monday that Portugal could achieve herd immunity 'towards the beginning rather than at the end of summer,' according to local media reports.

Portugal, which imposed a lockdown in January to curb what was then the world's worst Covid-19 surge, started lifting restrictions in March and has since reopened some schools, restaurants, cafe terraces, museums and hair salons.

On April 9, UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced a roadmap for the resumption of international travel that could see Brits travelling abroad as soon as May 17.

Portugal has said it will open to British travellers from May 17, which is the earliest date international leisure travel could be allowed under UK government guidelines [Stock photo]

The plan includes a traffic light system that lists destinations as 'green', 'amber' or 'red' based on factors including the rate of infection, the percentage of the population vaccinated and the presence of variants.

The category of the destination determines whether travellers will need to take pre-departure tests or quarantine on arrival in the UK.

It is not yet clear which list Portugal will appear on and international travel remains banned except for permitted reasons including for work and medical reasons.
ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the potential mechanism of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) based on network pharmacology. Methods: The potential active constituents and targets of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium were screened through the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP). Genecards database is used to find relevant targets of OA. The targets of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium were mapped to the targets of OA, and used Cytoscape software to build a drug-ingredient-target-di- sease regulatory network and protein protein interaction (PPI) network. R software was used to analyze the Gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment of traditional Chinese medicine-disease targets. Results: Thirty-four effective ingredients and 130 traditional Chinese medicine-disease targets were screened out for the treatment of OA. The GO functions of traditional Chinese medicine-disease targets mainly included cytokine activity, cytokine receptor binding, nuclear receptor activity, transcription factor activity, proximal promoter DNA-binding transcription activator activity, DNA-binding transcription activator activity, phosphatase binding and so on. KEGG pathways involved in traditional Chinese medicine-disease targets mainly included TLR4 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, apoptotic signaling pathway and so on. Conclusion: Network pharmacology may predict the multiple targets and multiple signaling pathways in Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium treatment for OA, providing new ideas for future research.

Keywords:

Drynariae Rhizoma, Epimedii Folium, Osteoarthritis, Network Pharmacology, Target, Signal Pathway

1. Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common and complex chronic degenerative disease. It is mainly related to factors such as age and weight [1]. Clinically, patients with OA often present symptoms, such as injury, pain and stiffness of articular cartilage. Eventually, it leads to the inconvenience of patients mobility and the decrease of patients quality of life, and the social and medical burden is also increased [2] [3]. At present, the treatment of early OA is mainly based on symptomatic and drug-based palliative treatment such as alleviating pain, relieving symptoms and preventing disease progression. The guideline first chooses non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but for older patients, long-term use of non-steroidal drugs, the risk of drug-like gastrointestinal bleeding is greatly increased, and severe cases can be life-threatening. Surgical treatment of artificial joint replacement is feasible for patients with advanced bone and joint damage. However, this method is only suitable for a small number of patients, and is not suitable for older patients with cardiopulmonary insufficiency. Therefore, it is still suitable for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Therefore, there is no substantial progress in the treatment of osteoarthritis [4]. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to study the pathogenesis and treatment measures related to OA.

With a history of thousands of years, Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is safe, cheap, effective and suitable for the national physique. The treatment of OA with TCM has become a hot topic for many researchers [5]. As the prescription in the treatment of OA, Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium has the functions of tonifying liver and kidney, strengthening muscles and bones [6]. Research suggests that the total flavonoids in Drynariae Rhizoma have a variety of anti-osteoarthritis mechanisms [7]; epimedii Folium has the functions of invigorating the kidney and strengthening yang, strengthening the muscles and bones etc. They are all common TCM for the prevention and treatment of OA [8]. Studies have shown that Drynaria Fortunei is often used for bone repair after trauma. Yang et al. [6] found that Gusuibu inhibits the NF-B/IB/IKK signaling pathway, and then down regulates the expression of cell adhesion molecules and chemokines. It is believed that Drynaria Fortunei may be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis. We know that osteoarthritis is a kind of articular cartilage damage. Zhou et al. [9] found that the main extract of Epimedii Folium can interfere with the chondrocyte damage induced by IL-1 by inhibiting cell apoptosis. Icariin is an active flavonoid component of Epimedii Folium, studies have shown that Icariin treatment promotes chondrocyte viability by promoting HIF-1 expression and anaerobic glycolysis [10]. Due to the large number of chemical components of traditional Chinese medicine, it has been a heavy workload to use animal experiments to screen anti-osteoarthritis active ingredients and targets, and current studies have failed to fully elaborate its mechanism of action.

Network pharmacology is a new method of pharmacological data analysis, which forms an interactive network between drug - gene - disease to establish the interaction between multi-compound, multi-target and multi-pathway, and to clarify the pharmacological mechanism or disease pathogenesis mechanism of multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway [11]. From the systems perspective and at molecular level, with the method of network pharmacology, this study studies the main effective components and potential molecular mechanism of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium in the treatment of OA and analyzes its key targets and signal pathways to provide theoretical basis for the follow-up mechanism of drug treatment.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Research Ideas

Refer Figure 1 for the experimental flow chart of the treatment of OA with Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium based on network pharmacology.

2.2. Screening of Active Ingredients and Target Prediction of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium

Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) [12] is a unique pharmacological platform of Chinese herbal medicine system. It uses the relationship between drugs and disease to provide a platform for the study of the active ingredients of Chinese herbal medicine. First, retrieve on TCMSP platform (http://tcmspw.com/tcmsp.php) to obtain all the ingredients of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium; second, set the screening condition as: drug oral bioavailability (OB)  30%, drug likeness (DL)  0.18 to finally obtain the active ingredients of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii

Figure 1. Network pharmacology research flow chart for Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium in treatment of OA.

Folium. Based on the obtained active ingredients above, select Related Targets to collect the target of active ingredients of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium. Then, add gene names to the selected targets with online database Uniprot (https://www.uniprot.org/).

2.3. Acquisition of Therapeutic Targets for OA

GeneCards (https://www.genecards.org/) is a comprehensive database of disease-related genes. It contains human gene annotation and prediction information. By inputting osteoarthritis into the retrieval box, the disease-related targets are obtained. With R language software (V3.5.1), the target of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium is mapped with OA related genes, and the Venn diagram of the common target of TCM and disease is obtained, hence, the relative targets of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium in the treatment of OA are obtained.

2.4. Construct Drug - Ingredient - Target - Disease

Based on the active ingredients of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium, the target regulated by the active ingredients, and the correlation between the target and OA, the regulatory network of Drug - Ingredient - Target - Disease is constructed with cytoscape (Version 3.7.1). In this network, node represents drug (Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium), active ingredient, disease (osteoarthritis) and target. And edge represents the interaction between the drug and the active ingredient, the active ingredient and the target, and the target and OA.

2.5. Target Protein Interaction Network of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium in the Treatment of OA

Input target of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium in the treatment of OA into STRING (https://string-db.org/) online database, click Homo sapiens to retrieve. Take the confidence score greater than 0.7 as the screening parameter, download the corresponding result data. By analyzing the data with R language, the degree of the target in the protein protein interaction (PPI) network is obtained, and it is presented in the form of a bar graph. Finally, import the downloaded PPI result file into the Cytoscape software for visualization. The size and color depth of the node can both represent the size of the target degree value.

2.6. Gene Ontology (GO) Functional Enrichment Analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Pathway Enrichment Analysis

The obtained TCM-disease targets are calculated using R language to obtain the GO (gene ontology) functional enrichment analysis and KEGG (Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes) pathway enrichment analysis. First, install the Bioconductor package on R software (http://org/biocLite.R) and set p < 0.05, q < 0.05, and present the analysis results in the form of bar chart and bubble chart.

2.7. Statistical Analysis

The collected drug data of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium use Perl language to run the relevant script file to obtain the target gene name of the drug. Use Uniprot as the drug target protein to screen, and then annotate the drug gene name to get the abbreviation of the drug gene. After removing the repeated genes, 214 drug-related genes were finally obtained. The obtained 214 drug genes and 2854 disease genes of osteoarthritis were used to draw Venny diagrams using Perl script files, and the common genes of drugs and osteoarthritis were obtained, that is, the intersection genes. Import the obtained drug-disease intersection genes into the Cytoscape 3.7.1 software for visual network construction, display the drug-active ingredient-target-disease network interaction network diagram, and import the intersection genes into String Database, and select the detection species as Homo sapiens, select medium confidece as 0.07 as the screening criteria, and delete discrete or unrelated gene nodes. Finally obtain the corresponding PPI network. Finally, the key genes were imported into R language, and GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis were performed.

3. Results

3.1. Screening and Target Collection of Active Ingredients of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium

Retrieve from TCMSP database to obtain the active ingredients and related targets of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium, select ingredients with OB  30% and DL  0.8. Combined with literature reports, a total of 34 active ingredients were obtained, as shown in Table 1.

3.2. Prediction of the Target of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium in the Treatment of OA

By taking the intersection of the OA related target and the Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium target with R language software, a total of 130 targets of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium in the treatment of OA were obtained. There were 2854 OA related targets, and 214 targets of active ingredients of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium. Refer Figure 2 for more details.

3.3. Construct Drug - Ingredient - Target - Disease Network and Analyze

The corresponding relationship between Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium and its corresponding active ingredients, active ingredients and target genes, and target genes and osteoarthritis and its properties were imported into Cytoscape software to construct Drug - Ingredient - Target - Disease regulatory network. Refer Figure 3 for more details. In the network, the blue quadrilateral represents the drug Drynariae Rhizoma, Epimedii Folium, the green inverted triangle represents the active ingredients, the red hexagon represents osteoarthritis, and

Table 1. Basic information of the main active ingredients of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium.

Figure 2. Venn diagram of common target for Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium and OA-related targets.

Figure 3. Drug-ingredient-target-disease network of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium for OA.

the purple oval represents the target. When a node connects more points in the network, it indicates that this node has a higher degree value, and it may play a key role in the network. The network consists of 165 nodes, including 32 nodes representing the active ingredients of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium (compound Magnograndiolide (MOL000622), Cycloartenone (MOL009075) have no relevant targets), and 130 nodes representing the target and 568 edges. From the regulatory network diagram, it can be seen that multiple active ingredients can correspond to one target, or one active ingredient corresponds to multiple targets. This indicates that Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium can play a pharmacological role through the synergy of multiple ingredients and multiple targets. The top 3 compounds according to the ranking of degree value are: quercetin (degree value: 95), luteolin (degree value: 82) and kaempferol (degree value: 68).

3.4. Construct and Analyze PPI network of Key Targets

From Figure 4, it shows that PPI network consists of 130 nodes and 1054 edges. The darker the color and the larger the shape of the node represent the greater the degree value of the node. The higher the degree value of the target in the network, the more likely it is to become the core target in the PPI network. The degree values of the targets in the network are ranked as AKT1, IL6, JUN, MAPK8, MAPK1, VEGFA, etc., please refer Figure 5 for more details. The anti OA mechanism of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium may be related to targets of AKT1, IL6, JUN, MAPK8, MAPK1, VEGFA etc.

Figure 4. PPI network of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium and OA targets.

Figure 5. Targets with a higher median in PPI networks.

3.5. GO Functional Enrichment Analysis

The GO functional enrichment analysis for the key targets of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium in the treatment of OA is shown in Figure 6. The GO function mainly involves cytokine activity, cytokine receptor binding, nuclear receptor activity, transcription factor activity, proximal promoter DNA binding transcription activator activity, DNA binding transcription activator activity, phosphatase binding, etc.

3.6. KEGG Pathway Enrichment Analysis

The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis for the key targets of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium in the treatment of OA is shown in Figure 7. KEGG pathway mainly involves: Kaposis sarcoma associated herpesvirus infection signaling pathway, human cytomegalovirus infection signaling pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, Hepatitis B signaling pathway, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, prostate cancer signaling pathway, EB virus infection signal pathway, apoptosis of cells etc.

4. Discussions

As a relatively common joint disease, OA often causes middle-aged and elderly people to lose their ability to exercise, and brings great inconvenience to patients. According to the study, the incidence of OA in the global population aged

Figure 6. Barplot for GO functional enrichment analysis. The letters on the left represent GO entries; the numbers represent the number of genes enriched on GO entries; the bar graph represents the genes enriched on GO; the P value represents the significance of enrichment, the redder the color, the higher the degree of enrichment, the smaller the corresponding P value.

Figure 7. Dotplot for KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. The letters on the left represent the name of the KEGG signaling pathway; the numbers represent the proportion of genes; the size of the circle represents the number of enriched genes; the color represents the P value.

over 65 years is as high as 50% [13]. In traditional Chinese medicine, OA belongs to the scope of Bi disease, middle aged and elderly people tend to have incoordination between the liver and the spleen, and deficiency of kidney essence, resulting in the body imbalance of Yin and Yang, deficiency of Qi and blood, loss of nourishment of bones, and eventually have arthralgia syndrome [5]. Due to the convenience and safety of application and the small side effects, TCM in the treatment of OA has achieved remarkable efficacy. In the early treatment of patients, it can improve the efficacy, slow down the development of the disease, as well as significantly improving the quality of life of patients.

Drynariae Rhizoma is the dry rhizome of Dryopteris crassipes. With the functions of strengthening bone, tonifying kidney, relieving pain, regulating lipid and anti-inflammation, it has a certain effect on the treatment of OA [7]. Epimedii Folium has the functions of tonifying kidney-yang, strengthening muscles and bones, dispelling wind-damp, and is extensively applied in the clinical treatment of OA, osteoporosis and other diseases [14] [15]. At present, TCM has good clinical efficacy in the treatment of OA, but its molecular mechanism in the treatment of OA remains unclear. Therefore, from the perspective of multi-ingredient, multi-target and multi-pathway of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium, this paper clarifies its mechanism with the method of network pharmacology.

Based on this study, Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium has the following chemical components with anti OA: quercetin, kaempferol and luteolin. The quercetin has many functions such as antioxidant stress, anti-inflammatory, inhibition of osteoclast activation, etc. Some studies have shown that quercetin mainly slows the development of chronic diseases such as OA, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis etc. by reducing the release of pro-inflammatory factors, reducing oxidative stress, and inhibiting the degradation of extracellular matrix [16]. According to relevant experimental studies, quercetin can play a better role in the treatment of OA by down-regulating the expression of TNF-, IL-1, IL-6 and other inflammatory factors [17]. In the rat model of OA, Qiu et al. [18] found that quercetin could down-regulate the release of MMP-13 mediated by IL-1, so as to improve the degeneration of OA by inhibiting the degradation of cartilage extracellular matrix. Kaempferol has the function of inhibiting adipogenesis, inflammation, osteoblast apoptosis etc. It can also protect bones by regulating the semaphore receptor, bone morphology protein 2 (BMP-2), nuclear factor-B (NF-B), and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and other signaling pathways [19]. Other studies have found that by down regulating the expression of JNK, p38 and MAPK genes, luteolin can inhibit the proliferation of chondrocytes. At the same time, it can also down regulating the release of inflammatory factors such as NO, TNF- and IL-6, so as to reduce inflammation and protect articular chondrocytes [20]. Therefore, it can be seen that the active ingredients in Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium are diverse in protecting OA and play a major role in terms of anti-inflammatory, oxidative stress, apoptosis.

From PPI network analysis, the core targets obtained mainly include AKT1, IL6, JUN, MAPK8, MAPK1, VEGFA, etc. These core target genes may participate in the development of OA through various biological processes such as cytokine activity, cytokine receptor binding, nuclear receptor activity, transcription factor activity, proximal promoter DNA binding transcriptional activator activity, DNA binding transcription activator activity, phosphatase binding etc. for anti OA. AKT1 is the protein kinase encoding  serine/threonine. It can be activated by extracellular signal depending on PI3K. In OA, chondrocytes can inhibit bone growth, cartilage calcification, and osteophyte formation through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway [21]. Knocking out the AKT1 gene delays bone formation [22]. IL-6 is a significant inflammatory molecule for inflammation and immune responses. Relevant research reports show that IL6 is associated with pain in hip OA, and is highly expressed in the patients chondrocytes and synovial fluid [23]. JUN is also called as transcription factor AP-1, which is a dimer composed of c-jun protein and c-fos protein family members. With the function of regulating the release of many inflammatory factors, such as IL-1 , TNF-, IL-6, IL-8, etc., activated AP-1 is called the third messenger of intracellular signaling, and it also plays a regulatory role in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and inflammation [24]. Lim et al. [25] study found that the blocking of the signaling pathways p38 MAPK/AP-1 and JAK2/STAT1/2 can significantly reduce the release of MMP-13 in chondrocytes treated by IL-1, thus exerting the effect of protecting cartilage degeneration [26]. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family has been shown to play a crucial role both in the control of catabolism of articular cartilage and angiogenesis. This is a key step in the endochondral ossification of mesenchymal progenitor cells [27].

The KEGG signaling pathway enrichment results show that Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium can play its role through multiple signal pathways, mainly including TLR4 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and apoptosis signaling pathway, etc. TLR4 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, etc. are closely related to inflammation. Both IL-1 AND TNF-are key inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of OA. TLR4 signaling pathway activates downstream NF-B, regulates the release of pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-, and produces an inflammatory cascade reaction. Many studies found that by inhibiting NF-B and blocking the inflammatory signal pathway, the destruction of cartilage in OA can be significantly reduced [28]. MAPKs signaling pathway is one of the most important signaling pathways in regulating OA. It may be involved in the growth, differentiation and apoptosis of chondrocytes, and it may also induce the secretion of MMPs, which can lead to the degradation of cartilage matrix [29]. MAPKs signaling pathway can also regulate the differentiation and maturation of osteoblasts to improve bone density and calcification; by linking with other signaling pathways such as downstream ERK, p38, JNK, it regulates the production of inflammatory factors, promotes cartilage dexterization, osteophyte formation and extracellular matrix degradation, which plays a role in the pathogenesis of OA [30]. PI3K-AKT signaling pathway is a common regulation of apoptosis-related signaling pathway. Some studies demonstrates that by activating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, the expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 can be increased, and the anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2 is reduced to induce chondrocyte apoptosis [31]. Articular chondrocyte apoptosis is the biological basis of OA degeneration. The unbalanced development between excessive apoptosis of cartilage cells and osteoclast proliferation leads to bone reconstruction [32] [33]. With collaboration between apoptosis signaling pathway and upstream signaling pathway of MAPKs, PI3K-AKT and NF-kB and downstream signaling pathway of exogenous death receptor and endogenous mitochondrial pathway, so the apoptosis signal is released to regulate apoptosis of chondrocytes [34].

In this study, we used data mining and network pharmacology to explain the possible mechanism of Drynariae Rhizoma and Epimedii Folium in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Moreover, our results give a scientific basis to further explore the mechanism of Drynariae Rhizoma and Epimedii Folium in the treatment of osteoarthritis, and reduce unnecessary time and economic cost. However, the relevant pathological mechanism needs to be further verified in experiments.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, this paper studied the molecular mechanism of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium protecting OA based on network pharmacology. The mechanism may function mainly through targets of AKT1, IL6, JUN, MAPK8, MAPK1, VEGFA, etc. and pathways of TLR4, TNF, IL-17, MAPK, PI3K/AKT, apoptosis, etc. This study has laid the foundations for later study on the mechanism of the treatment of OA with Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium, and provided a new idea and direction for the R & D of TCM and clinical medication guidance.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Joint Foundation of the Health Commission of Hubei Province (WJ2016Y13).

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Cite this paper

Dai, Z.H., Chen, H. and Xu, Y.T. (2021) Network Pharmacological Mechanism Research of Herba Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium in Treating Osteoarthritis. Yangtze Medicine, 5, 90-105. https://doi.org/10.4236/ym.2021.52010

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24. Fu, C.Y., Chen, M.C., Tseng, Y.S., et al. (2019) Fisetin Activates Hippo Pathway and JNK/ERK/AP-1 Signaling to Inhibit Proliferation and Induce Apoptosis of Human Osteosarcoma Cells via ZAK Overexpression. Environmental Toxicology, 34, 902-911. https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.22761

25. Lim, H. and Kim, H.P. (2011) Matrix Metalloproteinase-13 Expression in IL-1-Treated Chondrocytes by Activation of the p38 MAPK/c-Fos/AP-1 and JAK/STAT Pathways. Archives of Pharmacal Research, 34, 109-117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-011-0113-4

26. Ma, D., Li, Y., Xiao, W., et al. (2020) Achyranthes Bidentata Extract Protects Chondrocytes Functions through Suppressing Glycolysis and Apoptosis via MAPK/AKT Signaling Axis. American Journal of Translational Research, 12, 142-152.

27. Vadala, G., Russo, F., Musumeci, M., et al. (2018) Targeting VEGF-A in Cartilage Repair and Regeneration: State of the Art and Perspectives. Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents, 32, 217-224.

28. Kawai, T. and Akira, S. (2010) The Role of Pattern-Recognition Receptors in Innate Immunity: Update on Toll-Like Receptors. Nature Immunology, 11, 373-384. https://doi.org/10.1038/ni.1863

29. Sun, H.Y., Hu, K.Z. and Yin, Z.S. (2017) Inhibition of the p38-MAPK Signaling Pathway Suppresses the Apoptosis and Expression of Proinflammatory Cytokines in Human Osteoarthritis Chondrocytes. Cytokine, 90, 135-143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cyto.2016.11.002

30. Roux, P.P. and Blenis, J. (2004) ERK and p38 MAPK-Activated Protein Kinases: A Family of Protein Kinases with Diverse Biological Functions. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 68, 320-344. https://doi.org/10.1128/MMBR.68.2.320-344.2004

31. Zhang, Q., Lai, S., Hou, X., et al. (2018) Protective Effects of PI3K/Akt Signal Pathway Induced Cell Autophagy in Rat Knee Joint Cartilage Injury. American Journal of Translational Research, 10, 762-770.

32. Kim, J.H., Jin, H.M., Kim, K., et al. (2009) The Mechanism of Osteoclast Differentiation Induced by IL-1. The Journal of Immunology, 183, 1862-1870. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.0803007

33. Palmieri, B., Lodi, D. and Capone, S. (2010) Osteoarthritis and Degenerative Joint Disease: Local Treatment Options Update. Acta Biomedica, 81, 94-100.

34. Kim, H.A. and Blanco, F.J. (2007) Cell Death and Apoptosis in Osteoarthritic Cartilage. Current Drug Targets, 8, 333-345. https://doi.org/10.2174/138945007779940025



NOTES

*Authors contributed equally.

#Corresponding author.
EU competition authorities will "imminently" file formal accusations against Apple for unfairly squeezing out music streaming rivals, two sources close to the case said Tuesday.

The charge sheet would land as Apple faces a rebellion from firms that want to break free of the global Apple app store's terms, with anti-trust agencies in the US, Britain and South Korea also taking an interest.

It also comes as Apple gears up for an epic battle with Facebook over its new policy on better protecting the personal data of iPhone users.

The Financial Times, which first reported the development, said the "statement of objections", the formal name for the procedure, could fall as early as this week.

The European Commission's case is based on a complaint brought by Sweden-based Spotify and others that accuses Apple of making unfair use of its app store to promote its own Apple Music.

Spotify filed a formal complaint in 2019 that also accused Apple of unfairly taking a 30 percent cut from businesses using its store, which Spotify says amounts to a violation of fair competition rules.

The case is one of four taken up by the European Commission against Apple last year and could force the company to change the way it does business.

Once charged, Apple would have the chance to defend its side and offer to tweak its business model to satisfy EU regulators who can also impose fines.

The European Commission declined to comment on an ongoing investigation.

Apple declined to comment, but referred to a 2019 statement that said its App Store helped Spotify become Europe's largest music streaming service.

The tech giant was previously in the EU's crosshairs four years ago when Brussels ordered the California-based giant to repay 13 billion euros ($14.7 billion at current rates) in a tax case against Ireland.

arp/dc/tgb
"Sakuu has made major progress with the development of its AM technology said Hiroshi Otsuka, President and CEO of Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co. Ltd. We are excited about our growing strategic partnership with Musashi, said Robert Bagheri Chairman CEO and Founder of Sakuu.

Sakuu Corporation announced today a deepening of its strategic partnership with Musashi. The investment from Musashi, as well as other investors, will accelerate the commercialization of Sakuus solid-state battery technology (KeraCel) and the Sakuu AM platform. Sakuu and Musashi will be exploring other areas of interest for potential future collaboration.

We are excited about our growing strategic partnership with Musashi and are committed to our goal of commercializing solid-state batteries for multiple market applications that our Sakuu platform supports., said Robert Bagheri Chairman CEO and Founder.

"Sakuu has made a major progress with the development of its additive manufacturing technology said Hiroshi Otsuka, President and CEO of Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co. Ltd. "Musashi will work together with Sakuu to expand green energy solutions and support the environment."

About Musashi

Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd. is a global auto parts Tier1 company for automobiles and motorcycles, whose headquarters is located in Toyohashi, Japan. It has 35 manufacturing sites spreading across Europe, North and South America, China, and South East Asia. Musashi specializes in designing, developing and manufacturing products such as Differential Assemblies, Transmission Gears and Assemblies, and Linkage and Suspension (L&S) products especially for the future automobiles including electric and autonomous vehicles. Musashi is also generating and expanding new businesses through open innovation with global startups to contribute to the SDGs in wider business domains. MusashiAI, a leading-edge AI technology subsidiary to lead Industry 4.0, is one of the examples.

About Sakuu Corporation

Formerly KeraCel Inc, Sakuu is an industrial solutions provider that has developed a major breakthrough in additive manufacturing (AM) technology to address the approximately $800 billion digital manufacturing transformation. The companys flagship Sakuu AM platform will be the worlds first multi-material, multi-process additive manufacturing platform for high volume production and is engineered to provide a significant market advantage to the companys customers.


Emmanuel Macron has threatened to punish generals who signed an open letter warning that the country is heading for 'civil war' because of radical Islam.

Twenty retired generals, as well as several serving soldiers, signed the letter which warned that failure to act against the 'suburban hordes' - a reference to the predominantly immigrant population of the housing estates which surround French cities - will lead to deaths 'in the thousands.'

The government strongly condemned the letter, which was published on the 60th anniversary of a failed coup d'etat by generals opposed to France granting independence to Algeria.

'These are unacceptable actions,' Defence Minister Florence Parly said Monday, adding that serving military members had flouted a law requiring them to remain politically neutral.

'There will be consequences, naturally,' Parly said, adding that she had instructed the army chief of staff to discipline them.

France's President Emmanuel Macron, right, and French Armies Chief Staff General Francois Lecointre, left, stand in the command car as they review troops before the start of the Bastille Day military parade last year

Far Right leader Marine Le Pen has thrown her support behind the ex soldiers who wrote the letter

The open letter, published in Valeurs Actuelles, a right-wing magazine, claims a military coup might be necessary to stop a 'civil war' in France.

Despite condemnation from the government and left-wing parties, Marine Le Pen hailed the letter which was signed by 80 officers, as well as the 20 generals.

'I invite you to join us in taking part in the coming battle, which is the battle of France,' she wrote in a response to the letter.

Le Pen was widely criticised by her opponents on both the left and right for her overtures to the soldiers behind what the left-wing daily Liberation described as a 'call to sedition'.

The lead signatory was Christian Piquemal, 80, who commanded the Foreign Legion before losing his privileges as a retired officer after being arrested while taking part in an anti-Islam demonstration in 2016.

It was written by Jean-Pierre Fabre-Bernadac, a former officer, and signed by 1000 others who were in lower ranks.

The incendiary letter reads: 'France is in danger. Several mortal perils threaten her. Even in retirement, we remain soldiers of France and cannot in the present circumstances remain indifferent to the fate of our beautiful country.'

The retired officers claimed that France was 'disintegrating with the Islamists of the hordes of the banlieue [suburbs] who are detaching large parts of the nation and turning them into territory subject to dogmas contrary to our constitution'.

Macron also came under fire with the retired officers blasting the state for allowing brutal police action against yellow vest protesters in the country.

In a chilling call, the letter claimed that the country would 'explode' into civil war if 'nothing was done', which would lead to the deaths of thousands.

They also claimed they had broad support in the military and were 'ready to support' politicians who focused on the 'safety of a nation'.

Le Pen's National Rally gave the letter their backing, saying it reflected the views of 'patriots' like General Pierre de Villiers, former chief of the defence staff, who was sacked by Macron in 2017.

The generals calling for a coup d'etat: Le Pen candidates, Yellow Vest activists and an 80-year-old who was arrested at anti-Islam rally in Calais Christian Piquemal, stripped of his privileges by army chiefs Piquemal, 80, a former general of the Foreign Legion, leads the signatories of the furious letter addressed to Emmanuel Macron. He was stripped of his privileges as a retired officer after he was arrested at an anti-immigration rally in Calais in 2016. Also in attendance were members of the anti-Islamic Pegida movement. Christian Piquemal speaks at a rally in Calais in 2016. The rally was attended by Pegida, an anti-Islamic movement which originated in Germany Piquemal denied knowledge that Pegida were also going to be there and denied his protest was racist. The general was said to have been the de-facto leader of the rally but was later acquitted by a judge, while others were handed fines. Piquemal, who retired in 2000, was stripped of his right to wear the uniform and lost his military officer's ID card. However, his rank was not withdrawn. Emmanuel de Richoufftz, 'general of the suburbs' A graduate of the prestigious Saint-Cyr military school founded by Napoleon, de Richoufftz served as aide-de-camp to French Prime Minister Pierre Mauroy from 1981 to 1984. He served in Iraq, Africa and Bosnia. He is known as the 'general of the suburbs' after penning a book titled Another Late War in 1992. Children celebrate the visit of French General Emmanuel De Richoufftz during his visit to the central Ivory Coast area of Sakassou in August, 2003 The general sought to alert the public to 'real ghettos on the outskirts of cities', warning that intervention was needed to integrate disadvantaged young people. He represented Marine Le Pen's National Rally party in local elections in Le Grau-du-Roi in 2019. Last year he ditched Le Pen's party to join up with Debout la France ('France Arise'), a right-wing Euro-sceptic party. Jean-Pierre Fabre-Bernadac, former police chief and Yellow Vest activist Jean-Pierre Fabre-Bernadac, former police chief Fabre-Bernadac is the manager of the Place Armes website which is 'open to all retired, active, and reserve military personnel who love France and realise that France is on the brink.' In 2018, he participated in Yellow Vest protests against Macron's government. In a recent radio appearance, Fabre-Bernadac lamented the 'omerta' which hangs around the issue of immigration, claiming that murders and assaults perpetrated by migrants were not given media coverage. He called it a 'terrible double standard.' In another recent media appearance he said: 'The French do not trust politicians but they trust the army.' Antoine Martinez, former air force general Martinez was also embroiled in the furore over the Calais rally organised by Piquemal in 2016. He hosts the Volunteers for France website. In a video filmed in November last year for the Volunteers for France Youtube channel, Martinez described how the coronavirus crisis masked what he believes is the more pressing matter of Islamic radicalisation. He wrote in an accompanying article: 'There is no point, in fact, to project our soldiers into external theatres to protect us, if our leaders give up, despite the evidence, to name the enemy, and to fight him on our soil.' Antoine Martinez, former air force general Francois Gaubert, Le Pen ally Francois Gaubert Gaubert, 77, another graduate of the elite Saint-Cyr officer training college, spent four decades in the Navy on operations abroad, including in Africa, the Indian and Pacific Oceans, in Berlin after the fall of the wall and in Sarajevo, at the end of the war in Bosnia. He retired in 2002. He joined Front National in December 2012 and was a candidate in council elections in Montpellier. He was elected as a councillor in 2015. Today he is National Rally councillor in Occitanie. The 20 generals: Christian Piquemal, Gilles Barrie, Francois Gaubert, Emmanuel de Richoufftz, Michel Joslin de Noray, Andre Coustou, Philippe Desrousseaux de Medrano, Antoine Martinez, Daniel Grosmaire, Robert Jeannerod, Pierre Dominique Aigueperse, Roland Dubois, Dominique Delawarde, Jean Claude Grolier, Norbert de Cacqueray, Roger Prigent, Alfred Lebreton, Guy Durand and Gerard Balastre. Advertisement

Defence Minister Parly reacted with fury, saying a coalition between politicised former military personnel and far-Right presidential candidate Le Pen would be an outrage.

Ms Parly said: 'The irresponsible column published in Valeurs Actuelles is signed by retired soldiers, who no longer have any function in our armies and only represent themselves.'

Expressing her anger further on Twitter, Ms Parly said 'neutrality and loyalty' were two principles that were crucial to military conduct.

If Le Pen was to replace Emmanuel Macron as President of France following elections next year, she would become head of the country's Armed Forces.

'Madame Le Pen's words reflect a serious misunderstanding of the military institution,' said Ms Parly. Ms Parly said this was 'worrying for anyone who wants to become head of the Armed Forces.'

The lead signatory was Christian Piquemal, 80, who commanded the Foreign Legion before losing his privileges as a retired officer after being arrested while taking part in an anti-Islam demonstration in 2016. It was written by Jean-Pierre Fabre-Bernadac, a former officer, and signed by 1000 others who were in lower ranks

Ms Parly continued: 'The politicisation of the Armed Forces suggested by Madame Le Pen would weaken our military capability and therefore France.

'The military are not there to campaign, but to defend France and protect the French.'

France's current Fifth Republic has been threatened by military coups in the past, notably by far-Right activists who were eventually defeated as they tried to keep the former North African colony of Algeria.

There are some five million Muslims in France - the largest community of its kind in western Europe - and many have backgrounds in former colonies, such as Algeria.

The Rassemblement National used to be called the Front National (National Front), and was founded by Ms Le Pen's father, the convicted anti-Semite, racist and Islamophobe, Jean-Marie Le Pen.
Western Australia's wheatbelt is a biodiversity desert, but the remaining wildlife - surviving in 'wheatbelt oases' - may offer insights for better conservation everywhere, according to researchers.

University of Queensland researcher Dr Graham Fulton and local John Lawson have been reviewing the biodiversity in the woodland oasis of Dryandra, in WA's south west.

"It's hard to witness the devastating loss of wilderness in Western Australia's wheatbelt," Dr Fulton said.

"Ninety-seven per cent of the best native vegetation has been taken - around 14 million hectares - it's an area greater in size than England.

"And the animals have gone with it, it's little wonder Australia has the highest mammal extinction rate in the world.

"Despite this harrowing loss, we're determined to help protect the area's remaining species, learning how best to protect animals in similar threatened habitats the world over."

In this vastly diminished environment, this remaining pocket of native Western Australian woodland - old growth woodland - is a last refuge for the birds.

The researchers counted birds at 70 points through three woodland types: powderbark wandoo (Eucalyptus accedens), wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo) and brown mallet (Eucalyptus astringens).

Overall 2397 birds, of 52 species were detected by the pair, with evidence suggesting more oases need to be created.

"These birds can only survive thanks to these small islands of woodland scattered through this vast sea of wheat," Dr Fulton said.

"Habitat islands like this are common all around the world, where human development has significantly broken up natural habitats.

"It's time to push government planners globally to take a look at the big picture, building havens for disappearing and under-threat wildlife wherever possible."

The research revealed that diversity of habitat type was critical for protecting remaining species.

"By protecting a wide array of habitat types - not just tokenistic, monocultural protected sites - we can offer species like these birds access to the range of habitat they need to survive and thrive.

"And it's not just birds - even the iconic, and endangered, Australian numbat survives thanks to Dryandra.

"If we're serious about reducing our extinction rate, and protecting species that mean so much to so many, it's time to look at expanding our habitat oases and managing those habitats effectively."

###

The research has been published in the Australian Journal of Zoology (DOI: 10.1071/ZO20095).
(Natural News) Americas Frontline Doctors were front and center at the Health and Freedom Conference last week.

(Article by Dorothy Cummings McLean republished from LifeSiteNews.com)

Were really just fighting for freedom, founder Dr. Simone Gold told LifeSiteNews.

Gold was accompanied at last weeks sellout, 4,000-people-strong gathering by Americas Frontline Doctors legal director Ali Shultz and Dr. Shelley Cole. The two-day event was sponsored by Rhema Bible College.

Gold said that her organization has been noticing that constitutional freedoms are evaporating, and so it has gone in a legal direction. At the same time, they are still conscious of the medical problems Americans are facing, including not getting early treatment for COVID-19 and being denied mask exemptions.

Dr. Cole observed that patients have real, valid concerns about masks, and stated that Americas Frontline Doctors want to give them resources so they can find answers to their questions.

There are a lot of people who have very specific indications that justify mask exemptions, so were trying to help, she said.

The Americas Frontline Doctors website contains information of interest to anyone concerned about the coronavirus, its treatment, its vaccines, mask mandates, and their medical rights. The organization, which now includes 700,000 people, works with four doctors who provide informative articles and hundreds of doctors in terms of clinical care, Gold revealed.

Cole told LifeSiteNews that around 70,000 people have used the organizations physician contact service.

Thats 70,000 lives saved because of Americas Frontline Doctors, interjected Shultz.

Can you imagine? 70,000 people were able to get the help they needed.

This help includes medicines that many doctors report have very high success rates of treating the virus, like hydroxychloroquine.

Gold said the organization receives letters from patients every day with messages like: I was really, really sick. My doctor wouldnt help me. Thank God for Americas Frontline Doctors. I got the medicine; within four hours I felt better.

Theres just so many letters like that you can read before you know that theyre lying when they say that the medicine doesnt work or is anecdotal, Gold remarked.

We have thousands of those letters.

Cole believes that people are waking up to the problems inherent in the medical profession, and said her organization exists to give people as much information as (they) can because theres been so much disinformation in the last few months.

In terms of finding trustworthy sources of information, Cole said that everyone needs to do their research, learn, and decide for themselves. She recommended reading what others dont want you to read.

If youre being censored, youre probably speaking the truth, she said.

Shultz added that from a legal perspective and having tracked cases, Its always a good idea to follow the money, too.

Gold said that Americas Frontline Doctors is supported by donations from the public.

We dont take any Big Pharma money, she declared.

We dont take government money. We dont corporate money. I do think thats a very smart place.

She believes people should find sources that they already know and trust, having tested for themselves that they tell the truth.

Regarding the organizations development of its legal arm, Shultz said the organization is very excited about the legal resources on their website, including a network of attorneys to whom they can direct people who need help.

Asked about the Nuremburg Code, which is a set of ethical principles for conducting research experiments on human beings, Gold said that many people arent aware that COVID-19 vaccines are experimental.

The problem is, people are not even registering that this is an experimental medication (or) all the immorality of forcing anyone to take an experimental medication, Gold said.

Shultz, who is an attorney, said that, quite apart from the Nuremburg Code, the Emergency Use Authorization for use of the new vaccines requires that people who receive it should have informed consent.

Coercion is not consent, she added.

Rebellion against coercion is growing. Gold told LifeSiteNews that people are now becoming even more interested in opposing oppressive policies than they are in finding doctors who will give them medicine to treat COVID-19 at home.

The most urgent question Ive been asked was, How can I get my hands on the stuff, right? But that has faded in importance, and the next question that has taken its place is How can I fight back?, she related.

Shultz said she fought back because she couldnt bear her kids having to wear masks to school.

I was able to get the mask mandate lifted from my kids school, she said.

And I want to help all of your viewers to do the same thing.

She invited LifeSiteNews readers to look at the Americas Frontline Doctors website and to combine forces with like-minded people.

Uniting with other people in your communities is the only way to stand up to this tyranny, Shultz added.

When one person says something, thats fine, but when a large group come together, (people in power) might listen to you.

Gold offered the organizations Citizen Corps as a good training ground for people who want to fight back the way Shultz did.

Youll be able to meet like-minded folks, stand up, and reclaim freedom, she said.

Gold has been on the forefront of challenging the government and media narrative regarding the actual dangers of COVID-19, its effective treatment, masks, lockdowns, and the current distribution of experimental vaccines. A participant in the January 6 rally on Capitol Hill, the doctor was stunned when a team of FBI agents broke her door down to arrest her.

Read more at: LifeSiteNews.com and HealthFreedom.news.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 27 : Union Minister V. Muraleedharan on Tuesday accused the Pinarayi Vijayan government of foul play in vaccine distribution across Kerala, saying that it is being manipulated to help the private healthcare facilities.

Muraleedharan alleged that this is taking place at a time when the state's Covid cases have touched a new high.

As many as 21,890 people were detected positive for Covid on Monday, while the total active cases in the state have climbed to 2,32,812, the highest single-day count so far.

The Union Minister alleged that on the one hand Vijayan is crying foul and attacking the Centre for not providing adequate Covid vaccine doses, "On the other hand one wishes to know why is the CoWIN application not working the way it should be. All wish to know if this is a ploy to help the private healthcare sector who will make Rs 250 per vaccine dose," said Muraleedharan.

"When Vijayan should have ensured that there is a proper supply of vaccines through the state-run health clinics, he is least bothered to find out why is the CoWIN app not working properly.

In fact when the media asked him about the improper functioning of the app, all that he repeated was a line from a popular film (it will be set right very soon)," he added.

In the past few days, the vaccine sites have witnessed a huge rush and chaos, with people saying these vaccination centres would soon turn into Covid hotspots.

"I have been trying to get an appointment for my second vaccine dose against coronavirus, but there is no slot available at all. Something seems to have gone wrong somewhere and no one has an answer to this," a beneficiary said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chennai, April 27 : The Puducherry administration has ordered all liquor, toddy, and arrack shops, both retail and wholesale, as well as bars to shut down from Tuesday onwards till April 30 following the Covid surge in the Union Territory.

Deputy Excise Commissioner T. Sudhakar said that the Excise Department will close down and seal all shops which defy the order.

The administration had earlier permitted opening of wholesale outlets till 2 p.m. everyday while directing retail shops to shut down. However, after Covid cases surged, the administration has called upon all outlets to down their shutters till April 30.

"All licensees shall strictly comply with the directives issued by the Puducherry state executive committee. The department will take serious action against those who violate these directives under the Puducherry Excise Act, 1970," Sudhakar said.

Suresh Babu, owner of a liquor shop in, told IANS: "We have already received the communication and will shut down the shop till midnight of April 30. Let's hope that this pandemic and its fury is over soon so that people live their normal lives."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vets Pets, a North Carolina cooperative network of veterinary hospitals, announced Oak Heart Veterinary Hospital added its fourth hospital, CityVet, inside the beltline of Raleigh.

CityVet is an urban animal hospital providing comprehensive veterinary care in a fun and modern environment. CityVet opened in 2015 and has been caring for pets in downtown Raleigh ever since.

"With the addition of CityVet, we are making it easier for the community to get high-quality care and customer service at a reasonable price," said George Ghneim, DVM, Ph.D. "We are thrilled to add CityVet to our family."

The Oak Heart family of hospitals includes locations at South Saunders, Dixie Trail, Longview, and now CityVet. Oak Heart Veterinary Hospitals provide complete medical care, diagnostic services, comprehensive dentistry with digital radiography, boarding, doggie daycare, grooming, and training. The South Saunders location will begin to offer 24-hour emergency veterinary service starting in the late summer of this year.

"Oak Heart has come a long way in a short period," said Steve Thomas, CEO of Vets Pets. "CityVet will help us further provide readily accessible veterinary care to the Raleigh area. We're excited to add them to Raleigh's Oak Hearts."

About Vets Pets

Vets Pets is a cooperative group of small-animal veterinary hospitals located in the Triangle and Eastern North Carolina. Based in Wilson, North Carolina, Vets Pets was created to address the changing needs in the veterinary industry. By providing hands-on operations management, HR support, continued education, advanced technology and resources, it enables veterinarians to focus on medical excellence in a supportive and healthy hospital culture.

Whether veterinarians are looking to join one of their existing practices, launch a new practice, acquire an existing practice or transition out of practice ownership, Vets Pets' role in the business is flexible. It invests in people, equipment and facilities with the long-term in mind, and works with veterinary partners to match strengths and interests with the right business opportunity. For entrepreneurial veterinary leaders, Vets Pets forms partnerships where it co-owns practices with veterinarians. For more information, visit the Vets Pets website and our Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

Media Contact:

Mackenzie Smith

[email protected]

877.703.3824 x106

SOURCE Vets Pets

Related Links

https://thevetspets.com/


VFW Loyalty Day Parade Saturday in Murray

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MURRAY - The Veterans of Foreign Wars will hold a Loyalty Day Parade in downtown Murray on Saturday.The patriotic parade will assemble on South 5th Street. Starting at around 10:30 a.m. the parade will move westward along Main Street to North 10th Street, where it will turn and follow North 10th Street to the Veterans Memorial in Chestnut Park.Loyalty Day was declared by Congress in 1958, but since then it's only commemorated in about a dozen locations around the country. Murray has been the site of previous Loyalty Day parades, but it is not an annual event. The Kentucky VFW has taken unofficial charge of the celebration in the Commonwealth, and the current state VFW president usually organizes one in or near his hometown.On May 1, 1930, about 10,000 Veterans of Foreign War members staged a rally at New York's Union Square to promote patriotism. Through a resolution adopted in 1949, May 1 evolved into Loyalty Day. Observances climaxed in 1950 when more than five million people across the nation held rallies.According to the Legal Information Institute, the President is requested to issue a proclamation, calling on United States government officials to display the flag of the United States on all government buildings on Loyalty Day, and inviting the people of the United States to observe appropriate ceremonies.
Count hospitals out of the Baker administrations plans to relax COVID-19 safety restrictions in Massachusetts.

Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday announced the state would ease restrictions for several sectors of the economy. Bars can soon reopen. Ballparks can welcome thousands. Venues can host larger crowds for weddings, reunions and other events. But state officials do not anticipate changes to hospital visitation restrictions.

There hasnt been complaints other than the numbers of people who can go visit at any one time, so Im not expecting that were going to make any changes to the current hospital rules that we have in place, Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders said.

Massachusetts continues to report hundreds of hospitalizations related COVID-19, which has killed more than 17,000 people across Massachusetts.

The most recent memo on the subject is from June 2020. It limits visitors to one visitor at a time, not counting birth partners, an underage patients parent, a patients attorney or a companion if a patient has a physical or cognitive disability.

Hospitals could allow outdoor visitations in a designated space, as long as the patients health status permits and infection control protocols are in place.

Those details, however, are up to each individual hospital system.

Steve Walsh, president & CEO of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, said hospitals and health care facilities in Massachusetts will continue to enforce strict safety protocols. Walsh praised the governors phased reopening process.

While we all still have work to do in order to reach a new normal, this diligence has paid off, he said. Our healthcare organizations are pleased that patients can safely return to the activities that they have missed  many of which are inextricably connected to their mental wellbeing.

Related Content:
DUBLIN, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Inventory Tags Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Technology; Label Type; Printing Technology; End-User, Geography" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global inventory tags market was valued at US$ 4,995.36 million in 2020 and is projected to reach US$ 7,264.42 million by 2028; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% during 2021-2028.



The US, Canada, and Mexico are among the major economies in North America. High spending power of population enables them to spend on expensive high-tech products that encourages technological advancements, which lead to intense competition among various businesses in this region. North American countries are characterized by well-developed retail and manufacturing sectors and a relatively high density of retailers. The retail sector in North America is a huge adopter of the RFID technology that facilitates data transfer from tags attached to objects, using a wireless scanning system, thereby enabling automatic identification and tracking. Further, according to the International Trade Administration (ITA), there were 19.8 million e-commerce users in Canada in 2018, and the count is estimated to rise up to 5.21 million by 2021. The retail e-commerce sales in Canada were valued at US$ 2.2 million in 2019 and US$ 47.9 million in 2020. Thus, in addition to the growing retail sector, escalation in e-commerce activities is contributing to the inventory tags market in North America.



According to American Hospital Association, the US healthcare sector consists of ~5,534 registered hospitals that cater ~35,158,934 patients. In this sector, inventory management effectively handle inventory, acting as a pre-requisite for several decision-making processes. Hospitals in the region are highly inclined toward the implementation of the best practices in the hospital supply management system to allow efficient management of inventory. Inventory tags allow quick check-in and check-out of medical equipment. A unique identification number on equipment makes it easier to locate them in storehouses. Also, the RFID technology allows scanning of several items at once.



In August 2020, Vizinex RFID, a US-based company that designs and manufactures RFID tags, introduced new flexible inventory tags to serve a larger spectrum of industries. Its inventory tags are developed to adhere to flat metal surfaces. Such developments by the key inventory tag providers are propelling the market growth in North America.



The US is one of the prominent markets for inventory tags due to the growing retail and e-commerce, and healthcare sectors. The huge increase in the number of confirmed cases and rising reported deaths has affected these industries. The factory and business shutdowns across the US, Canada, and Mexico impact the adoption of the inventory tags. The retail sector has faced considerable shifts, consumer spending on groceries continue to increase. However, spending on apparel and other accessories decreased substantially in 2020.



Moreover, in the Mid-2020, the retail and e-commerce sales have increased gradually, leads to slight growth in the market in North America. RFID technology is also highly used in the healthcare industry to track their assets. To combat the virus, the region has started shipping vaccines and PPE kits within the region where RFID technology has made a comeback to track and authenticate test kits, PPE, and vaccines. Thus, this also leads to slight growth in the market.



COVID-19 has had a severe impact on transportation and automotive, and trade activity. North America is home to a large number of manufacturing and technology companies. Thus, the Coronavirus outbreak's impact was quite severe in 2020 and likely in 2021. The impact of COVID-19 is short-term; it is likely to decrease in the coming years.



Overall size of the inventory tags market has been derived using both primary and secondary sources. To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market. The process also serves the purpose of obtaining an overview and forecast for the inventory tags mera market with respect to all the segments. Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants and commentators to validate the data, as well as to gain more analytical insights into the topic. The participants of this process include industry experts such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, along with external consultant such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders, specializing in the inventory tags market. 3M Company; Alien Technology, LLC; Avery Products Corporation; Brady Worldwide Inc.; Camcode (Horizons Incorporated); Cenveo Corporation; Checkpoint Systems; Smartrac Technology GmbH (Avery Dennison Corporation); Tyco (Johnson Controls, Inc.); and Zebra Technologies Corporation are among the players profiled during this market study.



Reasons to Buy

Save and reduce time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the growth, size, leading players and segments in the global inventory tags 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 global inventory tags 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 global 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 Report Guidance

1.3 Market Segmentation



2. Key Takeaways



3. Research Methodology

3.1 Coverage

3.2 Secondary Research

3.3 Primary Research



4. Inventory Tags Market Landscape

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 PEST Analysis

4.2.1 North America

4.2.2 Europe

4.2.3 Asia Pacific

4.2.4 Middle East and Africa

4.2.5 South America

4.3 Ecosystem Analysis

4.4 Expert Opinion



5. Inventory Tags-Market Dynamics

5.1 Market Drivers

5.1.1 Growing Counterfeiting Activities

5.1.2 Surging Adoption of RFID Technology in Retail Sector

5.2 Market Restraints

5.2.1 Security Concerns Related to Inventory Tag Technology

5.3 Market Opportunities

5.3.1 Growing Emphasis on Internet of Things (IoT)

5.4 Future Trends

5.4.1 Growth Potential for Inventory Tag Technology in Automotive Sector

5.5 Impact Analysis of Drivers and Restraints



6. Inventory Tags Market - Global Analysis

6.1 Inventory Tags Market Global Overview

6.2 Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast To 2028 (US$ Million)

6.3 Market Positioning - Five Key Players



7. Inventory Tags Market Analysis - By Technology

7.1 Overview

7.2 Inventory tags Market, By Technology (2020 and 2028)

7.3 RFID

7.3.1 Overview

7.3.2 RFID: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.4 Barcode

7.4.1 Overview

7.4.2 Barcode: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.5 Other

7.5.1 Overview

7.5.2 Other: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)



8. Inventory tags Market - By Label Type

8.1 Overview

8.2 Inventory tags Market, by Label Type (2020 and 2028)

8.3 Plastics

8.3.1 Overview

8.3.2 Plastics: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.4 Paper

8.4.1 Overview

8.4.2 Paper: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.5 Metal

8.5.1 Overview

8.5.2 Metal: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.6 Others

8.6.1 Overview

8.6.2 Others: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)



9. Inventory Tags Market - By Printing Technology

9.1 Overview

9.2 Inventory Tags Market, by Printing Technology (2020 and 2028)

9.3 Offset Printing

9.3.1 Overview

9.3.2 Offset Printing: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

9.4 Digital Printing

9.4.1 Overview

9.4.2 Digital Printing: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

9.5 Flexography Printing

9.5.1 Overview

9.5.2 Flexography Printing: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

9.6 Gravure Printing

9.6.1 Overview

9.6.2 Gravure Printing: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

9.7 Others

9.7.1 Overview

9.7.2 Others: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)



10. Inventory tags Market - By End-User

10.1 Overview

10.2 Inventory tags Market, by End-User (2020 and 2028)

10.3 Retail

10.3.1 Overview

10.3.2 Retail: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

10.4 Logistics & Transportation

10.4.1 Overview

10.4.2 Logistics & Transportation: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

10.5 Industrial

10.5.1 Overview

10.5.2 Industrial: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

10.6 Others

10.6.1 Overview

10.6.2 Others: Inventory Tags Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)



11. Inventory Tags Market - Geographic Analysis

11.1 Overview

11.2 North America: Inventory Tags Market

11.3 Europe: Inventory Tags Market

11.4 APAC: Inventory Tags Market

11.5 MEA: Inventory Tags Market

11.6 SAM: Inventory Tags Market



12. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Inventory Tags Market

12.1 Overview

12.2 North America

12.3 Europe

12.4 Asia-Pacific

12.5 Middle East and Africa

12.6 South America



13. Industry Landscape

13.1 Overview

13.2 Market Initiative

13.3 New Product Development



14. Company Profiles

14.1 3M

14.1.1 Key Facts

14.1.2 Business Description

14.1.3 Products and Services

14.1.4 Financial Overview

14.1.5 SWOT Analysis

14.1.6 Key Developments

14.2 Alien Technology, LLC

14.2.1 Key Facts

14.2.2 Business Description

14.2.3 Products and Services

14.2.4 Financial Overview

14.2.5 SWOT Analysis

14.2.6 Key Developments

14.3 Brady Worldwide, Inc.

14.3.1 Key Facts

14.3.2 Business Description

14.3.3 Products and Services

14.3.4 Financial Overview

14.3.5 SWOT Analysis

14.3.6 Key Developments

14.4 CCL Industries Inc.

14.4.1 Key Facts

14.4.2 Business Description

14.4.3 Products and Services

14.4.4 Financial Overview

14.4.5 SWOT Analysis

14.4.6 Key Developments

14.5 Cenveo

14.5.1 Key Facts

14.5.2 Business Description

14.5.3 Products and Services

14.5.4 Financial Overview

14.5.5 SWOT Analysis

14.5.6 Key Developments

14.6 Johnson Controls, Inc.

14.6.1 Key Facts

14.6.2 Business Description

14.6.3 Products and Services

14.6.4 Financial Overview

14.6.5 SWOT Analysis

14.6.6 Key Developments

14.7 Zebra Technologies Corporation

14.7.1 Key Facts

14.7.2 Business Description

14.7.3 Products and Services

14.7.4 Financial Overview

14.7.5 SWOT Analysis

14.7.6 Key Developments

14.8 SATO Holdings Corporation

14.8.1 Key Facts

14.8.2 Business Description

14.8.3 Products and Services

14.8.4 Financial Overview

14.8.5 SWOT Analysis

14.8.6 Key Developments

14.9 Honeywell International Inc.

14.9.1 Key Facts

14.9.2 Business Description

14.9.3 Products and Services

14.9.4 Financial Overview

14.9.5 SWOT Analysis

14.9.6 Key Developments

14.10 Camcode

14.10.1 Key Facts

14.10.2 Business Description

14.10.3 Products and Services

14.10.4 Financial Overview

14.10.5 SWOT Analysis

14.10.6 Key Developments



15. Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9nlt6b



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CENTRAL POINT, Ore. -- More than 1 million Oregonians have been vaccinated against Covid-19, and still some locals hold onto concerns about receiving a shot meant to protect them and those around them who could be exposed to the coronavirus.

Lake County Public Health Chief Executive Officer, Charlie Tviet says he finds that people are concerned about the science behind some of the vaccines, and the Johnson and Johnson seems to be a good alternative.

Tveit adds that as far as he knows, those needing second doses of either Pfizer or Moderna continue to show up to get their shots to ensure full immunization.

Jackson County Public Health Medical Director, Dr. Jim Shames says Jackson County has seen a drop in people showing up for second dose appointments.

"How do we reach them and get them to understand that this is really in everybody's best interest? It's going to keep them safe, it's going to keep all of us safe.

While for some, the reintroduction of Johnson and Johnson only adds to the worry, Shames says the system for watching vaccine side effects has proven to work extremely well.

With the reintroduction also comes an additional warning patients should be aware of.

I feel positive about it. If I was a vaccine hesitant individual, this would give me more security knowing that there are people really looking out for my best interest.

Both Jackson and Klamath County Public Health say its biggest strengths in vaccination efforts over the last few months has been serving the most vulnerable and reaching those who typically struggle getting any type of vaccine.

Klamath County Public Health Officer, Valeree Lane says, We have also done, I think, a fairly good job of ensuring people know where to go to get vaccinated. The places where we could probably do a little more improvement would be around ensuring people know they can go to their pharmacy.

Klamath County Public Health anticipates that by mid May Johnson and Johnson allotments will increase.

Lane says hopefully young people between 16 and 18 continue to get Pfizer, older adults get Moderna and agricultural workers get the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
A single astrocyte displaying expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor protein ACE2 in red. Credit: Ricardo Costa, LSUHS

New research offers an up-close view of how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can spread to the brain. The study helps explain the alarming array of neurological symptoms reported in some patients with COVID-19, as well as why some patients suffer severe neurological effects while others experience none at all.

The researchers report evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can infect both the nerve cells that power our brains (neurons), and the cells in the brain and spinal cord that support and protect neurons (astrocytes).

"Our findings suggest that astrocytes are a pathway through which COVID-19 causes neurological damage," said Ricardo Costa, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Shreveport and the study's first author. "This could explain many of the neurologic symptoms we see in COVID-19 patients, which include loss of sense of smell and taste, disorientation, psychosis and stroke."

Costa will present the research at the American Physiological Society annual meeting during the Experimental Biology (EB) 2021 meeting, held virtually April 27-30. The study is led by Diana Cruz-Topete, assistant professor of molecular and cellular biology at LSU Health Shreveport, and includes collaborators Oscar Gomez-Torres, Ph.D., and Emma Burgos-Ramos, Ph.D., from Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha in Spain.

A group of neurons (blue) and the dendrites that connect them (green). The ACE2 receptor (in red) is present in the neuronal main body. Credit: Ricardo Costa, LSUHS; original cells donated by Lynn Harrison, LSUHS

In the respiratory system, SARS-CoV-2 is known to infect a person's cells by grabbing hold of proteins on the cell surface called angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptors. It has been unclear whether brain cells have this receptor.

For the study, Costa and colleagues examined RNA and proteins to determine whether cell cultures of human astrocytes and neurons expressed ACE2. They then exposed the cells to a version of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that had been modified to be safe for researchers to handle. The studies confirmed that both astrocytes and neurons express the ACE2 receptor and that both cell types can become infected with SARS-CoV-2, though astrocytes were less likely to become infected.

Astrocytes are the main gateway to the brain, responsible for shuttling nutrients from the bloodstream to the neurons while keeping harmful particles out. By resisting infection, astrocytes could help keep SARS-CoV-2 out of the brain, but once infected, they could easily pass the virus along to many neurons, according to researchers.

A single astrocyte infected with a modified version of SARS-CoV-2. The virus was modified to express a green fluorescent protein upon successful infection. Nearby astrocytes (not visible) were not infected. Credit: Ricardo Costa, LSUHS

"While astrocytes display a higher resistance to infection, neurons seem to be more susceptible," said Costa. "This suggests that only few astrocytes getting infected could be sufficient for the infection to quickly spread to neurons and multiply quickly. These observations could explain why while some patients do not have any neurological symptoms, others seem to have severe ones."

More information: Costa will present this research from 3:15-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 27 ( Costa will present this research from 3:15-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 27 ( abstract ).

Provided by Experimental Biology
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Apr, 2021 ) :Minister for National food Security Syed Fakhar Imam on Tuesday said bumper crops of wheat, corn and rice production were produced in the country.

The production was increased due to positive initiatives of the government announced for the farmers besides encouraging latest technology in agriculture sector.

Speaking to a Radio Pakistan's current Affair program he remarked that the government's aim was to make Pakistan a surplus country in terms of local production.

Government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) was taking proactive measures for public welfare, he said adding, there were some 8.4 million farmers in Pakistan, with 5.3 million in Punjab only.

The launching of Kisan Card would assist and facilitate farmers in buying agricultural inputs, pesticides and machinery, he added.

The money would be transferred directly to the account of farmer and there would be no middleman involved, he mentioned.

The minister further said that PTI was the first government in the history of country that has directly approached people at grass root level.

Imam said historic innovative scheme would bring a revolution in the country by making the life of farmers easy through enhancing agricultural production with the help of latest technology which also help save valuable foreign exchange.

It would also contribute to poverty reduction, particularly in rural areas, he added.
Ford Romania plant was once owned by Daewoo

Ford Europe confirmed on Tuesday a development president Stuart Rowley hinted at a couple of months ago  the Romanian plant in Craiova will build an EV.

Production wont start until 2024 though output of ICE versions will commence the previous year.

A US$300 spend will see Craiova, once a Daewoo factory, build a new light commercial vehicle line including, eventually, an all-electric variant which will be the first Ford BEV volume vehicle to be built in Romania. The plant currently produces the 48v mild hybrid Puma, EcoSport and one litre petrol engines.

Ford said its new LCV will have some of its most advanced conventional petrol and diesel engines with the latter sourced from Dagenham and transmissions from Halewood, both in England.

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"Craiova has a strong record of delivering world-class competitiveness and flexibility. Our plan to build this new light commercial vehicle in Romania reflects our continuing positive partnership with local suppliers and the community," said Rowley.

"Craiova will be our third factory in Europe to build an all-electric vehicle. It follows recent investments this year in the Cologne Electrified Vehicle Centre in Germany and Ford Otosan's Kocaeli plant in Turkey."

In February, Ford said its entire commercial vehicle range would be zero-emissions capable, all-electric or plug-in hybrid, by 2024 with two-thirds of CV sales expected to be BEV or PHEV by 2030.

Ford joins the charge towards electrification
PROVIDENCE, R.I., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- EpiVax, Inc. ("EpiVax") announces the publication "Tregitopes Improve Asthma by Promoting Highly Suppressive and Antigen-Specific Tregs" in Frontiersin Immunology. This research highlights Tregitopes as a promising therapy for allergy. Administration of IgG-derived Tregitopes were found to induce suppressive antigen-specific T-regulatory cells in ovalbumin (OVA) and ragweed-allergic murine mouse models, attenuating allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and lung inflammation.

Tregitopes are peptides found in human immunoglobulin which were first discovered in 2008 by Dr. Anne De Groot and William Martin. EpiVax has since validated many more Tregitopes and has developed a strong Tregitope patent estate. With a wide range of therapeutic applications, Tregitopes can be co-formulated or fused to proteins to induce antigen-specific tolerance. EpiVax is currently licensing Tregitope with commercial and academic partners. More information on the EpiVax Tregitope Platform is available here.

Tregitopes are capable of engaging regulatory T cells and downregulating inflammation in a wide range of disease models. This mechanism of action has been used by others seeking to harness the value of Tregitopes, including Marieme Dembele, Dr. Bruce Mazer and Amir Massoud of McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Dembele and team previously demonstrated antigen specific tolerance induction by Tregitopes in allergic airways disease. Tregitope-driven antigen-specific down-regulation has been documented in other disease models, including Type I diabetes, cockroach induced-allergy, experimental colitis, and pregnancy loss. EpiVax is encouraged by these findings and looks forward to a continued bright future for the Tregitope program.

On the potential for future therapies, Dr. Bruce Mazer, Senior Scientist at The Research Institute of The McGill University Health Centre said, "Tregitope-based therapy may lead to improved treatments for allergy and other inflammatory conditions. IgG Tregitope-based treatment could become a synthetic alternative to IVIg, with more specificity and likely less side effects unlike steroid-based immunosuppressant treatments for allergic asthma."

About EpiVax:

EpiVax is a biotechnology company with expertise in T cell epitope prediction, immune modulation, and rapid vaccine design. EpiVax's immunogenicity screening toolkits for therapeutics and vaccines, ISPRI and iVAX, are employed in advancing the research of a global roster of companies.

For more information about EpiVax, visit www.epivax.com.

For more information on Tregitope and licensing opportunities please contact us here.

For a free online version of this published research visit Frontiers in Immunology here.

Press Contact:

Katie Porter, Business Development Manager

EpiVax

kporter@epivax.com

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By Reuters

N'DJAMENA, CHAD - Chad's new military rulers named a civilian politician, Albert Pahimi Padacke, as prime minister of a transitional government on Monday, a week after President Idriss Deby's battlefield death, but opposition leaders quickly dismissed the appointment.

Padacke served as prime minister from 2016 to 2018 and was seen as an ally of Deby, who ruled Chad for 30 years.

A military council seized power after Deby was killed as he visited troops fighting rebels on April 19. Opposition politicians have called the military takeover a coup, and two said on Monday the army had no right to pick a premier.

The transition and the wrangling around it is being watched closely in a country that is a power in central Africa and a longtime Western ally against Islamist militants across the Sahel.

The military council is headed by Deby's son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, and has said it will oversee an 18-month transition to elections. Mahamat Idriss Deby, a general, has been declared the national president and has dissolved parliament.

FILE - The son of the late Chadian president Idriss Deby, general Mahamat Idriss Deby, right, attends the state funeral for the late Chadian president Idriss Deby in N'Djamena, April 23, 2021.

But the council is coming under international pressure to hand over power to civilians as soon as possible. The African Union has expressed "grave concern" about the military takeover, while France, the former colonial ruler, and some of Chad's neighbors are pushing for a civilian-military solution.

The U.S. State Department said the naming of a civilian prime minister is "potentially a positive first step in restoring civilian governance," adding that Washington is continuing to closely monitor the situation.

"We would urge that this moment be taken to move the country forward in a democratic direction and that the people have an opportunity to really have a democracy, have a representative government," Robert Godec, acting assistant secretary of the State Department's Bureau of African Affairs, told reporters.

Despite Padacke's appointment, the council is still likely to be the ultimate authority.

Although an ally of the late Deby, Padacke ran against him several times.

He came second with 10% of the vote in an election on April 11 that was boycotted by several opposition leaders who said it was rigged. Deby, who took power in a rebellion in 1990, was declared winner with about 79% of the vote just before he was killed.

International human rights groups, who had long criticized Deby's repressive rule, have said the election campaign was marked by violence and intimidation.

"(Padacke) was prime minister under Deby, and we will not accept for him to lead the transitional government," said Dinamou Daram, president of the Socialist Party Without Borders.

"The junta wants to continue with the system of the old regime. We reject this way of proceeding," he told Reuters.

Yacine Abderamane, president of the opposition Reformist Party, also rejected Padacke's nomination.

"It is not up to the transitional military council to designate a prime minister in this isolated manner. We want there to be talks between political parties, civil society and other actors in order to reach a consensus," he said.

A coalition of civil society groups and opposition politicians has called for a peaceful protest Tuesday in N'Djamena to demand a return to "constitutional order."

One civil society leader said he was optimistic that Padacke would be open to talks to ease political tensions.

"He is a major player who can achieve dialogue with all sides and move the political process forward toward peaceful elections," said Mahamat Digadimbaye, national coordinator for civil society and human rights associations.
A resident of a home on Sydneys lower north shore has handed CCTV footage to police after gunshots were fired at the property on Tuesday night when he was inside with his wife and daughter.

Police were called to the home on Gaza Avenue, Hunters Hill, about 7.15pm on Tuesday following reports of gunfire.

The car with bullet holes in the side rear sits in the driveway at Gaza Avenue in Hunters Hill. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Upon arrival, police located bullet casings and a vehicle with holes in the driveway, NSW Police said in a statement on Wednesday. Front windows and an internal wall of the house also sustained damage.

The damaged white BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe was still parked outside the home on Wednesday morning.
Kolkata: An estimated 75 per cent votes were cast in the seventh and penultimate phase of the West Bengal assembly election 2021, which was by and large peaceful on Monday.

Chief Electoral Officer Aariz Aftab said, 75.06 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 PM in 34 seats where polling was held. "Polling was entirely peaceful today and there was no incident of violence anywhere in the state," Aftab told reporters.

"The seventh phase is the quietest and incident-free phase. There was no bomb blast from anywhere during today's polling, not even from sensitive places. We are extremely happy. The police and the central forces have done a commendable job," ADG (Law and order) Jag Mohan said.

Voting began at 7 AM at 12,068 polling stations spread over nine assembly constituencies each in Murshidabad and Paschim Bardhaman districts, six each in Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda and four in Kolkata, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's home turf Bhabanipur.

Malda, Murshidabad and Dakshin Dinajpur are minority-dominated and the fight in these districts is between the Trinamool Congress and the Congress-ISF-Left alliance, except in a few pockets where the BJP has gained strength.

7th Phase West Bengal assembly polls: Check vital statistics here

Till 5 PM, the highest voters' turnout of 80.30 per cent was registered in the Murshidabad constituency, and the lowest polling percentage of 59.91 per cent was recorded in the Kolkata Dakshin seat, the CEO added.

Peaceful polling

Although the polling passed off more or less peacefully, there were a few incidents of scuffle between rival party workers in some parts of the state. A few such incidents were reported from Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman district where TMC candidate Sayoni Ghosh claimed that BJP activists tried to jam booths in the constituency.

The allegation was dubbed as baseless by BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul, who asserted "Ghosh is making excuses sensing defeat". There was a commotion in the Rash Behari constituency in the city after BJP candidate Lt Gen (retd) Subrata Saha's agent Mohan Rao was accused of molesting women voters inside a polling booth, police said.

The agent was detained after several women voters claimed he tried to drag them by holding their hands inside Bidya Bharati School, a police officer said. Rao rubbished the allegations and said no such incident had taken place.

"We have received a complaint in this regard and a probe is underway," the official said. The TMC candidate for the constituency, Debashis Kumar claimed that he was stopped from entering a booth in the area by central forces. The central forces, however, denied the allegations.

In the Jamuria seat, Left Front candidate Aishe Ghosh alleged that agents of CPI-M were stopped from entering a booth by TMC workers, a charge which was denied by the ruling party.

In Murshidabad, TMC district president and MP Abu Taher was heckled by party workers when he was touring the area. Taher, however, claimed that Congress activists had heckled him. Congress dubbed the allegations as baseless.

In the Bhabanipur constituency TMC candidate Sovandeb Chattopadhyay claimed that he too was stopped from entering the booth in his area by central forces. The security forces denied the allegations and the office of the chief electoral officer intervened and sorted out the issue.

Tight security in view of Cooch Behar violence

Security was tight in view of the violence in the previous phases, particularly the death of five people at Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar, including four in CISF firing, in the fourth phase of polling on April 10, an EC official said.

The ECI has ordered repoll on April 29 at booth No. 126 of the Sitalkuchi seat where voting was cancelled after the four were killed in the firing. The poll panel has deployed at least 796 companies of central forces in the seventh phase to ensure free and fair voting, he said. Each company of central armed police force has around 100 personnel and officers.

Polling amid COVID-19 safety protocol

The EC also put in place measures to ensure strict adherence to health protocols during the election process, including wearing of face masks and maintaining social distancing to check the spread of COVID-19. The state registered its highest single-day spike of 15,889 COVID-19 cases on Sunday, while 57 more people succumbed to the virus.

Election to two assembly constituencies Samserganj and Jangipur in Murshidabad district where polling was originally slated on Monday - has been adjourned following the death of two coronavirus-positive candidates.

The EC has fixed May 16 as the date for polling in the two seats. The eighth and final phase of polling is scheduled for Thursday, April 29. Votes will be counted on Sunday, May 2.

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[April 27, 2021] Parasoft Keeps Quality Continuously Flowing With New Release of API Testing Suite for Enterprise Applications

MONROVIA, Calif., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Parasoft, a global leader in automated software testing for over 30 years, today announced the 2021.1 release of the Parasoft Continuous Quality Suite of API testing tools for enterprise applications, including Parasoft SOAtest, Virtualize, and CTP. Modern development teams must accelerate delivery without sacrificing quality. This release from Parasoft adds continuous quality to their CI/CD framework through enhanced requirements traceability and tighter integrations with current DevOps tools. In addition, teams will get a better service virtualization experience. This release of the Parasoft API testing suite focuses on prioritizing workflows that testers can use to maximize their automated test efficiency. All the API testing tools in the suite use advanced reporting and analytics to deliver on the promise of low-cost and maintainable test automation. To learn more about the Parasoft Continuous Quality Suite of API testing tools, attend the engaging session, Keep Your Quality Continuously Flowing, on April 28 at 3:45 p.m. ET at the STAREAST Virtual Experience.



Get 10% off STAREAST. Register with the discount code: S21VE.

Win a private microbrew tasting event for your team. Stop by Parasoft's virtual booth at STAREAST to sign up for a chance to win. "We're looking forward to being part of STAREAST the week of April 26. We'll showcase our latest release, which continues Parasoft's commitment to enabling continuous software delivery with quality at speed," said Mark Lambert, VP of strategic initiatives at Parasoft. "Development teams can optimize their Agile testing strategy by correlating tests with user stories and code changes. Managers get good visibility into how their test coverage maps to their defined requirements and the code itself. Teams get a more accurate view of any gaps in coverage." Further enhancements include service virtualization capabilities for more accurate traffic mapping when virtual assets are created. Also, cloud plugins expand support for the cloud-based CI/CD systems with new GitHub Actions and Azure DevOps Tasks for working with virtual environments. Teams get broader access to Parasoft's server-based environment management, reporting and analytics, and testing solutions.

Learn why Parasoft was named by Forrester Research as a Leader in the Continuous Functional Test Automation Suites market. About Parasoft Parasoft helps organizations continuously deliver quality software with its market-proven, integrated suite of automated software testing tools. Supporting the embedded, enterprise, and IoT markets, Parasoft's technologies reduce the time, effort, and cost of delivering secure, reliable, and compliant software by integrating everything from deep code analysis and unit testing to web UI and API testing, plus service virtualization and complete code coverage, into the delivery pipeline. Bringing all this together, Parasoft's award winning reporting and analytics dashboard delivers a centralized view of quality enabling organizations to deliver with confidence and succeed in today's most strategic ecosystems and development initiatives security, safety-critical, Agile, DevOps, and continuous testing. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/parasoft-keeps-quality-continuously-flowing-with-new-release-of-api-testing-suite-for-enterprise-applications-301278225.html SOURCE Parasoft

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WHKP boots Rush Limbaugh show

The failure of the keepers of the Rush Limbaugh Show to name a replacement host has earned the show the boot from WHKP.

The country-format station, which is celebrating its 75th birthday this year, will pull the Rush Limbaugh after the April 30 broadcast.



WHKP President and General Manager Art Cooley said in a news release that the failure of the formerly most-listened-to talk show program to name a new permanent host after Limbaugh's death on Feb. 17 caused the break-up. At its peak, the daily Rush Limbaugh show garnered millions of listeners on some 600 radio stations in America.



In its place, beginning on Monday, May 3, from noon to 3 p.m. weekdays, WHKP will showcase the Todd Starnes Show. Todds unique down-home humor with interviews featuring major newsmakers, entertainers, artists and leaders is popular with listeners. During the daily show, Todd also covers breaking news.





WHKP will also add the OReilly Update weekdays at 11:30 a.m., a 15-minute commentary that cuts through the anonymous sources and phony stories dominating todays news cycle and brings Bill OReillys trademark no spin analysis," the station said. Hendersonvilles first broadcast station, WHKP signed on the air on Oct. 24, 1946. It is heard at 1450-AM and 107.7-FM.
(Natural News) Desperate to transform his country into a clone of communist China, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has introduced new legislation that would censor the Canadian internet and make everything on it politically correct.

Citing the threat of hate speech and hurtful language, particularly against politicians like himself, Trudeau wants to force all social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter, to start immediately removing all content that someone on the left might feel is offensive.

Once a publication is flagged, it will have to be taken down within 24 hours of having it being flagged, confirmed Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault, who announced the plan during a recent videoconference with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.

A new regulatory body would be established on the taxpayers dime to police all internet content, Guilbeault added. Tech giants that refuse or fail to comply would incur financial penalties that would have to be paid to Trudeau and his cronies.

My job is to ensure the safety and security of the Canadian population. Thats what Im here for, Guilbeault stated during the bills official unveiling.

I think its going to be a really good remedy to a number of problems, but it wont solve everything. One of the issues Ive learned, looking at different models, is you shouldnt try to tackle everything from the get-go.

Nothing hurts a population more than to have its government decide which speech is acceptable and which is not. Yet, Guilbeault says that putting a stranglehold on Canadian free speech will ultimately  create a safer environment for all people online and not just for a handful.

Trudeau already invited communist Chinese troops to train on American soil  why not also stamp out Canadian free speech?

As you may recall, Trudeau welcomed with open arms communist Chinese troops, which were brought in to Canada to train. It only makes sense, then, for Trudeau to launch a Chinese-style censorship scheme, which will soon be taken up for a vote by the Canadian parliament.

According to Guilbeault, too many Canadian politicians have been retreating from public service because some people are saying mean things about them online. To ensure that their feelings are not hurt ever again, Guilbeault and Trudeau want to regulate all online speech to create a safer environment for politicians.

[As] a dad and stepdad to six kids, I know more can and should be done to create a safer online environment, Guilbeault says.

Continuing to allow Canadians to have free speech is a nightmare for Canadas politicians he warns. Some, being thin-skinned wimps, have actually decided to take themselves out of that public debate because the conditions under which were asking them to participate simply arent sustainable.

We know its a minority of actors but a very organized, a very loud minority, and something must be done, Guilbeault further complained.

The only way to preserve the core values shared by Canadians, he insists, is to silence anyone who says something online that makes a politician upset. Doing this, Guilbeault insists, will preserve democracy while maintaining inclusive and accountable governance, peaceful pluralism, and respect for diversity and human rights.

Hate speech will definitely be part of the legislation that will be tabled, but we also want to encompass other online harms that are taking place, he added.

Guilbeault made clear to point out that it will not matter whether or not the platform is based out of Canada. If it does business in Canada, it will have to censor mean things that make Canadian politicians feel sad or upset.

More related news about the deep states relentless efforts to stamp out free speech can be found at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

NaturalNews.com
The Fishmongers' Hall attacker was an influential inmate who associated with Lee Rigbys killer before his release, an inquest has heard.

Convicted terrorist Usman Khan, 28, spent eight years in prison, where he was involved in a string of violent incidents and extremist bullying, the inquest jury at London's Guildhall was told.

Eleven months after his release, Khan killed Cambridge graduates Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, at a Learning Together prisoners' educational event at Fishmongers' Hall in London.

Beforehand, there had been discussion about the risks of Khan learning to drive a dumper truck, but not of him travelling to London to attend the event, jurors heard.

On Tuesday, senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Dan Brown gave evidence about Khan's life and long history of extremism in and out of prison.

Born in Stoke-on-Trent to parents who had come to the UK from Pakistan, he was described by a former teacher as having a "chip on his shoulder" and "teenage swagger".

At the age of 13, Khan was excluded from school after assaulting another pupil and exchanging racial slurs, for which he was given a youth reprimand, the court heard.

The court heard Khan was attracted to extreme Islam in his teens and took an interest in prominent figures Anwar Al-Awlaki and Anjem Choudary, the leader of terrorist organisation al-Muhajiroun (ALM).

In 2008, he preached in Stoke on behalf of ALM and police raided the address where he was living, jurors heard.

Afterwards, Khan said he was born and bred in Stoke, and insisted: "I ain't no terrorist."

But within years, Khan was one of nine men from London, Stoke and Cardiff to be convicted of terrorism offences.

In December 2010, Khan discussed with another male how to construct a pipe bomb from a recipe in the al Qaida magazine Inspire, jurors heard.

Khan pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts and was in custody until the end of 2018.

In a basis of plea, Khan admitted plotting to set up a terrorist training camp in Pakistan which might send fighters back to the UK.

In February 2012, Khan was handed an indeterminate sentence which was varied upon appeal to an extended sentence.

Cambridge graduates Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, who were stabbed to death by terrorist Usman Khan during a prisoner rehabilitation event at the Fishmongers Hall in London (Metropolitan Police/PA)

It meant Khan had to serve eight years in custody but no longer needed the approval of the Parole Board before his release, the court heard.

Jurors were told Khan became a senior figure among extremists in prison and was categorised as "high risk".

He was involved with violent incidents and radicalisation of fellow inmates during his time at seven prisons across England.

In January 2011, Khan suggested he had access to a weapon and would "do someone in the eye or neck" and wanted to die and go to paradise, jurors heard.

In March 2011, Khan and others were involved in an attack on another prisoner to shouts of "Allahu Akbar", Mr Brown said.

The same year, Khan shouted during the two-minute silence for Armistice Day.

In June 2012, Khan recited a poem which included the line "cut off the kuffar's head", the court heard.

In May 2013, a stockpile of chemicals was found in Khan's cell which would not have been capable of making an IED but was still "very concerning", Mr Brown said.

In November of that year, a Church of England chaplain was caught up in an assault by Khan on another prisoner.

The same day, a razor blade was found in his cell, the court heard.

In 2017, while at HMP Whitemoor, Khan remained a high risk, Mr Brown said.

Undated handout photo issued by West Midlands Police of Fishmongers Hall attacker Usman Khan (West Midlands Police/PA)

While his behaviour was noted as "acceptable" with "no recent adjudications", evidence suggested he continued to harbour extremist attitudes and deliberately "told lies or ticked boxes to achieve progression".

In March 2017, Khan talked about his Muslim faith with Michael Adebowale, who beheaded Fusilier Rigby, jurors heard.

By June of that year, Khan was regarded as an "influential" terrorist prisoner involved in "extremist bullying", Mr Brown said.

In October 2018, intelligence on Khan suggested he would "return to his old ways".

Meanwhile, he was said to have engaged "positively" with Learning Together, jurors heard.

Following his release from prison on licence, Khan's progress was discussed in a series of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa) meetings.

Jurors heard that the idea of Khan learning to drive a dumper truck to help his employment chances was "deemed not appropriate" due to the risk it presented.

However, when the subject of him attending a Learning Together event in London came up, there was no discussion of the risk that could pose, the court heard.

At a final Mappa meeting on 14 November 2019, Khan's probation officer noted he was "always cheerful in his presentation" and there was no concern for his mental health.

The arrangements for Khan to travel to London on 29 November and be met at Euston station were mentioned, jurors were told.

Jonathan Hough QC, counsel for the coroner, said consideration of the trip referred to "logistics rather than risks".

Mr Brown replied: "It looks like it's decided already, yes."

The inquest into the deaths of Ms Jones and Mr Merritt continues.

Additional reporting by PA
Japanese bank Nomura meanwhile posted its biggest-ever quarterly loss

UBS and Nomura became the latest large global banks to reveal scars from the US hedge fund Archegos' collapse last month.

Swiss bank UBS took a US$774mln charge for losses it incurred when Archegos was forced to liquidate US$20bn of funds overnight though it still managed to post a profit of US$1.82bn in the three months to end-March.

New chief executive Ralph Hamers said the bank was reviewing what had happened and the transparency and liquidity surround the Archegos position.

The unwinding of highly concentrated positions with many different banks involved leads to a shock effect to the market on those shares. That is what caused most of the losses, he told reporters.

Hamers added that UBS was also reviewing its family office operation and the risks that are being taken on, but said the bank remained committed to its prime brokerage arm.

We are committed to the prime brokerage business. The capabilities that underline the business are crucial to continue to build wealth business, so therefore we are committed to it.

But again, we have to learn and look at the relationships, look at the leverage situation and make sure that the risk management going forward is effective.

Japanese bank Nomura meanwhile posted its biggest-ever quarterly loss after it took a US$2.3bn hit related to the Archegos crisis.

The bank posted a loss of Y155.4bn (US$1.4bn) for the quarter having before the write-down been on track for its best-ever year.

Nomuras charge for Archegos is so far second only to , which last week revealed a US$4.8bn provision that the Swiss bank added might rise further.

US bank has said it lost US$1bn, though and reportedly closed their positions without losses.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 13:45:24|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a food-processing zone for local specialty Luosifen rice noodles in the city of Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

NANNING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Monday expressed his hope that private enterprises can develop boldly and with confidence.

Xi made the remarks when visiting a food-processing zone for local specialty Luosifen rice noodles during his inspection of the city of Liuzhou in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

It is not an easy task to develop the small rice noodle business into such a large industry, said Xi.

A bowl of Luosifen, or river-snail rice noodles, is served at a restaurant in Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jan. 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

"We encourage the development of private businesses. When they encounter difficulties, the Party and the state give them support, and when confusion arises, guidance is offered, with the hope that they can develop boldly and with confidence," Xi said. 
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There were supposed to be runways to everywhere  but now there's one runway to nowhere.

The vision for Everglades Jetport in Florida in the 1960s was for it to be the biggest airport in the world, occupying a 24,960-acre plot five times larger than the footprint for New York's JFK Airport. There would be six runways with supersonic aircraft taking off and landing and a new interstate highway and high-speed monorail system whizzing passengers to Miami and the Gulf of Mexico.

But the dream crumbled and now all that remains is a ghost airport, with one runway in the middle of a swamp.

Scroll down for video

The vision for Everglades Jetport in Florida in the 1960s was for it to be the biggest airport in the world, occupying a 24,960-acre plot five times larger than the footprint for New York's JFK Airport. Above, an aerial view of the abandoned project from Google Earth

When the Everglades Jetport was originally conceived, the Boeing 2707 - Boeing's answer to the Concorde (artist's concept drawing above with Pan Am branding) - was in development. It was anticipated that supersonic aircraft would dominate long-haul air travel in the future and an appropriate airport facility in the U.S for them would be needed

Construction on the Everglades Jetport was halted after the first of six runways was completed in 1970, following the release of a damning environmental report. Above, a shot of the site - now known as Dade-Collier Airport - taken in 2016

Building began in Collier County in 1968, but a year later, a damning environmental report led to work being halted permanently.

When the Everglades Jetport was originally conceived, the Boeing 2707 - Boeing's answer to the Concorde - was in development.

It was anticipated that supersonic aircraft would dominate long-haul air travel in the future and an appropriate airport facility in the U.S for them would be needed.

The Everglades Jetport site, set amid the Big Cypress Swamp on the northwest boundary of Everglades National Park, was chosen for its proximity to Miami and because it was far enough away from large communities to avoid noise pollution.

In a brochure detailing the project, Stuart Tipton, the former president of the Air Transportation Association of America, said: 'The recent action taken by the Dade County Port Authority to construct a new jetport makes certain that South Florida will be ready to play its part in the supersonic age.'

Meanwhile, Claude Kirk Jr, the late governor of Florida, mused: 'What ships did almost exclusively a generation ago, planes do today. Bigger and faster planes will do it better tomorrow. For all recorded history, cities and nations with deep harbours have controlled trade.

After work on construction was halted it was decided that the two-mile stretch of tarmac laid down would be kept in place for training purposes as it would be too costly and equally damaging to the environment to reverse the work. Above, an aerial shot of the airport taken in 2014

Other than the runway, there is nothing much else at the airport (pictured in 2016). There's no control tower or terminal and no hangars. A small single-storey office for four staff members and a tornado shelter are among the only remaining structures

A photo showing a piston-powered Douglas DC-6 aircraft making a low pass over the Dade-Collier Airport runway in 2013

'Today it is airports - the harbours of the aviation industry - that have become the new strategic locations. In this new concept of the strategic location, South Florida has no equal. With our new supersonic jetport, South Florida is going to become a major gateway to Europe and jumping-off place for the Pacific as well.'

In 1968 the plan was for two runways to be completed within five years. However, no sooner had ground been broken than questions flooded in over the airport's environmental impact on the surrounding ecosystem.

The swamp featured a mix of marsh and lowland forest, with 17 endangered species, including the Florida panther, the manatee, and the Everglades mink.

Following much public outcry, hydrologist Dr Luna B Leopold was tasked by the Department of the Interior with researching the potential environmental impacts the new aerodrome would have.

His report, called the Environmental Impact of the Big Cypress Swamp Jetport, was officially released on September 17, 1969, with strong opposition to the airport voiced from the get-go.

The introduction read: 'Development of the proposed jetport and its attendant facilities will lead to land drainage and development for agriculture, industry, housing, transportation, and services in the Big Cypress Swamp which will inexorably destroy the south Florida ecosystem and thus the Everglades National Park.'

In 1968 the plan was for two runways to be completed within five years. However, no sooner had ground been broken than questions flooded in over the airport's environmental impact on the surrounding ecosystem. Above, an aerial snapshot of the unfinished project taken in 2020

A photo of an Air Haiti Boeing 707-331C on approach to the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport during a training flight. Along with flight training, the runway is also used, on occasion, for high-speed car-racing events

Dr Leopold went on to note that the jetport and commercial development would result in air, noise and water pollution.

Not only would these factors impact wildlife in the area, the paper stated that they would also be damaging to the Miccosukee tribe of Native Americans, who resided nearby.

It read: 'The Miccosukee tribe will be totally absorbed in the intensive development, with the virtual elimination of their social customs and way of life.'

In the end, state officials took action and governor Kirk, who originally supported the idea, requested the Big Cypress site be abandoned.

Construction was subsequently halted after the first of six runways was completed, in 1970.

It was decided that the two-mile stretch of tarmac would be kept in place for training purposes as it would be too costly and equally damaging to the environment to reverse the work.

An aeronautical chart from 2016 depicts Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport as a public-use airport with a single paved runway. The strip of tarmac is set amid the marshes of the Big Cypress National Preserve on the northwest boundary of Everglades National Park

In 1973, shortly after Boeing abandoned its 2707, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a rule banning civil supersonic transport over the U.S. and plans to relocate the Everglades Jetport were never realised.

In 1974, the Big Cypress National Preserve was established as the first federal preserve in the National Park Service.

Today, the Everglades Jetport is better known as the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport and it remains in use as an aviation training facility for commercial pilots practising landings and, occasionally, a high-speed car-race venue

Over the years, there have been various renovations. In 1992 the runway was resurfaced and there was a lighting upgrade that cost $3.5million at the time. The taxiway also got a facelift, in 1996, for $100,000.

Other than the runway, there is nothing much else at the airport. There's no control tower or terminal and no hangars. A small single-storey office for four staff members and a tornado shelter are among the only remaining structures.
The big banks had all deserted the Essex market town of Rochford, with Barclays the last to shut in 2017.

It was not thought cost-effective to keep full-time branches open in the town, which dates from medieval times and now has a population of 8,400.

From then on, cash could only be withdrawn from two sites  one ATM that charged 99p  and from a Post Office plagued by long queues.

Rochford helpers (l-r): Toni Jean-Baptiste of Natwest, David Szczepaniak of Lloyds, Frederic Easlea of Santander, Lisa Burton of Barclays and Alison Hoskin of HSBC

And to speak to someone from their bank, most families faced an eight-mile round trip to the nearest branches in Southend-on-Sea.

But now there could be a solution. Rather than their bank having a 24/7 presence on the High Street, residents have been given their local branches back for one day a week.

On Mondays, NatWest takes over the shared High Street branch, on Tuesdays it's Lloyds, Wednesdays: Santander, Thursdays: Barclays, with HSBC on Fridays.

For Rochford is one of two locations in the UK to test out a new way of banking.

And these new bank hubs in Rochford and Cambuslang, a town on the outskirts of Glasgow could be the future in small towns.

The project is designed to help bank-barren communities at a time when more than 500 branches have been shut or are earmarked for closure this year.

Plummeting numbers of free-to-use cash machines are also contributing to a cash crisis  with 3,900 shut since the pandemic started, according to ATM network Link.

The shared bank buildings in Rochford and Cambuslang also have a Post Office counter, where visitors can pay in cheques and change, withdraw cash and settle bills five days a week.

But the new breed of bank branch is not currently a perfect replacement for the real thing.

Plummeting numbers of free-to-use cash machines are contributing to a cash crisis

Santander staff can only help customers use ATMs, make transactions on their phones and talk to its telephone banking service.

But the bank will soon expand its hub repertoire to include recovering lost passwords and usernames, reporting lost bank cards and setting up standing orders.

NatWest customers have access to almost every service they would at a local branch including notifying the bank of a bereavement and undertaking a mortgage agreement in principal.

But they cannot instruct a payment worth more than 20,000.

But Natalie Ceeney, who launched the Community Access to Cash Pilots scheme, says more services are likely to be added as the banks find out what the customers want through the pilot.

'We are looking to find out what other services people want so banks will understand how best to serve local people,' she says.

On a midweek morning half-a-dozen customers are queuing outside the building, which was previously a carpet shop.

Inside, customers can go straight to branch manager Richard Fleetwood for Post Office services.

They can also use machines to deposit cheques and cash or speak to their own community banker in a private room.

Barclays customer Heather Hartnett, 71, arrives holding a cheque she has had since November. The retired bank worker was relieved that she would no longer have to drive to Southend, because the journey aggravates her arthritis.

She says: 'I could have gone to the Post Office, but I feel safer doing it in a branch  it feels more private.'

Later, Natalie Robinson-Day, 50, leaves the hub after depositing cash in her NatWest account. The mother-of-three says: 'I found out about this when I saw it on Facebook  they were so helpful.'

The banks in the hub represent the largest market share in the area. And it has already attracted several older customers.

Lloyds community banker David Szczepaniak, 21, says: 'One gentleman in his 70s came in after he locked himself out of his online account because he'd forgotten his password. I helped him set up a new one and get back in.'

Residents also hope it will attract more visitors to the town's shops and weekly market. Butcher Jason Macaree, of J.Mac Meats, hopes the hub will make it easier to deposit takings.

Jason, 49, says: 'I used to drive to Southend, now I will be able to go to the hub more frequently and I won't have to carry as much money around.'

If the six-month pilot is successful, Ms Ceeney hopes to roll out the hubs across the country.

But a third hub, which was set to open in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, had to be scrapped because organisers could not find a suitable venue.

Campaigner Derek French, a former bank executive, says the hubs could be the 'only solution' to help communities as branches close everywhere.

He adds: 'People will need to show their support by going to these hubs in the next six months. I am concerned that people are still behaving differently during the pandemic and that some may stay away from them as a result.'

Community Access to Cash Pilot initiatives are planned to run in eight areas across the UK.

f.parker@dailymail.co.uk
We deliver creative marketing solutions that connect modern businesses with real people in the digital world!

Atlanta, GA, April 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Making its presence felt as a major B2B social media marketing company, WM Creative Group has now embarked upon focusing on social media and email marketing for medium to large-sized companies in big ways.





Founded by Edeszann Maxie, this Atlanta-based company has most successfully made its footprints in the domain of digital marketing as a single-stop solution point for all B2B companies helping them grow organically in the digital space.

Outlining the latest thrust on multiple digital marketing approaches that her company has given to promote the business of clients, Edeszann Maxie said a number of creative ways have been formulated to convert the online enquiries of the clients into business.

In the Press Release here, she states WM Creative Group creates product and service-based engaging content to enhance the brand image of its clients. WM Creative Group is also known for developing the most effective digital solutions to make every clients stand out in the online space.

Edeszann Maxie states her company now has emerged as a major marketing company with its value-added digital marketing services which, among others, include Social Media Marketing and Email Marketing.

Under its well-crafted social media marketing strategy, WM Creative Group is making the image and brand of the business robustly felt in the digital world through a number of ways. These include: Social Media Campaigns, Content Strategy & Creation, Community Management and Community Building.

WM Creative Group is also engaged in Social Listening, Analytics & Reporting for the benefit of each company. These strategic methods are helping companies in the digital marketing domain to smoothly convert their online customers into business.

The company has drawn up a strategy to ensure that the products and services of its clients are strongly visible on all digital platforms through social media and email. This method tremendously helps the companies come in the forefront of their customers which, in turn, helps them optimize their sales.

Story continues

In it, the powerful content of the product and services of the companies play a very dominant role. Such content developed by WM Creative Group virtually acts as strong digital tools in creating brand awareness. This in turn also creates brand loyalty.

These digital marketing strategies play a pivotal role in directly boosting the sales through lead generation with the help of social media marketing. To further boost its clients online presence, the company is also helping them to directly connect their businesses with the buyers and potential customers of commodities and services through the means of e-mail marketing.

Media Details -

Company Name - WM Creative Group

Email - info@wmcreativemarketing.com

City - Atlanta

Country - USA

Website URL - https://www.wmcreativemarketing.com/




Saying the appetite for change in leadership at City Hall has only strengthened over the last two years, Republican former state Rep. Victor
New Delhi:

The public and media are invited to attend the 7th annual International Observe the Moon Night celebration at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. It is a public occasion that fosters observation and understanding of public regarding Moon that's been Earth's long and constant companion.

The event will be free and will occur on October 28, Saturday at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center's Shuttle Park, under the Pathfinder Space Shuttle, in Huntsville, Alabama. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is the official visitor for Marshall. The event will be hosted by the Planetary Missions Program at Marshall and encourages.

The people are invited to learn more about the Moon and its relation to NASA planetary science and exploration.The show will also have an interactive round i.e. "Ask the Scientists" with Dr. Renee Weber who is a planetary scientist and other NASA planetary team members from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.

The upcoming show will also include Moon-related and solar system exhibits and hands-on activities for children and adults.

For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Under fire in India for alleged predatory pricing, unfair competition and constant dalliance with the laws of the land, Amazon has taken the lead in providing relief amidst the rampaging COVID-19 wave II.

According to US-India Business Council (USIBC) officials, Amazon will coordinate ventilator distribution from the US to India under the USIBC umbrella. As a first step, Amazon Inc has already brought 100 ventilators (each costing $30,000-40,000) for distribution in India.

It has offered other USIBC members to handle logistics at its own cost for any ventilators US companies may wish to send to India.

ALSO READ: Amazon vs Future: SC stays all HC proceedings; to hear matter itself

Earlier, on April 25, Amazon announced it had brought in 1,500 oxygen concentrators and BiPAP machines from Singapore to donate to hospitals and public institutions. Another 8,000 oxygen concentrators and 500 BiPAP machines had been brought in collaboration with Temasek Foundation, ACT Grants and Pune Platform for COVID-19 Response (PPCR). Amazon has also borne the cost of airlifting the latter from Singapore via Air India and other carriers. It will also handle the local logistics for distributing these from airports to local hospitals and institutions within India.

"COVID-19 has severely impacted India in unimaginable ways. We stand firmly with the country, deploying our global logistics network to urgently airlift the needed oxygen concentrators to support the nation's immediate need. We continue to explore other meaningful ways to help in saving lives and are committed to supporting the nation in this time of crisis." says Amit Agarwal, Global SVP and Country Head, Amazon India.

ALSO READ: Shopping on Amazon saves you over 75 hours a year: Jeff Bezos

Amazon is going through a rough patch in India. The global retail giant has come under fire after internal documents uncovered by news agency Reuters in February revealed how the company altered its corporate structure to avoid government guidelines in India for regulating e-commerce players and protecting small traders. The internal documents had shown that Amazon favoured a small cabal of sellers. There were instances of Amazon handing them discounted fees and helping one cut special deals with big tech manufacturers, as well as over 35 per cent of total sales until 2019 to two sellers.

The internal documents even included a briefing note prepared for former Amazon.com Inc's executive Jay Carney that called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "simple, logical, and straightforward", and "not an intellectual" who relies on "strong administration and governance" to run his government.

The Enforcement Directorate had said that it will examine the allegations against Amazon, The agency had claimed these developments were not entirely new for it, without divulging further details. In response, Amazon had claimed that the allegations against it were unsubstantiated, incomplete, factually incorrect.

Amazon is already under the ED's scanner for alleged violation of foreign investment rules. The company faced a probe by the Competition Commission of India in January, along with Walmart-owned Flipkart, over disrupting markets for offline retailers with steep discounts. The probe, however, was put on hold in February.

ALSO READ: Amazon India to bear COVID vaccine cost of over a million employees, sellers
President Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Florin Citu and Defence Minister Nicolae Ciuca have packed Easter gifts for veterans of the Second World War on Tuesday, report agerpres.

The three officials participated in the "Alongside Veterans" campaign, organized by the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) in partnership with the "Alongside Heroes" association, on the occasion of the National Day of War Veterans.

At the beginning of the event, the president spoke with three veterans and congratulated the organizers."Thank you all! I wish you all happy holidays, blessed holidays and much health! Thank you for inviting me!" Iohannis said.The "Alongside Veterans" campaign kicked off on 23 April and is organized by MApN in partnership with the "Alongside Heroes" association. The campaign will stretch over several days and will deal with distributing gift packages on the occasion of Easter Holidays for all 2,610 war veterans still alive of Romania, as well as for the eight from the Republic of Moldova. Packages will be distributed to war veterans from April 28-30.
A man suspected of a "horrific attack" on a 61-year-old Asian man in New York City was arrested early Tuesday morning, police said.

Jarrod Powell, 49, of East Harlem, faces two counts of felony assault, according to a statement from the New York City Police Department. It's unclear if Powell has a lawyer.

The victim was allegedly attacked at about 8:30 p.m. Friday when a man struck the victim from behind, "causing him to fall to the ground" in East Harlem, police said Saturday.

Surveillance footage released by the New York Police Department's Hate Crimes Task Force, which is also investigating the incident, appears to show the man kicking the victim's head repeatedly while he is on the ground.

Emergency medical personnel rushed the man to a local hospital, police said.

A male Asian, 61, was struck from behind causing him to fall to the ground at 3rd ave & east 125th street in Manhattan, Friday April 23, 2021. (NYPD / via Twitter)

The victim has been identified by local officials as Yao Pan Ma.

Ron Kim, a member of the New York State Assembly who has been in touch with Ma's family, said the victim was collecting cans to contribute to rent when he was attacked.

"Yao Pan Ma used to be a chef in China. He took a job as a dishwasher here until he got laid off. He didnt qualify for unemployment so he collected cans to pay for his $1,000 rent. As Yao fights for his life, his wife is by herself, unable to eat, crying nonstop," Kim wrote on Twitter.

He said Ma was in a coma following the assault and on Tuesday morning reported that he was still "fighting for his life."

Doctors "can't conduct surgery due to the over swelling around his brain," Kim wrote.

While authorities have not determined if the victim was targeted because of his race, the incident comes amid a wave of racially motivated attacks against Asian Americans nationwide.

While hate crimes decreased overall by 7 percent last year, those targeting Asian people rose by nearly 150 percent across 16 of the nation's largest cities in 2020, the analysis found.

New York accounted for the largest surge from three in 2019 to 28 in 2020, an 833 percent increase.

The uptick in cases prompted the U.S. Senate to pass legislation last week targeting anti-Asian hate crimes.
The drop-off is real despite public health promo and repeated warnings from public health officials.



Read more . . .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - After steadily rising from the first vaccine availability in mid-December through early April, the number of people initiating and completing COVID-19 vaccinations in Kansas and Missouri fell for the second consecutive week.
A Tennessee healthcare CEO has been fired after being caught on camera harassing a teenage boy for wearing a dress to his prom.

VisuWell executive Sam Johnson, 46, was filmed telling the boy he looked like an 'idiot' as he took photos before his prom near Nashville on Saturday.

Johnson has denied the allegations, despite the video footage of him making the remarks.

The boy, Dalton Stevens, 18, told NBC News he wore the dress as a statement to prove that 'clothing is really gender-less' and 'that it has no meaning'.

Telehealth technology firm VisuWell fired Johnson Monday, saying they have a 'zero-tolerance policy for intolerance'.

A Tennessee CEO (right) was fired after he was allegedly caught on camera harassing a teenage boy for wearing a dress to prom

The boy, Dalton Stevens, 18, told NBC News he wore the dress as a statement to prove that 'clothing is really gender-less' and 'that it has no meaning', in an interview on Monday

Stevens and his boyfriend Jacob Geittmann had been taking photos at the Harpeth Hotel in downtown Franklin, south of Nashville, before their prom.

Franklin High School senior Stevens told NBC that he was harassed as he posed with Geittmann, who later posted the exchange on TikTok.

'I explained [why I was wearing the dress] to him and he continued to just call me names and just follow me', Stevens explained.

He said the young couple had first noticed Johnson making 'homophobic' comments within their earshot.

The CEO then approached Stevens and Geittmann and questioned why the 18-year-old had chosen to wear a dress.

Johnson later allegedly told Stevens 'you have hair on your chest, you shouldn't be wearing a dress'.

Geittmann then took out his phone and started filming the exchange, during which Johnson said he thought the 18-year-old senior looked 'disgusting'. In the footage, a clearly distressed Stevens can he heard telling Johnson: 'I chose what I want to wear so you can f*** off'. Johnson then tells Stevens: 'Is that right? You look like and idiot'

Geittmann then took out his phone and started filming the exchange, during which Johnson said he thought the 18-year-old senior looked 'disgusting'.

In the footage, a clearly distressed Stevens can he heard telling Johnson: 'I chose what I want to wear so you can f*** off'.

While Geittmann is filming, Johnson apparently tries to knock the phone out of his hand, but ends up hitting Stevens.

Onlookers attempt to intervene, pleading with Johnson to stop, saying: 'It's just prom. It's kids, it's a bunch of kids. Come on, dude.'

At the end of the 45-second footage, Stevens can be heard telling Johnson, 'I'm sorry, I'm gorgeous.' Johnson responds by saying 'are you?'.

It's unclear what happened before Geittmann started recording.

The clip has gained celebrity attention, catching the eye of Kathy Griffin and Billy Porter.

Griffin retweeted the clip with the caption: 'If this is Sam Johnson in Nashville, Tennessee, the CEO of VisuWell, healthcare-tech-growth strategist, married to Jill Johnson where they may reside in Franklin, Tennessee, it seems like he's dying to be online famous.'

Franklin police responded to the incident, but Johnson 'denied any involvement in the confrontation', Lieutenant Charles Warner said.

Johnson told Newsweek: 'We had just sat down for dinner at this restaurant that we frequent, and I was returning from the restroom when I was presented with their loud cursing'.

He said he approached the teens to ask them to 'tone down the vulgarities around the families and children who were present.'

'Making it about the dress was their idea and they edited out most of the exchange', he added.

Police requested Johnson settle his bill with the hotel and leave.

Warner said officers would not be investigating the incident unless the couple chose to press charges.

At the end of the 45-second footage, Stevens can be heard telling Johnson, 'I'm sorry, I'm gorgeous', to which he responds, 'are you?'

VisuWell said in a statement: 'We unequivocally condemn the behavior exhibited by Sam Johnson in a recent video widely circulated on social media.

'After investigating the matter and speaking to individuals involved, the VisuWell BOD has chosen to terminate Mr. Johnson from his position as CEO, effective immediately.

'VisuWell's culture emphasizes respect, kindness, and compassion, especially for those from traditionally marginalized communities, and we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for intolerance of any kind.

'Mr. Johnson's actions contradicted the high standards we set for ourselves in promoting the health of those who use our platform.'

The company removed Johnson from his post after facing calls on Twitter to terminate his contract. A 'Meet out CEO' page has since been removed from the VisuWell website.
Florida Polytechnic University announced the creation of the states first bachelors degree in cybersecurity engineering. We are excited to be able to prepare students in this new cybersecurity engineering degree program to meet the ever-present technological needs of employers of all sizes here in Florida.

Florida Polytechnic University will offer the states first bachelors degree in cybersecurity engineering beginning in the fall 2021 semester. The degree was recently approved by the State University Systems Board of Governors.

The need for professionals in the cybersecurity field in the state is critical. CyberSeek, an online resource that tracks supply and demand in the cybersecurity job market, shows more than 460,000 cybersecurity openings nationally. In Florida alone, more than 21,000 cybersecurity professionals are needed. Additionally, a market analysis by Hanover Research projected that Florida would see a 20.4% growth in cybersecurity engineering-related occupations from 2016-2026.

This new degree supports our mission to educate students in industrys growing, most in-demand STEM disciplines, said Dr. Terry Parker, Florida Polys provost and executive vice president. We are excited to be able to prepare students in this new cybersecurity engineering degree program to meet the ever-present technological needs of employers of all sizes here in Florida.

The new cybersecurity engineering degree will feature concentrations in industrial control systems security, smart-grid and cyber physical security, and hardware security. While other cybersecurity programs focus more on data and software, which traditionally fall under computer science, this new engineering degree will center mainly on securing entities hardware, networks, and platforms.

Computer science deals with improving the security of software and the secrecy and integrity of the data. However, suppose the hardware and the network are not fully secure in terms of architecture and protocols. In this case, the security and trust of the whole information system are jeopardized, including the software and the data., said Dr. Youssif Al-Nashif, associate professor in Florida Polys Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and its Computer Science Department. Without securing the hardware and the network, everything running on top of them will have no real security.

There are only two ABET-accredited cybersecurity engineering bachelors degree programs in the nation, and Florida Poly hopes to soon join this elite group.

Dr. Muhammad Rashid, chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, said the new degree is the result of more than two years of hard work. He said the program will provide new opportunities for industry partnerships and open the door to new career paths for Florida Poly graduates.

This is a dream come true, Rashid said. There is unlimited opportunity in this area. It is a new world in engineering.


Image of MAXI J1820+070/ASASSN-18ey, taken with the Tsinghua-NAOC 0.8-m Telescope (TNT). Credit: Sai et al., 2021.

Astronomers from China have performed a comprehensive multiwavelength monitoring of a low-mass black hole X-ray binary system known as MAXI J1820+070. Results of this study, published April 21 on the arXiv pre-print repository, shed more light on the properties of this source.

In general, X-ray binaries are composed of a normal star or a white dwarf transferring mass onto a compact neutron star or a black hole. Based on the mass of the companion star, astronomers divide them into low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXB) and high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXB).

MAXI J1820+070 is an LMXB that was first detected during its outburst (which received designation ASASSN-18ey) in March 2018 by the All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN). Follow-up observations of this source confirmed its LMXB status and estimated that it is located some 9,640 light years away from the Earth.

After the discovery of MAXI J1820+070, a team of astronomers led by Hanna Sai of the Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, has commenced a monitoring campaign of this source in X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical bands, lasting over 18 months. For this purpose, the researchers employed ground-based facilities, including the 0.8-m Tsinghua-NAOC Telescope (TNT), the Yaoan High Precision Telescope, as well as the AZT-22 1.5-m telescope.

"We present extensive photometry in X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical bands, as well as densely cadenced optical spectra, covering the phase from the beginning of optical outburst to  550 days," the astronomers wrote in the paper.

The observational campaign captured several outbursts and rebrightenings of MAXI J1820+070. The spectra of this source showcases an evolution trend similar to other black hole LMXBs, which is most likely a result of the temperature change of the outer disc during outbursts. The optical emission was found to precede the X-ray by nearly 21 days during the rebrightening process.

Furthermore, the pseudo equivalent width (pEW) of emission lines in MAXI J1820+070 exhibit anticorrelations with the X-ray ux, which could be due to the increased suppression by the optical continuum. At around the X-ray peak, the full width at half maximums (FWHMs) of H and He ii 4686 lines appear to stabilize at 19.4 Angstrom and 21.8 Angstrom. According to the paper, this corresponds to the line forming region at a radius of 1.7 and 1.3 solar radii within the disk.

Starting from about 200 days after the outburst commenced, the X-ray ux shows a sudden drop, while the ux variation in optical/ultraviolet ux is much less signicant.

"This discrepancy suggests that the viscous energy of the accretion disk can contribute signicantly to the optical/ultraviolet ux when irradiation diminished," the astronomers explained.

The study also detected an intensity jump in optical and ultraviolet bands about 210 days after the start of the outburst, what could be an instantaneous response of the companion to the heating of X-rays and a response of the disk to the extra mass flow.

More information: Optical and Ultraviolet Monitoring of the Black Hole X-ray Binary MAXI J1820+070/ASASSN-18ey for 18 Months, arXiv:2104.10370 [astro-ph.HE] Optical and Ultraviolet Monitoring of the Black Hole X-ray Binary MAXI J1820+070/ASASSN-18ey for 18 Months, arXiv:2104.10370 [astro-ph.HE] arxiv.org/abs/2104.10370

 2021 Science X Network
Russia has proposed to engage in dialogue with the United States on strategic stability, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday.

"I would like to note that we have already proposed the Biden administration to engage in dialogue on strategic stability in line with Vladimir Putin's statements," the diplomat said in a statement.



According to him, Moscow also offered Washington to discuss the formation of a conflict-free environment.



Ryabkov said that the global arms control system, both its concept and components, undergo a crisis "against the background of a painful transformation of the system of international relations," mainly associated with the desire of the U.S. and its allies not only to consolidate a dominant position, but also expand opportunities to assert military-political pressure on competitors.



"The United States believes in the possibility of achieving absolute security for itself. Due to this, arms control is largely becoming a liability, a burden for them," the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister explained.
Raytheon Technologies Corp., the parent company of jet engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, on Tuesday disclosed a second criminal subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice as part of an investigation of financial controls at its Raytheon Missiles and Defense business.

The Waltham, Massachusetts-based aviation and defense conglomerate said in a securities filing that it has determined it is exposed to meaningful risk of civil liability for damages, interest and potential penalties.

Raytheon disclosed last October it received a criminal subpoena from the Department of Justice seeking information and documents related to financial accounting, internal controls over financial reporting and cost reporting at its missiles and defense business since 2009.

The investigation includes potential civil defective pricing claims for three contracts between 2011 and 2013.

As part of the same investigation, Raytheon said it received the second criminal subpoena March 24 seeking documents related to a different contract in 2017.

Asked on a conference call Tuesday detailing first-quarter financial results if he was surprised by the subpoena, Chief Executive Officer Greg Hayes said the contracts date to between 2011 and 2013 and there are always surprises like that out there when the DOJ suggested that we defectively priced some contracts.

Weve been doing an investigation, weve been working with the DOJ and I think we appropriately provided for those exposures, he said. I wouldnt call that a big surprise.

In its securities filing, Raytheon said it is cooperating fully with the Department of Justice.

Although we believe we have defenses to the potential claims, the company has determined that there is a meaningful risk of civil liability for damages, interest and potential penalties, it said.

Based on information now available, Raytheon said it does not believe the results of the investigation or of any potential civil litigation will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Stephen Singer can be reached at ssinger@courant.com.
[April 27, 2021] Hotwire Acquires McDonald Butler Associates, Strengthening Position as Leading Tech Communications Consultancy

Hotwire, recognised as the pre-eminent global tech communications consultancy, has acquired McDonald Butler Associates (MBA), a strategic B2B sales and marketing agency specializing in the $5.2 trillion technology industry. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005480/en/ (L-R): Tara O'Donnell, Managing Director of Hotwire (News - Alert) UK, Mike Butler, Managing Director of McDonald Butler Associates (MBA) and Maeve McDonald, CEO of MBA. (Photo: Business Wire) Together, Hotwire's award-winning communications expertise and MBA's specific sales and marketing expertise will support CMOs with both near-term sales results and long-term brand building. Synergies between the two firms include a strong tech customer base and a heavy investment in insights, strategy, and creative teams to drive integrated communications programmes. The companies also share a number of clients including Adobe (News - Alert) , Citrix, and Dell Technologies. "Tech CMOs are under pressure to deliver immediate results today and continue building the brand for the future," said Barbara Bates, Hotwire Global CEO. "By adding MBA's extensive account-based marketing and channel marketing experience, Hotwire will deliver a new level of communications programmes designed to build brand reputation, strengthen stakeholder relationships and deliver revenue growth." This investment gives Hotwire clients access to new skills and services including account-based marketing, industry marketing and channel and alliances programmes. For MBA's clients, they'll now have access to a global network, offering an even wider set of communications disciplines including brand development, media relations, corporate communications and deeper expertise in content and social media marketing. Tune into the latest episode of The Hotwire podcast, HotTakes to hear more about the opportunities ahead.



Incorporated in the U.K. in 2005, McDonald Butler supports a strong client roster of technology clients including Accenture, Adobe, AWS, Citrix, Dell Technologies, Deloitte (News - Alert) , DXC Technology, Honeywell, IBM, Pegasystems, and PWC. "This is an extremely exciting opportunity for both MBA's clients and our team," said Maeve McDonald, MBA CEO. "Both MBA and Hotwire have been dedicated to helping technology companies solve their most pressing business and communications challenges. Now we have a great opportunity to offer a wider range of communications, lead generation, and digital marketing services to our clients globally."

Maeve McDonald and Mike Butler, founders of MBA, will take on UK roles of Managing Consultant Account Based Marketing and Marketing respectively, reporting to Tara O'Donnell, UK MD and Global Leadership Team member. Together, the combined team brings Hotwire's UK headcount to more than 100 and more than 300 globally. This announcement builds off Hotwire's continued industry leadership, most recently being named the 2020 Global Technology Agency of the Year by PRovoke Media and its legacy of over 20 years of fuelling positive action for tech companies of all sizes. The investment for the acquisition came from Hotwire's parent company, Enero Group Limited (ASX: EGG), a boutique network of marketing and communications businesses. "The acquisition of MBA reflects not only the Group's strong momentum and ambition but our commitment to deliver on our global strategy of building scale and additional digital capabilities of our core agency brands," said Brent Scrimshaw, Enero Group CEO. "Hotwire is already one of the world's most highly-regarded tech specialist communication businesses and we have no doubt that adding MBA's specific sales and marketing expertise and complimentary client roster, will unlock new possibilities of growth." About Hotwire

Hotwire is the global technology communications consultancy. Founded in 2000, we operate a worldwide network of wholly owned offices and partners serving a range of clients from scale ups to established multi-nationals. We unleash the possibilities of innovative technology through integrated communications that ignite curiosity, spark action and fuel success. We do this using our proprietary methodology which is underpinned by robust insight and strategy, purposeful creative, integrated planning and a core emphasis on measurement and evaluation. About Enero

Enero Group is a boutique network of marketing and communications businesses listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX:EGG) that includes creative agency BMF, PR agencies Hotwire and CPR, research consultancies The Leading Edge and The Digital Edge, digital agency Orchard and programmatic marketing specialist OBMedia. For more information, please visit www.enero.com. About McDonald Butler

McDonald Butler Associates is a strategic B2B sales and marketing agency specializing in Account-Based Marketing, Channel & Alliances, and Industry / Demand Programs for the technology sector. We unite strategic insight and creative cut-through to drive better audience engagement, forge stronger relationships and accelerate sales. We're proud to be working with some of the world's largest and most innovative B2B companies, delivering ROI-focused campaigns. McDonald Butler is passionate about business as a force for good. We are active supporters and advocates of Mellon Educate and Pennies, donating a percentage of our profits and time each year as part of our giving back commitment. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005480/en/

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A High Court judge will hear submissions in June before deciding whether An Bord Pleanala should reconsider an application for permission for a 160m incinerator at Ringaskiddy in Cork harbour.

Following his decision last month that the boards permission for the incinerator was tainted by objective bias, Mr Justice David Barniville, must decide between either quashing the permission simpliciter, with the effect the entire planning process has to start again, or to remit the planning application to the board for reconsideration.

A local environmental group, Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment (CHASE), which brought the successful challenge, wants the permission quashed with no remittal.

In his March judgment, the judge said he would need a lot of persuasion to quash the permission without returning the matter to the board for reconsideration.

In that judgment, he found CHASE was entitled to succeed on the basis the boards May 2018 majority five/two decision to grant permission was tainted by objective bias because Conall Boland, then deputy chairperson of the board, had previously worked for a firm of consulting engineers engaged by Indaver to make submissions for reviews of waste management plans advanced by Cork County Council and Cork City Council.

The judge was satisfied the work done by Mr Boland in 2004 had a clear, rational and cogent connection with Indavers 2016 application for permission for the incinerator development.

He said Mr Boland was also the presenting member of the board in respect of its consideration of the planning application.

The Board has said it will not be appealing the courts judgment.

When the case returned for further mention before the judge on Tuesday, he noted CHASE wants the permission quashed with no remittal but Indaver wants the matter remitted and the Boards reconsideration to start at a particular point in the process.

It seemed the Board agreed the matter should be remitted, he added.

Having heard the sides, the judge said he would hear submissions on the remittal application on June 8.
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Head of the General Department of Military Preparedness of the Armed Forces of Armenia, Deputy Chief of the General Staff Andranik Makaryan doesnt accept the charge brought against him. This is what Makaryans attorney Amram Makinyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Makaryan is charged with negligent attitude towards service and the disappearance of a 60-member troop.

Signature to not leave has been selected as a pre-trial measure against him.

Makinyan informed that Makaryan has given testimony to the preliminary investigation body in detail and stressed that the charge brought against Makaryan is absolutely absurd since there are no facts to show that Makaryan is guilty.

Touching upon the publication of Zhoghovurd Armenian newspaper that Makaryan has informed that there was a mistake, the person escorting him was clumsy and that he hadnt given the command on his own, Makinyan said the following: During a meeting with the parents of deceased servicemen, Makaryan said there was bewilderment, but it wasnt due to his actions and that he had taken the right action in the given situation.
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A Derry welding lecturer is to retire after 40 years in the job.

Gerry Burke is set to hang up his welding hood at the North West Regional College this summer.

Its a bittersweet end to a long and committed career in which Gerry has managed to survive without a single sick day.

But after celebrating his 70th birthday last week, Gerry, one of Northern Irelands most skilled Fabrication and Welding lecturers, says it is time to 'put the feet up and let the younger ones get on with it'.

And on Northern Ireland Apprenticeship week, when Gerrys student Declan McEleney has made it into the final three NI Apprentice of the year, Gerry said theres never been a better time for a young person to consider an apprenticeship.

Student Declan follows in the footsteps of former students Keelan Cooke (Foyle Port), Eoin Crossan (Crossland Tankers), and Shannon Cartin (Scott Engineering) who were previously nominated for the award.

It was a 15-year-old Gerry, who first set his sights on a career in welding when he applied to Government Training Centre in 1967.

His early career saw him work in Travan Engineering and Dupont, and a three-year stint in Germany in the early 70s.

Gerry said: When I was training as a welder I used to always watch the lecturers thinking I could have a go at that. Senior lecturer Jack Sharkey encouraged me to go for it. I faced a tough three-hour exam, a practical and then an interview. The rest, as they say, is history.

I just get a joy from working with people. As a lecturer I love seeing young people do well. Its great when I meet them now, years after theyve finished their course and theyre running their own companies.

Ive former apprentices who are now looking for apprentices for their own companies, and even former apprentices whove gone on to become lecturers.

I love the fact that my job gives me a chance to push a young person who may not have had every opportunity at school. Ive always been very patient and I never give up on anyone, encouraging them to have another go.

Im delighted to have encouraged many female students to study welding  many who have gone on to top jobs in welding.

It is undoubtedly Gerrys relationship with local employers such as Fleming Agri, AE Global, Foyle Port, AE Global and GB Engineering that has led to the huge success of students in the Fabrication and Welding courses at NWRC.

Gerry explained: NWRCs partnerships with employers are essential. The lecturers and employers are one big team who work together to get our students on the right path. The level of commitment from our employers to our curriculum at NWRC, and their willingness to provide on-site training is a key component to our success.

In the past four decades, as technology has changed, Gerry has changed with it.

I remember sitting at home handwriting notes, and going into work early to photocopy them to give to the students, he said.

But when the computers started to come, I decided I needed to learn. Ive had great supporting from the Technology and Enhanced Learning Team at NWRC, and these days making my own videos and adding them to the Fabrication and Welding Video Channel is second nature to me.

That said  Im a great grandfather now, and I marvel at all my grandchildren and how theyve grown up with computers and how technology comes so easily to them. Young people take to technology so easily.

I really am going to miss all the friends and colleagues Ive made at the college. Ive a few months left to serve and then its finally retirement with my wife Sandra in my beloved Creggan.

John Cartin, Deputy Head of Training and Skills at NWRC said: Gerry has an incredible appetite for his work and strives for excellence within Fabrication and Welding.

He is often seen carrying out one to one review meetings with his students where he gets to know them and understands each individuals learning and personal needs.

He shows kindness towards his students and this helps break down any barriers that may be in place.

Gerry is very proud of his very close links with industry and particularly with his employer base and ensures that all of his students are suitably placed.

Gerry is also heavily involved with the college ERASMUS student exchange programme, where he facilitates more foreign students each year than any other lecturer.

Leo Murphy, Chief Executive and Principal of NWRC said: Gerry Burke is one of a kind and will be simply irreplaceable when he retires.

Gerry has managed and overseen many changes over his 40 years and has been able to embrace change by adapting his current practices to meet the needs of industry.

Gerry has built up a fantastic reputation within the college where he is student focused and always puts his student first.

He remains one of the most precious assets of the North West Regional College and is simply irreplaceable. Were going to miss him.
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It was a plane that was bankrolled by a young Winston Churchill and changed the course of British aviation history.

The Royal Navy's first seaplane, the Waterbird, was created by aeronautic pioneer Edward Wakefield in 1911 to give military ships an eye in the sky.

Thanks to financial support from Churchill, the plane successfully flew from the waters of Lake Windermere, in Cumbria's Lake District, but was then destroyed in a storm in 1912.

Now, a new documentary charts the successful efforts by enthusiasts to re-build the plane from scratch using an original instruction manual as a guide.

The 200,000 reconstruction, which began in 2010, was led by craftsman and pilot Gerry Cooper and backed by relatives of the men who built and flew the original plane.

UKTV channel Yesterday's latest episode of historical series Warbird Workshop, which airs on Thursday evening, shows for the first time the incredible moment the plane took to the skies once again.

Although fully capable of taking off from water, just as its historic predecessor once did, it had not yet received Civil Aviation Authority to do so when the show was filmed.

Instead, it was seen being piloted by Mr Cooper as it took off from land near his workshop in Lincolnshire.

A new documentary charts the successful efforts by enthusiasts to re-build the Royal Navy's first seaplane, the Waterbird, from scratch using an original instruction manual as a guide. Pictured: The finished plane

Wakefield was determined to make his dream a reality, despite the belief at the time that take-off from water was impossible.

Churchill, who served his first stint as political head of the Royal Navy from 1911 until 1915, gave crucial financial support amid skepticism from naval chiefs.

It was a product of an international race to produce the first seaplane, which was initially led by US firm Curtis.

However, Curtis struggled with their project. Waterbird's makers used the US design as inspiration for the main part of their plane, but they also crucially extended the size of its wings.

Its ultimate success signalled the birth of both naval and civil water planes in the UK and the establishment of Britain's first seaplane base on Lake Windermere.

Thanks to financial support from the then First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, the plane successfully flew from the waters of Lake Windermere, in Cumbria's Lake District, but was then destroyed in a storm in 1912

Creator Edward Wakefield, standing next to Waterbird with his pilot Herbert Stanley Adams in the cockpit

Churchill, who served his first stint as political head of the Royal Navy from 1911 until 1915, gave crucial financial support amid skepticism from naval chiefs. Pictured: Wakefield in the seat of his plane

From the first 12-second flight in 1903 to modern jets: A brief history of the aeroplane The first successful powered, controlled and sustained flight by a heavier-than-air aeroplane took place on December 17, 1903. Built by brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright, the plane flew at a height of 120 feet for just 12 seconds. The next two flights were more successful but the plane was then damaged beyond repair when it was repeatedly flipped over by a gust of wind. However, the brothers went on to build two further planes which improved their original design. The feat sparked a flurry of development which saw - with the outbreak of the First World War just a decade later  planes become practical for spotting artillery from the air and even rudimentary attacks on ground positions. By the start of the Second World War in 1939, the worlds first transatlantic flight had been carried out  in 1919  and commercial travel was in its infancy. Airports already existed in many towns and cities but it wasnt until the conflict against Adolf Hitlers Germany and his allies had been won that general aviation boomed, laying the groundwork for todays modern jets. Advertisement

The plane, which was 37ft long and had a wing span of 42ft, was flown from the lake by its first pilot, naval officer Herbert Stanley Adams.

The maiden flight caused huge controversy with author Beatrix Potter, who lived in the Lake District, and Canon Rawnsley, co-founder of the National Trust.

The pair both protested against Wakefield's activities on Windermere, before a public inquiry came out in Waterbird's favour.

But the historic plane was ruined when a storm destroyed the hangar it was being stored in  just four months after its first flight.

In 2010, an independent charity  the Lakes Flying Company  was set up with the aim of rebuilding the plane.

Headed by lawyer and pilot Ian Gee, the project was also backed by Richard Raynsford, the great-great nephew of Wakefield.

However, the project was repeatedly delayed by financial trouble, meaning the plane did not fly until August 2018.

The first parts of the new Waterbird were machined by craftsman Mike Sales in 2010.

By June 2011, it had started to take shape and the team, which included Mr Cooper's wife Jenny, then stretched fabric over its wooden frame.

The fabric, which was more durable than the type used in 1911, was shrunk with heat and made taut by the use of a specialist varnish called dope.

The new plane's wings, which were mounted on sturdy support struts, were supported by 200metres of wire cables.

Its new float was designed by craftsman James Pearce, who worked from old photographs and, incredibly, the ruined plane's original float  which was found gathering dust in the RAF Museum in Shropshire.

The plane's new engine, which was made in Australia, boasted 110 horsepower  60 more than the original.

Its shiny new propeller was designed by computer.

The plane's control surface  the device known as the elevator which gives it lift  was built from bamboo and mounted in front of where Mr Cooper would later sit.

The plane's propeller was designed by computer and its engine had 110 horsepower - 60 more than the original version

Modern planes usually have the elevator at the rear.

In 2015, the plane was fired up for the first time but the team then found that fuel didn't seem to be reaching its cylinders well enough.

The CAA were also concerned that fitting the float to the plane to land it on water would put too much stress on the plane's structure and might be too dangerous.

After another three years of delay caused by financial trouble, the plane was finally ready for its first flight.

The plane's wings were covered with modern fabric made taut by a specialist varnish called dope

The plane's control surface  the device known as the elevator which gives it lift  was built from bamboo and mounted in front of where Mr Cooper would later sit

The plane's seat had no belt, making any flight a fairly risky endeavour. Pictured: The beautiful wood construction of the new plane

A delighted Mr Cooper, who was seen making several trips up in the air in the new aircraft after taking off for the first time, said: 'I'm quite happy with it.

'I'm quite happy with my workmanship and I'm quite happy with the design. If it flew in 1911, it'll fly now.'

His wife added: 'The guys have been unbelievable. What they have pulled together to do it. Words cannot describe the effort that they've put in to it.

'Gerry's belief in it, and also Ian Gee's belief in it, has been second to none and without that belief they would not have done what they have done.

In 2018, after another three years of delay caused by financial trouble, the plane was finally ready for its first flight. Above: A delighted Mr Cooper was seen making several trips up in the air in the new aircraft after taking off for the first time

The new documentary showed Mr Cooper taking the new Waterbird for its first spin in the air

Mr Cooper added that it was 'annoying' that people would look at the wooden structure and think it is fragile

'It's testament to the guys that have built it all the way along.'

Mr Cooper added that it was 'annoying' that people would look at the wooden structure and think it is fragile.

'[Because] it looks so fragile people turn around and that'll never fly but it does and it flies fantastically and it's responsive and does everything it's supposed to do.'

This year, it is hoped the plane will finally take off from Lake Windermere.

Warbird Workshop: The epic battle to rebuild The Waterbird, the Royal Navy's first seaplane, airs on Thursday at 9pm.

The original Waterbird is seen above in its hangar on Lake Windermere
The annual Defender-Europe exercises led by U.S. Army Europe and Africa began in March and will continue through June across more than 30 training areas in a dozen countries. They are involving over 28,000 troops from 26 nations, including countries such as Georgia and Ukraine keen to join NATO.

Armenia was initially also included on a list of participating states released by the U.S. military.

The Armenian Defense Ministry said on March 18 that it has asked organizers to revise the list because it does not plan to join the exercises. It said Armenian troops participate only in those NATO drills that simulate international peacekeeping operations and train military personnel for them.

Citing continuing media inquiries, the ministry again ruled out Armenias participation in Defender-Europe 21 in a statement released on Tuesday.

The move came amid heightened tensions between Russia and the West over a major Russian-military buildup near eastern Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin President Vladimir Putin last week warned Western powers backing Ukraine not to cross Russias red lines, saying Moscow would respond swiftly and harshly to any provocations.

Armenia has close military ties with Russia cemented by bilateral defense treaties and its membership in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization. The Armenian government wants to deepen them after further after last years war in Nagorno-Karabakh. It is understood to be seeking stronger Russian military presence in the South Caucasus country to counter perceived security threats from NATO member Turkey, Azerbaijans close ally.

The Armenian military most recently participated in a NATO-led exercise in Georgia in August 2018. It declined invitations to join similar war games that were held there in September 2018 and in March 2019. Yerevan also skipped similar drills hosted by Georgia in September 2020 shortly before the outbreak of the Karabakh war.

Still, more than 150 Armenian soldiers remain involved in NATO-led peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo.
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Frank Ibezim has been sworn in as the senator representing Imo North senatorial district after three months of a legal tussle with Ifeanyi Ararume, a contender for the seat.

He was sworn in by Ahmad Lawan, the Senate President, at the start of plenary on Tuesday.

Messrs Ibezim and Ararume, both members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), claimed victory at the by-election held last year.

No one was named winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) owing to conflicting court orders. However, INEC declared the APC the winner of the election.

Mr Ibezim had on March 23 filed an appeal at the Supreme Court seeking to upturn a December 4, 2020, judgment of Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, and another verdict of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on February 6  both of which nullified his candidature on the grounds that he made false declaration in the documents he submitted to INEC.

The courts had held that Mr Ibezim bears two different and irreconcilable names and presented three falsified West African Examination Council results for the same election.

Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja had also on March 18, ordered INEC to issue Mr Ararume the certificate of return as the rightful candidate of the APC which was declared the winner of the bye-election.

After weeks of litigation, the Supreme Court on April 17 affirmed Mr Ibezim as the authentic candidate of the APC in the bye-election.

Justice Emmanuel Agim who delivered a unanimous judgment of the apex court held that the suit which led to Mr Ibezims disqualification for allegedly supplying false information to secure nomination was statute-barred at the time it was instituted.

Mr Ibezim will replace Benjamin Uwajumogu who died in December 2019.
Justrite Safety Pumps "Our safety pumps offer an easy-to-use solution for transferring and dispensing flammable liquids such as alcohol-based hand sanitizers."

Justrite Safety Group, a global leader in industrial safety products, announces the launch of a line of safety pumps for dispensing or transferring flammable liquids from drums, pails, and safety cans.

As the demand for hand sanitizer has soared since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies are opting to purchase bulk containers of these solutions and dispense them into smaller containers as needed.

Most hand sanitizers, though, are considered a Class IB or Class IC flammable substance. This means that these substancesthat are now widely used all over the countryhave the potential to ignite if not properly handled.

Our priority is to supply companies with the equipment they need to handle these materials safely, said Mark McElhinny, President and CEO of Justrite Safety Group. Our safety pumps offer an easy-to-use solution for transferring and dispensing flammable liquids such as alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

These Justrite exclusive safety pumps will deliver a smooth and controlled flow when dispensing liquids from large containers to smaller containers. The pre-assembled bonding and grounding clamps included with the pumps eliminate the risk of static electricity when dispensing flammable liquids.

Safety pumps are available in stainless steel or electro zinc-plated options and can be used to dispense liquid from 30- and 55-gallon drums, 5-gallon pails, and 5-gallon safety cans. For vertical drums, safety pumps are equipped with a pick-up tube that allow users to empty the contents of large containers safely.

Ultimately, these safety pumps will enable companies to comply with regulations and keep personnel safe, said McElhinny.

About Justrite Safety Group:

Justrite Safety Group is a growing family of industrial safety companies, including Justrite, NoTrax, Checkers, Eagle, and more. Justrite is a global leader in manufacturing a range of industrial safety products. Today, Justrite is recognized as one of the largest integrated manufacturers of industrial safety products globally. Based in Deerfield, Illinois, Justrite manufactures its own products in ISO-certified facilities and offers global distribution capabilities with distribution centers throughout the United States and in Europe.

###
The government is preparing a sustained campaign to promote COVID vaccination involving artists, athletes and politicians, President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday.

"We need a very wide awareness-raising action. And we will do these things. We will open new facilities and possibilities for vaccination, so that the citizen might come to us, without waiting for complicated actions from Romanians. There will be vaccination centers increasingly accessible, appointments, reservations will be given up, people will be able to go to get vaccinated and they will only be scheduled for the booster shot. I am optimistic and certainly the Romanians will be on our side," the head of state told a press conference at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.

Klaus Iohannis stressed that the return to normalcy depends on the way people will go for vaccination.

"In the meantime we are receiving more and more doses of vaccine and soon we will have enough doses for absolutely anyone who wants to be vaccinated. But vaccination in our case is not mandatory, everyone has to go and get vaccinated on their own accord. I recommend to all Romanians to go and get vaccinated, it is the only way to get rid of the pandemic. If we do not get vaccinated in large enough numbers, we will wear the mask and have restrictions for a long time to come. If we get vaccinated, we will get rid of almost all restrictions. It is obvious, this is known and I hope that in the end, through a sustained campaign that we are preparing, we will convince all Romanians to get vaccinated," said the president.

The head of state pointed out that this campaign to encourage COVID vaccination is being carried out for people who, on their own accord, are not yet convinced and, certainly, the authorities will address all social categories.

"But at the same time, I think everyone needs to understand - encouraging vaccination can go as far as vaccinated people will have easier access to certain areas and unvaccinated people will also benefit from certain measures. So far, we have had relatively few vaccine doses and strict and categorical scheduling was needed and by categories. In the foreseeable future, around the end of May or June, we will have enough doses for anyone who wants to get vaccinated. The question will certainly arise then: "Okay, if anyone can be vaccinated, then those who are vaccinated understand the need for this national campaign, they must feel this through certain administrative measures." So it is very possible that at some point, I repeat, when there are enough doses available for everyone, those who have been vaccinated must be encouraged somehow," said Klaus Iohannis.

The president highlighted the reaction of the Romanian Orthodox Church, "which is very favorable to these steps."

"But the representatives of all cults met with the prime minister, included, and established a proactive, pro-vaccination approach, which is certainly to the benefit of all Romanians. In the rural area, indeed, things must be treated very proactively, which is why campaigns have already been thought of going on the ground - and you may remember, a few days ago I was also personally at an action, the first action, a mobile center that was opened in Afumati [Ilfov County] and the reactions were very positive. Compared to an estimated capacity of about 100 people vaccinated a day, almost 200 people were vaccinated on the first day, as many the next day. So people listen to reason if you go to them. And this is what we will continue doing, we will have more and more mobile vaccination centers, mobile teams, we will go to large companies that want to vaccinate a significant number of staff, both in industry and in HoReCa. You will see a proactive, pro-vaccination concerted action. vaccination and I am convinced that we will continue to be successful," said the head of state.
Occupational safety and labor leaders will present an online event featuring a call to action following a deadly year for workers who contracted COVID-19 while on the job.

Coinciding with observances of Workers Memorial Day in many locations worldwide, the Central New York Workers Memorial Day event will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 28, via Zoom.

According to a news release, the event will pay tribute to central New York workers who were killed on the job, died from injuries sustained at work, or died from illnesses due to exposures at work during the past 12 months.

Organizers said the past year saw the "highest ever death toll" as hundreds of working people across New York state died from COVID-19 on the job.

The Syracuse-area event will feature workers from health care, education, transportation and agriculture sharing their experiences during the pandemic and will also propose solutions for ongoing occupational health issues.
DENVER, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- York Space Systems (York), a Denver-based aerospace company specializing in complete space mission solutions and the manufacture of a family of spacecraft platforms, announced today that it has begun producing its new LX-CLASS spacecraft, a larger and more powerful platform scheduled for delivery in 2022 for a commercial constellation customer.

Size comparison of York Space System's S-CLASS (left) and larger, more powerful new LX-CLASS (right) spacecraft developed to provide greater mission flexibility for both commercial and government customers.

The LX-CLASS leverages over 90 percent reuse of York's flight proven S-CLASS hardware and software design currently in use across ISR, global communications, remote proximity operations, commercial earth observation, and weather missions. It will feature York's innovative man-out-of-the-loop autonomous operation capability and utilize the same cybersecurity and encryption systems developed for York's multiple military customers who demand the highest level of cyber protection.

With the addition of the LX-CLASS, government and commercial customers now have access to a new, even larger basic platform with enhancement options for a wider range of missions. The LX-CLASS leverages much of the flight proven, on-orbit technology of the S-CLASS, which will also remain in production. Both platforms will offer customers a level of affordability and delivery cadence unrivaled in the sector.

"Leveraging and evolving key subsystems with true flight heritage is fundamental to our spiral development approach across all product lines and a great way to introduce new capabilities for our customers," said Charles Beames, Executive Chairman of York. "This low-risk approach ensures production schedules and performance our customers can rely on. The addition of the LX-CLASS is just the latest example of York's dedication to always improving our products to deliver even better capabilities year-after-year, similar to what is seen in the automotive and computing industries."

As compared to the S-CLASS, the new LX-CLASS features:

3x the power generation

4x increase in payload battery capacity

200% increase in payload volume

300% increase in payload mass

Cross track laser rates of 1-10 Gbps

2TB of payload memory  expandable to 10TB

ESPA Grande compatible

"The LX-CLASS was designed to support our next generation of multi-mission satellite customers including the Space Development Agency's Transport Layer with enough extra capacity to easily accommodate the integration of additional payloads. We are very excited to offer the expanded features of this platform, which is supported by our secure and proven supply chain for both military and commercial customers" said Dirk Wallinger, CEO of York.

The LX-CLASS is currently in production in York's Denver manufacturing facility, which is designed to produce 20 spacecraft simultaneously.

About York Space Systems

York Space Systems was founded to radically improve spacecraft affordability and reliability and is leading the industry in transforming and enabling next-generation space mission operations worldwide. York specializes in rapid production of complete mission-ready spacecraft platforms leveraging commercial development applied to numerous government and commercial missions. York's complete solution includes spacecraft production, payload integration, system integration and test, launch services, ground segment services, and mission operations. By leveraging York's existing technology solutions customers can rapidly and responsively get to orbit outpacing competitors. York's proven S-CLASS and LX-CLASS platforms are standardized 3-axis stabilized spacecraft executing ISR, remote proximity, weather, and communication missions for a wide variety of government and commercial customers. It is fully compatible with most launch vehicles, including ground and air-launched, and ground segment providers. When combined with York's cloud-based mission tasking and autonomous operations center, customers get an ultra-low-cost solution for on-demand data collection and analytics. For more information, visit http://www.YorkSpaceSystems.com.

SOURCE York Space Systems

Related Links

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His security team recently escorted Richard Madeley from a pub when he failed to realise filming was taking place.

And Ricky Gervais was forced to ask someone else to move out of shot as he continued to shoot scenes for After Life series 3 in Hampstead Heath earlier this month.

The actor, 59, was joined by his character Tony Johnson's beloved German Shepherd as he approached the woman, who was reading a book in the park during the sunny day in the English capital.

Awkward! Ricky Gervais was forced to ask someone else to move out of shot as he continued to shoot scenes for After Life series 3 in Hampstead Heath earlier this month

The producer, who was dressed in a brown coat and denim jeans, allowed filming to take place once the woman picked up her belongings and left the location.

A few days earlier, presenter Richard, 64, was left red-faced after he interrupted the After Life set and was led away by security.

The broadcaster was seen turning up at a venue being used to film scenes for the next season of the hit show in his white VW car and trying to get a table.

Off she goes: The actor, 59, was joined by his character Tony Johnson's beloved German Shepherd as he approached the woman, who was reading a book in the park

Eek! The comedian's security team recently escorted Richard Madeley from a pub when he failed to realise filming was taking place (pictured)

Ready to go! The producer, who was dressed in a brown coat and denim jeans, allowed filming to take place once the woman picked up her belongings and left the location

Back in 2006, the host made a cameo in one of Ricky's other hit shows when he appeared on the sitcom Extras which followed out-of-work actor Andy struggling to land jobs.

Richard played himself alongside other well-known TV hosts including his wife Judy Finnigan, Fern Britton and Phillip Schofield.

Ricky, who stars in and writes After Life, confirmed filming for season three had started earlier this month.

Last year, the funnyman discussed the difficulties he faced in writing the show amid the roaring success of its second series.

Exciting times ahead! The screen star, who stars in and writes After Life, confirmed filming for season three had started earlier this month

Speaking to Radio Times, the TV and film star admitted that following his iconic comedies The Office and Extras, he struggled to bring After Life to life due to the complexities of the story, which follows a widower's grief.

Since its release, After Life fans have been gushing over the second season, which continues to follow the story of grieving Tony - played by Ricky - as he begins to have his spirits lifted by his adoring support network.

While local newspaper journalist Tony is still seen yearning for his late wife Lisa, he begins to perk up and vows to help his loved ones to improve their lives.

As well as Ricky, the cast includes Penelope Wilton, Ashley Jensen, Bill Ward, Tom Basden, Joe Wilkinson, Kerry Godliman, Roisin Conaty and Diane Morgan.

Heartache: While local newspaper journalist Tony is still seen yearning for his late wife Lisa (played by Kerry Godliman, pictured), he vows to help his loved ones to improve their lives

His long-term partner Jane Fallon recently touched on having Ricky home more often amid the coronavirus.

The author, 60, said on Tuesday's Lorraine: 'It's been slightly harder with Ricky at home sometimes as he's a bit noisy. I've always been kind of cut off from the world [while writing].

'I always knew we would get another cat as I don't live not having an animal in the house.

'Pickle [their new cat] is gorgeous and the happiest little thing. She's massive, a real sweetheart. She's four and come from a horrible start in life. If I'm working, she'll come and sleep across my laptop. She's settled with us really well. We fostered her.'
A hospital has accidentally dished out the wrong second Covid vaccine dose to a woman, in what is believed to be the first error of its kind in Britain.

The patient  who wasn't identified  turned up at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon expecting to receive another shot of the AstraZeneca jab.

But a mix-up meant she got the Pfizer vaccine instead, her husband told the Swindon Advertiser.

The woman said she felt okay afterwards but was left furious over the error.

The hospital has launched an internal review into how the mistake happened.

Britain's medical regulator says Covid vaccines should not be mixed, and everyone should receive the same second dose as they did for their first jab.

Scientists don't believe it is unsafe to alternate doses but say further data is needed to confirm this before the move is given the go-ahead. Oxford scientists are currently trialling whether the doses can be alternated, in the hope of making them more potent.

The woman received Pfizer instead of AstraZeneca at Great Western Hospital in Swindon, pictured. The hospital is carrying out an internal review into the error

'MIXING AND MATCHING' COVID JABS TO BE TRIALLED Coronavirus vaccines made by Moderna and Novavax will be added to a 'mix and match' trial, scientists say. Britain's medical regulator currently requires everyone to have two doses of the same jab  either AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna. But Oxford University experts are testing whether alternating second doses could provoke a stronger immune response. Their trial  which could revolutionise Britain's roll-out  was already assessing the effects of combining doses of AstraZeneca and Pfizer. Another 1,000 volunteers were recruited to the study to test combinations including vaccines made by Moderna and Novavax. Experts say mixing jabs is unlikely to pose any safety concerns and predict it could lead to shots being even more effective at preventing an infection with the virus. In the wake of AstraZeneca's blood clot fears, France approved giving recipients an alternative second dose. Germany made the same move for under-60s. But until evidence is gathered they can't say for certain whether it works or whether it is safe. Britain has only recommended under-30s are offered an alternative and that anyone who has already had their first dose should come forward for their second, unless they suffered the extremely rare complication. Oxford's mix-and-match trial was first launched in February, to investigate whether alternating doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines boosted efficacy. Advertisement

The woman's husband, who was also not named, blasted the hospital and said they had made it clear his wife needed the AstraZeneca jab.

'I couldn't believe it, it's a huge error and very concerning,' he told the newspaper.

'They told us this is the first time it's happened  not just in Swindon but in the UK.'

Explaining how the error happened, he said: 'The call handler asked her (my wife) which vaccine she had last time so we assumed that would be written down and passed on to the medics.

'We split up into different rooms and when we came out, she told me what happened.'

He added: 'Afterwards a doctor came out and said sorry, but said we think you will be ok.

'It does not make sense, there would be a number of fail safes in place to ensure this does not happen. We couldn't understand how or why this had occurred.'

The woman said that at no point during the appointment did the healthcare staff ask to see the card she got after her first dose, although it was face up on the table in clear view.

Great Western Hospitals said despite the mix-up, the woman will not now need a third dose because the second should work to boost immunity from the first.

A spokesman for the Great Western Hospital said: 'We have offered our sincere apologies for giving her a different Covid vaccine as her second dose.

'We have taken advice from the South West Clinical Advice and Response Service, an external service that provides vaccination centres with expert advice and guidance.

'It advised that both of the currently authorised vaccines in this situation are based on the spike protein and so the second dose will work as it should to boost the response to the first dose.

'For this reason, no further doses are required, and we do not anticipate any ill effects arising from this.'

They added: 'We are reviewing the current pathways within our vaccination hub to learn from this incident and make sure similar incidents are avoided in the future.'

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has ruled that Britons should not receive a different second dose to their first.

They say this is because there is a lack of data on whether alternating vaccines will make them less effective at blocking infections with the virus, and stopping Covid hospitalisations and deaths.

Oxford University scientists are investigating whether doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines can be alternated, however, with results expected later this year.

Experts say mixing the jabs is unlikely to pose any safety concerns, and predict it could lead to shots being even more effective at preventing an infection.

Professor Matthew Snape, who is leading the trial, previously said he would be 'surprised' if they found the alternated jabs triggered a less potent immune response.

The trials have recently been expanded to include the Moderna jab - also being dished out in the UK - and the Johnson and Johnson and Novavax vaccines - which are yet to get the green light from regulators.

Some countries have already started alternating vaccines despite the lack of data, after regulators linked vanishingly rare blood clots to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

In France, everybody under-55 has been told they should have an alternative to the AstraZeneca jab, even if they have already received it as a first dose. And in Germany this has been extended to everyone under-60.

Britain's medical regulator has said under-30s should be offered an alternative to AstraZeneca's vaccine because of their comparably tiny risk of being hospitalised or dying if they catch the virus.

But people in this age group who have already had AstraZeneca should still receive it as a second dose because there is no evidence of blood clots occurring after this shot.
A German bomb squad made an unexpected discovery when the suspected hand grenade they had been called in to inspect turned out to be a sex toy.

Authorities on Tuesday said a woman had reported finding a transparent bag containing the device a day earlier while on a jog in a forest outside the Bavarian city of Passau, near the borders with Austria and the Czech Republic.

When the squad arrived and checked out the contents of the bag, they discovered the hand-grenade shaped rubber sex toy inside.

The bag also contained condoms and lubricant, which helped inform the squad's hypothesis about the device's intended use, police told German news agency dpa.

'An internet search confirmed the suspicion,' police said.

'There are actually toys in the form of hand grenades.'

A German bomb squad made an unexpected discovery when the suspected hand grenade they had been called in to inspect turned out to be a sex toy (centre)

Authorities on Tuesday said a woman had reported finding a transparent bag containing the device a day earlier while on a jog in a forest outside the Bavarian city of Passau, near the borders with Austria and the Czech Republic [Stock image]

A police spokesman told dpa that they suspected someone wanted to throw away the items, rather than putting them in the bin.

The discovery of forgotten or hidden munitions is still a regular occurrence in Germany more than 75 years after the end of World War II.

Last week, construction workers in the southern German city of Mannheim uncovered a 500-kilo (1,100-pound) World War II-era aerial bomb.

Police said the device was found at a former US military barracks and quickly defused.

At least 150 police officers were called to assist in clearing about 3,000 people from the surrounding area.

In January, experts detonated four World War II-era bombs in the central city of Gottingen after evacuating thousands of residents from their homes.

The bombs had been dropped by the US military during the war.
WASHINGTON, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in education rankings, today unveiled the 2021 Best High Schools . The new edition ranks more than 17,800 public high schools throughout the country, measuring how well schools serve students from various social and economic backgrounds.

In this edition:

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia is No. 1 in the national ranking of Best High Schools, as well as among magnet schools. BASIS Chandler in Arizona is at the top of the list for charter schools, and High Technology High School in New Jersey is the No. 1 STEM school.

for Science and Technology in is No. 1 in the national ranking of Best High Schools, as well as among schools. BASIS Chandler in is at the top of the list for schools, and High Technology High School in is the No. 1 school. The top 10 schools in the national ranking represent 10 different states, demonstrating that high-quality public high schools can be found throughout the U.S.

Among all ranked schools, 35.3% are in rural or remote areas and 24.6% are in cities. Among just the top 5% of ranked schools, 7.2% are in rural or remote areas and 42.3% are in cities.

"Families can use the Best High Schools rankings to see how schools compare at the national, state and local level on factors like graduation rates and college readiness," said Anita Narayan, managing editor of Education at U.S. News. "The rankings also provide insight into academic performance among underserved groups."

The methodology focuses on six factors: college readiness, reading and math proficiency, reading and math performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rates. College readiness specifically measures participation and performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams. The data used in this edition is from the 2018-2019 academic school year, and therefore was not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alongside the national rankings, U.S. News published rankings at the state, metro area and school district levels. Only metro areas and school districts with three or more high schools were included in these subrankings.

The Best High Schools rankings are available exclusively on USNews.com and include data on a variety of factors, such as enrollment, student diversity, participation in free and reduced-price lunch programs, graduation rates and the results of state assessments. U.S. News worked with RTI International , a global research firm, to implement the comprehensive ranking methodology. For more information, visit Facebook and Twitter using #BestHighSchools.



2021 Best High Schools National Rankings  Top 10

*See the full rankings here .

1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA)

2. Academic Magnet High School (SC)

3. The Davidson Academy of Nevada

4. Payton College Preparatory High School (IL)

5. School for Advanced Studies (FL)

6. Sumner Academy of Arts and Science (KS)

7. Merrol Hyde Magnet School (TN)

8. BASIS Chandler (AZ)

9. Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology (GA)

10. Signature School (IN)

2021 Best STEM High Schools  Top 5

1. High Technology High School (NJ)

2. The Early College at Guilford (NC)

3. Science and Engineering Magnet School (TX)

4. BASIS Chandler (AZ)

5. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA)



2021 Best Charter High Schools  Top 5

1. BASIS Chandler (AZ)

2. Signature School (IN)

3. BASIS Oro Valley (AZ)

4. BASIS Peoria (AZ)

5. BASIS Scottsdale (AZ)

2021 Best Magnet High Schools  Top 5

1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA)

2. Academic Magnet High School (SC)

3. Payton College Preparatory High School (IL)

4. Sumner Academy of Arts and Science (KS)

5. Merrol Hyde Magnet School (TN)

For high school students looking ahead to college, the U.S. News Scholarship Finder provides information on thousands of scholarships and other financial aid options. Users can narrow their search by location, area of study, type of award and more.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. A digital news and information company focused on Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars and News, USNews.com provides consumer advice, rankings and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE U.S. News & World Report

Related Links

http://USNews.com


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Saudi Arabia banned imports following the discovery of amphetamines in a pomegranate shipment. More than 50 per cent of Lebanons agricultural production goes to Arab countries. Lebanons Mufti joins the prelates appeal. There are fears about its impact on the economy.

Beirut (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Saudi Arabia's ban on imports of Lebanese fruit and vegetables worries Card Al-Rahi, the Maronite patriarch, who met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun yesterday to discuss this and other issues, primarily the political crisis linked to the failure to form a cabinet.

Saud Arabia imposed a ban last Friday, following the discovery by Saudi customs officials of five million Captagon (amphetamine) pills inside a pomegranate shipment, jeopardising Lebanons agricultural sector, which sells more than half of its production to Arab countries.

At the presidential palace in Baabda, Card Beshara Al-Rahi and Michel Aoun discussed the issue of poverty, which currently affects a large segment of Lebanon's population. Once the pillar of the countrys economy, the middle class is shrinking, more evidence of the ever-worsening economic crisis.

The Maronite primate spoke about the latest affair that could make matter worse, namely the Saudi ban on Lebanese imports.

Smuggling of goods and drug trafficking are harming Lebanons image, said Card Al-Rahi, and Lebanese farmers are the great victims of this new emergency sparked by poor border controls.

Lebanon has become a transit point for drugs like the Captagon pills towards the Gulf, via Saudi Arabia, which slammed the door in our faces for this reason.

The Christian leader pointed the finger at Lebanons security services, which are responsible for controlling this type of traffic.

Lebanon, he added, cannot become a smuggling hub, and leave its eastern and northern borders [with Syria] so open.

Farmers' Union president Antoine Hoyek blames the authorities who should have reacted much more quickly and provided Saudi Arabia with all the necessary guarantees, to resume imports.

About 55 per cent of our exports is likely to be affected by Riyadh's decision, he explained. Exports to Arab countries amount to US$ 92 million per year. If they were to stop, this would amount to a loss of 250,000 dollars a day.

For Bekaa Farmers' Federation president Ibrahim Tarchichi, the pomegranate shipment seized in Saudi Arabia did not come from Lebanon, but from Syria because it is not the right season in Lebanon and in any case we have never exported that fruit.

The al-Arabiya TV news network reported that the drugs that arrived in Lebanon left the country without being inspected because the port of Beirut, still in chaos after the twin explosion in August 2020, is not equipped with scanners.

Given the serious repercussions of the Saudi decision, Patriarch Beshara Al-Rahi and Lebanons Grand Mufti Abdellatif Derian have asked Saudi Arabia not to freeze imports from Lebanon.

We also expressed hope that the kingdom will take into account the situation of Lebanon and honest farmers, said the prelate.

At the end of the meeting with a group of farmers, the Maronite primate also called on the Lebanese authorities to preserve the friendship with Arab countries, in particular Saudi Arabia, which has always held positions and undertaken initiatives in support of Lebanon.
Nikki Haley defends picture with Caitlyn Jenner, appreciates 'her conservative views'

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Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has defended her decision to pose for a picture with trans-identified celebrity Caitlyn Jenner after the two became the subject of a Twitter thread discussing the downfall of the Republican Party.

In a tweet Saturday, Twitter user @rightwingsavag2 asked: If you could summarize the downfall of the @gop in one photo what would it look like? And why is it this photo?

The tweet was accompanied by a photo of Haley, who later served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under former President Donald Trump, standing beside former Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner, who for the last several years has identified as Caitlyn.

We BeCaMe TrAnS To OwN ThE LiBs. ChEcKmAtE BiGoTs.



-2021 Republicans pic.twitter.com/5lz2AXrTxw  rightwingsavages (@rightwingsavag2) April 25, 2021

The user answered his or her own question as to why that picture captured the downfall of the Republican Party, declaring: We became trans to own the libs. Checkmate bigots. -Republicans 2021.

Actor Dean Cain, a prominent Hollywood conservative, retweeted the post, accompanied by the caption Dang it. I laughed.

In response to Cains tweet, Haley responded by tweeting, I dont find it funny.

Caitlin came to see me at the UN and I appreciated her conservative views," Haley wrote. "I will continue to think that the Republican Party is one of conservative views by all people regardless of the demographics. To me, thats not funny, its America.

Cain replied:

The humor, and what I found funny  was the way the tweet was worded. Had nothing to do with conservative views, or you, or Caitlin, or the UN, or America. Caitlin and I have been friends for decades.

The humor, and what I found funny - was the way the tweet was worded. Had nothing to do with conservative views or you, or Caitlin, or the UN, or America. Caitlin and I have been friend for decades. ??????????  Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) April 26, 2021

The post citing Haley and Jenner standing together as a summary of the downfall of the Republican Party came just one day after Jenner became the latest declared candidate in the yet-to-be-announced California recall election.

Im in! California is worth fighting for, Jenner proclaimed in a Friday tweet accompanied by a statement announcing the launch of the Caitlyn for California campaign.

For the past decade, we have seen the glimmer of the Golden State reduced by one-party rule that places politics over progress and special interests over people, Jenner argued. This isnt the California we know. This is Gavin Newsoms California, where he orders us to stay home but goes out to dinner with his lobbyist friends.

The aforementioned private dinner between Newsom and lobbyists at an upscale California restaurant that took place as residents of the state were instructed to stay home and not travel for Thanksgiving is seen as the event that accelerated the push to recall Newsom.

Supporters of the recall effort have gathered the required number of signatures to force a recall. But a date for the election has not been finalized.

Other Republicans seeking to unseat Newsom include Kevin Faulconer, the former mayor of San Diego, Californias second-largest city; 2018 Republican gubernatorial nominee John Cox; and former Congressman Doug Ose.

In the 2018 gubernatorial election, Cox lost to Newsom by nearly 24 percentage points.

While members of the LGBT community generally favor the Democratic Party, Jenner has expressed support for conservatism and the Republican Party going back to 2015, when Jenner, who still identified as Bruce at the time, sat down for an interview with ABC Newss Diane Sawyer.

Although his declaration that Im a woman was the main headline from the interview, Jenner also said, Ive just never been a big fan of then-President Barack Obama because Im kind of more on the conservative side.

The athlete turned reality TV star answered in the affirmative when Sawyer asked, Are you a Republican?

In addition to Jenner, Haley is also seen as a Republican who aspires to run for a higher office. Haley is frequently mentioned as a possible candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination for president.

Haley has been met with criticism from some in the Republican Party and the conservative movement for her views on foreign policy and insufficient loyalty to Trump, still an enormously popular figure among the GOP base.

Skepticism of Haley among conservatives dates back to January 2016, when Haley provided the response to then-President Obamas State of the Union Speech and used her platform to take veiled swipes at then-candidate Trump.

In a straw poll taken at the Conservative Political Action Conference, an annual gathering of grassroots conservative activists, Haley received 3% support in a hypothetical Republican presidential primary that included Trump, making her the fourth-most popular hypothetical candidate of those listed.

In a hypothetical field without Trump as a candidate, Haleys support was also measured at 3%, making her tied for sixth place.
Apr 26, 2021 6:00 PM

Read Time: 4 minutes

Mary Beckerle, PhD

The National Academy of Sciences has elected Mary Beckerle, PhD, Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) CEO and distinguished professor of biology and oncological sciences at the University of Utah (U of U), as a member. Beckerle is among 120 newly elected members announced in a press release during the annual meeting of the National Academy of Sciences.

Election as a member in this organization is widely accepted as a mark of excellence in scientific achievement and is considered one of the highest honors a scientist can receive. Of its more than 2,400 current members, approximately 190 have received a Nobel Prize, according to the National Academy of Sciences.

Mary Beckerle, PhD

Beckerle shared she was very surprised to learn of her election to the prestigious group. She received a phone call this morning from a member of the National Academy of Sciences informing her of her election. Within minutes, she then received a flood of phone calls, emails, and text messages from colleagues congratulating her. It was the most connected I have felt to my scientific community since the pandemic began, and it was lovely to be in touch with so many colleagues from around the world, added Beckerle.

Beckerles research discovered a new pathway that is crucial in enabling cells to respond to mechanical signals in their environment. Such signals are now known to regulate cell growth and movement, two behaviors that yield critical insights into cancer biology. The Beckerle Lab is currently focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this pathway and its impact on tumor progression, particularly in Ewing sarcoma, a rare but deadly bone cancer that typically affects children and young adults.

Dr. Beckerles election to the National Academy of Sciences affirms what her colleagues see every day. She is a driving force as an individual scientist, yet Dr. Beckerles hallmark is collaborative leadership that allows teams of scientists to achieve more together than they ever could alone, said Michael L. Good, MD, University of Utah interim president and CEO of University of Utah Health. In addition to leading HCI, Beckerle holds the Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Endowed Chair and also serves as associate vice president for cancer affairs at the U of U. Beckerle is only the 27th faculty member in the history of the U of U to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences.

Beckerle joined the U of U faculty in 1986, when she set up her first independent laboratory as a young scientist. Prior to coming to Utah, she earned her PhD in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she received a Danforth Fellowship. She completed postdoctoral research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received a Guggenheim Fellowship for her studies at the Curie Institute in Paris.

She has received numerous accolades for her research, including the National Cancer Institute Knudsen Prize in recognition of her contributions to research on the genetic basis of cancer. She is also an elected fellow of other distinguished scientific organizations, including the American Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Academy of the American Association for Cancer Research. She served as President of the American Society for Cell Biology and is a member of the Medical Advisory Board of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

As CEO of HCI, she led the organization to achieve its first-ever designation as a National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest possible status of a cancer research institute. She also has led HCIs clinical programs to recognition as among the nations Best Cancer Hospitals, according to U.S. News and World Report. Beckerle was appointed as a member of then-Vice President Bidens Cancer Moonshot Blue Ribbon Panel, where she co-chaired the working group on Precision Prevention and Early Detection.

It is an incredible honor to be named alongside exceptionally talented colleagues who are part of the National Academy of Sciences, said Beckerle. Scientific research is fascinating and motivating work, yet as a scientist, I often feel impatient. Each day, I work with the understanding that people are counting on the scientific community to make discoveries that will improve health, develop better treatments for diseases, enhance quality of life, and, wherever possible, prevent development of diseases like cancer. It is deeply humbling to see my contributions, and those of the many people who have worked in my lab over several decades, recognized in this way. My sincere hope is that the work of my research team will contribute to Huntsman Cancer Institutes vision of delivering a cancer-free frontier.

Beckerle adds that the National Academy of Sciences has a major impact in shaping science policy. She looks forward to the opportunity to contribute to the national dialogue on how to advance scientific innovation and impact via her role as a member of this organization.

###

Past and Present U of U Researchers in the National Academies

Below are lists of current or former University of Utah faculty elected to one or more of the National Academies. Note that some were elected before or after their tenure at the university, and that some have died since their election.

National Academy of Sciences: Brenda Bass, Cynthia Burrows, Mario Capecchi, Dana Carroll, Thure Cerling, James Ehleringer, Kristen Hawkes, Christopher Hacon, James OConnell, Baldomero Toto Olivera, C. Dale Poulter, Peter Stang, Wesley Sundquist, Polly Wiessner, Henry Harpending, Jesse D. Jennings, Cheves Walling, Sidney Velick, John R. Roth, Josef Michl, Ray White, Julian Steward, Jeremy Sabloff, Simon Tavare, Henry Eyring, and Louis Goodman

National Academy of Engineering: Jindrich Kopecek, R. Peter King, Adel Sarofim, Sung Wan Kim, Gerald Stringfellow, Donald Dahlstrom, George Hill, Jan D. Miller, Milton E. Wadsworth, Thomas G. Stockham, John Herbst, Stephen C. Jacobsen, Willem J. Kolff, Alex G. Oblad, Anil Virkar, and William A. Hustrulid

National Academy of Medicine: Mario Capecchi, Wendy Chapman, Sung Wan Kim, Vivian Lee, Baldomero Toto Olivera, Stephen C. Jacobsen, Eli Adashi, Paul D. Clayton, and Homer R. Warner
The Geely Coolray has made waves in the Philippines. Pundits (including us, because we named it as one of our Top Picks last year ) aside, i...
A former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has joined other Nigerians in appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to take the bull by the horns regarding the alarming security situation in Nigeria.

At this point, words and press statements are not enough. We need to see action. I appeal to Mr President to take the bull by the horn. He should act to stem the tide of this violence threatening to tear the country apart, he said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Mr Saraki, who was reacting to multiple attacks by bandits, Boko Haram insurgents and other non-state actors in the past 48 hours, recalled previous reports of violence, kidnapping and terrorism perpetrated in not less than five states of the country.

Yesterday (Monday, April 26), Nigeria experienced one of the saddest days in recent memory. All in one day, from Anambra State to Kaduna, Yobe, Niger, and Lagos State, critical insecurity issues were recorded and reported. Hour after hour; breaking news after breaking news, we saw numerous unacceptable reports of violence, kidnapping, terrorism, and the systematic breakdown of law and order in many parts of the nation. This should not be so.

We read reports of Boko Haram hoisting up its flag in Niger State, in Shiroro LGA that houses one of Nigerias largest power stations  and is just about 200 kilometres from our federal capital. We also read the statement of the Niger State governor, where he expressed how helpless the government has become, and how thousands of people have been displaced in his state. He also lamented how the efforts of the federal government have not yielded concrete results.

We also received sad and disturbing reports that Mainok, a town on the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway was invaded on Sunday by the insurgents who unabashedly went on a killing spree  targeting our brave soldiers and innocent civilians alike. Nine people were said to have been killed by hoodlums that invaded Ukpomachi Village, Awkuzu in Oyi LGA of Anambra State.

In Kaduna State, two more innocent students that were kidnapped from Greenfield University were killed by their abductors. While, an unspecified number of students have now been abducted from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, in Benue State. All in one day. All within a 24-hour news cycle. This cannot continue. This cannot become Nigerias new normal.

He sympathised with the victims, offering prayers to the affected families and communities.

We will lend them our full support as we all bind together to get past this difficult time. May God grant them the fortitude and the strength that they need to withstand this difficult and sad period.

Seek help, Saraki tells Buhari

In his statement, Mr Saraki urged the President to seek help wherever it can be given.

However, it is obvious that President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) government need help. They have been overwhelmed by the situation and they sure need assistance from all. Thus, I urge Mr President to seek help wherever it can be given. This matter has gone beyond what the government can handle alone. The President should know that calling for help in our present situation is not a sign of weakness.

Just as I stated in my press statement on the same issue on January 24, 2021, I want to reiterate that the President needs to bring together all former Presidents and heads of state, serving and former chief justices, serving and former presiding officers of the National Assembly, serving and former heads of security agencies, traditional rulers with relevant experience, leaders of the private sector, development partners, friends of Nigeria in the international community and all others who can help in finding solutions to the problem at hand.

The meeting must hold expeditiously and must be followed by immediate actions. I know there are many people who believe that the fact that this suggestion is coming from a source outside government is a good reason for the President to ignore it. I think the attitude this time around must be different. This is definitely not a time for partisanship or for people to play politics with the lives of the citizenry and the future of the country.

Security of lives and properties is the first and most important duty of government and it must be taken seriously, he stated.

He also called on the legislative arm and chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to defend the interest of Nigerians.

More important, in the democracy that we practice, the institution charged with holding the executive accountable is the legislature. In this regard, I strongly call on my colleagues in the National Assembly to be more assertive in finding solutions to this issue of insecurity. l need to make it clear that they will not be helping the administration if they do not become more insistent and decisive in their approach to getting this security crisis tackled immediately. Doing this cannot be logically interpreted as antagonising the executive. Just as treating the issue in a mild manner does not amount to co-operation.

The leaders of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) also have a vital role to play. They must do all that is necessary to help the administration to get solutions to this national crisis. This is a time for them to be part of the search for the solution and getting the government to act swiftly in implementing good ideas that will return the country to normalcy and the path of genuine development.

Even those of us in the opposition party recognise the fact we can only exist if we continue to have a country. Thus, we are willing to cooperate with the government in finding solutions to this problem. Our former leaders, I am sure, are ready, willing, and able to assist the government with their wealth of experience. With their active role in combating the COVID-19 crisis, even the private sector has shown that if called upon, at any time and on any issue, it is ready to help solve this crisis. Our friends in the international community, have also demonstrated their willingness to help us out.

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Barnardos has welcomed todays stark report Safety and Welfare of Children in Direct Provision published by the Ombudsman for Childrens Office, and welcomes that TUSLA and the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) have accepted in their entirety the recommendations in the report.

The report provides a detailed insight into how children living in Direct Provision accommodation in Ireland are not being afforded acceptable safety and protection services.

Speaking after the official launch of the report Suzanne Connolly, CEO Barnardos said: While we are very welcoming of the White Paper on Direct Provision that was published late last year, and look forward to its implementation, this report today highlights the need for immediate and effective monitoring and controlling of risks. These children, many of whom have already suffered trauma in their lives, cannot wait three years until recommendations in the White Paper are implemented.

Attention needs to be given to the particular vulnerability of the children and their families, the risks they experience in their environment and their ability to seek support and raise concerns. There is an inherent vulnerability to children and parents living in institutional care and a serious risk to child development and family well-being the longer they stay in accommodation that is unsuitable.

Barnardos supports many families in Direct Provision across Ireland and we understand the importance of families being offered a choice of services for support, and not just those from Government agencies. The lived experience of many of these families mean that they can be reluctant to trust state bodies at the outset. A culturally sensitive service response with a commitment to child protection and opportunity to feedback, must be considered in the short-term so that we can adequately protect and support all children currently living in Direct Provision.
Anthony Hopkins in a scene from "The Father." (Sean Gleason / Sony Pictures Classics)

There were many things unusual about Sunday nights Oscars. The conventional running order of the final awards of the night was changed so the best picture award was announced before lead actress and actor. The shows producers may have rolled the dice that the late Chadwick Boseman would win lead actor, the final award of the night, for his performance in Ma Raineys Black Bottom, providing an emotional crescendo to the evening.

But when Anthony Hopkins was announced as the winner for his performance in "The Father" with no one there to accept it, the decisions by the production team led by Steven Soderbergh, Stacey Sher and Jesse Collins meant that not only did they not get the finale they were hoping for, they basically got no ending at all. Which led many to ask, where was Anthony Hopkins?

According to a representative for the film, Hopkins was in his native Wales. The shows production team had been publicly adamant about having only in-person acceptance speeches. And while at 83 years old Hopkins became the oldest winner of an acting Oscar in any category, it wasnt worth the risk of being exposed to the coronavirus to travel to the British Film Institute in London to accept it.

It is not clear whether arrangements had been made for anyone to accept the Oscar on Hopkins' behalf, but he was not the only winner to not give a speech Sunday night. Costume designer Ann Roth was not available to accept her award for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," a prize that made her the oldest woman to win a competitive Oscar.

Similarly, at the virtual BAFTA Awards this month, Hopkins was not available to accept his best actor trophy. "The Father" writer-director Florian Zeller accepted that award on his behalf. But the actor later thrilled the press room with a round of interviews. Watch the backstage video of Hopkins at BAFTA below.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
YEREVAN.  According to the Ministry of Finance, the country should implement fiscal consolidation by 2026, which will reduce the national debt from 70 percent down to 60 percent of the GDP. The Minister of Finance Atom Janjughazyan said this on Tuesdays meeting of the Standing Committee on Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs of the National Assembly of Armenia, during the discussion of the report on the implementation of the state budget for the first nine months of 2020.

According to him, the way to carry out this task is quite clear. "The existing rules already show how the fiscal policy should be implemented. In particular, we are talking about a higher level of expenditure oversight," the minister explained, adding that in order to carry out this task, it will be necessary to increase the cost of infrastructure projects, which will be funded through new investments.

Besides, Janjughazyan is convinced that it is necessary to increase Armenias economic growth potential, which, in his opinion, will enable ensuring in the future not only a gradual reduction of the countrys national debt, but also its proper multi-level payment.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 22:57:16|Editor: huaxia

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ANKARA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden's recognition of the atrocities to Armenians during World War I as "genocide" is putting the relationship between Turkey and the U.S. to the test, experts said.

Biden on Saturday recognized the mass killing against Armenians more than a century ago as a "genocide." The declaration has infuriated Ankara, followed a much-awaited first telephone conversation between Biden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan since the U.S. presidential elections.

"We entirely reject this statement based solely on populism," criticized Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, warning the decision has left a "deep wound" in relations between the two allies locked in a host of disagreements in recent years.

The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield was summoned on Saturday night by Turkey's Foreign Ministry.

Turkey maintains that the killings of Armenians during World War I in 1915 was not systematically orchestrated and that they died in wartime conditions.

Biden is the first U.S. president to use the term "genocide" in describing the 1915 events.

"Genocide is a loaded term. It is arguably the heaviest accusation defined by international law," Sinan Ulgen, chairman of the Istanbul-based EDAM think tank, told Xinhua.

"U.S. President Biden's remarks on the qualification of the tragic events in 1915 as a 'genocide' are fully in contradiction with norms of responsible statecraft," Ulgen noted, adding that this new row is adding pressure to an already strained bilateral ties.

There are several thorny issues between Turkey and the U.S., including Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems, the U.S. support to Syrian Kurdish fighters, and the court case in the U.S. against the Turkish state-owned Halk Bankasi, which was accused of helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions.

The U.S. responded to Turkey's purchase of the S-400s by suspending Turkey's involvement in the F-35 fighter jet program and targeting Turkey's military procurement agency with sanctions.

"We consider the use of the term 'genocide' as an insult to the Turkish nation as a whole and bilateral ties will likely suffer from it as we were hoping for a normalization process between our countries," a source close to the Turkish government told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

However, some observers have also pointed out that there was no reference in Biden's statement on modern-day Turkey which was founded on the ashes of the Ottoman empire in 1923.

Turkey's reaction was restrained as Ankara did not summon its ambassador in Washington for consultations like it did for other nations which have recognised in the past the Armenian "genocide," trying seemingly to prevent further damage in relations.

"Ankara is not mulling a complete derailment of ties with the United States. There are so many topics which the two countries are working on together, and neither side can afford their ties to come to a grinding halt," foreign policy analyst Serkan Demirtas told Xinhua.

"That's why Erdogan and Biden agreed during their phone conversation to meet in person on June 14 in Brussels on the occasion of the NATO leaders' summit," he remarked.

However, the continuation of this sort of unfriendly acts against Turkey, Demirtas warned, will create more distance between Turkey and the U.S. and ultimately the West.

One of the reasons of Ankara's policy is the fragile situation of the Turkish economy, dependent on imports, and suffering from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also from domestic financial vulnerabilities.

The Turkish currency lira slid on Monday morning to a near all-time low against the U.S. dollar, reaching 8.48 lira for one dollar.

The Turkish currency has lost half of its value since a currency meltdown in 2018, triggered by a diplomatic row with the United States. Enditem
Opto 22 joins Eclipse Foundation and Sparkplug Working Group

This month, industrial automation and internet of things (IIoT) manufacturer Opto 22 announced it had joined the Eclipse Foundation as a participating member in the Sparkplug Working Group. The Eclipse Foundation, which has been the home for open-source implementations of the MQTT IoT protocol since 2011, introduced the working group in 2020 to broaden adoption of the Sparkplug topic and payload specification for MQTT. Opto 22 joins other influential IIoT suppliers and users: Canary Labs, Cirrus Link Solutions, Chevron, Inductive Automation, HiveMQ, and ORing.

Opto 22 has a history of supporting the MQTT standard, starting in 2013 with the introduction of its groov product family. It added Sparkplug support in 2017 shortly after the specification was released. Since then, Opto 22 has worked closely with other proponents of MQTT like Inductive Automation and Cirrus Link, the original developers of Sparkplug, to establish MQTT as the dominant protocol for IIoT.

VP of product strategy at Opto 22, Benson Hougland, commented that Opto 22s participation in the Sparkplug Working Group gives us the opportunity to contribute directly to the development of Sparkplug and to work closely with other vendors that are committed to its success. Given our strong belief in the use of open-source software for industrial applications, we are also thrilled to be working with an organization like the Eclipse Foundation on such an important project.

In the last decade, MQTT has become the most popular IoT-specific messaging protocol for consumer and enterprise applications. The Sparkplug topic and payload specification for MQTT was developed to ensure interoperability within industrial applications, strengthening MQTT as the de facto standard for the global internet of things and paving the way for the large-scale digital transformation of manufacturing, utilities, and processing industries. The Eclipse Foundation now manages Sparkplug under the Eclipse Tahu project and uses its working group to invite collaboration from technology partners in ongoing specification development, compliance certification, and industry education.

Mike Milinkovich, executive director of the Eclipse Foundation, adds that with the rapid adoption of Sparkplug within multiple markets critical to industrial IoT, the group is in an excellent position to bring industry leaders together to drive standardization around this transformative technology. We are happy to welcome an influential early adopter in industrial automation like Opto 22 that can contribute to our goal of achieving new levels of interoperability across devices and vendors.

Opto 22 has long been a proponent of using open standards and technology in combination with commercially available off-the-shelf products in industrial applications and internal product development. Opto 22 was one of the first control and I/O system manufacturers to add Ethernet connectivity and the TCP/IP protocol to an industrial controller and has followed with products built on other open and open-source technologies like RESTful APIs, HTML/CSS, OpenVPN, the Linux operating system, the CODESYS real-time control engine, and the Node-RED IoT platform.

About the Eclipse Foundation

The Eclipse Foundation provides our global community of individuals and organizations with a mature, scalable, and business-friendly environment for open-source software collaboration and innovation. The Foundation is home to the Eclipse IDE, Jakarta EE, and over 375 open-source projects, including runtimes, tools, and frameworks for cloud and edge applications, IoT, AI, automotive, systems engineering, distributed ledger technologies, open processor designs, and many others. The Eclipse Foundation is a rapidly growing international non-profit association supported by over 300 members, including more than 90 new members added in 2020 alone.These members represent a diverse collection of industry leaders that value open-source technology as a key enabler for their business strategies. To learn more, follow us on Twitter @EclipseFdn, LinkedIn or visit eclipse.org.

About Opto 22

Opto 22 designs and manufactures industrial control products and Internet of Things platforms that bridge the gap between information technology (IT) and operations technology (OT). Based on a core design philosophy of leveraging open, standards-based technology, Opto 22 products are deployed worldwide in industrial automation, process control, building automation, industrial refrigeration, remote monitoring, and data acquisition applications. Designed and manufactured in the U.S.A., Opto 22 products have a worldwide reputation for ease-of-use, innovation, quality, and reliability. For over 40 years OEMs, machine builders, automation end-users, and information technology and operations personnel have and continue to trust Opto 22 to deliver high-quality products with superior reliability. The company was founded in 1974 and is privately held in Temecula, California, U.S.A. Opto 22 products are available through a global network of distributors and system integrators. For more information, contact Opto 22 headquarters at +1-951-695-3000 or visit http://www.opto22.com. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube.
Is it fair or even patriotic to threaten states that do not conform to the Democratic Socialists' mandate to control the outcome of Free and Fair elections enacted by constitutionally guaranteed states' legislatures?

Yes, all elections must be federalized so that the whim of the majority political party can set the standard for all elections.

No, Our Founders purposefully decentralized elections by guaranteeing only states' legislatures the independent right to enact Free and Fair elections.
(CNN)  Twitter has removed several tweets about Covid-19 at the request of the Indian government, including some that were critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of a brutal second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement Sunday, India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said it had asked Twitter, Facebook and others to remove around 100 posts "in view of the misuse of social media platforms by certain users to spread fake or misleading information."

It accused those users of creating "panic" about the latest Covid-19 wave by "using unrelated, old and out of the context images or visuals, communally sensitive posts and misinformation about Covid-19 protocols."

The statement, which included screen grabs of blocked posts from Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, said that some of these accounts were urging citizens not to wear a mask, or creating hatred "by inciting religious passions."

In an emailed statement to CNN Business, Twitter said it has withheld some of the tweets following the request by the Indian government.

"When we receive a valid legal request, we review it under both the Twitter Rules and local law," the Twitter statement said. "If the content violates Twitter's rules, the content will be removed from the service."

"If it is determined to be illegal in a particular jurisdiction, but not in violation of the Twitter Rules, we may withhold access to the content in India only. In all cases, we notify the account holder directly so they're aware that we've received a legal order pertaining to the account," the statement added.

Facebook declined to comment.

Opposition tweets blocked

The government made a request to Twitter on April 23 under the Information Technology Act, 2000, according to Lumen database, a Harvard University project that tracks requests to remove online content.

While some of the tweets covered by the request have been withheld in India, they are available to users outside the country. The posts include tweets by opposition politicians, blaming Modi for the devastating Covid-19 surge.

"India recording over 2 [hundred thousand] cases everyday, shortage of vaccines, shortage of medicines, increasing number of deaths ... healthcare system is collapsing...!" said member of parliament Revanth Reddy in one of the removed tweets, along with the hashtag #ModiMadeDisaster.

In another withheld tweet, Moloy Ghatak, an opposition party leader in the state of West Bengal, wrote: "India will never forgive PM @narendramodi for underplaying the corona situation in the country and letting so many people die due to mismanagement. At a time when India is going through a health crisis, PM chose to export millions of vaccine to other nations." He used a hashtag in Hindi #ModiHataoDeshBachao, which means "Remove Modi, save the country."

This isn't the first time Twitter has been caught in India's efforts to crackdown on dissent. In February, as farmers protested the Modi government's new farming laws,Twitter briefly suspended many accounts at the government's behest, but reinstated them a few hours later after a public outcry.

In recent weeks, criticism against the Modi government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic has been intensifying on social media, as users post images of bodies lying in morgues and burning in outdoor crematoriums.

India on Monday reported 352,991 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to more than 17.3 million cases, according to a CNN tally of figures from the Indian Ministry of Health.

This is the fifth day running that India, with a 1.3 billion population, has added over a 300,000 new cases a day the highest number of cases in a single day anywhere in the world, according to a CNN tally of figures from John Hopkins University.

The country's death toll also continues to break records, with 2,812 deaths reported on Monday, marking the tenth day in a row of rising figures.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Twitter blocks posts in India critical of Narendra Modi's Covid-19 response."
Michael Scigliano "We are a design firm, yet offer so much more to help in our clients busy lives."

The Haute Design Network, well known for its exclusive and luxurious lifestyle publication Haute Living, is privileged to present Michael Scigliano as a member and expert in the interior design field. As a Haute Design partner, Michael Scigliano exclusively represents the Interior Design market of the Design District in Miami, Florida.

Designed as a partnership-driven luxury design portal featuring two leading interior designers in each prominent market across the world, Haute Design focuses on growing its members brands as key influencers on design and deemed to be the best in their specific market.

ABOUT MICHAEL SCIGLIANO

Originally founded in 1998 in New York City, MS2 Design Studio, Inc. is a full-service design firm that specializes in high-end residential design. We handle every aspect of the design process, says Principal, Michael Scigliano. From the very beginning, collaborating with the entire design team on the MEPs and space planning, to the design conception and ultimately, the final installation. All of this preparation and client interaction ensures an installation that meets and exceeds the clients wishes for their new home. We handle every detail, all the way down to having the candles lit, fresh flowers, beds made, and refrigerator stocked. We want our clients not to have to lift a finger. We are a design firm, yet offer so much more to help in our clients busy lives. Our clients have come to enjoy and rely on our services.

The firm specializes in custom built-in cabinetry, project management, unique wall, and floor coverings, innovative lighting systems, and custom furniture design. While always looking to the future for the newest materials yet still staying true to the classics. With a combined 30 years of design experience, you can be assured that MS2 Design Studio will help you create the home of your dreams.

MS2 Design Studio derives inspiration from many places. Travel is an influential part of the firm's design process and it reflects in their work. I love to travel, explains Scigliano. During my trips, Im always searching for new and unique pieces to add to our clients homes. Whether it is London, Paris, Madrid, or Thailand, the possibility of finding that one special piece that I know will make our clients happy, has become part of my everyday thought process.

In 1995, the founder and principal of MS2 Design Studio, Michael Scigliano, launched his design career in New York City working with two of the finest furniture manufacturers in the industry. His early work with Brown Siegel Design Associates, where he specialized in high-end residential design, as well as being an integral part of the team that designed the Escada Flagship Store on 5th Avenue, have all been featured in publications. In search of new opportunities, Michael changed companies and joined the team at Repertoire in SoHo. It was working on a design project in Palm Beach that landed him back in Miami, where he now calls home since 2002.


An Israeli cabinet meeting exploded into a shouting match today after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attempted to install a loyalist as justice minister despite the attorney generals determination that such a move was illegal.

The latest: The Israeli supreme court issued an injunction to block Netanyahu's move on Tuesday night. The court will convene on Wednesday for a hearing on the matter.

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The big picture: Israel has held four consecutive inconclusive elections over two years amid a prolonged political crisis caused largely by Netanyahu's trial and his attempts to block it.

Netanyahu is on trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust, and his mandate to form Israel's next government will expire in six days. As his position grows more vulnerable, his critics are accusing him of attempting to subvert Israeli democracy.

The backstory: Under the previous coalition agreement, the justice minister must be a member of the Blue and White Party, led by Benny Gantz. That agreement remains valid until a new government is formed.

Gantz himself served as interim justice minister until that appointment expired last month.

Netanyahu initially ignored a legal opinion from Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit that the post must be filled for COVID-related decisions.

Driving the news: After the supreme court ruled that the government had to hold a vote to appoint a new minister, Netanyahu convened the cabinet on Tuesday.

He and his fellow Likud party ministers blocked Gantz's reappointment. Then Netanyahu announced his intention to appoint Ofir Akunis, a minister from his own party.

Between the lines: That's a violation of the coalition agreement, which gives Gantz a veto over appointments and is enshrined in Israeli law.

When Mandelblit interjected to tell the ministers that the move was illegal, Netanyahu cut him off and put it up for a vote anyways.

After shouting and allegations from Gantz and Netanyahu, Gantz's party boycotted the vote, and all the Likud ministers voted in favor.

Story continues

The meeting then became more chaotic still, with Mandelblit insisting that Akunis' appointment was null and void.

After the meeting, the attorney general made his position clear to the supreme court, which blocked Netanyahu's move hours later.

In another unprecedented move, Netanyahu asked that his position be represented before the supreme court not by the attorney general but by a private attorney. He also asked the court for 48 hours to reach understandings with Gantz on the issue.

What they're saying: Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who is trying to form an alternative government to oust Netanyahu, said the events prove Netanyahu must go."

Gideon Sa'ar, Netanyahus right-wing rival and also part of the attempts to form an alternative government, said the delusional saga in the cabinet meeting proves there is an urgent need to replace the government."

Naftali Bennett, the potential kingmaker who has negotiated with both Netanyahu and Lapid on forming a government, didnt attack Netanyahu but said Israel is on the brink of anarchy and a functioning government must be formed."

Whats next: The negotiations between Lapid, Bennett and Sa'ar are ongoing but still with no breakthrough. The talks will continue with hopes of reaching a deal by May 2, when Netanyahus mandate expires.

Netanyahu will try and use the time he has left to drive wedges between Lapid and Bennett and create divisions within Bennetts party, including by offering his allies positions within Likud.

Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect the supreme court's action.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 23:50:27|Editor: huaxia

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LUSAKA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Tuesday called on African countries to build strong health systems to deal with disease outbreaks.

The Zambian leader said the creation of strong health systems will help the continent in dealing with diseases such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

In remarks delivered when he officially opened the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2021 Virtual Conference, the Zambian leader said training of health workers should be part of building strong health systems in Africa.

The Zambian leader, who is chairing the conference, added that his government has intensified the training of health workers as a key ingredient to national development.

"I believe that stronger political commitment, purposeful and strategic partnerships are key to improving health outcomes and the wellbeing of all people in the world, especially in Africa," he said.

The conference, he said, will help stakeholders exploit partnership opportunities and introduce new frameworks for cooperation in the area of capacity building of healthcare workers.

Zambia's First Lady Esther Lungu, the co-chair of the conference, thanked the Merck Foundation for its contribution to the improvement of the health sector in Africa.

Merck Foundation Chairman Frank Stangenberg said his organization has done well in providing specialized training to health workers.

The conference, which runs from April 27 to 29, is being attended by African First Ladies, Ministers of Health and other experts from about 70 countries. The conference's main objective is to contribute to the social and economic development of Africa and Asia. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-26 23:50:00|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- For 11-year-old Li Jiaqi, a fourth-grader at the Huangyangmei primary school in the city of Yiwu, it is in a science popularizing class that she knew, for the first time, that fluorescence is a luminescence.

Scientists and volunteers from nearly 10 Shanghai-based research institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) recently brought science classes to two primary schools in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province.

Fang Yuewen, a sixth-grade student at the same primary school, has developed an interest in microbes. "It is amazing to learn more about microbes from the CAS scientists," she said.

In one of the science classes, two volunteers from the Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, under the CAS, introduced the species and reproduction methods of microbes using simple words. They guided the children to observe the microbes under microscopes.

Scientists from other research institutes also brought science classes to the children, covering fiber-optic communication, nuclear power, lasers, thermodynamics, acoustics, and drug development.

Zhu Fangyuan from the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, introduced to the students how the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, a third-generation synchrotron radiation light source, solves problems in life and science.

"The children may have heard about the science device but did not know how it works," Zhu said, hoping to inspire the students' curiosity for science.

"Many children have a dream of becoming scientists when they grow up," said Wang Hong, principal of the Xinsilu primary school that participated in the activity, adding that this kind of activity would help children further explore science.

The purpose is to encourage children's enthusiasm for science in regions with relatively poor science education resources, said Zhang Wenjun with the Shanghai branch of the CAS.

This branch has held more than 20 science popularization activities in eight years in Chinese provinces, involving more than 20,000 students and teachers. Enditem
Mumbai, April 27 : Film Producer Suunil Jaiin of SJP, Ashish Arjun Gaikar's AGFS and Ankit Chandiramani's Sunshine Studios -- a leading film distribution and production house -- have announced a film on Kerala's missing children. The investigative thriller delving into the mysterious world of child trafficking and missing children is titled "Backwaters" is helmed by FTII graduate Abhinav Thakur.

Based on a series of missing children from Kerala, the film looks at how even God is not aware of what has happened to the missing children in God's Own Country -- especially the missing case of Rahul Raju, a seven-year-old who went missing in May 2005 and has never been found.

Delhi theatre actor Sartaazh Khari will essay the role of the CBI officer investigating the case while UK model Neeta Paryani will play the fact-finding journalist conducting a simultaneous investigation.

"We found Sartaazh to be apt for the role. We are exploring all the angles of how the children went missing and how a sharp CBI officer exploring the case looks at every eventuality but is unable to nail a single one. Journalists have also played an important role in this case and Neeta was pitch perfect for the scribe who does her own research and investigation into the cases of the missing children," says Thakur.

Sartaazh has been meeting several top CBI officers to prepare for his role and understand the working and mindset of the men in khaki who spearhead India's premier investigative institution. Neeta in turn has also been meeting journalists who have followed the case.

"The marshy park from where Rahul went missing remains closed for public even today. There are so many unanswered questions including the ones from the parents, who want to know where Rahul is today," chorus Suunil Jaiin and Ashish Gaikar.

Co-producer S. Ramachandran adds that the film will go on floors by the end of the year at real locations in the backwaters of Alappuzha in Kerala.
Chinese envoy calls for efforts to promote political settlement of Abyei issue

Xinhua) 08:53, April 27, 2021

UNITED NATIONS, April 26 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday called for efforts to promote the political settlement of the Abyei issue and for international humanitarian and development assistance.

At present, the situation in Abyei, a territory contested by Sudan and South Sudan, is stable on the whole, thanks to efforts of Sudan and South Sudan, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations. Both Sudan and South Sudan have made positive progress in their domestic political processes, creating a favorable atmosphere for the political settlement of the Abyei issue, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

All parties should work together toward a political settlement. Sudan and South Sudan have the ownership of the Abyei question, and are expected to increase inputs in its solution by making speedy progress in establishing a joint institution, he told the Security Council, adding that China supports the AU's mediation efforts.

Peaceful coexistence between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities is the inevitable course toward maintaining stability in Abyei and resolving its final status. It is imperative to safeguard the rights and interests of the two communities and to promote dialogue, he said.

Humanitarian aid and development hold a key to solving the current crisis. Abyei has been plagued by weak infrastructure, harsh living conditions, massive displacement of people, and yawning gaps in humanitarian needs, only to be exacerbated by COVID-19, said Dai.

The international community should provide targeted assistance to help strengthen local health and education capacity building, increase investment in infrastructure development, and help the local people effectively fight the pandemic, he said.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Having grown up poor in a rural village in Zimbabwe, Wilson Majee saw firsthand as a child the lack of educational opportunities that were easily accessible and how that impacted the youth in his village.

Now an associate professor in the University of Missouri School of Health Professions, Majee researches the challenges facing disadvantaged, rural youth. He found in a recent study that young people who are disengaged from their communities are much more likely to participate in risky behaviors such as substance abuse, particularly in rural areas that lack educational opportunities.

For the study, Majee spoke with youth in rural South Africa about the factors contributing to drug abuse for the NEET population, which stands for young people around the world "Not in Employment, Education or Training." He found that a lack of educational opportunities, combined with other factors - such as a lack of motivation, absent adult role models and few recreational activities - compound to create feelings of hopelessness and despair in young people. These feelings can influence drug use and other risky behaviors.

"All of these factors the young people mentioned, in addition to poverty, unemployment and a lack of basic resources such as health facilities, libraries, available drinking water and internet access, compound together to limit opportunities for rural youth," Majee said. "Toward the end of Apartheid in South Africa, there was a mass migration of young people to urban cities, and since then, the necessary infrastructure has not been put in place in rural areas to help struggling youth successfully advance in life."

The number of young people around the world in the NEET population, currently an estimated 273 million worldwide and 10 million in the United States, has been steadily increasing since 2017, according to the International Labor Organization. Majee explained that, as it was for him almost 35 years ago, access to higher education has remained a major challenge for rural youth, particularly those who have never traveled to larger cities where more resources and universities are typically located.

"At the time I was pursuing higher education, there was only one university in all of Zimbabwe, and it was very far from my village, so I was overwhelmed at first when I attended because I had never been to a big city before," Majee said. "I also knew I had to be among the best students in the nation to earn a spot at the university."

According to Majee, in rural South Africa, as in rural Zimbabwe, primary and secondary schools often lack the infrastructure and resources necessary to prepare students for diverse fields.

"Rural schools not only lack qualified teachers, but they also often lack a variety of subject choices for students to take, as many rural schools do not offer classes in science, information technology, engineering or math," Majee said. "Yet we live in a technology-driven world that is fueled by these STEM subjects; so rural youth see no value in going to school if they can't learn the subjects that will help them get a job."

When Majee asked the rural South African youth who participated in the study for possible solutions to their challenges, the most common suggestion was creating smaller, community college-style satellite campuses for major universities that would be located in rural areas to increase access to those resources. Others emphasized the need for agriculture training programs, educating parents and community members on the power of role models and mentors, and the establishment of internet cafes to provide youth with a safe environment to explore topics that interest them.

"These complex solutions will require collaboration from community members, families, youth, private organizations, universities, researchers and government," Majee said. "These are multi-level issues the youth are facing, which calls for diverse stakeholders to come together to address them."

The goal of Majee's research is to empower youth by exploring strategies that help them become engaged members of their communities so they are less likely to participate in risky behaviors like drug abuse and crime.

"Young people today are the future community leaders of tomorrow," Majee said. "We need to invest in them to make sure they have the skills and knowledge they need to save their communities in the future, which will ultimately benefit society at large."

###

"Rural voices: A social-ecological perspective on factors influencing youth substance use in rural South Africa" was recently published in Health & Social Care in the Community. Funding for the study was provided by the University of Missouri South Africa Educational Program.
Fool me once, airborne COVID-19, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

With Western Australia subjected to its second lockdown of 2021, it should be absolutely clear to every Australian that our hotel quarantine system is just not fit for purpose.

It is claimed by some that the hotel quarantine program has successfully processed tens of thousands of people, but very few of those guests had COVID-19 in the first place, so how would we know if it worked? Well, of those who are positive on arrival about 1 out of every 200 result in a leak to the community in Australia. This is way too high and increasingly disastrous as rates of infection continue to rise rapidly in arriving passengers. Infecting guests in quarantine of course is grossly negligent and warrants immediate drastic action.

The ones suffering more than most are those now trapped overseas as a result of reduced flight caps, made necessary by incompetent quarantine arrangements that have infected a pregnant WA mum and her four-year-old. That makes my blood boil and should result in solutions, not excuses.
Youn Yuh-jung in film "Woman of Fire" / Courtesy of Design Soft



With Youn Yuh-jung winning South Korea's first-ever acting Oscar, her maiden film "Woman of Fire," a melodramatic thriller directed by late auteur Kim Ki-young, has come under the spotlight again 50 years after its release.

The 1971 film, a remake of Kim's previous project "The Housemaid" (1960), revolves around a young housemaid named Myeong-ja (Youn) who has a baby after being raped by the landlord (Namkoong Won). The wife of the landlord forces Myeong-ja to get an abortion, and the young housemaid becomes insane and hysteric.

It was Youn's silver screen debut and helped her rise to stardom in the Korean film industry. She won several best actress prizes from renowned film awards and festivals at home and abroad, ranging from South Korea's annual Blue Dragon Film Awards to the Sitges Film Festival, a Spanish movie fest specializing in fantasy and horror films.

She was also cast in Kim's next project, "Insect Woman" (1972), as a concubine of a professor.

For Youn, who was in her early 20s when she filmed "Woman of Fire," however, it was hard to act in the role of the hysteric character cruel enough to stomp a rat to death under the direction of Kim, who was known for his tough and demanding characteristics.

In 2008, she admitted that she had even decided not to take a lead role in a film after two projects with director Kim. Before returning to the big screen with the melodrama "A Good Lawyer's Wife" in 2003, she thrived on the small screen for about a decade.

After winning the best supporting actress award at this year's Academy Awards for the immigrant film "Minari," Youn paid tribute to the late director who discovered her. It is the 50th anniversary of her debut with "Woman of Fire."

"I'd like to dedicate this award to my first director, Kim Ki-young, who was a very genius director. I made my first movie with him," she said in an acceptance speech on Sunday. "He would be very happy if he is still alive."

Later in a press conference, she said that it took a long time to appreciate his instruction and directing as it was so painful when working with him.

"I thanked him when I turned 60, after he passed away. Before that, he was just an eccentric director who gave me a hard time," she said.

Director Kim, who died in 1998, has been mentioned as a role model by many Korean filmmakers these days, including Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook.

In a retrospective of Youn's 50-year career highlights, "Woman of Fire" will be re-released in South Korean cinemas this Saturday. (Yonhap)
Congress

Former CIO urges lawmakers to relax TMF paybacks

Government agencies stand to benefit from the Technology Modernization Fund's massive capital influx this year, but lawmakers would do well to adjust the repayment and cost savings requirements, a former agency CIO told lawmakers on Tuesday.

"I spent a lot of time browbeating people and I know people who -- they were simply afraid of the oversight, afraid of the visibility and they were also afraid of the repayment which is why I think that has to be looked at," Max Everett, former CIO at the Department of Energy, told a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee.

Everett was testifying to the panel about the costs of legacy IT systems alongside Kevin Walsh, director of Information Technology and Cybersecurity at the Government Accountability Office, and other former CIOs.

TMF, a revolving fund of no-year money established by 2017 legislation, is a hot topic among federal agency technology personnel because of the $1 billion plus-up to the fund under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Walsh said that one of the disadvantages to how the TMF functions is that the justification for projects relies on cost savings. He pointed out that the Office of Personnel Management prior to its 2014 hack actively decided not to modernize its IT to enable data at rest to be encrypted. Had OPM gone through with that modernization, the agency would not have necessarily saved any money as expressed on its technology balance sheet.

"Modernization is not just about cost savings," Walsh said. "Cost savings can be a part of it, but there's more to this discussion than just the money."

The increased TMF funding has also drawn attention to the relatively few agencies who have successfully applied for and received money -- the list of current initiatives includes 12 projects from seven agencies.

Everett said that while he supports the repayment requirements being waived or deferred, agencies must follow the TMF process that forces them to plan out current and future costs as well as sundown plans for legacy infrastructure.

"When Congress gives a billion dollars to a program most people don't understand, I know for a fact there are people eyeballing that money who want to cut the line and avoid the process. I would strongly urge you to make sure your oversight does not allow that to happen. That process has to be followed," Everett said.

The hearing on Tuesday was led by Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), chairwoman of the subcommittee on emerging threats and spending oversight. She noted the increased funding for TMF this year and acknowledged Everett's success using it while at DOE.

"Although we don't see the impact of these funds for years to come, this is a major step forward to reduce reliance on legacy IT and I hope that the fund prioritizes agency plans to replace the legacy IT systems that we've discussed today," the senator said.

A group of former government IT officials and chief technology officers including Todd Park and Jen Pahlka issued a letter in March to the Office of Management and Budget and the federal chief information officer urging them to allow funds from the American Rescue Plan be provided to agencies without repayment.

"The requirement that agencies reimburse the fund has historically made agencies hesitant to use it for the projects that matter most, and resulted in the TMF funding projects that do not sufficiently impact the agenda of much-needed digital transformation and security," the former officials wrote.
Trisha Goddard has shared an inspiring account of how she protected her bones during her cancer treatment as she teams up with the Royal Osteoporosis Society as an ambassador.

Hoping to raise awareness of the importance of bone health, Trisha - who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 - revealed: 'I never really gave osteoporosis or my bone density a thought until it came to my breast cancer treatment.'

The presenter, 63, added: 'My surgeon explained that the medication I would be on for the next ten years would affect my bones.'

Important: Trisha Goddard, 63, shared an inspiring account of how she protected her bones during cancer treatment as she teams with Royal Osteoporosis Society (pictured in February)

Trisha credited power walking and weight-lifting with keeping her bones strong throughout her treatment.

She explained: 'While I was ill, the hospital tested my bone density and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that at the age of 50, it was still really good.

'All the weight training and power walking I had done for half my life had paid off.'

The doting mother added: 'There was no need for me to be prescribed any additional medication to help preserve my bones through the cancer treatment.'

Trisha's experience helped her realise the importance of maintaining bone health and density.

Candid: Hoping to raise awareness of bone health, Trisha - who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 - said: 'I never gave osteoporosis a thought until my cancer treatment'

She continued: 'The whole experience made me realise how important it is, not just for cancer patients, but for everyone to look after their bones.

'Bone health is so overlooked when it comes to wellbeing. It absolutely brought home to me that prevention is better than cure.'

Trisha concluded: 'That's why I'm joining forces with the Royal Osteoporosis Society to raise awareness of the importance of bone health.'

Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them more likely to break and affects 3.5 million people in the UK.

The condition will affect half of women and 1 in 5 men over 50, but despite this, new research* by You Gov and commissioned by the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) shows that only 25% of people under 55 actively try to prevent it.

Despite the huge impact for individuals and society, the new research shows that 59% of people have never even had a conversation about bone health.

In comparison, 64% actively try to maintain a healthy weight.

Trisha currently lives in Connecticut on the US east coast.

Trailblazer: A TV trailblazer, Trisha made her mark as the first black presenter on Australian TV in the 90s after working as an air stewardess

A TV trailblazer, she made her mark as the first black presenter on Australian TV in the 90s after working as an air stewardess.

Then she moved back to the UK, and in 1998 her chat show Trisha became a success on ITV. When that ended in 2004 she moved to Channel 5 for five years, then headed to the States where she had her own show until 2014.

Trisha is poised to return to screens this summer as host of a new, more holistic version of Channel 5's show, You Are What You Eat.

Trisha will also be part of campaigning efforts by the ROS to raise awareness of bone health and work towards its goal of a future without osteoporosis.

She shares daughters Billie, 31, and Madison, 27, with her second husband, Australian TV editor Mark Greive.
Richard Cottingham, the notorious serial killer dubbed the Torso Killer for his gruesome modus operandi, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two murders from nearly a half century ago, authorities announced.

Cottingham, 74, who is currently serving a life sentence in New Jersey State Prison after admitting to six killings in New York and New Jersey, pleaded guilty to killing Mary Ann Pryor, 17, and Lorraine Kelly, 16, back in August 1974, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said in a statement.

Early January 2020, it was discovered that Cottingham had previously confessed to the murders of three Bergen County teenagers in the late 1960s - each a cold case for over 50 years. Although he was not charged with the teens murders, the prosecutors office said the cases were exceptionally cleared.

After confessing to the murders of Mary Ann and Lorraine on April 14 to Chief of Detectives Robert Anzilotti, Cottingham pleaded guilty in Bergen County Superior Court and admitted to kidnapping, raping and murdering them between August 9 and August 14, 1974, according to the statement.

Cottingham is scheduled to be sentenced July 9, said John Bruno, Cottinghams attorney.

This is a somber day as we revisit the horrific acts and terror this man brought upon Bergen County nearly 50 years ago. It is my fervent hope that this arrest and conviction bring some semblance of closure to the friends and family of Mary Ann and Lorraine and a measure of justice to members of our communities, who have long feared this unknown actor.

Cottinghams guilty pleas bring to a close more cases in what what was a years-long killing spree in New Jersey and New York.

The last time Mary Ann and Lorraines families saw them was August 9, 1974, when they were walking together on Broad Avenue, in Ridgefield, after having left their homes in North Bergen, according to the statement.

Before leaving, they had told people they were trying to get to a Paramus shopping mall, with witnesses later telling police that the two had been hitchhiking, eventually getting into a car driven by a then-unknown man, the statement said.

Cottingham spotted Mary Ann and Lorraine walking, as he was driving to Bergen County, said John Bruno, Cottinghams attorney. It was raining, so Cottingham offered the two girls a ride to the Bergen Mall, where they had planned to go, he said.

At first, Cottingham was going to drop the two off at the mall, but the rain started to fall harder, said Bruno. Cottingham instead decided to kidnap them, he said.

After raping the two teenagers, Cottingham drowned them in a bathtub in a motel, said Bruno. He dumped their bodies in a wooded area in Montvale on August 11, two days after he had kidnapped them, he said.

When Mary Ann and Lorraine didnt come home the night of August 9, they were reported missing to the North Bergen Police Department, the statement said.

Five days later, their bodies were found in the Montvale woods, the statement said. Lorraine was reportedly found with a beaded bracelet and a necklace that read Lorraine and Ricky, a reference to her boyfriend. Mary Ann was discovered with a gold cross, a gift from her godfather.

Much like many of the murders that Cottingham has confessed to, police at the time tirelessly looked for answers, chasing dead-end lead after dead-end lead.

But for more than 15 years, over countless interviews, Anzilotti would chip away at Cottingham, working to get the serial killer to admit to the decades-old killings. On April 14, Cottingham provided a sworn, detailed and recorded confession to the two murders, the statement said.

When asked why Cottingham confessed to murdering Mary Ann and Lorraine, Bruno said it was a combination of factors that compelled the serial killer to come clean.

He wanted to come clean, Bruno said. Give some closure to the families so that they knew who their family members murderer was. He wanted to come clean for himself. And he developed an incredible rapport with Chief Anzilotti, who I believe was a major factor in his decision to come clean.

The murders of Mary Ann and Lorraine add to a list of grisly slayings by Cottingham, who would often brutalize his victims bodies after he killed them, cutting off their limbs, breasts and heads. The gruesome manner in which Cottingham dismembered his victims earned him his nickname.

Between 1967 and 1980, Cottingham, of Lodi, killed six women in New Jersey and New York. His interstate killing spree was discovered in May 1980, when a maid at a Hasbrouck Heights motel heard a woman screaming from inside his room. Cottingham had attempted to rape and murder the 18-year-old woman.

When police arrived, they found the woman bound with handcuffs on her ankles, bite marks on one breast and a knife wound below it.

Cottinghams guilty pleas Tuesday bring his murder toll to 11 victims, although he has at times boasted hes killed anywhere between 85 to 100 people.

Sometime during his time in prison, Cottingham admitted to strangling Irene Blase, Denise Falasca and Jackie Harp in 1968 and 1969, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella previously confirmed in an email to NJ Advance Media. Cottingham has been in the state prison system since the early 1980s for other murders.

In July 1968, Cottingham strangled Harp, 13, of Midland Park, as she was walking home from band practice, Musella said.

On April 7, 1969, Blase, 18, of Bogota, vanished from Hackensack and was found strangled to death in Saddle River the next day.

Much like Blase, Falasca, 15, of Closter, was abducted from Emerson on July 14, 1969 and found strangled to death the next day in nearby Saddle Brook, the prosecutor said.

As part of the plea deal, Cottingham will receive two life sentences that will run concurrently with the six life sentences hes already serving, said Bruno.

This post contains material from the Associated Press.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Rodrigo Torrejon may be reached at rtorrejon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rodrigotorrejon.
Fishmongers' Hall killer Usman Khan was a 'high risk' terrorist who acted as an Islamist enforcer behind bars, befriended Lee Rigby's killer and shaved his body as he 'prepared for martyrdom', an inquest heard today.

The 28-year-old also hid a razor-blade under a piece of furniture while in prison and declared that he wanted to 'die as a martyr', the inquest was told.

He stabbed Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, two workers on the Cambridge University prisoner rehabilitation project, during a conference at the Fishmongers livery company in November 2019.

Khan, who was wearing a fake suicide vest, was shot dead on London Bridge by armed police 13 minutes after the attack began. Witnesses chased him down the road with a narwhal tusk and a fire extinguisher.

He was released from prison in 2018 after serving eight years behind bars for a plot to blow up the London Stock Exchange and set up a terrorist training camp in Pakistan.

He is said to have discussed his faith Michael Adebolajo, who was one of the killers of fusilier Lee Rigby in 2013, during a meeting in 2017.

And he asked to be moved to a prison segregation wing in an apparent attempt to make contact with radical preacher Abu Hamza.

Today an inquest into the deaths of the 28-year-old's victims heard how he had 'prepared for martyrdom' the day before the attack by buying knives from a market stall, having a haircut and shaving.

it also heard a list of Usman's links to extremism while in prison.

Among the incidents listed at the inquest were:

Khan had said while he was in prison that he 'wanted to die and go to paradise';

He had climbed onto the netting area between floors and began reciting a poem which included the phrase, 'cut off the kuffars [infidel's] head';

Prison guards had found a razorblade taped to the underside of some furniture in his cell;

Another search revealed newspaper cuttings related to ISIS terrorism and jihadists;

Intelligence suggested that Khan was 'known to be a Muslim enforcer in the prison';

Khan had told other prisoners to engage in 'Takiya' - a lie permitted only in the advancement of Islam;

He was once said to have declared that 'all staff with keys are fair game';

Khan was involved in the beating of a prisoner after he 'declined to convert to Islam';

Khan associated with Fusilier Lee Rigby's killer before his release.

Picture shows Fishmongers' Hall killer Usman Khan, 28, buying bread shortly before the attack in a police handout photo

Khan pictured on a train to Euston. He got onto a more direct train that left at 7.44am but he did not have the right ticket and at 8.11am, when his ticket was checked onboard, he bought a discounted ticket

In November 2019 Khan stabbed Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, during a prisoner rehabilitation conference at Fishmongers' Hall near London Bridge

Inquest hears how Fishmongers' Hall killer prepared for attack the day before The Fishmongers' Hall killer did most of the preparation for his attack the day before he travelled to London, the inquest has heard. Usman Khan bought knives from a market stall, had a haircut and shaved his body hair in preparation for martyrdom, the inquest was told. Khan received the train ticket to London from Stafford on November 15 and made the first purchase for the attack five days later. He went into the Tesco Extra on Newport Road in Stafford at 5.18pm to buy a roll of T-Rex gaffer tape, which he used to construct the fake suicide belt. Two days later, on November 22, Khan went to TK Maxx at Friary Green retail park in Stafford at 4.13pm, where he bought a Dernier manbag that was later found in the toilet cubicle at the hall where he prepared for the attack. The employee remembered that Khan looked suspicious because he wore sunglasses in the store and when she asked if he was having a nice day he 'just grunted at her.' At 10.36am he withdrew 10 in cash from the HSBC in Stafford market and was called at 11.09 by someone from the Department for Employment who was helping him get a job, by which time he was apparently having a haircut. Detective Chief Inspector Dan Brown, the senior investigating officer for Scotland Yard's SO15, said: 'Cutting hair and trimming beards is a common act of cleanliness, part of the act of martyrdom for extremists.' At 1.11pm, he was at a shop called Trespass camping and survival store in Gaolgate Street buying an own-brand padded jacket in extra large for 49.99. He had recently bought another padded jacket in large but Mr Brown said he believed the larger size was need to hide the fake suicide belt. By 1.36pm, he was visiting Sports Direct also in Gaolgate St, where he purchased a pair of Nike Manoa work boots and a Sondico base core top for 14, both of which he wore to the attack. From there he walked to Poundstretcher at Friary retail park where he paid for scissors and a mask, along with razors and eyebrow wax strips at 1.54pm. The last of the items were paid for in cash. The scissors were found in the cubicle at the hall where they had been used to cut the tape that attached the knives to gloves he wore for the attack and the cycling-style mask was worn during the assault. After the attack it was discovered that Khan, in common with other martyrs, had shaved all his body hair to prepare himself for death. There was a second shopping visit to the same Tesco Extra store at 5.14pm when Khan bought another pack of the TRex gaffer tape to wrap the fake explosives on the belt. The 4 pack of Beauty Line knives, which retailed at around 15, had apparently been bought on Stafford Market, although the seller was never found. Khan used two in the attack, left one in his bag in the toilet cubicle and the last one was found at his flat, along with wiring from his X-box, a tubigrip bandage, and clingfilm that he had used to simulate a suicide belt. Khan left his rented flat at 7.09am on November 29 and was at Stafford station by 7.18am, using the cash machine and going briefly into the toilets. However he called Simon Larmour, the worker from Learning Together who he was to meet at Euston, at 7.33am, in an apparent panic because his train had been cancelled. He got onto a more direct train that left at 7.44am but he did not have the right ticket and at 8.11am, when his ticket was checked onboard, he bought a discounted ticket, paying partly in cash and partly by card, although the card payment was later declined when the machine eventually connected. For seven minutes between 8.47am and 8.54am, Khan went to the toilets where he probably put on his hoax suicide belt, the police officer said. The train arrived at Euston at 9.08am, slightly earlier than planned because it was faster, and he withdrew another 30 in cash and went to the toilets again. He met Mr Larmour and John Crilly, another ex-offender, who travelled with him to Monument tube station, and who was later to tackle him outside the hall after the attack. Advertisement

Today Detective Chief Inspector Dan Brown of Scotland Yard's SO15, gave details of Khan's background and preparation for the attack as part of an investigation following the killings, code named Operation Bemadam.

Born in Stoke-on-Trent to parents who had come to the UK from Pakistan, he was described by a former teacher as having a 'chip on his shoulder' and 'teenage swagger'.

At the age of 13, Khan was excluded from school after assaulting another pupil and exchanging racial slurs, for which he was given a youth reprimand, the court heard.

The court heard how Khan was attracted to extreme Islam in his teens and took an interest in prominent figures Anwar Al-Awlaki and Anjem Choudary, the leader of terrorist organisation al-Muhajiroun (ALM).

In 2008, he preached in Stoke on behalf of ALM and police raided the address where he was living, jurors heard.

Afterwards, Khan said he was born and bred in Stoke, and insisted: 'I ain't no terrorist.'

But within years, Khan was one of nine men from London, Stoke and Cardiff to be convicted of terrorism offences.

In December 2010, Khan discussed with another male how to construct the pipe bomb from a recipe in the al Qaida magazine Inspire, jurors heard.

Khan pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts and was jailed for 16 years - of which he would go on to serve eight in prison.

DCI Brown told the inquest that on January 8 2011, while in Belmarsh jail, Khan was said to have 'insinuated that he either has or had access to a weapon and is going to do someone in the eye and that he wants to come from behind and do him in the neck and he wants to die and go to paradise.'

The following year, on June 21, 2012, having been moved to Wakefield jail, he was said to have climbed onto the netting area.

There he began reciting a poem which included the phrase, 'cut off the kuffars [infidel's] head' and also stated he was a 'trained soldier who had learned patrol techniques'.

In November, 2013, there was an incident in the exercise yard at Frankland Jail where a number of Muslim prisoners tried to assault two other Muslim prisoners.

Khan followed it up a few days later by assaulting the same prisoner in his cell, catching a Church of England chaplain in the assault.

On November 21, a search of Khan's cell revealed a razorblade taped to the underside of some furniture.

Back in Belmarsh, in late 2012, Khan had stockpiled Anhydrol Forte - which contains aluminium chloride, used to treat excessive sweating - and several bottles of unknown liquids.

'That could be used in incendiary devices and it was very concerning that he was stockpiling this material, although he did not have enough to construct a bomb,' Mr Brown said.

In Woodhill prison in Buckinghamshire, intelligence suggested that Khan was 'known to be a Muslim enforcer in the prison,' according to a Mercury prison intelligence report from June 18, 2015.

It was said 'he tries to impress a higher ranking terrorism prisoner whom he is in awe of' and also 'tries to impress his status by influencing lower ranks, feeling like an important person as a result.'

At one point he asked to be moved to the segregation wing in an apparent attempt to make contact with the hook-handed preacher Abu Hamza, who was held there.

On July 24 2015, further intelligence suggested that Khan was leading a gang that was planning to assault staff and a prisoner was assaulted for disagreeing with the plan.

He was said to be part of a 'bullying gang' inside the prison and put on a regime of 'basic' privileges that meant he lost his television.

Intelligence also suggested that Khan had 'extremist beliefs' and that imams agree with him and he has not been challenged.

He was said to have declared that 'all staff with keys are fair game.' However, Khan also made repeated attempts at appearing to reform.

In August 2013 in Frankland prison in County Durham, he told a prison service interviewer that he 'used to hold extremist views in the past but doesn't hold them now.'

He claimed he had spoken to the imam in Belmarsh and had 'changed how he views things' claiming that he was 'previously an angry teenager who got his sense of identity from Islam'.

Jonathan Hough QC, for the coroner, said that there was an 'indication of improved behaviour and that his actions were becoming more positive' in 2018 as his release approached.

However, intelligence from August 2016, shortly after his arrival in Whitemoor, mentioned that some prisoners were using a term called taqiyya which was said to be a 'permissible form of telling lies to advance the cause of Islam.'

On November 22, Khan went to TK Maxx at Friary Green retail park in Stafford at 4.13pm, where he bought a Dernier manbag that was later found in the toilet cubicle at the hall where he prepared for the attack

Khan pictured in one of the stores, carrying a carrier bag from Sports Direct, where he purchased a pair of Nike Manoa work boots and a Sondico base core top for 14

Khan called Simon Larmour, the worker from Learning Together who he was to meet at Euston, at 7.33am, in an apparent panic because his train had been cancelled

Today an inquest into the deaths of the 28-year-old's victims Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, heard how Khan had 'prepared for martyrdom' the day before the attack

The report said that 'some including Khan were lying in intervention programmes, in his case just ticking boxes to show he is progressing.'

In March 2017 he was kept as a 'high risk' and a Category A prisoner.

Despite noting that his behaviour was 'acceptable' and he had no recent 'adjudications' the report said he had continued extremist attitude and was involved in radicalisation and the potential for serious disruption.'

It noted he had 'told lies or ticked boxes to achieve progression.'

The kitchen area in Khan's flat, pictured above, showing bottles, cans and chocolates left on the countertop

Khan bought a roll of T-Rex gaffer tape, which he used to construct the fake suicide belt

Pieces of clothing and a Sports Direct carrier bag pictured in a police handout photo, showing the inside of Khan's flat

The living room area in Khan's flat, pictured above, showing DVD's and pieces of clothing

Wiring from Khan's X-box, which was found by police in his flat, pictured above

Knife packaging, pictured. The 4 pack of Beauty Line knives, which retailed at around 15, had apparently been bought on Stafford Market, although the seller was never found

A Dernier manbag was found in the toilet cubicle at the hall where he prepared for the attack

On February 28, 2017, Khan was involved in the beating of a prisoner as two other inmates cornered him in his cell and swung a weighted sock at him while Khan pushed someone away from the door.

'Information suggested the victim had been told to get out of HMP Whitemoor when he declined to convert, saying he was a Christian,' the inquest heard.

The inquest heard Khan had met with Michael Adebolajo, who had killed Fusilier Lee Rigby (pictured) in Woolwich in 2013

In March 2017, Khan was heard talking about his Muslim faith with Michael Adebolajo, who had killed Fusilier Lee Rigby in Woolwich four years earlier.

A search of Khan's cell on April 2017, revealed newspaper cuttings related to ISIS terrorism and jihadists and a large amount of hand written religious material.'

Months later, in June, he was involved in a 'hostile standoff with staff' and a report noted he was an 'influential terrorism prisoner involved in extremist bullying.'

He was released from jail on December 24, 2018, having ended up in Whitemoor jail.

It was in Whitemoor where Khan came into contact with the Learning Together programme - who hosted the event where he committed his terrorist attack.

He was said to have engaged 'positively' with Learning Together, jurors heard.

The inquest into the deaths of Ms Jones and Mr Merritt continues.

Khan (above) was a 'high risk' terrorist who hid bomb-making chemicals in his cell, befriended Lee Rigby's killer and acted as a Muslim enforcer behind bars, an inquest has today heard

In March 2017, Khan was heard talking about his Muslim faith with Michael Adebolajo (pictured), who had killed Fusilier Lee Rigby in Woolwich four years earlier
By Michael Nienaber

BERLIN, April 26 (Reuters) -

Germany will send oxygen and medical aid to India in the coming days to help it tackle its COVID-19 crisis, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Monday.

India is suffering from a spike in coronavirus infections, with the number of cases surging by 349,691 in the past 24 hours, the fourth straight day of record peaks. Hospitals are turning away patients after running out of medical oxygen.

"The second wave is currently rolling over India with unprecedented power. It was right that we acted quickly to stop the entry of the new mutation in Germany," Maas told the Rheinische Post newspaper.

Germany has classified India as a coronavirus high incidence area and also put the country on a separate warning list for coronavirus variants.

From Monday onwards, Germans arriving from India will only be allowed to enter the country with a negative test result and will then have to begin a 14-day quarantine. Foreign travellers coming from India will no longer be allowed to enter Germany.

Mass said Germany would do its utmost to help India overcome the emergency.

A German defence ministry spokeswoman said the foreign ministry had asked the military to look into providing a mobile oxygen production facility as well as support to transport other emergency and relief goods to India.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday expressed her "sympathy over the terrible suffering" that the pandemic had brought to India.

"Germany stands in solidarity with India and is urgently preparing a mission of support," Merkel said in a statement.

The European Commission has also said it aims to send oxygen and medicines to India after receiving a request from Delhi. (Full Story) Britain and the United States are also sending assistance including medical equipment. (Full Story) (Full Story)

((Reporting by Michael Nienaber; Editing by Gareth Jones))
A San Diego woman was killed when a suicidal man landed on her after jumping to his death from the top of a nine-story parking garage, police said.

Taylor Kahle, 29, was walking home from a restaurant with a date near the city's Petco Park on Monday when she was hit by the falling man.

The unidentified man in his 20s had been seen hanging from the ninth-floor balcony of the parking structure moments earlier.

He was taken to a local hospital where he died shortly after, the Medical Examiner's Office said.

Kahle died at the scene, while her date, a 30-year-old man, was uninjured.

Taylor Kahle, 29, was killed after a man jumped from the ninth-floor of a building and landed on her as she was walking home from a date

Surveillance footage shows Kahle on a date at a local pizza place before heading out and begin killed by a man who landed on her after an apparent suicide

Surveillance footage captures Kahle's last moments as she crosses the street prior to a man landing on her, killing her

NBC 7 News obtained surveillance footage that captured Kahle's last moments before the accident.

One clip showed Kahle and her date sitting at the bar of a local pizza restaurant. Another showed them them crossing the street side by side making their way towards the parking structure.

Kahle was struck off camera and moments later two people crossing the same street behind her were filmed stopping in their tracks out of shock before rushing to help.

Kahle worked as an event planner at McFarlane Promotions for the last nine years.

She was only days away from her 30th birthday.

Her boss, Laurel McFarlane, said she and Kahle became close over the last decade as they worked together.

They grew so close over the years that Kahle even considered her a 'second mother,' McFarlane said.

'I encouraged her, I pushed her in things she didn't always want to but it was incredible to watch this young lady blossom into this beautiful person,' McFarlane told CBS 8 News.

'I just want people to know she is an incredible person. This tragedy does not define her,' Kahle's former boss added.

The San Diego native lived with her father who she took care of during the pandemic.

'He wanted people to know she was an incredible daughter and she loved her dad with passion,' McFarlane told Fox 5 News. 'She took care of him and he took care of her.'

The 29-year-old leaves behind two rescue dogs, Roo and Stella, who she adopted from Tijuana

The 29-year-old worked as an event planner at McFarlane Promotions with her boss Laurel McFarlane (pictured) for the last nine years

Flowers were left for 29-year-old Taylor Kahle near the site of her death after a man who jumped from a building landed on her, killing her

She leaves behind two rescue dogs, Roo and Stella, who she adopted from Tijuana.

Earlier this year McFarlane and Kahle agreed to make a list of things they were thankful and grateful for to get through COVID, her former boss posted on Facebook.

Kahle's list included: 'Thankful for my health (Covid free this whole time!!)', 'Thankful for my dad and that I can live with him again and cherish these extra memories', and 'Grateful that I have a good support system that can support me through difficult issues that come my way.'
More than 90 percent of US faculty members surveyed reported that student mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic, as students struggle to navigate online learning, social isolation, and other COVID-19-related stressors. Credit: RichLegg/iStock

Nearly 80 percent of higher education faculty report dealing with student mental health issuesissues that more than 90 percent of faculty believe have worsened or significantly worsened during the pandemic, according to a new nationwide survey led by a Boston University mental health researcher.

"The vast majority of faculty members, myself included, are not trained mental health professionals, but we have a role to play in supporting student well-being," says survey principal investigator Sarah Ketchen Lipson, a BU School of Public Health assistant professor of health law, policy, and management. "These data underscore a real opportunity to better equip faculty with knowledge and basic skills to support and refer students."

These findings, detailed in a first-of-its-kind report, underscore faculty's growing involvement in the health and well-being of students and their willingness to serve as mental health "gatekeepers"a role that has become increasingly important as students continue to navigate online learning, social isolation, and other COVID-19-related stressors.

But the survey revealed that less than 30 percent of faculty have received training from their academic institutions to handle these issues, even though almost 70 percent say they would welcome this guidance and are eager to strengthen their support for students experiencing mental or emotional health challenges.

Another key survey finding: more than one in five faculty members said that students' mental health has taken a toll on their own mental health. Almost half of respondents said that their institution should invest more in supporting faculty mental health and well-being.

"I am hopeful that our new research in this area will raise awareness of the reality that many faculty members are struggling with their own mental and emotional health," Lipson says.

She says she leveraged BU's mental health resources to help her find a therapist. "I know that I am a better teacher, advisor, and colleague because I am able to prioritize my own mental health in a way that meets my needs," she says.

The pilot survey, which was funded by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and conducted in partnership with the Mary Christie Foundation and the Healthy Minds Network, was administered during the spring 2021 semester to almost 1,700 faculty members at 12 colleges and universities across the United States. The results indicate that more work needs to be done on campuses to enable faculty to identify and refer students in mental distress.

"These data make it clear that college and university faculty members are attuned to the mental health needs of their students," Lipson says.

Importantly, she says, while 75 percent of faculty reported that they would reach out to a student in mental or emotional distress, only 51 percent were confident that they could recognize signs of student mental distress. More than 60 percent of faculty believe that it should be mandatory for institutions to provide basic training on handling student mental health, and faculty want additional resources, such as a checklist of warning signs, guides for how to initiate conversations, and a list of available mental health resources.

The survey also found that while 55 percent of faculty believe their institutions are welcoming or somewhat welcoming towards students of color, 58 percent of Hispanic or Latinx faculty and 39 percent of Black or African American faculty believe their institution is hostile or somewhat hostile towards students of color. These results indicate that institutions should not only make campuses more inclusive for students, but also build the level of trust needed among faculty of color to refer students to campus resources, the report said.

"Data are powerful in creating change in higher education, and for so long, there has been a lack of national data on the mental health of college and university faculty," says Lipson. "I hope that investments in new resources to support faculty well-being will yield benefits not only to individual faculty members, but also to students and institutions writ large."
By Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen

(Reuters) - Danish Oscar-winning comedy-drama "Another Round" has found a global audience because it celebrates life at a time when the pandemic has threatened our existence, according to director Thomas Vinterberg.

The film, starring Mads Mikkelsen, portrays high school teachers in various stages of midlife crisis who test alcohol's ability to improve their lives. It won the Oscar for best international feature film on Sunday.

"I find that alcohol in the movie is a symbol for something larger than just drinking," Vinterberg, 51, told Reuters in an interview.

"Our existence has been threatened by the pandemic, but there's an element of rejoicing in this movie, with people sharing bottles, hugging and celebrating life. I think there's been an enormous desire towards the uncontrollable," he said.

"I guess it's about putting yourself at risk ... getting out of your safety zone a little bit," Vinterberg added.

Mikkelsen, whose character finds a brief boost and enlightenment from drinking, performs an extended drunken dance at the end of the film and is frozen in time in the final scene as he throws himself off a wharf in Copenhagen.

"Some people think he's flying in the end scene, and others perceive that he's falling," Vinterberg said.

"To me, the ending carries an element of ecstasy, the element of weightlessness, but it also carries the grief of the character having lost his best friend."

In his acceptance speech on Sunday, Vinterberg dedicated the Academy Award to his late daughter Ida, 19, who was to have had a role in the film but was killed in an automobile accident.

"When my daughter died four days into shooting this film, a free fall began towards insanity," he said in the interview.

"Continuing with this movie was filled with a little bit of purpose, if we made the movie for her, a purpose of honouring her memory," he said.

"What happened yesterday (on Sunday) was the ultimate way of raising a monument for my daughter. It was filled with a lot of emotion because I miss her, but it was also filled with satisfaction."

(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; Editing by Karishma Singh)
CALGARY, AB, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NOVA Chemicals Corporation ("NOVA Chemicals") announced today that it has commenced a cash tender offer (the "Tender Offer") for any and all of the outstanding $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.25% Senior Notes due 2023 (the "Notes").

In conjunction with the Tender Offer, NOVA Chemicals is also soliciting consents (the "Consent Solicitation") from the holders of the Notes for the adoption of proposed amendments (the "Proposed Amendments") to the indenture governing the Notes (the "Indenture") to (i) eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants and certain events of default and related provisions contained in the indenture governing the Notes and (ii) reduce the minimum required notice period for the redemption of the Notes from 30 days to three business days.

The Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation are being made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated April 27, 2021 (as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase").

Holders who tender Notes must also consent to the Proposed Amendments to the Indenture. Holders of Notes may not deliver consents to the Proposed Amendments without validly tendering the Notes in the Tender Offer and may not revoke their consents without withdrawing the previously tendered Notes to which they relate. The Proposed Amendments will be set forth in a supplemental indenture relating to the Notes and are described in more detail in the Offer to Purchase. Adoption of the Proposed Amendments requires the delivery of consents by holders of Notes of a majority of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Notes (not including any Notes owned by NOVA Chemicals or any of its affiliates).

Certain information regarding the Notes and the terms of the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation is summarized in the table below.

Notes CUSIP/ISIN Numbers (144A; Reg S) Principal Amount

Outstanding Tender Offer

Consideration(l) Early Tender

Payment(1)(2) Total

Consideration(l)(3) 5.25% Senior Notes due 2023 66977WAN9 / US66977WAN92; C67111AF8/ USC67111AF82 $500,000,000 $980.21 $30.00 $1,010.21











_________









(1) Consideration in the form of cash per $1,000 principal amount of Notes that are validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn). Excludes accrued and unpaid

interest, if any, which will be paid in addition to the Total Consideration or Tender Offer Consideration, as applicable. (2) The Early Tender Payment will be payable to Holders who validly tender (and not validly withdraw) Notes on or prior to the Early Expiration Time. (3) Includes the Early Tender Payment for Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdraw) on or prior to the Early Expiration Time.

The deadline for holders to validly tender Notes and deliver consents and be eligible to receive payment of the Total Consideration (as defined below), which includes the Early Tender Payment (as defined below), will be 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 10, 2021, unless extended or earlier terminated by NOVA Chemicals (such date and time, as the same may be modified, the "Early Expiration Time"). The Tender Offer will expire at 11:59 PM, New York City time, on May 24, 2021, unless extended or earlier terminated by NOVA Chemicals (such date and time, as the same may be modified, the "Expiration Time"). Notes tendered may be withdrawn and consents for the Proposed Amendments delivered may be revoked at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 10, 2021, unless extended or earlier terminated by us (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the "Withdrawal Deadline"), but not thereafter, except as may be required by applicable law.

The total consideration payable to holders for each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Tender Offer will be U.S.$1,010.21 (the "Total Consideration"). The Total Consideration includes an early tender payment of U.S.$30.00 per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes (the "Early Tender Payment") payable only to holders who validly tender (and do not validly withdraw) their Notes and validly deliver (and do not revoke) the related consents at or prior to the Early Expiration Time. Holders who validly tender (and do not validly withdraw) their Notes after the Early Expiration Time but at or prior to the Expiration Time will be eligible to receive U.S.$980.21 per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes (the "Tender Offer Consideration"), which amount will be equal to the Total Consideration less the Early Tender Payment. In addition, NOVA Chemicals will pay accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount of Notes accepted for purchase from the most recent interest payment date on the Notes to, but excluding, the applicable settlement date for such Notes (the "Accrued Interest"). Payment in cash of an amount equal to the Total Consideration, plus Accrued Interest, for such accepted Notes will be made on the early settlement date, which is expected to be within three business days after the Early Expiration Time, or as promptly as practicable thereafter.

NOVA Chemicals' obligation to accept for purchase, and to pay for, Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Tender Offer is conditioned upon the satisfaction or, when applicable, waiver of certain conditions, which are more fully described in the Offer to Purchase, including, among others, a financing condition as described in the Offer to Purchase. In addition, subject to applicable law, NOVA Chemicals reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to (i) extend, terminate or withdraw the Tender Offer or Consent Solicitation at any time or (ii) otherwise amend the Tender Offer or the Consent Solicitation in any respect at any time and from time to time. NOVA Chemicals further reserves the right, in its sole discretion, not to accept any tenders of Notes or deliveries of consents with respect to the Notes. NOVA Chemicals is making the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation only in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so.

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. is acting as dealer manager for the Tender Offer and as solicitation agent for the Consent Solicitation and can be contacted at their telephone numbers set forth on the back cover page of Offer to Purchase with questions regarding the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation.

Copies of the Offer to Purchase are available to holders of Notes from D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information agent and the tender agent for the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation. Requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase should be directed to D.F. King at +1 (800) 714-3311 (toll free), +1 (212) 232-3233 (collect) or [email protected].

Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any related documents have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, nor have any such documents been filed with or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Offer to Purchase or any related documents, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary.

The Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation are being made solely on the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Under no circumstances shall this press release constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes or any other securities of NOVA Chemicals or any of its affiliates. The Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation are not being made to, nor will NOVA Chemicals accept tenders of Notes or accept deliveries of Consents from, holders in any jurisdiction in which the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities of blue sky laws of such jurisdiction. This press release also is not a solicitation of consents to the Proposed Amendments to Indenture. No recommendation is made as to whether holders should tender their Notes or deliver their consents with respect to the Notes. Holders should carefully read the Offer to Purchase because it contains important information, including the various terms and conditions of the Tender Offer Consent Solicitation.

About NOVA Chemicals Corporation

NOVA Chemicals develops and manufactures chemicals and plastic resins that make everyday life healthier, easier and safer. Our employees work to ensure health, safety, security and environmental stewardship through our commitment to Sustainability and Responsible Care. NOVA Chemicals, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is wholly owned ultimately by Mubadala Investment Company of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Visit NOVA Chemicals on the Internet at novachem.com.

NOVA Chemicals Media Contact

Jennifer Nanz, Director, Corporate Communications

e-mail: [email protected]

NOVA Chemicals Investor Relations

Patty Masry, Leader, Financial Reporting & Investor Relations

E-mail: [email protected]

The NOVA Chemicals logo is a registered trademark of NOVA Brands Ltd.; authorized use/utilisation autorisee.

Responsible Care is a registered trademark of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada.

SOURCE NOVA Chemicals Corporation

Related Links

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Press Release

27 April 2021

The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. (LHW) is pleased to announce collaboration with four new companies under their Leading Strategic Sourcing (LSS) program. The additions include luxury-focused Wholesale Partners Bonotel Exclusive Travel, TripArc and Fastpayhotels, along with OTA Insight, the leading Rate Parity and business intelligence platform.

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LHW has worked with long term strategic partner DayBlink GPO to create a strategic group purchasing program that harnesses the collective buying power of our network of independent luxury hotels. The program helps hotels capture new demand and find new customers through numerous sales and marketing channels as well as creating other business value in other strategically important categories.

Now, with the addition of Bonotel Exclusive Travel, TripArc, Fastpayhotels, and OTA Insight to LSS, LHW is empowering its members to drive recovery, reinforce rate parity and increase efficiencies on property.

OTA Insight empowers smarter revenue and distribution decisions through its solutions: Market Insight, Rate Insight, Parity Insight and Revenue Insight. The company provides user friendly revenue management tools and is a preferred management solution for over 55,000 independent, local and global chain properties in more than 168 countries.

empowers smarter revenue and distribution decisions through its solutions: Market Insight, Rate Insight, Parity Insight and Revenue Insight. The company provides user friendly revenue management tools and is a preferred management solution for over 55,000 independent, local and global chain properties in more than 168 countries. Bonotel Exclusive Travel presents deluxe hotels throughout the U.S. to tour operators worldwide. The company is a leading inbound tour operator for luxury travel to North America. Bonotel Exclusive Travel's marketing capabilities and direct access to a high-value international client base, spanning 65+ countries, provides partners with valuable global scale.

TripArc enables access to a comprehensive range of travel products through their proprietary platforms and economies of scale as a luxury global wholesaler. The company is an industry leader in technology, purchasing, finance, HR and marketing. Its expansive and growing network drives profit and efficiencies for hotels.

Fastpayhotels represents the evolution of the current relationship between accommodation, tour operators and travel agencies by offering a transparent, dynamic and digital distribution platform. The B2B distribution channel connects thousands of hotels and travel agents in over 130 countries.

"Due to the impact COVID-19 has had on our industry, we believe this is the right time for LHW to use our scale and identify opportunities to support our members in their recovery. Our team is diligently working to create strategic group purchasing programs that empower hoteliers to stay independent," said Phil Koserowski, Vice President, Digital Product Development & Marketing, The Leading Hotels of the World. "By harnessing the collective buying power of the LHW network we can create more value for our hotels especially in partnership with important business partners like Bonotel Exclusive Travel, TripArc, Fastpayhotels and OTA Insight who can drive both short-term recovery and long-term sustainable results. Access to partnerships like these, with the enhanced business terms LSS is able to negotiate, is paramount for our independent hotels as the industry recovers and our hoteliers welcome back guests."

About DayBlink GPO

DayBlink GPO is a strategic sourcing provider for independently owned and operated luxury hotels in the hospitality sector. DayBlink GPO combines years of expertise to help members improve their bottom line and performance efficiency. As an ambassador on behalf of hoteliers, DayBlink GPO negotiates superior agreements with multinational companies across major hotel spend categories by leveraging billions of dollars in member purchasing power. These deals bring instant value, create cost savings, and deliver efficiencies at little to no added effort for our members. For more information, visit dayblinkgpo.com

About Bonotel Exclusive Travel

Bonotel Exclusive Travel is the leading inbound tour operator for luxury travel to North America. Since 1990, Bonotel has established itself as the renowned luxury specialist, offering exclusive deluxe hotels and resorts, upscale boutique properties, and unique one-of-a-kind experiences throughout the United States to tour operators worldwide, with unparalleled service and a belief that we are only as strong as our partnerships. Because of the exclusive relationships Bonotel has built with many suppliers over the years, and the offering of selected superior product, Bonotel has also been able to develop strong business relations with most of the major tour operators worldwide. Bonotel has built a reputation for its variety and standard of product, as well as the high level of service offered to customers and suppliers alike. Bonotel's marketing capabilities and direct access to a high-value international client base  which spans 6 continents and over 65 countries  instantly provides its hotel partners with global scale that sets it apart from all other North American inbound operators. Bonotel has long-standing relationships with a diverse array of clients across the globe. Our strategic relationships with our top 20 accounts average around 15 years in length. We continue to expand our geographic footprint in venture markets like Africa, India and Mexico. Learn more: www.bonotel.com.

About TripArc

TripArc is a distribution network with a new vision for the luxury travel business. Combining innovative technology with a vision to create direct access and increased transparency, we are reimagining how travel consortia can work harder for partners, advisors and tour operators. The benefits of this ground-breaking approach are numerous, from driving efficiency for suppliers, to increased profitability, exceptional benefits, training, and outstanding events for advisors. It's an innovative new architecture for how everyone in the luxury travel business can succeed. With over $1 billion in transactions, we negotiate direct net rates with travel suppliers and drive efficiency by linking them directly to advisors and tour operators, ensuring that they can put their best rates and offers in front of the right advisors at the right time. For the advisor, we offer exceptional benefits, training, outstanding virtual and live events, and a sense of community. For more information, visit trip-arc.com and follow us LinkedIN.

About OTA Insight

OTA Insight empowers hoteliers to make smarter revenue and distribution decisions through its market-leading suite of cloud-based business intelligence solutions including Market Insight, Rate Insight, Parity Insight and Revenue Insight. With live updates, 24/7 support from our customer success team, and a highly intuitive and customisable dashboard, the OTA Insight platform integrates with other industry tools including hotel property management systems, leading RMS solutions and data benchmarking providers. OTA Insight's team of international experts are based all over the world, including the UK, US, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Australia and India, and supports more than 55,000 properties in 168 countries. Named the UK's 17th fastest-growing private technology company in the Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 in 2019, Number 103 in the FT/Statista list of Europe's 1000 fastest growing companies in 2020, Number 38 in the Sunday Times Sage Tech Track 100 and chosen as the best Rate Shopping & Market Intelligence Tool, Parity Management Software, and Business Intelligence Software by HotelTechAwards 2021, OTA Insight is widely recognised as a leader in hospitality business intelligence. For more information, visit www.otainsight.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Fastpayhotels

Fastpayhotels is a tech enabled B2B accommodation distribution platform. The company's mission is to evolve the current relationship between hotels, tour operators and travel agencies by offering a simple, cost effective and transparent distribution platform that makes it easier for hotels to give the best rates and availability to agents. Over 37,000 hotels are currently signed up to the platform in over 78 countries and more than 15,000 travel agents' operators are already using the software. Fastpayhotels is a Rate Parity Certified Distributor by OTA Insight and backed by private equity house Magenta Partners. For more information, visit www.fastpayhotels.com.
[April 27, 2021] GHD Survey Reveals That Fewer Than Half of Consumers in the U.S. and Canada Believe Governments Are Meeting Their Responsibilities to Achieve Net Zero by 2050

A survey by GHD, one of the world's leading professional services companies, has found that only 42% of U.S. and 47% of Canadian consumers believe governments are meeting their responsibilities to achieve net zero by 2050. There is also a low level of confidence in society (43% U.S./41% Canada) and businesses (42% U.S./38% Canada) to meet this goal. With so much societal upheaval having occurred since the start of the pandemic, GHD surveyed over 3,000 people across the U.S. and Canada as part of a global survey to assess how changing attitudes and behaviors will reshape the energy world. "The global shutdown has changed consumers' environmental consciousness and puts their demand for greener lifestyle choices - and the clean energy transition already underway - into overdrive. If we are to make a successful shift to net zero, it is crucial the public and private sectors work together with consumers to shape a joint vision for how our world needs to operate. The more we commit to the transition and invest in greener technologies and lifestyles, the more momentum will build," said Dr. Tej Gidda, Future Energy Global Leader at GHD. The Electric Vehicle Revolution (News - Alert) Is Supercharging Consumers across North America are open and enthusiastic about embracing electric vehicles (EVs) as part of the global energy transition. The survey found: 16% of U.S. respondents and 7% of Canadian respondents already drive a hybrid/plug-in hybrid or fully electric vehicle.

That number is expected to grow, with nearly half of Americans (45%) and Canadians (46%) considering an EV purchase in the next five years. However, one of the biggest barriers to increased EV uptake is the concern about the electric charging infrastructure needed to support widespread adoption. 39% of U.S. respondents are concerned they will not be able to access reliable charging infrastructure locally and 28% are worried they will not be able to install a charger at home.

Amongst Canadians, that concern is even greater, with 42% concerned about access to local charging infrastructure and 35% apprehensive about their ability to install a charger at home. "With 75% of U.S. and 71% of Canadian respondents saying they'll travel by car the same amount or more as before the pandemic, increasing the use of EVs will be critical to helping lower transportation emissions," commented Maria Lehman, GHD's U.S. Infrastructure Leader. "President Biden's American Jobs Plan calls for a $174 billion investment in EVs and charging infrastructure, and in the past year, the Canadian government and auto manufacturers have announced billions of dollars of stimulus investments to transition to EVs. While this is an important step, urther EV adoption will take continued partnerships and radical collaboration between industry and government in both countries."



Going Green: Consumers Are Focused on Sustainability The pandemic has made consumers more aware of the environment. As a result, they're willing to make changes to live a more sustainable life and expect businesses and governments to do the same. Survey results found:

Consumers have become more aware of the environment than they were pre-pandemic (59% U.S./57% Canada), with 86% of Americans and 87% of Canadians agreeing that we all have a responsibility to help the planet become more sustainable.

Respondents in the U.S. (56%) and Canada (55%) are looking for their local government to prioritize greener public transportation over personal transportation investments.

They also have high expectations for the brands they support, with 64% of respondents in the U.S. and 67% in Canada saying green issues will be an important consideration when determining which brands to buy goods/services from following the pandemic. The survey also found both U.S. and Canadian residents have considered moving homes due to the pandemic. 32% of both Americans and Canadians want to live in an environment with cleaner air.

30% of respondents in the U.S. and 34% in Canada cited the desire to move to have more access to nature. The Future of Work As a result of the pandemic, 78% of American and 82% of Canadian respondents believe their daily habits will change over the long term. This includes how they work and live - which will ultimately change the energy landscape. Going forward, 37% of U.S. and 36% of Canadian respondents expect to work from home more than they did before the pandemic.

Residents of both countries expect to spend an average of three hours or more online each day.

30% of Americans and 15% of Canadians surveyed said their employer's green credentials impacted their decision about whether to become an employee and would consider those factors when choosing a future employer. "The shifting workplace dynamics will permanently change how we think about everything - from transportation and digital infrastructure to how we configure our cities and office spaces," said Greg Carli, Sustainability, Resilience & ESG Advisory Leader at GHD. "These changes will significantly impact how energy is consumed and distributed over a 24-hour period to respond to growing requirements for lighting and consuming more data at home, as well as supporting domestic cooling systems in the summer and heating poorly insulated homes every day throughout the colder months. The challenge for businesses and governments will be to quickly adapt and transition to a re-imagined work and energy model that sustainably meets these new needs." Each of these changes will have a sizeable impact on the way our society consumes energy - from increasing renewable energy to mitigate the environmental impact of rapidly growing electricity consumption to ensuring the right EV charging infrastructure is available to those who need it. A great deal of work and investment is required to meet our net zero carbon obligations by 2050. As highlighted by the relatively low confidence scores given by the wider public, governments, businesses, and consumers now need to commit to the transition and use the hiatus of 2020 as a springboard to a cleaner energy future. This means not merely putting strategies in place but acting on them quickly. GHD's whitepaper on the survey findings, entitled "The World of Energy Post-COVID," can be found here. Methodology: The survey was conducted among 8,041 consumers within the U.K., US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. At an overall level, results are accurate to  1.1% at 95% confidence limits, assuming a result of 50%. The interviews were conducted online by Sapio Research in February 2021 using an email invitation and an online survey. About GHD: GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy and urbanization sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD's network of 10,000+ specialists are connected across 200 offices located in five continents and the Pacific region. www.ghd.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005178/en/

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Some of Turkey's largest banks are reluctant to finance Canal Istanbul due to environmental concerns and investment risks associated with the massive construction project, Reuters reported, citing four senior bankers.

Two sources said the global sustainability pact signed by six of Turkey's top banks has become an obstacle to financing Kanal Istanbul, which Erdogan called a crazy project.

The government plans in June to begin the construction of a 45 km long canal that will connect the Black Sea in the north with the Sea of Marmara in the south. Erdogan says the canal will protect the Bosphorus, which runs through the heart of Istanbul.

However, the mayor of Istanbul, engineers, and, according to one poll, a majority of citizens oppose the project for environmental reasons, claiming that it will destroy the marine ecosystem and resources that provide nearly a third of the city's freshwater.

Six Turkish banks, including Garanti Bank, Is Bank, and Yapi Kredi, have signed the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Banking, which call on signatories to avoid harming people and the planet.

In 2019, the channel's price was estimated at 75 billion lire - or $ 13 billion.

The reluctance of some Turkish lenders to finance the project increases the likelihood that government and foreign funding should play a larger role in making Erdogan's dream a reality.

Asked if Turkish banks would participate in the financing, Erdogan's spokesman and advisor Ibrahim Kalin told Reuters that the project would certainly attract investors and lenders.

But for most Turkish banks, especially lenders with European sponsors and those involved in syndicated loans, the risks are likely to be too high, the sources say. They said that the adoption of such a large project could limit their ability to carry out further syndicated loans, and there is a risk of torpedoing the project at a later stage.
Ethnic guerrillas captured a Myanmar army base early Tuesday after launching an attack under cover of darkness, according to a Karen official. Video shot from Thailand's side of the border showed flames rising on the banks of the Salween river, as well as the sound of heavy gunfire.

The Karen are one of a number of ethnic people in Myanmar who have been fighting for greater autonomy from the central government for decades. The ethnic fighters took the base and burnt it down just after dawn, the Karen National Union's Head of Foreign Affairs, Padoh Saw Taw Nee, said in a text message. Casualty figures were currently unknown, he said.

Fighting between the KNU's armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army, and the Myanmar army has increased since last year but has grown in intensity following the 1 February military government takeover. Myanmar jets have bombed and strafed Karen villages and its army has moved in fresh battalions to the area, in possible preparation for a large-scale offensive.

Up to 25,000 villagers have fled their homes and are hiding in jungles and caves, according to the Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian aid group that is active in the area. In response the KNLA has kept up guerrilla attacks on Myanmar patrols and bases. The KNU has also given shelter to protesters who have fled the military crackdown on the civil disobedience movement in the cities.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Education advocates, union leaders and parents shifted their focus to the Senate on Tuesday after House lawmakers rejected efforts to add up to $200 million in additional funding for K-12 schools and universities to next years budget, hoping they can convince senators that the state can afford to make additional investments in public education.

The House on Monday night turned down several amendments that would have boosted local aid for public schools to account for the expected post-pandemic rebound in student enrollment this coming September.

While the House budget proposal provided more K-12 funding than recommended by Gov. Charlie Baker, advocates said it still falls short of the commitment made by the Student Opportunity Act because it fails to fully account for the possibility that many of the more than 31,000 students who left the school system over the past year could return in the fall.

The House decision was deeply disappointing, said Vatsady Sivongxay, the mother of a kindergarten student and executive director of Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance.

After pausing the implementation of the 2019 Student Opportunity Act in fiscal 2021 due to the pandemic, House leaders said their budget would put the funding schedule back on track by funding one-sixth of the reforms that were originally intended to be paid over seven years.

Based on an agreement struck between House and Senate leaders earlier this month, the House Ways and Means budget funded Chapter 70 at over $5.5 billion, an increase of $219.6 million over fiscal year 2021. Leaders of the two branches also agreed to create $40 million reserve to help districts severely impacted by a decline in enrollment over the past year.

The Legislatures plan, however, would spread out the delayed funding from this year for the Student Opportunity Act over six years, instead of catching up all at once, and is predicated on waiting to see whether children return to the classroom this fall.

The House budget proposal has made an attempt to get us back on track, but by using October 2020 enrollment data this falls short for Framingham, said Christine Mulroney, president of the Framingham Teachers Association.

Mulroney said her citys schools will need the additional funding as students return in the fall to provide before- and after-school support and to hire additional social workers, school psychologists and paraprofessionals to help students readjust.

MEJA and other organizations want to see the Legislature use pre-pandemic student enrollment data to calculate Chapter 70 aid in fiscal 2022. They say the decline in enrollment in many districts, especially in early grades, can be attributed to the pandemic, and districts cant wait a full year for their funding levels to correct if students return for the 2021-2022 school year.

Theres no reason not to budget for all of these kids right now. We have the resources at hand, said Colin Jones, senior policy analyst for the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center.

Jones said ideally the Legislature would convert the $40 million reserve into recurring Chapter 70 aid and add an additional $90 million to catch all districts up to funding levels they expected before COVID-19 arrived.

He said the House Ways and Means budget represented a step in the right direction, but said, We have to be pretty honest to say that this was short of what was actually needed.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee will review the budget that the House produces this week and draft its own proposal for debate in May, giving advocates time to work on senators who may, or may not, be more sympathetic to their arguments.

If the Senate did increase funding for Chapter 70, it would be breaking the agreement its leaders reached with the House.

Now were asking the Senate to do right, Sivongxay said.

While the American Rescue Act has made billions of dollars in federal aid available to Massachusetts, legislative leaders are waiting for clear guidance on how the money can be spent and are reluctant to bake it into the states annual budget knowing that it will be gone in two years. State tax collections are also far outpacing projections used to build spending plans, creating the potential for a significant budget surplus.

Jennifer Dowdell, a mom of triplets in Boston, said two of her children were diagnosed with autism prior to the start of the pandemic, but her family had to adjust to reduced support services at home due to COVID-19. Shes now being encouraged to enroll her triplets in Boston public schools, but is reluctant and would like to see more specialized services for her children funded in the school budget.

We do not feel comfortable enrolling our children in a school system that has floundered in making school safe for children to go back. I am not taking the risk of sending my triplet toddlers to a school where they will be required to practice social distancing, knowing that it is difficult for any small child, Dowdell said.

The groups also supported an amendment filed by Rep. Sean Garballey that would have would have put $120 million more into public colleges and universities for faculty, financial aid and scholarships, among other programs.

Max Page, vice president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, said that after the passage of the Student Opportunity Act he and other activists thought they would finally be able to engage lawmakers in a discussion about what they see as the long-term underfunding of public higher education.

The Garballey amendment would have been a one-year down payment on legislation know as the CHERISH Act that supporters said would begin to help address problems created by student debt and low pay for adjunct faculty.

The University of Massachusetts for the second year in a row froze tuition for next year for in-state students, in large parts thanks to the federal relief funding. But Page said many students continue to struggle to pay for tuition or take on more debt than they can afford. He said enrollment in community colleges by students of color has fallen 30 percent.

We cannot achieve our racial and economic justice goals without debt-free access to high quality public colleges and universities, Page said.
The Fast Saga (it does sound like a soap opera, but we missed cinemas so much were willing to put up with everything) is just about ready to make an explosive comeback on June 25th in America, and just about every Toyota fan will be glad to see an orange Supra involved with the franchise once more.Its not exactly the A80 everyone expected, though. Weve caught glimpses of the latest iteration in the trailers, and were not nearly as impressed as we were back in 2001 when the original The Fast and the Furious kicked off the blockbuster franchise.No worries, though, because there are a few more escapes for anyone daydreaming of the perfect Mk4 Supra . One of them would be the virtual realm, where pixel masters love to showcase their skills with such pop culture icons.Case in point with the tuningcar_ps account on Instagram, where a white A80 example has casually morphed from stock to widebody as if were checking out an accelerated timelapse of an automotive caterpillar turning into a beautiful turbo butterfly.Poetical references aside, these guys make it look so easy to digitally alter the metal substance of the Toyota one starts to wonder why everyone isnt doing this in their spare time. Well, this neat little video (embedded below) is a bit deceiving because it probably took many hours to achieve the result presented here in just five quick stages.By the looks of it, first came the new front and rear bumpers with larger vents (including on the side to bring us a Porsche vibe ), then it was time for the subtle extensions on the fender flares both on the left and right side.Next up came the performance additions, in the form of engine-related parts, cool wheels, and lots of black aero appendages, while the final CGI brush stroke brought the last details, such as those interesting little vents integrated with the huge rear wing.
The temperatures are heating up here in Central Florida and we will soon start our rainy season so to avoid algae growth we recommend pool owners have the necessary products on hand to keep their pool clean.

Swim N Fun in Winter Springs, Florida launches their in-store spring specials. For the remainder of April, customers can take advantage of their buy 5 one-pound bags of pool shock and get a 6th one pound bag for free. They can also save 20% off all pool filter cartridges and take advantage of rebates on pool cleaners. Customers can receive a $100.00 rebate on Hayward V-Flex Pool Cleaners or enjoy a $125.00 rebate on their Zodiac MX8 Elite Pool Cleaners.

In May, customers can participate in Swim N Funs Build Your Bundle offer and enjoy a savings of over $20.00. With this offer customers can bundle tabs, shock and algicide products. Shoppers have the option of selecting silk or basic tabs and their choice of a 12 pack of pool shock, either the Smart Shock or Burn Out 73. To follow Swim N Funs monthly retail specials visit online at: https://swimnfun.com/swim-n-fun-pool-supply-store

Bob Wright, owner of Swim N Fun, stated, These specials are a great way for consumers to save money. The temperatures are heating up here in Central Florida and we will soon start our rainy season so to avoid algae growth we recommend pool owners have the necessary products on hand to keep their pool clean. Its a great time to take advantage of the pool filter cartridge rebate and have cartridges on hand for when you need them. In addition to their spring specials, Swim N Fun also offers a chlorine and salt club card. This frequent buyer program rewards customers after ten purchases of chlorine or salt. Cards are free and are available in store.

Swim N Fun is a family-owned full-service pool company located in Winter Springs, Florida. They have been serving Central Florida since 1986. In addition to their retail store, Swim N Fun also offers weekly pool maintenance and swimming pool equipment repairs. Retail customers can take advantage of free water testing with Swim N Funs state of the art water quality testing. Pool owners can have their pool water tested free of charge and the Swim N Fun staff can make recommendations for keeping pool water at its best quality. Their state-of-the-art water test analyzes water quality, tests for metals and much more. Customers will find a wide range of pool supplies including pool chemicals, automatic pool cleaners, pool chlorinators, pool lights, pool pumps, pool vacuums, nets and brushes, salt pool products, pool toys and more in Swim N Funs retail store. Swim N Fun is a preferred vendor of BioGuard products for pools and spas.

In addition to their swimming pool and spa products, Swim N Fun also carries the Big Green Egg Outdoor Grills along with several grill seasonings and barbeque sauces. Wright added Some of our customers dont own a swimming pool but shop our grill products. We carry a variety of seasonings and sauces for backyard barbeques. We invite grill masters to stop in and see our wide variety, they wont be disappointed!

Swim N Fun is located at 1315 Tuskawilla Road in Winter Springs, Florida. Their retail store hours are Monday through Friday from 9am until 6pm EST, Saturday from 9am until 5pm EST and Sunday from 9:30am until 4:30pm EST. To learn more about Swim N Fun, visit online at https://swimnfun.com/.


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[April 27, 2021] Harris Williams Advises ACL Airshop as it Partners for Growth With Alinda Capital Partners

Harris Williams, a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, announces it advised ACL Airshop, a global leader in air cargo unit load device (ULD) logistics solutions to over 200 airlines, air cargo carriers and other transportation clients, on its acquisition by Alinda Capital Partners (Alinda). ACL Airshop is a portfolio company of Argosy Private Equity (Argosy), Balance Point Capital (Balance Point), ORIX Private Equity Solutions, Azalea Capital (Azalea) and Ranger Aerospace (Ranger). The transaction was led by Chris Rogers, Chris Smith, Mike Rohman and Anya Bahros of the Harris Williams Aerospace, Defense & Government Services (ADG) Group. "Air cargo is a long-term growth market," said Chris Rogers, a managing director at Harris Williams. "Multiple factors are driving sustained demand for air cargo equipment and services, and we are seeing investors becoming increasingly active in this space." "ACL Airshop is a critical enabler of air cargo operations around the world, meeting the urgent needs of its customers through a global and strategically curated network of hub locations and a culture that prioritizes rapid responsiveness," added Chris Smith, a director at Harris Williams. "We are excited to watch ACL Airshop continue to grow in partnership with Alinda." ACL Airshop is a full-service fleet management and equipment solutions provider to the air cargo industry. The company leases, manages, sells and repairs ULDs and manufactures cargo nets and straps equipment. Today, ACL Airshop operates around the world on six continents with service capabilities at over 50 of the world's top 100 cargo hub airports. Alinda is a global investment firm that makes log-term investments in infrastructure assets that provide essential services. Alinda's investment partners are predominantly pension funds serving public sector and private sector workers and seeking steady investments over the long term to match their pension liabilities. They include some of the largest institutional investors in the world. Alinda has offices in Greenwich, Connecticut; Miami; and London.



Argosy, founded in 1990, specializes in providing capital and operating and financial expertise to lower middle market companies across a broad range of industries. Argosy partners with motivated management teams investing in companies with sustainable competitive advantages and attractive growth prospects. Argosy Private Equity is a division of Argosy Capital Group, Inc. (Argosy Capital) together with Argosy Real Estate Partners, Argosy Credit Partners, Argosy Strategic Partners and Argosy Healthcare Partners. Argosy Capital is an SEC (News - Alert) registered investment adviser with approximately $1.5 billion of assets under management. Balance Point is an alternative investment manager focused on the lower middle market. With approximately $1.6 billion in assets under management, Balance Point invests debt and equity capital in select lower middle market companies across a variety of investment vehicles. Balance Point takes a long-term, partnership approach to investing and is committed to building lasting relationships with its partners, management teams and intermediaries. Balance Point is a registered investment adviser.

ORIX Private Equity Solutions is a business unit of ORIX Corporation USA (ORIX USA), a financial services firm that has been providing innovative capital solutions that clients need to propel their business to the next level since 1981. ORIX USA and its subsidiaries-Boston Financial Investment Management, ORIX Real Estate Capital (the combined company of RED Capital Group and Lancaster Pollard), Hunt Real Estate Capital, NXT Capital, Mariner Investment Group, RB Capital and ORIX Capital Partners-include a team of more than 1,400 employees spanning over 30 offices across the U.S. and Brazil. ORIX USA and its family of companies have $64 billion of assets under management, administration and servicing (including more than $9 billion held by the company and its subsidiaries, as of March 2019). Its parent company, ORIX Corporation, is a publicly owned international financial services company with operations in 37 countries and regions worldwide. ORIX Corporation is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (8591) and New York Stock Exchange (IX). Azalea is an investment firm headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, providing strategic equity capital to privately owned, middle market firms in the Southeast to facilitate management buyouts, business recapitalizations and growth plans. Typical investment candidates will have minimum annual revenues of $10 million in the target industries of manufacturing, distribution, business services, consumer products and healthcare. The company provides capital, operating expertise and industry experience to significantly enhance the long-term value of its investments. Ranger is a private equity management holding company that teams with larger institutional investors to acquire, grow and improve companies in aviation services, aerospace sub-specialties, airfield operations, logistics and government outsourcing. Since its founding in 1997 in Greenville, South Carolina, Ranger has managed and led approximately $650 million of buy and sell events via leveraged buyouts and internal growth investments. Harris Williams, an investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, advocates for sellers and buyers of companies worldwide through critical milestones and provides thoughtful advice during the lives of their businesses. By collaborating as one firm across Industry Groups and geographies, the firm helps its clients achieve outcomes that support their objectives and strategically create value. Harris Williams is committed to execution excellence and to building enduring, valued relationships that are based on mutual trust. Harris Williams is a subsidiary of the PNC (News - Alert) Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). The Harris Williams ADG Group offers strategic advice to a global base of leading aerospace, defense and government services clients. For more information on the ADG Group and other recent transactions, visit the ADG Group's section of the Harris Williams website. Harris Williams LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is a private limited company incorporated under English law with its registered office at 8th Floor, 20 Farringdon Street, London EC4A 4AB, UK, registered with the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales (registration number 07078852). Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH is registered in the commercial register of the local court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, under HRB 107540. The registered address is Bockenheimer Landstrasse 33-35, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany (email address: hwgermany@harriswilliams.com). Geschaftsfuhrer/Directors: Jeffery H. Perkins, Paul Poggi. (VAT No. DE321666994). Harris Williams is a trade name under which Harris Williams LLC, Harris Williams & Co. Ltd and Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH conduct business. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005714/en/

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[April 27, 2021] Student Support Workers Call on the UCP to Recognize Them as Critical, Front-Line Workers

Student Support Staff at Edmonton Public School District are calling on the government to recognize them as critical workers. Members of CUPE Local 3550 are speaking out after a number of education workers were excluded from the Critical Worker Benefit - a $1200 lump sum payment promised to those who have worked on the front lines during the pandemic. "It's a slap in the face," said CUPE Local 3550 President Jorge Illanes. "Throughout this pandemic we have showed up to work, we have sacrificed our health to ensure that students get the critical supports they need and now the UCP tells us we're not all critical workers." Earlier this year, the UCP government announced a new Critical Worker Benefit to compensate essential workers in a range of public and private sectors, including workers in the Education Sector. However, arbitrary eligibility criteria means only a portion of Student Support Staff are eligibl, despite them all working on the front lines.



"It's offensive," said Illanes. "The government has bungled this entire program. How can we be working shoulder to shoulder throughout the pandemic, and only a portion of us are recognized as critical workers?" The limiting criteria for the benefit includes a 300-hour threshold that allowed for the exclusion of precarious workers. These workers are not offered weekly full-time hours, which in the Education Sector is 7 or less hours per day. Other support staff were indiscriminately deemed as non-student contact classifications and were also excluded. This was done despite the school board arguing in favour of including them and requesting revisions to the government's criteria.

"We have to speak up. I'm calling on all of our members, and the public to tell the government that education workers are front line workers and call on them to ensure we all receive the Critical Workers Benefit," said Illanes. You can join the fight, and send a letter to the UCP by visiting https://3550.cupe.ca/ CO/clc/cope#491 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210427005940/en/

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Gov. Charlie Baker tours the COVID-19 vaccination center at Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield last week. Baker will give an update Tuesday afternoon on the reopening process.
EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVES

The challenges and opportunities of digital transformation

A roundtable of leading executives offers insights on what digital transformation means to the GovCon market

The push by agencies to undertake digital transformation efforts creates myriad opportunities for contractors but while the trend is on the upswing, there are still obstacles and challenges companies need to consider.

To explore this issue deeper, Washington Technology convened a roundtable of leading executives to share their insights on what the opportunity means for the entire government contracting market and how they are positioning their companies and working with customers to take advantage of the benefits digital transformation can deliver.

While the discussion was on the record, we operated under "Chatham House" rules in that comments by executives will not be attributed to them or their companies. See the sidebar to view who attended.

Participants Michael Canning

Government & Public Services Leader, Deloitte Consulting LLP Cameron Chehreh

Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of presales engineering, Dell Technologies Jordan Garrett

Digital Twin and Edge Solutions Lead, Dell Technologies Todd Gnospelius

Vice President  Aviation, AECOM Thomas Greiner

Senior Managing Director, Technology Business Lead, Accenture John Karabias

Vice President, Growth & Strategy, Jacobs Julie McPherson

Executive Vice President, Digital Solutions, Booz Allen Hamilton Heather Newlin

Vice President and General Manager, Jacobs Tom Oliver

Vice President of Digital Consulting & Solutions, General Dynamics Information Technology PV Puvvada

CEO, NetImpact Strategies Bob Ritchie

Vice President, Cloud and Applications Development, Science Applications International Corp. Thomas Romeo

General Manager, U.S. Federal Services Segment, Maximus Bruce Samuelson

Senior Vice President, International Maritime Programs and Business Development, Serco Inc. Timothy Spadafore

Senior Vice Prsident, Consulting Services - Defense, CGI Federal Lisa Wolford

CEO, Constellation West Note: Washington Technology Editor-in-Chief Nick Wakeman led the roundtable discussion. The March 17, 2021 virtual gathering was underwritten by Dell Technologies, but both the substance of the discussion and the published article are strictly editorial products. Neither Dell nor any of the participants had input beyond their March 17 comments.

To discuss digital transformation its important to first understand what that means. It became clear during this discussion that the definition often depends on the customer and what they are trying accomplish.

You are taking these digital technologies and putting them against agency problems, one executive said. It is very much about the outcome and about improving the outcome or transforming the outcome.

Technologies of transformation often include artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, robotic process automation, data management and analytics solutions, edge computing, digital twins, sensors and the Internet of Things. On the horizon are other emerging technologies such as 5G.

A digital transformation effort doesnt include all of these technologies, but can bring together multiple technologies to create a solutions. One common thread often is data.

So much data has become available over the last decade thanks to the development of so many technologies, which means the challenge now is harnessing that data.

The technology landscape is so different and now there is this prevalence of data and the ability to mine the data and draw value, an executive said.

Agencies and their contractor partners can re-imagine whats possible because of the data, the roundtable group said.

For example, one executive shared how the Army Futures Command is rethinking what combat vehicles should look like. They can build a model and get a new understanding of performance under a variety of operational scenarios and even weather conditions.

Having that information and getting real-time drives better decision-making, the executive said.

While the technologies that enable digital transformation are critical, our group of executives often turn to the people and culture issues that need to be considered.

The technology exists, so it really isnt about that, one executive said. Its about applying it and making sure that people are ready to accept it and move forward.

Workforce, customers and the end users also were topics of discussion.

Executives used terms such as digital dexterity, digital native, and digital fluency to describe the characteristics the workforce -- both contractor and government customer -- needs to drive digital transformation.

We have a long way to go, one executive said. There is an art and science to preparing people for a digital environment.

This means keeping the workforce current with emerging technologies, regardless of whether they consider themselves a technologist.

In many ways, digital transformation is a mindset or way of thinking about problems and outcomes that is then enabled by technology.

One executive used the example of SpaceX (which since we held our roundtable won the $2.9 billion lunar lander contract) and how that Elon Musk-run outfit has disrupted the aerospace market.

What SpaceX has done is not continue the evolution of the rocket from World War II. Instead they said, Hey, we have new materials. We have new technologies. What would a rocket be if we had the same requirements levied on us from 1945? the executive said.

Not getting stuck with the attitude of this is how weve always done it is critical. Several times, executives talked about the need to look at the outcomes and mission results the customer is looking for and then building back from there.

What you want to avoid is just picking up current processes and moving them to a new technology platform, they said.

While many customers were already moving in this direction, the COVID-19 pandemic was an accelerant for changing how work gets done.

COVID has really made us rethink how were going to go to market in this new world, an executive said.

Workforces are scattered now and this presents a challenge and opportunity. One challenge is security because the points of attack have expanded. But the opportunities are great. For example, hiring doesnt have to be dictated by location and proximity.

Why not hire the guy in Oklahoma instead of just the guy in Fort Meade? one executive said.

Because of COVID, companies changed policies and procedures that focus on people to ensure their safety as well as productivity. The consensus among the executives is that many of these changes are permanent and that the future workforce is less about a set time frame for being at work and more about the end result.

In fact, the focus on outcomes came up several times during the discussion and in two primary contexts -- how the workforce operates and what the customer wants. For the workforce, it means focusing on whether the employee is meeting deadlines and delivering quality.

For the customer, the contractors role is to unpack what they need and what they want. This understanding can guide contractor decisions on education and training for their workforce, what technologies to apply to the problem, and how customer processes may need to change

When bringing this approach to the customer, its important that the company has gone through the transformation already.

Its hard to deliver transformation to a customer if you havent embraced it yourself, an executive said.

Challenges with customers remain, however. The biggest challenge is how contracts are structured.

It is hard to introduce a new mindset on existing contracts because acquisitions can be so narrowly scoped, one executive said. It can be an incredible challenge.

The openness to change and new ways of doing business can vary widely from customer to customer, so you have to choose carefully. A big hint is the structure of a procurement.

If they are just buying hours, you cant apply a digital transformation solutions, an executive said.

While the response to COVID drove many positive changes in how contractors deliver solutions to the customer, there is concern that the pendulum is already swinging back. That would have a significant impact on the ability to hire and retain personnel.

Im really worried about the commercial space going virtual and my customer going backwards and wanting people on premises, an executive said. I cant compete with the commercial space if they are virtual and from their beach house and Im in downtown D.C.

But others were cautiously optimistic.

We proved we could do things that we all knew we could do before but in many places there was a lack of confidence or willingness or courage, another said.

In many ways, digital transformation is inevitable. But it will not look the same for all customers. Different agencies have their own comfort levels. Some rely on data that is siloed in legacy systems. Others have cultures that are slow to change.

Digital transformation isnt about what it means to us. Its about what digital transformation means to our customers, an executive said.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL (April 27, 2021) - The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) - the world's largest plastic surgery organization, representing nearly 8,000 members - today released the 2020 results of the organization's annual procedure survey coupled with national consumer research reflecting trends during the COVID-19 era to help predict what 2021 will bring.

The Society's board-certified plastic surgeons reported they stopped performing elective surgical procedures for an average of 8.1 weeks in 2020 due to COVID-19, or 15 percent of the year, which mirrors the decline in the total number of procedures performed last year.

ASPS Survey Finds Americans Have More Positive Attitude Toward Plastic Surgery During COVID-19

ASPS recently gauged Americans' perceptions of plastic surgery more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, analyzing responses from more than 1,000 women in a national survey fielded by market firm Equation Research, providing insights into how consumers feel about the category, top treatments and their likelihood to pursue a plastic surgery procedure.

During the pandemic, 11% of women surveyed indicated they are more interested in cosmetic plastic surgery or non-surgical procedures now than before COVID-19, and the figure is even higher among women who have already had surgery or a procedure - 24%, respectively. Also, 35% of women who have previously had at least one cosmetic surgical procedure or minimally invasive procedure plan to spend significantly or somewhat more on treatments in 2021 than in 2020.

"For more than a year, COVID-19 has largely confined people to their homes during quarantine and significantly impacted nearly every aspect of their lives," says Lynn Jeffers, MD, MBA, FACS. "The pandemic isn't over, but thanks to vaccines, a new normal is starting to define itself - and some surgeons' offices that were closed or offered only limited services within the last year are seeing higher demand."

Upping the Ante on Body Enhancement

While the first wave of pandemic demand saw a rush on facial procedures in response to a significant surge in Zoom calls and downtime for discreet recovery at home, the national survey results show that tummy tucks (22%) and liposuction (17%) are among the top procedures that women who are extremely or very likely to consider procedures within six months are seeking. The reason is attributed to weight fluctuation during quarantine, and more time to consider procedures long delayed due to time or cost.

ASPS 2020 Top Procedures

Top 5 Cosmetic Surgical Procedures

While ASPS saw an overall 15% decrease in total number of cosmetic procedures in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the dip is largely on par with the amount of time practices were closed - and three of the top 5 procedures focused on the face.

The Top 5 cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2020 were:

Top 5 Cosmetic Minimally Invasive Procedures

In 2020, minimally invasive cosmetic procedures decreased slightly more than surgical procedures (16% vs. 14%) during stay-at-home orders, dropping for the first time in four years.

Injectables continued to be the most sought-after treatments in 2020. ASPS member surgeons cited a significant uptick in demand during the coronavirus pandemic with current patients eager to reschedule missed neurotoxin and filler appointments, and new patients motivated for the first time to pursue the minimally invasive facial treatments they'd been considering - some even before last March.

Among the 13.3 million cosmetic minimally invasive procedures performed in 2020, the top 5 were:

1. Botulinum toxin type A (4.4 million procedures) 2. Soft tissue fillers (3.4 million procedures) 3. Laser skin resurfacing (997,245 procedures) 4. Chemical peel (931,473 procedures) 5. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment (827,409 procedures)

Top 5 Reconstructive Procedures

Nearly 7 million reconstructive procedures were performed in 2020, up 3% overall compared to 2019, despite the global pandemic's impact on elective surgeries. Tumor removal is by far the most common reconstructive plastic surgery procedure with approximately 5.2 million procedures performed.

The Top 5 reconstructive procedures performed in 2020 were:

1. Tumor removal (5.2 million procedures) 2. Laceration repair (386,710 procedures) 3. Scar revision (263,643 procedures) 4. Maxillofacial surgery (256,085 procedures) 5. Hand surgery (206,928 procedures)

"While many reconstructive procedures were prioritized as COVID-19 restrictions eased across the country, I'm encouraged that the Society's members were able to quickly attend to patients in need of these surgeries - ranging from burn and wound care to migraine to pediatric craniofacial procedures - to improve their quality of life," says ASPS President Joseph E. Losee, MD, FACS, FAAP.

Although not within the top five, breast reconstruction (137,808 procedures) saw a significant 29 percent year-over-year jump, a greater increase than any of the top five reconstructive procedures.

"A major concern at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was continuing care for reconstructive patients," said Dr. Losee. "Despite the year's challenges, patients and care teams were not only able to move forward with procedure plans when deemed safe to do so, but, in terms of breast reconstruction, more women than ever are benefiting from today's technologies and treatments."

Visit plasticsurgery.org/connect for patient safety tips, procedure information, to find a surgeon and book a consultation.

###

About ASPS

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the world's largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons. Representing 8,000 member surgeons in the United States and Canada, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 93 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. ASPS advances quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice and research in plastic surgery.

Please credit American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) when citing statistical data.

About Equation Research, LLC

Equation Research is a full-service strategic research firm working with an extensive list of Fortune 1000 clients including brands, agencies and media companies. Equation offers a unique blend of strategic thinking and innovative technology to make research fast, flexible, smart, and more useful.

Media Contact:

SuJin Oh

Lippe Taylor Group

(917) 841-5213

soh@lippetaylor.com

Chelsea Keyes McDuffie

Lippe Taylor Group

(860) 670-5409

ckeyes@lippetaylor.com

Adam Ross

American Society of Plastic Surgeons

(773) 332-4719

aross@plasticsurgery.org
[April 26, 2021] Datable Technology Corporation Announces Financial Results for Q4 and 2020 Year End Results and Update for Year-to-date 2021

VANCOUVER, BC, April 26, 2021 /CNW/ - Datable Technology Corp. (TSXV: DAC) (OTCQB: TTMZF) (the "Company" or "Datable" or "DTC"), a software company that provides a marketing automation platform called PLATFORM3 to global consumer brands, is pleased to announce its financial results for the quarter ("Q4 2020") and the year ended December 31, 2020 ("Fiscal 2020"). In 2020, the Company achieved the following milestones: Signed 38 agreements to provide PLATFORM 3 to leading Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands, representing close to 100% growth in total contracted revenue to $5 million , compared to 27 agreements and approximately $2.6 million in 2019. Total contracted revenue includes agreements signed in the year and multi-year agreements carried forward from prior years. Approximately 39% of the $5 million in 2020 contracted revenue was recognized as revenue in 2020.





to leading Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands, representing close to 100% growth in total contracted revenue to , compared to 27 agreements and approximately in 2019. Total contracted revenue includes agreements signed in the year and multi-year agreements carried forward from prior years. Approximately 39% of the in 2020 contracted revenue was recognized as revenue in 2020. Revenue increased by 26% to $1,969,193 compared with $1,560,970 in 2019 due to increases in average contract value, project deliveries and transactional revenue from both new and returning customers.





compared with in 2019 due to increases in average contract value, project deliveries and transactional revenue from both new and returning customers. Deferred revenue increased by more than 200% to $1,568,508 compared to $506,183 in 2019. Deferred revenue accounts for services that have been contracted and paid for by customers that will be delivered and recognized as revenues in subsequent periods.





compared to in 2019. Deferred revenue accounts for services that have been contracted and paid for by customers that will be delivered and recognized as revenues in subsequent periods. Continued development of flexxi Rewards Network - a web portal that enables opt-in consumers to earn rewards completing activities such as purchasing consumer products, viewing valuable content posted by consumer brands, sharing content on social media and referring friends. Leading consumer goods companies will pay Datable for access to the consumers. The flexxi Rewards Network is built using Datable's PLATFORM technology. The Company is also pleased to provide the following 2021 updates: Year-to-date, Datable has signed 9 new agreements, which together with license agreements signed in prior periods amount to contracted revenues of approximately $4 million . Approximately 77% of the contracted revenues are expected to be recognized in 2021 with the balance to be recognized in subsequent periods.





. Approximately 77% of the contracted revenues are expected to be recognized in 2021 with the balance to be recognized in subsequent periods. Most of Datable's large customers are leading consumer goods companies that provide staples including food, beverages, and household products, which are expected to remain in demand during the COVID 19 crisis. In addition, many of Datable's license agreements and marketing programs extend into late 2021 for the summer and back-to-school promotions, and into 2022 as long-term loyalty programs.





Raised gross proceeds of $3,417,000 pursuant to an offering of units (see press release dated March 29, 2021 ) and an offering of convertible debentures (see press release dated April 22, 2021 ) providing capital to accelerate growth.





pursuant to an offering of units (see press release dated ) and an offering of convertible debentures (see press release dated ) providing capital to accelerate growth. Uplisted from the OTC Pink Sheets to the OTCQB Venture Market debentures (see press release dated April 22, 2021 ) with the goal of enhancing liquidity and access to institutional and retail investors. "In 2020 we continued to grow our core SaaS licencing and digital marketing business signing multiple Fortune 500 companies as new customers during the Covid-19 pandemic. We expanded the scope and scale of our license and service agreements with leading brands that have been customers since 2018, and added new global brands as customers. Our customers have large and growing budgets for digital marketing, and we are getting a larger share as we continue delivering measurable ROI by adding tools that enable the use of opt-in consumer data to drive incremental revenues," said Robert Craig, Datable's CEO. "The Company also continued work to develop its own Consumer Loyalty and Rewards Portal - the flexxi Rewards Network. This Portal will provide opt-in registered consumers with valuablerewards for purchasing products and engaging with leading consumer goods companies to complete activities that support their brands. The flexxi Rewards Network will enable Datable to begin collecting opt-in consumer data and expand its business model to include data and transactional revenue. We expect that building communities of consumers and owning the relationships and consumer data will be a big driver of revenue in the coming years. The flexxi Rewards Network is built on top of Datable's proprietary PLATFORM technology which dramatically reduces costs and time to market."



Results of Operations: Revenue for year ended December 31, 2020 increased by 26% to $1,969,193 compared with $1,560,970 in 2019 due to increases in average contract value, project deliveries and transactional revenue. The Company's PLATFORM product is an integrated suite of digital marketing applications sold as SaaS for short-term promotions or on an annual subscription basis with recurring revenues. Revenue in the current year reflected recognition of revenue from previous year contracts and new sales of the PLATFORM product offering.

The growth in contracted revenues in 2020 was due to larger renewals and new licenses driven by improvements in PLATFORM, and an established track record of delivering ROI to customers. In late 2019, DTC launched version 4.0 of PLATFORM which included new modules that extended and deepened its differentiation in the market by launching a break-through feature on PLATFORM - Dynamic Messaging and Rewards (DMR). This feature empowers brands to deploy omnichannel communications, retargeting and contextual rewards to induce consumer purchases based on their previous and ongoing purchase behavior and brand engagement. DMR transforms PLATFORM3 into a self-regulating continuous feedback loop for ongoing sales. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased by 10% to $1,164,125 compared to $1,055,827 in 2019. The Company's cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased by 59% to $805,068 compared to $505,143 in 2019 due to change in product mix and increases in delivery resources during the year. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 59% compared to 68% for the same period in 2019. Gross margin depends on the product mix for the reporting period. Revenues are comprised of a combination of higher margin sales of PLATFORM, the Company's proprietary Software as a Service product, combined with some lower margin products and services. While Datable expects strong revenue growth of high-margin PLATFORM licenses, revenues from lower-margin services and rewards products are expected to grow faster, which will reduce consolidated gross margin to as a percentage of revenue. Cost of sales includes an API connection to third party digital rewards platforms. This service enables DTC clients to offer digital rewards such as gift cards, movie tickets and virtual visas to incentivize purchase and purchase frequency. DTC purchases these rewards on behalf of the Company's clients and charges a transaction fee for the total amount of rewards purchased. Cost of sales also includes the cost of servers to host PLATFORM, and project management and customer support staff. General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased by 6% to $1,549,012 compared to $1,462,359 in 2019. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2020 was mainly due to an increase in corporate consultancy fees and corporate finance service contracts engaged in 2020 compared to the prior year. Sales and marketing expenses include wages and salaries, consulting fees, travel expenses, and advertising and licenses. Sales and marketing expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $836,879 compared to $550,010 in 2019. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2020 was mainly due to increased consultancy paid in connection with advertising, sales and marketing activities. Research and development expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $1,019,608 compared to $879,534 in 2019. The increase in research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 was related to enhancement to PLATFORM and developing platform flexxi Rewards Network. Research and development expenses may continue to increase in the future as the Company seeks to evolve and improve PLATFORM and flexxi, as well as to invest in creating new technology and products that will enhance the Company's value proposition to customers and provide additional revenues. Research and development expenses include wages and salaries and consulting fees. Net and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $2,456,986 compared to $2,214,142 in 2019. This increase in net loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 was mainly due to the increase of sales and marketing and research and development expenses, net of the increase in gross profit and the growth in revenue. About Datable Technology Corporation Datable has developed a proprietary, mobile-based consumer marketing platform  PLATFORM3  that is sold to global Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies and consumer brands. PLATFORM3 is delivered as a subscription service (Software as a Service model) and used by CPG companies to engage consumers, reward purchases and collect valuable consumer data. PLATFORM3 incorporates proprietary technology to monetize the consumer data, including demographics and purchasing behaviour, by sending consumers targeted offers by email and text messages. For more information, visit datablecorp.com. For additional information about the company please visit www.sedar.com. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. 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. This news release contains forward-looking information, which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectation. Important factors  including the availability of funds and the results of financing efforts,  that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time on SEDAR (see www.sedar.com). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Datable Technology Corp.

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Elon Musk bagged a $299million (215million) bonus as Tesla posted record profits of $438million last night.

The billionaire boss of the US electric car maker scooped the award after its market capitalisation surged earlier this year, its results revealed. The company has seen its valuation slip since a peak in January but is still worth $709 billion - making it the world's most valuable car maker.

The company said sales in the first three months of the year leapt 74 per cent to $10.39 billion (7.5billion), beating the $10.29 billion expected by Wall Street analysts.

Elon Musk, the billionaire boss of the electric car maker Tesla, has earned himself a bumper bonus - and while Tesla's shares have slipped since a January peak it is still worth $709 billion

Profits for the period reached a new high for the company of $438million, with earnings boosted by a $101 million profit on selling some of its bitcoin and $518 million from sales of regulatory credits to other car makers, which help them offset their fossil fuelled vehicles to meet emmissions targets.

Tesla revealed in February that it had bought $1.5 billion in bitcoin and its maverick founder has been tweting regularly about cryptocurrencies and most recently dogecoin, as the value of the dog meme cryptocurrency initially created as a joke has soared.

In a tweet, Musk said Tesla sold 10 per cent of its bitcoin holding in order to prove its liquidity as an alternative to cash on the balance sheet.

Tesla's sales boom came on the back of record production figures at the firm and surging demand for electric cars globally. The firm produced 180,338 cars during the period, up from 88,400 in 2020.

However, Teslas shares dipped in after-hours trading, slipping 2.5 per cent from $738.20 to $719.90.

Last night Tesla said it was poised to start deliveries of its updated Model S saloon car and was making progress building factories in Berlin and Texas. It added: There is a lot to be excited about in 2021.

The company has enjoyed booming sales of late, buoyed by the growing shift towards green technology.

Its flagship Model Y crossover and the Model 3 saloon car have been in particular demand, prompting the companys expansion of operations in both Europe and China.

Tesla started production of the Model Y late last year at its Shanghai factory, where it already makes the Model 3.

Musk tweeted that Tesla sold bitcoin in order to prove it as a liquid alternative to cash

Tesla shares at $738 have slipped back since their peak earlier this year but are still up 360 per cent on a year ago and 730 per cent on the start of 2020 when they stood at about $89

That paid off in February, when its China sales jumped from the previous month  despite it being a time when demand usually falls during Chinas Lunar New Year holidays.

Another boost came this month when Tesla notched up record production figures for the first quarter of this year, even in the face of global chip shortages.

Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, said the numbers were a drop the mic moment that defied predictions by detractors.

He predicted Teslas annual sales will exceed 850,000 vehicles this year, fuelled by President Bidens policy of boosting electric vehicle sales in the US and surging demand globally.

Tesla said last night it was expecting to increase vehicle deliveries by 50 per cent each year.

Tesla has seen sales soar but the electric car market is becoming increasingly competitive as established car maker join the fray to compete against cars such as the Model S

However, it comes as the electric car market is becoming increasingly busy, with rivals such as Ford and Volks-wagen pledging to plough billions into their own new models and research.

Tesla also faces questions in the United States over a crash involving one of its Model S cars that killed two men. An investigation into the incident, which happened in Texas earlier this month, is said to have found that no one was sitting in the drivers seat.

That has prompted speculation that the vehicles autonomous autopilot system was running.

Musk denied that, saying data recovered from the car indicated it was not using self-driving software. But Tesla faces calls for a federal probe.
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San Francisco, 27 April 2021: The Report Home Infusion Therapy Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Infusion Pumps, Needleless Connectors), By Application (Anti-infective, Chemotherapy), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

The global home infusion therapy market size is expected to reach USD 44.7 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2021 to 2028. Home infusion therapy involves the intravenous or subcutaneous administration of drugs or biological products to an individual at home. Favorable government policies and regulations are expected to propel market growth. In February 2018, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 was signed into a law that states that all temporary payments of home infusion therapy in the U.S. will be covered by the government in accordance with this regulation.

In addition, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening conditions, is expected to have a high impact on market growth. According to a report by the WHO, the above-mentioned diseases accounted for 60.0% of the total deaths and 43.0% of the disease burden in the U.S. in 2019. This creates the need to infuse nutritional products that contain glutamine, phospholipids, glucose, and amino acids while administering medication to patients, which, in turn, is expected to boost the market growth.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market. Due to restrictions caused by COVID-19, patients are waiting to seek treatment until they feel safe. Moreover, patients who seek infusion therapy already have diseases that weaken their immune systems. In such cases, going outside even to receive treatment becomes a potential threat. Reduced operating hours have led to difficulty in scheduling appointments as well, even if patients choose to continue treatment. Hence, home infusion therapy is expected to play a key role in supporting patients.

Access Research Report of Home Infusion Therapy Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/home-infusion-therapy-market

Home Infusion Therapy Market Report Highlights

By product, the infusion pumps segment held the largest revenue share in 2020 owing to the increasing use of delivery fluids, such as nutrients and medications

The anti-infective application segment dominated the market in 2020 as a large number of procedures are performed during the administration of medications, such as antibiotics and antifungals

North America dominated the global market in 2020 owing to increasing demand for new technologies, along with advanced healthcare infrastructure

The Asia Pacific market is projected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period owing to the increasing number of diabetic patients in the region

List of Key Players of Home Infusion Therapy Market

CVS/Coram

Option Care Health

BriovaRx/Diplomat (UnitedHealth Optum)

PharMerica

Fresenius Kabi

ICU Medical, Inc.

Braun Melsungen AG

Baxter

BD

Caesarea Medical Electronics

Smiths Medical

Terumo Corporation

JMS Co. Ltd.

Access Press Release of Home Infusion Therapy Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-home-infusion-therapy-market
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Freshman State Rep and Trumbull County Trump Toady, Rep Mike Loychik has introduced legislation to rename Mosquito Lake State Park after former President Donald J. Trump, the first U.S. President to be impeached twice who then ignited the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

The legislation is meant to honor the commitment that our 45th president of the United States, Donald J. Trump, bestowed upon the great people of Trumbull County.

Rep Loychik said he introduced House Bill 261 " to recognize the triumphs Trump brought over the last four years to this great nation and the Buckeye State.

Mosquito Lake State Park is just north of Warren and Youngstown. It is one of the largest lakes in Ohio. Only Congress has the authority to change the name of the Lake while the State can change the name of the park itself.

Democratic State Rep Michael OBrien of Warren while acknowledging Mosquito is not an appealing name, said if it were to be renamed, there are former Trumbull County residents who are more worthy of being memorialized.

Like President William McKinley, Clarence Darrow and the Packard Brothers, just to name a few, said OBrien.

The name change to honor the dishonorable Trump is an inappropriate waste of Ohio funds. And its especially inappropriate that a 8 year veteran of the U.S. Air Force would want to honor a former U.S. President who ignited an insurrection against the United States Rep Loychik swore an oath to defend.
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 27, 2021 / Grid Metals Corp. (the "Company") (TSXV:GRDM)(OTCQB:MSMGF) is pleased to announce that it has commenced drilling at its 100% owned Bannockburn Nickel Sulphide Property (the "Property") located in the Matachewan area of northeastern Ontario, approximately 100 km south of Timmins. The focus of the drill program will be bulk tonnage disseminated nickel sulfide mineralization hosted by a three-kilometre-long serpentinized ultramafic body. The style of mineralization targeted is similar to that hosted in the Crawford Deposit owned by Canada Nickel Company (TSXV:CNC).

In addition the Company will soon announce additional drill results from unreported holes at its East Bull Lake Palladium Project.

B Zone Drilling Program

The Company plans to drill up to 10 holes and 2,500 metres along a one kilometre section of the B Zone trend of disseminated nickel sulfide mineralization (Figure 1). The new holes will be used to:

Better constrain the average nickel grade, thickness and lateral continuity of the B Zone to vertical depths of approximately 200 metres;

Provide an initial indication of the depth extent of an interpreted higher grade core within the B Zone; and,

Provide material for a composite sample for a new metallurgical study that will investigate nickel deportment, recoveries and potential concentrate grades.

One of the previous Grid drill holes (MBB4-09; see Figure 1) assayed 0.327% nickel over a core length of 202 metres, which compares favourably with recent drilling results for the Crawford nickel deposit (High Grade Zone). Complete historical results from the B Zone were listed in the NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Property dated February 27, 2021.

A previous metallurgical program on a composite sample from the B Zone found that 70% of the nickel in the sample reported to heazlewoodite, a secondary nickel sulfide mineral that contains 74% nickel and offers the potential to produce a very high nickel concentrate grade.

The program at Bannockburn has been designed to specifically address the following economic targets:

The potential for a near surface, large tonnage nickel sulfide resource in excess of 100 million tonnes containing over 200 kilotonnes of potentially recoverable nickel; and, The potential to produce a premium grade nickel concentrate in the range of 25-35% nickel through standard flotation processing.

The Company's economic model for the near surface part of the B Zone is analogous in terms of thickness, size and in situ metal value per tonne to large, low-grade gold mines and porphyry copper mines operating in Canada today.

Geophysical Modeling

Drilling is being guided by the results of a recently completed magnetic inversion model of an historical airborne magnetic survey. The new 3D magnetic model clearly defined a central magnetic peak within the serpentinized ultramafic body that hosts the B Zone (Figure 1). This magnetic peak is spatially associated with the highest nickel grades in the B Zone to date and likely reflects areas of maximum intensity of serpentinization, secondary magnetite development and secondary nickel sulfide mineralization.

The Company is also creating a new 3D magnetic model for a four-kilometre-long magnetic anomaly (Southern Ultramafic Target) that occurs to the south of the B Zone. The Southern Ultramafic Target hosts local massive sulfides referred to as the Thalweg Zone. The massive sulfides in the Thalweg Zone occur at the northern end of the Southern Ultramafic Target and include maximum grades of 4.0% nickel and 0.17% cobalt over a one metre core length (in hole MBF4-04) as described in the current Technical Report for the Property.

Figure 1 Above Location of historical drill holes across the B Zone disseminated sulfide trend on a total field magnetic image. Also shown is the general area to be covered by the current drilling program, the central axis of the near surface part of the 3D magnetic inversion model, and selected historical drilling highlights. The inset map shows the size and shape of the two main ultramafic-associated magnetic anomalies on the Property.

With success in the current drill program the Company will consider new drilling on the Southern Ultramafic Target including:

Additional holes in the Thalweg Zone target area where previous geophysical surveys identified several high conductance anomalies that have yet to be drilled; and,

Exploring for additional B Zone-style mineralization in the previously untested central and southern parts of this large magnetic feature.

The Company's Vice President of Exploration and Business Development, Dr. Dave Peck, commented "We see a unique opportunity at Bannockburn to discover large tonnage disseminated nickel sulfide resources potentially amenable to open pit mining and having the ability to deliver a superior grade nickel concentrate. We will also be exploring for a higher-grade core in the B Zone that could potentially be extracted via bulk underground mining methods, and for smaller tonnage but high-value massive nickel sulfide deposits that could provide critical early value for any future mining operations. The known ultramafic complexes on the property have the necessary scale to host a major new nickel sulfide resource. The project is extremely well situated in the Timmins region of northeastern Ontario with its established mining infrastructure and significant resources of renewal energy."

ISSUANCE OF SHARES FOR DEBT

The Company has approved the settlement of $20,000 of debt through the issuance of common shares of the Company (the "Debt Settlement"). Pursuant to the Debt Settlement, the Company will issue 100,000 common shares of the Company (the "Shares") at a deemed price of $0.20 per share to two arms length parties of the Company. Neither of the two parties to whom shares will be issued are Insiders.

The issuance of the Shares to the creditors is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued will be subject to a four month hold period which will expire on the date that is four months and one day from the date of issue.

Dr. Dave Peck, P.Geo., has reviewed and approved the technical content of this release for purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

About Grid Metals Corp.

Grid Metals Corp. is an exploration and development Company that has a diversified portfolio of projects in the nickel-copper-platinum group metal sectors. The Company recently completed 15 drill holes at its East Bull Lake Palladium Property 80 km west of Sudbury Ontario focused on a new discovery of palladium mineralization there. Grid also has a Ni-Cu-PGM-Co resource defined at its Makwa Mayville Project in Manitoba.

To find out more about Grid Metals Corp., please visit www.gridmetalscorp.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Grid Metals Corp.

Robin Dunbar - President, CEO & Director Telephone: 416-955-4773 Email: rd@gridmetalscorp.com

David Black - Investor Relations Email: info@gridmetalscorp.com

We seek safe harbour.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario) (together, "forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements may include the Company's plans for its properties, the overall economic potential of its properties, the availability of adequate financing and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements to be materially different. Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to potential political risk, uncertainty of production and capital costs estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, physical risks inherent in mining operations, metallurgical risk, currency fluctuations, fluctuations in the price of nickel, cobalt, copper and other metals, completion of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, the inability or failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis, and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the most recent financial period and Material Change Reports filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations 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 news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements.

SOURCE: Grid Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642404/Grid-Metals-Commences-Drilling-at-Bannockburn-Nickel-Project
Ms. Kuyper began her banking career in 2002 with Wells Fargo Bank in Anchorage, Alaska. In 2010 she joined Tri Counties Bank in Chico where she earned President Club honors her first year of employment. She moved to Monterey County in 2016 and began working for 1st Capital Bank. Her most recent position was with Pacific Valley Bank in Monterey as a Senior Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager. She was instrumental with assisting local business obtain PPP loans.

"I am delighted to partner with the leadership at Pinnacle Bank; their community and business values align well with my own. I look forward to continuing to serve the needs of my clients and community on the Central Coast with the enhanced technology and processes Pinnacle Bank is capable of offering," stated Ms. Kuyper.

About Pinnacle Bank

Pinnacle Bank is a full-service community business bank dedicated to providing quality depository and credit services in Santa Clara, San Benito, and Monterey counties. The bank focuses on commercial banking services for small to medium-sized businesses, offering a variety of products and services that combine the best of personal touch with convenient technology-based client service. Pinnacle Bank has locations in Campbell, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and Salinas. For more information, visit www.pinnacle.bank.

Media Contact:

Pinnacle Bank

Jeffrey D. Payne, President & CEO

408-762-7146

SOURCE Pinnacle Bank

Related Links

http://www.pinnaclebankonline.com


Israel is committing apartheid against Palestinians, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has claimed, joining a growing number of rights groups to accuse the country of crimes against humanity.

In a landmark report, HRW said its findings were based on what it argues is Israeli policy to maintain the domination by Jewish Israelis over Palestinians, as well as what it said were grave abuses committed against Palestinians.

The New-York based NGO said the abuses included wide-ranging movement restrictions in areas such as Gaza, the confiscation of more than a third of the land in the occupied West Bank, and harsh conditions that it said has led to the forcible transfer of thousands of Palestinians out of their homes.

It also claimed that there was the discriminatory allocation of vital resources such as water, and widespread denial of residency rights and building permits to Palestinians, sometimes leading to the demolition of thousands of Palestinian homes.

Israel vehemently denied the allegations and dismissed the 213-page report released on Tuesday as a propaganda pamphlet containing claims that were fictional preposterous and false.

Omar Shakir, HRWs Israel and Palestine director, told The Independent: The first step is you cant solve a problem without correctly diagnosing it.

Too many people have spoken about apartheid as a warning and a possible scenario, but it is a reality for millions of Palestinians.

Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, said denying millions of Palestinians their fundamental rights, solely because they are Palestinian and not Jewish, is not simply a matter of an abusive occupation.

These policies, which grant Jewish Israelis the same rights and privileges wherever they live and discriminate against Palestinians to varying degrees wherever they live, reflect a policy to privilege one people at the expense of another, he added.

HRW concluded that Israeli authorities have deprived millions of people of their basic rights by virtue of their identity as Palestinians, which amounts to apartheid.

These longstanding policies and systematic practices box in, dispossess, forcibly separate, marginalize and otherwise inflict suffering on Palestinians, amounting to apartheid, the report read.

The Apartheid Convention defines the crime against humanity of apartheid as inhuman acts committed for the purpose of establishing and maintaining domination by one racial group of persons over any other racial group of persons and systematically oppressing them.

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court adopts a similar definition.

A view of the West Bank Jewish settlement of Maale Efrayim in the Jordan Valley (AP)

In a strongly-worded response, Israel dismissed the report as fictional.

In a statement shared with The Independent, the Israeli foreign ministry accused the New York-based rights group of having a long-standing anti-Israeli agenda and actively seeking for years to promote boycotts against Israel.

It dismissed Tuesdays report saying the fictional claims that HRW concocted are both preposterous and false. Their decision not to share this report for review or comment with any Israeli authority, is [a] clear indication that it is a propaganda pamphlet, which lacks all credibility.

HRWs founder, Mr. Robert Bernstein, has criticized his organization in 2009 for issuing reports on the Israeli-Arab conflict that are helping those who wish to turn Israel into a pariah state.

Israel added that the report is yet another part of the organizations ongoing campaign, led by a known (BDS)[Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions] supporter, with no connection to facts or reality on the ground.

HRW is the first major international rights group to conclude that Israels treatment of the Palestinians amounts to apartheid, although it follows similar accusations made by Israeli organisations BTselem this January and Yesh Din, in July last year.

In the 1967 Six-Day war Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza and immediately occupied east Jerusalem, which was annexed in 1980, in a move not recognised internationally.

There are now more than 400,000 Jewish settlers living in the West Bank and some Israeli, Palestinian and international rights groups argue the West Bank has also been de facto annexed.

In Gaza, Israel withdrew troops and settlers from the strip in 2005 but imposed a blockade and control after the militant Hamas group violently seized power there two years later.

Over the past two years Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus threats to formally annex swathes of the West Bank, an action which is illegal under international law, have sparked mounting discussions about apartheid, although, so far, UN officials have stopped short of using the word.

In May, Michael Lynk, the UN special rapporteur for the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, told The Independent that annexation would mark the rise of the 21st century apartheid one-state.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh welcomed the report, calling it a remarkable addition to earlier international reports and judicial verdicts, which asserts the urgent need for the international community to bear its responsibilities, per international law and human rights principles, by holding Israel accountable for its crimes.

Israeli rights groups also welcomed the move. BTselem called the report groundbreaking legal analysis.

HRW zeroed in on some recent statements and actions by the Israeli authorities in recent years, which it said made plain that the objective of maintaining Jewish Israeli control over demographics, political power and land has long guided government policy.

Among them was the surge in settlement construction and development in the occupied West Bank over recent years.

The group also highlighted the 2018 Nation State law, which holds a constitution-like status, and defines Israel as the national home of the Jewish people, who have the exclusive right to self-determination in Israel. Other articles within the law downgraded the status of Arabic from an official language and stated that developing Jewish settlements is a national interest.

Palestinians wait to cross the Qalandia checkpoint between the West Bank city of Ramallah and Jerusalem (AP)

The HRW report urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and prosecute those credibly implicated in the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution. It encouraged states to do the same using their national courts under universal jurisdiction.

The group also called for the creation of a special UN commission of inquiry to investigate systemic repression in Israel and Palestine and recommended targeted sanctions against any individuals implicated.

Arms sales and military and security assistance to Israel, the group said, should be conditioned on the authorities taking concrete and verifiable steps toward ending their commission of these crimes.

The ICC is currently investigating crimes committed in the occupied Palestinian Territories, and HRWs Omar Shakir said that the ICC had the jurisdiction to look into apartheid crime as well.

However, the crime of apartheid has never been prosecuted before, and according to international law experts no one knows what kind of evidence judges would demand to find that a state has engaged in apartheid.
He quit his role as an announcer on Hit104.7 Canberra's afternoon show in February.

And Married At First Sight's Bryce Ruthven is officially back in the media industry after signing a contract with podcasting company Podshape.

His first assignment for the brand is a podcast with his 'wife' Melissa Rawson all about their life post-MAFS, aptly titled What Happens After.

Coming soon: Married At First Sight's Bryce Ruthven is officially back in the media industry after signing a contract with Podshape. His first assignment for the podcasting company is a series with his 'wife' Melissa Rawson all about their life post-MAFS, titled What Happens After

A two-minute trailer for the Podshape exclusive was released last week.

In the promo, the couple talk about their time on Nine's hit reality series, as well as what's happened to them since the cameras stopped rolling.

'The bad things have definitely been the trolls, and the lack of understanding around our relationship,' says Melissa.

Bryce even alludes to marriage for the pair - and children.

'I think it's about time we make it legal at some point in the near future,' he says, adding: 'I would like to have kids. I'm not getting any younger.'

'That will be an interesting topic to discuss!' adds Melissa.

What Happens After launches on Tuesday, May 4, and will run for 10 episodes.

Origin story: In a two-minute trailer released last week, the couple talk about their time on Nine's hit reality series, as well as what's happened to them since the cameras stopped rolling

It comes after a newsreader for KIIS 101.1 Melbourne claimed Bryce already had a bad reputation in the radio industry before he emerged as the 'villain' of this year's season of Married At First Sight - and this may prevent him from getting another job.

Sacha Barbour, who delivers news bulletins for the Jase & PJ breakfast show, hinted during a podcast on April 16 that she'd heard rumours about Ruthven, 31, that put her off working with him again.

Ms Barbour did not specify what she'd heard about the former Canberra hit104.7 afternoons host, but said it was enough for her to be relieved that Ruthven wasn't joining KIIS 101.1.

For his part, Ruthven says he and Barbour barely know each other, and that her claims are just another example of people in the media trying to drag him down.

Rumours: A newsreader for KIIS 101.1 Melbourne recently claimed Bryce already had a bad reputation in the radio industry before he emerged as the 'villain' of this year's season of Married At First Sight - and this may prevent him from getting another job

She made the comments after KIIS 101.1 content director 'Chatty Tony' Aldridge claimed Ruthven had asked him about job opportunities at the station. (Ruthven claims he did not seek employment.)

Mr Aldridge said he expressed reservation about hiring Ruthven given his bad reputation from MAFS, but claimed the main reason he couldn't offer him any work was because there weren't any vacancies for DJs.

This prompted Ms Barbour to reply: 'I know things about him but I'm obviously not going to say them because that's very unprofessional.'

'But yes, I'm glad that maybe there isn't a position [at KIIS 101.1] for him at the moment,' she added.

Claims: Sacha Barbour (pictured), who delivers news bulletins for the Jase & PJ breakfast show, hinted on April 16 she'd heard rumours about Ruthven, 31, that put her off working with him

When contacted for comment by Daily Mail Australia, Ruthven confirmed he had spoken to Mr Aldridge, but said it 'wasn't about a job'.

'Tony was kind enough to free up some time and offer some advice on how I can move forward in radio from my portrayal on MAFS,' he said on Monday.

As for Ms Barbour claiming she was glad he wasn't joining KIIS 101.1, Ruthven said they barely knew each other.

'I worked in the same building as Sacha in Sydney for about nine months and never once did she ever have a conversation with me,' he said.

'I find it interesting she "knows things" about me when she didn't [make] any attempt to get to know a fellow work colleague. I didn't know who she was until the end of my stint there.'

He continued: 'It's disappointing that media personalities attempt to bring down others in their industry instead of supporting each other - particularly when they don't know the first thing about the person they're making comments about.

'I worked closely with Jonesy and Amanda, not Sacha, and I believe they've described the opposite to what Sacha's comments portray.'

Looking for work: She made the comments after KIIS 101.1 content director 'Chatty Tony' Aldridge (pictured) claimed Ruthven had asked him about job opportunities at the station

Meanwhile, it's no secret the outspoken MAFS groom has ruffled feathers in the workplace in the past.

One of his former colleagues at Canberra hit104.7, radio announcer Jason Roses, infamously threw him under the bus on MAFS by revealing he had a 'secret girlfriend' outside the experiment.

Mr Roses then sensationally announced the pair were no longer friends.

WSFM host Amanda Keller has also said she disliked Ruthven's blokey bond with her co-anchor Brendan 'Jonesy' Jones when he was a studio producer for their breakfast show for nine months.

However, Jonesy and Amanda have also said nice things about Ruthven on air, and believe his negative portrayal on MAFS was at least partially the result of a bad edit.

Pictured: KIIS 101.1 hosts Jason 'Jase' Hawkins (left) and Polly 'PJ' Harding (right)

Ruthven is hoping to return to broadcasting following his divisive portrayal on Married At First Sight, and already has some high-profile backers in the industry.

He recently struck up a friendship with Kyle Sandilands, the host of Sydney's most popular FM breakfast show on KIIS 106.5.

Sandilands, 49, has even described Ruthven on air as a younger version of himself.

His last regular radio job was hosting the afternoon shifts and weekend breakfast for Hit104.7 with Ellie Mobbs and Jason Roses.

Before moving to Canberra, Ruthven had been the studio producer for WSFM's Jonesy and Amanda for less than a year.

His partnership with Melissa Rawson on MAFS was controversial to say the least, with viewers accusing him of gaslighting and manipulating his on-screen wife.

But despite their tumultuous journey in Nine's social experiment, the couple are still together months after filming wrapped.
Formations Dynamic Offer Optimization Platform launches as brands around the world find it increasingly important to engage customers leveraging first-party data amidst data privacy legislation.

Formation, the machine-learning-powered offer optimization company, announces general availability of its Dynamic Offer Optimization Platform today.

Brands now have access to the technology that enabled household names in retail, travel and QSR, including United Airlines and Giant Eagle to easily create, deploy and optimize billions of relevant, individualized offers before and during the pandemic.

Formations Dynamic Offer Optimization Platform launches as brands around the world find it increasingly important to engage customers leveraging first-party data amidst data privacy legislation. In a recent Forrester research study, brands stated their biggest challenges with offers were an inability to react fast enough to customer insights, not having enough analytical resources to optimize offers at scale, and taking far too long to create and deploy new offers. These challenges are compounded with only 33% of consumers stating that offers sent by brands were relevant at all.

Marketers send out billions of offers each year and count on those offers to engage customers throughout their journeys, said Christian Selchau-Hansen, CEO and co-founder of Formation. The challenge has always been in creating the optimal offer for each customer. That challenge has been compounded by rapid changes in customer behaviors during COVID, rising expectations from customers for relevance and value. We are excited to offer marketers unique technology to help them engage customers with relevant and valuable offers with tremendous speed and agility by better leveraging first-party data through automation and machine learning.

Benefits of Formations Dynamic Offer Optimization Platform



Empowers marketers and data scientists to automatically create and deploy >100x the offers to market 400% faster

Increase customer engagement with individualized offers powered by Dynamic Actions & Rewards

Respond quicker to market forces or changing customer needs with machine-learning optimization

Improves ROI of existing investments in marketing technology (martech) stack  customer data platforms (CDPs), marketing clouds and loyalty engines

Formations Dynamic Offer Optimization Platform consists of two main components: Offer Builder, which creates and optimizes individual offers, making every offer experience unique for each customer; and Offer Engine, which drives real-time delivery, tracking, fulfillment and measurement of each offer. The Offer Builder consumes any segment or customer journey data from any CDP or martech stack and builds millions of unique offer variants using Dynamic Actions & Rewards. Offer Engine makes all these offers available via APIs to specified channels and then tracks, fulfills and measures each offer's performance. Formation then applies machine learning to optimize each customer's offer for subsequent deployments. This process can take less than an hourautomated with a click of a buttonenabling brands with the fastest, easiest way to send relevant offers at enterprise scale.

Also, launching alongside the worlds first Dynamic Offer Optimization Platform is Formations community, Loyalty Innovators, whose mission is to connect and support digital leaders, marketing trailblazers and loyalty innovators in their journey to adapt their companys product and services to the ever-changing consumer omni-channel landscape.

Were really excited to take all the knowledge and experience from working with some of the worlds biggest brands for the past five years and make that breakthrough technology available to all companies, Selchau-Hansen said. Automating the creation, deployment and optimization of billions of offers not only drives material impact to the business but enables brands and marketers to also focus on all the other critical mindset and organizational shifts needed for comprehensive digital transformation. Our mission is to arm digital and marketing leaders with best-in-class optimization tech as well as to support them through their digital transformation journey with the Loyalty Innovators community

For more information about Formation and the Dynamic Offer Optimization Platform, visit formation.ai.

About Formation

Formations Dynamic Offer Optimization Platform automates the creation, measurement and optimization of offers down to the individual customer using machine learning. The platform activates your customer data and insights to deliver a 1:1 relevant offer using Dynamic Actions & Rewards. Based in San Francisco, Formations customers include major brands like Starbucks, United Airlines and Giant Eagle. For more information, visit formation.ai. Formation also supports a community of digital and marketing leaders called Loyalty Innovators. For more information, visit loyaltyinnovators.com.
 Flash

U.S. states have resumed administering the one-shot Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine after federal agencies lifted a pause, but public trust in the vaccine has been hindered.



The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced their decision to lift the pause regarding the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine last Friday, allowing its resumed use for adults.

They said following a thorough safety review, they found the shot's known and potential benefits "outweigh" its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older.

The pause was recommended on April 13 after reports of six cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

"We are no longer recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine," said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. "Based on the in-depth analysis, there is likely an association but the risk is very low."

Several states have resumed giving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. As part of the U.S. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, chains CVS and Walgreens will resume administering the vaccine this week.

But a latest poll showed public trust has been hindered by the pause.

Fewer than half of Americans considered the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as safe and barely more than a fifth of those not yet vaccinated would be willing to take the vaccine, according to the poll of ABC News/Washington Post.

About 46 percent of interviewees think the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is very or somewhat safe, compared with more than 7 in 10 for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, according to the poll results released on Monday.

About 73 percent of those not yet vaccinated said they were unwilling to receive Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 shot.

Vaccine hesitancy in the United States remains substantial, according to the poll. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans, 24 percent, are disinclined to get any of the coronavirus vaccines.

About 230 million COVID-19 vaccine shots have been administered across the country as of Monday, while more than 290 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been distributed, CDC data showed.

Currently, there are over 95 million Americans fully vaccinated, accounting for 28.9 percent of the U.S. population, according to CDC data.

About 140 million Americans received at lease one COVID-19 shot, accounting for 42.5 percent of the population.

Among the fully vaccinated, 37 million are people 65 years of age or older, accounting for 67.7 percent, CDC data showed.

Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine was approved for emergency use in the United States in late February. It is the third COVID-19 vaccine that has received FDA's authorization, also the first single dose COVID-19 vaccine available in the United States.
Demi Sims looked sensational as she led the stars at TOWIE filming on Saturday, after her heartbreaking split from Francesca Farago.

The star, 25, exuded glamour as she posed up with sister Frankie, 27, at Thorpe Park, in the wake of her split drama.

Demi showcased her taut midriff in a white 'Angel' crop-top paired with a green tartan-print mini shirt, which drew the eye to her trim legs.

There they are: Demi Sims looked sensational as she led the stars at TOWIE filming on Saturday, after her heartbreaking split from Francesca Farago (above right with sister Frankie)

She boosted her height with white sandals paired with socks and accessorised with a handbag.

Her caramel tresses were styled sleek and straight while her pretty features were enhanced with a radiant palette of make-up.

Frankie wore a stylish and ab-flashing leopard print dress with a thigh-high split teamed with nude sandals.

Her tresses were teased into waves while smoky shadow and nude lipstick accentuated her visage.

Leggy: The star, 25, exuded glamour as she posed at Thorpe Park, in the wake of her split drama.

Whirlwind: It comes after Demi and Francesca recently called it quits after a whirlwind four-month romance (pictured in March)

Theme park ready: Frankie wore a stylish and ab-flashing leopard print dress with a thigh-high split teamed with nude sandals

The stars were joined by a selection of their reality show castmates, including sister Chloe Sims, 38, who wowed in star-print jeans and a heart top.

The beauty, who recently had her facial filler removed, accessorised with a scarlet hat.

Harry Derbidge was also seen for the first time since the tragic death of his ex-boyfriend Rhys Alan Smith when he stepped out on Saturday.

The TOWIE star, 27 was on hand to film the latest series of the reality show and joined his cast members to shoot new scenes at Thorpe Park, it is not known if Harry was aware of Rhys' passing at the time.

Facial filler removed: The stars were joined by a selection of their reality show castmates, including sister Chloe Sims, 38, who wowed in star-print jeans and a heart top

His outing comes as it was revealed to MailOnline that Rhys' death was not being treated as suspicious by police.

Harry opted for a sombre look as he stepped out in an all-black ensemble that paired a varsity jacket with sleek cargo trousers.

He completed the look by wearing a simple black shirt and lace-up boots, while he accessorised with a silver pendant necklace.

Last week, it was revealed that Rhys had been found dead in Tenerife where he had been living, with the cast of the The Only Way Is Essex paying tribute.

Diags, Kelsey Stratford, Dan Edgar, Amber Turner, Chloe Meadows, Ella Rae Wise and Chloe Brockett were also seen on the day riding rollercoasters and chatting with their castmates.

Putting on a brave face: Harry Derbidge was seen on for first time since ex Rhys Alan Smith's passing

Demi's outing comes after she broke down in tears on Sunday's episode of The Only Way Is Essex as she told her sisters Chloe and Frankie she had split from Francesca Farago.

The reality star admitted the relationship she had with Francesca, 27, in private was very different to the one they showed in public.

Francesca took to Instagram just hours before the scene aired and said she was 'pretending everything's fine' in a cryptic post.

Arriving to meet her sisters, Demi teared up as she said: 'Me and Francesca broke up. I feel literally heart broken but it was for the best. It was the best for both of us.

Stars: Chloe Meadows and Kelsey Stratford showed off their styles as they arrived

Go for it: James 'Diags' Bennewith looked focused as he got on a rollercoaster

Yay: Diags looked in great spirits as he enjoyed the day of filming

Climb on board: Amber looked pensive as she strapped onto the ride

There they are: Chloe Brockett and Joey Turner made stylish arrivals at filming

Yay: Chloe waved a French flag as she sat down on a picnic bench

'We just werent getting on behind closed doors. The relationship we were having in front of everyone else was a different relationship from what we were having when no one was there.

Further explaining the distance that grew between them, Demi said: 'The spark was gone. There was no conversation, it was like getting blood out of a stone.'

'I just feel so unhappy. I would've given her the world if she wanted it but, I don't know, it just didn't work. It just really hurt me.'

Demi's sisters were quick to reassure her they would be there for her, with Frankie saying: 'I'm not going to lie to you, this is going to be so hard but youve got us. Were going to get through it, its fine.'

Chloe became emotional as she provided Demi with moral support, reminding her that Frankie got through her breakup with Harry Lee and she would do the same.

Go for it: Courtney looked on with trepidation as the ride got going

Pose: Nicole Bass wowed in a cream woollen co-ord as she struck a pose for the camera

She said: 'Youve been upset in the past about other relationships. Yous two girls are so strong. She did it and youre gonna do the same.'

Feeling defeated, Demi said: 'I feel like every time I break up with someone, theres no fight for me, its starting to wear me down.'

Francesca, who is from Canada, has remained in London since her split from Demi and posted a snap of herself in Elan Cafe on Sunday.

She wrote: 'On todays episode of pretending everythings fine, here we have me enjoying a beautiful lunch at @elan_cafe'.

TOWIE fans took to Twitter after the emotional scene to express their support for Demi with one writing: 'can't deal when Demi cries. Beautiful person inside and out.'

Another said: 'Demi, someday you'll meet someone that will give you the world if you want it and not the other way around.'

Pray for me: Amber appeared to be praying before the rollercoaster ride got underway

Fun: Chloe couldn't contain her laughter as she sat on a picnic bench in the sun

Glamour: Dani Imbert and Ella Rae Wise looked sensational for filming

Having fun? Amber and Courtney Green were in great spirits as they strolled

Looking good: Amber Turner showed off her pert derriere in peach joggers as she climbed onto a rollercoaster

Another viewer added: 'Aw poor Demi she looks heartbroken, just shows you don't know what goes on behind closed doors.'

It comes after Demi slammed Francesca over a cryptic TikTok video about 'getting back with an ex' just days after their shock split.

Demi took to Instagram to release a statement on Friday night as she accused the Too Hot To Handle beauty of 'falling for her ex-boyfriend again'.

Prior to their relationship, Francesca dated Too Hot To Handle co-star Harry Jowsey with the two splitting in June - it is not known if he is the alleged ex in question.

Demi penned: 'Thanks guys for all your messages checking in on me to make sure I'm okay after my ex GF's TikTok (which btw we've only been broke up for a week and she's already posting about falling for her ex boyfriend again).

Dapper: Dan Edgar looked stylish in a quilted coat as he surveyed the theme park

Loved up: Amber and Dan looked more loved up than ever as they walked along

'But I can assure you I'm okay, after having a hard week of crying and a broken heart I've now realised I've dodged a bullet. I appreciate you all and all your support.'

Demi then shared a screenshot from a fan account where it showed Francesca's TikTok in question and alleged that the reality star had shared a throwback picture of herself with ex Harry.

The TOWIE star captioned it with 'LMAO we've been broken up a week...'

Signing off her statement, Demi said: 'Anyways, got to let people get on with it haven't you. Fresh start tomorrow, I'll be moving forwards and leaving that part of my life in the past [heart emoji] appreciate all the lovely messages, good night.'

Go for it: Courtney threw her arms up in the air as she rode one rollercoaster

Francesca appeared to hit back at Demi's claims as she shared a cryptic Instagram Story of her her pet Pomeranian Romeo on Friday night, which she captioned: 'Only boy I'm falling for' followed by a heart emoji.

In her TikTok video, which is still uploaded on the platform, the Canadian beauty lipsyncs to Dua Lipa's Levitating.

It is captioned with 'single and ready to focus on me', then the video changes to 'my ex;' to which she mimes the lyrics: 'You want me, I want you, baby'.

MailOnline has contacted Francesca's representative for comment.

Demi and Francesca called it quits after a whirlwind four-month romance.

On last week's show, the reality star and her sister Frankie had a heart-to-heart as the model admitted she felt 'lonely' ever since she moved out of the home they shared in Essex to live with the Canadian bombshell in London.

Stars: Chloe, Diags, Courtney and Amber and Dan strolled along at the theme park

Frankie recalled a chat she had with Amy Childs and Harry about missing her younger sister, sharing: 'I just told them I was feeling so lonely. You're my best friend and sister, we haven't had any time on our own.

'I feel like we're so distant. I just feel so empty at the minute Dem. I'm so scared of losing you as you're everything wrapped up in one Dem. This is the first time we've been separated, and it's just been really hard.'

'I feel like I've always been your rock, I moved out and it wasn't planned. I've missed you too, you've always been my best friend', Demi replied.

Sharing a picture of roses, Francesca confirmed their break-up on Instagram last week, penning: 'I really didn't want to have to address this today, but I am already getting attacked on social media so I might as well bite the bullet since I have no choice.

Yay: The stars got an adrenaline rush as they took to the rollercoaster

Emotional: Demi broke down in tears on Sunday's episode of The Only Way Is Essex as she told her sisters Chloe and Frankie she had split from Francesca Farago

Single again: Francesca took to Instagram just hours before the scene aired and said she was 'pretending everything's fine' in a cryptic post

'Demi and I are no longer together. We decided to go our separate ways this morning. Nothing bad happened. We were both loyal to one another and still love each other.

'Sometimes people just don't work perfectly together and that's OK. We rushed into living together without knowing if our personalities and daily life meshed well together.

'I wish we could have had a few days to emotionally cope with this in private but we chose to share our entire relationship with you guys which is why I'm posting this now.'

Eagle-eyed fans noticed the former couple had stopped following each other on social media.

Francesca asked her followers to respect her privacy because they are having an 'extremely difficult time.

She added: 'I would have loved to remain friends and in each other's lives but she thought seeing me on social media would be too difficult for her, which is why she wanted to block me.

'We rushed into things': Sharing a picture of roses, the Canadian beauty confirmed their break-up in a heartfelt Instagram

'In life when a couple breaks up this is a coping mechanism and they don't get scrutinised by thousands of people for how they choose to act after a heartbreaking situation. I want you guys to know nothing bad happened between us.

'Please be kind and respect our privacy. It is an extremely difficult time for both of us and negative, inaccurate and presumptuous comments make it much more difficult. It did take a toll on our relationship as well.'

The pair had moved in with each other after falling in love on holiday in Mexico, and even got tattoo tributes of their initials.
MEXICO CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th April, 2021) The National Unitary Command, a major trade union organization in Colombia, will join the country's workers on Wednesday in a national strike against a draft tax reform proposed by Colombian President Ivan Duque.

Late on Monday night, The National Unitary Command, which includes the Central Unitary of Workers, the General Confederation of Labor, the Confederation of Colombian Workers, the Federation of education Workers and the Confederations of Pensioners, released safety guidelines for the participants of the upcoming national strike.

"All participants must be in a position to attend to suggestions from the people in charge of sanitary aspects at the marches, who must wear a bracelet or another badge that visually accredits them for this," the trade union organization said on Twitter, stressing that all participants will have to wear face masks.

Nationwide protests are expected in Colombia on Wednesday, April 28, against the so-called Sustainable Solidarity Law, a tax reform bill presented earlier this month. Trade unions claim that the proposed reform will lead to at least 1.5 million workers having to pay new taxes.

President Duque has said that the initiative, which is expected to help raise around $6.8 billion, will significantly contribute to efforts aimed at alleviating the negative economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
KANAZAWA, Japan, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In a study published in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology biologists at Kanazawa University report an increase in the synthesis of fermentation products in bacteria at high reaction temperatures.

Mankind has long relied on fermentation-the metabolic processes within microorganisms-to procure useful compounds such as lactic acid (found in yogurt and kimchi) and ethanol (present in that daily glass of wine). Corynebacterium glutamicum is a bacterium used for industrial scale production of lactic acid and succinic acid, which can be used as bio-based plastic monomers. To-date, fermentation in C. glutamicum is conducted at temperatures of ~30C, wherein the bacterium can grow comfortably. Now, Hikaru Mizuno and Yota Tsuge from Kanazawa University show that the production efficiency of some fermentation products can instead be magnified by simply increasing the reaction temperature above growth thresholds.

The energy producing pathway in C. glutamicum is the primary source of lactic acid and succinic acid. The researchers started their study by incubating the bacteria with glucose (the primary source of energy) and gradually raising the temperature above 30C. Lactic acid was found to be 69% greater at 42.5C whereas succinic acid levels were highest at 35C and then slowly began declining.

Lactic acid and succinic acid are each produced by two different branches of glucose metabolism. Thus, enzymes, the primary regulators of any metabolic reaction, for both pathways are different. The activity of their respective enzymes at higher temperatures was then observed. Pyruvate kinase (PYK), the enzyme favoring lactic acid production showed increased activity at higher temperatures, whereas phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), which oversees succinic acid synthesis seemed subdued. Indeed, changes in both products at high temperatures were a function of enzyme activity. What's more, PYK and PEPC were competing the substrate with each other.

To understand this dynamic better, the lactic acid producing branch in C. glutamicum was shut down by inhibiting the enzyme involved, and another route to succinic acid catalyzed by pyruvate carboxylase (PYC) was enhanced. Succinic acid production was subsequently found to be 34% higher than at 42.5C. The growth of bacteria was stalled at this temperature as expected, suggesting that the production efficiency increased even with just a fixed number of microbes. Controlling specific enzyme activities was thus favorable in increasing the production efficiency of the desired candidate.

"[W]e report that elevated temperatures, exceeding the upper limit for cell growth, can be used to increase the production of target compounds in C. glutamicum," concludes the researchers. Optimizing fermentation at high temperatures can not only reduce the risk of contamination from other microbes but also save costs of maintaining cooler conditions. This strategy can also be tweaked to increase the efficiency of any desired product, as done for the organic acids in this case.

Background:

Fermentation - Fermentation is referred to as the energy-producing metabolic pathway in microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast. These organisms utilize enzymes to breakdown sources of carbohydrates. Lactic acid and succinic acid are examples of by-products which are formed during the breakdown of carbohydrates in certain bacteria. Since several such products are released during the energy-releasing steps, finding ways to optimize the synthesis of target products can help reduce costs and expedite the entire reaction.

Reference:

Hikaru Mizuno & Yota Tsuge. Elevated, non-proliferative temperatures change the profile of fermentation products in Corynebacterium glutamicum. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2021.

DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-11024-w

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00253-020-11024-w

Link to related figure

https://www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2120407_Figure1.jpg

caption:The amino acid producer Corynebacterium glutamicum produces lactic and succinic acids under anaerobic conditions. This bacterium optimally grows at 30 C under aerobic conditions, but stops cell growth under anaerobic conditions. This study revealed that this bacterium produces lactic and succinic acids at 42.5 C under anaerobic conditions via modulation of enzymatic activities.

About Kanazawa University

http://www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/e/

As the leading comprehensive university on the Sea of Japan coast, Kanazawa University has contributed greatly to higher education and academic research in Japan since it was founded in 1949. The University has three colleges and 17 schools offering courses in subjects that include medicine, computer engineering, and humanities.

The University is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in Kanazawa - a city rich in history and culture. The city of Kanazawa has a highly respected intellectual profile since the time of the fiefdom (1598-1867). Kanazawa University is divided into two main campuses: Kakuma and Takaramachi for its approximately 10,200 students including 600 from overseas.

Contact details

Mr Tomoya Sato

Kanazawa University, Frontier Science and Social Co-creation Initiative

Kakuma, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-1192, JAPAN

EMAIL: intl.pr@adm.kanazawa-u.ac.jp

Telephone: 81-762-645-076
[April 27, 2021] PitchBook Adds Patent Data to Enhance Due Diligence, Discovery and Market Intelligence Workflows

SEATTLE, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PitchBook, the premier data provider for the private and public equity markets, today announced the availability of patent data on PitchBook company profiles. Clients will now be able to view a company's intellectual property (IP), access and download patent filings, and track the status of patents  all from within the PitchBook Platform. At launch, PitchBook will provide access to more than 16 million patents from the major global patent authorities across the US, EU and World Patent Organization, as well as individual countries such as Japan, Canada, Great Britain and France. The addition of the patent dataset is critical to due diligence and discovery workflows for VC firms and corporate development teams as they work to better understand a company's value, follow emerging technology trends and monitor competitors and their strategies. To learn more about PitchBook's new patent dataset, click here. "Patent dataaugments a number of core private market deal making and market intelligence workflows. Better understanding a company's intellectual property and how it fits into the broader competitive landscape leads to more informed decision making and better investment outcomes," said Tristan Reni, lead product manager at PitchBook. "Integrating this information into our platform and pairing it with our best in class fundraising data reinforces PitchBook as a premier solution for understanding emerging technology, innovation, company valuations, and market activity."



Corporate development teams, VC firms and IP-focused service providers rely on patent data to better understand a company's value, competitive positioning and forward-looking strategy. Its also imperative when sourcing investment opportunities, as investors can target specific companies with active patents aligned with investment strategies. Using the PitchBook Platform, clients can now view and download all of a company's active, pending and expired patents in one place, including the original filing documents, which details the technology behind the patent. In the coming quarters, PitchBook will add functionality to show how a company's patent filing activity has changed over time, as well as where its IP portfolio fits within the broader technology landscape. Improvements to advanced search capabilities will also allow users to better screen for companies with patents in a specific space. Initially, PitchBook has added 16 million patents across 130,000 company profiles. The company will continue integrating patent data as part of its ongoing due diligence and discovery platform enhancement initiatives. To learn more about PitchBook's new patent dataset, click here.

About PitchBook

PitchBook is a financial data and software company that provides transparency into the capital markets to help professionals discover and execute opportunities with confidence and efficiency. PitchBook collects and analyzes detailed data on the entire venture capital, private equity and M&A landscapeincluding public and private companies, investors, funds, investments, exits and people. The company's data and analysis are available through the PitchBook Platform, industry news and in-depth reports. Founded in 2007, PitchBook has offices in Seattle, San Francisco, New York and London and serves more than 50,000 professionals around the world. In 2016, Morningstar acquired PitchBook, which now operates as an independent subsidiary. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pitchbook-adds-patent-data-to-enhance-due-diligence-discovery-and-market-intelligence-workflows-301277879.html SOURCE PitchBook

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The effectiveness of free trade agreements, especially the EU Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, has helped to increase export orders for textile and garment enterprises in Vietnam,

leading to high recruitment demand in the first and second quarter, according to Navigos Group, a recruitment service provider in Vietnam.

A company interviews candidates at a job fair held at HCM City International University under the Vietnam National University-HCM City.

Compared to the same period in 2020, the recruitment demand in this industry has risen by 50 percent to 60 percent, especially for middle and senior management positions.

Textile and garment enterprises are in need of many positions in both production and commercial office departments in Southeast Asia and Vietnam.

Candidates are required to have working experience in countries in the Southeast Asia region, including Vietnam. However, many Vietnamese candidates meet the professional criteria but lack working experience in the region.

The Federation of Labour and companies in the textile, garment and footwear industries in the southern province of Binh Duong said that many workers are needed.

Representatives in human resources at companies have set up a small booth on an industrial park campus for recruitment, according to Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) newspaper.

A company in the provinces Dong An Industry Park said that it needs more than 2,000 workers. Its managers have a policy to give bonuses of 1 million VND for staff who can find others to work there. The company also provides allowances for transport and accommodation, and other benefits, to workers.

According to the Federation of Labour, the province needs more than 4,000 workers as many companies have seen an increase in the number of orders in the first months because of increased e-commerce activity.

Many workers did not return to work after the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, it added.

Navigos Group said that besides high demand in the textile and garment industry, some companies in the IT industry this year will have 20 percent to 25 percent more demand compared to 2020.

The first quarter of 2021 saw growth in labour demand at IT companies, especially in outsourcing and product segments, with plans to expand the scope of operations and business.

As financial services enterprises are in the process of digital transformation, there is a very high demand for IT positions.

Recruitment requests from these IT companies often focus on Vietnamese candidates.

The sharp increase in the number of new investors in Vietnams stock market in the first quarter has affected recruitment demand at securities firms, according to the Navigos Group.

Positions related to customer relations are being recruited and are expected to increase.

In the first quarter, Navigos Search said that banks had great recruitment demands in the fields of priority customers, technology, legal, compliance, and bancassurance. Technology-related positions are being offered at attractive salaries.

Positions that need candidates from Japan and the Republic of Korea in the insurance industry and in risk management and internal control in the securities industry are difficult to fill because most candidates do not meet the requirements.

Continuing the trend from 2020, overseas Vietnamese candidates in the fields of digital transformation, technology, data and marketing in the financial and banking industry are needed.

According to the HCM City Centre for Forecasting Manpower Needs and Labour Market Information, enterprises in the city need nearly 68,600-73,500 workers for IT, finance-banking and others.

Because of digital transformation and the impact caused by COVID-19 leading to e-commerce development, many enterprises in the city need analysts as well as cybersecurity and software engineers./. VNS
Pro-immigration groups have sent Britain First 'decoy' lists of hotels 'housing asylum seekers' to protest outside, after the far-right group appealed for information on where migrants are staying.

The far-right supporters were last year filmed banging on hotel room doors and harassing occupants at establishments commissioned by the Home Office to house asylum seekers.

Earlier this month, Britain First reissued a plea to be supplied with the list of hotels currently housing asylum seekers.

However on this occasion they were swamped by more than 600 responses, after pro-immigration activists flooded the group with replies containing the names of decoy hotels where no asylum seekers are staying.

Britain First's leader, Paul Golding, and Chair, Ashlea Simon, have since posted on their website in a 49-second clip indicating they had been bombarded with fake hotel names by opponents.

Last week Paul & Ashlea made a plea to the public for information on hotels suspected of housing asylum seekers.



Oh, the public, they replied alright LOL...



So big thanks to everyone who emailed Britain First and led Golding on today's wild goose (stepping) chase :) pic.twitter.com/0V7jfxMsPV  Marsh4LL (@Marsh4LL1) April 23, 2021

Mr Golding said: 'We have been all over the North West to places which we suspect very very strongly were housing illegal immigrants.

'However there seems to a big change today'.

Ms Simon, who then brandished a piece of paper, added: 'As you can see here, I've got a long list of migrant hotels.

'I've had reports from the public and seen several news articles that these hotels on this list are definitely housing illegal immigrants.

Britain First's leader, Paul Golding, and Chair, Ashlea Simon, have since posted on their website in a 49-second clip indicating they had been bombarded with fake hotel names

The pair said they had visited suggested hotels where they 'were met with empty rooms, no illegal immigrants'

'When we visited these hotels, we [were] met with empty rooms, no illegal immigrants.'

One activist known by his Twitter handle @Marsh4LL told MailOnline: 'Like many others that I'm connected with, when Britain First sent out the email requesting the details of hotels housing asylum seekers, I asked hundreds of like-minded others to reply with the names of as many hotels in the North West that have zero connections to asylum seekers.

The hotels targeted by the group which turned out to be false included the Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane, London, as well as a pub hotel owned by an associate of Dominic Cummings.

Britain First's leader, Paul Golding (pictured), posted on its website in a 49-second clip indicating they had been bombarded with fake hotel names by opponents

The Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane, Mayfair, London, was suggested as a 'fake' hotel housing asylum seekers by the pro-immigrant groups. Golding denied the group visited the hotel

Golding said in a statement: 'Yes, loads of bogus submissions were inputted by left-wing, pro-migrant activists, but these were filtered out very easily. The hotels we visited were 100 per cent being used - up until recently - to house illegal immigrants.

'For example, the Chimney House Hotel in Sandbach was housing illegal immigrants up until recently, as confirmed by the staff. We are not daft enough to go to the Dorchester hotel, these type of bogus submissions were removed immediately.'

Activist @Marsh4LL added: 'I'm not in the least bit surprised that Golding is denying he was sent on a wild goose chase. Paul has to save face whenever his plans go awry to keep those donations flooding in to Britain First bank accounts.

'He and Ashlea are now claiming that the hotels they visited which were empty did house asylum seekers in the past, but they had all been moved on to alternative accommodation now. Convenient excuse for their wasted time, eh?'
A compilation of racial reconciliation resources and efforts as the United States continues to grapple with racial injustice and tension.

Image: Unsplash/Aaron Blanco Tejedor

Recently, I was invited to a dialogue hosted by the Agora Institute of Johns Hopkins University on racial justice and reconciliation efforts of evangelical churches. You can watch the conversation, which was described by the hosts as: This event will convene prominent evangelical leaders, including those working to build racial justice within the church, for a follow-up discussion focusing specifically on what evangelicals are doing and can do to confront this divisive moment. Evangelical Christians have been engaging in racial justice conversations across the United States. Many of these conversations were accelerated after the murder of George Floyd, which brought racial justice conversations into the mainstream. In addition to the protests exploding across the country which received wide coverage, churches and church leaders began to work together to understand, to learn, and to be a part of change. In preparation of the Agora meeting, we reached out to find examples of churches and leaders engaging in efforts toward justice and reconciliation and were pleasantly surprised to receive hundreds of responses. The following series offers a sampling of responses in five categories: church leaders and churches, individual churches taking action, training and curriculum available to help, some examples of denominational engagement, and ministry initiatives related to reconciliation. While there are far more initiatives and activities taking place than these, we can be encouraged that the conversation continues. Note: These lists are, therefore, intended to provide links and ideas, not full endorsements of all the information and efforts here. Note: You might also find helpful the American Bible Society conversation from Martin Luther King Day this year, called Repairing the Breach, including AR Bernard and Nicole Martin. Read part one in this series here.

We heard from scores of churches engaged in the effort toward reconciliation. Here are some encouraging examples again moving from the east coast to the west. While only a sampling of efforts across the country, we can be grateful so many are engaging in reconciliation efforts.

Eastern U.S.

Maryland: Dan Hyun (@villagedanhyun) is church planter and pastor of @VillageHampden, an intentionally multiethnic church in Baltimore, an epicenter of the Civil Rights movement. The church also started https://ethnosbaltimore.org. Not everything has been specifically about reconciliation but much of it has.

Virginia: McLean Bible Church had a message series on Unity in Diversity. One of the series messages was We Could All Use Some Good News, Part 3: Gentleness Is Better Than Cancel Culture. The entire series is here: Unity in Diversity - McLean Bible Church

North Carolina: David Whiteman (@dlwhiteman) pointed us to the Summit Church (@SummitRDU), who had a message on the Black Lives Matter movement.

Kentucky: @SarahMFlannery said: Love this. Our church has hosted two book discussion groups this year, using The Color of Compromise and Be the Bridge. We also partnered with a nearby Black congregation for a Bible study on justice after reading Cone's The Cross and the Lynching Tree together. We have hopes of creating and performing a dramatization of these conversations in spring 2021.

Alabama: In Birmingham, @allisonpaigef told us about how the Church at Brooks Hills is pursuing racial reconciliation.

Middle U.S.

Illinois: Mitchell Shiver (@MitchellShiver) told us about a conversation in June at Community Christian Church between pastor @daveferguson and Quentin Mumphery. Watch here.

Also in Illinois, Becky Castle Miller, MA (@bcastlemiller) told us of a church involving my colleague Dr. Esau McCaulley (@esuamccaulley):

Church of the Savior (Anglican) in Wheaton looked at racism and how we can respond as Gods people of justice in August and September. See the sermons on their website and podcast from Aug 22, 29 and Sept 5, 12, 19. Including this one from @esaumccaulley.

Indiana: Dustin Crowe (@IndyCrowe) told us about College Park Church in Indianapolis (@collegeparkindy), which was written about in Why Indianapolis Megachurch Members Are Joining God in the Swamp. More stories of same church are found in Weep with Me by lead pastor (@MarkVroegop).

Minnesota: She Who Speaks Her Mind (@speaks_who) shared with us:

The Urban Refuge in Minneapolis is doing great work. Pastor Andy Gray is passionate about racial reconciliation and social justice.

Image: Coffee with Bishop Dantley, Christ Emmanuel Christian Fellowship

Ohio: Elaine Su (@Elaine_Su) told us about Cincinnati's Christ Emmanuel Christian Fellowship held a great discussion (with other churches) after reading Dear White Christians. Their FB conversation is available here.

Texas: JR. Forasteros (@jrforasteros) is a pastor at Catalyst Church in the DFW area. He told us of a recent series they did on Faith & Race and one on Faith and Politics that leaned into racial reconciliation, especially in the second week.

Ashley Banks (@ASHNBANKS1) mentioned The Village Church in Dallas.

Another came from Austin, Texas:

Dreamers Church ATX (@ChurchAtx) interviewed the Austin Police Chief in a 3 part video series to go with a sermon series talk about race, racism and relationships called Who Is My Neighbor.

Speaking of Austin, here is another. We hear of increasing numbers of churches being planting as intentionally multiethnic congregations. Trey Bahm (@treybahm) told us:

I love my church Mosaic Church Austin. Their mission: "MOSAIC CHURCH EXISTS TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST through the core values of worship, community and mission in a multiethnic, multigenerational context."

Western U.S.

California: @RonneRock recommended Fellowship Church in Monrovia, California, where reconciliation is woven into the daily conversation. They also host the preaching masterclass. From their website: "Racism has been discipled into us. Now is the time to disciple it out."

Washington: Tyler Gorsline (@tylergorsline) of A Seattle Church told us of their passion about engaging racial reconciliation work. Read about the variety of ways of this church plant in downtown Seattle is seeking reconciliation.

Also in Washington: Anchor Church has woven themes of ethnicity & the gospel into teachings regularly since its launch. The church works with historically African American churches and is currently working through cultural intelligence training as a staff and board.

Arizona. Chris Reed (@FlagPastorChris) told us about work of Christ's Church of Flagstaff, AZ, engaging the Native American community:

Here is a conversation we did at our church with a Native American leader and church member. Watch here.

Another example from Arizona comes from further south in Phoenix. A number of people recommended this one, including Kenny Donahue (@iam_KDonahue) and John H. Talley III (@JohnTalleyIII) as well as Caleb Campbell (@calebphx):

Why We Must RememberUnderstanding Americas Race Problem from Roosevelt Church (@rooseveltchurch). You can also read about pastor Vermon Pierre in an article at The Gospel Coalition here.

Oregon: Ashley Banks (@ASHNBANKS1) also told us about Bridgetown Church in Portland, and their commitment to racial justice.

As a reminder, you can read part one in this series here. Tune in this week as we add to this list.
Travel Counsellors UAE reported its biggest ever booking month in March 2021, marking a 62 per cent increase on the companys previous highest grossing month of May 2019.

Travel Counsellor franchisees now number 65 in the UAE, running corporate and leisure travel businesses remotely.

General Manager of Travel Counsellors UAE, Holly McCann, said: Working flexibly has ensured our business owners have retained customers throughout the pandemic, but this latest spike in sales has been driven by huge demand for travel during the UAE school spring break.

Our top selling destination was the Maldives, accounting for over 60 per cent of the revenue, followed by UAE staycations which accounted for just over 20 per cent. An additional 10 per cent were bookings for travel to the Seychelles.

The most popular UAE staycation destinations booked were Dubai and Fujairah. The company further reports that over 80 per cent of the bookings made in March were due to depart in the same month or in April. McCann predicts that this last-minute booking pattern is here to stay in the UAE travel market.

McCann added: 47 per cent of the customers who booked with Travel Counsellors UAE in March were first time bookers with us, reflecting customers desire for personalised advice from a trusted travel professional. With travel restrictions continuing across the globe, testing and potential quarantine requirements to navigate, the value of placing travel plans in the hands of an expert has been proven, and never felt more important, than in the last 12 months."

Drawing on extensive experience and up-to-the-minute travel information, our Travel Counsellors take the time to talk through clients personal preferences, provide guidance pre, during and post travel, and offer a 24/7 service, leaving travellers free to focus on enjoying their break or a seamless business trip, McCann said. - TradeArabia News Service
Finding stocks that are primed for gains is the key to success in the stock markets. Investors are naturally drawn to rising stocks  and while a particular equitys past performance wont ensure its future gains, momentum is a good indicator for determining price movements.

Momentum trading  buying into stocks that shown solid gains and are likely to keep moving upward  is a sound strategy, but it does take some skill on the investors part. A savvy investor has to know how to differentiate between a true momentum stock and a fad.

The key is in the profile. Investors can look for stocks that offer a combination of three factors: strong, sustained gains; highly optimistic ratings from Wall Streets analysts; and an upside potential that points toward maintenance of further gains.

Based on that profile, weve pulled up three momentum stocks using TipRanks database. Not only have all of the tickers amassed enough bullish calls from analysts to be given Strong Buy consensus ratings, but each could also see considerable share price appreciation.

Kulicke And Soffa Industries (KLIC)

Industrial tech is big business. Every digital device that we use, from smartphones and tablets to factory robots, depends on a linked series technical gadgets, giving tool makers and part manufacturers a sound foundation for true momentum. Kulicke and Soffa, KLIC, provides solutions for electronic assembly in a variety of industries, including the automotive, communications, computing, and consumer goods sectors. The companys product portfolio includes a range of tools for advanced packaging, electronics assembly, lithography, and wire bonding.

In the most recent quarterly report, for fiscal Q1 of 2021, KLIC reported $267.9 million at the top line, up 85% year-over-year. Income also gained, with EPS at 77 cents. This was more than triple the year-ago quarters 21 cents.

The company attributed the strong quarter to increased demand in the second half of calendar year 2020. Looking forward, management expects to see continued growth, and set fiscal Q2 guidance at $300 million in revenue (+/- $20 million) and EPS of 88 cents (+/- 10%).

Story continues

Combining industry and high tech has been good for KLIC, whose stock has gained an impressive 143% in the past 12 months.

Covering KLIC for B. Riley Securities, 5-star analyst Craig Ellis believes that the path is clear for continued momentum.

We boost F21&F22 estimates with three factors sustaining a Buy. First, upstream secular and cyclical chip fundamentals should drive strong growth deep into C22, propelling upside estimate potential. Second, we believe new mini-LED and Advanced Packaging products remain on track for $100M of incremental F22 sales and greater LT. Third, near-term GM headwinds look temporal, and we expect progress toward 47.5% through F21/22 but model more conservatively, Ellis noted. "

To this end, Ellis gives KLIC shares a Buy rating, and his $75 price target indicates confidence in a 26% upside for the coming year. (To watch Ellis track record, click here)

While there are only three reviews on record for KLIC, they are unanimous  to Buy the stock. This shows that Ellis upbeat outlook is no outlier, and gives the stock its Strong Buy analyst consensus rating. (See KLIC stock analysis on TipRanks)

ASML Holding (ASML)

We'll stick with the high tech sector, and look at another provider of the tools that digital equipment manufacturers cannot live without. Specifically, ASML Holding designs and builds photolithography equipment, which is vital in the production of semiconductor chips. The companys tools use optical imaging to impress circuit patterns on silicon wafers. This is the essential process in chip making, and ASML Holding has a 67% market share in its industry.

Its a niche industry, but its one of the few that truly does make the world go round.' And ASML has profited mightily from its leading position. The stock is up 131% over the past 12 months.

The Netherlands-based company posted these share gains against a background of rising revenues. The top line has increased in each of the last four quarter, reaching 4.4 billion Euro (US$5.26 billion) in Q1 of 2021. EPS came in at 3.21 Euro (US$3.86), more than triple the $1.02 recorded in 1Q20.

In the first quarter, the company reported high customer demand, with bookings reaching 4.7 billion Euro (US$5.69 billion). Demand was especially strong in the Installed Base segment, as existing customers moved to upgrade software to meet their own increasing demand. In the background here is a semiconductor chip market that is seeing both increased demand and a severe supply shortage, as customers are racing to meet orders backlogged during the pandemic shutdowns and suppliers are racing to ramp up production from pandemic-induced low levels.

With all of that in the background, BofA analyst Didier Scemama selected ASML as his top large cap pick in European semiconductors.

We expect ASML to benefit from multiple drivers incl. 1) Healthy competition among ASML customer base, confirming ASML status as a weapon dealer in the Intel/TSMC/Samsung process war, 2) Silicon sovereignty, driving EU/US to incentivize chipmakers to re-shore semis production and adding to Chinas 2025 semis self-sufficiency ambitions, 3) EUV cycle: we model 21% sales CAGR 20-25 driven by multiple, concurrent high-growth end-markets, Scemama opined.

Unsurprisingly, Scemama rates ASML a Buy, and his price target of $806 suggests an upside of 20% in the next 12 months. (To watch Scemamas track record, click here)

If we step back and look at the bigger picture, we can see that overall the stock has a Strong Buy analyst consensus rating. In the last three months, the stock has received 4 Buy ratings and just 1 Hold. (See ASML stock analysis on TipRanks)

Ashland (ASH)

The third momentum pick, Ashland, inhabits the specialty chemical niche, producing a variety of necessary ingredients for a range of industries. The company products include adhesives, emulsifiers, and preservatives  to name just a few categories  and are used in the construction, coating, energy, food and beverage, health and wellness, packaging, pharmaceutical, and transportation industries. In short, Ashland is diversified.

That diversification has helped the company to weather the corona crisis, and propelled it to a share gain of 62% in the last 12 months. These gains came even as the pandemic  and the associate market, production, and supply disruptions  pushed 2020 annual revenues down to $2.3 billion from the prior years $2.5 billion.

In the most recent quarter, Q1 of fiscal 2021, Ashland reported $552 million at the top line. This was up 3.5% year-over-year, and beat the pre-earnings estimates by 1.6%. EPS came in at 99 cents per share, nearly double the 52 cents reported one year earlier  and 25% above expectations.

Analyst John McNulty, weighing in on Ashland from BMO Capital, sees a clear path forward for the company.

We see solid upside to margins over the next few years, a focus on innovation/growth helping the top line and increased cash conversion... ASH continues to work towards improving its cost structure while also working to re-accelerate its top-line growth... Assuming management continues to execute and margins improve to 25%+ while the top-line growth improves to a mid-single-digit level, ASH should see earnings growth that significantly exceeds expectations while also enjoying multiple expansion. the analyst commented.

McNulty rates ASH shares as Outperform (i.e. Buy), and his $115 price target implies a one-year upside of 22%. (To watch McNultys track record, click here)

Wall Streets analysts can be a contentious lot  but when they agree on a stock, its a positive sign for investors to take note. Thats the case here, as all of the recent reviews on ASH are to Buy, making the consensus rating a unanimous Strong Buy. (See ASH stock analysis on TipRanks)

To find good ideas for momentum stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.
Chief secretary Somesh Kumar on Tuesday held a meeting with Bharat Biotech MD Dr. Krishna Ella at BRKR Bhavan. (Representational Image: AFP)

Hyderabad: The state government has requested Bharat Biotech to give priority to Telangana state and ensure supply of maximum doses of Covid-19 vaccine to facilitate free vaccination drive in-state announced by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao recently.

Chief secretary Somesh Kumar on Tuesday held a meeting with Bharat Biotech MD Dr. Krishna Ella at BRKR Bhavan.

The CS brought to the notice of Bharat Biotech that there will be a huge requirement of covid vaccines in Telangana as CM had announced to vaccinate entire population in the state for free on behalf of state government.

The CS said that the state government plans to vaccine 4 crore people in the state of which 35 lakh were already vaccinated during Centre's vaccination drive and huge vaccine stocks will be needed to vaccinate balance 3.65 crore people.

Dr Krisha Ella has responded positively to the request made by CS and assured that the company will ensure adequate vaccine supplies to Telangana.

Industries secretary Jayesh Ranjan, Bharat Biotech director Dr Sai Prasad were also present in the meeting.
Sri Lanka: Church offers forgiveness year after terror attacks but religious hostilities remain

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Speaking on Easter Sunday in a televised message, Sri Lankas Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said the church has forgiven the Islamist suicide bombers who killed at least 279 people and injured around 500 others, mostly Christians, at three churches and three hotels last Easter.

We offered love to the enemies who tried to destroy us. We forgave them, Cardinal Ranjith said, according to the Press Trust of India.

The attackers may have had some anger towards Jesus but they caused a big damage to us Catholics and Christians. In those bomb attacks, it is not only the Catholics who died. A lot of others  Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Christian also died.

On April 21 last year, which was Easter Sunday, nine suicide bombers, including a woman, struck two Catholic churches in and around the national capital of Colombo and an evangelical church in the eastern city of Batticaloa as well as three Colombo hotels.

At least 39 tourists were killed in the attack, including at least four American nationals, who among them was a fifth-grade student at a Washington, D.C., private school. Twenty-eight other foreign nationals were wounded in the bombings.

Sri Lankan police arrested 135 people after the bombings, which was attributed to a local radicalized group called National Thowheed Jamath. At least one of the bombers was reportedly trained by Islamic State, also known as IS or ISIS, in Syria in 2014. ISIS claimed responsibility for the bombings.

The U.S. and Indian intelligence services had alerted the Sri Lankan government in early April of last year about the possibility of a major attack targeting churches.

Sri Lankas Christians had cordial relations with the local Muslim community, as both minorities had been under attack by fringe Buddhist extremist groups.

The U.N. special rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ahmed Shaheed, made a visit to Sri Lanka after the bombings.

Often, the Muslim communities and new Christian churches, in particular, faced a range of harassment and assaults, the special rapporteur noted in his interim report. This ranges from interruption of worship, damage to places of worship, physical assaults on clergy, intimidation, mob violence towards the community or clergy, demands for registration of the church or mosque and restricting the use of places of worship, the obstruction of religious rites such as those related to burial ceremonies or access to cemeteries, incitement to violence to the community and many other acts of intolerance.

The U.N. official also noted that the right to proselytize does not appear to be respected or protected in Sri Lanka, whose Supreme Court decided in 2003 and 2017 that the right to propagate ones religion is not protected by the Constitution.

The decision has affected many of those whose religion requires them to share their religion or belief with others, he said.

Last month, the special rapporteur presented his latest report at the U.N. Human Rights Council, saying the government had not done enough to ensure that no such religion-related violence takes place in the future.

The failure to ensure accountability for past violations and to undertake comprehensive security sector reforms to dismantle the structures that facilitated them means that the people of Sri Lanka, from all communities, have no guarantee that violations will not recur, he said. Such failure alienates victims and their communities, instilling distrust in the State, and has the potential to fuel further cycles of violence.

The Buddhist nationalist group Bodu Bala Sena (the Buddhist Power Force), which has attacked and incited violence against Christians and Muslims, was formed in 2012 under the patronage of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is currently the President of Sri Lanka.
A new report analysing Hong Kongs national security law shows how the law, imposed by Beijing authorities, is being used to target journalists and activists under broadly worded offences including secession, subversion, terrorist activities and collusion with a foreign country. The report was produced by the Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD) as part of an IFJ Asia-Pacific project.

Police hold up warning banners to pro-democracy supporters, ahead of court appearances by dozens of dissidents charged with subversion in the largest use yet of Beijing's sweeping new national security law. Peter PARKS / AFP

The Analysis of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region outlines the precise legal means used in the national security law to dampen press freedom in Hong Kong. The national security law, which affects Hong Kong but was passed in Beijing in June 2020, was internationally condemned upon its implementation and without the consent or input from local lawmakers. The law has given China control over criminal prosecutions in Hong Kong. The most recent and high-profile case of its use against the media was in the sustained attacks and subsequent incarceration of media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai.

The CLD report, supported under IFJs international program which was focused on defending media freedom in the China space and exploring Chinas expanding global influence, illuminates how the law creates four new broadly worded offences, namely secession, subversion, terrorist activities and collusion with a foreign country. Collusion with a foreign country is the most opaque, according to CLD, and covers ill-defined and subjective notions which have no place in criminal law, such as disrupting the formulation of laws, engaging in hostile activities against Hong Kong or China and provoking hatred against government.

The examination of the national security law also demonstrates how other problematic features, including the reversal of the presumption of bail, the creation of an oversight committee controlled by the Chinese Government and the extension of police powers to takedown content online, are diminishing the space for civil society and free debate in Hong Kong.

Toby Mendel, CLD executive director said: It is a supreme irony that this law, which was introduced in response to the protests in Hong Kong against threats to introduce legislation to allow criminal suspects to be extradited from Hong Kong to China, not only allows such extraditions but goes so much further. With this legislation China has affirmed its legal and practical control over freedom of expression in Hong Kong.

The IFJ said: The IFJ is pleased to be able to collaborate with CLD and other global partners advocating against Chinas controls on media freedom in Hong Kong. It is clear that continued threats by the Chinese government to independent journalism in Hong Kong are evident in the legal controls within the national security law. Now more than ever, we must stand by our colleagues in Hong Kong to speak out against the attacks on media freedom that are happening under the arcane and repressive national security law.

Read the analysis here. For further information, contact the Centre for Law and Democracy here, or visit their website and twitter.
There are 160 UK funds and investment trusts with higher returns than Berkshire Hathway over two decades but not all of them are comparable

Four UK fund managers have performed better than US investment guru Warren Buffett in the last 20 years, according to a new analysis.

While there are 160 funds and investment trusts that have returned more than Buffet's ( ) since 2001, most are focused on smaller companies, emerging markets, or specialist themes that arent directly comparable to the 'Sage of Omaha'.

But 24 of the UK managers invest in the same sort of developed market large caps, according to AJ Bell, which undertook the analysis, of which four funds have had the same manager or management team for the past 20 years.

Buffett is renowned throughout the investment world for returning an eye-popping 2,810,526% to investors since 1965, which compares to a 23,454% return from the S&P 500 - or 20% a year compared to 10.2% from the US stock market.

The research was undertaken ahead of the annual shareholder meeting, which takes place on 1 May, though the Woodstock for capitalists jamboree, which attracted almost 40,000 attendees last time, will take place online because of the pandemic, which might make it easier for Buffett's devoted fans to take notes on his every uttering.

The Berkshire Hathaway AGM is undoubtedly the biggest investor event in the world," says Laith Khalaf, financial analyst at AJ Bell.

With 2020 not being a vintage year for Buffett, with his vehicle only returning 2.4% versus 18.4% from the US stock market, Khalaf said the veteran investor's extraordinary long-term track record means he remains a benchmark in human form.

Buffett is the longest-standing, and most revered investor in the world. But over the last 20 years, a handful of UK fund managers have actually posted better performance than Buffett, while investing in comparable large cap equities."

The four are James Anderson, Alexander Darwall, Nick Train and Michael Lindsell, who will all be familiar names to UK fund watchers, with a less heralded manager being Max Ward, manager of the Independent Investment Trust, and a former manager of Scottish Mortgage.

These managers dont have the US focus that Buffett does, says Khalaf, but that makes their outperformance more impressive, as the S&P 500 has been the best performing major index of the last two decades.

He noted that passive funds have stolen a march on active managers when it comes to investment flows in recent years, with Buffett himself a somewhat unexpected proponent.

Investors picking active managers have no guarantee of future success, but the longer a managers track record of outperformance, the greater the chance its been achieved by skill, rather than luck.

Anderson, Lindsell Train, Ward and Darwall definitely sit in the skilful category, having bettered the worlds best investor over the last two decades. None can claim to be better than Buffett just yet, whos still investing at 90, but a dazzling 20-year track record is, at least, a good start.

Better than Buffett?

Over the last twenty years, Berkshire Hathaway has returned 507.5% to UK investors, in pounds and pence, compared to 353.1% from the S&P 500.

AJ Bell's analysis of funds and investment trusts found 160 with posted higher returns over this period, though 61 of these invest in emerging markets, 57 invest in small and midcaps, and 18 have specialist mandates such as sector specific funds (e.g. tech, mining, or financials).

The top ten performers over 20 years

Aberdeen Standard Asia Focus - 1,975.7%

- 1,928.1%

Baillie Gifford Pacific Horizon - 1,900.9%

- 1,655.3%

- 1,620.7%

Marlborough Special Situations - 1,517.6%

Scottish Oriental Smaller Companies - 1,442.7%

Ninety One UK Smaller Companies - 1,432.9%

Jupiter UK Smaller Companies - 1,414.1%

- 1,399.7%

Berkshire Hathaway - 507.5%

Khalf said investors in the UK should take note of the fact that such a large number of smaller companies and emerging markets funds have beaten the worlds best investor over the last twenty years.

However, these funds arent directly comparable to Berkshire Hathaway, as they invest in riskier, sometimes niche areas, that generally can be expected to perform better over the long term.

Looking just at developed market large cap equity funds, which are comparable to Berkshire Hathaway, 24 funds have performed better.

Fund 20-year return Baillie Gifford PLC 1,928.1% Lindsell Train Lindsell Train IT plc 1,620.7% Devon Equity Management European Opportunities 787.3% Artemis 712.4% Finsbury Growth & Income Trust 700.9% Jupiter European 689.2% Baillie Gifford 667.5% Independent Investment Trust 641.8% 623.7% 609.7% Berskshire Hathaway 507.5%

Four managers who have beaten Buffett

Only four management teams out of these 24 funds and trust have managers who have been at the helm throughout this entire period.

Scottish Mortgage  James Anderson has been running this fund since 2000 and has built a reputation on picking out the most promising growth companies of the future, with tech stocks like Tesla, Amazon and Alibaba have been particularly rewarding investments. Anderson however recently announced he will be leaving the trust next year.

and Finsbury Growth & Income trust  management duo Nick Train and Michael Lindsell have delivered exceptional returns for investors over a very long time frame, both globally and in the UK, by investing in durable, cash generative, business franchises. The Finsbury trust was, like Buffett, a bit of an underperformer last year.

Devon Equity Management European Opportunities  Alexander Darwall invests in companies which exhibit a sustainable competitive advantage and consequently promise long term growth. Until 2019, he also managed the Jupiter European fund which also makes it into the top ten, before leaving to set up his own fund management business.

Independent Investment Trust - Max Ward has been running this trust since 2000 and has a mandate that allows him to be opportunistic and invest anywhere, without any index constraints. Ward, formerly a manager of the Scottish Mortgage trust from 1989 to 2000, has been a long-term backer of UK housebuilding stocks, but has also embraced technology.

These managers might be running large sums of money, but nowhere near the size of Berkshire Hathaway, which has a market cap in excess of $600bn, which as Khalaf said gives them greater flexibility to invest in more modestly sized companies, and to exit positions more swiftly, which gives them an advantage over Buffett.

Anderson, Lindsell Train and Darwall are well known for being growth investors, which can be contrasted with Buffetts out of favour (until very recently at least) value approach. However, while the headline investing style may be different, there are similarities in the approaches of these managers.

They are all high conviction investors, with a buy and hold approach, and a focus on the competitive advantages of the companies they are investing in. Whats more, Buffett has shown himself open to a little dabbling in growth stocks, with purchases of Apple and cloud computing company Snowflake in recent years.

While recent years have seen the rise of passive funds, an approach once recommended for everyday investors by Buffett himself, the numbers show there are some exceptional active managers out there who are available to UK investors. Theres no guarantee of future returns, but the longer a track record of outperformance, the greater the chance its been achieved by skill, rather than luck.
Shilpa Pharma, a US-based operating company of Shilpa Medicare, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the US court against Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation.

Shilpa Pharma has filed patent infringement lawsuit against Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation in the United States District court for the district of Delaware seeking relief for the infringement of the US Patent No. 9,266,816 entitled "Fingolimod Polymorph and Their Processes".

"Shilpa is a global brand in manufacturing and supplying of affordable Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), generic and innovative Formulations globally in different markets. As a global brand in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, generic and Innovative Formulations, Shilpa re-invests a significant portion of its revenue in R&D each year," the company said in a statement.

"Shilpa invest heavily in R&D, which resulted in more than 466 patent applications worldwide including 70 patent applications of which 30 patents has been granted in United States alone," it added.

The company said it has invested significant effort to develop its own IP related to the drug Fingolimod and it is now making efforts to enforce its IP in the US.

The company's consolidated net profit dropped 86% to Rs 7.67 crore on a 19.3% fall in net sales to Rs 191.25 crore in Q3 FY21 over Q3 FY20.

Shilpa Medicare is a global brand in manufacturing and supplying of affordable API and formulation globally in different regulated markets.

Shares of Shilpa Medicare fell 1.45% to Rs 422.45 on BSE. The scrip has traded in the range of Rs 421.25 to Rs 434.15 so far.

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[April 27, 2021] Ascent Partners with Lincoln Rackhouse to Expand Data Center Management Platform

ST. LOUIS and DALLAS, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascent, a leading provider of customer-driven solutions in the design, engineering, construction and operations of data centers and critical facilities, and Lincoln Rackhouse, the data center division of Lincoln Property Company, announced today the combination of data center facilities management operations to create a full-service, best-in-class platform focused on meeting the complex requirements and escalating demands of enterprise and hyperscale users. The strategic partnership, which will operate as Ascent, underscores a mutual commitment to working with clients to provide powerful, flexible and customized solutions across the full lifecycle of a data center facility. Ascent's services, which include data center operations and maintenance management, design, construction management and consulting and engineering, empower customers to reduce risk, optimize spend and gain more control over their data center environments. Lincoln Rackhouse's data center acquisition, development and project management activities will accelerate Ascent's growth. Lincoln Rackhouse currently owns a portfolio of data centers, managing more than two million square feet of mission critical space across the U.S. and in London, England. Lincoln Rackhouse will continue to acquire and develop enterprise data center facilities and lease them to data center operators to accommodate the enterprise shift in demand for data center space and further expand its footprint. Each such acquisition and development will benefit from the expertise of Ascent. "Partnering with Lincoln Rackhouse will be transformative for Ascent's current and future customers," said Bob Painter, President of Ascent. "The combination will allow us to continue providing and growing our industry-leading solutions and services offering and to accelerate our development and deployment of innovative technologies. This is the first step in our next decade of strategic growth, market leadership and best-in-class customer service." Martin Peck, who oversees the Lincoln Rackhouse business, will partner with Mr. Painter and the Ascent management team to merge these facility management platforms and grow the combined operation. "As new technologies and bandwidth requirements drive the volution and growth of the data center industry, companies are increasing the outsourcing of their data center operations and monitoring to third-party operators that specialize in those operations," stated Mr. Peck. "Ascent has top-shelf platforms and processes, but it is Ascent's talented employees that make this partnership so special. We are honored to contribute to the growth of the go-forward company."



An affiliate of Stone Point Capital LLC, an investment firm focused on the global financial services and related industries, has partnered with the Lincoln Rackhouse team, Ascent Founder Phil Horstmann, Mr. Painter and other members of Ascent's senior management team to provide the combined company with growth capital. Ascent has established a history of improving critical facility reliability, finding customer cost-savings and implementing value-added strategies for its clients' operations. With a strong reputation for data center reliability, Ascent has served leading companies in the information technology, finance, insurance, health care, telecommunications and other industries. Ascent's proprietary Navigator Platform is a facility-focused approach to managing critical systems equipment inventory, maintenance management and performance metrics. The platform serves more than 800 critical facilities located throughout the United States and Canada, delivering 24x7 operations support, critical site services and IT site services.

"Since Ascent's inception in 1998, we have grown by expanding our strategic offerings in order to serve our clients. In partnering with a powerhouse real estate company like Lincoln and with capital and strategic support from Stone Point Capital, we are able to further advance our solutions and services offerings. This will provide expansion into enterprise, hyperscale and new development opportunities for the longevity of the business," commented Mr. Horstmann. About Ascent Ascent is a leading provider of customer-driven solutions in the design, engineering, construction and operations of data centers and critical facilities, partnering with customers to solve technical, operational and financial challenges of running these facilities critical to customers' businesses. Founded in 1998, Ascent provides full life cycle support from the design and development of new, expanded or upgraded facilities to daily monitoring and maintenance management, backed by our 24x7 operations support. Ascent is a one-stop-shop for all critical infrastructure needs, and works hand-in-hand with customers to provide flexible, scalable, secure and highly available solutions to ensure their individual needs are met. For more information, please visit www.ascentcorp.com. About Lincoln Rackhouse Lincoln Rackhouse is the data center division of Lincoln Property Company and focuses on helping organizations of all sizes locate, analyze and secure data center space to lease or own. Dallas-based Lincoln Property Co. has earned its reputation as effective, professional managers of residential and commercial properties with more than 50 years of experience in building, owning and managing one of the largest commercial real estate portfolios in the United States. With 20 years of experience sourcing mission critical data centers, Lincoln Rackhouse offers unparalleled market and industry knowledge with an unbiased approach in fulfilling technology requirements. For more information, please visit www.rackhouse.com. About Stone Point Capital LLC Stone Point is an investment firm based in Greenwich, CT, with approximately $30 billion of assets under management. Stone Point targets investments in companies in the global financial services industry and related sectors. The firm invests in a number of alternative asset classes, including private equity through its flagship Trident Funds. Stone Point also manages both liquid and private credit funds and managed accounts. In addition, Stone Point Capital Markets supports our firm, portfolio companies and other clients by providing dedicated financing solutions. For more information, please visit www.stonepoint.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1496939/Ascent_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1496861/Lincoln_Rackhouse_Logo.jpg

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EUREKA, Calif. (AP)  Humboldt County in rural Northern California is seeing a spike in COVID-19 infections that health officials say is linked to superspreader events, including one linked to a Pentecostal church.

COVID-19 infections in the county, known for its beautiful landscapes and booming marijuana fields, had been declining for weeks but last week officials recorded 130 cases. In comparison, the county recorded 45 cases in the week of April 5.

As of Friday, the county had reported a total of 3,717 coronavirus infections since the pandemic began.

An outbreak at Eureka The Pentecostal Church led health officials to send a team to set up a coronavirus testing site at the churchs parking lot. Health authorities said church officials and members have been collaborating to try to stop the spread.

Were grateful for all theyre doing to protect each other and the community as a whole, said Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Ian Hoffman.

In a statement posted on its website, the church said some of its members had tested positive for COVID-19 but added that officials dont know if they were infected at a church service or at another gathering.

We had gone over an entire year with no outbreak at the church, but despite our best efforts, the virus was introduced to our congregation, the statement said. It said the church shut down all church functions and has encouraged members to get tested.

Humboldt County officials also said they have declined 1,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine for next week after seeing a low turnout at vaccination clinics.
Russia has documented 8,053 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the lowest daily case count since September 27, 2020, the data provided by the anti-coronavirus crisis center suggests.

The relative daily increase rate has reached 0.17%. In total, 4,779,425 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in Russia.

In the past 24 hours, 2,098 cases were documented in Moscow, 712 in St. Petersburg, 592 in the Moscow Region, 230 in the Rostov Region, 183 in the Samara Region, 170 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 165 in the Voronezh Region.

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Russia has dropped to 267,767, the data provided by the crisis center suggests, TASS reported.
Tata Motors share rose over 1% today after the auto firm announced that it has scaled up efforts to enhance the wellbeing of its personnel and their supporting ecosystem. The company has adopted a 'Business Agility Plan' to protect and serve the interests of its customers, dealers, and suppliers.

"Keeping employee safety foremost, standard operating procedures have been updated for the prevailing second wave with the focus on expediting vaccinations, providing support to affected employees and their family members," the company said.

It further added that the lockdown enforced in various parts of the country is expected to impact vehicle demand temporarily. The company will continue to review and plan for the critical raw materials to cater to this volatile demand outlook and work closely with our vendor partners to meet the same. It believes that this approach best serves the interests of all stakeholders by utilising the cash invested in the entire ecosystem in the most optimal manner.

India's third-largest automobile manufacturing company reported domestic sales of 182,824 units in Q4 FY21, up 21 per cent on a sequential basis and up 94 percent on a year-on-year (YoY) basis.

"Commercial Vehicle domestic sales in Q4 FY21 at 98,966 units was 20 per cent higher than the previous quarter, continuing its sequential growth. It was also higher by 59 per cent over Q4 FY20," said Mr. Girish Wagh, President, Commercial Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors Ltd.

"M&HCVs and ILCVs continued to lead the recovery growing by 48 per cent and 34 per cent respectively over the previous quarter on the back of improved consumer sentiments, firming freight rates and higher infrastructure demand including road construction and mining," he added.

At 12:42 hours, Tata Motors was quoting at Rs 298.50, up 1.05 percent on the BSE.

Also read: Vedanta shares rise 5% on nod to Sterlite plant for oxygen production

Also read: Stocks in news: Tech Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki India, Tata Motors, Axis Bank and more
Annemarie Quill.

Connie Richards is at a girls lunch in the Mount. Its Saturday, a long weekend and over a few gin cocktails, the girls start discussing their latest must-have purchases, sharing tips on great finds.

Thirty-eight-year-old Connie, who lives in Mount Maunganui, is passionate about supporting local businesses.

She herself is a business owner, running the popular Elizabeth Cafe and Larder in Taurangas CBD.

Connie cant wait to spill the beans on her latest accessory - its cute, pink, perfect size, multi-functional, so chic, luxurious but a great price - and its a local business too.

Connie Richards.

Shes not talking handbags or lipsticks. Her latest find is the Missy Mini - a sex toy she purchased from a new Bay of Plenty based business called Girls Get Off.

It is definitely the best one I have had. Others I found just did one job, whereas this you can use in different ways - definitely up to its promises of mind-blowing.

The girls want all the details.

Its cute - looks like a little microphone, when I get it out I feel like I could sing into it, laughs Connie to her friends.

Connie, who has been single for eight years, with a few short and unsatisfying encounters in between, is candid on the topic of self-pleasure.

Well Ive been single for a while. Some of the girls have even bought me sex toys as presents.

Despite her openness, she has never visited one of Taurangas adult stores to buy equipment, nor has she been to parties where they are sold.

Adult stores are intimidating for many women. That whole behind the red curtain' thing makes it sleazy or tacky when we shouldnt have to feel like we are doing something secretive or bad. As for parties - I have been to a few Tupperware ones but no one was selling sex toys - it might have made them more interesting.

While Connie and her girlfriends regularly talk about their sex lives - whether it be about partners, dates, tips or toys - she recognises that it is still a taboo topic for some.

It could be a generational thing. My father might be shocked, but my mother would think its great that women can be open about exploring their sexuality. Ive even talked to my customers about my latest toy - recently to a table which included a 90 year old woman, and she was keen to hear all about it.

The movement to bringing female focused pleasure more out in the open is growing globally with things like ethical porn, more female porn directors and Gwyneth Paltrows GOOP releasing their first vibrators recently.

There have been female masturbation scenes on screen in the likes of Bridgerton and Netflixs Sex Education where Aimee masturbates for the first time, and Girls, where, in the middle of a party, the character Marnie goes into the restroom to masturbate against a wall.

As Connie notes, in New Zealand, there are limited places to discover the latest gadgets.

In response two Tauranga women, Viv Conway, 25, and Jo Cummins, 36 recently launched a new sex toy business called Girls Get Off.

The two women - who are both single - describe themselves as being in the wellness industry rather than the sex industry, with the vibrators with names like Missy Mini presented as a self-care product, all lollipop pink in luxury packaging. Theres even ear plugs in boxes.

Viv and Jo - whose email addresses are jellylegs, view sex toys not as a total replacement for sexual intimacy with others, but as the 'topping on a delicious icecream'.

The idea for Girls Get Off came about during NZ lockdown when Viv and Jo, while having a socially distanced pink gin in a driveway discussed how no matter where you buy your sex toys, it feels seedy and man focused.

Sex toy parties are outdated and still make it a hidden topic rather than something totally normal. We thought about how easily people can joke about or accept guys getting off but dont talk about it when it comes to women. says Viv.

Viv and Jo said that the global pandemic got them thinking - like a lot of women - about sex.

Lockdowns across the world have put female pleasure into the spotlight more as it forced a lot of people to sit with their own selves. It has opened up a lot more conversations about mental health, wellness and the impact of loneliness.

Even when not restricted single women might not want to go on dating apps like Tinder.

And of course sex toys are not just for singles.

The girls business goal is to fill the gap in the market for a non-seedy, tasteful, female-focused sex toy brand.

Both women are already no strangers to business. Mum of two Jo is the founder of Hello and Cookie which delivers gifts of biscuits with personalised greetings. Viv is co-founder of digital marketing company, Ace The Gram. The duo decided to launch Girls Get Off on social media to get the ball rolling.

Very soon it started taking off. It has been great fun to start conversations and normalise female pleasure. We quickly found that so many women felt the same way as us.

We have had females thanking us for making it normal, or saying theyd never bought a toy for themselves. We have had men buying for their partners.

It is not just the women of Mount Maunganui that are walking around with a post-orgasmic glow. Sales have been from all over New Zealand and the girls have already had offers of investment.

Viv shares it has not all been plain sailing.

While mostly positive there have also been strong reactions. Some people giggle. Or are initially shocked then curious. Whats great is we are getting people talking.

Some amusing incidents occurred getting the business off the ground. During the testing process Viv accidentally had a sample sent to her parents address.

They found it and sent her a video saying she had a suspicious package waiting for me at home that felt like a bent sausage.

Then Vivs different testers were stolen at one stage when her house was burgled.

Despite me being all for openness, it was an awkward story to tell the police what had been in my bedside drawer - not one but a whole pack of vibrators! I will never forget watching the policeman studiously dusting my vibrator drawer for fingerprints!

Terri Ewart, a Somatic Sexuality Educator based in Pyes Pa, Tauranga says it is encouraging that conversations about female pleasure are being started.

New Zealand tends to be a bit behind the times but it is changing with content on our screens - although scenes in Bridgerton where a woman reaches orgasm in seconds are not a realistic representation for most women.

Eight five per cent of Terris clients are women - many come with issues of shame or anxiety around sexuality, often because of the taboos perpetuated in society. Clients include women who have never been able to reach orgasm.

One woman in her 60s did not know where to find out about sex toys and had been using an electric toothbrush.

Terri encourages clients to explore their bodies and thinks that the concept of pleasure should be part of education,

As a society we dont value sexual pleasure - young people are taught about the physical aspects of sex, about STIs and protection but not enough about issues like consent and pleasure.

As well as creating a booming business, Viv and Jo say it has been fulfilling to be part of this movement that is challenging perceptions of female pleasure.

Our message to women is - it is not only you who does it, and that its not only okay, it is fun, healthy and good for you.

They are already planning to expand the business with more products and are thinking big.

Our dream is that New Zealand women can feel comfortable to add something to their bathroom cabinet as essential as their lip balm and that me time is a healthy part of womens wellness habits. Masturnation! Then world domination.
No international flights have arrived in South Australia for three days after a worrying surge in cases in hotel quarantine, Premier Steve Marshall has announced.

The state's health officials have revealed there's just 12 rooms available for those testing positive to Covid-19 in hotel quarantine with no overseas flights arriving since Saturday.

Mr Marshall said he had asked Prime Minister Scott Morrison to put a 'pause' on flights due to the worrying rise in cases in India, as well as infections in his states' hotel quarantine program.

Chief Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said the flights scheduled to land in the state since Sunday had been diverted to other states.

It comes as South Australia recorded 14 new coronavirus cases on Monday, all in returning overseas travellers.

No international flights will arrive in South Australia for three days after a worrying surge in cases in hotel quarantine, its premier Steve Marshall has announced (pictured, Adelaide Airport on Monday)

'I'm pleased to say we've been able to accommodate these additional cases,' Professor Spurrier told ABC Radio on Tuesday.

'Obviously, if you keep on getting 14 cases a day you're not going to be able to manage that, but we've been given a reprieve with flights.

'It gives us a chance for some people in Tom's Court (Hotel) to be discharged and takes a little bit of pressure off us for that period of time.'

She said the quarantine facility had ensured guests were placed at opposite ends of the hotel so there was no risk of transmission.

But due to more returning travellers needing to isolate, the guests have been placed in rooms closer together.

'That reduces the viral load that can concentrate the passageway but if we had to increase our capacity then we have to shift our guests around which is what we did on Friday.

'We don't have people squished and about to burst at the seams.'

Professor Spurrier also noted the nurses at the hotel were 'comfortable' with the current capacity and said there were some patients who would be discharged in the following days.

Mr Marshall said the three-day pause on flights may be extended depending on health advice and the situation in India.

'It is a very worrying situation,' he said.

'That's why we've got to respond with the restrictions and precautions we're putting in place in South Australia.'

South Australia's health officials have revealed they have just 12 rooms available for those testing positive to Covid-19 and flights had been paused since Sunday

It was also announced on Tuesday that Australia would shut its borders to India until May 15 - meaning 9,000 Australians - including our top cricket players - have been left stranded.

Prime Minster Scott Morrison suspended all direct commercial flights and chartered repatriation flights on Tuesday afternoon.

He said eight planned chartered flights to the Northern Territory will be moved until after mid-May - but commercial flights may remain banned beyond then.

The ban came after India suffered 2,812 Covid deaths and 352,991 cases on Monday- breaking the world record for daily cases for the fifth day in a row.

The Prime Minister has been under pressure from the premiers of Western Australia and Queensland to halt all flights to protect the hotel quarantine system, which faltered last week prompting a three-day lockdown of Perth over the weekend.

Australia will ship a million surgical masks, 500 ventilators as well as hundreds of thousands of pieces of protective equipment including face shields to India to help them battle the health crisis.

The death toll is so high that Indians have been forced to set up mass cremation sites to burn the dead. Hospitals are at breaking point and are running out of oxygen.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 17:27:31|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

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MANILA -- The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported on Tuesday 7,204 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 1,013,618.

The death toll climbed to 16,916 after 63 more patients died from the viral disease, the DOH said.

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ULAN BATOR -- The European Union and World Health Organization have sent medical equipment and tools to Mongolia to aid the country's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The assistance includes mobile health technology equipment and rapid tests, the country's health ministry said Tuesday.

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WASHINGTON -- More than 5 million Americans, or nearly 8 percent of those who received a first jab of their COVID-19 vaccine, have missed their scheduled second dose, U.S. media reported.

The number of those skipping their important second dose has increased from about 3.4 percent in March, more than double the rate among people who got inoculated in the first several weeks of the nationwide vaccination campaign, CNN reported, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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ADDIS ABABA -- Ethiopia registered 841 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 253,120 as of Monday evening, the country's Ministry of Health said.

The ministry also reported 19 new deaths from COVID-19 in a day, bringing the national death toll to 3,570.

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SOFIA -- Bulgaria's COVID-19 death toll has risen to 16,101 after 194 new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, official data showed Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed infections went up by 1,759 to 399,259, according to the country's COVID-19 information portal.

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BANGKOK -- Thailand registered 15 COVID-19 related deaths over the last 24 hours, the highest single-day number since the pandemic began, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said Tuesday.

The national toll has reached 163, of which 69 have died since the beginning of the third wave in April this year, CCSA spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin told a press conference.

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NEW DELHI -- The Chinese government and people firmly support the Indian government and people in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy to India Counselor Wang Xiaojian said.

"We will encourage and guide Chinese companies to actively cooperate with India to facilitate acquiring medical supplies, and provide support and help according to India's need," Wang said on Monday in response to a media query on the COVID-19 situation in India. Enditem
Besides restaurants and bars, eligible entities who have experienced pandemic-related revenue loss include food trucks, caterers, bakeries, brewpubs and breweries, wineries and distilleries, among others. Applicants can include not only businesses operating prior to Jan. 1, 2019, but those that began operations on or between Jan. 1, 2020, and March 10, 2021, as well as businesses that have not yet opened but have incurred eligible expenses.
The National Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joshua Hamidu Akamba says Ghanaians know former President Mahama has a lot to offer the people hence the popular support for his return to lead the NDC into the 2024 Elections.



He believes there would be massive voter apathy in the 2024 general elections if the NDC fails to present Mahama as the partys Presidential candidate.



A lot of Ghanaians are clamouring for his come-back because they know Mahama can turnaround the fortunes of this nation. The foot soldiers have spoken. Everybody knows and if youre close to former President Mahama you will understand that he is not a greedy person, President Mahama is not greedy, he reiterated in an interview on Ghana Kasa morning show on Agoo TV/Kasapa FM.



Mr. Akamba said members of the NDC should not think about their personal interests rather embrace the bigger picture on how to rescue Ghanaians from the current hardship.



Today, as I talk to you, we are starting our reorganization move into some regions. We are going to share with our grass-root what we gathered from the retreat at Ho. We will account to the grass-root our stewardship because the party belongs to them, he added.



The National Organizer disclosed that since the 1992 Elections the NDC for the first time collated its result during the just ended 2020 general elections.



He advised aggrieved party members not to hold the party leadership accountable on social media platforms.



Please as party members we should desist from the insults on Facebook and other social media platforms. When you have a problem with someone find out from the person, organizer, chairman, secretary what was your stewardship. Lets hold people accountable in the right way, he maintained.







Source: kasapafmonline.com









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Vietnams health ministry announced five new coronavirus patients on Tuesday, including four imported cases.

One of the five infections was an employee at a quarantine hotel in Yen Bai Province, located in northern Vietnam, the Ministry of Health said in a report.

The patient, 63, works for Nhu Nguyet 2 Hotel, which has been functioning as a quarantine facility for international arrivals.

He came into direct contact with four Indian nationals who were then confirmed as COVID-19 patients No. 2,786, 2,811, 2,812, and 2,831, according to the Yen Bai Department of Health.

The hotel employees second COVID-19 test came back positive on Monday.

The man had been quarantined since his contact with the Indians when they landed in Vietnam on April 18.

The other four cases confirmed on Tuesday included two Vietnamese repatriates from Japan, one from Germany with transit time in Singapore, and one from Russia.

Their diagnosis was established on Monday after they had been quarantined since their arrival by plane in Vietnam earlier this month.

Vietnam has registered 2,857 COVID-19 patients, including 1,571 locally-transmitted cases, since the pathogen first struck it on January 23, 2020, according to the health ministrys data.

Recoveries have reached 2,516 while 35 patients have died, most having suffered critical pre-existing conditions.

The country has recorded zero community transmissions for over a month after having logged 911 local infections since January 27.

It had vaccinated 259,736 people with AstraZeneca jabs by 4:00 pm on Monday, the health ministry said.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said on Monday that he did not rule out the possibility of a fourth coronavirus wave hitting Vietnam, with the third starting in January this year and the remaining happening last year.

Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Quang Ninh Province, and other places have already announced the cancelation of fireworks displays originally meant to celebrate Reunification Day (April 30), at a time when Vietnam's neighbors Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand are battling the virus.

Hanoi has also shut down crowded festivals and unnecessary gatherings for fear of a virus re-emergence.

Border jumpers have been found sneaking into Vietnam from Cambodia to duck mandatory quarantine over the past few weeks.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Cambodia has surged past 10,000, with daily spikes recorded in the hundreds, while its fatalities have risen to 79, according to statistics.

Thailands tally has mounted to more than 57,000, with 148 deaths, whereas Laos has locked down its capital to prevent transmission even when its caseload is merely 436.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A Florida father of eight and fake church leader who marketed toxic bleach as a Miracle Mineral Solution to cure ailments including COVID-19, cancer, Alzheimers, diabetes, autism and HIV/AIDS, sold more than $1 million worth of the product to desperate followers.

And for that, along with defying federal court orders, Mark Grenon, the 62-year-old father who serves as leader of the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing (not a Christian church), and his three sons  Jonathan Grenon, 34, Jordan Grenon, 26, and Joseph Grenon, 32  were all indicted by a federal grand jury in Miami the Department of Justice announced Friday.

While they marketed Miracle Mineral Solution as a godsend cure, the indictment described it as a toxic "chemical solution containing sodium chlorite and water which, when ingested orally, becomes chlorine dioxide, a powerful bleach typically used for industrial water treatment or bleaching textiles, pulp, and paper."

The Grenons, according to the indictment, claimed that ingesting MMS could treat COVID-19 despite warnings from the Food and Drug Administration.

Source:The Christian Post
RTHK: Australian official warns drums of war are beating

One of Australia's most senior security officials has said liberal democracies must brace for war while searching for peace amid elevated global tensions.

Home Affairs Department Secretary Mike Pezzullo said the possibility of war was increasing.

"Today, as free nations again hear the beating drums and watch worryingly the militarisation of issues that we had, until recent years, thought unlikely to be catalysts for war, let us continue to search unceasingly for the chance for peace while bracing again ... for the curse of war," Pezzullo said in a letter to staff on Anazac Day, which honours the country's war dead.

Pezzullo did not specify the catalyst for his warning but it follows a sharp deterioration in Australia's relationship with China and a rise in regional tensions over Taiwan.

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton said on Sunday that a conflict involving China over Taiwan "should not be discounted".

Australia's opposition Labor party criticised Pezzullo's comments.

"I think that is pretty hyper-excited language and I am not sure our senior public servants should be using that language," Labor party lawmaker Bill Shorten told Australia's Channel 9.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said he hoped Australia was aware of the sensitive nature of the issue and could "avoid sending any wrong signal to Taiwan independence forces". (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2021-04-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
With an eye on the threat posed by global warming Offaly County Council is currently implementing a Climate Action Plan which contains a number of measures to improve Offaly's global warming profile.

Speaking during the April meeting of Birr Municipal District, Mary Hussey of the Council's Environment section said the Climate Action Plan is continuing to be embedded in nine sections of the Council.

She pointed out that the Area Engineer for Birr Municipal District, John Mitchell, attends the meetings about the plan with a view to implementing the measures in the South Offaly region.

Ms Hussey said the Council has to have the plan drawn up by the end of this month stating how the Council is going to reach its various Climate Action targets. The Plan will be submitted on May 18.

"The Department," she remarked, "is very keen for communities and community groups to be involved in this process. The Department will be very interested to hear proposals from community groups about possible actions that could be undertaken under the plan."

She said the PPN met just before Easter and discussed the Plan. The PPN (Public Participation Network) is a network that allows local authorities to connect with community groups around the country.

The Council points out that Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions per person are amongst the highest of any country in the world. Temperatures in Ireland have increased by about 0.8 degrees celsius over the period 1900 to 2012. Ireland hopes to decrease its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030.

The Climate Action Plan takes into account electricity, enterprise, housing, heating, transport, agriculture, waste, and the public sector. The Plan states that better land use management should be responsible for 26% of total carbon dioxide emission reductions over the period 2021 to 2030.

Offaly County Council adopted a Climate Change Adaptation and Energy Efficiency Strategy for the county in 2019, which takes on the role as the primary instrument at local level to: (i) ensure a proper comprehension of the key risks and vulnerabilities of climate change; (ii) bring forward the implementation of climate resilient actions in a planned and proactive manner; and (iii) ensure that climate adaptation considerations are mainstreamed into all plans and policies and integrated into all operations and functions of Offaly County Council.

Ms Hussey said Offaly Co Co is working with many different stakeholders to deliver our Climate Action targets. Offaly County Council have a number of projects ongoing which will enable us to fulfil the goals identified as part of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, adopted by Councillors in 2019.

Proposals for the first decarbonisation zone in the county are being developed. Following on from the announcement of the Climate Bill and the launch of the 2021 Climate Action Plan Consultation, we entered the next phase of our communications on the Consultation. Having already held the local engagement workshops with the community and youth groups, we are now focusing on driving as much traffic to our consultation platform as possible.

This week we launched our promoted campaign on Facebook and Instagram, encouraging people across the country to engage in our online consultation. In addition, in the coming weeks we will be launching a series of organic posts on our channels relating to the main themes of the consultation - Travel, Home, Shopping, Food, and Local Environment.
With race relations apparently having a permanent place in the headlines and radical race activists doing all they can to keep us at each others throats, we once again have the race-baiters out there calling for  you guessed it, reparations. And when I say back in the headlines, I mean that the racial tensions are a story because the media have a massive vested interest in keeping them in the headlines. One of the medias goals is to keep Americans angry and believing that we all hate each other, because the headline Everyone Is Getting Along Today doesnt sell newspapers or advertising space and doesnt generate the Almighty Click.

But I digress.

This is not an article on race relations. This is my attempt to discuss the concept of reparations and get beyond the basic idea that White People Owe Black People, because that seems to be how the topic is presented whenever I hear it discussed; Evil White People owe Noble Black People for all the pain and suffering caused by slavery. People buy into this naive concept because a) its what their liberal professors are spouting in classrooms to hordes of vapid Millennials who know no better b) they dont think any harder about it than they do about the latest cat meme they saw on Facebook c) they stand to be on the receiving end of this prospective paycheck or d) they have been told all their lives that they are victims.

Ill start off by saying what no one should actually ever have to say; slavery was and is awful. It was and is awful wherever it has happened, whenever it has happened and anywhere it is still happening today. Slavery is awful and should never be tolerated. Just wanted to make sure I was clear on that, lest the Cancel Mob come after me.

That said, the very idea of reparations falls apart at the slightest inkling of critical thought; for instance, with the simple question of Who? Who would actually receive these reparations? And who would pay them? In that sense, this is a very simple discussion.

Lets start with the latter question first; Who would pay Reparations? Would all white people pay? If so, do we distinguish between, say, people whose ancestors lived in the northern United States and never owned any slaves and people whose ancestors lived in the South where slavery was commonplace? Would we exclude any white people whose families came to America after slavery was abolished? What about the millions of Northern snowbirds who have moved to the South in the last 50 or so years? Do they still pay? What about the descendents of slave-holding Southerners who have moved to northern states? Are they still on the hook?

Moving further into the quagmire, what about people of mixed race? What if I were the son of a black man and a white woman, like for instance, our 44th President? Do I get half as much as someone who had two black parents? Do I break even because the white half of me has to pay the black half? What about if I were only a quarter black? Or an eighth? What if one black parent was descended from slaves and the other was a recent immigrant from Africa? You would eventually need a Good Will Hunting MIT equation to be able to figure out who gets what and from whom!!

And since this is kind of fun (yet somehow infuriating at the same time), Ill push on. As for those who would receive this conscience-cleansing bounty of cash, how will that be decided? You run into many of the same questions as the paragraph above  Who counts as a descendant of slaves? What about people of mixed race? What percentage does one receive based on these factors?  PLUS, you have the added bonus of perhaps needing a test to prove ones credentials to be part of the Liberal White Guilt jackpot. Does every black person get some reparations, because it might be difficult to prove their entire family history? If not, how do we actually prove someones link to ancestors who were slaves 150-250 years ago or more? Does the typical black person possess some kind of documents that show a clear lineage going back to the 1800s? Is this info printed on the back of the Race Card, like Organ Donor information?

What will be the plan for more recent black immigrants who came to America well after slavery was abolished...maybe even in just that last decade or two? Do they still count? What about those who came from Africa who are descended from people who sold the slaves to Americans? After all, the slaves were not stolen or kidnapped from Africathey were sold to the colonistsby others, sometimes from Africans directly, and sometimes through the black brokers in the Caribbean, with Kamala Harris's ancestors among them. So what if your great-great grandfather was on the seller side of that transaction? Do you get money? Do you pay? Both?

Moving on to the 'how' question: Would the funds for this idiocy come from the countrys overall tax revenue? If so, how do we assure that black peoples taxes arent being used to pay themselves reparations? Would it be a special tax assessment, like that extra collection plate that gets passed around at the end of church for a special cause? Would there be a way for sane black people to opt out of receiving this blood money?

Of course, this whole conversation requires that we conveniently ignore the fact that no slaves exist in this country today (but there are still more than 9 million slaves in Africa alone, interestingly) nor is there any living person in America, save for perhaps some recent immigrants from the aforementioned slave-filled continent of Africa (who would very likely be black themselves), who has indeed ever owned a slave. The number of slaves in Africa today is roughly 25 times more than the total number of slaves that ever existed in America, by the way. Why is that fact not of bigger concern to people of all colors around the world?

I could go on, of course, but this mental gymnastics, while fun for a little while, has taken its toll on me. I forgot to stretch beforehand, and I believe I may have pulled a cortex or sprained a lobe or something  whats the brains equivalent of a hamstring. Though its only 9:30 a.m., Im feeling the strong urge for something more potent than my daily coffee, and thats probably not healthy.

But I think you get the idea. That is, if you are not borderline clinically insane, the entire idea of reparations is completely absurd. Its impractical, immoral, and frankly, unachievable. And heres the simple secret that they dont want you to know: the Al Sharptons of the world, and every other lunatic calling for reparations, knows it cant be done, and they dont really want it in the first place. It is all designed to further push the institution of White Guilt and Black Victim to foment the tension between the races. Because if we ever do all just get along, guys like Sharpton will be out of a job and the White Liberal Guilt Gravy Train will come to an end.
India's fiscal response to the first wave of COVID-19 infections last year has found a taker in the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Speaking at a high-level roundtable organised by the IMF in association with the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) on "Securing Sustainable Finances and Medium-term Fiscal Frameworks: International Experience and Relevance for India", Vitor Gaspar, Director of IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department, supported India's fiscal response in the face of COVID-19, stating that "fiscal support in India has prevented severe contractions". The online event was organised on April 23.

The other speakers at the event were N.K. Singh, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission of India, Niels Thygesen, Chairman of the European Fiscal Board, and Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Distinguished Fellow at CSEP.

Gaspar stressed the importance of being ready to provide agile and flexible policy support as appropriate to respond to COVID-19 related developments. Looking ahead, he said it is equally important to avoid premature withdrawal until the recovery is entrenched. Given the unprecedented rise in deficit and debt across countries, he also noted the importance for countries to manage heightened risks and rebuild sustainability in their medium-term fiscal frameworks.

In his address, N.K. Singh said India is in the third phase of building its fiscal rules. "Finance Minister in her recent budget speech did mention her intention to appoint another group to revisit the medium-term fiscal framework in light of the pandemic and the continuing need for greater fiscal forbearance and support," he said.

According to Singh "at least 4 per cent of GDP is a lost potential in terms of India's revenue and if some part of it could be realised, it would help greatly in aligning not only inevitable expenditure needs, pandemic needs, and health needs, but also help find convergence between sustainable development and the medium-term fiscal policy statement".

Due to the ongoing pandemic, talks on medium-term fiscal policy will occupy a backseat, he said. "Looking ahead, the challenge is to closely align India's medium-term fiscal policy with the imperatives faced by the political leadership", Singh said.

Bringing the European perspective to the discussion, Thygesen said that the evolution of European Union's fiscal policy, deficits and debts could offer important lessons for India.

"The most important innovation is the role of independent national fiscal councils...One major motive was to protect macro-economic forecasts, on which budgets are based, from political influence. There was an optimism bias, in particular in the years prior to the financial crisis, which made countries slip into deficits too easily. One role of the national fiscal councils is to monitor the quality of the macro-economic forecasts...they have improved significantly in recent years," Thygesen said.

Ahluwalia touched on various issues, including the implications of a slower recovery due to the second surge of the pandemic, especially for the informal sector, the need now to tolerate a larger fiscal deficit, and to avoid any premature withdrawal of fiscal support.

"We have to assume that the pandemic will be brought under control, and then we will get down to the business of how India will recover and the kind of growth rate it should expect, and then we can relook at fiscal rules and institutions", he said.

Moderated by Anoop Singh, Distinguished Fellow at CSEP, the roundtable featured Anne-Marie Gulde-Wolf, Deputy Director of IMF's Asia and Pacific Department, Alfred Schipke, IMF's Mission Chief for India, and Rakesh Mohan, President and Distinguished Fellow, CSEP.

Also Read: India needs to grow at much faster pace to make up for contraction during COVID-19: IMF

Also Read: IMF, World Bank urged to ensure timely delivery of safe COVID-19 vaccines across countries
Israel plans "serious airstrike" on Gaza if rocket fire continues: media

Xinhua) 09:17, April 27, 2021

JERUSALEM, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Israeli security cabinet authorized on Monday "a serious airstrike" on the Gaza Strip if rocket fire from the enclave continues, local Israeli media reported.

"There is no desire on Israel's part for an escalation, but we are prepared in case the fire continues," a senior government official told Israel's Ynet news site.

Earlier on Monday, Israel closed Gaza Strip's offshore fishing zone following three rockets fired overnight towards southern Israel.

Violence between Israel and militant groups in Gaza has been escalating since last week. The escalation came amid tensions in East Jerusalem sparked by restrictions Israel imposed during the Muslim month of Ramadan.

Gaza has been under an Israeli and Egyptian blockade since Hamas took power in 2007.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom attends the opening of the country's first federal and state operated community vaccination site during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Los Angeles, California on Feb. 16, 2021.

REUTERS
ALAMEDA, Calif., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Penumbra, Inc. (NYSE: PEN) today announced that its management team is scheduled to present at the BofA Securities 2021 Virtual Health Care Conference on Tuesday, May 11, 2021.

Event: BofA Securities 2021 Virtual Health Care Conference

Date: Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Time: 11:45am ET / 8:45am PT

A webcast of the presentation will be available by visiting the investors' section of the company's website at www.penumbrainc.com. The webcast will be available on the company's website for at least two weeks following the event.

About Penumbra

Penumbra, Inc., headquartered in Alameda, California, is a global healthcare company focused on innovative therapies. Penumbra designs, develops, manufactures and markets novel products and has a broad portfolio that addresses challenging medical conditions in markets with significant unmet need. Penumbra sells its products to hospitals and healthcare providers primarily through its direct sales organization in the United States, most of Europe, Canada and Australia, and through distributors in select international markets. The Penumbra logo is a trademark of Penumbra, Inc. For more information, visit www.penumbrainc.com .

Investor Relations

Penumbra, Inc.

510-995-2461

[email protected]

SOURCE Penumbra, Inc.

Related Links

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Have you heard about the Republican arguments against President Bidens economic plans? Me neither.

Its not that Republican opposition doesnt exist. Every Republican in Congress voted against Mr. Bidens economic recovery package, the American Rescue Plan.

But roughly 100 days into Mr. Bidens presidency, as he has proceeded with spending plans that the administration and friendly observers have increasingly described in historic terms  as an update to and expansion of the New Deal and a wholesale reorientation of the relationship between the federal government and the economy  the Republican opposition has largely been a matter of dull reflex.

What Republicans havent done is make a concerted public argument against Democratic economic policies. One complication is that to do so would be to engage in hypocrisy so blatant and obvious that it would negate any impact. But this stems partly from a deeper problem, which is that the party no longer has a cognizable theory of government.

Republicans spent the presidency of Barack Obama leveling attacks on Democratic fiscal policy: Debt and deficits were out of control, they said, and spending restraint had disappeared. The Tea Party was, at least at first, nominally a movement in response to Obama-era economic policy  the stimulus in the wake of the housing market crash and then the Affordable Care Act  that conservative activists saw as overreach.
German health authorities will allow all adults to sign up for vaccine appointments beginning in June, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday.

The announcement came after a meeting with lawmakers to discuss lifting social restrictions for fully vaccinated people, a sign that Germany may be moving closer to emerging from its latest lockdown.

We will enter a transition phase, which is also not easy, Ms. Merkel told reporters after discussing the countrys vaccination drive with state governors. Right now, Germany is focusing on vaccinating people 60 or older, or who are ill, or who work in certain professions.

Germanys vaccination campaign has picked up speed after a sluggish start, and on average, more than 485,000 people a day are now getting a shot in the last week. About 23 percent of the population has had at least one dose, and 7.2 percent are fully vaccinated. Germany lags far behind Britain, which has given at least one dose to 51 percent of its population, or the United States, with 42 percent.
Vietnamese-Cambodian people are provided aid (Photo: VNA)

The Preah Sihanouk province has been put under a lockdown since April 23 in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the community.



President of the Khmer-Vietnam Association in Preah Sihanouk Tran Van Nam earlier informed the Vietnamese Consulate General in the Cambodian province that many Vietnamese-Cambodians in Tumnup Rolok are facing food shortage. The residential area has been under quarantine for nearly one month since late March.

Beneficiaries were asked to follow health guidelines when receiving the aid.

According to Vietnamese General Consul Vu Ngoc Ly, Preah Sihanouk authorities and its Red Cross Society will soon distribute food free of charge to all residents in lockdown areas.

The Consulate General said there are no reports on Vietnamese-Cambodians contracted with the SARS-CoV-2 in Preah Sihanouk./.
JOHN DAVENPORT, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Chesapeake Energy Corp. Chief Executive Officer Doug Lawler is exiting less than three months after the oil and gas company, a one-time icon of the U.S. shale boom, emerged from bankruptcy.

Lawlers departure is effective April 30 and Chesapeakes board is searching for a replacement, the Oklahoma City-based company said Tuesday in a statement. Chairman Mike Wichterich will serve as interim CEO.
Pictured: Mr Pether

An Australian engineer detained in Iraq has spent just two hours outside of solitary confinement in 19 days - as his distraught wife claims he's been cut off from any contact with the 'outside world'.

Robert Pether, from Sydney's north shore, was arrested on April 7 when he arrived at a scheduled meeting with his client, the Central Bank of Iraq, in Baghdad.

Mr Pether's wife, Desree, has no idea why he was arrested or what he is being held on.

The Department of Foreign Affairs told Daily Mail Australia they are providing consular assistance to an Australian detained in Iraq.

But Ms Pether claims her pleas for help went unanswered and that she's been unable to find out any information about her husband's condition.

'As far as I know, he's still wearing his suit from that meeting on the 7th,' she said.

Ms Pether was told last week she would be permitted to speak with her husband for just two minutes after learning through his Dubai-based employer that he and a colleague had been arrested.

Robert Pether, from Sydney's north shore, was arrested on April 7 for questioning after arriving at a scheduled meeting with his client. Pictured with his two sons

'That still hasn't happened,' she said on Tuesday. 'He saw his lawyer for two hours and nobody else in 19 days now.

'There has been no contact with the outside world.'

Ms Pether separately claimed her husband is 'so straight up the line' that he 'wouldn't even take a bottle of wine off someone he works with' and has no idea why he has been detained.

Irish Senator Eugene Murphy said it was likely Mr Pether had 'unfortunately been caught in the middle... [of] some sort of contractual dispute' when he addressed the matter in parliament this week.

Ms Pether initially assumed it was a big mistake when she first learned of the arrests.

The father-of-three has been working on rebuilding projects across war-torn parts of the Middle East for the past 10 years and regularly travels between Iraq, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Bahrain as part of his job.

His wife and three children, aged 17, 15 and eight, are based in Ireland and often travel to be with Mr Pether at his job sites.

Mr Pether's wife, Desree, has no idea why he was arrested or what he is being held on. The Department of Foreign Affairs told Daily Mail Australia they are providing consular assistance to an Australian detained in Iraq. Pictured with his two sons

But three weeks ago, while working on site in Dubai, Mr Pether and his manager were contacted by the Central Bank of Iraq, which demanded they return immediately for a meeting to resolve a dispute about a new building project in Baghdad.

'There was never actually a meeting scheduled with any officials or any resolution,' Ms Pether told Daily Mail Australia.

'When they arrived, they were immediately taken into custody.'

Ms Pether has sought answers from the Australian embassy, but claims she has been told she is not authorised to liaise on his behalf.

'They have no idea how to help him,' she said.

'They just keep repeating that they can't discuss the case with me without consent from my husband. There is no support for me at all.'

Daily Mail Australia understands consular staff are not able to communicate with family and friends unless they are a nominated contact. But Ms Pether claims given she is the one who reported his arrest, and that her husband has been so hard to contact, she should be informed of any updates.

Ms Pether couldn't bring herself to tell their eight-year-old daughter (pictured together) right away

Consular assistance often includes visits to prisons to monitor welfare, liaising with local authorities regarding the prisoner's wellbeing and communicating with nominated contacts.

They are not able to provide any official legal advice, intervene in cases or get an Australian out of prison.

In spite of the lack of communication, Ms Pether is still holding out hope that she will be granted her two minute call with her husband and be reunited with him soon.

She said both she and her two eldest children knew something was amiss as soon as he failed to call them after the scheduled meeting.

During his 10 years of travelling in the region for work, Mr Pether had a pattern of calling his wife and children several times a day, and would have been expected to make a call after such an important conference.

After several days without contact, Ms Pether was finally able to talk with her husband's employer, who informed her that Mr Pether and his associate had both been detained.

After 10 years of travelling for work, the family have a system which works for their family. Mr Pether normally calls his wife (pictured together on their wedding day) and children several times a day while working overseas

Ms Pether claimed her husband is 'so straight up the line' that he 'wouldn't even take a bottle of wine off someone he works with' and has no idea why he has been detained

The company assured Ms Pether it had hired a well-respected Iraqi lawyer to take the case, and initially that gave her some reassurance.

'We've been relying on due process 100 per cent... believing they would be released immediately with an apology, but that is looking less promising,' Ms Pether said.

Their eldest son is in the midst of completing his final school exams in Ireland and now has the added stress of worrying about his father.

But Ms Pether couldn't bring herself to tell their eight-year-old daughter right away.

'I waited a few days,' Ms Pether said.

'I just kept telling her the phones were down in Iraq... she kept asking why daddy hadn't called.'

Ms Pether said he's been communicating with locals about the need for more banks and discussing future projects, including a hospital. Pictured: Mr Pether with his daughter on an international trip in 2013

After four days, she realised she had to tell her.

'She knew something was wrong because we normally speak to him several times a day.

'I was hiding in rooms crying on the phone constantly.'

The 47-year-old secured an engineering job in Dubai in 2011, and has helped to rebuild areas of the Middle East decimated by war.

His most recent project with the Central Bank of Iraq has been going for four years, and Ms Pether claims he'd been 'so excited and committed to rebuilding the country'.

Several of his past public social media posts show his support for the nation and its people

Several of his past public social media posts show his support for the nation and its people.

Ms Pether said he had been communicating with locals about the need for more banks and discussing future projects, including a hospital.

Prior to his arrest and the conflict between his employer and the Central Bank of Iraq, Mr Pether had been 'commended by the client (Central Bank of Iraq) on how well the project had been running' while he was head engineer.

'He has never ever felt unsafe working in the Middle East in 10 years. Not even in Iraq,' Ms Pether said.

'The country is focusing on rebuilding and eagerly inviting specialised labour, contractors and investors... all while claiming that Iraq is a safe place to work.'


A Madagascar crocodile underwent new ancient DNA-based study and it suggests that modern crocodiles are likely indigenous to Africa. A study headed by experts at the American Museum of Natural History has cleared up a long-standing disagreement about an extinct "horned" crocodile that possibly lived with humans in Madagascar.

Island of Madagascar

The research reveals that the horned crocodile was closely related to "true" crocodiles, as well as the well-known Nile crocodile, but on a different branch of the crocodile family tree, based on ancient DNA. The study, released today in the journal Communications Biology, counters the most current scientific reasoning about the evolutionary relationships of the horned crocodile and also proposes that the ancestor of modern crocodiles are possibly from Africa.

An assistant professor at Fordham University and a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History, lead author Evon Hekkala said: "This crocodile was concealing on the island of Madagascar when people were constructing the pyramids and was likely still present when pirates were getting trapped on the island, the crocodile blinked out just before we had the new genomic tools ready to make sense of the relationships of living things. And yet, they were the key to getting knowledge of the story of all the crocodiles alive presently."

Also Read: Crocodiles Have a Playful Side You'd Never Expect

Modern Humans in Madagascar

The coming of modern humans in Madagascar between around 9,000 and 2,500 years ago led to the extinction of many of the large animals in the islands, not excluding several lemur, elephant birds, giant tortoises, and dwarf hippos species. One insignificant extinction that happened during this period was that of an endemic "horned" crocodile - Voay robustus.

Early tourers to Madagascar noted that Malagasy peoples frequently referred to two kinds of crocodiles on the island: a large robust crocodile and a more gracile type which prefers rivers. This proposes that both types persevered until currently, but only the gracile form, now identified as a deserted population of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), is currently is seen on the island.

The Tree of Life

Despite almost 150 years of research, the placement of the horned crocodile in the tree of life has stayed controversial. it was initially described as a new species among the "true crocodile" group in the 1870s, which includes the Asian, American, and Nile crocodiles. Then, in the initial part of the 20th century, it was thought that the samples simply represented very ancient Nile crocodiles.

Eventually, in 2007, a study based on physical features of the fossil samples finalized that the horned crocodile was truly not a true crocodile, but in the family that includes dwarf crocodiles. To examine the position of the horned crocodile in the evolutionary tree fully, Hekkala and her team at the Museum made a number of trials to sequence DNA from fossil samples, plus two skulls that were well-preserved that have been at the Museum since the 1930s.

Related Article: Crocodiles' Super-skin Can Detect Environmental Changes

For more news, updates about crocodiles and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Drummoyne MP John Sidoti insisted he did not lie or make up evidence as he completed his final day in the witness box of a public inquiry into his conduct as an MP.

Mr Sidoti on Tuesday ended five days giving evidence to the corruption watchdog, which is examining if he used his position to improperly influence local Liberal councillors for the City of Canada Bay from 2011 to 2018.

Drummoyne MP John Sidoti says he did not lie or make up evidence. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

The inquiry has focused on Mr Sidotis lobbying to rezone blocks in Five Dock where his parents owned property, despite experts finding it was not in the public interest.

It is also considering if Mr Sidoti breached public trust by failing to disclose pecuniary interests including through family trusts.
Nobility RCM's solutions, systems and people are far more advanced than the typical billing company. I only associate with the best, and Nobility is the MIT of revenue cycle management solutions.

Proficient Consulting Group is the latest firm to join Nobility RCMs robust network of national affiliates, comprised of recognized businesses and industry experts across the U.S. that have endorsed the exceptional service and outcomes delivered by the leader in revenue cycle management (RCM) solutions. Proficiency Consulting Group, a Texas-based digital agency founded in 2013 and a trusted resource for medical practice management consulting, will work with Nobility RCM to bolster patient traffic to medical practices and modernize billing processes to maximize revenues.

"Patient care is always the top priority for medical practices, but effective billing processes are necessarily a close second, said Enrique Reyes, founder, Proficient Consulting Group. Nobility finds top talent and focuses on exceptional training to bring its clients a superior experience. Their solutions, systems and people are far more advanced than the typical billing company. I only associate with the best, and Nobility is the MIT of revenue cycle management solutions.

Nobility RCM specializes in providing professional medical billing and RCM services, along with integrated financial and practice management solutions, all with the purpose of improving its clients financial and practice performance. Using a four-phase deep dive process into a healthcare organizations existing systems and processes, Nobility RCM formulates an effective and custom solution to optimize revenues and management outcomes. Nobility RCMs implementation approach is also designed to minimize disruption to ongoing business activities.

"Adding Proficient Consulting Group to our esteemed network of affiliates is a natural choice, said Dr. Michael Fossum, CEO, Nobility RCM. "Enrique and his team are recognized architects of successful business models for medical practices, and we are honored to be their go-to resource for RCM solutions. The relationship has great synergy, as were both laser-focused on creating opportunities for optimal practice management performance.

About Nobility RCM

Nobility RCM is a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company that offers leading-edge revenue cycle management solutions to medium to large healthcare organizations. Nobility RCM presents a unique value proposition by providing working capital to its clients alongside advanced RCM and back office services. Founded in 2014, Nobility RCM has business operations throughout the U.S., with primary operating sites in Arizona, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Florida. Widely recognized for pioneering the Nobility Pre-Funding solution, a billing model that maximizes revenue for healthcare providers, the company delivers exceptional outcomes centered on transparency, communication and reporting. Learn more at http://www.nobilityrcm.com.
More than half of Bexar County residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and more than a third are fully vaccinated, local officials said Monday.

To date, 855,326 residents  55 percent of the population  have gotten their first shot. About 36 percent, or 558,986 residents, are fully vaccinated. Those figures exceed state and national averages, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said at the city-county coronavirus briefing.

It is simpler than ever to get a vaccine, Nirenberg said, with sites like the Alamodome administering shots to people on a walk-in basis from noon to 5 p.m. daily. On Saturday, more than 500 people were vaccinated that way, he added.

You dont need an appointment, Nirenberg said. The most important thing we can do as a community in order to enjoy the things that we were before this pandemic is get as many people as possible vaccinated as soon as possible.

On ExpressNews.com: You're not supposed to be here'  At 34, he needed new lungs after COVID wreaked havoc

Even with rising vaccinations and a low coronavirus infection rate in San Antonio, the citys COVID hospitalizations have recently begun to tick up again. The number of patients being treated for the disease has increased by more than 40 percent since the start of the month.

On Monday, 262 coronavirus patients were being treated in area hospitals, up from 185 on April 1 and 236 a week ago. Twenty-five patients were admitted in the past day, while 80 were critically ill and 50 were breathing with the support of a ventilator.

The bump in hospitalizations comes three weeks after the Easter Sunday holiday.

However, the number of patients is still well within local hospital capacity and is small in comparison to the citys two surges, when hospitalizations peaked at about 1,200 and 1,500 patients. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said at the briefing that it was unclear if variants could be playing any role in the incidence of severe illness.

Its a concern, but the numbers are very, very low, he said.

On ExpressNews.com: At the brink of a disaster': San Antonio's ongoing blood shortages jeopardize patient care

Health officials reported 233 new cases Monday, as well as 302 from Saturday and 165 from Sunday. The seven-day average for new cases stood at 246, up from 171 a week ago.

An additional 940 backlogged cases pushed the cumulative number of Bexar County residents who have contracted the virus to 216,339.

Overall, community transmission of the virus remains stable.

Last week, the positivity rate fell to 1.9 percent. The portion of people testing positive for the virus in San Antonio has hovered at a low level  about 2 percent  for the past six weeks.

The infection rate increased slightly from the previous week, from 10 to 11.5 cases per 100,000 people.

No new COVID deaths were reported Monday. Twenty backlogged deaths that occurred from Jan. 3 to April 6 pushed San Antonios death toll to 3,350.

lcaruba@express-news.net
TORONTO - Rogers Communications Inc. is warning Canadians to be wary of text messages offering to reimburse customers for a system outage earlier this month.

The Rogers logo is photographed at Toronto office on Monday, September 30, 2019. Scam artists have been using last week's wireless outage at Rogers Communications Inc. as a way to trick people into clicking on fraudulent links. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

TORONTO - Rogers Communications Inc. is warning Canadians to be wary of text messages offering to reimburse customers for a system outage earlier this month.

Screenshots shared on social media show text messages purporting to be from Rogers, asking recipients to click on a link to claim their rebate.

Rogers says it never sends credit notifications by text and anyone receiving such a message should not click on the link.

The 16-hour wireless system outage on April 19 was traced to a software upgrade, the company said. A Rogers email to customers the next day said it would issue a credit for that day's service on May's wireless bills, with no action required by customers.

One text message posted to social media falsely says that "R0GERS WIRELESS INC."  spelled with a zero instead of the letter O  is offering a $50 credit if people click on a provided link.

The $50 flat-rate figure is bogus, Rogers says, because the credit amount will vary depending on the wireless plan.

And since the credit is being automatically added to May's bills, any legitimate Rogers communication wouldn't include a registration link.

"Some customers have received scam text messages requesting individuals (to) click on a link to collect a credit," the company says on its website. "These messages are not from Rogers."

It suggests recipients forward the message to 7726 (SPAM).

The company, which operates the Rogers, Fido and Chatr wireless brands, has additional tips for detecting phishing messages via text or email.

 Check the email address, not just the sender's name. Watch for extra words, symbols or substituted letters, especially in the domain name.

 Links and attachments may contain malicious software, so don't click or open them. Instead, go directly to the source's official site.

 Requests for personal information are a red flag. Major institutions, such as banks and government services, don't ask for those details through email or text.

 Be cautious if the sender requires a quick or urgent response.

 Spelling and grammar mistakes are common in basic phishing messages, so read the message carefully.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2021.

Companies in this story: (TSX:RCI.B)
Did the year 2007 really happen? Given so much of whats gone on since then, its hard to believe it did. That was when John Howards Coalition government and the Labor opposition led by Kevin Rudd went to a federal election on a climate change unity ticket: both promised to implement an emissions trading scheme.

The high point of climate change policy had been reached  and its been downhill ever since, one of the biggest and most sustained policy failures in Australian history. Those who are bemused by Scott Morrisons latest attempt to use the issue to divide city and regional voters  in the same week as he decried identity politics for pitting various groups of Australians against each other  need only revisit the sad story of climate change action since 2007 to see how it fits a long-established and seemingly unbreakable narrative.

Kevin Rudd won the federal election in 2007. Credit:LWZ

The blend of cynicism and weakness thats driven this failure seems unlikely to change. Its truly remarkable that a sophisticated country such as ours continues to be unable to get its house in order on this vital challenge to our future.

There have been so many fumbles, misjudgments and betrayals in this saga that its difficult to know who to cast as the biggest sinner. Howard had been a late recruit to the climate change cause. By 2006, polling suggested most Australians believed anthropogenic climate change was real and needed a policy response.
Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan today received Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Baroness Caroline Cox, who is in Armenia on the occasion of the ceremonies commemorating the Armenian Genocide.

Greeting the guest, Mirzoyan stated that its a great honor for him to host one of the best friends of the Armenian people at the National Assembly, the parliament reported.

The parliamentary speaker and Baroness Cox discussed issues related to international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, betterment of the humanitarian situation in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), as well as the return of prisoners of war and other persons being illegally kept by Azerbaijan to Armenia. They also reached an agreement to combine efforts with international partners.

At the end of the meeting, Mirzoyan thanked Cox for standing with the Armenians for nearly 30 years and for unconditionally leading a just struggle during these years.
Parents across the nation are concerned about the education of their children which recently seems fixated on race, gender, and sexuality. It is understandable. We are all caught up in this culture war. We live in an era of strong opinions, weakly formed, according to author Carey Nieuwhof.

For centuries, our country has attracted people in search of the American dream. People around the globe understand that our values, traditions, behaviorshave fostered economic success here in America. E Pluribus Unum (From Many, One) remains the national motto, yet there is no longer a consensus about what that should mean. If you step into our public schools today, the many different cultures are on full display. This means even greater challenges on how, where, and when some parents want their children to learn certain subjects.

Humans are by nature tribal. We are initially drawn to people who look and act like us. Our nation is no longer united by a common language, faith, and ethics. So, the question that all Americans must contend with is: how do we best fulfill our destiny as a nation where all citizens can realize the benefits of equality of opportunity regardless of their national origin, the color of their skin, or their gender?

Our nation was forged from a Revolution that cost lives, possessions, and a way of life. My ancestors migrated here, including my Native American relatives, and in their way, contributed to the development of the county. They have been soldiers, teachers, preachers, farmers, bankers, builders, and much more. America was built by our immigrant ancestors including those forced by slavery to come to our shores. Bernard Baruch reminded us, We did not all come over on the same ship, but we are all in the same boat. Our progress is all the more remarkable when we grasp the progress of our nation is a melting pot of cultures.

Today our country is deeply divided politically. We see conflicts in our streets and across our media. We see the us versus them attitude that prevents citizens from working together to improve our communities, state, and nation. We must work collaboratively to find the best solution on hard issues now, rather than pass along our problems to future generations. Lack of critical thinking and leadership at the local, state, or national level, means our problems only grow larger.

True equality is not possible in a society where people are afraid to speak their minds. It should be acceptable to hold a different point of view. Anytime a voice is silenced, it eventually finds a place where it can be heard. Sadly, too many voices drown out those who offer possible solutions to real problems. Despite differences, we still have more in common than we can imagine. However, some people want to keep us focused on differences that divide us, rather than what unites us.

Nothing brings us closer together as a state and nation than when we face adversity, whether it is a natural disaster or man-made catastrophe. What unites us is far greater than what divides us, as John F. Kennedy said. Our great strength as a state and nation comes from our unity, which is the critical component of our perseverance.

In public education, our educators are caught in this culture war, stuck in the middle of a partisan divide. Educators are concerned when their freedom to teach is threatened by any curriculum which dictates a perspective that promotes a political agenda. Many educators simply wish they could teach their students and subjects without a political agenda.

Favorite childrens author Dr. Seuss, a progressive humanist, was targeted by the left for a list of offenses that are constantly growing and changing. However, pornography is barely confronted in todays culture and is easily accessible to school-age children. And pornography is linked to human trafficking by social conservatives and feminists alike. We need to get our priorities straight.

There is another false assumption emerging by outside influences which we should find offensive, that scientific and mathematical ability is discriminatory. In other words, if you are of a certain race or gender, you cannot learn certain subjects. That view should be insulting to all citizens and rejected. All children are capable of learning when afforded an equal opportunity and access to an exemplary public education, without top-down mandates on our schools and teachers.

In states like Oregon and California, the concept of mathematics is under attack, with elitists adamant: right and wrong answers perpetuate objectivity. Who knew that the very concept of a "right answer" in math is now a false construct and spreads a political ideology? Archimedes, the Father of Mathematics, must be rolling over in his grave. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has funded some of these programs. This pseudoscience effort has been labeled as another backdoor attempt to impose a national curriculum by several writers. Philosopher Tim Hansel offers this retort: Is it objectively wrong to hold the view that some things are objectively wrong?

Young children are now thrust into this changing landscape, being educated while the goal line is constantly moving. Right is wrong, wrong is now subjective, decisions are made by people who are not responsible for those choices. We can debate which issues are of greatest importance in the education of children, with literacy and math among the most critical skills. However, children should not be at the tip of the spear in our culture wars. We have to go in a different direction than this present narrative if we are going to keep public education and the American Dream alive for the next generation.

The majority of citizens still want what the first Americans wanted: a better life for themselves and their children. We must commit ourselves individually, and as a nation, to pass the baton of liberty to the next generation in this melting pot of cultures we call the United States of America. As David French wrote: Every Americanregardless of race, ethnicity, sex, religion or sexual orientationcan and should have a home in this land. We have to realize our future is a shared journey and dependent on all of us moving forward together. Our goal to fulfill our destiny as a nation should be to strengthen humanity, the one tribe we all belong to in America.

* * *

JC Bowman is the Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville
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Kerala: Alert on coastal swell surge

April 27,2021 | Source: The Hindu

Rough seas expected near low-lying coastal areas till April 28. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has put the Kerala coast on a swell surge alert till April 28.



The sea will be rough close to the shore and low-lying coastal areas in Kollam, Alappuzha, Kochi, Ponnani, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasargod are likely to experience surges intermittently till the night of April 28 during high tide. Swell waves with a height of one to 1.5 metres are likely along the coast, INCOIS said.



Fishermen and coastal populations have been advised to remain cautious. Plying boats near the coast should be avoided. Boats should be anchored at a fair distance from each other, to avoid damage from collisions. Water-based recreational activities along the coast and taking boats out from the shore should be avoided, INCOIS and the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority said. However, deep-sea fishing can be carried out as the effects of swell surge in the open ocean is likely to be minimal.
After the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was entered back into use by the Louisiana Department of Health on Saturday, local providers have now begun ramping up plans to start distributing it.

Ochsner Health, the states largest hospital system, has about 13,500 doses of the J&J vaccine, according to Dr. Sandra Kemmerly, an infectious disease specialist. Theyll start giving it out next week.

LCMC Health has not yet started giving out the J&J vaccine, but plans to put it back into use during the first half of May, said Dr. Jeffrey Elder, an emergency medicine physician who oversees the LCMC mass vaccination effort at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

The health care system, which operates six hospitals in the New Orleans area and several urgent cares, will have the J&J vaccine available at the Convention Center, community events and emergency departments.

Its a good way to catch some of our patients while we have them there, said Elder. They have their vaccine and they get it over with.

+2 A million COVID shots are sitting on shelves as Louisiana slips in vaccination rankings When Louisiana began its coronavirus vaccine rollout in December, state officials and hospital leaders moved fast to get shots into arms.

A return to distributing the one-dose vaccine is still very much work in progress, said Dr. Joe Kanter, the state health officer. The state has not yet received two 2,000-dose shipments it was scheduled to receive from the federal government over the last two weeks. The states goal is to have more than one vaccine available at any event.

That wont always be logistically possible, but thats the goal  to have a choice in the matter, said Kanter.

The 11-day pause on the J&J vaccine, which was developed by Janssen, started on April 13 after six women out of nearly seven million vaccinated people developed unusual blood clots. The pause was lifted on Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, following a recommendation from a committee that found the benefits of the vaccine were far greater than the risk. A warning has been added to its label.

The condition, a blood clot in the brain called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), is extremely rare. It has occurred alongside thrombocytopenia, or low platelets, the cells that help blood clot, making the typical treatment for clots dangerous.

In addition to the six cases that triggered the pause, six more cases were reported among eight million total vaccinations. Another three cases were included when the criteria was broadened to include all blood clots, not just those in the brain. All 15 reported cases were in women with a median age of 37. Three have died and several have been hospitalized.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which offered its recommendation to lift the pause to the CDC and FDA, did a calculation and projected that there would likely be 26 additional cases of CVST over the next six months. But cases and deaths of coronavirus would be far higher without J&J.

On the other hand, there would be 2,200 avoided hospitalizations from COVID and 1,400 avoided deaths, said Kanter. A pretty stark risk-benefit calculation on the population level, but at the end of the day people make their own decisions with the best information at hand.

J&J vaccine pause comes as Louisiana sees slowdown in demand for shots A week after federal regulators recommended pausing distribution of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, local public health experts ar

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The one-dose shot was used for hard-to-reach populations like homeless people and rural residents, but it was a popular option for many reasons.

Its return comes as state health officials are seeing a drop-off in vaccination rates, though it's unclear how much of the slowdown is due to the pause.

New vaccinations dropped to 45,086 over the past week, the lowest number since the vaccination effort ramped up in January, when supply was much lower and few people qualified for a vaccine. Just 32% of the state's residents have gotten at least one shot, ahead of only Mississippi and Alabama and well below the national average of 42%.

During the pause, several providers heard from people who wanted to wait for J&J to come back. Dr. Jennifer Avegno, the New Orleans health director, said a car pulled up during a shots for shots event in Treme administering Moderna over the weekend looking for Johnson & Johnson.

They said, OK, Ill check you when you get J&J and drove off, said Avegno.

Avegno said the city is going to hold an education event with a hematologist, a doctor who studies blood disorders, to answer any questions about the clotting events. Theyll start using J&J again on Wednesday at a vaccine event targeted at transient people in Duncan Plaza.

Ive been pleasantly surprised in some conversations with community partners that there is still demand for it with a little bit of education, said Avegno. Its still going to be very useful to us. It might not be quite as popular as it was initially, but if we can offer people three different choices, thats going to get us more takers than if we only had two.

Kemmerly, of Ochsner, has seen similar responses to the J&J pause, with patients preferring the one-dose vaccine because they don't have to return for a second.

We have had a number of individuals say, Im just gonna wait for the J&J to come back into play and then Ill get my vaccine, said Kemmerly.

US health panel urges restarting Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccinations A U.S. health panel says it's time to resume use of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine, despite a very rare risk of blood clots.

Crescent Care, a federally qualified health care center that has partnered with bars and the city to administer the vaccines, will offer Moderna alongside J&J at future events. The staff will educate patients on the risks and benefits of each vaccine and allow them to make a choice, said Dr. Jason Halperin, an infectious disease specialist at the clinic.

The risk of not choosing to vaccinate is a way higher risk for a patient than to choose Johnson & Johnson, said Halperin.
The Brazilian health regulator Anvisa on Monday rejected importing the Russian-made Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine requested by state governors battling a deadly second wave of the virus that is battering Latin America's largest nation. Anvisa's five-strong board voted unanimously not to approve the Russian vaccine after technical staff had highlighted "inherent risks" and "serious" defects, citing a lack of information guaranteeing its safety, quality and effectiveness.

Ana Carolina Moreira Marino Araujo, general manager for health monitoring, said that taking into account all the documentation presented, data acquired at in-person inspections and information from other regulators, "inherent risks" were too great. A crucial issue was the presence in the vaccine of the adenovirus that could reproduce, a "serious" defect, according to Anvisa's medicines and biological products manager Gustavo Mendes.

The Sputnik V shot has been approved in several countries around the world. Russian scientists say it is 97.6% effective against Covid-19 in a "real-world" assessment based on data from 3.8 million people, Moscow's Gamaleya Institute and the Russian Direct Investment Fund said last week.

But, like Anvisa, the European Union has not yet approved the vaccine, saying it needs more information on the tests and manufacturing process. Brazil's vaccination program has been blighted by delays and procurement failures, turning the country into one of the world's deadliest Covid-19 hotspots this year and pushing the national health system to the brink of collapse.

So far 27.3 million people in Brazil, equivalent to 13% of the population, have received a first dose, according to health ministry data. Brazil has registered 14.4 million confirmed cases of the virus and almost 400,000 deaths since the onset of the pandemic over a year ago, much of that in the last few months.

Also read: Centre will not import COVID-19 vaccines, leaves the decision to states
Investigations editor

Larry Parnass, investigations editor, joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant and CommonWealth Magazine.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-27 10:40:24|Editor: huaxia

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SEOUL, April 27 (Xinhua) -- South Korea lodged a strong protest Tuesday against Japan's renewed territorial claims to the Dokdo islets, called Takeshima by Japan lying halfway between the two countries.

The Seoul foreign ministry said in a statement that the government strongly protests against Japan over its repeated futile claims to Dokdo, which is "explicitly our inherent territory historically, geographically and by international law," through the diplomatic blue book.

It gravely urged Tokyo to immediately retract the claims, saying South Korea will sternly deal with any provocation of Japan against the country's easternmost islets.

The ministry summoned Hirohisa Soma, deputy chief of mission at the Japanese embassy in Seoul, to protest against Japan's annual foreign policy paper, according to local media.

Since 2005, Japan has laid territorial claims to the rocky outcroppings every year in its diplomatic blue and defense white papers.

South Korea restored its sovereignty over Dokdo after the Korean Peninsula's liberation from the 1910-45 Japanese colonization. Seoul has since been in effective control of the islets, with a small police detachment deployed.

South Koreans see Japan's territorial claims to the islets as its denial of the colonial history as Dokdo was the very first territory that was forcibly occupied by Japan. Enditem
New Delhi:

Since Gujarat Assembly Elections have been announced, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is letting no stones unturned to win the forthcoming election in the state but there are three youth leaders  Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mewani  who can play a major role in giving a stop to the fifth consecutive dream win of the saffron party.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself had to come down to Gujarat at least three times to the poll-bound state in the last one month sensing the trouble the three leaders can create.

Modi in his last visits announced several schemes and program especially to woo the youth voters.

The three youth leaders who can be a spoilsport for the BJPs success in the upcoming elections have a large support of the youths.

There have been murmurs and even the opposition had alleged that the Election Commission took its sweet-time to announce the dates to provide the BJP-led central government to announce programs to attract voters.

Hardik,a Patel is leading Patidar agitation, Alpesh a Thakor is face of OBC and Jignesh a Dalit is leading his community in various fronts. Thakors, Dalits and Patels together make up 40% of the states population.

Know more about the three youth leaders

Hardik Patel: The 24-year-old in 2012 had joined the Sardar Patel Group (SPG), a Patidar youth body, and rose in ranks in less than a month. He became president of its Viramgam unit.

Patel in 2015 launched Patidar reservation agitation. He formed the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) which claimed itself as an apolitical organization that aimed to get Patidars included in the OBC quota.

He successfully used the social media to spread his message and gather supporters. A large number of Patidars from across the state gathered at Ahmedabad for a rally. He declared the day as Patidar Kranti Diwa. That

Recently, BJP had tried to pull in several of his close aide to their flock. The saffron party did manage to pull in a few but the act got fired after Hardiks close aide accused the party of bribing them to change loyalties.

Patel has yet not announced his alliance with Congress. But, according to reports he has met Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi recently and soon will announce Patidars vote for Congress.

Alpesh Thakor: Convener of Gujarat Kshatriya Thakor Sena and an face of other backward castes (OBC) leader.

Thakor has emerged as the face of Gujarats OBCs population. The state has around 40% OBC population. Thakor community alone represent 22% of the state population.

Thakor has been leading protest against the ruling BJP government over various issues including farm distress and unemployment. Early this year, he along with his supporters had dumped milk on roads to press in their demands for a farm loan waiver.

The BJP may lose a large chunk of OBC votes as Alpesh is supporting Congress.

He earlier this week shared staged with Rahul Gandhi in Gandhinagar. Thousands of people from the OBC community had attended the rally.

Alpesh in his speech during the rally showed confidence that Congress will win more than 125 seats in the Assembly Elections.

Jignesh Mevani: The 35-year-old lawyer and activist had launched Dalit Asmita Yatra from Ahmedabad to Una in 2016 to protest attack on Dalit men by members of self claimed cow protection groups. According to reports more than 20000 people including women had gathered on August 15, 2016 to be part of the protest march. During the rally the Dalits had pledged to give up their traditional job of removing cow carcasses.

Since his first protests he has organised several rallies and protest march in Gujarat.

The Congress is courting that Jignesh may soon join the party but the Dalit leader has made a clear stand of not joining any political party.

He recently told the media that he will not join any party but will definitely work to pull down the BJP. Jignesh also appealed all sections angry with BJP to come togeather.

Conclusion: Political pundits say that the three youth leaders have a hold in their communities and can play a spoilsport in the BJPs dream win.



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NW Tennessee 7-Year-Old Hooks 83-Pound Catfish

By West Kentucky Star Staff

CLARKSVILLE - Autry Hogan was fishing near Clarksville recently when he landed a fish that was literally as big as he is.Hogan's family was fishing in Stewart County near the Cumberland City steam plant south of LBL, when 7-year-old Autry landed an 83-pound flathead catfish. After weighing the beast and measuring it -- 47 inches -- they released it back into the Cumberland River. Later they learned that the Tennessee state record is 85 pounds, 15 ounces.Autry toldthat the monster was the first fish he had caught on his new rod that he bought with his allowance.The original story is linked below.On the Net:
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken participates in a virtual bilateral meeting with Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari at the State Department in Washington on April 27, 2021. (Leah Millis/Reuters)

Nigeria Urges US to Move Africa Command Headquarters to Continent

ABUJAThe United States should consider moving its military headquarters overseeing Africa to the continent, from Germany, to better tackle growing armed violence in the region, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said on Tuesday.

Nigerian security forces face multiple security challenges including school kidnappings by armed gangs in its northwest and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea as well as the decade-long insurgency by radical Islamic terrorists Boko Haram, which also carries out attacks in neighboring Niger, Cameroon, and Chad.

West Africas Sahel region is in the grip of a security crisis as groups with ties to al-Qaeda and the ISIS terrorist group attack military forces and civilians, despite help from French and United Nations forces.

Buhari, in a virtual meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, said U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), should be relocated to Africa itself.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken participates in a virtual bilateral meeting with Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari at the State Department in Washington, on April 27, 2021. (Leah Millis/Reuters)

Considering the growing security challenges in West and Central Africa, Gulf of Guinea, Lake Chad region and the Sahel, weighing heavily on Africa, it underscores the need for the United States to consider re-locating AFRICOM headquarters  near the theatre of operation, said Buhari, according to a statement issued by the presidency.

He spoke a week after the death of the longtime president of Chad, Idriss Deby, in a battle against rebels.

Deby was an important Western ally in the fight against radical Islamic terrorists and under him Chadian soldiers formed a key component of a multinational force fighting Boko Haram and its offshoot, which has pledged allegiance to ISIS.

The security challenges in Nigeria remain of great concern to us and impacted more negatively by existing complex negative pressures in the Sahel, Central and West Africa, as well as the Lake Chad Region, said Buhari, a retired major general.

AFRICOM did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

By Felix Onuah

Epoch Times staff contributed to this report
In a sudden twist of irony, Democrats are now using "vote integrity" as an excuse to stop the ongoing audit of Arizona's 2020 election results, a report said.

Democrats in Arizona led by County Supervisor Steve Gallardo have filed a lawsuit to stop the audit due to claims of it "violating" the election laws of the state, CBN News reported.

The judge handling the case, Honorable Christopher Coury, ordered the company handling the audit, Cyber Ninjas, to give Democrats the option to stop the recount by paying a $1M bond that will cover potential costs from the auditing's delay. Coury also ordered Cyber Ninjas to follow all state laws.

As per CBN News, the Democrats did not pay the bond but are intent in stopping the recount since they claim that the proper procedures are not in place to "protect" the privacy of the ballots, which is the same argument raised by former President Donald Trump's team during the ballot's counting.

Tthe Republican Party through a subpoena obtained the ballots for auditing that was then conducted in Arizona's Veterans Memorial Coliseum and will last for 19 days. The auditing will not affect election results being certified already.

Yet the Democratic Party are on edge with the ongoing audit on the 2.1M ballots cast in Maricopa County, CBN News said, adding that the auditing almost did not happen due to the court battle on it.

The Arizona Republican Party condemned the Democrats for their actions in a tweet posted on Friday stating that the latter are trying to keep Americans out of the state's elections.

"Democrats doing everything to stop audit, including filing lawsuits attacking the "integrity" of the process. So NOW they care about #ElectionIntegrity?!?! Nope. They just don't want Americans to be involved in our own elections. Watch audit live at azaudit.org," the Arizona Republican Party said.

Democrats doing everything to stop audit, including filing lawsuits attacking the "integrity" of the process. So NOW they care about #ElectionIntegrity?!?! Nope. They just don't want Americans to be involved in our own elections. Watch audit live at https://t.co/YgAKN8EcYu pic.twitter.com/Nz3r8bcyDJ  Arizona Republican Party (@AZGOP) April 23, 2021

Members of the media were prohibited inside the coliseum unless they sign up as observers who are not allowed to take down notes nor have cameras with them. The audit, however, can still be watched by the public through the livestream linked in the tweet.

Observers also work on a six-hour shift. One of the reasons for this is that Cyber Ninjas have asked the court to keep their auditing procedures secret for the recount. The auditing company also asked the court to deny access to the media during the hearing should the discussion be on the audit's operation.

AZCentral reported that lawyers representing Cyber Ninjas said that "filing the documents in court publicly would compromise the security of its recount" since the records included "protected trade secrets."

The report added that judge Coury has already vacated the case on the account that one of the new lawyers of Cyber Ninjas once worked in his office and might compromise the integrity of the case. As such, a new judge will be handling the case in the person of the Honorable Daniel Martin beginning on Tuesday when the hearing is set.

In compliance to the state's procedures, AZCentral added that Coury also ordered on Friday that black and blue pens be prohibited from use in the coliseum during the auditing. AZCentral explained that this is prohibited in the state's election procedures because voters use the same colored pens to mark their ballots while election workers normally use red ink to prevent the tampering of ballots.
She has recently returned to the UK following a work trip in Los Angeles.

And Lottie Moss put on a cheeky display as she headed to a tattoo removal specialist to laser off her 'not yours' inking on her derriere on Tuesday.

The model, 23, showed off her ample cleavage in a plunging khaki crop top as she lay on the bed and filmed the procedure on Instagram.

Commanding attention: Lottie Moss put on a cheeky display as she headed to a tattoo removal specialist to laser off her 'not yours' inking on her derriere on Tuesday

Wearing a hot pink thong, Lottie showed the laser equipment as a trained therapist worked in zapping away the inking.

The blonde beauty is thought to have around five tattoos, including a flock of birds under her breast, a zodiac sign on her hip, heart on her wrist, infinity on her upper arm and 'not yours' on her derriere.

Lottie also treated herself to a facial while at the beauty salon.

Laser removal: The younger sister of Kate Moss decided it was time for her inking (pictured) on her derriere to go

Racy display: The model, 23, showed off her ample cleavage in a plunging khaki crop top as she lay on the bed and filmed the procedure

Tatts: The blonde beauty is thought to have around five tattoos, including a flock of birds under her breast, a zodiac sign on her hip, heart on her wrist, infinity on her upper arm and 'not yours'

Wearing a hot pink thong, Lottie showed the laser equipment as a trained therapist worked in zapping away the inking

Goodbye: Lottie decided it was time for the inking to go

It comes after Lottie revealed she felt 'kind of high,' as she appeared bleary-eyed and intoxicated during an Instagram Live video on Monday.

The lingerie model who was staying at her friend's apartment, said she had 'half a joint' in the 30-minute clip while admitting to having a breast augmentation and being shunned by the modelling industry, according to The Sun.

She said: 'I'm kind of high right now, which is why I'm talking my mind. But yeah, I speak so quickly.

'I'm actually sorry I know I talk really quickly and it's probably really difficult for people to understand that aren't British, but I just talk really quickly because I have ADHD, period.'

Pamper session: Lottie also treated herself to a facial while at the beauty salon

Lottie also revealed that she decided to fly back to England after a date with a man in New York turned sour.

She said: 'Flew to New York [from Los Angeles] to see a guy and he ended up being just a bit of an a**ehole, to be honest.

'I have really bad taste in guys. I keep going for guys who couldnt care less. Ive been single for five years now.'

The model was previously linked to Made In Chelsea's Alex Mytton and presenter Roman Kemp.
Mumbai, April 27 : Commercial banks will have to take prior approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for appointment of Statutory Central Auditors (SCA) and Statutory Auditors (SAs).

The RBI on Tuesday issued of guidelines for appointment of statutory central auditors (SCAs) and statutory auditors (SAs) of commercial banks, excluding regional rural banks, UCBs and NBFCs, including Housing Finance Companies.

Banks should apply to Department of Supervision, RBI before July 31, of the reference year and the Public Sector Banks (PSBs) shall approach RBI within one month of receipt of list of eligible audit firms from RBI.

While NBFCs do not have to take prior approval of RBI for appointment of statutory auditors, all NBFCs need to inform RBI about the appointment of the statutory auditors for each year by way of a certificate in 'Form A' within one month of such appointment.

For entities with asset size of Rs 15,000 crore and above as at the end of previous year, the statutory audit should be conducted under joint audit of a minimum of two audit firms. All other entities should appoint a minimum of one audit firm for conducting statutory audit.

Further, it shall be ensured that joint auditors of the entity do not have any common partners and they are not under the same network of audit firms.
NEW YORK, April 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Content Marketing Institute is excited to announce world-renowned chef Cat Cora as the headliner for ContentTECH Summit 2021. Cora will take the virtual stage at the June 8-10, 2021 event, sharing her experiences as a chef, author, restaurateur, television host and lifestyle entrepreneur. Shell also be cooking up something special for the audience!



The Jackson, Mississippi native trained at the Culinary Institute of America, cooked at two 3-star Michelin restaurants in France and has opened more than 18 restaurants and over 500 pop-ups, highlighting her platform on health, wellness and sustainability. Cora has also authored five books. She made her TV debut in 1999, as co-host of Food Networks Melting Pot with Rocco Di Spirito. Since then shes appeared extensively on a number of television shows, most recently as co-host on BRAVO's Around the World in 80 Plates as well as FOX's My Kitchen Rules.

Cora is a culinary trailblazer who holds a series of firsts for women in the culinary industry, including in 2005, when she made television history when she became the first-ever female Iron Chef on Food Networks hit show: Iron Chef America. She also became the first female inducted into The American Academy of Chefs Culinary Hall of Fame.

As if thats not enough, Cora is also an active philanthropist. She is the President and Founder of Chefs for Humanity, a non-profit dedicated to reducing hunger worldwide and promoting nutrition education. In 2018, Chef Cat Cora launched her Womens Empowerment Culinary Internship Program to help women succeed in the culinary arts. For her efforts, President Barack Obama awarded her the prestigious Presidents Volunteer Service Award and The Presidents Lifetime Achievement Award.

Cat Cora is an exciting addition to the 2021 ContentTECH Summit lineup this year, shares Stephanie Stahl, general manager, Content Marketing Institute. Just looking at her list of achievements, she clearly knows how to create not only great food and experiences that resonate with customers, but she does the same with her content. Using the principles of excellence and consistency, she knows how to develop a loyal audience that is always coming back for more.

You can read much more about Cat Cora taking the virtual stage at ContentTECH Summit here: http://cmi.media/chefcora

There is still time to register for the 2021 ContentTECH Summit. The all-digital event will be June 8-10. For more information visit: www.Content.TECH

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YEREVAN.  Hraparak daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: At this stage, the attitude of the Russian authorities towards Armenias political forces and, in particular, the upcoming [snap parliamentary] elections, is very noteworthy.

How do the RF [Russian Federation] authorities treat the current and former [Armenian] authorities? Which political forces do they "see" at the helm of the authorities? Outwardly, they have left the field freewith the formula "fight, and we will work with who will win [the elections]." But [second President] Robert Kocharyan is the preferred one [for Russia] from the former [Armenian] presidents.

But the [Russian authorities] attitude towards [ex-President] Serzh Sargsyan is very negative, and it comes from 2018. The thing is that before his resignation on April 23, 2018, Serzh Sargsyan not only did not ask for support, but at least did not inform [Russian President] Vladimir Putin that he was going to take such a step.

And Putin viewed his [Sargsyans] sudden resignation as a personal insult to him, considering that as a partner, the RA third president was obliged to at least call before taking a step, convey that he wanted to do such a thing. And that is the reason why after [20]18 there is no contact with Serzh Sargsyan and the [former ruling] Republican [Party of Armenia].
Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africas leading airline, will be conducting trials of IATA Travel Pass, a digital travel mobile app to enhance efficiency in testing or vaccine verifications.

As travel restarts, travellers need accurate Covid-19-related information like testing and vaccine requirements which vary among countries. The IATA Travel Pass initiative helps verify the authenticity of test information presented by travellers which is essential for ensuring the safety of passengers while complying with entry requirements of countries.

The trial will be conducted on flights out of Addis Ababa to Washington DC and Toronto as well as on flights out of London and Toronto to Addis Ababa, effective April 25.

Ethiopian has gone digital in all of its operations to avoid physical contact and combat the spread of the pandemic and now, embarks on this initiative which will allow passengers to relish unparalleled flight experience.

Regarding the trial of the IATA travel pass, Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, said: Digital technology is vital to solve many of the problems that arise from the pandemic. We are glad that we are offering new digital opportunities to our passengers so as to fully and safely restart air travel. Our customers will enjoy efficient, contactless and safer travel experience with their travel pass digital passport. As a safety first airline, we have become the first African airline to trail IATAs travel pass initiative to facilitate travel. The new initiative will increase travellers confidence in travel, encourages governments to reopen their borders and expedites industry restart.

Nick Careen, IATA Senior Vice President for Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security, said: Ethiopian Airlines is once again showing its leadership position in Africa becoming the first carrier to implement a live trial of IATA Travel Pass. The trial will help build confidence among governments and travellers that digital health apps can safely, securely and conveniently help restart aviation. The app gives travellers a one-stop-shop to help them comply with the new rules for travel. And for governments complete assurance in the identity of the passenger and the authenticity of the travel credentials being presented. We urge Governments in Africa to accelerate the acceptance of digital health credentials for travel across the continent.

The Travel Pass will help create a digital passport, receive test and vaccination certificates and verify that they are sufficient for their route, and share testing or vaccination certificates with airlines and authorities to facilitate travel. The digital travel app will also avoid fraudulent documentation and make air travel more convenient. - TradeArabia News Service
China, which is hosting a meeting of Foreign Ministers of some South Asian countries to deal with the Covid-19 situation, said on Tuesday that the virtual conference is open to all countries in the region, including India.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are invited to the virtual Foreign Ministerial level meeting being hosted on Tuesday by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. India, Maldives and Bhutan are conspicuously absent from the meeting.

Asked why India has not been invited to the meeting, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a media briefing that "China follows the spirit of openness and inclusiveness".

"This meeting is open to South Asian countries, including India. We welcome the participation of all countries," he said.

This meeting is part of Chinas cooperation with South Asian countries and regional and international cooperation to fight the coronavirus pandemic, he said.

"We follow an open attitude and we are open for the participation of other South Asian countries, Wang said.

About Chinas offer of extending support and assistance to India, which is currently experiencing a virulent second wave of coronavirus attack, Wang said, "China has expressed early on its willingness to provide India with support and help".

"We are promoting Chinese companies to meet Indias procurement demands for oxygen concentrators and other anti-epidemic supplies. We are ready to work with India through multiple ways to provide assistance. We believe India will finally defeat the virus, he said.

China reported the first Covid-19 case in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and since then the deadly disease has snowballed into a pandemic, affecting more than 147,925,000 people and over 3,122,300 deaths worldwide.

About Tuesdays meeting the spokesman said, "as we speak, the virus is still spreading across the world. Against such a backdrop, China proposed to hold a video conference to demonstrate regional resolution to fight against Covid-19, deepen practical cooperation, consolidate momentum for economic recovery and safeguard outcomes and livelihood improvements.

"We hope that it will be a successful one and inject a new impetus to regional efforts to vanquish the virus and realise steady development, he said.

"This meeting extends existing efforts by China at relevant South Asian countries to jointly fight Covid-19 and jointly resume socio-economic development, he said, adding that it also stands as an integral part of international, regional anti-epidemic cooperation.

"The meeting will be held under the principles of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation. Other interested countries are welcome to participate, he said.

On Chinas organising the meeting of the South Asian countries to combat Covid-19, Wang said that since the outbreak of Covid-19 China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have been standing together, providing assistance to one another and contributing to regional response.

Since July 2020, China has hosted a series of meetings on combating Covid-19 including one meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Vice Foreign Ministers of China, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh and another fighting coronavirus and poverty alleviation at Director-General level of all the six countries, Wang said.

"The meetings effectively enhanced cooperation among countries to fight the virus and resume economic activities," he said.
Netflix's "Headspace Guide to Sleep" is the second collaboration between the mindfulness and meditation company and the streaming platform. (Netflix)

When was the last time that you stopped? Andy Puddicombe asks in the first episode of Headspace Guide to Meditation. That you were still? That you put down your phone and you got rid of all of the distractions around you? When was the last time you did nothing? And by nothing, I really mean nothing.

For most people staggering through the modern worlds ongoing information blitz, its a pointed, even shameful, question  and its one that Puddicombe is used to asking. Hes the co-founder of mindfulness and meditation company Headspace, known predominantly for its app, which has 65 million downloads and counting. But although Puddicombe has made it his lifes mission to ask questions like these, usually in a guided session through your phone, this time hes delivering it on a platform you might not expect: Netflix.

Released in January, Headspace Guide to Meditation is the first in a three-program partnership with the streaming giant, with the second, Headspace Guide to Sleep, premiering Wednesday. (The third project, with no details except that it's an interactive series, is due later this year.) So far, the installments arent really shows at all  theyre more like seminars. Each brief episode begins with a lesson about some aspect of mindfulness and ends with a guided meditation.

With soft animation and buoyant electronic music, the series offer a pleasant counter to an increasingly draining world, and perhaps a foundation for exploring healthier habits for navigating the attention economy. And then the credits start to roll, and Netflix inevitably autoplays the next episode  to get you to binge meditate. In short, its an odd media pairing if there ever was one.

We really strongly believe we want to meet people where they are on their journey, says Morgan Selzer, Headspaces head of content. Shes been at the forefront of the companys broadening media initiatives, which include a full podcast slate, pep talks from Kevin Hart and a series of shorts created with Sesame Street, designed to help children be more mindful.

Story continues

Selzer is on a video call with Eve Lewis Prieto, Headspaces director of meditation and the host of the Sleep series, in which she gently coaches you with strategies for a better nights rest. Along with Puddicombe, Prieto is one of several teacher voices available on the app, which means that, if youve spent time using it, the experience of being introduced to her can feel a little like deja vu.

I tell my husband that I go to bed with lots of people every night, she jokes, taking the call from the Headspace office in Santa Monica.

Prieto began working for the company in 2013, soon after she reached a breaking point as an anxious advertising professional. It wasnt a particularly good period of my life, she says. Id experienced a lot of challenges in my family, I was in a lot of debt, and I was really, really stressed. But I wasnt necessarily aware that I was really stressed. I just thought that was how you felt when things were going really badly.

A friend recommended the Headspace app, and after some insistence  shes a good friend, Prieto says  she gave it a try. It clicked. Ill never forget my first session: I just had this immediate sense of, Wow, I dont need to feel like this all of the time.

Selzer says shes also a convert, having been recommended the app by her mother while dealing with postpartum issues. She joined Headspace in 2019 after spending seven years in program development at cable TV network CMT, and her assignment in some ways was to bridge her past and present jobs. I think it was the idea of taking my background in storytelling, she says, and, as I call it, hiding the vegetables  finding entertaining and insightful ways to get people excited about being mindful, because we know how helpful it can be.

Around the time Selzer started this work, Brandon Riegg, vice president of unscripted and documentary series at Netflix, was looking for a new health and wellness program to add to his roster  and he was also meaning to start meditating more (a 2020 New Years resolution). The programs he develops take many forms, be it Love Is Blind or Tidying Up With Marie Kondo, so when Headspace, working together with Vox Media Studios, pitched his team on an unorthodox approach, he didnt hesitate: It was maybe divine intervention, he says.

Netflix regularly experiments with the possibilities of streaming, clearly savoring the platforms ubiquity to circumvent traditional limitations of genre and format. That means more offerings like Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, a choose-your-own-adventure film, and The Midnight Gospel, an animated adaptation of philosophical podcast conversations. Here, there arent any real rules, says Riegg.

One might trace the Headspace programs lineage back to educational public access programming like Bob Ross The Joy of Painting, but when its queued up on your screen, and an affable British man is helping you focus on your breathing, its hard to say what the product really is. Self-help? Entertainment? Is it even television at all?

It is sort of a hybrid experiential  thing that were creating, says Selzer. And its something that, when we were developing it with the team at Netflix, admittedly we all said, This has never been done before. We dont know what to call it.

An image from HBO Max's "A World of Calm," made in partnership with Headspace competitor Calm. (HBO Max)

Mindfulness and meditation may be new to Netflix, but business has been booming for some time. Tethered to an increasing level of societal burnout, meditation is projected to be a $2-billion industry by 2022, with Headspace alone having raised over $200 million in funding to date. (It was only 11 years ago that the entire company was essentially just Puddicombe and Richard Pierson, his business partner, organizing in-person meditation conferences.)

And of the major players in entertainment, its not just Netflix getting into the game. Calm, Headspaces main competitor, released a series last year on HBO Max, A World of Calm, which features documentary scenes of placid beauty designed to make you chill out for 20 minutes at a time. Theres no interactive or educational element with this one  its more like Planet Earth on Xanax, narrated by A-list celebrities such as Zoe Kravitz and Keanu Reeves.

The meditation/mindfulness expansion "is not ahistorical, says Diana Winston, the director of mindfulness education at the Mindfulness Awareness Research Center at UCLA. She notes that, in the development of Buddhism in particular, there have been several relatively recent waves of expanded outreach as teachings have spread from the initial privacy of monasteries. But what hasnt happened is this level of technology.

Winston herself works on UCLAs mindfulness app and podcast, so she knows technology can be used for good in her field. Its something that we find to be really valuable for students, she says. She sees the trend as a reflection of the culture, in the same way that each form of Buddhism usually reflects its location in some way. It adapted to a different, very consumer-driven culture [here]. So I dont judge it. I just think its sort of funny. Like, it makes sense to me that thats what would happen.

"Headspace Guide to Meditation" delivers its wellness message with animation, as well as buoyant electronic music. (Netflix)

Before starting Headspace, Puddicombe spent a decade of his life in various Buddhist monasteries, a decision spurred by a series of deaths of people close to him. In the early days of the company, Pierson had to convince him to make the guided meditations available in any digital format whatsoever.

Since that time, though, hes embraced his role as an unlikely impresario of meditation practices across the globe. Youre likely to find him on places like The Tonight Show, leading a nationwide meditation session with Jimmy Fallon, or on Ellen, sending every guest in the studio audience home with a lifetime Headspace membership (and also a $150 Visa gift card, for some reason). Even if distractions like television may be a cause of the very problems that hes trying to help people combat, Puddicombe still thinks its a net positive to approach the issue at the source.

When we launched the app almost a decade ago, some people were skeptical about learning meditation on a smartphone, he writes in an email to The Times. But for many it has been life-changing. The move to TV is similar in many ways. At first glance, it may not seem like the most obvious platform for learning meditation, yet its been incredibly effective, and the feedback weve received from viewers has been extraordinary  both moving and inspiring in equal measure.

Asked about where, exactly, she feels Headspace fits into the sprawling Netflix megaverse  among the superhero shows, the true-crime documentaries, the Adam Sandler movies, and on and on  Prieto hopes, for some, that the shows might end up in the comfort-viewing section, after theyve been digested for the first time, anyway. Ive watched Schitts Creek now, like, three times, she says with a laugh. With these two shows as well, theres really encouragement to go back and watch again.  Within mindfulness, no two moments are really the same.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
New Delhi, April 27 : In view of the rapidly increasing threat posed by coronavirus in the country, the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday banned any kind of 'victory procession' by any political party after the results of the Assembly elections held in five states are declared on May 2. Any violation of this EC order will invite strict action against the candidate and his party. Not more than two people will accompany the candidate while receiving the victory certificate.

Covid-19 cases are increasing at an alarming rate in the country with more than 3.5 lakh cases coming up every day. The Madras High Court (HC) had recently held the EC responsible for the surge in Covid-19 cases and said a "murder case should be registered for the deaths caused due to the virus". A day after the Madras HC observations, the EC has banned 'victory processions' by political parties.

The results of the Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry will be declared on May 2.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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